List Mgmt. 2023 List Management

[HavUEvaSeenTheRain]

Levi Casboult is out of contract and an Unrestricted Free Agent....


Seriously though - it's an intriguing hole in our list.

We seem to like playing two genuine rucks. Part of me thinks that's because neither are able to ruck a whole game, we don't have a dedicated ruck/fwd to partner them, and we have two elite key forwards that 100% must play - rather than any academic belief that two rucks is the "best" setup. It makes for a challenging selection conundrum.

Rucks: TDK, Pittonet, Mirkov, O'Keefe
Key forwards: Curnow, McKay, Lemmey(?)
Ruck/forwards: JSOS, Young(?)

Option 1: Pick 2 rucks, pick 2 key forwards
Option 2: Pick 1 ruck, pick 2 key forwards, pick 1 ruck/fwd
Option 3: Pick 1 ruck, pick 2 key forwards

Option 1 is the current default. It's attractive because it gives us the best shot at 4 quarters of strong ruckwork, and it leaves our two marquee key forwards as the main targets ahead of the ball. It does eat into the run we have in the side, and means we're committing to a fair bit of bench time split between the two rucks. Our list profile seems to have been adjusted to accommodate though (lots of endurance runners - Walsh, Acres, Hollands, Cottrell, Curnow).

Option 2 is one we've flirted with when one of our starting rucks has been injured. JSOS has done OK in the role but is more a rover than an actual ruck, and Young also did OK in his brief cameo but lacks physicality and follow-up work. We're also finding that the ruck/forward struggles to impact forward because they're the third target and therefore lack the supply required to impact regularly (also, neither of our ruck/forwards are elite marks and kicks forward of the ball).

Option 3 we tried yesterday, and it forces us to use McKay in the ruck at times. He wasn't great. Wasn't even good. But he's also had bugger all experience there, and I'm sure if we put more work into it he could improve dramatically. Problem is that (if the main ruck is taking their rests on the bench) it leaves us short a target up forward, and it risks a premium asset in a role that can see some nasty knee injuries.

If we want to address it in the off-season I think there are a few ways we could go.

- Recruit a top-line ruck, push Pitto to depth or offer him up for trade, and force TDK to work hard on his forward craft. Sean Darcy is the obvious one here, or make a bold play for Brodie Grundy. Seems unlikely.
- Recruit a depth ruck who is physically ready to step into the main role when needed. Matthew Flynn and Nick Bryan seem like potential options who are currently out of contract, but may get offers elsewhere that include gametime. Jordon Sweet seems to get decent wraps from Doggies fans, but I don't know much about him.
- Recruit a top-line ruck/forward, push Pitto to depth of offer him up for trade, and give TDK the keys to the city as the main ruck. Hayden McLean looks like the main candidate here, maybe a late play for Esava Ratugolea? Also, what's the go with Tim O'Brien these days?
- Recruit a depth ruck/forward, one who is able to play either role to an OK standard but happy to wait in the VFL til needed. Haven't heard a peep about him since he was picked up, but wasn't Jacob Edwards (first MSD pick in 2021) supposed to be a really good developing prospect?

Or we elect not to address it, and accept that every list usually has some kind of quirk that needs to be worked with rather than around. Take a horses for courses approach in 2024 - use the two ruck strategy some weeks, the one ruck + JSOS strategy in other weeks, keep the Harry-in-the-ruck option in the back pocket, only to be used if in-game injuries force our hand.

It's possible that O'Keefe, Lemmey and/or Mirkov are the answer, and we just need to ride it out another year or two while they develop.

Or something a little more spicy - does Dom Akuei have the profile to be developed as a more athletic JSOS? I know he lacks the game sense, but could he play like a taller Jack Martin - occasional marking target, apply a bit of pressure, but also go into the ruck and jump over people's heads?

Personally I’d just leave things as they are. If JSOS leaves we might need to do something and as funny as Casboult sounds I would happily take him back for a season if JSOS left.
I can’t see another 200cm player in our forward line so I think we are stuck with what we have.

