Prediction 2025 - Best 23 + Emergencies - Rolling

[Coona Blues]

When Moir's tank allows him to play 4 quarters of AFL level footy consistently he will be best 22.

Until then he's a highly talented depth player and sub.

The sky is the limit for him.

I like to think he was getting close at the end of the season. 12 months of concentrated building. The deliberat playing if him up the ground rather than mollycoddling deep forward was excellent management. By the start of next season, he will have had 17 months of targeted work. He may not be “fully seasoned” but should be up for normal entry level draftee output at a minimum. Perhaps managed minutes or games, if we continue with our taxing game style, but should be awfully close.

 

[bradfisher14]

FB:	2. Cowan	23. Weitering	42. Saad
HB:	35. Wilson	26. Haynes	24. Newman
C:	4. Hollands	9. Cripps	13. Acres
HF:	6. Williams	10. McKay	20. Hollands
FF:	8. Fogarty	30. Curnow	43. Moir
R:	12. De Koning	7. Smith	18. Walsh
INT:	5. Cerra	11. McGovern	25. Binns
	3. Motlop
SUB:	15. Docherty

Most of this team picks itself but I'll explain some of the selections that I think require explanation:

• Smith on ball - I think he plays every game next season. He has star factor written all over him and he instantly changes the dynamic of our midfield. It's gonna be beautiful to watch.
• Wilson at HB - we need to find a way to get him into the backline and get the ball in his hands. I like Boyd, but I think Wilson has a much higher ceiling due to his athleticism and giving him early games will accelerate his development.
• Haynes at CHB - I think he gets first crack ahead of Silvagni/Young/O'Farrell. Hopefully he provides leadership and composure in defence.
• Gov on bench - I want to see him playing on smaller forwards from now on. Think it suits his skillset much better.
• Binns ahead of Cottrell - I liked what I saw from Binns when he played last season and we need to get some games into him. Cottrell really worried me in the back end of this year and needs to earn his spot back via the twos.
• Cerra ahead of Hewett - in order to evolve as a team, I think we can only have two of Cripps/Hewett/Cerra in the side at the same time. Cerra has the potential to be a star for us and I'm backing him to get there.
• Moir/Motlop ahead of Durdin/Fantasia - simply a talent call here. It's time to roll the dice and see what we have in these two.
• Doc sub - I can't bring myself to leave him out. Not sure what his role will be so I think he starts the year as sub.

 

[goreds]

FB:	2. Cowan	23. Weitering	42. Saad
HB:	35. Wilson	26. Haynes	24. Newman
C:	4. Hollands	9. Cripps	13. Acres
HF:	6. Williams	10. McKay	20. Hollands
FF:	8. Fogarty	30. Curnow	43. Moir
R:	12. De Koning	7. Smith	18. Walsh
INT:	5. Cerra	11. McGovern	25. Binns
	3. Motlop
SUB:	15. Docherty

Most of this team picks itself but I'll explain some of the selections that I think require explanation:

• Smith on ball - I think he plays every game next season. He has star factor written all over him and he instantly changes the dynamic of our midfield. It's gonna be beautiful to watch.
• Wilson at HB - we need to find a way to get him into the backline and get the ball in his hands. I like Boyd, but I think Wilson has a much higher ceiling due to his athleticism and giving him early games will accelerate his development.
• Haynes at CHB - I think he gets first crack ahead of Silvagni/Young/O'Farrell. Hopefully he provides leadership and composure in defence.
• Gov on bench - I want to see him playing on smaller forwards from now on. Think it suits his skillset much better.
• Binns ahead of Cottrell - I liked what I saw from Binns when he played last season and we need to get some games into him. Cottrell really worried me in the back end of this year and needs to earn his spot back via the twos.
• Cerra ahead of Hewett - in order to evolve as a team, I think we can only have two of Cripps/Hewett/Cerra in the side at the same time. Cerra has the potential to be a star for us and I'm backing him to get there.
• Moir/Motlop ahead of Durdin/Fantasia - simply a talent call here. It's time to roll the dice and see what we have in these two.
• Doc sub - I can't bring myself to leave him out. Not sure what his role will be so I think he starts the year as sub.

