Opinion Best 22 in 2023

[Nest of Cats]

I’m not even going to attempt this.

Goodluck to anyone brave enough

My team
Stewart DeK J.Henry
Duncan Kolodjasni Bews
Holmes Blicavs Knevitt
Close Hawkins Miers
Stengle Cameron O.Henry
Stanley Dangerfield C.Guthries
Z.Guthrie, Atkins, Parfitt, Bruhn, Bowes

I see Thouy, Smith, Rohan, Menegola, Ceglar as depth/mentors in 23. All will play in the 1s at one point.

 

[Turbocat]

My team
Stewart DeK J.Henry
Duncan Kolodjasni Bews
Holmes Blicavs Knevitt
Close Hawkins Miers
Stengle Cameron O.Henry
Stanley Dangerfield C.Guthries
Z.Guthrie, Atkins, Parfitt, Bruhn, Bowes

I see Thouy, Smith, Rohan, Menegola, Ceglar as depth/mentors in 23. All will play in the 1s at one point.

Yours would be one of the few with Knevitt in the best 23. Interesting team

 

[catempire]

Is this Round 1?

B: Bews De Koning Tuohy
HB: Stewart Kolodjashnij Z.Guthrie
C: Smith Bruhn Blicavs
HF: Miers Cameron Close
F: Rohan O.Henry Stengle
R: Stanley Dangerfield C.Guthrie
Int: Atkins Holmes O’Connor Parfitt Ratugolea (one being sub)

Of those arguably Best 22, Bowes, Duncan, Hawkins, J.Henry and Menegola unavailable?

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Is this Round 1?

B: Bews De Koning Tuohy
HB: Stewart Kolodjashnij Z.Guthrie
C: Smith Bruhn Blicavs
HF: Miers Cameron Close
F: Rohan O.Henry Stengle
R: Stanley Dangerfield C.Guthrie
Int: Atkins Holmes O’Connor Parfitt Ratugolea (one being sub)

Of those arguably Best 22, Bowes, Duncan, Hawkins, J.Henry and Menegola unavailable?

Long time no see. Still a strong side.
Strong absentees and still some spill over not even listed.

haven't been so keen for the start of an AFL season in ages.

 

[Mr Meow]

Long time no see. Still a strong side.
Strong absentees and still some spill over not even listed.

haven't been so keen for the start of an AFL season in ages.

Why did you reply to yourself?

 

[Mr Meow]

Is this Round 1?

B: Bews De Koning Tuohy
HB: Stewart Kolodjashnij Z.Guthrie
C: Smith Bruhn Blicavs
HF: Miers Cameron Close
F: Rohan O.Henry Stengle
R: Stanley Dangerfield C.Guthrie
Int: Atkins Holmes O’Connor Parfitt Ratugolea (one being sub)

Of those arguably Best 22, Bowes, Duncan, Hawkins, J.Henry and Menegola unavailable?

Hawkins is coming along better than expected, Bowes' minor calf soreness I'm not sure rules him out.

B: Bews De Koning Kolodjashnij
HB: Stewart Ratugolea Z.Guthrie
C: Smith Blicavs Holmes
HF: Miers Cameron Close
F: Rohan Hawkins Stengle
R: Stanley Dangerfield C.Guthrie
Int: Atkins Bruhn Tuohy Bowes Parfitt(sub)

 

[#6 Thorp #7 Selwood LOL]

Hawkins is coming along better than expected

I'm hearing still no chance to play round 1.

 

[catempire]

Hawkins is coming along better than expected, Bowes' minor calf soreness I'm not sure rules him out.

B: Bews De Koning Kolodjashnij
HB: Stewart Ratugolea Z.Guthrie
C: Smith Blicavs Holmes
HF: Miers Cameron Close
F: Rohan Hawkins Stengle
R: Stanley Dangerfield C.Guthrie
Int: Atkins Bruhn Tuohy Bowes Parfitt(sub)

I’ve read the Hawkins news but I highly doubt he plays Round 1. Haven’t seen any news on Bowes so that’s usually an amputation at this club.

 

[Jumping Jack]

Is this Round 1?

B: Bews De Koning Tuohy
HB: Stewart Kolodjashnij Z.Guthrie
C: Smith Bruhn Blicavs
HF: Miers Cameron Close
F: Rohan O.Henry Stengle
R: Stanley Dangerfield C.Guthrie
Int: Atkins Holmes O’Connor Parfitt Ratugolea (one being sub)

Of those arguably Best 22, Bowes, Duncan, Hawkins, J.Henry and Menegola unavailable?

I think you're pretty close on that team lining up Rd 1.

Only one's in doubt I think: O Henry if Hawkins gets up, and that's looking more likely / Holmes (I got told a very low grade hamstring in Brisbane) / Kolo potentially if the results of that head clash left him with concussion symptoms which wouldn't surprise me based on his history. Club will be cautious I think on that one.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Is this Round 1?

