2025 List Management Thread

[Dogs 24/7]

Re: 2025 List Management Thread

They're aging at exactly 12 months per annum

Of course but shouldn't the trend line flatten out or start reversing as clubs hit the draft periods?
I suspect more clubs view themselves as being in the premiership window so are topping up with experienced players rather than drafting younger players.

[Bulldog Joe]

Re: 2025 List Management Thread

Of course but shouldn't the trend line flatten out or start reversing as clubs hit the draft periods?
I suspect more clubs view themselves as being in the premiership window so are topping up with experienced players rather than drafting younger players.

It probably reflects that the competition has evened up and clubs are holding onto senior players because they give a better chance at finals and finals success.

[azabob]

Re: 2025 List Management Thread

I'm waiting for scorlibo to say what the trend is on if lists are ageing or not.

Then I will give my opinion.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2025 List Management Thread

BREW GETS CHANCE FOR FAIRYTALE SSP LISTING
Western Bulldogs are looking at offering Werribee hard nut and inspirational captain Dom Brew a potential list spot after inviting him to train with the club.

The Herald Sun can reveal Brew, 27, will begin training with the Dogs this week in a bid to impress the club’s coaching staff and list management team.

It could be the fairytale story of the summer as the mature-age hard and popular skipper nut has been desperately fighting for an AFL chance for years.

But he still faces a fight to secure a list spot as the Dogs are weighing up other players to invite to the club as well.

While there are no guarantees, the Dogs will consider whether Brew could help provide some midfield depth next season after losing Jack Macrae (St Kilda), Bailey Smith (Geelong) and Caleb Daniel (North Melbourne) in the exchange period.

The tough nut enjoyed the best season of his career in 2024 winning the Liston Trophy as the best player in the VFL on 31 votes, nine ahead of second-placed Rory Atkins.

Brew averaged 28 possessions, 10 clearances, nine tackles, and six inside 50s a game as part of an outstanding season playing on the ball.

It means he is ready-made and will step straight into competitive match simulation with Dogs’ brilliant ball winners Marcus Bontempelli, 29 today, and Tom Liberatore, 32, over summer.

Brew, who is one of the most respected and popular players in the VFL, also captained Werribee to the flag, was named captain of the team of the year, and won the coaches’ MVP this year.

Brew is renowned for his professionalism, such as taking an ice bath every morning of the year, and outstanding character attributes.

Brew said recently he wrote a letter to all 18 club coaches in a bid to try to secure a train-on spot this summer.

He is certain to impress with his dedication, however the Dogs are likely to invite other players to try out for the club’s one vacant list spot.

The Dogs will make a decision on who joins the list in the new year as part of the supplemental selection period ahead of the new season.

The Dogs enjoyed an impressive draft last week, landing midfield-forward Cooper Hynes (pick 20), rebounding defender Lachie Jaques (pick 29), half forward Josh Dolan (pick 31), tall forward and medical student Sam Davidson (pick 51) and speedster Luke Kennedy (pick 61).

But after taking five players at the draft, the Dogs have the room to add one more, such as Brew, in the new year after a training stint.

Brew said on SEN last week he was desperate to get a chance at the top level.

I just wanted to play the highest level of football,” Brew said on SEN.

“I’m lucky enough now that I’ve played some good footy that I’m able to do that – write a letter to every club to let them know if there is an opportunity there.

“Obviously I’ll only suit a couple of clubs because you get clubs that are rebuilding. But at my age and how much good footy I’ve got left in me, which is about five years, I just thought it was worth a shot.

“You never know, and if it doesn’t work out then at least I can go to bed knowing that I did everything I possibly could which was the whole point of my year this year, was just making sure I gave myself the best opportunity to succeed and not leave a stone unturned.

I just reckon that all I need is an opportunity.

“I just need a foot in the door and the rest will take care of itself. That’s where I’m at mentally, but it’s out of your hands, you just don’t know.

“I just feel like I could make a ready impact. There’d be natural improvement to come if you’re doing it every day in a full-time environment.

“If I got in that environment where all I was focusing on was footy I’d go to another level. I’m convinced I would anyway.”

[Grantysghost]

Re: 2025 List Management Thread

Good luck to him. Bit of a head scratcher for me, I guess he's a temu Macrae? Where does it leave Harmes? Garcia?

Wing, small forward are things I'd like to see addressed before inside mid.

[soupman]

Re: 2025 List Management Thread

Wing, small forward are things I'd like to see addressed before inside mid.

Towards the end of last season we were basically out of VFL mids and have since lost 2 starters (and gained one) and Libba is close to the end. I can see merit in getting a ready made depth option there, especially if he can show in pre season an ability to help elsewhere.

