October 1, 2025 • 37 mins
AFL Top 8 Team Wraps - Brisbane, Adelaide, Collingwood, Hawthorn + MORE | AFL Today Show.
The AFL Today Show is here for all your end of season needs, grading the season for Brisbane, Geelong, Hawthorn, Collingwood, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Fremantle & GWS for the sides who made the top eight with stats, banter and insights!
The panel chat about the best and most disappointing teams of the season, best players, young guns & what each team needs in the off-season to improve on looking forward to the 2026 season!
Get around the AFL Today Show with Liam 'Stats Guy' McAllion & Marcus Bazzano as they talk out all things footy for the 2025 AFL season!
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:43 Brisbane
05:07 Geelong
08:08 Hawthorn
13:10 Collingwood
18:14 Adelaide
22:53 Gold Coast
28:28 Fremantle
32:31 GWS
36:35 Outro
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Welcome back to the AFL Today Show, brought to buy Stocket.
Here to wrap up all of the top eight sides.
I'm your host, Liam McCain also knows the stats guy.
We've got no Leo Malali on the couch. Happy birthday
to the big Man. But we've got Marcus Barzano. He's
turned up. He's still partying from the weekend.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
An obviously Leo's prioritying prioritizing his birthday over the AFL
Today Show. What is that about?
Speaker 1 (00:24):
That is a joke, he thinks just because the Grand
Finals done that the show doesn't continue.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
He still continue. We're going to be doing a rap
shot of all these teams.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
We're going to be doing so a lot of draft
stuff and a trade show as well, which.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Which could be very exciting. Maybe maybe we're just lay
into the Hawks while he's not here. Yeah maybe maybe.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
Actually now we will have to find it. Well, feel
subscribe as a Hawks fan, so we will be a
little bit nice and we go.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
We're going to grade every every club's season. So obviously
let us know your grade for the clubs that we're
going to be talking about in the comments below. Yeah,
bang on.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
So we're going to go through the best player, young gun,
what they need to do in the off season, the grading,
as Marcus said, and then we've changed it up here
twenty six, very very very very early prediction.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
Yeah, look, this is going to be so far shouldn't
be very wrong.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
I know we actually look at back at this even
in February when we're doing our next predictions. Except for
w Wes's prediction, this man is still so biased towards jobs. Anyway,
let's before we get into it, make sure you subscribe
to AFL Today on YouTube heading towards that twelve K mark.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Marcus wants to get to a million, so we'll get there.
We'll get there one day. We're doing We're doing good.
And obviously thank you all for watching the AFL Grand
for the Grand Final rap show. Yes, very good. Ticked
over three k on that and onwards and upwards and
looking for a better twenty twenty six.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
Yes exactly. And if yeah, if you haven't watched that
Grand Final rap yeah, get around it was really good.
Fun and follow us on x, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok
for more footy content even in the off season.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
We'll be doing a lot.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
Sorry, all right, let's get into it. We're going to
start at the top. The season wrap ups will start
off with Brisbane.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
Marcus, you can take us through Brisbane obviously, going to
go from Premiers down. That's that's the order we're going
to go with and best player. Look, there were a
lot of good players this season for Brisbane, a lot
of good role players, but the one that stood out
for me the most was Humor Cluggage too entirety of
the season, even when when Neil was playing, you know,
he probably had the luxury of people like who are
(02:08):
going to tag, They're going to go to Neil rather
than mcluggage. And even in the back half when there
was no Neil, he still had those games when he
was getting attention and I think it was just very
much a A grade midfield breakout year for him. Mcluggage
he finally got an Australian night as well, so he
had a fantastic Grand Final, four goals, a handful of
(02:28):
sadful disposals. So still can't believe we picked any mcgra
over him, but anyway, I am, we roll, we roll.
And then for the young gun Logan Morris. Oh, it
was by far the clear away prediction for me for
this he kicked fifty three goals that guy in his
second season. How many goals did you kick in your
second season for the Bombers fifty four? Come on, No,
(02:54):
he is a beast and he's I think he's got
his tally up to about eighty goals in his career
and he's he's played two seasons of footy, which is
absolutely unreal. I don't think he's being talked about enough. No.
I like that and the Brisbane setup. But off season,
you tell me Stasko, what do they need because towards
the end of the season they still had no Jared Berry,
no Lincoln McCarthy, no Pain, no Kiddy Caleman, no hip Wood,
(03:17):
and they're likely bringing in Oscar Allen, Sam Draper and
obviously they've got academy picks up the wazoo. Well, I'll
not be there. They don't need anything.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
I don't even know why we have to put this
little segment in for Bristol they need. They're going to
probably win another couple of flags. I think we mentioned
on the Sunday Show. They could genuinely make every Grand
Final till twenty thirty at this rate. Yeah, that's probably
a bit.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
Of a no. Genuinely they could.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
Like you just mentioned probably five of their better top
fifteen players that weren't even in the side, and they
smashed along who everyone thought was going to win. So
they don't even need anything in the off season. They've
got the Ashcrofts obviously going to dominate. Sign them up
for fifteen years. I put it in We'll just go
straight to the early prediction because I want to see
from you.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
Do they get the three people? Oh, we would love
So it's another line's threepeat like the early two thousands. Yeah,
I know that. It's it's too like the Grandfather was
a couple of days ago, so easy to say, but
but that's on board with my early early prediction. You've
got to have the premiers going back to back to back,
and I think once you get like two, like after
your first one, you're like, oh, you might always get
(04:18):
the second one. Once you get two, you want the
three p that's like just even all of sport. That's like,
it's the hardest thing to do to win back to back,
like to get the motivation and to go on and
do it again, to do it a third time would
be unbelievable, And they did it the hard way, which
is why I'm going to give them an A plus,
A plus plus plus the premiers. Let's just give let's
(04:39):
give them actually a B, give them a B for
Brison with the crap jokes. Of course they get an
A plus. Of course they get an A plus. They
did it the hard way. Everyone thought they had a
tough run of fixtures and everyone thought, you know what,
they actually want not finish in the top four. They
went and finished in the top four and they needed
the double chance because I lost in the first week
(05:00):
of finals. And then they did it the hard way
and unbelievable, made it to the Granny and absolutely pumped
the Cattles. Yep. Absolutely yeah. So I don't think they
need to do much at all. They just need to
keep that list and believe and just keep going. All right.
Speaker 1 (05:12):
The next one Geelong, I'm going to cover Geelong their
best player. I could have put a few players in
here because I had a really good season. I've put
Bailey Smith. Obviously did he end up coming third in
the Brown though I believe he was obviously Australian. They
put him on the wing there as well. I just
think he had it absolutely awesome.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
I didn't think. I think I said at the start
of the season that he might be a flop, so
he's done the exact opposite of that. He's probably has
he been the best recruit by a mile. I think, yeah,
off the top of my head, he probably would be.
I think he was, so he was the best recruit,
best player for them. Jes gets a sneaky shout out.
Obviously kicked a lot of goals, but he dropped off
the last sort of four to five weeks. And well true,
(05:46):
he was on the truck for a hundred, but then
he didn't get to it and then he broke his arm.
I guess that's.
Speaker 1 (05:54):
Dangerfields for That's yeah, true, he's too big. Best player
was Bailey Smith young gun. I think there's an easy one.
I know he is getting a little bit older, but
I just want to keep talking about him. Olie Dempsey
kick four in the finel again the cheat, as Leo
likes to calling, runs out of the back, gets goals.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
But he's a young gun. I don't mind. Yeah, a
few of their guys coming through. I didn't mind. What
about Sean Manors young gun because he's got not the
rosing star. But it was the best, best Young AFL
Best Young.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
Player, Best Young Player twenty nine. That's like me getting
the best young performer on this show. But actually another
shadow is O'Connor as well, because I know.
Speaker 2 (06:30):
Sorry, the boy's been around for Quarner, while Connor o
Sullivan Connor or Sullivan.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
Because he's a young gun as well. I would have
rather you put O'Sullivan. Yeah maybe I said that on
the on the fly then I'm probably could have. But
by Dempsey is a beast. What do they need to
do in the off season. I just put this as
a bit of a laugh. But also to Bailey, Smith
just needs to stay out of trouble. I don't think
he's been too bad lately. But if they can keep
him fit, healthy and out of trouble, then they're going
to have a good season.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Next year.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
They're going after Warple, Marshall and possibly Charlie Kerner.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
I think Marshall and Charlie Urner can lift how they
do it every year they get good players even though
they've got like no draft capital. They don't trade anyone
worth the value out of the club in exchange. They
just always seem to get them over the lone always.
Speaker 1 (07:13):
But I don't think Warple is going to help him
that much unless they turn him into a star like
he's not.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
He's good, he's good, but he's not like. I don't
think that's gonna happen. Grade midfielder. You take Rayce Stanley
out and Chuck Marshall and that's the biggest upgrade as well.
And you put Charlie Kerner next to jessup that would
they would they would feed families and he would be
He would be the Charlie Cerner replays. He would be
the Charlie Cner. He would be the Jessa replace. That's
very true in a few years time.
Speaker 1 (07:38):
Anyway, I'm going to gratee him a B plus just
because I can't give him an A or above. Just
but they didn't win the flag like they were the
favorites going into They smash Brisbane.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
The relatively easy home in away fixture. To look, they
didn't play the top eight, they didn't beat the top
eight side since No July heading into form.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
But then they be smash Brisbane, so everyone thought they
were going to win. So I'm gonna give him a
B plus and then early prediction they're gonna be top four.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
They're going to make another prelim because that's what Chris
Scott does.
