Training 2026 Preseason

[Lach72]

Incidentally the Norf game in Bunbury went on sale today.

I missed the email yesterday and now it’s sold out, so if you didn’t get in you’re watching on telly with me

 

[chaosball32]

Since coming over, Jaeger has played 57 AFL games and 1 WAFL game, with his 1 WAFL game being last season when coming back from injury. If people are expecting him to play WAFL they are setting themselves up for disappointment

Since coming over, our record:

With JOM: 28-1-28 (49% win percentage)

Without JOM: 10-0-3 (77% win percentage)

Yeah yeah correlation ≠ causation and there are other factors in play but my point is you don’t just stick with what you know if you aren’t getting desired results. By your logic Banfield should be B23 lock again because he’s played 43/47 games in the past two seasons.

 

[CaseySibosadoHOF]

Since coming over, Jaeger has played 57 AFL games and 1 WAFL game, with his 1 WAFL game being last season when coming back from injury. If people are expecting him to play WAFL they are setting themselves up for disappointment

I think the end of this season you were seeing him slow down, and he had a long layoff. Sounds like he won't take losing his spot lying down - wouldn't expect any less + it's what you want out of senior players. But he's turning 32 and he's done well to get to 200 with his early career injuries. Whether it's 2026 or some other year, he's gonna hit the wall.

Aish was undroppable...until he wasn't. The idea that Fyfe at full fitness would be a permanent sub was unthinkable...until it wasn't. JOM's gonna hit the wall at some point, and as much as JL is thought of as a conservative coach, eventually JOM will lose his spot.

 

[freodog]

Incidentally the Norf game in Bunbury went on sale today.

I missed the email yesterday and now it’s sold out, so if you didn’t get in you’re watching on telly with me

When did we get an email? I didn't get anything

Obviously enough people knew about it to sell out

 

[Cappy71]

When did we get an email? I didn't get anything

Obviously enough people knew about it to sell out

Email went out yesterday. I had to get up at 4am to grab a ticket from the UK.

Make sure you have your freo account communications boxes all ticked. I missed the email with the SOO priority ticket code because mine weren't ticked

 

[freodog]

Email went out yesterday. I had to get up at 4am to grab a ticket from the UK.

Make sure you have your freo account communications boxes all ticked. I missed the email with the SOO priority ticket code because mine weren't ticked

That explains it. I couldn't figure out how to use my membership number to buy SOO tickets so I rang the membership team and got a code. I thought it weird at the time they didn't send it out to all members.

 

[E Shed]

So I really wanted to do an old school training report today and was under the fig trees, one of my genuine happy places in the world, when the players entered the hallowed south Freo turf but unfortunately I had to take a call from a client that required my full attention so my memory is limited to impressions and moments.

Lots of agility warmups running through the circle on the ground and jumping and pushups. Lots of short sprints and laps that had timed bursts and intermittent jogging.

Drills conducted in split off groups that focused on specific parts of transition with deliberate fatigue inducing bursts exercise in between to simulate match conditions of fatigue. There were exits from last line to half back, forward entries and ball movement by hand in simulated heavy midfield traffic.

The overall mood of the group was very vocal and upbeat and some good skills as well as errors on display.

I really didn’t notice much from specific players other than:

Amiss mostly ran laps, a lot & was almost always leading every group he was in. He was moving very nicely. He did some kick to kick with Serong with both players using only non preferred side and he has a decent right foot for a lefty.

Serong is a very solid unit these days and a real driver of standards. He spent some time in the forward group doing drills.

Walker was used as the last receiver exiting D50 and was often the player hitting up forwards with varying degrees of accuracy.

Hugh Davis was last line in defensive drills and looks a steady if unspectacular player with a cool head. Yes he had a hat.

Kickett looks very determined and was running powerfully in the laps.

Shai actually looked to be carrying a bit of extra weight around his midriff although that may be his natural build. I wouldn’t say he’s all that enthusiastic about running but I suppose he doesn’t have anything to prove.

Reid was running powerfully and just doesn’t make mistakes. He looks very determined.

Voss and Treacy are ripped as fook and both stand out for leadership and attitude in everything. They were among the group taking their running snaps from the 50 when the free jam was on at the end and they both sank more than they missed.
Other players were taking their snaps running sideways at goal from closer with mixed results.

Cox of the Mason variety is very enthusiastic but in the rear of all the running and definitely feeling the calisthenics. His goal kicking at the end was exemplary.

Draper looked a million bucks with the ball and is moving well.

