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

 

[HoneyBadger35]

HoneyBadger35

They're filming the new season of The Recruit.

Love seeing “you have been tagged in the training thread” once a day, legit gets funnier every time.

Still have absolutely zero proof this Archie Watt bloke exists, convinced the board is trying to meme a life into existence.

 

[Wild Kelly]

I worked as a manager/supervisor in hospitality for 15 years before moving into IT(20 years overall). Higher end enviroments such as fine dining, luxury hotels/resorts, etc.

The managers who used to get angry, micro-manage, etc would always get the worst results, or have the most difficult finding staff to fill in shifts because nobody wanted to work for them.

It's not to say I kept my cool 100% of the time but I knew when to show I wasn't happy and also knew when to be lenient and reward people. Never had any issues with staffing and people always wanted to work with me.

I'm not saying the other managers were particularly bad people or anything but it was very clear to me which management style produced the better results, at least in that industry.

Can't speak for other industries.

It was most likely your WFH 4 days a week policy you instigated which made you a popular manager.

 

[PRANKSTER666]

Archer can't be in the forward line with that goal kicking style.

Structually I think it is much more difficult playing a ruck support in the backline rather than up forward...

 

[swingdog]

Structually I think it is much more difficult playing a ruck support in the backline rather than up forward...

Then leave him on the bench when he's not rucking. He cannot be allowed to kick for goal unless he dramatically improves that technique.

 

[swingdog]

Love seeing “you have been tagged in the training thread” once a day, legit gets funnier every time.

Still have absolutely zero proof this Archie Watt bloke exists, convinced the board is trying to meme a life into existence.

Our first AI player?

 

[Selurs]

Then leave him on the bench when he's not rucking. He cannot be allowed to kick for goal unless he dramatically improves that technique.

Levi Casboult managed a 15 year career as a key forward...I'm sure Archer can too if he wants.

 

[Matera92]

Did anyone find out watt Mini was yelling at the new read-headed guy?

 

[Dark Sharks]

Love our coach but still got the sick feeling he is just way off AFL level.

His communication is so gentle and weak.

 

[swingdog]

Levi Casboult managed a 15 year career as a key forward...I'm sure Archer can too if he wants.

Only because their other options at the time were crap.

 

[shoutsatclouds]

I worked as a manager/supervisor in hospitality for 15 years before moving into IT(20 years overall). Higher end enviroments such as fine dining, luxury hotels/resorts, etc.

The managers who used to get angry, micro-manage, etc would always get the worst results, or have the most difficult finding staff to fill in shifts because nobody wanted to work for them.

It's not to say I kept my cool 100% of the time but I knew when to show I wasn't happy and also knew when to be lenient and reward people. Never had any issues with staffing and people always wanted to work with me.

I'm not saying the other managers were particularly bad people or anything but it was very clear to me which management style produced the better results, at least in that industry.

Can't speak for other industries.

Many years ago I was living in Belgium, and the site Construction Superintendant was a huge barn-like red-headed Irishman called Colquhoun, who had a tendency to go lose his sh1t at the drop of a hat.

He couldn’t figure out why the local workers just took his rant, and smiled as they walked away.

He was an arse, so nobody took the time to explain to him that the Flemish/Dutch word for turkey is Kalkoen…

 

[PRANKSTER666]

Then leave him on the bench when he's not rucking. He cannot be allowed to kick for goal unless he dramatically improves that technique.

That is possibly an option if he was used 90% in the ruck. That is not going to be the case this year or probably ever in this side with CDT developing, so he will need to spend time back or forward.

He better fix his goalkicking because I doubt he will be playing a key defender role.

 

[mattyc75]

Only because their other options at the time were crap.

For 15 years

 

[garlic munchers]

Great concern are injuries to Waterman and whether he can repeat his breakout year form. Definitely need 3 rotating through there.

Archer should be down back and rucking, CDT hasn't even got on the park yet.

