Training 2026 Pre Season & Training Reports

[perplexed]

Daniel made AA and won a club B&F after 6-6-6 came in.

He was top 4-6 in their B&F every year since except 2024.

i don't think his issues are because of 6-6-6.

It's the aggressive full ground zones most teams are playing that he struggles to penetrate. He is good at ball retention, but that isn't much help here. Those dinky little kicks to the advantage of his teammates worked when there was more space, now they get picked off. So he goes back and sideways to retain possession, but this just helps the zone press further.
The way to get through the zone is fast ball movement preferably before it sets up. Run and carry, long kicks over the back of it and exploiting the stand rule to gain territory. Daniel isn't much help with this, so what is he actually there to do?

 

[marklovesbeer]

That's the point though - others (McKercher and Hardeman) have overtaken Daniel 'with ease' and Daniel should not be playing seniors anymore.

The valid point posters are making is the belief that Clarko will still squeeze Daniel into the team even though he is now basically a redundant player.

Clarko invested so much into Daniel's recruitment that to have Daniel playing reserves with 3 years left on his fat contract will make Clarko look silly (which is exactly what posters said at the time of Daniel's recruitment).
.

Well I’m hoping (former Brisbane Lions grand finalist defensive line coach) Jed Adcock has the balls to tell Clarko CD ain’t working back there.

I was willing to give Daniel some grace for the majority of last year, but have lost all faith now.
Like m̶a̶n̶y̶ most of you, I don’t want him in our backline anymore.

Surely Clarko, four seasons in, realises it’s hurting the team, our progression up the ladder & ultimately his quest for more ‘silverware’ / his legacy.

Surely.

 

[ferball]

It's the aggressive full ground zones most teams are playing that he struggles to penetrate. He is good at ball retention, but that isn't much help here. Those dinky little kicks to the advantage of his teammates worked when there was more space, now they get picked off. So he goes back and sideways to retain possession, but this just helps the zone press further.
The way to get through the zone is fast ball movement preferably before it sets up. Run and carry, long kicks over the back of it and exploiting the stand rule to gain territory. Daniel isn't much help with this, so what is he actually there to do?

Play him up the ground, long kicks over the back to him (Hardeman and Lmac can both do this) and he has a quick dinky kick to players on the move inside our attacking half. It doesn't have to be him either, RHJ or Sheeze can do the same thing, so can a bunch of other players.

 

[Chadwiko]

The curse of the coaches pet strikes again.

Caleb Daniel has ability. He's professional, follows orders and applies himself to his role but inherent issues limit his effectiveness.

When it was pre-existing players like Ziebell or Cunnington in that situation, they were quickly transitioned out.

When it's a coach hand picked purchase though, gotta double down with Syd votes to justify it.

I hear you, and generally speaking I agree.

However... playing Devil's Advocate.

You're Clarko. You take the job, and very quickly you identify that there's a bad culture of laziness or unaccountability permeating your playing list. You can't turnover the entire list, so you try and repair the culture.

You do this by bringing in guys who work their ass off and have a proper culture/attitude, like Liam Shiels. You also see young stud Harry Sheezel really setting high standards right from his first year, so you give him the Syd Barker in his first season (which he earned, obviously).

The culture is slowly improving, but not fast enough. So what do you do? Even though you're no where near competing for a flag, you bring in three top-age veterans who you know for a fact work their asses off and can help set standards and repair the culture in Parker, Darling, and Daniel.

Of course you're going to play them if your goal is repairing the culture, which will in turn (you hope) lead to more wins and more competitive football. But first that mesh of young and old standard setters needs to fix the culture, slowly but surely...

 

[kool kangas]

I hear you, and generally speaking I agree.

However... playing Devil's Advocate.

You're Clarko. You take the job, and very quickly you identify that there's a bad culture of laziness or unaccountability permeating your playing list. You can't turnover the entire list, so you try and repair the culture.

You do this by bringing in guys who work their ass off and have a proper culture/attitude, like Liam Shiels. You also see young stud Harry Sheezel really setting high standards right from his first year, so you give him the Syd Barker in his first season (which he earned, obviously).

