List Mgmt. 2026 Trade/Free Agency Discussion Pt 1

[_RT_]

Well the draft is done and dusted, our 2026 list is all but complete with just the 1 rookie and 1 Cat B rookie spot left to be filled. We've already got the 2026 draft thread up and running thanks to the premature firing of their load by tigs2010 so this thread will be more specifically aimed for discussion around trade and free agent targets.

As far as free agents go there are only really 3 worth discussing: Zak Butters

9

Zak Butters

Age

25

Ht

181cm

Wt

77kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.3

4star

K

7.7

3star

HB

6.7

4star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.6

4star

CL

0.8

3star

D

14.7

4star

K

8.9

4star

HB

5.9

3star

M

3.9

4star

T

2.9

4star

CL

1.1

3star

D

17.0

5star

K

9.0

4star

HB

8.0

5star

M

3.6

4star

T

1.6

4star

CL

0.6

3star

(heavily linked to Dogs) Zac Bailey

33

Zac Bailey

Age

26

Ht

181cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.7

3star

K

6.9

3star

HB

5.9

4star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.2

4star

CL

0.9

3star

D

12.9

3star

K

7.3

3star

HB

5.6

3star

M

3.9

4star

T

2.4

3star

CL

0.7

3star

D

13.4

4star

K

6.6

3star

HB

6.8

5star

M

3.2

4star

T

2.8

5star

CL

0.6

3star

(Essendon seem to be leading the race) & Sam Walsh

18

Sam Walsh

Age

25

Ht

184cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

25.1

5star

K

13.5

5star

HB

11.6

5star

M

5.1

5star

T

3.2

5star

CL

3.4

5star

No current season stats available

D

26.2

5star

K

15.4

5star

HB

10.8

5star

M

6.0

5star

T

3.2

5star

CL

4.8

5star

(no real front runner at present). Ben King

34

Ben King

Age

25

Ht

202cm

Wt

98kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

7.2

2star

K

5.0

2star

HB

2.2

2star

M

3.5

4star

T

0.5

3star

G

1.3

5star

D

7.5

2star

K

5.6

2star

HB

1.9

1star

M

3.6

4star

T

0.3

1star

G

1.5

5star

D

6.8

2star

K

4.4

2star

HB

2.4

3star

M

3.2

4star

T

0.2

3star

G

1.0

4star

from the Suns is also a restricted free agent but seems unlikely to leave the Suns especially as they are now seemingly in the finals hunt.

As for players coming out of contract that are possible targets, well you'd have to think given our lack of depth that young rucks would be on Hartleys shopping list with players like:

Henry Smith (Lions) 23 yr old 202cm ruck
Max Knobel (Suns) 21 yr old 206cm ruck
Nick Madden (GWS) 21 yr old 204cm ruck
Max Ramsden (Hawks) 21 yr old 203cm ruck
Alex Dodson (Saints) 19yr old 203cm ruck
Lachlan Smith (Dogs) 20yr old 203cm ruck

Outside the 4 free agents and that half a dozen young rucks I'm sure there are other players that posters would be keen on us having a looking and happy for posters to float those names in here to generate a bit of discussion especially over the long summer when there isn't much else to discuss.

 

[tigs2010]

Good work _RT_

Is there a way to put a word on ignore?

Going to be exhausting reading posts about Butters for 11 months when he is zero chance of coming.

I'm tired just thinking about it.

 

[fargothegreat]

We should get Butters.

 

[juss]

Ruck probably a non-negotiable.

 

[copthat]

Good work _RT_

Is there a way to put a word on ignore?

Going to be exhausting reading posts about Butters for 11 months when he is zero chance of coming.

I'm tired just thinking about it.

THE_GUN is going to mention it everyday like how we should bid on Dean if we are wanting to draft Xavier Taylor.

 

[tiger_tough]

Max Knobel as a 22 year old free agent makes complete sense.

Butters is no chance.

Should throw the kitchen sink at Bailey.

 

[Mr Unbelievable]

Max Knobel as a 22 year old free agent makes complete sense.

Butters is no chance.

Should throw the kitchen sink at Bailey.

I cant believe its not Butters ???

 

[THE_GUN]

THE_GUN is going to mention it everyday like how we should bid on Dean if we are wanting to draft Xavier Taylor.

Have we met ?

Never seen you around here

I'll send you a autographed photo

 

[THE_GUN]

Max Knobel as a 22 year old free agent makes complete sense.

