Training Saints preseason 2026

[stavro#4]

JSOS.
King was confined to the gym.

We should be expecting track time very soon to meet this deadline.

“Max King has also undergone a minor procedure on his knee however is expected to be back in full training end of January.”

 

[Sarcoidevo]

Popped in yesterday and caught a few things from what looked a bright and airy session.
Speaking of Viking he’s looking bigger in the back of shoulders and triceps, not a lot but the type of growth we’d expect. Wondered if he’s shot-up a bit. Moving around effortlessly kind of floats. Ball is smooth off the boot. Picturesque player. Poster boy. Will be favourite for many many fans once he gets going. Give him a couple of years.
Dodson on boundary running. Such a big man who can play. In terms of potential and a player likely to have a strong career, I’d have him and Viking right up there.
Hill vocal in the boundary running, quite jovial and wasn’t sure if he was directing at Ryan who was further back but working hard.
Good to see Lenny on the boundary smiling away, maybe buzzing about the new role. Didn’t see Rosco but Harvey and Bolton out there. Goddard same.
First sight of TDK against Marshall, looking agile and decent below the knees. Very excited. I thought Marshall was looking generally heavier but that’s most likely just aging.
I kept looking at Fincher running boundary (37?) and couldn’t really believe how physically well proportioned he is. Looks awesome for his age (no hyperbole). Quite tall.
Wilson and Garcia with Flanders hot on heels in group running. Wilson taking some penetrating shots on goal albeit with the wind and both he and Garcia last to leave the oval, back and forth kicking. Garcia definitely a machine.
Windy very cut but powerful enough, very serious body language.
The Pou running strongly, he’s a big guy now, and Carroll very muscular.
No doubt a few I didn’t see out there but could have been like Mason and Hastie and Wilkie.
Armstrong could turn into a pretty powerful man. Hally looking confident, can spin on a dime. Think I saw Said in a smaller running group, filling out. Hunter was out there not sure if with main group. Butler seemed to pull out of team running walking toward the race.
Henry was moving without any obvious issues, free moving. I’ve seen a lot of him running over the last 12 months and this looks best I’ve seen.
Sorry there’s not much footy stuff here but it seemed light-on maybe happened before I got there.
I didn’t see King I’m not mentioning King.
I see the Saints App has got new clothes.

The Boys are becoming Men ..... onwards & upwards

 

[Imtellingya]

Popped in yesterday and caught a few things from what looked a bright and airy session.
Speaking of Viking he’s looking bigger in the back of shoulders and triceps, not a lot but the type of growth we’d expect. Wondered if he’s shot-up a bit. Moving around effortlessly kind of floats. Ball is smooth off the boot. Picturesque player. Poster boy. Will be favourite for many many fans once he gets going. Give him a couple of years.
Dodson on boundary running. Such a big man who can play. In terms of potential and a player likely to have a strong career, I’d have him and Viking right up there.
Hill vocal in the boundary running, quite jovial and wasn’t sure if he was directing at Ryan who was further back but working hard.
Good to see Lenny on the boundary smiling away, maybe buzzing about the new role. Didn’t see Rosco but Harvey and Bolton out there. Goddard same.
First sight of TDK against Marshall, looking agile and decent below the knees. Very excited. I thought Marshall was looking generally heavier but that’s most likely just aging.
I kept looking at Fincher running boundary (37?) and couldn’t really believe how physically well proportioned he is. Looks awesome for his age (no hyperbole). Quite tall.
Wilson and Garcia with Flanders hot on heels in group running. Wilson taking some penetrating shots on goal albeit with the wind and both he and Garcia last to leave the oval, back and forth kicking. Garcia definitely a machine.
Windy very cut but powerful enough, very serious body language.
The Pou running strongly, he’s a big guy now, and Carroll very muscular.
No doubt a few I didn’t see out there but could have been like Mason and Hastie and Wilkie.
Armstrong could turn into a pretty powerful man. Hally looking confident, can spin on a dime. Think I saw Said in a smaller running group, filling out. Hunter was out there not sure if with main group. Butler seemed to pull out of team running walking toward the race.
Henry was moving without any obvious issues, free moving. I’ve seen a lot of him running over the last 12 months and this looks best I’ve seen.
Sorry there’s not much footy stuff here but it seemed light-on maybe happened before I got there.
I didn’t see King I’m not mentioning King.
I see the Saints App has got new clothes.

