Training 2026 Off-Season & Preseason reports and discussion

[Mojo]

Great insight.

Like many, I've felt for years now MacDonald will be our Zach Bailey. Just hasn't come together consistently yet. I think when it clicks he's going to be a star of the competition, mid/forward split.

Moore personally I don't really rate as a mid. Both he and the team function so much better when he plays high half forward.

Nairn and Dalton will be a watch to see if either can step into the high half forward role if MacDonald transitions well to midfield.

I've still not given up on Huss. Has exactly what we need, just needs to iron out the deficiencies like plenty of young players. Must be burning to break in.

You get the feeling the 2026 season will let us know (more precisely) where several players stand in terms of their AFL trajectory, don't you?

Mackenzie
Ramsden
Husswaite
Reeves
Bailey McDonald
Sam Butler

 

[MasterSamurai]

The hurricane of Hawks set to elevate midfield in 2026

“His form in the VFL last year was too good for that level.”

www.sen.com.au

David Hale on SEN yesterday

This is gonna sound weird but, that's some really great bunch of questions by Julian. Pretty much covered everything i wanna know.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

I know Waverley was windy, but at least there was some reprieve with the housing around it.

Can't imagine it being too great to be training with shitty wind all year.

I think Sam personally loves it. He gets to see what players are smart enough to adapt and play to the conditions.

He did a lot of coaching and sledging regarding reading the conditions today.

 

[Big Hotdog]

BOG SYL. Thanks for the detail.
We should pass the hat around and get you some track pants.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

I reckon McCabe needs to bulk up a bit. Does he look any bigger this pre season?

I’m not sure if he’s bigger, he possibly is. He just looks like he’s really putting in.

 

[Pinoy Hawk]

I’m not sure if he’s bigger, he possibly is. He just looks like he’s really putting in.

Not yet Meek like but I've noticed that his muscles are more defined compared to previous years.
You can also feel his efforts in the last 2 trainings.
Hopefully this translates positively into the actual games.

 

[Pinoy Hawk]

A mini run today.
See who's leading.
View attachment 73d335c9-fe40-4e38-b2cb-72c00df67c4d.mp4

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

A mini run today.
See who's leading.
View attachment 2486892

And LeRay won the last one the group did from memory.

 

[Pinoy Hawk]

And LeRay won the last one the group did from memory.

Yes they did multiple mini runs, LeRay won one of them and I was surprised by that.

 

[HawthornHawk]

A mini run today.
See who's leading.
View attachment 2486892

Can't wait to read some deep analysis of Ollie's running in this clip

 

[Pinoy Hawk]

I'll just share some pics from today's session.

The Beast











JJ as an extra player

 

[Pinoy Hawk]

And some Ollie extras.

Greeves and Frenchie observing.


Greeves tackling Nash.



Ollie vs Weddle

 

[kazzooka]

I reckon McCabe needs to bulk up a bit. Does he look any bigger this pre season?

From what I've seen, yes. Candidate for the Ryan Schoenmakers award.

 

[SSSSSS]

From what I've seen, yes. Candidate for the Ryan Schoenmakers award.

The pre-season photo that broke the Hawks board.

Nothing tops 2014 preseason Schoey.

 

[ReturningHawk]

And some Ollie extras.

Greeves and Frenchie observing.
View attachment 2486929

Greeves tackling Nash.
View attachment 2486932
View attachment 2486933View attachment 2486942

Ollie vs Weddle
View attachment 2486936
View attachment 2486938
View attachment 2486939

So far I’ve seen Greeves partnered in contest drills with Meek, Weddle and Nash. We’re certainly finding out what the kid is made of!

Thanks heaps for your work.

 

[Mitch75]

And some Ollie extras.

Greeves and Frenchie observing.
View attachment 2486929

Greeves tackling Nash.
View attachment 2486932
View attachment 2486933View attachment 2486942

Ollie vs Weddle
View attachment 2486936
View attachment 2486938
View attachment 2486939

Love these pics! Brilliant stuff!

 

[Dewyyyyy]

If it's similar to one an old coach of mine used to love, this can be a killer late in a session.

We'd have a minute to get from goal post to goal post. If it took you 30 seconds you got 30 seconds rest, then on the minute you'd go again.
We'd do this for 6 minutes (so 6 efforts), then rest for 3 minutes, then do it again. Sometimes we'd only do 4 more, sometimes the full 6.

One night we did 18, with the 3 minutes each time after 6 minutes had elapsed.

Anyway, thanks for the track report!

Yeah I’ve done it quite a bit, seems to be a hit among most coaches. Goal post to goal post and again as you said you do it in 30, you get 30. Can be anywhere from 5-6 minutes worth, to 10. Cooks you.

 

[FB19]

Yeah I’ve done it quite a bit, seems to be a hit among most coaches. Goal post to goal post and again as you said you do it in 30, you get 30. Can be anywhere from 5-6 minutes worth, to 10. Cooks you.

I always found it pretty straightforward actually. I guess scheduling it during the half time Auskick played to my strengths.

 

[Simon Crawshay]

View attachment 2486964

The pre-season photo that broke the Hawks board.

Nothing tops 2014 preseason Schoey.

I always got massive Ivan Drago from Rocky 4 vibes from that pic.

“If he dies, he dies”

 

[Dewyyyyy]

I always found it pretty straightforward actually. I guess scheduling it during the half time Auskick played to my strengths.

Might be straightforward but doing that after a big session is never fun. I’ve even done it during sessions before which is obviously even less ideal. Think once we did a full ground skills and included lots of efforts, then went straight into 6 minutes of goal post efforts. Then back into skills. Tests you out

 

[HoldingThe Ball]

Can anyone tell me how Harry M is tracking?

I thought he had a career best season and is now established as a genuine best 22 for us.

I'd hate for that improvement to be curtailed by a long-term injury so wondered how he looks.


He should be proud of last season, should Harry - excellent improver who did everything asked of him, and more.

 

[Jimmy the Ghost]

From what I've seen, yes. Candidate for the Ryan Schoenmakers award.

Could Schuey win a Shoey ?

 

[fairdinks]

And LeRay won the last one the group did from memory.

he's the one although Nairn looks a very likely type as well. I think we have really done well with our picks this year.

Tiem will tell, I guess.

 

[HawthornHawk]

Can anyone tell me how Harry M is tracking?

I thought he had a career best season and is now established as a genuine best 22 for us.

I'd hate for that improvement to be curtailed by a long-term injury so wondered how he looks.


He should be proud of last season, should Harry - excellent improver who did everything asked of him, and more.

Thought he surprisingly set the tone with toughness throughout the season this year, how awesome was that hit on Holmes on Easter Monday!

 

[OsakaHawk]

Greeves looks like his white singlet should have navy hoops with that hair and the headband