2026 Pre-Season Thread

[mpal6]

Probably makes it more likely that Hipwood comes back into defence given we look a little light on down there. Hopefully he doesn’t have any issues with his rehab.

We do also have till Monday to fill Payne’s spot though if he’s placed on the LTI list. I wonder whether they may wait till mid season to see how we’re tracking.

mid-season more likely you'd think.
Giving an opportunity for all the incumbents and our depth defenders to get a chance.

 

[davemc_lions]

Yes always a worry if anything happens we are light on.
Although if you think about it if Payne was fit and Doedee body was good.
Some would miss out be it Gardiner or Lester or both.
We also have others like ZZ and Llyod who like a game. Joyce is in case of injury break glass
Non injury we have backup.. Just sad about both Doedee and Paynes body.

You do wonder if Gallop make a good back has the aggression part.

 

[rye]

patella is a shit of an injury. guys who do it generally dont come back the same.

 

[martinson]

Yes always a worry if anything happens we are light on.
Although if you think about it if Payne was fit and Doedee body was good.
Some would miss out be it Gardiner or Lester or both.
We also have others like ZZ and Llyod who like a game. Joyce is in case of injury break glass
Non injury we have backup.. Just sad about both Doedee and Paynes body.

You do wonder if Gallop make a good back has the aggression part.

He's too good a forward.

Really feel for Jack. He was getting to AA class , missed a flag and now this.

Let's hope it's not too bad .

 

[Dalions]

Does AI also tell you that both of Allen’s knees are reportedly shot? That was a common discussion point among WC fans in 2024, before WC lowballed Allen at the end of 2024 season.

If he was fit and healthy, and able to perform, he’s probably still at WC.

I am hopeful it was more to do with their re-hab/strength and conditioning program.

 

[Hollow Knight]

I absolutely love AI. Saves me hours a day.

But what the longer term economic and social impacts are I don't think anyone knows.

I think the socio-economic conditions of workers during the Industrial Revolution provides a precedent as to what we might expect.

 

[lionsbotyyyyy]

Brain on over Joyce

 

[lionsbotyyyyy]

When does hipwood return?
How long you think Payne will be out for

 

[Hollow Knight]

Brain on over Joyce

One is a 183 cm small/medium defender and the other a 195 cm key back.

Not really a like-for-like.

 

[Maboo]

I am hopeful it was more to do with their re-hab/strength and conditioning program.

It very well could be, they haven't been able to keep their better players on the park the last few years, like Yeo, McGovern, Cripps etc. It looks like injuries are starting to mount again.

 

[Elixuh]

I absolutely love AI. Saves me hours a day.

But what the longer term economic and social impacts are I don't think anyone knows.

The sliding scale has our extinction at one end, somewhere in between will be the circumstances depicted in the classic Matt Damon film ‘Elysium’ and on the other end of the scale will be:



Because most humans are self interested and not as smart as they think, I won’t be paying out on the grim reality materialising.

 

[martinson]

I think the socio-economic conditions of workers during the Industrial Revolution provides a guide to what we might expect.

It's scary and I doubt the majority of the population have any idea what's coming.

Even professional jobs particularly in finance/accountancy, law and medicine are very much at risk. And education.

Ironically with massive productivity improvements company profits will rise and the rich will get richer. But many companies that we thought had impenetrable moats will fall by the wayside.

Fortunately , putting aside the massive debt bubble , Governments are more equipped than ever to manage socio economic change. If you could trust any of them.

But I digress .....

 

[Hollow Knight]

Fortunately , putting aside the massive debt bubble , Governments are more equipped than ever to manage socio economic change. If you could trust any of them.

But I digress .....

They definitely have the levers, but after decades of wage stagnation relative to productivity growth, it doesn’t look like they are willing to pull them.

 

[martinson]

The sliding scale has our extinction at one end, somewhere in between will be the circumstances depicted in the classic Matt Damon film ‘Elysium’ and on the other end of the scale will be:

View attachment 2535174

Because most humans are self interested and not as smart as they think, I won’t be paying out on the grim reality materialising.

Yep. Musk says no one will have to work.

Well as long as they don't live in India , China , most parts of South America , the outer reaches of Eastern Europe and small fishing villages where you just catch fish and eat them and live a good modest life.

 

[KissKiss]

Does anyone have any insight into ZZ's development? He wasnt overly impressive in that Carlton game last week. Seemed like he needs to put on a bit more weight still too to be a true key defender.

Hopefully he comes along this year... odds on to get some senior opportunities you'd think.

Was that ZZs first "senior" game? I cant remember if he played last year but honestly I never expect too much from a first gamer. Especially as key back for a short stint without a lot of senior bodies out there to guide him.

