Prediction 2025 - Best 23 + Emergencies - Rolling

[JustOneTime]

On the match sim, did anyone notice Young being so consistent losing his man and throwing up his arms. You practice it on the track and it comes out on matchday. Never a truer word said for youngy.

 

[Arr0w]

We don't need match sims or practice matches to know what Young is or isn't capable of output wise

 

[JustOneTime]

Very true. If i want a player to take a mark, stand motionless on the spot for 3 extra seconds, then turn and kick it sideways and backways giving the opposition those extra seconds to set up I'd ask for Young to play. Again, If I wanted a player who has zero rebound game then I'd play young as well as he doesnt even attempt to run forward in a chain.

Thanks Austin as you cant miss these weaknesses yet you were at the Doggies to see first hand, and then ultimately put ihm on a first team contract att the Blues. Now you cant ship him due to contract size.

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

Very true. If i want a player to take a mark, stand motionless on the spot for 3 extra seconds, then turn and kick it sideways and backways giving the opposition those extra seconds to set up I'd ask for Young to play. Again, If I wanted a player who has zero rebound game then I'd play young as well as he doesnt even attempt to run forward in a chain.

Thanks Austin as you cant miss these weaknesses yet you were at the Doggies to see first hand, and then ultimately put ihm on a first team contract att the Blues. Now you cant ship him due to contract size.

Young is useful depth if Weiters ever goes down. When he gets to play as a lockdown full back he does the job fine. It's working him into a system thats the issue. Just has brain fades and loses his opponent too often.

 

[JustOneTime]

Young is useful depth if Weiters ever goes down. When he gets to play as a lockdown full back he does the job fine. It's working him into a system thats the issue. Just has brain fades and loses his opponent too often.

Yes, I dont mind him as depth and break glass only. I have said it more than a few times, he can get himself motivated for a small run of games (1 or 2) but cant sustain the concentration/competitiveness for longer.

Is great with a free run at the marking contest. Is very weak body on bosy and weak on the ground.

Overall he adds to the panic in the backline along with Kemp that then rubs off on others.

With Kemp panicking, then i really didnt want Young in the side adding to it.

 

[DirtyLeeds]

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.

I reckon you've nailed it Surrey, and yes to the Haynes for Young, and McGov for Boyd (SUB?) mainly for kick ins

 

[The Bighouse]

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.

Have concerns with McGovern as a true defender.

Then Kemp lacks smarts as well.
Probably need to combine them into one who would be a pretty decent player.

 

[The Bighouse]

Very true. If i want a player to take a mark, stand motionless on the spot for 3 extra seconds, then turn and kick it sideways and backways giving the opposition those extra seconds to set up I'd ask for Young to play. Again, If I wanted a player who has zero rebound game then I'd play young as well as he doesnt even attempt to run forward in a chain.

Thanks Austin as you cant miss these weaknesses yet you were at the Doggies to see first hand, and then ultimately put ihm on a first team contract att the Blues. Now you cant ship him due to contract size.

The odd thing here was the 2yr initial signup (get a look) but then the additional 3yrs added to 2026..wanting to walk that back almost immediately.

Handy backup but lacks instinct and some skill to impact as required.
See if he can dominate VFL but will have Phillips in competition with him (who would probably be a better replacement for the AFL squad).

 

[Blue Pulse]

0 chance we go in without a third tall/tallish marking player. Kemp will be there and I think there is a good chance Moir will as well. Both who are strong in the air. Teams who have a group of forwards who are mostly strong in the air are really hard to defend against. Brisbane and Collingwood are a bit like that in their premiership years, particularly the Lions. I'd like to see us improve in this area.

Kemps strong overhead and fairly tall but also quick and nimble so not out of the contest with the ball on the ground and able to contribute defensively well. As opposed to using a ruckman as a third tall which is something I see as outdated.

