Strategy Trade and List Management Thread Part 8 (opposition supporters - READ posting rules before posting)

[_Mike_]

Opposition supporters coming to troll , you have been warned

 

[Doggies7]

Brandon Starcevich becomes the perfect target: still mid-20s, finals hardened, and immediately slots into the #1 or #2 defensive role. If Brisbane match or the cost is too high, Jordon Butts is the next best fit as a plug-and-play stopper. Jai Serong is still worth pursuing for development, but he can’t be expected to carry the load in 2026–27.

It's Eagles or Lions for him now apparently. Good player but risky concussion history and will get a big deal from West Coast to head home.

 

[Doggies7]

I assumed Budarick was coming in as the Duryea replacement, small lock down defender, but I wonder if Bevo likes him as an upgrade on the McNeil role which he was playing through the second half of the year and through finals... Had only switched there mid-season with no pre-season learning it so theoretically may have a bit of scope for improvement there, or if we just want him to switch back to his more natural lockdown small defender role.

This was answered on Trade Radio today. Part of the reason for leaving GC is because he sees himself as a defender and wants to play that role. Sounds like it's between us and Lions with Dogs currently the favourite.

 

[Armoooo]

St Kilda’s B&F is Monday night. I expect we’ll know what Wilkie is doing by then.

Apologies for the intrusion, but i can't believe it's taken this long for things to click. I read that it would be after the grand final that Cal makes his intentions known and it seemed so random to me given that the saints year was already done. Our B&F being right after the granny makes so much sense.

Sounds like Tuesday is the day.

 

[The Slitherin' Snake]

A lot of top 8 teams are going to get stronger through smart trades this period
Merrett to hawks , Oscar Allen Draper to brissie , rowan marshal to Geelong . Even Jamarra to Gold Coast will strengthen them if he can pull he’s head in .

We can’t head into next year without bringing anyone decent over this trade Period. Would leave us even further behind the pack heading into next year

that would be 2 years in a row as well.

 

[MaxiBont]

Apologies for the intrusion, but i can't believe it's taken this long for things to click. I read that it would be after the grand final that Cal makes his intentions known and it seemed so random to me given that the saints year was already done. Our B&F being right after the granny makes so much sense.

Sounds like Tuesday is the day.

You’ll have legend status around here if Wilkie actually does request a trade.

 

[FoochPackage]

Sam Frost

8

Sam Frost

Age

32

Ht

194cm

Wt

94kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.4

3star

K

7.1

3star

HB

5.2

4star

M

3.7

4star

T

1.9

4star

MG

191.6

3star

D

10.5

3star

K

6.3

3star

HB

4.3

3star

M

4.0

4star

T

1.5

2star

MG

191.6

3star

D

11.2

3star

K

6.0

3star

HB

5.2

4star

M

3.6

4star

T

1.4

4star

lmao. What a shambles.

 

[DiamondDogs8]

Not quite panic stations yet but I am a little concerned.

 

[CDBulldog]

I disagree. Going into next season with Lobb, Buss and JOD only is a disaster. The club isn't dumb but id expect a play out of left field if we miss out on Wilkie

Disagree, I’m expecting JOC and Buss to take the next step up. This could be the year they cement themselves as the future and present backline linchpins.

 

[BulldogMuscle]

Damo voice.

IF we lose Jones, Buku and Jamarra without bringing in a single KPD like Butts, Wilkie, Young or someone of tht ilk.

THEN we have gone backwards whilst the rest of the teams above us have moved forward. We are weakening our depth and are unable (or unwilling) to fix a gaping problem.

I have zero faith in Buss, JoD in a solid 2nd string, but short of that we are up shit creek without a paddle.

No one even mention Gardner or I’ll spew up.

 

[Struggle]

Disagree, I’m expecting JOC and Buss to take the next step up. This could be the year they cement themselves as the future and present backline linchpins.

Sure, they might step up. But if they play like they did this season we are cooked

We can't be relying solely on internal improvement

 

[Doggies7]

Apologies for the intrusion, but i can't believe it's taken this long for things to click. I read that it would be after the grand final that Cal makes his intentions known and it seemed so random to me given that the saints year was already done. Our B&F being right after the granny makes so much sense.

Sounds like Tuesday is the day.

You'll always be welcome here after your fellow Saints fans kick you off their board. Judging by the Wilkie thread on the main board, you might be burnt at the stake if this comes to fruition.

 

[Bulldogs85]

Damo voice.

IF we lose Jones, Buku and Jamarra without bringing in a single KPD like Butts, Wilkie, Young or someone of tht ilk.

THEN we have gone backwards whilst the rest of the teams above us have moved forward. We are weakening our depth and are unable (or unwilling) to fix a gaping problem.

I have zero faith in Buss, JoD in a solid 2nd string, but short of that we are up shit creek without a paddle.

No one even mention Gardner or I’ll spew up.

Don’t think the club will traded Buku if we don’t bring in another KPD

 

[Bulldogs85]

Here what was said about Budarick today on Trade Radio

 

[mattwa]

Disagree, I’m expecting JOC and Buss to take the next step up. This could be the year they cement themselves as the future and present backline linchpins.

I dont know how you can be confident with this based off performances this year. Buss especially looks miles off being a solid defender

 

[Foxman98]

I dont know how you can be confident with this based off performances this year. Buss especially looks miles off being a solid defender

How did Buss look miles off?

