Training Pre-season 2026

[Groupie_]

KMac is legendary in his running capacity, a leaner build than Hugo.
Different build.
They've given Hugo a good generous run of five years, averaging 13 disposals, probably the last year.

reckon kmac can have a good season this year

 

[Ancient Tiger]

Stud

View attachment 2520016

We have the technology!

 

[Tiger_Of_Old]

Stud

View attachment 2520016

Cumming >>>>Dursma/Duff combined

 

[lizard man]

My blast from the past segment continues … this time with Jake Batchelor

Jake Batchelor

Age

33

Ht

188cm

Wt

87kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.2

3star

K

7.6

3star

HB

4.5

3star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.1

4star

MG

171.7

3star

No current season stats available

D

10.2

3star

K

6.0

3star

HB

4.2

4star

M

3.4

4star

T

2.4

4star

 

[Meteoric Rise]

My blast from the past segment continues … this time with Jake Batchelor

Sex E.

 

[Rubber Hips]

THIGH-Ler Sonsie

 

[The Mighty]

THIGH-Ler Sonsie

Last Roll of the dice this year but hes not the only one.

 

[Cherki]

Cumming >>>>Dursma/Duff combined

Cumming is the man.

Never heard of the other two chicks.

 

[Groupie_]

My blast from the past segment continues … this time with Jake Batchelor

another footballer who was better than sonsie

 

[clark1980]

don't think I've seen a pre season where I can see every player on the list getting some AFL game time this year. obviously depending on injuries and form. and I'm looking forward to it. also each week watching the vfl will be something to look forward to. interesting year ahead.

 

[Grrr]

We aren't in our window yet, so it doesn't really matter if one of our top older players get injured. (Nank, Vlastuin etc)

It only stings when it's the younger guys who are missing out valuable development time & experience. (Lalor, Smillie)

Windows can open quickly if things go your way. Obviously not talking premierships, but if we have a good season with a full list it is going to be a lot more beneficial for the younger players in particular and give them a lot more belief. We switched from 2016 to 2017 pretty dramatically because the players got n a roll.

I think we could be a danger side this year without injuries, with injuries we will probably cop a few beltings.

 

[Lord of the Wings]

THIGH-Ler Sonsie

 

[Yze does it]

The lack of players to get past 160 games was due to the way they played and the way they were over trained. In those days if a player was knock unconscious, they stayed on the field and were told to get even. If a player had a drink of water during training, you were seen as weak. Hard bunch of players in that team

1965 Hafey's year 1.

1967 a lot of the key new players. 300 game & 400 gamers. 3,4 5 flag players.

GR rejigged the team.

1972/3 more additions

 

[Dr Tigris]

don't think I've seen a pre season where I can see every player on the list getting some AFL game time this year. obviously depending on injuries and form. and I'm looking forward to it. also each week watching the vfl will be something to look forward to. interesting year ahead.

It actually shocked me when I realised that I would have to leave AFL quality players out of the best 23. Amazing turn around from the last couple of years. And if guys like Sonsie, KMac etc can take a step up to be regular AFL level we will have a fairly good core reaching that mid 20's age to take the list forward.

Plus end 2026 we should start getting some trades/FAs in to fill list holes and maybe to get a star in.

I expect 4 - 8 wins this year, but hope to see some periods where we really let it rip. Hopefully we can beat up on a team or two this year.

 

[Tiger_Of_Old]

don't think I've seen a pre season where I can see every player on the list getting some AFL game time this year. obviously depending on injuries and form. and I'm looking forward to it. also each week watching the vfl will be something to look forward to. interesting year ahead.

Think our vfl will go through undefeated

 

[clark1980]

I'd be happy with 4-8 wins. get another low pick to add more talent. I've watched bits and pieces of last years replays and what I want is to stop those games where we got belted. or even reduce the quarters that we couldn't hardly get a forward entry. plus seeing some new talent really turning it on for a quarter or half. reckon they are all achievable

 

[ShereKhan]

How are we getting 3 x top 30 picks in 2026?

Depends a lot on where Tanner Armstrong goes, and I believe we will trade Hopper end of 2026.

2027.....Taranto, McCauliffe, Smillie, Cumming, Lalor, Hotton, Armstrong, Campbell, Ross, Grlj, pick-5, free agent??, Sonsie?? MRJ?? ........ something has to give in regards to midfield rotations, and at his age Hopper is dispensable, and he will have decent trade value and clears out $750k of cap space.

Don't get me wrong, I've been a supporter of Hopper and think he's a good to very good player. But I'm also of the opinion Taranto is better and you can't have both as staples in our midfield, yet both are pure mids and will command a spot in the team every week. His trade would be a win-win as at least 1 x contending team will want a contested clearance bull (Cats, Hawks, Swans, Pies....).

Pick-5. Pick-23. Tanner Armstrong.

or

Pick-5. Tanner Armstrong (matched with 23), pick acquired for Hopper.


