2025 List Management Thread

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  • Grantysghost
    replied
    Originally posted by jazzadogs

    Interesting sentences to have next to each other...a healthy list which had Weightman, Jones, Treloar and Jamarra (all top 10 for importance) essentially unavailable all year, and a couple of months without Bont and Darcy who are absolutely our matchwinners. The concern about not beating the top teams is valid.

    I think 2026 is an easy one to see going either way.

    If we get 20+ games from Bont and Darcy, more matches with stronger bodies from our 2024 draftees, continued improvement in young guns Freijah, Croft, JOD, Busslinger, a return to AFL for Weightman and Treloar, and most importantly a tightened up defensive structure - it's easy for me to see improvement there.

    Injuries to any of the key guys with minimal depth (Bont, Darcy, Lobb, English, Dale, Richards all essentially irreplaceable on our list) will see us probably slide.
    Last two years have been very good for injuries. I'm happy with that statement you're never getting a perfect season.

    Leave a comment:


  • jazzadogs
    replied
    Originally posted by Grantysghost

    Yep thats a view.

    Not sure I share but well said.

    We couldn't beat a decent side this year, every time we needed to win we couldn't get close, we had a pretty healthy injury list too.

    Weightman and Treloar
    I have doubts whether they can get back to their best.

    Lobb to me struggled in defence.

    Davidson I want to be good but I'm not sure where he is yet.

    There are positives for sure.

    I think we balance the defence better bw runners and more defensive types (budarick instead of JJ for eg) and things might get better down back.

    The competition doesn't stand still either so teams below will be better especially the Aints.

    I think we will slide before rising but the 3 - 5 year plan if we get some decent A grade talent in is positive.
    Interesting sentences to have next to each other...a healthy list which had Weightman, Jones, Treloar and Jamarra (all top 10 for importance) essentially unavailable all year, and a couple of months without Bont and Darcy who are absolutely our matchwinners. The concern about not beating the top teams is valid.

    I think 2026 is an easy one to see going either way.

    If we get 20+ games from Bont and Darcy, more matches with stronger bodies from our 2024 draftees, continued improvement in young guns Freijah, Croft, JOD, Busslinger, a return to AFL for Weightman and Treloar, and most importantly a tightened up defensive structure - it's easy for me to see improvement there.

    Injuries to any of the key guys with minimal depth (Bont, Darcy, Lobb, English, Dale, Richards all essentially irreplaceable on our list) will see us probably slide.

    Leave a comment:


  • Pleather Sole
    replied
    Originally posted by GVGjr

    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.
    On reflection, I wonder are we likely to keep him beyond 2026? Yes he has improved and he's young for a solid bodied ruck, is it unreasonable to expect that he'll improve to the extent that he would get games in 2027?
    If English is injured or sick Darcy and Lobb fill in, but moving either from their key positions more than a game or two isn't sustainable. If Smith isn't a realistic option then we likely need another plan.

    Leave a comment:


  • Grantysghost
    replied
    Originally posted by Axe Man

    How did our ladder position flatter us when we didn't lose a single game to a team below us?

    We were clearly better than the bottom 9 and not quite as good as the top 8, with the exception of our orange bunnies.

    We finished exactly where we deserved to finish.
    Usually the teams below aren't collectively that shit.

    Leave a comment:


  • Axe Man
    replied
    Originally posted by Grantysghost

    I'm not I'm usually quite glass half full.

    My belief is that our ladder position flattered us last season. We couldn't beat a good side.

    There will be some improvement from the kids but I don't see that being enough of a bridge with our mid age talent being a weak spot.

    Realistic not pessimistic. Still think we've got a good side. Just will slide a bit until we get the defence right.
    How did our ladder position flatter us when we didn't lose a single game to a team below us?

    We were clearly better than the bottom 9 and not quite as good as the top 8, with the exception of our orange bunnies.

    We finished exactly where we deserved to finish.

    Leave a comment:


  • Grantysghost
    replied
    Originally posted by Mantis

    I can’t see how you would believe we’re on the slide…. I truly can’t.

    We were a far more consistent team this year compared to 2024 and it wouldn’t be a stretch that if our best 2 players had played together for more than 1/4 in the first half of the season we would’ve found an extra 1-2 wins.

