Training Saints preseason 2026

[SaintersUnite]

If Roma takes a #1 defender, Sharman takes #2 and Owens probably takes the 3rd best defender then Keeler is taking on chumps.

40 goals might be a stretch but 1.5 is 35 and he’s kicked 10 in 11 games with **** all around him in a team with a way worse midfield.

He won’t play enough games to even get close to 40. He’s got Marshall, Owens, Sharman, King (when fit), Wood, and potentially Tauru, Caminiti and Dodson to compete with for a tall spot. Would love to be wrong, but KPFs rarely go from his position to 40+ goals in one offseason.

 

[Mowman]

Dougal Howard and Paddy Dow have completed the full pre-season program so far after injury-affected campaigns in 2025.

If Howard could play his role like he did his first 2 years with us it would be huge

 

[phantom13]

He won’t play enough games to even get close to 40. He’s got Marshall, Owens, Sharman, King (when fit), Wood, and potentially Tauru, Caminiti and Dodson to compete with for a tall spot. Would love to be wrong, but KPFs rarely go from his position to 40+ goals in one offseason.

He’s just absolutely not competing with Wood, at all.

Camma should be out fullback. I’ve said it for a while. Dodson would need to leapfrog him in a wild way.

I thought it was pretty clear I was saying it’s a very very optimistic take so it’s not even really worth picking it apart.

 

[PoppedCorn]

We'll be fine

 

[stfan]

How can a board of 8 people have 98% voting for anything?

The 98% was from all members who voted on it at the AGM.

It was not something the Board could change by itself.

AGM

Official AFL Website of the St Kilda Football Club

www.saints.com.au

ITEM 5 – President & Vice-President Provisions

Current Status: The President is currently limited to a tenure of six years, and is elected separately to the Chair. This is out of line with most other AFL clubs, which allow for Presidents/Chairs to serve the same tenure as other directors.

Recommendation: Remove the shorter cap on the tenure of President and modernise and clarify leadership arrangements:

· President and Vice-President(s) to be elected by the Board from among Directors.
· The President’s tenure is not to be subject to a “six-year cap”, but his or her tenure will be limited in the same way as that of all other directors.

These changes align St Kilda with industry practice and strengthen stability and continuity of leadership.

 

[pebblesofsand]

Been watching a few games - have to say - different ruck rules and TDK, Macrae, Flanders and NWM as starting centre square will be awesome to watch.

 

[Ads734]

Yes he is a fantastic leap at the ball. And yes he is a competitive lad.

But what other aspects of forward craft has he exhibited that has you labelling him already as a "generational" forward?

It is not his kicking which needs to improve.

I have not watched him enough as a forward to know what his leading patterns etc are like.


PS. I too am Viking Fan. But it is early days yet and whether he will be better forward or back I have no firm opinion on yet. Especially forward as I have not really watched him play there.

In order of importance of attributes
1. His marking. With his level of marking you either have it or you don’t. Eg
Cooper has it , Viking has it. King has it
Owens doesn’t have it although he makes it work. Camaniti doesn’t really have it. It could be big hands but his timing and and ability to have sticky mits.

2. His athleticism. I’d argue that his closing speed/acceleration is as good as anyone. Super athletic forwards don’t imo usually have the marking touch.

3. Competitiveness/coursge. Watching back the tape I’d say he’s top three in terms of going back with the flight already.

4. There was a game semi final nab league where he put Gippsland and his back. I think he kicked 2 goals but should have had 7/8 no exaggeration.

I think his blend is rare and will be very difficult to defend.

 

[sammm]

More likely linked to Bondi.

Yes itvwas. St Kilda sent out a condolence letter.

 

[Otiman]

Here's something for the Queenslanders out there...

Open training in Maroochydore 10am-12pm, January 21, followed later that day by...

No matches to attend in 24 months. Gold Coast game next year in Darwin.

Too little too late for the club.

 

[Premium]

He’s just absolutely not competing with Wood, at all.

Camma should be out fullback. I’ve said it for a while. Dodson would need to leapfrog him in a wild way.

I thought it was pretty clear I was saying it’s a very very optimistic take so it’s not even really worth picking it apart.

Keller could be a really good player but he needs to be constantly playing and really knowing who we have available this year he might find it hard to get that in the seniors.

Having King ? , Marshall as our main key forwards and Owens and perhaps Sharman in the same lineup it already looking like a stretch any other talls will get a look in.

The other positions forward are going to be filled by Higgins , Ryan , Butler and a multiply rotating mids like Hall , Phillipou etc .

Having TDK , Marshall in the same lineup really doesn't require us to play another tall unless King goes missing again.

In saying this there is no way in the world TDK , Marshall , King will go the whole season without missing a game so hopefully Keller grabs the spot when it is available - I feel he is natural tall forward due to his very good ball skills and marking ability.

