Training Saints preseason 2026

[Pakenhamsaint]

Have just completed precisely one pint and have decided this year is our year

I've drank about 15 and have declared us team of the century.

 

[Xxxx66]

Personally think Windy should be VC.

Wouldn't be outa place. Watched and listened to him from the outer wing today and he just oozes leadership

 

[akaifu]

January 28, 2026

 

[Dard Ball Get]

January 28, 2026

View attachment 2518623

Let’s pump those numbers up to 69,420 at a minimum

 

[Mavefromdelburn]

Thanks for all the reports guys!

How is Toby looking? Should really stand out with his bleached blonde hair, but never seem to hear much about him. I am hoping he can find a niche as a lockdown small defender taking over from Webster as he has all the tools. Don't know how the club sees him as a midfielder, how would he ever start in a centre bounce over NAS, Flanders, windy, macrae, Garcia, boxshall, phillipou, hall, Sinclair, Wilson etc

Tobie was not really 'on' today in my opinion. Missed a lot of targets, also got run down (due to lack of vision and awareness) by Marshall of all people. Just not his day. His disposal isn't great, but again, still early. He seems to respond pretty well to the feedback at least and can clearly run. Just needs to tidy up his decision making and execution. It'll come.

 

[Mavefromdelburn]

Looking at a couple of others today, even though many have mentioned I'll reiterate, JSOS, Ryan, and Keeler were awesome today.

JSOS is a genuinely good defender. His positioning, didn't let himself get sucked into contests when he didn't need to, corraled players to the boundary or a tackle, and took some great defensive marks/spoils. When he wasn't doing that, he was tying up a player and letting Wilkie be Wilkie, flying across for an intercept. He's a bigger unit than many realise and a good field kick. Hope his body holds up because he will be massive for us if it does.

Ryan showed today why we grabbed him. To me he played kinda like Hall. He pushed quite high up sometimes and used his good field kicking to kick i50. Other times he stayed i50 and leapt for grabs, or crumbed. He's creative, seems to be in shape and engaged, and again if it stays that way he will be awesome for us.

Keeler is continually improving. He's always been a smooth mover but now he's getting more involved in play chains, taking strong marks, even a couple in 2v1's, and making good decisions in the ruck pack or after his outlet kick mark. So keen to see him keep improving (along with our other kids) because he has X factor.

F**n nice time to be a Saint

 

[Moquo]

Have just completed precisely one pint and have decided this year is our year

Excellent choice Sir

 

[bergholt]

I haven't lived in Australia this century.
just whe did the word 'pint' become common parlance for beer?
Does anyone say 'glass' or 'pot' and more.
Remember two-Pot Tony, the two-pot screamer?

well it's not just the word, pints are twice as big as pots. happened between about 2005 and 2010, everyone just started drinking pints and it stuck.

 

[Dard Ball Get]

And the ranga drug cheat Sinner has just lost to the Pure Blood Prince, what a day

 

[Saintscomemarchingin]

Oskar Ainsworth pulled a hamstring in December
Recovered
Then pulled/tore his hamstring again recently
3 months? on the sidelines
Is set to sign with Saints vfl team though.

Reckon we should put Tex Wanganeen in the Vfl team also

Then we could maybe pick up one of them in the MSD.

Or we train-on another SSP player? with 3 weeks to go until the cut-off.

Wonder if we could call up Sam Ainsworth- Norwood Ruck/Forward
Was unlucky not to be picked up in the draft/s last year.
Was U18 All-Australian Ruckman.
Currently only 198cm though, so probably more a forward in the Afl.
Has played back also.
And has a good set of wheels on him for a 198cm player & tidy ball use also.
Looks like a young Carl Ditterich with the blonde locks.

