Training Pre-Season 2026 chat

[CatToTheFuture]

How many injuries does Loch Ness have? And how long has he had them?

Foot surgery but with such a long timeframe from Sep last year given it must have been bad. No coughing in bed though so he's doing the right things

 

[Footy Smarts]

How many injuries does Loch Ness have? And how long has he had them?

All of them. Forever.

 

[dudusmaximus]

In fact, they can't "put" him in cotton wool, as he could get injured in the act.

 

[patience]

Thanks CatToTheFuture. I lost track over the off season. I think I put the end of last season in the back blocks of my memory.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Thanks CatToTheFuture. I lost track over the off season. I think I put the end of last season in the back blocks of my memory.

Sorry to bring it flooding back

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

Excuse my ignorance, why can’t awful kicking be

I don't think max was ever that bad a kick.

My son and I had a difference of opinion on Max in his first season- my son was doubtful ( rubbing that in since) but we both agreed his kicking was below par.

Thankfully that has improved dramatically, hoping Hunter will follow the same path.

We have a decent record on kicking improvement - Blitz , MOC, Holmes and Mullin to name a few.

 

[dazbroncos]

In fact, they can't "put" him in cotton wool, as he could get injured in the act.

The Latin translation of Conway is infact "cottono allergis" so he's actually allergic to cotton wool and thus cant be placed in it.

GO Catters

 

[standupand]

My son and I had a difference of opinion on Max in his first season- my son was doubtful ( rubbing that in since) but we both agreed his kicking was below par.

Thankfully that has improved dramatically, hoping Hunter will follow the same path.

We have a decent record on kicking improvement - Blitz , MOC, Holmes and Mullin to name a few.

I expect Max to get more consistent. He showed it throughout last season. Doesn't need to go at full pace. When he has the confidence to find space with his speed and then steady to kick, he's very good. I took the GF performance as a bit of nerves which makes it harder to shake some underlying habits.

 

[Schmuck]

Max was also a shocking kick early days, but has significantly improved over the journey into a very good one (albeit his kicking was awful in the GF) and is one of the premier players in the comp for metres gained. Both were very raw to begin with. We also have the best development in the AFL. I’m confident Hunter will be given time and he will improve into at least a dependable kick.

Max’s action was never that bad, not even close really. Max’s issue wasn’t technique, just poor execution. Unlike Hunter who has both issues.

 

[dazbroncos]

I was rewatching the Hawks hit out again..and I reckon Jhye Clark is really close to having it all come together for him - some would say about effing time - and they'd prob be right - but he's doing all the stuff you'd want to see IMO.

Hard as a Cats head - kid doesn;t side step anything. When he needs to go he goes and even when he doesn't need to go, he still goes.

Skills - good by hand and foot and his decision making about what to do seems good - the timing of it needs some work IMO.

I reckon he's trying too hard to do the perfect thing and needs to go first option. He wants to make the perfect decision every time ( who doesn't) but in that process he's getting caught or the space is closing down.

Think less and just play. Its hard to do bc when you are nore best 23 every week you want to make every touch count.... but IMO he needs to be told dont worry about next week... just play the game.

It may also not come together for him - that possible - but Id just like to see him slow down 1/2 a sec, relax, think less and play more.

GO Catters

 

[Silver Cat]

Max’s action was never that bad, not even close really. Max’s issue wasn’t technique, just poor execution. Unlike Hunter who has both issues.

Agree, the criticism of Max early was way OTT. Hunter’s ball drop is bizarrely flawed and needs a power of work, not impossible to improve to an acceptable level though IMO.

 

[bulletproof]

I was rewatching the Hawks hit out again..and I reckon Jhye Clark is really close to having it all come together for him - some would say about effing time - and they'd prob be right - but he's doing all the stuff you'd want to see IMO.

Hard as a Cats head - kid doesn;t side step anything. When he needs to go he goes and even when he doesn't need to go, he still goes.

Skills - good by hand and foot and his decision making about what to do seems good - the timing of it needs some work IMO.

I reckon he's trying too hard to do the perfect thing and needs to go first option. He wants to make the perfect decision every time ( who doesn't) but in that process he's getting caught or the space is closing down.

Think less and just play. Its hard to do bc when you are nore best 23 every week you want to make every touch count.... but IMO he needs to be told dont worry about next week... just play the game.

It may also not come together for him - that possible - but Id just like to see him slow down 1/2 a sec, relax, think less and play more.

GO Catters

Clark will get a very good run of games barring injury. It was a big call to play him in those finals, and with that trust and the experience behind him he is well placed to take a big step forward.

Whether he does or not, remains to be seen. I have felt bad luck has followed him on the field since he joined.

Think he can settle with some luck on injuries and a good couple of games in a row.

