List Mgmt. 2025 List Management Discussion

[Perrip]

Allen gunna have to ruck for us right ? Can't play him and Smith in the same team

Assuming in the worst case scenario we don't get another ruck + Day/Oscar retire, we'd probably play Fort or Smith as the #1 ruck instead of Allen

 

[Big Sauce 21]

Fort or Draper will be our #1. I can't see how Allen and Smith in the forward line together works. Too slow

 

[WheildonTheAxe]

We always have the option next year of combining Hipwood and Smith into Heinrick Smithwood; an athletic, hardworking tall with strong field kicking, combined with emerging ruck talent and deadly goal kicking.

If we get an injury to one of our other talls, we could seperate Heinrick Smithwood back into its separate components again.

 

[3KZ is Football]

Assuming in the worst case scenario we don't get another ruck + Day/Oscar retire, we'd probably play Fort or Smith as the #1 ruck instead of Allen

That’s a better option. Fort has been generally good to very good this year. Smith is pretty much a lock from here. Gives us two genuine ruckman. Then we try to pick up a cheapie (which I imagine Fort was) and supplement through the draft.

 

[Elixuh]

I haven't wanted to admit this because I don't want to betray Tom, but I'm warming to Draper because our ruck stocks are so thin and we may be going to 5 on the bench.

 

[braddsey]

Do you reckon we'll play 5 talls outside of defence next season? That's the only way all of them can coexist in the one side. We're surely not offering Draper good money to play in the VFL, so either it's 5 talls or someone misses out when everyone is fit. Of course, the injury bug will likely strike us at some point.

No I don't see us playing 5 talls - though if we end up with 5 on the bench (no sub), I wouldn't put it past Fagan to experiment at some point with 3 talls up front (Morris, Hipwood, Allen) and 2 rucks (Draper, Smith). I hope it's short-lived if it happens - better to have another running player in the resting rotation for my money.

Assuming 4-talls, then I do expect Hipwood's position to come under pressure. I would expect he starts the season because surely Allen and Draper are not both fit to go full speed round-1... but if he has a patch of lean form, then the drums will seriously start beating for him to be given a break.

 

[Sproj]

Exclusive vision of Matthew Nicks

Matthew Nicks

Age

50

Ht

187cm

Wt

88kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.6

3star

K

9.4

4star

HB

4.2

3star

M

4.1

4star

T

1.7

4star

G

0.7

4star

No current season stats available

D

6.6

2star

K

4.4

2star

HB

2.2

2star

M

2.2

3star

T

1.4

4star

G

0.4

3star

on the phone.

 

[Morbidly_Obese]

Allen gunna have to ruck for us right ? Can't play him and Smith in the same team

I don't think he can ruck, every time someone touches him his bones explode.

 

[Elixuh]

Exclusive vision of Matthew Nicks on the phone.

Matthew Nicks explaining the Crows gameplan to Drapes

 

[3KZ is Football]

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Bo Allan	Ankle	Season
Oscar Allen	Calf/Achilles/Knee	Season
Harry Edwards	Hamstring	Test
Callum Jamieson	Hamstring	1 week
Harley Reid	Anke	Season
Jake Waterman	Shoulder	Season
Elliot Yeo	Ankle	Season
Updated: July 29, 2025

Oscar Allen

4

Oscar Allen

Age

26

Ht

196cm

Wt

96kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.8

2star

K

6.6

3star

HB

3.2

3star

M

3.8

4star

T

2.4

4star

G

1.1

4star

No current season stats available

D

8.6

3star

K

5.8

3star

HB

2.8

3star

M

3.8

4star

T

2.0

4star

G

1.2

4star

will be 27 at the start of next season and he sounds pretty beat up. Best years may be behind him. I’d pass on him. At 196cm he’s going to struggle against true ruckman like Gawn (209cm), English (208cm), Cameron (204cm), Xerri (202cm), etc etc

 

[dlanod]

THIS IS THE GREATEST DAY OF MY LIFE

Guess we're having to up our offer!

 

[Tom14]

I haven't wanted to admit this because I don't want to betray Tom, but I'm warming to Draper because our ruck stocks are so thin and we may be going to 5 on the bench.

