Training 2026 Off-Season & Preseason reports and discussion

[Gohawks16]

Milky laid a fantastic tackle in one of the drills I think on Battle. Probably his play of the day

Who's Milky?

 

[TheFourPillars]

Who's Milky?

Ethan Stanley a former Box Hill and Fremantle player I think he is playing somewhere else this year if he doesn't get picked up by us. He is training with us with a chance for an SSP place.

 

[cryptor]

Shorts and t-shirt weather in Melbourne? How crazy.

Everyone accounted for today, even Perez, apart from Calsh who may have been inside somewhere.

Day, Newk, Sic, JUH and Karl mostly doing running on the wing as part of the modified/rehab group.
Mclaughlin looked to have tweaked an ankle/foot and went off the ground to the new medicos shed before heading upstairs.

Croc was up about today, in a particular contest drill in the pocket where a stoppage was being played he shimmied around his two opponents and wrong footed Battle in another to clear the ball, to JB's disgust.

Wardy just continues to put his best foot forward, in the same drill as above, he contested the stoppage, put a smother on his opponent, stealing the ball in that moment before running away and getting the clearing kick. I think he touched on how disappointed he was with how the season ended, and for him personally and it looks like it's really driving him.

Special mention to Hilly today, who really pushed himself in the running and was up near the front of the oval length runs, which had all the assistants and players really getting over to him and patting him on the back. Greeves too was getting a lot of encouragement which saw him have a much improved running session before he and the other draftees sat out the last few sets.

Perez had a nice shiny pair of bright green boots which allowed for him to be spotted and watched. He has a neat kick and is taller than I thought he'd be. He had a good first session with the boys who all got around him.

Ramma and McCabe really put in when it came to the interval running, with Ramma streaking ahead of everyone as they ran from wing to wing, after doing the end to end stuff. The 30 second rest between each set allowed for players to get their breath, but it was increasingly hard work for them all to get up for the next run and finish it off.

Earlier on in the day Schu, Lewis and McCabe were playing as a 3 pronged forward line in a drill, timing their leads and working on their leading patterns. Schu came in for special treatment from Gunners, who coached him constantly, even getting Schu to step out his exact movements and how he both moves, doubles back and then showing Schu how each pattern allows for Jack to open a leading space and a window of opportunity for the kicker. Jack was brilliant and barely left Schu's side. He could then be seen doing similar with Nairn a few moments later.

Lewis is looking extremely fit and I think after his second half of 2025 being about him getting back to some form and feel at AFL level, he's going to be like a new recruit in 2026.

Ginni was reading the ball off the hands today like we have come to expect and slotting them with ease. His field kicking also chefs kiss. I've said this already, but he's looking very trim.

Ever see a truck in traffic that cant see the little mazda 121 beside it when it's merging? Recipe for disaster. Unfortunately this was the case with Noodle and cody today under a high ball, with Noodle having eyes only for the drop zone, not noticing that the little 121(cody) was about to be ploughed through. Cody took the hit, got up a bit slowly, but shook it off within a minute.

Finn's still building into the preseason and he's wearing a protective layer under his singlet but I dare say he is training the house down, and was Ginnivan-esque with some of his work close to goal today.

Moorey is really training with intent and looks like he's in for a big year. He is a pace setter and a standard setter out on the park and looks primed for a big 2026.
Mraz still has his moments with his kicking, but his intensity at training cannot be questioned. If there is a body to be hit, a ball to be spoilt or a tackle to be made he's hitting it at 100%. He looks like a player to watch, and I can understand why the club are so bullish on him.

Love the Mazda 121 reference. My siblings and I all learned to drive in one and I spent the first year on my P’s driving it around.

Hated it at the time because of how uncool it looked. In retrospect it was great. Ran on the smell of an oily rag, never broke down despite all the abuse, and it was so small and undesirable for thieves you could park it anywhere.

Miss the little mean green jellybean.

 

[Gohawks16]

Ethan Stanley a former Box Hill and Fremantle player I think he is playing somewhere else this year if he doesn't get picked up by us. He is training with us with a chance for an SSP place.

Thanks, yeah l know who Stanley is but l had no idea regarding the nickname. I'm not really up to speed with the nicknames apart from the obvious ones.
Not sure if the Hawks will pick him up, they have obviously seen him close up all year and he would know the system well. Could be worth a shot.

 

[The Golden Glenferrie]

Thanks, yeah l know who Stanley is but l had no idea regarding the nickname. I'm not really up to speed with the nicknames apart from the obvious ones.
Not sure if the Hawks will pick him up, they have obviously seen him close up all year and he would know the system well. Could be worth a shot.

Stanley probably more of a need than Perez, but either would be good for me.