Speaker 1 (08:03):
And then I don't know if they make the grainny again,
but at least a prelim next year is my prediction.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
I agree. I think I think they'll be very good
for many years to come, as they always there we go.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
We talked about him before because Leo, so we're going
to lay into him the Hawthorne Hawks, the Hockball Marcus.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
It feels a bit weird going best player into young
gun because one is very very old and one is
very very young, and the best player is Jack Gunson. Oh,
the old man is in his prime. Is like he's
playing the best of his career. It was. In fact,
it probably was the best season of his career in
terms of goals crazy. He was fantastic and no one
(08:40):
expected him to do that, let alone keep his sport
in the side for the whole season. He kept Mitch
Lewis out for the back end of the year, and
he just paves the way for the likes of Kelshia
dear And and Mitch Lewis, Ye and Chroll to learn
off him still and feed off him, so he could
be great for for many many years to come. Ye,
Young gun, the whiz people. He's got people buying wizards,
(09:04):
has walking across the street and making it cool like
what I wouldn't say, I don't know about. So you're right,
he's bringing back, bringing back the Wizards. So Nick Watson
is a young gun, he's just got the flare. Is
a game changer. He's going to be a barometer for
for many years to come. Yeah, it's easy to see
why he'll still be good. Yeah, partner with Jack Inovan,
they're going to be quite quite annoying a duo, an
(09:24):
annoying duo for for many years to come. In that
full line, what they need in the off season, obviously,
it's what they've been looking for. The heavy links has
been Zach Merritt. Obviously, Sam Mitchell was met up with
and his wife has met up with Zach Merritt and
his partner. So you're rattled by that as an fan,
I am.
Speaker 1 (09:40):
But they've also been linked with someone from linked to him,
joy Simpkin. No club needs I think we talked about
with this with a few people around the office. More
like if they don't get Merit, that's another midfielder, but
that's not an upgrade because you can't even get in
north midfield, so he's not going to get in Horns midfield.
I think it's just doors chips into Zach Merritt, and
(10:01):
they could genuinely be contended next year with me, because
that's that's.
Speaker 2 (10:04):
The only part of their game. You got on the
back line, You've got so many good forwards take out?
What would you do? What would like they struggle to
find their best sort of system with forwards, whether they
go with the three, whether they go with four, which
they did at some stage. What do you think there's
their best rotation?
Speaker 1 (10:22):
Well, yeah, that's another thing they need to figure out
in the offseason. I'd say three tools. I'm not one
hundred scent sure which ones just yet, but maybe just
the most informed ones because when it hits the ground,
those big guys, I don't know if they have it.
They won a few finals obviously, but I'd stick with
the three tools.
Speaker 2 (10:36):
I don't know.
Speaker 1 (10:37):
Maybe let me know in the comments Hawks fans, because
a lot of people have different differing opinions.
Speaker 2 (10:41):
And the cost of being so successful without coppying a
whole lot of injuries other than will they obviously throughout
the seas, all right? Is that a lot of fringe
players and players that are looking to break into the side,
or young players from previous drafts aren't getting a game
and may look to go find games elsewhere, So they
could lose the likes of Mitch Lewis has been rumored
(11:02):
to leave. Cam McKenzie, who's a great player, it was
a top ten pick, could leave, same as the Pencil Henry,
who is great for box Hill throughout the year but
just couldn't quite find his spot on the side. That
might lose a little bit depth then, and Butler in
the forward line has been rumored to go to w A.
So back to West Coast I think is a wa boys.
(11:23):
So they could be losing a few players here and there,
But you're right, if they can just grab that elite midfielder,
then that's almost like wat to be one of the
favorites for the flag. I think they are one of
the favorites already in they.
Speaker 1 (11:36):
Are because I think everyoneever's betting on it is going, oh,
they've got to get Zac Merits, I'll just.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
Get We'll just the second favorite. I think I don't
know about that just yet. That's pretty wild, which is
pretty funny actually, to be honest, But for grading wise
for this season. For this season they made a preliminary final,
they've been great. But in my opinion, I think they
were better and they played better footy and looked better
for me the season before that's they did this season.
(12:00):
You did talk it out before the show. I don't
think they played better footy because they're like their back
line was better, a lot of their their forwards were better.
But in terms of they had a better list run
out in the park. But I think they played better.
They played more exciting footy. You've bit of hockball last
year more than this year. But yeah, but you great them.
I would give them a bee. I wouldn't quite give
(12:22):
them an age of ship. Yeah, obviously they had a
lot of a lot of great players throughout the season,
multiple Australians. Oh, actually they were. Were we expecting him
to make a freely? I think a lot of I
think a lot of people were thinking of the like
to play very well and then to not that far.
Though I don't know I could give them an more
than I think about it. So you can give them
(12:44):
and then their twenty twenty six early prediction top four.
It's hard if they recruit, if they recruit the way
they will even if they don't get Zach Merritt, if
they get to like a decent picture of a decent
runner games, decent runner wins. I think sam Mitchell was
just getting better year and a year and year as
a coach, and that's the next step for this team,
(13:05):
just to finish in the top four and progress onwards.
So let's go for early prediction top to I love
it because this is so tough to do it early prediction. Anyway,
Collingwood is the next one, Marcus, who you got for
these ones? Oh? This best player again?
Speaker 1 (13:23):
Everyone in the everyone braced yourselves, whoever's watching, this is
for the best player for in twenty twenty five.
Speaker 2 (13:29):
I'm not going Nick Takos, which made these hater or what? No,
I'm not a hater because she honestly, I think I
went with Jamie Elliott. He had one of the best
seasons a small forward has had for a very very
long time goals output. When Jamie Elliott wasn't kicking four
goals a game, Colin winning games, He's outrageous and in
(13:52):
the finals you could see he was the one who
was he the one who's kicking goals still in that
four line of the Fawns footy, but then no one
else could do it around him. I think to have
that much reliability on Jamie Elliott like a mid size forward.
He's great in the leite, is a great kick, he
has great moments and look dacourse he was very very good.
Obviously finished second in the in the brown low wing
(14:14):
was a bit off. I was more impressed with Jamie
Elliott season, and therefore I think he had a better season.
Let me know, I from wrong fan. Yeah, get into
him in the comments and let it. Do you hate
that share? Jamie?
Speaker 1 (14:25):
Is that like fans possibly might be on your side,
but overall you you might cop it. We might not
see you next week.
Speaker 2 (14:33):
Just the Colingwood fans, please don't come. No, it's all right.
You're still talking nice about coinmand younger. Now this is
a tough one. Now now I'm going to get better. Yeahs.
Then let's face it, they don't have anyone, so let's
go Pendles. Pendals is the young guys like forty everyone
talks about he plays this the alegance, the calmness. He's
just beautiful to watch when he plays. But genuinely, who
(14:55):
would you pick like, who would you pick as a
young gun for Collingwood? Who got this year going on?
From that they need in the off season. That's what
I literally wrote down.
Speaker 1 (15:01):
I just they don't have like those young guns that
are coming through like the other sides. I know that
they're obviously pushing for a flag. So you've got an
aging list and things like that. I genuinely don't know.
You've got Ned Long, he's like twenty two, but he's
been in another club. Then you've got who else is
around that. McCreary's still he's getting older, like.
Speaker 2 (15:17):
The young guns aren't pendus? Why not? Why not? He's
still like young men, which is why they've been rumored
to get Like well, Sam flan Anders has been rumored
to come. I don't mind that Victoria's met about four clubs,
just a bit more depth in that midfield. Obviously they've
got some some depths in there, but they are aging,
as you mentioned, with the likes of side Bottom Pandules,
(15:38):
it's still great, yeah, Tom Mitchell, Like they're all getting
a little bit older, so it would be great to
see someone with a little bit more youthful experience and
flare in that Collingwood team. Particularly in that midfield and
for their season overall, overall through grade, everyone thought that
they were going to be premiership favorites. They went to
the season's premiership favorites. I had them winning the flags.
They were the premis favorites. I think they I think
(15:58):
they were. No unless it was Brisbane, I don't think so.
Would I would have. I had them as my flag
favorites for for quite a while, Okay, yeah, and they
were barely underwhelming i'd say, and then losing to Brisbane
were the eventual premiers. But the way that they did
at home in front of a roaring crowd, they just
(16:20):
got they got brushed aside, really and I'm going to
give them a seas a pass. It's a pass, but
it's nothing better than a pass. Okay, Okay, for in
all honesty for me, twenty six do they finish in
the top four? Like, will they get better from this year?
I don't think so, because, yeah, those guys are just
getting older and there were the guys that were relying
(16:41):
on brothers. I think there's some warnings in the off
season for this season as well. Probably didn't pan out
the way that they wanted them to. Even probably the
past couple of seasons. Yeah, Like obviously Bobby Hill's been
it was rumored to leave, but then he's coming out
in the Instagram comments saying that he's going to stay
at the Pies. He's lure too, is going to stay
at the Pies. But the likes of Dan Houston Harryman, like,
(17:05):
they didn't set the world alight, even for if you
look back the year before and you go, damn stay
he brushed Mason, if you getting dropped for Mason Cox
just and then they've told Coxy to look elsewhere and
explore his options. They they have, so look, I'm gonna
go fifth eighth. I still think they make finals. They've
got a great team, They've got the best player in
the competition in Nick daykos Oh. But he wasn't the
(17:26):
best player that he wasn't the best player. He's the
best playing the competition, but he wasn't the best play
Can you can do that? You can be the best
lay now but not be the best player. He's the
best player in the competition overall, like like the Bond,
he's the best, he's arguably the best player in the competition,
but he wasn't the best player for the Bulldogs this season.
Speaker 1 (17:44):
Oh my god, jeez, you're rattling me. I don't even
know if I can do the rest of the show. Lads,
do you know what the acex means?
Speaker 2 (17:51):
Mate? Of course? And in fact, oh, let Marcus explain
under the bustle. You be honest, I have no clue.
What a surprise. It's actually the Australians period is exchange. Ah. Well,
I'll speak for Marcus on that one and say I'm
pretty clueless with that stuff. Well, lucky for you.
Speaker 1 (18:06):
Stockhead is a free website which gives you punting stock
advice through the ax. Where can we check him out?
Check him out vice stockhead dot com dot you. But
swiftly moving.
Speaker 2 (18:15):
Away from calling because that is outrageous Adelaide, let's get
a little bit Adelaide.
Speaker 1 (18:19):
I'm going I'm going to talk about Adelaide best Player.
I think it was an easy one. Jordan Dawson. I
know he didn't had a horrible finals series, has did
a lot of their players, but he was really good
all year. I think Rankin could have been up there
if he didn't have a few incidents obviously off the field.
Speaker 2 (18:32):
Couple of defenders maybe that defenders. Yeah, one Dean.
Speaker 1 (18:36):
Were great, but I think you got to give it
to Jordan Dawson. Just ran the midfield just so classic
and kick goals, take Marci Dicken, just do it all.
So he's going to be my best player for the Crows.