Butters is no chance.

Should throw the kitchen sink at Bailey.

Max Knobel is a smart choice "If we rate him"
lets see how he goes this year in the VFL for the suns

Looking at our list Sam Walsh would be a great get to play wing similar to Bailey Smith was for the cats

 

[4tune8]

Max Knobel is a smart choice "If we rate him"
lets see how he goes this year in the VFL for the suns

Looking at our list Sam Walsh would be a great get to play wing similar to Bailey Smith was for the cats

Knobel was showing good signs in the WAFL, Freo were planning on listing him as a rookie before GCS pinched him, he's been in the system for 3-4 years now, could be ready for the big stage after another year of development.

What are the 4 things that Smith, KMac, Walsh and Brandon Ellis have in common, apart from massive tanks?

 

[THE_GUN]

Knobel was showing good signs in the WAFL, Freo were planning on listing him as a rookie before GCS pinched him, he's been in the system for 3-4 years now, could be ready for the big stage after another year of development.

What are the 4 things that Smith, KMac, Walsh and Brandon Ellis have in common, apart from massive tanks?

Not sure

Smith eliminated just about everything that comes to mind in the 1 minute i thought about it

 

[tigs2010]

Knobel was showing good signs in the WAFL, Freo were planning on listing him as a rookie before GCS pinched him, he's been in the system for 3-4 years now, could be ready for the big stage after another year of development.

What are the 4 things that Smith, KMac, Walsh and Brandon Ellis have in common, apart from massive tanks?

Guessing cant kick for shit?

 

[4tune8]

Not sure

Smith eliminated just about everything that comes to mind in the 1 minute i thought about it

They're all shit kicks.

Walsh would fit right in if we're looking to emulate the wingers in the dynasty sides.

 

[THE_GUN]

They're all shit kicks.

Walsh would fit right in if we're looking to emulate the wingers in the dynasty sides.

Walsh disposal efficiency for his career is at 70.4%

Thats bloody good

 

[4tune8]

Walsh disposal efficiency for his career is at 70.4%

Thats bloody good

There aren't any stats for kicking under pressure, he's a proper hack in those circumstances. Ok when on the outside, so probably suited to a wing, no problem in having a look at him but he has had issues with his back. Full medical like everyone I spose.

 

[THE_GUN]

There aren't any stats for kicking under pressure, he's a proper hack in those circumstances. Ok when on the outside, so probably suited to a wing, no problem in having a look at him but he has had issues with his back. Full medical like everyone I spose.

When you get the ball 30 times a game and go at 70% i think thats pretty good

We need a good winger and he is a free agent that was a pick #1
I would like him

 

[Frustrated Tiger]

Surely to early for this....

 

[4tune8]

When you get the ball 30 times a game and go at 70% i think thats pretty good

We need a good winger and he is a free agent that was a pick #1
I would like him

how do you rid him of the Carlton stench though?

 

[THE_GUN]

how do you rid him of the Carlton stench though?

Use the same detergent we did for Grigga

 

[tigs2010]

It will be fascinating to see what we do.

We've drafted with high ceiling in mind and these will likely be our high salary earners.

There arent many holes until some of the draftees actually fail.

Weve taken 5 mids in the top 12.
3 kpf's in top 30
3 general defenders & kpd in top 30

We definitely need a ruck
We might need another wing (Clarke replacement)
We probably need an elite kicking half back (lefty would be nice)

It actually feels like the last rebuild Houli, Grigg & Ivan...

All roles are pretty average salary, trade collateral type of roles unless you're looking at a Nasiah type off half back but then they want to be mids

 

[prodigy]

Let's just steal CDT from West Coast in a couple of years.
He was impressive draft night. Spoke real well and could develop into an imposing ruck.

In all seriousness though, if Samson doesn't come on this year we need to seriously think about a Nank predecessor.

 

[tigs2010]

Let's just steal CDT from West Coast in a couple of years.
He was impressive draft night. Spoke real well and could develop into an imposing ruck.

In all seriousness though, if Samson doesn't come on this year we need to seriously think about a Nank predecessor.

Your new overlord...

 

[_RT_]

We probably need an elite kicking half back (lefty would be nice)

Surely one of the Lindsays was a left footer

 

[copthat]

Have we met ?

Never seen you around here

I'll send you a autographed photo

An*

 

[archer the tiger]

I cant believe its not Butters ???

Butter eaters make better lovers!