Training Saints preseason 2026

[Mstr Strokesman]

Does anyone have the list of those training with main group,those on modified program and those injured ?
Whilst the appointment of Allen looks good ,it seems the forward line that needs some strong structures.Terry Daniher has it humming when he was forwards coach.

 

[sammm]

Anyone got this? It was also in the herald sun I think

 

[saintmike65]

Training yesterday was interesting with heavy emphasis on high pressure stoppage drill and forward 50 best option entry.
In the stoppage drill Darcy Wilson and Nas both showed their power speed to break things open despite serious congestion.
Sam Flanders clean hands also on show!
Great to see Rowan Marshall

19

Rowan Marshall

Age

30

Ht

201cm

Wt

105kg

Pos.

Ruck

Career

Season

Last 5

D

15.4

4star

K

8.8

3star

HB

6.6

4star

CL

3.4

5star

HO

20.2

5star

D

12.9

3star

K

9.3

4star

HB

3.6

2star

CL

2.8

4star

HO

17.8

5star

D

10.6

3star

K

5.8

3star

HB

4.8

4star

CL

1.0

3star

HO

7.8

5star

back early, doing some forward craft and ruck work.
Copper Sharman looked particularly sharp, Hally taking up where he left off...Boxshall nearly killed Windhager in a marking contest, Garcia his usual relentless self.
Players look particularly fit and have obviously been hitting the gym.
Tex Wanganeen an interesting onlooker!

 

[Saints4ever]

Thanks for all the training reports.

 

[Joffaboy]

Does anyone have the list of those training with main group,those on modified program and those injured ?
Whilst the appointment of Allen looks good ,it seems the forward line that needs some strong structures.Terry Daniher has it humming when he was forwards coach.

From observation
Clark
Higgins
King in rehab

Flanders on a slightly modified program.

Some players just in the gym, others nor starting until 24th Nov

 

[BigMonty]

King, Sharman and Owens all played in our last final with Butler, Higgins and Gresham.

Just a thought could Butler play as a lock down backman. Has great speed can tackle, is very creative with ball in hand sometimes too much..however does he have the temperament.

The recruiting of Ryan and re emergence of a fit Henry means there is lots of competition for spots. Reckon that Ryan and Henry are better impact players for different reasons than Butler, so maybe there is some method to my madness.

Who knows

 

[Parkysp]

He doesn’t really coach with the passion of some other coaches in terms of playing for the jumper and everything. He’s a great teacher,’’ Carter said.

“He teaches, ‘Do the one percenters, do everything right, please listen to your coaches and please understand we are a club on continuous improvement in everything we do’.’’

In Carter’s view, St Kilda has shown its high regard of Allan by hiring him as a line coach.
“In my speak, he’s jumped four rungs on the ladder overnight … who can knock that back?’’ he said.

“He’s not going into a development role. He’s come on as an assistant coach overnight. Michael Barlow, for example, went on (to North Melbourne) as a development coach. They have to go through the ranks, even if they’ve played a lot of games in the AFL. But the Saints have said, ‘Here’s your contract, you’re going to do a super job looking after the backline’.’’

Carter said St Kilda’s approach to Allan was a “whirlwind courting’’ and presented a “great opportunity for Jimmy to make that paradigm shift and be recognised as a future senior coach in everyone’s eyes’’.

In the AFL we care way too much about coaches that have played at AFL level. Fagan is still seen as a curiousity rather than as an example.

It's typical of the risk adverse Australian culture. Michael Voss is amongst the handful of best players I've seen live. He's close to the worst coach. Unfortunately for him as I reckon he's a reasonable bloke.

 

[Teflon]

Hes near the end of his term limit.
We would have to change the constitution for him to stay longer

Change it I say

 

[Teflon]

Just a thought could Butler play as a lock down backman. Has great speed can tackle, is very creative with ball in hand sometimes too much..however does he have the temperament.

The recruiting of Ryan and re emergence of a fit Henry means there is lots of competition for spots. Reckon that Ryan and Henry are better impact players for different reasons than Butler, so maybe there is some method to my madness.

Who knows

Not a silly idea …except with Butler ….when he has time to think his disposal/ decision making looks shaky at best ….down back that could be costly…bht not impossible he has the pressure and speed factor for sure

 

[Teflon]

In the AFL we care way too much about coaches that have played at AFL level. Fagan is still seen as a curiousity rather than as an example.

