List Mgmt. 2026 - What do we need?

[anchor man]

Yes Freddy can be frustrating, but according to the clubs blurb today, with the re- signing, is that all his numbers are his best yet for the club.
I do firmly believe his concussion has delayed his fast progress. Some recover quicker and better than others.

 

[88mph]

Vegas team orgy.

 

[wakojako]

Vegas team orgy.

You are getting confused with Brisbane.

 

[TimN2]

Carrying too many iffy kicks in the backline. Walker and Simpson have to come in for Worner and Banners. Gives us pace and a great user in Simpson, Walker great lockdown defender and has the tools to create from half back with his pace and decent kick, he just needs the confidence to run and carry. Harsh on Karl maybe? he is a tough nut and throws his body into contests but his disposal is a liability back there. Smart teams will just leave the likes of Worner, Banners and Pearce free in the pocket to receive short pass from a kick in knowing they will likely kick it straight back to them.

Andy and Caleb really need to fix their goal kicking, I have no confidence in either of them lining up from 40m directly in front in a big final.

Andy should be the skipper not Caleb. Caleb lacks the maturity in the heat of battle. Loses his shit too easily when being tagged or things aren't going his way. I haven't looked into it stats wise but I'd be willing to bet we have a much better record when AB captains the side

On the middle paragraph: I don't think it's just Andy and Caleb who need to fix their goal kicking. When it comes to that 40m shot under pressure circumstances, the list of players I would trust with it is: Jackson, Treacy, Pearce. That's it. And yes, I understand that some of that has to do with my own nerves, etc.

Nevertheless, it's a worry that 2 of the 3 most reliable kicks for those moments are not permanent forwards. And that 2 of our 3 big talls aren't on the list right now. Voss finished the year better than he started so there's hope, but Amiss ... 40 m seems to be beyond his range these days. It'd be great to get the mids who should also be drifting forward to get better in front of the goals, but the whole forward group could use some work on what to once they get the ball in a dangerous spot.

And side tracking from my main point, I don't think Caleb would be bad as captain, but I do agree that Brayshaw seems more the guy to get the job done.

 

[Freomaniac]

Simpson fast tracked.
Dudley to come back 5kg lighter.

If someone like Sam Walsh is available I’d take him. I’m Lawson Humphrey is available I’d take him. Either/or

If we replace Worner and Banfield with Simpson and Humphrey we’re much better off.

Johnson and Erasmus to play a full season.

Whan.

Trade Freddy to Port

I agreed with most of your post. But I am not keen trading Freddy to Port Adelaide

 

[Lach72]

I agreed with most of your post. But I am not keen trading Freddy to Port Adelaide

Yeah I had last-game-itis when I posted that

 

[Freomaniac]

A small forward who can tackle and pressure, as well as goal.
Freddie had 0 tackles last night and has a good game 1 in 6.
I don't know how many times the ball made it to our full forward line and bounced out.
That Schultz guy from Collingwood would look good in a Freo jumper.

Yeah a prime Hayden Ballantyne would be handy

 

[DockerDerek]

Yeah a prime Hayden Ballantyne would be handy

Ballaz had a shocker in the 2013 Grand Final. Probably worse than Freddy on Saturday.

 

[Miltz]

LJ and JT to rotate mid and be powerful explosive brutes.

 

[Kram]

Ballaz had a shocker in the 2013 Grand Final. Probably worse than Freddy on Saturday.

Son Son is the player we miss in big games.

 

[Mags98]

clearly came down to moments this year, most of it is there to be worked on. another pre season into ras and he and johnson wont lose very many contests compared to having NOD and JOM in those positions. need another reid pull from the draft this year up forward so we can cope with losing switta for 50% of the season. flags take a while to come.

pies were pretty around for a while before finally getting another, lions obviously went 5 years or so before making the next jump

 

[bellie4pm]

Are you aware he's just had a knee reconstruction for an ACL? He's not going to be playing AFL next year, and then it will be a tough decision to make on whether he gets another contract.

