Prediction Best 23 - 2026 edition

[twadds]

Is Champion ready and capable of kicking more goals than Cripps next year?

No.

 

[stallon]

Is Champion ready and capable of kicking more goals than Cripps next year?

Doesn't matter, I think Cripps will be like Gaff 2024 being phased out.
He might be better than some of the kids like Gaff was but we have to move on.

 

[BSD]

Doesn't matter, I think Cripps will be like Gaff 2024 being phased out.
He might be better than some of the kids like Gaff was but we have to move on.

If Cripps is in our best 23 then one of the younger players has to prove that he is better than him to take his place.
We have plenty of players on our current list under the age of 22 so we do have an eye on the future.

 

[Convocation]

Wasn’t sure where to ask this, but do we know if Yeo avoided additional surgery at the end of the year. Will he be ready for day 1 of pre-season?
Seem to recollect he continued his rehab at the club after our season finished, and was “hoping to avoid” additional surgery.

 

[Cuzz09]

2022
For 1429 (65ppg) Agst 2389 (108ppg)
2023
For 1418 (61ppg) Agst 2674 (116ppg)
2024
For 1594 (69ppg) Agst 2329 (102ppg)
2025
For 1466 (64ppg) Agst 2438 (106ppg)

Close the gap!

Very similar the last 4 years... here's hoping for an improvement

Something like

2026
For 1750 (76ppg) Agst 2200 (95ppg)

would be a huge improvement

2 more goals for and 2 Agst less

 

[joeyavalanche]

Updating...
Assuming we draft Duursma, CDT, and we get the 3 players who have asked to come.

FB: Hough Edwards Starcevich
HB: Ginbey Young Duursma
C: Dewar Yeo Maric
HF: Hewett Shanahan Baker
FF: Brockman Waterman Champion
R: Flynn H.Reid McCarthy
Int: A.Reid Graham Dev Duggan Allan

Love this side, but I’m hoping we park Yeo in the backline to prolong his career.

He’s not going to be a midfielder during our next push so why not get the kids doing the bulk of the CB’s. There’ll be plenty of opportunity when we’re getting pumped to throw him in the middle.

TBH I’d rather we add Ginbey to the midfield and Yeo plays Ginbey’s role. He can be a weapon off half back too

 

[TheBudgies]

Love this side, but I’m hoping we park Yeo in the backline to prolong his career.

He’s not going to be a midfielder during our next push so why not get the kids doing the bulk of the CB’s. There’ll be plenty of opportunity when we’re getting pumped to throw him in the middle.

TBH I’d rather we add Ginbey to the midfield and Yeo plays Ginbey’s role. He can be a weapon off half back too

Ginbey could be anything elite HB he could be an ok mid if given lots of time and effort without ever becoming elite. I feel like we're better off keeping him in the backline where he wants to be and has shown his most upside.

Yeo will probably mix midfield with some time on the Forward and Back flanks.

 

[TheBudgies]

Here's mine. Assuming we get Sharp and Duursma as well as all our NGAs and Banfield with Dev as a DFA. I'd like Hutchinson to replace the high marking role lost in Ryan but could also see Long/ Champion/ Newton/ Brockman/ Dewar/ T.Williams being a bit of a rotation with Cripps probably starting the year and fading out of the team at mid season.

I think largely the specific position is less important than the players as a whole. Eg. Yeo listed as a Follower but will probably play significant minutes forward/back.

FBHoughEdwardsDuggan
HBStarcevichYoungGinbey
CDuursmaH.ReidMcCarthy
HF Dewar Shanahan Davis
FFHutchinson Waterman A.Reid
FOLFlynnYeoHewett
INTGrahamAllanSharp
Robertson Duggan


BEagles
FBColeBarnettBanfield
HBJohnston BazzoGrego
CMaricGross Brockman
HF Cripps Livingston Newton
FFOwiesJ. WilliamsChampion
FOLB.WilliamsHallLong
INTWalleyT. WilliamsEvans Kelly

Beagles look solid which goes a long way to promoting development of our kids.

