Your team’s 3 key players that’ll shape 2025

[RAPPA]

Luck goes a long way as does depth and the capacity of the team to cover injuries to key personnel.

On paper, you can make an argument for maybe 14 teams to make the 8 based on their best 23.

But depth is as important because injuries - short or long term - are bound to arise during the year.

So when taking into consideration your team’s list, and assuming full availability across the board, which are your team’s 3 players that your team will struggle to cover.

For Carlton:

1. Weitering - far and away too of the list as he remains the key defensive pillar where our stocks remain thin.

2. TDK - might be a surprise but he adds such a point of difference in what has been a one dimensional midfield. His absence was telling, and Pittonet, although serviceable, really pales in comparison in terms of what he can fulfill in TDK’s absence. TDK also showed his value around the ground, taking important contested marks at both ends and kicking goals.

3. Charlie - main goal kicker and takes the best defender and command a second defender as cover. Even if he’s not kicking goals, he’s just as effective as the main distraction for defenders. It’s just a shame they don’t utilize other targets when he gets double teamed. Forcing Harry to replace him up forward deprives Carlton of a CHF and leads to the rinse and repeat of kicking it to the sole tall man up forward.

Cripps is a machine and could easily make a claim for the list, but I feel that Carlton has other extractors that could fulfill the contested game, albeit not to the level that Crippa can and does.

Narrowing it down to 2 players probably enhances the discussion so feel free to nominate 2 or 3 players.

 

[Sirlemsip]

Hawthorn is in an amazing position going into 2025 as we go into the year with surprising depth across all lines.
Previously the number 1 name on the list would have been Sicily.
Now with Barrass and Battle coming in, our reliance on Sic in the backline is significantly decreased. It will actually be a struggle to fit everyone in - Barrass, Battle, Sicily, Frost, Weddle, Hardwick, Scrimshaw, Impey, Amon... Don't be surprised to see Battle/Sicily floating fowards, or Weddle/Amon playing up on a wing in 2025. The backline is stacked, as such we need to look elsewhere.

I'll nominate:

1. Lloyd Meek - Had an absolute break out year in 2024 and with the current ruck rules is imperative to our success. Reeves is certainly no slouch, but with the way ruck battles are at the moment an unavailable Meek will be trouble for us. After Reeves we have Ramsden, who is more of a Rck/Fwd hybrid than a pure ruckman, and a first year Cat B rookie.

2. Mitch Lewis - the team did fantastic things without him in 2024, but he remains a key piece for us as we look to go deep in September. Rehab going well at the moment so he should be able to come back after the mid-season bye.

3. Will Day / Jai Newcombe - We bat very deep in the midfield now, with first round picks like Ward and Mackenzie only just on the cusp of the best 22 along with Finn Maginness. But you need a combination of skills and grunt in the centre to compete, and Day and Newcombe respectively are clearly the best in our team in those areas. Again, we can probably cover without them for a few games here or there, but missing one or both for big patches of the year would concern me (unless the Ward/Mackenzie types have break out years themselves).

 

[Mr Meow]

Holmes - Our best player of 2024, the dilemma is we could do with one of him on a back flank, wing and in midfield. If he made the move to midfield and elevated his game again it would go a long way to Geelong contending.

Smith - It might be unfair to expect a lot straight away, but if Smith reached his best form then suddenly the midfield has a bit more weaponry.

SDK - form and injury issues have made his last 2 years inconsistent. His time as an undersized ruck showed he has potential as a big bodied midfielder, who can plug into multiple positions ala Blicavs. As a ruck he loses the taps but gets 20 odd disposals. Could he swing forward, or return to his 2022 KPD form? There's a lot of options but uncertainty around Sam. If he reaches his potential he becomes a POD for us.

 

[stallon]

Jeremy McGovern - if he can stay healthy the backline should be fine

Matt Flynn- Eagles desperately need a real ruckman, he needs to stay healthy

Oscar Allen - another player who needs to stay fit. Is elite when at his best but needs to stay on the park

 

[HeHateMe]

Yeah really hard for Hawthorn, ask me this 12 months ago and the 3 would have been super easy and obvious Sis, Day, Lewis at one point if any of those guys missed we lose, now we have coverage for all of them.

I'm going with Lewis, Meek and Moore.
We were able to cover for Lewis in 2024 but key fwd is still probably our slimmest area so we don't really want anyone to miss. we have Reeves waiting if Meek goes down but Meeks season took our mid to the next level, where's Reeves is a different type of ruck. Lastly I've gone with Moore, we are deep when it comes to mid/small fwd types but it's Moore's off the ball work and running that will be hardest to cover. Could have went with Hardwick as well at the opposite end, we have plenty who can go through his role but no one else who can shut down the Oppo as well.

 

[RonnieRaven]

Darcy- our most important player
Frees up Jackson, provides mids first use and great at turning dump kicks into 50/50 or our advantage.

Pearce- Captain, our best key defender in one on ones on the big fwds

Treacy- if he can repeat his 2024 I feel Amiss will have a big year

 

[bradfisher14]

Adam Cerra - hamstring injuries have ruined him for the past two seasons when our midfield group has needed him badly and we've had to rely on limited players (Hewett/Kennedy) to get by. He brings a much more well rounded skillset that suits the modern game.

