Training 2026 Pre Season & Training Reports

[Kangaroos4eva]

You guy's obsession with Darcy Wilson's muscles is so ****ing weird

Nttawwt

 

[ChopChopDigDig]

Yet to hear a player join a new club & then come out publicly in their first pre season to say how lazy & hopeless everyone is at said new club.

lol yeah. As if a new recruits first interview is like”yeh I guess these boys train pretty hard, about the same as my old club that traded me”

 

[SunnyBoner]

lol yeah. As if a new recruits first interview is like”yeh I guess these boys train pretty hard, about the same as my old club that traded me”

I can’t find anywhere online where Finbar made that statement about the Crows training standards

 

[BlueandWhiteinmyBlood]

I can’t find anywhere online where Finbar made that statement about the Crows training standards

It was a video on insta - I saw it too.

 

[Themanbun]

Fair. Bit of a cultural item around the gym more than formal program given the time of year Finnbar made the comment.

On the flip side we did have Parker and Darling come into the club and state they were impressed, which is just as valid as Finnbar's statement.

Can you remember Parker and Darling's specific statements?

I remember it being around the boys' eagerness etc. but could be wrong.

 

[spicerFanClub]

Can you remember Parker and Darling's specific statements?

I remember it being around the boys' eagerness etc. but could be wrong.

While ago now. Potentially part of this Triple M interview / one of the other various interview in the Roos on Radio collection.

Feel like Darling was a tv interview somewhere or maybe just a club video.

 

[Masked Avenger]

Wandered down to the session today amongst the drizzle.

Some observations:

* PC looked lean.

* Urquhart looked bigger and stronger.

* I expected Goad to be heavier.

* Brayden George and Trembath were very prominent in the running drills.

* Whitlock needs bulk.

* Dawson's a big lad.

* Dovaston wasn't on the track today.

* Mikunda looks like an athlete. He's not tall.

* FOS went off the track early.

* Banch puts in 100% every drill.

* There were a handful of VFL listed players in the main group.

* Archer, McDonald, Simpkin, Hardeman, Goater, Urquhart, Corr, RHJ, Zurhaar and Duursma amongst those away from the main group.

* McKercher looked quick.

* Spargo needs a lot of work.

 

[zoomba23]

Brown actually said his fitness levels were so far behind the main group at Melbourne when he arrived that he was sent off to the rehab group for 4 weeks & had to do extra sessions in order to catch up.

Right. I stand corrected

 

[Shack18]

Few observations from training this morning,

• didn’t see FOs, Dovaston or CCJ
• intense cardio and skill execution drills, looked bloody hard some of the drills.
• does feel like the group is maturing, bodies look more seasoned.
• PC looks to have slimmed down, maybe trying to get his endurance up, Pacific Islanders don’t lose their strength !
• Darling is a very big man
• Goad is filling out nicely, looks a few inches taller than X (who looks a beast and in good shape)
• Banch looked fantastic, leading running drills, he worked very hard, very impressive session
• Parker, Sheezel look fit as and leading the way
• Trembath looking noticeably fitter ( albeit only seen him once before), jive hands in marking drill
• Hugo looks an athlete, as does Thredgold - he kept up very well in drills, was surprised thought a young big fella would lag
• LDU looks mature ie hardened body, as he should
• Urquhart running with Simpkin and looks fit
• looked to be about 6 in a rehab type group including Duursma, Hardeman and archer. All look noticeably stronger than last year

Looked like Lynch took a lot of the session.
Cheers

 

[Shack18]

Spargo looks like he has been on the pies, has a mountain of work to do but was doing everything thing he had to

 

[Themanbun]

Spargo looks like he has been on the pies, has a mountain of work to do but was doing everything thing he had to

Yeah, let himself go. Hope the coaches don't consider him a lock. Id hate to see someone like Banch pushed aside for him.

 

[Pres]

My absolute highlight this morning was Zac Banch. The man is displaying fitness levels rarely seen on the hallowed turf. Total machine. He would smash a Hyrox competition.

He inspired me so much that I drove straight to the pilates studio for a reformer session and now I'm headed to the pool!

 

[Sphynx]

Yeah, let himself go. Hope the coaches don't consider him a lock. Id hate to see someone like Banch pushed aside for him.

Well, he’s entered the furnace.

Because there’s a hell of a lot of competition with Curtis, Banch, Dovaston and JK all animals in the gym and on the track. All hungry for game time.

Not even accounting for George and a few others either.

