List Mgmt. 2025 List Management Discussion

[SizeMatters]

I dod find it strange as I dont really see Bailey or Lohman as needs for Essendon. Like they both are quality players that would improve their list but the holes are way more in the midfield than small forward/flankers. I thought they already had Kako and some good small NGA talent coming through in that role

Of the players in the AFL you’d want to help rebuild a flailing club Zac would probably not even be in the top 50 names that would come to my mind. Crazy.

 

[Nathan Barley]

It was also a job to our three-peat team in 01-03 and rather the successful run we had b/n 99-04 and we lost one player (Des Headland) in that time who went back to WA after winning a flag with us in 02 (even he admits now it was mistake) and trust me, every other player could have got a lot more elsewhere but chose success over an extra 10-30% more elsewhere.

This argument that it was different then to now is utter horseshit.

Were we picking up multiple A graders from other clubs during the 3peat for just before?

It is clearly very different

 

[Nathan Barley]

Of the players in the AFL you’d want to help rebuild a flailing club Zac would probably not even be in the top 50 names that would come to my mind. Crazy.

You could say the same about when we picked up Charlie. They'd be backing themselves to come good in 3-4 years time when Zac is still playing quality footy and top up with others along the way

Another example would be Rankine at Adelaide

 

[knaf]

Of the players in the AFL you’d want to help rebuild a flailing club Zac would probably not even be in the top 50 names that would come to my mind. Crazy.

I used to think Bailey was a cream on the top type player (you need then to win finals)

But I am starting to think there is more to him than that, particularly after the last four weeks.

Definitely in the top 50 now, but maybe not an obvious choice.

 

[Nathan Barley]

Blight delisted by Richmond. Better option than Joyce IMO

 

[Bucking Beads]

I think the scenario for us to consider a trade of Zac Bailey

33

Zac Bailey

Age

26

Ht

181cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.7

3star

K

6.9

3star

HB

5.9

4star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.2

4star

CL

0.9

3star

D

12.9

3star

K

7.3

3star

HB

5.6

3star

M

3.9

4star

T

2.4

3star

CL

0.7

3star

D

13.4

4star

K

6.6

3star

HB

6.8

5star

M

3.2

4star

T

2.8

5star

CL

0.6

3star

would be coming from him and his decision to not re-sign. Taking the payday after winning back to back premierships make sense. Whilst we want to keep him if he decides the $1.3 Million a season is the best option for him it becomes a decision about making our list better now and moving forward.

 

[braddsey]

I used to think Bailey was a cream on the top type player (you need then to win finals)

But I am starting to think there is more to him than that, particularly after the last four weeks.

Definitely in the top 50 now, but maybe not an obvious choice.

The only knock I have on Bailey this year is his accuracy. He's kicked 33.30 (so far).
In previous years he had some much-highlighted lacks in "game awareness" - getting run down a few times, or his much maligned failed "don't argue".
It probably happened this season though i don't recall many - the worst was probably when he got pinged for moving on the mark, and then a 73-meter penalty resulting in a Collingwood goal.

The best has been electric. Runs through the middle, the big don't argue on Nick Daicos!

 

[SpecialBruce]

Honestly, if we go back to back I wouldn't begrudge Bailey if he wanted to leave. Chase the money! He won't be getting anywhere near that with us, and he has pocketed two flags.

Wouldn't surprise me if he might decide to take up the offer even if we don't win this year. Remember, it will be Bailey's decision if he wants to leave. The club won't force him out.

 

[GenericUsername202]

I think the scenario for us to consider a trade of Zac Bailey would be coming from him and his decision to not re-sign. Taking the payday after winning back to back premierships make sense. Whilst we want to keep him if he decides the $1.3 Million a season is the best option for him it becomes a decision about making our list better now and moving forward.

The thing is, you have to trade Zac if he wants that money. Mcluggage is our highest paid player and he's on (reportedly) slightly less than a million per year. I like Zac a lot, but there is no way he should be on more money than mcluggage. If you're going to reserve that money for anyone, it should be for Ashcroft.

 

[dlanod]

When was the last time a club pulled out of acquiring a player after the bid has been matched? It’s never happened to my understanding?

Considering the deal is over 6 years we would easily be able to match it, considering we don’t have that many long-term contracts.

So we’d match and force a trade, providing we finish high on the ladder again next year.

But yeah, if he was going to leave I’d prefer to get on the front foot this year to maximise leverage.

Ridley and a future first

RFA has only been matched once.

GWS did it with Cameron, and forced Geelong to hand over three first round picks (in what was actually a set of less headline-worthy pick upgrades rather than straight up).

Usually the threat causes a restructure to ensure that top tier compensation and it becomes all a bit of a farce (cf Daniher, et al).

