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

[nohairandfair]

Thought some might find this interesting

Scotty can dish up a word salad at times. Sounds like Mitch will get some midfield exposure but will be played predominantly on the outside (form permitting).

 

[D BRIDGE]

Interesting to hear Jack Martin was running around in the middle in yesterdays VFL practice match.

CS sounds like will put Martin into the side when fit and ready.

You’d think in the half forward role he has normally played but with all our small forwards + Mannagh also to come back in I do find it interesting about him playing through the middle yesterday.

It’ll probably mean nothing but it’s hard to see them all in the one side at the same time playing forward.

 

[year of the cat]

B: Humphries, SDK, COS
HB: Stewart, J.Henry, Z.Guthrie
C: Dempsey, Atkins, Miers
HF: Close, Cameron, Mannagh
F: Stengle, Neale, Dangerfield

Foll: Stanley, Holmes, Smith

Int: Blicavs, O’Connor, Martin, O.Henry

Sub: Duncan

Energ: Mullin, Clohesy, Knevitt

 

[DanA]

B: Humphries, SDK, COS
HB: Stewart, J.Henry, Z.Guthrie
C: Dempsey, Atkins, Miers
HF: Close, Cameron, Mannagh
F: Stengle, Neale, Dangerfield

Foll: Stanley, Holmes, Smith

Int: Blicavs, O’Connor, Martin, O.Henry

Sub: Duncan

Energ: Mullin, Clohesy, Knevitt

That looks pretty good. The only changes...and both are maybes would be Bowes and Kolo for Martin and COS. Nothing wrong with what O'Sullivan has done but it's hard to push out a 200 game player. Martin vs Bowes kinda depends on the match ups and what we get out of Martin the next 8 weeks. I'd lean towards Jack Bowes getting the nod though.

 

[Toe Poke]

B: Stewart SDK JHenry
HB: ZGuthrie Kolo Humphries
C: CGuthrie Holmes Dempsey
HF: Dangerfield Cameron Stengle
F: Miers Neale Mannagh
R: Stanley Smith Atkins
I: Blicavs Close OHenry Bruhn
SUB: Duncan
E: Bowes O'Connor O'Sullivan

Missing out:
Martin Mullin Clohesy Knevitt Clark Bews Wiltshire

 

[Gazza Greatness]

A penny for our thoughts!

Reckon come finals time, there's 27 players that can make the final 23, don't think there is anyone else on our list on current exposed 2023 form that can make it and no matter which way we choose to go or who we choose to select we'll have a very strong team, here's hoping.... and GO CATS !!!

Kolo's the one big question mark to whether he can be 100% right but if he is, then he has to be in side (or does he?) but regardless, the final 23 on the assumption of 'no injuries' means it will be a very tough call for final selection, especially for a handful of players with the final decision perhaps being decided by what team we are playing.

Connor O'Sullivan.... Jack Henry.... Lawson Humphries

Zach Guthrie.... Sam De Koning.... Tom Stewart

Mark Blicavs.... Max Holmes.... Oliver Dempsey

Gryan Miers.... Jeremy Cameron.... Brad Close

Tyson Stengle.... Shannon Neale.... Patrick Dangerfield

Rhys Stanley.... Tom Atkins

30

Tom Atkins

Age

30

Ht

180cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.5

3star

K

5.0

2star

HB

6.5

4star

M

1.4

2star

T

4.3

5star

CL

1.3

3star

D

6.5

1star

K

3.0

1star

HB

3.5

2star

M

0.8

1star

T

1.5

2star

CL

0.5

3star

D

11.6

3star

K

5.0

2star

HB

6.6

4star

M

2.0

3star

T

4.8

5star

CL

1.2

4star

.... Bailey Smith

Shaun Mannagh.... Jack Martin.... Mark O'Connor.... Mitch Duncan
Jack Bowes.... Ollie Henry.... Jake Kolodjashnij.... Oisin Mullin.... Jed Bews

24

Jed Bews

Age

31

Ht

186cm

Wt

90kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.9

3star

K

6.1

2star

HB

4.8

3star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.6

4star

MG

178.2

3star

D

9.5

2star

K

7.5

3star

HB

2.0

1star

M

2.3

2star

T

1.7

3star

MG

205.8

3star

D

8.8

3star

K

3.8

2star

HB

5.0

4star

M

2.4

3star

T

3.2

5star

Unlikely LONGSHOT - Toby Conway if he can make it back in time to be 100% finals fit but at this stage highly unlikely but regardless Rhys Stanley

1

Rhys Stanley

Age

35

Ht

200cm

Wt

102kg

Pos.

