Danielle Laidley: Use of Sean Darcy, Luke Jackson and Patrick Voss integral part of Fremantle's success
Darcy was the number one ruck for his 13 games in 2024, with Luke Jackson the second ruck/key forward. The other two regular key forwards were Josh Treacy and Jye Amiss.
Matt Taberner played six games and Patrick Voss seven, only when one of main cast were injured. There were varied machinations of the ruck/forward set up when this occurred.
Fast forward to 2025 and has the dynamic changed massively. Darcy and Jackson share the ruck duties, then the latter moves to a genuine onballer.
It's a different look for the midfield group — Jackson at 199cm is a ground ball hunter, his clearances, contested ball, score involvements and inside 50's have increased in 2025.
His contested marks around the ground have increased, yet he is just marginally below his marks inside 50 averages from 2024 and is spending significantly less time stationed inside 50.
Jackson has found himself in the Champion Data top-five rated players for a significant part of the season.
The other significant flow on effect has been the makeup of the three tall forwards, which coach Justin Longmuir likes to play — Treacy (20 games, 35 goals), Amiss (20 games, 28 goals) and Voss (16 games, 28 goals), who has developed his game and maturity with the speed of a bullet in 2025.
None of these three key forwards are playing as a back-up ruckman, which is usually the case in most teams. This has allowed more time to synchronise them all playing together continuously and it is showing.
It's just not the goals from Voss, it's his ferocious attack on the contest, it's his chase down tackles. For me, it seems Treacy has his fingerprints all over Voss and what a great mentor that would be.
There is more to Voss than his physical presence. What he did against Collingwood's captain Darcy Moore in round 19 is difficult to do. His football smarts, positioning and know how scored him a bag of goals and the team were able to execute the plan on Moore.
On the weekend there was a different plan for Voss' role, going to Carlton defender Jacob Weitering. He wanted to play on Treacy, so there was a merry-go-round, which causes confusion and helps quell Weitering's intercept game.
There was an example of the ball coming inside forward 50, where Voss stayed with Weitering, laying a smart partial block causing confusion, allowing Treacy to take the mark and goal.
The excitement from Voss and his celebration for Treacy was something to behold, its what coaches, love when players live, breathe and value their role.
As the game progressed Treacy did the same for Voss, and yes we saw the same excitement from Josh Treacy. It's gold.
From very much a bit part player in 2024, it's been quite the sliding door moment for Voss, as he has become an integral part of this team and the word is he has worked extremely hard on his game.
Just Imagine if Jackson doesn't become the ruck/midfielder and stays as the ruck/forward, would we get the pleasure to see this young man strut his stuff every weekend?
And on a separate note — Treacy is 23, Amiss and Voss are 22, so there's plenty more to be seen. Stay the course Fremantle fans.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
7NEWS
3 minutes ago
- 7NEWS
AFL champion Dale Thomas and wife Natasha welcome first child into the world
Former Collingwood and Carlton champion Dale Thomas and his wife Natasha have welcomed their first child into the world. Sharing the unique name for their daughter in a joint Instagram post on Tuesday night, the couple wrote: 'Allegra Thomas. No words for this kind of love. 31 July 2025.' The post shared some moments from Allegra's first few days in the world, including a precious shot of her lying in bed with her AFL champion dad, who is a star of Channel 7's footy coverage. It was quickly flooded with messages of congratulations from some notable friends. Thomas's Channel 7 colleague Abbey Holmes, who just gave birth to her own first child, said: 'Yay 🥹🫶🏼💕 so happy for you guys !! She's the cutest xxxx.' Former Seven reporter Jacqui Felgate added: 'Congratulations guys!!! Just perfection.' Emma Hawkins, the wife of Geelong great Tom, wrote: 'Naw congratulations! Beautiful name for a beautiful girl.' Fashion stylist and brand owner Lana Wilkinson said: 'Congratulations guys ❤️ she's beautiful. Enjoy this special time x.' The news comes almost 18 months after they tied the knot at a star-studded wedding in Dunkeld. The stunning couple told family and friends of their pregnancy over Christmas. 