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)

 

[PerfectFooty]

Quality players these days tend to get to where they want to go anyway. Can't blame a guy for getting in his ear and the club not selling it

 

[TheBoss]

Grundy was Goody obsessed with two rucks and wanted a replacement for Jackson.

If that were true, then one of the Tom Campbell, Tom Fullarton or Will Verrall would be making their Dees debut tomorrow.

Jordon was the same.

The club prioritised a compo pick over re-signing him. And if I recall correctly, they traded the pick on draft night

Granted, Brayshaw's retirement is outside of Lamb's control. "Shit happens" as they say. But the 2023 off-season is a disaster no matter how you want to spin it. The club lost three premiership midfielders under 28 years old with a collective >350 games worth of experience for a return of an end of second round pick, and a future third.

Harmes had fallen from favour and also wanted out.

That is an over simplification.

Keeping Petty was smart. He is our long term full back when May retires.

It did not look smart watching him limp around full forward to kick 9 goals from 20 games last year!

 

[Lord Nev]

I’m more focused on his recent decisions.

What do you think about the trade for Grundy to play alongside Gawn, given that neither of them can play other positions or act as reliable forward targets? Then, just a year later, he flips Grundy to bring in Fullarton, who’s meant to play forward and pinch-hit in the ruck...

Losing Bedford was another hit. I know this might fall more on coaching and the match committee, but I’m sure we could’ve kept him if he’d been given more opportunities.

Then there’s letting Jordon go after trading Harmes for practically nothing, which created a hole in our midfield when Gus retired just before the season began, further diminishing our depth.

The decision to bring in an injury-prone McAdam on a 3-year deal was bold, but it’s looking like it might not pay off.

He also misjudged the market in the 2023 off-season by holding onto Petty when the Crows came sniffing around with the #10 pick.

Keeping Jack Billings on the AFL list because Richo vouched for him doesn’t seem to have worked out either.

And then Todd Viney and Norf influenced him to re-sign his son for three more years. While it’s too early to call, I think this could turn out to be a mistake—it’s probably two years too long. Viney has yet to show he can play any other position, and now he’s taking minutes away from younger guys who need development. Hopefully, he can put his ego aside when it’s time to play in the VFL as the younger players pass him by.

He made a serious play for Dan Houston, reportedly offering two first-round picks along with a pay increase to sweeten the deal. Thankfully, luck was on our side, and the trade never went through! While Houston is a great player, he doesn’t align with our current timeline. The team needs to focus on rebuilding, and fortunately, it looks like we're embracing a youth movement by bringing in four players within the top 13 picks across the last two drafts.

Grundy made sense as a Jackson replacement. The problem was the 2 ruck obsession - That comes down to the coaches.

Bedford left due to not being played. Coaches decision. Same with Jordon.

Harmes had issues with the coaches.

McAdam made sense as a type. It's a fail though given his injuries now aren't a total shock.

We have bugger all key back quality. Made sense to keep Petty, especially at the time and given his age.

Viney and Gawn we'll see. But the big factor there is what they've potentially done with the salary cap - Don't forget we had Houston as a lock until Trac happened, and they've already said we have cash to splash on trade targets this year.

Billings is the type where our failings have been IMO. Along with Dunstan, Daw, Hunter and those types, my issue is none of those gambles have paid off. We paid a very low cost for them, it was low risk stuff, but you would have expected at least one of them would pay off, but none of them have.

I expect to see us 'play the kids' a fair bit this year, target a couple of key areas in trade/free agency and aim to be contending again next year.

 

[Lord Nev]

Two firsts was the offer. No one here was happy with it. Glad it didn't happen. Would have ruined us

That wasn't the point of your post and you know it. I didn't mention anything about the trade deal.

 

[Lord Nev]

Lamb had nothing to do with most of these you mention. But anyway.

Yes he did.

Lamb was hired as National Recruiting Officer in 2012, and took over all recruiting responsibilities at the beginning of 2018.

 

[Crusty Demon]

Yes he did.

