List Mgmt. Best side for start of 2025

[year of the roo]

Wouldn't mind having a tiny look at Pink in the backline (where he is most suited) alongside Logue and Corr before we rule him out totally. His games last year in defence were alongside Biggie, Comben (who was new to the role), KDawson and subpar Corr (who improved as the year went on). It would be good to see how he operates in a more settled, seasoned unit.

 

[Junk yard]

Wouldn't mind having a tiny look at Pink in the backline (where he is most suited) alongside Logue and Corr before we rule him out totally. His games last year in defence were alongside Biggie, Comben (who was new to the role), KDawson and subpar Corr (who improved as the year went on). It would be good to see how he operates in a more settled, seasoned unit.

Think that's what will happen, Pink back and Comben forward. He had absolutely no chance of success back last year with the support around him and the pressure up the ground and Comben training forward from all reports.

 

[Chip Scab1]

Wouldn't mind having a tiny look at Pink in the backline (where he is most suited) alongside Logue and Corr before we rule him out totally. His games last year in defence were alongside Biggie, Comben (who was new to the role), KDawson and subpar Corr (who improved as the year went on). It would be good to see how he operates in a more settled, seasoned unit.

Yep, and Comben in the gaping hole at CHF will work wonders and potentially save us from ourselves.

 

[FAILTOSUCCEED]

Bit rough on Teakle. Like Duckyeah, I see potential in him in that FWD/ RUCK role. Has only played 17 career games at AFL level. Took 15 Contested Marks in 11 games last season, averaged nearly a goal per game and got burnt by his team mates on numerous occasions when he was clearly the best option. Another AFL level pre-season can only help him.

Just my opinion, he is a handy backup and we need one. Disappears too long in games, fumbly and looks a level below AFL so far particularly when playing forward. I hope he proves me wrong!

 

[Mixed Results]

Jack Darling averaged six ruck contests a game in his last two years for the Eagles. It's not an enormous amount, but enough to show that he is capable of those duties.

I would be surprised if isn't the preferred second ruck to open the season.

 

[The Nostradamus]

Jack Darling averaged six ruck contests a game in his last two years for the Eagles. It's not an enormous amount, but enough to show that he is capable of those duties.

I would be surprised if isn't the preferred second ruck to open the season.

our structure is better when we have 2 key talls forward at all times plus a pinch hit ruck in the side (teakle)

Most teams use this structure also

At the start of the year we were too short

 

[Passmore]

Jack Darling averaged six ruck contests a game in his last two years for the Eagles. It's not an enormous amount, but enough to show that he is capable of those duties.

I would be surprised if isn't the preferred second ruck to open the season.

I just can't see us playing a bloke just to give Xerri a 5 min rest each quarter. What does he do for the remaining 100 mins? Pick his nose?



Sent from my SM-A908B using Tapatalk

 

[Mixed Results]

our structure is better when we have 2 key talls forward at all times plus a pinch hit ruck in the side (teakle)

Most teams use this structure also

At the start of the year we were too short

We've won 15 games this decade. I'm more concerned with putting talented footballers on the field than I am looking back at past games to see what has and hasn't worked for us.

I'm also worried that Larkey, Teakle, Darling, and Zurhaar would leave us too slow up forward.

 

[The Nostradamus]

We've won 15 games this decade. I'm more concerned with putting talented footballers on the field than I am looking back at past games to see what has and hasn't worked for us.

I'm also worried that Larkey, Teakle, Darling, and Zurhaar would leave us too slow up forward.

One would be on the bench rotating

And again most teams go with that many talls

Teakle can play

 

[Better Loosen Up]

Jack Darling averaged six ruck contests a game in his last two years for the Eagles. It's not an enormous amount, but enough to show that he is capable of those duties.

I would be surprised if isn't the preferred second ruck to open the season.

Are these 6 ruck contests in the center circle or are they deep in the forward half?

