Training 2026 Preseason

[Shaymuhz]

I mean yeah we've seen that a lot.

Didn't the data show we are one of the slowest when kicking but quick by hand?

That's one of the things JL was very quick to point out when we get criticized regarding ball movement.

We were easily the slowest team in terms of ball in hand (how long it took to make a decision). Once we moved the ball it was the most direct towards goal, but usually to a contest long down the line. When we moved the ball on at afl average speed we were close to the most damaging in the league - according to Champion Data

 

[E Shed]

Weber definitely outstayed his welcome.

Beard apparently started his career as a strength and conditioning coach at Freo in 2001, so the rugby background is far from exclusive.

He looks to be a bit of a journeyman, he was hired under or adjacent to Merrimen 3 years ago, so it's not as if he's coming in straight off cracking the whips on a bunch of cauliflower eared, no necked, sheep herders.

If he's continually grown along his journey and digested what he learnt under Merrimen then theres no reason he can't be an upgrade, we need to change something, even for the placebo effect it will have on the players.

Also I must say, a favourable injury run throughout the season and coming back hard in games late isn't necessarily going to win us a flag. I mean we'd all sell a kidney to have a game iced early like so many other teams around the mark seem to be capable of, superior fitness in the high km isn't an an immortal force in the face of demoralising early scoreboard pressue.

If you watch the preliminaries from last year both losing teams came out of the blocks super hard and established score early but the winning teams absorbed it and punched back harder.
Both games followed a very similar pattern.

 

[Ghost Pig]

With a pinch of Winny Abraham, a dash of Gary Dhurrkay and don’t be shy with the Dale Kickett.

View attachment 2489594

I was 10 years old in 1996, twas a rainy day at dusk in Freo, my little sis was in the pram, I was pushing her down Market St toward South Terrace, while Mum and Dad admired my hyperactivity ebbing under the strain of the chalky rubber wheels of the hand me down stroller.

Three well dressed men were in front of us, hands tucked into their leather jacket pockets and walking in step, as we approached the High St crossing, a car was turning and we caught up to the three fellas, I looked up to my left to get a look at these suave operators only to see my favourite player Winston Abraham, Gary Dhurrkay and Dale Kickett.

In shock I stood there, mouth agape, as the way cleared and the men carried on their way, I reached out and grabbed the back of Mums shirt, she turned and said "What?" And I simply said "Dockers".

 

[Ghost Pig]

If you watch the preliminaries from last year both losing teams came out of the blocks super hard and established score early but the winning teams absorbed it and punched back harder.
Both games followed a very similar pattern.

Scoring wise they're pretty different though. Lions took it, lost it, took it back at half time didnt give it back.

Hawks came out strong, then Cats had all the momentum by quarter time and poured it on.

We had a stalemate for a quarter and a half, then a collapse before half time, another stalemate for almost a quarter, before barely dragging our nose in front only for Big Mac and Swallow to serve us our just desserts after a year of arsey, yet inspirational, very late, come from behind victories.

Don't get me wrong, I agree fatigue certainly plays its part and scoring late is great, maybe the GF is a better example tbh, but surely you're more likely to win having momentum and a lead shortly before or after half time, rather than be 10 scoring shots behind shortly before or after the third quarter break.

 

[Grandaddy Purple]

Nah fat thumbs and dodgy eyes..

 

[DragoDelph]

Anything interesting?

Chapman doesn’t want to play wing.

Anyone have the WA article about our new strategic plan? Or can anyone at the members meeting summarize it?

Continuous improvement. Focus on the process to get the end result.

 

[DragoDelph]

We poached the it and analytics head from Chelsea to work on technological innovation.

Strength coach from rowing Australia.

Sturgess has moved to leadership development alongside martyn. Maybe fills his development role.

Fighting for a fairer AFLW fixture. Continuing to reduce travel for AFLM. 2026 will be the least the men’s team has travelled.

 

[DragoDelph]

Coldplay is kaputsky

 

[DragoDelph]

Working on more fan engagement and inner sanctum opportunities.

Cheer squad is a HUGE focus for 26.

Tried to negotiate with Optus for physical cards, would not budge for security and financial reasons.

Ticketmaster integration into the club app won’t log you out every 5 minutes. Should be 6 months.
Been very vocal on getting the afl up to international standards with Ticketmaster. (They were miles behind).

