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PRESEASON TRAINING: Thursday 26th February 2026

Featured Replies

53 minutes ago, Slartibartfast said:

Max will ruck 80% of the time so it's really only the other 20% you need worry about. Heath was very good at centre bounces against NM but just ordinary around the ground and at boundary throw ins. Kentfield offers so much more around the ground and is a genuine threat up forward. I think Kentfield is quite capable of neutralising most rucks. The overall impact of Kentfield is more than Heath so he's my first choice. And when he isn't rucking he rotates with JVR and Mihocek as a genuine forward threat. Heath can't do that and will only get perhaps 40% game time. Kentfield will get 70%.

Kentfield for me.

With the last touch rules, boundary throw ins are going to be few and far between, except inside the arcs. I hope that's not the justification. I agree though - Kentfield was excellent last week and should be given the rd 1 spot

 

FB: Lever T Mc CJ

HB: Salem Turner Lindsay

C: Langford Steele Langdon

HF: Chandler Petty L. Pickett

FF: Fritsch JVR Kentfield

Foll: Gawn Pickett Rivers

Int: Kolt, Howes, Sparrow, Windsor, Sharp

Subs: X Taylor, Laurie, Matthews

Petty kind of has to play forward as part of that 26, unless he does a bit of half half.

Perhaps an injury or illness for Jeffo? I’d be surprised if he’s dropped from one quiet performance.

Not so surprised by Heath. Gawn needs a full run and Heath is also better served by a full game in the seconds too. Doesn’t entirely rule out 2 rucks but I never thought it would he plan A.

I’d expect it’s just a taste for Matthews but it’s a good sign.

I’d be dumbfounded if Petty plays in the forward line @DeeSpencer - not when all pre-season he has played back. I’d suggest he starts at full back and TMac on the bench - or perhaps even Turner playing some time forward (as he did last week during the two minute rule).

 
6 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Petty kind of has to play forward as part of that 26, unless he does a bit of half half.

Wondering about this...I hope he doesn't but I guess we wait and see.

They might even run Turner forward but again I hope not.

I would like to see the defence settle and Petty in particular needs to settle into a spot.

5 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

FB: Lever T Mc CJ

HB: Salem Turner Lindsay

C: Langford Steele Langdon

HF: Chandler Petty L. Pickett

FF: Fritsch JVR Kentfield

Foll: Gawn Pickett Rivers

Int: Kolt, Howes, Sparrow, Windsor, Sharp

Subs: X Taylor, Laurie, Matthews

Petty kind of has to play forward as part of that 26, unless he does a bit of half half.

Perhaps an injury or illness for Jeffo? I’d be surprised if he’s dropped from one quiet performance.

Not so surprised by Heath. Gawn needs a full run and Heath is also better served by a full game in the seconds too. Doesn’t entirely rule out 2 rucks but I never thought it would he plan A.

I’d expect it’s just a taste for Matthews but it’s a good sign.

I think I agree. With no Mihocek, Jeffo nor Melksham, there is no alternative tall forward when Kentfield does the relieving ruck work. Will be interesting. But Petty has done all pre season as a defender.


Pity about Jefferson... Would have liked the game time to be shared between him, Kentfield and JVR.

Looks like we will continue to play Gawn into the ground. A shame simply because a managed season might extend his playing life.

Not sure about that back 7 but I'll wait and see

2 hours ago, Slartibartfast said:

Max will ruck 80% of the time so it's really only the other 20% you need worry about. Heath was very good at centre bounces against NM but just ordinary around the ground and at boundary throw ins. Kentfield offers so much more around the ground and is a genuine threat up forward. I think Kentfield is quite capable of neutralising most rucks. The overall impact of Kentfield is more than Heath so he's my first choice. And when he isn't rucking he rotates with JVR and Mihocek as a genuine forward threat. Heath can't do that and will only get perhaps 40% game time. Kentfield will get 70%.

Kentfield for me.

It's also perhaps a guide to Kings thinking about whether to run two rucks or go with Max, with Roo and/or Kentfield providing a chop out - that's to say he might well be using this game as dry run for the season proper, which would not surprise given last Friday was anything but (ie we used 28 players, had players only playing a half, etc etc).

If tomorrow is dress rehearsal for the season proper, i'd be a tad worried if i was Jeffo.

1 hour ago, Ditcha said:

Afl ball is the football used during Afl games.

1 hour ago, BangBnagBang said:

Is that the same as ball they use in the VFL?? or is that a VFL ball

1 hour ago, Ditcha said:

It is the same football used in both the afl and vfl.

The game is Australian Rules Football and is played by many

The AFL has hijacked the generic name.

 
1 hour ago, Ditcha said:

It is the same football used in both the afl and vfl.

Is the VFL using second hand balls? (Carefull)

1 hour ago, rjay said:

Wondering about this...I hope he doesn't but I guess we wait and see.

They might even run Turner forward but again I hope not.

I would like to see the defence settle and Petty in particular needs to settle into a spot.

We could get a little funky purely for preseason and go a little bit of Petty, a little Disco and a little T Mc rotating all through the forward line.

I would’ve had Petty down back, coming on at 3/4 time then playing in the Casey practice game (assuming they have one) and aiming to dislodge Lever or T Mc.

But with this particular 26 there’s just a big imbalance between key backs and forwards.


