Training 2026 Training Reports

[amaz199]

Bali has become a city that can't handle the traffic that it gets. It's good to go there every now and then but its not a must see place.

 

[Heaps of fun]

I went there for the first time last year, feel like I left it too late. There was some positives but the rubbish on the beach and traffic and hawkers on the street made it a not very relaxing place. I'd rather not go back.

 

[FootySmartSimpson]

Finnnnally got a bit of a chance to inform you all of some tidbits of player info I got prior to Christmas...

Dovaston - Brings attitude and energy to the group. Has found his feet and voice and the club and is participating in full training (and impressing). Ground level work is a standout.

O'Sullivan - The pre-Christmas standout (along with a few others), has been training both in the mids and the backline. Workrate and game sense is just off the charts. Strength and physical maturity come on faster than expected.

Sheezel - Class as always. The ultimate professional. Said that he is really happy to retain his VC status that Captaincy might be a bit premature when he still working on many facets of his game and his own leadership.

Corr - Limited pre-season so far as he is carry a couple of niggles. Not expected to be in full training for another month. Don't know details of said niggles.

Daniel - Doing what's expected of him. New defensive strategy should benefit him. Has spent some time up the ground (wing) this pre season as well.

Wardlaw - Didn't miss a session prior to Christmas, noticeably leaner,/more defined. Endurance base still the focus.

Duursma - Seems happy, focused and more comfortable this pre-season. Has been told that his development focus will be the forward line with only smaller stints through the midfield. Duursma very happy with that as that's where he sees himself having the most impact. Limited pre-season leading up to Christmas but should be back into full training now.

Scott - Not much to say.

LDU - Told to improve his running capacity, noticeably leaner. Set new PB's in the 2km and some of the repeat sprint testing earlier in the pre-season.

Kerch - One of the other standouts of the pre-season. Breaking tackles at all, not going to ground, generally stronger and more physically mature through the hips and shoulders. Expect big things this year.

McDonald - Desperate to be apart of our push up the ladder. Done a mini pre-season prior to pre-season with Luke Parker. Noticeably leaner and stronger. In his own words 'best I've felt in 4-5 years'. Shoulder giving him no issues at all.

Simpkin - Come back and focused on gaining back the trust of the playing group. Still the ultimate professional when it comes to his conditioning. Expect to see him play a lot of wing/half forward this year.

Spargo - Don't expect to play early, still on a modified program and still a long way off peak conditioning.

Urqs - Noticeably bigger and leaner. Looking to play purely as an inside mid this season. Game sense and transition running the two biggest focuses.

Stephens - Professional. Continues to be a stand out in the all the running/transition drills which is to be expected.

Fisher - Modified program, managing a few niggles including a hip/hamstring issue. Probably the most disappointing considering his career is on the line.

Hardeman - Club seriously impressed with condition he came back in post the end of the year. Noticeably stronger and leaner. Broke PB's in 2ker and repeat running tests. Has spent a bit of time training up the ground and has impressed with particularly with his long kicking.

Dawson - Bigger, stronger, more mature. Will be settling in the backline. Decision making with ball in hand and timing his intercept marking the key focus. Long term they want him to take the gorilla and taller key forwards (Darcy's/Kings), to free up Comben to play more of an intercepting role. Trying to balance his physical growth while also building his tank.

Logue - Stand out. Fed both barrels at the end of the season, but come back in ripping shape. Moving far better and seems to have got his agility back.

Larkey - Into full training now. Will be one of those types who will go to another level as captain.

CCJ - Injury free.

Goad - More physically mature. Actually able to compete with X now in the wrestling matches instead of getting rag dolled.

Threadgold - Mature beyond his years. The kid is a 'sponge' and just has a real desire to learn and be the best he can be. Has had to be held back at times to protect him from himself.

