spirit of norm smith

Like to see the Dees look at Oliver Hollands as an early draft pick option (whilst Cadman and Humphrey would be preferred, they’re likely to go pick 2 and pick 7 respectively). Hollands is an elite midfield runner with good skills. His delivery into forward50 during the Country v Metro game was impressive. Could be available at around pick 12-14 which would be around the Freo traded pick.

Woey needs 2023 at Casey. He’s still young and skinny. But very good upside. Good skills and smart. Suited to the wing. Look for Woey in 2024 imv.

To reinforce, HUNT played some very good footy this year. Did some excellent shut down work on small forwards with pace. Yes pace. Something that is lacking. Remember Hunt was the key in the last 90 seconds v Blues with three key disposals. Without that, we lose that one . Who provides pace and run out of defence of through centre mid? Anyone ?? Hibbo on last legs. Bowey and Salem are static , foot-pass types. Riv went a little backwards. Deakyn Smith and a Mcvee are below par right now. Hunt played 40 games across the last two seasons so clearly seen as part of the team, not just VFL fringe type. I don’t subscribe that if he stays, we are only better with him playing reserves. He was a part of many of our good wins (We are better with more effective delivery and connection in forward 50!!) Free agent compensation …Dees probably get a 3rd round as compensation and we’d unlikely use the pick. Hunt probably gets at least 3 year deal at the Eagles and a “WE WANT YOU” discussion. Hard to refuse. Good luck to Jayden. He played good footy and deserved more.

Yes it’s really up to Sam. He’s such a great young man. Very nice. Very respectful. Too nice really for a competitive AFL. You couldn’t wish for a truer friend or bloke to have a nice cold Stone and Wood pale ale or Gin & Tonic with. But his role at MFC? Tall forward. Hmmm. He still gets sucked under the footy in marking contests and has too many fumbles. His kicking is generally very good. But he’s had so many chances. One reasonable game. Two poor games. Dropped. That’s the form chart. Backup ruck? Maybe. But just maybe. He was strong at Casey versus young inexperienced VFL rucks. But old man Crossley at Southport either was a break even or Crossley slightly ahead. Sam’s not physical enough and would only be plan B or C if Grundy comes in. Who would be interested in Sam? GWS?? 🤮Collingwood??? Yes given his family link but they’ve already got 6 players lined up to come in (Hill, Mcstay, Fiorini, Hayes, Mitchell, Frampton. Huh!! ) . Sam’s a free agent next year after his contract so he’ll probably go on at MFC.

Won’t our money next year to used to keep Kozzzy, keep paying Grundy and renew 2-3 year deal with May.

And update on Corbett? Thought I read that Freo was going to make an offer !!!! He’s a Vic boy and surely Dees can offer a good opportunity back home and a 2-3 year deal. He’s a genuine goalkicker and would be ready to go.

Agree. Dees could have potentially look to include/added Acres to the LJ deal. Acres was a key player for Freo but wanted a 3-4 year deal.

Ummm. Gunston has over 400 goals at about 2 goals per game and his career stats are mostly listed as elite. Ummm. We need more genuine Goalkickers. We are in the premiership window. He’s 31 but is exactly what we need. He has kicked goals from limited opportunities over the last few years when fit. Strange that he left Crows as he wanted to get back to home in Melbourne. Sure he’s 31 but wouldn’t an offer from Dees mean he stays here in Melbourne and would likely fit straight in. Don’t want him to go to a premiership contender like the Lions.

Brisbane in the premiership window looking to add Gunston & Dunkley and potentially grab Bowes & pick 7. Wow. Cats reigning premiers and could add Henry and Bruhn and potentially grab Bowes & pick 7. Wow.

Jackson should net us at least Freo pick 13 2022 and Freo needs to get pick 11 off the Bulldogs in a potential Lobb trade. Maybe Liam Henry thrown in if Bedford goes. Grundy should cost us pick 32 & 41. We are doing the pies such a huge favour imv. Taking $500k-$600k off their books for 5 years ffs. Little other changes except Hunt and Bedford, arguable two of our fastest 3 players on the move. Players like Narkle could be an option into our midfield rotation but he’s likely to head west to Freo imv. So we’d need more pace into the midfield and a young forward to develop alongside JVR to replace Tmcd/BBB. Potentially we can see draft picks around 11 & 13 ( and Chandler upgrade to the senior list).

Still struggling to see why we signed Spargo to 2025. Lots of question marks still over him and the role/value. Lots of similar type players in other clubs and in/out of the league really. To extend for 3 years , he must have been on a low $$ contract.

Dees might be interested if he’s super cheap !!! Only probably of any interest if Bedford leaves.

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