Training Saints preseason 2026

[Saintos The ITK]

We’ll be having this exact same conversation next year.

 

[The Jack]

Still in the frame for round 1 which is a massive relief.

 

[SG34]

Max is probably asking when will the 3d printer come out to make his new knee

If I can attempt some seriousness, I’d say that one takeaway is that it is notable that club did not publicly say that Max had the latest surgery for his post-footy life as much as for his footy life.

The ‘duty-of-care’ thing is multifaceted I guess.
1) it’s shows the ‘humanity’ of the club and the AFL institution which is ‘on point’ and harmonious in the current ‘sincere, do no harm’ song that all institutions sing
2) it might help protect the club from legal challenges later . Say some Saul Goodman pays Max a visit in ten years. This type of care acts as a bulwark. (Maybe? Stretching? )
3) it gives Max and his manager an extra dollop of cream in their latte

But what about St Kilda and the fans?

There is some deception at play here. All for a good cause? Who are we to say? We want St Kilda to win for a change.

 

[dudeintheswamp]

 

[FQFjt]

Did Ross basically say that the surgery which he had this year — which was previously touted as a success, including recently by Max on a podcast — was in fact a failure? And we are back at square one? Or am I missing something?

 

[beside the seaside]

Great to see Butler and Howard fit. Even though they're fringe guys, they can absolutely contribute this year and can add something, even if it's just high quality depth.

Saw a few things from Ryan that make me think he is going to add a LOT to this side.

Keeler looking strong and taking some grabs too.

Looks like Hammer's in defence.

A whole season of elite level midfield Nas is going to be pretty, pretty good.

 

[Rocky Stevo]

Tony74 posted some pics of flags at half mast at RSEA Park, but nothing on Max

 

[stavro#4]

Did Ross basically say that the surgery which he had this year — which was previously touted as a success, including recently by Max on a podcast — was in fact a failure? And we are back at square one? Or am I missing something?

Based on what Ross shared - which is more than what we got at any other time.

The success was identifying that he has torn his meniscus.

The fix is simple.

Long term, if possible the repair is the best case forward for a person. It has the longest recovery and it has a high chance of failing based on a multitude of factors.

The trade off is that the fix is a trim and your legitimately back on a football ground in a month for a standard case and running within a week.

So the trade off here was that the club identified that they had time up their sleeve when they sent king in for surgery which was I believe 6 months ago and attempted a repair.

A trim would have had him back for end of season and finals if we were playing.

The other factor is also, what did Max want?

 

[StCicatriz]

'some good liam ryan highlights

 

[saintmike65]

Hearing that Tauru dominated off half back is very pleasing.

Dominate is a stretch...he did some nice things..

 

[saintmike65]

So King can't make it through some light running and gym work without needing more surgery - he's likely cooked. And JSOS is a 10-12 game per season prospect who probably won't be ready early, so this is my stab at our lineup for round zero against Collingwood...

B: Tauru, Howard, Stocker
HB: Sinclair, Wilkie, Hill
C: Windhager, Macrae, Wilson
HF: Hall, Sharman, Higgins
F: Ryan, Caminiti, Owens

Foll: TDK, Nas, Flanders
Int: Marshall, Garcia, Boxshall, Wood, Phillipou


Still looks pretty strong. We're going to have a couple of holes to fill in defense though - need to replace Nas' drive and Webster's lockdown ability. I've gone with Hill and Stocker for now but Clark, LOC, Hastie and Carroll all have a chance at getting into that team. Maybe we see Windy at HB a bit as well.

Good effort but Hill in defence not on, also have reservations re: Stocker.
I'll give a best 23 a go after they get back in January.

 

[ESPN8 The Ocho]

Tony74 posted some pics of flags at half mast at RSEA Park, but nothing on Max

More likely linked to Bondi.

 

[Remboy]

Based on what Ross shared - which is more than what we got at any other time.

The success was identifying that he has torn his meniscus.

The fix is simple.

Long term, if possible the repair is the best case forward for a person. It has the longest recovery and it has a high chance of failing based on a multitude of factors.

