Training Saints preseason 2026

[saintbill]

Wasn't the original timeline round 1 2025?

You can't believe a thing they say about this bloke because they clearly don't actually know.

They have memberships to sell. Some numpty gave him a contract to 2032, they know how bad the optics are if they admit he is in real trouble.

We are going to get a month away for the whole season.

His knee is done.

 

[austinnn]

We have been told by those "in the know" King signed for big unders because he wanted security.

If this is true, the obvious question is why was he so keen to sign a long term deal?

Why not back yourself to have a good couple of years and get what u deserve?

Nothing about the narrative makes me think we have "clauses" that get out of his contract if he can't get out on the park.

Why would he sign for less money and also give the Saints clauses to cut the deal if he is injured? That makes no sense.

We are going to be stuck paying King big money for another 7 years. Be lucky to get 50 games out of him.

Diabolical list management.

The only thing diabolical here is King's luck, our luck and this twisted premise that Max deliberately screwed over the club and our List Management wouldn't have inserted get out clauses related to availability

 

[saintbill]

The only thing diabolical here is King's luck, our luck and this twisted premise that Max deliberately screwed over the club and our List Management wouldn't have inserted get out clauses related to availability

So you reckon King signed for unders because he wanted long term security whilst also agreeing to injury clauses?

Where is the security, if the club can reneg on the contract?

It makes no sense.

 

[saintbill]

The only thing diabolical here is King's luck, our luck and this twisted premise that Max deliberately screwed over the club and our List Management wouldn't have inserted get out clauses related to availability

Would also argue it's not really all just bad luck if we are being honest.

King has never proven he has a body that can cope with the rigours of AFL football.

His contract at the time was incredibly poor risk management, unless we can walk away.

If there are clauses that allow us to walk away I will put my hand up and say I am way off base.

However, I just don't believe it. Don't see why he would sign an 8 year deal on less money than market value and accept get out clauses.

Why would King and his manager accept those terms?

 

[Zzzed]

I think we just have to assume King is now going to be a Hannebery type at best.

Need to find out quick smart if Keeler can go up another level - because he needs to if he is going to be the main man up forward.
Also I do think this is the time to fast track Tauru as a CHB. We will be lucky if JSOS and Howard combined play more than 20 games next year.

 

[LuckyBounce!]

Other than Rooey we really have had a shit run drafting key forwards. Kozi was never the same after the Gia bump, McCartin perennially concussed and now Kings knee is never right!

 

[StCicatriz]

This is just getting ridiculous now.

How the hell can he need knee surgery even if it is just minor.

So frustrated and wish Max could get a fair run at it

i'd suggest as his load increased the pain came back. they're trying to find out what im guess.

not good signs. hope for a miracle because right now its not looking good.

 

[StCicatriz]

i did say thats why we should keep marshall

also ben king

34

Ben King

Age

25

Ht

202cm

Wt

98kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

7.2

2star

K

5.0

2star

HB

2.2

2star

M

3.5

4star

T

0.5

3star

G

1.3

5star

D

7.5

2star

K

5.6

2star

HB

1.9

1star

M

3.6

4star

T

0.3

1star

G

1.5

5star

D

6.8

2star

K

4.4

2star

HB

2.4

3star

M

3.2

4star

T

0.2

3star

G

1.0

4star

aint coming. absolutely zero chance.

 

[Joffaboy]

How about we find a new ****en knee specialist. Got to be someone who treats the nfl players. They wouldn’t do second best.

Too late, it sounds ****ed

 

[StCicatriz]

IMO theres a 10-20% chance he ever returns and gets back to his best. 40% he gets back but under performs. 40-50% never plays again.

 

[StCicatriz]

Too late, it sounds ****ed

sounds like a degenerative knee. i think ben brown fell of a cliff with a similar type issue. nic nat was never the same.

 

[maanco]

How do we pay him out when he has 7 years left on his contract?

I hope there is a contract trigger - only X games means contract cancelled.

 

[True Believer]

OK, can we all stop pissing in our panties! For a start, no-one here is a clairvoyant, and secondly there is a games trigger for Ming's contract to go past 4 years, which was widely reported at the time......

 

[mad-saint-guy]

So King can't make it through some light running and gym work without needing more surgery - he's likely cooked. And JSOS is a 10-12 game per season prospect who probably won't be ready early, so this is my stab at our lineup for round zero against Collingwood...

