List Mgmt. 2026 Trade and List Management Thread

[ToxicMegaPunts]

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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.

Simpkin, Fisher, Darling, and Daniel are all contracted beyond 2026. Who the **** is Ed Tucker?

 

[The Nostradamus]

darling only signed a 2 year deal not 3

Would expect it to be his final year

 

[Shermanator]

Simpkin, Fisher, Darling, and Daniel are all contracted beyond 2026. Who the **** is Ed Tucker?

Darcy Tucker’s horse?..

 

[shintemaster]

Fair call. But we need a solid back or two. Can't argue with that. I get your point.

Well we sorted that

 

[shinboner magic]

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

Should be moved back and Daniel moved to the vfl.

 

[shimaburnsgrieg]

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.

Was getting to it.

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

BGZ 191? Lol. Try 187/88 max. You are thinking of his brother.

 

[pupstar]

BGZ 191? Lol. Try 187/88 max. You are thinking of his brother.

I thought he was 190-191 as well there you go.

 

[Passmore]

I thought he was 190-191 as well there you go.

He’s listed as 191. I’ll have to take my tape measure to training next time.

 

[McKuursma]

Not against turning over small forwards/front half players as quickly as possible to find a mix that works. Also good to see a front half press from a mid/clearance dominant game style being reflected in the list build by moving toward ground ball/pressure players that can support it, fingers crossed the back-end structure that struggled for a variety of reasons is adjusted to better defend rebounds that leak through. Thredgold looks a ripper in this aspect. Wonder if there's been a shift in alignment on list build and on field strategy in recent times

 

[Onihr]

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.

Was getting to it.

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

Agree on kick-ins. Our kick-ins are never threatening. [waiting on someone with a coast to coast stat that proves me wrong]

Actually, the only time we get a clear possession with a kick-in, it's a dinky 30m kick out wide to a player on their own - that player invariably ends up being Stephens, or LMac, or sometimes even Caleb.

I'm sure the opposition strategise and tell their players 'if Nth want to kick out to one of those three, let them - they won't do any damage with the next possession'.

 

[spicerFanClub]

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.

Brisbane did win two premierships with 4-5 small forwards that could all cover a lot of ground. Could be leaning that way ourselves. Curtis being leaner could be a hint at desire for him to cover more ground consistently.

 

[perplexed]

Wonder if there's been a shift in alignment on list build and on field strategy in recent times

From listening to Thursfield, it sounds like they have worked out that we need more running power or we will continue to get smashed between the arcs. This is a big change from last trade period when Clarko tried to cover up his failures by claiming experience and leadership were the issues, and proceeded to bring in old blokes who couldn't run out of sight on a dark night (Daniel and Parker).

For the last few years, our talent identification seems to have been very good. We are still hopeless at managing list spots, basic draft strategy and finding recycled players who can improve us, but it feels like we finally understand the on-field issues and are trying to address them. Things are looking up.

 

[Firebat]

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

That’s terrifying.

I would o my be confident in 2/13 of those players getting regular gig in a top 8 side…

I could cut 5 right now and would be confident picking DFA’s/mature bodies who would add more short-medium-long term value.

 

[Passmore]

Brisbane did win two premierships with 4-5 small forwards that could all cover a lot of ground. Could be leaning that way ourselves. Curtis being leaner could be a hint at desire for him to cover more ground consistently.

Geelong run with Stengle, Close, Mannagh and Miers. So yeah, there's some precedence there.

 

[Shack18]

Geelong run with Stengle, Close, Mannagh and Miers. So yeah, there's some precedence there.

Yep and hawks with McDonald, Watson, ginni, Moore etc

 

[RooInNorthLondon]

We have some genuine talent/skill so the key really is becoming harder to play against with and without the ball. Pressure starts up front and mobile smaller guys can really help. Beyond that pressure it is about basic kick/hand skills, fitness, effort and attitude. No more excuses. We may not be ‘complete’ but there is no reason we cannot compete.

 

[Chip Scab1]

BGZ 191? Lol. Try 187/88 max. You are thinking of his brother.

lol he's 191. He's the same size as Carey basically.

 

[The Talent Scout]

Not against turning over small forwards/front half players as quickly as possible to find a mix that works. Also good to see a front half press from a mid/clearance dominant game style being reflected in the list build by moving toward ground ball/pressure players that can support it, fingers crossed the back-end structure that struggled for a variety of reasons is adjusted to better defend rebounds that leak through. Thredgold looks a ripper in this aspect. Wonder if there's been a shift in alignment on list build and on field strategy in recent times

There has been, if you go back a few months I remember Brady saying about the upcoming draft that our key defenders were 'okay" and he mentioned the names, this is what surprised me and led me to believe we were not taking a key defender, so a big turnaround but it is the correct decision, Blake's a beauty and given time like a couple already on our list he is going to be a real gem.

No key forward but next year there are quite a few and Will and Brady might have their eyes on someone, but Aidan McCartney is going to be the big news, only 191cm at the moment but he has 12 months to move into that 195cm range, its going to a big year for Aidan with the choice and his draft year, got a feeling he's going to cut loose.

 

[Shermanator]

If we get Aiden McCartney then I reckon we should throw an offer to Bailey Humphries or Alex Davies and promise them decent midfield minutes as the glutton of academy picks that show up every year, plus Petracca now arriving means a few of them are going to be disappointed..

 

[Roos1991]

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

Banch and Dovaston will make a great small forward combo. Banch and JK look to have come back in super condition, so I don't think it's a done deal that Spargo replaces them. I guess we'll see how that plays out.

 

[Chip Scab1]

Simpkin, Fisher, Darling, and Daniel are all contracted beyond 2026. Who the **** is Ed Tucker?

Mr Ed Tucker. Darcy Tucker has a bit of a horsey face. Fact.

 

[shinboner magic]

I’d like to give every guy a clean slate that isn’t named fisher

 

[Chip Scab1]

Simpkin, Fisher, Darling, and Daniel are all contracted beyond 2026. Who the **** is Ed Tucker?

Darcy "Mr Ed" Tucker. You know him!

 

[BlueandWhiteinmyBlood]

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.

Surely not? The guy is slow AF but is 110% a lead up creative mid sized foward where it’s much easier to use his high football IQ a bit like Larkey.

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

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.

Was getting to it.

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

Like the list, however Tucker has already been blasted into the sun.