Strategy Best 23, Pre Draft edition for Season 2025

[cats_09]

I know this may seem early, but looking back 12 months, we're kicking this thread off a good 6 weeks later than we did last year

Our initial list changes are in and the trade period complete; as things currently stand the confirmed changes are:

Retirements:

• Foster
• Hawkins
• Tuohy

Senior list delistings:

• Parfitt
• Rohan
• Willis

Rookie list delistings:

• Hardie
• Jeka
• Murdoch

Traded in:

• Bailey Smith
• Jack Martin*... Awaiting the DFA signing period to open to officially welcome Jack to the club

Following the trade period, we're currently left with the following picks:
- 45, 57, 75, 93, 111 & 129
For those who may not remember, last year we entered the draft with picks 76 & 94, so let's not discount the value of those late selections

We're also currently waiting contract extension information for:

• Dangerfield, expected to sign a 2-yr deal
• Duncan & Stanley, both expected to sign 1-yr extensions

The other unknown ahead of next season is if the tactical sub will stay or we'll instead see the bench extended to 5 players, meaning that the playing 23 is simply the playing 23 - no waiting until an hour before kickoff to find out who's the sub

So, with all we know so far, what are the early thoughts for how we may be lining up come round 1 in season 2025

 

[CHAWKTS]

I know this may seem early, but looking back 12 months, we're kicking this thread off a good 6 weeks later than we did last year

Our initial list changes are in and the trade period complete; as things currently stand the confirmed changes are:

Retirements:

• Foster
• Hawkins
• Tuohy

Senior list delistings:

• Parfitt
• Rohan
• Willis

Rookie list delistings:

• Hardie
• Jeka
• Murdoch

Traded in:

• Bailey Smith
• Jack Martin*... Awaiting the DFA signing period to open to officially welcome Jack to the club

Following the trade period, we're currently left with the following picks:
- 45, 57, 75, 93, 111 & 129
For those who may not remember, last year we entered the draft with picks 76 & 94, so let's not discount the value of those late selections

We're also currently waiting contract extension information for:

• Dangerfield, expected to sign a 2-yr deal
• Duncan & Stanley, both expected to sign 1-yr extensions

The other unknown ahead of next season is if the tactical sub will stay or we'll instead see the bench extended to 5 players, meaning that the playing 23 is simply the playing 23 - no waiting until an hour before kickoff to find out who's the sub

So, with all we know so far, what are the early thoughts for how we may be lining up come round 1 in season 2025

Love it.

Will go to work on my 23

 

[CHAWKTS]

I couldn’t work out whether I was thinking best 23 to start 2025 or finish so I will be ambiguous (thereby reducing the chance of me being wrong!).

FB: Henry, SDK, Kolo
HB: Humphries, Stewart, Zuthrie
Centre: Dempsey, Bruhn, Smith
HF: Mannagh, Jezza, Miers
FF: Stengle, Scratcher, Henry
Rucks: Conway, Danger, Holmes

Inter: Atkins, Guthrie (!), Bowes, Blitz, Close

So Guthrie I am working with pre season faith…He was on fire in pre season last year…going to double down. But TBH if he doesn’t get up into best 22 we have some pretty handy replacements below

So who did I leave out…some pretty good ones!

Duncan, Stanley - think they will be passed by during the year (Higgins and Dal style)

Every person we draft - pretty rare with Cats to be best 23 in first year

Jack Martin

21

Jack Martin

Age

29

Ht

186cm

Wt

82kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.2

4star

K

10.0

4star

HB

6.3

4star

M

4.9

5star

T

3.7

5star

G

0.9

4star

D

14.9

4star

K

7.9

3star

HB

7.0

4star

M

4.3

4star

T

3.6

4star

G

1.1

5star

D

8.2

2star

K

4.6

2star

HB

3.6

3star

M

1.8

2star

T

2.0

4star

G

0.6

3star

- good back up. If his body gets right he really puts a squeeze on

Knevitt, Clark - our future midfield but still behind Danger/Guthrie is they are at best. Should get plenty of games still

Bews, Mullin, MOC - depends on whether we need a lock down. Could squeeze a midfielder off the bench

COS, My (other) man Ted, Oli Wiltshire, Edwards - have high hopes for all of them but hard to find room in 2025

 

[Ricky Vaughn]

As I put it down, I really like our 23.

