Training 2026 Pre Season & Training Reports

[kanga kanga kanga]

An extoadinary reaction to essentially was a practice session, not even a sanctioned practice match.

Obviously, there are things we brought to try which didn't work and will require a bit of an overhaul, but gee whiz. The main aim of the session was to blow out the cobwebs, gets some miles into the legs and get bumped around a bit. We've had a horrific pre-season injury wise so managing minutes and workload seemed to be the main focus.

Just calm down. Just because we've been at the arse end of the ladder for frustratingly long, it doesnt entitle us to 'well, Ive waited long enough for us to be good'. We might be shite for the next 20 years!

Or i’m sick of the team choosing when they want to show up or not when we have been extraordinarily crap for 6 years

 

[ExorcismOfArdenStreet]

Tackle count is reflective of effort and that sucks. However, our biggest issue is that we seem completely incapable across the board of cutting off runners. And that shows that everyone is playing for themselves, regardless of the BS they spin to us.

You want blokes to put their hand up and cut off a runner before he's even an option. You don't get a stat, not even a tackle, but you've helped your defenders out immensely in doing so.

We've got no one, and I mean absolutely ****ing no one, who is willing to go "yeah I see him about to break the rebound open, I'll put in a hard 20 metres to cut him off and force them to slow up."

Not even a focus on tackles will get us to where we need to be. It requires a level of selflessness and humility that a list full of top draft picks and rejects fighting for their careers just don't seem capable of achieving.

It's on the coaches to put this shit in the spotlight and reward it where it's done. And it's also on them to punish when it's not done, even if that means humbling a talented high draft pick.

Been a problem for years, the only player I see consistently trying to do this is FOS

 

[marklovesbeer]

I love Sheez, the kid is uberly talented, but he isn’t a centre square midfielder. He is too slow and reactive.

Been saying it for years but if you are going with two primary ball winners (LDU & Wardlaw/Simpkin/FOS/Sheez/Parker) who are slowish defensively then the 3rd midfield needs to be purely defensive.

We desperately need a Dunkley/Long/Rowbottom/Atkins type. Someone who can cover the ground, be accountable and win their own footy.

Could this be Urquhart?

 

[ExorcismOfArdenStreet]

It's only a matter of time until the rusted ons start to go 'nah man, this is too much'.

The thing is, the club is playing a dangerous game by continually taking advantage of the loyalty supporters have shown despite the absolute shitness across a semi-decade long stretch. It's only a matter of time that the swept under the rug recession going on in this country and people being mentally cooked finally take over then we truly see the damage being done. No one wants to be grinding away during the work week then go and watch North get pumped on repeat. Also, before anyone says 'what are you doing here, then?' or 'just quit and don't watch them anymore', supporters deserve some form of reward for sticking around when the club reached the lowest of lows and is still pissing on the dumpster fire that continues to go on.

Supporters deserve every bit of success because if it weren't for the supporters, there would be no 'North Melbourne Football Club'.

The kicker is they're always quick to call for raffle tickets, hospitality packages etc. seeking money yet you get **** all effort on the field or the office make any extra effort with the fans considering we've been pure shite for 6 years but people keep rocking up in decent numbers for our following and what we've been served up for years. Deserve better and fast or will lose a generation of kids supporters

 

[year of the roo]

I'm reliably informed that the Dees were just trying a few things that ultimately didn't workand will need an overhaul and were just trying to blow out the cobwebs, get some miles into their legs. They had a horrific run with injury losing their best mid. Don't put too much stock in their performance as I'm sure it'll improve for next time.

Oh wait.

 

[footy front]

The Dees played 28 men.
We played 24.
I'm as disappointed and disillusioned as anyone.
But it's clear, agree with the strategy or not, that the two teams have different strategies on their road to the games that count.

 

[Waynesworld]

An extoadinary reaction to essentially was a practice session, not even a sanctioned practice match.

Obviously, there are things we brought to try which didn't work and will require a bit of an overhaul, but gee whiz. The main aim of the session was to blow out the cobwebs, gets some miles into the legs and get bumped around a bit. We've had a horrific pre-season injury wise so managing minutes and workload seemed to be the main focus.

