2025 Best 23

[tora tora tora]

Nearly spat my Cornflakes out this morning when I read the HUN said Hugo was a possible to replace Rioli off half-back.
Imagine Hugo spraying the ball everywhere as our distributor across half-back.

Hugo played half back in 21. Not that well. Started 2024 in
the VFL at half back and killed it got promoted. I caught the VFL game up the Goldie, excellent...
I can see him being a good candidate off half back. Brown is playing in Grimes spot. 193 now. Trainor is 194 he's competing for Grimes spot too IMO. Banks, Smith are the other choice or rotations.

 

[tora tora tora]

Anybody that doesn't have Short in our best 22 really needs to rethink their sides.
Having the majority of our experience come from the back half will only be beneficial for all the younger players involved as they will serve as on field voices and leaders seeing play unfold in front of them.

Kaleb Smith's first pre season as a half back does not uproot the 10 years Short has had in the club to personify what it means to be a Richmond Man. Drafted in 2015 he has seen every up and down this club has had the pleasure of gracing us with over the last decade.

My picks for the back flanks have to be Short and Brown.

Our backline has broad, vlas and balta soon. More experience in that part of the ground than middle or forward. Short shouldn't be selected for his experience

 

[Grrr]

Anybody that doesn't have Short in our best 22 really needs to rethink their sides.
Having the majority of our experience come from the back half will only be beneficial for all the younger players involved as they will serve as on field voices and leaders seeing play unfold in front of them.

Kaleb Smith's first pre season as a half back does not uproot the 10 years Short has had in the club to personify what it means to be a Richmond Man. Drafted in 2015 he has seen every up and down this club has had the pleasure of gracing us with over the last decade.

My picks for the back flanks have to be Short and Brown.

But Short was problematic last year. He got cheap kicks and didn't break the lines. He called for balls in shocking positions and because we were young we kicked it to him. Many of his kicks were out the back hoiks up the ground that came back faster. Go for the same old same old and he will do much the sam.

How many times did you see Short kick it 25m to the pocket, run past and call for the ball another 25m up the ground. 2 kicks and we are on the dead flank still inside 50m with the opposition set up behind the ball. Try the inside pass, miss and it is an easy goal. It happened over and over.

Without Rioli to break the lines we need another. Short has never really done it, before Rioli it was Houli. In our great backline he was good because he could hurt opponents with his long kicking and he knew his team mates had his back if things were turned over. This new side is nothing like that. Need to be brave and try something. Smith is a dasher and a very good kick. Brown has had a big running preseason and a great kick. Time to change it up, although I agree with you in one respect, I think Short will play there unfortunately.

 

[Moppey]

Rd 1 2024
TIGERS

B: D.Grimes, T.Young, J.Gibcus. In Miller, Blight and Trainor.
HB: J.Short, N.Broad, N.Vlastuin. In smith for Short and Brown for Broad. Broad in the 22 on the bench.
C: K.McIntosh, T.Taranto, J.Ross. Banks for McIntosh and Campbell for Ross who also goes to the bench.
HF: M.Rioli, L.Baker, S.Bolton. Alger for Bolton, Lalor for Baker
F: N.Balta, D.Martin, T.Lynch. Fawcett for Balta, Bauer for Martin.
FOLL: T.Nankervis - C, J.Hopper, D.Prestia
I/C: D.Rioli, T.Dow, M.Pickett, R.Mansell, S.Campbell. Smillie for Dow. McAuliffe for Pickett.
EMG: T.Brown, S.Naismith, S.Banks

At least 9 changes from our R1 team last year minimum. Dow out for me makes 10.

In: Smillie, Lalor, Bauer, Blight, Kosi/Miller, Ralphsmith, Banks, Sonsie, Brown & Ryan.

Great take on it.

The epitomy of madness is to do the same things over and over expecting different results

Our forward half and mids were smashed last year so the obvious thing to do is actually do something different.
How people pick old shortsteps after his last few years is beyond belief as well.

For what its worth my 9 ins given the unavailable players we have would be

Alger, Smillie, Lalor, Blight, Miller, Banks, Brown, Smith, McAuliffe, Fawcett, Bauer, and Trainor i would be adding Short, McIntosh and Dow to the ones you have bolded allowing for the 12 changes.

