spirit of norm smith

R17: against Port at Alice Springs … 50/50. Port have no ruck but otherwise at full strength. Lots of run and momentum at they recover from horrid start R18: against Bulldogs at Marvel. They play well at the docklands stadium and have midfield back. Tough one. 60/40 R19: Freo at Freo. Hard to beat at home but we need revenge . It could define our seasons direction. Win and we stay in top 4 count. 40/60 game R20: big one against Collingwood at MCG - expect 75000 (huge ! ) they have our marker right now as their defense owns our inactive forwards - and yes very tough one again 50/50 R21: against Carlton at MCG. Another very tough game. Expect 80,000 as Blues Mania hits It will be finals atmosphere 50/50 R22: against Brisbane at Gabba. Ouch draw for the Dees. We destroyed them earthier but they’re a 6 goal better team at home. Probably a 40/60. So we could win between 0 and 5 in my view. Probably too much optimism to expect we’d win all 6 🤣🤣

In: Melksham 🤞Tomlinson✅️, Rivers🤔 Out: Oliver 👎🏻, Petty😷, Bowey🥶 Melksham. Hmmm. I thought Dunstan would be in to help the clearances issue which really was poor last week. And without Clarry, need another strong body to compete with Wines, Boak and SPP . Maybe we are worried about pace and their run in Rozee, Butters, Amon and Houston. Tomlinson ok. In obviously with Petty out , he’s needed given Power play 3 talls and we need Lever in intercept role Rivers - he’s got the pace and intensity to match some of Ports runners but hmmmm Hunt might have also been handy unlucky - Dunstan Chandler Hunt JVR/Weid lucky Bedford Sparrow very lucky Spargo THIS IS A FULL STRENGTH PORT POWER TEAM. Only miss Lycett. It’s still a very very good team. They were nearly our GF opponents last year It’s a neutral venue We have the ruck advantage but also there’s No Oliver No Tmcd No Petty It’s 50/50 game imv $1.90 each. Absolutely a must win Lose this game, and our top 4 chances hang on a knife edge.

JVR’s going to be a star. But I think Dees have clearly pegged this year for his development. And I agree. He might be nearly ready but it’s a huge step up as a key forward. JVR needs time in the gym and further forward craft. His marking and kicking are certainly great weapons that will be great for his future.

Yes I agree with prior views. Outs: Clarry (inj), Bowey (omitted), Petty (H&S) Likely Ins: Dunstan, Hunt & Tomlinson JVR & Laurie are very unlucky. Chandler has to wait. Weideman disappointingly has definitely slumped again this year Bowey had to go. Poor for several weeks and not effective. Bedford and Spargo must be on “red alert” and consider themselves very lucky to stay in.

We probably cannot attract players chasing $$$s. MFC needs to manage the salary cap to keep Brayshaw and Jackson in top of others on serious $$$ like Gawn, Trac, Clarry, May, Lever, Viney, Salem and Langdon. Need to find a few bargains like Haydn McLean and Sam Sturt to present more forward options.

Yes Bulldogs still #1 - 3rd year running ?? Definitely thought Blues would be the challenger. They often get the “rub of the green”. They definitely got a great run v Saints 21-9 recently… then I think broke even on frees with Eagles at the West-Meth-stadium.

Casey v Geelong VFL Sam Weideman 2 goals 2 behinds 4 kicks 4 handballs 8 disposals 4 marks 3 tackles 1 hit out Eagles v Blues AFL .. Curnow 5, McKay 5, Fisher 2, Durdin 2, Walsh, Cripps, Cottrell. Best : Curnow … If only … 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

Blake Howes will take some time but really want to see him in the last 5-6 weeks of the year. Casey has a bye do extra time for recovery. He could be a very handy mid-forward or running onballer. 🤞for remainder of 2022

it’s a No from me too many $$$ and wouldn’t fit in as our 2nd ruckman to Gawn No forward craft aim for Haydn McLean from the Swans. Affordable cheaper dollars and can play as 2nd ruck or key size strong forward … and is gettable

The kid LDU is a gun. I’d be happy to bring him in. Gets the footy. Excellent kick. Good runner. North can build a future midfield with him, Horne-Francis, Phillips and Simpkin.

Too early to debut this week. I thought we could develop him over 2022 and 2023 and get him in the gym to let his body develop. Preferred to see him physically mature at Casey in next 2 yrs and come in as a 21yo. But Weid’s softness and Tmcd injury has exposed our key forward deficiency. Too early to debut?

