List Mgmt. 2025 List Management Discussion

[Viceregal]

Operation return lost keays

Well that makes it definite ... Ben ain't never coming back!

 

[Darren Downunder]

What would most people’s view here be if we had a 30yr old contracted captain who wanted out and the list was arse and likely not to be in a window for years.

I wouldn’t necessarily be unhappy if the club could get some really nice draft picks and maybe a fringe player from a finalist team.

I’d be torn.
The argument to cash in and rebuild makes perfect sense
But supporters get emotionally attached to players
I was disappointed to lose Tom Rockliff
Even though I could see the merit of letting him go
He had been my favourite player through the dark years.
Football is an emotional business

 

[3KZ is Football]

The essence of what they were saying is true, although the may have done a Jacinta Price. Please dont just try to ridicule them and see the point.

The Lions need to "feel" like a Queensland team to be embraced. On TV rating each year the NRL State of origin rates 1, 2, and 3 nationally in most watched TV shows and in Qld so do many of the Broncos game. Go to any Gabba match when the Broncos are also playing and you will hear people sitting around you talking how they are going to the game or came from the game. The Broncos are also in the finals this year, had a great win yesterday knocking off the top team in Canberra. It's not 50/50 AfL against NRL in Qld, its still more like 90% NRL with the Redcliffe Dolphins now.

The Lions need to carefully manage the 'brand' of being Qld just like the suns have to manage being the Gold Coast. There absolutely need to have some Queenslanders in the team and to promote that as Harris Andrews is and is on local radio. It is also important the the Lions in general talk about being Queenslanders and how players love living in Queensland. There is quite a bit of work done you wont see 'nationally' with Lions players at Broncos games and the Broncos players at the Gabba, at each others training runs, Dan Rich was a Broncos kicking trainer for a while. There is also a lot of community/charity work done by the Lions with a focus onto Queensland.

This was the Gold Coast banner on Saturday night, a dig at the Lions being the pride of Brisbane but still shows the pride of being Queenslander.

Yes the lions are national in a national competition and have supporters around Australia and the world and will always have players from other states but they will always need to be marketed as Queensland in Queensland and Brisbane in Brisbane to maintain some brand integrity, they will need to have Queenslanders in the team showing the development path and the local connection even more so with the Olympics coming and the choice the kids will make on which sports they play given Brisbane may well have the 100 meter champion in those olympics.

Good post. I actually think we have the balance right at the moment. When people ask me who I support, I say "the Brisbane Lions", not "the Lions" and that doesn't detract from my experience or connection as a long term Victorian Family Member. I think the club has done an extraordinary job promoting our history and heritage, which is why we have such strong support for our team when we play in Melbourne. There are so many Fitzroy scarves and jumpers in the crowd when we play at Docklands or the MCG that it is clear that the club has now matured and feels comfortable with it's shared history and identity.

Promoting our club as a Queensland Club is fine, but that will never involve or should it influence decisions about drafting the best talent available to us.

 

[Whatamark]

The Lions need to "feel" like a Queensland team to be embraced.

hmmmm my 2 cents as a pommy convert. Back in 95 I supported Bears as they were my new home team, but as a newbie had no issues transferring loyalties to the Lions. In fact I really liked the fact that we had that Fitzroy history and connection to the game. As opposed to say the "artificial clubs" such as GCS and GWS, and that even Eagles, Crows, Port, Dockers are in a way, even tho some have connections and thus history too.

I think we have it about right and and as 3KZ says in the modern game we cannot compromise we need the best talent from wherever to compete. I am sure us immigrants / Mexicans can become honorary QLD'ers right ?

 

[jonnobackpocket]

I got no issue with having however many QLD’s in the team. I was responding to the suggestion the team should be full of them and the suggestion we would lose supporters if there wasn’t. I would support the lions if the whole team immigrated from Mongolia.

 

[Leuy LongerCombo]

I’d be torn.
The argument to cash in and rebuild makes perfect sense
But supporters get emotionally attached to players
I was disappointed to lose Tom Rockliff
Even though I could see the merit of letting him go
He had been my favourite player through the dark years.
Football is an emotional business

Genuinely our current list build was so methodical that it’s lost on almost all opposition supporters with constant cries over Academy and Father Son unfairness.
Even feels at times, some of our own supporter don’t appreciate the greatness within this team. With statement about how Fly, Mitchell and the like would get more out of the list rather then Fagan. To survive we need to be continually competitive, I’d comfortable wager our long term success over the like of these type would offer. They’re also in a market that allows for a potentially quick rebound for big name clubs.

