Training Pre-season training updates 2026.

[Bussie]

There’s no chance I’m picking him over McInnes/ Cochrane with Moore also missing. I think the days of Maynard coping with 6’4+ forwards are fading fast and Frampton on his own isn’t enough to deal with Sharman, Marshall and Owens… He’s physically there, but doubt still lingers for me over whether he’s actually good enough to take someone’s spot.

FWIW Maynard/ IQ/ Houston/ Perryman/ Jaicos/ Pendles is the ground level mix I’d go with down back.

Agreed, wouldn't play Parker, purely due to the size of the Sklida's forward line. Or maybe play Cameron as a floating defender and possibly play Steene as the floating forward. Bit out there, but if you don't try, you don't know.

 

[LuckyLee]

I would strongly consider moving McStay to CHB. He looks like he is marking well. I think a move could benefit him, without the pressure of having to kick goals.
He also, physically, can take on the bigger key forwards.
Only issue is he hasn't trained as a defender this off season...

And that would also leave Membrey, a bloke that the Saints delisted, as our only experienced tall forward. And he ain’t exactly tall.

 

[Sea fog]

And that would also leave Membrey, a bloke that the Saints delisted, as our only experienced tall forward. And he ain’t exactly tall.

Yeah tend to agree. Dan is the only experienced tall man we have and if he is clunking them again he may be the only player stetching the Saints defence. Do we expect Buller and Membrey to test the likes of Wilkie? Our most dangerous forward will be Elliott again. We have to have trust in Frampton, Maynard and IQ with Cochran to provide assistance if he debut like some people think will happen. If we improve in the middle like we hope and expect this year both ends will be less of a problem. I am not sure that McStay plays that well down back.

 

[Harry O]

Yeah tend to agree. Dan is the only experienced tall man we have and if he is clunking them again he may be the only player stetching the Saints defence. Do we expect Buller and Membrey to test the likes of Wilkie? Our most dangerous forward will be Elliott again. We have to have trust in Frampton, Maynard and IQ with Cochran to provide assistance if he debut like some people think will happen. If we improve in the middle like we hope and expect this year both ends will be less of a problem. I am not sure that McStay plays that well down back.

Bit of an exam on Sunday for Cochran TJ and Ryan. See who passes

 

[sr36]

Bit of an exam on Sunday for Cochran TJ and Ryan. See who passes

I'm not convinced any will pass and get a game. I think IQ migtht have to play some tall - he's short, but he's bloody good in the air and he's done it before. I'd back him in an aerial contest over any of those 3.

 

[WanderingDude]

With our missing defenders it can be very hard to anticipate the club’s decisions. We as supporters see the players development and contributions very differently to the selection panel. In all seriousness, if the club doesn’t pick Cochran I’ll exercise my right to microwave everything.

 

[LuckyLee]

I'm not convinced any will pass and get a game. I think IQ migtht have to play some tall - he's short, but he's bloody good in the air and he's done it before. I'd back him in an aerial contest over any of those 3.

We might as well try one of that trio. My preference would be Cochran. We're likely to need one of them the following week against the Crows anyway.

 

[sr36]

We might as well try one of that trio. My preference would be Cochran. We're likely to need one of them the following week against the Crows anyway.

If Moore misses again, I'd still go with Frampton, Bruzzy and IQ or even Perryman against the Crows. Unless they've improved a heap, those 3 would get eaten alive by the Crows talls.

 

[stormskye]

I'm not convinced any will pass and get a game. I think IQ migtht have to play some tall - he's short, but he's bloody good in the air and he's done it before. I'd back him in an aerial contest over any of those 3.

I might be in the minority but I don’t get where this obsession with Cochran has come from all of a sudden. He wasn’t a stand out last season in the vfl, is lightly framed still and never really seemed to play as a KPD. With only pre season to add to that nothings changed in my mind.

I’d like to see couple of months of VFL games before I’d even consider him. Just because he’s tall doesn’t mean he plays.

He’d be an immediate whipping boy if he was forced to play on AFL talls atm IMO.

