Remove this Banner Ad

Training Saints preseason 2026

🥰 Love BigFooty? Join now for free.

Reader mode
Joffaboy said:
Was told by the Brains Trust guys but forget saintmike65 any ideas?
He was a nice size and moved well.
Click to expand...
Was the most impressive of the VFL lads for me.

Also, does anyone happen to know what the issue with Garcia is? Didn't see him do anything but he was very chummy, talking closely with Ross about what was happening for the entirely of the last quarter.
 
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera is gearing up for a huge season. Picture: Josie Hayden

Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera is gearing up for a huge season. Picture: Josie Hayden

ST KILDA: NAS ON FIRE, KING A NO-SHOW​

- Harrison Borthwick
It was a costly investment, but St Kilda superstar Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera is showing he’s worth the $2 million contract after a five-goal haul in the Saints’ intra-club.
The Saints rolled out their shiny new toys in the match simulation on Friday morning, but it was the returning midfield star that dominated.
Wanganeen-Milera became the richest player in the AFL during the off-season when he spurned rival advances to remain at St Kilda on a two-year extension worth about $4 million.
He was flanked by recruits Sam Flanders and Tom De Koning, as well as youngsters Max Hall and Mattaes Phillipou in the centre square.
Wanganeen-Milera was dominant, looking a class above as an inside midfielder, but he was most damaging when he rested as a lead-up forward with five majors.
His goals came through different avenues, including lead-up marks and set shots, slotting goals on the run, winning the ball from stoppages and dodging opposing tacklers to snap a major.
Expect more midfield minutes for Max Hall. Picture: Michael Klein

Expect more midfield minutes for Max Hall. Picture: Michael Klein
MIDFIELD RISERS
Max Hall is set for greater responsibilities despite the boom recruits landing at Moorabbin, having starred during limited midfield exposure in 2025.
He rotated between the forward and midfield groups throughout the match sim, showing his wares as an natural accumulator.
Hall provided track watchers a highlight as he burst through a stoppage, took a bounce and steadied to hit up a leading Wanganeen-Milera on the chest, having won the clearance off a De Koning hit out.
After an injury-troubled 2025, Mattaes Phillipou was impressive when playing in the midfield.
He started forward of the ball but rotated through the engine room, offering a different look as a 190cm midfielder.
Phillipou and new recruit Flanders found each other on several occasions, linking up to create attacking thrusts.
Darcy Wilson’s running ability was on full display as he burst through the middle of the ground and wing with ball in hand throughout the practice match.
Hugh Boxshall showed he was more-than-capable depth, showcasing an impressive array of skills and booting a goal despite playing on the weaker ‘Blue’ team.
WORK IN PROGRESS
St Kilda is still hopeful Max King will feature early in the season, with the injured key forward racing the clock to prove his fitness for Opening Round.
Both Rowan Marshall and De Koning failed to impact forward of the ball, with the pair of rucks playing on the stronger ‘Black’ team.
The duo shared ruck duties and performed strongly around the ground and in the centre, but failed to fire in front of goal.
Instead the Saints relied on their brigade of small forwards get the job done in front of goal.
Liam Ryan was quiet early but took a pair of nice marks at half-forward and looked dangerous as the game went on.
Mitch Owens and Jack Higgins both kicked goals throughout the game.
SOLID IN DEFENCE
Callum Wilkie starred in defence, pairing well with his new partner in crime in Jack Silvagni.
The recruit from Carlton has been limited in pre-season, suffering a groin niggle that kept him out of full training before the Christmas break.
But he showed his wares as an intercepting defender with several overhead contested marks alongside Wilkie.
Sophomore defender Alix Tauru did his chances of locking down a spot in the club’s best backline no harm, taking a courageous back-with-the-flight mark that earned applause as he crashed through oncoming players.
The trio of Wilkie, Silvagni and Tauru played most of the scratch match on the same side.
Fellow second-year defender Tobie Travaglia played as a running defender and was clean coming out of defence.
Max King wasn’t at training on Friday. Picture: Getty Images

Max King wasn’t at training on Friday. Picture: Getty Images
NO SIGN OF THE KING
Max King was a no show on the training track on Friday.
King wasn’t present during match-sim as he completed his own rehab.
The club remains hopeful he is available to face Collingwood in Opening Round.
Hunter Clark, Mason Wood, Dougal Howard and Hugo Garcia were reduced to running laps and did not take part in the match-sim.
Liam Henry’s return is still unclear as he suffered a high-end hamstring injury earlier in the week and spent the session in the pool completing rehab work.
 

