List Mgmt. Hawk's List Management for 2025

[Scrads]

Usually do one of these before the trade period but was caught-up with other stuff this year so here is my post-trade period update! This is what I have at the moment. As you can see, firstly the list is STACKED in terms of talent (which we already knew) but is also pretty close to being completely full as it is. If what I have is correct, then we have 36 primary list, 4 Cat A and 1 Cat B locked in for next year which leaves us with limited options in terms of drafting next month and SSP/MSD in 2025.

If I had to guess, I'd say we are likely to delist-then-rookie one or both of Gunston and/or Breust for flexibility. Regardless, we can only intake a max of 2 players to primary/Cat A list at the moment plus the option of another Cat B player if we want (which I suspect we will re-sign Bennetts with).

As usual, if you spot any mistakes then please let me know

 

[Tall poppy Syndrome]

As much as I would love Marx back on the left wing I think he's got a spot sewn up on the backline permanently as he generates so many scores from the back half with his laser like kicking.

So many times last year we had our backs to the walls defending repeat inside 50s only for Amon to split the entire opposition defense to a running Weddle/Impey. Completely swings momentum our way.

In the words of TISM, Karl Marx played on the left, Ayn Rand played on the right…

 

[Steven Tyler]

Lewis is never depth. As soon as he's body is ready, sadly a big ? He will be one of the first picked every single week

You can’t rely on Lewis or CJ, so they are depth at this stage
Hopefully this changes

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

You can’t rely on Lewis or CJ, so they are depth at this stage
Hopefully this changes

That’s rubbish. They’re picked whenever they are fit.

 

[Steven Tyler]

That’s rubbish. They’re picked whenever they are fit.

For 8 games a year

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

For 8 games a year

And?

If they’re picked every time they’re fit they’re not depth.

 

[Blackhawk42]

That’s rubbish. They’re picked whenever they are fit.

Is this true about Jiath anymore?

He played a VFL final then was subsequently overlooked for the seniors the following two weeks.

 

[JedAnderson]

Is this true about Jiath anymore?

He played a VFL final then was subsequently overlooked for the seniors the following two weeks.

Jiath was terrible in that final for Boxhill. He was not fit, but did what he could for the team, at no stage would a player unfit be recalled.

 

[Hens Hall]

It's a good question to ask re Jiath.

From our finals team we need to add Day, Barras and Battle before even considering Jiath.

Not the same type of players obviously but who gets the flick for Jiath out of the existing team?

I personally don't think he is a walk up start anymore.

 

[Simon Crawshay]

It's a good question to ask re Jiath.

From our finals team we need to add Day, Barras and Battle before even considering Jiath.

Not the same type of players obviously but who gets the flick for Jiath out of the existing team?

I personally don't think he is a walk up start anymore.

I’m a big fan of CJ but he’s going to have to earn his spot next year.

I still don’t think he is a winger, he looked lost at sea last year playing that role & couldn't get near the ball.

For me he’s a half back dasher pure and simple but he will be fighting quite a few for that role (Impey had a career best year in that role this year).

 

[VandoHawk]

I’m a big fan of CJ but he’s going to have to earn his spot next year.

I still don’t think he is a winger, he looked lost at sea last year playing that role & couldn't get near the ball.

For me he’s a half back dasher pure and simple but he will be fighting quite a few for that role (Impey had a career best year in that role this year).

CJ is first picked if he's fit. His athleticism, skills and linebreaking ability is perfect for the style that Mitchell is building. The Port final showed we need another line breaker when opposition teams sit on Massimo.

Last year he was adjusting to a new role while still at 70% fitness. I think we all noticed that he was unable to go on his trademark dashing runs. I liken it to Will Day in 2022 who was very average returning from injury despite being a quality player.

He's having a strong preseason so far and hopefully can strut his stuff without injury.

 

[Simon Crawshay]

CJ is first picked if he's fit. His athleticism, skills and linebreaking ability is perfect for the style that Mitchell is building. The Port final showed we need another line breaker when opposition teams sit on Massimo.

Last year he was adjusting to a new role while still at 70% fitness. I think we all noticed that he was unable to go on his trademark dashing runs. I liken it to Will Day in 2022 who was very average returning from injury despite being a quality player.

