I should preface this - this isn’t to say the current squad has proven themselves to be close to what we saw in the 2017 QF and PF’s. I mostly thought, after a bit of investigation, the talent in this year’s side really adds up, compared to our GF year side, and that it would be interesting to do an overall comparison
I’ll go section by section, and will judge our best available team in each year (ie will count Smithers and Gov in 2017, despite neither playing in the GF)
Backs:
KPDs: Daniel Talia, Kyle Hartigan, Jake Lever vs Jordon Butts, Mark Keane, Josh Worrell
Small/Med Def’s: Brodie Smith, Rory Laird, Jake Kelly, Luke Brown vs Max Michalanney, Rory Laird, Wayne Milera, Mitch Hinge
Think our key backs are basically even. Talia was clearly better than Butts (or Murray), but Keane’s offensive ability and Worrell’s all-round game this year even it up. If it was up to me, I’d take this year’s KPDs
In regards to the other defenders - as much as I like this year’s lot, I don’t think you can go against our 2017 guys. Laird of 8 years ago was better than Laird today, pre-ACL Smith was better than Hinge, and I’d argue Brown’s impact was more significant than Milera’s current impact. Only matchup I’d have ahead is MM > Jake
2017: 1
2025: 1
Mids:
Inside: Rory Sloane, Brad Crouch, Matt Crouch, Hugh Greenwood vs Jordan Dawson, Izak Rankine, Jake Soligo, James Peatling, Sam Berry
Outside: David Mackay, Rory Atkins, Riley Knight vs Daniel Curtin, Isaac Cumming, Brodie Smith
Ruck: Sam Jacobs vs Reilly O’Brien
Inside mids is pretty clear to me - 2017 had the higher floor, you knew what you’d get out of Sloane and the Crouches every week. Whereas 2025 has the higher ceiling, but more of a possibility for one, or more, of Daws/Ranks/Soli to not accumulate enough. That said, I’m giving it to 2025 on pure star power
I’m giving the outside mids to 2017, though. I think we forget how good Atkins and Knight generally were that year, both played their roles incredibly well. Curtin’s been breaking games open as of late, but I wouldn’t say his output puts 2025 over the top yet
Ruck - yeah it’s Sauce
2017: 3
2025: 2
Fwds:
KPDs: Taylor Walker, Josh Jenkins, Mitch McGovern vs Riley Thilthorpe, Darcy Fogarty, Taylor Walker
Small/Medium Forwards: Tom Lynch, Eddie Betts, Charlie Cameron, Richard Douglas vs Josh Rachele, Ben Keays, Alex Neal-Bullen, Luke Pedlar
Imma call the KPFs a wash. 2025 RT is the most talented out of any of them, but the functioning of the 2017 KPFs might have been the best I’ve seen of any side, both then and since
2017 smalls definitely better. More experienced and more talent. Although you could make a case the 2025 smalls have a more rounded skillset
2017: 4 1/2
2025: 2 1/2
Keen to hear everyone else’s thoughts. IMO 2025’s closer than I would’ve thought, but not quite there
I’ll go section by section, and will judge our best available team in each year (ie will count Smithers and Gov in 2017, despite neither playing in the GF)
Backs:
KPDs: Daniel Talia, Kyle Hartigan, Jake Lever vs Jordon Butts, Mark Keane, Josh Worrell
Small/Med Def’s: Brodie Smith, Rory Laird, Jake Kelly, Luke Brown vs Max Michalanney, Rory Laird, Wayne Milera, Mitch Hinge
Think our key backs are basically even. Talia was clearly better than Butts (or Murray), but Keane’s offensive ability and Worrell’s all-round game this year even it up. If it was up to me, I’d take this year’s KPDs
In regards to the other defenders - as much as I like this year’s lot, I don’t think you can go against our 2017 guys. Laird of 8 years ago was better than Laird today, pre-ACL Smith was better than Hinge, and I’d argue Brown’s impact was more significant than Milera’s current impact. Only matchup I’d have ahead is MM > Jake
2017: 1
2025: 1
Mids:
Inside: Rory Sloane, Brad Crouch, Matt Crouch, Hugh Greenwood vs Jordan Dawson, Izak Rankine, Jake Soligo, James Peatling, Sam Berry
Outside: David Mackay, Rory Atkins, Riley Knight vs Daniel Curtin, Isaac Cumming, Brodie Smith
Ruck: Sam Jacobs vs Reilly O’Brien
Inside mids is pretty clear to me - 2017 had the higher floor, you knew what you’d get out of Sloane and the Crouches every week. Whereas 2025 has the higher ceiling, but more of a possibility for one, or more, of Daws/Ranks/Soli to not accumulate enough. That said, I’m giving it to 2025 on pure star power
I’m giving the outside mids to 2017, though. I think we forget how good Atkins and Knight generally were that year, both played their roles incredibly well. Curtin’s been breaking games open as of late, but I wouldn’t say his output puts 2025 over the top yet
Ruck - yeah it’s Sauce
2017: 3
2025: 2
Fwds:
KPDs: Taylor Walker, Josh Jenkins, Mitch McGovern vs Riley Thilthorpe, Darcy Fogarty, Taylor Walker
Small/Medium Forwards: Tom Lynch, Eddie Betts, Charlie Cameron, Richard Douglas vs Josh Rachele, Ben Keays, Alex Neal-Bullen, Luke Pedlar
Imma call the KPFs a wash. 2025 RT is the most talented out of any of them, but the functioning of the 2017 KPFs might have been the best I’ve seen of any side, both then and since
2017 smalls definitely better. More experienced and more talent. Although you could make a case the 2025 smalls have a more rounded skillset
2017: 4 1/2
2025: 2 1/2
Keen to hear everyone else’s thoughts. IMO 2025’s closer than I would’ve thought, but not quite there
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