List Mgmt. 2025 List Management Discussion - Part V

[Hubnester]

2025 List Management Discussion - Part 5

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
​

 

[Jesuswasacarpenter]

Do you reckon the club is tired of winning this offseason?

NO WAY JOSE!

 

[kosifantutti]

Irishman abroad and paddygunner would you believe that Kobe is the most talented Irish recruit that the St Kilda has signed over the years? We have had a number.

Ones who have played at least 1 senior game with us:

• Liam O’Connell
• Colm Begley
• Darragh Joyce
• Joe O'Grady
• Dermot McNicholl
• Bob (Robert) Kenny who played 2 games for St Kilda in 1899! He was recruited from a Sydney team.

Plus Tommy Walsh who played 5 games for the Swans after he left St Kilda, but none for us.

From reading he seems like that he would be. But you would both know more than I.

How do you know that Kenny and O’Grady (1897) were from Ireland?

 

[Saintscomemarchingin]

Irishman abroad and paddygunner would you believe that Kobe is the most talented Irish recruit that the St Kilda has signed over the years? We have had a number.

Ones who have played at least 1 senior game with us:

• Liam O’Connell
• Colm Begley
• Darragh Joyce
• Joe O'Grady
• Dermot McNicholl
• Bob (Robert) Kenny who played 2 games for St Kilda in 1899! He was recruited from a Sydney team.

Plus Tommy Walsh who played 5 games for the Swans after he left St Kilda, but none for us.

From reading he seems like that he would be. But you would both know more than I.

You've missed the kid that came out with Joyce l think?, what was his name? A speedy type.

 

[Joffaboy]

Great to see another Mayo man on this forum….

I once called my Irish manager a BIFFO as she was from Offaly.
She was at first a bit stunned then laughed out loud, then asked where I got that from (Irish husband of a niece).
The joke was on me when researching my Irish heritage I found the ancestors were, you guessed it, from Offaly

For anyone wondering, the Irish once had a President or PM ( can't remember) from Offaly and BIFFO was an acronym for Big Ignorant F***er From Offaly, and it stuck.

 

[Anythings_sipposible]

Does anyone know when Kobe will be joining us? Is it the same deal as Armstrong, where he still has to finish high school

 

[goodie23]

You've missed the kid that came out with Joyce l think?, what was his name? A speedy type.

Ray Connellan was on our list for two years but never played a game at senior level

 

[Saintscomemarchingin]

Ray Connellan was on our list for two years but never played a game

That's him, thanks.
And his actual real name is Reamonn Coinniallainn

 

[Saintscomemarchingin]

Does anyone know when Kobe will be joining us? Is it the same deal as Armstrong, where he still has to finish high school

Yes same deal, will arrive middle of next year

 

[paddygunner]

Pretty popular nowadays, sauce and gravy on the wane...

Sorry

You’re allowed one

 

[paddygunner]

I messaged a mate earlier that is also from Mayo. There is no club more suited for someone from Mayo to join than the Saints. We are kindred spirits in the ability to turn long saught after success into nearly nearly nearly, nope. Hopefully he can help break our curse before heading home as a legend to break Mayo's.

the similarities are theee… except no curse on St Kilda… yet

 

[paddygunner]

How do you know that Kenny and O’Grady (1897) were from Ireland?

I know our experience of Tommy Walsh didn’t live up to expectations however he was the most talented GAA player at the time of his signing- the difference with Kobe is that he is a lot younger and hopefully more able to adapt…. Risk is home sickened at that age ..however from what I hear he is an extremely driven young man so let’s hope

 

[austinnn]

Great to see another Mayo man on this forum….

Mayo intrigues me. My maternal grandmother was from Keerglen, about a half hour drive from Crossmolina, where Kobe hails from. She gave my mum up for adoption after the war and I followed the breadcrumbs about a decade ago and tracked down the family, which goes back centuries on both sides in Mayo and nearby.

I'd like to go one day, i'm not far away, but it doesn't seem like touristy-type holiday, don't fancy dragging my family around different cemeteries and getting them to meet distant relatives that I've only communicated with online.

But my ears do prick up whenever I hear of anyone from that small part of the world - and a part of me is from there I guess!

