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List Mgmt. 2025 List Management III 📃

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Just looking at the OOC 2026 list and thought Taylor Walker (2yr deal?) has vast experience as a forward working in a coordination with two other key forwards and then potentially development coaching role. I know that he is not a popular figure for various reasons, but from a pure football perspective I believe worth consideration.
 

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BluStreak said:
Just looking at the OOC 2026 list and thought Taylor Walker (2yr deal?) has vast experience as a forward working in a coordination with two other key forwards and then potentially development coaching role. I know that he is not a popular figure for various reasons, but from a pure football perspective I believe worth consideration.
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At least he wouldn't be playing against us then.
 
BluStreak said:
Just looking at the OOC 2026 list and thought Taylor Walker (2yr deal?) has vast experience as a forward working in a coordination with two other key forwards and then potentially development coaching role. I know that he is not a popular figure for various reasons, but from a pure football perspective I believe worth consideration.
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Yeah...nah...

Juice isn't worth the squeeze. 36 at the start of this season, an unknown locker room quantity, and above all else should abaolutely retire a crow.

If Walker is the answer we are asking the wrong question.
 
BluStreak said:
Just looking at the OOC 2026 list and thought Taylor Walker (2yr deal?) has vast experience as a forward working in a coordination with two other key forwards and then potentially development coaching role. I know that he is not a popular figure for various reasons, but from a pure football perspective I believe worth consideration.
Click to expand...
If a 2nd/3rd KPF was our missing piece, then I'd entertain it.

For where we're at though, I think we need to be looking for long term KPFs, not stopgaps.
 
Juddernaut08 said:
If a 2nd/3rd KPF was our missing piece, then I'd entertain it.

For where we're at though, I think we need to be looking for long term KPFs, not stopgaps.
Click to expand...
Would like to revisit this post in a couple of months. I absolutely believe, providing Harry McKay stays fit, that he, Brodie Kemp, Hudson O’Keeffe and support from Hayward and Moir will be a great combination.

There are a couple of good ruck/forward options in the next draft, perhaps more forward/ruck for a couple. My thinking that a young hybrid KPP/Ruck might be a good option after securing Cody Walker. With the Tassie draft the following year. I am hoping/expecting the current group to be adequate, but we absolutely need to consider a young forward to be maturing when big H nears the end. It makes sense to target one next year. (there is some genuine hope that Lukas Koutoufides might step up as a key forward option in a couple of drafts time)

Rookie Me recently published a prospective Top 26 for ‘26 group. The list of talls from it is below. Quality ruck “only” Benjamin Van Rooyen, yes brother of, is also among them.

Ethan Herbert (North Adelaide/South Australia)
Ruck | 200cm | 01/11/2008
Arguably the most dominant bottom-age player in the SANFL Under 18 competition this year, Herbert put up big numbers in the ruck. Leaning on his craft and mobility, he averaged 17.9 disposals, 6.4 clearances, and 26.4 hitouts across 16 games for North Adelaide. His clean set of hands aided strong follow-up work and there is potential for the 200cm big man to develop his forward craft. He was only kept out of South Australia’s Under 18 side this year by All-Australian


Lewis Houndsome (Northern Knights/Vic Metro)
Key Forward/Ruck | 199cm | 29/05/2008
One of a few ultra-talented talls in the Northern Knights’ ranks, Houndsome was also part of the Vic Metro squad this year. Perhaps his greatest achievement was a best afield performance as Parade College took out its third consecutive Herald Sun Shield, impressing with his mobility and marking ability. At 199cm, Houndsome’s base is up forward but his reach and physical makeup lend to becoming a very handy secondary ruck.

Xavier Ladbrook (Gippsland Power/Vic Country)
Key Position Utility | 200cm | 16/10/2008
A player who well and truly suits the ‘unicorn’ moniker, Ladbrook offers enormous upside. He has played in just about every position this year, arguably looking most comfortable as a key defender but also swinging forward, pinch-hitting in the ruck, and even featuring on a wing. Ladbrook is a dynamic athlete who moves well for his size and joins in on the play like a mid-sized prospect. That kind of versatility is hard to come by, but so valuable.


