2026 Trade / FA Thread

[Rorzza]

Reef is contracted for next year.

Awesome

 

[Scodog10]

We have no seen any of the MSD picks within the club. A pick getting to play a senior game is success. Typically picks are role players. The list needs elite talent. The length of contract is important. The selections last night create competition at least.

I come down hard on the side of us not needing more role players so investing 3 more list spots on them is risky, but I agree there are benefits there. The one that might be getting missed a little is the increased competitiveness of our VFl team. This will give them a shot in the arm around the time the attrition of the season really sets in.

 

[MooreDaicos]

For me and its early and not sure on contract status

Delist
Sullivan
Smit
Ryan
HDM

Trade
Allan For Humphrey
Long He's a big body that we need for the time being.
Moore (no one will want him and won't happen) Never trade him, even if he's past it, good coverage when not injured AND he's our captain. The playing group would riot! So would I.
McCreery Only if we get Butters through this trade, otherwise wait for good picks from Tassie, if he goes.

Retire
Sidebottom
Howe
Membrey

I fixed it for you

 

[Scodog10]

When we took Smit I thought we were playing the long-game so delisting him makes drafting him seem pretty pointless

That’s list management

The way I’d look at it is rather than being pointless it was a draft error.

 

[SchuPie]

That’s list management

The way I’d look at it is rather than being pointless it was a draft error.

I’d like list sizes to be larger and be able to see his development over another 2 years
Not saying he’ll make it - just we won’t know if he will until then

 

[sr36]

When we took Smit I thought we were playing the long-game so delisting him makes drafting him seem pretty pointless

Most late picks don't kick on and become AFL players.

 

[satty]

Real question is are we going to have all 3 of pendles , howe and sidey retire at once , or will we the luxury to stagger their retirements.

Also I guess our decision to keep membrey will be largely dependent on how pods goes.

 

[SchuPie]

Most late picks don't kick on and become AFL players.

Wasn’t he our first pick in the Rookie draft before we took Long?

 

[Scodog10]

Wasn’t he our first pick in the Rookie draft before we took Long?

He was. The way we need to view this draft is that it’s the Milhouse of the player acquisition mechanisms. I’m beyond staggered that the league hasn’t done away with it in favour of an actual FA window for the players eligible for this draft.

 

[footballsack35]

Real question is are we going to have all 3 of pendles , howe and sidey retire at once , or will we the luxury to stagger their retirements.

Also I guess our decision to keep membrey will be largely dependent on how pods goes.

Sidey and Howe should be this year.
With the addition of Pods and assuming we persist with West and Buller, I would think Membrey is a certain retirement

 

[Pragmatic Shill]

Roo to remain, mid-season draftee deals revealed, breakout Crow set to sign - https://www.afl.com.au/news/1527962


Scodog10 all of our draftees have six-month deals

 

[satty]

Roo to remain, mid-season draftee deals revealed, breakout Crow set to sign - https://www.afl.com.au/news/1527962


Scodog10 all of our draftees have six-month deals

Surprised coe didn't nominate for the 18 month contract.

Makes more sense that we went for players who are physically ready to play.

Also pleased that our list will have flexibility.

 

[Harry O]

Jiath, like DeMattia, is under contract until the end of 2027. Two rather lucky lads, I'd say!

Nah. Min chips contracts - delist and re rookie at worst

 

[SwanBet]

Disagree with all the takes on moving Howe on at season end, particularly given the health of Moore.

He continues to be one of our most important players when fit. If he is healthy at seasons end, I would absolutely keep him around.

Sidebottom is the one that will be tapped on the shoulder IMO. I think he will find his way out of the side later this season and will end up retiring.

 

[manicpie]

Disagree with all the takes on moving Howe on at season end, particularly given the health of Moore.

He continues to be one of our most important players when fit. If he is healthy at seasons end, I would absolutely keep him around.

Sidebottom is the one that will be tapped on the shoulder IMO. I think he will find his way out of the side later this season and will end up retiring.

Nothing against your opinion but I think Sidey will stay and Pendles and Howe will retire. I've been wrong too many times though

 

[Roverjg]

When we took Smit I thought we were playing the long-game so delisting him makes drafting him seem pretty pointless

The Mid-Season Draft has a history of young ruckmen being taken as speculative picks, only to be delisted within 12-18 months without playing an AFL game.

Recent examples include Brynn Teakle (twice), Jasper Scaife and Clay Tucker. All were young, tall ruck prospects; all were delisted within 18 months, with Scaife & Tucker not playing an AFL game.

Smit is approaching 21 and has now been on the list for two years. His 2022 draft profile described him as “very much a work in progress with considerable upside” — and that still appears to be the case.

He has yet to establish a clear role, having been trialled in the ruck and across multiple key defensive posts. At VFL level, he hasn’t dominated statistically or consistently shown AFL-ready traits.

This season: 2.5 kicks, 2.8 handballs, 1.6 marks, 3 tackles, 17 hit-outs
Career: 3.6 kicks, 2.8 handballs, 1.7 marks, 2 tackles, 12 hit-outs

He is not yet a reliable ball user, can be beaten one-on-one, at times he is prone to poor decision making and is still developing defensively.

Given the current list squeeze, with the need for delistings at season's end, Howes being trialled as a key back with success, and the additions of Puncher and Coe, it is very possible Smit could be delisted at season’s end.

 

[manicpie]

The Mid-Season Draft has a history of young ruckmen being taken as speculative picks, only to be delisted within 12-18 months without playing an AFL game.

Recent examples include Brynn Teakle (twice), Jasper Scaife and Clay Tucker. All were young, tall ruck prospects; all were delisted within 18 months, with Scaife & Tucker not playing an AFL game.

Smit is approaching 21 and has now been on the list for two years. His 2022 draft profile described him as “very much a work in progress with considerable upside” — and that still appears to be the case.

He has yet to establish a clear role, having been trialled in the ruck and across multiple key defensive posts. At VFL level, he hasn’t dominated statistically or consistently shown AFL-ready traits.

This season: 2.5 kicks, 2.8 handballs, 1.6 marks, 3 tackles, 17 hit-outs
Career: 3.6 kicks, 2.8 handballs, 1.7 marks, 2 tackles, 12 hit-outs

He is not yet a reliable ball user, can be beaten one-on-one, at times he is prone to poor decision making and is still developing defensively.

Given the current list squeeze, with the need for delistings at season's end, Howes being trialled as a key back with success, and the additions of Puncher and Coe, it is very possible Smit could be delisted at season’s end.

Strangely enough, for me personally, I liked him when he has stints up forward. He can actually find space. Having said that, his goal kicking is poor. I think he'll be delisted

 

[gouki88]

Nothing against your opinion but I think Sidey will stay and Pendles and Howe will retire. I've been wrong too many times though

I actually think Sidey is the least likely to stay on

 

[manicpie]

I actually think Sidey is the least likely to stay on

Interesting. I just think his endurance might get him through another year. I'd like to see him play a few games as a forward. He doesn't seem to need to be managed as much as Pendles and Howe, I think, will retire.