2025 List Management Thread

[doggies ftw]

As much as I understand that, are we really not picking him because of it? I mean, Coffield is hardly a shining light on how to move the ball and we did just play Gardner a few weeks ago which was a bizarre decision given he's nowhere near the level and can't defend nor move the ball.... Fortunately it only took one game to figure that out, though I'd argue the evidence was there long before that.

We seem to hone in on some players flaws more than others. I get it happens at all clubs, but why bother re-signing him? As the weeks go by, it looks like we've blown a first rounder here.

Yeah I do agree with your last point, it’s been like that for a while ie we looked at what West couldn’t do for years, rather than what he could. Whilst at the same time accepting Mccomb etcs obvious flaws. Garcia similar right now.

i dunno it’s hard to say because clearly
these guys are playing the roles asked of them behind closed doors I guess. I kinda feel like when we actually rate someone as having a future we judge them a little bit more harshly as we’re looking at developing them as a long term player maybe? So it’s more important to set standards we expect rather than the short term sugar hit of what they bring week to week?

just gut feel on how we seem to approach development for some players compared to others, and Buss would fit this mould as in we see a big future so we want to make sure he’s developing how we want him to

[The Bulldogs Bite]

He's not adapting his game like he needs to. He's a distributor of the footy at the VFL level but he can't or wont take the game on and is way too safe.
Switching the footy left or right as he does might lift up his possession stats but he has to got the ball moving forward and lifting his metres gained
If he changes his game just a bit it could make a lot of difference.

As much as I understand that, are we really not picking him because of it? I mean, Coffield is hardly a shining light on how to move the ball and we did just play Gardner a few weeks ago which was a bizarre decision given he's nowhere near the level and can't defend nor move the ball.... Fortunately it only took one game to figure that out, though I'd argue the evidence was there long before that.

We seem to hone in on some players flaws more than others. I get it happens at all clubs, but why bother re-signing him? As the weeks go by, it looks like we've blown a first rounder here.

[Mofra]

it's a tough one for Buss, not too sure we need the three tall defenders in the same side, like others i really liked his game v the Giants so it must be so frustrating for him, if he really wants out and Freo/WC offer us a good enough deal, i can't see us making him stay.

With Coffield we're basically playing 3 talls now.
Buss is desperate to play, which is a tick. I'd like him to stay but I'm starting to think he'll request a trade and we'll honor it to get someone else in.

[mighty_west]

it's a tough one for Buss, not too sure we need the three tall defenders in the same side, like others i really liked his game v the Giants so it must be so frustrating for him, if he really wants out and Freo/WC offer us a good enough deal, i can't see us making him stay.

[Scott2016]

I think this is a load of rubbish he is good enough. We have played other duds in the side even going back to Fletcher Roberts in 2016. Bus is better than him and Gardiner. I would say he is a better defender than Buku. We play delisted people from other clubs who are no good ie: Poulter Baker and others. If I was Buss I would feel the same

[doggies ftw]

He's not adapting his game like he needs to. He's a distributor of the footy at the VFL level but he can't or wont take the game on and is way too safe.
Switching the footy left or right as he does might lift up his possession stats but he has to got the ball moving forward and lifting his metres gained
If he changes his game just a bit it could make a lot of difference.

I’d be very surprised if this was even a consideration in him missing tbh, he’s our deepest defender at VFL level and we’ve played Gardiner over him who is literally not even close to as damaging with the footy as Busslinger. Not to mention Coffield who is also a short & safe operator, Buss actually does pull the trigger on quite a few long direct kicks each week, as well as a number of short and sideways but this is how we play. Most of our disposal out of the backhalf is short and sideways at both levels until the balls in someone like Dale or Lobbs hands, and is the nature of him getting his touches at FB as the deepest defender. He gets 30 touches a week as a FB of course some are going to be fluff but he does a lot of good with the footy too that people don’t really acknowledge

I think it’d be purely down to we can’t trust him defensively as a key defender yet and he’s not strong enough aerially or athletically to play as an intercepting 3rd tall. Hes a full back IMO and probably can’t play anywhere else, he just doesn’t have the size to play the role well yet, I think that will start to change by next year.

[GVGjr]

Is Busslinger competitive enough to be a key defender?

He is really giving off Lewis Young vibes.

He's not adapting his game like he needs to. He's a distributor of the footy at the VFL level but he can't or wont take the game on and is way too safe.
Switching the footy left or right as he does might lift up his possession stats but he has to got the ball moving forward and lifting his metres gained
If he changes his game just a bit it could make a lot of difference.

[FrediKanoute]

I like what I saw vs Giants. I was mystified why we gave Gardy game time.

