List Mgmt. Off Season Changes

[Foxman98]

Hamling has Gardner covered. No other club would touch Gardner.

He is wasting a list spot, delist him and go and pick the best middle aged state league key defender. More value doing that.

Hamling will be 33 delisted after his first time since 2019 playing more then 4 games

Gards is also one of the best middle aged KPD in the state league hence he got a game this year

Gards will 100% get picked up by someone as depth if delisted

 

[BEaston]

Hamling has Gardner covered. No other club would touch Gardner.

He is wasting a list spot, delist him and go and pick the best middle aged state league key defender. More value doing that.

He basically is the best middle aged state league key defender.

 

[Foxman98]

He basically is the best middle aged state league key defender.

Quite easy to tell who does and doesn't watch the 2's

Gards will easily be top 3 and probably go close to winning the BnF in the 2s this year

 

[Bald Headed Flog]

There’s no point naming stars who play for clubs with a proven history of success (eg Ginbey at West Coast) as trade targets. Barring having someone like Treloar fall in our laps, we typically will acquire fringe players who are starved of opportunity, or frustrated above average players from perennial cellar dwellers (like Bruce from St Kilda).

We’re not getting Ginbey. What might be possible is players like Bond or Butts from Adelaide, or Budarick from Suns, or Serong from the Hawks. Guys who are not getting consistent games elsewhere, but would have a better chance with us. At best, we might get lucky if someone like Wilkie is frustrated enough with the Saints, but even that is likely a pipe dream. In reality, we’re aiming lower unfortunately

 

[Unorth]

Completely unimportant, but I liked how we invited a couple of cult hero types to our games at the end of the season.

Seeing Zeph Skinner was an unexpected highlight.

Biggsy...have not forgotten.

We should do this for every home game. Bring on like a Fletcher Roberts

Fletcher Roberts

Age

32

Ht

196cm

Wt

92kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.2

2star

K

4.8

2star

HB

4.4

3star

M

2.8

3star

T

1.4

3star

MG

102.2

2star

No current season stats available

D

8.6

3star

K

5.0

2star

HB

3.6

3star

M

2.4

3star

T

1.2

3star

type. Do a small halftime interview, maybe something for social media. Would be cool.

 

[ossie_21]

• Start the transition for Libba away from the midfield - either rest him more or find other rotational positions for him. Get more minutes for West in there.

Agree with most but this one is tough….West kicked 39 for the year

 

[Snarls Barkley]

Hamling has Gardner covered. No other club would touch Gardner.

He is wasting a list spot, delist him and go and pick the best middle aged state league key defender. More value doing that.

If he is on as little money as the Gardner contract defenders claim then it won’t cost much to move him on early

 

[Freshwater]

Completely unimportant, but I liked how we invited a couple of cult hero types to our games at the end of the season.

Seeing Zeph Skinner was an unexpected highlight.

Biggsy...have not forgotten.

We should do this for every home game. Bring on like a Fletcher Roberts type. Do a small halftime interview, maybe something for social media. Would be cool.

Ryan Hargreaves was in the rooms on roaming Brian a few weeks back, he had a boy playing that weekend in Melbourne and was there with Luke Darcy I think? Great to see him there.

 

[VitalDread]

2025 was the start of our refresh

The young pups throughout the season know they can handle AFL footy
2026 will be a bigger year of blooding and refreshing our system

 

[cleveland]

Good insights

 

[go_sports_team]

2025 was the start of our refresh

The young pups throughout the season know they can handle AFL footy
2026 will be a bigger year of blooding and refreshing our system

100% agree. The melts on here are a bit extreme when you consider the changes we've made on the run and the number of sub-50 gamers on the list.

Excited for next year, but unsure what I obsess about for the next 6 months...

 

[JTCWBFC]

Good insights

I’m listening does he ask why we pissed away our optionality signing the coach mid season for no reason

 

[VitalDread]

The gap between our 100+ gamer sub 100 games is crazy

It goes Matt Kennedy at 141 and then Vanders at 84

 

[Libbaaaa]

The gap between our 100+ gamer sub 100 games is crazy

It goes Matt Kennedy at 141 and then Vanders at 84

Vanders playing 84 games with his form line is just ridiculous.

 

[Mr. Walker]

There has been mention on this board about the Dogs not reviewing the GF loss to Melbourne. Does anyone know if this is true and if it is why? It’s unbelievable. How could a professional club not seek answers on what went wrong to make sure the same tactics are not used again. I would be astounded if all the clubs in the AFL had not done this to see how to take down the second top team in the league. Maybe this is the reason we have not played in or won a final since.