RTB seen chatting with Lenny on the sidelines before going on to the ground. Wood in the rehab group, has had a buzz cut

 

[saintskit]

I might pop into training for the first time tomorrow. Is Monday normally a good training session to go to?

 

[Premium]

Not sure Viking is a decent set shot. Mitch is already pretty dynamic aerially in the forward line and also not a great set shot.

We will see if King is finished or not this year - hopefully he gets on the park because it would be huge for us.

 

[Dard Ball Get]

Popped in yesterday and caught a few things from what looked a bright and airy session.
Speaking of Viking he’s looking bigger in the back of shoulders and triceps, not a lot but the type of growth we’d expect. Wondered if he’s shot-up a bit. Moving around effortlessly kind of floats. Ball is smooth off the boot. Picturesque player. Poster boy. Will be favourite for many many fans once he gets going. Give him a couple of years.
Dodson on boundary running. Such a big man who can play. In terms of potential and a player likely to have a strong career, I’d have him and Viking right up there.
Hill vocal in the boundary running, quite jovial and wasn’t sure if he was directing at Ryan who was further back but working hard.
Good to see Lenny on the boundary smiling away, maybe buzzing about the new role. Didn’t see Rosco but Harvey and Bolton out there. Goddard same.
First sight of TDK against Marshall, looking agile and decent below the knees. Very excited. I thought Marshall was looking generally heavier but that’s most likely just aging.
I kept looking at Fincher running boundary (37?) and couldn’t really believe how physically well proportioned he is. Looks awesome for his age (no hyperbole). Quite tall.
Wilson and Garcia with Flanders hot on heels in group running. Wilson taking some penetrating shots on goal albeit with the wind and both he and Garcia last to leave the oval, back and forth kicking. Garcia definitely a machine.
Windy very cut but powerful enough, very serious body language.
The Pou running strongly, he’s a big guy now, and Carroll very muscular.
No doubt a few I didn’t see out there but could have been like Mason and Hastie and Wilkie.
Armstrong could turn into a pretty powerful man. Hally looking confident, can spin on a dime. Think I saw Said in a smaller running group, filling out. Hunter was out there not sure if with main group. Butler seemed to pull out of team running walking toward the race.
Henry was moving without any obvious issues, free moving. I’ve seen a lot of him running over the last 12 months and this looks best I’ve seen.
Sorry there’s not much footy stuff here but it seemed light-on maybe happened before I got there.
I didn’t see King I’m not mentioning King.
I see the Saints App has got new clothes.

Ripping post

 

[Saintscomemarchingin]

Sincs isn’t the leader type. Cal is exactly that type. Already a SANFL premiership captain.

Wilkie was stand-in captain during their finals series, after their actual captain 'M P Thring' got injured at the end of the home & away season.

 

[Saintscomemarchingin]

Just the trio of WA players.

For me in reality.
As a wee kid..
Big Carl, Sarau, Cowboy,
Then
Barks and George Young
Ultimately
Nicky W

Throw in bashing Barry Lawrence

 

[BrutThough]

I might pop into training for the first time tomorrow. Is Monday normally a good training session to go to?

Most of the squad is usually out on a Monday. Sometimes the experienced players do a lighter session on Wednesdays.

 

[The Cobra]

was in Melbourne that year-actually at ag college in Geelong but went to pretty much every Saints game standing behind George Young ,well on the fence anyway he was a beautiful drop punt kick of the footy mostly never looked like missing

George Young - gun!

Young and Duper also both played First Class cricket for WA in the 70’s! Not possible nowadays unfortunately.

 

[SainterinSydney]

Henry was impressive yesterday, looked sharp and moved well.
There's a great synergy between the indigenous boys.

 

[stfan]

George Young - gun!

Young and Duper also both played First Class cricket for WA in the 70’s! Not possible nowadays unfortunately.

