Training Pre Season ‘25

[Noidnadroj]

Just watched the latest pre-season video ……

We are a few weeks down since the draft, we’ve seen a few players from various clubs in training and game simulation, we’ve heard about leadership traits, character and we’ve heard feedback from senior players ….

If the draft was redone tomorrow there’s zero chance Smilie would get to us at pick seven. Means nothing other than I’m bloody glad we’re not watching him go about his business at another club, as he looks like an absolute beauty.


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[Sir_Loin]

Just watched the latest pre-season video ……

We are a few weeks down since the draft, we’ve seen a few players from various clubs in training and game simulation, we’ve heard about leadership traits, character and we’ve heard feedback from senior players ….

If the draft was redone tomorrow there’s zero chance Smilie would get to us at pick seven. Means nothing other than I’m bloody glad we’re not watching him go about his business at another club, as he looks like an absolute beauty.


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

No injury concerns, if that continues can see him getting some game time early

 

[STRUGGLETOWN EST1885]

Sims looks very promising in the latest training video. Has very good lateral movement change of direction and strong hands. Could be a smoky for a few games as backup for Nank next year.

 

[Wavvey]

Smillie is gonna tear this league to shreds. At his size to move as fluidly as he does… incredible athlete.

 

[Drunken Wookie]

Sims looks very promising in the latest training video. Has very good lateral movement change of direction and strong hands. Could be a smoky for a few games as backup for Nank next year.

He is incredibly Lynch-like, has the frame, the long reach that clunks them at the highest point. Can see why we laughed off the offers from other clubs.

 

[NZ_Tiger]

Smillie looking extremely impressive along with Sims

Lefau must have been watching Forrest Gump

Felt like whoever edited his footage was enjoying themselves.


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[docko911]

As much as I would love this, it's not even remotely close to happening. There's optimism and then there's delusion, I think winning a flag in 2 years leans towards the latter.

I mean you can technically say anything could happen, with any team in the league. I really can't believe this needs a debate, we're bottom 4 next year and probably the year after as we build and play all these kids for a tilt down the line.

Delusion is expecting something to happen that is extremely unlikely while optimism is hoping for the best of likely outcomes to occur.

Is hoping for the best outcome in multiple scenarios delusional, or is it simply hoping for luck? Luck often goes hand in hand with premierships.

Would it be delusional to say 7 of Broad, Vlastuin, Nankervis, Lynch, Short, Taranto, Balta & Hopper play 20+ games in 2026 at a high level?

Would it be delusional to say all of Ross, MRJ, Mansell, HRS, Miller, Campbell, Banks & Brown to be best 22 in 2026?

Would it be delusional to say Gibcus plays 30+ games, and Lefau and Clarke play two years without serious injury?

Would it be delusional to say Lalor, Smillie & Hotton, and at least one of our KPPs is best 23 by end of 2026.

Would it be delusional to expect the remaining spots in our best 23 to be made up by the rest of our existing players, players drafted in 2025 or players recruited in 2025?

I don’t think any are delusional but I think all happening is unlikely. If the below was roughly our best 23 by the end of 2026 I would be surprised if we weren’t very competitive.

B: Vlastuin, Miller, Gibcus
HB: Short, Balta, Brown
C: HRS, Smilie, Banks
HF: Hotton, Armstrong, Campbell
F: Mansell, Lynch, MRJ
R: Nank, Lalor, Taranto
Int: Ross, Hopper, Simms/Ryan, McAuliffe, Trezise

 

[Sir_Loin]

Smillie is gonna tear this league to shreds. At his size to move as fluidly as he does… incredible athlete.

He’s the one I’m going to watch closely reckon he might be the one out of all of them that has the most upside

 

[Charlie Pannam]

Early days, and it’s easy to be fooled by training from, but Smillie is looking a very good chance ti debut R1.
Just shows how little talent we’ve had via the draft over multiple years when you see him rock up to the first couple of training sessions and look a level above.

 

[Charlie Pannam]

Delusion is expecting something to happen that is extremely unlikely while optimism is hoping for the best of likely outcomes to occur.

Is hoping for the best outcome in multiple scenarios delusional, or is it simply hoping for luck? Luck often goes hand in hand with premierships.

Would it be delusional to say 7 of Broad, Vlastuin, Nankervis, Lynch, Short, Taranto, Balta & Hopper play 20+ games in 2026 at a high level?

Would it be delusional to say all of Ross, MRJ, Mansell, HRS, Miller, Campbell, Banks & Brown to be best 22 in 2026?

Would it be delusional to say Gibcus plays 30+ games, and Lefau and Clarke play two years without serious injury?

