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

[Gazza Greatness]

The key word... Fit.
If all are fit and firing.
Jack Martin is a walk up start.
The man is all class.
Can play small, tall & in between. He is quicker/stronger than people think and has those sticky hands.
Remembering his u-17 & u-18 years.
There was no one really better.
Was considered one of the best three youngsters in the land.
Injuries are a kent.
If he or we can get him fit.
We have just pulled off the biggest heist since getting Danger for a few trinkets and bracelets from the crows.
Can't wait to see him in the hoops.
Fingers crossed lady luck is on our/his side in 2025.

Yeah... have to agree with a lot that was said GCL: but bloody hell given Jack Martin's injury history I'm not so sure that FIT is the key word but rather 'two key words' and that is IF FIT and very big IF FIT. But there's no doubting the guys talent, something that the Blues themselves have always known about him which goes all the way back as you stated to his junior days but the footy Gods have not been his best friend. However, 'fingers crossed' he finally gets a reasonable shot at it and he gets the chance to display his undoubtable talents, especially come finals time, coz he is to some point a real X factor player, so here is hoping and GO CATS !!!

 

[CHAWKTS]

With the MOC interview it had me thinking about whether I was “sleeping on” the potential for him to hold a position in our best 23? I (as it seems most on this forum) seem to have relegated MOC to depth for 2025 but is that being disrespectful to what he can offer?

Maybe the interview reminded me how much I like him as a person and what a great effort it has been to build his career. He has added great flexibility and is a great athlete and team man. And now in his peak time

I still see him as depth (with Mullin going past him and better options through MF and Wing)…but I just wonder whether I was underestimating what he brings?

 

[Gazza Greatness]

With the MOC interview it had me thinking about whether I was “sleeping on” the potential for him to hold a position in our best 23? I (as it seems most on this forum) seem to have relegated MOC to depth for 2025 but is that being disrespectful to what he can offer?

Maybe the interview reminded me how much I like him as a person and what a great effort it has been to build his career. He has added great flexibility and is a great athlete and team man. And now in his peak time

I still see him as depth (with Mullin going past him and better options through MF and Wing)…but I just wonder whether I was underestimating what he brings?

Injuries cruelled him in 2024 CHAWKTS: and he showed during 2022 finals but even more-so 'grand final' that he is more than capable. I've also hoped about MOC that he could become more of an attacking type of player, including being more creative and I can remember one bit of play at the MCG back in 2022 where he got the ball on the wing with many players in the area and he decided to go on his left side back into play which I've never seen him do before. He then kicked a 'brilliant' 45 to 50 metre 'left foot pass' to the centre/centre forward area of ground to a free Geelong player which resulted in a goal, he really did make something out of nothing in that play, almost Stevie J like which gave me great hope but I've never seen from him since.

However, in fairness to him, he really has been asked to play mainly defensive roles including tagging the likes of Lachie Neale in which he has done a great job but also, he is still plenty flexible in positional moves, playing that defensive role on-ball or back-half or wherever required and his got good height which can also be useful. In conclusion, when MOC is fit and on song he is probably better than a back-up player and at most AFL clubs he'd being getting a game but this current Geelong side is very strong but like all Cat fans we wish him well.

PS - Heartening news CHAWKTS: in regards to what MOC said about Oisin Mullen and yeah, I know they're both Irishman but he said it with some 'conviction' that Oisin is coming on strong and is becoming a better player and has been one of the standouts throughout the preseason and remembering that certain plays of Oisin in Prelim especially were highly impressive.

 

[Oisin_the_Goat]

I don't think the below will be our R1 team, but here's what i'd want for development of youth in 2025. It felt a bit brutal making this list. And yes no Conway as I can't even see him getting on the park. O'Sullivan comes in and SDK rucks. I can't see how Jhye breaks in to this midfield unfortunetely.


