Training Training updates 2026.

[Exambolor]

Hurts to say but I’m all for prioritising the youth over Howe now. I just don’t trust that his body can cope with the demands of the game anymore. That calf won’t go away. He’ll need even longer now.

Reef has showed great signs, debut Cochran and see what he can do. No better time to start exposing these kids. Who knows, this injection of youth might rejuvenate us like we haven’t seen before. Wouldn’t the media hate seeing that after calling us old and slow.

To think we could see West, Harrison, Hayes, Reef, Cochran, Steene, Prindable etc play some senior games this year has me pretty excited.

Add TJ to that list too, I could see him getting some more games considering he's similar to Howe in play style

 

[BillyElliott]

 

[ANewDawn]

Ryan won’t be playing as a KPD, so a trial in that position really doesn’t impact his prospects.

He could be playing KPD is Moore and Howe are not available. He wasn't bad really but not up against much either.

 

[Dead Eye Didak]

Or McInnes. What about Frampton? Isn’t he injured too? Or has he now recovered?

Frampton is fine...
Unless something has happened??

 

[Jen2310]

Frampton is fine...
Unless something has happened??

He’s fine now
But he had been in rehab last week or so

 

[satty]

Our defensive injuries also means that Perryman may be once again asked to go back down back to help out.

 

[Jen2310]

Our defensive injuries also means that Perryman may be once again asked to go back down back to help out.

Apart from one quarter yest- he’s been playing and training in defence all preseason

 

[cfc19902010]

Saints won’t have king

Owen’s charman etc

Maynard plays tall on charman and frampton will be fine on Marshall
Owen’s medium tall so even IQ

 

[Rorzza]

Thanks Jen, your footage fantastic! You might need to contact the ABC...


Willy - CFC needs to find the ball in his hands, very good user of the footy, especially around the 50 me arc. We need him to take the next step.

Steene - Yes, extremely pleased with his out put, another CFC needs to step up.

O Riain - The knock on Jacob for me is he doesn't kick forward enough, take on defense but the first third he did exactly that, with the wind I presume, pleasing!

Angry - Wow, that was pleasant to watch....Some minor blemishes but can find the footy, looks like a natural mid and mostly good decisions made and disposal AFL standard.

Odin - Taj looks like he can find the footy too, decisions made and or disposal let him down somewhat.

 

[satty]

Apart from one quarter yest- he’s been playing and training in defence all preseason

Probably out of necessity. Think our preference would have been to roll him through the midfield.

 

[Pistol Night]

Saints won’t have king

Owen’s charman etc

Maynard plays tall on charman and frampton will be fine on Marshall
Owen’s medium tall so even IQ

We’ll be fine. They don’t have a single Daicos and we have 2

 

[Copeland]

Hes not skinny through the hips, will fill out nicely in time

 

[Jen2310]

Probably out of necessity. Think our preference would have been to roll him through the midfield.

Don’t think so
Think they like him down back.
Has not spent a minute training mid since last year
Might change when reef is ready or sometime this year but not at this point

 

[Piesinmyeyes]

We’ll be fine. They don’t have a single Daicos and we have 2

Fair point there!
Nasiah is pretty handy though…

 

[No SPIN]

He could be playing KPD is Moore and Howe are not available. He wasn't bad really but not up against much either.

Possibly but I think Reef and Cochrane would be given that role ahead of Ryan.

 

[rand corp]

Cochrane, Reefe, TJ, Ryan, Parker. Chance for someone to stand up and make a spot in our D their own this season.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Going into the 2026 season with question marks over Howe - will his aging body stand up? - has uncomfortable echoes of the 2024 preseason when we weren’t sure about Murphy. And he didn’t make it.

I’m probably panicking a bit early, and our defence was excellent for most of last year, but geez we’re vulnerable.

You definitely are.

The question is not about whether his aging body can stand up but whether he can be replaced. I think that’s achievable

 

[Pistol Night]

Fair point there!
Nasiah is pretty handy though…

Very. Superstar that kid. Massive respect for his loyalty too

 

[BillyElliott]

Very. Superstar that kid. Massive respect for his loyalty too

$2 mill a year helped a bit with that

 

[Pistol Night]

$2 mill a year helped a bit with that

Yeah i guess, but....



