Prediction Best 23 - 2026 edition

[Dom sheed pocket]

I dont mind the Yeo playing the dangerfield role idea, but do you think that frward like might be too tall?
Youve got 4 players on field + Hutchinson and Archer as forwards in the side - making 6 players 190cm+ going through there.

I feel like we've experimented with Yeo forward before (2016?) and it didn't work out at all. Not sure he has the natural forward craft of guys like Danger and Petracca.

 

[txbyhull]

I quite liked what I saw from Jacob Newton late last season. I think he could definitely sneak onto a hff full time in a similar role to what Baker will fill. Wouldn't be opposed to playing both in the same forward line as pressure merchants

 

[txbyhull]

I'd like something like this maybe...

B | Ginbey, Edwards, Starcevich
HB | Hough, Young, McCarthy
C | Maric, Robertson, Davis
HF | Baker, Waterman, Graham
F | Brockman, Shanahan, Cripps
R | Flynn, Harley, Hewett

I | A Reid, Duggan, Allan, Kelly, Duursma
E | Hall, Newton, Cole

Excluded Yeo due a complete lack of faith in his health but he probably takes the McCarthy spot and he goes up to a wing. Definitely missed someone.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

I'd like something like this maybe...

B | Ginbey, Edwards, Starcevich
HB | Hough, Young, McCarthy
C | Maric, Robertson, Davis
HF | Baker, Waterman, Graham
F | Brockman, Shanahan, Cripps
R | Flynn, Harley, Hewett

I | A Reid, Duggan, Allan, Kelly, Duursma
E | Hall, Newton, Cole

Excluded Yeo due a complete lack of faith in his health but he probably takes the McCarthy spot and he goes up to a wing. Definitely missed someone.

Sorely lacking in the small forward department for me. Cripps is nearly done, Brockman and Baker both better up the ground.

Would also prefer Bailey to Flynn given the rule changes.

 

[txbyhull]

Sorely lacking in the small forward department for me. Cripps is nearly done, Brockman and Baker both better up the ground.

Would also prefer Bailey to Flynn given the rule changes.

Indeed. We don’t have any AFL standard small forwards though…

 

[Carbine Chaos]

Indeed. We don’t have any AFL standard small forwards though…

Mitch Brown was around the club recently.

Hoping for big preseasons from Champion/Newton and really want Williams.

 

[txbyhull]

Mitch Brown was around the club recently.

Hoping for big preseasons from Champion/Newton and really want Williams.

I’m really bullish on Newton

 

[WA footy mad]

B | Ginbey, Edwards, Starcevich
HB | Hough, Young, McCarthy
C | Maric, Robertson, Davis
HF | Baker, Waterman, Graham
F | Brockman, Shanahan, Cripps
R | Flynn, Harley, Hewett

I | A Reid, Duggan, Allan, Kelly, Duursma
E | Hall, Newton, Cole

Wow is that the best we can do? another poor year.

 

[squashface]

I’m really bullish on Newton

Not bullish enough to put him in your best 23 though

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

Bailey Williams is 100% first ruck with the rule changes. No if buts or maybes about that one I feel. My pre draft feels right now are

FB: Hough, H.Edwards, Ginbey
HB: Starcevich, Young, McCarthy
C: Maric, Kelly, Allan
HF: Davis, Waterman, Baker
FF: A.Reid, Shanahan, Cripps
R: B.Williams. Reid, Graham
I/C: Hewett, Dewar, Hutchinson, Yeo, Duggan

Kidding ourselves if we think Kelly isnt starting mid next year so just being realistic. The defense writes itself in alot of ways as does the forward line. That midfield though

 

[txbyhull]

Not bullish enough to put him in your best 23 though

I had him in but realised I’d forgotten Duggan and Graham, 2 players which we would not drop. The prior being probably against better judgement

 

[Astro7]

Wow is that the best we can do? another poor year.

That's a clear improvement on last year with those new inclusions. Obviously still waiting on other final draft inclusions. Not forgetting the preseason improvement of others pushing up.
A whole new dynamic, more grunt, skill and speed.
Just needs to be fed by a competent ruck?

 

[TheBudgies]

Bailey Williams is 100% first ruck with the rule changes. No if buts or maybes about that one I feel. My pre draft feels right now are

FB: Hough, H.Edwards, Ginbey
HB: Starcevich, Young, McCarthy
C: Maric, Kelly, Allan
HF: Davis, Waterman, Baker
FF: A.Reid, Shanahan, Cripps
R: B.Williams. Reid, Graham
I/C: Hewett, Dewar, Hutchinson, Yeo, Duggan

Kidding ourselves if we think Kelly isnt starting mid next year so just being realistic. The defense writes itself in alot of ways as does the forward line. That midfield though

Terrible take. Bailey being able to jump changes nothing. He still can't direct a tap to an eagle to save his life. The ruck rules probably dont have any real impact on his biggest issue. Not convinced hitting the ball to the opposition more often is helpful.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

Terrible take. Bailey being able to jump changes nothing. He still can't direct a tap to an eagle to save his life. The ruck rules probably dont have any real impact on his biggest issue. Not convinced hitting the ball to the opposition more often is helpful.

Neither can Flynn, to be fair. Wasn't he the most sharked ruck in the comp last year?