Lamb was hired as National Recruiting Officer in 2012, and took over all recruiting responsibilities at the beginning of 2018.

I think you'll find Viney did most of the work there. Brown was the big fish for Lamb. OK, he's a premiership player. Could argue about whether we win the flag without him or not, but his contract wasnt great. Got 1 relatively good year out of him from 4. Anyway, I don't rate him as a list manager. I feel he's been very poor. Contracts that's f*d us and unable to attract decent talent. My opinion goes against the grain around these parts. I'm ok with that. Doesn't change my opinion about his performance as list manager.

 

[Lord Nev]

I think you'll find Viney did most of the work there. Brown was the big fish for Lamb. OK, he's a premiership player. Could argue about whether we win the flag without him or not, but his contract wasnt great. Got 1 relatively good year out of him from 4. Anyway, I don't rate him as a list manager. I feel he's been very poor. Contracts that's f*d us and unable to attract decent talent. My opinion goes against the grain around these parts. I'm ok with that. Doesn't change my opinion about his performance as list manager.

I think you'll find Viney stepped into a different role at the very beginning of 2018.

 

[Daemon]

If that were true, then one of the Tom Campbell, Tom Fullarton or Will Verrall would be making their Dees debut tomorrow.



The club prioritised a compo pick over re-signing him. And if I recall correctly, they traded the pick on draft night

Granted, Brayshaw's retirement is outside of Lamb's control. "Shit happens" as they say. But the 2023 off-season is a disaster no matter how you want to spin it. The club lost three premiership midfielders under 28 years old with a collective >350 games worth of experience for a return of an end of second round pick, and a future third.



That is an over simplification.



It did not look smart watching him limp around full forward to kick 9 goals from 20 games last year!

All Goody's failings, not Lamb. Lamb doesn't pick the team week to week.

 

[Demon Attack]

Lamb is probably shit but he is working with some big handicaps (training base, kultcha, coaching, etc) and he is not the real problem. He wouldn't be top ten problems from the last 3 seasons.

 

[Topkent]

Lol what kind of campaigner thinks Tim Lamb walked into Goody's office and said guess what campaigner you're getting Grundy and you're gonna pick him in the side and love it


How can you not understand it's completely the opposite way.

 

[Topkent]

I like how there's a couple guys here who think Tim ****ing lamb is some omnipotent force who single handedly runs the club and it's decisions from a giant throne while everyone else just bows and accepts his decisions

 

[Topkent]

If that were true, then one of the Tom Campbell, Tom Fullarton or Will Verrall would be making their Dees debut tomorrow.

That is an over simplification.

Shooting fish in an empty Barrell really

 

[dazzledavey36]

but let's not just make stuff up.

Oh this is awkward..

 

[dazzledavey36]

I'll have a crack at this.

Grundy was Goody obsessed with two rucks and wanted a replacement for Jackson.

Bedford didn't get a game with Goody. He left for better opportunities. Jordon was the same. Harmes had fallen from favour and also wanted out.

McAdam was some X factor that would have added flair to the forward line. Unfortunately he is injury prone. I'll give you this one in hindsight.

Keeping Petty was smart. He is our long term full back when May retires.

I'll give you Billings. **** knows why they recruited him.

Viney played us like a fiddle and in a year when every news story about Melbourne was bad we needed a positive story. Lamb probably had no say, I reckon the higher ups told him to get it done.

Houston trade was derailed by Tracs camp. We don't know if the reported 2 first rounders was true.

Well said.

I'm still dirty on the Viney contract extension.

 

[Meds]

I like how there's a couple guys here who think Tim ****ing lamb is some omnipotent force who single handedly runs the club and it's decisions from a giant throne while everyone else just bows and accepts his decisions

Tim Lamb told you to write that didn't he?

 

[Topkent]

Tim Lamb told you to write that didn't he?

 

[Theseventhhamster]

I like how there's a couple guys here who think Tim ****ing lamb is some omnipotent force who single handedly runs the club and it's decisions from a giant throne while everyone else just bows and accepts his decisions

But also, when not ruling by decree, what is he doing?