B: Bews De Koning Tuohy
HB: Stewart Kolodjashnij Z.Guthrie
C: Smith Bruhn Blicavs
HF: Miers Cameron Close
F: Rohan O.Henry Stengle
R: Stanley Dangerfield C.Guthrie
Int: Atkins Holmes O’Connor Parfitt Ratugolea (one being sub)

Of those arguably Best 22, Bowes, Duncan, Hawkins, J.Henry and Menegola unavailable?

I think bowes will play if fit (probably takes parfitt or mocs spot in that scenario).

Sav will play if we want to retain the 3 talls down back.

Bruhn is a cert. Henry is debatable but with no hawkins neale etc he probably gets a game he has his nose in front of dempsey at this stage.

 

[D BRIDGE]

Yeah assuming Bowes is good to go I’d think he will definitely play... especially with Duncan being out.

Bowes adds flexibility which is very handy and he looked plenty classy in his brief practice game half.

Guys like Bruhn and Parf have less variety in their games but Bruhn looks like he deserves a spot.

Obviously we won’t have a full list to pick from so that makes a difference.

Would be very handy if Hawkins can get up for this as he is just so important and good at what he does.

 

[cats_09]

An update on where players are at ahead of round 1 - Duncan pushing for a spot

 

[Mr Meow]

I’ve read the Hawkins news but I highly doubt he plays Round 1. Haven’t seen any news on Bowes so that’s usually an amputation at this club.

I've had repeated foot injuries. Timelines are difficult. Sometimes they do start healing up quicker than expected, which is all that Hawkins has said so far. He won't know until a few days before but if he passes his tests they'll greenlight him. If he doesn't play it's not because they already know it now and Tom is playing mindgames with the media.

 

[catempire]

I've had repeated foot injuries. Timelines are difficult. Sometimes they do start healing up quicker than expected, which is all that Hawkins has said so far. He won't know until a few days before but if he passes his tests they'll greenlight him. If he doesn't play it's not because they already know it now and Tom is playing mindgames with the media.

I just think they will be ultra conservative and not see a reason to push him out in Round 1.

 

[Mr Meow]

I just think they will be ultra conservative and not see a reason to push him out in Round 1.

True. For whatever reason it takes a fair bit for Tom to miss a game. I agree that they won't play him if there's any doubt at all. A pretty likely scenario is he has been dealing with his lighter duties surprisingly well (ahead of time, fairly comfortably) but when it comes to the crunch e.g the proper test next week he'll fall a bit short.

 

[sexyhunk]

is it just me or even without henry I still dont see Rat get a game, how many teams play two out and out talls, dekoning takes the biggest guy and kolo can do the job on the second forward which usually is more mobile than size.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

is it just me or even without henry I still dont see Rat get a game, how many teams play two out and out talls, dekoning takes the biggest guy and kolo can do the job on the second forward which usually is more mobile than size.

Depends on the opponent.
Teams like the bulldogs and even potentially gc (king casboult chol) port and the like we will have to play sav (while henry is out) so we have the extra tall back.
Teams that have smaller fwd setups we can maybe get away with 2 kpds (but i think its unlikely historically we like 3).

Pies it depends if they play both cox and cameron if they do you have to play sav if they play only cameron (ruck) mcstay and mihocek then you can maybe get away with just sdk and kolo.

 

[Mr Meow]

is it just me or even without henry I still dont see Rat get a game, how many teams play two out and out talls, dekoning takes the biggest guy and kolo can do the job on the second forward which usually is more mobile than size.

Tuohy, Duncan (when playing half back), Stewart, Zuthrie and Bews play pretty small. SDK, Kolo and J.Henry take the 3 biggest forwards usually.

Collingwood at times will have Cox, Miochek and McStay up forward.

Carlton will have Curnow, McKay - maybe a sprinkle of TDK.

Gold Coast will have King, Chol and Casboult.

Can assess the fixtures after that but Sav taking the second tall and Kolo on the third marking target is probably what maintains our structure the best without J.Henry.

 

[DanA]

FB: Bews De Koning Touhy
HB: Stewart Ratugolea Zuthrie
C: Holmes Guthrie Smith
HF: Miers Cameron Menegola
FF: Stengle Hawkins Close
R: Stanley, Dangerfield Blicavs
I/C: Kolodjashnij, Atkins, Bowes, Rohan

• More and more it sounds like Hawkins will play but Duncan will miss the start of the season.
• Menegola is keeping Duncan’s spot warm.
• It looks like Collingwood will have:
  • Cox (211cm) (Ratugolea)
  • McStay (195cm) (De Koning)
  • Mihocek (192cm) (Kolo)
• I think Ratugolea makes a lot of sense on Cox/Cameron, he also didn’t look out of place cover Gunston so should have some versatility. He’s a lock for me Rd.1

• I think Henry has been exciting but I don’t think Ollie Henry has been clean enough to warrant selection. I’d have Menegola as a high half forward playing Close in a pocket, Menegola adds an aerial presence but is more reliable ball user. Danger will spend time forward also so it’s nice to have that versatility.

