Player Watch #42 Mykelti Lefau Re-Signed 2026

[SouthernStripes]

If we could film him ringing his mum and dad to tell them he got a contract extension I reckon that would be my second highlight for this year which closely follows the only other highlight I can think of, which was when he rang his mum and dad to tell them he got a spot on the list.

 

[Roachy8]

****ing ripper - looking forward to 2025 now.

 

[GhostofJimJess]

Yeah at the tigers they take 2 years

John Pitura apparently only two weeks from getting back to full training

 

[tiger_tough]

What a story this fella was.

 

[tiger_tough]

Noticed he's travelling with the AFLW squad and doing some media. Hopefully the ACL recovery is going well, we're going to need him next year.

 

[Drunken Wookie]

Lefau and Lynch up forward would put the fear of god in any intercept defender.

 

[Jim Irwins Heart]

Lefau and Lynch up forward would put the fear of god in any intercept defender.

Throw in Bauer and Koschitzke/KPF draftee when Big Sexy is inevitably injured and our forward line doesn’t look half bad

 

[Grrr]

Throw in Bauer and Koschitzke when Big Sexy is inevitably injured and our forward line doesn’t look half bad

Kosi no. He was serviceable in the last part of the year, a lot better than his first half, but would rather see Gray and Fawcett in tandom with Lynch until Lefau is ready. The wild card is Bauer. He gave Sicily a touch up, not many do that. Lefau and Bauer with Lynch would be interesting.

 

[Bojangles17]

Kosi no. He was serviceable in the last part of the year, a lot better than his first half, but would rather see Gray and Fawcett in tandom with Lynch until Lefau is ready. The wild card is Bauer. He gave Sicily a touch up, not many do that. Lefau and Bauer with Lynch would be interesting.

Fully concur , for mine kozi only use is reserve ruck , I’d honestly prefer him to Ryan unless he improves 500% bw seasons

 

[Danog]

Fully concur , for mine kozi only use is reserve ruck , I’d honestly prefer him to Ryan unless he improves 500% bw seasons

He really should be training as a key back. He's failed as a forward.

 

[Tonythetiger]

He really should be training as a key back. He's failed as a forward.

We have a bit of flexibility it seems since so many of our talls we don't really know exactly where they are suited, how they will come back from injury, if they are any good and if they will still be on the list in 2026.

Kosi I agree, just make him work on being the best Backman he can and have him pinch hit in the ruck, maybe him and Miller are vying for the same spot.


Young probably gets delisted end of next year. Lefau, Fawcett, Gray all forwards assuming Lynch plays a lot next year and the younger guys come in and out of the team a bit. Blight keep back. Bauer, hmm, think a third forward is a nice spot for him. Gibcus if he's fit would be in the backline and Balta forward.

Really need a solid 1-2 years of this set up to transition away from a retiring Lynch and by then there won't be any more question marks if this group of talls are going to make it.

 

[Moppey]

Kosi no. He was serviceable in the last part of the year, a lot better than his first half, but would rather see Gray and Fawcett in tandom with Lynch until Lefau is ready. The wild card is Bauer. He gave Sicily a touch up, not many do that. Lefau and Bauer with Lynch would be interesting.

With so many key forwards now on the list im looking for ways to just play em all in their positions both reserves and seniors.

I have voiced this opinion to others with mixed opinions. From what i can see of Lefau he can play midfield.He has done in the VFL.

It will be likely he won't play until at least mid season when he will turn 27.He will definately be coming back thru the reserves and its a chance, that will be the rest of his year done.
Develop him on his return to footy back in the midfield. Despite our draft we are still screaming out for them.
Because of our draft we just have too many key forwards now.

Armstrong he was a slider and was arguably the best tall forward taken.
Then we have Faull who we deemed good enough to take at pick 14.
On top of that we have Fawcett showing good signs after an injury filled year.
Two of these kids to join Lynch is the go we are not winning many games next year its about games into kids.
Then we have Sims taken at 28 more as a fwd/ruck maybe he will get a game because of the twin roles.
Bauer not a genuine kpf imo, thats all it is. He is a genuine utility and we could develop him as a defender.
Lynch who will lead the Attack.
Kossie who is not up to the level imo but a mature big body.
Gray another kid but slighly older who will need games
Lefau makes 9.
Then they may want to play Ryan as a ruck/fwd. I have probably gone a year early but ive lost hope that Ryan will make it.