 

[4thchicken]

Personally I’d just leave things as they are. If JSOS leaves we might need to do something and as funny as Casboult sounds I would happily take him back for a season if JSOS left.
I can’t see another 200cm player in our forward line so I think we are stuck with what we have.

Would happily have casboult back even if JSOS stayed

 

[Sheephead]

There’s a truckload of 194 plus players around our pick. Caddy may drop due to injury (read Cripps/Kemp).

What about Grundy and move Pitto on. COL pay 200, MEL pay 200, we pay 450ish. Doesn’t work with Gawn but could with TDK.

 

[Klark Kent]

Son of a legend signed sealed and delivered announcement end of the week or early next week..................

 

[Stickitupthem]

Son of a legend signed sealed and delivered announcement end of the week or early next week..................

Manton

 

[agro]

At the end of last year LOB was our best winger. Then we landed Acres who is one of the leagues best, drafted Hollands, drafted Binns, shifted Docherty to a wing at times and have had Cottrell develop. He's now behind these 6 for a spot on the wing. At the time we signed him for 2 years we were all OK with it…….

Not all.

 

[agro]

Son of a legend signed sealed and delivered announcement end of the week or early next week..................

They’re going to give Ben another crack?

 

[The Return of the Paf]

Levi Casboult is out of contract and an Unrestricted Free Agent....


Seriously though - it's an intriguing hole in our list.

We seem to like playing two genuine rucks. Part of me thinks that's because neither are able to ruck a whole game, we don't have a dedicated ruck/fwd to partner them, and we have two elite key forwards that 100% must play - rather than any academic belief that two rucks is the "best" setup. It makes for a challenging selection conundrum.

Rucks: TDK, Pittonet, Mirkov, O'Keefe
Key forwards: Curnow, McKay, Lemmey(?)
Ruck/forwards: JSOS, Young(?)

Option 1: Pick 2 rucks, pick 2 key forwards
Option 2: Pick 1 ruck, pick 2 key forwards, pick 1 ruck/fwd
Option 3: Pick 1 ruck, pick 2 key forwards

Option 1 is the current default. It's attractive because it gives us the best shot at 4 quarters of strong ruckwork, and it leaves our two marquee key forwards as the main targets ahead of the ball. It does eat into the run we have in the side, and means we're committing to a fair bit of bench time split between the two rucks. Our list profile seems to have been adjusted to accommodate though (lots of endurance runners - Walsh, Acres, Hollands, Cottrell, Curnow).

Option 2 is one we've flirted with when one of our starting rucks has been injured. JSOS has done OK in the role but is more a rover than an actual ruck, and Young also did OK in his brief cameo but lacks physicality and follow-up work. We're also finding that the ruck/forward struggles to impact forward because they're the third target and therefore lack the supply required to impact regularly (also, neither of our ruck/forwards are elite marks and kicks forward of the ball).

Option 3 we tried yesterday, and it forces us to use McKay in the ruck at times. He wasn't great. Wasn't even good. But he's also had bugger all experience there, and I'm sure if we put more work into it he could improve dramatically. Problem is that (if the main ruck is taking their rests on the bench) it leaves us short a target up forward, and it risks a premium asset in a role that can see some nasty knee injuries.

If we want to address it in the off-season I think there are a few ways we could go.

- Recruit a top-line ruck, push Pitto to depth or offer him up for trade, and force TDK to work hard on his forward craft. Sean Darcy is the obvious one here, or make a bold play for Brodie Grundy. Seems unlikely.
- Recruit a depth ruck who is physically ready to step into the main role when needed. Matthew Flynn and Nick Bryan seem like potential options who are currently out of contract, but may get offers elsewhere that include gametime. Jordon Sweet seems to get decent wraps from Doggies fans, but I don't know much about him.
- Recruit a top-line ruck/forward, push Pitto to depth of offer him up for trade, and give TDK the keys to the city as the main ruck. Hayden McLean looks like the main candidate here, maybe a late play for Esava Ratugolea? Also, what's the go with Tim O'Brien these days?
- Recruit a depth ruck/forward, one who is able to play either role to an OK standard but happy to wait in the VFL til needed. Haven't heard a peep about him since he was picked up, but wasn't Jacob Edwards (first MSD pick in 2021) supposed to be a really good developing prospect?

