Training Saints preseason 2026

[ScrappyDo]

looks like carroll is still ahead of hunter... based on ross's comments in the doco where they want to solidify the back 7 and not make any changes looks like hunter is going to have to really do something special to play there

I think on one hand that was a true statement but with injuries comes variability. I'd think it's a race between Hunter, LOC and Carroll for that last spot but with Windy back there a fair bit they might all be second choice.
Personally l think it was about backing Hammer and likely Tauru (and possibly LOC) above playing Dougs and perhaps Wood. Committing to the future and such.

 

[snails13]

what a fall from grace

McKay continues to play like he did against last weekend,he will join Gresh.

Great recruiting Bombers

 

[Remboy]

McKay continues to play like he did against last weekend,he will join Gresh.

Great recruiting Bombers

Destination club.
People have ago at us for offering players big money, what about the dollars Gresh is getting?

 

[Saintscomemarchingin]

looks like carroll is still ahead of hunter... based on ross's comments in the doco where they want to solidify the back 7 and not make any changes looks like hunter is going to have to really do something special to play there

In that comeback game against the Dees
Hunter was really important in the guts in that last quarter.
And the fact that he has the flexibilty to rotate to h.b.
enhances his importance, l reckon.
Rtb has stated previously that he would like players that are able to adapt & play different roles.
Hunter is one that has proven that & at this stage Garcia has not, for example.

 

[SG34]

In that comeback game against the Dees
Hunter was really important in the guts in that last quarter.
And the fact that he has the flexibilty to rotate to h.b.
enhances his importance, l reckon.
Rtb has stated previously that he would like players that are able to adapt & play different roles.
Hunter is one that has proven that & at this stage Garcia has not, for example.

Dunno about Garcia but as for Hunter, I agree. Despite looking like a slow moving animal attempting to cross a busy street in daylight with cars, trucks and trams about to run him over, he does often enough manage to cross that road somehow, and deliver the goods.

 

[Saintscomemarchingin]

Dunno about Garcia but as for Hunter, I agree. Despite looking like a slow moving animal attempting to cross a busy street in daylight with cars, trucks and trams about to run him over, he does often enough manage to cross that road somehow, and deliver the goods.

I think Clark & Sharman are similar in that they do the 1 percenter things really well for the team.
E.g. A dribbly little kick to advantage or a clever knock on to advantage etc.
Have high IQ footy brains l reckon.

 

[Linton Street Saint]

The kid is a ripper. Hope it's his year. Great to see how Ross has evolved too. Club is in great hands and won't die wondering.

 

[goodie23]

Destination club.
People have ago at us for offering players big money, what about the dollars Gresh is getting?

The Hun's recent coverage of Essendon's self-destruction covered this, a significant reason they pursued Gresh was the understanding that the first round compensation would then be traded back to them for Shiel.

"In late 2023 the Bombers and St Kilda had all but agreed on an arrangement that would see Jade Gresham cross to Essendon, with Dylan Shiel heading to the Saints.

The Saints believed they would secure first-round free agency compensation; the Bombers thought they could get St Kilda’s pick 14.

But in the week leading up to the trade period, Shiel was playing with his daughter at home when he tore the meniscus in his knee. The Saints lost interest in Shiel and pulled out of the discussions, but the Bombers felt duty-bound to still secure Gresham."

It's notable that Essendon thought they'd get our pick, but the article doesn't say we were actually willing to give it up.

And as I said elsewhere - the people having a go at us for big money plays seem to be hypocrites/ill-informed/biased/all of the above, so who cares what they think?

 

[saintbatty]

And in 2026, we got Shiel without spending a draft pick and are playing him in the right position

 

[ScrappyDo]

The Hun's recent coverage of Essendon's self-destruction covered this, a significant reason they pursued Gresh was the understanding that the first round compensation would then be traded back to them for Shiel.

"In late 2023 the Bombers and St Kilda had all but agreed on an arrangement that would see Jade Gresham cross to Essendon, with Dylan Shiel heading to the Saints.

The Saints believed they would secure first-round free agency compensation; the Bombers thought they could get St Kilda’s pick 14.

But in the week leading up to the trade period, Shiel was playing with his daughter at home when he tore the meniscus in his knee. The Saints lost interest in Shiel and pulled out of the discussions, but the Bombers felt duty-bound to still secure Gresham."

It's notable that Essendon thought they'd get our pick, but the article doesn't say we were actually willing to give it up.

And as I said elsewhere - the people having a go at us for big money plays seem to be hypocrites/ill-informed/biased/all of the above, so who cares what they think?

LOL

 

[SG34]

I think Clark & Sharman are similar in that they do the 1 percenter things really well for the team.
E.g. A dribbly little kick to advantage or a clever knock on to advantage etc.
Have high IQ footy brains l reckon.

Yep, and that takes sharp skills. Even the champs like NAS attempt and fail plenty of times with these, but when they come off it’s great.

 

[goodie23]

The kid is a ripper. Hope it's his year. Great to see how Ross has evolved too. Club is in great hands and won't die wondering.

