Training Saints preseason 2026

[hayes]

Will Phillips has literally no useful attributes. Wouldn’t be wasting any time on him.

Darcy Wilson looks like he’s got his eyes on being the next 2 million dollar man.

 

[stavro#4]

Will Phillips has literally no useful attributes. Wouldn’t be wasting any time on him.

Darcy Wilson looks like he’s got his eyes on being the next 2 million dollar man.

People would have said similar about Mason Wood.

 

[CaptainRisky]

People would have said similar about Mason Wood.

Not me , i was on his wagon from day one

 

[akaifu]

Phillips would be a direct Steele replacement/downgrade

Had played a tagging role to finish his time at Norf so you’d assume he will be competing with Windy and Boxshall for that d-mid role

Steele was gonna be backup anyway so good business by the club to save cap space

I don’t really rate him much more than Boxshall but as a former pick 3, there must be something the coaches think they’d be able to unlock. That being said, I hope we see more potential SSP guys joining in

 

[MrFoster]

People would have said similar about Mason Wood.

Philips is a high possession mid and generally makes good decisions when he gets the ball. His burst from front of stoppage is quite good. But he can't be the first midfield option at the AFL level as the bigger bodies will prevail more times than not. I thought they had senior mids Cunningham and Ziebel at North, but played 1 or both of them behind the ball so Philips was thrown to the wolves a bit, along with some injuries in his early years.

A player can lose confidence quickly but don't normally lose ability. Dow is another example. Philips is worth a shot in the VFL, a low cost high reward money ball option. He is a more natural mid than Clark or Byrnes. Also reminds me a little of Jagga Smith for some reason.

Will Phillips Draft Profile

Will Phillips is the premier pure midfielder available in the 2020 crop. Find out all about the Oakleigh Chargers gun in his AFL Draft Profile.

central.rookieme.com

 

[akaifu]

People would have said similar about Mason Wood.

Wood always had star factor - was clear as day. Just had to get his body right

I don’t think he’s very comparable to Phillips who is the type of player the modern game has moved beyond

 

[Joffaboy]

OK Guys and Dolls, a bit of a scrappy report, first session back.

Seems like no time trial or they did it very early at the Aths Track

Tom De Koning
Number: ?
Attributes: Blond hair, not at Carlton, in the gym.

Sam Flanders
Number: 3
Attributes: Bad Haircut, has stolen Lanceyboys nappy shorts. Clean at ground level.

Jack Silvagni
Number: ?
Attributes: Absent

Liam Ryan
Number: ?
Attributes: Absent

Matheus Phillipou
Injury: No strapping
Attributes: Moving well, taking mark at his highest point, looks very fit. Running well, totally unencumbered.

Max King
Injury: no strapping
Attributes: in rehab, slow jogging around the oval. Out om the oval for nearly the full session

Dougal Howard - Absent
Liam Henry - Absent

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Boxshall, Tauru and Hall first out, followed by Wilson and Windy.

Can already see the difference in size of the recruits like Dodson and Tauru.

Armstrong has a hideous tash, makes him look like a Sherlock Holmes villian.

Wilson has filled out nicely.

Wood and NAZ present, Pou and Carroll also present.

Boris taking training. Asking why Windy is present. Gringo's avi also taking training. Biscuit boy and bj also out.

Hugo looking nice. No undersized players, Keeler has a big barrel chest. Getting a real Paddy Ryder shape about himself.

Hunter walking about in the gym.

Only Silvagni at training is SoS. Hanging with Colin Young by the looks.

Higgo and Hunter front up. Hunters has a strapped knee, across the field to do some separate work. Doing laps, while Ming doing rehab, no strapping.

Fairly laid back ball work.

While I'm over the other side, watching rehab, Boss and Gubby walk past, Boss says down here a bit, out if my earshot, I must look suss.

Hall carrying on where he left off during the drills. Really good get.

No 55 training on, someone called Billy. Anyone know? Will Phillips I think.

Mason Wood

32

Mason Wood

Age

32

Ht

192cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.2

3star

K

7.8

3star

HB

5.4

4star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.2

4star

CL

0.3

2star

D

8.3

2star

K

2.7

1star

HB

5.7

3star

M

1.7

2star

T

1.3

2star

CL

0.0

1star

D

15.8

4star

K

8.6

4star

HB

7.2

5star

M

4.6

5star

T

2.6

4star

CL

0.6

3star

misses my head by a foot with a torp while I was typing. A bit early to be targeting supporters you would think. Haven't even bagged him yet.

