Training Saints preseason 2026

[The Punter]

Its obvious they operate on a "throw shit at the wall and see what sticks" type attitude to running the league. As long as the gambling dollars continue to roll in they done give much of a shit about the stability or integrity of the game itself.

It also reeks of indecisiveness and short term planning. A big issue with growing the game overseas, which they have attempted countless times now, is that the rule set of the game are baffling to outsiders. We put up with it as weve grown with it and "get the vibe" so to speak but its unmarketable with so many grey areas.

But instead of spending a proper amount of time actually clarifying and adjusting rules to make the game easier to umpire and understand and then actually testing it in the VFL properly they just again, throw shit at the wall in the hopes of it making some sort of positive change.

To be fair, one of their rule changes has been tested in the SANFL for the last decade. The ruck and interchange changes closely resemble reversions to previous rules.

Imagine the outrage if the AFL, this time next year, announced they were initiating a five-year study into the future of the game. Most of the commentary would be "this is so they can ruin the game further!!!". It's the nature of modern PR, which directly relates to how the public behaves. Considering a change is wanting it. Doing things confidentially is keeping them secret.

The case for the two new finals is really bloody simple: more footy. That's it, that's the case.

No one complains about the death of pre-season games, but that has done more harm to the product (at least in the first month of the season) than any other recent change. Round 0-3 games can be very scrappy due to lack of match practice in the pre-season.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

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

Andrew Gaff type roll for mine.

 

[stfan]

Far out that is the shittest take i've ever seen.

Why? I looked at his CV post his playing career and it is someone who has chosen to not be a coach at professional level, but to instead pursue an career as an artist.

May or may not be a decent coaching,

??? Is that not the point?

absolutely nothing to do with painting or exploring identity.

What do mean? He has chosen to become an artist, not a coach. So it is 100% to do with it.

I dont know what the adelaide Fringe

It is a major Arts Festival . See https://adelaidefringe.com.au/

is though, maybe its the antithesis to competitive sport or something

Sorry you are off on a tangent.

The is nothing wrong with Gavin's career choice (The Arts) post his football career. Except if you are looking to appoint him as a coach at a high level.

The point is is that he has not sought to be a coach at all at professional and has no coaching experience apart from ofaa school team.

If you want to appoint a painter as our backline coach, well that is your opinion and all is good. But why the personal attack on myself?.

Personally I would hope that they will appoint some someone who has some coaching experience and has pursued that career, and who has also done some coaching training and development.

If you are inferring it is a racial slur, well that is just a rubbish comment. Xavier Clarke for example has been an excellent Assistant Coach at AFL Level.

 

[SainterinSydney]

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

I could see him becoming our version of Jelly Kelly.

 

[StCicatriz]

He's at a wedding. It's really a non story.

wow sam mitchells wife really does go above and beyond to get that signature

 

[StCicatriz]

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.

this

absolutely spot on

 

[Imtellingya]

One thing I noticed when flicking through the training photos posted by the club was just how many gun young players we have!

Can't remember the last time I had a similar feeling.

It was even more pronounced when they running in groups all bunched up.

 

[Barrels]

One thing I noticed when flicking through the training photos posted by the club was just how many gun young players we have!

Can't remember the last time I had a similar feeling.

Saints 23 and Under XXI

B: O’Connell - Barrat - Hastie
HB: Travaglia - Tauru - Wang.-Mil.
C: Wilson - Garcia - Carroll
HF: Phillipou - Keeler - Hall**
F: Collard - Caminiti - Owens
Foll: Dodson - Boxshall - Windhager
Int: Said Armstrong McDonald*​

*not here yet
**23yrs 6 months

Then, FWIW…

Under 25: Byrnes Flanders Henry
Under 26: King Sharman Stocker
Under 27: Clark De Koning Dow Higgins

 

[Sarcoidevo]

Seriously ... the AFL need to forget about this Wildcard Round Final bullshit fixture drivel and just cut to the chase ....... and just hand us the Premiership Cup ....... for the next 6 years in a row

 

[Veer Right]

Summary anyone of recent news/updates?

I saw Garcia who looks in ripping shape which is great. How's Boxshall and Hall looking?

 

[Zzzed]

2 positions vacated that need to be filled. Webster’s lock down small defender role and Nas’s half back flank .

