Dees_In_October

Agree completely. At the very least, with either Sloane or Brewer, they both have "experience" in dealing with the specifics of the W context, rather than someone "parachuted in" for their coaching "experience" but lacking that other element of understanding what a W program is realistically working with. Not that someone from outside the W system can't work, just that it needs to be a consideration. All of which makes the comment at the AGM that we're looking for an "experienced" coach not that straightforward to interpret!

Fairy tales like that rarely seem to work out in sport, but if there's anyone who I can imagine it happening for, it's her (not naming the name is contagious!). Maybe you're biased there "Browny" haha. But yeah, definitely saw BBB barracking for the Dees at a few finals games along with his family. It was a shame to lose him from our coaching ranks. Perhaps more a matter of tweaking for a new coach? I guess it depends how they view our ability to actually beat Brisbane and North with the current style - have we gone as far as we can with that, or is there a need for either big changes or tweaks to go that step further. Like you said, certainly the players we recruited don't deviate from what's been valued in the past.

No, this is not an announcement. But we may as well speculate. Saw this on afl.com in the article about Mick Stinear luring North assistant (mids) Ryan Pendlebury to Geelong: "A series of clubs have been expected to target North Melbourne's successful AFLW program for roles across this coming off-season, with fellow Kangas assistant Rhys Harwood another seen as a senior coach in waiting. Harwood is expected to figure prominently in Melbourne and Richmond's coaching search in the coming weeks, as the clubs look to replace Stinear and Ryan Ferguson respectively." Shae Sloane was present for the draft last night, which would be expected, but she's obviously another name out there. Hopefully she's going to provide continuity for us, either way.

I'm sure their playing styles will distinguish them soon enough, but at the moment I'm getting a bit of this vibe from Jordyn and Chloe. Amusingly on my wishlist for the draft was an inside mid MINIMUM 165cm. So of course we go and draft two 165cm players 😆

A little bit on the club's approach to the draft: Also it seems this draft was weaker at the very top end compared to last year's. Apparently next year's is looking much stronger. With Tassie meant to come into the league in 2028, the 2027 draft will be impacted by that, so the 2026 draft will be an important one (well, aren't they all!).

Will be interesting to see if either break into the team for some games in their first year (and Aoife as well). A few gaps still, but you kind of have to roll the dice with a list of 30. We'll want our tall defenders to stay healthy, for instance.

Definitely slid!

I guess Aimee's delisted and they just haven't announced it? Assuming Goldy is playing on.

More highlights

"Not to be confused with her namesake"...too late for our media team! Hopefully not the actual recruiters at the club. Pictured in the thumbnail for the announcement is the Collingwood player NOT our new draftee, pictured below, a completely different person. [Edited to add: Has now been updated, so my link now shows the correct player. But for those catching up later, believe me, it was the wrong player for a good hour!]

The 30 list spots makes it pretty cutthroat for players like Rigoni on the fringe, especially in a year where we're consolidating rather than trying to turn the list over and have a lot of young players already. I do wonder if she'll get more games at the Pies than she might have with us in 2026 - watch me rue this comment in the next injury crisis...

Some highlights to get us in the mood for more newbies joining the club tonight!

Clearly I (and others!) completely forgot that this happened. So one free list spot, two draft picks we presumably intend to use and two out of contract players, Goldrick and A.Mackin?

Yes, hopefully not the case. If anyone here's able to attend the AGM (unfortunately I cannot), I hope someone puts forward some questions that might get us a better picture of where things are at.

So, assuming the 2024 draftees are all retained, we're thinking it's pretty much down to Paxy or A.Mackin for that last list spot? You'd have to think we've delisted Aimee without announcing it til the last minute (like whatever's happened with Rigoni) rather than a club legend retiring with nary a whisper. But stranger things have happened, I guess.