Strategy Best 23, Post Draft edition for Season 2025 (updated)

[Play it Sam]

I'm not sure that's entirely it - SDK looked out of form and I think there was some 'give him a run in the ruck Huddo' thinking at play as well.

At the time I thought it was pretty harsh on the kid, forcing a square peg into a round hole, ruck work being a very defined craft. You have to wonder if they had his brother's talents in the back of MC minds And we know how that worked out, as direct competitors. If we have to, we have to, but it's been a baptism of fire, I'm just not feeling it.

 

[Kitcat]

I get the impression that SDK does not want to play in the backline, which consisted mainly of punching the ball away from very big forwards, particularly as his intercept marking dropped away. He is very good below the knees, and he was a midfielder before his growth spurt. He wants to be more in the action, in a Blicavs type way. Whether we can fit him into such a role is another matter.

 

[Mr Meow]

I get the impression that SDK does not want to play in the backline, which consisted mainly of punching the ball away from very big forwards, particularly as his intercept marking dropped away. He is very good below the knees, and he was a midfielder before his growth spurt. He wants to be more in the action, in a Blicavs type way. Whether we can fit him into such a role is another matter.

He knows how to find the footy when he's around stoppages and has the athletic profile for it. If he could actually replicate Blicavs in terms of being able to chop out in the ruck or be an accountable midfielder, it could work. Someone who can blanket an opposition mid or sit defensive side of stoppage as needed.

I wouldn't mind SDK in that role if we decided to keep Blicavs in defence, where he did look much better at the end of last season. You could even see how Sam goes swinging up forward to create a mismatch for the odd spell.

 

[Kitcat]

He knows how to find the footy when he's around stoppages and has the athletic profile for it. If he could actually replicate Blicavs in terms of being able to chop out in the ruck or be an accountable midfielder, it could work. Someone who can blanket an opposition mid or sit defensive side of stoppage as needed.

I wouldn't mind SDK in that role if we decided to keep Blicavs in defence, where he did look much better at the end of last season. You could even see how Sam goes swinging up forward to create a mismatch for the odd spell.

Blicavs was carrying an injury last season but he did well in defence. I think it is time to pass the torch to SDK and prolong Blic’s career, by not having to run enormous distances every match with few spells.

Blics used to play on the wing between rucking. What a problem for the opposition to have to deal with SDK on the wing. Major mismatch.

 

[My Tilly]

I’m thinking too early for Edwards and Molier in the ruck,

Edwards is a mile off it.
He would probably be the lankiest and tallest kid we have drafted since Peter Street. Probably wouldn't yet weigh 95kg's.

De Koning was a very skinny build in his first year but bulked up significantly in the first couple of years at the club.

 

[TheMenz Gallery]

Edwards is a mile off it.
He would probably be the lankiest and tallest kid we have drafted since Peter Street. Probably wouldn't yet weigh 95kg's.

May not be as far away as you think. He looks to have filled out a bit. I’m excited to see what he can do

 

[CatToTheFuture]

May not be as far away as you think. He looks to have filled out a bit. I’m excited to see what he can do

View attachment 2180701

I admire the optimism and I am excited to see what he adds but he is just going to get thrown around rucking seniors for probably 2025 and 2026

 

[TheMenz Gallery]

I admire the optimism and I am excited to see what he adds but he is just going to get thrown around rucking seniors for probably 2025 and 2026

I would think that time frame would be the same for any young ruckman.

With Stanley unlikely to play all year and Conways ongoing health issues I think Edwards is a chance to break through for his first game in the AFL this year.
He looks to have done a lot of work with his diet and in the gym.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

I would think that time frame would be the same for any young ruckman.

With Stanley unlikely to play all year and Conways ongoing health issues I think Edwards is a chance to break through for his first game in the AFL this year.
He looks to have done a lot of work with his diet and in the gym.

A first game where maybe he plays forward and takes the rotation against a second ruck could work, but i don't think we'd be doing him any favours rolling him out against Tristan Xerri

 

[CoolCat75]

FB: ZGuthrie SDK Kolo
HB: Stewart JHenry Humphries
C: Bowes Danger Dempsey
R: Conway Holmes Smith
HF: Mannagh Cameron Miers
FF: Stengle Neal OHenry
Int: Blicavs Bruin Close CGuthrie
Sub: Atkins

CGuthrie to play in defence.
Blicavs to play ruck and wing off the bench.

That is 10 players different from the premiership side of 2022.

Depth:
B: Mullin O’Connor Bews O’Sullivan
Mid: Clark Knevitt Duncan Clohesy
R : Stanley
F: Martin

We clearly have a lack of depth of forwards. 2024 saw hardly any injuries to our small forward fleet. If that were to occur in 2025, we’d probably have to rotate the likes of Dempsey, Danger, Duncan through there. As for KPF if Neale or Cameron get injured?

