spirit of norm smith

Opposition watch this week Stop Blakey Stop Warner Stop Heeney Watch out for Rowbottom to tag Trac and be in for the contested footy Don’t let McCartin be the interceptor

Watched Stingrays again this week. Only saw most of the 2nd qtr and 3rd quarter. Sinnema again showed his class. See him as an outside player and he’d need to work on just getting his pace up to really burn in the AFL. He already has the kicking skills. Noted a few other youngsters for Stingrays Jasper Russell. Tough energetic small defender. Just kept getting the footy and rebounding outside defensive 50. Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves. Prototype footballer. Looks about 6’2 with good pace and skill. Was used onball then forward and kicked nice goals. His kicking was good and just got to the right spots. One grab player. Probably again an outside type. Max Lee. A running half back. I had noted him previously and good to see again had good poise with the footy and a burst of speed needed across half back. Just some AFL traits.

I really hope young Kalani nominates the Dees. The red and blue blood is his veins. ❤️💙 He’s a quality youngster. But we would need to give him time to develop. Suns already have Dylan Patterson and Beau Addinsall as more young midfielder stars to add in their academy intake as both are definitely 1st rounders.

6 Gawn a leader a champion a legend 5 Melksham his 4 goals and assists were crucial 4 Bowey so composed and efficient 3 Oliver just brought the desire and his goal was crucial 2 Rivers energy and run and contest is his game 1 Trac had a very good game and nearly back to his best Apologies to Turner, Langdon & Kozzzy who were all very good too

@Demonland @binman Only part way in so far but again really insightful comments and review Especially liked Binman describing AJ as having “intangible Zing”. I agree. It’s that extra effort or second effort or Will to get to the contest or extra bump or block or body contact to bullock through. AJ is not the most skilled or most likely longer term option but drafted to serve a purpose. Riv has the zing too. He’s a ripper and had the energy and desire to get to the contest. Had a great game !!!

sorry bing181, I’m watching a different game Spargo was poor again on the weekend V Lions. First half. 7 handballs 3 effective … MINUS 3 METRES GAINED. 1 missed tackle allowing Wilmot to run through the corridor Third quarter His pass to Fritsch was poor. 15 metrs and it floated. Simple pass !! In fact, he was 25 metres out free… have a shot Trac bursts through the square and hits a perfect bullet pass to a free Spargo. 30 metre out from goal. His shot. Out in the full Both were momentum killers. He redeemed himself with a solid tackle but one tackle is hardly enough to justify selection As a small forward, in 8 games he’s kicked 1 goal !!! That’s so sub par for that position

Key stats Melbourne 14.15.99 Defeated Brisbane 13.10.88 That’s it !!!

Umps votes likely M.Gawn L. Neale C.Petracca Gawn clearly BOG 👏👏👏👏

Mouthguards in at Casey training tonight Seriously though, the team played boring footy and needs to learn about quick ball movement and scoring strategy. The 3rd quarter v Southport was a horror show of wasted opportunities and poor decisions. Need to see a huge response this week and a 10+ goal victory is the prediction.

A win for the ages!! Indeed it was. DEFEATING THE REIGNING PREMIERS AT THEIR HOME GROUND … a very special pod this week 💙❤️💙❤️ What got us excited Jake Melksham. His goalkicking won the game. His goalkicking gives us confidence. His kick on the left to hit Sparrow was superb. Great game to kick 4 and to nullify Andrews. 👏👏 Xavier Lindsay. Such a bright future. His 3rd quarter was special. Run down tackle. Pass to Melksham inside50 to goal. 11 possessions in the quarter. Gave us momentum. His last quarter run and so nearly a special goal. XL20👏👏 Clarry. Love ya Clarry. His 3rd qtr effort's were special - firstly his contested ball and kick to goal and second to tackle, bump, desparate knock on to Langdon to Kozzy for the goal. 👏👏 Max Gawn is simply the greatest EVER. Loved he punched the ball forwards with grunt. 46 hitouts. 8 clearances. We won centre clearances again (which is one of best stats) 18-11. Not sure if we turned centre clearances into scores @binman . Maxy also was superb with interception marking. 👏👏 Trac was good. Signs of him getting back to his best are getting close. A few fumbles but he was good. Backline of May, McVee, Tmcd, Turner were good. Loved AJ as 2nd ruck , just a bullock type player & gives 100%. All heart & loved the goal celebration Bowsa is having a great year and just behind Maxey in B&F. His composure and delivery were excellent Fritta as our super sub. He was energised. He ran, he tackled, he took contested marks Who was this man ? Shades of 2021 even What worries me? Charlie Spargo is so below AFL standard. His missed tackle in the first as Wilmot pushed him aside. Poor. He was negative 3 metre gained at half time. His 3rd qtr. Pass to Fritsch was pathetic. In fact 20 metres out, stud the shot. Then Trac bursts through centre, bullet pass to Spargo marks 25 metre out. Kick out of bounds on the full. 🤬Had 2 good tackles in the 3rd. That’s it. Must go. Must be dropped. Goalkicking accuracy. Apart from Melksham, I’m not confident in our goalkicking. Sharp twice , Spargo, Petty, Trac, Kozzzy, Fritta all missed shots from 30 metres out. They didn’t look confident. Love Kozzzy but 2.4 …what might have been. Windsor ball use. Had 6 kicks & 3 shocking turnovers, two were Lions rebounds and goals. Love the kid but needs to fix up ball use. ? Only one question this week - can we request these umps next week ? Overall they were okay with only a few rough ones … but overall I thought they didn’t overumpire and let the play flow

