On 4/5/2023 at 10:54 AM, Viscount Cardwell said:

Can you include Kye Turner please ?

Yes Luci What is his status?

18 minutes ago, Kent said:

Yes Luci What is his status?

Pretty sure he's on a 1 year deal.

On 2/10/2023 at 5:55 PM, Lucifers Hero said:

Updated for Steven May's contract renewal to end of 2025.

Another key pillar locked away.

Kozzie next, please!

Re-signings in priority order:
 

1. Pickett

2. Rivers

3. Chandler 

4. ANB

5. Jordon

Easy: Woey

Retire: Hibberd, Melksham

Delist: Dunstan

If JJ isn’t signed up then I don’t lose much sleep tbh.

Chandler is emerging and ANB is a crucial role player.

Pickett and Rivers are the next generation mids that complement our bulls and we need to keep them if we want to stay at the top.

31 minutes ago, rpfc said:

Re-signings in priority order:
 

1. Pickett

2. Rivers

3. Chandler 

4. ANB

5. Jordon

Easy: Woey

Retire: Hibberd, Melksham

Delist: Dunstan

If JJ isn’t signed up then I don’t lose much sleep tbh.

Chandler is emerging and ANB is a crucial role player.

Pickett and Rivers are the next generation mids that complement our bulls and we need to keep them if we want to stay at the top.

We think alike rpfc!

Buried in the op at the top of this thread were my thoughts 6 months ago:

On 11/30/2022 at 8:59 AM, Lucifers Hero said:

In terms of 2023 contract renewals the potential outcomes are:

• Retirements:  Hibberd, Melksham
• Non-renewals:  Dunstan
• Trades if requested:  Jordon, Neal Bullen.  Note:  Both are Unrestricted FA's so they could go to a club of their choice and we take the AFL compensation pick.
• New contracts for most of the other players, particularly Rivers.
• The special one is Kozzie's signature, hopefully sooner than later for 4 years ie his FA year (or longer) but would settle for 2 years.

My thoughts haven't changed much since.  Like you Kozzie and Rivers are still my priorities.  I would now add Chandler to that list, especially if we lose Kozzie.

What might help the OOC players is that Harmes and Tomlinson (OOC 2024) explored  options last year and might do so again.  It would be a shame if we lost them, JJ or ANB but realistically we have or are training the replacements.  And if they get regular games or better money good on them as it would be the only reason they would leave.  I'm pleased for Hunt, Baker, Bedford and Weideman who are getting regular senior games at their new clubs.

So I'm now fairly pragmatic about loosing players.  It hurt me deeply to lose my =#1 fave, Hunt but deep down, I knew it was for the best.  We need to keep making room for the talent coming through and only a handful of players are 'non-tradeable'.  And we have a great draft hand this year to use at the draft or trade in high end talent so we need to shed players each year.

We no longer have players who aren't AFL standard so the players we lose won't be delistings but we need to move players on and trades are the most likely way to turn over 5 to 8 players each year.

Edited April 9, 20232 yr by Lucifers Hero

On 4/10/2023 at 8:38 AM, Lucifers Hero said:

So I'm now fairly pragmatic about loosing players.  It hurt me deeply to lose my =#1 fave, Hunt but deep down, I knew it was for the best.  We need to keep making room for the talent coming through and only a handful of players are 'non-tradeable'.  And we have a great draft hand this year to use at the draft or trade in high end talent so we need to shed players each year.

We no longer have players who aren't AFL standard so the players we lose won't be delistings but we need to move players on and trades are the most likely way to turn over 5 to 8 players each year.

I think the majority would agree with your comments LH here.  Especially about Hunt.  I was sad to see him go as he's always been a favourite but can understand that some mid range players need to be released in order to keep the high en talent.

I do think another player will need to make way this year if we are to have the funds for re-signing Rivers and Kozzy.  Rivers will get a nice little pay increase that's deserved.

