Prediction Best 22 - 2026

[Speck]

As others have said Hill will absolutely be best 23 to start the year, and the coaches will craft a role for him if need be. When we're struggling to move the ball quickly he is always the one to he running past to propel us forward (almost an on field coach for transition). If he can keep his kicks a little more simple (he's lost some his penetration) and not be isolated in the back half too much he can still play an important role for us.

 

[Saintscomemarchingin]

As others have said Hill will absolutely be best 23 to start the year, and the coaches will craft a role for him if need be. When we're struggling to move the ball quickly he is always the one to he running past to propel us forward (almost an on field coach for transition). If he can keep his kicks a little more simple (he's lost some his penetration) and not be isolated in the back half too much he can still play an important role for us.

If Henry can get over his knee issues, then hoping he can takeover Hill's role asap.

 

[The Punter]

If Henry can get over his knee issues, then hoping he can takeover Hill's role asap.

I think the issue for Henry is, if he gets fit, Hall has taken his role.

Wilson is the Hill replacement, or perhaps Windhager.

 

[Saintscomemarchingin]

I think the issue for Henry is, if he gets fit, Hall has taken his role.

Wilson is the Hill replacement, or perhaps Windhager.

Henry started as a hbf with Freeo. Then played his best football on a wing for them, before coming to us.
If he hasn't lost any speed, seems like a good Hill replacement to me.
But yes, Wilson & Windhager can take a wing role also.
And can't see the Henry/ Hall comparison tbh.

 

[The Punter]

Henry started as a hbf with Freeo. Then played his best football on a wing for them, before coming to us.
If he hasn't lost any speed, seems like a good Hill replacement to me.
But yes, Wilson & Windhager can take a wing role also.
And can't see the Henry/ Hall comparison tbh.

I reckon Henry was recruited to be a crafty forward 50 ball deliverer. Has played mostly in that role when in the RWB.

 

[Saintscomemarchingin]

I reckon Henry was recruited to be a crafty forward 50 ball deliverer. Has played mostly in that role when in the RWB.

He played a few early games coming out of the centre for us & was explosive. Hope he can get back to that.

 

[The Punter]

He played a few early games coming out of the centre for us & was explosive. Hope he can get back to that.

It'd be great, but that sounds a lot like what Hall was doing for us last year.

 

[Saints4ever]

I think Hall has taken Henrys spot and he’s going to have to work his ass off to get back in the 23.

I really like Henry will be a huge shame if he doesn’t make it.

 

[Saintscomemarchingin]

Zero Hangar- Essendon f.c. best 23
Gresham not named in it

 

[saintmike65]

Henry started as a hbf with Freeo. Then played his best football on a wing for them, before coming to us.
If he hasn't lost any speed, seems like a good Hill replacement to me.
But yes, Wilson & Windhager can take a wing role also.
And can't see the Henry/ Hall comparison tbh.

Liam Henry has been in the system for 6 years, shown glimpses but how long does a player have the potential tag put on him.
If he's not careful he may have a shortened career!

 

[Veer Right]

Zero Hangar- Essendon f.c. best 23
Gresham not named in it

Many of their fans on bigfooty want him delisted.

 

[Veer Right]

Liam Henry has been in the system for 6 years, shown glimpses but how long does a player have the potential tag put on him.
If he's not care he may have a shortened career!

Henry is past potential and an established quality player when fit based off the back half of the 2023 season.

 

[Saintscomemarchingin]

Henry is past potential and an established quality player when fit based off the back half of the 2023 season.

If we can get Henry, King & Pou fit & relatively injury free.
We really could climb up the ladder fast.

 

[gringo2011]

I think the issue for Henry is, if he gets fit, Hall has taken his role.

Wilson is the Hill replacement, or perhaps Windhager.

Henry played his best footy at Freo as a wing. Hill at St Kilda played best as a roaming high HF. Hall is that but should play more out of the centre. Wilson looks like a wing/HF, Windhager a true wingman or defensive mid.