Speaker 2 (18:45):
Young gun. Now another easy one. Dan Curtain.
Speaker 1 (18:48):
We were loving him the second half of the season
when he sort of took that next step. He had
so many games where he kicked twenty it's going to
be kicked twenty.
Speaker 2 (18:55):
He had twenty disposers and a goal, and then he
had a fifteen disposal two goals. He's going to be
a great paint. Who does he remind you of players
going by All Stars with the competition, I don't know.
I get vibes of locking that five ring, that five
sort of player because he's great on the deck. He's
excellent above his head. You can take a mark can
kick a goal effected by foot. I think he's very
(19:17):
much like a yeah, looking that five w brown though
one day I think he definitely can. He's going to
be a player. Oh wow. Anyway, it was the second
rising Star.
Speaker 1 (19:26):
I think we ended up leaning towards Murphy Red, but
you genuinely could have gone either way for those two,
because they were both stars.
Speaker 2 (19:31):
What they need in the off season. I've chucked in
here a bit of.
Speaker 1 (19:34):
Extra experience or bullish behavior in the midfield, and I've
specifically used those words because they were bullied in the
finals and now they're going after Christian Petrarca, which I
think can provide that he is a bit stronger. I
know we've had some arguments in the officer today that
is he is he a bit washed Petraka, Yes, he's.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
Nowhere near as good as the player he was. He's
still Is he the answer for Adelaide to actually get
some wins in September? Yes?
Speaker 1 (19:59):
I think yeah, if they had him this season, there's
a bit more experience, a bit of calmness about him,
because they just looked like headless trucks running around out there.
Whereas if you've got a guy that's won a premiership before,
I think you'll help agree.
Speaker 2 (20:09):
And because you said you talked about like extra experience
and a bull in the midfield, they just got a
lot of outside guys. Petrarca provides that. Obviously he's met
with Adelaide as well, rumored heavily, but also you're looking
for that bullish midfielder in the final series like Sligo
and it was what Jared berry Berry, but then he
sort of tried to play a negating and negating role
(20:31):
on Johan Newcomb. So then it would have been handy
to have the like of Barry to be on him
and then let Petrarca do his stuff and Sam Berry
I think, yes, it's Sam Artist realized. Yeah, yeah, yeah,
so I agree. I think he would definitely take him
to that next stip. I don't think Premiership like people
saying if they get Petrarca or something like that, win
the flag.
Speaker 1 (20:51):
Excuse me, I don't think so, but we'll see. The
other one is Calamarchie. Apparently he's already signed.
Speaker 2 (20:56):
I don't know. That's why I heard a rumor today.
It hasn't been officially announced, but apparently is going to
go to Adelaide as well. So I don't think he
had as anywhere near as good of a year as
a lot of people thought. But he's very good player Archie,
so he can help him a bit as well. It
was only two years ago he was one of the
most underrated players in the competition, but we didn't have
the year that Yeah, you're right that he thought he would.
But he did a great job in the Grand Final
(21:17):
and Dempsey, yes on the wing. Even though Dempsey finished
with four there was a few junk time goals there.
But in all fairness, it just sounds like the rich
kid get riches that guy. I know, I know, because
they could get sort of. They didn't end up winning
any finals. That's all good.
Speaker 1 (21:32):
And I just said at the end, similar to Ballely Smith,
Rankin just needs to stay fit, out of trouble, don't
do anything stupid because they really missed him.
Speaker 2 (21:39):
They're great.
Speaker 1 (21:39):
Look before the finals A plus tomer ladder what the
other Cromer absolutely flying.
Speaker 2 (21:44):
Then you get to the finals, big fat f So
we're going to go in the middle of that. See see, Yeah,
it was a pass.
Speaker 1 (21:51):
No one expected them to finish top of the ladder.
One expected them to probably win more than one final.
They should have won one final. So I'm going to hush.
Speaker 2 (22:00):
All of them. They they line of Premiers like they're
the best season in the club's history in terms of
win loss record. Yeah, but then it doesn't mean anything
the Premier League, where you get awards for just finishing
on top of the ladder.
Speaker 1 (22:14):
You just got it.
Speaker 2 (22:14):
You got to back it up. Let us know in
the comments, actually out of their fans. That's quite hard
because you've been You've been in the comments all season long.
That's true. Yeah, so let us know we're happy. Were
you sad? Yeah, I think that'll be sad. Yeah, they
would be sad.
Speaker 1 (22:29):
Twenty twenty six earlier prediction. I'm going to change. I'm
gonna go fifth, d eighth. I think they'll drop out
of the top four. Just it's a bit rattling when
you lose those two big finals. Who who's a banker
of the top four in your head other than Brisbane,
like Brisbane maybe Brisbane, Geelong, Gold Coast is a sneaky
shout I reckon because their lists they want to final.
(22:50):
Now they get a bit of commentce we'll touch on
them in a step. Oh, here we go right now,
way you're up.
Speaker 2 (22:56):
Yeah, we'll the best player. Look again, I'm going a
bit road with the best player kills. Fine, you think
this is fine because I'm actually I'm not going with
Brownlow Medalist Matt Real. But a lot of people, most
people agreed that someone which is literally the award for
the best and fairest player in the competition. Yeah, but
it's the it's gone downhill screw. He didn't win any
other awards. It's just the real Brownlow and it's for Noa. Anderson.
(23:19):
I agree, I think he was. He had the better
year compared to Matt Reel. I think slightly. I'll agree slightly,
not by Lloyd, Like it's not the length of the
Flemington here that we're talking about, Like, it's just it's
just Noah Anderson and Matt real slightly better year. And
he is my apart from like he's probably my favorite
player in the competition. Well, I'm gonna be honest, like
even including a Neesson player, like, oh yeah, he is
(23:42):
my favorite player more than Zach Merritt right now, Zach
meher right now. But no Anderson is my favorite player
in the competition. I just love watching him play. Yep.
And and again he's just going to be young, Like
he can rack up forty and he had multiple games
where had forty plus disposals and had two class goals. Ye,
Like the blokes are freak and then one gun. They've
actually got some good experience in terms of out of games,
(24:05):
and they got in terms of young guns as well.
So I was tossing up between Mac Andrew and Bailey
Humphreys and we're gone with Bailey Humphrey here. We had
a chat about it, and I just think he is
exceeded his grade from last season in terms of adding
a bit more size onto him and becoming a bit
more mid forward rather than a forward mid Oh, he
proved at the back.
Speaker 1 (24:26):
End of the year that he can play midfield and
get like when they needed a few extra clurrences because
a lot of those.
Speaker 2 (24:30):
Guys are outside.
Speaker 1 (24:30):
Other than how obviously very you put him in there,
he could not only just come out of him if
a kick a goal, he can do a bit.
Speaker 2 (24:36):
They're compared him to Dusty. I think that's a bit
too early, but yeah, he's got to be a goody.
He started getting the tats on board as well, so
the head like he's starting to look like a Colin
the player that was saying. But in saying that, in
saying him getting more midfield time and you know, flowing
in there, getting more a bit on ball around stoppages.
That has meant their quality and depth in that forward
(24:56):
line is just it's not really eye catching.
Speaker 1 (24:59):
They got they got obviously Joel Jeffrey Jy Farrer. Yeah,
Jeffrey was playing half back towards the end of the year.
It was actually really good and he was keeping there.
Speaker 2 (25:08):
Yeah yeah, and Ben Wong as well, so they got
they got a good forward fifty with Ben King obviously
as well. But you look into their their seconds in
the in the VFL, the tod actually like full research. Yeah, yeah,
could because because when we looked at their team, they
actually have a very well randed team. So we're looking
at quality in depth and we're in the park. Do
(25:28):
they need it? It's in their forward fifty because their
top goal scorer in the VFL last season only played
nine games. Some of those all those weren't even for
Gold Coast, by the way, he also played for the
Casey Demons. Yeah, and it was twenty one goals from
nine games. It was a good return. But your top
goal scorer being a guy that's played nine games, that's
not good. That's not a good look. Play nine games
(25:48):
kicked twenty one goals, that's not That's not the greatest
of records there. So I just think they're their forward
line in particular, and what do you think in terms
of their their forwards that they got in there, that
that sort of pushed the fringe this seas and what
do they need to do to improve on for next year.
Speaker 1 (26:02):
Well, the Grand Final sprint winner, I didn't even know
he had that. He has not shown that pace on
the football field ever. We let's just say we saw
him the night before and we did not think.
Speaker 2 (26:10):
He was going to win. Was gonna win.
Speaker 1 (26:14):
Jed Bolter we're talking about and Ethan Reed. I do
think they actually have a bit of potential. They're showed
him games. They can kick two or three goals in
a game. But they just need to grow.
Speaker 2 (26:22):
Obviously, Jed Walton doesn't need to ground a bit of size,
but Ethan Reed does, and then just build the skills
a bit.
Speaker 1 (26:26):
There was a few times if it hits the ground level,
even if you're a big man AFL these days, still
going to have a bit of the pressure, the pressure
and get the ball a little bit more. So I'm
hoping they take that next step next season, and that's
why they need to building the off seasons just that
forward line.
Speaker 2 (26:38):
And then there was also rumors of Jamie.
Speaker 1 (26:40):
Elliott going there, which you just talked up as the
best player at Conger, but not the best player in
the competition, but that he was the.
Speaker 2 (26:45):
Best player calling with this season in my opinion. Okay,
but Nick Takles gets way too much, like he got
thanked at the Brown though before Matt Real got thanked.
That is true, Champs, that is true.
Speaker 1 (26:55):
Anyway, if Jamie Elliott went to gold Corest that would
be a really good move.
Speaker 2 (27:00):
One hundred for a season. I don't see Jamie Elliott moving.
He's just he seems like Collingwood through it has been
rumored and if he gets there, that could Like he
talked about sneaky chance for top four, that could be
the reason why they go up there and the grading.
They should have finished in the top four this season.
Let's be honest, they had They just had to be
put Adelaide and when Port Adelaide were an absolute mess,
(27:20):
they got ken on an emotional run though they got
they got hit by the emotional roller coaster. Yeah that
the Melbourne show. But right now the show where's where
a I need to dig into him? But they're grading.
They finished in forinals for the first time in the
club's history, and they won a final as well away
(27:42):
from home, so interstate, so I'll give them a solid bee.
