Prediction 2025 - Best 23 + Emergencies - Rolling

[goreds]

is Doc the solution to that problem?

Right now, yes.

I just don't trust Ollie...

 

[lily of laguna]

Won’t be far away

My questions are around defence. I think we will pick 2 of Haynes Silvagni & McGovern while adding Boyd or Docherty to defence. To slow otherwise. We need more run

Kemp or Moir are battling for one spot and it’s close. Kemp fitness/defence has him very slightly ahead maybe?

Fogarty Durdin Fantasia fighting over one spot. Wouldn’t have considered Fantasia over New year but has come on strong. Williams and Motlop flying and having mid minutes. I’m sure apologies won’t happen [emoji848]

No way Cottrell is sub. Lord Wilson L.Campo Binns etc plus others mentioned way ahead of him

Young was having a great pre season until McKay thumped him 2 days ago

I have no idea what Voss will do. This is my take from watching match sims and training. It’s tight for many spots which is what we need.

Pittonet O’Keefe Carroll Duffy White Lemmey McMahon all having great pre seasons

Interesting about Duffy Soap.

Big wraps on his fitness and size, how does his skills compare?


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[lily of laguna]

I’m intrigued by Orazzzziiiiooooooo.

I know he was down on his output last year , but I saw glimpses of his talent in patches.

Then there was a lot of people saying he performed well at open training.

Those who have seen a bit of preseason, is there anything to get enthusiastic about?

He is a great shot for goal and has had a bit of magic in the past.

Is he going to play a major role this year?


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[Soapy V]

So hard to pick a best 23. Will come down to team balance and pre season form.

We have a poster on here who wiped Haynes entirely, having Durdin, Phillips, Young, McMahon and others ahead of him, now saying he is in the mix. Whereas I have had him there from the start. No apologies coming I guess

It’s a great dilemma to have. But NONE of us will know until the team is selected. All of us are guessing..

Since you're referring to me and many have messaged me about it, I NEVER said that, but please show me where. I'll wait?

and you wonder why many good posters don't bother anymore

 

[Soapy V]

Agreed that there are a couple of spots up for grabs, but it is not just Arrow who is strong on his views. I have had spirited discussions about team selection with a certain poster who had a set against Haynes and had kemp rotating on ball, but he is entitled to that view, I just don’t have to agree with it.

As I said, we are all passionate supporters, with our own views and observations. But ALL of us are guessing re the final 23.

Where? Please provide evidence

 

[bigblueboy]

Locks - 14/14
Cripps
Weitering
Curnow
McKay
Walsh
Cerra
TDK
Williams
Motlop
McGovern
Smith
E Hollands
Acres
Saad

Very Likely - 4/18
O Hollands
Docherty
Haynes
Hewett

Possibles - 10/28
Boyd
Cowan
Silvagni
Fantasia
Fogarty
Kemp
Binns
Pittonet
Moir
Cottrell

Next up - 7/35
Lord
Wilson
L Camporeale
Durdin
Young
Cincotta
Carroll

 

[Love the Drake]

Since you're referring to me and many have messaged me about it, I NEVER said that, but please show me where. I'll wait?

and you wonder why many good posters don't bother anymore

Oh please. Stop playing the victim. Many have messaged me about how you pay out on Haynes, then don’t stand by your comments when you are challenged.

You posted various negative comments against Haynes. That’s fine. That’s your opinion. Just own it.

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

Locks - 14/14
Cripps
Weitering
Curnow
McKay
Walsh
Cerra
TDK
Williams
Motlop
McGovern
Smith
E Hollands
Acres
Saad

Very Likely - 4/18
O Hollands
Docherty
Haynes
Hewett

Possibles - 10/28
Boyd
Cowan
Silvagni
Fantasia
Fogarty
Kemp
Binns
Pittonet
Moir
Cottrell

Next up - 7/35
Lord
Wilson
L Camporeale
Durdin
Young
Cincotta
Carroll

I'd have Cowan in locks. He's a fantastic defender and will almost certainly take our lockdown assignments without Cincotta or Newman available.

Kid is looking like an absolute beast this pre season too. Built like Hercules.

 

[JustOneTime]

Looked like the back seven was set and forget, but my man JSoS making a last minute run to nail a spot. C'mon, let Mcgovern play small ...he'll love bullying smaller players so win-win. Sorry Boyd, but you need more than one good game.

Sorry Drake, it looks like i just took a stand against boyd...oh dear, tears at dawn.

 

[Aphrodite]

Enough is enough Love the Drake & Soapy V

No need to derail the thread any further.



If you wish to continue, take it to PM!

 

[Love the Drake]

Locks - 14/14
Cripps
Weitering
Curnow
McKay
Walsh
Cerra
TDK
Williams
Motlop
McGovern
Smith
E Hollands
Acres
Saad

Very Likely - 4/18
O Hollands
Docherty
Haynes
Hewett

Possibles - 10/28
Boyd
Cowan
Silvagni
Fantasia
Fogarty
Kemp
Binns
Pittonet
Moir
Cottrell

Next up - 7/35
Lord
Wilson
L Camporeale
Durdin
Young
Cincotta
Carroll

Another poster said most of us will get 90% right. It’s the 10% that intrigues me..

