spirit of norm smith

Option 1 wins out. I was unsure if he would have got interest at his price and his age at another club. He will be handy in 2022 and should push into best 22 if he can pickup the defensive pressure game needed. His good Goalkicking and footy smarts are proven.

Probably top 15-20 pick imv. Definitely a player.

I agree he has AFL talent and was frustrated at the Saints at being behind Steele, Ross and Crouch. Got squeezed out. He would be behind Petracca, Oliver, Viney and competing with Sparrow and Jordon for future roles. He would command a starting role at other teams such as the Pies and even now perhaps the Tigers. Not sure we are the right next step.

Go Dees. Premiers on everything imaginable!!!!

Agree. Point 6 from my starting post. Mahoney trades were pivotal to our success. Melksham probably unlucky not to be added as well but Spargo’s good form kept him out all year.

Jason Momoa - Dune trailer “Let’s fight like Demons”. Love it. Get him on board. Clearly our influence will spread far and wide.

Dees are Premiers Dees are Premiers Dees are Premiers

Agreed. Good points. It takes a lot to get right to get to the top.

Bailey Rogers won the Sandover Medal during the week. He has moved from the half back role to the midfield at Claremont. Averaged 28 possessions a game and was able to go forward and kick goals as well. He wouldn’t walk into our best 22 but wouldn’t be out of place if he had to step up. I think he certainly could be very handy cover across half back, half forward or midfield. Certainly comes into draft contention if Melksham goes as a cheaper younger better versatile player.

Melksham’s future and options Keep him? Handy experienced fringe 22 player, ready to go in case of injury. Can play mid forward role as backup to Fritsch, Sparrow, Anb. Potential wing backup if he had a big pre season and injury free. One year left on contract. Accept trade offer? After his 2018, the extension to end 2022 was probably on $450k contract per year. His contract update would be severely less and back to the $275k ish mark. He might want to seek out a “risk taker” club that offers him 2-3 yr contract. Not sure which club would that brave/foolish? At 30, it’s unlikely given he is a med sized forward and there’s plenty of such players around. Dees would likely take a current or future 3rd round (pick range 50-55) exchange in a heartbeat.

Priorities 1. keep the current playing list happy 2. retain salary cap space (for key players seeking increases in new or updated contracts) 3. Add young talent - only 3 spots likely to be available

Looks ok. I think he’s got the potential to be a half back or wing type runner. I’d like to see him given a rookie spot and develop under Choco, wheels and Nev Jetta.

I reckon Jake Lever has coaching capabilities post his playing days. Leadership. Intense type person but also connects well with others.

Jack Watts to Port gifted us the pick to get Fritsch in. The irony!! Fritsch delivered big time on the big day.

Nothing really for Dees to get as yet with delisted free agents. Unlikely we will go looking here. List places are tight. James Cousins would perhaps be the only player of interest here. But we have Jordon waiting in the wings as a similar player.

Keeping this in the forward contracts for Trac, Clarry, Jacko, Riv, Kozzy, Petty, Sparrow, Fritsch etc

I’ve been doing some reflection on how our premiership success was achieved. The Who and the How our club has been rescued from the dark days, brought back into the light and finally delivered Premiership success. Ultimately the feeling of exhilaration for us Dees fanatics. 1. Jack Viney - father son selection - heart and soul 2. Peter Jackson Paul Roos Jason Taylor critical appointments 3. Salem Petracca Brayshaw Oliver - getting it right in the top 10 draft picks 4. Max Gawn - 2015 starting to show his coming of age to show he is ready to be the number 1 ruckman 5. Appointment of Simon Goodwin 6. (Josh Mahoney) the trades to get - Hibberd Lever May Langdon Brown 7. the successful 2nd round picks ANB Petty Spargo Fritsch Sparrow Jordon Rivers, Bowey (on top of trading out 2nd rounders to get Melksham, Hibberd, Langdon, Brown). 8. Progressive breaking of hoodoos and victories against Tigers, Hawks and Saints and Cats. Turning around to creating the winning culture. 9. the appointment of Darren Burgess 10. the drafting of young guns Jackson, Pickett, Rivers, Bowey 11. the appointment of Yze and Choco 12. The team culture. Selflessness. Doing the right thing for the Team. The culture of all being part of the success. It’s strange how the “curse of Norm Smith” actually contained the secret to unlock the curse. Smith based his coaching on “ the team “ . He had the team all aligned on key principles. Whilst there are individuals with talent and brilliance, ultimately team success is achieved together and helping each other as part of your role. Smith (also like Goodwin) had to instill the sense of belief into the players. Believing you can win it, is an equal part to having the players capable of winning it. Smith also knew that to achieve ongoing success, he had to keep refreshing the team, finding improvement from the existing team and also continuing to look to add new talent. Let’s find the improvement, stay focussed and continue to achieve that premiership glory.

I’m still occasionally watching highlights clips , after match interviews and looking through merchandise updates. Love watching the Bang Bang Bang Bang highlights. Also have to watch the On The Couch GF wrap up with the great Gaddddy Lyon.

Ummm. I feel we will weather the storm and come back with a burst of exceptional footy 😁😁😁

Neil Compton and Little Goffy. Champions!!!

Blues salary cap and $$$. Paying inflated $$$ for Martin, Saad and Zac Williams. A big $$$$$$ contract for Cripps I think $$$ offered to Cerra and now Hewitt in 4yrs at $450,000 a year for a fringe best 22 player. Wow. Sam Walsh should ask for a 5 year $5mil deal when he’s next due !!

AFL experts got 98% wrong. Only one tipped the Dees to finish in the finals and 8th. Most predicted the Kangas for wooden spoon which was a blind Freddy obvious prediction !!

Keep the post alive. It was sensational. What a game. That last 45 minutes of footy was the most exciting in the last 49 years of supporting the Dees. Go Dees.

Fantastic interview after the game. Ben really looked like a reborn man. He obviously was excited by the AFL journey with the Roos but injury and self doubt had set in. His move to the Dees has given him such joy and is obviously amazed with how his life has changed. I think the Dees were the only team giving him the lifeline and new start needed. He’s fitted in perfectly now and I hope his mind and body continues to keep in a happy place. His goals were a key in the grand final. The mark and goal to get us even and then early goal in the last quarter really killed off the dogs lifeline. BBB - you bloody beauty!! Go Dees

Dees had many jigsaw pieces to find to complete our premiership picture. The addition of Mark “choco” Williams was one critical piece. He and Yze brought winning culture and the mindset to compliment Goodwin. Thanks Choco.