Prediction Round 1, 2025: Starting 23

[Bill Birmingham]

2025 Line-Up:

Hough. Edwards. Baker.

Ginbey. McGovern. Graham.

Hunt. Yeo. Maric.

Cripps. Waterman. L.Ryan.

Owies. O.Allan. B.Williams.

Flynn. Kelly. Reid.

Interchange: Hutchinson. Duggan. Hewett. Hall.

 

[Dom sheed pocket]

2025 Line-Up:

Hough. Edwards. Baker.

Ginbey. McGovern. Graham.

Hunt. Yeo. Maric.

Cripps. Waterman. L.Ryan.

Owies. O.Allan. B.Williams.

Flynn. Kelly. Reid.

Interchange: Hutchinson. Duggan. Hewett. Hall.

This is a good list of names, but I can’t see us going with Yeo, Kelly, Reid as our 3 primary mids. The reason we got Graham was for him to be our Rowbottom/Willem Drew.

Yeo/Reid/Kelly was boom or bust. Either they won the clearance and were incredibly damaging or oppo did and came out the front putting our defense under immense pressure from a lack of defensive positioning/pressure from our midfield.

How often do you see Port go with Rozee, Butters, Horne -Francis at the same centre bounce?

I think Graham will be a midfield mainstay as defensive mid. Might see Harley and TK both rotating between mid/fwd. My gut says when we have an important centre bounce our preferred set up will be Harley, Yeo, Graham.

 

[We_The_West]

This is a good list of names, but I can’t see us going with Yeo, Kelly, Reid as our 3 primary mids. The reason we got Graham was for him to be our Rowbottom/Willem Drew.

Yeo/Reid/Kelly was boom or bust. Either they won the clearance and were incredibly damaging or oppo did and came out the front putting our defense under immense pressure from a lack of defensive positioning/pressure from our midfield.

How often do you see Port go with Rozee, Butters, Horne -Francis at the same centre bounce?

I think Graham will be a midfield mainstay as defensive mid. Might see Harley and TK both rotating between mid/fwd. My gut says when we have an important centre bounce our preferred set up will be Harley, Yeo, Graham.

Yeah I agree Graham will be a big pick up for our midfield. Steinglein level importance.

I think he and Duggan will be the rotating defensive mids, hopefully bringing Bo Allan into the mix.

 

[WCE777]

This is a good list of names, but I can’t see us going with Yeo, Kelly, Reid as our 3 primary mids. The reason we got Graham was for him to be our Rowbottom/Willem Drew.

Yeo/Reid/Kelly was boom or bust. Either they won the clearance and were incredibly damaging or oppo did and came out the front putting our defense under immense pressure from a lack of defensive positioning/pressure from our midfield.

How often do you see Port go with Rozee, Butters, Horne -Francis at the same centre bounce?

I think Graham will be a midfield mainstay as defensive mid. Might see Harley and TK both rotating between mid/fwd. My gut says when we have an important centre bounce our preferred set up will be Harley, Yeo, Graham.

Yeah I agree Graham will be a big pick up for our midfield. Steinglein level importance.

I think he and Duggan will be the rotating defensive mids, hopefully bringing Bo Allan into the mix.

B: Cole, Edwards, Hough
HB: Ginbey, Gov, Baker
C: Hunt, Duggan, Maric
HF: Kelly, Waterman, Ryan
FF: Cripps, Allen, Owies
FOL: Flynn, Yeo, Reid
Int: Graham, JW, Hewett, Hutch, Hall.
Graham and Duggan rotating defensive mids.
JW ruck support and forward rotation.
Kelly can be part of rotation in midfield with Reid, Hutch and Hall can both rotate mid/wing wherever needed.
Stiff to miss B Allan, Dewar, B Williams, whoever the next KDEF option is after Edwards whether that is Barnett, Archer or Shanahan.

 

[Astro7]

Yeah I agree Graham will be a big pick up for our midfield. Steinglein level importance.

I think he and Duggan will be the rotating defensive mids, hopefully bringing Bo Allan into the mix.

Baker could even rotate through the middle...or certainly push up for added grunt/defensive work..Baker could rotate with Graham...both get stints in the guts...musical chairs...lotta rotatin' goin' on? ((;
But no way Baker and Graham in the backs together?