Easy. In. Viney and Lever (if fit) Out. Sharp (if only he’d taken his chances) Spargo (not AFL standard by a long way) Fritsch stays as sub. @Demonland Fritta seemed energized surprisingly as the super sub. Kicking for goal still got the yips AJ stays in as he loves the contest. 2nd ruck work was ok and did some good bullicking work. If Lever is not fit, bring in Kynan Brown

Actually made the call “wish we had two Daniel Turners”… one back and one forward. He was very good today. Very good

Melbourne- what a win !!! Kozzzzy - we love you Melksham- the goalkicking ace Max - simply the greatest Zorko - Go get F$&&(&)d Oliver - silenced the critics Lindsay - huge future ahead Fritsch - our super sub Spargo - (censored) (censored) (censored)

@Demonland Huge win. 👏👏👏👏👏👏 Beat the reigning premiers at home Massive effort and never gave up Lots of great performances this week Jake Melksham 💙❤️that’s a very special day out Love ya Kozzzy Gawn is THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME ❤️💙❤️💙❤️💙Go Dees

4th. 🤮Melksham miss 🤮Kosssy miss 🤮Gawn turnover 🤮Langford turnover. Terrible !just terrible … giving it to lions 🤮McDonald turnover 👏Bowey to Melksham goal 👏goal Fritsch 💔kozzzy miss 35 metres 💔miss Petty 👏AJ GOAL 👏Langdon 14 up !!! Trac to Lindsay and … miss from 40 🤮🤮🤮 Goal to McKenna Lindsay brave !!! 🤬🤬🤬Trac miss Langford smart

@dazzledavey36 How can they defend Spargo now !! Not AFL standard. Actually a liability today.

3rd 💔Trac poor. Left handed nothing handball. Turnover. Goal. Morris. 👏Melksham kick. To Sparrow. 👏Oliver Desparate. Goal kozzzzy 🤮🤮🤮🤮sharp miss 💔Lindsay late tackle. goal Gardiner 💔Windsor and Salem. Mark bailey. Dees 50. Spargo 30 out. Pass to Fritsch. Poor pass. [censored]. Goal to lions on rebound 👏Clarry goal Trac. Burst. Through 50. 🤬🤬🤬🤬Spargo 30 out and miss everything!!! Farrrrrk me Spargo is [censored] REALLY FUCCCCHHHN 👏Lindsay to Melksham. 🤬Turner. Goal Gardiner. ⭐️Lindsay. Tackle. Disposal. Run. More please

Spargo. Get off now !!! That’s [censored] 30 metres out Kick the goal Hit a 15 metre pass

Spargo. First half. Metres gained MINUS 3. 1 tackle. Poor. Very poor Want to see a massive lift in him Wish we had an Elliott, Hill, Greene, Papley etc as a small forward to kick goals.

Commentators picking on Oliver. Yet the turnovers are the issue. Been 5 or 6 cruel turnovers that have cost us and led to Lions goals.

Love it coach Joeboy. Positive. Go for the win. But Goody loves the lil Spargo so that would be a brave call !!!

2nd 🤮Windsor shocking turnover 💔Steven May. Goal to Gardiner 🤮Salem miss target from 15 metres 🤮Chin 50 out. Out of bounds 🤮Sharp drop mark 10 metrs out Dropped marks and poor skills 👏Lions turnover. Dee rebound. Trac to Melksham. Goal. 🤮Windsor kicking is poor 👏Chin goal. Determination Riv poster !! Spargo is terrible !! Who’s on Coleman !!’ 💔Trac jogging into defence. Lazy. Lions run through middle & goal to Gardiner. Stop going backwards kicks. It’s going into trouble !! 👏Gawn to Trac to riv. Goal. Lions 55 dees 42. Much better Effort is there !! Tackles in forward 50 … 8 👏👏@binman

@binman Clearances 11-11 But Dees centre clearance 8-2, stoppage clearance Lions 9-3

Watched Pies v Crows yesterday. Ability to lock the player in the tackle is critical. Dees let too many players get handball away !!! It’s an ongoing weakness.

Dees v Lions 1st 👏Chandler to Melksham 💔Langdon turnover Mcd turnover goal 🤬Petty miss 15 metres out 💔Langford turnover McCluggage goal 💔AhChee goal 👏Riv to kozzzy 🤬Melksham 50 stupid 👏Tmcd goal 💔Windsor turnover - Petty turnover … Morris goal 💔easy centre clearance. Trac slip. Morris goal chin poster !! Unlucky 💔turnover. Hipwood goal. GOOD. clearances BAD corridor owned by lions in turnover - 4 goals FUCHHHHEN TURNOVERS Lions 39. Dees 22.