Training 2026 Off-Season & Preseason reports and discussion

[TheFourPillars]

Sic with a nice little gut punch 'spoil' on the big Cholly

Yep gave away 50 lol

 

[TheFourPillars]

Ward, Croc & Frenchie. It's now your time.

How much these guys can lift output in the middle will determine a lot of our fate

Huss may have a role to play as well. He got his hands on the ball a lot in the intra

 

[unitedhawk2]

Huss may have a role to play as well. He got his hands on the ball a lot in the intra

Good to see someone highlighting the lad's strengths.

 

[Ka Norkers]

Huss may have a role to play as well. He got his hands on the ball a lot in the intra

good call. Small sample size, but I was surprised how often he was first hands on, how much quicker his decision making is, and how much stronger he looks.
as our captain says, people should look at what he can do, not what he can't do. I can see him evolving into a clearance beast. I was (and still am) a big fan of Ned Long, but I genuinely believe Huss is a distinctly better version of him.

 

[KAMSTAR HFC]

Huss has the talent and deserves his shot. There is a spot open for him in this team now with Worpel out.

I'd love to see him become a player just for the lolz at Essendon, who could have had him!

 

[dixyland]

Sic with a nice little gut punch 'spoil' on the big Cholly

Good to see him in midseason form already.

 

[Changa10]

Huss may have a role to play as well. He got his hands on the ball a lot in the intra

Would be such a great result if Huss can play a role. I really hope he does.

 

[tommyk72]

Just a short video but boy the game has really sped up.
No stop starting its all system go.
These new rules are going to change the game immensely.
HH will come into his own.
So good with his hands.

I felt overwhelmed watching it and had to turn it off at 4 minutes! Some great plays, and definitely going at a frenetic pace.

 

[kazzooka]

Yep HH on the inside was impresive
(I guess leg speed isn’t as important on the bottom of a pack )
His disposal by both hand a foot was dare I say elite. Whilst I know he was dancing with his sister he looked stronger and more confident than I’ve seen before

Perhaps he’s not the write off we’d all assumed

I never thought he was a right off. He's from same draft as Mackenzie and probably just a bit behind. Both can dominate VFL level, Mackenzie has shown he can play at AFL level but is inconsistent, HH has had less opportunity and hasn't been able to adapt to the AFL level just yet. Though he's shown glimpses.

Butler is in a similar boat that he's shown moments at AFL level but other times despite a dominant VFL player can struggle. Maginness outside of tagging has been similar. Ward until last year was like Mackenzie a bit inconsistent at AFL level and sometimes out of his depth.

I am certain Henry Hustwaite will have a an AFL career. But it might not be for Hawthorn if he cant find a spot to fit into.

 

[Yardie]

It's the defensive pressure that I didn't see that worries me. Looked good with the ball but that was it. That's what I saw anyway.

Croc had a similar issue in one passage where Ward just turned away and burnt him off.

 

[Yardie]

Huss may have a role to play as well. He got his hands on the ball a lot in the intra

Hey 4P do you think is HH offloading the ball fast enough? In some instances he had extra space where I don't think he would have in an AFL match.

 

[Dewnior]

Hey 4P do you think is HH offloading the ball fast enough? In some instances he had extra space where I don't think he would have in an AFL match.

The knock on HH has not been his disposal, it's been his ability when he doesn't have the ball.

 

[The Golden Glenferrie]

We may never lose again!!!

Just save the image for next time

 

[TheFourPillars]

Hey 4P do you think is HH offloading the ball fast enough? In some instances he had extra space where I don't think he would have in an AFL match.

The knock on HH has not been his disposal, it's been his ability when he doesn't have the ball.

Yep its huss ability to defend the ground when we dont have it. He has been working hard he has definitely improved even from last year. Its about showing his abilities at AFL level if he can get clearances at that level get it 25 times he might be able to find his way to stay in the team first its about opportunity then its about producing his best

 

[kazzooka]

Yep its huss ability to defend the ground when we dont have it. He has been working hard he has definitely improved even from last year. Its about showing his abilities at AFL level if he can get clearances at that level get it 25 times he might be able to find his way to stay in the team first its about opportunity then its about producing his best

Hustwaite entering his 4th season.

I remember Luke Breust getting dropped in finals during his 3rd season for lack of defensive pressure. The next year his 4th he had career high tackles.

 

[parsons nose]

Hey 4P do you think is HH offloading the ball fast enough? In some instances he had extra space where I don't think he would have in an AFL match.

HH is good at feigning handballs, which then affords him time to find a better option. It serves him well when to contest is hot.

 

[Deliverance]

HHs issue has, since his draft days been speed. With less stoppages predicted under the new rules, despite wanting success for him, hard to see a role other than depth.

 

[SammyC]

HH needs to be able to win the ball on the inside and take it to the outside.

Pure inside mids are rare in modern football - they need to be A grade elite with hands inside - dump kicks are death. Mids need to win it and find space to dispose cleanly.

If he can’t do that, he would need be a defensive mid - Nash back up.

 

[Simon Crawshay]

good call. Small sample size, but I was surprised how often he was first hands on, how much quicker his decision making is, and how much stronger he looks.
as our captain says, people should look at what he can do, not what he can't do. I can see him evolving into a clearance beast. I was (and still am) a big fan of Ned Long, but I genuinely believe Huss is a distinctly better version of him.

There is definitely a spot in our team for a high possession winning midfielder to help share the load with Newk.

HH knows how to win his own ball, I think that's a skill we need in the middle for 2026.

 

[OhhhhhCyril]

What’s the go on Monday the practice match against Geelong.. does anyone know ?

 

[Tall Tales and True]

Any more info', observations, or conjecture, re Perez, Stanley, Riding?

 

[ReturningHawk]

Any more info', observations, or conjecture, re Perez, Stanley, Riding?

Riding is up against it, he has so little time to make an impression. But I believe he was brought in as an inside mid prospect, so if we think we need the midfield cover in the first half of the year, I guess he’ll get a spot. I see Perez as taking Serong’s spot essentially as the next man in should any of Sic, Scrim or Amon go down. Can also play on the wing if needed. I like Stanley, but I can’t see him getting a game for Hawthorn as a wingman - pace is good but skills are workmanlike

 

[JZedd]

There is definitely a spot in our team for a high possession winning midfielder to help share the load with Newk.

HH knows how to win his own ball, I think that's a skill we need in the middle for 2026.

Ordinarily I'd agree. But defensive pressure is a must for all the players. A lot of goals are kicked from turnovers.
HH has come back stronger and fitter. I wish him success but this yr is critical. Good luck to the lad.

 

[ppphawk]

I didn’t see anyone else post this. Half way through there is more vision of the pre-season game.
IMO better than the 7m footage as it shows more continuous plays

 

[ReturningHawk]

I didn’t see anyone else post this. Half way through there is more vision of the pre-season game.
IMO better than the 7m footage as it shows more continuous plays

I believe it was actually a different match sim! But yes the vision is great!