2025 List Management Thread

[hujsh]

If Lual doesn't get a contract, do we bring him home? Can we wash off the Essendon stink?

[Willow18]

Updated squad list; includes 3 new draftees.
44 listed, but expecting 2-3 delisting before the draft

18-23: (20)
O’Donnell, Busslinger, Freijah, S. Darcy, Sanders, Hynes, Croft, Cleary

Sellwood, Jaques, Kennedy, Gallagher, Poulter, Dolan, Walker, Jones, Smith, Pick 14, Pick 33, W. Darcy

24-29: (18)
Dale, Budarick, Williams, Davidson, Naughton, Kennedy, Weightman, West, English, Richards, Bramble

Gardner, Coffield, Baker, Vandermeer, Khamis, McNeil, Garcia

30+: (6)
Lobb, Bontempelli, Liberatore, Treloar

Harmes, Johannisen

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Either way you look at our list management, there's going to be a hell of a lot of pressure to perform next year.

There's a fair bit of impatience and frustration from our supporter base. The last few years have taken a bit of a toll, even if some of the dialogue is over the top.

[Bornadog]

So we Draft in just 2 or 3 players. Promote 2 rookies and leave 2 spots open for a delisted Free Agent or SSP window.
Did you allow for Jamarra leaving?

Forgot about him

[Pleather Sole]

He showed a lot of improvement in the 2nd half of the season.
Why I doubt he could be a defender is that he is just a tad slow with his movement, his kicking skills are average and he doesn't really have a vertical leap.
I know that sounds a tad harsh but I think he has some limitations.

Agree on the slowness as I noted. I do think he has the potential to be a 2nd ruck that rotates more backline than forward. I'd like to see him tried there pre-season. He wouldn't be a Liam Jones key type but I'd like to see his defensive instincts tested. You can build skills if the instinct is there, building instinct is almost impossible.

[GVGjr]

Ps
My thinking is that early 2026 Lachlan Smith debuts pending a great preseason.
I think he could play behind the ball as 2nd or 3rd ruck starting games on the bench. From the little I saw of him in VFL games he looks very comfortable in defense. He does seem a tad slow but he's smart and can outbody biggish forwards in contests.
Might be why we're happy to let Buku go (apart from being decent humans).
Croft has surpassed Buku as a fwd-swingman and we would have 4 ruck choices.

I'm beginning to feel the urge to make 2026 line-ups!

He showed a lot of improvement in the 2nd half of the season.
Why I doubt he could be a defender is that he is just a tad slow with his movement, his kicking skills are average and he doesn't really have a vertical leap.
I know that sounds a tad harsh but I think he has some limitations.

[josie]

Ps
My thinking is that early 2026 Lachlan Smith debuts pending a great preseason.
I think he could play behind the ball as 2nd or 3rd ruck starting games on the bench. From the little I saw of him in VFL games he looks very comfortable in defense. He does seem a tad slow but he's smart and can outbody biggish forwards in contests.
Might be why we're happy to let Buku go (apart from being decent humans).
Croft has surpassed Buku as a fwd-swingman and we would have 4 ruck choices.

I'm beginning to feel the urge to make 2026 line-ups!

Gee it would be good if Smith can become a workmanlike key back, with a bit of ruck relief. From my viewing he is not that good at marking (not that he is bad, perhaps he is tired from a lot of ruck work which impacts marking ability). Hope he can improve that. If he can become a half decent one on one type defender it’s ok that he is not quick. Better body size than Lobb or Buss (for now) to hold out big key forwards.

[Pleather Sole]

Ps
My thinking is that early 2026 Lachlan Smith debuts pending a great preseason.
I think he could play behind the ball as 2nd or 3rd ruck starting games on the bench. From the little I saw of him in VFL games he looks very comfortable in defense. He does seem a tad slow but he's smart and can outbody biggish forwards in contests.
Might be why we're happy to let Buku go (apart from being decent humans).
Croft has surpassed Buku as a fwd-swingman and we would have 4 ruck choices.

I'm beginning to feel the urge to make 2026 line-ups!

[GVGjr]

Totally agree with this, however, that would mean we need to bring in 6 players (actually 5 with Budarick).

So we Draft in just 2 or 3 players. Promote 2 rookies and leave 2 spots open for a delisted Free Agent or SSP window.
Did you allow for Jamarra leaving?

[Pleather Sole]

Based on some discussions today it's unlikely we will bring in other players tonight. Marra goes and maybe Khamis but it's unlikely.
Delisted Free Agents and the SSP window should be used.

What I'm hearing
Baker has been given a deal to consider
JJ doubtful to be given another offer
Poulter and Coffield unlikely.

I like this. Punting JJ feels sad but it's time. Budarick is an almost hybrid of Duryea and JJ. Fierce in contests, defense and he can break lines, maybe even the odd end to end goal.
I think Baker will stay unless he gets an offer from home. He has become more consistent this year, really good depth.
Coff and Poulter fine at VFL but good leaves.

I'd be knocking on Jed Bew's door, no star but a bona fide defender that won't break the bank. Sam Frost on a one year deal wouldn't kill me.
Wade Derksen as a burgeoning defender with a mature body, also good depth, could develop as a genuine defender/utility.
Not sure who comes in for Poulter......?
Bring back Luamon Lual and would we be wise to grab Craig Cooper Peters?

[Bornadog]

What I'm hearing
Baker has been given a deal to consider
JJ doubtful to be given another offer
Poulter and Coffield unlikely.

Totally agree with this, however, that would mean we need to bring in 6 players (actually 5 with Budarick).

Edit make it 6 with Marra

[GVGjr]

Based on some discussions today it's unlikely we will bring in other players tonight. Marra goes and maybe Khamis but it's unlikely.
Delisted Free Agents and the SSP window should be used.

What I'm hearing
Baker has been given a deal to consider
JJ doubtful to be given another offer
Poulter and Coffield unlikely.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

You seem unhappy about the way the club has gone about it. But which aggressive move has any other club made that would have made us better? I mean actual recruiting moves that have happened that if we had done them would have made us better?

Yeah, not so much just one trade or roster decision/period, I just think, and there a number of examples that overall we've lost talent - not been fairly compensated for that, and I think there are some points of the argument that might indicate we could've done better to mitigate or prepare -but I won't re-litigate those here.
And look as I also said , there is a fair amount of me just having the sooks and having had enough of this aspect - being the one's who are predated. I think I've been consistently a supporter of the club's decision making and coaching.. but this aspect has been percolating for a long time, and the Smith and JUH situations are just the boiling point.

[Rusty12]

The club have been clear on their strategy.
They are executing that.
You can disagree with the strategy, but I would rather a club execute their plan than be a random mess.
Most of the names put up are not, either more of the same, or not fit for purpose.
Getting Marras' money off the books and losing the distraction is the biggest move we could hope for, outside of landing Wilkie.

[Grantysghost]

Butts for a first rounder is desperation. Allowing for injury he wasn't even best 23, with Keane, Worrell and Murray all playing more games. Murray came in and outperformed him to the point he didn't get back in to the side post injury.

Yes he would play for us, but would he make us significantly better...I'm not sure. First round picks should be reserved for players you are convinced will make your side better.

Butts's inflated