Unofficial Preview Best 23 2025 Predictions

[Nunez]

Assuming all are fit, my starting 23 is:

Starce Andrews Doedee
Coleman Payne Wilmot
Fletcher McCluggage Berry
Ah Chee Hipwood Rayner
Cameron Day Lohmann
Oscar Neale Dunkley

Morris Bailey Ashcroft Ashcroft Answerth

Right now, Zorko and Lester are not in my starting 23 IF Coleman and Doedee are fit and firing. Given their ages and the likes of Kiddy and Tom being in their prime, I think we should focus on getting games into them over the old veterans. It'll be line ball early in the season though. McCarthy too.

To potentially have:
Zorko
Lester
McCarthy
Gardiner
McKenna
Marshall
Robertson
Smith

As our main depth is great. That is a potent top 30 and could interchange many of the deptch with my best 23 and lose very little.

 

[Kevvo]

Assuming all are fit, my starting 23 is:

Starce Andrews Doedee
Coleman Payne Wilmot
Fletcher McCluggage Berry
Ah Chee Hipwood Rayner
Cameron Day Lohmann
Oscar Neale Dunkley

Morris Bailey Ashcroft Ashcroft Answerth

Right now, Zorko and Lester are not in my starting 23 IF Coleman and Doedee are fit and firing. Given their ages and the likes of Kiddy and Tom being in their prime, I think we should focus on getting games into them over the old veterans. It'll be line ball early in the season though. McCarthy too.

To potentially have:
Zorko
Lester
McCarthy
Gardiner
McKenna
Marshall
Robertson
Smith

As our main depth is great. That is a potent top 30 and could interchange many of the deptch with my best 23 and lose very little.

I think this is about right, and I’m probably being sentimental, but I think Lester’s late season and finals series was consistently better than I’ve seen Doedee play. I’m confident Doedee will get an early run but I legit think it’s line ball.

 

[Nunez]

I think this is about right, and I’m probably being sentimental, but I think Lester’s late season and finals series was consistently better than I’ve seen Doedee play. I’m confident Doedee will get an early run but I legit think it’s line ball.

Certainly not black and white. Whoever gets the spot will have to perform in the pre-season.

 

[Elixuh]

I think this is about right, and I’m probably being sentimental, but I think Lester’s late season and finals series was consistently better than I’ve seen Doedee play. I’m confident Doedee will get an early run but I legit think it’s line ball.

If Doedee and Lester were the same age I’d have Lester as a lock based on form. The issue is balancing Lester being 33 next year and at some stage having to look to the future. Which makes it much more difficult.

 

[buttermuffs]

If Doedee and Lester were the same age I’d have Lester as a lock based on form. The issue is balancing Lester being 33 next year and at some stage having to look to the future. Which makes it much more difficult.

I think with Lester being in good form and Doedee coming off another ACL and having signed on for another couple years I doubt there’s much issue letting him work his way back into form in the reserves. It’s not like Doedee will ask for a trade considering he specifically sought to move here.

 

[Elixuh]

I think with Lester being in good form and Doedee coming off another ACL and having signed on for another couple years I doubt there’s much issue letting him work his way back into form in the reserves. It’s not like Doedee will ask for a trade considering he specifically sought to move here.

I expect this will happen, but at some stage in the year we may have to make a tough call.

 

[GOTHELIONS16]

I have no faith in Doedee getting back to playing whatsoever.

Lester has earnt his spot and should keep it until if form drops.

To push Zorko out of the round zero lineup is bordering on ridiculous.

I’d imagine Ahchee will get games over McCarthy now.

Sam Day deserves a chance to cement his spot early on. He has the biggest upside if he delivers. If he doesn’t perform well and take it, then at least we know he’s not up to it early on in the season.

If we have Gardiner, Doedee, Lester and Payne all fit and available. I’d be keen to experiment with Harris forward. Could be huge.

Coleman in for McKenna.

 

[Nunez]

I have no faith in Doedee getting back to playing whatsoever.

Lester has earnt his spot and should keep it until if form drops.

To push Zorko out of the round zero lineup is bordering on ridiculous.

I’d imagine Ahchee will get games over McCarthy now.

Sam Day deserves a chance to cement his spot early on. He has the biggest upside if he delivers. If he doesn’t perform well and take it, then at least we know he’s not up to it early on in the season.

If we have Gardiner, Doedee, Lester and Payne all fit and available. I’d be keen to experiment with Harris forward. Could be huge.

Coleman in for McKenna.

He's 36. Just won a flag and up but I last year had a very rough run with his body. It is hardly ridiculous.

 

[BuntonRules]

I have no faith in Doedee getting back to playing whatsoever.

Lester has earnt his spot and should keep it until if form drops.

To push Zorko out of the round zero lineup is bordering on ridiculous.

I’d imagine Ahchee will get games over McCarthy now.

Sam Day deserves a chance to cement his spot early on. He has the biggest upside if he delivers. If he doesn’t perform well and take it, then at least we know he’s not up to it early on in the season.

