Toast Bring on 2026!

[jmac70]

Disappointing end to a season that promised so much.

I believe our list is still in contention, and with a few tweaks, we will be back in the grand final next year.

Being on 2026!

 

[Kes1984]

Struggling to feel optimistic right now. Especially not knowing who we might be losing, like Elliott.

See how we go in the trade period. We also have Thomas McGuane coming.

I want more games into Wil Parker, Roan Steele, Ed Allan, Harvey Harrison, Charlie West, Tew Jiaff, Will Hayes etc
Also Reef McGuinnes who might need to get games ahead of Howe.

Far from play the kids, but more let’s not fall off a cliff by relying too heavily on 30+ year olds and give the kids a chance.

 

[Horaceg]

Disappointing end to a season that promised so much.

I believe our list is still in contention, and with a few tweaks, we will be back in the grand final next year.

Being on 2026!

Yeah, that’s done another year to look forward to.

Might just spend a little time morning the year that was.

 

[pie chucker]

I love your optimistic call but I'm not as bullish next year. All teams that lose a PF need to improve to take the next step. In 2009 I was bullish, because THomas, pendles, sidey, etc were still young and improvement came thought them and Jolly and Ball.

When we lost in 22 we seriously added talent to our list but additionally players like Daicos, Q, Mcreery improved.

I can't see where that improvement is going to come from. Checkers, Elliot, Howe, Pendles, Crisp, cox, Sidey can't keep improving. Actually they could go backwards and thats a pretty group.

I hate to be negative, but I fear that it is time for at least a mini rebuild. We'll start losing the younger players if we don't play them consistently. Or we just won't see their potential growth. Anyway bring on 2026 and hopefully I'm proven wrong.

 

[Leigh aka Frogs]

Disappointing end to a season that promised so much.

I believe our list is still in contention, and with a few tweaks, we will be back in the grand final next year.

Being on 2026!

Great thread mate - love it

 

[Leigh aka Frogs]

I love your optimistic call but I'm not as bullish next year. All teams that lose a PF need to improve to take the next step. In 2009 I was bullish, because THomas, pendles, sidey, etc were still young and improvement came thought them and Jolly and Ball.

When we lost in 22 we seriously added talent to our list but additionally players like Daicos, Q, Mcreery improved.

I can't see where that improvement is going to come from. Checkers, Elliot, Howe, Pendles, Crisp, cox, Sidey can't keep improving. Actually they could go backwards and thats a pretty group.

I hate to be negative, but I fear that it is time for at least a mini rebuild. We'll start losing the younger players if we don't play them consistently. Or we just won't see their potential growth. Anyway bring on 2026 and hopefully I'm proven wrong.

On balance I probably agree with you. The question for me is whether or not we have any plans for trades etc to position us well in this draft and the next?

We can expect drafts to become somewhat compromised in the out years as Tassie enters, which may make taking hard decisions now for the betterment of the longer term

 

[WakeUpPies]

We recruited Hill, McStay, Mitchell and Billy who all helped us get the 2023 flag. In that off-season no one saw it coming when we landed Schultz. Last off-season no one saw it coming when we landed Houston. We can’t draft for shit but this year we’ll get some no-brainer kids who look good. We won’t be sitting still and as long as we have Nick Daicos we’re a chance.

 

[Buckley is my hero]

If we continue to recruit has beens like 34yo Steven May

1

Steven May

Age

33

Ht

193cm

Wt

101kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.7

4star

K

10.5

4star

HB

4.2

3star

M

5.1

5star

T

1.5

3star

MG

307.3

4star

D

15.5

4star

K

12.1

5star

HB

3.4

2star

M

3.4

3star

T

0.5

1star

MG

378.4

5star

D

12.4

4star

K

8.8

4star

HB

3.6

3star

M

3.2

4star

T

1.8

4star

, or a 30yo Charlie Curnow

30

Charlie Curnow

Age

28

Ht

194cm

Wt

94kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.3

3star

K

9.7

4star

HB

3.6

3star

M

5.3

5star

T

2.2

4star

G

1.3

5star

No current season stats available

D

10.8

3star

K

6.4

3star

HB

4.4

4star

M

3.2

4star

T

1.6

4star

G

0.8

4star

, who’s contracted, and will require giving up another upteen draft picks, this club is cooked, not only for 2026, but for next 5-6 seasons as well. I said at the time, both Shultz and Houston were mistakes, the result of overrating our 2023 list which netted a premiership. We should have gone for youth, just like Geelong and Brisbane did. Hawthorn has passed us as well. At the moment we are the fourth best team in the competition and it’s not going to get any better until we start giving games to Steele, Parker, West, TJ, Allan and some of the other younger players on our list.

 

[ThePheonix]

We’ve done so well getting this far, and we are doing so much right. Except, and many have already mentioned, our recruiting of young future players has been below average.

If we can fix this issue then we’ll be back winning a record breaking 17th premiership.

