2026 Pre-Season Thread

[Elixuh]

I just had a look and we have quite a few nice milestone hopefully coming up this season

 

[p4p1]

Same time I am really ok if we think to use him as a impact "sub" style player into the future. Ease his game time over the year and throw him around if we need impact else where. Its helped Pendles and Danger play longer.

Hes still our best rebounding back so we will need him come finals, but we dont need him there full time every game

He just played 27 game seasons back to back. I would say whatever they’ve been doing over the past two seasons is working. I know that resting him should help but I’m also aware that it doesn’t always workout like that for whatever reason either.

 

[p4p1]

Annable looked a little off the pace against the Blues. Our side is so stacked right now I think we just don’t have him in calculations for opening round. In saying that, you could make an argument to play him over say Tunstill who got a run, but obviously that didn’t occur.

Koby Evans has barely had much of a pre season from what I can gather from the little snippets other posters have shared here. I know he arrived at the club with an injury carried over from his U18’s year (Lower back or ankle?) so he spent most of the pre season in running drills as opposed to full contact and skill sessions. Will be a slow burn this year I’d assume rebuilding his body and fitness at VFL level. Looks a talent though so hopefully in the second half of the year he starts to trend upwards development wise in the reserves and sets himself up for a healthy, full pre season at the end of the year heading into 2027.

I suspect Annable is a victim of the side being so stacked as you said, who do you drop to play him right now? For match fitness, he might be better off playing a full VFL practice game instead of a limited minutes AFL practise. I know this is opposite to the way Fages normally brings on high end draft picks but the team didn’t have the same depth and talent even just a year ago when Levi came in.

ETA: let’s not forget in Levi’s one VFL game, he gathered 35 disposals. Before he was drafted and had done a proper AFL preseason. He was already putting up numbers that our next up mids were before being drafted. Even then, IIRC it was an injury that meant he wasn’t sub.
Will put up 32.

 

[SpecialBruce]

So impressed with our performance against the Suns, we looked slick and confident even though we were in 2nd/3rd gear. So many 1st 23 players out and Clugga rested for the 2nd half makes it even more noteworthy.

A few observations on the game and pre season as a whole.

1- Loved the look of Kiddy and Linc considering how long they have been out.
2- Reville is a lock, his confidence is rising, he is a serious weapon with his evasion and elite kicking, a smokie for AA squad selection in 2026 IMO.
3- ZZ great, new ruck rules will suit him and he is versatile position wise as well, liked the look of Brain.
4- Our older players look in fantastic shape and some appear to be near to or in career best form ie. Lachie, Charlie, Zorks, Dizzy, Froggy... such a credit to the players themselves and to our training and rehab staff.

If we get even a half decent run with injury and our motivation remains high I can not envision any team going with us in finals. Not in season but if we get to finals I can see getting the likes of Kiddy, Linc, The OA and Drapes a flag being that extra spur when things get tough eg Oscar in 2025.

My round 0 team >

Darcy Wilmot, Harris Andrews, Darcy Gardiner.
Jaspa Fletcher, Ryan Lester, Dayne Zorko.

Darcy Fort, Lachie Neale, Josh Dunkley.
Hugh McCluggage, Will Ashcroft, Jarrod Berry.

Charlie Cameron, Oscar Allen, Logan Morris.
Kai Lohmann, Ty Gallop, Cam Rayner.

Noah Answerth, Bruce Reville, Zac Bailey, Levi Ashcroft, Zane Zakostelsky.

Emergencies- Keidean Coleman, Darragh Joyce, Sam Marshall.

I'm doubtful the MC pick ZZ for round 0, wouldn't be surprised if we spread the ruck work with Ty and The OA and play Kiddy or Sam in the 23.

Bruce getting all australian this year will be more enjoyable than sex

 

[p4p1]

Round 0 selection will be interesting.
The locks are fairly obvious.

FB: Zorko Andrews Lester
HB: Fletcher Gardiner Wilmot
C: L Ashcroft Neale Berry
HF: Bailey Gallop Rayner
FF: Cameron Allen Morris
Foll: Fort Dunkley McCluggage
Int: W Ashcroft Reville Lohmann

Im assuming Draper won’t be ready.
I have two spots to be fought out between Coleman, McCarthy, Answerth (if he is fully fit). ZZ is a smoky.

