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

 

[squashface]

Sadly missed this game because I have a job but sounds like we’re winning the flag and they’re awarding 23 Brownlow medals this year

 

[Dom sheed pocket]

Waterman and Shannahan should both be locks for FF/CHF

Realistically it leaves room for a full time ruck which will be one of B. Williams or Flynn, one on the bench and one third tall.

I don't see where Jack Williams fits into that equation personally, unless he becomes a full time ruck. Don't see that happening though.

I don’t think Shanahan should be considered a lock, more like the incumbent who has the inside running and it’s his spot to lose.

CDT kicked 5 today and Reid kicked 4, and both can ruck.

Reid looked more dangerous in the air than Jobe, who had a quieter day at the office.

Both are nipping at Shanahan’s heels and could move into favouritism if they continue putting in performances like today.

 

[Yeahnahmate]

One big takeaway for me with Flyin departing is that Longy looked on and was in the ones from the start over Owies. Please may that continue

 

[Yeahnahmate]

CDT as advertised. Unicorn. So composed, balanced and skilful for his size. We gonna have quite the player if he’s showing this much already

 

[Bender_]

How would you rate H. Reid

He seemed everywhere early but then to fade a fair bit. Whenever he had the ball he made things happen as usual, spent a fair bit of time forward though.

 

[Yeahnahmate]

Pleasantly surprised by Shoenberg. Chuffed actually. Hard as and nice goal nous

 

[Sneh]

He seemed everywhere early but then to fade a fair bit. Whenever he had the ball he made things happen as usual, spent a fair bit of time forward though.

Cheers. Line through him for fantasy football

 

[Yeahnahmate]

Also god bless Tom McCarthy. Looking very forward to his rise through the midfield this season

 

[Byron_Clanger]

I don't care if it 'was against WAFL defenders' it doesn't matter who it was against, he was covering the ground and spreading out of contests like nothing we've had in years.

I know we need gun mids and that we are stocked for tall forwards, but you always pick THE BEST TALENT AVAILABLE. And CDT was the best available

It's so refreshing seeing a young talented tall who's getting to everything and looking so ultra impressive.

 

[Bender_]

Pleasantly surprised by Shoenberg. Chuffed actually. Hard as and nice goal nous

Yeah it's tough to know whether he looks good coz our midfield is so bad or coz he's genuinely good. Either way he improves our midfield which is great. Looks well rounded - a nice balance of inside and outside and like you said rock hard and seasoned at the contest. Appears to have locked down a spot for round 1 after today.

 

[schmuttt]

CDT as advertised. Unicorn. So composed, balanced and skilful for his size. We gonna have quite the player if he’s showing this much already

He is going to be incredibly special. Reminds me a lot of Jackson but a better forward.

 

[Deplorable trumpster]

Kelly and Owies leading the tackle count is a positive. They have probably both been told to work on their work rate and defensive pressure if they want a spot in the 22. And it looks like they have done that. The pressure for spots is finally hapenning and having positive effect.

 

[Yeahnahmate]

He is going to be incredibly special. Reminds me a lot of Jackson but a better forward.

Cool as a cucumber too. Drips composure and sees the game too well for a developing tall

 

[Bender_]

Cool as a cucumber too. Drips composure and sees the game too well for a developing tall

Mmmm, developing my own dripping cucumber to be honest.


Inb4pickle

 

[Art OF war]

I'd say Tom McCarthy was best on followed by CDT, TK and HR. Harley Reid had at least 3 goal assists, a lot of score involvements and was involved in more link up play than i saw all of last year.

Shoenberg will play 22 games and finish top 10 in the BnF - unsure if that’s an indictment on our team yet.

CDT might have a higher ceiling than Willem - And I’m big on Willem.

Willem got involved more late showing his fitness base, he might be our longest kick.

Lindsay is in the round 1 team. Elite ball disposal. tried to do too much on 2 occasions and got fortuitously free kicks awarded. Needed to handball on 1 of those occasions and send the ball down the line on the other. But thats nothing 50 games of experience won't cure.

Exciting times.

 

[Dom sheed pocket]

I don't care if it 'was against WAFL defenders' it doesn't matter who it was against, he was covering the ground and spreading out of contests like nothing we've had in years.

I know we need gun mids and that we are stocked for tall forwards, but you always pick THE BEST TALENT AVAILABLE. And CDT was the best available

It's so refreshing seeing a young talented tall who's getting to everything and looking so ultra impressive.

So many on this board were against drafting CDT just because of the position he played when it was abundantly cleared to almost everyone that he was the best talent available at that position.

A few around here need to hand in their credentials as ‘draft watchers’ or at least be a bit more humble and open-minded to the opinions of others.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

Annoyingly, feel like I have to dismantle my entire Fantasy side now to fit in Lindsay and Schoenberg. Well played lads.

 

[kane249]

How did Starcevich go?

 

[Biggie]

Pleasantly surprised by Shoenberg. Chuffed actually. Hard as and nice goal nous

Think we see a good showing from this lad. Hard at it and no nonsense

 

[bzparkes]

So many on this board were against drafting CDT just because of the position he played when it was abundantly cleared to almost everyone that he was the best talent available at that position.

A few around here need to hand in their credentials as ‘draft watchers’ or at least be a bit more humble and open-minded to the opinions of others.

Nah, scarred by picking Brander and OAllen consecutively when it was obvious to everyone we desperately needed mids.

Having said that, I understand you shouldn't necessarily reach for mids if a superior tall is there, of course.

 

[bzparkes]

Think we see a good showing from this lad. Hard at it and no nonsense

Good on the tongs too, based off Harley's IG.

 

[Bender_]

How did Starcevich go?

Was hard to judge our backs a bit. Lindsay stood out coz of his rebound but other than that no one else really seemed to dominate. He does look like an absolute beast compared to the rest of our list however.

 

[ziad]

I don’t think Shanahan should be considered a lock, more like the incumbent who has the inside running and it’s his spot to lose.

CDT kicked 5 today and Reid kicked 4, and both can ruck.

Reid looked more dangerous in the air than Jobe, who had a quieter day at the office.

Both are nipping at Shanahan’s heels and could move into favouritism if they continue putting in performances like today.

Like many spots great to see it remains open after todays showing.
Rusty in parts early, you would nexpect older players to be over excited, But kelly went well. Pleny of good moments from many, some unexpected. We are young so expectations should be tempered. We could conclude that Ginbey wasnt ready for state of origin but again its a warm up training game. I would expect more when the whips are cracking.

 

[squashface]

How did Starcevich go?

Rock hard and seasoned

 

[gravy_86]

Gross v Duggan for those who couldn’t watch live. Gee it doesn’t look great, he went in elbow-first with both feet off the ground