Player Watch #40 Tyler Sonsie - Re-Signed For 2026

[Charlie Pannam]

Obviously the one person that matters the most, BH, is not convinced on Sonz. Waiting to see how things unfold over the trade/ draft period. He Doesn’t have enough AFL traits to be viewed as a long term prospect

I think the big picture is bring in mids with leg speed and who work hard defensively. A blueprint for playing finals football 3 years down the track.

 

[wegetpumped]

Was I out of line pointing out a poster abusing a player on our list?

No, mate, just having you on your ok. But you're wasting your time trying to fix things in here.

 

[TJTIGER]

agree. luke bruest will take him under his wing. and make him or break him

There does seem to be a strong emphasis on bringing in development coaches. I really like what we've done. Players/coaches with patience who didn't grow quickly but had strong careers and were really valued by the clubs/teams they played in...
Fact is players grow/mature at very different rates depending on how & for what role they are being developed for but as we have seen in the past, when things ckick into place. Players can be well worth the wait (many examples)... I'll totally back the coaches, club & RFC culture...

Also players talk, we want to give players every opportunity to develop as that will contribute to our clubs reputation as a destination club that gives players a good crack. I think that's important.

 

[PeteTiger69minus4]

he was a big slider in a good draft year. would be hell of a lot higher in this year's draft.

also his biggest weakest at the time was running capacity. which i expect partly explains why he's struggling at the moment, because we've given him a role that requires elite endurance.

sounds like a player with a very limited and boutique niche, in a team that has older better and younger much better options?
if we delist him, will anyone pick him up?

if not, why should we keep him?

 

[PeteTiger69minus4]

Sheds was pick 26

yep

there are diamonds

and non-diamonds

 

[PeteTiger69minus4]

All this argument over a player who is one of the last players we make a decision on for 2026. Sonsie isn't a star, but he is someone who can be a handy role player once he is settled into a role that allows him to play to his strengths. Sonsie has shown that he can win plenty of footy, both at the stoppage but also around the ground in general play, so maybe a high half forward/wing role where he can push up and be part of the play is where he needs to be played moving forward.

At the end of the day he isn't someone I'll be losing sleep over when it comes to whether he is on the list or not next year.

he averages 13 touches a game and fewer than 5 of these contested. Has 10 goals in his career

 

[_RT_]

he averages 13 touches a game and fewer than 5 of these contested. Has 10 goals in his career

In 40 games he has had 30 scoring shots. He has also been subbed out or into games 8 times which also impacts his average disposal numbers. In 4 of his 6 VFL games last year he had 35+ & a goal which back up what I was saying, he has shown that he can win enough footy both in the contest and away from the contest. As I said if we can settle him in a role that suits his strengths we may finally see the VFL form transfer to the AFL.

At the end of the day though he is going to be the 33rd/34th player signed to the list for 2026 which shows just where he sits in the overall scheme of things which is as a depth/role player, it's going to be up to him as to whether 2026 will be his last year or not.

I for one won't be losing sleep either way

 

[PeteTiger69minus4]

In 40 games he has had 30 scoring shots. He has also been subbed out or into games 8 times which also impacts his average disposal numbers. In 4 of his 6 VFL games last year he had 35+ & a goal which back up what I was saying, he has shown that he can win enough footy both in the contest and away from the contest. As I said if we can settle him in a role that suits his strengths we may finally see the VFL form transfer to the AFL.

At the end of the day though he is going to be the 33rd/34th player signed to the list for 2026 which shows just where he sits in the overall scheme of things which is as a depth/role player, it's going to be up to him as to whether 2026 will be his last year or not.

I for one won't be losing sleep either way

in 40 games he has had 30 scoring shots

he gets lots of ball in the VFL

I have seen him right in front of my eyes unwin the ball. I was there.

much rather have other types as the 33rd/34th player.

 

[_RT_]

in 40 games he has had 30 scoring shots

he gets lots of ball in the VFL

I have seen him right in front of my eyes unwin the ball. I was there.

much rather have other types as the 33rd/34th player.

If we delist him this year we're replacing him with a kid that ranks in the 50-70 range of a shallow draft pool. You're better off keeping a player who has AFL experience on the list for another 12 months, then delisting him when we would be replacing him with a kid taken inside the first 2-3 rounds instead.

 

[crackertiger]

Agree

 

[PeteTiger69minus4]

If we delist him this year we're replacing him with a kid that ranks in the 50-70 range of a shallow draft pool. You're better off keeping a player who has AFL experience on the list for another 12 months, then delisting him when we would be replacing him with a kid taken inside the first 2-3 rounds instead.

unless the kid taken turns out to be another diamond in the rough

or split our second pick eg for 5 for Carlton's 10 and 22. if that works. for them with Dean. just an example

 

[PeteTiger69minus4]

If we delist him this year we're replacing him with a kid that ranks in the 50-70 range of a shallow draft pool. You're better off keeping a player who has AFL experience on the list for another 12 months, then delisting him when we would be replacing him with a kid taken inside the first 2-3 rounds instead.

there's that bit in Succession where Tom gets excited because he will get to collect "a lot of skulls" from sackings/downsizing etc

we need a bit of that ruthlessness IMHO. got so many of the same type, none of them really adding that much. send the message...

