List Mgmt. 2025 AFL Draft - Draft Analysis

[Tiger_Of_Old]

Really happy with the overall profile of this draft. Cumming, Grlj, Puecker and Roberts-Thompson continue a clear trend from the club of targeting speed, versatility and rotation depth. All four have the athletic profile to play multiple roles and importantly, can take centre bounce stints or wing rotations as they mature.

What this does is fundamentally change the way we can manage territory and transition. For years our midfield group has been a bit dependent on a handful of prime movers. Now we have Taranto, Lalor, Hotton, Campbell, Gray, Cumming, Grlj and MRJ who can all rotate through the middle at stages. That gives us balance through the corridor and should make our exits cleaner and faster. The old saying applies: slow is smooth, smooth is fast. If you can get your first possession clean, you do not need to be rushed. You arrive in waves.

This aligns with Yze’s comments about attacking at full speed and putting genuine pace on the game. It looks like we are building towards a style where we stretch sides laterally, surge forward in numbers, then apply mosquito fleet pressure across the ground. If we can maintain that intensity for four quarters, it becomes difficult for opposition teams to match the tempo.

It is also worth noting that these picks keep our development windows aligned. Most of this group is two to three years away from being fully AFL capable in their primary roles, which fits the broader list strategy. We get them into the furnace now, sharpen their decision making and bodywork through VFL exposure, and by 2027 to 2028 we should have a deep, flexible midfield-forward rotation with genuine leg speed and overlap run.

I am not calling finals next year, but another two years of development under this blueprint should have us pushing strongly in 2028. The talent is there, the profile fits modern football, and the game style we are signalling is one that can trouble sides if it clicks

We've just about got all bases covered in 2 drafts.
The only ? spot is the Ruck.Not worried though.We'll have plenty of options outside the list for that.

 

[4tune8]

Really happy with the overall profile of this draft. Cumming, Grlj, Puecker and Roberts-Thompson continue a clear trend from the club of targeting speed, versatility and rotation depth. All four have the athletic profile to play multiple roles and importantly, can take centre bounce stints or wing rotations as they mature.

What this does is fundamentally change the way we can manage territory and transition. For years our midfield group has been a bit dependent on a handful of prime movers. Now we have Taranto, Lalor, Hotton, Campbell, Gray, Cumming, Grlj and MRJ who can all rotate through the middle at stages. That gives us balance through the corridor and should make our exits cleaner and faster. The old saying applies: slow is smooth, smooth is fast. If you can get your first possession clean, you do not need to be rushed. You arrive in waves.

This aligns with Yze’s comments about attacking at full speed and putting genuine pace on the game. It looks like we are building towards a style where we stretch sides laterally, surge forward in numbers, then apply mosquito fleet pressure across the ground. If we can maintain that intensity for four quarters, it becomes difficult for opposition teams to match the tempo.

It is also worth noting that these picks keep our development windows aligned. Most of this group is two to three years away from being fully AFL capable in their primary roles, which fits the broader list strategy. We get them into the furnace now, sharpen their decision making and bodywork through VFL exposure, and by 2027 to 2028 we should have a deep, flexible midfield-forward rotation with genuine leg speed and overlap run.

I am not calling finals next year, but another two years of development under this blueprint should have us pushing strongly in 2028. The talent is there, the profile fits modern football, and the game style we are signalling is one that can trouble sides if it clicks

Yep, speed and endurance (Peucker's tank will develop) Retschko could prove to be an important cog too.

The key will be getting them all on the park together with consistent exposure and developing a cohesive unit. There's still a bit of list clogging that'll happen in 2026 but that's needed from a development perspective. Once Prestia, Broad, Short and Lynch hang up the boots we'll see the young blokes take the reins.

 

[4tune8]

We've just about got all bases covered in 2 drafts.
The only ? spot is the Ruck.Not worried though.We'll have plenty of options outside the list for that.

As you said, just about, I'd like to see another running HB, a winger who can be an aerial threat along the lines of Curtain/Dempsey and some KPD depth as we only have Gray left after the recent departures. Ruck obviously.

 

[_RT_]

I hope but Butters has traits at even in the juniors where he had that campaigner in him that makes him the player he is and is extremely tough for a 180cm 70kg kid/player.
His tackling , Hits , aggression was always there and i dont see that with Grlj . you either have that or dont i suppose and cant manufacture that instinct.
Richards doesnt but still a bloody great mid now but took him 6-7 years to get to that
I would be happy with a player like Richards but he is 5 cm taller and bigger body so who knows

From Grlj RMC write up

 

[Tiger_Of_Old]

As you said, just about, I'd like to see another running HB, a winger who can be an aerial threat along the lines of Curtain/Dempsey and some KPD depth as we only have Gray left after the recent departures. Ruck obviously.

Maybe push Brown onto a wing?

 

[Bojangles17]

Butters has not won a premiership, do not care much for Butters.

Some will say it is a team game, True, but where is the real impact??

