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

[Keys]

Quick links

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

Players out of Contract 2025 (12)

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
• Tom Cole (28/5/97) - Signed a 3 year extension (2023-25) in May 2022
• Rhett Bazzo (17/10/03) - Signed a 2 year extension (2024-25) on an existing contract due to expire 2023 in September 2022
• Jayden Hunt (3/4/95) - Signed a 3 year contract (2023-25) in October 2022
• Callum Jamieson (31/7/00) - Signed a 2 year extension (2024-25) in March 2023
• Jamie Cripps (23/4/92) - Signed a 2 year extension (2024-25) in August 2023
• Jack Petruccelle (12/4/99) - Signed a 2 year extension (2024-25) in August 2023
• (R) Loch Rawlinson (1/6/05) - Signed a 1 year extension (2025) in September 2024
• (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
• (R) Jacob Newton (20/3/06/) - Automatic 6 month contract (2025) when drafted in May 2025

Provisional 2025 Draft order

Spoiler

 

[Godfather32]

who are you replacing all these players with?

Who of those do you think we should re-sign?

 

[Elite Pete]

We won't be drafting anyone outside of WA in the MSD. The talent isn't there to move someone across the country for 6 months.

But someone like Parfitt wouldn't surprise.

A lot of players will have 18months contracts on their head if it like previous years, especially the top rated ones

 

[Elite Pete]

There appear to be two primary schools of thought when it comes to our forward list management strategy, both on here and in the media. The position you take largely shapes your perspective on the upcoming Mid-Season Draft and also our end of year recruitment / trading strategy

Camp 1: All-In on Youth
This strategy centres on fast-tracking a young core by exposing them early to the highest level. The focus is on collective development, underpinned by a strong coaching framework and a long-term vision.

• Prioritise high-ceiling talent under the age of 24.
• Aim to get players to their first 50 AFL games as quickly as possible.
• Immediate results are secondary, the primary objective is to build a premiership-contending list within a 3–5 year window.
• Hawthorn is likely the benchmark for executing this strategy successfully.
• North Melbourne serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating the risks of relying solely on youth without sufficient support structures or leadership.

Camp 2: Balanced Development with Experienced Support
This approach values the development of young talent but believes it is best achieved through strong on-field leadership, a winning culture, and the integration of seasoned players.

• Still target young talent (<24), but complement them with mature, AFL-ready bodies.
• Recruited experienced players must bring leadership, professionalism, and a mentoring mindset.
• A focus on winning now helps establish high standards, build belief, and accelerate development.
• Geelong is seen as a model here for their ability to blend youth with experience.
• Essendon shows the risks of just trying to push trading, falling into the “mid-table trap” and having to pivot in recent years

The key here I think is that these philosophies are not entirely mutually exclusive, however, sitting in the middle between both strategies I think is the real danger. The balanced model (Camp 2) becomes especially difficult to implement without that strong culture in place while an aggressive youth-focused rebuild should not overlook the value of fostering a winning culture. The growth of young players can be significantly enhanced by surrounding them with experienced players who have the right mongrel competitiveness and a hate for losing.

So after all that, I don't mind the idea of bringing a Parfitt / Brew type player in if they have the right attitude and help our young talent reach their potential. I think the key here is that we have be far more targeted on which player gives us this and not just bring in role players in that bracket. Push the all in on youth strategy but don't be afraid to bolt in another Graham or Baker type (at the right price...).

Anyways will be interesting to see which path we take and I think the MSD and especially the trade period will point the direction the club is going.

The part about Essendon mid tabling. They have t really bottomed out like us recently (4 years) . So picks come in that 5-10 range.

Issue is we haven’t really gone to the draft with those picks besides Harley who might not be here next year and for some reason trading him to where ever he wants to go. (Vic narrative)

This team without the X factor of Ryan and Harley is a few steps back

 

[ArdentEagle]

The part about Essendon mid tabling. They have t really bottomed out like us recently. So picks come in that 5-10 range.

