Training 2026 Off-Season & Preseason reports and discussion

[Strapping Young Lad]

Former Melbourne rookie Kye Declase is also training with the senior squad in the main sessions, but isn't undergoing an official SSP trial at this stage.

Hawthorn is expected to trial McLaughlin, Stanley and Perez until the Christmas break before making a decision on extending the audition across January and February.

 

[Millsie69]

Just won a flag with my SANFL team, Sturt, after finally having a good run with injuries.

An excellent kick, playing as a half back and up on the wing at times. Still only 24.

 

[MatteeG]

Just won a flag with my SANFL team, Sturt, after finally having a good run with injuries.

An excellent kick, playing as a half back and up on the wing at times. Still only 24.

That Sturt side was stacked, amazed there aren't more being closely looked at.

 

[moginie]

That Sturt side was stacked, amazed there aren't more being closely looked at.

As a Sturt fan, it's probably no different to the Glenelg, Norwood or Centrals teams of the past.

Very good at SANFL level. Next level is a different question.

 

[SSSSSS]

Went at 91% DE from about 15 kicks a game.

Can certainly use the pill.

 

[SSSSSS]

Maybe we see him as a depth option for Impey/Karl.

We really only have BMac as the next cab off the rank and it's pretty thin thereafter.

 

[number23]

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.

Ward got a 4 year extension during the season (hence the Most Improved Award) and Butler saved his career with those last few games that he played to the point that the Weagles came knocking. Hopefully one of the newbies and/or Cam McKenzie can follow these two and have a cracking successive season like Dylan Moore had after that Gold Coast game.

 

[grumbleguts]

Yeah, it was a real blow

Hurry Kane, or you'll miss these weather puns.

 

[Millsie69]

That Sturt side was stacked, amazed there aren't more being closely looked at.

Gus Anderson got picked up by the Pies after a great year, ending with the BoG medal on GF day.

They'll be up there again next year too

 

[Mr Meeseeks]

Super Nairntendo

General Grievous

Orange Sherbert

KV (High Daltage)

Le Stingray

I’m not sorry.

Thanks!! I love this one.

I've been struggling for my Supercoach team name for next year. Always go with a hawks pun. Prefer a player who might get a few more games but this will work!

Past highlights have been Spango Unchained, Hodge Breath Cafe, Barrassic Park, Full Weddle Jacket, Vickery Dickery Dock, Burton Ernie, Birchall Reality. Tattswatto....

Welsh stuffed me as I was going to go with Back, Zach & Crack had we got that one through.

If anyone can come up with a funny one for Dear or Massimo I would be grateful!

 

[Blackhawk42]

Thanks!! I love this one.

I've been struggling for my Supercoach team name for next year. Always go with a hawks pun. Prefer a player who might get a few more games but this will work!

Past highlights have been Spango Unchained, Hodge Breath Cafe, Barrassic Park, Full Weddle Jacket, Vickery Dickery Dock, Burton Ernie, Birchall Reality. Tattswatto....

Welsh stuffed me as I was going to go with Back, Zach & Crack had we got that one through.

If anyone can come up with a funny one for Dear or Massimo I would be grateful!

I do something similar to this, but then 2 years ago I went with 'Jai Nukes'em' and I loved it so much I've stuck witn it.

Ward Of The State was another that got a run.

Yours are better though.

 

[Satchel]

Gus Anderson got picked up by the Pies after a great year, ending with the BoG medal on GF day.

They'll be up there again next year too

I bloody hope so - we suffered a lot of pain from 1989 till the great Phil Carmen came & pulled them back

 

[Tall Tales and True]

I'm a Sturt man as well: I wouldn't have thought Perez soft; in fact, I thought quite fiery. But I didn't see a lot of his work ... might be the South American sound of his name.

 

[Mr Meeseeks]

I do something similar to this, but then 2 years ago I went with 'Jai Nukes'em' and I loved it so much I've stuck witn it.

Ward Of The State was another that got a run.

Yours are better though.

Ward and Battle feel a bit easy... Went with Duke Newcombe one year.

I like Ward of the State

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

I'm a Sturt man as well: I wouldn't have thought Perez soft; in fact, I thought quite fiery. But I didn't see a lot of his work ... might be the South American sound of his name.

The highlights vid I found shows him laying quite a few front on tackles. Doesn’t look that soft to me.

 

[Tomohawks]

The highlights vid I found shows him laying quite a few front on tackles. Doesn’t look that soft to me.

Plus, he flew into a few marking packs in a vulnerable position and didn't shirk the contest.

 

[Stranglers]

Thanks!! I love this one.

I've been struggling for my Supercoach team name for next year. Always go with a hawks pun. Prefer a player who might get a few more games but this will work!

Past highlights have been Spango Unchained, Hodge Breath Cafe, Barrassic Park, Full Weddle Jacket, Vickery Dickery Dock, Burton Ernie, Birchall Reality. Tattswatto....

Welsh stuffed me as I was going to go with Back, Zach & Crack had we got that one through.

If anyone can come up with a funny one for Dear or Massimo I would be grateful!

Massimo Attack?
Massimo Effect?

Mad Massimo?

 

[The Golden Glenferrie]

I'm a Sturt man as well: I wouldn't have thought Perez soft; in fact, I thought quite fiery. But I didn't see a lot of his work ... might be the South American sound of his name.

Absolutely loves a tackle. I reckon he is a sneaky chance as we need hard men who can lay tackles

 

[Dewnior]

Guess you missed this.

I just love this stuff from the club. Thanks for posting.

 

[Dewnior]

Gh

Maybe we see him as a depth option for Impey/Karl.

We really only have BMac as the next cab off the rank and it's pretty thin thereafter.

He doesn't look like a running defender so my guess is he's trying out for the Hardwick back-up role. It may mean we are unsure about Bodie.

 

[extractasam]

Former Melbourne rookie Kye Declase is also training with the senior squad in the main sessions, but isn't undergoing an official SSP trial at this stage.

Hawthorn is expected to trial McLaughlin, Stanley and Perez until the Christmas break before making a decision on extending the audition across January and February.

Played a game with Declase once. Kicked 8, don’t think he played local again after it

 

[Atch]

Played a game with Declase once. Kicked 8, don’t think he played local again after it

He's a big presence from what I've seen from him at box hill he's kicking just doesn't look elite enough to make the AFL.

 

[extractasam]

He's a big presence from what I've seen from him at box hill he's kicking just doesn't look elite enough to make the AFL.

What position does he play at BH? At local from memory he just sat at FF and kinda dominated everyone, seems like he’s more up the ground in the vfl?

 

[JaegarTime]

Any idea what time the boys should be out training tomorrow? Got a few spare hours and was thinking of wandering over to the new facility!

 

[SunshineHawkCal]

What position does he play at BH? At local from memory he just sat at FF and kinda dominated everyone, seems like he’s more up the ground in the vfl?

Did abit of the wing last year, kicked two rippers against Gold Coast, I was running water that day