Prediction 2025 - Best 23 + Emergencies - Rolling

[BlueTongue]

Walsh is a midfielder - one of best in the league when he is fit - even half fit he is better than most players who play his position. I don’t he can play wing or that the coaches should play him there. Wing is a specialist position now unlike in years past where it was seen as somewhere to squeeze in another midfielder. Acres is a winger. Doc and Ollie can play there. Binns and Cottrell too. That’s plenty of options. Wingmen can be out of the play for long periods. If I were a coach against Carlton and Walsh lined up on a wing I’d be delighted. I’d play through the opposite side of the ground and instruct his opponent to take him away from the contest. Walsh is an end to end gut running midfielder. He starts in the middle alongside Cripps and Cerra with Hewett (and possibly Jagga) in the rotation off the bench and Elijah changing off half forward. I can’t see any universe where Walsh gets pushed onto a wing to accommodate Lord.

The biggest questions I feel about our best line up is the third defender and the third forward role. It’s been interesting to see so many people including myself immediately default to McGovern as a lock in most best line ups. I actually think Haynes is well ahead of him, so Gov might find himself fighting it out with Sos for the third defender role. It’s ironic that not that long ago Gov and SOS would have been duelling for the third forward role and Kemp was in line for the third defender role. Now that’s been completely flipped on its head with Kemp likely to get first crack at the third forward role alongside Charlie and Harry, and SOS trialling down back. I think the coaches have made the right call on all fronts. Hopefully it works because last night year both spots were a weakness.

My call on Walsh to the wing is from the perspective that he's been smashed from pillar to post since he's been in the side and I think his biggest asset in Gut Run serves us better as first receive from the contest, but as you rightly point out, the extra bulk he now has probably makes that unlikely. Now we have multiple options it will be interesting to see where he does play.

 

[Arr0w]

Excellent line up arrow.

I have one player different - would like to see Kemp in and given time to develop as our 3rd forward target. Also, handy as defensive backup. Ollie as emergency would round out the team.

Certainly some viable options, which helps with the competition for spots

Even though I couldn't squeeze in Jsos, Kemp, Cottrell, Lord, Durdin, Fantasia, Fogarty, Young, Cincotta, Pitto, we know what their best can add to the side

Then you have a number of kids that will want to gain a solid base and push for selection

It's healthy

 

[bradfisher14]

Excellent line up arrow.

I have one player different - would like to see Kemp in and given time to develop as our 3rd forward target. Also, handy as defensive backup. Ollie as emergency would round out the team.

I like it. How are you sorting out the wing rotations without Ollie? Elijah and Walsh getting a run out there?

 

[JuddgementDay]

This is my best 23 going into the Xmas break...

For my best 23, I would like the younger guys to push for best 23 - we need their energy, enthusiasm & speed - mixed with our core group, we have a really potent side.

There are question marks all over these young guys, but we need to give them an opportunity to shine.
I've listed my decisions below. Yeah, some borderline decisions - but, I'm happy with the overall team and flexibility it has.

Bring on 2025 already!


B: Newman Silvagni McGovern
HB: OHollands Weitering Saad
C: Acres Cripps Docherty
HF: Elijah McKay Williams
F: Moir Curnow Motlop
Foll: TDK Cerra Walsh
Int: Lord Kemp Hewett Wilson Smith


Decisions:

• Cowan vs Wilson - I went with Wilson, I think his speed will really help us
• Boyd vs Newman - I love Boyd, but as I have enough young players I need some more wiser heads
• Durdin vs Motlop - I went with Motlop and hoping for a big year from him. Our forward line needs more potency i.e. every player of being able to kick multiple goals in any given week
• Haynes vs JSOS - I went for more flexibility with having both JSOS and Kemp in the side
• Fogarty vs Lord - I hope we've gone pass Fogarty

 

[Coona Blues]

I like it. How are you sorting out the wing rotations without Ollie? Elijah and Walsh getting a run out there?

Not seeing Walsh and E.Hollands as front runners for wing spots. Ollie is definitely being prepared to offer that run and carry from behind the ball (a successor to Saad soon enough)

Docherty and possibly Newman being prepared for outside mid time. As he was earlier in the season, Newy trained with the mids at Maroochydore. Newy also split his time between wing and half back at Sydney. The other option is Binns, who has added to his impressive reserves form with a stellar pre season to date. Newy will remain a defensive staple IMO, but his strategic “absence” allows the next generation to develop quicker. Small/medium defence will need a changing of the guard in the foreseeable future, we will want multiple players ready to step up.

