Training Preseason Training Thread - 2026

[Keys]

The below is the OG faux training report from nearly 9 years ago - often imitated but never surpassed

In the absence of Keys I went down for a trundle this morning to check them out on return. Just a few random notes I took down...

• A lot of running work again, clearly a focus even in the heat.
• Duggan looked on and was hitting targets left and right. Set for a huge 2017.
• Giles went up against Vardy in the ruck contests and I'd say that Giles has the inside running at the moment.
• Mitchell looked a class above the other midfielders bar Priddis. Just knew how to find the footy and wouldn't miss a target all session. Shuey was very quiet and seemed to be taking direction from Mitchell. Doesn't bode well for his captaincy credentials, maybe he doesn't want the gig?
• Won't say too much about it in case I was just reading too much into it, but Rioli looked as though he'd enjoyed the Christmas break a bit too much. A few of the coaches pulled him aside and they were having quite an animated conversation before Rioli was sent to do laps for the rest of the session. Good news for Le Cras, I suppose.
• Sheed kicked on his right foot for 80% of the session, I reckon. Nice to see players working on their non-preferred so readily.
• Petrie looked like he was doing a great job 'coaching' the younger forwards in between the drills. Darling in particular seemed to be following him around.
• Gee Venables has some skills. He mainly jogged laps before spending the last half hour or so on set shots - curled a few beauties from behind the boundary line at the end for a bit of fun. Hardly saw him miss a kick.
• What interested me the most was that McGovern split his time between the defenders and the forwards, could be seeing a swingman role in 2017. He was his usual dominant self down back in some match simulation drills before going head-to-head with Mackenzie in a forward role.
• Bayok is very fast - Cripps was in most of the drills with him and couldn't keep up.
• Nelson is pale as buggery and still doesn't really have the body shape you'd expect of an AFL player.
• There was a big bloke who pulled up next to me and I could have sworn it was Suma, but I'm sure I was wrong...
• Masto was the player picked to kick the goal at the end today and nailed it. Celebrations were huge.
• No sign of Cole, Parto or Hill. Couldn't tell you why.

Will upload pics later if I have time. Let me know if you have any questions!

You might wonder why I’ve put this up and stickied it

Because this is the standard all copies should be measured against and it’s a reminder of how high the bar was set

And to hopefully discourage sequels.

If you want to have a crack in my absence, go ahead but if it doesn’t equal the standard set (as judged by me), then expect

• A one week threadban for a first offence
• A two week threadban for a second offence
• A one year threadban for a third offence

Actual training reports, minus discussion, can become found here:

Training - Preseason Training Reports -2025/26

This thread has been setup for training reports only and won’t be open for replies Informative reports from the preseason thread will be copied into this thread so posters have access to the quality work from the likes of LittleFires without wading through pages of general posts

www.bigfooty.com

 

[RanaNaved]

Plenty of players wouldn't have broken into that team and played as well as Reid did.

His post was right too. Bo was setback by a pretty serious illness, and Reid does play in a much, much better team, so comparing the two after 1 year is kind of stupid

 

[Mighty Eagles]

Clarke really needs Bo Allan to work out given the draft hand we gave up to get Baker and Graham across. It's also a lot harder to mess things up when you constantly have a pick in the top 3.

I think its a stretch to say Hutch is a decent pick up. 5 years for him seems a bit excessive at this point.

Not defending Clarke all, but what is often overlooked is Bo Allan is our only West Australian first round draft pick since Ginbey & Hewett in 2022.

That matters because Harley Reid, Duursma, CDT & Lindsay - drafted either side of Bo - are all Victorian and are no guarantees of staying in the long-term. Sure, we (especially me) hope like hell they are remain with us and play a role in a dynasty. But with that much interest are top-end talent, chances are one or some may want to return to Victoria. So securing the best West Australian in a deep talent pool that was the 2024 draft is a good long-term outcome for us.

 

[RanaNaved]

I once stopped a game for like half an hour, thought I did my knee, got stretchered off and slowly realised I was fine while sitting on the bench. I kept up the act for like two months

 

[Keys]

Brief rundown from the club on today’s session

But nothing on Saturday’s more substantial session which is disappointing

 

[Mighty Eagles]

Walter and Warner next two trade / FA periods and we will be close list wide IMO.

I honestly don’t think we should go after Walter.

Next year we’ll have Waterman (who will be 29 at the time), A.Reid (22) and Shanahan (21). Plus CDT will be ticking along in his second season.

I’m firmly of the view we cash in on BWilliams at the end of this year and we keep JWilliams as insurance going into next year. That’s ample key forwards, not to mention we may still have Maric.

We’d want to hit the draft as best we can in the last year that it’s not compromised before Tasmania have a gold hand.

 

[THE A5]

I don’t get the vibe that Allen will be a superstar but I reckon he will he a solid player and someone that will play 200 games for. That will go down a tick. I was heavily against the deal but I think down the line it’ll work it self out and we won’t be looking back in regret

 

[Boohemian]

I'm really getting the vibe that people have made up their minds on Bo Allan, which is pretty ridiculous all things considered.

Clearly has all the attributes of a powerful athlete. Has shown that he can football good pre-draft. Had a horror show first year with illness and injury. We love to rush to conclusions on here.

