Training Saints preseason 2026

[seasonedsainter]

There’s a reason they call him Flyin’ Ryan and not Runnin’ Ryan.

 

[Ads734]

Regarding running and training I have some perspectives on this.

1) running well in TT’s at training is not always I do prove of being a good ‘running player’
Some examples
Naz
Joey Montagna
Hunter Clark

11

Hunter Clark

Age

26

Ht

186cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

17.5

4star

K

9.5

4star

HB

8.0

5star

M

3.6

4star

T

2.9

4star

CL

1.3

3star

D

16.0

4star

K

9.6

4star

HB

6.4

4star

M

3.1

3star

T

2.9

4star

CL

1.9

4star

D

13.2

4star

K

6.6

3star

HB

6.6

4star

M

2.2

3star

T

2.0

4star

CL

0.0

1star

(when played at HB)

Compared to some like Jarryd Geary Or even Ed Phillips or Dmac


2) on the contrary sometimes it does or at least becomes a serious help.

• hill
• Wilson.

In conclusion, no need to get too caught up in the running imo if the player has previously shown an ability to have ‘game like’ running.

 

[Joffaboy]

Just don't get wound up about it, is all. He runs out games, he's just a shit house trainer when it comes to fitness sessions.

He'll be fine when the siren starts the game.

He seemed to kick the shit out of us most times he played for WC. I am thankful he cant do that anymore at the very least

 

[SaintsofSteel]

I would add, after he has a really good game or some incredible moment within a game, don't bother falling down the rabbit hole of how great he could be if he had even a median level of fitness for an AFL player. At this age and experience level it's safe to say he is what he is, and is usually a really handy player despite being one of the least fit players on the ground (cardio-wise).

He is from rural Geraldton originally, how do you think he is going to adapt to life in Vic, away from his extended family?

 

[SaintsofSteel]

From my experience this type of behaviour and lack of application causes club cultural issues. Particularly when players who don't wholly commit are giving games over others.

Rewarding mediocrity has never been a recipe for success.

Turning up unfit to training in November/December is pretty much guaranteed. The best you can hope for with Ryan is that he doesn't get hurt in the post-Christmas training period and he's most of the way up to speed by the opening round (or week 1, whatever the hell it is now).

There's also every chance that because of some niggles or just poor pre-season efforts he'll be pretty lousy for a few weeks until he plays himself into game shape.

He's a lazy prick and never seemed to get his mobility quite right after doing his 2 hammies. I'd expect him to be a serviceable forward with the flash of brilliance and the tendency to go missing for a quarter or two.

 

[Ilkka Sinisalo]

He is from rural Geraldton originally, how do you think he is going to adapt to life in Vic, away from his extended family?

I have no idea. He requested the trade so he must think he'll be okay, and I assume his partner and kids have moved over with him. I mean pretty much anywhere should be better than Gero. The last time I was there was 3 years ago and they still had a bloody Sanity store open, selling CDs and DVDs! I thought that place had gone out of business like 15 years ago.

 

[ESPN8 The Ocho]

This is consistent with past reports re Ryan's fitness, its an ominous warning sign IMO. I wonder if WCE knew something about Liam's off field application we didn't?

On the other hand, Liam Henry was striding out well today.
Chasing Pou on multiple laps.
Pou was motoring.
Henry was right behind him.
Zero evidence of any issues with his knee.

I think you’d be better focusing on what is going well, rather than be fearful about something that may never eventuate.

My reading on Ryan is simple: he’s had the same shock to the system that Cordy and Schoenmaker enjoyed before him.

He will survive, as they did.

 

[Stan_Darsh72]

I reckon he was unbelievable this year. Apart from Nas getting noticed by the footy world I'd say he was the best thing about 2025. Absolutely loved his season.

Hall has that ability to just find space and do the correct pass via foot.

He can be AA for us

 

[Miha]

Don’t need Ryan to run need him to kick goals.

Dane Swan

Dane Swan

Age

41

Ht

185cm

Wt

93kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

26.9

5star

K

16.4

5star

HB

10.4

5star

M

5.9

5star

T

3.1

5star

CL

5.4

5star

No current season stats available

D

12.0

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

5.0

4star

M

3.0

3star

T

1.0

3star

was a terrible trainer and won a Brownlow. Make of that what you will

 

[kaiserchief13]

Just don't get wound up about it, is all. He runs out games, he's just a shit house trainer when it comes to fitness sessions.

Not sure about that. He often has howler turnovers because hes too unfit - think kick off side of foot from a mark. He often walks around because hes not fit enough to tackle

 

[mighty_sainters]

Understandably, the club is taking a conservative approach to Max King's path to playing again.
He is running and importantly seemingly pain free.
Regarding Kye Fincher, he's got AFL traits...Tough, smart, confident and very capable in the air.
He's also a good set shot for goal!

He’s a good looking boy too. Should have good all round confidence, on and off field more importantly.

 

[tomjoad]

.

Are you an Aussie living in Ireland or an Irish living in Ireland

Aussie living in Ireland ...it's been my base for the last 25 years

 

[Stan_Darsh72]

The only thing a supporter has when their team has been an also ran for 15 years is hope.

I was giving up on hope, felt that while we drafted well, the fake northern clubs while winning flags and making top 8 were just getting gifted top 10 players year after year.

From what we have been able to draft and recruit as you show above, the administration has restored a sense of hope. They are doing everything within the confines of the corrupt AFL and its incompetent leader Dillon.

