Leaderboard

0.23, bombs long, should cartwheel. 0.48, does handstand instead of exploding from pack. 1.23, loses arm wrestle, arm detached, shouldn't have lost arm wrestle. 2.32, good handball. 3.45, school ends. 4.52, he's very small, should be taller. All in all, I wouldn't be taking him. (he's okay, would prefer Hynes)

The conclusion to Narrm’s home and away season was the inevitable let down by the bloody Blues who meekly capitulated to the Bombers. The 2024 season fixture handicapped the Demons chances from the get-go with Port Adelaide, Brisbane and Essendon advantaged with enough gimme games to ensure a tough road to the finals, especially after a slew of early season injuries to star players cost wins and percentage. As we strode confidently through the gates of Princes Park knowing an easy killing of Pies awaited, in our hearts and minds, we were resigned ourselves to the likelihood of finishing ninth. Indigenous Round kicked off with a traditional dance and a Welcome to Country by Wurundjeri man Colin Hunter Jnr prior to the first bounce. Following the tragic news of the death of 11-year-old Auburn South Primary schoolboy Jack Davey, the Melbourne players wore black armbands in remembrance of the young Demons supporter. Both the warm sunny Saturday afternoon and the Demons demolition of the hapless Magpies helped boost our collective Narrm spirit as our wonderful girls really turned it on. Oh, and how we could have used Kate Hore in FNQ last week! Kate consistently demonstrates she is a superstar of the competition and such a wonderful leader of our footy club. She’s an entertainer too, kicking three classy goals to be AFLW All-time leading goal scorer with 81 goals. Eliza McNamara starred again breaking through 30 disposals for the third time this year. Some are calling for her All-Australian recognition, Meggs agrees. The Pies did get to within 7 points early in the second quarter but from there on, it was one-way traffic. For the Pies, experienced pair Brit Bonnici and Ruby Schleicher persistently plugged away. Stalwart fullback Stacey Livingstone playing her last game was sent forward in the final quarter and scored a point to a few cheers. Rhi Watt stunned TV audiences announcing her retirement during a boundary line interview. She was carried off post-match in style with lots of smiles and a few tears. Our ninth-place finish should not diminish what has been achieved in 2024. We are really proud of how the playing group rebounded from the low point to finish in positive win/loss territory. Mick Stinear has an elite nucleus of experienced players from which to build on. You could tell at Ikon Park that the Demon fans really love this team and that the playing group is already steeled for a red-hot crack in 2025. For the Dees It was a day to execute the game plan, and it worked splendidly at times. At ground level, Hanksy and Kate’s passing are elite. It's wonderful to witness. Apart from the regular stars, we have seen solid improvement this year in a number of players. Chaplin has proven to be a stellar defender, Fitzy has had her best season by far, talls Gall and Campbell have grown in confidence and fan favourite Banno has really turned it on in the second half of the season. Lots to like. Coaches and next week Mick Stinear was proud of his team’s effort. He was particularly pleased with the improved connection and reward for effort. He said the group would be watching the Essendon v Carlton game together later evening. Spoiler alert: Carlton’s two best midfielders were late withdrawals and Essendon won by 6 goals. Mick felt the early season loss of core mids Loz Pearce and Liv Purcell hurt our chances. He praised the impact of Rhi Watt both on and off the field and she will be missed by everyone at the Club. Sam Wright said it was a tough season with so many injuries and the lack of continuity. He is optimistic that improvement will come from game system education and an improved ability to retain the ball in the forward half. That’s all folks! Go Dees! NARRM 3.3.21 7.3.45 10.6.66 11.8.74 COLLINGWOOD 1.2.8 2.2.14 3.2.20 4.3.27 GOALS NARRM Hore 3 Bannan 2 Campbell Fitzsimon Gall Hanks Pisano Zanker COLLINGWOOD Bonnici 2 Barnett Butler BEST NARRM Hore McNamara Hanks Purcell Zanker Fitzsimon COLLINGWOOD Bonnici Schleicher White Brazzale Cronin Cann INJURIES NARRM Nil COLLINGWOOD Nil REPORTS NARRM Nil COLLINGWOOD Nil CROWD 1,854 at Ikon Park POSTSCRIPT Meggs will return after the finals with a 2024 Season Review. He tips North to win the flag.

