Training Preseason Training Thread - 2026

[Keys]

The below is the OG faux training report from nearly 9 years ago - often imitated but never surpassed

In the absence of Keys I went down for a trundle this morning to check them out on return. Just a few random notes I took down...

• A lot of running work again, clearly a focus even in the heat.
• Duggan looked on and was hitting targets left and right. Set for a huge 2017.
• Giles went up against Vardy in the ruck contests and I'd say that Giles has the inside running at the moment.
• Mitchell looked a class above the other midfielders bar Priddis. Just knew how to find the footy and wouldn't miss a target all session. Shuey was very quiet and seemed to be taking direction from Mitchell. Doesn't bode well for his captaincy credentials, maybe he doesn't want the gig?
• Won't say too much about it in case I was just reading too much into it, but Rioli looked as though he'd enjoyed the Christmas break a bit too much. A few of the coaches pulled him aside and they were having quite an animated conversation before Rioli was sent to do laps for the rest of the session. Good news for Le Cras, I suppose.
• Sheed kicked on his right foot for 80% of the session, I reckon. Nice to see players working on their non-preferred so readily.
• Petrie looked like he was doing a great job 'coaching' the younger forwards in between the drills. Darling in particular seemed to be following him around.
• Gee Venables has some skills. He mainly jogged laps before spending the last half hour or so on set shots - curled a few beauties from behind the boundary line at the end for a bit of fun. Hardly saw him miss a kick.
• What interested me the most was that McGovern split his time between the defenders and the forwards, could be seeing a swingman role in 2017. He was his usual dominant self down back in some match simulation drills before going head-to-head with Mackenzie in a forward role.
• Bayok is very fast - Cripps was in most of the drills with him and couldn't keep up.
• Nelson is pale as buggery and still doesn't really have the body shape you'd expect of an AFL player.
• There was a big bloke who pulled up next to me and I could have sworn it was Suma, but I'm sure I was wrong...
• Masto was the player picked to kick the goal at the end today and nailed it. Celebrations were huge.
• No sign of Cole, Parto or Hill. Couldn't tell you why.

Will upload pics later if I have time. Let me know if you have any questions!

You might wonder why I’ve put this up and stickied it

Because this is the standard all copies should be measured against and it’s a reminder of how high the bar was set

And to hopefully discourage sequels.

If you want to have a crack in my absence, go ahead but if it doesn’t equal the standard set (as judged by me), then expect

• A one week threadban for a first offence
• A two week threadban for a second offence
• A one year threadban for a third offence

Actual training reports, minus discussion, can become found here:

Training - Preseason Training Reports -2025/26

This thread has been setup for training reports only and won’t be open for replies Informative reports from the preseason thread will be copied into this thread so posters have access to the quality work from the likes of LittleFires without wading through pages of general posts

www.bigfooty.com

 

[FKASC]

"I've never seen him play, but I've heard he has poor disposal. Sack Clarke." Trumpster 2026

Rule of Thumbster 2026

 

[Proeagle]

He was considered a tier down from what we could have got at pick 3. Athletic but average disposal and probably not a midfielder.
Then at pick 12 there were also many who thought we chickened out not taking Murphy Reid.

Just before the draft, he was tipped to go around pick 7 or 8. We were stoked to nab him. Didnt look like he would last to our pick.

I love the way he moves and has captain written all over him. At least leadership group. Captained the WA side from memory. And has a great training ethic.

Murphy Reid I thought played like Pendleberry. But everyone was concerned about his speed. Pick 17, so many of the teams didnt rate him highly.

Bo was pick 16, so you could say the same but I bet many VIC teams were a little concerned about the go home factor.

 

[Mighty Eagles]

Just before the draft, he was tipped to go around pick 7 or 8. We were stoked to nab him. Didnt look like he would last to our pick.

I love the way he moves and has captain written all over him. At least leadership group. Captained the WA side from memory. And has a great training ethic.

Yep. Spot on.

 

[WoodenJosh]

I remember Bo's draft year highlights had him bursting away from the contest regularly. He has really quick acceleration for his height. He played half back/mid for WA. I was stoked when he got through to us as there were big whispers Melbourne were into him at around pick 9. I've got faith he'll be a top 5/10 player for 8+ years

 

[Deplorable trumpster]

"I've never seen him play, but I've heard he has poor disposal. Sack Clarke." Trumpster 2026

When did i say sack Clarke? Never. So you made that up for the sake of dramatisation.

And i notice you don't claim he has good disposal. So you aren't even disagreeing.

Why are you such a psychologically disturbed, angry individual?

Despite this being a Board that exists to discuss football matters pertaining to the WCE footy club (including attributes of individual players), you seem to have this massive problem with it. Like you are going to have a nervous breakdown if somebody has an opinion you disagree with.

