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Training Saints preseason 2026

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longtimesaint said:
Nothing to do with Gerry Ryan.
Go back and read Tony’s comment and the post it refers to.
Click to expand...
The Byrnes comment was said in jest mate, as was the Gerry Ryan comment. 😏
 

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Joffaboy said:
OK, a very long read with pre Christmas preseasons for each player – Remember, these are only my opinion of players so don’t @ me.

I think the numbers for the new recruits are correct and I have left Isacc Keeler at no.17 although he may have changed to No.37

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1.Jack Higgins – Stood out a bit more compared to last year, playing forward, running improved very lively at training becoming one of the senior players of the group.

2.Marcus Windhager – looks cut, running hard keeping up in the hard running drills just behind Wilson. Looks set for a big year, so far playing out of the midfield in whatever match sim they have been playing. Looking for him to blossom in 26

3.Jack Silvagni – Injured and well documented personal issues. Let see after New Year

4.Lance Collard-. Seems to be pretty happy and settled. Hasn’t set the world on fire in sims but is enthusiastic and competing well. All the support in the world with Liam Ryan and NWM. Is putting in at training, has the talent but don’t know if he will make it. I think the club sees him the long term replacement as Butler, Higgins and Ryan are getting older.

5.Tobie Travaglia –Dynamic of half back, clean disposal, has good game sense and can run all day. Running with a bit more vigour as he grows into his body. Has a deal of talent but don’t be surprised if he has second year blues a bit. Long term will be a beauty

6.Jack Macrae – We know what Macrae brings, however hardly sighted over pre Christmas. On a modified program

7.Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera – taller, more filled out, working off a half back flank but is rolling through the mids more. A beautiful user of the ball, getting better all the time. He took the $$, pressure on to lead this football team on the field and drag us forward.

8.Brad Hill – Evergreen is Brad Hill. Very happy, hard running guy at training. Always having a laugh, getting around the younger indigenous guys, maintains his standards at training. Predicting he will slowly be phased out over the next couple of years. Still is the second best runner at the club though.

9. Sam Flanders – looks cut and fit. A great recruit. So far looks poised and talented. Hasn’t missed a training session and seems to have overcome his nagging back injury

10.Mitch Owens -no management of Chito this preseason, continues to develop in a meaningful way. Forget him as a mid, he will be a damaging medium forward.

11.Hunter Clark – Has had a knee this preseason. Don’t know about his future with the depth of talent we have at the club.

12.Max King – the usual

13.Ryan Byrnes –Works very hard at training, has looked very sharp, now has lots of competition. Can’t just dial it in with the likes of Wilson, Pou, Dow, Travalgia, Hall, Banfield and Ryan etc now at the club. Good on him for managing to stay on the list. Will be depth.

14.Liam Stocker –managing a hand/finger injury. One year contract so needs to get fit and really push for that small back role. Some competition for his position.

15.Paddy Dow – Seems very balanced and his seniors experience really shows with his positioning. Will be challenged for his position by Flanders, Hall, Clark, Garcia, Windy etc. Needs to show why he was a pick 3 selection at the draft. Does nothing wrong but to me seems very vanilla. Coming off a terrible injury, hope he makes it, but looks like depth at the moment.

16.Dan Butler –Fully fit this preseason but hasn’t stood out. Higgo and Ryan ahead of him ATM. Being used as a HFF in the drills where RL wants width. He is positioning himself on the wing. Will be interesting where he lines up.

17.Isaac Keeler.- Bigger again. Nice size, bigger around the arse and shoulders, glides about the field, highly skilled, nice disposal. Competing much better with Marshall in ruck drills this preseason He is an out an out forward/ relief ruckman in my opinion. Has been one of the younger ones to have developed over the offseason.

18. Jack Carroll– good pickup, nice size, seems to read the play well, has has stood out off a HBF I preseason. A good move with the plethora of young mids clamouring for a spot there. If he can transfer track form to game form, he will be a better version of Bonner.

19.Rowan Marshall – absolute class. Still can ba an AA ruckman. Has some competition in the ruck role with TDK and Keeler coming on. Looked to move but seems happy enough back at training. Having some good duels with Keeler while TDk is on a modified program and Dodson recovers from a hammy.

20.Dougal Howard – Doug being Doug. Straightens up the defence and it looks a lot more solid with him down back.

