Training Official Pre-Season 2026 Hub

[KaySwizzle]

The thing with King is that all his goals come off someone else's hard work. Dont get me wrong its a skill in its own to get to the right spot, but he isn't the sort of player to win a big decisive marking contest and kick a big goal. I think his output is replaceable.

I disagree. He isn’t replaceable by anyone on our list in 2026 or probably even 2027. He is too accurate a kick and gets enough chances to be good enough every game.

Walter is a terrible set shot with his current ball drop—like, one of the worst key forwards in the comp for it. Read is needed in the ruck and still very underdeveloped physically. JUH is a complete unknown.

King is really our only avenue to reliable goals in the whole team. If someone else could step up, I’m sure King could impact more in other areas. Long was a useful sidekick, but we need another threat there.

I just feel you can’t let King go and rely on three prospects (for different reasons) to keep us afloat while we want to contend.

 

[Jirik13]

I disagree. He isn’t replaceable by anyone on our list in 2026 or probably even 2027. He is too accurate a kick and gets enough chances to be good enough every game.

Walter is a terrible set shot with his current ball drop—like, one of the worst key forwards in the comp for it. Read is needed in the ruck and still very underdeveloped physically. JUH is a complete unknown.

King is really our only avenue to reliable goals in the whole team. If someone else could step up, I’m sure King could impact more in other areas. Long was a useful sidekick, but we need another threat there.

I just feel you can’t let King go and rely on three prospects (for different reasons) to keep us afloat while we want to contend.

I am more with you too. King is a target of every opposition. Walter and Read often make it worse for him competing for the same ball. They are just potential at the moment. JUH unknown identity.

King did have some great moments in key games including against Freo finals.

If it comes down to it King or Walter to go it's Walter for me right now. Not even close. Potential is just potential. I suspect, opposition teams will be offering crazy money to both of them.

 

[lommy]

My inkling is King stays, but if Opening Round comes and he hasn’t re-signed I’ll be worried. He has never started a season unsigned…

13 Oct 2019 - 2 years
09 Mar 2022 - 2 years
22 Feb 2024 - 2 years

My prediction is we get another 2 years or even a 1 year to leverage Tasmania

 

[The Kings Ransom]

King's got his limitations, and he definitely frustrates me some times.
But he's elite at what he does.
You can't replace 70+ goals.
He'll continue to get better also. He has improved each of the last 3 years pretty much as a solo tall forward.
You get Read / Walter / JUH performing - this will also help King.

 

[GC2015]

Bodhi 49 games
Farrar 42 games
Davies 40 games
Clohesy 36 games
Are close to 50, no-one is close to 100

There's a good amount in line for the 150 milestone in 2026:

• Sam Collins - 149 games (135 with the Suns)
• Nick Holman - 147 games (138 with the Suns)
• John Noble - 137 games (25 with the Suns)
• Ben Long - 135 games (56 with the Suns)
• Charlie Ballard - 134 games
• Wil Powell - 130 games
• Noah Anderson - 129 games

Collo playing his 150th in opening round at home against Geelong is a cool milestone that should inspire the boys in front of a sold out crowd. I'm guessing Holman probably will squeeze in at least three games at some point in 2026 and will also hit the 150 milestone. I'd expect Noble, Long, Ballard and Powell to play the majority of the year as well. Assuming Noz plays virtually every game next year, he can hit life memberships (150 games) at 25yo in August/September.

We could legitimately have as many as five players receiving life membership next year!

 

[Jirik13]

Across the strait, straight into pre-season

It’s been a whirlwind fortnight for young Tasmanian Avery Thomas since being selected by the SUNS with pick 28 in last month’s draft

www.goldcoastfc.com.au

 

[Jirik13]

First David and now Alex.

Pretty unbelievable to see Ballard in 1 vs 1 defensive drill against Alex (FB). He is less than 9 months into his ACL rehab.

 

[Maybe Tomorrow]

I think we are more likely to lose King. Just have an inkling on it.

Think you are right. Hard to see why the Suns bother with JUH otherwise as it's clearly too many tall players.

 

[Jirik13]

Think you are right. Hard to see why the Suns bother with JUH otherwise as it's clearly too many tall players.