The likes of Rockliff, Redden, Hanley, Beams, Leuenberger were viewed as the cornerstone of our rebuild back in 2015. However methodically our management traded each and everyone one of them away. These player and the environment they were exposed to would have been systematically over paid, re-aligning them with our current Salary Cap management system wouldn’t have happened. Human nature and the sportsman mentality of needing to be the best, makes it hard to scale pay back. Methodically doing this and replacing them with established talents like Hodge and Birchall, set new standards and didn’t leave long term void in our cap, where this money was passed onto the younger players.

Significantly over paying draftees is a recipe for disaster, Gold Coast have mitigated the likes of Jack Lukosius and Jack Bowes with heavy draft assets loses. Will be interesting to see if the likes of Ainsworth, Fiorini and Weller can be relined within their pay structure. West Coast and Stkilda will face similar issues with their 2mil players, NMW is deserving but that deal can have a huge effect for the teams long term structure. Us avoiding over paying young players realll has set us up for a managed approach regarding the Salary Cap.

We smash two draft out the park, to form the core of the youth brigade. This gave new hope to the loyal supporters.
We then identified shortfalls in the list, targeting players of need early, not worried about simply hoarding talent.
We identified Contested ball in 2018, we traded for Neale, Lyons and McCarthy. We indentified speed behind the ball, moved Witherden on played Bailey, Zorko behind the ball, drafted McKenna, added Wilmot. Key Position got Daniher, Defensive mid got Dunkley, identified Key Forward and Ruck likely getting Oscar and Draper.

We understood the market we were in and how it evolved. Early so we went for contracted players, Neale and Cameron to avoid the bidding process and being out priced by the bigger markets. We didn’t haggle, we simply made deals simply happen. We sold the Queensland lifestyle to the like of Daniher in Free Agency. Now we flaunt our sustained success to lure people in.

Now to answer the original question, our approach has been so methodical, West Coast approach has been mishandled by somewhat methodically.
Essendon are In full damage control, I don’t think they can let Merrett go. They hold a good hand in this draft and Merrett won’t lose a heap of value next year. Move Draper on potential Ridley as it’s not that bad PR, set the narrative to move Merrett next year.

 

[Bucking Beads]

I think we will find out what Budarick plans on doing in the next little bit too.

 

[M Malice]

Just my uneducated view.

If Ridley is a genuine chance to land at Brisbane, and this has been floated before, so it's not an original idea of mine, Essendon should be asking us to top up Drapers deal to get band 1 compensation, and in return they pay say $200k per year of Ridley's deal here.

They could try and trade at least one of their top 10 picks in this years draft for a future first round pick to a probable bottom 8 team. However there's possibly enough variation of players that Essendon could take 4 top 10 picks to the draft, plus a later first round pick, and get a good mix of players.

It is probably being done covertly already but is the bolded within the rules, could it be considered draft/trade tampering or "not in the spirit of the game"?

Particularly the idea of the Bombers contributing to Ridley's salary.

#Quidproquo

 

[braddsey]

It is probably being done covertly already but is the bolded within the rules, could it be considered draft/trade tampering or "not in the spirit of the game"?

Particularly the idea of the Bombers contributing to Ridley's salary.

#Quidproquo

I can’t see this kind of thing being ticked off by the AFL.

 

[3KZ is Football]

I got no issue with having however many QLD’s in the team. I was responding to the suggestion the team should be full of them and the suggestion we would lose supporters if there wasn’t. I would support the lions if the whole team immigrated from Mongolia.

#VICQUEENSLANDER!

 

[briztoon]

hmmmm my 2 cents as a pommy convert. Back in 95 I supported Bears as they were my new home team, but as a newbie had no issues transferring loyalties to the Lions. In fact I really liked the fact that we had that Fitzroy history and connection to the game. As opposed to say the "artificial clubs" such as GCS and GWS, and that even Eagles, Crows, Port, Dockers are in a way, even tho some have connections and thus history too.

I think we have it about right and and as 3KZ says in the modern game we cannot compromise we need the best talent from wherever to compete. I am sure us immigrants / Mexicans can become honorary QLD'ers right ?

Please, please, please jump on any of the general forum boards and mention that the Eagles are an “artificial” club.

 

[briztoon]

It is probably being done covertly already but is the bolded within the rules, could it be considered draft/trade tampering or "not in the spirit of the game"?

