Training Saints preseason 2026

[Mstr Strokesman]

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.

I don’t say this with any knowledge or info but the signs point towards him retiring at the end of the year.
Just too many ops on the knees ,it’s time we moved on and lived without him .
Future wise, I could see us picking up Ben as a free agent as his replacement,how that works with salary cap ,who knows.
What I am confident of is -Ben King will play more games and kick more goals for Stkilda than Max has.
Write that down for the history books.

 

[Saintscomemarchingin]

I don’t say this with any knowledge or info but the signs point towards him retiring at the end of the year.
Just too many ops on the knees ,it’s time we moved on and lived without him .
Future wise, I could see us picking up Ben as a free agent as his replacement,how that works with salary cap ,who knows.
What I am confident of is -Ben King will play more games and kick more goals for Stkilda than Max has.
Write that down for the history books.

GCS look like they are on the rise.
Think he stays there tbh
Unless he is truly homesick?

 

[Ads734]

I don’t say this with any knowledge or info but the signs point towards him retiring at the end of the year.
Just too many ops on the knees ,it’s time we moved on and lived without him .
Future wise, I could see us picking up Ben as a free agent as his replacement,how that works with salary cap ,who knows.
What I am confident of is -Ben King will play more games and kick more goals for Stkilda than Max has.
Write that down for the history books.

Look I really don’t know what the situation is. I just know, going through my own ACL and meniscus clean up. I can only imagine what each trauma is doing to his knee and confidence.

It’s truly sad as this following the Mccartin pick is another injury plagued KPF. I just hope we start playing Viking there.

 

[luca77]

Look I really don’t know what the situation is. I just know, going through my own ACL and meniscus clean up. I can only imagine what each trauma is doing to his knee and confidence.

It’s truly sad as this following the Mccartin pick is another injury plagued KPF. I just hope we start playing Viking there.

TBH I think Max and the club might have to move on from using snicko as a diagnostic tool. These latest results could mean anything.

 

[Diehard Saint]

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

Tom Harley?

 

[wannabewinner]

I love Lenny.

It’s a role tailor made for him. Never heard a bad word leave his lips in the past. Administration suits him to a T instead of coaching.

I think he will do a stellar job.

He does need to surround himself with capable people. Otherwise, St Kilda gives the whiff of plain vanilla sometimes off field, eg injury management in 2024.

 

[SaintsofSteel]

This should go in the media thread but it is closed for some reason, either way a good article on our Irish recruits!

"Genuine superstar": Why Saints fans should be excited by Irish phenom

The Irish Examiner's Maurice Brosnan would give some insights about St Kilda's Kobe McDonald

www.sen.com.au

 

[BrutThough]

This should go in the media thread but it is closed for some reason, either way a good article on our Irish recruits!

"Genuine superstar": Why Saints fans should be excited by Irish phenom

The Irish Examiner's Maurice Brosnan would give some insights about St Kilda's Kobe McDonald

www.sen.com.au

We have a new one for the new year

News - St Kilda Media Thread 2026

New year, new bunch of drivel from the fourth estate. HOWEVER....this gives me an erection :eggplant: While the rest of us were drinking froffs and eating charcuterie boards on New Year's Eve, Hugo Garcia was preparing to rip apart the 2026 season. Post caption: It’s Dec 31,2025 and St Kilda...

www.bigfooty.com

 

[Linton Street Saint]

This should go in the media thread but it is closed for some reason, either way a good article on our Irish recruits!

"Genuine superstar": Why Saints fans should be excited by Irish phenom

The Irish Examiner's Maurice Brosnan would give some insights about St Kilda's Kobe McDonald

www.sen.com.au

There is indeed something special about the kid, highly recommend watching some of his highlights.

 

[dudeintheswamp]

Very excited about all three of the Irish lads! As always, just a little patience...

 

[Jesuswasacarpenter]

Re Keeler I see him following the development of someone like Sharman.

Great all around game with top skills for someone his size but just lacking the consistency and intensity at this stage.

Some of his highlights look quality so far.

