What do we do with Joel?

[Mantis]

Have had a browse through the best 23 thread and one of my big take aways was the huge variation of roles we see Joel Freijah filling and feel it needs further exploration… so what are the options?

- Back line - made his mark down back in his first year. Can intercept and beat a man, adds dash and a neat user. Our back half definitely needs a refresh so a permanent role down back has merit.

- Wing - came to us with this role being his preferred as a junior. His running ability lends itself to being super effective in this position.

- Half forward - given his elite finishing ability does he fill the high HF role where he uses his tank to out work his opponents and then hit the scoreboard?

- Midfield - does he push into the midfield rotation on a permanent basis and give us another line breaking mid? With Libba and Kennedy part of the core mid group I thought we were too one paced this season and we need to add more running power in this group. Is Joel this player?

So what does everyone think? What role do we see Joel filling in 2026 and beyond?

[Grantysghost]

I'd love to see him make the wing role his own but I wonder if he has the tank at this stage ? So beyond 26, if he can build his endurance consistently over the next two pre-seasons I think that's where I'd like him.

Next year, I think he probably does similar to this season. Be an interesting watch for sure.

[Rusty12]

Have had a browse through the best 23 thread and one of my big take aways was the huge variation of roles we see Joel Freijah filling and feel it needs further exploration… so what are the options?

- Back line - made his mark down back in his first year. Can intercept and beat a man, adds dash and a neat user. Our back half definitely needs a refresh so a permanent role down back has merit.

- Wing - came to us with this role being his preferred as a junior. His running ability lends itself to being super effective in this position.

- Half forward - given his elite finishing ability does he fill the high HF role where he uses his tank to out work his opponents and then hit the scoreboard?

- Midfield - does he push into the midfield rotation on a permanent basis and give us another line breaking mid? With Libba and Kennedy part of the core mid group I thought we were too one paced this season and we need to add more running power in this group. Is Joel this player?

So what does everyone think? What role do we see Joel filling in 2026 and beyond?

Time for him to become a star. Primary inside with Bont and Ed, Libba and Trelor, to play 60% game time, with 5 on the bench, and they need to fit in around him.

[GVGjr]

Thanks Mantis good thread.

My preference is for Freijah to return to the back line next year because of the reason you highlighted. He's decent with his interceptions but it's his run and carry from the back line that really appeals.
He just needs to improve a little with his 1 v 1 work but I believe he plays his best football at the moment as a defender and we need better players there.
A great trait for a defender is not falling over in a contest and Freijah never goes to ground by over committing.

[Go_Dogs]

Midfield for me.

He’s a dynamic player who can win and receive, break lines, kick well and impact the scoreboard. We have very few with his attributes. He hasn’t quite (at this early stage of his career) put all the tools together, but I don’t think it’s far off

[jazzadogs]

Thanks Mantis good thread.

My preference is for Freijah to return to the back line next year because of the reason you highlighted. He's decent with his interceptions but it's his run and carry from the back line that really appeals.
He just needs to improve a little with his 1 v 1 work but I believe he plays his best football at the moment as a defender and we need better players there.
A great trait for a defender is not falling over in a contest and Freijah never goes to ground by over committing.

He's got excellent handling for ground balls as well, particularly when he gets a clean run at it. I question whether he will scrap for a 50/50 ground ball, or 'take the hit' when needed to neutralise a loose ball, but that has never been a strength of 2xAA Bailey Dale either. I don't think Freijah gives us a 'Shane Biggs' moment, but he could give us a Tom Boyd moment.

Half back is my preferred role for him. In an interview he said it was only a few days before round one, after doing a whole pre season as a back, that he got moved to the midfield group. For his development we need to give him a settled and consistent role.

[MrMahatma]

Mid for me. I want Bont, Ed & Joel as the main 3 by mid next year.

Bevo put the call to arms for more match winners at the B&F. Joel can be that. He seems dedicated and capable, and there's no reason he shouldn't be throwing up matches like he did vs Swans, much more often next season.

Ads and Libba are great, but they need to become the backup.

[dukedog]

Great post... so many different opinions and answers for the preference..

Im going with Midfield. Staying with the Baby Bont thesis. hes got the aggression aswell. Joel, Bont, Ed. thats nice.

Id love for West to go into the midfield as the inside bull too.

[Garbs_7]

I think mostly mid as he has special qualities and going to be one of our future starting midfielders, with some stints off half back also when all of Bont, Ed, Libba, Kennedy etc are playing.

[jazzadogs]

Great post... so many different opinions and answers for the preference..

Im going with Midfield. Staying with the Baby Bont thesis. hes got the aggression aswell. Joel, Bont, Ed. thats nice.

Id love for West to go into the midfield as the inside bull too.

Has he got the physical aggression? I think he has a healthy arrogance and looks to be pretty verbal on field, but I can't remember him laying a big tackle or bump (ave ~3 tackles per game so I might be wrong), or doing a lot of body work to get best position. His best moments in my memory have been receiving the ball with a bit of space.

I'm just as big a fan as everyone else here, I just don't see that as one of his strengths.

[NAUGHTY100]

I think i agree with GVGjr in that id like to see him go back next year and steady that back line , i think he can become a real weapon running off half back , and as Gary stated he rarely goes to ground .
2027 will be the big watch for me if we convince Butters that the bulldogs are the side for him , then Freijah stays back , but if we dont get Butters then he becomes that big inside mid we hope he can be ,
Butters is the key to where Freijah finally settles i think .
As time goes by though i can definatly see Freijah becoming an all australian in either postion , his that good . we just have to make sure we sign him to a long contract , so he becomes one of our untouchables .

[Uninformed]

It's a good discussion Mantis. On the one hand we need to strengthen the backline and have lots of midfield options. On the other if he has a similar impact as Ed. did going into the midfield that would probably be more value and perhaps the match winner that Bevo wants.

My conclusion is: I don't know!

[doggies ftw]

Midfield, with stints on the wing/HFF. 3rd year star young mid, time to keep pushing his involvement/trajectory and getting him towards full time midfield. Hes a difference maker in there and I want him to keep stepping up his game

[The Underdog]

Thanks Mantis good thread.

My preference is for Freijah to return to the back line next year because of the reason you highlighted. He's decent with his interceptions but it's his run and carry from the back line that really appeals.
He just needs to improve a little with his 1 v 1 work but I believe he plays his best football at the moment as a defender and we need better players there.
A great trait for a defender is not falling over in a contest and Freijah never goes to ground by over committing.

Are we better with Freijah using his attributes on the wing along with Davidson and having Bailey Williams back in the defensive 6/7 with his ability to play tall/small.

[Willow18]

If he’s ready to take the next step, then inside mid. But I’d be more than happy to see him at HB for a year