Today, we look at the Mighty Bloods.
List:
Sydney has the problem that nearly all the interstaters have, which is: how do I attract interstate stars to my club, while staying within the salary cap? Yep, Sydney lost BIG when then 5% salary surplus was taken out. So, they’ve done it by maintaining twilighters well past their use by dates. Twelve twilighters on their list, and seven of them suffering from recurring injuries. That becomes a list blocker!
The development of the Sydney Academy is a key, but depends a lot on how many grassroots juniors are playing Aussie-Rules, i.e., greater Brisbane. That’s where the AFL Admin junior development programs need to continue building.
Otherwise, the alternative is continuing to dabble in taking other clubs’ cast-offs.
Select 23:
The defence initially worried me. My original defensive six included 5 twilighters, of which two were non-core in 2025. Lloyd has been a faithful servant, but young Bice needs opportunity. Blakey is a STAR. So is Mills! Jai Serong should replace the aging and injury-ridden Melican. Rampe probably gets another season based on no ready replacement.
Their midfield is fairly strong with nine – Rowbottom, Heeney, McInerney, the two Warners, Gulden, Sheldrick, Jordan and Wicks, and Lloyd, now that he won’t be tied up in the defence, but those names are unlikely to match it against the top clubs.
Up forward, their range of goalkickers is narrow. They did need a Curnow or similar type. Smaller goalkickers are needed to replace Papley, ergo Rosas.
Grundy and Ladhams can probably run out a full game together, but they need to fast-track Green or an outsider. (Funny to think that Nankervis, ex-Sydney, is still younger than Grundy and Ladhams!)
Sydney will finish thereabouts this season. Last season, they finished 10th with 12 wins. Maybe, Curnow, the other ‘newies’ and the new ‘Wild-card’ round may have them play finals this season.
Sydney Select 23:
B: Bice, McCartin, Serong
HB: Mills, Blakey, Rampe
C: McInerney, Ch.Warner, Gulden
HF: Sheldrick, Amartey, Rosas
F: McLean, Curnow, Papley
R: Grundy, Rowbottom, Heeney
I: Ladhams, Jordon, Lloyd, Co.Warner, Wicks
You can follow all my list updates as they become available at https://www.ozfootylistmanager.com/2026-lists-new.html
The Westcoast Coolers are next.
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About
It was 25 years ago that I began developing a model for analysing footy squad lists for the purpose of improving those lists into a premiership window. Since then, the model has been used to successfully predict premiership clubs and to improve either lop-sided or underdeveloped lists into premiership lists. Indeed, the model was used for an article that I had published as a double page spread in The Age 2005 Pre-Season magazine. Over the 25 years, I have analysed the annual lists of one particular club but have used it for other clubs upon request. It has always been on my bucket list to display the lists of all the clubs, using the model, which I've done since 2021 on my website - OzFootyListManager.com
Hi Mickey,
How do you classify twighlighters? Over 30 years old? We have 6 who are 30 and another 5 approaching in the next few years.
Yes, removal of the 9.6% COLA has affected our ability to attract top end players – though getting Grundy and now Curnow has been positive in recent years.
Our biggest issue in the last 5 years has been poor recruiting and lack of development of the younger players. I think this years list is better than recent lists.
Last year we had top end talent injured for half the year. So far this year they are back though we have a spate of injuries of younger players. This may impact depth if we get further injuries.
Our midfield of Gulden, Heeney, Warner & Rowbottom is as good as any. Then depends on the next rung of McInerney, Jordon, etc as to how we go. Wicks is a lock down defender not a midfielder.
Melican is 28 years old and has been extremely reliable over last 3 years. He is an automatic pick.
Peter Ladhams is 28 years old 3 years younger than Nankervis. Grundy is only 4 months older than Nank.
I agree. It doesn’t bother me at all about twilighters, as long as they’re performing. Look at Geelong who have had many players over 30 during the last number of years and have done extremely well, making finals regularly.
Like every team, it’s not just about personnel. It’s about every player performing their role, which Sydney have been extremely successful in doing for a long period of time. The game plan is absolutely paramount. Look at Richmond, who won 3 flags between 2017-2020. Other teams had better lists than Richmond during that period but Dustin Martin, as well as their brilliant game plan, ensured they won those premierships.
Hi Keiran and Stephen, thanks for your comments.
I would refer both of you to the Case Studies page of Ozfooty, where I’ve used Sydney 2005 and Richmond 2016, as well as Geelong 2007.
All three had comparatively young lists, with few twilighters.
The key is a 10 to 12-cylinder midfield of young, hard-runners.
https://www.ozfootylistmanager.com/case-studies.html
Mickey you’re ignoring the vital point re training advances and far more scientific data – 30 isn’t old anymore re footy.Kieran and Stephens comments are spot on not only in context but positions players play especially-Wicks.Admire your enthusiasm
With respect, Malcolm, players evolve and might move from one position to another depending on development.
In Wicks’s case, in last weekend’s practice match, Wick’s played as a midfielder. He gained 21 disposals, 1 clearance, 3 inside 50s, 4 scoring assists. Hardly, the stats of a lockdown defender.
Many players evolve and change their style and playing positions during their careers. That is how the Oz Footy List Manager model works. A key tall forward at 19yo, may be a key tall defender at 24. He’ll still be key tall regardless.
In Wick’s case, a junior midfielder, playing as a defender for much of his developing career, can now be used as a midfield rotation.
“Wicks had his best game of the series, he was good around the clearances winning a lot of contested footy throughout the match.”
( Rookie Me Central, Archives, 2018 ),
https://central.rookieme.com/afl/2018/05/16/scouting-notes-sydney-swans-academy-vs-gold-coast-academy/
I admire your enthusiasm, but you need to learn more about your club and players than what you see week to week in a seniors footy match.
Micky you showed you struggle re the age comment and that’s being polite.ALL clubs in trial games use players in different positions than there normal spot but overwhelmingly come the start of the regular season they are back in there normal comfort zone and spot.I was polite as I said I admire you’re enthusiasm being honest I think you struggle re footy nous and it shows re lack of comments don’t think many clubs supporters take you seriously over and out.
Ah, NO, Rulebook!
In the early pages of Oz Footy List Manager, I had explained that “twilighters” who are performing as stars or core players should be retained. Those “twilighters” that are not core become “list blockers”. A team in a premiership window can afford in the short term to continue with them until that window closes. Judging that can be tricky.
In the long term, any team that has too many twilighters on their list, 25% or more, approx. 11 or more, are looking for trouble on their lists further down the track. No team can afford list-blocking, non-core twilighters.
As for the rule book, Rulebook…?
Anyone who knows me knows, I threw the rule book (Rulebook) out decades ago.