Training Pre-Season 2026 chat

[CoolCat75]

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1461264

Food for thought on how we, and all clubs, might use the 5th interchange. Consider the fact that interchange rotations are still capped.
Do we use Danger as an impact player to prolong his career? Do we use it in the same way like a pseudo-sub?

 

[Klink2]

Positive update from Mackie regarding Kolo. Hope to see him return to full fitness and return to this side. Very underrated player who can free up COS for other roles too. Excited as to what Worpel and Bruhn can do to add some much needed grunt and physicality in the inside contest. A bit of support for Atkins who can feed Smith and Holmes.

 

[Lana]

Positive update from Mackie regarding Kolo. Hope to see him return to full fitness and return to this side. Very underrated player who can free up COS for other roles too. Excited as to what Worpel and Bruhn can do to add some much needed grunt and physicality in the inside contest. A bit of support for Atkins who can feed Smith and Holmes.

I'll believe it when he gets through back to back VFL matches at full minutes

 

[CatToTheFuture]

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1461264

Food for thought on how we, and all clubs, might use the 5th interchange. Consider the fact that interchange rotations are still capped.
Do we use Danger as an impact player to prolong his career? Do we use it in the same way like a pseudo-sub?

I'm with the coaches that were pointing at using it as an extra midfield rotation giving longer bench stints. There's no point having an extra tall bloke on the pine if your ruck tapping to a goup of mids who are getting run off their feet by fresher oppo. Coaches who try this will change their strategy quickly.

I think it'll make our 1 wood of speed in the game a little less potent as less athletic midfields can stay with us longer, but the new midfield with Tanner and Worpel would benefit maybe.

Holding a player back for impact later is a nice idea but I think you put yourself behind earlier you just make it harder. You achieve something better doing what we did with Selwood/Dangerfield in 2022 putting them on in the second half of every quarter.

 

[Mr_Bojangles]

A couple more premiership Cats were in the crowd to watch O'Connor

Great to see Guth there. Hope he's doing okay as he wasn't keen on retiring.

 

[standupand]

I'm with the coaches that were pointing at using it as an extra midfield rotation giving longer bench stints. There's no point having an extra tall bloke on the pine if your ruck tapping to a goup of mids who are getting run off their feet by fresher oppo. Coaches who try this will change their strategy quickly.

I think it'll make our 1 wood of speed in the game a little less potent as less athletic midfields can stay with us longer, but the new midfield with Tanner and Worpel would benefit maybe.

Holding a player back for impact later is a nice idea but I think you put yourself behind earlier you just make it harder. You achieve something better doing what we did with Selwood/Dangerfield in 2022 putting them on in the second half of every quarter.

I agree. You need your key position players on the field. Midfielders will spend more time on the bench. I can see a situation where we'd be happier to concede the ruck than pass up an opportunity for getting an edge with our runners to speed up the game.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

I agree. You need your key position players on the field. Midfielders will spend more time on the bench. I can see a situation where we'd be happier to concede the ruck than pass up an opportunity for getting an edge with our runners to speed up the game.

Especially with the ruck rule changes

 

[Cataholic]

I'll believe it when he gets through back to back VFL matches at full minutes

Yep, it'll have to be the eye test for me too because my ears believe very little of anything they say.

 

[cats_09]

From yesterday

 

[Silver Cat]

Addy reporting that Tyson has returned. Can’t read the paywalled article. Perhaps someone can share.

 

[Gazza Greatness]

Addy reporting that Tyson has returned. Can’t read the paywalled article. Perhaps someone can share.

From The Age Silver Cat -

Stengle back at Geelong after extended leave ByJake Niall The AGE

All-Australian small forward Tyson Stengle has returned to Geelong and rejoined their football program after taking time away from club. Stengle, who took leave for an indefinite period to deal with personal issues, came back to Geelong on Wednesday and will rejoin the Cats on a modified program, according to two sources with knowledge of Stengle’s situation. Stengle, who spent time in his home state of South Australia while away from the club, will train with others on a modified program, having been away since before Christmas. The Cats announced that his leave was extended after Christmas. “Tyson’s welfare is our priority and, with the support of the club, he’ll be given the time he needs before returning to training,” football boss Andrew Mackie said in a statement earlier in January.

 

[CHAWKS2]

Track watcher…training has stepped up for sure. Players took a weeks post break to get match feel again but are now full swing.

Most notable is the playing around with MF options. James Kelly

James Kelly

Age

42

Ht

183cm

Wt

85kg

Pos.

D/M

Career

Season

Last 5

D

22.8

5star

K

12.3

5star

HB

10.5

5star

M

4.2

4star

T

5.6

5star

MG

273.2

4star

No current season stats available

D

20.8

5star

K

9.6

4star

HB

11.2

5star

M

4.0

4star

T

6.8

5star

really “throwing the magnets” in particular at centre bounces. Don’t think should read too much into it other than looking to fine one or two more points of difference.

Manner and Dempsey in particular are being pushed through there a lot more. Think Sean will default back to similar role as last year but more consistently will be at stoppage. Dempsey hard to tell. Love him on the wing but keen to see what he can add as a different stoppage player.

