Training 2026 Training - reports, pics etc

[Soapy V]

Think he could produce at the Shannon Neale level?

Not a star but a decent second fiddle who needs to be accounted for?

I do. He’s not that flashy forward but does basics well and is tough. Clean hands and a good kick and positions better than I expected. He’s that old school tough hard working foward. Opposite to Charlie

Great foil for McKay IMO as he’s different

If he can stay fit I expect a big year

 

[FitzroyBlueBagger]

I think people will be surprised. His pre season has been excellent and he looks like a forward. Hits that packs hard and is aggressive. Can clunk it as well and is a smart player. Bit of Thilthorpe about him

I thought early he was a ruck but I am now convinced he is a forward first

That’s great news on HOK having a excellent preaseason as well as impressing as a foward Soap…
I haven’t made it to a preseason session at all yet, so that’s something I’m looking forward to seeing when i get the chance, cheers…

 

[beowulf]

I like what I see from HOK as well as a forward.
My only concern is he seems to have hard hands.. double grabs nearly everything.

If he can hold down that second key post and give us a chop out in the ruck then our structure will be much better for it. This is why I prefer Reidy over Pitto for our main ruck- he's better resting forward. Reidy and HOK rotating may give us a more athletic profile and more versatility than if we carry Pitto.

As a junior, HOK took very few marks: he averaged less than 2 per game. His marking has improved significantly since then, although he can still be a little hard on the hands sometimes. I think more than little was merely confidence. Now he believes he can take grabs.
It is his kicking for goal that worries me more. Around the ground, his kicking is usually pretty good (not that he gets many), but his kicking for goal is poor. He usually pots maybe one shot out of every three. That is what Cripps was like when he started. I think he can fix that, but like Crippa, he NEEDS to,

 

[Coona Blues]

As a junior, HOK took very few marks: he averaged less than 2 per game. His marking has improved significantly since then, although he can still be a little hard on the hands sometimes. I think more than little was merely confidence. Now he believes he can take grabs.
It is his kicking for goal that worries me more. Around the ground, his kicking is usually pretty good (not that he gets many), but his kicking for goal is poor. He usually pots maybe one shot out of every three. That is what Cripps was like when he started. I think he can fix that, but like Crippa, he NEEDS to,

Granted O’Keeffe has been a little wayward in recent times in front of goal, but I cannot agree with your assertions. In his first VFL season, his goal kicking was exceptional, he played plenty forward as a young (second) ruck and rarely missed. He was outperforming Lemmey. His mechanics are better than adequate.

I am of the opinion it is more a self belief issue and will right itself as he and the team “grow”. Kemp is likely somewhat similar. The first few games will be paramount. We have plenty of firepower if they get on a role, unfortunately there is also a chance self doubt will cause the opposite. Much will fall to Harry, Hayward and Ainsworth to establish the right momentum.

 

[Blue__Balls]

Doesn't help that footskills is the thing we've all been hoping they'd actually be addressing this offseason too

What do people think is going to be on display when a team with some historically shit kicking decides to start practice kicking? Dun dun dun! Shit kicking.

While we'd love an immediate turnaround, incremental improvement over the next 2-3 years is probably the more realistic result.

We're still gonna have off days, anyone expecting miracles is setting themselves up for disappointment.

 

[Robertio]

I'm bullish on O'Keffe and i think he McKay and Kemp could cause a few headaches for the opposition and I'm also liking Josh Fraser

Josh Fraser

Age

44

Ht

202cm

Wt

100kg

Pos.

Ruck

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.1

4star

K

8.7

3star

HB

5.4

4star

CL

2.5

4star

HO

11.8

5star

No current season stats available

D

9.4

3star

K

6.6

3star

HB

2.8

3star

HO

8.6

5star

as the coach to be with O'Keefe at this stage of his career.

 

[Treesloth]

Tell ya what, and maybe it’s just the angle or being slightly closer to camera, but Dean looks substantially bigger than 193cms. Maybe he’s had a growth spurt but looks at least as tall as Weiters at 195cm.

Or he just has a long neck

 

[Love the Drake]

O’Keefe is a work in progress. Best case is that he plays an Earl Spalding role - crashing packs. Either marking it or bringing it to ground - not allowing the opposition to mark it. I can see him starting as a KPD, giving our ruckman 20% chop out. Can’t see him kicking any more than 10 goals.

Kemp is an interesting one. Looks a much better forward than defender. Could go ok as the third tall forward as he is pretty athletic and I like the way he flies for his marks. Not sold on his goal kicking. Never looks confident.

Hayward and Ainsworth are pure forwards. Will make us better. As does the good Frank.

The key is Harry (Obvious I know). He will always get the best defender. Hoping he’s up for the challenge.

 

[Soapy V]

I'm bullish on O'Keffe and i think he McKay and Kemp could cause a few headaches for the opposition and I'm also liking Josh Fraser as the coach to be with O'Keefe at this stage of his career.

