Training Preseason Training Thread - 2026

[Keys]

The below is the OG faux training report from nearly 9 years ago - often imitated but never surpassed

In the absence of Keys I went down for a trundle this morning to check them out on return. Just a few random notes I took down...

• A lot of running work again, clearly a focus even in the heat.
• Duggan looked on and was hitting targets left and right. Set for a huge 2017.
• Giles went up against Vardy in the ruck contests and I'd say that Giles has the inside running at the moment.
• Mitchell looked a class above the other midfielders bar Priddis. Just knew how to find the footy and wouldn't miss a target all session. Shuey was very quiet and seemed to be taking direction from Mitchell. Doesn't bode well for his captaincy credentials, maybe he doesn't want the gig?
• Won't say too much about it in case I was just reading too much into it, but Rioli looked as though he'd enjoyed the Christmas break a bit too much. A few of the coaches pulled him aside and they were having quite an animated conversation before Rioli was sent to do laps for the rest of the session. Good news for Le Cras, I suppose.
• Sheed kicked on his right foot for 80% of the session, I reckon. Nice to see players working on their non-preferred so readily.
• Petrie looked like he was doing a great job 'coaching' the younger forwards in between the drills. Darling in particular seemed to be following him around.
• Gee Venables has some skills. He mainly jogged laps before spending the last half hour or so on set shots - curled a few beauties from behind the boundary line at the end for a bit of fun. Hardly saw him miss a kick.
• What interested me the most was that McGovern split his time between the defenders and the forwards, could be seeing a swingman role in 2017. He was his usual dominant self down back in some match simulation drills before going head-to-head with Mackenzie in a forward role.
• Bayok is very fast - Cripps was in most of the drills with him and couldn't keep up.
• Nelson is pale as buggery and still doesn't really have the body shape you'd expect of an AFL player.
• There was a big bloke who pulled up next to me and I could have sworn it was Suma, but I'm sure I was wrong...
• Masto was the player picked to kick the goal at the end today and nailed it. Celebrations were huge.
• No sign of Cole, Parto or Hill. Couldn't tell you why.

Will upload pics later if I have time. Let me know if you have any questions!

You might wonder why I’ve put this up and stickied it

Because this is the standard all copies should be measured against and it’s a reminder of how high the bar was set

And to hopefully discourage sequels.

If you want to have a crack in my absence, go ahead but if it doesn’t equal the standard set (as judged by me), then expect

• A one week threadban for a first offence
• A two week threadban for a second offence
• A one year threadban for a third offence

Actual training reports, minus discussion, can become found here:

Training - Preseason Training Reports -2025/26

This thread has been setup for training reports only and won’t be open for replies Informative reports from the preseason thread will be copied into this thread so posters have access to the quality work from the likes of LittleFires without wading through pages of general posts

www.bigfooty.com

 

[DeckedOut20]

A close up, just to confirm he's been working on his rig?
Looks like he'll be a weapon by the end of preseason!

View attachment 2474815

Amputation below the left knee, must have been pretty serious.

Good to see him get up and get on with it. Great attitude, average balance.

 

[Astro7]

While it's nice to see Harley getting some positive media coverage for a change, I would caution getting carried away and hopping on the hype train based off one preseason photo.

I don't think there's any doubt that he's in better physical nick than this time last year, but the photo going around is doing him a few favours - just like the photo of him with a gut last preseason was not doing him any favours at all.

People seem to be fixated on the size of his arms and how strong he looks. That may be true, but to be fair strength has never been his issue.

To illustrate this point, here are a few photos the club posted of Harley from last preseason, where he was widely criticised by fans and the media for coming back out of shape:

Spoiler: Harley Reid - November 2024

View attachment 2475045

Spoiler: Harley Reid - January 2025

View attachment 2475046

Spoiler: Harley Reid - February 2025

View attachment 2475047

Not too bad, hey? Looking pretty yuge and no gut to see there.

My point is, these are preseason photos. Angles, lighting and body position play a huge role, and the club isn't going to post photos that don't flatter him. The proof will be in the pudding when we see him get through a full preseason training load without breaking down.

Don't mistake this post for pessimism - like I said I reckon he's definitely looking better than last year - but I'd advise against joining in with reactionary shock jocks like Kane Cornes and expecting the world from Harley in 2026 from one photo.

After last season I do expect the world from Harley in 2026, nothing to do with shock jocks or Korny Kane or preseason photos. As one of the highest paid players at only 20 yrs of age and with talent to burn, there is a natural expectation on him to excel.
Regardless of light, shadow, angles, and body position, he clearly looks more improved than last season and has stated he's been working harder in the gym etc.
Obviously anything can happen between now and the first game, at training, locally, nationally and globally, that's life.
Nothing wrong with a bit of preseason optimism.

 

[Goroyals22]

Kanes excited

 

[lloydbraun]

My point is, these are preseason photos. Angles, lighting and body position play a huge role, and the club isn't going to post photos that don't flatter him. The proof will be in the pudding when we see him get through a full preseason training load without breaking down.

