List Mgmt. 2025 Premiership(s) List Making and Trading

[bigman]

C4 said a week ago that Leek Aleer is keen to come home and play for us. Thoughts? Feels like key defence is a pretty strong area for us unless a Butts type seeks greater opportunities. He wouldn’t come super cheap.

Also says Curtin is very settled and happy in Adelaide which I’m not surprised to hear given his body language but reassuring all the same.

 

[Scorpus]

Actually - scrap that.

The Bulldogs decided to not sign Crossley and seem to be going into the season without a backup ruck?

Am I missing something?

They've got English, Lobb and Darcy if needed

 

[Mutineer]

So, the Bulldogs passed on Crossley. And any other ruck.

Smith isn't any more an AFL ruck yet than I am.

So - they're going in with an injured English and no one else?

What are they planning?

Rory Lobb a 207cm monster that has done plenty of ruck for both Freo and the Giants is an option and how do you know that Lachlan Smith won't be an serious option given they've passed on Crossley apparently?

LOL

I suggest you check out Lachlan Smith before making a ridiculous comment, he's one very big strong unit that would toss you around like a rag doll.


MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 07: Lachlan Smith of the Bulldogs and Darcy Fort of the Lions compete in a ruck contest during the 2024 VFL Round 11 match between the Footscray Bulldogs and the Brisbane Lions at Mission Whitten Oval on June 07, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia

 

[Mutineer]

C4 said a week ago that Leek Aleer is keen to come home and play for us. Thoughts? Feels like key defence is a pretty strong area for us unless a Butts type seeks greater opportunities. He wouldn’t come super cheap.

Also says Curtin is very settled and happy in Adelaide which I’m not surprised to hear given his body language but reassuring all the same.

Has Leek Aleer's kicking improved dramatically because it was woeful a couple of year's ago? Excellent athlete especially with his leap but unless his kicking has improved big time it would scare me.

 

[Coopers]

Rory Lobb a 207cm monster that has done plenty of ruck for both Freo and the Giants is an option and how do you know that Lachlan Smith won't be an serious option given they've passed on Crossley apparently?

Yeah but Rory Lobb

 

[PeterSalt]

trump escaped going to Vietnam 5 times .. because bone spurs .. farken lol

He is injured...

*really injured (season ending).

The rules for the Inactive List state that the injury needs to be season-ending, and they need to have medical evidence to support this claim.

Given that the club's media releases indicate they're still hoping Strachan will be available for (SANFL) R1, his medical diagnosis obviously isn't season-ending.

 

[cleanhands]

trump escaped going to Vietnam 5 times .. because bone spurs .. farken lol

 

[PeterSalt]

 

[cleanhands]

Sorry I couldn’t quite get your post it’s on me

 

[PeterSalt]

Sorry I couldn’t quite get your post it’s on me

 

[cleanhands]

I couldn’t get the gist of your post that’s all

 

[Mostyn]

They've got English, Lobb and Darcy if needed

So - they have a ruck, a key defender and a key forward?

And no back-up ruck?

 

[Mostyn]

Rory Lobb a 207cm monster that has done plenty of ruck for both Freo and the Giants is an option and how do you know that Lachlan Smith won't be an serious option given they've passed on Crossley apparently?

LOL

I suggest you check out Lachlan Smith before making a ridiculous comment, he's one very big strong unit that would toss you around like a rag doll.

View attachment 2230213
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 07: Lachlan Smith of the Bulldogs and Darcy Fort of the Lions compete in a ruck contest during the 2024 VFL Round 11 match between the Footscray Bulldogs and the Brisbane Lions at Mission Whitten Oval on June 07, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia

Lobb is already in their side as a key defender - and he would have been delisted if they hadn't found that role for him. He hates rucking and has never consistently played there.

Darcy is also already in their side as a key forward.

The only backup they have ready to go is a kid drafted last year.

That means they have even less than us.

Obviously some sides just aren't choosing to have ruck depth and for whatever reason think that it's a waste.

I don't know why, but multiple clubs seem to be considering that.

