List Mgmt. Contracts/Trade/Draft Thread - 2025 Edition Vol 2

[Keys]

Quick links

• Player contract status
• Draft prospect video highlights (thanks to noobermensch)

Harley Reid extends to 2028

Spoiler

List Changes - 2025

Spoiler

• Oscar Allen advises intention to explore Free Agency
• Jayden Hunt announces retirement
• Jack Petruccelle
  21

  Jack Petruccelle

  Age

  26

  Ht

  188cm

  Wt

  83kg

  Pos.

  Fwd

  Career

  Season

  Last 5

  D

  9.2

  2star

  K

  6.2

  2star

  HB

  3.0

  3star

  M

  3.0

  3star

  T

  1.8

  4star

  G

  1.0

  4star

  D

  6.7

  1star

  K

  4.0

  1star

  HB

  2.7

  2star

  M

  1.7

  2star

  T

  1.3

  2star

  G

  0.7

  4star

  D

  7.8

  2star

  K

  4.6

  2star

  HB

  3.2

  3star

  M

  2.8

  3star

  T

  1.6

  4star

  G

  0.6

  3star

  , Callum Jamieson and Loch Rawlinson not offered new contracts
• Liam Ryan has requested a trade to St Kilda but is contracted for 2026
• Campbell Chesser (uncontracted) has requested a trade to Carlton
• List would be 37 (31 main, 4 rookie, 2 Cat B)

Players out of Contract 2025 (5)

Spoiler

• Oscar Allen (19/3/99) - Signed a 3 year extension (2023-25) on an existing contract due to expire 2022 in May 2021
• Campbell Chesser (27/4/03) - Signed a 2 year extension (2024-25) on an existing contract due to expire 2023 in May 2022
• Jamie Cripps (23/4/92) - Signed a 2 year extension (2024-25) in August 2023
• (R-B) Coen Livingstone (25/5/05) - Signed a 1 year extension (2025) in September 2024
• (R-B) Malakai Champion (17/5/06) - Automatic 1 year contract (2025) when added as a Cat B Rookie in November 2024

Provisional 2025 Draft order

Spoiler

Key Offseason Dates

Spoiler

Fri Oct 3 - Fri Oct 10: 2025 Free Agency Period
Mon Oct 6 - Wed Oct 15: 2025 AFL Trade Period
Wed Nov 19 - Thu Nov 20: 2025 AFL Draft

 

[Ruben Grubarb]

Yeah I get that but I’m not worried about stats necessarily. The eye test just doesn’t sit right with me. I wouldn’t say he has any elite athletic traits nor does he have elite hands or vision.

I get it. You don't like his haircut.

 

[Bighitwaters]

Some talk of James Rowbottom to the Suns who I presume would take the spot of Alex Davies. I’d be calling his manager again if that is the case.

I think we should also keep an eye on Will Graham. He’s only 20, a big-bodied inside mid. I know he had an injury this year and some family tragedy to deal with, but last season he put up some solid VFL numbers and did okay at AFL level for a first-year player. With the Suns’ upcoming academy talent coming through, he might get pushed further down the pecking order.

Gold Coast’s bio highlights his athleticism and out of contract next year:

“His speed and power shone through at the national Draft Combine where he was ranked second in the 20m sprint (2.92 seconds) and standing vertical jump (78cm), as well as third in the running vertical jump (95cm), confirming his elite athletic profile. Graham is contracted until the end of 2026.”

 

[eaglevision]

I think we should also keep an eye on Will Graham. He’s only 20, a big-bodied inside mid. I know he had an injury this year and some family tragedy to deal with, but last season he put up some solid VFL numbers and did okay at AFL level for a first-year player. With the Suns’ upcoming academy talent coming through, he might get pushed further down the pecking order.