We really haven't had a dud draft since 2020, maybe 2022 was iffy with Van Es and Hotton but we still have Pou and Keeler is still coming on well. Apart from Arie, every draftee looks the goods.

5 years of successful drafting with absolutely no help from the AFL has given us tremendous depth, with recruits like Dow and Carroll really adding to that depth and flexibility. Both are good soldiers who are next man up types.

This years recruits adds even more depth without that absolute superstar billing. Reminds me of what Richmond did when they recruited Prestia, Caddy and Nankervis in 2016. None absolute superstars but they added to the already impressive depth of the Tigers seniors team.
While I am not saying we will do what the Tigers did but we all know what they achieved from 2017 to 2020.

The hope has been restored.

Bolded has been the big one.

There were a lot of false dawns from 2012-2025, but this group feels better than past ones, the club is in a better space off field and we can state that we have one of the best players in the comp in our side.

And our older players outside of Macrae are later picks/rookie picks who will set high standards.

 

[littlecreatures]

He is from rural Geraldton originally, how do you think he is going to adapt to life in Vic, away from his extended family?

The same way he coped with it while living and working in Perth away from his family in Geraldton

 

[saintbill]

Hall and Wilkie are both A grade IMO. You look over other lists and guys like Treloar are classed as A graders.

Hawks 'A's are Sicily, Newcombe, Moore, Battle and Gunston. Moore had a shit year and Battle was around the same player he was at the Saints. Not sure there is anything in these rankings other than a bit of a rough guide.

I wouldn't have Macrae as A after 2025. Marshall was once but lost his mantle after a crap year. Our actual As are Nas, Sinclair, Wilkie and Hall. Another half a dozen are potential A's especially King, Flanders and TDK but there are a heap of kids that could easily step up as well. And of course a few older guys could easily step back up.

Higgo is pretty close to A grade I reckon. Not many better in the small forward position.

 

[SaintSteele9]

I don’t follow the Eagles much but I’m damn sure I wasn’t pumped to get Ryan for his preseason running capacity lmao I think we must’ve known what we were getting to some extent…!

 

[Parkysp]

Geez times have changed in my lifetime. Bloke wanders into footy club in November and runs his t*ts off...:just wait to the balls come out. That'll sort him out", says the seasoned campaigners. Bloke wanders in now and doesn't light it up on a running track first session back. "Bust"

 

[busso_mick]

The same way he coped with it while living and working in Perth away from his family in Geraldton

When he came to Perth he was very reserved. Subiaco played him 1 out in the forward 50 and he proceeded to stand on full backs hips, shoulders and heads to mark and convert goals. His self belief grew when he realised he could play in the big leagues. I think it was Jarrod Schofield who put faith in him as Subi coach. As a Subiaco fan I was hoping the Saints would draft him but a Perth based team was the right choice for his shyness.

 

[Ilkka Sinisalo]

Don’t need Ryan to run need him to kick goals.

Dane Swan was a terrible trainer and won a Brownlow. Make of that what you will

When it comes to offseason running and endurance, Ryan makes Dane Swan look like Tom Scully.

 

[Tommy Wigs]

On the other hand, Liam Henry was striding out well today.
Chasing Pou on multiple laps.
Pou was motoring.
Henry was right behind him.
Zero evidence of any issues with his knee.

I think you’d be better focusing on what is going well, rather than be fearful about something that may never eventuate.

My reading on Ryan is simple: he’s had the same shock to the system that Cordy and Schoenmaker enjoyed before him.

He will survive, as they did.

Ecstatic that Henry is up and going again. At the time we recruited him he was one of our most promising kids. Injury derailed the best part of two seasons and others have stepped up.

 

[Stan_Darsh72]

I don’t follow the Eagles much but I’m damn sure I wasn’t pumped to get Ryan for his preseason running capacity lmao I think we must’ve known what we were getting to some extent…!

We got Ryan for a few reasons

Sit on some campaigners heads, kick some goals, help Collard

 

[Diehard Saint]

Higgo is pretty close to A grade I reckon. Not many better in the small forward position.

Definitely underrrated.
Had a very good season.

 

[bzparkes]

On the other hand, Liam Henry was striding out well today.
Chasing Pou on multiple laps.
Pou was motoring.
Henry was right behind him.
Zero evidence of any issues with his knee.

I think you’d be better focusing on what is going well, rather than be fearful about something that may never eventuate.

My reading on Ryan is simple: he’s had the same shock to the system that Cordy and Schoenmaker enjoyed before him.

He will survive, as they did.

There's no shock for Ryan, he's just a shit trainer when footballs aren't involved.

He'll comfortably be better than your other options for his position come game day. Not because they're bad per se, he's just a different cat when the real stuff comes around.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

Definitely underrrated.
Had a very good season.

Underrated is great, overrated means you have to pay a fortune to keep your players.

 

[SaintsofSteel]

On the other hand, Liam Henry was striding out well today.
Chasing Pou on multiple laps.
Pou was motoring.
Henry was right behind him.
Zero evidence of any issues with his knee.

I think you’d be better focusing on what is going well, rather than be fearful about something that may never eventuate.

My reading on Ryan is simple: he’s had the same shock to the system that Cordy and Schoenmaker enjoyed before him.

He will survive, as they did.

How did Cordy & Shoenmaker work out for the club?