As for Kozzy, just pay him whatever he needs as he really is an incredible talent.  There are few in the comp who can just create something from nothing whether its a freakish goal, run down chase or clearance in heavy traffic.  I actually think he is nearly our most valuable player and if he gets through the rest of the season, should end up with 50 odd goals.

I wouldn't be surprised if we let Jordon go.  I think everyone rates him enough and he is also appealing enough to other clubs.  The extra few $$ we'd save in freeing up his salary cap is definitely worth it and he may net us a further upgrade on a pick with an already strong 2023 draft hand.

For me free agency has taken away being committed to having fav players. Invest all this emotion and excitement watching your favourite player run around for them to get a better deal elsewhere and leave at the drop of a hat now it is more about supporting the team than individuals.

6 hours ago, Deeko2 said:

I think the majority would agree with your comments LH here.  Especially about Hunt.  I was sad to see him go as he's always been a favourite but can understand that some mid range players need to be released in order to keep the high en talent.

I do think another player will need to make way this year if we are to have the funds for re-signing Rivers and Kozzy.  Rivers will get a nice little pay increase that's deserved.

As for Kozzy, just pay him whatever he needs as he really is an incredible talent.  There are few in the comp who can just create something from nothing whether its a freakish goal, run down chase or clearance in heavy traffic.  I actually think he is nearly our most valuable player and if he gets through the rest of the season, should end up with 50 odd goals.

I wouldn't be surprised if we let Jordon go.  I think everyone rates him enough and he is also appealing enough to other clubs.  The extra few $$ we'd save in freeing up his salary cap is definitely worth it and he may net us a further upgrade on a pick with an already strong 2023 draft hand.

On the JJ part, the club have offered him a contract and doesn’t want him going anywhere, Jj is the one who has parked to talks. Melboutne would have  him signed tomorrow if they could. He is also a free agent as he was delisted after 2020 and put onto the rookie list. Won’t net us anything more than a third rounder that we probably won’t even use.  

35 minutes ago, 12345_54321 said:

On the JJ part, the club have offered him a contract and doesn’t want him going anywhere, Jj is the one who has parked to talks. Melboutne would have  him signed tomorrow if they could. He is also a free agent as he was delisted after 2020 and put onto the rookie list. Won’t net us anything more than a third rounder that we probably won’t even use.  

I wonder what the offer looks like if he hasn't accepted it yet.  

I'm a fan of the kid and happy for him to stay but he's clearly too good a player to be a teams 23rd-25th player picked each week.  I'm sure the offer in terms of $$ and term would be based on the standard 'depth' player which I can't imagine being super exciting.  Within our squad at present, this is all he really is.

I'd imagine our high end 2023 draft picks will see us going best available which is usually midfielders which if we pick up another 2 decent mids here, plus the continued expected improvement in Laurie/Howes/AMZ in the twos and obvious excitement around Kozzy and Rivers going through the centre, I'm not sure where JJ sits.

The other one is Harmes who I am sure will be back soon. 

 

1 hour ago, Deeko2 said:

I wonder what the offer looks like if he hasn't accepted it yet.  

I'm a fan of the kid and happy for him to stay but he's clearly too good a player to be a teams 23rd-25th player picked each week.  I'm sure the offer in terms of $$ and term would be based on the standard 'depth' player which I can't imagine being super exciting.  Within our squad at present, this is all he really is.

I'd imagine our high end 2023 draft picks will see us going best available which is usually midfielders which if we pick up another 2 decent mids here, plus the continued expected improvement in Laurie/Howes/AMZ in the twos and obvious excitement around Kozzy and Rivers going through the centre, I'm not sure where JJ sits.

The other one is Harmes who I am sure will be back soon. 

 

JJ would accept the terms if he was cemented in the teams but he’s been on the periphery in preseason and at the start of the season. He knows other clubs are watching him with keen interest. Unless he’s playing in the team, he won’t wait around when he knows there’s at least 4 other clubs willing to offer him better deals where he will play weekly. I understand where and why he is coming from that side. Just like Bedford did.

