Discussion 2025: AFL SuperCoach Discussion
- Thread starter freowho
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Everyone is having a ripping pre season at this time of year 😉
The big advantage of opening round get a "free" look at him (and others) before making a commitment.
I was using Zero Hanger for Best 23 in early January and I noticed he was still outside that , may have had some injuries since then to others though that increases his chances.
If he can escape the subs vest he might be ok but would need as much guarantee as possible given his high starting price , could be a long slow burn to get 💰 (I guess we need to stagger out downgrades and upgrades along the way though)
The big advantage of opening round get a "free" look at him (and others) before making a commitment.
I was using Zero Hanger for Best 23 in early January and I noticed he was still outside that , may have had some injuries since then to others though that increases his chances.
If he can escape the subs vest he might be ok but would need as much guarantee as possible given his high starting price , could be a long slow burn to get 💰 (I guess we need to stagger out downgrades and upgrades along the way though)
Dean Cox today confirming Mills playing midfield :-
Callum Mills' position, however, looks settled. After a horror campaign in 2024, which saw the first-year sole captain not play until round 18 after his shoulder surgery and then miss the preliminary and grand finals through a hamstring strain, Cox is ready to have a fully fit Mills back in his midfield.
"The good part about Callum is he played [seven] games last year and was injured for most of them. He's had a good pre-season block, which is great for him and the footy club," Cox said.
"You're talking about a best and fairest and an All-Australian as a midfielder that we didn't have last year.
Callum Mills' position, however, looks settled. After a horror campaign in 2024, which saw the first-year sole captain not play until round 18 after his shoulder surgery and then miss the preliminary and grand finals through a hamstring strain, Cox is ready to have a fully fit Mills back in his midfield.
"The good part about Callum is he played [seven] games last year and was injured for most of them. He's had a good pre-season block, which is great for him and the footy club," Cox said.
"You're talking about a best and fairest and an All-Australian as a midfielder that we didn't have last year.
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St Kilda has suffered a major injury scare, with star forward Max King being sent for scans on a fresh knee injury.
King is one of three players sent for scans after players took part in three quarters of match simulation at Moorabbin on Friday morning.
Mason Wood (quad) and Jack Sinclair (hamstring) also pulled up sore and will have scans after leaving the training track early.
“We understand the interest in Max, Mason and Jack, but until we have the scan results, we’re working in hypotheticals which is irresponsible,” St Kilda football boss David Misson said.
“The club will provide an update in due course.”
Max King is under another injury cloud. Picture: Mark Stewart
King, 24, had been battling a lingering knee injury over pre-season but had returned to full training late last month.
King was sidelined for the final eight games of last season after suffering a PCL tear in his left knee during a clash against Port Adelaide last June.
Saints football boss David Misson said in December that King had been progressing well in his recovery from the knee injury and the club hoped he would be “able to prepare for 2025 unimpeded”.
The 24 year old has endured a wretched run with injury during his seven-year AFL career after being taken with the No.4 selection in 2018, only playing more than 20 games once (2022) and has played just 23 games in the past two seasons.
King also missed his entire maiden AFL campaign with a torn ACL suffered during his draft campaign with the Sandringham Dragons.
The Saints are dealing with a number of injury issues. Picture: Getty Images
He completed his rehabilitation with St Kilda in his draft year, due to the connection with the TAC Cup side.
King had only resumed full training late last month.
The latest injury scare comes in the wake of a raft of bad news on the injury front for St Kilda, just five weeks out from its first match of the home-and-away season.
The club revealed last week that midfielder-forward Mattaes Phillipou would miss the start of the season with a stress fracture in his right femur, while ruckman Rowan Marshall remains on light duties with a pelvis concern.
Defender Dougal Howard suffered a dislocated shoulder at training last week, while Paddy Dow (knee), Liam Henry (knee), Alix Tauru (back) and Hunter Clark (groin) have also been working through injury issues.
St Kilda is scheduled to take on Carlton in its first match simulation against opposition at Ikon Park on February 22.
Max King limps off training early with fresh knee concerns at St Kilda | Herald Sun
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MIDFIELD MINUTES
It appears that Cox certainly has a clear first-choice midfield in mind when it comes to Chad Warner, Rowbottom, Heeney and Mills. Warner, Mills and Heeney will likely rotate in the forward line when required, but it is set to be a dominant quartet.
The question is then which players can put pressure on other positions up for grabs, or for a place on the interchange bench. James Jordon was strong through the midfield on Friday for the reserves side and was definitely one of the best on ground, linking up nicely with his teammates by hand and foot.
Angus Sheldrick had a quieter session, but was strong in defence and clean by hand when it mattered. Adams was another who shined throughout the session in a midfield-forward role as he looks to work his way back into the side.
With Corey Warner playing more time forward of the ball, Caiden Cleary ended up playing a few midfield minutes as he tried to get involved around the stoppages.