    So where does the improvement come from? I would hope each of the following players can improve their output year on year:

    Best 23 players:

    - Darcy
    - Freijah
    - Cleary
    - Davidson
    ​​​​- JOD
    - Croft

    Fringe players:

    - Dolan
    - Hynes
    - Jaques
    - Busslinger

    Add in hopefully getting some output from Weightman and Treloar and a competent /much needed small defender (Budarick) and things are looking ok, especially with a core of likes of Bont, Ed, Naughton, English, Lobb, Dale, West, etc.
    Yep thats a view.

    Not sure I share but well said.

    We couldn't beat a decent side this year, every time we needed to win we couldn't get close, we had a pretty healthy injury list too.

    Weightman and Treloar I have doubts whether they can get back to their best.

    Lobb to me struggled in defence.

    Davidson I want to be good but I'm not sure where he is yet.

    There are positives for sure.

    I think we balance the defence better bw runners and more defensive types (budarick instead of JJ for eg) and things might get better down back.

    The competition doesn't stand still either so teams below will be better especially the Aints.

    I think we will slide before rising but the 3 - 5 year plan if we get some decent A grade talent in is positive.

    Leave a comment:


  • Grantysghost
    replied
    Originally posted by Bornadog

    GG that is very pessimistic. We won the same number of games in 25 as we did in 2024 - so hardly a slide, but yeah not an improvement.

    We will have natural improvement from the young guns in the team - Darcy, Sanders, Freijah, Buss, JOD etc. We kicked a shit load of goals for the year and lost a few games due to lapse of concentration in one quarter.

    Agree, we need to improve our defence and go back to what we did in 2024 when we were the number one defensive team.

    I am bullish for the future (I always am ) and with a few tweaks we will be a better team.
    I'm not I'm usually quite glass half full.

    My belief is that our ladder position flattered us last season. We couldn't beat a good side.

    There will be some improvement from the kids but I don't see that being enough of a bridge with our mid age talent being a weak spot.

    Realistic not pessimistic. Still think we've got a good side. Just will slide a bit until we get the defence right.

    Leave a comment:


  • Mantis
    replied
    Originally posted by Grantysghost

    How do we expect to improve out of interest.

    I'm feeling the opposite view. We've been on the slide for a bit just hanging in there.

    Budarick is a good get, and hopefully we get improvement from Dolan, Jaques etc but the jury is out on Buss and the defence is still a disaster along with our one paced midfield.

    We didn't beat anyone of note sadly.

    Love the optimism but my reality is we slide down some more.
    I can’t see how you would believe we’re on the slide…. I truly can’t.

    We were a far more consistent team this year compared to 2024 and it wouldn’t be a stretch that if our best 2 players had played together for more than 1/4 in the first half of the season we would’ve found an extra 1-2 wins.

    So where does the improvement come from? I would hope each of the following players can improve their output year on year:

    Best 23 players:

    - Darcy
    - Freijah
    - Cleary
    - Davidson
    ​​​​- JOD
    - Croft
    - Sanders

    Fringe players:

    - Dolan
    - Hynes
    - Jaques
    - Busslinger

    Add in hopefully getting some output from Weightman and Treloar and a competent /much needed small defender (Budarick) and things are looking ok, especially with a core of likes of Bont, Ed, Naughton, English, Lobb, Dale, West, etc.
    Last edited by Mantis; 16-10-2025, 04:42 PM. Reason: Added in Sanders who also has lots of upside.

    Leave a comment:


  • Bornadog
    replied
    Originally posted by Grantysghost

    How do we expect to improve out of interest.

    I'm feeling the opposite view. We've been on the slide for a bit just hanging in there.

    Budarick is a good get, and hopefully we get improvement from Dolan, Jaques etc but the jury is out on Buss and the defence is still a disaster along with our one paced midfield.

    We didn't beat anyone of note sadly.

    Love the optimism but my reality is we slide down some more.
    GG that is very pessimistic. We won the same number of games in 25 as we did in 2024 - so hardly a slide, but yeah not an improvement.

    We will have natural improvement from the young guns in the team - Darcy, Sanders, Freijah, Buss, JOD etc. We kicked a shit load of goals for the year and lost a few games due to lapse of concentration in one quarter.

    Agree, we need to improve our defence and go back to what we did in 2024 when we were the number one defensive team.

    I am bullish for the future (I always am ) and with a few tweaks we will be a better team.