Thought it was a 10-12 month recovery from acl surgery? Club notes they are aiming to get him back playing “as soon as practical” in 2026…

 

[freoextra]

Thought it was a 10-12 month recovery from acl surgery? Club notes they are aiming to get him back playing “as soon as practical” in 2026…

Yeah, I am a little confused as well, was it just a minor repair of the ACL rather than full surgery?

 

[Docker82]

Do we need to find a replacement for Sam Sturt

1

Sam Sturt

Age

26

Ht

190cm

Wt

81kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

7.7

2star

K

4.0

2star

HB

3.7

3star

M

2.3

2star

T

1.0

3star

G

1.3

5star

D

7.7

2star

K

4.0

1star

HB

3.7

3star

M

2.3

2star

T

1.0

2star

G

1.3

5star

D

7.7

2star

K

4.0

2star

HB

3.7

3star

M

2.3

3star

T

1.0

3star

G

1.3

5star

? He's probably depth now but with the three tall forwards he was probably depth if either talls and smalls went out. The three talls and two rucks only works because they're good - an average medium forward would work better than an average KPF as a replacement IMO.

We clearly need at least another small forward to add to our best 30-odd players. We might even want a second. Just posing the question whether a medium forward is needed too.

 

[fnerd]

Do we need to find a replacement for Sam Sturt? He's probably depth now but with the three tall forwards he was probably depth if either talls and smalls went out. The three talls and two rucks only works because they're good - an average medium forward would work better than an average KPF as a replacement IMO.

We clearly need at least another small forward to add to our best 30-odd players. We might even want a second. Just posing the question whether a medium forward is needed too.

Agree small fwd most pressing need but there’s basically no real “elite” ones in that first round that I’m seeing*

Mitch marsh is the perfect third tall I reckon .
Had even played up on the wing - looks every bit a young Bailey fritsch but with more mongrel.
Be more than happy to take him if he lasts to our first

*agree with Dockeroo im not sold on dovaston, think he’s getting hyped more simply as being the only true SF available early.
Rather take a punt later on with low risk/high reward ones like Pickett/byrne and kickett than use our first where I’d prefer likes of marsh,NHH, farrow or another slider (as long as their not KPP or ruck)

 

[PowerToThePurpl]

Would rather Jai Serong personally

Coming around to Jai, he’s been playing defence/wing in the VFL hey? Would have to see more footage of his games but good size and stats.

 

[Docker82]

Agree small fwd most pressing need but there’s basically no real “elite” ones in that first round that I’m seeing*

Mitch marsh is the perfect third tall I reckon .
Had even played up on the wing - looks every bit a young Bailey fritsch but with more mongrel.
Be more than happy to take him if he lasts to our first

*agree with Dockeroo im not sold on dovaston, think he’s getting hyped more simply as being the only true SF available early.
Rather take a punt later on with low risk/high reward ones like Pickett/byrne and kickett than use our first where I’d prefer likes of marsh,NHH, farrow or another slider (as long as their not KPP or ruck)

As this is a thread about 2026 I was mainly talking about adding to our best 30-odd for next season tbh.

Outside of perhaps our first round draft pick, I'm not sure an 18 year old recruit makes much difference next year. Them making a debut shouldn't be ruled out but a second/third round draft pick playing 10+ probably doesn't happen.

Our first and second round picks should be about what we need in 2-3 years time. If they become regular players before that that's just a bonus.

If there's small/medium forwards we can get in the rookie draft or SSP that'll be a chance of fitting into our best 30-odd players, it's certainly something we should consider even if they're in their mid-late 20s.

 

[Docker82]

Would rather Jai Serong personally

Don't think Mitch McGovern could play in our backline unless you drop Pearce, Cox or Ryan. That ain't happening. Think he stays at Carlton now Silvagni has jumped ship.

Serong probably isn’t quite as good but is younger and suits us better.

 

[fnerd]

As this is a thread about 2026 I was mainly talking about adding to our best 30-odd for next season tbh.

