Strategy Best 23, Post Draft edition for Season 2025 (updated)

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cats_09

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I know this may seem early, but looking back 12 months, we're kicking this thread off a good 6 weeks later than we did last year

Our initial list changes are in and the trade period complete; as things currently stand the confirmed changes are:

Retirements:
  • Foster
  • Hawkins
  • Tuohy

Senior list delistings:
  • Parfitt
  • Rohan
  • Willis

Rookie list delistings:
  • Hardie
  • Jeka
  • Murdoch

Traded in:
  • Bailey Smith
  • Jack Martin*... Awaiting the DFA signing period to open to officially welcome Jack to the club

Following the trade period, we're currently left with the following picks:
- 45, 57, 75, 93, 111 & 129
For those who may not remember, last year we entered the draft with picks 76 & 94, so let's not discount the value of those late selections

We're also currently waiting contract extension information for:
  • Dangerfield, expected to sign a 2-yr deal
  • Duncan & Stanley, both expected to sign 1-yr extensions


The other unknown ahead of next season is if the tactical sub will stay or we'll instead see the bench extended to 5 players, meaning that the playing 23 is simply the playing 23 - no waiting until an hour before kickoff to find out who's the sub

So, with all we know so far, what are the early thoughts for how we may be lining up come round 1 in season 2025
 
cats_09 said:
I know this may seem early, but looking back 12 months, we're kicking this thread off a good 6 weeks later than we did last year

Our initial list changes are in and the trade period complete; as things currently stand the confirmed changes are:

Retirements:
  • Foster
  • Hawkins
  • Tuohy

Senior list delistings:
  • Parfitt
  • Rohan
  • Willis

Rookie list delistings:
  • Hardie
  • Jeka
  • Murdoch

Traded in:
  • Bailey Smith
  • Jack Martin*... Awaiting the DFA signing period to open to officially welcome Jack to the club

Following the trade period, we're currently left with the following picks:
- 45, 57, 75, 93, 111 & 129
For those who may not remember, last year we entered the draft with picks 76 & 94, so let's not discount the value of those late selections

We're also currently waiting contract extension information for:
  • Dangerfield, expected to sign a 2-yr deal
  • Duncan & Stanley, both expected to sign 1-yr extensions


The other unknown ahead of next season is if the tactical sub will stay or we'll instead see the bench extended to 5 players, meaning that the playing 23 is simply the playing 23 - no waiting until an hour before kickoff to find out who's the sub

So, with all we know so far, what are the early thoughts for how we may be lining up come round 1 in season 2025
Click to expand...
Love it.

Will go to work on my 23
 
I couldn’t work out whether I was thinking best 23 to start 2025 or finish so I will be ambiguous (thereby reducing the chance of me being wrong!).

FB: Henry, SDK, Kolo
HB: Humphries, Stewart, Zuthrie
Centre: Dempsey, Bruhn, Smith
HF: Mannagh, Jezza, Miers
FF: Stengle, Scratcher, Henry
Rucks: Conway, Danger, Holmes

Inter: Atkins, Guthrie (!), Bowes, Blitz, Close

So Guthrie I am working with pre season faith…He was on fire in pre season last year…going to double down. But TBH if he doesn’t get up into best 22 we have some pretty handy replacements below

So who did I leave out…some pretty good ones!

Duncan, Stanley - think they will be passed by during the year (Higgins and Dal style)

Every person we draft - pretty rare with Cats to be best 23 in first year

Jack Martin - good back up. If his body gets right he really puts a squeeze on

Knevitt, Clark - our future midfield but still behind Danger/Guthrie is they are at best. Should get plenty of games still

Bews, Mullin, MOC - depends on whether we need a lock down. Could squeeze a midfielder off the bench

COS, My (other) man Ted, Oli Wiltshire, Edwards - have high hopes for all of them but hard to find room in 2025
 

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As I put it down, I really like our 23.

Trying not to fall into the trap of turfing all the old blokes and replacing them with young guys, but I do think that’s the most logical starting point this season.

