Strategy Best 23, Post Draft edition for Season 2025 (updated)

[Cataholic]

It's a long list, but I'm personally scarred by the Guthrie '23 scenario. Went from 'managed' as a late scratching to out for 17 weeks.

Part of me is expecting news of an amputation in the coming weeks for Tanner.

Same.

I just don't trust them tbh.

Mind you, there might be nothing to worry about if they've already gotten his running blade sorted and dialled in.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Same.

I just don't trust them tbh.

Mind you, there might be nothing to worry about if they've already gotten his running blade sorted and dialled in.

No firearms in the house for Tanner then

 

[Cataholic]

No firearms in the house for Tanner then

No closed doors either.

 

[Warhorse]

Tanner will be fine. This year should finally become a serviceable AFL player.

Only issue is injury stopping him building endurance - a concern when his defensive running needs improvement.

I'm personally excited to hear that Knevitt is doing well. I though he wouldn't make it so hopefully proves me wrong

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Tanner will be fine. This year should finally become a serviceable AFL player.

Only issue is injury stopping him building endurance - a concern when his defensive running needs improvement.

I'm personally excited to hear that Knevitt is doing well. I though he wouldn't make it so hopefully proves me wrong

Tanner will always be good because his one wood is afl standard. It's just a matter of if he can build his endurance and lift his running and score involvements. He needs that to go from a decent B grade player to a top A grade player like a Holmes will be. But I think he can get there.

Knevitt is good enough i feel but he suffers from versatility in the positions he gets thrown around in. He needs the right opportunity and a good block of games to show what he can do. This year is make or break to see if he gets it.

 

[iameviljez]

Knevitt is good enough i feel but he suffers from versatility in the positions he gets thrown around in. He needs the right opportunity and a good block of games to show what he can do. This year is make or break to see if he gets it.

Joel Corey kept getting stuck on a flank in his first few years, too. He'll be ok, I think.

 

[Warhorse]

Tanner will always be good because his one wood is afl standard. It's just a matter of if he can build his endurance and lift his running and score involvements. He needs that to go from a decent B grade player to a top A grade player like a Holmes will be. But I think he can get there.

Knevitt is good enough i feel but he suffers from versatility in the positions he gets thrown around in. He needs the right opportunity and a good block of games to show what he can do. This year is make or break to see if he gets it.

Tanner is not yet B Grade. He will be next year though

 

[Turbocat]

We need one more true first choice mid under 26 in my opinion. Holmes and Smith are likely A graders through there but we need one more to completely the rotation. Bruhn, Clark, Bowes are handy but need to lift a notch. Think there's a solid chance Dempsey moves to the middle too, i think he moves a bit like Connor Rozee, but that won't be tomorrow if it happens at all

I think the players we have added thru draft are potentially good.. but its a big jump. One really doesn't know what we have to sometime later, perhaps years … so the immediate need ..one more true first choice mid under 26 probably has to come as a trade/fa

 

[strauchnyy]

Joel Corey kept getting stuck on a flank in his first few years, too. He'll be ok, I think.

Corey was a contested beast with high intensity and a quick few steps. Knevitt has none of these traits unfortunately.

 

[catswhiskers]

Knevitt. He has two strengths that should allow him to find a place in an AFL team.

Endurance running and good hands.

Where he fits in is the question for me. His development in the midfield has been OK but he's hasn't demanded selection in a way 3 or 4 other newbies have (Dempsey, Humphries, Mannah) .

If midfield crash and bash is not for him (this year will tell), he still has a chance at half back, and although I have never seen him ahead of the ball a leading forward would be worth a try.

If Smith, Bowes, , Clark, cement themselves in the side or new kid demands some AFL time I would like to see Mitch play at half back or forward in the VFL if the midfield door closes.

Later in the year obviously.

 

[Mr Meow]

Knevitt. He has two strengths that should allow him to find a place in an AFL team.

Endurance running and good hands.

Where he fits in is the question for me. His development in the midfield has been OK but he's hasn't demanded selection in a way 3 or 4 other newbies have (Dempsey, Humphries, Mannah) .

If midfield crash and bash is not for him (this year will tell), he still has a chance at half back, and although I have never seen him ahead of the ball a leading forward would be worth a try.

If Smith, Bowes, , Clark, cement themselves in the side or new kid demands some AFL time I would like to see Mitch play at half back or forward in the VFL if the midfield door closes.

Later in the year obviously.

