Training Saints preseason 2026

[Ads734]

They didn’t fail because they weren’t quick though, they failed because they were no good.

Measuring someone’s 5, 10 or 20m sprint time does give you an incredibly good idea of… you guessed it, how quick they are off the mark, or over a short distance, though, so chances are someone who’s slow over 20m isn’t necessarily going to be the best option close to goal, against blokes who are a rocket off the mark.

Trav is an endurance athlete, putting him on guys who are blistering off the mark is like putting a 5000m runner in the 100m. They’re going to get left behind.

Maybe it could work, but I’d think there are better roles for an endurance guy.


In no way, shape, or form was I disparaging him, or saying anything other than that I don’t think he’d be suited to that particular role, that someone suggested to me directly.

If you can’t handle that, you might need to log off for a while.

My point is
Marsh was powerful but Wilkinson was in no way a ‘quick player’. re Trav I think as he develops he could definetly play the small defender roll although I’d still be pushing him a quasi Mid/HB role. We need him to continue to drive with his run. I think he will show this year some moments where he starts running chains whether HB or from a stoppage. The latter being the most important component of his development imo. Once that clicks for him, his decision making will improve because he will allow himself more time to make the correct decision. I not regarding Phillapou it seems like it took him 30/40 games and you can now see in the training vids and late season form he has also now begun to think his way through a stoppage.

 

[The_Steadier]

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.

Could well be that marshall as an individual has a modest year- and is relegated to doing the late years kosi role of crashing packs and bringing the ball to ground.

Fine by me if we are playing (and winning) finals which is the plan.

Also remember we could well come up against geelong in a final.

Roma could do literally nothing for us in a final v geelong and its still a huge win for us.
The cats are playing this season with gumby rucks who were slaughtered in the GF... its huge for us that we wont have to play them with their major weakness fixed.

 

[ESPN8 The Ocho]

And they can both really kick!

Max won’t know himself if he finally gets back out there and he’s now got the likes of Nas, Hall and Ryan delivering the ball to him.

Something on Friday will please you then.
NAS has the ball defensive grandstand side of centre, spies Ryan further up the field and closer to the fence, behind the defensive line.
Passes to Ryan who turns on the jets and kicks looooong to the square for a simple mark by TDK.
Goal.
Happy?

 

[stavro#4]

Something on Friday will please you then.
NAS has the ball defensive grandstand side of centre, spies Ryan further up the field and closer to the fence, behind the defensive line.
Passes to Ryan who turns on the jets and kicks looooong to the square for a simple mark by TDK.
Goal.
Happy?

The game seems so simple with the improvement of foot skills on show.

Another good one was the across ground drill where you had to transition or defend transition.

The kick JSOS pulled off to Ronnie Byrnes was proper clench your ass stuff if you saw it in game. He did it perfectly and everyone around me went from ohhhh… to woooww.

I think saints tv camera guy was similar on video

 

[Circus]

I've used so many love emojis responding to these training reports I think I must be pregnant!

 

[ESPN8 The Ocho]

The game seems so simple with the improvement of foot skills on show.

Another good one was the across ground drill where you had to transition or defend transition.

The kick JSOS pulled off to Ronnie Byrnes was proper clench your ass stuff if you saw it in game. He did it perfectly and everyone around me went from ohhhh… to woooww.

I think saints tv camera guy was similar on video

And on the outer side, an at pace Hall collects a loose ball.
He would have been halfway to South Road before anyone else moved except play was stopped due to a free.
Not many would have seen that, but the anticipation and read of the play was just class.
For the first time in years, I am seeing these little byplays.
From your post, you’re seeing them too.

I think it’s this that has me optimistic about the future.

