Training Saints preseason 2026

[Saintscomemarchingin]

Who would of thought?
Rookie-[PLAYERCARD]Jack Sinclair[/PLAYERCARD]- two time b&f & in a big V jumper.
This years Captain for mine.

 

[akaifu]

 

[stavro#4]

people were clamouring for Jimmy Bartel the other month - so as much experience as Lenny.

Still very much an appointment they are keeping in the family.

I do like this:

Hayes' new role will include fielding questions from reporters and broadcasters weekly on how St Kilda is progressing in 2026. Brisbane football boss Danny Daly and Melbourne Storm GM Frank Ponissi are two he has admired from afar for a no-nonsense approach.

 

[Saints4ever]

Great to have the boys back at training.

Only 2 months to opening round so get to work boys and make every session count.

Well done Darcy on taking out the time trail and well done Toby finishing 2nd in just your 2nd pre season.

2026 it’s time to deliver.

 

[SaintSteele9]

Any idea what days/times for training next week?

saintmike65 do you know the return schedule mate? Would love to take my nephew down if the stars align

 

[BrutThough]

Who would of thought?
Rookie-Jack Sinclair- two time b&f & in a big V jumper.
This years Captain for mine.

It will be Wilkie but Sinclair should be VC

 

[Saintscomemarchingin]

It will be Wilkie but Sinclair should be VC

Wilkie- to stay VC

 

[BrutThough]

Big call to promote Lenny and keep it in house but I'd back him to challenge Ross on anything he needs.

I also appreciate the weekly media commitment. Couldn't have a better person representing the club in that manner.

 

[sammm]

that should be interesting!

learning on the job?

 

[stavro#4]

Big call to promote Lenny and keep it in house but I'd back him to challenge Ross on anything he needs.

I also appreciate the weekly media commitment. Couldn't have a better person representing the club in that manner.

I imagine part of the conversation was who would Ross respect when they challenge him + a mentoring component to it.

flip side, I can't see Lenny being massively involved in the List Management side of things - so it still gives RTB plenty of control and runway.

It will either be a masterstroke or disaster in my eyes. Hopefully the former and we seem like geniuses for a change.

The industry has definitely been zeroing in on ex players to come into key roles with little exposure, experience and success elsewhere. Looking at Pavlich as a CEO, Bartel being offered this very same gig at Port, Matt Rosa was someone involved as a development coach, spent 12 months in talent & operations at Essendon before becoming their GM of list & Recruiting.

there will be more that I have forgotten

So overall seems pretty on par for the industry

 

[stavro#4]

Interesting listen. Dwayne Russell talking about us positively with [PLAYERCARD]Daniel Harford[/PLAYERCARD] and referencing the podcast/breakfast show he did with RTB before Christmas and mentions a few times about a few things they spoke about off air.

talks bit about NAS and how important he is as a standard setter

 

[akaifu]

 

[Zzzed]

I see him as Rhyse Stanley Mk 2

actually, that's not a bad shout in terms of how Keelers career may pan out.

May never be the Buddy CHF we are dreaming of, nor a Paddy Ryder ruck legend - but could well be a guy who builds a body over time Eventually could attract interest in clubs that want someone good enough to plug a gap in the ruck that can jump and get their hand to the ball around 50% of the time.

 

[Windtagger]

Who would of thought?
Rookie-Jack Sinclair- two time b&f & in a big V jumper.
This years Captain for mine.

I am more excited about the idea of Sincs as Captain than Wilks.

 

[Imtellingya]

I imagine part of the conversation was who would Ross respect when they challenge him + a mentoring component to it.

flip side, I can't see Lenny being massively involved in the List Management side of things - so it still gives RTB plenty of control and runway.

It will either be a masterstroke or disaster in my eyes. Hopefully the former and we seem like geniuses for a change.

The industry has definitely been zeroing in on ex players to come into key roles with little exposure, experience and success elsewhere. Looking at Pavlich as a CEO, Bartel being offered this very same gig at Port, Matt Rosa was someone involved as a development coach, spent 12 months in talent & operations at Essendon before becoming their GM of list & Recruiting.

there will be more that I have forgotten

So overall seems pretty on par for the industry

When Lenny retired he took on a role with AFL HQ where he had exposure to all the various departments. Maybe he had an interest in footy admin back them but decided to go down the coaching path.

