Training Saints preseason 2026

[BrutThough]

Our running program seems to be on a different level to other sides. Didn’t Macrae mention how much running we did when he arrived last year? I think the new guys are just put through some extra work to get them up to speed.

Never forget the Josh Bruce segment on the news where he was glowing about how he no longer has to run in preseason and then he was unfit all season.

 

[littlecreatures]

I am most definitely not. Just know a few old xavs guys

Hey mate, are you a mod on here?

 

[BrutThough]

I wouldn't worry about JSOS at this stage.

Had some groin issues last year so this will just be about managing his loads and re-conditioning him up. I wouldn't expect him with the main group until the new year.

 

[SainterinSydney]

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

Please, Tony

 

[Nutsngum]

I swear some of you guys think afl players are held together by magic or something equally unattainable. The average person can go from nothing to running reasonable 5k times within 3 months with a decent coaching program. As long as King's knee is 100% he will get the fitness back.

 

[Sarcoidevo]

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

Already sold out ... so you will need to place an order, drop a deposit and wait your turn

 

[Joffaboy]

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?

No but two of the players had to help him off the chair.

 

[Joffaboy]

Biggest thing nobody has commented on from my report is Carroll with the backs and LOC in the mids.
Maybe JC a Webster replacement. LOC seemed alot more filled out as well.

 

[SainterinSydney]

Biggest thing nobody haa commented on from my report is Carroll with the backs and LOC in the mids.
Maybe JC a Webster replacement. LOC seemed alot more filled out as well.

Wasn't LOC playing inside mid for Sandy towards the end of last year and was doing well.

Also, I like the idea of Carroll being given a go as a Jimmy Webster replacement

 

[austinnn]

Biggest thing nobody haa commented on from my report is Carroll with the backs and LOC in the mids.
Maybe JC a Webster replacement. LOC seemed alot more filled out as well.

Im just assuming this is an experiment, but I like Carroll being tested in this other position. We've got a fairly deep midfield now and not a lot of small to mid "proper" defenders since Paton left and Jimmy retired. We need to see who else can do it besides LOC and Stock. Plenty of small forwards out there who can damage us.

I like Carroll, hope he gets more of a chance, but I can't see how he gets into our midfield without a few injuries elsewhere, touch wood that doesn't occur.

 

[True Believer]

Biggest thing nobody haa commented on from my report is Carroll with the backs and LOC in the mids.
Maybe JC a Webster replacement. LOC seemed alot more filled out as well.

How quick is JC?

 

[Rogue Warrior]

Biggest thing nobody haa commented on from my report is Carroll with the backs and LOC in the mids.
Maybe JC a Webster replacement. LOC seemed alot more filled out as well.

Maybe they’re grooming LOC as a winger or a tagger?
Seems odd with our dearth of small backs

 

[akaifu]

Biggest thing nobody haa commented on from my report is Carroll with the backs and LOC in the mids.
Maybe JC a Webster replacement. LOC seemed alot more filled out as well.

Surely Carroll would be more a flanker than a lockdown? I don't think I've ever seen him lockdown on a player before and I feel like his speed, kicking, and burst is more suited to rebounding. Good height at 188cm too so can do a bit of intercepting without having to be too accountable

When building my best 23s its always that Nas replacement at HB that I have no clue who it might be to fill in whether its Clark/Hastie so I feel like there's definitely a hole there

I can defo see a backline in this sort of mould:

Stocker Howard Wilkie
Sincs JSOS Carroll
Tauru - I/C

LOC as a mid screams Steele replacement as that big-bodied defensive mid who can tag. I still hope he asserts himself as a lockdown defender and that this midfield stuff is still to just develop his offensive game. Probably hints at releasing Windy as a ball-winning mid, and Boxshall to remain on a wing with Wood pushing forward - as you reported too

 

[StJHD]

Im just assuming this is an experiment, but I like Carroll being tested in this other position. We've got a fairly deep midfield now and not a lot of small to mid "proper" defenders since Paton left and Jimmy retired. We need to see who else can do it besides LOC and Stock. Plenty of small forwards out there who can damage us.

I like Carroll, hope he gets more of a chance, but I can't see how he gets into our midfield without a few injuries elsewhere, touch wood that doesn't occur.

LOC, Stock and one smoking Carroll?

 

[Remboy]

Already sold out ... so you will need to place an order, drop a deposit and wait your turn

In that case I'll settle for a t-shirt instead.

 

[Remboy]

Im just assuming this is an experiment, but I like Carroll being tested in this other position. We've got a fairly deep midfield now and not a lot of small to mid "proper" defenders since Paton left and Jimmy retired. We need to see who else can do it besides LOC and Stock. Plenty of small forwards out there who can damage us.

I like Carroll, hope he gets more of a chance, but I can't see how he gets into our midfield without a few injuries elsewhere, touch wood that doesn't occur.

I think Carroll could be a good distributor off half back. He's got a nice left foot, good skills and is quick enough. Time will tell.

 

[phantom13]

Hey mate, are you a mod on here?

Goddamn right I am.

Not sure if this or the Xavier question is more offensive…

 

[Joffaboy]

How quick is JC?

Not express but was really spreading well from hbf to give options on the wing. To me ( which really doesn't say much) he looked well at home.

 

[Joffaboy]

Surely Carroll would be more a flanker than a lockdown? I don't think I've ever seen him lockdown on a player before and I feel like his speed, kicking, and burst is more suited to rebounding. Good height at 188cm too so can do a bit of intercepting without having to be too accountable

When building my best 23s its always that Nas replacement at HB that I have no clue who it might be to fill in whether its Clark/Hastie so I feel like there's definitely a hole there

I can defo see a backline in this sort of mould:

Stocker Howard Wilkie
Sincs JSOS Carroll
Tauru - I/C

LOC as a mid screams Steele replacement as that big-bodied defensive mid who can tag. I still hope he asserts himself as a lockdown defender and that this midfield stuff is still to just develop his offensive game. Probably hints at releasing Windy as a ball-winning mid, and Boxshall to remain on a wing with Wood pushing forward - as you reported too

Really good summation, think you may have nailed what they are looking at for Carroll. There was no Sinc's today, think there is a role for Carroll on a hbf more than midfield.
I reckon spot on forwhat they have in mind for Windy. Haven't watched enough of LOC, but don't know if he would have his positioning IQ up to AFL standard especially against an elite seniors midfielder. Steele and Windy made it look relatively simple, however they negated their opponent AND got their own ball. Probably selling LOC short. TBF I wasn't really watching him during the in close drills so dont know what he was practising.

 

[OxSaint]

Not express but was really spreading well from hbf to give options on the wing. To me ( which really doesn't say much) he looked well at home.

I think he covers ground fairly well. I think he would match it with Webster from a speed perspective. Certainly quicker than Stocker.

 

[phantom13]

LOC, Stock and one smoking Carroll?

****ing hell this is good gear. Well played

 

[OxSaint]

Looks like Carrol was drafted as a Halfback developing as a mid in his draft year in WA.

 

[austinnn]

Looks like Carrol was drafted as a Halfback developing as a mid in his draft year in WA.

What I remember about Carroll is that he's great at disposals under extreme pressure in tight, it will be interesting to see how that plays out running the ball out of defence

 

[Mr_R0b0t]

Biggest thing nobody has commented on from my report is Carroll with the backs and LOC in the mids.
Maybe JC a Webster replacement. LOC seemed alot more filled out as well.

From memory LOC finished off the season in the VFL playing as a midfielder

 

[gringo2011]

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

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

He'd still be doing bike and pool sessions a minimum. He'll be keeping a base fitness even if he's not running at pace yet.