2025 Dogs Depth

[JackCJohnston2000]

I posted the following on Twitter, I feel like the forum would have some interesting responses or thoughts. And I couldn't find a thread that is specifically about depth, not just match day best 22s or overall list management.

"Lots of us are worried about our depth and how we're going to deal with these injuries we've gotten.
But if you imagine that we fielded a fully healthy team in 2025, I can guarantee the following would be demanded a spot by fans:

Garcia
Buss
Sanders
Bramble
Arty
Davidson (?)

It just shows that while injuries suck and *can* destabilize a team, almost every single one of those guys will get the shot that so many of us have begged the MC to give them. It may backfire but it could be what takes us up a level as a club.

And then guys start coming back..."

So, what do we think of our depth? Am I being too optimistic? Is it too early to tell? Sound off below!

[Bulldog Joe]

Great thread, but might some disagreement on the possibility of Bramble actually not being picked and being thought of as depth.

In my mind he absolutely cemented his place in the best 22 with his efforts in 2024.

I would be more than hopeful that Sanders at least does that this year regardless of injuries.

I am looking forward to see who can step up this year, but feel that we have enough depth to cover injuries and we have the opportunity to actually find out who can step up.

Developing players get their best opportunity if they can come in with enough experience around them to help them settle in the team.

[JackCJohnston2000]

I'm having a lovely discussion with a guy about Bramble right now

In a nutshell, my thought is he is the third rebounding defender picked in a healthy side.

Dale, Fridge and then one more. Most weeks, that is Bramble. I really rate him. But I think that being the third banana in any position leaves you vulnerable and I could see him not making the cut due to lack of spots and you'd have people arguing that he should, like I'm sure people will right now in this thread

In an even a smaller nutshell, I love Bramble and think he's best 22 most weeks. But I don't think he's a best 18 lock and that leaves you vulnerable for omission. And that shows our depth, I think!

[Rusty12]

The regular season is a game of attrition, and then hope to be fit and firing come finals.
Based on my ratings, we have 28 players that, if they are required or depended on for 8-plus games or in a final, can get the job done for you to still finish top 6 and or still win a final.
From there, it is a bit of luck not to lose too many of the same roles, or who you lose and when.

28 is pretty good, I would have the blues at 28 also.

Sydney only used maybe 25 for most of last year, which is crazy lucky with availability.

Lions are 32, 33 if the younger Ashcroft stands up.

[jeemak]

Good thread.

Our two most successful seasons under Beveridge were heavily dependent on depth standing up at the right time.

Think of names like Fletcher Roberts, Joel Hamling and the younger brigade in Dunkley, Daniel and McLean all having solid contributions in 2016, while in 2021 guys like Schache, R. Smith, Young and Hannan all chipping in with important football.

For whatever reason I don't feel in the intervening years we've had that level from players you mightn't think are best 22 but have been called upon, and this year we've been immediately weakened by the loss of Macrae and Daniel, as well as Keath who was serviceable in a pinch. The jury's out on how we'll cover inconsistent fitness and form this year, perhaps we get more out of Harmes and Kennedy has a real impact like I think he should. There's no excuses for Garcia not to perform when given an opportunity no matter what that eventually looks like or where on the ground it is (if he's still one dimensional then what's the point of persisting with him?). I'm not at all sold on Baker, though think Poulter could be a bit like Roarke was and find his way to meaningful contributions with more opportunity. I've been saying it since before Jones got injured, but I think we'll be relying on Gardner more heavily than we thought we might have to as a defender, given if we do have Jones we'll likely play Lobb ruck if English goes down.

Anyway, whatever happens depth is going to be super important to us this year, and we'll get a showing of its quality or otherwise in a couple of weeks for what is looking likely to be a reasonable period.

[soupman]

I'm not at all sold on Baker, though think Poulter could be a bit like Roarke was and find his way to meaningful contributions with more opportunity. I've been saying it since before Jones got injured, but I think we'll be relying on Gardner more heavily than we thought we might have to as a defender, given if we do have Jones we'll likely play Lobb ruck if English goes down.

Mostly agree with the above, although I'm going to nitpick these two.

