VFL 2025 VFL Thread

[dogwatch]

McNeil has some great traits. He's tough, fast, good mark, works hard, great defensively. But it's his ball use and decision making that can let him down.

I wonder if small lock defender would be worth a try with him. Poor ball use from the backline obviously isn't a good idea, but might be more and spa e to at least get it to Dale, JJ etc.

I wouldn't completely rule it out but the thing that distinguishes JJ and Dale (and in the past Richards) is that they are composed under pressure and rely on their agility and speed. I don't think McNeil has that composure.

He does however average considerably more tackles than Dale (that's not hard), JJ, Bramble and Duryea, albeit in different roles to his current one. He has a comparable tackle average to Gallagher and Garcia, and quite a bit less than West. Surprisingly he averages quite a bit more (about 20%) than VDM. So if he has that defensive mindset it might help in a lockdown role.

Nonetheless I'd rather see him build some confidence in that role and demonstrate it for a while in the VFL before risking him in it at AFL level.

 

[Testekill]

I wouldn't completely rule it out but the thing that distinguishes JJ and Dale (and in the past Richards) is that they are composed under pressure and rely on their agility and speed. I don't think McNeil has that composure.

He does however average considerably more tackles than Dale (that's not hard), JJ, Bramble and Duryea, albeit in different roles to his current one. He has a comparable tackle average to Gallagher and Garcia, and quite a bit less than West. Surprisingly he averages quite a bit more (about 20%) than VDM. So if he has that defensive mindset it might help in a lockdown role.

Nonetheless I'd rather see him build some confidence in that role and demonstrate it for a while in the VFL before risking him in it at AFL level.

I think that if we were to transition him to defence then we'd need to drill it into him to hand it off to the person running past as often as possible.

 

[TommyD13]

What is the reason why Zac Walker hasn’t been named for a VFL game?

 

[JohnnySteel]

What is the reason why Zac Walker hasn’t been named for a VFL game?

He arrived at the club under concussion protocols.

 

[Foxman98]

He arrived at the club under concussion protocols.

That was a month ago now though,

If it was that bad why draft him and on an 18 moth contract

 

[JohnnySteel]

That was a month ago now though,

If it was that bad why draft him and on an 18 moth contract

Very concerning that it’s lingering. Hopefully he plays this weekend.

 

[Doggies7]

That was a month ago now though,

If it was that bad why draft him and on an 18 moth contract

Well I imagine they thought he would exit the protocols pretty soon after arriving but maybe having lingering issues now. You can't really forecast how the concussion is going to play out so had to make a call on draft day and now going through these unforeseen lingering effects.

I have no info but I imagine that's what is happening.

 

[Foxman98]

Very concerning that it’s lingering. Hopefully he plays this weekend.

He isn't named again

 

[Foxman98]

FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS
B: L. Jaques (11), L. Jones (19), L. Cleary (36)
HB: M. Sellwood (37), R. Gardner (43), C. Poulter (25)
C: T. Duryea (15), L. Kennedy (35), R. Garcia (38)
HF: J. Johannisen (39), J. Busslinger (5), J. Harmes (22)
F: D. Orgill (50), L. Smith (40), O. Baker (13)
R: J. Croft (16), A. Scott (28), B. Crofts (54)
INT: W. Lewis (64), J. Kellett (57), E. Macpherson (59), C. Owen (62), X. Kardachi (66)
23rd Player: X. Kardachi (66)
EMG: E. Hunt (56), C. Hargraves (52), C. Smith (55), F. Valpied (53)

IN: L. Cleary, J. Croft, J. Harmes, J. Johannisen, X. Kardachi, J. Kellett, E. Macpherson
OUT: N. Coffield (AFL), C. Craig-Peters (hamstring), H. Gallagher (calf), C. Hargraves, L. Muratore, C. Smith, F. Valpied (omitted)

15 AFL listed players a full AFL level backline should win this by plenty

 

[RWnBluey]

That was a month ago now though,

If it was that bad why draft him and on an 18 moth contract

Prob copped another concussion with 20 mates jumping him on draft night

 

[Mojorisin]

FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS
B: L. Jaques (11), L. Jones (19), L. Cleary (36)
HB: M. Sellwood (37), R. Gardner (43), C. Poulter (25)
C: T. Duryea (15), L. Kennedy (35), R. Garcia (38)
HF: J. Johannisen (39), J. Busslinger (5), J. Harmes (22)
F: D. Orgill (50), L. Smith (40), O. Baker (13)
R: J. Croft (16), A. Scott (28), B. Crofts (54)
INT: W. Lewis (64), J. Kellett (57), E. Macpherson (59), C. Owen (62), X. Kardachi (66)
23rd Player: X. Kardachi (66)
EMG: E. Hunt (56), C. Hargraves (52), C. Smith (55), F. Valpied (53)

IN: L. Cleary, J. Croft, J. Harmes, J. Johannisen, X. Kardachi, J. Kellett, E. Macpherson
OUT: N. Coffield (AFL), C. Craig-Peters (hamstring), H. Gallagher (calf), C. Hargraves, L. Muratore, C. Smith, F. Valpied (omitted)

15 AFL listed players a full AFL level backline should win this by plenty

Very strong line-up. Good to see Croft back. I imagine Harmes and JJ get heavily managed game time.

