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

 

[Sneh]

Duursma is a right sided Bont

 

[Monsterdarlz]

Still concerned about the midfield group hasnt really shifted the needle much. As good as bakes and graham where we went backwards in all key contested stats. Reid is one man cant do it by himself. Yeo is our only other real difference maker we desperately need Yeo fit and for two others to step up to keep competitive otherwise it will be a futile exericse

 

[daddy_4_eyes]

Still concerned about the midfield group hasnt really shifted the needle much. As good as bakes and graham where we went backwards in all key contested stats. Reid is one man cant do it by himself. Yeo is our only other real difference maker we desperately need Yeo fit and for two others to step up to keep competitive otherwise it will be a futile exericse

I really don't understand views like this.
We've added Harley, Duursma, Allen, Allan, McCarthy, Gross, Davis, Rodriguez & Hall along with mature players Baker, Graham, Macrae, Robertson & Schoenberg. An arguement that Lindsay, Grego, Starcevich & Brockman will also have stints through the midfield.

In that time the only non-smalls we've drafted were A.Reid, Shanahan & CDT.

What would you suggest the club had done differently to address midfield issues?

 

[Bleedblueandgold]

I really don't understand views like this.
We've added Harley, Duursma, Allen, Allan, McCarthy, Gross, Davis, Rodriguez & Hall along with mature players Baker, Graham, Macrae, Robertson & Schoenberg. An arguement that Lindsay, Grego, Starcevich & Brockman will also have stints through the midfield.

In that time the only non-smalls we've drafted were A.Reid, Shanahan & CDT.

What would you suggest the club had done differently to address midfield issues?

It's too early to know if our midfield will improve or not. McCarthy is still unproven as a mid, Duursma is his first season, it's impossible to predict if Yeo can have another full season, the SPP's were delisted for a reason although we hope they can turn their careers around, Rodriguez lasted to the rookie draft and Allan is still a mystery.

 

[eaglevision]

Still concerned about the midfield group hasnt really shifted the needle much. As good as bakes and graham where we went backwards in all key contested stats. Reid is one man cant do it by himself. Yeo is our only other real difference maker we desperately need Yeo fit and for two others to step up to keep competitive otherwise it will be a futile exericse

I really don't understand views like this.
We've added Harley, Duursma, Allen, Allan, McCarthy, Gross, Davis, Rodriguez & Hall along with mature players Baker, Graham, Macrae, Robertson & Schoenberg. An arguement that Lindsay, Grego, Starcevich & Brockman will also have stints through the midfield.

In that time the only non-smalls we've drafted were A.Reid, Shanahan & CDT.

What would you suggest the club had done differently to address midfield issues?

I don’t think there’s much more the club could have done to address the issues other than not f**k up the Addinsall bid but it’s such a young group it’s just going to take time.

Then we have Yeo, TK etc who are close to the end. McCarthy will be a good addition but really the 2027 FA market with Warner, Rivers etc is going to be the defining moment in my view.

Neale would also be an excellent addition as a player and to teach midfield craft.

 

[KERRPOW]

Interesting little match-sim to watch yesterday. Here's my player breakdown & analisys;

Duursma - lanky and shit

Starcevich - bald and shit

Lindsay - yeah he can kick but he's shit

Yeo - old, broken and shit

Ginbey - young, ripping nick but still shit

Reid - overrated and shit

Brockman - genuinely shit

Kelly - something something 2 year contract and shit

Long - short and shit

Duggan - concussed and shit

Cripps - old fumbly shit

Owies - shit

Graham - broken and shit

McCarthy - slippery shit

CDT - 5 of the shittest goals ever kicked, shit

Archer - tall and shit

Maric - ginger and shit

Johnston - who? anyways, shit

Flynn - big useless lump of shit

Allan - athletic shit

Gross - dumb shit

Cole - shit moustache

Hall - balding shit, soon to be bald shit

Barnett - another big useless lump of shit

Grego - more ginger shit

Bazzo - undersized shit

J. Williams - slow as shit

Shanahan - good but shit

T. Williams - barely seen him play but he's shit

Champion - see above

Davis - shit ball drop, shit player

Robertson - a wrecking ball of shit

Brock - lanky and shit

Edwards - massive floater

Dewar - he got shit all over the place

Macrae - recycled shit

Newton - a new ton of shit

Schoenberg - massive shit head

All in all, i'm excited for the year 2026 and we're definitely winning the flag.

