Teams 2025 Rate My Pre-Season Team

[A Bit Dusty]

Just a heads up kents if you didn't know you can copy & paste you team in one go clicking on this.

 

[JuddgementDay]

Thoughts on Bailey Smith ....he's been a long time out of the game, and would you take Smith over Peatling

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Really like Baz.

Has scored well in the inside midfield role in the past and I think he will be an inside mid. Expect him to do really well.

I also really like Peatling though. His scoring when he has over 50% CBAs was very good and I expect him to have the role at Adelaide. A lot of clubs were after him and I expect that he was promised the role (as he wanted to be a midfielder). You’ll know better than me, but I see Adelaide’s mids as Dawson, Crouch, Peatling, Soligo and Rankine. Probably something like this split;

Dawson: 70%
Crouch: 65%
Peatling: 60%
Soligo: 50%
Rankine: 45%
Random: 10%

Even with some wiggle room there, it’s a great role and I expect him to bring the tackling pressure and toughness to the midfield. Think he could go 90+ and has 100+ potential.

I’d have to see something bad in preseason to not pick them.

Also, would never pick Baz or any of the FWD DPP players in the midfield to start. The reason they are good is because they are forwards. Starting them in the midfield and losing a lot (even at the start) is losing value compared to other teams instantly.

I think you're pretty close with the splits ....I can see though, Crouch being scaled back during the season

There's no holes Dawson needs to plug this season .....we have a plethora of talls both back & fwd

Then, we have to give games to Draper .....Draper's speed is an advantage over Crouch

 

[stevebbb]

Bazlenka has never averaged above 98.6. He's a known butcher, and he's coming back from an ACL. He's a must-have because of his price, and because his ownership is so high, I don't think you can afford to anti-pod him. I'm sure he'll average over 90, but he'll throw in some stinkers and won't be the top fwd. I can see him being a late-out for a rest a couple of times too (in typical Geelong fashion).

I think Rankine and JHF will explode this year and be 10 ppg ahead of the rest (unless of course we get some great DPP additions). They're the clear #1 and #2 fwd imo.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Bazlenka has never averaged above 98.6. He's a known butcher, and he's coming back from an ACL. He's a must-have because of his price, and because his ownership is so high, I don't think you can afford to anti-pod him. I'm sure he'll average over 90, but he'll throw in some stinkers and won't be the top fwd. I can see him being a late-out for a rest a couple of times too (in typical Geelong fashion).

I think Rankine and JHF will explode this year and be 10 ppg ahead of the rest (unless of course we get some great DPP additions). They're the clear #1 and #2 fwd imo.

Yep ....have opted to have both JHF and Rankine in preference to Smith ....for the reasons you've outlined

I can see Smith starting slowly after 12 months out

Hence my question of Smith V Peatling in Mids

 

[Veer Right]

Really like Baz.

Has scored well in the inside midfield role in the past and I think he will be an inside mid. Expect him to do really well.

I also really like Peatling though. His scoring when he has over 50% CBAs was very good and I expect him to have the role at Adelaide. A lot of clubs were after him and I expect that he was promised the role (as he wanted to be a midfielder). You’ll know better than me, but I see Adelaide’s mids as Dawson, Crouch, Peatling, Soligo and Rankine. Probably something like this split;

Dawson: 70%
Crouch: 65%
Peatling: 60%
Soligo: 50%
Rankine: 45%
Random: 10%

Even with some wiggle room there, it’s a great role and I expect him to bring the tackling pressure and toughness to the midfield. Think he could go 90+ and has 100+ potential.

I’d have to see something bad in preseason to not pick them.

Also, would never pick Baz or any of the FWD DPP players in the midfield to start. The reason they are good is because they are forwards. Starting them in the midfield and losing a lot (even at the start) is losing value compared to other teams instantly.

Does Crouch even get a game with Peatling now on the scene. The way i see it, he takes his spot.

 

[Spacedog]

Bazlenka has never averaged above 98.6. He's a known butcher, and he's coming back from an ACL. He's a must-have because of his price, and because his ownership is so high, I don't think you can afford to anti-pod him. I'm sure he'll average over 90, but he'll throw in some stinkers and won't be the top fwd. I can see him being a late-out for a rest a couple of times too (in typical Geelong fashion).

I think Rankine and JHF will explode this year and be 10 ppg ahead of the rest (unless of course we get some great DPP additions). They're the clear #1 and #2 fwd imo.