 

[captain cotch 9]

R1

FB: Vlaustin Blight Broad
HB Short Miller Brown
C: HRS Hopper Banks
HF: Campbell Fawcett Rioli
FF: Mansell Lynch Bauer
R: Nank TT Prestia
Bench Lalor Smillie Trezise Alger

R22
FB: Vlaustin Gibcus Broad
HB Short Balta Brown
C: HRS Hopper Banks
HF: Campbell Fawcett Rioli
FF: Mansell Lynch Armstrong
R: Nank TT Prestia
Bench Lalor Smillie Trezise Alger

 

[tony__montana]

B. Short Miller Broad
HB. Brown Blight Vlastuin
C. Hugo Hopper Ross
HF. Campbell Bauer Mansell
F. MJR Lynch Ryan
R. Nankervis Tarranto Prestia
Int: Banks, Lalor, Smilie, Kosi McIntosh

Not the side I'd go with but the side I think we'll pick if everyone is fit. Not a fan of Shorts performances last season, but theres no way he's not in the side for rnd 1. I think Ryan gets a game rnd 1 bc of nanks interrupted pre season, he'll be short of a gallop so will want the insurance of Ryan there to take a bit of a load off. Barring injury Lynch and Bauer are locks imo.

McIntosh gets the nod for experience, McAuliffe and Trezise are 24th and 25th picked and well in the mix too.

Miller, Blight and Kosi have a month or two to cement their spots

 

[Moppey]

Hugo played half back in 21. Not that well. Started 2024 in
the VFL at half back and killed it got promoted. I caught the VFL game up the Goldie, excellent...
I can see him being a good candidate off half back. Brown is playing in Grimes spot. 193 now. Trainor is 194 he's competing for Grimes spot too IMO. Banks, Smith are the other choice or rotations.

Smith = Rioli. Smith plays.

Trezise = Vlastuin. Vlastuin plays unless he is injured. Trezise could be tried in running roles.

Miller = Balta. Balta plays Miller may play third tall but thet role should be earmarked for Trainor.

Blight = Gibcus. Gibcus plays when fit and ready.

Brown = Broad. Brown does not play like a tall imo Broad isn't really one either. Both can take a tall if need be, Both are too small for kpd, both offer run and rebound and play more like mediums. Brown in Broad bench and 7th defender if you like. Dont believe Brown is 193cm.

Trainor = Grimes. Trainor plays. Good on the ground athletic very good in the air and can clearly play on smaller players.

Wing options in order of preference.
Banks, Campbell, H-RS, Trezise, Broad, Ross, Short, McIntosh.

H-RS got promoted and played wing. Kicking toughness and finding enough ball at AFL remain an issue imo.

 

[LTT]

But Short was problematic last year. He got cheap kicks and didn't break the lines. He called for balls in shocking positions and because we were young we kicked it to him. Many of his kicks were out the back hoiks up the ground that came back faster. Go for the same old same old and he will do much the sam.

How many times did you see Short kick it 25m to the pocket, run past and call for the ball another 25m up the ground. 2 kicks and we are on the dead flank still inside 50m with the opposition set up behind the ball. Try the inside pass, miss and it is an easy goal. It happened over and over.

Without Rioli to break the lines we need another. Short has never really done it, before Rioli it was Houli. In our great backline he was good because he could hurt opponents with his long kicking and he knew his team mates had his back if things were turned over. This new side is nothing like that. Need to be brave and try something. Smith is a dasher and a very good kick. Brown has had a big running preseason and a great kick. Time to change it up, although I agree with you in one respect, I think Short will play there unfortunately.

Agree with you. Also why does everybody on this thread pick a back line with 7 defenders above 190cm and Short. Every side we will play will have at least two small forwards, yet we have one small defender (Short) who we expect to provide run and carry out of the backline and shut down a small forward.

 

[docko911]

Agree with you. Also why does everybody on this thread pick a back line with 7 defenders above 190cm and Short. Every side we will play will have at least two small forwards, yet we have one small defender (Short) who we expect to provide run and carry out of the backline and shut down a small forward.

