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

[Ratcat]

It would be great if Martin was over his injuries and in good form before the 1st game. Would be a BIG win for the recruiting staff and for the team in 25.

 

[Mr Meow]

If Bruhn could work out a way to get more of the ball, he'd be close to our best midfielder.

It might be time to get Bruhn on the field 75-85% of the time like other midfielders. His median time on ground in 2024 was 63%.

None of us know the specifics of why he's been used as a "burst" player so far. Are there concerns over durability and fitness? He does seem to break a lot, usually just when you think his form is good. He's not a player who returns from missing games and picks up where he left things, so the disruptions in momentum are holding him back.

Bruhn's 18 and above disposal games last year, given his time on field and stage of development - I'd give them ticks and he had 11 of those last year. But whether it was through mid game injury or just having a bad day, he also had 6 games below that level - some of them really low. Then missed about 8 games. So we ended up having half of the season where he was injured or ineffectual. You can't have mainline midfielders giving you that.

Time is on his side but he turns 23 mid year and it would be his 3rd season as a full time midfielder. I hope he has a healthy year as it's time to turn the screws a bit. It might sound harsh, but I am bullish on him overall so expectations will naturally lift each season.

 

[crocsta]

Very difficult (in a good way).


B: Kolo J Henry Z Guthrie

HB: Stewart SDK Humphries

C: B Smith Bruhn Dempsey

HF: Close Cameron Miers

F: Stengle Neale O Henry

R: Conway Holmes Danger

I: Bowes C Guthrie Blicavs Mannagh

Depth: Knevitt, Clark, O'Sullivan, Martin, Duncan, Bews, Atkins, Mullin, Clohesy, Stanley, O'Connor

I like your team but would changes the interchange to be. I’ve got a feeling big years for Knevitt Mullin and Clohesy.

Bruhn position could at risk. Bowes is too inconsistent. Time might catch up with Blitz.

I: Knevitt Mullin Clohesy Mannagh



Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

 

[Pollywaffle]

Will be interesting to see if the club's fitness staff/physio's etc can get Jack Martin clear from his recurring injuries, obviously the club must have some hope with him, otherwise they wouldn't have wasted a senior spot on the list.

We do have some form in that area though..(wasting a senior spot that is)
But given he is unbroken and ready to go, where do we think he would fit in our setup?
(Sorry if this has already been discussed somewhere else)

 

[Pollywaffle]

Corey was a contested beast with high intensity and a quick few steps. Knevitt has none of these traits unfortunately.

Yes being 190 odd cm helped a lot too ( in those days)

 

[Mr Meow]

We do have some form in that area though..(wasting a senior spot that is)
But given he is unbroken and ready to go, where do we think he would fit in our setup?
(Sorry if this has already been discussed somewhere else)

FB: Zuthrie J.Henry Mullin
HB: Stewart Kolo Duncan

C: Dempsey Holmes Miers
FOL: SDK Smith Dangerfield

HF: Mannagh Cameron Close
FF: O.Henry Neale Stengle

IC: Bruhn Bowes Blicavs Martin Knevitt(sub)

Something like that maybe, or Martin would be a useful sub himself. He could be something of a utility between the forward positions, wing and maybe even half back.

Miers and Mannagh basically already rotate between the second wing anyway. If we play Martin I think we'll see them pushing up to receive handballs from stoppages even more.

 

[CHAWKTS]

So I have had an earlier go at Best 23 and found it really difficult. Below I approach it with a view of who is most likely to be at risk of falling out of 2024 Best and who is more likely to step in…

Looking back to the number who broke into the 23 in 2024 I have 5 players (Dempsey, Humprhies, Mullin, Mannagh, Neale). We have 2 who left at end of 2023.

Interestingly none of the retirements in the end of 2024 were best 23 (Hawkins may have been but)…so baseline for Best 23 for 2024 is the Preliminary team


Most at risk

Duncan (Limping to 300?)
Stanley (finally someone takes his mantle?)
Bews (was the resurgence a blip?)
Blitz (Father Time?)
Atkins (similar players coming up?)
Bowes (may not cement his position?)

