Preview 2025 Best 22 Discussion

[Dockeroo]

I have Ryan playing the Johnson role. Draper could take Wagner's spot, but not sure that improves us. I would need to see him playing on a 3rd or 4th tall, and not only manning up on someone a lot smaller than him well but also provide run and carry out of the back line.

At 1.97m's he would really struggle against the 1.7 to 1.8m guys, who would try to draw high free kicks against him.

I think he is next in line to fill in any of Ryan, Pearce and Cox but just out of the best 22.

It’s going to be amusing reading some of these posts back when draper plays another 20 games or so this year.

Take at look at this list here and tell me how many of these guys are going to be playing state league football in 2025?


Draper was pretty much the best player in a purple guernsey on the field in our last game v port, and he’s only going to be better in 2025.
I would say he’s a better player than Heath Chapman (who don’t forget was also eligible for this team but didn’t even get nominated) but either way I’d have both in the 22.
The could push Chappy to a wing and slot draper in.
They could just select him ahead of Cox who was pretty underwhelming when he returned last year in the back half of the season.
No doubt someone will pick up an inevitable injury anyway.

One way or another draper will be playing AFL. He’s far too good now for WAFL footy.

 

[King Huskii]

It’s going to be amusing reading some of these posts back when draper plays another 20 games or so this year.

Take at look at this list here and tell me how many of these guys are going to be playing state league football in 2025?
View attachment 2205425

Draper was pretty much the best player in a purple guernsey on the field in our last game v port, and he’s only going to be better in 2025.
I would say he’s a better player than Heath Chapman (who don’t forget was also eligible for this team but didn’t even get nominated) but either way I’d have both in the 22.
The could push Chappy to a wing and slot draper in.
They could just select him ahead of Cox who was pretty underwhelming when he returned last year in the back half of the season.
No doubt someone will pick up an inevitable injury anyway.

One way or another draper will be playing AFL. He’s far too good now for WAFL footy.

Cox was unfit when he returned

But you are correct on all accounts

 

[go_the_dockers]

I would say he’s a better player than Heath Chapman (who don’t forget was also eligible for this team but didn’t even get nominated) but either way I’d have both in the 22.
The could push Chappy to a wing and slot draper in.
They could just select him ahead of Cox who was pretty underwhelming when he returned last year in the back half of the season.
No doubt someone will pick up an inevitable injury anyway.

Happy for you to quote me, but I don't think you can play all 4 of Pearce, Ryan, Cox and Draper.

Especially against the quicker sides like Hawthorn.

You can say Draper is better player than Chapman, but it doesn't really matter because they play different roles.

Assuming we are fully fit, I don't think Draper plays round 1 but I still see him getting 10+ games this year due to injuries.

 

[Dockeroo]

Happy for you to quote me, but I don't think you can play all 4 of Pearce, Ryan, Cox and Draper.

Especially against the quicker sides like Hawthorn.

You can say Draper is better player than Chapman, but it doesn't really matter because they play different roles.

Assuming we are fully fit, I don't think Draper plays round 1 but I still see him getting 10+ games this year due to injuries.

If you are correct he’ll have to be traded then.
A player of that talent level and ability isn’t going to hang around in the WAFL for a few years, when he would easily be playing first team AFL footy.

Pearce, Cox, Ryan, Draper.

Only one of those 4 players has scope to improve and is still on the steep part of the improvement curve. The other 3 are as good as they are ever going to be now already.

 

[mattis117]

This is such a dumb discussion haha, Draper will play every game he's available for, as will Chapman. Match ups only go so far as your best available players. A big gap will always mean Draper is playing ahead of a lock down smaller defender.

You take the small loss on the match for the better player everytime.

Absolute nonsense that Pearce, Cox, Ryan, Draper, and Chapman can't play together, they can, and will.

Draper and Chapman are flexible enough and good enough to play multiple roles as needed.

If you're a top team you back in your system regardless of attaining perfect match ups.

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

This is such a dumb discussion haha, Draper will play every game he's available for, as will Chapman. Match ups only go so far as your best available players. A big gap will always mean Draper is playing ahead of a lock down smaller defender.

