Training Training updates 2026.

[pablo disco bar]

Howe played 19 games last year.

The last 3 he played all injured or underdone

 

[granniewolf]

The last 3 he played all injured or underdone

I think half the team was carrying niggles.

 

[Sea fog]

Howe played 19 games last year.

So he missed 5, and was knocked out early in another game. It did tell in the prelim when he was gassed by about the 3rd which made it hard for us already carrying Checkers injured and after losing Pendles early, not to forget the absence of Hill. On reflection Howe should not have played and Parker would have offered more grunt because he was so fit.

 

[Mick F]

It's probably healthy for all of us to go into this season with minimal expectations.

This list is another year older and did not improve over the off-season (in fact one could argue that the list actually worsened based on the tipping out of AFL quality depth). As much as many Pies fans have high hopes for the likes of McInnes, Harrison, West, et al, it's ultimately a reliance on former late draft picks to improve our fortunes which history and logic would tell you doesn't tend to work. Two of those are coming off knees injuries too.

Be hopeful and optimistic, sure, but I think some realism about where we're at wouldn't go astray.

It also means I'm pre-emptively frustrated with the media telling us that a pass mark is to make a GF. They know full well our list is older and they keep telling us we have no young talent outside of Daicos. Yet apparently we have to have lofty expectations above and beyond the likes of Gold Coast or Hawthorn.

Would have thought most supporters were thinking 6-10. Dependent upon injuries, McStay ‘up and about’, and development of young players. Bookies rate us similarly.

Most players look slow when they are chasing.

 

[granniewolf]

So he missed 5, and was knocked out early in another game. It did tell in the prelim when he was gassed by about the 3rd which made it hard for us already carrying Checkers injured and after losing Pendles early, not to forget the absence of Hill. On reflection Howe should not have played and Parker would have offered more grunt because he was so fit.

I agree but he was selected anyway.
Fly's mantra of fit to play vs fit to perform was forgotten.
Let's not forget Beau's foot, Dan's hip or was it shoulder and Nick's niggle.

 

[Jen2310]

 

[No SPIN]

It's probably healthy for all of us to go into this season with minimal expectations.

This list is another year older and did not improve over the off-season (in fact one could argue that the list actually worsened based on the tipping out of AFL quality depth). As much as many Pies fans have high hopes for the likes of McInnes, Harrison, West, et al, it's ultimately a reliance on former late draft picks to improve our fortunes which history and logic would tell you doesn't tend to work. Two of those are coming off knees injuries too.

Be hopeful and optimistic, sure, but I think some realism about where we're at wouldn't go astray.

It also means I'm pre-emptively frustrated with the media telling us that a pass mark is to make a GF. They know full well our list is older and they keep telling us we have no young talent outside of Daicos. Yet apparently we have to have lofty expectations above and beyond the likes of Gold Coast or Hawthorn.

Not sure you can have it both ways - an unchanged list would have made us "OLDER", but you feel would have given us a better the list.

 

[Gaspard]

Saying players will "go past" Howe just does not recognize the player he has been. probably the best high mark the game has ever had. Nobody on our list is going to go past that. His abilities are declining, albeit much slower than I would have expected, but we should be seeing it in those terms rather than somebody surpassing peak Howe. That is not going to happen. We are going to have to adjust to someone of lesser ability being in that part of the ground.

 

[No SPIN]

Saying players will "go past" Howe just does not recognize the player he has been. probably the best high mark the game has ever had. Nobody on our list is going to go past that. His abilities are declining, albeit much slower than I would have expected, but we should be seeing it in those terms rather than somebody surpassing peak Howe. That is not going to happen. We are going to have to adjust to someone of lesser ability being in that part of the ground.

I don't think anyone has suggested passing Howes peak - passing Howes current athletic standard is much easier.
However, you can't replace his experience and cool temperament under pressure, which I think is far more critical.
That said - we lost him for most of 2023, but the system stood up and we blooded Murphy successfully. Therefore I can't dismiss the "system" doing the job again.