I agree with that one. A solid bee. I wouldn't
say an A just because like I would have said
an A if they made a prelimp or if they
finished in the top four even But because of that,
I'm going to give them a bee in my early
prediction for them next season. There's a lot of sides
in the competition. Do I see their list getting better?
(28:05):
You do, because I think a few of the young
guys are coming through. They're getting a lot of as well. Yeah,
in the draft, but you can't expect them to hit
straight away if they get Elliott the likes. But there
are a lot of good clubs in the competition, and
for me, fifth the eighth again will be about there. Yeah,
I think that that's what they'll be at least aiming for.
But because you said they could this year, depending on
(28:26):
the picture, they could get to awful. No good call, Freo.
Let's touch on for best player.
Speaker 1 (28:31):
This was actually a toss up between obviously their two
gun midfielders, Brayshaw and so Wrong. For me, I think
they were both stars the whole season. Brayshaw got more
votes than Wrong in the Brown though, But again, do
we really trust Clark.
Speaker 2 (28:42):
Jordan Clark.
Speaker 1 (28:43):
Yeah, he wasn't as consistent I think, but you agree
with you. I got to give it to Cups wrong.
He always steps up in the big games. He did
that a lot this year, except for the Fighter where
they choked big, but we can touch.
Speaker 2 (28:52):
On that later. Young Gun.
Speaker 1 (28:54):
We saw him at his press conference last week. Murphy
read the rising Star winner what a superstar is. He's
probably the most calm rising star like in terms of
his on field presence that we've had in years. I
reckon when he gets the ball, he's always in the target,
He's always making the right decision. Bit Pendle's like he
always has a lot of time.
Speaker 2 (29:12):
Kicks them from anywhere as well, so he could have
been in a Goal of the Year nomination multiple times.
Speaker 1 (29:18):
Yeah, he's a beast. So I'm very excited to see
his rise and yeah, on that what we need to
see them from. I need to see it from them
in the off season.
Speaker 2 (29:26):
They've got the youngest list or I've saw a few
sight saying second youngest youngest list in the competition, which
really surprised me.
Speaker 1 (29:33):
So I'm not as worried about a few other like
few other people going all should free of taking the
next step already. They've still got the youngest list. You've
got Jackson on the rise, You've got Murphy Reid on
the rise, You've got Jordan Clark.
Speaker 2 (29:42):
Still can play his best a little bit. Yeah, a
lot of them are already ready made players exactly. So
like the likes of Josh Tracy, I miss even like
Pat Voss hasn't played a lot of footie.
Speaker 1 (29:52):
So yeah, so I think they don't have to change
too much. I think they need to play a little
bit more offensively and just practice that a bit more.
I saw a few articles suggested that when they lost
they would sort of shut down a bit and not
do that run and carry with Jordan Clark and a
few other players, and then when they well, yeah, when
they were winning, they were doing that.
Speaker 2 (30:09):
So I can look that game against the Western Waldo,
they just played the best we've seen them this year. Yeah,
for many years.
Speaker 1 (30:16):
Maybe they still think ross Line is coaching them, so
maybe with the defense there there was a bit bit
of a worry. I do think they need someone a
bit more outside of clean in the midfield. I'm not
sure if this guy's the answer, but it'd just be
cool to see the brothers together. Drys Wrong who killed
it for the Hawks in the VFL this season. There
was rumors he might go over to Frere because mother
(30:36):
and play over there. So I wouldn't mind seeing him
going over there, and just a bit of extra class
because he's a pretty good player.
Speaker 2 (30:43):
If he can get to me. So basically, just some
more more elite depths that can they can those in
the top twenty two and then possibly get in the
side my grading. I'm still tossing and turning with this.
So at the start of the season, this is why
I'm grading them a seat. At the start of the season,
a lot of us tipped into way are you saying
are you saying c's Are you worried about it about
it being too high or too low? Probably no, it's
(31:06):
probably back on because I said it. Yeah, fair enough
the oracle smoker, I'm not the oracle. I'll just leave
the show. This is a single, just joking. I'm unsure.
That's why I just put a C.
Speaker 1 (31:17):
Because a lot of people like myself tipped on the
top four and they obviously didn't get anywhere near that.
In the end, they just scraped into the eight, but
they lost a final to Gold Coaster home, a team
that's never played in the finals before, so they continue
to choke. It could have even been a D for
me because they should have been higher on the ladder
for starters. They lost a lot of games they shouldn't.
Speaker 2 (31:37):
Have and you shouldn't be losing a final at home,
out up the stadium. They sold out up the stadium
and disappointed all their fans. So actual, I'm going down
to a D. Oh God, they did all the hard
work from beating Collingwood at the MCG, beating the Dogs
at Marvel, and then we're going on that reckless run.
How many I think it was like a row at least. Yeah,
it was like yeah that they had it was definitely
(31:58):
near double digits. And and then just to lose, to
lose the Gold Coast.
Speaker 1 (32:02):
Yeah, I was really confident in saying see, and now
I'm just going to say because that just don't I
don't hate maybe Docs fans let us know on the
they finished next season.
Speaker 2 (32:09):
Next season, I think they'll be all right. I think
that I'm going to say like fifth or sixth, fifth
to eighth, is that you think they might drop out?
They've got the youngest list on the rise. I know
they're on the rise. That's I think like, out of
the clubs that we're going to be talking about today,
I think they're most likely to miss out. Really you
think otherwise. I think the club were going to Giants.
(32:30):
But you're the most biased man. Let's just touch on
that now. The WS Giants. This man always thinks there's
going to be a big, big sound and they crush
your hopes because they crumbled the Yeah, well, best for
best player for j W West this year, there wasn't
really any standout standout like there is for some other clubs.
But I'm going to go with In Callahan because I
think people sort of forget about the form in the
(32:52):
early season. In the early first five six the season,
he was arguably the best player on the competition. He
was up there and he was there as well in
the first five rounds. He was elite because everyone was
on him, like he turned down the big money offer
and then he's gone out and played fantastic football. So
I'm gonna be the best player Finn Callahan and young
(33:15):
gun Aaron Cadmen. He's only he's only in his first
three years of footy and he's just showing tall fowards
take a lot of time to develop usually usually and
just like Logan Morris, he kicked a bag of goals
as well. So I like Aaron Cadman for the young gun,
but he could have gone. There's a few others there
at at GiB West who were who showing some great
(33:35):
signs as well. But what they need in the off
season for me, because I'm big on GBS, so I
think they're good, and what they need in the off
season is another midfielder. They need, like an elite midfield
because obviously got the likes of Josh Cally, Stephen Cannelio,
they're getting a bit older now, they're having to rotate
them through the midfield to another elite to go with
the with Finn Callahan, the young Finn Callahan, the bull
(33:58):
of Tom Green and then just another yeah, just another
another person to roll in there who's very, very damaging
and a more durable ruck you put in there. Yeah,
they got Brisy. Brigsy was good rockman. He's solid, but
he lost a bit of He had a lot of
injuries this year and didn't help him at all, and
then he didn't play well and then the backup ruck
(34:18):
we had a look hasn't even played an AFL game.
So they used to have a lot of depth in
the ruck stocks back back just even a few years ago.
And now I don't think they.
Speaker 1 (34:26):
Haven't think they're putting They put all chips on Brigsy
and then go, oh crap, he got injured a lot.
So I don't know someone that's not going to get injured,
because every team has like two ruckmen that need to
be available the.
Speaker 2 (34:36):
Whole season because rucks can get injured. Pretty and in
saying that, as long as they don't have any stupid
or field antics like they like they did last season,
then headed to that with a little bit, a little
bit fewer pressure, Will I show speed turn up to
their preseason again, that'd be pretty Let recruit him. Did
it was a Calum Brown he ended up beating him. No,
(34:57):
it was it was Darcy Jones. It was the lid
the lid. I wonder if he actually ended up seeing
that money wasn't like.
Speaker 1 (35:06):
So one angle said that he did win and one
angle said he didn't. One I don't think he would
have got paid. But anyway, so maybe there's a recruiting
in the season. Maybe that's a good one they're grading
and their predictions.
Speaker 2 (35:19):
Look, I didn't want to go too harsh on my
my neo baby, so we're going to go. We're going
to go a sea for g WS. Look, they made finals,
they were dealt with a lot of injuries, particularly at
the back end of the season, with the likes of
Ogan locked the Rain and Common Medalist obviously not talking
about as a here for this season, but missed a
(35:39):
whole bunch of footy. Jake Stringer missed, obviously missed as
he was here and there. Green missed some footy and
just a lot of players had a lot of injuries
throughout the season. So in saying that on go a sea,
but I did expect about it from them, which is
why here we go. My early prediction for the Gibuous
(36:00):
Lianes for twenty twenty six is for them to feature
in the Grand Fire. I get they don't have to
go on a minute. You're supposed to know a little
bit about football to be on the show. You said
this year they're going to make the Grand five. They
actually locker and then they just went straight out in
the finals. Yeah, but look, I think that was Toby
Green's cooked Canelio has cooked. Toby Green is not cooked. Mate, mate, mate,
(36:22):
that'll be right. Oh, I don't know, they'll be right.
They got the best pullback in the competition in my
high but yeah, I've got Sam Taylor in there. They
got one of the best rising midfielders in the competition
Finn Callahan, and a clearance ball in Tom Green. And
then the forward line they got a twenty twenty four
common miller who kicks bags for fun. Not to mention
(36:42):
Toby Green, he won't be his exaxt year Jesse Hogan,
No way, he cannot be as good. Prepared to eat
your words?
Speaker 1 (36:47):
All right, I'm happy to say that. Where do you
think they'll I reckon every team in the eight. I
think they might just sneak in. They could be the
team that misses out. So you've got them missing on,
missing out on finals and I've got them in the
Grand fone. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (36:58):
Well that shows were we're out at anyway. That for
the AFL Today Show.
Speaker 1 (37:03):
If you enjoy today's episode, make sure you subscribe to
AFIL Today on YouTube and follow us on x, Facebook,
Instagram and TikTok for more footy content. For the rest
of the year, We just always do plenty of footy content.
Subscribe starring like all of our shows on your podcast apps.
That's Cricket Today, afl W Today, Hold on tickets, true buds,
honest peers and footy form, gut and out the gates.
Speaker 2 (37:21):
Thank you very much to Joel behind the camera, Happy Brodday.