Geelong mids also tend to have very low TOG compared to what he would've gotten at the dogs. With the early bye as well I don't think it's crazy to start without him

 

[Lolaser]

Yep ....have opted to have both JHF and Rankine in preference to Smith ....for the reasons you've outlined

I can see Smith starting slowly after 12 months out

Hence my question of Smith V Peatling in Mids

Smith when he has had the role has shown the scoring ceiling though. In 2022, before the suspension, he averaged 112 in a midfield role at the age of 21.

When he got back in the team the role was gone and his scoring diminished.

Think if he gets a permanent crack at it and is focused, could do 100+.

 

[stevebbb]

Yep ....have opted to have both JHF and Rankine in preference to Smith ....for the reasons you've outlined

I can see Smith starting slowly after 12 months out

Hence my question of Smith V Peatling in Mids

I think you have to start Smith. If he does poorly or if he gets injured, it's an easy trade out. If he starts well, or even starts mediocre with a few 80s and 90s, you'll struggle to bring him because you'll have other issues to fix, and rookie corrections to make. Assuming he stays injury free, you would expect he will get better as the season progresses, as he regains confidence, match fitness and settles in at the Cats. So then in this weak fwd pool, he's probably a must-have. Do you pay $390k now with everybody else, or do you pay $500k+ later on? It's probably riskier not starting a 70% owned player imo

fwiw I currently have both. Baz is a lock for me, Peatling as of right now, is a lock too. Whenever he got above 55% CBAs last year, he averaged 98.3, for that price, he's in. But if he doesn't show anything in the preseason matches, he's gone.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Does Crouch even get a game with Peatling now on the scene. The way i see it, he takes his spot.

IMO, Crouch will start R1 .....this is a contract year for Crouch, 30 YO this year .....if he's not getting another Contract, will the Crows prefer Draper & Peatling ?

Also Curtin playing as a FWD / MID .....he's the future, so in many ways Crouch is blocking players

 

[Lolaser]

Does Crouch even get a game with Peatling now on the scene. The way i see it, he takes his spot.

I think he still will. Crouch had a really high clearance win rate amongst the competition last year.

Limited in what he can do with the ball, however, I thought he was pretty good last year.

Suspect it’s the last year of Crouch, and agree with Wayne he may get phased out through the year, but reckon he starts in the term.

 

[JuddgementDay]

IMO, Crouch will start R1 .....this is a contract year for Crouch, 30 YO this year .....if he's not getting another Contract, will the Crows prefer Draper & Peatling ?

Also Curtin playing as a FWD / MID .....he's the future, so in many ways Crouch is blocking players

What can you tell me about your new recruit - Cumming?

 

[WaynesWorld19]

I think you have to start Smith. If he does poorly or if he gets injured, it's an easy trade out. If he starts well, or even starts mediocre with a few 80s and 90s, you'll struggle to bring him because you'll have other issues to fix, and rookie corrections to make. Assuming he stays injury free, you would expect he will get better as the season progresses, as he regains confidence, match fitness and settles in at the Cats. So then in this weak fwd pool, he's probably a must-have. Do you pay $390k now with everybody else, or do you pay $500k+ later on? It's probably riskier not starting a 70% owned player imo

fwiw I currently have both. Baz is a lock for me, Peatling as of right now, is a lock too. Whenever he got above 55% CBAs last year, he averaged 98.3, for that price, he's in. But if he doesn't show anything in the preseason matches, he's gone.

The Crows want Peatling's speed in the midfield ....same as GEEL do with Smith

Will Peatling run interference to free up Dawson ? .....that said ANB can perform that role as well

 

[Veer Right]

Bazlenka has never averaged above 98.6. He's a known butcher, and he's coming back from an ACL. He's a must-have because of his price, and because his ownership is so high, I don't think you can afford to anti-pod him. I'm sure he'll average over 90, but he'll throw in some stinkers and won't be the top fwd. I can see him being a late-out for a rest a couple of times too (in typical Geelong fashion).

I won't be surprised if Smith is a bit of a Matt Rowell pain in the ass to own type. I mention Rowell for the ACL and not quite being the same he was.

If it wasn't for the increased on ball role i would not start him. Still might end up skipping him pending what others do in the coming weeks.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

What can you tell me about your new recruit - Cumming?

Still in rehab ....just about to join full training, so plenty of time left

The key issue is Milera is also 100% fit .....so who will be the preferred HB, Cumming or Milera ??

 

[JuddgementDay]

Still in rehab ....just about to join full training, so plenty of time left

The key issue is Milera is also 100% fit .....so who will be the preferred HB, Cumming or Milera ??

Milera - surely, we can’t venture into that well

 

[stevebbb]

The Crows want Peatling's speed in the midfield ....same as GEEL do with Smith

Will Peatling run interference to free up Dawson ? .....that said ANB can perform that role as well

I don't reckon ANB gets anywhere near your midfield. He's needed as a pressure/defensive forward.

