spirit of norm smith

I’d think the Dogs know their defence needs improvement but wanted us also to absorb some of the contract. They’ll need $$$ for Lobb but send potential Dunkley $$$ away.

I’d like to keep that money set aside for a 5-year deal out for Zac Butters at end of 2023.

I’m still putting out the 3 year contract extension right now. Dees don’t have a great record with keeping Sandgropers and stopping the go home factor. The media beats it up and we want to be well ahead of the process.

??? Pies linked to Mcstay, Tom Mitchell, Fiorini, Hill , Frampton ??? How do they pay for DEGOEY and still offer $$ to offer clubs players. Surely most of the Grundy dump goes to pay for Mcstay. (How much were the Brown brothers getting … assume it was fairly basic contracts).

I don’t subscribe that the Cats would have decimated the Dees in the prelim or Gf. Dees were on top in every game in which we eventually faded and sadly lost in season 2022. Only did the game at Pussycat park on a Thursday night did we look off pace but that was at the Cats home and an MCG venue would have suited us. If we comparevDees v Cats 21 prelim - Dees annihilated Cats by 83 points - and Cats Gf 22 team. It was minus (-Holmes Ratugolea Henderson Menegola) included +Dekoning Stengle O’Connor Stewart. Sure some handy inclusions but I think our best is the equal of them. If we get the “forward connection” and our heads right, we are confident in 2023. We fear no one. Our best is capable of winning it.

No more small forwards or small defenders for me We have Hibbo Riv Salem Hunt Bowey D.Smith and Mcvee We have Kozzzy Spargo ANB Bedford Chandler Laurie AMW Currently oversubscribed in my view I’d like to bring the ruck/forward option to replace LJ, plus another skilled speedy midfielder (like a Chad Warner type) to run and provide good entries into forward 50.

Is the strategy to get Grundy to try to extend Gawns career so he’s not so “wrecked”. Or does Max already have an injury that he carried for the 2022 season. Grundy will be 29 and Max 31 at the start of next year. Perhaps each can remarkably extend out their careers together.

Agree Fritsch and Kozzzy were excellent Agree ANB and Spargo simply underperformed but also our key forward deficiency means in 2023 we need TMCD/JVR/BBB to also produce Hawkins 67 v … Cameron 65 v …

Agreed. That was my point. Our game style of pressure and contested footy still works. It’s the execution with the footy and sharpness of transition that counts as well and cats showed that.

does Grundy help us beat the Cats !! If yes, then go for it. from the GF, I think you need a potent forward line and quick direct ball movement. Cats playing 2021 Dees type pressure and zone.

Swans running kick it to the GOALSQUARE GOAL !!!!

Buddy !! Get them going

KICK IT TO THE TOP OF THE GOAL SQUARE GUESS WHAT GOAL GOAL GOAL

Some moments of the year … Best win. Kozzzzys match winning goal v Blues Game of the year - Smashed the Lions by 10 goals at the Gabba in round 23 to finish 2nd Goals of the year … Langdon inverse banana v Bombers from the boundary line … Fritsch goal v Lions in finals … Mark of the year … Spargo reverse speccy v Freo at MCG … Luke Jackson v Lions in round 14…

I just feel so frustrated. Dees should be there. Such a disappointing end to the year. I’d be happy to play either in the GF. We owned the Swans until the umps changed the course. I think it’s the Cats this year.

Would be sorry to see Tomlinson go. He was very handy through 1st half of 2021 and to cover May-Petty in 2022. Strange that the Dogs are the option. I thought Hawks or Crows.

Unfortunately I can’t see Oskar Baker getting a new deal. Likely delisting post the trade period I have liked his pace and energy but his skill sometimes let him down. Certainly one of Casey’s best this yearand key player in their premiership. He is too good for VFL footy. Perhaps still could be AFL quality yet not at the Dees as he’s unlucky to be behind Langdon, Brayshaw and Jordon right now (plus we have Woey jnr and Howes coming through). Could he be traded for a future 4th rounder?

Let’s sit back and see where the trades take us. We might only get 2 (+ Chandler upgrade to main list) or 3 draft picks. Wait to consider MFC phantom until post trade period.

That’s harsh. He played some very good footy this year. Did some excellent shut down work on small forwards with pace. Yes pace. Something that is lacking. And don’t forget he was the key in the last 90 seconds v Blues with three key disposals. Hunt played 40 games across the last two seasons so clearly seen as part of the team, not just VFL fringe type. Yes he may go to get a longer contract and more $$$. But I don’t subscribe that if he stays, we are only better with him playing reserves. (We are better with more effective delivery and connection in forward 50!!)

