Prediction Round 1, 2025: Starting 23

[Dom sheed pocket]

Fox Footy also going with Flynn/AReid combo after yesterday's practice game. Interesting they also have Maric in over Cole and have Brockman missing out in favour of Owies and Long.

WEST COAST EAGLES

B: R.Ginbey, H.Edwards, B.Hough
HB: B.Allan, J.McGovern, L.Baker
C: J.Hutchinson, L.Duggan, J.Hunt
HF: J.Graham, J.Waterman, L.Ryan
F: M.Owies, O.Allen, J.Cripps
FOLL: M.Flynn, T.Kelly, H.Reid
I/C: A.Reid, R.Maric, E.Hewett, N.Long, T.Dewar

EMG: B.Williams, T.Brockman, T.Cole

The Eagles will be without two veteran on-ballers early, with Elliot Yeo an unlikely Round 1 starter and Dom Sheed to miss the entire 2025 season. However, both he and Jake Waterman (back) are expected to be fit for their home-and-away season opener against Gold Coast. Overall, it’s somewhat of a fresh start for the Eagles under new coach Andrew McQualter. Liam Baker will be a superb addition given his leadership and versatility, while Jack Grahamwill add a seasoned body around the contest. Ex-Blue Matt Owies will be a handful for opposition defences, while young gun Bo Allan is likely to have an impact early in the season despite a very quiet AAMI Community Series outing against North Melbourne. Allan looked comfortably against AFL opposition in match simulation against Richmond, so still looks destined for a Round 1 debut. Reuben Ginbey and Ryan Maric have both been slated for defensive roles, as has, which means there could be a shuffling down back. In the battle for the No. 1 ruck spot, we initially had Bailey Williams over Matt Flynn, but we’ve flipped after Flynn’s strong work at stoppages against the Tigers in match simulation. Archer Reid now firms at the next ruck in line, given his promise and ability to also play as a genuine key forward. That leaves both Bailey and Jack Williams out of the best 23, but it will be a close call. There’s also a genuine battle for a wing spot between Tyrell Dewar and Jack Hutchinson. Dewar was exciting against the Tigers, but we’ve got Hutchinson ahead at this stage. Dewar, however, could still play if the Eagles opt for him over a small forward like Noah Long or Tyler Brockman, although the latter kicked three against Richmond. Tom Cole and Jack Petruccelle are players who have been around for a while now, but could be squeezed out if McQualter chooses to blood some kids, such as Tom Gross.

Stars left out in tight calls; who fills injury voids? Every club’s predicted first-game team

Stars left out in tight calls; who fills injury voids? Every club’s predicted first-game team

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[MeltMan]

If you don't see the validity of this argument, then I would suggest that you don't understand the nuances and dangers of exposing young tall's into the most combative and physical demanding position in the game ... Ruck....before their bodies have matured and stopped growing.




Kinda highlights why he should have never been put into the ruck in the first place.
Put an injury prone kid into the ruck early in his career ...... surprise, surprise ... he gets injured again.

i don't have a horse in this either way, but wanted to ask if darling for us was an anomoly, or the forward half rucking is different to dedicated seccond ruck, or we didnt do it with darling until he was strong enough?

 

[Dom sheed pocket]

i don't have a horse in this either way, but wanted to ask if darling for us was an anomoly, or the forward half rucking is different to dedicated seccond ruck, or we didnt do it with darling until he was strong enough?

Oscar is the anomaly. But according to Monocle, Oscar really is the rule, not the exception.

Darling, Van Rooyen, Cadman, Treacy, Hawkins, Jackson who all rucked to some degrees in their first few seasons, but we should ignore there relative durability. In Monocle's telling of the story, apparently Oscar should have been spared such an ignominy of having to play a role for the team if it meant playing ruck because he's too fragile, even though young players his age have done so and continue to do so without it causing any long term effects.

Which is why none of it makes sense.

 

[Monocle]

I really think you're missing a bit of perspective here.

