Training 2026 Off-Season & Preseason reports and discussion

[FB19]

Im going to make a totally outlandish call. Aidan Schubert will be our Riley Thilthorpe in 2029. Needs to put on size of course but had the attributes. If he needs help putting on weight

 

[SSSSSS]

Im going to make a totally outlandish call. Aidan Schubert will be our Riley Thilthorpe in 2029. Needs to put on size of course but had the attributes. If he needs help putting on weight

Needs to grow a massive beard.

 

[hawkinoz]

Didn't see this posted here, hopefully i am not doubling it up

 

[hawkinoz]

Also, time trial is still to come.

Joe Webble will be ready.. as will a few others...

 

[SunshineHawkCal]

Questionable. Looks very much under size and a junior with quite a bit of muscle needing to be added, which is only natural.

Isn't Massimo the same?

 

[Slaatybaadfaast]

Questionable. Looks very much under size and a junior with quite a bit of muscle needing to be added, which is only natural.

Quadriceps like tree trunks

 

[Nugett]

Weds trade value just plummeted

Has plummeted from a F4 to a FF4. At this rate, * will just walk him to the draft…

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Isn't Massimo the same?

No. Mass is 3 preseasons in, and had the body needed to play at the level. Jack is 0 preseasons in, and while he’s obviously a very good runner, he’s upper body and core strength will be lacking compared to those who have some preseasons over him.

 

[The Golden Glenferrie]

Quads on Dalton are insane.

Those lovely vastus lateralis'

 

[Ripper Rioli]

I thought we would be wearing these

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They look more like match sim/in season training tops, closer to player guernseys. The one they are running around in yesterday definitely looked like they were made for summer sessions.

 

[earthworms]

It's a warm morning, with some annoying flies in attendance.

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Even before the boys came down to the oval, Amon can be seen jogging along.
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While the rest of the boys are still inside.
Note that they can be seen through from the glass, which is a different feel from Waverley where you can only hear them screaming from upstairs.View attachment 2484790


When it's time, they head off to the oval.

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Spang walking around with Max.
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LeRay in action while Kennedy look from afar.
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Wiz is showing Cody how it is done.
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Some of the stars like TB are away from the main group.
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Will Day found his new levitating power.
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Newk jogs a lot today.
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Calsher is gassed.
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Group drills.
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Schu in action.
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Calsh and Newk doing groundballs.
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Harry and Scrimma jogging.
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Brutal Time trials
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And the morning is done.

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Frenchie is struggling behind Ramma. Cramps?
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Ward being interviewed.
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Ward breakout season

 

[HoldingThe Ball]

Questionable. Looks very much under size and a junior with quite a bit of muscle needing to be added, which is only natural.

If this is underdeveloped I assume you look like Hercules?

This is how Dalts turned up on Day 1.

Add another 4 months.







He's in great nick already.

 

[JD1992]

Ward breakout season

I already thought Ward has broken out. Definately expecting improvement, which leads me into the next point is what will our midfield mix look like next year - I am very intrigued and how they are structured to play.

The regulars: Duke, Day, Ward, Nash.
The possibles: McKenzie - has first dibs, but Hustwaithe will be seeing an oppurtunity to take Worpel spot.

Wiz has put his hand up for more time, Moore is a good option.
Then there is left field:Weddle - who played a lot of junior there, Maginess - who at VFL does really well inside, but allows us to play him through multiple other roles as well

Thoughts?

 

[fairdinks]

I already thought Ward has broken out. Definately expecting improvement, which leads me into the next point is what will our midfield mix look like next year - I am very intrigued and how they are structured to play.

The regulars: Duke, Day, Ward, Nash.
The possibles: McKenzie - has first dibs, but Hustwaithe will be seeing an oppurtunity to take Worpel spot.

Wiz has put his hand up for more time, Moore is a good option.
Then there is left field:Weddle - who played a lot of junior there, Maginess - who at VFL does really well inside, but allows us to play him through multiple other roles as well

Thoughts?

that's a fair assessment JD, but I also believe Butler can keep stepping up with an uninterrupted pre-season. He exceeded my expectations last year and now has me keen to see how far he can progress.