Highly, highly impressive youngster. Absolute gift that he fell into our laps, fascinating mix of ability, humility and confidence.

Meanwhile compounding Essendon's woes I mentioned previously- not only did they take Tsatas over Humphrey, Mackenzie, Clark and Pou but they knocked back Melbourne's offer of pick 13 and two future firsts (14 drifting out to 18 in 2023, turned out to be our very own Darcy Wilson and pick 6 in 2024, turned out to be Harvey Langford).

Ouch.

 

[saintmike65]

You’ve copped a bit of flak for this, I got told the same story last year. I wish him the best though, a very handy player when firing

With some players footy isn't the be all and end all..added to this some players also think they're better than they are

 

[FQFjt]

With some players footy isn't the be all and end all..added to this some players also think they're better than they are

Mm.. not a great recipe for success.

 

[StCicatriz]

?

someone on here had claimed that ross had to have words with Ryan and his conditioning. only problem was ryan was actually interstate when the claim was made AND ross seemed to be very impressed with him

 

[tomjoad]

Destination club.
People have ago at us for offering players big money, what about the dollars Gresh is getting?

Well if we are to believe the media... Essendon is a PrOuD football club that have a history of success (how long has it been without a finals win?) and an enviable culture (just ask the bikey gangs, and meth heads)
We are, in comparison desperate loud mouth losers.

The media knows.

 

[StCicatriz]

The kid is a ripper. Hope it's his year. Great to see how Ross has evolved too. Club is in great hands and won't die wondering.

Love Pou!

he's clearly just super enthusiastic and wants to be seen doing the right thing...

imagine if every player had such a great attitude

 

[saintmike65]

some statements from the coach goes completely against what some ITK claimed to have happened with Ryan

someone on here had claimed that ross had to have words with Ryan and his conditioning. only problem was ryan was actually interstate when the claim was made AND ross seemed to be very impressed with him

Ryan is in better shape than he was when he first started training with us.. he doesn't like the running requirement under the boss but to his credit he's sucked it up and is reaping the benefits of being fitter

 

[Premium]

I think on one hand that was a true statement but with injuries comes variability. I'd think it's a race between Hunter, LOC and Carroll for that last spot but with Windy back there a fair bit they might all be second choice.
Personally l think it was about backing Hammer and likely Tauru (and possibly LOC) above playing Dougs and perhaps Wood. Committing to the future and such.

Clark is a handy player but the last couple of years his shown he isn't durable - 13 games last year and 11 the year before - he needs to stay healthy and show his true value to the club not just showing it in a handful of games.
We have so many options now the pressure will be huge for a lot of these guys - he is a Unrestricted free agent at the end of this year.

 

[Premium]

What is the latest on Max King - anyone know what is happening to him.

 

[Mowman]

What is the latest on Max King - anyone know what is happening to him.

 

[saintmike65]

what a fall from grace

Doubt Gresh will get much sympathy on this forum

 

[Premium]

Doubt Gresh will get much sympathy on this forum

Gresham , Billings both took the easy option by moving clubs , they had been coasting from the time they joined the club , having all of the St Kilda supporters hoping they would become the players we needed.
When Lyon came back and applied the blow torch they were eager to leave.
To me both were wasted talents , probably because they were getting big coin for not doing to much , really not giving them the incentive to go all out.

IMO

 

[Rogue Warrior]

The Hun's recent coverage of Essendon's self-destruction covered this, a significant reason they pursued Gresh was the understanding that the first round compensation would then be traded back to them for Shiel.

"In late 2023 the Bombers and St Kilda had all but agreed on an arrangement that would see Jade Gresham cross to Essendon, with Dylan Shiel heading to the Saints.

The Saints believed they would secure first-round free agency compensation; the Bombers thought they could get St Kilda’s pick 14.

But in the week leading up to the trade period, Shiel was playing with his daughter at home when he tore the meniscus in his knee. The Saints lost interest in Shiel and pulled out of the discussions, but the Bombers felt duty-bound to still secure Gresham."

It's notable that Essendon thought they'd get our pick, but the article doesn't say we were actually willing to give it up.

And as I said elsewhere - the people having a go at us for big money plays seem to be hypocrites/ill-informed/biased/all of the above, so who cares what they think?

I was familiar with the rumours at the time. But on what planet was it a reality that we considered letting Gresham go to get first round compensation, to trade it back to Essendon for Shiel. Frankly the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. Big footy discussion sure but reported in the Sun, you gotta be kidding me.
At the time Shiel was a fringe player and a liability. The deal might have made sense if we kept the first rounder and took Shiel for peanuts to get the salary off the Essendon books for a junk pick back. But this is the definition Is pissing oh my back and telling me it’s raining.

 

[AirWinmar]

Dunno about Garcia but as for Hunter, I agree. Despite looking like a slow moving animal attempting to cross a busy street in daylight with cars, trucks and trams about to run him over, he does often enough manage to cross that road somehow, and deliver the goods.

Fantastic analogy!!