Training Preseason Training Thread - 2026

[Keys]

The below is the OG faux training report from nearly 9 years ago - often imitated but never surpassed

In the absence of Keys I went down for a trundle this morning to check them out on return. Just a few random notes I took down...

• A lot of running work again, clearly a focus even in the heat.
• Duggan looked on and was hitting targets left and right. Set for a huge 2017.
• Giles went up against Vardy in the ruck contests and I'd say that Giles has the inside running at the moment.
• Mitchell looked a class above the other midfielders bar Priddis. Just knew how to find the footy and wouldn't miss a target all session. Shuey was very quiet and seemed to be taking direction from Mitchell. Doesn't bode well for his captaincy credentials, maybe he doesn't want the gig?
• Won't say too much about it in case I was just reading too much into it, but Rioli looked as though he'd enjoyed the Christmas break a bit too much. A few of the coaches pulled him aside and they were having quite an animated conversation before Rioli was sent to do laps for the rest of the session. Good news for Le Cras, I suppose.
• Sheed kicked on his right foot for 80% of the session, I reckon. Nice to see players working on their non-preferred so readily.
• Petrie looked like he was doing a great job 'coaching' the younger forwards in between the drills. Darling in particular seemed to be following him around.
• Gee Venables has some skills. He mainly jogged laps before spending the last half hour or so on set shots - curled a few beauties from behind the boundary line at the end for a bit of fun. Hardly saw him miss a kick.
• What interested me the most was that McGovern split his time between the defenders and the forwards, could be seeing a swingman role in 2017. He was his usual dominant self down back in some match simulation drills before going head-to-head with Mackenzie in a forward role.
• Bayok is very fast - Cripps was in most of the drills with him and couldn't keep up.
• Nelson is pale as buggery and still doesn't really have the body shape you'd expect of an AFL player.
• There was a big bloke who pulled up next to me and I could have sworn it was Suma, but I'm sure I was wrong...
• Masto was the player picked to kick the goal at the end today and nailed it. Celebrations were huge.
• No sign of Cole, Parto or Hill. Couldn't tell you why.

Will upload pics later if I have time. Let me know if you have any questions!

You might wonder why I’ve put this up and stickied it

Because this is the standard all copies should be measured against and it’s a reminder of how high the bar was set

And to hopefully discourage sequels.

If you want to have a crack in my absence, go ahead but if it doesn’t equal the standard set (as judged by me), then expect

• A one week threadban for a first offence
• A two week threadban for a second offence
• A one year threadban for a third offence

Actual training reports, minus discussion, can become found here:

Training - Preseason Training Reports -2025/26

This thread has been setup for training reports only and won’t be open for replies Informative reports from the preseason thread will be copied into this thread so posters have access to the quality work from the likes of LittleFires without wading through pages of general posts

www.bigfooty.com

 

[Ilkka Sinisalo]

Any of the sport science nerds in here able to answer why we seem to start training at around 9/9:30 in the off season?

You don't see many people out running/cycling at that time of day

Days like Monday are going to happen pretty often in Perth where is pushing mid 30s by 10am.

Is there a physiological reason why the seen to start so late? 7-9 would make more sense to me, or even night training, like 7pm onwards?

Just a random thought that's been on my mind

You don't see many people out running that time of day because they're at their job. Same reason the busiest time of day at the swimming pool is 5:30-7am and then 5-7pm. I would love to sleep in past 5am but unfortunately it is much easier to sleep in and then exercise between 9-11am when that is literally your job.

 

[Yeahnahmate]

Any of the sport science nerds in here able to answer why we seem to start training at around 9/9:30 in the off season?

You don't see many people out running/cycling at that time of day

Days like Monday are going to happen pretty often in Perth where is pushing mid 30s by 10am.

Is there a physiological reason why the seen to start so late? 7-9 would make more sense to me, or even night training, like 7pm onwards?

