Best 23, Round 1 2024

[Northernsoul74]

I love Darcy, but I think there are some pieces of evidence not being considered here.

Regarding training - yes, it seems Darcy has had a strong pre-season, most notably by all reports an awesome match sim. My recollection, though, is that the reports had him playing predominantly on Khamis. He was also dead last in our time trial, which is unsurprising, but a massive problem. These are pretty important points to consider when evaluating his preseason. He's looked hugely promising, but there isn't enough here to make those claims.

In terms of the VFL, Darcy has had some great outings. His last 5 VFL games were 0.0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.2, 1.3 - pretty good output for a young KPP. The conversion is a problem but Lobb is no Tory Dickson either so we can let that one slide. But we also need to consider Lobb's output at VFL level. This is a small sample size, but in his two games he had 2.1 and 5.3. Again, if your point for Darcy is that he has "shown an ability to get bags in VFL," so has Lobb. Similarly, the two had almost identical marking tallies in these games. These aren't points that separate the two.

Finally, regarding the belief that Darcy would best 24 goals in a year - this is just way too speculative. He's kicked 3 goals in 5 games as a forward at AFL level (0 goals in three 2023 games). Lobb kicked a goal in 75% of his games for us while also playing decent chunks in the ruck.

I have no doubt Darcy will be awesome (aside from concerns around his body). He certainly is a more talented forward than Lobb. If I'm picking a team to win a game tomorrow, though, there is just not close to enough evidence to suggest that Darcy is the better option.

How long do we persist with Buku? I like his skill set but his tank is still an issue.

 

[DiamondDogs8]

FB: Richards - Jones - Coffield
HB: Johannisen - JOD - Dale
C: Williams - Bont - Poulter
HF: Harmes - Naughton - Daniel
FF: Lobb - JUH - Weightman
R: English - Libba - Treloar

IC: Macrae - Gallagher - Sanders - Darcy
Sub: West

Fringe: Bramble, Baker, Bedendo, Buku, Scott, Gardner, Cleary

Couldn’t bring myself to leave Darcy out, swinging around the ground and taking clunks (assuming all four of the big boys aren’t in the forward line at the same time).
West has all the makings of an ideal super sub which we saw in the home game against Freo last season, where he broke the game open in the last quarter.
Bullish on Gags to make an impact anywhere around the ground and think Poulter will win over a few this year with his speed and kicking inside 50.
We’ve obviously spoken about the makeup of this backline - Keath and Duryea can both be looked back on as shrewd acquisitions, however they’ve both reached their use-by date in my honest opinion and shouldn’t be anywhere near this team.
Sanders will make a huge impact from Round 1 and be up there in the rising star. Jacko will be back to his scintillating and accumulative best with more CBA’s and less time spent in the forward line.
Debuts for Buss and Chook along the way.
Richards will be AA. Bont will win the Brownlow. Dogs win the flag.

Okay, I may have gotten slightly carried away there at the end… but I do believe with an injection of speed, youth and a fresh coaching lineup we can make a real splash this year.
Either way we’ll do what we do best: support the boys and get behind the club we all love. Go Dogs

 

[Golden_6]

IMO our premiership hopes this year will rest a lot on the younger types improving (that haven't played much football) and giving us a legit bottom 6 and pushing out some other guys.

Not all of them will come on but guys that I like and fall into this category are Darcy, Sanders, O'Donnell, Bedendo, Poulter, Buku, Busslinger, Clarke & Gallagher. If 4-5 of those become weekly senior level AFL footballers then I give us a very good shot this year. There's a lot of raw talent there, with different types all over the field.

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

IMO our premiership hopes this year will rest a lot on the younger types improving (that haven't played much football) and giving us a legit bottom 6 and pushing out some other guys.

Not all of them will come on but guys that I like and fall into this category are Darcy, Sanders, O'Donnell, Bedendo, Poulter, Buku, Busslinger, Clarke & Gallagher. If 4-5 of those become weekly senior level AFL footballers then I give us a very good shot this year. There's a lot of raw talent there, with different types all over the field.

