2026 List Management

[Nico]

Not sure if this is the thread to post this in but here goes: our season has ended so to the best of my knowledge the sanction period for our 5 is over. The question regarding our B& F is a bit tricky- these boys are eligible for the Brownlow, and Isaac is surely in contention even though Nick Daicos is favoured to win it. So by extension, any of our lads, including the troubled 5 should be eligible for our B & F.

It would be a bit embarrassing if say Isaac would win it but if it then would be given to the next best then it devalues the award. This would present a dilemma for the club and it would take wise heads to find a just solution.

In spite of what happened, and whilst I’m deeply disappointed in him, I think Isaac deserves our medal.

I think Cox said they are back at the start of pre season.

[BRS328]

According to Tom Morris, whilst we would like to retain Joel, the club would also be happy to get a first round pick for him. This may explain why we haven't increased our offer.

Logan's breakout form may also have an influence, as he's probably now seen as the no. 2 key forward alongside Charlie.

it is likely down to Joel v McLean. Both have their strengths and weaknesses. Mclean offering the slightly better 2nd ruck option, but would like to see Green develop his goal kicking game to be this option.

In my opinion Joel has far more upside than McLean and is a better forward. I admire McLeans effort, but he struggled as the backup ruckman on Friday night. I would like to see Green given more time as he was impressive in the few games at the end of the season

[Dow]

In my opinion Joel has far more upside than McLean and is a better forward. I admire McLeans effort, but he struggled as the backup ruckman on Friday night. I would like to see Green given more time as he was impressive in the few games at the end of the season

Joel is the obvious to let go his return will be far more significant then. mcleans and neither provide much more than depth

[lwjoyner]

mclean is far better choice, gets around the ground better than Joel who is best suited to being not much further than 30 or 40 metres from the goal line. Myabe he is even prone to take a more spectacular grad than Hayden but Hayden is stronger in a pack. and if Carlton want Joel so be it.

[lwjoyner]

I will try to post my List Mgt post which I dleted after it was not approved. I dont know why but here goes with slight changes

Who do we keep , force to retire, who retires, who do we let go in a trade. who do we try to trade for. What do we do about the 5 suspended players. Do we let they go if they seek to be traded and at what trade value? Finally what do we do with the Academy players.
Dane Rampe (up to him) but if he decides to continue maybe cut him loose from the FUL back line and play him at half back or eing. he needs the brak from the task that he has performed so admirably in the past playing on much nigger/taller opponents. he is also in sight of 300 games if he is good enough to keep getting a game. Next Harry Cunningham (hope he retires on his own valition) but i think its time> Joel Hamling (retire) hopefully Wil mEdwards will get over injury and have some luck re injuries and be able to play and perform each and every game. Joel Amartey let him accept the $1m (rumoured to be offered(from the Blues, don't budge on our offer. Peter ladhams try to trade ,Green is our next option in Ruck. Both Essendon and Giants need ruck support, maybe woth a 2nd round or at least a 3rd round pick..
We already have 1 rerirment (T Adams ) we need to more reductions.
Academy players. H Meeney, J Medved and W Monoham (a tall defender) all played with the reservesduring 2026 and seemed to have acquited themselves very wll. Then there is M McGregor a tall defender (195cm) the only SS acadmey player nominated for the AFL Draft Combine BUT he has a decision to make between AFL and Athletics.
This leaves A McCartney who has chosen Nth as club of choice, the Jenkin twins (wingers) a position we have covered, B Pignatelly (a fwd), O Clfton (rck) and L price (mid) all of whom I know nothing about or read anything about.
I also need to need to take one pick from a non SS acadmey player so we can have some non home nurtured talent introducd into our ranks which I beleive we should do every year. In this case, I like what I read about Ethan Drever (Rebels U18) highly rated by the experts at 4-6 with one rating him at 2. I know we currently don't have a pick high enough but perhaps if one of the suspended players wants out (read N Blakey here) who is apparently not happy with the clubs handling of the late night situation and it has been reported he would like to go to Suns who will get pick 5 for Ben King. Is this an opportunity to get a higher pick. I know the ourcome of VIc Police investigations may hinder this

[BRS328]

mclean is far better choice, gets around the ground better than Joel who is best suited to being not much further than 30 or 40 metres from the goal line. Myabe he is even prone to take a more spectacular grad than Hayden but Hayden is stronger in a pack. and if Carlton want Joel so be it.

Let’s agree to disagree on this one.

If you look at the 2026 season stats there is a significant difference.

Hayden played 12 games, kicked 16 goals and took 30 marks.

Joel played 15 games, kicked 29 goals and took 79 marks.

Admittedly he did play 3 more games, but he also scored bags of 4 or 5 goals against Melbourne, Brisbane and Geelong.

My point is that good forwards are hard to find, and you can bet on Florent and Hayward encouraging Carlton to go after Joel.

I personally would trade McLean and use some of that money to retain Armartey. We are in the premiership window and now is the time to consolidate

[UUaswan]

Let’s agree to disagree on this one.

If you look at the 2026 season stats there is a significant difference.

Hayden played 12 games, kicked 16 goals and took 30 marks.

Joel played 15 games, kicked 29 goals and took 79 marks.

Admittedly he did play 3 more games, but he also scored bags of 4 or 5 goals against Melbourne, Brisbane and Geelong.

My point is that good forwards are hard to find, and you can bet on Florent and Hayward encouraging Carlton to go after Joel.

I personally would trade McLean and use some of that money to retain Armartey. We are in the premiership window and now is the time to consolidate

No comparison, One is plonked permanently in the forward 30, the other has to Ruck

Mclean all the way, Bring Green into ruck and leave Mclean fwd

[imuninformedtwo]

Let’s agree to disagree on this one.

If you look at the 2026 season stats there is a significant difference.

Hayden played 12 games, kicked 16 goals and took 30 marks.

Joel played 15 games, kicked 29 goals and took 79 marks.

Admittedly he did play 3 more games, but he also scored bags of 4 or 5 goals against Melbourne, Brisbane and Geelong.

My point is that good forwards are hard to find, and you can bet on Florent and Hayward encouraging Carlton to go after Joel.

I personally would trade McLean and use some of that money to retain Armartey. We are in the premiership window and now is the time to consolidate

I get your instincts and don't disagree with who is the better player but salary cap management doesn't work that way. If Hayden leaves, that money has to go to the next low-cost player coming through. For example, a Datolli coming to the end of his three year initial contract next year, and needing a bit of an upgrade. Or a true star needing an upgrade (ie, McCartin end of next year).

You simply can't keep topping up the top end, otherwise you have a cash crunch among the 'stars', and/or a loss of depth. Either way, you lose.

And this is a very different proposition anyway, given Joel's injury history. He's played a full season once, in his entire time on the list. A permanently fit Joel would have me tempted. But right now, his lack of reliability cannot justify $900K a year. And I say that as someone who likes him as a player, and hear he's a ripping bloke too.

Just for perspective too - that would put him inside the top 10 paid players on our list, which would be silly.