spirit of norm smith

Can’t see the Saints missing Cam Mckenzie if he’s available. Local boy who is a simple choice for them. Has the class and running ability to be an excellent midfielder and not too far behind Ashcroft this year.

It’s still likely to have 1- Lions (f/son) Ashcroft 2- GWS :Cadman 3- Kangas : Wardlaw 4- Kangas : Tsatas 5- Bombers : Sheezel 6- Suns: Humphrey 7 - Hawks : Ginbey 8- Cats: Clark 9- Eagles: Busslinger 10- Saints: Mckenzie 11- Carlton: Phillipou 12- Bulldogs: Hollands 13 - Eagles: Allan 14- Dees… leaves us with a Hewitt or Jefferson choice. (we should bid on Davey or Fletcher if no other clubs have pushed that button) . I’d prefer Phillipou, Hollands or Allan but I’m thinking they’ll be gone. Hewitt is that tough skilled midfielder who is ready to play. His inside determination and good speed are AFL quality already. Sure we have a strong midfield but this kid adds more strength. Jefferson is the type of player we need but he’s a few years away in terms of physical readiness. Plays like the King brothers as the tall gangly key forward. May be tempting as a local lad. Brayden George and Gruzewski are the probably the wildcard options for our 1st pick.

Good story on Sam Gilbey on AFL website. Certainly was a top 15 chance at the start of the 2022 year before firstly glandular fever and then a broken leg meant we saw little action from him this year. His left foot skill and delivery is not unlike Hayden Young or Jack Scrimshaw type. Taller 6’2” half year. Interesting to see if he drifts and is available around the mid 30s. Could be a nice “Hibbo replacement” if JT was a fan.

Thanks @58er. I’m not a fan of pushing “13” down the list. It should get us one of a Hollands, Phillipou, Hewitt or Allan.

Hollands, Phillipou, Hewitt and Jefferson in that order for me. Allan as the wildcard. Not sure any others from the top 10 will drop down. If no other club did before our pick, I think we’d put a bid on Jaspa Fletcher , to make sure Lions pay a high price for their second father son pick.

Good call. I reckon he goes around the high 20s. But I agree he’d be a great addition if somehow Gruzewski got to the Dees. Not sure we will have takers if we try to trade our way up the board.

Mc i Double letters love it 😊

I’d be happy if WCE choose Allan with pick 8 or 12. It would increase our chances of Hewitt, Phillipou or Hollands being available which would be a huge win to get either of these 3 youngsters.

Agree. If Brayden George was available at pick 37, I’m sure JT would have him in serious consideration. He’s a lottery pick given his injuries this year.

Cam Mckenzie. Wow. He’s all class. Unlikely to be available for us. Should go to the Saints at pick 9-10.

Ditto. Hollands, Hewett, Phillipou or Allan. Well played PSD

@picket fence yes we called it … there wasn’t outrage when MFC chose Oliver. WE WERE VERY HAPPY. He was the player we wanted !! And what a superstar he is.

One more year. As expected, Hibbo and the Milkshake have got 1-year contracts. The final dance for each. Let’s hope it’s a good one. 😁

Yes he showed good form and consistent form across championships and under 18 comp. Not sure he lasts up to “37” range. Might be just gone before our pick. He’s got good pace and skills for a wing or half back. Strong at the footy and pushes forward. Probably goes around 25-35 range but you never know.

Was referring to the last game v Vic Metro, against their midfield of Ashcroft, Mckenzie as per my full post. In that game, when it was on the line, guys like Hollands, Reid, Cadman, Murdoch and Gallagher were lifting Country in the game. Szybkowski dropped away. He lifted Stingrays into the GF but again was beaten by the Dragons combo of Ashcroft and McKenzie. I think Szybkowski gets drafted, likely in the mid-2nd or early 3rd round.