You take the small loss on the match for the better player everytime.

Absolute nonsense that Pearce, Cox, Ryan, Draper, and Chapman can't play together, they can, and will.

Draper and Chapman are flexible enough and good enough to play multiple roles as needed.

If you're a top team you back in your system regardless of attaining perfect match ups.

If you are correct he’ll have to be traded then.
A player of that talent level and ability isn’t going to hang around in the WAFL for a few years, when he would easily be playing first team AFL footy.

Pearce, Cox, Ryan, Draper.

Only one of those 4 players has scope to improve and is still on the steep part of the improvement curve. The other 3 are as good as they are ever going to be now already.

I'm surprised you guys are so matter of fact on this, seems entirely reasonable they can't all play to me. That's a VERY tall backline in an age where small forwards are more and more popular

 

[bellie4pm]

I'm surprised you guys are so matter of fact on this, seems entirely reasonable they can't all play to me. That's a VERY tall backline in an age where small forwards are more and more popular

Remembering that cox, ryan, chapman and pearce have all had significant injuries, its unrealistic for not one to get injured again . draper will be there to cover for 1-10 weeks when this happens.

All will play half a season or more - thats just two weeks injured on average for the season each. Actual numbers of games will be determined by injuries not by matchups me thinks.

 

[mattis117]

I'm surprised you guys are so matter of fact on this, seems entirely reasonable they can't all play to me. That's a VERY tall backline in an age where small forwards are more and more popular

If Draper improves to a level where he is on par with Chapman for example, he can't be left out. The gap between him and the other player who takes his spot is too significant.

My seven are Pearce, Cox, Draper, Ryan, Clark, Walker, Chapman.

Who else could be selected?

1. Wagner - rebounder, not a lock down defender
2. Aish - gap is too big, I'm picking Draper
3. Worner - same as above
4. ??

If there was a player where you could reasonably argue they were a quality B22 small defender then I'm all ears. My argument is based on the lack of better choice rather than our backline not being tall.

I'm saying we accept the tall backline because as a collective, that seven is well ahead of any other seven I can come up with.

I would back in Draper to fill the gap, giving him the games he deserves at AFL level. The result of our matches should not be determined by whether Draper or Aish is selected in the backline. Ergo, play the youth.

 

[Duz97]

If Draper improves to a level where he is on par with Chapman for example, he can't be left out. The gap between him and the other player who takes his spot is too significant.

My seven are Pearce, Cox, Draper, Ryan, Clark, Walker, Chapman.

Who else could be selected?

1. Wagner - rebounder, not a lock down defender
2. Aish - gap is too big, I'm picking Draper
3. Worner - same as above
4. ??

If there was a player where you could reasonably argue they were a quality B22 small defender then I'm all ears. My argument is based on the lack of better choice rather than our backline not being tall.

I'm saying we accept the tall backline because as a collective, that seven is well ahead of any other seven I can come up with.

I would back in Draper to fill the gap, giving him the games he deserves at AFL level. The result of our matches should not be determined by whether Draper or Aish is selected in the backline. Ergo, play the youth.

We are the slowest ballmovent team in the league and you want to have 1 rebounder in Clark who gets tagged Wagner needs to play

 

[CapitalA]

All this talk of Erasmus replacing Fyfe reminds me of the talk of Connor Blakely replacing Lachie Neale.

Yeah except Blakely had a quarter of the drive and commitment that Erasmus has. Blakely was more interested in cutting lunch and surfing.

 

[mattis117]

We are the slowest ballmovent team in the league and you want to have 1 rebounder in Clark who gets tagged Wagner needs to play

Walker, Chapman, and Draper all offer some quality rebound.

For the record, I'm happy if Wagner plays, I think he is good foil for Clark.

 

[freoextra]

Lots of discussion on Draper in this link. Certainly watching him at training today I was very impressed, he has added size but still very athletic and kicked beautifully. I can’t see him not playing, he is too talented and certainly could play tall or as a rebounding defender. I understand the hype for Wagner and I also enjoy his run out of the backline but he would have missed more targets by foot than any of our players. They are clearly not the same “type” of player but Draper is a gun and only getting better. My 2cents worth.

