Training Pre-Season 2026 chat

[CHAWKS2]

CHAWKS2 IS IN THE HOUSE

WE ARE SO BACK BABY!

ha. I haven't got over jinxing everything coming back for the finals. will disappear at some point if I think we need to string some important wins together!

Can't believe footy is back...very keen

I don't think I will make it down to training myself pre Christmas so I will rely on some track watchers...but will ramp up my attendance in February when the match sims get interesting!

 

[Vdubs]

What a difference adding nearly a STONE can make??? (Thats about 5-6kgs for those young ones hehe)
Mitchy Fookin EDWARDS.
Gonna be a leap year for some on our list.
I'll tab Mitch as taking that step.
I'll add a few others i can't wait to see.
Worpel will be a welcomed addition. Hearing he is riding on a cloud since coming home.
Hoff Man has had an injury free run at it. Gonna be a great watch.
The BIG kid Molier. Grown another inch. Added 4-5 kgs.
Yeah they plucked another GEM here with insiders chuckling in delight.
And the standout...?
The OLD bloke looks like he can run around without looking outta place.
FIGJAM himself. And i say that with a grin of delight that we have him.
NATHAN BUCKLEY!! LEGEND!!

Buckley could be recruit OTY. He loves what Geelong is doing and he will be very keen to impress for whatever his next role is. I think it's great of CS taking on a character like Buckley as his assistant. Buckley is always impressive and erudite, and many coaches would be intimidated.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

This all but confirms you were part of the committee that dismissed me as the head of Roscosmos in 2022.

Your stance on the seige of Mariupol was unacceprable to the commiseriat tovarisch. It was out of my hands

 

[standupand]

Buckley could be recruit OTY. He loves what Geelong is doing and he will be very keen to impress for whatever his next role is. I think it's great of CS taking on a character like Buckley as his assistant. Buckley is always impressive and erudite, and many coaches would be intimidated.

His interview was interesting. All about what he's learnt about the club so far from the inside. Biggest eye-opener for him was the amount of autonomy the club gives the players. Admitted that he wouldn't be here unless he wanted to be a senior coach again. And couldn't really say what he could bring specifically to the table at this point to the team.

 

[The rabbi]

In other words though, Polk is competing with a guy who is out of the side, and a player in our bottom 6 held together by gaffer tape. It's not exactly climbing Everest when you put it that way.

Molier is competing with a young contemporary of a KPF who just kicked 45 goals, and the best forward in the competition for a spot.

I don't think either have a run-in to being best 23 next year barring an injury crisis, but Polk will find it easier IMO.

The club won't rush Molier. They've seen what the proper apprenticeship has done for Neale, whereas Polk's body and position aren't going to require the fine tuning Molier's will.

I don't think that Molier is competing with Neal for a place as a KPF.
I see Molier as a KPF who will possibly play along side Neal as a key forward in the future.

Cameron won't be around forever. Nor am I suggesting that Molier, or Edwards for that matter, will be in the best 22 in 2026. I would be quite happy for Scotty to give them a couple of games at home against the cellar dwellers. We can then have a look at them, while at the same time giving a short rest to some vets.

I also don't see Polkinghorne as a KPF. He looks more like the menacing marking 3rd tall that relieves the pressure on KPF's.

 

[dudusmaximus]

Your stance on the seige of Mariupol was unacceprable to the commiseriat tovarisch. It was out of my hands

I would advise all to abstain from drinking tea and stay clear of open windows.

 

[Kobe Gryant]

I don't think that Molier is competing with Neal for a place as a KPF.
I see Molier as a KPF who will possibly play along side Neal as a key forward in the future.

Cameron won't be around forever. Nor am I suggesting that Molier, or Edwards for that matter, will be in the best 22 in 2026. I would be quite happy for Scotty to give them a couple of games at home against the cellar dwellers. We can then have a look at them, while at the same time giving a short rest to some vets.

I also don't see Polkinghorne as a KPF. He looks more like the menacing marking 3rd tall that relieves the pressure on KPF's.

You're not going to believe this, but my post was in relation to his pathway to making the senior side for the 2026 season. Hence the discussion on his VFL apprenticeship, and the further conversation from the above posts.

Of course Molier is being groomed as a long-term partner to Neale. In relation to 2026 though, his only pathway to being a consistent best 23 player is either through a long-term Cameron injury, or a huge dip in form from Neale.

Neither of which I expect (or hope) to happen, hence why I believe it will be difficult for him to be best 23 specifically for the the 2026 season.

I also don't think Polkinghorne is a key forward, hence why I had him competing with Martin and Ollie Henry for a spot, rather than Neale. That was kinda the whole point...

Did you read the post at all?

 

[dazbroncos]

Buckley could be recruit OTY. He loves what Geelong is doing and he will be very keen to impress for whatever his next role is. I think it's great of CS taking on a character like Buckley as his assistant. Buckley is always impressive and erudite, and many coaches would be intimidated.

I find it very hard to believe that with CS and NB in the box for a full season together, maybe 2, that we wont be better tactically overall and that on a player level the impression left wont be a positive one.

Think its gonna be great for the club and a masterstroke to pull it off.

GO Catters

 

[Footy Smarts]

You're not going to believe this, but my post was in relation to his pathway to making the senior side for the 2026 season. Hence the discussion on his VFL apprenticeship, and the further conversation from the above posts.

Of course Molier is being groomed as a long-term partner to Neale. In relation to 2026 though, his only pathway to being a consistent best 23 player is either through a long-term Cameron injury, or a huge dip in form from Neale.

Neither of which I expect (or hope) to happen, hence why I believe it will be difficult for him to be best 23 specifically for the the 2026 season.