Trying not to fall into the trap of turfing all the old blokes and replacing them with young guys, but I do think that’s the most logical starting point this season.

B: Mullin - J. Henry - Kolodjashnij
HB: Humphries - De Koning - Z. Guthrie
C: Holmes - Smith - Dempsey
HF: Close - Cameron - Miers
F: Stengle - Neale - O. Henry
R: Conway - Dangerfield - Stewart
I: Bruhn - Bowes - Blicavs - Atkins - Mannagh

Could see Bews, O’Connor, Stanley, Duncan or Clark pushing their way in.

Neale and Conway coming on will obviously be crucial, and no back up KPF is a worry, but it’s a really well balanced team I’m confident can do well.

 

[LongtimeFirsttime]

I couldn’t work out whether I was thinking best 23 to start 2025 or finish so I will be ambiguous (thereby reducing the chance of me being wrong!).

FB: Henry, SDK, Kolo
HB: Humphries, Stewart, Zuthrie
Centre: Dempsey, Bruhn, Smith
HF: Mannagh, Jezza, Miers
FF: Stengle, Scratcher, Henry
Rucks: Conway, Danger, Holmes

Inter: Atkins, Guthrie (!), Bowes, Blitz, Close

So Guthrie I am working with pre season faith…He was on fire in pre season last year…going to double down. But TBH if he doesn’t get up into best 22 we have some pretty handy replacements below

So who did I leave out…some pretty good ones!

Duncan, Stanley - think they will be passed by during the year (Higgins and Dal style)

Every person we draft - pretty rare with Cats to be best 23 in first year

Jack Martin - good back up. If his body gets right he really puts a squeeze on

Knevitt, Clark - our future midfield but still behind Danger/Guthrie is they are at best. Should get plenty of games still

Bews, Mullin, MOC - depends on whether we need a lock down. Could squeeze a midfielder off the bench

COS, My (other) man Ted, Oli Wiltshire, Edwards - have high hopes for all of them but hard to find room in 2025

I've got the exact same as you, but Mullin in for Cuthrie. We'll see how Cam is going...

 

[TheCattery2007]

Best 23 for me:

B: Humphries, J. Henry, Kolo

HB: Stewart, Blicavs, Z. Guthrie

C: Holmes, Danger, Dempsey

HF: Mannagh, Cameron, Miers

F: Stengle, Neale, O. Henry

Followers: SDK, Smith, C. Guthrie

I/C: Close, Bruhn, Bowes, Atkins


Some changes I expect next year:

Blicavs was great down back towards the end of the season and this might mean SDK spends more time in the ruck (until his brother arrives the following year).
Humphries is a lock which squeezed Bews out.
I’m expecting/ hoping C. Guthrie back (which automatically improves us compared to Atkins), plus we add Smith.

Couldn’t find a spot for:

Bews, Stanley, Duncan, Mullin, Martin (yet).

As always, I’m expecting to be pleasantly surprised by someone - Clark break out? Clohesy? Mullin to have a massive preseason? Knevitt (I thought this season would be his breakout but Dempsey overtook him).





Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

 

[allrighty]

As I put it down, I really like our 23.

Trying not to fall into the trap of turfing all the old blokes and replacing them with young guys, but I do think that’s the most logical starting point this season.

B: Mullin - J. Henry - Kolodjashnij
HB: Humphries - De Koning - Z. Guthrie
C: Holmes - Smith - Dempsey
HF: Close - Cameron - Miers
F: Stengle - Neale - O. Henry
R: Conway - Dangerfield - Stewart
I: Bruhn - Bowes - Blicavs - Atkins - Mannagh

Could see Bews, O’Connor, Stanley, Duncan or Clark pushing their way in.

Neale and Conway coming on will obviously be crucial, and no back up KPF is a worry, but it’s a really well balanced team I’m confident can do well.

