Training 2026 Preseason Thread

[PerfectFooty]

West Coast cutting him makes it even funnier given the state of their list.

West Coast cutting him and us offering our only available spot at the time to Henderson, is also really funny in hindsight

 

[Lampers]

West Coast cutting him and us offering our only available spot at the time to Henderson, is also really funny in hindsight

It was strange. Henderson is just so bland. Not fast, not big, not anything setting him apart. Ready-to-go was about the only thing he had from what I could see.

Culley is a bit like if you saw something intriguing on the hard rubbish collection. You’ve go to wonder why they (West Coast) threw it out and be skeptical.

 

[Lampers]

I think he's talented. Plays more like how I think we all hoped Sparrow would turn out after the 2021 finals series.

With any luck the new coach means Sparrow’s virtual immunity is done and things will be more merit based.

In those match sim highlights Culley appeared to be playing as a proper centre square on baller. He was also doing that a year ago during preseason prior to being on the AFL list, but the 2025 coaching stuff clearly didn’t see his AFL position as a centre square mid. He only sporadically played as a centre square mid in the VFL.

I’m not sure if that match sim means King and co. DO see Culley as a genuine centre square mid at AFL level, or you just need to play more guys in there during an intra club match sim so he got a run. Especially given Viney is injured.

I still like Culley as a wing as his aerial work is mostly floating across packs from the side and exploiting a lack of attention being paid to him.

If he’s starting as a forward I think he’d get more attention and therefore be less effective in the air, plus I don’t see him having the initial acceleration to create separation on a traditional lead.

I also think as others called out with Steele and Viney pretty much being one position mids without leg speed, Culley just clogs things up more (especially if Langford is getting more midfield minutes which looks likely).

Leave Culley on a wing for mine because it’s the best AFL position to exploit his strengths.

 

[Lord Nev]

dude, maybe provide something..? theyre 4 slow inside mids...sure, you can name slight differences but theyre as similar as you can get.

Yes, Culley the 194cm, contested marking, nice kicking (19.8 kick retention) goal kicking wing/forward (possible mid this year) with his HUGE 0 CBAs in 2025, and Langford the highly skilled (4.6 kick retention), goal kicking, wing/fwd who will play lots of mid this year with his HUGE 2.8 CBAs in 2025 are EXACTLY THE SAME as Jack Viney (19.4 CBAs, -10.9 kick retention) and Jack Steele (21 CBAs, -5.1 kick retention). You're an astute judge to be sure.

 

[Lord Nev]

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

West Coast cutting him and us offering our only available spot at the time to Henderson, is also really funny in hindsight

They had a look at him for 3 (? or was it 2) years though. We weren't to know.

With any luck the new coach means Sparrow’s virtual immunity is done and things will be more merit based.

In those match sim highlights Culley appeared to be playing as a proper centre square on baller. He was also doing that a year ago during preseason prior to being on the AFL list, but the 2025 coaching stuff clearly didn’t see his AFL position as a centre square mid. He only sporadically played as a centre square mid in the VFL.

I’m not sure if that match sim means King and co. DO see Culley as a genuine centre square mid at AFL level, or you just need to play more guys in there during an intra club match sim so he got a run. Especially given Viney is injured.

I still like Culley as a wing as his aerial work is mostly floating across packs from the side and exploiting a lack of attention being paid to him.

If he’s starting as a forward I think he’d get more attention and therefore be less effective in the air, plus I don’t see him having the initial acceleration to create separation on a traditional lead.

I also think as others called out with Steele and Viney pretty much being one position mids without leg speed, Culley just clogs things up more (especially if Langford is getting more midfield minutes which looks likely).

Leave Culley on a wing for mine because it’s the best AFL position to exploit his strengths.

I dont mind the new coaching staff doing things differently to Goody, in fact I encourage it.

Get your point though.

 

[danster168]

Yes, Culley the 194cm, contested marking, nice kicking (19.8 kick retention) goal kicking wing/forward (possible mid this year) with his HUGE 0 CBAs in 2025, and Langford the highly skilled (4.6 kick retention), goal kicking, wing/fwd who will play lots of mid this year with his HUGE 2.8 CBAs in 2025 are EXACTLY THE SAME as Jack Viney (19.4 CBAs, -10.9 kick retention) and Jack Steele (21 CBAs, -5.1 kick retention). You're are an astute judge to be sure.

