Training 2026 Pre Season & Training Reports

[Tas]

A lot of glass half empty on Tommy Powell. He’s still young and they have got a decent amount of experience into him without much in the way of support around him in the middle.

I think 2 years would be fair for both parties but I reckon as the team improves he will too. Someone needs to show him the video of his handballs from his first year set to classical music.

I think the pessimism is less about Powell and more about who else we have recruited.

When you are in the same pond as LDU, Wardlaw, Sheezel, McKercher, FOS and two of those stars aren't in the midfield yet then it can be a bit hard to see where he fits in, similar issues to what Phillips faced.

I think if we had a lot of potatoes in the middle we would be highly optimistic about Powell.

I mean if everyone developed to their potential he would be so far back in the plane that he would be in the cargo hold and that isn't on him, most sides do not suck balls for so long that they can recruit a plethora of top 5 pick midfielders. It says a lot that he is still holding firm... and probably says a lot about our list management and development that we haven't fast tracked high-end midfield talent for midfield roles due to present weaknesses in the back half.

 

[perplexed]

Powell is a lot skinnier, so probably a role change to the wing I would imagine.

I like the sound of this. Not sure he'll ever develop the running capacity for the wing but if he can improve his running it opens up more options for him.

 

[andana]

A lot of glass half empty on Tommy Powell. He’s still young and they have got a decent amount of experience into him without much in the way of support around him in the middle.

I think 2 years would be fair for both parties but I reckon as the team improves he will too. Someone needs to show him the video of his handballs from his first year set to classical music.

 

[Gasometer]

Can confirm that the race has been run and won, and I remain Fastest in the House for another year. Into a very stiff 3.1 m/s headwind at sunny old Ballam Park, with a top speed of 21.1 km/h, obviously dulled by the wind, and an unofficial time of 19.0 flat for the journey My Garmin watch reckons I had 14 seconds of running time, so I musta fluffed around for 5 seconds ....

You’re a run away from Garry Lyon hammy

Best Little Mate in a canter next year

 

[chubbspeterson]

It's a lot of work to play midfield in a bad team. He hasn't shown any willingness to play defence.
Had enuf opportunities.

I would agree he shouldn't be best 23 necessarily and he hasn't been good enough defensively in transition.
I'd just have a fair few names ahead of him I'd be moving on, but he may get a money offer we shouldn't match, so wait and see how it plays out as to how much the coaches rate him I guess.

 

[andana]

fair few names ahead of him I'd be moving on,

There is an active thread called Delisting mega thread 2024!!
Could be time for a 2026 version but called Mega delisting thread 2026!!!

 

[shinboner magic]

A lot of glass half empty on Tommy Powell. He’s still young and they have got a decent amount of experience into him without much in the way of support around him in the middle.

I think 2 years would be fair for both parties but I reckon as the team improves he will too. Someone needs to show him the video of his handballs from his first year set to classical music.

Yeah for Tommy to be in trouble there’d need to be huge years from about 5-6 of the uncontracted cohort and for Tom to have a stinker to be any cave of being delisted.

 

[kanga kanga kanga]

A lot of glass half empty on Tommy Powell. He’s still young and they have got a decent amount of experience into him without much in the way of support around him in the middle.

I think 2 years would be fair for both parties but I reckon as the team improves he will too. Someone needs to show him the video of his handballs from his first year set to classical music.

Until he adds a defensive side to his game he’s useless, he’s opponent is hurting us a lot more the other way every week.

Agree on the handballs though

 

[Rod Stroker]

Time?

nothing on the web site yet

Training Times | North Melbourne FC

Fans are welcome to attend North Melbourne's training sessions. Find the latest training times and locations here

www.nmfc.com.au

I might get down there if it's not at stupid o'clock. I expect it will be early though, given BOM are forecasting 40 degrees for Wed

https://www.bom.gov.au/location/australia/victoria/central/bvic_pt042-melbourne#7-days#sevenDayForecast

 

[zoomba23]

A lot of glass half empty on Tommy Powell. He’s still young and they have got a decent amount of experience into him without much in the way of support around him in the middle.

I think 2 years would be fair for both parties but I reckon as the team improves he will too. Someone needs to show him the video of his handballs from his first year set to classical music.

What do you mean by not much support? Does he need a bodyguard to clear the way for him? LDU and Parker in there isn't enough?

The man's stats from last year paint him in the worst possible light. He's happy to get his 23 per game, and then doesn't contribute score involvements (tenth at the club in terms of averages) and is bloody mediocre for inside 50s (behind Wardlaw, who gets 7.5 possessions less per game). Only 7 of his 23 are contested, which puts him behind every other midfielder who plays in the centre square. And we already know that he's a turnstile when effort is required to get to the guy with the ball and tackle him.

You're being very very kind to him

 

[the big lebowski]

What do you mean by not much support? Does he need a bodyguard to clear the way for him? LDU and Parker in there isn't enough?