Yep, I agree. Our top end was actually very good last year - if we had won more games we should have had three AAs (Bont, English, Libba) and an extra squad member (Richards/Jones) - but too much was left to them.

I would also add Harmes & Coffield to your list. If they can play the roles we have earmarked for them better than our role players last year did, that will go a long way.

 

[Golden_6]

Yep, I agree. Our top end was actually very good last year - if we had won more games we should have had three AAs (Bont, English, Libba) and an extra squad member (Richards/Jones) - but too much was left to them.

I would also add Harmes & Coffield to your list. If they can play the roles we have earmarked for them better than our role players last year did, that will go a long way.

I'm just glad we won't have to see the Bruce, Keath & Gardner trio rolled out ever again.

 

[DiamondDogs8]

I'm just glad we won't have to see the Bruce, Keath & Gardner trio rolled out ever again.

Makes me shudder just thinking about it

 

[JTCWBFC]

Makes me shudder just thinking about it

Bevo will find a way to get Gards in the team asap

 

[Keystone agony]

Hi Guys, Is Darcy been training back? They were the reports ive been reading throughout PS, but then ive seen him in the front half of the ground vs hawks in the game yday

Is he a genuine swingman for now

IMO he should be back. English, Lobb, JUH and Naughton are the front half 4 talls

JOD, Darcy and Liam Jones

19

Liam Jones

Age

33

Ht

199cm

Wt

98kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.4

2star

K

6.5

3star

HB

2.9

3star

M

4.3

4star

T

2.0

4star

MG

134.5

2star

D

7.6

2star

K

6.1

3star

HB

1.4

1star

M

4.1

4star

T

1.4

2star

MG

116.3

2star

D

9.4

3star

K

7.4

3star

HB

2.0

2star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.2

4star

the back half 3 talls

 

[Libba39]

After yesterday:

FB: Richards Jones Khamis
HB: Dale O'Donnell (if fit) Johanissen
C: Williams Bontempelli Poulter
HF: Weightman Naughton Harmes
FF: West Ugle-Hagan Lobb
FOL: English Liberatore Treloar
INT: Sanders, Daniel, Duryea, Coffield
Sub: McNeill
EMG: from Bramble Darcy Scott Gallagher Baker

Leaving Macrae out at this point.


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[doggiesin08]

After yesterday:

FB: Richards Jones Khamis
HB: Dale O'Donnell (if fit) Johanissen
C: Williams Bontempelli Poulter
HF: Weightman Naughton Harmes
FF: West Ugle-Hagan Lobb
FOL: English Liberatore Treloar
INT: Sanders, Daniel, Duryea, Coffield
Sub: McNeill
EMG: from Bramble Darcy Scott Gallagher Baker

Leaving Macrae out at this point.


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The way I'm seeing it, including Macrae:

• Backs (7): Jones, O'Donnell, Richards, Dale, Johanissen, [Defender 6], [Defender 7]
• Mids (6): English, Bontempelli, Liberatore, Treloar, Macrae, Sanders
• Wings (2): Williams, Poulter
• Forwards (7): Naughton, Ugle-Hagan, Lobb, Weightman, [Small Forward], Harmes, Daniel

I think the above are almost locks with the exceptions of:

• Lobb vs Darcy
• Poulter vs Baker

The open spots:

• [Defender 6/7]: up for grabs for 2 of Coffield, Buku, Duryea, Bramble Cleary but geez it's tempting throw Daniel into the back 7 to open up an extra specialist forward.
• [Small Forward]: I favour West despite McNeil and Clarke making very strong claims. As above, its tempting to through Daniel into the backs to get the extra small forward.

 

[JTCWBFC]

I might need to watch the game again but Poulter didn’t catch my eye.

Folks have him in based on yesterday or just there’s a gap on the wing?