Harry Van Hattum (Northern Knights/Vic Metro)
Ruck/Key Forward | 202cm | 01/07/2008
Standing at an imposing 202cm, Van Hattum is far more than just a hulking physical prospect. He is highly athletic for his size, capable of closing in hard on packs or standing up in them to mark overhead. The Northern Knights prospect covers good ground to complement his ruck craft and is capable of providing a target either down the line or up forward. He’ll be a handful to deal with next year alongside fellow Knights tall, Lewis Houndsome.
 
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Coona Blues said:
Would like to revisit this post in a couple of months. I absolutely believe, providing Harry McKay stays fit, that he, Brodie Kemo, Hudson O’Keeffe and support from Hayward and Moir will be a great combination.

There are a couple of good ruck/forward options in the next draft, perhaps more forward/ruck for a couple. My thinking that a young hybrid KPP/Ruck might be a good option after securing Cody Walker. With the Tassie draft the following year. I am hoping/expecting the current group to be adequate, but we absolutely need to consider a young forward to be maturing when big H nears the end. It makes sense to target one next year. (there is some genuine hope that Lukas Koutoufides might step up as a key forward option in a couple of drafts time)

Rookie Me recently published a prospective Top 26 for ‘26 group. The list of talls from it is below. Quality ruck “only” Benjamin Van Rooyen, yes brother of, is also among them.

Ethan Herbert (North Adelaide/South Australia)
Ruck | 200cm | 01/11/2008
Arguably the most dominant bottom-age player in the SANFL Under 18 competition this year, Herbert put up big numbers in the ruck. Leaning on his craft and mobility, he averaged 17.9 disposals, 6.4 clearances, and 26.4 hitouts across 16 games for North Adelaide. His clean set of hands aided strong follow-up work and there is potential for the 200cm big man to develop his forward craft. He was only kept out of South Australia’s Under 18 side this year by All-Australian


Lewis Houndsome (Northern Knights/Vic Metro)
Key Forward/Ruck | 199cm | 29/05/2008
One of a few ultra-talented talls in the Northern Knights’ ranks, Houndsome was also part of the Vic Metro squad this year. Perhaps his greatest achievement was a best afield performance as Parade College took out its third consecutive Herald Sun Shield, impressing with his mobility and marking ability. At 199cm, Houndsome’s base is up forward but his reach and physical makeup lend to becoming a very handy secondary ruck.

Xavier Ladbrook (Gippsland Power/Vic Country)
Key Position Utility | 200cm | 16/10/2008
A player who well and truly suits the ‘unicorn’ moniker, Ladbrook offers enormous upside. He has played in just about every position this year, arguably looking most comfortable as a key defender but also swinging forward, pinch-hitting in the ruck, and even featuring on a wing. Ladbrook is a dynamic athlete who moves well for his size and joins in on the play like a mid-sized prospect. That kind of versatility is hard to come by, but so valuable.


Harry Van Hattum (Northern Knights/Vic Metro)
Ruck/Key Forward | 202cm | 01/07/2008
Standing at an imposing 202cm, Van Hattum is far more than just a hulking physical prospect. He is highly athletic for his size, capable of closing in hard on packs or standing up in them to mark overhead. The Northern Knights prospect covers good ground to complement his ruck craft and is capable of providing a target either down the line or up forward. He’ll be a handful to deal with next year alongside fellow Knights tall, Lewis Houndsome.
Click to expand...
If we could get one of these guys, I think there would be fewer complaints about our 'lack of talls'. That said, I would like an extra tall defender until O'Farrell is right, but the club seems to think differently. I guess we'll find out how correct I was before too long.
 
Teams best KPP’s are drafted by clubs, might get lucky and land a FA, trade or a talented kid looking for more opportunities behind the depth & strength of caliber players, list wise…
Another couple of KP forwards is a list requirement, for the now & future along with another KPD for rounding out the list balance…
 
beowulf said:
If we could get one of these guys, I think there would be fewer complaints about our 'lack of talls'. That said, I would like an extra tall defender until O'Farrell is right, but the club seems to think differently. I guess we'll find out how correct I was before too long.
Click to expand...
The key defensive situation is an interesting one. We absolutely look to be walking a tightrope this season, but might well be set for a while if we can get through it in decent shape.

