2025 Starting Line-Up

[jeemak]

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

Can we fit them both in?

Don't really know if we can!

Possibly if we play Williams as the fixed wing on one side and then consider the other wing as part of the forward/ midfield rotations with multiple players running through there then yes, we can. Weightman and West as our genuine small forwards, McNeil, Sanders, Kennedy and VDM running through the higher roles. Harmes plays as an everyman including the wing just to keep Happy Days, well, happy!

[Willow18]

Interesting last few pages! I’m not a huge fan of Khamis myself but can see that specific quality he brings. Maybe an out of pocket POV but I actually like the balance of Kennedy in the starting CBA’s.


FB: Bramble, L. Jones, Dale

HB: Freijah, Lobb, O’Donnell

C: Williams, Bontempelli, Davidson

HF: West, Naughton, Weightman

FF: Darcy, Ugle-Hagan, Richards

R: English, Treloar, M. Kennedy

I: Duryea, Liberatore, Sanders, McNeil
Sub: Vandermeer

JOD vs. Khamis
wing spot heavily contested, as is the small forward/sub roles
and Sanders role in the team which could be replaced by any number of players.

[mjp]

Sanders role in the team which could be replaced by any number of players.

What IS Sanders role?
You have Liber on the bench to play inside - along with Richards on-field. You have McNeil to be forward. Duryea to go back...

So Sanders is going outside/forward? With Bont, Treloar, Kennedy, Richards and Liber there's not going to be many CBD's to go around...unless Bont is increasing his forward split??

No thought of Buss or are you in the Buss/Jones for one spot camp?

[Willow18]

What IS Sanders role?
You have Liber on the bench to play inside - along with Richards on-field. You have McNeil to be forward. Duryea to go back...

So Sanders is going outside/forward? With Bont, Treloar, Kennedy, Richards and Liber there's not going to be many CBD's to go around...unless Bont is increasing his forward split??

No thought of Buss or are you in the Buss/Jones for one spot camp?

that was kinda the point. That team as a group of 21, has plenty of mids, 7 defenders + Williams who can. Plenty of key fwds, the extra fwd on the bench + Davidson who can as well.

I don’t really know what that 22nd players role would be, so I just chucked Sanders in there haha.

the one thing to note, is 4 of those guys can play other roles quite well,
Richards def/wing/fwd
Kennedy wing/fwd
Bont (likely wins a Coleman when he’s 34)

so maybe there’s room for a 6th mid in rotations.

on Buss, would be happy to see him over Khamis/JOD but I’m unable to watch VFL so I can’t really have an opinion on him

[mjp]

I don’t really know what that 22nd players role would be, so I just chucked Sanders in there haha.

OK.

I don't know how this works in a practical sense though unless you are happy with having two of your prime movers (Bont/Richards/Treloar) off the ground for extended periods of time.

I know you are saying Kennedy can play outside but I've never seen him do that...let's hope he can as it would solve a lot of problems with structure if he could come in and play opposite Williams on a permanent basis...I think his strengths are more to winning contests inside though and I'm not sure how it will go...

As an aside, you can watch the VFL games on the AFL website.

[Mofra]

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

Has played defensive forward too so could "do a job" - much prefer older guys as a sub. Scott (versatile) and Harmes loom as other 'ideal sub' types.

It poses the question - is the sub just your 23rd player picked, or someone who can be effective if/when they get on the paddock?

[NAUGHTY100]

Has played defensive forward too so could "do a job" - much prefer older guys as a sub. Scott (versatile) and Harmes loom as other 'ideal sub' types.

It poses the question - is the sub just your 23rd player picked, or someone who can be effective if/when they get on the paddock?

you defiantly pick your sub with the thought in mind that if and when his needed he can be effective , no point picking your sub who isn't going to add to or help the side .

[Uninformed]

you defiantly pick your sub with the thought in mind that if and when his needed he can be effective , no point picking your sub who isn't going to add to or help the side .

JJ's pace, coming on fresh later in a game when opponents are tiring, could be decisive in a close game.

[mjp]

...much prefer older guys as a sub. Scott (versatile) and Harmes loom as other 'ideal sub' types.

I love this. Me too.

Young players come on late as the sub and struggle to pick up the pace of the game...and as a consequence make mistakes. Harmes could be sub every week for me.

[Mofra]

I love this. Me too.

Young players come on late as the sub and struggle to pick up the pace of the game...and as a consequence make mistakes. Harmes could be sub every week for me.

That was basically my thinking. A guy struggling to get the pace of AFL football (likes most kids do) are likely to struggle of thrown in while the game is 'hot'.

The other aspect is if you need a player to play in a role they're not entirely comfortable in, the experienced guys are more likely to make it work.

[GVGjr]

That was basically my thinking. A guy struggling to get the pace of AFL football (likes most kids do) are likely to struggle of thrown in while the game is 'hot'.

The other aspect is if you need a player to play in a role they're not entirely comfortable in, the experienced guys are more likely to make it work.

Yep. players like JJ, Harmes and Garcia should be able to switch on quickly in the heat of the game. Even players like Poulter and Baker have a better chance than a 1st or 2nd year player.

[Bornadog]

Is there any chance Gardner plays the third tall in the backline and ruck chop out ?

[Happy Days]

That was basically my thinking. A guy struggling to get the pace of AFL football (likes most kids do) are likely to struggle of thrown in while the game is 'hot'.

The other aspect is if you need a player to play in a role they're not entirely comfortable in, the experienced guys are more likely to make it work.

I think the sub has to be someone who can immediately attend a CB, make a scoreboard impact as a forward, or do both.

Sadly Harmes fits into both categories. I’m willing to compromise on him as a sub if it means only seeing him for 20 minutes on a weekend instead of a full 3 hours. I think this also applies to Matt Kennedy.

[GVGjr]

Is there any chance Gardner plays the third tall and ruck chop out ?

In my opinion there is no chance if Marra is fit and available unless Gardner is helping out in the back line.
There is a slight chance if have to try and keep Darcy up forward and not use him in the ruck as much.

[Mofra]

I think the sub has to be someone who can immediately attend a CB, make a scoreboard impact as a forward, or do both.

Sadly Harmes fits into both categories. I’m willing to compromise on him as a sub if it means only seeing him for 20 minutes on a weekend instead of a full 3 hours. I think this also applies to Matt Kennedy.

I see the CBA requirement as less critical as well have so many guys who can rotate through there in any given week.

HF is a really tough role to play at AFL level so if the sub can play there if need be that's a massive bonus. If they release a Sanders or Kennedy onto the ball, great.