Prediction 2025 Best 23

[crackers65]

I thought he was better than Lav last year.
Main issue is he’s had problems with availability and with Reid also on the list you probably don’t want two guys with Durability concerns at the same spot.

You really need good VFL only guys once the seasons 5 rounds in and there’s 8 guys hurt

When did Baldwin play better than Lav. Everyone can put shit on Lav till the cows come home, but until all these other boys stay on the park and get better, Jayden is still in our best 23.

 

[Donflicted]

When did Baldwin play better than Lav. Everyone can put shit on Lav till the cows come home, but until all these other boys stay on the park and get better, Jayden is still in our best 23.

Dreamtime 2023

If Lav is still best 23 at the end of 2025 we have problems

 

[Bjchan13]

This is a really good effort at both senior and reserves side.

Add to the VFL side the following and you've almost nailed it;

Matt Foley (HBF / BP)
Cam Nyko (wing / HFF)
Jack Peris (small fwd / mid)
Jarrod Eckersley (HFF)
Solomon McKay (utility)
Nick Quigg (HFF / mid)
Charlton Offermans (25 year old utility)
Noah Scott (??)

Assuming Will Hoare is returning tour as well which soilidifies our spine as well

Will be nice if we can get the continuity there in the VFL, players and coaching if possible. I'll be tuning in a lot more

 

[jdstorm]

When did Baldwin play better than Lav. Everyone can put shit on Lav till the cows come home, but until all these other boys stay on the park and get better, Jayden is still in our best 23.

I’d disagree with that. I think Jayden is a fringe AFL standard player. Super durable and tough as nails, lacking in skills and decision making.

He’s someone you’d be wrapt to have come in and play 10 games as cover but if he’s best 22 your likely not that good or you have far better players making him look better then he is.

I’d probably rate him as our 3rd or 4th best VFL defender after Prior and Hayes. In a pool with SEH, and Cox. I think they all have different strengths and weaknesses

Re Baldwin similar players. Baldwin has better hands and is a better kick. Just made of Glass

 

[crackers65]

I agree that Lav is a depth player who probably shouldn’t be best 23. But until Ridley, Reid, Hayes and Baldwin -if we keep him- stay fit and get better then Lav is
best 23. That doesn’t matter how good or bad we are, there is no selection pressure on a bloke who fronts up week after week.

 

[Rick Ross]

I agree that Lav is a depth player who probably shouldn’t be best 23. But until Ridley, Reid, Hayes and Baldwin -if we keep him- stay fit and get better then Lav is
best 23. That doesn’t matter how good or bad we are, there is no selection pressure on a bloke who fronts up week after week.

 

[naraku]

Post draft.


B:Ridley McKay McGrath
HB: Redman Reid/Jones* Robets
C: Martin Merrett Duursma
HF:Guefli Caddy Gresham
F:Kako Draper Langford
Foll: Bryan Durham Caldwell
I/C: Jones , Parish, Perkins, Hobbs
Emer: Davey,Shiel Tsatas, Cox, Wright

*Reid is our starting CHB if he's fit with little argument. However, if he isn't fit, I propose Jones going to CHB.
I think he has the tools to at least be a decent defender.

 

[Bombers36]

Lots of people picking Prior in their best 23 and he looks like he will be an astute pickup, but at this stage I’m backing in young Roberts. Others can rotate through half back - Martin, SEH, we might even see Merrett/Shiel spend time there!! Team;-

Reid McKay McGrath
Redman Ridley Roberts
SEH Parish Duursma
Perkins Langford Martin
Caddy 2MP Kako

Draper Durham Merrett

Bench: Caldwell Shiel Guelfi Jones
SUB: Gresham

Emergency: Tsatas Hobbs Cox Bryan

 

[jdstorm]

Mid preseason/ pre Christmas.

Seems like there’s a few spots up for grabs in the front half which is good. Real selection pressure.


edit: put down some thoughts but then read Caddy was getting some midfield time and it’s back to the drawing board.

If Caddy and Tsatas are capable midfielders this year that changes everything.

