We need another ruck @percebushby. Can’t rely on Draper and NB recovering the way we think they will /could. Need backup
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Bobby Davis did that mid 70s. On League Teams, he announces that John Burns was coming across next day to sign with the Cats.
North hear this one on the radio (or TV) and give him a quick ring. Come down here instead. Signs with North and is a key part of their flags.
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Ohhhh Essendon need a Ruckman…… let’s link them to a 27 year old, even tho the CEO ruled out anyone over the age of 24.
I keep seeing this message but don’t understand it. Why would playing Vigo in the AFL be bad for his development? I would have thought if anything it would fast track him - you only need to look at what the increased ruck time in the VFL has done for him this season.
Imagine if Sheeds had decided the AFL wasn’t for Dustin Fletcher in 1993.
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No, we can’t just call up someone, hence the MSD
Accept what who believes?
A cooked Goldy was not the issue in the midfield against the Doggies.
And English does that to pretty much every ruck around the ground.
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It was 28.
Essendon chief executive Craig Vozzo has explained some of the club’s list strategy, such as the focus on high-end talent and players who are not older than 28 when recruiting from other clubs.
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Well I mean technically draft isn’t from a another club so we could go wild and draft anyone at any age
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If we are serious about a ruck I’d rather see us take van Wyk than Crossley
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We have Goldstein, we have VV ready to back him up, we’re training Gerreyn in. We have Wright for emergency ruck use (though I’d rather see him played as permanent KPF). We have two excellent ruckmen who will be returning for next season. If at year’s end we need another ruckman, we can find him in the annual draft. We don’t need one now - or at least, if we have four spots to fill now, a ruckman should be considered for the fourth, after we’ve filled our midfield and forward requirements. We desperately need two midfielders who will run both ways and a half-forward who won’t go missing three weeks out of four !
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10 of the VFL’s leading Mid-Season Draft prospects for 2025
1. Charlie McCartin (Geelong)
The brother of Paddy and Tom, McCartin has enjoyed a stellar year-to-date with the Cats’ VFL program, having made the move back down to the Geelong area after a stint with Sydney’s reserves in 2024.
McCartin played a pair of games for the Swans’ state league side to impress, growing interest from AFL clubs after already showing his mettle in the Colac & District Football & Netball League with local side Lorne.
2. Donovan Toohey (Coburg)
The 185cm defender has been a breakout star for Coburg in 2025, averaging 31.3 disposals per game as a rebounding backman to give with means of 5.0 marks and 4.3 inside 50s each week.
He earned best-afield honours for the Lions’ showcase clash against the AFL Academy - a side stacked with this year’s best teenagers, a good yardstick for AFL scouts, with plenty in attendance.
3. Mutaz El Nour (Richmond)
The Richmond VFL defender has been in the Mid-Season Draft mix for multiple years now, having garnered AFL interest during his time with the Northern Bullants and Tiger in recent years.
El Nour’s game as an intercepting and lockdown 192cm defender has only continued to grow, with the 23-year-old taking his game to new heights since the arrival of senor coach Jake Batchelor.
4. Riley Mason (Collingwood)
The first-year Magpies forward has flourished in his debut VFL campaign, booting 17 goals in seven games this year.
Mason, a Seymour product, linked up with Collingwood’s program this year and has quickly become a player of interest to AFL recruiters thanks to his damaging craft in the front third of Andy Otten’s side.
The 195cm attacker booted four goals in his maiden match against Sydney in Round 1 before a five-goal haul the week after against Coburg. He kicked goals in his next four matches, including a four-goal display in a large win over the Northern Bullants.
5. Josh Browne (Collingwood)
Another VFL Magpie to keep an eye on is midfielder Josh Browne, who has gained headlines this year after making the move over from Williamstown.
The Western Australian’s journey started with Applecross and East Fremantle before he earned interest from West Coast’s WAFL side, making the move to Lathlain Park ahead of the 2022 season.
