Training 2026 Pre Season Training Thread

[KTT]

Paton
Hamling
Adams
Grundy
Jordon
Ladhams
Francis
Hickey
Taylor
Brand
Gray
Clarke
Thurlow
Menzel

That’s our recent “trade-ins” (prior to this year).

Grundy was an AA ruck & can’t be classed as a fringe player - we benefited from Melbourne’s self-inflicted implosion.

The stats don’t lie: it’s rare that we’ve improved our best XXII via the recruitment of fringe players. Aside from JJ (and probably Ruck Jesus), you have to go all the way back to JPK, Mummy and Benny McGlynn.

Which is why I’m keeping a lid on expectations re: Rosas (and Serong).

Yep, my point was, the Swans have had no cash, so we've only traded in minimum wage players that you cant really expect to become stars - mores expect to provide injury depth.
We've also concentrated on the draft and maybe not wanted (or limited want) to give up draft picks.
I think Paton, Hamling, Francis, Brand, Gray, Thurlow and Menzel were all delisted free agents (or very close to) Clarke we got for p61, Taylor was a free agent. What ever they were, no other club wanted them.

Serong and Rosas had 5-6 clubs interested in them which suggests a brighter future.

This trade period and the trade period (Grundy, Jordon, Hamling, Adams) were really the only two trade periods since Buddy that we've been able to have a real crack

 

[Dubai Quacker]

Yep, my point was, the Swans have had no cash, so we've only traded in minimum wage players that you cant really expect to become stars - mores expect to provide injury depth.
We've also concentrated on the draft and maybe not wanted (or limited want) to give up draft picks.
I think Paton, Hamling, Francis, Brand, Gray, Thurlow and Menzel were all delisted free agents (or very close to) Clarke we got for p61, Taylor was a free agent. What ever they were, no other club wanted them.

Serong and Rosas had 5-6 clubs interested in them which suggests a brighter future.

This trade period and the trade period (Grundy, Jordon, Hamling, Adams) were really the only two trade periods since Buddy that we've been able to have a real crack

Not sure Rosas & Serong had “5 or 6 clubs interested in them”.

Pretty sure I read Rosas had a nibble from Richmond & that’s about it. Not so sure about Serong.

We all want to believe that recruits will be diamonds in the rough & we’ll identify talent that other clubs haven’t.

But realistically, that’s a rarity. And Rosas is mid-career with a pretty well disclosed form line.

Anyway, only time will tell.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Not sure Rosas & Serong had “5 or 6 clubs interested in them”.

Pretty sure I read Rosas had a nibble from Richmond & that’s about it. Not so sure about Serong.

We all want to believe that recruits will be diamonds in the rough & we’ll identify talent that other clubs haven’t.

But realistically, that’s a rarity. And Rosas is mid-career with a pretty well disclosed form line.

Anyway, only time will tell.

Rosas' final choices this year were us and Richmond. Brisbane, Adelaide and Essendon (as well as us) were all interested and looking at him in 2024.

 

[RubbaDuck]

Paton
Hamling
Adams
Grundy
Jordon
Ladhams
Francis
Hickey
Taylor
Brand
Gray
Clarke
Thurlow
Menzel

That’s our recent “trade-ins” (prior to this year).

Grundy was an AA ruck & can’t be classed as a fringe player - we benefited from Melbourne’s self-inflicted implosion.

The stats don’t lie: it’s rare that we’ve improved our best XXII via the recruitment of fringe players. Aside from JJ (and probably Ruck Jesus), you have to go all the way back to JPK, Mummy and Benny McGlynn.

Which is why I’m keeping a lid on expectations re: Rosas (and Serong).

One could argue that Ryan Clarke played a critical role as a defensive forward in our late 2022 charge towards the GF. He shut down Nick Daicos so effectively in Round 22 that Nick relied entirely on kickouts for early touches. Clarke went from perpetual sub to a key role as defensive forward in a run of nine straight wins from Rd17 onwards.

As off-season footy entertainment, I highly recommend 2022 Rd17 onwards, up to but not including the GF. Buddy, Reid, Hickey and the inpenetrable McCartin brothers formed a formidable spine (with cameos from Amartey and McDonald).