Jacob Weitering 28yo All Australian

Lewis Young 27yo “swingman” capable at both ends and in the ruck. Absolutely offers a foil for Weiters if injury strikes (at worst)

Harry Dean 18yo Extremely highly rated young KPD with “rave reviews” pretty universally across recruiting staff.

Harry O’Farrell 19yo Unfortunately suffered ACL and will miss most of the season, but in his six games showed enough to confirm that his pre injury early season rating as the best KPD two drafts ago was spot on. Highly athletic tall.

Matt Duffy 22yo Irishman played limited minutes in our reserves in ‘25, but was quietly impressive, shaping up well one on one. Reported to be turning heads on the track with his development and somewhat of a dark horse for the future.

Add
Brodie Kemp 24yo swingman, now focussed on a forward role, but absolutely a second or third tall option defensively.

Nick Haynes 33yo has been one of the competition’s best third tall defenders for over a decade. Undersized as a key, but has certainly played as a KPD when necessary across the journey.

Mitch McGovern 31yo earned a reprieve late in the off season and is a tall swingman capable of contributing in that part of the ground.

Young Matt Carroll stands 190cm or more and is a “borderline” third tall option along with the other Irishman Rob Monahan who has the tools to contribute should he step up after his third pre season, should we be hit hard with injury.

While Dean and O’Farrell are young and may need a little time, they project as stars of the game and likely come on quickly beyond the coming season. Young remains a durable option and the experience of Haynes is invaluable. With Ethan Phillips locked in to our reserves as a staple KPD, we are pretty well served defensively. It may make sense to add another mature option should list spots become available, but it is not hard to see why our management is gambling on the group holding up in ‘26.
 
Coona Blues said:
Would like to revisit this post in a couple of months. I absolutely believe, providing Harry McKay stays fit, that he, Brodie Kemp, Hudson O’Keeffe and support from Hayward and Moir will be a great combination.

There are a couple of good ruck/forward options in the next draft, perhaps more forward/ruck for a couple. My thinking that a young hybrid KPP/Ruck might be a good option after securing Cody Walker. With the Tassie draft the following year. I am hoping/expecting the current group to be adequate, but we absolutely need to consider a young forward to be maturing when big H nears the end. It makes sense to target one next year. (there is some genuine hope that Lukas Koutoufides might step up as a key forward option in a couple of drafts time)

Rookie Me recently published a prospective Top 26 for ‘26 group. The list of talls from it is below. Quality ruck “only” Benjamin Van Rooyen, yes brother of, is also among them.

Ethan Herbert (North Adelaide/South Australia)
Ruck | 200cm | 01/11/2008
Arguably the most dominant bottom-age player in the SANFL Under 18 competition this year, Herbert put up big numbers in the ruck. Leaning on his craft and mobility, he averaged 17.9 disposals, 6.4 clearances, and 26.4 hitouts across 16 games for North Adelaide. His clean set of hands aided strong follow-up work and there is potential for the 200cm big man to develop his forward craft. He was only kept out of South Australia’s Under 18 side this year by All-Australian


Lewis Houndsome (Northern Knights/Vic Metro)
Key Forward/Ruck | 199cm | 29/05/2008
One of a few ultra-talented talls in the Northern Knights’ ranks, Houndsome was also part of the Vic Metro squad this year. Perhaps his greatest achievement was a best afield performance as Parade College took out its third consecutive Herald Sun Shield, impressing with his mobility and marking ability. At 199cm, Houndsome’s base is up forward but his reach and physical makeup lend to becoming a very handy secondary ruck.

Xavier Ladbrook (Gippsland Power/Vic Country)
Key Position Utility | 200cm | 16/10/2008
A player who well and truly suits the ‘unicorn’ moniker, Ladbrook offers enormous upside. He has played in just about every position this year, arguably looking most comfortable as a key defender but also swinging forward, pinch-hitting in the ruck, and even featuring on a wing. Ladbrook is a dynamic athlete who moves well for his size and joins in on the play like a mid-sized prospect. That kind of versatility is hard to come by, but so valuable.