Just a random thought that's been on my mind

Sleep one of the most important factors and training in the heat is challenging but can be beneficial too

 

[ziad]

Sleep one of the most important factors and training in the heat is challenging but can be beneficial too

I remember training in stinking hot afternoons, after work, an the coach saying once it cools down in a month or so you will be jumping out of your skin. Reality is that it stresses the body. Probably un-necessarily.

 

[Yeahnahmate]

I remember training in stinking hot afternoons, after work, an the coach saying once it cools down in a month or so you will be jumping out of your skin. Reality is that it stresses the body. Probably un-necessarily.

Depends how extreme. They take precautions with it when 40+ generally and modify sessions accordingly

 

[flyinghi64]

Ahhh nothing like pre season footy training in Perth.
Especially when you had to get down on a weekend so you could train during the day in 40 degree heat.
Honestly can't believe how I did it sometimes.

 

[Bender_]

i swear I saw this bloke interview you on a podcast once

I know I'm a bit of a campaigner but I'm not Will Schofield.

 

[THE A5]

I know I'm a bit of a campaigner but I'm not Will Schofield.

Yeah you’re right, Will’s not that much of a flog

 

[Deplorable trumpster]

I thought Bo Allan's big attribute was a big frame and his ability win contested possessions/clearances. And now all of a sudden we are planning to play him on the wing. Whats the story there? I am getting worried. Never a good sign when the coaching staff don't know what position to play a recent first round draftee and they end up shoehorning them into whatever position has the least number of other players competing for it.

 

[Slothh]

There are benefits to training in the heat, your body adapts to having a more optimal vasodilation response (sweating) over time is an example.

But in reality i highly doubt training is regimented at 9am for this reason. Its more likely that the difference between training at 9am and 7am is neglible so might as well prioritise sleep as Yeahnahmate mentioned.

Thats what i would do if i was a professional athlete and not at the mercy of my 9-5 role. To answer the earlier question, most people work out 5am to 7am because thats the only time of day to get activity in because of our plebian jobs. (Source: health science background)

 

[bzparkes]

I thought Bo Allan's big attribute was a big frame and his ability win contested possessions/clearances. And now all of a sudden we are planning to play him on the wing. Whats the story there? I am getting worried. Never a good sign when the coaching staff don't know what position to play a recent first round draftee and they end up shoehorning them into whatever position has the least number of other players competing for it.

2nd year player, who had some injury/illness issues last year.

Also, Embley wasn't exactly small.

 

[Bender_]

Can't believe we're now considering moving Bow Allin to fullback. Never a good sign when a player doesn't play the same position from their first game of junior footy until their retirement. I blame Clarke and Nesbitt for this one. Sack Puke.

 

[Bleedblueandgold]

I'm outraged Bow & Allon is being shoehorned into the ruck role when he is clearly 10cm too short. Malthouse & Malaxos should be sacked immediately and their names scratched from the Eagles Hall of Fame.

 

[Proeagle]

Sleep one of the most important factors and training in the heat is challenging but can be beneficial too

They did a study in the US with cyclists in 2010, testing training in the cold (12 degrees) vs extreme heat (40 degrees). They did testing of everyone in 12 deg for a while, then split into the 2 groups. One group continued training in 12 deg, the other trained in 40 deg. After couple of weeks training, both groups rejoined each other and competed in 12 deg C.
The study found dramatic results in favour of the ones training in the heat.

Pros for training in the cold (12 deg C) -
- Can train longer and burn more calories.

Neg -

• Obvious one but struggle to compete in the heat.
• Feel hungry right away after training

Pros for training in the heat (40 deg C) -

• Sustained endurance training in the heat has one unusual benefit: It can help you perform better in cool weather, than those that always train in the cold.
• The heat-trained riders not only rode a whopping 6% faster in cool temperatures, but also produced 5% more aerobic power (measured as V̇o2max), 5% more power output at lactate threshold, and about 9.1% more cardiac output.
• Suppresses your appetite
• Can give you a mental edge—even if you’re only imagining it but it equates to confidence in yourself etc.

