Training Saints preseason 2026

[Tommy Wigs]

Training 30/1/16

I thought it would be easier if I just summarise today in one post. Obviously a few posters all there today, so views are my own etc.

Evident Gamestyle

Very evident we have been really well drilled this offseason to date, with how we want to play. everytime we came from our back half there was a huge emphasis to make the ground big and spread. Clear instruction that we wanted to hit a target as opposed to long down the line. Happy to switch the play with Jsos looking sorta like a quarter back hanging in the middle of the D50 to recycle the ball. Once we hit a target our midfielders really spread hard to get on the end of the next ball and get our running game going - Disposal very clean

Rehab

Tauru King Wood Howard Clark all in rehab. All just ran laps, Sprinted and did some exhausting kicking and running drills in that heat. I really want to talk about King. He trained for 2 1/2 - 3 hours today. He ran, He cut, He turned, He jumped, He moved after ground balls etc. He did it all and he worked himself to exhaustion. If he is chasing a round 0 spot - he is doing the work to give himself a chance. It felt exciting like he was genuinely close to the next step.

Dodson, Higgins & Stocker started in rehab but moved into the main stuff. (Dodson did the situational match sim but didn't play the full ground match sim, just ran laps for that)

Injuries

1. O'Connell the poor bastard was flattened front on by Wilkie (purely accidental). Looked like concussion, blood nose aswell.
2. Henry looked like a hammy. Really disappointing. Came off on his own accord, but I'm not sure that means much
3. Pou got a poke in the eye at the end. I think he is fine but sat out the last 5 or so minutes of Match sim

General Training
massive emphasis on using the ball well, being aggressive with ball movement and aggressive defending to win the ball back

Match Sim
This was umpired by Jacob Mollison. Ive known him for a decade and had a quick chat before their warm up.He said they were told that Ross wanted a really willing session from our boys and that's exactly what was delivered. Really good skills for the majority of that session. Bodies put on the line and skills on show. Black side looked to be a predominantly A team. However our second string midfield of Pou, Hall etc started on the other side to go head to head.

instead of going in-depth on match sim, ill talk about the 5 who I thought were standouts today - In no particular order.

Phillipou
He was predominantly playing on ball with some small stints at half forward. He look like he has levelled up. I posted a photo at his size - which looks really comparable to Mitchito. But it translated to his actual game. He was dominant. He got plenty of clearances including making Nas look silly as he turned him insideout and waltzed out of the centre square and hit a target I50. He appeared to be really trying to work on hitting targets coming out of the centre. Can't wait to watch him develop. Really exciting

Jsos
I don't know what I was expecting. Thought he was undervalued at Carlton and if today was anything to go by, we replaced Battle 12 months later and have Tauru to boot. His kicking was a real standout today. Left foot, right foot. He hit targets he was comfortable directing our play from the back half. Defensively, he smothered his opponents and killed a number of high balls. Real highlight was a smother on Marshall where he corralled his man, slowed the play down - a handball got flicked back to Ro and Jsos just dived forward for a full body smother. Really impressive today. He also has put on a lot of size. Big guy now ( photo on previous page)

Liam Ryan
I posted a number of times that I was super excited to watch him in our colours. But he is such an underrated footballer with a really high IQ. He played at HF and his role was to roam between both Arcs, Link the play or try and get on the end of it. Great pair of hands, Great kick - everything he did ended up with a seamless transition forward for a shot at goal. He also has such an impact on the playing group. He makes it fun and the boys get loud around him.

TDK
the dominant big man on the ground. Marked nearly everything that came his way. Big strong, great tap work and a huge tank that had him beating Marshall, Keeler, Dodson, Armstrong etc. The one thing I think he needs to improve is that he runs under the ball when playing forward and its evident as his defender is so worried about him that he follows. But he looked really bloody good - fingers crossed that its a sign of things to come.