'Tash and I could not be happier to be welcoming our baby into the world in August,' Thomas said at the time. 'Last year started with the high of our wedding and ended with this fantastic news. 'Telling loved ones over the Christmas period made for some wonderful memories and some brilliant reactions, and we will treasure this forever. 'This next chapter has us both so excited. 'As happy as we are to be sharing this great personal news, we also want to acknowledge and send big love and thoughts to those who are still waiting for their baby joy. 'We appreciate how difficult and sensitive it can be.' Thomas enjoyed a standout career for Collingwood and Carlton, kicking 155 goals across 258 games. He was a member of the Magpies' 2010 premiership team and made the 2011 All-Australian team. After his career ended in 2019, Thomas transitioned seamlessly into the media where has since risen the ranks to become one of the game's leading expert analysts.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Yet to sign: All 220 out-of-contract players in the AFL named
Carlton (13) Harry Charleson, Alex Cincotta, Tom De Koning, Francis Evans, Orazio Fantasia, Nick Haynes, Brodie Kemp, Harry Lemmey, Rob Monahan, Jesse Motlop, Jack Silvagni, Will White, Billy Wilson. Loading It's been a challenging year for the Blues, and they have more battles ahead. Silvagni appears as good as certain to be playing elsewhere in 2026, likely at Collingwood or Western Bulldogs, while De Koning seems odds-on to accept St Kilda's long-term mega offer for him. Haynes proved an astute recruit and is set to go around again, although nothing is agreed to yet. Carlton have a call to make on their small forward brigade, with all of Motlop, Fantasia, Evans and White needing a new deal, as does defensive stopper Cincotta. Key-position swingman Kemp had interest from St Kilda last year, but is recovering from a season-ending Achilles injury. Collingwood (15) Mason Cox, Charlie Dean, Jamie Elliott, Billy Frampton, Will Hoskin-Elliott, Jeremy Howe, Noah Howes, Ash Johnson, Finlay Macrae, Oleg Markov, Brody Mihocek, Tom Mitchell, Wil Parker, Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom, Roan Steele, Lachie Sullivan. The Pies have made an offer to Howe, and he will continue next year once a deal is agreed upon, while champion midfielders Pendlebury and Sidebottom are as good as locked in for another season. Mihocek has attracted preliminary interest elsewhere, and could walk if a two-year deal is on the table from another club. Elliott is having an All-Australian-calibre season and will have suitors everywhere if the Magpies can't make a satisfactory offer, with discussions ongoing. Hoskin-Elliott is in wait-and-see mode, while Mitchell and Cox could be on the lookout for new clubs if they want to extend their careers. New ruck rules could make Cox appealing to rivals. Frampton and Sullivan are expected to stay, as is Steele, who has made a good impression. Essendon (16) Lachie Blakiston, Nick Bryan, Alwyn Davey jnr, Sam Draper, Todd Goldstein, Ben Hobbs, Jayden Laverde, Luamon Lual, Liam McMahon, Jye Menzie, Jayden Nguyen, Jaxon Prior, Will Setterfield, Dylan Shiel, Oskar Smartt, Vigo Visentini. There is no incentive for Bryan or Visentini to re-sign until everyone knows what unrestricted free agent Draper is doing. The Bombers want to retain their No.1 ruckman, but both Adelaide and Brisbane are very keen on him. Laverde is an annual watch, and he has some interest elsewhere, although he could yet remain at Tullamarine. Prior was a good addition