2025 List Management Thread

[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.

[Mitcha]

I had a cursory glance at h is finals record. It's pretty handy.

Understand that but he hasn't played finals footy for a long time. He was much cleaner (and quicker) as a younger man.

[Mantis]

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.

I can see Lobb playing for another 3-4 years... he is in the prime of his career right now.

[Hotdog60]

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.

[Mofra]

I guess things tighten pretty quickly when you offer up a few million to bring players in, which is what they have in mind.

Hill would have come in on relatively large coin and is very much a player in his twilight who you mightn't need hanging around if you're wanting to rebuild quickly. Interesting comparison with Davidson. When I look at those comparisons I tend to gravitate towards effective disposals as much as anything else. Hill is a clean running player who I think would bring us genuine class, he's been durable in his time at the Saints.

When the whips are cracking I want players in the side who can be relied upon to maintain and reach a standard. As much as I've been impressed with Davidson and others I don't feel we've got that proven standard just yet, and we need to strike while the iron is hot. Two years out of Hill might help us do that.

They had enough to keep Battle and chased Kemp last year, North aside I don't think there's a team in the competition with more cap space than St Kilda. They'll keep him even if they have to shell out over $2.7m pa next year for TdK & Bergman.

If we're really chasing twilight wings, Langdon is covering as much ground as he ever has which fits perfectly into the way we want to play. Melbourne may be on the verge of imploding. I still think a genuine small defender is a much more pressing concern though.

[jeemak]

Would have won a Gold medal for fumbling last night. Handy player if given time and space but wouldn't trust him with a contested footy in a tight final, thanks but no thanks.

I had a cursory glance at h is finals record. It's pretty handy.

[jeemak]

I don't think we need a short term solution for the role he plays.

We need a short term solution for anything in any position that makes us better and more likely to capitalise on our core of quality players. This is chips in time, so if we can find someone better than Dolan or even Williams we go for it. It doesn't mean we can't address needs, but at this point we just need to raise the class levels on our list because we all lament it's a lack of outside class forward of centre that undoes us against the better teams, on top of some holes in our defence.

[jeemak]

No thanks. He will be 32 next year. I would rather give opportunities to our younger players like Dolan

Age aside, Dolan isn't anywhere near Hill's standard and most likely won't ever reach Hill's standard irrespective of the games we might feed him now or over the next couple of years. He may of course, but we are in the premiership window now and need to be topping up with quality now.

As for Hill's age, others have already pointed to this possibly not being an issue. I know it's a thing for you (lucky he's not a fatty as well!!!! ) but to me as JD has pointed out in modern footy it seems to be less of a problem - particularly if players have been durable.

[jeemak]

If Libba can run him down his well past his prime.

Libba has always been super quick. He's just usually too cooked from repeat stoppage efforts to show it.