Training 2026 Preseason Thread

[schmuttt]

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.


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

Yeah FOS over Taurus is much worse than the often mentioned Langford - at least we probably knew Trac/Oliver were done and we needed mids ASAP

 

[PerfectFooty]

idk who this guy is, but he could easily do any review where they stand in front of a screen and show bits of vision like classified and i would pay the same amount of attention

 

[mrmonkey]

I would say we were worse under Neeld but at least we managed to bounce back much quicker. By late 2015 we showed signs and then by 2016 pushing for finals, then 2017 should have made it. Every year post 2013 we made positive progress. Our rock bottom in 2013 was 2 wins, then 2014, 4 wins, 2015, 7 wins, and 2016, 10 wins. North rock bottom in 2022 was 2 wins, then 23, 3 wins, 24, 3 wins and then 25, 5 wins. It's been pretty stagnant. They brought some experience in Daniels, Parker and Darling and still only managed 5 wins last season. At this point they really should be around the 7-10 mark. This season is the equivalent of our 2017 and they have a bonus of a top 10 finals series. 10th should be very gettable but just seems unlikely.

 

[MarcMaverick]

He sounds a cross between Matthew Lloyd, Kane Cornes, Dale Thomas etc... and a few shots of coffee.

 

[PerfectFooty]

I would say we were worse under Neeld but at least we managed to bounce back much quicker. By late 2015 we showed signs and then by 2016 pushing for finals, then 2017 should have made it. Every year post 2013 we made positive progress. Our rock bottom in 2013 was 2 wins, then 2014, 4 wins, 2015, 7 wins, and 2016, 10 wins. North rock bottom in 2022 was 2 wins, then 23, 3 wins, 24, 3 wins and then 25, 5 wins. It's been pretty stagnant. They brought some experience in Daniels, Parker and Darling and still only managed 5 wins last season. At this point they really should be around the 7-10 mark. This season is the equivalent of our 2017 and they have a bonus of a top 10 finals series. 10th should be very gettable but just seems unlikely.

Neeld had destroyed the list so bad that that we had a better launch pad for external talent to come straight into the line up

 

[Lord Nev]

Someone was asking about stats earlier...

 

[mrmonkey]

Neeld had destroyed the list so bad that that we had a better launch pad for external talent to come straight into the line up

We brought in Cross, Vince, Tyson and Pedersen for the 2014 season. Why couldn't north do something similar after 2022?

 

[dazzledavey36]

We brought in Cross, Vince, Tyson and Pedersen for the 2014 season. Why couldn't north do something similar after 2022?

I think North's version was Luke Parker, Caleb Daniel and Jack Darling..

 

[PerfectFooty]

I think North's version was Luke Parker, Caleb Daniel and Jack Darling..

Shiels as well

 

[mrmonkey]

I think North's version was Luke Parker, Caleb Daniel and Jack Darling..

Yeah I mentioned them in my original post.

 

[markm106]

We added some really good experienced defenders. Roos always wanted to stop the
Smashings and Goody wanted the contest defence model. Adding Lever (not overly experienced at he time) May and Hibberd was huge. I’ve been banging on about it for years. North seemingly refuse to get someone down back who can lead the defence.

 

[PerfectFooty]

We added some really good experienced defenders. Roos always wanted to stop the
Smashings and Goody wanted the contest defence model. Adding Lever (not overly experienced at he time) May and Hibberd was huge. I’ve been banging on about it for years. North seemingly refuse to get someone down back who can lead the defence.

Sorry, you just got me thinking and don't take this as having a go, just thinking out loud. But thinking back i honestly can't think who we brought in and added under Roos that stands out in defence? Like Goodwin stands out with Lever (although not experienced when we got him), Hibberd and May (then drafting Rivers)

Early Roos era we pretty much had locked Dunn in back there, and Tmac was already there

By the end of it in 2016
Dunn had fallen out of favour
Tmac was our starting defender
Lumumba was already out of favour after one year
Omac had been drafted and taken Dunn's spot
Jetta had been relisted and became a solid defender
Salem was still kind of being trialled around and missed most of 2016
Grimes had fallen out of favour
Cross had been moved back there in 2015 before being told to retire
Frost joined the club in 2016 but was playing as a forward before injuries ruined his season
Melksham did play defence in 2017 under Goodwin but missed playing under Roos due to 2016 wada suspension, didn't last long in defence either under Goodwin
Hunt had just played his first season after back injuries despite being drafted by Roos
Josh Wagner had been added in
Mitch White was given a limited run
Garland battled late career injuries before retiring
****ing Terlich was still on the list
Joel Smith at this time was still a project player

