Training 2026 Off-Season & Preseason reports and discussion

[CHUBBSS]

One thing I’m really looking forward to during Jan is seeing what Croc is doing at training. If he is included in the midfield group, shows a lot more of that, coinciding with the new nu 9, has a big tank with class …….. there is our man to spend more time in the middle!

He has the in for a huge jump feel this year, his back half of the season last year was excellent.

Pair him with Mackenzie and that’s a lot of additional fire power in the midfield

 

[Judd2Sewell]

He has the in for a huge jump feel this year, his back half of the season last year was excellent.

Pair him with Mackenzie and that’s a lot of additional fire power in the midfield

I hope he gets back to 2024 form, especially the second half of that season. Last year he was down on every stat compared to 2024, and down on some stats compared to 2023.

Hopefully he's ready for the hard stuff in the middle because there's an opening for him, and he's got the class and skill we need.

 

[Pinoy Hawk]

The team completed an almost a couple of hours of session today.
For today's session they have used the AFLW oval, while the Box Hill boys were using the main oval.
No match sim was held, but there were lots of sub group activities.

No shows - Schubert, Day and Amon (and probably Dear).

Gunners can be seen jogging along by himself in the early part of the morning while the rest of the team are doing some warmups.

In a few minutes later ... Weddle, Ramma and Blanck can be seen jogging on the far side of the oval.

In one of the succeeding sessions, the team were broken up into 3 groups (white tops, green bibs, purple bibs) and in this session some of the coaches and trainers have joined.
All groups were doing the same drills where they kick/handball to their teammates (to the ones wearing the same colour) and move the ball from one end of the oval to the other. So all in all 3 balls were in active play (one for each team/group).
In that session you can hear the yelling and the screaming of names when they want their teammates to pass the ball to them.
Then there was a whistle, which instructs the groups to still continue ... but this time without the noise.
It was almost a complete silence aside from the sound of the kicks and handballs.
Then later another whistle was heard, and the playing still continues ... but now you can hear the players voices again.
Among the newbies in this session, I have noticed Nairn's smoothness in his movements and in delivering the ball.
There is also one moment where Ginni and Sam (Mitchell) where doing some one-two disposal. And Sam can be heard praising Ginni for his smarts and good positioning.

Around halfway through the morning training, the team were separated into 3 groups (forwards, midfield, defence).
Hardwick is on the defence group. Cody A, McCabe, Finn, Nairn and Hill are in the forward group.
Moore and the Wiz were in the forward group initially before joining the midfield group ... the same can be said of Dalton.

The Defence group were working on their positioning and tried how to release the ball from the defensive 50.

The forwards group were initially working on their leading patterns.
Gunners can be seen teaching Nairn and Hilly on how to do it properly.
The Wiz was very active and lively.
Ginni is always on the right spots and looks dangerous when having the ball inside 50.

Later the tall forwards and the tall defenders(or rucks) did a 1 on 1 marking contest.
I have seen the following matchups:
Reeves Lewis
Battle McCabe
Chol TB
Meek Mraz

Battle has easily nudged McCabe on their first go thus marking the footy.
The second attempt was a deadlock.
And on the third attempt McCabe has managed to stand his ground and has marked the ball.

Chol/TB was almost an even.
There are times that TB has spoiled the ball, and there are times that Chol has out positioned TB and marked the ball for himself.


The midfielders were simulating a play which either starts from a ruck contest or from a spilled ball and where someone needs to pick it up and push the ball forward.

In some of the drills, I have noticed Frenchie's evasiveness.
Ward looking more matured and always having good decisions. He doesn't seemed rush, but very calculated.
Greeves has shrugged/broke free from a couple of tackles (one of them from Frenchie).
Harry M is very prominent. I assume at the moment that he is starting 23 for the next season.

Before the end of the training, some midfielders like Newk, Frenchie and Ward practising their goal kicking.

