Training 2026 Off-Season & Preseason reports and discussion

[Dewnior]

Schubert is going to be imposing when he becomes a adult and fills out.

Mraz too. He will end up with a massive frame.

How lucky is he to do his apprenticeship with our current backline.

 

[Pinoy Hawk]

At least one of these blokes should step up next season.

Frenchie, Huss and Croc doing some extra midfield sessions.

 

[Mojo]

Great start Wardy i got a feeling he is really going to push for the #1 midfielder claims.

Wow. Big call.

 

[brad sue well]

What is the deal with these shoes, big chunks of rubber. Weren't we trying to get a shoe that mimics barefoot?

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Very pleasing to hear. Does he look to have speed?

Your thoughts on Schubert? Raw and a way off or closer physically than expected?

Without lining them all up and having them do sprints, I’d say Nairn maybe equal to Newc or Karl in pace, I don’t think he’s slow by any means but he’s not lightning quick either(he wasn’t in the top 10 for 20m sprint at the combine either).

Schu is raw, but reminds me of Calsher in so many ways. It’s for that reason I’m not certain that he’s either miles off it or closer to where he needs to be.
I was speaking to one of the Swans academy coaches, a few years back now, but one thing he said they look for in youngsters stuck with me. He said they often looked for the string bean or awkward kids who had the bones or basic skills of the game but looked like they were still trying to come to terms with their body and their natural gifts, be that height, leg length, arm length etc. This reminds me of Schu so much, as what I saw when I saw a raw Calsher early in preseason.
He looks like he’s still finding his way in his own body to a point, but has obviously got some runs on the board in his draft year, and with the running power he has on top of the marking ability I can see a very bright future if he can put it all together.

 

[matey]

Trying conditions at KCC yesterday and thanks to SYL and other posters for the training reports always look forward to them this time of year . Besides a couple of kicks that were close to becoming fresh airies the boys were quite good/sharp playing to the conditions well. Sam thrives on this part of the game. Remember seeing him at a half time address during a Box Hill game spending time talking/educating the players about which direction/side of the ground to bring the ball into the forward line with a gale blowing. Have also heard him in interviews talking about the importance of players judging and taking into consideration the conditions and play accordingly. Helped us last year against GWS and year before against North down in Launceston! But yesterday you could really notice the players kick off the boot allowing for the swing/drop/carry to hit their targets. I thought Frenchie and Ward were really efficient with their kicking. Reading the ball in the air Wiz and Weds stood out. Said it before and say it again Wiz just reads it earlier than everyone else. And Weds a couple of times when the kick/handball didn’t hit the target ball coming in over his head he jumped/lunged fully stretched with the one hand ….. so athletic!

Day is looking good. He was running on top of the ground at good intensity runs like a gazelle with those long strides. Newk ran a lot of laps …. a lot. He is looking fit.


He also spent a bit of time with Dear on touch work and kicking. Newk kicked a lot on the opposite side it’s really improved technique is looking natural so expecting him to utilise this more in games. Gunston reminds me of this time last year where he is involved in most things. Impey and Amon also running really well. Impey full of energy as usual.

Our future in the KP stakes is in good hands. Two years ago we didn’t have much coming through. Fast forward today seeing Dear, Mraz and Schubert all with exceptional mobility will be exciting to watch for the next decade. Dear has put on size around the quads and hip/core region. He is also building his fitness up nicely.


While Butts was running laps Mitch yells out, “Butts running like a machine”. Butts continued on and responds “Yes Sir”!

I am very optimistic with our midfield moving forward. Even though we lost Worps and didn’t get Merrett ….. I reckon we’ll improve with what we already have with the continued progression of Ward/Frenchie (67 & 47 games respectively), Day/Finn/Morrison coming back and increased rotations spread across Croc/Moore/Wiz/Butts. Would be nice to see some more Croc class in the middle he’s got the tank and as SYL said Nairne to fill the hole if these smaller forwards are spending more time up the ground. Wouldn’t surprise if Balton debuted at some stage as he is super fit for a kid just coming in and so determined nothing will stop him.

Couple of drills showed a bit of Sam’s playing style/smarts trying to use the spare man. During one drill a coach would kick the ball high to a group of 3 players. One player with the bib on was the defender against the other two ……. one players sole purpose was to block/position themselves to help his teammate mark or win the ball without giving away a free kick. Another drill involving 5 players, 2 in the middle with bibs defending, the other 3 would have to move the ball to the other side by drawing the defenders and then hand ball using the spare.

