2026 Pre-Season Thread

[scoman]

Think Will needs to take a concussion test. How in the hell do you consider yourself a Victorian when you only spent a few years there? He was born in QLD, played in the junior program on the coast and only moved later in his teens for football. That's like me spending a few years in france and walking around saying bonjour to everyone. Love the guy, but by every definition, he's not a victorian. Not surprised that he's been called out on social media for those comments.

Tbf he came through the representative stuff playing in VIC TAC Cup and then 2-3 years at least of representing VIC in National Championships. Would have made plenty of mates and felt proud of playing for the Big V. Also the chance of QLD playing a SOO game is speculative at best, so I'd say he felt this was his big chance. I'm sure if the chance to play for QLD comes up, and with a couple more years under his belt in the sunshine state he will be pretty keen.

 

[Morbidly_Obese]

Well that Lachie Neale

Think Will needs to take a concussion test. How in the hell do you consider yourself a Victorian when you only spent a few years there? He was born in QLD, played in the junior program on the coast and only moved later in his teens for football. That's like me spending a few years in france and walking around saying bonjour to everyone. Love the guy, but by every definition, he's not a victorian. Not surprised that he's been called out on social media for those comments.

 

[janty]

Think Will needs to take a concussion test. How in the hell do you consider yourself a Victorian when you only spent a few years there? He was born in QLD, played in the junior program on the coast and only moved later in his teens for football. That's like me spending a few years in france and walking around saying bonjour to everyone. Love the guy, but by every definition, he's not a victorian. Not surprised that he's been called out on social media for those comments.

If I am allowed to identify as a woman then Will should be allowed to identify as a Victorian.

 

[Maboo]

If I am allowed to identify as a woman then Will should be allowed to identify as a Victorian.

Why do you want to be a woman Stan

 

[Maboo]

Why do you want to be a woman Stan

I want to have babies

 

[Maboo]

I want to have babies

You can't have babies, where's the foetus going to gestate? are you going to keep it in a box?

 

[rye]

 

[fugitive]

Watching his press statement earlier, pretty much an admission of what transpired.

 

[Big Sauce 21]

Would roll Harris solo

 

[010203]

Would roll Harris solo

With Hugh or Dunks as vice-captain.

 

[martinson]

Putting aside any personal problems and what the ramifications or issues are for Lachie and his family , from a footy perspective this is good news.

Free from the Captaincy and any leadership role if Lachie stays injury free I'm thinking someone as driven and focused as he is on his footy in all likelihood he could have a stellar year in 2026. He's still a great player who is no longer the No.1 focus for the opposition . Potentially could be used in a similar fashion to the GF. ( i.e. not as sub but in bursts )

The time was right for Harris to take over sole Captaincy anyway and if we could get Payne back fit again Harris could likewise kick into another gear.

 

[martinson]

With Hugh or Dunks as vice-captain.

Dunkley for me , but obviously Hugh has outstanding credentials.

 

[SpecialBruce]

Putting aside any personal problems and what the ramifications or issues are for Lachie and his family , from a footy perspective this is good news.

Free from the Captaincy and any leadership role if Lachie stays injury free I'm thinking someone as driven and focused as he is on his footy in all likelihood he could have a stellar year in 2026. He's still a great player who is no longer the No.1 focus for the opposition . Potentially could be used in a similar fashion to the GF. ( i.e. not as sub but in bursts )

The time was right for Harris to take over sole Captaincy anyway and if we could get Payne back fit again Harris could likewise kick into another gear.

Lachie will have a big season

 

[Nathan Barley]

With Hugh or Dunks as vice-captain.

Can't see us decreasing our amount of vice captains and captains

 

[Saucery]

Dunkley for me , but obviously Hugh has outstanding credentials.

Yes, the two-captain set up has rewarded us greatly. Clug is an amazing player, but captaincy can weigh heavy on some. Dunkley plays like a captain, directs the field like a captain and crushes the oppositions souls, like a captain. It's just a matter of giving him a stripe on his arm to acknowledge it. After all he was the winner of the Robert Rose Most Courageous Player Award (also known as the RRMCPA).

​

 

[Nuggo]

It's not unusual for somebody to bury themselves in their work when there is trouble on the home front. More how missing his kids affects him. A lot of flights to and from Perth could be draining. Good thing is Fagan is a great person manager.

 

[Chucky_23]

Lock in another premiership - Lachie Neale

9

Lachie Neale

Age

32

Ht

177cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

27.0

5star

K

11.5

4star

HB

15.5

5star

M

4.0

4star

T

3.7

5star

CL

5.9

5star

D

28.3

5star

K

13.9

5star

HB

14.4

5star

M

4.6

4star

T

4.0

5star

CL

5.9

5star

D

12.0

3star

K

4.6

2star

HB

7.4

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

1.0

3star

CL

0.4

3star

to go out with a bang in 2026

 

[Saucery]

Lachie will have a big season

Yeah, watching the interview he really did seem to be relieved to have stepped down from the captaincy.

 

[martinson]

Just on the broader issue of media attention I mean guys in the tech industry can be earning 10x what Lachie earns and do similar crap in their personal lives and face zero public repercussions.

I'm not making any judgement at all on whatever has occurred but the media backlash young men in the AFL industry face with every misstep they make is out of all proportion to their status in life.

I do feel the public pressure on them must cause mental damage if you don't have a strong mental constitution.

 

[Mr Ripper]

Lock in another premiership - Lachie Neale to go out with a bang in 2026

 

[mpal6]

Lock in another premiership - Lachie Neale to go out with a bang in 2026

12 months is a long time. If Neale works out an arrangement to see kids this year - might even continue with us beyond 2026.

 

[Saucery]

View attachment 2504159

 

[BuntonRules]

Lock in another premiership - Lachie Neale to go out with a bang in 2026

We do the 3peat, we can give Lachie away for nothing, and still make out like bandits - if that is where he wants his life to go.

 

[3KZ is Football]

If Neale goes at the end of 2026, that certainly frees up some much needed space in the salary cap.

 

[noosaboy]

I’d have Daicos ahead of Will atm but there’s only a tally ho paper between them..going forward would rather Will on our list maybe a little more upside

Will would not drive his shoes laces up!
Harris Andrews is just the bomb and should have got the medal