Prediction Round 1, 2025: Starting 23

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AFL
FB: Baker Edwards Hough
HB: Ginbey McGovern Allan
C: Hunt Yeo Maric
HF: Long Waterman Kelly
FF: Owies Allen Ryan
R: B Williams H Reid Hewett
INT: J Williams Duggan Graham Hutchinson Cripps

WAFL
FB: Cole Bazzo Grego
HB: Brockman Jamieson Chesser
C: Johnston Hall Petruccelle
HF: Champion Shanahan Dewar
FF: Livingstone A Reid Rawlinson
R: Flynn Davis Gross
INT: Barnett Sheed
 
West Coast Tigers
FB: Maric Edwards Hough
HB: Ginbey McGovern Duggan
C: Allan Graham Baker
HF: Ryan Allen Kelly
FF: Hewett Waterman Owies
R: B Williams H Reid Yeo

Extended Bench: J Williams Hutchinson Hall Chesser Dewar

Beagles
FB: Cole Bazzo Grego
HB: Johnston Barnett Hunt
C: Petruccelle ? Brockman
HF: Cripps Shanahan Davis
FF: Champion A Reid Rawlinson
R: Flynn Gross ?
INT: Livingston ? ? ?

Not on park: Jamieson, Sheed
 
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Is Liam Ryan a walk up start to our B22 these days?

I feel like our small/medium forwards are all going to have to be the fastest, fittest blokes on the list if Mini is going to bring in a style of football that focuses on creating fast turnovers.

I always wanted to see how Tom Cole would go in these wing/high HF roles which just require relentless running patterns. I think a senior player needs to fill this type of role, we constantly watch young talent get delisted from the gimp wing
 
Is Liam Ryan a walk up start to our B22 these days?

I feel like our small/medium forwards are all going to have to be the fastest, fittest blokes on the list if Mini is going to bring in a style of football that focuses on creating fast turnovers.

I always wanted to see how Tom Cole would go in these wing/high HF roles which just require relentless running patterns. I think a senior player needs to fill this type of role, we constantly watch young talent get delisted from the gimp wing

I can see Ryan being used as a high half forward and outside mid/link man by Mini.

Don't see Allen playing FF I would have him CHF and Waterman the FF.
 
Ok, look I don't pretend to be the sharpest tool in the footy box, but clearly I've been missing something for awhile concerning the WAFL team. On the WCE site is our listed WAFL team with Jackson Nelson as captain and a whole list of no names (to me). They look like a team of AI cartoon avatars.

Meanwhile we have a WAFL team being posted on this thread that is an entirely different team of recognizable names who are not in our best 23 - what's the story? How do the two conflate? Is there a WAFL (A)+(B) team? And yes, I know I'm going to look like an idiot for asking, but as Paulene Pantsdown once said..."please explain?"...Am I missing the obvious? Should I have another coffee and think about it?
 
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Ok, look I don't pretend to be the sharpest tool in the footy box, but clearly I've been missing something for awhile concerning the WAFL team. On the WCE site is our listed WAFL team with Jackson Nelson as captain and a whole list of no names (to me). They look like a team of AI cartoon avatars.

Meanwhile we have a WAFL team being posted on this thread that is an entirely different team of recognizable names who are not in our best 23 - what's the story? How do the two conflate? Is there a WAFL (A)+(B) team? And yes, I know I'm going to look like an idiot for asking, but as Paulene Pantsdown once said..."please explain?"...Am I missing the obvious? Should I have another coffee and think about it?

And while I'm here - this is an interesting fantasy factoid!

View attachment 2172789

haha nah you're not missing anything, that's all of our WAFL-only contracted players. Although quite a few have departed this offseason already.

The main idea of the WAFL eagles is for our AFL listed players that aren't getting a game to develop in, but with AFL list sizes around 42, the AFL best 23 and an emergency or 2, only leaves around 18 players for the WAFL team.

Then you get years like 2022 and '23, where our injury list was 16+ players long, so we were barely fielding a single AFL listed payer in the WAFL team, so we need the list you see on the Team website.