 

[gbatman]

Won’t be far away

My questions are around defence. I think we will pick 2 of Haynes Silvagni & McGovern while adding Boyd or Docherty to defence. To slow otherwise. We need more run

Kemp or Moir are battling for one spot and it’s close. Kemp fitness/defence has him very slightly ahead maybe?

Fogarty Durdin Fantasia fighting over one spot. Wouldn’t have considered Fantasia over New year but has come on strong. Williams and Motlop flying and having mid minutes. I’m sure apologies won’t happen

No way Cottrell is sub. Lord Wilson L.Campo Binns etc plus others mentioned way ahead of him

Young was having a great pre season until McKay thumped him 2 days ago

I have no idea what Voss will do. This is my take from watching match sims and training. It’s tight for many spots which is what we need.

Pittonet O’Keefe Carroll Duffy White Lemmey McMahon all having great pre seasons

Thank you Soapy, always love hearing your opinions and your reports.

The great thing about Haynes and Silvagni coming on is we have been so reliant on McGovern. McGovern is a great player but he's somewhat injury prone and he needs to be rested and previously we haven't really had anyone so his absence has hurt. Now when he's out, yes we are missing a top shelf player but those coming in are pretty good as well. Nice depth.

I was wondering if whether Kemp and Moir were playing for the one spot. I'm not sure they should. Kemp has often been played taller than he plays. I hope we realise Moir plays small really well and shouldn't be viewed as a third tall or medium forward. Moir's chasing and tackling as well as his ground ball gathers and crumbing were quality small forward level. I'm not a fan of rating players on height. I think both should be viewed as smaller than their height suggests but they have that overhead game.

Kemp has elite endurance and good speed. Our use of him really annoys me because we rarely put him in a role where he can use these features. Like a back or forward flank or wing. I think he would be great on a forward flank. In a similar role we used Cottrell in. We played Cottrell for his ability to run up and back and get behind the ball and block up holes. Kemp has been know for his ability to read the play and intercept. Kemp's speed and footy IQ is way ahead of Cottrell. I don't know about you Soapy, do you think Kemp could play that role off a half forward flank? I definitely do. Much rather Kemp behind the ball blocking up holes and running forward as a forward target who can rest in the forward pocket. Rather than just playing him in the classic third tall role.

We have played kemp in roles that are just too tall for him. I think if we are going to play Kemp in a role that's outside his height, I'd prefer he be played in a smaller role than a talle role. He just has good evasive skills, agility, speed and endurance. Always looked like he can play smaller than he is. Even crumbed goals late last year.

Fogarty, Durdin and Fantasia if all are going really well is really tough. Their worst is terrible, their best is terrific. I will admit, i didn't factor Fantasia in but I know his best is good.

Lord, Wilson, L Camporeale and Binns pushing out our bottom few players is how we go from nearly there to there. They are good young players.

McKay sounds like he is in ripping form. Best 22 defenders from other sides will get owned. From memory, I think I heard that Kernahan used to give Silvagni a bath, is that right?

We look to have taken steps forward and our youth look to be coming through, it all sounds very positive.

I hope we keep hearing your insights Soapy.

 

[JustOneTime]

Another poster said most of us will get 90% right. It’s the 10% that intrigues me..

Let's call out the runners to make it more interesting.

The latecomers to the party...

• JSoS - bustling out of the pack ala Kiwi in the 1983 melbourne cup!
• Fantasia - sitting beautifully one out one back with a late sprint to come.

Those trying to hold that last spot...

• Fogarty - Mr dependable, and when i play we win is my best attribute. I am slightly scared lining up for goals but tackle i can.
• Boyd - please, i'm the closest match to Newman in size so it should be me because of that!

The ringers

• Cottrell - I'll run for Cripps and any other slouch, so pick me. When the team plays poorly my running is pointless. When we are winning i'll add two goal cherries on top.
• Moir - don't do it Vossy. It's Kemp's to lose and Moir's to earn.

 

[Love the Drake]

Let's call out the runners to make it more interesting.

The latecomers to the party...

• JSoS - bustling out of the pack ala Kiwi in the 1983 melbourne cup!
• Fantasia - sitting beautifully one out one back with a late sprint to come.

Those trying to hold that last spot...

• Fogarty - Mr dependable, and when i play we win is my best attribute. I am slightly scared lining up for goals but tackle i can.
• Boyd - please, i'm the closest match to Newman in size so it should be me because of that!

The ringers

• Cottrell - I'll run for Cripps and any other slouch, so pick me. When the team plays poorly my running is pointless. When we are winning i'll add two goal cherries on top.
• Moir - don't do it Vossy. It's Kemp's to lose and Moir's to earn.

Love a good racing analogy!