Correct me I'm seeing it wrong, Thinking back on it, it didn't really feel like we added anyone. We just got the best out of what we had for a period there by actually teaching them to play. Dunn never played consistently ever or in the one position, asides from that 14/15 period. Jetta could have been lost to the game without Roos

Point is, i can not think of any stand out experienced defenders recruited at the start that we played or used as defenders asides from Lumumba and to a lesser degree Cross very late. Inexperience in this period we added Omac, Wagner, Hunt and i guess Joel Smith? (white i'm not really counting) Roos really just taught what we had how to defend along with structure

Getting back to north i suppose, i don't know their list well enough to remember who they had when Clarkson first took over but they haven't seemed to have gained anything under Clarkson or haven't been phased out. Asides from him dominating us in round 2, i can't think of anything noteworthy Comben has done. Tmac had been hit or miss but his first half of 2015 showed the supporter group he was a player worth persisting in. Other than maybe their McDonald and maybe Pink, i can't think of a Dunn or a Jetta that have played under older coaches but making a solid crack of defending in those shit games every week they run out, like Corr and Logue are so forgetful i forgot they had them until i looked up their list. All they looked to have gained is Daniel who does late career Salem style stat padding racking up touches in defence. Whitlock at least showed intent when he debuted last year

 

[markm106]

Sorry, you just got me thinking and don't take this as having a go, just thinking out loud. But thinking back i honestly can't think who we brought in and added under Roos that stands out in defence? Like Goodwin stands out with Lever (although not experienced when we got him), Hibberd and May (then drafting Rivers)

Early Roos era we pretty much had locked Dunn in back there, and Tmac was already there

By the end of it in 2016
Dunn had fallen out of favour
Tmac was our starting defender
Lumumba was already out of favour after one year
Omac had been drafted and taken Dunn's spot
Jetta had been relisted and became a solid defender
Salem was still kind of being trialled around and missed most of 2016
Grimes had fallen out of favour
Cross had been moved back there in 2015 before being told to retire
Frost joined the club in 2016 but was playing as a forward before injuries ruined his season
Melksham did play defence in 2017 under Goodwin but missed playing under Roos due to 2016 wada suspension, didn't last long in defence either under Goodwin
Hunt had just played his first season after back injuries despite being drafted by Roos
Josh Wagner had been added in
Mitch White was given a limited run
Garland battled late career injuries before retiring
****ing Terlich was still on the list
Joel Smith at this time was still a project player

Correct me I'm seeing it wrong, Thinking back on it, it didn't really feel like we added anyone. We just got the best out of what we had for a period there by actually teaching them to play. Dunn never played consistently ever or in the one position, asides from that 14/15 period. Jetta could have been lost to the game without Roos

Point is, i can not think of any stand out experienced defenders recruited at the start that we played or used as defenders asides from Lumumba and to a lesser degree Cross very late. Inexperience in this period we added Omac, Wagner, Hunt and i guess Joel Smith? (white i'm not really counting) Roos really just taught what we had how to defend along with structure

Getting back to north i suppose, i don't know their list well enough to remember who they had when Clarkson first took over but they haven't seemed to have gained anything under Clarkson or haven't been phased out. Asides from him dominating us in round 2, i can't think of anything noteworthy Comben has done. Tmac had been hit or miss but his first half of 2015 showed the supporter group he was a player worth persisting in. Other than maybe their McDonald and maybe Pink, i can't think of a Dunn or a Jetta that have played under older coaches but making a solid crack of defending in those shit games every week they run out, like Corr and Logue are so forgetful i forgot they had them until i looked up their list. All they looked to have gained is Daniel who does late career Salem style stat padding racking up touches in defence. Whitlock at least showed intent when he debuted last year

I guess under Roos it was just about stopping the smashings. Goodwin brought in the talent with May Lever and Hibberd. I see your point. North were better when the had Ziebel back there. But they lack the general to marshal the troops.

 

[Crusty Demon]

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.


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

Yeah Mihocek was only onfield for about 5mins lol. Kicked a couple of snags so I guess he couldn't do anymore..I just assumed he's a lock for the F50. JVR probably has first crack at the other key spot, but Kentfield is right on his hammer. Jeffo I don't see ever being AFL standard.

 

[Lampers]

My favourite post from the North board’s thread on the match sim.

Autopsy Post in thread 'Preseason Matchup vs Melbourne - Friday 20 February'

Feb 20, 2026

Just catching up on the score now

• Intothewind

• 
• 

 

[kmac1]

My favourite post from the North board’s thread on the match sim.