Like it! Making me think a bit more laterally...

I still think JSOS gets a game down back and Ollie makes way for Doc, Doc is much more polished and importantly a much better kick...

 

[ianh]

I like to think he was getting close at the end of the season. 12 months of concentrated building. The deliberat playing if him up the ground rather than mollycoddling deep forward was excellent management. By the start of next season, he will have had 17 months of targeted work. He may not be “fully seasoned” but should be up for normal entry level draftee output at a minimum. Perhaps managed minutes or games, if we continue with our taxing game style, but should be awfully close.

Not to often we hear the club lauded for "excellent management" but to be fair there hasn't been an awful lot of it. I think this is a good call here though.

 

[Mr Blonde]

Newman Weitering McGovern
Saad JSOS Cowan
Ollie Cripps Acres
Fogarty Harry Elijah
Kemp Charlie Williams
TDK Cerra Walsh

Smith Hewett Docherty Motlop

This is identical to my 22 plus I like Moir for the sub role. I wanted to find a spot for Binns and considered him over the Doc but I think the Doc has still got a bit to give at this stage. Gut feel is Binns will have a long career in navy blue though.

I really hope JSOS trains as a defender and Kemp as a forward over the pre-season. JSOS is a fierce competitor and more disciplined than Kemp plus his ball use is superior to Young. Kemp is more dynamic/gifted and imo capable of an Andrew Walker circa 2011 type season as third tall. Motlop is probably the most fortunate to be selected on recent form but we desperately need him to fire next season. He is capable.

 

[Christou2Kouta]

I see the squad shaping up something like this:

Reserves
B: Cincotta Young Wilson
HB: Charleson O’Farrell (M Carroll?)
C: Binns B Camporeale L Camporeale
HF: Motlop Lemmey Fantasia
F: Durdin O’Keeffe Kemp
Foll: Pittonet O Hollands Lord
I/C: Monahan Duffy (Durdin/DGB?)

Seniors
B: Haynes Weitering Saad
HB: Cowan McGovern Newman
C: Acres Cripps Docherty
HF: Walsh McKay E Hollands
F: Williams Curnow Fogarty
Foll: TDK Cerra Smith
I/C: Boyd Cottrell Hewett Silvagni Moir

Obviously a lot of room for discussion regarding specific selections. The half back line and centre line of the reserves both look very raw but there is a lot of positional flexibility of players that I think they would turn to first before selecting a number of those players.

The main hope is that we’ll have at least 85% of the squad available every week instead of 65-70% as we’ve had for the past decade. That should maximise development and competition for spots.


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Interesting for Ollie to say in his exit interview they suggested spending more time as an inside mid/rebounding defender.


That justifies my selection of him as an onballer in the 2s to start the year. I guess that would have him competing with Boyd and Cowan for a spot in the ones.

 

[marcmurphy3]

Interesting for Ollie to say in his exit interview they suggested spending more time as an inside mid/rebounding defender.


That justifies my selection of him as an onballer in the 2s to start the year. I guess that would have him competing with Boyd and Cowan for a spot in the ones.

I just wrote in the other thread, but I didn't get the sense he was optimistic about being an onballer in 2025. Mentioned he would spend some time there over preseason to work on his body work. I reckon he will be wing or halfback. I'm hoping it's halfback.

It's hard to tell from his comments how much the exit interview was geared towards developing other parts of his game vs changing position.

 

[Wickzki]

Interesting for Ollie to say in his exit interview they suggested spending more time as an inside mid/rebounding defender.

This information is why I had the following positioning for Ollie at the start and end of the season in my very early post trade period best 23.

I don't see him featuring full time on ball (hence putting him at wing as a starting place) but do feel confident that he'll rotate between wing, half back and on ball.

Really do see him as playing a lot of those extra mid off half back minutes that most of the great teams have.

My latest iterations - first game & premierships team.

