2025 List Management Thread

[jeemak]

Let’s be completely honest here, assuming we bring in at least one, hopefully two mature key defenders which we absolutely should be. List spots are tight, you could realistically hold one of Gardner or LJones as depth.

Who would we rather as a depth key defender who may be called upon for a game or two? Who’s going to perform better at AFL level. Who’s a better and more experienced leader that we want as a semi-development coach at training. Who do we want at VFL level alongside the likes of Buss bringing them along?

The answer is pretty bloody clear for mine, and it’s not the guy with the contract. Why do we lock ourselves into these 3-4 year deals for guys who are happy to be on a list? We’ll be in this same position in 2 years for VDM, if not sooner. It’s madness, for such a good operator some of these decisions from Power are completely cooked

Because if you don't have the depth, as rudimentary as it is, you end up on the way to being as ****ed as Essendon has been this year.

Gardner and VDM aren't first choice, but they'll be senior experienced players on not much coin at all who have each shown they can provide a rudimentary level of cover at senior level. Something brand new players, outside very few, can.

If you're OK going into full rebuild mode that's fine, otherwise just suck up* the fact we're going to have some player contracts on overlap providing depth.

*Sorry, that sounded like it was directed at you, it wasn't, rather, the collective you/we.

[doggies ftw]

Because if you don't have the depth, as rudimentary as it is, you end up on the way to being as ****ed as Essendon has been this year.

Gardner and VDM aren't first choice, but they'll be senior experienced players on not much coin at all who have each shown they can provide a rudimentary level of cover at senior level. Something brand new players, outside very few, can.

If you're OK going into full rebuild mode that's fine, otherwise just suck up* the fact we're going to have some player contracts on overlap providing depth.

*Sorry, that sounded like it was directed at you, it wasn't, rather, the collective you/we.

My problems not with having depth it’s with signing guys who wouldn’t get picked up elsewhere for 3-4 years it’s crazy. We’re in the situation now where LJones would
be much much better as the depth key back next year but will likely be Gardner because we signed him for 4 years (extended 3 years on an existing year), a term in which he’s played 11 games in, including 1 in the last 2 years.

No one’s going into full rebuild mode because they rightfully give VDM & Gardner 1 year deals instead of 3 & 4 lol, if they leave so be it. They won’t though because they have zero other options

[Rusty12]

Dogs interested in Tylar Young, still unsigned at tigers. I actually really like this, good age at 26 - was drafted mature age in ‘22, in ‘23 under siege in that backline he lost 9 from a total of 65 one on ones (13.8%), that is absolutely elite defensive territory. Taylor was the best in the league this year at 15.9%

Didnt reach the same heights in 2024 before doing an ACL but still, that’s enough of a sample size across his only full season at an elite level to show there’s something to work with. He obviously doesn’t offer as much in regards to interceptions or offensive game and probably not well rounded enough to be anything more than a good solid defender but that’s what we want. Someone to take the big blokes and free up Lobb & JOD

Agree, Doggies.
Way more interested in this than any talk of Laverde, Ridley, May ect, ect.
Speaking of the Tigers, we should 100% be into Vlaustin, he would move the needle for us.

[Rusty12]

My problems not with having depth it’s with signing guys who wouldn’t get picked up elsewhere for 3-4 years it’s crazy. We’re in the situation now where LJones would
be much much better as the depth key back next year but will likely be Gardner because we signed him for 4 years (extended 3 years on an existing year), a term in which he’s played 11 games in, including 1 in the last 2 years.

No one’s going into full rebuild mode because they rightfully give VDM & Gardner 1 year deals instead of 3 & 4 lol, if they leave so be it. They won’t though because they have zero other options

I don't really care if VDM, McNeil, Gardner ect, ect, are on the list or not, or how many years, as long as the money is low.
Im kind of with Jameek, they are good depth, however until those types of players are the 28-32 picked, and not playing 40 plus games between them, this team has reached its ceiling.

[JanLorMill]

I don't really care if VDM, McNeil, Gardner ect, ect, are on the list or not, or how many years, as long as the money is low.
Im kind of with Jameek, they are good depth, however until those types of players are the 28-32 picked, and not playing 40 plus games between them, this team has reached its ceiling.

Gardner isn’t good depth if he has played 1 game in 2 seasons with other year to go on contract. That is a list clogger.

