List Mgmt. 2026 List Management

[AndyLucimitis]

Carroll on a wing as a winger who drops back in defence. Pace and kicking, good interceptor. I think he's important to our team. But a recent injury is a tough one. Probably ideal for him to come in against Richmond but will leave it to the fitness staff. 12 months ago he was an untried teenager. Now he is integral to our side IMO.

Hasn't he been the surprise pick up. Taken as a rookie, injured all year and would have normally just been delisted and forgotten. Even looked a bit unfashionable when first drafted.

But he really looks the goods as far as I'm concerned and just shows what can be achieved with good intel and recruitment.

 

[Soapy V]

Hasn't he been the surprise pick up. Taken as a rookie, injured all year and would have normally just been delisted and forgotten. Even looked a bit unfashionable when first drafted.

But he really looks the goods as far as I'm concerned and just shows what can be achieved with good intel and recruitment.

Selections like Carroll are Gold to a List. Late selections and Rookies that make it really make a difference

 

[GoBlues!]

Boiling it down, it seems like the locks or preferences for best 23 defenders are:

Cowan Weitering Dean
Florent Derksen Williams
Int- Carroll / Newman

Next tier of players include HOF, Saad, McGovern, Boyd, Young, Haynes and Wilson.

 

[BlueLocke]

I'd like to see Saad focus his efforts as a lockdown defender this year (and hopefully see if that pushes him into 27 as well). I know he left the Dons as he was earmarked for that role and wanted to be a bit more attacking, but times have changed.

I know previously he's looked a bit vulnerable 1-1, but I thought against the Cat he was especially safe in the contest. He's lost some pace, but he's still quicker than most. I think with some concentration and a sound defensive set-up, he'd do a more than respectable job of nullifying most small forwards. He'll naturally pick up a few disposals on the rebound, but I'd make that a secondary focus.

 

[jezzatigerbrent]

Boiling it down, it seems like the locks or preferences for best 23 defenders are:

Cowan Weitering Dean
Florent Derksen Williams
Int- Carroll / Newman

Next tier of players include HOF, Saad, McGovern, Boyd, Young, Haynes and Wilson.

Haynes before Derks atm

 

[Coona Blues]

Selections like Carroll are Gold to a List. Late selections and Rookies that make it really make a difference

Was good in his draft year playing wing and back as he does now. One of those toss a coin types on face value, did some excellent promising things and enough potential, but a few minor brain fades offered some questions. Erred a bit too much on low percentage options.

Clearly can be positive or negative. The courage to back your skills is admirable, but a can bring players undone if they can’t walk the walk.

 

[Red_man2008]

Boiling it down, it seems like the locks or preferences for best 23 defenders are:

Cowan Weitering Dean
Florent Derksen Williams
Int- Carroll / Newman

Next tier of players include HOF, Saad, McGovern, Boyd, Young, Haynes and Wilson.

Haynes and young are ahead derkson. Young has had an incredible preseason.

 

[BluStreak]

Yeah I agree with that. They got a lot of blame for things that were already deep seeded in Carlton. I think Swann has proven himself up at Brisbane and Malthouse had already proved himself. When you put good operators in a place where they are under resourced, working with low quality people who set lower standards and a football department that is about half as good as what they were used to then they are going to become frustrated and fail.

It is actually hard to believe we had a guy who had been a part of successful teams, built premierships from the ground up wanting to make serious changes and the board told him NO, pretty much because they hired him for instant success and that alone. That and we had players who cracked it because we had a coach who was too demanding in regards to standards and disciplined. It would have been like walking into a country footy club after being at an AFL club.

If Malthouse got to do what he wanted I think it would have turned out eventually. The cleanout needed to happen and he needed to be able to build a list of players that fitted his mould and develop and imprint his standards on young up and comers. He came onto a list of old dogs who did not want to be taught new tricks who were already developed who would not conform and lift. To put it bluntly, our players did not want to follow the standards of Collingwood at the time who were a regular top 4 side and recent premiership team who did not have issues with the same coach. That says it all to me.

