Training Saints preseason 2026

[saxond74]

If you want a smokey debutant, keep an eye on young Eammon Armstrong.
His progress in such a short period of time is amazing, seemingly improving every training session.
Rumor has it Cody McDonald is a tremendous prospect but won't be here until July.
Don't mind the look of Oscar Ainsworth either, an SSP prospect.

That would be Kobe!!

 

[saintkildaman]

We called up Collard to the senior team off the back of some very average VFL form (to be fair, good luck to anyone playing small forward for Sandy). Once Butler went down we literally only had Higgo. Having those three plus Ryan competing for spots is only a good thing, as others have mentioned we are at the phase of our list build where a proven player like a Ryan will give us way more than another second round kid.

 

[akaifu]

I like Liam Ryan. Good player.

Just not a fan of the price paid. 2nd rounder in an uncompromised 2026 draft for a 28 year old... It's something that a team in the top 4 can do. The returned 2027 4th rounder draft is worth little given the compromised nature due to Tassie.

Next year's draft is compromised too (altho the new rules will ease the detriments)

 

[akaifu]

If you want a smokey debutant, keep an eye on young Eammon Armstrong.
His progress in such a short period of time is amazing, seemingly improving every training session.
Rumor has it Cody McDonald is a tremendous prospect but won't be here until July.
Don't mind the look of Oscar Ainsworth either, an SSP prospect.

This is a quote from someone I know from a few days ago:

"Bit of random but inside knowledge, I work as groundskeeper some times and on Sunday I was there and Farren Ray was there (i had no idea he was joining saints vfl) he came down just to see few regular faces and mates he's got there and overheard them talking about Darcy Wilsons photo which him and the other 2 blokes were impressed by, I casually asked if any other players were looking good for round 1 or pre season and one of the other blokes suggested King which Farren was kinda like yeah but he's still rehabbing, I asked if Isaac Keeler was looking good and he seemed to agree but as the others threw up names he immediately focused in on Eamon Armstrong saying he's looking like an early round 1 starter off half back because of his intense speed and physicality which Ray said impressed all the coaches especially Enright so definitely a watch based on him for R1 and supercoach teams, obviously a lot can change but interesting non the less and thought y'all be interested"

TLDR: Ray thinks Armstrong is a good chance to replace Nas at HB and Enright really likes him

 

[Joffaboy]

This is a quote from someone I know from a few days ago:

"Bit of random but inside knowledge, I work Sundays at St Pauls McKinnon as groundskeeper some times and on Sunday I was there and Farren Ray was there cause he was senior coach the past 3 years (i had no idea he was joining saints vfl) he came down just to see few regular faces and mates he's got there and overheard them talking about Darcy Wilsons photo which him and the other 2 blokes were impressed by, I casually asked if any other players were looking good for round 1 or pre season and one of the other blokes suggested King which Farren was kinda like yeah but he's still rehabbing, I asked if Isaac Keeler was looking good and he seemed to agree but as the others threw up names he immediately focused in on Eamon Armstrong saying he's looking like an early round 1 starter off half back because of his intense speed and physicality which Ray said impressed all the coaches especially Enright so definitely a watch based on him for R1 and supercoach teams, obviously a lot can change but interesting non the less and thought y'all be interested"

TLDR: Ray thinks Armstrong is a good chance to replace Nas at HB and Enright really likes him

Well as usual my thoughts on a player in early preseason is off . Got it wrong early last year on Hall (thought Carroll looked better) and mentioned last week thought Armstrong had a fair way to go.

The lesson is; read my training reports but don't take them as gospel.

on a side note ironic Farren Ray is joining the VFL team. Kosi tells a story that Ross V1.0 used to intimidate Ray so much in team meetings that he was a nervous wreck before them. Got to a stage Lyon stopped asking him questions because Farren couldn't cope.
Hope he can cope with cuddly Ross better.

