2025 best 23

[Barnardlives]

@groundcontrol

If Wright was 10% better I’d agree but as I see it he lets us down in big games. Not sure if that can ever change and we need to build a team that can win finals.

I think we need to change the way we move the ball into the forward line.

Look at Geelong who use Cameron as a running player plus have Stengle, Miers and Close as smalls, Henry as a medium and Neal as the only big. But they deliver the ball into the forward line with a series of 20 to 25 metre kicks and changing the angles.

Hawthorn play Ginnivan, Watson, Moore and Breust forward. Heaps of run and smarts.

Hawthorn still had, deer, chol and Gunston that were 195cm+

Geelong had Neal and cameron 195cm+ and Blicavs who played back up ruck.

The question you need to ask yourself is how do you feel with jones or cox rucking 30% of the game? Would you be worried that teams would exploit it and dominate clearances? I would be very worried hence needing wright or Bryan in the side.

If you are comfortable with jones or cox in a relief ruck and forward role then you can go with that, personally I think teams would just aim to destroy us out of the middle for ten minutes a quarter and would more often than not succeed. But it’s a matter of opinion

[Odoyle]

@Barnardlives

Hawthorn still had, deer, chol and Gunston that were 195cm+

Gunston isn’t, and doesn’t play tall. Cameron is a bit the same, in fact teams often play an undersized defender on him.

Personally I’d have Wright as KPF/2nd ruck, Caddy and Langford. I reckon that’s heaps. Wright/Chol/Neale, Caddy/Dear/Cameron, Langford/Gunston/Henry.

Then fill the rest with smalls.

[Houli_Dooley]

Yeah agree.

I think if you take it as written that Caddy and Langford are locked in then I think there should really only be one spot for all of Wright, Bryan, Jones and Cox.

In reality though I expect that it’ll be one of Wright & Bryan PLUS one of Jones & Cox who get selected.

[groundcontrol]

I think Cox’s strength is his versatility, in that he can play back forward wing or relief ruckman. He’s a good player to have on the bench.

We really need some improvement from Wright, Draper and Bryan.

[niftynev]

He is a spud he isn’t an AFL player

[Vass48]

I think Caddy, Langford & 2MP are locked into the senior 23 and Bryan is likely to start in the VFL.
Jones and Cox are both fringe best 23 and at this point in time their value lies in the fact that they are both versatile to play multiple positions at senior level or even pinch hit in the ruck

[primmer1978]

@groundcontrol

think Cox’s strength is his versatility, in that he can play back forward wing or relief ruckman. He’s a good player to have on the bench.

We really need some improvement from Wright, Draper and Bryan.

I am not sure Wright, Draper and Bryan have much improvemet in them at this stage of their career. Maybe Bryan a little.

[Vass48]

2MP might not ‘improve’ - feel its more of a confidence thing with him & if he can get back to his 2022 form and kick 53 goals that would be huge…!!

Draper is 26 and Bryan only 23 - so both these guys could well have improvement to come

[somo84]

Wright can regain form. Draper has more growth. Bryan has a lot more growth.

[primmer1978]

You lost me at Wright can regain form.

[somo84]

Meaning that it’s possible. He can’t improve.

[primmer1978]

Leopard, spots.

[groundcontrol]

If Wright shows no clear signs of improvement, we should take a deep breath and look at a different structure.

What is the point of playing him if there is no confidence that he can stand up in big games.

I’d prefer to go with something unconventional. Maybe play Gresham, Kacko and Davey at the same time.

[Heppelltitis]

We have already taken that deep breath last year.

And playing 3 small forwards would not be particularly unconventional.

[Vass48]

This team has all of Draper/Bryan & 2MP in the same team. - Caddy & Jones(SUB) also. Its tall but could work if Jones plays primarily wing & Draper, Bryan & 2MP rotate through ruck/forward/bench…

Reid McKay McGrath
Redman Ridley SEH
Martin Parish Duursma
Perkins Langford Gresham
2MP Draper Kako

Bryan Durham Merrett

Bench: Caldwell Hobbs Roberts Caddy
SUB: Jones

[ivan]

We don’t need to play 3 ruckman. And I hate a tall as a sub.

We need to significantly speed up the team, not slow it down

[stander2]

Tsatas will be playing Rd1
Probably Shiel too

[Houli_Dooli]

b: McGrath McKay Reid
hb: Redman Ridley Roberts
c: El-Hawli Parish Duursma
hf: Martin Caddy Caldwell
f: 2MP Langford Kako

Draper Durham Merrett

Bench: Gresham. Perkins, Tsatas, Cox
SUB: Guelfi

Emg: Bryan, Shiel, Hobbs, Jones

Toss a coin on Hobbs/Tsatas

Cox in surprises me a little but I like El-Hawli wing/hff and Martin HFF/WIng/mid so Cox needs to be spare man for wing and half back and if Reid breaks down.

other option is Prior

[Walla]

Not enough love for Menzie, Laverde and Goldstein, except by Brad Scott.

[Vass48]

I know - but I think they might trial it at some point this year - especially at Marvel with the roof closed - Jones and/or Cox can play wing role