Training Pre-Season 2026 chat

[Kobe Gryant]

OH play his role?? hehe... Yeah Nah. Nah.
OH is good for the Magoos or the SANFL and that's about it.
4Me. Not even in the conversation when we talk of our squad of 23 let alone that of a starting 18 player.
He has to be involved in any deal in getting some quality individual into the club.

He won't be. People do this with our fringe players every year, and it won't happen because it's a catch 22.

He either finally gets serious about being part of an AFL team system rather than trying to be a human highlight reel, or we continue to see more of what we've seen in 2025.

Option A), and there's no chance he'll be dealt in a trade on form. Plus, there's the factor with his brother, and that we won't force players out against their will ala Sydney this year. It's not the Geelong way.

Option B), and he won't be worth anything in a deal anyway.

The gloss will have worn off being a now 24 year old off two VFL stint seasons, and all he'd be doing is substituting the extra third or fourth round pick in a proposed deal for Butters/Walsh/whoever else.

Geelong won't do it, and there's every chance Port or Carlton (or whoever) would prefer the pick in that scenario too.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

No chance Worpel in California right now...lol

His doppleganger was in the San Diego gym this morning and I did more than a massive double take several times as he worked out.

Happy New Year you lot.

GO Catters

Haha thats funny did you say hello and get the scoop for us daz happy NYE

 

[Lana]

?Mids
?Rucks
Matters not- OH is neither of those.
We won a flag in 22 without him, next 2 years with him, he scores 40 goals a year.
I still think he need not reinvent his position, but maybe his sharpness and confidence- imho, that is all that was lacking.
He reminds me of Menzel a little, not as good obviously, but still very talented, and with maturity, seizing his moments and some luck, we see the fruits again. Having his good mate back I hope will help a lot.

Smith, Holmes, Atkins, Worpel, Bruhn. Could do with another blue chip midfielder, but that is a full rotation and change.

Eh Rucks... if you have to be weak somewhere I'd chose it to be there.

Back to Olie Henry

To be a marking forward that isn't KPP height you have to be special, he isn't at Menzel 'post 4 ACL"'s level. And that wasn't good enough back then, that game has moved further away from that type of finisher. He'll get overrated his entire career for those 40 goal years. The finisher gets the credit even when they aren't the creator. His tricks have been worked out (he is a only a leading mark threat, that that away and he has mimimal influence) and he is unplayable against quality opposition, they set up a free tall against him, and he doesn't get involved enough at ground level while being nulified aerially. We end up being a player down. This allows teams to put a smaller guy on Cameron who can play a closer checking role without messing up their structure when Cameron roams up the ground. Makes it hard for us to move the ball since we don't have the long down the line option, they can crowd the corridor.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

He won't be. People do this with our fringe players every year, and it won't happen because it's a catch 22.

He either finally gets serious about being part of an AFL team system rather than trying to be a human highlight reel, or we continue to see more of what we've seen in 2025.

Option A), and there's no chance he'll be dealt in a trade on form. Plus, there's the factor with his brother, and that we won't force players out against their will ala Sydney this year. It's not the Geelong way.

Option B), and he won't be worth anything in a deal anyway.

The gloss will have worn off being a now 24 year old off two VFL stint seasons, and all he'd be doing is substituting the extra third or fourth round pick in a proposed deal for Butters/Walsh/whoever else.

Geelong won't do it, and there's every chance Port or Carlton (or whoever) would prefer the pick in that scenario too.

I think thats all fair. My interest in does henry try and find some more versatility (which at the moment is his weakness along with his defensive pressure) in the roles he can play or is he purely a 3rd tall in the forward line or nowhere else?

 

[Vdubs]

Smith, Holmes, Atkins, Worpel, Bruhn. Could do with another blue chip midfielder, but that is a full rotation and change.

Eh Rucks... if you have to be weak somewhere I'd chose it to be there.