I also recall some friction in the coach's box. As an aside, the only years we have have made the 8 is when we had a strategy coach: Jennings (2018) and Yze (2021 - 2023). Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not ... 🤔 I'm 100% with you and @FreedFromDesire for a strategy coach especially with such inexperience midfield coaches and the absence of a ball-movement coach. ...anyone know if we have a ruck coach...?

Davo27 on bigfooty recently rated prospective draftees by position. I’ve rolled his ratings into this post. MIDFIELDERS - Tier 1 F. O'Sullivan. L. Ashcroft, L. Lombard, S. Draper, J. Smith, T. Hotton, S. Lalor, H. Langford MIDFIELDERS - Tier 2 J. Smillie, M. Reid, C. Moraes, C. Hynes, J. Ough, S. Marshall, B. Allan, T. Gross, H. Boxshall MIDFIELDERS - Tier 3 B. Camporeale L.Urquhart, X. Ivisic, O. Warburton, O. Depgoli-Kubank, Z. Cochrane, C. Anderson, P. Hargrave, L. Mclnerney, D. Kerr, Z. Johnson, J. Dolan, H. Charleson MIDFIELDERS - Tier 4 C. Paul, K.Matofai-Forbes, O. Harvey, J. Nguyen, F. McFadyen, R. Stevens, L. Grego, N. Sulzberger, D. Hollow, N. King, J. Harrison RUCKMEN - Tier 1 K. Gerreyn, A. Dodson RUCKMEN - Tier 2 L. Smith, J. Doherty, J. Pike, F. Penry SMALL/MEDIUM DEFENDERS - Tier 1 A. Tauru, T. Travaglia, X.Lindsay SMALL/MEDIUM DEFENDERS - Tier 2 H. Oliver, L. Camporeale, L. Jaques, L. Hofmann SMALL/MEDIUM DEFENDERS - Tier 3 P. Retschko, A. Clarke, C. Burke, J. Artemis, W. Hayes SMALL/MEDIUM DEFENDERS - Tier 4 L. Quaynor, K. Herbert, T. Wenzel KEY POSITION DEFENDERS - Tier 1 L. Trainor, H. O'Farrell KEY POSITION DEFENDERS - Tier 2 M. Whitlock, A. Cole, N. Mraz, Z. Lockwood, J. Barrat KEY POSITION DEFENDERS - Tier 3 J. Cochran, C. Dennis SMALL/MEDIUM FORWARDS - Tier 1 J. Berry, I. Kako SMALL/MEDIUM FORWARDS - Tier 2 M. Champion, J. Murphy, J. Alger, E. Bradley, H. Davis, J. Dattoli (mid), O. Hannaford, R. Unwin (mid) SMALL/MEDIUM FORWARDS - Tier 3 B.Barrett, A. Day-Wicks, J.Delana, C. Angove, J. Newton, J. Ryan, B. McKenzie, L. Douglas KEY POSITION FORWARDS - Tier 1 H.Armstrong, J. Shanahan, J. Faull, KEY POSITION FORWARDS - Tier 2 T. Sims, G. Stumpf, T. Welsh, J. Whitlock, F. Burmeister KEY POSITION FORWARDS - Tier 3 C. Nicholls, C. West, M. Rohr

He's a lot smaller than Dangerfield and plays a very different way. I'm not as enamoured as most. I think what you see is close to the finished product with him (as a short, well built, agile inside midfielder with high level technique already) and I'm just not sure that's his level is as good as others in the top 5. I don't particularly like his work in tight, where his feet are really quick but his hands aren't great (for a player of his type) nor his decisions in close. I think his feet buy him a lot of the time he needs to make decisions, which often aren't great. If we're looking at Draper vs Smith, I like Smith a lot more because he has the types of skills needed to succeed as a small accumulator, which are his hands, his composure, and ability to manage heavy traffic in tight. They're the main question marks I have on Draper. That's not to say he won't be a good player, especially with his obvious professionalism.

Talking in another thread about AA chances I forgot Chaplin...she must be in the discussion.