21.Tom Dekoning – Modified program. Should be ready to go post New Year. Nice size, will work well in tandem with Marshall especially with King dodgey AF

22.Darcy Wilson – elite runner, again last session, running at the front of the fastest group hardly blowing. Some second year blues in 25 but came back with a vengeance near the end of the season with 5 goals against GWS a highlight. Biggest tank literally in the League. Has grown into an absolute hulk and his running through the guts at speed is elite and reminds me of the power of Dangerfield. If NWM was a must to sigh last year, Darcy Wilson is an absolute must for this season. Standout at pre season.

23.Liam Henry – in rehab with the knee. Still playing up. Could be a miss in the recruiting stakes.

24.Angus Hastie – seems taller and starting to fill out, but is very clean with the ball in hand, and positions nicely in match sim type drills. Another of the RL types, balanced, runs all day. Needs to improve his disposal accuracy. Had some terrible clangers on game day throughout the season. Misses quite a few at training. So much competition he need to improve his accuracy.

25.Mattaes Phillipou –Fully fit after a terribly interrupted season in 25. A big lad and is looking impressive in early season training.

26.Alix Tauru – I still think he needs a deal of development. Has sloppy disposal, costing a few turnover goals in 25. Excused a bit as he had no preseason and looked knackered at seasons end. Hasn’t really impressed me this preseason but I mark him hard. Hasn’t been bad at all, just we need to temper expectations somewhat and let him develop.

28.James Barrat – looks 25, already has an AFL footballers body, seems to be the usual. Rinse, repeat here, nice mover, good disposal, can take a nice mark. Needs to read the play a little better. Not sure if he replaces Webster first up, a little bit of development, but can see hugh potential in James. Has been injured this preseason. Will probably develop in the VFL

30.Alex Dodson - tweaked a hammy, but has grown and looking more filled out. As exciting a prospect as a ruck since Spider Everett in my opinion.

31. Liam Ryan – not the most aerobically fit, but is putting in extra running as far as I can see and looks very exciting in the drills. Didn’t move to Melbourne to play VFL.

32.Mason Wood –Running strongly. Putting in his usual preseason. The wing is still his but will need to work for it. Hope he stays on at the club when he retires. Like Hill should be phased out over the next season.

33.Patrick Said – smaller than the other mid recruits and needs a fair bit of development. Has been in rehab with injury.

34.Hugo Garcia – Like Wilson has filled out. Very intense at training. Look out for a big year for Hugo

35.Jack Sinclair – what do we expect from Sinc’s except the best. Look to see him running through the mids but mainly at half back where he was AA.

36. Charlie Banfield – great size for a recruit. Good disposal, big big Tank. Performed well over preseason. Will be groomed as a wingman. Not explosive speed but is quick enough. Can also run through the mids.

37. Kye Fincher – classy backman that will need a bit of development, but seems to have a good skillset

38.Hugh Boxshall – We were all impressed with Hugh in his seniors games in 25. Ha continued to look stong on the ball and in the contest (a bit of a Richo’ism there) but will be a strong inside mid who can get his own ball. Bright future for Hugh.

40. Max Hall – Highly impressive in 25 and so far at preseason. Early on I wasn’t that impressed last preseason, after New Year I saw what everyone else saw. Some on here rate him extremely highly and I can see why. Would have been so pissed if the Hawks got another potential champ for SFA. Glad we got him.

43r.Cooper Sharman – very impressive this preseason with everything he does. Bigger tank, very nice positioning up forward outworking his opponent in match sim. May be a main target if King is still out.

44.Callum Wilkie – Wilks does what Wilks does. Always a polished performer. Worth every cent

45b.Liam O'Connell – nice size, Works hard. Looking very solid this preseason. Would think Websters spot is his if he continues on his current route.

46b. Eammonn Armstrong – unbelievable size for a 19 year. Looks every inch a footballer. Kicking is improving every session it seems, just needs some game time development and positioning. Could be an excellent recruit going into 2027

47.Anthony Caminiti –Seems to have a bit more definition. Don’t know where he plays but suggestion is forward. Makes sense as the likes of Silvagni O’Connell, Carroll have developed and can take his medium back spot. Seems better somehow this preseason, can put my finger on it. Maybe throwing his weight around a bit more.
Click to expand...

Liam Henry could be cooked based on above. Hope not.
 
SainterinSydney said:
Liam Henry could be cooked based on above. Hope not.
Click to expand...
Might mean that Tex Wanganeen's chances have risen.
And hope they are trialling him as a back-pocket though.
We need that type, think we have the small-forwards covered for now.
Ainsworth has some serious X-Factor as a HFF, so hope he gets to show his wares after the break.
 
