List Mgmt. 2025 List Management II 📃

[Aphrodite]

 

[Canyouhearthedrums]

When was the last time a high quality free agent went to a top 4 club?

That good clubs can use it to fill holes with roles players doesn’t mean there is something inherently unequal about it.

EDIT: Lynch is really the only one. You can’t read this list and argue that FA has favoured the good clubs at the expense of the bad. https://www.sen.com.au/news/2024/05...nts-who-have-moved-clubs-in-the-last-10-years

 

[BlueTongue]

Pairing Bluku with Frank the Tank will fill our forward line's quota of cult heroes...

Yeah, true, I forgot about Frank.
We only need Harry to give Pitto a chop out in the ruck, and run up the ground to assist, and we can leave Frank one-out in the square to hold the forward line together.

 

[Shambolic]

Baku played third tall defender. Good hands and solid kick. Definitely afl level, assume odonnells strong form and bigger size just kept him out. Not sure.

 

[gbatman]

Bailey Humphrey would be a good fit for us. Genuine forward, not a failed midfielder filling a hole.

We could easily see a few new faces in our forward line next season. Chesser, Humphry, Buku, Smith.

 

[Ninja Worrier]

Humphrey would be amazing but I still think GC don't let him go

 

[ESKIE]

 

[Ninja Worrier]

Still a fail by the AFL but less of a fail

 

[ItsAllAboutMe]

Any word on Elijah Holland, everything gone very quiet?

 

[Norm De Guerre]

As somebody who his watched slow his rise through the ranks from CatB rookie to where he currently sits.

FWIW. I thought Id give you my impression of what kind of player he is. For those that may not be familiar with him.

He's a very competent mark and kick kinda guy who is best suited to a 3rd tall role in the forward pocket. He can play as a 3rd tall defender, but this tends to bring into focus his biggest weakness. Being that he is prone to ball watching and thus losing his opponent. The other thing that can be an issue is that he's not great when it comes to cleaning up ground ball. Thats why he has played most of his games in recent times as a forward. Where his marking and accurate kicking come into play.

Id expect us to posture around him be a contracted player and all that. But in the end I'd expect it to come down to swapping of 3rd rounders or some such. He's surplus to requirements in our side and with the likely return of Weightman next year as well as having to find a slot for Croft. It makes no sense for us to keep Khamis on our list. Especially if as reported you guys are willing to offer him the security of a 4 year contract.

Im not sure if it carries much weight. But all reports are that he's of genuinely good character and is clearly much loved by our playing group.

 

[JustOneTime]

Buku is what we need and that is depth. We have two key forwards on the list and if Curnow goes it will be 1. The pinch hitters like Young and O'Keeffe don't count and Moir and Kemp are not key forwards.

I don't think we are recruiting him for a best 22 spot but he will be good depth. We have been hamstrung by carrying too many players who have not been AFL capable like Lemmy for a good number of years, we need to have reserve senior players like this and young players who are able to play AFL football.

Lets see, this is an astute move. Nothing worse than being a cellar dweller or having a list full of kids in this age of football. We are rebuilding but it should be a short rebuild if we are successful here. Just a bit of a list tune up.

Doubt Buku is close to a key forward. 191 and 87k. Moir is 188 and 85kg. Charlie height-wise is 194 and a smaller KPF on the height scale.

Buku more like Kemp?

 

[gbatman]

Doubt Buku is close to a key forward. 191 and 87k. Moir is 188 and 85kg. Charlie height-wise is 194 and a smaller KPF on the height scale.

Buku more like Kemp?

He's backup, would not want to rely on him but if we are a key forward down for 5 or 6 weeks of the season, we can get through with him pinch hitting in the role. Height is one thing, he has a good reach and leap so he plays taller than his height suggests.

Kemp we have forced to play tall but realistically he is a pinch hitter as well, he is a genuine third tall back/forward. Question is does Buku play better and taller than Kemp?

One thing is for certain, with our outs this year, Buku probably plays every game for us in 2025.

I would not want to give a lot of currency up for him and I don't think we will have to.

IMO Buku will not be recruited for the best 22, but as solid depth which has been an issue for us, particularly with our marking forwards.

