CHF

Got up before dawn here to watch the game and very very glad I did. I had no idea what to expect but had hoped to see a new game plan and players enjoying playing. Got what I hoped to see in spades. A lot to like and be entertained by in the style of game we displayed yesterday. Run, daring, imagination... All the things that had disappeared from our game over the last couple of years. A few observations: Good to see a functioning forward 50. The addition of Checkers and the faster, more direct delivery makes a world of difference. I loved seeing the movement in the forward line when the midfield was carrying it forward. Midfield is a work in progress with a number of the younger less experienced players rotating through there. Steele will be critical to the team while Viney is out injured. Given the character of the game yesterday, I think there were some good performances from our defenders. Lever needs to find form and the defenders need time to understand their structures. IMO May was very much a general out on the ground and was critical in organising the defence. It will take time to sort out and adjust. In an open game such as yesterday's it is going to be just about impossible to defend against fast, corridor ball movement. The fact that the Saints had a lot more possessions than we did tells me that our ground defence was good at forcing them into a bit of kick to kick to try and get out of defence. Max played a great game. Interesting that in the interview he referenced the fact that he was forced into a lot of running pre-season because of his finger injury and that meant he had the tank to play as much as he did in the game. It was a similar situation last pre-season. An injury and a lot of running stood him in good stead. The Picketts are going to be a handful for oppo teams. A couple of players were a bit down on form. Langdon, Langford, Sparrow and Fristch, in my opinion were not as involved as I would have hoped. they all may be better with the run under their belts. Finally, a win like that in the circumstances will instill a lot of confidence in the players, coaches, club and supporters. The players will gain confidence in their form, confidence in the game plan and confidence in the coaches. The coaches will have confidence in the players ability to learn, train and execute the game plan. Looking forward to the Freo game. P.S. Lyon's presser was bizarre. He speaks no sense at all.

I know NWM is a $2m dollar player but was yelling at the broadcast when they showed him casually on the phone on the bench instead of the action on the ground. Also still annoys me that there are endless replays of a goal and no view of the centre setup for the next ball up.

Early start for me with a 5.15am ‘throw up’. Will be up to watch to see if they can carry through on the pre-season game plan when there are 4 points up for grabs. It will all be over before I sit down for my brekky. Dees to squeak home and early season pressure to be Ross the boss.

Not really anything to criticise in that squad selection. It will be interesting to see who makes the final interchange. I think it could be Rivers, Culley, Pickett,Melksham and one of either Tmac and Heath. Looking forward to the first of the season. Dees by a couple. Go Dees!

Has the footy started yet?

This is a tough one to feel comfortable about any prediction. Saints will have a game under their belt and I feel that is a distinct advantage. Plus, it is difficult to know how we will perform after a 'different' pre-season, a lot of changes and only a game and a half of warmup games. At this time this is how I would have them line up for the first throw-up (That really just sounds wrong). Kossie, Steele and Windsor at Max's tap. Possibly swap out Windsor for Rivers depending on how offensive you want to be. Beside Rivers we would have Langford, Lindsay, Sparrow, Laurie, Langdon and L Pickett to rotate through the middle TMac covers Key positions back, forwards and in Ruck. Tactically we might go with Heath to counter Saints going with two rucks. The warmup games across the league did show faster ball movement from the center throwups compared to previous seasons. FB: Howes Petty Lever HB: Rivers Turner Salem C: Langdon Steele Lindsay HF: Chandler Mihocek Langford FF: L. Pickett JVR Fritsch Foll: Gawn K Pickett Windsor Int: CJ, Sparrow, Tmac, Laurie, L Pickett We have a lot of flexibility in the team with players able to cover two or three positions. Will give the saints a watch this week end to see how they go and then maybe adjust this team.

From watching the stream and reading the reports it would seem we have a lot to look forward to this season. The team had a very fresh look to the way they played and their attitude. I feel that we will still be a bit up and down but the trick will be to see how quickly we can adjust and get back into the game. In ‘21 there was a lot of talk about our ability to ‘reset’ during games and I hope we are working on that ability with this group. A lot of this stems from the players having confidence in the coaches and what they are saying. I do not think that confidence was there in the last couple of seasons. An 80 point win, no matter who it is against helps to build that confidence. A lot to like. Roll on next week.

