Training Pre-Season 2026 chat

[CHAWKS2]

Just thinking forward to the match sim in Dingly (where?)…

With state of origin we won’t have max nor bailey running through the midfield so it could be really interesting.

We might get higher roatations from Tanner, Mitch, Dempsey and Miers and maybe Mannagh

Alongside worps and Atkins as normal.

Be interested to see what they do with Clark. If he doesn’t rotate through this game then you know they have stamped hi, for backline

 

[Pollywaffle]

Thanks for the rundown. I long to see Lawson in the midfield. Please, Chris.

Can’t put everyone through the middle

 

[AM]

Can’t put everyone through the middle

Noticed how many the coach runs through the midfield? It's an effective strategy to disrupt the opposition. There isn't a forward who wouldn't welcome it. Quite nice having the pill delivered lace out. As distinct from the way a few others do it. The skipper being the first in that queue.

 

[AM]

We badly need him to be an elite rebounder for us in defence. Prime Enright/Mackie/Tuohy/Duncan areas. That can work on the wing at times (e.g if Dempsey rotates to mids) but prolific distributors connecting defence and attack are so valuable.

Mids who can deliver the ball to the forwards lace out are gold. And we have so few of them.

 

[Mr Meow]

Mids who can deliver the ball to the forwards lace out are gold. And we have so few of them.

Humphries can do what Zorko and Fletcher did to us in the grand final: lethal, precise counter attacks from defensive 50 and between the arcs. Now is the time to continue his growth and development in that role to become our key defensive playmaker. Mannagh, Miers and Dempsey will continue to provide the elite skills outlets around midfield areas.

 

[Mattttty]

Humphries can do what Zorko and Fletcher did to us in the grand final: lethal, precise counter attacks from defensive 50 and between the arcs. Now is the time to continue his growth and development in that role to become our key defensive playmaker. Mannagh, Miers and Dempsey will continue to provide the elite skills outlets around midfield areas.

Yep, and he's smart, too - which makes him a good person to put in this key decision-making role

 

[Stokey]

I have no idea when it comes to elite sports conditioning, but does missing 1 and half seasons in Bruhns case mean you are way behind the 8 ball in playing a season?

How would it be different from an ACL. At least Tanner could train unimpeded.

 

[Pollywaffle]

Noticed how many the coach runs through the midfield? It's an effective strategy to disrupt the opposition. There isn't a forward who wouldn't welcome it. Quite nice having the pill delivered lace out. As distinct from the way a few others do it. The skipper being the first in that queue.

Fair point, but I think in these days of rolling mauls around each bounce it’s harder, even for elite kicks, to get the space and time. We are seeing more of the distribution and switches coming from the ‘half backs’ in an area where they can get free more often. A great both sides kicker like Humphries I reckon would be wasted in the midfield.

 

[allrighty]

Sorry a bit late to the party. Any news on how Tanner, George and Worps are going? Also any news on that other recruit - Buckley I think is his name?

 

[Mr Meow]

Sorry a bit late to the party. Any news on how Tanner, George and Worps are going? Also any news on that other recruit - Buckley I think is his name?

Buckley, Holmes, Smith will be our starting 3 in midfield this season.

 

[andoman21]

overall, compared to some clubs we are in a pretty healthy position.

 

[AM]

Humphries can do what Zorko and Fletcher did to us in the grand final: lethal, precise counter attacks from defensive 50 and between the arcs. Now is the time to continue his growth and development in that role to become our key defensive playmaker. Mannagh, Miers and Dempsey will continue to provide the elite skills outlets around midfield areas.

Hard to know where to start.

Firstly, I’m with you concerning the importance of run from the back half. I’ve had many discussions here with folks who don’t see it that way.

But you’ve lost me with your suggestion that there is similarity in the role Lawson plays or his skill set and that of Zorko.

Zorko is an aggressive, straight-line running, single-sided player who is a very average disposer of the ball and who can be easily harried or distracted. A nightmare for a forward because, like Danger, you can’t anticipate with any degree of certainty how far he’ll run with the ball or where it’ll drop.

On the other hand, Lawson is a creative, elusive mover, finds time and space, makes good decisions, is an excellent reader of the play, equally skilful on both sides, hits targets both long and short, has a calm temperament and can play a variety of roles. If I were likening him to another player, it would be a faster version of Pendlebury with the added skill of being equally good on both sides.

There’s no question he’ll spend most of this year in the back half, but I’d like to see him get some midfield time, with a view to turning him into a midfielder in a year or so. Chris has used him in the midfield for short stints. Games are won and lost in the midfield. It’s where you put your strengths. Lawson “Pendles” Humphries.

We’ll agree to differ.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

overall, compared to some clubs we are in a pretty healthy position.

TOUCH WOOD! NOW! DO IT!

AND NEVER SAY THAT AGAIN!

 

[Mr Meow]

Hard to know where to start.

