Training Pre-season 2026

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[tigs2010]

 

[Michaels]

2026 Midfield mix | What options do we have?

With the draft completed and preseason underway let’s take a look at what midfield options we may have for 2026!

 

[Maurice Mitchell]

That makes me sad. Wished the stack experiment had worked out - was a serious talent, and much better at football than farken rapping Walsh.

EFA

 

[sregit]

2026 Midfield mix | What options do we have?

With the draft completed and preseason underway let’s take a look at what midfield options we may have for 2026!

Maurice Rioli Jnr as a rotating midfielder? A 8.5 possession player rotating through our midfield? Have you been on the piss? This spud not only can’t find the ball but can’t use it either. His kicking and disposal is appallingly bad. His only positive attribute is his chasing. If he’s a regular in our midfield, then we are in real trouble. The support for this spud is ridiculous. We’ve drafted some quality youth, we have some experienced warhorses, why would you want to play this bog average fringe player in the guts.

 

[captain bloodsport]

Maurice Rioli Jnr as a rotating midfielder? A 8.5 possession player rotating through our midfield? Have you been on the piss? This spud not only can’t find the ball but can’t use it either. His kicking and disposal is appallingly bad. His only positive attribute is his chasing. If he’s a regular in our midfield, then we are in real trouble. The support for this spud is ridiculous. We’ve drafted some quality youth, we have some experienced warhorses, why would you want to play this bog average fringe player in the guts.

Stop beating around the bush and tell us how you really feel

 

[Michaels]

Maurice Rioli Jnr as a rotating midfielder? A 8.5 possession player rotating through our midfield? Have you been on the piss? This spud not only can’t find the ball but can’t use it either. His kicking and disposal is appallingly bad. His only positive attribute is his chasing. If he’s a regular in our midfield, then we are in real trouble. The support for this spud is ridiculous. We’ve drafted some quality youth, we have some experienced warhorses, why would you want to play this bog average fringe player in the guts.

Firstly show a bit of respect to our players and cut out the needless sledging.

You can argue the point in a much more civil way without being degrading.

If nothing else it’s a really bad reflection of you.

Secondly, he has runs on the board doing this at vfl level in preparation for it to be used at afl level, averaging about 17-22 disposals per game and linking really well between the arcs, opening the game up.

We have seen it already in spurts playing higher up the ground at stoppages, this is the next phase.

 

[The Vaucluse]

Firstly show a bit of respect to our players and cut out the needless sledging.

You can argue the point in a much more civil way without being degrading.

If nothing else it’s a really bad reflection of you.

Secondly, he has runs on the board doing this at vfl level in preparation for it to be used at afl level, averaging about 17-22 disposals per game and linking really well between the arcs, opening the game up.

We have seen it already in spurts playing higher up the ground at stoppages, this is the next phase.

MRJ has the tools, the question is whether he has the drive. I remember watching him in that stretch of games he played in the VFL and his attack on the footy was ferocious. When he returned to the seniors he brought that with him and was pivotal in our win against West Coast. However, I felt his form over the last couple of games in 2025 tailed off and he was lucky to hold his spot.

 

[TigerCanMan]

Imho MRJ adds a lot of ghost ( sorry not Jim Jess) factor to the team , if I was a oppo defender streaming out of defense and can't see mrj in front of me , then your going to put that ball on the boot alot quicker .,. it's not a stat for him but I'm sure he contributes to turn overs so that's why I believe he is played forward of centre more for this reason but do firmly believe his pace will make him useful for a limited amount of time not sure he will be able to do this at say 29 or 30 years of age , 49 games in lets get him to 100 games anything after would be a bonus , he has a role in this side for a few more years yet

 

[captain cotch 9]

Firstly show a bit of respect to our players and cut out the needless sledging.

You can argue the point in a much more civil way without being degrading.

If nothing else it’s a really bad reflection of you.

Secondly, he has runs on the board doing this at vfl level in preparation for it to be used at afl level, averaging about 17-22 disposals per game and linking really well between the arcs, opening the game up.

We have seen it already in spurts playing higher up the ground at stoppages, this is the next phase.

 

[Rubber Hips]

Good additions to our VFL side

-Bendigo Pioneers 2025 best and fairest Zaydyn Lockwood, 198cm
-Geelong Falcons graduate Daniel Lowther, a ruckman and forward


Thompson Dow off to Roos VFL …to play fir Lambos best mate

 

[fargothegreat]

Good additions to our VFL side

-Bendigo Pioneers 2025 best and fairest Zaydyn Lockwood, 198cm
-Geelong Falcons graduate Daniel Lowther, a ruckman and forward


Thompson Dow off to Roos VFL …to play fir Lambos best mate

This probably has something to do with the NGA eligibility expanding to 21 years old.

We can stick him in the VFL for a year and see how he goes, and then get first dibs on him if he does well.

 

[Drunken Wookie]

This probably has something to do with the NGA eligibility expanding to 21 years old.

We can stick him in the VFL for a year and see how he goes, and then get first dibs on him if he does well.

he could be a superfreak just needs some gym work

 

[tiger_tough]

Good additions to our VFL side

-Bendigo Pioneers 2025 best and fairest Zaydyn Lockwood, 198cm
-Geelong Falcons graduate Daniel Lowther, a ruckman and forward


Thompson Dow off to Roos VFL …to play fir Lambos best mate

Going to be a very tall VFL team again....

This probably has something to do with the NGA eligibility expanding to 21 years old.

