List Mgmt. 2025 List Management

[serial_thrilla]

 

[freo_leo29]

How is Jamie Cripps playing for Eagles at the moment? Have not watch him closely.

Would you offer him 2 years as a stop gap.

No, cooked and was never very good to begin with

 

[Docker82]

I think most of the major gaps are covered either directly or indirectly by guys on the injury list tbh.

I’d also argue a decent winger allows us to give NOD and even Johnson more inside mid time, which helps significantly on top of the addition of young.

Also think Simpson can be that extra elite user off half back. Chapman is also a good enough kick to play that role IMO but we seem to want to play him in lock down roles that don’t really suit him instead. We should be using Worner or Aish in Walker’s normal role atm and giving Chapman more of a licence to rebound.

The issues with inside mids and half backs are just as much coaching than the talent we actually have at our disposal.

We’ve known wing and small forwards are probably where we need to add talent for a while and I think that’s where we should focus. Inside mid or HBF we have players on our list I’d like to see us give a go to first.

 

[Taylor]

I think that we can be so comprehensively smashed in the middle and still get within two goals of a win, win more inside fifties etc, shows most of the plan and personnel is working - we could do with another stand out performer winning clearances in the middle even just to draw some opposition attention away from Serong.

So people laugh at the Bontempelli suggestion

 

[ubiquitous226]

My list priorities;

• Small forward (still!)
• Running half back, likely from the draft
• Mature defensive midfielder

Since Pickett is out there may be a depth small forward option we can go after via trade, and continue to look to the draft if we cut Delean.

The mature defensive midfielder is the interesting one, I would have loved Matt Kennedy last year otherwise it's a little less clear who may be available this year.

 

[Quazar2]

I think that we can be so comprehensively smashed in the middle and still get within two goals of a win, win more inside fifties etc, shows most of the plan and personnel is working - we could do with another stand out performer winning clearances in the middle even just to draw some opposition attention away from Serong.

So people laugh at the Bontempelli suggestion

I don't laugh at it, he'd be amazing. Would change the dynamic of the midfield and elevate the Dockers into contending areas, no doubt. It just feels like an utter pipedream.

A) How could we afford it? Is he an unrestricted free agent? Even so, his salary would need to be considered.
B) Why would he come to WA?

Just doesn't seem at all plausible, but I'm all for it. Doesn't hurt to have dreams - it just becomes disappointing when they're not made into reality.

 

[Quazar2]

My list priorities;

• Small forward (still!)
• Running half back, likely from the draft
• Mature defensive midfielder

Since Pickett is out there may be a depth small forward option we can go after via trade, and continue to look to the draft if we cut Delean.

The mature defensive midfielder is the interesting one, I would have loved Matt Kennedy last year otherwise it's a little less clear who may be available this year.

Matt Kennedy would have been a decent pick up. Problem is, you only really get to know that through hindsight. Had it been suggested before he went the Dogs, I would have felt no enthusiasm. Sometimes you have to think, seek and search outside the box.

Bulldogs took a chance; they scored well there.

 

[Taylor]

A) How could we afford it? Is he an unrestricted free agent? Even so, his salary would need to be considered.
B) Why would he come to WA?

We had money to attempt to draw over Warner and Pickett who both signed for a million and a half a year.
He is an unrestricted free agent.
His fiance isn't Victorian, she's Canadian, and they met here in WA on holiday. Even if we can't get him to play for us, I think there's a strong case to begin the next phase of their life where it began over in WA where the weather is beautiful.

But I'd want him on a four year contract so we can get 100 games out of him.

 

[purplerunsdeep2]

Cox is tradable

His mate is also in his best years and will now decline, so we will need a replacement plan for him

We talk about our backline being our best line but that window potentially closes in 18 months with an unreliable Pearce, an unfit Ryan and potato in Cox

 

[nurries]

Cox is tradable

His mate is also in his best years and will now decline, so we will need a replacement plan for him

We talk about our backline being our best line but that window potentially closes in 18 months with an unreliable Pearce, an unfit Ryan and potato in Cox

Still dont understand the contract length we gave Cox. Never give a "comfortable" type player a comfortable contract like that.

 

[Purple Suit]

Can someone please explain the difference between ours and WCE current NGA versus Giants, Swans, Lions or Suns academy?
Why do Lions and Swans get to benefit both F/S and an academy?
Why were we never given an academy to help grow?

Genuinely curious... is it as B/S unfair as it seems or am I just a sook?

The main difference is the Northern clubs get access to every kid in their zone, not just indigenous kids or if they have at least 1 foreign parent like we do.

It would be like dividing WA up into two and the two WA clubs got first dib on every WA product. I think the other massive advantage is that clubs pump more money/resources into the development than a WAFL club would so you end up with theoretically a better player. That is just a hunch so we really need more long term data on that and how these highly rated Northern Academy kids or NGA's end up in comparison to kids from the standard draft system. Even then, it will probably be not fair to just compare games numbers to draft pick taken when there are so many factors involved.

