spirit of norm smith

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.

cheers IB13. Can see comparisons to Jordan Gysberts & where you’re coming from. Szybkowski did show plenty at stingrays club level but less at the championships so agree his lack of defensive side (against guys like Ashcroft and Mckenzie) would count against him. He trained at the Dees last summer so assume JT and team has plenty of insights.

Szybkowski is similar (not in playing style) to Luke Parker. Highly celebrated junior who won so many B&F and premierships as a junior. In 2010 Parker was seemingly a draft pick around 7-15 yet fell down the board due to clubs not rating his running ability. Finally the Swans nabbed him at pick 40 in a steal. Szybkowski also started 2022 as probably a pick 8-12 range but has dropped below the top 20 and now out to around 30. Wow. He’s won the footy and performed well but not elite compared to Ashcroft, Sheezel etc. Perhaps clubs see him as a Charlie Constable. I think he definitely represents as a good on baller with smart decisions and good aerobic ability. Disposals generally good and can kick a nice goal. Likely draft position is still 25-30 imv.

Yes happy for both to go around again in 2023. They should get 1-year deals and see out their careers in red and blue. Will remember Hibbo’s dash after the 2021 GF (such emotion) and Melksham’s goal v Hawks in 2018 finals to seal the finals victory.

Yes from “top 16”, no Dees supporters. Not that it makes much difference. Judd. Franklin. Not even gave us a look in when they moved. Prestia’s family was fanatical Dees supporters and he chose Tigers in his return to Victoria. Gaff also a Dees fan but happily staying in WA.

Just have to talk about all the WA boys drafted since 2001 when Farmer left. 2003 Chris Johnson - showed good signs but faded and was delisted. Went to the Blues but ultimately missed out 2008 Nev Jetta - from 2-3 years of injuries and trying to find his spot, Nev was delisted and then put on the rookie list … my how lucky and fortunate we were that we kept Nev. Loved his spirit and ability to win man on man contests. 2012 Jesse Hogan - our messiah. Too much pressure and always talk about him going home. He played some great footy and we saw the talent. Yes he returned home but without success. Glad he’s now making a go at the giants. 2012 Dean Kent - a punt in the third round. Definitely could play and kicked some great goals. His 2018 match winner sealed our 2018 finals. Injuries killed his career and traded to the Saints. 2019 LJ and Riv 2021 JVR and Woey jnr amd Mcvee Do I think we should take a WA boy? Well yes if he’s the best available, fits our culture and is a need for the team. Ultimately I was worried about LJ given him playing second fiddle to Gawn. I actually thought the Eagles would be his destination given Natanui is on the downward cycle. Good luck to him at Freo. His need for family and surfing won the day. I would happily take a Hewitt, Ginbey, Gilbey or Allan if they were the right player. Sure it’s a risk but drafting any kid is full of many risk-versus-reward decisions.

He’s gone from being the Dees “most likely” (young key forward) (in Knightmare phantom drafts) to “please JT, do not consider”. Given our recent draft recruitment of young key forwards has been generally unfulfilling.

I agree DD36. I think he’s definitely in the frame for our first pick though I certainly prefer others. Hollands. Phillipou. Maybe a slider could be there. Whilst I do think we should hold the 2023 2x 1st rd and 2x 2nd rd picks, due to the outlook on class of ‘23, it might be tempting to package up one of the future 2nd rd picks with 2022 pick 37 to get a low 20s pick this year ( then look at Binns, Kruzewski or George with that pick depending on what type of player we grab at “13”. . @Colm. I did like your idea … Freo future 2nd to GWS pick 31 … and then MFC give 31&37 for bombers pick 22.

I agree. A couple of other SA youngsters that impressed me were Harry Lemmey (forward/ruck), Billy Dowling (wing/half fwd) and Kobe Ryan (running half back/wing). Each could be potential draftees for MFC around the pick 37 mark or for a rookie spot.

I agree with this team. Surely ANB and Spargo couldn’t have another poor year. They had some glimpses but overall were very disappointing. Goodie’s favourites so I agree they are likely to start round 1, but pressure should come from Chandler and Laurie for these 2 spots.

Sheezel is definitely the classiest player in the draft pool. He’s creativity and skill make him effective in the midfield and in the forward50. He’ll probably to the Bombers at pick 4.

Yes I agree that he needs a big summer ahead. He tends to fumble under pressure and needs to just concentrate on the right decisions. He’s young and got the tools - strength, pace, agression etc to be very handy - mainly as a rotating half forward/midfielder. I’d definitely get him into the goalkicking groove over the summer. He has plenty of opportunities and needs to hit the scoreboard. At least 20+ goals next year at Approx 1 goal a game is the minimum expectation.

That’s a good sign. We need to keep the Riv. He’s only 20-21 and with 3 solid years behind him. Good pace. Good tackling. Good spoils. Good aggression. Like his long kicking. He gets into trouble when he tries to do too much or go for fancy short passes. He’s very good when he sticks to his regular game plan.

Agreed. GC have Ben King so unlikely to use their pick on Jefferson who’s the same prototype. I can see a draft walkthrough that has Jefferson fall to our MFC13 pick given others in the market appeal perhaps ahead of him.

@MadAsHell That’s an outstanding effort and well identified picks. Hollands would be an outstanding pickup. Hope he or Phillipou are there to chose from. I like the bids - which seem in the right spots. I do think that Dees might bid on Alwyn Davey jnr. I think JT might look for a tall-small combo in his model. If we get Hollands or Hotton as running Mids at 13, then look for perhaps Harry Lemmey as a tall ruck/forward at 37. If we get either Phillipou, Gruzewski, Jefferson or Keeler as tall key forwards at 13, then yes look at Jaxon Binns, Billy Dowling, Harvey Gallagher or Toby McMullin.

Will Ashcroft says “Hi”

can’t we keep him undercover !!!

A solid first year from AMW. Certainly showed an ability to compete and tackling is a strong point. When used forward, he was able to score goals or assist set up scoring opportunities. I agree that he could develop as a small defender in the style of Matty Whelan. Tough, hard,honest and skilled.

A “no” from me. He showed great talent in under 18s with the only knock being “intensity” and defensive side of his game. Poulter is a youngster that looked like he used his natural talents in under age footy to excel and his left foot delivery and range is excellent, but I’m not sure the limitations in his game can meet the demands in AFL. He is still young and will probably go back home and get rookied by Power or Crows or into the SANFL in ‘23.

I’d be definitely happy with MFC picking Phillipou. He would have time to develop and a forward line featuring him and JVR and Kozzzy and Fritta would be very dangerous indeed.