List Mgmt. Contract, Trade and Draft Discussions - 2024 Edition

[Keys]

Quick links:
Player contract status
Draft prospect video highlights (thanks to noobermensch)
AFL retirements and delistings

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Latest news and rumours:

• Tom Barrass officially requests trade to Hawthorn
  • Duffield: Eagles want two first round picks - "It may have to be in this year’s draft rather than a future pick."
  • Morris: Josh Battle is set to join Barrass at Hawthorn in 2025 - Ralph: Unclear if Hawks will pay enough for Band 1

• Kysaiah Pickett interested in a trade
  • "Club and management are confident they can work through his concerns"
  • Daniels: Pickett’s preference is Fremantle. Fremantle are keen, but Bolton the priority. Getting both “not impossible”. West Coast “an option if things get complicated.”

• Jai Culley, Coen Livingstone, Loch Rawlinson in line for one-year deals (The West)
  
  
• Liam Baker and Shai Bolton
  29

  Shai Bolton

  Age

  25

  Ht

  176cm

  Wt

  77kg

  Pos.

  M/F

  Career

  Season

  Last 5

  D

  12.3

  3star

  K

  6.9

  3star

  HB

  5.4

  4star

  M

  2.8

  3star

  T

  2.9

  4star

  CL

  1.4

  4star

  D

  12.7

  3star

  K

  9.2

  4star

  HB

  3.5

  2star

  M

  3.0

  3star

  T

  2.7

  4star

  CL

  1.8

  4star

  D

  9.2

  3star

  K

  4.6

  2star

  HB

  4.6

  4star

  M

  2.0

  3star

  T

  2.6

  4star

  CL

  0.0

  1star

  officially request trades to WA
  • Daniels: Bolton is Fremantle’s priority

 

[WCE_phil]

North are well ahead on talent however they still need key position players to show something.

Hawks have more developed talent in the 23-27 year age bracket, shade us on youth KPP and while Day & Newcombe probably don't have the ceilings of Reid & Hewett they are already developing into star players and beating established mids from other sides. Then you have Ward & McKenzie who I would rate as at least as good or better than the Hewet&Ginbey combo.

The issue we have is our 23-27 year age bracket is a huge issue and we have the travel factor which like it or not means our players tend to fall away quicker.

The club needs to concentrate as much talent in the next 2 drafts as possible, combine that with trades for holes and hit the FA pool hard. It really is open cheque book season.

I don't give a ****, we need to spend a large amount of our cash reserves to build or buy homes in nice areas and use them as lures for essentially very low rent (just enough to cover expenses) to help get players and families across to WA, then use the clubs business contacts to make sure families are supported with high paying jobs relative to their skills and experience. Full scholarships at high level private schools for brothers, sisters etc. This is where the club can use it's huge wealth to benefit the future.

 

[Bacchus]

Depth of talent is a main issue foremost. Eagles benefited HUGELY in previous times with those rookie list and late draft pickups that occured from that depth of talent. Without any depth, we are now left in the giant pile using pick 1 in the rookie draft on non WA players because the WA talent pool is so shallow, no one slides or can be picked up on the cheap

Still very disappointing that the best WA talent is likely to end up elsewhere.

The academy regulations pumping up Sydney and Brisbane are scandalous.

I can understand why the AFL needed to support Gold Coast especially, and GWS, although the free lunches should be over now.

 

[WCE_phil]

Identity and develop talent for Geelong, St Kilda, Sydney and Brisbane?

I'm not talking specifically about academies here, I'm talking about adding to the depth of every draft and the quality of second tier footy in WA.

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

Still very disappointing that the best WA talent is likely to end up elsewhere.

The academy regulations pumping up Sydney and Brisbane are scandalous.

I can understand why the AFL needed to support Gold Coast especially, and GWS, although the free lunches should be over now.

Gotta be scanadlous ourselves. Nisbett was always a AFL suckup who did what Gillian wanted first and what was best for the Eagles 2nd

The COVID top up players we got forced to trot out was a embarassment. Nisbett should have said No

 

[TerryFilk]

Can anyone copy and paste this article in here please?

