Training 2026 Pre Season Training Thread

[giantsully]

I also saw a fair bit of today's training and match sim. I wound up doing a fair bit of chatting and so didn't follow the match sim closely.

Here are my take aways:

* today it did seem to be a pretty much an A team (Red) v B team (Green). Green were highly competitive, probably more motivated and possibly outperformed the Red team.

* there were a number of players absent or not participating: I didn't see Brodie or Adams or Cootee at all and I don't think they were there. Didn't see Kyle or Chamberlain either but wouldn't swear they weren't there. Amartey and Snell were in concussion protocols. Wicks, Hetherton, Papley, Andrew were on the sidelines. Bice was there but I'm not sure how much he played.

* given that the Red team did seem to be composed of all first choice players, it was interesting to notice who was playing in which team. Red team included: Dattoli and Rosas up forward, Ladhams in the ruck, Rampe and Lloyd (this week Lloyd was playing down back) and Rowbottom. Mills was playing too. Green team included Gus, JJ, Mclean and Cleary. They were the most notable selections either way.

* Campbell and Rosas Jr seemed to be dealing with injury niggles. Campbell was getting his groin massaged at the break. Rosas possibly got a knock during the game because he was looking ok and then started hobbling a little bit.

* Heeney finished early and was warming down running laps.

* Bowman (played in defence again) also finished early and was on the exercise bike.

* Green spent more time in defence. I'm not sure how much he was rucking, I didn't actually notice who was doing the rucking apart from Ladhams.

* Snell said he hopes to be able to play match sim again next Friday. I asked him how his pre-season has been and he said it's been his best yet. He agreed that Serong's recruitment was going to make it tough for him to get a spot and I wished him good luck getting a debut.

* Hetherton is still rehabbing his back (injured early-mid last year) but despite this is optimistic he will get a chance to participate in the match sim next week. He said he got to train with the VFL players earlier in the morning so he is building up to participating more fully in training.

* I asked JJ what the difference in game plan this year is and he said "going quicker, which is what a lot of teams are doing I think".

* I was impressed with what I saw from first year players Max King and Jev Phillipou. I'm really optimistic that they have futures in the AFL. King impressed by continually using his leap to get first hands to the ball, even though he didn't clunk any notable marks. Both his family (who had travelled from Newie to watch) and another player commented on how he has noticeably bulked up already since joining the list! Phillipou was really clean with his skills, neatly picking up ground balls, evading traffic and disposing of the ball effciently and with good awareness. He was relatively composed under pressure, especially for a first year player.

* Charlie Curnow again marked the ball in the same spot as last week (but at the other end of the ground) - about 15 metres out, on a tight angle and on the right hand side as you face the goals. Last week he didn't take the kick and tried to pass inboard and turned the ball over. This time he kicked round the corner on his left and hit the far post. I was glad to see him take the shot.

* Curnow was defended a lot of the time by Will Edwards who competed well and looked good. Building in confidence I reckon. The fact that Edwards was playing in green is possibly less meaningful because sometimes they like to get the best defender on the best attacker. I don't think they are rating Edwards the best defender but it was still good to see him being given the job on Curnow and doing well.


EDIT: A couple more points I forgot about

* Serong was playing for the green team. I can't now remember who Roberts was playing for (I'm guessing green) but he was playing in the backline, not mids. giantsully can you clarify by any chance?

* one of the players told me that next week is the last week of their pre-season training schedule, after that they're shifting in-season schedule with lighter training loads.

Matty R was playing for Red; one nice pass to Charlie in the pocket, but like much of our passes, just a little too heavy for him.

I certainly saw both Kyle and Chamberlain training (geez, Chamberlain and King are a good size!) and I'm pretty confident they were both playing for Green.

Two moments from the Edwards/Curnow clash I particularly enjoyed. Dattoli has a mark on the flank, with Charlie lurking in the pocket. Dattoli goes to do a short pass to Charlie, but Edwards reads it first and earns himself a push in the back free. Later, Edwards has got sucked up the field and Charlie has hurtled back to goals just as Lizard gets it and blasts it long over his head. Somehow, Edwards manages to get back in the contest just enough to bring it to ground and it ends up in a stoppage. He's still got plenty to learn but he's got some great attributes.

 

[Cadsky]

When I arrived it was just as Erol got a handball receive on the 50, did a trademark Erol inwards pass to Logan, who took a good contested mark and goaled. He was lively and playing up forward, though mostly up the ground.

Sounds like a good little passage of play. Appreciate the update.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Cal was at training yesterday:

 

[Cadsky]

Wonder if Max is a smokey for R0 debut

 

[Dubai Quacker]

Wonder if Max is a smokey for R0 debut

Would be the biggest boilover since Polly put the kettle on.

 

[S120]

Wonder if Max is a smokey for R0 debut

I doubt it although I’m really enjoying the snippets of King we’ve seen thus far - he looks so dynamic athletically. Who knows what it all means because I haven’t actually seen him play but in any event, I suspect he’ll be doing an extensive apprenticeship in the reserves with the view towards being a really valuable player in the long-term.

 

[zyzzbruh]

Wonder if Max is a smokey for R0 debut

Would mean someone else's career is all but over. Can't see a place for him anytime soon.

 

[The King!]

Bits I have seen Mcdonald looks sharp I think he will have a good season .

Curnow seems to be a compulsory mention at any training or match sim.

 

[Bonz]

Wonder if Max is a smokey for R0 debut

Probably a bit too early in the piece for him yet (unless he continues to stand out in our Pre-season matches).

Internally the Swans rated him very very highly in the draft. Think we have gotten away with one here.

 

[Kbroome]

Probably a bit too early in the piece for him yet (unless he continues to stand out in our Pre-season matches).

