SSP signings 2025: The state of play for all clubs ahead of list deadline

It was thought the Western Bulldogs were deciding between Brayden Crossley and Dom Brew for their final AFL list spot. But the club has taken another path.

Brayden Crossley’s lack of fitness and Dom Brew’s untimely summer quadricep injury have conspired against them, denying both an AFL list spot.

The Western Bulldogs on Wednesday overlooked VFL sensations Brayden Crossley and Dom Brew in a surprise move that will see them go into the AFL season without ruck cover.

Southport ruckman Crossley and Werribee midfielder Brew had trialled with the Dogs in recent weeks across parts of the summer and there had been encouraging signs for Crossley.

His performance in a scratch match where Tim English played forward had raised hopes, but ultimately his lack of overall fitness counted against him.

Brayden Crossley. Picture: Getty Images

Dom Brew. Picture: Michael Klein

It’s understood the Dogs believed he would have required an intensive fitness campaign to get him up to AFL standard.

They will go into the season desperately hoping star Tim English stays fit to allow backup ruck Rory Lobb to remain in defence and young gun Sam Darcy to remain in attack.

The unavailability of Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Liam Jones means the Dogs are light on for key position stocks.

Crossley had only been training with the Dogs since their recent training camp, while Brew was invited to the club in November after winning the JJ Liston Trophy and leading Werribee to the VFL premiership.

But a quad injury in December meant he missed key weeks of training at a club that also has a wealth of inside mids.

English has returned from an abdominal injury that set him back in recent weeks, but will have to ruck huge minutes given the lack of backup.

Lachlan Smith is a young backup who is not yet ready so if English went down, Darcy might have to move out of the forward line to replace him. But the Dogs will play a hard-running side so selecting a less mobile ruck like Crossley who needed to build fitness was not part of their early-season plans.

DONS DECIDE ON BOLTER

- Jay Clark

Goalkicking bolter Tom Edwards is set to win the final spot on Essendon’s list for 2025.

A four-goal haul in the second half of Saturday’s scratch match against the Western Bulldogs saw Edwards make a case that couldn’t be ignored.

It is understood fellow hopeful Kaine Baldwin was told on Tuesday afternoon he would miss out on the supplemental selection period (SSP) spot after the Bombers held a list committee meeting.

Edwards was not one of the original players brought in to try out for the list spot at the beginning of pre-season, with Baldwin and VFL player Will Hoare given that chance, but the Swan Districts forward made an immediate impression when invited to the club in January.

He has kicked goals during match simulation at training and snagged four against the Dogs, showing off his ability to bob up in the right spots up forward.

Tom Edwards has signed with Essendon. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

Edwards, 25, booted 39 goals in 19 WAFL games for the Swans last year and presents as a mobile marking target for Brad Scott’s side.

“He’s a smart footballer, that’s what we’ve seen through his training. He runs the right patterns,” Dons assistant Daniel Giansiracusa said of Edwards after Saturday’s game.

“We probably saw him as more of a marking, lead-up type target, but he did some good stuff on the ground today, which needed to happen with the (wet) conditions.”

Carlton, Western Bulldogs and West Coast remain as clubs with list spots to fill, with Melbourne set to sign Werribee forward Jack Henderson and Port Adelaide locking in Josh Lai.

The SSP deadline is Friday.

DEMONS STEAL SPP CHOICE FROM UNDER EAGLES’ NOSE

Werribee midfielder Jack Henderson is poised to join Melbourne after turning down interest from West Coast.

The 176cm playmaker has informed both clubs he would be keen to accept a list spot at the Demons in place of injured utility Shane McAdam.

The Demons are expected to put McAdam on the inactive list after rupturing his Achilles last week in a shattering blow.

But Henderson will take his place in red and blue after kicking two goals from 23 touches in last year’s VFL Grand Final.

Jack Henderson celebrates a goal during the VFL Grand Final last year.

He played in West Coast’s practice match win over Richmond on Monday but will return to Victoria to start his AFL career.

The Eagles wanted Henderson to help fill the void of Dom Sheed who suffered a season-ending knee injury.

Henderson, 24 is a clever goal kicker and hard runner who will add to the Demons stocks in the forward half.

West Coast announced the signing of former Gold Cpast key defender Sandy Brock on Tuesday.

The 22-year-old was trialling alongside Henderson and former Saint James Van Es.

Brock spent time at Gold Coast as a backline prospect and will add to an area of the ground the Eagles were lacking.

“Sandy has been impressive with his work as a key defender,” football manager Gavin Bell said.

“He’s got a really strong athletic profile and has shown his ability to intercept the ball and provide a contest down back.

“We’re very excited to have him and his family join our club.”

Jack out of the pack!

Brilliant from Jack Henderson 🤩

If you can't attend, watch the Smithy's VFL Finals Series live and free on https://t.co/vYsGyBP3z6 and the AFL Live Official App: https://t.co/3V9lTkSGTMpic.twitter.com/GXA8rOD7lG

— VFL / VFLW (@VFL) September 2, 2023

POWER LOCKS IN SPEEDSTER FOR FINAL SPOT

Speedster Josh Lai has won the race for the final spot on Port Adelaide’s list, capping a remarkable rise from the Southern League in Melbourne to the AFL in a matter of months.

The Advertiser understands that the former Cheltenham player, and the Power group, have been told that Lai will be added to Port’s list as an supplemental selection period player.

The 19-year-old was identified by the Power’s recruitment team playing in the Southern League for Cheltenham, where he was best on ground in its premiership win.

Boasting speed and power, Lai has impressed with these attributes in recent weeks and done enough to convince the Power to give him a chance.

Josh Lai celebrates one of his two semi final goals this September. Picture: Andrew Keech.

He was due to play for Richmond’s VFL side in 2025 before being invited to train with the Power.

He was up against North Melbourne VFL captain Jack Watkins for the spot.

Watkins, a good friend of Power star and vice-captain Zak Butters, will still play for Port’s SANFL side in 2025.

The Power is yet to determine whether it will move Todd Marshall to the long term injury list after his Achilles injury and surgery.

EAGLES LEAVE DOOR OPEN FOR LATE TOMLINSON CALL

West Coast will assess the performances of train-on defenders James Van Es and Sandy Brock before deciding whether top call-up former Melbourne backman Adam Tomlinson next week.

The Eagles will play a practice match against Richmond on Monday in Perth when the pair of defenders will be under the microscope for a list spot.

Adam Tomlinson is a chance to continue his AFL career in the west.

The Herald Sun revealed West Coast met with Tomlinson last month and are still considering the key backman who could help replace new Hawthorn defender Tom Barrass.

But the picture will become clearer on Monday when the Eagles’ new-look backline will play their first competitive match under new coach Andrew McQualter.

Tomlinson, 31, who played 185 matches at Melbourne and Greater Western Sydney, is keen to reunite with McQualter and extend his career in blue and gold in 2025.

He signed up to play with North Melbourne’s VFL team before the Eagles registered their interest in the 193cm swingman last month.

Originally published as SSP signings 2025: The state of play for all clubs ahead of list deadline