The mix will be very interesting

O'Keefe & McKay
Then taller players like Kemp Hayward Moir Ison and Cripps has been pushing forward in Match Sims
Pittonet Reidy & Young have been working on Forward craft as well
Then the "Smalls" Ainsworth Evan Byrne Fogarty and Jagga Walsh Cerra have all been rotating through forward line and doing a lot of work on goal kicking

How they structure I have no idea but it will be different

 

[Robertio]

The mix will be very interesting

O'Keefe & McKay
Then taller players like Kemp Hayward Moir Ison and Cripps has been pushing forward in Match Sims
Pittonet Reidy & Young have been working on Forward craft as well
Then the "Smalls" Ainsworth Evan Byrne Fogarty and Jagga Walsh Cerra have all been rotating through forward line and doing a lot of work on goal kicking

How they structure I have no idea but it will be different

McKay, O'Keefe, Hayward most likely the leading marking targets then a mid running through one flank and Ainsworth on the other flank. Moir could be starting on the bench to relieve one of the marking players when they need a break. Has anyone noticed what Moirs role is in the match sims?

 

[Blue and Silver]

The mix will be very interesting

O'Keefe & McKay
Then taller players like Kemp Hayward Moir Ison and Cripps has been pushing forward in Match Sims
Pittonet Reidy & Young have been working on Forward craft as well
Then the "Smalls" Ainsworth Evan Byrne Fogarty and Jagga Walsh Cerra have all been rotating through forward line and doing a lot of work on goal kicking

How they structure I have no idea but it will be different

I have been wondering about the mix myself.

Mckay deep, O'Keefe to lead away and creat space, with Hayward, Ainsworth, Evans etc. high, maybe one small close for ground ball?

O'Keefe solo deep, Mckay up as link up, fast break set up where the half forwards run in waves with wings + mids + hb's to overwhelm opposition?

Kemp/Hayward deep, O'Keefe/ McKay top of 50, choice of shallow marking contest or deep explosive lead?

 

[Crippa#9]

I like what I see from HOK as well as a forward.
My only concern is he seems to have hard hands.. double grabs nearly everything.

If he can hold down that second key post and give us a chop out in the ruck then our structure will be much better for it. This is why I prefer Reidy over Pitto for our main ruck- he's better resting forward. Reidy and HOK rotating may give us a more athletic profile and more versatility than if we carry Pitto.

It's a good observation. I do think however he has improved a lot in this area over the last 12 months. Crazy to think he's only just 21.

I really like him and think he's going to be a great foil for Harry. I have him in my best 23.

 

[ctwenty1]

I have been wondering about the mix myself.

Mckay deep, O'Keefe to lead away and creat space, with Hayward, Ainsworth, Evans etc. high, maybe one small close for ground ball?

O'Keefe solo deep, Mckay up as link up, fast break set up where the half forwards run in waves with wings + mids + hb's to overwhelm opposition?

Kemp/Hayward deep, O'Keefe/ McKay top of 50, choice of shallow marking contest or deep explosive lead?

I expect McKAy and Hok away from goal

our FF will be small

 

[Soapy V]

McKay, O'Keefe, Hayward most likely the leading marking targets then a mid running through one flank and Ainsworth on the other flank. Moir could be starting on the bench to relieve one of the marking players when they need a break. Has anyone noticed what Moirs role is in the match sims?

Deep forward and struggling to impact

Will need to step up in Practice Matches to get a game. I reckon he is fighting with Hayward & Kemp for one spot

 

[Soapy V]

I have been wondering about the mix myself.

Mckay deep, O'Keefe to lead away and creat space, with Hayward, Ainsworth, Evans etc. high, maybe one small close for ground ball?

O'Keefe solo deep, Mckay up as link up, fast break set up where the half forwards run in waves with wings + mids + hb's to overwhelm opposition?

Kemp/Hayward deep, O'Keefe/ McKay top of 50, choice of shallow marking contest or deep explosive lead?

In the Match Sims McKay & O'Keefe are always on the same side and have been swapping between playing deep and up the ground. O'Keefe has played deep the most out of square where Harry is more mobile and moving around

 

[Blue since 72]

Deep forward and struggling to impact

Will need to step up in Practice Matches to get a game. I reckon he is fighting with Hayward & Kemp for one spot

Who is looking the goods in the F50 at this point from what you've seen?

 

[Blue since 72]

In the Match Sims McKay & O'Keefe are always on the same side and have been swapping between playing deep and up the ground. O'Keefe has played deep the most out of square where Harry is more mobile and moving around

This makes sense Harry is quite agile and not really a contested player, his height and his speed and agility (for a big guy) are his weapons. HoK looks like he'll be more brutish.

 

[Soapy V]

Who is looking the goods in the F50 at this point from what you've seen?

