spirit of norm smith

It was bizarre!!!!

Yawn. Pies zone defence. They stopped Tigers run. But you need to score!!! Riewoldt? Rioli? Did they play?? Absolutely missing all night.

Just like Weideman to step up. This team needs him to fulfill his talent with some intensity and marking power.

I think they should play half court defence style games. Zone defence.

Just needs to get through the game. Not the stats or goals. That will happen in course. Very good footy story so far

No.19 2000 Round 14 v Collingwood at MCG Another massive Queens Birthday clash. No matter what, this game always was a must win for the Dees faithful. In 2000 we’d shown ourselves as a team to be watched and repeated the 1998 form. We were 5 wins 3 losses and then met the undefeated Dons, losing in a close one by 2 goals in a tough contest. Expectations were high. But then the wheels fell off and we lost 3 in a row, including round 13 when the Blues destroyed us by 16 goals (to push us to 6-7 record) and out of the top 8. The Pies had new coach Malthouse on board but had a shocking 5-8 record having lost their past eight games. The clash was crucial to keep both teams within sight of the finals. The opening was even with both sides trying to break away. At half time it was 3 points lead to the Dees. Schwarz and Neitz were ineffective, held by Prestigiacomo and Richardson. Despite Buckley’s absence, the midfield was an arm wrestle. It was tense. We didn’t foresee what was to follow. In the second half, the magic of the wizard Jeff Farmer was on show. He’d not been sighted in the 1st half and was dragged by Daniher. He exploded with 9 goals in the second half to entertain the crowd and his own teammates. As we sat on level 1 behind the Punt Road goals, we celebrated in the last quarter as he kicked 6 goals to demoralise the Pies. The Wiz had us jumping out of our seats. Big marks, goals in the run and a huge speccy next to Robbo. He was brilliant. The Dees amassed 15 goals after half time to win it by 65 points. Yze was a star. White, Johnstone, Rigoni & Woey all had great games. But all the way back to the Duke and at the Duke, there was only one man we were talking about ... The Wiz. Our hope had returned and we felt like the confidence of the team also was renewed. The next week we smashed a strong Hawks team by 12 goals, and The Wiz kicked 7 goals. The QB win over the Pies had given us the belief and momentum to drive us towards one of the most outstanding years since 1964. The Dees went on to win 8 of the last 9 games in 2000, only losing to the Kangas by 1point after missing easy chances to win it. We locked in the highest place finish in 36 years to be in 3rd place with a 14-8 record. Melbourne 22.11.143 defeated Collingwood 12.6.78

Deep water

Still lots of finals to come in the countdown and yes the 2018 finals games are included. But there was some great wins in 1987, 1988, 1990, 1994, 1998 and 2000 that are particularly featuring.

This was spot on in terms of his three development needs. He’s now 22 and physically should be mature as a key forward. His physical contact ability is below par and marking below required for a key forward. He has the makings of a top key forward but needs to be hungry. He needs intensity. I think he’s been so hugely talented in junior ranks that his raw talent has got him into the AFL ranks. But the step from top juniors to top AFL players is hard work and intensity. Sam was going to be our key forward alongside Jesse Hogan. It was going to be THE key forwards for 8-10 years. I want to keep Sam and see him fulfill his potential in a red and blue jumper but fear his future may be linked to a end of year trade discussion to get us a top 25 pick. Unfortunately the Pies will answer the phone if we ring.

I agree this is the likely changes. But Lockhart would be very very disappointed as he played a pretty good game. Bkg- jetta May lever. Hibberd Omcd salem Mids - gawn oliver viney Langdon brayshaw Tomlinson Fwds- Petracca Tmcd melksham. Pickett Jackson Fritsch int harmes n-jones rivers Bennell emerg Lockhart Bedford Anb

