Training 2026 Pre Season & Training Reports

[ansonholt]

Finnnnally [...]

Brilliant summary. Thank you. What seems to have come across is that many players are taking their conditioning and fitness to new levels. That should translate well. Perhaps more than a few of them had a chat to the AFLW team and might have learned a thing or to. This is where our girls excelled. Hopefully the boys capitalise on their talent and follow through in a similar way. Trying not to get TOO excited as it is only pre-season. Proof will be in the March to May period if we've really improved.

 

[maddiemelb]

I think this joke has probably run its course.

Considering this is somebody with a passion for photography (as well as a passion for North Melbourne), & they’ve stated a few times that there are no filters or tricks, it’s probably a tad offensive to continue to ‘joke’ about their work.

That’s how I feel anyway.
I’d hate to have a valued poster cease to contribute due to the same tired joke being rolled out every time they post.

Thanks marklovesbeer - appreciate you looking out for me. While I know the majority of people mean it as a joke, and I have taken it as intended, I think there have been some which have gone a bit too far - a lot of mentions, and not necessarily in good nature.

I want to be absolutely clear here - I do not photoshop or manipulate the photos in any way whatsoever.

Well said MLB. I've actually done quite a bit of paid photography work myself as a bit of a passion/side hustle (I don't claim to have pro level skills but have my own way of working/style) but agree with your sentiment and would point out a lot of Maddie's skill is in framing, technique, and image selection. Just as an example, when shooting sports, personally I'd shoot in burst mode, to capture the "best moment." I'd have thought Maddie would be doing the same and her shots capture the moment when players are in action and naturally muscles flex etc. Great work Maddie please keep it up.

As The Dingrel has so astutely pointed out - this is how photography works. When shooting in burst mode for sport, the camera is taking tens of images in a second or two, so you get the moment the muscles flex at their largest, and more often than not, that is the action shot you select. They’re also the ones the boys love the most - obvious reasons!

I appreciate all of the BF support and love on the flicks.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Brilliant summary. Thank you. What seems to have come across is that many players are taking their conditioning and fitness to new levels. That should translate well. Perhaps more than a few of them had a chat to the AFLW team and might have learned a thing or to. This is where our girls excelled. Hopefully the boys capitalise on their talent and follow through in a similar way. Trying not to get TOO excited as it is only pre-season. Proof will be in the March to May period if we've really improved.

I think the conditioning and physical mature is just coming on now as we’ve invested so heavily in the draft.

Often we forget that a lot of these kids don’t reach their physical maturity until 24-26 years old.

It’s been a long build but there are some signs we are beginning to head in the right direction.

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

Finnnnally got a bit of a chance to inform you all of some tidbits of player info I got prior to Christmas...

Dovaston - Brings attitude and energy to the group. Has found his feet and voice and the club and is participating in full training (and impressing). Ground level work is a standout.

O'Sullivan - The pre-Christmas standout (along with a few others), has been training both in the mids and the backline. Workrate and game sense is just off the charts. Strength and physical maturity come on faster than expected.

Sheezel - Class as always. The ultimate professional. Said that he is really happy to retain his VC status that Captaincy might be a bit premature when he still working on many facets of his game and his own leadership.

Corr - Limited pre-season so far as he is carry a couple of niggles. Not expected to be in full training for another month. Don't know details of said niggles.

Daniel - Doing what's expected of him. New defensive strategy should benefit him. Has spent some time up the ground (wing) this pre season as well.

Wardlaw - Didn't miss a session prior to Christmas, noticeably leaner,/more defined. Endurance base still the focus.

Duursma - Seems happy, focused and more comfortable this pre-season. Has been told that his development focus will be the forward line with only smaller stints through the midfield. Duursma very happy with that as that's where he sees himself having the most impact. Limited pre-season leading up to Christmas but should be back into full training now.

Scott - Not much to say.

LDU - Told to improve his running capacity, noticeably leaner. Set new PB's in the 2km and some of the repeat sprint testing earlier in the pre-season.

Kerch - One of the other standouts of the pre-season. Breaking tackles at all, not going to ground, generally stronger and more physically mature through the hips and shoulders. Expect big things this year.