If you look at CBA% averages from 2024, I reckon the changes in 2025 will look like this:

Dawson 59% up to ~65%
Soligo 56% down to ~50%
MCrouch 67% down to ~60%
Laird 50% down to 0%
Peatling 0% up to ~50%
Rankine 38% up to ~50%

MCrouch will eventually be dropped, then you'll see some of the young lads.

I also wouldn't be surprised if Rankine gets 70%+ CBAs and then just runs forward (Dusty role).

 

[Nelso]

I think you're pretty close with the splits ....I can see though, Crouch being scaled back during the season

There's no holes Dawson needs to plug this season .....we have a plethora of talls both back & fwd

Then, we have to give games to Draper .....Draper's speed is an advantage over Crouch

Rankine will be well over 60% CBA's.

Agree on the CBA's declining for Crouch. It is time for fresh blood in there.

 

[MacStradbroke]

Geelong mids also tend to have very low TOG compared to what he would've gotten at the dogs. With the early bye as well I don't think it's crazy to start without him

Think that has been more due to personnel recently. Danger old as balls, Bruhn no tank, Clark no tank, Bowes not a full time mid.

Dempsey played high half forward/wing and hardly leaves the ground. I’d suggest if Smith’s knee is fully recovered he will play big minutes mainly because he can.

 

[MacStradbroke]

Bazlenka has never averaged above 98.6. He's a known butcher, and he's coming back from an ACL. He's a must-have because of his price, and because his ownership is so high, I don't think you can afford to anti-pod him. I'm sure he'll average over 90, but he'll throw in some stinkers and won't be the top fwd. I can see him being a late-out for a rest a couple of times too (in typical Geelong fashion).

I think Rankine and JHF will explode this year and be 10 ppg ahead of the rest (unless of course we get some great DPP additions). They're the clear #1 and #2 fwd imo.

Reckon Jack Macrae is a sneaky chance to return to triple figures this year. He just knows how to find the pill. Never relied on leg speed, role back, scores will return I’m tipping.

 

[kyri]

greetings kenties.. presenting v2.4.24



so many players i wanted to include in my team, hence the 20+ attempts to settle on this team for tonight.

will most likely try to squeeze heeney in.

 

[Saints4ever]

 

[Glorin]

I'm struggling to fit him in. Deciding on these mid priced forwards is challenging to say the least.

Go with the players who have a proven history. Pick up the rest later.
Fwds is the one area where the top priced players will always be accessible.

 

[Maybe Tomorrow]

Smith when he has had the role has shown the scoring ceiling though. In 2022, before the suspension, he averaged 112 in a midfield role at the age of 21.

When he got back in the team the role was gone and his scoring diminished.

Think if he gets a permanent crack at it and is focused, could do 100+.

Agree with this.

Smith has his faults as a player, but he's always been super fit so TOG shouldn't be an issue.

He's been out for 18 months and will be chomping at the bit to start well. Strange fade given his ownership will be massive.

 

[Floating Doughnut]

I don't reckon ANB gets anywhere near your midfield. He's needed as a pressure/defensive forward.

If you look at CBA% averages from 2024, I reckon the changes in 2025 will look like this:

Dawson 59% up to ~65%
Soligo 56% down to ~50%
MCrouch 67% down to ~60%
Laird 50% down to 0%
Peatling 0% up to ~50%
Rankine 38% up to ~50%

MCrouch will eventually be dropped, then you'll see some of the young lads.

I also wouldn't be surprised if Rankine gets 70%+ CBAs and then just runs forward (Dusty role).

Think you are pretty close with the splits although Soligo won’t go backwards.
Dawson CBA’s will be determined by his tags or lack of, its on record when tagged we are happy for
him to expose them by dragging them fwd or back.
Nicks should be dropped before Matt Crouch
With Laird out the way Matt will be our #1 distributor as usual barring injury albeit with his normal low t.o.g.
and carry on as he did after coming back from injury last year.

And apparently in ripping shape this pre season

 

[4tune8]

I reckon he does, why spend an extra $200k for a premo who won't score? Injuries I get of course, and 23 premos would be great if you can afford it... big if.

Edit Aaaaah. excepft for the typo. What I meant was 22 plus a playing midpricer. Apols.

Reckon there'll be a mixture of how coaches go about upgrading Flex.

Those that conserve trades and try to get a high ceiling player, maybe a KPF with a good fixture, probably league players.

Those that run out of trades and need cover for a ruck.

Those that try and build the best possible on field team with the insurance of a reasonably strong scoring player for cover as they've also run out of trades.