Max Hall
If you thought he was good last year, He is better this year. Played predominantly on ball. He was clean, Quick. Worked hard and when he was able to kick inside 50 good things happened, over and over again. We have a bloody good footballer here.He Joined Pou on the B team so he was against Nas, Windy, Macrae etc. Really good showing.

Nailed it, excellent wrap.

 

[Joffaboy]

stop it

He is not OTT on Hall. Is barrelling through preseason. You and gringo will be wrapt this season.

 

[Verdun66]

Thanks for all the reports. Great to read. And lots of depth and detail. Really appreciated.

Was thinking that Carroll might get a HB distribution role. But has JSOS taken that job?

I suppose not everyone can get involved and shine each time. But maybe next time some other names might emerge. Wilson, Ro, Carroll and a couple of others quiet.

But Banfield showing promise this early is tremendous. What a bonus if he develops. I already have Boxshall as a favorite. Might need to include his mate.

Really encouraging though. Pity about the injuries, but shows they were going at it hard.

 

[akaifu]

"The best ability is availability"

- Pou

 

[Joffaboy]

My thoughts from today.

There were 23 flunkies (support staff) on the field.
A big change from prior days.

Every minute seemed planned, very little if any time wasted.

Every player/support person seemed to be across their role.

All of the above gave a vibe of ………. professionalism.

Not seen that at Moorabbin for years.

The four rehab guys are not far off.

King running freely, doing knee exercises, lunges etc, without issue.

Emphasis on quick movement and maintaining structure (Bolton yelling the latter at players).

Of the new players:

Ranked in structural importance:

1. JSOS,
2. TDK,
3. Flanders
4. Ryan

Ranked by the entertainment they will provide this year:

1. Ryan,


Daylight.

There was a couple of moments there where NAS and Ryan were playing a different game. They are going to tear teams apart.

Special mention to Hall and Keeler.

Everyone was training hard today. Boris Enright (pictured earlier), was not watching the game but working overtime on the magnetic board as coaches relayed messages to him.
At qtr time changed up the midfield with Hall and Pou going black. Heard Ross saying to him, ' those changes seemed to have worked". What ever they saw was a problem, was worked on and resolved by Boris.
This operation is slick, training, as you say down to the second, the players are working as hard as I have seen them, the coaches are also practising their in game craft.
Not mentioned. 3.09 of the 4th qtr left, RTB stops the sim and makes all players get into threes and do the jump over roll drill until the players were knackered. I thought the match sim was high quality, obviously Ross thought something was up ans stopped it.
After the drill the whole group ran laps and didn't finish the match sim.
Not mucking about this season.

 

[MordySaint]

HmmView attachment 2517814

RTB looking primed and ready for a huge season.

 

[SaintWWodonga]

How about Dow? Did he play? Which of the young blokes like likely to improve this year?

 

[Remboy]

Before he re-signed - "St Kilda have to pay whatever it takes to keep him. Whatever it takes"

After he re-signed - "We didn't mean they should actually do that"

Everyone knows instead of NAS, Pou and JSOS we should have taken Sinn, Tsatas and Aleer. Just imagine that. Actually, on second thought don’t imagine it, it gets pretty ugly.

 

[Tommy Wigs]

Excellent write ups by others. Quite a thing that we all seem to agree because there is a lot going on at different times.

A few broader comments:

• I really don’t recall the level of depth across a Saints list in my time on planet earth. There aren’t many a level below that stand out.
• So what’s missing? I’m not sure too much positionally or style. If I were to suggest ‘something’ it’s probably the old where are the absolute A graders and so on. Nas was relatively quiet (for him) in the sim, so that’s one, TDK may well help that, lots of really talented and competitive kids coming through too. But as early this year, we’ll have a strong and deep 23.
• For most of pre season, I’ve been enthused about the existing kids as much as I as anything. But today just gave me a good pump up with the recruits.
• Agree with Stav on game style - was the free flowing nature and good execution just because it’s us vs us? Who knows, but I agree with others that it’s quite a step up even from last year.
• Gee, we have some size now!

