2025 List Management Thread

[Axe Man]

‘DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME’: PIES’ BONT PLAY KNOCKED BACK

Collingwood has been told “don’t waste your time” in response to enquiries about free-agent Western Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli, says Herald Sun journalist Jon Ralph.

More than halfway through the season, Bontempelli remains without a new contract for 2026 and beyond, and only days ago was it revealed that the club and star midfielder had begun talks on a new deal.

And while Ralph revealed on Fox Footy’s On the Couch that Bontempelli “will certainly stay at the Western Bulldogs”, he said: “But the rumours reached such fever pitch of a link to Collingwood that even the Pies had their heads turned.

“My understanding is, over the past few weeks and months, they (the Pies) have made a series of overtures just to make sure. A series of text messages — ‘are you sure he doesn’t want to come and play at Collingwood and win another premiership there?’

“You could say that the replies back (from the Dogs) have become even more and more forceful — ‘don’t waste your time, he’s staying at the Whitten Oval’.”

The 29-year-old has a history delaying contract talks with the Bulldogs, but entering the second half of the season, persistent speculation has left fans a bit edgy.

The six-time All-Australian was, in a rarity, curtailed in last Thursday’s 12-goal smashing of St Kilda, with Saints tagger Marcus Windhager holding him to just 14 disposals and three clearances.

[Axe Man]

Victorian club tipped to have vast salary cap wiggle room amid play for Power gun: AFL trade news

The Western Bulldogs are expected to have a large opening in their salary cap for next year that will place them in the window to move for a top-line star.

The Dogs' recent, and potentially incoming, departures of key players are anticipated to place the Footscray-based club in a position to aggressively chase Port Adelaide gun Zak Butters and other potential trade targets.

Premiership pair Jack Macrae and Caleb Daniel left the Dogs last year despite being on deals through to the end of the 2027 and 2026 seasons, respectively.

The Bulldogs also had money on the side for the chance Bailey Smith remained with the club, only for the midfielder to move to Geelong in the same off-season as Macrae and Daniel.

With speculation surrounding Jamarra Ugle-Hagan's future, another top Bulldog leaving would reportedly see the club equipped with significant financial flexibility.

Ugle-Hagan is said to be north of $800,000 for the final year of his contract next season, per 7 News' Mitch Cleary, who reports the Dogs could be turning their attention to Butters.

"With trust at the club still needing to be rebuilt, not even a contract can guarantee Jamarra will be at the Dogs next year," Cleary said on Monday.

"Should he depart, he would add to the pool of cash for the pursuit of Port star Zak Butters this year or next.

"Ugle-Hagan is on more than $800,000 next year, with Caleb Daniel and Jack Macrae's departures leaving a hole in the 2026 salary cap, as well as Bailey Smith, who the Dogs had set money aside for."

Butters is contracted until the end of next year; however, the interest from the Bulldogs and other Victorian clubs comes as a play to lure the Western Jets product back to his home state as a 'pre-agent'.

Port Adelaide will look to hold Butters to his deal, but could get a better return in 2025 compared to next year, when he can walk via free agency.

The Dogs will be keen to make their move for Butters this season, given most clubs in Victoria will show interest if he remains unsigned in the second half of next season.

Butters is expected to have a restricted free agency status in 2026, meaning the Power would be able to match a rival's bid and force a trade deal rather than taking a single draft pick as compensation.

[chef]

The early talk is the draft is not deep at all, even the first round is thin. This may result in fringe players and injury prone players perhaps getting another one-year deal.

A lot of NGAs predicted to go first round too isn't there?

A real big problem the AFL has created.

[Bornadog]

Yes, he is

Thanks

I wonder how he is going.

[Critter]

Is Will Darcy eligible this year for Father/son?

Yes, he is

[Rusty12]

That would involve delisting 2 players already contracted for 2026 in McNeil and Bramble as well as Walker and Sellwood who would have to do something terribly wrong to but cut so soon.

Sorry, I thought I read above it was Duyrea and Baker.
Obviously not cutting those contracted for 2026 and not talking about Sellwood.

[Axe Man]

For us, promote JOD, delist the rest.

That would involve delisting 2 players already contracted for 2026 in McNeil and Bramble as well as Walker and Sellwood who would have to do something terribly wrong to be cut so soon.

[Rusty12]

I think this sounds about right and agree it has been good list management.

Do we promote any players to the main list? We have 7 players classified as rookies and some may be delisted like Baker, Duryea. JOD deserves a bigger contract and on the senior list.

Chances the new AFL executive, do away with these rookie lost spots? It is being abused, anyway.
For us, promote JOD, delist the rest.
I think Cat-B should disappear, along with non northern academy too. I would rather see the VFL promoted, and getting first dibs on bringing players through there.

[Rusty12]

Draft may be thin, but you still want to add another 4 before Tassie come in.
Agree, our list management team have done a great job.
First year, teams can push multiple years into the future to, presents many opportunities.

[GVGjr]

I believe we require 3 main list spots open for draft night, but can then use those to promote a rookie.

Scott, Artie Jones and Nick Coffield would cover those main list spots. We could also delist Liam Jones to add back to the rookie list if we wanted to maintain him.

We could also delist a contracted player for transfer to the rookie list. Ryan Gardner would fit that bill.

Technically Yes. We could potentially count a JOD promotion as one of those spots.

[Bornadog]

Is Will Darcy eligible this year for Father/son?

[Bulldog Joe]

I believe we require 3 main list spots open for draft night, but can then use those to promote a rookie.

Scott, Artie Jones and Nick Coffield would cover those main list spots. We could also delist Liam Jones to add back to the rookie list if we wanted to maintain him.

We could also delist a contracted player for transfer to the rookie list. Ryan Gardner would fit that bill.

[Bornadog]

Yes we had one vacant list spot and added 2 players in the MSD (1 into the vacant spot and 1 as replacement for Cody).

Going into next season I assume Cody will no longer be on the long term injury list and we will need to reduce our list by 1 plus another 1 to accommodate JOD onto the main list.

Ok thanks for the explanation

[Axe Man]

Going into the season, didn't we have one place vacant, then put on one extra to replace Cody to make up the two?

Yes we had one vacant list spot and added 2 players in the MSD (1 into the vacant spot and 1 as replacement for Cody).

Going into next season I assume Cody will no longer be on the long term injury list and we will need to reduce our list by 1 plus another 1 to accommodate JOD onto the main list.

[azabob]

The early talk is the draft is not deep at all, even the first round is thin. This may result in fringe players and injury prone players perhaps getting another one-year deal.