2025 List Management Thread

[doggies ftw]

I am with you Aza, Croft needs to train with the backline. With his athletic ability, he can be our Blakey or Weddle (as I have mentioned before)

Both of those guys are elite by foot though, I love Croft but he’s… a scrapper. So can’t be considered in that category coming out of defence IMO

[Bornadog]

I'd love to trade for a stay-at-home key defender - I just don't think we are going to get one that improves us.

Structurally I do not like three key forwards. Come finals time three key forwards does not work. Another reason why I think we should be playing Croft back.

I am with you Aza, Croft needs to train with the backline. With his athletic ability, he can be our Blakey or Weddle (as I have mentioned before)

[Sedat]

Brisbane just won the flag with Morris, Gallop and Fort/McInerney. Last year it was Daniher, Hipwood and Morris.

I think Brisbane make it work because the rest of their forward line is elite, unlike ours. Three tall forwards can work if the forward line as whole can stand up in finals. The jury is clearly out on ours.

To quote Hans Landa, that's a bingo.

If the rest of our forwards are a combination of Weightman, West, Dolan/Hynes, that's not a bad start - it's not at Brisbane levels (both in sheer talent or depth) but it's pretty good.

[doggies ftw]

I'd love to trade for a stay-at-home key defender - I just don't think we are going to get one that improves us.

Structurally I do not like three key forwards. Come finals time three key forwards does not work. Another reason why I think we should be playing Croft back.

As Axe man said above Brissy have just done it back to back, also from the top 8 this year Adelaide (although fair maybe didn’t work in finals but I’d put that more down to their lack of midfield performance, GC, Freo GWS and even the top 4 Hawks, Pies, Geelong (maybe not Geelong as Blicavs is much more utility than the rest) all play 3 tall forwards - so I really don’t think it doesn’t work.

Basically at least one of them has to be able to play elsewhere, you definitely don’t want 3 in there at the same time but I don’t think that’s a problem with us as all of Darcy, Naughty & Croft can split minutes elsewhere. Then throw in 5 on the bench next year and it becomes even more viable and I think almost every team would be moving that way next year.

We’ve got issues to solve but not sure 3 tall forwards is one of them IMO

[Axe Man]

I'd love to trade for a stay-at-home key defender - I just don't think we are going to get one that improves us.

Structurally I do not like three key forwards. Come finals time three key forwards does not work. Another reason why I think we should be playing Croft back.

Brisbane just won the flag with Morris, Gallop and Fort/McInerney. Last year it was Daniher, Hipwood and Morris.

I think Brisbane make it work because the rest of their forward line is elite, unlike ours. Three tall forwards can work if the forward line as whole can stand up in finals. The jury is clearly out on ours.

[azabob]

I’m open to it, probably preferred it pre-Marra BS and his form late last year but honestly I’d probably keep him forward for now.

Just don’t think he changes much for us in defence - is he going to be able to win one on ones, or is he just another 2nd tall type like JOD, Lobb & Buss (although I think Buss has #1 potential but a while off). We really need that anchor type and I’m not sure Croft is that.

Although in saying that his elite closing speed could be pretty awesome in defence, especially the way we setup where that’s so crucial and why Jones was so important. His kicking is worse than Naughtys though and that scares me coming out of defence - he’s an absolute scrapper by foot.

i dunno I’m open to either, ideally I’d probably prefer to find a genuine FB and keep developing Croft forward where I think he could be genuinely awesome. I just can’t get enough of tall forwards who can pressure & scrap at ground level and Naughty, Darcy, Croft would be levels of elite the game hasn’t seen in that regard.

But yeah if we’re not going to bring anyone in then maybe he has to out of necessity? We also have the likes of Cody, Hynes next year who can potentially play 3rd tall roles in the fwd line and we saw how dominant Naughty & Darcy could be. I’m just not sure his body is near ready enough for a defensive role yet - I think we still have to develop Croft with a 2-3 year time line in mind. Ie if we think we can fix our backline over the next 2 years before he’s ready is there any point developing him down back now?

long story short, im not sure yet and I don’t think anyone is :P

I'd love to trade for a stay-at-home key defender - I just don't think we are going to get one that improves us.

Structurally I do not like three key forwards. Come finals time three key forwards does not work. Another reason why I think we should be playing Croft back.

