Unofficial Preview Best 23 2025 Predictions
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The thread title is best 23 but i did not want to start another thread Round 1 (OR) Likely Team
So, what are posters thoughts on the team playing that first game of the season with 4 points up for grabs
Lions grand final team below as a reminder
Red: No longer at Lions
LIONS
B: D.Zorko, D.Gardiner, R.Lester
HB: D.Wilmot, H.Andrews (c), B.Starcevich
C: B Reville, H.McCluggage, L.Ashcroft
HF: C.Cameron, T.Gallop, Z.Bailey
F: C.Rayner, L.Morris, C.Ah Chee
FOLL: D.Fort, J.Dunkley, W.Ashcroft
I/C: K.Lohmann, J.Fletcher, S.Marshall, O.McInerney, L. Neale (sub). (2026 now has 5 on the bench)
EMG: S.Day, J.Tunstill, D.Joyce
IN – L.Neale
OUT – J.Berry (shoulder)
Missing GF Day considered likely best 23: Berry, Answerth, Coleman, Payne, Hipwood,
New Lions players possible best 23: Draper, Allen, Annable, Curtin
....................................................
Who replaces Starcevich: Coleman, Answerth, Brain, McCarthy,
Who replaces Ah-Chee: Coleman, Allen, Annable, O'Connor, McLachlan, McCarthy
Who replaces McInerney: Draper, Allen, Curtin
Will these players hold their spot: Reville, Gallop, Fort, Marshall.
So, what are posters thoughts on the team playing that first game of the season with 4 points up for grabs
Lions grand final team below as a reminder
Red: No longer at Lions
LIONS
B: D.Zorko, D.Gardiner, R.Lester
HB: D.Wilmot, H.Andrews (c), B.Starcevich
C: B Reville, H.McCluggage, L.Ashcroft
HF: C.Cameron, T.Gallop, Z.Bailey
F: C.Rayner, L.Morris, C.Ah Chee
FOLL: D.Fort, J.Dunkley, W.Ashcroft
I/C: K.Lohmann, J.Fletcher, S.Marshall, O.McInerney, L. Neale (sub). (2026 now has 5 on the bench)
EMG: S.Day, J.Tunstill, D.Joyce
IN – L.Neale
OUT – J.Berry (shoulder)
Missing GF Day considered likely best 23: Berry, Answerth, Coleman, Payne, Hipwood,
New Lions players possible best 23: Draper, Allen, Annable, Curtin
....................................................
Who replaces Starcevich: Coleman, Answerth, Brain, McCarthy,
Who replaces Ah-Chee: Coleman, Allen, Annable, O'Connor, McLachlan, McCarthy
Who replaces McInerney: Draper, Allen, Curtin
Will these players hold their spot: Reville, Gallop, Fort, Marshall.
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My round one team is below. Need to see more of Annable and even then, where does he fit.
Also need to see who is named for the Suns game as that will be a better guide.
I am hoping they give Draper plenty of time to recover so i am leaving him out for the first game. He comes in for Fort when ready
I am also going to leave Answerth out for the same reason. This allows me to fit in Allen without dropping Gallop
Long term, I think Fagan has Coleman pegged as a forward and an Ah-Chee replacement.
Fagan liked to move Ah-Chee to wing then extra man in defense in the later part of each quarter.
I would rather no new injuries and instead a selection headache in a few weeks' time
If Answerth plays, it’s Coleman forward and drop Allen or Gallop
B: D.Zorko, D.Gardiner, R.Lester
HB: D.Wilmot, H.Andrews (c), K.Coleman
C: J. Berry, H.McCluggage (c), L.Ashcroft
HF: C.Cameron, T.Gallop (ruck relief), Z.Bailey
F: C.Rayner, L.Morris, K. Lohmann
FOLL: D.Fort, J.Dunkley (c), W.Ashcroft
I/C: O.Allen, J.Fletcher, S.Marshall, L. Neale, B.Reville.
Also need to see who is named for the Suns game as that will be a better guide.
I am hoping they give Draper plenty of time to recover so i am leaving him out for the first game. He comes in for Fort when ready
I am also going to leave Answerth out for the same reason. This allows me to fit in Allen without dropping Gallop
Long term, I think Fagan has Coleman pegged as a forward and an Ah-Chee replacement.
Fagan liked to move Ah-Chee to wing then extra man in defense in the later part of each quarter.
