Prediction Round 1, 2025: Starting 23

[We_The_West]

Ok this is my ideal AFL side for the better part of 2025

Back	Bazzo	H.Edwards	Baker
HB	Duggan	McGovern	Ginbey
Centre	Hunt	Graham	Cripps
HF	Hutchinson	Waterman	Ryan
Fwd	J.Williams	O. Allen	Owies
Followers	Flynn	H.Reid	Yeo
Interchange	Hewett	Hall	Maric
	Long	Johnston/Dewar

Beagles 2025

Back	Cole	Jamieson	Pick 26 / other
HB	Chesser	Barnett	Pick 26 / other
Centre	L.Edwards	Pick 12	Johnston/Dewar
HF	Rawlinson	A.Reid	Petruccelle
Fwd	Champion	B. Williams
Followers	Livingston	Sheed	Brockman
Interchange

Key points: Selection integrity, no more than 10 players in AFL team with <30 games exp. Giving players the opportunity to develop their craft in the WAFL, such as Chesser heading back to the HBF where he won U16 AA.

Forgot Tim Kelly - he can be the mascot

 

[eaglevision]

FB: Duggan Edwards Hough
HB: Maric McGovern Ginbey
C: Kelly Yeo Lindsay
HF: Owies Waterman Hewett
FF: Ryan Allen AReid
R: Flynn Reid Graham
I: JWilliams Baker Hutchinson Chesser Hall
E: Johnson Long Cole

Just think we rip the Band-Aid off with Cripps, Petch, Hunt and Cole. Bazzo isn’t ready to play AFL football and Brockman is a spud. Dewar is developing but his current ability is overrated. Archer will do well with the 3rd best defender. Johnson and Long are the only two that miss out that I’d really like to see get into the 22.

 

[Obeanie1]

Agree Edwards at Full Back, as any further up the ground he would be turned inside out like a used pair of jocks.

Imagine him trying to go with a Cameron, Hipwood, Treacy or a Ugle Hagen type.

Because on the lead he does so much better?

Lets be honest, Harry isnt much of a lock down defender. Playing loose as an intercept guy he is decent and may transition into better than decent. Maybe a clear run and no groin issues he will improve but speed and agility are not Harry's strong points.

 

[Obeanie1]

Ignore button is your friend.

Trust us on this.

 

[Obeanie1]

FB: Duggan Edwards Hough
HB: Maric McGovern Ginbey
C: Kelly Yeo Lindsay
HF: Owies Waterman Hewett
FF: Ryan Allen AReid
R: Flynn Reid Graham
I: JWilliams Baker Hutchinson Chesser Hall
E: Johnson Long Cole

Just think we rip the Band-Aid off with Cripps, Petch, Hunt and Cole. Bazzo isn’t ready to play AFL football and Brockman is a spud. Dewar is developing but his current ability is overrated. Archer will do well with the 3rd best defender. Johnson and Long are the only two that miss out that I’d really like to see get into the 22.

Why would Bazzo not be ready after his 3rd preseason?

He basically spent all of 2024 in the gym and building his body up whilst rehabing from early OP.

2025 will be his 4th season in the AFL.

Brockman has plenty of talent. (Calling AFL players spuds grates me and is extremely disrespectful BTW). What he lacks is maturity and intelligence to get the best out of his career. Watching him on a couple of podcastes interacting with Kelly , JJ and Ryan you could just see how he lacks maturity. The incident with the car and power pole another indicator. Brockman needs to grow up and mentally mature of he wont be playing AFL much longer. Talent isnt the issue. Its 100% application.

 

[eaglevision]

Why would Bazzo not be ready after his 3rd preseason?

He basically spent all of 2024 in the gym and building his body up whilst rehabing from early OP.

2025 will be his 4th season in the AFL.

Brockman has plenty of talent. (Calling AFL players spuds grates me and is extremely disrespectful BTW). What he lacks is maturity and intelligence to get the best out of his career. Watching him on a couple of podcastes interacting with Kelly , JJ and Ryan you could just see how he lacks maturity. The incident with the car and power pole another indicator. Brockman needs to grow up and mentally mature of he wont be playing AFL much longer. Talent isnt the issue. It’s 100% application.

