Training Pre-Season 2026 chat

[Footy Smarts]

Some of the attitudes towards Stengle are seriously ugly.

He's been with us for 4 years. 2 of those were awesome, 1 was very good and 1 he struggled with injury and form. He's delivered unbelievably well for us.

Over that time he's been paid a pittance compared to his output. There weren't calls for us to pay him 10x as much for his 2022 season when that's what his output deserved.

Now he's missing some training and immediately there are accusations that he's lazy and only in it for the money? You know nothing about the situation and those assumptions are disgusting.

Whatever happens from here he'll always be a Geelong champion. We knew the risks when we offered him the contract and we offered way less than otherwise fair value because of it. He could never set foot on the ground again and he'd still have delivered more for the club than what he'll be paid over his time here.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

He's only a kid so has the rest of his life to get those memories back.

Troy west would have to be pushing 50 wouldn't he?

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Those 3 look very similar...

ok joking

The cloning program is paying off massively

 

[CatToTheFuture]

I'm inclined to not kick stengle while he's down. Dude had a pretty rough childhood, if I was him I'd be an alcoholic.

The contract we gave him was too big, but that's on us.

 

[Phill Hendo]

The cloning program is paying off massively

The AFL will be investigating us for potential salary cap breaches and having too many players on our list.

 

[geelong_crazy26]

I reckon this is the second preseason Big George has come back noticeably trimmer.

He doesn't lack dedication

Doesn’t mean much unfortunately given his issues are god given, not conditioning or training related

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Doesn’t mean much unfortunately given his issues are god given, not conditioning or training related

I agree he's not gonna fit the modern game, but doesn't mean i can't be impressed by the young man

 

[Mattttty]

It means he got his fat contract, had a few average seasons and now will claim to be home sick at the end of the 2026 season

This is a poor call. You don't know anything about it. If you're ever struggling, I hope people show you more kindness than this.

 

[BennyGan]

I doubt it will happen but I wonder if Stengle does miss time that they look to use Oisin as a defensive forward on half backs

 

[Vdubs]

Missing preseason is not terminal. Plenty of time to regain hunger, fitness and form. He's a human, then a footballer. They have real issues like we all do, but because he's a footballer ( and an excellent one at that)we are somehow privy, or seeking to be, to his personal life.

We rarely hear about their output and contributions to sections of society, but there are many examples, and a recent one by Jamie Elliott was very moving.

 

[geelong_crazy26]

Missing preseason is not terminal. Plenty of time to regain hunger, fitness and form. He's a human, then a footballer. They have real issues like we all do, but because he's a footballer ( and an excellent one at that)we are somehow privy, or seeking to be, to his personal life.

We rarely hear about their output and contributions to sections of society, but there are many examples, and a recent one by Jamie Elliott was verey moving.

Curious question..

After missing an entire pre season, has any afl player won a brownlow in the full time professional AFL era??

 

[Vdubs]

Curious question..

After missing an entire pre season, has any afl player won a brownlow in the full time professional AFL era??

Given that most Brownlows are to mids, it's unlikely, but many players can be effective with missing some preseason. We don't know if he has a programme while AWOL. We don't know how long he misses.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I'm inclined to not kick stengle while he's down. Dude had a pretty rough childhood, if I was him I'd be an alcoholic.

The contract we gave him was too big, but that's on us.

To be fair it was market rate considering the overs st kilda and other clubs were offering him.

 

[geelong_crazy26]

I agree he's not gonna fit the modern game, but doesn't mean i can't be impressed by the young man

I agree. It’s a real shame and almost unfair that effort isn’t enough at the elite level.

God essentially decides who has the opportunity or not, and those ones then fight it out through effort

 

[Matthew Jelley]

Different players

Yes but still opens up a spot in a different looking forward line

 

[Mr Meow]

Some of the attitudes towards Stengle are seriously ugly.

He's been with us for 4 years. 2 of those were awesome, 1 was very good and 1 he struggled with injury and form. He's delivered unbelievably well for us.

Over that time he's been paid a pittance compared to his output. There weren't calls for us to pay him 10x as much for his 2022 season when that's what his output deserved.

Now he's missing some training and immediately there are accusations that he's lazy and only in it for the money? You know nothing about the situation and those assumptions are disgusting.

Whatever happens from here he'll always be a Geelong champion. We knew the risks when we offered him the contract and we offered way less than otherwise fair value because of it. He could never set foot on the ground again and he'd still have delivered more for the club than what he'll be paid over his time here.