David Parkin even admits that they didn't do enough towards the end of his tenure at Carlton, particularly in regards to Fevola. Standards had gone by then. Well and truly and that threw every single coach and administrator under the bus that would preceded them. We had guys turning up to preseason under Parkin overweight and needing to be sent away to lose weight before joining in preseason training. It was clear that there were fitter teams out there than us, but we were talented so we got away with it.

The rot at Carlton was set in pre-salary cap breach. The breach brought it all out.

Dennis Pagan era and into the Brett Ratten era. No standards there at all. We had guys running through dormitories with fire extinguishers, booze cruises, guys getting in trouble with the law, turning up to training on drugs. All of that. We had a team that would beat a top side one week and fail to turn up the next week. We were soft.

The only fixing this is getting rid of all the players with low standards, get rid of those unwilling to lift and change and gut the list with a strong coach and leadership team in charge. We half did it with SOS and Bolton. I think we executed this ok considering how bloody difficult it is to do it. SOS gets a lot of criticism, he knew what he had to do and he did it ok, a few recruiting holes from his team but end of the day we made a prelim after gutting our list not too long before and we now sit in a position where, after another quick rebuild, we are ready to go again.

I think Wright and Voss have the opportunity to finish the job off and that is something I believe they are trying to do.

The undoing of Carlton's culture was always going to take a long time. A gutting of the list, offloading all those who wouldn't commit, some strong development and standards by our coaches, leaders and fitness staff and some really tough love.

This shit started under Parkin and was allowed to persist all the way through to Voss. So let's hope things are changing.

Pretty much explains Norths issue with Clarkson.

 

[Soapy V]

Haynes and young are ahead derkson. Young has had an incredible preseason.

I don't see it that way

I reckon it's match ups and game style. Young has had a good pre season (I can't agree w incredible) but he is a taller lockdown type. Can also play ruck

Derksen to me is more Haynes and mobile

I really struggle to see Young & Weitering in same defence

 

[gbatman]

Pretty much explains Norths issue with Clarkson.

Great coach, nothing to work with. They are doing the right thing sticking with him. How is his paitence? Could they be rewarded in time?

North need to start finishing at least mid table, to get people wanting to be there. Clarkson set really high standards at Hawthorn. "fit in or f***k off". They need time, but no team has forever.

 

[GoBlues!]

Haynes and young are ahead derkson. Young has had an incredible preseason.

Derksen acquitted himself well in a couple of practice games and agree a fit Haynes would likely get the nod ahead of Derksen. I still think there’s a spot for Derksen who could play forward if needed.

Young was good in Weiterings absence in the praccy games. Similarly I see Young’s value is not just as a pure defender but the relief ruck assistance he can provide.

It will be interesting to see how MC approach selection, whether they go for form, favourites or flexibility.

 

[Mondyboy]

Is Acres still at the club? (I know he is, but there’s no mention of him here).

 

[BlueTongue]

Good last year and has stepped up massively in pre season. Now Best 23 IMO

Yes, I'm a big fan already. Prefer to keep him across the backline though, he's a real asset as a playmaker.

 

[BlueTongue]

Derksen acquitted himself well in a couple of practice games and agree a fit Haynes would likely get the nod ahead of Derksen. I still think there’s a spot for Derksen who could play forward if needed.

Young was good in Weiterings absence in the praccy games. Similarly I see Young’s value is not just as a pure defender but the relief ruck assistance he can provide.

It will be interesting to see how MC approach selection, whether they go for form, favourites or flexibility.

I would 100% play Derksen ahead of McGovern, even based of the limited game time I've seen so far.
McGovern is IMO Break-Glass only, or should start on the bench and change in the forward line.

 

[gbatman]

Young is backup for Weitering. Young is in career best form, played well end of last year but I feel he is a fullback first and only an ok CHB and not a third tall at all.

Derksen will play CHB. Looks a genuine CHB. I am not sure if he is a third tall option, maybe.