When Viney is not playing I would like to us roll through a few of the next generation of players given the VC formally on a game by game basis so that they get the experience and understanding of the role.

Sounds as if all the episodes will be good viewing. Will have a look at it before deciding if it was any good.

What will you be looking for this season? So much has changed for this season I was thinking about what are the most significant things that I will be watching for. Of course, I want to see us winning but I am realistic and understand that it will be a bit of an up and down year as the team and players develop. I have tried to keep to the 5 most important things to me. 1. See how the young players have developed after a full pre-season. The likes of Langford, Windsor, Lindsey and Tholstrup. Tholstrup in particular as I think he needs to take big strides to prove his worth. 2. I want to see if the forwards can perform better than last few seasons. Much will depend on delivery, but I want to see movement in the forward 50 to give the midfield some clear targets. 3. How we adapt to the ‘new’ game plan. Fast movement and are we going to be fit enough to support it? 4. Midfield. Who is where and how they gel. 5. How the young, newly drafted players are developed and used. The likes of Taylor, TOP (The Other Pickett), Matthews and Onley. So tell me, what are you going to be watching for?

How many times have you said that?

My red and blue heart is always going to be biased and have us performing better than anyone thought. My head, when looking at this season is a little bit confused. It may be age causing that. It may be more of a case that there are just so many unknowns stacked into our mix this season. It makes it hard, in my opinion to make any assessment. New coach with a new structure to his coaching team, a different game structure and a big turnover in the playing list all contribute to a sense of uncertainty for me. With regard to the coaching I like what I am hearing about the training sessions and the attitude of the players. they seem to be responding to the new coaching team. I am sure the players are looking at the situation as a 'clean sheet' re-start. I have also heard reports from a couple of people that King is very clear in his discussions with players at training as well as in private. I believe he is the same way with his coaching team. The playing list is what it is. We lost a couple of club champions and gained a couple of senior players. wins and losses, only time will tell which are which. I tend to think we made the right decisions to move on our ex/declining champions and look to make spaces in the team for younger developing players. In the defence I think we have a good mix of senior quality players and young developing players. If that is the case and we can organise that area of the ground to support our new game plan then I think it will hold up pretty well. The attacking area of the ground will be better than it has been since '21. it would have to show some improvement as it has been so bad for so long. The new game plan will improve the forward performance as long as the midfield delivers with intent and intelligence and the forwards are on the move rather than standing and wrestling. JVR, Fristch and Mihocek will be locks if fit but it will be interesting to see how the rest of the forward 0 is structured. There will be a number of players rotating between a stint in the forwards and other positions in the midfield or on a wing. Games are won and lost in the midfield...... so goes a tried and true cliche. I agree and it is the zone of the ground that we really know least about. We have a number of players that can perform on the wings. The real deal is what happens in the middle at the fall of the ball. Steele will be a big asset in there as will Pickett the Elder. the rest will get in there but so much of the performance in there relies on understanding how and where your teammates are going to be. it takes time to build those relationships and understanding. I expect us to run a bit hot and cold in the middle during this season and even within games. So the heart says we will surprise and end up 8-10 while the head says we will improve on 14th last season and be around 10-12th. P.S. in my heart of hearts we win the flag this year.

Thank you Redleg for the great report and the rundown on how some of the players went in the match sim. Was good to have read it prior to watching the sim highlights. Hard not to get excited given the training reports and the videos and pics we are getting from the club. Reports have highlighted not just the dills and player performances but, more importantly to my mind, the differences to the 'vibe' at training compared to the last couple of years. Given all the changes at the club in the last few months it is difficult to know how we are going to go until the pedal hits the metal after the first competitive bounce. I am optimistic and believe that we will improve on 14th this season. different game plan, different personnel and different attitude. There will be games that blow out but the players and coaches have to keep their belief in what they are doing and build on it. Watching the match sim video I loved the ball movement and the running but did not like the way our defenders lost their man when a grab was taken in a pocket. not so much the mark being taken but they were then allowed to play on to a player on their own in the goal square. I recall that happening twice..... once too often in my book. Roll on Mid-March. Go Dees!