Hayward and Ainsworth have been very good. They just know what to do
Frankie I haven't seen a lot
Byrne really impresses me. Gets up the ground, tackles and great left foot. Has real energy. I reckon he plays early
O'Keefe very good. McKay looks fit but just doing his bit
Kemp has looked very good in patches and is moving well
Ison in bits and pieces. What he does is very good just needs to get more involved

 

[Blue since 72]

Hayward and Ainsworth have been very good. They just know what to do
Frankie I haven't seen a lot
Byrne really impresses me. Gets up the ground, tackles and great left foot. Has real energy. I reckon he plays early
O'Keefe very good. McKay looks fit but just doing his bit
Kemp has looked very good in patches and is moving well
Ison in bits and pieces. What he does is very good just needs to get more involved

So maybe a forward line including Harry, Hok, Haywood, Ainsworth, perhaps Kemp coming off the bench and a couple of smaller types in Evans, Moir, Byrne, Fog (think we can do better), Zac (maybe a spot down back at this point) With No Mots or Cotts. Guess they may start Jagga there too.

Wonder if Frank might get pushed out to a wing, thought he had some time there last year? i'm hoping he gets a gig and continues the late season form of field kicking darts and very good set shots.

Where do you think F Young will end up if at all and will Chesser get a gig come opening round? from what I've read hasn't bee exactly shooting the lights out?

 

[passmark]

The problem for Frankie is, despite his stellar form late last year, he is a one year minimum chips contract and we’ve recruited 2 guys on good contracts, plus jagga has to play. Going to be tricky.

Is this why Williams is training down back again?

 

[Soapy V]

So maybe a forward line including Harry, Hok, Haywood, Ainsworth, perhaps Kemp coming off the bench and a couple of smaller types in Evans, Moir, Byrne, Fog (think we can do better), Zac (maybe a spot down back at this point) With No Mots or Cotts. Guess they may start Jagga there too.

Wonder if Frank might get pushed out to a wing, thought he had some time there last year? i'm hoping he gets a gig and continues the late season form of field kicking darts and very good set shots.

Where do you think F Young will end up if at all and will Chesser get a gig come opening round? from what I've read hasn't bee exactly shooting the lights out?

I really don't know what we will do

Harry & HOK look the two talls to me.
Will they play two rucks? They have been trying it
Can we play Hayward & Kemp in same side?
Young looks like HB/Wing in match sims and has been impressive
Chesser looks Mid/Wing and has been solid without starring. Needs to be involved more. When he does he looks good

I know Zac has spent last few weeks in defence (and he can play anywhere) but IMO defence is well covered and has many younger options that I hope play. Wilson Florent Saad Newman Cowan Carroll Ollie all pushing for spots in defence

I would probably prefer Williams Ainsworth Evans and Byrne as our smaller forwards supporting Hayward Harry & HOK. The mids will defintely rotate through 50 as well. Moir I want to see but needs to do more.

 

[Jimmae]

Still think it will be Harry deep forward, Kemp to roam and maybe even get some stoppage looks. Harry has clearly put on weight, so it would seem the coaches agree.

O'Keeffe is who I would start in the ruck despite him conceding maybe 5 kgs on the average AFL starter. Straight forward TDK replacement, and he is regularly beating our other rucks when he gets minutes.

 

[Red_man2008]

McKay, O'Keefe, Hayward most likely the leading marking targets then a mid running through one flank and Ainsworth on the other flank. Moir could be starting on the bench to relieve one of the marking players when they need a break. Has anyone noticed what Moirs role is in the match sims?

Kemp will be a major marking target also.

 

[Milshouse]

Agree with you about HOK developing as a second tall behind Harry while pinch hitting in the ruck, he’s still imo a good 2/3 years away from playing more regularly as a ruckman/foward…

Brodie once fully match fit & in form again should be kicking that number of goals, the rest of the foward line crew in Hayward Williams Ainsworth Moir Evans Jagger Elijah etc hopefully there’s a good spread amongst them…

With all those players you mentioned, and Harry and Kemp the more seasoned damaging talls, Hok could be left to be potentially given a little bit of room to expose some defensive set up this year, hard to guard everyone

 

[Bamboo Harvester]

With all those players you mentioned, and Harry and Kemp the more seasoned damaging talls, Hok could be left to be potentially given a little bit of room to expose some defensive set up this year, hard to guard everyone

One thing we tend to overlook with HO'K is his athleticism - ran a 2.9-second 20m sprint in his draft year which is fairly elite for someone his size.

Reckon we may be asking a lot for a key forward who just turned 21yo - but no doubt one of his jobs will be to crash a few packs and get the ball to the ground as often as possible. He'll also be handy to take the bulk of the ruck duties in the forward half and allow big H to relieve Pitto/Reidy at centre bounces.

Just on a side note which as nothing to do with HO'K - I'm not really liking what I'm seeing so far from Reidy in the training vision. His first movement in the contest is to engage contact in order to use his bulk/strength for the tap out, which I've already noticed the umpires pinging him for shepherding. His eyes are on the opposition ruckman when the ball is being thrown up or in, so the umpires will no doubt pick that up during the course of the game.

I hope I'm wrong, but with the new rucking rules, I can see the umpiring getting red hot if they think the opposing ruckman isn't given a chance to contest the ball.