Hayes praises Koschitzke

By James Matthey

As the lifeblood of St Kilda for over a decade, Justin Koschitzke deserves all the accolades he gets, according to club stalwart Lenny Hayes.

Koschitzke, from Brocklesby in Southern NSW, played his 200th and final match for the Saints in their 71-point win over Fremantle in Round 23.

Hayes said the big man would be sorely missed, not just on the field but off it as well.

“He’s been an absolute champion of the club,” said Hayes, who was in Wodonga yesterday as part of Toyota’s Good for Footy tour.

“It’s not going to be the same place without him.

“He should be really proud of his career.

“It was great to send him off with a win in that last game.”

Speaking on the Good for Footy tour bus that is travelling across Victoria and NSW, Hayes, a Pennant Hills junior, said it was great to give back to the Riverina, man area that has produced numerous AFL stars for St Kilda over the years.

“This is a great breeding ground for footballers in general,” he said.

“We’ve had a lot of players come to our club from this region.

“It’s great to come here and put a little bit back.”