2026 Pre-Season Thread

[McLuggages]

Clug & Charlie looked great tonight in Origin. Hopefully a preview of things to come this season from them

We are a significantly better team with that version of Charlie...and a fit Kai. And Bailey, Rayner who have found themselves. Not to mention Allen taking a load off Morris and Gallop.

Exciting times.

 

[Coastal Lion]

We are a significantly better team with that version of Charlie...and a fit Kai. And Bailey, Rayner who have found themselves. Not to mention Allen taking a load off Morris and Gallop.

Exciting times.

Yeah 100% agree "a fit Kai"
From training photos he looks to have added size.
I keep replaying the rip through it pod in my head that he was on.
That bit where he said
"yeah no end of season trip this year, focusing on body and putting in a full pre season"
That attitude for me screams I know im good and i want to be the best i can.
Also i think in 10 years time we look at the draft we got Kai and Motty and all say how we made out like bandits.

 

[BRAB]

With Kai and Morty hosting, I give locker talk about 6-8 weeks before the club pulls the plug.

Can’t wait to hear about all the players’ favourite conspiracy theories.

 

[BangyBangy]

Can’t wait to hear about all the players’ favourite conspiracy theories.

It wasn't actually the Titanic that sunk you know..........

 

[Perrip]

Injury watch

BRISBANE
The Lions suffered a little setback recently with ruck recruit Sam Draper sidelined with a stress reaction in his foot. The former Bomber will miss Opening Round against the Western Bulldogs but should be available to debut shortly after. Jack Payne is doing lateral work as he recovers from a ruptured patella tendon and is hopeful of being available by round six, while rangy forward Eric Hipwood

30

Eric Hipwood

Age

28

Ht

204cm

Wt

94kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.0

3star

K

7.4

3star

HB

2.6

2star

M

3.9

4star

T

1.3

3star

G

1.5

5star

D

11.1

3star

K

8.4

3star

HB

2.7

2star

M

4.1

4star

T

1.1

2star

G

1.1

5star

D

10.6

3star

K

8.4

4star

HB

2.2

2star

M

3.6

4star

T

1.6

4star

G

2.4

5star

is rehabilitating from a ruptured ACL and should be available in the second half of the season. Josh Dunkley

5

Josh Dunkley

Age

29

Ht

191cm

Wt

87kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

21.8

5star

K

10.4

4star

HB

11.3

5star

M

4.3

4star

T

5.8

5star

CL

3.2

5star

D

20.7

5star

K

7.0

3star

HB

13.7

5star

M

2.3

2star

T

5.3

5star

CL

2.7

4star

D

14.2

4star

K

7.2

3star

HB

7.0

5star

M

4.8

5star

T

4.0

5star

CL

1.4

4star

, Jarrod Berry

7

Jarrod Berry

Age

28

Ht

193cm

Wt

89kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

17.4

4star

K

8.5

3star

HB

8.9

5star

M

3.9

4star

T

4.2

5star

CL

2.7

4star

D

17.0

4star

K

9.4

4star

HB

7.6

4star

M

3.6

4star

T

5.1

5star

CL

2.9

4star

D

10.6

3star

K

4.4

2star

HB

6.2

4star

M

1.8

2star

T

2.8

5star

CL

0.8

3star

and Jaspa Fletcher all had shoulder surgery during the off-season but are back into full training and are expected to play either Carlton or Gold Coast in the next fortnight. Tom Doedee

12

Tom Doedee

Age

29

Ht

190cm

Wt

90kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

17.1

4star

K

8.5

3star

HB

8.6

5star

M

5.6

5star

T

2.6

4star

MG

228.8

4star

D

15.3

4star

K

9.5

4star

HB

5.8

3star

M

6.3

5star

T

1.3

2star

MG

228.8

3star

D

19.8

5star

K

10.4

4star

HB

9.4

5star

M

6.6

5star

T

1.4

4star

has progressed well in recent weeks from knee and wrist problems and will be around the mark by season's start. - Michael Whiting

 

[Mayestro]

Fairly glowing as you’d expect as a season preview.

2026 AFL Season Previews: Brisbane

The kings of the jungle roar again.

open.substack.com

 

[Elixuh]

Can’t wait to hear about all the players’ favourite conspiracy theories.

Only real locker talk OGs will understand this reference. Simpler times.

