Training 2026 Pre Season Training Thread

[bedford]

I guess I'd rather give the bloke the benefit of the doubt before writing him off as lazy based off one person's perception. Ultimately if his training is not up to team standards he'll pick it up or he won't cut it. Time will tell.

Same as those having a crack at players turning up at Bondi ! lets not judge so harshly without knowing

 

[Dubai Quacker]

I dropped by for nearly the last hour of training yesterday. Not much to report except that I didn't spot Taylor Adams or Jesse Dattoli. Also Jev Phillipou may have cut his hair super short, which made him difficult to recognise.

Billy Cootee was off legs. He looked very sharp doing some handball drills with two other players (Amartey and Dos I think). But then he was using crutches when they left the oval to head back to HQ. Chad finished early and sat and watched and chatted to some smartly-dressed visiting insider.

In terms of the discussion about the size of players (as in mostly the thickness of their arms), I happened to be noticing that very thing a bit yesterday. The biggest are obviously the rucks (Grundy, Ladhams). Then Charlie, then Tom McCartin (definitely looking notably thick of arm). Rampe and Mills actually not too far behind. Heeney is lean AND muscly - absolutely NEVER misses a chance to get his kit off. Paps and Cootee also looking muscly.

Malceski looks in great shape. Laidler is in decent shape too. Buchanan not so much and Spike McVeigh looks like his body is seizing up on him - he looks a bit gimpy (but not as much as Leon Cameron who has a pronounced limp that must be from an old injury). Anyway, the coaches aren't the ones who have to perform on the field, so that's by the bye.

Near the end of the session on the oval they were rotating through match play and then going off in groups and doing these running exercises (photographed by Phil Hillyard) which comprised shuttle runs where they had to get on and off the ground at either end of a short shuttle repeatedly for a while. Rowy and Paps' effort and performance stood out in the rotation they were in together. Interestingly, with some of the talls (e.g. Curnow, Melican) they didn't make them get right down on the ground but they made their shuttle runs a little longer (say an extra 2 metres). Rosas appeared to be doing very well and working less hard, so I watched him closely and realised he was shortcutting it a little bit and not running as far as the person next to him. It was only a metre or so less on each 10 metre shuttle run (although possibly a metre at either end) and it made a surprising amount of difference. He also had a different technique for getting up and down where he rolled his body more. I wonder if someone is going to pull him up about the short-cutting. If I noticed then surely someone else did. I think they should. Jai Serong was lagging behind - but at least he was running his full measure.

That's all I've got for now.

McVeigh looks a bit gimpy?!

 

[Adnico26Parker]

 

[McGowan3]

Is that Rampe or Campbell in front of Heeney? If Campbell, bulked up considerably.

 

[Jewelsbon]

Is that Rampe or Campbell in front of Heeney? If Campbell, bulked up considerably.

I thought it was Mills.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Is that Rampe or Campbell in front of Heeney? If Campbell, bulked up considerably.

El Capitano!

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Classic Chad

 

[dosser]

Classic Chad

View attachment 2498533

Looks like he's going for the classic 'sleeper' move.

 

[Callipygian]

I definitely don't want to hang Rosas out to dry. I'm excited about what he brings. I will think a third time before publishing critical comment in future (I already think twice and hold back some observations).

As others have already pointed out, it was my impression that he was shortcutting, not a cold fact. Plus there's a lack of context or other side of the story. All I can say with confidence is that he wasn't running quite as far as the guys next to him on the shuttles, but it was a small difference. A metre may well be overstating it. Was probably 1-3 feet short at either end of each shuttle run. I guess it's relevant that he looked like he was keeping up with the frontrunners and doing it comfortably, while the others looked like they were working hard. And that's what made me zoom in on him a bit to figure out what was happening.

 

[Jewelsbon]

El Capitano!

View attachment 2498531

It's a great sign that he's running and hopefully WILL be back in full training when it resumes.