Back to Olie Henry

To be a marking forward that isn't KPP height you have to be special, he isn't at Menzel 'post 4 ACL"'s level. And that wasn't good enough back then, that game has moved further away from that type of finisher. He'll get overrated his entire career for those 40 goal years. The finisher gets the credit even when they aren't the creator. His tricks have been worked out (he is a only a leading mark threat, that that away and he has mimimal influence) and he is unplayable against quality opposition, they set up a free tall against him, and he doesn't get involved enough at ground level while being nulified aerially. We end up being a player down. This allows teams to put a smaller guy on Cameron who can play a closer checking role without messing up their structure when Cameron roams up the ground. Makes it hard for us to move the ball since we don't have the long down the line option, they can crowd the corridor.

We actually missed his marking presence in the GF, not that he desrved to be there, but too many errant passres to Stengle, who was dwarf-like. A third marking option is handy, and I hope he can mature in all areas to be that option again.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Smith, Holmes, Atkins, Worpel, Bruhn. Could do with another blue chip midfielder, but that is a full rotation and change.

Eh Rucks... if you have to be weak somewhere I'd chose it to be there.

Back to Olie Henry

To be a marking forward that isn't KPP height you have to be special, he isn't at Menzel 'post 4 ACL"'s level. And that wasn't good enough back then, that game has moved further away from that type of finisher. He'll get overrated his entire career for those 40 goal years. The finisher gets the credit even when they aren't the creator. His tricks have been worked out (he is a only a leading mark threat, that that away and he has mimimal influence) and he is unplayable against quality opposition, they set up a free tall against him, and he doesn't get involved enough at ground level while being nulified aerially. We end up being a player down. This allows teams to put a smaller guy on Cameron who can play a closer checking role without messing up their structure when Cameron roams up the ground. Makes it hard for us to move the ball since we don't have the long down the line option, they can crowd the corridor.

I think theres a lot of truth in that in particular the affect on Cameron when it doesnt work and this is why we prefer other players that suit the structure better.

That said menzel would have been an all time great at Geelong if the knees held so I think its unfair comparing henry to a freak level talent like that (even though I get your comparison in that menzel post knees and henry both struggle defensively).
If you look at this list of guys who play a similar role at afl level
Fritsch
Hayward
Membrey (mihocek also has had this role for them previously)
Morris/Gallop
Langford
Caddy
Stringer (Brown also has had this role)
Zurhaar
Sharman (could have chosen Ryan here but have selected shaman as younger)

There were others i could have included here but they are ones that come to mind.
Ive excluded players that play the pinch hit 2nd ruck role (as henry cant) and excluded a bunch of guys who are midfielders that rest as marking 3rd talls (your matt Kennedy types etc).

Honestly on that list theres a few that are poor defensively like henry is-stringer and fritsch has become a premiership player despite being lazy defensively. You could say zurhaar and Langford are poor defensively (Liam Ryan is another example of this).
Of the players on this list while Morris and Caddy have shown a lot in their first 2 years and project to be going past henry i could argue that henry is more talented than the rest of the list (Bar stringer). Someone like membrey is a 1 dimensional player but is so good at marking for his size and conversion that he's made a long career out of it.
Now I do agree with you that the speed of the game is quicker and so theres more of a premium now on high forwards who work both ways so maybe we will see less membreys in this era than the last.
But it does show that there's a role for henry-maybe not an A grade elite role-but a serviceable 10 year afl player role-if he works on his deficiencies and wants it enough.

 

[calder_daddy]

OH would be a good backman. He and his brother would be very similar back their IMO
There’s a reason why struggling forwards go back. It’s easier

 

[Vdubs]

OH would be a good backman. He and his brother would be very similar back their IMO
There’s a reason why struggling forwards go back. It’s easier

Agreed
Mackie is now a triple flag player

 

[Kobe Gryant]

OH would be a good backman. He and his brother would be very similar back their IMO
There’s a reason why struggling forwards go back. It’s easier

I wouldn't hate the idea because something clearly needs to change, but it's just hard to find a comparison.

Jack seems the obvious one, but he's taller, 10-15kgs heavier, and still manages to be quicker and more agile within contests and on the lead.

Sicily is the ultimate like for like in terms of height, athletic ability (or lack thereof), and career trajectory before moving to defence...but he's just such an outlier that it's hard to see it happening.