Powell - Flown under the radar but has had a fantastic pre-season. Told to get leaner/lose weight to improve his running capacity, which he did so. Been training all across the park, midfield, wing, half forward and half back. Looking at as a genuine utility.

Curtis - Has been managing a few niggles prior to Christmas.

Parker - Class & Leadership. His first full pre-season in 3 years. Feeling fresh.

Darling - see above. Has really taken Whitlock and Trembath under his wing.

Mikunda - Post draft was only seeing limited training due managing a few minor niggles. Expect to be in full training now. Will get exposure with training as half back, winger and half forward. Kicking in training and real feature.

Comben - Came back from pre-season carrying a few extra kg. Has since dropped the weight and is looking good.

Goater - Modified training prior to Christmas, still heavily managing his loads and repeat testing his soft tissue strength parameters. Significant focus on improving his overall body balance, as that imbalance was what was leading to soft tissue injuries (not uncommon for post achilles). Balancing act with getting him stronger while also trying to improve his conditioning.

Pink - Noticeably leaner and stronger.

George - Still being heavily managed, but club is super happy with where he is at. Training both as a forward and through the wings. Tank still the biggest concern, but expect a big block of conditioning for him and a few others once they get back into the thick of pre-season.

Archer - Managed prior to Christmas, but he is in ripping nick. Likely to be on a modified program until later in the year. Still participating in 80% of training.

Whitlock - Balancing the physique build while maintaining his running conditioning. Training forward.

Stevens - bigger and stronger but still a long way to go.

Harvey - Half back! Settled. Focus is lock down defence and defensive craft. Want to utilise his skills and vision across half back. Came back in the best condition of his career and set running PB's. Maybe everything has finally clicked with him?

Xerri - Smashing the GPS numbers during training. Couple of kg's lighter to deal with the new ruck rules.

Konstanty - Surprise candidate as one of the pre-Christmas standouts. Blowing his running numbers and just all round in good condition. As part of his development, been training both forward and back.

Zurhaar - Come along quicker than expected from his ankle injury participating in full training now and looking good.

Banch - Up there with FOS/Kerch and co for the pre-Christmas standout. Running numbers are ridiculous and is leaving no stone unturned in his development. Another who is a sponge for learning and super professional.

Hansen Jnr - really solid pre-season. Really involed with game sense drills with his kicking and class a stand out. Might end up being a sneaky one who surprises a few earlier in the season.

Trembath - Up there with the top tier of pre-season. Mature as they come and so driven to get the best out of himself. Learning and improving every session. Another who is noticeably leaner, and who has set Pb's in both running and the gym.

I can’t tell you how much reading this is music to my eyes. Generally really positive vibes. May it continue!

 

[maddiemelb]

 

[The Nostradamus]

There was training this morning?

North website failing to list it

 

[Shinboner1]

damn I totes should have gone down for a watch

 

[Bowski]

Threadgold Duurz pic is particularly great, lovely work as always.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Thanks maddiemelb! Love your work as always!

I know you are focused on your photography at training, but who’s been impressing you on the track?

 

[Luke72]

Daniel…further up ground…Wing….

I believe the bench is also further up the ground.

 

[Luke72]

Can we sponsor Hugo?

Probably, we are a still a way off our target. All contributors are welcome.

Player Sponsorship - 2026 Player Sponsorship - Paul Curtis

I'm launching this early this year but the club has sent out the info so I thought we may as well get started. Hopefully 2026 is the year we finally see a turnaround in on field fortunes. Last year our sponsored player, Griffen Lounge, carried on the BF player sponsor tradition and didn't set...

www.bigfooty.com

 

[Passmore]

Don’t mock it until you go, elite weather, amazing locals, some of the best restaurants I’ve ever been to, great coffee, world class gyms, easy to get around either on your own scooter or about a dollar to anywhere on the back of a gojek. I go a few times a year.

Don't know about the gyms, but the restaurants are elite.

 

[DuckYeah]

There was training this morning?