Bazzo spent last year dealing with a significant groin issue and has barely been sighted at WAFL level. He hasn’t built the tank or match fitness to be a regular at AFL level and played vs Geelong out of necessity. Don’t get me wrong I want him to make it but don’t think he’s ready yet.

Mate you’ve just been calling blokes that have a different view to you sooks so let’s not get into the morality of calling a someone a spud. Players are drafted (or in this case traded for) to become regular AFL contributors and I have seen nothing from Brockman to suggest he was worth trading for. I said at the time it was overs and evidence to date supports that. Talent is worthless without effort, regardless of the reason and I just don’t think Brockman is going to make it. I hope you’re right and it’s just a maturity issue and he succeeds with the right people around him. I’d much prefer be wrong about him than right.

 

[braddalzielleoursaviour]

FB: Duggan Edwards Hough
HB: Maric McGovern Ginbey
C: Kelly Yeo Lindsay
HF: Owies Waterman Hewett
FF: Ryan Allen AReid
R: Flynn Reid Graham
I: JWilliams Baker Hutchinson Chesser Hall
E: Johnson Long Cole

Just think we rip the Band-Aid off with Cripps, Petch, Hunt and Cole. Bazzo isn’t ready to play AFL football and Brockman is a spud. Dewar is developing but his current ability is overrated. Archer will do well with the 3rd best defender. Johnson and Long are the only two that miss out that I’d really like to see get into the 22.

Agree RE Cripps, Hunt, Petch and Cole, they’re often the main cause of damaging and stupid turnovers. If Bazzo isn’t ready for AFL then there’s no way Areid is. I think it would be wise to start developing Rhett as third tall whilst Gov is still going before he is inevitably thrown in the deep end. There’s also no way we play all of Allen, Waterman, Jwill and Areid in the same forward line with Mini’s game plan, long will be in. Think you’ve gone early on Brockman, and his name is Johnston. Also can’t see Chesser starting round 1 and much to my dissapointment i think it’s Bo Allen, therefore think it’s Johnston over hall to add some much needed polish.

FB: Duggan Edwards Hough
HB: Maric McGovern Baker
C: Hutch Yeo Ginbey
HF: Owies Waterman Hewett
FF: Ryan Allen Long
R: Flynn Reid Kelly
I: JWilliams BAllen Graham Bazzo Johnston
E: Hall Areid Chesser/Cole

 

[eaglevision]

Agree RE Cripps, Hunt, Petch and Cole, they’re often the main cause of damaging and stupid turnovers. If Bazzo isn’t ready for AFL then there’s no way Areid is. I think it would be wise to start developing Rhett as third tall whilst Gov is still going before he is inevitably thrown in the deep end. There’s also no way we play all of Allen, Waterman, Jwill and Areid in the same forward line with Mini’s game plan, long will be in. Think you’ve gone early on Brockman, and his name is Johnston. Also can’t see Chesser starting round 1 and much to my dissapointment i think it’s Bo Allen, therefore think it’s Johnston over hall to add some much needed polish.

FB: Duggan Edwards Hough
HB: Maric McGovern Baker
C: Hutch Yeo Ginbey
HF: Owies Waterman Hewett
FF: Ryan Allen Long
R: Flynn Reid Kelly
I: JWilliams BAllen Graham Bazzo Johnston
E: Hall Areid Chesser/Cole

If Archer was expected to hold down a defensive post I’d agree with you but playing as a 3rd tall in the forward line is a totally different role. You do make a good point on McQualter game plan however.

 

[Obeanie1]

So yeah.

Our depth is horrifying.

As it should be when you factored the 10 players cut but we dont know who the 6 players still to be added to replace them. Three trades in Baker, Owies and Graham (all better than the depth players cut,) Hutchingson takes the remaining spot.

