List Mgmt. 2025 List Management 📃

[carlton_99]

Excellent summary on top of the glaring issue of putting all our eggs into a first rounder who has done his knee already while ignoring a top class HBF/defensive midfielder (which is now an area of concern because Newman is done and Saad has had an interrupted pre-season) AND no 1st round pick this year. We are a couple of injuries away from a bottom 6 finish.

This seems like a very "hindsight is 20/20" take. We needed a midfielder with Smith's traits far more than another HB which was probably the area where we had the most depth in the team. Newman getting injured and then Jagga doing an ACL can't be used as the reason why we should have got Houston instead.

 

[SkyhorseTamer]

HTFU. Got to book flights, accom, transfers, food + drink just to watch a decent game. Hadn’t seen a win in about a decade (imagine the disappointment on the way home, every year incl MFC in ‘22 + Collingwood last year) but you support at every opportunity.
Edit: SF win vs MFC was off the charts!!

Eggs cost nearly as much as a membership... Let's chill on people deciding money is better allocated elsewhere....

 

[DangerousD]

We've got as many A graders as any team in the comp, so not surprising we're not bringing more in.

The question is, do we have the right mix of A graders, or too many?

I’d say the question is more, are we paying our A graders too much compared to what other challenging clubs are paying theirs.

 

[Opium]

This seems like a very "hindsight is 20/20" take. We needed a midfielder with Smith's traits far more than another HB which was probably the area where we had the most depth in the team. Newman getting injured and then Jagga doing an ACL can't be used as the reason why we should have got Houston instead.

Agree Houston was never the answer.

 

[LFTWNG11]

This seems like a very "hindsight is 20/20" take. We needed a midfielder with Smith's traits far more than another HB which was probably the area where we had the most depth in the team. Newman getting injured and then Jagga doing an ACL can't be used as the reason why we should have got Houston instead.

Yes hindsight is 20/20 but the clubs foresight is about 2/20.

Houston would have been of so much more value in 2025/2026 than Smith and we probably would have kept a draft pick in the teens to develop. We put all our eggs into one basket and it’s taken two months to blow up.

 

[Arr0w]

This seems like a very "hindsight is 20/20" take. We needed a midfielder with Smith's traits far more than another HB which was probably the area where we had the most depth in the team. Newman getting injured and then Jagga doing an ACL can't be used as the reason why we should have got Houston instead.

It's all relative, cost vs improvement, short to medium term or longterm with a draftee, as well as where we are as a list profile

You could easily shuffle the oversupply of defenders to other areas of the ground

Forget the injuries for the moment, would Houston have added to the sides effectiveness and outcome? Id say absolutely

Would have taken more than a 1st rounpucick, possibly 2, with a 2nd and a 3rd coming back the other way

Salary was another juggling point

 

[Stamos]

Yes hindsight is 20/20 but the clubs foresight is about 2/20.

Houston would have been of so much more value in 2025/2026 than Smith and we probably would have kept a draft pick in the teens to develop. We put all our eggs into one basket and it’s taken two months to blow up.

Who else would we lose by paying his salary? TDK?

 

[AlecDuncan]

Yeah it’s interesting, I see Evans pretty similar to owies in the way he plays. Doesn’t really imo have a big point of difference you’d Aquire him for.
But, if we had of went with white last week, I totally see the path where taking with him.

I see him more as a possible Matthew Wright. Serviceable, but not the answer.

 

[carlton_99]

It's all relative, cost vs improvement, short to medium term or longterm with a draftee, as well as where we are as a list profile

You could easily shuffle the oversupply of defenders to other areas of the ground

Forget the injuries for the moment, would Houston have added to the sides effectiveness and outcome? Id say absolutely

Would have taken more than a 1st rounpucick, possibly 2, with a 2nd and a 3rd coming back the other way

Salary was another juggling point

Fair enough. I would still argue with the draft cost and salary cost going with Jagga was the right move. Purely because he adds a complete POD to that midfield group.