Gold Coast’s bio highlights his athleticism and out of contract next year:

“His speed and power shone through at the national Draft Combine where he was ranked second in the 20m sprint (2.92 seconds) and standing vertical jump (78cm), as well as third in the running vertical jump (95cm), confirming his elite athletic profile. Graham is contracted until the end of 2026.”

Would love to get him. Absolute gun but very highly regarded at GCS, obviously a local boy and is best 22 when fit. GCS would demand the world for him and can’t see him wanting to leave on the cusp of a window playing with his mates he’s coming through the juniors alongside.

 

[Lia]

I hope Starcevich doesn’t read this as nit sure he would like to be drafted to a club the fans dislike him so much.

Beyond the concussion concerns I do not get the hate for this move at all. Maybe the deal is slightly excessive but this is the price you pay for being a shit club.

 

[ThePuma #9]

Far out! So many sooks on here regarding Starcevich.

He’s a quality, best 22 player who potentially wants to come to us. Yes, his concussion history carry’s risk but let’s look at the facts for a second.

1. The reported contract is between 4-6 years but no one knows for certain.

2. The reported amount is between 750-900k a season but no one knows for certain.

3. There was no concussion yesterday and despite the conspiracy theories a doctor is not going to put his medical license at risk for the benefit of a draft pick for the Lions.

4. Clearly the Eagles will conduct a medical before trading for him and I’m also certain we are well aware of his history and will be mindful of it.

5. We have so much cap to spend and not enough players to front end contracts for. We can afford to go after Starcevich, front load his contract AND if he does have to medically retire early due to the AFL protocols then his contract will have a large portion of it paid outside the cap for 3 years once retired. It’s not as big a risk as some are proposing.

6. Simmo said players want to play with Harley but winning one game has hurt that. You know how we can turn it around? BY WINNING. Starcevich moves the needle and we need to keep moving the needle. The more we do, the more players we’ll attract. It’s not that hard to work it out guys.

7. We complain about Duggan and Cole all year being sub standard defenders so it’s amusing when we talk about bringing in another defender who is clearly a step above them and yet we complain more?
Tell me how do you think Duggan and Cole would have gone on Danger?

8. Starcevich has a skill set that may translate well to other positions. He’s fast, a good kick and hard as nails. People seem to think because Brisbane didn’t play him elsewhere he’s not capable but they have a stacked team. They didn’t need to play him elsewhere. They needed a tough as nails lockdown defender and he delivered for them.

9. We have no idea what we will trade for him, we don’t know if it will be part of a larger package with more players, we don’t know if we will have a pick from the AFL that we must trade, right now we know bugger all.




What I do know for certain is he was brilliant yesterday, would improve our side, didn’t have a concussion, was put in cotton wool yesterday once the result was sewn up and we have zero clue how much the contract is for, how long it is for and what we’d need to trade to secure him.

All I’m focusing on right now is hoping he says he will come. We can work out the rest after that.

 

[Deplorable trumpster]

Was confirmed by the AFL on the footy show this morning. Barrett confirmed he had the tests and was cleared to return to the field but was not required.

I don't believe what Barrett is saying. Sounds like a load of absolute horseshit to me. The game was definately still in the balance when Starcevich went off and he had been doing a very important job for them to a very high standard. No way they just chose not to put him back on the field. You don't cotton wool people half way through a GF for no reason. Cameron played on with a broken arm.

And it's not because i hate Starcevich. I would love to have a fit healthy Starcevich. Way massive upgrade on Duggan and Cole. Even if we have to pay him a bit more than he's worth to come, i can live with that. But the concussion stuff is a massive worry. No medical exam is going to resolve or quantify the problem for us one iota. It's a huge risk. And Brisbane are lying if they are saying they cotton wooled him for no reason.

 

[Jootube]

Far out! So many sooks on here regarding Starcevich.

He’s a quality, best 22 player who potentially wants to come to us. Yes, his concussion history carry’s risk but let’s look at the facts for a second.

