Training Saints preseason 2026

[Joffaboy]

A shame, Ainsworth was trying as hard as he could and was looking good in drills, but suddenly was up the race and straight into the medical room.
Stay tuned to my training reports, you will hear it all first.

 

[Marlo]

Windhager has added an important ingredient to his his game, that is an ability to do low bullet passes that go quickly through the air.

Must have had a kick-to-kick with one Nick Dal Santo

 

[beside the seaside]

Really enjoyed training session today, particularly young titans Tauru and Barrett going for a high ball and neither shirking the issue.
Loved Mattaes stoppage work, Nas and Wilson power running, Tauru aggressive approach aerialy.
Windhager has added an important ingredient to his his game, that is an ability to do low bullet passes that go quickly through the air.
A sneaky chance for a half back spot is Jack Carroll...his run and penetration with his kicking is catching the eye.
Hopefully he improves his durability!
Liking Armstrong's rapid development plus Charlie Banfield and Kye Fincher not looking out of place.
A mention too on Collard, who looks like the penny's droped as far as work rate and intensity required.

That Collard tidbit is really exciting. He could be anything if it clicks.

 

[Nutsngum]

is that Hastie?it sounds like him in the hawthorn game,he had an absolute mare of a first half,then dickhead ginnivan got into him walking off the ground,that was coaches name=ginnivan,because he came out in the second half and was a different player,took a hanger as well

if ive got the wrong player i will cop the egg on my face,but sounds like it was that hastie hawthorn game and elite coaching by ginnivan

Yep was talking about Hastie and Im pretty sure youre right it was the Hawks game. Ginnivan is a right little weasel.

 

[jimmytigs]

Yep was talking about Hastie and Im pretty sure youre right it was the Hawks game. Ginnivan is a right little weasel.

correct,but did us a big favour that day,dont know what he said to hastie,but it was one of those situations where he and 2 or 3 others beelined hastie and got stuck into him,but ginnivan led the charge,if he told hastie that he was the worst footballer he had ever seen,he would have been spot on,but he reacted the right way and played a blinder in the 2nd half

 

[SaintWrld]

Love the track reports guys. Keeler hasn’t been mentioned much in reports besides the fact he had put on a bit of size, how’s he looking? Just not standing out?

 

[Saintos The ITK]

Really enjoyed training session today, particularly young titans Tauru and Barrett going for a high ball and neither shirking the issue.
Loved Mattaes stoppage work, Nas and Wilson power running, Tauru aggressive approach aerialy.
Windhager has added an important ingredient to his his game, that is an ability to do low bullet passes that go quickly through the air.
A sneaky chance for a half back spot is Jack Carroll...his run and penetration with his kicking is catching the eye.
Hopefully he improves his durability!
Liking Armstrong's rapid development plus Charlie Banfield and Kye Fincher not looking out of place.
A mention too on Collard, who looks like the penny's droped as far as work rate and intensity required.

I would dearly love Lancey Boy to make it in a big way. Would be a game changer for us.

 

[gringo2011]

Last season he made some very impressive defensive moves and marks but often spoilt it with his next use of the ball. Kicking was not great.
Still a babe, hopefully he can improve that side of his game.

He has a few really elite moments usually and if he can string more together he will be able to cover for the kicking.

 

[gringo2011]

Really enjoyed training session today, particularly young titans Tauru and Barrett going for a high ball and neither shirking the issue.
Loved Mattaes stoppage work, Nas and Wilson power running, Tauru aggressive approach aerialy.
Windhager has added an important ingredient to his his game, that is an ability to do low bullet passes that go quickly through the air.
A sneaky chance for a half back spot is Jack Carroll...his run and penetration with his kicking is catching the eye.
Hopefully he improves his durability!
Liking Armstrong's rapid development plus Charlie Banfield and Kye Fincher not looking out of place.
A mention too on Collard, who looks like the penny's droped as far as work rate and intensity required.

Carroll was probably one of our best player outside the 22 before injuring himself last year. He has a lot going for him.

 

[Zzzed]

Really enjoyed training session today, particularly young titans Tauru and Barrett going for a high ball and neither shirking the issue.
Loved Mattaes stoppage work, Nas and Wilson power running, Tauru aggressive approach aerialy.
Windhager has added an important ingredient to his his game, that is an ability to do low bullet passes that go quickly through the air.
A sneaky chance for a half back spot is Jack Carroll...his run and penetration with his kicking is catching the eye.
Hopefully he improves his durability!
Liking Armstrong's rapid development plus Charlie Banfield and Kye Fincher not looking out of place.
A mention too on Collard, who looks like the penny's droped as far as work rate and intensity required.