 

[Now is the time]

He really looks it, seems very comfortable, loves to chat to fans and is embracing the group and what we are trying to achieve. To go from premiership player to wooden spooner and staying there must be deflating.
He seems a perfect fit for our gameplan. I was not excitex about his recruitment, thought it curious ( not as curious as Aleer though). Watching yesterday and the way he will be used, it is crystal clear, exciting to have these QUALITY players recruited
In 2019, the 5 we recruited we good with only Paddy and Hill above average. I still maintain the recruiting was necessary, 6 years later 3 still on the list. However this time the recruiters and Lyon asked for patience and built through the draft, with cheap recruits like Caminiti, Hall and Sharman.
Time to recruit and the four this time would all be in our top 8 players. It is going OTT, as it was match sim only, but the four recruits we amongst BOG yesterday and slotted in brilliantly, especially the two 'lesser'recruits, JSOS, and Ryan really standing out and surprising.
I am as excited as I have been for 15 years. Could we crash and burn, well chances are yes, but we are having a dip and giving the supporters reason to hope.

 

[Now is the time]

In regards the List build strategy what we see now dates from the days of Gallagher as List Manager and following the introduction of experienced State League players to fill a demographic role, and where Wilkie remains

Nothing has changed from then including getting to a List where we can approach required players from other Clubs

The trajectory of Wilkie along with Sinclair and Marshall plus the presence of Clark from an earlier Draft has given momentum

Then you get to Howard due to Port Adelaide and the reasons he left plus the bonuses of Wood and Hill

Then the Draft so King, Owens, Windhager and onwards

That the Board saw the available and promoted Lyon as more capable to see this strategy thru is what it is - and the Board looks like being vindicated including that there were some (only) further changes to the Coaching ranks

 

[SaintsSeptember]

Could well be that marshall as an individual has a modest year- and is relegated to doing the late years kosi role of crashing packs and bringing the ball to ground.

Fine by me if we are playing (and winning) finals which is the plan.

Also remember we could well come up against geelong in a final.

Roma could do literally nothing for us in a final v geelong and its still a huge win for us.
The cats are playing this season with gumby rucks who were slaughtered in the GF... its huge for us that we wont have to play them with their major weakness fixed.

Roma is way more versatile than Kosi ever was.

 

[tomjoad]

And they can both really kick!

Max won’t know himself if he finally gets back out there and he’s now got the likes of Nas, Hall and Ryan delivering the ball to him.

Won't have any excuses to be ineffective.

 

[SainterinSydney]

I'm delighted for you, partner and family! Welcome to the Saints, Young Darrel!!

Thanks, mate. We will call the next kid Darrel

 

[gringo2011]

My point is
Marsh was powerful but Wilkinson was in no way a ‘quick player’. re Trav I think as he develops he could definetly play the small defender roll although I’d still be pushing him a quasi Mid/HB role. We need him to continue to drive with his run. I think he will show this year some moments where he starts running chains whether HB or from a stoppage. The latter being the most important component of his development imo. Once that clicks for him, his decision making will improve because he will allow himself more time to make the correct decision. I not regarding Phillapou it seems like it took him 30/40 games and you can now see in the training vids and late season form he has also now begun to think his way through a stoppage.

Hunter Clark is apparently fast too.

 

[gringo2011]

The game seems so simple with the improvement of foot skills on show.

Another good one was the across ground drill where you had to transition or defend transition.

The kick JSOS pulled off to Ronnie Byrnes was proper clench your ass stuff if you saw it in game. He did it perfectly and everyone around me went from ohhhh… to woooww.

I think saints tv camera guy was similar on video

Jack was playing AA quality footy last year until injury hit. Defence seemed to suit him. Or at least finding a single role to settle into.

 

[gringo2011]

And on the outer side, an at pace Hall collects a loose ball.
He would have been halfway to South Road before anyone else moved except play was stopped due to a free.
Not many would have seen that, but the anticipation and read of the play was just class.
For the first time in years, I am seeing these little byplays.
From your post, you’re seeing them too.

I think it’s this that has me optimistic about the future.

I keep telling people that he's already A grade. Probably only Gryan Miers is better as a high HF. Looks potentially an absolute gun mid too.

 

[JG22]

I also noted Travaglia's ineffectiveness yesterday, couple of shocking turnovers under no pressure.

I reckon we will push him as a midfielder, but just not good enough in there yet. Needs to be really working opponents into the ground with his running.

 

[austinnn]

I've used so many love emojis responding to these training reports I think I must be pregnant!

We have been starved for elite football for 15 years, many of our younger supporters simply havent seen us play like that, and for those that remember, it brings a tear to the eye...

