Top Five Under 25

[Ironmonger]

G’day all

Was having a discussion on another website about how Sydney, St Kilda and Hawthorn are the three oldest teams in the league (or so I’m told) but how most people reckon the Saints will drop down the ladder while Sydney and Hawthorn are genuine premiership chances.

I think it comes down to the balance of good young players versus good old players. Most of the best St Kilda players are in the 29+ bracket. If you compare the Saints best players under 25 with the same for the Hawks and the Swans, in my opinion you see a bit of a difference.

So I went ahead and put together my top 5 under 25 from each team, just purely based on my own opinion about how good each player is right now, to see if there were any kind of patterns and if the best young groups matched up with the highest expectations of that team.

Carlton
Gibbs, Kreuzer, Robinson, Yarran, Henderson

Essendon
Ryder, Heppell, Howlett, Zaharakis, Hurley

Western
Higgins, Wood, Liberatore, Wallis, Clay Smith

Geelong
J.Selwood, Hawkins, Menzel, Varcoe, Christensen

Adelaide
Jacobs, Sloane, Dangerfield, Walker, Talia

Melbourne
Garland, Frawley, Grimes, McDonald, Trengove

Fremantle
Mayne, De Boer, Hill, Pearce, Fyfe

West Coast
Masten, S.Selwood, Naitanui, Shuey, Darling

GWS
Ward, Davis, Scully, Cameron, Coniglio

Hawthorn
Suckling, Rioli, Whitecross, Breust, Isaac Smith

Kangaroos
Adams, Goldstein, Ziebell, Bastinac, Wright

Brisbane
Rich, Rockliff, Redden, Zorko, Leuenberger

Collingwood
Beams, B.Reid, Blair, Sidebottom, Fasolo

Port Adelaide
Gray, Boak, Ebert, Broadbent, Hartlett

St Kilda
Steven, McEvoy, Geary, Armitage, Saad

Gold Coast
Bennell, Harbrow, Z.Smith, Lynch, Swallow

Sydney
Kennedy, Jetta, Hanneberry, Reid, Parker

Richmond
Riewoldt, Cotchin, Martin, Grigg, Rance

What stood out for me were the young crops at West Coast and Adelaide, particularly at the Eagles, where I couldn’t even find a spot for Gaff. Most people probably see them as top 4 contenders for the next few years, so I guess that makes sense.

I struggled a bit to find five players from the Bulldogs that I was comfortable with, unfortunately. I might have left out someone really obvious, but it seems like they really need some of their kids to develop pretty quickly.

I was also surprised at how strong Port Adelaide’s group was. Probably the strongest of the bottom five teams from 2012, in my opinion. Although no key position players. Richmond, Brisbane, Sydney and Hawthorn have a pretty good, even group. Geelong and Collingwood have a couple of superstars each (Selwood & Hawkins, Beams & Sidebottom) but it thins out a little after that.

Anyone notice some really obvious players I’ve left out? Bound to be some.

 

[Tazwegian]

Geelong are traveling very nicely, considering all the success they have had. Essendon to look pretty strong. Melbourne's group is not too shabby either. Would probably swap Garland for Howe though.

 

[Membling]

I'd put alex johnson in front of parker for swans. Also a touch concerning about freo's few

 

[Barry_Badrinath]

Richmond's 5 looks pretty spot on. Grigg and Grimes would be 50/50 for that 5th spot, given Grigg is nearly 25 and Grimey is injury prone.

A couple of others would be ahead based on potential but those 5 would be the best performed so far.

 

[Prudster]

Slight flaw with the players around the 25 mark. For example, Ryder and Birchall were both drafted in 2005, but Birchall turned 25 2 days ago, while Ryder doesn't turn 25 for another month or two. Birch would definitely be in our top 5, and 2 months won't change how long they have left.

Also, for Hawthorn, i'd definitely add Gunston, he has been very impressive, despite being the third or fourth option in our forward line.

 

[hawkman]

Slight flaw with the players around the 25 mark. For example, Ryder and Birchall were both drafted in 2005, but Birchall turned 25 2 days ago, while Ryder doesn't turn 25 for another month or two. Birch would definitely be in our top 5, and 2 months won't change how long they have left.

