Training 2026 Training - reports, pics etc

[josephone]

Worth noting the 'posting footage' issue is well within the control of the club. If it was a real issue they could just tell the creators (and they know who they are) not to post footage.

Indeed, Terry's latest video included that the club told him not to post match sim footage. And of course they complied with that request.

 

[bradfisher14]

I think it's a good thing that footage went viral. Time for the players and coaches to step up and improve their kicking skills. It's been a huge issue for years.

 

[JimmyRabbit49]

It is worth a lot. It's been a massive part of Brisbane's success. The long arms of McInerney put the ball where it has advantaged them both offensively and defensively. That sort of influence would cover for our lack of pace and agility and make our midfield generally stronger. You put the ball in a position where you can attack and defend better, that would be big for us.

The new boundary rules will reduce the times a ruck is used I would imagine so they need to be a good footballer. No tap only types. Which has actually been the case for quite some time.

I actually have a concern this year with our rucks and the possibility that the odd ruck may dominate them. A while back I pulled apart our 2023 prelim loss to brisbane and showed how McInerney's domination of Pittonet was a main driving factor in that loss. We were trying to keep the ball in close to cover for our deficiencies in pace and agility but weren't able to. McInerney started dominating the tap and putting length on it making it a game for the quicker more agile types as well as putting the ball where we would struggle to defend, attack and gain possession.

I was hoping Flynn Riley from our VFL may have stepped up and dominated our match sim but I am not sure he is a dominant ruck.

I don't the new boundary rules will impact that much - if you think through a game out of all the boundary throw ins how many are resulting from the last tough being a kick - in between the arcs?

 

[TerryWallet]

What a lazy plonker Adam Simpson is. Has a lot of "Snout in the trough" about him. Didn't like his appointment, still don't like it.

As soon as he won that Premiership(which is a fair while ago now) he hasn't got out of first gear since. His lazy attitude around covid times helped sink West Coast.

 

[Sweet Seventeen]

TDK ain’t a superstar.

Not yet.

 

[Blue and Silver]

There is certainly a degree of that.

Unfortunately I hang out for every snippet I can get, so I watch/listen to most of them discounting much of the waffle to form my own opinions based on what is offered. Knowing that each and every one of us has biases and favourites and some players get a permanent pass while others are perennial targets for some.

Some podcasters who are loved on here, even lauded for their depth of knowledge are little more than talking heads who do their homework and put their spin on certain players and issues, often way off base. One certain prolific accented podcaster who speaks with authority gets a great deal wrong, but often baffles his uninformed followers with the courage of his convictions. Sorry, I am getting more to draft content here. (Well researched “Old fart” who has too much time on his hands)

In the same boat here Coona. Desperate for vision so I watch it all.

I think the most important thing is to remember that even the experts often are deficient in areas of knowledge (not just in footy) and that confidence is not the same as expertise.

All the same i watch a lot just to sate the footy mad brain I have

 

[tragic]

Tiger TV AFL posted 45 minutes of raw footage from the 23/1 on YouTube if anyone wants to watch and make up their own mind.

 

[Blue and Silver]

Talking about tactics. I don't believe that Williams going back (again) will work.

Don't the coaches remember that Williams was moved out of defense the first time, not because he could not kick well enough, but because he kept getting exposed by the small forwards he was playing on. He could not defend them so we moved him. He could not run with them, could not handle them in the air and was brushed in the contest. And that was 3 seasons ago.

With the new recruits coming in, Williams is not best 23, for me (barring injury).

Its going to be an interesting watch to see if Voss can select a team without being influenced by the former reputations of quite few players.

I think Williams got exposed when isolated. But if the system is designed to let him be the outlet, like it was at the Giants, he can be a star HB

 

[Stamos]

The Blues had their traditional pre-season ACL, with Jesse Motlop the unlucky recipient in 2026. And Blake Acres

13

Blake Acres

Age

30

Ht

193cm

Wt

92kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

17.5

4star

K

8.9

3star

HB

8.6

5star

M

3.7

4star

T

3.2

5star

CL

1.9

4star

D

12.7

3star

K

5.0

2star

HB

7.7

4star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.7

4star

CL

1.0

3star

D

8.2

2star

K

3.8

2star

HB

4.4

4star

M

1.2

2star

T

2.4

4star

CL

1.8

4star

hurt his shoulder again. Although he avoided surgery, it will keep him away from contact training until February. That’s the bad news. The good news is Jagga Smith is lighting it up after missing his debut season with an ACL, and the addition of father-son Harry Dean, who is a natural competitor. Nic Newman

