Training Saints preseason 2026

[Palantine]

I thought the initial reason for the bye was to rest players ahead of finals and not see inconsequential last round matches with ‘B’ teams fielded. Therefore we may see this again for the seven to tens? Sorry if this has already been covered.

 

[bakes10]

I thought the initial reason for the bye was to rest players ahead of finals and not see inconsequential last round matches with ‘B’ teams fielded. Therefore we may see this again for the seven to tens? Sorry if this has already been covered.

I think it’s a great initiative because it encourages more teams to keep their seasons alive in the hope they can finish top 10. Now all we need is a draft lottery system for the bottom 8 to prevent tanking.

 

[Ads734]

Ik it’s very early but really hope we see Darc on the ball this pre season. His contested game improved every week last season. It all culminated in the last game.

Once again, he’s tracking better than Max Holmes. Is a proven goal kicker and can add some real dynamic movement on the ball.

 

[mad-saint-guy]

Ik it’s very early but really hope we see Darc on the ball this pre season. His contested game improved every week last season. It all culminated in the last game.

Once again, he’s tracking better than Max Holmes. Is a proven goal kicker and can add some real dynamic movement on the ball.

Disagree, he looks perfectly suited to being an attacking wingman to me. Elite speed and endurance plus a knack for hitting the scoreboard. I think those attributes are wasted by making him an inside mid.

23 disposals 11 contested, 5 goals, 10 score involvements but only 1 clearance shows that he doesn't need to be played as an inside mid to have an impact

 

[Nutsngum]

I thought the initial reason for the bye was to rest players ahead of finals and not see inconsequential last round matches with ‘B’ teams fielded. Therefore we may see this again for the seven to tens? Sorry if this has already been covered.

IF you're guaranteed that 7-10 spot then absolutely we will. Teams will have to manage players even harder with an extra game.

 

[stfan]

Any chance he's related to one of the players?

If you mean Gavin Wangnaneen, does this sound like someone you would appoint as a backline coach if you were a fair Dinkum Football Club?

Since retirement, Wanganeen has taken up painting, exploring his Kokatha identity in his artwork. He was an ambassador for the Adelaide Fringe in 2019.

 

[Significant]

Disagree, he looks perfectly suited to being an attacking wingman to me. Elite speed and endurance plus a knack for hitting the scoreboard. I think those attributes are wasted by making him an inside mid.

23 disposals 11 contested, 5 goals, 10 score involvements but only 1 clearance shows that he doesn't need to be played as an inside mid to have an impact

Respectfully agree with the OP. Look at what Darcy was doing in the VFL last year as a full time on ball mid. All of the traits you describe are why he should be getting rotations - he is dynamic, powerful, burst mid who gives us something completely different again to what Nas, Windy, Scud, Macrae provide. Once he starts running through blokes, breaking tackles instead of around them, he will be a weapon.

 

[L_W_P]

I think it’s a great initiative because it encourages more teams to keep their seasons alive in the hope they can finish top 10. Now all we need is a draft lottery system for the bottom 8 to prevent tanking.

Are teams tanking in the AFL? I didn't think that was really an issue. WC, North and Richmond are just sit yeah?

Lottery doesn't stop tanking though. It actually encourages it. Teams blow up their list to ensure they can't make finals and get the best chance at a top pick.

Then to have scenarios like last year where Utah & Washington are desperate for a top pick and they end up outside the top 4, missing the star players.

It also creates a huge perception of rigging.

Imagine if the Swans had a 1% chance at pick #1 and got it. The cries of rigged/favoritism would be off the charts.

 

[ScrappyDo]

I thought the initial reason for the bye was to rest players ahead of finals and not see inconsequential last round matches with ‘B’ teams fielded. Therefore we may see this again for the seven to tens? Sorry if this has already been covered.

I think it’s a great initiative because it encourages more teams to keep their seasons alive in the hope they can finish top 10. Now all we need is a draft lottery system for the bottom 8 to prevent tanking.

It's about increasing revenue. Nothing else.

 

[Significant]

Are teams tanking in the AFL? I didn't think that was really an issue. WC, North and Richmond are just sit yeah?

Lottery doesn't stop tanking though. It actually encourages it. Teams blow up their list to ensure they can't make finals and get the best chance at a top pick.

Then to have scenarios like last year where Utah & Washington are desperate for a top pick and they end up outside the top 4, missing the star players.

It also creates a huge perception of rigging.

Imagine if the Swans had a 1% chance at pick #1 and got it. The cries of rigged/favoritism would be off the charts.

I think the OPs intent would be that the bottom 8 have an equal share of getting the 1 pick, but youre right - rigging would still be an issue (televise it?). There wouldnt be any tanking though, because teams on the edge would be equally wanting to make finals (Top 10) and therefore not wanting to be in the Bottom 8 (random draft).

 

[Pbft]

Possibly the one good thing about a wildcard round, is if your team has had a bad run with injuries but manages to be fit for that final.

Why not go all the way and have a best of three Grand Final "world series".

Why settle for one day in September when we could have the whole month of October.

You know you want it

 

[Remboy]

If you mean Gavin Wangnaneen, does this sound like someone you would appoint as a backline coach if you were a fair Dinkum Football Club?

Since retirement, Wanganeen has taken up painting, exploring his Kokatha identity in his artwork. He was an ambassador for the Adelaide Fringe in 2019.