Worpel definitely going to get significant time in the middle and excitement as to what he can bring. Tanner and Clarke both been played in backline. Trying to find that different backman. Personally can’t see it for either but…

Poor Knevitt I think is being thrown around everwhere. A real MF squeeze even for experiementatiom. That doesn’t sound promising for him unless get some injuries? I am hopeful he takes the chance when it comes.

Change in ruck rule is welcome. They think it suits scratcher and SDK. And very excited about Edwards. He is HUGE and great tap ruckman. Again personally he seems too young and raw to make impact this year but…unfortunately Toby looks a long way off physically still. Will be slow build.

 

[Goggin Our Best]

Hows the Irish guy going , he came last year did get injuries , but there was a huge wrap on him at the time , it was looked upon as a real coup when Geelong won the race to sign him

 

[CHAWKS2]

Hows the Irish guy going , he came last year did get injuries , but there was a huge wrap on him at the time , it was looked upon as a real coup when Geelong won the race to sign him

I didn’t get any feedback…i am going to try and go along next week myself and have a look

 

[cats_09]

I didn’t get any feedback…i am going to try and go along next week myself and have a look

I'm curious on others thoughts in regards to Pike

Going to the open training before Xmas he was one whom to me looked like he had put in extra effort during the off-season to really prepare himself for a second year on the list - not sure we'll necessarily see him get a senior debut, but it'll be interesting to see how it helps out his game in the VFL

 

[CHAWKS2]

I'm curious on others thoughts in regards to Pike

Going to the open training before Xmas he was one whom to me looked like he had put in extra effort during the off-season to really prepare himself for a second year on the list - not sure we'll necessarily see him get a senior debut, but it'll be interesting to see how it helps out his game in the VFL

Agree. I really like him…even though I know he has some limitations..

I don’t know he really cracks a senior game (think they have switched to athletic options) but certainly our VFL team could (depending on injury) won’t be short of ruck options (reckon stanley plays a bit of VFL)

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Track watcher…training has stepped up for sure. Players took a weeks post break to get match feel again but are now full swing.

Most notable is the playing around with MF options. James Kelly really “throwing the magnets” in particular at centre bounces. Don’t think should read too much into it other than looking to fine one or two more points of difference.

Manner and Dempsey in particular are being pushed through there a lot more. Think Sean will default back to similar role as last year but more consistently will be at stoppage. Dempsey hard to tell. Love him on the wing but keen to see what he can add as a different stoppage player.

Worpel definitely going to get significant time in the middle and excitement as to what he can bring. Tanner and Clarke both been played in backline. Trying to find that different backman. Personally can’t see it for either but…

Poor Knevitt I think is being thrown around everwhere. A real MF squeeze even for experiementatiom. That doesn’t sound promising for him unless get some injuries? I am hopeful he takes the chance when it comes.

Change in ruck rule is welcome. They think it suits scratcher and SDK. And very excited about Edwards. He is HUGE and great tap ruckman. Again personally he seems too young and raw to make impact this year but…unfortunately Toby looks a long way off physically still. Will be slow build.

CHAWKS2 in the HOUSE!

Love the update work

Real worried about Tanner and Clark in the backline. As soon as we went for Worpel i immediately thought we'd struggle to play both.

Knevitt being thrown everywhere, was it preminantly backline?

Excited for the ruck rule change for us, less excited for opposition midfields to be able to run with later in game from the longer bench stints

 

[CatToTheFuture]

I'm interested to see where Mullin is headed this year

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

Hahaha what? Gave Rayner a bath in the granny, one of very few winners.

Lol. Who is Raynor? I could play his role of taking a tackle, holding the ball in and haulting momentum. Whatever floats your boat.

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

I'm interested to see where Mullin is headed this year

Hopefully to the VFL

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Hopefully to the VFL

Well that would certainly be interesting.

 

[Lana]

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1461264

Food for thought on how we, and all clubs, might use the 5th interchange. Consider the fact that interchange rotations are still capped.
Do we use Danger as an impact player to prolong his career? Do we use it in the same way like a pseudo-sub?

I think game day injuries, and the opportunity cost of having someone of quality sitting on the bench prevents that.

 

[Schmuck]

Lol. Who is Raynor? I could play his role of taking a tackle, holding the ball in and haulting momentum. Whatever floats your boat.

Go for it then, looking forward to seeing you picked up in the draft as all 18 teams would fit Rayner in their best 18.

 

[catswhiskers]

Agree. I really like him…even though I know he has some limitations..

I don’t know he really cracks a senior game (think they have switched to athletic options) but certainly our VFL team could (depending on injury) won’t be short of ruck options (reckon stanley plays a bit of VFL)

Like him too. Has all the attributes . Maybe has more trouble covering ground than some.

He will give the VFL (at very least) a stable and competitive ruck option in every game. We have lacked any continuity in there at this level which makes it tough to get any system going.

 

[Footy Smarts]

It's really the optimistic preseason when this board is being positive on Joe Pike. He was first on the delist pile for most around here last season.

If we're not careful we're going to see some positivity around Wiltshire next...