Training 2026 Off-Season & Preseason reports and discussion

[Flukey!]

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.

Weddle with the mids is interesting. I noticed that too.
Exciting if it remains that way.

 

[H00t]

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.

Mackenzie is an interesting case. He’s got one of the best acceleration profiles at the club and the club kept his time on ground low so he could utilise it more.

Plus it’s clearly visible during the video where Chol tackled him.

Problem is on game day when he rarely showcases it. Desperately need him to start using his speed on the track and then continuing that on to game day.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

A not so warm day today, and lots of kids and familes in attendance, due to school holidays. Again the session was held on the women's oval, and the stands were littered with onlookers.

Firstly, all players in the gold training tops, complete with player numbers, although a few swaps had occurred, with Newk in 12, Jars in 5, Wiz in 4...etc.

One of the first drills had players split in 2 lines, 5 metres from each other, kicking on the left and then right foot. Mraz and Sic were paired up and Sic was darting them, while Noah was not as consistent with his ball drop and in the face of Sic beaming them at him, he overdid it a couple of times, while trying to nail his kicks.

Moorey came off with a dislocated finger which Bart attended to.

Next there was some ground ball pick up and break through the tackler drills happening, and Chol once again brought his A-game when it came to tackling(this has been a feature almost every session), while Calsh showed some great upper body strength giving the don't argue to beat his opponent before firing off a handball under pressure. Calsh looked very sharp today.

The squad gathered in the middle of the ground and then broke into 3 groups. Pink bibs, Purple bibs and Gold jumpers. Players then spread out across the field and there was a version of circle work at play.
The difference being that as confusing at it looked to me at first, I soon realized that each group had an attacking and defensive role.
Purple would defend Gold's ball movement, Gold would defend Pink's, Pink would defend Purple's. Newk was everywhere, Wardy too and quite vocal, pretty sure Moorey dislocated the same finger again, or at least had to have the tape replaced. Some of the ball movement in this exercise was classic Hawthorn, with direct and precise kicking, moved on very quikcly by hand to a runner.

Finn had taken part in most of the early part of the session, but I'd noticed he'd taken off the protective curdle he's had under his jumper for much of this preseason and was now running laps. Sic and Karl also running laps too.

Next up there was a number of stations set up across half the ground that players in pairs would work their way through. A contested ground ball set up, a ground ball deep forward and some contesting over on the far wing.
In the deep forward exercise the ball would be kicked into the pocket along the ground and each pair would compete for the ball and then attempt to get free and clear. The amusing one for me was Wiz v Mass, as the ball was dribbled in towards them, Mass out maneuvered Wiz, beat him back to the fall of the ball out the back and then when being chased by Wiz managed to zig when Wiz thought he'd zag and have Wiz end up on the deck.

The two housemates Frenchy and Wardy scrapped and scraped in the groundball contested exercise and while they both didn't take a backwards step I was left impressed once again by Wardy and how clean he was both on the ground and then with his ability to take the tackle and release the ball.

The squad then completed some short match sim, but in spurts. The sim would start at different points around the ground, simulating a stoppage or a contested situation.
At this point there was a clear forward v defenders at the Southern end of the ground.
Ginni v Bmac
Battle v Ramma
Gunner v TB
Chol v Mraz
Dimma v Wiz
Meek v Blanck
while I took note that Mass was lined up against Moorey.

Interestingly while this was going on, Scrim, Lewis and a couple of others watched on from the southern pocket and didn't take part, while Beast, Bread, JD, Ollie, Newk(and maybe Stanley too) and our development coach Willo went up and sat in the stands and watched on(with newk sitting next to Ollie, and seemingly chatting to him about the plan/style out on the park).

What was also apparent to me today is that McCabe is indeed training as a key forward, and was used as the deep forward in a few drills. I'd previously posted that I thought he'd settle as a defender in 2026, but I don't think that's the case now.

It was a very sharp session, mostly of ball drills and skills, with no running drills at the end as I'd come to expect. Players made their way either down into the rooms under the stands or jumped the fence and took selfies, signed jumpers for plenty of kids and families. It was then I noticed Crawf was out there in assistant coach gear and was with Croc, getting a picture taken with the number 9 jumper and then having a lengthy chat with him while hawks fans waited to no doubt get pics and autographs.

Forgot to add, as follow up to Moorey's finger issues, Nash and Moorey were trying to tell Bart he's passed it, as Moorey's finger tape had come off twice during training. Bart one of the most adored HFC people, just made a joke at his own expense that he's getting on.

