spirit of norm smith

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.

We could be very busy. I assume there is many in the club from Pert to Richo to Goodie to Gawn needing to tick-off the possible Grundy deal and it doesn’t become our salary cap noose rather than the pies !!!

DEES DEFENDER'S FUTURE UNCLEAR MELBOURNE'S Jayden Huntfaces an uncertain future with the free agent remaining unsigned for next year. Hunt is an unrestricted free agent and played 20 games for the Demons this season, including their two finals. He also played 20 games in 2021 and was unlucky to miss out on the club's premiership win last year after injuring his ankle late in Melbourne's campaign. He is without a contract for 2023. West Coast has a level of interest in Hunt and given his free agency status he could leave and join any club without a trade being enacted. The 27-year-old's speed, run and carry is his weapon and he was instrumental in the Demons' round 22 win over Carlton with a season-high 19 disposals and several key moments late in the game. from AFL WEBSITE I recall Dees had offered him a 2 year deal. Assume he might want to get a 3-4 deal elsewhere. Pace is at a premium imv and Hunt is one of our very few with pace , run and burst type players.

Looking at the squads for the final game Vic Metro and Vic Country, there could be up to 18-19 players drafted from this game into the AFL next year. Obviously the stars like Ashcroft are on show, but it’s a huge match for many youngsters trying to shine in front of recruiters before the draft.

Ouch. Go back to the first page and early pages. We’d hope that LJ would at least sign for another 2 years (up to 5 years) with the lure of playing with his mates Riv and Kozzzy and further premiership success. After winning the ‘21 premiership, we were high on optimism. But unfortunately the known poison of the “go home factor” was too strong and the enticement of home-family/surf/$$$ all proven the winner for LJ and his management. It’s all over after 3 years. His burst of brilliance in games (especially the ‘21 GF) and domination v Lions in round 14 this year will be fondly remembered. Though he was always “nearly” ready to be a star, yet still at only 20 and often frustrated with dropped marks and silly decision making. He’s got a lot to thank MFC for and to Goody, the coaches & staff, Jason Taylor and his teammates. Thanks LJ for 52 games, a 2021 premiership player and 2021 rising star winner.

Yes happy to give up 2nd round pick for Grundy … we need to be seen as holding some bargaining power … and if it’s pushed our current 2nd and 3rd round (currently 32,41)

Might be worth a conversation with Jack Bowes from Suns. Reported that he wants to explore options. Highly skilled small-mid defender. Not a priority to fix but worth a 30 minute conversation imv.

Yes a backman coaching the backline. Great work Chappy!!

Agree. I’d be putting at least a 4-year deal in the table to avoid the future rumours and distractions. He’s a star and Dees need to lock him in. Kozzzzzzy - you are exciting to watch - we all love you !!! Go Dees !!!

43 pages and flying - love it !!!

Wait and see “who” and “how” some players may become available. Hard to see yet if any players got our two needs… 1-another key forward and 2-outside running mid with good skills (for forward connection!!!)