B: Tauru, Howard, Stocker
HB: Sinclair, Wilkie, Hill
C: Windhager, Macrae, Wilson
HF: Hall, Sharman, Higgins
F: Ryan, Caminiti, Owens

Foll: TDK, Nas, Flanders
Int: Marshall, Garcia, Boxshall, Wood, Phillipou


Still looks pretty strong. We're going to have a couple of holes to fill in defense though - need to replace Nas' drive and Webster's lockdown ability. I've gone with Hill and Stocker for now but Clark, LOC, Hastie and Carroll all have a chance at getting into that team. Maybe we see Windy at HB a bit as well.

 

[mad-saint-guy]

OK, can we all stop pissing in our panties! For a start, no-one here is a clairvoyant, and secondly there is a games trigger for Ming's contract to go past 4 years, which was widely reported at the time......

I'm not saying you're wrong, but could you link any evidence of this report?

 

[Armitage2Riewoldt]

At least I'll always have that 6.0 night at Adelaide against the Crows.

What a night that was.

 

[Yawkey way]

I was told something big was brewing behind the scenes at st Kilda and it had nothing to do with a Silvagni.

The source is rock solid but wouldn’t provide any details other than it was “tragic” and personal. Given I didn’t ask and wasn’t fishing I assumed it was off field, a sick partner, family member etc.

It would appear the cryptic comment was related to ming. The operation may have been minor but the implications certainly aren’t.

Keeping Marshall was a good move, not jumping back in to take Ludowyke is looking like a big miss.

 

[Mowman]

We have been told King signed for big unders because he wanted security.

If this is true, the obvious question is why was he so keen to sign a long term deal?

Why not back yourself to have a good couple of years and get what u deserve?

Nothing about the narrative makes me think we have "clauses" that get out of his contract if he can't get out on the park.

Why would he sign for less money and also give the Saints clauses to cut the deal if he is injured? That makes no sense.

We are going to be stuck paying King big money for another 7 years. Be lucky to get 50 games out of him.

Diabolical list management.

be careful you will get shouted down for even suggesting that contract was no good, even though he had 2 years on his previous contract

 

[Mowman]

The only thing diabolical here is King's luck, our luck and this twisted premise that Max deliberately screwed over the club and our List Management wouldn't have inserted get out clauses related to availability

who suggesting Max screwed the club ?

i have always said it was a dumb decision to extend him with 2 years to go and his past injurie history. thats on the club not Max

 

[Klaatu]

Tragic for King, but game trends are changing quick ball movement dictates player types & most clubs are going for the 6'1 type of player instead of the 6'6 or 6'8, the Tauru types are what clubs will look for in the future.

 

[Mowman]

OK, can we all stop pissing in our panties! For a start, no-one here is a clairvoyant, and secondly there is a games trigger for Ming's contract to go past 4 years, which was widely reported at the time......

Who is pissing their panties ? I was told the same thing last year when i said he wouldnt play in 25 and he was done

can you show us one report about the games clause ? only place i have seen it reported is in here

 

[Mowman]

I'm not saying you're wrong, but could you link any evidence of this report?

Yep
in here is the only place it has been reported

 

[Sully111]

No matter how optimistic you are, it's not looking good for King

I'm really hoping Keeler can take another big step forward this year. I rate him.

Hopefully an improved midfield can help Coops get to another level too.

 

[Mowman]

No matter how optimistic you are, it's not looking good for King

I'm really hoping Keeler can take another big step forward this year. I rate him.

Hopefully an improved midfield can help Coops get to another level too.

That's it
Plan the season without him and if the knee comes good its a bonus
Someone will step up

 

[beside the seaside]

No matter how optimistic you are, it's not looking good for King

I'm really hoping Keeler can take another big step forward this year. I rate him.

Hopefully an improved midfield can help Coops get to another level too.

Cooper is a gun. I really want to see him alongside an effective big forward.

Keeler looks like he has bulked up and he improved a lot last year. Hopefully he can take a big step as you say. Then there's also Marshall. I have my doubts on Hammer as a forward, Tauru could be anything but sounds like they're playing him back at the moment.

But there are options at least. It looks better than last year that's for sure.

I feel for Max. This will have taken a big toll on him. It feels like he's a very long way away from playing again.