Prediction 2025 - Best 23 + Emergencies - Rolling

[BlueTongue]

Walsh is a midfielder - one of best in the league when he is fit - even half fit he is better than most players who play his position. I don’t he can play wing or that the coaches should play him there. Wing is a specialist position now unlike in years past where it was seen as somewhere to squeeze in another midfielder. Acres is a winger. Doc and Ollie can play there. Binns and Cottrell too. That’s plenty of options. Wingmen can be out of the play for long periods. If I were a coach against Carlton and Walsh lined up on a wing I’d be delighted. I’d play through the opposite side of the ground and instruct his opponent to take him away from the contest. Walsh is an end to end gut running midfielder. He starts in the middle alongside Cripps and Cerra with Hewett (and possibly Jagga) in the rotation off the bench and Elijah changing off half forward. I can’t see any universe where Walsh gets pushed onto a wing to accommodate Lord.

The biggest questions I feel about our best line up is the third defender and the third forward role. It’s been interesting to see so many people including myself immediately default to McGovern as a lock in most best line ups. I actually think Haynes is well ahead of him, so Gov might find himself fighting it out with Sos for the third defender role. It’s ironic that not that long ago Gov and SOS would have been duelling for the third forward role and Kemp was in line for the third defender role. Now that’s been completely flipped on its head with Kemp likely to get first crack at the third forward role alongside Charlie and Harry, and SOS trialling down back. I think the coaches have made the right call on all fronts. Hopefully it works because last night year both spots were a weakness.

My call on Walsh to the wing is from the perspective that he's been smashed from pillar to post since he's been in the side and I think his biggest asset in Gut Run serves us better as first receive from the contest, but as you rightly point out, the extra bulk he now has probably makes that unlikely. Now we have multiple options it will be interesting to see where he does play.

 

[Arr0w]

Excellent line up arrow.

I have one player different - would like to see Kemp in and given time to develop as our 3rd forward target. Also, handy as defensive backup. Ollie as emergency would round out the team.

Certainly some viable options, which helps with the competition for spots

Even though I couldn't squeeze in Jsos, Kemp, Cottrell, Lord, Durdin, Fantasia, Fogarty, Young, Cincotta, Pitto, we know what their best can add to the side

Then you have a number of kids that will want to gain a solid base and push for selection

It's healthy

 

[bradfisher14]

Excellent line up arrow.

I have one player different - would like to see Kemp in and given time to develop as our 3rd forward target. Also, handy as defensive backup. Ollie as emergency would round out the team.

I like it. How are you sorting out the wing rotations without Ollie? Elijah and Walsh getting a run out there?

 

[JuddgementDay]

This is my best 23 going into the Xmas break...

For my best 23, I would like the younger guys to push for best 23 - we need their energy, enthusiasm & speed - mixed with our core group, we have a really potent side.

There are question marks all over these young guys, but we need to give them an opportunity to shine.
I've listed my decisions below. Yeah, some borderline decisions - but, I'm happy with the overall team and flexibility it has.

Bring on 2025 already!


B: Newman Silvagni McGovern
HB: OHollands Weitering Saad
C: Acres Cripps Docherty
HF: Elijah McKay Williams
F: Moir Curnow Motlop
Foll: TDK Cerra Walsh
Int: Lord Kemp Hewett Wilson Smith


Decisions:

• Cowan vs Wilson - I went with Wilson, I think his speed will really help us
• Boyd vs Newman - I love Boyd, but as I have enough young players I need some more wiser heads
• Durdin vs Motlop - I went with Motlop and hoping for a big year from him. Our forward line needs more potency i.e. every player of being able to kick multiple goals in any given week
• Haynes vs JSOS - I went for more flexibility with having both JSOS and Kemp in the side
• Fogarty vs Lord - I hope we've gone pass Fogarty

 

[Coona Blues]

I like it. How are you sorting out the wing rotations without Ollie? Elijah and Walsh getting a run out there?

