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

 

[Alesana]

Alesana is it possible for you to set some sort of recording up for us working plebs?

Yeah I will try to

 

[TwoStriders]

Look out - Ginbey in a headband and The West is losing their mind over itView attachment 2525410

Trade request to Geelong imminent.

 

[Keys]

Well, looks like they are streaming the intraclub. Nice of them to get the waiting room for the stream up 3 days early.

Confirmation of bzed’s stalking detective work

 

[bzparkes]

Confirmation of bzed’s stalking detective work

Can't say I put in much effort, it just popped up on my YT feed.

 

[Mighty Eagles]

Anyone know how Malakai Champion is going following is low-impact injury in early December?

 

[ghostbat12]

Oh no, Friday the 13th. Let’s hope minimal ankle injuries

 

[Cuzz09]

Anyone know how Malakai Champion is going following is low-impact injury in early December?

Haven't heard much

 

[Byron_Clanger]

Harley mic'ed up for the team photo.

 

[Sneh]

fixes hair

 

[Dark Sharks]

Pat_Footy would be rolling over in his grave after watching Reid in that video.

 

[bombard]

Pat_Footy would be rolling over in his grave after watching Reid in that video.

Only to become Pat_Zombie

 

[Keys]

A bit more information on the Harley/Dusty meeting and thoughts from McQualter on how well Reid is progressing this preseason

Then at the end, there’s some genuine pumping up of McCarthy’s tyres that won’t please anyone worried about him being overhyped

The bolded bit is cause for excitement as McQualter hasn’t shown a tendency to be too hyberbolic in his comments during his tenure so far

Supporting Reid in the midfield this year will be mid-season recruit Tom McCarthy, who has rivalled the young Victorian as West Coast's standout pre-season performer.

McQualter said there were elements of McCarthy's skill set that had amazed him after playing 10 of a possible 12 games last year, making a seamless introduction to the elite level last year despite not completing an AFL pre-season.

"The ceiling is … I know it's high. I don't know how high," McQualter said of McCarthy, whose ability to move through traffic and use the ball well has stood out this summer.

"I often watch him, and I'm actually amazed by his composure. Every standard of football he's played, he's so calm.

"He works incredibly hard. He's got endurance and speed. But his smarts and composure are what stand out the most. I'm excited for his year."

 

[Sneh]

 

[BennyGan]

Hey guys, just had a couple questions about some guys and how they are looking this preseason. Doing a draft keeper league and have a couple eagles I wanted to know more about. I have already picked CDT and Maric (hoping gets kick ins). Is Flynn looking like the #1 ruck? Will Yeo play in the guts? Do you think Bo Allan will play? I was pretty big on him in that draft. If there’s any other guys you reckon are in for a breakout season please let me know. Thanks, sorry if this breaks any rules here.

 

[Shueygod]

Hey guys, just had a couple questions about some guys and how they are looking this preseason. Doing a draft keeper league and have a couple eagles I wanted to know more about. I have already picked CDT and Maric (hoping gets kick ins). Is Flynn looking like the #1 ruck? Will Yeo play in the guts? Do you think Bo Allan will play? I was pretty big on him in that draft. If there’s any other guys you reckon are in for a breakout season please let me know. Thanks, sorry if this breaks any rules here.

SuperCoach or Fantasy?

I’m taking Allan before any of the other players you asked questions on regardless.

Flynn looks like the #1 ruck this year but I’d suspect A.Reid would have more value in a keeper.

 

[Jeremy McLovin]

Hey guys, just had a couple questions about some guys and how they are looking this preseason. Doing a draft keeper league and have a couple eagles I wanted to know more about. I have already picked CDT and Maric (hoping gets kick ins). Is Flynn looking like the #1 ruck? Will Yeo play in the guts? Do you think Bo Allan will play? I was pretty big on him in that draft. If there’s any other guys you reckon are in for a breakout season please let me know. Thanks, sorry if this breaks any rules here.

Not sure Maric's in the best 23 tbh. Lindsay might be a better option.

 

[BennyGan]

Not sure Maric's in the best 23 tbh. Lindsay might be a better option.

Unfortunately Lindsay went before him. Love his left foot

 

[BennyGan]

SuperCoach or Fantasy?

I’m taking Allan before any of the other players you asked questions on regardless.

Flynn looks like the #1 ruck this year but I’d suspect A.Reid would have more value in a keeper.

SuperCoach, any guys you like as potential improvers?

 

[WCE777]

A bit more information on the Harley/Dusty meeting and thoughts from McQualter on how well Reid is progressing this preseason

Then at the end, there’s some genuine pumping up of McCarthy’s tyres that won’t please anyone worried about him being overhyped

The bolded bit is cause for excitement as McQualter hasn’t shown a tendency to be too hyberbolic in his comments during his tenure so far

Seems Mini is getting his feet well and trually under the desk in the way he wants to impart his knowledge and experience from other clubs, especially his time as midfield coach at RICH.
I hope we see more of his game plan and the players perform it at a higher level this year, looking forward to how the coach progresses as I think we have a good one!!

 

[Shueygod]

SuperCoach, any guys you like as potential improvers?

For keeper from who I suspect could be left:
E.Hewett
Robertson (probably gone)
A.Reid
Allan
Yeo
H.Davis
J.Newton

Would be how I value them, Flynn I suspect will be #1 ruck for this season and go at 80.

 

[BennyGan]

For keeper from who I suspect could be left:
E.Hewett
Robertson (probably gone)
A.Reid
Allan
Yeo
H.Davis
J.Newton

Would be how I value them, Flynn I suspect will be #1 ruck for this season and go at

Hewett already gone, I like watching him play. Hopefully stays fit. Dev Rob still available I think, I just assumed he’s probably gonna get kicked out to a half forward or wing role for you. Yeo would purely be a 1 season play. He’s a monster when he does play, I’ve kind always wanted him to request a trade to the cats. Reckon I’ll probably take a flyer on Bo late. Hamish Davis I was pretty impressed with his senior games his draft year. Didn’t get to see him at all this year.

 

[Shueygod]

Hewett already gone, I like watching him play. Hopefully stays fit. Dev Rob still available I think, I just assumed he’s probably gonna get kicked out to a half forward or wing role for you. Yeo would purely be a 1 season play. He’s a monster when he does play, I’ve kind always wanted him to request a trade to the cats. Reckon I’ll probably take a flyer on Bo late. Hamish Davis I was pretty impressed with his senior games his draft year. Didn’t get to see him at all this year.

Robertson a better 1 season play than Yeo imo. Questionable if he wins/shares the midfield spot over/with Schoenberg/Graham, but if he does he’s a top 20 forward in the league.

Davis is looking to have claims on a wing spot and more likely to play than Bo, but as a mid only wingmen both now and into the future, even if he becomes a good player, it’s unlikely he’s very relevant.

 

[Lingsface]

Confirmation of bzed’s stalking detective work

Love how the Eagles have done this, wish other clubs would make it so public.

 

[Sneh]

Love how the Eagles have done this, wish other clubs would make it so public.

Quite a few teams are doing it too, ie Richmond

 

[Lingsface]

Quite a few teams are doing it too, ie Richmond

Where do you find the links?