spirit of norm smith

If we were to hold our picks across 1st and 2nd round, we’d have picks 4,15,22,33. That’s 4 excellent opportunities to reset and grab quality youngsters.

And Frawley had been an All Australian. Ben Mckay not even a certainty each week in a cellar dweller team.

It’s sickening how biased Barrett (Kangas supporter) is. Pick 3 for Ben Mckay. Ffs that laughable!!!

Grundy is not going anywhere. He has rucked in tandem and enables Maxy to play more games and remain physically ok through the year (without getting smashed weekly ). And if Max cops a knock or has an injury, Grundy is a more than capable player to step in.

Definitely want to see JJ remain in the team and push for the new contract deal. He is too good to let go and whilst he’s not cemented a spot, his skill and versatility is a huge asset. Certainly his disposal is more reliable than most of the team. However I’d understand given he has been snubbed a lot, I wouldn’t begrudge him if he looked elsewhere at year end.

With the championship now over, here’s some indication of a top 40. 1-10. Harley Reid, Jed Walter (suns academy) , Coby Mckercher, Ryley Sanders, Daniel Curtin, Zane Duursma, Nick Watson, Ethan Read (suns academy), Connor O’Sullivan , Darcy Wilson 11-20 Archer Reid, Mitchell Edwards (Freo nga) , Joel Freijah , Logan Morris, Ashton Moir , Jake Rogers (suns academy) , George Stevens, Nathan Philactides, Ollie Murphy, Riley Hardeman 21-40. Nate Caddy, Koltyn Tholstrup, Harvey Johnston, Jordan Croft (bulldogs f/son) , Alex Holt, Archie Roberts, Will Dawson, Harry Demattia, Caiden Cleary (swans academy) , Clay Hall, Will Graham (Suns academy) , Jack Delean, Will Lorenz, Kade DelaRue, Angus Hastie, Cooper Simpson, Luamon Luai, Will Patton, Will McCabe (hawks F/son) , Michael Rudd. others - Jack Callinan, Koby Shipp, Caleb Windsor, Rye Penny, Billy Wilson, Aiden Odriscoll, Harvey Thomas (giants academy). For the Dees, others of interest were: Kynan Brown as a father son (Nathan Brown) would be looked at around pick 60 or as a rookie and would get nominated in my view. He’s a tough skinny scrapper with a huge heart and tenacity. His skills are ok (left foot dominant) but can have some turnovers under pressure. Orlando Turner is from NT under our NGA academy. Whilst he was largely quiet, gf showed glimpses of brilliance and goalkicking smarts to indicate he might be picked to develop as a small forward. Rookie pick likely. Sam Van Rooyen (brother of Jacob) could be rookie pick as well. He’s tall and lean and watching him v Vic metro , had a few “nearly moments” where we spilled marks or juggled attempts. Very nice kick for goal. He has the base physique of a key forward and it would be good if the Dees gave him an opportunity.

Thanks @ChaserJ On reading, it’s a very very very good write up and summary. Covers most of the top 20-25 players likely in the draft and addresses lots of key players. Only a few extra names imv to throw in.

In the last 10 years, Kangas played finals in 2012, 2014, 2015,2016, including 2x preliminary finals. So it’s only the last 6 years, no finals. Compare this to 2013. MELBOURNE has failed in its bid to gain a priority pick at the 2013 NAB AFL Draft. The AFL Commission accepted on Monday the recommendation from football operations manager Mark Evans that no priority picks should be awarded under the League's 'special assistance rule'. Melbourne has won just six games in the past two seasons and made a request for the Commission to receive an extra selection at this year's national draft. However under criteria introduced in 2012 that gave the Commission discretion to determine whether a priority pick was needed, it was decided Melbourne was well enough placed to improve - as reported on AFL.com.au on Sunday. "In coming to a decision, the AFL Commission considered a range of factors including the Melbourne Football Club’s recent performances, but also the opportunity the club has to make improvements in its operations - including its coaching, recruiting, administrative, cultural and welfare programs, as well as significant upside in young talent that is currently on the club’s list," Evans said. Dees then had another 6 years until 2018 to get finals (12 years without finals). Yes I’m still bitter that the AFL rebuked us yet offers deals to Suns and now probably the Kangas.

How? Why? Mac Andrew was not given the same access as available for the Dees. It seems there is the rules and then there is the AFL changing the rules when they need to. I think they could get a “start of round 2” priority pick which would then need to be traded.

The Age Melbourne d Brisbane Lions It is still nigh on impossible to get a read on the 2021 premiers, after they bookended Friday night’s win with a flurry of goals but struggled in between. The Demons are also the last team to beat Collingwood, and ran the Power very close at Adelaide Oval, so their best form stacks up. Coach Simon Goodwin insists they have time to bed down their best 23. Clayton Oliver and Bayley Fritsch remain out with respective injuries, while million-dollar ruckman Brodie Grundy faces a race against time to prove he can be valuable not just as a ruckman but also as a forward. The bigger problem for Grundy might be how good Max Gawn was against the Lions without having to spend so much time in attack. Gawn is a six-time All-Australian ruckman for a reason, and there is a distinct possibility that Grundy might watch Melbourne’s finals campaign from the stands. Click bait journalists again. Forecasting Grundy will be out of the team now and forever more.