North website failing to list it

Didn’t you say they were training today? I thought you were all over it

 

[guapo]

It's a rubbish notion that he has to do everything himself. Great leaders bring out the best in those around them and great strategists don't necessarily make great leaders.

We're talking about a guy that led a team that changed the AFL strategic landscape multiple times over a decade and delivered 4 premierships. If you think he was just a passenger you're kidding yourselves.

Not what I said mate. No doubt he’s a leader and a great communicator with his players, he’s just either lacking or too far past his prime the strategic aspect of today’s game. RF08’s source suggests the same

 

[DunderHead]

Not what I said mate. No doubt he’s a leader and a great communicator with his players, he’s just either lacking or too far past his prime the strategic aspect of today’s game. RF08’s source suggests the same

I think you see and read what you want to. He may not be the best strategic coach but that doesn't mean he isn't the right coach or potentially the best coach. He seems to have gathered a strong group of young, up and coming assistants.

 

[Karanicolas]

T. Powell is $1.01 to be the first bloke to get his shirt off.

Only because Simpkin never has one on on the first place.

 

[The Nostradamus]

Didn’t you say they were training today? I thought you were all over it

Incorrect I posted the times from the website which only showed mon, weds and fri

 

[guapo]

I think you see and read what you want to. He may not be the best strategic coach but that doesn't mean he isn't the right coach or potentially the best coach. He seems to have gathered a strong group of young, up and coming assistants.

For the record, I am a fan of Clarko. I was very pleased when he signed on to coach. I like the fact that he played for us, I respect his coaching record, and no doubt lots of successful coaches have been assistants to him (Fagan, Simpson, Hardwick, Beveridge etc). I also agree that he was a very good fit for us after Nobles got the sars as he seems to have been able to rebuild report with the group and most players have wanted to stay the journey (though Simpkin is a red flag for me).

But the facts are he is about to start his 4th year as our coach, and regardless of the interruption in year 1, we are still in the bottom 3. Many on here question our game plan, the quality of the assistants, the development of the players, the playing players out of position, and (yes, he’s not directly responsible for it but he has a huge influence over it) the list build.

In his last 6 seasons as a coach his sides have finished 9, 15, 14, 17, 17, 16. Not great reading. I also don’t hear the names of our assistants mentioned when senior vacancies come up.

I also think it’s no good that in his 4th year in the gig we bring in a guy responsible for “strategy” and we start hearing reports (again) of a new defensive structure. You would hope that by year 4 under a master coach you would have a very clear game plan, a very stable coaching structure, clear improvements in results, and be starting to attract talent from other clubs (something that outside of Parker hasn’t occurred).

Clarko could very easily finish his 5 year contract without a single finals game played. I hope that isn’t the case, but it’s possible.

 

[zoomba23]

I think you see and read what you want to. He may not be the best strategic coach but that doesn't mean he isn't the right coach or potentially the best coach. He seems to have gathered a strong group of young, up and coming assistants.

I mean, he's just not the best coach, mate. He isn't. Whatever group of attributes comprise top-shelf coaching these days, he doesn't have every element covered. That's fine. We all hoped for a saviour in the purest sense of the word, it's not what we got. That's fine. In a sense, stepping in was a big action in itself. I'm not sure that anyone worthwhile was gonna look at 2022 North and think 'yeah, that's a team I want to be in charge of.' We're fortunate we drafted him, and fortunate he felt indebted

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

For the record, I am a fan of Clarko. I was very pleased when he signed on to coach. I like the fact that he played for us, I respect his coaching record, and no doubt lots of successful coaches have been assistants to him (Fagan, Simpson, Hardwick, Beveridge etc). I also agree that he was a very good fit for us after Nobles got the sars as he seems to have been able to rebuild report with the group and most players have wanted to stay the journey (though Simpkin is a red flag for me).