Players:

• Wilkie and JSOS are going to be like two old pros back there. I’m actually reasonably stimulated in the pants region by this. They will choke the life out of forward lines. No one should kick it near Wilkie ever, but we know him and that’s what he does. I was bloody ecstatic with JSOS even if he will do it in a fairly nondescript way.
• Agree with others that Ryan is just so clever, clean and his field kicking is divine. I’m not even sure he did anything particularly flashy. But he knows where to be.
• I thought Nas and Windy were reasonably quiet but Windy is a maniac and so he probably was at the bottom of a pack.
• Agree with Stav on Pou. Some of the crap he pulls in tight is sex machine stuff. So good to watch.
• I don’t think the general public will get around Hall, perhaps not a sexy style, but he’s just so effective. We will notice and we will know! I thought he was really good.
• TDK just looks so imposing and can do it multiple ways given his mobility and skills on the deck.
• Loved Banfield. Beast. Can play a few roles, ready to play, doesn’t look out of place at all.
• Higgins very good. Missed a snap around the body from a set shot by a fair way.
• Tall forwards perhaps relatively quiet? I think that might be the nature of ball movement. It’s going to give some good looks to the runners and smalls. Chito competed hard, roved the very first I50 for the hands to Collard for a goal, but not many touches IIRC. Coops quiet, but he’s going to love the delivery.
• Carroll probably a tad quiet as mentioned, but he looks assured, thought he defended well and kicked it well.
• Trav probably didn’t have his best day. I think he will be one that we just need to keep off his back for a year. He’s super driven and competitive and he’s probably lost a bit of confidence IMV.
• Thought Hastie continued to show some good run, even if RTB spotted him without his man.
• Wilson quiet-ish.
• Real shame on Henry. I’m a fan and think he can add some real sleekness and skill.
• Interesting that LOC started in black, playing small defender. But they shuffled everyone around quite a lot after QT, so who knows. Looked good to me in the pre-sim drills.

 

[Dard Ball Get]

Everyone knows instead of NAS, Pou and JSOS we should have taken Sinn, Tsatas and Aleer. Just imagine that. Actually, on second thought don’t imagine it, it gets pretty ugly.

Also should’ve forced father-kisser to stay and forfeited Tauru along with it

 

[CursingFijian]

 

[nikkig98]

My son was born this morning. Another one for the army of Sainters!

you love to hear it! Congrats mate

 

[akaifu]

27 - Ned Maginness
29 - Bailey McKenzie
41 - Billy Galimberti

 

[PoppedCorn]

He is not OTT on Hall. Is barrelling through preseason. You and gringo will be wrapt this season.

god damn
when we got him i thought this is a pick up and a half what a gun, if he is improving then we are in for some special moments
just seems a smart natural footy player, like Coops, just knows what to do and where to be and how to execute

god damn i havent been this excited for a season to start for a long time
our time is coming soon Joff, we will finally see it.

 

[MightySaint]

We need to find a way to keep Pou fit. Wowee, there's a proper breakout coming.

 

[akaifu]

 

[Saintscomemarchingin]

27 - Ned Maginness
29 - Bailey McKenzie
41 - Billy Galimberti

Bailey McKenzie in the PSD?
Did he show much? in today's session.

 

[sasaint]

Thanks Stavro, Joffa, Tommy Wigs and others for the very comprehensive summaries. You covered it all really well, so my comments are just what caught my eye.

Others have noted the rehab group but what I noticed is how hard the rehab boys are working. Dougal for example was catching his breath behind the goals from his sprints. A session ended and everyone bombed their footies goalward. Dougal was so stuffed that he didn’t even move to avoid being hit. The other thing I noticed for the first time was King doing some field kicking as well as his running.

