Training 2026 Training Reports

[go_the_dockers]

Scerri and Murray are two interesting ones.

 

[David Bubb]

Players missing:

Darcy, Ryan, Simpson, Switta, Draper, Davies, Sharp, Dudley, Sweid, Banfield, Nicholls, Ollie Murphy, Carr, Riddle, Whan, Kickett, Ryda Luke, Sturt

Apologies if I have missed anyone

 

[BREATHLESS_987]

I wasn't expecting the entire contingent of our WA reps to be named, gotta be on limited minutes

 

[The Lobbster]

Players missing:

Darcy, Clark, Ryan, Simpson, Switta, Draper, Davies, Sharp, Dudley, Sweid, Banfield, Nicholls, Ollie Murphy, Carr, Riddle, Dudley Whan, Kickett, Ryda Luke, Sturt

Apologies if I have missed anyone

Clark is playing.

Ryan and Switta the only real surprises. Ryan did have a shoulder knock earlier in the week. May just be a little sore.

 

[David Bubb]

Edit: Clark is in the squad. Which goes against what was reported earlier in the week.

 

[Duz97]

God surely the origin boys are playing no more then a half

 

[mattis117]

Few selection indications there? Surprised that Draper and Sharp couldn't get in. Dudley a surprise omission as well.

 

[E Shed]

The secret sauce I'm looking for is Reid playing inside on the ball, handballing to Young outside, with the rest of the mids screening for Youngie quarterback style, so he can kick into the forward line unimpeded.

Reid has the vision and hands to completely unpick an opposing defensive midfield set up all on his own. Young's left foot meanwhile is more precise than a brain surgeon's right hand, and can thread needles from 55 meters away.

Get those two connecting properly, and our tri-tower & mosquito fleet forward line combined are going to be dominating the Coleman top 10.

I think that can go both ways too - Young winning inside ball and setting up Reid for the kick. I think Reid is probably the best player we have at never wasting a disposal and he will lead the forward to the ball (there was a little clip of this recently which highlighted Scerri's tackling but Reid was the one who kicked it inside 50 and it was perfectly weighted to lead the forward). This is one of the most important skills for mine and too many players still kick it on the forwards head or such that they have to hold position rather than running on to it.

I wouldn't mind at all if the opposition are focused on stopping Young receiving and giving Bruce the opportunity to kick the ball.

Like you say he has the vision to pick apart a defensive setup. I see his role as eventually being like a Point Guard in Basketball where he's directing traffic or calling the plays like a quarterback. I've never seen a better football IQ.

 

[anchor man]

In cricket parlance. Seeing it like a football.

 

[E Shed]

Players missing:

Darcy, Ryan, Simpson, Switta, Draper, Davies, Sharp, Dudley, Sweid, Banfield, Nicholls, Ollie Murphy, Carr, Riddle, Whan, Kickett, Ryda Luke, Sturt

Apologies if I have missed anyone

Surprised Draper isn't getting a run. By all accounts he's had a good pre-season.
I did think Sweid might be trialled too and Whan on a wing but I guess we can't play them all.

 

[ignoramus]

Players missing:

Darcy, Ryan, Simpson, Switta, Draper, Davies, Sharp, Dudley, Sweid, Banfield, Nicholls, Ollie Murphy, Carr, Riddle, Whan, Kickett, Ryda Luke, Sturt

Apologies if I have missed anyone

Thankfully our “star wing Hayden Young” has been named:

Squads: Eagles young guns to debut, Dockers ruck to miss

The squads for Saturday's match simulation have been announced

www.afl.com.au

 

[Quazar2]

Surprised Draper isn't getting a run. By all accounts he's had a good pre-season.
I did think Sweid might be trialled too and Whan on a wing but I guess we can't play them all.

To the eye it looks like a genuine tune-up for the incoming season. 26 players named, most of them would be considered best '23'. I suppose the club wants to take things seriously, even when you could argue there's nothing at stake accept big chested egos! Shame Sweid isn't getting a gig though.

