The latest training news and scouting notes in AFL track watch

A pair of Collingwood youngsters returning from ACL injuries have impressed while Nick Daicos ramps up his pre-season. And over at the Blues a delisted midfielder is showing he still has AFL potential.

A pair of virtual recruits continue to press early pre-season claims at Collingwood as Nick Daicos and Darcy Cameron showed no signs of rust during a testing session on Friday.

In a session that pushed beyond two hours and finished with the majority of the group charging off to run the tan, Pies Harvey Harrison and Reef McInnes slotted in seamlessly.

Both Harrison and McInnes had their 2025 seasons hit by ACL injuries, with Harrison not playing a game and McInnes ruled out after three matches.

Nick Daicos is ramping up his training. Picture: Tony Gough

Both will see themselves as best-23 players this year and Harrison has impressed in fitness testing so far this pre-season and added some class to ball movement drills on Friday.

McInnes played deep in defence alongside Jeremy Howe and Billy Frampton at one point in a loose full-length drill and appears ready to bank a full summer of training.

Daicos had been on an individualised program after returning from a trip to Dubai but took part in almost all of the drills on Friday and, as usual, his class stood out.

Cameron, too, was a standout as he builds on his career-best 2025 season.

The ruck reeled in a one-handed grab at one point, which wowed teammates.

A number of senior Pies were not on track – including Darcy Moore, Bobby Hill, Josh Daicos and Tim Membrey – but they are working through individual programs.

Beau McCreery (foot) is Collingwood’s only genuine injury headache as Christmas nears.

Defender Dan Houston was on lighter duties, running laps before hitting a stationary bike on the sidelines of training.

Ex-Swan Jack Buller was Collingwood’s only real addition with senior experience over the off-season and the key forward has shown good signs with his athleticism in open field drills.

Third-year Pie Tew Jiath has notably bulked up and alongside Harry DeMattia, Ed Allen, Jakob Ryan and Harrison is part of a pack of youngsters who have started summer well as they push to finally break into the senior side.

A special guest took in the final 30 minutes of training as Greg Stafford watched alongside footy boss Charlie Gardiner and spoke with Pies staff including coach Craig McRae.

The 204-game ruck-forward was last in clubland with Melbourne, as forward and ruck coach until the end of the 2024 season.

Elijah Hollands is hoping for another shot at AFL level. Picture: Getty Images

DELISTED BLUE FIGHTING FOR ANOTHER CHANCE

- Chloe Williams

It was a shrugged tackle and a pinpoint forward 50 entry that reminded trackwatchers of Elijah Hollands’ potential at AFL level as the delisted Blue vies for a footy lifeline.

The young midfielder had his contract cut short at the end of 2025 following a difficult campaign on a personal level.

But the Blues have left the door open for a potential return, with Hollands training through the summer to earn an SSP revival.

Hollands enjoyed a match simulation highlight on Friday, cutting off an opposing attacking thrust before shrugging off a Cooper Lord tackle to then find Will White on a deep forward 50 entry.

There is a concerted effort from coach Michael Voss to focus on the side’s kicking skills, having spent much of last summer working on slick ball movement by hand.

A series of drills targeted kicking accuracy across various distances, as well as focusing on exits and entries from either 50m arc.

Namely, the ‘forward 50 ground ball get game’ highlighted Carlton’s all-in effort to hone in on that area of its game.

Getting it done 🔥 pic.twitter.com/NdtewHfWCN

— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) December 5, 2025

POSITION BATTLES

Ollie Florent’s arrival at the Blues appears to have pushed his namesake Ollie Hollands back to a wing role in 2026.

Hollands arrived at the club as a winger but was pushed into defence last season to help with Carlton’s ball movement off the back flank.

But the former first rounder lined up alongside youngster Lucas Camporeale during match simulation, with Campbell Chesser and Blake Acres battling on the other wing.

New Blue Ollie Florent. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Incumbent No.1 ruck Marc Pittonet has impressed early in the post-Tom De Koning era, with the 29 year old fighting new recruit Liam Reidy for the starting job.

Pittonet was a key contributor in linking plays during forward-half simulation drills, even pulling out an impressive spin move in transition.

SPP hopeful Will White impressed with his foot skills up forward while Lachie Cowan caught the eye during Friday’s session, having added considerable size to his frame.

REHAB GROUP

Brodie Kemp, Matt Cottrell, Lachie Fogarty and Nic Newman spent much of training completing their own rehab session, but joined in with basic drills late in the session.

Adam Cerra and Patrick Cripps were notable absentees from the simulation component, while Jagga Smith remained sporting his no-contact cap.

Will Hayward also donned the no-contact cap at stages and later joined Cripps in running drills.

Originally published as The latest training news and scouting notes in AFL track watch