spirit of norm smith

Wow. Casey admin has seemingly woken up and got serious about the club. The exit of guys like Munro, Steele and White was taking the heart out of the team. It’s important in the alignment to have a strong core group. This benefits the MFC as those players listed for AFL get strong experience and create a winning culture. It’s interesting as well that guys like Culley and Hardie see themselves as having the chance to impress for an AFL list spot. They are very good signings and will demand a key role in 2025. Deakyn Smith’s return is a huge plus. Bonner also is still AFL quality and will also suggest Casey is a contender next year. Kirkwood-Scott impressed so much in the Coates League. His disposal by foot is elite both in skill and distance. His courage at Sandringham and Haileybury also makes him a developing small defender.

TAHLIA GILLARD. HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY Wow. What a pick !!! Pick 42 in the 2021 draft. Since then she has come a long way. Tahlia has gone on to be a great competitor, key defender, part time ruck and importantly a superstar person off the field. Such great achievements already as a premiership player and recognised as a rising star as well as underage best team honours. She is a definite future leader. Hope she has many many more years in the red and blue. A nice long contract please. Tahls standing tall. 💥 Tahlia Gillard is joint leader of spoils this year with 44 spoils … 2024 equal league highest. 👊 #DemonSpirit https://www.facebook.com/MELBOURNEfc/videos/aflw-round-9-rising-star-nominee-tahlia-gillard-/631905642015319/ https://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/1656196/wk-3-post-match-interview-tahlia-gillard?videoId=1656196&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1726381496001

Molly O shout it out … https://www.afl.com.au/news/1263084

Hawthorn has been unable to unlock an agreement for Harris throughout the Trade Period, with the Hawks not yet willing to part with pick No.14 or slide that selection back in an effort to secure the four-time All-Australian. I’d tell Hawks to f-off. Sure Harris has had injuries but imv she’s still a talent. Not many players can do this. https://www.afl.com.au/video/707891/harris-proves-the-difference-in-scary-good-outing?videoId=707891&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1645437974001

@Langers15 thanks. Molly has a really solid personality and desire to succeed. She would fit into the club. Love to see if we chose her. Pace. Strength. Footy smarts. Brings a taller onballer mix.

Write up has Molly as a defender. Actually plays a lot in the midfield. Her tackling and aerobic ability to get to contests are best assets. Has grown up with footy and can kick and mark as well as any in the draft group. Only knock is that she is from WA so moving will need to be talked through. But hey it’s a national comp. AFL write up Molly O’Hehir State: Western Australia State League Club: South Fremantle Community Club: South Coogee Date of Birth: 24/05/2006 Height: 179cm Extremely athletic tall defender who is strong overhead and very composed with her decision making and ball use on the way out. Was selected as an U18 All Australian as a bottom-age player last year after averaging 14 disposals at 78 percent efficiency while representing Western Australia at the National Championships. Was a strong performer for her state again this year and also represented the Australia U18 team as a member of the 2024 Marsh AFL National Academy. Impressed at senior level in the WAFL this season, averaging 20.3 disposals, seven tackles and four clearances in nine matches for South Fremantle. Her elite athletic ability was eye-catching at the national Draft Combine, where she ranked second in the 2km time trial (7:35) and third in the running vertical jump (63cm).

Agree. He deserves to be rewarded. A great JT rookie pick who has exceeded all expectations!!!

Unfortunately TAYLA missed the 2024 season but remains a strong player with skill, athleticism, long kick and competitive nature. As a key forward , there is not many better than our TAYLA Whilst she had been reportedly seeking a trade to the Hawks, I would like to see her stay at the Dees. We have young talls but there definitely remains a place for Harris in our best 21. I read that the Demons have now officially offered Harris a contract extension to remain at the club, after the Hawks' involvement in the multi-club trade stalled and then fell over late last week

I’d like to see young Ben Hopkins get a Casey deal for 2025. Definitely looked capable when I saw the Stingrays in the 5 games this year. Tall 6”3 defender who provides good intercept as well as run and carry. Rotated sometimes in the midfield for Stingrays but I think he’s more suited as a defender. Might get a chance to further develop and play senior footy at his local club (Langwarrin) amongst a few Casey Demons call ups.

I think it has to be Molly O

Yes both Maddi and Eliza had great years. Maddi wanted the move to the bombers and Eliza was squeezed out with Purcell and Hanks (unfortunately yes Liz Purcell missed 7 matches so Eliza would’ve been handy).

1st Kate Hore 70 ❤️💙 2nd Tyla Hanks 68 ❤️💙 3rd Maeve Chaplin 67 ❤️💙 4th Eliza McNamara 64❤️💙 5th Sinead Goldrick 61❤️💙 6th Megan Fitzsimon 59❤️💙 7th Shelley Heath 58❤️💙 8th Tahlia Gillard & Alyssa Bannan 57❤️💙 9th Lil Mithen 53❤️💙 10th Sarah Lampard 50❤️💙

Ex AFL experienced forward catching the forward line … that might be helpful … just a thought.