 

[stallon]

I predict a 6 man midfield of Yeo, Reid, Kelly, Duggan, Graham and Hewett. At least one of Duggan or Graham in there at all times.
They all do 25-70% CBAs each.
I think our first rotation will be Reid, Yeo and Duggan, with Duggan and Yeo being exclusively mids doing close to 70% CBAs. Reid, Hewett and Kelly doing some forward time. Graham to do a bit of HFF/wing/mid as required.
Plenty of flexibility between the mid and half forwards.
Ive listed Allan as a defender.
Baker stays in D50.
Hutch named as a bit of a utility, can play wherever.

This leaves me with this best 23:
FB: Hough Edwards Maric
HB: Baker Gov Ginbey
C: Graham Duggan Hunt
HF: Kelly Waterman Cripps
FF: Owies Allen Ryan
R: Flynn Reid Yeo
Int: JWilliams Hutchinson Hewett Allan
Sub: Dewar

 

[WCE777]

I predict a 6 man midfield of Yeo, Reid, Kelly, Duggan, Graham and Hewett. At least one of Duggan or Graham in there at all times.
They all do 25-70% CBAs each.
I think our first rotation will be Reid, Yeo and Duggan, with Duggan and Yeo being exclusively mids doing close to 70% CBAs. Reid, Hewett and Kelly doing some forward time. Graham to do a bit of HFF/wing/mid as required.
Plenty of flexibility between the mid and half forwards.
Ive listed Allan as a defender.
Baker stays in D50.
Hutch named as a bit of a utility, can play wherever.

This leaves me with this best 23:
FB: Hough Edwards Maric
HB: Baker Gov Ginbey
C: Graham Duggan Hunt
HF: Kelly Waterman Cripps
FF: Owies Allen Ryan
R: Flynn Reid Yeo
Int: JWilliams Hutchinson Hewett Allan
Sub: Dewar

Like it and totally can see the midfield working like that.
Close between Allan and Hall for the final spot, may the competition for spots begin.

 

[stallon]

Like it and totally can see the midfield working like that.
Close between Allan and Hall for the final spot, may the competition for spots begin.

Hutch isnt safe there either, those 2 spots could be anyone. Id have money on Allan being in the side round 1 though

 

[Barrybran]

I predict a 6 man midfield of Yeo, Reid, Kelly, Duggan, Graham and Hewett. At least one of Duggan or Graham in there at all times.
They all do 25-70% CBAs each.
I think our first rotation will be Reid, Yeo and Duggan, with Duggan and Yeo being exclusively mids doing close to 70% CBAs. Reid, Hewett and Kelly doing some forward time. Graham to do a bit of HFF/wing/mid as required.
Plenty of flexibility between the mid and half forwards.
Ive listed Allan as a defender.
Baker stays in D50.
Hutch named as a bit of a utility, can play wherever.

This leaves me with this best 23:
FB: Hough Edwards Maric
HB: Baker Gov Ginbey
C: Graham Duggan Hunt
HF: Kelly Waterman Cripps
FF: Owies Allen Ryan
R: Flynn Reid Yeo
Int: JWilliams Hutchinson Hewett Allan
Sub: Dewar

There is approximately zero chance of Allan playing ahead of Cole. Don't mind the lineup though.

 

[stallon]

There is approximately zero chance of Allan playing ahead of Cole. Don't mind the lineup though.

I like to dream
Id move out Hutch before Allan though, it was a 50/50 Cole or Hutch when I made the post

 

[PremiershipNo4]

Back 6 is the most interesting to me, other than McGovern there are a lot of possible combinations.
I have no doubt our new coach will be intent on aggressive attack from the back half, and there’s a lot of players putting their hands up.

 

[We_The_West]

I like to dream
Id move out Hutch before Allan though, it was a 50/50 Cole or Hutch when I made the post

Cole would have to be in career best form to keep a developing youth out of the side. I'd rather see Whopper in there mixing it with the defenders

 

[stallon]

Cole would have to be in career best form to keep a developing youth out of the side. I'd rather see Whopper in there mixing it with the defenders

I wasnt trying to pick what I want, was meant to be what I think will happen. Id be happy with HJ ahead of Cole too.

I reckon Cole will be ahead in the pecking order of HJ at least to start. I have Cole and Hunt as bottom 19-23 players in the squad, they could both easily be out by round 4 or 5 imo.

I have those on-field 6 + Allan ahead of HJ for a D50 spot, but Allan could play a wing, HJ could also sit on a wing I guess

We will no doubt have a couple of injuries making space

 

[WCE777]

I wasnt trying to pick what I want, was meant to be what I think will happen. Id be happy with HJ ahead of Cole too.