Jacko and Freddy ran a lot and looked happy. He’s one of those guys that seems to enjoy everything. Freddy is ripped AF.

Brennan Cox

36

Brennan Cox

Age

27

Ht

195cm

Wt

97kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.1

3star

K

5.8

2star

HB

5.3

4star

M

4.2

4star

T

2.1

4star

MG

182.8

3star

D

12.3

3star

K

7.5

3star

HB

4.8

3star

M

4.0

4star

T

1.0

2star

MG

182.8

3star

D

11.0

3star

K

5.8

3star

HB

5.2

4star

M

4.2

4star

T

1.8

4star

looks as fit as I’ve ever seen him and it was good seeing Luke Ryan moving freely without grimacing.

Clark’s running was from the front and moving fast.

I couldn’t distinguish a lot of players under hats. There was one player with very blond hair that I’m reasonably certain isn’t Young or Sharp who looked good with the ball and a short kid who looked about 14.

Sweid is a little nugget, unfortunately didn’t see him with the ball.

It was a short, sharp session and I didn’t see quite a few players but that doesn’t mean they weren’t there. Like I said I was having to focus quite intently on my call.

I was just wrapped to be there. I love Freo oval and the atmosphere of summer training.

Like I said the mood was very upbeat and players looked very happy to be out there again.

 

[Daddoo]

Hugh Davis was last line in defensive drills and looks a steady if unspectacular player with a cool head. Yes he had a hat.

omg, finally a hat report. I haven't been sleeping well since preseason began without knowing this crucial information! Finally someone reports on the important stuff and not just the bla bla bla of who's TTHD, looking fit, running hard.

You're a legend. Thank you for the training report. I hope the call went well considering what it took you away from!

 

[Knees of Ben Allan]

Incidentally the Norf game in Bunbury went on sale today.

I missed the email yesterday and now it’s sold out, so if you didn’t get in you’re watching on telly with me

Better stock up your fridge, Mr 72.

 

[Stevooo3940]

We seem to really prioritise leadership and experience, on account of average team age. Not saying I agree with it; I'm pretty firmly on the record backing in Johnno and Ras. But keep in mind, if JOM is out this year, and Banners is displaced by McVee, our average age probably steps backwards.

I dont think this team needs Jeager for the experience factor anymore. Caleb is 25 this year, Snea 26. They have played over 300 games combined and have been at the coalface for this team for many years now. Add to that, the leadership of Treacy, Pearce, Switta, Ryan and Clark as well as premiership players in Jackson, Bolton and Cox. That is half a team that can provide similar, if not better, leadership due to either their past experiences of winning flags at other clubs or simply leading by example than what Jeager can offer. In saying that, if Jeager can rediscover form that earns him a spot, then im happy to have him. MC neds to choose best available at all times. Not based on average age! This team is ready to pop and players like Treacy, McVee, Amiss, Reid, Voss, Chappy, NOD, Johnno and Raz all have potential to go to the next level if we just back them in.

 

[theGav56]

I think the end of this season you were seeing him slow down, and he had a long layoff. Sounds like he won't take losing his spot lying down - wouldn't expect any less + it's what you want out of senior players. But he's turning 32 and he's done well to get to 200 with his early career injuries. Whether it's 2026 or some other year, he's gonna hit the wall.

Aish was undroppable...until he wasn't. The idea that Fyfe at full fitness would be a permanent sub was unthinkable...until it wasn't. JOM's gonna hit the wall at some point, and as much as JL is thought of as a conservative coach, eventually JOM will lose his spot.

Aish was un-droppable until he got to 100 games.

 

[E Shed]

Aish was un-droppable until he got to 100 games.

I thought Aish was still a better player than O'Meara when he got dropped.
Similar ability (O'Meara obviously the better before injury) and I guess both pretty reliable without being game breakers.
To be fair O'Meara has shown moments of doing exceptional things just not often enough.
I guess you could say the same of Aish.

 

[Eski3]

Since coming over, our record:

With JOM: 28-1-28 (49% win percentage)

Without JOM: 10-0-3 (77% win percentage)

Yeah yeah correlation ≠ causation and there are other factors in play but my point is you don’t just stick with what you know if you aren’t getting desired results. By your logic Banfield should be B23 lock again because he’s played 43/47 games in the past two seasons.