B: Kolo J Henry Z Guthrie

HB: Stewart O'Sullivan Humphries

C: B Smith Bruhn Dempsey

HF: Close Cameron Miers

F: Stengle Neale O Henry

R: Knevitt Holmes Danger

I: Mullin SDK (Ruck) Blicavs Mannagh

 

[D BRIDGE]

With the MOC interview it had me thinking about whether I was “sleeping on” the potential for him to hold a position in our best 23? I (as it seems most on this forum) seem to have relegated MOC to depth for 2025 but is that being disrespectful to what he can offer?

Maybe the interview reminded me how much I like him as a person and what a great effort it has been to build his career. He has added great flexibility and is a great athlete and team man. And now in his peak time

I still see him as depth (with Mullin going past him and better options through MF and Wing)…but I just wonder whether I was underestimating what he brings?

No, you are not underestimating what he brings.

He is a role player at best and destined to be floating around the fringe till the day he is out of the system.

 

[Gazza Greatness]

I don't think the below will be our R1 team, but here's what i'd want for development of youth in 2025. It felt a bit brutal making this list. And yes no Conway as I can't even see him getting on the park. O'Sullivan comes in and SDK rucks. I can't see how Jhye breaks in to this midfield unfortunetely.


B: Kolo J Henry Z Guthrie

HB: Stewart O'Sullivan Humphries

C: B Smith Bruhn Dempsey

HF: Close Cameron Miers

F: Stengle Neale O Henry

R: Knevitt Holmes Danger

I: Mullin SDK (Ruck) Blicavs Mannagh

Knevitt ruck? OtG: but regardless it's an excellent 'youngish' side going forward with new draftees to still show their talents which hopefully be very exciting..... and yeah, Toby Conway goes straight back to first ruck if we can get him back at some stage this season, if not then 2026 it will be for Toby.

 

[Footy Smarts]

I don't think the below will be our R1 team, but here's what i'd want for development of youth in 2025. It felt a bit brutal making this list. And yes no Conway as I can't even see him getting on the park. O'Sullivan comes in and SDK rucks. I can't see how Jhye breaks in to this midfield unfortunetely.


B: Kolo J Henry Z Guthrie

HB: Stewart O'Sullivan Humphries

C: B Smith Bruhn Dempsey

HF: Close Cameron Miers

F: Stengle Neale O Henry

R: Knevitt Holmes Danger

I: Mullin SDK (Ruck) Blicavs Mannagh

I'm a bit surprised everyone has decided Knevitt is ahead of Clark.

It's funny how attitudes shift around here. Mid last year Clark was showing signs of settling in a bit at AFL level and had been really good the few times he'd gone back to the VFL.

Knevitt hadn't been picked apart from a 10 second sub appearance and was doing ok off a wing in the VFL but not exactly banging the door down.

Fast forward a handful of games and the consensus around here seems to be that Clark is likely a bust and Knevitt looks ready to break out.

 

[iameviljez]

It's funny how attitudes shift around here. Mid last year Clark was showing signs of settling in a bit at AFL level and had been really good the few times he'd gone back to the VFL.

Absence and preseason rumours make the heart grow infinitely fonder

 

[CHAWKTS]

Assuming full availability, SDK playing in the ruck and Holmes playing in the midfield, who are everyone's best 7 defenders heading into 2025?

J.Henry, Kolo, Blicavs, Stewart, Zuthrie, Humphries - these 6 seem simple enough.

The 7th I guess we have a choice of Mullin, Duncan, Cuthrie, Bews, MOC and maybe at a stretch Bowes (depending on team balance). Not an easy choice. Maybe they'll back Mullin in? Or perhaps this is the defensive slot from which we'll have a lot of rotations throughout the season.

It gets really hard when you go line by line trying to get 7 backs and 7 forwards and then 8 mids with a sub…. Noting that some can be versatile.

I am backing in what I have heard in that Mullin is “a certainty” in terms of being in best 23. So that leaves Duncan fighting I think for the sub role whilst Guth is too hard to call in terms of hypothetical of being fit and bews/MOC are depth. IMO

 

[Kobe Gryant]

I'm a bit surprised everyone has decided Knevitt is ahead of Clark.

It's funny how attitudes shift around here. Mid last year Clark was showing signs of settling in a bit at AFL level and had been really good the few times he'd gone back to the VFL.

