Training Saints preseason 2026

[Ads734]

I hope LOC gets a chance early. He’s just got so many weapons.

Athletic
Tough
Fast acceleration
Decent skills

Late in the season went on the ball and showed an ability to accumulate. His improvement trajectory could be anything.

It’s about time one of cat B rookies comes along.

 

[Winmar2Lockett]

What is Stocker's natural game?

Was a bullocking midfielder in his junior days
That was quickly deminished in the Afl as he was deemed too slow in that role.

Sent to the backline where his slowness is even more apparent.

Yeah, he occasionally lays a big tackle, which would inspire his team-mates.

If we had, had more depth in the past
He wouldn't of played as much, l reckon.

Stocker’s lack of pace is being very exaggerated. He shutdown a number of high quality small forwards last year (tore Bolton a new one & gave Kosi a bath from memory.)

He’s our starting small defender IMO.

 

[Geezington]

 

[Ads734]

Ultimately in our 22
* = lock

Stocker Wilkie * Tauru
Sinclair* Silvagni* Clark
Hill* McRae* Wilson *
Owens* Sharman* Hall*
Ryan* Marshal* Higgins*
TDK* Naz* Flanders *

Windy* Pou* Garcia King LOC/Henry

Next in Box Camaniti Butler Carrol

Howard Wood Clark injured

I think the forward line is pretty much locked in. The issue then becomes the second HB spot and the small defender spot that Jimmy filled.

I think stocker gets first rights and either Carrol or Clark or even Windy.

Then the last few bench spots. Once again I’ve got Henry vs LOC. both are more utility types but I think we’re too light a defensive small so LOC or Trav. I think ultimately our small forward pressure will take a hit this year which is a concern of mine.

It’s super competitive and have not included Cama, Keeler, Lance etc

 

[Mavefromdelburn]

Fantastic news re Henry. He was so far off it last year he might as well have not been out there. He’s like another brand new recruit if he stays fit.

Is it just me or has Maso been on the sidelines for an inordinately long time for what’s been reported as a “minor” calf? He did it almost a month and a half ago yet he’s still in the rehab group.

Wood was getting some extra work done by the physio over the far side for a bit and I heard him mention he felt it grab a bit. Hoping it's minor and just a bit sore.

 

[Mavefromdelburn]

Good to see SOS (senior) back at the club watching on today. Standouts today for me were:

*Garcia
*Hall
*Pou
*Carroll
*Oconnell
*Windy
*Goddard ripping in to the boys regularly
*RTB ripping in to the boys regularly


Negatives:

*Boxshall seemed to hurt a knee. Limped off didn't return
*Clark just looks a mile off
*I think Wood may have re-aggravated his injury


Overall, upbeat, intense, loud, standards have lifted and players being called out on not adhering to the plans

Yeah Box went for a big grab and looked like he slightly hyper extended his knee when he landed? Limped it off a bit and kept yelling out to the trainers that he was "all good" and "it's fine, seriously" but they forced him off and up the race. Good to be careful I suppose. Hopefully nothing serious.

 

[Now is the time]

For those interested in what Ross was cracking it at, it was hard to hear over the music but some of the more obvious ones:

-stopped the entire match sim to absolutely lash Travaglia for calling for a handball from Hill then running into trouble. Made the point loudly enough so all could hear that if you call for the ball when running past the presumption is you’ve looked and know you have space

-lashed Hugo Garcia on multiple occasions. Seems to ride him hard. And Garcia responds very well - head down, bum up. A lot of it was around his midfield positioning in transition. Specifically, not handing over and taking a different player to hold the structure. Separately, swore loudly multiple times when Hugo ran into danger and didn’t give a simple handball, then got caught.

He called many players over for individual coaching discussions. Almost all were about positioning and structure and when to go and when not to.

My favourite was near the end of match sim. A stoppage occurred and Ross screamed ‘SO HAS ANYONE ON THIS TEAM NOTICED THERE’S BEEN AN OUTBUMBER HERE FOR THREE F*CKING MINUTES’. I just love that he let it ride then made a real point of grilling them all to pick up on these things.

