List Mgmt. 2025 List Management Discussion

[p4p1]

It just occurred to me that west coasts starting midfield next year could be starcevich and dev not the best kicks but would be one of the strongest defensive 1-2 combos in the game.

I know we love giving them shit, and a quick glance at their board makes it all the more easy. But trade ins like Dev, I think are good moves. They will struggle to attract most elite talent but a mature body like Dev makes their team stronger IMO. Dev is a victim of circumstance with us. IIRC they've been talking to some recently delisted players as well. They're list is that bad atm that I think even delisted players are going to strengthen it and go part of the way to make competition for spots and be more competitive.

 

[p4p1]

Hypothetically what role would he play in a well rounded team ... effectively who in our current line up would he replace?

High half forward flank whos job it is to receive the ball break lines, create space and hit a good target with occasional centre bounce attendances. He would probably complement our midfield really well tbh.

 

[p4p1]

Alex Witherden was the starting point of us snagging Allen lol

Not sure what Hirdy is going on about with Essendon not getting the level of compensation that WCE got for Allen. I do think part of it is absolutely that the Eagles are the worst team just about ever at the moment. I hope Draper absolutely crushes it for us but at their best I don't think he has shown much to be considered in the same class as Allen at his best. Also KPF>Ruck in terms of importance.

 

[p4p1]

Surely it's one of the easier fixes. The AFL has just not wanted to do anything with it because it is like a flexible assistance package.

I don't mind the compo picks being tied to where a team finishes on the ladder. In another world, lets say we lost Joe at the end of last year rather than him retiring, we were able to cover for him this year and go back2back, disregarding injury history, it is far harder the Eagles as the worst team to cover for losing someone of Allen's quality and to bring in a free agent of equal quality over the next year or two.

 

[p4p1]

James Hird this morning doing his analysis of the Lions looking at 2026, certainly likes our chances of doing the 3Peat, made us sound almost unbeatable. He was stunned with the list of players we have who didn't even play in this years Grand Final.

His go to the next level player for us was Jaspa Fletcher.

In BT's podcast at the start of last year he picked us as his favourites simply because of our depth. He said, early on especially that is his go to for who will be there at the end of September. He identified 31 players of ours that he said could make real impact. I assume really what he was saying is that we have 31 players or are legitimate first 22 players across most teams in the comp. I think the next closest was about 25.

It is probably about the same this year but that doesn't mean we will 3peat either. A lot still has to go right, though I do like that over the past couple of year we have played our best footy at the end of the season, so something is obviously going right in the way we plan out the year.

 

[p4p1]

Henry Smith will play second ruck until Draper's fit n available.
5 man bench can help fit the second ruck in.

I can see the logic of that but I can also see the logic of having another runner on the bench or a proper utility. Depending on how the ruck rules play out and if they do speed up how quickly they throw it in/ball it up, the ruck rover could also return.

 

[mpal6]

I can see the logic of that but I can also see the logic of having another runner on the bench or a proper utility. Depending on how the ruck rules play out and if they do speed up how quickly they throw it in/ball it up, the ruck rover could also return.

We have drafted our secret weapon for it too - ZZ !

 

[p4p1]

We have drafted our secret weapon for it too - ZZ !

Unleash the Zane.

In all seriousness, from what I have read about how athletic he is, if he can get the footy IQ to go with it, could be a perfect utility.

 

[mpal6]

Unleash the Zane.

In all seriousness, from what I have read about how athletic he is, if he can get the footy IQ to go with it, could be a perfect utility.

I want to debut him vs Collingwood next season.

Who tf is Henry Smith
Who tf is Ty Gallop

we can add to that list with
Who tf is this Zane guy with a complex surname?

 

[blueiris]

Are we looking at Leek we chased him pre Ridley and Saints pulling out he’s perfect as that 3rd defender

 

[blueiris]

Who will replace starce role? In 2026

How bad is the Answerth injury was playing the starz role really well

 

[mpal6]

Are we looking at Leek we chased him pre Ridley and Saints pulling out he’s perfect as that 3rd defender

With Payne and Doedee in injury ward, I don't know if we need another depth. Not to mention if Leek would be happy to go from depth GWS to depth Lions. Gardiner has re-signed so he'll be our depth once Payne is ready.