 

[Perrip]

Fairly glowing as you’d expect as a season preview.

2026 AFL Season Previews: Brisbane

The kings of the jungle roar again.

open.substack.com

Matteo's season previews are great. Good read this afternoon

 

[Ray Button]

Read through Matteo's preview and yes it's quite impressive, although possibly so appealing due to the complimentary tone!

 

[BigCat2]

Read through Matteo's preview and yes it's quite impressive, although possibly so appealing due to the complimentary tone!

If you say things that are complimentary or friendly toward me, then you are 100% correct and have a great mind. If you say things that are disparaging or critical, then you are a deluded fool who has an agenda against me.

 

[dlanod]

If you say things that are complimentary or friendly toward me, then you are 100% correct and have a great mind. If you say things that are disparaging or critical, then you are a deluded fool who has an agenda against me.

I saw an organization being quoted as saying in a statement (slightly paraphrasing) "In our experience, people who [disagree with our agenda] always have an agenda of their own."

So this sounds like a very popular position to hold in this day and age, I'm on board until you do something I disagree with at which point I've never liked the look of you.

 

[mpal6]

Logan Morris

I remember a game where Morris got hold of the ball in the wing / half forward, took couple of bounces waited for forwards to stream back and then kicked to Charlie who marked it without needing to break stride. I think it may be the collingwood prelim final. Amazing kick.

 

[The Flying Belgian]

I remember a game where Morris got hold of the ball in the wing / half forward, took couple of bounces waited for forwards to stream back and then kicked to Charlie who marked it without needing to break stride. I think it may be the collingwood prelim final. Amazing kick.

They seemed attuned to finding each other. Charlie hit Logan up with inch perfect passes many a time during the season. It why the "Charlie's out of form because he's not kicking goals talk" peeved a little - he was busy up the field more often.

 

[BrainOfMorbius]

They seemed attuned to finding each other. Charlie hit Logan up with inch perfect passes many a time during the season. It why the "Charlie's out of form because he's not kicking goals talk" peeved a little - he was busy up the field more often.

100% this. Thing is a team only gets a certain number of goal scoring opportunities. If he's setting goals up rather than kicking them himself, that doesn't make him less important or out of form.

 

[Perrip]

The lions high intensity training today: The last one before a practice game on Wednesday vs Carlton They did a lot of match sim game situations:

• - Lachie Neale
  9

  Lachie Neale

  Age

  32

  Ht

  177cm

  Wt

  84kg

  Pos.

  Mid

  Career

  Season

  Last 5

  D

  27.0

  5star

  K

  11.5

  4star

  HB

  15.5

  5star

  M

  4.0

  4star

  T

  3.7

  5star

  CL

  5.9

  5star

  D

  28.3

  5star

  K

  13.9

  5star

  HB

  14.4

  5star

  M

  4.6

  4star

  T

  4.0

  5star

  CL

  5.9

  5star

  D

  12.0

  3star

  K

  4.6

  2star

  HB

  7.4

  5star

  M

  2.0

  3star

  T

  1.0

  3star

  CL

  0.4

  3star

  , Josh Dunkley
  5

  Josh Dunkley

  Age

  29

  Ht

  191cm

  Wt

  87kg

  Pos.

  Mid

  Career

  Season

  Last 5

  D

  21.8

  5star

  K

  10.4

  4star

  HB

  11.3

  5star

  M

  4.3

  4star

  T

  5.8

  5star

  CL

  3.2

  5star

  D

  20.7

  5star

  K

  7.0

  3star

  HB

  13.7

  5star

  M

  2.3

  2star

  T

  5.3

  5star

  CL

  2.7

  4star

  D

  14.2

  4star

  K

  7.2

  3star

  HB

  7.0

  5star

  M

  4.8

  5star

  T

  4.0

  5star

  CL

  1.4

  4star

  , Will Ashcroft starting 3 mids.
• - Neale sharp again
• - Dayne Zorko
  15

  Dayne Zorko

  Age

  37

  Ht

  175cm

  Wt

  77kg

  Pos.