I prefer SDK at CHB, gives him room to be more creative a la his brief stints in the guts in 24.

 

[catempire]

B: Z.Guthrie Blicavs Kolodjashnij
HB: C.Guthrie J.Henry Stewart
C: Miers Smith Holmes
HF: Close Cameron Dempsey
F: Stengle Neale O.Henry
R: Stanley/Conway Dangerfield Bruhn
Int: Bowes Mannagh Duncan Humphries De Koning
Em: O’Connor Mullin Clark

Couldn’t find room for Bews, Knevitt, O’Sullivan or Clohesy.

 

[Gunf]

Hmm


B: Humphries SDK/Blics Kolo
HB: Zuthrie Henry Stewart
C: Holmes Danger Dempsey
HF: Close Neale Miers
F: OH Cameron Stengle
R: Conway Bruhn Smith

I: Blics/SDK Mannagh Bowes Mullin


I am not putting Guthrie in the 22 until i see him fit and playing well
I expect Stanley will be used for backup if possible and Duncan will be phased out as the year progresses
Bew VS Mullin VS MOC for the small defender role will be interesting
SDK VS Blics in the backline may depend on fitness of Conway/Stanley and of course form.. If SDK returns to 22 form he 100% takes FB

Will also be interesting to see if Clark, Knevitt, Clohesy and COS can sneak in somehow

 

[Zouz Kitty]

I know this may seem early, but looking back 12 months, we're kicking this thread off a good 6 weeks later than we did last year

Our initial list changes are in and the trade period complete; as things currently stand the confirmed changes are:

Retirements:

• Foster
• Hawkins
• Tuohy

Senior list delistings:

• Parfitt
• Rohan
• Willis

Rookie list delistings:

• Hardie
• Jeka
• Murdoch

Traded in:

• Bailey Smith
• Jack Martin*... Awaiting the DFA signing period to open to officially welcome Jack to the club

Following the trade period, we're currently left with the following picks:
- 45, 57, 75, 93, 111 & 129
For those who may not remember, last year we entered the draft with picks 76 & 94, so let's not discount the value of those late selections

We're also currently waiting contract extension information for:

• Dangerfield, expected to sign a 2-yr deal
• Duncan & Stanley, both expected to sign 1-yr extensions

The other unknown ahead of next season is if the tactical sub will stay or we'll instead see the bench extended to 5 players, meaning that the playing 23 is simply the playing 23 - no waiting until an hour before kickoff to find out who's the sub

So, with all we know so far, what are the early thoughts for how we may be lining up come round 1 in season 2025

Thanks for your detailed explanation, I’m new to this, so might watch the posts + learn.

 

[Zouz Kitty]

Hmm


B: Humphries SDK/Blics Kolo
HB: Zuthrie Henry Stewart
C: Holmes Danger Dempsey
HF: Close Neale Miers
F: OH Cameron Stengle
R: Conway Bruhn Bowes

I: Blics/SDK Mannagh Atkins Mullin


I am not putting Guthrie in the 22 until i see him fit and playing well
I expect Stanley will be used for backup if possible and Duncan will be phased out as the year progresses
Bew VS Mullin VS MOC for the small defender role will be interesting
SDK VS Blics in the backline may depend on fitness of Conway/Stanley and of course form.. If SDK returns to 22 form he 100% takes FB

Will also be interesting to see if Clark, Knevitt, Clohesy and COS can sneak in somehow

No Bailey Smith?

 

[Gunf]

No Bailey Smith?

Thanks for reminding me

 

[cats_09]

Thanks for reminding me

Someone needs to captain the VFL team

 

[Mangy Carl]

My 23, is what I 'hope' the team looks like by the end of the season, with players playing to potential.

B - Guthrie Henry O'Sullivan
HB - Humphries DeKoning Stewart
C - Demspey Smith Holmes
HF - Miers Cameron Mannah
F - Stengle Neale Henry
Foll - Conway Bruhn Clark
Int - Blitz Danger Close Mullin J Martin

I'm hoping players such as Smith, Martin and Conway can get fit and play all year.
And youngsters Bruhn, Clark and Mullin and start really playing to potential.