If we have Gardiner, Doedee, Lester and Payne all fit and available. I’d be keen to experiment with Harris forward. Could be huge.

Coleman in for McKenna.

HA forward? Ludicrous.

 

[Section 5]

He's 36. Just won a flag and up but I last year had a very rough run with his body. It is hardly ridiculous.

Zorko is the current HB in the AA team.
Played every game last year which means he is over some of his previous niggles.
Previously 20, 22 and 23 game seasons is still a good output for someone with injury niggles.
He failed by 1 point to claim what would have been his 6th Merret-Murray B & F medal.

If he was playing midfield i would agree somewhat on his age but HF is such an easy position for good midfielders to easily extend their career and play good footy.
Coleman has huge potential but has not got there yet. Zorko is a proven performer.
Coleman career is 5, 18, 18, 23 & 1 games each season

Most of us on BF think Coleman gets his spot back if he can regain his old form.
It may come at the expense of someone like Zorko or Lester.
With the available players we have i think Coleman needs to get his confidence back in the VFL first.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

To push Zorko out of the round zero lineup is bordering on ridiculous.

I think people are leaving Zorko out of their lineups if everyone was fit and firing, not for the start of next season.

With that in mind, I'd go:

First game 2025

B: Lester, Andrews, Zorko

HB: Wilmot, Payne, Starcevich

C: McCluggage, W. Ashcroft, Fletcher

HF: Berry, Day, Rayner

F: Lohmann, Hipwood, Cameron

FOLL: Fort, Dunkley, Neale

I/C: Ah Chee, Morris, Bailey, Coleman

SUB: L. Ashcroft

By the end of the season (if everyone's fit)

B: Doedee, Andrews, Coleman

HB: Wilmot, Payne, Starcevich

C: McCluggage, W. Ashcroft, Berry

HF: L. Ashcroft, McInerney, Rayner

F: Lohmann, Hipwood, Cameron

FOLL: Smith, Dunkley, Neale

I/C: Ah Chee, Morris, Bailey, Zorko

SUB: Fletcher

I reckon Levi will end up making himself impossible to leave out, he'll be very potent in the forward line. Doedee still has the talent, it's just a matter of whether he can come back from his injuries. I also expect Smith to take a big leap this year and be interchanging with Oscar between ruck and the forward line. Fletcher might be the odd man out if he doesn't step it up another level this season, though I also think he could easily stay in the 22 if someone like Bailey loses form.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

Coleman has huge potential but has not got there yet.

He was easily our best player in a grand final. If a kick at goal had gone the other way he'd probably be a Norm Smith medallist. What more does he have to do to get there?

With the available players we have i think Coleman needs to get his confidence back in the VFL first.

If he does well in preseason then I see no reason why he shouldn't come into the team, probably replacing Answerth.

 

[Nathan Barley]

He was easily our best player in a grand final. If a kick at goal had gone the other way he'd probably be a Norm Smith medallist. What more does he have to do to get there?


If he does well in preseason then I see no reason why he shouldn't come into the team, probably replacing Answerth.

Exactly and compared to Zorko who had a pretty average final series

 

[martinson]

Exactly and compared to Zorko who had a pretty average final series

Zorko was second to Heeney in the GA medal after the Prelim . ahead of any other Brisbane player and let's face it there wasn't a lot for him to do in the GF. where his numbers were still exceptional so if his finals series was pretty average he was still better than 90 others according to the coaches.

People have been writing off Zorko for years as the bar keeps getting raised higher for him but he keeps delivering.

I suppose the time's coming where the Zorko haters will be able to say I told you so.

 

[martinson]

Zorko was second to Heeney in the GA medal after the Prelim . ahead of any other Brisbane player and let's face it there wasn't a lot for him to do in the GF. where his numbers were still exceptional so if his finals series was pretty average he was still better than 90 others according to the coaches.

People have been writing off Zorko for years as the bar keeps getting raised higher for him but he keeps delivering.

I suppose the time's coming where the Zorko haters will be able to say I told you so.

Let me edit that . 170 others.

 

[Section 5]

He was easily our best player in a grand final. If a kick at goal had gone the other way he'd probably be a Norm Smith medallist. What more does he have to do to get there?


If he does well in preseason then I see no reason why he shouldn't come into the team, probably replacing Answerth.

I was comparing Zorko career and recent years on Zorkos injury niggles to Colemans.
So, i will change the comment from "not got there yet" to "now where near to getting there yet" and that is just a fact.
Coleman had an excellent 2023 GF, but he still lacks some fitness in his overall game.
That came out in the 2nd half of the GF with just 1 and 3 disposals in the last 2 quarters.

It is an ACL injury to a young player with possibly a great future.
We played Hippy in the seniors after his ACL because we had no one in the VFL anywhere near his ability.
Hippy took some time to get his confidence back and his form was very average in that time
Last year young Will started okay and gradually built up his confidence to play his best game in the GF.
Once again Will was way ahead of Dev & Tunstill so the team benefits with him playing

Coleman most likely follows a similar recovery time.
If he is named early i won't be complaining but we do have suitable players to take his spot unlike Hippy & Will.
It is a long season and no rush to get the ACL boys back in the seniors in my opinion.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

I was comparing Zorko career and recent years on Zorkos injury niggles to Colemans.
So, i will change the comment from "not got there yet" to "now where near to getting there yet" and that is just a fact.
Coleman had an excellent 2023 GF, but he still lacks some fitness in his overall game.

