A CHANCE to mentor some of St Kilda’s developing players has been rewarding for Justin Koschitzke.
The 30-year-old has spent most of the season playing for Sandringham in the VFL but says he has had satisfaction in helping guide the next generation through.
“I’ve really enjoyed going back and mentoring a few of the kids. We’ve got some real exciting young kids – a couple of tall kids who are going to be alright,” Koschitzke said.
“I’ve enjoyed watching them develop over the course of the pre-season and the season. It’s been rewarding in that respect.”
But Koschitzke said he hasn’t given up hope of contributing to the senior St Kilda team.
He played two games in the red, white and black this season before he was suspended for two weeks. This week Koschitzke will once again play for the Zebras but says he is doing his best to win back his spot.
“I’ll have a hit out with the Zebs this week and see what happens. I suppose it’s up to form, the other guys and injuries,” he told Triple M show The Rush Hour.
“It’s the old cliché that I’ve just got to go and play footy, get some fitness in the legs and get a kick so I am up for selection when the time comes.”
Koschitzke said senior coach Scott Watters has been supportive and honest with him this season.
“He is been straight up. He’s told me that if my time’s up he’ll tap me on the shoulder and I haven’t got that tap on the shoulder yet,” he said.
“I still rock up to training ready to rock and roll, I’m helping the kids out and trying to get a kick myself. Hopefully I can get back into that jumper soon.”
Koschitzke said the Saints were eager for their next win, which he hopes will come against North Melbourne this Sunday.
“We’ve put an emphasis on what went wrong and we’ve had a great week on the track. Scotty has highlighted that and we’ve had the chance this week with the seven day break to get two good hit-outs in and we’re ready to roll,” he said.
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For as long as he has played, Koschitzke has been compared to the man who was taken one pick before him in the 2000 National Draft – Nick Riewoldt.
Riewoldt has been in solid form this season, which Koschtizke said was testament to his standing in the game.
“I constantly marvel at what that bloke can do. We have been there for 13 years together and the calibre he has played his games at and the injuries that he has carried with his knee is well-documented,” he said.
“To be able to get himself up and play at that level each week is fantastic. I’ve had the privilege of having a front-row seat in most of those games and some of the stuff I have seen him do, you take your hat off. He is one of a kind and a once in a generation player, Roo.”