I reckon Cole will be ahead in the pecking order of HJ at least to start. I have Cole and Hunt as bottom 19-23 players in the squad, they could both easily be out by round 4 or 5 imo.

I have those on-field 6 + Allan ahead of HJ for a D50 spot, but Allan could play a wing, HJ could also sit on a wing I guess

We will no doubt have a couple of injuries making space

HJ is another young player who is looking to break into the team, he looked good playing a HF/Wing type role when he played, showed plenty of speed and skill by foot.
He could be a HF/Wing type distributer into the forward line or a connector from HB.
Allan will probably start more as a HB with his size and push up onto the wing in time.
Will be interesting to see who takes Hunts spot by mid year, not saying he is out of the side but we have some excellent up and coming players in Maric, Hutch, HB, Allan who all could take that position.
Cole is still best 22 lock down defender until someone else takes the role, I think that position is more of a lock for Cole and Hough until someone goes past in time.
We never had this problem a year ago!
Well done to WC recruiting and drafting over the last couple of years.

 

[We_The_West]

I wasnt trying to pick what I want, was meant to be what I think will happen. Id be happy with HJ ahead of Cole too.

I reckon Cole will be ahead in the pecking order of HJ at least to start. I have Cole and Hunt as bottom 19-23 players in the squad, they could both easily be out by round 4 or 5 imo.

I have those on-field 6 + Allan ahead of HJ for a D50 spot, but Allan could play a wing, HJ could also sit on a wing I guess

We will no doubt have a couple of injuries making space

I see where you're coming from, and there's a good chance Cole is in the team R1 like you said.

My view is completely subjective, I just see more value of picking a young player and developing them as a back pocket/HBF vs. picking a 28 yr old small defender who won't be in our next premiership push.

If we had never selected and backed in Hough during his first and second years then he wouldn't have developed into the gun player he is now. Are we prepared to risk getting 10-20 games into the next young talent for the sake of picking Cole?

We are going to need senior players playing for the Beagles, being that on field coach and helping develop the youth and teach them the game plan. The Beagles has regularly been a bunch of raw 18-20 yr olds getting flogged each week, and we can all say that the addition of Sheed, Gaff, Flynn and Darling into the WAFL side last year saw a huge shift culturally and competitively.

We are going to need some senior players marshalling the Beagles defence - how good would it be seeing Cole mentoring young Luca Grego and helping Chesser/Allan/Johnston develop into a HBF or Barnett as a CHB.

With Baker, Maric, Ginbey, Hough, Duggan and Hunt all fit, I don't see Cole making them team unless Hough or Baker is injured.

 

[stallon]

I see where you're coming from, and there's a good chance Cole is in the team R1 like you said.

My view is completely subjective, I just see more value of picking a young player and developing them as a back pocket/HBF vs. picking a 28 yr old small defender who won't be in our next premiership push.

If we had never selected and backed in Hough during his first and second years then he wouldn't have developed into the gun player he is now. Are we prepared to risk getting 10-20 games into the next young talent for the sake of picking Cole?

Im not disagreeing with you, id prefer Cole to be depth, but I think he will be in round 1, same with Hunt.

We are going to need senior players playing for the Beagles, being that on field coach and helping develop the youth and teach them the game plan. The Beagles has regularly been a bunch of raw 18-20 yr olds getting flogged each week, and we can all say that the addition of Sheed, Gaff, Flynn and Darling into the WAFL side last year saw a huge shift culturally and competitively.

We are going to need some senior players marshalling the Beagles defence - how good would it be seeing Cole mentoring young Luca Grego and helping Chesser/Allan/Johnston develop into a HBF or Barnett as a CHB.

With Baker, Maric, Ginbey, Hough, Duggan and Hunt all fit, I don't see Cole making them team unless Hough or Baker is injured.

Even if we play Cole/Hutch over a younger kid, we still have Sheed, Jamo, BWilliams and Petrucelli, as well as guys like Bazzo, Chesser, Brockman, and Barnett in there who arent teenagers anymore, plus our SSP guy. 1-2 of Cole, Hutch and Hunt too.
Thats a decent squad of older guys

 

[Jez1974]

HJ is another young player who is looking to break into the team, he looked good playing a HF/Wing type role when he played, showed plenty of speed and skill by foot.
He could be a HF/Wing type distributer into the forward line or a connector from HB.
Allan will probably start more as a HB with his size and push up onto the wing in time.
Will be interesting to see who takes Hunts spot by mid year, not saying he is out of the side but we have some excellent up and coming players in Maric, Hutch, HB, Allan who all could take that position.
Cole is still best 22 lock down defender until someone else takes the role, I think that position is more of a lock for Cole and Hough until someone goes past in time.
We never had this problem a year ago!
Well done to WC recruiting and drafting over the last couple of years.

