Unofficial Preview Best 23 2025 Predictions

[martinson]

My take on Zorko is that at his age the way he's going you just leave him where he is until he loses form or fitness. Why throw him into the fray when he's nailing the role he has and it's not taking a toll on his body.

He's been too valuable ever since we moved him there.

 

[mpal6]

Not done wrong, just hack disposals, not good enough as a forward or a back, and just lowers the standard of the team. I commented with respect, but what we needed when we were down the ladder - and what we need now - are 2 different things. Would prefer Gallop forward and, probably, Joyce down back.

You are underselling Gardiner massively in defense. We can drop him in the defensive line whenever needed and he'll know what to do to keep his direct opponent quiet. When Payne was out and we switched Gardiner back for St.Kilda, he got it done with no qualms.

I like the next-gen to come through in our forward line and I agree that playing Gardiner there would be just a stop gap. But I'll play Gardiner anyday in defense knowing he'll get the job done. Sometimes I feel more confident with Gardiner compared to Payne even, it's just that Payne's height and reach compliments Harris better so he'll get the nod when fit n available.

Payne is currently in superior form too which makes it harder for Gardiner to get a look in.

 

[mpal6]

Is our mid depth a bit thin JB?

Sam Marshall, James Tunstill, Reece Torrent, Daniel Annable(2026) is about it, doubtful that Tunstill and Torrent "make it" with us.

Dev Robertson is still there, trundling along.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

Is our mid depth a bit thin JB?

Sam Marshall, James Tunstill, Reece Torrent, Daniel Annable(2026) is about it, doubtful that Tunstill and Torrent "make it" with us.

I wouldn't say so, I think it's about right.

We currently have 7 best 23 midfielders (Neale, Will Ashcroft, McCluggage, Dunkley, Berry, Levi Ashcroft, Fletcher) and 5 depth midfielders (those you've mentioned except Annable, and also Dev and Bruce).

You'd say Bruce, Marshall, Tunstill and Dev are all capable of stepping in at AFL level if required. Maybe that's more than enough depth, because Dev is not going to get a game for the rest of the year without an injury crisis. I reckon we only need three midfielders who can step in straight away, leaving two spots for more slow burn development prospects.

Dev is obviously gone at the end of the season, but Annable will replace him. If Annable is good enough to be called upon occasionally at AFL level next year, then we don't really need both of Bruce and Tunstill either, one is enough. There is a decent gap in ages between Berry and McCluggage (27) and Ashcroft (21 tomorrow!) so I can see the value in having a depth player in that age range to ensure we're not too old or young, too. I'd probably keep Bruce over Tunstill.

So I think we're fine for depth. By the time Neale retires, Marshall or Annable can step up, the other remains depth alongside Bruce, and hopefully our academy will produce another by then.

 

[morsie]

In the couple of games he has played, I can’t see much that he has actually done wrong.

Love him.As I have said before he takes me back to the 60s l Old fashioned hard assed defender.

 

[mpal6]

Love him.As I have said before he takes me back to the 60s l Old fashioned hard assed defender.

That's what Dermott was saying in commentary when Gardiner was playing on St.Kilda forwards. "He's such an old school defender, he exactly knows what he needs to do in all situations back there".

For all his mad giggle and harping on a single point for too long, he has some quality observations and pickups during the game.

 

[Nunez]

Teams would kill to have the midfield depth we have, let's not kid ourselves.

 

[mpal6]

Teams would kill to have the midfield depth we have, let's not kid ourselves.

We are in the middle of a finals / premiership window and picked up two top 5 (if not top 2) midfielders from draft thanks to father son. That's a rarity in itself. Not to mention two more first rounders in Fletcher, Marshall and a potential top 10 pick this year in Annable.

It's not just the high picks but the quality we are getting so far which is amazing. What Levi has been doing this year is just sensational. He would be in Sheezel level of fanfare if he did this every week for one of the Melbourne clubs.

