Training Preseason Training Thread - 2026

[Keys]

The below is the OG faux training report from nearly 9 years ago - often imitated but never surpassed

In the absence of Keys I went down for a trundle this morning to check them out on return. Just a few random notes I took down...

• A lot of running work again, clearly a focus even in the heat.
• Duggan looked on and was hitting targets left and right. Set for a huge 2017.
• Giles went up against Vardy in the ruck contests and I'd say that Giles has the inside running at the moment.
• Mitchell looked a class above the other midfielders bar Priddis. Just knew how to find the footy and wouldn't miss a target all session. Shuey was very quiet and seemed to be taking direction from Mitchell. Doesn't bode well for his captaincy credentials, maybe he doesn't want the gig?
• Won't say too much about it in case I was just reading too much into it, but Rioli looked as though he'd enjoyed the Christmas break a bit too much. A few of the coaches pulled him aside and they were having quite an animated conversation before Rioli was sent to do laps for the rest of the session. Good news for Le Cras, I suppose.
• Sheed kicked on his right foot for 80% of the session, I reckon. Nice to see players working on their non-preferred so readily.
• Petrie looked like he was doing a great job 'coaching' the younger forwards in between the drills. Darling in particular seemed to be following him around.
• Gee Venables has some skills. He mainly jogged laps before spending the last half hour or so on set shots - curled a few beauties from behind the boundary line at the end for a bit of fun. Hardly saw him miss a kick.
• What interested me the most was that McGovern split his time between the defenders and the forwards, could be seeing a swingman role in 2017. He was his usual dominant self down back in some match simulation drills before going head-to-head with Mackenzie in a forward role.
• Bayok is very fast - Cripps was in most of the drills with him and couldn't keep up.
• Nelson is pale as buggery and still doesn't really have the body shape you'd expect of an AFL player.
• There was a big bloke who pulled up next to me and I could have sworn it was Suma, but I'm sure I was wrong...
• Masto was the player picked to kick the goal at the end today and nailed it. Celebrations were huge.
• No sign of Cole, Parto or Hill. Couldn't tell you why.

Will upload pics later if I have time. Let me know if you have any questions!

You might wonder why I’ve put this up and stickied it

Because this is the standard all copies should be measured against and it’s a reminder of how high the bar was set

And to hopefully discourage sequels.

If you want to have a crack in my absence, go ahead but if it doesn’t equal the standard set (as judged by me), then expect

• A one week threadban for a first offence
• A two week threadban for a second offence
• A one year threadban for a third offence

Actual training reports, minus discussion, can become found here:

Training - Preseason Training Reports -2025/26

This thread has been setup for training reports only and won’t be open for replies Informative reports from the preseason thread will be copied into this thread so posters have access to the quality work from the likes of LittleFires without wading through pages of general posts

www.bigfooty.com

 

[bzparkes]

That is a bit of a weird picture though taken at that new cafe/clothing hybrid whatever shop it is.
Ginbey standing holding a Nike thing saying "Somethings Off"
Some weird dude sitting between Hall and Walter with his hand on each of their legs and what is that across his legs are they over sized shorts as it looks like some splooge towel you hide stuff under.
Mmmm weird.

Yep agree. Something's Off.

 

[jdisc]

yall reading way too much into things

 

[DorothyG]

[PLAYERCARD]Tim Kelly[/PLAYERCARD] with a glow up

 

[RustyShacklefordFalcon]

yall reading way too much into things

I saw Houghy walk into Yo-Chi in Vic Park this evening. Absolutely stressing about it. What does it all mean?

 

[wadistance]

I’m sure you all know what Off White (brand created by Virgil Abloh) is

 

[Elite Pete]

Looks like a lot of other teams are back today.

 

[Bender_]

News from Bus 63 is that the green screen is back today, no sign of the players as yet.

 

[Boohemian]

Green screen enjoyed the break with some Christmas ham with the family, and a couple of beers on New Years Eve, but good to see it back on deck and ready to crack in.

 

[jdisc]

News from Bus 63 is that the green screen is back today, no sign of the players as yet.

"no sign of the players"

sounds like the green screen technology is working as intended

 

[Convocation]

Apologies if posted elsewhere. Do we see Yeo follow a similar path to Dangerfield, where he has bursts in the midfield whilst being a difficult match-up forward?

https://archive.md/4cR7T
Injury-plagued West Coast veteran [PLAYERCARD]Elliot Yeo[/PLAYERCARD] concedes his days of playing exclusively as an inside midfielder are probably over with him likely to spend time either back or forward in 2026.

 

[FatPizza]

Went down to have a look today. Didn't see Duggan miss a single kick.

 

[southcoast]

Green screen enjoyed the break with some Christmas ham with the family, and a couple of beers on New Years Eve, but good to see it back on deck and ready to crack in.

