1 hour ago, Go Ds said:

Im not trying to be a smart Alec here but can Langford or whoever improve over a ten- week break? What? More weights? He's grown? Niggling injuries have cleared up? Im sure players go into preseasons with a better attitude or newfound confidence and emerge round one as a better player. But just from 10 weeks rest? Is that possible? I'm curious.

I think it's called maturing! Add growing confidence, self-awareness, body growth, developing strength etc. Who would have thought an athlete going from 19 to 20 would actually get better... Work it out!

5 hours ago, D Rev said:

Why?

You would have to have been at pre-season training to know

3 hours ago, waynewussell said:

Lever moved freely

but…

Jeffo needs to add some serious mongrel and grunt this pre season, then eat weights for breakfast lunch and tea, otherwise his AFL career may be over in 12 months.

Hoping for all our sakes as supporters that he can 🤞

Kingy being very friendly and casual with the players

Too early to worry???

42 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

King: "You didn't have to come back (from Noosa)"

CJ: "Mate, I'm always coming in first day of pre-season"

Love CJ already. Hope he smashes it next season.

14 minutes ago, DubDee said:

Kingy being very friendly and casual with the players

Too early to worry???

15 minutes ago, DubDee said:

Kingy being very friendly and casual with the players

Too early to worry???

If the players respect him and meet his demands he can make Steve Irwin look like Queen Victoria for all I care.

It's amazing how the change of coach can totally change the feeling around the club, suddenly everything is fresh and exciting, new game style, new faces and some optimism for 2026.

Complacency isn't always obvious, i think it's normally the little things that you don't notice until you start doing them again.

Jeez, I can't wait to get down to training. Gotta pack up the house here in Seattle first and get flights back and yadda yadda. DH starts his new job on the 15th of December, so we'll be back just in time for the Christmas shut down....

I'm not sure if training is more exciting than games. You can still dream at training plus you can talk to some of the boys sometimes.

4 hours ago, Kev said:

They didn’t perform handball games or soccer.

Could that be because it's not not a recovery session ...

20 minutes ago, thirty-one said:

DH starts his new job on the 15th of December, so we'll be back just in time for the Christmas shut down....

Hmmmm. I assume DH is your partner. Hope DH doesn't stand for D@ck Head! Might be something I get called at home from time to time by my significant other. Usually when losing my sh@t watching my beloved team ripping my heart out. Our dog always knew when I was watching the footy and would wait when she thought I wasn't looking and bolt as far away as possible. But anyway. I digress. Go Dees. Best day of the year.

Edited November 10, 2025Nov 10 by Its Time Again

4 hours ago, Kev said:

Chaplin led the session,..........

Got to say I find this really significant.

Over the years I have read that many new coaches have a common fault of wanting to control everything from the beginning and they end up coming unstuck in many different ways because of it.

I think this shows a great level of maturity and self confidence to let his assistants take control straight off on his first training day. It's a great sign. Apparently Scott gave his assistants a lot of trust and corresponding independence. I have heard that it was known in the coaching fraternity that Goody never did. I think it's fair to say we mostly don't have a clue how things work within the inner sanctum of the coaches and the club more widely. It's a complex dynamic nowadays and very important to find someone with the self confidence to manage it in the best way.

11 minutes ago, Its Time Again said:

Hmmmm. I assume DH is your partner. Hope DH doesn't stand for D@ck Head! Might be something I get called at home from time to time by my significant other. Usually when losing my sh@t watching my beloved team ripping my heart out. Our dog always knew when I was watching the footy and would wait when she thought I wasn't looking and bolt as far away as possible. But anyway. I digress. Go Dees. Best day of the year.

I reckon I've seen DH for Dear(est) Husband. (Unless it's something like Demonland Headache.)

11 minutes ago, Its Time Again said:

Got to say I find this really significant.

Over the years I have read that many new coaches have a common fault of wanting to control everything from the beginning and they end up coming unstuck in many different ways because of it.

I think this shows a great level of maturity and self confidence to let his assistants take control straight off on his first training day. It's a great sign. Apparently Scott gave his assistants a lot of trust and corresponding independence. I have heard that it was known in the coaching fraternity that Goody never did. I think it's fair to say we mostly don't have a clue how things work within the inner sanctum of the coaches and the club more widely. It's a complex dynamic nowadays and very important to find someone with the self confidence to manage it in the best way.

There's a tale around I think from one of the large fashion companies - potentially Prada but can't remember - who have a rule that new senior hires don't lead any meetings or even offer any significant perspectives in the first 3 months. They listen, learn, assess before taking the reigns properly.

Always felt there was a lot of merit in that approach

38 minutes ago, bing181 said:

Could that be because it's not not a recovery session ...

I was looking for points of difference.

The soccer became more of a bonding drill and the handball games were played with high intensity, last season.

King may implement that type of drill in the future, but today he let them play footy (not full impact).

He also didn't get them running.

For a first up, not one of the players were on their haunches. Oh, AMW pushed, and doubled up after a run. Usually, they would all put the runners on and run laps after the skills, or sprint to the boundary during change-ups. None of that!

My guess is, he will do things his way.

Edited November 10, 2025Nov 10 by Kev

The more they train with footballs the better

Edited November 10, 2025Nov 10 by Roost it far

59 minutes ago, Its Time Again said:

I have heard that it was known in the coaching fraternity that Goody never did.

Listen to the (long) interview with Darren Burgess post GF, he singled out Goody for his ability to delegate and the trust he put in the team around him.

OK, new coach, exciting times, yadda yadda, but no point rewriting history.

A big thanks to the track watchers.

I am smiling bigly on this side of the world.

3 hours ago, Go Ds said:

Actually a lot of people can be shy. It's a slight fail that in the last few weeks that he hasnt been set up with mentors if that's the case. I'm a little surprised.

I thought I read in another thread (or earlier in this thread) that the two Maxs were doing running drills together another day. So I would presume that Big Max will be mentoring Slightly Smaller Max.

5 hours ago, Demonland said:

Chandler got Culled

Just getting it out there. This is Bailey Laurie's year. Openings in the midfield, less emphasis on inside ball-winners, need for skilled disposal... It's all coming up Bailey in 2026.

1 hour ago, Go Ds said:

I reckon I've seen DH for Dear(est) Husband. (Unless it's something like Demonland Headache.)

Can confirm. My ex-wife had a No DH policy.

Welcome to pre season ‘26.

Huge thanks to all track watchers and to those who provided comments.

I’ve been a fervent (interstate) Demonlander for a long time, but I’m sure I’ve never given more plaudits in a thread than I have to this one, except perhaps to a few in September 2021.

Great work all!

10 hours ago, Demonland said:

Greatest time of the year

2 hours ago, Roy Boy said:

Jeffo needs to add some serious mongrel and grunt this pre season, then eat weights for breakfast lunch and tea, otherwise his AFL career may be over in 12 months.

Hoping for all our sakes as supporters that he can 🤞

It is my experience/ observation that you have mongrel or you don't. He doesn't have it.