Preview 2025 Best 22 Discussion

[go_the_dockers]

Aish was horrendous last quarter vs. Essendon. We lost so much around the ball substituting Erasmus for Aish. He’s just not very good anymore.

Agree.
Aish, JOM, Fyfe, Walters should all not be subbed into a game.
Erasmus as well.

They just don't add the run and carry you want late in games.

The best sub we had was O'Driscoll, who is quick, can break lines, play on the wing or through the middle.

Not sure how many other players we have, like that.

 

[BoneBroth]

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Agree.
Aish, JOM, Fyfe, Walters should all not be subbed into a game.
Erasmus as well.

They just don't add the run and carry you want late in games.

The best sub we had was O'Driscoll, who is quick, can break lines, play on the wing or through the middle.

Not sure how many other players we have, like that.

I think O’driscoll is a starting wing opposite Sharp. So that leaves Wagner as the running player outside the in my team.


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[Spirit Level]

Interesting to see what way we will go with the sub in 2025. It’s looks like overall last year we went with a generalist to cover for multiple scenarios. With Aish being used 4 times, and JOM/Ras being used 3 times each.

I like this as cover for injury, and it lets you do more even without an injury, to make change if needed late. I would have loved if we had Aish in the last game vs Port. Maybe he could have shut HorneFrancis out of the game in the second half, as he felt like their only real winner on the night.

We also used a running or impact player to come in and change the game; Walters(4), Wagner(3), Warner(2), Fyfe(1), Dris(1). But this feels risky if you have injury early. By using a player that necessitates flipping other players to accommodate a more limited role or position.

I like the idea of using Fyfe, Walters, JOM, Banfield, and Aish as experienced cool heads around the group, and stable players that can come in at any stage and make an impact.

But sub also feels like the only path for game time of players like Simpson and Ras, who might be ready to take the next step but can’t force their way in to the 22.

R1 in Geelong might be telling in the overall thinking and direction. Putting together my b22 it was one of Ras, Wagner, Aish that holds the Sub spot. But splitting them is a case of form and opposition.


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Banners is our best sub IMO.

Can play multiple positions, is fit, hits the contest ect

 

[King Huskii]

I disagree

He is a liability and needs to go as there are other players missing out on afl experience all because JLO won't drop this ball burner

Banners is our best sub IMO.

Can play multiple positions, is fit, hits the contest ect

 

[FreoRicci]

Both Sturt and Fredrick could be in trouble if we get a normal amount of forward talent in the door. Bolton is a good start.

Both will be in.

Bolton, Treacy, Sturt
Switkowski, Amiss, Jackson.

Frederick on the bench.

That’s how it should be and will be

 

[bellie4pm]

Both will be in.

Bolton, Treacy, Sturt
Switkowski, Amiss, Jackson.

Frederick on the bench.

That’s how it should be and will be

Say again, our seventh forward in rotation (mixes things up well in offence) and third wing (god help their defender!

 

[Spirit Level]

I disagree

He is a liability and needs to go as there are other players missing out on afl experience all because JLO won't drop this ball burner

Yeah, but games as the sub just aren't good AFL experience IMO.

I'd rather Banners be in the sub position then development players who would be better off playing full games at Peel

 

[King Huskii]

Yeah, but games as the sub just aren't good AFL experience IMO.

I'd rather Banners be in the sub position then development players who would be better off playing full games at Peel

I'd rather he not play altogether and have a player developing at afl level plus another player sub. He's a ball burner

 

[heavho]

Only going to say this once will Brodie is the key to this club going all the way. Laugh as much as you like. Yes his efficiency isn’t 100% but put this guy in the middle as an inside mid and just tell him to boot it long inside 50. We now have a forwardline of treacy,Jackson,Bolton,amiss,Federick,swita,a resting Darcy. Brodies clearance work is sublime. Drop a washed walters or fyfe for this guy

 

[Jezzitizle]

Only going to say this once will Brodie is the key to this club going all the way. Laugh as much as you like. Yes his efficiency isn’t 100% but put this guy in the middle as an inside mid and just tell him to boot it long inside 50. We now have a forwardline of treacy,Jackson,Bolton,amiss,Federick,swita,a resting Darcy. Brodies clearance work is sublime. Drop a washed walters or fyfe for this guy

“ Only going to say this once will Brodie is the key to this club going all the way. Laugh as much as you like. Yes his efficiency isn’t 100% but put this guy in the middle as an inside mid and just tell him to boot it long inside 50. We now have a forwardline of treacy,Jackson,Bolton,amiss,Federick,swita,a resting Darcy. Brodies clearance work is sublime. Drop a washed walters or fyfe for this guy”

- Will Brodie, January 2025, 1 and a half cartons in.










In all seriousness, would love to see a Will Brodie renaissance, but it is a very long shot.

 

[CaseySibosadoHOF]

Only going to say this once will Brodie is the key to this club going all the way. Laugh as much as you like. Yes his efficiency isn’t 100% but put this guy in the middle as an inside mid and just tell him to boot it long inside 50. We now have a forwardline of treacy,Jackson,Bolton,amiss,Federick,swita,a resting Darcy. Brodies clearance work is sublime. Drop a washed walters or fyfe for this guy

It's about roles and balance. Back in 2022, we actually really needed a ball winner, so Brodie thrived. Fast forward to now, Serong is almost the best ball winner in the comp. Brayshaw has bridged that gap - every year he gets better in that regard, and last year he had a career high in ball winning numbers while spending less time in the middle compared to 2022 and 2023. Only God knows what Hayden Young will be in 2025. And if Bolton or Jackson spend any time in the midfield, it won't exactly be to defend.

