List Mgmt. 2026 Trade and List Management Thread

[My Left Foote]

In the history of AFL list management has there ever been a list so unevenly weighted/skewed toward small and mid sized small/half forwards?

Depth Chart

Small/Med Forwards:

• Paul Curtis
• Cam Zurhaar
• Zane Duursma
• Jacob Konstanty
• Charlie Spargo
• Zac Banch
• Cooper Harvey
• Robert Hansen Jr
• River Stevens
• Lachie Dovaston
• Brayden George
• Hugo Mikunda
• Zac Fisher

Key Forward

• Nick Larkey
• Cooper Trembath
• Jack Darling
• Matt Whitlock (supposedly)

Key Defender

• Charlie Comben
• Griffin Logue
• Toby Pink
• Will Dawson
• Aidan Corr
• Blake Thredgold

Midfields/Wingers

• Harry Sheezel
• George Wardlaw
• LDU
• Colby McKercher
• Jy Simpkin
• Tom Powell
• Luke Parker
• Dylan Stephens
• Luke Urquhart
• Dylan Stephens
• Bailey Scott

Small/Medium Defender

• Finn O'Sullivan
• Caleb Daniel
• Riley Hardeman
• Luke McDonald
• Josh Goater
• Jackson Archer

Rucks

• Tristan Xerri
• CCJ
• Taylor Goad

Reeks of quantity over quality but given how shit we've been I'm not surprised, will be interesting to see the list balance in 12 months time.

The second batch is the most interesting for me. I suspect Konstanty will be pushed out by Spargo or Dovaston.
I think Hugo can be afforded some time and is probably in line to replace Spargo in a couple of years. I'm keen to see what Zac Banch can do off a full pre-season.

Small/Med Forwards
Best 23
Paul Curtis – All Australian
Cam Zurhaar – Coming off his best year

Potentially Best 23 (But jury is out due to questions over application, injuries, draftee etc.)
Zane Duursma
Lachie Dovaston > Jacob Konstanty
Charlie Spargo > Hugo Mikunda
Zac Banch
Brayden George

Training as a defender
Cooper Harvey

VFL / Delist in 12 months time
Zac Fisher
River Stevens
Robert Hansen Jr

 

[Its a Process]

In the history of AFL list management has there ever been a list so unevenly weighted/skewed toward small and mid sized small/half forwards?

Depth Chart

Small/Med Forwards:

• Paul Curtis
• Cam Zurhaar
• Zane Duursma
• Jacob Konstanty
• Charlie Spargo
• Zac Banch
• Cooper Harvey
• Robert Hansen Jr
• River Stevens
• Lachie Dovaston
• Brayden George
• Hugo Mikunda
• Zac Fisher

Key Forward

• Nick Larkey
• Cooper Trembath
• Jack Darling
• Matt Whitlock (supposedly)

Key Defender

• Charlie Comben
• Griffin Logue
• Toby Pink
• Will Dawson
• Aidan Corr
• Blake Thredgold

Midfields/Wingers

• Harry Sheezel
• George Wardlaw
• LDU
• Colby McKercher
• Jy Simpkin
• Tom Powell
• Luke Parker
• Dylan Stephens
• Luke Urquhart
• Dylan Stephens
• Bailey Scott

Small/Medium Defender

• Finn O'Sullivan
• Caleb Daniel
• Riley Hardeman
• Luke McDonald
• Josh Goater
• Jackson Archer

Rucks

• Tristan Xerri
• CCJ
• Taylor Goad

Reckon Fisher and Hansen Jnr will be in the wing rotations this season. Maybe River and Cooper spend some time at half back.

 

[Themanbun]

Reckon Fisher and Hansen Jnr will be in the wing rotations this season. Maybe River and Cooper spend some time at half back.

All four will be in the VFL.

 

[year of the roo]

Those who are delisting Fisher this time next year are doing so with 1 year remaining in his contract. I mean, I hope you're right. But it won't be so easy.

 

[Disco Dew]

Those who are delisting Fisher this time next year are doing so with 1 year remaining in his contract. I mean, I hope you're right. But it won't be so easy.

Mate I’m delisting him this time last year.

 

[Makeshift Park]

In the history of AFL list management has there ever been a list so unevenly weighted/skewed toward small and mid sized small/half forwards?