Then throw in Smillie a mid at 195 who will go forward. Lalor has shown he can go forward.
Im not looking at wins or how well the oldies go next year. For me it is all about games into as many kids as we possibly can with just enough older bodies to show the way and protect.

Pick with 2027 2028 in mind rather than 2025.

 

[Grrr]

With so many key forwards now on the list im looking for ways to just play em all in their positions both reserves and seniors.

I have voiced this opinion to others with mixed opinions. From what i can see of Lefau he can play midfield.He has done in the VFL.

It will be likely he won't play until at least mid season when he will turn 27.He will definately be coming back thru the reserves and its a chance, that will be the rest of his year done.
Develop him on his return to footy back in the midfield. Despite our draft we are still screaming out for them.
Because of our draft we just have too many key forwards now.

Armstrong he was a slider and was arguably the best tall forward taken.
Then we have Faull who we deemed good enough to take at pick 14.
On top of that we have Fawcett showing good signs after an injury filled year.
Two of these kids to join Lynch is the go we are not winning many games next year its about games into kids.
Then we have Sims taken at 28 more as a fwd/ruck maybe he will get a game because of the twin roles.
Bauer not a genuine kpf imo, thats all it is. He is a genuine utility and we could develop him as a defender.
Lynch who will lead the Attack.
Kossie who is not up to the level imo but a mature big body.
Gray another kid but slighly older who will need games
Lefau makes 9.
Then they may want to play Ryan as a ruck/fwd. I have probably gone a year early but ive lost hope that Ryan will make it.

Then throw in Smillie a mid at 195 who will go forward. Lalor has shown he can go forward.
Im not looking at wins or how well the oldies go next year. For me it is all about games into as many kids as we possibly can with just enough older bodies to show the way and protect.

Pick with 2027 2028 in mind rather than 2025.

With the tall forwards, may the best man win. None of them will be there all year in their first year, so they will all get a go, well th eyoung ones.

 

[Coach_Required]

With the tall forwards, may the best man win. None of them will be there all year in their first year, so they will all get a go, well th eyoung ones.

i just hope they all get a decent go at it. Would be quite annoyed if some are treated more favourably than others and we end up losing a potential good player.

 

[jreesosb]

I reckon based on his form last year he'll get games this year.

 

[Grrr]

i just hope they all get a decent go at it. Would be quite annoyed if some are treated more favourably than others and we end up losing a potential good player.

It's year one so some will be more advanced than others. I don't think anyone is going to walk into the side, big jump to AFL.

 

[THE_GUN]

Just let the 4 KPF have their time at VFL learning their craft and developing their tanks and body for AFL
these boys will take 3+ years to be ready to play consistant football at the highest level so no need to rush them and lets just get this right. hopefully we get 2 Gun fowards

 

[tora tora tora]

i just hope they all get a decent go at it. Would be quite annoyed if some are treated more favourably than others and we end up losing a potential good player.

Opportunity to the gang of 8 will come with how well they adapt to the AFL environment. They look ready to go ....A couple been injured like Lalor aim for mid/late year debut.

Injury management of the ACL victims & Lynch. Something different for Lynch like ease back via the VFL... Games for the kids.

Performance of Gray & Fawcett might be competition. But my guess is the new kids play ahead of these 2.

How many KPF to select each week? Is Bauer in calculations.

Back up ruck duties off the bench, low TOG... Kosi, Ryan or Sims? why not Sims

 

[Meteoric Rise]

Just let the 4 KPF have their time at VFL learning their craft and developing their tanks and body for AFL
these boys will take 3+ years to be ready to play consistant football at the highest level so no need to rush them and lets just get this right. hopefully we get 2 Gun fowards

Lynch, Nankervis - 2-3 more seasons, then retire
Sims - Ruck/forward
Ryan, Hayes-Brown, Colina - Rucks/back-up rucks
Lefau, The Force, Gray, Bauer, Faull, Armstrong, Koschitzke - key forwards
Miller, Gibcus, Young, Blight, Balta, Trainor - key defenders

Some of these will fall by the wayside, hopefully quite a few make it for Richmond, filling our key & ruck roles for years to come. There has to be a fair chance a few of these guys end up being traded to the Taz team to get them started. Especially with all the connections there like Gale & Jack. The pattern is established now with Suns & Eagles trading very confidently with Richmond on the strength of inside knowledge of our players.

