List Mgmt. 2025 List Management Discussion

[McIvor]

So, contract and trade stories for 2025 are already beginning with this:

The 10 biggest contract and trade stories to watch in 2025

Some quotes relating to the Lions and general talk on social media who we could acquire as a Joe replacement.

Oscar Allen is an interesting one given his injury issues, but he will be hoping to get a long-term deal to stay at the Eagles.

Brandon Starcevich is also out of contract at Brisbane

It was good to see the level of detail they went into at Starc's future.

With Sam Darcy getting close to re-signing at the Bulldogs, Callaghan is probably the best out-of-contract player from that 2021 draft pool heading into 2025 (Kai Lohmann is another as well as Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera).

The Lion hunt
This will be one of the major storylines heading into 2025. The the timing of Joe Daniher's departure, plus the Lions needing to match bids for Levi Ashcroft and Sam Marshall at the draft meant it was near on impossible for them to get a key forward in during the trade and free agency period (no disrespect to Sam Day, who has joined as a rookie signing). But the Lions will have time in 2025 and giving the Lions time to go and attract a player is one of the most dangerous things for the rest of the competition. There's not heaps of out of contract forwards looming in 2025, so keep an eye on the contracted players. Brisbane is a very attractive proposition and have landed some big guns over the years. If Sam Darcy goes bananas next year, will the Lions come knocking for Jamarra Ugle-Hagan? The ascent of Sam Darcy is coming and he's going to re-sign at the Bulldogs soon. Ugle-Hagan is locked in at the Bulldogs until the end of 2026, but the Lions could come knocking.

Of note; heading into 2025, the following players are out of contract at the end of next season, with my predictions of what I think will happen beyond 25:

Kai LOHMANN - re-sign for 3-4 years
Deven ROBERTSON - trade / delisted but hope he has a breakout year and re-signs
Callum AH CHEE - re-signs as a Lion for life
Lincoln McCARTHY - retire or potentially re-sign for another year depending on how he returns from his ACL
Logan MORRIS - re-sign for 3-4 years
Dayne ZORKO - retire or if he doesn't hit the 300 milestone, he may go for half a season more like Cats are doing with Mitch Duncan to get him to the milestone and then he'll retire before the MSD like Duncan will.
Zane ZAKOSTELSKY - make or break - TBD
Brandon RYAN - differing reports on whether he got a 2 or 3 years but he's one of the first delisted for mine unless something massive happens for him in 25.
Conor McKENNA - retire or maybe one more depending on his hunger
Darcy GARDINER - see Linc McCarthy
James TUNSTILL - see Dev Robertson
Darcy FORT - re-sign for another year
Ryan LESTER - retire
Reece TORRENT - make or break - TBD
Brandon STARCEVICH - re-sign and commit to a Lion for life
Bruce REVILLE - re-signs for another year at a minimum and hopefully longer if early season form warrants it.
Darragh JOYCE - see Conor, but think he could get another one year extension depending on how Doedee, Gardiner and ZZ go
Luke BEECKEN - make or break - TBD
Darcy CRAVEN - make of break - TBD
Sam DAY - assuming he only signed a one year deal; have not seen anything related to length of his deal. Depends on his form and whether we land a big fish or see one of our youngsters emerge.

 

[Perrip]

So, contract and trade stories for 2025 are already beginning with this:

The 10 biggest contract and trade stories to watch in 2025

Good to see they put out an article on what Twomey said on Gettable last week.

Of note; heading into 2025, the following players are out of contract at the end of next season, with my predictions of what I think will happen beyond 25:

Bruce Reville [Cat B Rookie] is out of contract at the end of next year too

 

[Nathan Barley]

I sense an operation thread

 

[M Malice]

So, contract and trade stories for 2025 are already beginning with this:

The 10 biggest contract and trade stories to watch in 2025

Some quotes relating to the Lions and general talk on social media who we could acquire as a Joe replacement.



It was good to see the level of detail they went into at Starc's future.




Of note; heading into 2025, the following players are out of contract at the end of next season, with my predictions of what I think will happen beyond 25:

Kai LOHMANN - re-sign for 3-4 years
Deven ROBERTSON - trade / delisted but hope he has a breakout year and re-signs
Callum AH CHEE - re-signs as a Lion for life
Lincoln McCARTHY - retire or potentially re-sign for another year depending on how he returns from his ACL
Logan MORRIS - re-sign for 3-4 years
Dayne ZORKO - retire or if he doesn't hit the 300 milestone, he may go for half a season more like Cats are doing with Mitch Duncan to get him to the milestone and then he'll retire before the MSD like Duncan will.
Zane ZAKOSTELSKY - make or break - TBD
Brandon RYAN - differing reports on whether he got a 2 or 3 years but he's one of the first delisted for mine unless something massive happens for him in 25.
Conor McKENNA - retire or maybe one more depending on his hunger
Darcy GARDINER - see Linc McCarthy
James TUNSTILL - see Dev Robertson
Darcy FORT - re-sign for another year
Ryan LESTER - retire
Reece TORRENT - make or break - TBD
Brandon STARCEVICH - re-sign and commit to a Lion for life
Bruce REVILLE - re-signs for another year at a minimum and hopefully longer if early season form warrants it.
Darragh JOYCE - see Conor, but think he could get another one year extension depending on how Doedee, Gardiner and ZZ go
Luke BEECKEN - make or break - TBD
Darcy CRAVEN - make of break - TBD
Sam DAY - assuming he only signed a one year deal; have not seen anything related to length of his deal. Depends on his form and whether we land a big fish or see one of our youngsters emerge.