Maddi Gay has claimed Essendon’s 2024 AFLW Best and Fairest, bringing a fitting close to a terrific first season in red and black. The 28-year-old took home the award in front of teammates, coaches, staff and fans in at Crown on Friday night, finishing in front of starring runner-up Georgia Nanscawen and breakout defender Georgia Clarke in third place. Gay was a dominant force in defence all year and made instant impact in her move from the Demons this season, named in the leadership group and featuring in every game of a season for the first time in her career. The All Australian half back averaged 20 disposals, five marks and a staggering 453 metres gained per game, all career-highs ————————————————— Hawthorn star Eliza West has taken out the club’s best and fairest award in her first season in the brown and gold. The vice-captain polled 68 votes across the 2024 season, while captain and 2023 winner Emily Bates came in second on 60 votes, followed by young gun Jasmine Fleming on 58 votes. West’s win is the result of her outstanding efforts in an impressive debut season with the Hawks, appearing in every game in 2024. The 27-year-old led the team in average disposals (21.9), contested possessions (14), handballs (13.8), ground ball gets (9.8), tackles (7.8) and clearances (5.6). West was appointed as vice-captain ahead of the 2024 season, immediately earning the respect of her fellow teammates after joining the club in the off-season. The maximum number of votes a player can poll is eight, which West received on two occasions – In Week 5 against Geelong (season-high 16 tackles, 24 disposals and seven clearances) and Week 6 against Gold Coast (23 disposals and a goal).

It’s probably a fair assessment on the team. Good to see eMac and Tahlia get recognized for their year.

Yes not sure how this AFL cap works with aligned clubs like Casey, Sandringham and Box Hill. Casey had two listed players with AFL experience on their 2024 list (White & Connelly) , Sandringham nil and Box Hill had five. Not sure of the salary cap for standalone clubs, but for example Williamstown had 10 ex AFL listed players in 2024 and poached/attracted 6-7 good players from other VFL teams over the prior 12 months. They’ve already added 3 ex AFL players this off season. Must have some flowing coin by the bay

EMac ❤️💙👏👏👏👏 had a great year Will be a leader in years to come. Has such great footy IQ and speaks with such insight and knowledge on the team and the requirements.

Daisy Pearce Trophy | Kate Hore – 70 votes At the conclusion of the count, Melbourne captain Kate Hore was titled the Daisy Pearce Trophy winner, edging out vice-captain Hanks by two votes. This is Hore’s third straight best and fairest award, having won during season seven and eight. The Melbourne skipper embraced her second season at the helm, showing her trademark professionalism. This year looked different for Hore though, with the Demon taking on a new dual role where she lined up across both the midfield and forward line. This allowed her to influence games in more ways than one, averaging 18 disposals, four clearances (both career highs) and kicking a total of eight goals across her 10 games.

Third Place | Maeve Chaplin – 67 votes As recognised earlier in the night with the Coaches Award, Chaplin’s campaign was her best yet, putting in the work to produce a breakout season. After a few years of instability in the Melbourne team, Chaplin well and truly made her mark in Melbourne’s defence in 2024, becoming one of the best young defenders across the league. At just 22, Chaplin showed a level of composure above her years, known as a powerful strength coming out of the side’s backline. Her career-making season saw her average 6.7 intercepts (10th in the league) and 13.6 disposals, with a disposal efficiency of 78.7% (a team high). The third-place finish comes after another important accolade, the Demon earning her maiden selection in the All-Australian squad.

Second Place | Tyla Hanks – 68 votes This year saw Hanks once again prove that she is in the top echelon of midfielders within the league, her skill and execution above the rest. The reliable Demon has been a consistent contributor in the Melbourne line-up since her first season at the club back in 2019 and has continued to provide a level of stability for nearly six years now. The hard-working and crafty midfielder led by example as the club’s vice-captain, averaging 18 disposals, five tackles and four clearances.

Daisy Pearce Trophy | Kate Hore – 70 votes Melbourne captain Kate Hore was titled the Daisy Pearce Trophy winner, edging out vice-captain Hanks by two votes. This is Hore’s third straight best and fairest award, having won during season seven and eight. The Melbourne skipper embraced her second season at the helm, showing her trademark professionalism. This year looked different for Hore though, with the Demon taking on a new dual role where she lined up across both the midfield and forward line. This allowed her to influence games in more ways than one, averaging 18 disposals, four clearances (both career highs) and kicking a total of eight goals across her 10 games.

Sad day. Very sad. A club has a heart. Lil was part of the Red & Blue heartbeat. Lifeline player. She played more of a role than just on field stats. Super durable. Week in week out. https://www.facebook.com/MELBOURNEfc/videos/the-best-of-lily-mithen-50-game-milestone-/446295674143893/ https://www.facebook.com/aflwomens/videos/recharging-with-lily-mithen/853457790037182/ What a journey. As we’ve see you grow. Miss ya Roving Lil. 💔💔 so it’s just a Business? Really. Pick 2 or pick 10. You find the right player. Beyond Havana Harris , the next group is even btw

Good news. It sounds like Jai Culley is to sign on with Casey VFL. Would help rebuild Casey stock of quality players. Definitely has the size, skill , contested footy strength to be in AFL system. Perhaps the knock is for him to improve in pace.

More experience players out ? We lost 5 experienced players at end of 2023 and whilst Gall and Pisano showed promise, the team was weaker as a result. Step backwards can work but I’m questioning going again for a second year to weaken the squad. It’s only a 30 woman squad so depth plays a part and injuries hurt. I think we hold pick 10 and draft in a strong young midfielder. Hanks Purcell and another young gun to refresh the midfield. Like the men’s team, young mids coming in are the key.

Last year the club sent out 5 experienced players and hit the draft. Lost the depth and with 6-7 injuries were forced to pick rookies and top ups. AFLW list depth in a 30 player squad is low. You don’t again cut your experience “ in my view”. We need to strong bodies like Harris and Mithen. Note … Lions, Crows, Kangas didn’t hit the draft. They have got in the required players and kept their core strong players. That’s why they are again at the top. Don’t be fooled. Sure they trimmed the list but only as required. Dees can trim 3-4 players and draft in from current picks. TAYLA Harris is needed against these clubs. She is strong. She creates goals. She is a presence. She competes. You don’t easily get that.