I think Keeler can be a star, and I am looking forward to seeing it.
I reckon with a fit King, playing well, and Row and TDK resting in the forward line, Sharman goes to a new level, 50 goal + season level, and Higgins Ryan, Owens, Collard etc. all go to town.
Happy days

 

[saintmike65]

Joffa did a terrific summation on all players this preseason.
Thought I'd add some things I've observed so far.

The improvement in our youngsters, being the 19 to 22 year olds will be just as important, if not more so than our trade in players.
Phillipou, Wilson, Tauru, Garcia, Boxshall, Travaglia, O'Connell etc. are fitter, stronger and hungry.
Added to this i believe Nas and Hally can both jump to another level with greater midfield opportunity.
All 4 imports can have a major influence on our performance spike, with TDK and Flanders both providing experience and guidance to our young midfield group!
Added to this i expect organic improvement from Windy, Owens, Sharman, Caminiti.
I am also bullish about Banfield and Fincher but they likely won't play a heap of senior footy quite yet!

 

[Palantine]

Surely the boys are back and running around out there today. Just a mild 42.

New Year’s resolution is to not read any posts that start with or contain any of the below (no poster in mind, we’re all guilty):

• if King can get his body right
• a fit and firing King
• they believe they’ve identified the issue with King’s knee
• Max back in time for finals
• with King getting a good run at it
• to-boot Max has cleared away the dirty pallets
• (even) King, running laps

All of which contribute to a false hope my brain doesn’t want anymore.

 

[Circus]

This should go in the media thread but it is closed for some reason, either way a good article on our Irish recruits!

"Genuine superstar": Why Saints fans should be excited by Irish phenom

The Irish Examiner's Maurice Brosnan would give some insights about St Kilda's Kobe McDonald

www.sen.com.au

Great article and plenty to like, however the best phrase is:
Kobe himself has earned plenty of praise. I love the qualifier "himself" as if the subject might have been about some-one else! But it is about our boy himself, to be sure, so it is!!

 

[Joffaboy]

Joffa did a terrific summation on all players this preseason.
Thought I'd add some things I've observed so far.

The improvement in our youngsters, being the 19 to 22 year olds will be just as important, if not more so than our trade in players.
Phillipou, Wilson, Tauru, Garcia, Boxshall, Travaglia, O'Connell etc. are fitter, stronger and hungry.
Added to this i believe Nas and Hally can both jump to another level with greater midfield opportunity.
All 4 imports can have a major influence on our performance spike, with TDK and Flanders both providing experience and guidance to our young midfield group!
Added to this i expect organic improvement from Windy, Owens, Sharman, Caminiti.
I am also bullish about Banfield and Fincher but they likely won't play a heap of senior footy quite yet!

All true.
The sign of an improving and balanced list is that it is getting harder and harder to be critical of players skills/ fitness/ development etc. It starts to sound over positive.
However over the last three years of preseason, I have found this occurring more and more. I am usually a bit of a Pollyanna and like to see the positives, and I always tell myself that I am watching one set of training only. This is why it is good to
a) listen to other opinions from track watchers like saintmike65 or TheJackal or others who get down to training as they really give a different perspective.
b) listen to someone like David King who gets off his arse and gets to all Melbourne club training.

The above that Saintmike posted is my view as well, the list has been built studiously over more than 3 plus years with hardly a miss. This young recruits have filled out physically and many have around 50 plus games already.

It is hard not to be excited and full of hope, but it is the reason I am trying to mark harder and harder, which to me is a good thing as we dont really have any list cloggers (if all are fit).

 

[SG34]

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

I swung too far (over- corrected?) to the view that Ross MkII has delegated stuff a lot and that Corey Enwright was the main guy now pulling strings behind the curtain. But now the media seems to sing the tune about Ross IS the boss and an autocracy is at Moorabbin. And there is no doubt that RTB loves Lenny. ya wonder about poor Banger Harvey in that space, unless of course Banger is perfectly happy being passed.

 

[pebblesofsand]

I don’t say this with any knowledge or info but the signs point towards him retiring at the end of the year.
Just too many ops on the knees ,it’s time we moved on and lived without him .
Future wise, I could see us picking up Ben as a free agent as his replacement,how that works with salary cap ,who knows.
What I am confident of is -Ben King will play more games and kick more goals for Stkilda than Max has.
Write that down for the history books.