Dean, McGovern and Haynes are competing for the same spot. Third tall. Dean will be a key forward but isn't yet. Haynes is our number one here. McGovern at his best is probably ahead of Dean though Dean is probably stronger in the air. Is McGovern at his best?

Young, could you argue he goes to Fullback and Weitering CHB? Do we want Young on Curnow on Lynch and Weitering playing higher up and dropping back? If I had buggered ribs, back shoulder would be my preference. I prefer Weitering Fullback, Derksen CHB.

Rating they taller defenders, something around this mark.

Fullback
1. Weitering, AA level, Vic level, easy number 1.
2. Young, He's actually not too bad at it. Genuine backup here.
3. Derksen, probably not his strong point, but he could pinch hit here, unless they are elite forwards then maybe not.
4. Dean, not yet.
5. McGovern/Haynes, not really, don't want to see it.

CHB
1. Weitering, he may not quite have the athleticism but he's played really well here before. Smarts, skills and one on one ability is elite. Too valuable as our number 1, our fullback.
2. Derksen, Looks to have the mobility, athleticism and intercepting ability and is big enough.
3. Haynes, He is good here but better suited to third tall. Can run riot if the opposition's 2nd tall/CHF is weak.
4. McGovern IMO is a good but not quite as good version of Haynes.
5. Young, played here end of last year and was actually ok. The bottom 2 are probably even. Depends on opponent. Possibly not great when caught under the ball and is required to back back into the pack.

Third Tall
1. Haynes - He can play small and tall well. Running defender and intercept defender. Pretty much the main description of the role. Our best at it.
2. McGovern - has had his moments, but not quite as good as Haynes.
3. Derksen - Is he suited to this role. He intercepts so well. Can he play small and tall?
4. Dean - He' still so unknown.
5. Weitering. How good would he be in this role? I think athletically he's a great key but not a third tall.

 

[C4[2]Yo`DooR]

I think Lewis Young

33

Lewis Young

Age

27

Ht

202cm

Wt

99kg

Pos.

D/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.6

3star

K

7.5

3star

HB

4.1

3star

M

4.4

4star

T

1.6

4star

MG

197.9

3star

D

4.0

1star

K

3.0

1star

HB

1.0

1star

M

3.0

3star

T

0.0

1star

MG

26.0

1star

D

14.4

4star

K

8.2

4star

HB

6.2

4star

M

6.4

5star

T

2.0

4star

MG

181.6

3star

cops more criticism than he deserves, but it’s still a lot of a heart‑in‑mouth stuff whenever he gets the ball.

 

[The Blue Weirdo]

Selections like Carroll are Gold to a List. Late selections and Rookies that make it really make a difference

Ironically, Carroll, Elijah and Frankie were all deslisted and then resigned.
That's a chunk of bargain basement quality that could have slipped through our fingers.

 

[agro]

Young is backup for Weitering. Young is in career best form, played well end of last year but I feel he is a fullback first and only an ok CHB and not a third tall at all.

Derksen will play CHB. Looks a genuine CHB. I am not sure if he is a third tall option, maybe.

Dean, McGovern and Haynes are competing for the same spot. Third tall. Dean will be a key forward but isn't yet. Haynes is our number one here. McGovern at his best is probably ahead of Dean though Dean is probably stronger in the air. Is McGovern at his best?

Young, could you argue he goes to Fullback and Weitering CHB? Do we want Young on Curnow on Lynch and Weitering playing higher up and dropping back? If I had buggered ribs, back shoulder would be my preference. I prefer Weitering Fullback, Derksen CHB.

Rating they taller defenders, something around this mark.

Fullback
1. Weitering, AA level, Vic level, easy number 1.
2. Young, He's actually not too bad at it. Genuine backup here.
3. Derksen, probably not his strong point, but he could pinch hit here, unless they are elite forwards then maybe not.
4. Dean, not yet.
5. McGovern/Haynes, not really, don't want to see it.