Knevitt hadn't been picked apart from a 10 second sub appearance and was doing ok off a wing in the VFL but not exactly banging the door down.

Fast forward a handful of games and the consensus around here seems to be that Clark is likely a bust and Knevitt looks ready to break out.

I really don't think it's that deep or calculated.

The reality is neither of them have done much in the way of guaranteeing long term careers, or impressing at senior level.

Knevitt though appears to be the one impressing the coaches, putting in the extras, and doing all he can to push his case forward in the midfield.

If it was Clark who was being reported about in that same manor, or even Clohesy, I'd imagine they'd be getting the same "hype" so to speak that Knevitt's receiving.

In simple terms, neither look like world beaters, but one looks more likely to improve right now than the other. That's all it is.

 

[ShadowCat]

Going by all the reporting coming out, I'm going with this as our Best 23 for Round 0 and onwards (excluding players on the injury list)

B: J. Henry, Blics, Zuthrie
HB: T. Stewart, Kolo, L. Humphries
C: Dempsey, Bruhn, B. Smith
FO: SDK, Holmes, Danger
HF: O. Henry, J. Cameron, Miers
F: Stengle, S. Neale, Close
INT: Knevitt, Bowes, T. Atkins, Mullin
Sub: Duncan

EMG: Stanley, C. O'Sullivan, O'Connor, Clohesy

Unavailable - C. Guthrie, J. Martin, Conway, Mannagh

 

[Footy Smarts]

I really don't think it's that deep or calculated.

The reality is neither of them have done much in the way of guaranteeing long term careers, or impressing at senior level.

That's fair.

Knevitt though appears to be the one impressing the coaches, putting in the extras, and doing all he can to push his case forward in the midfield.

If it was Clark who was being reported about in that same manor, or even Clohesy, I'd imagine they'd be getting the same "hype" so to speak that Knevitt's receiving.

See this is the bit I don't get. Where have we heard anything about Knevitt from the coaches? Or that he's "putting in the extras" while Clark isn't? Have I completed missed all this?

 

[Mr Meow]

Going by all the reporting coming out, I'm going with this as our Best 23 for Round 0 and onwards (excluding players on the injury list)

B: J. Henry, Blics, Zuthrie
HB: T. Stewart, Kolo, L. Humphries
C: Dempsey, Bruhn, B. Smith
FO: SDK, Holmes, Danger
HF: O. Henry, J. Cameron, Miers
F: Stengle, S. Neale, Close
INT: Knevitt, Bowes, T. Atkins, Mullin
Sub: Duncan

EMG: Stanley, C. O'Sullivan, O'Connor, Clohesy

Unavailable - C. Guthrie, J. Martin, Conway, Mannagh

It looks good but there's always a forward on the bench. I guess they could play Bowes there, but he hasn't been impressive when they've tried it.

 

[Mr Meow]

That's fair.



See this is the bit I don't get. Where have we heard anything about Knevitt from the coaches? Or that he's "putting in the extras" while Clark isn't? Have I completed missed all this?

Knevitt's body is more mature and he's had longer in the system. I think "it's now or never" types will get more attention than players considered a slower burn. Remember, Clark only had his first full season in 2024. He'll play in the 1s this year too but it's not a big deal if he's more in development mode.

 

[Kobe Gryant]

That's fair.



See this is the bit I don't get. Where have we heard anything about Knevitt from the coaches? Or that he's "putting in the extras" while Clark isn't? Have I completed missed all this?

Mainly from our reports in here admittedly, and player comments. Miers in particular from memory, while there was a Smith article that touched on similar.

Look to be totally honest though, I don't think it's worth worrying about. It doesn't mean Clark's a slouch or anything like that, it's just that Knevitt seems to be one getting the focus above others for the effort he's put it.

It's all just pre-season fluff. It'll be irrelevant by round 3 if any of those fringe guys don't take their chances.

 

[Oisin_the_Goat]

Knevitt ruck? OtG: but regardless it's an excellent 'youngish' side going forward with new draftees to still show their talents which hopefully be very exciting..... and yeah, Toby Conway goes straight back to first ruck if we can get him back at some stage this season, if not then 2026 it will be for Toby.

