Training 2026 Pre-Season Training - reports, pics etc

[swuzzlebubble]

This exactly, being asked to kick 55 metres onto a dinner plate by your only target will not come off often. Teams with apparently great kicking skills rarely ask players to do that, they have the capacity to have players running into space and offering a simple kick.

I like Ollie but it's the 20m bullets straight to the opposition that frustrate me.
Sometimes it's lack of connection with the recipient - they get wrong footed or whatever, or sometimes he's slightly on his wrong side and tries to kind of kick an outswinger.

 

[Opium]

Any update from the training reports about our kick-in strategy for next season? This has been a serious deficiency for a number of years- too slow, too predictable and using Saad has robbed us of run from half-back.

This has been an issue for years. Glaring lack of tactics and game plan.

 

[Red_man2008]

Any update from the training reports about our kick-in strategy for next season? This has been a serious deficiency for a number of years- too slow, too predictable and using Saad has robbed us of run from half-back.

Not as bad statistically as people think. We were ranked 4th in the afl for def50 to fwd50 launches. Our problem was scoring once we got it in there. Which drops down to 12th for def50 to scoring. So once again connection is the issue here not our kick in strategy.

However we are last for playing on from a kick in (77%). Which is, outside of Geelong, 10% back from the rest of the league or 15% worse than league average.

 

[blues4flag]

Not as bad statistically as people think. We were ranked 4th in the afl for def50 to fwd50 launches. Our problem was scoring once we got it in there. Which drops down to 12th for def50 to scoring. So once again connection is the issue here not our kick in strategy.

However we are last for playing on from a kick in (77%). Which is, outside of Geelong, 10% back from the rest of the league or 15% worse than league average.

Yep. Was a glaring issues in 2024 but much less so this season.

 

[norway blue]

Agree with all of that.

The session went for about 2 and a half hours - fair bit of match sim and skills work, ie kicking drills. It's something which has been discussed on here a fair bit, but there was a definite focus on kicking.

It was kind of weird though not seeing Curnow or Silvagni or TDK out there, and a whole bunch of fresh faces. Overall, we do look fairly short even with Phillips, Riley and Paea out there from our VFL.

Just a few random observations for this time of year:

• Reidy is one massive unit. Our ruck is a different look without TDK there -we now have 3 bash and crash brothers with him, Pitto and HOK. No doubt the focus for them this year will be to provide the contest - whether in ruck or up forward.
• Saad and Florent looked good across half back in the match sim...and keep a lookout for Billy, reckon he's found another gear and now looks more comfortable at this level. Think he'll be the successor to Saad, fingers crossed. Special mention to Gov who was also playing back in defence.
• Elijah was the clear standout today - maybe partially because I was looking for him, but his kicking on either side is outstanding, and has uncanny spatial awareness. Stood out in the match sim, and dominated the repeat running drills.
• I agree with Chloe - Cow has got a bit of presence to him, could be the new tatts, but he's a bit of a beast.
• We have to re-sign Walsh as a priority. Good to see him in full pre-season training rather than running laps. Outstanding today in the match sim and looked to be moving freely.
• Campo boys looked much better in the kicking drills than this time last year. The 2 Irish boys do seem to struggle just a little though - still doesn't look natural for them with the oval ball. You feel it's make or break for them this year.
• Reckon Harry D's gonna be a beauty when he's fully matured - loved his aggression at the ball, and composed by foot. I also liked the look of Chesser on a wing - if he can stay fit, we may have got ourselves a bit of a bargain there.
• Jagga took part in most of the drills/match sim. He's still incredibly light, and noticed he got easily pushed away from the contest on a few occassions. I could see his role more as the first receiver than on the inside.
• George is gonna have another cracking season.

Like I said in an earlier post, it's hard to take it all in with separate groups simultaneously undertaking drills all over the ground - your eyes are darting in every direction like Marty Feldman trying to take everything in. Similarly in the match sim, you're trying to watch both sides at the same time - as opposed to when you're watch a proper H&A game, where you're concentrating on your own side and couldn't give a flying fornication about the other mob.

