Training Saints preseason 2026

[beside the seaside]

He was very influential in match sim yesterday...He's not quick but definitely covers the ground well, is courageous, great one grab mark and runs all day!

Sounds kind of similar to Boxshall. It will be interesting to see how he is utilised in the VFL side this year, whether it's on ball or on the wing or elsewhere.

Appreciate the reports as always saintmike!

 

[SaintsofSteel]

I agree with them. I think Banfield can be a really good winger but I think his ceiling is limited going off his U18s performances - I don't see much chance of him becoming an A-grade inside mid given his average foot skills and lack of pace

Pick 41 is probably fair value for him compared to the rest of the draft crop. We get a really good role player for the future. Others taken above him may not be as ready-made but they have more A-grade game-breaking potential attributes

He is the classic 18yo who is still growing into his body and becoming accustomed with his size. Some kids are physically mature and nearly the finished product at 18, Charlie is not one of them. He is a big physical specimen but is still very raw in his movement.

He will need time to finish growing and develop his game, but I think you are under selling his potential. You cant set ceilings on kids like this, with his ball winning and aerial game his potential is endless.

 

[saintmike65]

Sounds kind of similar to Boxshall. It will be interesting to see how he is utilised in the VFL side this year, whether it's on ball or on the wing or elsewhere.

Appreciate the reports as always saintmike!

There are similarities but i see Boxy as an inside mid and Banfield a Wood replacement on a wing

 

[The_Steadier]

I want to talk about Travaglia.

He needs to be a lock for Back Flank, learning from Sincs and rotating through the midfield with NAS/Sincs- what better role models for the young man to find his feet at AFL and build confidence.

Second to Trav is Tauru- these two were a dominant backline combination for Victoria in the U18s. He needs to have first crack at a backline position to learn from Wilkie- when to defend, when to attack.

Pump some games into these two lads. T&T!

With webster retiring and aleer not coming; (even with howard fit) you would expect both those guys have a walkup spot in the best 23.

But both Tarau and Trav and going to have to play like real defenders though I think.

We need them (and Howard) doing a lot of the unsexy accountable defending; and leave the attacking stuff to the likes of wilkie and sinclair

 

[Joffaboy]

I agree with them. I think Banfield can be a really good winger but I think his ceiling is limited going off his U18s performances - I don't see much chance of him becoming an A-grade inside mid given his average foot skills and lack of pace

Pick 41 is probably fair value for him compared to the rest of the draft crop. We get a really good role player for the future. Others taken above him may not be as ready-made but they have more A-grade game-breaking potential attributes

Dont know if we have him marked as a mid. I think he can make it as a winger, but he is 18 and needs development. Has the tools, up to him.
As for u18's, I wouldn't limit a player with u18 form. Anyway what I saw in the colts game he absolutely looked like a mid, but again i would not read anything into that.
Carroll was nominally a mid but is having a deal of success at hbf ATM in preseason training.

I agree P41 is about fair value for what he has shown. Would have thought though that WC would have tried a bit harder just for the optics of a FS of a premiership player.

 

[Joffaboy]

Each to their own I guess. Some people will always complain. I had more issues with Billings getting paid top dollar for little impact 95% of the games he played.

To me Banfield is a hybrid mid, can play inside, outside. I’m not sure he is a good wing, as speed and precise kicking is probably not his strength.

Speaking of Billings, got a gig as a development coach with the Bulldogs while also playing in their VFL team. Good luck Jack hope you make a great coach.

 

[SainterinSydney]

Went over to WCE board and respectively asked what they thought his weaknesses were.
They were more of the mind that while he is a good physical speciman, he was a bit vanilla and lacks a bit of pace. They thought the list needs were better suited to the NGA they matched at pick 39.

So no glaring weakness a bit one paced and they thought he got sloppy under pressure. Fair enough.
Personally think they will regret their decision, I dont think he is one paced or vanilla, however hard to see at preseason.
Get some development into him and he coyld be an absolute steal in my opinion.

They are in denial. They know they @#$%ed up

 

[MightySaintas]

Speaking of Billings, got a gig as a development coach with the Bulldogs while also playing in their VFL team. Good luck Jack hope you make a great coach.

He can teach them how not to develop

 

[akaifu]

Dont know if we have him marked as a mid. I think he can make it as a winger, but he is 18 and needs development. Has the tools, up to him.
As for u18's, I wouldn't limit a player with u18 form. Anyway what I saw in the colts game he absolutely looked like a mid, but again i would not read anything into that.
Carroll was nominally a mid but is having a deal of success at hbf ATM in preseason training.

I agree P41 is about fair value for what he has shown. Would have thought though that WC would have tried a bit harder just for the optics of a FS of a premiership player.