 

[Purple Suit]

I think that we can be so comprehensively smashed in the middle and still get within two goals of a win, win more inside fifties etc, shows most of the plan and personnel is working - we could do with another stand out performer winning clearances in the middle even just to draw some opposition attention away from Serong.

So people laugh at the Bontempelli suggestion

We have one on the list, he's just been injured for the whole season. It's not Fyfe either.

Everybody want's the Bont, they are just laughing at the idea we could get him. I don't doubt we have made phone calls and used every Doggies connection at the club to see if he's interested but he's too loyal to consider a move. Getting Cripps out of Carlton would be easier once they sack Voss but he's likely to drop off a cliff within a few years like Fyfe did so probably not worth the Capital or cap space.

 

[Taylor]

We have one on the list, he's just been injured for the whole season. It's not Fyfe either.

Everybody want's the Bont, they are just laughing at the idea we could get him. I don't doubt we have made phone calls and used every Doggies connection at the club to see if he's interested but he's too loyal to consider a move. Getting Cripps out of Carlton would be easier once they sack Voss but he's likely to drop off a cliff within a few years like Fyfe did so probably not worth the Capital or cap space.

We are definitely missing Hayden Young.

 

[nurries]

We are definitely missing Hayden Young.

We need a big bodied, tough midfielder to replace Fyfe and Young when injured. Surely there is someone in the AFL or state leagues, like a Ned Long type that we can get in this year.

 

[chaosball32]

Big bodied mids, dashing flankers, small forwards, all needs.

But the one thing we need the most is some f*cking experience. How many more years of fielding the youngest and most inexperienced teams each round before we decide enough is enough? You have to go back to 2018 which was the last time we didn’t have a team that ranked bottom 6 for age and experience. 8 seasons ago! No more “oh we’re too young, we just need to wait until next year” - we’ve been waiting for nearly a decade.

I still believe we have the core makings of a premiership team but we need to surround them with experience. I think that’s why Bolton has been so good for us this year, a 150 odd game 26 year old and it shows. There’s plenty of seasoned free agents who could really be valuable to this team going around every year and we are seldom in the market for them.

As the above mentioned, Adelaide nailed this last year. Peatling, Cumming, ANB made them go from a middling team to a contender.

And don’t give me this “oh it’s too hard to lure good players being on the other side of the country” crap. West Coast seemed to have no problems doing it in their golden years.

To add to this, we’ve got Walters and Fyfe retiring this year, Aish and McDonald who are OOC and at risk of being let go and O’Meara OOC next year.

It’s why I’m not sold on McVee and Jones. Fine players who both have bright futures but do we need more early 20’s, sub 50 gamers?

Anyway just to list some names.

I was big on Starcevich for a long time and Ah Chee would be pretty handy too. Both OOC. Unfortunately one has had recent concussion issues and the other seems pretty settled.

Rivers would be a good get, classy and can put him on a wing or off half-back. With Pickett’s monster contract do they have the room to keep him? OOC 2027.

Kamdyn McIntosh is an interesting one, in the twilight of his career but could be handy on a wing for a couple of seasons. 3x premiership player too so knows how to get it done. OOC.

Nic Martin can play just about anywhere and has some explosivity that we lack outside of Bolton. OOC 2027 and would probably cost a fortune.

If rumours of a Carlton fire sale are true is Cripps genuinely gettable? If we can get him back anywhere close to last years form he would be perfect but I have fears of his body holding up long term ala Fyfe. OOC 2027.

What about the other Cripps (Jamie)? OOC, probably won’t be offered a new one, can we offer him a 1 year deal to come be a stop gap or depth, is he finished or just looks worse on a shit team?

I’ve made an effort to only list players from WA, I know it’s sacrilegious to suggest but we can also go after non-WA talent.

 

[go_the_dockers]

My list priorities;

• Small forward (still!)
• Running half back, likely from the draft
• Mature defensive midfielder

Since Pickett is out there may be a depth small forward option we can go after via trade, and continue to look to the draft if we cut Delean.

The mature defensive midfielder is the interesting one, I would have loved Matt Kennedy last year otherwise it's a little less clear who may be available this year.

Ah Chee and McVee solves a lot of the problems. Ah Chee is a good forward, who can run through the middle.

I think we still use our first on the best small or medium forward.

Not sure what we do with our midfield, we are clearly a player short but if we play 2 rucks then we can only fit 6 mids in.

The only thing you can do is run more forwards and defenders through your midfield, and get your midfielders to go forward and back. Obviously Young can go back, and players like Chapman can go into the midfield for bits.

Serong, Brayshaw, Serong
3 of Erasmus, NOD, Reid/ Bolton, Johnson, Sharp, JOM, Whan

--Reid and Bolton spend 50% of their time forward.