Firstly, I’m with you concerning the importance of run from the back half. I’ve had many discussions here with folks who don’t see it that way.

But you’ve lost me with your suggestion that there is similarity in the role Lawson plays or his skill set and that of Zorko.

Zorko is an aggressive, straight-line running, single-sided player who is a very average disposer of the ball and who can be easily harried or distracted. A nightmare for a forward because, like Danger, you can’t anticipate with any degree of certainty how far he’ll run with the ball or where it’ll drop.

On the other hand, Lawson is a creative, elusive mover, finds time and space, makes good decisions, is an excellent reader of the play, equally skilful on both sides, hits targets both long and short, has a calm temperament and can play a variety of roles. If I were likening him to another player, it would be a faster version of Pendlebury with the added skill of being equally good on both sides.

There’s no question he’ll spend most of this year in the back half, but I’d like to see him get some midfield time, with a view to turning him into a midfielder in a year or so. Chris has used him in the midfield for short stints. Games are won and lost in the midfield. It’s where you put your strengths. Lawson “Pendles” Humphries.

We’ll agree to differ.

We'll see what the coaches think.

 

[small 4wards]

Hard to know where to start.

Firstly, I’m with you concerning the importance of run from the back half. I’ve had many discussions here with folks who don’t see it that way.

But you’ve lost me with your suggestion that there is similarity in the role Lawson plays or his skill set and that of Zorko.

Zorko is an aggressive, straight-line running, single-sided player who is a very average disposer of the ball and who can be easily harried or distracted. A nightmare for a forward because, like Danger, you can’t anticipate with any degree of certainty how far he’ll run with the ball or where it’ll drop.

On the other hand, Lawson is a creative, elusive mover, finds time and space, makes good decisions, is an excellent reader of the play, equally skilful on both sides, hits targets both long and short, has a calm temperament and can play a variety of roles. If I were likening him to another player, it would be a faster version of Pendlebury with the added skill of being equally good on both sides.

There’s no question he’ll spend most of this year in the back half, but I’d like to see him get some midfield time, with a view to turning him into a midfielder in a year or so. Chris has used him in the midfield for short stints. Games are won and lost in the midfield. It’s where you put your strengths. Lawson “Pendles” Humphries.

We’ll agree to differ.

biggest difference between Humphries and Zorko is that Lawson seems to be a good, decent, thoughtful person and Zorko is an absolute knob

 

[allrighty]

Buckley, Holmes, Smith will be our starting 3 in midfield this season.

I reckon he would still go ok too.

 

[cats_09]

Mitch Edwards making the team promo video

 

[small 4wards]

Heard Sam Simpson

37

Sam Simpson

Age

27

Ht

183cm

Wt

75kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.7

3star

K

6.2

2star

HB

6.4

4star

M

2.8

3star

T

2.2

4star

CL

0.8

3star

D

17.0

4star

K

9.0

4star

HB

8.0

4star

M

3.3

3star

T

4.3

5star

CL

1.7

4star

D

11.2

3star

K

5.2

2star

HB

6.0

4star

M

2.4

3star

T

1.0

3star

CL

0.4

3star

is back to join the AFLW coaching team. Saw he was at the watch along for O'Connor's game

 

[dangerwood]

Mitch Edwards making the team promo video

I've watched a couple times and I can't catch Mitch Edwards in it? Does he walk under the net?

 

[AM]

We'll see what the coaches think.

Yep! The coach has said many times he’s collaborative. Not only with the assistant coaches, but the players, too. However, as is always the case, the head coach has the final call.

Time will tell.

 

[AM]

biggest difference between Humphries and Zorko is that Lawson seems to be a good, decent, thoughtful person and Zorko is an absolute knob

There are huge differences in their playing style and skill set, as I pointed out. Chalk and cheese.

 

[Mr Meow]

There are huge differences in their playing style and skill set, as I pointed out. Chalk and cheese.

My comparison was merely that Humphries could also be a dominant, prolific rebounding half back with elite distribution. Zorko has been that for the past couple of seasons - my point was actually more generally applied to Brisbane's elite transition defenders.

Obviously there are nuances to their specific styles but the Lions rebounders read the game well and set up many counter attacks - more than we do. Humphries will do well to emulate that to the highest level. The same can be done on the wing.

Some time in the middle is possible too, but a complete shift of position while he's developing his craft at half back (where we lack players of his type) would be a mistake. Maybe later on if we have the necessary coverage back there.

 

[The rabbi]

I am suffering Football Deprivation Syndrome.
Currently watching the 2022 Grand Final ....again.

 

[jim boy]

I am suffering Football Deprivation Syndrome.
Currently watching the 2022 Grand Final ....again.

That is what makes the aus open so tantalizing. I don't care much for tennis, but the day after the men's final is when the media really start turning the attention back to footy.

 

[CHAWKS2]

I am suffering Football Deprivation Syndrome.
Currently watching the 2022 Grand Final ....again.

Dingly in 2 weeks