And guess who are the last players to leave the oval ... Dalton and Greeves who are practising their kicking.

It is hard to notice all the players as they are all spread out, unlike in the TV (or in the games) where most of the focus is whoever is having the ball.

######
And some pics below.




Not the best vid, but moments ago Gunners is more demonstrative in teaching Nairn.
View attachment a4d946ff-9da1-435c-9df7-dcc843ec2199.mp4

A few more vids .... which unfortunately did not capture the best moments.

View attachment 726f61f8-546c-436d-b0f7-71681d37566f.mp4


View attachment 803a0cdb-74a0-4c1c-b4fa-04518f9e116a.mp4

View attachment 3d8e62f4-ccfd-4762-91a5-b84e1dc3eef7.mp4

Hale speaking to McCabe and Battle after their 1:1.


The newbies were asked to watch how the seniors are doing it.


Looks like Wiz and Impey are having a banter again at goalkicking.


A longer walk indoors today.


The Bendigo connection.




And who are the last ones at the oval.

View attachment 8a72a956-db30-4d40-bea4-3f788b98c836.mp4

 

[Dr Pangloss]

Great update thank you Pinoy Hawk, I’m in Melbourne for a few weeks only and would love to see them train at the KCC, what’s the best way to find out when training takes place? Thanks so much

 

[pattymalone00]

Great update thank you Pinoy Hawk, I’m in Melbourne for a few weeks only and would love to see them train at the KCC, what’s the best way to find out when training takes place? Thanks so much

These are just the advertised ones but https://www.hawthornfc.com.au/fans/open-training

 

[Simon Crawshay]

The team completed an almost a couple of hours of session today.
For today's session they have used the AFLW oval, while the Box Hill boys were using the main oval.
No match sim was held, but there were lots of sub group activities.

No shows - Schubert, Day and Amon (and probably Dear).

Gunners can be seen jogging along by himself in the early part of the morning while the rest of the team are doing some warmups.

In a few minutes later ... Weddle, Ramma and Blanck can be seen jogging on the far side of the oval.

In one of the succeeding sessions, the team were broken up into 3 groups (white tops, green bibs, purple bibs) and in this session some of the coaches and trainers have joined.
All groups were doing the same drills where they kick/handball to their teammates (to the ones wearing the same colour) and move the ball from one end of the oval to the other. So all in all 3 balls were in active play (one for each team/group).
In that session you can hear the yelling and the screaming of names when they want their teammates to pass the ball to them.
Then there was a whistle, which instructs the groups to still continue ... but this time without the noise.
It was almost a complete silence aside from the sound of the kicks and handballs.
Then later another whistle was heard, and the playing still continues ... but now you can hear the players voices again.
Among the newbies in this session, I have noticed Nairn's smoothness in his movements and in delivering the ball.
There is also one moment where Ginni and Sam (Mitchell) where doing some one-two disposal. And Sam can be heard praising Ginni for his smarts and good positioning.

Around halfway through the morning training, the team were separated into 3 groups (forwards, midfield, defence).
Hardwick is on the defence group. Cody A, McCabe, Finn, Nairn and Hill are in the forward group.
Moore and the Wiz were in the forward group initially before joining the midfield group ... the same can be said of Dalton.

The Defence group were working on their positioning and tried how to release the ball from the defensive 50.

The forwards group were initially working on their leading patterns.
Gunners can be seen teaching Nairn and Hilly on how to do it properly.
The Wiz was very active and lively.
Ginni is always on the right spots and looks dangerous when having the ball inside 50.

Later the tall forwards and the tall defenders(or rucks) did a 1 on 1 marking contest.
I have seen the following matchups:
Reeves Lewis
Battle McCabe
Chol TB
Meek Mraz

Battle has easily nudged McCabe on their first go thus marking the footy.
The second attempt was a deadlock.
And on the third attempt McCabe has managed to stand his ground and has marked the ball.