 

[Chadwiko]

Wouldn't mind having a tiny look at Pink in the backline (where he is most suited) alongside Logue and Corr before we rule him out totally. His games last year in defence were alongside Biggie, Comben (who was new to the role), KDawson and subpar Corr (who improved as the year went on). It would be good to see how he operates in a more settled, seasoned unit.

Pink is a good defender. He was the FB in the 2023 SANFL version of 'All Australian', and anchored the defense for Glenelg's premiership.

I was surprised how well he did up forward for us, considering tbh.

 

[the big lebowski]

Zuhaar can chop out in the ruck.

Pretty sure he beat max gawn at a CB once.

 

[Junk yard]

Jack Darling averaged six ruck contests a game in his last two years for the Eagles. It's not an enormous amount, but enough to show that he is capable of those duties.

I would be surprised if isn't the preferred second ruck to open the season.

I'm thinking most of them would be forward 50 contests, not centre square.

 

[Chip Scab1]

One would be on the bench rotating

And again most teams go with that many talls

Teakle can play

Can he?

He's able to show it any time.

I'd imagine we will prioritise ability to run out a game given our young midfield over losing the ruck 20 mins a game. (At least I hope we do)

Throw Darling in there and play another Mid, surely that's the thing to do. When Goad smashes the door down, play him as the 2nd Ruck.

 

[ferball]

Bit rough on Teakle. Like Duckyeah, I see potential in him in that FWD/ RUCK role. Has only played 17 career games at AFL level. Took 15 Contested Marks in 11 games last season, averaged nearly a goal per game and got burnt by his team mates on numerous occasions when he was clearly the best option. Another AFL level pre-season can only help him.

I wonder about this.

Yes he was on his own but how often was he on his own in that cone of vision, front and square to the player with the ball? The only time I remember that was when Sheeze hit him up in front of goal and Sheezel had moved to pick up a ball that bounced away from the momentum of play. There may have been one other time, where he was actually burnt ... maybe by JY, but I honestly couldn't remember it well enough to be sure about it.

I think he was ok generally and mostly agree with your comment but that detail stuck with me. I wonder if his ability to get free was good luck rather than good management.

 

[zoomba23]

I wonder about this.

Yes he was on his own but how often was he on his own in that cone of vision, front and square to the player with the ball? The only time I remember that was when Sheeze hit him up in front of goal and Sheezel had moved to pick up a ball that bounced away from the momentum of play. There may have been one other time, where he was actually burnt ... maybe by JY, but I honestly couldn't remember it well enough to be sure about it.

I think he was ok generally and mostly agree with your comment but that detail stuck with me. I wonder if his ability to get free was good luck rather than good management.

I don't recall him ever getting free in the games I watched. It felt to me like having a tree with hands in the 50. This is my spot and I'm not moving from it

 

[Merlin007]

I wonder about this.

Yes he was on his own but how often was he on his own in that cone of vision, front and square to the player with the ball? The only time I remember that was when Sheeze hit him up in front of goal and Sheezel had moved to pick up a ball that bounced away from the momentum of play. There may have been one other time, where he was actually burnt ... maybe by JY, but I honestly couldn't remember it well enough to be sure about it.

I think he was ok generally and mostly agree with your comment but that detail stuck with me. I wonder if his ability to get free was good luck rather than good management.

I don't recall him ever getting free in the games I watched. It felt to me like having a tree with hands in the 50. This is my spot and I'm not moving from it

Yeah, dunno. Averaged more I50s than hayden Mclean (his most direct comparator IMO), which doesn't read like he was propping up the goal post. I recall one of his early games (don't test me on which one) when he charged to the wing and got hit on the chest by a dart.

If Teakle is the weakest link, we'll be doing ok

 

[Fish Sticks]

These are all questions our coaching team will be debating, no doubt.

I personally would like Comben to start forward & give X a chop out in the ruck.
Darling to take forward 50 throw ins.