24

Nic Newman

Age

33

Ht

186cm

Wt

80kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

19.7

5star

K

13.7

5star

HB

5.9

4star

M

5.5

5star

T

3.3

5star

MG

400.8

5star

D

7.5

2star

K

6.5

3star

HB

1.0

1star

M

2.0

2star

T

1.0

2star

MG

157.0

3star

D

22.4

5star

K

12.8

5star

HB

9.6

5star

M

5.4

5star

T

3.6

5star

MG

387.8

5star

has been pulled back slightly in recent sessions, but he is in good shape after missing 2025 with a patella injury. Zac Williams may return to half-back where he made his name at the Giants as a player who could break lines. The two Sydney additions, Will Hayward

19

Will Hayward

Age

27

Ht

186cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.6

3star

K

6.6

3star

HB

4.0

3star

M

3.4

3star

T

2.8

4star

G

1.1

4star

D

9.0

2star

K

4.3

2star

HB

4.7

3star

M

2.7

3star

T

2.7

4star

G

0.7

4star

D

9.4

3star

K

6.2

3star

HB

3.2

3star

M

2.6

3star

T

3.4

5star

G

1.4

5star

and Ollie Florent (who was in concussion protocols last week) will make Carlton more predictable. The conundrum for the Blues is how do they reduce their over-reliance on skipper Patrick Cripps

9

Patrick Cripps

Age

31

Ht

195cm

Wt

93kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

25.9

5star

K

9.8

4star

HB

16.1

5star

M

3.4

3star

T

5.8

5star

CL

7.4

5star

D

21.0

5star

K

10.1

4star

HB

10.9

5star

M

2.5

3star

T

3.8

4star

CL

6.3

5star

D

12.6

4star

K

4.8

2star

HB

7.8

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

3.2

5star

CL

1.4

4star

at centre bounces while exploiting his great strength inside the contest.

One to watch: Reality needs to accompany the expectations on Jagga Smith. But watching his evolution alongside Sam Walsh

18

Sam Walsh

Age

25

Ht

184cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

25.1

5star

K

13.5

5star

HB

11.6

5star

M

5.1

5star

T

3.2

5star

CL

3.4

5star

No current season stats available

D

26.2

5star

K

15.4

5star

HB

10.8

5star

M

6.0

5star

T

3.2

5star

CL

4.8

5star

and Cripps will thrill Blues’ fans.

We know what your footy club did this summer … and here’s what to expect in 2026

Who got battered, and who got better? Our guide to the 2026 AFL off-season has all the information you need on who’s in form, who’s hurt and who’s trying something new as opening round approaches.

www.theage.com.au

 

[Sector 7G]

I think Williams got exposed when isolated. But if the system is designed to let him be the outlet, like it was at the Giants, he can be a star HB

I seem to remember Elliot destroying his confidence down back with the help of some favourable umpiring. Not the first defender for that to happen to.

 

[C4[2]Yo`DooR]

One certain prolific accented podcaster who speaks with authority gets a great deal wrong, but often baffles his uninformed followers with the courage of his convictions. Sorry, I am getting more to draft content here. (Well researched “Old fart” who has too much time on his hands)

I was trying to decipher who this was, but this clue gave it away

 

[gbatman]

I don't the new boundary rules will impact that much - if you think through a game out of all the boundary throw ins how many are resulting from the last tough being a kick - in between the arcs?

It's going to be really interesting. If it results in less stoppages then the ruckman will have less impact. It's a definite push for teams to play more direct. Will the more direct play result in tactical changes where there are more ball ups and less throwins? It's going to be interesting watching how this impacts the game.

I am thinking there will be less stoppages and there will be more slow play where players kick the ball around without going forward quite a bit.

It is already important but I think having a ruck who can get on the end of a few dump kicks and make an impact will be important.

 

[gbatman]

I seem to remember Elliot destroying his confidence down back with the help of some favourable umpiring. Not the first defender for that to happen to.