Neg -
- Cant train for as long

Why the difference they think -
The study authors pointed out that the heat-trained cyclists had more plasma in their blood. Cardio exercise in the heat, ultimately comes down to using blood for thermoregulation. When you’re exercising in the heat, you need to send blood to your muscles so you can keep exercising, and you need to send blood to your skin so you can cool, there may be competition between the muscles and the skin for blood flow.

When your body senses that it doesn’t have enough blood to go around, it can create more plasma—and that can improve your performance when you’re in less scorching conditions. In turn, that increase in blood volume might stimulate the heart and increase the oxygen capacity of the blood.

 

[DorothyG]

Interesting. Thanks for the answers.

I do understand that typically normal people work 9-5 etc etc.
Was more alluring to weekends etc, most people I know who exercise regularly still usually do it 1st thing even on weekends. I'm typically out the door between 5-6, gets it out of the way, and often not hot.

 

[Deplorable trumpster]

2nd year player, who had some injury/illness issues last year.

Also, Embley wasn't exactly small.

That doesn't explain why they have changed their minds and are looking to play him a position that minimises the value and impact of his main attribute. Is there a reason why they are reluctant to play him in the middle?

I doubt a second year player has the wind tank required to play on the wing either.

 

[WCErevival]

That doesn't explain why they have changed their minds and are looking to play him a position that minimises the value and impact of his main attribute. Is there a reason why they are reluctant to play him in the middle?

I doubt a second year player has the wind tank required to play on the wing either.

They played him off the HBF last year but there is no room there now. I'd say he's too young/raw to play midfield at the moment so wing is a chance for him to play in the best 23. He can always rotate inside in the future.

 

[Deplorable trumpster]

Can't believe we're now considering moving Bow Allin to fullback. Never a good sign when a player doesn't play the same position from their first game of junior footy until their retirement. I blame Clarke and Nesbitt for this one. Sack Puke.

If somebody posts something witty i am totally fine laughing at it even if it is at my expense. But that was such a bad attempt at being cutting and witty it is hard to fathom. Nor is it accurate since i have never called for Clarke or Pyke to be sacked so that adds further to how lacking in wit it was.

I don't know if anybody has told you this before but you are not very bright. It is obvious from your posts that you are a very angry person, very immature, have a very thin skin and are a real low altitude flyer. You have an IQ lower than that of the average Deliveroo driver. You should stay well away from future attempts at humour.

 

[Bender_]

If somebody posts something witty i am totally fine laughing at it even if it is at my expense. But that was such a bad attempt at being cutting and witty it is hard to fathom. Nor is it accurate since i have never called for Clarke or Pyke to be sacked so that adds further to how lacking in wit it was.

I don't know if anybody has told you this before but you are not very bright. It is obvious from your posts that you are a very angry person, very immature, have a very thin skin and are a real low altitude flyer. You have an IQ lower than that of the average Deliveroo driver. You should stay well away from future attempts at humour.

 

[ToastieBoy18]

Interesting. Thanks for the answers.

I do understand that typically normal people work 9-5 etc etc.
Was more alluring to weekends etc, most people I know who exercise regularly still usually do it 1st thing even on weekends. I'm typically out the door between 5-6, gets it out of the way, and often not hot.

Dorothy, players arrive out on the track around 9am. They would arrive at the club between 6.30 and 7. Get strapped, meeting about training, warm up inside, before finally getting out on the oval at 9.

If they were to start at 7, that arrival time would have to be 5, meaning players are waking at 4am to get to training.

 

[Eastcoasteagle]

They did a study in the US with cyclists in 2010, testing training in the cold (12 degrees) vs extreme heat (40 degrees). They did testing of everyone in 12 deg for a while, then split into the 2 groups. One group continued training in 12 deg, the other trained in 40 deg. After couple of weeks training, both groups rejoined each other and competed in 12 deg C.
The study found dramatic results in favour of the ones training in the heat.

Pros for training in the cold (12 deg C) -
- Can train longer and burn more calories.

