spirit of norm smith

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin expected an audit of his AFL side in the heavyweight clash against Geelong - and he got one. But what he didn't expect at GMHBA Stadium on Thursday night was his vaunted midfield unit to get so well beaten around the ball. The Cats dominated clearances (54-36) and inside-50s (66-46), and had 13 more scoring shots, in a comprehensive 28-point win that dislodged the reigning premiers from the top of the ladder.

Outs. Spargo (been poor for a while) Bedford (disappointed because he hasn’t taken his chance) Bowey (masking mistakes and getting physically out bodied) and possibly Sparrow (beset with slips and fumbles. Love the kid and setup ANB goal but just not contributing enough) ins. Weid or JVR -,we need another fwd target. Fritsch needs to the 3rd tall but is getting physically sucked into big congested marking contests. Yes if he’s ok, I’d consider JVR Chandler - it’s time to reward him and give him the 2-3 game block He hasn’t taken prior chances but need to give him the chance again as Bedford lost his opportunities Rivers & Hunt - they have served exile. Need their pace and run across half back. Hibberd May Lever Salem Petty Rivers Langdon Viney Brayshaw Anb Weid/JVR Chandler Pickett Bbb Fritsch Gawn Trac Clarry Hunt Harmes Jordon Jackson sub. Sparrow

6 Brayshaw 5 Viney 4 Lever 3 Petracca 2 Hibberd 1 Petty hard to find any real winners aside from Brayshaw. Gawn and oliver tried hard

Ummm not Clarry ummm

3rd 👌defence solid. Brayshaw lever petty 👍🏻Gawn battling on 😭Clarry clearly not dealing with hard tag 🤮May ??? Not the Same player as last year 😭turnovers by both sides - shockers 🤬cats winning clearances run and spread is winning

Who ? Are they playing ??? Kozzzy has lost his footy iq. He’s one who can win it for us

1st half v cats. 2 kicks 8 handballs. 7 handballs to a player right next to him under more pressure and costs turnovers. Gotta get inside his head that he is free and running and can hit a target himself. Such a talent but needs coaching.

That’s 127 kick-in consecutively out to 55 metres on the left to the pack. It’s a defensive type play. For the past 14 matches. And something different is … like others who play on. Pass. They run past and deliver to the half forward area. Hmmmmm. Maybe try it just once.

Watching the same game as me 😊

for Spargo, Kozzzzy Pickett, Sparrow, Bedford . Get to the crumbs. Win the footy. NOT TRAIL YOUR OPPONENT. FFS.

Yes yes and yes. It’s our obvious need.

2nd qtr 🤮dumb footy - Pickett!! 🤮🤮🤮overhandballing overhandballing overhandballing 🤬Footskills ??? Trac 😊and Clarry 😊goals

1st quarter stupidity abounds. Harmes May Oliver Viney. Take the first option. Turned into trouble. Fended tackler ??! This is not v the Kangas. Not sharp. Lucky to be even. Bowey. Ummm. Hmmmm. Trac 😄

Jackson’s performance v Lions was not hype or potential. He showed even at 20, what he can bring as a leading ruckman. Except for Viney’s incredible performance, Jackson was probably next best for the Dees. And he will get better.

Another sensational year from Clarry. I think we have Clarry polling Brownlow votes in at least 9 (maybe 11) of our 15 games so far. Likely only issue is if he gets the 3,2,1. I think C……Petracca will be the one to take votes off Clarry. Guys like Brayshaw, Neale, Miller and Cripps won’t have another star taking votes.

Yes I think it’s talls out for talls. Seems like some want Weid to stay in. With BBB and Weid, frees Fritsch up and probably allows him not to have to compete in contested pack marks. Bedford would be stiff to miss but didn’t quite nail his opportunities last week.

Yes IB13 they looked impressive and certainly top 10 likely in 2023. Reid in particular will be very popular as he takes the game on as a midsize back with good skills & pace but looks very capable as a man on man defender.

Outstanding. Jonesy will be a gun pre match , during and post match. Heart of a lion.

Nailed it. Fraser’s athletic ability is there. Got good pace and size. He’s a long kick. Limited footy over 2020-21 and this year. Finesse and footy smarts not quite there right now. He might be one to drop back to the rookie list for further development to free up a major list spot but with the assurance of getting drafted back in rookie draft (not sure if clubs need to redraft any more or can place back to rookie list).

Yes both Harley Reid and Zane Duursma were super impressive in the Vic Country v Allies under 18s match. They’d be drafted this year Vic eligible and probably be top 30-40.

Zane Duursma also was very impressive. Not eligible until 2023 draft. Really impressive size and skill. Agile and quick like his brother Xavier.

Vic Country I was impressed by many of the Vic country youngsters. Standouts for me included Mitch Szybkowski - commentators better ask how to pronounce his surname. He is a tall lean ruck rover type who wins the footy, one grab player who uses it perfectly. A definite first rounder. Aaron Cadman - just reminds me of a young Jeremy Cameron. Agile. Good mark. Left footer. Can move around and kick goals or create. Oliver Hollands- very smart creative player. Moves well with good pace and skill. First round likely. Jhye Clark - top 10 likely pick. Wins the footy as a key mid and brings others into the game. Good mark for his size. Coby Burgiel - lean half back but pushed into the middle to link up many attacks. Knows where to position and excellent decision making with the footy. One youngster to mark down and see across later games. Henry Hustwaite- rebounding defender. Mid sized and clean disposal. So composed and never seemed rushed. Jaxon Binns - He was outstanding. His pace and run showed out, as well as his skill with the footy across passing and long kicking (easily kicking 50 metres). But what was super impressive was his smart handballing to advantage including two long handballs where the running player didn’t break stride. He is a classic wing/small mid, not unlike Andrew Brayshaw or even Sam Walsh in his draft year. I was hoping Jaxon might be a pick 40 steal but he’s likely to go top 15-20 after yesterdays performance

Cats have proven to be one of the most arrogant clubs now and their supporters aren’t far behind. Most other clubs hate them which is probably due to their sustained success and Dangerfield (he thinks he is god’s gift to footy). Hope we win this one more than any other home and away match.

Jaxon was outstanding in yesterday’s Vic country v Allies under 18s. His pace and run showed out, as well as his skill with the footy across passing and long kicking (easily kicking 50 metres). But what was super impressive was his smart handballing to advantage including two long handballs where the running player didn’t break stride. He is a classic wing/small mid, not unlike Andrew Brayshaw in his draft year. I was hoping Jaxon might be a pick 40 steal but he’s likely to go top 15-20 after yesterdays performance.

After last week and yesterday, I’m uppping my offer to $900k over 6 years (total $5.4m). He’s going to be premier ruckman in the league within 2 years. Maxy can go to full forward and kick 100.