I never really understood the recruitment. Feel like this will be looked at similar to Fisher. But I was wrong about Stephens who has some credits in the bank after this recent season…

 

[Kangaroos4eva]

Banch and Dovaston is a handy pair of small forwards, really pleasing to hear about Banch. And if training reports are any true indication, JK looks set as our long term defensive small.

 

[Sphynx]

Banch and Dovaston is a handy pair of small forwards, really pleasing to hear about Banch. And if training reports are any true indication, JK looks set as our long term defensive small.

The forward structure is certainly the biggest watch in the preseason games.

You can’t play those 3 in the same side, as well as Curtis, with a 3 tall structure of Larkey, Darling and Trembath imo. Ignoring Zurhaar as well…

It’s really robbing the side of Curtis’ versatility.

He’s so strong in the air and 1-on-1 that you can afford to play him as the third marking target because he will torch a traditional third tall on the lead and with ground ball. You don’t want 3 marking targets ahead of PC either, plenty of the F50 entries should be directed at him…

Does Clarko have the minerals to run with Trembarh over Darling or will we see a turgid 3 tall setup, +Zurhaar and Curtis and only 1 of Banch, Dovaston or JK? Then Spargo.

He will be sacked by July

There’s an easy answer to this question, our forward pressure will double as well.

You can’t not play a 20 year KPF with huge athletic ability, massive aerial presence, that took 6 contested marks and kicked 9 goals in his first 3 games either.

Trembath should play out of the square with Curtis.

Larkey should be this seasons forward/ruck imo playing at CHF and we go small ball like the last 3 rounds when Larkey is in the ruck.

Banch, Dovaston and JK all play.

If im trialing anyone in a different position, it’s Zurhaar at half back. As he played there quite a bit as a kid and he’s got the body size and aggression to do well there.

 

[speedy]

Banch and Dovaston is a handy pair of small forwards, really pleasing to hear about Banch. And if training reports are any true indication, JK looks set as our long term defensive small.

JK long term defensive small? Must have missed those reports. As a rebounder or stopper?

Worth the experimentation I guess, but I’m not a fan of any sub 180cm defenders, especially when Caleb is already back there.

 

[Its a Process]

The forward structure is certainly the biggest watch in the preseason games.

You can’t play those 3 in the same side, as well as Curtis, with a 3 tall structure of Larkey, Darling and Trembath imo. Ignoring Zurhaar as well…

It’s really robbing the side of Curtis’ versatility.

He’s so strong in the air and 1-on-1 that you can afford to play him as the third marking target because he will torch a traditional third tall on the lead and with ground ball. You don’t want 3 marking targets ahead of PC either, plenty of the F50 entries should be directed at him…

Does Clarko have the minerals to run with Trembarh over Darling or will we see a turgid 3 tall setup, +Zurhaar and Curtis and only 1 of Banch, Dovaston or JK? Then Spargo.

He will be sacked by July

There’s an easy answer to this question, our forward pressure will double as well.

You can’t not play a 20 year KPF with huge athletic ability, massive aerial presence, that took 6 contested marks and kicked 9 goals in his first 3 games either.

Trembath should play out of the square with Curtis.

Larkey should be this seasons forward/ruck imo playing at CHF and we go small ball like the last 3 rounds when Larkey is in the ruck.

Banch, Dovaston and JK all play.

If im trialing anyone in a different position, it’s Zurhaar at half back. As he played there quite a bit as a kid and he’s got the body size and aggression to do well there.

bit to digest here.

Zurhaar to half back after a 40 goal season?
Curtis to play a 3rd tall out of the goal square?
Clarko sacked by July
Our 3 tall setup is/will be turgid...
Banch (3 games), Dovaston (zero games), JK (doesn't kick goals) all must play.

Don't really like any of it except I don't mind Larks getting up the ground so he can use his tank.

My forward line
Talls - Larks, Trembath, JD
Mid - Cam Z, Curtis
Smalls - JK and Banch

I like the idea of Curtis getting up the ground so we can utalise his field kicking.

 

[maddiemelb]

 

[speedy]

The forward structure is certainly the biggest watch in the preseason games.

You can’t play those 3 in the same side, as well as Curtis, with a 3 tall structure of Larkey, Darling and Trembath imo. Ignoring Zurhaar as well…

It’s really robbing the side of Curtis’ versatility.

He’s so strong in the air and 1-on-1 that you can afford to play him as the third marking target because he will torch a traditional third tall on the lead and with ground ball. You don’t want 3 marking targets ahead of PC either, plenty of the F50 entries should be directed at him…

Does Clarko have the minerals to run with Trembarh over Darling or will we see a turgid 3 tall setup, +Zurhaar and Curtis and only 1 of Banch, Dovaston or JK? Then Spargo.

