Training Official Pre-Season 2026 Hub

[The Kings Ransom]

Sharon Haze (FB)

Some feedback from the club after our pre-season so far..
"The 2025 season saw us celebrate a lot of highs as a Club but as we finish the first half of the 2026 season; I just wanted to recap some recent highlights;
Jake Rogers and Leo Lombard have dominated the first half of pre-season and prove to be an exciting small forward duo heading into 2026.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagen ran his best (PB) 2km time trial since being drafted into the AFL system in 2021. He has exceeded the expectations of our high performance and coaching staff with his diligence, prep and commitment to his training.
Ethan Reid has been training on the wing – with a talented forward line comprising of Reid, King, Ugle-Hagen, Walter and Long – Ethan’s endurance provides additional flexibility in positional rotations, in addition to the new ruck interpretations.
Bailey Humphrey will play more mid-field in 2026 as part of his career progression and with Flanders departure, opens more opportunity for him through this line.
Charlie Ballard has been progressing well with his rehab training and will go close to being available for selection from Opening Round.
Avery Thomas has shown great potential with his ability to make explosive plays across the back line and is an exciting prospect for the Club. He plays like a combination of both Bob and Wil Powell which is exciting.

Wonder how this is verified?
You reckon players have some official records.. or he's just like "yeah thats my PB coach!"

 

[GC2015]

So if we do end up playing Read on the wing and presumably relieving in the ruck at times, does that mean there is clear air for King, Marra and Walter to play as the three talls in our forward line? I'm assuming the idea is to have Long, Lombard and Rogers playing predominately as the smalls who crumb the ball when it hits the ground in the forward 50. Then we can swing Mac into the forward line if a spark is needed late in the game and obviously there will be a few mids like Humper and Trac that will rotate through the forward line throughout the game.

It sounds like a pretty dangerous forward line tbh. Can't wait to see it in action!

 

[Maybe Tomorrow]

So if we do end up playing Read on the wing and presumably relieving in the ruck at times, does that mean there is clear air for King, Marra and Walter to play as the three talls in our forward line? I'm assuming the idea is to have Long, Lombard and Rogers playing predominately as the smalls who crumb the ball when it hits the ground in the forward 50. Then we can swing Mac into the forward line if a spark is needed late in the game and obviously there will be a few mids like Humper and Trac that will rotate through the forward line throughout the game.

It sounds like a pretty dangerous forward line tbh. Can't wait to see it in action!

I read it that he will spend time playing wing, rather than it will be his main spot. I'm sure they try out all sorts in preseason match sim.

Positive about Lombard and Rogers going well as small forwards too.

 

[KaySwizzle]

It sounds like a pretty dangerous forward line tbh. Can't wait to see it in action!

Our forward set up ceiling is high based on potential, but our floor is pretty low too based on evidence…

But I just can’t see how a forward line with Rogers, Lombard, Walter and Read has any guarantee to be consistently dangerous, all having played less than 50 games between them.

Add that to the fact that Rogers and Lombard are not noted goal scorers in underage or so far in their AFL career (admittedly with limited exposure).

But I hope Rogers could develop into a Myers type role. I have seen enough evidence of that as a high forward racking up assists with his speed and low kicks.

I am less confident in both Walter and Lombard. I haven’t seen a lot of footy smarts from them yet… just athleticism and speed, so good traits. But I have some doubts.

Farrar is also an option, and is more proven with a solid balance of speed and aggression, as well as marking and goal sense—similar to Long.

Humphrey, Long, Trac and King are pretty consistent and experienced at least.

Whatever the case, Dimma certainly has some choices to make. Our forward line will shape just how strong we can be next year. It is out least settled, least experienced and least consistent area of the ground. Most other lines basically pick themselves.

 

[Jen2310]

Wonder how this is verified?
You reckon players have some official records.. or he's just like "yeah thats my PB coach!"