Works in 2 ways, providing 1- 2 extra marking options so who ever is playing on them has to show respect and get drawn away from Charlie and H

 

[Blue since 72]

Going with

Cow Weiters Gov
Ollie Haynes Saad
Binns Crippa Acres
Zac Charlie E Hol
Mots Harry Kemp

TDK Jagga Cez

Fog Doc Walsh George

Emg: Moir/Fanta

Close JSOS, Durds, Cotts, Boyd, Cincotta when ready

I'm sure others like Wilson and Lord get a shot during the season as well

Ollie will be an interesting watch for me as will Kemp.

 

[HyphensBack]

My February Best 23 based on track intelligence (not mine) and Newman

The players in bold are not a lock and those listed first have first running.

FB: Cowan Weitering Silvagni
HB: McGovern Haynes Saad
C: Docherty Cripps Acres
HF: Williams Harry E Hollands
FF: Motlop Charlie Kemp

Foll: TDK Hewett Walsh

IC: Cerra (m) Fogarty (f) OHollands (d) Smith (m,f)
Sub: Lord

Defense - Silvagni/Haynes/Young
O Hollands/Boyd - I prefer a taller backline with Silvagni as a KPD (he has the aggression) coming into the side to replace Newman with Haynes covering Newmans role. McGovern and Cowan can play tall but are mobile

Midfield
Wing - Docherty/Binns - maybe Binns will force his way in, opportunities will arise, Doch is so versatile, could cover Newman
Mids - Hewett, Cerra, Smith, Lord - I suspect Lord will get his chance but Smith looks very good

Forwards
Fogarty/Williams/Cincotta/Cottrell/ - defensive forward - Fogs is surprisingly the best at this, I like any of these four but not sure two of them play unless Williams plays as a small forward because Motts and CDurds stink it up

Smith/E Hollands - high hf/mid - just like the concept of Smith coming up to stoppages as an extra mid and then him playing half his time as a mid, EHollands may have better disposal but Smith surely has it, i think both play and share this role

Motlop/CDurdin/Williams/Fantasia - small forwards - we probably need two of these guys and Williams at present provides defensive prowess - thus it is a coin flip, I have preferred Durdin for what he has offered as an extra mid, but we need a mercurial small mid so Motlop needs to turn it on, Fantasia apparantly has been good on the track so maybe

Kemp/Silvagni/Moir - 3rd Forward - prefer a tall rather than a medium like Moir - but can see Moir providing a POD to other players and may force his way in. seeing as Charlie is 50:50 I would go with Kemp first

 

[CCurnow3picks]

My February Best 23 based on track intelligence (not mine) and Newman

The players in bold are not a lock and those listed first have first running.

FB: Cowan Weitering Silvagni
HB: McGovern Haynes Saad
C: Docherty Cripps Acres
HF: Williams Harry E Hollands
FF: Motlop Charlie Kemp

Foll: TDK Hewett Walsh

IC: Cerra (m) Fogarty (f) OHollands (d) Smith (m,f)
Sub: Lord

Defense - Silvagni/Haynes/Young
O Hollands/Boyd - I prefer a taller backline with Silvagni as a KPD (he has the aggression) coming into the side to replace Newman with Haynes covering Newmans role. McGovern and Cowan can play tall but are mobile

Midfield
Wing - Docherty/Binns - maybe Binns will force his way in, opportunities will arise, Doch is so versatile, could cover Newman
Mids - Hewett, Cerra, Smith, Lord - I suspect Lord will get his chance but Smith looks very good

Forwards
Fogarty/Williams/Cincotta/Cottrell/ - defensive forward - Fogs is surprisingly the best at this, I like any of these four but not sure two of them play unless Williams plays as a small forward because Motts and CDurds stink it up

Smith/E Hollands - high hf/mid - just like the concept of Smith coming up to stoppages as an extra mid and then him playing half his time as a mid, EHollands may have better disposal but Smith surely has it, i think both play and share this role

Motlop/CDurdin/Williams/Fantasia - small forwards - we probably need two of these guys and Williams at present provides defensive prowess - thus it is a coin flip, I have preferred Durdin for what he has offered as an extra mid, but we need a mercurial small mid so Motlop needs to turn it on, Fantasia apparantly has been good on the track so maybe

Kemp/Silvagni/Moir - 3rd Forward - prefer a tall rather than a medium like Moir - but can see Moir providing a POD to other players and may force his way in. seeing as Charlie is 50:50 I would go with Kemp first

Like the cut of your jib!