 

[Scorpus]

So - they have a ruck, a key defender and a key forward?

And no back-up ruck?

They would obviously pull one of them to ruck. Probably Lobb and just add another defender

 

[AFC979810]

Well 207cm Rory Lobb has done a shitload more AFL ruck than Strachan, Turray, Thilly and McAndrew all put together but obviously they want him in defence by preference.

He is also 32 years old.

The Bulldogs have English as Ruckman #1. We have Rob as our ruck #1.
The Bulldogs have 19 year old Smith as ruckman #2. He has completed 2 AFL preseasons and has zero games of experience. We have 29 year old Strachan who has 7 games AFL experience and 6 preseasons.
The Bulldogs have Rory Lobb/Sam Darcy as their emergency Ruckman . We have TT/Murray as ours. These players are preferred as KPP, but can Ruck.

You came on here to gloat that the Bulldogs were beefing up their ruck stocks and it backfired spectacularly.

I haven't seen a self own like that since you listed old Zane as a 196cm ruckman in January and then argued with yourself in February that he wasn't.

And unlike Thilthorpe and Turray who were drafted/recruited as Forwards.... Lachlan Smith was drafted as a ruckman.

You confident in a 19 year old Lachlan Smith carrying the ruck for the entire season if English gets hurt?

When will you admit this has been a failure by Adelaide list management, almost everyone can see that but not you.

Passing on Crossley / McDonald a massive failure by the bulldogs? Or do you not consider it a failure because you love their list manager?

As of Friday we are stuck with what we have which is no serious back up if ROB goes down before the season start or early on on the season....and Strachan who has struggled with his endurance with virtually no preseason, yeah everything is great.

And as of Friday the Bulldogs are equally screwed if English is out for a long period of time.

 

[AFC979810]

Who we playing rd 1 if ROB gets injured?

What club is in a great position if they lose their #1 and #2 ruckman to injury?

Bulldogs are forced to play either Darcy or Lobb who are preferred as KPP if they lost both English/Smith before round 1. Just like we would be forced to play TT if we lost both ROB and Strachan for Rd 1.

 

[AFC979810]

I couldn’t get the gist of your post that’s all

I think he is saying that Trump faked bone spurs to get out of going to Vietnam - so perhaps Strachan could fake an injury to open up a list spot for us to sign Logan McDonald.

 

[George CantStandYa]

What club is in a great position if they lose their #1 and #2 ruckman to injury?

Bulldogs are forced to play either Darcy or Lobb who are preferred as KPP if they lost both English/Smith before round 1. Just like we would be forced to play TT if we lost both ROB and Strachan for Rd 1.

Ok.

Did you watch the trial? You happy to still go into 2025 with ROB as your lead ruck even though McAndrew beat him and by all reports has beaten him during the preseason?

 

[AFC979810]

Ok.

So which lists are built to cover losing their #1 and #2 ruckman?

Did you watch the trial?

Didn't watch the trial.

You happy to still go into 2025 with ROB as your lead ruck even though McAndrew beat him and by all reports has beaten him during the preseason?

Absolutely. As I have stated to you multiple times - ROB is just fine as our ruckman - it's only his paycheck I have had a problem with in the past.

But since it was most likely front loaded in 2021/2022 when we weren't paying anyone - its surely a pretty decent contract in 2025.

As long as ROB can be competitive in the ruck we are just fine.

 

[George CantStandYa]

So which lists are built to cover losing their #1 and #2 ruckman?



Didn't watch the trial.



Absolutely. As I have stated to you multiple times - ROB is just fine as our ruckman - it's only his paycheck I have had a problem with in the past.

But since it was most likely front loaded in 2021/2022 when we weren't paying anyone - its surely a pretty decent contract in 2025.

As long as ROB can be competitive in the ruck we are just fine.

I’d have to go through the lists, I haven’t done that hence “ok”.

Perhaps you should watch the trial and then comment. He was easily beaten by a bloke not on an AFL list. The bloke was not only taller but also jumped over ROB, whose only hope was to try and block his run, the best he could do was win a ridiculous ruck infringement free kick when it should have gone the other way.

