Strategy Trade and List Management Thread Part 8 (opposition supporters - READ posting rules before posting)

[_Mike_]

Opposition supporters coming to troll , you have been warned

 

[DognBones]

It'll be interesting what his time is this year. When you put on size, the running capacity can drop back a little.

Completely by coincidence I'm staying at the same hotel as the entire WB list as they do their Ballarat and district community thing. I can vouch that Croft looks a bit taller and bigger than previous. I thought Artie Jones was not much taller than my 176cm but he is nearly a 6 footer. Hynes looks to have grown an inch too. Haven't got any photos to show because the players keep coming and going. Spoke to Joel Freijah briefly. Very friendly young man. Didn't call him Bont 2, didn't want to embarrass him and myself!

 

[SPower]

Completely by coincidence I'm staying at the same hotel as the entire WB list as they do their Ballarat and district community thing. I can vouch that Croft looks a bit taller and bigger than previous. I thought Artie Jones was not much taller than my 176cm but he is nearly a 6 footer. Hynes looks to have grown an inch too. Haven't got any photos to show because the players keep coming and going. Spoke to Joel Freijah briefly. Very friendly young man. Didn't call him Bont 2, didn't want to embarrass him and myself!

I don't like Bont2 either.
There is only 1 Marcus Bontempelli!!

 

[DueWest]

With all the recent defenders we've brought in you'd think Coffield, Khamis, and Cleary might be gone in 12 months. Or they'll need to have a big year.

Cleary will be on list in 2027, he signed a contract until then

Coffield will be gone unless he improves a lot and given Khamis wanted out this year and he is a RFA next it is likely he will go.

 

[bobs head soup]

I don't like Bont2 either.
There is only 1 Marcus Bontempelli!!

Absolutely. Also only one Joel Freijah.

 

[Angak]

Both Arty Jones and Luke Clearly will be in the best 22 most weeks next season.

 

[Mofra]

Both Arty Jones and Luke Clearly will be in the best 22 most weeks next season.

I see Arty, VDM and McNeill vying for 1 or 2 positions. VDM has the running capacity, Arty the class, McNeill the ticker. It will be interesting to see how we structure in 2026 with Flea to return at some point, and Hynes & Dolan knocking the door down.

 

[Angak]

I see Arty, VDM and McNeill vying for 1 or 2 positions. VDM has the running capacity, Arty the class, McNeill the ticker. It will be interesting to see how we structure in 2026 with Flea to return at some point, and Hynes & Dolan knocking the door down.

Makes sense. My order would be
West
Arty
Flea
VDM
Dolan
Mcneill

Hynes is 190cm

 

[Mofra]

Makes sense. My order would be
West
Arty
Flea
VDM
Dolan
Mcneill

Hynes is 190cm

Hynes did play predominantly forward in his games this year, I'm guessing he'd play a hybrid mixture in 2026 too (much like Matt Kennedy).
Harmes is the sleeper too - only illness kept him out of the side late, and given we did ask the question of a few mids during trade period there seems to be a place in the team for a versatile mature mid who can play anywhere.

 

[JohnnySteel]

Hynes did play predominantly forward in his games this year, I'm guessing he'd play a hybrid mixture in 2026 too (much like Matt Kennedy).
Harmes is the sleeper too - only illness kept him out of the side late, and given we did ask the question of a few mids during trade period there seems to be a place in the team for a versatile mature mid who can play anywhere.

Harmes is definitely the forgotten man. He hasn’t been able to play much for us but when he has, he has been a very damaging cog in the midfield / forward rotations at his best.

In saying that, I can see Hynes overtaking him really quickly if he doesn’t string some influential games together early.

 

[threenewpadlocks]

Harmes is definitely the forgotten man. He hasn’t been able to play much for us but when he has, he has been a very damaging cog in the midfield / forward rotations at his best.

In saying that, I can see Hynes overtaking him really quickly if he doesn’t string some influential games together early.

Not that it's a given and pre-season forms means everything, but in a theoretical everyone fit best 22, I have Harmes taking Sanders' spot as a best 23 player.

 

[dogwatch]

Both Arty Jones and Luke Clearly will be in the best 22 most weeks next season.

Luke’s nickname should be “autocorrect”. Or more obscurely “obv”.