Log in to remove this Banner Ad

stavro#4 said:
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera is gearing up for a huge season. Picture: Josie Hayden

Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera is gearing up for a huge season. Picture: Josie Hayden

ST KILDA: NAS ON FIRE, KING A NO-SHOW​

- Harrison Borthwick
It was a costly investment, but St Kilda superstar Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera is showing he’s worth the $2 million contract after a five-goal haul in the Saints’ intra-club.
The Saints rolled out their shiny new toys in the match simulation on Friday morning, but it was the returning midfield star that dominated.
Wanganeen-Milera became the richest player in the AFL during the off-season when he spurned rival advances to remain at St Kilda on a two-year extension worth about $4 million.
He was flanked by recruits Sam Flanders and Tom De Koning, as well as youngsters Max Hall and Mattaes Phillipou in the centre square.
Wanganeen-Milera was dominant, looking a class above as an inside midfielder, but he was most damaging when he rested as a lead-up forward with five majors.
His goals came through different avenues, including lead-up marks and set shots, slotting goals on the run, winning the ball from stoppages and dodging opposing tacklers to snap a major.
Expect more midfield minutes for Max Hall. Picture: Michael Klein

Expect more midfield minutes for Max Hall. Picture: Michael Klein
MIDFIELD RISERS
Max Hall is set for greater responsibilities despite the boom recruits landing at Moorabbin, having starred during limited midfield exposure in 2025.
He rotated between the forward and midfield groups throughout the match sim, showing his wares as an natural accumulator.
Hall provided track watchers a highlight as he burst through a stoppage, took a bounce and steadied to hit up a leading Wanganeen-Milera on the chest, having won the clearance off a De Koning hit out.
After an injury-troubled 2025, Mattaes Phillipou was impressive when playing in the midfield.
He started forward of the ball but rotated through the engine room, offering a different look as a 190cm midfielder.
Phillipou and new recruit Flanders found each other on several occasions, linking up to create attacking thrusts.
Darcy Wilson’s running ability was on full display as he burst through the middle of the ground and wing with ball in hand throughout the practice match.
Hugh Boxshall showed he was more-than-capable depth, showcasing an impressive array of skills and booting a goal despite playing on the weaker ‘Blue’ team.
WORK IN PROGRESS
St Kilda is still hopeful Max King will feature early in the season, with the injured key forward racing the clock to prove his fitness for Opening Round.
Both Rowan Marshall and De Koning failed to impact forward of the ball, with the pair of rucks playing on the stronger ‘Black’ team.
The duo shared ruck duties and performed strongly around the ground and in the centre, but failed to fire in front of goal.
Instead the Saints relied on their brigade of small forwards get the job done in front of goal.
Liam Ryan was quiet early but took a pair of nice marks at half-forward and looked dangerous as the game went on.
Mitch Owens and Jack Higgins both kicked goals throughout the game.
SOLID IN DEFENCE
Callum Wilkie starred in defence, pairing well with his new partner in crime in Jack Silvagni.
The recruit from Carlton has been limited in pre-season, suffering a groin niggle that kept him out of full training before the Christmas break.
But he showed his wares as an intercepting defender with several overhead contested marks alongside Wilkie.
Sophomore defender Alix Tauru did his chances of locking down a spot in the club’s best backline no harm, taking a courageous back-with-the-flight mark that earned applause as he crashed through oncoming players.
The trio of Wilkie, Silvagni and Tauru played most of the scratch match on the same side.
Fellow second-year defender Tobie Travaglia played as a running defender and was clean coming out of defence.
Max King wasn’t at training on Friday. Picture: Getty Images

Max King wasn’t at training on Friday. Picture: Getty Images
NO SIGN OF THE KING
Max King was a no show on the training track on Friday.
King wasn’t present during match-sim as he completed his own rehab.
The club remains hopeful he is available to face Collingwood in Opening Round.
Hunter Clark, Mason Wood, Dougal Howard and Hugo Garcia were reduced to running laps and did not take part in the match-sim.
Liam Henry’s return is still unclear as he suffered a high-end hamstring injury earlier in the week and spent the session in the pool completing rehab work.
Click to expand...
Henry was in the pool? I though he went for surgery today?
 
BrutThough said:
Was the most impressive of the VFL lads for me.

Also, does anyone happen to know what the issue with Garcia is? Didn't see him do anything but he was very chummy, talking closely with Ross about what was happening for the entirely of the last quarter.
Click to expand...
Hugo back in full training next week
 
And on a negative note, Collard took a step backwards on his body language and overall team first vibe. Heard Ross yell out in the last qtr, "Lance Body language"! There were a few notable examples throughout the match sim.