If it was a key defender to partner Weitering or an elite small forward to play under Curnow/McKay I would have been happy to pull the trigger. Because I believe they would significantly alter the performance of the team. Although Houston is an elite player he does not move the needle enough for me to warrant what we would have to give up.

 

[carlton_99]

Yes hindsight is 20/20 but the clubs foresight is about 2/20.

Houston would have been of so much more value in 2025/2026 than Smith and we probably would have kept a draft pick in the teens to develop. We put all our eggs into one basket and it’s taken two months to blow up.

Don't believe you would have been able to get Houston without giving up the two picks in the teens. Then you take into account salary and it shifts the cost-benefit analysis even further away from the trade imo

 

[Arr0w]

Fair enough. I would still argue with the draft cost and salary cost going with Jagga was the right move. Purely because he adds a complete POD to that midfield group.

If it was a key defender to partner Weitering or an elite small forward to play under Curnow/McKay I would have been happy to pull the trigger. Because I believe they would significantly alter the performance of the team. Although Houston is an elite player he does not move the needle enough for me to warrant what we would have to give up.

We see it slightly differently which is okay

As a pure player, possible not, what he would have added to whole, I believe that needle would spike

And for me, it's not just Jagga v Houston, its the combined off season that was strange for me

 

[CoachB]

We see it slightly differently which is okay

As a pure player, possible not, what he would have added to whole, I believe that needle would spike

And for me, it's not just Jagga v Houston, its the combined off season that was strange for me

I think most people have got to the point that they see bringing Jagga in was a good move even if they initially preferred Houston.

The discussion has evolved.

Bringing in Nick Haynes alone did not address our needs in the back half. Even without the injury to Newman we had a need for a halfback and/or a big body to support our back line, now we have a handful of small forwards and gaps down back. Even if they were stop gaps, we could have got 1 or 2 role players while we wait for the next wave of kids to put their hands up.

 

[PezzDogg95]

Curious about our small and half forward line up in the medium term based on our recent SSP acquisitions.

Presently we have Motlop, Williams, Fogarty, Fantasia, Durdin, White & Evans. Plus some pinch hitters across half forward including E Hollands, Cincotta & Cottrell (+ potentially Smith in 2026).

Of that bunch I would only be confident to say Motlop and E Hollands are long term pieces to our forward mix.

Williams, historically injury prone and has not played small forward for very long. He is also out of contract end of 2026 and is on decent money. Will be 32 years old at the end of his contract - may get a 1 year deal for 2027 at best.

Fogarty, defensive minded and brings the pressure and is a decent goal assist player. Doesn't possess the best forward craft, kicked 9 goals in 2025 from 15 games (including 3 against the Tigers). 25 goals for his career. Contracted to 2026, when he will be 27 y.o. going on 28 - but I see him staying on as a depth option.

Fantasia, historically injury prone, out of contract end of the year and will be turning 30 in September. Could be extended for 2026 if he stays injury free and has a good year. Has pace and x-factor, but can drift out of games. Irrespective, doubtful to see him at the club in 2027 or beyond when he is 32-33 y.o.

Durdin, a small body who has been unlucky with collision injuries. To me he is more a mid and high half forward who is held back by his body size. Contracted to 2026, when he will be 24 y.o. going on 25 after 6 years in the system. Has the tools to make it, but needs to start showing this, and do on a consistent basis while being injury free. Up against it.

White, young man entering his first AFL season about to turn 21. An unknown quantity at AFL level, hopefully he can surprise us and burst onto the scene. From all reports is a tenacious player with pace and can find the sticks - sounds like the right mix for what we need, hopefully it translates to AFL level.

Evans, turns 24 late in the season and is now at his third club. Suspect he is seen more as a depth player. Could surprise, but not banking on it.

Cincotta, love him as a defensive high half forward. Turns 29 at the end of 2025. Suspect he would have 3-4 seasons left in him at a maximum.