B: Mullin - J. Henry - Kolodjashnij
HB: Humphries - De Koning - Z. Guthrie
C: Holmes - Smith - Dempsey
HF: Close - Cameron - Miers
F: Stengle - Neale - O. Henry
R: Conway - Dangerfield - Stewart
I: Bruhn - Bowes - Blicavs - Atkins - Mannagh

Could see Bews, O’Connor, Stanley, Duncan or Clark pushing their way in.

Neale and Conway coming on will obviously be crucial, and no back up KPF is a worry, but it’s a really well balanced team I’m confident can do well.
 
CHAWKTS said:
I couldn’t work out whether I was thinking best 23 to start 2025 or finish so I will be ambiguous (thereby reducing the chance of me being wrong!).

FB: Henry, SDK, Kolo
HB: Humphries, Stewart, Zuthrie
Centre: Dempsey, Bruhn, Smith
HF: Mannagh, Jezza, Miers
FF: Stengle, Scratcher, Henry
Rucks: Conway, Danger, Holmes

Inter: Atkins, Guthrie (!), Bowes, Blitz, Close

So Guthrie I am working with pre season faith…He was on fire in pre season last year…going to double down. But TBH if he doesn’t get up into best 22 we have some pretty handy replacements below

So who did I leave out…some pretty good ones!

Duncan, Stanley - think they will be passed by during the year (Higgins and Dal style)

Every person we draft - pretty rare with Cats to be best 23 in first year

Jack Martin - good back up. If his body gets right he really puts a squeeze on

Knevitt, Clark - our future midfield but still behind Danger/Guthrie is they are at best. Should get plenty of games still

Bews, Mullin, MOC - depends on whether we need a lock down. Could squeeze a midfielder off the bench

COS, My (other) man Ted, Oli Wiltshire, Edwards - have high hopes for all of them but hard to find room in 2025
Click to expand...

I've got the exact same as you, but Mullin in for Cuthrie. We'll see how Cam is going...
 
Best 23 for me:

B: Humphries, J. Henry, Kolo

HB: Stewart, Blicavs, Z. Guthrie

C: Holmes, Danger, Dempsey

HF: Mannagh, Cameron, Miers

F: Stengle, Neale, O. Henry

Followers: SDK, Smith, C. Guthrie

I/C: Close, Bruhn, Bowes, Atkins


Some changes I expect next year:

Blicavs was great down back towards the end of the season and this might mean SDK spends more time in the ruck (until his brother arrives the following year).
Humphries is a lock which squeezed Bews out.
I’m expecting/ hoping C. Guthrie back (which automatically improves us compared to Atkins), plus we add Smith.

Couldn’t find a spot for:

Bews, Stanley, Duncan, Mullin, Martin (yet).

As always, I’m expecting to be pleasantly surprised by someone - Clark break out? Clohesy? Mullin to have a massive preseason? Knevitt (I thought this season would be his breakout but Dempsey overtook him).





Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com
 
Ricky Vaughn said:
As I put it down, I really like our 23.

Trying not to fall into the trap of turfing all the old blokes and replacing them with young guys, but I do think that’s the most logical starting point this season.

B: Mullin - J. Henry - Kolodjashnij
HB: Humphries - De Koning - Z. Guthrie
C: Holmes - Smith - Dempsey
HF: Close - Cameron - Miers
F: Stengle - Neale - O. Henry
R: Conway - Dangerfield - Stewart
I: Bruhn - Bowes - Blicavs - Atkins - Mannagh

Could see Bews, O’Connor, Stanley, Duncan or Clark pushing their way in.

Neale and Conway coming on will obviously be crucial, and no back up KPF is a worry, but it’s a really well balanced team I’m confident can do well.
Click to expand...
I prefer SDK at CHB, gives him room to be more creative a la his brief stints in the guts in 24.
 
B: Z.Guthrie Blicavs Kolodjashnij
HB: C.Guthrie J.Henry Stewart
C: Miers Smith Holmes
HF: Close Cameron Dempsey
F: Stengle Neale O.Henry
R: Stanley/Conway Dangerfield Bruhn
Int: Bowes Mannagh Duncan Humphries De Koning
Em: O’Connor Mullin Clark

Couldn’t find room for Bews, Knevitt, O’Sullivan or Clohesy.
 
