It’s always a tough one to single players out, especially when we’ve had a really strong off-season in this space. We’ve brought in a number of quality people and players, and it’d be a disservice not to acknowledge them all.

We’ve got three fly-in players this year in Connor Stackelberg, Cody Stackelberg and Ryan Banks-Smith from Aspley in the QAFL. They’re all really keen to get around the group and be part of the club, and if everything lines up, we’re hoping to see them in one of our practice games.

We’ve also had Dean Katsiris (Palm Beach Currumbin), Kieran Lovell (Kingborough – TAS) and Cain Murray (Cairns Lions) with us for the majority of pre-season. We also have past player Rhys Bridge who has also been fantastic with what he brings to training. What’s been really impressive is how quickly they’ve settled in — they’ve integrated seamlessly into the group and their approach to training has been first class.

They’ve added a lot already, and we’re confident they’ll be a real asset for us across the season.

It’s always a tough one to single players out, but what’s been really impressive is the level of improvement we’ve seen right across our core group. There’s been genuine growth in a number of players, which is exactly what you need.

Guys like Harry Cook, Sam Hurst, Dom Booth and Brydon Robins (Rooster) have all taken strong steps forward, and it’s been great to see the way they’ve gone about their pre-season. There are genuinely 7 or 8 players who have made significant strides as well, which speaks to the overall buy-in across the group.

That improvement gives us some flexibility moving forward, and we’re already seeing the potential for a few guys to take on different roles in 2026.

One balancing act as a coach is managing development, and promoting that pathway, that’s something I have been really conscious of this pre-season. We’ve had 7–8 of our under 17s training with the senior group consistently, and the growth in those boys has been outstanding.

From November, where a few were understandably a bit hesitant, to now where they’re training with confidence, getting involved, and having genuine impact in drills and our match simulation — it’s been great to see their progression.

There will be opportunities for those guys, particularly with the 23rd player rule, and we’re keen to expose them to senior footy when the time is right.

At the same time, selection is earned. While there are always players who have the runs on the board, we’re coming into this season with a clean slate. Everyone will need to earn their spot, and that’s the standard we want to set.

Ultimately, our focus is on winning games of footy, and we’ll continue to find the right balance between developing our younger players and putting our strongest team out on a Saturday.

The biggest thing I keep saying is just “show up.”
Show up to training, show up mentally, show up with the right attitude and intent. If you keep banking those sessions, it’s pretty hard not to improve.

At the end of the day, it comes down to how professional you want to be. We get the group for a few hours during the week and a game on Saturday — what you do outside of that is what really separates players. That’s where the improvement comes.

We want guys taking ownership of their footy — reviewing their games, having conversations with their line coaches, and always looking for ways to get better week to week.

If that mindset is there, the improvement will take care of itself.

Our fitness is going to be a real strength for us this year. It will give us the ability to stay in the contest for longer and most importantly, make better decisions with the ball in hand.

It also allows us to spread hard from stoppage and be able to work both ways.
Our run and carry will be a big part of how we play. We’ve got a number of guys with genuine speed who are prepared to take the game on, and when they do, they use the ball well.

We also feel we’ve got a forward line that can be a real weapon for us this year. If we can give them good looks and move the ball with purpose, it will be hard to stop for the opposition.

It’s built around standards, effort, and playing for each other, that sounds simple and it is.

We want a group that takes real pride in how they train. Not just turning up, but turning up ready to work, ready to compete, and ready to get better. That’s where it starts for us. If the standards are there during the week, it gives you something to fall back on when the game gets tough.

We want players who genuinely care about their teammates and are willing to work for each other. and how much we’re prepared to support the bloke next to us.

We also want to be a team that embraces the hard stuff. Pressure, tough moments, fatigue — that’s where games are won in this comp.

And most importantly, it’s about ownership. Nothing is given. You earn your spot, you earn respect, and you earn the right to be out there with your teammates.

If we can keep building that, we give ourselves every chance to play the type of footy we want to play.

HUNGRY, HUMBLE, UNITED

 Luca Roulstone, a young gun from Port Douglas will join us this year, as well as Cate Twaddle relocating from Darwin, continuing our partnership with Southern Districts. 

Regina McGee. She spoke with me in the off-season after having a great year and coming runners up in our BnF, wanting to have more midfield minutes. She’s put the work in and definitely earnt this opportunity. 

Keeping the drills engaging, fun but also aiming to achieve what success we are chasing. 

Give everything you can to the best of your ability, don’t be afraid to make mistakes and learn from them. 

The cohesiveness of the group. A lot of young girls have stood up over the past couple of seasons. Whether its a player from under 15’s, new to the club or seasoned veteran, the core group gel extremely well.  

A positive and enjoyable environment, win, lose or draw. Although there’s nothing better than winning with a group of your mates! 

Determined for redemption.

From a coaching standpoint, it’s been great to see the leaders of our group stand up during the preseason and lead by example. The drive and hunger for constant growth and improvements as a playing group has been infectious and has been the driving force for a successful preseason. This is a testament to the continuous leadership shown by the leaders amongst the group.

As the development coach this is an area of the role I have spent many hours pondering over. I think its important to be approachable and positive ensuring that new or younger players feel comfortable to be able to approach you if they need. This is also important when delivering constructive feedback to both young and experiences players to ensure the lessons and teachings are well received. I am looking forward to being able to work with and teach a vide variety of different individuals.

It’s important to continue to encourage players to review their performance and ask for advice or guidance in areas they feel they can make improvements. As a development coach it’s important to stay connected to players and continue to provide positive and constructive feedback regarding their performance.

Mateship. The playing group has created a great connection throughout the preseason as a result of the hard work and commitment they have shown to each other. The playing group has formed a mutual respect as they endured the demands of the preseason together.

A winning culture. The club as a whole has been extremely supportive in creating an enjoyable environment that players and coaches can be involved in. The continuous support and work toward improving the playing group and giving them the best opportunity to have success is what will hold the club in good stead come the backside of the season.

Mateship. Commitment. Resolve.