 

[Dogs_r_barking]

2025 has been a really difficult year, if anything could go wrong it did. Bont missing the first part of the season, close losses, with dubious umpiring (Pies game, last quarter, Cats, kicking a goal outside the boundary etc), then losing Darcy, Flea and Treloar not playing, teams we hoped would lose, winning against the odds, tough draw in comparison to some of the other top 8 teams, (Brisbane our home game in Gather round, GC in Darwin), playing the Crows at Marvel instead of Mars, it seems fitting that we are the team that lucks out of the finals.

Still, really happy seeing our young players get games, while still being competitive, and the fact we seem to have drafted well. Reasonable draft hand, hopefully get some trades done. Easier fixture next year (we hope), big crowds at home games against interstate clubs (Freo and Crows), and our VFL side minor premiers. Onwards to 2026.

 

[Zeno The Great]

He basically is the best middle aged state league key defender.

If he is the best middle aged state league key defender, then the VFL is completely cooked.

 

[DiamondDogs8]

This might be a long one so apologies in advance. Food for thought and worth a read though, in my humble opinion.

I wanted to take a look at Sunday’s team, and who should be playing Round 1 2026, to help determine realistic off-season moves. How close was it to our best 23 and what changes could be made?

Keen to hear what other people think. Let me know what you agree/disagree with.

Bold indicates danger of losing spot/not good enough.

Backline:

Lobb
O’Donnell
Busslinger

Dale
Johannisen
Bramble
Cleary


Midfield:

Bontempelli
Liberatore
Richards
Kennedy
English

Freijah
Williams
Davidson
Baker



Forward Line:

Darcy
Naughton
Croft

West
Jones
Garcia
McNeil (Shock)


Reasoning:


Backline:

If we are all aligned in bringing in a key defender (or two) this trade period, O’Donnell and Busslinger are the ones in danger. Lobb was atrocious yesterday but he is being asked to stray from what made him so good there originally - intercepting aggressively.

Bigger questions need to asked of our structure as a whole. As many have said, Weitering and Andrews would struggle in this system. Jordan Butts from Adelaide is my preference.

Potential Replacements or Targets:

Butts, Silvagni, Serong, Blanck, Borlase, Blight, Xavier Taylor (Draft)

No one on the list currently. Could Croft be trialled as a defender?


Father Time has caught up with JJ unfortunately. Brilliant career but doesn’t have the speed or defensive nous to hold his spot in this team. Thanks for the memories, but time to move on.

Bramble and Cleary are both honest players, and will likely have roles to play next year, but can equally be improved upon. Sellwood is an obvious candidate to come into the side pending a strong pre-season - defensively a massive upgrade and plays with aggression. Jaques may find a role in this side off half back next season, but it will be important to also target a lockdown small via free agency or trade.

Williams and Baker might be better suited to roles in the backline next year. Could take a flyer on Starcevich?

Potential Replacements or Targets:

Budarick, Bond, Starcevich, Burton, Jacob Farrow (Draft)

From the current list: Williams, Sellwood, Jaques, Baker


Midfield:

The midfield speaks for itself. Common theme, but we will see more improvement from structure behind the ball and limiting chains from D50 than personnel. Treloar likely comes back into the fold, as well as Sanders, who I loved as a high half forward early on in the year. However, he will need to improve a number of aspects of his game in pre-season. Butters is a pipe dream and will happen next year, if at all.

However, the current midfield mix does feel very ‘inside heavy’ when all of our best players are available. Worry about the speed of the group outside of Richards. Speed, toughness and two-way running is a need - will be an interesting watch. Not sold on any of the players linked thus far, such as Erasmus.

Davidson has shown some great flashes in his first year. He will run all day but poor disposal and defensive efforts have let him down. Will need to work hard on this during pre season. Baker is tough and plays with heart. However, I’m not convinced he’s best 23, despite having a good game yesterday. Jaques is an interesting watch if he remains on the wing, very classy. Would happily trade back into the draft for wingman Harley Barker.

Potential Replacements or Targets:

Erasmus, Windhager, Harley Barker (Draft)

From the current list: Treloar, Sanders, Jaques


Forward Line:

Croft has looked very good so far. Quick, flies for everything and plays with anger. However, he may have hampered Naughts and Darcy’s impact when marking in packs and leading lanes. I would love to see him trialled down back and stick with the 2 talls in the forward line. Deserves to play regardless.

