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

 

[Goroyals22]

Sounds like the turned up to the Saint's preseason much the same as he has West Coast's in the past. Historically bad trainer and left multiple training camps early - but that may have been for personal reasons.

What happens when you recruit a notoriously bad trainer whose body is now broken down and has about 3 decent half games left in him

 

[Bender_]

What happens when you recruit a notoriously bad trainer whose body is now broken down and has about 3 decent half games left in him

I dunno, What happens when you recruit a notoriously bad trainer whose body is now broken down and has about 3 decent half games left in him?

 

[WCErevival]

At least the Saints have some media content to look forward to of Ryan kicking goals from the boundary.

 

[Yeahnahmate]

Players went to hang with the Wildcats yesterday. Of course Duursma looking the most comfortable of the lot

CDT, Duursma, Johnston, Owies all handy. CDT the most progressed and only a recent AFL focus which is astounding given how he is already rated. Petch was a good junior baller too

 

[Lyyynnnchy]

CDT, Duursma, Johnston, Owies all handy. CDT the most progressed and only a recent AFL focus which is astounding given how he is already rated. Petch was a good junior baller too

Did he look like this last year??

 

[Keys]

Howdy I was just wondering what Liam Ryan's fitness and running capacities have been like in past preseasons at your club? He has turned up at the Saints and has been really dragging the chain in any of the running.

Is there an excuse or explaination like did he end the season with an injury that required surgery/treatment (off feet)?

Thanks in advance!

I’ve watched Ryan train across multiple preseasons. What you’ve described is very on brand for him, prior to Christmas especially but don’t be overly disheartened

Whilst it doesn’t look good, it also isn’t unusual - he doesn’t like running and never has. The double hamstring surgeries he had only made it worse. When footballs are involved he looks completely different - engaged, repeat sprints etc

St Kilda would’ve been aware of this when they chased after him, but if they didn’t that’s a failure to do proper due diligence. I will add, I was surprised when the trade rumours started because I wondered whether his training habits would be an issue for Lyon and also how suited Ryan would be too Lyon’s tough love approach

Right or wrong, he was over indulged at West Coast particularly under Simpson and I suspect his lack of application at training would be part of the reason why West Coast agreed to a trade without all that much opposition

But you guys didn’t get him for his training standards - it’s his natural football instincts and ability to do the unexpected at any moment that I imagine you’re chasing. And that doesn’t vanish no matter how shit he looks jogging laps

Like I said earlier, he’s a totally different trainer when there’s a footy involved

 

[Bleedblueandgold]

Players went to hang with the Wildcats yesterday. Of course Duursma looking the most comfortable of the lot

Surprised about the lack of angry comments from Freo fans.

 

[THE A5]

https://archive.md/1Zixu

Paywall broken for people who wish to read the whole thing.

View attachment 2487282

Two specimens on the complete opposite ends of the spectrum

I get Hough vibes from Duursma. Not as skinny as Hough but I reckon in a couple seasons he’d be looking very solid (just like Hough did).

 

[Yeahnahmate]

St Kilda would’ve been aware of this when they chased after him, but if they didn’t that’s a failure to do proper due diligence.

And they’d have caught him too with it being the offseason - piece of piss

 

[Keys]

I get Hough vibes from Duursma. Not as skinny as Hough but I reckon in a couple seasons he’d be looking very solid (just like Hough did).

There really isn’t much difference between the two. I said in my report that there was one passage where he reminded me of Bontempelli the way he moved

He’s not going to be an absolute monster like Cripps but no doubt he can fill out like Bont has

 

[THE A5]

Hoo boy. He's not the most fastidious trainer and preparer I'm afraid.

What year was it when he did his hammy strings cause he basically half arsed his pre game warm up/stretches?

 

[Quinten Kennedy]

Howdy I was just wondering what Liam Ryan's fitness and running capacities have been like in past preseasons at your club? He has turned up at the Saints and has been really dragging the chain in any of the running.

Is there an excuse or explaination like did he end the season with an injury that required surgery/treatment (off feet)?

