Training 2026 Pre-Season Training - reports, pics etc

[Lukeblueboy]

Here's why they didn't want the match sim recorded:

Billy Wilson to Boyd was sublime in that footage Jim
And walshy out of that stoppage!
Haven’t seen him moving that well for a while!

 

[ItsAllAboutMe]

Billy Wilson to Boyd was sublime in that footage Jim

Great footage, few things I noticed.. Kemp will play round 1, Moir looks to be a key part of the forward set up, run and breaking lines with aggressive handballing seems to be a key part of the game plan.. Must say was a little concerned by Reidy, even when rucking against Young he didnt seem dominant.

 

[agro]

. Must say was a little concerned by Reidy, even when rucking against Young he didnt seem dominant.

That’s very concerning

 

[Lukeblueboy]

Great footage, few things I noticed.. Kemp will play round 1, Moir looks to be a key part of the forward set up, run and breaking lines with aggressive handballing seems to be a key part of the game plan.. Must say was a little concerned by Reidy, even when rucking against Young he didnt seem dominant.

Yeah aggressive ball movement.
Speed out of stoppage and breaking lines. Great to see!

 

[Juddernaut08]

Really good to see Kemp up and about. Pleasant surprise to see him looking very much recovered.

He is a really tough match up for defenders. One to watch.

 

[Lukeblueboy]

Really good to see Kemp up and about. Pleasant surprise to see him looking very much recovered.

He is a really tough match up for defenders. One to watch.

I really like the Mackay/kemp combination.
There both agile/quick and kemp Also plays alot taller at times.
I like our forward line and how we look to be rehashing it to a more mobile set up. Just get it in low and fast.

 

[KJP7]

The important thing about Kemp & H is that they're always on the move and provide leading options for the ball carrier. This should create more space closer to goal for the likes of Moir or Hayward and hopefully create a mismatch.

Crucially, it'll come down to if the mids have gone to work over summer on lowering their eyes, too many times last year they ignored players in space around the 35-40m only to bomb it long.

I know it's only preseason but I'm excited by what this forward mix can do. The test for this group will come when sides turn up the pressure on them.

 

[ItsAllAboutMe]

I really like the Mackay/kemp combination.
There both agile/quick and kemp Also plays alot taller at times.
I like our forward line and how we look to be rehashing it to a more mobile set up. Just get it in low and fast.

I think H will thrive being the main man, there is no doubt he would have 2nd guessed himself a lot not knowing what Charlie was going to do and they never operated as a cohesive unit. I am certain both Harry & Brodie will be far more coachable without the interference of Charlie who was only interested in what was best for him..

 

[BlueLocke]

The important thing about Kemp & H is that they're always on the move and provide leading options for the ball carrier. This should create more space closer to goal for the likes of Moir or Hayward and hopefully create a mismatch.

Crucially, it'll come down to if the mids have gone to work over summer on lowering their eyes, too many times last year they ignored players in space around the 35-40m only to bomb it long.

I know it's only preseason but I'm excited by what this forward mix can do. The test for this group will come when sides turn up the pressure on them.

Yep, H, Kemp, Moir and Hayward (+ possibly HOK) have more than enough aerial ability to force the opposition key defenders to be accountable IF we stop the dump kicks forward.

Compared to 2025, we're hopefully adding Ainsworth, Chesser, Smith, (a fit) Walsh, E.Hollands(?), Florent, Hayward and probably Carroll, Wilson, Moir, Evans and Newman to the starting team on a regular basis - all are decent kicks at worst. If half the starting team have been replaced, you'd hope we see some improvement.

Ison and Dean will probably play at some point as well - Ison in particular looks to have a very neat left-foot.

 

[Blue and Silver]

Kemp has got the leap to really worry defenders.

The sort of guy where you want to do your work early so he can't jump.

If he can be reliable on front of goal he'll do well this year

 

[jj1978]

I’ll provide a very brief review from what I saw. It was generally very underwhelming. I had a bad feeling about the year leaving the ground unfortunately. The loss of magic in the off season has left them looking meh to me. To be fair was amplified by McKay not being there which left only 3 (Walsh Weiters and Cripps) of the 6 I previously regarded as elite.

That said some positives:

• williams looked super fit (for him)
• Lij just HAS to be picked, kicking so badly needed
• Cody looks superb despite average kicking
• felt Wilson did actually look very good and he and Boyd provided real damage out of the backline

Just not excited in general. Really felt the loss of CC and TDK watching that. Just very little magic. Oh well.

I'm super tentative about what 26 is going to look like for us. I do believe moving Charlie on was the right move, and possibly JSOS as well. TDK would've been a bonus to keep but not at the price he would of demanded, so overall we are left with where we are.

I think with good coaching this team can make finals, but we've got to become a very workman-like team (Collingwood-esque) and keep up with the youth indoctrination into the team and get them to develop good habits.. In saying that I still have big doubts over our coaching pool in general.