To Leo. We'll give him a quick shout out there
we go on. I love your work. Later, Thank you
very much, Marcus. Even though we had a bit of
a spit at the end there. Yeah, we might have
to end this pool we start throwing fisty custo. Yeah, doorry,
we'll do that off camera anyway.
Speaker 1 (37:36):
We'll catch you for some more trace of and check
out the socials. Will catch you then on a fold
Today
Welcome back to the AFL Today Show, brought to buy Stocket.
Here to wrap up all of the top eight sides.
I'm your host, Liam McCain also knows the stats guy.
We've got no Leo Malali on the couch. Happy birthday
to the big Man. But we've got Marcus Barzano. He's
turned up. He's still partying from the weekend.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
An obviously Leo's prioritying prioritizing his birthday over the AFL
Today Show. What is that about?
Speaker 1 (00:24):
That is a joke, he thinks just because the Grand
Finals done that the show doesn't continue.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
He still continue. We're going to be doing a rap
shot of all these teams.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
We're going to be doing so a lot of draft
stuff and a trade show as well, which.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Which could be very exciting. Maybe maybe we're just lay
into the Hawks while he's not here. Yeah maybe maybe.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
Actually now we will have to find it. Well, feel
subscribe as a Hawks fan, so we will be a
little bit nice and we go.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
We're going to grade every every club's season. So obviously
let us know your grade for the clubs that we're
going to be talking about in the comments below. Yeah,
bang on.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
So we're going to go through the best player, young gun,
what they need to do in the off season, the grading,
as Marcus said, and then we've changed it up here
twenty six, very very very very early prediction.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
Yeah, look, this is going to be so far shouldn't
be very wrong.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
I know we actually look at back at this even
in February when we're doing our next predictions. Except for
w Wes's prediction, this man is still so biased towards jobs. Anyway,
let's before we get into it, make sure you subscribe
to AFL Today on YouTube heading towards that twelve K mark.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Marcus wants to get to a million, so we'll get there.
We'll get there one day. We're doing We're doing good.
And obviously thank you all for watching the AFL Grand
for the Grand Final rap show. Yes, very good. Ticked
over three k on that and onwards and upwards and
looking for a better twenty twenty six.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
Yes exactly. And if yeah, if you haven't watched that
Grand Final rap yeah, get around it was really good.
Fun and follow us on x, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok
for more footy content even in the off season.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
We'll be doing a lot.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
Sorry, all right, let's get into it. We're going to
start at the top. The season wrap ups will start
off with Brisbane.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
Marcus, you can take us through Brisbane obviously, going to
go from Premiers down. That's that's the order we're going
to go with and best player. Look, there were a
lot of good players this season for Brisbane, a lot
of good role players, but the one that stood out
for me the most was Humor Cluggage too entirety of
the season, even when when Neil was playing, you know,
he probably had the luxury of people like who are
(02:08):
going to tag, They're going to go to Neil rather
than mcluggage. And even in the back half when there
was no Neil, he still had those games when he
was getting attention and I think it was just very
much a A grade midfield breakout year for him. Mcluggage
he finally got an Australian night as well, so he
had a fantastic Grand Final, four goals, a handful of
(02:28):
sadful disposals. So still can't believe we picked any mcgra
over him, but anyway, I am, we roll, we roll.
And then for the young gun Logan Morris. Oh, it
was by far the clear away prediction for me for
this he kicked fifty three goals that guy in his
second season. How many goals did you kick in your
second season for the Bombers fifty four? Come on, No,
(02:54):
he is a beast and he's I think he's got
his tally up to about eighty goals in his career
and he's he's played two seasons of footy, which is
absolutely unreal. I don't think he's being talked about enough. No.
I like that and the Brisbane setup. But off season,
you tell me Stasko, what do they need because towards
the end of the season they still had no Jared Berry,
no Lincoln McCarthy, no Pain, no Kiddy Caleman, no hip Wood,
(03:17):
and they're likely bringing in Oscar Allen, Sam Draper and
obviously they've got academy picks up the wazoo. Well, I'll
not be there. They don't need anything.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
I don't even know why we have to put this
little segment in for Bristol they need. They're going to
probably win another couple of flags. I think we mentioned
on the Sunday Show. They could genuinely make every Grand
Final till twenty thirty at this rate. Yeah, that's probably
a bit.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
Of a no. Genuinely they could.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
Like you just mentioned probably five of their better top
fifteen players that weren't even in the side, and they
smashed along who everyone thought was going to win. So
they don't even need anything in the off season. They've
got the Ashcrofts obviously going to dominate. Sign them up
for fifteen years. I put it in We'll just go
straight to the early prediction because I want to see
from you.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
Do they get the three people? Oh, we would love
So it's another line's threepeat like the early two thousands. Yeah,
I know that. It's it's too like the Grandfather was
a couple of days ago, so easy to say, but
but that's on board with my early early prediction. You've
got to have the premiers going back to back to back,
and I think once you get like two, like after
your first one, you're like, oh, you might always get
(04:18):
the second one. Once you get two, you want the
three p that's like just even all of sport. That's like,
it's the hardest thing to do to win back to back,
like to get the motivation and to go on and
do it again, to do it a third time would
be unbelievable, And they did it the hard way, which
is why I'm going to give them an A plus,
A plus plus plus the premiers. Let's just give let's
(04:39):
give them actually a B, give them a B for
Brison with the crap jokes. Of course they get an
A plus. Of course they get an A plus. They
did it the hard way. Everyone thought they had a
tough run of fixtures and everyone thought, you know what,
they actually want not finish in the top four. They
went and finished in the top four and they needed
the double chance because I lost in the first week
(05:00):
of finals. And then they did it the hard way
and unbelievable, made it to the Granny and absolutely pumped
the Cattles. Yep. Absolutely yeah. So I don't think they
need to do much at all. They just need to
keep that list and believe and just keep going. All right.
Speaker 1 (05:12):
The next one Geelong, I'm going to cover Geelong their
best player. I could have put a few players in
here because I had a really good season. I've put
Bailey Smith. Obviously did he end up coming third in
the Brown though I believe he was obviously Australian. They
put him on the wing there as well. I just
think he had it absolutely awesome.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
I didn't think. I think I said at the start
of the season that he might be a flop, so
he's done the exact opposite of that. He's probably has
he been the best recruit by a mile. I think, yeah,
off the top of my head, he probably would be.
I think he was, so he was the best recruit,
best player for them. Jes gets a sneaky shout out.
Obviously kicked a lot of goals, but he dropped off
the last sort of four to five weeks. And well true,
(05:46):
he was on the truck for a hundred, but then
he didn't get to it and then he broke his arm.
I guess that's.
Speaker 1 (05:54):
Dangerfields for That's yeah, true, he's too big. Best player
was Bailey Smith young gun. I think there's an easy one.
I know he is getting a little bit older, but
I just want to keep talking about him. Olie Dempsey
kick four in the finel again the cheat, as Leo
likes to calling, runs out of the back, gets goals.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
But he's a young gun. I don't mind. Yeah, a
few of their guys coming through. I didn't mind. What
about Sean Manors young gun because he's got not the
rosing star. But it was the best, best Young AFL
Best Young.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
Player, Best Young Player twenty nine. That's like me getting
the best young performer on this show. But actually another
shadow is O'Connor as well, because I know.
Speaker 2 (06:30):
Sorry, the boy's been around for Quarner, while Connor o
Sullivan Connor or Sullivan.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
Because he's a young gun as well. I would have
rather you put O'Sullivan. Yeah maybe I said that on
the on the fly then I'm probably could have. But
by Dempsey is a beast. What do they need to
do in the off season. I just put this as
a bit of a laugh. But also to Bailey, Smith
just needs to stay out of trouble. I don't think
he's been too bad lately. But if they can keep
him fit, healthy and out of trouble, then they're going
to have a good season.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Next year.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
They're going after Warple, Marshall and possibly Charlie Kerner.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
I think Marshall and Charlie Urner can lift how they
do it every year they get good players even though
they've got like no draft capital. They don't trade anyone
worth the value out of the club in exchange. They
just always seem to get them over the lone always.
Speaker 1 (07:13):
But I don't think Warple is going to help him
that much unless they turn him into a star like
he's not.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
He's good, he's good, but he's not like. I don't
think that's gonna happen. Grade midfielder. You take Rayce Stanley
out and Chuck Marshall and that's the biggest upgrade as well.
And you put Charlie Kerner next to jessup that would
they would they would feed families and he would be
He would be the Charlie Cerner replays. He would be
the Charlie Cner. He would be the Jessa replace. That's
very true in a few years time.
Speaker 1 (07:38):
Anyway, I'm going to gratee him a B plus just
because I can't give him an A or above. Just
but they didn't win the flag like they were the
favorites going into They smash Brisbane.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
The relatively easy home in away fixture. To look, they
didn't play the top eight, they didn't beat the top
eight side since No July heading into form.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
But then they be smash Brisbane, so everyone thought they
were going to win. So I'm gonna give him a
B plus and then early prediction they're gonna be top four.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
They're going to make another prelim because that's what Chris
Scott does.
Speaker 1 (08:03):
And then I don't know if they make the grainny again,
but at least a prelim next year is my prediction.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
I agree. I think I think they'll be very good
for many years to come, as they always there we go.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
We talked about him before because Leo, so we're going
to lay into him the Hawthorne Hawks, the Hockball Marcus.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
It feels a bit weird going best player into young
gun because one is very very old and one is
very very young, and the best player is Jack Gunson. Oh,
the old man is in his prime. Is like he's
playing the best of his career. It was. In fact,
it probably was the best season of his career in
terms of goals crazy. He was fantastic and no one
(08:40):
expected him to do that, let alone keep his sport
in the side for the whole season. He kept Mitch
Lewis out for the back end of the year, and
he just paves the way for the likes of Kelshia
dear And and Mitch Lewis, Ye and Chroll to learn
off him still and feed off him, so he could
be great for for many many years to come. Ye,
Young gun, the whiz people. He's got people buying wizards,
(09:04):
has walking across the street and making it cool like
what I wouldn't say, I don't know about. So you're right,
he's bringing back, bringing back the Wizards. So Nick Watson
is a young gun, he's just got the flare. Is
a game changer. He's going to be a barometer for
for many years to come. Yeah, it's easy to see
why he'll still be good. Yeah, partner with Jack Inovan,
they're going to be quite quite annoying a duo, an
(09:24):
annoying duo for for many years to come. In that
full line, what they need in the off season, obviously,
it's what they've been looking for. The heavy links has
been Zach Merritt. Obviously, Sam Mitchell was met up with
and his wife has met up with Zach Merritt and
his partner. So you're rattled by that as an fan,
I am.
