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

 

[LewyBroome]

I thought Bo Allan's big attribute was a big frame and his ability win contested possessions/clearances. And now all of a sudden we are planning to play him on the wing. Whats the story there? I am getting worried. Never a good sign when the coaching staff don't know what position to play a recent first round draftee and they end up shoehorning them into whatever position has the least number of other players competing for it.

Writing was on the wall very early.

 

[ziad]

Writing was on the wall very early.

Yep, looking like a bust for the pick we used.

 

[kane249]

I thought Bo Allan's big attribute was a big frame and his ability win contested possessions/clearances. And now all of a sudden we are planning to play him on the wing. Whats the story there? I am getting worried. Never a good sign when the coaching staff don't know what position to play a recent first round draftee and they end up shoehorning them into whatever position has the least number of other players competing for it.

Writing was on the wall very early.

Yep, looking like a bust for the pick we used.

You guys do remember Elliot Yeo spent the early part of his career on the half back flank for the Lions and Eagles before eventually transferring to inside mid?

He's had 1 year in the system and spent most of it injured, go dry your sheets and wait a bit longer before writing him off.

 

[Doashuey]

You guys do remember Elliot Yeo spent the early part of his career on the half back flank for the Lions and Eagles before eventually transferring to inside mid

He's had 1 year in the system and spent most of it injured, go dry your sheets and wait a bit longer before writing him off.

Bed wetting in full swing this early in the pre-season bodes well.

 

[WestCoast17]

Jake looks shorter than Elijah Williams too.

Wrong Williams, that’s Tylah. Elijah’s in our NGA for 2026 draft.

 

[Bender_]

Wrong Williams, that’s Tylah. Elijah’s in our NGA for 2026 draft.

Is there any relation?

 

[Boohemian]

You guys do remember Elliot Yeo spent the early part of his career on the half back flank for the Lions and Eagles before eventually transferring to inside mid?

He's had 1 year in the system and spent most of it injured, go dry your sheets and wait a bit longer before writing him off.

Haven't you heard? At 18 you're a fully formed individual. There's no capacity for growth or development. You come fully developed, ready off the shelf. [/big footy logic]

 

[EagleMan87]

I still remember all the people on here wanting to delist Brad Sheppard in his first few seasons.

Would've been a great call, that.

 

[Yeahnahmate]

I still remember all the people on here wanting to delist Brad Sheppard in his first few seasons.

Would've been a great call, that.

Yep, there was plenty of rueing that we didn’t select Jetta. Ended up with both and I’m more than comfortable with Shep’s career. Loved that guy

 

[TwoStriders]

Is there any relation?

I'm looking forward to the passage of play where Allan kicks it to Allen who hits up Williams who brings it to ground and then Williams crumbs it, handballs to Williams who kicks a goal and Reid and Reid get in on the celebration.

And we’ll all be fuming at the incompetent commentators, when they’ve actually nailed the names of the seven different players involved.

 

[Boohemian]

I'm looking forward to the passage of play where Allan kicks it to Allen who hits up Williams who brings it to ground and then Williams crumbs it, handballs to Williams who kicks a goal and Reid and Reid get in on the celebration.

And we’ll all be fuming at the incompetent commentators, when they’ve actually nailed the names of the seven different players involved.

I'm looking forward to Brian Taylor mistaking Dewar, Champion, Brockman and Williams for Liam Ryan.

 

[Avalor]

For those able to get to training for a watch, how's CDT shaping up? Chuffed with this selection! Watched a number of his videos last night. Very smooth mover with centre square nous aplenty, and good forward line craft. Will be a huge thorn in the side for the oppo. Plays more as a mid on close obervation with good skills, no fumbling and good with the handball.
Is this all showing out in training, early days?