2025 Best 23

[Drunken Wookie]

Kmac ahead of Ross just lol. Ross will be playing round 1. Wasting your time to suggest otherwise

why the ross love in? hes a decent player but there's no way hes a best 22 lock. what even is his position? if you're saying midfield where's the evidence to back that up? He's only ever been okay in there, same with every other position we've tried him in. If you're got smilie and mcauliffe in the same team ross falls out, both much higher ceilings.

 

[tora tora tora]

December Edition

B: Broad Balta Blight
HB: Short Vlastuin Banks
C: Ralphsmith Taranto McIntosh
HF: Rioli Mansell Campbell
F: Fawcett Lynch Bauer
R: Nankervis Smillie Prestia
INT: Hopper Ryan Brown McAuliffe
SUB: Alger

I agree that Miller is depth. I think the miracle of Kmac being dropped from the wing and then playing up fwd, sees him OUT. Ross being playing wing for a long enough. Saw him sub on and play wing well in 2021.
Fawcett barely played a VFL game,
But why not Gray?
Kosi ~ just under a goal a game. Good back up ruck.

Now Armstrong & Faull or Sims

 

[tiger_tough]

why the ross love in? hes a decent player but there's no way hes a best 22 lock. what even is his position? if you're saying midfield where's the evidence to back that up? He's only ever been okay in there, same with every other position we've tried him in. If you're got smilie and mcauliffe in the same team ross falls out, both much higher ceilings.

If Jack Graham was a lock, Jack Ross should be, he's better.

Personally I'd have Banks and Ralphsmith on the wings and Ross high half forward.

 

[Drunken Wookie]

I agree that Miller is depth. I think the miracle of Kmac being dropped from the wing and then playing up fwd, sees him OUT. Ross being playing wing for a long enough. Saw him sub on and play wing well in 2021.
Fawcett barely played a VFL game, but seems fit & bit like a new recruit.
But why not Gray?
Kosi ~ just under a goal a game. Good back up ruck.

Now Armstrong & Faull or Sims

imo fawcett is on the same level as the kids we just brought in. he was pick 147 in a shit draft, there's no obligation to gift him AFL games when hes barely set foot in the VFL.

 

[Drunken Wookie]

If Jack Graham was a lock, Jack Ross should be, he's better.

Personally I'd have Banks and Ralphsmith on the wings and Ross high half forward.

yeah but jack graham shouldnt have been a lock, we all knew that. ive got ross as sub because hes a jack of all trades can cover a lot of possies decently if injury strikes.

 

[tora tora tora]

If Jack Graham was a lock, Jack Ross should be, he's better.

Personally I'd have Banks and Ralphsmith on the wings and Ross high half forward.

Hugo played HBF 2022 in the AFL team too, and so well in the VFL he got promoted this year. Banks or Hugo for JDM Rioli's spot, if we want like for like sprint effort.

 

[Hoos]

yeah but jack graham shouldnt have been a lock, we all knew that. ive got ross as sub because hes a jack of all trades can cover a lot of possies decently if injury strikes.

Permanent sub for Ross may not be such a bad idea as he is pretty versatile. It's funny though that people are asking what's he ever done to be best 22, when the new kids haven't even shown any pre-season form yet.

He's in our best team until he's forced out. Unlike McIntosh who was forced out 2-3 years ago but kept his spot.

 

[tiger_tough]

Hugo played HBF 2022 in the AFL team too, and so well in the VFL he got promoted this year. Banks or Hugo for JDM Rioli's spot, if we want like for like sprint effort.

Smith for mine.

 

[Moppey]

He's easily best 22. Who would you put in the team ahead of him?

What are his roles. Mid or wing.

Mids - I would play in front of him atm if fit. Smillie, Prestia, Hopper, McAuliffe, Taranto, Lalor, Hotton.
I struggle to call him a mid simply because he has played the vast majority of his games on a wing.

