Unofficial Preview Best 23 2025 Predictions

[Keystone agony]

If you somehow manage to get through full health excluding a ruck Fort/Omac and Coleman* then i suspect

LeviA or Morris will be sub to open proceedings

 

[Section 5]

Stars left out in tight calls; who fills injury voids? Every club’s predicted first-game team

Stars left out in tight calls; who fills injury voids? Every club’s predicted first-game team

www.foxsports.com.au

They pretty much got the 22/23 right baring injuries.
Just a few players in different positions

BRISBANE LIONS

B: B. Starcevich, H. Andrews, R. Lester

HB: D. Zorko, J. Payne, D. Wilmot

C: J. Fletcher, W. Ashcroft, H. McCluggage

HF: C. Rayner, L. Morris, J. Berry

F: C. Cameron, E. Hipwood, Z. Bailey

FOLL: O. McInerney, L. Neale, J. Dunkley

I/C: K. Lohmann, C. Ah Chee, N. Answerth, S. Day, L. Ashcroft

EMG: C. McKenna, T.Gallop, L. McCarthy

Outside of Joe Daniher’s retirement, the Lions are well placed to contend for a second consecutive flag. A quartet of players are set to return from ACL injuries — Lincoln McCarthy, Darcy Gardiner, Keidean Coleman and Tom Doedee — but will return at various stages. McCarthy and Gardiner are likelier chances of being available for Opening Round, while Doedee is expected to feature about a month into the season, and Coleman’s timeline is indefinite following an unfortunate setback in his recovery. Oscar McInerney will assume the number one ruck role again but how coach Chris Fagan covers the loss of Daniher is intriguing. He could opt to play Eric Hipwood and Logan Morris as the only tall forwards, but ex-Sun Sam Day, ruck Darcy Fort and youngster Henry Smith are also waiting in the wings. Father-son draftee Levi Ashcroft had off-season shoulder surgery but is firming for an Opening Round debut, while fellow Sandringham Dragons product Sam Marshall has also impressed teammates with his work ethic. The likes of Conor McKenna, Bruce Reville, Jimmy Tunstill and Deven Robertson are others competing for spots in the senior side.

 

[Tom14]

Stars left out in tight calls; who fills injury voids? Every club’s predicted first-game team

Stars left out in tight calls; who fills injury voids? Every club’s predicted first-game team

www.foxsports.com.au

They pretty much got the 22/23 right baring injuries.
Just a few players in different positions

BRISBANE LIONS

B: B. Starcevich, H. Andrews, R. Lester

HB: D. Zorko, J. Payne, D. Wilmot

C: J. Fletcher, W. Ashcroft, H. McCluggage

HF: C. Rayner, L. Morris, J. Berry

F: C. Cameron, E. Hipwood, Z. Bailey

FOLL: O. McInerney, L. Neale, J. Dunkley

I/C: K. Lohmann, C. Ah Chee, N. Answerth, S. Day, L. Ashcroft

EMG: C. McKenna, T.Gallop, L. McCarthy

Outside of Joe Daniher’s retirement, the Lions are well placed to contend for a second consecutive flag. A quartet of players are set to return from ACL injuries — Lincoln McCarthy, Darcy Gardiner, Keidean Coleman and Tom Doedee — but will return at various stages. McCarthy and Gardiner are likelier chances of being available for Opening Round, while Doedee is expected to feature about a month into the season, and Coleman’s timeline is indefinite following an unfortunate setback in his recovery. Oscar McInerney will assume the number one ruck role again but how coach Chris Fagan covers the loss of Daniher is intriguing. He could opt to play Eric Hipwood and Logan Morris as the only tall forwards, but ex-Sun Sam Day, ruck Darcy Fort and youngster Henry Smith are also waiting in the wings. Father-son draftee Levi Ashcroft had off-season shoulder surgery but is firming for an Opening Round debut, while fellow Sandringham Dragons product Sam Marshall has also impressed teammates with his work ethic. The likes of Conor McKenna, Bruce Reville, Jimmy Tunstill and Deven Robertson are others competing for spots in the senior side.

Looks about right. I tend to think poor Jaspa will be sub - or we'll pick McKenna for it and Levi will play a game or two in the VFL.