 

[go_the_dockers]

Matt Kennedy would have been a decent pick up. Problem is, you only really get to know that through hindsight. Had it been suggested before he went the Dogs, I would have felt no enthusiasm. Sometimes you have to think, seek and search outside the box.

Bulldogs took a chance; they scored well there.

Agree, everything easier in hindsight.

 

[Alfonz]

We need a big bodied, tough midfielder to replace Fyfe and Young when injured. Surely there is someone in the AFL or state leagues, like a Ned Long type that we can get in this year.

I think this area needs to mostly come from within with continued development of Erasmus, Johnson, NOD, Chapman, Jackson (midfield craft).

I'm not sure what is out there that could be better than say Erasmus or Brodie. In the state leagues you'd be looking at someone like Constable, but he is just another Brodie.

George Stevens is out of contract and just played his first game for Geelong and did pretty well, but I bet they hang onto him if he is any good.

There's some really old types like Swallow, Duncan who are probably in the same boat as Fyfe as far as retiring goes.

McIntosh is mentioned in a previous post. I don't mind the idea. He's going to be 32 next year and I would struggle to put him in our best 22. And I haven't watched Richmond much at all to see how his body/form is holding up. But it might not be the worst pickup as he could be a cheap UFA pickup and Richmond won't stand in his way. He is a bit lacking in polish, but he would at least provide some physicality, professionalism and premiership experience.

For what it is worth if people want to trawl the available players:

AFL Out of Contract Players in 2026

List of AFL players coming out of contract at the end of 2026.

www.footywire.com

 

[Docker82]

We've got to give Johnson and NOD a proper opportunity in the centre bounce.

They're covering wing roles too much atm because we don't have a decent winger on our list. Time to get one.

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

We've got to give Johnson and NOD a proper opportunity in the centre bounce.

They're covering wing roles too much atm because we don't have a decent winger on our list. Time to get one.

As a step further, I think we need that player that is just as good on the wing as onball because at the moment Johnson and Ras are being shoehorned into that role and they are clearly best purely onball.

We need our McCluggage, Sidebottom, Holmes, Freijah (a reach but man hes looking good). Reid could be that player. I do think Noddy could be decent in that role but obviously not in the same stratosphere as those names. Johnson and Ras are twice as good on the ball as on the wing IMO.

The club simply isn't going to recruit another mature genuine AFL mid while we have these names but we can't have Brodie as basically the only onballer at Peel so I dont know what they do. McVee could be what we are after I suppose

 

[Docker82]

As a step further, I think we need that player that is just as good on the wing as onball because at the moment Johnson and Ras are being shoehorned into that role and they are clearly best purely onball.

We need our McCluggage, Sidebottom, Holmes, Freijah (a reach but man hes looking good). Reid could be that player. I do think Noddy could be decent in that role but obviously not in the same stratosphere as those names. Johnson and Ras are twice as good on the ball as on the wing IMO.

The club simply isn't going to recruit another mature genuine AFL mid while we have these names but we can't have Brodie as basically the only onballer at Peel so I dont know what they do. McVee could be what we are after I suppose

That player is probably NOD but he's being shoehorned into a genuine full time wing position because he's currently the only decent wing option on our list.

I think you've listed some of the best players in that inside/outside role in the league tbh. NOD can be quite good imo without quite reaching that level.

 

[go_the_dockers]

As a step further, I think we need that player that is just as good on the wing as onball because at the moment Johnson and Ras are being shoehorned into that role and they are clearly best purely onball.

We need our McCluggage, Sidebottom, Holmes, Freijah (a reach but man hes looking good). Reid could be that player. I do think Noddy could be decent in that role but obviously not in the same stratosphere as those names. Johnson and Ras are twice as good on the ball as on the wing IMO.

The club simply isn't going to recruit another mature genuine AFL mid while we have these names but we can't have Brodie as basically the only onballer at Peel so I dont know what they do. McVee could be what we are after I suppose

I have Reid playing inside wing, Whan hopefully playing outside wing. (Apparently he doesn't have the athletic profile for it, so not sure where he plays )

We also need a player or two, who is as good on the back flank, or forward flank as they are in the middle.

Add Dawson and Rankin to our side, and everything becomes easy.

 

[wild side]

Bobby Hill? Hasn't played for 3 weeks.
Contracted, and not cheap, but if he needs a change, and is willing to come home, I'd go hard

 

[gaskin]

Bobby Hill? Hasn't played for 3 weeks.
Contracted, and not cheap, but if he needs a change, and is willing to come home, I'd go hard

Injured isn't he?

 

[s_wd6]

Bobby Hill? Hasn't played for 3 weeks.
Contracted, and not cheap, but if he needs a change, and is willing to come home, I'd go hard

There is zero chance of him leaving pies.

 

[wild side]

He's not injured. You never know.
Didn't think that Shai would leave Richmond either