Just calm down. Just because we've been at the arse end of the ladder for frustratingly long, it doesnt entitle us to 'well, Ive waited long enough for us to be good'. We might be shite for the next 20 years!

Lol.

Firstly, let's look at our horrific pre-season injuries.

Yes, Arch with a knee. Exactly what we didn't want.
Thredgold out with a foot - TBC. Hardly horrific as likely wouldn't have played seniors anyway.
Corr with a calf - 3 weeks. Hardly season ending and no-one wants him in the seniors either
McDonald, Wardlaw, Spargo - all 1-2 weeks.
And Colby out until round 1.

Really not what I'd call a disastrous injury list.

Onto the game, I think that all we wanted to see was some effort, something to say there may be something different about this season, something that gives us some hope, some excitement with a new defensive structure, maybe some fast-paced ball movement, maybe even some pressure.

Yet what we saw was arguably worse than what we put on the park last year.

Yes, you can argue it was a practice match, we were trying a few things, etc.

But to be honest, the only new things I saw were Harvey in defense and FOS in the midfield. Nothing else.

Defense still sucked, there was no pressure, we couldn't move the ball, and our forward line was ineffective. On top of that it would appear we now have a new issue around the new ruck rules and our midfield capability on the back of.

Practice match, training or real game, we need to bring the intensity every time otherwise we simply will not improve.

 

[Moti]

Pre-season, positional changes, different tactics. Yeah, that is all part of it.

The lack of running and the ability to be strong in the contest is not a pre season issue.

 

[Waynesworld]

The Dees played 28 men.
We played 24.
I'm as disappointed and disillusioned as anyone.
But it's clear, agree with the strategy or not, that the two teams have different strategies on their road to the games that count.

So please can you educate me on what our strategy is then...?

Cos the only one that I can see is we're lulling everyone into a false sense of security that we will be absolutely pus again this year.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Could this be Urquhart?

I hope so, but putting the pressure on him to be that guy is tough when he hasn’t even debuted yet. Usually take those sort is players +50 games to establish themselves in that role.

Willem Drew is another who plays the role really well.

I’d love for us to offer up a decent contract to someone like Rowbottom to see if he could have his head turned to come back to Victoria.

 

[footy front]

So please can you educate me on what our strategy is then...?

Cos the only one that I can see is we're lulling everyone into a false sense of security that we will be absolutely pus again this year.

So please can you educate me on what our strategy is then...?

I'm not educating anyone dude. It's just clearly a different strategy. Right?
Like, we went in with less men. If that doesn't say different strategy then nothing does.

 

[Kangaroos4eva]

I love Sheez, the kid is uberly talented, but he isn’t a centre square midfielder. He is too slow and reactive.

Been saying it for years but if you are going with two primary ball winners (LDU & Wardlaw/Simpkin/FOS/Sheez/Parker) who are slowish defensively then the 3rd midfield needs to be purely defensive.

We desperately need a Dunkley/Long/Rowbottom/Atkins type. Someone who can cover the ground, be accountable and win their own footy.

Almost need two defensively inclined clearance mids out of the three to balance out the defensive strategy a bit more. Wardlaw and Urqhart hopefully offer that.

 

[Waynesworld]

I'm not educating anyone dude. It's just clearly a different strategy. Right?
Like, we went in with less men. If that doesn't say different strategy then nothing does.

What it says to me is that we have no strategy

 

[Roosurgence]

What is says to me is that we have no strategy

Our strategy is to be non-competitive.

 

[Themanbun]

Almost need two defensively inclined clearance mids out of the three to balance out the defensive strategy a bit more. Wardlaw and Urqhart hopefully offer that.

I think the game is at a point now where you actually can't carry those who don't do defense through the midfield.

It's not just about chasing and pressuring to tackle. It's a nuanced skill that is best served by identifying when you personally can't win the ball, and when you as a team aren't going to win the ball, and then having the physical tools to either affect the ball carrier or get into a position to shut down an option for the opposition player who does win the ball.

Yes there are roles and I've been on record here talking about them a lot, but you need each and every player in the midfield setup to have this intrinsic understanding of what they need to be doing. And yes there are guys who are more minded to watch their man or an exit than chase the ball. But generally you need everyone to be able to do both.

