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

 

[Jeremy McLovin]

It actually shits me a bit, that the 14 non eastern northern clubs have to cannibalise each others NGA's and FS, while the likes of Brisbane and Fold Coast get carte blanche to pick up top 5 NGA's at will.
We lost McKenzie to Hawthorn, now taken Collard and Banfield off you guys.

And not only take their own academy kids, the ****ers took one of ours as well!

 

[LittleFires]

How is Tylar Williams looking on the track? Slotting in well?

He's been managed quite a bit so far this preseason so he hasn't participated in much of the match sim work - as a result I've found it a bit hard to get a read on the type of player he is.

From the little that I have seen he's a pretty smooth mover and has nice skills. Quite slightly built but should naturally bulk up over time. Hasn't been super noticeable in training so far but as he integrates more into full training hopefully he can start to show what he's capable of.

 

[Keys]

Can any who goes down to training on the regular, and has done so years past, comment on if they notice a difference in, say intensity or purpose, to this year compared to others?

One of the problems I have always had is the inability to watch training dispassionately and not get swept up in the optimism the preseason can bring. Generally speaking, the majority of players look fit and there’s usually a pretty positive vibe around the place - there’s no wins/losses to deal with and the main goal is to improve

So there’s an element of watching through rose coloured glasses syndrome

You’re also looking at the present and trying to accurately recall what happened 12 months or more ago can be skewed

That said, these our the differences I feel I’m seeing, mainly in comparison to last year, but also going back further

• As a collective, the playing group looks a bit bigger as younger bodies develop
• I’ve not noticed any particular increase in the amount of running done compared to recent years - it is less than what I tend to recall from 5-6 years ago as running laps has been phased out in preference to getting running done in drills instead. What I have noticed this year when the balls are set aside, is a shift towards more shorter burst repeat sprint type running over longer/slower lap running
• There’s been more contact work done this preseason so far compared to this time last year. In McQuatler’s first year the focus pre Christmas was purely on skills/ball movement and virtually no contact work. The year before (Simpson’s last) there was a lot of contact work so this year is a bit of a shift back to that although not quite as much as then
• Feel like there’s been more of a focus on positioning, particularly defensively, in the match play they’ve done
• In terms of intensity, I think today was a step up from prior sessions and it was more physical than I’d seen earlier
• I’ve often arrived a bit after they’ve started so have usually missed the pure skills part of the sessions, but from the small sample size I have seen, the skills have looked crisper
• The energy amongst the group is good but not necessarily any greater than other years - as I said it’s the time of year for positivity so that’s kind of expected
• This one might be due to a fading memory, but the coaches seem a bit more vocal than I recall

As a final note, you can sort of see the shift in the age demographic now and the increased ownership the younger group are taking of the training sessions. That’s not to say the older heads aren’t providing leadership or anything but purely a recognition that their numbers have dwindled so it feels different seeing that youthful energy bring more prevalent

Just my thoughts, but you know, maybe I’m being a bit of an overaged fanboy who’s full of shit

 

[CountryLad]

Archie Watt, Pale as Buggery and already our best player.

 

[Keys]

TRAINING NOTES: Young Eagle makes surprise return

Young West Coast forward Malakai Champion looks to have dodged serious knee injury after making a surprise return to the field at Friday’s pre-season session at Mineral Resources Park.

thewest.com.au

https://archive.md/C4yz2#selection-1185.0-1185.109

From this article.



You just have to laugh, really..someone check his immune system!

If Bo has been sick it must have been minor because whilst he has trained separately to the main group this week, he’s still been at training. Don’t recall him missing a session so far and he was running just fine today for someone who was sick

 

[SAweagle]

Love to hear there some real contests going on, Harley might go full Judd settings next year, Yeo is still out there at this stage, Hammer Davis new track king

View attachment milhouse-e1547261331483.webp

 

[DorothyG]

Love to hear there some real contests going on, Harley might go full Judd settings next year, Yeo is still out there at this stage, Hammer Davis new track king

View attachment 2495390

Gawd, could you imagine Reid doing a Judd v Brissy '03 early next season.