But the facts are he is about to start his 4th year as our coach, and regardless of the interruption in year 1, we are still in the bottom 3. Many on here question our game plan, the quality of the assistants, the development of the players, the playing players out of position, and (yes, he’s not directly responsible for it but he has a huge influence over it) the list build.

In his last 6 seasons as a coach his sides have finished 9, 15, 14, 17, 17, 16. Not great reading. I also don’t hear the names of our assistants mentioned when senior vacancies come up.

I also think it’s no good that in his 4th year in the gig we bring in a guy responsible for “strategy” and we start hearing reports (again) of a new defensive structure. You would hope that by year 4 under a master coach you would have a very clear game plan, a very stable coaching structure, clear improvements in results, and be starting to attract talent from other clubs (something that outside of Parker hasn’t occurred).

Clarko could very easily finish his 5 year contract without a single finals game played. I hope that isn’t the case, but it’s possible.

Exactly where I stand also.

Huge question marks over his on field strategies and whether they’re compatible with how football is played a decade after he was successful.

 

[Luke72]

Not many coaches other than Clarko would have had the free run with media scrutiny given our results. Had it not been Clarko, and the results the same, we would probably have sacked another and be starting over again.

 

[winalotroos]

Spit facts. Just facts here cuzzie. My statement is not hyperbole. Bali is a genuine shit hole.

At times your full of shit, in my humble opinion Bali is good value for money, it does depend on were you stay, Sanur is my favourite at this time.

 

[zoomba23]

Not many coaches other than Clarko would have had the free run with media scrutiny given our results. Had it not been Clarko and the results the same we would probably have sacked another and be starting over again.

Mixture of the club's obscurity relative to the other teams, and some very sensible fatigue about change imo.

In a four-year span, Scotts was turfed, Shaws broke down and was turfed, then Nobles was turfed. If you continue to run that line when the supposed golden candidate brings subpar results, you end up with damaged players (we already had them, but the point is still pertinent) and more importantly, an addiction to swinging the axe.

The axe-swinging thing is a cycle both Carlton and Essendon find themselves in, without having seen the on-field lows that we have. Look at the way their fans behave when their coach achieves the same mediocre-shit results as his four predecessors. For all the shit we have to deal with, I'm glad our fans haven't developed that entitlement.

I've said before that I think Clarko is our last chance saloon, either directly; become a winning side under his tutelage, or indirectly; do it under people that he brought to the club. Starting over would seal the glimmer of light shut imo. Only so many botched rebuilds you can go through before the roots snap. Hell, I fear some of them already have.

The only path forward is to stick with him, and if I had any perspective left I'd say this was our most important year in a long time, but that's what people said about last year, and we didn't cease the 10 goal thrashings, did we.

Bottom line, Clarko or nothing

 

[guapo]

Not many coaches other than Clarko would have had the free run with media scrutiny given our results. Had it not been Clarko and the results the same we would probably have sacked another and be starting over again.

I think this is also spot on, and he has definitely had the security from Sonya.

When you compare to what happened at Carlton in the 00’s, he’s been pretty fortunate. They dominated the top end of the draft for years (3 #1’s in a row) and despite lots of good young talent, “master coaches” like Pagan and Malthouse were given zero tolerance for not bringing immediate success and were sacked mid contract.

That said, their plight is much worse than ours with 30 years of failures, countless sacked coaches, and still pretty much in the bottom third of the ladder. It can be tough to get it right, there’s dozens of fails for every success

 

[kanga kanga kanga]

Clarkos recruiting and ability to attract big names has also completely vanished.

 

[Devington]

Clarkos recruiting and ability to attract big names has also completely vanished.

Hawthorn scandal and us being eternally shit is responsible for that I'd think.

I just hope that Clarko transforming the senior coach role into more of a managerial role, rather than super hands on, pays off. I have a good feeling about it compared to the alternative, but it depends heavily on him not forcing his way all the time.

God I hope we don't suck again this year. My heart can't take it.