Has anyone mentioned Tauru's leap?

Interestingly the first session is all ball work for the first part.

Half ground positioning drill. Lots of talk, corridor work. Flanders not shy, 3 pick out Tauru who is not pressing in and tells him so.

Rapid change of 3 x 9 player groups.

Lol Woods yells out to Flanders ' that's the way Sammy, you worked it out pretty quick, get the ball to Naz'.

Higgo runs past and gigs Naz about his contract, smiles all round.

Wilson through the guts at full pace, bullet 40 metre passes to a leading Owen. Wilson looks terrific at full speed.

Pretty clean for an early session. High aerobic drill. Now the group is changing into runners.

Repeat 200's in two's. Wilson and Trav leads off. Only ones doing it a bit hard are the big guys, Dodson and Keeler, but its just because they are bigger.

Now 3 groups running alternate 300's, Flanders running laps.

Collard much fitter aerobically this year, slight off the back but keeping up. Really putting in. Starts to struggle at the end, but looks much better than last year.

Starting to string out a bit now, Keels and Godzilla trailing off but nothing like the Cordy/ Heath days.

Armstrong, well built, almost as tall as Sharman, they make teenagers big nowadays. Hard runner, good aerobically.

Nicola Xenos on crutches after the acl, probably down to begin rehab.

All over adios amigos.

 

[BrutThough]

There is worse midfield depth out there. Might as well give Phillips a try over pre season.

 

[The Punter]

"Was drafted in 2020"

As far as the 2020 draft is concerned, the position they were drafted is meaningless

 

[Diehard Saint]

The last two seasons we've built momentum towards the end of the footy year for no reason. We get excited over "possibilities" and "potentiality" in the off season, and then watch us burn it all to shite again and again.
I will preface the following by saying that I think this whole wildcard thing is a bit farcical.
However, if we're coming home with the wind at our back like the last two seasons, then at least we might see that momentum produce something
Is anyone really going to be pissed off if we win a couple of extra games after finishing 9th or 10th?

Tbh the last two seasons we've had a horrible run with injuries.
Coming home with the wind at our backs largely correlated with getting fit players back into the team.

I do take your point about approaching the end of the season on a roll though.

 

[Joffaboy]

Wood always had star factor - was clear as day. Just had to get his body right

I don’t think he’s very comparable to Phillips who is the type of player the modern game has moved beyond

Looked very small, not bad skills and aerobically fit, but a curious one.

 

[jimmytigs]

There is worse midfield depth out there. Might as well give Phillips a try over pre season.

i dont know all the list spot dynamics,but if its he vs byrnes im giving him a shot,the z.jones and r.byrnes of this world are great tryers but they take you nowhere,no footy iq at all as ive said before,id give any #3 draft pick,no matter what season it was one year to prove he cant play,over a guy that will forever and ever take us nowhere

 

[GYoung]

The old timers on here can help me, but wasn't their a season where we came home like a steam train but just missed out on finals. My old man reckoned if we had made finals that year, we would have won the flag. I think it was in the Plugger era.

I guess, that is one good thing about it.

1978

 

[FraserFridays]

OK Guys and Dolls, a bit of a scrappy report, first session back.

Seems like no time trial or they did it very early at the Aths Track

Tom De Koning
Number: ?
Attributes: Blond hair, not at Carlton, in the gym.

Sam Flanders
Number: 3
Attributes: Bad Haircut, has stolen Lanceyboys nappy shorts. Clean at ground level.

Jack Silvagni
Number: ?
Attributes: Absent

Liam Ryan
Number: ?
Attributes: Absent

Matheus Phillipou
Injury: No strapping
Attributes: Moving well, taking mark at his highest point, looks very fit. Running well, totally unencumbered.

Max King
Injury: no strapping
Attributes: in rehab, slow jogging around the oval. Out om the oval for nearly the full session

Dougal Howard - Absent
Liam Henry - Absent

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Boxshall, Tauru and Hall first out, followed by Wilson and Windy.

