Prediction Best 22 - 2026

[CaptainRisky]

If 2025 Butler is 2026 Butler, 2027 Butler is playing back at Ballarat.

And IMO we need tall targets rather than small players who are good above their heads in 1 on 1s. Players who can take contested marks and break packs.

Geez you love this type of post , you did the same to me with your mate Byrnes ,

 

[thekizzler]

Geez you love this type of post , you did the same to me with your mate Byrnes ,

Considering there is no St Kilda games or news, plus Christmas and warmer weather is approaching, I reckon it's nearly impossible for a human to get more bitter.

But here we are

 

[falkstar]

Not the only concern...time will tell

Yes his kicking is not AFL half back level, think he becomes a mid with see ball get ball attitude. Not that quick either. What are the other concerns? Value your opinion as a track watcher

 

[Ads734]

The problem is the expectation put on young guys. Like seriously give him some time.

 

[stfan]

Marshall could probably be an excellent full back but there’s been no indication he’s gonna play there. Silvagni, Howard, Caminiti much more likely in that position

Marshall yes can be handy in defense, but not as a Fullback. He does not have the closing speed required for that role.

 

[Significant]

FB: Wilkie, Howard, Travaglia
HB: Sinclair, Silvagni, Carroll
R: De Koning, Flanders, Windhager
C: Wilson, Wanganeen-M, Wood
HF: Hall, Caminiti, Ryan
FF: Owens, Marshall, Higgins
IC: Sharman, Phillipou, Macrae, Garcia, Butler

 

[mad-saint-guy]

Yes it's a concern...not only me that's not quite sure about Tobie, a few of us that attend training every week aren't sure!

Interesting to hear that from regular track watchers. I haven't seen anything from his AFL, VFL or draft year form to suggest that he has the scope to become anything more than a lanky half back with dodgy kicking. I was hoping to hear that there was some rapid improvement evident at training. Yes it's early, but I can't wrap my head around taking him before Linsday, Reid, Hotton, Trainor etc....


Anyway, here's my preferred 23 in the fantasy world where King and Silvagni get on the park:


B: Stocker, Howard, Wilkie
HB: Sinclair, Silvagni, Phillipou
C: Windhager, Macrae, Wilson
HF: Higgins, Sharman, Hall
F: Ryan, King, Owens

Foll: TDK, Nas, Flanders
Int: Marshall, Tauru, Garcia, Boxshall, Wood


Here's one from left field - let's trial Pou in that vacant half back role. Midfield time will be tough to come by with Nas, Ned, Hugo, Box, Windy and Macrae all in there. Hall, Higgins, Owens and Ryan all play as marking general forwards. How about we try him in the prime Goddard half-back/mid role? Easy to get involved, makes use of his kicking and he would be a handy interceptor.


Of course, in reality we'll have to shuffle the talls around depending on how many of King, Silvagni and Howard are out injured. It's handy that both Caminiti and Tauru can play either end, and that we won't have to be playing any non-ruckmen in the ruck.

 

[Sully111]

If Jsos and King are unavailable....

FB: Wilkie, Howard, Caminiti
HB: Sinclair, Tauru, Carroll/Stocker
C: Wilson, Nas, Hill
HF: Hall, Sharman, Ryan
FF: Owens, Keeler, Higgins
R: TDK, Flanders, Garcia
IC: Phillipou, Macrae, Windy, Marshall, Boxshall

 

[Windtagger]

Is there a seperate leadership group thread?

Feel like Wilkie will be captain but I would love Sincs to be captain with Windhager as VC.

 

[Xxxx66]

Is there a seperate leadership group thread?

Feel like Wilkie will be captain but I would love Sincs to be captain with Windhager as VC.

Naz?

 

[Windtagger]

Naz?

NAS into the leadership group.

 

[SG34]

If Jsos and King are unavailable....

