WHILE talk on Justin Koschitzke centres around his 200th game, the big forward’s priority is not his own personal milestone.
Given the competition for spots in the Saints’ forward line, one might expect Kosi’s number one priority to be maintaining his place in the team for as long as possible. But the 30-year-old can see the bigger picture for the club.
Gesturing at the young son in his arms, Koschitzke says “I want to come with the kids in five or 10 years’ time and sit in the stands and watch competitive St Kilda.”
For this to happen, Koschitzke knows development is critical and he is doing his utmost to ensure there’s a smooth transition from one generation of Saints to the next.
“I want those kids that I get to play with now to run around and show the fight and the edge and be a good side,” Koschitzke told saints.com.au.
“If that’s part of what I can leave, then really I’m happy to do that and see those kids come along.”
Having been at St Kilda for more than a decade, it is clear Koschitzke has developed a profound attachment to the club and feels a sense of responsibility in ensuring the Saints’ future is left in the hands of players capable of driving the club towards its next tilt at a premiership.
The leaders who were at the Saints when Koschitzke first arrived at the club had the same mindset.
“There were blokes that left legacies, and taught us how to play and train and compete,” Koschitzke said, reflecting on his early years at the club.
“That held the club in good stead going through our era. It’s ultra-important for us that on the way out, in the back end of our careers, we pass that on to the younger kids.
One of the players Koschitzke is referring to when he says “we” is long-time teammate, captain Nick Riewoldt. The careers of the two key forwards have run alongside each other since the 2000 National Draft, when the Saints selected Riewoldt with pick one and Koschitzke with pick two.
Inevitably, there have been plenty of comparisons made between the two players over the years.
“(I) get compared with him, but I’m just privileged to have (had) a front row seat for a once in a lifetime athlete and professional person,” says Koschitzke.
“There’s probably no one I admire more in the game, really.”
Riewoldt celebrated his 250th match for the Saints with a win against the Demons last Saturday. Koschitzke will be hoping for the same outcome in his 200th game – which could be as soon as St Kilda’s round 15 clash with Fremantle at Patersons Stadium.