Only Trezise can really fill that role. Kaleb Smith is a worse defender than Short. I don’t think having tall defenders is an issue. Plenty of clubs have tall backlines. There aren’t many quality lockdown small defenders so get the tall guys to keep it away from them.

I think our backline will be different in the sense we will rely on long/good kicking rather than pure dash like Rioli was providing. The reality is we were never successful with Rioli at halfback but Short and Houli were pivotal in our premierships. They both run but kick long rather than handball and short kick like Rioli.

 

[beema limapep]

Anyone who doesn't have Alger in the 23 will soon quickly adjust. You watch.

 

[tora tora tora]

Smith = Rioli. Smith plays.

Trezise = Vlastuin. Vlastuin plays unless he is injured. Trezise could be tried in running roles.

Miller = Balta. Balta plays Miller may play third tall but thet role should be earmarked for Trainor.

Blight = Gibcus. Gibcus plays when fit and ready.

Brown = Broad. Brown does not play like a tall imo Broad isn't really one either. Both can take a tall if need be, Both are too small for kpd, both offer run and rebound and play more like mediums. Brown in Broad bench and 7th defender if you like. Dont believe Brown is 193cm.

Trainor = Grimes. Trainor plays. Good on the ground athletic very good in the air and can clearly play on smaller players.

Wing options in order of preference.
Banks, Campbell, H-RS, Trezise, Broad, Ross, Short, McIntosh.

H-RS got promoted and played wing. Kicking toughness and finding enough ball at AFL remain an issue imo.

Hugo got promoted to wing, after killing it at half back he got it 26 times vs the suns, plus run. Showed a bit of guts, and ability to get up and down the ground. Rebounding half back anyone will find the footy.
Rioli departure and report of him training with the backs doesn't surprise. Brown got promoted when Grimes got injured and Grimes was playing on smalls in 22, 23. Broad replacement, who knows?
I know you rate Smith but there's some competition for spots. Ross and Hugo got quite a few seasons in them, Banks might be next in line half back or wing.

 

[Moppey]

Hugo got promoted to wing, after killing it at half back he got it 26 times vs the suns, plus run. Showed a bit of guts, and ability to get up and down the ground. Rebounding half back anyone will find the footy.
Rioli departure and report of him training with the backs doesn't surprise. Brown got promoted when Grimes got injured and Grimes was playing on smalls in 22, 23. Broad replacement, who knows?
I know you rate Smith but there's some competition for spots. Ross and Hugo got quite a few seasons in them, Banks might be next in line half back or wing.

This is what we are trying to replace with Rioli scuttling off the sinking ship.
I base this off Daniels last three seasons where he played solely as a hb.

games - 69. He hardly missed a beat.
Disposal - 21.49.
Tackles - 2.91.
Rebound - 3.44.
Inside/50 - 2.40
con/poss - 5.66
Marks - 4.31
Bounces - 2.0
Goals - 20.

They say exactly what we got from Daniel and it was pretty darn good consistently.

durable, plenty of ball, won his own share of ball, run and break lines with plenty of rebound, deliver inside fifty, kick the odd goal and last but by no means the least play accountable footy and actually defend an opponent.

Rioli and Short are nothing alike and play so differently.
People are kidding themselves if they say Short replaces Rioli. Stat padding, constant panic attacks and just banging the ball onto the boot thoughtlessly and not being accountable to an opponent is something Daniel never did.

To me the question is simple, who has the best attributes to get close to what Rioli has delivered the last three seasons.?
For me that is Kaleb Smith based on nothing more than his junior years and his testing.
Cannot judge him on his 4 games so far because of limited game time, how poor has he been treated especially his debut and the fact since we have had him he has been injured year 1 and on limited preparation year two in managing that injury.
Also this kid is still only 20.

He is extremely quick but i think his injury has stopped it being on display so far. He doesnt mind the physical stuff, he will defend an opponent but he will take the game on and generally use the ball well with very good footskills and judgment.

Year three its time to try him where he belongs, and that's in the position that got him drafted in the first place.

Hugo on a wing well i have him in the mix mainly because i think he can keep improving.
I prefer Banks though, i think they are similar in many ways but i have an issue with Hugo's ball use and would rather our wings at least be very damaging with ball in hand when they do get it.