 

[RookiePick]

Interesting little match-sim to watch yesterday. Here's my player breakdown & analisys;

Duursma - lanky and shit

Starcevich - bald and shit

Lindsay - yeah he can kick but he's shit

Yeo - old, broken and shit

Ginbey - young, ripping nick but still shit

Reid - overrated and shit

Brockman - genuinely shit

Kelly - something something 2 year contract and shit

Long - short and shit

Duggan - concussed and shit

Cripps - old fumbly shit

Owies - shit

Graham - broken and shit

McCarthy - slippery shit

CDT - 5 of the shittest goals ever kicked, shit

Archer - tall and shit

Maric - ginger and shit

Johnston - who? anyways, shit

Flynn - big useless lump of shit

Allan - athletic shit

Gross - dumb shit

Cole - shit moustache

Hall - balding shit, soon to be bald shit

Barnett - another big useless lump of shit

Grego - more ginger shit

Bazzo - undersized shit

J. Williams - slow as shit

Shanahan - good but shit

T. Williams - barely seen him play but he's shit

Champion - see above

Davis - shit ball drop, shit player

Robertson - a wrecking ball of shit

Brock - lanky and shit

Edwards - massive floater

Dewar - he got shit all over the place

Macrae - recycled shit

Newton - a new ton of shit

Schoenberg - massive shit head

All in all, i'm excited for the year 2026 and we're definitely winning the flag.

 

[King LeBron]

Doubtful. He's behind the other 2 SPPs in the pecking order and I'd definitely be giving Hall/Davis games ahead of him.

Should hopefully chop up the WAFL to start the season.

I know it's only an intra club game, but just going purely off that, he's well ahead of Robertson in my book. The coaches may not see it that way yet, but I'm on the Mcrae train after watching that game.

 

[Chris_6678]

When is the game v Freo?

 

[bzparkes]

When is the game v Freo?

Saturday morning. Same time.

 

[Dom sheed pocket]

Still concerned about the midfield group hasnt really shifted the needle much. As good as bakes and graham where we went backwards in all key contested stats. Reid is one man cant do it by himself. Yeo is our only other real difference maker we desperately need Yeo fit and for two others to step up to keep competitive otherwise it will be a futile exericse

I feel like a fit and engaged Harley, healthy Yeo and in-form Kelly is a significant change from last year.

Add in McCarthy, natural development from guys on our list like Hall and Hewett + addition of Robertson to play a structural role and the scope for improved midfield return is significant.

 

[WAFoozy]

I feel like a fit and engaged Harley, healthy Yeo and in-form Kelly is a significant change from last year.

Add in McCarthy, natural development from guys on our list like Hall and Hewett + addition of Robertson to play a structural role and the scope for improved midfield return is significant.

I have 0 faith in Kelly.

Why is he being glazed for 1 moment in an intra club game? He had hundreds of opportunities last season to show up and didn't. Why would he change this season?

Bloke should be in the wafl.

 

[Seadog]

I have 0 faith in Kelly.

Why is he being glazed for 1 moment in an intra club game? He had hundreds of opportunities last season to show up and didn't. Why would he change this season?

Bloke should be in the wafl.

If you judge Kelly's effort last year against his best it was pretty average, if you judge him against the other 30 odd blokes who played he was comfortably in the top 20 players.
Let's just wait and see hey, before going off half cocked.

 

[Cuzz09]

Kelly to turn back the clock and be Brownlow top 5.

That'd be pretty cool bro

 

[WAFoozy]

If you judge Kelly's effort last year against his best it was pretty average, if you judge him against the other 30 odd blokes who played he was comfortably in the top 20 players.
Let's just wait and see hey, before going off half cocked.

What about every single year since he's been at west coast? I'd be as happy as the next if he becomes a consistent beast this season. Not sure he's had it in him since arriving.

 

[Cuzz09]

Is the Freo v WC game 9am WA time?

 

[FKASC]

What about every single year since he's been at west coast? I'd be as happy as the next if he becomes a consistent beast this season. Not sure he's had it in him since arriving.

If he plays like he did in 2023 it will be a significant boost to our midfield. Won’t transform it or make us play finals but it’ll make a difference. That’s what the original discussion was about - incremental improvements across the midfield as a group

 

[Dom sheed pocket]

I have 0 faith in Kelly.

Why is he being glazed for 1 moment in an intra club game? He had hundreds of opportunities last season to show up and didn't. Why would he change this season?

Bloke should be in the wafl.

When you say one good moment you mean one good game, right? He played a complete game and was BOG in the eyes of many from the weekend.