Assuming Draper is fit for round 1 and there are no injuries then I would move Fort to the bench and the trio listed above fight it out for that last spot. I don’t see us running with 1 ruck with Draper until we know his body is 100% going to be fine. If he got injured in the first quarter then Gallop would have to ruck all game.

 

[SpecialBruce]

Round 0 selection will be interesting.
The locks are fairly obvious.

FB: Zorko Andrews Lester
HB: Fletcher Gardiner Wilmot
C: L Ashcroft Neale Berry
HF: Bailey Gallop Rayner
FF: Cameron Allen Morris
Foll: Fort Dunkley McCluggage
Int: W Ashcroft Reville Lohmann

Im assuming Draper won’t be ready.
I have two spots to be fought out between Coleman, McCarthy, Answerth (if he is fully fit). ZZ is a smoky.

Assuming Draper is fit for round 1 and there are no injuries then I would move Fort to the bench and the trio listed above fight it out for that last spot. I don’t see us running with 1 ruck with Draper until we know his body is 100% going to be fine. If he got injured in the first quarter then Gallop would have to ruck all game.

I think Kiddy has to start in the twos to get some momentum. He is not senior ready

 

[p4p1]

I think Kiddy has to start in the twos to get some momentum. He is not senior ready

He’s definitely far from the form he was before he did his ACL. I wouldn’t be surprised if he played VFL for a bit. A good run of games would help. It’s just the difference between VFL and AFL is so huge that it wouldn’t get him back up to speed, that would be the only concern I could see with that.

 

[Clarkythelion]

I suspect Annable is a victim of the side being so stacked as you said, who do you drop to play him right now? For match fitness, he might be better off playing a full VFL practice game instead of a limited minutes AFL practise. I know this is opposite to the way Fages normally brings on high end draft picks but the team didn’t have the same depth and talent even just a year ago when Levi came in.

ETA: let’s not forget in Levi’s one VFL game, he gathered 35 disposals. Before he was drafted and had done a proper AFL preseason. He was already putting up numbers that our next up mids were before being drafted. Even then, IIRC it was an injury that meant he wasn’t sub.
Will put up 32.

I think you're right in that the decision on Annable is about, "well whom do you take out to put him in".

Without looking up stats I'd say Annable played about 6 VFL games last year, I watched about that many with him anyway. I thought he was probably BOG in half of them and certainly in the Lions top 3 in most of them. He seems at the very top of that level and very consistent. Clean hands, flicks the ball over his shoulder all fancy like the Ashcrofts hits the scoreboard and seems to tackle more than the others. I see Annable as Neale's understudy for now, can't see him playing any other position than in the midfield, doesn't seem to have that flexibility - yet. I'm sure he will put on more size yet with the full AFL training load. With Neale out late last year had he been available, the form he was in I reckon he would have player a couple of games.

For now he just has to wait, Neale will be gone at season's end and they have to have enough games into Annable for him to step in. Yep, I'm a bit bullish on the kid for now.

 

[Darren Downunder]

Bruce getting all australian this year will be more enjoyable than sex

I don’t think you’re doing it right.

 

[SonofSuperboot]

He’s definitely far from the form he was before he did his ACL. I wouldn’t be surprised if he played VFL for a bit. A good run of games would help. It’s just the difference between VFL and AFL is so huge that it wouldn’t get him back up to speed, that would be the only concern I could see with that.

I think the issue is with having zorks and kiddy in same side is that you sacrifice a lock-down defender. We saw kiddy (albeit a bit rusty) look a bit at sea arially when it was one on one marking/spoil contest. And zorks, who is a fantastic player and one of the big reasons we have 2 flags, doesn't exactly play tight, but you wear that for the damage he can do. If you have both in the team once, where do you play the lock-down scraggers like ainsworth and formely starce?
So once kiddy is back to full strength, and he's not far way, I reckon it's going to be horses for courses. For teams with a lot of forward firepower depth, like Geelong or the dogs, I reckon it'll be one or the other. For teams where we can cover them with them the other 4, I reckon kiddy will play instead of gardiner. Still good to have cover, and it'll be a strong bench on the rotations. it's more the key defenders that worry me, with payne's return being pushed-out again.