Chol/TB was almost an even.
There are times that TB has spoiled the ball, and there are times that Chol has out positioned TB and marked the ball for himself.


The midfielders were simulating a play which either starts from a ruck contest or from a spilled ball and where someone needs to pick it up and push the ball forward.

In some of the drills, I have noticed Frenchie's evasiveness.
Ward looking more matured and always having good decisions. He doesn't seemed rush, but very calculated.
Greeves has shrugged/broke free from a couple of tackles (one of them from Frenchie).
Harry M is very prominent. I assume at the moment that he is starting 23 for the next season.

Before the end of the training, some midfielders like Newk, Frenchie and Ward practising their goal kicking.

And guess who are the last players to leave the oval ... Dalton and Greeves who are practising their kicking.

It is hard to notice all the players as they are all spread out, unlike in the TV (or in the games) where most of the focus is whoever is having the ball.

######
And some pics below.

View attachment 2495500


Not the best vid, but moments ago Gunners is more demonstrative in teaching Nairn.
View attachment 2495510

A few more vids .... which unfortunately did not capture the best moments.

View attachment 2495515


View attachment 2495516

View attachment 2495517

Hale speaking to McCabe and Battle after their 1:1.
View attachment 2495501

The newbies were asked to watch how the seniors are doing it.
View attachment 2495502

Looks like Wiz and Impey are having a banter again at goalkicking.
View attachment 2495506

A longer walk indoors today.
View attachment 2495504View attachment 2495503

The Bendigo connection.

View attachment 2495505


And who are the last ones at the oval.

View attachment 2495507

View attachment 2495508

Awesome review Pinoy

Gotta say whenever I see footage of Ginni this pre season he is looking as sharp and as fit as I've ever seen him

I'm predicting big things from Jack this year, he looks absolutely ripe to go ballistic in 2026.

What is your take on him having watched him up close during the pre season?

 

[Pinoy Hawk]

Awesome review Pinoy

Gotta say whenever I see footage of Ginni this pre season he is looking as sharp and as fit as I've ever seen him

I'm predicting big things from Jack this year, he looks absolutely ripe to go ballistic in 2026.

What is your take on him having watched him up close during the pre season?

He went back into the training in a very good shape.

As what we have seen in some bits and pieces last season, he might see some more time pinching in the midfield.

We all know that he's not the fastest and the most athletic, but he will try to beat you with his smarts and football nous.

It's a shame that he was not 100% at the end of the season, but we have seen that he is finishing the season with a bang.
I am expecting him to pick up where he has left (before being slowed down in the last few games of the season).

 

[Nugett]

The team completed an almost a couple of hours of session today.
For today's session they have used the AFLW oval, while the Box Hill boys were using the main oval.
No match sim was held, but there were lots of sub group activities.

No shows - Schubert, Day and Amon (and probably Dear).

Gunners can be seen jogging along by himself in the early part of the morning while the rest of the team are doing some warmups.

In a few minutes later ... Weddle, Ramma and Blanck can be seen jogging on the far side of the oval.

In one of the succeeding sessions, the team were broken up into 3 groups (white tops, green bibs, purple bibs) and in this session some of the coaches and trainers have joined.
All groups were doing the same drills where they kick/handball to their teammates (to the ones wearing the same colour) and move the ball from one end of the oval to the other. So all in all 3 balls were in active play (one for each team/group).
In that session you can hear the yelling and the screaming of names when they want their teammates to pass the ball to them.
Then there was a whistle, which instructs the groups to still continue ... but this time without the noise.
It was almost a complete silence aside from the sound of the kicks and handballs.
Then later another whistle was heard, and the playing still continues ... but now you can hear the players voices again.
Among the newbies in this session, I have noticed Nairn's smoothness in his movements and in delivering the ball.
There is also one moment where Ginni and Sam (Mitchell) where doing some one-two disposal. And Sam can be heard praising Ginni for his smarts and good positioning.