I’m sure grassman75 would approve. It’s his sort of logic

 

[scratchie]

why not elevate macca from the forward pocket to the midfield. All that hidden good work Bevo values might bamboozle the opposition instead of our supporters.

 

[grassman75]

Luke’s nickname should be “autocorrect”. Or more obscurely “obv”.

I’m sure grassman75 would approve. It’s his sort of logic

I reckon he will more likely be omit

 

[JohnnySteel]

Dolan is such a smooth mover. He had some really impressive takes from the middle, when he was chucked in for a few centre bounces in the VFL. May be another option for some midfield time in the future.

 

[VitalDread]

Dolan is such a smooth mover. He had some really impressive takes from the middle, when he was chucked in for a few centre bounces in the VFL. May be another option for some midfield time in the future.

Woof twitter account was hoping him up today
Might be a lock 22 next year

 

[JohnnySteel]

Woof twitter account was hoping him up today
Might be a lock 22 next year

If we can get Dolan & Arty in the 22 most weeks (& they take that next step), we’re going to be a lot better off.
It’ll be very exciting to watch.

 

[TedDougChris]

If we can get Dolan & Arty in the 22 most weeks (& they take that next step), we’re going to be a lot better off.
It’ll be very exciting to watch.

I do sometimes worry we don't make the best use of Arty, but I really hope he kicks on and gets a fair run with injuries next season.

 

[iambrilliant]

I do sometimes worry we don't make the best use of Arty, but I really hope he kicks on and gets a fair run with injuries next season.

He looked like he was going to break out at the end of last season . Excited to see if he can continue and take the next step

 

[JohnnySteel]

I do sometimes worry we don't make the best use of Arty, but I really hope he kicks on and gets a fair run with injuries next season.

He would be very happy to see the back of the sub. Needs more opportunity.
Where do you see him long term?
Personally I thought he really developed late as a small forward who can play higher up as that link up player or deep as a genuine goal kicking threat. His leap in particular was super dangerous during the VFL finals, brought down some ripper marks. Had abit of Charlie Cameron about him.
Has also looked solid on the wing when rolled through there. Good to have versatility in his game.

 

[weltschmerz]

He would be very happy to see the back of the sub. Needs more opportunity.
Where do you see him long term?
Personally I thought he really developed late as a small forward who can play higher up as that link up player or deep as a genuine goal kicking threat. His leap in particular was super dangerous during the VFL finals, brought down some ripper marks. Had abit of Charlie Cameron about him.
Has also looked solid on the wing when rolled through there. Good to have versatility in his game.

I think a running half forward role might make the best use of his abilities.

 

[threenewpadlocks]

Dolan is such a smooth mover. He had some really impressive takes from the middle, when he was chucked in for a few centre bounces in the VFL. May be another option for some midfield time in the future.

I hope he comes on because he clearly has the traits (clean ball handling skills while making decisions and winning the ball while moving at pace and in a direct to goal manner). It's just that he was both physically slight but also clearly adjusting to the speed in which the game moves, reading the play, off the ball decision making, positioning etc. For all his upside, he only had 35 kicks in 10 full games plus 1 sub, you are limited in how much of an impact you can make if you're just not involved all that often in practice even if the theory of his play style is good.

 

[bulldogs54]

Hynes did play predominantly forward in his games this year, I'm guessing he'd play a hybrid mixture in 2026 too (much like Matt Kennedy).
Harmes is the sleeper too - only illness kept him out of the side late, and given we did ask the question of a few mids during trade period there seems to be a place in the team for a versatile mature mid who can play anywhere.

I was told recently that Hynes in his first pre season time trial finished 4th last, and in the time trial just recently run he finished 4th overall. Big improvement.

 

[HK_Bulldog]

Dolan is such a smooth mover. He had some really impressive takes from the middle, when he was chucked in for a few centre bounces in the VFL. May be another option for some midfield time in the future.

The fact he got games so early last year speaks volumes. Has ability in spades, just needs to work hard.

 

[St 07]

Dolan is such a smooth mover. He had some really impressive takes from the middle, when he was chucked in for a few centre bounces in the VFL. May be another option for some midfield time in the future.

He is seriously exciting. Lets hope he is working his ass off

 

[JohnnySteel]

He is seriously exciting. Lets hope he is working his ass off

Looks as though he is, seems like he took out the beep test drill with L.Kennedy coming second, gathering from what dogs IG posted.