RUCK ROTATION
Grundy had a strong hitout on Friday, switching between the sides and getting practice linking up with both sets of midfield groups.
However, the most noticeable element was how well Ladhams and Green acted against him. They were constantly putting him up against it with each player getting their own moments to shine.
What did look promising is that each of the trio got forward for moments in the attacking line, flying high to grab some contested marks with each of them getting some strong shots on goal.
It’s a good sign for the ruck stocks at the club, and that Grundy will have plenty of support in 2025.
PLAYERS WHO IMPRESSED
Braeden Campbell
With his move forward of the ball now cemented, Campbell was a clear standout on Friday with both his decision-making and forward pressure.
The Academy product laid several big tackles which garnered rounds of applause from coaches on the sidelines. He also managed to grab a couple of goals from his relentless intensity in the forward line.
It’s a good indication that Campbell is high in Cox’s estimation and could grab that half-forward/forward pocket role that previously had been considered for one of Caiden Cleary or Corey Warner.
Braeden Campbell was a standout. Picture: Phil Hillyard
Corey Warner
Warner again showcased his potential with several really nice touches playing across both the senior and reserves sides.
He won the ball hard at the contest and also broke out of tackles as he looked to spark transition forward. Again, he missed a couple of targets by foot, but also finished with an impressive goal from nearly 50 metres out.
If he can match that end product with his physicality at the contest, he’ll likely get plenty of minutes in 2025.
Sam Wicks
Wicks has relished the move into the backline and shone when thrown into the back pocket on Friday morning.
His speed is well suited to moving the ball quickly out of defence, while his intensity and ability to chase down tackle created plenty of opportunities for turnovers.
There was also a sense of composure when he had the ball running off halfback as he set up a couple of goals with some booming kicks that dropped over the back of the opposition. With so many left-footers in defence at the moment, he could also be a nice right-footed option to complement the likes of Blakey, Rampe and Roberts.
Isaac Heeney had eyes for the footy. Picture: Phil Hillyard
Isaac Heeney
The reigning Swans’ B & F winner was typically classy through the midfield and looked a step ahead for most of the match.
His decision-making was strong and it was good to see him continue to float forward on occasions where he converted a strong contested mark inside 50.
Heeney has worked regularly with the midfield coaches, and in particular Grundy, to read taps and be ready to be the first to claim the ball out of the stoppages.
It appears he’s got a license to be even more attacking around the contest and he’s ready for a big year after the way his 2024 ended.
Originally published as Sydney Swans track watch: Braeden Campbell, Corey Warner star in match sim as John Longmire looks on
It appears that Cox certainly has a clear first-choice midfield in mind when it comes to Chad Warner, Rowbottom, Heeney and Mills. Warner, Mills and Heeney will likely rotate in the forward line when required, but it is set to be a dominant quartet.
The question is then which players can put pressure on other positions up for grabs, or for a place on the interchange bench. James Jordon was strong through the midfield on Friday for the reserves side and was definitely one of the best on ground, linking up nicely with his teammates by hand and foot.
Angus Sheldrick had a quieter session, but was strong in defence and clean by hand when it mattered. Adams was another who shined throughout the session in a midfield-forward role as he looks to work his way back into the side.
With Corey Warner playing more time forward of the ball, Caiden Cleary ended up playing a few midfield minutes as he tried to get involved around the stoppages.
RUCK ROTATION
Grundy had a strong hitout on Friday, switching between the sides and getting practice linking up with both sets of midfield groups.
However, the most noticeable element was how well Ladhams and Green acted against him. They were constantly putting him up against it with each player getting their own moments to shine.
What did look promising is that each of the trio got forward for moments in the attacking line, flying high to grab some contested marks with each of them getting some strong shots on goal.
It’s a good sign for the ruck stocks at the club, and that Grundy will have plenty of support in 2025.
PLAYERS WHO IMPRESSED
Braeden Campbell
With his move forward of the ball now cemented, Campbell was a clear standout on Friday with both his decision-making and forward pressure.
The Academy product laid several big tackles which garnered rounds of applause from coaches on the sidelines. He also managed to grab a couple of goals from his relentless intensity in the forward line.
It’s a good indication that Campbell is high in Cox’s estimation and could grab that half-forward/forward pocket role that previously had been considered for one of Caiden Cleary or Corey Warner.
Braeden Campbell was a standout. Picture: Phil Hillyard
Corey Warner
Warner again showcased his potential with several really nice touches playing across both the senior and reserves sides.
He won the ball hard at the contest and also broke out of tackles as he looked to spark transition forward. Again, he missed a couple of targets by foot, but also finished with an impressive goal from nearly 50 metres out.
If he can match that end product with his physicality at the contest, he’ll likely get plenty of minutes in 2025.
Sam Wicks
Wicks has relished the move into the backline and shone when thrown into the back pocket on Friday morning.
His speed is well suited to moving the ball quickly out of defence, while his intensity and ability to chase down tackle created plenty of opportunities for turnovers.