Wood is still best as a wingman too although he played mostly inside 50 last year. Then Trav who looks suited to outside run and even Hastie who probably suits that more than back half due to his kicking.

There are going to be plenty of options and flexibility.

 

[gringo2011]

If we can get Henry, King & Pou fit & relatively injury free.
We really could climb up the ladder fast.

To me the guys that will propel us come from the established young group with gears to go up- NWM, Garcia, Owens, Windhager, Caminiti, TDK, Wilson, Flanders, Phillipou etc could all have massive upwards jumps.

Then you've got a pool with Boxshall, Travaglia, Tauru, Collard, Keeler types coming up behind them. Keep the core fit with Ryan and JSOS types solidifying what we have and the growth potential is huge.

There is also a pool of existing talent that have been written off that could still add more in Clark, Carroll, Dow, Henry, Butler, Howard, Stocker too.

King is a bonus and won't make or break our season. Surely with that much potential for growth we get a few surge up and then you're in real contention.

 

[saintmike65]

Ok..after watching a significant amount of preseason training, here's my best 23:

O'Connell Caminiti Silvagni
Sinclair Wilkie Carroll
Windhager Macrae Wilson
Hall Marshall Ryan
Higgins king Owens

TDK Nas Flanders

Int:
Hill Sharman Garcia Tauru Boxshall

 

[SG34]

If we can get Henry, King & Pou fit & relatively injury free.
We really could climb up the ladder fast.

I see all three as highly suspect. I am not expecting much from them to be brutally frank.

 

[Saints4ever]

Ok..after watching a significant amount of preseason training, here's my best 23:

O'Connell Caminiti Silvagni
Sinclair Wilkie Carroll
Windhager Macrae Wilson
Hall Marshall Ryan
Higgins king Owens

TDK Nas Flanders

Int:
Hill Sharman Garcia Tauru Boxshall

Looks a really well balanced side.

Massive that players like Howard, Wood, Clark, Henry, Pou etc have become depth.

Surprised Pou didn’t make the cut.

 

[saintmike65]

Looks a really well balanced side.

Massive that players like Howard, Wood, Clark, Henry, Pou etc have become depth.

Surprised Pou didn’t make the cut.

He may well do because injuries will determine opening round side.
I'm not convinced Mattaes is a midfielder...can't put him ahead of Sharman and Owens up forward

 

[Saintos The ITK]

Ok..after watching a significant amount of preseason training, here's my best 23:

O'Connell Caminiti Silvagni
Sinclair Wilkie Carroll
Windhager Macrae Wilson
Hall Marshall Ryan
Higgins king Owens

TDK Nas Flanders

Int:
Hill Sharman Garcia Tauru Boxshall

Tough when Poo and Trav can’t get a look in.

 

[Saintos The ITK]

He may well do because injuries will determine opening round side.
I'm not convinced Mattaes is a midfielder...can't put him ahead of Sharman and Owens up forward

King won’t play. Could that open a spot for
Pooey.

 

[saintmike65]

Tough when Poo and Trav can’t get a look in.

I haven't picked it on potential

 

[Tyrian Lonestar]

Ok..after watching a significant amount of preseason training, here's my best 23:

O'Connell Caminiti Silvagni
Sinclair Wilkie Carroll
Windhager Macrae Wilson
Hall Marshall Ryan
Higgins king Owens

TDK Nas Flanders

Int:
Hill Sharman Garcia Tauru Boxshall

Nice team saintmike65 !

 

[wannabewinner]

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.

Marshall should be playing the tall flanker type role that Riewoldt played in his last 2-3 playing years.

 

[seasonedsainter]

LOC Howard Carroll
Caminiti Wilkie Sinclair
Hill Windhager Wilson
Owens Sharman Hall
Higgins Marshall Ryan
F: TDK NAZ Flanders
Bench: Tauru Garcia Pou Keeler Collard