 

[Denno]

Allen gunna have to ruck for us right ? Can't play him and Smith in the same team

You can if there's no sub (and we have 23 players)?

 

[Bucking Beads]

I'd suggest tempering any expectations we have in Henry Smith. He is a slow burner that is for sure. Will need to get fitter and stronger to be an automatic selection in our side. There is talent but he has a long way to go. I'd suggest Ty Gallop looks a more likely type.

 

[Sunny Land]

I feel like this forum respects hipwood a lot more highly than other places. And i'm not even talking about facebook. I don't know if anyone watches dan gorringe's podcast, but they were basically roasting hipwood on there after the collingwood game. It wasn't anything too malicious, rather they were laughing over the thought of hipwood being a leading goalkicking forward for Brisbane, and Dan said Hipwood basically only has 1/2 good games a year. Even on Insta, i see hipwood being roasted a lot. I feel like when he eventually retires, he would only be rated decently amongst lions fans, because even in the Media, they all seem to think like he doesn't belong in the Brisbane team.

No dis-respect intended but the only opinions of any players that matter come from the inner circle of the club. White noise is how the media & social media chat is described.

 

[Sunny Land]

I'd suggest tempering any expectations we have in Henry Smith. He is a slow burner that is for sure. Will need to get fitter and stronger to be an automatic selection in our side. There is talent but he has a long way to go. I'd suggest Ty Gallop looks a more likely type.

Agree. Henry is still a work in progress. The next few games will give us all a better idea of where he is at regarding the long term work he needs to improve on.
Gallop (despite his lack of height) shows a lot of upside and is an exciting prospect.

 

[RegionalLion]

PLAYER	INJURY	ESTIMATED RETURN
Bo Allan	Ankle	Season
Oscar Allen	Calf/Achilles/Knee	Season
Harry Edwards	Hamstring	Test
Callum Jamieson	Hamstring	1 week
Harley Reid	Anke	Season
Jake Waterman	Shoulder	Season
Elliot Yeo	Ankle	Season
Updated: July 29, 2025

Oscar Allen will be 27 at the start of next season and he sounds pretty beat up. Best years may be behind him. I’d pass on him. At 196cm he’s going to struggle against true ruckman like Gawn (209cm), English (208cm), Cameron (204cm), Xerri (202cm), etc etc

I was all for getting another key forward to replace Jo, but maybe everyone - including the recruiting team - was of a similar mindset and got tunnel vision of must find best key forward available to replace Daniher. I think OA is a very good player when fit and has good character (which is an important aspect for our culture) but I am concerned it could go the way of Doedee - he is a good player and good character but the injuries have just been too much so far. If it takes us a couple of years to get OA fully up and running I don't believe he will have a place as others will have been doing the job in that time.

Although we have older players retiring to make cap space available at the right time for younger players I wonder if the long contract and money for OA is worth it given the development Gallop is showing, Morris' continued rise and the potential of Smith being added into the rotation.

I actually think Draper may be the more important of the two potential targets we currently appear to be looking at, but again the injuries. An about to break out ruck (ala Max Heath) may be the best option if we do miss out on Draper - would give us Fort, Smith, New Ruck, Waller? with Boothey in a couple of years (this is all unfortunately assuming Big O's body is no longer up for it). The only issue would be the capital to trade for Heath - future 2nd or 3rd possibly? a third this year could possibly get it done but the saints do seem slightly upset with out "advantages" so would likely play hard ball.

 

[Morbidly_Obese]

I feel like this forum respects hipwood a lot more highly than other places. And i'm not even talking about facebook. I don't know if anyone watches dan gorringe's podcast, but they were basically roasting hipwood on there after the collingwood game. It wasn't anything too malicious, rather they were laughing over the thought of hipwood being a leading goalkicking forward for Brisbane, and Dan said Hipwood basically only has 1/2 good games a year. Even on Insta, i see hipwood being roasted a lot. I feel like when he eventually retires, he would only be rated decently amongst lions fans, because even in the Media, they all seem to think like he doesn't belong in the Brisbane team.

I don't know why gorringe is laughing he got bounced out of the AFL while Hipwood was given a 6 year contract.

