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

[tigerfan1961]

Yeah both have shown some ability, but nothing special so far.

Dow has been played in position, until he became a wing . Dow is playing against the other mids we have, and sits behind them. It's likely that he will be overtaken. he is AFL quality, but at best B grade. Should get a gig at a club that needs mid depth.

Sonsie played mid in the VFL and crushed it, nothing like that in the AFL. He ended up doing a lot of work like wrestling off the ball at stoppages (presumably to stop the oppo structures) and playing as an outside runner. He's OK physically, but I would never call him imposing, so why do grunt wrestling? And he didn't seem to naturally have the outside attacking take the game on style, which didn't suit the role he played in the AFL. I'm not sure if that means Sonsie is just a limited footballer, who is only good at one role, and they don't reckon he can play that at AFL, or something else. Anyway, Sonsie really needs to either play mid, or improve his outside work. He obviously has the physical ability and skill to do that outside role, but I doubt his mentality for it (from what I saw in 2025). It would be great to hear what the club genuinely thinks. Cause it seems strange how he is played.

Sonz was an outstanding onballer as a junior. A clearance specialist in his role but we don’t play him there at AFL level!! No way I’d be trading or delisting him at this stage, he’s still only 22 years old.

 

[tropicaltiger]

Sonz reminds me of two players alex Neale-Bullen from Adelaide and Luke Bruest from Hawthorn
go way back on big footy when they were both 22, and you will probably find/read that they were not rated at all by their original clubs and very replaceable, a bit soft, even whipping boys.... worked out well for both of them as they both had fine careers, flags and are held in high regards by their clubs and their fans. go the sonz i have faith.

 

[Dr Tigris]

Sonz was an outstanding onballer as a junior. A clearance specialist in his role but we don’t play him there at AFL level!! No way I’d be trading or delisting him at this stage, he’s still only 22 years old.

yeah I agree.

Actually I found how he played this year strange. He did a lot of grunt work, and played outside, usually stopping and propping when he got the ball then kicking it. So he played a sort of muscly grunt role + outside running player. And to me he ain't either. Well those are not the roles I'd want him playing. Maybe its part of some development plan. Or maybe he is just not that good to the experts inside the club. I'm confused.

 

[PeteTiger69minus4]

Yeah both have shown some ability, but nothing special so far.

Dow has been played in position, until he became a wing . Dow is playing against the other mids we have, and sits behind them. It's likely that he will be overtaken. he is AFL quality, but at best B grade. Should get a gig at a club that needs mid depth.

Sonsie played mid in the VFL and crushed it, nothing like that in the AFL. He ended up doing a lot of work like wrestling off the ball at stoppages (presumably to stop the oppo structures) and playing as an outside runner. He's OK physically, but I would never call him imposing, so why do grunt wrestling? And he didn't seem to naturally have the outside attacking take the game on style, which didn't suit the role he played in the AFL. I'm not sure if that means Sonsie is just a limited footballer, who is only good at one role, and they don't reckon he can play that at AFL, or something else. Anyway, Sonsie really needs to either play mid, or improve his outside work. He obviously has the physical ability and skill to do that outside role, but I doubt his mentality for it (from what I saw in 2025). It would be great to hear what the club genuinely thinks. Cause it seems strange how he is played.

his signature move is the "look, no hands" handball. often over his head. hoping someone will be there

like Shane Edwards, without the perception, and the toughness

Genuinely looks like a schoolyard/training ground drill.

half trick miniature pony stuff

 

[Dr Tigris]

his signature move is the "look, no hands" handball. often over his head. hoping someone will be there

like Shane Edwards, without the perception, and the toughness

Genuinely looks like a schoolyard/training ground drill.

half trick miniature pony stuff

Agree to disagree.

But he is a whipping boy.

 

[PeteTiger69minus4]

Agree to disagree.

But he is a whipping boy.

when i see him frantically get rid of the ball as soon as he gets it, no matter the context and the options - yes, i want to whip him. Take a tackle, take a tackle on, take a bit of time and advantage the next player, even if it means contact for you

 

[PeteTiger69minus4]

Agree to disagree.

But he is a whipping boy.

by the way, I was THERE. on the 50. at Giants. when IT happened. everyone there, then on the train home afterwards, they - we - everyone said it. "we can't pick Sonsie again". We did. He's had a fair bit of internal support.

 

[tigerfan1961]

his signature move is the "look, no hands" handball. often over his head. hoping someone will be there

like Shane Edwards, without the perception, and the toughness

Genuinely looks like a schoolyard/training ground drill.

half trick miniature pony stuff

I watched Shane’s entire career and he made so many mistakes until he finally matured, developed a body that could both take and deliver hits to the opposition players. Took a while, but he certainly came good!!
Did you see any of Sonsie’s career as a junior, any at all? He was very very good in and around the centre bounce clearances and was a very good user of the football when he got it. Evasive too and chose good options.
I’m not sure why it’s not translated to senior AFL level yet but he’s got it in him I think. We don’t play him in that area of the ground for whatever reason at senior level, but when he plays in that role at VFL level, he delivers
Yze talks highly of him at times and hopefully has belief he can become a starting player for us. Up to the coaches to get the best out of him, I’m sure they’re giving him feedback on what they want him to become. He’s a better prospect than Dow imo, but we will see in time which one is, or if they are both, re contracted.