Issue is we haven’t really gone to the draft with those picks besides Harley who might not be here next year and for some reason trading him to where ever he wants to go. (Vic narrative)

This team without the X factor of Ryan and Harley is a few steps back

Yet people want to trade him. Madness for mine.

 

[WCE777]

Who of those do you think we should re-sign?

OA isn't going anywhere, he will sign a contract that we have offered him(needs to relinquish being captain), 5 years.
Tom Cole is a solid player, 3 year deal.
Jamie Cripps, 1 year extension, nobody is taking his spot yet.
Jayden Hunt, 1 year extension, nobody is taking his spot yet.
Rhett Bazzo, 1 year extension, see if he can get over his injuries and back up in def.
Tim Kelly, 1 year extension on $500K, he has been terrible but we don't have another mature body who can play midfield.
Petch, trade or delist.
Sheed, delist.
Jamieson, delist.
Chesser, delist, had plenty of opportunity and hasn't nailed down a spot.

Along with Rawlinson, delist and Barnett delist and pay out contract.
Thats a minimum 6 delistings.
Draft around 5 players with 3 NGA/FS.
Depending on what our trade plans are and MSD, we could potentially take another 2 players off our list.
If we can trade in another B+ grade mid at least or better I would be letting Kelly go.

 

[Elite Pete]

Yet people want to trade him. Madness for mine.

Yeah it’s crazy, especially at ‘cut price’.

If he demands a trade we would want a decent player back imo. I’d take Will Powell (both are managed by the same bloke) Powell gets a decent pay rise and return home and Ryan gets to win again asap. GC surely don’t need 5 of those running backs with decent/elite kicks surely with more to come.

Throw in Alex Davies too.

 

[Godfather32]

OA isn't going anywhere, he will sign a contract that we have offered him(needs to relinquish being captain), 5 years.
Tom Cole is a solid player, 3 year deal.
Jamie Cripps, 1 year extension, nobody is taking his spot yet.
Jayden Hunt, 1 year extension, nobody is taking his spot yet.
Rhett Bazzo, 1 year extension, see if he can get over his injuries and back up in def.
Tim Kelly, 1 year extension on $500K, he has been terrible but we don't have another mature body who can play midfield.
Petch, trade or delist.
Sheed, delist.
Jamieson, delist.
Chesser, delist, had plenty of opportunity and hasn't nailed down a spot.

Along with Rawlinson, delist and Barnett delist and pay out contract.
Thats a minimum 6 delistings.
Draft around 5 players with 3 NGA/FS.
Depending on what our trade plans are and MSD, we could potentially take another 2 players off our list.
If we can trade in another B+ grade mid at least or better I would be letting Kelly go.

Most of those are reasonable, not against keeping Cripps and Kelly on 1 year deals if we can't do any better to replace them.
Cole 3 years is not something I would do, don't think he's that good. 1 year, maybe with triggers for a 2nd. And Hunt gives me the absolute shits so he can go away.

 

[WCE777]

Most of those are reasonable, not against keeping Cripps and Kelly on 1 year deals if we can't do any better to replace them.
Cole 3 years is not something I would do, don't think he's that good. 1 year, maybe with triggers for a 2nd. And Hunt gives me the absolute shits so he can go away.

agree, it's just we are nowhere near replacing them, Hunt does his role most weeks.
Can agree Cole for 2 and triggers.
The MSD and trade plans are what will determine the bottom end of the list.
We mostly all agree on the same delistings of 5 or so players but they must be replaced with at least a couple of experienced players 22-26 and be able to be best 22 in our side.
That will lift our bottom like Baker and Graham have imo.

 

[WCErevival]

Has Cripps suggested he wants to go on again? I can see him retiring this year. Especially if we don't win a game.

What is Hunts role? He was ok when he came over but I think he is easily replaced going forward.