Ruck

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.6

3star

K

7.2

3star

HB

6.4

4star

CL

3.4

5star

HO

27.6

5star

D

12.0

3star

K

7.5

3star

HB

4.5

3star

CL

5.0

5star

HO

21.5

5star

D

11.8

3star

K

5.4

2star

HB

6.4

4star

CL

3.0

5star

HO

33.0

5star

is doing a wonderful job anyway.

 

[Generalissimo]

My best 23, plus 3 emergencies:

B: Z Guthrie.....J Henry.....C O'Sullivan
HB: T Stewart....S De Koning....L Humphries
C: M Blicavs....T Atkins....O Dempsey
HF: B Close....S Neale....G Miers
F: T Stengle....J Cameron....P Dangerfield
R: R Stanley, M Holmes, B Smith
I:: M O'Connor, S Mannagh, O Mullin, J Martin
SUB: M Duncan
E: J Bowes, T Clohesy, O Henry

 

[Mr Meow]

My best 23, plus 3 emergencies:

B: Z Guthrie.....J Henry.....C O'Sullivan
HB: T Stewart....S De Koning....L Humphries
C: M Blicavs....T Atkins....O Dempsey
HF: B Close....S Neale....G Miers
F: T Stengle....J Cameron....P Dangerfield
R: R Stanley, M Holmes, B Smith
I:: M O'Connor, S Mannagh, O Mullin, J Martin
SUB: M Duncan
E: J Bowes, T Clohesy, O Henry

This looks about right to me.

Mullin to tag Daicos, McCluggage, Dawson, Richards, Anderson/Miller or Day/Newcombe in finals.

Duncan is a reliable sub now. I think he struggled with it when he was cooked/overplayed late 2024. Maybe his confidence took a shot too. Whereas this year he's ably stepped in when required.

Martin best 23 was always locked in...just a matter of whether his body would allow it. Fingers crossed he has no more issues, but if he does then Duncan is ready and in good form/fitness.

Bowes is handy depth at this stage. Potentially he could add to our midfield rotations. They seem to like him more aa a defender this year though.

 

[Baudolino]

I still think if Kolo is fit he makes the side. Remember those marks Mihocek took late on in the Collingwood game earlier this year? If Kolo was there I don't think he takes them.

 

[Mr Meow]

I still think if Kolo is fit he makes the side. Remember those marks Mihocek took late on in the Collingwood game earlier this year? If Kolo was there I don't think he takes them.

If Henry was there I don't think he takes them.

But yeah, it's a redundant matter until his body is right and the relative silence is deafening.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

My best 23, plus 3 emergencies:

B: Z Guthrie.....J Henry.....C O'Sullivan
HB: T Stewart....S De Koning....L Humphries
C: M Blicavs....T Atkins....O Dempsey
HF: B Close....S Neale....G Miers
F: T Stengle....J Cameron....P Dangerfield
R: R Stanley, M Holmes, B Smith
I:: M O'Connor, S Mannagh, O Mullin, J Martin
SUB: M Duncan
E: J Bowes, T Clohesy, O Henry

I would have Henry for Martin but otherwise that's my 23
I think kolo will be there if fit though.

 

[DanA]

I would have Henry for Martin but otherwise that's my 23
I think kolo will be there if fit though.

That forward pressure looked pretty good minus Ollie Henry. Fast dropping out of my best 23. That last place to me is a four way tie between Duncan, Martin, Bowes, and Henry.

I also agree keeping Kolo out feels wrong now. And I was not a Kolo fan prior to 2022.