1. The reported contract is between 4-6 years but no one knows for certain.

2. The reported amount is between 750-900k a season but no one knows for certain.

3. There was no concussion yesterday and despite the conspiracy theories a doctor is not going to put his medical license at risk for the benefit of a draft pick for the Lions.

4. Clearly the Eagles will conduct a medical before trading for him and I’m also certain we are well aware of his history and will be mindful of it.

5. We have so much cap to spend and not enough players to front end contracts for. We can afford to go after Starcevich, front load his contract AND if he does have to medically retire early due to the AFL protocols then his contract will have a large portion of it paid outside the cap for 3 years once retired. It’s not as big a risk as some are proposing.

6. Simmo said players want to play with Harley but winning one game has hurt that. You know how we can turn it around? BY WINNING. Starcevich moves the needle and we need to keep moving the needle. The more we do, the more players we’ll attract. It’s not that hard to work it out guys.

7. We complain about Duggan and Cole all year being sub standard defenders so it’s amusing when we talk about bringing in another defender who is clearly a step above them and yet we complain more?
Tell me how do you think Duggan and Cole would have gone on Danger?

8. Starcevich has a skill set that may translate well to other positions. He’s fast, a good kick and hard as nails. People seem to think because Brisbane didn’t play him elsewhere he’s not capable but they have a stacked team. They didn’t need to play him elsewhere. They needed a tough as nails lockdown defender and he delivered for them.

9. We have no idea what we will trade for him, we don’t know if it will be part of a larger package with more players, we don’t know if we will have a pick from the AFL that we must trade, right now we know bugger all.




What I do know for certain is he was brilliant yesterday, would improve our side, didn’t have a concussion, was put in cotton wool yesterday once the result was sewn up and we have zero clue how much the contract is for, how long it is for and what we’d need to trade to secure him.

All I’m focusing on right now is hoping he says he will come. We can work out the rest after that.

This is a really great post and I can't really argue with any individual points.

However, getting Starcevich at the reported figure (900k) at the reported term (6 years) is an extremely high cost for a very risky player.

I don't mind taking risks with low costs, or paying up for low-risk blue chip assets - but in this case we're doing the worst of both.

 

[Keys]

I don't believe what Barrett is saying. Sounds like a load of absolute horseshit to me. The game was definately still in the balance when Starcevich went off and he had been doing a very important job for them to a very high standard. No way they just chose not to put him back on the field. You don't cotton wool people half way through a GF for no reason. Cameron played on with a broken arm.

You’re right in saying the game was still in the balance when Starcevich went off but they also did actually do an assessment which usually takes about 20 minutes.

By the time it would have been completed the game was done after that blitz to start the last quarter. No need for him to come back on by that stage

I’m not saying he was or wasn’t concussed because I wouldn’t know but it is plausible he did pass but they decided not to put him back on

 

[leighmo]

This kind of system is what the AFL should ask all list managers to do anonymously, to get an idea on the average ranking for all of the NGA and FS. This would then take out the need for clubs to bid. Have it down prior to trade period so that for example gold coast know they need the points for pick 2. We don't have to bid on them, and it stop teams making nudge nudge wink wink deals to not bid on them.

Wouldn’t that only benefit those clubs further? If Brisbane demand some ridiculous pick for Starcevich, WC can tell them to get f***ed and that we’ll pick Annable at 1. This gives us leverage over a club that has draft concessions that we don’t, despite them being premiers and us being spooners.

 

[greatwhiteshark]

I don't believe what Barrett is saying. Sounds like a load of absolute horseshit to me. The game was definately still in the balance when Starcevich went off and he had been doing a very important job for them to a very high standard. No way they just chose not to put him back on the field. You don't cotton wool people half way through a GF for no reason. Cameron played on with a broken arm.

And it's not because i hate Starcevich. I would love to have a fit healthy Starcevich. Way massive upgrade on Duggan and Cole. Even if we have to pay him a bit more than he's worth to come, i can live with that. But the concussion stuff is a massive worry. No medical exam is going to resolve or quantify the problem for us one iota. It's a huge risk. And Brisbane are lying if they are saying they cotton wooled him for no reason.