 

[Zzzed]

Who would of thought?
Rookie-Jack Sinclair- two time b&f & in a big V jumper.
This years Captain for mine.

my only query - is he vocal enough ? .. no questioning his actions on the field.
Kind of reminds me of the bloke who wore 35 before him.
Wilkie appears a leadership natural to me.

 

[saintmike65]

saintmike65 do you know the return schedule mate? Would love to take my nephew down if the stars align

Training Saturday at 10am...next week and beyond Monday, Wednesday and Friday

 

[SanDelOeste]

At the end of the day, the only people who know the extent of King's knee issues is the club and King himself. Saying that, you could make a case that the club is unsure. Last year was nothing short of frustrating.

A couple of years ago, I dare say most fans assumed that success wouldn't be possible without a fit and firing Max King. He was doing some great things as a young forward, including a few six-goal hauls away from home.

Unfortunately, the last 2-3 injury riddled years have stopped an A-Grade talent from taking the leap we all have expected. Sadly, the poor bloke seems to prone to injury (knees and shoulders). Maybe it's just bad luck.

Heading into the new season, I have almost removed him from my mind when it comes to early round selection. I hope they can get on top of this knee and get him back playing. Give him all the time he needs and don't rush it.

I would see 10 games as a massive win. He's the type of player that can average two goals per game when healthy. When he was drafted I saw him as a 500-600 goal career player. He likely won't be that, but he can still help the club push for a flag.

Everyone is frustrated - me especially - but I have no doubt that fans will be right behind him when he returns. Can't imagine how rough this past few years would have been for the big fella mentally.

Agree with all of that. I think we can take solace in knowing we SHOULD be very competitive with or without him. The length of the contract is definitely an eyebrow-raiser, but regardless, I really really feel for Max, you can see he’s doing absolutely everything he can.

 

[SanDelOeste]

my only query - is he vocal enough ? .. no questioning his actions on the field.
Kind of reminds me of the bloke who wore 35 before him.
Wilkie appears a leadership natural to me.

Wilkie a no-brainer for now. Further down the track, I see Windhager as captain material and even Hugo

 

[GehrigGOAT]

Got there for the last 5 mins.

Didn’t see king , TDK or Silvagni. I tell you what … it is strange not seeing Steele, and on the other hand Liam Ryan , and Flanders at training.

No King? Told yas something is going on - source is unconfirmed that I heard it from however. Watch this space

 

[BrutThough]

I imagine part of the conversation was who would Ross respect when they challenge him + a mentoring component to it.

flip side, I can't see Lenny being massively involved in the List Management side of things - so it still gives RTB plenty of control and runway.

It will either be a masterstroke or disaster in my eyes. Hopefully the former and we seem like geniuses for a change.

The industry has definitely been zeroing in on ex players to come into key roles with little exposure, experience and success elsewhere. Looking at Pavlich as a CEO, Bartel being offered this very same gig at Port, Matt Rosa was someone involved as a development coach, spent 12 months in talent & operations at Essendon before becoming their GM of list & Recruiting.

there will be more that I have forgotten

So overall seems pretty on par for the industry

Thankfully we have enough very experienced people around him to help take the burden and prevent it from being a true disaster. We should be able to pull the cord before anything goes off the hinges. And if it does, it will likely be Ross who takes the blame given he will always be seen as the man driving the whole ship despite what anyone's job title says.

 

[stavro#4]

No King? Told yas something is going on - source is unconfirmed that I heard it from however. Watch this space

The club announced surgery in December with a late Jan return.

He could have been in the gym or pool

 

[Ads734]

The club announced surgery in December with a late Jan return.

He could have been in the gym or pool

The clubs wording of what happaned was as confusing as ever. Was it a clean up or repair. Based on what Ross said it was a shorter easier recovery which would indicate a clean up not a repair. However he also indicated a procedure was done to improve his long term health outcomes which would indicate a repair. A slower more cautious recovery.

 

[CursingFijian]

Has the front fallen off again?

 

[Parkysp]

Big call to promote Lenny and keep it in house but I'd back him to challenge Ross on anything he needs.

I also appreciate the weekly media commitment. Couldn't have a better person representing the club in that manner.

I just have this image of the media pack covering their eyes and quivering when one of them asks Lenny (the nicest guy in footy) a tough question. Especially when he gives them the "Wizard Cup" stare We could sail through a few tough spots on that alone.

P.S Saints fans understand his niceness but we absolutely understand his deep inner toughness.