AFL 2022: All the latest pre-season news and training notes from the Saints
Playing limited minutes, a returning Saint turned heads at St Kilda’s intra-club. But is he on track to pull on the boots in Round 1?
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Star St Kilda mid-forward Jade Gresham took the first important steps towards booking a Round 1 berth against Collingwood next month with a solid half of match simulation at Moorabbin on Thursday.
As the Saints unveiled their new-look $2.5 million oval before 650 fans invited to the four quarter session, Gresham looked impressive before pulling up stumps early in the third term when he reached his allotted minutes of match-play.
St Kilda forward coach Brendon Lade said Gresham - who hasn’t played since rupturing his Achilles in Round 3 last year - was nervous before the game but relieved to have come through unscathed.
He will now ramp up his minutes in a practice match against Carlton next Thursday and look to play a full match against Essendon on March 5.
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Lade said Gresham, who was a massive loss last season, was tracking well to be ready to take on the Magpies in the club’s opening-round game at Marvel Stadium on March 18.
“He was pretty nervous before the game,” Lade said after Thursday’s solid hitout.
“We had a good chat (before the game) and said ‘when the ball is there, you win it, because that’s what you do well’.
“He did that. I think he is starting to get a bit of confidence back, which is good for us, and hopefully scary for the opposition.”
Gresham, 24, kicked a trademark goal early in the match simulation and could easily have kicked more with some more luck.
“He is still building for Round 1,” Lade said. “He had two quarters (on Thursday), I wouldn’t be surprised if it isn’t three against Carlton and probably the whole game the week after.
“He hasn’t missed a beat. He had a few little setbacks here and there, but generally he has been very good and probably improved his running, which is good.
“He will play forward and a bit of midfield, and that’s exciting for us.”
Lade said the health of the Saints’ list was good at the moment, a stark contrast to the early part of last season.
Jack Billings missed the match simulation but is set to return against Carlton next week, Dan Hannebery may return via the VFL next week if he gets through training, while Paddy Ryder is still a few weeks away.
Former skipper Jarryn Geary is likely to return in the middle of next month.
“Those early rounds (last year) we lost some players, but that just presents some opportunities for people,” Lade said.
“We had some good exposure to some young players, and we found (Cooper) Sharman (who kicked 10 goals in the last five rounds).
Sharman had only been a modest performer for the Saints in the preseason so far, but his three goals in Thursday’s match simulation has put him right back in the mix to play Round 1.
The Saints have some decisions to make on their SSP selections with Jack Hayes likely to get one of the spots, while former Tiger Patrick Naish and ex-Port Adelaide player Jarrod Lienert also performing well in hitting the scoreboard.
Lade said it was good to see Ben Paton gaining in confidence, while he praised Josh Battle for his good work down back, playing mainly on Ben King.
Lade said: “We are seeing some good things. It was our first hitout on the oval, so it was good to get through. We just wanted to see what we have been practising all preseason, based around our competitiveness and team-first (qualities).”
WHO WERE THE STANDOUTS
Zak Jones had plenty of the ball and was a clear standout throughout the game, switching sides in the second half.
Dan Butler was lively early on Brad Hill, Cooper Sharman carried on where he left off late last year with three goals, while Josh Battle performed down back when matched on Max King (one goal).
The vision of Jade Gresham kicking an early goal brought smiles to the faces of the 650 St Kilda members as the Saints turned on the impressive new $2.3 million oval at Moorabbin.
Gresham could easily have kicked a few more in the first half, but missed a few chances before being rested early in the third term.
But this was a positive showing in his return from a ruptured Achilles in Round 3 last season, and he will ramp up the minutes next week against Carlton.
Rowan Marshall was busy and he will be one of the Saints’ most important players heading into this season after playing 13 matches mostly under duress last year.
MOVING MAGNETS
Half back is almost the buzz position of the preseason with clubs trying to get run and launch from defence.
Brad Hill alternated between the wing and half back at times last year, but was exclusively in defence in Thursday’s match simulation.
That’s where assistant coach Brendon Lade says the Saints will likely keep him for 2022.
Josh Battle has been a jack of all trades in his time at the club, but looks destined to bed down a spot in defence this season.
He has spent the whole preseason working with the backs and spent some time opposed to Max King in the match simulation.
The magnet boards were moved even more so late in the third term when Tim Membrey, who kicked a goal in attack in the first half, was switched to defence, while Callum Wilkie also went forward late in the game.
RECRUITS/DRAFTEES WATCH
The Saints are buoyant about their young draftees, but will give them plenty of time to find their feet, particularly early in the season.
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera started slowly but gradually worked into the game a little. Mitch Owens and Marcus Windhager showed a bit early, while experienced big man Tom Campbell was opposed to Marshall early in the ruck.
St Kilda has some spots still available with SANFL mature-aged player Jack Hayes showing his wares, while former Tiger Patrick Naish and ex-Port Adelaide Jarrod Lienert were busy early, hitting the scoreboard.
WHO WAS MISSING
Jack Billings was rested for this match simulation but will play in the practice match against Carlton next week.
Dan Hannebery and Patrick Ryder trained away from the main group on Wednesday and didn’t take part in the intra-club.
If Hannebery gets through training this week, he will likely play VFL next week, while Ryder is still a few weeks away.
Jarryn Geary is likely to back into action at some stage next month.
Axed Tiger gunning for Saints list vacancy
- Stephanie Clarkson
Former Tiger Pat Naish and delisted Port Adelaide defender Jarrod Lienert have flown over from the SANFL to battle for the final spot on St Kilda’s list.
Both have delivered performances on the track since arriving on Monday. Naish, recruited by Richmond under the father-son rule before being delisted at the end of last season after nine senior games, is looking to use his versatility and work on his contested game.