If he is good enough there's a spot on the wing. It can still suit those attributes. Make or break season for Mitch though.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Corey was a contested beast with high intensity and a quick few steps. Knevitt has none of these traits unfortunately.

He was a contested beast as a junior where his rake thin frame wasn't the issue it is here. He's been getting bigger but still wirey I think.

 

[CHAWKTS]

If he is good enough there's a spot on the wing. It can still suit those attributes. Make or break season for Mitch though.

I think you are right. In particular from what I have heard in that they see the “other” wing as being a MF rotation role now rather than last year where they have 2E, Blitz etc try and fill that as a role into itself. It seems in 2025 we will play an extra MF to rotate through the wing. So Mitch I think at least gets increased odds (as he can play both)

 

[Gazza Greatness]

Agree. I think they hope Tanner is that player. And he could be but needs his body to be right. Understand he has had an interrupted pre season again which is a real shame…quickly we need to see whether he can become an A grader. I admit to bias (positive) but even I am nervous about whether he can take that next leap. What I do know is that the club coaches love him - he will get every chance…

Clark I frankly have no idea. Love the way he plays from what I have seen but just no evidence yet as to whether he is an A grader. Not saying he wont be but I just can’t tell

Bowes is interesting for me. A bit like Tanner for me in that he either makes it in the midfield or I think he will struggle. His best games (and he has had some really good ones) have been in the midfield…but is he good enough to take a spot in an A grade team? I just don’t know.

The name you didn’t mention that I hope leapfrogs everyone is Knevitt. Again I admit to a bias (I just love the group of players from 21 to 24yo)…but we need a tall midfielder and he I think can become a beast. I find it hard to see how he gets a shot (Bowes, Atkins, Danger, Guthrie all in front of him and Holmes, Smith, Danger, Bruhn are certain starters in the rotation)…

Dempsey is really interesting (noting my bias). From what I “hear” the coaches absolutely think he will be an A grade midfleider but I am getting no indication that is a 2025 thing. The thinking is that he is now our only specicialist wingman (which is quite amazing given where he was 12 months ago) and they want that to be consolidated. In 2025 they are not going to try and develop another wingman (ie. no Duncan, Blitz, Knevitte etc) but use the “non-Dempsey” side as just a midfield rotation spot (which means we can squeeze in one more midfielder)…. My hope is Dempsey backs up his break out year and just as we are convinced he is an AA wingman - Cats will then mix it up and try him as a true mid…but maybe a couple of years away.

Pretty much agree with all assessments CHAWKTS: which for me makes the 2025 season so much more to look forward too and hopefully for us pussycat supporters, these many unanswered questions will be all in the affirmative good news department.

 

[D BRIDGE]

Tanner will always be good because his one wood is afl standard. It's just a matter of if he can build his endurance and lift his running and score involvements. He needs that to go from a decent B grade player to a top A grade player like a Holmes will be. But I think he can get there.

I'll eat my hat if Bruhn ever gets to Holmes' level of the last year or so, which is AA squad range (what Holmes will be is a bridge way way way too far for Bruhn IMO).

I won't complain if that happens though.

 

[Mr Meow]

I'll eat my hat if Bruhn ever gets to Holmes' level of the last year or so, which is AA squad range (what Holmes will be is a bridge way way way too far for Bruhn IMO).

I won't complain if that happens though.

Holmes form last year was AA best 22 range. Unlucky to miss out.

Very few players in the comp picked up coaches votes more times than Holmes did. He had close to best on ground performances on the wing, at half back and in midfield (admittedly the latter was more so in those finals until his injury) - while being in our best few players most weeks.

Best and Fairest winner in 2024 (beating two AA team mates), and best finals player, for the side that was leading the premiers with 3 minutes to go in a prelim (and may well have won if he didn't get injured during that game). Arguably the best and most damaging outside player in the comp.

I agree that I'd be astounded if Bruhn reaches that level but he could still be a good solid midfielder.

 

[volcboy]

Very difficult (in a good way).


B: Kolo J Henry Z Guthrie

HB: Stewart SDK Humphries

C: B Smith Bruhn Dempsey

HF: Close Cameron Miers

F: Stengle Neale O Henry

R: Conway Holmes Danger

I: Bowes C Guthrie Blicavs Mannagh

Depth: Knevitt, Clark, O'Sullivan, Martin, Duncan, Bews, Atkins, Mullin, Clohesy, Stanley, O'Connor

I'm always an advocate for bringing young guys in, so I'd also like the following potential changes:

Knevitt/Clark -> C Guthrie

O'Sullivan -> Kolo

I fully expect Stanley to play instead of Conway, but don't think it can last or get us to the ultimate prize in 2025. With a few out injured, I expect Atkins & Duncan to play (given the past preference for older players to retain spots), but I don't think that is to our long term benefit.

