spirit of norm smith

Have a word to Haydn McLean at the Swans. 23yo. 197cms 95kgs He’s a strong lad and can play Forward or Ruck. Loves a goal and takes a good mark. Behind Franklin,Reid &Mcdonald in forward mix and behind Hickey and Ladhams for ruck. Might be a good offer on a 2-3 year deal.

We’ve all called it. Petty was good all night. The number of contests he impacted didn’t get on the stats. He must have had 7-8 spoils in crucial contests. And his marking is one grab. Three words for Petty “Another solid contribution”.

Ins. Gawn (if fit) Jackson (if fit) outs (if Gawn and Jacko are fit) Mitch Brown, Weid ? Pickett - surely he doesn’t get suspended/ fined for that. If he does then Fogarty gets 3weeks (Chandler the obvious option) ? Hibberd fitness on a short break. - gets Stengle - but Hunt/Rivers the option ? Bedford- really want him in for pace and dangerous around goal. But missed his chance again and was MIA for large periods of time

Clarry is a gun. Totally held and harassed by Berry all night and still just went hard at the footy. Non-stop. What a competitor. Cracks in to every contest. If he can sort out his goalkicking and a few dodgy decisions, he’ll be absolutely elite.

The umpiring was criminal all night. Biased to the Crows. It was 23-9 but also so many missed free kicks for us. We have highlighted the Walker free … it was unbelievable. I think they called play on then the free kick. Oliver was hammered and two umps missed it … somehow. Oliver was scrapped by Berry all night and got nothing. He was held without the footy and not given one free. Keays free in the last (and goal) was another. They didn’t pay holding the ball for most of the night. It was a dog fight. Then 15 metrs out from Crows goal , Brayshaw gets pinged. I almost smashed the Tv. And frees to Doedee and O’Brien were actually met with surprise by them. Maybe chopping arms but that happened over and over again. BBB was smashed in the arms at every contest. Fritsch was held by one arm by Butts and didn’t receive one free kick. I agree the commentary is rubbish. Hudson and Dunstall and Ruccuito were clearly barracking for the Crows. They seemingly never questioned a decision (just thd Oliver one). Then they gave us plaudits once MFC had the game won. Clearly the home town crowd noise had an influence. We had to beat the Crows and the umps !! And we did … Go Dees

Sam tried … sure. He was out of position and against a B grade ruckman in O’Brien. But O’Brien simply bullied him all night. As the competitors described it, O’Brien just was the big kid and the school yard and did what he liked. Weid’s hitouts were mainly v Tilthorpe. Weid’s bump on Keays (rather than tackle) saw Keays just bounce away and Weid go to ground. Well … Weid fumbled in the contest and didn’t show enough mobility or 2nd efforts. That’s what I was looking for against the standard ruck. Competitive marks … 1. At lots and lots of contests. I like Sam and have met him at several team functions. He is a good young man. I have backed Sam and desperately want him to be that key forward that we need and he can fulfill. But his intensity and desire and ability to take chances still doesn’t match up. Sure yesterday he was played out of position and tried but he still didn’t show me the physical side of footy and the agility I was looking for.

6. Petracca 5. Oliver 4. Langdon 3. Lever 2. Viney 1. Brayshaw apologies to Petty , Salem and Harmesy.

Umps 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤮🤮

Free kicks 16 - 7 hit outs 45-11 umps and O’Brien are crows best !

GOALKICKING IS OUR WEAKNESS SHOULD BE 8 GOALS UP

GOALKICKING IS OUR WEAKNESS

Goalkicking is … our weakness

Trac and Clarry. Goalkicking is …

I’m now moving into the “trade Sam Weideman” camp !! Just lacks any intensity. Got tired of waiting.

Maybe Langdon ok as well.

Hmmm I’d have to see it again … I think he looked behind first

Carlton played two games and win with Silvagni in the ruck !! How … quick play and don’t kick to their ruckman in a pack. Ffs.

Anyone ask Bedford what he was thinking!!! 55 metres out - burning off his opponent - open 50 - open goal square … and kicks 40 metres to the pocket where no one is. Really defies any level of thinking ?!?!?!

1st half X decision making x slow play and kicking to packs x overhandballing to players under more pressure x who’s on Dawson !!! Ffs - put Neal-bullen in him x kicking to O’Brien!!!! x oliver 2 misses, Harmesy bad miss from 3metres out 🤮Weid - outmarked outmuscled outplayed dropped marks poor tackles 🤮🤮🤮umps -12 to 6! 🤮Pickett and Bedford nowhere near it 🤮Goodwin coaching - man up on Dawson Low kicks to contests Quick play on footy 🤬May on Walker 😊 lever petty Brayshaw Trac Clarry … and maybe Jordon

Kozzzzzy wtf get in

Vic metro Harry Sheezel looked all class today. Hits targets and his overlap running through the midfield was very good. Will Ashcroft should be likely #1 pick and matched by Lions as father-son pick. Absolutely a steal. Cam Mckenzie is one to like. Class and skill and good turn of pace. Likely onballer or half forward. Tied to Saints NGA unfortunately. Charlie Clarke - smart half forward with good pace. Alwyn Davey jnr - yes and yes. He’s got the class of his dad and uncle. Bombers will be very happy. WA Jedd Buslinger - top 10. Tall key defender and can mark anything in his sights. Elijah Hewitt - midfield star. Strong and quick. Rips in and is definitely a Top 10 prospect.

I’d have that in reverse given Mitch Browns last 2 games. But I hope he shows more intensity today or at least some intensity!!

Chandler is a very good VFL player. Haven’t seen him take his AFL chances. Might be someone again stuck between the levels.

Casey kids v port !!

Danger is really if OBrien dominates the ruck. I was expecting a 7-8 goal win but with Weid and Mitch Brown in the ruck (god help us), I’ll settle for a win.