Clearly Prestia, Hopper and Taranto are in front of him. If Lalor Smillie and Hotton were all fit then they are exceptional talents and we need to play em when available. That leaves McAuliffe who has far better attributes for the role than Ross and he is going to get better we hope.

Wings - Campbell, Banks, HRS. Prefer these three as wingers and there are some other options as well.
If i was looking for a mature wing id be trying Broad in the role.

Just don't think Ross is a walk up start i would describe him as serviceable and in the mix but imo he has serious competition for the roles he plays.
I think what he does have in his favor is his age 24yrs and experience 70 games.

 

[Moppey]

Kmac ahead of Ross just lol. Ross will be playing round 1. Wasting your time to suggest otherwise

Kmac aside i don't believe that post is far off the mark.

Banks and Ralphsmith probably have the wing spots though i would prefer we trial Campbell there.

When fit i have little doubt all of Hotton Lalor and Smillie are better mid options McAuliffe definately has far better attributes for the role and Taranto Hopper and Prestia are miles in front of him.

 

[Drunken Wookie]

Permanent sub for Ross may not be such a bad idea as he is pretty versatile. It's funny though that people are asking what's he ever done to be best 22, when the new kids haven't even shown any pre-season form yet.

He's in our best team until he's forced out. Unlike McIntosh who was forced out 2-3 years ago but kept his spot.

You could use the same argument for having Dow in the side, just because they have shown they can play adequately at senior level shouldn't guarantee them a spot. Especially if a couple of kids are killing it. I'm not saying he's a list clogger but I just don't reckon he's a locked in best 22 player yet.

 

[CASEYS9420]

In a perfect world with a sustained run of no injuries and career best years -

B: Vlastuin, Balta, Broad
HB: Short, Gibcus, Brown
C: Banks, Taranto, HRS
HF: Lalor, Fawcett, Campbell
F: Mansell, Lynch, Bauer
R: Nank, Hopper, Prestia
INT: Smillie, Ross, Miller*DEF/Ruc, MRJ
SUB: McAuliffe

 

[THE_GUN]

Fact is there is no perfect world and injuries will always be there with 6-10 players on the injury list

Thats where players like Sonsie , Dow , Miller , Ryan and a few more come into the equation
we will never have a best 23 fit enough to take the field

 

[LTT]

December Edition

B: Broad Balta Blight
HB: Short Vlastuin Banks
C: Ralphsmith Taranto McIntosh
HF: Rioli Mansell Campbell
F: Fawcett Lynch Bauer
R: Nankervis Smillie Prestia
INT: Hopper Ryan Brown McAuliffe
SUB: Alger

Carlton play three tall forwards and your side only has two kpd. Broad is not big enough to play on Carnow, de Konic or McKay. Also who will provide run out of defence

 

[LTT]

For me the issue with Ross is that he is an inside midfielder trying to play a wing/HF role, which doesn't suit his strengths. At the moment I don't have him ahead of Taranto Hopper or Prestia as a starting midfielder and I prefer the likes of McAuliffe and Smillie as the rotations midfielders as they offer a point of difference with their size(Smillie) and left footer(McAuliffe).

As far as the outside midfield/flanker positions go, I have KMac Hugo Banks & Campbell ahead of Ross as the first 3 can also play across HB, while Campbell showed he can be dangerous as a high HF that kicks goals but can also link up through the midfield with his speed.

Kmac was the last player to be given a contract and that contract was for one year. Clearly he is seen as a depth and culture player not a starting 22 player. Then again our match committee do some weird stuff over last year.

 

[tora tora tora]

Smith for mine.

I missed the great news ~ Luke Beveridge in charge of selection.

until such times

Smith is no where near it

 

[tora tora tora]

Carlton play three tall forwards and your side only has two kpd. Broad is not big enough to play on Carnow, de Konic or McKay. Also who will provide run out of defence

TDK was ruck against us & for a lot of the year. Banks can run off half back

 

[tiger_tough]

I missed the great news ~ Luke Beveridge in charge of selection.

until such times

Smith is no where near it

Not only was he 'near it' last season, he was actually in the team even when we still had Dan Rioli playing the same position....