Pretty much in line with my thinking except for ZZ, I think he gets another year, he is a raw product and could take 4-5 seasons to show his true potential.

 

[KissKiss]

Pretty much in line with my thinking except for ZZ, I think he gets another year, he is a raw product and could take 4-5 seasons to show his true potential.

I dont think we have a lot of depth (and especially young depth) in KPD as well. Gives him more time if he keeps showing development.

Very different to guys down the depth chart like in the midfield. While there is a few more senior roles in the midfield, there is so much more competition. Dev Tunstill and Torrent are going to struggle way more than ZZ to stay on the list for another year

 

[Dalions]

I dont think we have a lot of depth (and especially young depth) in KPD as well. Gives him more time if he keeps showing development.

Very different to guys down the depth chart like in the midfield. While there is a few more senior roles in the midfield, there is so much more competition. Dev Tunstill and Torrent are going to struggle way more than ZZ to stay on the list for another year

True KP depth is a bit of an issue.

 

[Lace Out]

An uninjured Hipwood is a high priority outcome next season

 

[Bucking Beads]

Jamara

 

[CarterS]

Ugle Hagan feels a bit unrealistic to me, Naughton maybe?

 

[Nuggo]

I reckon Jamara is a chance if the money is there.

 

[Dalions]

I reckon Jamara is a chance if the money is there.

Other clubs would offer more than we can.
He would be coming here for Culture and the chance at Premierships.

 

[briztoon]

I don’t know what Jamara the person is like.

Is he the type that is going to look for a professional environment, out of the Melbourne spotlight?


His first couple of seasons he had a strong connection with Bontempeli, I don’t know if he’s matured beyond that.

 

[Dalions]

I don’t know what Jamara the person is like.

Is he the type that is going to look for a professional environment, out of the Melbourne spotlight?


His first couple of seasons he had a strong connection with Bontempeli, I don’t know if he’s matured beyond that.

I think he would love the lime light if he was at a bigger Melbourne Club.

 

[KissKiss]

I got the feeling that he was a kid that wanted the limelight so may want the big club thing, but that was a few years ago. Not sure if thats changed for him or not.

I agree he would be a great get, we would probably struggle to afford him (unless he really wanted to come to us) but there is real potential for a tall to come out of the Dogs line up.

 

[knaf]

Interesting side note. Jamara grew up at Framingham Aboriginal Trust. The former leader of the trust, Geoff Cark has just been sentenced to jail for fraud. No idea of the family links between Clark and Jamara. Obviously tensions in the community. May be a reason for Jamara to seek to get out of the limelight, alternatively may want to stay in Victoria to support family. As I said side note.

 

[McLuggages]

Some interesting reading on Jamarra on the Dogs board - seems the fans think he's not working as hard as he could be.

It'd be incredible but can't see how we could trade for him and get enough points for Annabel (but never doubt Dom....)

 

[Pns_blister]

Some interesting reading on Jamarra on the Dogs board - seems the fans think he's not working as hard as he could be.

It'd be incredible but can't see how we could trade for him and get enough points for Annabel (but never doubt Dom....)

Can trade two years in advance from next year. So would potentially have two firsts to play with. Hypothetically, Starc might head to WCE and net us a first too.

 

[Nathan Barley]

Some interesting reading on Jamarra on the Dogs board - seems the fans think he's not working as hard as he could be.

It'd be incredible but can't see how we could trade for him and get enough points for Annabel (but never doubt Dom....)

Not going to take much for someone who doesn’t train hard

 

[Nuggo]

Not going to take much for someone who doesn’t train hard

The question is why isn't he training hard enough. Is it him or another reason. Perhaps if it is another reason he could be obtainable. Maybe he sees himself as the number 1 Banana and the doggies don't.

 

[mpal6]

Some interesting reading on Jamarra on the Dogs board - seems the fans think he's not working as hard as he could be.

It'd be incredible but can't see how we could trade for him and get enough points for Annabel (but never doubt Dom....)

Laconic - tick
Key forward - tick
If he reaches the "you don't know what you're going to get", he would be almost a like for like Daniher replacement

 

[3KZ is Football]

I don’t know what Jamara the person is like.

Is he the type that is going to look for a professional environment, out of the Melbourne spotlight?


His first couple of seasons he had a strong connection with Bontempeli, I don’t know if he’s matured beyond that.