Great reward for his hard work. He has really developed and now fits into our backline as dependable as any other. His match v Cameron was another key to our victory. I like his composure with the footy, ability to run and deliver with skill. Definitely our most improved player on the list this year.

Barrett is a serial pest. Loves the negative story especially if it’s anti MFC. MFC must have really hurt his feelings at one time, from which the psychological impact has left him permanently hateful. ? Kangas absolutely thrashed by (3rd bottom) Hawks ?? Goldstein career over ??? Ben Mckay couldn’t be any less interested at Kangas There is some anti Kangas stories but he’ll avoid those due to his bias.

Mckercher is like Zac Merrett but will be better imv. He had elite decision making and is a goalkicking mid. Definitely top 5 rated in this years draft.

Kynan is not blessed with physical dimensions. He is super light as you know. Probably 65 kgs at max inv. Needs lots of protein shakes. He’s a scrapper. Socks down. Huge heart. HUGE. Runs and runs. You can’t buy tenacity. He’s a goer. Like his dad, he’s a soldier in style. Disposal is occasionally very scrappy. He hit a few targets but also missed some. He cracks in for tackling and loved his attack in the 4th quarter with back to back second efforts. But he would struggle when confronted by the physical nature of the AFL and will need 2-3 years in the gym. How to describe him? Maybe a cross between Liberatore and Damien Oliver. Late draft pick 60+ or rookie pickup imv.

If Freo end up 15th. We assume Reid goes 1 to Eagles and Jed Walter chosen next as Suns priority. Then picks for Kangas, Hawks and Dees. Either Sanders, Mckercher or Zane Duursma would be then still be available at our pick. Merry Xmas JT.

Tom McDonald back in a fortnight. Not sure he’s a top 22 lock anymore. He’ll have to come back and work through time at Casey.

Hamish McLachlan loves Geelong Geelong Geelong Tom Hawkins Paddy Dangerfield Jezza Cameron Gryan Miers All the other Geelong players than Collingwood Collingwood Nick Daicos Darcy Moore All the other Collingwood players

Loved watching Taj’s first AFL goal. He took it on. Ran his full 15 metres and nailed it from 40 on the angle. Great goal. Confidence in his own skills. Loved it.

Thanks @dazzledavey36 Yes he’s a beauty. Reminds me of Zak Merrett cross Errol Gulden. Inside or outside, he knows how to win the footy and use it. I’m firmly in the “take the risk “ on Sanders or Mckercher if we get a top 5 pick.

Unfortunately the Bombers fans are turning on him already. Jeers. Laughter. Oh no moments. Even the sharp new haircut hasn’t helped. He’s goalkicking has gotten worse imv. He’s a great young man. You couldn’t wish to meet a nicer bloke. I hope he can put together a few more improved efforts to show he’s capable (even if it’s in red and black ).

@joeboy v saints. Spargo - didn’t justify selection @joeboy v Lions Spargo - a nothing game @Fat Tony Spargo is a liability in the air due to size and doesn’t offer enough in other areas IMO. @Maldonboy38 Spargo - his output has been limited, error-riddled and lacks impact. @dazzledavey36 Spargo for me, he has to go. Has been a liability for the past 2 weeks. @At the break of GawnIf it wasn’t for Spargo’s poor game, I’d almost suggest Chandler in for AnB. Hi all. The above represents most peoples view. I like Charlie. I have met him a few times. My view is that he’s not delivering and we cannot have passengers. It’s part of being ruthless. Like the Grundy decision. I’d rather roll the dice over the next fortnight and bring AMW in, or debut Howes or bring Chandler back in. I watched the game again yesterday afternoon and our lack of inside 50s tackles was again disappointing. Just an opinion.

Petty to be rested or managed. Tomlinson to play. Spargo to be rested or managed or just omitted. Any of these. Either AMW or Howes to come in. Both deserve a game and can show some real energy. Spargo had zero tackles. Was poor defensively and in the contest.

Love to have Freo finish 15th. Pick 4 (pick 5 after suns choose to match bid for Jed Walter) would be a huge win as part of the Jackson trade (together with a late 1st rd pick 15-18). Top 4- likely Reid, Walter , Curtin, Caddy - then we’d have a choice of Mckercher or Sanders. Big result if that was the outcome.

Yes but LJ loves his family & surfing far above his footy. We will wish him the best after helping us break the premiership hoodoo in 2021.

Agreed. If we can land either Sanders or Mckercher, classy young Mids, it’s a huge win. I thought Duursma was the priority but during the championships, whilst he’s showed good polish, he’s been cold in long patches.