Autopsy Post in thread 'Preseason Matchup vs Melbourne - Friday 20 February'

Feb 20, 2026

Just catching up on the score now

• Intothewind

• 
• 

Hey Dees fans,

Have a crack at this podcast, 2 brothers that bleed red and blue.
Bit rough round the edges but worth a listen!

 

[I Love Lamb]

Not much mention on Sharp’s game. I liked the look of him as a proper small forward role. Kicking looked decent too but I’m weary still.

 

[Deelighted]

Not much mention on Sharp’s game. I liked the look of him as a proper small forward role. Kicking looked decent too but I’m weary still.

He looked great in last years pre-season games too but didn't have much impact in the season proper. Seems like he might be the type to thrive in these low pressure open games where he has more time and space to use his speed. Hope to be proven wrong but not sure he has the skills or footy IQ to be a good winger or small forward.

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

I would say we were worse under Neeld but at least we managed to bounce back much quicker. By late 2015 we showed signs and then by 2016 pushing for finals, then 2017 should have made it. Every year post 2013 we made positive progress. Our rock bottom in 2013 was 2 wins, then 2014, 4 wins, 2015, 7 wins, and 2016, 10 wins. North rock bottom in 2022 was 2 wins, then 23, 3 wins, 24, 3 wins and then 25, 5 wins. It's been pretty stagnant. They brought some experience in Daniels, Parker and Darling and still only managed 5 wins last season. At this point they really should be around the 7-10 mark. This season is the equivalent of our 2017 and they have a bonus of a top 10 finals series. 10th should be very gettable but just seems unlikely.

Yeah that's my point exactly. You could see the progress there. North haven't even demonstrated progress within seasons let alone across, they've been liable to go to shit at any point and I can barely remember a period that you could look upon as demonstrating some kind of improvement or hope or possibility of taking another step.

Even in 2019 we were clearly a better side than we'd been from 2007-2016 (2010 exception), just with something going wrong, and there was enough competitiveness in almost all of our losses to have some hope we would play finals again within a year or two. North have looked five years off finals for the last 7 years.

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

Yeah Mihocek was only onfield for about 5mins lol. Kicked a couple of snags so I guess he couldn't do anymore..I just assumed he's a lock for the F50. JVR probably has first crack at the other key spot, but Kentfield is right on his hammer. Jeffo I don't see ever being AFL standard.

Now that we have our forward messiah Brucer Kentfield everyone else is irrelevant

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

Someone was asking about stats earlier...

Steele six tackles is great intent

 

[markm106]

Not much mention on Sharp’s game. I liked the look of him as a proper small forward role. Kicking looked decent too but I’m weary still.

I thought he played the small pressure forward role well last week. Realistically only way he’ll get into the side.

 

[Grimey Sylvia]

Not to interrupt a North pile on but it was either last year or maybe the year before where they had a big run of close losses to top teams. They looked like they had almost clicked and were fun to watch - seemed like they just didn't know how to win and were getting over run by more hardened teams.

The commentary around their defence is spot on. Just one proper backline general and they probably hold on in those games, get a big confidence boost and get some momentum.

They have to put some wins on the board this year or the heat will really rise.

 

[Crusty Demon]

Not to interrupt a North pile on but it was either last year or maybe the year before where they had a big run of close losses to top teams. They looked like they had almost clicked and were fun to watch - seemed like they just didn't know how to win and were getting over run by more hardened teams.

The commentary around their defence is spot on. Just one proper backline general and they probably hold on in those games, get a big confidence boost and get some momentum.

They have to put some wins on the board this year or the heat will really rise.

Little bit worried about the Kangas. Not that i really give a s* but McKercher is likely to pi$$ off home to Tas, Wardlaw's body is always letting him down, Duursma by all reports wants out, their skipper looked for a trade, their backline still a shambles. Sheezel looks to have gone backwards as well and Daniel, Darling and Parker should be getting pushed out but look mainstays still. This really should be the year they explode up the ladder. Who knows, might happen, but Friday was pedestrian at best against a team rebuilding. I'd still pencil them in for a bottom 4 spot, and if that happens then the club might as well fold.

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

Little bit worried about the Kangas. Not that i really give a s* but McKercher is likely to pi$$ off home to Tas, Wardlaw's body is always letting him down, Duursma by all reports wants out, their skipper looked for a trade, their backline still a shambles. Sheezel looks to have gone backwards as well and Daniel, Darling and Parker should be getting pushed out but look mainstays still. This really should be the year they explode up the ladder. Who knows, might happen, but Friday was pedestrian at best against a team rebuilding. I'd still pencil them in for a bottom 4 spot, and if that happens then the club might as well fold.

To be fair, they couldn’t possibly have prepared for Heath and Kentfield