Strategy Trade and List Management Thread Part 8 (opposition supporters - READ posting rules before posting)

[_Mike_]

Opposition supporters coming to troll , you have been warned

 

[Sentinel]

Predicted List Balance for 2026

Currently: (as of 21/10)
Main List - 33 players
Rookie A - 6 players
Rookie B - 1 player

Predictions:

• Baker (Rookie A) elevated to the main list, 1 year deal.
• JOD (Rookie B) elevated to main list.
• Poulter (OOC, Rookie A - due elevation), delisted.
• Coffield (OOC, main list), delisted.
• Duryea, Scott, JUH, JJ off main list, Budarick added.
• Leaves 3 main list spots available pre-draft
• Bramble, McNeil, Sellwood, Walker retained on Rookie list (no action)
• Add 3 National Draft selections to main list (Pick 14, Pick 33, Darcy bid match)

Main List - 38 players (full)
Rookie A - 4 players
Rookie B - 0 players

This leaves 2 Rookie A/B list spots open for DFAs, undrafted players or can be retained for the Mid-Season Draft.

Mitchell, Fahey, Burton, Frost, Derksen, McGovern, Blight.

Who do we target? How many do we target? Do we leave a spot open for the MSD?

Personally, I would go for one of Mitchell/Fahey and one of Derksen/Blight, but understand only taking one DFA to retain flexibility.

Also please feel free to correct me if any of my maths is wrong

If we have a main list of 38 players and Cat A list of 4 players, we're full and can only bring in 2x Cat B rookies. The combined main list + Cat A can't exceed 42. Means no rookie draft/SSP/midseason picks (pending injuries/retirements).

However by my count, with your proposals we would have 37 main list + Cat A 4 rookies, leaving room to take on 1 new Cat A rookie (or use a 4th National draft pick/DFA). Main list = 33 - Coffield + Baker + JOD + 3 draftees = 37.

 

[Proffessor]

But it wasn't clearly superior. We went through the numbers. May took about 5 kick-ins a game (of which Lobb could also take kick-ins if he wasn't in the same team as Dale, the best kicking half back in the league) and other than that at least statistically their numbers were similar.

Like the above poster, I'm now convinced this is a bit

You can’t just discount stats you don’t like because they don’t fit your narrative.

May being able to kick out is an extra skill that he should be credited for not a reason to ignore his statistical superiority. It’s not his fault that Lobb doesn’t possess such abilities.

BTW, what’s the excuse for him taking more marks? Especially when he supposedly get’s less opportunities to take those easier marks from kick ins.

For that matter, what are all our KPD players’ excuses for not taking more marks when they have Bailey Dale hitting up them up with lace out passes from kick ins?

Face it, May’s stats for 2025 aren’t terrible, and don’t support the argument that he fell off a proverbial performance cliff as you and others keep suggesting, which was my initial point.

 

[Dogs Rule]

FFS I'm so sick of hearing about May.

He ain't leaving Melbourne and will retire by this time next year.

The end.

 

[_Cerberus_]

The only stats I care about for defenders, is how many goals they got kicked on them one on one, and intercept marks. Everything else is for supercoach nerds.

 

[Dogsfan1]

You can’t just discount stats you don’t like because they don’t fit your narrative.

May being able to kick out is an extra skill that he should be credited for not a reason to ignore his statistical superiority. It’s not his fault that Lobb doesn’t possess such abilities.

BTW, what’s the excuse for him taking more marks? Especially when he supposedly get’s less opportunities to take those easier marks from kick ins.

For that matter, what are all our KPD players’ excuses for not taking more marks when they have Bailey Dale hitting up them up with lace out passes from kick ins?

Face it, May’s stats for 2025 aren’t terrible, and don’t support the argument that he fell off a proverbial performance cliff as you and others keep suggesting, which was my initial point.

No one picked him up in the trade period that says everything u need to know

 

[Snarls Barkley]

It's always funny when someone can be best 22 every week he is available to suddenly outside the 40

I don't hate the decision, I don't think he quite works with the backline we need to have. Don't think he is in the best 22 and would rather give games to guys like Jacques and see if they have a future. A really solid career from JJ, I'd be surprised if someone else picks him up, was absolutely elite in his younger years. Injuries and the stint forward meant he never reached those lofty heights again but will always be a Dogs legend

Hope this isn't the only "tough" call we decide to take. We need to have more flyers on late draft picks and rookie picks. We always draft them and give them way too long even when its pretty likely they aren't going to make it. Would prefer there to be much more movement at the bottom end of our list. You always see Geelong having success at the end of the draft but you also see them moving on guys pretty quickly, even someone like Retschko who another team liked well enough to pick up. We always seem to keep our bottom enders on the list for 3-4 years, sometimes even up to 8, because we think they provide depth that they don't really provide

 

[Bulldog Brent]

Poults delisted.