 

[RegionalLion]

Also are there any good young key position backs / hybrid backs that can play taller around the leagues at the moment that could come on the cheap knowing they would get a run to start next year with Payne injured? I don't get to watch much VFL and it is slim pickings in the Free agent and out of contract list for key defenders. I think this is a real need we have to address ASAP on the list. Harry Arnold has been mentioned as a possible option previously but is he up to AFL standard - again asking earnestly as I haven't seen enough of him.

(excluding Silvagni because you know Collingwood money)

 

[KissKiss]

hipwood is a flanker in the body of a key forward. looks great when he gets to use his athleticism but doesnt really crash packs or take big grabs as much as you would like your key forwards to.

hes probably going to be our third best kpf next season and thats OK. you won't find many teams who have a player of his caliber getting the third best defender most weeks. i will say it would be great if he could improve his ruck craft and be a genuine chop out option so we do not have to send allen there.

Last year and the year before people used to constantly mock Hipwood as being over rated but if anything he was underrated. He was still one of the best second key forwards in the comp that basically every other team would love to have.

Problem is people want him to be the number 1 guy (which he did do a bit at the start of the year), but honestly its a great thing if Morris/Allen/Smith/Gallop etc have gone past him and he can keep being that second/third guy who stretches defences and creates mis-matches

 

[Jimmy Two Hands]

Puzzles me that anyone would watch arguably our greatest H&A win in recent times and loudly proclaim who should be dropped - however those questioning Hipwood's role should take a look at his heatmap vs Smiths and Morris. They didnt leave the F50 and he ran up and down the wings and into the back 50.

Morris is a special talent but doesnt have anywhere near the tank yet to run down the flanks and provide marking/bail out options all game. Hipwood is hugely important for our structure and allowing Morris to get isolated 1-1s which he excels at. Not to mention that Hipwood didnt have a preseason due to OP recovery, has been thrown down back and into the ruck and had a hugely disrupted forward line to contend with while we look for a Joe replacement.

 

[Ceebee]

Puzzles me that anyone would watch arguably our greatest H&A win in recent times and loudly proclaim who should be dropped - however those questioning Hipwood's role should take a look at his heatmap vs Smiths and Morris. They didnt leave the F50 and he ran up and down the wings and into the back 50.

Morris is a special talent but doesnt have anywhere near the tank yet to run down the flanks and provide marking/bail out options all game. Hipwood is hugely important for our structure and allowing Morris to get isolated 1-1s which he excels at. Not to mention that Hipwood didnt have a preseason due to OP recovery, has been thrown down back and into the ruck and had a hugely disrupted forward line to contend with while we look for a Joe replacement.

Both Eric and Charlie helped get those goals .

I get sick of the Eric bashing and why isn’t Charlie getting goals .

It’s more than that ,it’s team play .

 

[Sunny Land]

Both Eric and Charlie helped get those goals .

I get sick of the Eric bashing and why isn’t Charlie getting goals .

It’s more than that ,it’s team play .

I do understand why it's happening but also understand that people who do it either refuse take on board what people inside the inner circle of the club say in the media or just simply do not understand nor appreciate what he does. If kicking goals is what he's measured on (which it is not) then his form before he was moved into the ruck relief was really good. He's kicked 24 goals thus far this season....who else do we have on our list could do that and also cover the body of work he does? It's a mentality of mostly old school supporters who dont want to let go...i dont like it but I get it.

 

[Nunez]

I do understand why it's happening but also understand that people who do it either refuse take on board what people inside the inner circle of the club say in the media or just simply do not understand nor appreciate what he does. If kicking goals is what he's measured on (which it is not) then his form before he was moved into the ruck relief was really good. He's kicked 24 goals thus far this season....who else do we have on our list could do that and also cover the body of work he does? It's a mentality of mostly old school supporters who dont want to let go...i dont like it but I get it.

I think it's also important to note that he's still getting shots on goal every week, although his accuracy has been off. It's not like he's not getting scoring opportunities.

 

[Saucery]

No dis-respect intended but the only opinions of any players that matter come from the inner circle of the club. White noise is how the media & social media chat is described.

So how much will this White Noise fella cost us and can he ruck?