Simon O'Donnell from the 80's played for Australia in Cricket, especially One Day, but also some Tests. Then there was the Test Great Keith Miller who played 50 games for St Kilda in the 40's.

And Shane Warne was an Under 19 Saint who played one Reserves game in 1988.

Two other Test Crickets were Sam Loxton (part of Don Bradman's "Invincibles") and Jimmy Matthews also appeared for St Kilda's football teams

 

[bwardi]

Anyone down at training?

 

[bwardi]

Anyone down at training?

 

[Ads734]

Just left but caught most of match sim I’d say. Any Qs. Will post more detailed notes in a bit

 

[Windtagger]

Just left but caught most of match sim I’d say. Any Qs. Will post more detailed notes in a bit

Midfields for each side? Was Phillipou playing mid?

 

[Mavefromdelburn]

Went to training today, incoherent ramblings of what I saw below:

King over the far side doing repeat 100m jogs, not limping or anything but not moving with any real purpose or pace.

Flanders did heaps of laps at a really good pace. Looks good, and while match sim was happening he stopped and was instructing Hammer to talk more with his defensive unit, and direct more. Very vocal which is good to see from a new player.

Quick full ground sim:
-Tobie very nice hands in tight and really attacks the footy in the contest.
-(I think) Collard had a grouse run down tackle of Henry who was trying to step him, got a big applause from the team.
-TDK moving well for a big unit, peeled off Ro and was running with Macrae for a big intercept. Awesome leap on him.
-Sharman is so undererated. Has great hands, a cool head and always makes the right choice. An underrated field kick too. Set up a couple of goals with i50 kicks that were pin point. He's looking fantastic.
-Owens is a bull, hit the ball at pace and pushed through about 4 or 5 players out the other side of the pack.
-Darcy Wilson is so quick. He's in for a massive year. Great smother on Sincs got the cheers of his teammates.
-Another in for a massive year is Hall. He looks so good. Probably saw him have 5 or 6 touches and they were all gold. Roved a crumb at pace and snapped for goal from about 40m.

JSOS running laps, seemed to be moving well enough. Also saw him later in the 50 with a few other rehab boys doing kick, mark, repeat leads i50.

1v1 contest work against the boundary:
Through this and the centre of the ground drills they were doing, there's clearly a big focus on defensive unit positioning, as well as 1v1 work - corralling against the line etc.
-Wilson v Owens a great matchup, super physical.
-Sinclair burns Banfield off pretty easily.

Centre 3rd roughly 10v10:
-Nas' kicking is just ridiculous. Even from the higher point that I had he was creating and hitting targets I couldn't see until he did it. Crazy.
-Hall again unreal. Makes the right choices and has such good vision.
-Liam Ryan nice and vocal, directing.
-Sincs gives Hammer a big ol' spray for taking the wrong option out of defense.

Ross out there today, was really vocal, lots of direction and encouragement.

Full ground sim:
-Hill's running is still amazing, effectively doing full ground sprints up and back just burning anyone who tries to peel off and go with him.
-Owens again too strong, beats Wilkie 1v1. Is again going to be a handful for defenders this year.
-Ryan made a nice contest out of not much, leapt up, brought the ball down and quickly made the right choice centring the ball to an open player for a shot at goal, earnt the praise of Lenny from the sidelines.
-Speaking of Lenny, had his hands on his head saying it was 'heart in mouth stuff' when Nas ran through the centre for the give and go twice, full sprint to the 50m arc with Wilson hunting him down and making enough ground to actually get him just as he kicked it. Was an amazing run through by Nas and a cracking chase by Wilson.

Hall, Wilson, Sharman, Owen imo looked awesome today, in for big years hopefully!

Missed a heap, and bound to repeat stuff from others that were there but anyway, cheerio.

 

[Dard Ball Get]

Went to training today, incoherent ramblings of what I saw below:

King over the far side doing repeat 100m jogs, not limping or anything but not moving with any real purpose or pace.

Flanders did heaps of laps at a really good pace. Looks good, and while match sim was happening he stopped and was instructing Hammer to talk more with his defensive unit, and direct more. Very vocal.