Nothing about Sicily's profile suggests he should be as good as he is. He's undersized for the the role at 6'1, middling athletically by AFL standards, slow...and yet he's still a gun.

Even then, he's got the elite footskills to be a distributor behind the ball that Henry lacks, and it's allowed him to be viable as a loose option.

It could happen, but I'm always wary when you're trying to follow the blueprint of an extreme outlier.

The best case scenario is a Tom Lynch (Adelaide) style career IMO if he's going to play in Scott's system.

Undersized role playing half forward that makes a living through repeat efforts up the ground and linking the midfield to the forward line.

 

[Lana]

I think theres a lot of truth in that in particular the affect on Cameron when it doesnt work and this is why we prefer other players that suit the structure better.

That said menzel would have been an all time great at Geelong if the knees held so I think its unfair comparing henry to a freak level talent like that (even though I get your comparison in that menzel post knees and henry both struggle defensively).
If you look at this list of guys who play a similar role at afl level
Fritsch
Hayward
Membrey (mihocek also has had this role for them previously)
Morris/Gallop
Langford
Caddy
Stringer (Brown also has had this role)
Zurhaar
Sharman (could have chosen Ryan here but have selected shaman as younger)

There were others i could have included here but they are ones that come to mind.
Ive excluded players that play the pinch hit 2nd ruck role (as henry cant) and excluded a bunch of guys who are midfielders that rest as marking 3rd talls (your matt Kennedy types etc).

Honestly on that list theres a few that are poor defensively like henry is-stringer and fritsch has become a premiership player despite being lazy defensively. You could say zurhaar and Langford are poor defensively (Liam Ryan is another example of this).
Of the players on this list while Morris and Caddy have shown a lot in their first 2 years and project to be going past henry i could argue that henry is more talented than the rest of the list (Bar stringer). Someone like membrey is a 1 dimensional player but is so good at marking for his size and conversion that he's made a long career out of it.
Now I do agree with you that the speed of the game is quicker and so theres more of a premium now on high forwards who work both ways so maybe we will see less membreys in this era than the last.
But it does show that there's a role for henry-maybe not an A grade elite role-but a serviceable 10 year afl player role-if he works on his deficiencies and wants it enough.

A lot of those team's forward line are quite non-functional even if they appear at AFL level. I don't think Henry lacks desire, he just isn't above a Mitch Morton or Ben McKinley level.

Henry would be giving away 2 inches of height against most of that list. Some of them filled the key posts. While drawing the line of what exactly is a KPF is murky for those 190cm types and very vibes based. Henry doesn't have the attributes to be one. And even worse for him, he lacks the attributes to not be a KPF.

I'd love to see they experiment with him at VFL level, chuck him on the ball to see if he has the talent to accumulate the ball. Either way it would be revealing

 

[Mr Meow]

Ollie Henry can't be a defender as he goes to ground too often during aerial contests. He'd get burnt by his opponent as he wouldn't clunk enough intercept marks to offset that.

I think he has to make it as a forward, possibly one who rotates to the wing at times. If Dangerfield is rested/injured 9 games this season and Cameron 5, there's 14 games for Henry. A few more games could become available. Hopefully that's enough to build for 2027.

 

[Kobe Gryant]

A lot of those team's forward line are quite non-functional even if they appear at AFL level. I don't think Henry lacks desire, he just isn't above a Mitch Morton or Ben McKinley level.

Henry would be giving away 2 inches of height against most of that list. Some of them filled the key posts. While drawing the line of what exactly is a KPF is murky for those 190cm types and very vibes based. Henry doesn't have the attributes to be one. And even worse for him, he lacks the attributes to not be a KPF.

I'd love to see they experiment with him at VFL level, chuck him on the ball to see if he has the talent to accumulate the ball. Either way it would be revealing

I'm not a fan of him, but you're going too far with someone like Morton.

He couldn't even play AFL level football. Henry can, the question is can he play within a system at AFL level in a winning side.

The answer currently looks like it's a 'no', and it's going to take him reinventing his game (if he even can) to change that.

He's more like a poor man's Fritsch, Membrey, or Jack Anthony in a bygone era. In a weaker side, they can sit at full forward as a first or second option and kick 40-50 a year.