I know Comben played his best footy back & our backline probably looks too short without him, but I just want to see Larkey, Darling & Comben in the same forward line to start the season.
It is a good mix of talls alongside Zurharr, Curtis & RHJ/Konstanty.
Apart from Larkey, they can all apply good pressure (Zurharr picks & chooses still) & there are plenty of marking targets.

I don’t want Teakle lumbering around in our F50 for half a game just to play 15 minutes in the ruck.

 

[Chadwiko]

For those who want to play Comben forward, can you guys explain how you envisage fitting all of Larkey/Darling/Comben into the same forward line?

Personally, I don't see it.

 

[Themanbun]

For those who want to play Comben forward, can you guys explain how you envisage fitting all of Larkey/Darling/Comben into the same forward line?

Personally, I don't see it.

Especially when most of these sides have Parker AND Simpkin on flanks rolling up to the stoppage.

You'd be left with Curtis, Zurhaar, Darling and Chom as the deeper forwards (Larkey rolling up as a CHF).

We'd better hope he spot up a lead every time because that ball will rocket out of there.

FWIW I love Charlie forward but think the team balance is best with him as a back until W.Dawson comes on. By that time Darling will be getting moved on.

 

[year of the roo]

For those who want to play Comben forward, can you guys explain how you envisage fitting all of Larkey/Darling/Comben into the same forward line?

Personally, I don't see it.

From last year's side you have Comben taking Teakle's spot and Darling taking Pink's. Pink in defence until Will Dawson is ready. If that setup isn't working you could swap Pink and Comben. If we're too tall then you sub out Pink.

It only gets interesting if Whitlock, Dawson x2 and Teakle start ripping up the VFL. But we'll worry about that when we come to it.

Corr is immensely droppable too.

And that's without even factoring in injuries.

In short, we're not in any danger of having too many talls.

 

[Lomas]

Especially when most of these sides have Parker AND Simpkin on flanks rolling up to the stoppage.

You'd be left with Curtis, Zurhaar, Darling and Chom as the deeper forwards (Larkey rolling up as a CHF).

We'd better hope he spot up a lead every time because that ball will rocket out of there.

FWIW I love Charlie forward but think the team balance is best with him as a back until W.Dawson comes on. By that time Darling will be getting moved on.

Exactly. Darling buys time for Comben to get his body right and Dawson to develop.

 

[Chadwiko]

From last year's side you have Comben taking Teakle's spot and Darling taking Pink's. Pink in defence until Will Dawson is ready. If that setup isn't working you could swap Pink and Comben. If we're too tall then you sub out Pink.

I'm going from memory (I could look it up, but ehhhh) but I swear didn't Pink and Teakle only play in the same game together a handful of times? I'd say somewhere between 4-7~ games at most?

And they were mostly in games where Logue didn't play.

Actually stuff it, I'm looking it up.

Okay they played together in 8 games last season - slightly more than I thought.

Crucially though, in the games that Logue played, Pink didn't.

Logue came back in rounds 19 + 20, then was out from round 21.
Pink played rounds 10-18, sat out the 2 games Logue was back, and then was brought back into the team from round 21.

(Here's another stat I wasn't aware of but will keep in my back pocket - Toby Pink played in all three of North's wins last year)

I dunno... I could be looking into that too much, but I really don't think Clarko likes going overly tall.

I don't see us fielding a team with all of Comben/Larkey/Darling/Teakle/Pink/Logue/Corr very often (if ever) in 2025.

 

[Fish Sticks]

For those who want to play Comben forward, can you guys explain how you envisage fitting all of Larkey/Darling/Comben into the same forward line?

Personally, I don't see it.

Hopefully the same way the reigning premiers played 3 tall forwards all year.

Who plays back up ruck in your ideal line up?

 

[DuckYeah]

And then when Comben goes in the Ruck, we only have 2 undersized key defenders

I dont think we need more than Corr and Logue in defence.. all about rebounds.. the question is, can logue and corr hold it up? I think they can