A criticism of both is they so far do not consistently get enough ball, they are well simply put very outside and dislike contact. Also in Hugo's case as mentioned is a bit iffy with ball in hand.

Hugo has played 50 games and only twice cracked 20 disposals a game. In those fifty games he has only cracked 15 disposals or more 19 times.
Its something you see on game days you see him drift out of games and not be seen. The stats back up the need for him to significantly find more consistency especially if he plays wing or half back.

Campbell i prefer on the other wing again disposal is the main reason. Imo Seth has attributes that could see him play as a mid, h/b, H/F or wing.
He has a huge motor he is a very good user of the ball, he is not afraid of contact has good pace and does not panic. Players like him Smith and Banks you want the ball in their hands.

As a h/f his numbers are okay but across h/b, wing or as a mid im pretty sure they will significantly leap just like they did with Rioli.
Playing this kid in the forward half is a waste imo, just like it was a waste with Rioli. I dont think either impact the scoreboard enough but in Campbells case that is hard to judge given the amount of ball and the way it came in last year.
Rioli at least played there in the premiership years.

Another reason is the numbers, Given the above as a small forward he managed 11.33 disposals a game not bad, but looked likely when he had some space and played high.
By comparison Hugo on a wing with all that acreage had 13.61 disposals a game just not enough and if he is to play there it really does need to improve significantly along with better disposal.
You can just see Campbell running off an opponent at pace and delivering lace out either with a very good kick or good decision.
Pace and good delivery is what is needed more than anything. Imo playing Smith, Banks and Campbell up the ground goes some way to addressing those needs.

 

[TheDyerLegacy]

I wonder who will partner Ralphsmith on the wings with Ross expected to play more inside.

I’d like banks to be that player but seems he’s been involved a lot with the back line

 

[bc27]

FB: Trainor Miller Gibcus
CHB: Vlastuin Balta Brown
C: Ralphsmith Hopper Short
CHF: Armstrong Bauer Lalor
FF: Campbell Lynch Mansell
Ruck: Nank Taranto Smillie

Bench: Green, Broad, Ross, Ryan
Emg: Prestia, Blight, Faull, Alger, Macintosh, Banks

Developing: Sims, Fawcett, Smith, Tresize, Mcauliffe, Clarke, Hotton

Pressure on: Sonsie, Young, Lefau, Colina, Dow, Kositchke, Rioli Jnr, Gray, Hayes-Brown

*It’s either Ross or Prestia in my best 22 and right now it’s Ross.
*Bauer will need to produce early as there will be multiple young KPF coming for that second KPF Starting spot.
*I think Armstrong will play a lot of footy this year and become a really nice foil to lynch and eventually become our best KF option.
*Im releasing Short this year. Braking the shackles and letting him play a more attacking brand of footy. I think he has been stale down back and moving him on to the wing will free him up a bit.
*Im giving Trainor a starting position ahead of Broad and Blight to signal the changing of guard. I can see Trainor, Brown and Gibcus becoming an awesome trio of intercepting athletic high IQ backs.
*Nank will come under pressure this year. I love him but if Ryan shows potential then the change may come pretty quickly for Nank. I would play two rucks until we see if Ryan is up to it or not.
*Im giving Mansell, Green and Campbell as many games as possible together and finding a way to get Alger into that group as soon as possible. Also finding a way to get Juddy Clarke into this group too. Potentially have Clarke overtake Ralphsmith on the wing but doubtful.

 

[docko911]

This is what we are trying to replace with Rioli scuttling off the sinking ship.
I base this off Daniels last three seasons where he played solely as a hb.

games - 69. He hardly missed a beat.
Disposal - 21.49.
Tackles - 2.91.
Rebound - 3.44.
Inside/50 - 2.40
con/poss - 5.66
Marks - 4.31
Bounces - 2.0
Goals - 20.

They say exactly what we got from Daniel and it was pretty darn good consistently.

durable, plenty of ball, won his own share of ball, run and break lines with plenty of rebound, deliver inside fifty, kick the odd goal and last but by no means the least play accountable footy and actually defend an opponent.

Rioli and Short are nothing alike and play so differently.
People are kidding themselves if they say Short replaces Rioli. Stat padding, constant panic attacks and just banging the ball onto the boot thoughtlessly and not being accountable to an opponent is something Daniel never did.