The WAFL teams being posted of course doesn't account for ANY injuries, so it's a best case scenario WAFL team (and highly unlikely to ever line up that strongly).
 
haha nah you're not missing anything, that's all of our WAFL-only contracted players. Although quite a few have departed this offseason already.

The main idea of the WAFL eagles is for our AFL listed players that aren't getting a game to develop in, but with AFL list sizes around 42, the AFL best 23 and an emergency or 2, only leaves around 18 players for the WAFL team.

Then you get years like 2022 and '23, where our injury list was 16+ players long, so we were barely fielding a single AFL listed payer in the WAFL team, so we need the list you see on the Team website.

The WAFL teams being posted of course doesn't account for ANY injuries, so it's a best case scenario WAFL team (and highly unlikely to ever line up that strongly).
Thanks for the clarification! I realised the WAFL was to develop our AFL players and all that biz, but seeing a whole team of unknowns threw me? But yes it all makes sense given the recent years of injuries. With all the new draftees added, the WAFL will have added interest now, especially the midfield. Cheers.
 
I'm stoked with our draft and pumped for 2025. This is what I'm envisioning...

AFL level

Hough - Edwards - Baker
Duggan - McGovern - Ginbey

Hunt - Yeo - Hutchinson
B. Williams - Harley - Graham

Hewett - Allen - Kelly
Ryan - Waterman - Owies

INT: Allan (Defence), J. Williams (FWD/RUCK), Chesser (Mid), Dewar (FWD/Wing).
SUB: Maric

Potential strengths:
  • Big, athletic, tough defence with plenty of power and dash
  • Harley and Yeo doing their thing, unleashed by a supporting role from Graham, with high-octane spells from Hewett, Allan, Ginbey, and Baker
  • Quality KPFs, Owies pestering, and Hewett and Kelly as MID/FWDs both pushing up the ground and snagging goals

Weaknesses:
  • Skilful rebounding from defence. We'll be very reliant on run and carry
  • Is Chesser ready to step up as a full time mid?
  • Forward pressure; are Hewett and Kelly going to defend hard enough?
  • Ruck situation; can one of B. Williams or Flynn step it up?

Next in line:
  • Bazzo and trialling A. Reid or Shanahan for KPDs, Cole and Johnston for general defenders
  • Hall in the guts, Davis on the wing or high half-forward I could see getting early game time
  • Long and Cripps are arguably the most unlucky to miss and will be pushing hard for a HFF position, although I do want Long to spend some time playing mid to hone his skills there. Petch a chance, too.
  • I expect Shanahan and Archer Reid to be knocking down the door hard, and whilst I'd love to see them developing their connection as twin towers in the forward line, if opportunities present down back then I can't wait to see what they show there either.
  • I think Champion is a smokey for an early look-in too. Perhaps Gross although he may have to leapfrog Long for it.

Developing but list spot is safe for now:
Chesser, Hutchinson, Dewar, Maric, Bazzo, Grego, Johnston, Hall, Davis, Long, Gross, Shanahan, Archer, Champion

Delisting on the cards if they don't perform well:
Cole, Brockman, Flynn, Petruccelle

Likely delisting, needs a big year:
Jamieson, Barnett, Livingstone, Rawlinson, Sheed

Retirement: Cripps

WAFL level

Cole - Jamieson - Bazzo
Grego - Barnett - Brockman

Johnston - Hall - Davis
Flynn - Long - Petruccelle

Cripps - Shanahan - Gross
Champion - A. Reid - Rawlinson

INT: Livingstone, Sheed? :sweatsmile:

Notes: Give Barnett and Brockman a crack as a KPD and rebounding defender respectively down back. Long and Gross swapping between mid and fwd. Cripps and Cole narrowly missing out on AFL selection but providing invaluable experience here. Shanahan and A. Reid as our next-gen KPFs working in tandem, but throwing one back at times to see how they go, both have tremendous potential as KPDs as well as KPFs.

Side note:
Add Warner and Rodriguez next year and squeeze another good year from Gov and Yeo in 2026, and we will be genuinely dangerous.
 
The anticipation of seeing Harley was fun but this is the first time in a long time I've been excited about the upcoming season. Like the new boys might not impact in 2025 but I feel like we finally have a clear direction in the type of team we're forging after feeling like we we were treading water for way too long.
 

