Lamb’s track record since 2021 is damning and a large part of why we’ve had two bottom six finishes in a row

If he can’t bring in some new talent this year - and not just rejects from other clubs - it should be see ya for 2027 onwards

This trade and draft period, particularly the former, I'll be watching and judging Lamb's performance closely.

I feel we've made some excellent inroads to get club back on track. I commend Green on his work as president, am pleased to see Steven Smith elected to the board late last year, a change from Gary Pert to Paul Guerra, and of course the appointment of Steven King as coach.

The one thing I've been critical on these last few years is the state of the list management. While drafting lead by Jason Taylor has been second to none, trading critical replacements after the loss of Jackson (Fee), Brayshaw (med.ret.), ANB (Ade), Brown (ret.), Hibberd (ret.) has left a lot to be desired. Grundy, McAdams, Schache, Billings, Sharp. If we look to the Todd Viney and Josh Mahoney list management prior, they built that premiership winning list around the midfield via trade (Lever, May, Brown, Langdon). I attribute much of the current list woes to Lamb, and to a lesser extent, Richardson. My other gripe is Lamb's inability to negotiate (trades and player contracts), or at least that's my perception. Having been in multimillion dollar sales for a while, I get the impression that he has a tendency to promptly go straight to floor price and then try to pick up pieces when he encounters the inevitable push back (I see it all too often in my line of work). With all that said, I can't be too harsh, I certainly acknowledge and commend his knowledge and contribution to the player selections associated with the draft (alongside Taylor). I believe his pros outweigh his cons. Perhaps he needs to read 'Never Split the Difference' (to start) and/or get some 3rd-party help for his negotiations.

To me this trade period is critical if we genuinely believe that we can win another premiership with the likes of Gawn, Petracca, Oliver, Lever, Langdon, McDonald, Melksham, and Viney on the list. I certainly think it's possible.

So where to now? We still need that tall forward and Charlie Curnow is allegedly on the market, but do we have the salary cap available (an A+ list manager would make it work)? Sure there's Mihocek, but his best is well passed and at what cost? Flanders is also rumoured, a great get for the right price. Which prospects with some upside are available for silverware (Harvey?)?

I just hope that Lamb and the MFC are successful during this trade period as it appears to be inflection point for the premiership-capable vererans on our list.

On 24/03/2025 at 14:20, dazzledavey36 said:

It's right up there as one of the biggest list blunders we've had in a long time.

As you say, we simply didn't need to extend at all, North bluffed us and Tim Lamb and Goodwin lost their cool and caved in.

That's not my understanding.

6 minutes ago, demoncat said:

Lamb’s track record since 2021 is damning and a large part of why we’ve had two bottom six finishes in a row

If he can’t bring in some new talent this year - and not just rejects from other clubs - it should be see ya for 2027 onwards

Not sure how it works for roles like his. Is he on a contract or similar?

Surely they get someone like Jimmy Bartel to take that spot up. He would be a gun.

8 minutes ago, GawnOfTheDead said:

Not sure how it works for roles like his. Is he on a contract or similar?

Surely they get someone like Jimmy Bartel to take that spot up. He would be a gun.

Sorry, why do you think Jimmy Bartel would be a good list manager?

I think it's telling he went to Caulfield Grammar last year and not an AFL club personally...

21 minutes ago, ignition. said:

We still need that tall forward

Do we?

Brisbane just won a premiership and of their 18 goals their tall forwards combined for a total of ... 1.

6 minutes ago, Adam The God said:

Sorry, why do you think Jimmy Bartel would be a good list manager?

I think it's telling he went to Caulfield Grammar last year and not an AFL club personally...

I just feel he has good game sense. He might not be. Who knows.

He did move from CGS, and I think I heard him say on radio he just needed a new bit of scenery.

Who would you slot in?

13 minutes ago, GawnOfTheDead said:

I just feel he has good game sense. He might not be. Who knows.

He did move from CGS, and I think I heard him say on radio he just needed a new bit of scenery.

Who would you slot in?

I'm not in the industry so I wouldn't have a clue, but I spent 20 years at Caulfield, so I know the standard is really not that high.

9 minutes ago, Adam The God said:

I'm not in the industry so I wouldn't have a clue, but I spent 20 years at Caulfield, so I know the standard is really not that high.

That’s fair. I have no clue either, I just have a lot of time for Bartel. Level headed. Knows his stuff.

Not too sure who should fill the spot when it’s open. Hopefully whoever Brisbane or Geelong have, because they have endless good picks. Aside from Geelong taking on Narkle, they don’t seem to go wrong.

18 minutes ago, bing181 said:

Do we?

Brisbane just won a premiership and of their 18 goals their tall forwards combined for a total of ... 1.

I am finding it uneasy that I am agreeing with you on something.

Yes a gun key forward would be great but we need a stronger group in the midfield and half forward line more in my opinion.

14 minutes ago, ANG13 said:

I am finding it uneasy that I am agreeing with you on something.

Yes a gun key forward would be great but we need a stronger group in the midfield and half forward line more in my opinion.

