Training Saints preseason 2026

[Sully111]

All this internal form is relatively meaningless and we should all be mindful of that.

Before Carroll is anointed that senior half back role, He needs to deliver the performances against the Suns & Injectors in our practice matches. Hall took his opportunities and then went up about 5-6-7 levels beginning from round 1.

Ive also got Pou, Wilson, Garcia & Windy in this category.

Impressive showings at training, but I want them to deliver the first time its against opposition

Garcia has credit in the bank

Windy finished the season strongly

 

[stavro#4]

Garcia has credit in the bank

Windy finished the season strongly

We have a deep list. last season means nil now other than experience in the bank for those guys.

Time our club and list starts to deliver.

 

[Joffaboy]

All this internal form is relatively meaningless and we should all be mindful of that.

Before Carroll is anointed that senior half back role, He needs to deliver the performances against the Suns & Injectors in our practice matches. Hall took his opportunities and then went up about 5-6-7 levels beginning from round 1.

Ive also got Pou, Wilson, Garcia & Windy in this category.

Impressive showings at training, but I want them to deliver the first time its against opposition

Said from the beginning Carroll's preseason form would need to translate to match form, like anybody else.
Hall was singled out last year and took the extra step to force his way into the seniors. Carroll and LOC need to do the same.
It is all speculation. How many times you heard a player 'training the house' down, or early seadon form 'March champions'.

All that can be said is that they are training well and are standouts. Training does not equate to match form.

 

[dudeintheswamp]

Just rediscovered this from a few seasons ago, includes some of the names we were discussing back then. List wise, we've come a long way in a short time!

View attachment You Guessed It .mp3

 

[beside the seaside]

Although it’s only training I’d suggest Naz is 99% chance of starting on the ball and playing majority there.

He will play midfield unless someone finds a way to stop him there in which case he might move elsewhere in a game. Handy that he can play in any area of the ground.

 

[saintmike65]

Hai guys love reading the reports as I’m up at the central coast and we get nothing up here so I rely heavily on you guys just one thing I have not seen or heard anything about Barrett as Howard is injury prone I was wondering how he was tracking

Barratt's put on size but has been fairly unobtrusive..he has however improved his disposal by foot!
Caminiti one to watch i believe, looks stronger and confident!

 

[saintmike65]

I wish you'd said something before I forked out my hard earned dollars on a Harry Boyd fridge magnet.
PS if anyone wants a Harry Boyd fridge magnet message me, I might know of one going cheap.

May have pay someone to take it off your hands..

 

[gringo2011]

While Nas is elite at HB, if we want to be a good team in 2026 and going forwards, then we need to have a much better midfield rotation that we have used in recent seasons.

Players that real "hurt" with their ball use in your midfield rotations are vital . Though with Nas it is also his pace, weaving and line breaking runs.

Now yes we have gained Flanders to add to Macrae and have young players like Windy and Garcia who hopefully will step up.

My thinking is that a Nas-less midfield is not going to cut it against the better teams in 2026.

Nas now is a disrupter too..an out and out gun who makes the opposition fret and panic, make mistakes and has them losing their gameplan and patterns. You saw this with Dusty, you saw it with Lockett......I believe you will see this with Nas in 2026. Opposition will be so focussed on Nas that it will disrupt them.

We seem to have chased players with multiple positions over the last few years. Flanders, Nas, Sinclair, Garcia, Windhager, Hall, Carroll, Wilson, Phillipou, Ryan, Wood, Travaglia and Boxshall etc can all play midfield, all have genuine second position ability.

Pretty much Dow and Macrae are the only one position mids left. I think we'll see a constant rotation to mess with opposition strategising and keep them fresh. Even guys like Higgins and Collard could roll through the centre.

 

[gringo2011]

Just my opinion but I don't think Nas will be full time mid. I can see him starting quite a few games at hbf and then being inserted into the midfield when needed. Some games he may only go in for a 5 minute burst per quarter. Other games he may well play the whole game in the midfield.
Our midfield options look so much better than this time year.