 

[Armitage2Riewoldt]

Well as usual my thoughts on a player in early preseason is off . Got it wrong early last year on Hall (thought Carroll looked better) and mentioned last week thought Armstrong had a fair way to go.

The lesson is; read my training reports but don't take them as gospel.

on a side note ironic Farren Ray is joining the VFL team. Kosi tells a story that Ross V1.0 used to intimidate Ray so much in team meetings that he was a nervous wreck before them. Got to a stage Lyon stopped asking him questions because Farren couldn't cope.
Hope he can cope with cuddly Ross better

Sounds like it's time for a Farren Ray-demption arc!

 

[Saintos The ITK]

What has Fazza been up to all this time and why has he just popped up out of
The blue?

 

[Jay Beast]

No doubt Ryan is a known commodity.
Love the fact Ross & the club feel confident to bring in different types that offer specialist traits. Shows maturity.
Takes a mix of skills to win a flag.

 

[hangdog]

So does Messi just saying

Are you saying Liam Ryan is the Messi of the AFL?

Because I'm pretty sure Grian Myers holds that title.

 

[SaintsofSteel]

Absolutely he is a cancer, Jake Stringer, JUH and May wrapped up all in one. If we dont win a flag it will be directly his fault with his culture destroying interviews and not running to the exacting standards of keyboard warriors.
You heard it here first.
Now for some facts. Ryan is doing everything asked of him. His running is no worse than Lance re endurance. He is very encouraging especially to the young indigenous players.
Really the bs being spread is horseshit. Ryan had been around for a decade.To think the LM are suddenly shocked he is not running like Brad Hill is laughable in the extreme.

On the Henry note, very relieved. Looked very uncomfortable on Wednesday, but obviously I read too much into it thankfully.

Sarcasm is the go to isnt it - the simplest form of wit.

If you are going to make hyperbolic comments at least do me the respect of responding to what I have stated, rather than what other fools have said on here. I have never said he was or will be a 'cancer' but I have shown concern over his history of a lack of work ethic and the affect it will have on the younger group.

People have different backgrounds - yours is being a bean counter living out of Melbourne with the occasional business jaunt around the place. Others have actually lived and worked in these remote communities and have an understanding of the indigineous communites and their people.

Perhaps living in the world of finance creates that grandiose attitude, and allows you to hold others in judgement with your illusory surperiority. But you dont need to consistently show it on here, there is no bigger keyboard warrior on this forum than yourself.

 

[hangdog]

Thats is probably the most ignorant footballing response I have ever read!

Its now pretty obvious you have never played the game, let alone been involved in coaching or running a club and managed 40-50 young men. Go and get some footballing life experience before you come here and make those ridiculous comments.

Here here!

I'd go even further and suggest he couldn't pick out a football from a row of coconuts.

 

[hangdog]

Correct I've never played the game, run a club or any of the rest of it.

How many men did you say you've managed?

That's a bit personal

 

[Joffaboy]

Sarcasm is the go to isnt it - the simplest form of wit.

If you are going to make hyperbolic comments at least do me the respect of responding to what I have stated, rather than what other fools have said on here. I have never said he was or will be a 'cancer' but I have shown concern over his history of a lack of work ethic and the affect it will have on the younger group.

People have different backgrounds - yours is being a bean counter living out of Melbourne with the occasional business jaunt around the place. Others have actually lived and worked in these remote communities and have an understanding of the indigineous communites and their people.

Perhaps living in the world of finance creates that grandiose attitude, and allows you to hold others in judgement with your illusory surperiority. But you dont need to consistently show it on here, there is no bigger keyboard warrior on this forum than yourself.

