Prediction Who will be better in 2025? Carlton or Hawthorn

[Dewyyyyy]

I like Scrimshaw but I can't see a world where Newman wouldn't get a game over him currently. Newman has been playing at a very high level especially in the last two seasons. You also don't need the additional height Scrimshaw provides in a back 7 that has Weitering, Barrass, and Sicily. I think it would be very difficult to leave Saad and Newman out of a combined team.

On the other two players you mentioned in Acres and Cerra. In my opinion most teams should line up with at least 7 players that can play midfield with two being wingers. Think the wingers pick themselves with Acres from Carlton and D'Ambrosio from the Hawks. Both have different strengths which would complement each other well. And then when you look at the remaining five midfielders there is a very clear core four with Cripps, Walsh, Day and Newcombe. The 5th in my opinion would have to be Cerra. I don't think any of the other Hawthorn midfielder's have shown more than him to date. I'd probably even have Hewett next in line but we wouldn't need another inside midfielder.

Scrimshaw was unreal last year. Up there with Newman, but his defense ability both smalls and talls was quality. Newman was good too so it’s tough.

Newman - 23.6 disp 80% DE 5.5 intercepts 4.7 rebounds 8 marks (0.5 contested) 1.5 score launches 28.6% DLL (0.6 contests a game involved in).

Scrimshaw - 18 disp 84% DE 7.6 intercepts 4 rebounds 6 marks (1.1 contested) 2 score launches 25.7% DLL (0.4 contests a game)

Newman had more accumulation across half back but Scrimshaw was significantly ahead in intercepting, rebounding and score launches relatively similar and you’d know Newman isn’t necessarily a lockdown defender. Scrimshaw played CHB but did defend both smalls and talls with good effect.

It’s personal preference but good seasons from both, it’s interesting to see what a combined 22 would look like.

And I agree it’s Acres but I don’t think it’s as simple, Cerra could be a good option, but as could Worpel as they’re pretty similar in performance although slightly different players. Although the gap has closed in the fact Cerra use to be outside class but wasn’t as inside and Worpel was a bull who didn’t have the class but this season Cerra took significant steps to being a good inside mid and Worpel was one of the better kicks inside 50 (his goal assists are high). It’s a coin flip.

 

[Matrix10]

Fogarty and Pittonet

Might as well include Orazio

 

[Matrix10]

A midfield doesn't function because of any one player.

Pretty much does at the Blose

 

[Matrix10]

Walsh’s consistency is a key area, but since his 2021 season Newcombe has been better, taking in consistency. Doesn’t help Walsh being injured in parts. Newcombes peak is higher in my eyes, don’t think Walsh has the natural ability to play forward or being as damaging forward of centre, as shown by the goal assists and score inv avg shown in a peak run by Newcombe backend of 2024. (2 and 10).

It is hard to compare them anyway, Walsh is a great two way runner, his accumulation is very high, he has good hands and he is clean, but lacks the damage in his kicking and generally speaking he isn’t a threat going forward. He kicks goals from the midfield but he isn’t someone who will play as a forward to rest or be a reliable option to score. Whereas Newcombe is, maybe not at a consistent level of impact scoreboard wise, but if you’ve watched him you’d know. He is strong overhead and his crumbing is at a good level, he is also a reliable finisher. He’s shown an ability to be a super damaging kick going inside 50 whereas that’s been a weak area of Walsh’s game.

The difference is Walsh is genuinely an elite runner both ways and impacts at both ends, he is what Nathan Ellis is for cricket, giving it 110% without any effort left and will happily play injured to get his team over the line, would run through a brick wall for his teammates. Not saying Newcombe doesn’t, as he’s also strong at running both ways, his defensive intent and 110% approach. But it’s a staple of Walsh’s game.

Newcombe over Walsh every day of the week and twice on Sundays