Speaker 1 (09:40):
But they've also been linked with someone from linked to him,
joy Simpkin. No club needs I think we talked about
with this with a few people around the office. More
like if they don't get Merit, that's another midfielder, but
that's not an upgrade because you can't even get in
north midfield, so he's not going to get in Horns midfield.
I think it's just doors chips into Zach Merritt, and
(10:01):
they could genuinely be contended next year with me, because
that's that's.
Speaker 2 (10:04):
The only part of their game. You got on the
back line, You've got so many good forwards take out?
What would you do? What would like they struggle to
find their best sort of system with forwards, whether they
go with the three, whether they go with four, which
they did at some stage. What do you think there's
their best rotation?
Speaker 1 (10:22):
Well, yeah, that's another thing they need to figure out
in the offseason. I'd say three tools. I'm not one
hundred scent sure which ones just yet, but maybe just
the most informed ones because when it hits the ground,
those big guys, I don't know if they have it.
They won a few finals obviously, but I'd stick with
the three tools.
Speaker 2 (10:36):
I don't know.
Speaker 1 (10:37):
Maybe let me know in the comments Hawks fans, because
a lot of people have different differing opinions.
Speaker 2 (10:41):
And the cost of being so successful without coppying a
whole lot of injuries other than will they obviously throughout
the seas, all right? Is that a lot of fringe
players and players that are looking to break into the side,
or young players from previous drafts aren't getting a game
and may look to go find games elsewhere, So they
could lose the likes of Mitch Lewis has been rumored
(11:02):
to leave. Cam McKenzie, who's a great player, it was
a top ten pick, could leave, same as the Pencil Henry,
who is great for box Hill throughout the year but
just couldn't quite find his spot on the side. That
might lose a little bit depth then, and Butler in
the forward line has been rumored to go to w A.
So back to West Coast I think is a wa boys.
(11:23):
So they could be losing a few players here and there,
But you're right, if they can just grab that elite midfielder,
then that's almost like wat to be one of the
favorites for the flag. I think they are one of
the favorites already in they.
Speaker 1 (11:36):
Are because I think everyoneever's betting on it is going, oh,
they've got to get Zac Merits, I'll just.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
Get We'll just the second favorite. I think I don't
know about that just yet. That's pretty wild, which is
pretty funny actually, to be honest, But for grading wise
for this season. For this season they made a preliminary final,
they've been great. But in my opinion, I think they
were better and they played better footy and looked better
for me the season before that's they did this season.
(12:00):
You did talk it out before the show. I don't
think they played better footy because they're like their back
line was better, a lot of their their forwards were better.
But in terms of they had a better list run
out in the park. But I think they played better.
They played more exciting footy. You've bit of hockball last
year more than this year. But yeah, but you great them.
I would give them a bee. I wouldn't quite give
(12:22):
them an age of ship. Yeah, obviously they had a
lot of a lot of great players throughout the season,
multiple Australians. Oh, actually they were. Were we expecting him
to make a freely? I think a lot of I
think a lot of people were thinking of the like
to play very well and then to not that far.
Though I don't know I could give them an more
than I think about it. So you can give them
(12:44):
and then their twenty twenty six early prediction top four.
It's hard if they recruit, if they recruit the way
they will even if they don't get Zach Merritt, if
they get to like a decent picture of a decent
runner games, decent runner wins. I think sam Mitchell was
just getting better year and a year and year as
a coach, and that's the next step for this team,
(13:05):
just to finish in the top four and progress onwards.
So let's go for early prediction top to I love
it because this is so tough to do it early prediction. Anyway,
Collingwood is the next one, Marcus, who you got for
these ones? Oh? This best player again?
Speaker 1 (13:23):
Everyone in the everyone braced yourselves, whoever's watching, this is
for the best player for in twenty twenty five.
Speaker 2 (13:29):
I'm not going Nick Takos, which made these hater or what? No,
I'm not a hater because she honestly, I think I
went with Jamie Elliott. He had one of the best
seasons a small forward has had for a very very
long time goals output. When Jamie Elliott wasn't kicking four
goals a game, Colin winning games, He's outrageous and in
(13:52):
the finals you could see he was the one who
was he the one who's kicking goals still in that
four line of the Fawns footy, but then no one
else could do it around him. I think to have
that much reliability on Jamie Elliott like a mid size forward.
He's great in the leite, is a great kick, he
has great moments and look dacourse he was very very good.
Obviously finished second in the in the brown low wing
(14:14):
was a bit off. I was more impressed with Jamie
Elliott season, and therefore I think he had a better season.
Let me know, I from wrong fan. Yeah, get into
him in the comments and let it. Do you hate
that share? Jamie?
Speaker 1 (14:25):
Is that like fans possibly might be on your side,
but overall you you might cop it. We might not
see you next week.
Speaker 2 (14:33):
Just the Colingwood fans, please don't come. No, it's all right.
You're still talking nice about coinmand younger. Now this is
a tough one. Now now I'm going to get better. Yeahs.
Then let's face it, they don't have anyone, so let's
go Pendles. Pendals is the young guys like forty everyone
talks about he plays this the alegance, the calmness. He's
just beautiful to watch when he plays. But genuinely, who
(14:55):
would you pick like, who would you pick as a
young gun for Collingwood? Who got this year going on?
From that they need in the off season. That's what
I literally wrote down.
Speaker 1 (15:01):
I just they don't have like those young guns that
are coming through like the other sides. I know that
they're obviously pushing for a flag. So you've got an
aging list and things like that. I genuinely don't know.
You've got Ned Long, he's like twenty two, but he's
been in another club. Then you've got who else is
around that. McCreary's still he's getting older, like.
Speaker 2 (15:17):
The young guns aren't pendus? Why not? Why not? He's
still like young men, which is why they've been rumored
to get Like well, Sam flan Anders has been rumored
to come. I don't mind that Victoria's met about four clubs,
just a bit more depth in that midfield. Obviously they've
got some some depths in there, but they are aging,
as you mentioned, with the likes of side Bottom Pandules,
(15:38):
it's still great, yeah, Tom Mitchell, Like they're all getting
a little bit older, so it would be great to
see someone with a little bit more youthful experience and
flare in that Collingwood team. Particularly in that midfield and
for their season overall, overall through grade, everyone thought that
they were going to be premiership favorites. They went to
the season's premiership favorites. I had them winning the flags.
They were the premis favorites. I think they I think
(15:58):
they were. No unless it was Brisbane, I don't think so.
Would I would have. I had them as my flag
favorites for for quite a while, Okay, yeah, and they
were barely underwhelming i'd say, and then losing to Brisbane
were the eventual premiers. But the way that they did
at home in front of a roaring crowd, they just
(16:20):
got they got brushed aside, really and I'm going to
give them a seas a pass. It's a pass, but
it's nothing better than a pass. Okay, Okay, for in
all honesty for me, twenty six do they finish in
the top four? Like, will they get better from this year?
I don't think so, because, yeah, those guys are just
getting older and there were the guys that were relying
(16:41):
on brothers. I think there's some warnings in the off
season for this season as well. Probably didn't pan out
the way that they wanted them to. Even probably the
past couple of seasons. Yeah, Like obviously Bobby Hill's been
it was rumored to leave, but then he's coming out
in the Instagram comments saying that he's going to stay
at the Pies. He's lure too, is going to stay
at the Pies. But the likes of Dan Houston Harryman, like,
(17:05):
they didn't set the world alight, even for if you
look back the year before and you go, damn stay
he brushed Mason, if you getting dropped for Mason Cox
just and then they've told Coxy to look elsewhere and
explore his options. They they have, so look, I'm gonna
go fifth eighth. I still think they make finals. They've
got a great team, They've got the best player in
the competition in Nick daykos Oh. But he wasn't the
(17:26):
best player that he wasn't the best player. He's the
best playing the competition, but he wasn't the best play
Can you can do that? You can be the best
lay now but not be the best player. He's the
best player in the competition overall, like like the Bond,
he's the best, he's arguably the best player in the competition,
but he wasn't the best player for the Bulldogs this season.
Speaker 1 (17:44):
Oh my god, jeez, you're rattling me. I don't even
know if I can do the rest of the show. Lads,
do you know what the acex means?
Speaker 2 (17:51):
Mate? Of course? And in fact, oh, let Marcus explain
under the bustle. You be honest, I have no clue.
What a surprise. It's actually the Australians period is exchange. Ah. Well,
I'll speak for Marcus on that one and say I'm
pretty clueless with that stuff. Well, lucky for you.
Speaker 1 (18:06):
Stockhead is a free website which gives you punting stock
advice through the ax. Where can we check him out?
Check him out vice stockhead dot com dot you. But
swiftly moving.
Speaker 2 (18:15):
Away from calling because that is outrageous Adelaide, let's get
a little bit Adelaide.
Speaker 1 (18:19):
I'm going I'm going to talk about Adelaide best Player.
I think it was an easy one. Jordan Dawson. I
know he didn't had a horrible finals series, has did
a lot of their players, but he was really good
all year. I think Rankin could have been up there
if he didn't have a few incidents obviously off the field.
Speaker 2 (18:32):
Couple of defenders maybe that defenders. Yeah, one Dean.
Speaker 1 (18:36):
Were great, but I think you got to give it
to Jordan Dawson. Just ran the midfield just so classic
and kick goals, take Marci Dicken, just do it all.
So he's going to be my best player for the Crows.
Speaker 2 (18:45):
Young gun. Now another easy one. Dan Curtain.
Speaker 1 (18:48):
We were loving him the second half of the season
when he sort of took that next step. He had
so many games where he kicked twenty it's going to
be kicked twenty.
Speaker 2 (18:55):
He had twenty disposers and a goal, and then he
had a fifteen disposal two goals. He's going to be
a great paint. Who does he remind you of players
going by All Stars with the competition, I don't know.