Cottrell, also a decent high half forward and wing rotation. Contracted to 2027 - will be 28 for the 2028 season. It would be best if we have him as a next man up.

We are also tied to Tyson Gresham via NGA who at this stage is likely to be on our list next year either on the main list or category b rookie list. A complete unknown at AFL level, a free shot at the stumps.


TL;DR - We have a cast of thousands at small and half forward, but we need to cut a few and go out and grab some difference makers as this position from 2027 onwards looks even shakier than it does currently.

 

[JJBagger]

Yes hindsight is 20/20 but the clubs foresight is about 2/20.

Houston would have been of so much more value in 2025/2026 than Smith and we probably would have kept a draft pick in the teens to develop. We put all our eggs into one basket and it’s taken two months to blow up.

Houston also could’ve done his ACL in pre season

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

Curious about our small and half forward line up in the medium term based on our recent SSP acquisitions.

Presently we have Motlop, Williams, Fogarty, Fantasia, Durdin, White & Evans. Plus some pinch hitters across half forward including E Hollands, Cincotta & Cottrell (+ potentially Smith in 2026).

Of that bunch I would only be confident to say Motlop and E Hollands are long term pieces to our forward mix.

Williams, historically injury prone and has not played small forward for very long. He is also out of contract end of 2026 and is on decent money. Will be 32 years old at the end of his contract - may get a 1 year deal for 2027 at best.

Fogarty, defensive minded and brings the pressure and is a decent goal assist player. Doesn't possess the best forward craft, kicked 9 goals in 2025 from 15 games (including 3 against the Tigers). 25 goals for his career. Contracted to 2026, when he will be 27 y.o. going on 28 - but I see him staying on as a depth option.

Fantasia, historically injury prone, out of contract end of the year and will be turning 30 in September. Could be extended for 2026 if he stays injury free and has a good year. Has pace and x-factor, but can drift out of games. Irrespective, doubtful to see him at the club in 2027 or beyond when he is 32-33 y.o.

Durdin, a small body who has been unlucky with collision injuries. To me he is more a mid and high half forward who is held back by his body size. Contracted to 2026, when he will be 24 y.o. going on 25 after 6 years in the system. Has the tools to make it, but needs to start showing this, and do on a consistent basis while being injury free. Up against it.

White, young man entering his first AFL season about to turn 21. An unknown quantity at AFL level, hopefully he can surprise us and burst onto the scene. From all reports is a tenacious player with pace and can find the sticks - sounds like the right mix for what we need, hopefully it translates to AFL level.

Evans, turns 24 late in the season and is now at his third club. Suspect he is seen more as a depth player. Could surprise, but not banking on it.

Cincotta, love him as a defensive high half forward. Turns 29 at the end of 2025. Suspect he would have 3-4 seasons left in him at a maximum.

Cottrell, also a decent high half forward and wing rotation. Contracted to 2027 - will be 28 for the 2028 season. It would be best if we have him as a next man up.

We are also tied to Tyson Gresham via NGA who at this stage is likely to be on our list next year either on the main list or category b rookie list. A complete unknown at AFL level, a free shot at the stumps.


TL;DR - We have a cast of thousands at small and half forward, but we need to cut a few and go out and grab some difference makers as this position from 2027 onwards looks even shakier than it does currently.

It is a concern going forrward for sure. Looking ahead to our future team make up it sticks out like a sore thumb still as a hole we need to fill. Loved what I saw from Motlop in the practice match and some of the pre season sesssions but adding another quality small forward is a must going forward.

Darcy Jones would be my number 1 target in terms of wishful thinking. GWS have a plethora of smalls atm and it looks like Gothard has had a big pre season which will only add to the competitiveness in that spot for them.

Looking ahead to the future our list in the 'medium term' will likely look something like this. Adding a Jones or Bobby Hill type would round out the forward line far better than any of our other names like Fog, Durdin, Evans etc who are more honest battler types rather than mercurial impact players. Long term having some quality small forwards will be a massive area of need when we're eventually forced to replace Harry and Charlie.