I’m not sure what reefs timeframe is but I’m with you in having more confidence in Maynard handling a tall than cochran

 

[TradeDraft]

I might be in the minority but I don’t get where this obsession with Cochran has come from all of a sudden. He wasn’t a stand out last season in the vfl, is lightly framed still and never really seemed to play as a KPD. With only pre season to add to that nothings changed in my mind.

I’d like to see couple of months of VFL games before I’d even consider him. Just because he’s tall doesn’t mean he plays.

He’d be an immediate whipping boy if he was forced to play on AFL talls atm IMO.

I’m not sure what reefs timeframe is but I’m with you in having more confidence in Maynard handling a tall than cochran

He is about the only tall that has Height unless you want to play Ryan and/or TJ

 

[stormskye]

He is about the only tall that has Height unless you want to play Ryan and/or TJ

If height is the only prerequisite TD then just play Smit

 

[granniewolf]

If height is the only prerequisite TD then just play Smit

Joel has good hands, he's bulked up , he's fast and has a big tank.
Edit: He was also top 10 in the running vertical jump in the 2024 draft combine as well as winning the 2km time trial.

 

[TradeDraft]

If height is the only prerequisite TD then just play Smit

Well he might Injury a Few then

 

[WanderingDude]

The club makes selections when the new player can succeed. My silly last past aside, it seems early. For all of TJ, Smit and Cochran. I was an early pre-injury Dean fan, now if we choose a reserves player it will be with a long term perspective. This is better. Smit has the height, Cochran has the better skills. Very difficult, we are exposed.

 

[Jen2310]

 

[granniewolf]

View attachment 2536385

Thoroughly enjoyed watching this.
Now I love Lachie Shultz and Ned even more than I did.
Darcy too, oh and Sidey and Harry, Ed was pretty good too.
I think we have the nicest bunch of players in the AFL.

 

[ANewDawn]

If Moore misses again, I'd still go with Frampton, Bruzzy and IQ or even Perryman against the Crows. Unless they've improved a heap, those 3 would get eaten alive by the Crows talls.

As the only observer of last week's game who failed to notice how competitive Cochrane has become, an optic error to which I readily admit, and not having a high opinion of the prospects the other two offer as players, I am inclined to agree with you.

 

[sr36]

If height is the only prerequisite TD then just play Smit

Should have kept Cox to play full back - he's even taller.

 

[No SPIN]

King will be missing, Sharman is 193cm and Owens 191. Cochrane ( 195cm) and mobile, has shown enough to be given the chance to take the next step, if Reef is unavailable. However the real size threats are TDK or Marshall playing fwd, who will then match up on Billy.
However Fly could opt for mobility picking Parker, given the Saints are good running team.
Bruz and IQ ( who's played on Geel's Cameron - 196cm), to cover Sharman and Owens. With Cameron as the option to drop back if things get dicey.

 

[legendstatus]

I might be in the minority but I don’t get where this obsession with Cochran has come from all of a sudden. He wasn’t a stand out last season in the vfl, is lightly framed still and never really seemed to play as a KPD. With only pre season to add to that nothings changed in my mind.

I’d like to see couple of months of VFL games before I’d even consider him. Just because he’s tall doesn’t mean he plays.

He’d be an immediate whipping boy if he was forced to play on AFL talls atm IMO.

I’m not sure what reefs timeframe is but I’m with you in having more confidence in Maynard handling a tall than cochran

So pre-season isn’t worth shit in your eyes ?

 

[stormskye]

So pre-season isn’t worth shit in your eyes ?

I don’t think anyone should give much weight to pre season games. The seniors aren’t having a real crack and the kids are playing in glorified training runs so they often look better than they are come season proper. Hence why I’m not selecting anyone based off pre season form

 

[Abdul_The_Bull]

I don’t think anyone should give much weight to pre season games. The seniors aren’t having a real crack and the kids are playing in glorified training runs so they often look better than they are come season proper. Hence why I’m not selecting anyone based off pre season form

Tend to agree - for the reasons you metioned. However, if you don't perform then you are in strife.

 

[manicpie]

Does anyone know if Fly is back or still on leave?

 

[Jen2310]

Does anyone know if Fly is back or still on leave?

He’s back

 

[sr36]

Does anyone know if Fly is back or still on leave?

I'm assuming he's back. Someone said he did a SEN interview the other day. I hope he's not doing that shit during his leave.