spirit of norm smith

@Viscount Cardwell Bailey Humphrey - I think he’s worth 2 x first round picks … not sure I’d pay up for 3 first rounders or even 4 “1st round selections”. Still there’s going to be lots of $$$ and many Vic clubs bartering for him if he decides to return to Vic.

Gold Coast will need points to match early bidding on Archie Hill !!! So they will trade Bailey Humphrey to the Dees for MFC 2026 1st round pick & Suns on traded 2026 1st round pick. win - win outcome !! Dees then trade out 2027 1st round pick to get back into 2026 draft. Target Dandenong Stingrays midfielder Gus Kennedy.

Reading that the Kangas are looking to further strengthen their dual premiership team by bringing in Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner from the Bulldogs. She was the 2023 number 1 draft pick. Not sure how the Kangas could best us when it comes to opportunity or draft picks to offer. If we lose Zanker (who’s contracted) we’d demand a hefty compensation. Weston-Turner is that tall (nearly 6ft) athletic type now seen in the AFLW as a running mid or forward. She can play both roles. I’m not saying we try to recruit her just to stop the Kangas, but she’s definitely got the talent to replace Zanker and add even more. Dees would have to mount an offer and beat out the Kangas. We can offer club and player more in my view than the Kangas.

Definitely a smart move To be the Best, learn from the Best

@Whispering_Jack I assume Rhett McLennan is settling in and will be going over the team list and his direction. I’d say he has good connections with the Gippsland Power players from the last 6 years so we might see him reach out to that alumni. Squad departures noted so far are Baldi, Hardie, Kirkwood-Scott,Yze and Benhk already noted as playing elsewhere in 2026. Hopefully we can at least retain these guys from the current squad like Bonner, Cross, Sruk, Lual, Edwards and of course Deakyn Smith.

IN-DEMAND key forward Eden Zanker has spoken publicly for the first time about her reasons for a potential move from Melbourne. The out-of-contract Melbourne tall is weighing up significant interest from Fremantle and West Coast. Zanker herself hails from Natya, a small northern Victorian farming region about an hour from Swan Hill. "My partner (Nikita) is from there, so that's definitely one of those things," Zanker told the W Download podcast from the W Awards Coral Carpet on Monday night. "Melbourne city is pretty chaotic, so it's probably getting the better of me at the moment. "I guess just the lifestyle piece as well – I absolutely love the Dees, and if you could pick it up and put it somewhere more rural, and away from everything, it'd be perfect, but unfortunately you can't do that. So probably more of a lifestyle change, really. "We'll keep working through some things, keep having conversations with Melbourne, and keep having conversations outside of that as well. Haven't set anything in stone yet, so the next month will be exciting."

Gold Coast AFLW are interested in Demons star midfielder/wing Eliza McNamara. Ex Demon Lily Mithen, is leading the push for the Suns to move to get McNamara.

Great news for the Melbourne AFLW program. Tayla has a very good 2025 and was a key part of the team. MFC website report Tayla Harris’ Demon legacy is set to continue, with the high-flying forward inking a two-year contract extension. The new deal will see Harris in red and blue until at least the end of 2027. The announcement follows a career-best season in which Harris played all 15 games, averaging 12 disposals, four score involvements and a goal. In a bold statement to the competition, General Manager, AFLW Clare Pettyfor believes Harris’ best football is still ahead of her. “2025 saw one of Tayla’s most consistent seasons to date,” Pettyfor said. “She continues to drive an incredibly high standard, and we genuinely think she is positioned to take her footy to another level which is a scary prospect. “Tayla is a unique talent with exceptional athleticism and footy IQ. “She’s also a great teammate and an all-round good person and we’re thrilled to have her in the red and blue for 2026 and beyond.” Since the league’s inception Harris has played 85 games, notching up four All Australian selections and a premiership. Harris showcased her trademark aerial dominance in Saturday’s preliminary final loss, soaring to take one of the most impressive marks of the season.

Agree @Demonland Kate had an excellent year. We are truly blessed that she is in red and blue, and that she is our captain 💙❤️

@Whispering_Jack agreed. Heath plays a big role in 2026 with the extended bench.

Jeff White and his son have proven the bond that a footy club like MFC can have. It’s great to see 👏👏

Ok with Rhett McLennan in as the new VFL coach at Casey Demons, he’d have to bring Brodie Atkins to Casey for 2026. Atkins was probably one of the unluckiest player to miss on draft night and rookie selections. What more could he do in 2026? He was excellent at the national championships and led Gippsland all the way into the preliminary final. He was one of the best player in each Gippsland game I saw. Plays like ? Jude Bolton. Here was his AFL bio write up Brodie Atkins State: Victoria Country State League Club: Gippsland Power Community Club: Drouin Date of Birth: 25/01/2007 Height: 182cm An inside midfielder who is a stoppage star, using his quick hands and vision to set up his teammates. Atkins is tough as nails, an aggressive tackler and a model of consistency whenever and wherever he plays. He starred for the Gippsland Power in the Coates Talent League, winning the Morrish Medal as the competition’s best and fairest and being named in the Team of the Year. He averaged 23.1 disposals, 6.9 tackles and 5.5 clearances per game and finished runner up in the Power’s best and fairest award. Also applied his craft for Victoria Country in the National Championships, averaging 22 disposals and 7.3 tackles, with his best performance coming in the win over the Allies. Produced a sharp time of 2.99 seconds on the 20m sprint at the State Draft Combine in Melbourne.

Ditto. I was onboard the Ollie Wines train that year. Wines was to be paired up with his best mate Jack Viney. We were set to get the best contested young ball winners in one hit. However if we got Wines… then perhaps Trac and Clarry may not have got the nod at the draft from us. Life works in mysterious ways.