FB: Lachie Cowan - Jacob Weitering - Jordan Boyd
HBF: Ollie Hollands - Harry O'Farrell - Matt Carroll
C: Lucas Camporeale - Adam Cerra - Sam Walsh
HFF: Elijah Hollands - Charlie Curnow - Darcy Jones
FF: Jesse Motlop - Harry Mckay - Ashton Moir
R: Tom De Koning - Jagga Smith - Cody Walker

I/C: Cooper Lord - Ben Camporeale - Billy Wilson - Matt Cottrell

 

[Stickitupthem]

Happy new year ladies and gents
Back to the grind that is life
Can’t believe we are behind the 8 ball again before the season starts
Keep positive hopefully our turn comes and these major injuries go away .
Im hoping Cerra wins the BnF that will go a long way towards us competing
Fingers crossed

 

[Blue__Balls]

Two small forwards. Really odd decision making given the amount of players we have for those roles. Yes, admittedly, our small forward stock ain’t great but if Evans was seen as the pick of the bunch and our KPD and mid rotation stock is thin, going for another small forward again suggests no confidence in existing stock.

They're the most likely to see game time and be able to have an impact.

Lose Weiters and replace him with Phillips, or lose Charlie/Harry and replace either with McMahon and we're still cactus.

But if we can cycle through these small forwards, keep them hungry and motivated and fighting for a spot, maybe that's an extra goal, maybe goal and a half a game on aggregate.

The other thing is - take a tall, and if there's no injury that player is doing nothing. The smalls are where we have the least "settled" players, so we're not banking on an injury to get White or Evans in, they could legitimately press a claim for selection on merit.

 

[Blue__Balls]

Yes hindsight is 20/20 but the clubs foresight is about 2/20.

Houston would have been of so much more value in 2025/2026 than Smith and we probably would have kept a draft pick in the teens to develop. We put all our eggs into one basket and it’s taken two months to blow up.

And we could have picked up Houston and a kid in the teens, had Houston do an ACL in preseason (losing one of his peak years), and the kid we drafted could be a bust. Then we've put all our eggs into two baskets and have even less to show for it.

Jagga would have been a lovely addition to the midfield this year, but if we can't succeed without a breakout debut year from a skinny draftee then the list has bigger issues anyway.

 

[gbatman]

Curious about our small and half forward line up in the medium term based on our recent SSP acquisitions.

Presently we have Motlop, Williams, Fogarty, Fantasia, Durdin, White & Evans. Plus some pinch hitters across half forward including E Hollands, Cincotta & Cottrell (+ potentially Smith in 2026).

Of that bunch I would only be confident to say Motlop and E Hollands are long term pieces to our forward mix.

Williams, historically injury prone and has not played small forward for very long. He is also out of contract end of 2026 and is on decent money. Will be 32 years old at the end of his contract - may get a 1 year deal for 2027 at best.

Fogarty, defensive minded and brings the pressure and is a decent goal assist player. Doesn't possess the best forward craft, kicked 9 goals in 2025 from 15 games (including 3 against the Tigers). 25 goals for his career. Contracted to 2026, when he will be 27 y.o. going on 28 - but I see him staying on as a depth option.

Fantasia, historically injury prone, out of contract end of the year and will be turning 30 in September. Could be extended for 2026 if he stays injury free and has a good year. Has pace and x-factor, but can drift out of games. Irrespective, doubtful to see him at the club in 2027 or beyond when he is 32-33 y.o.

Durdin, a small body who has been unlucky with collision injuries. To me he is more a mid and high half forward who is held back by his body size. Contracted to 2026, when he will be 24 y.o. going on 25 after 6 years in the system. Has the tools to make it, but needs to start showing this, and do on a consistent basis while being injury free. Up against it.

White, young man entering his first AFL season about to turn 21. An unknown quantity at AFL level, hopefully he can surprise us and burst onto the scene. From all reports is a tenacious player with pace and can find the sticks - sounds like the right mix for what we need, hopefully it translates to AFL level.