He's having a strong preseason so far and hopefully can strut his stuff without injury.

CJ has the tools but I don’t think he will be given the same leeway again next year with the amount of depth we have now. Harry M for one who is a more than handy winger who can step in and play that role very well.

Essentially the ball is in CJs court, he’s at the age now where he really needs to play some good, consistent AFL quality footy. Staying injury free will be the most important factor in that.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Is this true about Jiath anymore?

He played a VFL final then was subsequently overlooked for the seniors the following two weeks.

Yes it’s true of Jiath, hence why he got a 3yr extension despite having another injury interrupted year.

 

[MazHawk]

I’m a big fan of CJ but he’s going to have to earn his spot next year.

I still don’t think he is a winger, he looked lost at sea last year playing that role & couldn't get near the ball.

He couldn't get near the ball because in most games the opposition coaches instructed their team to go down the other wing. They all recognised that with his running capacity he was virtually controlling the wing he was on.
To say CJ is just depth is ridiculous. When fit, he plays.

 

[ImCheatingToWin]

You can’t rely on Lewis or CJ, so they are depth at this stage
Hopefully this changes

Lewis is so much better than anything else we have as a KPF
It's not even close. He's fit he walks into the side

 

[Dewnior]

That’s rubbish. They’re picked whenever they are fit.

That's not exactly true, there also needs to be demonstrated form.

fwiw, I'm banking on him being a regular next season. Perfect fit for Hok ball

 

[Simon Crawshay]

Whatever happens with CJ next year I do know that Sam Mitchell for all his positive outlook and players skills is at heart still one hard nosed SOB who will make the hard call when required in order to win a game of footy. And that would include not picking one of his favourites in CJ if he's not at the required level.

In fact it's funny that for all of Clarkos outbursts and fiery temper I think deep down Alastair was a bit of an old sentimental softy who tended to back his players in a little too much at times.

Mitch on the other hand seems to be a coach who is definitely a player guy but at the same time you can see he has a deep pragmatic streak (otherwise known as caimpainger) in him. It's what made him such an effective player, he was always looking for an edge.

 

[Simon Crawshay]

He couldn't get near the ball because in most games the opposition coaches instructed their team to go down the other wing. They all recognised that with his running capacity he was virtually controlling the wing he was on.
To say CJ is just depth is ridiculous. When fit, he plays.

He won’t make it as an AFL winger averaging 11 touches a game no matter how good his defensive running is.

Playing wing requires an innate understanding of the flow of a game which I don’t think is CJs strong suit. It’s why someone like Harry O can be an effective winger even though he’s not quick, he knows where to run to be a link man. No wasted running, just smart positioning and creative disposal.

CJ needs the ball in his hands and the ground in front of him. He’s a natural half back, it’s the position that suits his attributes (including his overhead marking).

 

[Brant]

CJ needs the ball in his hands and the ground in front of him. He’s a natural half back, it’s the position that suits his attributes (including his overhead marking).

I tend to agree, although I'd love his attributes on the right-side Wing.

I wonder whether he could slot into Impey's rebounding small defender role (BP/HBF) in a couple of years? Probs doesn't help him that Impey just had his best ever season & played extremely well towards season's end.

 

[Simon Crawshay]

I tend to agree, although I'd love his attributes on the right-side Wing.

I wonder whether he could slot into Impey's rebounding small defender role (BP/HBF) in a couple of years? Probs doesn't help him that Impey just had his best ever season & played extremely well towards season's end.

Yes Impeys role as a medium, attacking defender off half back would suit CJ perfectly. Just attack the ball in the air and run like hell off half back.

As you say though Impey has had a career best year so it will be difficult for CJ to replace him in the short term.

 

[lyger]

He won’t make it as an AFL winger averaging 11 touches a game no matter how good his defensive running is.

Playing wing requires an innate understanding of the flow of a game which I don’t think is CJs strong suit. It’s why someone like Harry O can be an effective winger even though he’s not quick, he knows where to run to be a link man. No wasted running, just smart positioning and creative disposal.

CJ needs the ball in his hands and the ground in front of him. He’s a natural half back, it’s the position that suits his attributes (including his overhead marking).