CHB
1. Weitering, he may not quite have the athleticism but he's played really well here before. Smarts, skills and one on one ability is elite. Too valuable as our number 1, our fullback.
2. Derksen, Looks to have the mobility, athleticism and intercepting ability and is big enough.
3. Haynes, He is good here but better suited to third tall. Can run riot if the opposition's 2nd tall/CHF is weak.
4. McGovern IMO is a good but not quite as good version of Haynes.
5. Young, played here end of last year and was actually ok. The bottom 2 are probably even. Depends on opponent. Possibly not great when caught under the ball and is required to back back into the pack.

Third Tall
1. Haynes - He can play small and tall well. Running defender and intercept defender. Pretty much the main description of the role. Our best at it.
2. McGovern - has had his moments, but not quite as good as Haynes.
3. Derksen - Is he suited to this role. He intercepts so well. Can he play small and tall?
4. Dean - He' still so unknown.
5. Weitering. How good would he be in this role? I think athletically he's a great key but not a third tall.

Weird Peter Dean debuted as a forward back in the day and ended up a great defender- you reckon Harry is going to go the other way.

 

[The Return of the Paf]

Weird Peter Dean debuted as a forward back in the day and ended up a great defender- you reckon Harry is going to go the other way.

I wouldn't have picked it with Aaron Naughton, either, so you never know.

 

[teddy-hopkins]

Haynes and young are ahead derkson. Young has had an incredible preseason.

He played pretty well overall, however...

In the first quarter of the Geelong game Young had 20m gap on his nearest opponent and jogged back after the ball and let it roll out in the cats fwd line in a dangerous position. This is the bit with Young - these bad moments that are purely a result of a really negative mindset. He didn't want to sprint back and get the ball because then he might be under pressure and make a mistake.

I'd have absolutely no hesitation saying he's playing ahead of Derksen but as it stands I don't think he deserves it. He stays as a backup option only for me until he plays with confidence all the time.

 

[teddy-hopkins]

Yeah I agree with that. They got a lot of blame for things that were already deep seeded in Carlton. I think Swann has proven himself up at Brisbane and Malthouse had already proved himself. When you put good operators in a place where they are under resourced, working with low quality people who set lower standards and a football department that is about half as good as what they were used to then they are going to become frustrated and fail.

It is actually hard to believe we had a guy who had been a part of successful teams, built premierships from the ground up wanting to make serious changes and the board told him NO, pretty much because they hired him for instant success and that alone. That and we had players who cracked it because we had a coach who was too demanding in regards to standards and disciplined. It would have been like walking into a country footy club after being at an AFL club.

If Malthouse got to do what he wanted I think it would have turned out eventually. The cleanout needed to happen and he needed to be able to build a list of players that fitted his mould and develop and imprint his standards on young up and comers. He came onto a list of old dogs who did not want to be taught new tricks who were already developed who would not conform and lift. To put it bluntly, our players did not want to follow the standards of Collingwood at the time who were a regular top 4 side and recent premiership team who did not have issues with the same coach. That says it all to me.

David Parkin even admits that they didn't do enough towards the end of his tenure at Carlton, particularly in regards to Fevola. Standards had gone by then. Well and truly and that threw every single coach and administrator under the bus that would preceded them. We had guys turning up to preseason under Parkin overweight and needing to be sent away to lose weight before joining in preseason training. It was clear that there were fitter teams out there than us, but we were talented so we got away with it.

The rot at Carlton was set in pre-salary cap breach. The breach brought it all out.

Dennis Pagan era and into the Brett Ratten era. No standards there at all. We had guys running through dormitories with fire extinguishers, booze cruises, guys getting in trouble with the law, turning up to training on drugs. All of that. We had a team that would beat a top side one week and fail to turn up the next week. We were soft.

The only fixing this is getting rid of all the players with low standards, get rid of those unwilling to lift and change and gut the list with a strong coach and leadership team in charge. We half did it with SOS and Bolton. I think we executed this ok considering how bloody difficult it is to do it. SOS gets a lot of criticism, he knew what he had to do and he did it ok, a few recruiting holes from his team but end of the day we made a prelim after gutting our list not too long before and we now sit in a position where, after another quick rebuild, we are ready to go again.