 

[stfan]

How do you know that Kenny

Mr Google =

Bob Kenny - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Born 24 February 1876 Carrickmacross, Ireland

and O’Grady (1897) were from Ireland?

Joe O'Grady - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Born 15 September 1872 Kilkelly, Ireland

And as to the Irish that have played for St Kilda, I found a site that appears to have last been updated in 2024, which is why they missed LOC.

St Kilda | Irish In The Afl

News and information on all the Irish players for the St Kilda Saints

www.irishintheafl.com

 

[stfan]

…. Risk is home sickened at that age ..however from what I hear he is an extremely driven young man so let’s hope

I was watching training when I heard three Irish accents behind me and so had a chat. They were Eamonn's family.

I met and spoke with Eamonn's parents and younger brother for over half an hour at training at RSEA Park and Eamonn momentarily when he came across to the boundary fence to say hi to his parents. I quizzed them about Eamonn and his progress and preparation prior to arriving in Australia, and their impression about St Kilda. I also explained what was happening at training and some of the rules etc.

They were out for 2 weeks. I met them in Week 1. They had watched Eamonn in his first VFL Game, and were going to watch him play the next weekend as well before heading home.

And how is this for great timing, they also were at the seniors game against the Dees at Marvel, after having watched their son play at Casey from 11AM!!! So they got to see St Kilda's greatest ever comeback win!

The parents were quite glowing about the Club, and how they were supporting them as well as their son, as well as the physical facilities. They also saw this as a great opportunity for their son. Both to make him a better athlete, as well as potentially setting him up for life.

The parents indicated that they will be back in Australia for the future seasons as well. They also love Melbourne as a city.

The Club is clearly doing a lot to make the family, as well as the player, happy and content with the move. One part of that is/was allowing both Kobe and Eamonn to finish their secondary schooling before they start fulltime at the club. So basically losing much of their first season as a draftee. So a lot of effort is being made to reduce any impact from home sickness.


When LOC debuted, his family were brought out from Ireland to be part of it. So my belief is that when the Club decided to concentrate again on the Irish Pathway several years ago to do it better than they ever had before, and factoring in family is very much part of the process now.

Likewise with our recent focus on Indigenous Players where a lot of sustained effort has resulted in us being a Destination Club for Indigenous Players.

 

[StCicatriz]

Not under this regime. He reports to Dilena who reports to the board. If the correct processes and due diligence has not been followed the board would not sign off.
As opposed to what you are led to believe Lyon is not Beveridge and has a strong CEO and board in place. Currently there is simpatico between board, admin and football department
The reason why we are very strong and stable off field

Based on rhe reports of why lethers quit this isn't true. Under a normal governance structure you are correct but we are anything but normal. We are a football club. A small one with limited funds. So we are doing it different.

And tbh i dont think its a bad thing.

Lethers quit because Lyon in effect didn't answer to him. The structure was theres a head of footy and a head of business.

Lyon is the head of footy and reports to the board. The ceo the head of business.

Theres absolutely no way Lyon would be seeking approval from a CEO on football related matters IMO

I think its more a case of informing them whats going to happen and to make sure its all financially sound.

 

[StCicatriz]

I was at the Roaring 40s post grand final lunch. When old mate Prez Andrew Plympton announced that Waters was gone.......sent the media types scuttling to their phones. He was premature by 3 days. Waters was told by the board to tow the line and use the reporting lines as set out and then went and did what he wanted without consultation.... 3 days. Think he was just one of those that did what they want when they want without much thought to others.
Thought he was a bit above StKilda said to the players that they hadn't done anything of note...which rankled a few feathers and that was the beginning of the end
One place you cannot lose the players is sadly St Kilda

You've nailed it

Watters wasn't scared to ruffle feathers. He saw the path he wanted everyone to be on and for better or worse that was it. I dont think there was alot wrong with the things he had observed for example how we celebrated success. But I think our history means an element of that is always going to happen. The senior group back then needed a ross type not a richo. Watters unfortunately didn't have the runs on the board and therefore was probably ignored.

Tbh he has more reason to be dirty on the club at the time than us.