Exactly. He was playing underage footy across half forward and wing as a skilled marking runner. Kicked some very classy goals. Was looking good at Casey in 2022 before injury ended his year. When the midfield was assessed, he was changed to the backline group as an interception type backman to play on the 3rd tall/medium forward. He’s done okay but his natural self in my view is across half forward. He might get a different look under King.

Tyla Hanks ❤️💙❤️💙❤️💙 Tyla had a sensational year and her 3rd place cements her as one of the best in the league. She’s a star ⭐️

Agreed @The Taciturn Demon Molly O might be rotated through the midfield next year to compliment the inside mids. Molly can run and gun and be a huge asset in years to come.

You might get a laugh out of this … Paul Daffey AFL PHANTOM DRAFT 2010 12. MELBOURNE - Daniel Gorringe Height: 200cm Weight: 88kg DOB: 02/06/92 Club: Norwood (SA) Draft range: 9-14 If Gorringe gets through to 12, the Demons have a bargain. His ability to find teammates with deft tap work is his trademark. He can also go forward. He's played senior footy in the SANFL and you imagine he'll adapt to the AFL quicker than most young ruckmen. Was tipped to be top 10 all year, but the cards have fallen differently. Did we dodge a bullet 🤣🤣🤣🤣 By the way … Daffey had Cook as a 2nd round pick 27. NORTH MELBOURNE - Lucas Cook(compensation) Height: 196cm Weight: 81kg DOB: 03/03/92 Club: North Ballarat Rebels (Vic) Draft range: 25-35 Key forward with a clean pair of hands whose endurance was indicated by his top-10 finish (10.34) in the three-kilometre time-trial at the combine. He also finished in the top 10 in the kicking drill. Cook would have been a monty for the top 20 before his form fell away in the second half of the under-18 championships. He'll build up and become more durable. In 2010, I remember I was very keen at Dees first pick on Dion Prestia, Tom Lynch, Jack Darling or Ben Jacobs. Cook was a surprise.

@Whispering_Jack 👏👏 Great post. Hassa is a true legend to the red and blue. I’ve met him several times at club functions. Truly a great bloke on and off field. It was nice to see him given that moment to present the jumper. I am sure once XT reads up on Hassa’s bio, he will appreciate the moment. - 3× VFL premiership winner (1959, 1960, 1964) - 3× Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Medallist (1962, 1963, 1967) - 2× Melbourne leading goalkicker (1967, 1968) - Melbourne captain (1965-1968) - Played 178 games for Melbourne, scoring 193 goals Also add… *All Australian twice 1966 & 1968 Represented Victoria in 8 interstate games Best first year player 1959 Life member MFC HALL OF FAME inductee 2001 Assistant coach Chairman of selectors Coached under 19s Chief Executive Officer Team of the century

You can see the reflection of Jeff White in his son. Super stoked Kalani is onboard. We have to give him time. Gym and protein shakes for the youngster for the next 2 years at least.

Thought Jaxon Binns showed AFL quality. Again starred for the Blues in VFL for past 3 years and was unlucky not to get more opportunities. Had the pace and skill to be a good running asset. Got 5 games in 2025 and showed enough. Maybe he’s like Bailey Laurie. Simply too good at VFL but not quite AFL. Maybe he needs more chances. Just turned 21!! He’s a Berwick lad so whilst AFL openings are not available for 2026, maybe it’s the Casey Demons as the next slot.

I’m really excited to see what Riley Onley can show. He was super impressive in the under 18 championships. His speed through the contest. Outmarked other mids. Run and link up work was very very good. He has the X factor ability. I was shocked he wasn’t drafted. Thought he’d go 25-30, and thought we’d grab him at pick 30. Then when at 56. To steal him as a pick 3 rookie draft is amazing. He has the goods to be a strong AFL player. Runs 20m in 2.885secs. For a young guy at 195cms that very impressive. Loved this summary of him “powerful tall midfielder with speed and clean hands to take the ball from inside to out.”

Surely Casey Demons will reach out to Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves. Surprising he wasn’t drafted at all. He is inconsistent but I think that’s because his best is as good as any player in the draft. He moves at ease at good pace. Can kick goals. Classic wing half forward type. He has class. An excellent sidestep. Very good kick. Can hit targets. He might kick 4 goals and have 30 possessions then next week go scoreless and have 12 possessions. Sometimes that’s the go with outside running type. He was injured and missed some matches but I wouldnt think that’s the reason he was overlooked. Is it attitude? He isn’t big on defense but the kids grown up as a star and often just runs and wins the footy. Being undrafted might be the kick in the pants he needed.

I had to watch the game last night in replay (I did see the result so it wasn’t a complete heartbreak) So proud of the team We started on fire - first 3 goals The intensity wow that’s finals footy Just needed to take our chances in the 3rd The fourth quarter yes I saw the girls effort just beyond them Unfortunately allowed Garner be unmarked in that last ball up to get the sealer goal Maeve was incredible Shelley Heath tackles Taylor in defence Hanksy is heart and soul TAYLA’s first quarter goal and mark Kate was Kate. Just a shining star always Wish we’d had Liv Purcell. She will be great to get back in 2026 Another year from the youngsters. Let’s go again in 2026 💙❤️

@Dee in a Kilt Paxy. What can we say ? She’s a legend. Like Daisy, she has been Melbourne. Whilst the physical speed and intensity was up, she just stood up with her smarts and skill and showed glimpses of what she was able to do. However I think she will retire. At 36yo and after 92 games, I feel yes that’s it. But then the lure of getting to 100!! Perhaps …

@adonski BOB missed out … I thought he showed plenty during the under 18 championships and when was promoted in the SANFL. Strong onballer with good skills and tackles hard. Assume he stays in the SANFL in 2026.