The noise at training is significantly higher this year. The boys are LOUD and demanding. Great sign. Only falls silent when Ross speaks.

The only concern I have is how long it took some players today to work out their positioning. Needed a lot of intervention from the coaches. But that’s what training is for!

 

[Now is the time]

The references to Garcia are the reasons he appears to me to be a rabbit in the headlights and detrimental to the transitioning of the ball

 

[SaintSteele9]

What did the boys get torn apart on?

Hopefully not the same mistakes over and over again

Touched on above very nicely, but The Boss seemed to have defence/defenders in the gun predominantly today. Sometimes very particular with a player, other times lashing an entire back six more broadly. In fairness, I believe I caught a smile and a “f****** great kick Hugo” at one stage, so not all doom and gloom from Ross today!!

The references to Garcia are the reasons he appears to me to be a rabbit in the headlights and detrimental to the transitioning of the ball

Easy to hear/spot his coachable moments, but blimey did he have some slick hands out of congestion at times and show the fruits of his off-season running work. Count me on the Garcia bandwagon for now.

Reading above, a number of posters have summed up today really well and it’s nice to see I generally had the same impressions.

Jack Carroll very pleasantly surprised me with his pace and ball use. I think we’ll see him early this season if fit.

Lanceyboy had a terrific moment being the one in a 2v1 on the far flank from my position, beat a block and pinned the second man holding the ball. He’s back in the pecking order no doubt but he looks to be cracking in.

Henry, Garcia, Pou, Viking, Naz, Windy all had nice moments that jumped out.

Continual focus on making the ground wide and looking inside/switching even as high as at half-forward. Hammer received one such inboard kick inside the centre square, and had the next wider option open, but instead hit a lovely pass to a leading Pou who kicked truly.

Bring on season 2026

 

[Rogue Warrior]

Excellent training reports. Thanks to those who’ve got down and shared a perspective.
From what people have seen, any intel on the gameplay for 2026? Or clear tweaks from last year?

 

[Ads734]

Excellent training reports. Thanks to those who’ve got down and shared a perspective.
From what people have seen, any intel on the gameplay for 2026? Or clear tweaks from last year?

get the fu*(*cking ball to Naz

 

[aussierulesrules]

There are probably 27 blokes that I would ideally want to have in the team, and that I think are clearly too good for the VFL, and that doesn’t even include ones I’m not sure about yet (Carroll and LOC), Byrnes- who we know can play if needed (so now we’re up to 30)- or the young ones who you’d like to be able to squeeze in there to gain experience (eg Keeler, Trav, Box, Hastie, Collard).

You know you ought to have a very competitive team when that’s the case. When you have 35 or more blokes you’d be fine about being in there.

At the very least, it ought to hold us in good stead if we have a heap of injuries again.

 

[aussierulesrules]

Did anyone pay attention to where Hammer was playing when SOSOS was back there? Were all 4 of those two, Wilkie and Tauru in the same defence at once?

 

[Remboy]

Excellent training reports. Thanks to those who’ve got down and shared a perspective.
From what people have seen, any intel on the gameplay for 2026? Or clear tweaks from last year?

There seems to be a focus on quick ball movement. If it all goes to plan we'll be good to watch.

 

[Remboy]

There are probably 27 blokes that I would ideally want to have in the team, and that I think are clearly too good for the VFL, and that doesn’t even include ones I’m not sure about yet (Carroll and LOC), Byrnes- who we know can play if needed (so now we’re up to 30)- or the young ones who you’d like to be able to squeeze in there to gain experience (eg Keeler, Trav, Box, Hastie, Collard).

You know you ought to have a very competitive team when that’s the case. When you have 35 or more blokes you’d be fine about being in there.

At the very least, it ought to hold us in good stead if we have a heap of injuries again.

I tried doing a best 23 and ended up with ten on the bench.