 

[Sunny Land]

We are in the middle of a finals / premiership window and picked up two top 5 (if not top 2) midfielders from draft thanks to father son. That's a rarity in itself. Not to mention two more first rounders in Fletcher, Marshall and a potential top 10 pick this year in Annable.

It's not just the high picks but the quality we are getting so far which is amazing. What Levi has been doing this year is just sensational. He would be in Sheezel level of fanfare if he did this every week for one of the Melbourne clubs.

Interesting how a few seasons ago Matthew Lloyd, Gary Lyon, David King, Kane Cornes & a few more were saying that our window was closing & our club has missed their opportunity to win a flag & then last year Johnathan Brown & couple of others started with: "we wont win a flag with Hipwood & Daniher in it" and here we are now as, once again, one of the flag favourites for another year.
Not surprising that zero "experts" took ownership of their BS predictions and just keep moving forward as if nothing was said.

 

[Darren Downunder]

Interesting how a few seasons ago Matthew Lloyd, Gary Lyon, David King, Kane Cornes & a few more were saying that our window was closing & our club has missed their opportunity to win a flag & then last year Johnathan Brown & couple of others started with: "we wont win a flag with Hipwood & Daniher in it" and here we are now as, once again, one of the flag favourites for another year.
Not surprising that zero "experts" took ownership of their BS predictions and just keep moving forward as if nothing was said.

I think the media “experts” are pretty similar to us big footy posters. Sure you get the odd guy like Grasshopper (Nathan Buckley) but guys like King and Lloyd are just like you and me.
Kane Cornes is a different beast. I think he may have some good insights, but he only posts on the main board so half the time he’s trolling.

 

[Sunny Land]

I think the media “experts” are pretty similar to us big footy posters. Sure you get the odd guy like Grasshopper (Nathan Buckley) but guys like King and Lloyd are just like you and me.
Kane Cornes is a different beast. I think he may have some good insights, but he only posts on the main board so half the time he’s trolling.

Please...... The only guys I can think of in the media I would be OK with as a comparison on comments/opinions would be Buckley, Mathews, Simpson, Riewolt or Richo. I'll take a frosty pass on the rest.

 

[dmac_55]

I think we have to give Doedee a chance. Unfortunately that comes at the expense of Froggy.

Frog could play VFL for a couple weeks, he has been the ultimate clubman and won a flag. We need to see what we have out of Doedee.

He is one of the only players in our best 22 that would understand that and know how well he is valued. Plus he is always ready to play no matter what.

 

[Bucking Beads]

I think we have to give Doedee a chance. Unfortunately that comes at the expense of Froggy.

Frog could play VFL for a couple weeks, he has been the ultimate clubman and won a flag. We need to see what we have out of Doedee.

He is one of the only players in our best 22 that would understand that and know how well he is valued. Plus he is always ready to play no matter what.

Not happening.

 

[knaf]

Everyone on our list available come finals >

Brandon Starcevich, Jack Payne, Darcy Wilmot.
Keidean Coleman, Harris Andrews, Tom Doedee.

Oscar McInerney, Lachie Neale, Josh Dunkley.
Hugh McCluggage, Jaspa Fletcher, Jarrod Berry.

Logan Morris, Eric Hipwood, Kai Lohmann.
Charlie Cameron, Sam Day, Zac Bailey.

Callum Ah Chee, Cam Rayner, Dayne Zorko, Will Ashcroft.

Sub- Levi Ashcroft.

Depth- Noah Answerth, Ryan Lester, Bruce Reville, Darcy Gardiner, Darcy Fort, Conor McKenna, Darragh Joyce.

Zorks to play as the 7th defender, can also go wing/fwd if needed, prefer Fletcher on a wing but can also go back if needed, I really do want Noah in there but who goes out? Coleman/Starcevich firing are absolute locks, Doedee ditto, Froggy stiff but Doedee at his best is simply a better player IMO.

