Training Saints preseason 2026

[CursingFijian]

e

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

I have a dream that Jevan is on our list, and after we smash Adelaide in gather round he does the press conference from the bleachers and says “See. I told you they were shit. I bloody well told ya!”

 

[Sarcoidevo]

Can we Media train our players to STOP saying "OBVIOUSLY"

 

[austinnn]

Hopefully as I definitely agree but it’s such a joke we never play them at Marvel. Can’t even remember the last time that happened

If we ever want that to happen we have to start showing up to games in much larger numbers, 20-30k isnt going to cut it anymore

 

[austinnn]

Can we Media train our players

Fify

 

[jimmytigs]

Hopefully as I definitely agree but it’s such a joke we never play them at Marvel. Can’t even remember the last time that happened

i remember well & we lose to them anywhere we play them,so im happy we dont waste a home game on them,once a year in adelaide works for me

it was the same with port till this season,so lets see if we can get a roll on with them,hopefully get them twice in 26 and start a new trend

 

[dudeintheswamp]

We all need to try and get there (where possible). Can't wait.

Bloody hell, with this brooding expectation we'll be better next year, if we start the new season beating the Pies at the 'G in front of 80 000 I think I'll need to join a grym or something

 

[Mr Platinum]

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.

It’s Billy Galimberti from SKOB.

 

[tomjoad]

Can we Media train our players to STOP saying "OBVIOUSLY"

Yeah...nah...Ummm.
Obviously.

 

[gringo2011]

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?

To me it puts more pressure on sides falling from teams rising late. Could actually improve the quality of finals. I'm happy to give it a go and see what happens. It also keeps interest for fans that start clocking out once the finals race starts to close too.

 

[akaifu]

 

[StFly]

Alt tweet;

"Illicit substances to face the Western Bulldogs on Easter Sunday next year"

 

[Diehard Saint]

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

Now that would be a smart move.
Bring Nas’ family here.
I like it.

 

[Diehard Saint]

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

Surely not….

 

[Diehard Saint]

NAS looking way more comfortable in front of the camera.
The kid is blossoming before our eyes
He’ll be in the leadership group for sure.

 

[nikkig98]

People will say that Nas says "obviously" too much, but wouldnt most things in life be obvious to the Messiah?

 

[Saintscomemarchingin]

People will say that Nas says "obviously" too much, but wouldnt most things in life be obvious to the Messiah?

Ummm

 

[sammm]

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

www.sportingnews.com

 

[bergholt]

To me it puts more pressure on sides falling from teams rising late. Could actually improve the quality of finals. I'm happy to give it a go and see what happens. It also keeps interest for fans that start clocking out once the finals race starts to close too.

Yeah people are whinging too much tbh

 

[bergholt]

I will be outrageously torqued if we belt the Pies straight up. I am planning to drive to Melbourne from Adelaide to beat having to pay hefty airline prices. Does anyone have an indication when the tickets will be released?

Also, for the Victorian locals, I am staying in Geelong during that entire weekend. Does anyone know if training it to the city is worth the hassle? Many thanks for any wisdom.

Yeah if you're just going to the footy and the city then it's way easier and cheaper to take the train

 

[mad-saint-guy]

He can play both roles during a game..you need multiple CBA players to mix it with the big boys

I think we're pretty well set for mid rotations without trying to turn Wilson into an inside mid. We could always try throwing him in occasionally but I don't think this talents are best utilised there.

Core onball group in best 23:

Nas
Ned
Macrae
Pou
Windy
Garcia
Boxshall
Hall

Options for a spark/burst if needed:

Owens
Sinclair
Ryan
Wilson
Stocker

Depth:

Clark
Dow
Carroll

 

[Saints4ever]

People will say that Nas says "obviously" too much, but wouldnt most things in life be obvious to the Messiah?

He’s looking more comfortable in front of the camera with every appearance.

9 obviously’s in 3 minutes was pretty impressive.

End of the day who cares how he interviews, it’s all about the on field performance.

 

[Saintscomemarchingin]

Interesting one, Will Phillips training with us.
Looked great in the U18's
Maybe abit slow for the Afl

 

[Mr Platinum]

Interesting one, Will Phillips training with us.
Looked great in the U18's
Maybe abit slow for the Afl

No he isn’t, media got it wrong, again.

 

[stfan]

Now that would be a smart move.
Bring Nas’ family here.
I like it.

The article on Gavin Wanganeen coming to Melbourne included:

In recent years, he’s gone on to become a respected Indigenous artist and emerging entrepreneur, starting his own coffee pod company, JooJu, in 2022.
They will reunite with Wanganeen’s older children from a previous relationship, Tex, 22, and Mia, 25, who have been based in Melbourne for four years.
“We’ve often pondered what it would be like to go over there and for the girls to see more of their older brother and sister,” he told The Advertiser.
“It’ll be sad to see the house go. My wife often said it was going to be our forever house but family is pretty important as well,” said the 52-year-old, who will also pursue business interests in his new state.
But he’s adamant he’s not planning to launch a media career in Melbourne – and this move is all about bringing his family together.
“It’s an opportunity to spend a bit more time with them (Mia and Tex). We haven’t seen a lot of them over the last four years,” he said.

Nothing on him coaching. And he has never coached a professional or semi-professional team. He was on the Port Adelaide Board for 5 years. Most Clubs have an ex-player or two on their Boards.

The odds of a 52 year old, who has not coached much more than a School Football Team, suddenly becoming an AFL Assistant Coach would have to be tiny. Especially at the Saints at present who seem to be way more professional than we have been for a long, long time.

 

[SG34]

Opening round against Collingwood.
Want to believe that the new look Saints will be too much for the aging Pies.

Just to that naysayer in me…

Before he gets to say it later.

Remember the opener to 2022.

Pies finished 17th rock bottom in ‘21.
Lost their last three.
Saints ten wins.

Marvel.

Everything pointed to us winning.

Lose by 17 pts.

Ok

Now that is out of the system.

We can’t go back there.

Now it’s just finding new ways to win.