 

[Eastcoasteagle]

Noah Mraz is looking like best KPD prospect, not in top 5 discussions though. Consensus seems pick 15-25 which means we may be able to get him with our 2R but hopefully we get Buss to start addressing this spot.

Luke Trainor is the other in the that range, currently 193cm but likely will continue to grow.

As I said straight after the draft last year, this year looks a much better year to split our first. So we could end up with a Draper and Mraz/Trainor.

 

[mad_eagle]

Ryan Maric has signed on for a further two years. Apt timing, as he's about to get plenty of opportunity in the next 12 weeks or so.

Emerging forward Maric signs on

The Gippsland product has extended his contract for a further two seasons

www.westcoasteagles.com.au

 

[bzparkes]

Ryan Maric has signed on for a further two years. Apt timing, as he's about to get plenty of opportunity in the next 12 weeks or so.

Emerging forward Maric signs on

The Gippsland product has extended his contract for a further two seasons

www.westcoasteagles.com.au

Confirmation from the club that he actually has grown to 196cm and not simply a case of the McGovern's.

Solves our second KPP spot for the time being.

 

[eaglevision]

Luke Trainor is the other in the that range, currently 193cm but likely will continue to grow.

As I said straight after the draft last year, this year looks a much better year to split our first. So we could end up with a Draper and Mraz/Trainor.

The other one to watch in the later rounds would be Clancy Dennis. Local product, will probably get more interest as the year goes on.

 

[Scooter#10]

Can anyone copy and paste this article in here please?

Jagga Smith Draft Diary: My Collingwood ties, friendship with Harley Reid and new role​

He’s an X-Factor player with a rock star name who has recruiters swooning. In his first column, JAGGA SMITH reveals his Collingwood ties, links to Harley Reid and why he wasn’t ready to be drafted last year.

Looking back now, it was a dream team.
I was a small 11-year-old who was fortunate enough to be selected as a bottom-age player in a star-studded Victorian side for the under-12 national schoolboys championships in Darwin in 2017.
I had a photo taken with top-age teammates Harley Reid and Nick Watson, who both went on to be top-five draft picks last year.

Six years on, the three of us posed for a new photo after playing in Vic Metro’s clash with Vic Country during the under-18 national championships at Ikon Park last July.
Other teammates in that Victorian schoolboys team — which won the Gold Medal game at the tournament — included 2023 draftees Darcy Wilson (St Kilda), Zane Duursma (North Melbourne), Nate Caddy (Essendon) and George Stevens (Geelong).
Entering my own draft year, I’ve now got my sights set on following them to the AFL.
Playing in that schoolboys team was a key moment for me and the first time where I realised I wanted to pursue football as a career rather than a hobby.

I had started kicking a Sherrin around in under-9s at Richmond Junior Football Club only three years earlier, where my dad — Michael Smith — coached me as a junior.
Dad was drafted to Collingwood in the 1988 national draft, moving from Devonport to Melbourne for the opportunity at age 16.
He had plenty of talent but unfortunately never played an AFL game during a strong era for the Magpies, although went on to have a very successful country football career.
I continued my juniors at Richmond before other representative opportunities came along — in two sports.
I also played basketball growing up and represented Vic Metro in under-15s.
Playing basketball helped with my decision making and my ability to go both sides of the body on the football field, but I always felt I was better at footy.

I also knew it would be hard to make it big in basketball as a mid-sized player.
With football, I progressed through the talent pathways with Oakleigh Chargers’ under-16s in the Coates Talent League and represented Vic Metro at under-16 level.
As a Year 10 student, I was picked for Scotch College’s First 18 team, playing alongside Western Bulldogs young gun Sam Darcy.
That led me to the opportunities at the under-18 national championships last year and an appearance on the MCG in the under-17 Futures Game on AFL Grand Final Day.
I played for the winning Team Naitanui that day, before sitting in the stands and watching the Magpies salute.
That was a day I will never forget.