    Leave a comment:


  • Grantysghost
    replied
    Originally posted by Sedat
    Who kicks more goals in finals? Was it Morris/Gallop or was it Bailey/Lohmann/Rayner/Cameron who destroyed Geelong in the GF? Buderick is an underrated pick-up, and IMO our needs there were every bit as urgent as our needs for the KPD magnet.
    Yep he's a good get but really there's not a lot of exposed form. So fingers crossed, and he couldn't push Noble out who is just an ok flanker imo. (Different roles maybe lock v run)

    It's the overall plan I am concerned about. Like, what is it? (Defence)

    Leave a comment:


  • Sedat
    replied
    Originally posted by Grantysghost

    How do we expect to improve out of interest.

    I'm feeling the opposite view. We've been on the slide for a bit just hanging in there.

    Budarick is a good get, and hopefully we get improvement from Dolan, Jaques etc but the jury is out on Buss and the defence is still a disaster along with our one paced midfield.

    We didn't beat anyone of note sadly.

    Love the optimism but my reality is we slide down some more.
    Who kicks more goals in finals? Was it Morris/Gallop or was it Bailey/Lohmann/Rayner/Cameron who destroyed Geelong in the GF? Buderick is an underrated pick-up, and IMO our needs there were every bit as urgent as our needs for the KPD magnet.

    Leave a comment:


  • Grantysghost
    replied
    Originally posted by Mantis

    There bloody well should be a big expectation that we improve on our performances from the past 2 years when we’ve been close to being a really good team, but haven’t quite got there.

    We’ve backed in Beveridge by giving him a 2yr contract extension… he needs to deliver.
    How do we expect to improve out of interest.

    I'm feeling the opposite view. We've been on the slide for a bit just hanging in there.

    Budarick is a good get, and hopefully we get improvement from Dolan, Jaques etc but the jury is out on Buss and the defence is still a disaster along with our one paced midfield.

    We didn't beat anyone of note sadly.

    Love the optimism but my reality is we slide down some more.

    Leave a comment:


  • Dogs 24/7
    replied
    It appears we had 44 players on the playing list

    Outs and projected outs
    Scott, L.Jones, Duryea all confirmed
    Poulter, Coffield, Johannisen all projected delistings
    Ugle-Hagan traded and Budarick coming in

    By my calculations that leaves us with 3 draft spots (Will Darcy being one of them) 2 rookie upgrades (JOD and McNeil) and one spot for a delisted free agent (Defender)
    Is that about right?

    Leave a comment:


  • Rusty12
    replied
    Originally posted by Pleather Sole

    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.
    No team is picking a player like Smith as a 2nd ruck and wasting a spot on the bench. He is very limited, but he is improving with he tools he has, so good on him for that. He is not an AFL level player, and I'd be surprised if Lobb isn't the no. 1 ruck, if English was injured.

    Leave a comment:


  • doggies ftw
    replied
    Originally posted by GVGjr

    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.
    Nah you’re right, I think the Smith to defence talk is very wishful thinking. In key back terms he’s treacle slow, and not a strong mark. He’d get murdered in our defensive scheme. Busslinger is slow enough but can maybe overcome it with natural positioning and reading of the play. Smith is even slower and probably no where near as natural in a position he doesn’t play.

    I really like Smith though as a ruck, I think he has elite potential - some limitations sure, but 19 year olds just don’t perform like he has in the VFL. I’d potentially look at bringing him in this year for some ruck work which can allow English to drop back behind the ball. I actually think English playing some defensive coverage, 2nd ruck, forward work with Smith taking the gruntwork in the ruck could make us a better side both around the ground and in the midfield.

    The only issue I’m seeing is the make up of the rest of the list with the likes of Lobb and Darcy were already covered for that super tall option at both ends. If we had smaller defences & fwd lines I’d love the ability to rotate English through there this year, but it just probably doesn’t suit us as much with the way we usually structure up.

    Maybe we just play Naughty & Darcy forward, Croft training in defence. When Darcy/Naughty go bench, English goes fwd, Smith rucks. When Lobb goes bench (I know he doesn’t usually even go to the bench but is this sustainable for a 33yo? I’d rather Lobb at this best then out on his feet for a full 100% game time), English goes back, Smith rucks.

    This allows us always to keep a similar structure across the field - I think our athletic, versatile talls are our biggest list strength and I’d like to see us lean into that and get creative with them. Especially now with 5 on the bench

    Leave a comment:

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