Salary Cap is easy

Max retires and gives up all claim on his contract, Saints sign Ben on absolutely mega $'s payable to Ben King (Wink Wink Nudge Nudge Say No More) Enterprises - Cayman Island.

Job done!!

 

[SG34]

I think Keeler can be a star, and I am looking forward to seeing it.
I reckon with a fit King, playing well, and Row and TDK resting in the forward line, Sharman goes to a new level, 50 goal + season level, and Higgins Ryan, Owens, Collard etc. all go to town.
Happy days

I don't think a lot of people realise yet, but Max is going to comeback for the Wild Card final we make after finishing 10th after a bumpy ride through the home and away that saw full forward being rotated between Sharman and Owens early, then Keeler and Marshall, through Silvagni and Wood to finally Hill! From there, it is of course straight wins to the flag. He then retires and starts a Swiss knee clinic with Dan Hannebury with branches throughout the peninsula.
Edit: something tells me people won't fall for this. (but if you believe the club, you'll believe anything)

 

[stavro#4]

I swung too far (over- corrected?) to the view that Ross MkII has delegated stuff a lot and that Corey Enwright was the main guy now pulling strings behind the curtain. But now the media seems to sing the tune about Ross IS the boss and an autocracy is at Moorabbin. And there is no doubt that RTB loves Lenny. ya wonder about poor Banger Harvey in that space, unless of course Banger is perfectly happy being passed.

Ross definitely delegates now.

He has been very clear that his assistants run training and Enright has been responsible for our game plan that last 2 seasons.

But Ross is the one calling shots with regards to the final say of list management etc.

SOS himself said he reports directly to Ross and in that podcast pre Christmas Ross said he needs to reign in Gubby and SOS + if we couldn’t retain Nas he wasn’t sanctioning incomings.

 

[SG34]

Ross definitely delegates now.

He has been very clear that his assistants run training and Enright has been responsible for our game plan that last 2 seasons.

But Ross is the one calling shots with regards to the final say of list management etc.

SOS himself said he reports directly to Ross and in that podcast pre Christmas Ross said he needs to reign in Gubby and SOS + if we couldn’t retain Nas he wasn’t sanctioning incomings.

wow!
Are you saying,
1) Game plan - Enright? (RTB functions as overseer, executive function)
2) RTB told the club, 'Unless NAS signs, i am leaving my post at the gate.' 'All newbies are on you! No me! which effectively says, 'all bets are off'

That is quite a move.

 

[True Believer]

I know we have a community camp coming up, but are the boys going to be training at Moorabbin next Friday (Jan 16th) do we know? I will actually have the opportunity to get to training and I know my luck - they'll be off singing autographs after a light jog around bloody Traralgon or somewhere......

 

[gringo2011]

I swung too far (over- corrected?) to the view that Ross MkII has delegated stuff a lot and that Corey Enwright was the main guy now pulling strings behind the curtain. But now the media seems to sing the tune about Ross IS the boss and an autocracy is at Moorabbin. And there is no doubt that RTB loves Lenny. ya wonder about poor Banger Harvey in that space, unless of course Banger is perfectly happy being passed.

I remember someone suggesting that Harves loves the assistant role and very good at it. Not everyone loves management and prefer the hands on stuff.

 

[stavro#4]

wow!
Are you saying,
1) Game plan - Enright? (RTB functions as overseer, executive function)
2) RTB told the club, 'Unless NAS signs, i am leaving my post at the gate.' 'All newbies are on you! No me! which effectively says, 'all bets are off'

That is quite a move.

I’m saying Ross said himself if nas didn’t sign he wasn’t approving our trade and free agency haul and in his interview last month he said if Nas had left he would have been of the mindset mentally of “what’s the point?!”

 

[Ads734]

Reckon with Borris and Lenny running the show, it is a great mix.
Borris with the strategy and tactics, Lenny the driving standards and culture.

 

[Ads734]

Some nice veiwing for those craving footy.


What I thikn we take for granted is actually how good of a kick of the football naz is. He makes the impossible look so effortless.