BIGGER AND BETTER​

Given I finished school at Scotch College last year, there were media stories about lowering the draft age which used me as an example.
But personally I didn’t feel physically ready to be drafted last November.
Adding some upper body strength was a big focus of the off-season to help me better handle bigger-bodied opponents around stoppages.
I’ve started a Business and Sports management degree at Deakin University, but the fact I have completed my Year 12 studies should benefit me this year by allowing me to be more professional.
The training doesn’t stop.
Each week I do two lower body power sessions, two upper body sessions, three main training sessions with the Chargers and an extra session practising goalkicking and touch on my own.
In addition to pre-season training with the Chargers, I had a training camp as part of the AFL Academy squad.

The environment in that squad is ultra-professional and it is great to work alongside some of the best young players in the country.
Through the AFL Academy, myself and Oakleigh teammate Tom Gross also had the chance to train with Richmond in December.
You can’t help but pinch yourself when you get to train alongside superstars like Dustin Martin, but the week at Punt Rd taught me plenty and gave me confidence that I could mix it with AFL players on the track.
Dion Prestia — who had done some coaching at Scotch College — took me under his wing and helped me with my stoppage craft, as well as providing some insight into what it’s like being a midfielder at the top level.

OPPORTUNITY PRESENTS​

I’m normally a fairly relaxed person, but I’m sure the adrenaline will start flowing prior to the start of Coates Talent League season.
I’ve played most of my footy as a midfielder who has prided myself on my ability to get from contest to contest and be a one-touch player at ground level and good decision maker in the thick of the action.
This year I’ll be starting the season in a different role as a forward.
Recruiters have mentioned they would like to see me add another string to my bow and it’s a great opportunity to do that.
As an 18 or 19-year-old, it’s very hard to walk straight into an AFL midfield.
You need to have a second position which you can go to start your career.
I did learn some forward craft when I was younger and I love to kick a goal. Who doesn’t?

However, it will still be a change from what I am most familiar with and a new challenge.
I’ll also start the season as the newly-minted captain of Oakleigh, adding to the fresh challenges early in the season.
I sat down and wrote some goals at the start of the year and being a strong and consistent performer in the opening three weeks of the Coates Talent League was one of those.

Enjoying some team success with the Chargers in the form of a premiership is also on the list, as well as having a successful under-18 national championships with Vic Metro in the middle of the year.
It’s not on my goals list yet, but I have also been encouraged to learn to cook this year.
Cooking isn’t one of my strengths and I’ve got some work to do if an interstate club calls my name in November.

 

[bzparkes]

Jagga Smith Draft Diary: My Collingwood ties, friendship with Harley Reid and new role​

He’s an X-Factor player with a rock star name who has recruiters swooning. In his first column, JAGGA SMITH reveals his Collingwood ties, links to Harley Reid and why he wasn’t ready to be drafted last year.

Looking back now, it was a dream team.
I was a small 11-year-old who was fortunate enough to be selected as a bottom-age player in a star-studded Victorian side for the under-12 national schoolboys championships in Darwin in 2017.
I had a photo taken with top-age teammates Harley Reid and Nick Watson, who both went on to be top-five draft picks last year.

Six years on, the three of us posed for a new photo after playing in Vic Metro’s clash with Vic Country during the under-18 national championships at Ikon Park last July.
Other teammates in that Victorian schoolboys team — which won the Gold Medal game at the tournament — included 2023 draftees Darcy Wilson (St Kilda), Zane Duursma (North Melbourne), Nate Caddy (Essendon) and George Stevens (Geelong).
Entering my own draft year, I’ve now got my sights set on following them to the AFL.
Playing in that schoolboys team was a key moment for me and the first time where I realised I wanted to pursue football as a career rather than a hobby.

I had started kicking a Sherrin around in under-9s at Richmond Junior Football Club only three years earlier, where my dad — Michael Smith — coached me as a junior.
Dad was drafted to Collingwood in the 1988 national draft, moving from Devonport to Melbourne for the opportunity at age 16.
He had plenty of talent but unfortunately never played an AFL game during a strong era for the Magpies, although went on to have a very successful country football career.
I continued my juniors at Richmond before other representative opportunities came along — in two sports.
I also played basketball growing up and represented Vic Metro in under-15s.
Playing basketball helped with my decision making and my ability to go both sides of the body on the football field, but I always felt I was better at footy.