I expect opposition to put time into stopping him. Being able to drop him back can mess with their structures. Rolling him up can create holes in their structure behind him.

 

[sammm]

3 hamstring injuries in 18 months and a current calf injury..

In 2025, did Dougal have a year still on his contract or was 2025 his last and we gave him an extra year?

 

[Bill Crouse]

In 2025, did Dougal have a year still on his contract or was 2025 his last and we gave him an extra year?

He signed a one year deal at the end of 2024 and another one at the end of last year iirc.

 

[Sully111]

We have a deep list. last season means nil now other than experience in the bank for those guys.

Time our club and list starts to deliver.

Sure... I'm just saying those 2 players have shown they have the goods. I have zero worries about Hugo for example.

What I want to see is our coaching getting the best out of all players and delivering a smart game plan that can make a difference. We've got a list. Let's see what the coaches can get out of them.

 

[Now is the time]

Garcia has credit in the bank

Windy finished the season strongly

My recall is that, with the injury list we took into the last round in 2025, Carroll was one of the few available players who could not find a spot in the league side

And now he is a star, so a massive improvement from August to January

And I do not get the buy in on Garcia who, to me, lacks the skills to impact a game, so honest and tries but no poise so a disadvantage to the side

January, hey?

But the serious matter

I think in the footage of training and in the gym, King was on 2 feet working weights

And to lift weights your knees are taking plenty of pressure particularly given the repeats

So I am suggesting that he is on track and being managed ahead of the end of January which is his mooted return date

Noting it is January, I will also be keeping an eye on Howard (as our last line defensive tall so a specialised position) and Silvagni as our outer line “tall”

Hopefully all of King, Howard and Silvagni are fit and available in 50 days time

Clark in the midfield is of interest given the additions as I see him across half back where his reading of the ball, composite and disposal will give advantage

And fit and confident I see Henry as automatic

 

[Diehard Saint]

Seems odd to me that Sinclair is practicing this pre-season as mid - considering how many more decent mid options we have than we do for HBF.

Now who honestly ever thought we’d be saying this after YEARS of drafting HBF’s?

 

[saint66au]

Said from the beginning Carroll's preseason form would need to translate to match form, like anybody else.
Hall was singled out last year and took the extra step to force his way into the seniors. Carroll and LOC need to do the same.
It is all speculation. How many times you heard a player 'training the house' down, or early seadon form 'March champions'.

All that can be said is that they are training well and are standouts. Training does not equate to match form.

So much this

12 months ago we hailed Harry Boyd as the steal of the Draft

2 years ago Riley Bonner dominated praccy matches

Both were whipping boys by 2-3 weeks into the season proper

 

[beside the seaside]

Sure... I'm just saying those 2 players have shown they have the goods. I have zero worries about Hugo for example.

What I want to see is our coaching getting the best out of all players and delivering a smart game plan that can make a difference. We've got a list. Let's see what the coaches can get out of them.

Curious to hear your thoughts on Hugo. I think this is a big year for him and he could very quickly find himself well on the outer, a single position midfielder who doesn't win much of the ball, doesn't seem to kick goals. I'm thinking he needs to add some strings to his bow this offseason.

 

[gringo2011]

Curious to hear your thoughts on Hugo. I think this is a big year for him and he could very quickly find himself well on the outer, a single position midfielder who doesn't win much of the ball, doesn't seem to kick goals. I'm thinking he needs to add some strings to his bow this offseason.

He looks like the type that will extract every drop. I think they moved Steele to push him in. Those running videos look like he's ready to go next level. His stats read really well. I can see him becoming an absolute star over the next few years. He's just clocked 17 career games he might not peak this year but I'm confident that he'll get to a high level if his body holds up.