So maybe we sit and wait to see if club does its homework which I suggest it will.

 

[ThePuma #9]

You’re right in saying the game was still in the balance when Starcevich went off but they also did actually do an assessment which usually takes about 20 minutes.

By the time it would have been completed the game was done after that blitz to start the last quarter. No need for him to come back on by that stage

I’m not saying he was or wasn’t concussed because I wouldn’t know but it is plausible he did pass but they decided not to put him back on

Spot on.

The collision happened with a little over 6 minutes left in the 3rd quarter. At this point the Lions were leading by 1 behind. He’s jogged off the ground with ease and sat on the bench for a few minutes. Didn’t look like he had a care in the world, certainly didn’t look like someone whose career was in the balance because he’d just been concussed.

The Lions decided at this point to err on the side of caution and asked him to go down to the rooms for a test.

In the last 6 minutes of the quarter the Lions kicked out to a 19 point lead and by the time he returned to the bench it was past 31 points.

The game was done and dusted.

 

[ThePuma #9]

I don't believe what Barrett is saying. Sounds like a load of absolute horseshit to me. The game was definately still in the balance when Starcevich went off and he had been doing a very important job for them to a very high standard. No way they just chose not to put him back on the field. You don't cotton wool people half way through a GF for no reason. Cameron played on with a broken arm.

And it's not because i hate Starcevich. I would love to have a fit healthy Starcevich. Way massive upgrade on Duggan and Cole. Even if we have to pay him a bit more than he's worth to come, i can live with that. But the concussion stuff is a massive worry. No medical exam is going to resolve or quantify the problem for us one iota. It's a huge risk. And Brisbane are lying if they are saying they cotton wooled him for no reason.

Wait. So you think the AFL who is so terrified of class action law suits and CTE they rub players out all year for the potential to cause injury but would then give the tick of approval to Starcevich being medically cleared this morning because why exactly?

By the time Starcevich came back to the bench the Lions were up over 30+ points.

 

[Deplorable trumpster]

You’re right in saying the game was still in the balance when Starcevich went off but they also did actually do an assessment which usually takes about 20 minutes.

By the time it would have been completed the game was done after that blitz to start the last quarter. No need for him to come back on by that stage

I’m not saying he was or wasn’t concussed because I wouldn’t know but it is plausible he did pass but they decided not to put him back on

I think Brisbane know he is going and are protecting their negotiating position at the trade table. They don't want to talk down the merchandise.

McGovern would have passed a club medical with flying colours at the beginning of this year and half a dozen games later his career is over from a routine head knock. And he had never had a 3 month period out of the game to recover from previous concussions. Nor had any really bad concussion incidents that i recall.

 

[Boohemian]

You know what would have been really compelling that Starcevich didn’t have a concussion?

If he came back onto the ground.

 

[ThePuma #9]

You know what would have been really compelling that Starcevich didn’t have a concussion?

If he came back onto the ground.

Sure, but they didn’t need to. They were up by 33 points 5 minutes into the last quarter.

I think that’s a crucial point here.

 

[rebel23]

What actually is the point to trade in such a risky player even though he's fairly good in a position that we have Ginbey Hough and potentially Yeo.

Dumb trade move... Shelve it and move on... Play hardball on Ryan and Chesser... Try and prize out some inside mids from other clubs instead

 

[VinegarStrokes]

Why would a healthy player sit almost the entire 4th qtr of the grand final on the bench? Surely he'd want to be back out on the ground if nothing was wrong. He was obviously not right or at risk of doing more damage otherwise he wouldve come back on. Probably the latter, which tells you his history is concerning enough to not offer $900k for 6 years. Would Brisbane be protecting his trade value in a gf, not likely.

