spirit of norm smith

Spot on. We got screwed again. North in Tassie. Duck off. Travel between 3 states and with short breaks. No bye obviously. Still have bombers game to pickup. Saints and Bombers got armchair rides. note - that leaves us makeup match v Dons plus with rounds 13 to 17 against Freo, Saints, Dogs, Swans, Giants.

No need to trade big this year. We have the nucleus across the park. Need to stay healthy.

Yes part of the Sam Frost trade. Grabbed Hawks 2020 2nd round. Looks likely to be low to mid 20s. Our 1st and 2nd rounds in 2020 draft were effectively traded out to secure Pickett and Langdon. Happy days.

Yes I agree that was Gil’s throwaway line. But the Suns are one of his extension team “children” and it’s likely they will be getting handouts until they make finals and then some.

Good point. There’s talented kids not even in Cal Twomeys “top 25”. It’s compromised and more obscure compared to prior drafts.

Looks partly cloudy. What the ? Can someone call Anastasssssssisa Palaczzzzzuk. The brochure said “Beautiful one day, Perfect the next” Not “partially cloudy one day and raining the next”. Still it is mid winter and 21c so no complaints.

Trac and Gawn clearly our best two players on the weekend. Good to see Sam Frost chatting with a few players after the match. He was ok for the dorks and I cannot remember one clanger or shocking turnover. Kept it steady with 20 metre passes. Certainly no long runs or panic attacks. Maybe they’re dosing him up on Valium!

GC Suns have two ripper kids in Alex Davies (tall mid) from Cairns and Joel Jeffrey (speedy tall wing/utility) from the new priority NT Zone. Suns can pre list without using draft picks. Part of Gil’s AFL SUNS northern preference gift pack.

Agree. Weid has been great to see him back as we all screamed out for his inclusion. However this week is pivotal as Andrews is now in the top bracket of key defenders. Gives nothing away and plays tight and tough. True test for Weideman this week. He has lifted his input. In Suns match, I say he went hard at the pack 60%. Against the Hawks, it was 80%. I’m not saying he has to crash or compete in every aerial contest but still needs to be more physical and strong in the mark. He was not running “under the ball” as much as in 2019.

When is the next round of fixtures due to be released?

Agree Brayshaw was ok. Definitely back again for the big game this week.

Yes messages definitely sent out yesterday and today. Club team working overtime to help and it’s difficult as they need to get AFL decisions about ticket allocations.

Most clubs are on the GC. Kangas are literally across the road from Metricon but it hasn’t helped.

Probably get more votes if Fritters had kicked straight. I think he is 6-11 for the year and about 3-8 from set shots. Lots to like about him with his marking and skills but needs to work on the conversion accuracy. He’s first goal on the weekend was a beauty. The second was a great mark inside the 10m square.

Any news in when rounds 9-12 are being announced. Hopefully soon. Get on board Dees for finals. ? AFL must have the actuarial service working overtime on the draw to work on algorithms and scenarios.

Yes I believe we are going to be based in Maroochydore in the Sunshine Coast. Novotel Twin Waters is a good base and known to the players. Maroochydore Roos ground is where we trained over prior 4-5 summers. Lots of facilities and socially there’s less trouble for the young blokes than in the GC. Only small issue is it’s 2 to 2 hour bus trip from Twin Waters to Carrara for Metricon stadium.

Wow. He showed big signs. Good to see he went into the ruck to relieve Max once we had the game out to 5-6 goal lead. Sure he fumbled a few but he will get more confident. I think overall his agility and second efforts were excellent. Great to see the excitement when he got his first goal.

24c. Sunshine. Welcome to Queensland. I guess it’s also out of Quarantine status after spending 2 weeks in NSW.

Yes needs to lift but has class and smarts and skill. He’s just going but fits nicely alongside the midfield bull squad.

Might be jumping the gun to say #1 but Petracca is in excellent form. His kick to Weideman from 50 to pinpoint him in the square was elite. His running and power were a great combination. He was in contests and would burst clear. Dangerfield like confidence right now.He outmatches Sicily who has had a great year himself but looked 2nd rate v Trac. Then Tracs goal from just outside 50. Wow. Trac needs to continue being smart. Mitch Robinson gets him in the tag this week and he’s taken some scalps. Tracs teammates will need to watch out for him. Trac still needs to back up from the man on the mark a little more. But otherwise a very A grade level right now. 8 Brownlow votes so far imo.

Omcd - I might rethink Petracca - Brownlow medal form

Good to see another week of us struggling to consider changes. Cooling - AVDburger, Melksham. Brayshaw was ok. Lockhart did what he had to do. Sure Tmcd probably comes in so it’s between AVB and Melksham for me. AVB disposals were generally poor but tackling and pressure are pluses. Melksham didn’t involve himself in the contest but his goalkicking ability is always handy.

Perhaps the best summary of the game. Only 1-2 occasions of “oh no” moments.

Yes selections making a difference. Get Weideman in. Get Bennell in. Get Vandenburg in. Also the media criticism was definitely noted. We are not in the red zone so much.

I love it. Kozzzzzzzzzy Pickett is so exciting. His pressure. His dancing feet. His energy. My kids love him already. Yes Weightman is a talented junior and would have been good pick but Kozzzzzy is the one. Such amazing talent.