spirit of norm smith

It’s on fire now. MFC AT WORK!!!

“Essendon trading pick 9 and a future third-round pick” for “Melbourne's future first-round pick and picks 28, 40, 46, 54 and 65”. Certainly overpaying in my view but Dees are super keen to get that pick 9. Probably falls to pick 11 as Ashcroft and Lombard should and must get bid in within the first 5 picks. Did we need to give so much …again ??? The trade offers Bombers over 1800 in points plus the future 1st 2025. Dees get current pick 9 plus future 3rd. Bombers will eat this up. Imv Dees needed to keep 28 or 40 off this trade. Imv the max offering future MFC first-round pick and picks 28, 46, 54 and 65 works as a deal and ultimately the offer. The points from Dees should be strong and keep that pick 40 & 48. Yes 48 to grab Sharp from the Lions. Go to the draft with 5, 9, 40 plus a late slider pick (need to grab 4 youngsters MINIMUM in this draft).

With the father son and academy picks being high quality youngsters, I think there will be now 28 youngsters in the “first round”. Who has the picks and where they go is still in the mixing bowl This 28 includes: the standard 18 picks the 5 likely matched academy & father son picks the 2 additional picks allocated to the Kangas last year as compensation and in trades by the Roos, and the 3 compensation free agent picks allocated to the Giants (Cumming, Perryman) and Saints (Battle). (likely 1st round) 1 Sam Lalor- GWV⭐mid/utility 2. *** Levi Ashcroft. Mid. ⭐️Brisbane match bid. Father son. 3. Finn O'Sullivan - Oakleigh⭐️mid/utility 4. Harvey Langford- Dandenong⭐️tall mid 5. Sid Draper - Sth Adel ⭐️mid 6. Jagga Smith - Oakleigh. ⭐️Mid. 7. *** Leonardo Lombard.⭐️ Mid. Suns match bid - (Academy ). 8. Xavier Lindsay - Gippsland⭐mid/hbf 9. Luke Trainor -Sandringham.⭐️ Tall fwd/back 10. Josh Smillie -⭐️ Eastern. Tall mid. 11. Tobe Travaglia - Bendigo. Running mid/hbf. 12. Alix Tauru - Gippsland. tall fwd/back 13. Murphy Reid - Sandringham. Mid. 14. Harry Armstrong - Sandringham. Key fwd 15. Bo Allan - WA. Mid 16.*** Isaac Kako. Small fwd. Calder. Ess match bid. - (Ess NGA) 17. Taj Hotton - Sandringham. Mid/hff 18. Jobe Shanahan - Bendigo (NSW) . Key fwd 19.*** Sam Marshall. Mid. Sandringham. Lions match bid. - Bris Lions academy 20. Joe Berry - Murray. HFF/mid. 21. Cooper Hynes - Dandenong - mid/fwd 22. *** Ben Camporeale. Mid. Glenelg SA. Blues match bid. ( father son). 23. Alex Dodson- SA . Ruck 24. Jonty Faull - GWV. Key fwd 25. Ollie Hannaford - GWV Small fwd/mid 26. Jack Whitlock - Murray. Key fwd 27. Jesse Dattoli - Northern. Mid/hff 28. Hamish Davis - Claremont WA. Mid/hff ————————————— Others just on the fringe and likely first picked in the 2nd round are Harrison Oliver (Sandringham. Tall def), Christian Moraes (Eastern. Mid)& Tom Gross (Oakleigh. Mid).

If the Dees can trade in “pick 9” off the bombers, then I’d be keen on drafting Xavier Lindsay with this pick. If we got either Lalor or Langford at pick “5” (inside mid bulls), Lindsay would be the perfect addition as a highly skilled left footer who can play half back or midfield. He captained the Gippsland Power team. As previously written, he plays like Josh Kelly (GWS) offering the ability to win the ball in close as well as run and spread. Undoubtedly injury ended his year early and he didn’t test at the combine. He’s got class and skills to add a lot to our future.

Unbelievable AFLW draw. 3 1/2 day break. Really. Expect fatigue could be a factor. Oh and yes, it’s 3 1/2 days after an interstate travel. Low scoring affair. I think it’s only a goal or less at the end. Go Dees 💙❤️💙❤️ #LivingstoneWakeUp your schedule is rubbish.

Tough game this week. Simply cannot believe that Purcell is back. She’s so brave. What a true warrior. We love ya Liv. 👏❤️💙

One potential exchange is Lions give Harry Sharp and pick 32 (584 points) Dees give picks 40,49, 54, 65 (1041 points) *Brisbane get additional 457 points *Dees then have 5,28,32 in draft … Yes? No? Maybe? Nb …Equivalent points match for picks 49,54,65 is roughly pick 32. Dees giving up 40 for Sharp. ?!?!?! But actually it’s more like MFC giving up 49 because Lions would only give up pick 32 for picks that deliver much “higher points” in exchange. 🤔Dees also could exchange MFC 2025 future 1st for 2024 GC Pick 13 to get Four picks in first “32” … JT 🧙‍♀️

Agree @manny100 Derksen is trying to do the best for his family and himself. Giants are being stubborn preventing a young player who they haven’t played in 2 1/2 years.

Yes probably pick 54+ is likely. It’s going to be a game of poker and bluff!!

