2025 List Management Thread

[jazzadogs]

Cox is fine - the 'hate' is dumb and unjustified.

I would be fine if we listed him. He would be ruck depth and key forward depth, two of which he can contribute and is fairly consistent in doing so.

I'm actually surprised Collingwood cut him. 6 weeks ago or so they brought him in for week 1 of the finals and he straightened them up on the way to beating Adelaide.

It would be a savvy addition, we can't keep relying on English's durability.

Cox and Frost would both be reasonable additions, if we are planning to try and win a flag next year. They each offer more to our list than Poulter, Coffield and JJ, or an 18yo draftee.

The only reason we shouldn't get one or both of them is if we see next year as a development year, but I don't think this is how we are positioning ourselves.

[GVGjr]

Cox and Frost would both be reasonable additions, if we are planning to try and win a flag next year. They each offer more to our list than Poulter, Coffield and JJ, or an 18yo draftee.

The only reason we shouldn't get one or both of them is if we see next year as a development year, but I don't think this is how we are positioning ourselves.

I like the logic, it really should depend on an accurate and honest assessment of our playing list.

We are more likely to go for Frost but I hope we look a bit deeper.
We do need another ruck man even if it's a pure back-up but I can't see that happening.

[doggies ftw]

I know Lual hasn’t set the world on fire at the bombers, haven’t seen a huge amount of him but if he gets delisted I’d be keen. Seems he’s been played mostly forward and we know their development is shit. In his draft year he looked like a really handy backline player with a good mix of offence & defence. Good one on one, great speed & athleticism, really love his endeavour and then on the turn seems to like to attack too but maybe a bit shaky disposal at times but think he can tighten that up.

Hes the type I still want more options for in defence, think I’d take a free hit at him if delisted

[GVGjr]

I know Lual hasn’t set the world on fire at the bombers, haven’t seen a huge amount of him but if he gets delisted I’d be keen. Seems he’s been played mostly forward and we know their development is shit. In his draft year he looked like a really handy backline player with a good mix of offence & defence. Good one on one, great speed & athleticism, really love his endeavour and then on the turn seems to like to attack too but maybe a bit shaky disposal at times but think he can tighten that up.

Hes the type I still want more options for in defence, think I’d take a free hit at him if delisted

We obviously did a bit of work on him before he was drafted by Essendon and an athletic defender or winger should have some appeal for us.
He got 9 games of senior experience as well which isn't bad. I haven't seen enough of him and we might have more pressing needs so he might be a watch this space player.

[Rocco Jones]

Re: Cox and Frost

Mason Cox-

I see comments like 'he isn't the solution'. Well it depends on the question. Of course it's not a long term. Of course it needs to be very, very cheap.

Like jazzadogs has mentioned, all about our ambition. I think we will prioritise winning and having a back up for both the ruck and R2 role will really help. I like Lachie Smith, I saw a comment about him being a premier ruck in the VFL, idk if this is really true.

The way I see Smith vs VFL oppo this season:
- Generally better than AFL guys at his age
- Smashes guys who are just really being thrown into the ruck at state league level due to injuries/senior call ups
- Competitive, but in all reality, well beaten by mature AFL back up level rucks and gun mature VFL rucks

He has just turned 20. Very, very young for a ruck. I am not a believer being thrown into AFL is automatically best for development.

Sam Frost-

I think he fits in well surrounded by interceptors, which is his weakness.

I get our fans being disheartened by not getting a quality KPD but it's not like the contenders don't have their weaknesses.

Cats weren't able to get Marshall. Next season, their ruck options will bea 35yo Rhys Stanley, Conway who is always injured and SDK, which would rob them of a KPD. I actually think they will go after Cox.

Hawks didn't end up with Merrett and lost Worpel. Day has really struggled to get on the park, if that continues, I think they will really struggle with inside mids.

I get the concern with taking up list spots but I think the real issue with ‘list cloggers’ is signing on fringe players to contracts that are too long.

[jazzadogs]

We obviously did a bit of work on him before he was drafted by Essendon and an athletic defender or winger should have some appeal for us.
He got 9 games of senior experience as well which isn't bad. I haven't seen enough of him and we might have more pressing needs so he might be a watch this space player.

Lual has SSP selection written all over him.

[Bornadog]

Mason Cox is completely cooked. He had a shocking year, averaging 7 disposals and 10 hitouts, and kicked 4 goals in the 10 games he played.

Sam Frost smacks of desperation; however, apparently, according to Fox Footy we have spoken to him.

[chef]

Mason Cox is completely cooked. He had a shocking year, averaging 7 disposals and 10 hitouts, and kicked 4 goals in the 10 games he played.

Sam Frost smacks of desperation; however, apparently, according to Fox Footy we have spoken to him.

Yeah agree, feels like we are being gaslighted into thinking theyll be fine haha.

[doggies ftw]

Could do worse than Frost IMO, he had a great year in 2024 in a really solid backline. Hes athletic enough to suit our scheme and would probably be our best defender 1-on-1 let’s be honest. Lost 10 of a total 51 contests in ‘24 (tick under 20% loss rate) which is miles above our guys. Not a big interceptor which we have covered and his shoddy by foot although I watch a lot of Hawks and I felt he was playing within his limitations for the most part. Easy when you’ve got Hawks ball movers around you though.

Pushed out by Barrass in ‘25 obviously. Hes no world beater, I would hope he doesn’t play every game and don’t want him to take games from Buss but could do worse than having him for injury cover or should Buss not come on as we hope.

I actually think he’d really suit our system to be honest, we’d ideally be looking for a better version of him

[jazzadogs]

Mason Cox is completely cooked. He had a shocking year, averaging 7 disposals and 10 hitouts, and kicked 4 goals in the 10 games he played.

Sam Frost smacks of desperation; however, apparently, according to Fox Footy we have spoken to him.

Was only ever played as an R2 behind their best and fairest Darcy Cameron, so attended around 20 ruck contests. Averaging 10 hitouts isn't too bad when it's half your ruck contests...

He didn't offer much as a forward, but we wouldn't be playing him as a forward (although, again, I'd probably feel better about Cox coming in to cover Darcy/Naughton than Khamis/Poulter/Smith/etc).

I just think he's good coverage. Frost is the higher priority (essentially replacing LJones on the list), but Cox would be fine. Not every player on the list will be perfect, and thats okay.

Look at the Lions this year - they brought in Sam Day to cover the Joe Daniher void. Hed only managed 18 games across the previous four seasons. But he brought his experience to a new environment, played 13 games, and provided a crucial target for the smalls to work off. The Lions won 10 out of his 13 games. He was stiff to get dropped for McInerney.

[Grantysghost]

Mason Cox is completely cooked. He had a shocking year, averaging 7 disposals and 10 hitouts, and kicked 4 goals in the 10 games he played.

Sam Frost smacks of desperation; however, apparently, according to Fox Footy we have spoken to him.

Frost was pushed out due to Barrass and Battle I'm not sure it's as desperate as you say.
He kind of fits our type of defender.
If we ended up with him I'd be ok.

Cox, well yeah as JD said depends on how we see ourselves going in 26. If we are realistic like me, we won't pick him up