Or we elect not to address it, and accept that every list usually has some kind of quirk that needs to be worked with rather than around. Take a horses for courses approach in 2024 - use the two ruck strategy some weeks, the one ruck + JSOS strategy in other weeks, keep the Harry-in-the-ruck option in the back pocket, only to be used if in-game injuries force our hand.

It's possible that O'Keefe, Lemmey and/or Mirkov are the answer, and we just need to ride it out another year or two while they develop.

Or something a little more spicy - does Dom Akuei have the profile to be developed as a more athletic JSOS? I know he lacks the game sense, but could he play like a taller Jack Martin - occasional marking target, apply a bit of pressure, but also go into the ruck and jump over people's heads?

Nick Bryan is a bit like *'s version of De Koning, I doubt they'd give him up cheaply.

Not all.

Nope.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Son of a legend signed sealed and delivered announcement end of the week or early next week..................

Don't make me cry. Would have been unforgiveable if he went somewhere else. Let's get around him.

 

[Wickzki]

Manton

Went through school and junior sports with one of Glenn's cousins. I'm sure he'd rapt.

There's been rumours for a few months now so it makes sense.

Aside from a death notice and a birthday wish elsewhere I haven't been on my normal platforms since late last week. I got nothing.
But I'm stoked for them.

 

[WalshYouLegend]

Son of a legend signed sealed and delivered announcement end of the week or early next week..................

Meatloaf’s son is signed to perform at the Blue’s Best and Fairest night? Awesome

 

[HarryFlashman]

There’s a truckload of 194 plus players around our pick. Caddy may drop due to injury (read Cripps/Kemp).

What about Grundy and move Pitto on. COL pay 200, MEL pay 200, we pay 450ish. Doesn’t work with Gawn but could with TDK.

What happened to Caddy?

 

[branedotorg]

What happened to Caddy?

Wishful thinking I reckon

 

[Bamboo Harvester]

What happened to Caddy?

Avoided a booze bus apparently

 

[btdg]

Gold Coast are listening to offers for Elijah Hollands. Given his brother is at the club we should be all over that. Has star power, and coming from GC where he's been behind so much underdeveloped talent

 

[DangerousD]

For the VFL watchers, is there other players at GC playing VFL who could be worth a look? I would really like us to target a high half forward from somewhere, like what GWS did with Bedford.

 

[Arr0w]

Can understand the attraction with Hollands, but don't think his the type we need

I would target Jeffrey and Farrar, but Dimma would rate those guys highly

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Gold Coast are listening to offers for Elijah Hollands. Given his brother is at the club we should be all over that. Has star power, and coming from GC where he's been behind so much underdeveloped talent

He's more of an endurance athlete suited for a wing though. We have Acres, Hollands, Cottrell, Binns and the Camporeale twins to come.

 

[Garters]

He's more of an endurance athlete suited for a wing though. We have Acres, Hollands, Cottrell, Binns and the Camporeale twins to come.

The new HBF!

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

Unless E.Hollands finds his junior years explosiveness again I'd pass. Dunno what they've done to him at the Suns but he is a shell of himself these days.

 

[Bamboo Harvester]

Gold Coast are listening to offers for Elijah Hollands. Given his brother is at the club we should be all over that. Has star power, and coming from GC where he's been behind so much underdeveloped talent

I'd take him in a heartbeat.

He's always been on the outer at GCS under Dew, which must drain your confidence as a kid making your way into the AFL arena. For mine, a new opportunity at a bigger club where he has senior mentors and a support crew, could see him blossom into the player he was touted to become.

"In terms of what he offers a club, the list is vast. Up forward, he is hard to beat as one of those medium-tall forwards who is just the right size to match it with talls or smalls. Against key position types he is too quick, and against smalls he is too strong. His body positioning in marking contests is terrific and has been known to hold off an opponent, protect the ball drop zone and even take it one-handed - such is his reading of the ball in a contest.