Just smile and enjoy http://mfcde.es/3YiuFNs

The update…close of business Friday 11 October 2024 LIST UPDATE Tom Campbell - delisted free agent … 32yo VFL ruckman. Signed up 4/10/24 🤔 Wade Derksen - 2 1/2 yrs with GWS. Zero games. Nominated the Dees but GWS standing firm saying no trade 🤬 James Peatling - GWS - has sought trade to the Crows. Dees one of five interested clubs (missed out) 🥵 Dan Houston - originally planning a move to the Dees then all the dramas at MFC seemingly killed that move. Houston said committed to Port. Houston move then back in to Vic … Kangas, filthy Pies and arrogant Blues in the race (Dees to miss out) 🤮 Matt Owies - Dees originally linked but seems to have cooled. Media reporting his salary is high at >$600k. (We should pass on this) 👍🏻 Clayton Oliver potential move to Cats gets media filth bags all excited. Pert reportedly shopping Clarry around. Tim Lamb says never was on the cards despite Clarrys farm visit!! (Relief) Damien Barrrett, Sam McClure, Greg Baum, Matthew Lloyd all continue to stir up rumours that this is untrue and Clarry will walk to the Cats (he’s under contract but this doesn’t stop mud throwing journos) Harry Sharp - Brisbane Lions - like Kiwi in the Melbourne Cup, has come from nowhere to apparently be ready to sign up with the Dees. Played 6 games in 2024 Sees better opportunities at the Dees, with his run and carry style being sought after At 22years, he has some upside still and his endurance will be an asset. Pick swaps rumours. Dees seeking moves with Lions or Suns. Dees future 1st potentially on the table plus a mix of our current picks. Wait and see how and what eventuates as pick swaps can be ongoing up until and including on the draft night All quiet on MFC showing any interest in Brandon Parfitt. 🤔🤔🤔 ❌😭ANB returned home to Adelaide for pick “28” - likely be pick 34/35 after academy and father son bids & matching

Melbourne is giving GC something to think about on pick 13. The Demons have offered a future 1st rounder + pick 28. I’m not sure about this. Would like GC 13 & 41 picks for Dees future 1st rounder + pick 28. What to do with pick 13 … 1/ used as late bid for Houston or 2/ after academy and Ashcroft picks, it’s likely to be pick “16” to be used for a youngster like Joe Berry, Ali’s Tauru or Taj Hotton or Cooper Hynes. (🤞but I think Xavier Lindsay will be gone at this pick)

I think Dees are really hoping Adams develops more but he’s going to take time and is still a 50:50 bet right now. In this years draft crop , another young WA boy, Clancy Dennis was CHB in the All Australian under 18s. He reminds of Sam Taylor from GWS (in playing style, not looks). Dennis is a good mark, spoils well and is mobile. At 195cms, his competitive nature allows him to compete against bigger forwards. Again he’s needing two years of development before assuming any key defender role. He’s probably around pick 50 in my rankings.

Pick swaps. Commentators were very excited.

VFL stats show he was consistent through the year without starring particularly in any certain game. His stats show a higher kick to handball ratio, offer relating his more outside run and carry role. Sounds good to provide another link type player. Pick 54 is enough in exchange for Sharp.

Barrett again. IF ... the Dees tried to shut down the Clarry talk late last week ... THEN ... it hasn't gone away. He still desperately wants out. And the Cats will try something before Wednesday night's trade deadline. Whatever the outcome, this club cannot continue with Gary Pert as CEO.

Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver has reportedly “cleaned out his locker” and is willing to take a pay cut to force a move away from the club. The Demons have consistently said Oliver isn’t up for the trade, but more information continues to come to light about the on-baller’s intentions to try seek a trade to Geelong. Speaking on 3AW Mornings, Matthew Lloyd says Oliver still wants to before next Wednesday’s deadline, labelling the situation an “absolute mess”. There’s reports over the last 24 hours that he still wants out despite Melbourne saying they’re not trading him,” Lloyd said on 3AW. “A lot people believe that he’s cleaned out his locker and he’s willing to take a pay cut, he just doesn’t want to go back there.”

Oliver is under contract. You just don’t sign a contract and decide the fresh air & farm life is appealing. If there’s no great offer in a trade, then enforce the NOT TO BE TRADED message. The media loves the drama and hearsay.

He’s a good runner and competes. Could fill the half forward or half back role. I’m a Yes. Pick 54 seems about right. Probably deal could include us not bidding on Sam Marshall as a gentleman’s agreement 🤔

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/oliver-would-take-a-pay-cut-to-make-his-cats-dream-a-reality-20241010-p5khg2.html McClure is a piece of 💩💩💩💩💩

Smillie was probably top 3 at the start of the year. But he slightly underperformed and has slipped. I still have him at pick 10 in phantom draft so likely Saints or Bombers will be the likely suitors. He can kick it 55 metres, inside contested midfielder, big 193cms lad, strong. But it’s his intensity and defensive efforts that were being evaluated and questioned.

Kate Hore 75 games 👏👏👏❤️💙 Sinead Taylor 50 games 👏👏👏❤️💙 A momentous win to celebrate Stinnear has changed the game style. Win the contest. Gain territory. Go again. Tackle. Pressure. The multi handball over possession game is hopefully put in the bin.

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/301392/hore-joins-melbourne-as-aflw-rookie MFC is so blessed to have Kate Hore. Keep Kate for life. What a captain. What a captain. She’s a beautiful person on and off field. Her drive to succeed and her leadership is motivating the under strength Dees. 👏👏👏

@WERRIDEEMcAdam in for round 1. That’s optimistic. Hopefully he has a big preseason and proves some value. Our “future 2nd buy” (2024 draft) for him appears to have been way overs for an injury plagued 29year old 50 gamer.

Brave win. Huge upset. This team showed tremendous courage and tenacity. 👏👏👏👏💙❤️💙❤️💙❤️