First Game

B Cowan - Weitering - Newman
HB McGovern - Haynes - Saad

C O Hollands - Cerra - Acres
Fo. De Koning - Cripps - Walsh

HF E Hollands - Curnow - Williams
F Motlop - McKay - Kemp

I/C Docherty - Fogarty - Hewett - Durdin

Sub: Moir

===========

Premiership Team

In: Moir - #3 - Silvagni - (Lord)
Out: Fogarty - Durdin - Haynes

B Cowan - Weitering - Newman
HB O Hollands - Silvagni - Saad

C E Hollands - Cerra - Acres
Fo. De Koning - Cripps - Walsh

HF Moir - Curnow - Williams
F Motlop - McKay - Kemp

I/C: Docherty - Hewett - Pick #3 - McGovern

Sub: Lord,

With the addition of Jagga and the likes of Ollie getting more time on ball I envision one of the most balanced rotations of on ball depth in the competition. I believe that this balance and depth will be designed to ensure all of them are able to perform near or at their best for longer than they have been the last two years. A genuine feeling that Cripps, Walsh and co will enter finals with fuller tanks not having killed themselves getting us there.

 

[bradfisher14]

Like it! Making me think a bit more laterally...

I still think JSOS gets a game down back and Ollie makes way for Doc, Doc is much more polished and importantly a much better kick...

I think JSOS will force his way into the backline eventually. I just need to see his performances at VFL level before putting him in. As for Doc, I'm a bit spooked by what I saw in the Brisbane final. Need to see what sort of player he is now before locking him into any defined role.

 

[Its an amigo!]

Think Moir will be a lock at some stage next season

Really hope so. I actually think by the end of the season all of Moir, Lord, and Jagga Smith will have become locks in the team.

 

[Beyond Blue]

I’ve assumed we move on S Durdin and M Carroll and replace them with DBG and McMahon as rookies via the SSP, and also having Ramshaw and White as part of our reserves list:

League:
Haynes Weitering Saad
Newman Silvagni McGovern
O Hollands Cripps Acres
E Hollands McKay Williams
Motlop Curnow Kemp
Tdk Cerra Walsh
Docherty Smith Hewett Boyd Cottrell(sub)

Reserves:
Cowan Young O’Farrell
Charleston DGB Cincotta
Binns Lord LCampo
Fogarty Lemney Moir
Durdin McMahon O’Keefe
Pittonet B Campo Wilson
Duffy Fantasia Ramshaw White Monaghan(sub)

 

[Coona Blues]

I’ve assumed we move on S Durdin and M Carroll and replace them with DBG and McMahon as rookies via the SSP, and also having Ramshaw and White as part of our reserves list:

League:
Haynes Weitering Saad
Newman Silvagni McGovern
O Hollands Cripps Acres
E Hollands McKay Williams
Motlop Curnow Kemp
Tdk Cerra Walsh
Docherty Smith Hewett Boyd Cottrell(sub)

Reserves:
Cowan Young O’Farrell
Charleston DGB Cincotta
Binns Lord LCampo
Fogarty Lemney Moir
Durdin McMahon O’Keefe
Pittonet B Campo Wilson
Duffy Fantasia Ramshaw White Monaghan(sub)

If you are including VFL listed players in the reserves line up, don’t forget Will Hayes…

 

[CoachB]

I don’t want pick an entire best 23 but talk about some elements to consider in making the picks:

1. Cincotta as a tagger won us games last year. But we need others that can play that role if he isn't picked.
2. Voss playing favorites at the selection table hurt us. eg replacing form players with those returning from injury.
3. TDK can’t play 100% of games and we look awful when Pitto rucks even though he battles hard. Harry needs to be our first choice back up ruck. We need to identify which teams Pitto matches up with best and schedule some rest games to get TDK through the season. Please no games with 2 rucks.
4. Hewett is our best defensive midfielder IMHO. I’m not confident leaving him out atm despite the footspeed issues. Cerra didn’t get a clean run in 2024 and was horrible in some games, especially defensively. So door the is open for Lord to push either of them out.
5. Prefer Doc on the wing to Ollie for his better tackling, disposal and game awareness. Think Ollie is going need to be the Swiss Army knife and play multiple roles.
6. Don’t see JSOS as a regular first 23 but will get his opportunities, mostly down back.
7. Williams is the most skilled small forward he needs to stay on the park.
8. I like Kemp as a third tall forward and maybe being the forward ruck. He leads, which we need to create space for Charlie etc.
9. Jagga to play 20 plus games, don’t care where he plays just needs to be fast tracked.