 

[SG34]

Same old story, people play doctor on the internet knowing very little of the individual’s situation - and then prematurely write their career off.

When fit Henry is certainly best 23.

Cartilage damage doesn't get better
They picked him and he was putrid.
That first come back lasted one game, and then there was that late end-of-season set of 5 games
44 possessions - for the season.

I don' know about his Sandy games. Maybe some one saw them?
I think it is fair to have doubts. And fair to share them.
But I get the sweet taste of comeuppance when (and if) the doubted blows away the doubters.
If he still has his pace he might be a weapon.

 

[Mavefromdelburn]

Touched on above very nicely, but The Boss seemed to have defence/defenders in the gun predominantly today. Sometimes very particular with a player, other times lashing an entire back six more broadly. In fairness, I believe I caught a smile and a “f****** great kick Hugo” at one stage, so not all doom and gloom from Ross today!!

Easy to hear/spot his coachable moments, but blimey did he have some slick hands out of congestion at times and show the fruits of his off-season running work. Count me on the Garcia bandwagon for now.

Reading above, a number of posters have summed up today really well and it’s nice to see I generally had the same impressions.

Jack Carroll very pleasantly surprised me with his pace and ball use. I think we’ll see him early this season if fit.

Lanceyboy had a terrific moment being the one in a 2v1 on the far flank from my position, beat a block and pinned the second man holding the ball. He’s back in the pecking order no doubt but he looks to be cracking in.

Henry, Garcia, Pou, Viking, Naz, Windy all had nice moments that jumped out.

Continual focus on making the ground wide and looking inside/switching even as high as at half-forward. Hammer received one such inboard kick inside the centre square, and had the next wider option open, but instead hit a lovely pass to a leading Pou who kicked truly.

Bring on season 2026

In one of the sims today, Nas takes a cracking clearance, hands straight to Hugo, who gets out the front of stoppage and drills Liam Ryan on the chest who has led up at the kicker. Was lovely, and Hugo was very good at finding the space and bursting from the pack. Gained metres on them very quickly.

On Collard, I saw him do that too - it was on Hill. Awesome chase and corral of Hill up to the boundary and pinged him HTB. Really liked the look of him today. Chased hard and was rewarded.

 

[Mavefromdelburn]

Did anyone pay attention to where Hammer was playing when SOSOS was back there? Were all 4 of those two, Wilkie and Tauru in the same defence at once?

The bit I saw when JSOS was training, he was playing on Hammer who was playing fwd.

 

[Dard Ball Get]

In one of the sims today, Nas takes a cracking clearance, hands straight to Hugo, who gets out the front of stoppage and drills Liam Ryan on the chest who has led up at the kicker. Was lovely, and Hugo was very good at finding the space and bursting from the pack. Gained metres on them very quickly.

On Collard, I saw him do that too - it was on Hill. Awesome chase and corral of Hill up to the boundary and pinged him HTB. Really liked the look of him today. Chased hard and was rewarded.

 

[Mavefromdelburn]

View attachment 2516509

That's gotta be a 3rd nip below his left.

 

[Nutsngum]

Cartilage damage doesn't get better
They picked him and he was putrid.
That first come back lasted one game, and then there was that late end-of-season set of 5 games
44 possessions - for the season.

I don' know about his Sandy games. Maybe some one saw them?
I think it is fair to have doubts. And fair to share them.
But I get the sweet taste of comeuppance when (and if) the doubted blows away the doubters.
If he still has his pace he might be a weapon.

As someone whose damaged their cartilage in the same knee multiple times it absolutely does get better.

You're right that your knee never properly repairs itself but the damaged area does stabilise and the pain will disappear with proper physio and time. In other words, its a manageable injury even if its not one that will genuinely go away.

If they're managing it and he is confident on it (a big aspect in my opinion) then I dont see why he cant be a genuine contributor going forward.

 

[stavro#4]

In your opinion, do you think they've actually gotten to the bottom of the issue with King or should we prepare ourselves for another full year of "touch and go for round one"?