I get vibes of locking that five ring, that five
sort of player because he's great on the deck. He's
excellent above his head. You can take a mark can
kick a goal effected by foot. I think he's very
(19:17):
much like a yeah, looking that five w brown though
one day I think he definitely can. He's going to
be a player. Oh wow. Anyway, it was the second
rising Star.
Speaker 1 (19:26):
I think we ended up leaning towards Murphy Red, but
you genuinely could have gone either way for those two,
because they were both stars.
Speaker 2 (19:31):
What they need in the off season. I've chucked in
here a bit of.
Speaker 1 (19:34):
Extra experience or bullish behavior in the midfield, and I've
specifically used those words because they were bullied in the
finals and now they're going after Christian Petrarca, which I
think can provide that he is a bit stronger. I
know we've had some arguments in the officer today that
is he is he a bit washed Petraka, Yes, he's.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
Nowhere near as good as the player he was. He's
still Is he the answer for Adelaide to actually get
some wins in September? Yes?
Speaker 1 (19:59):
I think yeah, if they had him this season, there's
a bit more experience, a bit of calmness about him,
because they just looked like headless trucks running around out there.
Whereas if you've got a guy that's won a premiership before,
I think you'll help agree.
Speaker 2 (20:09):
And because you said you talked about like extra experience
and a bull in the midfield, they just got a
lot of outside guys. Petrarca provides that. Obviously he's met
with Adelaide as well, rumored heavily, but also you're looking
for that bullish midfielder in the final series like Sligo
and it was what Jared berry Berry, but then he
sort of tried to play a negating and negating role
(20:31):
on Johan Newcomb. So then it would have been handy
to have the like of Barry to be on him
and then let Petrarca do his stuff and Sam Berry
I think, yes, it's Sam Artist realized. Yeah, yeah, yeah,
so I agree. I think he would definitely take him
to that next stip. I don't think Premiership like people
saying if they get Petrarca or something like that, win
the flag.
Speaker 1 (20:51):
Excuse me, I don't think so, but we'll see. The
other one is Calamarchie. Apparently he's already signed.
Speaker 2 (20:56):
I don't know. That's why I heard a rumor today.
It hasn't been officially announced, but apparently is going to
go to Adelaide as well. So I don't think he
had as anywhere near as good of a year as
a lot of people thought. But he's very good player Archie,
so he can help him a bit as well. It
was only two years ago he was one of the
most underrated players in the competition, but we didn't have
the year that Yeah, you're right that he thought he would.
But he did a great job in the Grand Final
(21:17):
and Dempsey, yes on the wing. Even though Dempsey finished
with four there was a few junk time goals there.
But in all fairness, it just sounds like the rich
kid get riches that guy. I know, I know, because
they could get sort of. They didn't end up winning
any finals. That's all good.
Speaker 1 (21:32):
And I just said at the end, similar to Ballely Smith,
Rankin just needs to stay fit, out of trouble, don't
do anything stupid because they really missed him.
Speaker 2 (21:39):
They're great.
Speaker 1 (21:39):
Look before the finals A plus tomer ladder what the
other Cromer absolutely flying.
Speaker 2 (21:44):
Then you get to the finals, big fat f So
we're going to go in the middle of that. See see, Yeah,
it was a pass.
Speaker 1 (21:51):
No one expected them to finish top of the ladder.
One expected them to probably win more than one final.
They should have won one final. So I'm going to hush.
Speaker 2 (22:00):
All of them. They they line of Premiers like they're
the best season in the club's history in terms of
win loss record. Yeah, but then it doesn't mean anything
the Premier League, where you get awards for just finishing
on top of the ladder.
Speaker 1 (22:14):
You just got it.
Speaker 2 (22:14):
You got to back it up. Let us know in
the comments, actually out of their fans. That's quite hard
because you've been You've been in the comments all season long.
That's true. Yeah, so let us know we're happy. Were
you sad? Yeah, I think that'll be sad. Yeah, they
would be sad.
Speaker 1 (22:29):
Twenty twenty six earlier prediction. I'm going to change. I'm
gonna go fifth, d eighth. I think they'll drop out
of the top four. Just it's a bit rattling when
you lose those two big finals. Who who's a banker
of the top four in your head other than Brisbane,
like Brisbane maybe Brisbane, Geelong, Gold Coast is a sneaky
shout I reckon because their lists they want to final.
(22:50):
Now they get a bit of commentce we'll touch on
them in a step. Oh, here we go right now,
way you're up.
Speaker 2 (22:56):
Yeah, we'll the best player. Look again, I'm going a
bit road with the best player kills. Fine, you think
this is fine because I'm actually I'm not going with
Brownlow Medalist Matt Real. But a lot of people, most
people agreed that someone which is literally the award for
the best and fairest player in the competition. Yeah, but
it's the it's gone downhill screw. He didn't win any
other awards. It's just the real Brownlow and it's for Noa. Anderson.
(23:19):
I agree, I think he was. He had the better
year compared to Matt Reel. I think slightly. I'll agree slightly,
not by Lloyd, Like it's not the length of the
Flemington here that we're talking about, Like, it's just it's
just Noah Anderson and Matt real slightly better year. And
he is my apart from like he's probably my favorite
player in the competition. Well, I'm gonna be honest, like
even including a Neesson player, like, oh yeah, he is
(23:42):
my favorite player more than Zach Merritt right now, Zach
meher right now. But no Anderson is my favorite player
in the competition. I just love watching him play. Yep.
And and again he's just going to be young, Like
he can rack up forty and he had multiple games
where had forty plus disposals and had two class goals. Ye,
Like the blokes are freak and then one gun. They've
actually got some good experience in terms of out of games,
(24:05):
and they got in terms of young guns as well.
So I was tossing up between Mac Andrew and Bailey
Humphreys and we're gone with Bailey Humphrey here. We had
a chat about it, and I just think he is
exceeded his grade from last season in terms of adding
a bit more size onto him and becoming a bit
more mid forward rather than a forward mid Oh, he
proved at the back.
Speaker 1 (24:26):
End of the year that he can play midfield and
get like when they needed a few extra clurrences because
a lot of those.
Speaker 2 (24:30):
Guys are outside.
Speaker 1 (24:30):
Other than how obviously very you put him in there,
he could not only just come out of him if
a kick a goal, he can do a bit.
Speaker 2 (24:36):
They're compared him to Dusty. I think that's a bit
too early, but yeah, he's got to be a goody.
He started getting the tats on board as well, so
the head like he's starting to look like a Colin
the player that was saying. But in saying that, in
saying him getting more midfield time and you know, flowing
in there, getting more a bit on ball around stoppages.
That has meant their quality and depth in that forward
(24:56):
line is just it's not really eye catching.
Speaker 1 (24:59):
They got they got obviously Joel Jeffrey Jy Farrer. Yeah,
Jeffrey was playing half back towards the end of the year.
It was actually really good and he was keeping there.
Speaker 2 (25:08):
Yeah yeah, and Ben Wong as well, so they got
they got a good forward fifty with Ben King obviously
as well. But you look into their their seconds in
the in the VFL, the tod actually like full research. Yeah, yeah,
could because because when we looked at their team, they
actually have a very well randed team. So we're looking
at quality in depth and we're in the park. Do
(25:28):
they need it? It's in their forward fifty because their
top goal scorer in the VFL last season only played
nine games. Some of those all those weren't even for
Gold Coast, by the way, he also played for the
Casey Demons. Yeah, and it was twenty one goals from
nine games. It was a good return. But your top
goal scorer being a guy that's played nine games, that's
not good. That's not a good look. Play nine games
(25:48):
kicked twenty one goals, that's not That's not the greatest
of records there. So I just think they're their forward
line in particular, and what do you think in terms
of their their forwards that they got in there, that
that sort of pushed the fringe this seas and what
do they need to do to improve on for next year.
Speaker 1 (26:02):
Well, the Grand Final sprint winner, I didn't even know
he had that. He has not shown that pace on
the football field ever. We let's just say we saw
him the night before and we did not think.
Speaker 2 (26:10):
He was going to win. Was gonna win.
Speaker 1 (26:14):
Jed Bolter we're talking about and Ethan Reed. I do
think they actually have a bit of potential. They're showed
him games. They can kick two or three goals in
a game. But they just need to grow.
Speaker 2 (26:22):
Obviously, Jed Walton doesn't need to ground a bit of size,
but Ethan Reed does, and then just build the skills
a bit.
Speaker 1 (26:26):
There was a few times if it hits the ground level,
even if you're a big man AFL these days, still
going to have a bit of the pressure, the pressure
and get the ball a little bit more. So I'm
hoping they take that next step next season, and that's
why they need to building the off seasons just that
forward line.
Speaker 2 (26:38):
And then there was also rumors of Jamie.
Speaker 1 (26:40):
Elliott going there, which you just talked up as the
best player at Conger, but not the best player in
the competition, but that he was the.
Speaker 2 (26:45):
Best player calling with this season in my opinion. Okay,
but Nick Takles gets way too much, like he got
thanked at the Brown though before Matt Real got thanked.
That is true, Champs, that is true.
Speaker 1 (26:55):
Anyway, if Jamie Elliott went to gold Corest that would
be a really good move.
Speaker 2 (27:00):
One hundred for a season. I don't see Jamie Elliott moving.
He's just he seems like Collingwood through it has been
rumored and if he gets there, that could Like he
talked about sneaky chance for top four, that could be
the reason why they go up there and the grading.
They should have finished in the top four this season.
Let's be honest, they had They just had to be
put Adelaide and when Port Adelaide were an absolute mess,
(27:20):
they got ken on an emotional run though they got
they got hit by the emotional roller coaster. Yeah that
the Melbourne show. But right now the show where's where
a I need to dig into him? But they're grading.
They finished in forinals for the first time in the
club's history, and they won a final as well away
(27:42):
from home, so interstate, so I'll give them a solid bee.
I agree with that one. A solid bee. I wouldn't
say an A just because like I would have said
an A if they made a prelimp or if they
finished in the top four even But because of that,
I'm going to give them a bee in my early
prediction for them next season. There's a lot of sides
in the competition. Do I see their list getting better?
(28:05):
You do, because I think a few of the young
guys are coming through. They're getting a lot of as well. Yeah,
in the draft, but you can't expect them to hit
straight away if they get Elliott the likes. But there
are a lot of good clubs in the competition, and
for me, fifth the eighth again will be about there. Yeah,
I think that that's what they'll be at least aiming for.