I wouldn't be shocked if we miss finals entirely, but do think we'll scrape into the wild-card playoff from 10th spot.

 

[jj1978]

I think H will thrive being the main man, there is no doubt he would have 2nd guessed himself a lot not knowing what Charlie was going to do and they never operated as a cohesive unit. I am certain both Harry & Brodie will be far more coachable without the interference of Charlie who was only interested in what was best for him..

Problem we face is our two book-ends in Harry and Weitering are super important to our success now with no equivalent cover. 2026 is 100% defined on how good our coaching list is getting the group to work cohesively and stay focused.

 

[Coona Blues]

Great footage, few things I noticed.. Kemp will play round 1, Moir looks to be a key part of the forward set up, run and breaking lines with aggressive handballing seems to be a key part of the game plan.. Must say was a little concerned by Reidy, even when rucking against Young he didnt seem dominant.

Those expecting Reidy to assume the no.1 from opening round are really deceiving themselves. I have him in my Fantasy teams and expect him to play a bit of footy, but Pitto was often favoured as our no. 1 ruck to the million dollar man. Mixed reports come from Freo on Reidy, some not overly favourable, yet he received club accolades in a premiership campaign. I think he has the potential to take over, but am expecting a slow burn despite his age. It took Meek over a season to consolidate the role at Hawthorn and likely will take at least that for Reidy if Pitto stays fit

 

[KJP7]

I'm super tentative about what 26 is going to look like for us. I do believe moving Charlie on was the right move, and possibly JSOS as well. TDK would've been a bonus to keep but not at the price he would of demanded, so overall we are left with where we are.

I think with good coaching this team can make finals, but we've got to become a very workman-like team (Collingwood-esque) and keep up with the youth indoctrination into the team and get them to develop good habits.. In saying that I still have big doubts over our coaching pool in general.

I wouldn't be shocked if we miss finals entirely, but do think we'll scrape into the wild-card playoff from 10th spot.

I think when we look at where we'll finish this year, we need to look externally just as much as internally. Whilst we'll sharpen up our disposal, get a bit quicker and become less dependent on too few. Will that rate of improvement surpass others in the league?

There's a lot of good teams who'll only get better, which means it'll come down to fine margins on who can do the fundamentals for longer. I'm pleased with how the footy department has come together but just how much influence that'll have on coaching remains to be seen.

 

[Blue and Silver]

Those expecting Reidy to assume the no.1 from opening round are really deceiving themselves. I have him in my Fantasy teams and expect him to play a bit of footy, but Pitto was often favoured as our no. 1 ruck to the million dollar man. Mixed reports come from Freo on Reidy, some not overly favourable, yet he received club accolades in a premiership campaign. I think he has the potential to take over, but am expecting a slow burn despite his age. It took Meek over a season to consolidate the role at Hawthorn and likely will take at least that for Reidy if Pitto stays fit

I find rucks the hardest players to assess.

Do you want the hitout merchant or the around the ground guy?

How important are they at the clearance?

Do your mids need first use or do you just need to grind and neutralize the opponent?

How important is the ruckman as a marking target?

So many questions that don't have clear answers all the time

 

[SkyhorseTamer]

This is crazy. I was talking to Cam Bruce the other day and he said Lions dedicate nearly 14 hours a week to basic kick and handball skills.

Yeah.... Crazy it didn't attract more attention when it was said....

Have a similar number at another Vic club with also no real room for error during drills. Keep standards as high as possible during sims etc too. Players get help/attention when technique fails under pressure etc. Sloppy kicks are called back etc

 

[Coona Blues]

I really like the Mackay/kemp combination.
There both agile/quick and kemp Also plays alot taller at times.
I like our forward line and how we look to be rehashing it to a more mobile set up. Just get it in low and fast.

Thinking too many posters here are under selling the height of Kempy. There have been multiple snippets suggesting he is 195cm, not 192cm. At very least 194. Big H is absolutely 204cm, not the 200cm the website has him listed at.

He is a key forward, perhaps on the smaller side for what they are becoming, but absolutely taller than Charlie Curnow and the new main man at Brisbane in Logan Morris. He has both pace and athleticism and is due a massive breakout, even more so if H and HOK can command the best talls. Serious candidate to take Mark of the Year at some stage with the freedom to fly for some marks.

I have always been “bullish” on Kempy, but struggled to see a long term role with our personnel (was thinking 3rd tall back was his best fit on our list until Charlie’s exit) as second banana, with Hudson O’Keeffe commanding a tall defender, we should be able to create some interesting match ups, as well as limiting the double teaming of Harry.

 

[Treesloth]

Great footage, few things I noticed.. Kemp will play round 1, Moir looks to be a key part of the forward set up, run and breaking lines with aggressive handballing seems to be a key part of the game plan.. Must say was a little concerned by Reidy, even when rucking against Young he didnt seem dominant.