We can stick him in the VFL for a year and see how he goes, and then get first dibs on him if he does well.

When was this announced?

I'm yet to be convinced Lockwood is actually part of our academy. There has been no concrete evidence that he was ever NGA eligible.

 

[Calcium Man]

he could be a superfreak just needs some gym work

Needs to improve his decision making with ball in hand the most imo. Finds it no problem.

His skills also need to improve but think that’s as much a function of bad decisions as anything.

 

[Oldmanuncle]

he could be a superfreak just needs some gym work

Might not look like it but he thickened out a bit this last 12 months.
Did some very nice things this year too, real eye catching moments.
Hes quick, a good user by foot & hand & has a great set of mitts.
I would've been happy if he was put straight on the rookie list with the year he had.

Needs to improve his decision making with ball in hand the most imo. Finds it no problem.

His skills also need to improve but think that’s as much a function of bad decisions as anything.

From what I saw & I watched a fair bit he was good in those areas.

 

[THE THIN MAN]

Needs to improve his decision making with ball in hand the most imo. Finds it no problem.

His skills also need to improve but think that’s as much a function of bad decisions as anything.

The list of things that need to improve sounds like a skit out of monty python

 

[Calcium Man]

Might not look like it but he thickened out a bit this last 12 months.
Did some very nice things this year too, real eye catching moments.
Hes quick, a good user by foot & hand & has a great set of mitts.
I would've been happy if he was put straight on the rookie list with the year he had.


From what I saw & I watched a fair bit he was good in those areas.

Agree to disagree, but he didn’t go in an open draft for a reason, what are the flaws in your mind as to why he didn’t even get a cat b consideration for us?

 

[Roksman]

Firstly show a bit of respect to our players and cut out the needless sledging.

You can argue the point in a much more civil way without being degrading.

If nothing else it’s a really bad reflection of you.

Secondly, he has runs on the board doing this at vfl level in preparation for it to be used at afl level, averaging about 17-22 disposals per game and linking really well between the arcs, opening the game up.

We have seen it already in spurts playing higher up the ground at stoppages, this is the next phase.

Haha here comes the thought police again. Making YouTube videos in your garage and you act like you work for the club now.

People can say whatever they want about players despite it hurting your feelings, get over yourself.

Embarrassing post.

 

[fargothegreat]

Going to be a very tall VFL team again....

When was this announced?

I'm yet to be convinced Lockwood is actually part of our academy. There has been no concrete evidence that he was ever NGA eligible.

AFL announced it in September.

"AFL.com.au revealed in September that the AFL had made significant changes to its NGA eligibility rules as well, including removing the criteria that allowed a player to be tied to a club if they were born overseas in the relevant zone, the removal of European countries as multicultural access and an expansion of age eligibility from 19 to 21 years to give clubs more access to late developers in their Academies."

 

[Oldmanuncle]

Agree to disagree, but he didn’t go in an open draft for a reason, what are the flaws in your mind as to why he didn’t even get a cat b consideration for us?

I'd only be guessing but there seems to be a consensus that clubs only want 200cm+ rucks.
Mate Colina is a good example, did SFA but he's tall.

Either way I'm happy ZL gets a go in the magoo's & that the club gets to keep a close eye on him.

 

[tigs2010]

Going to be a very tall VFL team again....

When was this announced?

I'm yet to be convinced Lockwood is actually part of our academy. There has been no concrete evidence that he was ever NGA eligible.

Typing 11 letters into google got me this article and pic ya silly little campaigner.

Youngsters shine at NGA Elite program

Richmond's Next Generation Academy is underway for the year, with the first NGA Elite program of 2024 held at the Swinburne Centre earlier this month.

www.richmondfc.com.au

 

[tigs2010]

Hope the kid with the epic mullet makes it

 

[Michaels]

Haha here comes the thought police again. Making YouTube videos in your garage and you act like you work for the club now.

People can say whatever they want about players despite it hurting your feelings, get over yourself.

Embarrassing post.

Thought police? Work for the club now?

Wow you’re clutching at a huge amount of straws there! Not sure what your beef is, but I hope today brings you happiness and joy.

Just common decency to show a bit of respect to those who pull on the yellow and black.

Have a fantastic day!

 

[Dr Tigris]

2026 Midfield mix | What options do we have?

With the draft completed and preseason underway let’s take a look at what midfield options we may have for 2026!

I hope we do try out new guys in the midfield, and be less conservative. Means TT, Hopper and Prestia play less. Also likely means we will be less consistent. Sometimes look great, sometimes look terrible. Gotta accept that and hope that we learn about who does what and the young players develop more quickly and more effectively.

The usual suspects will despair and say sack them all. But stick fat to the process and accept the losses and variable form. If we can play the young players, plus add MRJ, Campbell, KMac, and Sonsie into the mix at times we'll learn and so will they.

On one hand if we do that I expect us to drop off as the kids get a bit beaten up. On the other hand some of the older young guys should get comfortable in there and if we manage rotations then we should get a better mix as the season goes on. So, we'll see.

Last chance saloon for some (Sonsie, MRJ) but if we actually give them opportunity then they have the ability to do a good job. I hope we do try these guys for an extended period and see how they go. If we get development of our cubs and that slightly older group shows real promise our midfield suddenly looks deep and skilled.

Overall, I hope the coaching group is less risk averse and we do see the whipping boys and might be's get a good shot, and the young guys play through the midfield.