List Mgmt. The Case Against Chad.

[theGav56]

I have no doubt that adding Warner would make us better. He is top tier in the competition, so by definition he makes us better. But I don't think it is as simple as that. And the case against Chad doesn't just apply to Chad. It has implications across our list management.

I see several negatives regarding going after him:
Role

• our current core midfield of Brayshaw, Serong and Young is impeccably balance. Bolton rotating there also adds to the mix at the top level, and also provides rotational opportunities for our core 3 (especially Young and Serong) as forward line disrupters. We spent big on Jackson to be more than a forward/ruck, and Warner playing on ball would reduce that opportunity. I don't think adding Warner makes us better.
• we currently have 3 high potential on-ballers waiting their opportunity in Johnson, Erasmus and Reid. Warner coming in almost shuts the gate on the first two. If we were trading them for Warner I'd understand. But the more likely outcome to me looks like a Brodie situation: we may be better, but doesn't make an impact?
• I'm not sure how rotating Warner would work, but I could see him rotating with Brayshaw on the wing and on ball. I don't think wing is the position those 2 were born to play, and I'm not sure that it makes us better. O'Driscoll seems primed to play wing/rotating on ball, and the club seems bullish about his progress. Sharp I assume is locked in.

Any trade target needs to be more than an improvement , they need to be a difference maker.

Cost

• Salary cap will take a hit, and I expect he would become our highest paid player. I'm not loving that and think at some level it sets a precedent that bights us in the future.
• in the final pre-Tasmania draft, it will cost big time, and it will be several drafts until we have a crack at the high end talent. Not good.
• Kozi may be a pipe dream or he may be all but on the way. Warner would make signing Kozi a lot more difficult, and there is no doubt that Kozi is a better list need, and the more likely to provide a greater impact for us.

The salary cap and trade costs must be justified by the trade targets ability to improve a weak area of our game.

Culture
With the list profile we have built I think we cannot afford a top-dollar recruiting strategy. We can't afford to fight off clubs coming after our top end players with the same attitude, and if course they will.

Of course it is a business for players. But wanting to play for Fremantle and a chance to make history should be at the core.

List management must prioritise the strengthening of club culture around the emerging leadership group.

 

[Lach72]

Hmmm…not sure a midfielder who kicks 35 goals is someone we can afford to let slip.

I’d try and get both Pickett and Warner.
I don’t think it’s possible tbh, but we have three first rounders to play with. They are both sub 25 at the start of 2026. They are what you dream of getting with first rounders, so have no issue with not taking firsts for three years.
Reid and Simpson, Erasmus and Johnson, plus Whan, Hart and Robinson will keep us going,

We have a very young list with Fyfe and Walters about to retire.

We have good prospects coming in the NGA.

If we add both of those guys we are set for years.

 

[eastfreo75]

Hmmm…not sure a midfielder who kicks 35 goals is someone we can afford to let slip.

I’d try and get both Pickett and Warner.
I don’t think it’s possible tbh, but we have three first rounders to play with. They are both sub 25 at the start of 2026. They are what you dream of getting with first rounders, so have no issue with not taking firsts for three years.
Reid and Simpson, Erasmus and Johnson, plus Whan, Hart and Robinson will keep us going,

We have a very young list with Fyfe and Walters about to retire.

We have good prospects coming in the NGA.

If we add both of those guys we are set for years.

To get both Pickett and Warner need to trade out players.

We have 3 x first round plus 1 second round picks. For its not enough to get Warner and Pickett.

I rather McVee and Pickett. Both needs and gettable and cheaper.

 

[mightymouse75]

Not sure we will have the dollars anymore.
Darcey, Jackson, Bolton.
Brayshaw & Caleb.
All big dollars.

 

[Alfonz]

The only case against is simply the salary. He will command 1.5 million per year and I don't think we can afford it.

 

[freo84]

If we can get both then I'd say do it.

Unfortunately, i can't see that happening.

 

[The Round House Drunk]

If it’s between Chad and Kozi…

In terms of list need: A gun crumbing and high pressure small forward is the higher need. It would also free up Bolton for more midfield stints.