 

[_RT_]

there's that bit in Succession where Tom gets excited because he will get to collect "a lot of skulls" from sackings/downsizing etc

we need a bit of that ruthlessness IMHO. got so many of the same type, none of them really adding that much. send the message...

You don't boot someone if you're going to replace them with someone who is likely to be an inferior option.

 

[tigerfan1961]

You don't boot someone if you're going to replace them with someone who is likely to be an inferior option.

You do if you have a dislike for a player, like the poster you’re replying to, and it blinds your judgement

 

[Infamy]

unless the kid taken turns out to be another diamond in the rough

or split our second pick eg for 5 for Carlton's 10 and 22. if that works. for them with Dean. just an example

They may be a diamond in the rough, but the chances are very low and then you are stuck with that player for at least 2 years. What then happens next year, in a stronger draft, when we want to bring in more players?

 

[UncleBob]

Has never fired a shot.
Not one game I recall that anyone said, wow - might have something to work with here.
The Nathan Gordon

Nathan Gordon

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's, Ricky Petterd

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's of days gone even showed more.
Sydney Stack

44

Sydney Stack

Age

25

Ht

179cm

Wt

75kg

Pos.

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Career

Season

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showed more in his first 3 games than Sonsie across his entire career.
Don't see the worth in holding on to him, other than to boost the VFL side.

 

[PeteTiger69minus4]

You don't boot someone if you're going to replace them with someone who is likely to be an inferior option.

it's not "likely". it's a weighted risk assessment. the fanbase gets a lift from "the skull". some of the playing group go "heck". and the player you get has at least a 50% chance of being just as good.

 

[PeteTiger69minus4]

You do if you have a dislike for a player, like the poster you’re replying to, and it blinds your judgement

what's there to dislike?

why don't you reply to me rather than try and sideswipe. i've laid out a case for ending the Sonsie season.

 

[PeteTiger69minus4]

They may be a diamond in the rough, but the chances are very low and then you are stuck with that player for at least 2 years. What then happens next year, in a stronger draft, when we want to bring in more players?

ah it's genius. i'm hopeless at this. hang on to Sonsie so we can dump him next year when we have a slightly improved chance of getting a better player. allegedly.

hopefully Ty enjoys his time on Desolation Row.

For I have known them all already, known them all:
Have known the evenings, mornings, afternoons,
I have measured out my life with coffee spoons;
I know the voices dying with a dying fall
Beneath the music from a farther room.
So how should I presume?

 

[tigerfan1961]

what's there to dislike?

why don't you reply to me rather than try and sideswipe. i've laid out a case for ending the Sonsie season.

Based on your posts, nothing I can say to you will change your opinion on him being delisted.
I and a few others disagree with you, and have seen him do things that give me confidence he’s not a lost cause.
We are allowed to disagree.

 

[TJTIGER]

Based on your posts, nothing I can say to you will change your opinion on him being delisted.
I and a few others disagree with you, and have seen him do things that give me confidence he’s not a lost cause.
We are allowed to disagree.

I think we saw enough in the last 6 or so weeks to suggest persevering with him for at least another season. I'm not uncomfortable with that, genuinely looked to be making an effort to change his game...

 

[sante]

Has never fired a shot.
Not one game I recall that anyone said, wow - might have something to work with here.
The Nathan Gordon's, Ricky Petterd's of days gone even showed more.
Sydney Stack showed more in his first 3 games than Sonsie across his entire career.
Don't see the worth in holding on to him, other than to boost the VFL side.

Cast your mind back to 2022. Everyone on here was creaming themselves that we just had a dynasty and the next wave in Sonsie, Rioli Jnr, Stack and Cumbo were going to keep us in contention, most of them all played in that Elim final in 2022 and all played well

 

[TJTIGER]

Cast your mind back to 2022. Everyone on here was creaming themselves that we just had a dynasty and the next wave in Sonsie, Rioli Jnr, Stack and Cumbo were going to keep us in contention, most of them all played in that Elim final in 2022 and all played well

Sydney stack, human highlight reel. Never forget that bump on Viney...a prodigious talent all the skills to have been anything.... I hope he's doing well...

 

[Dr Tigris]

Based on your posts, nothing I can say to you will change your opinion on him being delisted.
I and a few others disagree with you, and have seen him do things that give me confidence he’s not a lost cause.
We are allowed to disagree.

Amen brother.

 

[partycorolla]

our list managers gave Ryan 3 years.
Sonsie ? no contract renewal. no trade. ~ won't be given mid minutes. not good as a half forward. Great at VFL level.

Dow ~ no new contract either. no trade.

should delist both.

we lost a few off the rookie list ~ I'd rather Dow re rookied.
.
Sonsie is great at Hawk ball ~ let them rookie him.~ his haircut wouldn't get him a look in at glenferrie

Dow has been on the list at least 2 years longer than Sonsie and is coming off a serious injury. Maybe he'll all of sudden make it in his 7th year, but I'd like the chances better of a younger more versatile player. They may well both be delisted but probably at the end of 2026, not 2025 - have to make 3 changes each year and soon we'll only have kids.