off the Lions' scrapheap and is expected to score a new deal, while Hobbs was a first-round selection four years ago, but is yet to cement his spot, and Davey jnr – whose twin was delisted last year – will have to bide his time as well. Shiel wants to play on, but the club's youth direction might be against him, and he may be fighting for the same list spot as Setterfield. Fremantle (9) James Aish, Jack Delean, Neil Erasmus, Nat Fyfe, Odin Jones, Oscar McDonald, Quinton Narkle, Liam Reidy, Jeremy Sharp. Loading Erasmus, the No.10 pick in the 2021 draft, has been in and out of the Dockers' senior side, and not surprisingly has opposition interest, particularly from West Coast and Western Bulldogs. Fyfe is surely playing his last season, and Aish's career at the Dockers is tracking towards being over. Sharp, who revived his career at Fremantle after falling out of favour at Gold Coast, is weighing up an offer to stay versus interest from other clubs, so another fresh start could be on the cards. McDonald remains a good depth option down back, and will hope to still be on the list in 2026, while Reidy faces a tough ask playing behind Luke Jackson and Sean Darcy, but has performed well in the WAFL. Geelong (11) Jed Bews, Ted Clohesy, Mitch Duncan, Cam Guthrie, Xavier Ivisic, Mitch Knevitt, Joe Pike, Patrick Retschko, Rhys Stanley, George Stevens, Ollie Wiltshire. Bews and Duncan may need to look elsewhere if they want to play on, but the latter is expected to retire. Guthrie's next month will determine his future, as he has two VFL games to inspire confidence he may make it back after a wretched, injury-riddled three seasons. Knevitt will continue in 2026, as the Cats want him to stay, and Clohesy has done enough to earn a new deal. Stevens is on the edge after playing two matches, while Stanley has been exceptional in the ruck, which gives him a chance to decide his own fate. They need him regardless of whether they recruit a new ruckman or transition to Toby Conway and Mitch Edwards. Wiltshire is also tipped to continue. Gold Coast (13) Oscar Adams, Tom Berry, Connor Budarick, Asher Eastham, Jy Farrar, Brayden Fiorini, Lachlan Gulbin, Ben Jepson, Sean Lemmens, Caleb Lewis, Malcolm Rosas, Alex Sexton, David Swallow. Rosas Jr is attracting plenty of interest, including from long-time suitors Sydney and Richmond, and should attract a reasonable return for the Suns, while Budarick has also been keeping his powder dry to see whether he can cement a spot in the line-up. Swallow, Sexton and Lemmens are on the fringes and will likely struggle for another deal, but Fiorini's possession count has put him on the edge of a new deal. Nick Holman has quietly re-signed for another season, while Adams and Lewis arrived in the mid-season draft this year and would be hopeful for a longer audition. GWS (6) Leek Aleer, Wade Derksen, Josh Fahey, Lachie Keeffe, Nathan Wardius, Jacob Wehr. Apart from Aleer, the Giants have locked in their most-wanted players, with Callum Brown and Xavier O'Halloran signing extensions recently. The Saints will land Aleer on a lucrative deal after unsuccessfully trying to woo him 12 months ago when he was still under contract, while the Demons remain keen on key-position swingman Derksen, although Simon Goodwin's sacking may change things. Keeffe is football's ultimate survivor, while Wehr has interest from his home state of South Australia. Hawthorn (9) Luke Breust, Sam Butler, Sam Frost, Jack Gunston, Seamus Mitchell, Bodie Ryan, Jasper Scaife, Jai Serong, James Worpel. All eyes are on Worpel, who is yet to make a call on his future as he weighs up four-year offers from the Hawks and Geelong, where he grew up in nearby Bannockburn. Butler returned from a broken leg and can play, but is behind others as a small forward. Champion forward Breust is in good physical shape and could play a role in the back half of the season. His future is in footy in 2026, but it remains to be seen whether it's in coaching or playing. Defender Serong has not been as consistent in the VFL this season, but will have