Can already see the difference in size of the recruits like Dodson and Tauru.

Armstrong has a hideous tash, makes him look like a Sherlock Holmes villian.

Wilson has filled out nicely.

Wood and NAZ present, Pou and Carroll also present.

Boris taking training. Asking why Windy is present. Gringo's avi also taking training. Biscuit boy and bj also out.

Hugo looking nice. No undersized players, Keeler has a big barrel chest. Getting a real Paddy Ryder shape about himself.

Hunter walking about in the gym.

Only Silvagni at training is SoS. Hanging with Colin Young by the looks.

Higgo and Hunter front up. Hunters has a strapped knee, across the field to do some separate work. Doing laps, while Ming doing rehab, no strapping.

Fairly laid back ball work.

While I'm over the other side, watching rehab, Boss and Gubby walk past, Boss says down here a bit, out if my earshot, I must look suss.

Hall carrying on where he left off during the drills. Really good get.

No 55 training on, someone called Billy. Anyone know? Will Phillips I think.

Mason Wood misses my head by a foot with a torp while I was typing. A bit early to be targeting supporters you would think. Haven't even bagged him yet.

Has anyone mentioned Tauru's leap?

Interestingly the first session is all ball work for the first part.

Half ground positioning drill. Lots of talk, corridor work. Flanders not shy, 3 pick out Tauru who is not pressing in and tells him so.

Rapid change of 3 x 9 player groups.

Lol Woods yells out to Flanders ' that's the way Sammy, you worked it out pretty quick, get the ball to Naz'.

Higgo runs past and gigs Naz about his contract, smiles all round.

Wilson through the guts at full pace, bullet 40 metre passes to a leading Owen. Wilson looks terrific at full speed.

Pretty clean for an early session. High aerobic drill. Now the group is changing into runners.

Repeat 200's in two's. Wilson and Trav leads off. Only ones doing it a bit hard are the big guys, Dodson and Keeler, but its just because they are bigger.

Now 3 groups running alternate 300's, Flanders running laps.

Collard much fitter aerobically this year, slight off the back but keeping up. Really putting in. Starts to struggle at the end, but looks much better than last year.

Starting to string out a bit now, Keels and Godzilla trailing off but nothing like the Cordy/ Heath days.

Armstrong, well built, almost as tall as Sharman, they make teenagers big nowadays. Hard runner, good aerobically.

Nicola Xenos on crutches after the acl, probably down to begin rehab.

All over adios amigos.

Love your work. Mason Wood was just making sure you mentioned him in your report.

Surprised to not hear that all new recruits are there. But see what happens during this week.

 

[stavro#4]

Wood always had star factor - was clear as day. Just had to get his body right

I don’t think he’s very comparable to Phillips who is the type of player the modern game has moved beyond

So another high potential player that never put it together at afl level with both having injuries playing a part to a degree.

As for “games gone past” Phillips type of player. He averages a decent amount of tackles and seems to find the pill without being an absolute butcher ala Dunstan.

There will always be a role for these types of- See Will Brodie at a third club after not having played an AFL game for 2 years.

 

[BrutThough]

i dont know all the list spot dynamics,but if its he vs byrnes im giving him a shot,the z.jones and r.byrnes of this world are great tryers but they take you nowhere,no footy iq at all as ive said before,id give any #3 draft pick,no matter what season it was one year to prove he cant play,over a guy that will forever and ever take us nowhere

And it's not even just instead of Brynes type. It might be instead of rookie pick 30 in this draft that no one rates. If we think Phillips might be able to contribute more for 12 months and has the upside to last beyond that, then it is worth exploring.

 

[tony74]

OK Guys and Dolls, a bit of a scrappy report, first session back.

Seems like no time trial or they did it very early at the Aths Track

Tom De Koning
Number: ?
Attributes: Blond hair, not at Carlton, in the gym.

Sam Flanders
Number: 3
Attributes: Bad Haircut, has stolen Lanceyboys nappy shorts. Clean at ground level.

Jack Silvagni
Number: ?
Attributes: Absent

Liam Ryan
Number: ?
Attributes: Absent

Matheus Phillipou
Injury: No strapping
Attributes: Moving well, taking mark at his highest point, looks very fit. Running well, totally unencumbered.