I just feel like we've heard this story before - "we've finally gotten to the bottom of it and solved the problem" feels like their slogan with King for the last 6 months.

They can only call it as they see it.

I mean they had those procedures done and they wouldn’t have thought they’d failed, otherwise they’d have re-done them immediately. So as far as they were concerned, they thought they’d identified the problem and fixed it- hence saying so- but they don’t have a crystal ball to tell them that the problem is going to reoccur, and that they’ll have to have another crack at it.

It sounds as though the problem was the meniscus, and that’s now been completely removed, so again, until evidence to the contrary presents itself, they will be confident that they’ve gotten to the bottom of it and that it could be relatively smooth sailing from here.

But again, as with anything in life, there are no guarantees, and they don’t have a crystal ball, so they can only call it as they see it.

What happens from here is anyone’s guess.

What we do know though is that he no longer has the meniscus that was said to be causing the problems, so if it was indeed that, it won’t be causing them any more, because it’s gone.

The club were confident they found the issue during the surgery that ended his year last year.

That article that just came out said they went a repair, now if it was complex - which based off the situation as we know it we can assume it was. Then it has a fairly large failure rate.

To the point above, you don’t know they have failed with them initially. They are discoverable well down the line with recovery.

What we do know is that he is back out on the grass and building. That’s a positive and the time lines of a repair and a removal/snip line up with both recoveries so far.

Once you snip/remove it. You generally have a pretty clean run at getting back to full fitness. Post football he will have issues and Ross made it clear he will need a knee replacement.

 

[stfan]

Stocker’s lack of pace is being very exaggerated. He shutdown a number of high quality small forwards last year (tore Bolton a new one & gave Kosi a bath from memory.)

He’s our starting small defender IMO.

Plus Stocker has one quality that he is the best at on our list at = "Mean Hard Bastard"

 

[jwint43]

Andrew Bassat is an absolute gem, have a read of his latest interview we couldnt be in better hands.

‘Easy to have a crack at us’: Everyone’s watching the Saints – and they know it

St Kilda have recruited aggressively and spent big money on their best talent in an attempt to rejoin the clubs at the top of the table. It’s put the spotlight squarely on them.

www.theage.com.au

"Can St Kilda start games better in 2026 having trailed at quarter-time in 10 of their last 11 games? Will their midfield be able to stop momentum when it turns against them? Can they become miserly in defence after sitting 13th for points against in 2025? Can the energy remain high when the demands required to improve are unrelenting?"

This is the most important thing that will determine if we are going to play finals and change the mindset of the playing list. For far too long we have been a team that gets overwhelmed on physicality and talent, and it's because we've had a weak midfield and lack of talls (especially last year). These are the two areas we can hopefully turn around this season, with the help of some injury luck.

The one game that sticks out in my mind is the Easter Sunday game against the Dogs. We looked like a petrified and overmatched VFL level team. I know they are flat track bullies, but when they smell blood they are able to genuinely destroy sides. I want to see us genuinely overwhelm other teams on talent and skill and just dominate. Even in our best wins we rarely look unstoppable and we're usually hanging on for dear life. We need a mindset shift and we need to believe we are the better team and play the game on our terms. And it needs to start from the first bounce, we can't keep going into quarter time down 3-4 goals.

 

[Ads734]

The club were confident they found the issue during the surgery that ended his year last year.

That article that just came out said they went a repair, now if it was complex - which based off the situation as we know it we can assume it was. Then it has a fairly large failure rate.

To the point above, you don’t know they have failed with them initially. They are discoverable well down the line with recovery.

What we do know is that he is back out on the grass and building. That’s a positive and the time lines of a repair and a removal/snip line up with both recoveries so far.

Once you snip/remove it. You generally have a pretty clean run at getting back to full fitness. Post football he will have issues and Ross made it clear he will need a knee replacement.

look he won't definetly need a knee replacement but the chance is higher.