Training 2026 Bulldogs Pre-Season

[Graeme Cook]

A Carnival worked well 50s 60s 70s every 3 years over 1 half weeks 2 players each from the 12 vfl clubs and played mid season with vfl round continued.
VIC SA WA VFA TAS
For example Footscray lost Whitten and Schultz to the Vic's THOSE WERE THE DAYS.

 

[X_box_X]

You can't replicate NRL origin because that is the main spectacle of their sport, even eclipsing the actual Grand Final.

That's because State of Origin is the highest level of competition you can get.

 

[grassman75]

You can't replicate NRL origin because that is the main spectacle of their sport, even eclipsing the actual Grand Final.

Even though Storm lost, it was an making GF this year in the NRL

 

[Mr. Walker]

When are the boys back into training? I will be interested to hear who is flying and where guys are training ( eg Buku with the defenders, Williams ….?)
Also , and this is not to start an argument, if Arty is actually doing something to justify the high hopes of some here who think he will be a lock for best 23. I hope they are right but some solid basis for the hype would be nice.

 

[doggiesin08]

When are the boys back into training? I will be interested to hear who is flying and where guys are training ( eg Buku with the defenders, Williams ….?)
Also , and this is not to start an argument, if Arty is actually doing something to justify the high hopes of some here who think he will be a lock for best 23. I hope they are right but some solid basis for the hype would be nice.

I feel like Arty Jones got better every game VDM and McNeil played at the back end of the year. I think there’s a lot more hope than hype for him still.

 

[Angak]

When are the boys back into training? I will be interested to hear who is flying and where guys are training ( eg Buku with the defenders, Williams ….?)
Also , and this is not to start an argument, if Arty is actually doing something to justify the high hopes of some here who think he will be a lock for best 23. I hope they are right but some solid basis for the hype would be nice.

Admittedly I am an Arty stan. One issue in how young players get judged is the assumption of a single development curve. Players like Sanders enter the league around 85kg with strong grounding in diet, training, and professional standards. They impact earlier. Others arrive underdeveloped physically, often from regional pathways, and need time to build a body suited to AFL demands.

Bailey Dale is a clear example. Drafted in 2014, he only locked down his spot around 2019 once his body caught up. I see Arty on a similar path. The delay is physical, not talent based. If his body holds together this season or next, views on him shift quickly. At that point he looks more integral to the side than a player like Sanders.

We need someone in the high half forward role. Someone who rolls up to stoppages and still has the speed to impact at the drop of the ball inside 50. Arty, even more than Weightman or Dolan, has the stronger traits for this role.

 

[Bulldog Banana]

That's because State of Origin is the highest level of competition you can get.

Thats right & theres also the lure of Australian representation in international matches if you perform in SOO

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

Admittedly I am an Arty stan. One issue in how young players get judged is the assumption of a single development curve. Players like Sanders enter the league around 85kg with strong grounding in diet, training, and professional standards. They impact earlier. Others arrive underdeveloped physically, often from regional pathways, and need time to build a body suited to AFL demands.

Bailey Dale is a clear example. Drafted in 2014, he only locked down his spot around 2019 once his body caught up. I see Arty on a similar path. The delay is physical, not talent based. If his body holds together this season or next, views on him shift quickly. At that point he looks more integral to the side than a player like Sanders.

We need someone in the high half forward role. Someone who rolls up to stoppages and still has the speed to impact at the drop of the ball inside 50. Arty, even more than Weightman or Dolan, has the stronger traits for this role.

The problem with Arty as I see it is that the theory of him as a player is way better than his output. He has amazing attributes but on the offensive end he is not particularly threatening, and on the defensive end he is far too inconsistent. He's neither a high volume possession winner, a strong goal kicking threat, or a defensive stalwart, and I worry that that is going to limit him.

He has more raw talent than e.g. Vandermeer/McNeil and with more consistency he can outperform them. To be the high half forward you speak of, though, he needs to be able to translate his traits into performance. He certainly has development left in him and I'm glad we're giving him the opportunity to build more, but I'm not sold that he can put it together.

 

[dogwatch]

The problem with Arty as I see it is that the theory of him as a player is way better than his output. He has amazing attributes but on the offensive end he is not particularly threatening, and on the defensive end he is far too inconsistent. He's neither a high volume possession winner, a strong goal kicking threat, or a defensive stalwart, and I worry that that is going to limit him.

He has more raw talent than e.g. Vandermeer/McNeil and with more consistency he can outperform them. To be the high half forward you speak of, though, he needs to be able to translate his traits into performance. He certainly has development left in him and I'm glad we're giving him the opportunity to build more, but I'm not sold that he can put it together.

I'm in the same boat Dannn.

History says that players who haven't locked down a regular (or even semi-regular) senior spot by their 4th year on the list aren't likely to make it. Maybe only a 20% success rate. There are exceptions though and each player's journey is different, a point well made by Angak above.

