Unofficial Preview Best 23 2025 Predictions

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Round 1

Lester - Payne - Starcevich
Zorko - Andrews - Answerth

Berry - Dunkley - McCluggage
Big O - Neale - Ashcroft

Lohmann - Nadal - Rayner
Cameron - Fort - Morris

Bailey - Ah Chee - Willmot - L.Ashcroft/Fletcher

Doubt Kiddy will front up Round 1. His tank will need building. Naturally poor at running out games. Not playing for 12 months wont help that.
 
There's always a surprise player or two who come through in pre-season and grab a spot in the team, but I feel like aside from the Big O the guys who missed out on the grand final have it all to prove to get back into the team.

Are Gardiner or Doedee really knocking out any of the back six? Gardiners disposal doesn't really fit with the extreme high quality kicking of the Grand Final and Doedee won't have played in 2 years by the time of his return.

Love Coleman - and he is no doubt an elite kick... but does that outweigh the fact he is the worst runner out of our group of smaller defenders? you'd probably have him in the team over McKenna but not sure about over Answerth/Zorko/Wilmott/Starcevich. The run we had in the finals series seemed a level above previous years and part of that was not having the likes of Rich/Coleman/Hodge as lower mobility small defenders.

McCarthy maybe has just been superceded by Lohmann. If we ran a smaller forward line with Joe gone maybe he's in... or he could come in for McKenna at the end of the bench... also if Cameron/Ah Chee/Bailey/Morris were to drop away he could replace them.

In short... subject to trade period and any key forward rabbits coming out of hats my best 23 is.
Big O in for Fort,
Smith in for Daniher,
L Aschcroft in for McKenna...

then see who is injured/out of form during the season as the ACL players come back and therefore what spots might open up.
 
Lester - Doedee - Starcevic
Zorko - Payne - Coleman

McCluggage - Dunkley - Berry

Rayner - Hipwood - Lohmann
Cameron - Andrews - Morris

McInerney - Neale - Ashcroft

Ah Chee - Ashcroft - Wilmot - Bailey -Fletcher

Unlucky: Answerth, McKenna, Gardiner, McCarthy, Marshall
 
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They seemed to get the balance right with Starc and Answerth playing the lockdown roles. It will be interesting to see how they set up because Zorko, Coleman, McKenna and our other halfbacks are not a like for like swap with Answerth.
 
Assuming sub is dropped for a best 23 from next season and Smith replaces Daniher, Levi replaces McKenna & Coleman replaces Answerth, we will have some insanely good players in the VFL including McCarthy, Answerth, Doedee, Gardiner, Fort, McKenna, Reville, Brain.

What if McLachlan and/or Beecken come on after a big pre season? They already showed signs of AFL potential slotting in mid year. Plus Sam Marshall looks a talent. Luke Lloyd might surprise after a pre season, showed some promising form at times in the VFL at both ends of the ground.

Competition for spots next season will be hotter than we have ever seen before during Fage’s tenure. Our squad could bat 35 players deep in terms of senior level readiness.
 
lionshine said:
Assuming sub is dropped for a best 23 from next season and Smith replaces Daniher, Levi replaces McKenna & Coleman replaces Answerth, we will have some insanely good players in the VFL including McCarthy, Answerth, Doedee, Gardiner, Fort, McKenna, Reville, Brain.

What if McLachlan and/or Beecken come on after a big pre season? They already showed signs of AFL potential slotting in mid year. Plus Sam Marshall looks a talent. Luke Lloyd might surprise after a pre season, showed some promising form at times in the VFL at both ends of the ground.

Competition for spots next season will be hotter than we have ever seen before during Fage’s tenure. Our squad could bat 35 players deep in terms of senior level readiness.
Click to expand...
Keep in mind it could also be reduced back to 22 players only too. This notion that it is either 22 plus a sub or 23 players is wrong. I’m personally in the camp of 22 only and no sub but that’s just me.
 
McCarthy has been a wonderful player for us, but I don’t see him playing many senior games unless he can play another position.

I also see Jasper Fletcher taking his game to an even higher standard next year - he will be a lock in the wing role.

Finally, we can’t accomodate both Zorko and Coleman in the same backline due to their defensive lapses. Given his form this year (and versatility if an injury happens during the game), Zorko starts for mine. Coleman will play reserves and build up conditioning.

Whilst his best was fantastic, Doedee unlikely to dislodge Lester or any of the other backs. There’s also a chance his body doesn’t stand up after multiple recos, and he struggles to play many games for us at all.

Answerth, Andrews, Starcevich
Zorko, Payne, Lester
Fletcher, W Ashcroft, McLuggage
Ah Chee, Hipwood, Lohmann
Cameron, Morris, Rayner

McInerney, Neale, Dunkley

Interchange: L Ashcroft, Wilmot, Bailey, Berry, Fort* (or Joe replacement in trade period for structural purposes).

Gardiner, McKenna, Brain, McCarthy, Coleman all very stiff and would play ones for most other clubs. Like everyone has said, when fit, we have some serious depth which all contenders should. A nice place to be in.
 
