2026 Pre-Season Thread

[McLuggages]

I saw Fages speak at an event just before Xmas. A few interesting things.

He thinks we'll play 2 rucks with 5 on the bench - Forty and Draper. He LOVES Draper and say he brings something different to Big O and forty that we've never had. He said Essendon only ever used him 50% ruck and he's not sure why.

He said they were still working out where Kiddy fits. Behind the ball he likes having 2 defensive backs (Starc and Answerth for example) and 1 attacking (Zorko). Said kiddy could play small or half forward and it might take some time to work out how to maximise him.

Said they've found Rayners role so I wouldn't be expecting any different next year.

 

[dlanod]

Definitely a free agent. Will have to wait for the AFL to confirm the restricted and unrestricted FAs in a few months

Pretty sure he'd be a restricted free agent under the existing rules, as this will be eight years with us and I'm sure he's in our top earners.

The FA rules have been tweaked several times though and I don't know we've had a case where someone's hitting FA for the first time after 14 years in the comp, so the AFL might have snuck in a caveat somewhere that over ten years and becoming a FA for the first time is automatically UFA.

 

[braddsey]

He said they were still working out where Kiddy fits. Behind the ball he likes having 2 defensive backs (Starc and Answerth for example) and 1 attacking (Zorko). Said kiddy could play small or half forward and it might take some time to work out how to maximise him.

I imagine they have a situation of finding where they can park Kiddy while Zorko completes his career. Once Zorko gets injured or retires, then Kiddy goes to half-back.

 

[Thedeftouch]

Fages has also come out and said if Lachie chooses to stay past this year - fantastic. If he needs to head west for the kids, then he goes with our blessings.
He’s a good man is Fages.

I interpreted his comments as a subtle signal that the club will be dedicating salary cap space to Bailey ahead of Neale.

 

[dlanod]

I interpreted his comments as a subtle signal that the club will be dedicating salary cap space to Bailey ahead of Neale.

I took it as "Lachie, if you want to re-sign you get in contact with us" with that same implication that Bailey (and probably others) are priorities.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

I'm still of the mind that with our tall riches in the front half that Ty maybe just the fit for the Starce role. Strong, fast, great tackle, good overhead, great defensive mindset, reads the play well. With exposure down back he could become a dominant swing man if the need arises.

Might be the way for Hippy to get back in the side, if Ty moves down back. But you'd think Ty is more likely to be used to cover for Payne, especially if Dizzy gets hurt at any point. I wonder if someone like Luke Lloyd might be trialled as the lockdown medium defender, he has the height at least.

 

[dlanod]

Might be the way for Hippy to get back in the side, if Ty moves down back. But you'd think Ty is more likely to be used to cover for Payne, especially if Dizzy gets hurt at any point. I wonder if someone like Luke Lloyd might be trialled as the lockdown medium defender, he has the height at least.

I think the way Hippy gets back in the side is "get healthy". I can't see Ty keeping him out for some time yet.

 

[StevoJenkins]

Might be the way for Hippy to get back in the side, if Ty moves down back. But you'd think Ty is more likely to be used to cover for Payne, especially if Dizzy gets hurt at any point. I wonder if someone like Luke Lloyd might be trialled as the lockdown medium defender, he has the height at least.

Ty is our future forward for when Hippy retires. Although Ty does everything the team asks him to do, he is still a 18/19-year-old kid and will be competing with McMorris, Allen and Hippy when he gets back on the park.

Let someone like Doodee, Allen, Hippy or Lester take the bumps now and let Ty get bulky enough to play at either end later, as he's signed until 2030.

Lloyd on the other hand may have his only AFL shot in this team as a defender, but if he didn't get a shot last year as a forward or a defender, I think his papers are stamped. Happy for a VFL watcher to correct me on that, but it seems we went with calling up Gardiner and Fletcher into defence, then bringing in other mids, rather than bring in someone new.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

I think the way Hippy gets back in the side is "get healthy". I can't see Ty keeping him out for some time yet.

I'd argue Ty was starting to play better than Hippy was at the back end of the year.

 

[Grasshopper17]

I'd argue Ty was starting to play better than Hippy was at the back end of the year.

In fairness, Ty did not spend 4 months playing AFL with a torn ACL like Eric did.

 

[Grasshopper17]

I saw Fages speak at an event just before Xmas. A few interesting things.

He thinks we'll play 2 rucks with 5 on the bench - Forty and Draper. He LOVES Draper and say he brings something different to Big O and forty that we've never had. He said Essendon only ever used him 50% ruck and he's not sure why.

Great stuff, thanks for sharing! I think most clubs will start off with 2 rucks. Then over time we will gradually start seeing that get pared back and an extra midfielder on the bench instead. Presumably in concert with King and Montagna getting up there on their high horse on Sunday nights bemoaning the fact that Team X were too tall and couldn't run the game out properly.

I have nothing to back this up, just a hunch I have.