 

[Pride of lions]

I think the issue is with having zorks and kiddy in same side is that you sacrifice a lock-down defender. We saw kiddy (albeit a bit rusty) look a bit at sea arially when it was one on one marking/spoil contest. And zorks, who is a fantastic player and one of the big reasons we have 2 flags, doesn't exactly play tight, but you wear that for the damage he can do. If you have both in the team once, where do you play the lock-down scraggers like ainsworth and formely starce?
So once kiddy is back to full strength, and he's not far way, I reckon it's going to be horses for courses. For teams with a lot of forward firepower depth, like Geelong or the dogs, I reckon it'll be one or the other. For teams where we can cover them with them the other 4, I reckon kiddy will play instead of gardiner. Still good to have cover, and it'll be a strong bench on the rotations. it's more the key defenders that worry me, with payne's return being pushed-out again.

I agree about Kiddy. I actually don’t think he has ever been a very good 1on1 defender, so maybe he will be used more rotating through wing and half forward and dropping back as a loose man in defence similar to Ah Chee’s role. We would be very vulnerable having both Zorko and Kiddy playing defensive roles together imo.

 

[Tricky Dicky]

I agree about Kiddy. I actually don’t think he has ever been a very good 1on1 defender, so maybe he will be used more rotating through wing and half forward and dropping back as a loose man in defence similar to Ah Chee’s role. We would be very vulnerable having both Zorko and Kiddy playing defensive roles together imo.

Defence is boring.
Let's just win the midfield battle, go all out attack and win shoot-outs by 4-6 goals every week.

 

[SpecialBruce]

He’s definitely far from the form he was before he did his ACL. I wouldn’t be surprised if he played VFL for a bit. A good run of games would help. It’s just the difference between VFL and AFL is so huge that it wouldn’t get him back up to speed, that would be the only concern I could see with that.

Would have been the perfect sub for the first few rounds

 

[SpecialBruce]

I don’t think you’re doing it right.

Been a little while between drinks that I have forgotten what it feels like

 

[martinson]

Been a little while between drinks that I have forgotten what it feels like

Don't worry Bruce the next one is just around the corner.

Especially for a man with your chutzpah.

 

[Maboo]

Been a little while between drinks that I have forgotten what it feels like

Enter, Randy Marsh

 

[SonofSuperboot]

For now he just has to wait, Neale will be gone at season's end and they have to have enough games into Annable for him to step in. Yep, I'm a bit bullish on the kid for now.

I wouldn't be so quick to say that Neale will be gone at the end of the year.
Bear in mind I don't know anything about lachie's relationship or priorities, I'm just talking in generalities. Even if he went back to perth, he'll still only get to see his kids half the time in an even custody split, and the kids have spent their life up until now in queensland, which the courts take into account. If the lions are flexible, and they sound like they are, he could make it work from Queensland with the kids. Money solves a lot of the issues that come up in custody, like travel costs, and lachie has that. And who knows, he may not want to go back and hang out in the same town with the ex and her family? He's a western districts boy from Vic that's put down roots in Queensland. Might want to start afresh, or enjoy the single life for a time.
So I wouldn't say he's a lock (no pun intended) to move to WA at the end of the year. He may well re-sign a contract extension to play on a year or two. He looks sharp at the moments

 

[morsie]

Hope the players are less confident than I am.After having lived through the Fitzroy years from 1960 and the recent wilderness years, I am feeling overconfident nay arrogant about this year.Hopefully my feelings are not misplaced.

 

[morsie]

I wouldn't be so quick to say that Neale will be gone at the end of the year.
Bear in mind I don't know anything about lachie's relationship or priorities, I'm just talking in generalities. Even if he went back to perth, he'll still only get to see his kids half the time in an even custody split, and the kids have spent their life up until now in queensland, which the courts take into account. If the lions are flexible, and they sound like they are, he could make it work from Queensland with the kids. Money solves a lot of the issues that come up in custody, like travel costs, and lachie has that. And who knows, he may not want to go back and hang out in the same town with the ex and her family? He's a western districts boy from Vic that's put down roots in Queensland. Might want to start afresh, or enjoy the single life for a time.
So I wouldn't say he's a lock (no pun intended) to move to WA at the end of the year. He may well re-sign a contract extension to play on a year or two. He looks sharp at the moments

Still waiting for Jules to realize that posting on Instagram is not going to heal anything.I hope they both get shedloads of counselling for their kids sake.