Really wished they'd ditched the sub and gone to 5 on the bench, would have been so helpful for us.

 

[Elixuh]

Looks about right. I tend to think poor Jaspa will be sub - or we'll pick McKenna for it and Levi will play a game or two in the VFL.

Really wished they'd ditched the sub and gone to 5 on the bench, would have been so helpful for us.

Jaspa genuinely looks primed I’d be surprised if he got the sub.

 

[Tom14]

Jaspa genuinely looks primed I’d be surprised if he got the sub.

Then no Levi to start the year IMO which isn't the worst. I just can't see players like Bez, Bailey, Cal being the sub.

 

[Elixuh]

Then no Levi to start the year IMO which isn't the worst. I just can't see players like Bez, Bailey, Cal being the sub.

Farewell Jaspa. You were a good man.

 

[Dalions]

I think Levi has a place in the 23, just not sure it is in the 22.
Otherwise someone is very unlucky to miss out from the GrandFinal team.
Even McKenna would be unlucky to miss out on Round 0 imo.
Sam Day in for Joe, Oscar in for Fort.
And maybe Levi for McKenna as sub?
I know Fages is not a real fan of bringing a debutant on as sub, we had Logan Morris last minute come in as sub after injury last year but it is not generally the done thing.

 

[Perrip]

I know Fages is not a real fan of bringing a debutant on as sub, we had Logan Morris last minute come in as sub after injury last year but it is not generally the done thing.

I think Brain was sub when he debuted last year too off memory.

 

[twhowler]

I think Levi has a place in the 23, just not sure it is in the 22.
Otherwise someone is very unlucky to miss out from the GrandFinal team.
Even McKenna would be unlucky to miss out on Round 0 imo.
Sam Day in for Joe, Oscar in for Fort.
And maybe Levi for McKenna as sub?
I know Fages is not a real fan of bringing a debutant on as sub, we had Logan Morris last minute come in as sub after injury last year but it is not generally the done thing.

i suspect levi gets squeezed in.

i guess hippy could play this game on thursday then play the main game

but he has been a long time in rehab, and we will rely on him more this yaer, i'd be holding him back for sure. might mean we go smaller?

No word on Oscar must mean he is okay? Anyone know starce status? he did most of pre season from what i saw?

 

[Dalions]

i suspect levi gets squeezed in.

i guess hippy could play this game on thursday then play the main game

but he has been a long time in rehab, and we will rely on him more this yaer, i'd be holding him back for sure. might mean we go smaller?

No word on Oscar must mean he is okay? Anyone know starce status? he did most of pre season from what i saw?

I personally think both Hippy and Starce will be good to go for OR.

 

[Nathan Barley]

I think Levi has a place in the 23, just not sure it is in the 22.
Otherwise someone is very unlucky to miss out from the GrandFinal team.
Even McKenna would be unlucky to miss out on Round 0 imo.
Sam Day in for Joe, Oscar in for Fort.
And maybe Levi for McKenna as sub?
I know Fages is not a real fan of bringing a debutant on as sub, we had Logan Morris last minute come in as sub after injury last year but it is not generally the done thing.

I don't think it'll matter for Levi. When he's looking back on a 300+ game career he won't remember a few games as the sub in his first season

 

[Nunez]

Levi will play fam.

 

[Elixuh]

Levi will play fam.

 

[BrownYouGun]

Round 1:

Starcevich, Payne, Lester
Zorko, Andrews, Answerth
Bailey, Ashcroft, Berry
Rayner, Hipwood, McCarthy
Cameron, Morris, Ah Chee
Oscar, Neale, Dunkley
McCluggage, Lohmann, Wilmot, Fletcher
E: McKenna/Gallop/LAshcroft

Bloody hell tough to pick and that’s without Coleman. Ashcroft in for Starc assuming concussion and Wilmot/Fletcher to do more in the back 6 but still wow

 

[Darren Downunder]

Round 1:

Starcevich, Payne, Lester
Zorko, Andrews, Answerth
Bailey, Ashcroft, Berry
Rayner, Hipwood, McCarthy
Cameron, Morris, Ah Chee
Oscar, Neale, Dunkley
McCluggage, Lohmann, Wilmot, Fletcher
E: McKenna/Gallop/LAshcroft

Bloody hell tough to pick and that’s without Coleman. Ashcroft in for Starc assuming concussion and Wilmot/Fletcher to do more in the back 6 but still wow

That’s close to the team I’d select, but after tonight, I’d put in McKenna for Starc and Levi for McCarthy.

