Training Pre-Season 2026 chat

[GlenMiddlemissed]

COS has been spending time up on the wing

But depending on how things go with Kolodjashnij post Xmas break, I wouldn’t be surprised if he returns to defence

Interesting! The old ruckman sized wing a la Blicavs. He could outmark any other wingman, even Dempsey if they were on opposing sides. Is he taking any of the secondary ruck contests as well?

I assume that if COS is midfield then SDK must be back, not ruck? If they were both not down there, it would be a pygmy sized defence (well, pygmy sized relative to Thilthorpe and Darcy).

 

[Pure_Ownage]

COS has been spending time up on the wing

But depending on how things go with Kolodjashnij post Xmas break, I wouldn’t be surprised if he returns to defence

Id say that's likely given sdk will be rucking.
What i want to know is if Ollie henry gets tried in any other roles this pre season.

 

[Vdubs]

Id say that's likely given sdk will be rucking.
What i want to know is if Ollie henry gets tried in any other roles this pre season.

Could he be used like Andrew Mackie was? Bit shorter. But good skillset and creative

 

[Tony Barber]

Could he be used like Andrew Mackie was? Bit shorter. But good skillset and creative

Surely not. I think he's in big trouble.

 

[Vdubs]

Surely not. I think he's in big trouble.

Big trouble?

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Could he be used like Andrew Mackie was? Bit shorter. But good skillset and creative

Possibly. I just think given the strength of our current front 6 we need to look at trialling Ollie henry in other positions if he is going to be an afl regular.

 

[Vdubs]

Possibly. I just think given the strength of our current front 6 we need to look at trialling Ollie henry in other positions if he is going to be an afl regular.

In 24 and 25 finals, no player has kicked more than his prelim 4 goals. Ability does not evaporate, but confidence and attitude do, along with opportunities.

at least I can't recall anyone scoring 5 goals in any of those finals

 

[Lana]

Id say that's likely given sdk will be rucking.
What i want to know is if Ollie henry gets tried in any other roles this pre season.

It looks like he put on a bit of size in his arms, still probably holding out for a spot in the forward line.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

It looks like he put on a bit of size in his arms, still probably holding out for a spot in the forward line.

Potentially but the forward line is crowded (especially if danger is going to play there on the weeks he does play) so I did wonder if we would try him as a wing or in the backline etc to see if we can give him another route back into the side.

 

[Lana]

Potentially but the forward line is crowded (especially if danger is going to play there on the weeks he does play) so I did wonder if we would try him as a wing or in the backline etc to see if we can give him another route back into the side.

We're stacked in pretty much every position, he is contracted to the end of 2027, he'd be in no rush to re-invent himself.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

We're stacked in pretty much every position, he is contracted to the end of 2027, he'd be in no rush to re-invent himself.

I mean thats true (we are stacked except for mids and ruck and he is neither) and I expect this year may be dangers last. But still it will be interesting to see how hard he works to get back in the team now i cant imagine he wants to wait for people to retire.

 

[Lana]

I mean thats true (we are stacked except for mids and ruck and he is neither) and I expect this year may be dangers last. But still it will be interesting to see how hard he works to get back in the team now i cant imagine he wants to wait for people to retire.

He knows his limitations, waiting won't be the worst thing for him. We have others in his position that could jump him in the pecking order if given half a chance.

 

[Tony Barber]

Big trouble?

Big trouble as in he came in and was promising.
I dont see how he fits in now.

He started 2025 kick chasing up the ground. We have enough players to do that.
He can jump. But he rarely marks.

I just cant see what he brings as a piece to the puzzle now.
I'd play him a lot late and use him in any Butters deal.

 

[Vdubs]

Big trouble as in he came in and was promising.
I dont see how he fits in now.

He started 2025 kick chasing up the ground. We have enough players to do that.
He can jump. But he rarely marks.

I just cant see what he brings as a piece to the puzzle now.
I'd play him a lot late and use him in any Butters deal.