To me the question is simple, who has the best attributes to get close to what Rioli has delivered the last three seasons.?
For me that is Kaleb Smith based on nothing more than his junior years and his testing.
Cannot judge him on his 4 games so far because of limited game time, how poor has he been treated especially his debut and the fact since we have had him he has been injured year 1 and on limited preparation year two in managing that injury.
Also this kid is still only 20.

He is extremely quick but i think his injury has stopped it being on display so far. He doesnt mind the physical stuff, he will defend an opponent but he will take the game on and generally use the ball well with very good footskills and judgment.

Year three its time to try him where he belongs, and that's in the position that got him drafted in the first place.

Hugo on a wing well i have him in the mix mainly because i think he can keep improving.
I prefer Banks though, i think they are similar in many ways but i have an issue with Hugo's ball use and would rather our wings at least be very damaging with ball in hand when they do get it.

A criticism of both is they so far do not consistently get enough ball, they are well simply put very outside and dislike contact. Also in Hugo's case as mentioned is a bit iffy with ball in hand.

Hugo has played 50 games and only twice cracked 20 disposals a game. In those fifty games he has only cracked 15 disposals or more 19 times.
Its something you see on game days you see him drift out of games and not be seen. The stats back up the need for him to significantly find more consistency especially if he plays wing or half back.

Campbell i prefer on the other wing again disposal is the main reason. Imo Seth has attributes that could see him play as a mid, h/b, H/F or wing.
He has a huge motor he is a very good user of the ball, he is not afraid of contact has good pace and does not panic. Players like him Smith and Banks you want the ball in their hands.

As a h/f his numbers are okay but across h/b, wing or as a mid im pretty sure they will significantly leap just like they did with Rioli.
Playing this kid in the forward half is a waste imo, just like it was a waste with Rioli. I dont think either impact the scoreboard enough but in Campbells case that is hard to judge given the amount of ball and the way it came in last year.
Rioli at least played there in the premiership years.

Another reason is the numbers, Given the above as a small forward he managed 11.33 disposals a game not bad, but looked likely when he had some space and played high.
By comparison Hugo on a wing with all that acreage had 13.61 disposals a game just not enough and if he is to play there it really does need to improve significantly along with better disposal.
You can just see Campbell running off an opponent at pace and delivering lace out either with a very good kick or good decision.
Pace and good delivery is what is needed more than anything. Imo playing Smith, Banks and Campbell up the ground goes some way to addressing those needs.

Rioli just looked good individually at half back but had **** all influence on our results. Easily best on visually in our last game but we got smashed by Gold Coast. The issue is the ball moves faster in the air. A long penetrating kick from Short at half back is far more likely to catch the opposition off guard up forward compared to a 50-100m run from Rioli.

 

[tora tora tora]

This is what we are trying to replace with Rioli scuttling off the sinking ship.
I base this off Daniels last three seasons where he played solely as a hb.

games - 69. He hardly missed a beat.
Disposal - 21.49.
Tackles - 2.91.
Rebound - 3.44.
Inside/50 - 2.40
con/poss - 5.66
Marks - 4.31
Bounces - 2.0
Goals - 20.

They say exactly what we got from Daniel and it was pretty darn good consistently.

durable, plenty of ball, won his own share of ball, run and break lines with plenty of rebound, deliver inside fifty, kick the odd goal and last but by no means the least play accountable footy and actually defend an opponent.

Rioli and Short are nothing alike and play so differently.
People are kidding themselves if they say Short replaces Rioli. Stat padding, constant panic attacks and just banging the ball onto the boot thoughtlessly and not being accountable to an opponent is something Daniel never did.

To me the question is simple, who has the best attributes to get close to what Rioli has delivered the last three seasons.?
For me that is Kaleb Smith based on nothing more than his junior years and his testing.
Cannot judge him on his 4 games so far because of limited game time, how poor has he been treated especially his debut and the fact since we have had him he has been injured year 1 and on limited preparation year two in managing that injury.
Also this kid is still only 20.

He is extremely quick but i think his injury has stopped it being on display so far. He doesnt mind the physical stuff, he will defend an opponent but he will take the game on and generally use the ball well with very good footskills and judgment.