Max King
Injury: no strapping
Attributes: in rehab, slow jogging around the oval. Out om the oval for nearly the full session

Dougal Howard - Absent
Liam Henry - Absent

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Boxshall, Tauru and Hall first out, followed by Wilson and Windy.

Can already see the difference in size of the recruits like Dodson and Tauru.

Armstrong has a hideous tash, makes him look like a Sherlock Holmes villian.

Wilson has filled out nicely.

Wood and NAZ present, Pou and Carroll also present.

Boris taking training. Asking why Windy is present. Gringo's avi also taking training. Biscuit boy and bj also out.

Hugo looking nice. No undersized players, Keeler has a big barrel chest. Getting a real Paddy Ryder shape about himself.

Hunter walking about in the gym.

Only Silvagni at training is SoS. Hanging with Colin Young by the looks.

Higgo and Hunter front up. Hunters has a strapped knee, across the field to do some separate work. Doing laps, while Ming doing rehab, no strapping.

Fairly laid back ball work.

While I'm over the other side, watching rehab, Boss and Gubby walk past, Boss says down here a bit, out if my earshot, I must look suss.

Hall carrying on where he left off during the drills. Really good get.

No 55 training on, someone called Billy. Anyone know? Will Phillips I think.

Mason Wood misses my head by a foot with a torp while I was typing. A bit early to be targeting supporters you would think. Haven't even bagged him yet.

Has anyone mentioned Tauru's leap?

Interestingly the first session is all ball work for the first part.

Half ground positioning drill. Lots of talk, corridor work. Flanders not shy, 3 pick out Tauru who is not pressing in and tells him so.

Rapid change of 3 x 9 player groups.

Lol Woods yells out to Flanders ' that's the way Sammy, you worked it out pretty quick, get the ball to Naz'.

Higgo runs past and gigs Naz about his contract, smiles all round.

Wilson through the guts at full pace, bullet 40 metre passes to a leading Owen. Wilson looks terrific at full speed.

Pretty clean for an early session. High aerobic drill. Now the group is changing into runners.

Repeat 200's in two's. Wilson and Trav leads off. Only ones doing it a bit hard are the big guys, Dodson and Keeler, but its just because they are bigger.

Now 3 groups running alternate 300's, Flanders running laps.

Collard much fitter aerobically this year, slight off the back but keeping up. Really putting in. Starts to struggle at the end, but looks much better than last year.

Starting to string out a bit now, Keels and Godzilla trailing off but nothing like the Cordy/ Heath days.

Armstrong, well built, almost as tall as Sharman, they make teenagers big nowadays. Hard runner, good aerobically.

Nicola Xenos on crutches after the acl, probably down to begin rehab.

All over adios amigos.

And Tex in the rooms

 

[SainterinSydney]

And Tex in the rooms

Assume that is Tex Wanganeen?

 

[stavro#4]

And Tex in the rooms

Please be good

 

[SainterinSydney]

Please be good

Interesting coincidence? https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/subs...onymous&mode=premium&v21=HIGH-Segment-2-SCORE

 

[SainterinSydney]

This was Round 11 in the VFL this year. Phillips was a tackling machine!

 

[Joffaboy]

i dont know all the list spot dynamics,but if its he vs byrnes im giving him a shot,the z.jones and r.byrnes of this world are great tryers but they take you nowhere,no footy iq at all as ive said before,id give any #3 draft pick,no matter what season it was one year to prove he cant play,over a guy that will forever and ever take us nowhere

Wonder what Jimmy Toumpas is doing nowadays?

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Does he have speed and can he defend? Could maybe be a handy back pocket option for the oppo small forwards. Don't know much about him because I never watch North games.

Sorry to intrude, but thought I'd give you some background on WillPhil.

Kid is as professional as they come, but he has some limitations.

However, he really struggles on transition as he is one paced and has a pretty average tank. He has worked hard to improve his tank off the back of a nasty bout of glandular fever which rocked him for over 12 months earlier in his career.

We only ever played him as a midfielder, either as a stoppage inside mid or as a tagger. Not sure if he has much scope to play elsewhere due to the above limitations.

As a tagger he was very diligent but struggled with strong transition runners (Daicos, Treloar, Merrett types). Far more suited to stopping more inside focused mids. As a stoppage player he is a very clean and one touch, with neat/reliable decision making. Tends to be more hands focused rather than kicking.