I don’t see Ollie as a starting HB and much prefer using Gov & Saad off HB. Cowan stiffens up the defence.

I’d make the unpopular move of bringing Boyd in for Ollie. Better by foot & defensively.

Ollie to sub.

Your centre line rocks.

Forward line - Fantasia looks amazing - how to bring him in?

 

[HyphensBack]

Like the cut of your jib!

I don’t see Ollie as a starting HB and much prefer using Gov & Saad off HB. Cowan stiffens up the defence.

I’d make the unpopular move of bringing Boyd in for Ollie. Better by foot & defensively.

Ollie to sub.

Your centre line rocks.

Forward line - Fantasia looks amazing - how to bring him in?

Fantasia - never really been excited by him, if he was fit and kicking goals then I can see him grabbing a spot but haven’t seen it (training form apparantly is good)
Boyd - I also like Boyd but I like the concept of extra run from half back via Hollands (but can he defend 1:1) excites me, Boyd hasn’t set the world on fire
Moir - I like the potential of Moir - if he is game ready he could be a game changer

 

[CCurnow3picks]

Fantasia - never really been excited by him, if he was fit and kicking goals then I can see him grabbing a spot but haven’t seen it (training form apparantly is good)
Boyd - I also like Boyd but I like the concept of extra run from half back via Hollands (but can he defend 1:1) excites me, Boyd hasn’t set the world on fire
Moir - I like the potential of Moir - if he is game ready he could be a game changer

I haven’t seen him but reports & vision say Fantasia moving as well as he ever has - he’s a brilliant user - we could use another of those.

Moir exciting - look forward to seeing his production in game time.

I worry about Ollie - if I was coaching against him, I’d drag his opponent deeper to expose him.

No doubt a divisive opinion.

 

[Blue since 72]

Fantasia - never really been excited by him, if he was fit and kicking goals then I can see him grabbing a spot but haven’t seen it (training form apparantly is good)
Boyd - I also like Boyd but I like the concept of extra run from half back via Hollands (but can he defend 1:1) excites me, Boyd hasn’t set the world on fire
Moir - I like the potential of Moir - if he is game ready he could be a game changer

Ollie can defend quite well, not in a wrestling way but has been able to impact forward entries against much bigger bodies on occasion with a fist at the right time. Will be an interesting watch.

I feel the same with Boyd, given his weapon by foot I just haven't seen him use it on counter attack very much at all. he normally employs it as a get out of trouble kick and hasn't done a lot of run and carry. The guy should be launching it inside 50 but rarely finds himself in that position.

Really looking forward to seeing what Moir has this year.

Only question for Fanta is can he stay injury free.

 

[Soapy V]

Based on pre season so far here is how I see it:

B: Docherty Weitering McGovern
HB: Ollie Silvagni/Haynes Saad
C: Acres Cripps Binns
HF: Elijah McKay Williams
F: Kemp/Moir Curnow Motlop
Foll: TDK Cerra Walsh
Int: Cowan/Boyd Hewett Smith Fantasia/Durdin/Fogarty

Some spots I can't split and will come down to fitness, balance and pre season games

*Lord Wilson L.Campo pushing hard for spots

 

[bradfisher14]

Based on pre season so far here is how I see it:

B: Docherty Weitering McGovern
HB: Ollie Silvagni/Haynes Saad
C: Acres Cripps Binns
HF: Elijah McKay Williams
F: Kemp/Moir Curnow Motlop
Foll: TDK Cerra Walsh
Int: Cowan/Boyd Hewett Smith Fantasia/Durdin/Fogarty

Some spots I can't split and will come down to fitness, balance and pre season games

*Lord Wilson L.Campo pushing hard for spots

Looks great to me. I have Silvagni and Haynes in the backline with McGov playing a small defender/rebounding role.

