Training 2026 Pre Season Training Thread

[bedford]

Re Malcolm Rosas jnr, I don't understand why everyone has him pencilled in for a starting 18 position. Not a noted high output player at GC and has always been fringe there, even after they lost Rankine to the crows. Not that I'm discounting him at all and he potentially brings a bit of X factor to our forward line, but for me hes a watch and see rather than a deadset lock.

Some get aroused by really nothing , but hope

 

[tombomb]

Re Malcolm Rosas jnr, I don't understand why everyone has him pencilled in for a starting 18 position. Not a noted high output player at GC and has always been fringe there, even after they lost Rankine to the crows. Not that I'm discounting him at all and he potentially brings a bit of X factor to our forward line, but for me hes a watch and see rather than a deadset lock.

I agree about Rosas and I think Serong is the same. I dunno why they would be locks for us, when they couldn't get games for the former clubs.

But history suggests that when we recruit someone, even if they are a fringe player, they get opportunities early.

 

[bedford]

I agree about Rosas and I think Serong is the same. I dunno why they would be locks for us, when they couldn't get games for the former clubs.

But history suggests that when we recruit someone, even if they are a fringe player, they get opportunities early.

Serong in any other era would've played more for the Hawks

 

[Adnico26Parker]

From mckirdy's observations, sounds like Mills will be playing off HB. Shame as I think we could do with a bigger body on ball. Cox must feel that Sheldrick and / or Cleary will take a few strides forward this year.

Confirmed by Cox at today's presser.

 

[tombomb]

Serong in any other era would've played more for the Hawks

Hawthorn aren't that good.

 

[Jewelsbon]

I agree about Rosas and I think Serong is the same. I dunno why they would be locks for us, when they couldn't get games for the former clubs.

But history suggests that when we recruit someone, even if they are a fringe player, they get opportunities early.

I don't think Serong and Rosas are apples for apples.
I think Serong would have been starting 22 in most other teams. He certainly gave his all in the VFL, just bad luck for him that Hawthorn have such a strong backline. I don't think the same can be said for Rosas jnr, but hopefully a change of scenery will freshen him up.

 

[Wheresbuddy]

Serong in any other era would've played more for the Hawks

Initially stuck behind Frost, Hardwick, Sicily and Scrimshaw then Battle and Barrass last year. All handy players who would command a spot at most other clubs (other than Frost).

 

[Wheresbuddy]

Confirmed by Cox at today's presser.

This would suggest that the only way in for Rampe is as the third tall, unless Blakey is ear marked to play that role again (hope not).

 

[bedford]

Initially stuck behind Frost, Hardwick, Sicily and Scrimshaw then Battle and Barrass last year. All handy players who would command a spot at most other clubs (other than Frost).

Frosty's okay but im biased

 

[tombomb]

I don't think Serong and Rosas are apples for apples.
I think Serong would have been starting 22 in most other teams. He certainly gave his all in the VFL, just bad luck for him that Hawthorn have such a strong backline. I don't think the same can be said for Rosas jnr, but hopefully a change of scenery will freshen him up.

He has been at Hawthorn for 4 years. Only one of those did they have Barras and Battle. Hawthorn were a bottom four team his first two seasons.

I don't watch Box Hill Hawks games so I don't know if he is any good or not.

 

[bedford]

He has been at Hawthorn for 4 years. Only one of those did they have Barras and Battle. Hawthorn were a bottom four team his first two seasons.

I don't watch Box Hill Hawks games so I don't know if he is any good or not.

Won the best and fairest and was in the team of the year in 24/25

 

[Jewelsbon]

He has been at Hawthorn for 4 years. Only one of those did they have Barras and Battle. Hawthorn were a bottom four team his first two seasons.

I don't watch Box Hill Hawks games so I don't know if he is any good or not.

He was Box Hills best and fairest past two years and VFL team of the year last season, so he was obviously putting in the work.
I don't think he's as talented as his brother and I'm not saying he's the second coming of Corey Enright but I think he's going to be a good addition to our team.

 

[giantsully]

As long as Blakey isn't sucked into playing as the deepest defender again, he should stay at half back. Was AA there 2 years ago and fixes his weakness of not being able to win the ball

Little bit of footage I've seen suggests they're desperate to get the ball in the hands of the Lizard, which means his defensive role changes accordingly.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Both Rosas and Serong have said that they know they have to put the work in to get into the team.

