spirit of norm smith

DEPARTING: 15 Mitch Hardie (Wangaratta Rovers), Caleb Lewis (Gold Coast Suns), Riley Baldi (South Adelaide), Deakyn Smith (SANFL TBA), Noah Yze (Sandringham VFL) Mitchell Kirkwood-Scott (Sandringham VFL), Max Gregory (Frankston VFL) Roy George (Port Melbourne VFL), Jack Ferraro (Sandringham VFL TBA) Max Roney (Tassie Devils VFL), Jack Behnk (St Kilda VFL), Tyler Edwards (Rowville) Chance Doultree (Red Hill) Kobe Shipp (Beaconsfield) Patrick Ireland (Leongatha) STAYING: 9 tbc Riley Bonner Paddy Cross Lachie Bryce Wardell Lual Tyson Sruk Jesse Craven Jarrod Gatt Olliver Green Brayden La Planche TO BE CONFIRMED: 5 Tom Freeman, Jenson Graham, Andrew Green, Charlie Peters, Kai Windsor ARRIVING: 19 Luamon Lual (Essendon) Miller Bergman (North Melbourne), Xavier Hampton (West Adelaide reserves), Braedyn Bowden (Berwick), Luis D'Angelo (Traralgon), Jehi Esler (Tooradin-Dalmore), Joel Scholtes (Traralgon), Sam Hoghton (Officer), Nate Pipicelli (Nar Nar Goon), Clancy Pope (Nar Nar Goon) Tanj De La Rue (Dandenong Stingrays), Toby Sinnema (Dandenong Stingrays, MFC NGA), Tairon Ah-Mu (Dandenong Stingrays, MFC NGA), Louis Hodder (Dandenong Stingrays), Jasper Russell (Dandenong Stingrays), Jobe Scapin (Gippsland Power), Luke Cheffers (Gippsland Power), Harry Tatterson (Gippsland Power) Jonah Walker (Gippsland Power)

Round 1. Unavailable Bowey Presume Unavailable. Campbell. Matthews McAdam Henderson Probably unavailable. Petty, Melksham, Viney, Mihocek B: Lever May Jiath# HB: Salem Turner Lindsay C: Langdon Steele Windsor HF: Chandler JVR Langford F: Fritsch Kentfield* L.Pickett* R: Gawn Rivers K.Pickett I/C. Culley Sparrow Steele# Throlstrup Heath# Emerg. Howes Sharp AMW Fringe. Laurie. X.Taylor Jeffo. Tmcd. Adams Onley Mentha A.Johnson Berry

Our midfield is in refresh for 2026. I agree with the outlook for Langford. He’s a genuine star for the future and I’ve been singing his talent since his under 18 performances. Absolutely was over the moon when we drafted him and with his 2025 debut season. But don’t load up pressure too much for a second season player I do have to agree with @dazzledavey36 about the loss of Petracca. Even though he didn’t perform like 2021-2023, he still had a very very good 2025 in my view. Runner up in the MFC B&F, 16 Brownlow votes, 582 disposals, 18 goals, MFC number one for goals assists. He is a huge loss. We got three 1st round draft picks in exchange and he wanted out. So we move on. But he must acknowledge his loss. Hopefully the loss of Trac and Clarry (both will be remembered as greats for the MFC), there’s now opportunities for Langford, Riv, Kozzy to now own the new midfield. More opportunity perhaps for Kolt and Sparrow to show us that they have the ability to play midfield minutes too. JV7 still has some grunt to give. Jack Steele is also a great addition with his own talent and guiding influences to others. Let’s go Dees in 2026

It’s cooked !! Stinker of a competition now

Given the blues lost Curnow, if there’s an opportunity or any midsessin draft opening , Derksen would be well placed.

Two games. Limited time. Kicked 2 goals. Average 4 possessions. I would think he wants to commit full time to Leongatha … rather than sit by the phone waiting for a call.

That’s a shocker of a start. The VFL ??? With teams in Tassie, NSW & Queensland. Time to end this farcical competition.