 

[dangertroy]

Hollands was one but we were also planning on playing Smith at half forward as well.

In a world where things work out for Carlton we would have Hollands in his prime playing half forward and a little on the ball and Smith playing half forward and a little on the ball while we are enjoying the exploits of O'Farrell who we got by offloading Kennedy and there would be no complaints about losing Kennedy.

Add a drop of Carlton luck to the equation... Hollands goes off the rails and does not play this season, Smith does his ACL and plays no games and O'Farrell after looking really good, does his ACL and will miss all of 2026. All while Kennedy is playing good football at the Bulldogs.

100% agree with the Carlton luck. Got me thinking about who the injuries were and it was a bit of a perfect storm. Here's our top 10 for games played in 2024, and how they fared in 2025:



Kennedy hurts. Totally get the reasons why, and I'm on record that I think we got fair value for him. Would have been handy cover for Hollands or Kemp, but Cripps and Hewett didn't miss a match, so we wouldn't be playing him as an inside mid. If we had a crystal ball, we could have kept him, but even then, I'm not sure it makes a massive difference. He was making way for Jagga, and we lost him for the season too, and of course we turned him into HOF, who will miss most of next year. Missed 30 goals from Owies too, but he struggled to keep his place in the worst team in the league.

We lost 98 games among those who were consistenly picked the year before. It's really hard losing that much continuity at the top of the team. Newman and Hollands were pretty vital cogs, as was playing Kemp up forward. With those three gone, we had to move a fair few roles around to cover.

 

[gbatman]

100% agree with the Carlton luck. Got me thinking about who the injuries were and it was a bit of a perfect storm. Here's our top 10 for games played in 2024, and how they fared in 2025:

View attachment 2433972

Kennedy hurts. Totally get the reasons why, and I'm on record that I think we got fair value for him. Would have been handy cover for Hollands or Kemp, but Cripps and Hewett didn't miss a match, so we wouldn't be playing him as an inside mid. If we had a crystal ball, we could have kept him, but even then, I'm not sure it makes a massive difference. He was making way for Jagga, and we lost him for the season too, and of course we turned him into HOF, who will miss most of next year. Missed 30 goals from Owies too, but he struggled to keep his place in the worst team in the league.

We lost 98 games among those who were consistenly picked the year before. It's really hard losing that much continuity at the top of the team. Newman and Hollands were pretty vital cogs, as was playing Kemp up forward. With those three gone, we had to move a fair few roles around to cover.

We got hammered with injury, which with good recruiting, gives us great scope to improve.

Your list also does not include Curnow or McKay who hardly played or played unfit.

The injuries emphasised our weaknesses, both player and game plan and that will be valuable. Just watching who we are linked to so far. There are forwards and quick players involved. We could turn around quite strongly with a little less Carlton luck.

 

[katmanblue]

Daisy Thomas

How about a good one

 

[JustOneTime]

We got hammered with injury, which with good recruiting, gives us great scope to improve.

Your list also does not include Curnow or McKay who hardly played or played unfit.

The injuries emphasised our weaknesses, both player and game plan and that will be valuable. Just watching who we are linked to so far. There are forwards and quick players involved. We could turn around quite strongly with a little less Carlton luck.

With a fit Newman/Kemp/Curnow/Mckay where do you have us Batman? I still dont think we make the 8 based on how we play (coach responsibility) and some players in wrong position (O Hollands, Fogarty, Mcgovern, Lord when he plays wing, Cerra is an attacking mid but playing as a defensive mid due to Cripps role).

Do you have us making the 8?

 

[DangerousD]

I see a Gov swap for Khamis and a Binns swap for Chesser

 

[DangerousD]

As somebody who his watched slow his rise through the ranks from CatB rookie to where he currently sits.

FWIW. I thought Id give you my impression of what kind of player he is. For those that may not be familiar with him.

He's a very competent mark and kick kinda guy who is best suited to a 3rd tall role in the forward pocket. He can play as a 3rd tall defender, but this tends to bring into focus his biggest weakness. Being that he is prone to ball watching and thus losing his opponent. The other thing that can be an issue is that he's not great when it comes to cleaning up ground ball. Thats why he has played most of his games in recent times as a forward. Where his marking and accurate kicking come into play.