Quick full ground sim:
-Tobie very nice hands in tight and really attacks the footy in the contest.
-(I think) Collard had a grouse run down tackle of Henry who was trying to step him, got a big applause from the team.

Not a bad fist effort mate, room for improvement but you’ll get there

 

[stavro#4]

St Kilda pledged to “support all our people” on Monday morning.

“Yeah, look, we support all our people and it’s obviously been a really challenging time for the family,” Saints’ new general manager Lenny Hayes said.

“But we fully support Jack and even Stephen. They’re fully committed to their roles this year as we are to them.”

Jack, 28, was a part of St Kilda’s heavy recruiting haul but suffered an injury setback during pre-Christmas training period and has slowly integrated back into light drills.

Hayes expects Silvagni to be involved in full training by the end of the month.
“(The recruits have) all fitted in really nicely; Sam Flanders, Liam Ryan and obviously Jack Silvagni as well,” he said.
“They’re going to bring enormous experience to our group, leadership, but also high-quality performance too.

“(Silvagni) is going well, he’s on track today and should be back in full training by the end of the month which is really exciting for us.
“He’s obviously a quality player and the leadership we think he’s going to bring to our backline is going to be pivotal.”

 

[stavro#4]

Sensationalism of a headline on the actual article. Calls TDK a “doubt”

TDK RACING THE CLOCK AS KING EYES RETURN

The man carrying one of footy’s heaviest price tags is racing against the clock to be fit for Opening Round.

St Kilda boom recruit Tom De Koning is “progressing really well” but the club’s new general manager, Lenny Hayes, stopped short of locking him in for Opening Round.

De Koning, who left Carlton for a deal in the vicinity of $1.7m per season, sustained a calf setback ahead of the Christmas lay-off.

Hayes is confident De Koning’s diligent rehab will hold him in good stead for Collingwood on Sunday, March 8, but he wouldn’t cement the ruckman’s place against the Magpies.

“We’re really excited to get Tom into the organisation (and) he’s fitting in really well with the boys,” Hayes said.

“He’s back on field now, progressing really nicely, so he’ll be ready to attack the next couple of months before the season starts.

“Oh look, Opening Round is a fair way ahead from now but we’re really confident where he’s at.

“He was really diligent with his rehab, he works really hard, so there’s a few milestones to get through before Round O, but we’re confident he will be thereabouts.”

The fitness of De Koning and key forward Max King will play a key role in St Kilda’s push towards September.

King, too, has had an interrupted pre-season with the lingering knee injury which ruled him out of the entire 2025 season.

His wretched run with injury expands beyond the 2025 campaign, having only played 23 games since his breakout 2022.

Hayes said King would be back into full training in coming weeks and building towards a long-awaited return.
“That’s the plan, he’s going really well,” he said.

“He obviously had a bit of a setback but he’s back running again already and, again, he’s a little bit like Jack (Silvagni).
“We should be able to see him back in full training by the end of the month

 

[The Punter]

Sensationalism of a headline on the actual article. Calls TDK a “doubt”

TDK RACING THE CLOCK AS KING EYES RETURN

The man carrying one of footy’s heaviest price tags is racing against the clock to be fit for Opening Round.

St Kilda boom recruit Tom De Koning is “progressing really well” but the club’s new general manager, Lenny Hayes, stopped short of locking him in for Opening Round.

De Koning, who left Carlton for a deal in the vicinity of $1.7m per season, sustained a calf setback ahead of the Christmas lay-off.

Hayes is confident De Koning’s diligent rehab will hold him in good stead for Collingwood on Sunday, March 8, but he wouldn’t cement the ruckman’s place against the Magpies.

“We’re really excited to get Tom into the organisation (and) he’s fitting in really well with the boys,” Hayes said.

“He’s back on field now, progressing really nicely, so he’ll be ready to attack the next couple of months before the season starts.

“Oh look, Opening Round is a fair way ahead from now but we’re really confident where he’s at.

“He was really diligent with his rehab, he works really hard, so there’s a few milestones to get through before Round O, but we’re confident he will be thereabouts.”

The fitness of De Koning and key forward Max King will play a key role in St Kilda’s push towards September.