McNeil… the less I say about him the better. Should not be picked at all next year. VDM didn’t play, but he is in the same boat. Selection integrity.

Garcia has all the physical attributes you would want from a pressure forward, but unfortunately he absolutely crumbled with ball in hand.

If Cody is fit, he plays. Will be a huge upgrade and we missed him desperately this season. He and Westy will be a powerful duo. Arty was a breath of fresh air, and deserving of the extension. He will play a big role next year if he can keep fit. Another pre season for Dolan and Hynes, I think we have two gems there who will be ready to contribute next year.

Any additions to the forward line will likely come in the form of draftees. Lachy Dovaston is a name on a lot of Dogs fans lists with our first pick. He would provide a clear point of difference and is my personal pick. Don’t be surprised if we select Noah Hibbins-Hargraves, who if more of a medium forward, but had a great end to the season and is a Bulldogs supporter.

Potential Upgrades or Targets:

Lachy Dovaston (Draft), Noah Hibbins-Hargraves (Draft)

From the current list: Weightman, Dolan, Hynes, Sanders (HHF)

Which would leave our team looking something similar to this:

West Darcy Weightman
Jones Naughton Sanders
Williams Bontempelli Freijah
Dale Lobb Budarick?
JOD Butts? Sellwood
English Richards Libba

Treloar Hynes Dolan Croft Jaques

+ Pick 11

 

[BEaston]

If he is the best middle aged state league key defender, then the VFL is completely cooked.

Recommend watching our finals series, he's a completely different player at that level.

 

[huddo#9]

Quite easy to tell who does and doesn't watch the 2's

Gards will easily be top 3 and probably go close to winning the BnF in the 2s this year

There are State leagues outside of Victoria in case you weren't aware, and he is 28. Also proven numerous times that he isn't close to AFL standard when he comes in.

Sellwood a great example of players given an opportunity from a state league. From the WAFL Chad Pearson or Anthony Davis. Sanfl - Jack Heard and Tom Donnelly. All tall, afl ready bodies who have performed at quality state league comps.

Stop wasting time on someone who has had 10 AFL pre-seasons. But if you want to accept mediocrity... keep him on the list cause he is a good bloke.

 

[Foxman98]

There are State leagues outside of Victoria in case you weren't aware, and he is 28. Also proven numerous times that he isn't close to AFL standard when he comes in.

Sellwood a great example of players given an opportunity from a state league. From the WAFL Chad Pearson or Anthony Davis. Sanfl - Jack Heard and Tom Donnelly. All tall, afl ready bodies who have performed at quality state league comps.

Stop wasting time on someone who has had 10 AFL pre-seasons. But if you want to accept mediocrity... keep him on the list cause he is a good bloke.

Yes correct and he would still be in the top 3-4 state league middle aged defenders like you asked for,

Sellwood has yet to play an AFL game so how is he a great example?

Where did I say keep him on the list because he is a good bloke?

Again whilst not one you'd want in your team each week he is an adequate depth player on minimal coin this irrational hatred of him is quite weird

 

[fred cook]

This might be a long one so apologies in advance. Food for thought and worth a read though, in my humble opinion.

I wanted to take a look at Sunday’s team, and who should be playing Round 1 2026, to help determine realistic off-season moves. How close was it to our best 23 and what changes could be made?

Keen to hear what other people think. Let me know what you agree/disagree with.

Bold indicates danger of losing spot/not good enough.

Backline:

Lobb
O’Donnell
Busslinger

Dale
Johannisen
Bramble
Cleary


Midfield:

Bontempelli
Liberatore
Richards
Kennedy
English

Freijah
Williams
Davidson
Baker



Forward Line:

Darcy
Naughton
Croft

West
Jones
Garcia
McNeil (Shock)


Reasoning:


Backline:

If we are all aligned in bringing in a key defender (or two) this trade period, O’Donnell and Busslinger are the ones in danger. Lobb was atrocious yesterday but he is being asked to stray from what made him so good there originally - intercepting aggressively.

Bigger questions need to asked of our structure as a whole. As many have said, Weitering and Andrews would struggle in this system. Jordan Butts from Adelaide is my preference.

Potential Replacements or Targets:

Butts, Silvagni, Serong, Blanck, Borlase, Blight, Xavier Taylor (Draft)

No one on the list currently. Could Croft be trialled as a defender?


Father Time has caught up with JJ unfortunately. Brilliant career but doesn’t have the speed or defensive nous to hold his spot in this team. Thanks for the memories, but time to move on.

