2025 Starting Line-Up

[Mantis]

Feeling more and more that we need to play Sanders no matter what if he's in ripping condition and has a great match simulation and preseason match form line under his belt. So while I agree we should try to avoid just squeezing our best players into roles that don't suit them where we can, he's an exception.

Libba and Treloar may not be trustworthy physically pretty quickly, I'd prefer him to be rolling into the inside role having been playing at the level for a while.

So what’s the role he plays until he gets a spot in the midfield?

[mighty_west]

Can anyone help me make a case for Khamis over O'Donnell as the third tall?

I really like the attacking nature Khamis brings in the air and as the season progressed Khamis one-on-one defending improved.

As the third tall absolutely, his game at Kardinia was sublime the way he was pushing off taking grabs at will, he just had the confidence that night to play a free willing game but it's solely up to him to own that position, and with both Lobb and Jones holding down the two key spots, there is a place for either Khamis, JOD, Coff perhaps even Busslinger depending on match up's, the competition for that spot will be fierce, could even have some fireworks during some scratch matches, well kind of hoping there are then we know those players will be desperate to grab that position.

It may also depend on certain match up's, he may be more suited to certain types of mid sized forwards.

[Danny Delre]

Lets hope Bevo doesn't try the usual experiments early in the season. Consistent best 22 picked every week please.

[Danny Delre]

I am so excited by Freijah, Darcy, sanders, Croft and big Buss. Seriously if we don't win another flag in next 5 years i will be surprised.

[Garbs_7]

Lets hope Bevo doesn't try the usual experiments early in the season. Consistent best 22 picked every week please.

They are great when they work though. Richards to the midfield, Lobb to the back line...

[soupman]

Can anyone help me make a case for Khamis over O'Donnell as the third tall?

I really like the attacking nature Khamis brings in the air and as the season progressed Khamis one-on-one defending improved.

Khamis has an quality AFL trait, intercept marking.

JOD is ok at most things, but doesn't do anything better than average yet.

Pretty easy to justify Khamis as someone who can add something to your side even if the rest is probably average) than JOD who doesnt really have an edge.

[GVGjr]

Lets hope Bevo doesn't try the usual experiments early in the season. Consistent best 22 picked every week please.

It's not always possible to pick the best 22 players each week because the team needs a balance. I do believe that last year we were fairly consistent and predictable with our selections.
Sure some players are unlucky and Garcia missing out over Gallagher is a bit hard for an outsider like me to explain but I can just about guarantee that Garcia was fully aware of what he needed to work on because the communication to the group is very good.

Just because someone like Sanders racks up 35 possessions at Footscray it doesn't always mean he can replace the 15 from McNeil because it just doesn't work that way.

[Uninformed]

It's not always possible to pick the best 22 players each week because the team needs a balance. I do believe that last year we were fairly consistent and predictable with our selections.
Sure some players are unlucky and Garcia missing out over Gallagher is a bit hard for an outsider like me to explain but I can just about guarantee that Garcia was fully aware of what he needed to work on because the communication to the group is very good.

Just because someone like Sanders racks up 35 possessions at Footscray it doesn't always mean he can replace the 15 from McNeil because it just doesn't work that way.

A very good point. And hard for an outsider to judge without knowing team roles and priorities game to game.

[Go_Dogs]

Some great discussion. Like the balance of the team Rusty overall and the quality of players in the 23.

im wondering whether we go with a third tall defender. I half suspect we go with an extra runner and utilise either Williams or Freijah to play minutes as a third tall if required. With Jones and Lobb we may have that luxury.

The inside midfield mix will be one of the talking points all season I suspect, unless a couple of injuries open up capacity. Bont, Treloar, Libba and Richards all absolutely need time. We will also want the likes of Kennedy, Sanders, Garcia rotating through and potentially splashes of Weightman and West to give us a different look at times. Bont (F), Richards (B), Kennedy (F) all have other roles clearly, but the others will need to find minutes (and fruitful minutes) elsewhere and there’s a bit to work through there I hope.

[Garbs_7]

I have a bad taste in my mouth in regards to Buku still from the only live game I saw last year (Optus Stadium against Freo). He repeatedly got monstered in body contests and conceded a few back-breaking goals and his positioning to intercept wasn't great + dropped a few chances he had. If it was Buss or JOD as young, more developing defenders (body and experience wise) that's one thing, but Buku is about to turn 25 and was drafted in 2018. I know he was coming from a long way back and his development has been impressive, but it's a big year for him to take another step if he wants to be a regular best 22 AFL player. I really hope he does it and I eat my words for doubting him.

[Dogs 24/7]

I have a bad taste in my mouth in regards to Buku still from the only live game I saw last year (Optus Stadium against Freo). He repeatedly got monstered in body contests and conceded a few back-breaking goals and his positioning to intercept wasn't great + dropped a few chances he had. If it was Buss or JOD as young, more developing defenders (body and experience wise) that's one thing, but Buku is about to turn 25 and was drafted in 2018. I know he was coming from a long way back and his development has been impressive, but it's a big year for him to take another step if he wants to be a regular best 22 AFL player. I really hope he does it and I eat my words for doubting him.

Fair call Garbs, we've all been burnt by players. To his credit he did have his best season which is all you can ask but with O'Donnell, Busslinger and Coffield competition for spots is going to be red hot.
Welcome to WOOF and it's great to see you so active with your contributions.

[jeemak]

So what’s the role he plays until he gets a spot in the midfield?

Pretty much what Jack played at the end of last year.

[Rusty12]

I have a bad taste in my mouth in regards to Buku still from the only live game I saw last year (Optus Stadium against Freo). He repeatedly got monstered in body contests and conceded a few back-breaking goals and his positioning to intercept wasn't great + dropped a few chances he had. If it was Buss or JOD as young, more developing defenders (body and experience wise) that's one thing, but Buku is about to turn 25 and was drafted in 2018. I know he was coming from a long way back and his development has been impressive, but it's a big year for him to take another step if he wants to be a regular best 22 AFL player. I really hope he does it and I eat my words for doubting him.

I hear ya.
He did some good things last year, however I find it hard to get past being out bodied frequently, as well as dropped marks and mistakes that in all likely, cost us a chance of winning some games, given the timing of them and momentum.
There were games where he single handily cost us 3-4 goals, and those are big margins.

JOD, Buss, or small ball my hope is in, if we are down to Kamis and Coffield, we are in trouble.

[bulldogSimmo]

I hear ya.
He did some good things last year, however I find it hard to get past being out bodied frequently, as well as dropped marks and mistakes that in all likely, cost us a chance of winning some games, given the timing of them and momentum.
There were games where he single handily cost us 3-4 goals, and those are big margins.

JOD, Buss, or small ball my hope is in, if we are down to Kamis and Coffield, we are in trouble.

Just think he ended up playing out of position on players too big and too strong for him. If he is to make it it will be as a flanker who can float in for the odd intercept mark. Not as a match up for a big forward.

[Danny Delre]

It's not always possible to pick the best 22 players each week because the team needs a balance. I do believe that last year we were fairly consistent and predictable with our selections.
Sure some players are unlucky and Garcia missing out over Gallagher is a bit hard for an outsider like me to explain but I can just about guarantee that Garcia was fully aware of what he needed to work on because the communication to the group is very good.

Just because someone like Sanders racks up 35 possessions at Footscray it doesn't always mean he can replace the 15 from McNeil because it just doesn't work that way.

Yeah agree on Sanders. Thought it was more beneficial for him to play pure mid at vfl level than a forward role at AFL level.