The pre-season 2026 thread

Holbrook ends his interview by saying the first trial will be about rewarding the young players.

Maybe that means he will give plenty of game time to guys who have done the whole pre-season like Votano, Latu, Hunt, McCarthy, Sullivan, Crouch, De Courcey, Manuleleua, Arthur, Hopwood, ESL, Graham and Hunter.
 
I was lucky enough to have a good conversation with Pheonix Crossland a couple of weeks back. When I asked my favourite question, which of the young blokes has impressed in training, he thought long and hard about it then nominated Kyle McCarthy, saying he came in to preseason a whole lot stronger and was performing brilliantly.
 
Les Misérables said:
Couldn't agree with Keary more
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Yep.

No matter who we pick there's still a little question mark with kicking (I'm heartened to hear that Sharpe has a big boot on him, but that's only one aspect of kicking and IMO you only need the massive clearing kick a few times per game - the rest of the time decision-making and accuracy is what matters most and I rate Sandon on both those fronts, he just doesn't have a lot of power), but Keary nailed my thoughts exactly about who we want getting the ball where.
 
HarVeeGee13 said:
Yep.

No matter who we pick there's still a little question mark with kicking (I'm heartened to hear that Sharpe has a big boot on him, but that's only one aspect of kicking and IMO you only need the massive clearing kick a few times per game - the rest of the time decision-making and accuracy is what matters most and I rate Sandon on both those fronts, he just doesn't have a lot of power), but Keary nailed my thoughts exactly about who we want getting the ball where.
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I was also heartened listening to Keary's insight about halfbacks finding their feet around the 50-80 game mark.

There's so much about Smith's game as a 7 that I love that has nothingto do with his athleticism. Its how demanding he is of the players around him, always calling for the ball, always scheming (not because he is coached to do it but because its just how he needs to play his footy, its innate). Not comparing him to Kurt Gidley but Gids was infected with the same thing, so is Gamble. The thing that Gamble and Gidley have in common is that they arguably overachieved based on their genetic limitations.

I think Smith has the makings of a player who will continue to improve over his career provided that the conditions are right.
 
Les Misérables said:
I was also heartened listening to Keary's insight about halfbacks finding their feet around the 50-80 game mark.

There's so much about Smith's game as a 7 that I love that has nothingto do with his athleticism. Its how demanding he is of the players around him, always calling for the ball, always scheming (not because he is coached to do it but because its just how he needs to play his footy, its innate). Not comparing him to Kurt Gidley but Gids was infected with the same thing, so is Gamble. The thing that Gamble and Gidley have in common is that they arguably overachieved based on their genetic limitations.

I think Smith has the makings of a player who will continue to improve over his career provided that the conditions are right.
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I attached another video of an interview with smith and how touch footy influenced how he plays.
 
Grandpa Joe said:
He doesn't seem like the type of kid, but if do stick Sharpe on the wing or worse still the bench I hope he doesn't start angling for a release.
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I highly doubt that. He will do “what’s best for the team”. And it would be difficult for him to agitate for a release when he signed until the end of 28 I’m pretty sure.
 
Owey said:
I was lucky enough to have a good conversation with Pheonix Crossland a couple of weeks back. When I asked my favourite question, which of the young blokes has impressed in training, he thought long and hard about it then nominated Kyle McCarthy, saying he came in to preseason a whole lot stronger and was performing brilliantly.
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Used to gym at Mayfield. A few of them (Thompson, Crossland, McCarthy, Gamble and a few others sporadically) used to train there over the summer either on the field there or in the gym. Crossland and McCarthy were there most of the time together.
 
frankLauda said:
I’m excited about DB forming combinations on that left edge. He’s never played with such talented players in Best, Lucus and Ponga. As long as our forwards can get us some forward momentum, that edge will be unstoppable, and we will see plenty of points scored there.
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DB is going to love working with Lucas and Best, just so much power and speed before it even gets to a winger. I cant wait to watch that left side attack! Let's get the footy started already!!!
 
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