spirit of norm smith

Updated. Best guesses and estimates imv. This draft is very deep with good quality youngsters, and high quality even through the second round and beyond. I have the Dees holding at picks 5 & 9. I think it’s a choice between Langford or Smith at “5”, then a choice between Lindsay, Travaglia or Allan at “9”. Either way, Dees get two premium youngsters. There’s likely to be some pick swaps throughout but the first round predictions as is are: 1. Richmond. Sam Lalor. GWV 2.****Lions father son. Levi Ashcroft. Sandringham 3. North Melbourne. Alix Tauru. Gippsland 4. Carlton (via West Coast). Finn O’Sullivan . Oakleigh 5. Adelaide. Sid Draper. SA Sth Adelaide 6. Melbourne . Harvey Langford. Dandenong. 7. Richmond (via Gold Coast). Jagga Smith. Oakleigh. 8. ****Suns academy. Leonardo Lombard 9. St Kilda. Josh Smillie. Eastern 10. St Kilda (via Josh Battle compensation pick). Harry Armstrong . Sandringham 11. Melbourne (via Essendon). Xavier Lindsay. Gippsland 12. Richmond (via Fremantle) Tobie Travaglia. Bendigo 13.Richmond (via Fremantle, Collingwood) Luke Trainor. Sandringham 14. West Coast (via Carlton) Bo Allan. WA Peel. 15. **** Ess NGA. Isaac Kako. Calder 16. Port Adelaide (via Gold Coast, Western Bulldogs). Joe Berry. Murray 17. Fremantle (via Richmond, Hawthorn, Carlton). Taj Hotton. Sandringham 18. Greater Western Sydney. Jobe Shanahan. Bendigo 19. Greater Western Sydney (via Harry Perryman compensation pick). Murphy Reid. Sandringham 20. Western Bulldogs (via Geelong). Cooper Hynes . Dandenong 21. **** Lions academy. Sam Marshall 22. Richmond (via Fremantle, Port Adelaide). Jack Whitlock. Murray . 23.****Blues father son. Ben Camporeale. SA. 24. Sydney. Harrison Oliver. Sandringham 25. Richmond (via Brisbane). Alex Dodson. SA Sturt 26. Greater Western Sydney (via Isaac Cumming compensation pick). Hamish Davis. WA Claremont 27. Sydney (via North Melbourne). James Barrat - Bendigo. 28. Richmond (via Gold Coast, North Melbourne). Ollie Hannaford. GWV predicting the longest first round ever!! Some likely 2nd rounders: Matt Whitlock. Murray. Tom Gross - Oakleigh. Christian Moraes - Eastern. Kayle Gerryn - WA West Perth. Thomas Sims - Northern. Jonty Faull - GWV. Jesse Dattoli - Northern. Harry O'Farrell - Calder. Lachie Jacques - Geelong. Nathaniel Sulzberger - Sandringham/ Tassie. Jack Ough - GWV. Angus Clarke - SA Glenelg. Josh Murphy - Murray. *** GWS Academy - Logan Smith Charlie Nicholls - Central District SA. *** Crows. Tyler Welsh SA WWT eagles. Archer Day-Wicks - Bendigo. HFF. *** Sydney academy. Joel Cochran. Likely 3rd rounders: Clancy Dennis - WA Claremont Riley Bice - Werribee VFL. *** Crows father son . Luke Camporeale. Glenelg Sam Davidson. RICHMOND VFL Noah Mraz - Dandenong. Hugh Boxshall. WA Claremont Zane Cochrane - Oakleigh. *** Stk NGA. Adrian Cole. Sandringham. Dom Brew. Mid. Werribee VFL Jasper Alger. Oakleigh ***Port father son Louis Montgomery. SA Nth Adel. Oliver Warburton. Murray. Xavier Ivisic Geelong *** West Coast NGA Malakai Champion. WA Subiaco. Floyd Burmeister. GWV Will Hayes. WA Claremont. Jack Henderson. Werribee VFL. Bailey McKenzie. Sandringham after this it’s seeing who might have draft picks available, or will pickup rookie opportunities or SSP train on spots. As with every year, there will be some very talented young footy players will miss out on getting on an AFL senior or rookie list. Potential for 4th round or likely rookies: Josh Dolan. Sandringham Phoenix Hargrave. SA Sth Adel Cody Anderson. Eastern. Luke Kennedy . Sandringham. Patrick Retschko. Oakleigh Oliver Depaoli-Kubank. Tassie Lucca Grego. Western. Kade Herbert. SA WWT eagles. *** Port Adel NGA. Benny Barrett.Sth Adel. SA Ned Bowman. Norwood SA Cody Angove. WA Claremont Zak Johnson. Northern. Jaxon Artemis- WA Sth Frem *** GWS academy. Cooper Bell. Nash King. Mid. Calder Aiden Riddle - WA. Claremont Riak Andrew. Dandenong. Harry Charlson. GWV Luke Urquhart. WA East Frem Damon Hollow. Calder *** Saints NGA. Lennox Hoffman. Sandringham. Rhys Unwin. GWV. Jett Hasting. SA WWT eagles. Mitch Kirkwood-Scott. Sandringham Blake Leidler. Oakleigh. Keighton Matofai-Forbes. Fwd. Western. ** Ess NGA Jayden Nguyen Calder . ** Stk father son. Elwood Peckett ** Dees Father son Noah Yze. Oakleigh. **Dees NGA Ricky Mentha Gippsland

