For those guys commenting about New Zealand for games....a quick update from Auckland. Our restrictions have just been relaxed a bit from 2 days ago, but are still more severe than most Aust states. We have just allowed food outlets to reopen but only drive thru, delivery and at the door (i.e. no on...

Sitting through the 3rd week of N Z shutdown I’ve caught up on a lot of old games...just finished watching the 2004 preliminary against SASkunks. What a gutsy effort that was and wonder if that wasn’t a better balanced team than we has in 2009. Not necessarily more skilled, just a great team that wa...

Based on the last Wellington game we had, I may beg to disagree with Nick on his assumption of a lot of NZ based Saints supporters. When I enquired with the club re a ticket they gave truly royal treatment for me as being from Auckland and making the trip down to see the game (the club hotline team ...

Thanks Jaxons. Have never seen the full replay before, only parts. Always thought an absolute champion performance to beat them at their lair for the first time in over a decade. After seeing no Plugger and Banga off before half time, makes it all the more memorable. McAdam was mercurial! My only ex...

Sorry samuraisaint...spelt you incorrectly

Totally agree samaraisaint....Asia and China are already converted to soccer. Just illustrating what can happen if you crack the market there. Personally the only reason Saints go to Shanghai is for the extra money (via Chinese rich benefactors/AFL deluding themselves they have a "world game&qu...

Hey Joffa Burns - you are absolutely correct about my comment on grabbing fans in Shanghai - a bit embarrassed after reading what I said again! I actually lived and worked in China for 7 years (3 in Shanghai) and told so many colleagues who visited not to get carried away by the population numbers a...

A key part of the development involves moving speedway to South Auckland (and speedway don't want to move) and moving Warriors Rugby League from Mt Smart to Eden Park (and Warriors don't want to move to Eden Park). Eden Park is running at a multi million dollar loss (underwritten by the council) due...

...but Auckland CIty Council can'e even make the decision to progress the redevelopment.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/112695 ... s-decision

Sorry my underlining skills aren't up to it! Here's the article sections in legible type..... When the Saints signed a 2012 deal with the Wellington City Council to bring games to the capital, it was hailed as a new dawn for the sport in New Zealand. AFL bosses eyed an expansion market of 4 million ...

Like your enthusiasm for bringing the game to NZ. However, I have to point out bringing the game here doesn't automatically equate to $ in the St Kilda coffers. See below from The Spinoff blog 2017 as part of an article about the NZ Aussie Rules team.... When the Saints signed a 2012 deal with the W...

If the club is after fans they should chase Shanghai not Auckland. With a population just under 25 million and about double that within 100 km of the city, you only have to chase fractions of a percent oF the population recruiting fans to make it worthwhile. Chasing Auckland market share of sports f...

Sorry to say that as an Aussie who has lived in NZ for 15+ years ....the kiwis won’t accept the game for one reason. It’s “Aussie” rules and that word alone will prevent success here. Not saying the Saints shouldn’t continue to pursue NZ IF the AFL make it financially viable. Just that if they think...

The latest is the council has tendered for extension to Speedway at Western Springs until March 2022 to "...provide Council with the necessary time to fully explore all options for its future". Whilst speedway is at Western Springs no redevelopment will occur. Council estimates cost at NZ9...

I'm afraid saynta is correct...whilst the game is called "'Australian' Rules" there will never be great interest over the ditch. If the AFL want to share buckets of money with us to play over here (i.e. NZ), we should take the money of course. AFL already theoretically have schools program...

They haven't even started work on the Western Springs revamp for Test Cricket and oval sports in Auckland. The only other suitable ground is the Cake tin (Westpac Stadium) in Wellington and the council won't financially support it after the poor crowds when we last tried there....NZ I would think is...

From the sidelines it's been quite an impressive trade period for us...I know the trades haven't come to fruition yet but there's certainly talent wanting to come across to the Saints. Cast your mind back to last year when we said we were interested in everybody, and almost none wanted to come. The ...

Clear and working perfectly in Singapore. Good speech by Rattan and made it clear the players should be ready for a step up

RIP spud. He was played and beat some absolute champs at fullback. Nothing fancy just heart and soul for the club

Not sure what Dunstan did to the umpires but he couldn’t buy a free kick from today’s lot

Speaking of results...Wallabies belting All blacks brings a smile to all the Aussies living in NZ! Hope for the Saints win tomorrow to make the weekend perfect

Thanks Ted - never saw this game as I didn’t have access to it in NZ that year. What a game! Harvey at 34 just like watching him at Moorabbin in 1990...hope it’s the same tonight

Thanks Ted - never saw this game as I didn’t have access to it in NZ that year. What a game! Harvey at 34 just like watching him at Moorabbin in 1990...hope it’s the same tonight

Thanks Ted - never saw this game as I didn’t have access to it in NZ that year. What a game! Harvey at 34 just like watching him at Moorabbin in 1990...hope it’s the same tonight

Agree as team effort. For the first time in a very long time there wasn't just a couple of players keeping us in it. Really looked like a team playing from full back to full forward.