Thankyou very much for the report.

 

[katmanblue]

This has been an issue for years. Glaring lack of tactics and game plan.

We have had ONE kinda/sorta set play from a kick in. Overload the boundary then as a decoy to clear space. And then kick it long to Cripps in the middle.

Thats what last year's brains trust came up with

Zero plans to go end to end.

Edit: a current player told me this when I asked about set plays from kick ins. Response was something like: Not really...oh, we have the one where we kick it to Cripps in the middle.

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

All I want to see is a few games of Boyd taking every kick in and a few set plays using his rare kicking talent to our advantage.

I'm a big fan of Ollie, but watching games last year and seeing him taking kick ins ahead of players like Boyd and Carroll when they were in the team hurt my brain.

Hopefully with the trimmed down physique we can see him return to the team in some capacity. Can't help but feel we've wasted the traits he brings so far in his career.

 

[agro]

Any update from the training reports about our kick-in strategy for next season? This has been a serious deficiency for a number of years- too slow, too predictable and using Saad has robbed us of run from half-back.

I haven’t seen us with an innovative kick in strategy since 1995.

 

[Bamboo Harvester]

Thankyou very much for the report.

I actually forgot to mention something from the last open training session.

By the end of the session there were literally only about 20 people still remaining when the players were warming down on the ground and having some shots at goal.

There was a family - Mum, Dad and 2 little tackers wearing their Blues merch - sitting right up at the fence in the sun, patiently waiting for the players to hopefully come over so they could get their photo/selfies etc.

Vossy must have spotted them from out on the ground, basically walked the length of the ground to come over and have a chat with them. Next thing, he's invited them out onto the ground, and the little boy and girl were having a kick with some of the players. So as the players were heading back into the indoor facilty, Vossy's taken them under his wing into the facilty no doubt to meet the rest of the players.

Thought that was a really nice touch by our coach.

 

[norway blue]

I actually forgot to mention something from the last open training session.

By the end of the session there were literally only about 20 people still remaining when the players were warming down on the ground and having some shots at goal.

There was a family - Mum, Dad and 2 little tackers wearing their Blues merch - sitting right up at the fence in the sun, patiently waiting for the players to hopefully come over so they could get their photo/selfies etc.

Vossy must have spotted them from out on the ground, basically walked the length of the ground to come over and have a chat with them. Next thing, he's invited them out onto the ground, and the little boy and girl were having a kick with some of the players. So as the players were heading back into the indoor facilty, Vossy's taken them under his wing into the facilty no doubt to meet the rest of the players.

Thought that was a really nice touch by our coach.

Fantastic Bam.

 

[The Bighouse]

Fantastic Bam.

Not bad by Vossy too!

 

[AndyLucimitis]

I haven’t seen us with an innovative kick in strategy since 1995.

You didn’t like Ratten inspired strategy - Heath Scotland holds the ball above his head, and then kick short until ball gets turned over to the opposition.

 

[BlueBugs]

Yep. Was a glaring issues in 2024 but much less so this season.

We were 13th for points from kick-ins in 2024 with 125 points. In 2025 we were also 13th, with 131 points. Still a glaring issue for mine.

 

[gbatman]

I think a lot of what has been discussed is less about tactics and more about not having enough good defensive targets forward of the ball.

We haven't had a great deal of midfielders who are great in open play. We have been playing too many forwards based on their ability to get behind the ball and take up space and rack up big KMs or play defensive roles but have very little ability to get involved in offensive play when we have the ball.

Ball movement, connection. Whatever you want to call it, it all comes from the players ability to run hard and smart and read the game so they make space and present as good options but also have the talent to be that good option as well so even when under defensive pressure we can go to them and more often than not win the ball or break even and we haven't had that. That and haven enough players in the side from around and behind the ball who have the pace to carry the ball to break down zone defences and the skill to hit the more difficult targets by foot.

I think that now Voss has the players to do it, we will see better ball movement and better movement out of defence. I still don't think our onball group is enough improved but our forward and defencive group is vastly improved so this will make a difference.

