Training 2025 Pre Season Thread

[ManOfClay]

So, about that preseason we are having…

Anyone got an update that isn’t discussing jamarra’s apparent lack of doing one?

Any training watchers?

 

[Westerndog11]

But i just remember him saying that busslinger will be goneski and guess what he resigned for 2years so i dont Believe everything he says. Also wasnt andrew McQualter locked in to be a assistant coach wrong again

​

Mate I’m one of the biggest supporters of Marra and I think he’ll be a superstar. The evidence that he has had an ‘extended off season’ is damning though and it’s clear he needs a tap on the shoulder to sort himself out. Hopefully the media is giving him and the club some leniency to get him back on the rails, (Much like Stengel) before they go after this. The media have far bigger evidence on their desks then ‘rumour posted on Bigfooty site’. At this time they have chosen not to use it.

 

[Bulldog rick]

Just seen marra and naughts cooking tortillas together.

 

[ScragCity]

True, but Lachie Hunter's Dad Mark has had a strong association with the club. We offloaded Lachie cheaply. Maybe they just saw more hope for Libba Jr than Lachie?

I think the extent and frequency of a players indiscretions will also play a big part. Libba's party boy era was short-lived compared to Hunter's issues.

 

[St 07]

Just seen marra and naughts cooking tortillas together.

Makes sense given Marra needs to replenish after a sesh

 

[The City Boyz]

Brewy out of training till January

 

[Sharkey66]

Poor bloke, horrible timing for him

 

[Bulldogs85]

That sucks for Brew

 

[Philthy1]

I think the extent and frequency of a players indiscretions will also play a big part. Libba's party boy era was short-lived compared to Hunter's issues.

Err, not exactly. He may have become a bit more discrete about it.

 

[MrChristo]

No, you can only view the world through his lense. I’d be extremely surprised if it’s not a new MD account, same combative posting style where nobody can tell them otherwise

Good actor if it is.
The first "OMG" post screams teenage girl to me.
(That's not a derogatory statement. I just think it explains the high degree of "fan" aspect).

 

[ManOfClay]

That sucks for Brew

Surely we know enough about him to make an informed decision outside of an injury at an inopportune time.

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

Err, not exactly. He may have become a bit more discrete about it.

Discreet

 

[MrChristo]

Some of the high profile ones would be Lachie Hunter, Jake Stringer and perhaps Luke Dahlhaus. All of them 2016 Bullgods. Maybe even Bailey Smith although he's a more complex case. Marra is in that same category of errant high profile player. There have been some lesser lights who have left abruptly under a cloud too, but I don't need to name them here.

I don't disagree with the social/human parts of your post (where you make very good points), but I think this bit is overblown.
From our pov, they are Bullgods, bit realistically the Club lost nothing in any of those transactions.
Stringer was pick 25 and 30? Has since been moved on again after doing nothing of note. (I'll maintain he was overrated in 2016 too...)
Hunter, barely played.
Dal, played one or two decent games but disappeared pretty quickly...

This is all to say that "no d1ckheads" or not, I don't think you can say the Club has made a bad operational decision in any of these cases. (And in fact, as you mentioned, choosing to retain and support Libba enhances that pov).

I sat at opening round this year and watched a half-arsed, timid, seemingly uncaring game from about 20 rows behind him which raised huge red flags for me.
I'm not suggesting anything other than to me he appears like someone who's happy to get paid for showing up to a job.
Maybe that's reflective of the off-field stuff, but regardless I'll trust the Club because history suggests that we get it right.

 

[VitalDread]

That includes just over the weekend gone or is that just a coincidence as to why he's not training this week at all?

Too busy trying to cut up tomatoes on the dogs socials

 

[Lindsay_Gilbee]

Funny story the year he got traded before he was traded he told his team mates he wasn't doing mad monday because he was off the drink and everything else only for some of his team mates to find out he went to the Carlton mad monday LOL

This is almost behind comprehension. I can’t understand how a player could go to another teams function.

 

[Bulldog rick]

I think it's difficult for marra to juggle being new head chef at dogs and star player. A few missed training sessions will auger well for the future when he gets the mission tortilla down pat. We will have healthier and well fed players. Looking forward to when he perfects the nachos with added avocado and sour cream. A sure winner as we roll the opposition into the dirt on our way to a successful finals campaign.

 

[Charlie Bucket]

I cant . How can u say 100 percent its not just rumours

You’re mistaking me for someone else.

 

[Charlie Bucket]

I think the extent and frequency of a players indiscretions will also play a big part. Libba's party boy era was short-lived compared to Hunter's issues.

Compared to Hunter maybe, but he was pretty cooked the majority of his 20’s

I’d say the reason he was given another chance was because he’s a decent bloke. Which can’t be said for some others that were shown the door.