 

[flamingEMBERS]

I think we’ll be better for Cripps retiring. Could he play on, probably. Will he have his multiple goal games, for sure. But he’ll probably stifle how we play with Brockman, Ryan, Owies and Champion.

 

[JackOutback]

Kelly has been poor but we’ve taken a player that excels as third or fourth best mid and asked him to carry a team. Hopefully as the kids improve, he can contribute the way he knows how. I think he’ll get an extension. Reckon Allen might stay, Bazzo and Cole too, and maybe Chesser. Rest are probably gone. Cripps could go on but might be asked, or want, to retire.

 

[Godfather32]

agree, it's just we are nowhere near replacing them, Hunt does his role most weeks.
Can agree Cole for 2 and triggers.
The MSD and trade plans are what will determine the bottom end of the list.
We mostly all agree on the same delistings of 5 or so players but they must be replaced with at least a couple of experienced players 22-26 and be able to be best 22 in our side.
That will lift our bottom like Baker and Graham have imo.

I'm not overly keen on bringing in more so called raise the floor kind of players unless they have genuine talent.

 

[Wce17]

Bazzo should definitely be retained.

And with the size of that list I'd be inclined to give Chesser one more chance also. I haven't given up on him.

Yep I agree. Untill Chesser gets a chance under Mini I’m not writing him off. We also have enough deadwood to cull before him.

 

[Dale Doback]

Bazzo should definitely be retained.

And with the size of that list I'd be inclined to give Chesser one more chance also. I haven't given up on him.

Agreed Bazzo and Chesser have potential but both too injury prone. I'd rookie list them.

 

[Dom sheed pocket]

Kelly has been poor but we’ve taken a player that excels as third or fourth best mid and asked him to carry a team. Hopefully as the kids improve, he can contribute the way he knows how. I think he’ll get an extension. Reckon Allen might stay, Bazzo and Cole too, and maybe Chesser. Rest are probably gone. Cripps could go on but might be asked, or want, to retire.

I feel like this is too little change for a team that is looking like it is about to win its 2nd wooden spoon in 3 seasons, we are still very much in the talent acquisition phase, and we need to maximise picks. If we think about what McQualters revealed preference is, it looks like it is to play Archer Reid, Jack Williams and Bailey Williams in the forward line over Oscar Allen. If we wanted Oscar to stay, and saw him as our CHF for the next phase of the rebuild we wouldn't be playing him down back.

 

[Ruben Grubarb]

I feel like this is too little change for a team that is looking like it is about to win its 2nd wooden spoon in 3 seasons, we are still very much in the talent acquisition phase, and we need to maximise picks. If we think about what McQualters revealed preference is, it looks like it is to play Archer Reid, Jack Williams and Bailey Williams in the forward line over Oscar Allen. If we wanted Oscar to stay, and saw him as our CHF for the next phase of the rebuild we wouldn't be playing him down back.

I think it's true about TK - he's an outsider and has been asked to carry a midfield... But too bad, I'm in the "pay out and delist" camp. Send a real clear message that f-around results in find-out.

There was some Fox show on tonight where they were saying "compo ftw" and "are they side lining Oscar because he's going?". They should really just be calling Hawks and saying, "we won't stand in your way for band 1. We won't play him. He can get his body right for you guys. He can sit in the box each week and make sure everyone knows we're supporting him and no noses are out of joint. If you offer some piss ant contract that only gets band 2, we'll match". Win/win/win. I wonder if a deal has been done already?

 

[WCE777]

I'm not overly keen on bringing in more so called raise the floor kind of players unless they have genuine talent.