I would rather no new injuries and instead a selection headache in a few weeks' time
If Answerth plays, it’s Coleman forward and drop Allen or Gallop
B: D.Zorko, D.Gardiner, R.Lester
HB: D.Wilmot, H.Andrews (c), K.Coleman
C: J. Berry, H.McCluggage (c), L.Ashcroft
HF: C.Cameron, T.Gallop (ruck relief), Z.Bailey
F: C.Rayner, L.Morris, K. Lohmann
FOLL: D.Fort, J.Dunkley (c), W.Ashcroft
I/C: O.Allen, J.Fletcher, S.Marshall, L. Neale, B.Reville.
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The two others around contention might be McKenna and to a lesser extent Shagga.
I’m still big on McKenna. Perhaps over someone like Marshall at the moment. Albeit Marshall will be a very good player. It’ll come down to roles.
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I attempted to sit down and make a best 23 including guys that are injured to get a baseline. The place I started was to put in all the guys who are non-negotiable selections. I have bolded the guys that won't be available in R0.
FB: Answerth Andrews Lester
HB: Fletcher Payne Zorko
C: Berry Neale x
HF: Bailey Hipwood Rayner
FF: Cameron Allen Morris
R: Draper Dunkley McCluggage
Int: W Ashcroft Wilmot Coleman* Lohman L Ashcroft
Payne, Draper and Hipwood replacements are easy.
Answerth is the harder one to replace. Fletcher or Motty could do the roles, though it would take away from their more natural attacking game.
While not his ideal position, L Ashcroft is clearly going to be playing on a wing and has put himself into nonnegotiable territory.
Kiddy Coleman is still a non-negotiable to me. He has too much upside to not be playing him while he is healthy. Fagan and co will give him every opportunity I think.
I'm bullish on Linc. He was one of the non-negotiables, I think Fages will show faith in him and give him until the by rounds to cement a spot either down back or up forward or as a hybrid of those positions.
I have something like this for R0
FB: Wilmot Andrews Lester
HB: Fletcher Gardiner Zorko
C: Berry Neale L Ashcroft
HF: Bailey Gallop Rayner
FF: Cameron Allen Morris
R: Fort Dunkley McCluggage
Int: W Ashcroft Coleman Lohman McCarthy X
You need a wing rotation in there unless the coaches decide to run Bailey, Coleman and Lohman through the wings at different times. Which I don't think they will. Marshall or Reville are the obvious candidates.
I think the 22 I have picked are walk up starts in every list in the comp.
That leaves:
Annable
Marshall/Reville
McKenna
Brain
Joyce
As guys who have shown that they can compete at AFL level.
Then you have:
Doedee
McLachlan
Tunstill
Beekan
Smith
Curtin
Who could still have attributes to be AFL level players in a good team.
What this exercise has shown me is that if everyone is fit, then in my estimation you would have a list of 7 players (Fort, Gardiner, Gallop, Marshall/Reville, McKenna, McCarthy, Brain) not in my first first who have AFL experience that you could rely on to do a job, plus Annable and Curtin who could through the season become capable of contributing solidly for a 22nd/23rd player, Smith who still has some potential to be a adequate ruckman, Doedee (though it is looking more and more unlikely his body will ever be ready to go) and Joyce.
Perhaps an unintended consequence of the great list depth is that it means some players will pursue other opportunities elsewhere like Sharp, Robertson, Prior did because they are good enough to get a good run of games in 6-10 other teams in the competition. Then you throw in guys who left as free agents such as Ah Chee and Starce, it helps open up positions for our younger players in the 1st-3rd years by either becoming the next player up in the case of an injury or by getting a chance to make a position their own. You just hope that the guys you are replacing them with are better. List turnover can be a good thing and it feels like the turnover we are having is for the most part only making us stronger both in the short term and the long term.
The exception of course is Joe's retirement and the loss of Starcevich.
An example I can think of is losing Prior was probably a contributor to putting Fletcher down back. I could see a world where if we still had Prior then Fletcher stays on the wing and Prior take up the HBF. That allowed Marshall and Bruce to get onto a wing, both guys are better wingers than Priz was, though not quite as good as Fletcher. Fletcher is (and I say this as someone who liked Prior) a lot better than what Prior was on a HBF. On balance we have ended up better across the two positions impacted. Dev's story is similar but is on the back of Levi and Marshall coming in and Ah Chee making the defensive forward role his own.
