spirit of norm smith

@Turner I agree. If the Eagles think CDT is a huge risk, then Robey could be the #2 active pick in the draft. Unbelievable. For a youngster who wasn’t even playing Coates League until halfway through 2025. Meteoric rise !! He is a young gun who has all the AFL tools to succeed. Though CDT does meet the Eagles needs for a young agile mobile skilled development ruck, so will be an interesting choice for WCE to make.

Shifters AFL Write up Sam Grlj State: Victoria Metro State League Club: Oakleigh Chargers Community Club: Canterbury Date of Birth: 26/07/2007 Height: 182cm A medium defender or midfielder, Grlj possesses dazzling speed and a neat step through traffic, which allow him to break the lines and set up the play. A model of consistency with the Oakleigh Chargers in the Coates Talent League, he averaged 20.3 disposals at 72% efficiency, five tackles and 3.9 clearances playing predominantly in the midfield. Held a leadership role with Victoria Metro, with his acceleration again a feature during the National Championships, where he averaged 17 disposals across the four matches. Grlj grasped the opportunity to play two VFL games for Richmond late in the year, including having 18 disposals on debut against the Gold Coast Suns. His strong form at all levels contributed to him earning Coates Talent League Team of the Year honours. Was most impressive at the national Draft Combine, where he showcased his speed and endurance with a time of 2.93 seconds for the 20m sprint and finished second overall for the 2km time trial with an elite 5:59.

Unbelievably Ah-mu is potentially unlikely to get drafted this year. He has been strong all through under 16s and under 18s competition as well as in school APS footy. Whilst he’s a tall forward with a great kick and mark, he’s endurance is questioned. Plays like ? Tom Hawkins is the most likely comparison. One draft bio has this write up … STRENGTHS: + Aggression + Leading patterns + Physicality + Scoreboard impact + Size + Strength IMPROVEMENTS: - Endurance - Speed Much of Ah-Mu's game revolves around his physical traits and craft. He has the edge over just about any junior in the country for pure strength and size, and leans on it to dominate with imposing bodywork. Whether up forward in one-on-ones or jostling for position in the ruck, Ah-Mu is incredibly difficult to move off the line of the ball and gets into position early. What's more, his frame and clean hands make him difficult to spoil on the lead. Ah-Mu's leading patterns are another facet of his craft. He stays active when he can and reads the cues quickly to make his move, finding ways to beat opponents to the punch. That's part of what makes Ah-Mu such a consistent goalkicker. He only needs a few opportunities to score and generally finishes well, possessing a booming kick over the mark. When he can't take a grab, he's strong over the ground ball and can set up others. With no goalless games in eight Coates Talent League appearances this year, Ah-Mu's consistency was quite strong. He kicked multiples in five of those outings, with his standout haul of four coming in a quarter final loss. He was also among Vic Country's most reliable scorers, finding the goals in three of his four National Championship matches. His record proves he's a difficult player to tie down for long, and that he knows his craft well. Along with his marking presence up forward, Ah-Mu offers value as a second ruck. He can make any opponent nervous in physical battles and uses that to his advantage. His presence also likely lifts the confidence of those around him. Ah-Mu averaged 11 hitouts per his eight Coates Talent League games this year, showcasing his ability to own the airways and compete hard when the ball enters his area. On the flip side, Ah-Mu's improvement areas are clearly identifiable. He outlined endurance as one coming into the season, while his overall athleticism can continue to develop. While he is terrific at holding his space close to goal, modern day key forwards are required to move up the ground and that's something Ah-Mu can look to enhance. Continuing to work on his running power will allow his natural attributes to shine even brighter.

YOUR CLUB'S PICKSAdelaide: 16, 48, 55, 64, 73, 75, 93, 111 Brisbane: 17, 23, 44, 51, 59, 68, 79, 97, 115 Carlton: 9, 11, 43, 54, 67, 72, 87, 105 Collingwood: 39, 45, 56, 61, 77, 95, 113 Essendon: 5, 6, 21, 27, 30, 83, 101 Fremantle: 20, 47, 69, 90, 103, 108 Geelong: 19, 40, 60, 78, 96, 99, 114 Gold Coast: 15, 18, 24, 28, 29, 36, 52, 92, 110 GWS: 12, 35, 91, 109 Hawthorn: 10, 22, 62, 76, 94, 112 Melbourne: 7, 8, 37, 66, 71, 84, 102 North Melbourne: 25, 26, 46, 57, 82, 100 Port Adelaide: 49, 85 Richmond: 3, 4, 38, 81 St Kilda: 50, 65, 86, 104 Sydney: 31, 32, 42, 63, 88, 106 West Coast: 1, 2, 13, 34, 41, 53, 58, 80, 98 Western Bulldogs: 14, 33, 70, 74, 89, 107

@Random Task thanks. I simply cannot believe some draft mocks or podcasters have Lindsay in the mix to late teens. He was a likely top 3 pick earlier in the year. He excelled versus the VFL teams. His left foot disposal is elite. Super creative. Translates into AFL quality immediately. “Beautiful delivery”. “The distributor”. There’s no better kick in this draft. He’s smart. His sidestep to evade tackles shows how he’s move into the AFL with composure. I’d be happy to have JT call him out as a pick for the Demons.

