Training 2026 Off-Season & Preseason reports and discussion

[cyrilicious]

is that it for training? wouldnt mind coming today or tomorrow if they are

 

[Simon Crawshay]

didn't we have a bad preseason start of 2023 or 2024?

I think it was start of 2024 when CJ and Blank got injured in the one pre season game against the Dogs.

But from memory by the end of 2024 we pretty much had a full list to choose from.

I can't be arsed but I'd be fascinated to see a breakdown between total amount of games missed through injury at the Hawks versus Essendon since 2020.

 

[Sirlemsip]

I think it was start of 2024 when CJ and Blank got injured in the one pre season game against the Dogs.

But from memory by the end of 2024 we pretty much had a full list to choose from.

I can't be arsed but I'd be fascinated to see a breakdown between total amount of games missed through injury at the Hawks versus Essendon since 2020.

That was just during an intra-club. Wasn't even against an opposition.

 

[Simon Crawshay]

Meek looked very good on the lead in the forward line and reeves gives a genuine match winning tap, I can see both benefiting, reeves lifting his aggression would be huge, he showed a lot in the box hill finals

I liked big Meeky when he camped inside the goal square and stuck those big dukes up in the finals.

Imagine trying to move Lord Meek once he has his feet set, you'd need a front end loader

Another thing about Lloyd is that he is as pure a kick for goal as I have seen from a ruckman (aside from Paul Salmon). He doesn't miss many.

Who knows maybe we could play both in the same team, Meek has definitely improved his forward craft the last two years.

 

[Brownbird]

Legitimately, when you watch any of the players for any length of time, it is so obvious they are giving it absolutely everything. No one is going through the motions, even for a moment.

I watched Will McCabe for a while and his intensity looked to be at absolute maximum in every thing he did. I was going to make comment on here of how hard he's working, but then you look at the next player and the next and it's the same thing. They all look incredibly driven.

yes i agree and was watching noting how hard they were going and no one appeared to be dropping off or taking it a bit easy - it was actually rather impressive as was everyone's efforts in the lengthy relay running session to finish off.

 

[Brownbird]

is that it for training? wouldnt mind coming today or tomorrow if they are

finished for the year - apparently are back 8 jan

 

[Yardie]

I'm a big fan of Meek but it's pretty clear we were burning him out playing him as solo rock this year.

If Reeves has improved his agility and all round game then I wouldn't mind getting a bit more of a look at Ned this year.

Still think Lord Meek has number one spot for 2026 but it sounds like Ned is giving it a red hot crack to make it his (competition is never a bad thing).

Always felt that Ned just wasn't the same after that shoulder injury against Geelong. He was having a breakout game that came to a sudden stop. Hopefully is back on track for the same intensity.

 

[kazzooka]

Not being gloomy at all, just curious if any of the guys are struggling. Very happy to hear that they're all guns blazing

From all reports i've read the only guys that are struggling are some of the first and 2nd year players with the running (and the giants like Reeves that we don't expect to fly like Finn).

What i'm liking is hearing that in the 1v1s Schubert, McCabe, Blank and Mraz and others are getting their wins here and there against the AFL Regulars. I remember a few years back DGB repeatedly losing out in marking contests to senior guys. So much so that he nearly did a lap of honour when he out marked Sicily at Easter Monday training (after sicily beat him cold 5 or 6 times before that and maybe halved another 3.

 

[Simon Crawshay]

For the track watchers out there in curious as to how Meek goes in the running trials?

He never gets mentioned as leading (not surprising given he is 110kg) but he appears to hold his own when it comes to running.

Ive always thought he has a surprising amount of zip on occasions for someone built like a upright chest freezer.

 

[unitedhawk2]

Track watch: Hawks young gun a standout once more as sidelined star takes next step

Hawthorn brought its 2025 training program to a close under sweltering conditions at Dingley.

www.zerohanger.com

"Ollie Greeves looked like a potential draft steal..."
That's my second-favourite note from the pre-season reports, next only to Weddle (and Croc) training with the mids.

In addition to the players, I reckon our track-watchers are also having a stellar pre-season - hats off and many thanks, one and all!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, everyone! Talk - or tap or type - again in 2026...

 

[SunshineHawkCal]

The_Axeman you retired or what?

 

[kazzooka]

The_Axeman you retired or what?

For a few years now, No longer lives in Melbourne I think.

 

[Sixpence]

The_Axeman you retired or what?

Yes. He moved from Melbourne a couple of years ago now.

 

[stevehawkington]

Yes. He moved from Melbourne a couple of years ago now.

The axeman is a legend. Practically invented pre season reports.

 

[Sixpence]

The axeman is a legend. Practically invented pre season reports.

What a weird thing to say. Various posters provided training reports long before Axeman.

 

[The_Axeman]

The_Axeman you retired or what?

Yep. 3 preseasons ago.
It's a long way from NSW to Dingley.

 

[SSSSSS]

Yep. 3 preseasons ago.
It's a long way from NSW to Dingley.

Surely Huddo's chopper is still in commission

 

[Roger Rogerson]

First training session I've been to this summer where Chol hasn't buried someone in a tackle.

I genuinely don’t think Chol has peaked as a footballer yet.

 

[Roger Rogerson]

Yep. 3 preseasons ago.
It's a long way from NSW to Dingley.

Where are you in NSW?

 

[Dewnior]

I genuinely don’t think Chol has peaked as a footballer yet.

For Chol it's all about want and desire. He has all the tools.

 

[The_Axeman]

Where are you in NSW?

Just north of Albury. A little town called Jindera. My wife's hometown.

 

[GinniAndTonic]

Just north of Albury. A little town called Jindera. My wife's hometown.

Sounds like we need to start a go fund me page so The_Axeman can go to Dingley and give us one last training report!

 

[bigbuddyboy]

For Chol it's all about want and desire. He has all the tools.

Chol has shown over the last two seasons that he has a lot of want and desire. Evidence of this lies in his defensive game; his tackle numbers stack up against small forwards, let alone tall forwards

He regularly busts his arse.

 

[stevehawkington]

What a weird thing to say. Various posters provided training reports long before Axeman.

Hah yeah just kidding. This reports were of high quality. I would donate to a go fundme if axeman agrees to follow thru

 

[The Golden Glenferrie]

Just north of Albury. A little town called Jindera. My wife's hometown.

God's country.