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

Terrible take. Bailey being able to jump changes nothing. He still can't direct a tap to an eagle to save his life. The ruck rules probably dont have any real impact on his biggest issue. Not convinced hitting the ball to the opposition more often is helpful.

Directing a tap is not the issue people pretend it is with him. Its the inability to win the hitouts that is always the main issue. If he wins more hitouts he has more chances to get a hitout to advantage really

 

[TheBudgies]

Directing a tap is not the issue people pretend it is with him. Its the inability to win the hitouts that is always the main issue. If he wins more hitouts he has more chances to get a hitout to advantage really

Despite winning more hitouts per ruck contest Bailey is more likely to hit it to the opposition advantage. Directing the tap is exactly the issue. Both are terrible in comparison to the rest of the league in terms of ruck contest work but Flynn offers more around the ground. Bailey being able to jump more freely in a Ruck Contest doesnt change that.

 

[TheBudgies]

Neither can Flynn, to be fair. Wasn't he the most sharked ruck in the comp last year?

Don't misinterpret this as a 'Flynn is good' post. This is a 'Flynn is the the least terrible of a terrible ruck group'

 

[Carbine Chaos]

Don't misinterpret this as a 'Flynn is good' post. This is a 'Flynn is the the least terrible of a terrible ruck group'

They're all well below standard, but I think Williams makes much more sense with the first touch and centre bounce rules.

 

[stallon]

Sorely lacking in the small forward department for me. Cripps is nearly done, Brockman and Baker both better up the ground.

Would also prefer Bailey to Flynn given the rule changes.

Agree, imo we need to name at least 1 craftier small forward type who can stay closer to goal(or basically what flyin did this year at least). Rotate between a bunch of the young guys to give them exposure if we have to, but I think its required, even if our options right now arent great for whatever reason.

 

[We_The_West]

I think Duursma could fill the Ollie Dempsey Wing role quite well and float forward and back to good effect. Make sure he’s not getting too beat up in the contest and keep him healthy.

Duggan has always played his best footy in the backline so I think he will be down there marshalling with Starcevich.

McCarthy up the ground in the Hugh McCluggage

6

Hugh Mccluggage

Age

28

Ht

187cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

19.3

5star

K

11.4

4star

HB

7.9

5star

M

4.0

4star

T

3.0

5star

CL

2.2

4star

D

19.0

4star

K

12.0

5star

HB

7.0

4star

M

3.6

4star

T

2.9

4star

CL

2.0

4star

D

13.2

4star

K

7.8

3star

HB

5.4

4star

M

4.2

4star

T

1.8

4star

CL

0.6

3star

Wing role roaming between the arcs helping link play and distributing to the forwards.

Surely Dewar goes back to being a HFF with Ryan gone? Need his creativity and skill forward of centre and hopefully between him and Brockman they can kick 60+

 

[WCEConnor23]

I think Duursma could fill the Ollie Dempsey Wing role quite well and float forward and back to good effect. Make sure he’s not getting too beat up in the contest and keep him healthy.

Duggan has always played his best footy in the backline so I think he will be down there marshalling with Starcevich.

McCarthy up the ground in the Hugh McCluggage Wing role roaming between the arcs helping link play and distributing to the forwards.

Surely Dewar goes back to being a HFF with Ryan gone? Need his creativity and skill forward of centre and hopefully between him and Brockman they can kick 60+

Yep, i like the idea of Duursma on the wing. He can play a similar role to Weddle and Dempsey.

Dewar looks like a natural winger to me. He's played all his best games there. I'd move Hutchinson, Maric or both to the HFF instead.

 

[TheBudgies]

Yep, i like the idea of Duursma on the wing. He can play a similar role to Weddle and Dempsey.

Dewar looks like a natural winger to me. He's played all his best games there. I'd move Hutchinson, Maric or both to the HFF instead.

Yea this is a good shout. Maric as a high HF.

Hutch playing a bit deeper jumping on heads.

Dewar flexing between a forward role and an offensive wing role would be really nice. Maybe in a rotation with someone like Davis?

Duursma a more rebounding defensive wing sets things up nicely.

 

[WCEConnor23]

Yea this is a good shout. Maric as a high HF.

Hutch playing a bit deeper jumping on heads.

Dewar flexing between a forward role and an offensive wing role would be really nice. Maybe in a rotation with someone like Davis?

Duursma a more rebounding defensive wing sets things up nicely.

Agree, yes Davis is an interesting prospect. Proven goal kicker, but could also develop into a handy winger.

 

[Shazzman]

FB: Hough, H.Edwards, Ginbey
HB: Durrsma, Young, McCarthy
C: Dewar, Starcevich, Maric
HF: Hewett, Waterman, Cumming*
FF: Newton, Shanahan, Baker

R: Flynn, Reid, Sharp*
I/C: Graham, Allan , A Reid, Yeo, Kelly

Not likely not going to happen since a lot of that will rely upon doing a trade with Essendon and then eagles actually choosing those players haha

 

[charliefinlay]

Wouldnt mind seeing Ginbey getting a longer leash to intercept and rebound rather than just lockdown defend, especially with Young coming to the side. I cant see why Ginbey cant evolve his game to resemble Josh Weddle, almost identical physical profiles