I can’t see how or why the media draft journos and amateur draft podsters are all keen on Schubert to go to the Dees In my opinion … He’s shown ability to mark and cover ground as a mobile tall. He’s got forward ability with reach and marking. But he’s raw. He turns over the footy with lack of composure. His kicking is average. His goalkicking run in is stuttering and not unlike Jesse Hogan but without the solid finish. He needs time. At least a few years of development. I also think there was no real quality tall defenders in the Under 18 championship which helped some of these young forwards look better. I think we have a few young developing tall forwards, and even if we needed young talls, young Vic pair Louis Emmett and Archie Ludowkye would be better options.

I reckon the most guaranteed player in the draft is Xavier Taylor. I rate him in the best 5 available in this draft. Absolutely looks and plays like a footballer. Smart. Composed. Has Aggression. Excellent judge of a mark. He is a lock for 200 games in my view. Think “Disco Turner” type. If you push him, expect it back two-fold. Whilst he’s not a player we need, he would be a very good addition. In my opinion he simply couldn’t be passed up by the Tigers or the Bombers.

I prefer Grlj, Cumming, Josh Lindsay & Dovaston. They have the talent and ability to add to our team in 2026 and have shown high quality AFL attributes. What’s the knock on Schubert? In my opinion … He’s shown ability to mark and cover ground as a mobile tall. He’s got forward ability with reach and marking. But he’s raw. He turns over the footy with lack of composure. His kicking is average. His goalkicking run in is stuttering and not unlike Jesse Hogan but without the solid finish. He needs time. At least a few years of development. I also think there was no real quality tall defenders in the Under 18 championship which helped some of these young forwards look better. I think we have a few young developing tall forwards and at 7&8, there are better options.

@WERRIDEE I would definitely take any of Grlj, Cumming, Josh Lindsay & Dovaston all ahead of Schubert.

Agree. If he gets an injury free run, he will be a good addition at Casey

Sam Grlj. Sliding to be available at Dees pick …

Excitement… Kozzzy !! Windsor bursting through the middle. Langford kicking goals from outside 50. Add in CJ bursting with pace out of defence. Bring on 2026 !! 🧨

“he has interest from Melbourne, St Kilda and Brisbane”.

6 Zanker. ❤️💙❤️💙 goals win matches and she’s a goalkicker 5 Hanks - she’s a star ⭐️ 4 Gillard.. first goal was a ripper 🧨 3 Harris - just one of the best ever 💎 2 Hore - ❤️❤️❤️❤️ a champion always 1 Heath - 🤩100% heart every week

Agree it’s an opinion. Thats what this forum is about 👍🏻

I agree in a way. Last year we had a gun group in the top 10 and then even Murphy Reid at 17. It was an excellent group. Not this year. There is a spread of players across picks say 5 to 30 that could go anywhere!!! Hibbins -Hargreaves for example. Could go pick 11-12 or pick 27-28 !! Onley ? could go pick late teens or could drift well into the mid 30s

@Sydee Sam Cumming. He’s much more attacking than Jordan ever is/was. Cumming plays like Cam Rayner. Loves a goal. Loves the contact. Good short burst. Sub 3secs in the 20m sprint at the draft combine Cumming had 4 SANFL league games. Vs Sth Adelaide, he had 21 possessions, 3 goals, 5 tackles, 5 clearances as an 18yo. He’s definitely a top 10 rated player in this draft. Hope he slides to our pick but the latest news is that the Bombers might get him.

“A speedster who can break the lines with his run, Grlj can impact off halfback or through the midfield.” I was a YES at … “A speedster who can break the lines with his run” I hope he falls to our pick, but doubt it. His VFL game with the Tigers was excellent. They’ll likely pick him either at their 3 or 4 pick !!

WCE… Duursma. CDT Tigers … Grlj, Robey Bombers… X.Taylor, Cumming. Sharp might amazingly fall to us. He’s an inside contest beast. We would lose Clarry and get the same prototype back in a 10-year younger version. (Only deterrent is the SA go home factor but we shouldn’t be scared by shadows). Sharp was mentioned as a number 1 pick after the carnival. If he dropped to us, I’m sure JT would surely seriously have to call him. It’s more likely imv the Bombers pick him, and we choose Cumming, but there’s news that the bombers might prefer Cumming.

Solid win 👏👏 Last quarter continues to be an issue 💔 Zanker is super important 🤩 2nd place locked ✅

Hore 🧨bang !! 👏👏👏

Geez … need to lift !!! Average start against a lower team.

As long as we miss the Cats at the [censored] Park, then it will be ok. Hopefully the Dees get two games v Eagles and two games v Tigers.

@adonski I think he’s definitely on JTs short list. Has all the attributes to be a very good AFL player