 

[gouki88]

If we continue to recruit has beens like 34yo Steven May, or a 30yo Charlie Curnow, who’s contracted, and will require giving up another upteen draft picks, this club is cooked, not only for 2026, but for next 5-6 seasons as well. I said at the time, both Shultz and Houston were mistakes, the result of overrating our 2023 list which netted a premiership. We should have gone for youth, just like Geelong and Brisbane did. Hawthorn has passed us as well. At the moment we are the fourth best team in the competition and it’s not going to get any better until we start giving games to Steele, Parker, West, TJ, Allan and some of the other younger players on our list.

Schultz & Houston cost barely anything. Boring & misguided dead horse

 

[Buckley is my hero]

Schultz & Houston cost barely anything. Boring & misguided dead horse

Are you serious? They cost us valuable drafts which represents the future of the club, but by all means, keep sticking your head in the sand.

 

[BEEG]

Older players are becoming selfish.

This can't be the case in 2026!

 

[gouki88]

Are you serious? They cost us valuable drafts which represents the future of the club, but by all means, keep sticking your head in the sand.

That “valuable” pick we gave up for Houston would be in the 20s. In this draft that is pretty slim.

Schultz was pick 14 - maybe we get Murphy Reid, but the odds are we pick someone who would be significantly worse than Schultz.

Houston & Schultz are as likely to play as many games, if not more, for us as the picks we gave up.

 

[wcv1475]

2026 Will be interesting, Hawthorn and GC will be on the rise with much younger lists, I really hope we don't go out and recruit May at 34yrs old, I hope we try and bring in some young talent or maybe try move up in the draft order.

 

[Chunky Steak]

It's going to be a fascinating 24 months for our club and I'm looking forward to it.

We have highly astute people running the club that have brought us prelims and a flag since our 17th finish in 2021.

I'd be surprised if we contend again next year and there may need to be a couple of steps backward in order to climb to the top again but that's footy.

Floreat Pica!

 

[WakeUpPies]

Are you serious? They cost us valuable drafts which represents the future of the club, but by all means, keep sticking your head in the sand.

That “valuable” pick we gave up for Houston would be in the 20s. In this draft that is pretty slim.

Schultz was pick 14 - maybe we get Murphy Reid, but the odds are we pick someone who would be significantly worse than Schultz.

Houston & Schultz are as likely to play as many games, if not more, for us as the picks we gave up.

We are absolutely shithouse at drafting early too. When was the last time we drafted a long-term contributor with our first pick that’s not a F/S or academy? Jordan Degoey in 2013?

 

[gouki88]

We are absolutely shithouse at drafting early too. When was the last time we drafted a long-term contributor with our first pick that’s not a F/S or academy? Jordan Degoey in 2013?

Last decade has been rough. Keen to see O’Bree in the role now

 

[Vicky Park]

Can’t help myself, I’m already over wallowing in the misery of yesterday.

Now I’m looking forward to the Brownlow tomorrow night, the Grand Final on Saturday, the draft in November, the rookie draft in November, and whatever it is that happens in the pre-season when we sometimes bring in other players (like Parker), and then onto 2026.

I love footy and I love the Pies.

 

[Pie 4 Life]

I always try and be a little optimistic, but at the same time the edge of the cliff is coming for us be it next year or the year after. Unfortunately leaving that balance of the scale a little too late, meaning now any players with major trade value we will never look to trade, or those who leave (such as Jamie/Brody) are free agents so only get what we get.

Barring looking at last night, our older players (Pendles, Sidey and Howe - albeit injuries in the second half for the latter) have all deserved another year. Even Cox who a month ago was a monty to be delisted, has shown worth to get a one-year deal, especially if Brody leaves.

What we know: Johnson, Macrae, Markov, WHE and Mitchell will all go. Assumingly Dean as well, Sullivan I feel will be dependent on what happens with Jamie just for cover. Coxy is the same but re: Mihocek.

My gut feel is if Melbourne offer Mihocek a three-year deal as reported, that's too hard for him to pass up, and there's no way we can match it. Two years I would absolutely be fine with as he's earned it, regardless of how he finished the year. Three years is a bridge too far.

Next year I'd play Pendles as a half-back and Sidebottom as a forward, move McCreery into the middle, and that way we have the Daicos' and McCreery/JDG at centre bounces. All of a sudden there's serious potency. Long is fine and he's had big games, but he's more suited if we really need to have that defensive presence there. If we think we'll get hurt defensively, he can slot in.

Up forward, McStay and Membrey are fine for now, bring in Zac McCarthy as the long-term option and we'll see what happens with Howes, and of course Charlie West who can essentially replace Mihocek if he goes. I'd be looking to give him as many games as possible next season (providing he's not looking out of his depth).

Down back we're not that bad, we've got Quaynor, Maynard, Houston - who granted can play on a wing and I think like Schulz will be better in his second year - with Moore and Frampton the keys, obviously Howe for another year. JRyan needs to crack through and Wil Parker has shown promising signs.

