Who will be better in 2025? Saints, Demons or Bombers

[Trav 20]

33, 29, 27.5, 33, 29, 28, 31, 29.5

hard for multiple players of that age to stay injury free

I see two oldish players and another 6 in their prime.

One of the two is the reigning All Australian ruckman and the other had broken ribs twice in 2024, which explains a year that wasn't his best. Neither had soft tissue injuries, which are the only age-related injuries likely.

I find including players like Oliver, Petracca and Fritsch as potential injury concerns due to age slightly bizarre. Five of the eight players named are in their 20s. And this worries you ? Wow.

If one looks at a typical forecast of Collingwood's best 23, Oliver would be the 16th oldest in their team and Petracca the 12th.

In fact, Oliver (and Fritsch) is younger than the average age of Geelong's 2022 premiership team.

 

[markm106]

Melbourne's biggest issue is the coach/game plan. If Goodwin sticks to his guns I think it'll be another down year for that group who are clearly screaming out for a change in approach.

For the Saints the issue is execution. People will bag Lyon but the Saints moved the footy as fast and effectively as anyone the last few years but fell down horribly once the ball went inside 50. If they can work out getting the most out of King, without sending all of their entries through him, they should improve.

I honestly don't know what Essendon's issue is. On paper they seem to have the talent. In 2024 they were sitting top 4 well into the season and then just... nothing. Losing 30-40 goals from Stinger hurts. I don't think they have a single player that will replace that volume so they'll look to Moneyball it between Caddy, Kako, Gresham & Langford.

The improvement probably comes from their talls forward of centre.

What's the mix with Draper/Bryan/Goldstein?

Is Peter Wright capable of holding down FF effectively or does he need to be getting ruck time as well?

Harry Jones off the wing, pushing forward for a mismatch, was an interesting move that I hope they stick with.

They also need to work out what they are doing with Cox. He shows glimpses but seems like a man without a position. If Reid isn't going to be reliable at CHB with his injuries then maybe that's the spot?

If Goodwin opens the team up then the Dees should finish top 4-6.

I think the Saints will be in that 7th-10th bracket again.

Essendon are honestly an enigma. They could go on a run and make top 4 or have the bottom fall out and drop to the 12-16 range. I can't confidently rate them above the other two at this stage.

The club have been on the record saying they are going to be changing the game plan/style. Unsure how that will work out. They seemed to try last year but reverted back. But we totally lost our way second half of the season. This is Goodwin’s last chance IMO.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

These threads are pathetic but I’m tired of not seeing my team in it.

In my opinion

Saints
Demons
Bombers

Discuss

I have picked the same order.

Think all 3 teams miss finals & Goodwin's last year at the Dees.

 

[Matrix10]

No, you undersell Oliver.

Oliver played last year with a fractured thumb, was unfit and fat, and had a knee issue that required surgery at year's end.

At his best, most Melbourne supporters have him as our best player.

The late Phil Walsh's favourite stat was ground-ball gets. He thought it was super important. Oliver was number one in this stat for 5 of 6 years between 2017 and 2022. I think people (not you) forget how good he was.

At just 27 it boggles the mind why people don't think he can return to his best. He's happy, injury free and hasn't missed a beat all preseason.

No doubt Cat's fans would be talking him up if he'd joined the hand baggers last trade period.

Loves the fizz wiz Frankie Farina too much. Keep partying Clary

 

[Matrix10]

We have Melbourne’s first round pick and St Kilda’s second so hopefully we all suck.

Yet, you’ll fluff up your draft picks as is the Essendon way

 

[Falchoon]

I see two oldish players and another 6 in their prime.

One of the two is the reigning All Australian ruckman and the other had broken ribs twice in 2024, which explains a year that wasn't his best. Neither had soft tissue injuries, which are the only age-related injuries likely.

I find including players like Oliver, Petracca and Fritsch as potential injury concerns due to age slightly bizarre. Five of the eight players named are in their 20s. And this worries you ? Wow.

If one looks at a typical forecast of Collingwood's best 23, Oliver would be the 16th oldest in their team and Petracca the 12th.

In fact, Oliver (and Fritsch) is younger than the average age of Geelong's 2022 premiership team.

Danger missed 7, Stanley 5, Selwood 4, Stewart 5, Duncan 3.

Your 8 older players are not staying injury free.

worries me, hardly.

 

[Matrix10]

Loves the fizz wiz Frankie Farina too much. Keep partying Clary

Oh Trav , thumbs down is good. Bruzzy waiting to send Clary truly sky high , without the ranga taking any substances.