suitors – potentially at his higher-profile brother's team, Fremantle – as he would be a regular at many AFL clubs. Frost is another to watch as the club kept him last season as insurance. He is unlikely to want to move from Victoria, but is a great clubman with value beyond the Hawks. Melbourne (15) Jack Billings, Tom Campbell, Jai Culley, Tom Fullarton, Jack Henderson, Marty Hore, Tom McDonald, Judd McVee, Jake Melksham, Ricky Mentha, Andy Moniz-Wakefield, Oliver Sestan, Charlie Spargo, Will Verrall, Taj Woewodin. Melksham has been outstanding, and looked set to remain a Demon, but a change of coach makes the colours he wears less certain. There must be some doubt about fellow veteran McDonald for the same reason, particularly if Simon Goodwin's replacement wants to freshen the place up. Melbourne must be getting nervous about McVee, who looked poised to re-sign mid-season, but is now a chance to depart. Both Western Australian clubs are keen on him, but they are not alone. Premiership forward Spargo has become a fringe member, but his skill set, particularly his kicking inside 50, is still valuable. Culley has put himself in a good spot to continue with his showing at the weekend. Verrall, Campbell and Fullarton offer ruck depth behind Max Gawn, but none is especially appealing. North Melbourne (13) Zac Banch, Miller Bergman, Callum Coleman-Jones, Kallan Dawson, Eddie Ford, Cooper Harvey, Finnbar Maley, Geordie Payne, Will Phillips, Brynn Teakle, Cooper Trembath, Darcy Tucker. Aidan Corr met a contract trigger that locked in his spot for next year, but Phillips will be looking for a new home, with West Coast among the clubs that have monitored him. Harvey has been made to wait but has been deserving of an offer based on his recent form, while Maley is a fan favourite who has shown promise with his strong marking. Tucker is fit again after a back issue, but that ailment did not help his chances. Coleman-Jones has had no luck with injury, but he has endured a disappointing four-year stretch at Arden Street since crossing from Richmond. Fellow big man Teakle has performed well in Tristan Xerri's absence but is no certainty to earn another contract. Port Adelaide (13) Tom Anastasopoulos, Benny Barrett, Ryan Burton, Lachlan Charleson, Tom Cochrane, Jeremy Finlayson, Hugh Jackson, Mani Liddy, Will Lorenz, Jed McEntee, Jacob Moss, Dylan Williams, Burton is touch-and-go to continue at Alberton, with a decision not expected to be made until after the season. There is rival interest in the defender, and he should be playing somewhere in the AFL in 2026, but there is a fair bit still to play out. Lorenz showed enough glimpses against Geelong to get another season, but the end is nigh for Williams, who seems unlikely to score a new deal. Finlayson has enjoyed a solid career across two clubs, and will bank on the Power still seeing value in his versatility and height despite playing more SANFL than AFL games this year. Richmond (13) Jacob Bauer, Jacob Blight, Mate Colina, Thomson Dow, Campbell Gray, Oliver Hayes-Brown, Jacob Koschitzke, Tom Lynch, Kamdyn McIntosh, Dion Prestia, Kaleb Smith, Tyler Sonsie, Tylar Young. Loading Lynch will go around again in 2026 after cooling his jets on the sidelines for five matches, but Dow lives on the fringes, while Sonsie has improved enough in the back half of the season to cement a spot, and Young has made an impression in defence. Blight has shown promising glimpses, too. Prestia and McIntosh sit in the wait-and-see category reserved for popular veterans, although coach Adem Yze gave the former a glowing endorsement a few weeks back. Prestia has played nine consecutive matches in a welcome patch of continuity free of injury. Hayes-Brown has significantly out-performed fellow ruckman Colina in the VFL, and looks a promising longer-term option once captain Toby Nankervis retires. St Kilda (15) Harry Boyd, Ryan Byrnes, Jack Carroll, Zaine Cordy, Max Heath, Dougal Howard, Zak Jones, Isaac Keeler, Angus McLennan, Liam O'Connell, Arie Schoenmaker, Liam