I along with many others (my wife, kids, mum, dog and few other posters etc), are ecstatic we took a really promising tall in CDT because many were/are underestimating our deficiencies in this area.

Nail a super promising mid with our first pick next year (may even be a west aussie!!!!!!!) and another with our 2nd, and we are starting to look well balanced.

Mind you, we could do something out there and take Van Hattum for LOLS.

 

[Ambrose Burnside]

I along with many others (my wife, kids, mum, dog and few other posters etc), are ecstatic we took a really promising tall in CDT because many were/are underestimating our deficiencies in this area.

Whole list is riddled with holes so I was happy we actually took top 5 picks regardless of position, instead of trading down.

Still plenty of holes but starting to look much better

 

[Yeahnahmate]

Jobe as the 3rd tall target in his 2nd season would be better for his development and ideally he would kick more goals as 3rd tall.

Shanahan would be monstered by guys like Harris Andrews and Weitering etc if expected to hold down KPD role

He didn’t play as a 3rd in his debut season and equipped himself pretty well. He’s a far more mobile option than the plant and wrestle types anyway. His real strength as a marking target is his leap and overhead ability

 

[Convocation]

Archer turns 21 in September next year.
His draft reports suggested his conversion for goal was a weakness.
Just struggle to comprhend some posters and the constant leaning towards the negative. The kid has so many other skills/attributes that make him a good forward (+ Forward craft / + Ground balls / + Leading patterns / + Marking / + Mobility / + Skills), let alone for the other positions suggested, but no, you'd think reading some posters thoughts we might as well delist him if he can't improve his goal kicking, or we don't play him in the ruck or defence.
You can't teach some of the talent Archer has, however you can improve his goal kicking.

Some players who improved goal kicking over there career
20 YOA Archer Reid Career - 50% -14 Games

Josh Kennedy Same Age 54.55% - 13 Games
Josh Kennedy Career - 64.8%

23 YOA - Levi Casboult

30

Levi Casboult

Age

35

Ht

199cm

Wt

104kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.9

3star

K

6.5

3star

HB

3.4

3star

M

5.3

5star

T

1.7

4star

G

1.1

4star

D

10.1

3star

K

7.6

3star

HB

2.6

2star

M

5.9

5star

T

1.3

2star

G

1.3

5star

D

9.2

3star

K

6.2

3star

HB

3.0

3star

M

5.2

5star

T

2.2

4star

G

1.4

5star

- 50% - 11
Levi Casboult

30

Levi Casboult

Age

35

Ht

199cm

Wt

104kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.9

3star

K

6.5

3star

HB

3.4

3star

M

5.3

5star

T

1.7

4star

G

1.1

4star

D

10.1

3star

K

7.6

3star

HB

2.6

2star

M

5.9

5star

T

1.3

2star

G

1.3

5star

D

9.2

3star

K

6.2

3star

HB

3.0

3star

M

5.2

5star

T

2.2

4star

G

1.4

5star

Career - 59.5% - Become significantly more accurate later in his career. Hurt by his early career

Stewart Lowe Same age - 40.74% - 22 Games
Stewart Lowe Career - 59.16%

If he has half the career of Stewie Lowe, i'm sure some posters will say he didn't fulfil his talent. Guess there is no pleasing some people.

If the coaches think his best position is somewhere else, I'm ok with that, but cutting a guy down or moving him to another position because you don't believe or want to give him the chance to to improve his goal kicking after 2 years in the system boggles the mind

 

[TY24]

Love seeing “you have been tagged in the training thread” once a day, legit gets funnier every time.

Still have absolutely zero proof this Archie Watt bloke exists, convinced the board is trying to meme a life into existence.

Have you considered not being a ginger?

 

[WCEswift]

Do we actually know what the players do on tuesday and thursdays? do they go in and lift weights/do mobility shit and like training film review from the previous day? or are they just chillin at home eating bonbons?

 

[TY24]

Do we actually know what the players do on tuesday and thursdays? do they go in and lift weights/do mobility shit and like training film review from the previous day? or are they just chillin at home eating bonbons?