Was great in his first game was the better of the 3 against Freo was stiff to be the one subbed and outside of 1 mistake against Melbourne was fine then too

 

[TiAn_]

Apologies for the intrusion, but i can't believe it's taken this long for things to click. I read that it would be after the grand final that Cal makes his intentions known and it seemed so random to me given that the saints year was already done. Our B&F being right after the granny makes so much sense.

Sounds like Tuesday is the day.

Personally, I’m expecting he stays and there’s a reference to it at the B&F.

 

[lachy]

It is actually funny supporters expectations of younger players. Jed is 21 just finished his 3rd season but has only completed 2 limited pre seasons. Another pre season he gets stronger which is his main drawback as a KPD at the moment. JOD is only 23 in his 3rd season with 2 full pre seasons under his belt. They will improve naturally as they get stronger and also more experience.

Wilkie did not even begin his AFL career until he was 23 with a mature body. Jacob Weitering

23

Jacob Weitering

Age

28

Ht

195cm

Wt

102kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.8

4star

K

9.1

4star

HB

4.7

3star

M

5.6

5star

T

1.3

3star

MG

189.4

3star

No current season stats available

D

16.8

4star

K

10.8

4star

HB

6.0

4star

M

6.0

5star

T

0.8

3star

MG

263.4

4star

took till his 6th year before becoming the player he is and his 4th year to be good.

I am significantly more concerned at our defending higher up the ground and really hope our number 1 target is Butters as he improves us significantly offensively and defensively

 

[Smiley Boy]

Can we please ban anyone who suggests Sam Frost

8

Sam Frost

Age

32

Ht

194cm

Wt

94kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.4

3star

K

7.1

3star

HB

5.2

4star

M

3.7

4star

T

1.9

4star

MG

191.6

3star

D

10.5

3star

K

6.3

3star

HB

4.3

3star

M

4.0

4star

T

1.5

2star

MG

191.6

3star

D

11.2

3star

K

6.0

3star

HB

5.2

4star

M

3.6

4star

T

1.4

4star

 

[bobs head soup]

The thread is reading as though we are at anxiety levels usually found around the last two days of the trade period.

Good chance bugger all happens between now and then (although heaps behind the scenes).

This thread should be a fun few weeks.

 

[JohnnySteel]

Rather load up at the draft again if high quality trades aren’t available.

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

So no Young Butts for us next year? There goes a bunch of posts I was saving up for 2026...

It's probably kinder this way

 

[Norm De Guerre]

Damo voice.

IF we lose Jones, Buku and Jamarra without bringing in a single KPD like Butts, Wilkie, Young or someone of tht ilk.
THEN we have gone backwards whilst the rest of the teams above us have moved forward. We are weakening our depth and are unable (or unwilling) to fix a gaping problem.

I have zero faith in Buss, JoD in a solid 2nd string, but short of that we are up shit creek without a paddle
No one even mention Gardner or I’ll spew up.

When we lose Jones, Buku and Jamarra we will down exactly one KPD.

And he's a guy who will be 35 before the start of next season. Hardly the stuff of catastrophe.

Khamis is no great loss and is exactly the kind of fringe player we should be turning over.

Jamarra is a genuine loss and the only guy likely to depart that will hurt us. But we survived with season long sabbatical.

And we'll survive his departure. Its not like scoring is our number one issue anyway.

In what world could you consider the club "unwilling to fix a gaping problem"? When they've tried the moonshot of getting a contracted Callum Wilkie from out under the Saints? Something that may or mayn't still happen. Or the fact that we have at least enquired into Jordan Butts. then theres this board other white whale Taylar Young. Neither of whom are huge upgrades on what we currently have and are the very definition a "solid 2nd string" players and hardly the panacea for our KPD issues.

Why people in their desperation have fixated on the latter two. I'll never understand.

Trade period doesn't commence for another 11 days. Its a further 9 after that when it concludes.

Ryan Gardner.

 

[BEaston]

It is actually funny supporters expectations of younger players. Jed is 21 just finished his 3rd season but has only completed 2 limited pre seasons. Another pre season he gets stronger which is his main drawback as a KPD at the moment. JOD is only 23 in his 3rd season with 2 full pre seasons under his belt. They will improve naturally as they get stronger and also more experience.

Wilkie did not even begin his AFL career until he was 23 with a mature body. Jacob Weitering

23

Jacob Weitering

Age

28

Ht

195cm

Wt

102kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.8

4star

K

9.1

4star

HB

4.7

3star

M

5.6

5star

T

1.3

3star

MG

189.4

3star

No current season stats available

D

16.8

4star

K

10.8

4star

HB

6.0

4star

M

6.0

5star

T

0.8

3star

MG

263.4

4star

took till his 6th year before becoming the player he is and his 4th year to be good.

I am significantly more concerned at our defending higher up the ground and really hope our number 1 target is Butters as he improves us significantly offensively and defensively

100%

 

[ossie_21]

Damo voice.

IF we lose Jones, Buku and Jamarra without bringing in a single KPD like Butts, Wilkie, Young or someone of tht ilk.

THEN we have gone backwards whilst the rest of the teams above us have moved forward. We are weakening our depth and are unable (or unwilling) to fix a gaping problem.

I have zero faith in Buss, JoD in a solid 2nd string, but short of that we are up shit creek without a paddle.

No one even mention Gardner or I’ll spew up.

RYAN



GARDNER

 

[DannyB4]

100%

Let's also not forget Freo had no faith in Sam Collins (much like some on these board RE Buss) and dumped him after 2 years and 14 games played. And now he is one of the best KPD in the game.

Learn from history. Don't make the same mistakes. Better we hold on to him a bit longer and he doesnt work out rather than dumping him onto another club for free and he becomes unstoppable.