The man's stats from last year paint him in the worst possible light. He's happy to get his 23 per game, and then doesn't contribute score involvements (tenth at the club in terms of averages) and is bloody mediocre for inside 50s (behind Wardlaw, who gets 7.5 possessions less per game). Only 7 of his 23 are contested, which puts him behind every other midfielder who plays in the centre square. And we already know that he's a turnstile when effort is required to get to the guy with the ball and tackle him.

You're being very very kind to him

I mean we’re his stats much different than sheezel last season

Double the goal assists
Similar in every other stat such as contested possessions, clearances, tackles, score involvements

Harry Sheezel and Tom Powell AFL Stats Comparison

Harry Sheezel and Tom Powell AFL Stats Comparison.

www.footywire.com

 

[zoomba23]

I mean we’re his stats much different than sheezel last season

Double the goal assists
Similar in every other stat such as contested possessions, clearances, tackles, score involvements

Harry Sheezel and Tom Powell AFL Stats Comparison

Harry Sheezel and Tom Powell AFL Stats Comparison.

www.footywire.com

I wasn't a big fan of Sheezel's year either. The pair of them left a ton of the responsibility for actual impact on LDU's shoulders. (Who also wasn't as good as he should've been).

Where Sheezel got brownie points was that he often tried to defend even when it was obvious he was struggling (no, it's different to tackle numbers). Powell just didn't.

Expecting better from both Sheezel and LDU this year. But for Powell... I think what we saw last year showcased who he is

 

[the big lebowski]

I wasn't a big fan of Sheezel's year either. The pair of them left a ton of the responsibility for actual impact on LDU's shoulders. (Who also wasn't as good as he should've been).

Where Sheezel got brownie points was that he tried to defend even when it was obvious he was struggling. Powell just didn't.

Expecting better from both Sheezel and LDU this year. But for Powell... I think what we saw last year showcased who he is

Fair enough

 

[The Dingrel]

I like the sound of this. Not sure he'll ever develop the running capacity for the wing but if he can improve his running it opens up more options for him.

I hear what you're saying BUT, I'd suggest any player who can average 35 touches in the U/18's comp and be the best player in his state, even in the covid impacted draft year, must at some stage had better than average endurance to manage that feat.

 

[Themanbun]

I hear what you're saying BUT, I'd suggest any player who can average 35 touches in the U/18's comp and be the best player in his state, even in the covid impacted draft year, must at some stage had better than average endurance to manage that feat.

The thing is, successful wingers at AFL level are a different breed. Not just better than average, we're talking top 30-40 endurance in the entire sport for the most part.

 

[kanga kanga kanga]

 

[Johnny99]

Hi, can anyone confirm preseason training starts tomorrow at Arden st - 6th Jan?
Do you know what time?
Thanks.

 

[r00boy96]

Hi, can anyone confirm preseason training starts tomorrow at Arden st - 6th Jan?
Do you know what time?
Thanks.

I've seen on IG it looks like players are still travelling abroad or around Australia. I'd assumed they're back next week.

 

[Johnny99]

I've seen on IG it looks like players are still travelling abroad or around Australia. I'd assumed they're back next week.

Thanks mate.

I had the day off tomorrow and was planning on going to watch.

 

[Shinboner1]

Dovaston putting in the hard work over the Christmas break!

 

[RooInNorthLondon]

Defending is 50% running capacity/strength at contact and 50% want. Powell is about 5% on both to my untrained fan eye. He has a long way to go to justify a slot in the 23. We need players who want to do the dirty stuff to get the best out of those like Harry, LDU and McK who can do much more ball in hand. Old man Parker is miles ahead of young gun Powell for this reason.

 

[Luke72]

What do you mean by not much support? Does he need a bodyguard to clear the way for him? LDU and Parker in there isn't enough?

The man's stats from last year paint him in the worst possible light. He's happy to get his 23 per game, and then doesn't contribute score involvements (tenth at the club in terms of averages) and is bloody mediocre for inside 50s (behind Wardlaw, who gets 7.5 possessions less per game). Only 7 of his 23 are contested, which puts him behind every other midfielder who plays in the centre square. And we already know that he's a turnstile when effort is required to get to the guy with the ball and tackle him.

You're being very very kind to him

I guess I mean there is not much cohesion between the group of midfielders, let alone with the support guy who should be running past.

 

[giantroo]

From the CBA:

AFL Players will receive three weeks of Leave over the Christmas and New Year period (Christmas Leave). The Christmas Leave will be as follows in each year of the Term:

following the 2025 AFL Season, Thursday 18 December to 2025 to Wednesday 7 January 2026 (inclusive);

following the 2026 AFL Season, Friday 18 December 2026 to Thursday 7 January 2027 (inclusive);

following the 2027 AFL Season, Friday 17 December 2027 Thursday 6 January 2028 (inclusive),

unless otherwise agreed by the Parties.

 

[zoomba23]

I guess I mean there is not much cohesion between the group of midfielders, let alone with the support guy who should be running past.

Not much cohesion, for sure. Would be nice if that was a bit different this year with Barlow at the helm. But Powell certainly doesn't help himself with his chip scabbing, lack of pace, defensive efforts and ineffectual disposal

 

[Chip Scab1]

Is there Training today?