Ah Chee leaving has meant that spot has opened up just in time with Coleman and Linc coming back from injury, which has a knock on effect of being able to keep Fletcher down back where he is killing it and keeping Marshall/Bruce + Levi on the wing/wing rotation. Fletcher is more involved in the play and contest down back so we are getting a better output, while allowing Levi/Bruce/Marshall to continue sharing a role and getting better development that they would in the VFL or on less minutes if Jaspa was playing on the wing. I don't want to underestimate what Cal was able to bring to the team, I don't think we have a like for like replacement who can lockdown on a rebounding defender as well as Cal did. I can see the logic in giving that role to Kiddy both because defence seems to be his best position and if we have possession and his man is nowhere near him, he really isn't the guy you want sending it deep into the 50.
This was a really long winded way to say my original point which is I think our list turnover in the past couple of years has been a good thing even if we have lost some good depth players and a few best 22 players. Obviously, I would still love to have Joe and Starce in particular but on balance I think we are stronger than we were when when we lost both of those guys.
FB: Answerth Andrews Lester
HB: Fletcher Payne Zorko
C: Berry Neale x
HF: Bailey Hipwood Rayner
FF: Cameron Allen Morris
R: Draper Dunkley McCluggage
Int: W Ashcroft Wilmot Coleman* Lohman L Ashcroft
Payne, Draper and Hipwood replacements are easy.
Answerth is the harder one to replace. Fletcher or Motty could do the roles, though it would take away from their more natural attacking game.
While not his ideal position, L Ashcroft is clearly going to be playing on a wing and has put himself into nonnegotiable territory.
Kiddy Coleman is still a non-negotiable to me. He has too much upside to not be playing him while he is healthy. Fagan and co will give him every opportunity I think.
I'm bullish on Linc. He was one of the non-negotiables, I think Fages will show faith in him and give him until the by rounds to cement a spot either down back or up forward or as a hybrid of those positions.
I have something like this for R0
FB: Wilmot Andrews Lester
HB: Fletcher Gardiner Zorko
C: Berry Neale L Ashcroft
HF: Bailey Gallop Rayner
FF: Cameron Allen Morris
R: Fort Dunkley McCluggage
Int: W Ashcroft Coleman Lohman McCarthy X
You need a wing rotation in there unless the coaches decide to run Bailey, Coleman and Lohman through the wings at different times. Which I don't think they will. Marshall or Reville are the obvious candidates.
I think the 22 I have picked are walk up starts in every list in the comp.
That leaves:
Annable
Marshall/Reville
McKenna
Brain
Joyce
As guys who have shown that they can compete at AFL level.
Then you have:
Doedee
McLachlan
Tunstill
Beekan
Smith
Curtin
Who could still have attributes to be AFL level players in a good team.
What this exercise has shown me is that if everyone is fit, then in my estimation you would have a list of 7 players (Fort, Gardiner, Gallop, Marshall/Reville, McKenna, McCarthy, Brain) not in my first first who have AFL experience that you could rely on to do a job, plus Annable and Curtin who could through the season become capable of contributing solidly for a 22nd/23rd player, Smith who still has some potential to be a adequate ruckman, Doedee (though it is looking more and more unlikely his body will ever be ready to go) and Joyce.
Perhaps an unintended consequence of the great list depth is that it means some players will pursue other opportunities elsewhere like Sharp, Robertson, Prior did because they are good enough to get a good run of games in 6-10 other teams in the competition. Then you throw in guys who left as free agents such as Ah Chee and Starce, it helps open up positions for our younger players in the 1st-3rd years by either becoming the next player up in the case of an injury or by getting a chance to make a position their own. You just hope that the guys you are replacing them with are better. List turnover can be a good thing and it feels like the turnover we are having is for the most part only making us stronger both in the short term and the long term.
The exception of course is Joe's retirement and the loss of Starcevich.
An example I can think of is losing Prior was probably a contributor to putting Fletcher down back. I could see a world where if we still had Prior then Fletcher stays on the wing and Prior take up the HBF. That allowed Marshall and Bruce to get onto a wing, both guys are better wingers than Priz was, though not quite as good as Fletcher. Fletcher is (and I say this as someone who liked Prior) a lot better than what Prior was on a HBF. On balance we have ended up better across the two positions impacted. Dev's story is similar but is on the back of Levi and Marshall coming in and Ah Chee making the defensive forward role his own.
