2025 List Management Thread

[Axe Man]

DOC’S PAY BUMP

‘Doc’ Davidson is the Western Bulldogs’ cheap-as-chips star in an era when players are offered $1.7 million per season contracts but some also play as relative paupers.

No.51 draft pick Sam Davidson has played exceptional football after deferring his medical studies which could one day make him a very rich doctor.

Davidson is in the lowest pay category for AFL players apart from rookie-listed players.

Under the AFL’s CBA, players taken at picks 1-10 this year are awarded a base contract of $140,000.

Players taken at pick 11-20 are on a base of $130,000, those taken at 21 to 50 are on a base of $120,000 and those 51 and onwards are on $115,000.

The senior match payment for first and second-year players is $4000 a game.

So if Davidson plays 20 games he will earn $195,000 for the season, a quarter of the wage of the departed Bailey Smith.

If he plays over 18 games a year he can earn a $60,000 bonus this year, and $55,000 would be added to his base deal for 2026.

So he will still earn plenty – just on $250,000 – compared to the average Australian wage but he’s no AFL rich lister yet.

Hawks star Nick Watson earned a $130,000 base as a top ten pick last year, then earned $72,000 in match payments and a $60,000 raise in his 2026 deal.

So this year he will earn a $190,000 base and $60,000 if he plays 18 or more games, but then gets $110,000 extra on his 2026 salary as a result of those games played.

He will sign a new deal midway through the season and while he is already locked into a mandatory three-year deal he will eventually cash in from his fourth year onwards.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

I think GVGjr was saying is Bont waiting for Bevo to sign first

Oh I see.

I would hope that wouldn't influence whether Bont stays or not but maybe it will influence the longevity of the contract.

[Warrnambulldog]

Oh I see.

I would hope that wouldn't influence whether Bont stays or not but maybe it will influence the longevity of the contract.

Ha imagine if they negotiated a coaching handover in 5 years time

[Axe Man]

ALL EYES ON BONT

MARCUS Bontempelli's contract talks are set to heat up as the next key domino to fall into place at the Western Bulldogs.

The Dogs champion has so far resisted entering contract discussions, but talks are expected to be kickstarted soon – potentially by the end of this month – as the club looks to lock in its captain and coach.

Luke Beveridge's admission this week that his own talks around an extension at the club was edging closer will leave Bontempelli with the full picture of the future at the Bulldogs, following big re-signings Ed Richards and Sam Darcy in recent months and a strong start to the season despite injury and personnel challenges at the club.

The 2016 premiership coach has made clear in recent weeks his keenness to get into extending his time at Mission Whitten Oval. The Dogs' upcoming bye in round 12 is shaping as a pivotal period for both key figures in their contract discussions.

With Beveridge's tenure – be it two or three more seasons – to be worked through, the length of Bontempelli's next deal is also a fascination given his unrestricted free agency status in a year he turns 30.

After signing a four-year deal last time he was out of contract as a free agent, and since then the eight- and nine-year deals and offers becoming more common in the market, clubs are looking at his major free agency contract as being split in two.

A 'double up' deal seeing Bontempelli land a four- or five-year extension to stay at the Dogs until his mid-30s is considered the likely length according to rival clubs. – Callum Twomey

[NAUGHTY100]

Just give the Bont whatever he asks for , im sure he wouldnt try to extort the club so his asking price would be reasonable .
Give the best player this club has ever known what he deserves pure and simple .
While they are at it extend Bevo for another 2 years and be done with the distractions , god only knows we deserve some clear flying space .

[azabob]

Would love to pluck two more running defenders to put pressure on JJ and Bramble.

Two mid sized forwards with pace an skill would also be handy. Hopefully Hynes develops into one of those.

Stil need half back reinforcements and mid sized forwards via the draft or trade period.

[GVGjr]

Does anyone think we will pass on making a selection of two at the mid-season draft?
We've tended to only promote players from Footscray except for Rypstra
I'd prefer we look at bringing in 2 players but I doubt we will. Maybe the new recruiter has his eye on some players.

[Aidan7557]

Does anyone think we will pass on making a selection of two at the mid-season draft?
We've tended to only promote players from Footscray except for Rypstra
I'd prefer we look at bringing in 2 players but I doubt we will. Maybe the new recruiter has his eye on some players.

