Training Pre-Season 2026 chat

[Gavin Excell]

Watching the Suns tonight we’ll be lucky to get within 10 goals of them next week.

Can sense a 4-5 goal loss

 

[calder_daddy]

I'll take that as a compliment from someone that rates a 8 disposal a game player.

Your responses are my favorite
Always just shut people down like you’re superior.
It’s sad


Just as sad as the messiah to all our problems only fractionally having better career stats compared to a guy who has played the game for a few years

 

[Cataholic]

Can sense a 4-5 goal loss

From the little I saw GC didn't look much chop in their practice games either, but yeah, I'm expecting a loss.

We're likely going to be missing a few players, still look a little rusty and will be on their turf.

 

[dangerwood]

I'm not confident George Stevens is good enough. He disappoints me that he doesn't seem to mark overhead at all. Being slow, if he could at least be a marking threat, he could be more dangerous around the ground.

I'm still surprised how quickly he was delisted after improving enough last year to warrant a game and then get a brownlow vote. Acknowledge the GWS game was poor but he's not on his own there.

In comparison we seem very forgiving of Clark. Drafted a year earlier. Stevens has played better games in VFL and of his two games at AFL one was better than any Clark has played.

I don't think either are good enough, but people are ready for Stevens to be delisted meanwhile Clark is still expected to be a very good player. I just don't see it with Clark. He's had some moments that have been okay but overall, hard to be overly impressed.

 

[joe444]

The odd thing is GC are slightly restructured and facing expectations for the first time . Not saying we win ...

 

[fpm84]

We lose to the Suns by 5 goals or so.
We beat Freo by around the same margin in round 1.

Bookmark it.

 

[fpm84]

 

[Footy Smarts]

I'm not confident George Stevens is good enough. He disappoints me that he doesn't seem to mark overhead at all. Being slow, if he could at least be a marking threat, he could be more dangerous around the ground.

I'm still surprised how quickly he was delisted after improving enough last year to warrant a game and then get a brownlow vote. Acknowledge the GWS game was poor but he's not on his own there.

In comparison we seem very forgiving of Clark. Drafted a year earlier. Stevens has played better games in VFL and of his two games at AFL one was better than any Clark has played.

I don't think either are good enough, but people are ready for Stevens to be delisted meanwhile Clark is still expected to be a very good player. I just don't see it with Clark. He's had some moments that have been okay but overall, hard to be overly impressed.

Clark's been thrown around all over the place and consistently shown moments of quality in amongst a lot of dross. His finals series especially the prelim showed a lot of improvement so he's definitely going to get chances.

I don't think there are many who expect him to be "a very good player". He seems like a whipping boy and even those positive on him are talking about him getting to the level of a solid number 3-4 mid not a gun.

Stevens just has zero acceleration. He's a really good player in a lot of ways outside of that. His hands and kicking are great. But once the ball gets outside the contest he may as well not be on the field. He just can't keep up.

 

[Generalissimo]

Your responses are my favorite
Always just shut people down like you’re superior.
It’s sad

I know, right? Anyone can look up Footywire after a game and glance at the stats sheet, but watching a game and understanding what you're seeing is a bit different.

 

[DanA]

Clark's been thrown around all over the place and consistently shown moments of quality in amongst a lot of dross. His finals series especially the prelim showed a lot of improvement so he's definitely going to get chances.

I don't think there are many who expect him to be "a very good player". He seems like a whipping boy and even those positive on him are talking about him getting to the level of a solid number 3-4 mid not a gun.

Stevens just has zero acceleration. He's a really good player in a lot of ways outside of that. His hands and kicking are great. But once the ball gets outside the contest he may as well not be on the field. He just can't keep up.

I agree Stevens has zero acceleration. Some have overcome this though (Cameron Ling, Sam Mitchell, Greg Williams) but for every one of those rare exceptions there's a 1000 that don't.

Clark plays with an aggressive intent but it's like the guy who tries to smash a winner every shot in tennis. Awareness of when to go for it is severely lacking.

 

[Footy Smarts]

I agree Stevens has zero acceleration. Some have overcome this though (Cameron Ling, Sam Mitchell, Greg Williams) but for every one of those rare exceptions there's a 1000 that don't.

And that's why we rookie listed him. Hoping for that slight chance. It's unlikely though.

Clark plays with an aggressive intent but it's like the guy who tries to smash a winner every shot in tennis. Awareness of when to go for it is severely lacking.

Yeah his decision making with ball in hand is poor. But that can change. Most people thought Miers' kicking was a joke until late 2022.

 

[dangerwood]

Clark's been thrown around all over the place and consistently shown moments of quality in amongst a lot of dross. His finals series especially the prelim showed a lot of improvement so he's definitely going to get chances.

I don't think there are many who expect him to be "a very good player". He seems like a whipping boy and even those positive on him are talking about him getting to the level of a solid number 3-4 mid not a gun.

Stevens just has zero acceleration. He's a really good player in a lot of ways outside of that. His hands and kicking are great. But once the ball gets outside the contest he may as well not be on the field. He just can't keep up.

I don't disagree with you re Stevens. I just probably don't see the bits where Clark is particular good.

Clarks not particularly quick, he's supposedly 181 but seems very small, he's not a great kick, I saw him take one hanger in u/18s but then haven't seen much evidence of his marking in VFL or AFL, he doesn't win much of the ball.

Stevens hands are good in the contest, strong in close, good kick, can't run doesn't mark overhead.