 

[austinnn]

Brutal hit out today with some casualties unfortunately.
Absolute standouts were Keeler and Banfield.
Keeler in the ruck was tremendous, both in the air 3at ground level.
Banfield was everywhere, providing great run linking up beautifully..he's on a rapid trajectory this kid.
Hall, TDK, Flanders and Macrae all prominent in the middle.
Liam Ryan did some nice things with his class and poise on show.
Windy & Owens provided grunt, with JSOS & Caminiti calm in defence.
Wilkie superb in the air!

Might as well proclaim it now, Keeler is my current favourite in our squad and thats among a lot of players I absolutely love. If he puts it together, he will be HUGE for this club. I pray we give him all the time he needs and he finds his mojo at St Kilda, and we keep him here.

I've got front seat on the "Psycho" Keeler bandwagon, stopping no stations, express to the promised land!

 

[mad-saint-guy]

Just watched the training footage. Keeler beating Marshall in the air a couple of times was impressive. Ryan seems to have pulled his finger out and has an AFL physique which is very promising - hopefully he can improve his output compared to recent years. Tauru is significantly bigger. Caminiti is looking like he'll be tough to beat in defence after actually having time to train in the role. Zak Jones

3

Zak Jones

Age

30

Ht

182cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

17.8

4star

K

10.0

4star

HB

7.8

5star

M

3.4

3star

T

3.0

5star

CL

1.7

4star

D

19.1

4star

K

10.6

4star

HB

8.6

4star

M

3.4

3star

T

3.1

4star

CL

4.9

5star

D

7.0

2star

K

2.8

1star

HB

4.2

4star

M

1.0

1star

T

1.6

4star

CL

1.0

3star

seems to have had a growth spurt.

 

[Ads734]

I just want the commentators do start saying why didn't the other clubs take

insert "hugo, Hugh ,Issac, Pou etc" I think we are fast approaching yhat stage.

 

[tomjoad]

Let’s pump those numbers up to 69,420 at a minimum

Beer/pint number two, has you entirely enthusiastic old bean.

 

[sauce_head]

And Dougal is definitely not a slight guy! Maxy may now be able to simply gorilla defenders without having to rely on pack marking.

Or leading…

 

[Joffaboy]

Just watched the training footage. Keeler beating Marshall in the air a couple of times was impressive. Ryan seems to have pulled his finger out and has an AFL physique which is very promising - hopefully he can improve his output compared to recent years. Tauru is significantly bigger. Caminiti is looking like he'll be tough to beat in defence after actually having time to train in the role. Zak Jones seems to have had a growth spurt.

I was never sure on Ryan. Seen he rarely and seemed a bit of a flashy front runner. Hasn't helped being in a struggling WCE team for 5 years.
At training, wasn't dialling it in but didn't look as fit as others not running well.
After Xmas seemed to have dropped a little weight, has always been a stocky guy. Training drills he was there or there abouts, ok but nothing out of what we would expect.
Some WCE supporters said he was never a great trainer but wait until game day where he comes alive. Never a truer word spoken. Yesterday in sim he was a standout, like a better version of Hill without the extreme run.
Field kicking excellent, positioning terrific, marking excellent, and he loves a goal.
I was a skeptic, but he seems to fit our gameplan perfectly....AND he seems to be having fun and the group are responding to him.

 

[stavro#4]

I was never sure on Ryan. Seen he rarely and seemed a bit of a flashy front runner. Hasn't helped being in a struggling WCE team for 5 years.
At training, wasn't dialling it in but didn't look as fit as others not running well.
After Xmas seemed to have dropped a little weight, has always been a stocky guy. Training drills he was there or there abouts, ok but nothing out of what we would expect.
Some WCE supporters said he was never a great trainer but wait until game day where he comes alive. Never a truer word spoken. Yesterday in sim he was a standout, like a better version of Hill without the extreme run.
Field kicking excellent, positioning terrific, marking excellent, and he loves a goal.
I was a skeptic, but he seems to fit our gameplan perfectly....AND he seems to be having fun and the group are responding to him.

He was such fun to watch yesterday.