I hope we hang on to Joyce instead. He knows our system and likely be happy to stick around in bargain rate.

I am also wondering if we'll start investing time into Hipwood in defense next season. Gallop is promising so I'd continue investing 3rd tall forward spot on him so it leaves Hipwood without a spot.

 

[Fluke]

West Coast supporters have this weird obsession with Lions getting unexpected returns and they aren't. I think in their world if you win a premiership your club need to be dismantled to the point of unable to even make finals and slide towards bottom 4 next year - then its a fair competition.

Not just them tbh.

I swear when you listen to different people in the media talk about equalisation, they seem obsessed with talking about how it's failing when a team is strong, instead of talking about how to lift the teams that are struggling.

Equalisation should be equal opportunity, not equal outcome. And clubs shouldn't be punished because they do a good job.

 

[SpecialBruce]

With Payne and Doedee in injury ward, I don't know if we need another depth. Not to mention if Leek would be happy to go from depth GWS to depth Lions. Gardiner has re-signed so he'll be our depth once Payne is ready.

I hope we hang on to Joyce instead. He knows our system and likely be happy to stick around in bargain rate.

I am also wondering if we'll start investing time into Hipwood in defense next season. Gallop is promising so I'd continue investing 3rd tall forward spot on him so it leaves Hipwood without a spot.

Hipwood's only way forward is either go to another club and play forward, or to play down back. I don't mind the play down back scenario.

 

[blueiris]

Massive over reactions of Allen being better than Hipwood in our forward line in the media.
Hipwood has had 5 years over 30+ goals compared to Allen only 2 yes Allen is young by 2 years but to be saying he’s ahead of Hipwood is hilarious

 

[Viceregal]

I will hold off on judging what Allen will like as a forward for us after I get to see what he is like in harness ... we had expectations of Gunston too

 

[StevoJenkins]

Hipwood's only way forward is either go to another club and play forward, or to play down back. I don't mind the play down back scenario.

Hipwood, if fit, goes straight into the team in the forward half. Plays around the ground, is always available to get a mark to, then passes it to his teammates.

I think a lot of posters here are forgetting how valuable he's been over the past two seasons, even though this season he didn't hit the scoreboard as much (carried multiple injuries for most of the year).

 

[Fluke]

Need to fix his body up first. We are still living through 2 years of Tom Doedee trying to get on the park - so we aren't running some kind of magic rehabilitation center either.

Premierships are masking our mistakes so we hope Allen/Draper has a better run than Doedee.

Whatever the magic sauce was that worked on the likes of Linc and Joe, seems to have worn off now...

 

[braddsey]

For the most part, he is just really likeable. I think that works for him despite not being a standout at his job.

Yes/No with Johnno is one of my favourite segments on the SEN!

 

[Elixuh]

Massive over reactions of Allen being better than Hipwood in our forward line in the media.
Hipwood has had 5 years over 30+ goals compared to Allen only 2 yes Allen is young by 2 years but to be saying he’s ahead of Hipwood is hilarious

Tom is already doing the contrarian take for Allen, Blueiris!

 

[jonnobackpocket]

We just won’t back to back flags and have likely just got better over the trade period. Seriously, who does anyone follow any other team. This is our league.

 

[jonnobackpocket]

*why does anyone.

 

[Nuggo]

Curnow has dodgy knees and Geelong have offered 3 first round picks lol. Take Allen as a free agent any day.

 

[Morbidly_Obese]

Curnow has dodgy knees and Geelong have offered 3 first round picks lol. Take Allen as a free agent any day.

Yeah I would rather Allen + Annable + another 1st round pick vs Curnow but that's just me.

 

[blueiris]

Tom is already doing the contrarian take for Allen, Blueiris!

I'm actually sticking up for my boy Hippy