Training Saints preseason 2026

[akaifu]

Please stop suggesting Will Phillips as a lockdown medium defender

 

[SaintsSeptember]

I’m happy to argue Phillips is no different.

Check out his disposal numbers vs his TOG%

Doesn’t seem to have any issue finding the pill.

Just doesn’t hurt sides when he gets it and being one paced doesn’t help.

But our game plan is just get the ball to Nas. So pretty easy for everyone to look good

AFL Tables - Will Phillips - Stats - Statistics

Our outsiders have to mark the ball that comes in from Nas, then handball it to him as he runs past.

 

[Broski]

Please stop suggesting Will Phillips as a lockdown medium defender

I am happy to be corrected, but if we wanted a lockdown medium defender, I reckon it would be a lot easier to draft one haha

 

[Nutsngum]

If Will Phillips was pick 24 there wouldn't even be a conversation about signing him. A bust is a bust. Maybe worth the VFL team picking him up but nothing more than that.

The recruiters have found a number of good to excellent SSP/Preseason/Mid signings over the last 4 years. They obviously see something in him thats worth inviting him to come train.

 

[SaintKing23]

Dogs and Sydney could have knocked out Gold Coast and Hawks this year. Dogs had better percentage than both and only one game behind. GC had a bullshit fixture designed to get them into finals so probably would have been fair if they did get taken out by the Dogs. Swans started terribly but were playing well late. That momentum might have carried them further than a faltering GC or an inexperienced Hawks.

oh please, the dogs only beat one finalist. The dogs beat up on poor teams and can't beat the better teams.

 

[Remboy]

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.

Sounds a bit like Bytel. Good inside mid but couldn’t do much else.

 

[BrutThough]

Please stop suggesting Will Phillips as a lockdown medium defender

Because he's more a potential lockdown small defender.

 

[akaifu]

I am happy to be corrected, but if we wanted a lockdown medium defender, I reckon it would be a lot easier to draft one haha

Or just use O’Connell and Hastie!!

 

[westernsainter]

I’d argue that’s not fair.

He is only 23 and has played 50 games.

There isn’t a hell of a lot of mature talent to challenge him, internally it’s Byrnes or Phillips and via the draft it’s either trading a F1 for a phillipou or a very late pick in a very poor draft.

Sure, and I hope I'm wrong.

I just don't see it - that whole 2020 draft is just horrendous. Trading out of it for the most part was one of the shrewder moves the club has made in recent years.

 

[NextYearPlease]

Couldn't help myself, just watching "that Qtr 4" again. Missing for next year will be Jones, Schoenmaker, Steele, and possibly Byrne's - 22% of the team.

 

[StCicatriz]

Can we stop putting him in front of a camera ffs.

why? its genuine

 

[StCicatriz]

I loved Ryan's interview. It's just real. This guy came from Geraldton, it takes guts to go down the path he has and become an AA and premiership player. He's not perfect but who is? He will be an outstanding role model for our young players especially Lance. I'm happier with his signing than anyone else we got.

100%

mature age recruit from one of the toughest football districts

went from country footy to WAFL reserve to WAFL grand finalist to an AFL flag

its a brilliant story

 

[jimmytigs]

Wonder what Jimmy Toumpas is doing nowadays?

he would probably get 5 years to prove he couldnt play in years past,but hoping our current off field team would be onto him quick

 

[Palantine]

I thought he'd make it. It's never been a worse time to be a one position inside mid. Pretty sure Thompson Dow and Fin Macrae got delisted this year along with George Stevens, Ben Hobbs, Dev Robertson etc.

If you aren't absolutely elite it's really hard to pick up a spot in most sides.

I remember being pretty disappointed we didn’t select Hobbs. What a difference it makes getting a pick oh so absolutely right on the effing money.

 

[Imtellingya]

View attachment 2473600

He was a short guy, could be him.

 

[snails13]

Yeah all it’s really done is hand more advantage to the top
I think their plan is to suck in supporters of those of us perennially stuck in the middle tiers due to the inequality of the comp by giving us more false hope for an extra week.
And it will work.

Why shouldnt the top 4 teams be rewarded

 

[MrFoster]

Our outsiders have to mark the ball that comes in from Nas, then handball it to him as he runs past.

Really need more midfielders to stand up and be counted. If Nas is shut down, then what do we have? back to long bomb down the line? To me, we need the whole midfield group to shoulder the load and not rely on Nas to do it all for us. Flanders, Macrae, Windhager, Hall are the 4 inside/outside mids + Nas, with the supporting cast come from the following list:

1. Youngsters (mids): Garcia, Boxshall
2. Younsters (hybrid): Philipou, Wilson, Travaglia
3. Mid-career: Dow, Carroll, Henry, Brynes (TBC), Philips (TBC)

For the 1st time, we now have enough numbers / depth in the midfield. Just need cream to rise to the top. VFL side will be fun to watch next year.

 

[Saintos The ITK]

Why shouldnt the top 4 teams be rewarded

I agree and think we should go to a top 5 finals series.

 

[gringo2011]

I’m happy to argue Phillips is no different.

Check out his disposal numbers vs his TOG%

Doesn’t seem to have any issue finding the pill.

Just doesn’t hurt sides when he gets it and being one paced doesn’t help.

But our game plan is just get the ball to Nas. So pretty easy for everyone to look good

AFL Tables - Will Phillips - Stats - Statistics

I was keen on him early on when north seemed to be leaving him out but just hasn't really come on. Brodie was dominating VFL at GC at least. He might make it as a role playing battler but not holding my breath.

 

[Dard Ball Get]

Seems to be Will Phillips from the shot stavro put up earlier. I am sure they were calling him Bill and Billy though. All a derivation of William though.

It’s Billy Hartung mate

 

[DougalHoward]

Channel 10 news just showed JSOS on the bike in the gym

 

[stavro#4]

Seems to be Will Phillips from the shot stavro put up earlier. I am sure they were calling him Bill and Billy though. All a derivation of William though.

For reference this is Billy Richardson. But he is 195cm.

 

[stavro#4]

I was keen on him early on when north seemed to be leaving him out but just hasn't really come on. Brodie was dominating VFL at GC at least. He might make it as a role playing battler but not holding my breath.

I don’t know if this is accurate. But he looks statistically like Steele Lite.

Roughly 24 touches and 10 tackles a game in the VFL this most recent season.

VFL Stats - Will Phillips

vfl.aflmstats.com

 

[SainterinSydney]

Top AFL draft pick seen training with St Kilda, Tex Wanganeen present | Sporting News Australia

www.sportingnews.com

 

[DougalHoward]

Top AFL draft pick seen training with St Kilda, Tex Wanganeen present | Sporting News Australia

www.sportingnews.com

Source: Bigfooty