Personally I can see Serong in the starting 23, not so sure just yet on the starting 18. Rosas not sure yet, he might get an early call up if say Paps isn't quite ready given he's only going to start skills training next week.

It's a good problem to have, that's for sure.

 

[Kiama Chris]

Both Rosas and Serong have said that they know they have to put the work in to get into the team.

Personally I can see Serong in the starting 23, not so sure just yet on the starting 18. Rosas not sure yet, he might get an early call up if say Paps isn't quite ready given he's only going to start skills training next week.

It's a good problem to have, that's for sure.

I think the notion of 18 plus 5 reserves is way out of date. The bench are not necessarily the weakest 5 but more likely to rotate through (eg relief ruck, 7th defender) or to see where they'll play (eg JJ).
If we play 3 talls in defence and Serong is one of them he'll most likely start but if we play him as a hybrid/relief he may not.
The smalls are a puzzle and I don't think we know how many tall forwards Cox favours either.

 

[tombomb]

Won the best and fairest and was in the team of the year in 24/25

So he was healthy and they still weren't picking him.

Aaron Francis was a really good VFL player as well.

I think some are getting a fraction carried away with VFL form.

 

[Dubai Quacker]

I think the notion of 18 plus 5 reserves is way out of date. The bench are not necessarily the weakest 5 but more likely to rotate through (eg relief ruck, 7th defender) or to see where they'll play (eg JJ).
If we play 3 talls in defence and Serong is one of them he'll most likely start but if we play him as a hybrid/relief he may not.
The smalls are a puzzle and I don't think we know how many tall forwards Cox favours either.

Cox favours tall forwards - he's never gotten over a small forward (Sampi) failing to mark his i50 .... resulting in the "LEO BARRY YOU STAR!" moment in 2005.

Cox doesn't trust small forwards.

 

[bedford]

So he was healthy and they still weren't picking him.

Aaron Francis was a really good VFL player as well.

I think some are getting a fraction carried away with VFL form.

You don't watch it as you said , i do

 

[Ehswan]

I think Serong will definitely be in and i will be surprised if Rosas isnt. To me both are the type, prime age/experience and talent for successful 2nd chance recruits

 

[Kbroome]

So he was healthy and they still weren't picking him.

Aaron Francis was a really good VFL player as well.

I think some are getting a fraction carried away with VFL form.

VFL team of the year and stuck behind Barrass Battle Sicily to a certain extent Weddle etc etc.

Just give it up mate he is absolute quality.

 

[joeykanga]

So he was healthy and they still weren't picking him.

Aaron Francis was a really good VFL player as well.

I think some are getting a fraction carried away with VFL form.

I can only assume they brought Barrass and Battle in ahead of using Serong because they thought they were close to a flag and they were proven and available and i guess more sure things in that moment in time ?

 

[tombomb]

VFL team of the year and stuck behind Barrass Battle Sicily to a certain extent Weddle etc etc.

Just give it up mate he is absolute quality.

Just give it up you reckon?

Go follow another sport because I am not convinced Jai Serong is a walk-up start yet.

Any suggestions about which sport? I don't want to pick the wrong one and make myself look an even bigger fool.

 

[Jewelsbon]

So he was healthy and they still weren't picking him.

Aaron Francis was a really good VFL player as well.

I think some are getting a fraction carried away with VFL form.

I may be wrong here and feel free to correct me, but I don't recall Aaron Francis winning a best and fairest or being selected in the VFL team of the year.

Did he run over your cat or something? I don't get your dislike for him. He may turn out to be a bust but he might turn out to be a pretty good player, time will tell.

 

[Bloods86]

I may be wrong here and feel free to correct me, but I don't recall Aaron Francis winning a best and fairest or being selected in the VFL team of the year.

Did he run over your cat or something? I don't get your dislike for him. He may turn out to be a bust but he might turn out to be a pretty good player, time will tell.

I think Serong will be good.

Francis was in the 2024 VFL Team of the Year and should have been our VFL B&F the same year.

 

[tombomb]

I may be wrong here and feel free to correct me, but I don't recall Aaron Francis winning a best and fairest or being selected in the VFL team of the year.

Did he run over your cat or something? I don't get your dislike for him. He may turn out to be a bust but he might turn out to be a pretty good player, time will tell.

Don't dislike him. I just don't think he is a walk-up start in our team based on his record at Hawthorn.

I don't know what is so controversial about saying that.