 

[briztoon]

I wouldn't be so quick to say that Neale will be gone at the end of the year.
Bear in mind I don't know anything about lachie's relationship or priorities, I'm just talking in generalities. Even if he went back to perth, he'll still only get to see his kids half the time in an even custody split, and the kids have spent their life up until now in queensland, which the courts take into account. If the lions are flexible, and they sound like they are, he could make it work from Queensland with the kids. Money solves a lot of the issues that come up in custody, like travel costs, and lachie has that. And who knows, he may not want to go back and hang out in the same town with the ex and her family? He's a western districts boy from Vic that's put down roots in Queensland. Might want to start afresh, or enjoy the single life for a time.
So I wouldn't say he's a lock (no pun intended) to move to WA at the end of the year. He may well re-sign a contract extension to play on a year or two. He looks sharp at the moments

Small point, but he’s from country SA.

 

[SonofSuperboot]

Small point, but he’s from country SA.

Ah that’s right, just on the SA side of the border. Some town don’t ask me to spell. Did spend a brief time living in vic on a farm as a youngster

 

[p4p1]

And who knows, he may not want to go back and hang out in the same town with the ex and her family?

This is probably an underrated point. Yes, Lachie spent a good amount of time at Freo so he would know people in Perth and (in this hypothetical at least) he would be part of a football club so would have that support around him but without knowing anyone in the situation, distance between himself, Jules and her family could be a good thing. Living in Perth was now 8 years ago, and the people he was closest to at Fremantle may not be in Perth anymore either.

 

[braddsey]

This is probably an underrated point. Yes, Lachie spent a good amount of time at Freo so he would know people in Perth and (in this hypothetical at least) he would be part of a football club so would have that support around him but without knowing anyone in the situation, distance between himself, Jules and her family could be a good thing. Living in Perth was now 8 years ago, and the people he was closest to at Fremantle may not be in Perth anymore either.

Ultimately something like that comes down to if he wants to be a permanent fixture in his kids lives, not the friendships he has. He is well known enough and can integrate himself into the 2 local football clubs and likely remain employed in AFL after he's finished as a player. That is time to set down new roots.
I imagine he could do a few years as a FIFO dad while he completes his career as a player, but if he stays away from Perth permanently (assuming this is where the kids end up living), he is kissing goodbye to a normal parenting relationship with his kids. Some people are forced down this path due to messy break-ups (and worse), but I can't see that with Lachie.

 

[Saucery]

I wouldn't be so quick to say that Neale will be gone at the end of the year.
Bear in mind I don't know anything about lachie's relationship or priorities, I'm just talking in generalities. Even if he went back to perth, he'll still only get to see his kids half the time in an even custody split, and the kids have spent their life up until now in queensland, which the courts take into account. If the lions are flexible, and they sound like they are, he could make it work from Queensland with the kids. Money solves a lot of the issues that come up in custody, like travel costs, and lachie has that. And who knows, he may not want to go back and hang out in the same town with the ex and her family? He's a western districts boy from Vic that's put down roots in Queensland. Might want to start afresh, or enjoy the single life for a time.
So I wouldn't say he's a lock (no pun intended) to move to WA at the end of the year. He may well re-sign a contract extension to play on a year or two. He looks sharp at the moments

True but considering WC need to get in an alpha mentor for Reid before he becomes permanently tainted with bad habits, he could pretty much ask for a blank check.

 

[SonofSuperboot]

Ultimately something like that comes down to if he wants to be a permanent fixture in his kids lives, not the friendships he has. He is well known enough and can integrate himself into the 2 local football clubs and likely remain employed in AFL after he's finished as a player. That is time to set down new roots.
I imagine he could do a few years as a FIFO dad while he completes his career as a player, but if he stays away from Perth permanently (assuming this is where the kids end up living), he is kissing goodbye to a normal parenting relationship with his kids. Some people are forced down this path due to messy break-ups (and worse), but I can't see that with Lachie.

Yeah, my point is that nobody really knows what’s going on in somebody else’s relationship, only those involved, as prurient as the interest in lachie still is if clickbait articles are anything to go by. People split up every day, there’s all sorts of arrangements, and with wealth there’s even more possibilities. I wouldn’t be making assumptions about where things will land, and wouldn’t listen to anyone who speaks with certainty. They don’t know anymore than I do. The club seem supportive and he looks in good shape. Anything else is for him to try and work out. Id like him to see out his career here, I’m looking forward to the him, Hugh, washcroft and bails getting even more time to develop their connection based on their frightening skills, the more time the better, we’ll just see which way the cookie crumbles