2025 Starting Line-Up

[Dogs 24/7]

That's a shock. I would of thought our forward line is pretty well stacked but let's see what happens.

From what I read I wouldn't put a lot of faith in it's part of a genuine positional move and at times in these practice games players get shuffled around.

[Dogs 24/7]

My take at the moment fwiw

KPDs

L Jones and Lobb are the locks. I'd go with Buss as the 3rd tall.

Last year we went with JOD and Buku as the 3rd. I get that they look the part in the role but they weren't tall or mobile when needed. They took intercept marks when we were on top and it was predictable but I thought struggled when we really needed them. They aren't the worst options but if Buss has his confidence up, I think he can be value intercepting.

Small defenders

Dale, JJ, Doc, Bramble. Freijah can play HBF or wing.

CBA guys

mjp commented on inside mid players and I largely agree. Libba, Adz are gonna play there. I'll do the 300% TOG game with CBA guys.
Bont 70%? down a bit, slightly more time forward
Libba 75%. I think if he isn't playing vast majority of time as an inside mid, he is probably out of the side
Adz- 70% maybe a bit of time in outside role/s but again, vast majority inside mid unless things change drastically
Ed- 60%. Thought his move to inside mid was a major catalyst for our form improving. Can start out of the CBAs and offer a bit outside but if I'm the opp, I'd love Ed not getting to CBAs.

That leaves about 25% for the others. Unless things change dramatically with any of the four, it's going to be minimal true inside mid time for anyone else. Injuries and other things happen though too of course but we are going with the best 22 + 1.

So we are up to 12.

Wings

Mentioned Freijah playing HBF and/or wing. We have Truck too. Need another guy to help out here at times. Come back to it later.

Rucks

English and Darcy. I'd like to see a bit more of a ruck time share but let's see.

KPFs

Naughts and Marra, obviously with Darcy/English. Wary of us not robbing ourselves of the best version of Sam Darcy to do more than support English in the ruck.

Smaller Forwards

Already mentioned mids going through here but more permanent guys being Cody, West and McNeil.

That's 20.

2 spots + the sub.

Sanders is a tough one. He will get 40+ disposals in his sleep at VFL level but how does he fit into the roles we need him to play? We mainly need players to play wing/HFF with the spots free.

Garcia kind of the same but more mature. Think he gets a decent go next year.

Gags perhaps suits the flexible role and Bevo seems to like him.

Davidson apparently looked good in the match sim. Bevo and his 'new toys'. Perhaps suited to the roles we want most with the guys filling out the 22.

Scott, Harmes other role guys.

Vanders the small defensive fwd specialist. I feel he is far too maligned but also would love a player with a higher ceiling in his role.

From what I've been reading JJ needs to be in the mix for small defenders so I think you have nailed that. We normally go into games with 7 backs so perhaps he starts on the bench. Freijah on a wing makes a lot of sense
I'm not as confident about Busslinger and JOD has to be ahead of him
Everything you have detailed makes sense to me so lets hope the playing list is fit enough.

[Bulldogs201616]

From what I read I wouldn't put a lot of faith in it's part of a genuine positional move and at times in these practice games players get shuffled around.

I also read that Naughton Marra didn't play and Darcy only 1 quarter so that could have something to do with the move.

[Dogs 24/7]

I also read that Naughton Marra didn't play and Darcy only 1 quarter so that could have something to do with the move.

Sounds like you might have already read the reports.

[Mantis]

Based on my thoughts, and from the awesome training reports provided by GVGjr & Smads and others here is my go as we head into the Xmas break:

B: Busslinger, Jones, Bramble
HB: Dale, Lobb, JJ
C: Williams, Treloar, Freijah
HF: McNeil, Naughton, VDM
F: Weightman, Darcy, West
R: English, Bont, Richards

Int: Libba, Duryea, Garcia, Marra

- I thought JOD finished the year poorly and I'm concerned about his lack of competitiveness, especially in the EF when he was extremely poor. He needs to learn to play with an edge and I'd like to give Busslinger first crack.
- Marra needs a big Jan/ Feb to remain in the best 22... he was really poor in the EF and from reports he has carried that lethargy into the pre-season.