Great news. 3 years signing though to end 2025. JVR showed great signs in ‘22 as a key forward. Exciting times ahead.

cheers IB13. Can see comparisons to Jordan Gysberts & where you’re coming from. Szybkowski did show plenty at stingrays club level but less at the championships so agree his lack of defensive side (against guys like Ashcroft and Mckenzie) would count against him. He trained at the Dees last summer so assume JT and team has plenty of insights.

Szybkowski is similar (not in playing style) to Luke Parker. Highly celebrated junior who won so many B&F and premierships as a junior. In 2010 Parker was seemingly a draft pick around 7-15 yet fell down the board due to clubs not rating his running ability. Finally the Swans nabbed him at pick 40 in a steal. Szybkowski also started 2022 as probably a pick 8-12 range but has dropped below the top 20 and now out to around 30. Wow. He’s won the footy and performed well but not elite compared to Ashcroft, Sheezel etc. Perhaps clubs see him as a Charlie Constable. I think he definitely represents as a good on baller with smart decisions and good aerobic ability. Disposals generally good and can kick a nice goal. Likely draft position is still 25-30 imv.

Yes happy for both to go around again in 2023. They should get 1-year deals and see out their careers in red and blue. Will remember Hibbo’s dash after the 2021 GF (such emotion) and Melksham’s goal v Hawks in 2018 finals to seal the finals victory.

Yes from “top 16”, no Dees supporters. Not that it makes much difference. Judd. Franklin. Not even gave us a look in when they moved. Prestia’s family was fanatical Dees supporters and he chose Tigers in his return to Victoria. Gaff also a Dees fan but happily staying in WA.

Just have to talk about all the WA boys drafted since 2001 when Farmer left. 2003 Chris Johnson - showed good signs but faded and was delisted. Went to the Blues but ultimately missed out 2008 Nev Jetta - from 2-3 years of injuries and trying to find his spot, Nev was delisted and then put on the rookie list … my how lucky and fortunate we were that we kept Nev. Loved his spirit and ability to win man on man contests. 2012 Jesse Hogan - our messiah. Too much pressure and always talk about him going home. He played some great footy and we saw the talent. Yes he returned home but without success. Glad he’s now making a go at the giants. 2012 Dean Kent - a punt in the third round. Definitely could play and kicked some great goals. His 2018 match winner sealed our 2018 finals. Injuries killed his career and traded to the Saints. 2019 LJ and Riv 2021 JVR and Woey jnr amd Mcvee Do I think we should take a WA boy? Well yes if he’s the best available, fits our culture and is a need for the team. Ultimately I was worried about LJ given him playing second fiddle to Gawn. I actually thought the Eagles would be his destination given Natanui is on the downward cycle. Good luck to him at Freo. His need for family and surfing won the day. I would happily take a Hewitt, Ginbey, Gilbey or Allan if they were the right player. Sure it’s a risk but drafting any kid is full of many risk-versus-reward decisions.

He’s gone from being the Dees “most likely” (young key forward) (in Knightmare phantom drafts) to “please JT, do not consider”. Given our recent draft recruitment of young key forwards has been generally unfulfilling.

I agree DD36. I think he’s definitely in the frame for our first pick though I certainly prefer others. Hollands. Phillipou. Maybe a slider could be there. Whilst I do think we should hold the 2023 2x 1st rd and 2x 2nd rd picks, due to the outlook on class of ‘23, it might be tempting to package up one of the future 2nd rd picks with 2022 pick 37 to get a low 20s pick this year ( then look at Binns, Kruzewski or George with that pick depending on what type of player we grab at “13”. . @Colm. I did like your idea … Freo future 2nd to GWS pick 31 … and then MFC give 31&37 for bombers pick 22.

I agree. A couple of other SA youngsters that impressed me were Harry Lemmey (forward/ruck), Billy Dowling (wing/half fwd) and Kobe Ryan (running half back/wing). Each could be potential draftees for MFC around the pick 37 mark or for a rookie spot.

I agree with this team. Surely ANB and Spargo couldn’t have another poor year. They had some glimpses but overall were very disappointing. Goodie’s favourites so I agree they are likely to start round 1, but pressure should come from Chandler and Laurie for these 2 spots.