Yeah he’s defo a winger which is why his ceiling is limited IMO. I think permanent wingers are role players and aren’t the game-winning types to be taken much earlier in the draft which is why WCE might not have prioritised him as much, especially after they drafted Hamish Davis last year who’s a similar type

 

[stfan]

I agree with them. I think Banfield can be a really good winger

Which is the role that Dalrymple said the club recruited him for.

“We probably see his primary role as being more the wing, high half-forward, similar to Hugh Boxshall, who we picked up last year," Dalrymple added. "

but I think his ceiling is limited going off his U18s performances -

Well as a 40's pick in a weak draft he would be in the category of we hope he can become an AFL player for us, rather than he will.

I don't see much chance of him becoming an A-grade inside mid given his average foot skills and lack of pace

Dalrymple: "While pleased with his finish to 2025, Dalrymple indicated that an onballer is not the role the club views him in long term."
“Charlie was someone that we rated really highly - he's a really impressive athlete, the character is really strong, (he showed) great leadership at Scotch College in Perth.

“He runs a 6:08 minute two-kilometre, and his ability to get up and back is a bit similar to Mason Wood, that type of athlete, so we're rapt to have him.”

So the plan would seem to be for him to be an option to take over Wood's role. And that Boxshall is also an option for that role, though Boxshall is a player who can also rotate as an inside mid.

 

[Saintos The ITK]

I want to talk about Travaglia.

He needs to be a lock for Back Flank, learning from Sincs and rotating through the midfield with NAS/Sincs- what better role models for the young man to find his feet at AFL and build confidence.

Second to Trav is Tauru- these two were a dominant backline combination for Victoria in the U18s. He needs to have first crack at a backline position to learn from Wilkie- when to defend, when to attack.

Pump some games into these two lads. T&T!

Actually I had t thought about it before but you’d reckon a lot of the younger fellas might try and model themselves around Naz style now they get to see a lot of him up close.
Will keep a bit of an eye on that.

 

[SG34]

I am sure I am like all of us. We hope that Max doesn’t fall apart. The tension is huge. 30 seconds of research tells you the statistical odds.

The tension feels like this to me,
COACHING BOX
1) Do we put him in the team like a soldier in the front line leading the charge? or
2) Do we give him a lesser role, maybe leading up from one of the flanks?
US LOT IN THE OUTER
3) do we talk about a world where Max isn’t available,
4) or shut it down and howl down anyone asking about it?

 

[SaintsofSteel]

Which is the role that Dalrymple said the club recruited him for.

“We probably see his primary role as being more the wing, high half-forward, similar to Hugh Boxshall, who we picked up last year," Dalrymple added. "



Well as a 40's pick in a weak draft he would be in the category of we hope he can become an AFL player for us, rather than he will.



Dalrymple: "While pleased with his finish to 2025, Dalrymple indicated that an onballer is not the role the club views him in long term."
“Charlie was someone that we rated really highly - he's a really impressive athlete, the character is really strong, (he showed) great leadership at Scotch College in Perth.

“He runs a 6:08 minute two-kilometre, and his ability to get up and back is a bit similar to Mason Wood, that type of athlete, so we're rapt to have him.”

So the plan would seem to be for him to be an option to take over Wood's role. And that Boxshall is also an option for that role.

He is an 18yo kid why 'pidgeon hole' him so early it's really narrow thinking. Dalrymple said he sees him as a wingman, but that's just a starting point for many. Plenty of players have started as wingman and gone onto become very good players else where.

He might grow another 3-5cms and become a key position player, he might become a great midfielder - he might fail it's up to him.

 

[Mav3rick]

once again watching back some of the later part games. Cooper Sharman is one seriously skilled forward. His skills on both feet and in the air are seriously up there imo.

He’s almost like a secret weapon now which is weird since he’s played almost every game the last few years.

Just flies under the radar as a mature ager, but seriously talented with room still to grow. He’ll be more damaging with better teammates around him too

 

[Remboy]

He’s almost like a secret weapon now which is weird since he’s played almost every game the last few years.

Just flies under the radar as a mature ager, but seriously talented with room still to grow. He’ll be more damaging with better teammates around him too

He was forced to be our number one key forward and take the best key defender. Put Max and Marshall or Caminiti up there and he’ll be getting the number three. Life’s about to get a lot easier for him.
Not to mention Owens, who will now get opponents who are a similar size to him. That’s going to be fun to watch.