McDonald - Desperate to be apart of our push up the ladder. Done a mini pre-season prior to pre-season with Luke Parker. Noticeably leaner and stronger. In his own words 'best I've felt in 4-5 years'. Shoulder giving him no issues at all.

Simpkin - Come back and focused on gaining back the trust of the playing group. Still the ultimate professional when it comes to his conditioning. Expect to see him play a lot of wing/half forward this year.

Spargo - Don't expect to play early, still on a modified program and still a long way off peak conditioning.

Urqs - Noticeably bigger and leaner. Looking to play purely as an inside mid this season. Game sense and transition running the two biggest focuses.

Stephens - Professional. Continues to be a stand out in the all the running/transition drills which is to be expected.

Fisher - Modified program, managing a few niggles including a hip/hamstring issue. Probably the most disappointing considering his career is on the line.

Hardeman - Club seriously impressed with condition he came back in post the end of the year. Noticeably stronger and leaner. Broke PB's in 2ker and repeat running tests. Has spent a bit of time training up the ground and has impressed with particularly with his long kicking.

Dawson - Bigger, stronger, more mature. Will be settling in the backline. Decision making with ball in hand and timing his intercept marking the key focus. Long term they want him to take the gorilla and taller key forwards (Darcy's/Kings), to free up Comben to play more of an intercepting role. Trying to balance his physical growth while also building his tank.

Logue - Stand out. Fed both barrels at the end of the season, but come back in ripping shape. Moving far better and seems to have got his agility back.

Larkey - Into full training now. Will be one of those types who will go to another level as captain.

CCJ - Injury free.

Goad - More physically mature. Actually able to compete with X now in the wrestling matches instead of getting rag dolled.

Threadgold - Mature beyond his years. The kid is a 'sponge' and just has a real desire to learn and be the best he can be. Has had to be held back at times to protect him from himself.

Powell - Flown under the radar but has had a fantastic pre-season. Told to get leaner/lose weight to improve his running capacity, which he did so. Been training all across the park, midfield, wing, half forward and half back. Looking at as a genuine utility.

Curtis - Has been managing a few niggles prior to Christmas.

Parker - Class & Leadership. His first full pre-season in 3 years. Feeling fresh.

Darling - see above. Has really taken Whitlock and Trembath under his wing.

Mikunda - Post draft was only seeing limited training due managing a few minor niggles. Expect to be in full training now. Will get exposure with training as half back, winger and half forward. Kicking in training and real feature.

Comben - Came back from pre-season carrying a few extra kg. Has since dropped the weight and is looking good.

Goater - Modified training prior to Christmas, still heavily managing his loads and repeat testing his soft tissue strength parameters. Significant focus on improving his overall body balance, as that imbalance was what was leading to soft tissue injuries (not uncommon for post achilles). Balancing act with getting him stronger while also trying to improve his conditioning.

Pink - Noticeably leaner and stronger.

George - Still being heavily managed, but club is super happy with where he is at. Training both as a forward and through the wings. Tank still the biggest concern, but expect a big block of conditioning for him and a few others once they get back into the thick of pre-season.

Archer - Managed prior to Christmas, but he is in ripping nick. Likely to be on a modified program until later in the year. Still participating in 80% of training.

Whitlock - Balancing the physique build while maintaining his running conditioning. Training forward.

Stevens - bigger and stronger but still a long way to go.

Harvey - Half back! Settled. Focus is lock down defence and defensive craft. Want to utilise his skills and vision across half back. Came back in the best condition of his career and set running PB's. Maybe everything has finally clicked with him?

Xerri - Smashing the GPS numbers during training. Couple of kg's lighter to deal with the new ruck rules.

Konstanty - Surprise candidate as one of the pre-Christmas standouts. Blowing his running numbers and just all round in good condition. As part of his development, been training both forward and back.

Zurhaar - Come along quicker than expected from his ankle injury participating in full training now and looking good.

Banch - Up there with FOS/Kerch and co for the pre-Christmas standout. Running numbers are ridiculous and is leaving no stone unturned in his development. Another who is a sponge for learning and super professional.