When you look at Port....having to play Wines on a wing etc... because they had to fit in Drew, JHF, Butters, Rozee...is what we will end up with.

 

[tiger_tough]

 

[Dr Tigris]

Depends a lot on where Tanner Armstrong goes, and I believe we will trade Hopper end of 2026.

2027.....Taranto, McCauliffe, Smillie, Cumming, Lalor, Hotton, Armstrong, Campbell, Ross, Grlj, pick-5, free agent??, Sonsie?? MRJ?? ........ something has to give in regards to midfield rotations, and at his age Hopper is dispensable, and he will have decent trade value and clears out $750k of cap space.

Don't get me wrong, I've been a supporter of Hopper and think he's a good to very good player. But I'm also of the opinion Taranto is better and you can't have both as staples in our midfield, yet both are pure mids and will command a spot in the team every week. His trade would be a win-win as at least 1 x contending team will want a contested clearance bull (Cats, Hawks, Swans, Pies....).

Pick-5. Pick-23. Tanner Armstrong.

or

Pick-5. Tanner Armstrong (matched with 23), pick acquired for Hopper.


When you look at Port....having to play Wines on a wing etc... because they had to fit in Drew, JHF, Butters, Rozee...is what we will end up with.

I don't want to lose Hopper, but I agree with you.

He would be great for a team in contention. And him leaving would open up a spot for Lalor, Smillie, KMac etc.

 

[tigerfan1961]

I don't want to lose Hopper, but I agree with you.

He would be great for a team in contention. And him leaving would open up a spot for Lalor, Smillie, KMac etc.

Next to no chance Hopper gets traded, he’s invested in what we are doing. IMO

 

[ShereKhan]

I don't want to lose Hopper, but I agree with you.

He would be great for a team in contention. And him leaving would open up a spot for Lalor, Smillie, KMac etc.

Yep, we need to avoid what happened to the Hawks, where they held Mitchell and O'Meara for too long, and ended up moving on both of them when they had next to zero trade value.

If we are flag contending from 2029 onwards, no way we will have 30-31yo TT and Hopper in the midfield. Don't move too late is all I'm saying, and if Hopper goes injury free 2026 his stocks won't get any higher.

Of course we can pivot and retain Hopper if a heap of youngsters don't show they are capable of being centre square mids....but I just can't see that being the case.

 

[Drunken Wookie]

I don't want to lose Hopper, but I agree with you.

He would be great for a team in contention. And him leaving would open up a spot for Lalor, Smillie, KMac etc.

I actually reckon west coast could most use him, need an inside ball winner.

 

[Meteoric Rise]

Depends a lot on where Tanner Armstrong goes, and I believe we will trade Hopper end of 2026.

2027.....Taranto, McCauliffe, Smillie, Cumming, Lalor, Hotton, Armstrong, Campbell, Ross, Grlj, pick-5, free agent??, Sonsie?? MRJ?? ........ something has to give in regards to midfield rotations, and at his age Hopper is dispensable, and he will have decent trade value and clears out $750k of cap space.

Don't get me wrong, I've been a supporter of Hopper and think he's a good to very good player. But I'm also of the opinion Taranto is better and you can't have both as staples in our midfield, yet both are pure mids and will command a spot in the team every week. His trade would be a win-win as at least 1 x contending team will want a contested clearance bull (Cats, Hawks, Swans, Pies....).

Pick-5. Pick-23. Tanner Armstrong.

or

Pick-5. Tanner Armstrong (matched with 23), pick acquired for Hopper.


When you look at Port....having to play Wines on a wing etc... because they had to fit in Drew, JHF, Butters, Rozee...is what we will end up with.

I expect even if we did end up trading say Hopper for a pick, we would likely start using picks to trade in players whose natural draft years are in the 2018-2020 range.

 

[Dr Tigris]

Next to no chance Hopper gets traded, he’s invested in what we are doing. IMO

Suspect you are right. But then it all depends on what happens this year - in terms of offers and interest. There was a rumour last year that Hopps had some interest in a trade. Whether the rumour was garbage I have no idea.

 

[Dr Tigris]

Yep, we need to avoid what happened to the Hawks, where they held Mitchell and O'Meara for too long, and ended up moving on both of them when they had next to zero trade value.

If we are flag contending from 2029 onwards, no way we will have 30-31yo TT and Hopper in the midfield. Don't move too late is all I'm saying, and if Hopper goes injury free 2026 his stocks won't get any higher.

Of course we can pivot and retain Hopper if a heap of youngsters don't show they are capable of being centre square mids....but I just can't see that being the case.

It'll be interesting. If Lalor, Smillie, KMac etc do well this year we have a log jam inside. And Hopper is exactly the right age and talent to push a team into contention, if they need a contested beast.

But he also adds experience and size to a team that needs it.

I reckon we take the step up around 2028, so we have time to fill holes and create a fully fledged squad.