All the talent, but i hated playing with guys like that, similar to Gresham! Still young and i feel he knows, along with others that this will be his downfall. If he doesn't grow up a little bit and have a mentality of "We" not "Me" he'll not get another contract at the Saints imo!
 
I really enjoyed match sim last week but today it went to another level.
Mids Nas, Phillipou, Flanders, Hall and Macrae were terrific, as were Ro and TDK.
Flanders must have got over 30 possessions, Nas similar and kicked 4 goals resting forward.
Wilkie & SOS terrific in defence, along with Carroll, Tarau and Sinclair!
Boxshall and Banfield kicked 5 goals between them playing wing/ forward roles.
 
Joffaboy said:
Back to watch these overpaid hacks again
4 x 25 minute match sim qtrs. Even Max in a black top.
Sincs training, shouldn't he be in WA?
TDK last out. Both he and Roh in black.
Howard, Dodson, Clark seem like rehab/ modified, although they are both hanging around the main group. Now doing drills with Wood so those three are probably not playing.
Hill out there too so taking SOO very seriously. Not.
Think Chambers is no.48. Scrub that no.27 I think. Nice size.
No rhyme or reason to the colours, Windy, Wilson, Tauru in blue, no.41 and 27 in black.
Actually scrub the Chambers talk, 48 and 49 also out there and can't tell from here who is Chambers. Anyway no.27 is a nice size and mover. Dont know if he can football though.
So Keels and perhaps Dodson ruck for blue v TDK and Roh for black.
Looks like Hugo in a red top over with the three others in
rehab.
Now they are ****ing me over with them using green bibs. Wish me luck.
Hang on think bibs are for warm ups only, I am all over the shop.
Max must have gone inside, not on the field or with rehab.
Hugo running laps.
Pumping out Born Slippy, makes me want to revert back to my 20's and mainline heroin and do some Trainspotting.
20 minute qtrs.
TDK, NAZ, Pou and Flanders v Dodson, Macrae, Windy, Dow.
Banfield great contested mark and goal.
Great contested work twice by Trav in a chain to Pou to NAZ eventually to Roh for the goal.
Bloody willing. Banfield's nickname is Butters. Trav and Pou prominent so far.
Tauru with a great mark with the flight of the ball, immediately turns it over. My worry all preseason with him. Clean that up and he could be anything.
Fantastic weighted kick by Macrae to Banfield who kicks truly.
The skills are very sharp for contested.
Barrat with a huge body check on Fincher.
Dodson holding his own v TDK.
Trav is working beautifully in close under pressure.
Ball movement lightning by both teams. Pou have a great game.
Overpaid hack no.2 pinged htb by McCrae who goes behind the stick.
FMD we have stars all over the field, Pou breaks from the centre, Tauru climbs high for the spoil. From throw in Hall in traffic goals..
Fincher with a magic dribble goal. From the centre Hack no.2 to Hall to NAZ on the lead for the goal.
4.1 to 4.0 straigh Blue.
Cant keep up. Thank god its qtr time.
Best Black, Trav, Carroll, Hall, NAZ,
Blue, Banfield, Dodson, Macrae, Windy
Ross Joins us on the stands. In fine humour.
Most enjoyable qtr of footy I have seen for some time. Pace of ball movement is blindingly quick. Any team let us run this year, we will put up cricket scores.
Ok back to 0.0 2nd qtr, a few positional changes.
Overpaid hack no.2 off Dodson v Roh. Overpaid hack no.1 still.in.
So for anyone interested NAZ is overpaid hack no.1, TDK no.2. Known as OH1 and OH2.
Barrat 50 in space somehow rolls his ankle.
Slick ball movement through the guts to Roh. Behind the stick for black.
Confidence and decision making very high.
Getting the horn over the Ryan OH1 combo. Krauker magic type stuff.