 

[jim boy]

I have faith in the club, perhaps to the point where I am a little too trusting. But when they select a player with known problems, eg poor technique in kicking, then they would be very confident that such problems can be addressed.

 

[Footy Smarts]

I was rewatching the Hawks hit out again..and I reckon Jhye Clark is really close to having it all come together for him - some would say about effing time - and they'd prob be right - but he's doing all the stuff you'd want to see IMO.

We're so impatient with young players. He's 3 years into his career. The first was ruined by a foot injury and he had multiple concussions last year. He still did enough to be selected in finals last year and had the best game of his career in the prelim.

Legends of the club like Bartel and Cam Guthrie were dropped during their 3rd season.

He's still got question marks over him. But he's got plenty of time to become an excellent player.

 

[foxdog50]

Hello Geelong BigFooty
Hope everyone is "living the dream ️ "
Hope you all haven't missed me since last year..
Let's bring on 2026 and go 1 further
Go Cats

 

[Lana]

I have faith in the club, perhaps to the point where I am a little too trusting. But when they select a player with known problems, eg poor technique in kicking, then they would be very confident that such problems can be addressed.

There isn't any player without question marks, especally with our draft hands, it is the flaws that gets a player on our list in the first place.

You hide the flaws the best you can and hope that when they're exploited it isn't a big moment.

Some very good players aren't pin point passes, under any pressure they just kick for direction. Doesn't have to be a deal breaker in the current era, they just have to either be cheap enough or make up for it elsewhere.

 

[Footy Smarts]

Hunter Holmes looks like a much more inside player than Max. His hands in close really stand out.

I imagine we're hoping to turn him into a Worpel type with better acceleration and running power. That's not the sort of role where kicking really holds you back especially if you've got decent penetration.

 

[Tony Barber]

I have faith in the club, perhaps to the point where I am a little too trusting. But when they select a player with known problems, eg poor technique in kicking, then they would be very confident that such problems can be addressed.

Yeah it would be like "Stephen, this guy can run. And he breaks lines. But his kicking is crap"
'Can he handball?'

 

[Kobe Gryant]

Hunter Holmes looks like a much more inside player than Max. His hands in close really stand out.

I imagine we're hoping to turn him into a Worpel type with better acceleration and running power. That's not the sort of role where kicking really holds you back especially if you've got decent penetration.

Josh Dunkley would be another comparison for that archetype.

He's improved it now a decade later, but his kicking early on was similarly awful, with a ball drop almost as ugly as Hunters'.

Because he plays entirely inside and he's so elite defensively, you don't really notice it nowadays though - rather than it being the handicap it looked like it would be in his first few seasons.

The kicking doesn't even really come up anymore. He's just known as arguably the most important player in a side going for a three-peat.

That's the pathway for Hunter as you say. If we build him a role where his kicking doesn't have to ever reach elite status, then he can make it long-term.

Seeing as he's already got better inside craft than Max has ever had, he's ahead of schedule in that regard already.

 

[PzBlinky]

Hunter Holmes looks like a much more inside player than Max. His hands in close really stand out.

I imagine we're hoping to turn him into a Worpel type with better acceleration and running power. That's not the sort of role where kicking really holds you back especially if you've got decent penetration.

That was my take-away watching his footage from last year. Kicking was meh, but his running and handballs were very good - at least for that level.

 

[GlenMiddlemissed]

Team for tomorrow night has been released. No big surprises. Missing are Cameron, Stengle and Smith. Good to see that Polkinghorne, Stevens and Edwards are named. Hoffman listed as emergency, but it is always likely in these sort of games that there will be one or two named who don't play, so he may still get a game.

 

[Footy Smarts]

Clearly prioritizing being ready for the first game over any experimentation.

Wiltshire not even named as emergency with no Stengle or Miers is a bit of a surprise. Bews over Hoffman probably the only other surprise but Hof was never likely for the first game and he's barely played any VFL so should learn plenty there.

 

[fpm84]

Club has released injury info alongside squad for tomorrow night:

• Baz: low grade calf symptoms, expected to be available for Opening Rd
• Miers: test for Opening Rd
• Jezza: on track for Opening Rd
• Kolo: on track for VFL practice match this week
• Stanley, Bowes, Wiltshire: ‘managing pre-season loads’

 

[cats_09]

Love the Polk photo

 

[cats_09]

Clearly prioritizing being ready for the first game over any experimentation.

Wiltshire not even named as emergency with no Stengle or Miers is a bit of a surprise. Bews over Hoffman probably the only other surprise but Hof was never likely for the first game and he's barely played any VFL so should learn plenty there.

Managed

- Rhys Stanley, Jack Bowes and Oli Wiltshire will not play as they manage their pre-season loads.