With confirmation McAdam is done for the year I thought I'd assess some contenders for a list spot before the deadline last week.

Jai Culley:
The favourite. 21 year old (about to turn 22) big bodied mid who seems to move well for his size. ACL injury in 2023 seemed to derail his career that was looking promising after being pick 1 in the 2022 midseason draft.

Has garnered good reviews from Jon Ralph and overall positivity from Demonland track watchers. Can he contribute to the best 22 on a wing or half forward or would he purely be midfield depth?

Roy George:
The wow factor. Has had moments of real class both at Casey and over summer. But I don't think he's solved the question marks over his defensive application and readiness for the step up to AFL level. Kossie's uncle!

Lachy McAndrew:
The beanpole. Former Rugby Union player who spent a few years on the Swans list before getting a call up to the Crows SANFL list and training with them in recent weeks. Apparently dominated big ROB in a match play session yesterday but the Crows don't currently have a list spot. Would be a pick for the future and clutter up Casey but given Gawn and Campbell have a combined aged of about 1000 a tap ruckman entering his physical prime would be nice.

Jack Henderson:
The ready made option. 25 years old, 177cm, good wheels without being express pace, balanced and skilled. Just got the call up to train at West Coast as cover for Dom Sheed. Lots of rumours that we were keen during the lead up to the draft. Classy mid/forward who has the VFL experience to slot right in to a forward flank role.

Baynen Lowe:
The very left field pick. Young Tasmanian forward/mid who plays for Norwood in the SANFL. Got sent home from training with Freo pre Christmas when he injured his shoulder. Not sure if he ended up having surgery or not. But he could be worth taking a chance on even if he has to miss a few months. Would be well known to Nathan Bassett. Is seen as a likely Tasmanian VFL/AFL prospect if he doesn't get a chance before that all ramps up.

Freo have signed Kozzie's cousin, we'll up them and sign his uncle, a list management master class

I’d actually be really keen to add Jack Henderson and it seems there’d be a clear role for him to play with Shane out for the year and Kolt and Spargo still some time away 

I was actually surprised we didn’t draft him with our last pick in the national draft following the reports linking him to us - although we did opt for his Werribee teammate in AJ!

I’m not convinced we need another big bodied mid. If George is committed to a 10 year career he’d  be my pick. 

Culley as midfield depth.  One injury to starting midfielder away from being in last years position (battered in the middle).  Age also a factor.

Looks like all the eggs are in the KW basket re Gawn successor which I’m unsure about.

5 minutes ago, Madz said:

Culley as midfield depth.  One injury to starting midfielder away from being in last years position (battered in the middle).  Age also a factor.

Looks like all the eggs are in the KW basket re Gawn successor which I’m unsure about.

We've potentially added Oliver, Rivers, Tracc, Langdon and Langford to a midfield that lost ANB last year, I'm not sure midfield is a huge need. Although more depth would help us if Rivers and Langdon are needed elsewhere. And I agree a 21 nearly 22 year old would be a nice age range to supplement the older guys.

I'd say our ruck plan is grab a 25 year old when we need them. It's just a matter of getting that timing right. If we do land White I suspect he'll start at CHB or forward/ruck and not be in any AFL conversations for a few years.

36 minutes ago, adonski said:

Freo have signed Kozzie's cousin, we'll up them and sign his uncle, a list management master class

I wish we got Dudley, he looks so fun. Freo are being very annoying.

34 minutes ago, demoncat said:

I’d actually be really keen to add Jack Henderson and it seems there’d be a clear role for him to play with Shane out for the year and Kolt and Spargo still some time away 

I was actually surprised we didn’t draft him with our last pick in the national draft following the reports linking him to us - although we did opt for his Werribee teammate in AJ!

Think Henderson went over to train with the Eagles with a fair amount of knowledge he’d get the nod to replace Dom Sheed.

8 minutes ago, BC_1718_DC said:

Think Henderson went over to train with the Eagles with a fair amount of knowledge he’d get the nod to replace Dom Sheed.

