Thanks Mick, that's a gem. Unless we fall away quite significantly in the back half of the season, I suspect that we'll generally adopt a 'best 22' approach to selection, subject to younger players such as Watson, Dear and Mackenzie perhaps being rested / managed.
You've noted that there will need to be a number of list changes at season's end. Acknowledging that there's still a lot of season 2024 to play out and views on players will be in part shaped by what happens in the remainder of this season, what do you think we'll see in the way of retirements, delistings, free agents moving to other clubs and players traded to other clubs?
Do you have a view on whether Josh Battle as a free agent is worth pursuing and do you think we should be looking at players such as Bailey Smith and LDU, who are not free agents?
With so many players still uncontracted for 2025, I’d be guessing right now. I do think that a couple/few of these may be re-signed in the coming couple of weeks as the bye break allows the club & players some space to make some decisions e.g. Nash & Jiath. Then, there are others such as Frost as I’d think his manager would’ve had a trigger clause in his contract that would likely kick in soon eg. 15-16 games, which then has flow on effects for others.
Hence I’m loath to speculate on the overall list management right now as things can also change quickly eg. Wingard’s injury in Rd.22 last year, which can be more impactful than say DGB’s issues earlier in the year.
Free agents (along with F/S) are in draft terms, generally the cheapest ways of enhancing your list with the only caveat being that “you can overpay for good, but you can’t overpay for great”. Battle is good, so the terms of any contract have to be reasonable even if we have cap space. For me, he’s a stronger bodied version of Scrimshaw or taller version of Sicily - take your pick. I’m not sure on his kicking efficiency, but he can play back & forward which would appeal to Sam’s game plan.
Love the perspective you bring Mick. It is a very insightful way to analyse the list.
For me Wingard, Stephens and Morrison should be the 3 to go. Might get some currency for Morrison. I’d also trade Maginness if it brought us something ( maybe a tough call but his decision making and disposal at AFL level are poor). Also one of Bennett or O’Sullivan may be dispensable?
DGB and Phillips are interesting ones. I’d like to see them both retained. DGB has had a tough season but liked him the last few weeks at Box Hill and I thought Phillips first and only game was very impressive. As much as I applaud Frost for his season to date I think we need to think beyond him for 2025.
Remember that Morrison is an unrestricted free agent, so can walk and it would be a compensation issue that could be impacted if we took a free agent ourselves eg. Battle.
Frost is likely to have a trigger in his current contract if his manager has done his job properly say 15-16 games which would mean he’s on the list automatically.
On trades, if you’re looking to “move on your liabilities”, then I’d suggest you’re hoping that another club sees “your trash as their treasure”. This becomes a very niche market.
Thanks Mick, that's a gem. Unless we fall away quite significantly in the back half of the season, I suspect that we'll generally adopt a 'best 22' approach to selection, subject to younger players such as Watson, Dear and Mackenzie perhaps being rested / managed.
You've noted that there will need to be a number of list changes at season's end. Acknowledging that there's still a lot of season 2024 to play out and views on players will be in part shaped by what happens in the remainder of this season, what do you think we'll see in the way of retirements, delistings, free agents moving to other clubs and players traded to other clubs?
Do you have a view on whether Josh Battle as a free agent is worth pursuing and do you think we should be looking at players such as Bailey Smith and LDU, who are not free agents?
Cheers, Stuart.
With so many players still uncontracted for 2025, I’d be guessing right now. I do think that a couple/few of these may be re-signed in the coming couple of weeks as the bye break allows the club & players some space to make some decisions e.g. Nash & Jiath. Then, there are others such as Frost as I’d think his manager would’ve had a trigger clause in his contract that would likely kick in soon eg. 15-16 games, which then has flow on effects for others.
Hence I’m loath to speculate on the overall list management right now as things can also change quickly eg. Wingard’s injury in Rd.22 last year, which can be more impactful than say DGB’s issues earlier in the year.
Free agents (along with F/S) are in draft terms, generally the cheapest ways of enhancing your list with the only caveat being that “you can overpay for good, but you can’t overpay for great”. Battle is good, so the terms of any contract have to be reasonable even if we have cap space. For me, he’s a stronger bodied version of Scrimshaw or taller version of Sicily - take your pick. I’m not sure on his kicking efficiency, but he can play back & forward which would appeal to Sam’s game plan.
Love the perspective you bring Mick. It is a very insightful way to analyse the list.
For me Wingard, Stephens and Morrison should be the 3 to go. Might get some currency for Morrison. I’d also trade Maginness if it brought us something ( maybe a tough call but his decision making and disposal at AFL level are poor). Also one of Bennett or O’Sullivan may be dispensable?
DGB and Phillips are interesting ones. I’d like to see them both retained. DGB has had a tough season but liked him the last few weeks at Box Hill and I thought Phillips first and only game was very impressive. As much as I applaud Frost for his season to date I think we need to think beyond him for 2025.
Remember that Morrison is an unrestricted free agent, so can walk and it would be a compensation issue that could be impacted if we took a free agent ourselves eg. Battle.
Frost is likely to have a trigger in his current contract if his manager has done his job properly say 15-16 games which would mean he’s on the list automatically.
On trades, if you’re looking to “move on your liabilities”, then I’d suggest you’re hoping that another club sees “your trash as their treasure”. This becomes a very niche market.
Fair enough Mick. I wasn’t suggesting we don’t have Frost on the list but that we develop and give games to the others as much as possible.
True Graeme - 2025 will be a clean slate.
Excellent work
Only certainty is a number of players will come off our list at year’s end