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
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[MrFoster]

I hope we don’t get Flanders to be honest. He’s not a damaging player, and we already have plenty of not damaging players. CMAC would be better but concerning he can’t break into a not too deep Hawthorn midfield after 3 seasons.

Finn Callaghan is the exact player our team needs, grew up bayside, perfect age and decided to stay with GWS. How could he do that? Why would he do that?

Fin Callaghan still looks more outside than inside to me (we already have Nas to play that role) where Flanders is more of inside contested ball getter in the mould of Neale.

 

[OxSaint]

I find it odd that the story on Flanders is that he will now talk to clubs.

This has to have already been done, there is too much work to do this late in the piece to get a trade like that done. I assume him moving will include an extension and pay rise as well. He didn’t go to Gold Coast without having an idea of where he was trying to go.

 

[bladeyy21]

I can't sleep. I'm worried that Melbourne is going to steal OUR Flanders

 

[Stickman90]

I find it odd that the story on Flanders is that he will now talk to clubs.

This has to have already been done, there is too much work to do this late in the piece to get a trade like that done. I assume him moving will include an extension and pay rise as well. He didn’t go to Gold Coast without having an idea of where he was trying to go.

Its really not.
Players have been traded, told to be traded during trade week

 

[akaifu]

I find it odd that the story on Flanders is that he will now talk to clubs.

This has to have already been done, there is too much work to do this late in the piece to get a trade like that done. I assume him moving will include an extension and pay rise as well. He didn’t go to Gold Coast without having an idea of where he was trying to go.

I think Ned just needs to meet with the interested parties and make a decision (this is a bit naive but i don’t think there’s much else that would be too time consuming)

If reports are correct, Saints and GC are already aware of what a potential deal would look like. They just need the player to want the move

Merrett literally only met with Hawthorn, what, 2 days ago? Tiny difference in the grand scheme of things

 

[projectv]

I find it odd that the story on Flanders is that he will now talk to clubs.

This has to have already been done, there is too much work to do this late in the piece to get a trade like that done. I assume him moving will include an extension and pay rise as well. He didn’t go to Gold Coast without having an idea of where he was trying to go.

If he's already committing to want a trade out of Gold Coast, why not speak with a few other clubs before making a decision? Seems entirely sensible to me. Do hope we end up getting him though.

 

[TheJackal]

I find it odd that the story on Flanders is that he will now talk to clubs.

This has to have already been done, there is too much work to do this late in the piece to get a trade like that done. I assume him moving will include an extension and pay rise as well. He didn’t go to Gold Coast without having an idea of where he was trying to go.

26 August

WEST Coast premiership forward Liam Ryan has requested a trade.

Ryan, who turns 29 in October, has been linked with a move, with St Kilda among the clubs interested, and told the Eagles on Tuesday he wanted a trade.

The 2020 All-Australian is contracted at the Eagles for next year and the club said he was a required player.

6 September

WEST Coast premiership forward Liam Ryan has settled on St Kilda as his new home and will nominate the Saints as his preferred destination.

I may be clutching at straws, but I'm pretty sure Ryan was always going to nominate us.

When we dive further into it, Jack Macrae requested a trade on 9/9 but didn't nominate us until 16/9 - we were always his destination.

I know Leek didn't play it this way but he wasn't contracted, unlike Ryan, Macrae and Flanders.

When you look at the Merrett 'under contract' situation, I have little doubt Flanders has already decided where he'll play. You don't make multimillion dollar decisions and not know what you're wanting to do.

The only caveat with Ned would be King's appointment changing things up. But I'd say he'll clear out his locker, come home, tour the clubs, medical (with hopefully us) and nominate his already chosen club next Monday or Tuesday.

Tl:dr his move of not nominating a club is straight out of the in contract trade playbook.

 

[Ricmel]

To me Flanders is the better player now and more adaptable. CMac doesn't make it as premium mid he probably struggles. Flanders can free up Nas or Hall and run on ball. At 25 he's got a fair bit of his most consistent and best footy ahead of him. He's had one elite season which is one more than just about every player we drafted in 15 years.

Totally agree. He showed what he can do in 2024. With greater opportunity the guy can be a very serious player and if it is a choice, is a level up on Cmac. Also I think he is a better age bracket. If Steele leaves (and I hope he does not) then we will need experience to support McCrae.

 

[Klaatu]

Still no signature from Windy yet & the media has gone quiet

 

[Ricmel]

Steele has been a loyal solder for a long time but he is a shadow of his former self, and his worth now would just leadership - the way I see him leaving is that he knows he is going to get limited game time in the future

Steele was A grade 2019 - 24. He dropped off a but this year - not much, output down about 10%. I think he carried the recovery from his knee injury into 2025 and who knows if he can fully recover from that. But if there is space on the list and he is not required for trading and he wants to stay, I'd keep him. His best as a mid is still in our top 3 mids.

 

[JimmyR20]

Totally agree. He showed what he can do in 2024. With greater opportunity the guy can be a very serious player and if it is a choice, is a level up on Cmac. Also I think he is a better age bracket. If Steele leaves (and I hope he does not) then we will need experience to support McCrae.