The culture is slowly improving, but not fast enough. So what do you do? Even though you're no where near competing for a flag, you bring in three top-age veterans who you know for a fact work their asses off and can help set standards and repair the culture in Parker, Darling, and Daniel.

Of course you're going to play them if your goal is repairing the culture, which will in turn (you hope) lead to more wins and more competitive football. But first that mesh of young and old standard setters needs to fix the culture, slowly but surely...

View attachment 2519404

With a second year at the club plus another year with the younger players getting better l would be seeing how Daniel plays in the first 4-5 rounds before making a call on him. Our backline last year was in turmoil and he had a lot of responsiblity put on him. l think he will be a lot better than last year.

 

[ferball]

When it was pre-existing players like Ziebell or Cunnington in that situation, they were quickly transitioned out.

What?

 

[perplexed]

Play him up the ground, long kicks over the back to him (Hardeman and Lmac can both do this) and he has a quick dinky kick to players on the move inside our attacking half. It doesn't have to be him either, RHJ or Sheeze can do the same thing, so can a bunch of other players.

I think high half forward is his best option, he could be an asset kicking inside fifty. But the problem is he will struggle with all the defensive running and repeat sprints those guys have to do. We have several better options for that role as well. I just think that the game has evolved and left Caleb behind. It has happened to better players than him.

 

[desie]

mckercher is playing out of position and is a absolute weapon offensively, little different.

also kerch does cop it a bit around here for his defensive effort.

No doubt he provides more offensively but let’s not pretend he doesn’t have his moments ball in hand either.

I’d prefer neither back there.

 

[footyfnatiC]

No doubt he provides more offensively but let’s not pretend he doesn’t have his moments ball in hand either.

I’d prefer neither back there.

He adds so much value down back we need him. Also better down there than when mid/wing.

Breaks the lines which no one else does.

 

[Sheezel2Wardlaw]

I hear you, and generally speaking I agree.

However... playing Devil's Advocate.

You're Clarko. You take the job, and very quickly you identify that there's a bad culture of laziness or unaccountability permeating your playing list. You can't turnover the entire list, so you try and repair the culture.

You do this by bringing in guys who work their ass off and have a proper culture/attitude, like Liam Shiels. You also see young stud Harry Sheezel really setting high standards right from his first year, so you give him the Syd Barker in his first season (which he earned, obviously).

The culture is slowly improving, but not fast enough. So what do you do? Even though you're no where near competing for a flag, you bring in three top-age veterans who you know for a fact work their asses off and can help set standards and repair the culture in Parker, Darling, and Daniel.

Of course you're going to play them if your goal is repairing the culture, which will in turn (you hope) lead to more wins and more competitive football. But first that mesh of young and old standard setters needs to fix the culture, slowly but surely...

View attachment 2519404

And then you make Larkey captain

 

[Chadwiko]

And then you make Larkey captain

Well, yeah... A big part of why he wasn't my 1st choice.

 

[gokangas]

Thank God tennis finishes tonight. Just really wish there was a game of footy to watch.

 

[andana]

Thank God tennis finishes tonight. Just really wish there was a game of footy to watch.

NTFL. TT at Southern Districts

 

[gokangas]

NTFL. TT at Southern Districts

Is it on Foxtel?

 

[shimaburnsgrieg]

Thank God tennis finishes tonight. Just really wish there was a game of footy to watch.

Don't worry GK - in 24 hours it will be 8 months straight of AFL!

 

[gokangas]

Don't worry GK - in 24 hours it will be 8 months straight of AFL!

Bring it on. I'm bored 5hitless with the sporting options right now.

 

[RooInNorthLondon]

Looking at how we might go next year I keep coming back to how many points we give up.

Depending on who we play in what mix I think our forward effort to disrupt and slow the ball should be at least OK and likely better. Defensive pressure here could be an asset.