Vic Country battled on all day and unlucky to lose a high quality contests. Mids: Jaxon Binns - ✅- just loves to run and run and bounce and run. Also smart by hand and foot delivery. Elite AFL quality runner suited to link role or outside clearances. Kicked a nice 35m goal in 2nd qtr. I’d like to see him in JTs list. Oliver Hollands ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- started on fire and is complete midfielder. Can play inside or outside mid role and disposal is excellent with good vision. Work rate all day. Surely he’s around pick 6-10 in draft. Harvey Gallagher - A very smart running small mid. Impressed with his contested footy and spread. Kept going all day. (Henry Hustwaite was quiet but his decision making and Pendlebury type composure was thereto see. Might be top 20ish or could drift into 3rd round. Mitch Szybkowski was in and under but can see how he drifts down the board compared with better Mids. Rhys Clark was also relatively quiet for top 5-7 prospect but saw him some nice things). Defenders: Harley Reid - underage and eligible for ‘23 draft but almost ready to go into AFL now. Tough defender who wins one on one contests. Agression at the contest, the footy and his opponent. Kicked two goals in last qtr when put into attack. Caleb Mitchell- ✅- just loved his footballer type game. Decision making and disposal was excellent. Sharp left foot kick always looks good. Half back role. Coby Burgiel - good in patches with wing-half back role pushing forward. Faded out in the 2nd half. Forwards Aaron Cadman - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- wow. If there is ever a player for MFC, young Cadman is the one. Everyone says he’s like Jeremy Cameron… and he totally is. He marks. He kicks goals. He kicked two great goals in the last qtr to almost seal it for country. He moves all around the forward line and is incredibly dangerous. He can kick 50m with ease. Bailey Humphrey - ✅- whilst he’s obviously more a strong mid, his Aaron Hamill type strong forward role was very good. Solid and quick and tough and skilled. That’s enough to see him go top 10. Kicked a lovely running goal in 2nd qtr. He had limited midfield minutes but with a AFL preseason under his belt, he’d play round 1 2022. Like him at the Dees. Jakob Konstanty- ✅- smart and skilled mid or forward. Quick and lively and clever player. Worth noting that Finn Emile-Brennan was very quiet. Seemed younger and certainly not physically developed especially pushed aside too easily in 2-3 contests. His ball use is elite and he hit a few nice targets. Only see him as a rookie at this time which would be good but I am unsure if Dees would have any spots available.

Vic Metro pulled off a great victory to win the championships. Vic Metro Mids Will Ashcroft -⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ definite number 1. Was like Sam Walsh in his draft year. So smart. Great skills. Walk into round 1 2023 at Lions. Harry Sheezel- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- quieter today but he oozes class. His goal in the last where he won the contest and spun out to kick a banana goal from 30m was outstanding. Classy by foot and will play half fwd then into midfield role after 2-3 years. Cam Mckenzie- almost an Ashcroft type clone. Clean by hand and has vision to spot targets by hand or foot. Probably top 10-12 prospect. Darcy Edmunds- slightly built wingman. Kicks well on both feet and can run the field. 50+ draft pick but worth the late selection Cooper Harvey - got into the game and showed his Dads determination and smarts. A good father son addition fo Kangas. (Elijah Tsatas, Alwyn Davey jnr and Oli Hotton were quiet today). Defenders: Josh Weddle - very good rebound half back. Good size and pace for tall defender. If he didn’t have Lever,Turner,Smith then Weddle would be a good get. Bailey Macdonald- sme with his pace and dash from half back. Took the game on and used the corridor. Lewis Hayes - key back who had the better of Humphrey and controlled the defence, but was physically beaten in the last qtr by young Harley Reid. Paul Pascu - almost a Hibbo type clone. Taller half back with excellent driving left foot kick. Disciplined defender. Perhaps won’t get drafted but he’s one to key an eye on forwards Matthew Jefferson - contested well and kicked vital goal in last qtr. A few years ahead in the gym but he’ll appeal to some clubs as a project forward. Max Gruzewski- ✅very strong in first quarter with two excellent contested marks and goals. Only a few opportunities after that. At 192cms, might just be a key forward if he grows. I’d definitely see him being a key name in JTs list on draft day. Charlie Clarke - quiet today but kicked 2 crucial goals in the first half. Smart and pacy. Can see him as an opportunist forward at AFL level. Jovan Petric - taller midsized half forward. Quiet until last quarter when he kicked an amazing goal and marked well in contests. Played in the ruck in a burst. If you had a rookie pick, he’d be considered. .

Do whatever we can to get Cadman !!! Wow. He’s going to be a star and might be the virtual number 1 behind Ashcroft.

Jaxon Binns continues to show as a type of player that I’d like see at the Dees. He is another elite runner like Langdon and runs and runs and bounces and runs and delivers. AFL qualities including clearance link running and able to kick goals. Whilst a priority is a key forward, another pacy running mid would be handy.

1st half. Lots of youngsters who will fill top 10,20 and 30 draft positions. Vic Country - Bailey Humphrey, Jakob Konstanty, Jaxon Binns, Caleb Mitchell, Oliver Hollands and Harley Reid all shining out imv. Cadman well held but he’s a star and has future star already stamped. Finn Emile-Brennan had had 3 beautiful kicks but looks so slight in the body that he’s pushed aside to easily. Probably only a rookie chance imv. Vic Metro - Will Ashcroft will play round 1,2023. Already 13-14 possessions and such a great skilled midfielder. Others to shine were Gruzewski in the first quarter, Lewis Hayes as key back, Harry Sheezel’s class and Darcy Edmunds with skill on left or right foot. Oli Hotton very quiet 1st half.

1st quarter Vic metro - the star was Max Gruzewski. Two great contested marks. Two goals. Looks a good mark and build. Around 192cms . Lovely stylish kick for goal. Charlie Clarke - good tackle and goal from 45m. Vic country - Bailey Humphrey. Big and strong and Aaron Hamill like. Cadman kicked a good goal from 40m after a free kick. Oliver Hollands racking up possessions and just runs and accumulates.