I don’t think there will be 6 changes but these are the ones in my mind most at risk. I can’t think of anyone else in that finals team that are at risk of falling out (Of course the break out players of Dempsey, Humphries, Mannagh and Mullin might have dips but think they will stick with them given long term prospects?). I could have added Bruhn but I just don’t see him missing out if fit (now I am worried about another interrupted pre season but still…)

Most Likely to make the jump

Smith
SDK (seems a bit silly to say given he was best 23 for most of the year. Almost certain will be again)
Guthrie (IF Fit)
Knevitt
Conway (IF FIT)
Martin (If gets fit)
MOC (where is he at?)
Clark
COS (reckon he is a 2026 prospect)
Ted (I am so bias - but I would love him to break in…can’t tell you how though)


When I look at it this way I have 6 potentially at risk of falling out but realistically can only see maybe 4/5 changes? And I have 10 players looking to break in. And I think 3 of the first 5 of those listed will certainly come in. So maybe we have 7 players looking to pass 1-3?



It seems healthy…of course that depends on whether people are being passed due to going backwards (ie. hit the wall) or because we have huge improvement in those currently out.

Not sure my new way of looking at anything actually helps me with a best 23 but I do see Smith, SDK come in for sure, Conway for Stanley if fit and probably one of Knevitt/Clark/Guthrie squeeze someone out - maybe two of them.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

So I have had an earlier go at Best 23 and found it really difficult. Below I approach it with a view of who is most likely to be at risk of falling out of 2024 Best and who is more likely to step in…

Looking back to the number who broke into the 23 in 2024 I have 5 players (Dempsey, Humprhies, Mullin, Mannagh, Neale). We have 2 who left at end of 2023.

Interestingly none of the retirements in the end of 2024 were best 23 (Hawkins may have been but)…so baseline for Best 23 for 2024 is the Preliminary team


Most at risk

Duncan (Limping to 300?)
Stanley (finally someone takes his mantle?)
Bews (was the resurgence a blip?)
Blitz (Father Time?)
Atkins (similar players coming up?)
Bowes (may not cement his position?)

I don’t think there will be 6 changes but these are the ones in my mind most at risk. I can’t think of anyone else in that finals team that are at risk of falling out (Of course the break out players of Dempsey, Humphries, Mannagh and Mullin might have dips but think they will stick with them given long term prospects?). I could have added Bruhn but I just don’t see him missing out if fit (now I am worried about another interrupted pre season but still…)

Most Likely to make the jump

Smith
SDK (seems a bit silly to say given he was best 23 for most of the year. Almost certain will be again)
Guthrie (IF Fit)
Knevitt
Conway (IF FIT)
Martin (If gets fit)
MOC (where is he at?)
Clark
COS (reckon he is a 2026 prospect)
Ted (I am so bias - but I would love him to break in…can’t tell you how though)


When I look at it this way I have 6 potentially at risk of falling out but realistically can only see maybe 4/5 changes? And I have 10 players looking to break in. And I think 3 of the first 5 of those listed will certainly come in. So maybe we have 7 players looking to pass 1-3?



It seems healthy…of course that depends on whether people are being passed due to going backwards (ie. hit the wall) or because we have huge improvement in those currently out.

Not sure my new way of looking at anything actually helps me with a best 23 but I do see Smith, SDK come in for sure, Conway for Stanley if fit and probably one of Knevitt/Clark/Guthrie squeeze someone out - maybe two of them.

For me Duncan will be lucky to get to 300 after that I think he's done with the calf issues etc.
Bews played in the finals but I think he will be vfl backup now (especially if mullin becomes a regular they won't both play).
Stanley will become backup its just a matter if whether Conway has the endurance to replace him. If not sdk will probably play mainly in there which will affect our kpd and kpf choices.
Neale is a Monty for b23 now there's no Hawkins I'd say.
Blitz is definitely slowing down. Normally I'd say he will fall out but his versatility and our needs might prevent it. Ie he can play kpd ok and we may need that (especially if sdk is rucking) and he gives us the 2nd ruck cover. If they drop him then neale probably has to play kpf and 2nd ruck (I can't imagine us playing 2 rucks together) and we may not want to overburden him like that.
If either knevitt or Clark come through like I expect then I think either Bowes or atkins will probably fall out and become depth.