You have to have the players before you have the tactics. We are still getting there.

 

[dangertroy]

I think a lot of what has been discussed is less about tactics and more about not having enough good defensive targets forward of the ball.

We haven't had a great deal of midfielders who are great in open play. We have been playing too many forwards based on their ability to get behind the ball and take up space and rack up big KMs or play defensive roles but have very little ability to get involved in offensive play when we have the ball.

Ball movement, connection. Whatever you want to call it, it all comes from the players ability to run hard and smart and read the game so they make space and present as good options but also have the talent to be that good option as well so even when under defensive pressure we can go to them and more often than not win the ball or break even and we haven't had that. That and haven enough players in the side from around and behind the ball who have the pace to carry the ball to break down zone defences and the skill to hit the more difficult targets by foot.

I think that now Voss has the players to do it, we will see better ball movement and better movement out of defence. I still don't think our onball group is enough improved but our forward and defencive group is vastly improved so this will make a difference.

You have to have the players before you have the tactics. We are still getting there.

We’ve bemoaned our disposal efficiency for ages. Half of an effective disposal is in the receiving of it, and for years we’ve not positioned ourselves to either take it cleanly, or to not be under pressure as soon as we receive it. The contested style we’ve played relies on players being close to their opponent. We’ve backed ourselves into winning contests, but it’s at the expense of space, and therefore time, to create better options. Hopefully the changes we’ve made in the forward half give us that bit more space to create more options, without sacrificing our ability to apply pressure on their defenders when required.

 

[KJP7]

It basically boils down to skills doesn't it. The good teams are well drilled and can execute their skills under pressure which opens up the game for them. Look at the Hawks, they're great by both hand and food which significantly improves their decision making.

I think we've historically got caught up in the theory, and then when the heat comes on in matches we fold because we haven't got the confidence or skill to stand up to the pressure.

I hate to bring him up on this board but look at N Daicos, he has sublime skills, and that's partly because he's constantly got a football in his hands around the club working on his touch.

 

[Blue and Silver]

It basically boils down to skills doesn't it. The good teams are well drilled and can execute their skills under pressure which opens up the game for them. Look at the Hawks, they're great by both hand and food which significantly improves their decision making.

I think we've historically got caught up in the theory, and then when the heat comes on in matches we fold because we haven't got the confidence or skill to stand up to the pressure.

I hate to bring him up on this board but look at N Daicos, he has sublime skills, and that's partly because he's constantly got a football in his hands around the club working on his touch.

Skills are one side of the coin.

The other side is structure and game sense.

Hard to pass to a guy who is out of position or completely covered by their man.

Being in the right spot at the right time is an art.

Thankfully we have brought in some smarter forwards to address this.

 

[DirtyLeeds]

I haven’t seen us with an innovative kick in strategy since 1995.

I'd go as far back as to when The Great Man would kick it over the head of the running Kenny Hunter who'd run it to the wing and put it down the leading Buzz or Sellers throat. A shot on goal in three kicks.

 

[gbatman]

We’ve bemoaned our disposal efficiency for ages. Half of an effective disposal is in the receiving of it, and for years we’ve not positioned ourselves to either take it cleanly, or to not be under pressure as soon as we receive it. The contested style we’ve played relies on players being close to their opponent. We’ve backed ourselves into winning contests, but it’s at the expense of space, and therefore time, to create better options. Hopefully the changes we’ve made in the forward half give us that bit more space to create more options, without sacrificing our ability to apply pressure on their defenders when required.

You are right.

Three things make an effective kick. The quality of the target, the vision of the kicker and the skill of the kicker. You could even add a fourth thing in there, pace, as quick players can make up more ground, hence are easier to kick to and when they have the ball they can use their pace to give themselves time and take the pressure off their disposal.

These are all areas we have been weak in. It's easy to say we are a poor kicking side. But the trickier question is why. What fundamental aspects of being able to generate a successful kick are we poor at? Answer is all of them.