Yeah not his go playing back pocket, same with Saad last season. This sort of thing happens when you are short on good smaller defenders. Your half back flank has to fill in and play negating roles in the back pocket which is not good. Normally your half back doesn't have to take that opponent or if their opponent goes to the goal square they swap with someone. If there is no one to fill this role then you are in trouble.

The sort of thing which happens when you are missing Newman, Silvagni, Boyd, Cincotta, Marchbank, Docherty and Cowan as we have for good chunks of time in the last three years and you are playing kids like Carroll and Wilson and making sure they aren't exposed.

Ideally in defence you want a few or all players who can play half back flank and also play forward pocket so they can rotate and avoid getting exposed by being taken to the goal square and made to defend from there. We have lacked this since 2023. Then we had Docherty, Saad, Boyd, Marchbank, Cincotta and Newman who could all play half back but also had at least some ability to play deeper.

In 2026 we may have Saad and Williams in defence which is a mixed bag as both can play half back quite well but are a little limited off the fullback line. At least we will have rotations in the position and with Carroll, Newman and Ainsworth in the mix we shouldn't be as easy to expose. Half back should be able to swap opponents and avoid this.

I am actually because of less injuries, better team structure and a bit of motivation by us simply looking like being a good side this year that some of the older written off players will turn back up this year. Williams, Saad, McGovern, Boyd I expect will be fit and motivated and will be able to play their natural game a lot better. Actually excited to have quality rotations through our half back line again as well.

 

[Blue Pulse]

I seem to remember Elliot destroying his confidence down back with the help of some favourable umpiring. Not the first defender for that to happen to.

Lack of leadership at the time, he was so focused on what Elliot was doing rather than backing himself and focusing on the ball that was coming in.

 

[gbatman]

Lack of leadership at the time, he was so focused on what Elliot was doing rather than backing himself and focusing on the ball that was coming in.

Elliott is a hard opponent. He's elite in the air and on the ground. Can't leave him or he will get a run and jump at a ball coming and and mark it. Have to be super onto him when the ball hits the ground. Williams is not the best defender when it comes to strong overhead players. This is more of a job for someone like Newman of one of our third tall types. Saad is a little the same. They are genuine half backs and not as comfortable when it comes to playing the fullback line.

We have just been in a shit situation the last few seasons with injuries to half backs and young players not being ready for AFL level football.

With the 5th bench spot, having that taken by a player who can play both ends and a little midfield is great. Williams is the one who comes to mind for this spot.

 

[JimmyRabbit49]

It's going to be really interesting. If it results in less stoppages then the ruckman will have less impact. It's a definite push for teams to play more direct. Will the more direct play result in tactical changes where there are more ball ups and less throwins? It's going to be interesting watching how this impacts the game.

I am thinking there will be less stoppages and there will be more slow play where players kick the ball around without going forward quite a bit.

It is already important but I think having a ruck who can get on the end of a few dump kicks and make an impact will be important.

There will still be plenty of Fwd50 throw in's where ruck craft will prove crucial.

It will certainly be interesting to see how it evolves - and what impact the extra bench spot plays

 

[Crippa#9]

Terry and Bluebaggers Edge just have training footage, with a description of what is going on. Not necessarily opinions, but a discussion, often with someone else. But then you get people like Paul Sebastiani who make it their duty to create soundbites by commenting on and critiquing every little detail of the session in a self righteous “I know football more than you” way

So you're saying you prefer open ended discussions with next to no real opinion over someone who is prepared to have a strong view? fwiw, I think Paul is great and tells it how he sees it.

I quite like all the content creators - I think they each have their own unique strengths but prefer the guys that stick their neck out, have an opinion, offer thought bubbles that perhaps aren't in the mainstream, highlight things/behaviours that haven't been picked up (positively/negatively), provide firm criticism without worrying what the easily offended or those within the club think... imo, that's the content we should be celebrating.

 

[Flaggers22]

I find it funny that the Carlton content creators are getting stick for having opinions, and on a fan forum of all places - which exists entirely for fans to voice their opinions on the club.

 

[JJBagger]

So you're saying you prefer open ended discussions with next to no real opinion over someone who is prepared to have a strong view? fwiw, I think Paul is great and tells it how he sees it.

I quite like all the content creators - I think they each have their own unique strengths but prefer the guys that stick their neck out, have an opinion, offer thought bubbles that perhaps aren't in the mainstream, highlight things/behaviours that haven't been picked up (positively/negatively), provide firm criticism without worrying what the easily offended or those within the club think... imo, that's the content we should be celebrating.