 

[iameviljez]

I never liked those calls, they relied on a misunderstanding on what a KPD does and what a KPD is at fault for. Imo 90% of what a KPD role requires is a deterrent.

I agree. I think this idea that he was "horribly out of form" was really, really overblown. We've just been blessed by Scarlett and Taylor.

 

[iameviljez]

What a problem for the opposition to have to deal with SDK on the wing

There's a reason why most teams don't play 201cm wingmen. If you have Josh Daicos vs Sam de Koning on the wing, Collingwood would take that matchup 101 times out of 100.

Midfielders need to find the ball below their feet, run hard, and evade the opposition much more than they need to win contested marks.

 

[iameviljez]

We clearly have a lack of depth of forwards. 2024 saw hardly any injuries to our small forward fleet.

Key position, yes a lack of depth. Small forward options, frankly we are the best stocked in the AFL. Miers, Close, Stengle, O Henry and Mannagh are riches other clubs could only dream of; throw in Dempsey, Dangerfield, Martin and Bowes as further options and we're incredibly blessed.

 

[D BRIDGE]

Decent starting team.

Hopefully Guthrie is going well enough to force his way in.

Martin could be earmarked to play with a good preseason... the talent is there.

Happy for MOC and Bews to stay out of our best side.

None of Mullin, Clark, Knevitt, COS or Clohesy made the EMG list... so can't knock our depth.

 

[Mr Meow]

Decent starting team.

Hopefully Guthrie is going well enough to force his way in.

Martin could be earmarked to play with a good preseason... the talent is there.

Happy for MOC and Bews to stay out of our best side.

None of Mullin, Clark, Knevitt, COS or Clohesy made the EMG list... so can't knock our depth.

View attachment 2183929

With Bruhn not even making the emergency list I assume this is a D BRIDGE dream team?

 

[D BRIDGE]

With Bruhn not even making the emergency list I assume this is a D BRIDGE dream team?

It's wild that I missed Bruhn not even getting a mention.

Assume it was an oversight... but you never know.

In all seriousness, it shows how hard getting into the team will be if the list is healthy... If Guthrie and Martin are flying and Bruhn is in, then Atkins/Bowes/Duncan could be in trouble.

 

[stac]

swap Smith and Blicavs around
Substitute Atkins and Duncan with Bruhn and Guth
And it’s about right

 

[Pure_Ownage]

It's wild that I missed Bruhn not even getting a mention.

Assume it was an oversight... but you never know.

In all seriousness, it shows how hard getting into the team will be if the list is healthy... If Guthrie and Martin are flying and Bruhn is in, then Atkins/Bowes/Duncan could be in trouble.

Bruhn will be in but some of the older guys and mid tier guys like bowes/atkins may well miss.

 

[CHAWKTS]

It's wild that I missed Bruhn not even getting a mention.

Assume it was an oversight... but you never know.

In all seriousness, it shows how hard getting into the team will be if the list is healthy... If Guthrie and Martin are flying and Bruhn is in, then Atkins/Bowes/Duncan could be in trouble.

Yep the watch for 2025 funny enough will be what happens in the midfield. Obviously we aren’t going to jump into the best in competition conversation but we have Smith coming in, Guthrie coming back and the likes of Martin/Mannagh who can play around the ball (and can’t fit them all in the forward line!) together with my pick to “do a Dempsey” who “did a SDK” is Knevitt - who no doubt they see as best as an inside midfielder.

I get that some of the noise now is PR but my “track watcher” is backing up the fact that he is looking really good on his return to PS (“like Ollie did last year) and it isn’t out of the question that he makes that leap.

Of course we also have our pick 7 from a few years ago (who from what I hear is doing well but still behind Knevitt as it stands now)…Holmes who will play more MF and they actually want to try Dempsey in there as well (although I reckon that could be following year?)

So all of a sudden our MF choices for 4 spots (excluding wings) - maybe 6 including bench…not in any particular order.. Danger, Holmes, Smith, Bowes, Guthrie, Bowes, Atkins, Blitz, Knevitt, Clark with possibilities of MOC, Mannagh, Martin, Dempsey and of course Tom Stewart! Even including wings coming from that group…those maths don’t work

I have no idea how the 2025 MF will actually develop

EDIT: and I LOVE Ted who I think can only get a shot at it as an inside midfielder too…!

 

[Mr Meow]

It's wild that I missed Bruhn not even getting a mention.

Assume it was an oversight... but you never know.