Not a Declase fan

 

[Blackhawk42]

He could then be seen doing similar with Nairn a few moments later.

I manifested this for about 5 weeks leading into the draft. It's actually surreal that it's come to fruition haha.

 

[matey]

Shorts and t-shirt weather in Melbourne? How crazy.

Everyone accounted for today, even Perez, apart from Calsh who may have been inside somewhere.

Day, Newk, Sic, JUH and Karl mostly doing running on the wing as part of the modified/rehab group.
Mclaughlin looked to have tweaked an ankle/foot and went off the ground to the new medicos shed before heading upstairs.

Croc was up about today, in a particular contest drill in the pocket where a stoppage was being played he shimmied around his two opponents and wrong footed Battle in another to clear the ball, to JB's disgust.

Wardy just continues to put his best foot forward, in the same drill as above, he contested the stoppage, put a smother on his opponent, stealing the ball in that moment before running away and getting the clearing kick. I think he touched on how disappointed he was with how the season ended, and for him personally and it looks like it's really driving him.

Special mention to Hilly today, who really pushed himself in the running and was up near the front of the oval length runs, which had all the assistants and players really getting over to him and patting him on the back. Greeves too was getting a lot of encouragement which saw him have a much improved running session before he and the other draftees sat out the last few sets.

Perez had a nice shiny pair of bright green boots which allowed for him to be spotted and watched. He has a neat kick and is taller than I thought he'd be. He had a good first session with the boys who all got around him.

Ramma and McCabe really put in when it came to the interval running, with Ramma streaking ahead of everyone as they ran from wing to wing, after doing the end to end stuff. The 30 second rest between each set allowed for players to get their breath, but it was increasingly hard work for them all to get up for the next run and finish it off.

Earlier on in the day Schu, Lewis and McCabe were playing as a 3 pronged forward line in a drill, timing their leads and working on their leading patterns. Schu came in for special treatment from Gunners, who coached him constantly, even getting Schu to step out his exact movements and how he both moves, doubles back and then showing Schu how each pattern allows for Jack to open a leading space and a window of opportunity for the kicker. Jack was brilliant and barely left Schu's side. He could then be seen doing similar with Nairn a few moments later.

Lewis is looking extremely fit and I think after his second half of 2025 being about him getting back to some form and feel at AFL level, he's going to be like a new recruit in 2026.

Ginni was reading the ball off the hands today like we have come to expect and slotting them with ease. His field kicking also chefs kiss. I've said this already, but he's looking very trim.

Ever see a truck in traffic that cant see the little mazda 121 beside it when it's merging? Recipe for disaster. Unfortunately this was the case with Noodle and cody today under a high ball, with Noodle having eyes only for the drop zone, not noticing that the little 121(cody) was about to be ploughed through. Cody took the hit, got up a bit slowly, but shook it off within a minute.

Finn's still building into the preseason and he's wearing a protective layer under his singlet but I dare say he is training the house down, and was Ginnivan-esque with some of his work close to goal today.

Moorey is really training with intent and looks like he's in for a big year. He is a pace setter and a standard setter out on the park and looks primed for a big 2026.
Mraz still has his moments with his kicking, but his intensity at training cannot be questioned. If there is a body to be hit, a ball to be spoilt or a tackle to be made he's hitting it at 100%. He looks like a player to watch, and I can understand why the club are so bullish on him.

Great report SYL and re Moore, Ward and Croc all coming back training really well they all seem to be on a mission …… will be interesting to see over the coming weeks who will put their hand up for more midfield time but I think it will be more of a case where it will be shared across a few with rotations

Mass has come back in ripping shape.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Fantastic summation. You've nicely covered everything I saw, and more.

Only thing I could add is there were a couple of umpires there today watching on, especially the tackling drills, and providing feedback - presumably on the new interpretations.

Also, apart from Calsher, I couldn't spot BMac the whole morning despite looking for him - don't think he was out there.

I tried to have a kick with my son afterwards and the wind was insane, had to allow for it in the ball drop not just the kick. The players' skills are astonishing considering.

Was on the fence when a few of the lads were taking shots early on. Young Schu after a very deliberate approach on his natural right foot puts it across the face and out on the full. Sicily behind him asks "Oh mate are you a left footer?" Schu totally misses that it's a little dig and answers earnestly that no, he's in fact a right footer. Sicily turns to the player behind him and they share an "oh no" look of embarrassment for the kid. Sicily then nails his two shots, one banana and one drop punt in that ridiculous breeze.

I have to agree. They've all certainly adapted to the conditions quite well, the kicking today was excellent for the most part.

BMac wasn't out there now that you mention it, you're right.