Not seeing Walsh and E.Hollands as front runners for wing spots. Ollie is definitely being prepared to offer that run and carry from behind the ball (a successor to Saad soon enough)

Docherty and possibly Newman being prepared for outside mid time. As he was earlier in the season, Newy trained with the mids at Maroochydore. Newy also split his time between wing and half back at Sydney. The other option is Binns, who has added to his impressive reserves form with a stellar pre season to date. Newy will remain a defensive staple IMO, but his strategic “absence” allows the next generation to develop quicker. Small/medium defence will need a changing of the guard in the foreseeable future, we will want multiple players ready to step up.

The centre square mids may do limited time off a wing, but won’t be deployed there. Expecting Vossy to embrace more rotations to ready players to contribute if and when necessary. It has been a need and plenty of his dialogue suggests it will happen.

 

[tarczonandjane]

I am not going to embarrass myself by naming a team. I just can’t figure out how we fit players in.

What I would say is that despite his deficiencies, I think Cottrell has enough strengths to play more often than not. But then I come back to asking myself who he squeezes out, and I don’t come up with any decent answers.

So I will leave my best 22 (or 23) right there. I think Cottrell plays… but I don’t know who he plays in front of.

 

[GoBlues!]

I am not going to embarrass myself by naming a team. I just can’t figure out how we fit players in.

What I would say is that despite his deficiencies, I think Cottrell has enough strengths to play more often than not. But then I come back to asking myself who he squeezes out, and I don’t come up with any decent answers.

So I will leave my best 22 (or 23) right there. I think Cottrell plays… but I don’t know who he plays in front of.

Risk of embarrassment on bf…. I think that’s par for the course taj.

All opinions are equal, some more equal than others.

 

[GoBlues!]

I like it. How are you sorting out the wing rotations without Ollie? Elijah and Walsh getting a run out there?

I think Ollie is more suited to HB. I would start with Acres and Docherty on the wings and rotate Boyd or even Cowan with short stints.

I know Kemp is not in everyone’s best 22, but I genuinely believe we can’t just rely on Harry and Charlie as our key forward targets if we want to progress. We’ve been found out in the past - Charlie down in 2023 finals, double teaming on Harry etc.

Kemp has a natural attacking mindset, can take a mark, will drag tallish defenders away from Harry and Charlie, and can apply defensive pressure on the forward line. Investing time in developing Kemp as a 3rd forward target will pay dividends and should be a priority.

 

[Fevolution!]

This is my best 23 going into the Xmas break...

For my best 23, I would like the younger guys to push for best 23 - we need their energy, enthusiasm & speed - mixed with our core group, we have a really potent side.

There are question marks all over these young guys, but we need to give them an opportunity to shine.
I've listed my decisions below. Yeah, some borderline decisions - but, I'm happy with the overall team and flexibility it has.

Bring on 2025 already!


B: Newman Silvagni McGovern
HB: OHollands Weitering Saad
C: Acres Cripps Docherty
HF: Elijah McKay Williams
F: Moir Curnow Motlop
Foll: TDK Cerra Walsh
Int: Lord Kemp Hewett Wilson Smith


Decisions:

• Cowan vs Wilson - I went with Wilson, I think his speed will really help us
• Boyd vs Newman - I love Boyd, but as I have enough young players I need some more wiser heads
• Durdin vs Motlop - I went with Motlop and hoping for a big year from him. Our forward line needs more potency i.e. every player of being able to kick multiple goals in any given week
• Haynes vs JSOS - I went for more flexibility with having both JSOS and Kemp in the side
• Fogarty vs Lord - I hope we've gone pass Fogarty

The only decision I can’t get around is Wilson over Cowan. It’s not like we are prioritising youth in that scenario, Cowan is the youth!
Wilson will need to put together at least a month of consistent VFL form before getting a look in.
Cowan is almost a lock based on his profile and what he’s shown at the level.

 

[KJP7]

Could we potentially have Moir out of the square? Charlie & H will naturally draw the best defenders, but he has great mitts and is a nice kick, could be a mismatch.