Particularly the idea of the Bombers contributing to Ridley's salary.

#Quidproquo

How are the AFL going prove anything.

Free agency signings are the week before the trade period.

We’re fighting off continued interest from Adelaide.

So we sign Draper to a 5 year $950k per deal that nets Essendon band 1 compensation.

10 days later on deadline day, we agree a deal with Essendon for Ridley, and part of that deal sees Essendon paying part of Ridley’s salary.

 

[Dom PC]

Starcevich is going to be a big loss. Pretty tough to find 188cm defenders, built like a brick shithouse, skilled, good endurance, good marking skills, good decision making, good communicator, good speed etc.

He's pretty much the perfect medium defender IMO. Geelong is full of them and it's a big reason why they're so good.

If Tom Doedee

12

Tom Doedee

Age

29

Ht

190cm

Wt

90kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

17.1

4star

K

8.5

3star

HB

8.6

5star

M

5.6

5star

T

2.6

4star

MG

228.8

4star

D

15.3

4star

K

9.5

4star

HB

5.8

3star

M

6.3

5star

T

1.3

2star

MG

228.8

3star

D

19.8

5star

K

10.4

4star

HB

9.4

5star

M

6.6

5star

T

1.4

4star

can't come good next year, I'd say with a fit Payne, it'll be Gardner taking Starcevich's role and while Gardner is serviceable at AFL level (I am a Gardner fan btw!), it is a downgrade.

 

[GenericUsername202]

Starcevich is going to be a big loss. Pretty tough to find 188cm defenders, built like a brick shithouse, skilled, good endurance, good marking skills, good decision making, good communicator, good speed etc.

He's pretty much the perfect medium defender IMO. Geelong is full of them and it's a big reason why they're so good.

If Tom Doedee can't come good next year, I'd say with a fit Payne, it'll be Gardner taking Starcevich's role and while Gardner is serviceable at AFL level (I am a Gardner fan btw!), it is a downgrade.

Let's not forget we have Answerth coming back, who has arguably become an A grader this season.

 

[M Malice]

Starcevich is going to be a big loss. Pretty tough to find 188cm defenders, built like a brick shithouse, skilled, good endurance, good marking skills, good decision making, good communicator, good speed etc.

He's pretty much the perfect medium defender IMO. Geelong is full of them and it's a big reason why they're so good.

If Tom Doedee can't come good next year, I'd say with a fit Payne, it'll be Gardner taking Starcevich's role and while Gardner is serviceable at AFL level (I am a Gardner fan btw!), it is a downgrade.

Agree 100%, I would be for what some would call "overpaying" for Starcevich, 3 years on big coin(850K?) with triggers for a 4th and 5th year.

Ah Chee while he has been very good in big moments is more easily covered.

 

[Dom PC]

Let's not forget we have Answerth coming back, who has arguably become an A grader this season.

Yeah I rate Answerth and he should be in our starting 18 next year (probably taking Stace's spot), but he's a small defender and is more limited in his abilities vs Stace IMO.

Agree 100%, I would be for what some would call "overpaying" for Starcevich, 3 years on big coin(850K?) with triggers for a 4th and 5th year.

Ah Chee while he has been very good in big moments is more easily covered.

I agree re 5 years something around that dollar mark. Sadly I assume the rest of the comp isn't blind and are offering him over $1m a year which I think is a problem for us as I'm not sure we can be paying our ~10th best player $1m a year with an $18m salary cap.

He's probably a top 5 player at the WCE's so him being on $1.1m or $1.2m makes a bit of sense while they are low on the table.




You'd hope we shouldn't lose many more players over the next couple of years if we lose Stace and Ah Chee. Particularly since we got the extra $800k odd windfall this year from not paying Daniher this year.

 

[M Malice]

Yeah I rate Answerth and he should be in our starting 18 next year (probably taking Stace's spot), but he's a small defender and is more limited in his abilities vs Stace IMO.


I agree re 5 years something around that dollar mark. Sadly I assume the rest of the comp isn't blind and are offering him over $1m a year which I think is a problem for us as I'm not sure we can be paying our ~10th best player $1m a year with an $18m salary cap.

He's probably a top 5 player at the WCE's so him being on $1.1m or $1.2m makes a bit of sense while they are low on the table.




You'd hope we shouldn't lose many more players over the next couple of years if we lose Stace and Ah Chee. Particularly since we got the extra $800k odd windfall this year from not paying Daniher this year.

