Training 2026 Off-Season & Preseason reports and discussion

[cryptor]

I know it's been mentioned but the wind looks intense, is this going to inhibit the players due to our inability to replicate game day conditions?

I think if you practice successfully hitting kicks in unpredictable winds then you’re probably well prepared for most conditions.

 

[CHUBBSS]

I know it's been mentioned but the wind looks intense, is this going to inhibit the players due to our inability to replicate game day conditions?

If anything will make us better, no point training in a controlled environment when the big games are played without roof

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

I know it's been mentioned but the wind looks intense, is this going to inhibit the players due to our inability to replicate game day conditions?

Sam loves the challenge of the conditions, and I don’t believe the players find them any different to Waverley.

 

[burger09]

The first time you drove past the new training site it just screamed unprotected.

Slightly raised in the middle of flat nothingness.

It's only a small sample size so far but ask anyone who works out in the wind and it gets old very quickly. Draining on the senses.

For our track watches sake I hope the weather picks up from here.

 

[TheFourPillars]

Our players will be better kicks technically. You have to focus when kicking the ball in windy conditions. It will be interesting to see the effects during the season

 

[unitedhawk2]

After training at windy KCC, playing games at the G or anywhere else will be a breeze.


I’ll see myself out…

 

[threesixpio]

At least one of these blokes should step up next season.

Frenchie, Huss and Croc doing some extra midfield sessions.

View attachment 2489067
View attachment 2489069
View attachment 2489072
View attachment 2489073
View attachment 2489075

I wonder if Nairn could take a Connor MacDonald like role and allow Maca into the midfield more …

 

[threesixpio]

After training at windy KCC, playing games at the G or anywhere else will be a breeze.


I’ll see myself out…

Dis-gust-ing joke

 

[moginie]

Dis-gust-ing joke

Yeah, it was a real blow

 

[thehardway]

The first time you drove past the new training site it just screamed unprotected.

Slightly raised in the middle of flat nothingness.

It's only a small sample size so far but ask anyone who works out in the wind and it gets old very quickly. Draining on the senses.

For our track watches sake I hope the weather picks up from here.

This also stood out to me when I went for a look around, along with a barren feel about it. Hopefully they have a tree planting plan including fast growing windbreaks.

 

[Jimmy the Ghost]

This also stood out to me when I went for a look around, along with a barren feel about it. Hopefully they have a tree planting plan including fast growing windbreaks.

Windbreaks will save them a bit on watering cost too. Probably a worthwhile community centre project.

 

[matey]

Our players will be better kicks technically. You have to focus when kicking the ball in windy conditions. It will be interesting to see the effects during the season

if a player has a high ball drop they will get found out in windy conditions ….. for those that need it hopefully it will help the players improve their technique to guide/deliver the footy onto the boot correctly

 

[Charchi]

if a player has a high ball drop they will get found out in windy conditions ….. for those that need it hopefully it will help the players improve their technique to guide/deliver the footy onto the boot correctly

It's like to statement that when it's wet the teams come closer together but the opposite generally happens, the more skilled players cope with the conditions better. The only thing is that wind makes it harder to score and that's why the teams get closer.
Simple solution, they are professional and train earlier to avoid the afternoon wind.

 

[eldorado]

Garlic Nairn, anyone?

 

[The Golden Glenferrie]

Gee the Chronicles of Nairnia's nickname are going on forever

 

[Suntory Boss Coffee]

The other clubs have really lifted their preseason social media game this year. Essendon have done some great videos so far. Especially around the draft and some behind the scenes content. Gold Coast have some good videos too.

Hopefully we can pick up the pace a bit.

 

[Jim Prideaux]

Sam loves the challenge of the conditions, and I don’t believe the players find them any different to Waverley.

Agreed, Waverley is not a placed famed for calm weather. The other thing to factor in is outside of Marvel, most of the grounds have swirling wind conditions - practicing in zero wind wouldn’t be a great idea.

 

[Mojo]

The other clubs have really lifted their preseason social media game this year. Essendon have done some great videos so far. Especially around the draft and some behind the scenes content. Gold Coast have some good videos too.

Hopefully we can pick up the pace a bit.

We fabricated fake parking tickets to put on our players & coaches cars - your move, Essendon.

 

[The Golden Glenferrie]

We fabricated fake parking tickets to put on our players & coaches cars - your move, Essendon.

 

[To the Hawk]

We didn't have anyone debut in 2025. Albeit I think Mraz would have if not for injury.

And that wasn't really a big deal given how many young players we brought in across 2022-2024.

We should expect growth from plenty of young established best 23 players in 2026.

But given we didn't bring in anyone over trade period, I'm really hopeful we are going to find an unexpected player jump into the best 23.

It's uncomfortable, but an established player being surpassed in 2026 would be a great sign of improvement.

I'd kill for Nairn, Dalton or Greeves to have a Murphy Reid like impact.

Could it all come together for Bailey MacDonald. Does Mraz jump one of our taller defenders. Reeves take over number 1? Can Butler go past Nash as that defensive mid.

 

[The Golden Glenferrie]

We didn't have anyone debut in 2025. Albeit I think Mraz would have if not for injury.

And tha wasn't really a big deal given how many young players we brought in across 2022-2024.

We should expect growth from plenty of young established best 23 players in 2026.

But given we didn't bring in anyone over trade period, I'm really hopeful we are going to find an unexpected player jump into the best 23.

It's uncomfortable, but an established player being surpassed in 2026 would be a great sign of improvement.

I'd kill for Nairn, Dalton or Greeves have a Murphy Reid like impact. Could it all come together for Bailey MacDonald. Does Mraz jump one of our taller defenders. Reeves take over number 1? Can Butler go past Nash as that defensive mid.

Our fixture will allow lots of blooding. When we are 12-0, itll be time!

 

[TylerDurden]

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

We fabricated fake parking tickets to put on our players & coaches cars - your move, Essendon.

Guess you missed this.

 

[Strebi3]

Don’t hate this, rated him when playing but just played for a horrific team. He’s a bit soft but he certainly has skills.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]