Cheers

CB

 

[JustOneTime]

Each season we have looked at who will hold the second key back position with no success. I don't think it is Haynes at 192 and a slimmer defensive build. He is there to intercept if he plays. Not sure he was used in any long term capacity as a key back with GWS.

I think there is a spot there to fight for and it represents 1/3 of the holes in our side. The options are glaringly slim with Kemp, JSoS, and the train on guys.

 

[HyphensBack]

I’ve assumed we move on S Durdin and M Carroll and replace them with DBG and McMahon as rookies via the SSP, and also having Ramshaw and White as part of our reserves list:

League:
Haynes Weitering Saad
Newman Silvagni McGovern
O Hollands Cripps Acres
E Hollands McKay Williams
Motlop Curnow Kemp
Tdk Cerra Walsh
Docherty Smith Hewett Boyd Cottrell(sub)

Reserves:
Cowan Young O’Farrell
Charleston DGB Cincotta
Binns Lord LCampo
Fogarty Lemney Moir
Durdin McMahon O’Keefe
Pittonet B Campo Wilson
Duffy Fantasia Ramshaw White Monaghan(sub)

Would we really play both Haynes and Silvagni - I think only one - unless you think Silvani plays resting ruck so H doesn’t have to but I doubt they would rotate ruck out of the backline

 

[marcmurphy3]

Each season we have looked at who will hold the second key back position with no success. I don't think it is Haynes at 192 and a slimmer defensive build. He is there to intercept if he plays. Not sure he was used in any long term capacity as a key back with GWS.

I think there is a spot there to fight for and it represents 1/3 of the holes in our side. The options are glaringly slim with Kemp, JSoS, and the train on guys.

Haynes is undersized but not much moreso then Silvagni or Kemp. I think that 2nd KPD will be a more mobile type as we have seen for most of the last 2 years.

I think it works fine (even if not ideal) so long as the rest of the team does their job. Very few teams have 2 genuine monster forwards.

 

[Bletch]

Haynes is undersized but not much moreso then Silvagni or Kemp. I think that 2nd KPD will be a more mobile type as we have seen for most of the last 2 years.

I think it works fine (even if not ideal) so long as the rest of the team does their job. Very few teams have 2 genuine monster forwards.

Yep, and I reckon Young plays against those teams. For now...

 

[JustOneTime]

Haynes is undersized but not much moreso then Silvagni or Kemp. I think that 2nd KPD will be a more mobile type as we have seen for most of the last 2 years.

I think it works fine (even if not ideal) so long as the rest of the team does their job. Very few teams have 2 genuine monster forwards.

I think height might be 2cm and weight difference a lot more (JSoS). I don't think for a second they have brought in Haynes as a second key defender. I really doubt Haynes said i want to come to Carlton to mark opposition gorillas who most likely injure me.

Last season players like combden got a hold of us plus Dear, Gunston, Kositche. Even Raturgela/Georgiades. Why is it important because they completely nullified the adv we have in having the best 1-2 key fwd combo in the league (Charlie/Harry). It's a sad defensive tale to see Norths two talls equalise our two talls in a game on goal output. also sad to see Dear outmark our tall defenders...even embarrassing.

What may be right is Austin sees it your way as he hasn't made any real effort to fill the 'immediate' hole.

 

[marcmurphy3]

I think height might be 2cm and weight difference a lot more (JSoS). I don't think for a second they have brought in Haynes as a second key defender. I really doubt Haynes said i want to come to Carlton to mark opposition gorillas who most likely injure me.

Last season players like combden got a hold of us plus Dear, Gunston, Kositche. Even Raturgela/Georgiades. Why is it important because they completely nullified the adv we have in having the best 1-2 key fwd combo in the league (Charlie/Harry). It's a sad defensive tale to see Norths two talls equalise our two talls in a game on goal output. also sad to see Dear outmark our tall defenders...even embarrassing.