 

[bzparkes]

Why would a healthy player sit almost the entire 4th qtr of the grand final on the bench? Surely he'd want to be back out on the ground if nothing was wrong. He was obviously not right or at risk of doing more damage otherwise he wouldve come back on. Probably the latter, which tells you his history is concerning enough to not offer $900k for 6 years. Would Brisbane be protecting his trade value in a gf, not likely.

Same reason we shelved OAllen late in the season and the same reason we did the same with Barrass last year.

They know he's gone, so no point risking it.

 

[ThePuma #9]

Why would a healthy player sit almost the entire 4th qtr of the grand final on the bench? Surely he'd want to be back out on the ground if nothing was wrong. He was obviously not right or at risk of doing more damage otherwise he wouldve come back on. Probably the latter, which tells you his history is concerning enough to not offer $900k for 6 years. Would Brisbane be protecting his trade value in a gf, not likely.

You’re making a lot of assumptions.

The AFL has ticked off on the incident and they would certainly not be doing that if they had even a modicum of concern or doubt.

The Lions were up by 33 points 5 minutes into the last and 39 points 2 minutes later.

They had no need to bring him back on by the time he returned to the bench. Just because they erred on the side of caution does not mean there are alarm bells.

He had a head knock and although he was not concussed is there any reason to put him back on? Could a second head knock in the same game not potentially have consequences where one did not?

There is such a thing as re-injury and as others have mentioned as well if they think he’s gone no point putting him back on and risking it.

 

[Slash136]

Far out! So many sooks on here regarding Starcevich.

He’s a quality, best 22 player who potentially wants to come to us. Yes, his concussion history carry’s risk but let’s look at the facts for a second.

1. The reported contract is between 4-6 years but no one knows for certain.

2. The reported amount is between 750-900k a season but no one knows for certain.

3. There was no concussion yesterday and despite the conspiracy theories a doctor is not going to put his medical license at risk for the benefit of a draft pick for the Lions.

4. Clearly the Eagles will conduct a medical before trading for him and I’m also certain we are well aware of his history and will be mindful of it.

5. We have so much cap to spend and not enough players to front end contracts for. We can afford to go after Starcevich, front load his contract AND if he does have to medically retire early due to the AFL protocols then his contract will have a large portion of it paid outside the cap for 3 years once retired. It’s not as big a risk as some are proposing.

6. Simmo said players want to play with Harley but winning one game has hurt that. You know how we can turn it around? BY WINNING. Starcevich moves the needle and we need to keep moving the needle. The more we do, the more players we’ll attract. It’s not that hard to work it out guys.

7. We complain about Duggan and Cole all year being sub standard defenders so it’s amusing when we talk about bringing in another defender who is clearly a step above them and yet we complain more?
Tell me how do you think Duggan and Cole would have gone on Danger?

8. Starcevich has a skill set that may translate well to other positions. He’s fast, a good kick and hard as nails. People seem to think because Brisbane didn’t play him elsewhere he’s not capable but they have a stacked team. They didn’t need to play him elsewhere. They needed a tough as nails lockdown defender and he delivered for them.

9. We have no idea what we will trade for him, we don’t know if it will be part of a larger package with more players, we don’t know if we will have a pick from the AFL that we must trade, right now we know bugger all.




What I do know for certain is he was brilliant yesterday, would improve our side, didn’t have a concussion, was put in cotton wool yesterday once the result was sewn up and we have zero clue how much the contract is for, how long it is for and what we’d need to trade to secure him.

All I’m focusing on right now is hoping he says he will come. We can work out the rest after that.

Happy to bring him over and pay the 900k, he is a quality player that fits the style we are after, but we cannot be offering more than two years due to the afl payout system for concussions.

He goes hard at the ball and the contest, but how long until another hit? The gov one is burned in my mind, seemingly incidental and finished his career.

We cannot be exposed to a 6 year deal on big money after Gov, Shep and Venables. Concussion is arguably the most concerning injury history a player can have these days.