Updated for:

• Inclusion of Kye Turner as an A rookie
• Correction to Schache's contract status to 2024.
• McVee's contract.  Continue as a Rookie for 2024.  Promote to Seniors for 2025
• Rivers new 4 year contract taking him to the end of 2027!!

 

Now for Kozzie!!

Edited April 13, 20232 yr by Lucifers Hero

4 minutes ago, Lucifers Hero said:

Updated for:

• Inclusion of Kye Turner as an A rookie
• Correction to Schache's contract status to 2024.
• Rivers new 4 year contract taking him to the end of 2027!!

 

Now for Kozzie!!

Thanks LH, always enjoy seeing this thread bumped.

The rolling 2023 draft order right now has us with 4 picks within the first two rounds at 5, 16, 23 and 35.  I'd be very surprised if we didn't use all 4 of these.  Do we also need to find a spot for McVee?  Or can he stay on the rookie list another year?    

I'm guessing Dunstan would have to look for opportunities elsewhere.  Thinking we will also see retirements for Melksham and Hibberd.

Still think we're going to lose one or two more players.

2 minutes ago, Deeko2 said:

Thanks LH, always enjoy seeing this thread bumped.

The rolling 2023 draft order right now has us with 4 picks within the first two rounds at 5, 16, 23 and 35.  I'd be very surprised if we didn't use all 4 of these.  Do we also need to find a spot for McVee?  Or can he stay on the rookie list another year?    

I'm guessing Dunstan would have to look for opportunities elsewhere.  Thinking we will also see retirements for Melksham and Hibberd.

Still think we're going to lose one or two more players.

Thanks.  I forgot to update for McVee.  Will do shortly.  His new contract is as a rookie for 2024 then promoted to the seniors list for 2025.

Re the draft pick question.  I'd be surprised if we take all four picks to the draft.  More likely we do pick swaps to get us up the order, especially if there is a player we are keen on.  How those four picks and our future 2024 picks might be used to go up the order is anyone's guess at this stage.

Thanks LH great effort as usual, Riv and McVee are great additions for our future.!!

mcvee hasn't been officially confirmed or announced by the club, only reported as close to a deal or likely to sign a deal according to afl media reporters

8 hours ago, Lucifers Hero said:

Updated for:

• Inclusion of Kye Turner as an A rookie
• Correction to Schache's contract status to 2024.
• McVee's contract.  Continue as a Rookie for 2024.  Promote to Seniors for 2025
• Rivers new 4 year contract taking him to the end of 2027!!

 

Now for Kozzie!!

btw luci formatting error on rivers with the cup and also theres a cup next to joel smiths name who didn't win a flag, also not sure what ur flag policy is with hunter who won one at the dogs :)

9 hours ago, Turner said:

btw luci formatting error on rivers with the cup and also theres a cup next to joel smiths name who didn't win a flag, also not sure what ur flag policy is with hunter who won one at the dogs :)

What would I do without you;  you are my ever reliable backstop!

I'll leave McVee as if he is signed up.  Will fix the formatting.

Need to update with the McVee extension

Does anyone know which are the "risk" years?? (I.e. no salary cap left)

Thanks @Lucifers Hero.

The critical signings over the next 3 years are Pickett, Lever and Petty.  Langdon and Bowey next echelon.

Jefferson, D.Turner, McVee and JVR are likely to be important also IMO.

I like what little we've seen of Verrall and KFW - I think they could become players. 

The rest I need to be open minded about.  It's unlikely that we'd end up losing all the players in a category e.g. all of Sparrow, JJ and Woey, all of Chandler, ANB, Spargo and Laurie.  But it's pretty certain we'll lose some of them 

Edited April 21, 20231 yr by old55

Premiership Demon to wait on career call

Evergreen Demon Michael Hibberd won’t decide whether he will retire or play on next year until after Melbourne’s premiership bid ends.

