2025 Starting Line-Up

[Garbs_7]

Updated Best 23 R1 v Kangaroos

FB - Duryea Jones Bramble
HB - Dale Lobb Frejiah
C - Williams Richards Davidson
HF - McNeil Naughton Kennedy
FF - Weightman Darcy West
Foll - English Bont Libba
INT - Sanders Garcia O'Donnell Vandermeer
Sub - Harmes

Emergencies - Poulter (to cover for a mid or fwd) Gardner (to cover for English) Busslinger (to cover for a key defender)

This is probably where I am at too, maybe Harmes into the 22 for JOD if we don't carry the extra tall, but I do like having the flexibility in case one of the KPPs go down, while still having a lot of runners. Interested to see who wins the battle between JOD, Khamis and Buss, guessing it's in that order currently. Wildcard maybe Croft gets that spot with his flexibility and running ability, but likely still a little raw and needs a few games at Footscray first.

[BOYDSKICKEDAGOAL!FAK!!]

Duryea Lobb JOD

Dale Buss Freijah

Croft Bont Williams

West Naughton Garcia

Richardson Darcy Weightman


R: English, Richards, Sanders

B: Libba, M. Kennedy, Gallagher, Bramble
S: Vandermeer


E: Poulter, Harmes, Buku, McNeil

Out: Treloar, JUH, Scott, Jones, JJ

2s: Hynes, Jacques, Gardner, Crossley, Cleary, Baker, A. Jones, L. Kennedy, L. Smith, Coffield

Here is my round 1 team

- Some big names in the outs, JUH is most disappointing, Treloar very unfortunate because he obviously has a history but his time at the dogs hasn’t been riddled with injury at all. Not sure where Coff is at, when I say him at training I didn’t think he looked very fit. Naughton I’m not concerned about, I know he hasn’t done a heap in preseason but they’re managing him well - he’s super durable but has definitely taken a beating from being our main fwd for some time now. JJ doing his hammy is frustrating, for me he’s in our best 22 when fit so this could be his last year.. I hope he gets some continuity in his game and gets somewhat a full season, albeit managed when necessary. Fingers crossed I guess. I think Tim should be fine too.
- I think we could have a triple debut, with Richardson I’m confident on, Croft I’d like to see - I’ve heard he’s had a big preseason and he looked great at training, plus Busslinger as well PENDING the situation with a Liam Jones. I know nothing on the injury other than it’s a hammy, but could just be tightness - it’s a fresh story at the moment.
- Regarding the bench, interesting to see Gallagher played in the backline today (where he played u18s) as it gives a fair bit of flexibility. Kennedy (WBD Debut too) can play forward, as can Garcia, and both will flow through the midfield.
- Not too sure what the situation with Gardner is and if they rate him or not, I thought he was done for being a fair way back in the key back pecking order but it seems he’s repositioned himself. He was drafted as a fwd and if JUH is out, Darcy needs to be full time fwd meaning we need a second ruck, but someone that can spend time forward. So Gardner and Crossley come into the picture. I haven’t seen Crossley play but it feels a need, particularly with the uncertainty of JUH. Just have a feeling we’ll get him, I’ve heard he has great ruck craft despite being 198cm.
- Can definitely see a world where Vandermeer/McNeil swap spots or one or even both are in the team over Gallagher. I don’t rate them both very highly but they do provide pace and fwd pressure. Both need to be more productive in front of goal however.

anyway, I could go on forever but here are some of my notes from a training session a couple weeks ago - 2nd of Feb I think

• JOD has put on significant size
• Matt Kennedy is a specimen, in very good condition. Running laps all session. Weightman joined him for a few.
• Davidson fair bit more size than the traditional first year players (Hynes, Kennedy, Jacques). He’ll be a player, great aerially. Absolutely killed match sim, very impressive.
• There is zero chance Sam Darcy is 208cm
• Croft is an elite runner, won’t be surprised if he debuts early on the wing, has definitely put size on and you can tell he’s one of those that gives 110% with hunger and grit
• Buss really needs to improve his running, for me his motion is clunky, JOD still ahead
• Naughton looking pretty good despite being managed to certain drills
• Brew on deck, looks a bit heavy - still ripped just not sure he’s running 110% could just be his motion
• Sanders very impressive all day, shined in match sim

[Rusty12]

Slight Update after yesterdays match.
Jones will be fine, no concern.
JOD, somewhat a utility selection.
Based on the updates on Gallagher, and the trust and game time they gave him last year, hard to see him not playing showing that form, 1 month out.
Harmes fits the, experienced and versatile sub preference.
VDM - General F
Gallagher - General back/outside/Inside
Libba - Inside
JOD - Utility with some height bias. Plays forward when Darcy is in the ruck or he and Naughton are having a breather, or as a 3rd as needed. Can fill a 2nd or 3rd tall defender as needed.
Thrid Ruck option if needed.

