List Mgmt. 2025 List Management Discussion - Part IV

[Hubnester]

2025 List Management Discussion - Part 4

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
​

 

[Joffaboy]

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for more as long as they make us better.

If we have only one more spot, means Jones, Arie and Byrnes are gone.
Ainsworth has been mooted, just can't see the need for him, with Higgins, Butler, Collard, and Ryan on board.
Maybe as someone said even more run through the mids with Higgins and Ryan, huge flexibility with run through the midfield. Would be throwing the magnets around more than Sheedy ever did.
Or the other possibility may be moving on Butler, or a totally different player altogether.
If we keep a current, my option would be Byrnes. Can run all day on a wing and do a role. Jones is covered by Dow, Carroll and Steele, and Arie is a one trick pony and we hardly ever see that trick.

 

[Diehard Saint]

View attachment 2446993

Listen, these days mushrooms are not a joking matter

 

[Captain Paddy]

Pick 4 in his draft year
158 games for 137 goals, ain't terrible mate
Been one of their better players for a long while
If your going to throw the terrible tag at someone
At least have some proof
Just a rediculous throw away line from you.

Literally will add nothing to our squad that we don’t already have

 

[jimmytigs]

Spuds game was the only time I went out there. How funny was it when he went on a run down the ground with a few bounces, had a shit at goal and tripped over and landed on his face?!

Lappin played well that day from memory.

Emotional game.

lappin didnt play
everitt 6 loewe 5 o'brien 4
winmar 42 harvey 40 anderson devonport smith sziller spider all in the 20s

libba and west 29 and 23
osborne and hargraves 3 each

winmar had 1 less kick than the dogs leading disposal winner
harvs had more handballs than all but one dogs total posession count
96 more possies,14 more tackles
they won the hitouts and the free kick count

brownlow harvs 3 winmar 2 j.smith 1

was a great day

 

[CaptainRisky]

$$$...

What's $$$ got to do with it

 

[Joffaboy]

lappin didnt play
everitt 6 loewe 5 o'brien 4
winmar 42 harvey 40 anderson devonport smith sziller spider all in the 20s

libba and west 29 and 23
osborne and hargraves 3 each

winmar had 1 less kick than the dogs leading disposal winner
harvs had more handballs than all but one dogs total posession count
96 more possies,14 more tackles
they won the hitouts and the free kick count

brownlow harvs 3 winmar 2 j.smith 1

was a great day

Was at that game. Only time I jumped the fence at the end of a game. Was there with Darcy Moore's step father who is a mad Saints fan.

 

[Saintscomemarchingin]

If we have only one more spot, means Jones, Arie and Byrnes are gone.
Ainsworth has been mooted, just can't see the need for him, with Higgins, Butler, Collard, and Ryan on board.
Maybe as someone said even more run through the mids with Higgins and Ryan, huge flexibility with run through the midfield. Would be throwing the magnets around more than Sheedy ever did.
Or the other possibility may be moving on Butler, or a totally different player altogether.
If we keep a current, my option would be Byrnes. Can run all day on a wing and do a role. Jones is covered by Dow, Carroll and Steele, and Arie is a one trick pony and we hardly ever see that trick.

Good small pressure forwards are valuable for teams, especially ones, who can rotate into the middle at times
Ainsworth can do that, not utilised that much for GCS in recent times coz of their stacked midfield.
But could be handy for us
28 y.o though.
Massimo Raso 20 y.o, from Richmond vfl has some interest
But with the addition of Ryan, yeah we probably have that area covered.

 

[Saintos The ITK]

If we have only one more spot, means Jones, Arie and Byrnes are gone.
Ainsworth has been mooted, just can't see the need for him, with Higgins, Butler, Collard, and Ryan on board.
Maybe as someone said even more run through the mids with Higgins and Ryan, huge flexibility with run through the midfield. Would be throwing the magnets around more than Sheedy ever did.
Or the other possibility may be moving on Butler, or a totally different player altogether.
If we keep a current, my option would be Byrnes. Can run all day on a wing and do a role. Jones is covered by Dow, Carroll and Steele, and Arie is a one trick pony and we hardly ever see that trick.

Losing those three will be a bit sadder than usual for me. Jonesy pulls out quite a few good ones and puts his jam tart into it every time but time has probably caught up with him.
Monty tries his ring out and if he’s pushed out I hope he finds another club.
Ari could be an absolute weapon if used correctly.
However having said that if getting rid of them improves us I’m sure I’ll be over it after the first three wins.
Ari who???

 

[chris_h_11]

The way some people are talking, it's like we only use 23 players in a season.

There is serious question marks over a number of our players' bodies. "High "Performance" didn't really cover themselves in glory this year, with way too many re-injuries.

Steele stays, and he either adds a new string to his bow to be effective in another role, or he plays as midfield depth rather than the number one guy.