 

[stallon]

Love this side, but I’m hoping we park Yeo in the backline to prolong his career.

He’s not going to be a midfielder during our next push so why not get the kids doing the bulk of the CB’s. There’ll be plenty of opportunity when we’re getting pumped to throw him in the middle.

TBH I’d rather we add Ginbey to the midfield and Yeo plays Ginbey’s role. He can be a weapon off half back too

Yeo can move anywhere in this 22, with Dev/Graham/Allan on the bench, doesnt really matter.

Ginbey im not moving from D50 at all, we have no need and hes elite back there. That one makes no sense

 

[THE A5]

FB Starcevich Young Ginbey
HB Hough Edwards Baker
C McCarthy Hewett Dewar
Hf Graham Waterman Brockman
FF Cripps Shanahan Champion
R Flynn Yeo Harley
I Duggan Robertson Hall Baz Williams

Think our rucks will be heavily rotated as both suck shit.

Both J.williams and archer will be around the team. Hopefully both spend a bit more time working with rucks

 

[Altum Volantes]

Round 1 - everyone fit, ready to play their best footy in their optimum roles:

Locks (13)

H.Reid M
Yeo M
Hewett M
Waterman F
McCarthy B
Hough B
Edwards B
Starcevich B
Duggan B
Maric B
Ginbey B
Baker U
Graham U

Most Likely (4)
Shanahan F
Flynn R
Kelly M
Cripps F

Likely (3)
B.Williams R
Young D
Robertson* (assuming that happens) M

8 Backs, 5 Mids, 2 Rucks, 3 Forwards, 2 Utilities

So...by my maths it's 3 spots left for...

Dewar
Brockman
Hutchinson
Allan
A.Reid
J.Williams
Cole
Hall
Owies
Newton
Long
Brock
Bazzo
Gross
Grego
Champion
+
Pick 1
Pick 2
Pick 13

I think we are sorted down back - Cole and Brock are the next cabs off the rank.

Spots up for grabs up forward I think - especially for...

Opportunist Forward Pocket/Small Pressure Forward - Owies, Champion, Brockman...Long?
3rd Tall/Marking Half Forward - Hutchinson, Newton

Probably another mid too....
Hall, Allan, Pick 1, Gross.

Will be interesting to see how it takes shape!

 

[joeyavalanche]

Yeo can move anywhere in this 22, with Dev/Graham/Allan on the bench, doesnt really matter.

Ginbey im not moving from D50 at all, we have no need and hes elite back there. That one makes no sense

We’re looking for some muscle in the middle and we have a beast who we used a first round pick on for that very role, with a ready made replacement in Yeo who’s won an AA in that role and looking for a position that’s less stressful on his body. All this with the flexibility to switch when required.

How does that not make any sense?

 

[stallon]

We’re looking for some muscle in the middle and we have a beast who we used a first round pick on for that very role, with a ready made replacement in Yeo who’s won an AA in that role and looking for a position that’s less stressful on his body. All this with the flexibility to switch when required.

How does that not make any sense?

Ginbey is just better in d50, hes not shown much at all in the middle other than an ability to tackle which we can cover eith Graham/Dev types.

We dont have another Ginbey type in d50.

 

[SAweagle]

Based on the proviso WC take Duursma & Sharp with picks 1/2

Unsure if WC will retain pick 13 or try to play games on draft night to move up so have left it out for now

A fully fit Yeo is pie in the sky at this point, if he's cherry ripe he comes in for Gross

No room for the Jogger In Chief T.Kelly, Waffle for you mate

Duggan Cole Owies & Crippps likewise, beagles senior leaders and handy depth (not you Mathew)



B- Starcevich Edwards Hough(VC)

HB- Ginbey Young Mccarthy

C- Allan Robertson Duursma

HF- Baker(C) Shanahan Gross

FF- Champion Waterman Hutchinson

R- B.Williams Reid Hewett

IC- Flynn Graham J.Williams Sharp Grego

Emg- Brockman Brock Hall

 

[Patron]

I'm only really confident we will draft Duursma with Pick 1, so my side is based on that and Robertson delisted FA.
I'm expecting we trade Pick 2 back, but i'm unsure who will end up with. A few players like sharp, Robey, Cumming, Dovaston would likely be in our 23.