The duo will be given a run in Thursday’s intra-club hitout to prove the skills they have been displaying at training.
“They’ve been going really good, they came here on Monday,” Saints forward Dan Butler said on Wednesday.
“Me and Pat played together at Richmond and I’m really excited to see what he can bring with a few of the other lads.”
“I think when tomorrow’s intra-club comes around we’ll be able to see the things they can bring”
The Saints are is wrapping Dan Hannebery and Patrick Ryder in cotton wool as the Saints take every possible precaution for the injury prone pair to take on Collingwood in their season opener.
St Kilda will be without Hannebery and Ryder as they head into Thursday afternoon’s intraclub match after the pair trained separately to the squad at Wednesday’s captain run.
Hannebery has played just 15 of a possible 63 games in his three years at the Saints, dealing with an array of ongoing soft tissue injuries.
Under the reigns of new high performance manager Nick Walsh, the All-Australian has followed a specifically modified program over the off season with the club managing his workload in order to have him ready for the 2022 season.
Ryder has been a solid asset for the Saints, averaging 30 hit outs per game after making the move from Port Adelaide at the end of 2019.
Butler said the standout midfielder is on the edge of a return and is excited to see what he will bring to “rectified” Saints.
“He’s coming back, he’s on his individual program, and his body needs a little bit more time,” Butler said.
“We probably would’ve been pushing it if he was going to play tomorrow, so I think in the next few weeks he’ll be back into some solid training.”
Being ruled out of last season’s finals campaign due to a serious hamstring tendon injury, Ryder is also looking to build on his pre-season program.
The 33-year-old is expected to return to his role in the ruck this season, where he will be joined by Rowan Marshall.
“He’s on his individual program, he’s done enough preseasons, I think it’s his 17th or 18th,“ Butler said.
“He knows what his body needs to do to get ready so I’m sure he’ll be back training again in the next few weeks.”
Jade Gresham trained with the main squad after a modified pre-season following his season-ending achilles injury last year, while versatile talent Leo Connolly was also seen on the sidelines on Wednesday morning completing an individual running program with fitness staff.
Tomorrow’s intraclub match at RSEA Park will be the Saints’ main hit out before they take on Carlton in next Thursday’s practice match.
Training report
St Kilda is looking to bounce back to their 2020 form as they prepare for their first intraclub match tomorrow after taking to the field on Wednesday morning for a “zippy” session.
Looking to get a sweat up before they play, the Saints are looking run a Hybrid schedule across the next two weeks before they begin their 2022 premiership campaign.
Most of the squad participated in Wednesday’s light session at RSEA Park with small forward Dan Butler saying the Saints are “looking to rectify this year” after a “disappointing season last year.”
The Saints were split into two teams and put to the track in two half-hour blocks focusing on set shots, quick handballs and agility skills.
Back for battle
Looking to remodel their backline, the Saints are embracing the fresh and emerging talent of former key forward Josh Battle.
Battle looked strong and comfortable as he grouped with the defenders on Wednesday morning with the ultimate swingman continuing to prove why he is a strong asset to the Saints’ backline.
Beginning his career as a key forward, Battle proved his strong marking skills, agility and durability as Coach Brett Ratten is looks to cement him in the back.
Battle’s natural ability to read the play has sparked the fire to shift the dual-player’s position, as he continues to develop his defensive skills alongside vice- captain Dougal Howard and Callum Wilkie.
“The thing about Battsy is that he can play in so many different positions and sometimes it’s not great for him because he can just get thrown anywhere,” small forward Dan Butler said.
“Hopefully he can get a spot down back a really focus on his strengths down there because he’s a great player.”
Ernie victory
Spotted standing side-by-side with coach Brett Ratten was newly appointed asset and two time A-League winner Ernie Merrick.
Appointed as a mentor to Ratten spending three days a week in the Saints’ sanctum, Merrick liaised with the Saints coach throughout the duration of the session.
“He’s been a good sounding board for Ratts. You see him (Ratts) at training and around the club bouncing off Ernie,” Butler said.
“He was great in the A-League so hopefully Ratts can get something out of it, hopefully it improves the group.”
Train on players and young gun’s injury
The Saints are eyeing off three SANFL stars to top up their list after versatile youngster Nick Coffield went down with an ACL last week.
“I think he’s going okay, he’s going in for surgery tomorrow,” Butler said on Coffield.
“Obviously it’s a really tough time, all the boys are trying to support him as much we can but with those injuries he’s going to be wiped out for the whole year”
Former Tiger and father-son recruit Pat Naish alongside delisted Port Adelaide defender Jarrod Lienert have been flown over to the Saints from the SANFL as they battle for the final spot on the list.
Both giving solid performances on the track since arriving on Monday, Naish is looking to use his versatility and work on his contested game.
Training well and showing their skills, the duo will be given a run in tomorrow’s Intraclub to prove the skills they have been displaying at trainings.
“They’ve been going really good, they came here on Monday,” Butler said.
“Me and Pat played together at Richmond and I’m really excited to see what he can bring with a few of the other lads.”
“I think when tomorrows intraclub comes around we’ll be able to see the things they can bring”
Jack Hayes is certain set to snatch a list spot under the pre-season Supplemental Selection Period (SSP) rules as he continues to impress at training.
New recruits
Next Generation Academy Recruits Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Mitch Owens looked settled at the Saints as their silky use of the ball stood out during drills.
Looking to find their feet in the Saints team, Wanganeen-Milera impressed with his speed and quick thinking during drills while Owens continued to show his confidence in match competition and contented drills.
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Originally published as AFL 2022: All the latest pre-season news and training notes from the Saints
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