spirit of norm smith

Today I’m relaxed. Years ago this was our bright light and our search for a glimmer of hope. But we have our premiership 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆and we have confidence in JT and team to make the right moves.

It’s still likely to have 1- GWS :Cadman 2- Lions (f/son) Ashcroft 3- Kangas : Sheezel 4- Kangas : Wardlaw 5- Bombers : Tsatas 6- Suns: Ginbey 7 - Hawks : Phillipou 8- Cats: Clark 9- Eagles: Busslinger 10- Saints: Mckenzie 11- Carlton: Humphrey 12- Bulldogs: Hollands 13 - Eagles: Allan 14- Dees… leaves us with a likely Hewitt or Jefferson choice. (we should bid on Davey or Fletcher if no other clubs have pushed that button) . I’d prefer Phillipou, Hollands or Allan but I’m thinking they’ll definitely be gone by our pick. The media have us in line for pick swaps I love our aggressive approach and creative look at the draft process. If we tempted the Bombers, Tsatas would be a huge win even if we gave up 2-3 picks to land him. Pick swaps to grab 19-22? … I’d see us definitely looking at Brayden George or Max Gruzewski at this pick. Either would be great additions although we’d have to wait on George until 2024. Dees seemed to be rumoured to be looking at Jakob Ryan as a speedy rebounding half back. Others at this pick would be Jaiden Major or Jakob Konstanty if available. Pick 37 may be part of pick swaps or unused. If it sits “as is”, then with pick 37 we’d have a look at Harry Lemmey (ruck) or running Mids like Jaxon Binns, Harvey Gallagher or Billy Dowling. Each represent very good outside run and skill. Caleb Mitchell from the Bushrangers is my smokie selection.

Yes agree. Tough to get the bombers pick 4 which is a premium potential A grader to give up as a selection. GWS might be good to do a pickup swap for a future 2023 (Freo) 1st rounder.

Brayden George. It’s a yes from me. Like his style. Perhaps 13 is too high but it’s clear that JT and the Dees are looking at how to get that 2nd pick earlier to perhaps grab George or Gruzewski.

Reminds me of Aaron Hamill. Strong in the body and good pace and agility. But is he a forward or a big midfielder. Perhaps Brendan Goddard is the best comparison.

Yes it’s Jefferson Jefferson Jefferson to the Dees. JT was quite cagey on our strategies and that we have needs - primary needs and secondary needs. He said whilst we might need a KPF, it may be in a player in our first or second pick. the knightmare picks 15. Melbourne - Matthew Jefferson - Oakleigh Chargers (VIC) An athletic, high-flying key forward, Jefferson is one of the best readers of the ball in flight in this draft and is a marking force forward of centre. Providing heavy scoreboard impact during the Under-18 Championships headlined by seven goals for Vic Metro against Western Australia, Jefferson does not need to find much of the football to put points on the board. 👍🏻👍🏻 39. Melbourne - Harvey Gallagher - Bendigo Pioneers (VIC) A versatile overager who plays his best football across half-back, Gallagher displays a burst of speed, good agility, and evasion, regularly takes on the game with his run and generates meaningful drive by foot. An impressive intercept mark for a small, Gallagher reads the play early to get into position for intercept marks. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

I’d think a future 2023 (Freo) 1st and ‘22 MFC #37 for ’22 #19 and a return GWS future 2nd is a good deal Might be the strategy to add an earlier pick this year to grab Brayden George or Max Gruzewski.

Lions will be hard to beat Springfield? FFS1. I know Brisbane very well. Springfield is like going up to Craigieburn or Pakenham for the game. It’s 35-40 minutes away from Brisbane. And new grass? 4 weeks old!!! the heat? FFS2. Wow. Today is 35c in Brisbane. BoM shows 30c on Sunday. So let’s play the GF in the extreme heat of the day. Madness from the AFLW. Why not Saturday night??? Why not Sunday twilight… 5:40 Bris. 6:40 Melb.