Id expect us to posture around him be a contracted player and all that. But in the end I'd expect it to come down to swapping of 3rd rounders or some such. He's surplus to requirements in our side and with the likely return of Weightman next year as well as having to find a slot for Croft. It makes no sense for us to keep Khamis on our list. Especially if as reported you guys are willing to offer him the security of a 4 year contract.

Im not sure if it carries much weight. But all reports are that he's of genuinely good character and is clearly much loved by our playing group.

4 years, add it to the list of things our list manager has done that’s ridiculous.

If true

 

[DangerousD]

Why would we offer a player like Khamis 4 years, ridiculous if true.

 

[BrisbaneCFC]

Jacob Blight.

Jonesy should be on the list for the stop-gap measure for the HOF injury & Dean integration.

Jacob Dawson should be an option to round out depth.
CC-P the same.
Zac Foot is ex-Sydney, yeah?

the only list he should be on is the "hell NO" list.

 

[Moon]

Lots of support for Buku around here.
Not good enough to get a game at the Bulldogs but good enough to get a game at Carlton...
Can't see Bukumate being happy as a backup Player which is why he wants to leave the Bulldogs.

I must be one of the few who thinks GW and Austin should do better.
If Buki ends up on our list ... no doubt we will be revisiting this decision in 2026.

 

[JustOneTime]

Turnover goals are being led by very strong defences. Pies, Hawks investing in this position recently.

The top 8 all have elite half backs instigating the attack.

Stewart/Humphries
Wilmot/Zorko
Whitfield/Ash
Pies have a plethora of choices
Hawthorn have multiple elite kickers back there
Etc etc.

Really elite at generating opportunities through run and carry and by foot.

The most of these clubs then have the right structure around those guys of 2 physical key backs and an interceptor. We have Weitering and Haynes for one more year assuming he holds up and doesnt get injured. Young gets stressed down back and isnt the mental hardness profile or stubborn profile of a defender like McGovern isnt as well (both their form is up and down).

Carlton have what you call vanilla half backs with the exception of Saad who is more chaotic than process in how he approaches rebound 50s (in the sense that a lot of his stuff ends up with no impact). Boyd, Hollands, Newman and Carroll our next best options are all much short of the class we're are talking about for varying reasons. None have the speed of leg or weighted kicking skills. Carroll can find another 10% for sure but is defensively weak like Hollands. Carroll definitely can weight his kicks but they float the last ten metres allowing defenders to get there in time on kicks over 35-40 metres. Hollands does not weight his kicks to the class I have mentioned about. Hollands is solid and safe.

Playing Young as the second back is ok for a patch of games but he is a squad player. The missing cost of the second key back plus the lack of an elite rebound kicker impacts the confidence of the back 7. This impact results in them doing the opposite of what turnover footy is all about. Under pressure and each player except Weitering/Saad/Haynes struggling, the rest turn more to lockdown and safety (protecting their selection - Mcgovern). They overlap less as a result of going more conservative which lessens our chance of turnover goals. The less they run and handball receive the more it is high balls and collision for our forwards injuring them through the season. Turnover goals and rebound goals need them to overlap and run at all costs. It's needs/must. The coaches arent even aware of this and dont enforce it because no one has been dropped and there has been no change over 4 years.

They need a Payne/JSoS/Murphy/Collins type potatoe defender to help settle the group of panic and increase their confidence. They need to find an elite kicker our of defence which will also grow everyone's confidence to also run and carry and overlap out of defence because they have trust.

Until austin fills those two holes we arent improving. And while he is at it he needs to replace Haynes who has one season and its lucky if he gets through another one uninjured at his age and injury profile. Draftees dont help us top 8 wise in 2026/27.

Find all that in time for 2026 isnt really much chance hence i see us bottom 8. My frustration is that its all been there to see for 4 years and that was the final pieces of the jigsaw they had to fill (austin/Voss), and they havent been aware. Austing preferring to fil the backline with ex doggies boyd/young which blocks recruitment of what is required. Now Buku.

 

[The Blueseum]

 

[Bennyboy7777]

Only realised that Richmond delisted Jacob Blight a few weeks back. He’d be well worth a look at picking up as a key backman. Tigers supporters were dumbfounded that he was axed.