 

[CHAWKTS]

I went for a Round 1 best 23 and a Grand Final best 23. For us to make the Grand Final, some of those in Round 1 need to be past by others (ie a Humphries coming on last year in back and and Mannagh replacing someone - albeit he played round 1)

Round 1
Backs: SDK, Kolo, Humphries, Mullin, Stewart, Henry
Centre: Dempsey, Holmes, Smith
Forwards: Neale, Henry, Miers, Jezza, Close, Stengle
Followers: Stanley, Danger, Bruhn
Interchange: Blitz, Zuthrie, Mannagh, Atkins, Duncan

Grand Final:

Changes… Conway for Stanley; Knevitt for Duncan (Blitz at risk as not being needed by GF?)

Wow this is hard as leaving out in both teams… Clark (could go past Atkins maybe), Martin (where do I put him?), Bews (did nothing wrong), C Guthrie (if back to best he would go past Atkins or Bowes?), MOC (forgotten man?), COS (2026 break out year? Or could go past Kolo? Or Blitz?). On paper pretty good depth

 

[small 4wards]

C Guthrie (if back to best he would go past Atkins or Bowes?)

Cam Guthrie at his best is AA, he's the B&F winner in a premiership year for a reason. Alongside Duncan I think he's been underrated at large because he was playing alongside dangerfield and selwood, but he's a damn good third mid who can play smooth outside or tough inside.
All that being said, it's been two years with barely any footy so I'm really not expecting that version of Guthrie but if he can build into form then suddenly our midfield looks a lot stronger.

Really agree with Mullin being best 22. The flashes of class and speed he has are so enticing and he's got a lovely kick (on occasion)

 

[Mr Meow]

Cam Guthrie at his best is AA, he's the B&F winner in a premiership year for a reason. Alongside Duncan I think he's been underrated at large because he was playing alongside dangerfield and selwood, but he's a damn good third mid who can play smooth outside or tough inside.
All that being said, it's been two years with barely any footy so I'm really not expecting that version of Guthrie but if he can build into form then suddenly our midfield looks a lot stronger.

Really agree with Mullin being best 22. The flashes of class and speed he has are so enticing and he's got a lovely kick (on occasion)

What I'm hoping for from Mullin in 2025 is either a run and gun weapon off half back like Max Holmes was in 2024 (which releases Max to midfield) or a lockdown player ala peak Bews, who still provides those bursts every now and again.

He would add his own unique attributes to either role but if he develops then it would help out our defensive unit massively.

 

[stac]

If Martin is fit he is best 22
hard to say who he replaces

 

[cats_09]

If Martin is fit he is best 22
hard to say who he replaces

Duncan from halfback

 

[Mr Meow]

Duncan from halfback

Would be a bold call. Forward pocket to back flank is a much more difficult transition than wing to half back (what Duncan did).

Martin averaged 0.5 rebound 50s per game during his time at Carlton.

I do wonder if he could offer anything on the wing.

The easiest way for him to get minutes would be to play on a forward flank, while Miers and Mannagh spend even more time supporting midfield as those attacking wingmen/forward hybrids.

 

[you pick one]

If Geelong are going to play Martin it needs to be forward of center he has good attributes among them good goal sense he finds his own footy is brave not scared to put the body on the line, smart and good over head he and Stengle having a day out would be something to see.

 

[TheEscapeClub]

What has tanners injury issue been? I am Very bullish on him if he stays fit.

I think with Clark the issue will be finding a role for him. He's clearly class and he's going to develop quicker at afl than vfl I think but he has neither the endurance tank or the body strength yet to play as a full time mid and he doesn't have the height or marking to play fwd. So we are going to have to craft a role for him somewhere.

I think this is a make or break year for knevitt ie we won't delist him but if he can't break through this year he's better off trying to go to a bottom club for more games. I think Bowes is fringe and i don't think we will get much from cam g so I think there's more chances for him there than we think but he has to have like 5 good games in a row like Dempsey and make it too hard for them to leave him out.

We really need osullivan to start coming through but his body isn't ready yet I don't think. Same on Conway.

If Bruhn could work out a way to get more of the ball, he'd be close to our best midfielder.