I am not sure how much improvement HH has, but he will surely get an opportunity or two if he remains as consistent at BH as 2025.

I don't see Weddle in the middle TBH, unless as a relief ruck at times.

 

[fairdinks]

that's a fair assessment JD, but I also believe Butler can keep stepping up with an uninterrupted pre-season. He exceeded my expectations last year and now has me keen to see how far he can progress.

I am not sure how much improvement HH has, but he will surely get an opportunity or two if he remains as consistent at BH as 2025.

I don't see Weddle in the middle TBH, unless as a relief ruck at times.

EDIT: I don't see us looking for a Worpel direct replacement rather than someone with a point of difference. Perhaps more CBA time for Wiz/Croc/Butler types.

 

[OnTheRocks]

Ward breakout season

Yep, going next level.

 

[SSSSSS]

Ward breakout season

Buzzcut = breakout.

It's a fact.

 

[Hawks_Footy]

Wardy just needs watch his Semi Final performance last year as a reminder of his level, no reason he won't be that player 9 games out of every 10 this year

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

If this is underdeveloped I assume you look like Hercules?

This is how Dalts turned up on Day 1.

Add another 4 months.

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He's in great nick already.

I really don’t understand why you’d take such offense to an 18yr old having an 18yr olds body, that you’d post photos of him flexing to try and prove he already has one.
I never said he was underdeveloped either.

Fact is that he will need to add size, and build his core strength. It’s really not that surprising.

 

[Simon Crawshay]

If this is underdeveloped I assume you look like Hercules?

This is how Dalts turned up on Day 1.

Add another 4 months.

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He's in great nick already.

That's what I meant when I said he has an AFL body, he's absolutely cut compared to the other draftees. Not an ounce of puppy fat to be seen.

He's obviously on the lighter side given his height but he looks pretty strong across the arms and legs to my eyes as well. Got some nice biceps on him!

Probably needs to add maybe another 3 to 5kgs to strengthen up his core but as you say give him 4 months in an elite training programme and he won't be far off it by the time the season starts (from a physical standpoint at least).

One player to watch in 2026 that's for sure.

 

[tommyk72]

Buzzcut = breakout.

It's a fact.

Chance Bateman dislikes this post.

 

[SSSSSS]

Chance Bateman dislikes this post.

Changa really Samson'ed himself.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

I already thought Ward has broken out. Definately expecting improvement, which leads me into the next point is what will our midfield mix look like next year - I am very intrigued and how they are structured to play.

The regulars: Duke, Day, Ward, Nash.
The possibles: McKenzie - has first dibs, but Hustwaithe will be seeing an oppurtunity to take Worpel spot.

Wiz has put his hand up for more time, Moore is a good option.
Then there is left field:Weddle - who played a lot of junior there, Maginess - who at VFL does really well inside, but allows us to play him through multiple other roles as well

Thoughts?

Can't really see Hustwaite get a game, barring a huge turnaround, given he was told to explore his options when it was already known that Worpel was going to leave. If they saw a future for him in the side I doubt he'd have been put on the trade table.

It will be interesting to see how they manage the midfield balance at Box Hill. They have a talented group in Hustwaite, Anderson, Dalton, Greeves and the Box Hill listed midfielders.

 

[hawkinoz]

That's what I meant when I said he has an AFL body, he's absolutely cut compared to the other draftees. Not an ounce of puppy fat to be seen.

He's obviously on the lighter side given his height but he looks pretty strong across the arms and legs to my eyes as well. Got some nice biceps on him!

Probably needs to add maybe another 3 to 5kgs to strengthen up his core but as you say give him 4 months in an elite training programme and he won't be far off it by the time the season starts (from a physical standpoint at least).

One player to watch in 2026 that's for sure.

I was expecting to see Greeves to show a bit more bigger shape with more visible puppy fat and he too looks quite toned as well to my eyes.

Obviously can do more but to my eyes feels not far from a AFL body. Sure needs to get his endurance up before we have murmurs of debut.

We will know more about that for all our draftees by end of Feb and some inkling before Christmas.

 

[hawkmang]

Changa really Samson'ed himself.

Hopefully Anderson hasn’t done the same