Harry Van Hattum (Northern Knights/Vic Metro)
Ruck/Key Forward | 202cm | 01/07/2008
Standing at an imposing 202cm, Van Hattum is far more than just a hulking physical prospect. He is highly athletic for his size, capable of closing in hard on packs or standing up in them to mark overhead. The Northern Knights prospect covers good ground to complement his ruck craft and is capable of providing a target either down the line or up forward. He’ll be a handful to deal with next year alongside fellow Knights tall, Lewis Houndsome.
Click to expand...
Yeah, still reckon we're stll in need of another key forward. Still not convinced big HO'K is a forward, but this year will tell us more. Anyways, my early crow shopping list the end of the year.....any one of these would be handy. All OOC the end of 2026.

  • Ben King (GCS) - free agent that'll cost us a pretty penny, but likely no draft picks. Would make an immediate impact.
  • Max Gruzewski - 21yo former 1st round pick. Could be after a new home through lack of opportunity.
  • Jed Walter - may get squeezed out if King stays and JUH fires. Yet to re-sign, but wouldn't be cheap.
  • Jake Riccardi - I've liked him since his days at Werribee as a 19yo. Just turned 26yo and reaching his peak.
  • Luke Lloyd - 20yo key forward with the Lions. Liked him in his draft year and getting pushed down the pecking order.
  • Caleb Lewis - 22yo key, GCS mid season draft pick. Yet to debut, but looked good in the Young Guns trials. Smoky.

Apart from Walter, any of those likely wouldn't cost a lot in draft capital (assuming GCS don't match an offer on King) - Lewis a possible delisting.

The other I'd love to have a dip at is Nathan Wardius from GWS - medium forward and still contracted for another year, but this kid looks like he's got some freakish skills at the lower level.
 

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Bamboo Harvester said:
Yeah, still reckon we're stll in need of another key forward. Still not convinced big HO'K is a forward, but this year will tell us more. Anyways, my early crow shopping list the end of the year.....any one of these would be handy. All OOC the end of 2026.

  • Ben King (GCS) - free agent that'll cost us a pretty penny, but likely no draft picks. Would make an immediate impact.
  • Max Gruzewski - 21yo former 1st round pick. Could be after a new home through lack of opportunity.
  • Jed Walter - may get squeezed out if King stays and JUH fires. Yet to re-sign, but wouldn't be cheap.
  • Jake Riccardi - I've liked him since his days at Werribee as a 19yo. Just turned 26yo and reaching his peak.
  • Luke Lloyd - 20yo key forward with the Lions. Liked him in his draft year and getting pushed down the pecking order.
  • Caleb Lewis - 22yo key, GCS mid season draft pick. Yet to debut, but looked good in the Young Guns trials. Smoky.

Apart from Walter, any of those likely wouldn't cost a lot in draft capital (assuming GCS don't match an offer on King) - Lewis a possible delisting.

The other I'd love to have a dip at is Nathan Wardius from GWS - medium forward and still contracted for another year, but this kid looks like he's got some freakish skills at the lower level.
Click to expand...

Ben King is obviously the main target there especially when you factor in not having to trade picks. He would stay close to goals allowing Harry to roam higher. Think he's the best fit of that bunch. Surround Harry and King with a couple of hybrids and smalls and it's a dangerous mix.

Walter 2nd best option (probably 1st on talent) but would require giving up huge trade assets so I think he can largely be ruled out given our need to keep picks for Cody and to continue to bring in young talent.

Gruzewski isn't a traditional KPP (192cm). He's a third tall (same height as Kemp). So unless we want to play without the two genuine key talls I'm not sure he's the perfect fit for us. We have Kemp (192), Moir (188), Hayward (186) etc. Think we need that 2nd genuine key tall personally just to better structure the forward line.

Riccardi could be a value option and not the worst pick up.

The other two I know little about so can't comment on them. But there are some options we can be looking at come the end of 2026 at least.
 