If we can bring through a backline of Parker, Ryan, Quaynor, Maynard around a couple of talls then we can begin to regenerate on the fly.

Rucks wise is still a big question mark. Steene and Smit have shown signs, but one of them really needs to be that guy to see if they can be a second ruck next year and support Cameron. I think Steene could be that forward/ruck more likely at least if he and Cameron play in the same team one can defend (Cameron) and one can drift forward.

2026 is going to be a tricky one to judge. On paper I think the quality is still too good to fall right off. The question is whether or not we're good enough for another crack, whether we can get the double-chance again, make up the numbers, or in what I think is a worst case scenario, just miss finals.

I do feel we need a couple of extra pieces to fall into place, but we've got some young kids, just have to throw them in the deep end. I'd love to do what Richmond has done and grab a heap of top-end picks, but would be better in next year's draft. Then just concede we'll be down for a while but it's the hope and promise that we can get excited by.

There's a lot going on inside my head and I'm sure everyone is the same. Right now it hurts, we're flat, and if Jamie leaves it will devastate me as he's damn near been my favourite player for a long time, but life goes on. I remember the late 90s/first couple of years of the Malthouse era and that was GRIM but we turned it around. We'll do it again, we're a big club and can attract players, it's just a case of when, not if.

 

[stormskye]

I’m trying to objectively look at next season and where our improvement comes from against the likely flag threats

1.Bris will get back talent from the sidelines, top academy pick again (changes are needed) , and if they can get Allens body right will go up a notch again.
2. Geel. Will depend who they add, can’t see them dropping off. Their weakness is still they are reliant on danger to an extent
3. Hawks. Hawks will get their best player back in Day, possibly add Merrett. That strengthens their one weakness. Then pre seasons for dear/lewis will help. Still heavily reliant on Gunston however.
4. Freo. Young list will improve naturally.
5. Adel will need to target mid to get better. I think they overachieved a bit off a weak fixture.
6. Doggies need defensive tweaks. Have the talent. Add Weightman back. Need a defender.
7. GWS: similar boat to us for mine. Thankfully we got a flag
8.Gold Coast: young talent will improve. Adding another 3 top 10 players by all reports.

Then that leaves us. Can we improve? Because we will need to. Where does it come from? A fit Bobby if he stays. Must retain Elliot. Refreshing of our KPF. We def need some midfield changes/rotations.

 

[Buckley is my hero]

We are absolutely shithouse at drafting early too. When was the last time we drafted a long-term contributor with our first pick that’s not a F/S or academy? Jordan Degoey in 2013?

We sacked Derek Hine. Already in the last 12 months we are finally recruiting key position players rather than the half back flankers Derek preferred. So things are finally looking up towards a brighter future regarding drafting younger talent. However, if we look at recruiting players like Steven May instead of promoting the younger talent we have, the club has lost its marbles.

 

[Ugene41]

I love your optimistic call but I'm not as bullish next year. All teams that lose a PF need to improve to take the next step. In 2009 I was bullish, because THomas, pendles, sidey, etc were still young and improvement came thought them and Jolly and Ball.

When we lost in 22 we seriously added talent to our list but additionally players like Daicos, Q, Mcreery improved.

I can't see where that improvement is going to come from. Checkers, Elliot, Howe, Pendles, Crisp, cox, Sidey can't keep improving. Actually they could go backwards and thats a pretty group.

I hate to be negative, but I fear that it is time for at least a mini rebuild. We'll start losing the younger players if we don't play them consistently. Or we just won't see their potential growth. Anyway bring on 2026 and hopefully I'm proven wrong.

The Daicos brothers, IQ, McCreery still have some years to go before they hit their prime.

Plus continued improvement from Schultz, Houston, Perryman who have all shown higher ceilings at their previous clubs.

Plus Bobby back and JDG fully fit.

Plus whatever key recruits we can get in to play a role in this year's trade period.

 

[timokane]

Well thats 2025 done and dusted.
All over.
2026 need for list renewal.
A season of generational change.
2025 older types were playing in a way selfish and only concerned on their place in the team.
Time to give the kids a go finally.
List renewal and rebalance.
We go again.

 

[anshell]

We are absolutely shithouse at drafting early too. When was the last time we drafted a long-term contributor with our first pick that’s not a F/S or academy? Jordan Degoey in 2013?

I think that will change with Hine no longer head of recruiting,or at least you would hope so.

 

[timokane]

Here is my list of players that wont be there in 2026:

Mitchell
WHE
Cox
Membrey
Checkers
Marcov
Lipsinki

The only player that are old that we should see go around again are:

Pendles
Side
Howe

Tossing up about Elliott as well.

Kind of need to flush out the list.

Bring back some young x factor now.

Last 2 years has been rinse and repeat.

Need x factor now.