  Def

  Career

  Season

  Last 5

  D

  21.4

  5star

  K

  13.2

  5star

  HB

  8.2

  5star

  M

  3.6

  4star

  T

  6.0

  5star

  MG

  440.5

  5star

  D

  14.0

  3star

  K

  9.0

  4star

  HB

  5.0

  3star

  M

  2.0

  2star

  T

  5.0

  5star

  MG

  291.0

  4star

  D

  16.4

  4star

  K

  9.8

  4star

  HB

  6.6

  4star

  M

  5.2

  5star

  T

  6.6

  5star

  unreal didn’t turn it over.
• - Jasper Fletcher half back role looks locked.
• - Kiddy Coleman was 60% HB - 40% HF No wing time. Although He looks real good at half forward finding heaps of it and looks like an extra mid. Probably behind Neale and Zorko for looking the best out there, very clean and kicking elite.
• - Zac Bailey
  33

  Zac Bailey

  Age

  26

  Ht

  181cm

  Wt

  84kg

  Pos.

  M/F

  Career

  Season

  Last 5

  D

  12.7

  3star

  K

  6.9

  3star

  HB

  5.9

  4star

  M

  3.0

  3star

  T

  2.2

  4star

  CL

  0.9

  3star

  D

  12.9

  3star

  K

  7.3

  3star

  HB

  5.6

  3star

  M

  3.9

  4star

  T

  2.4

  3star

  CL

  0.7

  3star

  D

  13.4

  4star

  K

  6.6

  3star

  HB

  6.8

  5star

  M

  3.2

  4star

  T

  2.8

  5star

  CL

  0.6

  3star

  a lot of mid time but same role HF/ Mid
• - Annable, Marshall, Reville all rotated wing roles it seems those 3 are fighting for that spot round 1.
• - Draper & Payne Did intense running session didn’t do match main match sim.

The lions back set up is very interesting I think Coleman being flexible helps them get even better. But it looks like Fletcher, Zorko, Wilmott they don’t want to move at all. 5 on the bench helps them big time they all play and most likely rotate. Tough to gauge but did my best!

 

[Tom14]

They seemed attuned to finding each other. Charlie hit Logan up with inch perfect passes many a time during the season. It why the "Charlie's out of form because he's not kicking goals talk" peeved a little - he was busy up the field more often.

He also hasn’t been able to kick straight for goal in 2 seasons.

 

[Section 5]

He also hasn’t been able to kick straight for goal in 2 seasons.

Yes, it is this that frustrated Lions' supporters, not his work rate and general play.

Kicked 3 goals 0 behinds and 2 out on the full in SOO

His accuracy is something we will just have to wait and see how it plays out in 2026

 

[Dalions]

Yes, it is this that frustrated Lions' supporters, not his work rate and general play.

Kicked 3 goals 0 behinds and 2 out on the full in SOO

His accuracy is something we will just have to wait and see how it plays out in 2026

Didn’t watch SOO, were his OB’s set shots or on the run/snaps etc?

 

[Elixuh]

He also hasn’t been able to kick straight for goal in 2 seasons.

Fatigue impacting accuracy due to higher work rate role into loss of confidence

 

[Squizz89]

Harris, Dunks & Hugh all named co-captains.

Must admit I'm a bit surprised they went with the 3. Not that they don't all deserve it, but sometimes I think that might be a little to many.

 

[Perrip]

Leadership group outside the 3 Captains is Bez, Cam, Jaspa, WAsh, & Allen

 

[Elixuh]

Harris, Dunks & Hugh all named co-captains.

Must admit I'm a bit surprised they went with the 3. Not that they don't all deserve it, but sometimes I think that might be a little to many.

We need to dominate coin tosses and send all 3 captains in every game as an intimidation strategy.

 

[braddsey]

Harris, Dunks & Hugh all named co-captains.

Must admit I'm a bit surprised they went with the 3. Not that they don't all deserve it, but sometimes I think that might be a little to many.

Going to be busy on the GF dais this year!
On the other hand, a great way to increase the possible number of premiership captains. Share the potential post-career windfall around.

Arguably it's a clever way for the club to reduce the media burden of being captain. they can easily pass around media commitments etc. giving them more scope to focus on their game, or invisibly step away if things get challenging.

 

[Nunez]

3 captains seems excessive but so did two, and we're currently red hot favourites to make our fourth grand final in a row - absolute trust in Fagan and co with this call.

We have such great leadership depth!

 

[WheildonTheAxe]

It's certainly more streamlined than having five! Great to see Fletch and Wash in leadership group, starting to build the next team. Also glad for Bez as he wasn't in the last few years right