Yeah you’d think he’d be more likely to play AFL minutes over there than with us, but I’d hope the club would keep his name in mind should Shane be moved to the LTI

1 minute ago, demoncat said:

Yeah you’d think he’d be more likely to play AFL minutes over there than with us, but I’d hope the club would keep his name in mind should Shane be moved to the LTI

Can’t see any way he’s not moved to the inactive list given the severity of an Achilles and his already horrible injury history. It’s just whether Melbourne choose to pick someone now or wait till mid season.

 

Melbourne know they’ll only have once chance to pick Culley, if not now, another club will get him early mid season no doubt. In fact, Melbourne can’t actually believe no one has picked him up already considering how well he’s done and how unlucky most thought he was to not get a contract extension at the Eagles or picked up in one of the drafts. 

Is there any word on Kentfields health? Complications of pneumonia isn't something to take lightly either.

9 minutes ago, BC_1718_DC said:

Can’t see any way he’s not moved to the inactive list given the severity of an Achilles and his already horrible injury history. It’s just whether Melbourne choose to pick someone now or wait till mid season.

 

Melbourne know they’ll only have once chance to pick Culley, if not now, another club will get him early mid season no doubt. In fact, Melbourne can’t actually believe no one has picked him up already considering how well he’s done and how unlucky most thought he was to not get a contract extension at the Eagles or picked up in one of the drafts. 

Thanks @BC_1718_DC that’s good intel 

I said in another thread that I was shocked when the Eagles delisted Culley

Would be more than happy to add him to the list despite the unfortunate circumstance 

2 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Is there any word on Kentfields health? Complications of pneumonia isn't something to take lightly either.

Still believe it’s a long term thing until he’s back. Club obviously being very conservative with no pressure on coming back to training/playing until fully healthy. Could reassess at the half way point of the year if it’s worth moving him to the inactive list. They’ll give him the chance to come back though, of course. 

It's Culley for me.  In my opinion, he's just too good to not pick up.

31 minutes ago, BC_1718_DC said:

Think Henderson went over to train with the Eagles with a fair amount of knowledge he’d get the nod to replace Dom Sheed.

It's first in best dressed though. You don't really owe loyalty to a train on spot. In fact the great story was Oleg Markov cut from the Pies train on, rocked up to train at Carlton for a go there, Collingwood called him back and said we've got a list spot and he signed right away.

Unless the Eagles slap the contract down right away for him I'd imagine Henderson would love the idea of staying home and not having to completely uproot his life.

That said, I do think Culley is rightly the favourite and has more upside (and I agree he's likely now or never if he starts dominating the VFL), he's just less of a need right now. 

I've been Roy George all the way but I take into account what the regular track watchers have been observing, and that is majority support Jai Culley as the one who has impressed the most.

If that's the case then I'm happy with him as a replacement.

Edited February 15, 20251 yr by dazzledavey36

Has to be Jai Culley…he’s good enough to make an immediate impact and our midfield depth certainly isn’t that great anymore 

29 minutes ago, Gator said:

It's Culley for me.  In my opinion, he's just too good to not pick up.

Same. Big bodied and bobs up to kick occasional goals. What we need more from our midfield.

It’s X factor of George for me. I’d be popping Kentfield on the LTI and taking both. Kentfield is such a long shot anyway 

2 hours ago, adonski said:

Freo have signed Kozzie's cousin, we'll up them and sign his uncle, a list management master class

Freo also have his Brother in Law.

Worth noting that Jai Culley had no pre season this time last year as he was coming back from an ACL injury.

I believe he's been able to do every session so far?

i vote for culley, based purely on the speculation of trackwatchers as i have, frankly, no idea...

...but gimme more depth in the midfield

Edited February 15, 20251 yr by whatwhat say what

Culley reminds me of Tyson - left footer, some nice attributes, moves well but is a bit slow? 

I’m hearing the questions about George’s defensive capacities but surely we’re in need of a small forward backup?