The trade off is that the fix is a trim and your legitimately back on a football ground in a month for a standard case and running within a week.

So the trade off here was that the club identified that they had time up their sleeve when they sent king in for surgery which was I believe 6 months ago and attempted a repair.

A trim would have had him back for end of season and finals if we were playing.

The other factor is also, what did Max want?

It reminds me of Luke Penny. He had the option of more surgery but chose to retire at 25 because of the potential post football quality of life.

 

[Saint Ray]

Seriously SOS needs to go.

Why?

 

[Anythings_sipposible]

More likely linked to Bondi.

Could you imagine much in how poor taste it would be of it wasn't for Bondi

 

[mad-saint-guy]

Good effort but Hill in defence not on, also have reservations re: Stocker.
I'll give a best 23 a go after they get back in January.

Yeah I'm not sold on Hill at HB either but I know there's no way Ross doesn't pick him, and our other HB options don't deserve a game over anyone else in the 23. I suppose that you could make a case to leave Boxshall out in favour of Clark, Hastie or Carroll to play HB...I'm sure that our annual summer injury crisis will make it easier to pick a team anyway. I do think that Stocker is a lock to get the first crack at back pocket since we just don't have anyone else who has played that role.

 

[CaptainRisky]

It's just a funny comment. Although also kind of sad that he has to completely root his knee for the rest of his life in order to play. Let's hope it's worth it.

He doesn't have to do anything he doesn't want to do

 

[stavro#4]

It reminds me of Luke Penny. He had the option of more surgery but chose to retire at 25 because of the potential post football quality of life.

Yeah I guess. Penny didn’t have to contemplate walking away from $800k+ for the next 6 years

 

[CaptainRisky]

Tony74 posted some pics of flags at half mast at RSEA Park, but nothing on Max

I would hope your trying to be funny and not serious

 

[Xxxx66]

Take aways from training yesterday( apart from the usuals)
Hilly might slide this year, Darcy could be anything, Box can play he is so tall for a mid and can take a grab, Flanders looks everything we hoped, Windy likely to go next level, The irish boys are great blokes, there is something to like about kye and Charlie. I reckon there is a genuine 50% lift in skills across the group. Reckon we finish 5 -7 but anything is possible. Very even band of b's that could go A's

 

[gringo2011]

Did Ross basically say that the surgery which he had this year — which was previously touted as a success, including recently by Max on a podcast — was in fact a failure? And we are back at square one? Or am I missing something?

He must have had more than an arthroscope clean out. It sounds like there was multiple surgeries but late in the year they stitched his cartilage back together that hasn't worked. There was suggestions that the previous damage that caused pain was missed until last year. I imagine the structural stuff is right this time but they are getting rid of the smashed cartilage now.

 

[gringo2011]

Take aways from training yesterday( apart from the usuals)
Hilly might slide this year, Darcy could be anything, Box can play he is so tall for a mid and can take a grab, Flanders looks everything we hoped, Windy likely to go next level, The irish boys are great blokes, there is something to like about kye and Charlie. I reckon there is a genuine 50% lift in skills across the group. Reckon we finish 5 -7 but anything is possible. Very even band of b's that could go A's

That bit of footage made them look super sharp with their ball movement and contest work. It looks good place to be with the energy levels right now. I'm still weirdly positive. Uncharted waters for me.

 

[SaintersUnite]

Some good news, not sure if I should post in this thread but whatever.

The Board has voted to remove the 6-year max tenure for Presidents. It needed a 75% majority to pass, 98% said yes to removing it.

Bassett is here to stay.

 

[Remboy]

Some good news, not sure if I should post in this thread but whatever.

The Board has voted to remove the 6-year max tenure for Presidents. It needed a 75% majority to pass, 98% said yes to removing it.

Bassett is here to stay.

That puts a spanner in the works of my plan to run for president next year. Bugger.

 

[SainterinSydney]

Some good news, not sure if I should post in this thread but whatever.

The Board has voted to remove the 6-year max tenure for Presidents. It needed a 75% majority to pass, 98% said yes to removing it.

Bassett is here to stay.

Long may he reign! Hail, Caesar!