 

[Rick Ross]

Rando Fox Footy predicted r1 team -

ESSENDON

B: A.McGrath, B.McKay, J.Ridley
HB: M.Redman, Z.Reid, A.Roberts
C: X.Duursma, Z.Merrett, N.Martin
HF: J.Gresham, N.Caddy, S.Durham
F: I.Kako, P.Wright, K.Langford
FOLL: S.Draper, D.Parish, J.Caldwell
I/C: N.Bryan, A.Perkins, M. Guelfi, H.Jones, E.Tsatas
EMG: N. Cox, D. Shiel, S.El-Hawli

Exciting forward Isaac Kakoshould be able to earn a spot in the Bombers’ forward line early on. Sam Draper, Nick Bryan and Todd Goldstein will continue to vie for ruck roles. Meantime, is former No. 5 draftee Elijah Tsatas a guaranteed walk-up to start next season after an inauspicious beginning to his career? Dylan Shiel and Ben Hobbs are also on the fringes of the best 23, while the versatile Harrison Jones and Nik Cox are also around the mark.

 

[Happyskeret]

Rando Fox Footy predicted r1 team -

ESSENDON

B: A.McGrath, B.McKay, J.Ridley
HB: M.Redman, Z.Reid, A.Roberts
C: X.Duursma, Z.Merrett, N.Martin
HF: J.Gresham, N.Caddy, S.Durham
F: I.Kako, P.Wright, K.Langford
FOLL: S.Draper, D.Parish, J.Caldwell
I/C: N.Bryan, A.Perkins, M. Guelfi, H.Jones, E.Tsatas
EMG: N. Cox, D. Shiel, S.El-Hawli

Exciting forward Isaac Kakoshould be able to earn a spot in the Bombers’ forward line early on. Sam Draper, Nick Bryan and Todd Goldstein will continue to vie for ruck roles. Meantime, is former No. 5 draftee Elijah Tsatas a guaranteed walk-up to start next season after an inauspicious beginning to his career? Dylan Shiel and Ben Hobbs are also on the fringes of the best 23, while the versatile Harrison Jones and Nik Cox are also around the mark.

I don’t even think Kako has to earn a spot. He just gets it by default. I just hope he can play at a level that prevents him from being dropped.

 

[Bombers36]

Rando Fox Footy predicted r1 team -

ESSENDON

B: A.McGrath, B.McKay, J.Ridley
HB: M.Redman, Z.Reid, A.Roberts
C: X.Duursma, Z.Merrett, N.Martin
HF: J.Gresham, N.Caddy, S.Durham
F: I.Kako, P.Wright, K.Langford
FOLL: S.Draper, D.Parish, J.Caldwell
I/C: N.Bryan, A.Perkins, M. Guelfi, H.Jones, E.Tsatas
EMG: N. Cox, D. Shiel, S.El-Hawli

Exciting forward Isaac Kakoshould be able to earn a spot in the Bombers’ forward line early on. Sam Draper, Nick Bryan and Todd Goldstein will continue to vie for ruck roles. Meantime, is former No. 5 draftee Elijah Tsatas a guaranteed walk-up to start next season after an inauspicious beginning to his career? Dylan Shiel and Ben Hobbs are also on the fringes of the best 23, while the versatile Harrison Jones and Nik Cox are also around the mark.

Feel we’d be too top heavy with all of Draper, 2MP & Bryan in the team - I’d drop one for SEH or Shiel


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[jdstorm]

Feel we’d be too top heavy with all of Draper, 2MP & Bryan in the team - I’d drop one for SEH or Shiel


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

Going to be real interesting to see how that plays out. I’m really curious to see Draper + Wright share a forward line preseason. Could we find enough speed around them to make it work.

Can Nick Bryan play well enough as KPD cover to justify that extra tall on field (and keep Ridley locked in as your 3rd tall)

preseason possibilities are always fun. Reality less so

 

[Rick Ross]

Going to be real interesting to see how that plays out. I’m really curious to see Draper + Wright share a forward line preseason. Could we find enough speed around them to make it work.

Can Nick Bryan play well enough as KPD cover to justify that extra tall on field (and keep Ridley locked in as your 3rd tall)

preseason possibilities are always fun. Reality less so

Agree this is one of the really interesting conundrums.

Are we in a development year - might accept going in a bit lopsided if it helps development… put Draper forward with 2MP whilst Bryan develops around the ground.

If we’re going for wins - those 3 are surely too tall? I think the ideal is Draper primary ruck with 2MP primary forward (no Bryan). Not a fan of twin rucks (+2MP).