Glad someone else noticed this. He was very underwhelming in this footage. Doesn’t seem to play as physically as he could but maybe they were all holding back a bit.

Really just need to confirm he can do a job at the level if required, given Pitto is injury prone. Didn’t get much confirmation from footage so far but hopefully he builds through pre season.

 

[JJBagger]

Glad someone else noticed this. He was very underwhelming in this footage. Doesn’t seem to play as physically as he could but maybe they were all holding back a bit.

Really just need to confirm he can do a job at the level if required, given Pitto is injury prone. Didn’t get much confirmation from footage so far but hopefully he builds through pre season.

It’s also 30 seconds out of tens of hours of training he’s done this pre season

 

[Lukeblueboy]

Thinking too many posters here are under selling the height of Kempy. There have been multiple snippets suggesting he is 195cm, not 192cm. At very least 194. Big H is absolutely 204cm, not the 200cm the website has him listed at.

He is a key forward, perhaps on the smaller side for what they are becoming, but absolutely taller than Charlie Curnow and the new main man at Brisbane in Logan Morris. He has both pace and athleticism and is due a massive breakout, even more so if H and HOK can command the best talls. Serious candidate to take Mark of the Year at some stage with the freedom to fly for some marks.

I have always been “bullish” on Kempy, but struggled to see a long term role with our personnel (was thinking 3rd tall back was his best fit on our list until Charlie’s exit) as second banana, with Hudson O’Keeffe commanding a tall defender, we should be able to create some interesting match ups, as well as limiting the double teaming of Harry.

Yeah spot on cb!
I kinda think of Kempy as our voss from freo. Although, Brodie might be a little more elusive at ground level.

 

[JimmyRabbit49]

Thinking too many posters here are under selling the height of Kempy. There have been multiple snippets suggesting he is 195cm, not 192cm. At very least 194. Big H is absolutely 204cm, not the 200cm the website has him listed at.

He is a key forward, perhaps on the smaller side for what they are becoming, but absolutely taller than Charlie Curnow and the new main man at Brisbane in Logan Morris. He has both pace and athleticism and is due a massive breakout, even more so if H and HOK can command the best talls. Serious candidate to take Mark of the Year at some stage with the freedom to fly for some marks.

I have always been “bullish” on Kempy, but struggled to see a long term role with our personnel (was thinking 3rd tall back was his best fit on our list until Charlie’s exit) as second banana, with Hudson O’Keeffe commanding a tall defender, we should be able to create some interesting match ups, as well as limiting the double teaming of Harry.

Couldn't give a toss how tall Kemp is, he has a good leap on him meaning he is a threat is a pack mark scenario and he seems to have good instincts on how and where to lead. In his 5 games last year he averaged 1.4 marks inside 50 compared to Curnow's 2.3.

If we can have him, Moir and Hayward all playing as leading forwards and Harry as the old fashioned CHF hitting the wings and being the bail out target coming out of D50 we will be scoring a lot more than we did last year.

 

[Jimmae]

Couldn't give a toss how tall Kemp is, he has a good leap on him meaning he is a threat is a pack mark scenario and he seems to have good instincts on how and where to lead. In his 5 games last year he averaged 1.4 marks inside 50 compared to Curnow's 2.3.

If we can have him, Moir and Hayward all playing as leading forwards and Harry as the old fashioned CHF hitting the wings and being the bail out target coming out of D50 we will be scoring a lot more than we did last year.

So your* plan is to have exactly the same system, except you're swapping Charlie and Kemp for Kemp and Moir, with Kemp coming off an achilles issue?

I think that's a waste of both Kemp and McKay's strengths. It's definitely a look to have in the mix, but it should not be the primary forward structure.

 

[jimsta10]

Notice anyone rotating in the guts besides Crappa and Hewett? Lord?

 

[JimmyRabbit49]

So you're plan is to have exactly the same system, except you're swapping Charlie and Kemp for Kemp and Moir, with Kemp coming off an achilles issue?

I think that's a waste of both Kemp and McKay's strengths. It's definitely a look to have in the mix, but it should not be the primary forward structure.

Well given McKay played 12 games for us last year, Moir played 9, Kemp played 5 and Hayward played 0 I am not sure how you could say it is the exact same system.

To me McKay looks great when he is high up the ground - he is involved in the game more and that gives him confidence which he really seems to feed off.

Playing Moir, Kemp and Hayward in front of McKay (closer to our goal) gives us multiple mobile marking options to keep defenders isolated.

The key to this is getting runners like Walsh, Smith, Chesser, Florent (who combined for 14 games for us last year) and co to create through the midfield so instead of a kick mark game generating off the McKay mark we get the overlap run started with the player getting the handball receive on the wing having the choice between 2 leading forwards coming up to him, a deeper marking forward behind them and at least one handball option alongside.

So no not the exact same system at all.

 

[Milshouse]

Notice anyone rotating in the guts besides Crappa and Hewett? Lord?

"Crappa" ouch