I also knew it would be hard to make it big in basketball as a mid-sized player.
With football, I progressed through the talent pathways with Oakleigh Chargers’ under-16s in the Coates Talent League and represented Vic Metro at under-16 level.
As a Year 10 student, I was picked for Scotch College’s First 18 team, playing alongside Western Bulldogs young gun Sam Darcy.
That led me to the opportunities at the under-18 national championships last year and an appearance on the MCG in the under-17 Futures Game on AFL Grand Final Day.
I played for the winning Team Naitanui that day, before sitting in the stands and watching the Magpies salute.
That was a day I will never forget.

BIGGER AND BETTER​

Given I finished school at Scotch College last year, there were media stories about lowering the draft age which used me as an example.
But personally I didn’t feel physically ready to be drafted last November.
Adding some upper body strength was a big focus of the off-season to help me better handle bigger-bodied opponents around stoppages.
I’ve started a Business and Sports management degree at Deakin University, but the fact I have completed my Year 12 studies should benefit me this year by allowing me to be more professional.
The training doesn’t stop.
Each week I do two lower body power sessions, two upper body sessions, three main training sessions with the Chargers and an extra session practising goalkicking and touch on my own.
In addition to pre-season training with the Chargers, I had a training camp as part of the AFL Academy squad.

The environment in that squad is ultra-professional and it is great to work alongside some of the best young players in the country.
Through the AFL Academy, myself and Oakleigh teammate Tom Gross also had the chance to train with Richmond in December.
You can’t help but pinch yourself when you get to train alongside superstars like Dustin Martin, but the week at Punt Rd taught me plenty and gave me confidence that I could mix it with AFL players on the track.
Dion Prestia — who had done some coaching at Scotch College — took me under his wing and helped me with my stoppage craft, as well as providing some insight into what it’s like being a midfielder at the top level.

OPPORTUNITY PRESENTS​

I’m normally a fairly relaxed person, but I’m sure the adrenaline will start flowing prior to the start of Coates Talent League season.
I’ve played most of my footy as a midfielder who has prided myself on my ability to get from contest to contest and be a one-touch player at ground level and good decision maker in the thick of the action.
This year I’ll be starting the season in a different role as a forward.
Recruiters have mentioned they would like to see me add another string to my bow and it’s a great opportunity to do that.
As an 18 or 19-year-old, it’s very hard to walk straight into an AFL midfield.
You need to have a second position which you can go to start your career.
I did learn some forward craft when I was younger and I love to kick a goal. Who doesn’t?

However, it will still be a change from what I am most familiar with and a new challenge.
I’ll also start the season as the newly-minted captain of Oakleigh, adding to the fresh challenges early in the season.
I sat down and wrote some goals at the start of the year and being a strong and consistent performer in the opening three weeks of the Coates Talent League was one of those.

Enjoying some team success with the Chargers in the form of a premiership is also on the list, as well as having a successful under-18 national championships with Vic Metro in the middle of the year.
It’s not on my goals list yet, but I have also been encouraged to learn to cook this year.
Cooking isn’t one of my strengths and I’ve got some work to do if an interstate club calls my name in November.

Well, that last comment at least shows he's already understanding hat he may have to move away from Vic.

 

[ROO DOGG]

Our draft crop is much poorer then those int he same situation however. North Melbourne and Hawthorn ahead of us well and truly. When you are behind the people in the same position as you then you are in a very bad way

They have more young talent than us because they started their rebuild 10 billion years before us.

 

[bzparkes]

They have more young talent than us because they started their rebuild 10 billion years before us.

Yeah, started in what, '18?

 

[eaglespremiers]

Are there any players that are super boots in this year cohort?
I'd really like a Kane Farrell type to be able to break up our run to the right/kick it routine.

Someone with pace who can clear lines.

 

[eaglespremiers]

I had a photo taken with top-age teammates Harley Reid and Nick Watson, who both went on to be top-five draft picks last year.

Six years on, the three of us posed for a new photo after playing in Vic Metro’s clash with Vic Country during the under-18 national championships at Ikon Park last July.