 

[s_wd6]

To the eye it looks like a genuine tune-up for the incoming season. 26 players named, most of them would be considered best '23'. I suppose the club wants to take things seriously, even when you could argue there's nothing at stake accept big chested egos! Shame Sweid isn't getting a gig though.

I imagine Sweid would be fasting for Ramadan? Would be rough having your first hit out unable to drink water.

 

[Quazar2]

I imagine Sweid would be fasting for Ramadan? Would be rough having your first hit out unable to drink water.

I forgot that Sweid was a muslim, you're probably right on the reason

 

[pK75]

Serious looking 26 against the worst team in the comp. Not surprised Murray and Scerri are the only new draftees named, have the mature bodies required to play and Switter is a surprise omission.

 

[Deveraux]

The new rules almost make Darcy redundant. Can't jump so it'll be interesting to see how he adds value in the middle.

So we might live in a world where Darcy never rucks, but plays to attend throw ins etc where he can do body on body,

That'll require him to be fit enough to get from contest to contest.. and guess what he needs to do that.. strong fitness and reliable calf muscles!

Redundant? Those new rules only apply to the centre square which is about 30% of stoppages.

Perhaps Jackson will becom3 the centre square ruck specialist and then Darcy tapping down to him and co at all other stoppages?

 

[Duz97]

Got a feeling eagles will do everything in there power to win tomorrow
They are desperate to get that “winning feeling” in the club so don’t be shocked if we go at 60% them 100%

 

[Shoeless Joe]

Serious looking 26 against the worst team in the comp. Not surprised Murray and Scerri are the only new draftees named, have the mature bodies required to play and Switter is a surprise omission.

Probably giving Switta a rest and trying out the 2 draftees in his position

 

[DragoDelph]

Think the crows hitout will be a better look

 

[Jezzitizle]

Most important thing is to get out without injuries, touch wood, and to burn down the club if we don’t win by 150 points.

 

[Clems Knee]

Most important thing is to get without injuries, touch wood, and to burn down the club if we don’t win by 150 points.

…per quarter.

 

[CapitalA]

God surely the origin boys are playing no more then a half

Why? They have had a full week off, It wouldn't be any diff to regular season.

 

[anchor man]

Redundant? Those new rules only apply to the centre square which is about 30% of stoppages.

Perhaps Jackson will becom3 the centre square ruck specialist and then Darcy tapping down to him and co at all other stoppages?

Only the opening contest, and after goal contests. The square means nothing.
If the initial throw up becmes another contest, even if it happens in the circle, the rucks will still be able to wrestle.

 

[David Bubb]

A summer spent overhauling their gym program and placing a huge emphasis on having stronger bodies has Fremantle much better prepared to compete with the best teams in the AFL according to star onballer Hayden Young

26

Hayden Young

Age

25

Ht

189cm

Wt

88kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.0

3star

K

6.6

3star

HB

3.4

3star

M

3.2

3star

T

1.4

3star

CL

0.2

2star

D

10.0

3star

K

6.6

3star

HB

3.4

2star

M

3.2

3star

T

1.4

2star

CL

0.2

2star

D

10.0

3star

K

6.6

3star

HB

3.4

3star

M

3.2

4star

T

1.4

4star

CL

0.2

2star

.

The Dockers appointed Adam Beard as Director of Performance at the end of last season and he brought experience from working with in both the NFL and Major League Baseball in America, both Wales and the British and Irish Lions in rugby union, along with time at both the Australian Institute of Sport and English Institute of Sport.

Beard quickly turned his attention to adding strength to a group which narrowly lost the contested possessions battles throughout 2025.

Young said the change within the group has been dramatic.

“The weight room culture has really shifted this year,” Young told The West Australian.

“We’ve really been moving some weight around. I’m the strongest I have been both in upper and lower body. I’d be one of many in that same boat. I feel like everyone has taken a step forward in the gym this year. I am feeling really physically strong and I feel like I’m moving well. It’s better than last year, so I’m super excited.”

