Training Saints preseason 2026

[_Maximus_12]

It’s still 4 months away.

Again, same guy as I posted earlier. Let’s see what King is doing in 2 weeks time (mid December)

Closer to 3 months than it is to 4...

 

[phantom13]

You certainly do if you're setting him up for a career, and wanting him to play his best football. He hasn't hit full fitness/conditioning in over 18 months.
A short 3 month block will get him on the park but will give that give him the best chance at a successful season?
If we're pushing to be a top 6 side we need a fit and firing King. Until then, Ro can hold down the deep fwd role as well as a hobbling King.

Youre talking about it like hes coming off playing 2 days a week of local footy.

He has a base, he doesnt need 6-12 months. I agree that if hes not running now with his history that round 1 would be unlikely but they can also intgrate load into matches (and would be best served to do so).

If his knee is fine and he has no setbacks there hell play in the first month would be my tip.

 

[phantom13]

Bevo's conditioning block consisted of feeding the players 3 pingers and sending them to a boiler room session under the westgate in footscray

If this was tru JUH would have never missed a session

 

[Remboy]

Can we get him host Bailey Humphrey whenever he’s in Melbourne and just keep telling him how good the Saints are?

 

[saint66au]

Brilliant report Joffa. Next time I’m at the club I might ask if they’ve got any Will Phillips fridge magnets.

Norf probably have a pallet load of them

 

[stavro#4]

Youre talking about it like hes coming off playing 2 days a week of local footy.

He has a base, he doesnt need 6-12 months. I agree that if hes not running now with his history that round 1 would be unlikely but they can also intgrate load into matches (and would be best served to do so).

If his knee is fine and he has no setbacks there hell play in the first month would be my tip.

If I was a betting man.

I’d confidently take a bet that says he is training before/after main sessions or completing his running on “off days” when fans aren’t down at the club and most the boys are smashing a gym session.

 

[saintbill]

It’s still 4 months away.

Again, same guy as I posted earlier. Let’s see what King is doing in 2 weeks time (mid December)

It's 102 days until we play and all we have seen from King is a light jog over 20m posted on the clubs social media.

After seeing him at the gym and many of the other Saints boys training at Dendy Park in recent weeks it is chalk and cheese.

Happy to be proven wrong, but he looks absolutely miles off everyone else.

He might play round 1, but I doubt he is anywhere close to full fitness.

 

[saintbill]

This is pretty overstated.

You dont need 6-12 months of load to "condition" his legs at all. It might take that if they still have to manage an ongoing issue but its not a set thing.

The issue is King had a poor fitness and strength base to begin with. Has gotten by on talent thus far.

It makes coming back from injury twice as hard.

I wouldn't be against Hammer playing early and easing him back into it.

 

[Joffaboy]

Wouldn't expect King to be back for round 1 if he's not running by now. A lot of work to do given he had 3 surgeries last year and a couple the year prior. Need to condition his legs which can take 6-12 months given how far back he's coming from

He is running

 

[Joffaboy]

Wasn’t he running last week?

As they walked out of the foyer today one of the players said to him, 'are you running today' and he said no, just inside work.

 

[Joffaboy]

Speaking of Macrae, have not sighted him this preseason

 

[phantom13]

The issue is King had a poor fitness and strength base to begin with. Has gotten by on talent thus far.

It makes coming back from injury twice as hard.

I wouldn't be against Hammer playing early and easing him back into it.

Poor by AFL standards maybe but its still ny AFL standards.

He doesnt need a 6 month program to get to AFL fitness.

 

[stavro#4]

It's 102 days until we play and all we have seen from King is a light jog over 20m posted on the clubs social media.

After seeing him at the gym and many of the other Saints boys training at Dendy Park in recent weeks it is chalk and cheese.

Happy to be proven wrong, but he looks absolutely miles off everyone else.

He might play round 1, but I doubt he is anywhere close to full fitness.

Because that’s all you have seen doesn’t make it the reality.

I’ll back in what I was told. Let’s see what this looks like a month from now when they break up for a Christmas break.

 

[Imtellingya]

If I was a betting man.

I’d confidently take a bet that says he is training before/after main sessions or completing his running on “off days” when fans aren’t down at the club and most the boys are smashing a gym session.

Vision from RSEA Park, from weeks ago, showing Max doing some gentle running on a deserted ground. I would suggest he has done more running that we know.

 

[stavro#4]

As they walked out of the foyer today one of the players said to him, 'are you running today' and he said no, just inside work.

I’m speculating but as per my above post.

I think they are taking him away from sight for the most part of his recovery.

So before and after sessions and alternate days to main sessions.

 

[stavro#4]

Vision from RSEA Park, from weeks ago, showing Max doing some gentle running on a deserted ground. I would suggest he has done more running that we know.

Few more weeks. Then Non contact but with the main group…

and I bet the boys will be pumped for that day.

 

[akaifu]

Speaking of Macrae, have not sighted him this preseason

He was there on Monday

 

[Remboy]

Speaking of Macrae, have not sighted him this preseason

Rumour that he's returned to the Bulldogs. Apparently when Wilkie knocked back the Dogs money they offered it to Macrae to go back.

 

[SainterinSydney]

Rumour that he's returned to the Bulldogs. Apparently when Wilkie knocked back the Dogs money they offered it to Macrae to go back.

And play full back

 

[Remboy]

If I was a betting man.

I’d confidently take a bet that says he is training before/after main sessions or completing his running on “off days” when fans aren’t down at the club and most the boys are smashing a gym session.

The last session I went to I got there at 9.50. Max was on the track with one of the physios/trainers. No idea how long ged been out there.
When the players came out he went inside. It looks to me as though they're keeping him away from prying eyes.
Post Christmas will be the key milestone for me.

 

[tony74]

Speaking of Macrae, have not sighted him this preseason

Pool

 

[Train12]

Pool

King on track for opening round Tony?

 

[stavro#4]

Pool

Can you give some insight on Max and put to bed any concerns?

 

[True Believer]

As they walked out of the foyer today one of the players said to him, 'are you running today' and he said no, just inside work.

Surprised he had the strength to respond to be honest, given some of the reports.......

Did he have to sit down and catch his breath after he answered?

 

[True Believer]

Pool

What size table do they play on?