St Kilda AFL star Justin Koschitzke has been served notice by his coach – players will pay a price for on-field ill-discipline.
Koschitzke was banned for a week by the match review panel for striking Fremantle’s Zac Dawson, and missed last weekend’s win over Melbourne.
Under previous St Kilda coaching regimes, the 29-year-old key forward would have been immediately recalled for Saturday night’s match against Hawthorn at the MCG.
Not on Saints coach Scott Watters’ watch.
Koschitzke has been named as an emergency – Watters saying his non-selection for the Hawks match was a clear message about the perils of ill-disciplined acts on the field.
“I guess the message that it sends is if you get suspended through reckless and undisciplined behaviour, and it was – one, it costs our team, and ultimately you give the opportunity for someone else to play,” Watters said on Friday.
“And if they play their role, strong chance they’ll stay in the side. You need to be disciplined with your actions.
“It’s a tough call, because he was good in the last game.”
In Koschitzke’s absence, his replacement against Melbourne Beau Wilkes booted three goals, and has kept his spot in the team.
That said, Watters concedes Koschitzke may be a late addition to the final 22 because his previous form had been good.
“There’s always a chance if you’re in the squad of 25 – you’re a chance to be in the 22,” Watters said.
“So 90 minutes before the game 22 players are selected.
“Any one of our 25, right at the moment, could play.”
The Saints have won three of their five matches under Watters and face a Hawthorn side which has been criticised heavily for a poor loss to Sydney last weekend.
But if the Hawks’ reaction to a week of whacks is worrying Watters, he’s not letting it show, saying teams can respond “both ways” to the scrutiny Hawthorn have been under.
“I’ve seen sides put under pressure in the press, used a lot of energy during the week, and really come out with nothing (on match day).
“We can sit and talk about it, but ultimately what actually matters are actions. We control ours, so our effort will be strong.”