 

[caesar88]

I definitely don't want to hang Rosas out to dry. I'm excited about what he brings. I will think a third time before publishing critical comment in future (I already think twice and hold back some observations).

As others have already pointed out, it was my impression that he was shortcutting, not a cold fact. Plus there's a lack of context or other side of the story. All I can say with confidence is that he wasn't running quite as far as the guys next to him on the shuttles, but it was a small difference. A metre may well be overstating it. Was probably 1-3 feet short at either end of each shuttle run. I guess it's relevant that he looked like he was keeping up with the frontrunners and doing it comfortably, while the others looked like they were working hard. And that's what made me zoom in on him a bit to figure out what was happening.

I don't think you should hold back your observations as they're greatly appreciated. You can only give your take on what you saw & thought. As Jamie xx once said, the rest is noise.

 

[Callipygian]

The gruelling final training session of 2025 | Inside Sydney

Go behind the scenes for our final training session of 2025 as the boys undergo a gruelling double session in the Sydney heat.

www.sydneyswans.com.au

It looks like Dattoli was there: see at 2:15 in the video. When you don't notice someone doesn't always mean they weren't there. It's also possible he was there but finished before I arrived.

The guy with the white cap backwards is the one I think is Jev Phillipou but difficult to recognise.

 

[bedford]

El Capitano!

View attachment 2498531

Just brought one of those tops at the swans shop

 

[Cadsky]

I definitely don't want to hang Rosas out to dry. I'm excited about what he brings. I will think a third time before publishing critical comment in future (I already think twice and hold back some observations).

As others have already pointed out, it was my impression that he was shortcutting, not a cold fact. Plus there's a lack of context or other side of the story. All I can say with confidence is that he wasn't running quite as far as the guys next to him on the shuttles, but it was a small difference. A metre may well be overstating it. Was probably 1-3 feet short at either end of each shuttle run. I guess it's relevant that he looked like he was keeping up with the frontrunners and doing it comfortably, while the others looked like they were working hard. And that's what made me zoom in on him a bit to figure out what was happening.

I dont blame you one little bit and I certainly appreciate your updates as I can't get to training. Unfortunately some people jump at the slightest opportunity to put someone down weather they know it or not and as I said, im not writing him off based off one observation. For all we know he could be the stand out leader at other sessions. Keep the updates coming please

 

[caesar88]

Providing he stays fit, I just have this really good feeling about Dattoli as a player. The way he took so little time to show what he could do in the VFL last year after basically no pre-season. Was seriously impressive. I gave him no chance of debuting after that injury and not only did he debut but he well and truly earned it.

 

[zyzzbruh]

I definitely don't want to hang Rosas out to dry. I'm excited about what he brings. I will think a third time before publishing critical comment in future (I already think twice and hold back some observations).

As others have already pointed out, it was my impression that he was shortcutting, not a cold fact. Plus there's a lack of context or other side of the story. All I can say with confidence is that he wasn't running quite as far as the guys next to him on the shuttles, but it was a small difference. A metre may well be overstating it. Was probably 1-3 feet short at either end of each shuttle run. I guess it's relevant that he looked like he was keeping up with the frontrunners and doing it comfortably, while the others looked like they were working hard. And that's what made me zoom in on him a bit to figure out what was happening.

I think i would've been concerned if he was struggling to keep up on top of short cutting. If he was getting through the shuttles with ease regardless of being a few feet short, shows his fitness is up to par.

 

[Kiama Chris]

I don't think you should hold back your observations as they're greatly appreciated. You can only give your take on what you saw & thought. As Jamie xx once said, the rest is noise.

I agree. You may be wrong, as any of us might, but you have earnt trust that you will not be gratuitous.