What may be right is Austin sees it your way as he hasn't made any real effort to fill the 'immediate' hole.

I believe it, mainly because of how confident he seems in having a role in the 1sts (indicated from Vossy).

That 2nd KPD role is wide open and we dont have an issue going undersized there so would align with those comments.

If we thought he could only play 3rd tall I doubt we give him that indication as we have several options there. Im sure he'll still play there at times.

Not saying I agree with it. Just the vibe Im getting.

I reckon Austin sees the gap. He tried to get Allir from GWS but ultimately there was nobody available so he went the decent undersized option over an average type thats bigger. Then drafted a kid to eventually take that role (Harry O).

 

[Beyond Blue]

Would we really play both Haynes and Silvagni - I think only one - unless you think Silvani plays resting ruck so H doesn’t have to but I doubt they would rotate ruck out of the backline

What other options are there? Kemp and Young were very poor last year. McGovern also is incapable of manning up is probably only I ahead of Cowan because he is a better kick.

 

[Beyond Blue]

If you are including VFL listed players in the reserves line up, don’t forget Will Hayes…

Are you referring to Will Hayes who was on our list as a MSD pick up a few years ago? I agree he should be in the VFL squad and no doubt will play a heap of reserves games next year for us but in the unlikely event everyone is available I wouldn’t pick him over any AFL listed player, even Monaghan who appears very limited. I also rate Ramshaw and White ahead of him as both least still have a faint chance to play at the highest level.

 

[Bletch]

Are you referring to Will Hayes who was on our list as a MSD pick up a few years ago? I agree he should be in the VFL squad and no doubt will play a heap of reserves games next year for us but in the unlikely event everyone is available I wouldn’t pick him over any AFL listed player, even Monaghan who appears very limited. I also rate Ramshaw and White ahead of him as both least still have a faint chance to play at the highest level.

He played a few games towards the back end of this year, and has already committed to next year. Would be a good choice for captain. It's not all about showcasing talent for a future chance at the top level. Giving our developing young players some guidance from an experienced midfielder is at least as important, probably more.

 

[marcmurphy3]

Are you referring to Will Hayes who was on our list as a MSD pick up a few years ago? I agree he should be in the VFL squad and no doubt will play a heap of reserves games next year for us but in the unlikely event everyone is available I wouldn’t pick him over any AFL listed player, even Monaghan who appears very limited. I also rate Ramshaw and White ahead of him as both least still have a faint chance to play at the highest level.

There will be room for all 3 unless we have virtually no injuries which would be a great problem to have. All these AFL +VFL best 22s are theoretical. At best 3-4 afl guys will be missing at all times, which will create space for the vfl boys.

Glad we got Hayes back. Hes a vfl gun. We made a mistake last year going in with a pretty weak vfl list. That plus injuries to our afl players made our reserves side a disaster.

 

[koutashoulda1_1]

What other options are there? Kemp and Young were very poor last year. McGovern also is incapable of manning up is probably only I ahead of Cowan because he is a better kick.

I reckon Weiters stays as lockdown double plus plus as usual (unfortunately) and McGovern and Haynes rove a bit and add pressure to any non-Weiters contests. Young as a break glass option for teams with two genuine gorillas.

Maybe Silvagni gets a go, can see him being exposed. Think Cowan has earned his spot, so would drop Silvagni for Cow per BB's best 23.

Would like Kemp up forward as Defensive 3rd tall/pressure forward. Lord in for Hewett until he proves himself incapable. See this as a hopeful optimisation rather than a need, as with Cerra and Walsh back to their best and Jagga on the bench I think we are fine in the middle.

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[Beyond Blue]

He played a few games towards the back end of this year, and has already committed to next year. Would be a good choice for captain. It's not all about showcasing talent for a future chance at the top level. Giving our developing young players some guidance from an experienced midfielder is at least as important, probably more.

Agree that Hayes will likely play most if not all games for the reserves this year but I’ve done the best 22+ sub exercise for league and reserves assuming everyone is available so I would have all of those guys ahead of Hayes…noting I also said if selection was based on talent Hayes would get a game every week ahead of Monaghan…but we know that won’t happen