Any update on the Green Screen's skin folds?

 

[ghostbat12]

Went down to have a look today. Didn't see Duggan miss a single kick.

 

[Obeanie1]

That is a bit of a weird picture though taken at that new cafe/clothing hybrid whatever shop it is.
Ginbey standing holding a Nike thing saying "Somethings Off"
Some weird dude sitting between Hall and Walter with his hand on each of their legs and what is that across his legs are they over sized shorts as it looks like some splooge towel you hide stuff under.
Mmmm weird.

Its called fashion mate.

 

[Sherriff Incorporated]

Im a Freo supporter here but I came across relevant to WC. Before the break I spoke to [PLAYERCARD]Michael Walters[/PLAYERCARD] at Dockers training. He has a job now mentoring NGA's which started earlier than I thought as it included doing some assistance to NGA prospects in the 2025 draft after he had officially retired. I asked him about the 2025 NGA's and he said he expected Tylah Williams would be an absolute gun and he expected him to be drafted earlier than he was. Just saying a good judge thinks your draftee will do well..
Im also wondering if anyone here knows when training resumes for all afl teams. We have no information on the Freo site but I expect all afl players return on the same day.

 

[Keys]

Im a Freo supporter here but I came across relevant to WC. Before the break I spoke to Michael Walters at Dockers training. He has a job now mentoring NGA's which started earlier than I thought as it included doing some assistance to NGA prospects in the 2025 draft after he had officially retired. I asked him about the 2025 NGA's and he said he expected Tylah Williams would be an absolute gun and he expected him to be drafted earlier than he was. Just saying a good judge thinks your draftee will do well..
Im also wondering if anyone here knows when training resumes for all afl teams. We have no information on the Freo site but I expect all afl players return on the same day.

Definitely something to work on with Tylah- can see his ability in training drills. Very agile with a nice left foot on him not unlike Sonny

Players should be returning about now - some clubs trained today, expect all will be back into it by Monday at the latest

 

[AnyDanger]

If trainings not back until next week is that not nearly 4 weeks off over the Xmas/New year period? In addition to their end of year break, how did the PA jag this. No wonder we cant get better.

 

[KERRPOW]

News from Bus 63 is that the green screen is back today, no sign of the players as yet.

Its Bus 39 khent.

 

[Happy Mastenator]

Outside of SOO I'd love there to be a Cup competition in the AFL. Getting knocked out away at Sandringham Dragons, the stuff of dreams.

The state league teams would get thrashed by 100+ by even the worst afl teams. It’s not like soccer where can pack the penalty box and pray for one goal on the counter.

 

[southcoast]

If trainings not back until next week is that not nearly 4 weeks off over the Xmas/New year period? In addition to their end of year break, how did the PA jag this. No wonder we cant get better.

IIRC

On this point, Clarkson (I know excuses etc) said the 'training start dates' are set centrally and all teams align with this.

This means a team, like WCE in current situation, can only train the same amount of time as all other teams. Clarkson's moan was that this gave him, and Norfs, in his situation no extra capacity to upskill, refine game strategies, build muscle etc.

By comparison Geelong (IIRC was the comparison) roll from one season to another with seasoned bodies and are not set back as much.

My understanding is the AFLPA negotiated a set start date in one of the later agreements rather than a set break period.

Having said all of that I can sometimes be declared a superficial reader of stuff.

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

Probably unpopular but there’s no space for Origin in my view. Very much doubt the players have an appetite for it despite what they say publicly, clubs certainly wouldn’t have a desire for it and the AFL would only want it to make money rather than to showcase state vs state.

I’d have no issue with us not releasing players for origin. One significant injury to anyone and it’s done. The used to be space for it but not in the modern game.

I do wonder if say Nick Daicos does a knee who pays his salary? Are COllingwood stuck with his 1.X mill in salary on their cap? If they are it would be stupid. The reality should be the AFL cover his whole wage. This is what happens in international football. If a Chelsea player gets injured playing for England then England cover his wage for the period he is out. With Michael Owen I actually think England gave Newcastle money for the loss of his transfer value too mind you...

Im all good for the SOO.... but needs to be done properly and not half assed. We all know AFL will half ass it

 

[ziad]

The state league teams would get thrashed by 100+ by even the worst afl teams. It’s not like soccer where can pack the penalty box and pray for one goal on the counter.

Comparisons are very difficult, but the Swans reserves (not a full list and toped up with local U18 & 18's) played the better Sydney and Canberra league teams - often belted them by 24 goals to 1 or 2.

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

Anyone but me think Yeo may have dropped some weight? I think his body shape definitely changed overall

 

[eaglespremiers]

Its called fashion mate.

Weird Al is always a win.

 

[shoutsatclouds]

Weird Al is always a win.

Weird AI Yankyachain?