We are over 3 years in and if Clark does okay he seems to get "yeah Clarks showing promise, good signs".

No denying Stevens is slow, but at least he does some things well. I'm not trying to argue he should be viewed as more promising but it seems a bit unfair. If Clark did some of the things Stevens did against Carlton, I reckon many would be saying "good signs from Clark" instead we are saying yeah he will probably be delisted meanwhile Clarks still getting the "promising treatment".

 

[Tony Barber]

I don't disagree with you re Stevens. I just probably don't see the bits where Clark is particular good.

Clarks not particularly quick, he's supposedly 181 but seems very small, he's not a great kick, I saw him take one hanger in u/18s but then haven't seen much evidence of his marking in VFL or AFL, he doesn't win much of the ball.

Stevens hands are good in the contest, strong in close, good kick, can't run doesn't mark overhead.

We are over 3 years in and if Clark does okay he seems to get "yeah Clarks showing promise, good signs".

No denying Stevens is slow, but at least he does some things well. I'm not trying to argue he should be viewed as more promising but it seems a bit unfair. If Clark did some of the things Stevens did against Carlton, I reckon many would be saying "good signs from Clark" instead we are saying yeah he will probably be delisted meanwhile Clarks still getting the "promising treatment".

I dont mind Clark or Stevens.
Clark is bloody good in tight with decision making.

Geez, He was drafted after pretty much not playing footy for a year. He deserves time.
You dont accrue junior accolades without having something about you.

 

[Footy Smarts]

I don't disagree with you re Stevens. I just probably don't see the bits where Clark is particular good.

Clarks not particularly quick, he's supposedly 181 but seems very small, he's not a great kick, I saw him take one hanger in u/18s but then haven't seen much evidence of his marking in VFL or AFL, he doesn't win much of the ball.

Stevens hands are good in the contest, strong in close, good kick, can't run doesn't mark overhead.

We are over 3 years in and if Clark does okay he seems to get "yeah Clarks showing promise, good signs".

No denying Stevens is slow, but at least he does some things well. I'm not trying to argue he should be viewed as more promising but it seems a bit unfair. If Clark did some of the things Stevens did against Carlton, I reckon many would be saying "good signs from Clark" instead we are saying yeah he will probably be delisted meanwhile Clarks still getting the "promising treatment".

At least part of the different attitudes is that the club couldn't make it more clear that they rate Clark very highly while they delisted Stevens.

And our club has an incredible record of backing the right horses. When was the last time we kept giving games to a player when they weren't really justifying it and they fizzled out?

Meanwhile guys like Guthrie (x2), Kolo, Mullin, O'Connor, Blicavs, Miers, etc all turned into somewhere between useful and excellent players after being whipping boys on here.

 

[dangerwood]

At least part of the different attitudes is that the club couldn't make it more clear that they rate Clark very highly while they delisted Stevens.

And our club has an incredible record of backing the right horses. When was the last time we kept giving games to a player when they weren't really justifying it and they fizzled out?

Meanwhile guys like Guthrie (x2), Kolo, Mullin, O'Connor, Blicavs, Miers, etc all turned into somewhere between useful and excellent players after being whipping boys on here.

You're not wrong. I don't mean to whip the poor kid. I hope the clubs right. I just don't see the promise. He is okay. I probably feel he could still be a solid contributor, just zero confidence he will be a player that we can count on to make us better.
I don't see anything to feel enthused, but I've certainly been wrong before.

 

[dangerwood]

I dont mind Clark or Stevens.
Clark is bloody good in tight with decision making.

Geez, He was drafted after pretty much not playing footy for a year. He deserves time.
You dont accrue junior accolades without having something about you.

Stevens did his knee, has been on the list one year less.
Humphries and O'Sullivan im very excited about. Clark I don't see anything to give me confidence but it would be great if I'm wrong.

 

[Gavin Excell]

 

[CatToTheFuture]

And that's why we rookie listed him. Hoping for that slight chance. It's unlikely though.



Yeah his decision making with ball in hand is poor. But that can change. Most people thought Miers' kicking was a joke until late 2022.

Miers always hit targets though, he just looks funny doing it. Agree there's nothing technically wrong with Clark's kicking too. He has nailed some beauties but fluffed others under pressure.

 

[DanA]

And that's why we rookie listed him. Hoping for that slight chance. It's unlikely though.



Yeah his decision making with ball in hand is poor. But that can change. Most people thought Miers' kicking was a joke until late 2022.

I think it's his non-disposal decision making that's worse. He always getting finessed by his opponent and loses more one on ones then any player I've seen IMO because he's easy to read.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Rort!

 

[Gavin Excell]

Rort!

Salary cap breach!!

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Salary cap breach!!

I DEMAND A NEW AUDIT!

 

[Cataholic]

Rort!

Steve bloody Hocking.....

 

[Pollywaffle]

I don't think either are good enough, but people are ready for Stevens to be delisted meanwhile Clark is still expected to be a very good player. I just don't see it with Clark. He's had some moments that have been okay but overall, hard to be overly impressed.

High cats draft picks always become teachers pets. We need to see something from him this year as the excuses will wear a bit thin. Wasn’t terrible in the practice games but just lacks connection and a bit of polish. Jury is still out.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Steve bloody Hocking.....

He just jumped out the bushes dressed as catman and pushed Brad's ball in the hole. Ran off yelling about the greatest scheme of all