Stocker, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Jimmy Webster, Marcus Windhager. The Saints always make their players wait, but in some cases this season, the players are returning the favour. Most noticeable has been Wanganeen-Milera's decision, but Windhager is also unlikely to sign soon, with a bunch of clubs, including Sydney, very interested in the durable midfielder. The Saints' out-of-contract veterans have been given a chance to show their wares, but are not exactly demanding new deals. Keeler is a project player and back-up ruckman Boyd will need to see where the cards fall. Stocker looks like he is going to have to live on one-year deals for the rest of his days, but has previously said he enjoyed that pressure. Sydney (11) Jack Buller, Robbie Fox, Aaron Francis, Joel Hamling, Indhi Kirk, Peter Ladhams, Blake Leidler, Jake Lloyd, Caleb Mitchell, Ben Paton, Dane Rampe. Ladhams has established himself as Brodie Grundy's back-up, and has a two-year offer to continue, but negotiations are ongoing. Veteran defender Lloyd also has a one-year offer in front of him, but coach Dean Cox said a decision on Rampe's future was still to be determined. Buller has enjoyed some solid games late in the season, which could help his cause, while Fox, Francis and Hamling may be competing for contracts with list spots at a premium – but it may depend on what the Swans decide on Rampe. West Coast (12) Oscar Allen, Rhett Bazzo, Malakai Champion, Campbell Chesser, Tom Cole, Jamie Cripps, Jayden Hunt, Callum Jamieson, Coen Livingstone, Jacob Newton, Jack Petruccelle, Loch Rawlinson. Cripps has a one-year offer in front of him, so he will extend his career into 2026. There is more doubt about speedster Petruccelle, who has struggled for opportunities under Andrew McQualter, but Victorian clubs have expressed interest in him. Allen is virtually certain to join Brisbane as a free agent, which will be a blow to the Eagles but should deliver decent compensation. Chesser was excellent in his first game for the season and is attracting interest elsewhere as a first-round pick who has had an up-and-down career so far. Western Bulldogs (12) Oskar Baker, Nick Coffield, Taylor Duryea, Jason Johannisen, Arthur Jones, Liam Jones, Tom Liberatore, Caleb Poulter, Anthony Scott, Michael Sellwood, Adam Treloar. Liberatore will stay on another one-year deal, and Arthur Jones has an offer to remain at the Kennel. Small forwards are hot property, so he may not rush to re-sign. Treloar's injury concerns mean he is yet to re-sign, but it would be a shock if he was not on the list next season. Baker has been in and out of the team but is too good to play VFL. Duryea and Liam Jones are nearing the end, while ex-Saint Coffield is touch and go after limited opportunities at AFL level.
The Age
3 hours ago
- The Age
Yet to sign: All 220 out-of-contract players in the AFL named
Carlton (13) Harry Charleson, Alex Cincotta, Tom De Koning, Francis Evans, Orazio Fantasia, Nick Haynes, Brodie Kemp, Harry Lemmey, Rob Monahan, Jesse Motlop, Jack Silvagni, Will White, Billy Wilson. Loading It's been a challenging year for the Blues, and they have more battles ahead. Silvagni appears as good as certain to be playing elsewhere in 2026, likely at Collingwood or Western Bulldogs, while De Koning seems odds-on to accept St Kilda's long-term mega offer for him. Haynes proved an astute recruit and is set to go around again, although nothing is agreed to yet. Carlton have a call to make on their small forward brigade, with all of Motlop, Fantasia, Evans and White needing a new deal, as does defensive stopper Cincotta. Key-position swingman Kemp had interest from St Kilda last year, but is recovering from a season-ending Achilles injury. Collingwood (15) Mason Cox, Charlie Dean, Jamie Elliott, Billy Frampton, Will Hoskin-Elliott, Jeremy Howe, Noah Howes, Ash Johnson, Finlay Macrae, Oleg Markov, Brody Mihocek, Tom Mitchell, Wil Parker, Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom, Roan Steele, Lachie Sullivan. The Pies have made an offer to Howe, and he will continue