Regardless, two rucks could still play a crucial role in September. I think the best coaches will be able to separate the week-to-week noise from what actually works when it matters.

He said they were still working out where Kiddy fits. Behind the ball he likes having 2 defensive backs (Starc and Answerth for example) and 1 attacking (Zorko). Said kiddy could play small or half forward and it might take some time to work out how to maximise him.

If Kiddy is fit he plays. I have absolutely no doubt about this; we have a pretty well worn track record of picking our best players and shoe-horning them into positions they might not necessarily prefer (Fletcher at half back, Bailey, Levi, even Berry on the wing etc).

So the main big question is can he stay fit? Hopefully the penny has finally dropped for him and he is paying more attention to his preparation etc when not at the club.

The other big question is not really a question at all. He comes in for Starcevich. It's not a like-for-like, so to me Wilmot assumes the Starcevich role, remembering that Starcevich quite regularly would be involved in forward thrusts, just not quite in the same manner as Wilmot.

Certainly Coleman's kicking will be a step up from Wilmot's (who admittedly has improved in this area), and while Wilmot may not have the Starcevich physique (yet), he probably shades Starce in athleticism.

Then there's the Answerth question. I think we cross that bridge when we come to it. I think we'll play Coleman ahead of Answerth, even if both are fully fit, at least to start with. If we start getting opened up defensively that may give the match committee pause for thought, and it might also depend on our next opponent and the makeup of their forward line.

Certainly I can't see us playing Coleman anywhere in the front half. We wouldn't be able to make the most of his field kicking playing a traditional half forward role, and unless it's improved massively during his down time, he doesn't have the tank to play the high half forward role, where he comes up to wing or back half stoppages, and then races his man back to goal.

 

[SizeMatters]

I imagine they have a situation of finding where they can park Kiddy while Zorko completes his career. Once Zorko gets injured or retires, then Kiddy goes to half-back.

This is the most likely path. Kiddy isn’t best 18 but will play off the bench. Utility type similar to Ah Chee in his early years with Brisbane. If Zorko needs a rest or gets injured kiddy the most logical replacement. As good as Kiddy is and was I’d have Zorko ahead on exposed form. Fagan loves structures.

 

[SizeMatters]

Great stuff, thanks for sharing! I think most clubs will start off with 2 rucks. Then over time we will gradually start seeing that get pared back and an extra midfielder on the bench instead. Presumably in concert with King and Montagna getting up there on their high horse on Sunday nights bemoaning the fact that Team X were too tall and couldn't run the game out properly.

I have nothing to back this up, just a hunch I have.

Regardless, two rucks could still play a crucial role in September. I think the best coaches will be able to separate the week-to-week noise from what actually works when it matters.



If Kiddy is fit he plays. I have absolutely no doubt about this; we have a pretty well worn track record of picking our best players and shoe-horning them into positions they might not necessarily prefer (Fletcher at half back, Bailey, Levi, even Berry on the wing etc).

So the main big question is can he stay fit? Hopefully the penny has finally dropped for him and he is paying more attention to his preparation etc when not at the club.

The other big question is not really a question at all. He comes in for Starcevich. It's not a like-for-like, so to me Wilmot assumes the Starcevich role, remembering that Starcevich quite regularly would be involved in forward thrusts, just not quite in the same manner as Wilmot.

Certainly Coleman's kicking will be a step up from Wilmot's (who admittedly has improved in this area), and while Wilmot may not have the Starcevich physique (yet), he probably shades Starce in athleticism.

Then there's the Answerth question. I think we cross that bridge when we come to it. I think we'll play Coleman ahead of Answerth, even if both are fully fit, at least to start with. If we start getting opened up defensively that may give the match committee pause for thought, and it might also depend on our next opponent and the makeup of their forward line.

Certainly I can't see us playing Coleman anywhere in the front half. We wouldn't be able to make the most of his field kicking playing a traditional half forward role, and unless it's improved massively during his down time, he doesn't have the tank to play the high half forward role, where he comes up to wing or back half stoppages, and then races his man back to goal.

Answerth to plays starc role. No doubt about that. He is easily best 22. We now have 5 bench no subs. To mine it makes total sense to have all of Wilmot, Zorko, answerth and Kiddy in the team. Lester/doedee/gardiner to play the third tall role. Payne and Andrews the pillars.

I think it’s fairly simple set up behind the ball.

Forward line is where I’m more uncertain. Assuming Morris, Allen are verified locked but it’s a bit of a mishmash from there in my opinion. How does resting ruck work (bench, fwd rotate? Bit of both lost likely?), linc and Kai? Cameron and his ability to play a whole season? Then we go into high half forwards/resting mids. Bailey, Rayner even Bruce? Hipwood??? Foresrd line is where I’m most excited but nervous about.

 

[SizeMatters]

In fairness, Ty did not spend 4 months playing AFL with a torn ACL like Eric did.

Clubs a rabble to not pick this up. Surely Hipwood would have noticed and said something? Or maybe I am putting too much confidence into a player doing something unselfish.