12. Travagalia / Lindsay (expect something of this quality at 12)
26. Oliver / KP defender
Champion bid matched late

Depth Top Ups:
J Carroll DFA - 23 midfielder
J Prior DFA - 23 medium defender.
H Phillips 25 KP intercept defender.

If Champion goes through without a bid we get another list spot as he can go on the Cat B rookie list.

 

[mat11]

B22
B: Hough Edwards Baker
HB: Hunt McGovern Ginbey
C: Duggan Yeo Kelly
HF: Long Waterman Ryan
F: Owies Allen JWilliams
R: BWilliams HReid Hewett

I/C : Maric(back), Cole(wing/back), Dewar(fwd), Hutchinson(mid)

SUB: Graham
Emg: Johnston, Chesser, Bazzo

Depth:
KPB: AReid,Bazzo,Jameison
Ruck: Flynn,Barnett,Knobel
Back: Prior,Johnston,Travaglia
KPF: Livingstone
Fwd: Cripps, Petrucelle, Brockman, Burgiel, Rawlinson, Champion
Mid: Carrol,Chesser,Sheed,Hall,Davis

In:
12- TobieTravaglia
26- HamishDavis
73- MalakiaChampion
LiamBaker
JackGraham
MattOwies
JaxonPrior
JackCarrol
MaxKnobel
CobyBurgiel

On SM-A155F using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Godfather32]

As it should be when you factored the 10 players cut but we dont know who the 6 players still to be added to replace them. Three trades in Baker, Owies and Graham (all better than the depth players cut,) Hutchingson takes the remaining spot.

12. Travagalia / Lindsay (expect something of this quality at 12)
26. Oliver / KP defender
Champion bid matched late

Depth Top Ups:
J Carroll DFA - 23 midfielder
J Prior DFA - 23 medium defender.
H Phillips 25 KP intercept defender.

If Champion goes through without a bid we get another list spot as he can go on the Cat B rookie list.

Ugh....this is like a how to guide of re-building a team to reach the lofty heights of getting knocked out in the first week of finals 8 times in a row

 

[Obeanie1]

Ugh....this is like a how to guide of re-building a team to reach the lofty heights of getting knocked out in the first week of finals 8 times in a row

Very short sighted comment. How do you describe banking 2 future 1sts, 2 future 2nd and 2 future 3rds?

Basically holding the draft capital of 2 clubs in 2025.

It is how the club uses those picks that decides what happens next.

Bring some of those picks forward changes your comment 180 degrees.

 

[Godfather32]

Very short sighted comment. How do you describe banking 2 future 1sts, 2 future 2nd and 2 future 3rds?

Basically holding the draft capital of 2 clubs in 2025.

It is how the club uses those picks that decides what happens next.

Bring some of those picks forward changes your comment 180 degrees.

It was more based around us picking up all of these guys

instead of drafting for the future.
Picking up everyone's throwaway rubbish does nothing for me at all.

 

[Obeanie1]

It was more based around us picking up all of these guys
View attachment 2152510
instead of drafting for the future.
Picking up everyone's throwaway rubbish does nothing for me at all.

How would you suggest the club replaces the depth players it has lost patience with and cut?

If picks are brought forward those list spots are used on draftees not DFA. That woukd make you somewhat happier I suggest.

If we dont bring picks forward then other later picks or DFA come in.

Collingwood sift through alot of DFA and free agents. Every year. And they turn them over pretty quickly. They do this to replenish their depth and keeps the list fresh and hungry. They seem to be doing just fine and get some pretty decent returns from using this to replenish their depth to support the top ranked players.

The trick is to bring in DFA coming out of contending clubs and premiers as they are coming from a high performing club and systems. And every now and again tough decisions mean decent depth players are let go.

There is no arguement that Baker, Graham and Owies are major upgrades on J Jones, Trew and Petruccelle. Our depth quality there just got a major boost.

Prior for Burgil / Rotham.

Phillips is simply a backup option who had a very good year in the VFL.

Carroll an actual mid who player 15 games for a contender replaces Culley, again an upgrade.