Depth Chart

Small/Med Forwards:

• Paul Curtis
• Cam Zurhaar
• Zane Duursma
• Jacob Konstanty
• Charlie Spargo
• Zac Banch
• Cooper Harvey
• Robert Hansen Jr
• River Stevens
• Lachie Dovaston
• Brayden George
• Hugo Mikunda
• Zac Fisher

Key Forward

• Nick Larkey
• Cooper Trembath
• Jack Darling
• Matt Whitlock (supposedly)

Key Defender

• Charlie Comben
• Griffin Logue
• Toby Pink
• Will Dawson
• Aidan Corr
• Blake Thredgold

Midfields/Wingers

• Harry Sheezel
• George Wardlaw
• LDU
• Colby McKercher
• Jy Simpkin
• Tom Powell
• Luke Parker
• Dylan Stephens
• Luke Urquhart
• Dylan Stephens
• Bailey Scott

Small/Medium Defender

• Finn O'Sullivan
• Caleb Daniel
• Riley Hardeman
• Luke McDonald
• Josh Goater
• Jackson Archer

Rucks

• Tristan Xerri
• CCJ
• Taylor Goad

You don't reckon Mikunda and RHJ will be developed as primarily wingers - or at least genuine hybrids? (the latter is literally listed as a midfielder on the NMFC website)

From memory Fisher was playing more half-back than half-forward this year too?

So if take those three out, we're "just" talking 10 players. Gold Coast and Carlton had more than that this year. We're about on par with GWS and Essendon.

 

[year of the roo]

You don't reckon Mikunda and RHJ will be developed as primarily wingers - or at least genuine hybrids? (the latter is literally listed as a midfielder on the NMFC website)

From memory Fisher was playing more half-back than half-forward this year too?

So if take those three out, we're "just" talking 10 players. Gold Coast and Carlton had more than that this year. We're about on par with GWS and Essendon.

We've definitely over-corrected. I remember a time when it was just Phoenix Spicer.

For all this to work, we need some of these forwards to be able to spend meaningful time in the midfield. Look at that midfield depth list: Stephens listed twice (and rubbish), Scott coming off a dreadful year, Parker has 1 year left after this, Simpkin - enough said, Wardlaw - still unsigned, Urquhart - 0 games and a speculative pick. It is possibly now our weakest line now that we have addressed the backline.

If things had worked out with TT, Phillips and Lazzaro we could put out the "no more midfielders" sign. We are not there yet. Incredibly.

 

[spicerFanClub]

We've definitely over-corrected. I remember a time when it was just Phoenix Spicer.

For all this to work, we need some of these forwards to be able to spend meaningful time in the midfield. Look at that midfield depth list: Stephens listed twice (and rubbish), Scott coming off a dreadful year, Parker has 1 year left after this, Simpkin - enough said, Wardlaw - still unsigned, Urquhart - 0 games and a speculative pick. It is possibly now our weakest line now that we have addressed the backline.

If things had worked out with TT, Phillips and Lazzaro we could put out the "no more midfielders" sign. We are not there yet. Incredibly.

It's interesting. A stockpile this big of high half forward types does feel deliberate - we could have easily grabbed another midfielder instead of Dovaston (for example), then we go for a speed/endurance combo as our long-shot in Hugo. To look positively on the game strategy side, maybe it is deliberate and will leverage the 5th bench spot for wing/half forward rotations. Given the game is now won on transition (defending it + offensively).

There is also the angle that we've just had guys come along less than we'd hoped and we're stockpiling before we cull back to the AFL standard core unit.

 

[Makeshift Park]

For all this to work, we need some of these forwards to be able to spend meaningful time in the midfield. Look at that midfield depth list: Stephens listed twice (and rubbish), Scott coming off a dreadful year, Parker has 1 year left after this, Simpkin - enough said, Wardlaw - still unsigned, Urquhart - 0 games and a speculative pick.

Agree. Part of why I assume RHJ and Mikunda are being developed as outside mids first.

In terms of this "over correction":

DEAD CERTS TO STICK AROUND
Curtis
Zurhaar

THREE YEARS TO PROVE THEMSELVES
Spargo
Dovaston

70%+ LIKELIHOOD WILL BE GONE IN 2026
Stevens
Harvey

50/50 TO BE GONE IN 2026
Duursma

WHO KNOWS - NOT ME
Brayden George

 

[Twangler]

We've definitely over-corrected. I remember a time when it was just Phoenix Spicer.

For all this to work, we need some of these forwards to be able to spend meaningful time in the midfield. Look at that midfield depth list: Stephens listed twice (and rubbish), Scott coming off a dreadful year, Parker has 1 year left after this, Simpkin - enough said, Wardlaw - still unsigned, Urquhart - 0 games and a speculative pick. It is possibly now our weakest line now that we have addressed the backline.

