Preview R1: Changes for 2025

[Dangarman]

Just in case anyone was wondering there are 8,628,768,931 possible combinations for selecting 23 players from a squad of 44.

Then having selected the team, they can field 39,171 different combinations of 18 players on the ground at any one time from a total of 23 players.

Is it any wonder Nicks can't get it right!

Really? My calculator says 44C23 = 2,012,616,400,080.

Even if we add the constraint of must pick 1 of 2 ruckmen, that still makes 2 x 42C22 = 1,027,583,214,840.

Also, my calculator says 23C18 = 33,649.

 

[Carn The Texan]

Just in case anyone was wondering there are 8,628,768,931 possible combinations for selecting 23 players from a squad of 44.

A stat i heard years ago somewhere (maybe on twitter) was that the most games the same group of 22 players (any 22 players from any club ever) had played together was something like 5 or 6 at most. I think it might have been one of our teams from the Neil Craig era.

 

[GameofSloanes]

Simple - he has won 3 B&Fs - two under Nicks (who coached him underage). Case closed.

Just staggered posters have not understood our selection policy for our ageing players.

I'm still amazed nicks took him out of the middle and moved him back to defence

 

[GameofSloanes]

View attachment 2180630
This is perfect. Sub rotates between dowling pedlar nank and jones

Pretty good team tbh

 

[Mostyn]

“will next season be”

The fact that Laird has always been a higher standard footballer than Bond to this point of careers is a good indicator that he will continue to be.

There's no evidence of the opposite, other than people's worry.

 

[Mostyn]

That was 6-7 years ago

He won’t be the same player (at least physically) in 2025, last year he showed that he was finding it harder to create space with the ball, which is almost essential for a rebounding defender in today’s game

He's not 35.

He was top 3 in the Blight Medal for seven straight years before finishing 6th this year.

Sure, the end will come, but I don't think it will be as immediate as you think.

 

[FR0GGY]

Looks like Murph better get hold of DMac's polaroids.

Surely they still work for blackmail material?

He’s had them for 2-3 years now.

 

[adelaidecrows]

So far on my absurd list of claims regarding players who wont be on the list in 2026 are

1. Crouch.
The dude is the only midfield bull we have. no chance he is magically pushed aside by the end of 2025 and off the list entirely. Like there is more chance of Edwards winning a Brownlow medal next season.

2. Laird
I think this is just wishful thinking, born from hate more than logic. He will be only 32 when Season 2026 comes around and its likely he will rotate through the midfield up until the end of 2026. Wouldnt surprise me if 2026 is his last year though but there is very little chance he is gone at the end of 2025.

3. Milera
On the surface this is a wtf? what have you been smoking? type comment but he missed two full seasons back not long ago and basically missed a 3rd full season due to injury in 2024. If he gets another season ending injury it wouldnt surprise me if the club parts ways. But he showed he is one of our best players when in form and if he has an injury free 2025 then he will certainly be on the list in 2026.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Why can't we edit in the poll (i left put Sholl)?

Sholl, Laird & Pedlar best 22.

If we have injuries, Nankervis, Jones & Taylor a good chance.

 

[Jeffcrowe]

Probably Taylor?

Taylor be a decent sub

But prob needs full games to get his fitness up , same with Pedlar

Maybe this makes Jones the likely sub round 1

 

[adelaidecrows]

Taylor be a decent sub

But prob needs full games to get his fitness up , same with Pedlar

Maybe this makes Jones the likely sub round 1

If Taylor cant be fit after a full pre season then he will never be fit.

 

[Jeffcrowe]

If Taylor cant be fit after a full pre season then he will never be fit.

He’s a work in progress

Getting fitter each year but needs to still get fitter

Playing him sub too often won’t help , occasionally is ok

 

[FR0GGY]

Taylor be a decent sub

But prob needs full games to get his fitness up , same with Pedlar

Maybe this makes Jones the likely sub round 1

Urgh I’d hoped we’d moved past him

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

He’s a work in progress

Getting fitter each year but needs to still get fitter

Playing him sub too often won’t help , occasionally is ok

We should be rotating the sub.

Also, a good way of managing players loads.

 

[adelaidecrows]

He’s a work in progress

Getting fitter each year but needs to still get fitter

Playing him sub too often won’t help , occasionally is ok

The increased competition for midfield spots and with a fitness fanatic such as Draper coming into the club it should spur the group to take their fitness to a new level. But

 

[adelaidecrows]

We should be rotating the sub.

Also, a good way of managing players loads.

Im actually more an advocate of using the sub role for fringe players. I dont think players should be dropped to the sub role from first 22 the previous week. But the AFL should blanket ban debutants as subs. I think thats a terrible way to debut a player.

 

[Jeffcrowe]

Urgh I’d hoped we’d moved past him

That’s why sub

Don’t play guys you rate long term as the sub

 

[Jeffcrowe]

We should be rotating the sub.

Also, a good way of managing players loads.

Yep that’s what it can be good for … when a 1-3 year player needs a lighter load or even an older head

 

[FR0GGY]

That’s why sub

Don’t play guys you rate long term as the sub

Id hoped the afl had moved past the ridiculous sub rule as well

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Id hoped the afl had moved past the ridiculous sub rule as well

That would be the preference.

Thought the AFL were going to remove the sub, but gather they changed their mind?

 

[adelaidecrows]

That would be the preference.

Thought the AFL were going to remove the sub, but gather they changed their mind?

They should. I do think they need to make it more challenging for teams. The bench is for replacement players not for rotations and sports science. The AFL caved too easily when implementing it. Id even go so far as to have mandatory minimum minutes on the bench for players who come off.

 

[Cromulant]

Urgh I’d hoped we’d moved past him

Why ??

 

[FR0GGY]

Why ??

Because I don’t see a footballer in him and feel like he’s only still on the list due to his pick number.

 

[Mostyn]

Because I don’t see a footballer in him and feel like he’s only still on the list due to his pick number.

I think he has a lot of AFL attributes and seemed to be a clear best 22 before his injury. I hope he finds his way back to that level.

 

[Ham]

Apologies if already posted somewhere - but found this interesting