 

[TiAn_]

FB: Richards Jones Coffield
HB: Dale O'Donnell Johannisen
C: Williams Bontempelli Poulter
HF: Weightman Naughton Harmes
FF: McNeil Ugle-Hagan Lobb
FOL: English Liberatore Treloar
INT: Sanders Daniel Macrae West
Sub: Baker

Stiff: Darcy, Khamis & Clarke

 

[Chalky White]

FB: Richards Jones Coffield
HB: Dale O'Donnell Johannisen
C: Williams Bontempelli Poulter
HF: Weightman Naughton Harmes
FF: McNeil Ugle-Hagan Lobb
FOL: English Liberatore Treloar
INT: Sanders Daniel Macrae West
Sub: Baker

Stiff: Darcy, Khamis & Clarke

I have Darcy in as a certainty. Lobb is behind him. West starts ahead of McNeil, but McNeil was fantastic yesterday.
I also think the Colonel is clearly required immediately onball. Treloar can replace Poulter on the wing.
That's just my opinion.

 

[TiAn_]

I have Darcy in as a certainty. Lobb is behind him. West starts ahead of McNeil, but McNeil was fantastic yesterday.
I also think the Colonel is clearly required immediately onball. Treloar can replace Poulter on the wing.
That's just my opinion.

This is what I think the team will be.

Lot of fanfare for Darcy yesterday, but I think Lobb was better. He marked everything and presented extremely well.

I’d prefer Treloar on the wing too, but I doubt it happens for any significant period.

 

[Euku]

FB: Richards Jones Coffield
HB: Dale O'Donnell Johannisen
C: Williams Bontempelli Harmes
HF: Naughton Weightman Darcy
FF: Ugle-Hagan Clarke Lobb
FOL: English Liberatore Sanders
INT: Treloar Daniel Macrae West
Sub: Baker/McNeill

 

[PocketRocket08]

FB: Richards Jones Coffield
HB: Dale O'Donnell Johannisen
C: Williams Bontempelli Harmes
HF: Naughton Weightman Darcy
FF: Ugle-Hagan Clarke Lobb
FOL: English Liberatore Sanders
INT: Treloar Daniel Macrae West
Sub: Baker/McNeill

Huge Clarke fan but not sure he is ready or ahead of McNeil yet. Once he finds that consistency he, flea and west are a great mix for our fwd half.
Patience with Clarke is key.

 

[hutchy31]

Bevo will find a way to get Gards in the team asap

The day he does he should submit his resignation as well.

Unless there’s a bad injury crisis he should be nowhere near an AFL team looking to play finals. It’s enough that he’s played this long in that role.

 

[X_box_X]

Why didn't we keep Crozier over Gardner?

 

[bobs head soup]

Why didn't we keep Crozier over Gardner?

I'd say because we've got a heap of back flankers but kpd depth is more of an issue. Gardner is also a few years younger.

 

[bobs head soup]

A lot of good looking teams in this thread.

I reckon the player who'll be in the best 23 who is least selected is Harvey Gallagher.

Liked his game on Friday.

Reckon he's an ideal start on the bench type who can slot into forward, half back or mid rotations as required.

 

[hatescaptcha]

Really want to see Clarke get first crack at the small forward role next to Weightman.


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[NthBondiDoggies]

Didn’t see the 2nd game and so don’t know if Clarke passes McNeil.

? Still uncertain others seem a lock. Assuming JOD is injured if not Keath - did he go OK on 2nd game?

FB: Red Jones JJ
HB; Dale JOD? (Keath) Coffield? (Khamis)

R: English Bont Libba
C: Williams Sanders Trelor

HF: West Naughton McNeil? (Clarke)
FF: Lobb JUH Weightman

Int: Duryea, Macrae, Daniel, Harmes, sub Darcy?

With Williams and Trelor on the wings our weakness becomes a strength but probably still lacks outside run.

Most teams have a runner as sub but I don’t think any team wants to see Darcy lining up on his own while they madly try and keep on top of JUH and Naughty. I feel like they would fear Lobb less but Lobb is still just shading Darcy - for someone who has played under 10 games that shows you where this is going.

I can’t leave Darcy out but also can’t really find how to leave him in without using him to sub Lobb out maybe?