Hmm


B: Humphries SDK/Blics Kolo
HB: Zuthrie Henry Stewart
C: Holmes Danger Dempsey
HF: Close Neale Miers
F: OH Cameron Stengle
R: Conway Bruhn Smith

I: Blics/SDK Mannagh Bowes Mullin


I am not putting Guthrie in the 22 until i see him fit and playing well
I expect Stanley will be used for backup if possible and Duncan will be phased out as the year progresses
Bew VS Mullin VS MOC for the small defender role will be interesting
SDK VS Blics in the backline may depend on fitness of Conway/Stanley and of course form.. If SDK returns to 22 form he 100% takes FB

Will also be interesting to see if Clark, Knevitt, Clohesy and COS can sneak in somehow
 
Last edited:
cats_09 said:
I know this may seem early, but looking back 12 months, we're kicking this thread off a good 6 weeks later than we did last year

Our initial list changes are in and the trade period complete; as things currently stand the confirmed changes are:

Retirements:
  • Foster
  • Hawkins
  • Tuohy

Senior list delistings:
  • Parfitt
  • Rohan
  • Willis

Rookie list delistings:
  • Hardie
  • Jeka
  • Murdoch

Traded in:
  • Bailey Smith
  • Jack Martin*... Awaiting the DFA signing period to open to officially welcome Jack to the club

Following the trade period, we're currently left with the following picks:
- 45, 57, 75, 93, 111 & 129
For those who may not remember, last year we entered the draft with picks 76 & 94, so let's not discount the value of those late selections

We're also currently waiting contract extension information for:
  • Dangerfield, expected to sign a 2-yr deal
  • Duncan & Stanley, both expected to sign 1-yr extensions


The other unknown ahead of next season is if the tactical sub will stay or we'll instead see the bench extended to 5 players, meaning that the playing 23 is simply the playing 23 - no waiting until an hour before kickoff to find out who's the sub

So, with all we know so far, what are the early thoughts for how we may be lining up come round 1 in season 2025
Click to expand...
Thanks for your detailed explanation, I’m new to this, so might watch the posts + learn.
 
Gunf said:
Hmm


B: Humphries SDK/Blics Kolo
HB: Zuthrie Henry Stewart
C: Holmes Danger Dempsey
HF: Close Neale Miers
F: OH Cameron Stengle
R: Conway Bruhn Bowes

I: Blics/SDK Mannagh Atkins Mullin


I am not putting Guthrie in the 22 until i see him fit and playing well
I expect Stanley will be used for backup if possible and Duncan will be phased out as the year progresses
Bew VS Mullin VS MOC for the small defender role will be interesting
SDK VS Blics in the backline may depend on fitness of Conway/Stanley and of course form.. If SDK returns to 22 form he 100% takes FB

Will also be interesting to see if Clark, Knevitt, Clohesy and COS can sneak in somehow
Click to expand...
No Bailey Smith?
 

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My 23, is what I 'hope' the team looks like by the end of the season, with players playing to potential.

B - Guthrie Henry O'Sullivan
HB - Humphries DeKoning Stewart
C - Demspey Smith Holmes
HF - Miers Cameron Mannah
F - Stengle Neale Henry
Foll - Conway Bruhn Clark
Int - Blitz Danger Close Mullin J Martin

I'm hoping players such as Smith, Martin and Conway can get fit and play all year.
And youngsters Bruhn, Clark and Mullin and start really playing to potential.

It would be nice to be able to phase out players such as Atkins, Kolo, Duncan, Bews, Bowes etc
All very handy depth players, but i see greater 'potential' upside in others.
 
Mangy Carl said:
My 23, is what I 'hope' the team looks like by the end of the season, with players playing to potential.

B - Guthrie Henry O'Sullivan
HB - Humphries DeKoning Stewart
C - Demspey Smith Holmes
HF - Miers Cameron Mannah
F - Stengle Neale Henry
Foll - Conway Bruhn Clark
Int - Blitz Danger Close Mullin J Martin

I'm hoping players such as Smith, Martin and Conway can get fit and play all year.
And youngsters Bruhn, Clark and Mullin and start really playing to potential.