 

[_RT_]

Kmac was the last player to be given a contract and that contract was for one year. Clearly he is seen as a depth and culture player not a starting 22 player. Then again our match committee do some weird stuff over last year.

The thing with best 23 sides for us at the moment is that the players who will play a lot of positions are largely unknown.

As it stands my locks for the best 23 are: Nankervis(C) Short(VC) Lynch Balta Vlastuin Broad Taranto Hopper Prestia & Mansell. Outside those 10 players it will be a case of whoever performs best across the summer and practice matches that will fill the remaining 13 spots. I can see McIntosh being picked to start the season so that we've got plenty of experience in the side as we bring through the younger players as he can be counted on to play his role at a consistent level and I'm not talking about possessions, it's his ability to adhere to structures and role requirements.

As far as the rebounding HB role I see Banks Trezise & Smith competing to replace Daniel, while Short should slot back into that role as well on the other flank. Hugo showed enough last year to have him as the front runner to play the other wing role, but could still be passed by someone like Campbell or even Banks if he drops off at all.

 

[Hoos]

Especially if a couple of kids are killing it. I'm not saying he's a list clogger but I just don't reckon he's a locked in best 22 player yet.

If the kids are killing it, then that's a different story. They'll go straight past him (Dow and Sonsie too) if that happens.

He's not locked in, but I reckon he's best 23 when the season starts until he's forced out.

 

[THE_GUN]

not sure if its a best 23 question or answer but you would have to think Round 1 Short would be the player that plays Rioli's position and that was his role prior to Rioli being moved there and he played it bloody well at the time and in a premiership team

 

[RockJobster0312]

Round 1 - December Edition

B: Broad Balta Vlastuin

These three are definitive starters for mine.

HB: Short Miller Banks

With Rioli going and the importance of the half back position for generating drive, I think Short gets a nod initially for that experience. Think it’s Banks’ best position (over wing) and he’s training there by reports. Kaleb Smith right in the mix as well.

Training reports indicate that Miller is doing well as a stopping big. Think he gets the nod here and potentially being the ruck chop out as well.

C: Ralphsmith Prestia Ross

Ralphsmith really only the genuine wing we currently have along with McIntosh. Seth Campbell rotated through last year and if Banks goes to the HBF, may get the nod on the other wing, but I’ve gone Ross as I think Campbell is more dangerous as a high half forward than as a wing. Ross has played there before, albeit it’s not his strongest area.

Prestia is the best transition mid at the club, so I’ve him in the centre.

HF: Brown Bauer Campbell

Brown is an interesting case. Think he’s more impactful as a back but ended 2024 as a forward due to shoulder issues. Noting his still on non-contact duties, do they baby him through the start of the season as well? Also more opportunities forward than back imo.

Bauer by all reports been the most impressive of the KPFs with some increased running power.

Campbell is the best high half forward currently available and where I think he’s most effective.

F: Mansell Lynch Rioli Jr

Mansell our best all around small forward, apparently blitzing pre-season.

Lynch obviously the best forward.

MRJ the best pressure mid.

R: Nankervis Taranto Hopper

Will be interesting to see with some of the recruits, Hopper is moved out of a pure midfield role but think that’s where he starts.

Nank and TT best ruck and mid.

INT: Blight McAuliffe Smillie Fawcett
SUB: Green

Think that they like playing 3 KPD’s, so Blight gets a nod. McAuliffe next best mid, then Smillie. Forward line is a tad small, which is why I’ve got Fawcett on the bench, but not 100% sold.

I really like Steely Green and his manic attack is well suited for the sub role.