The shit position he was put in was at best unethical. Id never work for the administration that did that. You can't agree to someone's strategy that involves attracting new existing talent using $$$. Give the guy the job then the moment they join tell then the truth and that we are over the cap and can't do anything. Especially considering the other two candidates had the complete opposite strategy which involved rebuilding through the draft over 5 years. Its very low.

Netters as an outright disaster. Lost Lyon. Lost pretty much all the sponsors. Couldnt even manage a highschooler. Then basically ****ed watters over. His name is absolute dirt.

Then when he left we had no president and no CEO. Pretty much outright civil war between pelchen and watters because watters strategy was to be successful now whilst he had the players and pelchen was tasked with rebuilding through the draft and reducing the cap.

Its like we told one guy to fill in the hole and then told the other guy to make it deeper. Of course theyre going to come to blows.

 

[kosifantutti]

Mr Google =

Bob Kenny - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Born 24 February 1876 Carrickmacross, Ireland

Joe O'Grady - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Born 15 September 1872 Kilkelly, Ireland

And as to the Irish that have played for St Kilda, I found a site that appears to have last been updated in 2024, which is why they missed LOC.

St Kilda | Irish In The Afl

News and information on all the Irish players for the St Kilda Saints

www.irishintheafl.com

Interesting site. I wonder how they get the names. Surely we had some Irish born players between 1899 and 1990.

A cousin of Barry Breen migrated to Australia in the late 70s and played Gaelic football here. He was very talented and a good size, the Saints asked him to train but he wasn’t interested.

Kobe by the way won’t be the first Mayo born player. I followed the links for Joe O’Grady and ended up here;

https://australianfootball.com/articles/view/the%2Bone%2Band%2Bonly...%2Bjoe%2Bo%2527grady/4339

 

[gringo2011]

Mayo intrigues me. My maternal grandmother was from Keerglen, about a half hour drive from Crossmolina, where Kobe hails from. She gave my mum up for adoption after the war and I followed the breadcrumbs about a decade ago and tracked down the family, which goes back centuries on both sides in Mayo and nearby.

I'd like to go one day, i'm not far away, but it doesn't seem like touristy-type holiday, don't fancy dragging my family around different cemeteries and getting them to meet distant relatives that I've only communicated with online.

But my ears do prick up whenever I hear of anyone from that small part of the world - and a part of me is from there I guess!

My tiny bit of Irish DNA is from Connacht which I think is that area too. I think.

 

[austinnn]

My tiny bit of Irish DNA is from Connacht which I think is that area too. I think.

Snap
I knew I loved you cuz just didn't know why

 

[Joffaboy]

Based on rhe reports of why lethers quit this isn't true. Under a normal governance structure you are correct but we are anything but normal. We are a football club. A small one with limited funds. So we are doing it different.

And tbh i dont think its a bad thing.

Lethers quit because Lyon in effect didn't answer to him. The structure was theres a head of footy and a head of business.

Lyon is the head of footy and reports to the board. The ceo the head of business.

Theres absolutely no way Lyon would be seeking approval from a CEO on football related matters IMO

I think its more a case of informing them whats going to happen and to make sure its all financially sound.

He reports to Delina who reports to the board. The board have the final say as they did during Trade period to stop trading FF Picks.
Even in the Watters era the board had the final say, and that's why he was sacked.
We may be a football club but that is the product, we are a membership organisation and while governance is similiar to any organisation, their are additional guidelines for a nominal ' non profit' ( for tax purposes) organisation.

 

[ScrappyDo]

If 3 Cat B's will cost us 1 Cat A spot regardless of 2 or 3 spots on the Cat B list then is this a futile conversion?

That depends on the prospects for the kid. Obviously they see him as worth a list spot for a year but they can have his wage outside the cap.

 

[saintmike65]

Well, we do need a good small back-pocket to take on the oppo small damaging forwards.
But going by his video package, he likes to get forward.
We need to become successful in recruiting a good Irishman.
We've only had flops uptil now.

He's way taller than 178cm

 

[Dr Spaceman]

 

[SainterinSydney]

Maybe we can start singing Danny Boy as a chant at the footy in years to come.

 

[Dr Spaceman]

Maybe we can start singing Danny Boy as a chant at the footy in years to come.

Perhaps a “Welcome to County” before each game