 

[mattsmob]

No we weren't.

We hoped they were; David Calthorpe, Adam Heuskes, Marty McKinnon in one year and then Mal Michael who we traded Jarrod Molloy for, albeit that was arguably more one sided to the Pies on Molloy's form at the time.

The only A-grader, if you want to call him that was Blake Caracella who joined at the end of 02, the merenary he was, got his GF medallion in 03, then pissed off at the end of 04.

I don't see why it's different at all.

The only A-graders we've got were Neale and Cameron on their form prior to joining the Lions.

Jack Frost, Cockatoo, Ryan and CEY were busts, Adams (27 games in his only 3 years at Dogs), Fort, Daniher (15 games in his final 3 years at Essendon), Day and McCarthy (29 games in 5 seasons at the Cats) were barely going at their previous, Birchall (8 games in his final 2 years at Hawks) and Gunston didn't offer much, Ah Chee wasn't doing much at the Suns. McKenna and Lyons were delisted free agents.

So all up we picked up one more A grader in this era compared to the previous era. Joe and Linc really only came good during their tenure at the club so it'd be disingenuous to include them as A-graders when they joined the club as they were both massive risks.

I haven’t been keeping up with this conversation but Dunkley was an A grader when we got him also

 

[blueiris]

Beverage has Us linked to Buderick i don't underrated the Link we have defenders and likely adding Ridley

 

[Leuy LongerCombo]

Of the players in the AFL you’d want to help rebuild a flailing club Zac would probably not even be in the top 50 names that would come to my mind. Crazy.

Interesting take.
I don’t strongly disagree with it, actually can relate with it on some level, however I think that type of statement probably down plays Bailey ability and potential for his age somewhat though.

Our system doesn’t rely on too many players to be out and out stars, week in and week out. High output is required from Neale McCluggage, Zorko and Andrews every game, then steady impact from a bigger group of players including the likes of Dunkley, Ashcroft, Rayner, Bailey, Fletcher, Berry, Morris etc.

With more responsibility like the past 7 weeks, I think his potential impact on games could rival some of the biggest names in the game. I could easily see him going on a run of consecutive AA squad nominations.

This year seems to be the start of us pivoting away from our reliance on Neale, atleast for the H/A season. There definitely a spot here for more growth, hopefully we get to see it.

 

[Toffee Lion]

I think Zac will stay if we're willing to pay him. He just got AA and is heading into a free agency year, his manager would be saying to sit tight and you'll get a big pay day.

Really up to the Lions if we're wanting to pay him the amount needed to stay or let him go (Either through an early trade or F/A).

 

[mattsmob]

Beverage has Us linked to Buderick i don't underrated the Link we have defenders and likely adding Ridley

He’s a small defender and if Starce leaves then there is a need for another smaller defender. Especially considering Answerth needs to return from injury

 

[Nathan Barley]

He’s a small defender and if Starce leaves then there is a need for another smaller defender. Especially considering Answerth needs to return from injury

Didn't mind him playing as a defensive forward this year as well

 

[bungalow_bill]

I haven’t been keeping up with this conversation but Dunkley was an A grader when we got him also

Daniher too IMO, although his final few years with the Bombers were injury plagued. His 2017 season was elite.

 

[Nuggo]

Zac for Zac lol. See how many captains we can bring in this trade period.

 

[mattsmob]

Daniher too IMO, although his final few years with the Bombers were injury plagued. His 2017 season was elite.

Certainly got recruited and paid to be an A grader. Could say the same for Allen and Ridley this year. Draper to a lesser extent

 

[mpal6]

Blight delisted by Richmond. Better option than Joyce IMO

You've been trying to fire Joyce for last 2 seasons.
Let's see how this offseason pans out.

 

[Nathan Barley]

You've been trying to fire Joyce for last 2 seasons.
Let's see how this offseason pans out.

Huh?

 

[mpal6]

Huh?

May be confused you with another poster - but there is this constant teeth gnashing about Joyce and how we could get Harry Arnold or someone (anyone !!) to replace Joyce over last 2 seasons. I find the push to replace Joyce funny coz he's just depth, well integrated into our system and he's on depth $$ too.

 

[Tom14]

Beverage has Us linked to Buderick i don't underrated the Link we have defenders and likely adding Ridley

Capitalising Us and Link when you never capitalise…. You’ve gone to an incredible new level!

 

[Tom14]

Zac for Zac lol. See how many captains we can bring in this trade period.

Merrett would immediately demand that we cut half of the depth on the list so he could be paid more. Perpetual loser who whinges every offseason, no thanks!

 

[Noofa Murphy]

Merrett would immediately demand that we cut half of the depth on the list so he could be paid more. Perpetual loser who whinges every offseason, no thanks!

Plus he still sleeps with the light on.