One thing to produce in the indifferent and passive atmosphere of preseason training, wait till the adrenaline of a willing, pumped and mighty Saints crowd infuses the players with energy, creating a feedback loop of power. The momentum will be formidable.

We havent seen how great other teams are yet, so i remain cautious, but Im tipping special things this year.

 

[austinnn]

Regardless of results, I think its going to be a very entertaining year.

 

[Sully111]

He needed to go to new levels with his application to really impact the game and so far this season he looks like he might have. Sometimes kids need a jolt to remind them to stop cruising or the game will pass them by. Isaac has definitely improved this preseason, hopefully he now goes ahead in leaps and bounds and we can then offer him a long term deal.

He showed enough last year to warrant some faith

 

[Now is the time]

Hunter Clark is apparently fast too.

And Steele, a stalwart who has led our midfield for a decade and was awarded AA status across that journey, was fast too?

Except Steele did not have a left side

 

[Now is the time]

And Steele, a stalwart who has led our midfield for a decade and was awarded AA status across that journey, was fast too?

Except Steele did not have a left side

And in regard Keeler from Port Augusta, he joined North Adelaide as an Adelaide Academy player but despite his significant attributes he did not perform put down to attitude which was seen as poor

Down to this attitude (as a school kid from the Country) Adelaide did not protect him at the Draft and St Kilda pounced to Adelaide’s chagrin

It was always down to attitude because his skills are top drawer (even playing on a wing!)

And the penny is dropping having been exposed at the level last season and from reports training this year

 

[AirWinmar]

Hunter Clark is apparently fast too.

Hope youre not driving tonight

 

[St Neil]

Thought the same thing when I watched him, skills were neat too. Either they totally botched it, or their other Academy Kids must be absolute jets. I'll bet on a botch job.

West Coast botched it.

They were given additional rookie spots as part of their concession package from the AFL and they didn’t move a number of older players on to those rookie spots.

That would have opened up additional primary list spots at the National draft last year.

As a consequence, by the time Saints bid on Banfield at pick 41, the Eagles had already filled their 5 created primary list spots. A terrible mistake.

Eagles couldn’t match our bid for Banfield. No more primary list spots. Incompetence.

The Eagles were hoping Banfield would go undrafted and they would pre-list him at the Rookie draft as an untaken Father-Son.

The lad was miffed as well. Said so publicly. He has a point to prove. Doubt he will go back to West Coast anytime soon.

 

[kosifantutti]

West Coast botched it.

They were given additional rookie spots as part of their concession package from the AFL and they didn’t move a number of older players on to those rookie spots.

That would have opened up additional primary list spots at the National draft last year.

As a consequence, by the time Saints bid on Banfield at pick 41, the Eagles had already filled their 5 created primary list spots. A terrible mistake.

Eagles couldn’t match our bid for Banfield. No more primary list spots. Incompetence.

The Eagles were hoping Banfield would go undrafted and they would pre-list him at the Rookie draft as an untaken Father-Son.

The lad was miffed as well. Said so publicly. He has a point to prove. Doubt he will go back to West Coast anytime soon.

Jamie Cripps still helping us in subtle ways.
He eased our path into the finals in 2023 by single handedly beating the Bulldogs in the second last round.
And by not being moved to the rookie list (probably not his decision, but he seemed like the obvious choice) he presented Charlie Banfield to us on a plate.

 

[gringo2011]

Hope youre not driving tonight

Someone suggested that he clocks top speed and ground covered on GPS on here. Shows testing is a load of crap. Give me the eye test over some numbers on paper every time.

 

[gringo2011]

And in regard Keeler from Port Augusta, he joined North Adelaide as an Adelaide Academy player but despite his significant attributes he did not perform put down to attitude which was seen as poor

Down to this attitude (as a school kid from the Country) Adelaide did not protect him at the Draft and St Kilda pounced to Adelaide’s chagrin

It was always down to attitude because his skills are top drawer (even playing on a wing!)

And the penny is dropping having been exposed at the level last season and from reports training this year

I don't think the Crows nominated him for their academy discount even. Not sure they were keen on him.