Training 2026 Preseason Thread

[Dory_77]

Appreciate the report danster168

 

[Demon 16]

Training (Fri, 5th Dec).

Firstly I'll say that training is much more enjoyable to watch than under Goodie. Much more full length ground stuff. And doing match sim stuff so early on in the preseason is something that wouldn't have happened before.

The general gist that I got from King was to just get the ball moving forward. If you're getting tackled, or don't see options, just handball it forward. Get the ball moving forward.

My only criticism was no goal kicking practice in the 2 hours that I was there. It's been my major criticism for years but I'm over being annoyed by this lol.


NOTES

• Jake Bowey in a moonboot, crutches and casual clothes. Unsure on what's gone on there.
• AMW running at 90% clip around the boundary.Looks in great nick. Ripped and ready. Fingers crossed he gets opportunity this year because I think most fans love him.
• Melksham on modified training. Looks in amazing condition though. Super strong through the shoulders.
• Thomas Matthews doing rehab stuff. He is in elite condition though. Does not need any extra gym work. When his knee is ready, he is physically good to go. Strong build.
• Daniel Turner running laps at a good clip. Looks strong.
• Shane McAdam doing his usual laps. He's the only guy that is not in acceptable condition. He has some weight to lose and body fat% needs to come down. But I feel for the bloke after being injured for so long.
• Oscar Berry: super surprised with his skills . Given his bball background I expected less but his skills are probably already about average on our list which is great for a guy who hasn't even touched a footy the last few years.
• Kozzy Pickett: elite conditioning and he was the first to run to the drink station which was a good sign. But his disposal today was actually quite poor. He was busy but just sloppy by foot today.
• JVR: looks in amazing condition. A noticeable drop in weight.
• Latrelle Pickett: has what kids these days would call 'aura'. He's sure in his movements. His kicking is sound but it's his balance and agility that I'm excited to see. He was quiet in the match sim stuff but I just like the look of him.
• Xavier Lindsay: bulked up. Seems to be on a somewhat limited program. but nothing serious.
• Harvey Langford took on a tackler and hit his head and was in pain. Training looked at his jaw. He left the track early but looks to be okay.
• Gawn is in amazing shape as always. Hurt his hammy at one stage which took him from the track for a massage but did some laps afterwards so it isn't a strain or anything. I believe he left the track early but not concerned.
• Xavier Taylor: he's getting caught a bit in the match sim stuff which I actually think is a good thing. A super confident kid is now realising the level increase at afl I reckon. He'll apapt perfectly and I like his skills and size.
• Caleb Windsor was involved in a lot. His speed is noticeable. But I noticed him last pre-season and he had a poor year so I'll wait until the footy starts on him but he's looking fit and confident.
• Viney didn't train. But he took part in a fun reflexes game with Henderson, Turner and T.Matthews. It looked like a fun game and was a good way to include the guys that weren't doing the full training. Viney gave T.Matthews a joking punch in the guts so it's good to see the older and younger players connecting.
• I didn't notice Ed Langdon or Blake Howes there. Not sure what's going on there.
• Onley is a big boy. He trained hard. Disposals aren't a strength. He has penetration but seems to get the trajectory wrong sometimes. He pops them up a bit but who cares he's a 195cm mid It'll be interesting to watch him at Casey and see what sort of impact he has.
• Culley: had some really nice moments. a nice side step and goal which was one of the days highlights. Definitely would be making the coaches notice.

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Thanks Danster!

Hopefully the goal kicking practice won’t be needed so much if we start attacking from the back half and get the ball front and centre, rather than the previous slow static movement into the pockets..!

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

Glad to see lPickett's aura was noticeable.

 

[Demon Attack]

TRELLY TRELLY TRELLY OI OI OI