@Whispering_Jack thanks. It’s consistent with most of our rankings. Allan at 9 is interesting. Definitely getting seen now as top 10 and within Dees each at pick “9”. The only one change for me is they have Reid at 5th ranking. I have him 14-15th ranked.

Rookie list is a joke. SYDNEY has committed to redrafting defender Joel Hamling and swingman Aaron Francis in November's rookie draft after announcing the pair had been delisted on Wednesday. COLLINGWOOD has committed to selecting premiership player Oleg Markov in next month's Telstra AFL Rookie Draft after the 28-year-old was delisted on Tuesday. Markov and key forward Ash Johnson have both dropped off the club's senior list, but the Magpies say they will re-list the pair in the rookie draft on November 22.

Essendon is weighing up a move to off-load Melbourne’s future first-round choice for a first-round pick in this year’s draft. However the move will have to come after a bid for Essendon small forward and next generation academy prospect Isaac Kako. It means if a bid comes around pick 10 for Kako, Essendon could trade Melbourne’s future first-round pick for something in the teens of this year’s draft. The Bombers’ first pick is otherwise slated to be number 28, but Essendon will eagerly eye a jump into this year’s crop if a trade partner can be secured St Kilda has told clubs it is open to splitting one of its top-10 selections in this year’s draft as part of a strategy to capitalise on the depth in this year’s talent pool. The Saints have picks seven and eight in this year’s draft and have indicated they could be interested in trading one of them for two picks later in the first round. The two clubs best-placed to do a deal with the Saints are Richmond (which has 18, 20 and 23) and GWS Giants (15, 16 and 21).

Jay Clark - Herald Sun. Reports being called out … Essendon is weighing up a move to off-load Melbourne’s future first-round choice for a first-round pick in this year’s draft, while there's a club looking to move down the order.

@Ted Lasso yes we are nearly aligned. #5… likely Smith or Langford. Either is a great addition. 👏👏👏 However in outcome , I can’t see the Dees taking both Smith & Reid. in your scenario, at “9”, I think it’s either Allan, Lindsay or Travaglia. If Smith at 5, I’d take Allan at 9. They would compliment each other perfectly in a future midfield. Allan can play half back or strong inside midfield role. If Langford at 5, then it’s either Lindsay or Travaglia as the best choice. Again players added that present inside power and outside running.

It’s a No. Talented Yes. Queries over his discipline and defensive work ethic.