 

[joeykanga]

Appears there was a final gym session as well, going by the pics in the gallery:

Gallery: Final training session for 2025

See some of the latest photos as the side held their final field and gym session for 2025. Photos by Phil Hillyard

www.sydneyswans.com.au

Why does Cox give Will a talking to about not letting go of his opppnemt around the 3 min mark. He'd left his marking opponent behind and stepped forward to the drop of the ball. I dont get it. Anyone care to explain. Why would you still wrestle if the opponemt has dropped off. Does that mean he should let the ball drop to the ground and wait till his opponent recovers. It beduffles me. Its one of the things that sometimes annoys me in games the wrestling by defenders keeping their eyes mostly on the movement of their opponent and not on the drop of the ball as opposed to the forward who keeps his eyes mostly on the ball. Someone explain it to me

 

[ErrolisGoldun]

I definitely don't want to hang Rosas out to dry. I'm excited about what he brings. I will think a third time before publishing critical comment in future (I already think twice and hold back some observations).

As others have already pointed out, it was my impression that he was shortcutting, not a cold fact. Plus there's a lack of context or other side of the story. All I can say with confidence is that he wasn't running quite as far as the guys next to him on the shuttles, but it was a small difference. A metre may well be overstating it. Was probably 1-3 feet short at either end of each shuttle run. I guess it's relevant that he looked like he was keeping up with the frontrunners and doing it comfortably, while the others looked like they were working hard. And that's what made me zoom in on him a bit to figure out what was happening.

Thoroughly appreciate your updates Callipygian reckon you do a great job conveying what’s happening at training.

I would encourage you not to hold back and call it as you see it, more often. The commentary is insightful and gives the best unfiltered update for a fan.

You are pretty much the Preseason thread!!

I think the onus is on the rest of us receiving the information, to take it for what it is and no need to be getting offended or taking your insights as gospel either.

It’s your perspective and others may see things differently and that is all ok but it’s the closest first hand account we will get if not at the training ourselves.

 

[RedBloodBlackSwan]

Providing he stays fit, I just have this really good feeling about Dattoli as a player. The way he took so little time to show what he could do in the VFL last year after basically no pre-season. Was seriously impressive. I gave him no chance of debuting after that injury and not only did he debut but he well and truly earned it.

Keane loves him. He is biased as he picked Datolli and wants him to come off. But I rate Keane.

 

[RedBloodBlackSwan]

I definitely don't want to hang Rosas out to dry. I'm excited about what he brings. I will think a third time before publishing critical comment in future (I already think twice and hold back some observations).

As others have already pointed out, it was my impression that he was shortcutting, not a cold fact. Plus there's a lack of context or other side of the story. All I can say with confidence is that he wasn't running quite as far as the guys next to him on the shuttles, but it was a small difference. A metre may well be overstating it. Was probably 1-3 feet short at either end of each shuttle run. I guess it's relevant that he looked like he was keeping up with the frontrunners and doing it comfortably, while the others looked like they were working hard. And that's what made me zoom in on him a bit to figure out what was happening.

I didn’t comment but had a completely different take to others who did.

I kind of liked that he was taking sneaky short cuts. A small forward needs to take every advantage they can get. They need that mindset.

Many of our other small forward options (and the team in general) are too nice and lack that killer instinct. Papley being an obvious exception, and also no surprise our best small forward.

I’ll care if Rosas is still taking shortcuts in January because it will mean the leaders and coaches haven’t pulled him up.

 

[bedford]

I said i loved Calli's training reports , i just don't see how he can say someone is taking shortcuts with coaches and leadership out there , they are the one's who decide , but we would be less informed if he wasn't there

 

[Jewelsbon]

I said i loved Calli's training reports , i just don't see how he can say someone is taking shortcuts with coaches and leadership out there , they are the one's who decide , but we would be less informed if he wasn't there

He was simply telling us what he observed. Didn't make a judgement, just an observation.

 

[bedford]

He was simply telling us what he observed. Didn't make a judgement, just an observation.

I said i liked it , but what is his experience to say Rosas was cheating

 

[Jewelsbon]

I said i liked it , but what is his experience to say Rosas was cheating

That's the thing, he never said Rosas was cheating, he noticed he was shortcutting and wondered if he would be picked up for it.