Sam Walsh - similar to above, back injuries have ruined him for the past two seasons. If he can get back to his 2021 All-Australian best it will elevate our team out of no man's land.

Tom De Koning - there's two parts to this. The first is that he is a very good ruckman. The second part is that having him fit probably means that we won't have to play Pittonet, which makes us a lot better as a team.

 

[Obeanie1]

Eagles

All three had injury riddled 2024 seasons.

Oscar Allen - great 2023 but 2024 was a write off. Easily Eagles best forward and joint captain.

E Hewett - didn't play a game in 2024 after 16 in 2023. Hopefully is over his foot issues and has come back in ripping shape and training with 'scary intensity'.

Matt Flynn - Eagles desperately need their #1 ruck to get fit and stay fit. They won't improve unless the ruck contest is halved and the mids can play some proactive football.

Next

R Bazzo - developing tall defender. Lost his mother in a tragic boating accident early in 2023 derailed his 1st year. OP derailed his second season but got back and played final round. An important piece of the Eagles rebuild.

 

[Hamingja]

SDK - Great break out year in 2022 as a key defender, has been fair only the last two seasons and CS channeled Robert Walls and threw him into the ruck at the back end of last year. Who knows if that will be the plan again this year or whether they will settle him back down as a key defender. Contract year so important that he plays well, is happy with whatever role they give him, and he signs on for the long term. We can't afford to lose a talented young player with our list position.

Bruhn - 22 years old and 66 games under the belt. The time is now for him to really kick on and the midfield is the area of the ground where we need someone to do that. I'm maybe unfairly taking players like Holmes and Smith for granted, I think too early for any of the younger guys, and I think if we get anything out of Cam Guthrie after two seasons out injured it will be a bonus. Bruhn is at the right age to break out and make a difference. Last year was stop start due to injuries. We need him to step up and get his 20+ every single week.

Neale - Came in and did pretty well at the back end of last year after Hawkins injury. 23 goals from 15 games. 5th season in now so primed to step up and play week in week out all year. At a minimum we would need him to do what he did last season extrapolated out over a full season so compete and kick ~35 for the year. If he gets injured or takes a step back it would either be switching Jack Henry or Dangerfield forward so we are reasonably reliant on Neale delivering in 2025.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Thilthorpe - missed him badly last year & having a 2m mobile forward makes a big difference.

Rankine - our best matchwinner. Will be All Australian if he doesn't miss many games.

O'Brien - not amongst our best players, but if he is injured for any significant time, we are in strife as no decent backup.

 

[Toffee Lion]

Eric Hipwood - Needs to fill the Daniher hole and quickly. The number 1 target now, so he'll get the best defender.

Logan Morris - Following on from Eric, he now fills the number 2 role as a kid, will play a big part in the quest for back to back.

Charlie Cameron - Shocking, another forward but the Lions are incredibly stacked in midfield, adding Lashcroft & Marshall as well. Down back we're getting Coleman back to an already stacked defense. Joe is the big hole and Charlie needs to lift from a relatively average 2024, for his standards.

 

[rye]

Eric Hipwood - Needs to fill the Daniher hole and quickly. The number 1 target now, so he'll get the best defender.

Logan Morris - Following on from Eric, he now fills the number 2 role as a kid, will play a big part in the quest for back to back.

Charlie Cameron - Shocking, another forward but the Lions are incredibly stacked in midfield, adding Lashcroft & Marshall as well. Down back we're getting Coleman back to an already stacked defense. Joe is the big hole and Charlie needs to lift from a relatively average 2024, for his standards.

andrews is more important than any of these 3 imo. our entire defensive gameplan is built around him.

 

[Fadge]

Luck goes a long way as does depth and the capacity of the team to cover injuries to key personnel.

On paper, you can make an argument for maybe 14 teams to make the 8 based on their best 23.

But depth is as important because injuries - short or long term - are bound to arise during the year.

So when taking into consideration your team’s list, and assuming full availability across the board, which are your team’s 3 players that your team will struggle to cover.

For Carlton:

1. Weitering - far and away too of the list as he remains the key defensive pillar where our stocks remain thin.

2. TDK - might be a surprise but he adds such a point of difference in what has been a one dimensional midfield. His absence was telling, and Pittonet, although serviceable, really pales in comparison in terms of what he can fulfill in TDK’s absence. TDK also showed his value around the ground, taking important contested marks at both ends and kicking goals.

3. Charlie - main goal kicker and takes the best defender and command a second defender as cover. Even if he’s not kicking goals, he’s just as effective as the main distraction for defenders. It’s just a shame they don’t utilize other targets when he gets double teamed. Forcing Harry to replace him up forward deprives Carlton of a CHF and leads to the rinse and repeat of kicking it to the sole tall man up forward.

Cripps is a machine and could easily make a claim for the list, but I feel that Carlton has other extractors that could fulfill the contested game, albeit not to the level that Crippa can and does.

Narrowing it down to 2 players probably enhances the discussion so feel free to nominate 2 or 3 players.