The only one I can see to go out of that back 7 for Answerth is Doedee but does that then upset the balance down there, Starc plays on the 3rd talls?

It will probably be a moot discussion come finals anyway, very unlikely we have a fully available list at that time of the year.

Didn't consider Linc, don't think he will get up.

Well thought out post, but not enough Ty Gallop!

 

[Nuggo]

Not happening.

Wont happen when we are winning but the next loss will be interesting with a few very good players waiting in the wings.

 

[martinson]

Not happening.

Culture killer to drop Froggy unless he loses form. IMO.

 

[knaf]

I’m going to say it, Lester’s been good this year but I am not sure he has been as good as last year. Wouldn’t be dropped on current performances, but football can be a brutal game. I cite the delisting of Shaun Hart

Shaun Hart

Age

54

Ht

175cm

Wt

74kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.1

4star

K

10.5

4star

HB

5.6

4star

M

3.5

4star

T

2.1

4star

No current season stats available

D

24.2

5star

K

15.2

5star

HB

9.0

5star

M

5.0

5star

T

2.6

4star

as an instance where a club champion was delisted to make space for younger recruits. (Of course you could argue that wasn’t a good decision given form after he left). If Doedee stays fit he has to be given afl game time.

Sorry Froggy and 3KZ

 

[knaf]

Culture killer to drop Froggy unless he loses form. IMO.

Like Premiership ruckman languishing in vfl?

 

[Johnny Bananas]

I think we have to give Doedee a chance. Unfortunately that comes at the expense of Froggy.

Frog could play VFL for a couple weeks, he has been the ultimate clubman and won a flag. We need to see what we have out of Doedee.

He is one of the only players in our best 22 that would understand that and know how well he is valued. Plus he is always ready to play no matter what.

I haven't seen any media reports yet of one of the struggling clubs asking the question of Froggy. If it hasn't happened, I think they're missing a trick because he's everything they need, a wise head with experience and excellent clubman, but still comfortably best 23. But then I was also surprised nobody went for Jarryd Lyons to protect their young mids for a year.

 

[martinson]

Like Premiership ruckman languishing in vfl?

When Darcy lobbed here it was made perfectly clear that he was the backup ruckman. A role he's embraced.

I'd be shocked if Fagan dropped Froggy given how he's played over the last 18 months . But Doedee will get a run one way or another looking at how he went on the weekend.

It's a delicate situation if everyone's available.

 

[Nathan Barley]

Like Premiership ruckman languishing in vfl?

Did you watch the Suns VFL games on the weekend? He was made to look very much like a VFL ruckman by Ned Moyle

He's just not that good

 

[Dalions]

Did you watch the Suns VFL games on the weekend? He was made to look very much like a VFL ruckman by Ned Moyle

He's just not that good

If we lose Henry Smith I would go hard for Ned Moyle. More AFL ready and would be a perfect for after Oscar.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

If we lose Henry Smith I would go hard for Ned Moyle. More AFL ready and would be a perfect for after Oscar.

You and half the competition. I would imagine some other team would be able to offer him more money.

 

[knaf]

Did you watch the Suns VFL games on the weekend? He was made to look very much like a VFL ruckman by Ned Moyle

He's just not that good

Yes not his best game. But playing a “premiership hero” in the vfl hasn’t lead to the death of our culture. The point of my original post.

 

[knaf]

If we lose Henry Smith I would go hard for Ned Moyle. More AFL ready and would be a perfect for after Oscar.

You’d think Moyle would be considering his future. Behind Witts and Read. Suns had another ruckman in the vfl, Knoble I think. I know nothing about him but looked to have some potential.

Maybe the Suns will do us another favour a trade him for a small pick up grade.

Seriously, ruck depth is a problem. Unfortunately Smith has had a lot of injury issues. If he can get his body right I think he can be an adequate replacement but after that the cupboard is empty.