List Mgmt. 2025 List Management Discussion - Part 3

[Hubnester]

2025 List Management Discussion - Part 3

Now that our season is over, and news is starting to break - it's time for a fresh thread.

This thread is to discuss all things list management - trades, draft, free agency, delistings and more.
As we are now officially in our off-season, we'll be wanting to keep this thread more strictly on-topic than the previous iterations.
Be respectful. You are allowed to disagree with someone - but play the ball, not the man. Repeat offenders will have their posting rights revoked.

Thanks to Lore once again for this incredibly useful spreadsheet.

2025 KEY DATES
Free Agency Period: Friday, October 3rd - Friday, October 10th
Trade Period: Monday, October 6th - Wednesday, October 15th
AFL Draft: Wednesday, November 19th - Thursday, November 20th

See Also:
2025 Year in Review Rumours & Confirmed Movements 2025 Draft Discussion
​

 

[wannabewinner]

Barrass 29 yrs-old,
Battle 27 yrs-old

New recruits. Grandpa babies.

Both have turbo-charged the Hawks.

mnnn

Barrass was playing like a 25-26 year old… hard to say if it was because the opposition was playing so crap.

 

[Coconut_twirl]

A few people thought that the signing of Tom Campbell meant that Heath was unlikely to go there.

That will his 15th season on an AFL list. Incredible.

 

[Sully111]

There is no actual noise from any media or ITK about this actually being a chance? Is this just some hypothetical from BigFooty posters? Or is there actual noise about this? Surely not.

I don't really know. I think it's just Bigfooty talk.

 

[gringo2011]

Barrass 29 yrs-old,
Battle 27 yrs-old

New recruits. Grandpa babies.

Both have turbo-charged the Hawks.

mnnn

The Hawks are super well drilled but their real strength is that they seem to have 22 B+ players so are hard to stop. Apart from Newcombe there isn't one absolute superstar freak but plenty can play elite games on any given day. They'd be a nightmare to plan around.

It will be interesting to see if they can win a flag with that set up. They looked like they play a good finals brand. Collingwood did last week too. Keep the pace and frenetic stuff super high and play it on your terms and you're half way there.

They should have players develop into stars and if they add a Petracca or Merrett for Worpol they get better again.

 

[jimmytigs]

I reckon that Essendon game was when the hotdog stand caught on fire at Moorabbin and the end Essendon were kicking to was clouded in smoke as we banged on 8 or 9 goals in the last quarter to almost win the game

dont recall the hotdog stand,but i guess that would have been the game,as we didnt do that often against them,i think we closed to within a goal from way way back,then i guess smith made a blew and they steadied,because i remember reading about the altercation with a fan

essendon game i cant find,but here is last qtr of fitzroy game,17yo me was at other end of ground when conlan had that snap,every week on the sports highlights he was kicking those

 

[Joffaboy]

I don't really know. I think it's just Bigfooty talk.

Someone literally posted ' I have a gut feel we will sigh JUH' and off we went.

 

[Yawkey way]

The Hawks are super well drilled but their real strength is that they seem to have 22 B+ players so are hard to stop. Apart from Newcombe there isn't one absolute superstar freak but plenty can play elite games on any given day. They'd be a nightmare to plan around.

It will be interesting to see if they can win a flag with that set up. They looked like they play a good finals brand. Collingwood did last week too. Keep the pace and frenetic stuff super high and play it on your terms and you're half way there.

They should have players develop into stars and if they add a Petracca or Merrett for Worpol they get better again.

They need an upgrade in the ruck but they’re a hard side to play against.

I’d shut down the run out of defence first but Scrimshaw and Sicily can both hit target and battle has some rum and he’s neat.

Up forward it very similar to Collingwood, they can mark the ball but it’s the whack a mole smalls that kill you. Good midfield goes to very good with Day plus an elite defence along with a star utility in Weddle.

When you add in Michell who’s a very smart coach it’s easy to see why they’ve managed to get where they are. Again Collingwood and Hawthorn are well drilled, well coached teams that focus on making you play their game and minimising your strengths.

 

[pebblesofsand]

What about players who shift club purely for the sake of money? "coughTDKcough"

Less problems with them.

Can't see the value in shifting just to win in a medal in a "team" sport - looks a bit weak to me and that its all about the player rather than the team.

 

[snails13]

Minor premiership aside,Adelaide went from 15th in 2024 to 6th in 2025,following the recruiting of 3 decent players selected in the Trade and Free Agency.
Lot of people on hear rubbishing them.
Will we accept 6th position next year with our recruiting to date?