My attempt:

Lester | Andrews | Starcevich
Wilmot | Payne | Coleman

McCluggage | Dunkley | Berry

Rayner | Hipwood | Lohmann
Cameron | Morris | Ah Chee

McInerney | Neale | WAshcroft

Smith | LAshcroft | Bailey | Fletcher | Zorko (sub)

Emg: McCarthy, Answerth, McKenna, Gardiner, Doedee

Some thought points:
  • I would love to see us give a relatively small foward line a go next year (I don't think it's sustainable against the better teams with quality key backs, but worth a try)... it would mean our key forwards are Hipwood and Morris and we play McCarthhy instead of Smith with Hipwood being 2nd ruck...
  • Zorko needs to be phased out of the backline next year to an extent (Coleman takes his role).
  • I think it'll be a two ruck solution next year with no Daniher - there should be zero expectation that Big O or Smith can kick more than 10-15 goals next year too - the extra goals will need to be made up from our other forwards
  • Where do we find 50 odd extra goals for the season?
    • Cameron 44 goals in 2024 - est to kick the same in 2025 (no change)
    • Hipwood 33 goals in 2024 - est to kick 40 goals in 2025 (+5 on this season)
    • Morris 24 goals in 2024 - est to kick 30 goals in 2025 (+5 on this season)
    • Rayner 31 goals in 2024 - est to kick 40 goals in 2025 (+ 5 on this season)
    • Kai Lohmann 36 goals in 2024 - est to kick 40 goals in 2025 (+ 5 on this season)
    • Big O/Smith 9 goals in 2024 - est to kick 20 goals combined in 2025 (+ 10 on this season)
    • Cal Ah Chee 27 goals in 2024 - est to kick 30 goals in 2025 (5+ on this season)
    • Zac Bailey 22 goals in 2024 - est to kick 30 goals in 2025 (5+ on this season)
  • The extra 5 goals per person and Big O/Smith kicking 20 for the year would get us to making up 40 odd goals (I have rounded a bit). The risk there is that it is a big assumption that everyone can improve their goal output by ~ 10% on a premiership year. But on the flip side, Joe would have been getting the prime real estate and targeting which now could be allocated more to the group.
  • I can't help but think of that final goal against GWS, not sure we'll have a key forward who could out mark a gun key defender in the comp which was such a weapon with Joe. Maybe Big O if the ball was plonked straight on their heads. It will be fasinating what Fagan does - very real possibility we will be frustrated fans watching our forward entries in 2025.
  • One other thing is, confience is a powerful thing, Hipwood is good enough to be a 50 goal a year foward with a bit of luck I think he could touch that next year if he is injury free and became our focal point (we should all just pray Hippy practices the shit out of his set shots in the offseason, Joe became very reliable in his last few years with us which was underrated by some)
  • Finally... In all honesty, our midfield is a so OP next year... just going to list the depth chart for fun... Neale, WAshcroft, Dunkley, McCluggage, Berry, Fletcher, Bailey, Rayner and LAshcroft.... it's such a great balance of inside and outside players too.
 
I think with our back depth I’d like to see Kiddy tried at half forward or on a wing. His ball use and run are incredible from defence but he could be lethal if played in the front half also.

A large area for concern with me in the small forward line up scenario is who plays 2nd ruck? It would have to be Hipwood, or maybe Andrews. I think Harris could do it but it pulls him out of defence which you like to keep stable and it will gas him as well. Hipwood I just don’t know if he is capable he’s so skinny. Particularly an issue if O goes down mid game.
 
DevRoboGun said:
Nearly impossible to squeeze 25 gun players into 22.

B: Wilmot Payne Lester
HB: Starcevich Andrews Coleman
C: Berry Dunkley McCluggage
HF: Rayner Hipwood Bailey
F: Cameron Fort Lohmann
R: McInerney Neale W Ashcroft

I: D Zorko (B/HB), L Ashcroft (C), L Morris (F), C AhChee (HF/F)

EMG: J Fletcher (C), N Answerth (B), L McCarthy (F)

Depth: T Doedee (B/HB), D Gardiner (B/HB), McKenna (B/HB)
Click to expand...
If this is the likely setup next year, we should look at a rotation policy.
Answerth, Fletcher, and Smith to a lesser degree, should not be missing out on best 23 ( no sub and 5 on bench in 2025)
Gardiner and McKenna won't get a look in.
Doedee will take well over half a season to get right.
Easy intro for Linc and Coleman first half of season.
Smith in and out for maximum development.
Zorko, L Ashcroft, and others rested throughout the season.
Don't underestimate Lester as a potential forward. Earlier in his career he was Logan Morris like with his positioning, craftiness etc.
We were forced into "developing" last season because of injury.
Goodness me, we were rewarded for that big time.
Next season this should be the norm.
 
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Anyone who doesn't have Answerth in their side can meet me in the RSL car park next Friday night for a "chat". That guy is a legend. Eleven pins in his face. Broke his back in the under 18s. Plays with more commitment than a committed thing on a committed day in Commitment City. He's a lock for mine.
 