Joffaboy said:
OK, a very long read with pre Christmas preseasons for each player – Remember, these are only my opinion of players so don’t @ me.

I think the numbers for the new recruits are correct and I have left Isacc Keeler at no.17 although he may have changed to No.37

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1.Jack Higgins – Stood out a bit more compared to last year, playing forward, running improved very lively at training becoming one of the senior players of the group.

2.Marcus Windhager – looks cut, running hard keeping up in the hard running drills just behind Wilson. Looks set for a big year, so far playing out of the midfield in whatever match sim they have been playing. Looking for him to blossom in 26

3.Jack Silvagni – Injured and well documented personal issues. Let see after New Year

4.Lance Collard-. Seems to be pretty happy and settled. Hasn’t set the world on fire in sims but is enthusiastic and competing well. All the support in the world with Liam Ryan and NWM. Is putting in at training, has the talent but don’t know if he will make it. I think the club sees him the long term replacement as Butler, Higgins and Ryan are getting older.

5.Tobie Travaglia –Dynamic of half back, clean disposal, has good game sense and can run all day. Running with a bit more vigour as he grows into his body. Has a deal of talent but don’t be surprised if he has second year blues a bit. Long term will be a beauty

6.Jack Macrae – We know what Macrae brings, however hardly sighted over pre Christmas. On a modified program

7.Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera – taller, more filled out, working off a half back flank but is rolling through the mids more. A beautiful user of the ball, getting better all the time. He took the $$, pressure on to lead this football team on the field and drag us forward.

8.Brad Hill – Evergreen is Brad Hill. Very happy, hard running guy at training. Always having a laugh, getting around the younger indigenous guys, maintains his standards at training. Predicting he will slowly be phased out over the next couple of years. Still is the second best runner at the club though.

9. Sam Flanders – looks cut and fit. A great recruit. So far looks poised and talented. Hasn’t missed a training session and seems to have overcome his nagging back injury

10.Mitch Owens -no management of Chito this preseason, continues to develop in a meaningful way. Forget him as a mid, he will be a damaging medium forward.

11.Hunter Clark – Has had a knee this preseason. Don’t know about his future with the depth of talent we have at the club.

12.Max King – the usual

13.Ryan Byrnes –Works very hard at training, has looked very sharp, now has lots of competition. Can’t just dial it in with the likes of Wilson, Pou, Dow, Travalgia, Hall, Banfield and Ryan etc now at the club. Good on him for managing to stay on the list. Will be depth.

14.Liam Stocker –managing a hand/finger injury. One year contract so needs to get fit and really push for that small back role. Some competition for his position.

15.Paddy Dow – Seems very balanced and his seniors experience really shows with his positioning. Will be challenged for his position by Flanders, Hall, Clark, Garcia, Windy etc. Needs to show why he was a pick 3 selection at the draft. Does nothing wrong but to me seems very vanilla. Coming off a terrible injury, hope he makes it, but looks like depth at the moment.

16.Dan Butler –Fully fit this preseason but hasn’t stood out. Higgo and Ryan ahead of him ATM. Being used as a HFF in the drills where RL wants width. He is positioning himself on the wing. Will be interesting where he lines up.

17.Isaac Keeler.- Bigger again. Nice size, bigger around the arse and shoulders, glides about the field, highly skilled, nice disposal. Competing much better with Marshall in ruck drills this preseason He is an out an out forward/ relief ruckman in my opinion. Has been one of the younger ones to have developed over the offseason.

18. Jack Carroll– good pickup, nice size, seems to read the play well, has has stood out off a HBF I preseason. A good move with the plethora of young mids clamouring for a spot there. If he can transfer track form to game form, he will be a better version of Bonner.

19.Rowan Marshall – absolute class. Still can ba an AA ruckman. Has some competition in the ruck role with TDK and Keeler coming on. Looked to move but seems happy enough back at training. Having some good duels with Keeler while TDk is on a modified program and Dodson recovers from a hammy.

20.Dougal Howard – Doug being Doug. Straightens up the defence and it looks a lot more solid with him down back.

21.Tom Dekoning – Modified program. Should be ready to go post New Year. Nice size, will work well in tandem with Marshall especially with King dodgey AF

22.Darcy Wilson – elite runner, again last session, running at the front of the fastest group hardly blowing. Some second year blues in 25 but came back with a vengeance near the end of the season with 5 goals against GWS a highlight. Biggest tank literally in the League. Has grown into an absolute hulk and his running through the guts at speed is elite and reminds me of the power of Dangerfield. If NWM was a must to sigh last year, Darcy Wilson is an absolute must for this season. Standout at pre season.