 

[stemline]

Great stuff again mate.

Aside from the usuals, tell you who I thought had a really good session - Matt Hill. Looked sharp, quick, great touch, and finished off shots at goal beautifully a number of times in different drills.

Reckon Shuey took a small step forward today too. Competed hard and won his share today.

Also good to see Blancky back in full training, no knee bandage to be seen.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Great stuff again mate.

Aside from the usuals, tell you who I thought had a really good session - Matt Hill. Looked sharp, quick, great touch, and finished off shots at goal beautifully a number of times in different drills.

Reckon Shuey took a small step forward today too. Competed hard and won his share today.

Also good to see Blancky back in full training, no knee bandage to be seen.

Thanks mate, there was a bit going on today, I found it hard to keep track of the different groups at times and I found myself focused on a few players rather than everyone.

I saw Wiz nail a goal on the run from 45 out which got everyone up that end of the ground up and about, but I had no context as to why as I was watching what was happening right in front of me before I heard the celebrations.

 

[arupist]

I must admit I am a little perplexed by McCabe training as a forward, given his mediocre performance there last season. I guess the club knows a lot more than I do.

 

[TylerDurden]

Thanks guys.

Any update on Will Day?

 

[SSSSSS]

A not so warm day today, and lots of kids and familes in attendance, due to school holidays. Again the session was held on the women's oval, and the stands were littered with onlookers.

Firstly, all players in the gold training tops, complete with player numbers, although a few swaps had occurred, with Newk in 12, Jars in 5, Wiz in 4...etc.

One of the first drills had players split in 2 lines, 5 metres from each other, kicking on the left and then right foot. Mraz and Sic were paired up and Sic was darting them, while Noah was not as consistent with his ball drop and in the face of Sic beaming them at him, he overdid it a couple of times, while trying to nail his kicks.

Moorey came off with a dislocated finger which Bart attended to.

Next there was some ground ball pick up and break through the tackler drills happening, and Chol once again brought his A-game when it came to tackling(this has been a feature almost every session), while Calsh showed some great upper body strength giving the don't argue to beat his opponent before firing off a handball under pressure. Calsh looked very sharp today.

The squad gathered in the middle of the ground and then broke into 3 groups. Pink bibs, Purple bibs and Gold jumpers. Players then spread out across the field and there was a version of circle work at play.
The difference being that as confusing at it looked to me at first, I soon realized that each group had an attacking and defensive role.
Purple would defend Gold's ball movement, Gold would defend Pink's, Pink would defend Purple's. Newk was everywhere, Wardy too and quite vocal, pretty sure Moorey dislocated the same finger again, or at least had to have the tape replaced. Some of the ball movement in this exercise was classic Hawthorn, with direct and precise kicking, moved on very quikcly by hand to a runner.

Finn had taken part in most of the early part of the session, but I'd noticed he'd taken off the protective curdle he's had under his jumper for much of this preseason and was now running laps. Sic and Karl also running laps too.

Next up there was a number of stations set up across half the ground that players in pairs would work their way through. A contested ground ball set up, a ground ball deep forward and some contesting over on the far wing.
In the deep forward exercise the ball would be kicked into the pocket along the ground and each pair would compete for the ball and then attempt to get free and clear. The amusing one for me was Wiz v Mass, as the ball was dribbled in towards them, Mass out maneuvered Wiz, beat him back to the fall of the ball out the back and then when being chased by Wiz managed to zig when Wiz thought he'd zag and have Wiz end up on the deck.

The two housemates Frenchy and Wardy scrapped and scraped in the groundball contested exercise and while they both didn't take a backwards step I was left impressed once again by Wardy and how clean he was both on the ground and then with his ability to take the tackle and release the ball.

The squad then completed some short match sim, but in spurts. The sim would start at different points around the ground, simulating a stoppage or a contested situation.
At this point there was a clear forward v defenders at the Southern end of the ground.
Ginni v Bmac
Battle v Ramma
Gunner v TB
Chol v Mraz
Dimma v Wiz
Meek v Blanck
while I took note that Mass was lined up against Moorey.

Interestingly while this was going on, Scrim, Lewis and a couple of others watched on from the southern pocket and didn't take part, while Beast, Bread, JD, Ollie, Newk(and maybe Stanley too) and our development coach Willo went up and sat in the stands and watched on(with newk sitting next to Ollie, and seemingly chatting to him about the plan/style out on the park).

What was also apparent to me today is that McCabe is indeed training as a key forward, and was used as the deep forward in a few drills. I'd previously posted that I thought he'd settle as a defender in 2026, but I don't think that's the case now.