Hansen Jnr - really solid pre-season. Really involed with game sense drills with his kicking and class a stand out. Might end up being a sneaky one who surprises a few earlier in the season.

Trembath - Up there with the top tier of pre-season. Mature as they come and so driven to get the best out of himself. Learning and improving every session. Another who is noticeably leaner, and who has set Pb's in both running and the gym.

Love everything about this, except the Curtis part.

 

[Merlin007]

Finnnnally got a bit of a chance to inform you all of some tidbits of player info I got prior to Christmas...

Dovaston - Brings attitude and energy to the group. Has found his feet and voice and the club and is participating in full training (and impressing). Ground level work is a standout.

O'Sullivan - The pre-Christmas standout (along with a few others), has been training both in the mids and the backline. Workrate and game sense is just off the charts. Strength and physical maturity come on faster than expected.

Sheezel - Class as always. The ultimate professional. Said that he is really happy to retain his VC status that Captaincy might be a bit premature when he still working on many facets of his game and his own leadership.

Corr - Limited pre-season so far as he is carry a couple of niggles. Not expected to be in full training for another month. Don't know details of said niggles.

Daniel - Doing what's expected of him. New defensive strategy should benefit him. Has spent some time up the ground (wing) this pre season as well.

Wardlaw - Didn't miss a session prior to Christmas, noticeably leaner,/more defined. Endurance base still the focus.

Duursma - Seems happy, focused and more comfortable this pre-season. Has been told that his development focus will be the forward line with only smaller stints through the midfield. Duursma very happy with that as that's where he sees himself having the most impact. Limited pre-season leading up to Christmas but should be back into full training now.

Scott - Not much to say.

LDU - Told to improve his running capacity, noticeably leaner. Set new PB's in the 2km and some of the repeat sprint testing earlier in the pre-season.

Kerch - One of the other standouts of the pre-season. Breaking tackles at all, not going to ground, generally stronger and more physically mature through the hips and shoulders. Expect big things this year.

McDonald - Desperate to be apart of our push up the ladder. Done a mini pre-season prior to pre-season with Luke Parker. Noticeably leaner and stronger. In his own words 'best I've felt in 4-5 years'. Shoulder giving him no issues at all.

Simpkin - Come back and focused on gaining back the trust of the playing group. Still the ultimate professional when it comes to his conditioning. Expect to see him play a lot of wing/half forward this year.

Spargo - Don't expect to play early, still on a modified program and still a long way off peak conditioning.

Urqs - Noticeably bigger and leaner. Looking to play purely as an inside mid this season. Game sense and transition running the two biggest focuses.

Stephens - Professional. Continues to be a stand out in the all the running/transition drills which is to be expected.

Fisher - Modified program, managing a few niggles including a hip/hamstring issue. Probably the most disappointing considering his career is on the line.

Hardeman - Club seriously impressed with condition he came back in post the end of the year. Noticeably stronger and leaner. Broke PB's in 2ker and repeat running tests. Has spent a bit of time training up the ground and has impressed with particularly with his long kicking.

Dawson - Bigger, stronger, more mature. Will be settling in the backline. Decision making with ball in hand and timing his intercept marking the key focus. Long term they want him to take the gorilla and taller key forwards (Darcy's/Kings), to free up Comben to play more of an intercepting role. Trying to balance his physical growth while also building his tank.

Logue - Stand out. Fed both barrels at the end of the season, but come back in ripping shape. Moving far better and seems to have got his agility back.

Larkey - Into full training now. Will be one of those types who will go to another level as captain.

CCJ - Injury free.

Goad - More physically mature. Actually able to compete with X now in the wrestling matches instead of getting rag dolled.

Threadgold - Mature beyond his years. The kid is a 'sponge' and just has a real desire to learn and be the best he can be. Has had to be held back at times to protect him from himself.

Powell - Flown under the radar but has had a fantastic pre-season. Told to get leaner/lose weight to improve his running capacity, which he did so. Been training all across the park, midfield, wing, half forward and half back. Looking at as a genuine utility.

Curtis - Has been managing a few niggles prior to Christmas.

Parker - Class & Leadership. His first full pre-season in 3 years. Feeling fresh.

