AFL preseason training 2026: Toby Greene, Steele Sidebottom and Nick Blakey, Digi Mart USA News: A Collingwood legend has joined a Victorian rival in a coaching capacity. Meanwhile, clubs across the competition returned for preseason training on Monday, including North Melbourne’s star recruit.
GWS defender Joe Fonti on Toby Greene’s exit
Emerging Giants defender Joe Fonti made eyebrow-raising comments about the nature of Toby Greene’s departure as the club returned for preseason training on Monday. Former captain Greene exercised his free agency rights to join Geelong in October, signing a three-year deal for a better opportunity at winning an elusive premiership in the twilight of his career.
While the parties seemingly parted ways amicably, 21-year-old Fonti told reporters at GWS HQ he felt stung by Greene’s exit. “It’s obviously hard when your captain abandons your side,” Fonti said during a Monday press conference when asked about his club’s 2027 prospects.
“I know Toby’s a great fella, and he would have had his reasons. I suppose that sort of justifies it for him, so I can respect that.”
“But it’s not easy when your captain abandons you. It does sting a little bit.
But yeah, onto bigger and better things, I guess.”
Fonti is expected to have an enhanced role under coach Adam Kingsley in 2027 following half-back Lachie Whitfield’s trade exit to Carlton. The 2023 second-round draft pick averaged a career-best 17.5 disposals across 22 senior games last season.
Steele Sidebottom joins Melbourne
Collingwood champion Steele Sidebottom has joined Melbourne in a developmental role, the club confirmed on Monday. The two-time premiership star has been involved in football since retiring from the AFL last season, sitting on the North Melbourne selection panel that picked Jaymie Graham as the Roos’ new coach.
Sidebottom, 35, played 18 years at the Magpies, and Melbourne is looking to draw on that experience as a development coach working with Steven King. “We are thrilled to have someone of Steele’s experience and character joining our football program to help develop our players and take their game to another level,” Dees football boss Ned Guy said in a statement.
Guy added: “He has been part of successful teams, understands what it takes to perform at the highest level and has a really good understanding of the game. Steele is a terrific person who will bring a lot to our group, and we are really looking forward to having him around the club and joining our coaching group.”
Sidebottom played 375 games for the Pies, including the club’s 2010 and 2023 flags, and was known as one of the craftiest players of the modern era.
Nick Blakey’s first training with North Melbourne
Marquee North Melbourne recruit Nick Blakey made his first training appearance in Roos colours as AFL clubs returned for the preseason on Monday. Blakey became a Kangaroo last month after forcing his way out of Sydney following the Pullman Hotel scandal in August.
Appearing with the Roos’ first-to-fourth-year players at Arden Street on Monday, Blakey said as he walked onto the field, according to Nine’s Owen Leonard: “Can’t wait.” The half-back rebounder is expected to be a significant addition to new coach Jaymie Graham’s side, though he remains the subject of an ongoing police investigation.
Blakey, as well as former Swans teammates Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner and James Jordon, are still persons of interest as police continue to investigate an alleged sexual assault. The players have denied any criminal wrongdoing.
According to reports, Blakey took part in light running with Griffin Logue, Charlie Comben and George Wardlaw.
Essendon preseason running tests
At Essendon, a healthy number of Bombers were out on the track as first-year coach Mark McVeigh put them through their paces. Track watchers observed key forward Nate Caddy outlast Angus Clarke in an endurance running test, while father-son prospect Koby Bewick was among the sightings.