It would be nice to be able to phase out players such as Atkins, Kolo, Duncan, Bews, Bowes etc
All very handy depth players, but i see greater 'potential' upside in others.
Click to expand...
Kolo was our best tall defender last year and Bowes was very good
 
Gunf said:
Kolo was our best tall defender last year and Bowes was very good
Click to expand...
Yep, both were good, and in general are very handy players. However, the upside to O'Sullivan and Clark is greater and it would be better for the team to see them surpass those others by the end of the season 2025.
 
catempire said:
B: Z.Guthrie Blicavs Kolodjashnij
HB: C.Guthrie J.Henry Stewart
C: Miers Smith Holmes
HF: Close Cameron Dempsey
F: Stengle Neale O.Henry
R: Stanley/Conway Dangerfield Bruhn
Int: Bowes Mannagh Duncan Humphries De Koning
Em: O’Connor Mullin Clark

Couldn’t find room for Bews, Knevitt, O’Sullivan or Clohesy.
Click to expand...

No wonder you don't want to add another ruck to our list if you are going to play 2 of them each week at the same time ;)
 
year of the cat said:
No wonder you don't want to add another ruck to our list if you are going to play 2 of them each week at the same time ;)
Click to expand...
I think if you combine their availability/energy levels within games you might just have a whole ruckman.
 
FB: J. Henry. De Koning. Kolodjashnij.
HB: Humphries. Blicavs. Z. Guthrie.

C: Holmes. Stewart. Dempsey.
FO: Conway. Smith. Dangerfield.

HF: Miers. Cameron. Close.
FF: O Henry. Neale. Stengle.

I/C: Bruhn, Mannagh, Bowes, Clark

Sub: Mullin

Depth

- Veterans
  • Mitch Duncan (DEF)
  • Jed Bews (DEF)
  • Tom Atkins (MID)
  • Cam Guthrie (MID/DEF)
  • Mark O'Connor (MID/DEF)
  • Rhys Stanley (R)
  • Jack Martin (FWD)
- Youth/Development
  • Connor O'Sullivan (DEF)
  • Ted Clohesy (MID)
  • Mitch Knevitt (MID)
  • George Stevens (MID)
  • Mitch Edwards (R)
  • Joe Furphy (R)
  • Oliver Wiltshire (FWD)

Notes:

Cam Guthrie at even 80% of 2022 form is in this side IMO, I just don't yet have the faith required to put him in automatically. Personally scarred by doing the exact same thing last year.

Although similar could be said for Toby Conway, I'm taking the punt. Hypocritical, I know.

****************************

Tom Atkins deserves a place in this side. Has become one of my favourites over the years for his endeavour and unquestionable effort.

My worry is I don't believe we can play all three of Bruhn, Clark, & Atkins in the same side, and I expect (well I hope) the aforementioned two to improve in season 2025. The same could be said for Ted Clohesy, who will be in the fold too.

If they don't - especially Clark - Atkins will get his spot.

****************************

Mitch Duncan, Rhys Stanley, Jed Bews, & Mark O'Connor will forever be Geelong heroes for what they did in 2022, and 2011 for Duncan.

However, at this point in their careers, we have better options IMO.

It could start out okay, but I suspect we'll be moving past these names as the season heats up, and their bodies grow more sore by the week.

****************************

Connor O'Sullivan, Mitch Knevitt, Oisin Mullin, & Ted Clohesy all have the opportunity over the coming months to follow the paths of Ollie Dempsey, Shannon Neale, Shaun Mannagh, & Lawson Humphries.

It remains to be seen whether they do, but the opportunity is there for the taking.

Would be more than happy to see any of these boys in the side provided they've earned their opportunity over the pre-season.

****************************

Jack Martin. I honestly have no idea what to do. We'll wait and see I suppose.

If he's fit and at his best, there will likely be a spot for him. He has gifts others could only dream of.

Unfortunately, there's a fair bit of evidence that he won't be able to deliver that talent on a regular basis, so I have him as depth for now.
 