Cmac screams future gun to me. Would come through with the likes of Garcia.

 

[Saintbloke]

Steele was A grade 2019 - 24. He dropped off a but this year - not much, output down about 10%. I think he carried the recovery from his knee injury into 2025 and who knows if he can fully recover from that. But if there is space on the list and he is not required for trading and he wants to stay, I'd keep him. His best as a mid is still in our top 3 mids.

Steele has given us great service, but in fairness, being in our top 3 mids, is a fair way behind the top team's midfields. That is where we need to improve to play finals. Jack would be best played as a forward at this stage.

 

[mad-saint-guy]

Steele was A grade 2019 - 24. He dropped off a but this year - not much, output down about 10%. I think he carried the recovery from his knee injury into 2025 and who knows if he can fully recover from that. But if there is space on the list and he is not required for trading and he wants to stay, I'd keep him. His best as a mid is still in our top 3 mids.

I don't think Steele has been particularly good since Lyon took over. He was elite from 2020-2022 and just a good tagger/defensive mid before that.

 

[Yawkey way]

So their best player is on under 700k after year? Are they having a laugh?

Gresham McKay seriously Essendon are having a laugh.

 

[jwikked]

Still no signature from Windy yet & the media has gone quiet

He’s on holiday. Wonder if there’s something stopping players from doing club activities (like signing contracts) while away from the club like that

 

[Yawkey way]

To me Flanders is the better player now and more adaptable. CMac doesn't make it as premium mid he probably struggles. Flanders can free up Nas or Hall and run on ball. At 25 he's got a fair bit of his most consistent and best footy ahead of him. He's had one elite season which is one more than just about every player we drafted in 15 years.

I’m a bit wary of Cmac, others like Bulter are getting games in front of him.

I think he’s going to be a player I’m just not sure how good, is he a B grader or better as a mid ?. Flanders is miles ahead on exposed form and imo he’s more versatile.

There’s so much going on nothing will surprise me this offseason. It would be nice to have Flanders nominate us because Cmac if it happens won’t be easy.

 

[tassiesaint2024]

I’m a bit wary of Cmac, others like Bulter are getting games in front of him.

I think he’s going to be a player I’m just not sure how good, is he a B grader or better as a mid ?. Flanders is miles ahead on exposed form and imo he’s more versatile.

There’s so much going on nothing will surprise me this offseason. It would be nice to have Flanders nominate us because Cmac if it happens won’t be easy.

Chance Cmac becomes a lot easier if Merrett is on the move to the hawks though. Would say Steele could be involved in some way to the Bombers, but as if he would want to go there.

 

[Joffaboy]

Still no signature from Windy yet & the media has gone quiet

Isn't he out of the country? Probably will sign when he gets back.

 

[Yawkey way]

I heard Luke Hodge this morning and he suggested that he'd pick Merrett over Petracca because over the last few years the inside contested game has been moved past. Dynamic running mids with class are the new model. You still need one or two extractors but you have to carry them. A lot of others doing the work on the outside. Carlton and Melbourne victims of having too many.

You still need the ball extractors, hawthorn play Newcombe who’s insanely good and worpel.

Obviously it’s a huge advantage when guys can play inside and outside but you’re not going far giving first use to the opposition. I don’t think Carlton struggled in the mids because of personnel it was due to injuries more than anything. They were lousy in so many other areas but their spine and mids are fine.

Melbourne are way more agricultural Oliver and Viney in particular are both ball butchers, they have missed Brayshaw badly.

 

[Moorabbin Ghost]

He’s on holiday. Wonder if there’s something stopping players from doing club activities (like signing contracts) while away from the club like that

It’s done. Will be announced shortly.

 

[Yawkey way]

Chance Cmac becomes a lot easier if Merrett is on the move to the hawks though. Would say Steele could be involved in some way to the Bombers, but as if he would want to go there.

I’m not sold on moving Steele on, let’s see who’s coming first.

Steele has been our best mid when fit for years, now he’s out because a few showed some flashes in a few games. Steele won’t command enough to make it worth our while and I’ve heard he’s not on big money at present.

Unless someone blows our socks off I’m all for keeping Marshall and Steele, load up and have a real crack next year.

 

[StFly]

He’s on holiday. Wonder if there’s something stopping players from doing club activities (like signing contracts) while away from the club like that

Not specifically, but, you don't piss off your client by going "I know you're on break, but can you review these docs and get back to me in 24hr? thanks mate."

 

[True Believer]

So their best player is on under 700k after year? Are they having a laugh?

I think the 700k is in reference to the amount of the payrise?

 

[Dr Spaceman]

He’s on holiday. Wonder if there’s something stopping players from doing club activities (like signing contracts) while away from the club like that

Club may have to send another copy of the contract across the ditch

 

[Jesuswasacarpenter]

Nice to see another Hills resident here!

Nice to see another as well.
Which part of the Hills do you call home.
Anthony Harvey (Rob's younger brother) has dinner at the Bedford once a month.