Wow, touched a nerve, lol. Wasn't even responding to you. You have no idea of my life, what I did and didn't do, where I have lived and who I hve associated with. My profession was as an accountant, however I did not work in that field for the last 18 years of my life. I also working in my membership association with indigenous groups on initiatives to forward opportunities in our profession.
That I don't spout these things on a football forum pretending to be the be all and end all on first nations people is for a reason, I am not. That you chest beat like you are the all knowing white saviour of indigenous Australia says more about your lack of self worth more than anything else.
So take your little ego that has been pricked because I answered someone else's question. To believe you know Liam Ryan and you are some sort of svengali is breathtaking in its arrogance.
So jog on mate. Nobody is interested in your faux expertise and bluster. It is sad your platform is an internet forum about football, you would be better off at the United Nations where you might be able to solve world hunger as well.

 

[stavro#4]

[PLAYERCARD]Liam Ryan[/PLAYERCARD] burning down the saints board before we even hit festive season

I hope tubby can’t run laps like Wilson.


Because I know things he can do that others on our list can’t. That’s be an All Australian forward that can jump on peoples heads.



For the record, the amount of time I sat hanging over the fence at Seaford or Moorabbin in the last 15 years thinking the next great white hope was on our list because they had bigger muscles or ran some good times when in reality their football didn’t live up to the expectations.

Let’s judge Ryan when he has our jumper on, in a game. With something on the line.

 

[BrutThough]

This is a quote from someone I know from a few days ago:

"Bit of random but inside knowledge, I work as groundskeeper some times and on Sunday I was there and Farren Ray was there (i had no idea he was joining saints vfl) he came down just to see few regular faces and mates he's got there and overheard them talking about Darcy Wilsons photo which him and the other 2 blokes were impressed by, I casually asked if any other players were looking good for round 1 or pre season and one of the other blokes suggested King which Farren was kinda like yeah but he's still rehabbing, I asked if Isaac Keeler was looking good and he seemed to agree but as the others threw up names he immediately focused in on Eamon Armstrong saying he's looking like an early round 1 starter off half back because of his intense speed and physicality which Ray said impressed all the coaches especially Enright so definitely a watch based on him for R1 and supercoach teams, obviously a lot can change but interesting non the less and thought y'all be interested"

TLDR: Ray thinks Armstrong is a good chance to replace Nas at HB and Enright really likes him

No one is an 'early rd1 starter' at this stage. Half the actual starters are still on managed programs.

How about we calm down on the exceptions of a kid who has done 3 weeks of training. Everyone wants to be the person to claim they said someone would play first but at some point it gets ridiculous.

 

[littlecreatures]

What people have to understand is that traditional desert indigenous people are very different to urban and eastern state clans.

Liam grew up in the central desert area of WA - Mount Magnet and Mullewa before later moving to Geraldton. He lists himself as a Yamtji / Badimia man whose clans both speak a different language. There is no doubt indigenous people feel a strong kinship, but for traditional lads that only goes so far.

You can see English is not his first language and I would bet none of the other indigenous lads at the club speak his traditional language. Urban or eastern state indigenous lads are very different from central desert people, their cultural and family considerations are poles apart. The club have indigenous liason staff at the club, but the issues faced by the central deserts people will be very different to anyone they have dealt with.

I can see people forming the view he coped in Perth so he will naturally do the same in Melbourne. Perth is 4 1/2 hours south of Geralton and there would be people of his origin about the city, not so in Melbourne. I want to see him suceed, but I have seen so many desert indigenous lads struggle to cope away from family.

I question given our young and developing list, if he is the right player to target for the afore mentioned reasons. Its not like he is a 21yo developing kid who the club think they can mould and help improve. I get the impression there are not many WCE supporters that were sorry to see him leave....surely we have to question why?

The club have pulled all the right strings with their other recruitments, but Im concerned Ryan will be create more issues than he solves. Lyon and the club might believe they can work with him, but I will be surprised if he ever plays out a season let alone his contract term. Time will tell but hopefully the club have some robust clauses in his contract.

Anyway enough on Liam, the club have made their decision lets hope they can make it work?

