spirit of norm smith

Where’s there is smoke, there’s fire !!!

Watched it again tonight. Amazing last quarter. Gawn outsmarted the Cats to take the mark and goal. He played a huge last quarter. Deserved the All Australian and captaincy.

Anything and EVERYTHING!!

Ok now it’s off to see a dentist and orthodontist to get a mouth guard fitted. Get one to save the rest of your pearly whites. But seriously … Luke “Dogga” Jackson is still just teasing us Dees supporters. I’m waiting for him to just grab the game and kick multiple goals or just elevate his 2nd efforts to new levels. His speccy v lions was again just a teaser. We have seen what he can do. In bursts and patches and quarters and some games. LJ will be so crucial going forward. Potentially he gets the 2nd ruck matchup against Ladhams from Port or the Allir Allir contest across our forward line. He’d have to bring it all across both such contests. I’d backing him in as he’s still got huge upside ahead.

Come the moment. Cometh the man. We all shed a tear for Adam Tomlinson. Footy is a cruel master. But thankfully Petty has stepped up and into the key position void. After 11 games in 3 years (nil through injury in 2020), Petty has played 17 games in 2021 and not disappointed. He seems to be more assured as the year progresses. It’s a key role too alongside Lever and May. Petty is becoming the player that he was drafted as. A young key position back with good marking and size to play the key position forwards. Keep on going young man.

Love the man. After 10 years and 168 games and he finally plays his first finals game. And he keeps Joe Daniher to nil. Nudda. Zilch. May has the great qualities of a team man. He has respect. He know what it takes and how to cherish the moment. He shakes his opponents hand before and after the game. He has the maturity to help lift others around him. The May- Lever combo was a master stroke of strategy by Goodwin and Mahoney. It cost us high draft picks but these guys still have years ahead and complete our team. May richly deserved to be ALL AUSTRALIAN. He is a gun and absolutely love him in the mighty red and blue.

I know. I was trying to be optimistic. We get a quality NGA Prospect and the wise idiots at AFL Land change the rule.

Bailey Fritsch. 51 goals. Great year. Kicked some good bags v Kangas 6 and Crows 7. Yes he can be frustrating. His effort sometimes looks lazy amongst others like ANB and Spargo hunting the tackle. But his tackling is not poor and he can add a lot to our forward pressure. He needs to His kicking for goal prior to this year was at times strangely poor given he’s a beautiful kick and practices more than anyone in the warm ups. 51.21 is good conversion and is now really one of most reliable kicks for goal probably only behind Melksham. Fritsch has kicked accurately when others have been lacking accuracy. His two goals at the start of the last quarter were so important. Fritsch is another key player in the run to our chance at a premiership.

Greene is looking and talking to the ump and makes no attempt to avoid him. In fact seems to INITIATE THE CONTACT THE UMPIRE STEVIC. It’s totally unacceptable. Two weeks minimum. [censored]. [censored]. [censored].

I have to commend the kid. I thought he might be the vulnerable one leading into the game given it’s finals footy. Usually tougher and quicker and more pressure. Yes he made two mistakes and the Lions seemed to target him for physical pressure. Only 4 possessions to half time and nil in the second quarter (probably because we dominated). But he collected 10 possessions after half time and was composed. He won the hardball when it was his turn. Given he played limited footy in 2020 and with all the Casey fixtures disruptions, I thought we would have him a development player this year. And a year in the gym would be needed. But I think he has generally looked relatively comfortable at the senior level and his kicking and decision making is good. Adds to our “connection going forward”. The turnovers from the weekend may have been nerves and he seems to be a quick learner. Not sure why he has recorded zero tackles in the last 3 weeks. Hope he gets the chance again in two more games. 5 wins from your first 5 games. 7 from 7 would be even greater. It would be quite a story.

I reckon Josh Ward would be the type the Tigers would want as a real midfield running future star given guys like Martin and Cotchin and Edwards aren’t the stars of the league anymore. Mac Andrew hopefully drops to 21 and is available for the Dees. He’d be a project player but we could be patient over the first 2 years.

Cruel irony BUT IF THE DEES WIN IT, I WILL BE THERE IN SPIRIT AND CELEBRATE LIKE NEVER BEFORE !!! #GIVE EM HELL

Probably why Dees might sound out trades for Maynard or even someone like Petrevski-Seton.

Cerra should nominate us. He’d be a beauty to add to our midfield. We are a destination club. It’s not about $$$$ in my opinion. Carl tank can offer $750000 but they are a rabble and getting blokes wanting $$$$ like Saad and Williams who are overpaid

Ditto from me. Harsh at the end but I get the sentiment. Lots of average blokes playing suburban footy get in and don’t shirk or play for the ump to give them a free kick. Grub.

Who sacks a coach after 6 premierships. Reigning premiers. win record 9-2 in 11 games. won the first 8. it was all about jeolously and egos board thought he was getting too powerful

Can’t believe the negative vibe towards Viney. He had a great game. He was also one of our best v Cats. Having him back allows Trac and Clarry to push forward as JV gets the tough matchup in the opposition. He shut down Zorko all night.

I still think BBB holds a key to premiership glory. GF gets to a new level. BBB can either go missing or get 4 or 5 to possibly nail it for us. Sometimes he is looking on fire. The first goal v Lions. His run and marking up the ground has been good. But other times his fumbles and lack of contest (one arm up) can be disappointing. His miss v Lions from 12 metres out was frustrating as it could have killed the lions early. He could have kicked 4 on the night. I can see BBB being a real key over the next two games. Hope he can seize the opportunity.

Tmcd - is a worry. 4 possessions. Only really showed one chance to shine and his miss from 35/40 was a real opportunity. Lacked intensity. He got caught twice. “He’s as slow as a glacier” I remarked. I think his back must not be 100% again as his agility is poor. Circa 2020. We need Tom mcd of 2018 and 1st half 2020.

Two more wins. It’s so close. I remember 1988 and 2000 excellent teams but in the GF, it gets brutal. No next week. This side will need to be careful of the physical side of footy. Winning contested footy is one thing. Hard hits on the body and attacking the man get deployed in the GF. Opposition may try to rough up Trac, Clarry, Max or even youngsters like Bowey. We will need to be disciplined. That’s one thing we’ve yet to get tested in.

R u kidding. Neale was absolutely the Lions best. A gun. And I hate him. Their BOG was either him or Cameron. Neale won heaps of contested footy and centre clearances. But we put him under pressure. That’s the key.

Didn’t know Mcstay was such a great player. Commentators and Fagan made lots of excuses. Dees could have won by 10 goals. Fair Dinkum

Agree. Sparrow was very good tonight. Impressive in his home final

Yes best side since 1964 But unfinished business. MUST STAY FOCUSSED. WORRY ABOUT BATH WATER SYNDROME.

No change. Smith hangs in no room for Jordon, Hunt, Hibbo, Melksham or Jonesy Special comments. Bowey. Struggled early then stepped up and looked more assured after half time. Sparrow. One of our best. Looked comfortable and hard at it. Rivers. Early mistakes but really hard at it and loved the tackles and smothers.