Would it be delusional to say Lalor, Smillie & Hotton, and at least one of our KPPs is best 23 by end of 2026.

Would it be delusional to expect the remaining spots in our best 23 to be made up by the rest of our existing players, players drafted in 2025 or players recruited in 2025?

I don’t think any are delusional but I think all happening is unlikely. If the below was roughly our best 23 by the end of 2026 I would be surprised if we weren’t very competitive.

B: Vlastuin, Miller, Gibcus
HB: Short, Balta, Brown
C: HRS, Smilie, Banks
HF: Hotton, Armstrong, Campbell
F: Mansell, Lynch, MRJ
R: Nank, Lalor, Taranto
Int: Ross, Hopper, Simms/Ryan, McAuliffe, Trezise

Good side. Imo Short has been replaced by then.
Probably will include 1 or 2 of our 25 draftees in it by end of 26. Slot Rodriguez into that hb role or hope that Clarke/Smith develop into that running hb

 

[Rubber Hips]

Just watched the latest pre-season video ……

We are a few weeks down since the draft, we’ve seen a few players from various clubs in training and game simulation, we’ve heard about leadership traits, character and we’ve heard feedback from senior players ….

If the draft was redone tomorrow there’s zero chance Smilie would get to us at pick seven. Means nothing other than I’m bloody glad we’re not watching him go about his business at another club, as he looks like an absolute beauty.


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

I too am sooooooo

 

[Sir_Loin]

Early days, and it’s easy to be fooled by training from, but Smillie is looking a very good chance ti debut R1.
Just shows how little talent we’ve had via the draft over multiple years when you see him rock up to the first couple of training sessions and look a level above.

We did what we did to win flags. Have to pay the price at some point but then you get a haul like this. I have no problems with the strategy the club implemented. We don’t have an academy, NGA is a crock we have to do it the hard way.

Faaark it lets go

 

[Charlie Pannam]

We did what we did to win flags. Have to pay the price at some point but then you get a haul like this. I have no problems with the strategy the club implemented. We don’t have an academy, NGA is a crock we have to do it the hard way.

Faaark it lets go

100%.
No way you can argue with 3 flags.
If this plays out like we all hope it will, the rebuild could be 75% done by the end of the 26 draft.
Add a couple of FAs and we are locked and loaded

 

[Sir_Loin]

100%.
No way you can argue with 3 flags.
If this plays out like we all hope it will, the rebuild could be 75% done by the end of the 26 draft.
Add a couple of FAs and we are locked and loaded

Us v CFL

 

[Groupie_]

Just watched the latest pre-season video ……

We are a few weeks down since the draft, we’ve seen a few players from various clubs in training and game simulation, we’ve heard about leadership traits, character and we’ve heard feedback from senior players ….

If the draft was redone tomorrow there’s zero chance Smilie would get to us at pick seven. Means nothing other than I’m bloody glad we’re not watching him go about his business at another club, as he looks like an absolute beauty.


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

you would think hes patty contin out there

 

[voorhees]

Delusion is expecting something to happen that is extremely unlikely while optimism is hoping for the best of likely outcomes to occur.

Is hoping for the best outcome in multiple scenarios delusional, or is it simply hoping for luck? Luck often goes hand in hand with premierships.

Would it be delusional to say 7 of Broad, Vlastuin, Nankervis, Lynch, Short, Taranto, Balta & Hopper play 20+ games in 2026 at a high level?

Would it be delusional to say all of Ross, MRJ, Mansell, HRS, Miller, Campbell, Banks & Brown to be best 22 in 2026?

Would it be delusional to say Gibcus plays 30+ games, and Lefau and Clarke play two years without serious injury?

Would it be delusional to say Lalor, Smillie & Hotton, and at least one of our KPPs is best 23 by end of 2026.

Would it be delusional to expect the remaining spots in our best 23 to be made up by the rest of our existing players, players drafted in 2025 or players recruited in 2025?

I don’t think any are delusional but I think all happening is unlikely. If the below was roughly our best 23 by the end of 2026 I would be surprised if we weren’t very competitive.

B: Vlastuin, Miller, Gibcus
HB: Short, Balta, Brown
C: HRS, Smilie, Banks
HF: Hotton, Armstrong, Campbell
F: Mansell, Lynch, MRJ
R: Nank, Lalor, Taranto
Int: Ross, Hopper, Simms/Ryan, McAuliffe, Trezise

its close with that team
but..would be disappointed if Ross wasn't locked into the starting 18 team.

 

[4tune8]

Delusion is expecting something to happen that is extremely unlikely while optimism is hoping for the best of likely outcomes to occur.