Backs:

Bramble - Jones - Duyrea

Dale - Lobb - Freijah


Outside: Williams - Davidson


Inside: English - Bont - Sanders - Richards


Forward:

McNeil - Naughton - M Kennedy

Weightman - Darcy - West


Int: VDM - JOD - Libba - Gallagher

Sub: Hamres


In the Mix: Karmis - Buss -Jaques - Arty - L Kennedy - Gardner - Garcia


Relevant Injury: Marra - Trelor - JJ

[BOYDSKICKEDAGOAL!FAK!!]

How was Richmond let Richardson slip

[Axe Man]

Do you mean Davidson?

[GVGjr]

How was Richmond let Richardson slip

Especially when they had the currency to trade back in and pick him up in the 40's.
We currently don't have a 3rd or 4th rounder for this year but getting a jump on Davidson and L.Kennedy was worth the investment.

[mjp]

Especially when they had the currency to trade back in and pick him up in the 40's.
We currently don't have a 3rd or 4th rounder for this year but getting a jump on Davidson and L.Kennedy was worth the investment.

We all know he hasn't played a game yet right?

I get that he's a great story but what we're asking him to do - come in and be a better than average contributor in a key role (roles plural if everything is to be believed!) in his first season has rarely been done. Getting a 'Luke Ryan' type player (impact, not style) out of the VFL is best case...and even he only managed 11-games in his first year.

Like I said - I love the story...but ANYTHING we get from him this year will be a bonus...best 22? C'mon now. I just think we actually need to see him play a real game before we do that.

Back to the Richmond piece - that had literally a billion picks and had ample chance to take him. Maybe they know something we don't?? I mean, I doubt that's the case - but suspect they just thought the others they selected either had more talent/brighter futures or provided better balance to their squad...

[JanLorMill]

So is it as simple as Busslinger for Jones then?

[JackCJohnston2000]

With Jones and Treloar out for the first month (don't freak out guys, there's no need to throw out the season like some people on Twitter are lol), here's my updated best 23.

FB: Duryea Lobb Buss
HB: Bramble JOD Dale
C: Davidson Richards Williams
HF: Kennedy Naughton McNeil
FF: Weightman Darcy West
Foll: English Bont Sanders
INT: Libba Garcia Freijah Gallagher
Sub: Harmes

I'd almost be tempted to put Gardner in as a key back just because he has trained well this year and is a more mature player that can partner with Lobb (who is an inexperienced defender himself) rather than two kids. However, I feel like he's viewed as more of a forward/ruck player now and if we're not going to see what we have in Busslinger NOW, then when? Buku could possibly be a good option as well as he's more experienced than both JOD and Buss... wasn't it the Lobb/JOD/Buku combo when we smashed the Blues last year?

Lots of decisions to be made. Thankfully, I think our list management and development over the last few years has put us in a really strong position to cover these losses. The only real lack of depth is in the ruck and we may solve that with Crossley. Other than that, I think we have a good enough squad to power through this... although it can eventually become too much so we're in a delicate position.

[jazzadogs]

We all know he hasn't played a game yet right?

I get that he's a great story but what we're asking him to do - come in and be a better than average contributor in a key role (roles plural if everything is to be believed!) in his first season has rarely been done. Getting a 'Luke Ryan' type player (impact, not style) out of the VFL is best case...and even he only managed 11-games in his first year.

Like I said - I love the story...but ANYTHING we get from him this year will be a bonus...best 22? C'mon now. I just think we actually need to see him play a real game before we do that.

Back to the Richmond piece - that had literally a billion picks and had ample chance to take him. Maybe they know something we don't?? I mean, I doubt that's the case - but suspect they just thought the others they selected either had more talent/brighter futures or provided better balance to their squad...

Isaac Smith is probably closer to our 'dream' scenario.
Picked up from North Ballarat VFL in 2010, aged 22.
Played 16 games in his debut season, averaging 18 touches on a wing.
Played in three flags in seasons 3, 4, 5 and then another one in season 12.

I mean...it can't be that hard can it?

[GVGjr]

We all know he hasn't played a game yet right?

I get that he's a great story but what we're asking him to do - come in and be a better than average contributor in a key role (roles plural if everything is to be believed!) in his first season has rarely been done. Getting a 'Luke Ryan' type player (impact, not style) out of the VFL is best case...and even he only managed 11-games in his first year.

Like I said - I love the story...but ANYTHING we get from him this year will be a bonus...best 22? C'mon now. I just think we actually need to see him play a real game before we do that.

Back to the Richmond piece - that had literally a billion picks and had ample chance to take him. Maybe they know something we don't?? I mean, I doubt that's the case - but suspect they just thought the others they selected either had more talent/brighter futures or provided better balance to their squad...

I get it but I've been wanting/demanding that we hit the National Draft harder so given we went into it with just 3 picks and came back with 5 players I can't be upset.
From what I've seen with his training he has to be close to best 22.

[jazzadogs]

With Jones and Treloar out for the first month (don't freak out guys, there's no need to throw out the season like some people on Twitter are lol), here's my updated best 23.