In all seriousness, it shows how hard getting into the team will be if the list is healthy... If Guthrie and Martin are flying and Bruhn is in, then Atkins/Bowes/Duncan could be in trouble.

Agreed on all points.

I think Martin will surprise a few (12+ senior games and a few different positions) and I've even gotten hopeful over Guthrie for the first time since he got injured last preseason.

I expect we will heavily rotate the squad even disregarding injuries, but competition for being a 20 game player in 2025 will be high.

I hope it pushes those who have ran hot and cold like Bruhn and Bowes into consistency. In Bruhn's case, fingers crossed that these semi regular niggles aren't an every season situation.

If a couple like Duncan and Atkins get pushed out it will be a sign we're doing quite well...

 

[Mr Meow]

Yep the watch for 2025 funny enough will be what happens in the midfield. Obviously we aren’t going to jump into the best in competition conversation but we have Smith coming in, Guthrie coming back and the likes of Martin/Mannagh who can play around the ball (and can’t fit them all in the forward line!) together with my pick to “do a Dempsey” who “did a SDK” is Knevitt - who no doubt they see as best as an inside midfielder.

I get that some of the noise now is PR but my “track watcher” is backing up the fact that he is looking really good on his return to PS (“like Ollie did last year) and it isn’t out of the question that he makes that leap.

Of course we also have our pick 7 from a few years ago (who from what I hear is doing well but still behind Knevitt as it stands now)…Holmes who will play more MF and they actually want to try Dempsey in there as well (although I reckon that could be following year?)

So all of a sudden our MF choices for 4 spots (excluding wings) - maybe 6 including bench…not in any particular order.. Danger, Holmes, Smith, Bowes, Guthrie, Bowes, Atkins, Blitz, Knevitt, Clark with possibilities of MOC, Mannagh, Martin, Dempsey and of course Tom Stewart! Even including wings coming from that group…those maths don’t work

I have no idea how the 2025 MF will actually develop

EDIT: and I LOVE Ted who I think can only get a shot at it as an inside midfielder too…!

We'll likely remain league leading for number of players having sizeable midfield minutes, via rotations.

I'd like to see Holmes 60:40 in regards to midfield vs half back/wing minutes. Perhaps that could be a direct swap with Stewart, who would be 60:40 defence vs midfield?

Dangerfield and Smith could be a midfield/half forward swap when they aren't at stoppages together. This eases Danger's midfield load a bit.

That could leave one of Bruhn, Bowes and Atkins squeezed out of midfield (mostly). Possibly out of the side, unless Bowes makes half back his own at the expense of Duncan.

Interesting times ahead.

 

[iameviljez]

I'd like to see Holmes 60:40 in regards to midfield vs half back/wing minutes. Perhaps that could be a direct swap with Stewart, who would be 60:40 defence vs midfield?

I'd be surprised if Holmes played much football behind the centreline at all now. Easing him into the midfield a la Cam Guthrie for his first few years is Classic Scott, but he's now too good to leave at half-back.

 

[Vdubs]

Agreed on all points.

I think Martin will surprise a few (12+ senior games and a few different positions) and I've even gotten hopeful over Guthrie for the first time since he got injured last preseason.

I expect we will heavily rotate the squad even disregarding injuries, but competition for being a 20 game player in 2025 will be high.

I hope it pushes those who have ran hot and cold like Bruhn and Bowes into consistency. In Bruhn's case, fingers crossed that these semi regular niggles aren't an every season situation.

If a couple like Duncan and Atkins get pushed out it will be a sign we're doing quite well...

If we get >5 good games out of Martin, we are laughing. He’s been described as having a body that can not tolerate the rigours of AFL loading.Historically, we have not often been the club to resurrect careers like his, not through lack of effort- SSelwood, HMac, and other names jump up. I’m talking about those whose bodies are broken and come our way. Anyway, he’s not with us at a high price iirc.

 

[Mikevk123]

B- Z.Guthrie J.Henry Koldashinji
HB- Stewart SDK Humphires
C- Dempsey C.Guthrie Bruhn
HF- Close Cameron Miers
F- O.Henry Neale Stengle
FOLL- Conway Holmes Smith
I/C- Dangerfield, Blivcas, Bowes, Martin
Sub- Mannagh

 

[Mr Meow]

If we get >5 good games out of Martin, we are laughing. He’s been described as having a body that can not tolerate the rigours of AFL loading.Historically, we have not often been the club to resurrect careers like his, not through lack of effort- SSelwood, HMac, and other names jump up. I’m talking about those whose bodies are broken and come our way. Anyway, he’s not with us at a high price iirc.

I said I could see Martin playing 12 AFL games next year. State how many you think he will play and we'll see who gets closer.