Maybe we could offer Starc 1.2 Million(if we can afford it) for 2026 then 850K for 2027-28 then the triggers for 2029-30.

Jordan Ridley while more a key defender could play the 3rd tall role if we get him... FWIW I don't think there is much chance we can get him.

 

[mattsmob]

Maybe we could offer Starc 1.2 Million(if we can afford it) for 2026 then 850K for 2027-28 then the triggers for 2029-30.

Jordan Ridley while more a key defender could play the 3rd tall role if we get him... FWIW I don't think there is much chance we can get him.

I like Starce and it’s hard to comment much without more of an idea about the salary cap but I struggle to see him being worth that much to us with all our other higher priority guys imo. He’s great at what he does but he’s a medium defender that still needs to rely on pressure and defensive work up the field.

In my opinion he’s probably 12-16 in terms of priority going forward and I don’t think you can pay that player that much money

 

[Section 5]

How are the AFL going prove anything.

Free agency signings are the week before the trade period.

We’re fighting off continued interest from Adelaide.

So we sign Draper to a 5 year $950k per deal that nets Essendon band 1 compensation.

10 days later on deadline day, we agree a deal with Essendon for Ridley, and part of that deal sees Essendon paying part of Ridley’s salary.

Thats all well and good but only if you think Draper is worth anywhere near that money.
Personally, this year i would be happy to miss Draper and try for a ruck next year.
Or find a ruck in the lower grades this year

I doubt Ridley comes to us in 2026. Maybe the following year.
However, if Essendon do lose all of Merrett, Draper & Ridley, i don't see them letting two players go to the one club.

If Oscar plays on which looks more likely now, i would just stick with what we have.

 

[Leuy LongerCombo]

Thats all well and good but only if you think Draper is worth anywhere near that money.
Personally, this year i would be happy to miss Draper and try for a ruck next year.
Or find a ruck in the lower grades this year

I doubt Ridley comes to us in 2026. Maybe the following year.
However, if Essendon do lose all of Merrett, Draper & Ridley, i don't see them letting two players go to the one club.

If Oscar plays on which looks more likely now, i would just stick with what we have.

Draper isn’t the perfect option, but more than a viable one.
I don’t see any Ruckman of note out of contract next year, let alone with Free Agency Status. I’m not entertain Bailey Williams as an option.

I don’t particularly buy into the notion you can get ruckman cheap still, sure their trade value can appear lowish at times. However, with the constant “Ruck Merry Go Around” this would have to artificially lifted ruckman wages. They’re in a niche market, especially backup ones.

Also paying a premium $$$ now, might be better than paying a premium when we’re caught short. We’re clearly trying to have assets for a reason, so don’t think Draper and Oscar will be our only additions

 

[Gadzorks]

I promise I won’t speak ill of the car Keays every again.

Except when he doesn’t hit a target or miss a goal straight in front.

That my friend is a brisbane special; we were known for that.

We have moved on from 10m directly out misses. For variety we morphed that into always (well, frequently) scoring more behinds than goals.

Still frustrating as hell, but the variety of staying point keeps us .... entertained.

 

[Saucery]

SCOUTS EYE EMERGING TALL​

DRAFTEE Jai Leach is catching the eye of recruiters after emerging for the Oakleigh Chargers late in the season.

Leach has come to Victoria from Queensland and played in the Chargers' past three games, having only made his debut in round 19 against Sandringham. He was presented his jumper by Carlton and Adelaide great Eddie Betts.

The 17-year-old is an athletic tall at 198cm and has played in the ruck for the Chargers whilst also showing he can get the ball around the ground.

Clubs have already kept a keen eye on Leach, who is lean but goes for his marks and showed over a three-game period that he may be a project player for clubs. The Chargers were knocked out of the Coates Talent League finals last weekend by the Sandringham Dragons. – Callum Twomey

New deal for Treloar, more change for Dees, draft bolter earns Combine invite

Check out all the latest trade news from around the League

www.afl.com.au

 

[Perrip]

Also said Brisbane & Essendon have been talking in the background about Ridley, may pay Draper more to trigger Band 1 and Essendon allow Ridley to leave.

 

[martinson]

Also said Brisbane & Essendon have been talking in the background about Ridley, may pay Draper more to trigger Band 1 and Essendon allow Ridley to leave.

Bookmark it.

 

[Sproj]

Will definitely soften the huge likely loss of Starc.