Why would you compare Zorko's career to Coleman's when Zorko is 11 years older? It's an absurd comparison. Coleman is good enough to walk straight back into our 22. Again, I would have him in ahead of Answerth rather than Zorko.

That came out in the 2nd half of the GF with just 1 and 3 disposals in the last 2 quarters.

So what? He got marked out of the game and we didn't adjust.

It is a long season and no rush to get the ACL boys back in the seniors in my opinion.

Unlike some of the others, Coleman has had a full year out and will be coming back after a full pre-season.

 

[Section 5]

Zorko was second to Heeney in the GA medal after the Prelim . ahead of any other Brisbane player and let's face it there wasn't a lot for him to do in the GF. where his numbers were still exceptional so if his finals series was pretty average he was still better than 90 others according to the coaches.

People have been writing off Zorko for years as the bar keeps getting raised higher for him but he keeps delivering.

I suppose the time's coming where the Zorko haters will be able to say I told you so.

I think JB was referring to the 2023 final series

 

[martinson]

In fact Zorko was apparently going so average that the Swans set up with Jordan tagging him , their best midfield lockdown player , and not Neale amongst others.

I must admit even I'm surprised that Zorko played 27 games last year ,won an AA and just got nosed out in the B/F. But until he decides he's had enough or his form or injury dictates it he's still one of our gun players.

 

[Nunez]

In fact Zorko was apparently going so average that the Swans set up with Jordan tagging him , their best midfield lockdown player , and not Neale amongst others.

I must admit even I'm surprised that Zorko played 27 games last year ,won an AA and just got nosed out in the B/F. But until he decides he's had enough or his form or injury dictates it he's still one of our gun players.

Yeah look if he brings the same level of form in 2025 I can see him taking Answerths spot and Motty will have to lock down assuming Coleman is fit and firing.

 

[Nathan Barley]

Zorko was second to Heeney in the GA medal after the Prelim . ahead of any other Brisbane player and let's face it there wasn't a lot for him to do in the GF. where his numbers were still exceptional so if his finals series was pretty average he was still better than 90 others according to the coaches.

People have been writing off Zorko for years as the bar keeps getting raised higher for him but he keeps delivering.

I suppose the time's coming where the Zorko haters will be able to say I told you so.

Almost cost us the GWS game and the Geelong game with turnovers and poor defensive efforts and historically has been a poor finals performer

And as you said got tagged out of the GF. Not that it mattered

It was mostly his leadership which kept him on our list this year after a poor few years which you don't often get the chance to stay on a list when you're his age

 

[Dalions]

In fact Zorko was apparently going so average that the Swans set up with Jordan tagging him , their best midfield lockdown player , and not Neale amongst others.

I must admit even I'm surprised that Zorko played 27 games last year ,won an AA and just got nosed out in the B/F. But until he decides he's had enough or his form or injury dictates it he's still one of our gun players.

Legend status imo.

 

[Dalions]

Almost cost us the GWS game and the Geelong game with turnovers and poor defensive efforts and historically has been a poor finals performer

And as you said got tagged out of the GF. Not that it mattered

It was mostly his leadership which kept him on our list this year after a poor few years which you don't often get the chance to stay on a list when you're his age

Think there was a fair few who had a hand in almost costing us the GWS game.
But as with the rest of the team, he played a decent part in the win also.

 

[martinson]

Yeah look if he brings the same level of form in 2025 I can see him taking Answerths spot and Motty will have to lock down assuming Coleman is fit and firing.

We all agree that Coleman is an exceptionally talented player. This is a dream situation for us if they're all fit and well. Intense competition for spots.

I don't want to see Answerth miss out really either.

Almost cost us the GWS game and the Geelong game with turnovers and poor defensive efforts and historically has been a poor finals performer

And as you said got tagged out of the GF. Not that it mattered

Ha ha, He got tagged for one quarter when they realised it wasn't working.

You really come up with some intensely biased assessments.

 

[Section 5]

Why would you compare Zorko's career to Coleman's when Zorko is 11 years older? It's an absurd comparison. Coleman is good enough to walk straight back into our 22. Again, I would have him in ahead of Answerth rather than Zorko.


So what? He got marked out of the game and we didn't adjust.


Unlike some of the others, Coleman has had a full year out and will be coming back after a full pre-season.

Why: Because i was replying to another poster. I had no idea of what your thoughts were.

So What: Well, it shows he needs his fitness level to improve or be able to handle a tag if that is what happened.
Now he has had 12 months out of the game so first he needs to catch up on fitness then has to improve on that to be a better player. I really have high hopes for Coleman just like the rest of us.

Agree Coleman did his ACL in OR, with Doedee on the eve of R3 so they should be expected to return before Linc and Gardiner