Outside of perhaps our first round draft pick, I'm not sure an 18 year old recruit makes much difference next year. Them making a debut shouldn't be ruled out but a second/third round draft pick playing 10+ probably doesn't happen.

Our first and second round picks should be about what we need in 2-3 years time. If they become regular players before that that's just a bonus.

If there's small/medium forwards we can get in the rookie draft or SSP that'll be a chance of fitting into our best 30-odd players, it's certainly something we should consider even if they're in their mid-late 20s.

Yeah well in that case I’d assume that Lachlan hosie is exactly who the club should be looking at there then

 

[Docker82]

Yeah well in that case I’d assume that Lachlan hosie is exactly who the club should be looking at there then

Think we'll take three picks tbh. I'd love if we could get the best small forward in the state leagues. Think we'll probably just go best available x2 and Whan though.

Hosie is 28 and I'm fine adding him to the list to replace Sturt. I believe one of his main weaknesses is pressure though so I don't think adding him is enough. Also his age should hopefully put clubs off in terms of DFA/National Draft interest so we can add him through the SSP.

 

[go_the_dockers]

Think we'll take three picks tbh. I'd love if we could get the best small forward in the state leagues. Think we'll probably just go best available x2 and Whan though.

Hosie is 28 and I'm fine adding him to the list to replace Sturt. I believe one of his main weaknesses is pressure though so I don't think adding him is enough. Also his age should hopefully put clubs off in terms of DFA/National Draft interest so we can add him through the SSP.

Switta and his poor injury history is a big concern.

We badly need 2 players in our forward line, week in week out who can provide elite forward pressure.

To me this is in our top 2 priorities for this years off season.

 

[go_the_dockers]

Roughly the current best 22.

b: Ryan Pearce Simpson
hb: Johnson Cox Clark
c: Wagner Young Brayshaw
hf: Reid Treacy Switta
f: Amiss Voss Bolton
Darcy Jackson Serong
Erasmus Chapman Dudley Walker Fredrick

Alex Pearce

25

Alex Pearce

Age

30

Ht

201cm

Wt

98kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.6

3star

K

5.2

2star

HB

5.4

4star

M

3.4

3star

T

1.8

4star

MG

106.3

2star

No current season stats available

D

11.0

3star

K

5.0

2star

HB

6.0

4star

M

4.4

4star

T

0.8

3star

MG

103.2

2star

is 30.
Ryan is 29, Wagner is 28, Cox is 27.
Switta is 28.
2 years to replace Pearce, 5 years to replace Cox.
I think next year we need to make a call if we have a Pearce replacement already otherwise we need to look for one.
The rest are younger, and should be 6 years of good football left.

Priorities
1. A classy wing, who can run all day (think Brad Hill) is a top priority
1. A small forward who provides elite pressure, loves getting front and center and is good for 30 goals plus a year, is equal top priority with the winger.
2. A classy half forward who can run through the middle. Ideally this player would elite pace, great skills and is handy when running through the middle.
2. Additional run from half back. A clone of Clark. I think McVee would fill this void.

Positives.

We have 3 years to replace Pearce, 4 years to replace Switta. That means everyone we bring it should just improve our 23 for 3 years.

 

[bellie4pm]

Yeah, I am a little confused as well, was it just a minor repair of the ACL rather than full surgery?

Think it was full reconstruction as ACL degrading over time

 

[malpaso]

Lot of experienced players have departed the club. I realise they did not play a lot of games this year.

We cannot simply recruit youngsters into those positions and need to get at least 3-4 mature age players along with our draft picks.

 

[PrancingPony]

In an ideal world we'd be able to convince all of McVee, Ah Chee and Starcevich to come over to try and be part of history in helping us win our first premiership, but we'll be lucky to get one of them.

Hopefully McVee feels more inclined to come home at least and we can bring him in, Ah Chee looks set for Adelaide and Starcevich either stays at Brisbane or goes to West Coast.