Don't mistake this post for pessimism - like I said I reckon he's definitely looking better than last year - but I'd advise against joining in with reactionary shock jocks like Kane Cornes and expecting the world from Harley in 2026 from one photo.

'Pudding' being the key word here.

 

[LittleFires]

After last season I do expect the world from Harley in 2026, nothing to do with shock jocks or Korny Kane or preseason photos. As one of the highest paid players at only 20 yrs of age and with talent to burn, there is a natural expectation on him to excel.
Regardless of light, shadow, angles, and body position, he clearly looks more improved than last season and has stated he's been working harder in the gym etc.
Obviously anything can happen between now and the first game, at training, locally, nationally and globally, that's life.
Nothing wrong with a bit of preseason optimism.

Yeah wasn’t aimed at you or anyone in particular. Just seen the photo doing the rounds on social media and felt the reaction was a bit OTT. But as you say nothing wrong with a bit of preseason optimism I suppose

 

[PremiershipNo4]

Harley hasn’t come back fat this year, WC finals footy 2026 confirmed!

 

[jdisc]

Gee Harley looks good

 

[Wooshaaaa]

Harley hasn’t come back fat this year, WC finals footy 2026 confirmed!

He might not have come back fat, but has he come back FIT?! Pinging a calf in running time trial and first to bow out isn't a great sign.

 

[bzparkes]

He might not have come back fat, but has he come back FIT?! Pinging a calf in running time trial and first to bow out isn't a great sign.

Was about 13 minutes in, according to Craig O'Donoghue. It's not like it was the first couple of minutes.

 

[PremiershipNo4]

He might not have come back fat, but has he come back FIT?! Pinging a calf in running time trial and first to bow out isn't a great sign.

To be fair people are making a huge deal over nothing, it’s pre season, he looks fit as, he felt a tight calf and pulled up, I’d much rather him pull up than push through the soreness and tear a calf muscle and miss 4 - 6 weeks of running.
He’s just done the smart thing and pulled up, nothing more to it.
He’ll be back training today rather than sitting in rehab.

 

[Wooshaaaa]

Was about 13 minutes in, according to Craig O'Donoghue. It's not like it was the first couple of minutes.

Like I said, he was the first to bow out..times irrelevant in that context

 

[bzparkes]

Like I said, he was the first to bow out..times irrelevant in that context

Yep and as they said in that pod, it could be a range of issues, starting from training on McGillivray(?) oval for the past month, which is supposedly firmer() than MRP.

Said he didn't look tired at all when running.

I really wouldn't be worrying about it, as long as he's not injured.

 

[woosha24]

After last season I do expect the world from Harley in 2026, nothing to do with shock jocks or Korny Kane or preseason photos. As one of the highest paid players at only 20 yrs of age and with talent to burn, there is a natural expectation on him to excel.
Regardless of light, shadow, angles, and body position, he clearly looks more improved than last season and has stated he's been working harder in the gym etc.
Obviously anything can happen between now and the first game, at training, locally, nationally and globally, that's life.
Nothing wrong with a bit of preseason optimism.

I agree with you, but he desperately needs support in the middle to be able to be the best he can be. Right now he's doing all the heavy lifting while every other bloke around him ball watches due to lack of skill.

If he's left to carry 5 other blokes again in 2026 I reckon he'll get fed up and leave.

 

[Bender_]

Bit f*cken warm down at Lathlain.

Bazzo cutting an imposing figure.

 

[Bender_]

Gross just ran past doing laps, definitely been hitting the gym - arms and shoulders much bigger.

 

[squashface]

Bit f*cken warm down at Lathlain.

Bazzo cutting an imposing figure.

Gross just ran past doing laps, definitely been hitting the gym - arms and shoulders much bigger.

"A lot of running work again, clearly a focus even in the heat"

 

[Bender_]

JWilliams looks a bit lighter and is moving very well.

 

[jdisc]

Gross just ran past doing laps, definitely been hitting the gym - arms and shoulders much bigger.

eyes on the host father?

 

[LittleFires]

New face on the track this morning - 95% sure it’s Ash Johnson.

The ginger bloke from Monday is also back, and I heard some players calling him Archie - so looks like that is in fact Archie Watt from our WAFL side.

 

[Bender_]

Been trying to pick who this mountain of a kid is and it's AReid. Seriously big unit.

 

[Bender_]

New face on the track this morning - 95% sure it’s Ash Johnson.

Training with talls right now? Think you're right - couldn't pick him myself.

 

[Doashuey]

"A lot of running work again, clearly a focus even in the heat"

 

[Shmiddy15]

Man I hope Archer can make it as our main ruck. Him along with support from CDT, who’s looking a likely pickup now, could be an incredibly athletic and dangerous combination for us in years to come.

 

[Bender_]

Wanking jokes aside, Hamish Davis has certainly been a stand-out in a couple of the drills so far. He could be the one for mine.

 

[Wooshaaaa]

Wanking jokes aside, Hamish Davis has certainly been a stand-out in a couple of the drills so far. He could be the one for mine.

Him and duursma on the wings.