Vision of Dockers forward Pat Voss squatting 300kg went viral in January and the Dockers will now get their first chance to test their strength against an opposition when they play a practice game against West Coast at Cockburn on Saturday morning.

The Dockers selected a strong team to face the Eagles, with Young, Caleb Serong

3

Caleb Serong

Age

25

Ht

180cm

Wt

87kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.0

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

6.0

4star

M

1.8

2star

T

3.6

5star

CL

2.6

4star

D

13.0

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

6.0

3star

M

1.8

2star

T

3.6

4star

CL

2.6

4star

D

13.0

4star

K

7.0

3star

HB

6.0

4star

M

1.8

2star

T

3.6

5star

CL

2.6

5star

and Andrew Brayshaw

8

Andrew Brayshaw

Age

26

Ht

185cm

Wt

88kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.8

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

9.3

5star

M

2.6

3star

T

4.8

5star

CL

2.1

4star

D

18.4

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

10.8

5star

M

3.3

3star

T

4.8

5star

CL

3.1

4star

D

12.6

4star

K

6.0

3star

HB

6.6

4star

M

2.6

3star

T

4.0

5star

CL

0.8

3star

all playing. Ruckmen Mason Cox

18

Mason Cox

Age

35

Ht

211cm

Wt

110kg

Pos.

F/R

Career

Season

Last 5

D

8.7

2star

K

5.2

2star

HB

3.5

3star

M

4.0

4star

T

1.6

4star

G

1.2

4star

D

6.0

1star

K

3.0

1star

HB

3.0

2star

M

2.3

2star

T

0.3

1star

G

1.0

4star

D

9.0

3star

K

5.4

2star

HB

3.6

3star

M

2.6

3star

T

2.4

4star

G

1.8

5star

and Luke Jackson

9

Luke Jackson

Age

24

Ht

199cm

Wt

102kg

Pos.

F/R

Career

Season

Last 5

D

8.3

2star

K

3.3

1star

HB

5.0

4star

M

1.5

2star

T

1.0

3star

G

0.3

3star

D

8.3

2star

K

3.3

1star

HB

5.0

3star

M

1.5

2star

T

1.0

2star

G

0.3

3star

D

8.3

3star

K

3.3

2star

HB

5.0

4star

M

1.5

2star

T

1.0

3star

G

0.3

3star

are both in the team

Cox is one of four new faces, including Melbourne recruit Judd McVee, mature-aged draftee Tobyn Murray and SSP signing Chris Scverri. First round draft pick Adam Sweid wasn’t selected in the 26-man team, and experienced pair Luke Ryan and Sam Switkowski

39

Sam Switkowski

Age

29

Ht

179cm

Wt

74kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.8

3star

K

5.3

2star

HB

6.5

4star

M

2.7

3star

T

4.8

5star

G

0.4

3star

No current season stats available

D

13.4

4star

K

7.2

3star

HB

6.2

4star

M

3.0

3star

T

4.0

5star

G

0.4

3star

also won’t play.

AFL games are expected to be quicker throughout 2026 after a series of rule changes were made during the off-season. The Dockers have already displayed their desire to play with power and speed during training this summer.

But Young said speed was irrelevant if players weren’t strong enough to win the ball and cited Brisbane’s grand final victory as an example of what the Dockers must match.

The Lions blew Geelong away in the second half of the grand final, winning that part of the game 85-65 as they surged to victory.

“When you look at the best teams in the competition, they are mature bodied teams,” Young said.

“Brisbane are an example. They’re quite a strong team. Obviously you need pace in AFL footy but having a physical presence around the ball matters. The contest is the most important part of AFL footy.

“It doesn’t matter how skilful you are - if you can’t win the ball and can’t be strong then you will struggle. It’s been an emphasis in the gym to get stronger and be more powerful. Hopefully that can be expressed in how we play.”

 

[Alfonz]

I get a bit nervous hearing about pumping weights with a former rugby coach at the helm. NFL and MLB are power sports as well with little emphasis on endurance. The physical requirements of these 3 sports are nothing like AFL. I hope we aren't repeating the disaster that was Weber.