 

[Big Sauce 21]

When Coleman is back and fully fit I think Wilmot will be squeezed further up or Answerth misses out. I can't see us moving Zorko out of the backline.

 

[Nathan Barley]

Can Oscar ruck 100% of the game?

 

[Darren Downunder]

Can Oscar ruck 100% of the game?

Oops… forgot about Day/Gallop. Yeah… I dunno.

 

[Nunez]

Can Oscar ruck 100% of the game?

I reckon he should - Payne can take back ruck contests, Hippy up forward. If he needs a rest he can just sit down in the centre square for a few mins during a forward 50 stoppage.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

Maybe at some point we have to send Hippy to the ruck.

 

[Berrygood]

O Round

Lester, Payne, Answerth
Zorko, Andrews, Wilmot

Fletcher, Neale, Berry
Big O, Dunkley, Clugg

Lohmann, Gallop, Ah Chee
Charlie, Hippy, Rayner

Mckenna, W Ashcroft, Bailey,
Morris. Sub -- L Ashcroft.
If Fletcher concussed, Bailey to wing, Levi to bench and McCarthy sub.

Best 23, impossible with the squad we have. So many so capable of holding down a spot.

Lester/Doedee, Payne/Gardiner, Starce/Answerth
Zorko/Coleman, Andrews, Wilmot/Mckenna

Fletcher, Neale, Berry
Big O, Fort
Dunkley, Clugg, W Ashcroft,
L Ashcroft

Bailey, Rayner, Lohmann, Charlie,
Ah Chee, McCarthy
Hippy, Morris, Day/Gallop/Smith

I'm happy with any combination of those players making up our best 23. Having 31 players all capable is a luxury. Pretty strong in all areas except tall fwd I guess.

Then we have some real decent depth that are proven capable of standing up for 4-5 games or more if needed.

Joyce, Brain, Dev, Tunstill, Bruce. The 2 midseason draftees seem close to getting a run if required. Beeken n the other bloke, I can't think of his name at the moment.

That's 38 players on the list that can contribute in first grade.

Young Marshall could do a Fletcher and earn himself a run after the bye. ZZ worth developing.

I guess that only leaves Lloyd, Ryan and Torrent with the biggest question marks in the squad. That's 43, I feel like I've missed someone.

That's a very good squad overall. Very good list management. Room to move players on eg, Ryan, Torrent, Lloyd, Dev, Tunstill. Room to lose a cpl of best 31 if had too, eg Bailey, Starce. Then a cpl of retirements in Lester n Zorko.

Great scope to evolve over the next few years without really damaging the quality of the team. Hopefully the academy keeps producing and we can trade in talent if needed.

 

[mpal6]

Levi will play fam.

Seems to run back harder than the big brother when it comes to defending.

Will is in Neale's mould - trundles, corrals but always looks like he's got something in the tank for the next fast break.

 

[Nunez]

Seems to run back harder than the big brother when it comes to defending.

Will is in Neale's mould - trundles, corrals but always looks like he's got something in the tank for the next fast break.

I don't think any of the locked best 18 guys showed a lot of defensive intent after the first quarter. No need to.

Levi though - he had a point to prove and when he got confidence at the level he started to shine in that second half. Would have loved to see him on the ball more.

 

[Nuggo]

Yes Levi showed a fair bit, he is in. Gallop/Day - Day I doubt will be able to play a full season so there will be opportunity for both (and Smith for that matter) but I would start Day (take experience over potential to start the season).

 

[Big Sauce 21]

Lester - Andrews - Answerth
Wilmot - Payne - Zorko

Berry - Dunkley - McCluggage
Big O - Neale - Washcroft

Bailey - Morris - Rayner
Ah Chee -Hipwood -Cameron

Fletcher - L.Ashcroft - Lohmann - McCarthy

Sub - McKenna

not keen on Day or Gallop for rd 1. Would rather go smaller, Geelong ruck is weak so I think until Fort is fit we run Big O solo with Hipwood making an effort.