next year once a deal is agreed upon, while champion midfielders Pendlebury and Sidebottom are as good as locked in for another season. Mihocek has attracted preliminary interest elsewhere, and could walk if a two-year deal is on the table from another club. Elliott is having an All-Australian-calibre season and will have suitors everywhere if the Magpies can't make a satisfactory offer, with discussions ongoing. Hoskin-Elliott is in wait-and-see mode, while Mitchell and Cox could be on the lookout for new clubs if they want to extend their careers. New ruck rules could make Cox appealing to rivals. Frampton and Sullivan are expected to stay, as is Steele, who has made a good impression. Essendon (16) Lachie Blakiston, Nick Bryan, Alwyn Davey jnr, Sam Draper, Todd Goldstein, Ben Hobbs, Jayden Laverde, Luamon Lual, Liam McMahon, Jye Menzie, Jayden Nguyen, Jaxon Prior, Will Setterfield, Dylan Shiel, Oskar Smartt, Vigo Visentini. There is no incentive for Bryan or Visentini to re-sign until everyone knows what unrestricted free agent Draper is doing. The Bombers want to retain their No.1 ruckman, but both Adelaide and Brisbane are very keen on him. Laverde is an annual watch, and he has some interest elsewhere, although he could yet remain at Tullamarine. Prior was a good addition off the Lions' scrapheap and is expected to score a new deal, while Hobbs was a first-round selection four years ago, but is yet to cement his spot, and Davey jnr – whose twin was delisted last year – will have to bide his time as well. Shiel wants to play on, but the club's youth direction might be against him, and he may be fighting for the same list spot as Setterfield. Fremantle (9) James Aish, Jack Delean, Neil Erasmus, Nat Fyfe, Odin Jones, Oscar McDonald, Quinton Narkle, Liam Reidy, Jeremy Sharp. Loading Erasmus, the No.10 pick in the 2021 draft, has been in and out of the Dockers' senior side, and not surprisingly has opposition interest, particularly from West Coast and Western Bulldogs. Fyfe is surely playing his last season, and Aish's career at the Dockers is tracking towards being over. Sharp, who revived his career at Fremantle after falling out of favour at Gold Coast, is weighing up an offer to stay versus interest from other clubs, so another fresh start could be on the cards. McDonald remains a good depth option down back, and will hope to still be on the list in 2026, while Reidy faces a tough ask playing behind Luke Jackson and Sean Darcy, but has performed well in the WAFL. Geelong (11) Jed Bews, Ted Clohesy, Mitch Duncan, Cam Guthrie, Xavier Ivisic, Mitch Knevitt, Joe Pike, Patrick Retschko, Rhys Stanley, George Stevens, Ollie Wiltshire. Bews and Duncan may need to look elsewhere if they want to play on, but the latter is expected to retire. Guthrie's next month will determine his future, as he has two VFL games to inspire confidence he may make it back after a wretched, injury-riddled three seasons. Knevitt will continue in 2026, as the Cats want him to stay, and Clohesy has done enough to earn a new deal. Stevens is on the edge after playing two matches, while Stanley has been exceptional in the ruck, which gives him a chance to decide his own fate. They need him regardless of whether they recruit a new ruckman or transition to Toby Conway and Mitch Edwards. Wiltshire is also tipped to continue. Gold Coast (13) Oscar Adams, Tom Berry, Connor Budarick, Asher Eastham, Jy Farrar, Brayden Fiorini, Lachlan Gulbin, Ben Jepson, Sean Lemmens, Caleb Lewis, Malcolm Rosas, Alex Sexton, David Swallow. Rosas Jr is attracting plenty of interest, including from long-time suitors Sydney and Richmond, and should attract a reasonable return for the Suns, while Budarick has also been keeping his powder dry to see whether he can cement a spot in the line-up. Swallow, Sexton and Lemmens are on the fringes and will likely struggle for another deal, but Fiorini's possession count has put him on the edge of a new deal. Nick Holman has quietly re-signed for another season, while Adams and Lewis arrived in the mid-season draft this