Bramble and Cleary are both honest players, and will likely have roles to play next year, but can equally be improved upon. Sellwood is an obvious candidate to come into the side pending a strong pre-season - defensively a massive upgrade and plays with aggression. Jaques may find a role in this side off half back next season, but it will be important to also target a lockdown small via free agency or trade.

Williams and Baker might be better suited to roles in the backline next year. Could take a flyer on Starcevich?

Potential Replacements or Targets:

Budarick, Bond, Starcevich, Burton, Jacob Farrow (Draft)

From the current list: Williams, Sellwood, Jaques, Baker


Midfield:

The midfield speaks for itself. Common theme, but we will see more improvement from structure behind the ball and limiting chains from D50 than personnel. Treloar likely comes back into the fold, as well as Sanders, who I loved as a high half forward early on in the year. However, he will need to improve a number of aspects of his game in pre-season. Butters is a pipe dream and will happen next year, if at all.

However, the current midfield mix does feel very ‘inside heavy’ when all of our best players are available. Worry about the speed of the group outside of Richards. Speed, toughness and two-way running is a need - will be an interesting watch. Not sold on any of the players linked thus far, such as Erasmus.

Davidson has shown some great flashes in his first year. He will run all day but poor disposal and defensive efforts have let him down. Will need to work hard on this during pre season. Baker is tough and plays with heart. However, I’m not convinced he’s best 23, despite having a good game yesterday. Jaques is an interesting watch if he remains on the wing, very classy. Would happily trade back into the draft for wingman Harley Barker.

Potential Replacements or Targets:

Erasmus, Windhager, Harley Barker (Draft)

From the current list: Treloar, Sanders, Jaques


Forward Line:

Croft has looked very good so far. Quick, flies for everything and plays with anger. However, he may have hampered Naughts and Darcy’s impact when marking in packs and leading lanes. I would love to see him trialled down back and stick with the 2 talls in the forward line. Deserves to play regardless.

McNeil… the less I say about him the better. Should not be picked at all next year. VDM didn’t play, but he is in the same boat. Selection integrity.

Garcia has all the physical attributes you would want from a pressure forward, but unfortunately he absolutely crumbled with ball in hand.

If Cody is fit, he plays. Will be a huge upgrade and we missed him desperately this season. He and Westy will be a powerful duo. Arty was a breath of fresh air, and deserving of the extension. He will play a big role next year if he can keep fit. Another pre season for Dolan and Hynes, I think we have two gems there who will be ready to contribute next year.

Any additions to the forward line will likely come in the form of draftees. Lachy Dovaston is a name on a lot of Dogs fans lists with our first pick. He would provide a clear point of difference and is my personal pick. Don’t be surprised if we select Noah Hibbins-Hargraves, who if more of a medium forward, but had a great end to the season and is a Bulldogs supporter.

Potential Upgrades or Targets:

Lachy Dovaston (Draft), Noah Hibbins-Hargraves (Draft)

From the current list: Weightman, Dolan, Hynes, Sanders (HHF)

Which would leave our team looking something similar to this:

West Darcy Weightman
Jones Naughton Sanders
Williams Bontempelli Freijah
Dale Lobb Budarick?
JOD Butts? Sellwood
English Richards Libba

Treloar Hynes Dolan Croft Jaques

+ Pick 11

That back line take away Dale is very very average

 

[The Inbetweener]

Something HAS to give, stuck in the perennial 5-10 position on the ladder. It's clearly a system issue, and if something doesn't drastically change with the Bevo gameplan over the summer then Bevo simply has to go. Signing him in the first half of the season was the worst decision the club could have made, they are happy accepting mediocrity. Our list is so much better than the position we seem to always be in

I know they are striving for more, but a part of me thinks their default position is along the lines of ‘at least we aren’t St Kilda/ North’. It’s hard to see much changing, that time has come and gone when we re-signed Bevo.

 

[DiamondDogs8]

That back line take away Dale is very very average

There’s very little available, we’d be lucky to get Butts.

Definitely better balance than the current back 6

 

[cecil]

FB: Starcevich, Butts, Williams
HB: Dale, Lobb, Bramble
C: Davidson, Libba, Baker
HF: Kennedy, Naughton, A.Jones
FF: Weightman, Darcy, West
R: English, Bont, Richards
Int: Dovaston, Croft/JOD, Treloar, Cleary

2 gettable players added, and a decent draft pick coming in, and the team looks better for next year.

Upgrades on Baker and Cleary would be good if available too