2025 Starting Line-Up

[azabob]

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.

Every player has bad games and Khamis definitely has his share, but I find they are when he needs to play on the second tall defender.

I can't recall a time where JOD has had to play as the second tall. If we are talking about playing a third tall defender (which I am), I have Khamis ahead of JOD purely for his ability to take intercept marks.

[azabob]

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.

Small ball?

[Go_Dogs]

Small ball?

Assume he means 2 x tall defenders and 4 runners. I don’t mind this set up. It’s an nba term.

[jeemak]

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.

Buku's mistakes tend to be big ones, unfortunately. While he shows really good signs at times he gets caught out of position when being made accountable and has a tendency to lack awareness in general play (one shocking holding the ball where he was playing on forty out last year comes to mind).

Not going to write him off as he's improved year on year, but I don't think he's a long termer.

[Garbs_7]

Assume he means 2 x tall defenders and 4 runners. I don’t mind this set up. It’s an nba term.

I think Coffield would be the key to unlocking this lineup. He's big and strong enough to play on some of the 3rd talls going around, while also being able to give run and carry and keep the smaller backline setup working. He obviously has to get his body right and improve a bit on last season to be a regular first choice defender though when everyone is fit and healthy.

[Mitcha]

Sorry Garbs but couldn't disagree more. Coffield and run and carry are as far apart as McDonald's and fine dining. Neither quick or agile and not a great decision maker. Well down the pecking order and a break glass in case of emergency type providing he is actually fit for selection which would be a change.

[GVGjr]

I think Coffield would be the key to unlocking this lineup. He's big and strong enough to play on some of the 3rd talls going around, while also being able to give run and carry and keep the smaller backline setup working. He obviously has to get his body right and improve a bit on last season to be a regular first choice defender though when everyone is fit and healthy.

I have to agree with Mitcha, Coffield will need to show a lot more than he has and to stay fit to become a regular player.
He's a decent back-up at the moment but it remains to be seen if he can play on a range of players. His mobility is his challenge.

Sorry Garbs but couldn't disagree more. Coffield and run and carry are as far apart as McDonald's and fine dining. Neither quick or agile and not a great decision maker. Well down the pecking order and a break glass in case of emergency type providing he is actually fit for selection which would be a change.

JOD and Khamis would be preferred and maybe even Cleary on the right day.

[Garbs_7]

I have to agree with Mitcha, Coffield will need to show a lot more than he has and to stay fit to become a regular player.
He's a decent back-up at the moment but it remains to be seen if he can play on a range of players. His mobility is his challenge.



JOD and Khamis would be preferred and maybe even Cleary on the right day.

fair call, i'm not a huge fan, more that he just fits the mould of the small ball 3rd tall, which we don't have a ton of.

Let's not forget though that he was in the team first up round 1 last season and then came back in after injury to play 6 straight. I think Bevo does rate him.

[NAUGHTY100]

fair call, i'm not a huge fan, more that he just fits the mould of the small ball 3rd tall, which we don't have a ton of.

Let's not forget though that he was in the team first up round 1 last season and then came back in after injury to play 6 straight. I think Bevo does rate him.

I think Khamis gives the side more run then Coffield , that knee injury has certainly slowed him down a bit .

[mjp]

I have Khamis ahead of JOD purely for his ability to take intercept marks.

So:
1/. Khamis
2/. JOD
3/. Busslinger??

Looking at what the oppo are doing, I think whomever out of that group (and it's probs not Buss) shows they can be versatile and play on medium-smalls wiill get the nod.

[azabob]

So:
1/. Khamis
2/. JOD
3/. Busslinger??

Looking at what the oppo are doing, I think whomever out of that group (and it's probs not Buss) shows they can be versatile and play on medium-smalls wiill get the nod.

So..... what your saying is JOD gets the nod!

[Mantis]

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

I would've thought that would be the role that Kennedy would fill.

Can we fit them both in?

[mjp]

So..... what your saying is JOD gets the nod!

I don't know what I'm saying tbh. I just think if you're the 3rd tall back then you are MOSTLY going to be playing on mid-sizers...apart from us, no-one plays 3x talls (really) and it looks like more teams will be going to a 1+5 and we will need MORE small defenders than big...honestly there might not even be room for any of them if Jones + Lobb are both fit and (as consensus seems) are the preferred starting duo.

[Rusty12]

Staying true to the topic, and using the great track reports, updated starting 22.
We will never get 100% agreement, see how close can we get, and then how wrong is it when the team I picked.

If Naughton and Marra are still unsighted in full training by mid Feb, we probably need to start moving them out of round 1.

Backs:
Bramble - Jones - JOD
Dale - Lobb - Freijah

Outside: Williams - Davidson

Inside: English - Bont - Trelor - Libba

Forward:
McNeil - Naughton - Richards (4th Key inside Mid)
Weightman - Darcy - West


Int: Marra - Duyrea - Sanders - M Kennedy

Sub: JJ


In the Mix: Karmis, Gallagher, Garica, VDM, Buss, Harmes (anyone else a ruff chance?)

[Uninformed]

Reckon any coach would love to have JJ as a sub to bring on. The sort who could turn a game.