The problem is they do nothing else. It works in a poor team, but there's a hard ceiling when that's the style of football that your side is playing.

It won't win premierships, and you'll inevitably need to upgrade at the position. It's the Kemba Walker syndrome of the AFL.

People get seduced by these players and think they'll go to another level in a better side, but the truth is, they're only enabled to be what they are in the first place due to the poor team they're in.

They're a stopgap until you find a proper avenue to goal with an actual key forward (usually accompanied with a fleet of smalls) and then because this archetype of player offers nothing else, they end up out of the side when their usage rate drops.

 

[The rabbi]

Will the Cats be back at training on Wednesday?

 

[Goggin Our Best]

OH would be a good backman. He and his brother would be very similar back their IMO
There’s a reason why struggling forwards go back. It’s easier

He has got the skill set to be a good player

If i was him ( and it is easier said than done ) i would employ an athletics coach , pay him out of my own pocket and say is there any way with repetitive training which can make me quicker off the mark (from a standing start ) for the 1st 5-10 metres

I think if he could improve that aspect i think he could become a good player

 

[bombersboy]

He has got the skill set to be a good player

If i was him ( and it is easier said than done ) i would employ an athletics coach , pay him out of my own pocket and say is there any way with repetitive training which can make me quicker off the mark (from a standing start ) for the 1st 5-10 metres

I think if he could improve that aspect i think he could become a good player

I think Ollie Henry also needs stamina to support repeat efforts plus strength as he is to easily kept out of the contest. I don’t think he has the discipline to play down back

 

[catswhiskers]

My permanent changes.

Mannagh to back pocket

Mullin, well who knows but more attacking, less tagging (except for the very best small mids )

OSullivan wing/swingman

Dempsey on ball (ala Hird )

Neale moving as our primary forward target ( not trying to nullify defenders)

OH. After long sessions watching how mid/small forwards lose their opponents dont jump into packs to be 5th sub (mannagh spot open for new mid size forward)

SDK ruck

Blitz permanent key defender

Danger, 4th sub except when playing Hawks.

HAVE FUN. I am off to the beach..

 

[Lana]

I'm not a fan of him, but you're going too far with someone like Morton.

He couldn't even play AFL level football. Henry can, the question is can he play within a system at AFL level in a winning side.

The answer currently looks like it's a 'no', and it's going to take him reinventing his game (if he even can) to change that.

He's more like a poor man's Fritsch, Membrey, or Jack Anthony in a bygone era. In a weaker side, they can sit at full forward as a first or second option and kick 40-50 a year.

The problem is they do nothing else. It works in a poor team, but there's a hard ceiling when that's the style of football that your side is playing.

It won't win premierships, and you'll inevitably need to upgrade at the position. It's the Kemba Walker syndrome of the AFL.

People get seduced by these players and think they'll go to another level in a better side, but the truth is, they're only enabled to be what they are in the first place due to the poor team they're in.

They're a stopgap until you find a proper avenue to goal with an actual key forward (usually accompanied with a fleet of smalls) and then because this archetype of player offers nothing else, they end up out of the side when their usage rate drops.

A poor mans Jack Anthony... ouch, I think you hold Henry in less regard then I do, and I clearly don't rate him at all

 

[Gee Class Loco]

He won't be. People do this with our fringe players every year, and it won't happen because it's a catch 22.

He either finally gets serious about being part of an AFL team system rather than trying to be a human highlight reel, or we continue to see more of what we've seen in 2025.

Option A), and there's no chance he'll be dealt in a trade on form. Plus, there's the factor with his brother, and that we won't force players out against their will ala Sydney this year. It's not the Geelong way.

Option B), and he won't be worth anything in a deal anyway.

The gloss will have worn off being a now 24 year old off two VFL stint seasons, and all he'd be doing is substituting the extra third or fourth round pick in a proposed deal for Butters/Walsh/whoever else.

Geelong won't do it, and there's every chance Port or Carlton (or whoever) would prefer the pick in that scenario too.