33 minutes ago, monoccular said:

The game is Australian Rules Football and is played by many

The AFL has hijacked the generic name.

It’s a Football Ball then. 😂

I suggest one of Tmac or Petty will be outside the 23 and sub in at a point. They will want a look at Petty but maybe not a full game first up. I don't see any world where both are in the team. I hope TMatt gets a run. I suggest he has a tool set that we will look to accelerate into the seniors for the game style we're looking to p;lay, particularly as Kozzie plays more midfield.

Edited by Lil_red_fire_engine

2 hours ago, Fritta and Turner said:

Is the VFL using second hand balls? (Carefull)

I do not what footballs the vfl use, and once more I zero interest in what footballs the vfl use.

Just now, Ditcha said:

I do not what footballs the vfl use, and once more I zero interest in what footballs the vfl use.

I should have said I do not know what footballs the vfl use.


3 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

We could get a little funky purely for preseason and go a little bit of Petty, a little Disco and a little T Mc rotating all through the forward line.

I would’ve had Petty down back, coming on at 3/4 time then playing in the Casey practice game (assuming they have one) and aiming to dislodge Lever or T Mc.

But with this particular 26 there’s just a big imbalance between key backs and forwards.

Not sure about changing position every time the music stops – I think that is a different game?

Not sure about the wisdom of having part timers rucking against Richmond in the practice match? But there again, it’s only Nank, and he will probably be soft as butter this season.😬

Overall, I am feeling a bit unsure.

  • Author
1 hour ago, Ditcha said:

I do not what footballs the vfl use, and once more I zero interest in what footballs the vfl use.

All good, Ditcha. We knew what you meant right from the start. Some folks think they’re funnier than they actually are.

PS: see you on Monday at Gosch’s ❤️💙

7 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

FB: Lever T Mc CJ

HB: Salem Turner Lindsay

C: Langford Steele Langdon

HF: Chandler Petty L. Pickett

FF: Fritsch JVR Kentfield

Foll: Gawn Pickett Rivers

Int: Kolt, Howes, Sparrow, Windsor, Sharp

Subs: X Taylor, Laurie, Matthews

Petty kind of has to play forward as part of that 26, unless he does a bit of half half.

Perhaps an injury or illness for Jeffo? I’d be surprised if he’s dropped from one quiet performance.

Not so surprised by Heath. Gawn needs a full run and Heath is also better served by a full game in the seconds too. Doesn’t entirely rule out 2 rucks but I never thought it would he plan A.

I’d expect it’s just a taste for Matthews but it’s a good sign.

Yuk Petty forward,if you watch his pre-draft highlights he was a natural backman.

8 hours ago, Fritta and Turner said:

Got there 30 mins early and the place was deserted. Then I spotted Ghosty chewing the ear off a random dog walker, so all good.

The players drift over and I am always interested who walks over with who. Today, TMc with Kolt, Kossie with CJ and Trelly not far behind, Salem with Fritta. Salem I'm told should change his name to Raymond, as in everybody loves....

Kingy has a heavy ponderous gait. King had a casual chat with Sparrow before proceedings kicked off. Richo and lamb watching on.

A low barrier was set up to kick/head butt soccer balls over. This was high spirited and lasted 10 minutes maximum.

Then some practised quick accurate ball movement whilst others had shots on goal. 15 minutes max. Luker in the mask.

Tom Matthews is the right height to be put in a casual head lock.

I was advised earlier in the day that Bowey is making excellent progress and hopefully back earlier than expected. One of the reasons for this is that he is small of stature compared to most other footballers.

No Jeffo or Moose.

Not many track watchers.

Is this the start of the zombie apocalypse? 😢 Maybe this clip is where we got the idea to use soccer balls(!)

8 hours ago, Fritta and Turner said:

Got there 30 mins early and the place was deserted. Then I spotted Ghosty chewing the ear off a random dog walker, so all good.

The players drift over and I am always interested who walks over with who. Today, TMc with Kolt, Kossie with CJ and Trelly not far behind, Salem with Fritta. Salem I'm told should change his name to Raymond, as in everybody loves....

Kingy has a heavy ponderous gait. King had a casual chat with Sparrow before proceedings kicked off. Richo and lamb watching on.

A low barrier was set up to kick/head butt soccer balls over. This was high spirited and lasted 10 minutes maximum.

Then some practised quick accurate ball movement whilst others had shots on goal. 15 minutes max. Luker in the mask.

Tom Matthews is the right height to be put in a casual head lock.

I was advised earlier in the day that Bowey is making excellent progress and hopefully back earlier than expected. One of the reasons for this is that he is small of stature compared to most other footballers.

No Jeffo or Moose.

Not many track watchers.

Edited by Go Ds

  • Author
10 hours ago, Fritta and Turner said:

Got there 30 mins early and the place was deserted. Then I spotted Ghosty chewing the ear off a random dog walker, so all good.

Oi… I’ll have you know that while yes, I was talking to the random dog-walker, it was only because he was peppering me with questions. He claimed to be a Dees supporter and he may well be but he didn’t seem to be across it at all. I was half expecting him to say “… and who’s this Max Gawn guy?”


10 hours ago, DubDee said:

It’s a Football Ball then. 😂

It’s an Australian Rules football.

13 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Looks like we will continue to play Gawn into the ground. A shame simply because a managed season might extend his playing life.

Managed? You mean like in last weeks practice match against North where Gawn was ... rested.

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