 

[Arr0w]

I am not going to embarrass myself by naming a team. I just can’t figure out how we fit players in.

What I would say is that despite his deficiencies, I think Cottrell has enough strengths to play more often than not. But then I come back to asking myself who he squeezes out, and I don’t come up with any decent answers.

So I will leave my best 22 (or 23) right there. I think Cottrell plays… but I don’t know who he plays in front of.

Have a crack TJ, no one here has inside knowledge of where things currently stand with selection

There is no right or wrong answer

 

[Benaly28]

Watched an old saints game last night (not sure why) and Blacres was playing for them,gee he was bad.Has done a complete 360.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[GoBlues!]

Watched an old saints game last night (not sure why) and Blacres was playing for them,gee he was bad.Has done a complete 360.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

If he’s done a 360 he’s back to where he started benny….wtf.

 

[Benaly28]

If he’s done a 360 he’s back to where he started benny….wtf.

Your right has been a long year.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[JuddgementDay]

The only decision I can’t get around is Wilson over Cowan. It’s not like we are prioritising youth in that scenario, Cowan is the youth!
Wilson will need to put together at least a month of consistent VFL form before getting a look in.
Cowan is almost a lock based on his profile and what he’s shown at the level.

They were all hard calls, but that’s where personal bias comes in

 

[Kernafides]

Cowan Weitering Newman
Saad Mcgovern Haynes
Acres Walsh Docherty
Smith Curnow E Hollands
Motlop Harry Williams

TDK Cripps Cerra
IC - Hollands, Hewett, Kemp, Lord
Sub: Durdin

 

[gbatman]

Boyd was in most 2024 best 22 sides and not many 2025 sides. He's good enough. Wilson is another player I really rate who could be around the mark and I am sure we will get a good look at him in the preseason contests.

Smith will be in the best 22, easy. Probably in a midfield and other position rule. Half back or half forward at times and in the middle or the wing at times. Remember he has elite footy IQ and athleticism, so he's likely to be a player you can plug into a variety of positions and get a good output.

The forward line is the key to our success I feel. Were weak here in many spots. But we have players coming up so all eyes on our young forwards. Corey Durdin circa 2022 is very close to best 22. Motlop has potential to step his game up a fair bit. I keep feeling Smith will rotate through here, maybe. The talent Moir has as a small and medium forward is better than anyone on our list for this role and IMO if his fitness is not quite there yet, his talent and forward IQ will cover for that. Then Kemp is there and I liked what I saw from a small sample size last year, looks to have it and a few extra talents to add to it with his pace and willingness to defend.

 

[GoBlues!]

The forward line is the key to our success I feel. Were weak here in many spots. But we have players coming up so all eyes on our young forwards. Corey Durdin circa 2022 is very close to best 22. Motlop has potential to step his game up a fair bit. I keep feeling Smith will rotate through here, maybe. The talent Moir has as a small and medium forward is better than anyone on our list for this role and IMO if his fitness is not quite there yet, his talent and forward IQ will cover for that. Then Kemp is there and I liked what I saw from a small sample size last year, looks to have it and a few extra talents to add to it with his pace and willingness to defend.

Agree the forward line is where we need to improve and make changes gb.

Hoping Kemp can be developed as a third key forward to support H and Charlie. Williams was a revelation up forward and it would be great to see this quartet settle down and form the foundation of our forward line.

The other 3 or so positions can then be drawn from Elijah, Motlop, Moir, Jagga, Fogarty, Durdin depending on form. I hope our forward structure evolves from having Motlop, Durdin and Fogarty in the same forward line - there are better options as we found with Williams, and others like Moir, Jagga and Kemp might be exactly what the forward line needs.

 

[JustaBattler]

The forward line just needs to stick more tackles than in 2024 to elevate defensive stats- scoring was ranked 7th defense 14th V other teams.