Firstly, I don't like how he drew attention to club issues but 'ruined our trade period'...? I assume that refers to Houston as I don't recall any other 'biggish' names linked to us that we missed out on. Port would have demanded ND#5 or it be a major part of the trade ... they had very little in picks to give back to us or give us a decent player. tbh I'd much rather let JT do his thing and get a gun kid with pick 5 than have Houston for 3-4 good years (plus some picks we wouldn't use or a depth player)

his on-field leadership was incredible in the first half of the year his off-field leadership in the back half of the year left a lot to be desired

My memory of Jennings is that he hadn’t played the game at a high level but had studied the game and evolving strategies in great detail. He used to have a regular spot on SEN covering game strategies as I remember and he seemed to know his stuff. I do remember one game in his last season with us where we got up to win a close one and the TV showed Goody in the box, all excited and he gave a sheepish looking Jennings a rub on the head as if to say, “I told you so!”. The thought in my mind at the time was that Goody and Jennings were at odds, the experienced practitioner coach (obsessed with defence & contested ball) had stopped listening to the theoretical (offensive, ball movement) strategist. And at the end of the season he was gone but we did go on to win a flag with Goody’s defensive game plan the next year I think it was. The review, it appears has recognised that our game plan needs changing and that Goodwin needs more resources and as part of that I hope he will be challenged on game strategy and the need to be less defensive to be more offensive.

There's a contest in one of the Draper reels where the ball is in dispute on the ground. Draper vs Smilie. Draper wins it easily, and Smilie ends up looking like Jack Watts (sorry Jack, contest was never your strong suit).

he seems to relish playing as the second ruck it gets him involved in the play and he loves the hurly-burly of the contest

This coming season just might be the one where he kicks 50-60 goals. He looks to me like a confidence player, if he can take marks and kick subsequent goals, he will just get better and better, so far we have only seen glimpses

Can you learn to read dates if you’re quoting stuff from months ago.

Not defending Hawthorn in any way, but Brisbane, the defending champion, played two of the top eight this year. 17 games or stop pretending the AFL is serious about women's football.

I'm hopeful the Jaguar slips to us

Draper is like Joel Selwood/Jack Viney to me. Absolute animal that will do whatever he can to win a contest and beat his opponent. Love his intensity around the ball. Him being mentored by Viney would be the dream scenario. I would be genuinely shocked if Adelaide passed him by and even more shocked if he slipped right through us.

Bloody injuries! brilliant second half of the year but injuries and fixtures did us ultimately plenty of positives though. Really looking forward to Pisano Campbell and Gall developing further and hopefully Beasley can recover and show us what she can do. Tayla back will be huge as well. Go Dees.

Screw loose*

I do have questions on his contested play. When the ball is in dispute on the ground, against men, I think he may struggle, but when he puts on the frame, if he can hit the contest harder he'll be okay. That's the question mark for me at this stage.

the afl has no interest in reduction of teams expansion is the focus - where the 20th team will be is the big q i fully expect it'll be a third wa-based team, despite the push for nt to have one of their own

I originally dismissed Hannaford thinking the goals were a bit flukey and his 2km time in the 7’s is a worry. But watching more of him I just can’t get enough. I’d love him at pick 9. Skills - beautiful penetrating kick and nails set shots from 50, functional left foot, handballs really well on both sides Physicality - he competes in the air, tackles to hurt and speeds up as he attacks the contest Speed - bursts from contests and lays run down tackles. He smothers, he keeps his feet with really nice balance, he uses his hips. Might take him a few preseasons but that’s why strength and conditioning coaches make the big bucks. He went in to the midfield against 3 top 20 picks and beat them all at times.

3rd year KPF breakout feels imminent to me. Would love so see him just start clunking everything and come in looking like how Thilthorpe did at the start of last year for the crows, as a unit.

Understand your comment and truth is that Trac got massively involved in matters that should never have become public. I don’t hold any grudges as he is a remarkably pleasant person generally and he was under very strong family pressure from the medical issues. It was also apparent the Club underestimated the seriousness unfortunately. Great learning curve for both and Trac is now setting his normal standards for himself that should see him back as our top player along with a revitalised Clarry and much improved culture and team power hopefully like 2021. Incremental or Large improvement should come from nearly all players next year considering their age or experience. And coaching improvement also.