King, too, has had an interrupted pre-season with the lingering knee injury which ruled him out of the entire 2025 season.

His wretched run with injury expands beyond the 2025 campaign, having only played 23 games since his breakout 2022.

Hayes said King would be back into full training in coming weeks and building towards a long-awaited return.
“That’s the plan, he’s going really well,” he said.

“He obviously had a bit of a setback but he’s back running again already and, again, he’s a little bit like Jack (Silvagni).
“We should be able to see him back in full training by the end of the month

Yeah, read the article and the headline seems to be entirely constructed around an unwillingness on Lenny's part on January 12 to commit to a player being in the team on March 8.

 

[Dard Ball Get]

Went to training today, incoherent ramblings of what I saw below:

King over the far side doing repeat 100m jogs, not limping or anything but not moving with any real purpose or pace.

Flanders did heaps of laps at a really good pace. Looks good, and while match sim was happening he stopped and was instructing Hammer to talk more with his defensive unit, and direct more. Very vocal which is good to see from a new player.

Quick full ground sim:
-Tobie very nice hands in tight and really attacks the footy in the contest.
-(I think) Collard had a grouse run down tackle of Henry who was trying to step him, got a big applause from the team.
-TDK moving well for a big unit, peeled off Ro and was running with Macrae for a big intercept. Awesome leap on him.
-Sharman is so undererated. Has great hands, a cool head and always makes the right choice. An underrated field kick too. Set up a couple of goals with i50 kicks that were pin point. He's looking fantastic.
-Owens is a bull, hit the ball at pace and pushed through about 4 or 5 players out the other side of the pack.
-Darcy Wilson is so quick. He's in for a massive year. Great smother on Sincs got the cheers of his teammates.
-Another in for a massive year is Hall. He looks so good. Probably saw him have 5 or 6 touches and they were all gold. Roved a crumb at pace and snapped for goal from about 40m.

JSOS running laps, seemed to be moving well enough. Also saw him later in the 50 with a few other rehab boys doing kick, mark, repeat leads i50.

1v1 contest work against the boundary:
Through this and the centre of the ground drills they were doing, there's clearly a big focus on defensive unit positioning, as well as 1v1 work - corralling against the line etc.
-Wilson v Owens a great matchup, super physical.
-Sinclair burns Banfield off pretty easily.

Centre 3rd roughly 10v10:
-Nas' kicking is just ridiculous. Even from the higher point that I had he was creating and hitting targets I couldn't see until he did it. Crazy.
-Hall again unreal. Makes the right choices and has such good vision.
-Liam Ryan nice and vocal, directing.
-Sincs gives Hammer a big ol' spray for taking the wrong option out of defense.

Ross out there today, was really vocal, lots of direction and encouragement.

Full ground sim:
-Hill's running is still amazing, effectively doing full ground sprints up and back just burning anyone who tries to peel off and go with him.
-Owens again too strong, beats Wilkie 1v1. Is again going to be a handful for defenders this year.
-Ryan made a nice contest out of not much, leapt up, brought the ball down and quickly made the right choice centring the ball to an open player for a shot at goal, earnt the praise of Lenny from the sidelines.
-Speaking of Lenny, had his hands on his head saying it was 'heart in mouth stuff' when Nas ran through the centre for the give and go twice, full sprint to the 50m arc with Wilson hunting him down and making enough ground to actually get him just as he kicked it. Was an amazing run through by Nas and a cracking chase by Wilson.

Hall, Wilson, Sharman, Owen imo looked awesome today, in for big years hopefully!

Missed a heap, and bound to repeat stuff from others that were there but anyway, cheerio.

Edited version is unreal. Good one

 

[Mavefromdelburn]

Edited version is unreal. Good one

Thank you mate!

 

[SainterinSydney]

Yeah, read the article and the headline seems to be entirely constructed around an unwillingness on Lenny's part on January 12 to commit to a player being in the team on March 8.

I think they have learnt their lesson to not lock in dates for players coming off injuries--especially old mate King!

 

[stavro#4]

I think they have learnt their lesson to not lock in dates for players coming off injuries--especially old mate King!

Actually Lenny locks in both King and Jsos by the end of the month for full training.