Best 22

[D.B.Cooper]

I have tried to break down automatic selections, probable and fringe.
Probably harsh on Webster, Windhager, Camanitti & Sharman.

Really hoping the Phillipou & Wilson tradition carries over and we see Tauru & Travaglia - silent G? (is it just me or does his name sound like a travel bookings website?) in round 1.

With the age shift, we now have only Cordy & Jones landing in the mature age depth department.

I think Byrnes & Dow will always be fringe but both can be productive on their day.
I like Byrnes effort.

Interested in the development of Keeler, Collard, Hastie & Garcia as all have talent.

Best 22 – definite (16)
Higgins
Wanganeen-Milera
Hill
Steele
Owens
Clark
King
Marshall
Howard
Wilson
Henry
Phillipou
Wood
Sinclair
Wilkie
Mc Crae

Best 22 – probable (5)
Windhager
Stocker
Butler
Webster (best 22 in past, now?)
Sharman

Best 22 – fringe (7)
Byrnes
Dow
Schoenmaker (Y)
Garcia (Y)
Caminitti
Carroll (hopeful he's a keeper)

Young developing (13)
Collard
Keeler
Hastie
Hall
McLennan
Heath
O’Connell
Travaglia
Tauru
Barrat
Boxhshall
Dodson
Said

Depth (1)
Cordy
Jones

Hopeful R1

B: Tauru Travaglia Wilkie
Howard Sinclair NWM

M: Wood Steele Wilson
Marshall McCrae Phillipou

F: Hill Higgins Henry
King Sharman Owens

I: Clark Stocker Windhager Camanitti
S: Garcia

E: Butler Byrnes Dow Carroll

[Otiman]

I'm most interested in who drops out of the best 22 than who comes in.

If we are developing talent at the rate we should be, then these 7 guys should be playing VFL being pushed out by form of our youngsters.
Byrnes, Butler, Higgins, Dow, Jones, Webster, Wood.

[chook23]

I'm most interested in who drops out of the best 22 than who comes in.

If we are developing talent at the rate we should be, then these 7 guys should be playing VFL being pushed out by form of our youngsters.
Byrnes, Butler, Higgins, Dow, Jones, Webster, Wood.

Most likely young ones develop in VFL

[Yorkeys]

I'm most interested in who drops out of the best 22 than who comes in.

If we are developing talent at the rate we should be, then these 7 guys should be playing VFL being pushed out by form of our youngsters.
Byrnes, Butler, Higgins, Dow, Jones, Webster, Wood.

Injuries and suspensions take care of that.

[skeptic]

I think Higgins holds his spot

Byrnes either gets better fast or he’ll drop to depth quick

Webster and Wood are vulnerable to being pushed out as they’re on their twilights…

Dow need to push his way in before he can be pushed out. Big season for him.

Jones and Butler are vulnerable ++

[Otiman]

It's time for some players to show what they've got.

King and Byrnes will be in their 6th season
Owens and Windhager will be 4th season
Philippou, Keeler, McLennan 3rd

[Scollop]

I'm most interested in who drops out of the best 22 than who comes in.

If we are developing talent at the rate we should be, then these 7 guys should be playing VFL being pushed out by form of our youngsters.
Byrnes, Butler, Higgins, Dow, Jones, Webster, Wood.

The list is at an interesting stage. I don’t think the coaches and match committee can look at the team that needs to be put out on the park as simply a case of ‘best 22’ for the now!!

I don’t think it’s in the team’s best interests to go for broke on the training track. I mean…who seriously thinks we’re top 4 material or premiership contenders in 2025? I think injury prevention is the key for 2025. Don’t announce this to the playing list. Don’t say to them; “look guys..we’re writing off 2025. We’re not aiming for finals or aiming to win the flag this year”. Be strategic.

Build the squad that you believe is capable of winning a flag in the next 3 or 4 years. The captain and his leadership team will be the mentors. The guys who want to push themselves to get an edge over their team mates will shine through and will be the type of player we need in years to come if we are going to challenge for a flag. Look at Hill and Jack Steele and their fitness and preparation. They’re doing what they’ve always done...BUT

Don’t put all your eggs in a player who may be on the slide and struggling in 2-3 years time. We did that with Brad Crouch. We gave him games when he wasn’t 100% and he wasn’t in his best form. I know you can’t predict the future, but the likelihood that some of our older players will be plateauing in form or on the slide…is going to be higher for those over 30, than it is for our 21-26 year olds.

We played Crouch in every single round of 2023. We played for the ‘now’ in that year and we probably contributed to his longer term wear and tear…but we also invested in him to the possible detriment of other players and their development. We could have played Windy or Owens as mids and given them opportunity to practice their craft in the centre and at more stoppages.

[Otiman]

Don't underestimate the value in having experienced players play alongside the youth, for their development.