St.Kilda. . Id want 4 million to play for them

 

[ANewDawn]

Possibly but I think Reef and Cochrane would be given that role ahead of Ryan.

Reef did not play in the practice match. I would think he would be a certain selection ahead of Ryan if he is fit.

 

[manicpie]

Yeah i guess, but....



St.Kilda. . Id want 4 million to play for them

He's worth every cent

 

[Mick F]

Add TJ to that list too, I could see him getting some more games considering he's similar to Howe in play style

TJ runs to space well but doesn’t really defend. Josh can get away with that, being an elite footballer.

 

[cityslick1]

Pretty underwhelming practice match tbh, with the windy conditions and so many big names out.

Thought buller was good, great goal from the boundary in blustery conditions.

Saxena again proved he was worth the pick.

Membrey will be v important for us this year. Good forward craft, good mark, covers ground, and a great set shot. Motivation looks high to extend his career.

HDM surprised me with his coverage of ground and possessions. Still minimal hurt factor at afl level, but is putting in the big ones.

Steene good, and did his chances no harm of selection as the third forward / relief ruck.

Tyan clean again, but not as prevalent as in training sim. Looks like he needs to build his tank before garnering a senior midfield spot.

Elliott and Josh looking a class above.

Lippa carrying on his form from previous weeks.

Hayes also looking good. Zippy players like him crucial, as our midfield and mature players lack a bit of pace. Delivers v well into F50. Nice vision and disposal on the run.

Long looks primed. Runs all day

Would’ve liked to see West do more. Showed good vision and decision making again, but was overshadowed by more experienced forwards.

Zac mac showed nice signs. Needs to work on his kicking, but marking / timing looks v good.

Cochran still looks a little hampered by his niggle. Played more confidently prior to the scare.

Beau hopefully ready for round 1, but interruptions haven’t been great. His pace and hardness around the ball so important.

Ryan did quite well, but again no hurt factor. V minimal if any progression since arriving. Sad for the kid, but seems maxed out on his potential.

Allan got busy and even had a couple of bounces. But lacks composure / skills at the coal face and will likely be exposed - in the near term at least - against senior opposition midfields. Hopefully a late bloomer

Disappointed no Swadling unless someone can correct me. Injury list is a worry…

Defence looked good also. Doesn’t make for a great spectacle, but the intensity and focus that has been on show throughout preseason was there again. Prob helps that players know what the opposing team are trying to do…

 

[Harry O]

Pretty underwhelming practice match tbh, with the windy conditions and so many big names out.

Thought buller was good, great goal from the boundary in blustery conditions.

Saxena again proved he was worth the pick.

Membrey will be v important for us this year. Good forward craft, covers ground, and a great set shot. Motivation looks high to extend his career.

HDM surprised me with his coverage of ground and possessions. Still minimal hurt factor at afl level, but is putting in the big ones.

Steene good, and did his chances no harm of selection as the third forward / relief ruck.

Tyan clean again, but not as prevalent as in training sim. Looks like he needs to build his tank before garnering a senior midfield spot.

Elliott and Josh looking a class above.

Lippa carrying on his form from previous weeks.

Hayes also looking good. Zippy players like him crucial, as our midfield and mature players lack a bit of pace.

Long looks primed.

Would’ve liked to see West do more. Showed good vision and decision making again, but was overshadowed by more experienced forwards.

Zac mac showed nice signs. Needs to work on his kicking, but marking / timing looks v good.

Cochran still looks a little hampered by his niggle. Played more confidently prior to the scare.

Beau hopefully ready for round 1, but interruptions haven’t been great

Disappointed no Swadling unless someone can correct me. Injury list is a worry…

Defence looked good also. Doesn’t make for a great spectacle, but the intensity and focus that has been on show throughout preseason was there again. Prob helps that players know what the opposing team are trying to do…

Good summary - agree with most of that