It’s a bit unusual to frame Aboriginal people in a strict ‘desert vs urban/eastern states’ dichotomy, particularly when individual identities, languages and cultural connections are far more diverse and overlapping than that.

Also worth noting: the preferred terminology is ‘Aboriginal people’ rather than ‘Indigenous’ when referring to specific groups or communities.

For context, families from Mt Magnet (around 6 hours from Perth), Mullewa (about 5 hours) and the broader Yamatji region - including places like Meekatharra (8 hours) - generally do have English as their first language. You typically need to go much further inland (e.g., Wiluna, Warburton and beyond) before you see higher proportions of first-language speakers of desert languages.

So the assumption that Liam would face fundamentally different language-based or cultural-transition challenges than other Aboriginal players may not reflect the reality for many Yamatji/Badimia families.

There are relatively less people from his specific Country living in Perth or Melbourne, but that’s a question of community density rather than a difference in English proficiency or cultural compatibility.

It’s also true that, because Aboriginal people make up a small proportion of AFL lists overall - and come from hundreds of distinct groups - it’s unlikely any club will regularly have players from the exact same Country, language group or family networks. That doesn’t necessarily indicate a risk; it’s simply the nature of population diversity and squad sizes.

And just as an example of connection points within the club, Lance Collard has Yamatji heritage too - if I’m remembering correctly, time spent in Geraldton - so there may well be shared cultural or regional touch points already within the playing group.

The club will also have proper support structures in place, and it’s reasonable to give them credit for understanding these cultural nuances at a greater level before making a recruitment decision.

 

[akaifu]

No one is an 'early rd1 starter' at this stage. Half the actual starters are still on managed programs.

How about we calm down on the exceptions of a kid who has done 3 weeks of training. Everyone wants to be the person to claim they said someone would play first but at some point it gets ridiculous.

It's paraphrasing what one of the coaches said - albeit maybe a bit misleading. I'd assume he meant hes more an 'early contender' than an 'early starter'

You need to relax - no one is claiming anything. We are just relaying what was said in a conversation with a person of interest

 

[MOLTEN GANGLANDS]

It’s a bit unusual to frame Aboriginal people in a strict ‘desert vs urban/eastern states’ dichotomy, particularly when individual identities, languages and cultural connections are far more diverse and overlapping than that.

Also worth noting: the preferred terminology is ‘Aboriginal people’ rather than ‘Indigenous’ when referring to specific groups or communities.

For context, families from Mt Magnet (around 6 hours from Perth), Mullewa (about 5 hours) and the broader Yamatji region - including places like Meekatharra (8 hours) - generally do have English as their first language. You typically need to go much further inland (e.g., Wiluna, Warburton and beyond) before you see higher proportions of first-language speakers of desert languages.

So the assumption that Liam would face fundamentally different language-based or cultural-transition challenges than other Aboriginal players may not reflect the reality for many Yamatji/Badimia families.

There are relatively less people from his specific Country living in Perth or Melbourne, but that’s a question of community density rather than a difference in English proficiency or cultural compatibility.

It’s also true that, because Aboriginal people make up a small proportion of AFL lists overall - and come from hundreds of distinct groups - it’s unlikely any club will regularly have players from the exact same Country, language group or family networks. That doesn’t necessarily indicate a risk; it’s simply the nature of population diversity and squad sizes.

And just as an example of connection points within the club, Lance Collard has Yamatji heritage too - if I’m remembering correctly, time spent in Geraldton - so there may well be shared cultural or regional touch points already within the playing group.

The club will also have proper support structures in place, and it’s reasonable to give them credit for understanding these cultural nuances at a greater level before making a recruitment decision.

should post more of this nuance and info re our other players, henry, hill, etc

 

[Armoooo]

Jeez, dont think Armstrong's name has appeared too many times in our best 22 threads, what a pack of nuffies we must be

 

[SainterinSydney]

If you want a smokey debutant, keep an eye on young Eammon Armstrong.
His progress in such a short period of time is amazing, seemingly improving every training session.
Rumor has it Cody McDonald is a tremendous prospect but won't be here until July.
Don't mind the look of Oscar Ainsworth either, an SSP prospect.