I don't think we need anymore borderline delistable wings, we already have Poulter, Baker, Davidson, McNeil, Croft, Gallagher, Scott, Freijah and Jones as non starting wingers who could get a gig there and cover basically every player type.

Small forward I could get around, but we have seemed disinterested in actually filling that role with a crumber basically ever so maybe we just aren't so inclined.

[Warrnambulldog]

Re: 2025 List Management Thread

Signing Brew after getting Davidson surely would make us favorites to win the vfl

[Grantysghost]

Re: 2025 List Management Thread

Towards the end of last season we were basically out of VFL mids and have since lost 2 starters (and gained one) and Libba is close to the end. I can see merit in getting a ready made depth option there, especially if he can show in pre season an ability to help elsewhere.

I don't think we need anymore borderline delistable wings, we already have Poulter, Baker, Davidson, McNeil, Croft, Gallagher, Scott, Freijah and Jones as non starting wingers who could get a gig there and cover basically every player type.

Small forward I could get around, but we have seemed disinterested in actually filling that role with a crumber basically ever so maybe we just aren't so inclined.

That list of wingers is very depressing.

I guess for depth that's a reasonable point if we need it.

We have Richards,Garcia, West, Harmes, Libba, Treloar, Bont, Hynes (not ready but I'll list), Sanders, Gallagher, Kennedy who are all capable of playing that inside role.

Depth seems ok?

[soupman]

Re: 2025 List Management Thread

I don't think it's terrible but if you list it out it goes

Bont, Libba, Richards and Treloar as your best 4. 2 of them are in their 30s and not infrequently injured.

West we see as mostly a forward, Kennedy and Harmes will do a bit of both but both comfortable fit in that second tier, Garcia's contract puts more faith in him than our MC has shown.

Sanders is still finding his feet, Hynes we have to assume is a nonfactor and Gallagher hasn't shown an ability to perform ther yet.

Considering we are probably already playing at least 7 of those first 8 listed we are two injuries away from running real thin.

I'm not sold on Brew at all, and am hoping Weightman gets added to the mix. But I guess if Brew has a good preseason and shows he can be a solid contributor he might be a better use in that role.

[Mofra]

Re: 2025 List Management Thread

Good luck to him. Bit of a head scratcher for me, I guess he's a temu Macrae? Where does it leave Harmes? Garcia?

Wing, small forward are things I'd like to see addressed before inside mid.

Macrae's defence is an afterthought - he's a ball winner, perhaps the best in our history.

I think we desperately need a defensive mid - Matt Kennedy? He's slow and a decent HF option by all accounts. If Brew makes everyone on the list work 1% harder though it may be worth it. I'm really concerned about Libba - finished the year slowing up considerably and not running well as per pre-season reports

[jeemak]

Re: 2025 List Management Thread

I'm waiting for scorlibo to say what the trend is on if lists are ageing or not.

Then I will give my opinion.

I think he would say that every player in the AFL is ageing.

[mjp]

Re: 2025 List Management Thread

Good luck to him. Bit of a head scratcher for me, I guess he's a temu Macrae? Where does it leave Harmes? Garcia?

I think we should be thinking top 4/win the flag and we actually need some 'soldiers'. If Libba is out for an extended period then we need help...otherwise it's all Bont and Treloar and they are not 23 years old any more...

See if it works. He's training for a spot over summer - why not see if he can do it (and it's not like he's going to get paid a fortune).

I honestly don't see how it hurts...worst case it's another inside mid for Sanders to hone his craft against at training - I'm sure he's got some tricks to win stoppages based on his numbers - so...

We picked up some kids for tomorrow - where we are at right now means we need some players for now.

[Grantysghost]

Re: 2025 List Management Thread

Top 4? Last time was 2010. Maybe I'm too harsh but just winning a bloody final. Would be a great outcome for this group. I don't believe top 4 is in us at this point, and if we want to practise against slow inside mids we have our Jimmy H!

Bah, you're all nuts.

However I do want to see Brew and Beveridge together so there's that.

[chef]

Re: 2025 List Management Thread

Top 4? Last time was 2010. Maybe I'm too harsh but just winning a bloody final. Would be a great outcome for this group. I don't believe top 4 is in us at this point, and if we want to practise against slow inside mids we have our Jimmy H!

Bah, you're all nuts.

However I do want to see Brew and Beveridge together so there's that.

I know we shit the bed in that final, but our second half of the season was as good as any. Bring that for a whole season and we'd be top 4 easy.

[Grantysghost]

Re: 2025 List Management Thread

I know we shit the bed in that final, but our second half of the season was as good as any. Bring that for a whole season and we'd be top 4 easy.

Well yes that's the hard bit