It was a very sharp session, mostly of ball drills and skills, with no running drills at the end as I'd come to expect. Players made their way either down into the rooms under the stands or jumped the fence and took selfies, signed jumpers for plenty of kids and families. It was then I noticed Crawf was out there in assistant coach gear and was with Croc, getting a picture taken with the number 9 jumper and then having a lengthy chat with him while hawks fans waited to no doubt get pics and autographs.

Forgot to add, as follow up to Moorey's finger issues, Nash and Moorey were trying to tell Bart he's passed it, as Moorey's finger tape had come off twice during training. Bart one of the most adored HFC people, just made a joke at his own expense that he's getting on.

I wonder if we're dropping Mass down the field as part of the back six with Weddle moving higher up the ground on a wing? Would be difficult for clubs to shut down both Karl and Mass, with Impey also streaming out with run and carry.

Felt we were too tall at times last season down back. Bit of a log jam trying to squeeze everyone in.

Mass is also pretty tenacious defensively despite being only a little fella. Put himself under many a high ball in 2025.

 

[To the Hawk]

I must admit I am a little perplexed by McCabe training as a forward, given his mediocre performance there last season. I guess the club knows a lot more than I do.

Ditto.

Next year will be his 3rd year on the list? Really hard to see him debuting, especially as a forward given our depth and how far off it he looked playing forward at Box Hill.

Mraz definitely, but likely Blanck is considered ahead of him as key defenders I guess.

 

[matey]

A not so warm day today, and lots of kids and familes in attendance, due to school holidays. Again the session was held on the women's oval, and the stands were littered with onlookers.

Firstly, all players in the gold training tops, complete with player numbers, although a few swaps had occurred, with Newk in 12, Jars in 5, Wiz in 4...etc.

One of the first drills had players split in 2 lines, 5 metres from each other, kicking on the left and then right foot. Mraz and Sic were paired up and Sic was darting them, while Noah was not as consistent with his ball drop and in the face of Sic beaming them at him, he overdid it a couple of times, while trying to nail his kicks.

Moorey came off with a dislocated finger which Bart attended to.

Next there was some ground ball pick up and break through the tackler drills happening, and Chol once again brought his A-game when it came to tackling(this has been a feature almost every session), while Calsh showed some great upper body strength giving the don't argue to beat his opponent before firing off a handball under pressure. Calsh looked very sharp today.

The squad gathered in the middle of the ground and then broke into 3 groups. Pink bibs, Purple bibs and Gold jumpers. Players then spread out across the field and there was a version of circle work at play.
The difference being that as confusing at it looked to me at first, I soon realized that each group had an attacking and defensive role.
Purple would defend Gold's ball movement, Gold would defend Pink's, Pink would defend Purple's. Newk was everywhere, Wardy too and quite vocal, pretty sure Moorey dislocated the same finger again, or at least had to have the tape replaced. Some of the ball movement in this exercise was classic Hawthorn, with direct and precise kicking, moved on very quikcly by hand to a runner.

Finn had taken part in most of the early part of the session, but I'd noticed he'd taken off the protective curdle he's had under his jumper for much of this preseason and was now running laps. Sic and Karl also running laps too.

Next up there was a number of stations set up across half the ground that players in pairs would work their way through. A contested ground ball set up, a ground ball deep forward and some contesting over on the far wing.
In the deep forward exercise the ball would be kicked into the pocket along the ground and each pair would compete for the ball and then attempt to get free and clear. The amusing one for me was Wiz v Mass, as the ball was dribbled in towards them, Mass out maneuvered Wiz, beat him back to the fall of the ball out the back and then when being chased by Wiz managed to zig when Wiz thought he'd zag and have Wiz end up on the deck.

The two housemates Frenchy and Wardy scrapped and scraped in the groundball contested exercise and while they both didn't take a backwards step I was left impressed once again by Wardy and how clean he was both on the ground and then with his ability to take the tackle and release the ball.

The squad then completed some short match sim, but in spurts. The sim would start at different points around the ground, simulating a stoppage or a contested situation.
At this point there was a clear forward v defenders at the Southern end of the ground.
Ginni v Bmac
Battle v Ramma
Gunner v TB
Chol v Mraz
Dimma v Wiz
Meek v Blanck
while I took note that Mass was lined up against Moorey.

Interestingly while this was going on, Scrim, Lewis and a couple of others watched on from the southern pocket and didn't take part, while Beast, Bread, JD, Ollie, Newk(and maybe Stanley too) and our development coach Willo went up and sat in the stands and watched on(with newk sitting next to Ollie, and seemingly chatting to him about the plan/style out on the park).