Also, for Hawthorn, i'd definitely add Gunston, he has been very impressive, despite being the third or fourth option in our forward line.

And Shiels would be in there as well

 

[Ironmonger]

Also, for Hawthorn, i'd definitely add Gunston, he has been very impressive, despite being the third or fourth option in our forward line.

And Shiels would be in there as well

Instead of Smith? I think I'd probably take Smith. Wouldn't be much in it, though.

 

[hawkman]

Instead of Smith? I think I'd probably take Smith. Wouldn't be much in it, though.

Would put Shiels and Gunston in over Suckling and Smith

 

[Silvagnis]

We still have a young group and strong five in spite of missing finals just the two times since Judd moved to Carlton. Strong five players with Laidler, Garlett, Tuohy, Watson, Hampson, Lucas and Curnow in our 25 and under group.

I was also surprised at how strong Port Adelaide’s group was. Probably the strongest of the bottom five teams from 2012, in my opinion. Although no key position players.

At their best, Port fans might put Butcher or Trengove in for Broadbent.

Strong five considering they unfortunately wasted a good pick on Jacobs that could have been Darling, Smith, etc.

 

[Prudster]

Instead of Smith? I think I'd probably take Smith. Wouldn't be much in it, though.

I'd have Gunston pretty far ahead of Smith. He averaged 2 goals per game in 2012. Betts averaged 2.2, Cloke 2.4, and even Milne at 2.6 were not that far ahead of him (in terms of purely goals per game, i'm not suggesting he is as good as those guys). He also kicked 19 goals in 6 games when Buddy was out, and kicked 2 in all three of our finals. For a 20 year old who was behind Buddy, Rough, Breust and Rioli in terms of targets, that is a pretty good effort.

 

[Rustin Cohle]

Slight flaw with the players around the 25 mark. For example, Ryder and Birchall were both drafted in 2005, but Birchall turned 25 2 days ago, while Ryder doesn't turn 25 for another month or two. Birch would definitely be in our top 5, and 2 months won't change how long they have left.

Also, for Hawthorn, i'd definitely add Gunston, he has been very impressive, despite being the third or fourth option in our forward line.

Same situation with Pendles. He would make our top 5 one of the best, if not the best. Cut-off at '88 would be good to make things equal.

 

[Ironmonger]

Same situation with Pendles. He would make our top 5 one of the best, if not the best. Cut-off at '88 would be good to make things equal.

See, the problem is, you set it there and Freo fans complain that Barlow only misses out by two weeks, and then someone else complains, and so on. One arbitrary cut off point is as good as another, I think.

In any case, its not an exercise meant to capture all good players. Its meant to give a rough guide to how lists are structured.

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

Would probably trade Garland for Howe and Watts for Trengove.

 

[Igloo]

I would have ours as (no order) - Mitch Wallis, Tom Liberatore, Luke Dahlhaus, Shaun Higgins and Clay Smith.

It will probably be different by the end of the year.

 

[Freomaniac]

I'd put alex johnson in front of parker for swans. Also a touch concerning about freo's few

You would be suprised how many decent players Freo have got that are under 25. Look at Freos drafting back in the 2008 National draft and Rookie draft. 2008 ND Freo got Hill, Ballantyne, Suban, Clarke, Walters.
Rookie draft they got De Boer, Pearce and Broughton who went to GC. All those guys I metioned are in Freos 22.

The OP said Freos best 5 were: Mayne, De Boer, Hill, Pearce, Fyfe.

That person got 4 out of 5 right. I would Replace Clancee pearce for Zac Clarke. Clarke had a good season not only as a 2nd ruckman to Sandi/Griffin but a handy goal kicker.

 

[Prudster]

You would be suprised how many decent players Freo have got that are under 25. Look at Freos drafting back in the 2008 National draft and Rookie draft. 2008 ND Freo got Hill, Ballantyne, Suban, Clarke, Walters.
Rookie draft they got De Boer, Pearce and Broughton who went to GC. All those guys I metioned are in Freos 22.

The OP said Freos best 5 were: Mayne, De Boer, Hill, Pearce, Fyfe.

