List Mgmt. 2025 List Management Discussion - Part 3

[Hubnester]

2025 List Management Discussion - Part 3

Now that our season is over, and news is starting to break - it's time for a fresh thread.

This thread is to discuss all things list management - trades, draft, free agency, delistings and more.
As we are now officially in our off-season, we'll be wanting to keep this thread more strictly on-topic than the previous iterations.
Be respectful. You are allowed to disagree with someone - but play the ball, not the man. Repeat offenders will have their posting rights revoked.

Thanks to Lore once again for this incredibly useful spreadsheet.

2025 KEY DATES
Free Agency Period: Friday, October 3rd - Friday, October 10th
Trade Period: Monday, October 6th - Wednesday, October 15th
AFL Draft: Wednesday, November 19th - Thursday, November 20th

See Also:
2025 Year in Review Rumours & Confirmed Movements 2025 Draft Discussion
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[akaifu]

Hardwick confirmed that Flanders has been managing a back issue all season

 

[SainterinSydney]

Hardwick confirmed that Flanders has been managing a back issue all season

Good try to get his value up, Damo

 

[stfan]

We may tout ourselves as a fit team, but skilled we are not. The more clean users that can also stick a mark, the better.

If we want to climb the ladder we need more better users of the ball.

With Nas into the midfield and Hall hitting his straps , having two superb users of the ball moving through our midfield made a huge difference.

 

[SG34]

If we want to climb the ladder we need more better users of the ball.

With Nas into the midfield and Hall hitting his straps , having two superb users of the ball moving through our midfield made a huge difference.

But speed and athleticism will be important, especially if the new boundary rule kicks in. (see that?)

 

[austinnn]

OK Flando, your season's over, time for that Saints nom, it's been nearly a whole week since the last one and my blood is itching

 

[BrutThough]

Hardwick confirmed that Flanders has been managing a back issue all season

All the more reason not to pay pick 7 or a future first.

 

[SaintsofSteel]

All the more reason not to pay pick 7 or a future first.

Gees if he has been battling a back issue all season that is a worry. You wouldn't want to be bringing in another with a chronic injury he can't shake.

Im sure our medical staff will be all over him, before if and when he nominates.

 

[dudeintheswamp]

Wonder if there's still a chance we might try to split pick seven, that pick alone is too much for either Cmac or Flanders imo

 

[beside the seaside]

Wonder if there's still a chance we might try to split pick seven, that pick alone is too much for either Cmac or Flanders imo

I don't think we get Mackenzie but the reality is right now he's playing seconds footy. I agree with you, he isn't worth a top ten pick.

 

[g_TRAIN]

Good try to get his value up, Damo

Not a smart move by him imo.

If he has back issues that would drive his value down if anything.

Back issues are often chronic.

 

[Anythings_sipposible]

Wonder if there's still a chance we might try to split pick seven, that pick alone is too much for either Cmac or Flanders imo

7 and an F2 to West Coast for the Hawthorn pick (15) and pick 19? 19 and the Marshall pick to GC for Flanders? Hawthorn pick to the draft, or back to Hawthorn for CMac.

 

[mad-saint-guy]

Less problems with them.

Can't see the value in shifting just to win in a medal in a "team" sport - looks a bit weak to me and that its all about the player rather than the team.

Can't comprehend an elite athlete wanting to achieve the ultimate success in their sport?

I've played in some really shit teams and some pretty good teams, but never played in a grand final. I really wish I did. It was a lot more fun playing with the good teams and I really wish I had played in a flag. And this is low level local footy. The appeal of playing for a successful club would be infinitely more motivating at the highest level.

 

[mad-saint-guy]

On another note, Fincher was in the best 2 or 3 on the ground today, had 23 & kicked a couple.
He’s working into first round territory now, which obviously means he’ll cost us more.
I also read somewhere he’s now going to be invited to the national combine instead of the state combine.
We need to find ourselves some picks from somewhere!!

Has a nasty meth habit and is a problem gambler. Not worth a pick before 60

 

[mad-saint-guy]

Gees if he has been battling a back issue all season that is a worry. You wouldn't want to be bringing in another with a chronic injury he can't shake.

Im sure our medical staff will be all over him, before if and when he nominates.

I was onboard with bringing him in but I agree that any ongoing back issue is a huge concern. Look at how quickly Armo dropped off, and I suspect we're seeing the same with Steele. Not sure many players in their mid-late twenties with bad backs ever get over it.

Would want a very, very thorough screening before making a commitment.

 

[bird_man]

Flanders is clean. Hope we get him. Give me clean over speed any day.

Doesn't seem to have a great deal of hurt factor though

 

[CursingFijian]

So what chronic injuries are we bringing in this offseason? Throat, back, hamstring, foot and possibly another back?

 

[stavro#4]

7 and an F2 to West Coast for the Hawthorn pick (15) and pick 19? 19 and the Marshall pick to GC for Flanders? Hawthorn pick to the draft, or back to Hawthorn for CMac.

Hawthorn can’t take back a pick they have previously traded

 

[pluggeranddoc]

Not a smart move by him imo.

If he has back issues that would drive his value down if anything.

Back issues are often chronic.

 

[pluggeranddoc]

So what chronic injuries are we bringing in this offseason? Throat, back, hamstring, foot and possibly another back?

But look at the miracles our medical team have created with Freeman and King!

 

[TheJackal]

1) Walsh dodgy back, ewww. Flanders dodgy back, potential....

2) But really, we'd want to be pretty convinced its not an ongoing issue. You'd question why he played so much if he was too bad.

3) Hardwick says, I love him, I don't love trading our best players. If he wasn't GONE surely he'd say, our best players dont get traded.

 

[Half Back Pocket]

IMO gotta take pick 7 to the draft…need to keep bringing in elite young talent. There’s enough talent in the top 10, just pick the right one

 

[stavro#4]

Feel like it’s worth pointing out.

Managing a back issue can mean a lot of things.

But a significant back issue wouldn’t have the guy running around for 79% TOG in a do or die final against your local rival.

I’d argue the actual quote in its entirety is Hardwick trying to protect player value, seeing as he doesn’t squash a trade.

However, Hardwick maintained the Sun was not gettable, adding he has been playing through a back injury all season.

"Great players do get interest, that's why they're great," Hardwick told reporters post-game.

"Sam's had a tough year. He was on fire at the start of the year. He's got a back that, if I'm being completely honest, he probably shouldn't have played half the games he played, but he's tough kid and I love him.

"As far as I'm concerned, Sam is one of our best players and I don't love trading our best players."

A great player struggling on a half forward flank. 31 disposal average in 2024. 18 this year.

 

[hangdog]

Couldn't think there could be anything worse thsn men's rugby but there is.

In fairness, the disparity between men's and women's AFL isn't anywhere near as bad in the NRL.

 

[Palantine]

dont recall the hotdog stand,but i guess that would have been the game,as we didnt do that often against them,i think we closed to within a goal from way way back,then i guess smith made a blew and they steadied,because i remember reading about the altercation with a fan

essendon game i cant find,but here is last qtr of fitzroy game,17yo me was at other end of ground when conlan had that snap,every week on the sports highlights he was kicking those

God I really enjoyed that, thanks!

 

[snails13]

Not a smart move by him imo.

If he has back issues that would drive his value down if anything.

Back issues are often chronic.

Maybe they won't be trading him