2025 List Management Thread

[bulldogtragic]

You would have to think that the set back with English and a genuine want to play Lobb as a defender probably means we would like to see if in a rucking sense Crossley is a potential upgrade on Gardner.
Perhaps wanting to keep Darcy forward as much as we can might have factored into a rethink.

I wasn’t necessarily sold on Crossley, but was open to him training. But I am on the train for we don’t NEED Brew, but we need a ruck for depth. If Crossley or similar means we have ruck depth that also allows Lobb to play back and Darcy to play predominantly forward than the balance of the team that takes the field is better even if the ruck isn’t Gawn. This makes a lot of sense to see simulations of whether we play better with Gards or Crossley.

[Axe Man]

You would have to think that the set back with English and a genuine want to play Lobb as a defender probably means we would like to see if in a rucking sense Crossley is a potential upgrade on Gardner.
Perhaps wanting to keep Darcy forward as much as we can might have factored into a rethink.

I don't see how any of that has changed from day 1 of pre-season. It's not like English has done anything serious and we should always have planned to keep Lobb back and Darcy forward. The only thing that probably couldn't have been foreseen is the Marra situation.

[bulldogtragic]

I don't see how any of that has changed from day 1 of pre-season. It's not like English has done anything serious and we should always have planned to keep Lobb back and Darcy forward. The only thing that probably couldn't have been foreseen is the Marra situation.

I tend to agree. We should have had Brew & a ruckman training this whole time. Better late than never I guess.

[GVGjr]

I don't see how any of that has changed from day 1 of pre-season. It's not like English has done anything serious and we should always have planned to keep Lobb back and Darcy forward. The only thing that probably couldn't have been foreseen is the Marra situation.

You're right nothing has changed but perhaps there is a realisation we didn't cover our bases like we should have.
The Marra situation plays into it. If we want to keep Darcy forward to compensate for Marra then potentially losing English in the early part of the season would test us.

[Mofra]

I tend to agree. We should have had Brew & a ruckman training this whole time. Better late than never I guess.

Just reported that Crossley is playing in the scratch match up at Queensland. Hell yes.

JJ LTI, sign Crossley. It just fits.

[bulldogtragic]

Just reported that Crossley is playing in the scratch match up at Queensland. Hell yes.

JJ LTI, sign Crossley. It just fits.

On a lateral point… he lost his AFEL career over too much partying and the nose candy. He’s on record as wanting another chance. Maybe he’s a good everyday example around the club of not taking this opportunity for granted because of that stuff. That it’s hard work. That there’s redemption for those that want it. That there’s more to being a top level footballer than the noise outside. That the opportunity could slip through your fingers and cause a lifetime of regret, so fight everyday while you can…

[Mofra]

On a lateral point… he lost his AFEL career over too much partying and the nose candy. He’s on record as wanting another chance. Maybe he’s a good everyday example around the club of not taking this opportunity for granted because of that stuff. That it’s hard work. That there’s redemption for those that want it. That there’s more to being a top level footballer than the noise outside. That the opportunity could slip through your fingers and cause a lifetime of regret, so fight everyday while you can…

There is certainly an "I was immature" aspect to it and a redemption story.
There's also the fact that kids mature at different rates and a lot of 18 year olds just aren't ready.

If we put him through his paces and he fits, he's ideal base salary cheap depth.

[bulldogtragic]

There is certainly an "I was immature" aspect to it and a redemption story.
There's also the fact that kids mature at different rates and a lot of 18 year olds just aren't ready.

If we put him through his paces and he fits, he's ideal base salary cheap depth.

Yes and yes. Perhaps he’s actually a good role model for some the guys on the list, or a cautionary tale.

beyond that, if he offers more than Gardner in the ruck then surely it’s a no brainer if he takes his chance to impress at the camp.

[NAUGHTY100]

There is certainly an "I was immature" aspect to it and a redemption story.
There's also the fact that kids mature at different rates and a lot of 18 year olds just aren't ready.

If we put him through his paces and he fits, he's ideal base salary cheap depth.