Whoever gets that last midfield slot isn't really there to win the ball (though if they can like a James Rowbottom, that's a bonus). We've already got the stars and the ball winners. The final piece needs to be a defensive hard-nose that makes the others better by taking the defensive side off their plate. You don't have All-Australian level guys do the dirty work to make role players shine. If Brodie wants a spot, that's the road.

 

[bellie4pm]

Only going to say this once will Brodie is the key to this club going all the way. Laugh as much as you like. Yes his efficiency isn’t 100% but put this guy in the middle as an inside mid and just tell him to boot it long inside 50. We now have a forwardline of treacy,Jackson,Bolton,amiss,Federick,swita,a resting Darcy. Brodies clearance work is sublime. Drop a washed walters or fyfe for this guy

Issue is solely one of whose spot does he take / who misses out? Games into erasmus and johnson in that same position are a priority this season.

 

[Mr Cheese]

Only going to say this once will Brodie is the key to this club going all the way. Laugh as much as you like. Yes his efficiency isn’t 100% but put this guy in the middle as an inside mid and just tell him to boot it long inside 50. We now have a forwardline of treacy,Jackson,Bolton,amiss,Federick,swita,a resting Darcy. Brodies clearance work is sublime. Drop a washed walters or fyfe for this guy

Johnno is the key, not Brodie. As others have said, we primarily need a hard-nosed, big bodied defensive role player in there (christ, what I'd give for Crowley right now), not necessarily a ball winner. If Johnno takes the next step this year, given his size and versatility, we'll have the most balanced mid in the comp and will be firmly in the mix for the big dance.

Starting 6:

Serong - elite ball winner, solid to good disposal, crazy quick hands, showed signs could be dangerous resting forward.

Brayshaw - elite two-way runner and defensive mid. Improving contested game, superb link-up player. Can grab a goal or two, especially from i50 stoppage.

Young - elite disposal i50, big bodied and showing exponential improvement in his contested game. I'd have him as our best inside tackler, also our best outside player. Shown he's a handful resting forward.

Fyfe - Old warhorse, footy smarts to burn and elite handball game. Plays the big bodied disruptor to perfection when on form and allows the others to shine on the outside. Not sure if a 22 lock all year, but a big game from him and I don't see us losing to anyone.

Johnno - big body, extremely capable inside (learning we'll from Fyfe), breaks tackles for fun and only getting stronger. Has the added bonus of a very good outside game. Deceptively quick and frequently puts himself in good positions to score. He sorts his radar and improves his disposal/decision making a touch and I honestly don't think he's a mile off Young.

Darcy - if he's fit all season, and slimming down doesn't rob him of too much strength/weight advantage, we'll be tough to beat. Best tap ruck-man in the game, and more than handy resting forward.

Rotation mids:

Jackson - Point of difference if we get to use him correctly. Disruptive and a menace at ground level, perfect against a tiring or second ruck. Needs to improve his decision making (both choice and speed of thought) to fully realise his potential. If he starts marking the ball, watch out.

Bolton - X-factor. Elite clearance player, quick burst and elusive. Will be a major point of difference and an opportunity to swing games, put the foot down against a tiring/slow mid brigade. Elite small forward.

Switkowski - Bolton without the scoring power. Generally does well when sent into the middle, highly elusive, great burst of speed, and decent disposal. Good to allow JLo different looks at centre-bounce.

Potential:

NOD - could be anything. Big body, good burst from stoppage, and a booming kick that JJJ are going to love, especially from 6-6-6 centre bounce setup.

Erasmus - clearly growing and improving. Great engine and happy to do the dirty stuff. Still looks a bit slight to me, and needs to improve his decision-making speed at AFL level if he's going to make it. Big year for him.

I honestly don't think there's a better overall brigade in the comp (allowing for expected YoY improvement). Port probably shade us for top-end but don't bat as deep, maybe Sydney (but they have a poor forward line to kick it to). If JJJ all take another step, all our guys will need to do is win the ball and get it on the boot (which they should do frequently going off last year's clearance stats).

Haven't even found a spot for JOM and Aish (who, let's face it, get in most teams' best 23). Exciting times.

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[theGav56]

Seems less likely than a year ago but I still hang onto a fantasy of Chapman grabbing some midfield time. I blame Draper for that. He's going to be too good to leave out with his rapid rate of development. I'm not staying they can't both play in the same backline, but both have the versatility to be dangerous elsewhere.

 

[Lach72]

Seems less likely than a year ago but I still hang onto a fantasy of Chapman grabbing some midfield time. I blame Draper for that. He's going to be too good to leave out with his rapid rate of development. I'm not staying they can't both play in the same backline, but both have the versatility to be dangerous elsewhere.

When I look at the team, I look at Luke Ryan’s spot in the backline and think it’s up for grabs. He’s heading towards 30, brave and can take a good grab, but a bit slow on the ball movement.

Walker is the small defender with pace, Clark, Chapman and Drapes can all cover Ryan imo

 

[Jezzitizle]

When I look at the team, I look at Luke Ryan’s spot in the backline and think it’s up for grabs. He’s heading towards 30, brave and can take a good grab, but a bit slow on the ball movement.

Walker is the small defender with pace, Clark, Chapman and Drapes can all cover Ryan imo

Luke Ryan’s spot is not up for grabs. Literally dominates some games.

 

[King Huskii]

When I look at the team, I look at Luke Ryan’s spot in the backline and think it’s up for grabs. He’s heading towards 30, brave and can take a good grab, but a bit slow on the ball movement.

Walker is the small defender with pace, Clark, Chapman and Drapes can all cover Ryan imo

Yeah nah