That thing that grabbed my attention and I posted as such was how much influence and fun he made shit drills like running ones for the group.

I said I had footage but watch the saints tv video and the running drill at the start with 3-4 groups. He starts getting chirpy and then collard gets involved and so do others.

That’s been missing for years on our list.

 

[SaintsofSteel]

Oskar Ainsworth pulled a hamstring in December
Recovered
Then pulled/tore his hamstring again recently
3 months? on the sidelines
Is set to sign with Saints vfl team though.

Reckon we should put Tex Wanganeen in the Vfl team also

Then we could maybe pick up one of them in the MSD.

Or we train-on another SSP player? with 3 weeks to go until the cut-off.

Wonder if we could call up Sam Ainsworth- Norwood Ruck/Forward
Was unlucky not to be picked up in the draft/s last year.
Was U18 All-Australian Ruckman.
Currently only 198cm though, so probably more a forward in the Afl.
Has played back also.
And has a good set of wheels on him for a 198cm player & tidy ball use also.
Looks like a young Carl Ditterich with the blonde locks.

A really good call SMI.

Ainsworth is a key defender who turned ruckman for the championships and made the AA side. He is a player I was hoping we would have been interested in during the drafts and was surprised he wasnt drafted. I still think we need another versatile tall on the list, particular a near 200cm player who can play as a key defender.

Howard is nearing the end, we have Caminiti 196cms who does look better in defence. Barrat 194cms is progressing but I question whether he can play on the really tall forwards. I think another developing near 2m defender would be a smart move for the club.

 

[Joffaboy]

Stav. You know the answer. List spots!

A team that has won one game in a season, has been bottom or near the whole of this decade, couldn't find one more player to delist/trade for a 2nd round pick?
I have watched him all preseason and can't see what the knock on him is. Great size, big tank, good kick, good footy brain.
WCE fans say he is one paced. Ok fair enough. In Saints teams of the recent past that may have been a problem, but anyone there yesterday can attest, we are the quickest list we have had probably since Stan Alves had us, he can not be the quickest and still be of extreme value in the team.
Anyway enough optimism, here are my early delistings possibles at year end.
1. Paddy Dow. Just not showing enough. Getting passed
2. Patrick Said. Not coming on, dont know his position, seems a bit small.
3. Hunter Clark. Injuries and competition catching up to him
4. Liam Stocker. Always wants a one year contract as football is not everything in his life, and his mental health is a priority
5. Angus Hastie. Just cant quite crack it in the seniors, still turns it over too much
6. Dougal Howard. Getting multiple injuries, aging, back are a bit thin though
7. Barratt, not shown much, depends on Doogs and who we recruit, develops ( like LOC,Armstrong etc).
8. Lance Collard. Skillful but just doesn't do enough
9. Dan Butler. Aging and plenty of small forwards
10. Mason Wood, age and youngers going past him
11. Hill, age and youngers going past him.
12. Byrnes. Always on the edge.
Now this doesn't take into account contracts, form for this year (obviously), team structure, position etc. It is just a list of players vunerable in my view.
At most 6 of the 12 will go.
Let me know what you all think.

 

[saintmike65]

I thought Marshall looked really average as a CHF today and significantly better when in the ruck.

Bolton slammed Rowan for not holding the ball in to retain the territory the defenders gave the black side at one point.

Infact in that 10 minute period Keeler was playing as a loose man and out marked Marshall 2-3.

