spirit of norm smith

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.

Sheezel is definitely the classiest player in the draft pool. He’s creativity and skill make him effective in the midfield and in the forward50. He’ll probably to the Bombers at pick 4.

Yes I agree that he needs a big summer ahead. He tends to fumble under pressure and needs to just concentrate on the right decisions. He’s young and got the tools - strength, pace, agression etc to be very handy - mainly as a rotating half forward/midfielder. I’d definitely get him into the goalkicking groove over the summer. He has plenty of opportunities and needs to hit the scoreboard. At least 20+ goals next year at Approx 1 goal a game is the minimum expectation.

That’s a good sign. We need to keep the Riv. He’s only 20-21 and with 3 solid years behind him. Good pace. Good tackling. Good spoils. Good aggression. Like his long kicking. He gets into trouble when he tries to do too much or go for fancy short passes. He’s very good when he sticks to his regular game plan.

Agreed. GC have Ben King so unlikely to use their pick on Jefferson who’s the same prototype. I can see a draft walkthrough that has Jefferson fall to our MFC13 pick given others in the market appeal perhaps ahead of him.

@MadAsHell That’s an outstanding effort and well identified picks. Hollands would be an outstanding pickup. Hope he or Phillipou are there to chose from. I like the bids - which seem in the right spots. I do think that Dees might bid on Alwyn Davey jnr. I think JT might look for a tall-small combo in his model. If we get Hollands or Hotton as running Mids at 13, then look for perhaps Harry Lemmey as a tall ruck/forward at 37. If we get either Phillipou, Gruzewski, Jefferson or Keeler as tall key forwards at 13, then yes look at Jaxon Binns, Billy Dowling, Harvey Gallagher or Toby McMullin.

Will Ashcroft says “Hi”

can’t we keep him undercover !!!

A solid first year from AMW. Certainly showed an ability to compete and tackling is a strong point. When used forward, he was able to score goals or assist set up scoring opportunities. I agree that he could develop as a small defender in the style of Matty Whelan. Tough, hard,honest and skilled.

A “no” from me. He showed great talent in under 18s with the only knock being “intensity” and defensive side of his game. Poulter is a youngster that looked like he used his natural talents in under age footy to excel and his left foot delivery and range is excellent, but I’m not sure the limitations in his game can meet the demands in AFL. He is still young and will probably go back home and get rookied by Power or Crows or into the SANFL in ‘23.

I’d be definitely happy with MFC picking Phillipou. He would have time to develop and a forward line featuring him and JVR and Kozzzy and Fritta would be very dangerous indeed.

@Demonland thanks. Yes I read off the same data. He kicked 31.10 in his 12 games for Footscray VFL. He still looks like a forward option and hopefully can reignite his career at the Dees.

Agree. It’s clearly a joke. Surely.

I think Phillipou goes at the Hawks pick but if not, it’s unlikely he’d get past the Bulldogs at 12. Yet I think Phillipou really suits our line up and would get good opportunity in the forward50 at the Dees. If either Phillipou or Hollands are available, wow that would be a huge bonus.

I really think he’s worthy of a chance elsewhere. Probably the Lions or Suns should definitely have a think given he’s a Queenslander. His pace and strength and run through the mid/wing is what is needed by clubs. He played good footy late in 2020. Unfortunately he was behind Langdon and Brayshaw and Jordon over the past 2 years. Now with Hunter coming in, Oskar is squeezed out. He was a key part of the AFL squad in 21 and the Casey VFL Premiership this year. Good luck Oskar. Sauce, you are a quality bloke.

Schache is a low cost casino move. We gave up nothing really (future 4th rd) to bring him into the red and the blue. His potential and talent is obvious. It’s getting his heart and his head into the right place. We saw glimpses of him in games v Dees and he can be a real asset as a 2nd key forward or even as a defender. I think his natural game is forward of the Centre and his kicking for goal is generally excellent. He kicked 45 goals in the VFL last year. Whilst he could be the “new Weid/Mitch Brown replacement at Casey”, he could prove to be a very smart acquisition and be part of our success in ‘23. Fingers crossed that Goodie and co can turn him into the player that it was thought he could be.

I am a huge fan of Oliver Hollands. He is a running machine, with the footy IQ and skills to become a very good midfielder. Very impressive in the carnival across as a running midfielder. I think was equal BOG in the under 18s Vic metro v Vic Country game. His win in the combined 2km time trial proved his elite running. Together with Phillipou, Hollands is top 10 material and could be snapped up by JT if he was available.

Son of Ian McMullin - former Pies player

Phillipou would be an amazing pick. He’s got the combination of a midfielder with an agile athletic taller forward type. His marking and ground cover is A grade. Package that with the left foot style and he’d be a great addition. The knockers might say he’s from Adelaide and there’s to go home factor, but it wouldn’t think that would deter JT from picking him if available.

Interesting that pick 37 might drift in and out as the Lions will have to give up points/picks to get Ashcroft and Fletcher. Hopefully Ashcroft gets a bid at 1 or 2 and hopefully Fletcher gets a bid placed on him in the later first round picks. If we look at Midfield runners, here’s 4?excellent youngsters: Jaxon Binns Dandenong Stingrays (outside mid/ elite runner) lasts to pick 37, he’d be the steal of the draft imv. Fantastic year including in national championships. He links and runs and connects with the footy. Harvey Gallagher - captain Bendigo Pioneers - another elite runner. Half back/outside mid . Skills and running power to add more outside run to the midfield Billy Dowling - North Adelaide - impressed in SA V VIC country game. Used the footy with smart iq. Can play wing and also drift forward to score goals. Running power is elite. Toby McMullin - Sandringham Dragons - in the shadow of the elite youngsters, but he’s another young running mid who makes smart decisions and gets to the right places. Melbourne Grammar boy so he’s got some former alumni at the Dees. His 2.88s 20m sprint at combine shows he’s got pace to go with his skills and goalkicking. Would be an excellent pickup. If we look at taller options Harry Lemmey West Adelaide SA - 198cms - excellent skills and good goalkicker. Like namesake Harry Petty, can play key forward or key defender. Tom Macullum - Clarence TAS -193cms - whilst players from Tassie haven’t been too popular on draft night, this kid showed plenty in the Allies game v SA that I saw. Looks like a good contested mark and judgement, but also capable of pace and run. Might just lack a few centimetres for key position.