 

[We_The_West]

Very short sighted comment. How do you describe banking 2 future 1sts, 2 future 2nd and 2 future 3rds?

Basically holding the draft capital of 2 clubs in 2025.

It is how the club uses those picks that decides what happens next.

Bring some of those picks forward changes your comment 180 degrees.

If Hawks miss the finals we’ve got 2x top 10 and 2x 20-30.

Whether we trade for Warner or take 4 top 30 picks, we are good placed to bring in more talent.

 

[Godfather32]

How would you suggest the club replaces the depth players it has lost patience with and cut?

If picks are brought forward those list spots are used on draftees not DFA. That woukd make you somewhat happier I suggest.

If we dont bring picks forward then other later picks or DFA come in.

Collingwood sift through alot of DFA and free agents. Every year. And they turn them over pretty quickly. They do this to replenish their depth and keeps the list fresh and hungry. They seem to be doing just fine and get some pretty decent returns from using this to replenish their depth to support the top ranked players.

The trick is to bring in DFA coming out of contending clubs and premiers as they are coming from a high performing club and systems. And every now and again tough decisions mean decent depth players are let go.

There is no arguement that Baker, Graham and Owies are major upgrades on J Jones, Trew and Petruccelle. Our depth quality there just got a major boost.

Prior for Burgil / Rotham.

Phillips is simply a backup option who had a very good year in the VFL.

Carroll an actual mid who player 15 games for a contender replaces Culley, again an upgrade.

I have no problem taking a flier on a cheap guy as a DFA, my issue is with bringing in 3 of them at once instead of taking chances in the draft. We know these guys probably aren't great AFL players, there's a reason they've been delisted.
Like I said, I think bringing in a bunch of mediocre guys who may or may not be marginal improvements on the guys going out is great way to end up a middling team that isn't going to contend.
How do we build up our depth you ask? We do it the same way most teams do, draft young talent and actually develop them.

 

[KERRPOW]

It was more based around us picking up all of these guys
View attachment 2152510
instead of drafting for the future.
Picking up everyone's throwaway rubbish does nothing for me at all.

Thats where our list is at.

 

[WA footy mad]

Every year they say the draft has high quality players and plenty of depth, it wont be any different next year. Hold our future draft picks and go for broke next year before Tassie. Forget Warner he will sign with the swans & he is not worth losing all our draft hand over.

 

[Scotland]

Biggest question marks are the back 6 IMO. Rothan played 13 games this year, Witherden 18. Barrass played 18 and obviously would've played all if not for injury. All goneski. There is a spot there for the taking for someone to be our high possession back half player.

FB: Cole Edwards Hough
HB: Duggan McGovern Ginbey

Does Bazzo come back in? Will we play both Ginbey and Maric who have little exposed form in defence? Will Duggan go exclusively back now we've added two experienced midfielders? Do we consider moving Liam Ryan

1

Liam Ryan

Age

28

Ht

181cm

Wt

76kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.3

3star

K

8.6

3star

HB

2.7

2star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.0

4star

G

1.3

5star

D

9.9

3star

K

8.0

3star

HB

1.9

1star

M

3.3

3star

T

1.6

3star

G

1.3

5star

D

11.4

3star

K

9.0

4star

HB

2.4

3star

M

3.8

4star

T

1.8

4star

G

1.6

5star

to HB?

C: Maric Kelly Hunt
R: BWilliams Reid Yeo

Most improved area on paper. Yeo, Reid, Kelly are our top 3 centre bounce players and we've added Baker and Graham to the rotation. Will we stick with traditional wingmen or having more contested players on the field at a time? Hopefully Flynn is available from Rd 1 so we can see how the team looks with him in it. Four non consecutive games late in the year didn't show much. I want to see Chesser do well but he's played 32 games and I don't remember any of them. Does a lot of unrewarded running but we can't have mids that get 10 touches a game and don't kick goals. Would like to see Kelly in his Geelong role of mid/fwd and kicking goals again. We haven't had a mid kick 20 goals in a season since Shuey in 2015.