Tigers turn on club over ‘mind boggling’ call to cut WA gun

Richmond fans have risen up in anger at the club after the shock axing of a former Peel defender.

thewest.com.au

 

[gbatman]

Turnover goals are being led by very strong defences. Pies, Hawks investing in this position recently.

The top 8 all have elite half backs instigating the attack.

Stewart/Humphries
Wilmot/Zorko
Whitfield/Ash
Pies have a plethora of choices
Hawthorn have multiple elite kickers back there
Etc etc.

Really elite at generating opportunities through run and carry and by foot.

The most of these clubs then have the right structure around those guys of 2 physical key backs and an interceptor. We have Weitering and Haynes for one more year assuming he holds up and doesnt get injured. Young gets stressed down back and isnt the mental hardness profile or stubborn profile of a defender like McGovern isnt as well (both their form is up and down).

Carlton have what you call vanilla half backs with the exception of Saad who is more chaotic than process in how he approaches rebound 50s (in the sense that a lot of his stuff ends up with no impact). Boyd, Hollands, Newman and Carroll our next best options are all much short of the class we're are talking about for varying reasons. None have the speed of leg or weighted kicking skills. Carroll can find another 10% for sure but is defensively weak like Hollands. Carroll definitely can weight his kicks but they float the last ten metres allowing defenders to get there in time on kicks over 35-40 metres. Hollands does not weight his kicks to the class I have mentioned about. Hollands is solid and safe.

Playing Young as the second back is ok for a patch of games but he is a squad player. The missing cost of the second key back plus the lack of an elite rebound kicker impacts the confidence of the back 7. This impact results in them doing the opposite of what turnover footy is all about. Under pressure and each player except Weitering/Saad/Haynes struggling, the rest turn more to lockdown and safety (protecting their selection - Mcgovern). They overlap less as a result of going more conservative which lessens our chance of turnover goals. The less they run and handball receive the more it is high balls and collision for our forwards injuring them through the season. Turnover goals and rebound goals need them to overlap and run at all costs. It's needs/must. The coaches arent even aware of this and dont enforce it because no one has been dropped and there has been no change over 4 years.

They need a Payne/JSoS/Murphy/Collins type potatoe defender to help settle the group of panic and increase their confidence. They need to find an elite kicker our of defence which will also grow everyone's confidence to also run and carry and overlap out of defence because they have trust.

Until austin fills those two holes we arent improving. And while he is at it he needs to replace Haynes who has one season and its lucky if he gets through another one uninjured at his age and injury profile. Draftees dont help us top 8 wise in 2026/27.

Find all that in time for 2026 isnt really much chance hence i see us bottom 8. My frustration is that its all been there to see for 4 years and that was the final pieces of the jigsaw they had to fill (austin/Voss), and they havent been aware. Austing preferring to fil the backline with ex doggies boyd/young which blocks recruitment of what is required. Now Buku.

The key to our defence defending better, intercepting better and rebounding better is a midfield which sets them up better. Put more pressure on the opposition ball carrier and we intercept and get those opportunities to rebound quickly more. Our issue is our lack of pace in the midfield, we can't put pressure on so the ball is coming in far too controlled and it's being carried far to often by the player delivering it so the pressure is on our defenders too often.

We have gone pretty hard in the draft for defenders. Wilson, Cowan, Charleson, Carroll. So hopefully these selections bring what we need at the level we want. We need to get games into these guys. Hollands, gets it a lot but is a poor kick.

We have room for a genuine half back, a good one, but the young ones could come on and all of a sudden we are fine in this area.

I think Smith could also bring a level of flair in defence similar to Daicos.

Our defence's biggest issue is that it is underperforming and that is because the midfield does not support it well enough. Our midfield's ability to chase and apply pressure just is not anywhere near it.

 

[BrisbaneCFC]

Lots of support for Buku around here.
Not good enough to get a game at the Bulldogs but good enough to get a game at Carlton...
Can't see Bukumate being happy as a backup Player which is why he wants to leave the Bulldogs.

I must be one of the few who thinks GW and Austin should do better.
If Buki ends up on our list ... no doubt we will be revisiting this decision in 2026.

I dont think he will be. Think he'll be in our best team with Chesser