Lots of players have a poor season. Yeo was a complete liability when he was available in 2021/2022. Then in 2024 he rebounds and has a great season.

He seemed burnt out and mentally exhausted last year. Given that he had single handedly led the midfield 2020-2023 I can understand it.

Kelly looked hungry and like he was man on a mission.

For mine that’s one of the headlines out of last weekends intra club, and if it holds, it goes along to making us more competitive and helps us win games.

I’d be keen to see how he goes this weekend against Freo, a fit and hungry Kelly is still a very good player.

Kelly never gets enough respect around this joint and the tone of your post proves just that.

 

[Beutbrute]

So over the weekend I got to watch our intraclub and the state of origin games.
The thing that struck me most was the difference in quality of ball use and defensive structures... a huge discrepancy in skill levels between the two games. Baker and Waterman were ok I suppose but the rest were sub-par compared to the intraclub teams.

 

[Bender_]

Something I noticed from the intraclub and Origin games was how fast the umpires are throwing the ball up at the stoppage, they're basically running in and grabbing the ball and chucking it almost immediately. Seems like a good thing so far from what I've seen.

 

[Keys]

Tim Kelly

11

Tim Kelly

Age

31

Ht

184cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

23.6

5star

K

13.5

5star

HB

10.1

5star

M

3.4

3star

T

4.0

5star

CL

4.9

5star

D

19.9

5star

K

12.3

5star

HB

7.6

4star

M

3.1

3star

T

4.7

5star

CL

3.6

4star

D

21.6

5star

K

10.4

4star

HB

11.2

5star

M

2.8

3star

T

3.8

5star

CL

3.8

5star

- John Worsfold Medal

2020: 7th (148 votes - Brad Sheppard with 163 votes was 3rd)
2021: 6th (129 votes - Jack Redden

8

Jack Redden

Age

35

Ht

190cm

Wt

85kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

21.6

5star

K

11.0

4star

HB

10.6

5star

M

4.7

4star

T

5.7

5star

CL

3.9

5star

D

15.0

4star

K

7.3

3star

HB

7.8

4star

M

3.6

4star

T

2.3

3star

CL

1.5

4star

D

15.4

4star

K

7.8

3star

HB

7.6

5star

M

4.0

4star

T

4.8

5star

with 137 votes was 4th)
2022: 3rd (131 votes)
2023: 1st (200 votes)
2024: 10th (112 votes)
2025: Outside top 10

Top 10 in 5 of his 6 years but a clear drop in performance the last two years after his best season in 2023

Has played 116 of a possible 127 games so he’s been relatively durable over a period when that’s been a significant issue for us - nobody has played more games for us from 2020-25 (Duggan is second with 115 and Cripps with 109 is third)

On Saturday, he was clearly the white teams best mid in the first quarter and held his own against the deeper blue team midfield. He was then involved in several scoring chains after switching teams at quarter time, including a fundamental contribution to the goal Duursma kicked on the run

He’s not a walk up start in our best 23 anymore so needs to earn his spot - something he’s done this preseason. A return to his 2023 form, or somewhere near it, will add a huge amount to our midfield output this year

 

[Dylan82]

I have 0 faith in Kelly.

Why is he being glazed for 1 moment in an intra club game? He had hundreds of opportunities last season to show up and didn't. Why would he change this season?

Bloke should be in the wafl.

To be honest, T.Kelly has always been a player who is at their best when he is not the no.1 (or even no.2) midfielder.

He is clearly a confidence player and obviously is well-aware that the defensive side of his game is his weakness.

It is when he has little depth around him and is forced to match up on opposing prime movers (particularly those with a quicker first step or can out-muscle him) that he starts to second guess himself around contest and completely loses his positioning and offensive impact.

Add a supportive midfield and set him up to a conducive match-up where he can remain aggressive with his intent and you have a completely different player in terms of their impact.

 

[bzparkes]

Something I noticed from the intraclub and Origin games was how fast the umpires are throwing the ball up at the stoppage, they're basically running in and grabbing the ball and chucking it almost immediately. Seems like a good thing so far from what I've seen.

Still too slow according to King and Kornes.

 

[Cuzz09]

The thing I noticed was if WA had not turned it over so much they could've won.

Good ball use is very important (captain obvious)

We seem to have some better (and composed) ball users around the middle and backline

interesting

 

[bzparkes]

Watching this Hawks v Geelon game and gee McKenzie still looks really skinny going into his 4th season.