ON THE MARCH

The Age

Wednesday September 23, 2009

AUSTINN JONES As told to SAMANTHA LANE

AUSTINN JONESMember of 1997 St Kilda grand final team226 games (1995-2005)IT'S weird, because it probably doesn't mean as much as people would think. I'm a St Kilda person through and through, a life member and all my heart and passion is with the footy club, but as a player, that's when it means everything in the world to you because they've put their bodies and hearts on the line for as long as they've been going. Once you leave an AFL club, unless you stay on as a coach or an employee the connection does sort of fade. But having said that I'm just like every other St Kilda supporter that has been hanging on and I am just desperate for them to win. I've had a couple of text messages from boys from the '97 team that are after some tickets. I think it's maybe because I'm in the media they think I may be able to get them a little bit easier, but there's absolutely no chance!Thinking about our era actually probably shows what Ross Lyon says every week �� that it actually doesn't matter what's happened in the past and the fact that they're not getting any guest speakers in and they're not going to talk about the '66 grand final is because it actually means very little [to the current group]. To the supporters it means a lot, but the players come and go. Still, every single one that played in that '97 grand final will be cheering on the Saints.Because of my work with the ABC, Stan [Alves] is probably the one I have most regular contact with.My dentist asked me today if I was nervous. He's a mad St Kilda supporter, and I said not yet. But once I get in the car on Saturday and I'm heading to the MCG and see all the St Kilda scarves and flags coming out of windows I'll start to get a little bit nervous. I may leave my Saints jumper in the car. I don't think it will be on, but we have got dinner afterwards so I'm tipping if the Saints win I'll be sitting at the table with it on.As told to SAMANTHA LANE