Further to your first question, our primary issue is our no 1 ruck sucks, our no 2 ruck sucks. How many other clubs have their 2 lead rucks who suck?

 

[AFC979810]

I’d have to go through the lists, I haven’t done that hence “ok”.

Lazy. The answer is very few.

My top 4 lists in 2025 are GWS, Brisbane, Sydney, Port. If those 4 teams lost their two best ruckman here is who they would be playing rd 1:

GWS - 0 game 18 year old Logan Smith or 0 game 18 year old Nick Madden.
Port - 6 game Visintin
Brisbane - 4 game forward Henry Smith (or a 196cm winger if you ask Bicks).
Sydney - 0 game 19 year old rookie Will Green.

Perhaps you should watch the trial and then comment. He was easily beaten by a bloke not on an AFL list. The bloke was not only taller but also jumped over ROB, whose only hope was to try and block his run, the best he could do was win a ridiculous ruck infringement free kick when it should have gone the other way.

To be honest - not too concerned about form at internal trial game in mid February. I have seen most of ROBs 120+ games. He is fine.

Further to your first question, our primary issue is our no 1 ruck sucks, our no 2 ruck sucks. How many other clubs have their 2 lead rucks who suck?

I think sucks is harsh. He ain't great - he is a pretty poor ruckman around the ground but an average ruckman at stoppages / centre clearances.

So you are fine with the number of rucks we have - you just aren't happy with the quality of our rucks as players?

 

[George CantStandYa]

Lazy. The answer is very few.

My top 4 lists in 2025 are GWS, Brisbane, Sydney, Port. If those 4 teams lost their two best ruckman here is who they would be playing rd 1:

GWS - 0 game 18 year old Logan Smith or 0 game 18 year old Nick Madden.
Port - 6 game Visintin
Brisbane - 4 game forward Henry Smith (or a 196cm winger if you ask Bicks).
Sydney - 0 game 19 year old rookie Will Green.



To be honest - not too concerned about form at internal trial game in mid February. I have seen most of ROBs 120+ games. He is fine.



I think sucks is harsh. He ain't great - he is a pretty poor ruckman around the ground but an average ruckman at stoppages / centre clearances.

So you are fine with the number of rucks we have - you just aren't happy with the quality of our rucks as players?

I’m not happy with the number of rucks and the quality of our rucks. Majority of clubs have a developing ruck on their list or one of their top 2 rucks they’ve developed.

bigman has been saying all preseason that ROBs form has been a worry and McAndrew has been beating him, we saw how badly last week.

This coming off a year when ROB as a leader of the club was dropped after not one poor game but a run of them, to be replaced by another poor AFL ruck. Both what 29?

Can you name any other side where their lead ruck was dropped last year?

 

[skam85]

Actually - scrap that.

The Bulldogs decided to not sign Crossley and seem to be going into the season without a backup ruck?

Am I missing something?

Yes, you are. Club website has this bloke listed as a ruck.
As well as Lobb who as done plenty.

Ryan Gardner | AFL

Follow Ryan Gardner's progress through AFL

www.westernbulldogs.com.au

Plus, aren't rucks supposed to be irrelevant?

 

[AFC979810]

Can you name any other side where their lead ruck was dropped last year?

Sure.

11 win Essendon dropped Goldstein. Top 4 Port dropped Ivan Soldo.

Meanwhile the two All Australian Ruckman nominees came from 11 win teams.

Good ruck, bad ruck who gives a shit. As long as you have one that can compete.

 

[AFC979810]

Yes, you are. Club website has this bloke listed as a ruck.
As well as Lobb who as done plenty.

Ryan Gardner | AFL

Follow Ryan Gardner's progress through AFL

www.westernbulldogs.com.au

Plus, aren't rucks supposed to be irrelevant?

You are as bad as Bicks. This isn't 1995. Gardner ain't a ruckman.

Gardner is 197cm. He played 19 games in the VFL in 2024 and had 50 total hit-outs. May as well say we have Burgess as a ruckman (34 AFL hit-outs from 8 games).