Best 23 in 2025

[Jen2310]

With WHE I really like him as a fat side forward, but I think you're reading too much into pre XMas training. As Fly has said he's his Swiss army knife. His flexibility enables the coaches to change the dynamic when necessary. I think he'll continue to play multiple roles for us.

Yes I'm sure he will, if we need him.. But unless we need him there, he'll be predominant forward. This isn't just talking about training, but its been his role pretty much the last 2 years minus a stint in defence late in 2023.

 

[Jen2310]

The final test match in the Australia v India series showed how a best 11 (or in footy terms, a best 23), can shift significantly. Over the five tests, the Aussies added Boland, Webster and Konstas. All three played a significant role in the outcome of the final test, with Boland and Webster arguably our best two performers.

Whilst cricket test team selectors have a much broader pool of talent to draw from as opposed to AFL team selectors, I wondered if there were any parallels between the test team and our list. Here's my candidates:
Frampton - could he be our Boland: the experienced player waiting for a regular spot?
Membrey - could he be our Webster: bided his time at the Saints, can he blossom under a better system and a better team?
Hayes - could he be our Konstas: the precocious talent to energise the team with the exuberance of youth?

I wouldn't apply webster who just couldn't break into the team because there were good players ahead of him, to a guy who has been playing at the top level for over a decade with almost 200 games experience.
Comparing Webster to a fringe player who has struggle to break in and waiting for an opportunity would be more likely.

 

[sr36]

Yes I'm sure he will, if we need him.. But unless we need him there, he'll be predominant forward. This isn't just talking about training, but its been his role pretty much the last 2 years minus a stint in defence late in 2023.

Last year all our forwards were injured for big chunks so that was his gig. He played a bit of everything in 2023. I actually think his spot might be in jeopardy if they plan to use him in one role. It's a really good group of forwards we have. His ace is his flexibility.

 

[Jen2310]

Last year all our forwards were injured for big chunks so that was his gig. He played a bit of everything in 2023. I actually think his spot might be in jeopardy if they plan to use him in one role. It's a really good group of forwards we have. His ace is his flexibility.

That's why I think I have him vying for a spot with Membrey if they use him as a third tall. If we put face value on the positions players at training at role for role then yeah, he could be in trouble. We'll have to wait and see during match sims and practice games. What is the structure like. Who is on Team A v Team B

 

[SchuPie]

You can only draft so many players and we only had certain picks in this draft, but I would have really liked to have also drafted

• Polkinghorn: Billy replacement
• Boxshall: multiple positions with toughness and speed as a mid

 

[sr36]

I wouldn't apply webster who just couldn't break into the team because there were good players ahead of him, to a guy who has been playing at the top level for over a decade with almost 200 games experience.
Comparing Webster to a fringe player who has struggle to break in and waiting for an opportunity would be more likely.

Plus, the Australian team is 11 blokes. In terms of a footy comparison, a guy like Webster is a long term very very good player, who has jumped a level and become a clear cut in the AA team.

 

[SchuPie]

Plus, the Australian team is 11 blokes. In terms of a footy comparison, a guy like Webster is a long term very very good player, who has jumped a level and become a clear cut in the AA team.

At some point, I'd like to see our top six as
(depending on retirements / form)

1 Opener 1
2 Konstas
3
4 Green (or at 5)
5
6 Webster

 

[sr36]

That's why I think I have him vying for a spot with Membrey if they use him as a third tall. If we put face value on the positions players at training at role for role then yeah, he could be in trouble. We'll have to wait and see during match sims and practice games. What is the structure like. Who is on Team A v Team B

In terms of vying for forward roles. I'd see it as a choice between Membrey and Elliott for deep leading target and if Membrey gets the nod then a choice between Elliott and WHE for a higher up the ground role.

I'd stick with Elliott and WHE to begin with and have Membrey as a reserve if any of Mihocek, Elliott or McStay miss.

 

[Jen2310]

You can only draft so many players and we only had certain picks in this draft, but I would have really liked to have also drafted

• Polkinghorn: Billy replacement
• Boxshall: multiple positions with toughness and speed as a mid

Yeah, Geelong snapped up he former. But overall I'm happy with our choices.

 

[Kirby]

At some point, I'd like to see our top six as
(depending on retirements / form)

1 Opener 1
2 Konstas
3
4 Green (or at 5)
5
6 Webster

Travis Head is only 31 so he'll be in that n.5 spot for a few years more yet.

 

[sr36]

At some point, I'd like to see our top six as
(depending on retirements / form)

1 Opener 1
2 Konstas
3
4 Green (or at 5)
5
6 Webster

I think you're a shoe in to see that if Konstas kicks on. Webster looked excellent and Green is going to be a star. Webster is the same age or thereabouts as Marnus and Head, so you'd think they'll be in there too. God knows how long Smith goes on for.

 

[Peters_Nuts]

With WHE I really like him as a fat side forward, but I think you're reading too much into pre XMas training. As Fly has said he's his Swiss army knife. His flexibility enables the coaches to change the dynamic when necessary. I think he'll continue to play multiple roles for us.