Neg -

• Obvious one but struggle to compete in the heat.
• feel hungry right away after training

Pros for training in the heat (40 deg C) -

• Sustained endurance training in the heat has one unusual benefit: It can help you perform better in cool weather, than those that always train in the cold.
• The heat-trained riders not only rode a whopping 6% faster in cool temperatures, but also produced 5% more aerobic power (measured as V̇o2max), 5% more power output at lactate threshold, and about 9.1% more cardiac output.
• Suppresses your appetite
• Can give you a mental edge—even if you’re only imagining it but it equates to confidence in yourself etc.

Neg -
- Cant train as long

Why the difference they think -
The study authors pointed out that the heat-trained cyclists had more plasma in their blood. Cardio exercise in the heat, ultimately comes down using blood for thermoregulation. When you’re exercising in the heat, you need to send blood to your muscles so you can keep exercising, and you need to send blood to your skin so you can cool, there may competition between the muscles and the skin for blood flow.

When your body senses that it doesn’t have enough blood to go around, it can create more plasma—and that can improve your performance when you’re in less scorching conditions. In turn, that increase in blood volume might stimulate the heart and increase the oxygen capacity of the blood.

So you're saying definitely put a pineapple on us winning the premiership?

 

[RookiePick]

You sank my battleship.

 

[bzparkes]

That doesn't explain why they have changed their minds and are looking to play him a position that minimises the value and impact of his main attribute. Is there a reason why they are reluctant to play him in the middle?

I doubt a second year player has the wind tank required to play on the wing either.

Other way around.

It's quite easy for 2nd year players to have the tank to run up and down the ground all game but it's a bigger issue when they don't have the size to compete for a full game at stoppage.

It's basically what made Harley so unique in that regard.

They also see him long term as a midfielder anyway, so better to get him up the ground earlier on, especially since Chesser's gone.

He could realistically player that Courtney Demspey role. He's already a very good runner but he's also very athletically gifted as well.

 

[THE A5]

So you're saying definitely put a pineapple on us winning the premiership?

As long as it’s not on a pizza, I can get on board with it

 

[bzparkes]

I don't know if anybody has told you this before but you are not very bright. It is obvious from your posts that you are a very angry person, very immature, have a very thin skin and are a real low altitude flyer. You have an IQ lower than that of the average Deliveroo driver. You should stay well away from future attempts at humour.

I have to admit, it's been a while since I've seen a burn this sick on this forum.

Good to cut them tall poppies down nice and early.

AmIRite Bender_?

 

[Keys]

I thought Bo Allan's big attribute was a big frame and his ability win contested possessions/clearances. And now all of a sudden we are planning to play him on the wing. Whats the story there? I am getting worried. Never a good sign when the coaching staff don't know what position to play a recent first round draftee and they end up shoehorning them into whatever position has the least number of other players competing for it.

That doesn't explain why they have changed their minds and are looking to play him a position that minimises the value and impact of his main attribute. Is there a reason why they are reluctant to play him in the middle?

I doubt a second year player has the wind tank required to play on the wing either.

Honestly think you’ve manufactured a problem in your own mind that doesn’t actually exist

Bo Allan does indeed have a big frame but he’s still only 19 and yet to mature physically enough to play a full time inside mid role, nor was he drafted specifically to play that position. In his draft year he was more the stereotypical half back with midfield potential that’s been a board meme for years

Last preseason he trained predominantly as a half back and was going well enough to be considered an outside chance of being a R1 debutant. Then he fell ill and lost several kilos and all his conditioning gains from what had been a very good preseason up to that point. Unfortunately, that illness derailed his season and he never got going again properly

He did eventually get his chance to play - as a half back

Don’t be despondent on his move to the wing as he has the attributes to succeed in that position. It doesn’t mean he won’t/can’t transition into a more inside role as his body develops the necessary core strength that would require

And I honestly don’t think it was ever intended for him to be playing as an inside extractor and certainly not this early in his career

So like I said you’re stressing over a problem of your own creation