Culley played like 4 games. So mentioning total cba's is nonsense.

Wait, you dont think Langford will get cba's this year because you think he is a wing/fwd? Odd take. but i guess we'll see. He should get plenty of cba's this year. 0.5 goals a game makes him a goal kicking wing/fwd?

Viney and Steele are 2 inside mids. And will both get cba's. Not sure what youre banging on about kicking retention for. Langford was playing on the outside last season so you'd expect higher kicking efficiency.

 

[Lord Nev]

Culley played like 4 games. So mentioning total cba's is nonsense.

But he's only a "slow inside mid" isn't he? Maybe he was so slow that he couldn't make it in time to the bounce.

Wait, you dont think Langford will get cba's this year because you think he is a wing/fwd? Odd take. but i guess we'll see. He should get plenty of cba's this year.

Yes Dan, that bit where I said "will play lots of mid this year" was a clear indication that I think he won't play inside mid. You're sharp today.

Viney and Steele are 2 inside mids. And will both get cba's. Not sure what youre banging on about kicking retention for. Langford was playing on the outside last season so you'd expect higher kicking efficiency.

You don't understand how skills are something that differentiates players? That makes sense now actually. We could have saved ourselves a ton of cash and replaced Gawn with Cox. You should have advocated for that.

 

[danster168]

But he's only a "slow inside mid" isn't he? Maybe he was so slow that he couldn't make it in time to the bounce.

Yes Dan, that bit where I said "will play lots of mid this year" was a clear indication that I think he won't play inside mid. You're sharp today.

You don't understand how skills are something that differentiates players? That makes sense now actually. We could have saved ourselves a ton of cash and replaced Gawn with Cox. You should have advocated for that.

Culley a contested marking beast? the guy averaged 3.5 total marks a game.

So langford is a slow wing/fwd that wont get cba's this year? Want to bet that he wont get a lot of cba's?

My point was we cant have Steele, Viney, Langford and Culley in the middle. 4 uber slow MIDS that warrant cba's. if you dont think Culley or Langford will get cba's thats fine. But we have no Trac and Oliver if you didbt realise.

 

[Lord Nev]

Culley a contested marking beast? the guy averaged 3.5 total marks a game.

Can you quote where I said "contested marking beast"?

Taking 1 contested mark per game is a fair effort for his role and puts him in the top 4 for us in terms of averages. I think it's fair to say he can take a contested mark.

Would you like to know Viney's contested marking numbers? Given they're exactly the same player...

 

[Lord Nev]

Culley a contested marking beast? the guy averaged 3.5 total marks a game.

So langford is a slow wing/fwd that wont get cba's this year? Want to bet that he wont get a lot of cba's?

My point was we cant have Steele, Viney, Langford and Culley in the middle. 4 uber slow MIDS that warrant cba's. if you dont think Culley or Langford will get cba's thats fine. But we have no Trac and Oliver if you didbt realise.

Mate, if you're gonna argue at least do it honestly. Don't make things up that are the complete opposite of what I said.

 

[danster168]

But he's only a "slow inside mid" isn't he? Maybe he was so slow that he couldn't make it in time to the bounce.

Yes Dan, that bit where I said "will play lots of mid this year" was a clear indication that I think he won't play inside mid. You're sharp today.

You don't understand how skills are something that differentiates players? That makes sense now actually. We could have saved ourselves a ton of cash and replaced Gawn with Cox. You should have advocated for that.

well this we actually disagree on. I dont think Langford is highly skilled. I predict that by mid-season he'll have a similar fan trajectory to Windsor. someone who no-one talks about being highly skilled anymore.

i'm happy to be alone on this one regarding Langford. I think he impacts games through reading the play really well but im not sold on him as much as others and lets see how his disposals go when he's under more pressure in the middle.

i also noticed that you didnt mention that Langford and Culley are both similar height because it wouldnt fit your narrative. You also didnt mention that Culley and Langford are both good overhead who will both rotate fwd. Funny how you choose to ignore all the similarities.

 

[Lord Nev]

i also noticed that you didnt mention that Langford ans Culley are both similar height because it wouldnt fit your narrative.

Culley 194cm, Langford 191cm, Viney 179cm... EXACTLY THE SAME PLAYERS!