Darling - see above. Has really taken Whitlock and Trembath under his wing.

Mikunda - Post draft was only seeing limited training due managing a few minor niggles. Expect to be in full training now. Will get exposure with training as half back, winger and half forward. Kicking in training and real feature.

Comben - Came back from pre-season carrying a few extra kg. Has since dropped the weight and is looking good.

Goater - Modified training prior to Christmas, still heavily managing his loads and repeat testing his soft tissue strength parameters. Significant focus on improving his overall body balance, as that imbalance was what was leading to soft tissue injuries (not uncommon for post achilles). Balancing act with getting him stronger while also trying to improve his conditioning.

Pink - Noticeably leaner and stronger.

George - Still being heavily managed, but club is super happy with where he is at. Training both as a forward and through the wings. Tank still the biggest concern, but expect a big block of conditioning for him and a few others once they get back into the thick of pre-season.

Archer - Managed prior to Christmas, but he is in ripping nick. Likely to be on a modified program until later in the year. Still participating in 80% of training.

Whitlock - Balancing the physique build while maintaining his running conditioning. Training forward.

Stevens - bigger and stronger but still a long way to go.

Harvey - Half back! Settled. Focus is lock down defence and defensive craft. Want to utilise his skills and vision across half back. Came back in the best condition of his career and set running PB's. Maybe everything has finally clicked with him?

Xerri - Smashing the GPS numbers during training. Couple of kg's lighter to deal with the new ruck rules.

Konstanty - Surprise candidate as one of the pre-Christmas standouts. Blowing his running numbers and just all round in good condition. As part of his development, been training both forward and back.

Zurhaar - Come along quicker than expected from his ankle injury participating in full training now and looking good.

Banch - Up there with FOS/Kerch and co for the pre-Christmas standout. Running numbers are ridiculous and is leaving no stone unturned in his development. Another who is a sponge for learning and super professional.

Hansen Jnr - really solid pre-season. Really involed with game sense drills with his kicking and class a stand out. Might end up being a sneaky one who surprises a few earlier in the season.

Trembath - Up there with the top tier of pre-season. Mature as they come and so driven to get the best out of himself. Learning and improving every session. Another who is noticeably leaner, and who has set Pb's in both running and the gym.

So other than that, what's new?

 

[maddiemelb]

Your wish is my command.

 

[kanga kanga kanga]

As much as people wanna clown McDonald and point out everything he does wrong, he is a really good guy and a good guy to have around the club, also think last year was his best year for the club since his bnf year, as he says I really hope he is apart of our rise, done the hard yards and was even the captain of the worst side in history.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Love everything about this, except the Curtis part.

Bit disappointing, but after last year he had built a pretty solid foundation, big six week block of training from now and he’ll be firing on all cylinders.

 

[rickety]

Maddie, Rick18 and GR are fantastic assets to the board. I am sure they all get the humour and take it as intended. What the hell is 'hench'? I must've missed it somehow

Used to play full back in the 70’s didn’t he?

 

[Ichiro #51]

Awesome update roos_fanatic08. Very positive stuff.

Not shooting the messenger but North BF are sharpening their chisels as we speak to add C Spargos to the Mount Rushmore of whipping boys. Work is expected to be completed before he plays a game.

 

[gokangas]

Finnnnally got a bit of a chance to inform you all of some tidbits of player info I got prior to Christmas...

Dovaston - Brings attitude and energy to the group. Has found his feet and voice and the club and is participating in full training (and impressing). Ground level work is a standout.

O'Sullivan - The pre-Christmas standout (along with a few others), has been training both in the mids and the backline. Workrate and game sense is just off the charts. Strength and physical maturity come on faster than expected.

Sheezel - Class as always. The ultimate professional. Said that he is really happy to retain his VC status that Captaincy might be a bit premature when he still working on many facets of his game and his own leadership.

Corr - Limited pre-season so far as he is carry a couple of niggles. Not expected to be in full training for another month. Don't know details of said niggles.

Daniel - Doing what's expected of him. New defensive strategy should benefit him. Has spent some time up the ground (wing) this pre season as well.

Wardlaw - Didn't miss a session prior to Christmas, noticeably leaner,/more defined. Endurance base still the focus.