 

[Yawkey way]

Someone literally posted ' I have a gut feel we will sigh JUH' and off we went.

If we have any interest in him it’s just the kick the tyres level that every team has.

I’ve seen him linked to Sydney which if you believe some of the gossip makes some sense, change of scene and hangers on etc. I haven’t seen or heard one whisper about him being linked to us except on here.

 

[Significant]

Minor premiership aside,Adelaide went from 15th in 2024 to 6th in 2025,following the recruiting of 3 decent players selected in the Trade and Free Agency.
Lot of people on hear rubbishing them.
Will we accept 6th position next year with our recruiting to date?

Absolutely, would mean Top 4 or alternatively at least a finals win!

 

[Desperate saint]

They are certainly embarrassing.
Straight sets at home.
( Jeez but I hate the Hawks)

Same

 

[Dr Spaceman]

There is no actual noise from any media or ITK about this actually being a chance? Is this just some hypothetical from BigFooty posters? Or is there actual noise about this? Surely not.

 

[Yawkey way]

Minor premiership aside,Adelaide went from 15th in 2024 to 6th in 2025,following the recruiting of 3 decent players selected in the Trade and Free Agency.
Lot of people on hear rubbishing them.
Will we accept 6th position next year with our recruiting to date?

Many years ago we smacked Carlton who were premiership favourites.

David Parkin was asked on wide world of sports what happened. He put it down to 3 missing players, the incredulous host asked if 3 players were the difference between top and bottom teams.

Parkin responded with yes 3 champions.

I’ve never forgotten it and over the years I’ve concluded he was at least 90% correct. Pick any three players you like and add them to any team and it’s transformative. Try the Bont, Daicos and Callahan or Gawn the Bont and Diacos anyway I’m sure everyone will have a combination but add any three you like to us and we absolutely play finals.

We haven’t recruited at that level but our list looks way better and our depth is building, injury free we will play finals next year.

 

[saintderby]

Minor premiership aside,Adelaide went from 15th in 2024 to 6th in 2025,following the recruiting of 3 decent players selected in the Trade and Free Agency.
Lot of people on hear rubbishing them.
Will we accept 6th position next year with our recruiting to date?

End of the H & A they were 1st by a fair bit. So the top team lost to the 8th team. Very ordinary effort in the finals

 

[Significant]

End of the H & A they were 1st by a fair bit. So the top team lost to the 8th team. Very ordinary effort in the finals

I wouldn't say its surprising though. The inadequacy of a fair and equitable fixture means that some teams are going to pop off with easy draws. Couple that with a league that is very equal in performance, and a result like that shouldn't necessarily surprise.

 

[MrFoster]

I'm thinking that we are only one of many teams wanting Flanders. Apart from a random report saying we have been confident since June or whatever it was, its just shooting fish in a barrel.

I hope I'm wrong, but I have a feeling we wont be getting either of Flanders or Cmac, asmu he as I actually really want both.

I actually think SOS and Gubby have been planning this off-season for a while, maybe for a year or so, therefore the feelers and negotiation with the player and maybe even the club has been had already, not confirmed but so far from the TDK, Aleer, Ryan news (all was reported months ago, when there's flame there is fire), I'm quitely confident that we are going to land Flanders, and maybe Mackenzie as well although I think Mackenzie might depend on if Steele moves. This is going to be one of the most exciting off seasons ever, comparable to the one that we landed Gehrig, Hammil, Lawrence, Capuano and drafted Riewoldt and Kozi. Exciting times ahead!!!

 

[Armitage2Riewoldt]

Many years ago we smacked Carlton who were premiership favourites.

David Parkin was asked on wide world of sports what happened. He put it down to 3 missing players, the incredulous host asked if 3 players were the difference between top and bottom teams.

Parkin responded with yes 3 champions.

I’ve never forgotten it and over the years I’ve concluded he was at least 90% correct. Pick any three players you like and add them to any team and it’s transformative. Try the Bont, Daicos and Callahan or Gawn the Bont and Diacos anyway I’m sure everyone will have a combination but add any three you like to us and we absolutely play finals.

We haven’t recruited at that level but our list looks way better and our depth is building, injury free we will play finals next year.

It's not often that there is 3 champions in the same team. But they'd al belong to the teams that won 3-4 flags.