[GVGjr]

B: Busslinger, Jones, Bramble
HB: Dale, Lobb, JJ
C: Williams, Treloar, Freijah
HF: McNeil, Naughton, VDM
F: Weightman, Darcy, West
R: English, Bont, Richards

Int: Libba, Duryea, Garcia, Marra

- I thought JOD finished the year poorly and I'm concerned about his lack of competitiveness, especially in the EF when he was extremely poor. He needs to learn to play with an edge and I'd like to give Busslinger first crack.
- Marra needs a big Jan/ Feb to remain in the best 22... he was really poor in the EF and from reports he has carried that lethargy into the pre-season.

I need to have a closer look but this would be close to how I would see them starting with some minor changes
The 4 smaller defenders you have selected is probably exactly what we need when we play Collingwood.
I'm not convinced at having both Busslinger and Jones in the back line as they are too similar. To me, and it's just an opinion, at the moment it' needs to be one or the other.
If Lobb was to miss or we had to play him in the ruck though we might have to play both of them.
Obviously not having both M.Kennedy and Sanders is in your side highlights we still have a bit midfield depth.

There are obviously some options as the 3rd defender position like Coffield, JOD and Busslinger but against Collingwood I'd almost be tempted to play Freijah as the 3rd tall defender given the Pies will likely play 4 small forwards against us.

I'll have a closer look at this later today.

[Bulldogs201616]

Sounds like you might have already read the reports.

Nah I haven't got access to the training reports yet mate. Just read a quick snippet on bigfooty mentioning the big boys didn't play

[Critter]

Based on my thoughts, and from the awesome training reports provided by GVGjr & Smads and others here is my go as we head into the Xmas break:

B: Busslinger, Jones, Bramble
HB: Dale, Lobb, JJ
C: Williams, Treloar, Freijah
HF: McNeil, Naughton, VDM
F: Weightman, Darcy, West
R: English, Bont, Richards

Int: Libba, Duryea, Garcia, Marra

- I thought JOD finished the year poorly and I'm concerned about his lack of competitiveness, especially in the EF when he was extremely poor. He needs to learn to play with an edge and I'd like to give Busslinger first crack.
- Marra needs a big Jan/ Feb to remain in the best 22... he was really poor in the EF and from reports he has carried that lethargy into the pre-season.

I like your side very much, but I've tweaked it a little to fit in with my view of a few players. My side:

B: JOD Jones Bramble
HB: Dale Lobb JJ
C: Williams Treloar Freijah
HF: M. Kennedy Naughton West
F: Darcy JUH Weightman
R: English Bont Richards

Int: Libba Duryea Garcia McNeil

• I particularly like the half-back and centre line - Dale, JJ, Williams and Freijah are A-grade quality who can both attack and defend, who kick well, and who can win their own ball in one-on-one contests. Coupled with Lobb, I believe this could be the best combination we have had for a number of years, strong in both defence and attack.
• I would have JOD next to Jones rather than Busslinger as, from what I've seen to date, he is quicker and more agile and, therefore, more complementary to other backline personnel. Injuries impacted him this year and I feel can get a clear run at a bloc of games in 2025 he will blossom.
• My half forward line would be M. Kennedy/Naughton/West. Kennedy had a good season at Carlton this year, mainly as a forward, finishing in the top 10 of their B&F. He is Mr Versatility. He can take a strong mark, kick goals, can crunch opposition midfielders at CBAs, or can do a lock-down stint on tall or small in the back line. He offers us far more flexibility and actual impact than does VDM, whom I see as a footballer of quite limited effectiveness due to his limited capability.
• I have JUH at full-forward and Darcy in the pocket as I believe that, when all three are on their game, this is the line up that causes the opposition the most headaches. Accordingly, I would like them to line up together from the first bounce. Jamarra had an uneven year in 2024 and his attitude was sometimes called into question. This next season will be a challenge for him, as he will be the the focus of a good deal of scrutiny. He doesn't need to hone his abilities, he needs to hone his focus and determination. I hope that he realises that he now is the master of his own destiny. I have faith that he will be in good hands and I hope he reaches out and grasps the support that the club will offer him.