Explains why he was lame for a lot of this season as per my game day “Hipwood watch” posts. Barely moving at times and half the time hunched over.

 

[Grasshopper17]

Answerth to plays starc role. No doubt about that. He is easily best 22. We now have 5 bench no subs. To mine it makes total sense to have all of Wilmot, Zorko, answerth and Kiddy in the team. Lester/doedee/gardiner to play the third tall role. Payne and Andrews the pillars.

I think it’s fairly simple set up behind the ball.

My question mark is on Answerth's height. I don't think he will quite have the versatility to play all the opponents Starcevich would have played on, and it would be unreasonable to expect him to.

I expect us to have to fill the Starcevich role by committee, and that's even assuming Noah is fit by opening round, and I'd be shocked if he is.

 

[Nathan Barley]

My question mark is on Answerth's height. I don't think he will quite have the versatility to play all the opponents Starcevich would have played on, and it would be unreasonable to expect him to.

I expect us to have to fill the Starcevich role by committee, and that's even assuming Noah is fit by opening round, and I'd be shocked if he is.

Who did it when Starce missed 3 months this year?

 

[Grasshopper17]

Who did it when Starce missed 3 months this year?

I'm not going to go back and analyse every single matchup we had in our back 6 for those 3 months. Feel free tho.

As an example I'll be very surprised if you find Answerth spent any prolonged period assigned to Dangerfield in Round 3.

 

[Nathan Barley]

I'm not going to go back and analyse every single matchup we had in our back 6 for those 3 months. Feel free tho.

As an example I'll be very surprised if you find Answerth spent any prolonged period assigned to Dangerfield in Round 3.

But we didn’t play an extra tall or medium type defender. So we didn’t cover his ability to play on those types

What it probably will mean is less games where Lester plays small

 

[Grasshopper17]

But we didn’t play an extra tall or medium type defender. So we didn’t cover his ability to play on those types

Spot on. And I expect that's what's going to happen this year. Our back 7 have overlapping skillsets to an extent so they have that flexibility without needing to make wholesale personnel changes.

My argument is and has always been that I expect that several matchups which would have gone to Starcevich will go to a player other than Answerth. And I won't be surprised if that is Wilmot a lot of the time.

 

[mebevan]

Any ideas why Will Ashcroft is doing some individual training thing in Dubai while the boys are hitting the track in Aus? Looks like its some kind of specialist performance/recovery clinic?

 

[Nathan Barley]

Any ideas why Will Ashcroft is doing some individual training thing in Dubai while the boys are hitting the track in Aus? Looks like its some kind of specialist performance/recovery clinic?

A bunch of Collingwood players were there too

 

[Balony_pony16]

Any ideas why Will Ashcroft is doing some individual training thing in Dubai while the boys are hitting the track in Aus? Looks like its some kind of specialist performance/recovery clinic?

Probably part of his professional goal which isn’t that uncommon across the afl over the past 10 years.

Will would be trusted by the club to use the trip for extra development

 

[Jivlain]

Clubs a rabble to not pick this up. Surely Hipwood would have noticed and said something? Or maybe I am putting too much confidence into a player doing something unselfish.

Explains why he was lame for a lot of this season as per my game day “Hipwood watch” posts. Barely moving at times and half the time hunched over.

It presumably won't have hurt much afterwards (ACLs generally don't) and he probably assumed it was sort of the usual sort of niggle that players inevitably accumulate. Perhaps there would have been value in having some precautionary scans given he was clearly under some duress but outside the walls we don't know if there was some indication that it was something worse than a niggle.

 

[knaf]

Sorry for cut SJ
“Lloyd on the other hand may have his only AFL shot in this team as a defender, but if he didn't get a shot last year as a forward or a defender, I think his papers are stamped. Happy for a VFL watcher to correct me on that, but it seems we went with calling up Gardiner and Fletcher into defence, then bringing in other mids, rather than bring in someone new.”
From my perspective Lloyd would be getting a game in another team with a weaker list and not contesting for premierships. He would be worth giving a bit of a run to see if he can adjust to the pressure. Not sure this will get this opportunity with us. On skill alone he is not that different to Gardiner (imo), in fact looks a more complete footballer. But he is a long way off Darcy’s intensity at the contest and “bloody minded” determination to kill the contest. I think this is the area he needs to work on.

 

[Denno]

I saw Fages speak at an event just before Xmas. A few interesting things.

He thinks we'll play 2 rucks with 5 on the bench - Forty and Draper. He LOVES Draper and say he brings something different to Big O and forty that we've never had. He said Essendon only ever used him 50% ruck and he's not sure why.

He said they were still working out where Kiddy fits. Behind the ball he likes having 2 defensive backs (Starc and Answerth for example) and 1 attacking (Zorko). Said kiddy could play small or half forward and it might take some time to work out how to maximise him.

Said they've found Rayners role so I wouldn't be expecting any different next year.

Wasn't on the 20th of Dec by chance, was it?