To be incredibly ruthless he could replace the worst of Lobb and English on the day - or Keath - probably wouldn’t help resigning English though ;(

Melbourne have good defensive talls in May, Lever, Tomlinson and can swing back Petty if they need to. Lever to Naughton is one of the hardest matches for Naughty - both are agile and great in the air. May will try and bash JUH and block his freedom but JUH is much better in the air. Tomlinson doesn’t really have the height for Lobb/Darcy but he will try and expose them going the other way. Will also see a lot of the tunneling we saw on Darcy last year - if umps let it happen Darcy will get hurt. We were right in front of it in the Sydney game where the defender dived into Darcy’s lower back he was effectively out for the season.

Melb Forward line is looking much stronger - settling in with Petty looking the goods, JVR coming along and Fritsch always our nemesis (loves playing us) with some good smalls should be pretty good. We will match with Jones beating Petty, JOD or Keath should handle JVR (he will take a hanger) but the big one is Coffield to Fritsch - if he can keep him quiet Red is free to intercept and attack.

Mids are Melbs strength - we have a few more but you win with your best. They have been able to open us up in the past.

Putting aside rucks - Gawn is still a step above English in CB but is he slowing? English is now doing more around the ground. I wonder whether double teaming Gawn (that never worked in the past might work now?)

Petracca, Oliver, Viney and Swallow - top hard talent big units. Will shade most teams. Only maybe Port - who are smaller but faster (Wines, Rozee, Butters, SPP) and us have a midfield that can compete.

Bevo seems to always go with our strengths rather than address our weakness in match ups but Harmes brings a new dimension- imagine Bevo saying - you have one job. Petracca under 20 possessions and two goals. Do that we win!

We have: Bont, Libba, Macrae and Trelor but now Sanders and Harmes add a new dimension we can use to turn the recent run against them.

These new two are a Sam Power

Sam Power

Age

41

Ht

190cm

Wt

82kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.7

4star

K

7.8

3star

HB

6.9

4star

M

4.2

4star

T

2.0

4star

No current season stats available

D

7.8

2star

K

3.8

2star

HB

4.0

3star

M

1.8

2star

T

1.6

4star

Masterpiece! so important because last year teams worked out that you can’t really tag out Bont but you can tag Libba and if you do Bont doesn’t get the ball the way he can cut you up.

Now we have Sanders as a genuine first possession fast hands and Harmes blocking and tackling to give Libba a genuine hand. I love Daniel but he can’t do that. Libba gets a hand on the field and we don’t drop in a heap when he has a rest.

We also need Macrae to get back to form- some of this was maybe injury but a lot was moving him into crap roles and wanting Bont to play more midfield minutes - when that happens Bont steps up but I don’t think the team is better or is that a good way of protecting your star. Macrae is also a star in the guts / just a couple of years ago the statistically best couple of players in the league. If he is back to form - Bont goes off - he goes straight in and we don’t get the crazy drop offs/runs that happened every time Bont went off or down.

I also think Naughty playing more CHF and much further up the ground will be scary good for us but gas him and we saw last year how quickly he then fell out of games - he isn’t Riewoldt - but rotate him off - Bont to the same role and Macca to Bont and we look great.

 

[Libba39]

Really want to see Clarke get first crack at the small forward role next to Weightman.


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Is he really going to get a game ahead of McNeill or West though??? Has not played an afl game and barely rated a mention in the vfl last year and yet he plays round 1?

Lets see him put several good games at vfl level together first.

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[NthBondiDoggies]

A lot of good looking teams in this thread.

I reckon the player who'll be in the best 23 who is least selected is Harvey Gallagher.

Liked his game on Friday.

Reckon he's an ideal start on the bench type who can slot into forward, half back or mid rotations as required.

Perfect sub

 

[Generation West]

B: Khamis Jones Coffield
HB: Richards O’Donnell JJ
C: Williams Libba Dale
HF: West Naughton Harmes
F: Weightman JUH Lobb
R: English Bont Treloar

I/C: Daniel, Sanders, Darcy, Gallagher
Sub: Scott

Next: Macrae (when fit), Clark, Poulter, McNeil, Baker, Bedendo, Duryea, Arty, Keath, Gardner.

We can play English, Lobb and Darcy - just need to rotate them and only have 2 of them on field most of the time.
If it’s working, then leave it but if we need the extra run, then sub one of them at 3/4 time.