I think he has a good base of skills. I would expect him o be next off the rank

[The Bulldogs Bite]

I'm not convinced on Busslinger but in one of the worst defensive sides in the comp (from those trying to contend) he hasn't had much of a chance. And yet, in the past, we've gifted games to the likes of JOD and Gardner when form hasn't warranted.

If we were flying defensively I could understand it, but... We're not.

[azabob]

Is Busslinger competitive enough to be a key defender?

He is really giving off Lewis Young vibes.

[Axe Man]

The Western Bulldogs have made clear to first-round pick Jedd Busslinger they will not be trading him despite his frustration at being shut-out of the senior side.

Clubs will again ask the question of No.13 draft pick Busslinger at season’s end despite a contract for 2026 given his lack of game time this year.

He took on and beat Jesse Hogan in his only full game of the season in his AFL debut then got only 17 minutes of game time as the sub the following week and was dropped.

He would be legitimately concerned about the way forward given James O’Donnell is only 22 and Rory Lobb is in excellent form, with Buku Khamis and Ryan Gardner chosen ahead of him this season.

But the Dogs have been emphatic that they will not consider a trade for him under any circumstances, which means he will honour that deal.

In a terribly thin draft where some clubs are suggesting they might hardly take a selection and will instead upgrade rookies, the Dogs won’t be interested in later picks for Busslinger.

And given his lack of exposure with some clubs concerned he is a third tall, they won’t be giving up first-rounders for him.

So he will have to bide his time in the VFL and hope something changes next season before he comes out of contract with more freedom.

OVER 30s CLUB

Bulldog Jason Johannisen is channelling his great mate Tom Liberatore in pushing hard to get the best of himself into his 30s.

The 32-year-old Norm Smith Medallist is hoping he can extend his career in 2026, insisting his body is feeling good again after a few tough years with injury.

Johannisen has played just 37 games in the past four seasons after a wretched run, but he says Libba is the perfect example to follow as someone who has always strived to overcome adversity and keep getting better.

“We both walked through the (Whitten Oval) at the same time,” Johannisen said. “He has always been an inspiration for me because of his unconditional approach.

“You just always know what you are going to get from him. At different points he has had a lot of adversity, but you just know what this club means to him.”

Johannisen is out of contract at the end of the season and would love to play on if his body stands up – as he expects it to – and if the Bulldogs still want him.

He still forms part of the strong defensive bond in the backline and remains grateful to the club that first took him in a rookie draft in 2011.

Asked if he wanted to play next year, Johannisen said: “For sure, I still love the game, and I still love working with the boys.

“When you are my age, you take it one week at a time. But it means a lot to be a one-club player, especially in a football club that took a chance on me as a young kid.”

He said the 2025 Bulldogs have “more weapons” than the 2016 premiership side, but he knows there is plenty of work ahead.

“We are building nicely. We probably have more weapons than the 2016 team, with (Sam) Darcy and ‘Naughty’ (Aaron Naughton) and with the depth in our midfield.

“But we know we still have plenty of improvement left and hopefully we can stay healthy.”

Link

[Bornadog]

Story in HUN which I don't have access to:

Busslinger is frustrated by a lack of opportunities but the Dogs are adamant they won’t trade him under any circumstances. Especially in such a poor draft. Comes out of contract next year so would have more options then. JJ keen to play on.

[doggies ftw]

Weitering is ideal in ability and age, but he re-signed for six years 12 months ago.

I like Silvagni. Cal Wilkie signed until 2027 - 29yo,, could be our Brian Lake for a few years.

Vlastuin isn't exactly the guy we need but I've always liked him.

Wilkie would be absolutely awesome alongside Lobb & JOD. He seems like a pretty locked in St Kilda man but if they finally bit the bullet and decided on a full rebuild instead of bouncing around as an avg side (which they probably won’t commit to under Ross…) and he wanted to win a flag it would be a great move for everyone

[Virgin-Dog]

Adelaide are the ones to look at for KPDs. They've got a fairly young group of them, and Nick Murray is currently the one left out, though he signed until 2028 over the offseason.

Given how well Keane and Worrell are playing, I don't think it's out of the question to poach Jordon Butts. He's from country Victoria, and is a free agent next year

[jazzadogs]

I think we also need to look at a tall defender as Lobb and jones are on the tail end of their careers. The jury is out on Busslinger and Garner could fill a role nut is more break glass that leaves Croft who is playing more forward.
O'Donnell is improving and can have his moments, but we saw Larkey was all over him when matched up. I think we need 200 plus key defender who can take a contested mark and at least have reasonable disposal skills.
Who that is I have no idea but I think it's an area of weakness.

Weitering is ideal in ability and age, but he re-signed for six years 12 months ago.

I like Silvagni. Cal Wilkie signed until 2027 - 29yo,, could be our Brian Lake for a few years.

Vlastuin isn't exactly the guy we need but I've always liked him.