His journey since arriving has been a bit like that of Buku Khamis who was drafted in 2018. After playing only 10 games in his first 5 seasons on the list Buku finally got some continuity over the last two years, playing 31 senior games. However he's still only a fringe player on our list and we weren't desperate to keep him when Carlton offered him a spot.

Angak mentioned Bailey Dale as another example but while it took him 6 seasons to become a regular he had already played 40 games in his first four years on the list, mostly as a half forward which didn't quite suit him. It was (I think) his 7th season that saw him shifted to half back and he became a top 10 player almost immediately. Khamis has had those positional experiments already, Arty not so much.

Like you I'm happy Arty is getting his opportunity. There is a real opening for him because McNeil and Vandermeer are underwhelming as first-choice options for small forward and high HF. I hope he makes it but I think someone like Dolan could go past them all.

 

[Norm De Guerre]

You cant teach poise in a player and Jones' biggest flaw since his arrival is that he has lacked poise.

He always looks like he sees the game at 2x speed, but his skillset only works at 1x speed and he's never been able to get these aspects of his game into any sort of equilibrium. Its why he looks tantalisingly good as a pressure forward buzzing about applying pressure. The problem is when he gets the ball he's still at 2x speed and it kills his disposal efficiency. Leading to fundamental skill errors that just shouldn't be in his game after 4 years in the system.

I get the enthusiasm for him, but I dont think hes done anything at all that suggests that he is in front of VDM or McNeil for the worst slot on the ground at the feet of 2-3 elite talls who are going to hoover up a majority of i50 opportunities.

I personally think that Dolan will zoom past all 3 of the aforementioned players next season anyways...He has something that all these guys lack and it comes naturally to him.

He. Has. Poise.

 

[4Seasons]

It truly is a spectacular ground. I can't wait until we resume playing for AFL points at the ground again. It will happen one day. Going to the VFL and AFLW Grand Finals at Ikon Park takes me back to my childhood. It's a completely different experience playing at packed stadiums at suburban grounds. There's something special about it. These days you really only experience it when you go to Mars Stadium and, although I've never been, I'm assuming it's the same sort of atmosphere when you go to Cairns & Canberra.

Cairns no,it's more like a practice game. Still a good overall experience, but the atmosphere is nothing like an old suburban home game

 

[weltschmerz]

They're back. Not an ideal day for a yo-yo test, hey.

 

[Golden_6]

They're back. Not an ideal day for a yo-yo test, hey.

You'd hope training was over and done with by 10am.

 

[Angak]

 

[BomToydd]

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Weird training kit. Looks very norfy

 

[threenewpadlocks]

Artie Jones with a grizzled beard and a longer hair has made him look about 15 years older. It's a good look for him though.

 

[ossie_21]

Artie Jones with a grizzled beard and a longer hair has made him look about 15 years older. It's a good look for him though.

He’s gone from baby-face to Uncle in a single off-season

 

[cherrypie]

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Hard to believe Freijah will still only be 20 this season. He’s going to be an absolute unit in a few years time

 

[Inside The Kennel]

Hard to believe Freijah will still only be 20 this season. He’s going to be an absolute unit in a few years time

Steve Wallis was 20 in 1985 which also didn't seem right. He was the Runner Up B&F that year (Dougie overtook him with BOG maximum votes in the Prelim). Sometimes history repeats...

 

[Angak]

Hard to believe Freijah will still only be 20 this season. He’s going to be an absolute unit in a few years time

Also Hynes looks to have lost the baby fat.

 

[Mofra]

Also Hynes looks to have lost the baby fat.

Track watchers have noted Hynes' running has improved dramatically this pre-season. I'm really big on how he'll develop for us.

 

[Mojorisin]

Track watchers have noted Hynes' running has improved dramatically this pre-season. I'm really big on how he'll develop for us.

I certainly didn't predict this radical shift in shape and endurance base, looks alot faster off the mark to the eye aswell. Hopefully it transfers onto the field.

 

[Mofra]

I certainly didn't predict this radical shift in shape and endurance base, looks alot faster off the mark to the eye aswell. Hopefully it transfers onto the field.

I feel like he'll be "in the game" longer with his improved fitness base.

Last year he just seemed to show "something", be it holding on to the ball slightly longer to release by hand to a teammate in a good position, or getting himself to the right spot arpund a contest. Hynes does seem to have a pretty good football IQ too.

 

[TedDougChris]

I feel like he'll be "in the game" longer with his improved fitness base.

Last year he just seemed to show "something", be it holding on to the ball slightly longer to release by hand to a teammate in a good position, or getting himself to the right spot arpund a contest. Hynes does seem to have a pretty good football IQ too.

From my limited viewing, he looked like he was just slightly out of sync - ie over running or stopping at the wrong time - both situations ending up slightly out of alignment with the ball or the play.

If he's worked on his endurance and working with his teammates for another pre-season, his output should improve dramatically this season.

 

[Bulldog Brent]

Weightman OK? Saw some comments on FB he’s out til mid season?