Can confirm:

 

[ArdentEagle]

Thanks for the heads up mate. I'll start looking into Tobie a lot more

 

[eaglespremiers]

Thanks for the heads up mate. I'll start looking into Tobie a lot more

Won the B&F for the Pioneers last year as an underager.
Was listed last year as 187cm but presumably will continue to grow.
Will start off the HBF but has stints in the midfield. Is good above his head and performed well in the curtain raiser last year.
He is particularly adept at breaking lines and has a quick turn of pace. Wouldn't surpise me if he was named captain of the Pioneers (the announcement is likely to be before their game on Sunday).
You can see his launch to Harley in the video below and that kick went all of 55 metres.
Is projected to go late first round to early second round atm.

 

[Deplorable trumpster]

Yeah, started in what, '18?

The end of 2019. At least North had the courage to admit to themselves that their list was cooked at the end of 2019 and started trying to trade out their older players. They traded out Higgins, Brown and Tarrant and got some draft picks for them, and they tried unsuccessfully to trade out others. They have made mistakes with their rebuild, in particular drafting. But at least they did themselves the favour of admitting where they were at and trying to get something for their older players to accelerate the rebuild while they still could. They had the courage to make the decision themselves and start acting before they were forced to admit it after winning spoons.

As opposed to our club who stuck our heads in the sand, said that rebuilding was for losers and we didn't have to rebuild because we were special. Who still couldn't admit to the need for a rebuild after missing out on the spoon by just percentage in 2022 and tried to reload again. Who refused to trade out the older players for picks to help the rebuild and have now run them into the ground to the point where we can't get anything for them. If it wasn't for Pyke coming in the club would still be full blown denial and refusing to admit where it is at.

 

[Cuzz09]

who dat guy?

On SM-S908E using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[bzparkes]

The end of 2019. At least North had the courage to admit to themselves that their list was cooked at the end of 2019 and started trying to trade out their older players. They traded out Higgins, Brown and Tarrant and got some draft picks for them, and they tried unsuccessfully to trade out others. They have made mistakes with their rebuild, in particular drafting. But at least they did themselves the favour of admitting where they were at and trying to get something for their older players to accelerate the rebuild while they still could. They had the courage to make the decision themselves and start acting before they were forced to admit it after winning spoons.

Yeah, North isn't exactly a shining example to follow, especially with kicking KPPs out the door and refusing to draft them.

As opposed to our club who stuck our heads in the sand, said that rebuilding was for losers and we didn't have to rebuild because we were special.

The club never said this, they've been hitting the draft since 2021 and turned over half the list already. Is this not rebuilding?

Who still couldn't admit to the need for a rebuild after missing out on the spoon by just percentage in 2022 and tried to reload again.

I think just missing finals, then having a season in which WAFL players were used to top up the squad, due to player availability, kind of made things a bit 'difficult' to assess where the list was at. Still split the first pick for an extra first rounder, as well as having an extra 2nd for moving back a couple of spots when we drafted Chesser.

Who refused to trade out the older players for picks to help the rebuild and have now run them into the ground to the point where we can't get anything for them.

You can't force players to be traded mate. It blows my mind that people still don't understand this.

If it wasn't for Pyke coming in the club would still be full blown denial and refusing to admit where it is at.

This may be a foreign concept to you but it's extremely difficult to do a rebuild without access to the top end of the draft, which WCE hasn't had since they drafted Gaff.

What the club may, or may not, have said vs what they've actually done are very different from what you are implying.

Just because they didn't do a sit-down with the West a couple of years ago and say they were embarking on a rebuild, doesn't mean they haven't been working on it.

Simmo's already said in a number of interviews in the past 2 years that they identified in 2021 that they were headed for the cliff. They didn't think it'd be this bad obviously, as it's been exacerbated due to injuries to senior players, as well as not having much depth in the 24-29yo age group, because the club simply hasn't had access to high draft picks during that time.