 

[VitalDread]

I'm glad to hear we are bringing Brew back after he recovers from his quad strain

 

[dogwatch]

I don't disagree with the social/human parts of your post (where you make very good points), but I think this bit is overblown.
From our pov, they are Bullgods, bit realistically the Club lost nothing in any of those transactions.
Stringer was pick 25 and 30? Has since been moved on again after doing nothing of note. (I'll maintain he was overrated in 2016 too...)
Hunter, barely played.
Dal, played one or two decent games but disappeared pretty quickly...

This is all to say that "no d1ckheads" or not, I don't think you can say the Club has made a bad operational decision in any of these cases. (And in fact, as you mentioned, choosing to retain and support Libba enhances that pov).

I sat at opening round this year and watched a half-arsed, timid, seemingly uncaring game from about 20 rows behind him which raised huge red flags for me.
I'm not suggesting anything other than to me he appears like someone who's happy to get paid for showing up to a job.
Maybe that's reflective of the off-field stuff, but regardless I'll trust the Club because history suggests that we get it right.

I think we are on the same page regarding all of those departures. And Libba.

My broader point was I'd like us to try pretty hard to get him sorted out. History of some of the best recent players in the AFL (Ablett Sr, Dusty, Libba Jr are three who come to mind) has shown that if you can ride out the rough times and get them focussed on being the player they ought to be then it's a happy ending for all parties.

I don't want the club to just throw its hands up, say "not another one!" and offload him to the first suitor without trying to sort him out.

 

[Inside The Kennel]

Rocking up to training still under the influence lying to team mates etc he was bad

Smiley, I don't know you and don't wish to discredit the validity of your statements, but reporting it in this manner shows disregard for the dignity of the player. I think that anyone who feels that this is an appropriate way to reveal details about a player's conduct and wellbeing, doesn't have their best interests at heart and its simply corrosive to player and club.

 

[lachy]

No, you can only view the world through his lense. I’d be extremely surprised if it’s not a new MD account, same combative posting style where nobody can tell them otherwise

As someone who first sparred with MD, got to know MD, became friends with MD to the extent he assisted me, no this is not an MD account

On SM-S926B using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[lachy]

Smiley, I don't know you and don't wish to discredit the validity of your statements, but reporting it in this manner shows disregard for the dignity of the player. I think that anyone who feels that this is an appropriate way to reveal details about a player's conduct and wellbeing, doesn't have their best interests at heart and its simply corrosive to player and club.

I agree with this from a father, personal point of view. Lachie Hunter from all the information I know was and still is a good person.

I also know he had issues he struggled with from close witnesses and have met his father who also is a genuine person.

Having coached this generation, yes they have a desire to party no matter the level.

However, in general all I have come accross and those like Lachie I have heard about are genuinely nice, decent and respectful people. The only harm is self inflicted.

Maybe instead of judging, and slandering them on these forums, we post what we know if relevant, still support the genuine people who contribute to our club and wish them well for their future

On SM-S926B using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[CountryDog5]

Keep posting the truth Smiley Boy. It's refreshing to have clear information rather than reading posts from those who cryptically post around the truth rather than tell it outright.

My only suggestion would be to keep things concise and purely fact driven, and avoid questioning characters. E.g. X player has been unprofessional with off-field conduct is ok and worth posting, X player is untrustworthy, dishonest etc. can be construed as opinion and is worth being left out of your posts.

Keep up the good work mate, I thoroughly enjoy reading your posts.

 

[lachy]

I agree with this from a father, personal point of view. Lachie Hunter from all the information I know was and still is a good person.

I also know he had issues he struggled with from close witnesses and have met his father who also is a genuine person.

Having coached this generation, yes they have a desire to party no matter the level.

However, in general all I have come across and those like Lachie I have heard about are genuinely nice, decent and respectful people. The only harm is self inflicted.

Maybe instead of judging, and slandering them on these forums, we post what we know if relevant, still support the genuine people who contribute to our club and wish them well for their future

On SM-S926B using BigFooty.com mobile app

Just to add in General appreciate the information Smiley Boy provides.

There are issues in society that AFL players are not immune from and with their larger than average incomes are more susceptible to.

Clubs are responsible to provide the support to assist players still finding out about life. The majority do turn things around and those that do not are in the minority and this is why such a big deal is made of them.

Sometimes when it doesn't work out there is a natural sentiment to blame either the club or the player and that is where comments both here and on other boards cross the line.

Players are well paid professionals but maturity and understanding this does not necessarily come quickly, it comes with time and experience to build the wisdom on how to act. Clubs in general understand this but if it does not work out at first it mostly in not anyone's fault, the change comes eventually if it does from the personal development of the player as a person