Evans, turns 24 late in the season and is now at his third club. Suspect he is seen more as a depth player. Could surprise, but not banking on it.

Cincotta, love him as a defensive high half forward. Turns 29 at the end of 2025. Suspect he would have 3-4 seasons left in him at a maximum.

Cottrell, also a decent high half forward and wing rotation. Contracted to 2027 - will be 28 for the 2028 season. It would be best if we have him as a next man up.

We are also tied to Tyson Gresham via NGA who at this stage is likely to be on our list next year either on the main list or category b rookie list. A complete unknown at AFL level, a free shot at the stumps.


TL;DR - We have a cast of thousands at small and half forward, but we need to cut a few and go out and grab some difference makers as this position from 2027 onwards looks even shakier than it does currently.

Small forward wise, we have quantity and not quality.

Motlop I rate. Moir will be a good player. E Hollands I see has more a part time forward but he has talent. Williams who knows, good general footballer but getting older and injury prone. I don't rate the rest and have been saying for some time that the end of this year there will be a clean out of small forwards and we will be chasing some like mad. Probably need a backup tall forward as well, I don't see Lemmy being there next year either. Smith was supposed to be a part of our forward plans but sadly he's out of the equation for this season.

 

[Coona Blues]

So, David King doesn't rate us or Sydney or Port in the Top 9... if he is right (IF!) and we finish 10th or lower it's going to be a disaster because we will have no choice but to do a mini rebuild. In that scenario we will be forced to fix our defence and lose a couple of big contracts.

Which does make me wonder why we extended so many guys in the last 12 months.

I have plenty of faith in Austin and crew. They have been unlucky with some of the injuries. Most, if not all of their value judgement ps will be vindicated in time.

I expect to see some more unpopular trades at season’s end, but have come to feel they are making decent decisions.

I am pretty confident Lord will be as good or likely better than my old favourite Kennedy in the long run. (Newcombesque) Jagga’s injury may be a blessing, giving his deserving mate game time he would not otherwise get. Hoping the coaches see him as more than an inside bull option, his run and spread is considerably better than most of his peers.

Wilson and even more so Carroll are shaping as decent long term options down back, both could be considered capable wingers too in time.

Both Campos will be “players”. Ben is primarily regarded as a defensive mid due to his perceived kicking query, I see him more rounded, but am a little perplexed where he fits with Walsh, Cerra, Smith, Lord and Corey Walker long term, ideally he and Cooper Lord become our Crippa replacement in the medium term while CW matures a little? Lucas will be an excellent option on a wing with his POD left peg. If Ollie doesn’t completely fit the run and gun defensive seagull role, Lucas would be an excellent candidate.

Happy with what O’Farrell is likely to bring. Will need a partner in crime that I am optimistic could be father/son Harry Dean. Could both play beside Weiters in his later playing years effectively.

We have doubts over the effectiveness of our emerging forwards. I am confident Moir will play a prominent role this year or next, but is hybrid rather than a key or small. Motlop is improving, not sure if his ceiling is as high as we need. My mate Durds is up against it. Think Zac will be a gun, but only for a couple of years given his age. Fog and Cotts are both highly effective role players when they get continuity, but an upgrade would be nice. Elijah Hollands is an excellent forward/mid hybrid. Hopefully Fantasia has a bit of an “Indian Summer” late in his career, but will reserve judgement until he performs consistently against real oppo. I am optimistic Will White will indeed surpass expectation now he has been given the chance. We absolutely need another goal kicking small forward. More X factor required, we have put too much onus on the pressure component of forward play and blunted some weapons.

Lemmey has taken some steps forward this pre season, but is yet to earn his stripes and remains a question. Kemp is a talented player who has yet to realise his potential, can he be more than a third tall? We need a quality young key forward to commence developing in the very near future.

