spirit of norm smith

Yes not sure how this AFL cap works with aligned clubs like Casey, Sandringham and Box Hill. Casey had two listed players with AFL experience on their 2024 list (White & Connelly) , Sandringham nil and Box Hill had five. Not sure of the salary cap for standalone clubs, but for example Williamstown had 10 ex AFL listed players in 2024 and poached/attracted 6-7 good players from other VFL teams over the prior 12 months. They’ve already added 3 ex AFL players this off season. Must have some flowing coin by the bay

EMac ❤️💙👏👏👏👏 had a great year Will be a leader in years to come. Has such great footy IQ and speaks with such insight and knowledge on the team and the requirements.

Daisy Pearce Trophy | Kate Hore – 70 votes At the conclusion of the count, Melbourne captain Kate Hore was titled the Daisy Pearce Trophy winner, edging out vice-captain Hanks by two votes. This is Hore’s third straight best and fairest award, having won during season seven and eight. The Melbourne skipper embraced her second season at the helm, showing her trademark professionalism. This year looked different for Hore though, with the Demon taking on a new dual role where she lined up across both the midfield and forward line. This allowed her to influence games in more ways than one, averaging 18 disposals, four clearances (both career highs) and kicking a total of eight goals across her 10 games.

Third Place | Maeve Chaplin – 67 votes As recognised earlier in the night with the Coaches Award, Chaplin’s campaign was her best yet, putting in the work to produce a breakout season. After a few years of instability in the Melbourne team, Chaplin well and truly made her mark in Melbourne’s defence in 2024, becoming one of the best young defenders across the league. At just 22, Chaplin showed a level of composure above her years, known as a powerful strength coming out of the side’s backline. Her career-making season saw her average 6.7 intercepts (10th in the league) and 13.6 disposals, with a disposal efficiency of 78.7% (a team high). The third-place finish comes after another important accolade, the Demon earning her maiden selection in the All-Australian squad.

Second Place | Tyla Hanks – 68 votes This year saw Hanks once again prove that she is in the top echelon of midfielders within the league, her skill and execution above the rest. The reliable Demon has been a consistent contributor in the Melbourne line-up since her first season at the club back in 2019 and has continued to provide a level of stability for nearly six years now. The hard-working and crafty midfielder led by example as the club’s vice-captain, averaging 18 disposals, five tackles and four clearances.

Daisy Pearce Trophy | Kate Hore – 70 votes Melbourne captain Kate Hore was titled the Daisy Pearce Trophy winner, edging out vice-captain Hanks by two votes. This is Hore’s third straight best and fairest award, having won during season seven and eight. The Melbourne skipper embraced her second season at the helm, showing her trademark professionalism. This year looked different for Hore though, with the Demon taking on a new dual role where she lined up across both the midfield and forward line. This allowed her to influence games in more ways than one, averaging 18 disposals, four clearances (both career highs) and kicking a total of eight goals across her 10 games.

Sad day. Very sad. A club has a heart. Lil was part of the Red & Blue heartbeat. Lifeline player. She played more of a role than just on field stats. Super durable. Week in week out. https://www.facebook.com/MELBOURNEfc/videos/the-best-of-lily-mithen-50-game-milestone-/446295674143893/ https://www.facebook.com/aflwomens/videos/recharging-with-lily-mithen/853457790037182/ What a journey. As we’ve see you grow. Miss ya Roving Lil. 💔💔 so it’s just a Business? Really. Pick 2 or pick 10. You find the right player. Beyond Havana Harris , the next group is even btw

Good news. It sounds like Jai Culley is to sign on with Casey VFL. Would help rebuild Casey stock of quality players. Definitely has the size, skill , contested footy strength to be in AFL system. Perhaps the knock is for him to improve in pace.

More experience players out ? We lost 5 experienced players at end of 2023 and whilst Gall and Pisano showed promise, the team was weaker as a result. Step backwards can work but I’m questioning going again for a second year to weaken the squad. It’s only a 30 woman squad so depth plays a part and injuries hurt. I think we hold pick 10 and draft in a strong young midfielder. Hanks Purcell and another young gun to refresh the midfield. Like the men’s team, young mids coming in are the key.

Last year the club sent out 5 experienced players and hit the draft. Lost the depth and with 6-7 injuries were forced to pick rookies and top ups. AFLW list depth in a 30 player squad is low. You don’t again cut your experience “ in my view”. We need to strong bodies like Harris and Mithen. Note … Lions, Crows, Kangas didn’t hit the draft. They have got in the required players and kept their core strong players. That’s why they are again at the top. Don’t be fooled. Sure they trimmed the list but only as required. Dees can trim 3-4 players and draft in from current picks. TAYLA Harris is needed against these clubs. She is strong. She creates goals. She is a presence. She competes. You don’t easily get that.

He’s got talent. Pace was impressive in this years form. Definitely would be a bonus if he was NGA eligible.

McVee should have a 3-4 year deal on offer. He has the skill and composure to be a very very good player. Let’s get this locked away early in 2025.