[Rusty12]

Gardner isn’t good depth if he has played 1 game in 2 seasons with other year to go on contract. That is a list clogger.

He is a big enough body for the talent to go up against at training.
He is already contracted for 2026.
It is no more complicated than that, Gardner will be on the list until the end of 2026, when his career will end.

[doggies ftw]

He is a big enough body for the talent to go up against at training.
He is already contracted for 2026.
It is no more complicated than that, Gardner will be on the list until the end of 2026, when his career will end.

That’s sorta my point though, I think there’s only room for one of Jones and Gardner on the list next year as depth (well providing we actually do bring in some mature defenders), personally I’d much rather Jones even at his age - yet it’ll likely be Gardner purely for the fact he was, insanely, extended to the end of 2026 at end of 2022.

[GVGjr]

That’s sorta my point though, I think there’s only room for one of Jones and Gardner on the list next year as depth (well providing we actually do bring in some mature defenders), personally I’d much rather Jones even at his age - yet it’ll likely be Gardner purely for the fact he was, insanely, extended to the end of 2026 at end of 2022.

Why is it a either or situation? There are probably some scenarios where they are both on the list for next season.
While I tend to agree with you that in the end Jones will probably go it does depend on who we can bring in during the trade period..
FWIW, I don't think we are that desperate for list positions. Yes they all matter but we have the scope to carry a player or two.

[Bornadog]

Why is it a either or situation? There are probably some scenarios where they are both on the list for next season.
While I tend to agree with you that in the end Jones will probably go it does depend on who we can bring in during the trade period..
FWIW, I don't think we are that desperate for list positions. Yes they all matter but we have the scope to carry a player or two.

Also, no use worrying about players already contracted and wanting them gone.
Check last year's List Management thread and many wanted Cleary gone (probably me too), and look how he has turned out.

[Uninformed]

Agree, Doggies.
Way more interested in this than any talk of Laverde, Ridley, May ect, ect.
Speaking of the Tigers, we should 100% be into Vlaustin, he would move the needle for us.

Not sure it is possible, but Vlaustin is the player I would want the most. (Butters next year!)

I think Vlaustin, more so than a tall, would fix our defence. He is very hard to get around and his kicking always turns his intercepts into a solid attack.

[JanLorMill]

He is a big enough body for the talent to go up against at training.
He is already contracted for 2026.
It is no more complicated than that, Gardner will be on the list until the end of 2026, when his career will end.

If we were just aiming to win at training then fair enough.
A 5 year contract for someone that we could tell a long time ago wasn’t going to make is ridiculous. Nothing ventured nothing gaining. We could have tried a number of players at the same price with the risk they might be a player one day.

[JanLorMill]

Also, no use worrying about players already contracted and wanting them gone.
Check last year's List Management thread and many wanted Cleary gone (probably me too), and look how he has turned out.

The difference being we didn’t give Cleary 5 years.

[GVGjr]

SANDERS STATUS UPDATE

Ryley Sanders’ omission from the club’s round 24 team sets up an intriguing contract year for the Tasmanian-born product, with no talks likely to take place until next year.
The Dogs gave up picks 10, 17 and a future first-rounder to secure Sanders at pick six in the 2023 national draft but the club’s strong midfield meant at times this year he was pushed out to a flank.
After a quiet few weeks he was the sub in round 23 then was dropped altogether in the do-or-die clash against Fremantle.
With one more year on his contract he will be desperate to prove to the Dogs he is worthy of a lucrative extension like fellow Tasmanian Colby McKercher secured in recent months.
McKercher was paid as much as $850,000 a season for a two-year extension that takes him past the first Devils season in 2028 but comes out of contract in 2029.
The Dogs will have to broker a deal with Sanders that retains him but not on silly money, aware that there are more mouths to feed ahead of him in their midfield.
Young emerging prospects Joel Freijah and Jordan Croft are also out of contract next year so the club will be keen to sign them over summer.

[Grantysghost]

Not sure it is possible, but Vlaustin is the player I would want the most. (Butters next year!)

I think Vlaustin, more so than a tall, would fix our defence. He is very hard to get around and his kicking always turns his intercepts into a solid attack.

Praise be.

Best mates with Toyd too.

[Hotdog60]

I like Sanders and at times has shown promise, but I would want to see some improvement and be more damaging when he has the ball. Third year in needs to start showing his worth.