Year three its time to try him where he belongs, and that's in the position that got him drafted in the first place.

Hugo on a wing well i have him in the mix mainly because i think he can keep improving.
I prefer Banks though, i think they are similar in many ways but i have an issue with Hugo's ball use and would rather our wings at least be very damaging with ball in hand when they do get it.

A criticism of both is they so far do not consistently get enough ball, they are well simply put very outside and dislike contact. Also in Hugo's case as mentioned is a bit iffy with ball in hand.

Hugo has played 50 games and only twice cracked 20 disposals a game. In those fifty games he has only cracked 15 disposals or more 19 times.
Its something you see on game days you see him drift out of games and not be seen. The stats back up the need for him to significantly find more consistency especially if he plays wing or half back.

Campbell i prefer on the other wing again disposal is the main reason. Imo Seth has attributes that could see him play as a mid, h/b, H/F or wing.
He has a huge motor he is a very good user of the ball, he is not afraid of contact has good pace and does not panic. Players like him Smith and Banks you want the ball in their hands.

As a h/f his numbers are okay but across h/b, wing or as a mid im pretty sure they will significantly leap just like they did with Rioli.
Playing this kid in the forward half is a waste imo, just like it was a waste with Rioli. I dont think either impact the scoreboard enough but in Campbells case that is hard to judge given the amount of ball and the way it came in last year.
Rioli at least played there in the premiership years.

Another reason is the numbers, Given the above as a small forward he managed 11.33 disposals a game not bad, but looked likely when he had some space and played high.
By comparison Hugo on a wing with all that acreage had 13.61 disposals a game just not enough and if he is to play there it really does need to improve significantly along with better disposal.
You can just see Campbell running off an opponent at pace and delivering lace out either with a very good kick or good decision.
Pace and good delivery is what is needed more than anything. Imo playing Smith, Banks and Campbell up the ground goes some way to addressing those needs.

Where to play Campbell? the only game I caught ~ ground zero. He was our only forward to be able to manage the wind A couple of great forward craft marks and excellent goal kicking. The team kicked 9 goals a game last year, average, we lost Bolton, Baker, Martin .
Leave Campbell at half fwd, kick more goals. Got more than enough half backs. Brown, Short, Smith, Hugo, Banks, Tresize, Vlas.

 

[sregit]

Zero Hanger rated both our fwd and mid as 18th worst in the comp. Can't argue with either assessment. Backline hasn't been done yet. It's pretty decent with Vlastuin, Broad (both getting on) Balta all reliable and great quality..... unknowns are Gibcus's mental state and trust in his body. Brown was average to good last year but as a 4th year 1st round pick I'm expecting a massive improvement and would like to see his so called running abilities on full display. Miller, Trezise need to fight for spots. Trainor is long term would love to see him play 5 -10 games seniors to get games into him.

Short was barely best 22 last year and as a senior experienced player needs to show true leadership and step up to fill Dan Riolis void. No more cheap possessions and piss weak tackles or might as well trade him out. With our list demographic I'm happy to finish last so long as kids get plenty of opportunities and rewarded for VFL form. I don't want to see underperforming blokes like McIntosh, Dow, Young, Short getting gifted games (because you need experience). It's time blokes like Ralphsmith, MRJ, Ryan, Banks, Campbell, Sonsie, Bauer, Clarke, Green, Smith, Kozitschke show how hungry they are to be part of our next tilt at a flag.

I'm hoping Ross, Hopper get a clean run of health to figure out where they fit in future plans. Hoping Mcauliffe has worked on his tank and can play out games and improve as loved the glimpses and mongrel he's already shown. Fawcett, Bauer and Gray all deserve opportunities to line up alongside a hopefully fit Lynch. As does Blight down back.

I can handle a worse season than last year if I see an actual game plan and heaps of games pumped into the kids. 2 top 4 picks will be a phenomenal light at the end of the tunnel. Seeing Dow, McIntosh, Kozitsche, Ryan and Short serve up lousy slop is unacceptable. Better off spreading the love getting 10- 15 games into the future kids than 22 dreadful efforts each from that lot. If Hopper doesn't play 18+ good to great games without his customary 3 - 4 injuries we might as well cut our losses and trade him out paying $300k of his salary for another late 1st round pick.