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Duggan to a wing is a MUST. If Baker is taking his spot at HB then Duggan got to move elsewhere. Hate the idea of Hunt on a wing. Its failed drastically and we keep trying to make it happen. Id like Kelly to go on a wing but its never going to happen so why bother dreaming.

One aspect I think is Mini will want a smaller forward line as well as more run/pace around the ground. Even though we got our better players as talls we wont be playing the land of the giants in 2025. With that in mind I think we go with

FB : Hough, Edwards, Hunt
HB: Baker, McGovern. Ginbey
C: Graham. Yeo. Duggan
HF: Ryan, Waterman, Hutchison
FF: Owies, Allen, Long
R: Flynn, Reid, Kelly
I/C: Cole, Hewett, Allan, J.Williams
SUB : Cripps/Sheed

Think we will go with Cripps/Sheed in the sub role alot as its a place young players go to die otherwise.
 
The anticipation of seeing Harley was fun but this is the first time in a long time I've been excited about the upcoming season. Like the new boys might not impact in 2025 but I feel like we finally have a clear direction in the type of team we're forging after feeling like we we were treading water for way too long.

New players plus a new coach with a new game style that we're yet to see and has been trained for a whole pre season is what's exciting for me

Something different from the same old crap we've had for too long
 
Duggan to a wing is a MUST. If Baker is taking his spot at HB then Duggan got to move elsewhere. Hate the idea of Hunt on a wing. Its failed drastically and we keep trying to make it happen. Id like Kelly to go on a wing but its never going to happen so why bother dreaming.

One aspect I think is Mini will want a smaller forward line as well as more run/pace around the ground. Even though we got our better players as talls we wont be playing the land of the giants in 2025. With that in mind I think we go with

FB : Hough, Edwards, Hunt
HB: Baker, McGovern. Ginbey
C: Graham. Yeo. Duggan
HF: Ryan, Waterman, Hutchison
FF: Owies, Allen, Long
R: Flynn, Reid, Kelly
I/C: Cole, Hewett, Allan, J.Williams
SUB : Cripps/Sheed

Think we will go with Cripps/Sheed in the sub role alot as its a place young players go to die otherwise.
I'm curious to see how Petch goes with Mini's game plan. I hope the Qatar trip pays off and he has a career best year.

Would love to see Dewar develop into a Wirrapanda/Jetta type off the half back.
 
B - Hough, Edwards, Cole
HB - Baker, Gov, Ginbey
C - Hunt, Yeo, Duggo
HF - Graham, Allen, Hewett
F Ryan, Waterman, Owies

Fol: Flynn, TK, Reid
IC: Cripps, Shanahan, JWilliams, Allan
Sub: Maric

Getting tough to pick a team - which a very nice change
 
With the talk Duggan might be a mid? This is what id like to be the squad for round 1 at this stage

FB: Hough Edwards Baker
HB: Ginbey Gov Maric
C: Hutchinson Duggan Cole
HF: Kelly Waterman Hewett
FF: Owies Allen Ryan
R: Flynn Reid Yeo
Int: J.Williams Allan Graham Cripps
Sub: Johnston

unlucky: Hunt, Long, Bazzo, Dewar, BWilliams

Midfield rotation of Reid, Yeo, Hewett, Graham and Duggan? A bit more balanced than we are used to.
Kelly out to half forward, fingers crossed he can get back to his best
 
With the talk Duggan might be a mid? This is what id like to be the squad for round 1 at this stage

FB: Hough Edwards Baker
HB: Ginbey Gov Maric
C: Hutchinson Duggan Cole
HF: Kelly Waterman Hewett
FF: Owies Allen Ryan
R: Flynn Reid Yeo
Int: J.Williams Allan Graham Cripps
Sub: Johnston

unlucky: Hunt, Long, Bazzo, Dewar, BWilliams

Midfield rotation of Reid, Yeo, Hewett, Graham and Duggan? A bit more balanced than we are used to.
Kelly out to half forward, fingers crossed he can get back to his best
I'd switch Hunt for Cole and go with that. Also can't see Hutch starting ahead of Graham.
 