That person got 4 out of 5 right. I would Replace Clancee pearce for Zac Clarke. Clarke had a good season not only as a 2nd ruckman to Sandi/Griffin but a handy goal kicker.

Ballantyne is actually over 25. Was a mature age recruit, but Freo does have an impressive set of youngsters.

 

[Ironmonger]

You would be suprised how many decent players Freo have got that are under 25. Look at Freos drafting back in the 2008 National draft and Rookie draft. 2008 ND Freo got Hill, Ballantyne, Suban, Clarke, Walters.
Rookie draft they got De Boer, Pearce and Broughton who went to GC. All those guys I metioned are in Freos 22.

The OP said Freos best 5 were: Mayne, De Boer, Hill, Pearce, Fyfe.

That person got 4 out of 5 right. I would Replace Clancee pearce for Zac Clarke. Clarke had a good season not only as a 2nd ruckman to Sandi/Griffin but a handy goal kicker.

Broughton is over 25 as well.

Thanks for the feedback, Freomaniac, but we'll have to agree to disagree on Zac Clarke. I think Pearce is quite a bit better, certainly on 2012 form. Clarke probably has more potential, though.

I reckon there's a good chance Walters will go past both of them in 2013.

I would have ours as (no order) - Mitch Wallis, Tom Liberatore, Luke Dahlhaus, Shaun Higgins and Clay Smith.

It will probably be different by the end of the year.

Out of curiosity, Igloo, who do you see moving up? You think Stringer, Hunter and Hrovat could have big first seasons, or are you thinking more of talls like Cordy and Roughead?

 

[Igloo]

Out of curiosity, Igloo, who do you see moving up? You think Stringer, Hunter and Hrovat could have big first seasons, or are you thinking more of talls like Cordy and Roughead?

Stringer could go either way. No one knows how much he's going to play this year. He's been excelling at training so far, even doing extra sessions. He'll play games this year, but not sure if they'll limit the amount to stop him from burning out.
Hrovat is going to play a lot. I've tipped him to play 15 games at least.
Hunter wont get too much games, probably less than 5, if any.

Out of the 5 I listed, Smith will come out. To replace him, one of Roughead, Stringer, Hrovat. Maybe even Jones or Grant if they finally come good. Clay will still have a good year though.

 

[zb14]

Varcoe is born '88 like Selwood, Hawkins.

I'd have Cats as:

Selwood, Hawkins, Varcoe, Menzel, Duncan/Christensen.

 

[Ironmonger]

Varcoe is born '88 like Selwood, Hawkins.

I'd have Cats as:

Selwood, Hawkins, Varcoe, Menzel, Duncan/Christensen.

Varcoe. That's one I just dead set forgot.

Cheers zb. Will update OP.

Unfortunately it pushes one of my favourite young players going around out of the list in Stevie Motlop.

 

[zb14]

For me. I'd have Wingard instead of Broadbent at Port.

Harper instead of Wright for NM.

Really rate those two highly. Will do my own list when I have some time, but OP has pretty much nailed it.

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

Agree with Igloo mostly, Libba, Wallis, Dahlhaus, Higgins and Roughead for me. I think Dickson turned 25 last year; would've included him if not.

 

[Igloo]

Agree with Igloo mostly, Libba, Wallis, Dahlhaus, Higgins and Roughead for me. I think Dickson turned 25 last year; would've included him if not.

That 5th spot is hard. I like Roughy, he probably deserves it. Easier to include midfielders though

 

[NUFC Tiger]

Probably close to our best 5 under 25 OP - In 2013, hopefully the likes of Vickery, Conca, Ellis and a few others can really step up.

Geelong's group looks great. They are kind of rebuilding now but still have a great blend of talented youth and proven experience. They'd be happy with how their list is building for the future.

 

[Kwality]

Probably close to our best 5 under 25 OP - In 2013, hopefully the likes of Vickery, Conca, Ellis and a few others can really step up.

Geelong's group looks great. They are kind of rebuilding now but still have a great blend of talented youth and proven experience. They'd be happy with how their list is building for the future.

This group at every club represents the on field improvement we can hope to see in 2013, e.g Jack Darling 47 games & turning 21 mid season.