Keep an eye out for Kye Fincher. Both in the set training and in the match sims he was popping up everywhere. Yes, he needs to put more meat on the bone, but he can footy. In the match sim he took a screamer over Hall. Max was on the ground afterwards for a while trying to work out what day it was.

Others have commented also but WHAT WERE THE WEAGLES THINKING? Banfield is so close to being AFL ready I would not be surprised to see him get a senior game early this year.

IMO, the standouts in this very competitive match sim were: TDK, marking everything, Flanders, being in the right spot and moving the ball on quickly, Hall, ditto, Pou, just being a presence playing in the B team and carrying the team on his shoulders, Higgo finishing up nicely, Ryan class ,class, class. Keeler who shows such versatility.

Coaches were also clearly testing themselves in the match sim. RTB 2.0 was as vocal as the RTB 1.0 version which is great to see.

Last observation. The VFL boys that were playing in the match sim really looked good as well, so hopefully our VFL squad will be far more competitive this season.

Shout out to the Brains Trust members for a good chat especially Gayle. See you there next time.

 

[westernsainter]

Hopefully not too long term. Has shown some great flashes but he really needs a good run at it this year otherwise he looks unlikely to be in the system much longer.

 

[austinnn]

My son was born this morning. Another one for the army of Sainters!

Congratulations mate! Enjoy it, it goes quick. My first born turned 13 a few months ago and is already 163cm, can't really remember when he was a baby now

 

[austinnn]

Tauru done with the running. Boots off.

King is working himself to the bone far side. He has been out for 2 hours and hasn’t stopped

He may or may not get a second chance at a decent AFL career, but i love it thst hes putting it all in there.

 

[stavro#4]

There we go. All the key moments right here.

Poor O’Connell

 

[Verdun66]

Can see looking at this vision that Ryan has all the time in the world. Great positioning then poise. Getting around the park as well. So much for the early season worries about his condition! Looks as fit as a flea. Probably because he knows where to go. Going to be fun watching him.

 

[Phillip Poo]

Great write ups!

Congrats on the new sainter too. Hopefully he makes his debut in round 1 at 18 years of age in 2042 as we embark on our 19th straight premiership!

Does anyone know if next Friday is scheduled for match sim? Need to schedule some time off work to get down.

 

[Joffaboy]

Thanks Stavro, Joffa, Tommy Wigs and others for the very comprehensive summaries. You covered it all really well, so my comments are just what caught my eye.

Others have noted the rehab group but what I noticed is how hard the rehab boys are working. Dougal for example was catching his breath behind the goals from his sprints. A session ended and everyone bombed their footies goalward. Dougal was so stuffed that he didn’t even move to avoid being hit. The other thing I noticed for the first time was King doing some field kicking as well as his running.

Keep an eye out for Kye Fincher. Both in the set training and in the match sims he was popping up everywhere. Yes, he needs to put more meat on the bone, but he can footy. In the match sim he took a screamer over Hall. Max was on the ground afterwards for a while trying to work out what day it was.

Others have commented also but WHAT WERE THE WEAGLES THINKING? Banfield is so close to being AFL ready I would not be surprised to see him get a senior game early this year.

IMO, the standouts in this very competitive match sim were: TDK, marking everything, Flanders, being in the right spot and moving the ball on quickly, Hall, ditto, Pou, just being a presence playing in the B team and carrying the team on his shoulders, Higgo finishing up nicely, Ryan class ,class, class. Keeler who shows such versatility.

Coaches were also clearly testing themselves in the match sim. RTB 2.0 was as vocal as the RTB 1.0 version which is great to see.

Last observation. The VFL boys that were playing in the match sim really looked good as well, so hopefully our VFL squad will be far more competitive this season.

Shout out to the Brains Trust members for a good chat especially Gayle. See you there next time.

Great report, glad you could get down for a look.
Pretty much mirrors what others have said.
Just remember that old saying ' I would not want to be in a club that took me as a member' when talking about the Brains Trust lads and ladettes. Am I right or am.I right saintmike65 ?