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Training Saints preseason 2026

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0ne game last season Wilkie was captain, and I saw him on the forward line instructing some players, and I thought why dont wE see Jack Steele doing that?
 

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Considering Mat man. Scolded a few of us for Ivan Soldo jokes.

You won’t be getting any.
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Don't want Wilkie as captain after the contract drama.

If he gets it, i won't respect his title.

Couldn't disagree with this anymore.

Yes we plucked him out of the SANFL and gave him his chance but that was 6 years ago and he has more then repaid the faith we put in him.

He has consistently accepted low $ contracts and was about to be paid less then a fringe player (Aleer).

Doggies came knocking and came hard at him, although he got a rise out of it he still took significant unders to stay at the club. In an era where loyalty is more and more on the out by both players and clubs (as seen with us moving on our captain) I definitely don't think what Wilkie did was un-loyal or undeserving of captaincy.
 
Ross mentioned late in the season that the coaching group see him as a forward. My guess would be it depends on Howard’s fitness. Seems to an unpopular opinion here but I think Hammer has loads of potential as a key forward, needs a consistent run at it with Roma/King alongside him as the main banana.

Watched this the other day, showed some real potential in his first year, has put some considerable size on since and has had the benefit of playing against some of the best forwards in the game. Bullish on his prospects at either end of the ground, good problem to have.


I agree he is more of a forward. Has the ability to take contested marks above his head in one grab. He is also a pretty good set shot (probably shanked some, but I remember a drop punt that he threaded from the boundary also).
Im sure he would've learnt a fair bit from his year in the backline as well.
 

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Hahahahaha ok

In terms of being outgoing, Sinclair makes Jack Steele look like Warrick Capper. Great player but "no thanks" to giving him the captaincy.

Whereas we have a bloke who is the perfect captain, good communicator, durable and dependable, commands respect. He had another club offer him double his salary (he's pretty big on money) and his big crime was having his head turned and having a couple of convos with the Western Circus? He didn't agitate for a trade didn't even request or nominate. Most importantly, he stayed loyal and lost over a million dollars, throwing the trade plans of a rival into free fall as a delicious side-effect.

You dont want that as captain?

And "I won't respect his title"? What does that entail? Turning your back when Wilkie tosses the coin? Turning off the TV or radio when he's speaking? Scatching his face out of the team photo? Shouting at him during matches "YOU'RE not the captain!"

I hope Wilkie is skipper, with Windy, Marshall, Phillipou and Hill in the leadership group
I'd be shocked if Wilkie isn't captain. Clear option, natural leader, Sinclair and Marshall the only other real options but one is way too quiet and the other just asked for a trade (Wilkie didn't ask to be traded, was never leaving). I'd like to see all of Owens, Nas and Windy in the leadership group as well, they're the standard setters of the young crop coming through.

Wood and Hill likely parts of the leadership group but neither set enough in the best 22 to captain.
 
Ross mentioned late in the season that the coaching group see him as a forward. My guess would be it depends on Howard’s fitness. Seems to an unpopular opinion here but I think Hammer has loads of potential as a key forward, needs a consistent run at it with Roma/King alongside him as the main banana.

Watched this the other day, showed some real potential in his first year, has put some considerable size on since and has had the benefit of playing against some of the best forwards in the game. Bullish on his prospects at either end of the ground, good problem to have.


Yep, I feel exactly the same, if he plays forward next year it will be very interesting to see if his output has increased after his time this year in defence.
 
I agree he is more of a forward. Has the ability to take contested marks above his head in one grab. He is also a pretty good set shot (probably shanked some, but I remember a drop punt that he threaded from the boundary also).
Im sure he would've learnt a fair bit from his year in the backline as well.
Was it his first goal? From a decent angle 45m out or so? Or do I remember that wrong?
 
Was it his first goal? From a decent angle 45m out or so? Or do I remember that wrong?
The one I'm thinking of was from a fairly tight angle and maybe 30-35m out. It was the kind of set shot that most players would snap from their left foot. My memory isn't great but I can picture the shot from behind going dead straight with not a lot of room between the goal posts
 
The one I'm thinking of was from a fairly tight angle and maybe 30-35m out. It was the kind of set shot that most players would snap from their left foot. My memory isn't great but I can picture the shot from behind going dead straight with not a lot of room between the goal posts
Yeah that's the one! it was a ripper! I see him as a key forward still... Can kick straight, was a bit single minded the first year, didn't pass it off as often as he should have, but he was new and excited.
 

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I don't reckon Pou has really established himself yet and needs to have a big 2026- hoping he can keep the on field.
As long as he is fit, Pou the midfielder gets unleashed.

No more time to wait. We are going places and everyone needs to start stepping into their roles.
 
Andrew Russell on SEN this morning, talking about players and pre- season training. Really interesting listen.
Recommended!
What are the key takeaways?
Interested.

I heard that never before have players had so much time off, or been so free.
It makes the 'State of Origin' planned for February 14th seem like an 'exhibition match'.
I wonder if Sports Bet will be allowed in the door?
Maybe they will sell Claytons at the bar?
 

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Training Saints preseason 2026

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