year and would be hopeful for a longer audition. GWS (6) Leek Aleer, Wade Derksen, Josh Fahey, Lachie Keeffe, Nathan Wardius, Jacob Wehr. Apart from Aleer, the Giants have locked in their most-wanted players, with Callum Brown and Xavier O'Halloran signing extensions recently. The Saints will land Aleer on a lucrative deal after unsuccessfully trying to woo him 12 months ago when he was still under contract, while the Demons remain keen on key-position swingman Derksen, although Simon Goodwin's sacking may change things. Keeffe is football's ultimate survivor, while Wehr has interest from his home state of South Australia. Hawthorn (9) Luke Breust, Sam Butler, Sam Frost, Jack Gunston, Seamus Mitchell, Bodie Ryan, Jasper Scaife, Jai Serong, James Worpel. All eyes are on Worpel, who is yet to make a call on his future as he weighs up four-year offers from the Hawks and Geelong, where he grew up in nearby Bannockburn. Butler returned from a broken leg and can play, but is behind others as a small forward. Champion forward Breust is in good physical shape and could play a role in the back half of the season. His future is in footy in 2026, but it remains to be seen whether it's in coaching or playing. Defender Serong has not been as consistent in the VFL this season, but will have suitors – potentially at his higher-profile brother's team, Fremantle – as he would be a regular at many AFL clubs. Frost is another to watch as the club kept him last season as insurance. He is unlikely to want to move from Victoria, but is a great clubman with value beyond the Hawks. Melbourne (15) Jack Billings, Tom Campbell, Jai Culley, Tom Fullarton, Jack Henderson, Marty Hore, Tom McDonald, Judd McVee, Jake Melksham, Ricky Mentha, Andy Moniz-Wakefield, Oliver Sestan, Charlie Spargo, Will Verrall, Taj Woewodin. Melksham has been outstanding, and looked set to remain a Demon, but a change of coach makes the colours he wears less certain. There must be some doubt about fellow veteran McDonald for the same reason, particularly if Simon Goodwin's replacement wants to freshen the place up. Melbourne must be getting nervous about McVee, who looked poised to re-sign mid-season, but is now a chance to depart. Both Western Australian clubs are keen on him, but they are not alone. Premiership forward Spargo has become a fringe member, but his skill set, particularly his kicking inside 50, is still valuable. Culley has put himself in a good spot to continue with his showing at the weekend. Verrall, Campbell and Fullarton offer ruck depth behind Max Gawn, but none is especially appealing. North Melbourne (13) Zac Banch, Miller Bergman, Callum Coleman-Jones, Kallan Dawson, Eddie Ford, Cooper Harvey, Finnbar Maley, Geordie Payne, Will Phillips, Brynn Teakle, Cooper Trembath, Darcy Tucker. Aidan Corr met a contract trigger that locked in his spot for next year, but Phillips will be looking for a new home, with West Coast among the clubs that have monitored him. Harvey has been made to wait but has been deserving of an offer based on his recent form, while Maley is a fan favourite who has shown promise with his strong marking. Tucker is fit again after a back issue, but that ailment did not help his chances. Coleman-Jones has had no luck with injury, but he has endured a disappointing four-year stretch at Arden Street since crossing from Richmond. Fellow big man Teakle has performed well in Tristan Xerri's absence but is no certainty to earn another contract. Port Adelaide (13) Tom Anastasopoulos, Benny Barrett, Ryan Burton, Lachlan Charleson, Tom Cochrane, Jeremy Finlayson, Hugh Jackson, Mani Liddy, Will Lorenz, Jed McEntee, Jacob Moss, Dylan Williams, Burton is touch-and-go to continue at Alberton, with a decision not expected to be made until after the season. There is rival interest in the defender, and he should be playing somewhere in the AFL in 2026, but there is a fair bit still to play out. Lorenz showed enough glimpses against Geelong to get another season, but the end is nigh for Williams, who seems unlikely to score a new