Kosi 'no guarantee' for Saints

Saints forwards Justin Koschitzke and Nick Riewoldt at training. Picture: Getty Source: Herald Sun

ST KILDA coach Scott Watters won't guarantee veteran Justin Koschitzke a place in the Saints' best 22.

Koschitzke is in a group of four Saints over the age of 30 to come out of contract at season's end.

Watters said the quartet -- which includes Lenny Hayes, Stephen Milne and Jason Blake -- would be re-assessed each year. 

But Koschitzke's position, both short-term and long-term, will come under intense scrutiny given his status as a former No.2 draft pick and the club's off-season acquisitions of big men Tom Hickey and Tom Lee.

"We haven't picked our side for next week so it would be premature of me to answer that,'' Watters told the Herald Sun when asked if Koschitzke was certain to play against Gold Coast on Saturday night.

"When in good form and when training well he's a good player, but as he's already stated, he'll be competing with a number of other players (for a spot).

"To pick 22 players for Round 1, for every coach in the league, is always a challenge.''

Koschitzke, 30, has played 195 games and admitted last month he was under the pump.

In his 19 appearances last year his average disposals dropped below 10 for only the third time in his career, while he has managed just 42 goals from 32 games in the past two seasons.

What may save Koschitzke this week is injury to teammates Rhys Stanley -- still recovering from a knee complaint  -- and Sam Fisher, who pulled up with a sore foot last week.

Watters said competition for spots was hot.

The coach said he had been "excited'' by the arrival of former Gold Coast ruckman, Hickey, and said former WAFL forward Lee would force his way in to the seniors at some stage this season.

"Out of our squad of 45 we realistically have 32-35 players who are ready to play. I think you could throw any player in to that same bracket, not just Kosi, because we've got more depth amongst our defenders, more depth in our forwards,'' Watters said.

"You need to train well and you need to play well to keep your spot.''

Watters said he expected Nick Dal Santo, also a free agent at year's end, to extend his contract and stay at the club for another "three or four years''.

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