It’s been two years since Justin Koschitzke played his 200th and final game for his beloved Saints.
Ahead of the 2015 finals series, the 32-year-old settled in for a chat to share his memories of playing on Grand Final day and reflect on his 13-year career at St Kilda.
“I don’t think you ever deal with it properly” – Koschitzke on losing a Grand Final
From growing up on a wheat farm, to ‘acting surprised’ when the Saints called his name after Nick Riewoldt’s in the 2000 National AFL Draft, through to Grand Final heartache and retirement, Koschitzke’s story is littered with ups and downs.
While he’s found comfort in retirement, Koschitzke admitted the pain of lost Grand Finals remains.
“I don’t think you ever deal with it properly,” he told aflplayers.com.au.
“It’s brutal – it constantly comes up. You don’t ever go anywhere without someone asking about it. The draw gets spoken about more [than the loss].”
But while September heartache is part of Koschitzke’s story, he reflects proudly on his career as a whole.
“I’m really proud of that generation and what we created as a side.”
The full chat with Koschitzke can be found at the top of this article.
OTHER VIDEOS IN OUR LEGENDS SERIES
DAVID PARKIN – The four-time premiership coach reflects on the good old days of footy, and the current state of the game.
BRAD BOYD – The last captain of Fitzroy talks about his early days at Fitzroy, the merger with Brisbane and leaving the game at just 27 years of age.
LUKE ABLETT – The Sydney Swans premiership player shares a unique insight into the difficulties modern footballers face, and what he was thinking during ‘that moment’ in the 2005 grand final.
DAVID ‘SWAN’ MCKAY – The four-time Carlton premiership player relives the Blues’ glory days during the 1970s and reveals what it was like playing under Ron Barassi.
WAYNE CAREY – The man regarded as the greatest centre half forward of all time talks captaincy, courage, and how he didn’t handle the end of his AFL career.
RUSSELL GREENE – One of the stars of Hawthorn’s finest era reflects back on his fine 304-game career, and some of the difficulties he faced when it all came to an end.
HASSA MANN – AFL Hall of Fame member Harold ‘Hassa’ Mann remembers Melbourne’s glory days and relives the night Norm Smith called him crying, having just been sacked as the coach of the Demons.