Mills was in top form, as was Heeney. Papley was on fire, Hickey was full-on Ruck Jesus. Despite the recent retirement of JPK, Parker and Rowbottom were both in dominate form. Gulden and Warner were emerging as future stars. Fox ruled over the last line of defence and even Stephens was showing his best form. Reid had arguably returned to career best form (which ended with his injury in the prelim). Buddy too, was enjoying a last sunset....but I digress.


Ryan Clarke certainly improved our best XXII, if only for half a season.

 

[McGowan3]

One could argue that Ryan Clarke played a critical role as a defensive forward in our late 2022 charge towards the GF. He shut down Nick Daicos so effectively in Round 22 that Nick relied entirely on kickouts for early touches. Clarke went from perpetual sub to a key role as defensive forward in a run of nine straight wins from Rd17 onwards.

As off-season footy entertainment, I highly recommend 2022 Rd17 onwards, up to but not including the GF. Buddy, Reid, Hickey and the inpenetrable McCartin brothers formed a formidable spine (with cameos from Amartey and McDonald).

Mills was in top form, as was Heeney. Papley was on fire, Hickey was full-on Ruck Jesus. Despite the recent retirement of JPK, Parker and Rowbottom were both in dominate form. Gulden and Warner were emerging as future stars. Fox ruled over the last line of defence and even Stephens was showing his best form. Reid had arguably returned to career best form (which ended with his injury in the prelim). Buddy too, was enjoying a last sunset....but I digress.


Ryan Clarke certainly improved our best XXII, if only for half a season.

A strong ray of sunshine amongst the gloom.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

I’m sure the boys are going to love coming back to training either tomorrow or Friday…

 

[bedford]

I’m sure the boys are going to love coming back to training either tomorrow or Friday…

Should be down here , hopefully no major fires everywhere

 

[Kiama Chris]

I’m sure the boys are going to love coming back to training either tomorrow or Friday…

I'm sure the fitness guys will plan the sessions so we don't kill them.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Back on board!

 

[Tedeski]

Looks good.
Now for top 4.

 

[Callipygian]

Was a pleasant day to watch training (from the shade). It didn't feel too hot and they didn't seem to be suffering too much. I was there for a little over an hour with my son through the middle of the training (i.e. not the beginning or the end - roughly 10-11).

Adams, Cootee, Andrew and Hanily were all doing stuff on the sidelines. Don't know if I just didn't spot him but I didn't see Mills at all.

There were two players I didn't recognise. One of them was an massive unit (just strong and solid, not especially tall) who definitely caught my eye. I commented to my son - I said "wow! he looks more like a rugby player". A while later I discovered he was in fact a rugby player. And not just any rugby player - one of the All Blacks! I didn't get his name but I think it was Caleb Clarke (he said he was a winger and looks like Clarke). Apparently [PLAYERCARD]Dean Cox[/PLAYERCARD] got invited into the change rooms with the All Blacks when they played Ireland in Chicago last year. Caleb (let's say it's him) got chatting and was interested in AFL players skills with marking (which is transferable to his wing role) and Cox invited him to drop in to our training over his off-season and so that's what he's done. I'm not sure for how long - it might have been just for today.

Caleb spoke briefly about his impressions. He said our ball is a "much different" shape (narrower) and it is slipperier. He said our players are more collegiate and supportive of each other whereas in NZ rugby it is more old school and competitive (even with other team mates). He agreed that with his body shape he wouldn't be able to keep up with AFL players, "even for a quarter" (his words).

Otherwise, I spotted Tom Harley (civvies, cap, dark glasses) watching on from the sidelines, very low profile. Before I got a chance to say hello Longmire showed up (also civvies but much more recognisable) and they were chatting together for a long time. I think Harley's wife and one of his kids may have come and gone too (the boy was wearing Swans gear). Before I left I did take the chance to say a quick hello to Tom and thank him for his fantastic service with our club. He said he was not there on business - just in holiday time and wanted to see the players and what was going on. And not there for the cricket either. I miss having a CEO that talks to me and knows my name! Tom was always extremely generous to me with his time.

