Training Pre season training

[SaintlyHymns]

How would you power rank our starting midfield at the moment (excl. rucks)?

1. Steele
2. Macrae
3. Windhager?!

Stocker & Jones have looked good going through there, and obvs Garcia we'd be keen to see more of. Just interested in order of ranking if it was a top 5

 

[beside the seaside]

Just looking at that training footage, great to see Henry out there and also Collard back in full training and Nasiah all good too. Hastie aswell.

Seemed like a good session, players look sharp in the footage.

 

[BrutThough]

How would you power rank our starting midfield at the moment (excl. rucks)?

1. Steele
2. Macrae
3. Windhager?!

Stocker & Jones have looked good going through there, and obvs Garcia we'd be keen to see more of. Just interested in order of ranking if it was a top 5

I'd have the same top 3.

Are we including Clark? If available for rd1, I'd have him in 4th.

 

[akaifu]

How would you power rank our starting midfield at the moment (excl. rucks)?

1. Steele
2. Macrae
3. Windhager?!

Stocker & Jones have looked good going through there, and obvs Garcia we'd be keen to see more of. Just interested in order of ranking if it was a top 5

1. Steele
2. Macrae
3. Clark (more consistent than Windhager)
4. Windhager
5. Jones (was once #2 behind Steele but haven't seen it enough the past couple of years)

Stocker has looked really good at training but I'll wait till I see him in praccies

 

[Parkysp]

Back with another training highlights video.

Confusing video. Looks like we have some good players. DeepFake?

Collard operating in the phonebox in the early part was good watching.

Thanks for the service you provide with your videos.

 

[Fehring]

Makes sense he plays the Bonner role.

Doesn't know where his opponent is at any given time and kicks stylishly, but with a 50% turnover rate?

I certainly enjoyed the beginning of last year when we played four half backs who didn't know how to defend (Sincs, NWM, Bonner and Stocker). Sincs, NWM, Stocker and Arie, anyone?

 

[Mighty_sainter]

Doesn't know where his opponent is at any given time and kicks stylishly, but with a 50% turnover rate?

I certainly enjoyed the beginning of last year when we played four half backs who didn't know how to defend (Sincs, NWM, Bonner and Stocker). Sincs, NWM, Stocker and Arie, anyone?

Stocker isn’t on this list imo he’s a defender first attack second. If he can get fit enough he could well be a decent 4th mid.

 

[Fehring]

Stocker isn’t on this list imo he’s a defender first attack second. If he can get fit enough he could well be a decent 4th mid.

I don't think Stocker's a lockdown defender, or a good defender generally. A bit better at defence than the other three perhaps, but he's no Webster. When we had all four of those guys in the team last year, it was disastrous. Three was tolerable (just), but once we had Jimmy, Naz and Sincs after the bye, we looked much better.

Of course Stocker was drafted as a mid. I'm personally not a fan of his generally, but I am intrigued by the preseason reports that he's firing as a mid. Would love to be proven wrong.

 

[Saints TV]

Confusing video. Looks like we have some good players. DeepFake?

Collard operating in the phonebox in the early part was good watching.

Thanks for the service you provide with your videos.

Imagine I troll one and just keep all the clangers, imagine the MELTS

 

[SG34]

I don't think Stocker's a lockdown defender, or a good defender generally. A bit better at defence than the other three perhaps, but he's no Webster. When we had all four of those guys in the team last year, it was disastrous. Three was tolerable (just), but once we had Jimmy, Naz and Sincs after the bye, we looked much better.

Of course Stocker was drafted as a mid. I'm personally not a fan of his generally, but I am intrigued by the preseason reports that he's firing as a mid. Would love to be proven wrong.

Does Stocker kick well on both feet? (or any feet just in case ..)

 

[gringo2011]

Back with another training highlights video.

I like the look of Stocker this off season. King looks like G Train now, I'll be disappointed if he doesn't get a tribute hairstyle.

 

[gringo2011]

I don't think Stocker's a lockdown defender, or a good defender generally. A bit better at defence than the other three perhaps, but he's no Webster. When we had all four of those guys in the team last year, it was disastrous. Three was tolerable (just), but once we had Jimmy, Naz and Sincs after the bye, we looked much better.