King seems very happy on Gold Coast. It's Walter who did not re-sign yet contrary to e.g. Read. I still think it will be Walter leaving. Just imagine if JUH plays round 1 and Walter is stuck in VFL.

 

[Maybe Tomorrow]

King seems very happy on Gold Coast. It's Walter who did not re-sign yet contrary to e.g. Read. I still think it will be Walter leaving. Just imagine if JUH plays round 1 and Walter is stuck in VFL.

Sky's the limit for Walter, madness to let him go. I'm expecting a big improvement from him this year.

Anyway, any locals been down to have a look at training?

 

[Jirik13]

Sky's the limit for Walter, madness to let him go. I'm expecting a big improvement from him this year.

Anyway, any locals been down to have a look at training?

I like Walter too but at the moment he is still mostly just potential. Let's see how he goes in 2026. Likely at the end of 2026 somebody will drop out. Personally, I would be surprised if JUH makes it.

 

[Jirik13]

The running beast, haha.

 

[The Kings Ransom]

Has JUH played in any/many finals?

 

[Choppers]

Has JUH played in any/many finals?

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has played in at least one Australian Rules Football final at the AFL level.

He last played in the 2024 elimination final for the Western Bulldogs.




He also played in the Oakleigh Chargers' stacked premiership side in the NAB League (now Coates Talent League) as part of his pre-AFL career, which would include a Grand Final appearance.

 

[The Kings Ransom]

Managed to jump on footywire and have a look
Played in 2022 and 2024 elimination finals.
Looked to be pretty invisible both games, both losses.

 

[GC2015]

The running beast, haha.

View attachment 2494518

You really can't fault this guy so far. I know it's still early days, but there's currently no reason to think Marra won't be there in opening round when we play Geelong at PFS. He could easily be one of the best pick ups of all-time if he lives up to his potential with us and what a great endorsement it will be for our club if it does happen. Let's goooo!

 

[SUNS]

You really can't fault this guy so far. I know it's still early days, but there's currently no reason to think Marra won't be there in opening round when we play Geelong at PFS. He could easily be one of the best pick ups of all-time if he lives up to his potential with us and what a great endorsement it will be for our club if it does happen. Let's goooo!

He would need to perform exceedingly well in the pre-season games for this to happen. Not saying his fitness and endeavour don't warrant it, but would like to see some match fitness!

 

[RowellAnderson12]

My guy Jamarra eating

 

[perrdan86]

The running beast, haha.

View attachment 2494518

Geez look at his face. It's as drawn in as I can remember seeing it. Obviously applying himself in the kitchen with his diet. Hopefully watch him kick a few bags down at Peoples first.

 

[GC2015]

He would need to perform exceedingly well in the pre-season games for this to happen. Not saying his fitness and endeavour don't warrant it, but would like to see some match fitness!

Does he? I'm not convinced he has huge competition to make the team at the moment and I disagree with you in the sense that every player has the same leve of match fitness right now - zero. I think that secondary key forward role is well and truly up for grabs between Marra, Jed & Creek and I suspect we'll see all three featuring in the preseason scratch matches which will likely determine who gets the nod. I think it's entirely possible that Jamarra will overtake the two 20yo academy boys as our preferred secondary key forward before we run out to play Geelong in opening round.

Kind of hard to fathom that we now have four top 10 picks battling it out for our key forward positions (and that's not including Big Mac) given where we were just a few years ago with Chol and Casboult doing it on their own while Kingy recovered from an ACL injury. We've certainly come a long way in a short amount of time!

 

[KaySwizzle]

I think that secondary key forward role is well and truly up for grabs between Marra, Jed & Creek

I agree. And we may only want to run with two “key forwards” like we did in finals this year, with Long and Farrar types preferred.

More importantly, with Ballard back, Mac may play the swing/forward role more often while also being our second ruck. If that is the case, it is possible that neither Walter nor Read play rd 1 (zero) next year.

 

[Supersuns]

Does he? I'm not convinced he has huge competition to make the team at the moment and I disagree with you in the sense that every player has the same leve of match fitness right now - zero. I think that secondary key forward role is well and truly up for grabs between Marra, Jed & Creek and I suspect we'll see all three featuring in the preseason scratch matches which will likely determine who gets the nod. I think it's entirely possible that Jamarra will overtake the two 20yo academy boys as our preferred secondary key forward before we run out to play Geelong in opening round.