• Bruhn looks a lock to me. Gets the nod over Parfitt. Bowes makes a lot of sense due to his versatility.

 

[Mr Meow]

FB: Bews De Koning Touhy
HB: Stewart Ratugolea Zuthrie
C: Holmes Guthrie Smith
HF: Miers Cameron Menegola
FF: Stengle Hawkins Close
R: Stanley, Dangerfield Blicavs
I/C: Kolodjashnij, Atkins, Bowes, Rohan

• More and more it sounds like Hawkins will play but Duncan will miss the start of the season.
• Menegola is keeping Duncan’s spot warm.
• It looks like Collingwood will have:
  • Cox (211cm) (Ratugolea)
  • McStay (195cm) (De Koning)
  • Mihocek (192cm) (Kolo)
• I think Ratugolea makes a lot of sense on Cox/Cameron, he also didn’t look out of place cover Gunston so should have some versatility. He’s a lock for me Rd.1

• I think Henry has been exciting but I don’t think Ollie Henry has been clean enough to warrant selection. I’d have Menegola as a high half forward playing Close in a pocket, Menegola adds an aerial presence but is more reliable ball user. Danger will spend time forward also so it’s nice to have that versatility.

• Bruhn looks a lock to me. Gets the nod over Parfitt. Bowes makes a lot of sense due to his versatility.

I like your thinking overall except Bruhn isn't actually in your lineup. Surely it is Bowes (who you have) replacing Duncan and Bruhn taking Selwood's old spot. I feel like Sam would only come in if another forward, winger or some kind of flanker missed.

 

[DanA]

I like your thinking overall except Bruhn isn't actually in your lineup. Surely it is Bowes (who you have) replacing Duncan and Bruhn taking Selwood's old spot. I feel like Sam would only come in if another forward, winger or some kind of flanker missed.

Bruhn in Bowes sub. I just feel Sam never actually lost his spot, he just got injured so it has to be taken from him. I could definitely be wrong though.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

FB: Bews De Koning Touhy
HB: Stewart Ratugolea Zuthrie
C: Holmes Guthrie Smith
HF: Miers Cameron Menegola
FF: Stengle Hawkins Close
R: Stanley, Dangerfield Blicavs
I/C: Kolodjashnij, Atkins, Bowes, Rohan

• More and more it sounds like Hawkins will play but Duncan will miss the start of the season.
• Menegola is keeping Duncan’s spot warm.
• It looks like Collingwood will have:
  • Cox (211cm) (Ratugolea)
  • McStay (195cm) (De Koning)
  • Mihocek (192cm) (Kolo)
• I think Ratugolea makes a lot of sense on Cox/Cameron, he also didn’t look out of place cover Gunston so should have some versatility. He’s a lock for me Rd.1

• I think Henry has been exciting but I don’t think Ollie Henry has been clean enough to warrant selection. I’d have Menegola as a high half forward playing Close in a pocket, Menegola adds an aerial presence but is more reliable ball user. Danger will spend time forward also so it’s nice to have that versatility.

• Bruhn looks a lock to me. Gets the nod over Parfitt. Bowes makes a lot of sense due to his versatility.

Menegola sounds like he is still struggling badly with his knee im not sure when or if he gets back (and im a massive sam fan).

Sav isnt best 23 but will play for structure as i alluded to.

Hawk at his age i dont see us risking him r1 its a long year.

Ollie henry in for hawk for me and parfitt in for menegola (inj).
If holmes hammy isnt right oconnor will probably come in. Although i think they like both dempsey and knevitt and both will get games at some stage as will clark and potentially whyte.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Bruhn in Bowes sub. I just feel Sam never actually lost his spot, he just got injured so it has to be taken from him. I could definitely be wrong though.

He never deserved to lose his spot but his ongoing struggle with the knee late last year and after one prac match is a bad sign (it wont be due to a poor pre season as hes an elite trainer so the knee might be degenerative). That and his age will count against him.

 

[tenderwarrior]

I am not sure when Cooper Whyte will get his chance, but with the way he looks and more importantly, the way he plays, it will be a seamless entry.

 

[D BRIDGE]

I am not sure when Cooper Whyte will get his chance, but with the way he looks and more importantly, the way he plays, it will be a seamless entry.

He looks ok, still would prefer not to see him in the side because if we do then you just know there is a few injuries or very poor form by some.