Ah Chee leaving has meant that spot has opened up just in time with Coleman and Linc coming back from injury, which has a knock on effect of being able to keep Fletcher down back where he is killing it and keeping Marshall/Bruce + Levi on the wing/wing rotation. Fletcher is more involved in the play and contest down back so we are getting a better output, while allowing Levi/Bruce/Marshall to continue sharing a role and getting better development that they would in the VFL or on less minutes if Jaspa was playing on the wing. I don't want to underestimate what Cal was able to bring to the team, I don't think we have a like for like replacement who can lockdown on a rebounding defender as well as Cal did. I can see the logic in giving that role to Kiddy both because defence seems to be his best position and if we have possession and his man is nowhere near him, he really isn't the guy you want sending it deep into the 50.
This was a really long winded way to say my original point which is I think our list turnover in the past couple of years has been a good thing even if we have lost some good depth players and a few best 22 players. Obviously, I would still love to have Joe and Starce in particular but on balance I think we are stronger than we were when when we lost both of those guys.
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For O round
F: Rayner Allen Lohmann
HF: Cameron Morris Bailey
C: Berry Neale LAshcroft
HB: Zorko Andrews Fletcher
B: Lester Gardiner Answerth
Foll: Fort McCluggage Dunkley
Bench: WAshcroft, Reville, Coleman, Gallop and Wilmot
I think we'll invest games into Kiddy to find form
Would've liked the luxury of playing ZZ to chop out in the ruck and be cover for Andrews down back but couldn't leave Kiddy or Reville out. Possibly if Answerth is injured
F: Rayner Allen Lohmann
HF: Cameron Morris Bailey
C: Berry Neale LAshcroft
HB: Zorko Andrews Fletcher
B: Lester Gardiner Answerth
Foll: Fort McCluggage Dunkley
Bench: WAshcroft, Reville, Coleman, Gallop and Wilmot
I think we'll invest games into Kiddy to find form
Would've liked the luxury of playing ZZ to chop out in the ruck and be cover for Andrews down back but couldn't leave Kiddy or Reville out. Possibly if Answerth is injured
I did a similar exercise fully expecting to fit a debut in for one of ZZ or Curtin as that flexible tall option to back up the ruck off the bench but ended up naming the exact side as you. I think on balance we’d almost be better off playing a ZZ or similar but you can’t leave out Reville or Coleman I don’t think. As you said, if Answerth isn’t quite ready, ZZ would be my choice.
Goes to show those listing the likes of McKenna, Brain, Annable, and Marshall haven’t listed out the team and who comes in/out. It will be interesting when Draper is ready who we play him over. Gallop (Based solely off pre season Gallop is almost a lock as it stands)? Drop a flanker/wingman (Who could you drop though? Would be one of Reville, Kiddy, Levi, Berry, or Lohmann which is almost unthinkable) or play him over Fort?
Then Hipwood and Payne eventually return hopefully. Our depth is insane.
I think our best team with everyone fully fit is the below:
B Answerth Andrews Lester
HB Wilmot Payne Zorko
C Fletcher Dunkley Berry
HF Bailey Hipwood Rayner
C Cameron Allen Morris
R Draper McCluggage Dunkley
I WAsh LAsh Lohmann Reville Coleman
Not a single weak link in that team across any line.
^ Fort, Gardiner, Gallop, McCarthy, McLachlan, Marshall, McKenna, Brain, Doedee, ZZ, Annable don’t get a look in. Our squad bats so deep.
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buttermuffs briztoon reminded me to change my thread title to 2026 in Membership
So, this is my reminder to you.
I will have another go at best 23 soon.
Not an easy task for those last few spots
So, this is my reminder to you.
I will have another go at best 23 soon.
Not an easy task for those last few spots
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I was all for having a 2nd ruck if Draper was playing just to take some pressure off him TOG wise.
However, once he settles in (injury cross fingers) just the one ruck for me.
Depending on who we play maybe 2 rucks
We won the 2025 GF with two rucks.
We won the 2024 GF with one ruck (Jo had 1 hit out)
Rayner a bit of a concern.
He did not train with the main group when i attended training a few weeks ago. Also left the field early that morning.
Then missed the Blues and Suns game
Any BF poster attended training this week to report if he trained with the main group.
However, once he settles in (injury cross fingers) just the one ruck for me.