I think Baker is hard done by, as a sub he is almost always impactful, he might be the best we've had in the role on the list, adds pace, aggression and decent goal sense. I agree though that he and definitely Poulter need to find a way to be reliable when given the chance.

As for Gardner, I agree in terms of replacing Jones but if Lobb comes out surely we want to at least try and get someone who's aerial game is a strength and that is Buss and Khamis over Gardner, who is very much a more traditional one on one style defender.

[mighty_west]

Like Rusty said whilst it's cool to make up a best 22, these days there really is a best 28 or so depending on your list profile, because unfortunately injuries are a thing and whilst player 23 - 28 might be classified as "depth", they can still come in and play a vital role when required, no one wants to be that player, they all want to be in the best side but those players are important as any of the first 22 selected, it's the final 6 in the side that can really take that team forward.

That said, i think there could be two categories, real depth players and development players, unless a new draftee comes in all guns blazing from the start i don't really see them as "real depth".....yet.

For me, Gallagher, Baker, Coffield, O'Donnell*, Harmes, VDM*, Khamis, Poulter, Scott, McNeil*, A Jones, Cleary, Garcia, Davidson*& Gardner are our real depth players, harsh on VDM, McNeil and JOD because they do play a lot of senior games, but for mine all those players should be relied on to come into the side at any time to play a vital role, as for the developing players, it's more about what they can bring to the team if or when selected, Busslinger is still developing as too Sanders, but both should be almost ready to take that next step to being a depth player, hopefully Sanders can enter the best 22 this season.

Whilst Davidson is also new to the club being a more mature player he should fit straight into depth, sure there will still be some development there but i see him being a ready to go player when required, players like Jones, Khamis, Coffield (more about injuries for him) and Cleary should also be ready to go but also really need to take that next step as i see their spot on the list under pressure after this upcoming season.

[jeemak]

Mostly agree with the above, although I'm going to nitpick these two.

I think Baker is hard done by, as a sub he is almost always impactful, he might be the best we've had in the role on the list, adds pace, aggression and decent goal sense. I agree though that he and definitely Poulter need to find a way to be reliable when given the chance.

As for Gardner, I agree in terms of replacing Jones but if Lobb comes out surely we want to at least try and get someone who's aerial game is a strength and that is Buss and Khamis over Gardner, who is very much a more traditional one on one style defender.

With Gardner it might be horses for courses, I just think his pure height and dourness is something we'll go for ahead of an intercepting Khamis and an untried Busslinger if we're down one or both of our best aerial defenders. A bit like how we played Keath over the last couple of years. It could be moot, if we think JOD is up to it.

I'm not that passionate about the Baker versus Poulter piece. Just a personal preference at this point and happy to have my mind changed.

[jeemak]

Whilst Davidson is also new to the club being a more mature player he should fit straight into depth, sure there will still be some development there but i see him being a ready to go player when required, players like Jones, Khamis, Coffield (more about injuries for him) and Cleary should also be ready to go but also really need to take that next step as i see their spot on the list under pressure after this upcoming season.

It's not the main point of your quality post, I know, but if Davidson strings some games together and contributes at a level then that'll be a great outcome for his first season. I'm not expecting anything from him this year.

[mighty_west]

It's not the main point of your quality post, I know, but if Davidson strings some games together and contributes at a level then that'll be a great outcome for his first season. I'm not expecting anything from him this year.

He might actually suprise a few this year i reckon, i actually liked what i saw in our game v Bombers, he seems to just run and work hard, and get himself in good positions, obviously the real test will be from round 1 but i think he can contribute either on a wing or in the forward line, there were a few times you could see him really wanting to present in the forward line but almost looked like he held back a bit because Naughton or Darcy were there going for the same ball, i think in that last quarter it looked like he wanted to show what he could do up forward but is just finding his place with more senior players around him, he will provide a lot of run from a wing.

[GVGjr]

I posted the following on Twitter, I feel like the forum would have some interesting responses or thoughts. And I couldn't find a thread that is specifically about depth, not just match day best 22s or overall list management.