Thanks - as someone who lives interstate I really enjoy your insights .

What position do you see LOC and Armstrong playing next season?

Also , based on your observations this preseason, who has their nose in front for the vacant back pocket and hbf positions?

 

[hayes]

I cant remember which game it was but I distinctly remember him coming in about midway through the season and having a deplorable first half, just every single possession was turned over in a very dangerous area. The coaching staff must have singled him out and steadied him though as he came out in the second half and you could just see him improve dramatically in all aspects. Seems a very coachable player and I think has a high ceiling.

That was the Hawthorn game. He redeemed himself in the second half but I reckon that first half will be burnt into Ross’ memory and we won’t see much of him early on. The brutal part was I think every one of those turnovers resulted in a goal the other way.

 

[stfan]

Well that would make listing Tex as an AFL player a big ask.

Perhaps a StKilda VFL gig for him.

 

[Diehard Saint]

He has a few really elite moments usually and if he can string more together he will be able to cover for the kicking.

Also used a lot as the sub if I remember correctly. Often difficult to come at pick up the flow immediately I would think.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

Yep was talking about Hastie and Im pretty sure youre right it was the Hawks game. Ginnivan is a right little weasel.

I'd love to have a prime Shawn Dempster playing on Ginnivan. A Steven Baker trying to make him cry would be even better , but wouldn't fly too well these days.

 

[Oztralian]

[PLAYERCARD]Jack Silvagni[/PLAYERCARD] may have Covid and he may have reinjured his groin. I think we should stay tuned

 

[Saints4ever]

Jack Silvagni may have Covid and he may have reinjured his groin. I think we should stay tuned

Lucky we have plenty of tall backline depth.

Howard
Wilkie
Tauru
Caminiti

Sos can ease his way back from injury.

 

[Sarcoidevo]

There is also the issue re: his brother ... which I think might have come to a head today

 

[akaifu]

That Collard tidbit is really exciting. He could be anything if it clicks.

Higgins Hall Collard

Could be the best small forward trio in the competition at the feet of King, Row, Sharman, Owens

Liam Ryan isn't too bad either

And then a handy Dan Butler as depth

Phillipou and maybe even Nas to play forward minutes too

 

[Oztralian]

That was my earlier thinking. Covid, groin plus a potentially bigger issue

 

[Ads734]

That was my earlier thinking. Covid, groin plus a potentially bigger issue

What’s the insinuation ? Regarding the ‘other bits’

 

[Parkysp]

Gee if Carroll's defensive work is up to scratch then he's a serious early contender for that half back spot. Always been a huge x factor player but with discipline he instantly elevates himself

Conversely, feels like every time I read about Hastie it's always about his poor kicking. I'm worried for him

Hasties kicking on Wednesday session was a bit "loopy" but not too worried as he's not horrible, but certainly an area to work on. We have progressed though if worried about him. He should play 150 minimum AFL games if not injury cursed. His good points far outweigh the bad.

 

[CursingFijian]

What’s the insinuation ? Regarding the ‘other bits’

Guilty verdicts and suppression orders being linked to the family.

 

[mad-saint-guy]

Trav for me tracks like a right footed Gilbert .... hard at it ... runs straight lines ... good above the head with those longish arms ..... but a messy kick and tends to go long ..... lots of 1%ers and can win own ball

Gilbert never transitioned to play mid but was a solid intercepting half back and could sneak forward occasionally and snag a goal

Just need to keep Trav away from mature looking school girls

Not a bad comparison. They seem to have a similar athletic profile and similarly scrappy kicking. My question would be - do we think a Gilbert who is 5-6cm shorter still makes it in 2026 and beyond?

 

[gringo2011]

Higgins Hall Collard

Could be the best small forward trio in the competition at the feet of King, Row, Sharman, Owens

Liam Ryan isn't too bad either

And then a handy Dan Butler as depth

Phillipou and maybe even Nas to play forward minutes too

Fit Dan Butler probably still gets on the park most weeks. Collard will have to push hard to keep him out. Hall nearly certainly plays a lot more midfield next year so I guess that frees up a spot. Ryan probably played that HHF role at WC iso most like for like. Collard could too if fit and switched on.

A lot of clubs are playing multiple smalls these days. Hawks the model for a mosquito fleet.

 

[gringo2011]

Hasties kicking on Wednesday session was a bit "loopy" but not too worried as he's not horrible, but certainly an area to work on. We have progressed though if worried about him. He should play 150 minimum AFL games if not injury cursed. His good points far outweigh the bad.

He's very Sam Gilbert. Gilbo could do the sublime or the ridiculous and you were never sure which. He's got something there that looks pretty unique. If the coaches can harness it he could be a real POD.