Raise the floor type player are Ward & Flanders.
Because we have so many underperforming senior players, these types would raise the floor for a couple of years until we get games into our better kids and then become the midfield mix going forward.
With the actual lack of talent except 22 and under players we need a couple of these types.
I would draft 2 best mids with our draft capital and use our 2nd pick on Ward and he will only improve with more midfield time, 22 and 50 games.
Flanders offer something attractive to GC as they have a heap of midfielders and Academy players this year coming in the 1st round and he could be part of our midfield for the next 6+ years and would be an upgrade on Kelly.
They need points we need good players, cheapest buy is a ready made player imo.

 

[Elite Pete]

Pretty much put Oscar away for the year to make sure pick 2 is coming in and nothing stupid happens like a real season ending injury that cost might cost that pick 2.

Added bonus get some else in through the MSD that will be here for the rest of the year and at a minimum 2026.

 

[Bleedblueandgold]

Cole 3 year extension lmao...

 

[Godfather32]

Pretty much put Oscar away for the year to make sure pick 2 is coming in and nothing stupid happens like a real season ending injury that cost might cost that pick 2.

Added bonus get some else in through the MSD that will be here for the rest of the year and at a minimum 2026.

I still don't trust the VFL to give us pick 2. I guarantee they apply their special formula and it spits out an end of 1st round pick.

 

[ThePuma #9]

Pretty much put Oscar away for the year to make sure pick 2 is coming in and nothing stupid happens like a real season ending injury that cost might cost that pick 2.

Added bonus get some else in through the MSD that will be here for the rest of the year and at a minimum 2026.

If we did that i'm pretty certain the AFL would be asking to see the medical reports.

Besides the narrative would then switch to West Coast are tanking and don't deserve assistance or band 1 for a player they won't play.

Can't see how it would end well.

 

[ThePuma #9]

I still don't trust the VFL to give us pick 2. I guarantee they apply their special formula and it spits out an end of 1st round pick.

I agree, so it's incumbent on whichever team comes for him that they trigger that band 1 or we'll match their offer and we keep him or they are losing draft capitol.

Lions can't afford to lose their first rounder with Annable
Hawks won't want to cough up their first rounder (Blues pick)

 

[InTheWings]

Bazzo is a tall who's still young and has been playing well in the WAFL since he's been back.
Otherwise I agree

I'd retain Bazzo, Cripps (because he is playing ok and could help lead others) and Chesser. But, otherwise I'd agree.

 

[Dom sheed pocket]

I think it's true about TK - he's an outsider and has been asked to carry a midfield... But too bad, I'm in the "pay out and delist" camp. Send a real clear message that f-around results in find-out.

There was some Fox show on tonight where they were saying "compo ftw" and "are they side lining Oscar because he's going?". They should really just be calling Hawks and saying, "we won't stand in your way for band 1. We won't play him. He can get his body right for you guys. He can sit in the box each week and make sure everyone knows we're supporting him and no noses are out of joint. If you offer some piss ant contract that only gets band 2, we'll match". Win/win/win. I wonder if a deal has been done already?

I'm fine with Kelly playing on as long as it is not the expectation that he gets prime midfield minutes. He had zero centre bounces today, and had 9 score involvements from his 16 disposals.

He still has something to offer, even if he isn't playing 90% midfield.

I do think we need to manipulate our list in a way that gives us additional picks, and Oscar is the most obvious way to do that. Using our natural picks and the picks from the TB trade won't help us bring in the quality talent we need to bring in to rejuvenate our list.

 

[Footfalcon]

Harley shouldn't be for sale. If he wants to leave, that's another story. But guys like him can be the centrepiece of a flag. How do you think Collingwood go without Daicos?

Get R1 compo for Oscar, take the best 2 mids in the draft
Use Hawthorns R1 for the best KPD or outside mid

Keep Harley unless he wants to go

If Harley stays, and we pick up a couple of really good mids in the next 2 seasons, we're not as far away as people think. Still bottom 4 for a few years, but when the climb happens, it will be quick.

You're deluded to think Oscar will get pick 2. If battle got the saints pick 7, I think at best we get pick 4. And that's pushing it