 

[Opium]

Based on pre season so far here is how I see it:

B: Docherty Weitering McGovern
HB: Ollie Silvagni/Haynes Saad
C: Acres Cripps Binns
HF: Elijah McKay Williams
F: Kemp/Moir Curnow Motlop
Foll: TDK Cerra Walsh
Int: Cowan/Boyd Hewett Smith Fantasia/Durdin/Fogarty

Some spots I can't split and will come down to fitness, balance and pre season games

*Lord Wilson L.Campo pushing hard for spots

Gee some great depth there!!

 

[Zlatan]

Based on pre season so far here is how I see it:

B: Docherty Weitering McGovern
HB: Ollie Silvagni/Haynes Saad
C: Acres Cripps Binns
HF: Elijah McKay Williams
F: Kemp/Moir Curnow Motlop
Foll: TDK Cerra Walsh
Int: Cowan/Boyd Hewett Smith Fantasia/Durdin/Fogarty

Some spots I can't split and will come down to fitness, balance and pre season games

*Lord Wilson L.Campo pushing hard for spots

Really surprised hearing how well L.Campo is going. I thought when we picked him up he would need a couple years of solid development before he got a look in.

Is he better suited to HBF or wing soap?

 

[Soapy V]

Really surprised hearing how well L.Campo is going. I thought when we picked him up he would need a couple years of solid development before he got a look in.

Is he better suited to HBF or wing soap?

I saw him as a HB but he has played a lot on a wing in match sims. He's not flashy but he does everything right and doesn't hesitate. Does the basics really well

 

[reubsblues]

Based on pre season so far here is how I see it:

B: Docherty Weitering McGovern
HB: Ollie Silvagni/Haynes Saad
C: Acres Cripps Binns
HF: Elijah McKay Williams
F: Kemp/Moir Curnow Motlop
Foll: TDK Cerra Walsh
Int: Cowan/Boyd Hewett Smith Fantasia/Durdin/Fogarty

Some spots I can't split and will come down to fitness, balance and pre season games

*Lord Wilson L.Campo pushing hard for spots

I have the same team but do have Cowan in for Doc as I have Doc playing the role player this yr
And at his age probably the right move

 

[CJMB]

Current guess

FB: Haynes Weitering Cowan
HB: O.Hollands McGovern Saad

C: Docherty Cripps Acres
R: DeKoning Cerra Walsh

HF: Kemp McKay E.Hollands
FF: Motlop Curnow Williams

INT: Boyd/Silvagni Hewett Smith Fogarty

SUB: Fantasia

EMG: Boyd/Silvagni Lord Binns

Gut feel is that Kemp is the only one on field I'm not really confident in the selection (but hopeful?) and I'd lock Hewett & Smith into the 22.

Next in line? Moir, Durdin, Cottrell, L.Camporeale, Wilson, plus the KPP coverage in Pitto, Young & Lemmey (through necessity).


Really looking forward to the preseason games to get a better idea of how it's shaping up, understand the current pecking order, look out for any bolters, etc.

 

[gbatman]

Based on pre season so far here is how I see it:

B: Docherty Weitering McGovern
HB: Ollie Silvagni/Haynes Saad
C: Acres Cripps Binns
HF: Elijah McKay Williams
F: Kemp/Moir Curnow Motlop
Foll: TDK Cerra Walsh
Int: Cowan/Boyd Hewett Smith Fantasia/Durdin/Fogarty

Some spots I can't split and will come down to fitness, balance and pre season games

*Lord Wilson L.Campo pushing hard for spots

Picking a team you need to consider rotations and this team does.

Docherty will probably play defence but can also go to a wing. E Hollands can go to a wing or on the ball. O Hollands can relieve the wings as well. Smith will be a handy player who will also play half forward and in the midfield as well.

Certainly some really good options to pick from and a lot of combinations which just work.

