Training 2026 Preseason Thread

[markm106]

Yes it was a pre season game and the oppo weren’t much chop. But there were some really good signs. We’re going to play some exciting footy and it’s clear we want to where possible get the ball into the hands of the good users.
Pickett x 2 is going to be very fun to watch.

 

[markm106]

Fair chance Clarko won’t see the year out. They never address the defence issues and there never seems to be a workable game plan.

 

[JP2]

Is there anywhere to watch it? In previous years I seem to remember that they posted the full practice matches up on the official website, doesn't seem to be the case this year.

 

[jhong]

Is there anywhere to watch it? In previous years I seem to remember that they posted the full practice matches up on the official website, doesn't seem to be the case this year.

Kayo has the full match.

 

[Guy Threepwood]

Fair chance Clarko won’t see the year out. They never address the defence issues and there never seems to be a workable game plan.

It was only 12 months ago though that we easily beat the same team in a practice match only to be smashed by them a few weeks later. Still, it is bizarre to see a Clarkson coached team look so poorly organised and defensively inept all over the field.

 

[JP2]

Kayo has the full match.

Can't get Kayo here in Europe, unfortunately, and WatchAFL doesn't broadcast the practice matches. Never mind, I saw the highlights, I got the gist of what happened.

 

[Grimey Sylvia]

Not rich enough for kayo this early in the season so watched a 13min highlights on the tube and read previous comments.

• Kozzie is just ridiculous, another level
• Fritta looks fitter and more engaged
• L pickett has proper speed and is everything we have been wanting
• Lindsay looks good off half-back
• Kolt has found his position
• Rivers and Chin running power, linking up through middle looks good
• Steele has just slotted straight in
• Big forwards still a worry, JVR at least looks fit and less one dimensional so picking him rnd 1 ahead of Jeffo the disappearing act.
• Luker is a horrible first name but he has the most amazing tan, wears a Batman mask but flies for the ball like superman. Call him Clark Kentfield I reckon. Seriously though, I'm excited by him, hasn't had a good run with injuries and illness plus big men take longer. I think he has AFL qualities and goes at it hard. Could be a Swiss army knife this year with ability to play both ends and pinch hit in the ruck.
• Moose held his own in the ruck and could see him getting the nod on bench round 1.
• Did I mention Koz? Fcuk me...

Thanks to everyone who watched and commented.

 

[Crusty Demon]

It was only 12 months ago though that we easily beat the same team in a practice match only to be smashed by them a few weeks later. Still, it is bizarre to see a Clarkson coached team look so poorly organised and defensively inept all over the field.

Exactly. We beat Norf last offseason quite comfortably and got smashed by them a few weeks later. Result means absolutely nothing.

However, there was some really positive signs. We know how good Koz is, but he looks to have taken another step up. Latrelle looked to fit in beautifully. His speed and evasieness is a real asset. Steele looks more than capable of holding down that in and under spot. Tholstrup looked better as a backman. Might have found his spot. Moose looked solid enough as a backup ruck for Max. Lindsay looks just a super solid back flanker. Langford confirmed that he's a super talent and could explode in the midfield. Stoppages were very slick. Play on strategy is great and is what we've been waiting for. Will leave us exposed against the better teams defensively, but should see some very exciting footy.

Only gripe was our tall forwards looked very meh. Jeffo again couldn't get near it and JVR worked hard but looked meh. Kentfield looked the best of the three and played some good footy behind the ball as well. I'd nearly start the season with Luker as the starting FF with JVR and Jeffo at Casey. Windsor after all the hype preseason played a stinker in a game that should have suited him perfectly. Great signs early days.

 

[Jamurp]

Love the rebuilding years where we make a prelim.

2018 was such a vibe, exciting brand of footy, high scoring, knocking off West Coast away to make finals, beating both Geelong and Hawthorn is front of huge crowds in two finals.

Bring it back.

 

[markm106]

It was only 12 months ago though that we easily beat the same team in a practice match only to be smashed by them a few weeks later. Still, it is bizarre to see a Clarkson coached team look so poorly organised and defensively inept all over the field.

I think the noticeable lack of any improvement is a big thing. They had 3-4 players out and so did we. No doubt they could turn it around. It for me they lack an experienced defender to organise the backline. Should have gone hard for Lever or Broad. Someone like that.

 

[MarcMaverick]

I think the noticeable lack of any improvement is a big thing. They had 3-4 players out and so did we. No doubt they could turn it around. It for me they lack an experienced defender to organise the backline. Should have gone hard for Lever or Broad. Someone like that.

Or May.

 

[markm106]

Or May.

May without the apparent off-field stuff. Yes for sure.

 

[MarcMaverick]

One question: why don't we play a season proper match with our preseason strip?

 

[Jack Richards]

How was Jed Adams?

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

Very ‘fold the club’ areas with North Melbourne, grim.

Glad to hear we looked okay today, no idea how we managed to lock Kozzie down, one of the few reasons I kept watching us last season.

I don't think that they've been as atrociously bad as we were at our lowest but from 2017-2026 they've shown less overall improvement than we did 2007-2016 IMO, especially given they've had more high draft picks, earlier AFL administrative/coaching intervention, and more broad support. It's very grim. They had a decent 2019 but that was evidently an aberration. Otherwise completely hopeless. I'd take our 2014 over pretty every one of their other seasons in that time.

 

[Lampers]

I think the noticeable lack of any improvement is a big thing. They had 3-4 players out and so did we. No doubt they could turn it around. It for me they lack an experienced defender to organise the backline. Should have gone hard for Lever or Broad. Someone like that.

100% North’s backline is their worst area of the ground but they keep on acquiring small forwards and mids for some bizarre reason.