He will be sacked by July

There’s an easy answer to this question, our forward pressure will double as well.

You can’t not play a 20 year KPF with huge athletic ability, massive aerial presence, that took 6 contested marks and kicked 9 goals in his first 3 games either.

Trembath should play out of the square with Curtis.

Larkey should be this seasons forward/ruck imo playing at CHF and we go small ball like the last 3 rounds when Larkey is in the ruck.

Banch, Dovaston and JK all play.

If im trialing anyone in a different position, it’s Zurhaar at half back. As he played there quite a bit as a kid and he’s got the body size and aggression to do well there.

I can’t see us playing 3 small forwards and Curtis, even with the extra spot. You still have to rotate some of our mids through the forward line too. LDU, Sheezel, Wardlaw, Parker and Powell all play. That’s only 66% game time each if you rotate them exclusively off the bench.

 

[the big lebowski]

I think Darling is the one to miss. Spend the year as depth and when not required help develope Whitlock in the vfl.

And just for the record I love what JD brought to the club in 2025

The downside is the incumbent second ruck is gone.

I think Chom can chop out for 5 mins a qrt. Particularly if you’re rolling with pink and Logue down back.

Alternatively you could use Larkey.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Along with Banch, Konstanty looks to have taken his physique to a whole new level. The two of them are chiselled.

You can criticise JK for some of his performances and decision making this this year, but holy shit he trains hard. Can not fault the kids commitment.

 

[Boro]

On our annual AFLW GF pilgrimage from the Sunny Coast so thought I’d drop in to training.

Observations:


Not an overly hard session, but they were working at a decent clip. Parker leading the way and looked the hardest worker. Banch sharp, Konstanty also worked hard. FOS left early with a foot/ankle issue, hopefully nothing serious…plenty working off to the side in their own groups…straight running for Zurhaar, Corr, McDonald, Spargo. No Dovastan, but Blake and Hugo both looked sharp…Hugo is super quick and was very clean…

 

[shimaburnsgrieg]

The forward structure is certainly the biggest watch in the preseason games.

You can’t play those 3 in the same side, as well as Curtis, with a 3 tall structure of Larkey, Darling and Trembath imo. Ignoring Zurhaar as well…

It’s really robbing the side of Curtis’ versatility.

He’s so strong in the air and 1-on-1 that you can afford to play him as the third marking target because he will torch a traditional third tall on the lead and with ground ball. You don’t want 3 marking targets ahead of PC either, plenty of the F50 entries should be directed at him…

Does Clarko have the minerals to run with Trembarh over Darling or will we see a turgid 3 tall setup, +Zurhaar and Curtis and only 1 of Banch, Dovaston or JK? Then Spargo.

He will be sacked by July

There’s an easy answer to this question, our forward pressure will double as well.

You can’t not play a 20 year KPF with huge athletic ability, massive aerial presence, that took 6 contested marks and kicked 9 goals in his first 3 games either.

Trembath should play out of the square with Curtis.

Larkey should be this seasons forward/ruck imo playing at CHF and we go small ball like the last 3 rounds when Larkey is in the ruck.

Banch, Dovaston and JK all play.

If im trialing anyone in a different position, it’s Zurhaar at half back. As he played there quite a bit as a kid and he’s got the body size and aggression to do well there.

Definitely in agreement starting with Trembath and PC being the two out of the square - with a legitimate goal kicking small (say) Dovaston working off them.

The half forward line should start with Larkey at chf with Zurhaar playing hff - but as you say both playing well up the ground and not crowding PC and Trembath. The other flank would be Parker, JK or Banch depending on conditions/opposition.

I don't agree with Larkey in the ruck - especially with the new ruck rules and higher knee on knee contact likely. With 5 on the bench (and the new ruck rules) we need to trial Goad early, given him a real chance and see how that looks. If it looks unlikely then potentially go back to CCJ.

 

[DuckYeah]

Whitlock needs bulk

Nah, in the photos he looks massive

 

[marklovesbeer]

My absolute highlight this morning was Zac Banch. The man is displaying fitness levels rarely seen on the hallowed turf. Total machine. He would smash a Hyrox competition.

He inspired me so much that I drove straight to the pilates studio for a reformer session and now I'm headed to the pool!

Reading about Spargo has inspired me to go to the servo & get a pie.