That should hopefully net us a few very handy draft picks. We could be incubating the likes of Banks, Campbell, as well & they might also be interested in a 27-28yo Mansell.

You could easily see us trading up to 4-5 players to Taz, including some key positioners, in return for some pleasing draft capital that should help us fill out our next dynasty squad.

 

[GhostofJimJess]

Injury management of the ACL victims & Lynch. Something different for Lynch like ease back via the VFL... Games for the kids.

If Lynch is anywhere near ready, there's no way he doesn't play against Carlton in Round 1.

 

[Coach_Required]

Lynch, Nankervis - 2-3 more seasons, then retire
Sims - Ruck/forward
Ryan, Hayes-Brown, Colina - Rucks/back-up rucks
Lefau, The Force, Gray, Bauer, Faull, Armstrong, Koschitzke - key forwards
Miller, Gibcus, Young, Blight, Balta, Trainor - key defenders

Some of these will fall by the wayside, hopefully quite a few make it for Richmond, filling our key & ruck roles for years to come. There has to be a fair chance a few of these guys end up being traded to the Taz team to get them started. Especially with all the connections there like Gale & Jack. The pattern is established now with Suns & Eagles trading very confidently with Richmond on the strength of inside knowledge of our players.

That should hopefully net us a few very handy draft picks. We could be incubating the likes of Banks, Campbell, as well & they might also be interested in a 27-28yo Mansell.

You could easily see us trading up to 4-5 players to Taz, including some key positioners, in return for some pleasing draft capital that should help us fill out our next dynasty squad.

Let's be realistic, can see all those players with lines through them not on our list in 2 years time.

Ryan gets off lightly as we signed him for 3.

 

[tora tora tora]

If Lynch is anywhere near ready, there's no way he doesn't play against Carlton in Round 1.

After 4 games in 2023 he was managed Ground zero and it took Lynch 2 games to get up to pace. Good game 3, then injured.

one more year elapsed, now 32 y.o. injury ravaged Lynch will be even slower.

We're playing for the spoon again. 4, 5 VFL games building TOG he might just survive.

 

[Coach_Required]

After 4 games in 2023 he was managed Ground zero and it took Lynch 2 games to get up to pace. Good game 3, then injured.

one more year elapsed, now 32 y.o. injury ravaged Lynch will be even slower.

We're playing for the spoon again. 4, 5 VFL games building TOG he might just survive.

We aren't playing Lynch in the VFL, he plays in the seniors or he isn't because he is injured / rested.

 

[Drunken Wookie]

We aren't playing Lynch in the VFL, he plays in the seniors or he isn't because he is injured / rested.

I reckon part of our problem has been keeping our injured top liners out of competitive match scenarios and then throwing them straight into the heat of AFL after long layoffs. Not a doctor but surely giving a player like Lynch managed minutes at VFL level to get a proper working over and some confidence wouldn't be a bad idea?
If the reason against it is 'well, he's Tom Lynch/Prestia/Gibcus he doesn't play VFL' which it appears it has been, then we're arrogant idiots.

 

[Coach_Required]

I reckon part of our problem has been keeping our injured top liners out of competitive match scenarios and then throwing them straight into the heat of AFL after long layoffs. Not a doctor but surely giving a player like Lynch managed minutes at VFL level to get a proper working over and some confidence wouldn't be a bad idea?
If the reason against it is 'well, he's Tom Lynch/Prestia/Gibcus he doesn't play VFL' which it appears it has been, then we're arrogant idiots.

I don't see the purpose in playing him in the VFL. He is far more valuable playing seniors especially if we have a few young key forwards also playing.