List Mgmt. 2025 Draft/Trade/FA Thread – everything must go!

[Scythe]

Just pinning this, as per previous years. Thanks as always to Lore.

Final trade/FA period results
Out:

• Charlie Spargo
• Judd McVee
• Christian Petracca
• Clayton Oliver
• Picks 28, 42 and 61
• Melbourne Second-Rounder (2026)
• Melbourne Third-Rounder (2026)
• Melbourne Fourth-Rounder (2026)
• Melbourne Fourth-Rounder (2027)

In:

• Jack Steele
• Changkuoth Jiath
• Brody Mihocek
• Max Heath
• Oscar Berry (Rookie)
• Picks 7, 8, 37 and 71 (2025)
• GC First-Rounder (2026)
• GWS Third-Rounder (2026)
• GC Third-Rounder (2027)

 

[dylan93]

Steven May
Tom Mcdonald
Jake Lever

Christian Salem

There is 3 of our tall defenders... who need to play with physical strength in a one-on-one duels. Well... two of them do.
One is just a traffic cop, who waves arms about and gets out on his own... in a bygone era.
We are short on for strong tall-defenders atmo.

And Salem is too slow with decisions and with leg speed, and not so reliable be foot these days.

We have a LOT of work to do to get our defence in order, for the, 'quick-exit-with-ball' style.

Turner Adams Petty Howes Jiath
Bowey Rivers AMW

It's an area of least concern IMHO.

We've been getting bullied in the middle for years now and got sweet fa going for us forward of the ball especially if Kozzy is set for more midfield minutes.

Can always trade defenders in on a needs basis like we did with Lever May etc.

Best available that can slot in the guts or forward of the ball to propel us back into finals contention sooner than later.

 

[omit]

Can always trade defenders in on a needs basis like we did with Lever May etc.

Best available that can slot in the guts or forward of the ball to propel us back into finals contention sooner than later.

If it's so easy to trade for a quality KPD then why haven't the Bulldogs done it? Are they stupid?

We did it with May and Lever sure, but there is no guarantee a similar situation will happen in the future.

 

[The Dr]

If it's so easy to trade for a quality KPD then why haven't the Bulldogs done it? Are they stupid?

We did it with May and Lever sure, but there is no guarantee a similar situation will happen in the future.

I think the Dogs are stupid TBH. Or maybe stubborn is a better word. Bevo just really doesn’t seem to value key defenders. I think they’re an outlier tbh.

 

[TheBoss]

I think the Dogs are stupid TBH. Or maybe stubborn is a better word. Bevo just really doesn’t seem to value key defenders. I think they’re an outlier tbh.

They went hard at Wilkie and probably got close to him nominating them until the Saints renegotiated his pay.

The market for AFL-ready KPDs is cooked when you get players like Silvagni commanding $4 million over 5 years off the back of 13 games over the last 2 seasons.

 

[Daemon]

I think the Dogs are stupid TBH. Or maybe stubborn is a better word. Bevo just really doesn’t seem to value key defenders. I think they’re an outlier tbh.

Doesn't everyone say they should move Naughton back but Bevo refuses?

 

[The Dr]

Doesn't everyone say they should move Naughton back but Bevo refuses?

Yeah for sure. There was a time when it made so much sense to do so, when Jamara was coming of age and Darcy made an immediate impact, but down the other end the Dogs still bled goals.

Prob won’t happen now which is fair.

 

[ABray10]

Yes Key Defender market is cooked when you have spuds like Ben McKay

32

Ben Mckay

Age

27

Ht

202cm

Wt

104kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

7.5

2star

K

3.7

1star

HB

3.8

3star

M

2.7

3star

T

1.7

4star

MG

77.2

1star

D

7.5

2star

K

4.5

2star

HB

3.0

2star

M

2.5

3star

T

1.5

2star

MG

88.5

2star

D

7.0

2star

K

3.4

2star

HB

3.6

3star

M

2.4

3star

T

2.0

4star

MG

67.8

1star

attracting superstar dollars and Silvagni who is fit for 5 games a year getting a big pay day.

Seems to be the players too rubbish to get paid and unlikely to win a flag taking advantage of desperate teams. Don't blame them, but would be devastated if we put that kind of money in front of those kinds of players.

 

[Proper Gander]

They went hard at Wilkie and probably got close to him nominating them until the Saints renegotiated his pay.

The market for AFL-ready KPDs is cooked when you get players like Silvagni commanding $4 million over 5 years off the back of 13 games over the last 2 seasons.

It’s a lot of money. I wonder if it is conditional on playing x number of games? If he retains recent form he’s always going to be starting 22 at the Saints, but he’s had a lot of injury interruptions of late too.

 

[MarcMaverick]

It’s a lot of money. I wonder if it is conditional on playing x number of games? If he retains recent form he’s always going to be starting 22 at the Saints, but he’s had a lot of injury interruptions of late too.

Players hold the whip hand on that. Doesn't matter if he's terrible, he gets the money guaranteed. See Ben Mckay.

 

[txbyhull]

I’m kinda surprised there’s not more appetite for Melbourne to either trade up or down of their picks. CDT and the likes of NHH/Thredgold double for example just seem like good fits given you’ve hit the draft hard for the last 3 years or so. I like your midfield mix and am surprised that you’d consider taking Sharp but I guess it’s a culture?

 

[Proper Gander]

Players hold the whip hand on that. Doesn't matter if he's terrible, he gets the money guaranteed. See Ben Mckay.