Improvement will happen in scoring with a fit Charlie and a genuine third tall marking option - the smalls just have to stick some tackles and stop the effortless rebounds which will totally change the stats lines for the better.

Defense wins games - and defense starts in the forward line - stopping easy rebound exits.

All Voss and co have to sort out is the 4 XXX's

XXX Charlie XXX
XXX Harry XXX

Either Moir or Kemp can play third tall ...as can lemmey if he ever decides to actually use his size and stop playing like a floppy blow up doll.. wouldnt surprise me to see O'Keefe played as a thiord tall /ruck if he shows some VFL form either...at lest hge ahs some genuen mongrel about him

Williams/Fogarty/Motlop/Durdin/Fantasia/Ehollands and Cottrell can fihgt it out for the other three spots.

People have E Hollands slotted as an automatic - IMO - he needs to lift defensively - big time and he can start by getting fit and drop the flab.

Fogarty has proven to be a much better defending small forward than the rest - unti the rest can lift to his levels they are all second stringing behind Fogs and Williams.

Carlton only 'needs' 1 of the other 4 to play a decent game once a week to compliment the match winners in Harry and Charlie.

All eyes on the coaching in my book starting with piucking blokes that dont put the mids and defenders under the gun - allowing stoopidly easy reabounds.

Here is my team before any pre-season knowledge what so ever...

XXX Weitering Cowan
Saad XXX Newman and another XXX on the bench

SOJ/Boyd/McGovern/Haynes/O Hollands and whoever else ..fihghting it out for the 3 XXX possies.

Midfield

Acres Cripps XXX ( probably Docherty)

TDK Walsh Hewett (IC Cerra and probbaly pick 3 Smith)

Forwards

XXX Harry Fogarty
Williams Charlie XXX

So I see pre-season as 3 defensive possies open and 3 forward possies open for a total of six question marks.

 

[Blue By Blood]

The forward line just needs to stick more tackles than in 2024 to elevate defensive stats- scoring was ranked 7th defense 14th V other teams.

Improvement will happen in scoring with a fit Charlie and a genuine third tall marking option - the smalls just have to stick some tackles and stop the effortless rebounds which will totally change the stats lines for the better.

Defense wins games - and defense starts in the forward line - stopping easy rebound exits.

All Voss and co have to sort out is the 4 XXX's

XXX Charlie XXX
XXX Harry XXX

Either Moir or Kemp can play third tall ...as can lemmey if he ever decides to actually use his size and stop playing like a floppy blow up doll.. wouldnt surprise me to see O'Keefe played as a thiord tall /ruck if he shows some VFL form either...at lest hge ahs some genuen mongrel about him

Williams/Fogarty/Motlop/Durdin/Fantasia/Ehollands and Cottrell can fihgt it out for the other three spots.

People have E Hollands slotted as an automatic - IMO - he needs to lift defensively - big time and he can start by getting fit and drop the flab.

Fogarty has proven to be a much better defending small forward than the rest - unti the rest can lift to his levels they are all second stringing behind Fogs and Williams.

Carlton only 'needs' 1 of the other 4 to play a decent game once a week to compliment the match winners in Harry and Charlie.

All eyes on the coaching in my book starting with piucking blokes that dont put the mids and defenders under the gun - allowing stoopidly easy reabounds.

Here is my team before any pre-season knowledge what so ever...

XXX Weitering Cowan
Saad XXX Newman and another XXX on the bench

SOJ/Boyd/McGovern/Haynes/O Hollands and whoever else ..fihghting it out for the 3 XXX possies.

Midfield

Acres Cripps XXX ( probably Docherty)

TDK Walsh Hewett (IC Cerra and probbaly pick 3 Smith)

Forwards

XXX Harry Fogarty
Williams Charlie XXX

So I see pre-season as 3 defensive possies open and 3 forward possies open for a total of six question marks.

Bit rough on Elijah. He wouldn't finish top 5 in the 2km runs if he was unfit. His inability to tackle comes more so from his lack of leg speed than a lack of fitness... it's actually the same issue with many of our forwards.