 

[Jen2310]

Saying players will "go past" Howe just does not recognize the player he has been. probably the best high mark the game has ever had. Nobody on our list is going to go past that. His abilities are declining, albeit much slower than I would have expected, but we should be seeing it in those terms rather than somebody surpassing peak Howe. That is not going to happen. We are going to have to adjust to someone of lesser ability being in that part of the ground.

Past
Peak.
Nobody is saying there is anyone as good as he was at his best- but the player he is today. You don’t expect any player to be anyone but who they are.
But for us to move forward we need one of the younger players to be a player in that sort of role on field.

 

[RobJD]

Past
Peak.
Nobody is saying there is anyone as good as he was at his best- but the player he is today. You don’t expect any player to be anyone but who they are.
But for us to move forward we need one of the younger players to be a player in that sort of role on field.

The role of the coaches is to bring out the best in each player on the list - we don't need another Howe - there's only one of him and he's near the end of his career.

It's up to the coaching panel to ensure that all the qualities that Howe brings to our game are collectively covered by those replacing his role in the side, not a single person, but a combination of players - we've successfully covered those players that have left in the past, e.g., who'd have thought we'd have a ready made replacement for: Grundy with Cameron, or Roughhead with Murphy? And we'll do it again.

 

[Jen2310]

The role of the coaches is to bring out the best in each player on the list - we don't need another Howe - there's only one of him and he's near the end of his career.

It's up to the coaching panel to ensure that all the qualities that Howe brings to our game are collectively covered by those replacing his role in the side, not a single person, but a combination of players - we've successfully covered those players that have left in the past, e.g., who'd have thought we'd have a ready made replacement for: Grundy with Cameron, or Roughhead with Murphy? And we'll do it again.

Happens when sides evolve. No matter the era or decade. You dont replace players. You just replace the spot in the line up and hope the players who play do what they need to do to perform and solidfy their position. Before howe. Sidey. Pendes. Murphy. Pick any player, there was always someone before them.

And it'll happen again, which is exactly what you've said lol And I concur.

 

[BEEG]

That was my expectation for last year and I was well off the mark. I can't see a repeat of last year, but my opinion is really not worth a lot. When I watched his first game, I thought Pendlebury was too slow, and in his first couple of years, i thought Dane Swan was just filling in until a decent player came along! I'll just wait and see.

The year previous we were smashed by injuries and should have won against Swans we beat Lions, Pies were playing great footy in some games, the injuries just took their toll.

I always thought missing finals was a great result and we would be top 4.

This year feels like it will be the start of a transition year.

I wouldn't be against a very early pick to build that midfield around Daicos.

 

[JLC]

Can't agree with that. If he isn't part of our plans then he should have been told his time was up at the end of 2025.

The reality is he has played really well when fit. The big issue is that he keeps getting injured.

Maybe he should have been told. Maybe it would have been prudent to wait until season end before making a decision.

So how many games do you envisage Howe playing?

 

[Sea fog]

I agree but he was selected anyway.
Fly's mantra of fit to play vs fit to perform was forgotten.
Let's not forget Beau's foot, Dan's hip or was it shoulder and Nick's niggle

And it later came out that Moore had carried a shoulder injury since the early Freo match and battled finger injuries. We were pretty unlucky when ya think about it because we had a tough draw, surprised most and until the injuries became too much we were more than a sneaky chance of at least reaching the granny. I agree with some above that maybe Fly went slightly against his philosophy of picking players ready to perform because Howe was underdone endurance fitness wise and Mihocek looked like he limped into the match. Had we been fully fit we were outside chance because we certainly did better against the Lions than the Cats.

 

[granniewolf]

And it later came out that Moore had carried a shoulder injury since the early Freo match and battled finger injuries. We were pretty unlucky when ya think about it because we had a tough draw, surprised most and until the injuries became too much we were more than a sneaky chance of at least reaching the granny. I agree with some above that maybe Fly went slightly against his philosophy of picking players ready to perform because Howe was underdone endurance fitness wise and Mihocek looked like he limped into the match. Had we been fully fit we were outside chance because we certainly did better against the Lions than the Cats.