 

[Philthy1]

Very strong line-up. Good to see Croft back. I imagine Harmes and JJ get heavily managed game time.

FMD. Duryea can't get a look in for the VFL back line.

 

[Testekill]

FMD. Duryea can't get a look in for the VFL back line.

As per usual, don't read into where players are named on the team announcement. Poults has been playing as a third tall all season

 

[Testekill]

FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS
B: L. Jaques (11), L. Jones (19), L. Cleary (36)
HB: M. Sellwood (37), R. Gardner (43), C. Poulter (25)
C: T. Duryea (15), L. Kennedy (35), R. Garcia (38)
HF: J. Johannisen (39), J. Busslinger (5), J. Harmes (22)
F: D. Orgill (50), L. Smith (40), O. Baker (13)
R: J. Croft (16), A. Scott (28), B. Crofts (54)
INT: W. Lewis (64), J. Kellett (57), E. Macpherson (59), C. Owen (62), X. Kardachi (66)
23rd Player: X. Kardachi (66)
EMG: E. Hunt (56), C. Hargraves (52), C. Smith (55), F. Valpied (53)

IN: L. Cleary, J. Croft, J. Harmes, J. Johannisen, X. Kardachi, J. Kellett, E. Macpherson
OUT: N. Coffield (AFL), C. Craig-Peters (hamstring), H. Gallagher (calf), C. Hargraves, L. Muratore, C. Smith, F. Valpied (omitted)

15 AFL listed players a full AFL level backline should win this by plenty

Excuse me. Has the prodigal son Ewan Macpherson returned? We didn't recruit him during the offseason and I didn't know we could just have him play for us.

 

[Mojorisin]

Excuse me. Has the prodigal son Ewan Macpherson returned?

Yes this will be his first week back. Couldn't get a game at North.

 

[Philthy1]

As per usual, don't read into where players are named on the team announcement. Poults has been playing as a third tall all season

Yeah, but all AFL listed backline is going to be interesting to see.

 

[Testekill]

Yes this will be his first week back. Couldn't get a game at North.

Okay, didn't know we could just add him back to the VFL team outside of list lodgement time.

 

[Mojorisin]

Okay, didn't know we could just add him back to the VFL team outside of list lodgement time.

I could be wrong but I believe it was brought in originally around the re-introduction of the MSD as a way to strengthen VFL teams who lose talent and has shifted to get guys more game time.

 

[dogwatch]

Yeah, but all AFL listed backline is going to be interesting to see.

Only two players in the named 18 (FWIW) are NOT AFL listed players. So even without Gallagher and CCP it's a solid line-up.

 

[JohnnySteel]

Only two players in the named 18 (FWIW) are NOT AFL listed players. So even without Gallagher and CCP it's a solid line-up.

Very strong - glad Croft is back. Hopefully gets a good run at it now.

 

[Mojorisin]

Looking forward to seeing Kardachi get a run aswell.

 

[Mojorisin]

Predicted line up.

FB. Duryea Jones Buss
HB. Sellwood Gardner Cleary
C. Jaques Garcia JJ
HF. Poulter Croft L.Kennedy
FF. Scott Lewis Crofts
R. Smith Harmes Orgill
INT. Baker Macpherson Owen Kardachi Kellett

 

[Mofra]

McNeil has some great traits. He's tough, fast, good mark, works hard, great defensively. But it's his ball use and decision making that can let him down.

I wonder if small lock defender would be worth a try with him. Poor ball use from the backline obviously isn't a good idea, but might be more time and space to at least get it to Dale, JJ etc.

McNeill is a better field kick than a kick for goal.
Gags can actually find the goals ok but his field kicking really needs to improve.

If we could convince to two we'd have an outstanding footballer.

 

[Doggies_13]

With the VFL being at Marvel this week do gates to the AFL game open early to be able to go and watch it or what happens I can’t seem to find any info

 

[geoffjennings79]

FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS
B: L. Jaques (11), L. Jones (19), L. Cleary (36)
HB: M. Sellwood (37), R. Gardner (43), C. Poulter (25)
C: T. Duryea (15), L. Kennedy (35), R. Garcia (38)
HF: J. Johannisen (39), J. Busslinger (5), J. Harmes (22)
F: D. Orgill (50), L. Smith (40), O. Baker (13)
R: J. Croft (16), A. Scott (28), B. Crofts (54)
INT: W. Lewis (64), J. Kellett (57), E. Macpherson (59), C. Owen (62), X. Kardachi (66)
23rd Player: X. Kardachi (66)
EMG: E. Hunt (56), C. Hargraves (52), C. Smith (55), F. Valpied (53)

IN: L. Cleary, J. Croft, J. Harmes, J. Johannisen, X. Kardachi, J. Kellett, E. Macpherson
OUT: N. Coffield (AFL), C. Craig-Peters (hamstring), H. Gallagher (calf), C. Hargraves, L. Muratore, C. Smith, F. Valpied (omitted)

15 AFL listed players a full AFL level backline should win this by plenty

Wally Lewis and Elle Macpherson?!

Sam Power really leaving no stone unturned in nabbing veterans for possible cat b spots!

Edit: my mistake, read numbers in brackets as ages, turns out Wally and Elle are 65 and 61.