But I thought he got to the right spots but his timing or hands kept missing it. That might be as much struggling with the pace adjustment more than anything. Not sure i would write him off yet. Especially as he is still a baby in key position ages. People forget Paynes first year or so

Generally i think Joyce is the next emergency and has done well when we've needed him. But ZZ has a potential role to play this year

 

[martinson]

They definitely have the levers, but after decades of wage stagnation relative to productivity growth, it doesn’t look like they are willing to pull them.

They'll have to ultimately. The US Fed has been miles behind the curve in every crisis since the Dot com crash and when push comes to shove they'll just flood the economy and the public with money to avert a catastrophe like they have every other time since then. Except with the impact of AI it will be massive.

That's what I see coming. Could be wrong , but the fallout from productivity spikes to the population at large in Western economies will be too painful to ignore.

We've lost track. One thing we've been great at as a club is covering for every injury issue . I'd love for Payne and Doedee to be fit and available but it's not going to affect us .

Harris on the other hand...

 

[martinson]

Was that ZZs first "senior" game? I cant remember if he played last year but honestly I never expect too much from a first gamer. Especially as key back for a short stint without a lot of senior bodies out there to guide him.

But I thought he got to the right spots but his timing or hands kept missing it. That might be as much struggling with the pace adjustment more than anything. Not sure i would write him off yet. Especially as he is still a baby in key position ages. People forget Paynes first year or so

Generally i think Joyce is the next emergency and has done well when we've needed him. But ZZ has a potential role to play this year

Does anyone have an opinion on Lloyd ??

Some good judges really liked the look of him when we drafted him and haven't seen much since. I know he's had injury issues.

 

[briztoon]

29 year old Charlie Curnow has at least one stuffed knee and the swans paid through the nose for him. It’s all relative and while there may be some truth to what is reported on here often it is blown out of proportion or one side of the Chinese whispers.

We will have to wait and see.

Pretty sure was an article in The West newspaper that first mentioned Allen’s knees were stuffed.

 

[Elixuh]

Pretty sure was an article in The West newspaper that first mentioned Allen’s knees were stuffed.

That confirms it isn’t true then

 

[martinson]

Pretty sure was an article in The West newspaper that first mentioned Allen’s knees were stuffed.

Someone I know close to the club reckoned his knees were stuffed but once that narrative gets out there and he's on the outer everyone just runs with it.

I can't see our club throwing him straight into the leadership group if they thought there were any serious knee issues.

We'll know soon enough.

 

[mpal6]

Does anyone have an opinion on Lloyd ??

Some good judges really liked the look of him when we drafted him and haven't seen much since. I know he's had injury issues.

Drafted as another forward option when we went 3 talls in that 2023 draft. Kicked some ridiculous number of goals in a school game was my memory of him. Good lead up forward, running patterns etc.

I think if he could settle himself down in defense, there's a spot for him. Lester's one possibly.

 

[scoman]

Season over. Play the kids

 

[briztoon]

Freakin stealing my schtick and gifs.

 

[pod17]

Went to a talk late last year where Zorko mentioned that Hipwood was likely to be placed back upon his return. Payne being out for the majority/all of 2026 might mean it’s a lock now.

Prior to this setback, I thought we were light one mature KPD option.
Much respect to Joyce, and I know he has his admirers here, but to me he’s a long way off being able to play an extended run in the seniors should he be required.

Honestly, I’d not be surprised if Liam Jones

19

Liam Jones

Age

35

Ht

199cm

Wt

98kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.4

2star

K

6.5

3star

HB

2.9

3star

M

4.3

4star

T

2.0

4star

MG

134.5

2star

D

7.6

2star

K

6.1

3star

HB

1.4

1star

M

4.1

4star

T

1.4

2star

MG

116.3

2star

D

9.4

3star

K

7.4

3star

HB

2.0

2star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.2

4star

got signed from our twos mid season if he’s form is serviceable early on.

 

[rye]

Went to a talk late last year where Zorko mentioned that Hipwood was likely to be placed back upon his return. Payne being out for the majority/all of 2026 might mean it’s a lock now.

Prior to this setback, I thought we were light one mature KPD option.
Much respect to Joyce, and I know he has his admirers here, but to me he’s a long way off being able to play an extended run in the seniors should he be required.

Honestly, I’d not be surprised if Liam Jones got signed from our twos mid season if he’s form is serviceable early on.

i dont think we are allowed to do so - iirc we explored this option with daniel lloyd a few years back in the same scenario and retirees arent allowed to nominate for any form of draft for 12 months