 

[Saintscomemarchingin]

Literally will add nothing to our squad that we don’t already have

A fairer comment

 

[ScrappyDo]

We need to take care thst SOS and Gubby aren't poached

We really don't...

 

[Armitage2Riewoldt]

Losing those three will be a bit sadder than usual for me. Jonesy pulls out quite a few good ones and puts his jam tart into it every time but time has probably caught up with him.
Monty tries his ring out and if he’s pushed out I hope he finds another club.
Ari could be an absolute weapon if used correctly.
However having said that if getting rid of them improves us I’m sure I’ll be over it after the first three wins.
Ari who???

It's been getting harder the last couple years to pick the delistings. That can only be a good thing.

Say all those three go it's almost impossible to pick who we'd have to let go in 12 months time.

Likely the guys with 1 year contracts Stock, Howard, Dow. And they've all proven to be afl quality.

 

[Saintscomemarchingin]

Losing those three will be a bit sadder than usual for me. Jonesy pulls out quite a few good ones and puts his jam tart into it every time but time has probably caught up with him.
Monty tries his ring out and if he’s pushed out I hope he finds another club.
Ari could be an absolute weapon if used correctly.
However having said that if getting rid of them improves us I’m sure I’ll be over it after the first three wins.
Ari who???

What if Ari's kicking bags of goals from the wing with another Afl team in their first three wins & it gets them bigger percentage points than us?
Nah, think we hoped he could do that, but looks like it will never happen.

 

[stavro#4]

STEELE'S RESOLVE TO STAY

ST KILDA midfielder Jack Steele

9

Jack Steele

Age

29

Ht

187cm

Wt

90kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

20.9

5star

K

8.7

3star

HB

12.2

5star

M

3.7

4star

T

6.8

5star

CL

3.6

5star

D

21.3

5star

K

10.0

4star

HB

11.3

5star

M

4.0

4star

T

5.8

5star

CL

4.6

5star

D

16.8

4star

K

5.0

2star

HB

11.8

5star

M

2.6

3star

T

6.4

5star

CL

3.6

5star

remains steadfast on staying at the Saints after the club told him he was free to look around for a new home.

He is not keen to go looking with two years remaining on his contract, but would be open to considering a change if another club pursues him and makes the running on a deal.

Essendon is a watch as the Bombers consider exploring a move for the two-time All-Australian and Saints best and fairest winner.

The Bombers were the second youngest team and fourth least experienced side on average this season and have farewelled nearly 900 games experience in their off-season departures already.


Jack Steele

9

Jack Steele

Age

29

Ht

187cm

Wt

90kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

20.9

5star

K

8.7

3star

HB

12.2

5star

M

3.7

4star

T

6.8

5star

CL

3.6

5star

D

21.3

5star

K

10.0

4star

HB

11.3

5star

M

4.0

4star

T

5.8

5star

CL

4.6

5star

D

16.8

4star

K

5.0

2star

HB

11.8

5star

M

2.6

3star

T

6.4

5star

CL

3.6

5star

in action during St Kilda's clash with Essendon in round 23, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos
Essendon is waiting on a decision from free agent Brayden Fiorini

8

Brayden Fiorini

Age

28

Ht

187cm

Wt

82kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

22.9

5star

K

13.9

5star

HB

9.1

5star

M

4.7

4star

T

4.0

5star

CL

2.9

4star

D

16.3

4star

K

11.0

4star

HB

5.3

3star

M

4.0

4star

T

1.7

3star

CL

0.7

3star

D

21.2

5star

K

10.2

4star

HB

11.0

5star

M

4.6

5star

T

4.2

5star

CL

3.2

5star

, who is weighing up the Bombers' interest alongside Port Adelaide and Gold Coast's offers, and are tight for list spots, with five picks currently inside the top 30 of this year's draft. But Steele's leadership and character could appeal to add to their young group.

Bombers trio Will Setterfield

12

Will Setterfield

Age

27

Ht

192cm

Wt

87kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

15.3

4star

K

9.5

4star

HB

5.8

4star

M

2.8

3star

T

3.6

5star

CL

1.8

4star

D

14.0

3star

K

8.9

4star

HB

5.1

3star

M

1.9

2star

T

4.4

5star

CL

2.9

4star

D

13.4

4star

K

8.0

3star

HB

5.4

4star

M

1.8

2star

T

3.8

5star

CL

1.4

4star

, Ben Hobbs and Luamon Lual are all in contract limbo and will have to wait until after the trade period to see if they get new deals.