He is a big boy as well, Armstrong, 194cm. I had a lengthy chat with him last year at training and he said that defence was his arena at this stage. Not sure if changed this offseason.

He was a ripping kid and was loving being down in Australia.

 

[Parkysp]

Couldn't the problem with Ryan just be it's too f*ing cold in Melbourne for late November? It's too cold for me and I was born a couple of suburbs from Moorabbin. I pity Banfield too but apparently his move off his country isn't a concern...mmmm wonders to self why that may be.

I've found all this conversation to be pretty distasteful to be honest.

 

[dudeintheswamp]

Delisted Saints defender joins SANFL club

The 2023 draftee played seven games for St Kilda.

www.zerohanger.com

 

[ESPN8 The Ocho]

It’s a bit unusual to frame Aboriginal people in a strict ‘desert vs urban/eastern states’ dichotomy, particularly when individual identities, languages and cultural connections are far more diverse and overlapping than that.

Also worth noting: the preferred terminology is ‘Aboriginal people’ rather than ‘Indigenous’ when referring to specific groups or communities.

For context, families from Mt Magnet (around 6 hours from Perth), Mullewa (about 5 hours) and the broader Yamatji region - including places like Meekatharra (8 hours) - generally do have English as their first language. You typically need to go much further inland (e.g., Wiluna, Warburton and beyond) before you see higher proportions of first-language speakers of desert languages.

So the assumption that Liam would face fundamentally different language-based or cultural-transition challenges than other Aboriginal players may not reflect the reality for many Yamatji/Badimia families.

There are relatively less people from his specific Country living in Perth or Melbourne, but that’s a question of community density rather than a difference in English proficiency or cultural compatibility.

It’s also true that, because Aboriginal people make up a small proportion of AFL lists overall - and come from hundreds of distinct groups - it’s unlikely any club will regularly have players from the exact same Country, language group or family networks. That doesn’t necessarily indicate a risk; it’s simply the nature of population diversity and squad sizes.

And just as an example of connection points within the club, Lance Collard has Yamatji heritage too - if I’m remembering correctly, time spent in Geraldton - so there may well be shared cultural or regional touch points already within the playing group.

The club will also have proper support structures in place, and it’s reasonable to give them credit for understanding these cultural nuances at a greater level before making a recruitment decision.

Loved this post, if only to expand my knowledge.

I have not mentioned this previously, but Brad Hill was standing next to me at the Friday morning session, one week ago.
Apart from babysitting his daughter, when he was focused on the session, he was talking (to himself I think, because no one else was within hearing distance) using a language that I had never heard before but I assumed was Aboriginal in origin.

Would you know what language he was using?

PS: I assumed he was talking to himself about the football. He might have been calling me a fat, unfit, white boy Presbyterian for all I know.

And been correct.

 

[SainterinSydney]

Couldn't the problem with Ryan just be it's too f*ing cold in Melbourne for late November? It's too cold for me and I was born a couple of suburbs from Moorabbin. I pity Banfield too but apparently his move off his country isn't a concern...mmmm wonders to self why that may be.

I've found all this conversation to be pretty distasteful to be honest.

Ryan plays a small forward role--don't expect Darcy Wilson level running, as it isn't required. The guy has consistently played well in a team which has been in the doldrums for years and has shown he can play very well on the biggest stage. We also have high standards with running compared to other clubs, so will likely take some time for him to adjust.

I just think there are some armchair generals on this forum that are jumping to conclusions on him. I predict he will be electrifying for us. Patience!

 

[gringo2011]

Before Nas signed, it was reported Ryan was looking at us or Port and where Nas ended up would impact his decision on which club he chose.

I think they bonded playing in the indigenous all stars side was the rumour.