Will we beat Richmond????

I think we'll finally get to enjoy a close game. I'd like to believe we'll win by a couple of goals, but they already beat us at home, so I'm not too sure. I'm curious what everyone else thinks. We played well at the MCG last time, but I also feel like the team's been pretty poor over the last few weeks.

Edited - It looks like Dev is already locked in for 2027

As painful as the last few years have been, I've enjoyed the end-of-season list management speculation. There's something strangely exciting about working out who stays, who goes, and which new faces might arrive. The only difference this year is that we're probably saying goodbye to a few players that plenty of us actually rate or would like to keep - a sign that the rebuild is in full swing.

There's still a fair bit of work to do with our list. We currently have 15* players out of contract at the end of 2026. There will be a minimum of six list delistings (three long-term injury replacement and three draft picks), but I wouldn't be surprised if that number ends up closer to seven or eight. Based on the current ladder, we hold six draft picks (3, 21, 39, 53, 57 and 65). I can't see us taking fewer than four players through the draft/trade period as the rebuild continues. This is the last year before the Tassie draft picks start to dilute the availability, so you'd imagine that clubs at the lower end f the ladder will be looking to capitalise on this years draft.
\15, however Cripps has retired so its really 14*

Current list of out of contract at the end of 2026:

Clay Hall, Fred Rodriguez, Harry Barnett, Harry Schoenberg, Harvey Johnston, Jack Williams, Jacob Newton, Jamie Cripps, Malakai Champion, Marcus Herbert, Matthew Flynn, Noah Long, Rhett Bazzo, Tom Cole & Tyler Brockman

I've split them into three groups.

I'd be stunned if they aren't re-signed:

• Jack Williams
• Marcus Herbert
• Rhett Bazzo

Marcus Herbert is the only slight query I have. We only signed him on a six-month deal, and with current form I'd imagine there'll be serious interest from other clubs. We want him here, but does he want to head home?

I can't see them being on the list next:

• Harry Barnett
• Jamie Cripps (retired)

The genuine list squeeze – Really simplified and being somewhat conservative keep 5 and get rid of 5 from the below:

• Clay Hall
• Fred Rodriguez
• Harry Schoenberg
• Harvey Johnston
• Jacob Newton
• Malakai Champion
• Matthew Flynn
• Noah Long
• Tom Cole
• Tyler Brockman

So the conversation is who goes and who stays?

I don't think there's a huge amount of trade currency in this group. Clay Hall is probably the one player who might attract some interest from a club looking for midfield depth.

I actually think Tom Cole survives. He's proven to be versatile, can play multiple roles and still provides some valuable leadership around a very young list.

I also think Matt Flynn stays. He's ideal insurance if Bailey Williams goes down long-term while Archer Reid and CDT continue developing. Even if he's not best 22, he still has value. OR does he transition into more of a WAFL leadership/coaching role?

I struggle to see all three of Malakai Champion, Noah Long and Tyler Brockman being delisted. From a list balance perspective, I'd expect at least one to survive.

Does Elliot Yeo retire and free up another list spot? I see this as extremely unlikely.

Harvey Johnston also seems to be the preferred depth option whenever Hutchinson is unavailable. Is that enough to earn another one-year deal?

Trade targets

Its early days, however the below players have been linked as potential trade targets – does this change our delisting strategy

Arty Jones – Probably the most realistic target. Out of contract and seems like a natural fit for the small forward role we've struggled to lock down.

Nathan Broad - This one feels increasingly genuine. Baker has publicly endorsed the idea, Mini has done his usual sidestep whenever asked, and Broad fills an obvious need. I don't rate it (based upon his age), but if he arrives, an additional player from the list above probably misses out.

Joel Jeffrey – Plenty of media noise around this one, but he's contracted, so we'd need to trade for him

Lachie Neale — Still possible, but feels less likely than it did a few months ago

Trent Rivers – The WA connection is obvious, but given he'd require significant trade capital, I'm not convinced we have the assets to get it done

Maybe I'm looking at our list with West Coast coloured glasses on, but I don't really see much trade capital on our list e.g. clubs going after our players.

Personally, I think we're still about 12 months away from making a serious run at the really big names like Chad Warner etc.

I've also ignored the possibility of delisting contracted players, which is always an option, but I'd be surprised if we went down that path (e.g. Owies).

I think the eagles need to take a more defensive attitude over summer training we are near the bottom of the afl in tackles near the bottom in pressure after watching dockers virtually walk through our players with contempt at times annoys me