I have it on good authority they're all at home eating their veggies, with McQualter personally driving to each and every players house to make sure they finish said veggies before leaving the table

 

[shooshka]

Archer turns 21 in September next year.
His draft reports suggested his conversion for goal was a weakness.
Just struggle to comprhend some posters and the constant leaning towards the negative. The kid has so many other skills/attributes that make him a good forward (+ Forward craft / + Ground balls / + Leading patterns / + Marking / + Mobility / + Skills), let alone for the other positions suggested, but no, you'd think reading some posters thoughts we might as well delist him if he can't improve his goal kicking, or we don't play him in the ruck or defence.
You can't teach some of the talent Archer has, however you can improve his goal kicking.

Some players who improved goal kicking over there career
20 YOA Archer Reid Career - 50% -14 Games

Josh Kennedy Same Age 54.55% - 13 Games
Josh Kennedy Career - 64.8%

23 YOA - Levi Casboult- 50% - 11
Levi Casboult Career - 59.5% - Become significantly more accurate later in his career. Hurt by his early career

Stewart Lowe Same age - 40.74% - 22 Games
Stewart Lowe Career - 59.16%

If he has half the career of Stewie Lowe, i'm sure some posters will say he didn't fulfil his talent. Guess there is no pleasing some people.

If the coaches think his best position is somewhere else, I'm ok with that, but cutting a guy down or moving him to another position because you don't believe or want to give him the chance to to improve his goal kicking after 2 years in the system boggles the mind

And set shot kicking is widely regarded as just about the only area you can improve on a players kicking technique once in the system

His field kicking seemed OK, so just need to set him up with a good, consistent process that as you point out - can get him to 60%+ levels

 

[FKASC]

Archer turns 21 in September next year.
His draft reports suggested his conversion for goal was a weakness.
Just struggle to comprhend some posters and the constant leaning towards the negative. The kid has so many other skills/attributes that make him a good forward (+ Forward craft / + Ground balls / + Leading patterns / + Marking / + Mobility / + Skills), let alone for the other positions suggested, but no, you'd think reading some posters thoughts we might as well delist him if he can't improve his goal kicking, or we don't play him in the ruck or defence.
You can't teach some of the talent Archer has, however you can improve his goal kicking.

Some players who improved goal kicking over there career
20 YOA Archer Reid Career - 50% -14 Games

Josh Kennedy Same Age 54.55% - 13 Games
Josh Kennedy Career - 64.8%

23 YOA - Levi Casboult- 50% - 11
Levi Casboult Career - 59.5% - Become significantly more accurate later in his career. Hurt by his early career

Stewart Lowe Same age - 40.74% - 22 Games
Stewart Lowe Career - 59.16%

If he has half the career of Stewie Lowe, i'm sure some posters will say he didn't fulfil his talent. Guess there is no pleasing some people.

If the coaches think his best position is somewhere else, I'm ok with that, but cutting a guy down or moving him to another position because you don't believe or want to give him the chance to to improve his goal kicking after 2 years in the system boggles the mind

I think most reasonable people know Archer is a real talent, it’s just they ultimately want to see as many of our young KPPs in the side as possible. Hence the suggestion of him moving back to allow guys like Jilliams or CDT to play forward

 

[HoneyBadger35]

Have you considered not being a ginger?

I was chosen for a reason.

 

[Elite Pete]

Archer Reid stats are very similar to Ethan Read who are from the same draft and playing similar roles. One in a top team and another in the bottom team.

 

[Elite Pete]

A bit about how the players are looking during the early stages of pre season training and where they have been lining up.

 

[THE A5]

Love seeing “you have been tagged in the training thread” once a day, legit gets funnier every time.

Still have absolutely zero proof this Archie Watt bloke exists, convinced the board is trying to meme a life into existence.

Tbf you’re way too old now to be an AFL player. We gotta start tagging TY24