Blue By Blood said:
Ben King is obviously the main target there especially when you factor in not having to trade picks. He would stay close to goals allowing Harry to roam higher. Think he's the best fit of that bunch. Surround Harry and King with a couple of hybrids and smalls and it's a dangerous mix.

Walter 2nd best option (probably 1st on talent) but would require giving up huge trade assets so I think he can largely be ruled out given our need to keep picks for Cody and to continue to bring in young talent.

Gruzewski isn't a traditional KPP (192cm). He's a third tall (same height as Kemp). So unless we want to play without the two genuine key talls I'm not sure he's the perfect fit for us. We have Kemp (192), Moir (188), Hayward (186) etc. Think we need that 2nd genuine key tall personally just to better structure the forward line.

Riccardi could be a value option and not the worst pick up.

The other two I know little about so can't comment on them. But there are some options we can be looking at come the end of 2026 at least.
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If we're genuinely targeting King then I think that is good way to go. Riccardi would be an adequate second tall if King was not gettable.
 
I think part of the reason we parted with Curnow is because we've identified that having a load of salary cap tied up in 2 top tier key forwards isnt the right play given the state of the game.

In that sense it wouldnt make sense to go for King, who while younger, is much more one dimensional then Curnow and would cost more in salary.

Also, I think its very wishful thinking to say GC wouldnt match. Their compo pick would likely be late 1st round and we have lots of appealing draft capital to trade for. They would be more then happy to pony up 1.1m-1.3m to keep King, even with their other signings.

I cant see them not matching unless we offer King a ridiculous TDK type deal. Not sure that would be smart.
 
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marcmurphy3 said:
I think part of the reason we parted with Curnow is because we've identified that having a load of salary cap tied up in 2 top tier key forwards isnt the right play given the state of the game.
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I think the reason we parted with Curnow is because he didn't want to be at the club.
 
Benaly28 said:
Not sure if the modern game requires two key forwards.It seems to be hybrid mid size forwards starting to dominate both from a goal sense and pressure acts inside 50.
Click to expand...
I'd prefer Gruzewski over King, cheaper to obtain and more of a strong marking hybrid then a traditional KPF.
 

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The Blue Weirdo said:
I'd prefer Gruzewski over King, cheaper to obtain and more of a strong marking hybrid then a traditional KPF.
Click to expand...
I know there is something about King that people on this board don't seem to like but he kicked 71 goals in 2025, 55 goals the year before. Gruzewski has done nothing to show he would get anywhere near that output at this stage. Might turn out to be a good player, but King is proven.

King is also cheaper to obtain in terms of draft capital, he will cost nothing. Gruzewski would need to be traded for.
Assume you were referring to salary, we should have plenty of cap room for King given the exodus in the trade period of 2025.
 
marcmurphy3 said:
Partly but I think we were more amenable for the reasons described.
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The core reason for trading him was that he wanted to leave. Sooked it up. We weren't outwardly looking to trade him.

Yes the salary cap relief is an outcome from trading him but it wasn't the reason we traded him.
 
One beanpole in H in attack is enough.
Surround him with mobile, clever, hard working goal kickers who create avenues and opportunities and have Voss demand that the midfield use them.
Whether it’s “long bombing” out of defence or into the forward line, it’s far too predictable for the opposition and has to change …

Hayward Kemp Ainsworth
Williams McKay Moir
 
juzza316 said:
I know there is something about King that people on this board don't seem to like but he kicked 71 goals in 2025, 55 goals the year before. Gruzewski has done nothing to show he would get anywhere near that output at this stage. Might turn out to be a good player, but King is proven.

King is also cheaper to obtain in terms of draft capital, he will cost nothing. Gruzewski would need to be traded for.
Assume you were referring to salary, we should have plenty of cap room for King given the exodus in the trade period of 2025.
Click to expand...
Me and GW(probably) would like all that extra salary cap spread over more $850K players than King's over $1.3K-ish likely pay check(prefer to draft another young gun KPP).
Humphrey would be nice also, but he'll be expensive in both salary and trade picks.
 
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