It might just blow up SEN

 

[PepperTom32]

Archie Watt, Pale as Buggery and already our best player.

Eagles list management finally listened after all the Watts votes in polls on here.

 

[PepperTom32]

Can anyone comment on how Dewar is progressing this preseason? I recall he had a breakout preseason last year and was getting plenty of hype, but seems to have either plateaued or is just getting his work done without being flashy judging by training reports.
I feel like he needs to level up again to make it as a consistent B22 player this year with more pressure for spots.
Hope he does.

 

[Fatty rules]

Is that where we went wrong last year?

No cones on the oval during games?

No. We were the cones.

 

[Cuzz09]

So is the lid off?

We're back!

 

[Seadog]

So is the lid off?

We're back!

I remember lots of people being enthusiastic about what was happening at training last year. Hell I went to training myself a couple of times and was happy with what I saw.
A couple of trips to Optus soon cured me though, I'll reserve judgement until the real thing starts.

 

[Cuzz09]

I remember lots of people being enthusiastic about what was happening at training last year. Hell I went to training myself a couple of times and was happy with what I saw.
A couple of trips to Optus soon cured me though, I'll reserve judgement until the real thing starts.

Yeah was thinking the same thing.

That 1st qtr rd1 v GC killed any enthusiasm

A good start to the season is pretty important for a struggling side

 

[PepperTom32]

I remember lots of people being enthusiastic about what was happening at training last year. Hell I went to training myself a couple of times and was happy with what I saw.
A couple of trips to Optus soon cured me though, I'll reserve judgement until the real thing starts.

Feeling the same way. Once bitten twice shy and all that

 

[Astro7]

Just my thoughts, but you know, maybe I’m being a bit of an overaged fanboy who’s full of shit

No need to be so harsh on yourself Keys, you always provide a balanced and well informed outlook.
But yes to the rose-coloured glasses optimism during the preseason period, it's hard to keep a lid on it. One only has to think of last preseason's optimism with new coach, the scratchies and then the resulting reality of our worst season.

But this season does have some unique factors about it that buoys up positivity.
Arguably one of our best draft hauls ever, a great balance of age and youth targetting the gaps in our list. But the proof will be in the proper matches to come.
The forthcoming scratchies promise excitement like last year, but for different reasons.

 

[Rowan18]

Hope you don’t mind me interrupting and not sure if this is the right thread to ask this.

First up this is not a gloat or rubbing anything in, I am a track watcher at the Saints preseason training sessions and write training reports mainly for our interstate and overseas supporters (and locals who can’t get to training).

I can’t help but wonder about Charlie Banfield, he is a great size, good solid upper body, runs well, is neat in the drills and looks a real footballer.

Now I know the WCE strategy was hoping he would get to the rookie draft. And I know he wasn’t going in probably the top 3 of your picks at least but would seem strange not to go with him at pick 39 although that was an NGA.

It was common knowledge on our board that our club was keen on him.

So without opening old wounds which is not my intention, Charlie must have specific weaknesses in his game and your people thought it was better to go with Sam Allen and Tylah Williams.

As I said he looks like a footballer, but we all know preseason is not match conditions.

Thanks in advance and good luck for the coming season. A strong WCE is vital to the national competition in my view.

I wouldn't get your hopes up. Pretty dumb move to poach a FS from Perth into a team aiming to compete for finals. Ross doesn't play kids when his nuts are on the line (which they certainly are in 2026), so I don't see Banfield getting game time. Odds are we draft his brother next year and Charlie asks for a trade for peanuts (ala Jamie Cripps all those years ago).