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin expected an audit of his AFL side in the heavyweight clash against Geelong - and he got one. But what he didn't expect at GMHBA Stadium on Thursday night was his vaunted midfield unit to get so well beaten around the ball. The Cats dominated clearances (54-36) and inside-50s (66-46), and had 13 more scoring shots, in a comprehensive 28-point win that dislodged the reigning premiers from the top of the ladder. audit 1. Clearances. We will clearly smashed by the Cats and they had outside runners. Dees simply over used the footy in close and handballed to another player under more pressure - circa 2019 and prior audit 2. Marks inside 50. It’s a key indicator to forward line delivery. We bombed the ball in or were too slow. It’s the connection forward of Centre that again needs fixing audit 3. Dumb footy. Harmesy fending off 3 times for the same result. That’s holding the ball. Madness. Pickett again smashing a player after disposal. Happening too often giving away free kicks. Head high tackles. Surely it’s waste high tackles and pin the arms.

There’s a thought … he’s usually a 30% kick player (70% handballs) due to his close contested footy game. But would love to see him ultimately kick a helluva lot more

Hey picket. My comment was tongue in cheek hence the winking emoji. Yes I agree and think he’ll probably miss at least the NT game v Port 😭

Time for a magic glove. Jimmy played with a broken hand. Surely a thumb is not that important 😉

“They also have challenges off the field with Luke Jackson looking increasingly likely to return to Western Australia to play with Fremantle in 2023” why?? He’s still a chance to play at MFC. Sure the delays often mean it’s likely players are leaving but not always

Clayton Oliver - Broken Thumb - 1 week. Blake Howes - Foot | 1-2 Weeks Andy Moniz-Wakefield - Groin | 1-2 Weeks Daniel Turner - Face | 1-2 Weeks Joel Smith - Ankle | 2-4 Weeks Tom McDonald - Foot | 8-10 Weeks Majak Daw - retired

Outs. Spargo (been poor for a while) Bedford (disappointed because he hasn’t taken his chance) Bowey (masking mistakes and getting physically out bodied) and possibly Sparrow (beset with slips and fumbles. Love the kid and setup ANB goal but just not contributing enough) ins. Weid or JVR -,we need another fwd target. Fritsch needs to the 3rd tall but is getting physically sucked into big congested marking contests. Weid more likely but JVR is a talent. Too early?? Chandler - it’s time to reward him and give him the 2-3 game block He hasn’t taken prior chances but need to give him the chance again as Bedford lost his opportunities Hunt has served his exile. We need some pace across HB to break the line Laurie to debut. We need to see what he can do. Only young but has the skill and smart footy we need. At least give him the next two weeks. He deserves a debut. Hibberd May Lever Salem Petty Hunt* Langdon Viney Brayshaw Anb Weid/JVR Laurie* Pickett Bbb Fritsch Gawn Trac Clarry Chandler*! Harmes Jordon Jackson sub. Sparrow if Clarry doesn’t withstand multiple painkillers, then Dunstan replaces him. Otherwise he is picked.

Three words Beaten in clearances No contested marking Melted under pressure Forwards must lift totally missing Tmcd lost premiership favouritism Harmesy stopped fending

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin expected an audit of his AFL side in the heavyweight clash against Geelong - and he got one. But what he didn't expect at GMHBA Stadium on Thursday night was his vaunted midfield unit to get so well beaten around the ball. The Cats dominated clearances (54-36) and inside-50s (66-46), and had 13 more scoring shots, in a comprehensive 28-point win that dislodged the reigning premiers from the top of the ladder.

Outs. Spargo (been poor for a while) Bedford (disappointed because he hasn’t taken his chance) Bowey (masking mistakes and getting physically out bodied) and possibly Sparrow (beset with slips and fumbles. Love the kid and setup ANB goal but just not contributing enough) ins. Weid or JVR -,we need another fwd target. Fritsch needs to the 3rd tall but is getting physically sucked into big congested marking contests. Yes if he’s ok, I’d consider JVR Chandler - it’s time to reward him and give him the 2-3 game block He hasn’t taken prior chances but need to give him the chance again as Bedford lost his opportunities Rivers & Hunt - they have served exile. Need their pace and run across half back. Hibberd May Lever Salem Petty Rivers Langdon Viney Brayshaw Anb Weid/JVR Chandler Pickett Bbb Fritsch Gawn Trac Clarry Hunt Harmes Jordon Jackson sub. Sparrow

6 Brayshaw 5 Viney 4 Lever 3 Petracca 2 Hibberd 1 Petty hard to find any real winners aside from Brayshaw. Gawn and oliver tried hard

Ummm not Clarry ummm

3rd 👌defence solid. Brayshaw lever petty 👍🏻Gawn battling on 😭Clarry clearly not dealing with hard tag 🤮May ??? Not the Same player as last year 😭turnovers by both sides - shockers 🤬cats winning clearances run and spread is winning

Who ? Are they playing ??? Kozzzy has lost his footy iq. He’s one who can win it for us