Around halfway through the morning training, the team were separated into 3 groups (forwards, midfield, defence).
Hardwick is on the defence group. Cody A, McCabe, Finn, Nairn and Hill are in the forward group.
Moore and the Wiz were in the forward group initially before joining the midfield group ... the same can be said of Dalton.

The Defence group were working on their positioning and tried how to release the ball from the defensive 50.

The forwards group were initially working on their leading patterns.
Gunners can be seen teaching Nairn and Hilly on how to do it properly.
The Wiz was very active and lively.
Ginni is always on the right spots and looks dangerous when having the ball inside 50.

Later the tall forwards and the tall defenders(or rucks) did a 1 on 1 marking contest.
I have seen the following matchups:
Reeves Lewis
Battle McCabe
Chol TB
Meek Mraz

Battle has easily nudged McCabe on their first go thus marking the footy.
The second attempt was a deadlock.
And on the third attempt McCabe has managed to stand his ground and has marked the ball.

Chol/TB was almost an even.
There are times that TB has spoiled the ball, and there are times that Chol has out positioned TB and marked the ball for himself.


The midfielders were simulating a play which either starts from a ruck contest or from a spilled ball and where someone needs to pick it up and push the ball forward.

In some of the drills, I have noticed Frenchie's evasiveness.
Ward looking more matured and always having good decisions. He doesn't seemed rush, but very calculated.
Greeves has shrugged/broke free from a couple of tackles (one of them from Frenchie).
Harry M is very prominent. I assume at the moment that he is starting 23 for the next season.

Before the end of the training, some midfielders like Newk, Frenchie and Ward practising their goal kicking.

And guess who are the last players to leave the oval ... Dalton and Greeves who are practising their kicking.

It is hard to notice all the players as they are all spread out, unlike in the TV (or in the games) where most of the focus is whoever is having the ball.

######

A longer walk indoors today.
View attachment 2495504View attachment 2495503

Sack these players, they are not following John Kennedy Snr’s instructions…

Great photos and thank you for your continuous updates

 

[Gohawks16]

There is a really good 40 minute video with Josh Ward on the Hawks website. Follows him for a day and shows off the Hawks new facilities plus a closer look at some of the training they have been doing.
I'm sure a lot of you on here have already seen it but l thought to mention for those who haven't. Well worth a watch.

 

[mustang]

Watching the Latest episode on Hawthorn training video YouTube channel, Johannisen was doing long handball training inside with the players I wonder if we will start to handball like the dogs do with kind of throw.

 

[cryptor]

Watching the Latest episode on Hawthorn training video YouTube channel, Johannisen was doing long handball training inside with the players I wonder if we will start to handball like the dogs do with kind of throw.

What I found very interesting insight from the handballing bit was Gia warning the players about taking the ball high with both arms raised as the opponent could grab an arm and get them for HTB. The advice instead being to take it low and then dish the handball out quickly from a tight, closed position. Complete opposite of traditional advice of keeping the arms high to avoid them getting pinned to the torso.

 

[MazHawk]

Gotta say whenever I see footage of Ginni this pre season he is looking as sharp and as fit as I've ever seen him

I'm predicting big things from Jack this year, he looks absolutely ripe to go ballistic in 2026.

I've been a big fan of Jack's ever since he came to us.
But big things? If you're talking flashy, high possession games you may not see them but if you're looking at a guy who's one of our smartest, most underrated footballers doing the smart team things, making space where there wasn't (so it needs to be covered by the oppo) or draining a defender who thinks he's a hff but he's lurking round the wing, it amounts to the same thing.

Jack might not feature in 'most CBA's, or most possies, most goal assists or BOG' but he is INTEGRAL to our side because he does not just the 1%ers, he has the footy nous to do the 0.5%ers that go unheralded but help win games.

 

[mustang]

If everyone is fit come round one who are our talls in our forward line?