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

Took us a while but feels like we have finally replaced Chris Masten

Chris Masten

Age

36

Ht

180cm

Wt

80kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

20.8

5star

K

10.9

4star

HB

9.9

5star

M

4.1

4star

T

2.7

4star

CL

1.7

4star

No current season stats available

D

14.8

4star

K

8.8

4star

HB

6.0

4star

M

4.2

4star

T

5.0

5star

with the new training king, Hamish Davis

Still feel he is a certain 200+ game player and our best late pick in many many many years

 

[TheBudgies]

One of the problems I have always had is the inability to watch training dispassionately and not get swept up in the optimism the preseason can bring. Generally speaking, the majority of players look fit and there’s usually a pretty positive vibe around the place - there’s no wins/losses to deal with and the main goal is to improve

So there’s an element of watching through rose coloured glasses syndrome

...

Just my thoughts, but you know, maybe I’m being a bit of an overaged fanboy who’s full of shit

I would suggest you probably do a better job than you give yourself credit for. Also think we need some optimism in this bleak post apocalyptic state we're in. I'm personally going with a -See some good things and celebrate them while acknowledging but not brooding on the bad- mentality. (Previously went with finding 2 good things a quater and was good for my psyche)

I think we're naturally going to see some improvement. We wont win them all but we could legitimately scare atleast 9 teams by our bye in round 15 (North ×2, Port×2, Dees, Saints, Freo, Tigers and Bombers). Having some players that can actually run out games will be a huge factor in that.

It's not impossible we're outside the bottom 4 when we hit the bye. Tail of the season will probably hit us a bit but I think we're closer than some would suggest.

The kids taking ownership is a big step. We've had very few leaders in the last couple of years with many senior players being pretty terrible examples.

 

[JADED]

Took us a while but feels like we have finally replaced Chris Masten with the new training king, Hamish Davis

Still feel he is a certain 200+ game player and our best late pick in many many many years

Hope so. I just don't see it with H.D.
Would love to be wrong and we have a team full of A&B graders.

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

Hope so. I just don't see it with H.D.
Would love to be wrong and we have a team full of A&B graders.

I see it as fairly simple

With his work ethic/gut running + pace he is just going to be a defensive beast. I think he carves out a career when in previous decades he wouldnt have because the requirement of gut running to be that defensive minded player has never been more important.

You see it in say Beau McCreery, ANB, hell even Sam Switowski that fairly limited players can get big careers out of that gut running defensive work.

 

[ArdentEagle]

I genuinely haven’t felt this level of anticipation about where the West Coast Eagles are headed in a long, long time. Looking ahead to 2026, it finally feels like the foundations have been laid properly and with real intent.


The list turnover has been significant, and for once it feels deliberate rather than reactive. We are assembling a group that is dynamic, powerful and fast. There is genuine pace and power through the midfield and on the outside, players willing to take the game on, and from reports, a hunger that has been missing for too long.

Add in an elite batch of tall forwards who can mark, compete and kick goals and are super agile, the forward half looks like a genuine strength and something that will be very hard for other teams to match up on. Behind them is a backline that feels balanced and composed, with experience and some skillful users who can defend first and then punish teams on the rebound.


When you start talking about ceiling, that is where the excitement really builds. Harley Reid, Willem Duursma, CDT and even T Mac all have enormous upside. All potential game changers who can tilt matches and shape the identity of the side. If a few of them reach their potential together, the core of the next successful West Coast team is right there.


Then there is Yeo. Having Elliot Yeo

6

Elliot Yeo

Age

32

Ht

191cm

Wt

91kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

19.5

5star

K

11.7

4star

HB

7.8

5star

M

4.6

4star

T

4.5

5star

CL

3.0

4star

D

18.9

4star

K

10.9

4star

HB

8.0

4star

M

2.1

2star

T

5.8

5star

CL

5.5

5star

D

16.6

4star

K

9.4

4star

HB

7.2

5star

M

3.6

4star

T

0.6

3star

CL

1.4

4star

back fit and firing adds far more than just talent. He brings leadership, hard edge and standards. His presence lifts the midfield and sets the tone for the entire group. Let's hope he can stay fit.