Interesting.

I've ways said if any of Carlton's top 6 go down, they're screwed.

I reckon the inclusion of Jagga will compensate for Walsh, but I still reckon if any single player from Carlton's top 5 go down - Cripps, Weitering, Curnow, TDK, McKay (in that order), they're mustard.

 

[Mr Meow]

Eric Hipwood - Needs to fill the Daniher hole and quickly. The number 1 target now, so he'll get the best defender.

Logan Morris - Following on from Eric, he now fills the number 2 role as a kid, will play a big part in the quest for back to back.

Charlie Cameron - Shocking, another forward but the Lions are incredibly stacked in midfield, adding Lashcroft & Marshall as well. Down back we're getting Coleman back to an already stacked defense. Joe is the big hole and Charlie needs to lift from a relatively average 2024, for his standards.

I assume having no midfielders there is the assumption that they will remain an elite group, whereas other areas are less certain?

Because Neale, Ashcroft, McCluggage and Dunkley are a dynamite combo from which that flag (predominantly) arrived. At least a couple of them were powerhouses in every big game, big moment type situation.

 

[Fadge]

N. Daicos
D. Cameron
D. Moore

No explanation needed for any of them.

Very balanced and deep forward line, so can manage with some injuries in that part of the ground.

 

[Power Raid]

Port's problems are probably question marks over position rather than individuals.

ie Port has Lord, Georgiades, Luko, marshall, finalyson and ratatui as key position forwards. The problem though is none are stand out players.

If one could stand up, then he'd be in the top 3 most important player for port in 2025. Marshall has the most talent but the head injuries are a concern. Luko is new and will take time to settle in. Georgiades is too short and will play an important second fiddle. Lord has the most to gain and most to lose in 2025 and as such I'm backing him to be the man to step up and deliver.


Same said down back, we have an ageing Aliir, a solid but small ZT, a big bodied Ratatui and finlayson down back as key position players. That's pretty thin in terms of depth and talent. ZT needs to take it to another level if Port is to improve on last year.



Our general forward set up was ordinary last year and our midfield pressure when the ball was turned over was a concern. The player to address both of these concerns is Rozee. Playing Rozee in the forward line for additional avenues to goal and to tighten up on the opposition when in the middle will make a huge difference to our campaign.

 

[tiger_tough]

Tom Lynch
Noah Balta
Tim Taranto

 

[draft_enjoyer]

Tom Lynch
Daylight

We will win a handful of games this year if Lynch is fit. We may struggle to win even one if he is injured.

The other two would probably be Balta and Nank.

 

[Toffee Lion]

andrews is more important than any of these 3 imo. our entire defensive gameplan is built around him.

I assume having no midfielders there is the assumption that they will remain an elite group, whereas other areas are less certain?

Because Neale, Ashcroft, McCluggage and Dunkley are a dynamite combo from which that flag (predominantly) arrived. At least a couple of them were powerhouses in every big game, big moment type situation.

This is my view. There is more certainty in the backline & midfield. With Joe's departure, the uncertainty area is now up forward.

The likes of Andrews/Neale etc are incredibly important but are they going to shape 2025 any differently to previous years?

If you wanted to toss certainty aside, it'd be: Andrews, Neale & Hipwood. Which covers a spot in the key 3 areas.

 

[RonnieRaven]

Opinion so far shows how important good big men are.
You lose a couple mids the guys replacing them can do 60-80% of the job, game plan still effective.
You lose two of your big man spine it’s a real struggle.
You need them to defend and break lines

 

[SSSSSS]

Barrass
Lewis
Day

If all three are fit at the pointy end of the season we will be a chance.

 

[Pinnell]

N. Daicos
D. Cameron
D. Moore

No explanation needed for any of them.

Very balanced and deep forward line, so can manage with some injuries in that part of the ground.

DArcy Moore? Pies are mustard then...

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Lewis
Barrass
Sicily or Day

 

[JPetro83]

Thilthorpe
Rankine
Dawson

 

[L_W_P]

For the Saints:

#1 - M.King
The biggest "What if?" of 2025 has to be how King fits into this team.

In the back end of 2024 the Saints found their mojo and started kicking big scores but they did it without King, ball magnet that he is, being the target of so many entries.

If he can integrate himself into that front 6 in a way where he can still impact, without needing half the I50s kicked on his head, then the Saints will be very dangerous.

#2 - M.Phillipou
He was dropped during 2024 and told to work on his defense craft if he wanted to be a midfielder.

He than game back and was, arguably, the catalyst for the Saints late season form surge.

If this kid gets his body built to match his aggressive mindset then Jack Steele & Jack Macrae will have less to worry about in the centre.

#3 - D.Howard
When Doogs first came to the club he legitimately looked amazing.

He was flying for contests and punching the ball clear of packs, running down the wings and hoofing the ball forward... He looked a star CHB in the making.

A couple of injuries and a lack of a true FB option has meant he had to play more man on man footy than he is probably suited for.

If the Saints can unlock the 2020-2021 version of Howard then it'll go a long way to offset the loss of Battle and keep a very solid defence from falling apart.