spirit of norm smith

Never a better time than to start planning for 2023. The draw? Or the “biased coordinated schedule of events” is a better description. We hopefully get a balanced schedule in 23. Given the Dees finished 5th in 2022, I thought I’d go and check who finished 5th in 2021 and how we might get a similar draw - and who we could play twice. So Lions finished 5th. Knocked out like the Dees in straight sets. Lions played Dees, Giants, Saints, Bombers & Suns twice. That’s 1st, 7th,8th,10th,16th. So hypothetically Dees would play Cats, Tigers, Bulldogs, Saints and Giants twice. That’s ok. Some thoughts for 2023 to start 1- special games: a) play home games v Tigers (Anzac day), b) v Pies (Kings birthday) , c) v Giants in the NT game. 2- play Cats, Blues, Bombers and Saints at the MCG. $$$$$$$s 3- play last round at home v Cats at the G. 4- interstate games x 6 -v Swans, v Giants, v Suns (during July school holidays) v Crows, v Eagles, v Freo. 5- play Lions and Power at the MCG. HOME- 10 MCG games v Tigers, Pies, Cats, Blues, Saints, Bulldogs, Bombers, Lions, Power, Kangas. Plus NT game Interstate games 6… plus “local” away games Hawks (MCG) Cats (GMHBA), Tigers (MCG), Bulldogs ( Marvel) , Saints(Marvel). Anyway it’s really in the hands of the AFL team of actuaries and their marketing department!!!

Retirements? ⏱❌Mitch Brown - off the rookie list Hibberd and Melksham- each are likely to be given 1-year more. ❌Jackson - to be traded out Other trades? Bedford and Tomlinson could seek more opportunities and a fair go elsewhere. ?? Hunt - free agency?? Delistings? Most likely are Baker and Rosman. Disappointed for Baker as he stars at VFL but behind too many at the Dees. Langdon, Brayshaw and Jordon ahead of him. Rosman has not had a good run with injuries. Showed signs with long kicking game but lacked footy smarts at times … ideally needs a rookie season to get fully fit and continue development. Not sure he gets one.

Yes I thought Dees might look to grab one of the Kangas “compo” picks. Unfortunately the only two with bargaining chips we can look at are Bedford or Tomlinson. Their appetite to move is depending on - how the relationship is with the coach (given they got quickly flicked to Casey, whilst others were consistently non performing) and/or -whether they and their manager think they get more games and game time elsewhere. Tomlinson stepped up easily when we were without May or Petty. He played good games but was put back to Casey once May-Petty returned. He allows Lever to play as a 3rd tall and intercept player. If Lever has to pickup the 2nd best defender, then he’s less effective. Tomlinson offers high quality backup and owned games back at Casey. If he’s not in Goodys favourites list, it’s very disappointing but he might as well look elsewhere.

Some declarations and rumours on moves: (updated) Crows +Rankine Dogs +Jones(Fa). +Lobb -Dunkley Kangas +Tucker +Logue Freo +Jackson -Tucker -Lobb -Logue -Acres Blues +Acres Suns +Long -Rankine -Fiorini Saints -Long Dees -Jackson +”Grundy” Port -Amon +Rioli Eagles -Rioli Hawks +Amon Cats. + Bruhn +O.Henry Pies —Grundy -O.Henry +Mcstay +Hill +Fiorini Lions -McStay +Dunkley Tigers. +Hopper +Taranto Giants -Hopper -Taranto -Bruhn -Hill Swans

Thanks. Maybe he’s a late developer (did he grow up in traditional AFL youth pathways). Looked very capable and ticks many boxes in my view. Small to mid size defender. Solid. Fast. Good skills. Long left foot kick. I admit it’s unlikely to grab him as a rookie pick but have to remember the Kane Lambert-Mihocek-Hind type examples where players are 22/23yo, playing very good VFL footy and can transition quickly.

?? Pies looking at adding Fiorini (suns) Frampton (crows) Hill (Giants) and Mcstay (Lions). Is that a joke? No real retirements or delistings so where does the extra cash arrive from. Even if they offload Grundy, they’d likely still pay $400k of his $800k contract. Mcstay eats up the $400k alone. They need $$$ to retain DEGOEY. As well extra $$$s for other pies as well after this year. The Maths doesn’t add up.