23.Liam Henry – in rehab with the knee. Still playing up. Could be a miss in the recruiting stakes.

24.Angus Hastie – seems taller and starting to fill out, but is very clean with the ball in hand, and positions nicely in match sim type drills. Another of the RL types, balanced, runs all day. Needs to improve his disposal accuracy. Had some terrible clangers on game day throughout the season. Misses quite a few at training. So much competition he need to improve his accuracy.

25.Mattaes Phillipou –Fully fit after a terribly interrupted season in 25. A big lad and is looking impressive in early season training.

26.Alix Tauru – I still think he needs a deal of development. Has sloppy disposal, costing a few turnover goals in 25. Excused a bit as he had no preseason and looked knackered at seasons end. Hasn’t really impressed me this preseason but I mark him hard. Hasn’t been bad at all, just we need to temper expectations somewhat and let him develop.

28.James Barrat – looks 25, already has an AFL footballers body, seems to be the usual. Rinse, repeat here, nice mover, good disposal, can take a nice mark. Needs to read the play a little better. Not sure if he replaces Webster first up, a little bit of development, but can see hugh potential in James. Has been injured this preseason. Will probably develop in the VFL

30.Alex Dodson - tweaked a hammy, but has grown and looking more filled out. As exciting a prospect as a ruck since Spider Everett in my opinion.

31. Liam Ryan – not the most aerobically fit, but is putting in extra running as far as I can see and looks very exciting in the drills. Didn’t move to Melbourne to play VFL.

32.Mason Wood –Running strongly. Putting in his usual preseason. The wing is still his but will need to work for it. Hope he stays on at the club when he retires. Like Hill should be phased out over the next season.

33.Patrick Said – smaller than the other mid recruits and needs a fair bit of development. Has been in rehab with injury.

34.Hugo Garcia – Like Wilson has filled out. Very intense at training. Look out for a big year for Hugo

35.Jack Sinclair – what do we expect from Sinc’s except the best. Look to see him running through the mids but mainly at half back where he was AA.

36. Charlie Banfield – great size for a recruit. Good disposal, big big Tank. Performed well over preseason. Will be groomed as a wingman. Not explosive speed but is quick enough. Can also run through the mids.

37. Kye Fincher – classy backman that will need a bit of development, but seems to have a good skillset

38.Hugh Boxshall – We were all impressed with Hugh in his seniors games in 25. Ha continued to look stong on the ball and in the contest (a bit of a Richo’ism there) but will be a strong inside mid who can get his own ball. Bright future for Hugh.

40. Max Hall – Highly impressive in 25 and so far at preseason. Early on I wasn’t that impressed last preseason, after New Year I saw what everyone else saw. Some on here rate him extremely highly and I can see why. Would have been so pissed if the Hawks got another potential champ for SFA. Glad we got him.

43r.Cooper Sharman – very impressive this preseason with everything he does. Bigger tank, very nice positioning up forward outworking his opponent in match sim. May be a main target if King is still out.

44.Callum Wilkie – Wilks does what Wilks does. Always a polished performer. Worth every cent

45b.Liam O'Connell – nice size, Works hard. Looking very solid this preseason. Would think Websters spot is his if he continues on his current route.

46b. Eammonn Armstrong – unbelievable size for a 19 year. Looks every inch a footballer. Kicking is improving every session it seems, just needs some game time development and positioning. Could be an excellent recruit going into 2027

47.Anthony Caminiti –Seems to have a bit more definition. Don’t know where he plays but suggestion is forward. Makes sense as the likes of Silvagni O’Connell, Carroll have developed and can take his medium back spot. Seems better somehow this preseason, can put my finger on it. Maybe throwing his weight around a bit more.
Click to expand...
Hey Joffa, did you manage to see anything of Ainsworth & Wanganeen or did they have or get injuries too early on.
 
Joffaboy said:
OK, a very long read with pre Christmas preseasons for each player – Remember, these are only my opinion of players so don’t @ me.

I think the numbers for the new recruits are correct and I have left Isacc Keeler at no.17 although he may have changed to No.37

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1.Jack Higgins – Stood out a bit more compared to last year, playing forward, running improved very lively at training becoming one of the senior players of the group.