I would think clubs have this information, and if said player has been at multiple clubs; the data gets filtered down.

 

[The Kings Ransom]

I would think clubs have this information, and if said player has been at multiple clubs; the data gets filtered down.

Yeah I was wondering whether clubs pass on information regarding historical testing and player measurements.
I would have thought they wouldn't.
Potentially the player agents keep some of this information with their player profile.

 

[Jen2310]

Yeah I was wondering whether clubs pass on information regarding historical testing and player measurements.
I would have thought they wouldn't.
Potentially the player agents keep some of this information with their player profile.

I assume its all in the system managed by the afl. Once a player changes clubs, the new club should be able to access that information. Like changing any job, you take the information with you on what you can and can't do.

 

[Jen2310]

GOLD COAST​

Teammates have pumped up new face Jamarra Ugle-Hagan’s work ethic as he settles into his second club, having appeared at multiple optional running sessions in a bid to make the best out of his second chance at AFL level.

Draftee Jai Murray has suffered a stress fracture in his leg but defender Charlie Ballard

10

Charlie Ballard

Age

26

Ht

196cm

Wt

95kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.9

3star

K

8.8

3star

HB

3.1

3star

M

4.7

4star

T

1.2

3star

MG

185.6

3star

D

11.3

3star

K

7.7

3star

HB

3.6

2star

M

4.9

5star

T

1.3

2star

MG

158.9

3star

D

9.4

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

2.4

3star

M

3.6

4star

T

1.4

4star

MG

156.0

3star

is on track to play in Opening Round after stepping into full training following his ACL injury this year.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/ultimate-preseason-track-watch-the-inside-word-at-every-clubs-summer-training/news-story/b1e3ccdbcf21080a1609d660b900338d

 

[exile]

when are the boys back? is it this week or next?

 

[GoldenCoastalSunshine]

when are the boys back? is it this week or next?

Tomorrow I believe.

Jen will know better below

 

[Jen2310]

Monday I believe.

Yesterday they posted a post with "Less than a week til the boys are back"
Looks like they were on camp until Dec 19, which is a friday, and its 3 weeks after their last session - with the weekend, I assume their first session is on monday

 

[Jirik13]

"The last three or four weeks of training (before Christmas) have been unreal. It's been next level compared to last year. Everyone got on board with the game plan. A lot of boys are doing selfless running, but that helps the team succeed.

"Biggest one for me": How Gold Coast "hybrid" unlocked true potential

Joel Jeffrey played every game in 2025, and he details the dramatic turnaround and the conversation he had with Damien Hardwick that changed everything.

www.zerohanger.com

 

[The Kings Ransom]

"Biggest one for me": How Gold Coast "hybrid" unlocked true potential

Joel Jeffrey played every game in 2025, and he details the dramatic turnaround and the conversation he had with Damien Hardwick that changed everything.

www.zerohanger.com

He's one of my favourites.
Makes a mistake every now and again, but I think his ability to win 1v1 contests is really underrated and highlights what he speaks about in the article.

 

[KaySwizzle]

With Ballard coming back, it will be interesting to see what gives in our backline set-up. Jeffrey fit in well while Ballard was out (although different types of players, obviously)

Powell up the ground?
Mac more as a swingman/extra ruck? Or does Jeffrey just get replaced?

 

[MarcLocksCrustySock]

With Ballard coming back, it will be interesting to see what gives in our backline set-up. Jeffrey fit in well while Ballard was out (although different types of players, obviously)

Powell up the ground?
Mac more as a swingman/extra ruck? Or does Jeffrey just get replaced?

Where does Mac even swing to? It's even more crowded in the front half.

 

[KaySwizzle]

Where does Mac even swing to? It's even more crowded in the front half.

If he swings, Read might go out. Play King and another tall (or just keep Read I guess). Mac plays where needed and second/extra ruck when not in attack/defence.

Not sure that is ideal.