 

[BallaratBulldog]

I can play full back

 

[weltschmerz]

Poulter departs Bulldogs

The 23-year-old has not been offered a contract for the 2026 season.

www.westernbulldogs.com.au

 

[wian]

I'm convinced this club has absolutely no idea what it's doing half the time

 

[bresker]

Jeez it's tough at the top. Decent player, good at many facets of the game but just didn't have an oustanding attribute to take him to the next level.

 

[JohnnySteel]

Does this mean Coffield has hung on?

Assuming we are keeping Baker. Which we should.

 

[_Cerberus_]

Jeez it's tough at the top. Decent player, good at many facets of the game but just didn't have an oustanding attribute to take him to the next level.

That's why I was okay with keeping him on. He wasn't a bad player. He was pretty serviceable anytime he was called on to played at senior level. He had some good traits, but was probably just lacking that X factor you need to separate those on the fringes and those at the top level, plus the lack of pace. Players like McNeil should be lucky, does plenty of bad or none existent things but holds on due to the lack of depth in his position.

List Management is a tough gig. Unfortunately tough calls need to be made every year. Wish him all the best, and hopefully he doesn't take it as hard as he did when Collingwood moved on.

 

[BigFloppa]

Sorry if this has already been discussed - I don't have time to read every post.

Are we considering giving a lifeline to 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

? Seems like a decent stopgap for 1-2 years

 

[iambrilliant]

poulter had potential on the wing at afl level. Usually played well when he stepped in just couldn’t get a consistent run at it l.

Was all over for him when they started playing him as a tall forward

 

[Testekill]

poulter had potential on the wing at afl level. Usually played well when he stepped in just couldn’t get a consistent run at it l.

Was all over for him when they started playing him as a tall forward

Honestly I think he could have had a future as a third tall that went up the ground if he was in the gym all preseason putting on muscle mass.

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

poulter had potential on the wing at afl level. Usually played well when he stepped in just couldn’t get a consistent run at it l.

If you're not defensively strong, not an accumulator, and not a high impact per disposal player, you're pretty much doomed on the wing at AFL level.

 

[CaptainWorpedo]

Mitchell and Frost would be good depth to bring in. Would back both to get games next year.

I hope the doggies pick up both. You guys have a strong list and these two would only compliment what you already have.

I rated frosty 2024 year and if you get him playing like that in 2026, i think he can help you out with your defence KP problems. Poor old frosty got pushed out by one of the best in Barrass.

* Frost is of good character and a great club man.

I’d hoped we kept Mitchell, someone likened him to Bramble. Mitchell IMO is better than Bramble.

Mitchell had a good run for us playing 24 games. Injury hit then he fell out of favour.

Mitchell started as a forward and then moved back to a HBF. He has great pace and decent skills imo.

 

[Doggies7]

Does this mean Coffield has hung on?

Assuming we are keeping Baker. Which we should.

Not necessarily, seems we are announcing them one at a time to let them each get their flowers so Coff could still be later today or tomorrow morning if he is getting cut.

 

[Bulldogs85]

At least Poulter leaves the club with a VFL Premiership

 

[Philthy1]

I hope the doggies pick up both. You guys have a strong list and these two would only compliment what you already have.

I rated frosty 2024 year and if you get him playing like that in 2026, i think he can help you out with your defence KP problems. Poor old frosty got pushed out by one of the best in Barrass.

* Frost is of good character and a great club man.

I’d hoped we kept Mitchell, someone likened him to Bramble. Mitchell IMO is better than Bramble.

Mitchell had a good run for us playing 24 games. Injury hit then he fell out of favour.

Mitchell started as a forward and then moved back to a HBF. He has great pace and decent skills imo.

Why was Mitchell moved on? Any intel?

 

[Dogs Rule]

Ruthless. That's fine. But if Coffield hangs on ahead of Poulter, that's nuts.

 

[Mutt]

Please now take any further discussion of 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

to p.m's or to the Melbourne board. He is a contracted Melbourne player and clearly will NEVER play for the Bulldogs. I think we've all had enough of the shitfight.

 

[BWFC]

Bit of trivia to lighten the mood.

Which country is known for the Taj Mahal, Bollywood, and its love of cricket?

I’ll go first

Is the answer …. 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

?

 

[CaptainWorpedo]

Why was Mitchell moved on? Any intel?

None at all, he got injured and fell out of favour.

Maybe the club felt he didn’t fit into their list profile. Impey, Amon and Hardwick all hold those spots very very well.

Our back line is blessed with talent in waiting for an opportunity. Scrimshaw / Battle hold chb / hbf down. McCabe and Mraz are highly rated by the club.