I completely agree. As they are outlier opinions though I would directly quote the people you are talking about. There shouldn't be any fear in challenging someone directly.

 

[Partridge]

Missing preseason is not terminal. Plenty of time to regain hunger, fitness and form. He's a human, then a footballer. They have real issues like we all do, but because he's a footballer ( and an excellent one at that)we are somehow privy, or seeking to be, to his personal life.

No, it's because prior to coming to Geelong he was given the boot by Adelaide for a number of off-field issues. Drink driving, driving an unregistered car, and (much, much worse) being caught in possession of cocaine. Then a year ago he was hospitalised after going to a nightclub.

So it's not exactly a massive stretch to think it might be more than just "personal leave".

 

[D BRIDGE]

Stengle has always had issues.

If it stays out of the public spotlight and he plays good footy... our heads go happily in the sand, and it doesn't get thought about (would be the same with plenty of players).

Hopefully he can get it together and kick plenty more snags for us.

 

[Tony Barber]

No, it's because prior to coming to Geelong he was given the boot by Adelaide for a number of off-field issues. Drink driving, driving an unregistered car, and (much, much worse) being caught in possession of cocaine. Then a year ago he was hospitalised after going to a nightclub.

So it's not exactly a massive stretch to think it might be more than just "personal leave".

You never know. Some people are quite fragile when they've been through issues.

Maybe he's had to work extremely hard to get through all of the clouds in his head and maybe he is fatigued?
It's all just guesses.

I remember walking into my boss on a Friday and saying I'm taking next week off.
I just knew I'd run myself into the ground at work and I needed a mental break.

We are all different.

 

[Pollywaffle]

I thought he played somewhat selfishly at times in 2024 but to my eye appeared more of the team player in 2025

Disappointing if it curtails his 26 season. We need him

Looks like, at least in near future, we should treat anything more we get out of him as a bonus.
No doubt he has proven a great get over the last few years but there always seemed a possibility that the wheels might come off.
Hopefully we can see him him back firing like 2022. The guy is a rare talent.

 

[Vdubs]

No, it's because prior to coming to Geelong he was given the boot by Adelaide for a number of off-field issues. Drink driving, driving an unregistered car, and (much, much worse) being caught in possession of cocaine. Then a year ago he was hospitalised after going to a nightclub.

So it's not exactly a massive stretch to think it might be more than just "personal leave".

Even if it is, if GFC doesn't get him a minder like he had in 22, what's the solution?
Whatever the issue, he seems to have the backing of the club.

 

[The rabbi]

 

[Art Vandelay_]

What/where is the KCC? Is that Dingley

Kennedy Community Centre in Dingley.

94 Tootal Rd, Dingley Village VIC 3172

Google Search

Environmental Audit of the Rehabilitation of a Former Landfill for Hawthorn Football Club at Dingley, Victoria - EHS Support

The Hawthorn Football Club (HFC) is one of the leading Australian Rules Football teams in Australia with a very large supporter base of nearly 80,000 members. Hawthorn Football Club was founded in 1902. The club first played in the Metropolitan Junior Football Association 1902-1913 before...

ehs-support.com.au

What a title.
A truly fitting partnership. A former dump site now used for an everpresent dump of a club

 

[SSSSSS]

Environmental Audit of the Rehabilitation of a Former Landfill for Hawthorn Football Club at Dingley, Victoria - EHS Support

The Hawthorn Football Club (HFC) is one of the leading Australian Rules Football teams in Australia with a very large supporter base of nearly 80,000 members. Hawthorn Football Club was founded in 1902. The club first played in the Metropolitan Junior Football Association 1902-1913 before...

ehs-support.com.au

What a title.
A truly fitting partnership. A former dump site now used for an everpresent dump of a club

We're playing the long game Art.

You might have the surf coast and a funny shaped oval but we're building up our base less than 10 minutes away from the best Bahn Mi's in Melbourne .

VN Rolls eat your heart out.

 

[Goggin Our Best]

Even if it is, if GFC doesn't get him a minder like he had in 22, what's the solution?
Whatever the issue, he seems to have the backing of the club.

Precious AFL footballers who are pampered to , where do you draw the line

I can remember Peter Jess who was a player manager , and for a while he managed Ablett Snr

And he said Ablett had a go at him because Abletts drivers license had expired and he expected Jess to renew it for him !!!!- Unbelievable stuff

To play Afl Football you have to be dedicated , and Stengle isnt , his off field behaviour when playing at Geel after Eddie Betts left his role at Geel hasnt been up to scratch , thats the bottom line