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

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

I think you’ve made that up.

It was just after COVID so the workers had zero reason to stay up there. Ill see if i can dig the information out. Theirs a website somewhere spruiking it

In any sense the spot now has modular homes on it that they built down here and drove up

 

[THE A5]

Finally we've crossed the bridge into the new year. Crickets nearly over (Ashes) and footy training recommences soon. The preseason will gear up with expectations and surprises, maybe a disappointment or two, but certainly lots of speculation here on BF. Then the scratchies will be upon us and BOOM...round 1, season proper. Bring it on.
AFL Origin - 14th Feb. Optus
Scratchie - 1st March. Port Adelaide. Mineral resources Park.
Round 1 - 15th March. Gold Coast (away)
(disclaimer: unfortunately it's exactly 2 months to the scratchie, something that gives us a real glimpse at our new team, players, coaching, gameplan and our future for 2026.)

Didn’t realise till now but AFL taking the piss by playing a game of origin in perth in mid feb. that time of the years is the hottest part of the year in Perth.

I

 

[Astro7]

Didn’t realise till now but AFL taking the piss by playing a game of origin in perth in mid feb. that time of the years is the hottest part of the year in Perth.

I

Yep, Optus be like an air-fryer!

 

[Truly Lazuli]

Yep, Optus be like an air-fryer!

Vics will be cooked by half time, WA to win by 8 goals

 

[THE A5]

Yep, Optus be like an air-fryer!

Playing in summer makes it that much of a novelty. Like wasn’t expecting to have that much intensity but it will very much be like a trail game like intensity with the heat.

 

[EagleEgo]

The Perth temperature on 14th Feb 2025 was 16/32 deg C. (not too hot for a night game). Let's see what happen in 2026.

 

[Bender_]

The Perth temperature on 14th Feb 2025 was 16/32 deg C. (not too hot for a night game). Let's see what happen in 2026.

The temp doesn't just hit it's minimum when the sun sets, it'll still be 30 degrees at bouncedown by those numbers.

 

[Farmer Lister]

So after withering away for years in Victoria, will players like Patrick Cripps

9

Patrick Cripps

Age

30

Ht

195cm

Wt

93kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

25.9

5star

K

9.8

4star

HB

16.1

5star

M

3.4

3star

T

5.8

5star

CL

7.4

5star

D

21.0

5star

K

10.1

4star

HB

10.9

5star

M

2.5

3star

T

3.8

4star

CL

6.3

5star

D

12.6

4star

K

4.8

2star

HB

7.8

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

3.2

5star

CL

1.4

4star

melt in the sun or harness their Perth born sun powers?

Are we Superman?

 

[unty11]

So after withering away for years in Victoria, will players like Patrick Cripps melt in the sun or harness their Perth born sun powers?

Are we Superman?

I expect lots of cramping by the Victorians.

 

[WCErevival]

So after withering away for years in Victoria, will players like Patrick Cripps melt in the sun or harness their Perth born sun powers?

Are we Superman?

I expect this to happen to Cripps.

 

[Astro7]

Playing in summer makes it that much of a novelty. Like wasn’t expecting to have that much intensity but it will very much be like a trail game like intensity with the heat.

All big boys, surely they can handle it, there'll be spray-fans and golden gatorade showers etc - be more interested in getting a gauge on teams progress in the scratchies.

 

[THE A5]

The Perth temperature on 14th Feb 2025 was 16/32 deg C. (not too hot for a night game). Let's see what happen in 2026.

previous year it was around 42 and sizzling even in the night

 

[Deplorable trumpster]

The big question about the Origin game is will it be for real, or will it be like WWE with all the players agreeing not to tackle each other or put anybody at risk of an injury. Also, how many players come down with some kind of minor muscle strain in the two weeks before the game and have to pull out (because their club has told them to).

I have a feeling it will be a total farce. Most clubs are not even prepared to put their star players on for a half a game in an intra club scratchie at that time of year. Yet we are expecting them to give the green light to their best players to play in a full scale Origin game? I think most clubs will try and get late scratchings for their players. The AFL will have to have done some serious corralling of the clubs for this game to be real.

 

[nameless]

The big question about the Origin game is will it be for real, or will it be like WWE with all the players agreeing not to tackle each other or put anybody at risk of an injury. Also, how many players come down with some kind of minor muscle strain in the two weeks before the game and have to pull out (because their club has told them to).

I have a feeling it will be a total farce. Most clubs are not even prepared to put their star players on for a half a game in an intra club scratchie at that time of year. Yet we are expecting them to give the green light to their best players to play in a full scale Origin game? I think most clubs will try and get late scratchings for their players. The AFL will have to have done some serious corralling of the clubs for this game to be real.

The Indigenous All Star game last year against Freo was pretty good, wasn't a farce at all. Both teams put in a decent effort, not going 100% but it wasn't like the NBA All-star game with no def.