In terms of salary: Chad likely to have far higher salary demands (I think it’s been bandied around to be in the order of magnitude of $1.5m v $800k for Kozi). Warner would put immense pressure on the cap, Kozi less so.

In terms of trade capital to make it happen: Both individually likely to be exorbitant. We’d likely need to lose a player or two that we’d rather keep in order to bring in both (someone like a fit and in form Darcy, Cox and/or Sturt).

It’s Kozi for me…

To adapt a Dire Straits lyric: “When you gonna realize it was just that the time was wrong, Juliet (Chad)?"

 

[s_wd6]

It’s gonna have to be between Kozzy and Warner. Kozzy is probably on about half of what Warner would be. We have Bolton who can go through mid/fwd. kozzy as a pure goal kicking small is exactly what we need.

 

[eastfreo75]

If it’s between Chad and Kozi…

In terms of list need: A gun crumbing and high pressure small forward is the higher need. It would also free up Bolton for more midfield stints.

In terms of salary: Chad likely to have far higher salary demands (I think it’s been bandied around to be in the order of magnitude of $1.5m v $800k for Kozi). Warner would put immense pressure on the cap, Kozi less so.

In terms of trade capital to make it happen: Both individually likely to be exorbitant. We’d likely need to lose a player or two that we’d rather keep in order to bring in both (someone like a fit and in form Darcy, Cox and/or Sturt).

It’s Kozi for me…

To adapt a Dire Straits lyric: “When you gonna realize it was just that the time was wrong, Juliet (Chad)?"

McVee and Pickett salary cap wise might be cheaper than Warner.

Both fill needs and Warner is a very expensive upgrade.

 

[TheMcManusNose]

Must be offseason

 

[theGav56]

Not sure we will have the dollars anymore.
Darcey, Jackson, Bolton.
Brayshaw & Caleb.
All big dollars.

Young, Treacy and Amiss will quickly be in that echelon. Even with long contracts if we don't pay them their worth they can quickly become vulnerable.

 

[theGav56]

Must be offseason

Probably the biggest non game related topic we will have this year, unless Warner re-signs with Sydney.

 

[Ghost Pig]

Walls said "Draft best available, trade for needs".

Our needs will be revealed by the years end, much like Logan McDonald became superfluous with Treacy's emergence in 2024, it will become glaringly apparent that we do not need Warner when the only games we lose, in 2025, are when Shai is unavailable due to suspension or injury.

 

[Bigger]

I have always rated Dogbite Warner. If we hadn’t snagged Bolton, he would still be my main target.

But Bolton brings what Warner could have brought.

And Kossie brings a whole other bunch of headkicking, moment-taking, backline-sphincter-tightening options of goodness.

And Pickett is, dare I speak ill of East Fremantle product, a better fit.

We should continue to be interested and try get him in if the price isn’t too stupid, but realistically the best thing we can do is make West Coast pay silly trade and cap price for him.

Like, out of the first round for a couple more years kind of stupid and Barrass-WTF-is-going-on-here levels of contract price.

Let them squander half their cap on Reid and Warner and see how that goes for them.

 

[theGav56]

Walls said "Draft best available, trade for needs".

Our needs will be revealed by the years end, much like Logan McDonald became superfluous with Treacy's emergence in 2024, it will become glaringly apparent that we do not need Warner when the only games we lose, in 2025, are when Shai is unavailable due to suspension or injury.

I don't think the Chad trade happens at the end of the year. The interviews have begun and the bidding is underway.

 

[CapitalA]

I would rather let the Eagles pay 3.5mill a year to 2 mids (Harley, Chad) and trade all their draft picks in the last remaining draft before Tas enters.

 

[theGav56]

I would rather let the Eagles pay 3.5mill a year to 2 mids (Harley, Chad) and trade all their draft picks in the last remaining draft before Tas enters.

Agree. Hopefully put them back in the Kelly situation.

Different situation for us. Draft picks far less important.

 

[TheMcManusNose]

Probably the biggest non game related topic we will have this year, unless Warner re-signs with Sydney.

Well I mean if you count the rest of the list including what happens with Fyfe/Walters and those knocking at the door, Darcy's form, and the coach and gamestyle as non-game topics.