Thanks for the post. Pies low score reflects how many close games they actually won. Often they snatched victory with a team effort. The Blues Cripps 3 votes Cerra 2 votes in round 23 was an example.

Interested to try to get some more vision on Kwaby Boakye from the Southport Sharks. He looked to be a strong running half back. Strong build and excellent left foot disposal , even in the wet. Maybe a sneaky late draft pick imv with the ability to step straight in.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/appeal-won-patrick-cripps-in-the-clear-over-rough-conduct-charge-20220811-p5b98c.html what a joke !!! technical legal issue presumption of a bump … tribunal should have allowed a review of a bump or a chest-mark action ffs

Round 23. Brisbane absolutely smashed. 3 to either Oliver or Petracca 1 to either Brayshaw , Jackson or Kozzzy but no way to Neale wtf

Dees v Lions. No votes for Clarry. what a joke !!! 🤮🤮

AFLW Lions are probably now premiership favourites

Clarry still in the hunt but would’ve been nice to see a “3” in one of the early games.

He’s a classy mover but as a 18yo lean lad, conditions were not in his favour. In and under contested footy is not him. Missed 13 weeks due to his injury so getting him back on the park was a bonus. A full pre season ahead with extra gym work.

Objective - Win the premiership ✅ delivered - Have experienced players ready to step up if required ✅ Delivered … Dunstan. Chandler. Bedford. Tomlinson. Melksham. Baker etc Develop players for MFC ✅ Delivered… Turner. JVR. Laurie. Woey jnr. ANW. Howes. Mcvee. 3/3

Southport Sooks. It’s the VFL and they’re lucky to be even included.

Great win. Great season Congratulations to everyone at Casey Demons 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 Tough conditions but the team had warriors all over the park. Chandler and Dunstan were in and under the packs all day. Melksham 4 goals was a match winning effort. JVR good in tough conditions for a key forward. Weid in the ruck was ok against a bigger bodied opponent (break even probably). Oskar Baker (in probably his last game at the Dees) was also in the best, with his kicking and running all day. White (BOG) and Munro are absolutely hard nuts. Munro 17 tackles and a goal. Wow the emotion. A special mention for Daniel Turner’s two smothers in the dying minutes (with the game already won) were excellent. His determination and aggression will be good for MFC next year. Casey - a great year. Reward for the stalwarts and development of the youngsters. Job done.

Quick query though. Of all the “free agent” signings, how many FREE players have the Dees acquired from this rule? I can’t remember any. It was supposed to help bottom clubs but actually think it ended up as a rule to keep top clubs strong.

Agree. But the pies will likely bring in a few players like Hill and Mcstay and get back Taylor Adams who is a very very good player. I agree they won many on a knifes edge due to luck and accuracy. Yes the draw will mean they get tougher run next year. But unlike the Dees, they won’t get to play Cats at Geelong!!!

Agree DD

Why are Collingwood willing to trade Grundy? - injury will persist and restrict his future (?) - need some salary cap space (to recruit Mcstay) and Grundys $800,000 a year wage is too large given Cox and Cameron combo preferred (?) Why does Melbourne want Grundy? - need some relief for Gawn to share the ruck load - if Pies pay 1/2 salary, then he represents a reasonable risk/reward I’m sure Pert will be across this decision and have some insights from his time with Collingwood and connections.

Yes likely as a rookie. He has good foot skills which would improve our team and transition. I agree he’s in need of 2-3 years in the gym.

Agree. His pace and goalkicking is a weapon. Goody just loved putting him as a sub. Even when our small forwards were out of form, Goody refused to bring in Chandler or Bedford.

Gotta get the kid a pen. He’s got the talent we still need. Pace and goalkicking. Just get his confidence up. Dodoro and bombers … “fire-truck” off!!

Guess what SWANS V MAGPIES NEITHER TEAM IS KICKING THEIR FORWARD ENTRIES TO DEEP FORWARD POCKET NEITHER TEAM IS KICKING HIGH CLOUD-BUSTING KICKS TO THEIR KEY FORWARDS WHY DID WE DECIDE TO PERSIST WITH SUCH CRAP FORWARD ENTRIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!