I didn't notice a lot about the training except that it had a predominantly skills focus. All the drills I saw involved footballs (except for the guys on the sidelines). The large majority of our list seems to be healthy. The players were in good voice. Gus gave me a thumbs up and said he had a good break. When we first arrived the players seemed to be doing some sort of a tackling drill which was probably the strongest contact I have witnessed us practising (wrestling on the ground excepted) for a while. I didn't see any straight running drills (but nor was I there at the start when they most likely would have done that stuff).

That's all for today.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

 

[Adnico26Parker]

 

[ashep]

Was a pleasant day to watch training (from the shade). It didn't feel too hot and they didn't seem to be suffering too much. I was there for a little over an hour with my son through the middle of the training (i.e. not the beginning or the end - roughly 10-11).

Adams, Cootee, Andrew and Hanily were all doing stuff on the sidelines. Don't know if I just didn't spot him but I didn't see Mills at all.

There were two players I didn't recognise. One of them was an massive unit (just strong and solid, not especially tall) who definitely caught my eye. I commented to my son - I said "wow! he looks more like a rugby player". A while later I discovered he was in fact a rugby player. And not just any rugby player - one of the All Blacks! I didn't get his name but I think it was Caleb Clarke (he said he was a winger and looks like Clarke). Apparently Dean Cox got invited into the change rooms with the All Blacks when they played Ireland in Chicago last year. Caleb (let's say it's him) got chatting and was interested in AFL players skills with marking (which is transferable to his wing role) and Cox invited him to drop in to our training over his off-season and so that's what he's done. I'm not sure for how long - it might have been just for today.

Caleb spoke briefly about his impressions. He said our ball is a "much different" shape (narrower) and it is slipperier. He said our players are more collegiate and supportive of each other whereas in NZ rugby it is more old school and competitive (even with other team mates). He agreed that with his body shape he wouldn't be able to keep up with AFL players, "even for a quarter" (his words).

Otherwise, I spotted Tom Harley (civvies, cap, dark glasses) watching on from the sidelines, very low profile. Before I got a chance to say hello Longmire showed up (also civvies but much more recognisable) and they were chatting together for a long time. I think Harley's wife and one of his kids may have come and gone too (the boy was wearing Swans gear). Before I left I did take the chance to say a quick hello to Tom and thank him for his fantastic service with our club. He said he was not there on business - just in holiday time and wanted to see the players and what was going on. And not there for the cricket either. I miss having a CEO that talks to me and knows my name! Tom was always extremely generous to me with his time.

I didn't notice a lot about the training except that it had a predominantly skills focus. All the drills I saw involved footballs (except for the guys on the sidelines). The large majority of our list seems to be healthy. The players were in good voice. Gus gave me a thumbs up and said he had a good break. When we first arrived the players seemed to be doing some sort of a tackling drill which was probably the strongest contact I have witnessed us practising (wrestling on the ground excepted) for a while. I didn't see any straight running drills (but nor was I there at the start when they most likely would have done that stuff).

That's all for today.

Love the updates!

Where is the preseason training schedule published? Would love to get to a session with my boys.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

More pics from Peachie

 

[The King!]

Any houses still standing ?

 

[Neverwas]

Has Bice shaved off his mo?

 

[bedford]

Has Bice shaved off his mo?

If so , bad move

 

[dosser]

If so , bad move

I know it's the secret to your success

 

[Adnico26Parker]

As referenced by Callipygian

 

[Punts]

Was told today mills is still restricted, they might be opting for an overseas visit if he can’t fully ramp up in the coming week

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

Was told today mills is still restricted, they might be opting for an overseas visit if he can’t fully ramp up in the coming week

Its almost now a matter of how many will he play in 2026 before breaking down again.

Should be in his prime but will likely need to be managed whatever is left of his career.

 

[McGowan3]

Its almost now a matter of how many will he play in 2026 before breaking down again.

Should be in his prime but will likely need to be managed whatever is left of his career.

Very disappointing. Missing his prime as you say.

 

[JackHiscoxWasFast]

Was told today mills is still restricted, they might be opting for an overseas visit if he can’t fully ramp up in the coming week

Thanks punts. Time to move on, body’s just not up to it.

 

[Punts]

Thanks punts. Time to move on, body’s just not up to it.

He hasn’t re injured it but gets to a point and can’t push that extra bit apparently.

Guess he knows himself obviously when to pull back