I also don't think Polkinghorne is a key forward, hence why I had him competing with Martin and Ollie Henry for a spot, rather than Neale. That was kinda the whole point...

Did you read the post at all?

If Molier played well enough they'd be happy to play him alongside Neale with Cameron pushing up the ground. So I don't think he needs one of them to be out.

But it's a big challenge for Molier to be good enough to justify that in his second season.

 

[Kobe Gryant]

If Molier played well enough they'd be happy to play him alongside Neale with Cameron pushing up the ground. So I don't think he needs one of them to be out.

But it's a big challenge for Molier to be good enough to justify that in his second season.

For a couple games to get him a taste? Sure I could see that, and part of me expects it.

For a full season (or even half a season) as a week to week best 23 player? I doubt it.

That was the point, and the reason you've outlined is why I said it would be difficult for him to achieve, and that 2027 and beyond is more his timeline.

 

[terry_bright]

Reckon for uncapped players Hofmann looks closest to it

Based on what?
The annual “player x is burning down the house” talk of last pre-season.
On exposed form in the VFL when he returned from injury, he was pretty ordinary.
I’m not writing him off, but the hype about him from some on here is way over the top IMO.

 

[Tony Barber]

I find it very hard to believe that with CS and NB in the box for a full season together, maybe 2, that we wont be better tactically overall and that on a player level the impression left wont be a positive one.

Think its gonna be great for the club and a masterstroke to pull it off.

GO Catters

I actually dont think we'll even notice the difference from Buckley unless we look closely.

His greatest gift was clearly body position around the ball and being proactive.
And when I mean proactive, I mean that he'd take a kick that may or may not work.

And he'd immediately run to the spot he needed to be if everything turned to shit.

 

[geelong_crazy26]

Sam dekoning looks like he has put on a few KG’s of muscle which is a great sign.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

I would advise all to abstain from drinking tea and stay clear of open windows.

I remember the day i learned the word defenestration

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Based on what?
The annual “player x is burning down the house” talk of last pre-season.
On exposed form in the VFL when he returned from injury, he was pretty ordinary.
I’m not writing him off, but the hype about him from some on here is way over the top IMO.

Pretty slow return from injury true, i'm basing a lot on previous draft profile and raw characteristics. Plus he's a defender and that on paper is our thinnest line in the vfl so that helps him

That and I don't really see many ahead of him in the debut stakes

Polk, Edwards, Molier i see as too raw with some combo of bulk/experience required. KMF i think is a quiet end of season delisting. Pike i don't think is near it, Burke needs to learn to play. Then it's the new draftees where Barker is off an ACL, Driscoll and Holmes with work to do. Mellor raw and will have to break into tge strongest line. Everyone else has played a game.

 

[terry_bright]

Pretty slow return from injury true, i'm basing a lot on previous draft profile and raw characteristics. Plus he's a defender and that on paper is our thinnest line in the vfl so that helps him

That and I don't really see many ahead of him in the debut stakes

Polk, Edwards, Molier i see as too raw with some combo of bulk/experience required. KMF i think is a quiet end of season delisting. Pike i don't think is near it, Burke needs to learn to play. Then it's the new draftees where Barker is off an ACL, Driscoll and Holmes with work to do. Mellor raw and will have to break into tge strongest line. Everyone else has played a game.

Fair enough.

 

[CHAWKS2]

Sam dekoning looks like he has put on a few KG’s of muscle which is a great sign.

View attachment 2489540

Going to dominate in 2026. I can feel it

 

[CHAWKS2]

It could also just simply be that Knev isn't good enough, that happens


Also do you have any idea who the hell i would have seen in a knee brace on Friday? I wanna say left leg... dark hair, but i didn't have a really good look as I was trying not to be too obvious, and they were from the Cats shop counter to the front doors away from me.. And i am old these days, the eyes aren't as sharp as they were. I spotted Tall Toby easily as he is about 15 foot tall so stands out and easy to recognise

I don’t know sorry. I haven’t done too much in terms of enquiries. So don’t know who is coming back from knee other than the new boy

 

[CHAWKS2]

Reckon for uncapped players Hofmann looks closest to it

You still have time to come up with a more appropriate term than the Doritos train (!) but maybe not much given he showed something yesterday (too early but let’s embrace it). So have a think about what bandwagon we are jumping on and be ready to gp

 

[Kobe Gryant]

I don’t know sorry. I haven’t done too much in terms of enquiries. So don’t know who is coming back from knee other than the new boy

Would have to be Burke.

Coming back from a knee, and has had it strapped in every available pic. Similar to a couple of the young boys too, he's not yet a recognisable face - hence the confusion.

Did a check, and everybody else that it could be (I.e lesser known names) has been in the training gallery this week moving fine.

 

[cats_09]

Now for some gym photos

 

[Vdubs]

His interview was interesting. All about what he's learnt about the club so far from the inside. Biggest eye-opener for him was the amount of autonomy the club gives the players. Admitted that he wouldn't be here unless he wanted to be a senior coach again. And couldn't really say what he could bring specifically to the table at this point to the team.

Charisma, smarts, experience, best assistant coach we've ever had, and we've had some greats.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

You still have time to come up with a more appropriate term than the Doritos train (!) but maybe not much given he showed something yesterday (too early but let’s embrace it). So have a think about what bandwagon we are jumping on and be ready to gp

It's hard to go past "the Hoff" for a nickname for the man himself but what moves the Hoff around?

KITT

 

[Vdubs]

Now for some gym photos

Looking forward to seeing a rejuvenated Ollie Henry back with his good mate Tanner Bruhn. Along with Worpel, there's 3 young Geelong boys who might shine next year

 

[cats_09]

It's hard to go past "the Hoff" for a nickname for the man himself but what moves the Hoff around?

KITT

And shall we bring cheeseburgers