West Coast and Adelaide have been looking at midfield options but are not expected to pursue Steele, who stood down as Saints skipper at his end-of-year meeting with the club. Greater Western Sydney has also been in the midfield market, but has prioritised Melbourne's Clayton Oliver

10

Clayton Oliver

Age

28

Ht

189cm

Wt

88kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

27.8

5star

K

9.5

4star

HB

18.4

5star

M

3.2

3star

T

6.3

5star

CL

6.3

5star

D

25.1

5star

K

11.1

4star

HB

14.0

5star

M

3.6

4star

T

5.6

5star

CL

5.9

5star

D

19.2

5star

K

4.6

2star

HB

14.6

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

4.4

5star

CL

3.8

5star

. – Callum Twomey

 

[Saint Watto]

He's so clean with quick hands and footy IQ

With you 100% there saintmike65.

Watching that package,he reminds me of Maxy Hall....a lot !!!!!!!

2 X Maxy Halls.....how good would that be !!!!!!

 

[Remboy]

Cal Twomey -

Essendon is a watch as the Bombers consider exploring a move for the two-time All-Australian and Saints best and fairest winner.

The Bombers were the second youngest team and fourth least experienced side on average this season and have farewelled nearly 900 games experience in their off-season departures already.

West Coast and Adelaide have been looking at midfield options but are not expected to pursue Steele, who stood down as Saints skipper at his end-of-year meeting with the club. Greater Western Sydney has also been in the midfield market, but has prioritised Melbourne's Clayton Oliver

Straight swap for Shiel lol.

 

[Saintscomemarchingin]

Thanks Bigfooty police

Being called out for stating that a player is terrible with no facts to prove it.
Then coming back with that comment
Is rediculous mate

 

[Armoooo]

STEELE'S RESOLVE TO STAY

ST KILDA midfielder Jack Steele remains steadfast on staying at the Saints after the club told him he was free to look around for a new home.

He is not keen to go looking with two years remaining on his contract, but would be open to considering a change if another club pursues him and makes the running on a deal.

Essendon is a watch as the Bombers consider exploring a move for the two-time All-Australian and Saints best and fairest winner.

The Bombers were the second youngest team and fourth least experienced side on average this season and have farewelled nearly 900 games experience in their off-season departures already.


Jack Steele in action during St Kilda's clash with Essendon in round 23, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos
Essendon is waiting on a decision from free agent Brayden Fiorini, who is weighing up the Bombers' interest alongside Port Adelaide and Gold Coast's offers, and are tight for list spots, with five picks currently inside the top 30 of this year's draft. But Steele's leadership and character could appeal to add to their young group.

Bombers trio Will Setterfield, Ben Hobbs and Luamon Lual are all in contract limbo and will have to wait until after the trade period to see if they get new deals.

West Coast and Adelaide have been looking at midfield options but are not expected to pursue Steele, who stood down as Saints skipper at his end-of-year meeting with the club. Greater Western Sydney has also been in the midfield market, but has prioritised Melbourne's Clayton Oliver. – Callum Twomey

Wasn't Mcguane thought to be a chance of being a number 1 pick at some stage? I just assumed his underwhelming top year form was him tanking his draft value for Collingwood.

 

[ThomasR]

I heard last week that the club apparently thinks it has one list spot available for Byrnes/Jones/Arie

If Ainsworth means getting rid of all 3 then I can see the vision - albeit quite an expensive vision

Otherwise, it feels like a complete waste with Hall tying down that spot with Henry and maybe even Hill struggling to get a game next year

one spot for Byrnes/Jones/Arie would mean Marshall, Steele, Butler, Heath all gone (unless another name gets thrown into the mix).

makes sense if you consider them all fringe best 22 and eating a bunch of cap space that could otherwise be used to shuffle some money around and allow us to be aggressive again next year

it feels like any demand for better deals for Marshall & Steele is just posturing and we need them off the books more than we need another club to pay insane overs to prise them out. I think they both get done pretty early and amicably

the only spanner might be Steele finding a club - if he even bothers to look. might be a rare case of a player holding the club to a contract, rather than the other way around

 

[stavro#4]

Wasn't Mcguane thought to be a chance of being a number 1 pick at some stage? I just assumed his underwhelming top year form was him tanking his draft value for Collingwood.

Top 10 at one stage. I think that was at the start of the year.

 

[bird_man]

Doesn't sound like there a huge heap of interest for Steele

 

[PoppedCorn]

Pretty quiet
Just the bombers speculation

 

[Captain Paddy]

Being called out for stating that a player is terrible with no facts to prove it.
Then coming back with that comment
Is rediculous mate

Sorry for having an opinion that doesn’t align with yours

 

[Anythings_sipposible]

I would much rather pay Steele and have him as depth, than see him unceremoniously shipped off the Dopers. Jesus Christ, have we no shame? Are we trying to punish him? I know there isn't much room for sentimentality in football, but that is a fate worse than retirement.

Also, he comes out of contract in 2027, when we'll probably need to shed some salary anyway.

 

[Linton Street Saint]

Sorry for having an opinion that doesn’t align with yours

Not uncommon to be asked for credible evidence or otherwise in regards to a derogatory opinion. Especially when it flies in the face of facts and reality.