2.Marcus Windhager – looks cut, running hard keeping up in the hard running drills just behind Wilson. Looks set for a big year, so far playing out of the midfield in whatever match sim they have been playing. Looking for him to blossom in 26

3.Jack Silvagni – Injured and well documented personal issues. Let see after New Year

4.Lance Collard-. Seems to be pretty happy and settled. Hasn’t set the world on fire in sims but is enthusiastic and competing well. All the support in the world with Liam Ryan and NWM. Is putting in at training, has the talent but don’t know if he will make it. I think the club sees him the long term replacement as Butler, Higgins and Ryan are getting older.

5.Tobie Travaglia –Dynamic of half back, clean disposal, has good game sense and can run all day. Running with a bit more vigour as he grows into his body. Has a deal of talent but don’t be surprised if he has second year blues a bit. Long term will be a beauty

6.Jack Macrae – We know what Macrae brings, however hardly sighted over pre Christmas. On a modified program

7.Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera – taller, more filled out, working off a half back flank but is rolling through the mids more. A beautiful user of the ball, getting better all the time. He took the $$, pressure on to lead this football team on the field and drag us forward.

8.Brad Hill – Evergreen is Brad Hill. Very happy, hard running guy at training. Always having a laugh, getting around the younger indigenous guys, maintains his standards at training. Predicting he will slowly be phased out over the next couple of years. Still is the second best runner at the club though.

9. Sam Flanders – looks cut and fit. A great recruit. So far looks poised and talented. Hasn’t missed a training session and seems to have overcome his nagging back injury

10.Mitch Owens -no management of Chito this preseason, continues to develop in a meaningful way. Forget him as a mid, he will be a damaging medium forward.

11.Hunter Clark – Has had a knee this preseason. Don’t know about his future with the depth of talent we have at the club.

12.Max King – the usual

13.Ryan Byrnes –Works very hard at training, has looked very sharp, now has lots of competition. Can’t just dial it in with the likes of Wilson, Pou, Dow, Travalgia, Hall, Banfield and Ryan etc now at the club. Good on him for managing to stay on the list. Will be depth.

14.Liam Stocker –managing a hand/finger injury. One year contract so needs to get fit and really push for that small back role. Some competition for his position.

15.Paddy Dow – Seems very balanced and his seniors experience really shows with his positioning. Will be challenged for his position by Flanders, Hall, Clark, Garcia, Windy etc. Needs to show why he was a pick 3 selection at the draft. Does nothing wrong but to me seems very vanilla. Coming off a terrible injury, hope he makes it, but looks like depth at the moment.

16.Dan Butler –Fully fit this preseason but hasn’t stood out. Higgo and Ryan ahead of him ATM. Being used as a HFF in the drills where RL wants width. He is positioning himself on the wing. Will be interesting where he lines up.

17.Isaac Keeler.- Bigger again. Nice size, bigger around the arse and shoulders, glides about the field, highly skilled, nice disposal. Competing much better with Marshall in ruck drills this preseason He is an out an out forward/ relief ruckman in my opinion. Has been one of the younger ones to have developed over the offseason.

18. Jack Carroll– good pickup, nice size, seems to read the play well, has has stood out off a HBF I preseason. A good move with the plethora of young mids clamouring for a spot there. If he can transfer track form to game form, he will be a better version of Bonner.

19.Rowan Marshall – absolute class. Still can ba an AA ruckman. Has some competition in the ruck role with TDK and Keeler coming on. Looked to move but seems happy enough back at training. Having some good duels with Keeler while TDk is on a modified program and Dodson recovers from a hammy.

20.Dougal Howard – Doug being Doug. Straightens up the defence and it looks a lot more solid with him down back.

21.Tom Dekoning – Modified program. Should be ready to go post New Year. Nice size, will work well in tandem with Marshall especially with King dodgey AF

22.Darcy Wilson – elite runner, again last session, running at the front of the fastest group hardly blowing. Some second year blues in 25 but came back with a vengeance near the end of the season with 5 goals against GWS a highlight. Biggest tank literally in the League. Has grown into an absolute hulk and his running through the guts at speed is elite and reminds me of the power of Dangerfield. If NWM was a must to sigh last year, Darcy Wilson is an absolute must for this season. Standout at pre season.

23.Liam Henry – in rehab with the knee. Still playing up. Could be a miss in the recruiting stakes.

24.Angus Hastie – seems taller and starting to fill out, but is very clean with the ball in hand, and positions nicely in match sim type drills. Another of the RL types, balanced, runs all day. Needs to improve his disposal accuracy. Had some terrible clangers on game day throughout the season. Misses quite a few at training. So much competition he need to improve his accuracy.