Colour gives an idea for safety in the side/position.

 

[BeornJ]

I'm only really confident we will draft Duursma with Pick 1, so my side is based on that and Robertson delisted FA.
I'm expecting we trade Pick 2 back, but i'm unsure who will end up with. A few players like sharp, Robey, Cumming, Dovaston would likely be in our 23.

View attachment 2456517


Colour gives an idea for safety in the side/position.

Love a colour coded list! Nice one!

 

[Cuzz09]

Are we even sure we'll take Duursma?

 

[Patron]

Are we even sure we'll take Duursma?

If we keep pick 1, yes. Almost a lock at this stage. Essendon trading up with a silly offer if Merrett get's traded the only threat imo.

 

[Cuzz09]

Poor Harvey Johnston with all his enthusiasm is starting to look like a WAFL/delist guy unless he can really stand out and take his shot.

 

[stallon]

Poor Harvey Johnston with all his enthusiasm is starting to look like a WAFL/delist guy unless he can really stand out and take his shot.

If we had to rookie someone to make a list spot id have no issues at all if it was him

 

[THE A5]

Are we even sure we'll take Duursma?

They’re not going to pick him Mitch

 

[mitchzz]

How I'd line us up:

B: McCarthy, Edwards, Starcevich
HB: Ginbey, Young, Hough
C: Allan, H. Reid, Duursma
HF: Baker, Shanahan, Hewett
F: Hutch, Waterman, Brockman
R: Flynn, Yeo, Graham
I: Duggan, A. Reid, Robertson, Maric, Gross/Sharp

McCarthy dedicated creator out of D50. Duggan to not go near a kickout in 2026 and beyond. Ginbey freed up to use his pace and go on some runs.

I think we need to pump games into Bo Allan. Hoping he has a massive pre-season with some luck this time around and no interruptions.

Baker up forward where he can apply lots of pressure. Hutch up forward too - I think it's probably time to can the midfield experiment. Let him fly for marks and use his tackling ability up forward.

I've gone Brockman in the other forward pocket. It's pretty dire in terms of small forwards. Hoping Long can have a big pre-season. Or Newton. Or even one of our new NGAs can come through and push for selection. At the moment though, Brockman gets the nod as he's fast?

Still feels gross putting Flynn there. My hope is Archer Reid has a massive pre-season and before long takes Flynn's spot as R1.

 

[boondy]

Is 1-= 4 yesr player return nov 24 ?

 

[Altum Volantes]

Fox Footy had a go.

Not too bad.

I mean obviously other than not knowing Harry Edwards is clearly first choice over Sandy Brock at FB...oops.

Other than that - Noah Long is probably a stretch - Bailey Williams likely to be in the given there are no other tall forward options in that side.

So switch Brock for Edwards, Long for Williams and it's a decent effort.

 

[TheBudgies]

Fox Footy had a go.

Not too bad.

I mean obviously other than not knowing Harry Edwards is clearly first choice over Sandy Brock at FB...oops.

Other than that - Noah Long is probably a stretch - Bailey Williams likely to be in the given there are no other tall forward options in that side.

So switch Brock for Edwards, Long for Williams and it's a decent effort.

View attachment 2460062

Oscar Allen being a key out twice hurts. Do we get 2 pick 2s this year or can we defer one to next year?

You're right, Edwards comes in.
Jack Williams and Archer Reid are probably fighting for the 3rd tall spot.
Maric, Long and Owies are all probably at risk with picks 1,2 and 13.
I'd send Duggan to the backline and send Baker up to the wing or forward line I think.