Haha ignore the categories but SDK is main ruck. Yeah I wish Toby could play the whole season.

 

[Oisin_the_Goat]

I'm a bit surprised everyone has decided Knevitt is ahead of Clark.

It's funny how attitudes shift around here. Mid last year Clark was showing signs of settling in a bit at AFL level and had been really good the few times he'd gone back to the VFL.

Knevitt hadn't been picked apart from a 10 second sub appearance and was doing ok off a wing in the VFL but not exactly banging the door down.

Fast forward a handful of games and the consensus around here seems to be that Clark is likely a bust and Knevitt looks ready to break out.

Yeah this is based off reports Knevitts been a beast in the off season. (Not that I've seen him train) But Clark being pulled out of the A side mid season last year made me wonder if he would get there tbh.

 

[Oisin_the_Goat]

Mainly from our reports in here admittedly, and player comments. Miers in particular from memory, while there was a Smith article that touched on similar.

Look to be totally honest though, I don't think it's worth worrying about. It doesn't mean Clark's a slouch or anything like that, it's just that Knevitt seems to be one getting the focus above others for the effort he's put it.

It's all just pre-season fluff. It'll be irrelevant by round 3 if any of those fringe guys don't take their chances.

Actually King mentioned him on the afl site

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I'm a bit surprised everyone has decided Knevitt is ahead of Clark.

It's funny how attitudes shift around here. Mid last year Clark was showing signs of settling in a bit at AFL level and had been really good the few times he'd gone back to the VFL.

Knevitt hadn't been picked apart from a 10 second sub appearance and was doing ok off a wing in the VFL but not exactly banging the door down.

Fast forward a handful of games and the consensus around here seems to be that Clark is likely a bust and Knevitt looks ready to break out.

That's all fair but Clark has had continuity of role which knevitt never gets he gets thrown in every position.

 

[Gazza Greatness]

Haha ignore the categories but SDK is main ruck. Yeah I wish Toby could play the whole season.

Might be new Cat strategy come finals 2025, coz it did work for the Tigers with Shaun Grigg being 2nd ruck at one time for the Tigers in a premiership year and he was assistant coach at Cats for a time, so maybe he was exerting his influence of how important role that was in order for the Tigers to win that flag and that left-field strategy still remains at Cats to some degree.... so yeah, bring on Mitch Knevitt and go MITCH !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Footy Smarts]

That's all fair but Clark has had continuity of role which knevitt never gets he gets thrown in every position.

Really? Every time I've watched Knevitt has played some mix of wing and midfield. I can't really think of a time he's played anywhere else.

Clark was pretty continuous in the first half of last year. But he played off half back for a bit in his shortened first year. Then at the end of last year he was all over the place from deep in defence to deep in attack.

 

[Gazza Greatness]

Really? Every time I've watched Knevitt has played some mix of wing and midfield. I can't really think of a time he's played anywhere else.

Clark was pretty continuous in the first half of last year. But he played off half back for a bit in his shortened first year. Then at the end of last year he was all over the place from deep in defence to deep in attack.

There's been very little said about Jhye Clark this preseason which is rather odd given that he's received plenty of coverage in past but that doesn't mean to say he is not progressing. There's no doubt that Jhye was ahead of Mitch Knevitt in getting games in 2024 but I have liked what I have seen of Mitch Knevitt this preseason and although he was talked up last preseason, personally I felt it he was overhyped and it was Ollie Dempsey who was 'the man'.

I found it rather odd how there were many posters at one time here saying Mitch Knevitt was the equal to or if not better than Ollie Dempsey in his progression of which I disagreed strongly. But this preseason to me it's different as Mitch is a much, much better footballer than he was this time last year. The coming practice game against the Hawks on Monday is going to be so interesting to watch on so many fronts including seeing how both Mitch Knevitt and Jhye Clark perform and GO CATS !!!

 

[cats_09]

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Knevitt will be in as cam Guthrie is cooked but otherwise that's our best 22.

 

[cats_09]

Thought some might find this interesting