Agree with this. Don’t limit WHE to one sole role which is why I think he’s the perfect sub for us in 2025. Can plug whatever holes open during a game.

 

[sr36]

Agree with this. Don’t limit WHE to one sole role which is why I think he’s the perfect sub for us in 2025. Can plug whatever holes open during a game.

Due to his running ability, I'd start him in the 22 - but yeah he's great to have as part of any shifts necessary to cover an injury sub or for tactical subs to change the balance - it's rare that you'd get the sub going in as straight swap for the injured guy or a tactical sub.

 

[Jelly Bean]

that backline looks so undersized

Yeah, I generally don't love it when I see Howe filling a key position in defense - it is a major weakness. He is so much better as a third man up / third tall than having to man a Curnow or McKay type for example. And it let's us go with a trick play of shifting him forward if needed as he is a pretty good marking third tall at times.

 

[Jelly Bean]

The final test match in the Australia v India series showed how a best 11 (or in footy terms, a best 23), can shift significantly. Over the five tests, the Aussies added Boland, Webster and Konstas. All three played a significant role in the outcome of the final test, with Boland and Webster arguably our best two performers.

Whilst cricket test team selectors have a much broader pool of talent to draw from as opposed to AFL team selectors, I wondered if there were any parallels between the test team and our list. Here's my candidates:
Frampton - could he be our Boland: the experienced player waiting for a regular spot?
Membrey - could he be our Webster: bided his time at the Saints, can he blossom under a better system and a better team?
Hayes - could he be our Konstas: the precocious talent to energise the team with the exuberance of youth?

If Hayes will spend more time barking up at senior quality opposition players and trying to look tough rather than focussing on his own contributions to a team that really needs him to do his job, then yep, he could be our Konstas.

 

[Mick F]

Plus, the Australian team is 11 blokes. In terms of a footy comparison, a guy like Webster is a long term very very good player, who has jumped a level and become a clear cut in the AA team.

Jumping Mitch Marsh isn’t huge.

 

[Jelly Bean]

Jumping Mitch Marsh isn’t huge.

Didn't he win the AB Medal last year?

 

[Jen2310]

Didn't he win the AB Medal last year?

Last January. People forget all the good he has done even if he had been out of form this year (and he isn't alone tbf)

 

[sr36]

Jumping Mitch Marsh isn’t huge.

One hell of a cricketer. All formats. All disciplines. Yeah he's been picked in the test team more often that he should have been - but it's 11 blokes from the whole country - we consider 11 Collingwood players to be guns.

 

[Mick F]

Didn't he win the AB Medal last year?

If his limited overs form warrants selection, he certainly should be picked. The ‘hit and giggle’ format drives significant advertising revenue.

He was picked in the Test team on potential, as a young bloke. However the reality is he averaged 28.5 batting, and 40.4 with the ball. Part timers - Mitchell Starc; 27.8, and Travis Head; 31.6.

 

[sr36]

If his limited overs form warrants selection, he certainly should be picked. The ‘hit and giggle’ format drives significant advertising revenue.

He was picked in the Test team on potential, as a young bloke. However the reality is he averaged 28.5 batting, and 40.4 with the ball. Part timers - Mitchell Starc; 27.8, and Travis Head; 31.6.

What? Head and Starc are picked solely on their batting or bowling skills - anything they offer in another discipline is a bonus. Part timer bowlers no longer cut it except for a couple of overs a day - Greg Chappell took 47 test match wickets - he wouldn't get near the bowling crease today. We want 5 bowlers in the team, which means an all rounder who can hold up an end with the ball, and he's been amongst the best few allrounders in the country over the past decade.

I wouldn't have picked him for tests as often as they have - but he was very good in tests last year. He's a very good cricketer. In terms of the Pies team, you're looking at Pendles and Nick who have hit higher levels at footy than he's hit at cricket.

 

[sr36]

Yeah, I generally don't love it when I see Howe filling a key position in defense - it is a major weakness. He is so much better as a third man up / third tall than having to man a Curnow or McKay type for example. And it let's us go with a trick play of shifting him forward if needed as he is a pretty good marking third tall at times.

The Blues are the only team now where I'd look at Howe as our second tall and think: I don't like that match up.

 

[Peters_Nuts]

The Blues are the only team now where I'd look at Howe as our second tall and think: I don't like that match up.

Dogs are in this conversation too.

 

[ksardog]

Howe out, Frampton in?

i would prefer to strengthen the backline, not weaken it

 

[Fruit]

i would prefer to strengthen the backline, not weaken it

I think Billy could be a very good player with some consistency in the role. He has proven that he could play with great efforts against Tom Lynch and Harry Mackay etc. The biggest issue I see is that he has not been permitted to settle in defence. He has often been thrown into the rack and into forward roles due to injury. I feel that if he can play four or five games in a row in defence he could become a very good player for us.