Kind of hard to fathom that we now have four top 10 picks battling it out for our key forward positions (and that's not including Big Mac) given where we were just a few years ago with Chol and Casboult doing it on their own while Kingy recovered from an ACL injury. We've certainly come a long way in a short amount of time

He absolutely does not have the match fitness of everyone else, he pretty much missed a whole year of training. That's a long way to come back from, I think you need to temper expectations a little bit on Jamarra. He absolutely can be the player our forward line needs, but by the time the season rolls around it will be 18+ months since he kicked a footy in anger. There is going to be a lot of rust that might never be shaken off.

 

[MarcLocksCrustySock]

He absolutely does not have the match fitness of everyone else, he pretty much missed a whole year of training. That's a long way to come back from, I think you need to temper expectations a little bit on Jamarra. He absolutely can be the player our forward line needs, but by the time the season rolls around it will be 18+ months since he kicked a footy in anger. There is going to be a lot of rust that might never be shaken off.

If he works his arse off like a mature ager getting their first crack, with the talent he has he'll look good quicker than you think. That level of talent with hard work is a dangerous combo and I don't know if he's ever worked hard enough to show it.

 

[GC2015]

I agree. And we may only want to run with two “key forwards” like we did in finals this year, with Long and Farrar types preferred.

More importantly, with Ballard back, Mac may play the swing/forward role more often while also being our second ruck. If that is the case, it is possible that neither Walter nor Read play rd 1 (zero) next year.

That's true. I wouldn't be surprised to see Mac swung around the field a bit more in 2026. Good luck to anyone trying to stop a Mac-Marra duo in the forward line!

He absolutely does not have the match fitness of everyone else, he pretty much missed a whole year of training. That's a long way to come back from, I think you need to temper expectations a little bit on Jamarra. He absolutely can be the player our forward line needs, but by the time the season rolls around it will be 18+ months since he kicked a footy in anger. There is going to be a lot of rust that might never be shaken off.

Maybe we have different defintions of match fitness. Can you really be any more match fit after 6 months off vs 18 month off? Isn't that the whole point of preseason games - to dust the cob webs off after 6+ months off? Even under your interpretation, I still think he's got a great shot at making the opening round team considering he's competing against two 20yos, one of which couldn't find his way out of the VFL and the other was extremely quiet in our two finals matches. Keep in mind, Jamarra has 67 AFL games under his belt vs Walter & Read with 30 or less games to their name. Plus, Ben King missed an entire year in 2022 and played in round 1, 2023 and I would suggest Chol/Casboult were putting up a bigger fight for spots back then when compared to Walter and Read right now.

Obviously that all changes if Jamrra stinks it up in the preaseason scratch matches, but right now I don't have a good reason to doubt the guy. He's showing good signs in training (from what I'm seeing) and he seems really committed to making the most of this second chance. Talent was never a problem for Marra - it was his commitment that was questioned.

 

[TheSunGod]

Does he? I'm not convinced he has huge competition to make the team at the moment and I disagree with you in the sense that every player has the same leve of match fitness right now - zero. I think that secondary key forward role is well and truly up for grabs between Marra, Jed & Creek and I suspect we'll see all three featuring in the preseason scratch matches which will likely determine who gets the nod. I think it's entirely possible that Jamarra will overtake the two 20yo academy boys as our preferred secondary key forward before we run out to play Geelong in opening round.

Kind of hard to fathom that we now have four top 10 picks battling it out for our key forward positions (and that's not including Big Mac) given where we were just a few years ago with Chol and Casboult doing it on their own while Kingy recovered from an ACL injury. We've certainly come a long way in a short amount of time!

Aren’t they getting rid of the sub in 2026 and having 5 on the bench? I wouldn’t be surprised to see Dimma trial all of King, Walter, JUH and Read in the side at the same time. Might look a little top heavy on paper but who knows how it goes in practice. Plus there’s a very good chance form and injuries will play a part. Nice problem to have IMO.