Casey had 29 players listed in 2025 (outside of a few young guns like Duursma who got a run as a topup underage player). There is heavy turnover for 2026 for both Melbourne AFL and Casey VFL squads. Casey has certainly lost some very good talent from last year. In my opinion, players want certainty in knowing their role and the “next game” likelihood. The aligned clubs have a fragmented program and it means players look elsewhere and come and go. It looks like the new program is adding youth and ex Gippsland Power as identified under the new coach. There’s some good young players coming through which will be good to see them get a chance too. DEPARTING: 14 Mitch Hardie (Wangaratta Rovers), Caleb Lewis (Gold Coast Suns), Riley Baldi (South Adelaide), Deakyn Smith (SANFL TBA), Noah Yze (Sandringham VFL) Mitchell Kirkwood-Scott (Sandringham VFL), Max Gregory (Frankston VFL) Roy George (Port Melbourne VFL), Jack Ferraro (Sandringham VFL TBA) Max Roney (Tassie Devils VFL), Jack Behnk (St Kilda VFL), Tyler Edwards (Rowville) Chance Doultree (Red Hill) Kobe Shipp (Beaconsfield) STAYING: 10 tbc Riley Bonner Paddy Cross Lachie Bryce Wardell Lual Tyson Sruk Jesse Craven Jarrod Gatt Olliver Green Patrick Ireland Brayden La Planche TO BE CONFIRMED: 5 Tom Freeman, Jenson Graham, Andrew Green, Charlie Peters, Kai Windsor ARRIVING: 19 Luamon Lual (Essendon) Miller Bergman (North Melbourne), Xavier Hampton (West Adelaide reserves), Braedyn Bowden (Berwick), Luis D'Angelo (Traralgon), Jehi Esler (Tooradin-Dalmore), Joel Scholtes (Traralgon), Sam Hoghton (Officer), Nate Pipicelli (Nar Nar Goon), Clancy Pope (Nar Nar Goon) Tanj De La Rue (Dandenong Stingrays), Toby Sinnema (Dandenong Stingrays, MFC NGA), Tairon Ah-Mu (Dandenong Stingrays, MFC NGA), Louis Hodder (Dandenong Stingrays), Jasper Russell (Dandenong Stingrays), Jobe Scapin (Gippsland Power), Luke Cheffers (Gippsland Power), Harry Tatterson (Gippsland Power) Jonah Walker (Gippsland Power) Some players may only play 1-2 games and still represent their local club through the year.

Tyler Edwards has committed to Rowville as a full time player for 2026. He showed plenty of potential in his 4 years at Casey. He blended really well when given the opportunities, being a strong contributor on the wing.

Thanks @Demonland Ex AFL recruits: Miller Bergman (Kangas) Luamon Lual (Bombers) Coates League under18s recruits - Stingrays: Toby Sinnema, Tairon Ah-Mu, Louis Hodder and Jasper Russell. From local leagues: Braedyn Bowden, Tahj De La Rue, Joel Scholtes and Nate Pipicelli Resigned : Riley Bonner, Paddy Cross, Tyson Sruk, Brayden La Planche, Wardell Lual, Jesse Craven, Lachie Bryce, Olly Green, Patrick Ireland, and Jarrod Gatt .

The Kolt. Koltyn Throlstrup He’s one young gun that gets overlooked. Did JT miss the mark on picking this kid from WA? Kolt has natural aggression. A real X factor type player who might excite then drift out of games. He has to develop like Cam Rayner at the Lions. Kolt is unlikely to be the 30+ possessions midfielder but rather the impact half forward who kicks goals and rotates through the midfield as a point of difference. Kolt might prove to be another young gun to excite us for years to come (preferably ) … or alternatively seek an exit shortly to return home to WA.

The Smithy’s VFL campaign will feature 21 home and away rounds, with all 22 clubs to play 18 matches and have three byes.

What I really liked in 2024 was AMW able to tackle and really stop/hold his opponent. His rugby background means he can be strong through the hips and upper body. Add more composure with the footy, and I think he replaces McVee in our team from round 1.