No.20 2002 Elimination Final v North Melbourne at MCG 2002. It was such an inconsistent year. We had beaten the top teams like Brisbane, Power and Crows yet lost to the Tigers twice. Other losses were by small margins and we often played in bursts. The team was hit hard by injury and the loss of Jeff Farmer was hurting us (especially his winning goal against us after the siren). Still by round 21, we were in 5th place and potentially could push us to a double chance with the lowly Swans and Saints. We were virtually assured of September action. But the Swans hammered us by 12 goals at the G meaning we lost percentage and had slipped down to 7th just holding on. Mathematically with another big loss we’d be out. We just beat the Saints in a tough last round to finish 6th. We were led by Neitz having a strong year with 75 goals to be leading goalkicker, White, Woey, Yze and Trav Johnstone. After a poor 2001, we were back to September. We had to play the Kangas, still a strong team but now without Carey. Woewodin kicked our first within a minute and it was game on. But we seemed to again think it would just happen. Our inconsistency continued as the Kangas opened strongly and led at quarter time. But again we burst clear by 21 points by half time. Vardy, Yze and Neitz were our multiple goal kickers. Johnstone was especially damaging and his delivery to the forwards was setting up goals. The 3rd quarter was even with us holding a 4 goal lead at the last break. We’d lost some heartbreakers in 2002 so we were nervous. But as with other games in the year, we ended strongly with a 7 goal ending to win by 40 It was the sign of how capable this team was. Vardy kicked 5 goals to show his value and talent. Robbo kicked the sealer at the 25 minute mark and celebrated to the Red and Blue Army at the Punt Road end. He added 2 more goals to demoralise the Roos. No sympathy for the Roos as we headed for another week in September. Melbourne 18.14.122 defeated North Melbourne 11.18.84 (post script- our complete inconsistent stop-start form continued the next week as we list to the Crows in a very cruel but symbolic end to 2002)

No.21 1990 round 16 v Essendon at Windy Hill This game is one that most Dees fans have good memories about. The last quarter has been replayed a few times in the archive footage. But there was a lot to this match. The Dees opened 1990 with 5 straight wins against quality teams but by July we’d slipped to 9 wins 6 losses after 3 straight losses. The Dees had been beaten by 5 goals by the lowly Saints, then anniliated by the Kangas by 21 goals and then lost to the Cats by a goal at Geelong. We desperately needed to win. On the other hand, the Bombers were flying and back to the top of the ladder. 12 wins 2 losses. They had just smashed the Hawks, the reigning premiers by 11 goals. To go to Windy Hill and win seemed impossible. Yet we had beaten them comprehensively in round 3 by 6-7 goals so there was a marginal hope. My family and I were holidaying in the Gold Coast and the match was fully televised on channel 7. We had planned to watch the game but may have planned to venture out if it became ugly. The breeze was worth 3-4 goals by reports and we kicked into the breeze at the start. Whilst the Bombers were on top and missed some good chances, we were only 3 goals down. The Bombets defied the breeze to kick the opening 4 goals of the second quarter. Our hearts were dropping. The walk down to the beach was tempting us. But then the Dees clicked and kicked the next four goals to restore the faithful. At half time the lead remained 15 points to the Bombers. Bennett had been held to a single goal as we relied on Ricky Jackson as our only multiple goalkicker. Again in the third quarter we held in the game and were 27 points by the last break. It was a fight. The Bombers opened better and went out to a 34 point lead via a Greg Anderson snap in his wrong foot. Despite the wind, hope was fading by the half way point. Some quick goals gave us momentum and a Greg Healy snap under pressure made it three in a row and back to a 3 goal lead. Then a 3rd goal to Jackson and two goals to Darren Bennett (5 goals) put us in front. Bennett’s mark over Van Der Haar lives as a great moment as Van Der Haar was crushed by Bennett’s size and leap. His goal lifted all in red and blue. Incredible. We were jumping around. What a fight back. Three minutes to play and the Bombers were attacking. They were relentless. But on the rebound, Heaver ran through the middle, took three bounces and handballed to Jackson who missed from 20 metres out. But he’d been pummeled after the kick. He got a free and nailed the sealer. We won by 8 points in an amazing upset. You couldn’t get the smile off our faces. In the final 14 minutes, the Dees kicked 7 goals to snatch it. It proved the catalyst to our year and we won every game for the rest of the regular season to get 7 straight leading to the finals. (post script- But of course 1990 was still not our year).

Yes disappointing. Petty is one bloke that I really want to see progress this year either as a tall back or key forward. He might be on the trade table at year end unfortunately as the Crows may dial up his number and he be tempted. Preuss is fragile for a guy that looks like an absolute warrior. Toes must be the new AFL issue !!

Agreed KC. Though Box Hill Hawks would snap up a lot of the Eastern League available players imo rather than Casey. I thought Ryan Morrison showed real potential in 2018 yet was hijacked by the Kangas. Like to see him back. Also think that Campbell Hustwaite from the Pies should be “invited” for the season. Shows real AFL potential and was close to being drafted last year.