No but he is a better player than you give him credit for OD. Considering he will be still 21 yrs when we first start Round1 in 2025. You wanted a 30 goal forward in a recent post and then said how he might kick 40 a season if not required to back up as a second ruck. As I have posted he is still only 21 and averages approx. 1.5 goals per game, very reasonable over 41 games. He can improve his two grab marks to become a one grabber more often and yes if he is not required in the ruck for relief or another big forward or any of Turner Petty Jeffo can improve or our draft pick can star it will give Rooyie a lot more support. I quite like him in the ruck as he is reasonably competitive and it gets him in the game. He could also be handy acting as a defender down back as a relief ruck considering he has played at full back in Junior competitions National and state. A very promising forward key position player he clearly has more levels to go to before he reaches his career zenith. Can’t wait for this and 2025 might be this year of forfullment.

They said he was highly rated, well that was just a lie He aint never coached a flag and he aint no friend of mine

Lowered his colours this year IMO. Massively lost my respect by the way he has handled himself. No one deserves an injury like he got, but that's no excuse to go rogue.

I've always found it fascinating - and to be honest grotesque - that the potential death of a 100 or 150 year old club, loved by tens of thousands of people, appears to evoke ecstasy in some people. They couch the prognostications in earnest language, assuring us of the infallibility of their economic orthodoxy, but you can see the tent in their pants from space.

Champion forward in the making. Can’t understand the doubters.

That was the night Travis Johnstone played one of the best games I’ve ever seen.

Yes, it's Craig. He's now the strategy coach at GWS, and you'd have to say has his fingerprints all over their ball movement.

I'm still here

Interesting @Whispering_Jack. If we can split 9 for 15 and 16 and land Hotton and Hynes, on top of Smith or Langford at 5, that would be 😍

No, you’re totally right. I saw Brisbane’s draw this morning on the AFL website and it was ridiculously easy. Our girls got absolutely punished by the draw, and in such a short season it definitely cost them a finals spot.

Didn’t Jagga dominate when he played at VFL level for Richmond?

No Bin but his brother Scott woof woof did.

Geez he's impressive. He'd play round 1 next year i reckon.

Does Mick Stinear harbour any ambitions in coaching at AFL? level? He has been very successful at VFL and AFLW and I recall Daisy Pearce rave about how good he is after our premiership.

Thanks Meggs. Yes looking forward to the end of season review. It was a season of two halves … a season that could have descended into darkness but emerged with some blue skies ahead. So much to work with … we must retain the key players and continue to develop the youngsters. We have the nucleus again of a premiership team. This season was a reset due to departures and injuries. Go Dees in 2025.

I think Goldie was our BnF for our club this year. She's was just consistently solid week in and week out even through our dive in form. Hope she's recovering ok. And yep Goldie, Macca and Hore should all be AAs. I don't want an easier fixture next year, I want to see a fair fixture for the whole comp! Each team should be playing each other once.

Totally agree. I just have little respect for him now, it does appear very much its about himself first, then team second but the fact he went so publicly and ruined our trade period has serious consequences.

Very underrated in AFLW circles when stars are called out from some Clubs by commentators. Star player and even nicer person. Great follow up to Daisy. Mick wouldn’t have it any other way.

Yep 100 % Led Norwood to a flag and guess who starred!!!@@@ JUICE NEWTON!!!!🤩

Was not a fan of how he handled himself at the end of the year. Needs to earn back the trust of the entire club.

Despite all the dramas and intrigue surrounding him he still played around his best consistently which is always of a high standard. Does anyone one remember him ever playing a dog of a game? I hope his serious injury and politics wont affect his game for next season.

First forward we've had since Hogan who isn't afraid to crash a pack. His goal tally for this season would be pushing 40+ if he wasn't forced to play as a second ruck.

The Brand is setting himself up like a true professional. Big preseason leading from the front. He’ll have another fantastic year. A must keep but if he leaves we welcome 2 top 10 picks and we go again. I think he’ll stay.

Probably an impossible ask but it would be nice if club politics was kept to a minimum and we could discuss the attributes this champion footballer when he picked up those 16 Brownlow votes in 2024 and what he can bring into the mix for the Demons of 2025 and beyond.

Shai Bolton will have the biggest influence imo Freo are now a genuine premiership threat with the best young midfield in the league. Plus Treacy, Amiss and Bolton and a solid back 6 Dark horse is Lukosius to finally mature and become consistent. Playing HB/wing

more likely to expand to 20 within a decade than it is to contract to 18 once the taswegian franchise comes in