It would be nice to be able to phase out players such as Atkins, Kolo, Duncan, Bews, Bowes etc
All very handy depth players, but i see greater 'potential' upside in others.

 

[Gunf]

My 23, is what I 'hope' the team looks like by the end of the season, with players playing to potential.

B - Guthrie Henry O'Sullivan
HB - Humphries DeKoning Stewart
C - Demspey Smith Holmes
HF - Miers Cameron Mannah
F - Stengle Neale Henry
Foll - Conway Bruhn Clark
Int - Blitz Danger Close Mullin J Martin

I'm hoping players such as Smith, Martin and Conway can get fit and play all year.
And youngsters Bruhn, Clark and Mullin and start really playing to potential.

It would be nice to be able to phase out players such as Atkins, Kolo, Duncan, Bews, Bowes etc
All very handy depth players, but i see greater 'potential' upside in others.

Kolo was our best tall defender last year and Bowes was very good

 

[Mangy Carl]

Kolo was our best tall defender last year and Bowes was very good

Yep, both were good, and in general are very handy players. However, the upside to O'Sullivan and Clark is greater and it would be better for the team to see them surpass those others by the end of the season 2025.

 

[year of the cat]

B: Z.Guthrie Blicavs Kolodjashnij
HB: C.Guthrie J.Henry Stewart
C: Miers Smith Holmes
HF: Close Cameron Dempsey
F: Stengle Neale O.Henry
R: Stanley/Conway Dangerfield Bruhn
Int: Bowes Mannagh Duncan Humphries De Koning
Em: O’Connor Mullin Clark

Couldn’t find room for Bews, Knevitt, O’Sullivan or Clohesy.

No wonder you don't want to add another ruck to our list if you are going to play 2 of them each week at the same time

 

[catempire]

No wonder you don't want to add another ruck to our list if you are going to play 2 of them each week at the same time

I think if you combine their availability/energy levels within games you might just have a whole ruckman.

 

[Kobe Gryant]

FB: J. Henry. De Koning. Kolodjashnij.
HB: Humphries. Blicavs. Z. Guthrie.

C: Holmes. Stewart. Dempsey.
FO: Conway. Smith. Dangerfield.

HF: Miers. Cameron. Close.
FF: O Henry. Neale. Stengle.

I/C: Bruhn, Mannagh, Bowes, Clark

Sub: Mullin

Depth

- Veterans

• Mitch Duncan (DEF)
• Jed Bews (DEF)
• Tom Atkins (MID)
• Cam Guthrie (MID/DEF)
• Mark O'Connor (MID/DEF)
• Rhys Stanley (R)
• Jack Martin (FWD)

- Youth/development

• Connor O'Sullivan (DEF)
• Ted Clohesy (MID)
• Mitch Knevitt (MID)
• George Stevens (MID)
• Mitch Edwards (R)
• Joe Furphy (R)
• Oliver Wiltshire (FWD)

Notes:

- Cam Guthrie at even 80% of 2022 form is in this side IMO, I just don't yet have the faith required to put him in automatically. Personally scarred by doing the exact same thing last year.

Although similar could be said for Toby Conway, I'm taking the punt. Hypocritical, I know.

****************************

- Tom Atkins

30

Tom Atkins

Age

29

Ht

180cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

D/M

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.5

3star

K

5.0

2star

HB

6.5

4star

M

1.4

2star

T

4.3

5star

MG

123.5

2star

D

6.5

1star

K

3.0

1star

HB

3.5

2star

M

0.8

1star

T

1.5

2star

MG

100.0

2star

D

11.6

3star

K

5.0

2star

HB

6.6

4star

M

2.0

3star

T

4.8

5star

MG

130.0

3star

deserves a place in this side. Has become one of my favourites over the years for his endeavour and unquestionable effort.

My worry is I don't believe we can play all three of Bruhn, Clark, & Atkins in the same side, and I expect (well I hope) the aforementioned two to improve in season 2025. The same could be said for Ted Clohesy, who will be in the fold too.

If they don't - especially Clark - Axe will get his spot.