Assume it’s JVR

Can’t see the Saints missing Cam Mckenzie if he’s available. Local boy who is a simple choice for them. Has the class and running ability to be an excellent midfielder and not too far behind Ashcroft this year.

It’s still likely to have 1- Lions (f/son) Ashcroft 2- GWS :Cadman 3- Kangas : Wardlaw 4- Kangas : Tsatas 5- Bombers : Sheezel 6- Suns: Humphrey 7 - Hawks : Ginbey 8- Cats: Clark 9- Eagles: Busslinger 10- Saints: Mckenzie 11- Carlton: Phillipou 12- Bulldogs: Hollands 13 - Eagles: Allan 14- Dees… leaves us with a Hewitt or Jefferson choice. (we should bid on Davey or Fletcher if no other clubs have pushed that button) . I’d prefer Phillipou, Hollands or Allan but I’m thinking they’ll be gone. Hewitt is that tough skilled midfielder who is ready to play. His inside determination and good speed are AFL quality already. Sure we have a strong midfield but this kid adds more strength. Jefferson is the type of player we need but he’s a few years away in terms of physical readiness. Plays like the King brothers as the tall gangly key forward. May be tempting as a local lad. Brayden George and Gruzewski are the probably the wildcard options for our 1st pick.

Good story on Sam Gilbey on AFL website. Certainly was a top 15 chance at the start of the 2022 year before firstly glandular fever and then a broken leg meant we saw little action from him this year. His left foot skill and delivery is not unlike Hayden Young or Jack Scrimshaw type. Taller 6’2” half year. Interesting to see if he drifts and is available around the mid 30s. Could be a nice “Hibbo replacement” if JT was a fan.

Thanks @58er. I’m not a fan of pushing “13” down the list. It should get us one of a Hollands, Phillipou, Hewitt or Allan.

Hollands, Phillipou, Hewitt and Jefferson in that order for me. Allan as the wildcard. Not sure any others from the top 10 will drop down. If no other club did before our pick, I think we’d put a bid on Jaspa Fletcher , to make sure Lions pay a high price for their second father son pick.

Good call. I reckon he goes around the high 20s. But I agree he’d be a great addition if somehow Gruzewski got to the Dees. Not sure we will have takers if we try to trade our way up the board.

Mc i Double letters love it 😊

I’d be happy if WCE choose Allan with pick 8 or 12. It would increase our chances of Hewitt, Phillipou or Hollands being available which would be a huge win to get either of these 3 youngsters.

Agree. If Brayden George was available at pick 37, I’m sure JT would have him in serious consideration. He’s a lottery pick given his injuries this year.

Cam Mckenzie. Wow. He’s all class. Unlikely to be available for us. Should go to the Saints at pick 9-10.

Ditto. Hollands, Hewett, Phillipou or Allan. Well played PSD

@picket fence yes we called it … there wasn’t outrage when MFC chose Oliver. WE WERE VERY HAPPY. He was the player we wanted !! And what a superstar he is.

One more year. As expected, Hibbo and the Milkshake have got 1-year contracts. The final dance for each. Let’s hope it’s a good one. 😁

Yes he showed good form and consistent form across championships and under 18 comp. Not sure he lasts up to “37” range. Might be just gone before our pick. He’s got good pace and skills for a wing or half back. Strong at the footy and pushes forward. Probably goes around 25-35 range but you never know.

Was referring to the last game v Vic Metro, against their midfield of Ashcroft, Mckenzie as per my full post. In that game, when it was on the line, guys like Hollands, Reid, Cadman, Murdoch and Gallagher were lifting Country in the game. Szybkowski dropped away. He lifted Stingrays into the GF but again was beaten by the Dragons combo of Ashcroft and McKenzie. I think Szybkowski gets drafted, likely in the mid-2nd or early 3rd round.

Great news. 3 years signing though to end 2025. JVR showed great signs in ‘22 as a key forward. Exciting times ahead.