What was also apparent to me today is that McCabe is indeed training as a key forward, and was used as the deep forward in a few drills. I'd previously posted that I thought he'd settle as a defender in 2026, but I don't think that's the case now.

It was a very sharp session, mostly of ball drills and skills, with no running drills at the end as I'd come to expect. Players made their way either down into the rooms under the stands or jumped the fence and took selfies, signed jumpers for plenty of kids and families. It was then I noticed Crawf was out there in assistant coach gear and was with Croc, getting a picture taken with the number 9 jumper and then having a lengthy chat with him while hawks fans waited to no doubt get pics and autographs.

Forgot to add, as follow up to Moorey's finger issues, Nash and Moorey were trying to tell Bart he's passed it, as Moorey's finger tape had come off twice during training. Bart one of the most adored HFC people, just made a joke at his own expense that he's getting on.

Thanks for the great report SYL sounds like Ward is ripping it up in every training session. He has come back without missing a beat, so much energy and very determined ……. reckon he’ll go another level

 

[SunshineHawkCal]

Is there a Perez watch?

 

[hawkmang]

Is there a Perez watch?

Actually yes

 

[CHUBBSS]

Thanks mate, there was a bit going on today, I found it hard to keep track of the different groups at times and I found myself focused on a few players rather than everyone.

I saw Wiz nail a goal on the run from 45 out which got everyone up that end of the ground up and about, but I had no context as to why as I was watching what was happening right in front of me before I heard the celebrations.

Many thanks for the write ups!

Curious how ramma and Nairn have been looking

 

[Dewnior]

Actually yes

fify

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

I wonder if we're dropping Mass down the field as part of the back six with Weddle moving higher up the ground on a wing? Would be difficult for clubs to shut down both Karl and Mass, with Impey also streaming out with run and carry.

Felt we were too tall at times last season down back. Bit of a log jam trying to squeeze everyone in.

Mass is also pretty tenacious defensively despite being only a little fella. Put himself under many a high ball in 2025.

They looked to be matched up on the wing.

 

[FB19]

I wonder if we're dropping Mass down the field as part of the back six with Weddle moving higher up the ground on a wing? Would be difficult for clubs to shut down both Karl and Mass, with Impey also streaming out with run and carry.

Felt we were too tall at times last season down back. Bit of a log jam trying to squeeze everyone in.

Mass is also pretty tenacious defensively despite being only a little fella. Put himself under many a high ball in 2025.

Agree I really think he could make a great back pocket. Interesting I believe the scums knock on him was defending but he’s been good at that as a defensive winger IMO.

 

[butlers hawks]

Been through an ownership change at work and I havent been able to be on here much at all so only seeing the odd report.

How have the new kids looked? Seems Greeves is spoken about most in here when I quick scan. Anything on Nairn/Dalton etc would be much appreciated. Apologies if it has been posted a few times I just havent been able to look

 

[Bedi]

Dont reckon i've been to a training session since the Glenferrie Oval days when it was 5pm Tue and Thu evenings, but keen to get along to one to check out the KCC. Website says Thu Jan 15 and 22nd from 9.15am, so is that the time you'd actually aim to turn up for?

 

[butlers hawks]

Dont reckon i've been to a training session since the Glenferrie Oval days when it was 5pm Tue and Thu evenings, but keen to get along to one to check out the KCC. Website says Thu Jan 15 and 22nd from 9.15am, so is that the time you'd actually aim to turn up for?

werent those the days

 

[The Golden Glenferrie]

werent those the days

I loved it.

 

[Mr Lizard]

Website says Thu Jan 15 and 22nd from 9.15am, so is that the time you'd actually aim to turn up for?

I mean... yes? what other time you thinking of?

 

[Bedi]

I mean... yes? what other time you thinking of?

When any time listing says 'from 9.15' it doesn't sound like 9.15am sharp to me. So yes, very early but i'd rock up if that's the actual time. Othewise would 10.30 leave enough time to watch them train before checking out the museum?

 

[Nugett]

How many days before round 1?

 

[MazHawk]

How many days before round 1?

Too many.

 

[Simon Crawshay]

Agree I really think he could make a great back pocket. Interesting I believe the scums knock on him was defending but he’s been good at that as a defensive winger IMO.

For his size he is deceptively strong. He's built like those old Italian Concreters who have been pouring concrete for 50 years.

I do like him having the ball further up the ground though to make the most of his kicking.