BigBadBustling

Do we use footballs at training?

And the AFL changes the rules again in 3...2...1....

If we're saying there'll be no racing at Caulfield for 12 months due to construction etc, how does the Moonee Valley situation impact the whole deal? With MV out of action, if Caulfield is as well it leaves Flemington and the rarely used Sandown as the only Vic-metro options? I can't see how that would work TBH. I don't think anything could happen at Caulfield until MV is fully back in action, which at this point is August 2027.

Surely TISM gets a run for someone?

Ah, no, he asked what gym, not what breakfast....

Nice mark from Kolt - on the pane of 50!

#BringBackBennett

The highlight for me, I think it was the first period. White had transitioned out of defence really well, and as the camera panned left to follow the play, you could see Windsor, totally gliding across the turf to get back, moving 2 to everyone else's 1. I'll have to watch the replay, but pretty sure he was involved in stopping the play. Was amazing to watch the cruising speed.

I for one would love to see Rooter and Muter in the forward line together

Who's on first?

I wonder if they have snakes on Qo'noS

Could quite well be correct. Will be interesting to watch him develop.

I'm not one to go big on young players, but happy to throw my chips in on Langford. Exceptional talent and game sense, he will be an absolute star. Of course there's 2nd season blues a possibility, but he's just so professional. The whole issue with Trac was his want to be more midfield than forward, we wanted the opposite. Langford, in 2026, will be more the blend we wanted from Trac, and for that reason I think he'll at least match Trac's 2025. So if that means I'm saying runner up in the 2026 BnF then so be it, happy to revisit halfway through the year on his progress (with or without egg on my face) For what it's worth, I don't think he'll match Trac's 2026, unfortunately. 2027 and beyond will be a different story.

If you're looking at 2025 alone, Steele is an upgrade on Clarrie - as disappointing as that is to hear. Also, with Trac's 'mood' I can see Langford slotting straight into his role and performing better. CJ replaces that guy that went to Freo, and if anything is an upgrade defensively - which is the role we wanted him to play. That covers the outs and is a positive for mine. That means we have to cover Langford's star quality all over the ground, and I don't know who steps up into that, perhaps Culley. Then there's Bowey which is a big loss for at least half the year. Maybe that's Taylor's first shot, and see when AMW is ready for his turn. Viney, who knows. Mihocek is a massive improvement in the forward line, but does he get on the park???? Petty into the backline would be an upgrade on 2025 Steven May, if he can keep his head out of trouble. That leads us to the up and coming group of kids and the new gameplan and attacking footy. Most of the under 23 brigade seem to be putting in a full preseason which is massive. The preseason itself has also been massive by the sounds of it, so they should all be fitter than ever. Lindsay goes from very little preseason last year to a full job this time, his improvement could really amaze. Trelly in means we get a Pickett in the guts and still one at small fwd. Windsor in the middle sounds like he's going next level, but also means we need to replace him in the backline. Lindsay gets that role initially I'd say, all class. So there could well be improvement across the board from the younger brigade - think Hawks. I'm quite bullish about 2026. We'll move up the ladder, but whether or not we make finals I don't know. Regardless, we will play finals in 2027.

I preferred their other big song - Hop Around!

Anyone putting 2 and 2 together re @picket fence unavailable and gates open all of a sudden? Sorry Picket, love your work, couldn't resist.😂

I'm a massive fan as well, but at the end of the day he stitched us up. Consumed so much club resources purely to get him right, and finally looked to be getting back near his best. Got told how it was gonna be at his exit, and spat it. Glad he's gone, and full disclaimer, my opinion only. The only way that trade makes sense is if he's on a 3rd strike. Now I'm not a betting man, even though I'll have a little something on Mister Me tomorrow, but I'd be very tempted to punt on Oliver not playing too many more games of AFL, if any. Will probably be phrased as a career ending XXXXXX injury. Batter up

Mister Me?

Apologies, you are correct. Running well before Christmas - not full training. So he's definitely further back, by some margin.

Thanks for that, very interesting. So realistically, given he thinks he'll be into full training before Christmas, Tommy Matthews isn't coming from as far back as Lindsay did last year?

Just out of interest, can anyone recall last year, when exactly did Lindsay get into full training?

Well I for one am hoping those 2 first rounders are called 'Bailey' and 'Humphrey'

Absolutely fantastic report. Thank you so much. How did Howes go, I'm interested to know where he fits going into 2026? He has talent, but just couldn't make it stick in the 1s. His 2024 year with Casey, waxing with Tomlinson in the back half was absolutely something else.

Does his accountant come with???