@WERRIDEE Thoughts? Sinclair Weitering Stewart Ash Battle Holmes Anderson Rowell McCluggage Greene Cameron (Rayner) (Watson) Darcy Dangerfield Gawn Bont Butters Int. N.Daicos. Serong. Richards Hardwick. Merrett. (T.De Koning) Surely Vic’s add in Rayner, Watson and TDK. TDK as 2nd ruck.

Vic squad is going to be star studded on every position. Surely Finn Callaghan and Lachie Ash get a call up !! Any chance of a spot for Christian Petracca ? Probably not.

@KC from Casey @Whispering_Jack Brodie Atkins. Gippsland u18 best and fairest and 2025 Morrish medal winner. He’s signed with Sandringham VFL for 2026. Disappointing to see that Casey couldn’t appeal to him as a local lad and with the former Power coach Rhett McLennan as Casey’s new coach. Atkins had a great year and still a player to watch out for. He averaged 24 disposals per game and 6 tackles per game. I think the standalone clubs like Tassie and Zebras and Saints are appealing to these young guns who will more likely to get a regular game than if they are in AFL aligned clubs. The “whole of club” feel also a potential factor.

Chloe Baker-West State: Victoria Metro State League Club: Calder Cannons Community Club: Strathmore Date of Birth: 02/02/2007 Height: 163cm Weapons: Stoppage work and footy IQ AFLW player comparison: Shineah Goody (Port Adelaide) Player ranking points (Coates Talent League): 191 points per game A midfielder/defender who had a great year for the Calder Cannons, Baker-West earned Coates Talent League Team of the Year honours after averaging 33.1 disposals, 7.3 clearances and 4.8 tackles in nine matches. Unfortunately, she missed this year’s National Championships after being concussed in the opening minutes of Victoria Metro’s first game. Very strong in the contest and a smart user of the ball, she has been a dominant player throughout her junior career, winning Victoria Metro’s MVP award and All Australian honours at the U16 National Championships in 2023.

Yes that’s a great pick. Chloe Baker-West 👏👏👏❤️🤬

👏👏👏👏💙❤️ JORDYN ALLENPosition: Half-back/midfielder Height: 166cm From: Victoria, Eastern Ranges/Heathmont Jordyn is a rebound defender who can move through the midfield. She has great kicking skills, is quick and covers the ground well – both from contest-to-contest, and across all four quarters. Coates Talent League Team of the Year.

Dakota Baron … another GC match. Watch out for the Suns powerhouse in a few years.

Here we go …

Wow. Rigoni delisted ?? Off to Collingwood!!! I guess the contract offer was perhaps something too good to match. Her pace was just something to build on and her skills were fine for a young player. Not sure what’s happened. The list squeeze is forcing tough calls !

If Dees get two 1st round picks for Zanker, then we bundle it up with our own pick … offer 3 x first round picks to GC suns. Dees need to strongly push to get the number 1 pick. Fox Footy reports … “consensus is that Oakleigh Chargers ball magnet Chloe Bown is the No. 1 open pool prospect. A consistent, reliable on-baller with an incredible work ethic and ability to kick well on both feet, Bown had a near perfect draft year. She was crowned the best and fairest player of 2025 national championships and selected as All-Australian captain after steering Victoria Metro to back-to-back title wins. Her season was book-ended by a best on ground medal when representing the Australia Under 18 team against the All Stars in April and the Coates Talent League best and fairest award in September after averaging 29 disposals and six tackles per game”.

@Viscount Cardwell Bailey Humphrey - I think he’s worth 2 x first round picks … not sure I’d pay up for 3 first rounders or even 4 “1st round selections”. Still there’s going to be lots of $$$ and many Vic clubs bartering for him if he decides to return to Vic.

Gold Coast will need points to match early bidding on Archie Hill !!! So they will trade Bailey Humphrey to the Dees for MFC 2026 1st round pick & Suns on traded 2026 1st round pick. win - win outcome !! Dees then trade out 2027 1st round pick to get back into 2026 draft. Target Dandenong Stingrays midfielder Gus Kennedy.