They could’ve even tempted Tmac with a two year deal. Or rolled the dice on May as Melbourne probably would’ve copped a big chunk of May’s salary to just move him on.

 

[Jordie_tackles]

100% North’s backline is their worst area of the ground but they keep on acquiring small forwards and mids for some bizarre reason.

They could’ve even tempted Tmac with a two year deal. Or rolled the dice on May as Melbourne probably would’ve copped a big chunk of May’s salary to just move him on.

Frost for peanuts

 

[Lampers]

How was Jed Adams?

Adams didn’t get on the ground until very late in the game from what I saw with the ancient Tom McDonald preferred even in the absence of Petty (and May). Adams stunk it up in the intra match the week before though.

I can only recall Adams having one kick but I’d lost interest towards the end.

 

[PerfectFooty]

All i knew Adams was i was surprised he kicked a goal early and wondering what the **** he was doing starting forward before finding out the commentator mistook him for Mihocek

 

[schmuttt]

I don't think that they've been as atrociously bad as we were at our lowest but from 2017-2026 they've shown less overall improvement than we did 2007-2016 IMO, especially given they've had more high draft picks, earlier AFL administrative/coaching intervention, and more support. It's very grim. They had a decent 2019 but that was evidently an aberration. Otherwise completely hopeless. I'd take our 2014 over pretty every one of their other seasons in that time.

They had a two win season (2022) with a percentage to match ours in 2013. North and the Eagles have both surpassed how shit we were.

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

They had a two win season (2022) with a percentage to match ours in 2013. North and the Eagles have both surpassed how shit we were.

It's much of a muchness but 2012 and 2013 would have been one win (by 6 and 3 points) seasons for us aside from wins over infant GWS and GC. That 12 goal quarter v GWS in 2013 boosts our percentage from 51 to 54 too. North also managed to knock off a top 8 side in 2022.

Don't take this away from me, I take a lot of pride in how low we sank

But on a serious note you could be right, esp the last couple of years I haven't followed it closely enough to know. Even with a one win season last year it's hard to know how to read WCE given they won a flag in 2018 and finished ninth in 2021, I reckon if they were a Victorian side and didn't exist in the WA media environment their fans would still be pretty satisfied (though that's just based off my own post-2021 glow that could carry me through another dozen bottom 4 finishes).

One win season yes but they seem to have been okay v the Lions (away), Pies (away) and Crows last year whereas we didn't come within 5 goals of any top 10 side in 2013, that very dreary Sydney game and Richmond loss being the only margins under 61 points.

 

[PerfectFooty]

They had a two win season (2022) with a percentage to match ours in 2013. North and the Eagles have both surpassed how shit we were.

At least they got a draft concessions that year

The AFL had enough of our shit by 2013, future precedent setting be damned

 

[dazzledavey36]

Exactly. We beat Norf last offseason quite comfortably and got smashed by them a few weeks later. Result means absolutely nothing.

However, there was some really positive signs. We know how good Koz is, but he looks to have taken another step up. Latrelle looked to fit in beautifully. His speed and evasieness is a real asset. Steele looks more than capable of holding down that in and under spot. Tholstrup looked better as a backman. Might have found his spot. Moose looked solid enough as a backup ruck for Max. Lindsay looks just a super solid back flanker. Langford confirmed that he's a super talent and could explode in the midfield. Stoppages were very slick. Play on strategy is great and is what we've been waiting for. Will leave us exposed against the better teams defensively, but should see some very exciting footy.

Only gripe was our tall forwards looked very meh. Jeffo again couldn't get near it and JVR worked hard but looked meh. Kentfield looked the best of the three and played some good footy behind the ball as well. I'd nearly start the season with Luker as the starting FF with JVR and Jeffo at Casey. Windsor after all the hype preseason played a stinker in a game that should have suited him perfectly. Great signs early days.

Mihocek not in your picture?

I didnt think our talls weren't that bad. Jeffo was quiet but thought JVR played well working as a lead up CHF role. He looks fit and more mobile then I have seen him before.

None of them got outmarked were able to bring the ball to ground for our mediums and smalls to go to work and generate scores.

Look at Brisbanes last two grand final wins. Its been their smalls and mediums that have been the the difference.

If the talls just keep their role simple and not get outmarked then the rest will take care of itself.

100% North’s backline is their worst area of the ground but they keep on acquiring small forwards and mids for some bizarre reason.

They could’ve even tempted Tmac with a two year deal. Or rolled the dice on May as Melbourne probably would’ve copped a big chunk of May’s salary to just move him on.

They had Alix Taurau right in the palm of their hands if they wanted too but went for Finn O'Sullivan instead.

 

[Lord Nev]

 

[schmuttt]

It's much of a muchness but 2012 and 2013 would have been one win (by 6 and 3 points) seasons for us aside from wins over infant GWS and GC. That 12 goal quarter v GWS in 2013 boosts our percentage from 51 to 54 too. North also managed to knock off a top 8 side in 2022.

Don't take this away from me, I take a lot of pride in how low we sank

But on a serious note you could be right, esp the last couple of years I haven't followed it closely enough to know. Even with a one win season last year it's hard to know how to read WCE given they won a flag in 2018 and finished ninth in 2021, I reckon if they were a Victorian side and didn't exist in the WA media environment their fans would still be pretty satisfied (though that's just based off my own post-2021 glow that could carry me through another dozen bottom 4 finishes).

One win season yes but they seem to have been okay v the Lions (away), Pies (away) and Crows last year whereas we didn't come within 5 goals of any top 10 side in 2013, that very dreary Sydney game and Richmond loss being the only margins under 61 points.

Lol I think our weird fascination with being the worst team of the modern era went away years ago, the eagles last year have had easily covered.