NOTHING!

 

[Crusty Demon]

Well said.

I'm still dirty on the Viney contract extension.

And the Oliver and Brayshaw contracts? Happy with that list management?

 

[Toump Ass]

Billings must be the worst trade we've ever made, I ****in' hate that guy.

 

[Crusty Demon]

I think you'll find Viney stepped into a different role at the very beginning of 2018.

Didn't leave the club until end of 2019. Was the big pusher for Lever and overlooked the May trade. I think the only half decent bloke Lamb has brought in is Ben Brown and that was with a s* contract. Anyway, like I said, I'll die on the hill alone, that's fine,

 

[Daemon]

And the Oliver and Brayshaw contracts? Happy with that list management?

Oliver is a gun. No one knew he was going to fall off the rails after he signed that contract. If we didn't secure him long term he would have looked elsewhere.

Brayshaw was a bit silly because of his concussion history, but no one could have seen him retiring early. Again, if he wasn't extended he would have looked elsewhere.

Long term contracts are here to stay, we have just been a bit unlucky.

 

[Topkent]

Oliver is a gun. No one knew he was going to fall off the rails after he signed that contract. If we didn't secure him long term he would have looked elsewhere.

Brayshaw was a bit silly because of his concussion history, but no one could have seen him retiring early. Again, if he wasn't extended he would have looked elsewhere.

Long term contracts are here to stay, we have just been a bit unlucky.

He wouldn't have though. Star Victorians don't move.

 

[Lord Nev]

Didn't leave the club until end of 2019. Was the big pusher for Lever and overlooked the May trade. I think the only half decent bloke Lamb has brought in is Ben Brown and that was with a s* contract. Anyway, like I said, I'll die on the hill alone, that's fine,

From the start of 2018:

The Herald Sun can reveal Viney will step into a football operations position to help support the coaching, fitness and medical staff and players.

Recruiter Tim Lamb will take over key list management duties such as contracts and total player payment management as Melbourne looks to secure its first finals appearance in 12 years.

The move is effective immediately, although Viney is expected to help support Lamb in the new position throughout the year.

Todd Viney to move from list management to football operations role with Melbourne

Tim Lamb succeeded Todd Viney as Melbourne’s list manager in early 2018, when Viney firstly became more involved in football operations then departed after the 2019 season.

Viney is credited with playing an integral role in the Demons’ list transformation but the lower-profile Lamb deserves plenty of plaudits.

He’s filled holes in Melbourne’s playing list and employed aggressive trading tactics that have pretty much all been a raging success.

Under Lamb’s direction, the Demons rarely haggle too long over value and are happy to pay a fair price if they believe in what’s coming in.

That includes giving up two first-round selections as part of the Jake Lever deal, and the 2019 pick swap with North Melbourne, where Melbourne gave up picks 26, 50 and a future first-round selection for pick eight.

A subsequent trade with Fremantle saw the Dees slide back a couple of spots in the first round – all with the view of nabbing Kozzy Pickett, after securing ruckman Luke Jackson.

A clear, undeviating strategy

AFL grand final lists 2021: How Melbourne built its list into a premiership team

 

[Daemon]

He wouldn't have though. Star Victorians don't move.

No one knows either way, but his management played it well didn't they.

Players and their managers have far too much power now. The really good players know they can pretty much dictate terms.

 

[Topkent]

No one knows either way, but his management played it well didn't they.

Players and their managers have far too much power now. The really good players know they can pretty much dictate terms.

Clubs are just so bloody passive tbh. In some hypothetical scenario where he did crack it and decide to leave. As unpopular as it would have been and as big a media bullshit as it would have been, I still think we could have come out of it ahead.

In the same way that Carlton would never ever trade out McKay to solve issues because clubs refuse to be proactive, almost no club outside of Collingwood when they did their salary cap save and had Treloar crying on tv even though he ****ed over GWS almost no club pro actively tries to improve. They just sit with their cards their dealt and hope it works.