 

[Toe Poke]

B: Stewart SDK JHenry
HB: ZGuthrie Kolo Humphries
C: CGuthrie Holmes Dempsey
HF: Dangerfield Cameron Stengle
F: Miers Neale Mannagh
R: Stanley Smith Atkins
I: Blicavs Close Bruhn Bowes
SUB: Duncan

E: O'Connor COS OHenry

Missing out:
Martin Mullin Stevens Bews Knevitt Clohesy Clark Wiltshire

 

[Gunf]

B: Stewart SDK JHenry
HB: ZGuthrie Kolo Humphries
C: CGuthrie Holmes Dempsey
HF: Dangerfield Cameron Stengle
F: Miers Neale Mannagh
R: Stanley Smith Atkins
I: Blicavs Close Bruhn Bowes
SUB: Duncan

E: O'Connor COS OHenry

Missing out:
Martin Mullin Stevens Bews Knevitt Clohesy Clark Wiltshire

Guthrie isn't getting back into our team this year

We may roll the dice on Kolo in a final but even that is doubtful

So replace Kolo with COS and Guthrie with Mullin/MOC

Also swap Duncan with the other option out of Mullin/MOC

As for Bruhn we have no idea if he will ever play again so swap him for Martin

 

[cats_09]

B: Stewart SDK JHenry
HB: ZGuthrie Kolo Humphries
C: CGuthrie Holmes Dempsey
HF: Dangerfield Cameron Stengle
F: Miers Neale Mannagh
R: Stanley Smith Atkins
I: Blicavs Close Bruhn Bowes
SUB: Duncan

E: O'Connor COS OHenry

Missing out:
Martin Mullin Stevens Bews Knevitt Clohesy Clark Wiltshire

This would seemed to be based on the team list in November last year

What about an updated version for August/September based on the current state of the list?

 

[Toe Poke]

This would seemed to be based on the team list in November last year

What about an updated version for August/September based on the current state of the list?

This is a best 23 based on the current list. All the players in the team are on the playing list.

 

[Toe Poke]

As for Bruhn we have no idea if he will ever play again so swap him for Martin

Why is that? Given that he hasn't been on the injury list for weeks, I would assume that he has recovered fully from his finger injury.

 

[cats_09]

This is a best 23 based on the current list. All the players in the team are on the playing list.

I know all those guys are currently on our list, but not sure that all of them are actually available for selection or match fit for senior football heading into finals

A few of those names would also seem to be selected on reputation from past years compared with the form showed in 2025

3 of those named wouldn't be in our best 23 as of August 25 based on form and availablity - that's why I asked if it was based on the list from November last year with an expectation for 2025 or an updated 23 based on the current situation

 

[Gunf]

Why is that? Given that he hasn't been on the injury list for weeks, I would assume that he has recovered fully from his finger injury.

Go to the rumours board if you want information

 

[cats_09]

Why is that? Given that he hasn't been on the injury list for weeks, I would assume that he has recovered fully from his finger injury.

He hasn't been on the injury list since May, he has not and will not play at any level this year - he's simply not available for selection

 

[Gazza Greatness]

I know all those guys are currently on our list, but not sure that all of them are actually available for selection or match fit for senior football heading into finals

A few of those names would also seem to be selected on reputation from past years compared with the form showed in 2025

3 of those named wouldn't be in our best 23 as of August 25 based on form and availablity - that's why I asked if it was based on the list from November last year with an expectation for 2025 or an updated 23 based on the current situation

cats_09:.... Toke Poke's side seems a troll with TB query comment a real red flag, is he really one of ours?

 

[Mr Meow]

If we get >5 good games out of Martin, we are laughing. He’s been described as having a body that can not tolerate the rigours of AFL loading.Historically, we have not often been the club to resurrect careers like his, not through lack of effort- SSelwood, HMac, and other names jump up. I’m talking about those whose bodies are broken and come our way. Anyway, he’s not with us at a high price iirc.

Dubsy, someone mentioned Martin and it reminded me of our pre season conversation.

I said Martin would surprise some people with 12+ senior games. You said we'd be laughing if we got more than 5 out of him.

We have done very well.

 

[Vdubs]

Dubsy, someone mentioned Martin and it reminded me of our pre season conversation.

I said Martin would surprise some people with 12+ senior games. You said we'd be laughing if we got more than 5 out of him.

We have done very well.

So we're laughing.
Hope he plays Saturday.