A gun KPD is seemingly more important than a KPF. Harris Andrews was huge for the Lions for the majority of the finals series.

1 hour ago, bing181 said:

Do we?

Brisbane just won a premiership and of their 18 goals their tall forwards combined for a total of ... 1.

Logan Morris’ repeat leads and contests in the air brought the smaller forwards into play.

Ty Gallop was average but provided an outlet at times.

At the other end, Harris Andrews was dominant because Shannon Neale was awful.

Good tall forwards aren’t just measured by goals.

30 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

Harris Andrews was dominant because Shannon Neale was awful.

I think Shannon Neale was awful because Harris Andrews was dominant.

The lions have been lucky. Having access to kids who have been guns and on relatively small $$$ contracts (for now) puts them in a financial position to attract Allen and Draper under RFA. Also they get a top 5 Academy pick this year in Annabelle.

In the meantime if Flanders goes to the Saints for pick 7 then the GC pick 6 would be 'starters' for a Tracc bid.

If we cannot get at least one pointy end pick then Tracc stays. Last season teens picks for Smith and Houston were ridiculously low.

Its hard to see any team apart from GC having the pick capital to do business with us.

Pick 6, a player eg Rosas or another suitable for the Dees and a future 1st would do it. Perhaps some contract $$$ if needed.

Our new coach would know a bit about some of the GC players.

GC might also have to look at trading out one or two players who signed contracts for 'overs' when they were a mess.

At this stage GC have only one player likely to feature in the 2026 draft Archie Hill and he may not attract a 1st round bid. So they may have options with their 2026 picks.

Updated: The top 2026 AFL Draft prospects - Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central

Trac can't go we need him.

B: Lever, Petty, Moniz-Wakefield

HB: Salem, Turner, Bowey

C: Culley, Oliver, Langford

HF: Pickett, van Rooyen, Chandler

F: Melksham, Miochek, Fritsch

FOLL: Gawn, Petracca, Rivers

IC: Lindsay, Windsor, Langdon, Viney, Derksen

Casey

B: Berry, Adams, White

HB: Howes, McDonald, Draft Pick

C: Sinemma, Laurie, Draft Pick

HF: Henderson, Johnson, Sharp

F: McAdam, Kentfield, Jefferson

FOLL: Heath, Sparrow, Tholstrup

IC: Campbell, Mentha, Draft Pick

We won't get Flanders unless Petracca goes I don't want him to go.

I don't know if this is the right spot, but I have this feeling we are about to bottom right out again and try and rebuild when another team comes into the comp...

MFCSS in full effect.

12 minutes ago, Gorgoroth said:

I don't know if this is the right spot, but I have this feeling we are about to bottom right out again and try and rebuild when another team comes into the comp...

MFCSS in full effect.

You wouldn’t have MFCSS without thinking this

So I guess it means premiership in 2039 or so?

Edited September 29Sep 29 by whatwhat say what

15 minutes ago, whatwhat say what said:

You wouldn’t have MFCSS without thinking this

So I guess it means premiership in 2039 or so?

2059 at best the way we do things 😋

DELISTINGS

Billings ❌ Fullerton ❌ Sestan ❌ (R) Verrall ❌ (R) Hore❌(R) KBrown💔❌(R)

Spargo⭕️UFA to North Melbourne

7 off the list - Spargo, KBrown, Fullerton, Hore, Verrall, Billings, Sestan 

2 on the list - SSP top ups Henderson and Culley have earned one year deals so get added 

---

❓❓Taj Woewodin/ Woey junior - does he seek to get traded to either Freo or Eagles 

❓❓Steven May - He didn’t have a great year but when fit, he was still a mountain in defence

Contracted 2026 

McAdam⭕️sure he has mercurial talent but can’t believe he was 29 yo and injury prone and he got 3 years (Tim Lamb: was there a trigger clause even thought about? ) Maybe he gets to see out his final year. Have to somehow hope 🤞he can stay on the park or I think he’ll have to retire early.

Laurie⭕️ elite at VFL Level. Just wish he’d got more chances at AFL game and shown something. He has been on our list 5 years now. Might just seek opportunity elsewhere. 

Contracted. The “1-year club” 

The Veterans. (5) Melksham Tmcd May McAdam Campbell

On the edge. (10)    Laurie Woey jnr Jeffo Adams Johnson rookies: Kentfield Culley AMW Mentha Henderson 

That’s a lot of unproven players and the veterans in their twilight. Conceivably all 15 could be gone at end 2026. 

---

💔McVee. Reported to want out and go “home” to Freo. Home is actually Geraldton, only 400kms away from Freo

melbournefc.com.au

Trac to stay a Demon for life

Christian Petracca has agreed to a seven-year contract extension with the club

💔💔💔💔💔Petracca reportedly interested in a move to the Crows. He has another 4 years on his contract.

Monday 29 September

Day 1. Steven King has some big calls to make.

Squad for 2026!