25.Mattaes Phillipou –Fully fit after a terribly interrupted season in 25. A big lad and is looking impressive in early season training.

26.Alix Tauru – I still think he needs a deal of development. Has sloppy disposal, costing a few turnover goals in 25. Excused a bit as he had no preseason and looked knackered at seasons end. Hasn’t really impressed me this preseason but I mark him hard. Hasn’t been bad at all, just we need to temper expectations somewhat and let him develop.

28.James Barrat – looks 25, already has an AFL footballers body, seems to be the usual. Rinse, repeat here, nice mover, good disposal, can take a nice mark. Needs to read the play a little better. Not sure if he replaces Webster first up, a little bit of development, but can see hugh potential in James. Has been injured this preseason. Will probably develop in the VFL

30.Alex Dodson - tweaked a hammy, but has grown and looking more filled out. As exciting a prospect as a ruck since Spider Everett in my opinion.

31. Liam Ryan – not the most aerobically fit, but is putting in extra running as far as I can see and looks very exciting in the drills. Didn’t move to Melbourne to play VFL.

32.Mason Wood –Running strongly. Putting in his usual preseason. The wing is still his but will need to work for it. Hope he stays on at the club when he retires. Like Hill should be phased out over the next season.

33.Patrick Said – smaller than the other mid recruits and needs a fair bit of development. Has been in rehab with injury.

34.Hugo Garcia – Like Wilson has filled out. Very intense at training. Look out for a big year for Hugo

35.Jack Sinclair – what do we expect from Sinc’s except the best. Look to see him running through the mids but mainly at half back where he was AA.

36. Charlie Banfield – great size for a recruit. Good disposal, big big Tank. Performed well over preseason. Will be groomed as a wingman. Not explosive speed but is quick enough. Can also run through the mids.

37. Kye Fincher – classy backman that will need a bit of development, but seems to have a good skillset

38.Hugh Boxshall – We were all impressed with Hugh in his seniors games in 25. Ha continued to look stong on the ball and in the contest (a bit of a Richo’ism there) but will be a strong inside mid who can get his own ball. Bright future for Hugh.

40. Max Hall – Highly impressive in 25 and so far at preseason. Early on I wasn’t that impressed last preseason, after New Year I saw what everyone else saw. Some on here rate him extremely highly and I can see why. Would have been so pissed if the Hawks got another potential champ for SFA. Glad we got him.

43r.Cooper Sharman – very impressive this preseason with everything he does. Bigger tank, very nice positioning up forward outworking his opponent in match sim. May be a main target if King is still out.

44.Callum Wilkie – Wilks does what Wilks does. Always a polished performer. Worth every cent

45b.Liam O'Connell – nice size, Works hard. Looking very solid this preseason. Would think Websters spot is his if he continues on his current route.

46b. Eammonn Armstrong – unbelievable size for a 19 year. Looks every inch a footballer. Kicking is improving every session it seems, just needs some game time development and positioning. Could be an excellent recruit going into 2027

47.Anthony Caminiti –Seems to have a bit more definition. Don’t know where he plays but suggestion is forward. Makes sense as the likes of Silvagni O’Connell, Carroll have developed and can take his medium back spot. Seems better somehow this preseason, can put my finger on it. Maybe throwing his weight around a bit more.
Click to expand...
Elite post, cheers.
 
Joffaboy said:
OK, a very long read with pre Christmas preseasons for each player – Remember, these are only my opinion of players so don’t @ me.

I think the numbers for the new recruits are correct and I have left Isacc Keeler at no.17 although he may have changed to No.37

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1.Jack Higgins – Stood out a bit more compared to last year, playing forward, running improved very lively at training becoming one of the senior players of the group.

2.Marcus Windhager – looks cut, running hard keeping up in the hard running drills just behind Wilson. Looks set for a big year, so far playing out of the midfield in whatever match sim they have been playing. Looking for him to blossom in 26

3.Jack Silvagni – Injured and well documented personal issues. Let see after New Year

4.Lance Collard-. Seems to be pretty happy and settled. Hasn’t set the world on fire in sims but is enthusiastic and competing well. All the support in the world with Liam Ryan and NWM. Is putting in at training, has the talent but don’t know if he will make it. I think the club sees him the long term replacement as Butler, Higgins and Ryan are getting older.

