2025 Starting Line-Up

[Rusty12]

That appears to be the right logic but he has now given us a taste that he belongs on the list

I hope so for him; however, one solid game in a practice match is not enough to be resigned just yet. 50/50 at best for me, on achieving that.

[GVGjr]

I hope so for him; however, one solid game in a practice match is not enough to be resigned just yet. 50/50 at best for me, on achieving that.

There is a difference in Cleary getting another contract and being a player that can potentially be used within the season.
He appears to be a reasonable option if required and its up to him to impress the selectors

[Go_Dogs]

I see that Cleary as Dale's back-up. If Dale plays, Cleary does not. If Dale ever misses, Cleary comes into the calculations.

Not sure I agree as I see Cleary as more a combo defender in that he can do jobs defensively on a range of opponents and while he can be a neat user he isn’t going to break the game open like Dale does.

We want to play a 7 defender rotation and I’m comfortable they can both be in the same side (and probably should be at the start of the season).

[GVGjr]

Not sure I agree as I see Cleary as more a combo defender in that he can do jobs defensively on a range of opponents and while he can be a neat user he isn’t going to break the game open like Dale does.

We want to play a 7 defender rotation and I’m comfortable they can both be in the same side (and probably should be at the start of the season).

Well it looks like Duryea, O'Donnell, Freijah, Dale, Lobb and Bramble are the 6 so it comes down to Gallagher, Cleary or if we play another tall at the moment. Not sure we can rule out Cleary at the moment.

[kruder]

I have to say, I was disappointed with Gags playing off HB(only early I know). Players who lack that 360-degree awareness of the game typically benefit from a move to the Half-Back Flank, but unfortunately, he still lacked composure out there. Cleary's reach might put him just ahead at this stage since we will only play 2 talls but he has to go for his kicks to open up play or else he just wont make it at the level. It was a step forward the other night fingers crossed for him.

[Scott2016]

I see that Cleary as Dale's back-up. If Dale plays, Cleary does not. If Dale ever misses, Cleary comes into the calculations.

Bramble and Duryea are not much in front of Cleary. So I think Cleary has 3 spots he could fill especially if he can lock down on a person who causes us some stress

[Hot_Doggies]

Bramble and Duryea are not much in front of Cleary. So I think Cleary has 3 spots he could fill especially if he can lock down on a person who causes us some stress

I don’t think Cleary can play on the super quick live wire forwards.

[Grantysghost]

I have to say, I was disappointed with Gags playing off HB(only early I know). Players who lack that 360-degree awareness of the game typically benefit from a move to the Half-Back Flank, but unfortunately, he still lacked composure out there. Cleary's reach might put him just ahead at this stage since we will only play 2 talls but he has to go for his kicks to open up play or else he just wont make it at the level. It was a step forward the other night fingers crossed for him.

Agree. He isn't going to hold down that spot.

[Bornadog]

I have to say, I was disappointed with Gags playing off HB(only early I know). Players who lack that 360-degree awareness of the game typically benefit from a move to the Half-Back Flank, but unfortunately, he still lacked composure out there. Cleary's reach might put him just ahead at this stage since we will only play 2 talls but he has to go for his kicks to open up play or else he just wont make it at the level. It was a step forward the other night fingers crossed for him.

I am not seeing it with Gags at this stage of his career. He should never have got so many games last year and it was a massive mistake to play him in the EF, over West

[jeemak]

I don’t think Cleary can play on the super quick live wire forwards.

Who can? We've had Duryea and who else that could over the last five or six years?

I genuinely still have back pocket nightmares where my fat arse is charged with taking on the quickest players in the comp and pinging hamstrings because of the repeat efforts.

The best way of beating the quick forwards is by starving them. It's like putting a guard rail at the top of the cliff instead of putting a hospital at the bottom of it.

They're too quick and skillful.

[Virgin-Dog]

After the preseason match, this is my predicted 23 for Round 1

FB: Dale - JOD - Duryea
HB: Freijah - Lobb - Cleary

C: Davidson - Libba - Williams
R: English - Treloar - Richards

HF: West - Naughton - Kennedy
FF: VDM - Darcy - McNeil

Int: Sanders - Bramble - Harmes - Arty
Sub: Garcia

Leaves Poulter, Gardner, Gallagher and Khamis as the next in line senior players.

I would almost pick Croft as a smokey for Round 1. He made errors but his running power and aggression, in combination with the height we’ve lost from JUH, could have him under serious consideration. Really hope to see Croft and Dolan in the side ASAP, just think both might need time in the VFL.

The bench I picked may lack height so I won’t be surprised if Khamis is picked ahead of Arty given his versatility.

[Bornadog]

After the preseason match, this is my predicted 23 for Round 1

FB: Dale - JOD - Duryea
HB: Freijah - Lobb - Cleary

C: Davidson - Libba - Williams
R: English - Treloar - Richards

HF: West - Naughton - Kennedy
FF: VDM - Darcy - McNeil

Int: Sanders - Bramble - Harmes - Arty
Sub: Garcia

Leaves Poulter, Gardner, Gallagher and Khamis as the next in line senior players.

I would almost pick Croft as a smokey for Round 1. He made errors but his running power and aggression, in combination with the height we’ve lost from JUH, could have him under serious consideration. Really hope to see Croft and Dolan in the side ASAP, just think both might need time in the VFL.

The bench I picked may lack height so I won’t be surprised if Khamis is picked ahead of Arty given his versatility.

Hopefully Treloar is fit enough to be picked. If not, what would be your change?

[Virgin-Dog]

Hopefully Treloar is fit enough to be picked. If not, what would be your change?

Hopefully don’t have to think about it

Realistically, I think Harmes, Kennedy and Sanders all just get more minutes between them to cover Treloar, and we bring Khamis into the side. I expect Sanders to get decent minutes to begin with, so moreso increasing Harmes from something like 20/80 mid/forward to closer to 50/50

Would be tempting to play Garcia so we keep the burst pace of Treloar, but he didn’t impress me enough in the preseason game (and I say that as a huge fan of his) so I’d be keeping him as sub regardless

[Mofra]

Well it looks like Duryea, O'Donnell, Freijah, Dale, Lobb and Bramble are the 6 so it comes down to Gallagher, Cleary or if we play another tall at the moment. Not sure we can rule out Cleary at the moment.

I'd play Cleary ahead of Gags based purely on ball use. Turnovers kill you in modern football.

[Mofra]

I am not seeing it with Gags at this stage of his career. He should never have got so many games last year and it was a massive mistake to play him in the EF, over West

Did you set the Bevo podcast recently on Dyl and Friends? Our season changed last year when we tried to inject pace on the ground.
I really worry about his ball use but I can understand why his type was selected.