I doubt we get Butters in any deal.
Not sold on Close- he's more likely involved in trades to SA, and OH can play his own role. There will be space for him..

 

[standupand]

I doubt we get Butters in any deal.
Not sold on Close- he's more likely involved in trades to SA, and OH can play his role.

There's no way OH can play Close's role. One runs all day. Sets up goals for teammates. Tackles and harrasses. The other tries to take speccies.

 

[Vdubs]

There's no way OH can play Close's role. One runs all day. Sets up goals for teammates. Tackles and harrasses. The other tries to take speccies.

Fair enough.
I should have qualified that by saying - playing his OWN role. They are different players. But with Danger on his last legs, and trades etc , I don't see OH wanting or getting traded, but Close- quite possibly.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

We're stacked in pretty much every position, he is contracted to the end of 2027, he'd be in no rush to re-invent himself.

Life comes at you fast

 

[Mr Meow]

I doubt we get Butters in any deal.
Not sold on Close- he's more likely involved in trades to SA, and OH can play his role.

Close was one of the top goal assisters in the AFL last year and is a ground ball specialist.

Henry will never play that role.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Big trouble as in he came in and was promising.
I dont see how he fits in now.

He started 2025 kick chasing up the ground. We have enough players to do that.
He can jump. But he rarely marks.

I just cant see what he brings as a piece to the puzzle now.
I'd play him a lot late and use him in any Butters deal.

He'd have to want to go there-i doubt he wants to leave Victoria at all and we would have to be very careful about causing disharmony with Jack if we tried to push him out.
Hes more than talented enough to be in our best 23 but I do agree he needs to improve defensively (we all know that) because our other forwards contribute more defensively and so he doesn't suit our current structure. Let's see if he improves early in the season in the vfl that will show us how much he wants it.

 

[small 4wards]

could be an unpopular opinion but I don't think we'd trade or delist Henry. He's a Geelong boy and I think he'd take unders just to play for the cats before another team. We talk a lot about Zac Guthrie's arc from being a fringe player who was only kept on the list because he had a brother in the team to an absolute lock in our 22 and I hope O. Henry has a similar trajectory.

 

[dazbroncos]

No chance Worpel in California right now...lol

His doppleganger was in the San Diego gym this morning and I did more than a massive double take several times as he worked out.

Happy New Year you lot.

GO Catters

 

[cats_09]

 

[Vdubs]

could be an unpopular opinion but I don't think we'd trade or delist Henry. He's a Geelong boy and I think he'd take unders just to play for the cats before another team. We talk a lot about Zac Guthrie's arc from being a fringe player who was only kept on the list because he had a brother in the team to an absolute lock in our 22 and I hope O. Henry has a similar trajectory.

He's loved and followed Geelong all his life, has a brother with him in the team, and was sought after while a Magpie. For 2 seasons he scored 40 goals a season which at his age was remarkable. It seems bizarre how quickly he has been written off, admittedly after a poor 2025 season, but Danger will go soon, Close may be traded to a SA team, and OH is a talented player, and hopefully a wanted player.

 

[Vdubs]

We're stacked in pretty much every position, he is contracted to the end of 2027, he'd be in no rush to re-invent himself.

?Mids
?Rucks
Matters not- OH is neither of those.
We won a flag in 22 without him, next 2 years with him, he scores 40 goals a year.
I still think he need not reinvent his position, but maybe his sharpness and confidence- imho, that is all that was lacking.
He reminds me of Menzel a little, not as good obviously, but still very talented, and with maturity, seizing his moments and some luck, we see the fruits again. Having his good mate back I hope will help a lot.

 

[Gee Class Loco]

I doubt we get Butters in any deal.
Not sold on Close- he's more likely involved in trades to SA, and OH can play his role.

OH play his role?? hehe... Yeah Nah. Nah.
OH is good for the Magoos or the SANFL and that's about it.
4Me. Not even in the conversation when we talk of our squad of 23 let alone that of a starting 18 player.
He has to be involved in any deal in getting some quality individual into the club.