Training Saints preseason 2026

[Ricmel]

Wasn't he in the All Australian team? I would think that's fully realising your talent.

The context is "kicking bags" . I am replying to another poster who said Liam is likely to kick a "bag" and my point was he has never really kicked "bags" before, unless you count 4 goals as a bag. He's got talent to kick 6 one day, but in 128 games he's never done it.

 

[saintbill]

A very long way from sold on Garcia and Carroll, and the practice match confirmed my opinions of both

But, then again, I view Clark as Class with a capital C and Howard as automatic

So diverging opinions

And King required

Clark is a good footballer, but personally feel his skills have been a tad overrated by some. He does have a knack for getting a timely knock on, or being in the right spot.

He is a smart, but his athletic profile is just not up to it when we have this many other options.

He is treacle slow. Can't play him in the middle doesn't spread well enough. His best spot looks like half back, but he is just not quite strong enough or fast enough to keep up with good opposition.

I would have Sincs as a lock for 1 half back spot and then just rotate Windhager, Flanders, NAS off the other half back.

Can't see Clark getting near it.

Edit: Would also have Byrnes in front of him because he spreads well and provides a lot of run.

 

[Windtagger]

Clark is a good footballer, but personally feel his skills have been a tad overrated by some. He does have a knack for getting a timely knock on, or being in the right spot.

He is a smart, but his athletic profile is just not up to it when we have this many other options.

He is treacle slow. Can't play him in the middle doesn't spread well enough. His best spot looks like half back, but he is just not quite strong enough or fast enough to keep up with good opposition.

I would have Sincs as a lock for 1 half back spot and then just rotate Windhager, Flanders, NAS off the other half back.

Can't see Clark getting near it.

Clark played some good games last year at HBF. He actually isn’t that slow he just has poor endurance.

Not sure Carroll is an elite athlete either.

I think once Clark is fit he will be playing and amongst the other players you mention being rotated on HBF.

 

[saintbill]

Clark played some good games last year at HBF. He actually isn’t that slow he just has poor endurance.

Not sure Carroll is an elite athlete either.

I think once Clark is fit he will be playing and amongst the other players you mention being rotated on HBF.

I see both of them as a fair way back. Windhagger is the obvious choice for me as the first option on the other half back flank.

He wants midfield time, but with Flanders and Pou basically new recruits, and NAS and Hall rotating through there more frequently, there are not many mid minutes to go around.

 

[Saintbloke]

Clark played some good games last year at HBF. He actually isn’t that slow he just has poor endurance.

Not sure Carroll is an elite athlete either.

I think once Clark is fit he will be playing and amongst the other players you mention being rotated on HBF.

Clark has load of skill, by I think a few will go past him this season.

 

[Windtagger]

Clark has load of skill, by I think a few will go past him this season.

If NAS and Flanders both play full time mid minutes the only person who could go past him is Windhager.

 

[g_TRAIN]

Clark played some good games last year at HBF. He actually isn’t that slow he just has poor endurance.

Not sure Carroll is an elite athlete either.

I think once Clark is fit he will be playing and amongst the other players you mention being rotated on HBF.

Other way around for mine.

He's got good enough endurance but he's got no pace. I've seen him pop up on the Telstra tracker for KMs before but never for top speed. And that's confirmed by the eye test he just can't accelerate.

 

[CursingFijian]

He did well at centre bounce but got pushed around at throwins

Didn't just get pushed around, he also trailed his opponent when the ball-in wasn't thrown on top of their heads. Looked slower to my eye and it got more pronounced as the game went on. Was definitely good at center bounce though.

 

[The Punter]

He did well at centre bounce but got pushed around at throwins

IIRC that was an issue when he played for the seniors last season.

 

[PlayerNumber9]

Jesus Christ, its a 24 minute drive to the city. Anyasy players can live anywhere not just bayside.
Junction oval was looked at but VCA put the kybosh on it

The Junction Oval was never really our home though. A big part of our history is that we were the second class tenant of the cricket club. History shows that the St Kilda Cricket Club is one of the most successful cricket clubs in the competition, but it came at the football club's expense. The most visionary thing the club ever did was to move to Moorabbin.

That move was the work of the best administration this club has been blessed with, but we currently might just be seeing the club in just as strong hands. This is what gives me so much hope now.

 

[Stan_Darsh72]

Yep, and it is that 22 year-old logic that would help us in the JO, much more than Moorabbin. Players can pour some of that cash into an apartment at Middle Park/South Melb/Port Melb/Elwood then move into a house later further out and keep it as investment. Of course they can now too, but the idea of living in it, next to the city and bay and a stones throw from training is enticing. Also close to all the media stuff.
Of course, temptations are all around.