Even our genuine small forwards lack that speed, zip, and closing speed to pressure the opposition into mistakes. I still think it's an area we need to address going forward. Going into 2025, I don't think it's an area we can improve that much. The players are just limited in speed. They can run hard and bust their gut but the speed definitely helps in trapping the ball in the forward 50 and laying more tackles. It's a deficiency we will again have to work around in 2025.

 

[Red_man2008]

Boyd was in most 2024 best 22 sides and not many 2025 sides. He's good enough. Wilson is another player I really rate who could be around the mark and I am sure we will get a good look at him in the preseason contests.

Smith will be in the best 22, easy. Probably in a midfield and other position rule. Half back or half forward at times and in the middle or the wing at times. Remember he has elite footy IQ and athleticism, so he's likely to be a player you can plug into a variety of positions and get a good output.

The forward line is the key to our success I feel. Were weak here in many spots. But we have players coming up so all eyes on our young forwards. Corey Durdin circa 2022 is very close to best 22. Motlop has potential to step his game up a fair bit. I keep feeling Smith will rotate through here, maybe. The talent Moir has as a small and medium forward is better than anyone on our list for this role and IMO if his fitness is not quite there yet, his talent and forward IQ will cover for that. Then Kemp is there and I liked what I saw from a small sample size last year, looks to have it and a few extra talents to add to it with his pace and willingness to defend.

Kemp can also run. Elite endurance for his size. Gets up the ground and back again. Would love to see him pushing up to a wing while forcing his man to sag off with the two key talls we have.

 

[JustaBattler]

Bit rough on Elijah. He wouldn't finish top 5 in the 2km runs if he was unfit. His inability to tackle comes more so from his lack of leg speed than a lack of fitness... it's actually the same issue with many of our forwards.

Even our genuine small forwards lack that speed, zip, and closing speed to pressure the opposition into mistakes. I still think it's an area we need to address going forward. Going into 2025, I don't think it's an area we can improve that much. The players are just limited in speed. They can run hard and bust their gut but the speed definitely helps in trapping the ball in the forward 50 and laying more tackles. It's a deficiency we will again have to work around in 2025.

People are impressed by his cameo style with ball in hand- I am impressed by blokes that work - each way effectvely. I look forward to seeing him go to another level- right now his brother has more impact on games.

I'm sure that the coaches are all over what the difference has been for Carlton - that weak forward line ( defensively first and too predictable second) has plagued the Club for years now and been the difference (imo) between winning or losing in too many games.

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

People are impressed by his cameo style with ball in hand- I am impressed by blokes that work - each way effectvely. I look forward to seeing him go to another level- right now his brother has more impact on games.

I'm sure that the coaches are all over what the difference has been for Carlton - that weak forward line ( defensively first and too predictable second) has plagued the Club for years now and been the difference (imo) between winning or losing in too many games.

I think its a bit harsh on Lij too, given he's only played 30 odd games to date... But I do agree that our forward line has long been an issue. You can carry a talent like Elijah defensively with the right players around him, but with what we've got his lack of defensive pressure does cause some issues.

That said I think his disposal and smarts around the ground far outweigh his defensive flaws. He was exceptional at times this year.

 

[Bennyboy7777]

Blakey is given the ball as he is a superb user by foot. I don't think kemp has the foot skill or footy brain to play a Blakey-type role. Kemps best position is probably third forward but not confident he will make it there either, but fingers crossed.

Agree with you juzza. Also Kemp ain’t as quick as the Lizard.

 

[Arr0w]

While all sides can improve defensive intent, our numbers were reasonable

6th for tackles
3rd for I50 tackles
7th for pressure
6th for defensive pressure acts

Interestingly, for the same metrics, Lions recorded

17th
7th
17th
18th

In the modern game, I believe it's still what you do, when you have the pill

Scores from turnovers, Swans and Lions were both top 2, we were 4th

We also lead the league for goals per inside 50

We aren't that far away