HF: Owies Waterman Cripps
FF: Ryan Allen JWilliams

Key posts pick themselves and I think we'll play the guy we brought in and the two guys with runs on the board. Can see Cripps being phased out as he is 33 next year but Ryan is in his prime. If he's not part of the plans he should've at least been allowed to explore his options. Richmond under McQualter for half a year had Riewoldt and Samson Ryan and got most of their goals from Bolton, Dusty, Taranto and Baker as Lynch was injured. Be interesting to see if we persist with 3, 4, 5, 22 talls or whether we are prepared to go with Allen, Waterman and one of the Williams only and have more ground level players. I want to see Long in every game, he's great.

I: Graham Hutchinson Long Baker + whoever I missed.

Fingers crossed we are fielding WAFL sides that have 5-10+ AFL listed players that are competing for selection. It's fine for back half players to be in the thick of the action but not good for the development of the mids and forward half players to be losing by 10-20 goals playing with teammates who are (respectfully) not always WAFL standard.

 

[ToastieBoy18]

Very interesting to see how selection plays out. Clean slate with a new coach.

I would say there are only 7 guaranteed a game in a specific position for round 1, pending availability.

HEdwards and Gov KPD
Hough Small Defender
Harley and Yeo MID
Allen and Waterman KPF

I would then say the following players will play round 1, but position TBC

Ryan - most likely forward, chance to be further up ground.
Baker - McQualter mentioned he will play back, but can play in all 3 thirds of the ground.
Ginbey - Like Baker, will play and most likely back
Kelly - is he going to be mid, wing, half forward or a combination of all 3
Duggan - half back, mid or wing
Graham - coming in on a long contract, you would think he gets first crack. Most likely a role playing mid with stints at half forward.

That leaves 10 positions up for grabs which should make for a competitive pre season and put some hunger in the belly of some players.

Let’s assume
FB Hough HEdwards Duggan
CHB Ginbey McGovern Baker

W Yeo
R Reid Kelly

CHF Allen
FF Ryan Waterman

Int Graham

3 positions combined from wing and half back to be filled from
Hunt, Maric, Chesser, Cole, Pick 12, Bazzo, Johnston

Extra mid position from
Sheed, Hutchison, Hall

2 positions as ruck and backup/forward
Flynn, BWilliams, JWilliams

4 medium/small forwards - with some mid time from;
Long, Cripps, Brockman, Owies, Petrucelli, Dewar, Hewett

Developing or depth
Barnett, AReid, Jamo, Rawlinson, Livingston + other draftees



All that been said, this is how I want us to look round 1, with a good blend of experience and youth.

FB Hough HEdwards Duggan
CHB Ginbey McGovern Baker

W Hunt Yeo Chesser
R Flynn Reid Kelly

CHF Hewett Allen Cripps
FF Ryan Waterman Owies

Int Maric JWilliams Long Hutchison
Sub - Pick 12

This would give us 10 players that are our 1-4 year crew.

 

[WCE_phil]

Malakai Champion vs Shadeau Brain

Round 1
Fight!

His last name is Champion. It's a no brainer. If he lights it up from the pocket then **** me BT may have an aneurysm.

If he can forget the distractions and put in 4 quarter performances he has all the talent in the world despite being very small. He's been through a lot and put in some very good performances but those aren't the distractions im talking about.

He needs some real mentoring and someone to lead him in the right way until he grows up a bit. In saying that I think my old age is kicking in as I'm finding the young players every year seem to be generally less focussed.

I really hope he makes it as he's a great kid, super energetic off the field and has a lot of talent.

 

[Mulldogg]

Biggest question marks are the back 6 IMO. Rothan played 13 games this year, Witherden 18. Barrass played 18 and obviously would've played all if not for injury. All goneski. There is a spot there for the taking for someone to be our high possession back half player.

FB: Cole Edwards Hough
HB: Duggan McGovern Ginbey

Duggan to the back pocket. Baker to HBF and Cole to the Beagles for the backline.