 

[DragoDelph]

I was 2m away from god.

And his name is Bruce

 

[DragoDelph]

AFL has reduced the allowed number of themed jumpers for the year.
Anzac Day and indigenous are locked in. Club can can then choose 2 more.

(We’ve had the option of 3-4 in the past).

Have decide what to drop out of stealth, starlight or retro.

The round/theme still exists, just the jumper goes.

 

[DragoDelph]

(Had the member forum beforehand, so some extra bits) ^^^

 

[E Shed]

Scoring wise they're pretty different though. Lions took it, lost it, took it back at half time didnt give it back.

Hawks came out strong, then Cats had all the momentum by quarter time and poured it on.

We had a stalemate for a quarter and a half, then a collapse before half time, another stalemate for almost a quarter, before barely dragging our nose in front only for Big Mac and Swallow to serve us our just desserts after a year of arsey, yet inspirational, very late, come from behind victories.

Don't get me wrong, I agree fatigue certainly plays its part and scoring late is great, maybe the GF is a better example tbh, but surely you're more likely to win having momentum and a lead shortly before or after half time, rather than be 10 scoring shots behind shortly before or after the third quarter break.
View attachment 2489804View attachment 2489805View attachment 2489806

Thanks for the analysis and graphic. I watched from a bar in Thailand and was going from memory. Had forgotten the ebb & flow of the Brisbane game.
And I agree it would be nice to stomp teams early more often. The Dogs game was about the only one we did as we pleased against fancied opponents. And that was primarily because their defense was so weak.
It’s definitely an area to target. Hopefully as our young key forwards develop and we get the right mix of attacking and defensive smaller players around them we won’t be so hesitant about bringing the ball in faster early but I do like that we have have more intent when attacking.
I don’t miss the old days of bombing long at every opportunity. Who can forget giving Jeremy McGovern marking practice in Derbys.

 

[DragoDelph]

 

[E Shed]

I like what he said. It’s way more realistic than making meaningless declarations of results. Control what you can control and let the chips fall. This is a very hard competition to achieve the ultimate.

I’m not going to reiterate all the advantages other clubs get but suffice to say if we had even 2 of the players taken in the top 10 from father son, academy etc from the last 5 years we would have gone a lot closer than we have. Our list is excellent and built strategically and honestly.

More to the point I guess, I actually see the club improving every year and our list demographic sees us poised as a strong contender in the next 5 years.

As a member I’m happy how the club is being run.

And Murphy Reid may be the best player we’ve had since Fyfe. Keep him, Jackson & Young around the ball and good things will happen.

 

[Tommo]

Caro switch allegiances?

 

[DragoDelph]

Caro switch allegiances?

Not that Caro

 

[Spirit Level]

(Had the member forum beforehand, so some extra bits) ^^^

F*** I was supposed to go to demand that we form a friendship with St Pauli

Real hard working club with a proper identity (that I think we used to have but have lost).

St Pauli know how to represent the docks with honour.

 

[Spirit Level]

(Had the member forum beforehand, so some extra bits) ^^^

Anything on whether they're gonna lengthen Hells Bells at the start and just have it running to bouncedown rather than we will rock you which has nothing to do with Freo?

 

[DragoDelph]

F*** I was supposed to go to demand that we form a friendship with St Pauli

Real hard working club with a proper identity (that I think we used to have but have lost).

St Pauli know how to represent the docks with honour.

Every player is inducted into the history of FFC, dating back to 1885.

The dock workers, the fight and struggle, the lack of support from the powers when Freo was set up
In the afl.

 

[DragoDelph]

Anything on whether they're gonna lengthen Hells Bells at the start and just have it running to bouncedown rather than we will rock you which has nothing to do with Freo?

The players have a fair bit of input into this one. Think it stays as is

 

[picko]

The players have a fair bit of input into this one. Think it stays as is

Pains me to say, but might be time for a rebuild

 

[largebus]

Every player is inducted into the history of FFC, dating back to 1885.

The dock workers, the fight and struggle, the lack of support from the powers when Freo was set up
In the afl.

Port Adelaide has The Creed, we have... The Docktrine

 

[88mph]

Coldplay is kaputsky

100%?

 

[DragoDelph]

Port Adelaide has The Creed, we have... The Docktrine

It was Aish who came up with “For the Anchor”

I love how the players have embraced the symbolism, not as a weight, but as a grounding force to build around.