I think Wright and Voss have the opportunity to finish the job off and that is something I believe they are trying to do.

The undoing of Carlton's culture was always going to take a long time. A gutting of the list, offloading all those who wouldn't commit, some strong development and standards by our coaches, leaders and fitness staff and some really tough love.

This shit started under Parkin and was allowed to persist all the way through to Voss. So let's hope things are changing.

I agree re. Swann - I absolutely don't agree re. Malthouse. I heard really worrying stuff he was saying behind the scenes right throughout his tenure at Carlton.

He made it clear Mick was in it for Mick. He did not give a flying fig about Carlton - he was just here to get the games coaching record.

That lack of care showed up throughout the club and he left in a selfish tantrum phoning into SEN and with a playing list down the bottom yet a maxed out salary cap.

SOS, for all his faults, was 100% crystal clear that he was to be left alone to do his job. He had enough aura / cred to ignore outside voices (mostly the board) and do a proper job of resetting the playing list and fixing the cap. Don't underestimate how important it is to break this habit. Ess do it to this day with the president's ego dictating whether or not Merrett is worth 3 first rounders or 4. That is an unhealthy place for a club to be - and it's exactly where we were pre-SOS.

But I maintain recruitment has always been our biggest issue. List manager / head recruiter arguably the 2 most important people at any club.

And this extends to leadership. They get to interview all of the draftees / trade targets yet can't find players who have real leadership ability. I love Cripps - this is not a pot-shot at him but it's across the board.

For whatever reason we've had a raft of "nice boy" types at the club. Compare that to the golden era dawks who had Mitchell + Hodge - but also Roughy, Lewis, Burgoyne, Frawley, Birchall, Smith, Breust, Gunston, Sicily, etc. They were strong characters and leaders in their own right.

The people Carlton had interviewing the young draftees had absolutely no clue what they were doing. They continued to gravitate towards introverts and we never invested enough $ in the recruiting dept.

 

[Benaly28]

I think our list will
Improve as the year goes on with the new game plan implemented.

 

[4flagsin5yrs]

He played pretty well overall, however...

In the first quarter of the Geelong game Young had 20m gap on his nearest opponent and jogged back after the ball and let it roll out in the cats fwd line in a dangerous position. This is the bit with Young - these bad moments that are purely a result of a really negative mindset. He didn't want to sprint back and get the ball because then he might be under pressure and make a mistake.

I'd have absolutely no hesitation saying he's playing ahead of Derksen but as it stands I don't think he deserves it. He stays as a backup option only for me until he plays with confidence all the time.

i disagree on that letting the ball roll out... no one would have stopped that ball... it just did what footballs do sometimes...erratic bounces...

He did do a couple of dumb, too cute efforts at short passes - just not his thing. His longer kicking is very good.

 

[C4[2]Yo`DooR]

In addition to the positive list changes (both in terms of who we've brought in and who we've moved on) I’m particularly encouraged by the updates to our coaching staff. We’ve added people from successful programs who bring not only strong tactical insight but also a strong focus on player engagement.

These kinds of coaching and off‑field additions genuinely elevate the playing group and help them reach their full potential under the old 'talent only takes you so far' mantra.

We want players who operate with an abundance mentality... unlike a few of those we've recently let go.

 

[Blue__Balls]

i disagree on that letting the ball roll out... no one would have stopped that ball... it just did what footballs do sometimes...erratic bounces...

He did do a couple of dumb, too cute efforts at short passes - just not his thing. His longer kicking is very good.

I disagree with your disagreement

He definitely didn't make anywhere near 100% effort to get that ball. Now, maybe he was hoping it would do that other thing that footballs do and pop straight up in the air for him, but the vast majority of defensive players would be running their arse off to collect that ball, especially with no immediate pressure around them. Easy stat, pick up the ball, take a few seconds to find a teammate and hit the easy kick. Retain possession and rebound.

Lewis was mooooore than happy for that ball to trickle all the way to the boundary. And as Teddy suggested, I think it is absolutely a mindset/confidence issue with him - he just doesn't look like a player who really wants the ball.