Best 22 by end of 2025

B: Vlastuin, Balta, Trainor
HB: Brown, Gibcus, Banks
C: Ralphsmith, Hopper, Campbell
HF: Lalor, Armstrong, Clarke
F: Mansell, Lynch, Bauer
R: Nankervis, Taranto, Smillie
INT: McAuliffe, LeFau, Blight, MRJ
SUB: Green

On the cusp: Tresize, Ross, Fawcett, OHB, Smith

 

[Keilor Tiger]

Gonna select Rd 1 side as at today. Not considered due to injury / underdone are the ACL boys & Lalor.

Hopeful that other rehab boys ok by March.

Backs. Broad, Balta, Vlastuin
HB. Short, Miller, Blight
C. Hugo, Taranto, Banks
HF. Campbell, Bauer, Mansell
FF. Rioli, Lynch, Kosi
Rucks. Nank, Hopper, Prestia
Int. Ross, Macauliffe, Brown, Smillie
Sub. Sonsie

I know - we’re slow in the mid, but if you get the ball and use it properly, this isn’t such an issue.
I’m tipping a big year for Hopper (booo), but he can play and top 5 B&F for me.

Kosi the back up ruck - this gets him in the game which he needs for confidence. He’ll also be better not being the main target up forward. He could also swap with Miller at CHB and bring in Steely in FP, but I still like marking targets up forward.

Sonsie been disappointing so far, but looks to be having a good preseason which needs rewarding. Can’t just give up on him.

Come at me

 

[Groupie_]

curnow injured

its happening.gif

gonna flog them infront of 70k of the tiger army round1

 

[4tune8]

Gonna select Rd 1 side as at today. Not considered due to injury / underdone are the ACL boys & Lalor.

Hopeful that other rehab boys ok by March.

Backs. Broad, Balta, Vlastuin
HB. Short, Miller, Blight
C. Hugo, Taranto, Banks
HF. Campbell, Bauer, Mansell
FF. Rioli, Lynch, Kosi
Rucks. Nank, Hopper, Prestia
Int. Ross, Macauliffe, Brown, Smillie
Sub. Sonsie

I know - we’re slow in the mid, but if you get the ball and use it properly, this isn’t such an issue.
I’m tipping a big year for Hopper (booo), but he can play and top 5 B&F for me.

Kosi the back up ruck - this gets him in the game which he needs for confidence. He’ll also be better not being the main target up forward. He could also swap with Miller at CHB and bring in Steely in FP, but I still like marking targets up forward.

Sonsie been disappointing so far, but looks to be having a good preseason which needs rewarding. Can’t just give up on him.

Come at me

Nice team, looks good if everyone is fit.

Couple of tweaks for mine and I know I'll get poo poo'd for some of the suggestions, but they're just my opinion and those that disagree can get stuffed

You're a bit tall down back which has led to a lack of pace, line breaking and setting up transitional plays. Drop Blight, move HRS back, Ross to the wing (more on this later)

I know that we need experience and strong bodies forward of centre as well as a 2nd ruck. I'm afraid that Kosi fits that bill from a MC perspective but I'd rather one of our young KPF's to take his place on field with Ryan coming off the bench as he's the better ruck option.

Bauer has been training in the wing role as well as forward, his increased running power is testament to this. He doesn't have to run up and down the wing all day but could easily rotate through there with the likes of HRS, Ross or Banks, also contributing to either forward or defence rotations as a utility, seems like an ideal interchange player. Opens up a position on field for another young KPF.

After tweaks:

FB. Broad, Balta, Vlastuin
HB. Short, Miller, HRS
C. Ross, Taranto, Banks
HF. Campbell, Fawcett, Mansell
FF. Rioli, Lynch, Faull
Rucks. Nank, Hopper, Prestia
Int. Bauer, Macauliffe, Ryan, Smillie
Sub. Sonsie

KPF's don't have to be Fawcett and Faull, could be LeFau and Gray or Armstrong, just whoever looks worthy of a gig. Lynch probably won't play more than 15 games so there's going to be plenty of opportunities for the young guys without knocking them about too much.