[mjp]

The only exception being the Richards role, he often started on the groin in a HF position moving up to support stoppage allowing Treloar and Bont to push hard forward. You can see this on the behind the goals vision.

Fair. I can access the BTG for the WAFL/SANFL/VFL but not the AFL games...you must have better sources than me!

I think each of the inside mids - Bont/Treloar/Liber/Richards - will HAVE to take a turn forward at times...so I'm not doubting what you are saying...on the season last year, Richards only attended 44.4% of CBA's compared to Bont/Liber/Treloar who were all north of 70% (Treloar actually over 80%!!) so I have no doubt you're right in terms of him starting outside of the square and pushing up as a 5th.

[Grantysghost]

Fair. I can access the BTG for the WAFL/SANFL/VFL but not the AFL games...you must have better sources than me!

I think each of the inside mids - Bont/Treloar/Liber/Richards - will HAVE to take a turn forward at times...so I'm not doubting what you are saying...on the season last year, Richards only attended 44.4% of CBA's compared to Bont/Liber/Treloar who were all north of 70% (Treloar actually over 80%!!) so I have no doubt you're right in terms of him starting outside of the square and pushing up as a 5th.

so no nets?

[Mantis]

I need to have a closer look but this would be close to how I would see them starting with some minor changes
The 4 smaller defenders you have selected is probably exactly what we need when we play Collingwood.
I'm not convinced at having both Busslinger and Jones in the back line as they are too similar. To me, and it's just an opinion, at the moment it' needs to be one or the other.
If Lobb was to miss or we had to play him in the ruck though we might have to play both of them.
Obviously not having both M.Kennedy and Sanders is in your side highlights we still have a bit midfield depth.

There are obviously some options as the 3rd defender position like Coffield, JOD and Busslinger but against Collingwood I'd almost be tempted to play Freijah as the 3rd tall defender given the Pies will likely play 4 small forwards against us.

I'll have a closer look at this later today.

M.Kennedy would probably fill the role of sub at this point and probably finds his way into the team ahead of West all things being equal.

We do play North first up, and I feel they'll play 3 talls up front hence the Busslinger selection who I feel we need to play early on as I feel Jones will not play all 22 games.

[GVGjr]

Nah I haven't got access to the training reports yet mate. Just read a quick snippet on bigfooty mentioning the big boys didn't play

I'll contact you a bit later but you should get access this evening. Check for a message from me.

[Sedat]

Matt Kennedy is a bit of a stud - he's basically the Dunkley replacement we desperately need as part of our midfield and utility mix. The knock on him is leg speed but Dunkley sure aint quick either.

Like Dunkley, Kennedy will compliment our existing mids with his natural defensive instincts at stoppage. And like Dunkley he will also provide an aerial threat when deployed forward for periods. He is a solid citizen and a fierce 1-on-1 competitor.

He is absolutely in our team from R1.

[ArsenalFC]

Matt Kennedy is a bit of a stud - he's basically the Dunkley replacement we desperately need as part of our midfield and utility mix. The knock on him is leg speed but Dunkley sure aint quick either.

Like Dunkley, Kennedy will compliment our existing mids with his natural defensive instincts at stoppage. And like Dunkley he will also provide an aerial threat when deployed forward for periods. He is a solid citizen and a fierce 1-on-1 competitor.

He is absolutely in our team from R1.

I hope you're right. A few blues supporters i've spoken too are devastated he's gone. Whilst not flashy, does team stuff which is what all good teams need.

[GVGjr]

Matt Kennedy is a bit of a stud - he's basically the Dunkley replacement we desperately need as part of our midfield and utility mix. The knock on him is leg speed but Dunkley sure aint quick either.

Like Dunkley, Kennedy will compliment our existing mids with his natural defensive instincts at stoppage. And like Dunkley he will also provide an aerial threat when deployed forward for periods. He is a solid citizen and a fierce 1-on-1 competitor.

He is absolutely in our team from R1.

To be honest I don't want him to start on the bench. He should be terrific for our culture and he's still got a lot very good footy in front of him.
History would say we will be keen to give him.every opportunity early on.