spirit of norm smith

Had a discussion last night about the Dees and who we could hope to see step more in the 2nd half of the year. Gussy Brayshaw was an interesting one. I said he was having a good year (and great to see him on the park given his concussion issues from a few years ago). But agree he’s hardly back to 2018 and is planning a more defensive wing type role. Thought he was very good against the bombers.

This glorious season is starting to unravel. We have the talent to challenge and need to keep on believing. Top 4 is likely but not guaranteed. We could finish anywhere from 1st to 5th. Here is the key point : The Demons are capable of beating any team on any given day AND are capable of being beaten by any team on any given day. It’s a tough competition and we need to be intense for every game for every minute. We aren’t so superior and talented that winning just happens. You need to be hungry and ready to go each week. AFL footy demands it !!!

Agree needs a tall forward. I think he also needs to stay in forward 50 and use his pace 1-1. Too often he gets up to the wing and is stuck in traffic. I watched him yesterday and think he’s getting to the side of the pack and not front-and-centre.

Have to reinforce that Salem is having an excellent year.

Powell is a very good ball user and good pace. Only 21. Had contract extended. Signed up by the Suns until end of 2025.

Yes it was the Dees of 2019. Oliver and Harmes and Trac and Viney had handling difficulties and fumbles in the centre clearances and contest. Green and Ward and Taranto and Kelly were more one touch and clean. If they had a key forward, the giants would have won by 5-6 goals in reality.

Post of the day.

In. Brown out. Spargo or Pickett or Viney. Jack looked sluggish. Not sure he’s 100%.

Hunt is a query. He looked good when he ran and ran through the lines. Also contested well. But his indecisive nature was a worry. He ran hard and caused the giants a worry in the last quarter and could have had a shot each time within 40 metres of goal. Sure not the percentage play but this team first stuff sometimes has to be changed for some players like Hunt to “just go for it”. I’d like to see him retain his spot. Pace is a commodity we don’t have much of.

Good teams don’t lose to the bottom clubs. Lions and power were impressive. If we lose to Port next week, Dees could drop to 5th. Next week is a huge game.

GC will offer a big 5 or 6 year contract worth about $600k a year. We are hardly close to being able to trade or offer anything in $$ to Miller. He’s definitely a star and was a bargain 2nd round draftee all those years ago.

Agree that Trac was polarizing today. Had some good one on ones and tried to drag us back into the game. Certainly not a bad game. BUT HIS MISS FOR GOAL FROM 25-30 METRES OUT STRAIGHT IN FRONT WAS HORRIBLE. In the context of the third quarter, it was bad.

Time to drain the bath water.

In. Ben Brown. out. One of Pickett, Spargo or Viney.

BBB HAS TO PLAY NEXT WEEK. BBB SHOULD HAVE PLAYED TODAY V GIANTS. BBB HAS TO PLAY AT LEAST FOR THE NEXT 4 WEEKS AT LEAST. EVEN IF ITS DOESNT WORK V POWER, WE MUST PERSIST. WE NEED TO KEY FOWARD GOALKICKING FORWARD.

Agree. Maxy was not intimidated. I watched the whole game and Maxy did whatever he could to lift us. It was not his fault we lost today at all.

6 Salem 5 Tmcd 4 Gawn 3 May 2 Fritsch 1 Lever

Not the worst idea. Ben Brown probably gets the nod next week. Daw is backup ruck if Jacko or Maxy are injured or need a break.

Umps were horribly inconsistent. They were caught several times and the Dees got no rewards for tackling

✅ Fritsch. ✅Tommy mcd ❌ misses by Langdon and Tmcd and Hunt and Hunt and gawn. Kick a drop punt from 30 metres out !!

He’s running sideways Needs to stay in forward 50 Needs to stay in forward 50

❌goalkicking. Frittata and trac !! Horrible misses ❌centre clearances 4-9 ❌Josh kelly is a king ? he’s absolutely smashing us He’s elite !! ✅Fritsch goal ✅salem goal. Played on. ✅Tommy mcd Giants had 3 chances to be five goals up !!!

Unbelievable. From 15 metres out !!! Trac and frittata. Unbelievable.

Tag Kelly Now !!!!!

Trac miss from 30 metres. He’s not elite !!