I wasn't trying to comment on whether he should be dropped, more so as to whether he will. And I think it's pretty obvious that he won't

 

[Mags98]

I thought Aish was still a better player than O'Meara when he got dropped.
Similar ability (O'Meara obviously the better before injury) and I guess both pretty reliable without being game breakers.
To be fair O'Meara has shown moments of doing exceptional things just not often enough.
I guess you could say the same of Aish.

aish was crapola for a good while before getting the boot, dont think JOM has ever been that bad so far.

 

[Knees of Ben Allan]

I thought Aish was still a better player than O'Meara when he got dropped.
Similar ability (O'Meara obviously the better before injury) and I guess both pretty reliable without being game breakers.
To be fair O'Meara has shown moments of doing exceptional things just not often enough.
I guess you could say the same of Aish.

I was a fan of Aish. Came here and did a job with little fanfare. And left with little of it, either. A key component to our finals run in 22 as a utility.

 

[Taylor]

If Freo's midfield is:
Darcy, Jackson, Serong, Brayshaw, Young, O'Meara, Johnson, Erasmus, Bolton, Reid, O'Driscoll

Then that list in order of games played experience:

O'Meara 200
Brayshaw 170
Bolton 158
Serong 127
Darcy 127
Jackson 119
Young 89
Johnson 55
Erasmus 39
O'Driscoll 38
Reid 24

That would be the reason O'Meara is in the picture.

 

[freo_leo29]

If Freo's midfield is:
Darcy, Jackson, Serong, Brayshaw, Young, O'Meara, Johnson, Erasmus, Bolton, Reid, O'Driscoll

Then that list in order of games played experience:

O'Meara 200
Brayshaw 170
Bolton 158
Serong 127
Darcy 127
Jackson 119
Young 89
Johnson 55
Erasmus 39
O'Driscoll 38
Reid 24

That would be the reason O'Meara is in the picture.

I'd argue there is no reason to include him with the next 5 being in their primes now, that's plenty enough

 

[Stevooo3940]

I'd argue there is no reason to include him with the next 5 being in their primes now, that's plenty enough

And Young having as good a temperament as anyone ever, regardless of his lack of games played. I'd argue that list below him is the very reason he will be left out of the picture. I would be as happy as anyone for him to rediscover some early career form and lead from the front though!

 

[Taylor]

I'd argue there is no reason to include him with the next 5 being in their primes now, that's plenty enough

It's not a bounce of Darcy, Serong, Brayshaw, O'Meara that I'd expect to see him in, it's the one where he is lining up with one or two of Erasmus, Johnson, Reid or O'Driscoll

 

[theGav56]

I was a fan of Aish. Came here and did a job with little fanfare. And left with little of it, either. A key component to our finals run in 22 as a utility.

Me too, but he was pretty ordinary at the end, and I really think they 'managed' him to the 100.

Any chance JOM gets another year to achieve the same?





.......oh, the melts!

 

[theGav56]

I'm on the side of the discussion that doesn't want O'Meara as a locked in senior player.

The temperament of the coach makes me think he will include O'Meara at almost every opportunity.

Either way, I don't think it will impact the season. It's a nil-all draw.

 

[Taylor]

Me too, but he was pretty ordinary at the end, and I really think they 'managed' him to the 100.

Any chance JOM gets another year to achieve the same?





.......oh, the melts!

O'Meara hasn't played 100 games for anyone yet but seems to me like the sort of dad who would turn Julian into a father son weapon with amazing habits and elite kicking.

It's a long term list management choice to play him until he gets to 100 games for Fremantle.

43 to go.

 

[theGav56]

O'Meara hasn't played 100 games for anyone yet but seems to me like the sort of dad who would turn Julian into a father son weapon with amazing habits and elite kicking.

It's a long term list management choice to play him until he gets to 100 games for Fremantle.

43 to go.

If he is actually best 23, no complaints from me.

 

[Stevooo3940]

O'Meara hasn't played 100 games for anyone yet but seems to me like the sort of dad who would turn Julian into a father son weapon with amazing habits and elite kicking.

It's a long term list management choice to play him until he gets to 100 games for Fremantle.

43 to go.

Im all for this vision. 4D chess... Wheel this guy out for the next two years pls. Alternatively, play him against bottom 5 teams for the next 4 years

 

[Purple Suit]

I'm on the side of the discussion that doesn't want O'Meara as a locked in senior player.

The temperament of the coach makes me think he will include O'Meara at almost every opportunity.

Either way, I don't think it will impact the season. It's a nil-all draw.

Hopefully he's not locked in but I think the team is going to be selected on winning that week. O'Meara is probably going to be better than a rookie and at least get first crack at it, unless Walls has picked up the 2026 version of Murphy Reid.