Thanks in advance!

Pay less attention to his running and focus more on his 1950s style of off season public boxing.

 

[THE A5]

There really isn’t much difference between the two. I said in my report that there was one passage where he reminded me of Bontempelli the way he moved

He’s not going to be an absolute monster like Cripps but no doubt he can fill out like Bont has
View attachment 2487507View attachment 2487508

tbf I don’t think physically there’s a huge difference between Bont and Cripps tbf. Cripps just has gery solid pipes but Bonts got them KPP legs.

 

[Ilkka Sinisalo]

There really isn’t much difference between the two. I said in my report that there was one passage where he reminded me of Bontempelli the way he moved

He’s not going to be an absolute monster like Cripps but no doubt he can fill out like Bont has
View attachment 2487507View attachment 2487508

Far out, Bont really looks like a dweeb there.

Tim English was painfully skinny in his draft year and early in his AFL career. Will Darcy looks like a stiff breeze would knock him over.

 

[ZergMinion]

What year was it when he did his hammy strings cause he basically half arsed his pre game warm up/stretches?

I don't remember but I'd enjoy seeing the video again.

 

[Farmer Lister]

I knew a bit of parsley once. His name was Alan. He had a band called The Alan Parsley Project. They had an eye on the sky but weren’t too Sirius…

And I don't need to see any more to know that
I can read your mind (Looking at you)

 

[Farmer Lister]

Howdy I was just wondering what Liam Ryan's fitness and running capacities have been like in past preseasons at your club? He has turned up at the Saints and has been really dragging the chain in any of the running.

Is there an excuse or explaination like did he end the season with an injury that required surgery/treatment (off feet)?

Thanks in advance!

Yes he has a serious case of cantbe****editis

 

[Byron_Clanger]

I hope the club posts some clips from this, I too would like to meet the recruits.

 

[RookiePick]

Did he look like this last year??

View attachment 2487489

Looks more like he'd be a Luka fan

 

[Sarcoidevo]

He's a lazy prick and never seemed to get his mobility quite right after doing his 2 hammies. I'd expect him to be a serviceable forward with the flash of brilliance and the tendency to go missing for a quarter or two.

You just described my football career

 

[Keys]

Harry Schoenberg doing his best Jack Darling

28

Jack Darling

Age

33

Ht

191cm

Wt

95kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.1

3star

K

7.9

3star

HB

4.2

3star

M

5.0

5star

T

3.0

5star

G

1.9

5star

D

8.0

2star

K

4.3

2star

HB

3.7

3star

M

2.7

3star

T

2.4

3star

G

1.3

5star

D

14.6

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

7.0

5star

M

6.0

5star

T

4.0

5star

G

1.4

5star

impersonation here



Harley looking ready to tear this season apart - seems to have matured a loti. New haircut helps too I think

 

[THE A5]

View attachment 2487567

Harry Schoenberg doing his best Jack Darling impersonation here

View attachment 2487568

Harley looking ready to tear this season apart - seems to have matured a loti. New haircut helps too

Him and Yeo staying fit and full preseason will be huge for us in 2026. At this stage of his career he needs that Yeo type sheltering and mentoring him in the middle

 

[Obeanie1]

View attachment 2487567

Harry Schoenberg doing his best Jack Darling impersonation here

Harley looking ready to tear this season apart - seems to have matured a loti. New haircut helps too I think

Harley is yesterdays news.

Harry is the new Prince of Perth looking serious.

 

[EagleEgo]

Howdy I was just wondering what Liam Ryan's fitness and running capacities have been like in past preseasons at your club? He has turned up at the Saints and has been really dragging the chain in any of the running.

Is there an excuse or explaination like did he end the season with an injury that required surgery/treatment (off feet)?

Thanks in advance!

No worries, just leave him in the goal square for the entire match. He can kick you 4 or 5 goals a match and get you the #1 pick for 2026.

 

[bzparkes]

What year was it when he did his hammy strings cause he basically half arsed his pre game warm up/stretches?

I thought that was because he went for a speccy, folded in half and popped both hamstrings?