You need all three working in harmony to do it and there is no harmony if you carry even 1 out of the 3 who only has eyes for the pill.

And the same athletic traits that serve you well as a clearance and offensive beast also serve you well as a defensive midfielders. See George Wardlaw.

It's no coincidence that we've looked at our best when LDU and Sheezel put in when we lose the first possession and we've looked at our worst when they don't.

And it requires the half backs and half forwards to do the same. Daniel and McKercher running through for the handball receive that they don't get because their opponent affected the clearance defensively is something we just can't carry.

 

[Roosurgence]

I think the game is at a point now where you actually can't carry those who don't do defense through the midfield.

It's not just about chasing and pressuring to tackle. It's a nuanced skill that is best served by identifying when you personally can't win the ball, and when you as a team aren't going to win the ball, and then having the physical tools to either affect the ball carrier or get into a position to shut down an option for the opposition player who does win the ball.

Yes there are roles and I've been on record here talking about them a lot, but you need each and every player in the midfield setup to have this intrinsic understanding of what they need to be doing. And yes there are guys who are more minded to watch their man or an exit than chase the ball. But generally you need everyone to be able to do both.

You need all three working in harmony to do it and there is no harmony if you carry even 1 out of the 3 who only has eyes for the pill.

And the same athletic traits that serve you well as a clearance and offensive beast also serve you well as a defensive midfielders. See George Wardlaw.

It's no coincidence that we've looked at our best when LDU and Sheezel put in when we lose the first possession and we've looked at our worst when they don't.

It’s not like they can’t defend, they actively choose not too.

Defence is a mindset, not an athletic issue.

Unfortunately we have a bunch of lazy ****ers that can’t be arsed putting in the required effort at this level when they don’t have the ball or are no hope of getting the ball.

Even players not athletically gifted in the top sides can defend, because it’s cultural and an expectation.

At North not even the leaders do it, so how can you expect it to flow down the list?

Listen to every interview done by a North player. They all say the same thing, we now have the talent to rise up the ladder. But until they realise that you don’t win at AFL level unless you are committed to making life hard for the opposition when you don’t have it, then expect to remain cellar dwellers.

 

[marklovesbeer]

What is says to me is that we have no strategy

 

[The Nostradamus]

Training (Arden Street Oval)
Wednesday, February 25
10am-11.45am AEDT

Training (Arden Street Oval)
Friday, February 27
10am-12pm AEDT

Captain's Run (Arden Street Oval)
Saturday, February 28
9.45am-10.30am AEDT

 

[Scottroo]

Training (Arden Street Oval)
Wednesday, February 25
10am-11.45am AEDT

Training (Arden Street Oval)
Friday, February 27
10am-12pm AEDT

Captain's Run (Arden Street Oval)
Saturday, February 28
9.45am-10.30am AEDT

What’s the point in a 45 min captains run?

 

[marklovesbeer]

Outside of Wardlaw coming off, I cannot seem to find any reporting on how the rest of the game was / our lads like Trembath etc went.
Any nudge in the right direction would be appreciated!

 

[Devil Fish]

Just to repeat myself, until the midfield decides to run (and I mean RUN) both ways, the club is kidding themselves. End of story.

 

[Harris 10]

Outside of Wardlaw coming off, I cannot seem to find any reporting on how the rest of the game was / our lads like Trembath etc went.
Any nudge in the right direction would be appreciated!

Melbourne Media all over it:

VFL Report | Dees tick off first practice match

The Casey Demons have faced North Melbourne in their first practice match for 2026

www.melbournefc.com.au

 

[Krakouer Bonar]

I'm eager to hear any updates on some of the up and comers - Fisher, McDonald, Darling, CCJ.

Thanks

View attachment 2533996

I must admit, amongst the doom, the gloom, the nuffiness and the putrid, THIS gave me a laugh.

 

[Shinboner1]

Just to repeat myself, until the midfield decides to run (and I mean RUN) both ways, the club is kidding themselves. End of story.

that's across the board too. The fitness levels in the modern game are off the charts.

 

[roos_tt29]

https://www.zerohanger.com/werent-u...-on-dismal-practice-match-performance-173229/