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)

 

[Daemon]

We didn't need to draft a defender, we have an abundance of young defenders and Petty to take Mays place. Langford was the right choice.

 

[Lampers]

Tauru just equalled (or surpassed) the most spoils in a game in the history of the stkilda football club. In his 2nd game. So yes, Wowee. And we squandered the pick to pick up a dime a dozen mid. But yeah, that's just my opinion.

Tom McDonald I believe was leading the league in spoils when he got dropped so it’s a stat, but that’s all it is.

He has had a promising start however it’s only his second game and nobody will be putting any time at all into him yet. Things will get harder if he consistently intercepts (not just spoil) and he starts to get some attention.

He also gave up a goal with a terrible kick late, and got slaughtered in a couple of more pure defender on forward moments against Treacy (no shame in that).

On top of that he’s 193cm and built like a rake. May is a similar height but was always built like a brick out house. Tauru is unlikely to be a proper key back IMO.

Maybe he ends up a Sicily or Stewart type which is great, but he’d have to also be very good ball in hand for that.

Langford to me has shown more than enough that we can be a player that can influence a game in multiple ways and positions. Still happy with him vs. Tauru at this stage.

 

[I Love Lamb]

Tom McDonald I believe was leading the league in spoils when he got dropped so it’s a stat, but that’s all it is.

He has had a promising start however it’s only his second game and nobody will be putting any time at all into him yet. Things will get harder if he consistently intercepts (not just spoil) and he starts to get some attention.

He also gave up a goal with a terrible kick late, and got slaughtered in a couple of more pure defender on forward moments against Treacy (no shame in that).

On top of that he’s 193cm and built like a rake. May is a similar height but was always built like a brick out house. Tauru is unlikely to be a proper key back IMO.

Maybe he ends up a Sicily or Stewart type which is great, but he’d have to also be very good ball in hand for that.

Langford to me has shown more than enough that we can be a player that can influence a game in multiple ways and positions. Still happy with him vs. Tauru at this stage.

Langford is probably the least questionable first round pick we have taken since Pickett.

I’m hoping we bring Windsor back in to play on the wing to go head to head with Curtin next week.

 

[I Love Lamb]

danster168 on the money re Duursma. Montagna reporting he is disgruntled at North and North disgruntled at him.

 

[Lord Nev]

 

[Dancing Potato]

Was always unlikely we would get him anyway, even if he left (which I didn't think he would tbh).

 

[danster168]

Tom McDonald I believe was leading the league in spoils when he got dropped so it’s a stat, but that’s all it is.

He has had a promising start however it’s only his second game and nobody will be putting any time at all into him yet. Things will get harder if he consistently intercepts (not just spoil) and he starts to get some attention.

He also gave up a goal with a terrible kick late, and got slaughtered in a couple of more pure defender on forward moments against Treacy (no shame in that).

On top of that he’s 193cm and built like a rake. May is a similar height but was always built like a brick out house. Tauru is unlikely to be a proper key back IMO.

Maybe he ends up a Sicily or Stewart type which is great, but he’d have to also be very good ball in hand for that.

Langford to me has shown more than enough that we can be a player that can influence a game in multiple ways and positions. Still happy with him vs. Tauru at this stage.

I hope you're right. I agree that 193cm isn't that tall for a key defender. And who knows maybe he doesn't play true Key position. He could be a tom Stewart type. who knows.

Don't get me wrong, I've been happy with Langford's season. I just think Tauru will be better that's all. We weren't the only club to let him slide though but considering May and Lever are cooked I just think it would've solved a lot more problems than another mid.

 

[Lampers]

I’m hoping we bring Windsor back in to play on the wing to go head to head with Curtin next week.

Windsor was played as a centre square mid for Casey and he sucked. Badly. Got a bit better when he was playing a run and receive role later in the game and was better able to use his pace and find some space before disposing of the ball. I don’t think he was on the wing, but the way he played was more wing-like.

That starting centre square mid positioning call was a bit of a head scratcher.

If you want to persist with him at half back, then play him there in the VFL.

Is Windsor going to start in the centre square at AFL level? Unlikely. So why put him there in the VFL?

It used to be super clear that where they played guys at Casey was grooming them for where they would play if called up to the AFL.

It just seems really muddled up at the moment how they are using Casey. It seems they are putting winning VFL games above developing players in their likely positions for AFL.

 

[Lord Nev]

Windsor was played as a centre square mid for Casey and he sucked. Badly. Got a bit better when he was playing a run and receive role later in the game and was better able to use his pace and find some space before disposing of the ball. I don’t think he was on the wing, but the way he played was more wing-like.

That starting centre square mid positioning call was a bit of a head scratcher.

If you want to persist with him at half back, then play him there in the VFL.

Is Windsor going to start in the centre square at AFL level? Unlikely. So why put him there in the VFL?

It used to be super clear that where they played guys at Casey was grooming them for where they would play if called up to the AFL.

It just seems really muddled up at the moment how they are using Casey. It seems they are putting winning VFL games above developing players in their likely positions for AFL.

The only thing I'd raise though, is that they've quite often played blokes as inside mids at Casey to work on their competitiveness/contest even if it's not their likely position. Worked an absolute treat with Nibbler, it's where Laurie has played well at VFL level but hasn't translated, so perhaps that was part of the plan?

I wouldn't be surprised if it's all just prep for next year now for Windsor after an interrupted preseason. The positional change is so clearly a mistake, but he also had the majority of his preseason wrecked by the foot infection. I'm still backing him in for next year with better prep and a position change (hopefully).

 

[The Dr]

Can't believe Tim Lamb didn't DO SOMETHING.