Maybe you should go on an inner quest to try and find the maturity and intelligence to tolerate opinions you disagree with (especially if you are going to hang around on a football opinion Board that exists for the purposes of people stating their opinions). A person like you hanging around on this Board makes as much sense as an animal rights activist getting a job at a butchers. You will be constantly surrounded by things that trigger you (i.e. other people opinions).

And also try and find the ability to nail down in your mind and then coherently communicate what it is you disagree with the other person about without spinning out into an incoherent rage.

 

[PremiershipNo4]

Ahhhh, the preseason thread hijacked again, pick 3, you beauty, the usual suspects as well.

 

[quackish]

If you watch Bo you know it’s only a matter of time before he becomes the bont. Hell his name is only 2 letters off

 

[Bender_]

When did i say sack Clarke? Never. So you made that up for the sake of dramatisation.

And i notice you don't claim he has good disposal. So you aren't even disagreeing.

Why are you such a psychologically disturbed, angry individual?

Despite this being a Board that exists to discuss football matters pertaining to the WCE footy club (including attributes of individual players), you seem to have this massive problem with it. Like you are going to have a nervous breakdown if somebody has an opinion you disagree with.

Maybe you should go on an inner quest to try and find the maturity and intelligence to tolerate opinions you disagree with (especially if you are going to hang around on a football opinion Board that exists for the purposes of people stating their opinions). A person like you hanging around on this Board makes as much sense as an animal rights activist getting a job at a butchers. You will be constantly surrounded by things that trigger you (i.e. other people opinions).

And also try and find the ability to nail down in your mind and then coherently communicate what it is you disagree with the other person about without spinning out into an incoherent rage.

 

[ghostbat12]

If you watch Bo you know it’s only a matter of time before he becomes the bont. Hell his name is only 2 letters off

I can’t believe just how many bontempellis we have on our list. Hope we can keep them all when you consider we also have a Josh Kennedy, Luke Jackson and of course a Dusty Martin.

Exciting times.

 

[Proeagle]

I can’t believe just how many bontempellis we have on our list. Hope we can keep them all when you consider we also have a Josh Kennedy, Luke Jackson and of course a Dusty Martin.

Exciting times.

McCarthy is the next Judd as well. Just a late bloomer.

 

[Boohemian]

Byron Clanger can breathe a sigh of relief. A new copy pasta is in town.

 

[Bender_]

Down at training, Starcevich looks like he's moving with zero issues in the current drill.

 

[Bender_]

Dev is an absolute specimen. Owies with a clean gather and a left foot snap, will kick 30 this year.

One of the coaches just took Bo to the side and said he's on thin ice with those sideburns.

Newton my pick to be the biggest surprise of our 2026 season.

 

[Bender_]

Hutch sitting out the drills, having a stroll and a bounce round the boundary

 

[bzparkes]

Hutch sitting out the drills, having a stroll and a bounce round the boundary

Good to see Mark getting down to support the guys.

Probably makes sense as to why he's sitting out the drills though, since he's retired.

 

[Bender_]

Good to see Mark getting down to support the guys.

Probably makes sense as to why he's sitting out the drills though, since he's retired.

Wearing his premiership medal just to remind everyone.

 

[Bender_]

Hewett amongst it too early, not really sure what happened a couple of weeks ago but is moving fine.

 

[Bender_]

Physically CDT looks ready to go, same size as most of the guys that are a few preseasons in.

 

[Cuzz09]

If you watch Bo you know it’s only a matter of time before he becomes the bont. Hell his name is only 2 letters off

Bo to move to NT and dominate

 

[Bender_]

Full ground drill, big focus on keeping shape across half back, making defenders accountable for each other in their positions.

 

[NSLK]

92, 94, 06, 18, 26.

 

[Bender_]

Waterman taking it pretty easy, walked passed and took some photos with fans and said he was fine.

 

[Seadog]

When did i say sack Clarke? Never. So you made that up for the sake of dramatisation.

And i notice you don't claim he has good disposal. So you aren't even disagreeing.

Why are you such a psychologically disturbed, angry individual?

Despite this being a Board that exists to discuss football matters pertaining to the WCE footy club (including attributes of individual players), you seem to have this massive problem with it. Like you are going to have a nervous breakdown if somebody has an opinion you disagree with.

Maybe you should go on an inner quest to try and find the maturity and intelligence to tolerate opinions you disagree with (especially if you are going to hang around on a football opinion Board that exists for the purposes of people stating their opinions). A person like you hanging around on this Board makes as much sense as an animal rights activist getting a job at a butchers. You will be constantly surrounded by things that trigger you (i.e. other people opinions).

And also try and find the ability to nail down in your mind and then coherently communicate what it is you disagree with the other person about without spinning out into an incoherent rage.

I am truly astonished that you can't tell the difference between a 'pisstake' and 'incoherent rage'

 

[Bender_]

Ginbey knows no other way than 100%. Everything is at top pace and full strength. Laid a bone crunching tackle on Dev earlier and the meat pounding sound was immense - from both their collision and me on the sidelines.

 

[Keys]