Of course Stocker was drafted as a mid. I'm personally not a fan of his generally, but I am intrigued by the preseason reports that he's firing as a mid. Would love to be proven wrong.

Stocker looks like he knows he has to earn everything now. Some players take time to step up. Sincs probably took his big leap around the same age.

 

[gringo2011]

Does Stocker kick well on both feet? (or any feet just in case ..)

Average kick on both I think.

 

[stfan]

The issue is our youth will only be replacing our current best players.

The Club has ramped up drafting and acquisition of players 26 and under in recent years.

In my opinion this not just replacing, it is bringing in more youth so that older players are not just retiring now they are being squeezed out. ie Ross and Membrey, as well as mid career players like Paton.

If we look at 2024 compared to 2024, I personally believe the List is in much better shape. The youth we have built up now mean that the next two years that the Club ca hone in on missing links.

So overall Macrea more than makes up for Crouch (who was injured virtually all of last year anyway)

Only real quality based on likely 2026 form that we have lost that we will miss is Battle. Membrey will probably do ok at the Pies, but not for long. Sharman, Owens and Caminiti, all with long careers in front of them will more than cover his loss.

On the other hand TT and Tauru as pick ups are likely to real quality, and there are some likely reasonable players amongst the rest of the youth even if they do not all make it (which is likely).

Hall our mid year draftee is also coming along nicely in the pre-season (his first at AFL level) to date.

IN

Very young

Eamonn Armstrong (Category B rookie),
James Barrat (No.32 draft pick),
Hugh Boxshall (No.45 draft pick), Harry Boyd (SSP),
Alex Dodson (No.53 draft pick),
Patrick Said (No.60 draft pick),
Alix Tauru (No.10 draft pick),
Tobie Travaglia (No.8 draft pick)

Young
Jack Carroll (delisted free agent),

Mid-years
Harry Boyd SSP 26yr 11m - As a ruck is entering his prime years -Most likely will just be a back-up (though who knows until we see him play at AFL Level). Does not have to do much to improve on TC's track record in the St Kilda Firsts.

Old but with good years left
Jack Macrae (trade, Western Bulldogs),

OUT

Young
Olli Hotton (delisted)
James Van Es (delisted)
Matthew Allison (delisted),

Mid-years
Josh Battle (free agent, Hawthorn) = The only real loss,
Ben Paton (delisted), =Not the player he was. And we have better options now for any position that he may have played in.
Riley Bonner (delisted),
Jack Hayes (delisted),

Old
Tom Campbell (free agent, Melbourne),
Brad Crouch (retired), Knee is stuffed, with a good knee would have been kept.
Tim Membrey (delisted), = Would have been ok this year, but only just.
Seb Ross (delisted),

 

[stfan]

Hall has been in the forward group. Carroll with the mids. Doesnt seem like they are competing for the same position to be classing it as one ahead of the other.

Though Hall can play either as a forward or as a mid. But yes seems to be mainly a forward at present.

If selected in the firsts even if he mainly plas forward, it is likely that he would get some midfield time.

 

[CursingFijian]

Take me back to a simpler time... at least 48 hours ago.

 

[Veer Right]

View attachment 2214372

First time i seen that pic. Epic.

 

[stfan]

Makes sense he plays the Bonner role.

I think the plan last year without enough mids was the hope that Bonner could free up Sincs to play midfield.

Thinks is though that while Sincs is a good mid, that he is an an absolute GUN HB.

Even with Pou and Dow out for a while we have more mid options this year. Macrae, Steele, Windy, Clark, Garcia, Jones, Carroll, Stocker.

So Sins and Nas are whom I want on the HBs. Though yes Sincs can have some mid rotations still. As might a few other players like Wilson, or Hall, who might be mainly playing other roles.

Arie just needs to get stronger, and improve his defensive game, beyond intercept marking, so that he can play as either as the third tall back, or as the FB or CHB.

 

[Sarcoidevo]

View attachment 2214372

Tauru is hidden behind Stocker

 

[SG34]

I like the look of Stocker this off season. King looks like G Train now, I'll be disappointed if he doesn't get a tribute hairstyle.