Is hoping for the best outcome in multiple scenarios delusional, or is it simply hoping for luck? Luck often goes hand in hand with premierships.

Would it be delusional to say 7 of Broad, Vlastuin, Nankervis, Lynch, Short, Taranto, Balta & Hopper play 20+ games in 2026 at a high level?

Would it be delusional to say all of Ross, MRJ, Mansell, HRS, Miller, Campbell, Banks & Brown to be best 22 in 2026?

Would it be delusional to say Gibcus plays 30+ games, and Lefau and Clarke play two years without serious injury?

Would it be delusional to say Lalor, Smillie & Hotton, and at least one of our KPPs is best 23 by end of 2026.

Would it be delusional to expect the remaining spots in our best 23 to be made up by the rest of our existing players, players drafted in 2025 or players recruited in 2025?

I don’t think any are delusional but I think all happening is unlikely. If the below was roughly our best 23 by the end of 2026 I would be surprised if we weren’t very competitive.

B: Vlastuin, Miller, Gibcus
HB: Short, Balta, Brown
C: HRS, Smilie, Banks
HF: Hotton, Armstrong, Campbell
F: Mansell, Lynch, MRJ
R: Nank, Lalor, Taranto
Int: Ross, Hopper, Simms/Ryan, McAuliffe, Trezise

Competitiveness also comes off the back of depth.

B: Young, Blight, Trainor
HB: Smith, xxxx, xxxx
C: Clarke, Prestia, Green
HF: Alger, Fawcett, Bauer
F: Gray, Faull, LeFau
R: OHB, xxxx, xxxx
Int: Kosi, Dow, Sims, Sonsie, xxxx

Obviously a few might be off the list by the end of 2026

 

[Stylo]

Competitiveness also comes off the back of depth.

B: Young, Blight, Trainor
HB: Smith, xxxx, xxxx
C: Clarke, Prestia, Green
HF: Alger, Fawcett, Bauer
F: Gray, Faull, LeFau
R: OHB, xxxx, xxxx
Int: Kosi, Dow, Sims, Sonsie, xxxx

Obviously a few might be off the list by the end of 2026

You’re demoting Prestia to VFL? Wtf

 

[JackNah_8]

Just watched the latest pre-season video ……

We are a few weeks down since the draft, we’ve seen a few players from various clubs in training and game simulation, we’ve heard about leadership traits, character and we’ve heard feedback from senior players ….

If the draft was redone tomorrow there’s zero chance Smilie would get to us at pick seven. Means nothing other than I’m bloody glad we’re not watching him go about his business at another club, as he looks like an absolute beauty.


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

True...I'm glad no one else selected Smilie


So far, he has been very impressive at training. Looks very composed and confident

 

[jthanos]

Smillie is gonna tear this league to shreds. At his size to move as fluidly as he does… incredible athlete.

Yes Smillie, Macca & Prestia have looked good in the clips !!

 

[Coach_Required]

Just watched the latest pre-season video ……

We are a few weeks down since the draft, we’ve seen a few players from various clubs in training and game simulation, we’ve heard about leadership traits, character and we’ve heard feedback from senior players ….

If the draft was redone tomorrow there’s zero chance Smilie would get to us at pick seven. Means nothing other than I’m bloody glad we’re not watching him go about his business at another club, as he looks like an absolute beauty.


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

Saints would be ****ing burning looking at his preseason training videos.

 

[docko911]

Good side. Imo Short has been replaced by then.
Probably will include 1 or 2 of our 25 draftees in it by end of 26. Slot Rodriguez into that hb role or hope that Clarke/Smith develop into that running hb

I think he either recaptures his best form or gets replaced. I think he may play better with Rioli out of the team.

 

[docko911]

its close with that team
but..would be disappointed if Ross wasn't locked into the starting 18 team.

I think he will be locked into the midfield rotation at 4th or 5th. My team is hoping Lalor and Smillie show signs of being superstars. I don’t think Ross quite has that level which is why he is a rotation mid, and he can have a run on the wing if needed.

 

[4tune8]

You’re demoting Prestia to VFL? Wtf

Only because the poster I was replying to didn't have him in our best 23 for 2026

 

[Sol23]

Just watched the latest pre-season video ……

We are a few weeks down since the draft, we’ve seen a few players from various clubs in training and game simulation, we’ve heard about leadership traits, character and we’ve heard feedback from senior players ….

If the draft was redone tomorrow there’s zero chance Smilie would get to us at pick seven. Means nothing other than I’m bloody glad we’re not watching him go about his business at another club, as he looks like an absolute beauty.


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

I heard from a recruiter that rates him ber highly tell me he didn’t deal with the possibility of going number one to well. Looks like it’s worked out well for us.