Lewis
Gunston
Dear
Chol

Reading a few posts about Reeves being the second ruck, but could it be Chol with his Jumping, in like a Nic Nat type of ruckman

 

[Alite]

I actually posted earlier in the week how much of a impost it is on these train on players to be doing a full AFL pre season and not getting paid for it.

Then to do an injury like this as well is just devastating. Foot injuries as we have seen from Day are just

You would hope the club would look after him in some capacity even if they don't pick him up.

Paying for his medical bills would be the bare minimum. Some sort of financial compensation as well and a guarantee to have another crack at a spot next year.

Clubs can have two train-on players per open list spot, with those players to earn no less than $1000 per week while training.

 

[rei154]

There is a really good 40 minute video with Josh Ward on the Hawks website. Follows him for a day and shows off the Hawks new facilities plus a closer look at some of the training they have been doing.
I'm sure a lot of you on here have already seen it but l thought to mention for those who haven't. Well worth a watch.

Seriously good video.
Loved the handball work in it like others have mentioned, but also just seeing the different relationships play out is an awesome insight.

 

[Simon Crawshay]

Clubs can have two train-on players per open list spot, with those players to earn no less than $1000 per week while training.

Thanks Alite.

You'd have to assume they'd be covered by work cover / insurance for any rehab / medical bills arriving from injuries relating to training as well.

 

[Simon Crawshay]

I've been a big fan of Jack's ever since he came to us.
But big things? If you're talking flashy, high possession games you may not see them but if you're looking at a guy who's one of our smartest, most underrated footballers doing the smart team things, making space where there wasn't (so it needs to be covered by the oppo) or draining a defender who thinks he's a hff but he's lurking round the wing, it amounts to the same thing.

Jack might not feature in 'most CBA's, or most possies, most goal assists or BOG' but he is INTEGRAL to our side because he does not just the 1%ers, he has the footy nous to do the 0.5%ers that go unheralded but help win games.

My definition of big things for Jack in 2026 is being one of the very few players who averages over 20 possessions and over 1 goal a game.

If he can have that kind of year he will be right in mix for an AA half forward spot.

 

[Gohawks16]

Seriously good video.
Loved the handball work in it like others have mentioned, but also just seeing the different relationships play out is an awesome insight.

I really enjoy these types of videos, we see what happens on the field but l really enjoy seeing how the playing group interacts with one another and with the coaching team. You can genuinely see that they are a close knit group who enjoy being around one another.

 

[wahawk]

Thanks Alite.

You'd have to assume they'd be covered by work cover / insurance for any rehab / medical bills arriving from injuries relating to training as well.

100% they are.
Clubs & the league would not leave themselves open

 

[The Chad and I]

I really hope MacKenzie just finished doing some hard running because it was hard watching him trailing Ginnivan like that, who himself is not exactly one of our fastest players.
Honestly recall Mackenzie's running being much better than that.
He looks so slow.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

There was a number of interesting things in the YouTube vid, of note to me was that Weddle took part in the midfielders meeting after training. On top of the few times he’s been seen in midfield stoppage drills, it seems like he’s going to play wing/mid a lot more.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Everyone on track and in their gold training jumpers with numbers on the back - apart from Sic in a non-contact white long sleeve and Day who’s not out here.

Everyone else in the main session.

 

[Madhawknut]

Everyone on track and in their gold training jumpers with numbers on the back - apart from Sic in a non-contact white long sleeve and Day who’s not out here.

Everyone else in the main session.

Based on the training reports over the past week, Will has not been sighted at training. I just wanted to check whether this is something we should be concerned about or if there is any context we should be aware of.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Based on the training reports over the past week, Will has not been sighted at training. I just wanted to check whether this is something we should be concerned about or if there is any context we should be aware of.

I wouldn’t be concerned. He’s got a modified program, could well be inside or he may even have been given an early break, due to his shortened season and longer period of running than everyone else.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Crawf here today, chatting with Croc after training. Also had a chat with Greeves.