deal. Finlayson has enjoyed a solid career across two clubs, and will bank on the Power still seeing value in his versatility and height despite playing more SANFL than AFL games this year. Richmond (13) Jacob Bauer, Jacob Blight, Mate Colina, Thomson Dow, Campbell Gray, Oliver Hayes-Brown, Jacob Koschitzke, Tom Lynch, Kamdyn McIntosh, Dion Prestia, Kaleb Smith, Tyler Sonsie, Tylar Young. Loading Lynch will go around again in 2026 after cooling his jets on the sidelines for five matches, but Dow lives on the fringes, while Sonsie has improved enough in the back half of the season to cement a spot, and Young has made an impression in defence. Blight has shown promising glimpses, too. Prestia and McIntosh sit in the wait-and-see category reserved for popular veterans, although coach Adem Yze gave the former a glowing endorsement a few weeks back. Prestia has played nine consecutive matches in a welcome patch of continuity free of injury. Hayes-Brown has significantly out-performed fellow ruckman Colina in the VFL, and looks a promising longer-term option once captain Toby Nankervis retires. St Kilda (15) Harry Boyd, Ryan Byrnes, Jack Carroll, Zaine Cordy, Max Heath, Dougal Howard, Zak Jones, Isaac Keeler, Angus McLennan, Liam O'Connell, Arie Schoenmaker, Liam Stocker, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Jimmy Webster, Marcus Windhager. The Saints always make their players wait, but in some cases this season, the players are returning the favour. Most noticeable has been Wanganeen-Milera's decision, but Windhager is also unlikely to sign soon, with a bunch of clubs, including Sydney, very interested in the durable midfielder. The Saints' out-of-contract veterans have been given a chance to show their wares, but are not exactly demanding new deals. Keeler is a project player and back-up ruckman Boyd will need to see where the cards fall. Stocker looks like he is going to have to live on one-year deals for the rest of his days, but has previously said he enjoyed that pressure. Sydney (11) Jack Buller, Robbie Fox, Aaron Francis, Joel Hamling, Indhi Kirk, Peter Ladhams, Blake Leidler, Jake Lloyd, Caleb Mitchell, Ben Paton, Dane Rampe. Ladhams has established himself as Brodie Grundy's back-up, and has a two-year offer to continue, but negotiations are ongoing. Veteran defender Lloyd also has a one-year offer in front of him, but coach Dean Cox said a decision on Rampe's future was still to be determined. Buller has enjoyed some solid games late in the season, which could help his cause, while Fox, Francis and Hamling may be competing for contracts with list spots at a premium – but it may depend on what the Swans decide on Rampe. West Coast (12) Oscar Allen, Rhett Bazzo, Malakai Champion, Campbell Chesser, Tom Cole, Jamie Cripps, Jayden Hunt, Callum Jamieson, Coen Livingstone, Jacob Newton, Jack Petruccelle, Loch Rawlinson. Cripps has a one-year offer in front of him, so he will extend his career into 2026. There is more doubt about speedster Petruccelle, who has struggled for opportunities under Andrew McQualter, but Victorian clubs have expressed interest in him. Allen is virtually certain to join Brisbane as a free agent, which will be a blow to the Eagles but should deliver decent compensation. Chesser was excellent in his first game for the season and is attracting interest elsewhere as a first-round pick who has had an up-and-down career so far. Western Bulldogs (12) Oskar Baker, Nick Coffield, Taylor Duryea, Jason Johannisen, Arthur Jones, Liam Jones, Tom Liberatore, Caleb Poulter, Anthony Scott, Michael Sellwood, Adam Treloar. Liberatore will stay on another one-year deal, and Arthur Jones has an offer to remain at the Kennel. Small forwards are hot property, so he may not rush to re-sign. Treloar's injury concerns mean he is yet to re-sign, but it would be a shock if he was not on the list next season. Baker has been in and out of the team but is too good to play VFL. Duryea and Liam Jones are nearing the end, while ex-Saint Coffield is touch and go after limited opportunities at AFL level.