(21) Gawn. Oliver. Viney. Kozzzy. Rivers. Turner. Langdon. Salem. Bowey. Langford. Lindsay. Fritsch. Petty. Windsor. Chandler. Kolt. Sparrow. Lever. JVR. Howes. Sharp.

The Veterans. (5) Melksham Tmcd May McAdam Campbell

On the edge. (10)    Laurie Woey jnr Jeffo Adams Johnson rookies: Kentfield Culley AMW Mentha Henderson 

---

💔McVee. Reported to want out and go “home” to Freo. Home is actually Geraldton, only 400kms away from Freo

💔💔💔💔💔Petracca reportedly interested in a move to the Crows. He has another 4 years on his contract. 

The trade period and the drafting period is again a crucial time !!

Lots to play out. We have climbed the mountain in 2021, and now seen it disintegrate in a matter of 4 years. It’s not too late unless we get our pants pulled down again.

Edited September 29Sep 29 by spirit of norm smith
K

4 minutes ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Squad for 2026!

(21) Gawn. Oliver. Viney. Kozzzy. Rivers. Turner. Langdon. Salem. Bowey. Langford. Lindsay. Fritsch. Petty. Windsor. Chandler. Kolt. Sparrow. Lever. JVR. Howes. Sharp.

The Veterans. (5) Melksham Tmcd May McAdam Campbell

On the edge. (10)    Laurie Woey jnr Jeffo Adams Johnson rookies: Kentfield Culley AMW Mentha Henderson 

---

💔McVee. Reported to want out and go “home” to Freo. Home is actually Geraldton, only 400kms away from Freo

💔💔💔💔💔Petracca reportedly interested in a move to the Crows. He has another 4 years on his contract. 

If goes the likely way we will get pick 14 a future 1st and Rachele for Petracca, pick 29 for McVee, pick 52 for May.

So we have picks 14, 23, 29, 37, 52, 54, 59. We probably won't use a pick in the 50's except if it's for White. I'll wait to see if Flanders picks us or picks St.Kilda. Pick 37 for Heath. Delisted free agent or pick 59 for Derksen. Free agent Miochek. Delist McAdam and put him on the rookie list.

B: Lever, Petty, Moniz-Wakefield (a)

HB: Salem, Turner, Bowey

C: Culley (a), Oliver, Langford

HF: Rachele, van Rooyen, Chandler

F: Fritsch, Miochek, Melksham

FOLL: Gawn, Rivers, Pickett

IC: Lindsay, Windsor, Langdon, Viney, Derksen

Casey

B: Berry (b), Adams, White

HB: Howes, McDonald, Pick 14

C: Sinnema (a), Laurie, Pick 23

HF: Henderson (a), Johnson, Sharp

F: McAdam(a), Kentfield (a), Jefferson

FOLL: Heath, Sparrow, Tholstrup

IC: Campbell, Mentha (b), Pick 29

Edited September 29Sep 29 by WERRIDEE

Our 22 next year is starting to look extremely dire, we keep losing players in the 23-28 range who are starters or on the cusp with scope to break in and have struggled to replenish that age bracket through trade ins, whilst subsequently our 28+ cohort keeps ageing and our draftees whilst some have shown promise and genuine scope for stardom others have been allowed to plod along because the unforced exits have afforded them lifelines.

Jefferson, Adams, Howes, Laurie, AMW should all be playing for their careers next year but given the ages of McDonald, Melksham, Campbell, May, McAdam of which supposedly ONLY melksham is best 22 next year thats already 5 exits, and then you have Henderson and Johnson who are sort of nothing almost desperate selections hits in hope without any outstanding AFL traits its a really bad spot for our list to be in, i think we could be 5-7 years away from competing

2026

Key Defenders: May, Petty, Turner, McDonald, Adams, Derksen, Berry (B)

General Def: Lever, Salem, Bowey, Moniz-Wakefield (A), Howes,

Midfielders: Pickett, Oliver, Viney, Petracca, Rivers, Windsor, Langdon, Langford, Lindsay, Laurie, Culley (A), Woewodin, Sinnema

Rucks: Gawn, Campbell, Heath

General Fwd: Fritsch, Chandler, Melksham, Sparrow, Sharp, Tholstrup, Johnson, Henderson (A), McAdam, Mentha (B)

Key Forwards: Mihocek, van Rooyen, Jefferson, Kentfield (A), White, 

i suspect lindsay makes a fletcher-esque move to HB next year and i think there are real genuine warning signs around what rivers does either next year or in 2027 when he's OOC.

Lever Petty Turner

Salem Bowey Lindsay

Langdon? Viney Culley?

Fritsch Mihocek Chandler

Melksham? JVR/Kentfield? Pickett

Gawn Oliver Langford

Windsor Rivers AMW/Howes? Sparrow?/Kolt? Sharp?/Draftee?

Sounds like there's no one not available... for the right price.

He did the leg scratch.... Is he really Goody???

It was a good, comprehensive update. Understand a lot is kept in house, but he has said what he can and was open with the situation. I like the new direction the media team are taking, nice as members to be informed and entertained.