He is only going to get better and better in my opinion - having getting his first taste of seniors last year I fully expect him to be playing again this year - how much we will see.

Also I think we have gone past Hammer as a forward.

 

[Diehard Saint]

I'm not so sure. Lyon has always rated continuity and if you can't guarantee him long stretches of form he'll play the lesser talent with a more solid body. Same goes for Butler. If he's fragile he could easily be fringe even though he's an asset when fit. If Caminiti can lift even 25% and be consistent he could push Howard out permanently. HE's getting to that level experience now.

25%?
That’s huge.
He’s not ready to push Howard out as a KPD just yet if Howard stays fit.
Maybe in the future, but I don’t see it now.

Yes, he’s got quite a few games under his belt now, but he’s been played both forward and back and pretty sure people on here have suggested Ross sees him in the forward line.

 

[Otiman]

When you have a 195cm+, 100kg+ powerhouse on your list who can play footy, you find a spot for him. Caminiti won't get a gig on merit over Howard, but you bet we will find a spot for Caminiti - forward or back.

 

[phantom13]

I feel like a lot of people are banking on getting some mythical prime version of Dougal when in reality he’ll be 30 and coming off two injury intterupted seasons (last year was soft tissue as well?).

Granted he probably played his best footy for a few years at the back end of 2024 (reduced dumb shit) I personally think Camma has already gone past him, he has better closing speed and marking, Dougal has better defensive positioning and probably spoiling but overall based on age and potential I’d take Camma every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

 

[JimmyR20]

I feel like a lot of people are banking on getting some mythical prime version of Dougal when in reality he’ll be 30 and coming off two injury intterupted seasons (last year was soft tissue as well?).

Granted he probably played his best footy for a few years at the back end of 2024 (reduced dumb shit) I personally think Camma has already gone past him, he has better closing speed and marking, Dougal has better defensive positioning and probably spoiling but overall based on age and potential I’d take Camma every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

Plenty of good footy played by players post 30 these days.

 

[phantom13]

Plenty of good footy played by players post 30 these days.

Given he played about 5 games of good footy pre 30 in the last 5ish years I don’t know why people think he’s gonna turn into a superstar now coming off back to back injury interrupted years.

 

[beside the seaside]

I feel like a lot of people are banking on getting some mythical prime version of Dougal when in reality he’ll be 30 and coming off two injury intterupted seasons (last year was soft tissue as well?).

Granted he probably played his best footy for a few years at the back end of 2024 (reduced dumb shit) I personally think Camma has already gone past him, he has better closing speed and marking, Dougal has better defensive positioning and probably spoiling but overall based on age and potential I’d take Camma every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

I tend to agree. A year out of footy with soft tissues is a long time. Caminiti has been improving and should look better in a more stable backline with JSOS and an improving Tauru.

It's a good problem to have those two fighting it out for a spot.

Personally I reckon Hammer looks about ten times better as a back than a forward.

 

[JimmyR20]

Given he played about 5 games of good footy pre 30 in the last 5ish years I don’t know why people think he’s gonna turn into a superstar now coming off back to back injury interrupted years.

I think most are saying he will help out structure significantly. Very few are saying he will be a superstar

 

[phantom13]

I think most are saying he will help out structure significantly. Very few are saying he will be a superstar

Where did a state anyone is saying hell be a superstar?

I’m stating that Camma is a better option than he is, neither is elite.

 

[JimmyR20]

Where did a state anyone is saying hell be a superstar?

I’m stating that Camma is a better option than he is, neither is elite.

"I don’t know why people think he’s gonna turn into a superstar now"

 

[Otiman]

Caminiti's defensive 1v1 stats leave a lot to be desired over Howard.

If we want to win matches in 2026, a fit Howard at full back is our best chance at that.

 

[Sully111]

Keeler's the one. Just watch.

 

[beside the seaside]

The off-season move I'm most excited about going off the training reports is the upgrade of Steele to Flanders. We haven't really had a player like Flanders since Crouch had that career ending injury. He was an underrated loss.

Steele has been just ok for about two years. Flanders is going to be an enormous upgrade and he's a lot younger too. The midfield is so crucial, with Flanders in there and Nas, ours is actually starting to look decent.

Flanders doesn't need to turn into Greg Williams for us, but he will improve us no matter what. Very excited for what he will bring.

 

[phantom13]

"I don’t know why people think he’s gonna turn into a superstar now"

Yeh fair point.

People are certainly implying he’s going to return better than he was before he got injured.

 

[wannabewinner]

Really curious to see how the centre square and overall midfield evolves over 2026. Really excited about NWM, Flanders and TDK.

Finally made the MCC provisional membership. So, hoping to see a few games in 2026 in person on the G.

PS not sure if Max makes it back. Shame… what couldabeen

 

[gringo2011]

Been watching a few games - have to say - different ruck rules and TDK, Macrae, Flanders and NWM as starting centre square will be awesome to watch.

And Hall.