Agree to disagree, I am more than happy to acknowledge that we see things from a different perspective.

 

[Dom sheed pocket]

Agree to disagree, I am more than happy to acknowledge that we see things from a different perspective.

sure. Agree to disagree.

 

[Monocle]

i don't have a horse in this either way, but wanted to ask if darling for us was an anomoly, or the forward half rucking is different to dedicated seccond ruck, or we didnt do it with darling until he was strong enough?

This the highlighted bit, boundary line ruck work and stoppage ruck work, is very different to the centre square rucking, different set ups and different rules, different skill sets.

 

[Get_The_Gaff]

This the highlighted bit, boundary line ruck work and stoppage ruck work, is very different to the centre square rucking, different set ups and different rules, different skill sets.

100% and this is where bailey struggles. If he can't get a run and jump he isn't effective .

Jack Williams on the other hand is very good at bodying opponents either i50 or in the ruck

 

[DirtySandman]

bailey struggles. If he can't get a run and jump he isn't effective .

He is often running and jumping at a contest, many’s the time he flashes across the screen, nowhere near the ball, falling over and out of the contest.

He jumps early or late, and must get the line completely wrong often.


Needs specsavers maybe ?

 

[garlic munchers]

I’m so sick of this argument.

Allen has been injury prone from the start. Missed 2019 finals series with injury/soreness and wasn’t ****ing muck in 2019 cos we had Hickey/Vardy spud combination in there.

In 2021 he hurt his shoulder from landing in marking contest in F50 in dogs game and then again in pies game while playing as a forward. Needed shoulder surgery at end of the year.

Was concussed in 2021 against Essendon flying for a mark and landing. Playing as a forward.

Missed 2022 because of a hot spot.

Injury in 2024 was related to his ankle (vaguely remember something to do with a knee).

Oscar played about 30 games as 2nd ruck through 2020-21. In his 3rd-4th season.

That’s not the reason he has been injury prone. Even he has attributed it to landing in marking contests (shoulder) not because simmo has him play 20% ruck for a couple of seasons.

Difference between claiming Allan is “injury prone” to claiming he seems banged up (ie seems to havie ongoing issues with his back, shoulder and knee) too subtle?

You reckon he’s got Kennedy type longevity in him?

 

[Dom sheed pocket]

Difference between claiming Allan is “injury prone” to claiming he seems banged up (ie seems to havie ongoing issues with his back, shoulder and knee) too subtle?

You reckon he’s got Kennedy type longevity in him?

I don't want to re-open the can or worms, because it's been politely put to bed.

But correlation Ie Allen has had multiple injuries including degenerative knee condition does not equal causation (ie that it was because of the small amount of time he spent as 2nd ruck in 2020-21).

JK is a different beast. Have heard many team mates say they thought JK was gonna miss, only to get up and play well. It wouldn't surprise me if Oscar continues to have a pretty interrupted career and might not see 200 games.

 

[Doashuey]

i don't have a horse in this either way, but wanted to ask if darling for us was an anomoly, or the forward half rucking is different to dedicated seccond ruck, or we didnt do it with darling until he was strong enough?

Massive difference. Centre square ball up the rucks are running directly at each other and lifting knees. This is where young developing rucks get injured.
Boundary throw ins it is 2 men side by side wrestling. Its why Darling was , and still is, very good at it as he is very strong and can control the space. But it isnt as brutal on the body as there isnt the head to head contact.

 

[MeltMan]

Massive difference. Centre square ball up the rucks are running directly at each other and lifting knees. This is where young developing rucks get injured.
Boundary throw ins it is 2 men side by side wrestling. Its why Darling was , and still is, very good at it as he is very strong and can control the space. But it isnt as brutal on the body as there isnt the head to head contact.

Karate background > basketball background confirmed!