Pre draft … B: Lever, May, McVee HB: Salem, McDonald, Rivers C: Windsor, Petracca, Langdon HF: Chandler, Petty, Sparrow F: Fritsch, van Rooyen, Pickett FOLL: Gawn, Oliver, Viney IC; Bowey, Tholstrup, Sharp, Turner sub Howes depth: Spargo, Melksham, Hore, Billings, Moniz-Wakefield, Woewodin Laurie, Fullarton, McAdam, Campbell* Potential: Jefferson, K.Brown, Verrall, Sestan, Adams, Kentfield

Daniher was great in the finals but ultimately it’s the midfield that wins it. Lions had Ashcroft, Neale, McCluggage and Berry. Now they top up with Ashcroft mark 2 as well. Dees need to identify this year as the need to upgrade the midfield. It’s obvious. Armstrong is good. He can mark , kick it and kick goals. But he’s not elite. I’m happy for Tigers or Saints to grab him. We need mids to compete now and the future. JV7, Trac and Clarry together with the new wave of Windsor, Throlstrup and 5 + 9 is the answer.

Twomey is reasonably consistent with the Demonlanders comments. Nothing new. Just that the top 10 are all good. The top 6 are most definitely in the top 10 and then there is the probables & possibles Dees “5”: best midfielder available from Lalor, O’Sullivan, Draper, Smith or Langford (likely choice is between Smith or Langford) Dees “9”: Cal thinks Armstrong, but could be Allan or Travaglia (imv Allan would be a ready made footballer) Jagga Smith is a very impressive young man. His strength is his footy IQ, gets the footy and makes the right decisions. His knock is size and strength. Tackling not really identified. Kicking is smart but not arrow like. Pace is good but not electric. He’s got to get stronger and faster to be an elite midfielder like Butters.

I’m not sure Langford would last to “9”. Nice if it happened but I think unlikely. If it goes 1 Lalor 2 Ashcroft 3 Tauru 4 O’Sullivan 5 Draper & then 6 Dees pick Smith, then Tigers would probably pick Langford (if not, Saints would again likely get him). Unlikely Langford lasts until “9”.

If Casey is half serious about being an actual club, then need to get attract players like Jai Culley if he’s not put on an AFL list by another club. Definitely has AFL quality still and would command a game every week despite AFL listed players.

Mitch Cleary reporting … Chris Scott has had a role with Morris Finance for several years which was initially ticked off by the AFL. However the League is looking into the Chief of Leadership + Performance position that was announced last week. It’s understood multiple rival clubs have raised eyebrows

@Axis of Bob “What would the reaction be here if we picked a key forward and a flanker?” Surprise. Shock. Dismay. All of these. Need to look at two aces, being a combination of an inside contested ball winning mid and an outside running mid/half back.

Ruthless time of the year. Another round of delistings sees Olli Hotton leave the Saints. He is a promising youngster, only 20yo with 2 years in the system. Saw him at VFL level when Sandringham beat Casey. In a close game , Membrey again was prolific with 6 goals but Hotton also looked dangerous as a half forward and kicked 5 goals. Not sure why he’s delisted. Work rate? Attitude? Surplus of small forward types?? I am not saying Dees need to bring him but it shows how clubs are making tough calls and even talented youngsters who don’t show enough development , can and will be delisted. Dees are holding a few on the list in the hope that they will develop … but perhaps we should be making tougher decisions. Maybe next year.

@Adam The God that’s bold and not sure it would be enough to entice the Giants. More likely Hotton might be gone by live pick 15 but agree it’s possible. Hynes yes he would be likely available.

Bo Allan: WA's top draft talent is an AFL captain in waiting A good read, especially… The skipper is uncompromising at the coalface and tenacious in his pursuit of the man. You'll see him sprint off halfback to link play together, then launch himself to smother balls and detour 20 metres to shepherd for a teammate. Style and poise get left at the door as Allan wills the ball forward. When presented with the option of going around or through his opponent, he chooses the latter. It's crash and bash footy at its very best, but the power athlete also possesses genuine top-end speed which makes him an important transition runner when the footy spills free.