If things had worked out with TT, Phillips and Lazzaro we could put out the "no more midfielders" sign. We are not there yet. Incredibly.

Weakest line?
Sheezel
LDU
McKercher
Wardlaw
Powell
Simpkin
O’Sullivan (will almost certainly not stay in the backline forever)

Agree we may need a big bodied mid or two to replace Parker and Urquhart (if he doesn’t push on) across the next couple of trade draft periods, but it’s not a pressing need and certainly not our weakest line surely!

 

[roos_fanatic08]

You don't reckon Mikunda and RHJ will be developed as primarily wingers - or at least genuine hybrids? (the latter is literally listed as a midfielder on the NMFC website)

From memory Fisher was playing more half-back than half-forward this year too?

So if take those three out, we're "just" talking 10 players. Gold Coast and Carlton had more than that this year. We're about on par with GWS and Essendon.

Mikunda doesn't have much exposed form as a wing, maybe he will in time, but for the time being he is a half forward.

Don't see it with RHJ as a wingman either. If it had of been up to me he probably wouldn't have been offered a contract (along with Harvey).

Fish, played everywhere last year but he only got gigs in the seniors as a half forward. Either way, he is a long way down the pecking order now.

GWS have a far more balanced list with plenty of genuine key defender and key forwards (far more than us). Gold Coast have considerably changed their list balance through the draft with less half forwards and more genuine mids.

 

[PokerRoo]

I don't have an issue TBH. There is a long history of forwards turning into backmen, both tall and small. It would be an interesting stat to know how many players play the same position in the AFL that they did in Juniors.

A couple of outstanding back that were recruited as forwards that come to mind. Sicily and Hardwick. I would guess that you would find similar at all clubs.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

You'd think with that depth chart I posted above that Cooper Harvey will spend plenty of time across half back in 2025, which I'd be happy with.

 

[The Nostradamus]

You'd think with that depth chart I posted above that Cooper Harvey will spend plenty of time across half back in 2025, which I'd be happy with.

Good skills so don’t mind it but at the same time is one of the few players that actually leads at the ball carrier and kicks accurately at goal

 

[year of the roo]

Weakest line?
Sheezel
LDU
McKercher
Wardlaw
Powell
Simpkin
O’Sullivan (will almost certainly not stay in the backline forever)

Agree we may need a big bodied mid or two to replace Parker and Urquhart (if he doesn’t push on) across the next couple of trade draft periods, but it’s not a pressing need and certainly not our weakest line surely!

Well we didn't draft any mid defenders, so perhaps FOS isn't so certain to move to the mids.

Question marks over Powell becoming any more than handy. I wouldn't include Simpkin as a way of strengthening your argument.

Given how crucial a strong midfield is, I think ours is overrated. Wardlaw injured and unsigned. Has Sheezel played his best footy in the middle? Or is it forward? Back?

You can have LDU and I have a lot of faith in Colby despite having plenty to work on.

 

[year of the roo]

Good skills so don’t mind it but at the same time is one of the few players that actually leads at the ball carrier and kicks accurately at goal

People will hate this but how different truly is Coops to Daniel as an attacking HB? Undersized, poor defensively, not quick, both can certainly find the footy.

 

[Harris 10]

Left field one, but i'd like to see Konstanty get some time over the off season as a lock down defender.

 

[Makeshift Park]

Don't see it with RHJ as a wingman either. If it had of been up to me he probably wouldn't have been offered a contract (along with Harvey).

His rate of improvement will have to be quite significant in 2026 to keep a list spot. I wonder if RHJ reminds Clarko of a rawer young Brad Hill. He's got the speed, and his kicking inside 50 is great. Just gotta finish the preseason with a solid tank and a little more contested edge to stand a chance.

Fish, played everywhere last year but he only got gigs in the seniors as a half forward. Either way, he is a long way down the pecking order now.

I honestly have no expectations for this bloke whatsoever. I'll be disappointed if he gets senior time in 2026 unless there's a sustained effort of breaking the door down in the twos, the likes of which we haven't seen yet.

 

[Twangler]

Well we didn't draft any mid defenders, so perhaps FOS isn't so certain to move to the mids.

Question marks over Powell becoming any more than handy. I wouldn't include Simpkin as a way of strengthening your argument.

Given how crucial a strong midfield is, I think ours is overrated. Wardlaw injured and unsigned. Has Sheezel played his best footy in the middle? Or is it forward? Back?

You can have LDU and I have a lot of faith in Colby despite having plenty to work on.

Fair enough but in response I’m still positive on Powell. He’s skills ball in hand haven’t quite come along as expected but his possession and tackling numbers are improving year on year.