 

[gringo2011]

For criticism of Max King, I place the blame squarely on Brad Hill. In fact for the 1997 GF I blame Brad. The problem was that when Brad Hill came over to St Kilda, all those buzzing anxieties suddenly had a place to go. Like iron fillings jumping on to a magnet! But then, through several seasons, it became obvious that Brad Hill was extremely helpful, a new target had to come into being. I blame Brad for that too. If Brad slips in form even slightly, he will be pole-axed, and marmony will be restored. Then we can blame Brad Hill. In meantime, it is best just to blame Brad Hill. Inflation? Flat tyre? You know where to go.

At least we've kept Byrnes.

 

[sammm]

Tony74
Joffaboy
George

we miss george

 

[gringo2011]

Reading these training reports I have us finishing in the 8 easily and I couldn’t be more excited.

Thought I’d give myself a reality check and do a sneaky ladder predictor.

I had us finishing 10th just behind 8 and 9 on percentage.

Obviously nobody can tip every game and it’s a complete waste of time but it was a little reality check when I seen us sitting 10th.

Thankfully we have wildcard weekend now .

I had us finishing 7th only to get knocked out by Sydney in 10th also the AFL let Curnow off for punching Tauru in the guts and swinging the match.

 

[gringo2011]

He is the classic 18yo who is still growing into his body and becoming accustomed with his size. Some kids are physically mature and nearly the finished product at 18, Charlie is not one of them. He is a big physical specimen but is still very raw in his movement.

He will need time to finish growing and develop his game, but I think you are under selling his potential. You cant set ceilings on kids like this, with his ball winning and aerial game his potential is endless.

It's a waste of time limiting kids ceilings especially before they have played a game. Danger was a big plodder before he was breaking out. Sinclair looked like a guy who'd play 50 okay AFL games and end up in the VFL until he hit 25.

People saw potential in Nas early but not many hats him as an absolute superstar.

 

[stavro#4]

Ran into Liam Ryan

1

Liam Ryan

Age

29

Ht

181cm

Wt

76kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.3

3star

K

8.6

3star

HB

2.7

2star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.0

4star

G

1.3

5star

D

9.9

3star

K

8.0

3star

HB

1.9

1star

M

3.3

3star

T

1.6

3star

G

1.3

5star

D

11.4

3star

K

9.0

4star

HB

2.4

3star

M

3.8

4star

T

1.8

4star

G

1.6

5star

and Lance Collard today. Actually it was the second time in a week I’d seen both together.

This time Ryan saw my youngest holding a saints lanyard and struck up a conversation.

In short:

- really excited. Surprised by the quality of the guys on the list and thinks we will win alot of games which he is bloody excited at the thought of after the last few years.

- really close with “Lancey”. Thinks he is very good and can’t wait to help him “become a star”.

- it’s been tough training but he is enjoying it and the move over has been a nice change.

- I mentioned of the 4 we brought across he was the guy who I couldn’t wait to watch the most and he said he couldn’t wait to “entertain us”.

Overall, good bloke. Very friendly with the kids and easy to chat with. Deceptively taller than I thought he would be.

Lancey has put on some size himself.

 

[Mowman]

Speaking of Billings, got a gig as a development coach with the Bulldogs while also playing in their VFL team. Good luck Jack hope you make a great coach.

he will be a wonderful appointment for fetching the balls going over the fence at training

 

[stavro#4]

https://archive.md/vhhYj

 

[Remboy]

https://archive.md/vhhYj

I've seen him at training and he looks way too happy. He's obviously covering up how miserable he is having to get his haircut in Moorabbin.

 

[Ads734]

He’s almost like a secret weapon now which is weird since he’s played almost every game the last few years.

Just flies under the radar as a mature ager, but seriously talented with room still to grow. He’ll be more damaging with better teammates around him too

There were multiple moments where he’s made good defenders look silly. Ie Sam Taylor last game of the season. I think he’s also a massive confidence player. If he played for a different team he’d get way more hype.

Like left foot snaps, right foot bananas , one of the best set shots in the comp.

 

[beside the seaside]

Ran into Liam Ryan and Lance Collard today. Actually it was the second time in a week I’d seen both together.

This time Ryan saw my youngest holding a saints lanyard and struck up a conversation.

In short:

- really excited. Surprised by the quality of the guys on the list and thinks we will win alot of games which he is bloody excited at the thought of after the last few years.

- really close with “Lancey”. Thinks he is very good and can’t wait to help him “become a star”.

- it’s been tough training but he is enjoying it and the move over has been a nice change.

- I mentioned of the 4 we brought across he was the guy who I couldn’t wait to watch the most and he said he couldn’t wait to “entertain us”.

Overall, good bloke. Very friendly with the kids and easy to chat with. Deceptively taller than I thought he would be.

Lancey has put on some size himself.

That's awesome mate, thanks for sharing.