Never say never.
As for the last bit.
There is always a sucker out there.
Heck we've been that same sucker a few times before.
FWIW i just can't see him playing seniors in 2026 if we have a full healthy squad.
I'm happy to eat my words if he turns all that potential people keep talking of into actual results

 

[andoman21]

Not what I said.. don't put your words in my mouth.
Suggest you take some lessons in comprehension
There is a difference b/w being a smart strategic planner
Then trusting Star players and things will work as planed
and..
Reacting and Adjusting quickly on match day (his weakness)
Not just waiting for the Stars to lift team as usually happens
Moving a Superstar like Danger Fwd is not master coaching

If things were worrying Scott at Half Time as you claim
Where was the anticipation of game was slipping away?
Why weren't players Hyped for the start of Q3? (his weakness)

Once again you doge the question...
What match winning moves did the Master Taction make?

agreed..look what he did with Dangerfield in the last quarter of the 2020 gf..game in the balance at 3/4 time and he sat him forward and was totally ineffectual.

 

[small 4wards]

I'm not a fan of him, but you're going too far with someone like Morton.

He couldn't even play AFL level football. Henry can, the question is can he play within a system at AFL level in a winning side.

The problem is they do nothing else. It works in a poor team, but there's a hard ceiling when that's the style of football that your side is playing.

It won't win premierships, and you'll inevitably need to upgrade at the position. It's the Kemba Walker syndrome of the AFL.

People get seduced by these players and think they'll go to another level in a better side, but the truth is, they're only enabled to be what they are in the first place due to the poor team they're in.

They're a stopgap until you find a proper avenue to goal with an actual key forward (usually accompanied with a fleet of smalls) and then because this archetype of player offers nothing else, they end up out of the side when their usage rate drops.

Rare I find myself disagreeing with one of your posts and I agree completely with the bolded, but I don't agree with the supposed uselessness of that kind of player. I mean Fritsch was in a Premiership team. There were games in 2023 I feel like we don't win without O. Henry . Any player who can kick two or three and turn a game as an alternative scoring option is worth having even if they aren't the KPF and focal point of the attack.

 

[Gee Class Loco]

Agreed
Mackie is now a triple flag player

OH? Mackie?
Yeah. Nah.
He ain't NO Mackie.

 

[Vdubs]

OH? Mackie?
Yeah. Nah.
He ain't NO Mackie.

No, only ANDREW is MACKIE. But the topic is switching from forward to midfield or defence. But imo, he doesn’t need to move. I think he’s impact was sorely missed in the GF, his best anyway. We rarely saw it in 25, but he can mark well, score goals and influence games quickly. Kicking to STENGLE in contests was futile. If he can get his confidence and form back to what we know he is capable of, he’s easily best 23.

 

[Matthew Jelley]

There definitely is a spot available for Ollie IF he takes it
Has shown the talent but not enough consistency and goes missing
Keen to hear more about different role changes and what the ruck set up looks like

 

[Tony Barber]

He'd have to want to go there-i doubt he wants to leave Victoria at all and we would have to be very careful about causing disharmony with Jack if we tried to push him out.
Hes more than talented enough to be in our best 23 but I do agree he needs to improve defensively (we all know that) because our other forwards contribute more defensively and so he doesn't suit our current structure. Let's see if he improves early in the season in the vfl that will show us how much he wants it.

Hi mate,

Honestly, if Jack is that thin skinned he can go too.
And guess what? He would most certainly be playing without his brother anyway.

 

[Kobe Gryant]

A poor mans Jack Anthony... ouch, I think you hold Henry in less regard then I do, and I clearly don't rate him at all

The guy who had a 25 and 50 goal season before his limitations were adapted to by the opposition, and Collingwood felt they could upgrade at the position by moving forward with a revitalised Cloke, who was clearly the more dynamic (and better) footballer.

Sounds pretty familiar to the predicament Ollie Henry finds himself in, along with Membrey, Fritsch etc. Aaron Edwards as another example of this archetype.

You went with Mitch Morton...a park footballer masquerading as a professional who never once looked like a viable option on an AFL field, let alone as a first or second offensive avenue to goal.

You can be critical while still being realistic. I'm clearly being critical, but I'm not going to denigrate him to Mitch Morton status.