I agree moncon , not every player has to be a star offensively, you need some hard at it defensively elite players in any well balanced side eg. Dunkley, Answerth.

On next season I am assuming the boys will not be back at official training until late November/early December leaving only a few weeks of pre Christmas training. We will be able to tell if the boys have the hunger to go back to back if we hear of multiple players coming back in career best shape, also hoping to hear some reports of groups of players back running laps of Giffin park in a couple of weeks.

Who will be having an operation this off season? McInerney for sure. Bailey, Neale maybe?... anyone else?
 
M Malice said:
I agree moncon , not every player has to be a star offensively, you need some hard at it defensively elite players in any well balanced side eg. Dunkley, Answerth.

On next season I am assuming the boys will not be back at official training until late November/early December leaving only a few weeks of pre Christmas training. We will be able to tell if the boys have the hunger to go back to back if we hear of multiple players coming back in career best shape, also hoping to hear some reports of groups of players back running laps of Giffin park in a couple of weeks.

Who will be having an operation this off season? McInerney for sure. Bailey, Neale maybe?... anyone else?
Click to expand...
Possibly Hippy with his groin and perhaps Payne with his foot.
 
lionshine said:
Assuming sub is dropped for a best 23 from next season and Smith replaces Daniher, Levi replaces McKenna & Coleman replaces Answerth, we will have some insanely good players in the VFL including McCarthy, Answerth, Doedee, Gardiner, Fort, McKenna, Reville, Brain.

What if McLachlan and/or Beecken come on after a big pre season? They already showed signs of AFL potential slotting in mid year. Plus Sam Marshall looks a talent. Luke Lloyd might surprise after a pre season, showed some promising form at times in the VFL at both ends of the ground.

Competition for spots next season will be hotter than we have ever seen before during Fage’s tenure. Our squad could bat 35 players deep in terms of senior level readiness.
Click to expand...
Looking through the Top 10 in the VFL B/F I thought there's no one there knocking the door down.

Our depth all depends on how well players come back from ACL's and the injuries we cop during the pre season and beyond.
 
lionshine said:
Competition for spots next season will be hotter than we have ever seen before during Fage’s tenure. Our squad could bat 35 players deep in terms of senior level readiness.
Click to expand...
Should make for an interesting trade period next year then!
 
martinson said:
Looking through the Top 10 in the VFL B/F I thought there's no one there knocking the door down.

Our depth all depends on how well players come back from ACL's and the injuries we cop during the pre season and beyond.
Click to expand...
Maybe on face value but delve deeper and there was good signs. Beecken only played half a season after mid season draft. Smith and Brain also were in and out with some injuries and playing senior football. Smith needs to add mass but I liked his potential as forward ruck who can play as a leading forward. And Zalkotelsky had a very promising back end of the season too as a KPD. We need another genuine key forward and ruck but i didn’t see a lot of of a gaps especially with the troops returning from long term injuries and new draftees.
 
Swanny10 said:
Maybe on face value but delve deeper and there was good signs. Beecken only played half a season after mid season draft. Smith and Brain also were in and out with some injuries and playing senior football. Smith needs to add mass but I liked his potential as forward ruck who can play as a leading forward. And Zalkotelsky had a very promising back end of the season too as a KPD. We need another genuine key forward and ruck but i didn’t see a lot of of a gaps especially with the troops returning from long term injuries and new draftees.
Click to expand...
True . It was tongue in cheek.

I really like Beecken and Smith. Next season might be a stretch for those 2 though.
 
Assuming 5 on the bench and a no further injuries (only assuming Doedee, McCarthy and Gardiner are unavailable), I think it's fair to assume there'd be minimal change from the flag team for opening round:

FB: Lester, Payne, Starcevich
HB: Zorko, Andrews, Wilmot
C: Berry, Neale, Fletcher
HF: Bailey, Hipwood, Rayner
FF: Lohmann, Day*, Cameron

R: McInerney, Dunkley, McCluggage

I: W Ashcroft, L Ashcroft, Morris, Ah Chee, Coleman

Emg: Answerth, Reville, Fort, Smith

Possibly could go with Answerth in for Fletcher with Kiddy on the wing.

__________________________

Once everyone is fit, available and firing, my ideal 23 I'd like to see would be:

FB: Doedee, Payne, Starcevich
HB: Zorko, Andrews, Wilmot
C: McCluggage, Neale, Coleman
HF: Rayner, Hipwood, Bailey
FF: Lohmann, Ryan, Cameron

R: McInerney, W Ashcroft, Dunkley

I: Lester, L Aschroft, Berry, Ah Chee, Morris

Emg: Answerth, Fletcher, Fort, McCarthy

Which leaves Smith, Day, Gardiner, Brain, Reville, Joyce, McKenna, Tunstill, Prior and Robertson* as the established depth.

This would be assuming Ryan could recapture the form he had last year (albeit in a small sample size), as if he does I think he's our best option to fill the Joe void. Smith should be Oscar's heir, rather than Joe's, but could also get a go as the 3rd forward a bit like Oscar did when Stef was no. 1.
 

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