Duursma - Seems happy, focused and more comfortable this pre-season. Has been told that his development focus will be the forward line with only smaller stints through the midfield. Duursma very happy with that as that's where he sees himself having the most impact. Limited pre-season leading up to Christmas but should be back into full training now.

Scott - Not much to say.

LDU - Told to improve his running capacity, noticeably leaner. Set new PB's in the 2km and some of the repeat sprint testing earlier in the pre-season.

Kerch - One of the other standouts of the pre-season. Breaking tackles at all, not going to ground, generally stronger and more physically mature through the hips and shoulders. Expect big things this year.

McDonald - Desperate to be apart of our push up the ladder. Done a mini pre-season prior to pre-season with Luke Parker. Noticeably leaner and stronger. In his own words 'best I've felt in 4-5 years'. Shoulder giving him no issues at all.

Simpkin - Come back and focused on gaining back the trust of the playing group. Still the ultimate professional when it comes to his conditioning. Expect to see him play a lot of wing/half forward this year.

Spargo - Don't expect to play early, still on a modified program and still a long way off peak conditioning.

Urqs - Noticeably bigger and leaner. Looking to play purely as an inside mid this season. Game sense and transition running the two biggest focuses.

Stephens - Professional. Continues to be a stand out in the all the running/transition drills which is to be expected.

Fisher - Modified program, managing a few niggles including a hip/hamstring issue. Probably the most disappointing considering his career is on the line.

Hardeman - Club seriously impressed with condition he came back in post the end of the year. Noticeably stronger and leaner. Broke PB's in 2ker and repeat running tests. Has spent a bit of time training up the ground and has impressed with particularly with his long kicking.

Dawson - Bigger, stronger, more mature. Will be settling in the backline. Decision making with ball in hand and timing his intercept marking the key focus. Long term they want him to take the gorilla and taller key forwards (Darcy's/Kings), to free up Comben to play more of an intercepting role. Trying to balance his physical growth while also building his tank.

Logue - Stand out. Fed both barrels at the end of the season, but come back in ripping shape. Moving far better and seems to have got his agility back.

Larkey - Into full training now. Will be one of those types who will go to another level as captain.

CCJ - Injury free.

Goad - More physically mature. Actually able to compete with X now in the wrestling matches instead of getting rag dolled.

Threadgold - Mature beyond his years. The kid is a 'sponge' and just has a real desire to learn and be the best he can be. Has had to be held back at times to protect him from himself.

Powell - Flown under the radar but has had a fantastic pre-season. Told to get leaner/lose weight to improve his running capacity, which he did so. Been training all across the park, midfield, wing, half forward and half back. Looking at as a genuine utility.

Curtis - Has been managing a few niggles prior to Christmas.

Parker - Class & Leadership. His first full pre-season in 3 years. Feeling fresh.

Darling - see above. Has really taken Whitlock and Trembath under his wing.

Mikunda - Post draft was only seeing limited training due managing a few minor niggles. Expect to be in full training now. Will get exposure with training as half back, winger and half forward. Kicking in training and real feature.

Comben - Came back from pre-season carrying a few extra kg. Has since dropped the weight and is looking good.

Goater - Modified training prior to Christmas, still heavily managing his loads and repeat testing his soft tissue strength parameters. Significant focus on improving his overall body balance, as that imbalance was what was leading to soft tissue injuries (not uncommon for post achilles). Balancing act with getting him stronger while also trying to improve his conditioning.

Pink - Noticeably leaner and stronger.

George - Still being heavily managed, but club is super happy with where he is at. Training both as a forward and through the wings. Tank still the biggest concern, but expect a big block of conditioning for him and a few others once they get back into the thick of pre-season.

Archer - Managed prior to Christmas, but he is in ripping nick. Likely to be on a modified program until later in the year. Still participating in 80% of training.

Whitlock - Balancing the physique build while maintaining his running conditioning. Training forward.

Stevens - bigger and stronger but still a long way to go.

Harvey - Half back! Settled. Focus is lock down defence and defensive craft. Want to utilise his skills and vision across half back. Came back in the best condition of his career and set running PB's. Maybe everything has finally clicked with him?