 

[Byron_Clanger]

Brief rundown from the club on today’s session

But nothing on Saturday’s more substantial session which is disappointing

Yes, well...as surface level reviews are what they're good at..the more I read of how CDT's tracking and hearing Waterman and Baker talk about him I can't help but get a little excited. Who knows if he cracks the team round 1, but I hope they don't Jobe Shanahan him and not play him until the second half of the year. Even Jarrad Schofield admitted to Splinters they in hindsight left Jobe in the WAFL too long.

Being called one of the 'best skilled players in the club' is both an exciting yet horrific admission, lol.

 

[Byron_Clanger]

I don’t get the vibe that Allen will be a superstar but I reckon he will he a solid player and someone that will play 200 games for. That will go down a tick. I was heavily against the deal but I think down the line it’ll work it self out and we won’t be looking back in regret

So the West Aussie special. And there's nothing wrong with that, most of our premiership teams have had that kind of player.

 

[Dark Sharks]

Allan needs to follow Yeo's career, in all facets. Has a similar athletic profile to Elliot, lots of campaigner and doesn't like losing, just like young Elliot.

Only thing considerably different between the two is Allans disposal by hand and foot. Half the time i'm not even sure it's the skills themselves either, but the decision making. Some real fades, of the brain for Bo.

 

[Shueygod]

Allan needs to follow Yeo's career, in all facets. Has a similar athletic profile to Elliot, lots of campaigner and doesn't like losing, just like young Elliot.

Only thing considerably different between the two is Allans disposal by hand and foot. Half the time i'm not even sure it's the skills themselves either, but the decision making. Some real fades, of the brain for Bo.

I don’t know how considerably different to Yeo that is…

Particularly young Yeo.

 

[Ilkka Sinisalo]

Yes, well...as surface level reviews are what they're good at..the more I read of how CDT's tracking and hearing Waterman and Baker talk about him I can't help but get a little excited. Who knows if he cracks the team round 1, but I hope they don't Jobe Shanahan him and not play him until the second half of the year. Even Jarrad Schofield admitted to Splinters they in hindsight left Jobe in the WAFL too long.

Being called one of the 'best skilled players in the club' is both an exciting yet horrific admission, lol.

Shanahan was a tricky one because he certainly wasn't totally tearing up the WAFL, but the Beagles were generally so bad that it was very hard to rate a key forward's performance because the supply inside 50 was so inadequate. Hopefully this year the Beagles will be a lot more competent and the more competitive side will make it easier to assess the development of players.

 

[Elite Pete]

Not much noise on Macrae from most training sessions or reports.

Would’ve been interesting if we left that spot open and add him earn it in the offseason if we would’ve signed him as our SSP on the back of his work. Ddidnt hear any other clubs connected to him like Dev was with the Dogs.

Hopefully it’s just he is hard to recognise out on the oval and that’s why there has been no real build up.

 

[THE A5]

Whats with Rubens hair?

 

[eaglevision]

View attachment 2520269
Whats with Rubens hair?

His hair!? What’s with his t*ts?!

 

[THE A5]

His hair!? What’s with his t*ts?!

They don’t actually have a jumper big enough. This is actually Chessers draft day Jumper

 

[Seadog]

I don’t know how considerably different to Yeo that is…

Particularly young Yeo.

Difference is young Yeo used to spray it then wave his arms around blaming others for running to the wrong spot.

 

[THE A5]

View attachment 2520269
Whats with Rubens hair?

I just realised thats Rubes is transforming into Hunter Hearst Hemmsley. Look forward to when he Turns into “The Game”

 

[DickDunn]

Keen to know from any track watchers how Lindsay is faring so far. Very pleased that we drafted him but haven’t heard much about how he’s looked during preseason or how close he might be to pushing for an early debut

 

[twce13]

I just realised thats Rubes is transforming into Hunter Hearst Hemmsley. Look forward to when he Turns into “The Game”

View attachment 2520375

God I hope Reubs does the pedigree on Jordan Clarke

 

[Obeanie1]

I honestly don’t think we should go after Walter.

Next year we’ll have Waterman (who will be 29 at the time), A.Reid (22) and Shanahan (21). Plus CDT will be ticking along in his second season.

I’m firmly of the view we cash in on BWilliams at the end of this year and we keep JWilliams as insurance going into next year. That’s ample key forwards, not to mention we may still have Maric.

We’d want to hit the draft as best we can in the last year that it’s not compromised before Tasmania have a gold hand.

B Williams UFA - compo band 3 or 4?

J Willams trade 3rd rounder, 2nd if he has a great year.

Fair chance both may be enticed elsewhere.

Barnett is cut.

There are three tall spots and salary cap openned up.

CDT (18) and Archer (20) are still kids.

 

[FatPizza]

Keen to know from any track watchers how Lindsay is faring so far. Very pleased that we drafted him but haven’t heard much about how he’s looked during preseason or how close he might be to pushing for an early debut

In the recent interview Baker did with SEN he mentioned how amazing Lindsay's kicking is. He did say that his more adventurous kicks don't always come off, but as he gains experience he'll make better decisions.

 

[juice568]

everything good = not clarke or luck or saved by Massey
everything bad = clarke

understand?

What has he done thats good ?

5 year deal to hutchison?
Owies?
Burning a top 3 pick on baker ?

 

[PremiershipNo4]

Are there any indications from the pre season what position Bo Allen might play this year?

 

[Keys]

Are there any indications from the pre season what position Bo Allen might play this year?

Predominantly being played on the wing - fighting for those spots with Davis, Duursma and Hall