Agree the drafting has been good. Eye to the future

 

[Jez1974]

Agree the drafting has been good. Eye to the future

 

[Jez1974]

I wasnt trying to pick what I want, was meant to be what I think will happen. Id be happy with HJ ahead of Cole too.

I reckon Cole will be ahead in the pecking order of HJ at least to start. I have Cole and Hunt as bottom 19-23 players in the squad, they could both easily be out by round 4 or 5 imo.

I have those on-field 6 + Allan ahead of HJ for a D50 spot, but Allan could play a wing, HJ could also sit on a wing I guess

We will no doubt have a couple of injuries making space

Any chance of Chesser getting a game!! Ha ha

 

[WCE777]

Im not disagreeing with you, id prefer Cole to be depth, but I dont think he will be in round 1, same with Hunt.

Even if we play Cole/Hutch over a younger kid, we still have Sheed, Jamo, BWilliams and Petrucelli, as well as guys like Bazzo, Chesser, Brockman, and Barnett in there who arent teenagers anymore, plus our SSP guy. 1-2 of Cole, Hutch and Hunt too.
Thats a decent squad of older guys

its a combination of being competitive and giving players opportunity.
Players have to perform at lower level to force their selection, selection integrity matters.
Would I like to get games into young players, for sure but no gifts.
I will use Hall as an example, he has performed in a few decent games at WAFL and selected for 3 games last year, 2 underwhelming but showed some good traits, 1 was a really good game.
He is fighting for an inside/outside mid spot and isn't in front of anyone yet, he was tried on a wing at WAFL for him to get another role in out team, he is close but needs to put together a solid run of pick me games to be considered for more senior games.

 

[flyinghi64]

Competition for spots, love it.
Not seeing enough Sheed in peoples teams though, surely he is a walk up.

Back 6 will be attacking, obviously, but will still need some defensive lock down players which is where I think Cole will hold his spot. Him, Hough and Edwards would be the main stay back and defend players where Gov, Ginbey, Baker would be the attacking ones.
Maric and Hunt maybe more a defensive wing role and chopping out a little in the back line. Hopefully Bo gets a run but probably start on the pine and be a back line interchange.

Going to be interesting to see the line ups in the practice matches, can't wait.

 

[FKASC]

Competition for spots, love it.
Not seeing enough Sheed in peoples teams though, surely he is a walk up.

Back 6 will be attacking, obviously, but will still need some defensive lock down players which is where I think Cole will hold his spot. Him, Hough and Edwards would be the main stay back and defend players where Gov, Ginbey, Baker would be the attacking ones.
Maric and Hunt maybe more a defensive wing role and chopping out a little in the back line. Hopefully Bo gets a run but probably start on the pine and be a back line interchange.

Going to be interesting to see the line ups in the practice matches, can't wait.

Baker is better both defensively and attacking than Cole.

If anything Cole’s best attributes when he used to be good were his ability to rebound. He’s always been pretty sketchy defensively.

I don’t think he’ll last that long in the b22 tbh

 

[eaglevision]

Baker is better both defensively and attacking than Cole.

If anything Cole’s best attributes when he used to be good were his ability to rebound. He’s always been pretty sketchy defensively.

I don’t think he’ll last that long in the b22 tbh

Agreed, if Cole wants to make the B22 he needs to look further up the ground on a wing.

 

[WestCoast05]

We should start every season intending to make finals (and win the premiership) and thus select the best 22. Starting a season with any other mindset is anathema.
If you have 2 players close to being on par then there's room to preference youth.

If Cole has a full pre-season and a jolt of fresh motivation under a new coach then personally I think he is currently best 22

As the season progresses and it is clear we are not making finals then I think we start to increase the preference to blood in new youth and look to the future.

EDIT: agree with board sentiment - could see him doing well with a restart on the wing or elsewhere. That said, he has got grunt and if you have the right mix alongside of others on the backine could also shine again - we did wina premiership with him there.

 

[stallon]

Any chance of Chesser getting a game!! Ha ha

If I had control of the team, then yeah he would probably be in there as a midfield rotation going between half back and the midfield. His spot to lose.