 

[88mph]

Draper is a lock.

Let's move on.

 

[Joao]

Draper is no lock.

Let's move on.

 

[Bastyy]

Draper is potentially a lock or perhaps even no lock

Let's discuss this.

 

[DenieD]

Who is Draper?

 

[King Huskii]

Draper is no lock.

Let's move on.

You sure

 

[King Huskii]

Who is Draper?

Scott

 

[theGav56]

If Draper improves to a level where he is on par with Chapman for example, he can't be left out. The gap between him and the other player who takes his spot is too significant.

My seven are Pearce, Cox, Draper, Ryan, Clark, Walker, Chapman.

Who else could be selected?

1. Wagner - rebounder, not a lock down defender
2. Aish - gap is too big, I'm picking Draper
3. Worner - same as above
4. ??

If there was a player where you could reasonably argue they were a quality B22 small defender then I'm all ears. My argument is based on the lack of better choice rather than our backline not being tall.

I'm saying we accept the tall backline because as a collective, that seven is well ahead of any other seven I can come up with.

I would back in Draper to fill the gap, giving him the games he deserves at AFL level. The result of our matches should not be determined by whether Draper or Aish is selected in the backline. Ergo, play the youth.

I wasn't sold, but putting them against the other options is fairly convincing.

He won't be ready this year, but is Carr training in defence?

 

[FreoRicci]

Not really going into it too deep.
But is Switkowski’s spot under threat? He’s been average here and there.
Cooper Simpson is a must keep, and may force coaches to get him in to keep him at Fremantle

 

[theGav56]

Not really going into it too deep.
But is Switkowski’s spot under threat? He’s been average here and there.
Cooper Simpson is a must keep, and may force coaches to get him in to keep him at Fremantle

Switkowski could be a trade piece at the end of the year, but Cooper would be doing amazingly well to displace him this year.

 

[what a game]

To all the people putting teams up.
Kudos there are some great teams being put up.
But I can’t remember the last season when people picked teams that really good players are being left out !!
And I like a lot of the posters going with players and replacements on the
“ if but and maybe “
I think it’s only fair we have a healthy bunch of sub 20/21 year olds
Who could make a big leap ( Josh treacy and Draper last year )
Who may surprise all of us this year.
That people don’t have them in the 23.

So looking forward to this year

 

[hoss]

Not really going into it too deep.
But is Switkowski’s spot under threat? He’s been average here and there.
Cooper Simpson is a must keep, and may force coaches to get him in to keep him at Fremantle

Possibly but I think he's highly regarded. I may have dreamt it but didn't he finish top 10, even maybe top 5 in the Doig last year?

On Pixel 7 using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Dockeroo]

Not really going into it too deep.
But is Switkowski’s spot under threat? He’s been average here and there.
Cooper Simpson is a must keep, and may force coaches to get him in to keep him at Fremantle

He’s a classic example of the type of player that I would hope gets squeezed to the fringes as we improve.
Good honest player but just doesn’t kick enough goals which is a major flaw.
Still could have an important role for sure but you want the likes of Simpson improving and really pressuring him.
If Simpson is indeed a great draft pick and a quality player, he should be eyeing up the likes of Switta/sturt/frederick for a spot in the 22 by the end of year two of his career and into next year

 

[Troy Cooked It]

Draper in requires a very big shift in Ryan's gamestyle into a role which most people lament him for, which is his speed by foot, so by playing Draper I think will be a net negative in terms of a team aspect. While I agree Draper is a great talent and it would be nice if he plays, there is also major flaws he should work on like his bodywork under a high ball and his engagement with his forward at any time really.

We need rebound more then anything from our D50 and Wagner while errant by foot, provided most of that for us. If we shuffle Ryan into that role it will be long bombs to the corners of the 50 and less drive and dash down the middle of the park. All for the sake of development that Draper can get through the WAFL with no doubt plenty of chances through injury and management.

Draper is just number 1 reserve for all of Ryan, Pearce and Cox.