[Scollop]

Is that how Bontempelli became a great player? Because he played alongside Jack Mcrae

Is that how Perracca became a great player? Because he played alongside Viney and Nathan Jones

Is that how Patty Cripps became a great player? Because he played alongside Marc Murphy

I’m not saying to NOT play the senior players. I’m not saying we don’t play to win. I’m not saying that you choose a side that’s NOT based on form. I’m merely pointing out what happened with Brad Crouch. His form dropped off and yet we kept playing him when he had a 2-3 game form slump.

What have we learned? What was the outcome of investing in the ‘senior player’? The same with Seb Ross. We also played him when he had 2-3 bad games in a row.

I reckon the list demographic demands that you prioritise the youth and match committee always need to have this in mind when selecting the team. That means they can afford to be ruthless with picking the team. If you play a bad game 2 weeks in a row…OUT!!

[Scollop]

I mean…who seriously thinks we’re top 4 material or premiership contenders in 2025? I think injury prevention is the key for 2025. Don’t announce this to the playing list. Don’t say to them; “look guys..we’re writing off 2025. We’re not aiming for finals or aiming to win the flag this year”

Apologies in advance to the membership team. They’re not going to like that

[Otiman]

We can certainly be top 4.

It needs a hell of a lot to go right for us though.

No injuries.
All of our 2nd, 3rd and 4th year players step up to the next level
Macrae's influence better than 2023 Crouch
Senior players don't drop off.
Coaching changes unlock goals.
No Injuries.

[D.B.Cooper]

Is that how Bontempelli became a great player? Because he played alongside Jack Mcrae

Is that how Perracca became a great player? Because he played alongside Viney and Nathan Jones

Is that how Patty Cripps became a great player? Because he played alongside Marc Murphy

I’m not saying to NOT play the senior players. I’m not saying we don’t play to win. I’m not saying that you choose a side that’s NOT based on form. I’m merely pointing out what happened with Brad Crouch. His form dropped off and yet we kept playing him when he had a 2-3 game form slump.

What have we learned? What was the outcome of investing in the ‘senior player’? The same with Seb Ross. We also played him when he had 2-3 bad games in a row.

I reckon the list demographic demands that you prioritise the youth and match committee always need to have this in mind when selecting the team. That means they can afford to be ruthless with picking the team. If you play a bad game 2 weeks in a row…OUT!!

Do you think Mason Wood assisted the development of NWM?
I don't think Wood made NWM a better player, but I think his (Wood) influence and direction helped NWM reach the height sooner.

[Scollop]

Is that how Bontempelli became a great player? Because he played alongside Jack Mcrae

Is that how Perracca became a great player? Because he played alongside Viney and Nathan Jones

Is that how Patty Cripps became a great player? Because he played alongside Marc Murphy

I’m not saying to NOT play the senior players. I’m not saying we don’t play to win. I’m not saying that you choose a side that’s NOT based on form. I’m merely pointing out what happened with Brad Crouch. His form dropped off and yet we kept playing him when he had a 2-3 game form slump.

What have we learned? What was the outcome of investing in the ‘senior player’? The same with Seb Ross. We also played him when he had 2-3 bad games in a row.

I reckon the list demographic demands that you prioritise the youth and match committee always need to have this in mind when selecting the team. That means they can afford to be ruthless with picking the team. If you play a bad game 2 weeks in a row…OUT!!

Do you think Mason Wood assisted the development of NWM?
I don't think Wood made NWM a better player, but I think his (Wood) influence and direction helped NWM reach the height sooner.

Good point. Quality person and role model to have around the club. You could say the same about Tom Campbell. Tom was a great mentor and clubman.

The senior guys don't have to monopolise spots in the team based on their age or their weight...or their reputations or their disposal averages from past seasons.

I just think we need to have a balance of ALL listed players getting games experience, especially the young blokes that we want to see taking this team deep into September in the near future.

[Scollop]

There's nothing wrong with having another year of exploration in 2025. Mix it up. Competition for spots will provide the fuel and hunger to lift standards and who knows...if we're half a chance to make finals midway through the year, then you keep rewarding the players who are getting the job done

[spert]

Don't underestimate the value in having experienced players play alongside the youth, for their development.

Very important. I remember in my younger days (not AFL!) playing with a few experienced guys who were really good, and you watched them and learnt a lot and not just their footy skills, but their attitude to a game.

[SinCitySainter]

The club has openly pinned it's hopes on landing a big fish in next year's free agency period.
If we don't make the 8 at least you can kiss goodbye to any thoughts of LDU or similar coming to the Saints.

I personally think it is a pipe dream at best even if we make the finals.
If LDU goes anywhere it will be to a big club or Geelong.

We need to field the best team we have week in and week out if we want to push up into finals consideration.
I think the cub also believes that otherwise why bring in Macrae a selection for the now not a couple of years' time.