I agree that it would be nice for CJ to have more touches and have more impact with ball in hand, but also don’t want to under-appreciate his hard running which is important to the team defensively and offensively.

Hopefully we get to see the best of CJ in 2025 as he is a weapon when up and running.

 

[cryptor]

In fact it's funny that for all of Clarkos outbursts and fiery temper I think deep down Alastair was a bit of an old sentimental softy who tended to back his players in a little too much at times.

He really only did that with the guys that were key to the flags, and it was largely at the expense of players that were overrated by the fanbase (myself included I'm sure). An example would be when people were calling for Stratton to be dropped when he was captain and the replacement would've been someone like Kaiden Brand or Jacob Koschitzke.

Clarko wasn't getting it wrong backing his favourites at selection. He was getting it wrong backing them in as the core of the next flag campaign post-2016.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

CJ is first picked if he's fit. His athleticism, skills and linebreaking ability is perfect for the style that Mitchell is building. The Port final showed we need another line breaker when opposition teams sit on Massimo.

Last year he was adjusting to a new role while still at 70% fitness. I think we all noticed that he was unable to go on his trademark dashing runs. I liken it to Will Day in 2022 who was very average returning from injury despite being a quality player.

He's having a strong preseason so far and hopefully can strut his stuff without injury.

He's obviously not first picked if he's fit.

 

[The Chad and I]

CJ is first picked if he's fit. His athleticism, skills and linebreaking ability is perfect for the style that Mitchell is building. The Port final showed we need another line breaker when opposition teams sit on Massimo.

Last year he was adjusting to a new role while still at 70% fitness. I think we all noticed that he was unable to go on his trademark dashing runs. I liken it to Will Day in 2022 who was very average returning from injury despite being a quality player.

He's having a strong preseason so far and hopefully can strut his stuff without injury.

There is something special about him.
There is also something awkward about him.

I'd love to see him play as a HFF tbh.
He plays both taller than his height in the contest, and smaller when the ball hits the ground.
Combine that with his running, and he's a difficult match-up.

 

[Blackhawk42]

Yes it’s true of Jiath, hence why he got a 3yr extension despite having another injury interrupted year.

Harry Morrison scored a 2 year extension, but it doesn't make him a best 22 lock either.

Jiath is a high-upside, freak athlete type of footballer with unknown potential. Still. That doesn't make him an automatic starter every week anymore though. I feel as though our finals series was proof of that.

 

[Hawkspot]

Footy wire has us with 12 players OOC in 2025. 2 leave in Breust and Gunston. Meek Dear Worpel seem like no brainer extensions assuming the worpedo doesn’t want to exercise FA rights and move down the highway. That leaves 7.
Assume frosty gets one more year if he’s ok potentially being depth.
Mitchell Butler Ward Ryan Serong Scaife are the others and are clearly the guys who need to have a big year.
Mitchell would seem to be backup for Impey who isn’t going anywhere soon despite turning 30 next year. Injuries or bide his time.
Butler if they keep playing him forward is cooked but will get another gig on a wing somewhere to show his attributes. Doubt he fits us now we have too many options everywhere he plays except right wing. Even there CJ Weddle Morrison in front of him.
Ward isn’t in trouble but needs to make a mid spot his own carrying in his finals form. Going to be tough with the established 4 and mackenzie coming.
Ryan I’m not seeing the same upside as other posters. Figure he’s the Hardwick replacement long term but I personally think he’s in trouble given our defensive depth.
Serong at the wrong club now unless he goes forward. Expect he asks to be traded.
Scaife needs to make great strides this year to stay on the list. Has his chance with Lewis recovering needs a big preseason.
I figure clubs come for our depth this year especially the pies who want established players. Mitchell & Serong especially would suit them and with 2 years of future picks now teams will get aggressive to pick off the pieces they need.

Basically finished the list management discussion for 2025.

With Gunston and Breust finishing up, it’s going to be a lot easier making list space next year than it was this year.

Interesting that Worpel hasn’t signed on, regardless of the rumours about an extension. The longer that goes the longer it gives clubs a chance to get in his ear, offering all kinds of deals.. in and out of the cap.