You also didnt mention that Culley and Langford are both good overhead who will both rotate fwd. Funny how you choose to ignore all the similarities.

So true, EXACTLY THE SAME as Viney and Steele hey!

 

[danster168]

Mate, if you're gonna argue at least do it honestly. Don't make things up that are the complete opposite of what I said.

make things up. 0.5 goals a game makes langford a goal kicker and 3.5 marks a game doesnt make Culley a contested marking beast. I talk facts. Even though its dumb to use 2025 stats. Langford was a 1st year player and Culley played 4 games. super silly.

Also, are you going to avoid answering the question. You think Langford is a wing/fwd and not a midfielder who will get cba's?

 

[Lord Nev]

make things up. 0.5 goals a game makes langford a goal kicker and 3.5 marks a game doesnt make Culley a contested marking beast. I talk facts. Even though its dumb to use 2025 stats. Langford was a 1st year player and Culley played 4 games. super silly.

Also, are you going to avoid answering the question. You think Langford is a wing/fwd and not a midfielder who will get cba's?

Last reply mate - I've answered all your 'questions', all you have to do is read my posts rather than trip over yourself in your rush to reply. Enjoy your weekend!

 

[Demon Attack]

I don't think anyone here wants Viney and Steele to ever be in the same centre bounce, worrying about Langford and Culley isn't the way to go. Don't see Culley spending much time in there personally, would much rather Koz and Rivers being the main two with Langford and Steele rotating. Plus a bit of Viney, Culley, Lindsay, Windsor depending on injuries and who is on the bench.

Coach comes from Suns in 2022,23 where Miller, Rowell and Anderson all had over 67% of centre bounces both years and hogged it. Then Cats last two years where the only player to go over that was Smith last year with 70%, much bigger spread of players got a go both years. I suspect we will go with the latter, especially since Clarry and Tracc have gone.

 

[Bluelegs]

Even if we are too samey in the middle it doesn't really matter as a rebuilding side. It's like complaining about playing Dom Tyson and Matt Jones getting games in 2014.

 

[Aalpal]

Did you see him guard that piece of grass by himself while Wanganeen-Milera won the game for the Saints?
What about his amazing defensive effort giving the ball to Carlton so they could beat us in a final.

Viney's a bum.

Sad you think so little of our best small man for a decade, I think you're the bum, respectfully

 

[danster168]

Even if we are too samey in the middle it doesn't really matter as a rebuilding side. It's like complaining about playing Dom Tyson and Matt Jones getting games in 2014.

nah I 100% agree with this. I didn't say that I cared. But we're very samey same in the midfield if we choose to rock up with these 4 blokes. Defensively, there's just no spread but yeah nothing really matters this year.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

Sad you think so little of our best small man for a decade, I think you're the bum, respectfully

That's why he's called Toump ASS.

 

[mrmonkey]

Sad you think so little of our best small man for a decade, I think you're the bum, respectfully

Don't worry, Aalpal. Toumpass idea of wit is nothing more than an incisive observation humorously phrased and delivered with impeccable timing.

 

[Headless]

Sad you think so little of our best small man for a decade, I think you're the bum, respectfully

Get in there and defend your favourite player, Elixuh.

 

[Elixuh]

Did you see him guard that piece of grass by himself while Wanganeen-Milera won the game for the Saints?
What about his amazing defensive effort giving the ball to Carlton so they could beat us in a final.

Viney's a bum.

 

[I Love Lamb]

Wow can’t believe I’m agreeing with Lord Nev and can’t wait to see Steele line up as our backup ruck and Viney as our 3rd tall forward.

**** our team must be all super slow as well if Culley was able to waltz the ball out of the front of CBAs without being tackled in all our match sims.

Pickett and Windsor must really struggle to get around the park if they can’t even keep up with a slow Culley.

In all seriousness I think Viney is cooked and will struggle to have any meaningful impact before he retires, idiotic Lamb contract. Our midfield will mostly be Pickett, Rivers, Windsor, Culley, Steele with Langford having hits in there while rotating off the wing.

Most exciting midfield combo we have probably seen in over a decade.

 

[schmuttt]

There is a lot of criticism we can direct at Lamb for contracts but the Viney extension always felt like a desperation move from the board to make the club look better with the Trac and Oliver drama.