He and Hugh McCluggage both attended Warrnambool College (albeit in different years) and both played at South Warrnambool Football Club. Signing on at Brisbane would be a great move for Ugle-Hagan and the club has time to make a solid pitch. Running around in Premiership winning forward line that boasts Charlie Cameron, Callum Ah-Chee, Cam Rayner, Kai Lohmann, Eric Hipwood and Logan Morris would have to appeal.

 

[KissKiss]

He and Hugh McCluggage both attended Warrnambool College (albeit in different years) and both played at South Warrnambool Football Club. Signing on at Brisbane would be a great move for Ugle-Hagan and the club has time to make a solid pitch. Running around in Premiership winning forward line that boasts Charlie Cameron, Callum Ah-Chee, Cam Rayner, Kai Lohmann, Eric Hipwood and Logan Morris would have to appeal.

We can just hope that the doggies under Bevo implode a little bit more, and the chance to play for a properly run successful team sounds attractive.

I also hope that the Eagles and Hawks struggle as well next year, so their forwards keep looking elsewhere

 

[RegionalLion]

Looking at the list what would be a theoretical ideal scenario for 2026?

I have taken out the players I really hope are resigned.

Then the possible changes to the list (I think we are a genuine kpd and real quality kpf short as well as a developing ruck to complement Smith)

Deven ROBERTSON (hope he finds a spot on another list and gets a good career going) --> Annable
Dayne ZORKO - 1 more year??
Brandon RYAN (could surprise us all and be our key forward but otherwise) --> Development Fwd / Development Ruck (Gillett maybe if he can get his aggression up)
Conor McKENNA - 1 more year?? (Or maybe Gilder not quite the same but another good back in a younger age profile)
Darcy GARDINER --> Tall swing man to develop either from the draft or an out of contract player - or if he can come back strong from injury Gardner can be this player for another couple of years
James TUNSTILL --> Geesu
Ryan LESTER - retire --> Genuine Tall Key Defender (Maybe even a Zach Reid / Busslinger or other 200cm+ backman who can be a Harris backup someone already on the cusp for another team but have the sell of being an injury away from a possible premiership with us)
Reece TORRENT -- Keep?
Darcy CRAVEN -- Keep?
Sam DAY - The fabled Key Forward? --> JUH would be ideal with the skill as well as age on his side (would think a bit of salary cap is freed up from this list of players departing - his attitude issues could hopefully be addressed), Mitch Lewis or even a fwd just out of a main squad who could be gotten cheap would be another great option

Might be going a bit tall but we have such a great mid rotation plus more coming in the academy a year of too many talls to find the best options wouldn't go astray in 2026 imo. Not sure if there are any more talls coming through the academy.

 

[mpal6]

Looking at the list what would be a theoretical ideal scenario for 2026?

I have taken out the players I really hope are resigned.

Then the possible changes to the list (I think we are a genuine kpd and real quality kpf short as well as a developing ruck to complement Smith)

Deven ROBERTSON (hope he finds a spot on another list and gets a good career going) --> Annable
Dayne ZORKO - 1 more year??
Brandon RYAN (could surprise us all and be our key forward but otherwise) --> Development Fwd / Development Ruck (Gillett maybe if he can get his aggression up)
Conor McKENNA - 1 more year?? (Or maybe Gilder not quite the same but another good back in a younger age profile)
Darcy GARDINER --> Tall swing man to develop either from the draft or an out of contract player - or if he can come back strong from injury Gardner can be this player for another couple of years
James TUNSTILL --> Geesu
Ryan LESTER - retire --> Genuine Tall Key Defender (Maybe even a Zach Reid / Busslinger or other 200cm+ backman who can be a Harris backup someone already on the cusp for another team but have the sell of being an injury away from a possible premiership with us)
Reece TORRENT -- Keep?
Darcy CRAVEN -- Keep?
Sam DAY - The fabled Key Forward? --> JUH would be ideal with the skill as well as age on his side (would think a bit of salary cap is freed up from this list of players departing - his attitude issues could hopefully be addressed), Mitch Lewis or even a fwd just out of a main squad who could be gotten cheap would be another great option

Might be going a bit tall but we have such a great mid rotation plus more coming in the academy a year of too many talls to find the best options wouldn't go astray in 2026 imo. Not sure if there are any more talls coming through the academy.

Charlie Hewitt (Key Forward) was rated a chance, didn't get drafted this year.
He might return as an overager to academy next year.

Scouting Notes: 2023 AFL U16s – NT vs. Lions Academy

Brisbane Lions Academy secured a big win over Northern Territory to claim the Pool A title of the 2023 AFL Under 16 Championships.

central.rookieme.com

 

[Hewey75]

Charlie Hewitt (Key Forward) was rated a chance, didn't get drafted this year.
He might return as an overager to academy next year.

Scouting Notes: 2023 AFL U16s – NT vs. Lions Academy

Brisbane Lions Academy secured a big win over Northern Territory to claim the Pool A title of the 2023 AFL Under 16 Championships.

central.rookieme.com

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Good call mate. Charlie has been injured for the whole of 2024, so hopefully he is a presence in 2025