The centre square mids may do limited time off a wing, but won’t be deployed there. Expecting Vossy to embrace more rotations to ready players to contribute if and when necessary. It has been a need and plenty of his dialogue suggests it will happen.

 

[tarczonandjane]

I am not going to embarrass myself by naming a team. I just can’t figure out how we fit players in.

What I would say is that despite his deficiencies, I think Cottrell has enough strengths to play more often than not. But then I come back to asking myself who he squeezes out, and I don’t come up with any decent answers.

So I will leave my best 22 (or 23) right there. I think Cottrell plays… but I don’t know who he plays in front of.

 

[GoBlues!]

I am not going to embarrass myself by naming a team. I just can’t figure out how we fit players in.

What I would say is that despite his deficiencies, I think Cottrell has enough strengths to play more often than not. But then I come back to asking myself who he squeezes out, and I don’t come up with any decent answers.

So I will leave my best 22 (or 23) right there. I think Cottrell plays… but I don’t know who he plays in front of.

Risk of embarrassment on bf…. I think that’s par for the course taj.

All opinions are equal, some more equal than others.

 

[GoBlues!]

I like it. How are you sorting out the wing rotations without Ollie? Elijah and Walsh getting a run out there?

I think Ollie is more suited to HB. I would start with Acres and Docherty on the wings and rotate Boyd or even Cowan with short stints.

I know Kemp is not in everyone’s best 22, but I genuinely believe we can’t just rely on Harry and Charlie as our key forward targets if we want to progress. We’ve been found out in the past - Charlie down in 2023 finals, double teaming on Harry etc.

Kemp has a natural attacking mindset, can take a mark, will drag tallish defenders away from Harry and Charlie, and can apply defensive pressure on the forward line. Investing time in developing Kemp as a 3rd forward target will pay dividends and should be a priority.

 

[Fevolution!]

This is my best 23 going into the Xmas break...

For my best 23, I would like the younger guys to push for best 23 - we need their energy, enthusiasm & speed - mixed with our core group, we have a really potent side.

There are question marks all over these young guys, but we need to give them an opportunity to shine.
I've listed my decisions below. Yeah, some borderline decisions - but, I'm happy with the overall team and flexibility it has.

Bring on 2025 already!


B: Newman Silvagni McGovern
HB: OHollands Weitering Saad
C: Acres Cripps Docherty
HF: Elijah McKay Williams
F: Moir Curnow Motlop
Foll: TDK Cerra Walsh
Int: Lord Kemp Hewett Wilson Smith


Decisions:

• Cowan vs Wilson - I went with Wilson, I think his speed will really help us
• Boyd vs Newman - I love Boyd, but as I have enough young players I need some more wiser heads
• Durdin vs Motlop - I went with Motlop and hoping for a big year from him. Our forward line needs more potency i.e. every player of being able to kick multiple goals in any given week
• Haynes vs JSOS - I went for more flexibility with having both JSOS and Kemp in the side
• Fogarty vs Lord - I hope we've gone pass Fogarty

The only decision I can’t get around is Wilson over Cowan. It’s not like we are prioritising youth in that scenario, Cowan is the youth!
Wilson will need to put together at least a month of consistent VFL form before getting a look in.
Cowan is almost a lock based on his profile and what he’s shown at the level.

 

[KJP7]

Could we potentially have Moir out of the square? Charlie & H will naturally draw the best defenders, but he has great mitts and is a nice kick, could be a mismatch.

 

[Arr0w]

I am not going to embarrass myself by naming a team. I just can’t figure out how we fit players in.

What I would say is that despite his deficiencies, I think Cottrell has enough strengths to play more often than not. But then I come back to asking myself who he squeezes out, and I don’t come up with any decent answers.

So I will leave my best 22 (or 23) right there. I think Cottrell plays… but I don’t know who he plays in front of.

Have a crack TJ, no one here has inside knowledge of where things currently stand with selection

There is no right or wrong answer

 

[Benaly28]

Watched an old saints game last night (not sure why) and Blacres was playing for them,gee he was bad.Has done a complete 360.


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[GoBlues!]

Watched an old saints game last night (not sure why) and Blacres was playing for them,gee he was bad.Has done a complete 360.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

If he’s done a 360 he’s back to where he started benny….wtf.

 

[Benaly28]

If he’s done a 360 he’s back to where he started benny….wtf.

Your right has been a long year.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[JuddgementDay]

The only decision I can’t get around is Wilson over Cowan. It’s not like we are prioritising youth in that scenario, Cowan is the youth!
Wilson will need to put together at least a month of consistent VFL form before getting a look in.
Cowan is almost a lock based on his profile and what he’s shown at the level.

They were all hard calls, but that’s where personal bias comes in