 

[Yuley95]

Great report SYL and re Moore, Ward and Croc all coming back training really well they all seem to be on a mission …… will be interesting to see over the coming weeks who will put their hand up for more midfield time but I think it will be more of a case where it will be shared across a few with rotations

Mass has come back in ripping shape.

View attachment 2490890

Someone’s not skipping leg day. Holy moley

 

[BigLittleHawk]

Thanks!! I love this one.

I've been struggling for my Supercoach team name for next year. Always go with a hawks pun. Prefer a player who might get a few more games but this will work!

Past highlights have been Spango Unchained, Hodge Breath Cafe, Barrassic Park, Full Weddle Jacket, Vickery Dickery Dock, Burton Ernie, Birchall Reality. Tattswatto....

Welsh stuffed me as I was going to go with Back, Zach & Crack had we got that one through.

If anyone can come up with a funny one for Dear or Massimo I would be grateful!

Massimortal

 

[MasterSamurai]

The Dear Hunter?

 

[CHUBBSS]

Great report SYL and re Moore, Ward and Croc all coming back training really well they all seem to be on a mission …… will be interesting to see over the coming weeks who will put their hand up for more midfield time but I think it will be more of a case where it will be shared across a few with rotations

Mass has come back in ripping shape.

View attachment 2490890

No easy list spots this year, his going to need to raise his bar again, hopefully will mean he can find 1/2 goals a game

 

[Elhawko]

Massimortal

Body mass index? Mass destruction?

 

[Dewnior]

Who's Milky?

 

[arupist]

The Dear Hunter?

I shot Bambi.

 

[Dewnior]

Thanks!! I love this one.

I've been struggling for my Supercoach team name for next year. Always go with a hawks pun. Prefer a player who might get a few more games but this will work!

Past highlights have been Spango Unchained, Hodge Breath Cafe, Barrassic Park, Full Weddle Jacket, Vickery Dickery Dock, Burton Ernie, Birchall Reality. Tattswatto....

Welsh stuffed me as I was going to go with Back, Zach & Crack had we got that one through.

If anyone can come up with a funny one for Dear or Massimo I would be grateful!

Massimogration

 

[AlwaysHawks15]

I keep forgetting about Butler. He had a ripping last month to the 2025 season - IMO, it was the first time he showed characteristics that belonged at AFL level.

Honestly feel like he should be our run with player at AFL level moving forward. The Zac Butters matchup as an example. Leave Nash to be more aggressive and attacking like he was in the prelim. Use Nash for the Cripps type matchups only the big beast midfielders.

 

[AlwaysHawks15]

This also stood out to me when I went for a look around, along with a barren feel about it. Hopefully they have a tree planting plan including fast growing windbreaks.

No different to houses built in new estates, the initial phase there's nothing but some houses with no environment around it. Eventually things get incorporated around them though, trees, playgrounds, community type facilities etc. Give it time it's going to become a social hub for the area. It's the first stage we are in at the moment.

 

[Hawker399]

Who at this stage do you guys want as the SSP?

 

[BigLittleHawk]

Perez for something different. We know what the other potentials will bring.

 

[Jane Doe]

Who at this stage do you guys want as the SSP?

Stanley for me

 

[stemline]

I think we saw something in Stanley when he was a kid at Box Hill with potential. Really nice mover - runs a bit like Joel Smith. But Freo took him mid-season draft. However he didn't last long there. Came back but hasn't really progressed despite being in an AFL system. For mine I don't see it with him. Foot skills/decision making a little suspect.

McLaughlin looks quite a talent, but he's that [PLAYERCARD]Fergus Greene[/PLAYERCARD] size, a bit in-between, despite like Ferg playing as the go-to forward in his VFL team. Has excellent goal sense and forward craft, also a great set shot. But is he a list need? He looked shattered when he came off the track injured. Hopefully not too serious, he would know he needs to make every post a winner.

Perez I haven't seen much but he looks pretty quick and quite a nice size. As per SYL above, he looked a bit taller at training than I expected, took quite a few nice solid grabs in the defensive marking drills they were doing. Skills look neat. On a very limited viewing, he's probably my preferred - Might just be recency bias and I haven't spotted his flaws yet. But as such, he's the best bet to shift the needle as a mid, albeit a long shot.

 

[TheFourPillars]

Milky struggled with his defensive side in games for Box hill this year.

 

[2008wasoverDEW!]

Who at this stage do you guys want as the SSP?

Purely from yesterday's session Perez was the standout. I didn't realise who he was at first, as others have already mentioned, he looks taller than expected.
His marking was a real highlight, whilst his kicking was precise in windy conditions.

 

[The Golden Glenferrie]

Milky struggled with his defensive side in games for Box hill this year.

Lucky we don't want him to defend much. Did Isaac Smith ever defend?