Yes agree. Talent was on show. It’s how he can fit into the demands of footy at a higher level. It’s not all just enjoying games with your mates. Although it should be. Hopefully Dees can uncover another excitement machine … “Royball” !!!

Meggs. Clear and correct summary. Agree totally. 👏👏👏👏👏

Stafford as forwards coach … and now Chaplin. Why not have an experienced ex- forward to coach the forward line !!!

It was a prediction …

Gold Coast. That’s where careers go to die. Really it’s probably a cash splash by the $suns. They have 3 or 4 top academy juniors and need steady strong leaders. Lil needs to choose her heart or to cash in!!

McNamara Chaplin Hore Hanks Goldrick special mention to Shelley Heath who gave 110%

He’s got talent. Definitely would be a bonus if he was NGA eligible.

Pick 86 in the eleventh round of the draft in 2016! Pies pick who after 2 years moved to the Kangas 🤣🤣🤣

After two years on the Eagles AFL list, Coby Burgiel was delisted. He was drafted pick 29 in 2022 draft. He was injured in his first year at the Eagles and never got back to full fitness until mid 2024. He showed himself to be a quick skilled running type of player in his junior days Certainly one player for Casey to have a phone call with. Draft bio was DOB: 9/9/2004 Height: 183cm Weight: 76kg Position: Midfielder/forward Recruited from: Gippsland Power/Vic Country The speedy and versatile Gippsland Power product enjoyed a breakout season at NAB League and national under-18s level, where he averaged almost 22 disposals and kicked 12 goals from nine appearances. Capable of playing as a small forward, high half-forward, through midfield or on a wing, Burgiel ticks plenty of boxes and his raw pace saw him run the third-fastest 20m sprint time at the AFL Draft Combine (2.88 seconds). https://www.westcoasteagles.com.au/video/1253040/2022-afl-draft-pick-29-coby-burgiel?videoId=1253040&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1669700497001

Big year ahead for 1. Steven May 2. Jacob van Rooyen 3. Christian Salem 5. Christian Petracca 8. Jake Lever 9. Charlie Spargo 10. Daniel Turner 13. Clayton Oliver 14. Jack Billings 16. Bailey Laurie 17. Jake Bowey 21. Matt Jefferson 22. Blake Howes 23. Shane McAdam 26. Jed Adams 28. Will Verrall 32. Tom Sparrow 33. Tom Fullarton 35. Harry Petty 36. Kysaiah Pickett 38. Oliver Sestan 40. Taj Woewodin 44. Luker Kentfield 45. Andy Moniz-Wakefield

Jumpers to be presented by … ??? some suggestions Demon numbers: Daniel Turner - 10. Angus Brayshaw. Koltyn Tholstrup - 12 Todd Viney Harvey Langford - 19 Ray Biffin Xavier Lindsey - 20 Colin Garland Tom Campbell - 29 Juice Newton Harry Sharp - 30 ANB 🤣… Paul Hoppy Hopgood Ricky Mentha Jnr - 39 Nev Jetta 🤞 Aidan Johnson - 42 Russell Robertson

Lots of top talent again as shown in the futures game on GF day. I’m seeing another very compromised draft in 2025 as much of the top youngsters are already tied to academies, especially the Suns who might get 4 quality youngsters again (like they did in 2023! ) 2025 draft early walk … ROUND ONE - (24 players) Dyson Sharp (likely pick 1) Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves Willem Duursma Zeke Uwland (GCS Academy) * Daniel Annable (Brisbane Lions Academy) * Fred Rodriguez Cooper Duff-Tytler Cody Curtin Sam Cumming Oliver Greeves Jack Dalton Riley Onley Louis Emmett Josh Lindsay Ryder Corrigan (GWS Giants Academy) * Dylan Patterson (GCS Academy) * Liam Hetherton (GWS Academy) * Beau Addinsall (GCS Giants Academy) * Felix Kneipp Basil Hart (Fremantle NGA) * Archie Ludowyke Thomas McGuane (Collingwood FS) * Sam Grlj Tairon Ah-Mu (Melbourne NGA but not eligible for selection) ROUND TWO Thomas Burton Max King (Sydney Swans Academy) * Kalani White (Melbourne FS/GCS Academy) * Luke Candy Ben Rongdit (Geelong NGA) * Lachlan Dovaston Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier Matthew LeRay Harley Barker Jai Murray (GCS Academy) * Charlie Banfield (WCE FS) * Darcy Montgomery Wes Walley (WCE NGA) * Koby Evans (WCE NGA) * Noah Chamberlain (Sydney Swans Academy) * Lachlan Carmichael (Sydney Swans Academy) * Aiden Schubert Toby Sinnema (Melbourne NGA) * Louis Kellaway (Richmond FS) * Jim Kelly Marcus Cassidy Jadd Hill Noah Roberts-Thompson Taj Longmuir (son of Troy but not eligble for any club as a FS) * Toby Whan (Fremantle NGA) * Xavier Bamert Jobe Scapin

Was an important part of the team although appeared reluctant to score a goal. Often just handballs off even when 30 metres out. Has the show his very best after a full year out.