I suspect you’re right. He and manager aren’t going to take a contract other than one that insulates his income regardless of games played. Big risk with this guy though. Also, while he has played his defensive role quite well, it’s over a limited sample of games. I don’t think I would pay that money for that level of risk.

 

[dazzledavey36]

I’m kinda surprised there’s not more appetite for Melbourne to either trade up or down of their picks. CDT and the likes of NHH/Thredgold double for example just seem like good fits given you’ve hit the draft hard for the last 3 years or so. I like your midfield mix and am surprised that you’d consider taking Sharp but I guess it’s a culture?

Not they're not.

 

[SugarHealey]

Doesn't everyone say they should move Naughton back but Bevo refuses?

Naughton comes into his own, when he's not the number one forward.

When Darcy takes the best defenders, Naughton gets off the leash. pardon pun.

 

[MarcMaverick]

I’m kinda surprised there’s not more appetite for Melbourne to either trade up or down of their picks. CDT and the likes of NHH/Thredgold double for example just seem like good fits given you’ve hit the draft hard for the last 3 years or so. I like your midfield mix and am surprised that you’d consider taking Sharp but I guess it’s a culture?

Not even close. Need to draft top quality mids to replenish what we lost and futureproof for Tassie. What's the expression :" Draft for talents, Trade for needs". We can always use next years MSD or Trade period to go after needs. Plus there is the Rookie Draft/ SPP.

 

[Proper Gander]

Naughton comes into his own, when he's not the number one forward.

When Darcy takes the best defenders, Naughton gets off the leash. pardon pun.

Hold it a moment.

What was the pun?

 

[SugarHealey]

Turner Adams Petty Howes Jiath
Bowey Rivers AMW

It's an area of least concern IMHO.

We've been getting bullied in the middle for years now and got sweet fa going for us forward of the ball especially if Kozzy is set for more midfield minutes.

Can always trade defenders in on a needs basis like we did with Lever May etc.

Best available that can slot in the guts or forward of the ball to propel us back into finals contention sooner than later.

Turner Adams Petty Howes Jiath
Bowey Rivers AMW

I think we need Petty forward.

Adams is really an untried... and is undersized atmo.
Turner is a 2nd defender/swingman... and intercepter, more than a lockdown.
Howes is a 3rd tall defender. lacks physical strength and size.

Bowey, As a grand-final type defender, to me he is a sweeper more than a lockdown. he has good speed in closing speed but imv he lacks the power of a true small shut-down defender.
I would be looking to have him in the HFF/Wing mix.

Rivers, should be in our inside Midfield group.

Lever, I would be trading out, end of 2026.

We need power defenders asap.

 

[SugarHealey]

If it's so easy to trade for a quality KPD then why haven't the Bulldogs done it? Are they stupid?

We did it with May and Lever sure, but there is no guarantee a similar situation will happen in the future.

Lever isn't a true KPD. He is just an intercept man. And often a liability.

With our new game-style of speed on the footy. The ball will come back in quickly, sometimes further reducing Levers advantage of reading play and intercepting.
One on one he is weak.

Imv, in today's gamestyle he is a 2.5 defender... between 2nd and 3rd tall.
Lets say a lay-position defender.

 

[txbyhull]

Not even close. Need to draft top quality mids to replenish what we lost and futureproof for Tassie. What's the expression :" Draft for talents, Trade for needs". We can always use next years MSD or Trade period to go after needs. Plus there is the Rookie Draft/ SPP.

bit of a rough spot for top quality mids is all. I haven’t watched too much Melbourne but my main thought would’ve been everything other than mid. Is there an appetite to shoot for Robey as a Trac replacement then? I don’t really see much elite talent in this class outside of the top 3

 

[Daemon]

Turner Adams Petty Howes Jiath
Bowey Rivers AMW

I think we need Petty forward.

Adams is really an untried... and is undersized atmo.
Turner is a 2nd defender/swingman... and intercepter, more than a lockdown.
Howes is a 3rd tall defender. lacks physical strength and size.

Bowey, As a grand-final type defender, to me he is a sweeper more than a lockdown. he has good speed in closing speed but imv he lacks the power of a true small shut-down defender.
I would be looking to have him in the HFF/Wing mix.

Rivers, should be in our inside Midfield group.

Lever, I would be trading out, end of 2026.

We need power defenders asap.

I stopped reading after you said Petty forward. No, just no.

 

[ray_purchase]

This draft is awful. I would trade the picks to move into next years first round if possible.

Otherwise we might as well take a flyer on Latrelle Pickett at pick 11.

 

[The Dr]

Hold it a moment.

What was the pun?

He even bolded the word for you, pGander.

 

[Proper Gander]

He even bolded the word for you, pGander.

Yes but I think that confused me more.

 

[markm106]

I’d say we’ll go Dovaston for sure with one of our first picks. It’s a massive need and Kozzy will likely spend more and more time mid. I’d go best available mid type with the other pick. Cumming Farrow Grlj etc.

 

[TheBoss]

It’s a lot of money. I wonder if it is conditional on playing x number of games? If he retains recent form he’s always going to be starting 22 at the Saints, but he’s had a lot of injury interruptions of late too.

It's possible. But his dad is the list manager. I can't see him putting in a lot of incentives and conditions in his son's contract, he surely can't be that big of a campaigner!

 

[MarcMaverick]

I’d say we’ll go Dovaston for sure with one of our first picks. It’s a massive need and Kozzy will likely spend more and more time mid. I’d go best available mid type with the other pick. Cumming Farrow Grlj etc.

Yep, him.