But because you said they could this year, depending on
(28:26):
the picture, they could get to awful. No good call, Freo.
Let's touch on for best player.
Speaker 1 (28:31):
This was actually a toss up between obviously their two
gun midfielders, Brayshaw and so Wrong. For me, I think
they were both stars the whole season. Brayshaw got more
votes than Wrong in the Brown though, But again, do
we really trust Clark.
Speaker 2 (28:42):
Jordan Clark.
Speaker 1 (28:43):
Yeah, he wasn't as consistent I think, but you agree
with you. I got to give it to Cups wrong.
He always steps up in the big games. He did
that a lot this year, except for the Fighter where
they choked big, but we can touch.
Speaker 2 (28:52):
On that later. Young Gun.
Speaker 1 (28:54):
We saw him at his press conference last week. Murphy
read the rising Star winner what a superstar is. He's
probably the most calm rising star like in terms of
his on field presence that we've had in years. I
reckon when he gets the ball, he's always in the target,
He's always making the right decision. Bit Pendle's like he
always has a lot of time.
Speaker 2 (29:12):
Kicks them from anywhere as well, so he could have
been in a Goal of the Year nomination multiple times.
Speaker 1 (29:18):
Yeah, he's a beast. So I'm very excited to see
his rise and yeah, on that what we need to
see them from. I need to see it from them
in the off season.
Speaker 2 (29:26):
They've got the youngest list or I've saw a few
sight saying second youngest youngest list in the competition, which
really surprised me.
Speaker 1 (29:33):
So I'm not as worried about a few other like
few other people going all should free of taking the
next step already. They've still got the youngest list. You've
got Jackson on the rise, You've got Murphy Reid on
the rise, You've got Jordan Clark.
Speaker 2 (29:42):
Still can play his best a little bit. Yeah, a
lot of them are already ready made players exactly. So
like the likes of Josh Tracy, I miss even like
Pat Voss hasn't played a lot of footie.
Speaker 1 (29:52):
So yeah, so I think they don't have to change
too much. I think they need to play a little
bit more offensively and just practice that a bit more.
I saw a few articles suggested that when they lost
they would sort of shut down a bit and not
do that run and carry with Jordan Clark and a
few other players, and then when they well, yeah, when
they were winning, they were doing that.
Speaker 2 (30:09):
So I can look that game against the Western Waldo,
they just played the best we've seen them this year. Yeah,
for many years.
Speaker 1 (30:16):
Maybe they still think ross Line is coaching them, so
maybe with the defense there there was a bit bit
of a worry. I do think they need someone a
bit more outside of clean in the midfield. I'm not
sure if this guy's the answer, but it'd just be
cool to see the brothers together. Drys Wrong who killed
it for the Hawks in the VFL this season. There
was rumors he might go over to Frere because mother
(30:36):
and play over there. So I wouldn't mind seeing him
going over there, and just a bit of extra class
because he's a pretty good player.
Speaker 2 (30:43):
If he can get to me. So basically, just some
more more elite depths that can they can those in
the top twenty two and then possibly get in the
side my grading. I'm still tossing and turning with this.
So at the start of the season, this is why
I'm grading them a seat. At the start of the season,
a lot of us tipped into way are you saying
are you saying c's Are you worried about it about
it being too high or too low? Probably no, it's
(31:06):
probably back on because I said it. Yeah, fair enough
the oracle smoker, I'm not the oracle. I'll just leave
the show. This is a single, just joking. I'm unsure.
That's why I just put a C.
Speaker 1 (31:17):
Because a lot of people like myself tipped on the
top four and they obviously didn't get anywhere near that.
In the end, they just scraped into the eight, but
they lost a final to Gold Coaster home, a team
that's never played in the finals before, so they continue
to choke. It could have even been a D for
me because they should have been higher on the ladder
for starters. They lost a lot of games they shouldn't.
Speaker 2 (31:37):
Have and you shouldn't be losing a final at home,
out up the stadium. They sold out up the stadium
and disappointed all their fans. So actual, I'm going down
to a D. Oh God, they did all the hard
work from beating Collingwood at the MCG, beating the Dogs
at Marvel, and then we're going on that reckless run.
How many I think it was like a row at least. Yeah,
it was like yeah that they had it was definitely
(31:58):
near double digits. And and then just to lose, to
lose the Gold Coast.
Speaker 1 (32:02):
Yeah, I was really confident in saying see, and now
I'm just going to say because that just don't I
don't hate maybe Docs fans let us know on the
they finished next season.
Speaker 2 (32:09):
Next season, I think they'll be all right. I think
that I'm going to say like fifth or sixth, fifth
to eighth, is that you think they might drop out?
They've got the youngest list on the rise. I know
they're on the rise. That's I think like, out of
the clubs that we're going to be talking about today,
I think they're most likely to miss out. Really you
think otherwise. I think the club were going to Giants.
(32:30):
But you're the most biased man. Let's just touch on
that now. The WS Giants. This man always thinks there's
going to be a big, big sound and they crush
your hopes because they crumbled the Yeah, well, best for
best player for j W West this year, there wasn't
really any standout standout like there is for some other clubs.
But I'm going to go with In Callahan because I
think people sort of forget about the form in the
(32:52):
early season. In the early first five six the season,
he was arguably the best player on the competition. He
was up there and he was there as well in
the first five rounds. He was elite because everyone was
on him, like he turned down the big money offer
and then he's gone out and played fantastic football. So
I'm gonna be the best player Finn Callahan and young
(33:15):
gun Aaron Cadmen. He's only he's only in his first
three years of footy and he's just showing tall fowards
take a lot of time to develop usually usually and
just like Logan Morris, he kicked a bag of goals
as well. So I like Aaron Cadman for the young gun,
but he could have gone. There's a few others there
at at GiB West who were who showing some great
(33:35):
signs as well. But what they need in the off
season for me, because I'm big on GBS, so I
think they're good, and what they need in the off
season is another midfielder. They need, like an elite midfield
because obviously got the likes of Josh Cally, Stephen Cannelio,
they're getting a bit older now, they're having to rotate
them through the midfield to another elite to go with
the with Finn Callahan, the young Finn Callahan, the bull
(33:58):
of Tom Green and then just another yeah, just another
another person to roll in there who's very, very damaging
and a more durable ruck you put in there. Yeah,
they got Brisy. Brigsy was good rockman. He's solid, but
he lost a bit of He had a lot of
injuries this year and didn't help him at all, and
then he didn't play well and then the backup ruck
(34:18):
we had a look hasn't even played an AFL game.
So they used to have a lot of depth in
the ruck stocks back back just even a few years ago.
And now I don't think they.
Speaker 1 (34:26):
Haven't think they're putting They put all chips on Brigsy
and then go, oh crap, he got injured a lot.
So I don't know someone that's not going to get injured,
because every team has like two ruckmen that need to
be available the.
Speaker 2 (34:36):
Whole season because rucks can get injured. Pretty and in
saying that, as long as they don't have any stupid
or field antics like they like they did last season,
then headed to that with a little bit, a little
bit fewer pressure, Will I show speed turn up to
their preseason again, that'd be pretty Let recruit him. Did
it was a Calum Brown he ended up beating him. No,
(34:57):
it was it was Darcy Jones. It was the lid
the lid. I wonder if he actually ended up seeing
that money wasn't like.
Speaker 1 (35:06):
So one angle said that he did win and one
angle said he didn't. One I don't think he would
have got paid. But anyway, so maybe there's a recruiting
in the season. Maybe that's a good one they're grading
and their predictions.
Speaker 2 (35:19):
Look, I didn't want to go too harsh on my
my neo baby, so we're going to go. We're going
to go a sea for g WS. Look, they made finals,
they were dealt with a lot of injuries, particularly at
the back end of the season, with the likes of
Ogan locked the Rain and Common Medalist obviously not talking
about as a here for this season, but missed a
(35:39):
whole bunch of footy. Jake Stringer missed, obviously missed as
he was here and there. Green missed some footy and
just a lot of players had a lot of injuries
throughout the season. So in saying that on go a sea,
but I did expect about it from them, which is
why here we go. My early prediction for the Gibuous
(36:00):
Lianes for twenty twenty six is for them to feature
in the Grand Fire. I get they don't have to
go on a minute. You're supposed to know a little
bit about football to be on the show. You said
this year they're going to make the Grand five. They
actually locker and then they just went straight out in
the finals. Yeah, but look, I think that was Toby
Green's cooked Canelio has cooked. Toby Green is not cooked. Mate, mate, mate,
(36:22):
that'll be right. Oh, I don't know, they'll be right.
They got the best pullback in the competition in my
high but yeah, I've got Sam Taylor in there. They
got one of the best rising midfielders in the competition
Finn Callahan, and a clearance ball in Tom Green. And
then the forward line they got a twenty twenty four
common miller who kicks bags for fun. Not to mention
(36:42):
Toby Green, he won't be his exaxt year Jesse Hogan,
No way, he cannot be as good. Prepared to eat
your words?
Speaker 1 (36:47):
All right, I'm happy to say that. Where do you
think they'll I reckon every team in the eight. I
think they might just sneak in. They could be the
team that misses out. So you've got them missing on,
missing out on finals and I've got them in the
Grand fone. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (36:58):
Well that shows were we're out at anyway. That for
the AFL Today Show.
Speaker 1 (37:03):
If you enjoy today's episode, make sure you subscribe to
AFIL Today on YouTube and follow us on x, Facebook,
Instagram and TikTok for more footy content. For the rest
of the year, We just always do plenty of footy content.
Subscribe starring like all of our shows on your podcast apps.
That's Cricket Today, afl W Today, Hold on tickets, true buds,
honest peers and footy form, gut and out the gates.
Speaker 2 (37:21):
Thank you very much to Joel behind the camera, Happy Brodday.
To Leo. We'll give him a quick shout out there
we go on. I love your work. Later, Thank you
very much, Marcus. Even though we had a bit of
a spit at the end there. Yeah, we might have
to end this pool we start throwing fisty custo. Yeah, doorry,
we'll do that off camera anyway.
Speaker 1 (37:36):
We'll catch you for some more trace of and check
out the socials. Will catch you then on a fold
Today
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