[GVGjr]

It's really been just the one anonymous (and quite possibly Lloyd Braun level crazy) poster who usually only writes about Shithole Pork Barrell Park or how useless Ch 7 are as a broadcaster

It's made it's way into the media though.
Serenity now

[Sedat]

Frost - This appears to be very much media speculation

It's really been just the one anonymous (and quite possibly Lloyd Braun level crazy) poster who usually only writes about Shithole Pork Barrell Park or how useless Ch 7 are as a broadcaster

[GVGjr]

Things are moving quickly and nothing is really heading our way. It will change soon enough though
We could get a decision on Budarick this week.

Who we were linked with but have singed elsewhere or resigned by their club
Rowell* Re-signed with Gold Coast
Bergman* Re-signed with Port
Butters* Port have denied he will be traded
Silvagni* Signed with the Saints
Erasmus* 3 Year deal with Freo
Wehr* Signs with Port
Wilkie* Re-signed with the Saints
Ridley* The player confirms he's staying at Essendon
Mitch Knevitt * Confirms he's staying at Geelong
T.Young - Has requested a trade to West Coast.
Robertson - He has nominated West Coast.

Names we and been linked with who haven't yet signed on
M.McGovern - Voss wants him to stay and I question how accurate this is
Butts - Seems to have cooled down
May - We have been linked by media sources but it seems very unlikely. Bont pretty much ruled it out
Frost - This appears to be very much media speculation

Players who have nominated us
Budarick - Confirms his desire to play for the Dogs in 2026

We have 4 players still out of contract.
Baker, Coffield, and Poulter. Johannisen is a wait and see

Duryea has retired. Liam Jones and Scott have been advised they will not be offered a deal.
Doubts on Marra being at the club in 2026
Khamis has requested a trade.

[GVGjr]

Regan says Croft is literally chose your own adventure. Surely, he is now a key defender?

While I think Croft is better suited as a forward, I'm aligned with doggies ftw view of being open to a change.
At the moment the forward spot is a bit easier for him as he has two huge targets playing alongside him and some crumbers around if he misses his marks .
As a defender it has the potential for him to be isolated more in 1 v 1 contests. As a forward his flair and athleticism can be rewarded.

Even though recent weeks haven't been favorable for us to land a KPD, ultimately we are very likely to be able to cover that position.
The trade period really hasn't started yet and we will find some suitable players.

As a side note, I'm still hearing Naughton to the back line calls from our supporters, I would suggest that they undervalue how hard it can be to find KPF.

[doggies ftw]

Regan says Croft is literally chose your own adventure. Surely, he is now a key defender?

I’m open to it, probably preferred it pre-Marra BS and his form late last year but honestly I’d probably keep him forward for now.

Just don’t think he changes much for us in defence - is he going to be able to win one on ones, or is he just another 2nd tall type like JOD, Lobb & Buss (although I think Buss has #1 potential but a while off). We really need that anchor type and I’m not sure Croft is that.

Although in saying that his elite closing speed could be pretty awesome in defence, especially the way we setup where that’s so crucial and why Jones was so important. His kicking is worse than Naughtys though and that scares me coming out of defence - he’s an absolute scrapper by foot.

i dunno I’m open to either, ideally I’d probably prefer to find a genuine FB and keep developing Croft forward where I think he could be genuinely awesome. I just can’t get enough of tall forwards who can pressure & scrap at ground level and Naughty, Darcy, Croft would be levels of elite the game hasn’t seen in that regard.

But yeah if we’re not going to bring anyone in then maybe he has to out of necessity? We also have the likes of Cody, Hynes next year who can potentially play 3rd tall roles in the fwd line and we saw how dominant Naughty & Darcy could be. I’m just not sure his body is near ready enough for a defensive role yet - I think we still have to develop Croft with a 2-3 year time line in mind. Ie if we think we can fix our backline over the next 2 years before he’s ready is there any point developing him down back now?

long story short, im not sure yet and I don’t think anyone is :P

[NAUGHTY100]

Well with Wilkie a no go, Butters not happening this year that leaves Butts who I hope we go hard at but again is sounding unlikely. Sounds like it’s going to be a pretttty boring offseason for us.

Is what it is really, we’re probably not making massive strides next season but I’m pretty comfortable with the list build. Budarick sounds like a lock and I’m actually really excited about that, I think he’ll have just as much impact to our backhalf as Butts tbh. Robertson I hope we land too - we need a harder edge in the midfield and those two improve the bottom of our side quite a bit with mature, athletic bodies.