Good, and good, and the hairstyle, I want him to go Kojak if that helps.
But some good news.

We need some good news herein.

Stockers is coming on, good.
Stocks was one player I wondered would go on. Wondered if he might go Paton road and be squeezed out.
Jones, I thought he was on the outer too. But he seems to be back in?
King is a gorilla, good.

 

[SG34]

Sincs to full time mid for me….

Better for the team in bursts for sure.
But as full-time?
I guess you are suggesting that the team as a whole, even when Sincs is not optimally used in so far as his own singular strengths are concerned, is better off.

I feel it’s a bit like getting a Lamborghini to tow the trailer down to the tip, but if it gets the job done, and the Lambo doesn’t get injured in the process, maybe it’s a win?

I just love to see Sincs streaming off the backline, don’t we all?

One thing to support your idea might be that there seems to be a few halfback options.
One thing against is that, without Battle, Wilkie is gonna be under the pump, and the class of Sincs back there would be welcome.

 

[dudeintheswamp]

Feels like we maybe have enough decent players to go through the midfield so I'm hoping Sinclair is played at halfback where he is an AA.

 

[dudeintheswamp]

View attachment 2214372

Great photo!

 

[Otiman]

A few thoughts from the training video.

Stocker looking good in the training vid hitting targets with both feet.

Dodson looks more ready than I thought. Still want to see Moose get a crack ahead of him.

Arie has put on some size. Not quite Max King height but wouldn't be surprised if he's 197+.

Owens looks great at ground level, will be a real handful for opposition defense. Put a tall on him and he beats you on the deck, put a small on him and he'll outmark him all day.

Keeler definitely pushing for selection. Almost puts Caminiti a lock for the backline this year.

Hastie still looks very lean - like a first year draftee. Not sure about reports of him bulking up.

 

[phantom13]

The Club has ramped up drafting and acquisition of players 26 and under in recent years.

In my opinion this not just replacing, it is bringing in more youth so that older players are not just retiring now they are being squeezed out. ie Ross and Membrey, as well as mid career players like Paton.

If we look at 2024 compared to 2024, I personally believe the List is in much better shape. The youth we have built up now mean that the next two years that the Club ca hone in on missing links.

So overall Macrea more than makes up for Crouch (who was injured virtually all of last year anyway)

Only real quality based on likely 2026 form that we have lost that we will miss is Battle. Membrey will probably do ok at the Pies, but not for long. Sharman, Owens and Caminiti, all with long careers in front of them will more than cover his loss.

On the other hand TT and Tauru as pick ups are likely to real quality, and there are some likely reasonable players amongst the rest of the youth even if they do not all make it (which is likely).

Hall our mid year draftee is also coming along nicely in the pre-season (his first at AFL level) to date.

IN

Very young

Eamonn Armstrong (Category B rookie),
James Barrat (No.32 draft pick),
Hugh Boxshall (No.45 draft pick), Harry Boyd (SSP),
Alex Dodson (No.53 draft pick),
Patrick Said (No.60 draft pick),
Alix Tauru (No.10 draft pick),
Tobie Travaglia (No.8 draft pick)

Young
Jack Carroll (delisted free agent),

Mid-years
Harry Boyd SSP 26yr 11m - As a ruck is entering his prime years -Most likely will just be a back-up (though who knows until we see him play at AFL Level). Does not have to do much to improve on TC's track record in the St Kilda Firsts.

Old but with good years left
Jack Macrae (trade, Western Bulldogs),

OUT

Young
Olli Hotton (delisted)
James Van Es (delisted)
Matthew Allison (delisted),
Josh Battle (free agent, Hawthorn) = The only real loss,

Mid-years
Ben Paton (delisted), =Not the player he was. And we have better options now for any position that he may have played in.
Riley Bonner (delisted),
Jack Hayes (delisted),

Old
Tom Campbell (free agent, Melbourne),
Brad Crouch (retired), Knee is stuffed, with a good knee would have been kept.
Tim Membrey (delisted), = Would have been ok this year, but only just.
Seb Ross (delisted),

Battle and Paton are the same age? Surely they are both mid years?

I agree with your overall premise though.