 

[jdstorm]

Agree this is one of the really interesting conundrums.

Are we in a development year - might accept going in a bit lopsided if it helps development… put Draper forward with 2MP whilst Bryan develops around the ground.

If we’re going for wins - those 3 are surely too tall? I think the ideal is Draper primary ruck with 2MP primary forward (no Bryan). Not a fan of twin rucks (+2MP).

Given we finished last season with Bryan no1 ruck and Draper Ruck/Forward. I’d expect that to continue.

as will Langford as 3rd tall.

I think CHF/2ndTall forward is up for grabs between Caddy, Wright, Cox and Jones(I prefer jones as a wing)

I think Caddy is the big question mark here. If he’s the 2nd tall then wright/cox will be stuck in the VFL. If he’s more mobile and can play as a medium forward or even some mid/forward that opens up a spot for another tall. (wright/cox)

Either way it seems a good problem to have. Nice to have some decent players as depth for once.

As far as development goes. I think it will be a balance. Winning games is fun and will help improve players trade values/work out where the list needs improvement. Just need to not be so committed to veteran players who aren’t performing

 

[Keystone agony]

I think there is a possibility that none of Cox, HJ or 2MP are in the best side

Although im picking HJ if it was myself

 

[ant555]

I don’t even think Kako has to earn a spot. He just gets it by default. I just hope he can play at a level that prevents him from being dropped.

He earns a spot by being a tackling / pressure animal over the summer match sim

 

[Agronomus]

I'd like to see it, just don't think it'll happen based on 2023 & 2024. It'd be a complete 180 from the coaching team. I can't see any world were Laverde and Shiel are running around in the VFL.

What about the real world?

 

[jdstorm]

I'd like to see it, just don't think it'll happen based on 2023 & 2024. It'd be a complete 180 from the coaching team. I can't see any world were Laverde and Shiel are running around in the VFL.

They both started last season in the VFL. Came into the side due to injury.

 

[Happyskeret]

He earns a spot by being a tackling / pressure animal over the summer match sim

Yep I don’t think there is no one close to him for that spot. I would love to see him play 20 rounds of seniors next year.

 

[bombreys]

They both started last season in the VFL. Came into the side due to injury.

Laverde never played VFL. Shiel was injured and came back via the VFL - once he was fit, he came back and played the rest of the year in the AFL.

 

[jdstorm]

Laverde never played VFL. Shiel was injured and came back via the VFL - once he was fit, he came back and played the rest of the year in the AFL.

This isn’t true.

Last season opener vs Hawthorn the back 6 was

Hepp McKay mcgrath
Martin Reid Redman

With Jake Kelly as D7.

Reid got injured that game. Lav replaced him then Reid never took the spot back, played some VFL then got hurt again

 

[ant555]

Laverde never played VFL. Shiel was injured and came back via the VFL - once he was fit, he came back and played the rest of the year in the AFL.

This is not true.
Shiel played a few VFL games when he was fit and form before he was selected and that is not counting the early games .
Laverde did not play VFL as there was no actual VFL game on the weekend of round 1. The VFL started after round 1 . He played in the VFL scratch match.

 

[bombreys]

This isn’t true.

Last season opener vs Hawthorn the back 6 was

Hepp McKay mcgrath
Martin Reid Redman

With Jake Kelly as D7.

Reid got injured that game. Lav replaced him then Reid never took the spot back, played some VFL then got hurt again

I’m fairly certain Lav didn’t play a single VFL game. Once Shiel was properly healthy, he (rightfully) held his spot in the AFL side.

If they’re both healthy, it would be an absolutely massive change of direction to have them both in the VFL - one I just don’t see happening.

Even if Reid is healthy and plays, I think Lav might take over the Kelly role. Scott loves him.

 

[boncer34]

I’m fairly certain Lav didn’t play a single VFL game. Once Shiel was properly healthy, he (rightfully) held his spot in the AFL side.

If they’re both healthy, it would be an absolutely massive change of direction to have them both in the VFL - one I just don’t see happening.

Even if Reid is healthy and plays, I think Lav might take over the Kelly role. Scott loves him.

Yes. Because the VFL season started after the AFL season and after Reid got injured, so after Lav replaced him.

He did play the VFL practice game during the AFL round 1 though.