The 33-year-old played an integral defensive role in the Dees’ comeback win over Richmond on Anzac Day Eve, starting and finishing on Dustin Martin, while shutting down Noah Cumberland in between.

Hibberd, who started his career with 84 games at Essendon, is 12 games short of reaching 200, with 17 matches, plus finals, for Melbourne to play this year. But his ongoing left achilles management – a problem that has plagued him for years – means he will have weeks off down the stretch.

“I don’t think many people get to 33 unless they’re the genuine superstars these days, but I’ve just battled my way through, and I’ll keep battling away,” he told Money Talks.

“I’ll wait until the end of the year to figure out what I want to do – whether I want to keep playing – and I’m sure the club will be in the same boat, but I’m just trying to enjoy every week at the moment.

“I love playing in front of these crowds and for this team, so I’d love to do it forever, but you can’t beat the clock. We’ll wait and see.”

Hibberd is one of my favourite players. So underated. Tough player and loves the big stage. Regardless if we go all the way this year he's still a required player in my mind.

Likely end of year retirements:  Hibberd, Melksham

Non-renewals:  Dunstan. D.Smith (r)

Trades if requested: Tomlinson. 

currently listed free agents : Jordon, Neal Bullen. 

Of course really hoping Kozzzzy signs on for another 3-4 years. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

Contract news updates:

• Chandler:  In negotiations to stay Kade Chandler
• Hibberd:  Will decide at year end whether to retire  See @roy11 report above
• Jordon:  Deferred to end of year.  Has suitors. James Jordon
• Kozzie:   In negotiations to stay.  🙂❤️💙🙂 Numerous reports
• Neal-Bullen:  In negotiations to stay  Neal-Bullen

This leaves Dunstan, Melksham and Woewodin senior list players to be decided. 

A bit surprised there is no news on Woewodin as new draftees usually have their contracts extended fairly early. 

Among the Rookies: 

• D. Turner is contracted for 2024 when he will be promoted to the Seniors
• McVee ❤️ is contracted for 2024 as a Rookie and will be promoted to the Seniors for 2025

Aassuming Woewodin gets a contract extension, I see a maximum of 3 senior list spots being available - 4 potential losses: Hibberd, Melksham, Dunstan, Jordon less one known addition: D. Turner.

If we asssume we will take Kynan Brown that leaves a maximum of 2 potential senior list spots unless some 'in contract' players move on.

Edited April 27, 20231 yr by Lucifers Hero

2 hours ago, Lucifers Hero said:

A bit surprised there is no news on Woewodin as new draftees usually have their contracts extended fairly early

You'd assume its only a matter of time, especially with question marks about the long-term futures of Harmes, Jordon and Dunstan (for various reasons), could be a depth player in 2024.

2 hours ago, Lucifers Hero said:

Contract news updates:

• Chandler:  In negotiations to stay Kade Chandler
• Hibberd:  Will decide at year end whether to retire  See @roy11 report above
• Jordon:  Deferred to end of year.  Has suitors. James Jordon
• Kozzie:   In negotiations to stay.  🙂❤️💙🙂 Numerous reports
• Neal-Bullen:  In negotiations to stay  Neal-Bullen

This leaves Dunstan, Melksham and Woewodin senior list players to be decided. 

A bit surprised there is no news on Woewodin as new draftees usually have their contracts extended fairly early. 

Among the Rookies: 

• D. Turner is contracted for 2024 when he will be promoted to the Seniors
• McVee ❤️ is contracted for 2024 as a Rookie and will be promoted to the Seniors for 2025

Aassuming Woewodin gets a contract extension, I see a maximum of 3 senior list spots being available - 4 potential losses: Hibberd, Melksham, Dunstan, Jordon less one known addition: D. Turner.

If we asssume we will take Kynan Brown that leaves a maximum of 2 potential senior list spots unless some 'in contract' players move on.

Would not be surprised if Harmes is traded at years end