Very possibly correct bing. I see 2-4 as a very good result given the situation we are in list and coaching wise. I also agree with your general outline of the areas of the ground with the midfield as an unknown. However, I am looking for an interesting ride in ‘26.

Given all the changes that the team list, the coaching staff and the Administration has been through over the last few months I find it hard to look for a 'pass mark' for '26. I want to see a true development of the game plan and a team of players week in week out enjoying their footy and being competitive. I can see this year as an opportunity for the coaches to have a good look at the players response under pressure of league footy, their adaption to the game plan and individual development. This pre-season is critical in establishing the standards on and off field. The first six games will give an idea of what we can expect for the season a there is a bit of travel and we play a good mixture of teams. R1 - Saints @The G (h) R2 - Dockers Perth (a) R3 - Carlton @ The G (a) R4 - Suns @The G (h) R5 - Bombers Adelaide (a) R6 - Brisbane @ The G (h) 4 at the G One in Perth and one in Adelaide. Come away from that with a couple of good wins and a couple of close games and then I will grade them.

Congratulations picket fence, I have just ticked over 20 years reading and posting on this site and you are the first and only poster I have put on ignore.

100% agree that he is very much a young man that has been given a chance on our list and I believe he will not be left wondering what might have been. He will give it his best shot and that is really all we can ask of any on our list. From reports, he has come back very fit and has put a lot of work in during the off season. He will take his chances as they come. Will show a lot more than a lot on here think.

Can we assume that there is a 'pecking order' with regard to any of the zones on the ground given that there has been so much change in the list, the coaches and the game plan? I think that new, clear eyes will be assessing everyone during the preseason. I know that there is historic form and evidence with all of the players but this is a very different club to what is was a couple of months ago. I think there will be a few surprises from players that will challenge us to alter our perceptions of them.

I am not a big one on bagging players on our list at any time. This pre-season in particular I cannot really understand knocking a player for what they might/may have done or not done. We have a new senior coach and a restructured coaching team, a new president and a new administration. Significant changes at all levels of the club including big changes to the playing list. As far as I am concerned, everyone starts with a clean sheet. Across the board. I will judge them by their actions and results as a team and as individuals. I will be excited to see what some of the lesser lights bring to the table during the pre-season. The likes of AJ, Laurie, Jefferson, Culley and Adams. Add to that the excitement of a few new names added through the draft and we have a lot to look forward to in 26.

An interesting observation GW. In a thread during the season I said Tholstrup was in danger of becoming known as 'The Hologram' as to me he was all image and very little substance. Sounds like I may not have been alone in those observations. I hope that he really steps up in this season with a really good strong pre-season.

A big thanks to the track watchers. I am smiling bigly on this side of the world.

I believe that the word 'larconic' was coined by the the Athenians around 500BC in reference to the Spartans who did not say much and were from the region of Larconia. #uselessfactoftheday

Firstly, let me say how much I appreciate the fearless reporters that post to all of the training threads during the pre-season. Resident where I am in N-W Europe it is really a critical off-season lifeline so that I can get a real feel for what the team is up to. A really big personal thank-you to all of you. Now, without putting too much pressure on all of you, the next 5 months leading into the ’26 season will be the most critical pre-season reporting period that we have had for many a year. So, no shirkers! A big turnover of senior players, new senior players coming to the club, a new coach and new assistant coaches, a couple of first round picks to run the eye over…… a new style of play… a different approach to training? So much we will all need feedback on Again, a big thanks to all the track watchers. I am looking forward to whatever reports land and I am very optimistic about next season the following ones. Go Dees in ’26!

Post BBQ cleanser?

Petracca to the Suns only to get done at this stage if The Hump is part of the deal. No Hump, No deal and Petracca plays in Red and Blue next season. Is what I am hearing.