And even with all that going against us, if Jamie had been awarded that mark, who knows what might have happened.
They certainly wouldn't have won by 29 points.

 

[sr36]

I looked at 2025 as our last shot with the current group. If we are to do anything remarkable this year, it'll mean that 5-6 'young' blokes have taken over the roles of some of the 'older' crew. Here's hoping.

A good run with injuries and we'll give it a shake. Hopefully a few kids can hold their place - don't think they'll be significant though.

We'll be well coached. Defence will be good. I'm optimistic that Nick and Ned continue to improve at stoppage and fingers crossed on Jordy's body. Forward line might be an issue.

 

[satty]

IMO, you need to go back and watch the Fremantle highlight.

Especially the last quarter. Pretty sure hayden young , serong absolutely tore us a new one.

 

[satty]

I looked at 2025 as our last shot with the current group. If we are to do anything remarkable this year, it'll mean that 5-6 'young' blokes have taken over the roles of some of the 'older' crew. Here's hoping.

If that happens, I would see making the top 8 as a massive success and a pass mark for the season.

As that would mean we have found the beginning of the next wave who are capable of making us serial premiership contenders in 1-2 years time.

 

[Obese Arachnid]

A good run with injuries and we'll give it a shake. Hopefully a few kids can hold their place - don't think they'll be significant though.

We'll be well coached. Defence will be good. I'm optimistic that Nick and Ned continue to improve at stoppage and fingers crossed on Jordy's body. Forward line might be an issue.

Worried about the "stand rule" interpretation & how it might effect us?

I'm nervous myself.

 

[sr36]

Worried about the "stand rule" interpretation & how it might effect us?

I'm nervous myself.

I think we'll have to change the defensive plan. We were able to defend a slow midfield with what we were doing, but that'll have to be changed.

 

[stormskye]

A good run with injuries and we'll give it a shake. Hopefully a few kids can hold their place - don't think they'll be significant though.

We'll be well coached. Defence will be good. I'm optimistic that Nick and Ned continue to improve at stoppage and fingers crossed on Jordy's body. Forward line might be an issue.

I’ve mentioned the forward line in another thread. Looking at it makes me def glad Elliot stayed. Struggling to see us kicking 100plus scores which may make it difficult to seriously contend. Checkers and hill are big holes to fill. Not as sold as some on Buller’s capability being a MSD pick that’s best game is against the eagles in their last game of the season. Hopefully HH can return and provide some spark. Mcstay and Membrey as our two key pillars is def in the bottom of the KPF’s. I have high hopes for West but it’s very early for him to expect much.

 

[Big Bryza]

Maybe he should have been told. Maybe it would have been prudent to wait until season end before making a decision.

So how many games do you envisage Howe playing?

12-16

 

[Big Bryza]

And it later came out that Moore had carried a shoulder injury since the early Freo match and battled finger injuries. We were pretty unlucky when ya think about it because we had a tough draw, surprised most and until the injuries became too much we were more than a sneaky chance of at least reaching the granny. I agree with some above that maybe Fly went slightly against his philosophy of picking players ready to perform because Howe was underdone endurance fitness wise and Mihocek looked like he limped into the match. Had we been fully fit we were outside chance because we certainly did better against the Lions than the Cats.

Checkers was the one that should have been overlooked. Useless as **** on a bull in the PF.

 

[Big Bryza]

If that happens, I would see making the top 8 as a massive success and a pass mark for the season.

As that would mean we have found the beginning of the next wave who are capable of making us serial premiership contenders in 1-2 years time.

I look at it as much from a perspective of the improvement level in other teams.

Adelaide, Freo, GC, Hawthorn and perhaps 2-3 others will more than likely go past us.