FB: Wilkie, Howard, Caminiti
HB: Sinclair, Tauru, Carroll/Stocker
C: Wilson, Nas, Hill
HF: Hall, Sharman, Ryan
FF: Owens, Keeler, Higgins
R: TDK, Flanders, Garcia
IC: Phillipou, Macrae, Windy, Marshall, Boxshall

We know that teams never line up like pretty rows like these lists, but whatever the case, we know we really lack two key players (maybe three?) A key position defender and and a key position forward. Hence, i can see the Tauru and Keeler logic here. It is hardly likely that they are good enough yet, but is shows the clear 'gap'.

 

[mad-saint-guy]

We know that teams never line up like pretty rows like these lists, but whatever the case, we know we really lack two key players (maybe three?) A key position defender and and a key position forward. Hence, i can see the Tauru and Keeler logic here. It is hardly likely that they are good enough yet, but is shows the clear 'gap'.

I think Howard, Wilkie and Caminiti is a very solid tall defensive group, plus Tauru is an outstanding interceptor. I'm hoping that one of JSOS and Howard is available at any given time this season.

Keeler would need some more help though in that lineup though as I just don't think he can compete against the number one key defender. I'd plonk Marshall at FF in the King role with Keeler and Sharman playing as lead-up targets. Keeler's tank isn't great yet but I do think he could be very effective playing 60% TOG, particularly without ruck duties draining his gas tank.

 

[Saint believer]

I would not be surprised if we prioritise height and more height as well as pace next season: (assuming all fit and available)

Carroll Howard Tauru

Silvani Wilkie Sinclair

Hall Windhager Wilson

Owens King Phillipou

Higgins Sharman Marshall

De Koning Flanders Nas W-M


Garcia Boxshall Ryan Macrae Hill


Caminiti can come in for either King or Silvani

Maybe not the team for opening round but possibly after the bye!

 

[gringo2011]

I would not be surprised if we prioritise height and more height as well as pace next season: (assuming all fit and available)

Carroll Howard Tauru

Silvani Wilkie Sinclair

Hall Windhager Wilson

Owens King Phillipou

Higgins Sharman Marshall

De Koning Flanders Nas W-M


Garcia Boxshall Ryan Macrae Hill


Caminiti can come in for either King or Silvani

Maybe not the team for opening round but possibly after the bye!

It looks strong on paper. Probably one too many talls in the backline with Tauru for me.

 

[Saintscomemarchingin]

FB: Wilkie, Howard, Travaglia
HB: Sinclair, Silvagni, Carroll
R: De Koning, Flanders, Windhager
C: Wilson, Wanganeen-M, Wood
HF: Hall, Caminiti, Ryan
FF: Owens, Marshall, Higgins
IC: Sharman, Phillipou, Macrae, Garcia, Butler

Good to see someone else who hasn't written off Butler just yet.

 

[saintmike65]

I would not be surprised if we prioritise height and more height as well as pace next season: (assuming all fit and available)

Carroll Howard Tauru

Silvani Wilkie Sinclair

Hall Windhager Wilson

Owens King Phillipou

Higgins Sharman Marshall

De Koning Flanders Nas W-M


Garcia Boxshall Ryan Macrae Hill


Caminiti can come in for either King or Silvani

Maybe not the team for opening round but possibly after the bye!

Only one small forward in the starting lineup...likely 2 , perhaps 3

 

[TheSaintsAreComing!]

Only one small forward in the starting lineup...likely 2 , perhaps 3

I agree they’ll be at least two small forwards they don’t get flyin Ryan in and not play him . I also thought last season Higgo and butts never really connected like the previous seasons I’m not sure what it was , got me stumped!

 

[SG34]

I think Howard, Wilkie and Caminiti is a very solid tall defensive group, plus Tauru is an outstanding interceptor. I'm hoping that one of JSOS and Howard is available at any given time this season.

Keeler would need some more help though in that lineup though as I just don't think he can compete against the number one key defender. I'd plonk Marshall at FF in the King role with Keeler and Sharman playing as lead-up targets. Keeler's tank isn't great yet but I do think he could be very effective playing 60% TOG, particularly without ruck duties draining his gas tank.