There was also a sense of composure when he had the ball running off halfback as he set up a couple of goals with some booming kicks that dropped over the back of the opposition. With so many left-footers in defence at the moment, he could also be a nice right-footed option to complement the likes of Blakey, Rampe and Roberts.
Isaac Heeney had eyes for the footy. Picture: Phil Hillyard
Isaac Heeney
The reigning Swans’ B & F winner was typically classy through the midfield and looked a step ahead for most of the match.
His decision-making was strong and it was good to see him continue to float forward on occasions where he converted a strong contested mark inside 50.
Heeney has worked regularly with the midfield coaches, and in particular Grundy, to read taps and be ready to be the first to claim the ball out of the stoppages.
It appears he’s got a license to be even more attacking around the contest and he’s ready for a big year after the way his 2024 ended.
Originally published as Sydney Swans track watch: Braeden Campbell, Corey Warner star in match sim as John Longmire looks on
Bored with tinkering
Side based on highest ownership currently
Flynn (30th) & Parker (31st) miss out due to salary restraints so SPP (32nd) & Sims (33rd) make the cut
$45 K in the Bank
Haven't worried about Byes (Round 12 is essentially half a season away)
8-7-8 starting structure , stronger than most sides I have seen (on paper at least)
Might look again in a fortnight and see what has changed , see if people are paying attention to the Coleman news (currently 34%)
Sheezel , Sinclair * , Mills , Coleman , Travaglia * , Allan * / El-Hawli * , Reid
Bont , Butters , N Daicos , Oliver , W Ashcroft , Daniel * , Lalor , J Smith / Draper , L Ashcroft , Smillie
Xerri , TDK / Boyd
JHF * , Macrae , B Smith * , Lynch , SPP , Kako * / Erasmus * , Sims *
Hewett *
Wonder if they call W Ashcroft washcloth 🤔🤗
Side based on highest ownership currently
Flynn (30th) & Parker (31st) miss out due to salary restraints so SPP (32nd) & Sims (33rd) make the cut
$45 K in the Bank
Haven't worried about Byes (Round 12 is essentially half a season away)
8-7-8 starting structure , stronger than most sides I have seen (on paper at least)
Might look again in a fortnight and see what has changed , see if people are paying attention to the Coleman news (currently 34%)
Sheezel , Sinclair * , Mills , Coleman , Travaglia * , Allan * / El-Hawli * , Reid
Bont , Butters , N Daicos , Oliver , W Ashcroft , Daniel * , Lalor , J Smith / Draper , L Ashcroft , Smillie
Xerri , TDK / Boyd
JHF * , Macrae , B Smith * , Lynch , SPP , Kako * / Erasmus * , Sims *
Hewett *
Wonder if they call W Ashcroft washcloth 🤔🤗
Structure looks fine ✓ (at this stage)
Actually good to see some different players (Houston , Perryman , Daicos , Anderson & Cameron) even though they give you early Bye issues as well
Been looking at 2-3 Collingwood starters myself today and just use cover for the early Bye.
Round 12 might be a bit problematic as well but as it is half way through the season who knows what will happen by then.
Kennedy over both Smith & Parker is interesting.
How much cash remaining if some of those bench rookies don't appear ?
Actually good to see some different players (Houston , Perryman , Daicos , Anderson & Cameron) even though they give you early Bye issues as well
Been looking at 2-3 Collingwood starters myself today and just use cover for the early Bye.
Round 12 might be a bit problematic as well but as it is half way through the season who knows what will happen by then.
Kennedy over both Smith & Parker is interesting.
How much cash remaining if some of those bench rookies don't appear ?
Thanks. I found the forward line the hardest to figure out As the premiums weren’t really all that inspirin. I am tossing up downgrading Kennedy to Smith or Parker and using the cash elsewhere but I think I’m wanting to get a look at all these mid priced forwards before I finalise them.
I must admit I was tempted to try and fit Josh Daicos in given that he has been training with the defenders all through preseason indicating he’ll be coming off half back this year but thought that might be going overboard on the Pies players.
I have $32,700 left at present.
I must admit I was tempted to try and fit Josh Daicos in given that he has been training with the defenders all through preseason indicating he’ll be coming off half back this year but thought that might be going overboard on the Pies players.
I have $32,700 left at present.
Certainly be interesting seeing how the points get spread around between N Daicos , Houston , Cameron (personally like the lack of talk about him even with the early Bye)
Assuming J Daicos does get DPP can he get to 100+ as well ?
Crisp , Pendlebury , de Goey etc will all have their moments as well.
Throw Perryman into the midfield mix.
Wait for the rookies then make adjustments.
Assuming J Daicos does get DPP can he get to 100+ as well ?
Crisp , Pendlebury , de Goey etc will all have their moments as well.
Throw Perryman into the midfield mix.
Wait for the rookies then make adjustments.