Flanders and Sinc of a hbf combine through the guts for Wilson lead and goal for black. Training yes but contested and slick af.
Hope there is film of this. Running is phenomenal.
Sincs and Hill cant be playing tomorrow, they are running their guts out.
Wilson is an out and machine when running. Chito big influence this qtr. Barat off. Probably the ankle a bit sore.
OH2, in a mile of space to Hall who kicks truly from 45.
Tauru crashes the pack spills out to Hall who hits Roh on the tit from 55 metres what vision.
Finally man on man defence, Blues slow down black and get the turnover.
Chito on the end of OH1 hack pass. Kicks truly from 50 on the angle.
Black dominate that qtr 6.3 to 1.0
Chito, Hall, OH1, Ryan, Tauru, Wilson Flanders black.
Banfield, Macrae, Trav, Fincher blue.
OH1 very quick even with the ball, easily out runs Trav with two bounces and hits up Owens. For a hack who is way overpaid NAZ is pretty good.
Other hack TDK, not as dominant as last week but having a very big influence.
Centre bounces arent contested by the rucks, one jumps for the tap down.
TDK and Dodson best at this.
All 36 within 70 of goal. Hammer with the big spoil. Very pleased with himself.
Boxy starts the scoring off for blue.McCrae, FlanderS , OH1 and 2 centre for black.
Boxy Wilson and Trav all going well for blue. Barrat back on.
JSOS steady down back, Carroll more prominent but a terrible turnover going into attack.
Hamnwr has hurt his right wrist. Seems ok.
Qtr stopped at 11.46 for the coaches to chat to the players. Blue in a huddle, black in about 4 groups.
Tauru misses too many kicks. Too many unforced errors.
Dodson running laps.
Flanders worth pick 7. With McCrae, NAZ, Windy, Hall, Wilson and Pou others, we have such a good midfield. Best since Ross 1.0.
Getting a bit frayed now, players getting a bit fatigued. Chito skips through traffic for a nice goal.
Hall replaces Pou in the guts. Hall to McCrae to Ryan who finds NAZ AGAIN. Stocker cracks it. OH1 kicks truly.
JSOS reminds me of Wilkie. No higher praise from me.
Fincher marks and slots it.
Dow Windy Wilson Roh for Blues.
End of qtr 3. Some tired players.
So this qtr.
Quietish, Dow, Hastie, Armstrong, Lanceyboy, Carroll ( that qtr), Tauru. Not to critisise, all have had moments, but players like, NAZ, Banfield, Windy, Hammer, Hall, Hill. Flyin', Flanders, JSOS, all right in the game.
Skills and decision making have be remarkable good forthis time of the year. Speed on the ball and running power extreme. Teams will shut down the run but come qtr4 this team will demolish and team fatigued.
Lots of jumper changes for qtr4. Will just call what I see.
Keeler has lots of skillneeds to clean uphis kicking into deep 50.
OH2 a bit quiet but halving ground ball contests allowing NAZ and co to stream forward.
Hill whacks Flyin' who hits Roh going with the flight inside to passes to Boxy who kicks truly.
Tauru running laps.
OH1 with two huge contested marks for two goals. Blokes no good.
Another ten minute break. Heard today we dont get Ryan unless NAZ stayed. He would have gone to Port if thats where NAZ had landed.
Hall, Pou, Flanders OH2 for black.
Carroll great contested mark to Boxy to OH2 who shanks it oof.
Boxy collars no.41 at hbf.
Ryan off running laps, seems like he doesn't enjoy it.
Hall absolute class on the boundary, beats three to NAZ to Boxy eventually to Coops who goals.
Great hitout. Extreme running, great skills ( for Feb) ball movement superb and not one player poor in my view.
Hope there are others here to confirm I'm not blowing smoke up you arse.
Best match sim I have seen ny this group.
Now the poor kents are running repeat 200's on the boundary.
All she wrote
Adios Amigos.
Click to expand...