Fair enough. Although they have rarely used Marshall as a full-forward, even when seriously depleted, perhaps the the TDK factor changes the whole deck of cards, to the extent that, finally, they might do it? Or maybe big Tom could have a run?

Having Hammer train as a backman, as has been reported by our trusty training reporters, sounds like Lyon has flip-flopped on the vibe he was giving reporters earlier that he is ultimately a forward. (Perhaps he was playing funny buggers there?).

(reporting on Christmas Day like this…that is my life..on a bus on my way to work. Japan don’t stop for Santa. And tomorrow! Even Boxing Day! - can’t watch what is left of the Poms get destroyed. )

 

[mad-saint-guy]

Fair enough. Although they have rarely used Marshall as a full-forward, even when seriously depleted, perhaps the the TDK factor changes the whole deck of cards, to the extent that, finally, they might do it? Or maybe big Tom could have a run?

Having Hammer train as a backman, as has been reported by our trusty training reporters, sounds like Lyon has flip-flopped on the vibe he was giving reporters earlier that he is ultimately a forward. (Perhaps he was playing funny buggers there?).

(reporting on Christmas Day like this…that is my life..on a bus on my way to work. Japan don’t stop for Santa. And tomorrow! Even Boxing Day! - can’t watch what is left of the Poms get destroyed. )

I don't think Marshall is a particularly good forward but he could at least hold his ground physically against opposition full backs, which Keeler can't do at this stage. Marshall could take the best key defender and still kick a goal or two per game. This could allow Sharman, Owens and Keeler to get off the leash while playing on lesser defenders.

TDK is absolutely useless up forward but hopefully gives us a point of difference in the ruck with the new rules.

 

[The Punter]

Geez you love this type of post , you did the same to me with your mate Byrnes ,

If there are five posts of mine being critical of Butler, I'd be surprised. In fact, I'm regularly very supportive of the role he plays and the fact he is our best option at doing it. If someone goes past him great, because that would be a St Kilda player deserving of our support.

You only say critical things of Byrnes and you do it all the time.

 

[CaptainRisky]

If there are five posts of mine being critical of Butler, I'd be surprised. In fact, I'm regularly very supportive of the role he plays and the fact he is our best option at doing it. If someone goes past him great, because that would be a St Kilda player deserving of our support.

You only say critical things of Byrnes and you do it all the time.

% correct as I just don't rate him and think without a lot of injuries he will struggle to get a game

 

[saintmike65]

% correct as I just don't rate him and think without a lot of injuries he will struggle to get a game

Byrnes needs to be around 28-30 on our list

 

[stfan]

Fair enough. Although they have rarely used Marshall as a full-forward, even when seriously depleted, perhaps the the TDK factor changes the whole deck of cards, to the extent that, finally, they might do it? Or maybe big Tom could have a run?

I too doubt that they would use Marshall as a full-forward, well at least not on a regular basis.

It does not suit his strengths and exposes his weaknesses.

Marshall does not have the pace for quick leads.

He is an excellent contested mark though, but you really want that to be a genuine pack mark rather than him having to try and take a contested mark against a quality full-back who has had the time to take position against him where he can use his body or affect a spoil.

Marshall is also a very good reader of the play, and knows when and where to run to link up with team mates who have won the ball. With is good contested marking he is also a valuable target for quick hurried passes from team mates under pressure, or to take marks from opposition kicks.

When TDK is taking the ruck I see Marshall's role will more be as a roaming CHF and link player up the ground (ie the Follower role that he has excelled at). And yes in this role he will push deeper forward more regularly than he has in the main done. In these roles Marshall will be an effective marking target.

This is where he should play whether King is at FF (as in when King is in the 23) or not.

PS: And yes at times Marshall may need to support our defense when it is under the pump. This more as a fire fighting role as opposed to some rucks who play a lot across HB.

 

[thekizzler]

% correct as I just don't rate him and think without a lot of injuries he will struggle to get a game

Well duhhhh.

The bloke got delisted and re-listed, and was already on the fringes of the team before we brought in a bunch of new players.

Next you will be telling us that Callum Wilkie is an automatic walk-up in defence.