Last edited:
B: Z.Guthrie Blicavs Kolodjashnij
HB: Stewart J.Henry Humphries
C: Holmes Smith Dempsey
HF: Miers Cameron Close
F: Stengle Neale O.Henry
R: De Koning Dangerfield Atkins
I: C.Guthrie Bruhn Bowes Mannagh Duncan

It will be interesting to see what they do with the key backs and ruck. Blitz makes things a bit awkward. Ideally with a break he can come back fully fit and play through the middle again but at his age it may have to be the backline from now on. Then if Blitz is playing back what do you do with SDK, ruck is the only real solution I feel. I think Neale will want to start strong as could see them being tempted to play Jack Henry forward at some stage to fit everyone else in.
 
We did really well to maximise the midfield with some limitations we had. Smith is a big inclusion to help solve the issues there, Oliver on top would have been perfect but maybe next year.
We need some defensive cover in there but I think Stewart will move back with potential small stints in the middle. Atkins I think has had a dissapointing two years and I’d move him down back. Opening up his role to Bruhn, Bowes and Clark.

The small defender role is a spot we’ve struggled for depth with Bews playing a good role there late in the season again. This is where I’d be looking to play Atkins and Guthrie. It’s hard to see Guthrie coming back and able to play as a full time mid, I’d be at least planning for him to play back and if he can play well enough and stay fit potentially going back into the midfield.

Blicavs could have ruck minutes but I think his midfield days are over and should stay in defence for the rest of his career. Henry started to get back to his best through the year, Kolo had probably his best season often our best defender, Lawson is only going to get better, Zac great season. The backline looks solid but could do with some more drive and Stewart, Lawson and Guthrie can do that.

The forward line has a perfect mix, hopefully Neale keeps progressing, I’d like to see him take some ruck each quarter, Martin when fit is a good addition.

My expectations for Conway are low until i can see him stay fit, I’d be getting Dekoning to put some muscle on and spend the summer with King working on his ruck craft. Even if he played the role for a season or so and Conway or another ruck eventually take that spot it won’t hurt his development. Learning to take some of that physicality will help his game.

It’s a strong team that should compete again but I would have liked to have been able to add another best 18 midfielder and a ruck option. Conway and Dekoning are potentially good options but all our rucks are not without issue.

B Guthrie Henry Stewart
HB Lawson Blicavs Guthrie
C Dempsey Dangerfield Mannagh
FO Dekoning Smith Holmes
HF Miers Cameron Close
F Stengle Neale Henry
I Kolo Atkins Clark Bruhn Martin
 
FB: Mullin, SDK, Henry
HB: Humphries, Stewart, Zuthrie
C: Bowes, Dangerfield, Dempsey
HF: Miers, Cameron, Henry
FF: Stengle, Neale, Close
FO: Conway, Smith, Holmes
INT: Bruhn, Kolo, Atkins, Blicavs, Mannagh

Depth / Rotations: Duncan, Guthrie, Stanley, Martin, O’Connor, Bews, Clark, Knevitt, COS.

Good mix of experience and youth to rotate through and keep pressure on the 23. If Conway isn’t playing I’d like to see SDK as the ruckman, his skills with the ball in hand are too valuable to be stuck down back.
 
B- Z.Guthrie J.Henry Koldashinji
HB- Stewart De Koning Humphires
C- O.Dempsey B.Smith Bruhn
HF- Miers Cameron Close
F- Stengle Neale O.Henry
FOLL- Conway Dangerfield Holmes
I/C- Bowes, C.Guthrie, Blivcas, Martin, Atkins
 
The only jarring issue in all these draft teams is ruck. I just have little faith in Conway’s feet being reliable. I’m thinking there is a situation where SDK is the ruck with Stanley as a back up given his age now, and Blitz at CHB for one or two years. Hopefully by then Mitch Edwards is ready to take over no 1 ruck, and COS is ready to take over CHB. That plan makes sense to me. All the plans assuming Conway as No 1 ruck don’t make sense to me.
 

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Strategy Best 23, Post Draft edition for Season 2025 (updated)

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