5.Tobie Travaglia –Dynamic of half back, clean disposal, has good game sense and can run all day. Running with a bit more vigour as he grows into his body. Has a deal of talent but don’t be surprised if he has second year blues a bit. Long term will be a beauty

6.Jack Macrae – We know what Macrae brings, however hardly sighted over pre Christmas. On a modified program

7.Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera – taller, more filled out, working off a half back flank but is rolling through the mids more. A beautiful user of the ball, getting better all the time. He took the $$, pressure on to lead this football team on the field and drag us forward.

8.Brad Hill – Evergreen is Brad Hill. Very happy, hard running guy at training. Always having a laugh, getting around the younger indigenous guys, maintains his standards at training. Predicting he will slowly be phased out over the next couple of years. Still is the second best runner at the club though.

9. Sam Flanders – looks cut and fit. A great recruit. So far looks poised and talented. Hasn’t missed a training session and seems to have overcome his nagging back injury

10.Mitch Owens -no management of Chito this preseason, continues to develop in a meaningful way. Forget him as a mid, he will be a damaging medium forward.

11.Hunter Clark – Has had a knee this preseason. Don’t know about his future with the depth of talent we have at the club.

12.Max King – the usual

13.Ryan Byrnes –Works very hard at training, has looked very sharp, now has lots of competition. Can’t just dial it in with the likes of Wilson, Pou, Dow, Travalgia, Hall, Banfield and Ryan etc now at the club. Good on him for managing to stay on the list. Will be depth.

14.Liam Stocker –managing a hand/finger injury. One year contract so needs to get fit and really push for that small back role. Some competition for his position.

15.Paddy Dow – Seems very balanced and his seniors experience really shows with his positioning. Will be challenged for his position by Flanders, Hall, Clark, Garcia, Windy etc. Needs to show why he was a pick 3 selection at the draft. Does nothing wrong but to me seems very vanilla. Coming off a terrible injury, hope he makes it, but looks like depth at the moment.

16.Dan Butler –Fully fit this preseason but hasn’t stood out. Higgo and Ryan ahead of him ATM. Being used as a HFF in the drills where RL wants width. He is positioning himself on the wing. Will be interesting where he lines up.

17.Isaac Keeler.- Bigger again. Nice size, bigger around the arse and shoulders, glides about the field, highly skilled, nice disposal. Competing much better with Marshall in ruck drills this preseason He is an out an out forward/ relief ruckman in my opinion. Has been one of the younger ones to have developed over the offseason.

18. Jack Carroll– good pickup, nice size, seems to read the play well, has has stood out off a HBF I preseason. A good move with the plethora of young mids clamouring for a spot there. If he can transfer track form to game form, he will be a better version of Bonner.

19.Rowan Marshall – absolute class. Still can ba an AA ruckman. Has some competition in the ruck role with TDK and Keeler coming on. Looked to move but seems happy enough back at training. Having some good duels with Keeler while TDk is on a modified program and Dodson recovers from a hammy.

20.Dougal Howard – Doug being Doug. Straightens up the defence and it looks a lot more solid with him down back.

21.Tom Dekoning – Modified program. Should be ready to go post New Year. Nice size, will work well in tandem with Marshall especially with King dodgey AF

22.Darcy Wilson – elite runner, again last session, running at the front of the fastest group hardly blowing. Some second year blues in 25 but came back with a vengeance near the end of the season with 5 goals against GWS a highlight. Biggest tank literally in the League. Has grown into an absolute hulk and his running through the guts at speed is elite and reminds me of the power of Dangerfield. If NWM was a must to sigh last year, Darcy Wilson is an absolute must for this season. Standout at pre season.

23.Liam Henry – in rehab with the knee. Still playing up. Could be a miss in the recruiting stakes.

24.Angus Hastie – seems taller and starting to fill out, but is very clean with the ball in hand, and positions nicely in match sim type drills. Another of the RL types, balanced, runs all day. Needs to improve his disposal accuracy. Had some terrible clangers on game day throughout the season. Misses quite a few at training. So much competition he need to improve his accuracy.

25.Mattaes Phillipou –Fully fit after a terribly interrupted season in 25. A big lad and is looking impressive in early season training.

26.Alix Tauru – I still think he needs a deal of development. Has sloppy disposal, costing a few turnover goals in 25. Excused a bit as he had no preseason and looked knackered at seasons end. Hasn’t really impressed me this preseason but I mark him hard. Hasn’t been bad at all, just we need to temper expectations somewhat and let him develop.