I think Butters is one of the most overrated players in the game. To win premierships you cannot have overrated players

I think you’re half right , he is a bit overrated in sense that he alone would never be capable of being that difference maker like dusty that bring glory , that said he’s top qty and in a qty midfieid pack could add enough that momentum could swing his teams way ,,,,, could ,,,, tho he hasn’t done that for PA

 

[Bojangles17]

From Grlj RMC write up

View attachment 2483928

Yea it’s easy to see that his traits are top notch , I think peeps have been quick to underrate sizzler coz he ain’t that sexy come from the clouds pic that came from nowhere and wasn’t even tested in the u18 state rep sides . Our boy was the flipping Vic metro captain , so stick that in your pipe and smoke it ,,, not talking to you RT ,,,, just my retort to some neg sentiment

 

[Phar Ace]

I think you’re half right , he is a bit overrated in sense that he alone would never be capable of being that difference maker like dusty that bring glory , that said he’s top qty and in a qty midfieid pack could add enough that momentum could swing his teams way ,,,,, could ,,,, tho he hasn’t done that for PA

And let's remember, Butters is nearly always tagged, and Port are not good at helping him out. He's not overrated, he's overly focused on.

 

[4tune8]

Maybe push Brown onto a wing?

He is the best repeat sprinter on the list, but I think he is of more value down back.

 

[sregit]

No Collingwood had the balls to tell McGuane they wouldn't instead of leading him on the whole draft.
I wouldn't have had an issue if we were just upfront in the beginning and tell him no sorry there isn't a spot for you.
It looks terrible and some of us supporters have a right to question the clubs thinking.

No you don't. Your not part of our recruiting team..Ask the question and the club could rightly respond "who do you think you are questioning our selections" dumb arse.

 

[dean33]

If everyone else is passing on these highly ranked players, then maybe the clubs who put years of work into them know more than the journos and us on bigfooty

No chance. Calculating cal and bigfooty posters who become draft experts for 1 month a year have much more of an idea. And thats before we start talking about fox footy lab who are all over this stuff!

 

[dean33]

Ranked in the 90s in a shallow draft.... would have been available at 68 surely.... or the rookie draft.

To pass on Poo or Greeves for this is just mind boggling

Don't know why we have a recruiting team really, we should just pick each draftee based on their "fox footy lab" ranking!

 

[THE_GUN]

Butters has not won a premiership, do not care much for Butters.

Some will say it is a team game, True, but where is the real impact??

I think Butters is one of the most overrated players in the game. To win premierships you cannot have overrated players

FMD

The exact player RFC is craving for and you dont want him because he "has not won a premiership"
Then you go onto say "You think Butters is one of the most overrated players in the game "

You sir are an idiot

 

[dean33]

FMD

The exact player RFC is craving for and you dont want him because he "has not won a premiership"
Then you go onto say "You think Butters is one of the most overrated players in the game "

You sir are an idiot

dont even have to see the posters name before you read 2 sentences and realise it's another magic special...

 

[Coach_Required]

No you don't. Your not part of our recruiting team..Ask the question and the club could rightly respond "who do you think you are questioning our selections" dumb arse.

Yes I do and I will do so all year so you can either ignore me, block me or deal with it.

 

[Barunga Bullet]

Not the same
Banfield was bid on in the 40's and eagles fecked up by not having a list spot by keeping rubbish on their list
Kellaway fell through to the Rookie draft where we do have an open spot.

Eagles would of known there was a chance to get a bid. If they really wanted him they would of taken him the pick before. Same as us, there was others still on the board rated higher

 

[Phar Ace]

FMD

The exact player RFC is craving for and you dont want him because he "has not won a premiership"
Then you go onto say "You think Butters is one of the most overrated players in the game "

You sir are an idiot

If he is not an idiot, he knows plenty of them.

 

[Phar Ace]

Yes I do and I will do so all year so you can either ignore me, block me or deal with it.

Generous, 3 choices!

 

[THE_GUN]

If he is not an idiot, he knows plenty of them.

They are probably related

 

[THE_GUN]

Eagles would of known there was a chance to get a bid. If they really wanted him they would of taken him the pick before. Same as us, there was others still on the board rated higher

I dont think so

I genuinely thought they would get through to the rookie draft and totally stuffed it up

 

[dean33]

Dylan alexander who id say is one of the more respected draft watchers, while rating every teams draft "i think Richmond have smashed it out of the park"

 

[harimal12]

Loving all our new cubs.Who fits into our team in 26?

 

[captain cotch 9]

Loving all our new cubs.Who fits into our team in 26?

I’d think Grilj and Cummings play most games.
Grilj off the hbf and Cummings on the forward flank

 

[Danog]

Grlj wing and Cumming HFF for mine.

 

[T4P]

FMD

The exact player RFC is craving for and you dont want him because he "has not won a premiership"
Then you go onto say "You think Butters is one of the most overrated players in the game "

You sir are an idiot

Lynch hadn't won a premiership at GC and was also extremely overrated