Stocker would be the starting favourite for the lock down small defender role, but his lack of pace may leave him exposed against some of the quicker small forwards. LOC probably next cab off the rank, maybe even Trav for a year .

With Nas moving into the midfield I cant see him being replaced with a Tauru as many have suggested. 4 tall defenders is 1 too many. Hastie recruited as a rebounding defender and coming into his 3rd year could be an option, but will need to show more improvement in the off season. Trav & LOC also options. Or perhaps it’s the slower but creative Clark ? Or will it be someone we haven’t seen play that position before ? I think we will see a few players tried there in the first half of the season.

 

[TheJackal]

All good mate, appreciate your efforts. I'm only guessing too but I'm pretty sure it's Galimberti

To be fair to you, they look quite similar

Phillips is a lot more bulkier and more tanned though

Below is a picture of Galimberti (with longer hair) - I think it's a closer match to the guy in the video
View attachment 2474606

When Stav posted a photo of Phillips, I wasn't 100% sure because the guy training didn't give me massive wing nut vibes from a distance.

I'm pretty sure you are right akaifu - with less hair, I'd be guessing thats the guy training with us.

 

[aidansbonor]

Have heard we're playing Adelaide for gather round and Dees either rd 1 or 2 at the G again.

 

[Saint Ray]

It was even more pronounced when they running in groups all bunched up.

who is no 37?

 

[Saintscomemarchingin]

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.

People banging on here about Hall being more useful at H.F.
I see him more f/time in the midfield because of his neat & precise kicking.

Whereas Wilson is better when he has the goals in range.
So, he should be H.F. for mine, with bursts in the midfield.
Unless his field kicking improves, moreso his overkicking it.

 

[The Punter]

Have heard we're playing Adelaide for gather round and Dees either rd 1 or 2 at the G again.

Playing Adelaide in Adelaide for Gather Round is better than playing them in Adelaide any other round, as we'll be in Adelaide anyway.

 

[Saintscomemarchingin]

The boys are back.

Check out some highlights from yesterday's first session back.

Said is not a skinny kid.

 

[nikkig98]

Have heard we're playing Adelaide for gather round and Dees either rd 1 or 2 at the G again.

Honestly could not be a more perfect opportunity to start the year with a bang and generate momentum with Pies and Dees. Both in melbourne, so thats a tick. More opportunities at the G, another tick. We should be beating the aging Pies this year with our development and recruits and we should absolutely be smashing the Dees by 5 goals min.

Playing Adelaide for Gather Round once again makes us a spectacle for it and Ill get to rub it into the inbred Crows supporters faces in person when we beat them on their own home turf. Then they can cry about getting Nas in 2 years time. Also, we're not playing at Norwood Oval! Another win

 

[TheJackal]

who is no 37?

37? Pretty sure Keels was wearing 37 yesterday for some reason.

 

[Saint Ray]

37? Pretty sure Keels was wearing 37 yesterday for some reason.

Thanks mate. Thought it may have been him.

 

[SaintWrld]

who is no 37?

Keeler, outgrown his no 17 training gear

 

[beside the seaside]

Just watching the training footage and Keeler doesn't seem much fitter or stronger. Probably reading way too much into it and hope I'm wrong but not expecting much next season. Caminiti looks ripped and Tauru will be a superstar. Flanders has the vibe of a local footy player but we already know he's a gun.

 

[akaifu]

Just watching the training footage and Keeler doesn't seem much fitter or stronger. Probably reading way too much into it and hope I'm wrong but not expecting much next season. Caminiti looks ripped and Tauru will be a superstar. Flanders has the vibe of a local footy player but we already know he's a gun.

Interesting. I actually thought Keeler looked a few kgs heavier and stronger

 

[jimmytigs]

37? Pretty sure Keels was wearing 37 yesterday for some reason.

maybe requested,wasnt in use last year,maybe the last two years,pretty significant number with the indigenous boys re goodes,then again m.rioli was no sluch either

 

[SaintWrld]

Just watching the training footage and Keeler doesn't seem much fitter or stronger. Probably reading way too much into it and hope I'm wrong but not expecting much next season. Caminiti looks ripped and Tauru will be a superstar. Flanders has the vibe of a local footy player but we already know he's a gun.

Not sure how you get that from this 8 minute clip. Keeler is now bigger in the upper body than Caminiti