Xerri - Smashing the GPS numbers during training. Couple of kg's lighter to deal with the new ruck rules.

Konstanty - Surprise candidate as one of the pre-Christmas standouts. Blowing his running numbers and just all round in good condition. As part of his development, been training both forward and back.

Zurhaar - Come along quicker than expected from his ankle injury participating in full training now and looking good.

Banch - Up there with FOS/Kerch and co for the pre-Christmas standout. Running numbers are ridiculous and is leaving no stone unturned in his development. Another who is a sponge for learning and super professional.

Hansen Jnr - really solid pre-season. Really involed with game sense drills with his kicking and class a stand out. Might end up being a sneaky one who surprises a few earlier in the season.

Trembath - Up there with the top tier of pre-season. Mature as they come and so driven to get the best out of himself. Learning and improving every session. Another who is noticeably leaner, and who has set Pb's in both running and the gym.

Nice report but lacks detail.

 

[Pres]

Awesome update roos_fanatic08. Very positive stuff.

Not shooting the messenger but North BF are sharpening their chisels as we speak to add C Spargos to the Mount Rushmore of whipping boys. Work is expected to be completed before he plays a game.

Those who go back a few years will recall that his Dad used to cop the same treatment from the faithful in front of the Henderson Pavilion...

 

[zoomba23]

Awesome update roos_fanatic08. Very positive stuff.

Not shooting the messenger but North BF are sharpening their chisels as we speak to add C Spargos to the Mount Rushmore of whipping boys. Work is expected to be completed before he plays a game.

Speak for yourself, he's already on my ten-man Mt Rushmore

 

[Passmore]

Love everything about this, except the Curtis part.

Curtis does **** all at training all year round.

Probably protecting the rest of the team.

 

[Ichiro #51]

Speak for yourself, he's already on my ten-man Mt Rushmore

Only four on mine - I’m a traditionalist. I have Mahonys getting a re-model to a Spargos.

 

[DuckYeah]

Hugh Byrne. Echuca FC. Ex Pioneer. CHF. Over 195cm. He would be 21 yr old.
Played in 2 Goulburn Valley League premierships.

Ooos kid can play. Whether the speed of the game is too quick thats all it is these days. So many talented players miss out because its run run run run more speed.. hate it

 

[Clarence2norton]

Bit disappointing, but after last year he had built a pretty solid foundation, big six week block of training from now and he’ll be firing on all cylinders.

Grain of salt and all that but I’ve been told by a club employee that PC actually had a seriously nasty illness that he picked up in Bali in the offseason that was bad enough that he had to be flown to WA to get treatment.

Apparently he lost a heap of weight and was on a modified program pre Christmas which may explain why he looked so skinny in the training pics.

 

[kanga kanga kanga]

Wildcard round here we come

 

[zoomba23]

Grain of salt and all that but I’ve been told by a club employee that PC actually had a seriously nasty illness that he picked up in Bali in the offseason that was bad enough that he had to be flown to WA to get treatment.

Apparently he lost a heap of weight and was on a modified program pre Christmas which may explain why he looked so skinny in the training pics.

It took two weeks for a mate of mine to pass normal faeces after returning from a recent Bali trip, and another mate came back with a flu type disease that hung around for way longer than it should've. Wouldn't be at all surprised if this was true

 

[Harris 10]

Daniel - Doing what's expected of him. New defensive strategy should benefit him. Has spent some time up the ground (wing) this pre season as well.

New defensive strategy, go on………

 

[roos_fanatic08]

New defensive strategy, go on………

Going back to a more basic setup.

Littlejohn the Maestro on that front.

 

[The Nostradamus]

New defensive strategy, go on………

think its been mentioned that we are going to quit doing our playing in front zone off strategy that never worked and be more one on one back shoulder

 

[ChopChopDigDig]

Best time of the year lol

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

Going back to a more basic setup.

Littlejohn the Maestro on that front.

Thank ****.

 

[zoomba23]

Going back to a more basic setup.

Littlejohn the Maestro on that front.

Of all the good oil you've fed us today mate, I reckon this one's almost the most important spoonful of the lot. Cheers