Depending on how we set up I think we have enough in the back 6 to be in touching distance of mediocre. None of them are amazing individually but we are slowly adding depth, though Archer going down is a blow. Still, if Logue is as fit and motivated as he looks that helps. If Comben stays fit and Pink, Hardeman both take another step we can at least resemble an AFL outfit. Lots of ifs, but I have more hope here than 12 months ago.

The screaming risk I see is the midfield 6 where arguably only X and Parker, Stephens if either start has any interest in tracking back and tackling. If FOS pushes out Stephens it is best a wash defensively. Sheezel, Wardlaw, LDU and McK if he gets more run in midfield all need to show much more intent and intensity for our transition D to improve from putrid towards barely adequate.

That is the key. Our gun midfielders showing the heart and desire to play hard both ways if we are to hit double digit wins and threaten the wild card. I’d hope Clarko and the other coaches are spelling that out to them in no uncertain terms. The truly great players do it all not just the glamorous stuff. Do they want to be great or are they comfy as big fish, small pond?

 

[shinboner magic]

The mental gymnastics that both the coaching panel and some people on here do to try to have this in guy in the side.
The game has passed him by - can’t run , can’t defend and can’t kick over a jam tin.

Daniel will start the season but hopefully he is fazed out a little while after that.

 

[Makeshift Park]

Daniel haters - who are you replacing him with?

None of FOS, Kerch, Lmac, or Hardeman count, as they're already in the best 23.

The only real options are Goater, who by all accounts is really struggling to return to form, and Harvey, who's a worse runner and has no proven defensive chops.

Scott and Fisher are both worse.

 

[DuckYeah]

Daniel haters - who are you replacing him with?

None of FOS, Kerch, Lmac, or Hardeman count, as they're already in the best 23.

The only real options are Goater, who by all accounts is really struggling to return to form, and Harvey, who's a worse runner and has no proven defensive chops.

Scott and Fisher are both worse.

 

[Chip Scab1]

Daniel haters - who are you replacing him with?

None of FOS, Kerch, Lmac, or Hardeman count, as they're already in the best 23.

The only real options are Goater, who by all accounts is really struggling to return to form, and Harvey, who's a worse runner and has no proven defensive chops.

Scott and Fisher are both worse.

Hugo?

 

[perplexed]

Daniel haters - who are you replacing him with?

None of FOS, Kerch, Lmac, or Hardeman count, as they're already in the best 23.

The only real options are Goater, who by all accounts is really struggling to return to form, and Harvey, who's a worse runner and has no proven defensive chops.

Scott and Fisher are both worse.

I think we'll play 7 defenders in the 23: Lmac, 3 talls (probably Pink, Comben and Logue) and 3 rebounders (probably Kerch, Hardeman and 1 other). Ideally that is Goater, but apparently he isn't ready yet. So either FOS plays back again and we play Stephens on the wing or we play one of Daniel, Harvey or Mikunda.

ie. I agree, it is slim pickings.

 

[ToxicMegaPunts]

Daniel haters - who are you replacing him with?

None of FOS, Kerch, Lmac, or Hardeman count, as they're already in the best 23.

The only real options are Goater, who by all accounts is really struggling to return to form, and Harvey, who's a worse runner and has no proven defensive chops.

Scott and Fisher are both worse.

If you are playing three of FOS, Kerch, Lmac, and Hardeman in the back half then you have your small/med defenders covered, no need for HelmetCrab. Replace him with Duursma for the season, deploy him forward, and see if he can live up to the BGZ moniker.

 

[Shinboner Supremacy]

Pete from AFL ratings knows his target audience. The most views and shares behind Day's injury and some Carlton wank.

Is Pete a North Fan? I always see him in his black shirt with NMFC board shorts on with black slides. He always hides his phone when I walk past him.

 

[Makeshift Park]

If you are playing three of FOS, Kerch, Lmac, and Hardeman in the back half then you have your small/med defenders covered, no need for HelmetCrab.

You’d really need all four, once rotations are accounted for.

Which is fine. It’d be an interesting mix of (mostly) young talent. It just means we’d keep needing Stephens on a wing too, and FOS wouldn’t get as much upfield time as some people were hoping.