How to Make a Talent League Squad
The off-season’s done. You’ve earned your spot in a Talent League pre-season squad, and that’s something to be proud of.
But with the excitement of being selected comes the challenge of staying selected. Every player in that squad wants a final list spot just as much as you do.
So, how do you stand out from the pack? What are coaches and selectors really looking for, and what can you do to make sure they remember you?
Use Your Voice: Stand Out!
Everyone in your pre-season squad has earned their spot. They’re all skilled footballers who’ve worked hard in the off-season and are just as determined to make the final list as you are. So, what’s going to set you apart?
Talk. Instruct. Encourage your teammates. Demand the football.
When you use your voice, you show your engagement in every drill — and that’s something coaches notice.
Communication doesn’t just lift the team; it sharpens your own focus. When you’re switched on and vocal, you’re more likely to perform better, make fewer errors, and train at the intensity of a real game.
Even when you don’t have the ball, you can stand out. Your voice shows leadership, confidence, and connection; traits every coach wants in their squad.
So don’t go quiet. Be the player who lifts others and leads with intent — all through your voice.
Work on Your Fundamentals with Intent
Whilst you may not expect it, coaches and selection staff watch and assess from the moment you arrive at training. That means you need to warm up, stretch, and train with intent from the first minute.
When you’re given the opportunity before training to warm up and practice your fundamentals – don’t let this time go to waste.
Get a partner (teammate or coach) or gather in a small group and set up your own drills that mimic game scenarios. Use what’s available - bump bags, bounce nets, teammates for pressure - and show your coaches that you’re making the most of every minute to get better.
Building this habit isn’t just for show. It’s what separates good players from great ones. Take Lachie Neale, for example. The dual Brownlow medalist is known for his near-flawless ground balls.
Since 2021, no player in the AFL has gathered more ground balls than Neale, and that’s no accident. His consistency comes from an obsession with improving his skills and training with purpose[i].
Neale often designs drills with his teammates and coaches that replicate game pressure. One of his go-to exercises (which you can recreate) involves three coloured hoops, a partner, and a football.
With his back turned, Neale’s coach calls a colour and throws the ball; Neale collects it cleanly and handballs into the correct hoop. It's simple, high-pressure, and purposeful.
That’s the difference between just “doing” and training with intent. As Neale himself puts it:
“People can float through and say they've done 20 minutes of touch, but was it meaningful and did you do it with purpose? Or did you just go out there and flip the ball around a bit to tick it off?” – Lachie Neale
So, don’t let your opportunity with this team slip by. Every touch, every drill, and every warm-up is a chance to show intent - and that’s what turns preparation into performance.
At HAD Football, we provide our immersion and long-term clients with Individual Development Plans (IDPs): tailored, skill-based programs that target both strengths and growth areas to help players elevate their game and stand out on match day.
Want to be the player that stands out this season? Let’s get to work.
Don't Forget to Show Off Your Strengths
You have been selected to the pre-season squad for a reason – your strengths.
There is no better time to show these off than during pre-season, especially if you have gone to work on them in the off-season.
Is your strength in your aerobic capacity? Get in the fast group for the 2KM time trial and back yourself.
Is your strength a key fundamental like kicking, quick hands, or ground balls? Stand at the front of the line in drills and demand the footy.
Is your strength speed? Prove it - sprint through every drill, chase down opponents, and burst out of contests.
Whatever your strength is, own it and let it stand out. Coaches notice effort and intent, so make every rep, sprint, and touch a reminder of why you deserve your spot.
Check out our featured media and the big HAD moments.
Train With the Best: The Köhler Effect
You’ve probably heard the saying “you’re only as good as the people around you.” Turns out, that’s actually backed by science.
It's known as the Köhler Effect[i], and it demonstrates that when you train with people who are stronger, faster, or more skilled than you, you push yourself harder to keep up. You don’t want to be the weak link, so your brain and body will automatically lift their intensity and effort to match those around you.
Think about it - if you’re running sprints next to the quickest player on the team, you’ll naturally run faster. If you’re kicking next to someone who never misses, you’ll focus that little bit more. Training with the best forces you out of your comfort zone and helps you reach levels you might not hit on your own.
Essentially, training with the best is a hack to make sure you are always training with intent and pushing yourself. So don’t shy away from the challenge. Instead of sticking with what feels easy, seek out the players who challenge you - the ones who make you sweat, think faster, and demand your best effort every session.
Be Coachable – Prioritise the 1% On and Off the Field
Talent might get you noticed, but being coachable is what gets you selected.
Every team needs players who not only perform well but also make the group better. The players who do the little things right — every day — are the ones coaches remember.
That means being switched on both on and off the field:
Be responsive in team chats.
Arrive early (or at least on time).
Learn all the coaches and staff members’ names, thank them for their time and commitment to your development (lots of them are volunteers!).
Be a good teammate; encourage others, listen, and include everyone.
Do what’s asked of you and do it well.
Participate. Connect. Contribute.
The 1% might seem small, but they add up. They show your attitude, your professionalism, and how much you care. Coaches and selectors look for players who bring more than just skill — they look for teammates who make the whole group stronger.
When selection time comes around, these little things can be a big difference.
Our HAD Performance and Mindset Coach, Jack Rhodes, knows this all too well from his time with the Western Jets and Allies squads. Being coachable is a mindset he constantly instils in our players.
Want to know what it takes to make a Talent League squad? Hear from the players who’ve trained with HAD and gone on to earn selection on our testimonials page.
Make Every Moment Count
Pre-season isn’t just a trial; it’s an opportunity. Every drill, every warm-up, every chat with a coach is a chance to show who you are and how much you want it.
Train with intent. Push yourself by surrounding yourself with the best. Show off your strengths, work on your weaknesses, and always do the little things right.
Because at the end of the day, selection isn’t just about who’s the most talented; it’s about who shows up, who stands out, who puts in the work, and who makes the team better.
So, make every moment count. Let's start!
Learn more about our program, AFL or AFLW coaching, HAD in schools, and HAD education opportunities for parents and players. Contact us today.