Depending on who we play maybe 2 rucks
We won the 2025 GF with two rucks.
We won the 2024 GF with one ruck (Jo had 1 hit out)
Rayner a bit of a concern.
He did not train with the main group when i attended training a few weeks ago. Also left the field early that morning.
Then missed the Blues and Suns game
Any BF poster attended training this week to report if he trained with the main group.
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Put my round 0 team in the Pre season thread, I'll have a go at this one with everyone available and in their best form... which is a low chance of happening.
Keidean Coleman, Harris Andrews, Noah Answerth.
Darcy Wilmot, Jack Payne, Jaspa Fletcher.
Sam Draper, Lachie Neale, Josh Dunkley.
Hugh McCluggage, Will Ashcroft, Jarrod Berry.
Charlie Cameron, Oscar Allen, Kai Lohmann.
Logan Morris, Ty Gallop, Cam Rayner.
Levi Ashcroft, Dayne Zorko, Bruce Reville, Zac Bailey, Ryan Lester.
No room
- Darcy Gardiner, Darcy Fort, Linc McCarthy, Eric Hipwood, Sam Marshall, Daniel Annable.
Is there any chance of Levi/Froggy/Ty losing their spot to one of the no room cohort? eg. Hippy for Ty, Annable for Levi, Dizzy for Froggy?
Keidean Coleman, Harris Andrews, Noah Answerth.
Darcy Wilmot, Jack Payne, Jaspa Fletcher.
Sam Draper, Lachie Neale, Josh Dunkley.
Hugh McCluggage, Will Ashcroft, Jarrod Berry.
Charlie Cameron, Oscar Allen, Kai Lohmann.
Logan Morris, Ty Gallop, Cam Rayner.
Levi Ashcroft, Dayne Zorko, Bruce Reville, Zac Bailey, Ryan Lester.
No room
- Darcy Gardiner, Darcy Fort, Linc McCarthy, Eric Hipwood, Sam Marshall, Daniel Annable.Is there any chance of Levi/Froggy/Ty losing their spot to one of the no room cohort? eg. Hippy for Ty, Annable for Levi, Dizzy for Froggy?
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I think we have seen in the games Froggy has missed how important he is to our defensive structure. Lost to Sydney late last year, and conceded 100+ both games this preseason.Put my round 0 team in the Pre season thread, I'll have a go at this one with everyone available and in their best form... which is a low chance of happening.
Keidean Coleman, Harris Andrews, Noah Answerth.
Darcy Wilmot, Jack Payne, Jaspa Fletcher.
Sam Draper, Lachie Neale, Josh Dunkley.
Hugh McCluggage, Will Ashcroft, Jarrod Berry.
Charlie Cameron, Oscar Allen, Kai Lohmann.
Logan Morris, Ty Gallop, Cam Rayner.
Levi Ashcroft, Dayne Zorko, Bruce Reville, Zac Bailey, Ryan Lester.
No room
Is there any chance of Levi/Froggy/Ty losing their spot to one of the no room cohort? eg. Hippy for Ty, Annable for Levi, Dizzy for Froggy?
Watching the game on Thursday night it was evident that the guys we had playing that goalkeeper role, or the last guy at the back (thinking about Bez, Dizzy and even Charlie at stages), weren't quite as sure of their positioning compared to Froggy.
Compare that to the countless occasions in the last 2-3 years that Froggy has been there to either bail us out or force the opposition to make a decision they don't want to make, ie slow them down, force them to go sideways etc. It's a role that is not all about playing on and beating your opponent.
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Very small sample of games where we were also missing Payne, Starcevich and Answerth
Also preseason games and defensive intent don't usually go together
Not saying you're wrong though
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And here I was scratching my head, thinking to myself that I can't remember saying squat, and just chalking it up to my failing memory in regards to anything not important. (not that I remember important stuff either)I was today years old when I learned I am briztoon
Get the tanks out folks!
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I was today years old when I learned I am briztoon
Get the tanks out folks!
Getting old is not fun when you youngsters pick me up on simple things like what year it is and who posted what
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All good S5.
By the way it's 2003. I have a feeling we're gonna smash Collingwood in the Grand Final this year.
Elixuh
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Briz you are our Michael Wittmann.
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Quick question but given its round nothing and Tim English is looming large would it be a good idea to rest Fort for the week and go with a more athletic pair of rucks/ruck forwards to run him down?
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Probably not