No club will give a late pick for Hopper if he has another poor year.

 

[tora tora tora]

Rioli just looked good individually at half back but had **** all influence on our results. Easily best on visually in our last game but we got smashed by Gold Coast. The issue is the ball moves faster in the air. A long penetrating kick from Short at half back is far more likely to catch the opposition off guard up forward compared to a 50-100m run from Rioli.

Rioli often sprinted hard off half back into the centre square after a goal too. Maybe Yze just ditches that small defender role.
No Lynch last season lost us our main forward target. The last game vs Suns ~ 60 forward 50 entries for 10 goals. They kick 14 goals. The mids cracked in, Prestia, Hopper, TT, won the clearances battle, contested ball.
Our problems are up forward.
Add Lynch ~ add 2 more goals.
Fit Bauer, more goals. MRJ, Mansell need more goals. Plus the 2nd KPF.

 

[sregit]

B. Short Miller Broad
HB. Brown Blight Vlastuin
C. Hugo Hopper Ross
HF. Campbell Bauer Mansell
F. MJR Lynch Ryan
R. Nankervis Tarranto Prestia
Int: Banks, Lalor, Smilie, Kosi McIntosh

Not the side I'd go with but the side I think we'll pick if everyone is fit. Not a fan of Shorts performances last season, but theres no way he's not in the side for rnd 1. I think Ryan gets a game rnd 1 bc of nanks interrupted pre season, he'll be short of a gallop so will want the insurance of Ryan there to take a bit of a load off. Barring injury Lynch and Bauer are locks imo.

McIntosh gets the nod for experience, McAuliffe and Trezise are 24th and 25th picked and well in the mix too.

Miller, Blight and Kosi have a month or two to cement their spots

If Kozi or Miller have cemented a spot in our backline by mid year, then we are stuffed.

 

[tora tora tora]

No club will give a late pick for Hopper if he has another poor year.

Hopper can play ~ cant stay on the park

 

[richoplzbreed]

No club will give a late pick for Hopper if he has another poor year.

Obviously. I wasn't painting a picture of a poor year. He's shown glimpses just his bodies let him down. For mine it's his 3rd year, the contracts we locked him and Taranto in of 7 years @ $5 mil is now considered an insanely good deal. As i said if we pay $300k of his salary $400k for an experienced best 22 mid will be nothing by EOY. We already have Taranto, Ross and McAuliffe and our mid stocks will be insane after we add ours and Norths 1st rounders after 2025 draft.

There will be buyers for sure. Teams in the window. I'm betting Oliver and Petracca both bail. Saints have proven they'll overpay as nobody sees them as a destination. Hobbs and Tsatas look like busts. Bulldogs have been losing mids last few years. The way the coaching contract cycle fell means this year there's minimum 6 - 8 coaches who are in danger of getting the flick. Several would remember peak Hopper torching them and back their medical team to get his niggles right as his injuries are never serious long termers. Plus this year's shallow, heavily compromised draft possibly means a pick 15 - 18 is considered worth less than a pick > 30 last year.

For mine if his bodies right I'm expecting 80 - 90% of Taranto's 2023 season or play the kids and cash in before Tassie. All list decisions need to be aggressive to avoid the dreaded limbo of Ninthmond.... that will be purgatory during the compromised Tassie drafts.

 

[grj9779]

FB: Gibcus - Balta - Broad
HB: Brown - Vlastuin - Short
C: Ralphsmith - Prestia - Ross
FOL: Nankervis - Taranto - Smillie
HF: Lalor - Armstrong - Clarke
FF: Campbell - Lynch - Lefau
INT: Hopper - McAuliffe - Trainor - Banks
SUB: MRJ

FB Short, Balta, Gibcus
HB Vlastuin, Trainor, Brown
C  Ralphsmith, Smillie, Dow
HF Lefau, Faull, Cotton
F Mansell, Armstrong, Rioli
R Nankervis, Lalor, Taranto
Int Ryan, Prestia, Hopper, Broad.
The future.

 

[Turka]

Anyone who doesn't have Alger in the 23 will soon quickly adjust. You watch.

Just turned 18 but agree, he’s a special…