Epic writeup. Have enjoyed reading your content this summer. :thumbsu:
 
Veer Right said:
Epic writeup. Have enjoyed reading your content thisc summer. :thumbsu:
Click to expand...
Just write what I see. Gratified that other track watchers usually have similiar views.
Like today, thought I was getting a bit over excited with what I was seeing. Good to read other thought it was sharp quick and foccused as well.
 

Remove this Banner Ad

Parkysp said:
No one at St Kilda FC has singled out a player or players at another club for what they are earning and if they are worthy of it. Fagan has gone to a place I can't recall any other coach going in my 45 plus years of VFL/AFL football. He should be ashamed of letting emotion get the better of him as the face of his club.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I think ole mate's time would be more productively spent installing padlocks on the zippers of Lachie Neale's pants rather than taking pot-shots at other clubs players.....
 
Saint12 said:
You can't be serious...so we just sit back and accept an opposition coach throw shade at the club about who we have recruited and how much we pay them...wow. The epitome of a beaten dog.
Click to expand...
Beaten dog... what bollocks.

His comments have been roundly discounted and reversed already, by the time the season is done, if anyone still remembers them theyll be brought up for a laugh as one of the worst takes of the year, like the idiot record company boss who passed on the Beatles saying they couldn't sing or play.

I dont need to defend anything, it already looks stupid and its going to look a whole lot stupider every round that passes. I dont accept, but im sure not going to perform any rage about it, our CEO just knocked it out of the park, I'm happy to wait until Rd 3 and dance around with it then.
 
True Believer said:
Yeah, I think ole mate's time would be more productively spent installing padlocks on the zippers of Lachie Neale's pants rather than taking pot-shots at other clubs players.....
Click to expand...
I think it’s a bit of a deflection exercise. With every week that passes there is going to be more attention on what Neale is going to do at the end of the season. If they lose a couple of games early they might get some unwanted attention.
 
Last edited:
It's encouraging to hear reports about how slick the skills were and that the squad is looking physically mature vs "skills were scrappy but maybe it was due to fatigue from all the running" that has been a recurring theme for years now. Sounds like this squad is primed for a serious crack at the top 6.
 

🥰 Love BigFooty? Join now for free.

Fantastic reports about the match sim today.

I was there and the two I’d like to mention are Charlie Banfield and Kye Fincher.

We’ve found a couple of lads who can really play.

Word is our recruiters are incredibly bullish about both. They will be managed but both are developing really quickly.
 
austinnn said:
Beaten dog... what bollocks.

His comments have been roundly discounted and reversed already, by the time the season is done, if anyone still remembers them theyll be brought up for a laugh as one of the worst takes of the year, like the idiot record company boss who passed on the Beatles saying they couldn't sing or play.

I dont need to defend anything, it already looks stupid and its going to look a whole lot stupider every round that passes. I dont accept, but im sure not going to perform any rage about it, our CEO just knocked it out of the park, I'm happy to wait until Rd 3 and dance around with it then.
Click to expand...
Lol woof woof
 
St Neil said:
Fantastic reports about the match sim today.

I was there and the two I’d like to mention are Charlie Banfield and Kye Fincher.

We’ve found a couple of lads who can really play.

Word is our recruiters are incredibly bullish about both. They will be managed but both are developing really quickly.
Click to expand...
I love the look of Banners. I know you shouldn’t judge a persons character from what you see at training but he comes across as the most encouraging , possitive supportive bloke out there.

He stands under the ball and is as solid as they come. On multiple occasions I’ve seen him take great contested marks. Built like stocker but he can move. I don’t know we initially pegged him as a winger.

Ik this is high praise but he reminds me a lot of Fyfe. Scrappy kicking but just so tough and strong.
 
Wish I had been at Moorabbin. All sounds very encouraging. Hope and pray we bring out this stuff when the real games begin. Track watchers sound confident though.

A few mixed signals about Jack Carroll. A few weeks back it seemed he was looking good for a HB role. Was quiet last week. But sounds like he had a couple of good moments today. Any thoughts from those that were there?

Going to be some unlucky lads to miss the 23 for the first game. Great position to be in.
 
St Neil said:
Fantastic reports about the match sim today.

I was there and the two I’d like to mention are Charlie Banfield and Kye Fincher.

We’ve found a couple of lads who can really play.

Word is our recruiters are incredibly bullish about both. They will be managed but both are developing really quickly.
Click to expand...
Best skin folds at the club young Fincher apparently!
 
Train12 said:
Best skin folds at the club young Fincher apparently!
Click to expand...
Charlie would be in my 23 for opening round..his running power, aerial ability, determination very impressive.
Kye shows promising traits & will develop in the seconds with a senior debut a possibility.
 
Reader mode

Remove this Banner Ad

Similar threads

Chief
Win Prizes Saints AFL Tipping - Now Open for 2026 - 🔥 - Reply IN when you join
Replies
11
Views
356
Mavefromdelburn
Mavefromdelburn
bergholt
  • Poll Poll
Prediction Who won't be on the Saints list in 2026?
2 3 4
Replies
75
Views
9K
Saintscomemarchingin
S
CHBench
    • Like
2026 Fixture
3 4 5 6 7
Replies
164
Views
8K
gringo2011
gringo2011
T
    • Like
    • Love
VFL St Kilda VFL 2026
Replies
16
Views
994
BrutThough
BrutThough
Saintos The ITK
    • Like
Opinion Saints Royalty
Replies
17
Views
746
Verdun66
Verdun66
Diehard Saint
    • Like
Discussion 2026 General AFL Discussion
Replies
22
Views
1K
gringo2011
gringo2011
no1saint66
    • Like
2026 Membership tally
2
Replies
41
Views
5K
True Believer
True Believer

Remove this Banner Ad

🥰 Love BigFooty? Join now for free.

Back
Top Bottom