It's typical of the risk adverse Australian culture. Michael Voss is amongst the handful of best players I've seen live. He's close to the worst coach. Unfortunately for him as I reckon he's a reasonable bloke.

Exactly my read on Voss too
Reckon he’d be decent to have a beer with
Shit coach

 

[stfan]

Just a thought could Butler play as a lock down backman. Has great speed can tackle, is very creative with ball in hand sometimes too much..h

I suggested recently on this forum that Butler should have a chat to Lyon about having a crack at being our small defender.

However, Butler is not just a potential lockdown player as he has great ability to hunt players and close them down as opposed to your lock-down/tagging role.

 

[gubby88]

I suggested recently on this forum that Butler should have a chat to Lyon about having a crack at being our small defender.

However, Butler is not just a potential lockdown player as he has great ability to hunt players and close them down as opposed to your lock-down/tagging role.

this is not the worst idea ive ever heard tbh

 

[stavro#4]

Hes near the end of his term limit.
We would have to change the constitution for him to stay longer

Or you appoint someone like Gil, who is probably the ideal fit for our next evolution which is a club that carries weight in the AFL landscape as opposed to acting like Angry Fire Ants for the tenure of the next President.

 

[stavro#4]

I suggested recently on this forum that Butler should have a chat to Lyon about having a crack at being our small defender.

However, Butler is not just a potential lockdown player as he has great ability to hunt players and close them down as opposed to your lock-down/tagging role.

He also has shown very little over head marking in his entire career. Which is something that’s required to play any role down back.

So it’s a major pass for me.

 

[Rogue Warrior]

In the AFL we care way too much about coaches that have played at AFL level. Fagan is still seen as a curiousity rather than as an example.

It's typical of the risk adverse Australian culture. Michael Voss is amongst the handful of best players I've seen live. He's close to the worst coach. Unfortunately for him as I reckon he's a reasonable bloke.

Great point. The same can be said about commentators. A lot of well credentialed players, who have the IQ of a golden retriever end up in roles as experts comments/analysis. Jonathan Brown a prime example

 

[hangdog]

Exactly my read on Voss too
Reckon he’d be decent to have a beer with
Shit coach

Scene: in a pub with Vossy, who's just finished a witty anecdote.
Me: "Ah Vossy, you're a funny bugger. You don't deserve the hard time you get."
Voss: "Cheers. Hey, hear me out on this... Pittonet to take an the kick ins?"
Me: "God damn it..."

 

[Mstr Strokesman]

In the AFL we care way too much about coaches that have played at AFL level. Fagan is still seen as a curiousity rather than as an example.

It's typical of the risk adverse Australian culture. Michael Voss is amongst the handful of best players I've seen live. He's close to the worst coach. Unfortunately for him as I reckon he's a reasonable bloke.

Add Tim Watson to the list who couldn’t coach but unbelievable player.
I reckon Brendan Bolton is hugely under rated on here and what he has done for the club .Also a senior coach who didn’t play at highest level.

 

[CaptainRisky]

Not pre season but a moorabbin observation , i was down that way this morning so i dropped in to take a look as i hadnt been there since the refurb , whoever they have doing the maintenance needs a rev up as there is crap all over the place near the south road goal end , its a safety hazzard for starters , not that hard to keep an area that small tidy when its in the public section

 

[SaintsofSteel]

Does anyone have the list of those training with main group,those on modified program and those injured ?
Whilst the appointment of Allen looks good ,it seems the forward line that needs some strong structures.Terry Daniher has it humming when he was forwards coach.

It wouldnt matter who we had coaching when we had under sized Sharman and Owen as a our key forwards. Most opposition team bigger defenders had them covered. Henry couldnt get going, Butler had no preseason and was then injured again, so it put a lot of pressure on Higgins.

Inject King, Marshall and Caminiti into our F50 and all of a sudden our other forwards become more dangerous. Simply because they get the opposition medium 3rd and 4th string defenders. Plus it gives the front and centre small forwards a point of reference, given King/Marshall can consistently create a contest.

The only difficulty for the coaches will be finding the right balance, but I always thought King plays better when he has another tall playing alongside him. Lets see how Biscuits goes this year with a fully fit and available list.

 

[ScrappyDo]

Great point. The same can be said about commentators. A lot of well credentialed players, who have the IQ of a golden retriever end up in roles as experts comments/analysis. Jonathan Brown a prime example

I'm no fan of Golden Retrievers but that's a bit low IMHO.