Sheezel has played his best footy in the midfield. Back half of last season and last few games of this season is pretty unequivocal.

Simpkin drama not ideal but love him as a winger. Let’s see how it unfolds this year. The noise around the club after the looted trade has been positive at least.

McKercher and Osullivans progress are the two things I’m looking forward to most about next season!

 

[My Left Foote]

You'd think with that depth chart I posted above that Cooper Harvey will spend plenty of time across half back in 2025, which I'd be happy with.

Yes, he is training as a defender.

 

[Shermanator]

Left field one, but i'd like to see Konstanty get some time over the off season as a lock down defender.

I said the same to my son a couple of weeks ago.

It makes even more sense now we have the Tip Rat to slot straight into that FP position.

We should be trying to make JK our B Hardwick. Definitely a position of need.

 

[King Corey]

Here's a theory.

In our season reviews, we got direct feedback from a leader and intelligent bloke (Larkey) and experienced, successful player (Darling) that our forward delivery was a major flaw.

Yes, we would've been aware of the stats but have a feeling we've had it validated by some respected players and doubled down fixing an area that might've not looked weak from a list management perspective.

So we now have an assortment of crumbers, high HFs etc but none stamped in the 22 on proven output.

Expect 2026 to be the North Melbourne Small Forward Hunger games when the last 2 standing prove they can find the ball more than 3 times per game and kick it approximately to a target.

 

[kool kangas]

Bit of a surprise the Greeves wasn't taken. It seem the Hawks tried to get him via the NGA program but got knocked back. l would have thought that if Sam Mitchell wanted him that much they could have taken him with one of their later picks..

 

[Chip Scab1]

In the history of AFL list management has there ever been a list so unevenly weighted/skewed toward small and mid sized small/half forwards?

Depth Chart

Small/Med Forwards:

• Paul Curtis
• Cam Zurhaar
• Zane Duursma
• Jacob Konstanty
• Charlie Spargo
• Zac Banch
• Cooper Harvey
• Robert Hansen Jr
• River Stevens
• Lachie Dovaston
• Brayden George
• Hugo Mikunda
• Zac Fisher

Key Forward

• Nick Larkey
• Cooper Trembath
• Jack Darling
• Matt Whitlock (supposedly)

Key Defender

• Charlie Comben
• Griffin Logue
• Toby Pink
• Will Dawson
• Aidan Corr
• Blake Thredgold

Midfields/Wingers

• Harry Sheezel
• George Wardlaw
• LDU
• Colby McKercher
• Jy Simpkin
• Tom Powell
• Luke Parker
• Dylan Stephens
• Luke Urquhart
• Dylan Stephens
• Bailey Scott

Small/Medium Defender

• Finn O'Sullivan
• Caleb Daniel
• Riley Hardeman
• Luke McDonald
• Josh Goater
• Jackson Archer

Rucks

• Tristan Xerri
• CCJ
• Taylor Goad

Truly absurd.

Zane Duursma is 191cm and he listed as a Small/Medium yet Darling at 191cm is listed as Ruck (which he is)

Can we check there's no $5m prize for having the lowest aggregate or something as it's difficult to keep up.

---

Let's begin with the shortlist, depending on F/S,NGAs - there could be more but at this stage, (in the gun) would be:

• Bailey Scott
• CCJ
• Zac Banch
• Robert Hansen Jr
• River Stevens
• Zac Fisher
• Jack Darling
• Caleb Daniel
• Jy Simpkin
• Ed Tucker
• Luke Parker (probably)

~8 should be enough... JFC.

It is not an analysis, just a guess as to what I think might happen with the players who are out of contract post the 2026 season. How about you post your predictions and see who manages to get closer to the pin. Hopefully Duursma has a breakout season and he signs up long term. But he arguably the hardest to project, hense the question mark.

Was getting to it.

People will hate this but how different truly is Coops to Daniel as an attacking HB? Undersized, poor defensively, not quick, both can certainly find the footy.

Depth of kicking. Cooper can at least clear the 50m with a 10m head start. I personally think our kick-ins start the rot.

 

[KangaRooster]

Yes, he is training as a defender.

I love Harvey as a future defender that doesn’t really defend.

Multiple weeks at VFL HB where he excelled (relatively), then we moved him back at AFL half way through the 3rd Q and he drove the ball forward relentlessly. Which game was that?

He stuffed one up that arguably cost us the game, then within a minute or two had the same opportunity and smashed it.

When he does get caught out needing to defend, he’s a great mark and strong for his size and will win more than he loses imo. + he can moved forward if we lose a small/med fwd mid game.