[td]● Ranked 1st among rising stars in Tackles Per Game[/td][td] ● Ranked 3rd among rising stars in Centre Clearances Per Game[/td][td width="1px"][/td] [td] ● Ranked 3rd among rising stars in Clearances Per Game[/td][td] ● Ranked 3rd among rising stars in Stoppage Clearances Per Game[/td] [td] ● Ranked 4th among rising stars in AFL Fantasy Score Per Game[/td][td] ● Ranked 5th among rising stars in Clangers Per Game[/td] [td] ● Ranked 7th among rising stars in Inside 50s Per Game[/td][td] ● Ranked 8th among rising stars in Bounces Per Game[/td] [td] ● Ranked 9th among rising stars in Disposals Per Game[/td][td] ● Ranked 10th among rising stars in Supercoach Score Per Game[/td] [td] ● Ranked 1st among rising stars in Total Centre Clearances[/td][td] ● Ranked 1st among rising stars in Total Clearances[/td] [td] ● Ranked 1st among rising stars in Total Tackles[/td][td] ● Ranked 2nd among rising stars in Total Stoppage Clearances[/td] [td] ● Ranked 4th among rising stars in Total Bounces[/td][td] ● Ranked 4th among rising stars in Total Clangers[/td] [td] ● Ranked 4th among rising stars in Total Tackles Inside 50[/td][td] ● Ranked 8th among rising stars in Total Contested Possessions[/td] [td] ● Ranked 8th among rising stars in Total Inside 50s[/td][td] ● Ranked 10th among rising stars in Total Disposals[/td] [td] ● Ranked 10th among rising stars in Total AFL Fantasy Score[/td][td] ● Ranked 10th among rising stars in Total Handballs[/td] [td] ● Ranked 10th among rising stars in Total Supercoach Score[/td][td] [/td]

 

[Sully111]

Curious to hear your thoughts on Hugo. I think this is a big year for him and he could very quickly find himself well on the outer, a single position midfielder who doesn't win much of the ball, doesn't seem to kick goals. I'm thinking he needs to add some strings to his bow this offseason.

Improved last season. I expect him to go to another level this season. One to watch. I think by season's end a lot of people will be talking about Hugo Garcia.

 

[stfan]

We seem to have chased players with multiple positions over the last few years. Flanders, Nas, Sinclair, Garcia, Windhager, Hall, Carroll, Wilson, Phillipou, Ryan, Wood, Travaglia and Boxshall etc can all play midfield, all have genuine second position ability.

Pretty much Dow and Macrae are the only one position mids left. I think we'll see a constant rotation to mess with opposition strategising and keep them fresh. Even guys like Higgins and Collard could roll through the centre.

Yes I agree, we will rotate many through. Though some will get more time there.

We now have a good variety of different mid types. And more skill than we have had as a group for some time.

Some like Sinclair will get turned to when we need to try something different. Though I personally think that Sinclair is a more damaging HB , that he is in the midfield.

Pou we do not know about. I suspect he will more forward than mid, but who knows he might surprise me. Pou is a lot fitter, and his body has matured. So in 2026 we should see where he can play.

Windy I feel wants to play more as an offensive mid. In 2026 we will see of he can.

Henry is a wildcard. If he can capture the form get showed at Kardinia Park he could be very damaging. But a long way to go with him yet.



Fascinating an exciting times in 2026 are coming I believe.

 

[FraserFridays]

Another list 23

Yet again, lots of variants available.

Have Nas back at hbf coz we look weak without him there

And some fans here seem to be grasping at Carroll or LOC covering that position,
but they have done nothing really substantial to suggest yet, that they can cover that position.

Everybody by now knows, that l dislike having Stocker in the team, let alone in the backline.

If Henry & Pou can show us more consistantly what they have proven in small samples,
Im hoping they can fill Hill & Steele's spots.
Then Flanders just adds the extra dimension to the midfield,
and he could be the main guy to rotate regularly with Nas.