He spent two years with the Eagles before heading to Victoria to join the Seagulls, with his 12-month spell with the standalone side coming to an end over the most recent off-season.
6. Tom McCarthy (Richmond)
A Pick 1 contender come next Wednesday night, with the hard-working McCarthy emerging as a potentially ready-made prospect for AFL clubs.
The Dingley-tied defender has enjoyed a career-best season at Punt Road in 2025, averaging 22.6 disposals, 4.1 marks, 3.3 tackles and 3.0 rebound 50s a game.
McCarthy is often the attacking runner out of defence for the Tigers given his mix of speed and decision making, placing him in the mould of a player who could immediately step into an AFL side.
7. Sam Toner (Richmond)
The Narre Warren product gained strong interest ahead of last year’s National Draft after a strong run at the local level and in the Coates Talent League with Dandenong.
He kicked 50 goals in 13 games in the Outer East Football Netball League for Narre Warren and added a further nine majors from his quartet of appearances for the Stingrays to earn a State Combine invite.
In 2025, Toner has shown his versatility as a wing-forward hybrid, featuring further up the field given Richmond’s deep stocks of emerging tall forwards
8. Massimo Raso (Richmond)
Another breakout star enjoying their first season in the VFL, Raso has seamlessly slotted into the state league scene with Richmond this year.
The 19-year-old is a development list talent at Punt Road but has quickly made a name as a leading force for the Tigers, kicking 12 goals in seven games.
He has four bags of multiple majors and has also shown his ability further up the field around the ball, highlighted by a 24-disposal Round 2 outing against Sandringham.
9. Brayden Crossley (Southport)
One of the premier players not listed with an AFL club, the former Gold Coast tall could earn a second chance in the top flight by the end of the Mid-Season Draft.
Crossley has continued to dominate the VFL since returning to Queensland after being denied a list spot with the Western Bulldogs over the summer.
He could be in Essendon’s sights amid a ruck crisis for the Bombers, who have lost Sam Draper and Nick Bryan for the rest of the year.
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10. Caleb Lewis (Casey)
The Demons-listed forward has made just the one appearance for Casey and four since the start of last year, with some of his best form coming elsewhere.
He did kick two majors in his only VFL showing of 2025, doing so in Round 1 against North Melbourne, adding to his 11 prior goals in seven games with Casey and Footscray.
The 21-year-old has flourished for Dingley in the Southern Football Netball League, booting five goals in a strong outing against reigning premiers Cheltenham, while Lewis managed a further three majors in his showing against Vic Metro for the Young Guns.
The high-flying 198cm forward might not get a chance with the Demons giving their long list of tall forward and lack of open list spots, but Collingwood, North Melbourne and West Coast could all come calling.
IM LIKING RUSSO…THE MASS WE SHOULD KEEP!!!
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I like the idea of Eastland. If he comes in and proves serviceable for 3-4 games he could take over Goldstein’s role as the 3rd string ruckman for the next 3-4 years and allow us to retire Goldy.
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One thing we should be doing is recruiting who ever does the list management for the tigers vfl
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■■■■ no. There is absolutely nothing appealing about Hird. He doesn’t have AFL quality attributes.
Plus the circus that would follow it
I swear mutaz el nour has been on the msd list in the media for 3 or 4 years now and never gets picked up. Clubs clearly don’t think he’s afl level.
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Not suprising at all. He is always is among our best players. Has something that a lot of our AFL players lack which is mongrel. Skills can be a bit shaky but I would be happy to see him have a shot.
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Tom Evans should still be the first name we call out if he’s available, and I think he is going under the radar.
He is also a Bendigo Pioneer so would have a relationship with Harley.
Elite skills, running ability and footy IQ which allows him to accumulate and pick off targets up field all in a neat little Small Defender shaped package.
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Seems pretty good. Mobile. Takes grabs around the ground. Comes with good wraps.
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