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Training 2026 Training Reports

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Fremantle defender Jordan Clark has been involved in an injury scare just four days before he’s due to represent Western Australia in AFL Origin.

Clark was taking part in match simulation at the end of Fremantle training in Cockburn on Tuesday when he suddenly left the field with the doctor looking dejected.

He walked around the boundary line from the back pocket and at one stage covered his face with his hat as an assistant coach filled his spot on the field

Clark didn’t take any further part in the session, but walked out in bare feet as the players had nearly finished, spoke to a staff member and then returned indoors

Clark had a career-best season for Fremantle in 2025 and was selected in the All-Australian team.

The running half-back is set to give WA massive drive thanks to his ability to penetrate, and all eyes will be on him over the coming days to see if this incident prevents him from pulling on the state jumper.

WA has four Fremantle players in the team with Luke Jackson, Shai Bolton and Jaeger O’Meara also selected. Midfielder Caleb Serong will play for Victoria and Dockers coach Justin Longmuir will be an assistant to Dean Cox.

The Dockers will play an intraclub game in Bunbury on Friday, so Tuesday’s session provided them with an opportunity to prepare for that clash. It also gave the Origin players a final opportunity to focus on their club commitments before turning their attention to representing their states

Saturday will be the first AFL Origin game since 1999 and a sell out crowd with pack Optus Stadium for the clash.

Players will begin arriving in Perth on Wednesday. They will hold open training sessions, visit schools and visit major tourist attractions in the build up to the game.
 

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Main training today:

Rehab
The group was the largest of the summer (not surprised with the increased contact work) but some good news in there as well.
Sean Darcy - significant improvement from last training session, now able to run and his rehab session was much longer than last week.
Aaron Riddle - like Darcy much better this week and moving on that ankle far better but still a couple of weeks you would think.
Cooper Simpson - still in rehab to my surprise and is flying around the ground doing laps surely returns to main training next week.
Sam Sturt - rejoined the rehab group and did a lot of work second only to (Simpson) but we know he is a long way away.
Bailey Banfield - the surprise in the rehab group, no obvious injury or strapping but did very little.
Overall (touch wood) this has been a very minimal rehab group over the entire preseason.

Training group

The only missing player I picked up was Mason Cox.

Alex Pearce back in main training and involved in the small match sim. He was kept out of the sprint work for management purposes.

Serong at training for all those who were worried, probably needs to pay for the next coffee with his “monster contract” extension incoming.

Only a very limited match sim but it was noticeable that the skills are finally at a much better level and playing on quickly is being implemented.

Sweid was very prominent for the first time at training with good tackles and link play. Got to spend a bit of time practicing with the main midfield group. Murphy Reid is spending more and more time as a regular of the midfield group.

Jackson was the the only ruck and went against Oscar McDonald who surprisingly held his own.

Walker was the best I have seen him this preseason, previously he looked concerned about his shoulder but today he played freely and made some great run down tackles he added real zip on the ground.

As reported Clark did come of the ground and was looking annoyed but whilst I didn’t see the incident he walked of the ground without any assistance (hope that settles any nerves).

Luke Ryan looks much better now that he is playing, think he genuinely hates all the work involved in rehabbing an injury.

That’s the end of my reports until next season as I am going on an extended holiday.
 
Haven't looked in here till just now and need to know if Sean Darcy is wearing a hat. Was big news last year.
 

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300 gamer incoming. Massive news. Who thought out of Neale leaving, Serong emerges
Serong probably doesn't emerge the way he has with Neale still at Freo but it was actually Brad Hill that got us the Serong pick.

Got us a few good years from Aish and Acres too.
 
Serong probably doesn't emerge the way he has with Neale still at Freo but it was actually Brad Hill that got us the Serong pick.

Got us a few good years from Aish and Acres too.
I think FreoRicci meant your first point. Essentially not long after Neale left at end of 2018 season Serong arrived end of 2019 ND. Not related to the Neale trade but I’m sure Neale’s leaving did shape somewhat the drafting decisions in 2019 ND.

We all know that the net result of Neale trade:
Neale > Pick 6 (Ben King) > Hogan (2 seasons) > Pick 50 (Brandon Walker)

There were other pieces for Freo, Melbourne and Brisbane but that was the main pieces.
 

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