Our ruck division has become brittle. TDK must sign. He is still in a conditioning phase, his body is still a little “soft” unfortunately, despite being 25. “Strength” Pittonet has actually proven to be quite fragile in recent seasons and HOK has become a bit injury prone in recent times. His rapid body “development” has possibly been too rapid. He has recently turned 20, an absolute baby for a ruck. His dedication and determination to fast track his development may become a problem. Patience is a virtue. We are going to need either another developing youngster or perhaps a journeyman if we have thoughts of parting with Lewis Young this year or next.

We gave up draft capital to get Jagga, so are limited this year, and next year’s first must be retained for Cody Walker., so will have to give up something to get near the pointy end of the draft. We have been chips in. Not saying it is a fail, as there is time for some boys we have selected to step up.

We need in next two to three years.

Key defender - (HOF to step up and another defensive key Dean?) Happy enough with short term options.

Key forward - (Lemmey and Kemp not bankers) Note: Happy enough passing on SSP if not regarded long term prospects.

Small forward - (Goalkicker maybe White, we have NGA Gresham as a possibility)

Ruckman - ( Depending on TDK contract and health of Pitto and HOK)

Midfield - Covered with Cody W and our 2024 additions

Ongoing need for pace and precision.

 

[BigBreakfast]

It's not just, in one off season, it's over a longer period where we have ignored available talent, either through the draft or via trades

We haven't drafted a 1st round tall since 2015

We haven't really addressed pace over a similar period

While I've loved the hardness of the likes of Hewett, Kennedy, etc, you can only carry so many of these types

Our list is strong, but it's still lacking in balance

After we spent 14/15/16/17 bringing in best available talent, whiffing on a few in that time too, we committed to a contested game plan that was successful at that time ala Richmond. Bought in Hewett, Cerra et al and built on that style. We also committed to dropping it on Charlie and Harry’s heads, another archaic principle which yielded few results, especially for Charlie when it matters.

That style has been superseded and we haven’t grown with the evolving style of speed both ways, especially defensively. As a result, we are top heavy with the elite drafted talent, have too many slower contested types and not enough creative users who run both ways. We also haven’t really landed a lot of fringe minimum chips guys who contribute consistently, the likes of Kemp, Williams, Jack Carroll or the myriad of others we injected with the hope of depth contributions. We have tried to tack mid course with Hollands, Smith types but the horse has bolted. We beat up lesser sides with physicality but just cannot run with the versatile, quicker sides like Brisbane and Hawthorn. Even Cripps looks ordinary against these game styles.

Essentially we are victims of years of questionable list decisions based on committing to the wrong game plan. Not sure there is a whole lot we can do about that now based on the top heavy salaries short of moving on from one or two. Who though? Not Cripps, Charlie, Weitering or any of the A/B+ types. We don’t have many B/C graders who are interesting as trade options and lack future draft capital.

What do we do? Buggered if I know, I’m not in a position to provide insight but, the commitment to speed with the ball in a more controlled, powerful fashion is a step in the right direction. It’s also taxing in a different fashion to the contested brutality we have relied on. As a result we are seeing fatigue style injuries. They are inevitable with a complex change of focus like this one. I don’t think this contemporary game style is going anywhere so, we need to commit to this style and build the list around speed and skill types.

Oh, and a bloody key back please!!!

 

[Lukeblueboy]

After we spent 14/15/16/17 bringing in best available talent, whiffing on a few in that time too, we committed to a contested game plan that was successful at that time ala Richmond. Bought in Hewett, Cerra et al and built on that style. We also committed to dropping it on Charlie and Harry’s heads, another archaic principle which yielded few results, especially for Charlie when it matters.

That style has been superseded and we haven’t grown with the evolving style of speed both ways, especially defensively. As a result, we are top heavy with the elite drafted talent, have too many slower contested types and not enough creative users who run both ways. We also haven’t really landed a lot of fringe minimum chips guys who contribute consistently, the likes of Kemp, Williams, Jack Carroll or the myriad of others we injected with the hope of depth contributions. We have tried to tack mid course with Hollands, Smith types but the horse has bolted. We beat up lesser sides with physicality but just cannot run with the versatile, quicker sides like Brisbane and Hawthorn. Even Cripps looks ordinary against these game styles.

