St Kilda coach Scott Watters says Justin Koschitzke’s selection as an emergency for the AFL clash with Hawthorn is a warning to his players they’ll pay a price for suspension for undisciplined acts.
Koschitzke was banned for a week by the match review panel for striking Zac Dawson against Fremantle, missing last weekend’s win over Melbourne.
Under previous St Kilda coaching regimes, the 29-year-old forward would have been immediately recalled for Saturday night’s match at the MCG.
But while conceding Koschitzke was some chance of being a late addition to the final 22 because his previous form had been good, Watters said the fact he had not been selected sent a clear message about on-field discipline.
“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.
The Saints have won three of their five matches under new coach Watters and face a Hawthorn side which has been criticised heavily for a poor loss to Sydney last weekend.