For what it’s worth, I didn’t have JSOS in my back 7, but from all accounts, he is Kiwi! I think he could be best 23.
Fantasia has passed everyone in the sprint lane and is in our best 23 for round 1.
Fog - yes
Boyd - sore fetlock- no
Cots - ?
Moir - no. Agreed still a raw 2 y.o

 

[DirtyLeeds]

I'd be putting Blinkers on Moir, Gelding Cotters, Winkers on Jagga and a Keynton Stallion Chain on Charlie!!!

 

[JustOneTime]

Massive difference between someone playing as a flanker, versus, a 3rd tall forward being repositioned, due to an ACL, to try and play as an undersized KPD

Are you still here on your thoughts on JSoS's chances from a couple of months ago? Or are you currently re-evaluating your opinion?

 

[Arr0w]

Are you still here on your thoughts on JSoS's chances from a couple of months ago? Or are you currently re-evaluating your opinion?

Not going to be swayed much either way on the back of internal match sims and or a controlled practice match

But, I don't care who plays and or cements themselves in the side

Jsos is comfortably in the top 30 at either end of the ground

 

[JustOneTime]

Not going to be swayed much either way on the back of internal match sims and or a controlled practice match

But, I don't care who plays and or cements themselves in the side

Jsos is comfortably in the top 30 at either end of the ground

Fair enough, everyone to their own.

For mine, the pre-season is all about those last 2-4 spots up for grabs so i care and I'm interested as a supporter. The two praccy games probably decide it for those fighting for those last couple of spots.

The locks do take care of themselves as history is rewarded and rightly so.

 

[Coona Blues]

I'd be putting Blinkers on Moir, Gelding Cotters, Winkers on Jagga and a Keynton Stallion Chain on Charlie!!!

Moir (and Charleson) need a tongue tie after that recent “media offering”
Not wanting to castrate the chestnut
No winkers for Jagga, let the kid go and don’t impede that peripheral vision one but
The last one has me perplexed. Kyneton nose band or stallion chain. Both offer extra control, one for a tear away under saddle, the other for an overly exciteable (usually) entire but under differing circumstances (on the ground).

Need to take the blinkers off the coaching staff for mine.

 

[SurreyBlue]

I would like to see this for R1.

Cowan Young Weitering
OHollands JSoS Saad
Acres Cripps Docherty
EHollands Curnow Williams
Kemp McKay Motlop
TdK Cerra Walsh
Smith Boyd Fantasia Hewett

My gut tells me Haynes will be in instead of Young and McGovern for goodness knows.

 

[Arr0w]

Fair enough, everyone to their own.

For mine, the pre-season is all about those last 2-4 spots up for grabs so i care and I'm interested as a supporter. The two praccy games probably decide it for those fighting for those last couple of spots.

The locks do take care of themselves as history is rewarded and rightly so.

Id say match sims and especially practice matches are more about trialing aspects of a gameplan, rather than a coaching group gaining insight into a player

Even so, unless JSos is matching up on a Harry, Charlie or a resting TDK, more likely he is completing for a 3rd tall role with the likes of Gov and Haynes, 2 players I would have ahead of him for that role

Ultimately, I really don't care if the sum of all parts is effective

 

[JustOneTime]

Id say match sims and especially practice matches are more about trialing aspects of a gameplan, rather than a coaching group gaining insight into a player

Even so, unless JSos is matching up on a Harry, Charlie or a resting TDK, more likely he is completing for a 3rd tall role with the likes of Gov and Haynes, 2 players I would have ahead of him for that role

Ultimately, I really don't care if the sum of all parts is effective

Who have you got taking over Kemp's lockdown defender role? Haynes light frame and 192cm? Mcgovern's 191cm and slighter bigger frame plus a penchant for avoiding physical interaction unless it is on his terms?

Kemp showed 192 and roughly 89kg couldnt cope.

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

Who have you got taking over Kemp's lockdown defender role? Haynes light frame and 192cm? Mcgovern's 191cm and slighter bigger frame plus a penchant for avoiding physical interaction unless it is on his terms?

Realistically if Haynes is anywhere near back to his best, he's just Kemp as the 3rd tall defender with better strength in the contest.

Imo will be Weiters, Haynes, McGov with Jack starting in the VFL, but pre season matches will be a good indicator.

 

[Arr0w]

Who have you got taking over Kemp's lockdown defender role? Haynes light frame and 192cm? Mcgovern's 191cm and slighter bigger frame plus a penchant for avoiding physical interaction unless it is on his terms?

Kemp showed 192 and roughly 89kg couldnt cope.

Haynes is way smarter than Kemp and punches above his size, I think he is a lock

Suspect Gov will continue to play the role he did last year

 

[JustOneTime]

Then that IMO is the weakness oppositions team will try and expose and did to an extent in 2024, and more late in 2024 as they learned Carlton's weakness.

Drag Weitering away to a pocket as much as possible with your prime forward. Weitering follows as he is playing lockdown.

Isolate Haynes (like they did Kemp) who will be giving 10kgs to a key forward. Disinterest McGovern to not help which isnt very hard. Hardly ever supported Kemp when he was marking a giant.