I’m comfortable sitting on 5 & 9 thanks very much. We will get two future “aces” for the midfield #5 I think it’s a choice between Lalor , Langford, Smith or FOS. All are future stars imv and MFC will probably have at least one available at 5 (assume Crows get Draper) #9 again I think it’s another midfielder or running type … likely choice between Allan, Lindsay, Travaglia, Smillie I think Armstrong and Tauru are very good youngsters and will be very good footballers. I am preferring to prioritize the need for potential elite next gen midfielders with two picks inside top 10.

Yes I’d be staggered or indeed COMPLETELY amazed if JT chose Armstrong at 5. He’s good but we need high quality midfielders at 5 AND at 9. JT has to back in his prior choices of JVR and Jeffo.

Smokey at “83”… even considering guys like Davidson and Bice, I think SANFL Norwood star Billy Cootee is probably the best mature aged player not currently on an AFL list. Certainly my best pick from the SANFL. He has the right competitive nature. Good skills. Athletic. Can rotate midfield to forward to defence. Certainly stood up under pressure in SANFL GF and in state league interstate games. I thought he was good for Essendon VFL last year and surprised he didn’t get a rookie chance. https://www.afl.com.au/video/1216940/sanfl-showreel-sf1-billy-cootee-highlights?videoId=1216940&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1725772709001

Bo Allan is definitely in the discussion for our pick “9”. He is a very strong midfielder with good strong contested footy in centre clearance and stoppages. Tackles extremely well. Good long left foot kick. Whilst didn’t always hit targets, he also played in 11 games for Peel Thunder in the WAFL seniors above his years and under pressure. His size and athleticism is a huge asset mix. His body size 190cms and shape is a plug and play in today’s AFL World. National Combine testing agility 7.94secs - 4th overall standing vertical jump 72 - 4th overall behind much taller peers running vertical 92 - 3rd overall (Tauru won with 94) 20m sprint at 3 seconds 2km time 6:30 (tbc) I’d be happy to grab him at 9 as an option. (And get under the Eagles feathers 🤣🤣). He is physically ready to play round 1 2025. Can play behind the ball ans a defender and also as a midfielder. He has real competitiveness and attitude to tackle effectively. He’s not perfect. Whilst he can kick it almost 60 metres, shorter decisions by foot need work. Because of MFCSS, only knock is the WA go home factor. Yes I’m still perhaps scarred by Jackson. Thankful and hopeful that we can retain Kozzy, Riv, JVR, McVee & Kolt. JT has shown he picks the best available no matter where they are from and shouldn’t be afraid of Allan’s WA origins. Now for a little controversy … my plays like comparison is … he reminds of Luke Hodge. Maybe not as skilled now, but he could be.

I always liked AMW through his early development and keen to see him progress. Liked his rugby bs ground and competitive streak. Was a small forward who converted to a half back at Casey and showed ability to win and deliver plenty of the footy. At AFL level once promoted, he played more of a lock down type defender role. Allowed McVee to be tried in the midfield. Played 6 games to give him a taste. Not in my starting “22” for round 1 2025 but will prove himself once he’s called up through the year. A big preseason ahead for Andy.

Blake Howes got his debut in 2024 after a frustrating run of injuries over the two prior years. In 2024, Howes played as a mid-tall defender played 16 games averaged 14 disposals per game Imv his best game was shown in the high of 22 possessions in Rd23 win over the suns , including 10 marks a year to settle in and show he belongs 👏👏 Now for 2025 Howes should continue his confidence to develop and become a regular. He fits in. He could either be a floating defender or alternatively might return to his original design as a half forward with good movement, skills, marking and goalkicking. There is a space there with ANB’s departure. He’s athletic. At 192cms, he’d have some aerial ability to be dangerous. I think he can be the new HFF in 2025 and beyond.

I’m comfortable sitting on 5 & 9 thanks very much. We will get two future “aces”