 

[Dom sheed pocket]

The end of 2019. At least North had the courage to admit to themselves that their list was cooked at the end of 2019 and started trying to trade out their older players. They traded out Higgins, Brown and Tarrant and got some draft picks for them, and they tried unsuccessfully to trade out others. They have made mistakes with their rebuild, in particular drafting. But at least they did themselves the favour of admitting where they were at and trying to get something for their older players to accelerate the rebuild while they still could. They had the courage to make the decision themselves and start acting before they were forced to admit it after winning spoons.

As opposed to our club who stuck our heads in the sand, said that rebuilding was for losers and we didn't have to rebuild because we were special. Who still couldn't admit to the need for a rebuild after missing out on the spoon by just percentage in 2022 and tried to reload again. Who refused to trade out the older players for picks to help the rebuild and have now run them into the ground to the point where we can't get anything for them. If it wasn't for Pyke coming in the club would still be full blown denial and refusing to admit where it is at.

North didn’t start the rebuild in earnest until 2020. Granted they already had LDU and Thomas on their list from 2017/18 draft a full blown rebuild was not on the cards.

Higgins and Brown left in 2020, Tarrant in 2021 from memory.

They sacked Scott in 19 because he told the board they needed to rebuild and the board didn’t have the stomach for it. Instead they backed in Shaw who told them he could do something with the list. Won first two games of 2020 then committed to the rebuild when it became clear in the hub they were in trouble, and cleaned out their list at the end of 2020.

 

[Cuzz09]

Are there any players that are super boots in this year cohort?
I'd really like a Kane Farrell

6

Kane Farrell

Age

25

Ht

182cm

Wt

80kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.8

2star

K

6.4

3star

HB

3.4

3star

M

2.6

3star

T

2.1

4star

MG

259.5

4star

D

12.5

3star

K

7.8

3star

HB

4.8

3star

M

3.3

3star

T

2.5

3star

MG

259.5

4star

D

9.6

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

2.6

3star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.0

4star

type to be able to break up our run to the right/kick it routine.

Someone with pace who can clear lines.

Burgiel

On SM-S908E using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[JackOutback]

The end of 2019. At least North had the courage to admit to themselves that their list was cooked at the end of 2019 and started trying to trade out their older players. They traded out Higgins, Brown and Tarrant and got some draft picks for them, and they tried unsuccessfully to trade out others. They have made mistakes with their rebuild, in particular drafting. But at least they did themselves the favour of admitting where they were at and trying to get something for their older players to accelerate the rebuild while they still could. They had the courage to make the decision themselves and start acting before they were forced to admit it after winning spoons.

As opposed to our club who stuck our heads in the sand, said that rebuilding was for losers and we didn't have to rebuild because we were special. Who still couldn't admit to the need for a rebuild after missing out on the spoon by just percentage in 2022 and tried to reload again. Who refused to trade out the older players for picks to help the rebuild and have now run them into the ground to the point where we can't get anything for them. If it wasn't for Pyke coming in the club would still be full blown denial and refusing to admit where it is at.

So, do something, anything, even if it's stupid?

 

[bzparkes]

So, do something, anything, even if it's stupid?

Off-field version of "Just kick it!"

 

[Kaboodleer]

I am 100% of the opinion that unless the club gets draft assistance this rebuild will fail like Carlton and Melbourne's first go around in the mid 2000's. It may well lead to some very good players that hang on as part of the next rebuild for a premiership but it won't build a truly contending side.

Discounting 1995 Fitzroy I genuinely believe we have the worst established list ever of any club when looking forward. Gov, Cripps, Darling, Yeo, Kelly and likely Barrass are all likely well and truly gone before we are close to attempting a look at finals.

It's not just the youth we have of which at least half will fail through either not being good enough, injuries or bare bones roleplayers at best, we have to replace players with equivalents of what we still are going to lose when they were at their peak.

Yeah I'm worried about this too. We just need to get more talent in and have limited means to do so at a rate which gets us above replacing what we are losing.

I'm not sure that would still be the case with an uncompromised draft but 1,30 every year just doesn't look like getting it done.

I'm hoping the win/loss numbers speak for themselves and we get at least an end of first rounder next draft (we could be looking at 8 wins - 60 loss over three seasons at the year of the year).

All the angst about 'playing the kids'/Gaff/Simpson seems very misplaced to me compared to this much more fundamental problem.