 

[ScrappyDo]

Hes near the end of his term limit.
We would have to change the constitution for him to stay longer

Or you appoint someone like Gil, who is probably the ideal fit for our next evolution which is a club that carries weight in the AFL landscape as opposed to acting like Angry Fire Ants for the tenure of the next President.

I do recall something about the Prez being able to vacate the role, then being able to stand for election again with a unanimous approval.

 

[StFly]

I do recall something about the Prez being able to vacate the role, then being able to stand for election again with a unanimous approval.

Correct;

No rewriting necessary.

3 terms -> retire ->re-nominate per 10.2 as of 2007.
10.2B then indicates after 9 terms, so 9 years, unless unanimous the director must retire and cannot re-nominate.

President & Vice president whilst having additional duties, are still covered by the above.

As such; the base can continue as pres so long as unanimous decision by the board exists.

 

[MightySaintas]

Not pre season but a moorabbin observation , i was down that way this morning so i dropped in to take a look as i hadnt been there since the refurb , whoever they have doing the maintenance needs a rev up as there is crap all over the place near the south road goal end , its a safety hazzard for starters , not that hard to keep an area that small tidy when its in the public section

What a flog comment

 

[TheJackal]

What a flog comment

I kinda see what he is saying. I've often been there late in the week and seen the grand stand full of rubbish from the previous weeks games. I would anticipate a slick, professional outfit would look exactly like that in every sense.

I used to work in production for a company that opened themselves up to the public on weekends - my boss would lose it if we didn't leave areas visible to the public spotless.

I've never really cared myself about RSEA, but the thought has crossed my mind so its a valid opinion.

Its definitely an argument that the 'who has a messy bedroom' recruiter would have.

 

[CHBench]

Extinct or flourishing: Which ruckmen will survive the AFL’s new rules?

Clubs are going to spend many hours over pre-season working out how to best use their ruckmen under the new ruck rules. They will cause some sleepless nights for some of the game’s best big men.

www.theage.com.au

We asked six recruiters, ruck coaches and assistant coaches from across the competition, who wanted to speak anonymously so they could speak freely about the potential impact of the rule changes on ruckman.

There is unanimous agreement that each rule change suits St Kilda recruit De Koning.

He is an athletic tall with an outstanding leap at centre bounces. By no means the finished product, he will, however, be able to play football like a jockey rides the best horse in a race.

Melbourne champion Gawn had already predicted De Koning would be the next ruck star on the horizon and his ascension to that mantle should be celebrated as the AFL encourages a return to the spectacular leap after fearing its extinction.

Not only will the ruckman need to jump or stifle their opponent’s elevation at centre bounces, they will need to cover the ground like a midfielder to stay as involved in the game. Umpires will throw the ball up immediately around the ground rather than waiting for nominations like a waiter arriving at a table with three different parmas.

The challenge will be getting into position behind the ball, particularly with last touch. Those teams who have used their ruckman to bolster their defence can’t also expect that player to always be at stoppages. It’s why, one assistant said, the Western Bulldogs with Tim English, Sam Darcy and Rory Lobb

7

Rory Lobb

Age

32

Ht

207cm

Wt

106kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.0

3star

K

6.7

3star

HB

4.4

3star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.4

4star

MG

174.6

3star

D

11.3

3star

K

8.0

3star

HB

3.3

2star

M

4.6

4star

T

1.4

2star

MG

228.6

3star

D

7.0

2star

K

4.0

2star

HB

3.0

3star

M

2.6

3star

T

2.8

5star

MG

133.0

3star

in all parts of the ground could gain an advantage via the new rules. It may explain why St Kilda retained Rowan Marshall

19

Rowan Marshall

Age

30

Ht

201cm

Wt

105kg

Pos.

Ruck

Career

Season

Last 5

D

15.4

4star

K

8.8

3star

HB

6.6

4star

CL

3.4

5star

HO

20.2

5star

D

12.9

3star

K

9.3

4star

HB

3.6

2star

CL

2.8

4star

HO

17.8

5star

D

10.6

3star

K

5.8

3star

HB

4.8

4star

CL

1.0

3star

HO

7.8

5star

, despite his trade request.

The game is becoming so fast that a tired, lumbering ruckman will be hard-pressed to execute their skills if pushed too hard, said one coach. So two ruckmen or one ruckman with a different role will be the way forward.