Voss Black Aker
GAJ Bartel (take your pick on the 3rd)
Dusty Jroo Cotch
Hodge Mitchell Franklin

Cox Judd Cousins absolutely should have won more than 1 flag together.

Roo BJ Lenny wouldn't have been out of place.

Interesting thought.

 

[Remboy]

I actually think SOS and Gubby have been planning this off-season for a while, maybe for a year or so, therefore the feelers and negotiation with the player and maybe even the club has been had already, not confirmed but so far from the TDK, Aleer, Ryan news (all was reported months ago, when there's flame there is fire), I'm quitely confident that we are going to land Flanders, and maybe Mackenzie as well although I think Mackenzie might depend on if Steele moves. This is going to be one of the most exciting off seasons ever, comparable to the one that we landed Gehrig, Hammil, Lawrence, Capuano and drafted Riewoldt and Kozi. Exciting times ahead!!!

We were heavily into TDK two years ago. When he decided to stay I've got no doubt we told him we'd be back.
When Ross came back he talked about our salary cap being the same as the cats and talked about getting it in order.
They said we'd hit the draft for four years knowing it would make us younger and have more players getting paid less, leading us to the exact position we are now in.
The media and opposition supporters might talk about being desperate and looking for short term results but this has definitely been planned for multiple years.

 

[Remboy]

It's not often that there is 3 champions in the same team. But they'd al belong to the teams that won 3-4 flags.

Voss Black Aker
GAJ Bartel (take your pick on the 3rd)
Dusty Jroo Cotch
Hodge Mitchell Franklin

Cox Judd Cousins absolutely should have won more than 1 flag together.

Roo BJ Lenny wouldn't have been out of place.

Interesting thought.

I remember talking to a Saints fan about 20 years ago. He was 95 and said StKilda's problem was that they'd always had champion players but never had a champion team. The top three are important but it's just as important they have the support underneath them.

 

[Gavinmitchell11]

dont recall the hotdog stand,but i guess that would have been the game,as we didnt do that often against them,i think we closed to within a goal from way way back,then i guess smith made a blew and they steadied,because i remember reading about the altercation with a fan

essendon game i cant find,but here is last qtr of fitzroy game,17yo me was at other end of ground when conlan had that snap,every week on the sports highlights he was kicking those

What’s with Lockett the ruckman?

 

[Armitage2Riewoldt]

I remember talking to a Saints fan about 20 years ago. He was 95 and said StKilda's problem was that they'd always had champion players but never had a champion team. The top three are important but it's just as important they have the support underneath them.

For sure for a team with little success we've had lots of individual superstars.

And yeah our bottom 6 in 2009/10 probably the difference in the end.

It sure doesn't hurt to have a couple generational players in your side at one time though.

Nas can be one. Who else is taking the step up?

 

[jimmytigs]

What’s with Lockett the ruckman?

wasnt unusual for plugger to pinch hit in the ruck,bennett was a very handy forward,reckon he played a part in pluggers development early days,he moved to the dogs,then we got him back again,alan sidebottom used to get gassed pretty quickly,i remember out at windy hill one day he and his opponent running for a ball near the boundary straight toward me,the essendon crowd laughing their axxes off at how gassed sidebottom was,so plugger got a good run in the ruck for a while there,wow jones probably joined us around that time & sidebottom went to fitzroy,bennett was done by end of 86 and the plugger full forward juggernaut was in full swing

 

[RobbieMuir]

wasnt unusual for plugger to pinch hit in the ruck,bennett was a very handy forward,reckon he played a part in pluggers development early days,he moved to the dogs,then we got him back again,alan sidebottom used to get gassed pretty quickly,i remember out at windy hill one day he and his opponent running for a ball near the boundary straight toward me,the essendon crowd laughing their axxes off at how gassed sidebottom was,so plugger got a good run in the ruck for a while there,wow jones probably joined us around that time & sidebottom went to fitzroy,bennett was done by end of 86 and the plugger full forward juggernaut was in full swing

It's hard to believe, but Alan Sidebottom finished 8th in the 1984 Brownlow, just 3 votes off finishing 4th!
He is probably the only Saints player rated higher by the umpires than by the fans.

 

[jimmytigs]

It's hard to believe, but Alan Sidebottom finished 8th in the 1984 Brownlow, just 3 votes off finishing 4th!
He is probably the only Saints player rated higher by the umpires than by the fans.

wow yeah,pretty stunned,moore won it,so maybe rucks were getting a bit of love that year