"Lots of us are worried about our depth and how we're going to deal with these injuries we've gotten.
But if you imagine that we fielded a fully healthy team in 2025, I can guarantee the following would be demanded a spot by fans:

Garcia
Buss
Sanders
Bramble
Arty
Davidson (?)

It just shows that while injuries suck and *can* destabilize a team, almost every single one of those guys will get the shot that so many of us have begged the MC to give them. It may backfire but it could be what takes us up a level as a club.

And then guys start coming back..."

So, what do we think of our depth? Am I being too optimistic? Is it too early to tell? Sound off below!

We still a reasonable level of depth within the playing list and that is after losing Macrae and Daniels because they were seeking greater opportunities.
Where our depth is now being tested is around Lobb's move to the back line and especially with Jones out and the need to try and keep Darcy forward with questions on Marra's availability.

Depth Players
Gallagher looks very likely to replace JJ as a match day 7th defender
Gardner is a good depth player capable of covering Jones for a few weeks and even helping out on the ruck or up forward if necessary.
Baker is being played as a defender and I think that is to cover if Duryea misses any games.
JOD and Khamis need to step up when needed.
Poulter as a mid and a forward and the same with Arty Jones.
Davidson as a winger and potential forward.
And to top it off Hynes looks more than capable of playing a couple of roles for us.

We are in reasonable shape for playing list depth and it looks like it will be tested early on.

[Stevo]

Nice thread JJ2000, We seem to have picked up a few very good newer members in recent months.
Our depth is okay, not outstanding but its in a stronger state than many fans give it credit for.
Some sides just have a bunch of marginal youngsters that get games prematurely where our list looks to be balanced with a blend of experience and youth so inform players will get their chances.

Busslinger is a big one for me. He's done a thorough apprenticeship and can help cover the short term loss of Jones.
Hynes and Davidson could get early chances as well.

[NAUGHTY100]

I'm having a lovely discussion with a guy about Bramble right now

In a nutshell, my thought is he is the third rebounding defender picked in a healthy side.

Dale, Fridge and then one more. Most weeks, that is Bramble. I really rate him. But I think that being the third banana in any position leaves you vulnerable and I could see him not making the cut due to lack of spots and you'd have people arguing that he should, like I'm sure people will right now in this thread

In an even a smaller nutshell, I love Bramble and think he's best 22 most weeks. But I don't think he's a best 18 lock and that leaves you vulnerable for omission. And that shows our depth, I think!

Agree in most part of what your saying , but in my mind Bramble is one of the 1st picked each week or was last year , i think the MC has worked out his run is invaluable , along with Dale , Fridge was more a stay at home type , i can picture last year both Bramble and Dale having numerous shots at goal or kicking deep into forward 50 , where as Freijah was more the interceptor , and rarely ventured into forward 50 ( i think thats right if not im sure someone will let me know). All in all i think our depth is good but like others have said it will be extermly tested early in the season this year , lets hope the guys that come in at least do the team things and keep the structure and balance of our team in tact .

[GVGjr]

He might have got off to a slow start but Bramble finished the year strongly and it's worked out well for the club and player.

[Jasper]

I posted the following on Twitter, I feel like the forum would have some interesting responses or thoughts. And I couldn't find a thread that is specifically about depth, not just match day best 22s or overall list management.

"Lots of us are worried about our depth and how we're going to deal with these injuries we've gotten.
But if you imagine that we fielded a fully healthy team in 2025, I can guarantee the following would be demanded a spot by fans:

Garcia
Buss
Sanders
Bramble
Arty
Davidson (?)

It just shows that while injuries suck and *can* destabilize a team, almost every single one of those guys will get the shot that so many of us have begged the MC to give them. It may backfire but it could be what takes us up a level as a club.

And then guys start coming back..."

So, what do we think of our depth? Am I being too optimistic? Is it too early to tell? Sound off below!

Games aren't really won on depth but it's more about finding role players that come in and plug any holes.
With that in mind I think we are well placed.
I don't think you are overly optimistic but you have the right balance between optimism and being realistic.

Lets hope our coaches pull the right levers and get us off to a fast start.