FB: Duryea Lobb Buss
HB: Bramble JOD Dale
C: Davidson Richards Williams
HF: Kennedy Naughton McNeil
FF: Weightman Darcy West
Foll: English Bont Sanders
INT: Libba Garcia Freijah Gallagher
Sub: Harmes

I'd almost be tempted to put Gardner in as a key back just because he has trained well this year and is a more mature player that can partner with Lobb (who is an inexperienced defender himself) rather than two kids. However, I feel like he's viewed as more of a forward/ruck player now and if we're not going to see what we have in Busslinger NOW, then when? Buku could possibly be a good option as well as he's more experienced than both JOD and Buss... wasn't it the Lobb/JOD/Buku combo when we smashed the Blues last year?

Lots of decisions to be made. Thankfully, I think our list management and development over the last few years has put us in a really strong position to cover these losses. The only real lack of depth is in the ruck and we may solve that with Crossley. Other than that, I think we have a good enough squad to power through this... although it can eventually become too much so we're in a delicate position.

I think it will be Buku taking Jones spot, tbh - unless Buss has an outstanding next month, which is definitely possible given the lure of a round one game is now very clearly on the table. The three of them (Buss, Buku and JOD) have a huge battle on their hands for the next month. JOD was thrown around last week which tells me he is down the list of KPDs (or I guess it could be he is up the list of KPFs...), Gardner is in the mix but has been consistently played R/F...so I think it will be down to Buss and Buku, and I can see the coaches going with Buku.

[JackCJohnston2000]

I think it will be Buku taking Jones spot, tbh - unless Buss has an outstanding next month, which is definitely possible given the lure of a round one game is now very clearly on the table. The three of them (Buss, Buku and JOD) have a huge battle on their hands for the next month. JOD was thrown around last week which tells me he is down the list of KPDs (or I guess it could be he is up the list of KPFs...), Gardner is in the mix but has been consistently played R/F...so I think it will be down to Buss and Buku, and I can see the coaches going with Buku.

So do you think it's down to just Buku or Buss to replace Jones and JOD keeps his place? Because your comment makes it sound like JOD is not in the conversation as a defender at all in which case... that would mean only 2 KPDs (e.g. Lobb and Buss/Buku).

[mjp]

Isaac Smith is probably closer to our 'dream' scenario.
Picked up from North Ballarat VFL in 2010, aged 22.
Played 16 games in his debut season, averaging 18 touches on a wing.
Played in three flags in seasons 3, 4, 5 and then another one in season 12.

I mean...it can't be that hard can it?

Yeah - and just in writing that you can see what I'm saying. I'm not sure who's the better player out of Ryan and Smith (both are good - I think Ryan has been AA as well) but our expectations of this guy are - to me at least - reaching the over the top stage.

If he plays 6-8 games and starts to get a feel for things - that would be amazing. What's the biggest crowd he's played in front of? Even our round 1 clash with North will have 25K plus and it will be LOUD - he will be totally out of his comfort zone and genuinely making it up as he goes along...because he's performing well against other guys who are also fringe players then we're marking him down when no-one has ANY IDEA how he will perform.

I hope he is best 22. I hope the plays every week and if he wants to win 3-flags in 3-years like Smith did - if he moves to Geelong late in his career ala the Isaac Smith retirement fund I don't mind if he gets rolled that year and the 'Dogs win again! - but it's just so unlikely.

Every game he plays is a bonus. If he comes in as a 3rd target behind Naughton and Darcy with OCCASIONAL runs up the field...well, that'd be a great situation. If we want him to hold down the off-ball wing - a notoriously tricky role - slide in behind to help the back six and provide corridor support against oppo half back runners (Bailey Dale type players) then that's a LOT to ask. I know he's a Doctor and I know he's smart and all of that - but VFL footy is a different sport to AFL footy and we need to let him grow into it.

[Mofra]

I think it will be Buku taking Jones spot, tbh - unless Buss has an outstanding next month, which is definitely possible given the lure of a round one game is now very clearly on the table. The three of them (Buss, Buku and JOD) have a huge battle on their hands for the next month. JOD was thrown around last week which tells me he is down the list of KPDs (or I guess it could be he is up the list of KPFs...), Gardner is in the mix but has been consistently played R/F...so I think it will be down to Buss and Buku, and I can see the coaches going with Buku.

I didn't want Buks on Jack Darling.
I certainly didn't want him on Larkey who is in the top couple of KPFs in the competition.

Buks for me is a pure intercepter who can't play on a genuine no 1 or 2 KPF. With Jones out we have two options for Darling - JOD or a Buss debut. I like Buss but I'm backing in JOD given Lobb will have to play deep on Larkey.

[Bornadog]

I didn't want Buks on Jack Darling.
I certainly didn't want him on Larkey who is in the top couple of KPFs in the competition.

Buks for me is a pure intercepter who can't play on a genuine no 1 or 2 KPF. With Jones out we have two options for Darling - JOD or a Buss debut. I like Buss but I'm backing in JOD given Lobb will have to play deep on Larkey.

Would you consider Gardner on Darling?