But Ballard coming back does make some tough calls somewhere in the team. Can’t fit it all in. And I think using the extra bench spot on a tall is probably not what most teams will do.

Read training more on a wing (rumoured) may keep him in the team, even in a scenario with 3 talls backs and 3 talls forwards. Lots of options, but hard to say what is best.

 

[Supersuns]

If he swings, Read might go out. Play King and another tall (or just keep Read I guess). Mac plays where needed and second/extra ruck when not in attack/defence.

Not sure that is ideal.

But Ballard coming back does make some tough calls somewhere in the team. Can’t fit it all in. And I think using the extra bench spot on a tall is probably not what most teams will do.

Read training more on a wing (rumoured) may keep him in the team, even in a scenario with 3 talls backs and 3 talls forwards. Lots of options, but hard to say what is best.

Read stays in the team for me, he has such different skills set to our other talls, uses the ball way better and runs all damn day. Really think he breaks out this year.

 

[Maybe Tomorrow]

Read stays in the team for me, he has such different skills set to our other talls, uses the ball way better and runs all damn day. Really think he breaks out this year.

Read will be crucial with the new ruck rules.

Ballard puts pressure on Jeffrey imo.

One extra on the bench means one more tall perhaps?

 

[Supersuns]

Read will be crucial with the new ruck rules.

Ballard puts pressure on Jeffrey imo.

One extra on the bench means one more tall perhaps?

I think Joel can play medium/small so I dont see him under pressure from Chuck. It just depends what set up they want to run. I think Nobles spot becomes under pressure as he uses the ball the worst out of him, Rioli and Joel.

 

[Jirik13]

I guess form and injuries will determine round 1 line-up but I would be disappointed if Jeffrey is dropped. He was one of our better players in 2026, improved a lot his defence and I suspect his ceiling is even higher.

I would agree Noble spot should be under pressure but I doubt Dimma would drop him since he brought him in. I like his drive, speed but a lot of costly bad turnovers and his defensive 1v1 efforts are poor.

With 5 on the bench, I have both Noble and Jeffrey in the best 23 but it would require some players roles adaptations like e.g. rotations on wings.

 

[Jirik13]

Missing just three games since his debut in 2020, and on a streak of 85 consecutively at the moment, Anderson said this pre-season had a been a little different to date.

"We played a bit later in the year, so I'm just trying to time my run a little bit and accelerate into January a bit more when I get back," he said.

"It's a new experience. I'm used to, individually and as a club, flying in December, which is what we had to do to build a base of work ethic and set the standard.

"It was a longer year last year and I've had five or six years of playing every game and understanding that's a lot for the body and the legs, so I'm doing a little less volume at this time of year to hopefully help me fresh in the back end of the year when hopefully we're playing finals."

Why Suns captain doesn't have to look far for Origin advice

Noah Anderson will get his chance to represent Victoria in February – and he doesn't have to look far for advice

www.afl.com.au

 

[Jirik13]

Call me an optimist but I do expect some good things from Gulbin in 2026.

Gold Coast SUNS ☀️ on Instagram: "So tough @_lachiegulbin"

Lachie Gulbin's HOSTPLUS journey is a testament to the power of grit and resilience. By leveraging the support of HOSTPLUS, he was able to overcome obstacles and achieve his goals. In this video, learn from Lachie's inspiring story and find the motivation to push through your own challenges...

www.instagram.com

 

[MarcLocksCrustySock]

Call me an optimist but I do expect some good things from Gulbin in 2026.

Gold Coast SUNS ☀️ on Instagram: "So tough @_lachiegulbin"

Lachie Gulbin's HOSTPLUS journey is a testament to the power of grit and resilience. By leveraging the support of HOSTPLUS, he was able to overcome obstacles and achieve his goals. In this video, learn from Lachie's inspiring story and find the motivation to push through your own challenges...

www.instagram.com

Got a nice bit of toe in his first few steps.