At ground level, Hollands is clean and able to grab it in one take, and more importantly, can instantly switch into defence mode with a high tackle count to accompany his offensive traits. His goal sense is arguably the best in the draft crop, being one of those players that can turn on a dime and slam home a goal from just inside 50."

Elijah Hollands Draft Profile

Elijah Hollands is an incredibly talented forward-midfielder who oozes X-factor and some terrific traits, but is recovering from an ACL injury.

central.rookieme.com

He's primarily a mid/half forward, which is an area of need on our list profile. I know this is a highlights package, but you don't just lose these skills overnight.

 

[Dramoth]

I'd take him in a heartbeat.

He's always been on the outer at GCS under Dew, which must drain your confidence as a kid making your way into the AFL arena. For mine, a new opportunity at a bigger club where he has senior mentors and a support crew, could see him blossom into the player he was touted to become.

"In terms of what he offers a club, the list is vast. Up forward, he is hard to beat as one of those medium-tall forwards who is just the right size to match it with talls or smalls. Against key position types he is too quick, and against smalls he is too strong. His body positioning in marking contests is terrific and has been known to hold off an opponent, protect the ball drop zone and even take it one-handed - such is his reading of the ball in a contest.

At ground level, Hollands is clean and able to grab it in one take, and more importantly, can instantly switch into defence mode with a high tackle count to accompany his offensive traits. His goal sense is arguably the best in the draft crop, being one of those players that can turn on a dime and slam home a goal from just inside 50."

Elijah Hollands Draft Profile

Elijah Hollands is an incredibly talented forward-midfielder who oozes X-factor and some terrific traits, but is recovering from an ACL injury.

central.rookieme.com

He's primarily a mid/half forward, which is an area of need on our list profile. I know this is a highlights package, but you don't just lose these skills overnight.

LOB and Dow appears to according to quite a few of our supporters.

 

[lily of laguna]

You do realise that there's a difference between reality and what is practical and acceptable to say as the employee of another club, don't you?

What????

He can’t say anything complimentary about his old club doing well, whilst at the same time give his commitment to his current club? If that is even required given that his current club is finished for the season.

Nah he is a grumpy curmudgeon and I think it’s says a fair bit.

At least he won’t have to worry about whether he turns up to celebrate with premier teammates etc…


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[4thchicken]

Given norths interest in fisher, would be interesting to see if we could entice north to give up pick 2…

Fisher + young + blues 1st + round 4 pick (currently 60+) -> north for pick 2 + future 3rd and future 4th round picks

Fisher + young salary cap space -> Ben McKay

32

Ben Mckay

Age

27

Ht

202cm

Wt

104kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

7.5

2star

K

3.7

1star

HB

3.8

3star

M

2.7

3star

T

1.7

4star

MG

77.2

1star

D

7.5

2star

K

4.5

2star

HB

3.0

2star

M

2.5

3star

T

1.5

2star

MG

88.5

2star

D

7.0

2star

K

3.4

2star

HB

3.6

3star

M

2.4

3star

T

2.0

4star

MG

67.8

1star

on a blockbuster 6-7 year x 600-700k deal to nab north pick 1 via FA/AFL compo

Split pick 2 (pick 3 after afl compo) to either gws, melbourne or dogs for 2 x 1st round picks

Net impact
North get access to Reid +fisher + young (McKay replacement) for a approx 16 pick downgrade in the 1st round (pick 3 to 11-19)

Blues - cap relief + extra mid-late 1st round pick (netting 2 x 1st rounds for caddy + ruckman or key defender) + bank some points for the twins in 2024

 

[BigFrizz36]

What????

He can’t say anything complimentary about his old club doing well, whilst at the same time give his commitment to his current club? If that is even required given that his current club is finished for the season.

Nah he is a grumpy curmudgeon and I think it’s says a fair bit.

At least he won’t have to worry about whether he turns up to celebrate with premier teammates etc…


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

This reads as though you are happy that we didn't win any premierships whilst he played as some sort of punishment. Seems a bit weird?

Once again, he gave his all for the club when he played. He owes carlton nothing.