Prediction How Will The Cats Fare in 2025?

[CatToTheFuture]

But sometimes you need "linebreaking speed" and when you have Max who gets the ball, bursts out of congestion for 20m and then kicks it 40m into the f50 thats just as valuable as a quick 40m kick to a target from Humphries.

Yeah but i would prefer him in the middle. We'll be fine in the backline

 

[FootyLad0]

Yeah but i would prefer him in the middle. We'll be fine in the backline

Exactly, with Humphries and Zuthrie down back im not worried about linebreaking play from out of the backhalf.
Holmes in the midfield is a must.

 

[iameviljez]

I think the revelation that is Lawson Humphries at half back gives us a lot to work with moving the ball. He can kick faster than Max can run

Yes, but running is what breaks a zone open because it turns a 40 metre play into a 60, 70 metre play.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Yes, but running is what breaks a zone open because it turns a 40 metre play into a 60, 70 metre play.

Sure, I'm just looking for a way to move Max into the midfield on a more full time basis

 

[And_ROOS]

Yeah but i would prefer him in the middle. We'll be fine in the backline

Do we actually have a good solid read on Holmes in midfield since he spent most of last season running off half back and was incredible.

We have Smith now in midfield, another year into a lot of players like Bruhn etc, but do we have stats that show Max potential in the middle or is this gut feel people are going off.

 

[Mr Meow]

Do we actually have a good solid read on Holmes in midfield since he spent most of last season running off half back and was incredible.

We have Smith now in midfield, another year into a lot of players like Bruhn etc, but do we have stats that show Max potential in the middle or is this gut feel people are going off.

Midfield isn't a role where he's been ready to excel at consistently (IMO), so it's been better for him to develop on the wing and then half back. Although last year he could confidently be called a utility.

Once Humphries settled into the side we did see Holmes in or around midfield more often, especially in two finals where he was our best player while playing as a permanent midfielder. One where he was easily the best player on the ground and another where he was in the top few.

So it's something we should see more and more of. After the long layoff it wouldn't actually surprise me to see Smith on the wing and on back or forward flanks a bit more. And then maybe closer to midfield permanency in 2026. I also expect we'll see Danger go to his forward flank a bit more (where he was very effective, more so than a lead up full forward).

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

But sometimes you need "linebreaking speed" and when you have Max who gets the ball, bursts out of congestion for 20m and then kicks it 40m into the f50 thats just as valuable as a quick 40m kick to a target from Humphries.

Amazing debut season from Lawson , first class.
In his draft highlights we see him run with the footy - similar to what he did in the PF where he took a number of bounces and found a target by foot some 40 metres away - a true 70 metre play.
I think we will see more dash from him in 2025 now that he has found his feet and is confident at this level.
He has the potential to be very special....

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Do we actually have a good solid read on Holmes in midfield since he spent most of last season running off half back and was incredible.

We have Smith now in midfield, another year into a lot of players like Bruhn etc, but do we have stats that show Max potential in the middle or is this gut feel people are going off.

He ran through the midfield a bit last year and I thought he was tracking well. His work from half back was good but we need mids more imo