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

 

[WCErevival]

Are there enough players from Tasmania or the Northern Territory to even field sides?

Top them up with state players. Its the best from each state regardless of level.

 

[kane249]

Why don't we have a SOO tournament featuring every state and territory. NT and Tasmania will be cannon fodder but it will sort of be like the FA cup where you get to see lower ranked clubs take on the bigger teams.

Keep saying it

WA Vs Vic Country
SA Vs Vic Metro

Same as the under 18's setup. Rotate the teams the next year.

You get to have more players pull on the big V this was as well.
Added bonus is you get a country vs metro match every 3 years you can promote as a local derby of sorts.

 

[evans1863]

Why don't we have a SOO tournament featuring every state and territory. NT and Tasmania will be cannon fodder but it will sort of be like the FA cup where you get to see lower ranked clubs take on the bigger teams.

Outside of SOO I'd love there to be a Cup competition in the AFL. Getting knocked out away at Sandringham Dragons, the stuff of dreams.

 

[DorothyG]

The NRL SOO, I would argue is considered on a higher pedestal that that of their GF.

To me, that feels wrong.

I love WA and want us to be the best at everything, but I love WC more. 06 and 18 are up there with some of the best day in my life.

The AFL going professional was the deaf nell for SOO. The GF is our holy grail, and the pinnacle of what everyone who plays footy aspires to.

Sure, it'll be a bit of fun to see the best players run around in an exhibition match in Feb, but that's all it's ever going to be. Let's not pretend any different.

The idea of having it pre the GF is silly.

With wildcard round a thing now, players from 8 teams wouldn't have trained or played a proper game in a month. Players from 2 teams won't be available.
It would be played at even a lesser standard than what it will be.
IF they insist on having a bye week pre the GF, leave that for a Footy Celebration. Brownlow, legends game, kicking comps. Make a it a carnival atmosphere for those who can't get a GF ticket

 

[Truckosaurus]

Deaf Nell

 

[Elite Pete]

Any update when the lads are officially back?

 

[Avalor]

Any update when the lads are officially back?

Would like to know this too. is it tomorrow?

 

[Mop]

Any update when the lads are officially back?

Would like to know this too. is it tomorrow?

Next official session is next Wednesday sadly

 

[Cuzz09]

Are other clubs back?

 

[Yeahnahmate]

Are other clubs back?

If they are that’s signs of Harley being slack

 

[WCErevival]

Not a good week to come back. Temps going to be in the 40s.

 

[EagleEgo]

Are other clubs back?

Some Essendon players were?

 

[Rowan18]

If they are that’s signs of Harley being slack

And Tim Kelly to be delisted immediately! Nisbet should come out of retirement to tear up his contract personally.

 

[Bender_]

And Tim Kelly to be delisted immediately! Nisbet should come out of retirement to tear up his contract personally.

Nesbitt never really retired, he's still behind the scenes pulling Puke's strings and refusing to fix MRP's surface.

 

[mitchzz]

Interesting

 

[bzparkes]

Interesting

View attachment 2506327

 

[Bender_]

I don't know what this means.

 

[Spooky17]

Jed coming home confirmed.

 

[Rowan18]

I don't know what this means.

The only guy I recognise in that photo is Ginbey

 

[bzparkes]

The only guy I recognise in that photo is Ginbey

You don't recognise Harley's Guest from the Brownlow?

 

[WCErevival]

Is that Steve Urkel?

 

[Avalor]

You don't recognise Harley's Guest from the Brownlow?

Clay Hall is there.

 

[bzparkes]

Clay Hall is there.

 

[flyinghi64]

I think Jed would have been close to coming home this year but we were out of offers for him with getting Starcevich and wanting to hold our top draft picks.
Think he is more than a good chance next year so will be interesting to see how many games he plays at GC and how contract talks go.

 

[flyinghi64]

That is a bit of a weird picture though taken at that new cafe/clothing hybrid whatever shop it is.
Ginbey standing holding a Nike thing saying "Somethings Off"
Some weird dude sitting between Hall and Walter with his hand on each of their legs and what is that across his legs are they over sized shorts as it looks like some splooge towel you hide stuff under.
Mmmm weird.