No.22 2006 Elimination Final v St.Kilda at MCG After being in the top of the ladder battle and a top 4 finish, with 12 wins 5 losses, the Dees season had staggered. One win from the last 5 rounds saw us finish 7th. A round 22 thrashing by the Crows by 10 goals had us as underdogs versus the Saints. We’d beaten them earlier in the year thanks to a David Neitz 8-goal effort. The Saints started well and we struggled against their strong defence. Three goals to half time was a poor performance but thankfully we were only 20 points down at half time. Jamar and Whelan were out of the game injured. Gehrig went off injured for the Saints in the 2nd quarter after trying to evade Carroll. Neitz was being well held by Sam Fisher and Hughton double team. Harvey was everywhere and we needed someone to step up to combat him. The lift came from youngsters Davey, McLean, Bate and Jones. The mids of junior McDonald and Bruce started to win more of the footy and we got back into the game. It was only one goal deficit at 3/4 time but the Saints opened the last quarter with a goal and control of the game but couldn’t kill us off. Yet we seemed to have run our race and we couldn’t crack their defence. Halfway through the last quarter, suddenly it was the Saints that cracked. Goals to McLean and Green had us even and then Neita kicked another to put us in front. The Dees army that had been subdued roared as McLean and Yze followed with another two goals to win by 18 points. It was relief. After losing in the elimination final in the prior 2 years, we finally won a final again. It was hardly convincing and a tough win but it was September action and we’d won it and stayed in contention. Melbourne 13.12.90 defeated St.Kilda 10.12.72

Casey (without MFC alignment) has about 15-16 listed players including 6-7 under 18 graduates. It’s hard to see them participating without getting another 10-15 players from metro leagues as top ups.

Any news on the 2020 VFL season? Because AFL listed players can’t compete in the VFL, does that mean Casey wouldn’t participate this year??

Can’t get to watch it. Any vision of the Trac would be great.

I like it. Probably Bennell is not quite ready. Anb would be the one on notice imo

Here you go. The timing. A recent QB Memory to make us smile.

No 23 2017 Round 12 v Collingwood at MCG Another big Queens Birthday clash. This was huge. The Dees were now under Goodwin and Buckley was facing some heat on his coaching performance. We’d beaten them in 2016, we were the team to watch and were now capable of rising up the ladder. But 2017 started slowly with 5 wins 5 losses and had come off the mid year bye. The Pies also had 5 wins, and on a roll with 3 straight wins. We needed this. With Hogan missing, the converted Tom McDonald was our key forward amongst a few midsized options in Hannan, Melksham and Petracca. Pedersen was our makeshift ruckman. It was going to be a challenge. The game opened evenly in a spirited contest. Then the Pies got in top, taking advantage of some poor turnovers and kicked 6 in a row before Petracca magic saw us get two goals back. At half time the Pies had a 4-goal lead and momentum. Questions were being asked. We were pretenders. The Pies were on top. Howe had taken another huge speccy but this time unfortunately he was wearing black and white. But it was to be an emotional second half. Some unlikely hero’s in the third. Bugg stepped up to kick two goals in the third quarter. Frost controlled the back half and rebounded with pace. A goal from 50 metres out from Watts brought us back. It was game on. Finals atmosphere. The Pies wouldn’t stop either and by 3/4 time it was even. We were screaming in the last as we got on top. Viney and Petracca was unstoppable in the contest. The Pies get a goal to be within 4 points. 5 minutes to play. The lasting memory will be the last goal. The sealer. Dees defend in the back 50 and Oscar McDonald squirts a kick out of the pack to Harmes. Harmes gathers on half back and kicks over Watts ahead. Watts is 10 metres clear of an opponent. He gathers on the 50 arc and runs, bounces and nails the goal from 25 metres out. The roar was absolutely deafening. We were all jumping around like excited school kids. One minute to play. We held on to win by 4 points. We were hoarse. I think I lost my voice singing Its A Grand Old Flag. A great victory. (post script - the Pies got their revenge with a victory over us in round 23 by 16 points to deny us a finals spot with us missing out by a hundredth of a percentage point).

This was obvious after he’d played a dozen games. Can hurt teams more and get “advantage “ from his contested footy. He’s little 2 metre handballs do nothing but get a stat or put pressure onto a teammate. He’s a star and his kicking can cover territory. It could elevate him to be a true A grader

6 Viney by daylight 5 May 4 Langdon 3 Petracca 2 Pickett 1 Lockhart

Agree. We have to look back and agree Watts was our number 1 choice. He had a good career. Not great but good. There’s been plenty of other low draft picks that failed completely. I’d be more concerned why we selected Blease and Strauss. Should have picked Shuey and Sloane. Two standout mids at the time. Shuey to West Coast was ridiculous. Sloane to the Crows was a shocker. He missed him 3 times. He’d told him and his parents we would draft him only to pass him. We picked Blease, Strauss and Bennell ahead of Sloane. He’s never forgotten it.

Agree. Amazing he’s not in. Adams was a true A grader