2025 List Management Thread

[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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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]

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.

[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.

[Pleather Sole]

Your avatar

It was a great day!

[The Bulldogs Bite]

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.

[Grantysghost]

If he was cheap I think he could be handy. He even played tall defender in the VFL
But I reckon we could do worse.
One year deal, or someone like him.
When we used to go 4wding, we always took at least 2 decent spares and cans of goo. You may not use them, but if you need them and you don't even have at least one, well, you know.
Protecting Lobb, Darcy and Naughton is critical.

Your avatar

[Pleather Sole]

Mason Cox is still one of the best in ruck taps, and you would think that the new ruck rules to discourage wrestling will further help him. A quarter of his hitouts go to advantage.

There are plenty of negatives to his game, but if English was injured in round one I'd be okay with having Cox on the list as back up.

I liked what I saw of Lachie Smith at the end of the year, but I'm not sure how you can be so confident that he will contribute more than Cox at AFL level next year.

If he was cheap I think he could be handy. He even played tall defender in the VFL
But I reckon we could do worse.
One year deal, or someone like him.
When we used to go 4wding, we always took at least 2 decent spares and cans of goo. You may not use them, but if you need them and you don't even have at least one, well, you know.
Protecting Lobb, Darcy and Naughton is critical.

[NAUGHTY100]

i get your point Gary , and i do think using Smith as a sub would be a wise move , i totally agree that Smith couldnt play a full game , but i do belive he could be used as that sub to bring on in 10 min busts , to one _ give English a rest , two_ keep Darcy forward and three_ keeping Lobb back , as you said last year Lobb had to play CHB and ruck in the same game which obviously detracted from his preformance, he needs to get his head around playing that backman roll like he did early when he was shifted back and did really well .So from a list managment point Smith could be the answere for 10 or 15 mins a quarter or whenever English is run off his feet and needs a rest , Smith dosnt have to star when he comes on ( it would be nice if he did but )all he has to do is complete and be physical , wear the oppostion ruckman down , for when Ehglish takes over again .
May i add that just the thought of Cox sent my head into a spin , he is definatly not what we need .

[Grantysghost]

Cox would be ok by me as a back up. I think some other clubs might grab him (Geelong).
He's not a bad player.