Admittedly this team looks abit tall in the backline.
But, Tauru has already broken the spoils record
& Caminiti played his best football there, so have to have them in.
And Tauru & Wilkie have the capabilities of playing on smaller players.
And reckon Howard's body is near cooked, so he's not trusted being in there.

Flanders & Hall could rotate in their postions too.

With Howard & King being unreliant because of their injury issues.
Have to go with Keeler & Marshall as the two tall options in the forward line,
then we still got Owens, Sharman & Wood off the bench as floating third tall forw. options.

I prefer Hall as a f/t mid. but agree with others, he's very important as a h.f.f
I prefer Wilson as a h.f.f , as he looks lost on a wing for mine.


B. Tauru Caminiti Wilkie

H.B. NWM Jsos Sinclair

C. Henry Macrae Windhager

H.F. Hall Keeler Wilson

F. Higgins Marshall Ryan

Foll. Tdk Pou  Flanders

I/C. Butler, Hill, Owens, Sharman, Wood

So who plays on the small forwards that are very quick?

 

[akaifu]

Seems odd to me that Sinclair is practicing this pre-season as mid - considering how many more decent mid options we have than we do for HBF.

Sinclair is nominally a half back but when you watch our games he is usually out the back of stoppages as the distributor. I assume that's why he trains as a 'mid'

 

[akaifu]

Just my opinion but I don't think Nas will be full time mid. I can see him starting quite a few games at hbf and then being inserted into the midfield when needed. Some games he may only go in for a 5 minute burst per quarter. Other games he may well play the whole game in the midfield.
Our midfield options look so much better than this time year.

It's very rare to see players play any position 'full time' these days imo unless its a KPP or a player with a very niche role ie. Webster

It all depends on context. Things like matchup, form, personnel, venue, weather etc. will all play a part

If you look at our midfield CBAs from last year, none of our mids played EVERY game fully in the midfield. Eg. Steele & Macrae & Garcia spent time fwd/wing despite being pretty one-dimensional players, Windy HB/wing, Nas HB, Clark HB, Boxshall wing

If Nas plays 60%+ CBAs across the season, then arbitrarily I think I'd call that full-time mid

 

[saintmike65]

In 2025, did Dougal have a year still on his contract or was 2025 his last and we gave him an extra year?

He got a one year deal which finishes end of this season.

 

[saintmike65]

We seem to have chased players with multiple positions over the last few years. Flanders, Nas, Sinclair, Garcia, Windhager, Hall, Carroll, Wilson, Phillipou, Ryan, Wood, Travaglia and Boxshall etc can all play midfield, all have genuine second position ability.

Pretty much Dow and Macrae are the only one position mids left. I think we'll see a constant rotation to mess with opposition strategising and keep them fresh. Even guys like Higgins and Collard could roll through the centre.

Nas is definitely training with the mids..i wouldn't be surprised if he averages close to 30 possessions and at least a goal a game...he is that good!

 

[Broski]

Curious to hear your thoughts on Hugo. I think this is a big year for him and he could very quickly find himself well on the outer, a single position midfielder who doesn't win much of the ball, doesn't seem to kick goals. I'm thinking he needs to add some strings to his bow this offseason.

I am very bullish about Hugo. Earlier last season, he had those bad habits that make you want to pull your hair out, particularly his tendency to grab the ball and slam it on the boot without looking. We all know about the early sub game.

However, if you look at his finish to the season (Round 17 onwards), I think he took some fantastic steps forward. That Freo game was a strong performance from a young mid. 24 touches, 10 clearances and a great balance of inside and outside.

It isn't a surprise, but he is a great athlete. Every indication suggests that he is getting faster and stronger. He has a burst that we have lacked in our midfield for years. Referenced by the goal he kicked against Sydney.

Importantly, I don't expect him to play the whole season and average 26 touches per game, but he is improving year-on-year and would be rated internally. Very eager to see who makes the cut for the Pies game.