 

[Dr Tigris]

I watched Shane’s entire career and he made so many mistakes until he finally matured, developed a body that could both take and deliver hits to the opposition players. Took a while, but he certainly came good!!
Did you see any of Sonsie’s career as a junior, any at all? He was very very good in and around the centre bounce clearances and was a very good user of the football when he got it. Evasive too and chose good options.
I’m not sure why it’s not translated to senior AFL level yet but he’s got it in him I think. We don’t play him in that area of the ground for whatever reason at senior level, but when he plays in that role at VFL level, he delivers
Yze talks highly of him at times and hopefully has belief he can become a starting player for us. Up to the coaches to get the best out of him, I’m sure they’re giving him feedback on what they want him to become. He’s a better prospect that Dow imo, but we will see in time which is, or if they are both, re contracted.

One thing I have noticed that is like Shedda is that he sometimes does things too quickly for the team mates. He'll get the ball and dispose of it and out other guys just isn't ready to receive the ball that fast. Shedda learnt how to manage that over time. If Sonsie can ever get to anywhere near Sheds level then we have a good one.

But ... we'll see.

 

[PeteTiger69minus4]

I watched Shane’s entire career and he made so many mistakes until he finally matured, developed a body that could both take and deliver hits to the opposition players. Took a while, but he certainly came good!!
Did you see any of Sonsie’s career as a junior, any at all? He was very very good in and around the centre bounce clearances and was a very good user of the football when he got it. Evasive too and chose good options.
I’m not sure why it’s not translated to senior AFL level yet but he’s got it in him I think. We don’t play him in that area of the ground for whatever reason at senior level, but when he plays in that role at VFL level, he delivers
Yze talks highly of him at times and hopefully has belief he can become a starting player for us. Up to the coaches to get the best out of him, I’m sure they’re giving him feedback on what they want him to become. He’s a better prospect than Dow imo, but we will see in time which one is, or if they are both, re contracted.

no.

maybe he's just a VFL level guy. it happens. he was pick 28, not pick 8

 

[partycorolla]

I'm impressed that Sonsie has generated 157 pages of discussion... I don't really see him making it as a winger and while we have the second lowest clearance and centre clearance team i the comp and refuse to put anyone other than TT, Hopper, Dion and Ross in there for the most part, then it's going to be tough for him to play in his most comfortable role. With Smilie, Lalor, Hotton, Kmac2 and a new draftee or two potentially all aiming for rotations through the middle, he might have to learn to make it as a high half forward or not at all...

 

[baazzaa]

maybe he's just a VFL level guy. it happens. he was pick 28, not pick 8

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.

 

[tropicaltiger]

I'm impressed that Sonsie has generated 157 pages of discussion... I don't really see him making it as a winger and while we have the second lowest clearance and centre clearance team i the comp and refuse to put anyone other than TT, Hopper, Dion and Ross in there for the most part, then it's going to be tough for him to play in his most comfortable role. With Smilie, Lalor, Hotton, Kmac2 and a new draftee or two potentially all aiming for rotations through the middle, he might have to learn to make it as a high half forward or not at all...

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

 

[sregit]

Sonz reminds me of two players alex Neale-Bullen from Adelaide and Luke Bruest from Hawthorn
go way back on big footy when they were both 22, and you will probably find/read that they were not rated at all by their original clubs and very replaceable, a bit soft, even whipping boys.... worked out well for both of them as they both had fine careers, flags and are held in high regards by their clubs and their fans. go the sonz i have faith.

I’m convinced of the Sonz’s ability, he has none.
I can not understand why people want to keep these f**king list cloggers!

 

[Grin]

I’m convinced of the Sonz’s ability, he has none.
I can not understand why people want to keep these f**king list cloggers!

Like your wife with you, maybe our list managers see something in him some others can't.

 

[Yze does it]

Like your wife with you, maybe our list managers see something in him some others can't.

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

 

[peternorth]

Happy to keep him if it meant he captains and wins the vfl b and f

 

[Grin]

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.

I just can't see why we'd delist a player like Sonzie in a year we're only adding 3 to our senior list. Next year's when we're we're going to need some room on our list.

 

[_RT_]

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.

 

[Forensi Tiger]

no.

maybe he's just a VFL level guy. it happens. he was pick 28, not pick 8

Sheds was pick 26

 

[Yze does it]

I just can't see why we'd delist a player like Sonzie in a year we're only adding 3 to our senior list. Next year's when we're we're going to need some room on our list.

why so late with a new contract?
Dow was late to be resigned last time.


our 4 rookies can be elevated to fill list spots too.


Campbell is the rookie deserving elevation.

 

[wegetpumped]

Like your wife with you, maybe our list managers see something in him some others can't.

WTf the thought that went into that sentence I'm suprised your wife is still with you hehe

 

[Grin]

WTf the thought that went into that sentence I'm suprised your wife is still with you hehe

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

 

[Yze does it]

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.

quantum improvement when a player hits 50 games? .. Dow and Sonz both 50 game mark next year.

or list cloggers?

Dow kicked OK at times on the wing.

Sonsie has done nothing better than his pure mid time games year 1.


neither have muscled up. look like RCD bodies maturing at 25.


Sonz ain't great at half forward doesn't run or tackle like JG don't kick goals like Lambert.

& Alger, Hotton, Lalor knocking on the door.

 

[crackertiger]

Dow was our best Midfielder in quite a few games last year. Which is a worry for our level.. However, in my view, he still deserves a rookie spot. Sonsie must have received some feedback that got him motivated finally towards the end of the season. Prior to that he was just spectating at senior level. He did finish the year very well. I am really surprised Smith was signed to the main list ahead of both of those boys. To me Smith has not done enough to stay in the system and is very lucky. Even lucky to get a rookie spot. Time will tell I guess.. Sonsie was much better then Scott at VFL level, yet many are hoping we do draft Scott.