I more mean it must be offseason in that the traditional December to March optimism at the state of the list is such that we can all pencil Cooper Simpson in as a HFF of the future, assure ourselves that our NGAs will be best 22 locks rather than Cat B rookies and talk about how we don't really want probably the best goalkicking mid in the game.

If Chad requests a trade home and doesn't absolutely and totally want WCE then you take him every day of the week. He is out of contract, Kozzie isn't. And there's just as long a list of various excuses you can draw for a Kozzie trade as you can with Chad.

That said where would we be without idle speculation on bigfooty.

 

[88mph]

Hmmm…not sure a midfielder who kicks 35 goals is someone we can afford to let slip.

I’d try and get both Pickett and Warner.
I don’t think it’s possible tbh, but we have three first rounders to play with. They are both sub 25 at the start of 2026. They are what you dream of getting with first rounders, so have no issue with not taking firsts for three years.
Reid and Simpson, Erasmus and Johnson, plus Whan, Hart and Robinson will keep us going,

We have a very young list with Fyfe and Walters about to retire.

We have good prospects coming in the NGA.

If we add both of those guys we are set for years.

I would like some analysis on these 35 goals.

Are we talking SGC or Optus 35 goals? I haven't done the digging but I suspect the SCG lends itself to inflated numbers of goal kicking mids (due to the shorter field).

 

[Purpletown]

Any AFL team would try to find a way to trade in Chad Warner, the guy is a jet.

Any AFL team would find a way to trade in Kozzy Pickett too.

Chad is out of contract at the end of 2025 but Kozzy is still in contract.

I suspect Melbourne will keep Kozzy on board judging from previous unconfirmed stories of him wanting out but not following through with that plan.

If Warner chooses to come back to WA but doesn't nominate a club then we will struggle to stump up enough assets to trump WC. If he nominates us then we will get it done.

In summary, Chad may be in play in 2025 but WC would definitely hold the upper hand. Kozzy, who knows?

Both are fantastic players and if we could entice either of them to Freo, then get it done.

 

[Raz]

i think one interesting thing that fans and sometims recruiters overlook is WHY is that palyer a Star,


1. are they fed the bull by their teammates. making them look better
2. ar they the only capable person in their team so always get more of the ball.
3. Will thery be competing for the ball with our own team members.
4. do they play the style of footy that the coach wants


I not saying any of the players being looked at do or do not fit these issues. but sometimes we have such high hopes and they let us down.

LEt them join us sure., but dont over pay for a star.

 

[oldgoat]

Walls said "Draft best available, trade for needs".

But you know how it goes if you wait a while...
A thought becomes a wish
A wish becomes a desire
A desire becomes a need!
Although...
it worked the other way for Logan?
And, someone else may pop up?
If us optimists are right we will be destination desirable by September!

 

[malpaso]

IMO Pickett is the greater resource simply because at his position genuine grade A+ talent is scarce, way more than midfield talent.

Midfielders (of which we have a few) can be picked up every year. We can make up Warner's goal contribution by continuing to do what we did last year with Serong and Young and adding another to the mix.

The negative is the simple fact that he will go to the Eagles.

 

[s_wd6]

IMO Pickett is the greater resource simply because at his position genuine grade A+ talent is scarce, way more than midfield talent.

Midfielders (of which we have a few) can be picked up every year. We can make up Warner's goal contribution by continuing to do what we did last year with Serong and Young and adding another to the mix.

The negative is the simple fact that he will go to the Eagles.

Need Cox to work his magic and convince Chad to stay…

 

[theGav56]

IMO Pickett is the greater resource simply because at his position genuine grade A+ talent is scarce, way more than midfield talent.

Midfielders (of which we have a few) can be picked up every year. We can make up Warner's goal contribution by continuing to do what we did last year with Serong and Young and adding another to the mix.

The negative is the simple fact that he will go to the Eagles.

In simple terms, Serong and Young can rotate with Bolton, and occasionally Switkowski.

In a slightly more complicated move, they can rotate with Jackson (as a midfielder).

Both those moves would be quite disruptive for the opposition.