On the ins sdk definitely, Smith obviously. Knevitt has had a good PS which will give him a chance (his versatility would be am asset we may want if blicavs comes out of the side).
I don't trust Martin to be fit so I can't count him but given his age we obviously got him for a reason. Likewise I think Guthrie is pretty cooked until I see evidence otherwise.
Moc is a tough one at his best he's very good but he was way below his best with injuries last year. This year will tell whether he can get his best back or whether he's just a squad player to mentor mullin.

I love Ted and I think if we give him a block of 6-10 games he will surprise us but I'm not sure how we fit him in-another small mid isn't a need especially If Clark is playing and knevitts height is a POD.

 

[Pollywaffle]

MOC …Now there is a player I had totally forgotten about.
Anyone got any mail on his progress/likely role? I don’t think he has shown much in his midfield roles (sadly) HBF /back pocket -such that they exist in todays game -are probably his thing, but we have a few guys in line for those spots.

 

[Gazza Greatness]

Most Likely to make the jump

Smith (gun footballer)
SDK (seems a bit silly to say given he was best 23 for most of the year. Almost certain will be again) (gun footballer, what position he settles into will be the major question)
Guthrie (IF Fit) (gun footballer, if can he remain injury free until he retires he'll be in team for certain, the only query would be what position he'd play now that he's getting older)
Knevitt (if turns corner could go on in big way)
Conway (IF FIT) (will be top 3 AFL ruckman, just a matter of when)
Martin (If gets fit) (history of injuries is 'major concern' but top player when going so here's hoping, good gamble)
MOC (where is he at?) (great back-up as more than capable of playing excellent football re: 2022 finals)
Clark (given his low draft selection, he's a tough one, if he was pick 30 onwards then nice selection but 8 ??)
COS (reckon he is a 2026 prospect) 2025 (if ever a kid was going to be a top footballer, this is the kid, love him)
Ted (I am so bias - but I would love him to break in…can’t tell you how though) (hard as nails, lacks polish but so do many other AFL players)

 

[TheEscapeClub]

FB: Zuthrie J.Henry Mullin
HB: Stewart Kolo Duncan

C: Dempsey Holmes Miers
FOL: SDK Smith Dangerfield

HF: Mannagh Cameron Close
FF: O.Henry Neale Stengle

IC: Bruhn Bowes Blicavs Martin Knevitt(sub)

Something like that maybe, or Martin would be a useful sub himself. He could be something of a utility between the forward positions, wing and maybe even half back.

Miers and Mannagh basically already rotate between the second wing anyway. If we play Martin I think we'll see them pushing up to receive handballs from stoppages even more.

Surely there's a better option than Duncan, I can't believe we kept him.

 

[Vdubs]

Surely there's a better option than Duncan, I can't believe we kept him.

Been a great servant, but was almost embarrassing in some later games last season. Maybe we can afford to carry him, and he's depth, and will be valuable for the younger brigade if he ends up in the VFL which is what many of us hope and predict

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Surely there's a better option than Duncan, I can't believe we kept him.

Duncan is one of the best guys for culture that you could ever have. I have no issues with him being on the list (and I hope the miles family encourage him to stay around the club when he retires) I just hope he's there to coach and train and not be in the 23. Opposition coaches will exploit his lack of legspeed a lot I fear.

 

[Mr Meow]

Surely there's a better option than Duncan, I can't believe we kept him.

You wouldn't believe that he was still in our top few effective disposal winners in 2024. Take that as an indictment on the rest of the group but it remained true.

Someone may push him out (Guthrie if his body allows, Bowes moving to half back) but we aren't blessed with half backs. Look how many games Tuohy still got in 2024. Humphries emergence probably cost Tuohy his spot in the end but I don't see another Humprhies in our VFL team.

 

[Mr Meow]

Been a great servant, but was almost embarrassing in some later games last season. Maybe we can afford to carry him, and he's depth, and will be valuable for the younger brigade if he ends up in the VFL which is what many of us hope and predict

He had some poor games near the end, but for balance you should also mention his first 17 game block, which was very good. Up to round 21 the criticism was ridiculous - finally, after that it was warranted. We'll see which version we get in 2025. I think we overplayed him and burnt him out a few weeks before finals. 15-17 games would've been better than 22.

 

[Vdubs]

He had some poor games near the end, but for balance you should also mention his first 17 game block, which was very good. Up to round 21 the criticism was ridiculous - finally, after that it was warranted. We'll see which version we get in 2025. I think we overplayed him and burnt him out a few weeks before finals. 15-17 games would've been better than 22.