I thought we had a STRAIGHT SWAP with Trac LOCKED IN?!

Tim Lamb ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL again!

 

[SugarHealey]

Was always unlikely we would get him anyway, even if he left (which I didn't think he would tbh).

His old man started his playing career with us. Ralphy.

 

[PerfectFooty]

Can't believe Tim Lamb didn't DO SOMETHING.

I thought we had a STRAIGHT SWAP with Trac LOCKED IN?!

Tim Lamb ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL again!

Nah, Clearly saw that Nathan Jones (and Nathan Jones only) was our midfield coach and decided it wasn't worth the risk

 

[I Love Lamb]

Nah, Clearly saw that Nathan Jones (and Nathan Jones only) was our midfield coach and decided it wasn't worth the risk

Still don’t get why we need 2 midfield coaches. Are they both only capable of doing half a job? Surely one superseeds the other.

 

[I Love Lamb]

Windsor was played as a centre square mid for Casey and he sucked. Badly. Got a bit better when he was playing a run and receive role later in the game and was better able to use his pace and find some space before disposing of the ball. I don’t think he was on the wing, but the way he played was more wing-like.

That starting centre square mid positioning call was a bit of a head scratcher.

If you want to persist with him at half back, then play him there in the VFL.

Is Windsor going to start in the centre square at AFL level? Unlikely. So why put him there in the VFL?

It used to be super clear that where they played guys at Casey was grooming them for where they would play if called up to the AFL.

It just seems really muddled up at the moment how they are using Casey. It seems they are putting winning VFL games above developing players in their likely positions for AFL.

That’s a shame, was lowkey hoping he could pull a Woewodin (Shane variety) and turn it on if put on the guts.

 

[Topkent]

Lol no half decent player has wanted to come to us since 2019, Bergman ain't that stupid either.

 

[I Love Lamb]

Wonder if we could tempt North to take Jake Lever

8

Jake Lever

Age

29

Ht

194cm

Wt

94kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.6

4star

K

9.7

4star

HB

4.9

4star

M

5.4

5star

T

1.3

3star

MG

242.0

4star

D

9.6

2star

K

6.5

3star

HB

3.1

2star

M

3.9

4star

T

1.3

2star

MG

145.4

3star

D

16.0

4star

K

11.0

4star

HB

5.0

4star

M

6.6

5star

T

1.6

4star

MG

189.8

4star

.

 

[danster168]

Wonder if we could tempt North to take Jake Lever.

As bad as Lever is, he's an upgrade on Aidan Corr.

 

[Lord Nev]

As bad as Lever is, he's an upgrade on Aidan Corr.

This trade idea was floated by someone this week (might have been Joey Montagna maybe? Can't remember), of Lever for Duursma.

 

[markm106]

Wonder if we could tempt North to take Jake Lever.

They need a leader in the back half. Just not sure north will be overly keen. But would be worth floating. In any event we should put him on ice for the remainder of the season to get him right for pre season day one.

 

[Bluelegs]

This trade idea was floated by someone this week (might have been Joey Montagna maybe? Can't remember), of Lever for Duursma.

Don't mind it.

 

[Lampers]

This trade idea was floated by someone this week (might have been Joey Montagna maybe? Can't remember), of Lever for Duursma.

I can’t see North going for that as a straight swap.

Duursma was a highly touted pick 4 in the 2023 draft.

I’m pretty sure every AFL club can see that Lever is a limited player and he will turn 30 as the 2026 season commences. He also has glass ankles.

If North are absolutely desperate for leadership in the backline and have written off Duursma for some reason it might be a possibility.

For all his flaws, Lever is also one of the few players on Melbourne’s list with obvious leadership qualities. So I’d think the view inside Melbourne is Lever brings a lot of intangibles beyond marks and spoils.

 

[I Love Lamb]

Duursma gives me Fritsch vibes laziness but I would still take the punt. Need some more players with forward craft and can take a mark. His age would also fit well with building a new young core.

Lever is 29, best is behind him and Turner can play his role better.

 

[SugarHealey]

Windsor was played as a centre square mid for Casey and he sucked. Badly. Got a bit better when he was playing a run and receive role later in the game and was better able to use his pace and find some space before disposing of the ball. I don’t think he was on the wing, but the way he played was more wing-like.

That starting centre square mid positioning call was a bit of a head scratcher.

If you want to persist with him at half back, then play him there in the VFL.

Is Windsor going to start in the centre square at AFL level? Unlikely. So why put him there in the VFL?

It used to be super clear that where they played guys at Casey was grooming them for where they would play if called up to the AFL.

It just seems really muddled up at the moment how they are using Casey. It seems they are putting winning VFL games above developing players in their likely positions for AFL.

I think our footy dept are already into a test and see... before the trade and free agency period approaches.
Putting Lever back to Casey, allows us to see how our back-line looks with just May and Turner back, directing traffic.

Also some different looks in the centre-square makeup. Its started badly on the weekend, and head injuries didn't help us.

But I think we are right into our planning, looking forward to this off season, and beyond.
Some big decisions are in front of us, and right now winning the points is lower on the agenda.

Our next two off-seasons will be crucial for us Re Trade and Draft.

 

[SugarHealey]

Duursma gives me Fritsch vibes laziness but I would still take the punt. Need some more players with forward craft and can take a mark. His age would also fit well with building a new young core.

Lever is 29, best is behind him and Turner can play his role better.

Which Duursma (1,2,or3,) are you talking about.?

 

[SugarHealey]

It used to be super clear that where they played guys at Casey was grooming them for where they would play if called up to the AFL.

Yeah, but that was back when we were genuine contenders... so we would have needed plug and play... spare players.