 

[Keys]

Having the origin game during preseason makes sense

It doesn’t impact the season proper with teams having to release players when they’re competing. Instead they get a preseason hitout at a time when they’re trying to get conditioning and touch into their players

Each club will have somewhere between 2-6 players involved and they’ll be playing origin instead of a practice match. Injuries would be a risk in either

I’m not super invested in SOO because it no longer holds the attraction it did in the late 70’s/early 80’s but if it’s going to have any chance it f succeeding, then this timing is the best option

 

[Phas]

Having the origin game during preseason makes sense

It doesn’t impact the season proper with teams having to release players when they’re competing. Instead they get a preseason hitout at a time when they’re trying to get conditioning and touch into their players

Each club will have somewhere between 2-6 players involved and they’ll be playing origin instead of a practice match. Injuries would be a risk in either

I’m not super invested in SOO because it no longer holds the attraction it did in the late 70’s/early 80’s but if it’s going to have any chance it f succeeding, then this timing is the best option

Respectfully disagree.

A State of Origin Final on the Friday night before the Grand Final, built from players from clubs that aren’t in the Grand Final would be much better.

Run it as a tri-nations-style round robin in the lead-up, but with four teams: WA, SA, Vic, and Allies. Schedule it across the first three weeks of AFL finals: Week 1 WA v SA, Vic v Allies; Week 2 Vic v WA, SA v Allies; Week 3 SA v Vic, WA v Allies (fixtures can be shuffled to suit finals travel, stadium suitability etc.).

The top two "states" then play the SoO “Final” at the MCG on the Friday night after the parade. Guaranteed sellout. Melbourne would be buzzing.

Financial incentives for the players of the winning "state" to drive willing participation.

I'd much rather they introduce this than the preseason SoO or the "Wildcard".

 

[squashface]

Respectfully disagree.

A State of Origin Final on the Friday night before the Grand Final, built from players from clubs that aren’t in the Grand Final would be much better.

Run it as a tri-nations-style round robin in the lead-up, but with four teams: WA, SA, Vic, and Allies. Schedule it across the first three weeks of AFL finals: Week 1 WA v SA, Vic v Allies; Week 2 Vic v WA, SA v Allies; Week 3 SA v Vic, WA v Allies (fixtures can be shuffled to suit finals travel, stadium suitability etc.).

The top two "states" then play the SoO “Final” at the MCG on the Friday night after the parade. Guaranteed sellout. Melbourne would be buzzing.

Financial incentives for the players of the winning "state" to drive willing participation.

I'd much rather they introduce this than the preseason SoO or the "Wildcard".

Would potentially end up with the dregs of the clubs because guys go into post season surgery as soon as they finish up. At least the late preseason slot theoretically has everyone as fit and healthy as they could be and therefore the best availability for the stars.

 

[Ambrose Burnside]

No interest in going to the footy in the middle of ****ing February, but keen on a WA polo shirt ... If they weren't $80 or whatever they are

 

[Bender_]

No interest in going to the footy in the middle of ****ing February,

Why does the time of year affect your level interest?

 

[Boohemian]

Why does the time of year affect your level interest?

February is pocket billiards season!

 

[Ambrose Burnside]

Why does the time of year affect your level interest?

The weather, mostly.

 

[EagleEgo]

previous year it was around 42 and sizzling even in the night

I have lived in Perth most of my life and have never seen 42 degree C at night.
In fact, maximum temperature after sunset has never exceed 30 degree in Perth.(29.7°C, set on January 12, 2014, was the record)

Feb 2025 Perth Temperature

https://www.bom.gov.au/climate/dwo/202502/pdf/IDCJDW6111.202502.pdf

 

[Happy Mastenator]

Respectfully disagree.

A State of Origin Final on the Friday night before the Grand Final, built from players from clubs that aren’t in the Grand Final would be much better.

Run it as a tri-nations-style round robin in the lead-up, but with four teams: WA, SA, Vic, and Allies. Schedule it across the first three weeks of AFL finals: Week 1 WA v SA, Vic v Allies; Week 2 Vic v WA, SA v Allies; Week 3 SA v Vic, WA v Allies (fixtures can be shuffled to suit finals travel, stadium suitability etc.).

The top two "states" then play the SoO “Final” at the MCG on the Friday night after the parade. Guaranteed sellout. Melbourne would be buzzing.

Financial incentives for the players of the winning "state" to drive willing participation.

I'd much rather they introduce this than the preseason SoO or the "Wildcard".

So players have just completed a full season and been knocked out of finals and you think they’d care about state of origin. They are crying out for a rest and recovery after a long season. They all make enough money that you’d have to offer them serious coin to remain invested.

 

[Cuzz09]

Once the ball is bounced the natural hunt for the ball will kick in

 

[ArdentEagle]

I expect this to happen to Cripps.

View attachment 2504492

Dermi has long retired now, so no worries there.