Saints' young gun Alix Tauru sat down with Saints Media at the conclusion of the 2025 AFL season to discuss his first year at AFL level and his development across the year so far.

Saints Media: Making your debut this season, can you speak on that and the experience of playing your first game in the AFL?

Alix Tauru: Making my debut was obviously a really cool and thrilling experience to share with my family.

I called Mum and she was very emotional just like my whole family but the fact it was able to be against Collingwood on a big night was really special and surreal.

Walking out in front of a lot of fans was just a great moment to share with the whole team and my family.

SM: And since that debut, you've played every game. Firstly did you expect to play every game after that, and how has it been to consistently find yourself in the team?

AT: It's hard to know if you can expect to be picked or not, I sort of just let what happens happen or try and ask Mason a lot of things but he doesn't really give me a lot of answers.

It's been really cool and special to be named in every game since and a credit to the coaches.

They obviously see something in me that I don't necessarily see in myself a lot of the time but they've been very kind to pick me in the squads and back me.

SM: Has there been any sort of particular moments that stand out or any moments where you really had a cool experience this year?

AT: Definitely the first win of course, the game against Melbourne.

It was such a special win, especially for my first one and I'm sure that anyone that watched the game knew it was such a historic moment in the AFL and that was just great to experience.

I was watching from the sideline at the end and I was really nervous but to see the whole squad go about it and how happy everyone was after a win like that for the first time in the rooms was really special.

SM: You're obviously in the backline and playing alongside some very talented players. What is it like to learn off players like that?

AT: It's not quite what I expected.

I think I expected them to be a bit more harsh and boss me around a bit but they are some of the most calm people on the field, I don't know how they do it when I feel like I'm messing up all the time.

They're really calm and they go about their business and that's their main priority to do their role for the team and then help others around them.

They definitely help me a lot, Cal (Wilkie) more than others and Anthony (Caminiti) that help me out in a really calm manner and I love what they do for the team and for me.

SM: You've formed a close relationship with the younger guys in the team. What's it been like to hang out with them both inside and outside the club as well?

AT: It's been really great to get to know these boys, some of which I knew a little bit towards the back of last year.

Watching these guys debut as well and play a lot of footy has been really special as I know what they are feeling and it's been really cool to see their dreams come true.

Forming a bond with all those boys and exchanging feedback has been really helpful to advance our careers and help each other during the off-season now so it's been great to grow closer with them.

SM: You have been living with Mason Wood, alongside Angus Hastie and Liam O'Connell. How has that living situation been and how important has Mason been in helping develop you this first year?

AT: Mason has been a harsh parent. No he's been very good to me.

It's great to have someone that's really been through it all and the ups and downs of footy with his injuries and changing clubs.

He can really speak from experience for a lot of things and answer a lot of questions that I'll ask him.

He's been the kindest person to me, him and his girlfriend Mikaela, they've been nothing but kind and treated me in the best way that's helped me become a better footballer and a better man while making sure I'm taking care of myself.

There's some tough love sometimes but I wouldn't change it for the world.

SM: And finally, how important have the coaches been both across AFL and VFL level in helping your development and what have they told you over the year to help you improve?

AT: They've done a really great job at coaching me in some tougher circumstances on the fly with my injury and suspension and things like that.

It's been something of a bumpy road but they've really adapted and taught me the right way and have coached me through how to deal with this adversity in a really calm and helpful way.

They're really great at helping me understand how to play VFL and AFL footy and put a lot of time into me while being really patient and have already outlined our future.