List Mgmt. 2025 List Management 📃

[gbatman]

Cat B rookies need to be getting close to AFL level after 3 seasons, the same with all recruits. Or at minimum, have made significant progress and demonstrating that they will likely be close to AFL level in their 4th season.

Monahan didn't show anything in his first year. He will need to show a little this year to keep our interest. There will be others we will have our eye on no doubt.

Fingers crossed for him that he can make those steps and become a player.

 

[BigFrizz36]

On the flip side, it doesn’t matter how “good we look” if we can’t recruit to that spot because it’s already filled by a guy who’s never going to make it.

There aren't a hell of a lot of candidates for cat b rookie spots though. They either have to be internationals like the two Irishmen or next generation academy kids who don't get drafted at all. It's not like Monahan and Duffy are taking up a spot that we would be looking to use on a reasonably highly rated draftee.

 

[tarczonandjane]

Also consider that the draft is going to be compromised for a few years with the Tassie team coming in. Meaning the available talent in the draft for us will be very limited. So it makes sense to invest in non-traditional pathways to the game for at least the next 3-5 years.

I keep seeing similar sentiments echoed. And until the exact details are released, I can understand why they appear. But if the vibe spoken about by several commentators is correct that the AFL will require Tassie to trade out picks for established players, then there will be paths into the draft for clubs like us if we want to take them. In fact, I dare say the situation actually offers greater opportunity for clubs in high positions on the table to get prime draft opportunities than they otherwise might have.

Again, it will get back to whether we want to explore such opportunities. In the past, high ranking clubs have taken aggressive strategies to ensure draft talent on the arrival of expansion clubs - albeit different systems to what Tassie might be provided. Essendon on Fremantle’s arrival comes to mind. The GWS mini drafts attracted a range of buyers - including Adelaide and Melbourne.

Of course, none of the above invalidates an investment in non- traditional pathways either.

 

[Coona Blues]

Also consider that the draft is going to be compromised for a few years with the Tassie team coming in. Meaning the available talent in the draft for us will be very limited. So it makes sense to invest in non-traditional pathways to the game for at least the next 3-5 years.

I keep seeing similar sentiments echoed. And until the exact details are released, I can understand why they appear. But if the vibe spoken about by several commentators is correct that the AFL will require Tassie to trade out picks for established players, then there will be paths into the draft for clubs like us if we want to take them. In fact, I dare say the situation actually offers greater opportunity for clubs in high positions on the table to get prime draft opportunities than they otherwise might have.

Again, it will get back to whether we want to explore such opportunities. In the past, high ranking clubs have taken aggressive strategies to ensure draft talent on the arrival of expansion clubs - albeit different systems to what Tassie might be provided. Essendon on Fremantle’s arrival comes to mind. The GWS mini drafts attracted a range of buyers - including Adelaide and Melbourne.

Of course, none of the above invalidates an investment in non- traditional pathways either.

Austin and company have set us up exceptionally well for the coming compromised period.

The largest “threat” centres around our key position players, and the progression thereafter. We have our gun talls approaching their end during the Tassie compromised period of 2028-2030.
Charlie is contracted to 2029, Harry 2030 and Weiters 2031 and they will be 32/33 in 2030, so ideally we have progression candidates in place and in/approaching their prime. Notionally JSOS is in that age bracket as well.

We have (in my opinion) a very viable midfield group with Walsh, Cerra, Smith, Lord, Camporeale(2), Hollands(2) and, of course the prospect of Cody Walker joining the group in 2027. Cripps and Hewett would be 35 if still around in 2030, so that seems unlikely. Most would back Crippa to play to 33 though, given his meticulous preparation.

Peripheral players at both ends and on the wings are in “abundance” already on our list. Other than “best available” and incremental improvement to the list, we will not be compelled to add to the current group. Taking a little licence, by including Fogarty, De Koning and Cerra, currently in their 26th year, I offer the following as a prospective team. With a little projection, I am confident that the entire list is AFL quality, with the possible exception of the unproven Irishmen.

B: Charleson, O’Farrell, (Duffy)
HB: Cowan, Wilson, O.Hollands
C: Binns, Cerra, L.Camporeale
Foll: De Koning, Walsh, Smith
HF: E.Hollands, Lemmey, Durdin
F: Moir, Kemp, Motlop
Int: Lord, B.Camporeale, O’Keeffe, Cottrell, Fogarty.
Emerg: Monahan.

Likely a very competitive team, particularly when adding our gun talls in their twilight. Likely until 2030 minimum. We can also bank on adding Cody Walker in the ‘26 draft.

We have three draft possible/probables available through father/son Harry Dean 193cm tall defender, Jack Ison 189cm “3rd tall type” utility and 167cm small forward in the respective summer train on Victorian rep teams as very likely, given our lack of a first rounder in the next draft. Also in the VIC Country squad is underager Cody Walker already mentioned above.

We have the option to add two more players in the SSP period which may add to our key tall numbers, which clearly will need some additions sooner or later.

On paper, our only potential drama with the compromised drafts is adding another key position player at either end circa ‘27 or ‘28 drafts, or perhaps via free agency at the appropriate time.

I haven’t factored in other father/son or NGA players beyond the next draft other than Walker. Will go looking now, we may have the required prospects coming through already.

I am not overly worried about the Tassie compromised drafts.