I like the people that give an opinion, but don’t do it in a self righteous, angry or hyperbolic way. I think too many Carlton creators provide criticism for the sake of it, or build up a negative narrative - whether it’s for clicks or whether they are just generally negative people, i don’t know.

I think there is enough negativity and anger within the fanbase already that we don’t need content creators feeding off it, and creating more. So I will always lean to those that provide opinions, but do it as a part of a discussion, rather than just in a circle of people who think the same as they do.

I was a big fan of Paul when he was the reasonable part of the discussion on TJP, but now he’s just another talking head in the media giving his opinion in an “I know more than you” way

 

[Crippa#9]

I like the people that give an opinion, but don’t do it in a self righteous, angry or hyperbolic way. I think too many Carlton creators provide criticism for the sake of it, or build up a negative narrative - whether it’s for clicks or whether they are just generally negative people, i don’t know.

I think there is enough negativity and anger within the fanbase already that we don’t need content creators feeding off it, and creating more. So I will always lean to those that provide opinions, but do it as a part of a discussion, rather than just in a circle of people who think the same as they do.

I was a big fan of Paul when he was the reasonable part of the discussion on TJP, but now he’s just another talking head in the media giving his opinion in an “I know more than you” way

Certainly agree with you for the most part there particularly about being respectful.

I would like to see stronger player critiquing but ultimately with any opinion making or criticism has to come with a level of rationality and reasoning. Most semi-sophisticated people can see through what's BS and what's not.

 

[JJBagger]

Certainly agree with you for the most part there particularly about being respectful.

Ultimately with any opinion making or criticism has to come with a level of rationality and reasoning. Most semi-sophisticated people can see through what's BS and what's not.

Absolutely fair points too

 

[gbatman]

There will still be plenty of Fwd50 throw in's where ruck craft will prove crucial.

It will certainly be interesting to see how it evolves - and what impact the extra bench spot plays

It will be. I won't be surprised if we see rucks become more like a key forward and play the roaming CHF role. A tall player who is a strong mark. Someone who gives their side another option forward of the ball to go to. The centre bounce is still important with the 666 rule but I feel that with teams unable to use the safety of the boundary, the other way to defend is having that guy who is a strong target who can mark a few or keep it to his teams advantage. This is opposed to having that tall forward wandering up the ground, teams I think will want to try and keep their key forward/s closer to home and get more out of their ruck as that roaming high up target.

I think the extra bench spot will be best utilised by a utility type. A genuine multipositional player who can get involved in a few different rotations. Some will flirt with playing an extra ruck but I don't think that will be a good idea. I think it will help teams play a forward ruck and extra tall forward so we may see some teams have 2-3 genuine marking targets up forward. Because you can play the extra small forward, you can pick that extra big forward.

I think teams that have the three tall forwards will likely pick a taller more traditional pure ruckman and still have one of the forwards roaming high, not sure how well that will work. While other teams who have less bigger forwards may go for a ruck who plays forward of the ball in a traditional CHF role. IMO it is going to change how rucks position on the field quite greatly. Rather than reading the play and going from stoppage to stoppage, they may position a little more central and provide a leading target.

I honestly don't know but it will be interesting watching the game evolve.

I think we are in a good position because O'Keefe can play that forward/ruck role and so can McKay. Where we probably lack is with our rucks. They are neither dominant ruckman nor do they have key forward traits.

 

[The Blueseum]

Bring back the OG Carlton content creators training reports from 2006, The Sexy Squad.

 

[My Hat]

Agree with those saying that the secrecy angle is overblown. It's not grand final week, it's open training in January. Media people are sometimes there. People from other clubs could go if they cared enough. Hard to see how filming is an issue of itself.

The real issue is that clubs don't like things blowing up in the media in a way they don't control, and in this case the one led to the other. But again, it was open training in January. 99% of football stories across the summer will be forgotten the moment the first match starts.

 

[lopezz]

Certainly agree with you for the most part there particularly about being respectful.

I would like to see stronger player critiquing but ultimately with any opinion making or criticism has to come with a level of rationality and reasoning. Most semi-sophisticated people can see through what's BS and what's not.

Most Semi What now? This time of year i bottle feed on reports, but i agree with you