Training Saints preseason 2026

[JimmyR20]

Howard is listed at 199, Camma at 196.

Not sure the 3cm difference is gonna make any difference at all on Darcy.

3cm makes a difference. We just tell those lacking it doesn't to make them feel better.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

3cm makes a difference. We just tell those lacking it doesn't to make them feel better.

We're talking about height here...not the length of your......

 

[CursingFijian]

It might not be 2026 but at some point the pay off will come. We have a good pool of players that have huge potential growth.

You only need a few of Phillipou, Wilson, Garcia, Keeler, Tauru, Travaglia, Boxshall types to go up a level to consistently B grade while a few from Windy, Owens, Shaman, Flanders, TDK types move up a level and then the current good players to maintain their level and you can get a really quick jump up.

Adelaide went from bottom 4 to top of the ladder in a year. Tigers won a flag after finishing bottom 4. Both had a significant progression from a few additions and natural internal improvement. Brisbane haven't missed finals after a similar progression .

The underlying assumption is that the list stays together. We really need to see improvement in the win-loss ratio from here on, so that the pathway to ultimate success becomes obvious to everyone. This iteration of the footballing department will start to see the pressure and the expectation to win grow steadily. I hope the playing group are ready to lift accordingly.

 

[Username Unknown]

Keeler has the skills and potential to be a star - no doubt.

But the three things he lacks is aggression, tenacity and fitness.

Improve all three to a high level and you have a gun.

Improve two and you get a solid player.

Improve none and you get a flashy player capable of moments and periods in games.

That's the bottom

Keelers biggest weakness was his competitiveness and aggression.

I think it was Stocker talking about how Ross drills into them “Get up”.

When drafting players a large part of your decision is do they have or have the potential to develop the mindset/culture of your team.

There was a game, I think it was against GWS where he hurt his shoulder. He tried to impact a contest and then ran to man the mark for another contest before coming off. For me that was a big sign he had taken steps towards developing the mindset needed to play in our team.

Like Pou, the skill set is there. Once they get that dog in them they will become different players.

 

[snails13]

Chuck everything at Jobe Shanahan who we should have taken.

Archie Ludowycke was available at our pick 41.
Why wouldnt our list management select a Key Forward for insurance with Max having these knee issues? Surely they must have concerns

 

[dudeintheswamp]

We're talking about height here...not the length of your......

 

[thekizzler]

Keelers biggest weakness was his competitiveness and aggression.

I think it was Stocker talking about how Ross drills into them “Get up”.

When drafting players a large part of your decision is do they have or have the potential to develop the mindset/culture of your team.

There was a game, I think it was against GWS where he hurt his shoulder. He tried to impact a contest and then ran to man the mark for another contest before coming off. For me that was a big sign he had taken steps towards developing the mindset needed to play in our team.

Like Pou, the skill set is there. Once they get that dog in them they will become different players.

Hear hear.

Tim English is a player who didn't have the dog in him in his early days and probably still doesn't.

But he has developed enough competitiveness and aggression to be pretty close to his peak.

Hopefully Keeler can do the same.

 

[Dard Ball Get]

Archie Ludowycke was available at our pick 41.
Why wouldnt our list management select a Key Forward for insurance with Max having these knee issues? Surely they must have concerns

Because a 2025 key fwd draft pick won’t impact in time anyway

 

[CursingFijian]

Because a 2025 key fwd draft pick won’t impact in time anyway

 

[ESPN8 The Ocho]

View attachment 2500217

Is that Dard?

 

[saintmike65]

Howard is listed at 199, Camma at 196.

Not sure the 3cm difference is gonna make any difference at all on Darcy.

Excellent point..Caminiti a better body player and has put on more size off season

 

[saintmike65]

Howard is listed at 199, Camma at 196.

Not sure the 3cm difference is gonna make any difference at all on Darcy.

Wilkie's only 191cm...he goes alright!!

 

[saintmike65]

Archie Ludowycke was available at our pick 41.
Why wouldnt our list management select a Key Forward for insurance with Max having these knee issues? Surely they must have concerns

Charlie Banfield will be a beauty!

 

[kick it lace out]

Archie Ludowycke was available at our pick 41.
Why wouldnt our list management select a Key Forward for insurance with Max having these knee issues? Surely they must have concerns

He spent some time with us last pre-season, so you can only assume that the coaches saw something in him that they didn't rate. We haven't missed on too many of our recent picks so you have to back in the club that they know what they're doing. The fact that he went at pick 41 in an average draft also says something.

 

[SG34]

No pressure ,

Oh that’s it, isn’t it. There are signs. Of course one can’t point to the indigenous heritage , but that skill! The unassuming poise. It is tantalizing to dream that he could be something much bigger than the actual evidence can prove so far. But let it be!!

