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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[StCicatriz]

if Wilkie does go, i think it'll be highway robbery. one of the most lop sided trades of all time. i dont think the dogs want him that much.

 

[gringo2011]

It's really irrelevant whether they want to pass it up or not because he's contracted. This isn't the same situation as Merrett.

Clubs rarely force players to stay against their will but hopefully he gets some more to keep him satisfied and the Dogs piss off.

We have been throwing big offers at players at other clubs, stuffing with salary caps so it's probably a bit of karma anyway.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

It is greed, because he was happy with the deal when he signed it that provided him long term security. Now he wants a bigger slice of the pie before he's due.

That said, Wilkie isn't really in a position of power. He is 30 next year, if he wants to sit out the remaining two years of his contract he will be 32 and his career will almost be over.

The Dogs need to make Wilkie an offer he can't refuse, AND they need to make StKilda an offer they can't refuse.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

Clubs rarely force players to stay against their will but hopefully he gets some more to keep him satisfied and the Dogs piss off.

We have been throwing big offers at players at other clubs, stuffing with salary caps so it's probably a bit of karma anyway.

Back in the day the club stuck to their guns with Luke Ball, and it didn't go our way. Its very different when Wilkie is contracted though. If contracted players start to want to leave, what happens with front loaded contracts ? .

 

[Yawkey way]

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

They said it would put him on about $1.1 from memory. So yes he’s on $700 - $800.

I year and contracts have exploded no wonder a few are looking to get their share.

 

[TassieSaint]

That spot is a dumb choice by the sound of it. There was a better proposal that could be tacked on to a hospital I think it was at Regatta Point.

The one that involves dumping millions of tonnes of soil into the Derwent to reclaim land a few hundred metres away from Mac Point?

 

[TassieSaint]

Dogs have really ****ed us with the timing of this Wilkie thing. If the choice is between paying Wilks a bit more and only getting one of Aleer or Silvagni vs losing him that's a pretty easy choice imo

 

[St Neil]

Makes you wonder how the AFL has managed to play proper mid season games in Tasmania for the last 25 years.

Must be to do with the rainfall - nope!!

Brisbane 1200mm (no roof)

Sydney 1150 mm. (No roof)

Melb 650mm. (No roof MCG)

Hobart 610mm ??????

Adelaide 525 mm (No roof)

I don’t think the issue of concern is the rain.

It’s the temperature in the middle of winter especially if night games are played down there.

Rightly or wrongly.

Regardless, the building of the new stadium is a condition the 18 clubs have put on the granting of the Devil’s licence. None of them were enthusiastic about introducing a 19th team and the AFL had to really pressure several of them to get their tepid support.

It could all come down to 3 votes in the Tasmanian Upper House.

The Tasmsnian Premier and Opposition Leader both see the danger of the Upper House rejecting legislation to build the stadium. Listening to some of the other politicians down there several seem to think the whole matter will remain a matter of negotiation.

It could all turn to custard very quickly. It’s why Brendan Gale is desperately worried.

 

[Captain Paddy]

come on wilks. St.Kilda’s second premiership skipper will earn you a fortune post footy

 

[BucketsandBanger]

Dunkley was one of the big names up for a move during the trade period, publicly requesting a trade to the Bombers, but his incumbent club held firm, rejecting an Essendon offer of pick 8 and a future second-rounder.

Just a nice reminder when the pugs try and get under anyone’s skin.

And then it was incredibly awkward for him at the club and he left the second he could to have success elsewhere....

I doubt it will come to it but Wilkie requesting a trade to the Dogs would be a disaster for us moving into next year.

 

[Mstr Strokesman]

One day, hopefully soon, it’ll all spontaneously combust.
It just cannot continue this way.

Two choices:
1.Take your chances on a 2 year deal and an increase more regularly if good enough/remain fit.

2. Take a long term deal for security, then live with it, no matter who comes in for more etc. Especially if you’ve been front ended and now want two bites of the cherry.

Spot on.Just like your mortgage,do I take the variable option or the fixed.
This generation don’t live with accountability.You sign the contract ,you agree to commit to that length of term.
No ifs ,no buts,committed.

 

[westernsainter]

Back in the day the club stuck to their guns with Luke Ball, and it didn't go our way. Its very different when Wilkie is contracted though. If contracted players start to want to leave, what happens with front loaded contracts ? .

Front loaded contracts have always been hugely risky. Just ask WCE with regards to Sam Mitchell.

 

[stavro#4]

And then it was incredibly awkward for him at the club and he left the second he could to have success elsewhere....

I doubt it will come to it but Wilkie requesting a trade to the Dogs would be a disaster for us moving into next year.

And if he left when out of contract in 2 seasons time. So be it.

 

[St Neil]

I too was thinking very much the same but only on the big IF.

Your captain is supposed to be the rock of the team that sells the message of personal sacrifice for success.

Exactly.

It’s a big “IF”. We don’t know exactly what is happening.

But if true then you move to the next generation to choose the Captain.

 

[TheJackal]

I read today that Josh Kelly might miss the entire 2026 season. Its not a like for like by any means, but I still think GWS will be the most likely destination for Steele.

 

[St Neil]

The Dogs need to make Wilkie an offer he can't refuse, AND they need to make StKilda an offer they can't refuse.

And that’s why it won’t happen.

 

[Sir Owens]

Saints receive - Ryley Sanders + 1st round draft pick
Who says no?

 

[Saints TV]

 

[stavro#4]

Saints receive - Ryley Sanders + 1st round draft pick
Who says no?

Is it a top 5 pick?

 

[St Neil]

And then it was incredibly awkward for him at the club and he left the second he could to have success elsewhere....

I doubt it will come to it but Wilkie requesting a trade to the Dogs would be a disaster for us moving into next year.

It could also be a reason to fast track the leadership of the club to the next generation.

Move beyond the older guys who are agitating.

 

[jwikked]

It’s the temperature in the middle of winter especially if night games are played down there.

Rightly or wrongly.

Regardless, the building of the new stadium is a condition the 18 clubs have put on the granting of the Devil’s licence. None of them were enthusiastic about introducing a 19th team and the AFL had to really pressure several of them to get their tepid support.

No, it’s what Tasmania said they would do if they were granted a license. Tasmania put the terms forward to the AFL, and the AFL accepted them.

At this point, they should just kill the team now. It’s been nothing but bullshit from them. They get granted the license and immediately start trying to change the terms of getting a license.

Doesn’t work that way

 

[Winmar2Lockett]

Saints receive - Ryley Sanders + 1st round draft pick
Who says no?

Forget the pick, Sanders, Freijah & O'Donnell.

Make em' hurt.

 

[SaintJunior]

The Dogs need to make Wilkie an offer he can't refuse, AND they need to make StKilda an offer they can't refuse.

Fantastic Bulldogs are using Franco Cozzo to negotiate

 

[St Neil]

Saints receive - Ryley Sanders + 1st round draft pick
Who says no?

NO

 

[akaifu]

I could see Dan Butler being of interest to the Suns, especially if Rosas leaves. Dan played some of his best footy in Ratts's Noosa COVID bubble, maybe Gold Coast would appeal to him.

I could also see Jack Steele moving interstate too, perhaps West Coast could be interested in a senior leader type.

Ryan for Steele.
Flanders for Butler.

Overs or unders? Realistic or optimistic?

Take this with a grain of salt because I've never heard from this source before but I'm gonna raise it because I think it makes a lot of sense - Steele, Butler, and Clark are being shopped around to free up salary cap space to keep Marshall, Wilkie, and recruit Flanders

Also in no world is Butler worth the same as Flanders imo