For the first time in years, there is a clear direction and a genuine sense of momentum. The rebuild finally feels like it has purpose, and the pain feels like it is leading somewhere meaningful.


It is genuinely hard not to be excited about what this group could become.

 

[unty11]

So is the lid off?

We're back!

Wildcard or bust.

 

[Proeagle]

I genuinely haven’t felt this level of anticipation about where the West Coast Eagles are headed in a long, long time. Looking ahead to 2026, it finally feels like the foundations have been laid properly and with real intent.


The list turnover has been significant, and for once it feels deliberate rather than reactive. We are assembling a group that is dynamic, powerful and fast. There is genuine pace and power through the midfield and on the outside, players willing to take the game on, and from reports, a hunger that has been missing for too long.

Add in an elite batch of tall forwards who can mark, compete and kick goals and are super agile, the forward half looks like a genuine strength and something that will be very hard for other teams to match up on. Behind them is a backline that feels balanced and composed, with experience and some skillful users who can defend first and then punish teams on the rebound.


When you start talking about ceiling, that is where the excitement really builds. Harley Reid, Willem Duursma, CDT and even T Mac all have enormous upside. All potential game changers who can tilt matches and shape the identity of the side. If a few of them reach their potential together, the core of the next successful West Coast team is right there.


Then there is Yeo. Having Elliot Yeo back fit and firing adds far more than just talent. He brings leadership, hard edge and standards. His presence lifts the midfield and sets the tone for the entire group. Let's hope he can stay fit.


For the first time in years, there is a clear direction and a genuine sense of momentum. The rebuild finally feels like it has purpose, and the pain feels like it is leading somewhere meaningful.


It is genuinely hard not to be excited about what this group could become.

Very excited for next year. Team looks in very good shape.
But it sux that the AFL did us no favors in the fixtures. We have to travel far more than any team including the dockers and that is usually is a big challenge for any team. Unknown how it will effect a young optimistic team. Could go either way. But home crowds always make teams better and umps often get influenced by the noise.
GC in round 1 away might dent our confidence as they rarely lose there now but round 2 at home against North will really show if we are looking ok. Port away after that who I think will be low on the ladder but its away, so always tougher. A tough month after that.

 

[Proeagle]

I genuinely haven’t felt this level of anticipation about where the West Coast Eagles are headed in a long, long time. Looking ahead to 2026, it finally feels like the foundations have been laid properly and with real intent.


The list turnover has been significant, and for once it feels deliberate rather than reactive. We are assembling a group that is dynamic, powerful and fast. There is genuine pace and power through the midfield and on the outside, players willing to take the game on, and from reports, a hunger that has been missing for too long.

Add in an elite batch of tall forwards who can mark, compete and kick goals and are super agile, the forward half looks like a genuine strength and something that will be very hard for other teams to match up on. Behind them is a backline that feels balanced and composed, with experience and some skillful users who can defend first and then punish teams on the rebound.


When you start talking about ceiling, that is where the excitement really builds. Harley Reid, Willem Duursma, CDT and even T Mac all have enormous upside. All potential game changers who can tilt matches and shape the identity of the side. If a few of them reach their potential together, the core of the next successful West Coast team is right there.


Then there is Yeo. Having Elliot Yeo back fit and firing adds far more than just talent. He brings leadership, hard edge and standards. His presence lifts the midfield and sets the tone for the entire group. Let's hope he can stay fit.


For the first time in years, there is a clear direction and a genuine sense of momentum. The rebuild finally feels like it has purpose, and the pain feels like it is leading somewhere meaningful.


It is genuinely hard not to be excited about what this group could become.

Yeah Yeo and Waterman are massive additions if they play most of the year. Then add these youngsters and the progression of the 2nd-4th year players and there is plenty to be excited about. We are definitely on the up with this list.

Not to mention another preseason with this new gameplan. It looked great in some matches and periods of others.

 

[Farang83150]

Being hyped about preseason and anticipating good times to come is what it's all about FFS, get on the positive train kents!
Talk the players up, get amped, love it