 

[ThePuma #9]

Happy to bring him over and pay the 900k, he is a quality player that fits the style we are after, but we cannot be offering more than two years due to the afl payout system for concussions.

He goes hard at the ball and the contest, but how long until another hit? The gov one is burned in my mind, seemingly incidental and finished his career.

We cannot be exposed to a 6 year deal on big money after Gov, Shep and Venables. Concussion is arguably the most concerning injury history a player can have these days.

Why?

If he’s concussed next year then the following year we only need to pay 10% of his salary in the cap, 25% the year following and 50% the third year.

Why restrict a contract to two years? That alone sees us through a four year deal and that’s not even taking into account front loading.

That’s just the worst case scenario too. What if he doesn’t hurt himself until the second year or third year or at all for that matter?

 

[VinegarStrokes]

You’re making a lot of assumptions.

The AFL has ticked off on the incident and they would certainly not be doing that if they had even a modicum of concern or doubt.

The Lions were up by 33 points 5 minutes into the last and 39 points 2 minutes later.

They had no need to bring him back on by the time he returned to the bench. Just because they erred on the side of caution does not mean there are alarm bells.

He had a head knock and although he was not concussed is there any reason to put him back on? Could a second head knock in the same game not potentially have consequences where one did not?

There is such a thing as re-injury and as others have mentioned as well if they think he’s gone no point putting him back on and risking it.

You’re making a lot of assumptions.

The AFL has ticked off on the incident and they would certainly not be doing that if they had even a modicum of concern or doubt.

The Lions were up by 33 points 5 minutes into the last and 39 points 2 minutes later.

They had no need to bring him back on by the time he returned to the bench. Just because they erred on the side of caution does not mean there are alarm bells.

He had a head knock and although he was not concussed is there any reason to put him back on? Could a second head knock in the same game not potentially have consequences where one did not?

There is such a thing as re-injury and as others have mentioned as well if they think he’s gone no point putting him back on and risking it.

I'm really just making the same point as you. I'm assuming Bris didn't send him back on due to his concussion history, which should be enough not to offer him a deal exceeding the medical retirement threshold. The other possible reason he wasn't sent back on could be just to protect his trade value from any injury, which I don't think is what happened.

I'd still be favour in trying to get him to west coast, even at $900k. Not for 6 six years though.

 

[Mr Q]

Why?

If he’s concussed next year then the following year we only need to pay 10% of his salary in the cap, 25% the year following and 50% the third year.

Why cap it at two?

Given what's going on with concussions ending careers way more often than in the past, I'd like the AFL to make two changes:

• The 10% cost goes for the remaining length of a player's contract.
• The maximum contract length is six or even five years.
• The AFL has a fund to pay out a certain amount over this if a player is medically retired before the age of 27 (perhaps their final contract to a max of $300K/year until age 27 - after their contract finishes of course)

 

[ThePuma #9]

Given what's going on with concussions ending careers way more often than in the past, I'd like the AFL to make two changes:

• The 10% cost goes for the remaining length of a player's contract.
• The maximum contract length is six or even five years.
• The AFL has a fund to pay out a certain amount over this if a player is medically retired before the age of 27 (perhaps their final contract to a max of $300K/year until age 27 - after their contract finishes of course)

All very reasonable suggestions and it’s something the AFL certainly need to address.

Long term contracts in today’s climate do no one any good but the players.

 

[Tugga27]

Why?

If he’s concussed next year then the following year we only need to pay 10% of his salary in the cap, 25% the year following and 50% the third year.

Why restrict a contract to two years? That alone sees us through a four year deal and that’s not even taking into account front loading.

That’s just the worst case scenario too. What if he doesn’t hurt himself until the second year or third year or at all for that matter?

I'm all in on getting him, but not for 6 years.

I think 3 would be the smart move.

He might not move for 3 years but hat's the risk we take.