Sounds like the perfect defensive coach……..for the Bulldogs.

 

[austinnn]

If you mean Gavin Wangnaneen, does this sound like someone you would appoint as a backline coach if you were a fair Dinkum Football Club?

Since retirement, Wanganeen has taken up painting, exploring his Kokatha identity in his artwork. He was an ambassador for the Adelaide Fringe in 2019.

Far out that is the shittest take i've ever seen. May or may not be a decent coaching, absolutely nothing to do with painting or exploring identity. I dont know what the adelaide Fringe is though, maybe its the antithesis to competitive sport or something

 

[bakes10]

I think the OPs intent would be that the bottom 8 have an equal share of getting the 1 pick, but youre right - rigging would still be an issue (televise it?). There wouldnt be any tanking though, because teams on the edge would be equally wanting to make finals (Top 10) and therefore not wanting to be in the Bottom 8 (random draft).

That's correct, I meant that the bottom 8 would have an equal chance of getting the #1 pick.

 

[gringo2011]

Possibly the one good thing about a wildcard round, is if your team has had a bad run with injuries but manages to be fit for that final.

Fans are resistant to change. Give it a couple of years and no-one will even think about it. Sides like St Kilda that get smashed by the fixture every year are probably at an advantage.

We would have 4 more finals appearances in the last decade with the new system. That builds hope, hype and momentum. Helps attract players in etc.

If players are obsessed with playing finals it probably helps the smaller clubs hold players if they keep a toe in finals pool.

 

[gringo2011]

Training was for 1-4 year players....how many seasons do you think Merrett has played?

Just like at St Kilda, where many of our older players were absent as well

He had a wedding. This is the media making something out of nothing.

 

[Simple Jack]

Far out that is the shittest take i've ever seen. May or may not be a decent coaching, absolutely nothing to do with painting or exploring identity. I dont know what the adelaide Fringe is though, maybe its the antithesis to competitive sport or something

I think the point is more that for a line coach you'd be hoping the CV included some "coaching" experience. I.e. it's about what he hasn't been doing not what he has.

 

[gringo2011]

Ik it’s very early but really hope we see Darc on the ball this pre season. His contested game improved every week last season. It all culminated in the last game.

Once again, he’s tracking better than Max Holmes. Is a proven goal kicker and can add some real dynamic movement on the ball.

I just want them to lock his contract in. There is some suggestion that he wants out.

 

[gringo2011]

Disagree, he looks perfectly suited to being an attacking wingman to me. Elite speed and endurance plus a knack for hitting the scoreboard. I think those attributes are wasted by making him an inside mid.

23 disposals 11 contested, 5 goals, 10 score involvements but only 1 clearance shows that he doesn't need to be played as an inside mid to have an impact

High half forward looks his ideal spot. Gets to use his run and connection and use his scoring weapons.

 

[gringo2011]

IF you're guaranteed that 7-10 spot then absolutely we will. Teams will have to manage players even harder with an extra game.

I'd personally prefer to keep rolling than have lay-offs. If you have momentum, stopping can stall you.

 

[Tasmanian saint]

Defensive coach probably will probably be announced before the end of the week.

We have one of the best defenders to ever play on our coaching team in Corey Enright why would we not just make him defensive coach seems a obvious choice

 

[Joffaboy]

The wildcard is simply a band aid solution to the vast problems created by the AFL that has made it a two speed competition.
It will allow clubs that are always down the bottom and will never be a chance to win a flag to 'make' finals, while their love children who are gifted top 5 picks year in year out like the 4 fake northern clubs just go on their merry way.
Really Dillon is out of his depth and needs to be sacked.

 

[Joffaboy]

We have one of the best defenders to ever play on our coaching team in Corey Enright why would we not just him defensive coach seems a obvious choice

Bigger things for Boris.

 

[Nutsngum]

Fans are resistant to change. Give it a couple of years and no-one will even think about it. Sides like St Kilda that get smashed by the fixture every year are probably at an advantage.

We would have 4 more finals appearances in the last decade with the new system. That builds hope, hype and momentum. Helps attract players in etc.

If players are obsessed with playing finals it probably helps the smaller clubs hold players if they keep a toe in finals pool.

We should always question change when it involves arbitrary changing of a system that works well.

Our current final system works as well as it does in rewarding top placed teams whilst still giving the lower half genuine chances to progress because the league has experimented with other systems that weren't as good and decided against them.

The issue with saying that "more finals builds momentum etc.." is where do you draw the line if that as favorable as you make it out to be?
The argument could also be made that it encourages middle of the road action, If we made finals 4 more times would we be completely restructuring the club under Basset, Lyon and Enright or coasting along under Richo still?

 

[Zzzed]

The wildcard is simply a band aid solution to the vast problems created by the AFL that has made it a two speed competition.
It will allow clubs that are always down the bottom and will never be a chance to win a flag to 'make' finals, while their love children who are gifted top 5 picks year in year out like the 4 fake northern clubs just go on their merry way.
Really Dillon is out of his depth and needs to be sacked.

Totally agree, its aimed at appeasing clubs like St Kilda who are the Flint Tropics of the competition and just making up the numbers.

Meanwhile the real problems remain: a lopsided fixture geared towards maximising revenues by giving the "big" clubs the best chance of success, whilst ensuring that the northern growth markets have sustained success by gifting them exclusive access to first round talent via their academies.