Seems like we want this halfback from the WAFL. Highly doubt we take take two players. I think Lachie Jauques will debut in the back end of this season too.

[Bornadog]

Seems like we want this halfback from the WAFL. Highly doubt we take take two players. I think Lachie Jauques will debut in the back end of this season too.

Which halfback Aidan?

[Aidan7557]

Which halfback Aidan?

Michael Sellwood. 21 years old putting up good numbers in the WAFL. Believe he has trained a fair bit with Freo because he plays for their WAFL affiliate.

[Axe Man]

Michael Sellwood. 21 years old putting up good numbers in the WAFL. Believe he has trained a fair bit with Freo because he plays for their WAFL affiliate.

Found this little write-up on him:

Peel Thunder WAFL

Age: 21, Height: 186cm, Position: Defender

Sellwood was on the radar of AFL clubs ahead of the 2024 mid-season draft but it was his Peel Thunder teammate Jacob Blight who heard his name called by Richmond. The defender has had an even better start to the season in 2025, averaging 23.7 disposals, 9.7 intercepts, 7.5 marks, 5.8 rebound 50s, 3.8 marks and 121 SuperCoach points per game. Sellwood is competitive defensively, courageous in the air, and can turn defence into attack with his intercept game and precise kicking. The 21-year-old put forward his case to recruiters for the WA state team, collecting 19 disposals and eight marks – including a strong grab back with the flight in the second term. “Sellwood stands out as I’ve seen him week in, week out and know what he’s capable of,” Peel Thunder coach Adam Read said. “He’s still only 21.”

Link

[GVGjr]

Along with Michael Sellwood the club has also been linked with Ewan Mackinlay from the SANFL

Ewan Mackinlay is turning heads with his explosive mix of speed and power, drawing comparisons to Bailey Humphrey.
AFL clubs are rumoured to be closely watching the high-impact player, who is averaging 16 disposals, four inside 50s, three tackles, and two scoring shots per game.
Mackinlay's ball use inside 50 is his major weapon, and his selection in the SANFL state squad should have him on the radar.
The 21-year-old could be an ideal mid-season acquisition given his scope.

From FOX AFL

West Coast has also been linked to 21-year-old defender Michael Sellwood, who’s performed well for Peel Thunder this season averaging 23.7 disposals and 7.5 marks from six WAFL games while racking up 19 disposals and eight marks in the WA-SA state game last weekend. Sellwood confirmed to SEN WA this week he’d had a medical with the Western Bulldogs, who rival clubs believe could be eyeing a running defender at next week’s draft with their natural open spot after opting against filling their list during the pre-season supplemental selection period (SSP).

However the Bulldogs have also been linked to 182cm North Adelaide forward Ewan Mackinlay, who’s impressed clubs with his speed and power, as well as his kicking skills in the front half. Mackinlay, who’s kicked 5.7 and averaged 16.2 disposals from six SANFL games, also has interest from Port Adelaide, who rival clubs believe are on the hunt for a player speed in the forward half next week.

Port Adelaide still needs to officially open up a list spot, but is being tipped to put Xavier Walsh on the long-term injury list after he was ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a shoulder injury. The Bulldogs, too, could open up another spot due to Cody Weightman’s injury, but coach Luke Beveridge was hesitant this week to confirm that was his club’s plan.

[GVGjr]

Talked to a mate in WA who gets to a couple of WAFL games each week. He loves watching footy live.
He rates Sellwood and compared him to a back line version of Jai Newcombe. His only doubt on him was if he was quick enough.
His marking in 1 v 1 contests was well above average and he is a neat kick albeit not overly attacking with his foot skills.

It will be interesting to see how serious we might be with him.

[Hotdog60]

Mackinlay sounds interesting I like a bit of speed and could take McNeil's spot (sorry Grantysghost) in the forward half. Sellwood sounds like a slightly better Cleary.

[GVGjr]

Mackinlay sounds interesting I like a bit of speed and could take McNeil's spot (sorry Grantysghost) in the forward half. Sellwood sounds like a slightly better Cleary.

Mackinlay appears to have some traits that we might be tempted by. As for Sellwood, perhaps he could compete more with Bramble.

Does anyone think we might move Weightman to the long term injury list and consider two selections at the MSD?