You may well be correct, nice balanced post.

 

[Mr Meow]

You may well be correct, nice balanced post.

What are your thoughts and expectations around Cam Guthrie, by the way?

Because it's the same basic issue of a body slowly giving out, albeit it has been much more severe and premature with Guthrie. Will his body let him get back into the best 22, or is he done? Age wise he sits between Tom Stewart and Mitch Duncan.

 

[Vdubs]

What are your thoughts and expectations around Cam Guthrie, by the way?

Because it's the same basic issue of a body slowly giving out, albeit it has been much more severe and premature with Guthrie. Will his body let him get back into the best 22, or is he done?

Great question.
As you have probably discerned from earlier seasons, Cam was one of my favourites.
At least 2 possibilities.
1. Because he has missed so much footy since the last quarter of the 22 GF (Hamstring), his body may be well preserved and fresher.
2. He is actually cooked and unable to rejuvenate his career.
I favour #1 because he was such a gun mid, and he is younger than Duncan and Danger, and it's what I want to happen, but ... time will tell

 

[Mr Meow]

Great question.
As you have probably discerned from earlier seasons, Cam was one of my favourites.
At least 2 possibilities.
1. Because he has missed so much footy since the last quarter of the 22 GF (Hamstring), his body may be well preserved and fresher.
2. He is actually cooked and unable to rejuvenate his career.
I favour #1 because he was such a gun mid, and he is younger than Duncan and Danger, and it's what I want to happen, but ... time will tell

Well articulated. I hope 1 is true, as I'm sure we all do. I'm not exactly confident but I hope he merits senior selection and has a chance to cement his place. And yes, that is one of the viable scenarios where I'd be happy for Duncan to drop out (if Cam was able to find good form and durability). At the very least I'd be aiming for Guthrie to fill in when we rest Duncan, which in a perfect world in 2024 is what I think we would've done. But we didn't have that replacement and so we overplayed Mitch until the legs couldn't hack it.

 

[CHAWKTS]

MOC …Now there is a player I totally forgotten about.
Anyone got any mail on his progress/likely role? I don’t think he has shown much in his midfield roles (sadly) HBF /back pocket -such that they exist in todays game -are probably his thing, but we have a few guys in line for those spots.

Yeah I actually feel for him as he looks like a great Cats man but all of a sudden feels way behind? He did not train at the club pre christmas and did his recovery back in Ireland (hand issue). I assume back and firing now.

Doesn’t feel like he can afford an interrupted pre season given some players going ahead of him

 

[Vdubs]

Yeah I actually feel for him as he looks like a great Cats man but all of a sudden feels way behind? He did not train at the club pre christmas and did his recovery back in Ireland (hand issue). I assume back and firing now.

Doesn’t feel like he can afford an interrupted pre season given some players going ahead of him

Had some ops at the end of 24, so hopefully gets a clear run at things. I think his best is best 23.

 

[D BRIDGE]

Yeah I actually feel for him as he looks like a great Cats man but all of a sudden feels way behind? He did not train at the club pre christmas and did his recovery back in Ireland (hand issue). I assume back and firing now.

Doesn’t feel like he can afford an interrupted pre season given some players going ahead of him

Didn’t we give him a 2x year extension.

Seems overs for mine but time will tell.

Personally I just don’t see him in our best side anymore.

 

[cats_09]

Didn’t we give him a 2x year extension.

Seems overs for mine but time will tell.

Personally I just don’t see him in our best side anymore.

12 months ago he extended his stay for 2 years until the end of 2026

 

[Footy Smarts]

Didn’t we give him a 2x year extension.

Seems overs for mine but time will tell.

Personally I just don’t see him in our best side anymore.

He's a leader around the group, very versatile, only 27 and has been best 22 for almost his whole time here. It seems like he had some injury issues last year which might've been the reason his form dropped off.

Even if he's just fringe depth for the next 2 years he's probably worth the 2 year contract if he can be a quasi development coach in the VFL and help us attract top end Irish talent.

 

[Kitcat]

Didn’t we give him a 2x year extension.

Seems overs for mine but time will tell.

Personally I just don’t see him in our best side anymore.

O'Connor showed great potential early on but never moved to the next level. Good utility player and team man though, plus he has height which we need in his positions.