Training Training updates 2026.

[CheckerTrade666]

I thought us playing Richmond at Ikon Park for the pineapple cup was going to be a yearly thing?

That being said it's always cool seeing us play at a different ground since it's somewhat of a novelty for us. Should get a good turnout.

 

[Jen2310]

I thought us playing Richmond at Ikon Park for the pineapple cup was going to be a yearly thing?

That being said it's always cool seeing us play at a different ground since it's somewhat of a novelty for us. Should get a good turnout.

It'll be somewhere different for me. I've never been up there. Only if you count Sovereign Hill lol

 

[WanderingDude]

I always like regional games, I think they are good for club and supporters. Is the Ballarat ground still being developed?

 

[PonsfordMagpie]

I always like regional games, I think they are good for club and supporters. Is the Ballarat ground still being developed?

Yes, I think so given the Bulldogs have chosen not to play there next year.

 

[BillyElliott]

I always like regional games, I think they are good for club and supporters. Is the Ballarat ground still being developed?

Yep, not finished until late 2026. Currently looks like a construction site.

 

[WanderingDude]

Maybe a regional game elsewhere would have been better but I don’t know everything about the decision. I’ve heard that Geelong have a nice quaint ground with mannered applause.

 

[Robroy22]

Good that its early March....only be a little bit of snow on the ground

 

[Mollythedolly]

Good that its early March....only be a little bit of snow on the ground

30+C statewide, Ballarat “Feels Like” 9C

 

[Bianconeri]

That's the opposite of my memory. If we are talking about late 2024.

My memory was he wasn’t anything special on the wing.

 

[Peters_Nuts]

My memory was he wasn’t anything special on the wing.

I think he was fine, which isn't enough to warrant moving him from the backline where he's elite.

 

[Apex36]

My memory was he wasn’t anything special on the wing.

The bar had been set so low by his year so far until his move that any improvement was looked upon favourably. Then the Mandela effect comes in to play and suddenly he was “really good” on a wing, even though in reality he wasn’t particularly good there at all.

 

[well left]

Both going well, not yet standing out. Its sort of not the time of year to do so.. once we get into more match play post xmas will be better.
But Buller does seem to have a lot of athletic ability.

Anderson in particular seems like the type to me that looks ok at training but put him into match play and he’ll look a whole lot better. Just seems the type that relishes the contest.

 

[Jen2310]

 

[Finnishpie]

From the media coverage and the club's media managers I'm ready to declare us favourites for the flag! With daylight between us and second. Season over. Let's celebrate! I'm ready! lol

 

[WanderingDude]

From the media coverage and the club's media managers I'm ready to declare us favourites for the flag! With daylight between us and second. Season over. Let's celebrate! I'm ready! lol

And balance is always required. Pies flag, Carlton spoon.

 

[Daicos Torpedo]

I'll declare it now.
Book mark it.
We'll win games with a mixture of new, old, middle ground, and perhaps a MSD gun...
Top 4 awaiting this fool proof strategy ..

 

[legendstatus]

The young crop do look like ready made players but will require time still, clearly not as much as Ed Allan & Reef who both look like Tarzan but unfortunately play like Jane!

 

[Matrix10]

The young crop do look like ready made players but will require time still, clearly not as much as Ed Allan & Reef who both look like Tarzan but unfortunately play like Jane!

Howe pumped Reef's tyres up last year , one thing to bulk up and look like a footballer , another thing to know how to read the play and get to the drop of the ball . I don't see it with him .

 

[Vicky Park]

Howe pumped Reef's tyres up last year , one thing to bulk up and look like a footballer , another thing to know how to read the play and get to the drop of the ball . I don't see it with him .

I’ve never seen ‘it’ in Reef. Looks the goods but…he has a few mates too.

We have invested so much time and effort in some of these guys for not much reward. If this years crop requires as much effort, then God help us.

But as happens every year, I’m quietly confident about some of our new kids. Really liking Prindable.

 

[Matrix10]

I’ve never seen ‘it’ in Reef. Looks the goods but…he has a few mates too.

We have invested so much time and effort in some of these guys for not much reward. If this years crop requires as much effort, then God help us.

But as happens every year, I’m quietly confident about some of our new kids. Really liking Prindable.

Yes V P. Share your sentiments with our latest draftees. All of Swadling Prindable and Anderson are footballers first , won't be surprised if they all debut for us in 2026 and form the nucleus of our side alongside Nick & co for many years to come .

 

[sr36]

Howe pumped Reef's tyres up last year , one thing to bulk up and look like a footballer , another thing to know how to read the play and get to the drop of the ball . I don't see it with him .

I'm more optimistic as I haven't seen him in defence yet. He's a bit like Billy Frampton in that he's got the tools but it's a question about whether he reacts quickly enough - he didn't as a forward.

 

[No SPIN]

With looming retirements we need players above role models with X factor. The journey will be long .

The “looming retirements”, have largely lost their X factor with age, but not Footy IQ. So replacing their current contribution ( apart from Footy IQ and experience) will not be a great challenge.

 

[No SPIN]

Both going well, not yet standing out. Its sort of not the time of year to do so.. once we get into more match play post xmas will be better.
But Buller does seem to have a lot of athletic ability.

Jen, where is Howes playing in match Sim - fwd or back. And how is he looking?

 

[No SPIN]

Was able to pop down for about 30 mins yesterday so have some minor observations:

Cochran has definitely put on some size and showed good signs in some of the drills. Howe was giving him lots of advice on how to position his body which was great to see.

Smit is looking massive. Had to double check I was looking at the right guernsey number. Can't wait to see how he goes in match play.

That’s good news - he has a fantastic leap (to mitigate his shorter height for a Ruckman ) and a bit of aggression which is always handy in Ruckman.

 

[LuckyLee]

I’ve never seen ‘it’ in Reef. Looks the goods but…he has a few mates too.

We have invested so much time and effort in some of these guys for not much reward. If this years crop requires as much effort, then God help us.

But as happens every year, I’m quietly confident about some of our new kids. Really liking Prindable.

Agree with all your points there, VP.

To really find out what we’ve got in terms of young talent, we’re going to have to create some space in the AFL side to give them an extended run. Departures of WHE and Mihochek help create that space but we might need to go further by pushing the likes of Lipinski and Membrey (& Sidey?) down to the VFL. And the big elephant in the room - Pendles - after he achieves the games played record. That’s gonna take a big, bold mindset shift from Fly and the Selection Committee.