Training 2026 Pre Season Training Thread

[zyzzbruh]

And maybe just maybe the club who knows internally has already picked the best option.

Are you saying they've already chosen someone else, or referring to Mills? Because my point is, he's not out there.

 

[bedford]

Why all the speculation on Mills hamstring , it's either true or not , if it's not >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

[Bonz]

Are you saying they've already chosen someone else, or referring to Mills? Because my point is, he's not out there.

He (Mills) could be on the sidelines giving advise and feedback (similar to how he was there when the 1-4 years did their 2k time train).

There could be reason to him not being out on the track currently as well (Load, specialised programs, maybe is a slight pull).

I don't think the club have chosen someone else to lead them because personally they believe Mills is the best leader within the club.

 

[zyzzbruh]

He (Mills) could be on the sidelines giving advise and feedback (similar to how he was there when the 1-4 years did their 2k time train).

There could be reason to him not being out on the track currently as well (Load, specialised programs, maybe is a slight pull).

I don't think the club have chosen someone else to lead them because personally they believe Mills is the best leader within the club.

All I'm saying is there might be a detriment to the psychi of the playing group if the captain is not physically training with the group. It might not be a big deal if he's leading from the sidelines, it's got nothing to do with him not being the best person to be captain, but all I'm saying is it's a massive upper if your captain is actually fully involved in training.

 

[bedford]

What I learned at training today:

* It was warm and the players were feeling it. Quite a few of them were talking and acting like it was 35 degrees, although it was only 28 degrees. But I wasn't the one running hard in the sun.

* Mills was nowhere to be seen when I was there, lending credence to certain rumours....

* Liam Hetherton was absent.

* The rest of the draftees plus Bowman (who has some kind of hopefully minor achilles issue) and minus Chamberlain (who had to run laps due to some kind of stress injury issue) were training separately from the rest of the group. They were rotating through stations with rope work, exercise bike and boxing exercises with a trainer. The young S&C woman holding the pads for the boxing was impressive too.

* Harry Kyle looks like a jet. He seemed less affected by the heat and his hands looked sharp.

* Phillipou didn't seem to be finding it easy but he was focused and working hard.

* Cootee looks significantly more mature, physically and emotionally, than our other draftees. He has an air of quiet determination and I won't be at all surprised if he gets games in 2026. It will be interesting to see his ball use. I wish him luck.

* Max King has a laconic vibe and doesn't look as physically advanced as Kyle or Cootee despite his natural athleticism.

* Chamberlain seemed the least mature, perhaps moreso emotionally than physically and I think it will be a telling year for him. If he can survive his first year on the list it will be a good sign. I asked him where he prefers to play and he said on the wing and that he likes kicking goals but can struggle to find the ball when playing forward.

* Charlie Curnow is a hard worker. I'm warming to him.

* Heeney was naturally the first one to get his shirt off. That guy is signing himself up for melanoma down the track. But superb rig. You can see why defenders find it hard to shift him.

* Tom McCartin was absent (as opposed to uninvolved last week). Blakey had ceased his participation by the time I got there and I reckon he's on a modified program currently. Some players (e.g. Papley, Amartey, Logan) spent some time training separately from the main group and some together with them

* The main group had to do a fair bit of running and they were finding it tough in the warm weather. The more senior players were faring best. Gus was struggling a bit and the other boys were getting around him. Dattoli also looked like he was finding it tough, but he persevered and was among a subset of the larger group that stayed on a little longer at the end doing some stuff that looked more like match sim. Players like Heeney, Rampe and Lloyd were evidently more seasoned and able to deal with the physical challenges than the younger ones.

* Will Green is beginning to look more solid. I think he's ready to get a taste of seniors at some stage this year - hopefully after he has started to impose himself a bit in the VFL. His hands are soft and sticky and his kicking is quite good, especially for a ruck. If he's managed all that while maintaining his elite tank from his draft year he's gotta come good sooner or later. I still have my chips in on him.

Whether you right or wrong with these it's great to have you able to give this feedback and lucky you to be able to do it
What about grabbing a few water bottles and become the new Kenny

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Twomey has confirmed Mills' minor hamstring injury

 

[Dubai Quacker]

Twomey has confirmed Mills' minor hamstring injury

God I miss the injury report stating "1-2 weeks" (which we all know means 6-8, or season).

Only a few short months til its back, with Mills and Armatey back where they belong.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

 

[bedford]

God I miss the injury report stating "1-2 weeks" (which we all know means 6-8, or season).

Only a few short months til its back, with Mills and Armatey back where they belong.

Buddy had a minor one and missed the season

 

[Adnico26Parker]

AND from the club website:

Sydney Swans captain Callum Mills

14

Callum Mills

Age

29

Ht

188cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

18.2

5star

K

10.8

4star

HB

7.4

5star

M

5.3

5star

T

2.6

4star

MG

287.0

4star

D

18.4

4star

K

11.5

4star

HB

6.9

4star

M

5.4

5star

T

3.4

4star

MG

293.4

4star

D

17.0

5star

K

9.4

4star

HB

7.6

5star

M

4.4

4star

T

2.8

5star

MG

284.4

5star

suffered a minor hamstring strain at training on Wednesday.

Mills was tackled in a contested drill and fell awkwardly. Scans overnight have confirmed the minor strain.

He is expected to return to full training after Christmas.

 

[liz]

Who is the player in the sixth photo of the peachie flicks?

 

[Dan87]

Don't love that for Mills

Some concerns are probably valid imo

 

[TasSixer]

It's time for new captain. Take some pressure off Mills too

 

[Millky95]

It's time for new captain. Take some pressure off Mills too

Responsibility stored in the hammies?

 

[Slingshot Footy]

They don’t have the balls to cut Mills as captain but maybe they should go for co-captaincy again and promote Rowbottom and Gulden as his partners in crime to save the club some unnecessary embarrassment.

 

[Slingshot Footy]

Responsibility stored in the hammies?

No, but the media and corporate responsibilities are taken off his shoulders and used as extra conditioning and rehab time instead.

 

[Dan87]

I think Gulden goes up a level with the responsibility and he has a bit of campaigner about him

Obvious choice

 

[melbournehammer]

They don’t have the balls to cut Mills as captain but maybe they should go for co-captaincy again and promote Rowbottom and Gulden as his partners in crime to save the club some unnecessary embarrassment.

a month ago that were trying to move rowbottom on.

 

[The King!]

Heeney should be skipper

 

[Adnico26Parker]

 

[rustycrate]

Heeney should be skipper

Cootee should be skipper. Gets around the boys. Solves coaches problems. Has pedigree in Essendon VFL.

 

[Punts]

Mills body is cooked

 

[The Blue Max]

Heeney should be skipper

Not sure I want him worrying about other things.

What about Gulden, he seems to be a bit ‘kirkish’ with his chat?

 

[Punts]

Only been back a week also

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Sorry if somebody has raised this already, but does Riak look taller than last year?