That poor congested and contested game style comes from multiple ares. The players we have can not play an open uncontested game. We wouldn't win many games that way and we would get thrashed a lot, we don't have the pace and agility for it. The next question is why don't we have the players? Coach is the main reason. We have seen it countless over the years where he has picked slow contested types over quicker players. Look at the team changes going in and during the 2023 finals campaign, he offloaded the quicker players for the more contested player and we ended up winning two games on luck and got well beaten in our final game by a side that ran all over us and we have been run all over by sides ever since. So the coach's team selection and direction to list management has been the big issue in creating a list that struggles to play modern football. We are trying to change that, Wright has to be one of the bigger drivers with this, things have changed since his arrival.

Voss direction to list management and the game style that has been created has been around contested players and ball magnets. The better sides have been about balanced players with good pace and agility and kicking skills, moulding the list and game style around this and using these traits to attack and apply pressure. We are remoulding in a hurry. I think we have been successful in fixing a few things but there is work to be done.

I think we will have plenty of good wins where we look like a million bucks but I think there will be a few teams that make us look like witches hats in the middle and run all over us. We now have to player to play modern football against most teams but not all teams. But I expect us to vastly improve and play finals. We aren't a young side full of kids, we are a mature side with plenty of talent and depth and we should expect that from us.

 

[JuddgementDay]

You are right.

Three things make an effective kick. The quality of the target, the vision of the kicker and the skill of the kicker. You could even add a fourth thing in there, pace, as quick players can make up more ground, hence are easier to kick to and when they have the ball they can use their pace to give themselves time and take the pressure off their disposal.

These are all areas we have been weak in. It's easy to say we are a poor kicking side. But the trickier question is why. What fundamental aspects of being able to generate a successful kick are we poor at? Answer is all of them.

That poor congested and contested game style comes from multiple ares. The players we have can not play an open uncontested game. We wouldn't win many games that way and we would get thrashed a lot, we don't have the pace and agility for it. The next question is why don't we have the players? Coach is the main reason. We have seen it countless over the years where he has picked slow contested types over quicker players. Look at the team changes going in and during the 2023 finals campaign, he offloaded the quicker players for the more contested player and we ended up winning two games on luck and got well beaten in our final game by a side that ran all over us and we have been run all over by sides ever since. So the coach's team selection and direction to list management has been the big issue in creating a list that struggles to play modern football. We are trying to change that, Wright has to be one of the bigger drivers with this, things have changed since his arrival.

Voss direction to list management and the game style that has been created has been around contested players and ball magnets. The better sides have been about balanced players with good pace and agility and kicking skills, moulding the list and game style around this and using these traits to attack and apply pressure. We are remoulding in a hurry. I think we have been successful in fixing a few things but there is work to be done.

I think we will have plenty of good wins where we look like a million bucks but I think there will be a few teams that make us look like witches hats in the middle and run all over us. We now have to player to play modern football against most teams but not all teams. But I expect us to vastly improve and play finals. We aren't a young side full of kids, we are a mature side with plenty of talent and depth and we should expect that from us.

Thanks for that - I really like your well thought out posts. Keep 'em coming

We've made significant changes this off-season and I'm excited for us to surprise a few teams with our revised game plan.

 

[JuddgementDay]

I haven’t been yet but people I speak with are saying it’s a very different pre season so far to last two.

Coaches heavily involved in different activities. Lot of work on ball use and intensity is high. Definite big shift in how we do things.

Every spot in 23 up for grabs. No favourites

Work on game plan/style will start in Jan but focus so far has been on quicker ball movement

Feel is new coaches and new players have brought a step up in standards. Lot of bonding work going on

Early days but good to hear

PS I asked about Elijah and comment was he is training well and looks good but so does White Phillips & Paea

I hope we spend a lot of time on basic skills.

What I hate the most is poor disposals, under pressure or not.
e.g. not being able to handball to your teammates at a standard height so they don't have to break stride

 

[SurreyBlue]

You are right.