 

[jdisc]

B: T.Cole, H.Edwards, B.Hough
HB: R.Ginbey, J.McGovern, L.Baker
C: J.Hutchinson, L.Duggan, J.Hunt
HF: J.Graham, O.Allen, T. Brockman
F: M.Owies, J.Waterman, L.Ryan
FOLL: M.Flynn, T.Kelly, H.Reid
I/C:B.Williams, B.Allan, E.Hewett, N.Long, T.Dewar

fight me

 

[Jukes]

B: T.Cole, H.Edwards, B.Hough
HB: R.Ginbey, J.McGovern, L.Baker
C: J.Hutchinson, L.Duggan, J.Hunt
HF: J.Graham, O.Allen, T. Brockman
F: M.Owies, J.Waterman, L.Ryan
FOLL: M.Flynn, T.Kelly, H.Reid
I/C:B.Williams, B.Allan, E.Hewett, N.Long, T.Dewar

fight me

Only change I’d make is JWill for BWill. Otherwise spot on.

Long or Hewett sub (assuming Hutch will be used in the middle).

 

[Antomonic]

Only change I’d make is JWill for BWill. Otherwise spot on.

Long or Hewett sub (assuming Hutch will be used in the middle).

It’ll be Cripps over Hewett I reckon

 

[mat11]

AFL:
Hough Edwards Cole
Baker Mcgovern Ginbey
Hutch Graham Dewar
Brockman Allen Cripps
Long Waterman Ryan

Flynn Reid Kelly
Hewett Duggan JWilliams Hunt
(Sub) Allan
(Emg) Owies Maric BWilliams(wafl)

WAFL:
Johnston Brock Grego
Shanahan Barnett XXXX
Davis Hall XXXX
XXXX Livingstone XXXX
Champion AReid Rawlinson

BWilliams Petrucelle Gross

Injured:
Yeo
Bazzo
Jameison
Sheed
Chesser

On SM-A155F using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[PremiershipNo4]

B: T.Cole, H.Edwards, B.Hough
HB: R.Ginbey, J.McGovern, L.Baker
C: J.Hutchinson, L.Duggan, J.Hunt
HF: J.Graham, O.Allen, T. Brockman
F: M.Owies, J.Waterman, L.Ryan
FOLL: M.Flynn, T.Kelly, H.Reid
I/C:B.Williams, B.Allan, E.Hewett, N.Long, T.Dewar

fight me

No I won’t fight you!
That is exactly the team I would name, I don’t believe Archer Reid is ready yet, and I’d be naming big Bailey as the 2nd ruck.
Dewar to come on late in the game and help seal the win with some blistering runs down the wing.

 

[bUCKET__]

Hewett is gunna see a lot of the sub vest this year

 

[WCErevival]

Hewett is gunna see a lot of the sub vest this year

As in subbed out or start as the sub?

 

[PremiershipNo4]

I just hope Hewett can stay injury free, get fit and start to play some good footy, to the point where he is getting 20 possessions a game, whether that be wafl or afl.

 

[Dark Sharks]

Anyone with Bailey Williams starting in round 1 alongside Flynn is on crack.

Total wasted spot in the 22, it's clear as day.

 

[We_The_West]

Anyone with Bailey Williams starting in round 1 alongside Flynn is on crack.

Total wasted spot in the 22, it's clear as day.

If Tom Cole gets picked we are essentially tanking

 

[Godfather32]

Got all excited because I thought we were playing next week....but no, the AFL are persisting with this Opening Round bullshit. Hey I've got an idea dickheads, how about you just have round 1 be round 1 and everyone plays, what a great way to start the season that would be.

 

[WCErevival]

Got all excited because I thought we were playing next week....but no, the AFL are persisting with this Opening Round bullshit. Hey I've got an idea dickheads, how about you just have round 1 be round 1 and everyone plays, what a great way to start the season that would be.

The staggered byes as a result of opening round are stupid too. I think Brissy has a bye in round 3. Pointless. Just means the fixture is even more unequal than it already is.

 

[Grahame]

The staggered byes as a result of opening round are stupid too. I think Brissy has a bye in round 3. Pointless. Just means the fixture is even more unequal than it already is.

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