One final Selection Dissection for 2024
A few training reports has Brad's mind ticking to our best 23 as it stands
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With Calsher Dear suffering a back injury and his return unknown, the make up of our ‘best 23’ - especially the forward line, heading into the new year continues to generate a lot of discussion.
With Mitch Lewis sidelined for at least the first few months of the 2025 season due to his ACL injury, who steps up and play’s key forward alongside Mabior Chol will be an interesting watch.
The Options:
Go small:
Can the forward line function with only the one key forward in Chol?
Can Jack Gunston as the #2 surrounded by the four smalls in Dylan Moore, Connor Macdonald, Jack Ginnivan and NickWatson work?
It’s a no for me. Chol is not good enough to carry a forward line as the #1. While Gunston did play well at times in 2024, I don’t have him in our best team for next season.
The Swingman:
We saw the captain James Sicily move forward numerous times in 2024 and with great success. The recruitment of Tom Barrass and Josh Battle will allow Sicily to move forward more often when required. The biggest issue with this move is that Sicily is our best defender and best user by foot out of the backline. He’s arguably the best player in his position in the AFL.
I’ve seen suggestions of Battle to move forward. That won’t happen.
Weddle the unicorn:
This is the move I would seriously consider.
With the recruitment of Barrass and Battle and Jak Scrimshaw a lock down back, Weddle will need to find a new role in 2025. He has the attributes to play just about anywhere. With his size, strength, leap and booming kick, I think he could be a star Centre Half Forward.
A Jasper Scaife debut:
Scaife was recruited in the 2024 mid-season draft and showed some good signs at VFL level. He’s strong, leads up hard and has a booming kick. I don’t think he will be ready though.
However, with a massive pre-season and good early VFL form, there’s definitely an opportunity for him to earn a debut in the opening few months of the season.
My floating Round 0 team v Sydney:
FB: Hardwick, Barrass, Battle
HB: Impey, Scrimshaw, Sicily
C: D’Ambrosio, Worpel, Mackenzie
HF: Moore, Weddle, Macdonald
FF: Watson, Chol, Ginnivan
R: Meek, Day, Newcombe
Int: Nash, Amon, Ward, Frost
Sub: Breust
Inj: Lewis, Dear
Depth: Mitchell, B.Macdonald, Serong, Morrison, Hustwaite, Jiath, Maginness, Reeves, Butler, Gunston, Ramsden, Scaifef
Wishing all our Hawks Insiders community a Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah and a safe and happy new year. I look forward to another massive year in 2025!
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Thanks for an interesting read Brad. I LOVE the thought of Weddle having a go at CHF. It would be super exciting to watch, and he has the potential to be a super star. Scaife would be an interesting option too. I wonder if Scaife and Chol are too similar as forwards. I think Weddle provides a significant point of difference. Another option, albeit left field, is Frost. His energy and attack on the ball/oppo with ball is really good, and he's quite a good mark too.
Merry Xmas to you and all the Hawks Insiders.