Then I hope we get Dovastan with our first, I think he impacts next year and let’s be honest pushing McNeil and VDM out is just as important as anything else we’ll do to our list. Look at Geelong & Lions they’re built on strong half forward lines.

Then it’s all about the development of the kids and with Dolan, Hynes, Jacques and another preseason into Davo there is a heap of natural improvement there, all in positions of need.

Selwood, Budarick as defensive minded mature bodies replacing Bramble & JJ. Robertson in for a defensive mid, a couple of Cody, AJ, Dolan & Dovastan pushing out McNeil & VDM. Also I think it’s good that our defence was just so bad this year that it almost forces us to adapt. If it was just a so-so year Bevo could probably get away with just rolling in with the same setup next year and hoping for the best but with it being as publicly shit as it was it really forces our hand to do something about it.

Budarick Buss Lobb
Dale JOD Sellwood

Davo Libba Williams
English Bont Richards

Kennedy Naughty Dolan
West Darcy Cody

Freijah, Robertson, Croft, one of Bramble/Cleary/Jacques, Croft, one of Sanders/Treloar/Dovastan/Hynes

Thats pretty strong, much better than what we were putting out this year and plenty to work with to be completely honest, that team can compete.

So much growth in Buss, JOD, Freijah, Sanders, Darcy and the second year players.

So it’s not all doom and gloom, I know it sucks not landing the big names but we honestly don’t need to do anything stupid our list build is on a good trajectory and there’s a lot of reason to be very hopeful going into next year. Realistically the only two who may start to drop off are Lobb & Libba

Agree with most of all your ideas but , unfortunately Robertson has chosen West Coast over us .
Your side is pretty close to mine as well , only change id go with is Freijah for Sellwood .

[azabob]

Regan says Croft is literally chose your own adventure. Surely, he is now a key defender?

[Willow18]

Well with Wilkie a no go, Butters not happening this year that leaves Butts who I hope we go hard at but again is sounding unlikely. Sounds like it’s going to be a pretttty boring offseason for us.

Is what it is really, we’re probably not making massive strides next season but I’m pretty comfortable with the list build. Budarick sounds like a lock and I’m actually really excited about that, I think he’ll have just as much impact to our backhalf as Butts tbh. Robertson I hope we land too - we need a harder edge in the midfield and those two improve the bottom of our side quite a bit with mature, athletic bodies.

Then I hope we get Dovastan with our first, I think he impacts next year and let’s be honest pushing McNeil and VDM out is just as important as anything else we’ll do to our list. Look at Geelong & Lions they’re built on strong half forward lines.

Then it’s all about the development of the kids and with Dolan, Hynes, Jacques and another preseason into Davo there is a heap of natural improvement there, all in positions of need.

Selwood, Budarick as defensive minded mature bodies replacing Bramble & JJ. Robertson in for a defensive mid, a couple of Cody, AJ, Dolan & Dovastan pushing out McNeil & VDM. Also I think it’s good that our defence was just so bad this year that it almost forces us to adapt. If it was just a so-so year Bevo could probably get away with just rolling in with the same setup next year and hoping for the best but with it being as publicly shit as it was it really forces our hand to do something about it.

Budarick Buss Lobb
Dale JOD Sellwood

Davo Libba Williams
English Bont Richards

Kennedy Naughty Dolan
West Darcy Cody

Freijah, Robertson, Croft, one of Bramble/Cleary/Jacques, Croft, one of Sanders/Treloar/Dovastan/Hynes

Thats pretty strong, much better than what we were putting out this year and plenty to work with to be completely honest, that team can compete.

So much growth in Buss, JOD, Freijah, Sanders, Darcy and the second year players.

So it’s not all doom and gloom, I know it sucks not landing the big names but we honestly don’t need to do anything stupid our list build is on a good trajectory and there’s a lot of reason to be very hopeful going into next year. Realistically the only two who may start to drop off are Lobb & Libba

I’m really keen on the Budarick pick up. I’ve got basically the exact same best 23 as you

[Uninformed]

The latest Danny McGinlay and Tom Boyd podcast is with Michael Regan:



Link

Thanks for that. Liked what Rhylee West had to say about Budarick