Full ground ball movement always fun to watch as the boys run hard, move and sling shot the ball quickly with plenty of talk and energy. Like last year the whistle blows and it continues in complete silence.

Great session. Last to walk off the ground when the hail stopped was the big fella Ned

 

[AlwaysHawks15]

With Gunners it's all going to come down to how his back holds up. He's always been fit (he's built like a greyhound) it's his back that's stuffed him up in the past.

The fact he didn't miss a single game last year and he finished the season so strong makes me think he is in for another ripper year in 2026 (we are so lucky to get to watch a football artist do his thing).

He looks the same as he did all year, he knows how to manage his body and knows how to get the best out of it. Putting load through the back worked wonders last pre season and he will continue this plan till he retires.

 

[Simon Crawshay]

He looks the same as he did all year, he knows how to manage his body and knows how to get the best out of it. Putting load through the back worked wonders last pre season and he will continue this plan till he retires.

It's interesting that Gunners and Elliot (two veteran forwards) both had career best years in 2026 after getting their back issues sorted.

Could be that the doctors / physios are getting better at managing back issues these days?

 

[I got the outside word]

Super Nairntendo

General Grievous

Orange Sherbert

KV (High Daltage)

Le Stingray

I’m not sorry.

 

[The Golden Glenferrie]

Super Nairntendo

General Grievous

Orange Sherbert

KV (High Daltage)

Le Stingray

I’m not sorry.

 

[AlwaysHawks15]

It's interesting that Gunners and Elliot (two veteran forwards) both had career best years in 2026 after getting their back issues sorted.

Could be that the doctors / physios are getting better at managing back issues these days?

Elliot has that wiry body he could play at a good level another 2 years at least. Hasn't lost any of his agility or speed.

 

[TheFourPillars]

David Mackay

14

David Mackay

Age

37

Ht

181cm

Wt

78kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

17.0

4star

K

9.2

4star

HB

7.7

5star

M

3.2

3star

T

3.2

5star

MG

315.4

4star

D

16.5

4star

K

7.0

3star

HB

9.5

5star

M

2.5

3star

T

2.0

3star

MG

265.5

4star

D

12.0

3star

K

6.2

3star

HB

5.8

4star

M

4.6

5star

T

1.2

3star

has taken over the midfield coaching duties from Hale as they have swapped roles

Hawthorn locks in 2026 AFL coaching panel

Four new faces join the panel ahead of 2026.

www.hawthornfc.com.au

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Group photo of the coaching panel.

 

[unitedhawk2]

Two other clubs wanted him, but this is why this senior coach in waiting chose the Hawks

Hawthorn pitched a role and an environment that appealed Daniel Giansiracusa as he pursued the next step in his coaching journey

www.afl.com.au

 

[number23]

David Mackay has taken over the midfield coaching duties from Hale as they have swapped roles

Hawthorn locks in 2026 AFL coaching panel

Four new faces join the panel ahead of 2026.

www.hawthornfc.com.au

That's interesting. MacKay has been lauded for his oppo research and strategy. Has he ever done assistant coaching of midfield before?

 

[hawkinoz]

Quite a few pics here.

haven't seen much of Blancky, Butts, TB, Cholly before this week

 

[kirbatron]

Kid Larey

 

[Simon Crawshay]

Quite a few pics here.

haven't seen much of Blancky, Butts, TB, Cholly before this week

Sic looking super solid. I think pound for pound he's one of the strongest players in the AFL these days.

A fair way from the skinny (yet firey) kid he was when he came to the club (well the firey bit hasn't changed)

 

[I got the outside word]

Kid Larey

Mike Lowray (Bad Boys reference for anyone playing at home).

 

[hawkmang]

Mike Lowray (Bad Boys reference for anyone playing at home).

As opposed to the backstreet boys reference - I want it Matt Leray

 

[rei154]

God I love this

 

[SSSSSS]

Quite a few pics here.

haven't seen much of Blancky, Butts, TB, Cholly before this week

Blancky is looking ripped.

 

[hardway]

Add some wind turbines and generate some power.

 

[HawthornHawk]

God I love this

I know it's been mentioned but the wind looks intense, is this going to inhibit the players due to our inability to replicate game day conditions?

 

[Mojo]

I keep forgetting about Butler. He had a ripping last month to the 2025 season - IMO, it was the first time he showed characteristics that belonged at AFL level.