Internally the Swans rated him very very highly in the draft. Think we have gotten away with one here.

Tbf I think it made no difference for clubs after #37 so there was no point for them to really bid on him unless they were almost wanting to manufacture more time to get a trade done etc. So thats why he just kept dropping, but hey it got us Billy Cootee who should really help build out the depth of our squad

 

[Dubai Quacker]

Probably a bit too early in the piece for him yet (unless he continues to stand out in our Pre-season matches).

Internally the Swans rated him very very highly in the draft. Think we have gotten away with one here.

He played 3 VFL games, all late last season & was unsighted in them.

I think he’s likely miles off AFL at this stage, but a close watch on his development this season.

 

[anotherletdown]

I think Rampe is going on a year too long even though at least it's the rookie list.

Said in once and I'll say it again, his last game should have been the GF. When he got turned on the wing and it led to a break away goal my first thought was, he's done - time to retire.
He chose not to go Gilchrist style, so we can only hope it's a long slow downhill. If he's not overtaken by mid year, then something is wrong

 

[SydneyBlood]

Said in once and I'll say it again, his last game should have been the GF. When he got turned on the wing and it led to a break away goal my first thought was, he's done - time to retire.
He chose not to go Gilchrist style, so we can only hope it's a long slow downhill. If he's not overtaken by mid year, then something is wrong

I'm with you on that, and would personally add Lloyd and Cunningham in as well. Nothing against any of them, all have great players for a long time but if they are overtaken this season by younger contenders then development at the club has stalled badly.

 

[The King!]

I'm with you on that, and would personally add Lloyd and Cunningham in as well. Nothing against any of them, all have great players for a long time but if they are overtaken this season by younger contenders then development at the club has stalled badly.

I think staggering their exits would have been ideal but that's just me

 

[Callipygian]

Callipygian did you happen to take much notice of Logan? Any updates on how he is looking? He seems to be the forgotten man.

I actually did. He didn't do anything specific that moved me to comment but he looked good and he scored multiple goals. Even when he was scoring he was looking to do the team thing. At one point he received the ball out on his own well inside 50. There was another Swan closer to goal and one defender to cover them both. Logan wanted to handball over the top to his teammate who was closer to goal so the defender shut that down and then Logan took the shot on the run from close range and kicked truly. That was only one of his goals and, as you can see, not especially memorable, which is why I didn't comment but he looked to be travelling well. Plenty of cause for optimism.

 

[The King!]

Does Rowbottom look extra fired up/ angry in every bit of footage ,

 

[rustycrate]

Does Rowbottom look extra fired up/ angry in every bit of footage ,

He was asked to leave with Florent before Wayward put his hand up.
He said no.
Imagine playing for Carlton. Makes me sick thinking about it.

 

[Kiama Chris]

Probably a bit too early in the piece for him yet (unless he continues to stand out in our Pre-season matches).

Internally the Swans rated him very very highly in the draft. Think we have gotten away with one here.

We sacrificed Lachie Carmichael to make sure we got him. Lucked out he went so late. Positionally likely to end up a very mobile third tall so we only need to run two KPFs. Super Hayward replacement. Magic for our structure if he keeps coming on. Needs to add a little bit of bulk yet.

 

[Kiama Chris]

He played 3 VFL games, all late last season & was unsighted in them.

I think he’s likely miles off AFL at this stage, but a close watch on his development this season.

Not unsighted. Not outstanding but kicked a couple of good goals.

 

[Kiama Chris]

I'm with you on that, and would personally add Lloyd and Cunningham in as well. Nothing against any of them, all have great players for a long time but if they are overtaken this season by younger contenders then development at the club has stalled badly.

Lloyd is pretty much the same as he's been the last few years. Poor defensively and a roadblock with the ball. Not the man to help you play fast.
Cunningham is a whole nuther story. When he came back from injury he was still as good (and I do mean GOOD) as ever. Unless he succumbs to injury he should go the season. Plus we don't have a replacement ready to go.

 

[dosser]

Lloyd is pretty much the same as he's been the last few years. Poor defensively and a roadblock with the ball. Not the man to help you play fast.
Cunningham is a whole nuther story. When he came back from injury he was still as good (and I do mean GOOD) as ever. Unless he succumbs to injury he should go the season. Plus we don't have a replacement ready to go.

I don't understand why people are so keen to see Cunningham go. What he may have lost in pace over the years he had gained in experience and 'smarts'. Just ask Charlie Cameron.

 

[anotherletdown]

I'm with you on that, and would personally add Lloyd and Cunningham in as well. Nothing against any of them, all have great players for a long time but if they are overtaken this season by younger contenders then development at the club has stalled badly.

I think of Lloyd and Cunningham differently. I like both, but one is easier to replace than the other.
Lloyd is footy smart and runs all day, those skills should be prevalent in any player chasing an AFL career, ie. easier to replace. He is pretty indestructible so is very handy as a back-up. The fact he is not pushed out of the team yet is a reflection on our development team.
Cunningham has skills not so easy to find in modern players. He's still performing and in a technically difficult position. He's a watch due to age, but he's a lock in this team.

 

[Punts]

Heading up next week

Will pop in

Be good to see the houses getting trained down

 

[Punts]

Until we finish higher than 10th and show more consistency we were pea hearts last season and that’s were we start from , a 10th bog team.

Some need to go watch some games last season and get a realistic perception. We were average af , getting punished from teams like the dons and multiple run ons ( gc ).

Let’s not jump the gun , let them show us

 

[bedford]

Until we finish higher than 10th and show more consistency we were pea hearts last season and that’s were we start from , a 10th bog team.

Some need to go watch some games last season and get a realistic perception. We were average af , getting punished from teams like the dons and multiple run ons ( gc ).

Let’s not jump the gun , let them show us

In Cox i trust