Wouldn't be a bad depth option as a replacement for Steele, but wouldn't expect him to be a world beater.

There is some untapped potential there though as he was never allowed any sort of continuity at AFL level at North.

 

[beside the seaside]

OK Guys and Dolls, a bit of a scrappy report, first session back.

Seems like no time trial or they did it very early at the Aths Track

Tom De Koning
Number: ?
Attributes: Blond hair, not at Carlton, in the gym.

Sam Flanders
Number: 3
Attributes: Bad Haircut, has stolen Lanceyboys nappy shorts. Clean at ground level.

Jack Silvagni
Number: ?
Attributes: Absent

Liam Ryan
Number: ?
Attributes: Absent

Matheus Phillipou
Injury: No strapping
Attributes: Moving well, taking mark at his highest point, looks very fit. Running well, totally unencumbered.

Max King
Injury: no strapping
Attributes: in rehab, slow jogging around the oval. Out om the oval for nearly the full session

Dougal Howard - Absent
Liam Henry - Absent

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Boxshall, Tauru and Hall first out, followed by Wilson and Windy.

Can already see the difference in size of the recruits like Dodson and Tauru.

Armstrong has a hideous tash, makes him look like a Sherlock Holmes villian.

Wilson has filled out nicely.

Wood and NAZ present, Pou and Carroll also present.

Boris taking training. Asking why Windy is present. Gringo's avi also taking training. Biscuit boy and bj also out.

Hugo looking nice. No undersized players, Keeler has a big barrel chest. Getting a real Paddy Ryder shape about himself.

Hunter walking about in the gym.

Only Silvagni at training is SoS. Hanging with Colin Young by the looks.

Higgo and Hunter front up. Hunters has a strapped knee, across the field to do some separate work. Doing laps, while Ming doing rehab, no strapping.

Fairly laid back ball work.

While I'm over the other side, watching rehab, Boss and Gubby walk past, Boss says down here a bit, out if my earshot, I must look suss.

Hall carrying on where he left off during the drills. Really good get.

No 55 training on, someone called Billy. Anyone know? Will Phillips I think.

Mason Wood misses my head by a foot with a torp while I was typing. A bit early to be targeting supporters you would think. Haven't even bagged him yet.

Has anyone mentioned Tauru's leap?

Interestingly the first session is all ball work for the first part.

Half ground positioning drill. Lots of talk, corridor work. Flanders not shy, 3 pick out Tauru who is not pressing in and tells him so.

Rapid change of 3 x 9 player groups.

Lol Woods yells out to Flanders ' that's the way Sammy, you worked it out pretty quick, get the ball to Naz'.

Higgo runs past and gigs Naz about his contract, smiles all round.

Wilson through the guts at full pace, bullet 40 metre passes to a leading Owen. Wilson looks terrific at full speed.

Pretty clean for an early session. High aerobic drill. Now the group is changing into runners.

Repeat 200's in two's. Wilson and Trav leads off. Only ones doing it a bit hard are the big guys, Dodson and Keeler, but its just because they are bigger.

Now 3 groups running alternate 300's, Flanders running laps.

Collard much fitter aerobically this year, slight off the back but keeping up. Really putting in. Starts to struggle at the end, but looks much better than last year.

Starting to string out a bit now, Keels and Godzilla trailing off but nothing like the Cordy/ Heath days.

Armstrong, well built, almost as tall as Sharman, they make teenagers big nowadays. Hard runner, good aerobically.

Nicola Xenos on crutches after the acl, probably down to begin rehab.

All over adios amigos.

Exciting about Collard and Wilson. Cheers for the report.

 

[gringo2011]

They are putting up with it because it removes the dead rubber games that fill up the ass end of a season.

From a Stkilda PoV:



I don’t think any club 7-10 goes on and wins 5 games and gets a flag under this system. But the same people who get excited about end of season wins in a dead season will also be a fan of getting “finals experience” however it’s achieved.

I don't mind it. There is always a chance if you make it. I think the Dogs late season form looked good enough to give the finals a shake up. A few with favourable fixtures got higher than deserved and hitting a side with form and momentum can show up some shock results.