Anyway, happy we made it back to Moorabbin at least. It is a much quieter and leafer, if slightly bland version of it's formerly gritty 1970's self. Not much going on for a 22- year old. Coffee in Hampton and walking the dog on Sandy beach is nice - but just nice.

Even places like Highett, Cheltenham, Bentleigh, Ormond, McKinnon and Glenhuntly have a lot going for it for people.

Only downside is the kebab game is shit.

 

[SaintsofSteel]

Mick McGuane and Jimmy Bartel talk us up and believe RTB will have us playing a lot faster and more attacking game this year. They reckon we have the players do go quick and will play an exciting brand of footy.

 

[Mav3rick]

Other way around for mine.

He's got good enough endurance but he's got no pace. I've seen him pop up on the Telstra tracker for KMs before but never for top speed. And that's confirmed by the eye test he just can't accelerate.

When he was drafted his burst of pace was so much better. He's had a few leg injuries at this point, think they've taken a toll. Quite a few will get the opportunity to earn that spot but Clark and Carroll should be right there. Back pocket between stocker and LOC I think

 

[Saintscomemarchingin]

I think Clark is handy in the 23
In that Melbourne comeback, he was another one who was dishing it out from the midfield.

Is underrated because he can never get any continuity through injury.
Also, has the flexibility to play h.b.

In finals, he would be one that would step-up l reckon.

 

[Sanctorum]

Id love to hear more or links , i wake up feeling not too bad but by the end of the day after being on my feet most of it and walking its so bloody sore i can hardly walk

I can't remember which YouTube videos I used in 2020 but here are a couple that you might find helpful:





The thing to remember is that you need to assiduously do the strengthening exercise recommended by these therapists. By strengthening your quads and calf muscles it will help support the load on your knees when you're exercising. I still do these at age 86 to retain my mobility and stability on my early morning walks on bush tracks near my home in Brisbane.

 

[saintmike65]

A very long way from sold on Garcia and Carroll, and the practice match confirmed my opinions of both

But, then again, I view Clark as Class with a capital C and Howard as automatic

So diverging opinions

And King required

Honestly, i had Carroll in my side for opening round however that's no longer the case.
Love the idea of Windhager and Flanders alternating between half back and midfield.
I didn't have Hugo in but had Banfield, i think Boxshall is more likely now!

 

[Saints4ever]

Honestly, i had Carroll in my side for opening round however that's no longer the case.
Love the idea of Windhager and Flanders alternating between half back and midfield.
I didn't have Hugo in but had Banfield, i think Boxshall is more likely now!

Agree with all of this.

I’ve never thought of using Windy off half back but I think he’s become very versatile and can rotate anywhere.

 

[Sully111]

I think Clark is handy in the 23
In that Melbourne comeback, he was another one who was dishing it out from the midfield.

Is underrated because he can never get any continuity through injury.
Also, has the flexibility to play h.b.

In finals, he would be one that would step-up l reckon.

I have no doubt Hunter will play a part in our season.

 

[goodie23]

IIRC that was an issue when he played for the seniors last season.

Could be a really astute move from Melbourne, he was always going to understudy Gawn this year, give him more time to develop with a succession plan in place. Guess it depends on how much big Maxy has left in the tank.

 

[saintmike65]

I have no doubt Hunter will play a part in our season.

Dare say he'd be in the squad to play Essendon

 

[topbillings]

 

[aussierulesrules]

It will be funny if the wanting-to-play-more-midfield Windy ends up playing predominantly HBF this year.

With a midfield crew of Nas, Macrae, Flanders and Pou potentially ahead of him for a primary midfield role, it’s actually entirely possible that Windy will have to spend most of his time elsewhere.

Especially if we’re wanting to give more midfield opportunities to Hall and Wilson.

 

[Jesuswasacarpenter]

The footage I have seen from the Melbourne praccy match.
Moose was excellent.
Would they have let him go if Geelong had of come to the party when invited?

 

[Sarcoidevo]

I think a few are being harsh on Carroll off the back of one Match Sim ... sure he had a few bad kicks however for the majority of his junior & senior career he has been regarded as a very reliable kick .... so I wouldnt be writing him off just yet

As for Byrnes ... well he still struggles above his head and under pressure ... I like his endeavour but I reckon a few younger players will go past him this year for those reasons

 

[Jesuswasacarpenter]

Prefer to give that money to Max Hall and target a key forward.

Hall will go ahead of Bailey this year, YOU MARK MY WORDS !!.

Absolute gun he is.

Why not have both?