Will be intriguing to see how Ro is used...TDK and Keeler clearly the best big men yesterday, both influential in the air and ground level

 

[Xxxx66]

A team that has won one game in a season, has been bottom or near the whole of this decade, couldn't find one more player to delist/trade for a 2nd round pick?
I have watched him all preseason and can't see what the knock on him is. Great size, big tank, good kick, good footy brain.
WCE fans say he is one paced. Ok fair enough. In Saints teams of the recent past that may have been a problem, but anyone there yesterday can attest, we are the quickest list we have had probably since Stan Alves had us, he can not be the quickest and still be of extreme value in the team.
Anyway enough optimism, here are my early delistings possibles at year end.
1. Paddy Dow. Just not showing enough. Getting passed
2. Patrick Said. Not coming on, dont know his position, seems a bit small.
3. Hunter Clark. Injuries and competition catching up to him
4. Liam Stocker. Always wants a one year contract as football is not everything in his life, and his mental health is a priority
5. Angus Hastie. Just cant quite crack it in the seniors, still turns it over too much
6. Dougal Howard. Getting multiple injuries, aging, back are a bit thin though
7. Barratt, not shown much, depends on Doogs and who we recruit, develops ( like LOC,Armstrong etc).
8. Lance Collard. Skillful but just doesn't do enough
9. Dan Butler. Aging and plenty of small forwards
10. Mason Wood, age and youngers going past him
11. Hill, age and youngers going past him.
12. Byrnes. Always on the edge.
Now this doesn't take into account contracts, form for this year (obviously), team structure, position etc. It is just a list of players vunerable in my view.
At most 6 of the 12 will go.
Let me know what you all think.

With the likely improvement of the younger brigade, and the need yo balance salary cap, we may lose one or two best 23. I.e. if Keeler and Dodson come on, we might entertain releasing Ro at year end.

 

[Zzzed]

Just watched the training footage. Keeler beating Marshall in the air a couple of times was impressive. Ryan seems to have pulled his finger out and has an AFL physique which is very promising - hopefully he can improve his output compared to recent years. Tauru is significantly bigger. Caminiti is looking like he'll be tough to beat in defence after actually having time to train in the role. Zak Jones seems to have had a growth spurt.

Marshall is going to be an interesting watch.
We all know his strengths as a mobile ruckman , and his ability to bob up forward and kick a goal - which basically comes about because of his ability to push forward and shake off his opponent
But as a permanent tall forward he is a bit of a flop imho.
If Keeler keeps developing and delivers on the preseason hype , I can see him becoming the preferred option at CHF leaving Marshall as a back up bench based relief ruckman.

 

[sauce_head]

My son was born this morning. Another one for the army of Sainters!

Congratulations!

 

[saintmike65]

Might as well proclaim it now, Keeler is my current favourite in our squad and thats among a lot of players I absolutely love. If he puts it together, he will be HUGE for this club. I pray we give him all the time he needs and he finds his mojo at St Kilda, and we keep him here.

I've got front seat on the "Psycho" Keeler bandwagon, stopping no stations, express to the promised land!

With the likely improvement of the younger brigade, and the need yo balance salary cap, we may lose one or two best 23. I.e. if Keeler and Dodson come on, we might entertain releasing Ro at year end.

good summation Joff..

 

[eaglevision]

He was such fun to watch yesterday.

That thing that grabbed my attention and I posted as such was how much influence and fun he made shit drills like running ones for the group.

I said I had footage but watch the saints tv video and the running drill at the start with 3-4 groups. He starts getting chirpy and then collard gets involved and so do others.

That’s been missing for years on our list.

Liam is infectious around the group, very well liked team mate and not just the indigenous kids, Harley had a close relationship with with him too.

He will often do the bare minimum at training but come game day he’ll be ready to go. Dangerous in the air and on the ground and his kicking is superb. Doesn’t get the attention it deserves because it’s often a snap or set shot for goal.

Wonder if we could call up Sam Ainsworth- Norwood Ruck/Forward
Was unlucky not to be picked up in the draft/s last year.
Was U18 All-Australian Ruckman.
Currently only 198cm though, so probably more a forward in the Afl.
Has played back also.
And has a good set of wheels on him for a 198cm player & tidy ball use also.

Very unlucky not to get drafted, can also play KPD. Bit pissed off we didn’t leave a rookie spot for him and NHH but that’s a different story.

Would be a great pick up for you guys and would have to be on the radar for the MSD with a strong start to the season.