28.James Barrat – looks 25, already has an AFL footballers body, seems to be the usual. Rinse, repeat here, nice mover, good disposal, can take a nice mark. Needs to read the play a little better. Not sure if he replaces Webster first up, a little bit of development, but can see hugh potential in James. Has been injured this preseason. Will probably develop in the VFL

30.Alex Dodson - tweaked a hammy, but has grown and looking more filled out. As exciting a prospect as a ruck since Spider Everett in my opinion.

31. Liam Ryan – not the most aerobically fit, but is putting in extra running as far as I can see and looks very exciting in the drills. Didn’t move to Melbourne to play VFL.

32.Mason Wood –Running strongly. Putting in his usual preseason. The wing is still his but will need to work for it. Hope he stays on at the club when he retires. Like Hill should be phased out over the next season.

33.Patrick Said – smaller than the other mid recruits and needs a fair bit of development. Has been in rehab with injury.

34.Hugo Garcia – Like Wilson has filled out. Very intense at training. Look out for a big year for Hugo

35.Jack Sinclair – what do we expect from Sinc’s except the best. Look to see him running through the mids but mainly at half back where he was AA.

36. Charlie Banfield – great size for a recruit. Good disposal, big big Tank. Performed well over preseason. Will be groomed as a wingman. Not explosive speed but is quick enough. Can also run through the mids.

37. Kye Fincher – classy backman that will need a bit of development, but seems to have a good skillset

38.Hugh Boxshall – We were all impressed with Hugh in his seniors games in 25. Ha continued to look stong on the ball and in the contest (a bit of a Richo’ism there) but will be a strong inside mid who can get his own ball. Bright future for Hugh.

40. Max Hall – Highly impressive in 25 and so far at preseason. Early on I wasn’t that impressed last preseason, after New Year I saw what everyone else saw. Some on here rate him extremely highly and I can see why. Would have been so pissed if the Hawks got another potential champ for SFA. Glad we got him.

43r.Cooper Sharman – very impressive this preseason with everything he does. Bigger tank, very nice positioning up forward outworking his opponent in match sim. May be a main target if King is still out.

44.Callum Wilkie – Wilks does what Wilks does. Always a polished performer. Worth every cent

45b.Liam O'Connell – nice size, Works hard. Looking very solid this preseason. Would think Websters spot is his if he continues on his current route.

46b. Eammonn Armstrong – unbelievable size for a 19 year. Looks every inch a footballer. Kicking is improving every session it seems, just needs some game time development and positioning. Could be an excellent recruit going into 2027

47.Anthony Caminiti –Seems to have a bit more definition. Don’t know where he plays but suggestion is forward. Makes sense as the likes of Silvagni O’Connell, Carroll have developed and can take his medium back spot. Seems better somehow this preseason, can put my finger on it. Maybe throwing his weight around a bit more.
Click to expand...
I said Wilson should be traded and the very next weekend he kicked 5.

So therefore I stand by my comment. In fact I think he should be delisted.
 

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It will be interesting to see how Wilson goes next season.

First year he started quite well, faded and many were saying he should have an extended run in the VFL before finishing quite well in the seniors.

Then he looked amazing on the track and everyone was sure that his running ability meant that he would be immune to second year blues. He has a pretty poor season before eventually being dropped, but then comes back and plays his best game ever in the final round.

So will he carry on that form or will he continue to struggle like he did for most of the season? I expect the answer is somewhere in the middle. If he could just get his averages up to 18 disposals and a goal per game, I'd be happy with that output from Darcy.
 
West Coast training might be like the old Saints training under Choey and Ratts where we all had great fun and a great laugh but didn’t actually achieve much. Flyen might be getting a wee wake up call.
 
Saintscomemarchingin said:
Hey Joffa, did you manage to see anything of Ainsworth & Wanganeen or did they have or get injuries too early on.
Click to expand...
Mentioned in a training report was doing everything he could to impress. Said didn't know what was expected though.
5 minutes later he did a hammy and hasnt been seen since. Think he is a no go.
Seen nothing of Tex
 

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longlivelenny said:
I like Wilson, but people comparing him to Danger is a bit silly. Danger has reckless mental attack on the ball and Wilson is just not that player.
I alsways assumed he would be a Issac Smith type, or if we are lucky a Max Holmes type.
Either way, I think he will turn out a good player.
Click to expand...
Nobody is comparing him to Dangerfield like for like. His bulk and definition sees him as a more powerful runner in the Dangerfield mould.
Maybe read what is written before make ignorant comments.
 
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