I agree and as much as i would love Brew on our list , Crossley is more of a need , and i couldn't agree more with your statement (There's also the fact that kids mature at different rates and a lot of 18 year olds just aren't ready.) and may i add some 22 year olds struggle as well .

[mjp]

I wasn’t necessarily sold on Crossley, but was open to him training. But I am on the train for we don’t NEED Brew, but we need a ruck for depth. If Crossley or similar means we have ruck depth that also allows Lobb to play back and Darcy to play predominantly forward than the balance of the team that takes the field is better even if the ruck isn’t Gawn. This makes a lot of sense to see simulations of whether we play better with Gards or Crossley.

I love the idea of giving Brew a chance but with only 1x spot available it has never made sense.

Whether it is Crossley or someone else it just seems short-sighted to be going into this season with English and quite literally no other recognised ruckman. If we are determined that Lobb should play as a key defender (and honestly, I think he should just play in the position of greatest need which might be key back and could be ruck!) then we simply need another ruck on the list.

I get that Gardner is a great club and competitor (and I thought a solid enough option as a key back fwiw - he plays within his capabilities very well) but he has also missed a tonne of footy through injury in his time at our club...if we are one injury from Gardner being our #1 ruckman, that means we are one injury from having NO ruckman. Just like JJ being injured, if the plan is that Gardner will get through the season injury free that's a very poor plan!!

Even in Crossley plays in the scratchy and Gardner 'outperforms' him...so what. We actually need some depth at this position if we are thinking about winning the flag. Say whatever you will about Brisbane winning a GF with Darcy Fort filling in for Oscar...he is at least COMPETENT and meant they could leave Daniher forward etc etc.

[GVGjr]

We certainly needed a ruckman capable of playing a few games. Is Crossley that player? I really don't know.
WIth Marra out at the moment I'm wanting us to keep Darcy forward as much as possible so if it's Crossley or Gardner that helps achieve that then it's worth considering

[bulldogtragic]

I love the idea of giving Brew a chance but with only 1x spot available it has never made sense.

Whether it is Crossley or someone else it just seems short-sighted to be going into this season with English and quite literally no other recognised ruckman. If we are determined that Lobb should play as a key defender (and honestly, I think he should just play in the position of greatest need which might be key back and could be ruck!) then we simply need another ruck on the list.

I get that Gardner is a great club and competitor (and I thought a solid enough option as a key back fwiw - he plays within his capabilities very well) but he has also missed a tonne of footy through injury in his time at our club...if we are one injury from Gardner being our #1 ruckman, that means we are one injury from having NO ruckman. Just like JJ being injured, if the plan is that Gardner will get through the season injury free that's a very poor plan!!

Even in Crossley plays in the scratchy and Gardner 'outperforms' him...so what. We actually need some depth at this position if we are thinking about winning the flag. Say whatever you will about Brisbane winning a GF with Darcy Fort filling in for Oscar...he is at least COMPETENT and meant they could leave Daniher forward etc etc.

Yep and I’m kind of sick of banging on about it for months now. Lobb replaced Keath. No one replaced Lobb as the back up ruckman in the list changes. I can’t believe we are a few weeks from the SSP closing and it’s finally dropped that maybe mature ruck depth isn’t a bad idea. When Boyd essentially picked Saints then we should’ve been looking at someone else as we had the right to have another player train with us.

I half wonder if Sam Power the list manager was told by Bevo what Bevo wanted. Now Sam Power the footy boss has signed off on looking at Crossley. Timing is interesting.

[hujsh]

Yeah if we don't even back Smith for more than a quarter of ruck work for an intra club match it makes sense so grab someone who can ruck as backup to Tim. Maybe the realization they may have to choose between rucking Gardner or messing up our defensive structure made the penny drop.

[Sedat]

Get Crossley - it's a no brainer. Lobb is Jakovich and Darcy is Carey, let's not mess with the arcs.

Tim is under a potentially longish term injury cloud and Lachie Smith is not ready so we have Gardner and nobody else (not even Dunks, Hannan or Jong anymore). We need another proper ruckman on the list, like yesterday.

[Bornadog]

Tim is under a potentially longish term injury cloud .

Will play in the Essendon match on Feb 15