Norm Smith's Curse

Definately an interesting read El Nudgo. So Morton will be a dee in 2013 because no one else wants him? Ive heard a few of those whispers online from various sources as well which is interesting. A couple Id heard differently were Bate - free agent; Salopek - very little interest anywhere, is planning on SAFL; Knights - wants to be a Tiger. As for Viney - he is as red and blue as you can be. We will take him no matter what no matter where. And you can take that one comment as gospel!

Although he was reinstated within a week, he never again enjoyed his old relationship with the club.[1][6] The Demons won only one more game for the year and missed the finals for the first time in eleven years. In a matter of a few dramatic months, Melbourne's dominance was dismantled. The Demons wouldn't make the finals again until 1987, and have not won a premiership since the dismissal, which is sometimes superstitiously attributed to the Curse of Norm Smith.[7

I might have to change my name now... Fantastic and FINALLY!!! let the curse be lifted.

None of the clubs after him can work out what he is worth which suggests that its not just armchair experts that are unsure about his value.

I assume Scott didnt get along with him like Neeld/Moloney - no idea but it seemed off because he looked very impressive when he did play.

Will be interesting but this one caught my eye not so much for the hypothetical trade options but more just the fact that I really rate this bloke as a player.

Reported in AFL.com that we were in the hunt for Pedersen. I'd be rapt to be honest. I rate this bloke highly in terms of moving forward and kicking a few.

Ive watched Caddy play a few times and he didnt overly impress to be honest but I put that down to how long he has been in the system. If he turns out anything like his brother he could be a maurading viking as Ive said before. But I think people are right in suggesting that GC wont bid for Viney if they think we offer or can provide them with the best options for Caddy.

I thought it was BS until he came out and denied it. Now I think he is ours

Personally, I think GWS won't nominate and Gold Coast can kiss goodbye any trade with us if they do for mine. If they nominate I think that will indicate we won't be getting Caddy in a way.

Byrnes looked good today in the VFL against Werribee. Mainly because he can take a mark and kick to a target successfully.

No these kinds of things NEVER happen...

Well said mate. Well said. Couldnt agree more. After what we've been to, pulling the pin now would be madness. Im in this for the long haul and it has been a very long haul!

I hear from someone that he tends to get himself in the right position but exploits his size.

The HUN lost all credibility this season re trades when I read that we had made a five year offer to Cloke... This year I think how it works is if your struggling for a story you just make one up. heres one: Wellingham and Cloke have had interest from Fremantle. I have no idea if that is true or not, but say it in a newspaper and ill read it in half an hour on facebook as a fact.

Sure. I agree. Like others have said there is a reason GC are blustering about nominating Viney - but realistically who has a better hand potentiall for Caddy than us? They arent going to nominate him in case they bite the hand that could potentially arm them with a caddy trade that seals Tippett. But people suggesting we let Viney go to GC for two years and then get him back is what Im responding to. Could you imagine that? Honestly...

Rumour is that Gold Coast recruiters are spending their days monitoring this forum to work out what the Demons will really do...

What did I tell you? I have been told the same from someone Im almost dying to say who but who asked me not to say. Beez summed it up well. He is the perfect fit with no risk. Anyone who thinks we wont take him cant read the trade play. Not only will we take Viney but you can bet we are pumping him for info on the other potentials.

We could get right out of the red here in one trade period potentially. We have players with potential on our list that might perform at better structured clubs.

Luke Ball said he'd take a year off footy if we nominated him. So he sooner not play at all than play for the Demons in those days. Im not the hugest fan of the bloke to be honest.

If we merged i have no idea what id do. I hate all the other teams. it would a matter of considering which one i hate the least i guess,.

My mates think im a glutton for punishment. Out of about nine people that I know that support the demons Im one of two of that group that is still a member. More than half stopped membership when they delisted James Junior. That was their tipping point and it was hard to argue against their logic because since then nothing has happened to bring them back into the fold. If we started performing in the next few years we will easily get 40K - there are lots of slumbering or estranged supporters out there.

Here is the only fact ive been guaranteed by a club source - take it or leave it but this guy said he'd bet me his car on this: Viney will be a demon. Period. What ever it takes. Does anyone here honestly think we will risk another skinny kid over the son of a club heart-n-soul type? A player who is top 6 and rated as the best hard-at-it midfielder in the draft? A player who could walk in and play round 1? Viney is less risk than most of the potential top 10, has emotional connection the club which is a factor after losing Scott Thompson and then Scully. Gold Coast wont risk it because they have already got too many players wanting to go home. The Scotty Thompson/Nic nat factor. Wont happen - as much as we bid for Luke Ball. its all bluff. Gold coast would dare incase we call their bluff and actually let him go knowing he might come back in two years (which I doubt he will btw because it will be harder than taking him now). There will be no risks this time. Could you imagine us picking up another Cale Morton while Viney carves up 28 disposals each week at Gold Coast? No chance!! remember we are in the box seat with the best options for Josh Caddy. Burn us on Viney and gold coast will effectively lose Tippett to Brisbane (where he'd rather go from what I hear). As if anyone would trade pick 2 for Tippett. Joking...

People here really dont read the play very well - overt statements in the media do not equate to fact. Anyone here who thinks Viney isnt worth pick 3 to a team with a weak and leaderless midfield are delusional. Also you have to made to think that our recruiters will be seduced by skinny kids again who have shown some talent against kids verse manchilds who have shown they can play in the vfl against afl players and gather 28 disposals. Its all bluff. Just like Gold coast threatening via the media to bid for Viney - like we were going to bid for Luke Ball...

No - dont agree! Whether you like Dunn or not (and I take it that people here tend to think that not liking him equates to him being up for delisting or trade), Neeld likes players that play a role. That receive instruction and then limit what they do in a position to the scope of that instruction. they dont go off and panic or go off and push outside that scope. Defensively Dunn has improved his game. To say that he kicks more turnovers than most is a joke - Bail, Nicholson and even poor old Wattsie tend to be far worse. Whether DUnn is really courageous or just physical in the push and shove, at least he imposes himself on the opposition a little bit - for years many of our list has avoided this kind of thing (why we brought in Pickett, Angry Phil Read, etc and why we miss Whelan in the backline.) He even kicked a few goals when playing the sub with that burst out sort of deal. I for one believe that Dunn will not be delisted. You couldnt delist Jetta based on his limited chances due to injury and his brother's talents.