****************************

- Mitch Duncan, Rhys Stanley

1

Rhys Stanley

Age

33

Ht

200cm

Wt

102kg

Pos.

Ruck

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.6

3star

K

7.2

3star

HB

6.4

4star

CL

3.4

5star

HO

27.6

5star

D

12.0

3star

K

7.5

3star

HB

4.5

3star

CL

5.0

5star

HO

21.5

5star

D

11.8

3star

K

5.4

2star

HB

6.4

4star

CL

3.0

5star

HO

33.0

5star

, Jed Bews

24

Jed Bews

Age

30

Ht

186cm

Wt

90kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.9

3star

K

6.1

2star

HB

4.8

3star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.6

4star

MG

178.2

3star

D

9.5

2star

K

7.5

3star

HB

2.0

1star

M

2.3

2star

T

1.7

3star

MG

205.8

3star

D

8.8

3star

K

3.8

2star

HB

5.0

4star

M

2.4

3star

T

3.2

5star

, & Mark O'Connor

42

Mark O'connor

Age

27

Ht

189cm

Wt

88kg

Pos.

D/M

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.2

3star

K

8.1

3star

HB

5.1

4star

M

4.4

4star

T

2.3

4star

MG

174.8

3star

D

12.4

3star

K

8.9

4star

HB

3.5

2star

M

4.5

4star

T

1.6

3star

MG

199.8

3star

D

10.4

3star

K

4.8

2star

HB

5.6

4star

M

3.8

4star

T

2.0

4star

MG

67.4

1star

will forever be Geelong heroes for what they did in 2022, and 2011 for Duncan.

However, at this point in their careers, we have better options IMO.

It could start out okay, but I suspect we'll be moving past these names as the season heats up, and the bodies grow more-sore by the week.

****************************

- Connor O'Sullivan, Mitch Knevitt, Oisin Mullin, & Ted Clohesy all have the opportunity over the coming months to follow the paths of Ollie Dempsey, Shannon Neale, Shaun Mannagh, & Lawson Humphries.

It remains to be seen whether they do, but the opportunity is there.

Would be more than happy to see any of these boys in the side provided they've earned their opportunity over the pre-season.

****************************

- Jack Martin

21

Jack Martin

Age

29

Ht

186cm

Wt

82kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.2

4star

K

10.0

4star

HB

6.3

4star

M

4.9

5star

T

3.7

5star

G

0.9

4star

D

14.9

4star

K

7.9

3star

HB

7.0

4star

M

4.3

4star

T

3.6

4star

G

1.1

5star

D

8.2

2star

K

4.6

2star

HB

3.6

3star

M

1.8

2star

T

2.0

4star

G

0.6

3star

. I honestly have no idea what to do. We'll wait and see.

If he's fit and at his best, there will likely be a spot for him. He has gifts others could only dream of.

Unfortunately, there's a fair bit of evidence that he won't be able to deliver that talent on a regular basis, so I have him as depth for now.

 

[Hamingja]

B: Z.Guthrie Blicavs Kolodjashnij
HB: Stewart J.Henry Humphries
C: Holmes Smith Dempsey
HF: Miers Cameron Close
F: Stengle Neale O.Henry
R: De Koning Dangerfield Atkins
I: C.Guthrie Bruhn Bowes Mannagh Duncan

It will be interesting to see what they do with the key backs and ruck. Blitz makes things a bit awkward. Ideally with a break he can come back fully fit and play through the middle again but at his age it may have to be the backline from now on. Then if Blitz is playing back what do you do with SDK, ruck is the only real solution I feel. I think Neale will want to start strong as could see them being tempted to play Jack Henry

38

Jack Henry

Age

26

Ht

192cm

Wt

96kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.3

3star

K

7.3

3star

HB

2.9

3star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.2

4star

MG

142.6

2star

D

8.6

2star

K

6.7

3star

HB

1.9

1star

M

3.9

4star

T

2.1

3star

MG

142.6

3star

D

9.6

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

2.6

3star

M

3.6

4star

T

2.0

4star

forward at some stage to fit everyone else in.

 

[CHAWKTS]

Fwisw this was Dan Batten team from the addy