Three things make an effective kick. The quality of the target, the vision of the kicker and the skill of the kicker. You could even add a fourth thing in there, pace, as quick players can make up more ground, hence are easier to kick to and when they have the ball they can use their pace to give themselves time and take the pressure off their disposal.

These are all areas we have been weak in. It's easy to say we are a poor kicking side. But the trickier question is why. What fundamental aspects of being able to generate a successful kick are we poor at? Answer is all of them.

That poor congested and contested game style comes from multiple ares. The players we have can not play an open uncontested game. We wouldn't win many games that way and we would get thrashed a lot, we don't have the pace and agility for it. The next question is why don't we have the players? Coach is the main reason. We have seen it countless over the years where he has picked slow contested types over quicker players. Look at the team changes going in and during the 2023 finals campaign, he offloaded the quicker players for the more contested player and we ended up winning two games on luck and got well beaten in our final game by a side that ran all over us and we have been run all over by sides ever since. So the coach's team selection and direction to list management has been the big issue in creating a list that struggles to play modern football. We are trying to change that, Wright has to be one of the bigger drivers with this, things have changed since his arrival.

Voss direction to list management and the game style that has been created has been around contested players and ball magnets. The better sides have been about balanced players with good pace and agility and kicking skills, moulding the list and game style around this and using these traits to attack and apply pressure. We are remoulding in a hurry. I think we have been successful in fixing a few things but there is work to be done.

I think we will have plenty of good wins where we look like a million bucks but I think there will be a few teams that make us look like witches hats in the middle and run all over us. We now have to player to play modern football against most teams but not all teams. But I expect us to vastly improve and play finals. We aren't a young side full of kids, we are a mature side with plenty of talent and depth and we should expect that from us.

 

[TerryWallet]

I actually forgot to mention something from the last open training session.

By the end of the session there were literally only about 20 people still remaining when the players were warming down on the ground and having some shots at goal.

There was a family - Mum, Dad and 2 little tackers wearing their Blues merch - sitting right up at the fence in the sun, patiently waiting for the players to hopefully come over so they could get their photo/selfies etc.

Vossy must have spotted them from out on the ground, basically walked the length of the ground to come over and have a chat with them. Next thing, he's invited them out onto the ground, and the little boy and girl were having a kick with some of the players. So as the players were heading back into the indoor facilty, Vossy's taken them under his wing into the facilty no doubt to meet the rest of the players.

Thought that was a really nice touch by our coach.

Things like that are memorable.

Back when i was a young tacker, me and my brother were sleeping overnight Sunday and Monday nights in the queue at Princes Park for GF tickets. At about dusk on the Monday we were out on the oval having kick to kick and as we were walking back to the queue an official asked if we and a few others wanted to come upstairs and watch the Brownlow with them in a bar type room in the Harris or Heatley stand.

Dunno who that official was or the other suited types watching, but we all had a great time watching Ashy nearly storm to victory. 1981 i think it was. Did that sleepover all three flags back then.

 

[KJP7]

Things like that are memorable.

Back when i was a young tacker, me and my brother were sleeping overnight Sunday and Monday nights in the queue at Princes Park for GF tickets. At about dusk on the Monday we were out on the oval having kick to kick and as we were walking back to the queue an official asked if we and a few others wanted to come upstairs and watch the Brownlow with them in a bar type room in the Harris or Heatley stand.

Dunno who that official was or the other suited types watching, but we all had a great time watching Ashy nearly storm to victory. 1981 i think it was. Did that sleepover all three flags back then.

100% they are!

I think it was during the 97 or 98 season, back when they used to train in the late afternoon. I headed down with the old man and was kicking the footy to myself inside the fence as they were training, then suddenly Fraser Brown, Justin Murphy and Clape came over to do some skills, next thing I know, we're all just having kick to kick for 5 minutes. I'll never forget it.

 

[jj1978]

Skills are one side of the coin.

The other side is structure and game sense.

Hard to pass to a guy who is out of position or completely covered by their man.

Being in the right spot at the right time is an art.

Thankfully we have brought in some smarter forwards to address this.

also who we've brought in I think will be more likely to mentor and teach, unlike Charlie.