 

[Nutsngum]

Rewatched the port game last night and was interesting to see how good Collard was that game. Apart from the key mark/goal late in the 4th that put the game out of reach for port he was just really "on" the rest of the game, almost kicked goal of the round that was barely touched by Ratugolear, linked up in some passages and put on a lot of pressure.

One passage late saw him pursue a dump kick out of D50 with two port players hot on him, he knocks the ball on in front of him and manages to get it out of bounds right on the gates. It's not flashy play but influencing the game like that and not giving up reasons he got a few more games then he perceivably earned.

He is going to start tearing up a game here or there soon.

 

[stfan]

Wilkie's only 191cm...he goes alright!!

Wilkie easily our best "tall" back. But he can also play well on small and mediums.

Caminiti is steadily improving.

Howard has his issues, but is a very good spoiler, and as part of a backline is a good asset. Also it is not just Howard's extra height. I think his wingspan would ne more again and his reach with one arm timed with his spoil is very good.

JSOS will also play.

Tauru available as well.


Backline for 2026 is well set up with tall defenders with depth and options for various teams.

 

[gringo2011]

He spent some time with us last pre-season, so you can only assume that the coaches saw something in him that they didn't rate. We haven't missed on too many of our recent picks so you have to back in the club that they know what they're doing. The fact that he went at pick 41 in an average draft also says something.

I think Dard probably has it right. We are in go now mode. We topped up with mature talent and I think that we are assuming that King will return to carry the load. If not Caminiti and Keeler are semi developed and there is a good chance Marshall takes a forward role.

 

[gringo2011]

Oh that’s it, isn’t it. There are signs. Of course one can’t point to the indigenous heritage , but that skill! The unassuming poise. It is tantalizing to dream that he could be something much bigger than the actual evidence can prove so far. But let it be!!

Keeler moves like a panther but is ruckman sized. His skills look really pretty but because he came from Adelaide NGA with question marks on his commitment to footy he gets marked down by fans.

He's 20 years old and improved significantly every year and looks pretty motivated. It's probably handy that he gets to develop free of pressure and hype but he could easily be Koschitzke level or higher with out too much projection. He's your proper "could be anything" player.

 

[gringo2011]

Rewatched the port game last night and was interesting to see how good Collard was that game. Apart from the key mark/goal late in the 4th that put the game out of reach for port he was just really "on" the rest of the game, almost kicked goal of the round that was barely touched by Ratugolear, linked up in some passages and put on a lot of pressure.

One passage late saw him pursue a dump kick out of D50 with two port players hot on him, he knocks the ball on in front of him and manages to get it out of bounds right on the gates. It's not flashy play but influencing the game like that and not giving up reasons he got a few more games then he perceivably earned.

He is going to start tearing up a game here or there soon.

If he comes on he could be an absolute weapon. He's taller than you expect but still slippery as an eel. Having Ryan there to teach him the ropes is ideal. If we could get Henry back up to where he was and Lance coming along in time for when Ryan starts slowing down, we'd be looking pretty good.

 

[BrutThough]

Rewatched the port game last night and was interesting to see how good Collard was that game. Apart from the key mark/goal late in the 4th that put the game out of reach for port he was just really "on" the rest of the game, almost kicked goal of the round that was barely touched by Ratugolear, linked up in some passages and put on a lot of pressure.

One passage late saw him pursue a dump kick out of D50 with two port players hot on him, he knocks the ball on in front of him and manages to get it out of bounds right on the gates. It's not flashy play but influencing the game like that and not giving up reasons he got a few more games then he perceivably earned.

He is going to start tearing up a game here or there soon.

Moving in with Nas could do wonders for him off field and helping him realise what it takes to be elite.

Windy, someone known for his work ethic and preparation, mentioned recently how impressed he was with how Nas prepares away from the club and all the little things he does during the week to be at his best so someone like Collard is in for a huge surprise.

 

[hayes]

I think Dard probably has it right. We are in go now mode. We topped up with mature talent and I think that we are assuming that King will return to carry the load. If not Caminiti and Keeler are semi developed and there is a good chance Marshall takes a forward role.

 

[SainterinSydney]

View attachment 2500217

Yeh, but the Lions are special. Everything they touch turns to gold.

 

[Dard Ball Get]

I think Dard probably has it right.

 

[Nutsngum]

Moving in with Nas could do wonders for him off field and helping him realise what it takes to be elite.

Windy, someone known for his work ethic and preparation, mentioned recently how impressed he was with how Nas prepares away from the club and all the little things he does during the week to be at his best so someone like Collard is in for a huge surprise.

Yup. I think it gets a bit lost on us during the draft what the recruiters look for in players. We were all a bit meh on choosing NAS at the time but its obviously these qualities that really stand out to the recruiters on if that player is willing to go that extra hard yard to become absolutely elite.

Not that other players dont gain those traits, but I reckon the majority of first round picks will have these traits inherently.