I'd switch Hunt for Cole and go with that. Also can't see Hutch starting ahead of Graham.
Could swap Hunt and Cole, but I just think Cole gets it. He looked decent toward the end of the year playing a high half back sort of role. Hunt wasnt that great this year.
Cole also was right up there in the running tests they did at training I think? He might be working up to a role higher up the ground.

I had Hutch on a wing, Graham as an onballer. I didnt have them competing for spots, Graham is locked into the midfield rotation imo
 
Suspect, with no evidence to back it up, that we’ll have more players rotating through the midfield than we were accustomed to seeing under Simpson

Something like this -

KPD - McGovern, Edwards
Backs - Hough, Ginbey, Cole
HB/Mids - Baker, Duggan, Hunt
Mids - Yeo, Kelly, Reid, Graham
HF/Mids - Cripps, Hewett, Hutchinson
Forwards - Ryan, Owies, Long
KPF - Allen, Waterman
Ruck/Fwd - Flynn, J Williams
Sub - Maric

Depth :
KPD - Bazzo, Jamieson
Backs - Grego
HB/Mids - Johnston, Allan
Mids - Hall, Chesser, Sheed
HF/Mids - Dewar, Petruccelle, Brockman, Gross, Davis
Forwards - Champion, Rawlinson
Ruck/Fwd - B Williams, Barnett, Livingstone
KPF - Reid, Shanahan

Expect some players will be trialled in different positions but the above is based on where they’ve predominantly been played so far
 
2025 WC
BackBazzoH.EdwardsBaker
HBHuntMcGovernGinbey
CentreHoughGrahamDuggan
HFOwiesWatermanKelly
FwdJ.WilliamsO. AllenHewett
FollowersFlynnH.ReidYeo
InterchangeHutchinsonCrippsMaric
Long
2025 Beagles
BackColeJamiesonShanahan
HBChesserBarnettGrego
CentreDavisAllanJohnston
HFDewarA.ReidBrockman
FwdChampionLivingstonRyan
FollowersB. WilliamsHallPetruccelle
InterchangeRawlinsonSheed

  • Between 8-10 developing players, 12-14 senior B22 players.
  • Bring Duggan and Hough to the Wing roles with the defensive minded players to get back and help out D50.
  • Selection integrity, rewarding preseason training form and Beagles form.
  • Need to have multiple "senior" players in the Beagles to bring leadership and professionalism
 
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FBHoughEdwardsMaric(3rd tall)
HBBakerMcGovernGinbey
CDugganGrahamHutchinson
HFHewettWatermanKelly
FFRyanAllenLong
RB.WilliamsReidYeo
IntJ.WilliamsAllanColeOwies
SubChesser
  • Allen to play closer to goal to preserve his knee. Waterman to use his running prowess to be the classic CHF, while being able to run back hard to create another deep option when possible.
  • Maric to take most of the kickins, Baker and Gov as the alternates.
  • Hutchinson on a wing, idk where else to put him but I feel hes definitely in there, Duggan on the other. Cole on the banch as an extra wing option.
  • Allan in as a defender or occasional mid rotation.
  • Duggan as a mostly midfielder is interesting, I have him out on a wing and Kelly is moved to half forward reminiscent of his Geelong year. We have a few midfield options now(when fully fit) so a best 22 can probably have Kelly out of there.
  • Graham full time in the middle, 80% CBAs as the defensive mid. When Graham is off the ground put Duggan in there as the like for like defensive role replacement
  • Yeo, Reid and Hewett being the next most used mids, with whoever else to fill the gaps.
  • I didnt put any inside mids on the bench, Kelly, Duggan, Hewett and Baker named on field can rotate in there as required.
  • BWilliams or Flynn as ruck doesnt matter.
  • Chesser as the sub as I think he has to be close to or in the squad or hes cooked, he doesnt have long left now with so many kids now to try to squeeze in. If nothing else hes a great burst type of mid to add in later into a game. Just dont put him on a wing. Johnston or Dewar alternates
  • I have Hunt and Cripps missing out. Cripps a bit unlucky but need to prioritise kids imo, and Hunt doesnt bring enough outside his speed. We arent a slow team anymore.
 

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Prediction Round 1, 2025: Starting 23

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