Essentially we are victims of years of questionable list decisions based on committing to the wrong game plan. Not sure there is a whole lot we can do about that now based on the top heavy salaries short of moving on from one or two. Who though? Not Cripps, Charlie, Weitering or any of the A/B+ types. We don’t have many B/C graders who are interesting as trade options and lack future draft capital.

What do we do? Buggered if I know, I’m not in a position to provide insight but, the commitment to speed with the ball in a more controlled, powerful fashion is a step in the right direction. It’s also taxing in a different fashion to the contested brutality we have relied on. As a result we are seeing fatigue style injuries. They are inevitable with a complex change of focus like this one. I don’t think this contemporary game style is going anywhere so, we need to commit to this style and build the list around speed and skill types.

Oh, and a bloody key back please!!!

Well said bb!
I’ve been worrying about a lot of the points you’ve stated for the last 18 months now as well.

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

After we spent 14/15/16/17 bringing in best available talent, whiffing on a few in that time too, we committed to a contested game plan that was successful at that time ala Richmond. Bought in Hewett, Cerra et al and built on that style. We also committed to dropping it on Charlie and Harry’s heads, another archaic principle which yielded few results, especially for Charlie when it matters.

That style has been superseded and we haven’t grown with the evolving style of speed both ways, especially defensively. As a result, we are top heavy with the elite drafted talent, have too many slower contested types and not enough creative users who run both ways. We also haven’t really landed a lot of fringe minimum chips guys who contribute consistently, the likes of Kemp, Williams, Jack Carroll or the myriad of others we injected with the hope of depth contributions. We have tried to tack mid course with Hollands, Smith types but the horse has bolted. We beat up lesser sides with physicality but just cannot run with the versatile, quicker sides like Brisbane and Hawthorn. Even Cripps looks ordinary against these game styles.

Essentially we are victims of years of questionable list decisions based on committing to the wrong game plan. Not sure there is a whole lot we can do about that now based on the top heavy salaries short of moving on from one or two. Who though? Not Cripps, Charlie, Weitering or any of the A/B+ types. We don’t have many B/C graders who are interesting as trade options and lack future draft capital.

What do we do? Buggered if I know, I’m not in a position to provide insight but, the commitment to speed with the ball in a more controlled, powerful fashion is a step in the right direction. It’s also taxing in a different fashion to the contested brutality we have relied on. As a result we are seeing fatigue style injuries. They are inevitable with a complex change of focus like this one. I don’t think this contemporary game style is going anywhere so, we need to commit to this style and build the list around speed and skill types.

Oh, and a bloody key back please!!!

Realistically if we were to blow it all up (which imo is far from a necessity) we'd trade out or retire some of our older players, match an offer for TDK and force a trade to bring in some quality picks.

I think we're quite a way away from that being required though. If Ison and Gresham can come on a bit this year as NGA selections we'd be very well set for the future imo.

 

[BigBreakfast]

Well said bb!
I’ve been worrying about a lot of the points you’ve stated for the last 18 months now as well.

It’s not the end of the world. We have talent and seemingly the right people addressing an appropriate vision right now. Innes’ value not withstanding because it’s such a small sample size to assess.

A bit of luck from the injury gods will go a long way too.

 

[BigBreakfast]

Realistically if we were to blow it all up (which imo is far from a necessity) we'd trade out or retire some of our older players, match an offer for TDK and force a trade to bring in some quality picks.

I think we're quite a way away from that being required though. If Ison and Gresham can come on a bit this year as NGA selections we'd be very well set for the future imo.

Absolutely. The future pathway is there without the need to throw out the baby and the bath water. It’ll take some time to adjust to a different style. Unfortunately we don’t have a huge window to play with

I wouldn’t undersell the significance of a less than ideal playing surface that we train on either