I think the onus is going to be on our midfield to play well when the ball is not going our way and not in our hands. I still feel that this could again be our biggest weakness and I think this elevates Lord a bit because as a group, they just don't chase well. This is why I think DeKoning is probably going to be just about our most important player because he covers this issue up quite a lot.

 

[ianh]

There are those who think HOKBALL shows that the game is now a game for speed and/or endurance athletes. As long as you have at least VFL level skill and extreme athleticism you will be a handful. This is what separates HOKBALL from conventional football as we have known it.

So what if we went a team of uber-athletes? No Weitering, no Cripps, no Docherty. Now of course you don't leave those sorts of players out in real life, but in real life injuries will reliably open up at least those 3 spots. If not, a rotation policy can be applied to prevent the athletes totally burning out from my new concept:

BluesBlitzFußall (TM pending).

Of course, you still need to keep structure, so atI have one Ruck-sized defender, another genuine KP-size defender and someone who can at least at a pinch play 3rd tall Then three marking and three crumbing targets up forward. A genuine ruck-sized ruckman, a relief ruck of genuine ruck height, some inside grunt on-ball and all the electric speed we can cram in.

So here it is, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN !!!!

My high-summer
heat-stroke-induced
run-em-off-their-feet
and therefore unbeatable
athletes 23
(with emergencies).

Let's see the piss-n-poo guernseys keep up with this lot:

Cowan-Monahan-O. Hollands
Saad-McKay-Boyd
Acres-Lord-Walsh
Moir-Curnow-Williams
Kemp-McGovern-Fantasia
De Koning- Cincotta-Smith
Binns-Cottrell-Wilson-Young (23rd player Duffy)
Emergencies: Charleson-E. Hollands- O'Farrell

HOKBALL that you brown and gold pretenders!

 

[HyphensBack]

There are those who think HOKBALL shows that the game is now a game for speed and/or endurance athletes. As long as you have at least VFL level skill and extreme athleticism you will be a handful. This is what separates HOKBALL from conventional football as we have known it.

So what if we went a team of uber-athletes? No Weitering, no Cripps, no Docherty. Now of course you don't leave those sorts of players out in real life, but in real life injuries will reliably open up at least those 3 spots. If not, a rotation policy can be applied to prevent the athletes totally burning out from my new concept:

BluesBlitzFußall (TM pending).

Of course, you still need to keep structure, so atI have one Ruck-sized defender, another genuine KP-size defender and someone who can at least at a pinch play 3rd tall Then three marking and three crumbing targets up forward. A genuine ruck-sized ruckman, a relief ruck of genuine ruck height, some inside grunt on-ball and all the electric speed we can cram in.

So here it is, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN !!!!

My high-summer
heat-stroke-induced
run-em-off-their-feet
and therefore unbeatable
athletes 23
(with emergencies).

Let's see the piss-n-poo guernseys keep up with this lot:

Cowan-Monahan-O. Hollands
Saad-McKay-Boyd
Acres-Lord-Walsh
Moir-Curnow-Williams
Kemp-McGovern-Fantasia
De Koning- Cincotta-Smith
Binns-Cottrell-Wilson-Young (23rd player Duffy)
Emergencies: Charleson-E. Hollands- O'Farrell

HOKBALL that you brown and gold pretenders!

In the spirit of wtf why not

BluesBall (TM) - yep it might put us all in the dog house
This is my run ‘‘em into the ground team, but added a bit of height down back that can run and gun

FB Cowan-HOF-O. Hollands
HB Saad-McGovern-Kemp
C Acres-Lord-Binns
HF E Hollands-McKay-Williams
FF Kemp-Charlie-Fantasia

R De Koning- Walsh-Smith
Bench Motlop (f/m) - Wilson(b) - Cerra (m) - Fogarty (f/m)
Sub L Campo (b/w)

Emergencies: Durdin-Cottrell-Fogarty-Boyd- Moir - Duffy - Monaghan - Cincotta-Charleson

No Cripps, Hewett, Weitering - we have a need for speed - I feel dirty but went with Motlop and Fogarty running thru some midfield rotations
Docherty is also not listed which feels weird