spirit of norm smith

Plenty of talented youngsters still available Jevan Phillipou, Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves, Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier (BOB), Noah Chamberlain, Sam Allen, Matthew LeRay, Sam Swading, Fred Rodriguez, Jack Ison, Riley Onley, Archie Ludowyke, Rory Wright, Kye Fincher , Koby Coulson and a few more !! Maybe if no bid comes for Kalani, the Dees might be tempted to use the extra pick and then be able Kalani as a rookie !!

Dees might test the water tonight and bid on some academy types Noah Chamberlain (Swans academy) , SKILL⭐️ He was the best player for the Swans academy in my opinion. Alongside Josh Lindsay & Jacob Farrow, Chamberlain is the best kick in the draft. Plays tall mid or sweeping half back. If we’re after skill, let’s see if the Swans buckle or not Jack Ison (Blues NGA) STRENGTH & POWER He really impressed in Chargers games with power and strength in the contest and kicked some very good goals. Has the potential to play early across half forward and then move on ball. Petracca's like power through congestion. Blues likely match but worth the push. Kye Fincher (Saints NGA) . RUN & CARRY. He played half back for the Sandy Dragons then moved into midfield and was very good as a ruck rover role, using foot skill to create. Strong at the contest. His kicking decision making really shown out this season. He played a game in the VFL late in the year for Sandringham and his run and carry even in senior footy was on show. Like to test the Saints on this youngster.

@dazzledavey36 agree. Kye Fincher had a good year. It would be interesting to push the Saints to see if they matched a bid. Alongside Rory Wright 😊& Jack Dalton, Fincher was the Dragons best player this year imv.

@Whispering_Jack Agreed. Good list very similar to mine in the AFL draft thread. Thinking that JT might use the next pick on a midfielder to help with the continued refresh and the post Trac /Clarry midfield. There’s some talent still there Not sure we will use pick “56” but it’s perhaps tempting. If there’s a young gun who slipped through, JT might stake a claim. Taj Hayes might be one to watch at this draft range as he has the pace to really add to our future midfield plus his kicking is very very good (retain rookie spot for Kalani White)

This 2026 draft will be a huge one The “one year club”… The veterans: (likely all 5 will retire at the end of 2026) … Stephen May, Jake Melksham, Tom McDonald, Tom Campbell, Shane McAdam The fringe: Bailey Laurie (?), Jai Culley (✅), Jack Henderson (x), Aidan Johnson (x) The developers: Matt Jefferson (?), Ricky Mentha (✅), Andy Moniz-Wakefield (✅), Luker Kentfield (✅) (Not sure if I’ve left anyone out) Likely again between say 7 to 10 list changes likely at the end of 2026 as the King refresh kicks in It’s fair to say the list will also have some reshaping and be active in the free agency/trade/draft period at the end of 2026

IN (+9) Max Heath (trade, St Kilda), Changkuoth Jiath (trade, Hawthorn), Brody Mihocek (trade, Collingwood), Jack Steele (trade, St Kilda) , Jai Culley (SSP to contracted) , Jack Henderson (SSP to contracted), Oscar Berry (Cat B rookie) , Xavier Taylor (National draft pick 11), Latrelle Pickett (National draft pick 12) OUT (-11) Jack Billings (delisted), Kynan Brown (delisted), Tom Fullarton (delisted), Marty Hore (delisted), Judd McVee (trade, Fremantle), Clayton Oliver (trade, Greater Western Sydney), Christian Petracca (trade, Gold Coast), Oliver Sestan (delisted), Charlie Spargo (free agent, North Melbourne), Will Verrall (delisted), Taj Woewodin (delisted)

MFC list update … key defenders: May, Tmcd, Adams tall defenders: Lever, D.Turner, Howes, +X.Taylor med//running defenders: Bowey, Salem, Lindsay, AMW, +Jiath. inside Mids: Viney, +Steele, Langford , Laurie Runners/outside Mids: Rivers, Langdon, Windsor Mid/fwd: Kozzzy, Kolt, Sparrow, Culley key forwards: +Mihocek , JVR, Petty, Jefferson , Kentfield, Johnson med-tall forwards: Fritsch, Melksham, Mcadam small forwards: Chandler, Sharp, Henderson, Mentha, +L.Pickett Rucks: Gawn, Campbell , +Heath

@demoncat that very small chance played through. We got the X (Taylor) factor at “7”😊

Some interesting youngsters to chose from … Jack Ison VIC mid/fwd (surely sometimes bids on him and see if Blues match ) Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves VIC midfield/HF👍🏻 Jevan Phillipou SA mid/hff👍🏻 Sam Allen VIC mid Ollie Greeves VIC big mid Riley Onley VIC. tall mid Matthew LeRay. SA. Mid/wing Fred Rodriguez WA midfielder Rory Wright. VIC midfielder Koby Coulson (* Suns academy) midfielder Suns would be unlikely to match Coulson if the Dees were to grab the tough running midfielder

Pick 11. Xavier Taylor. 👏👏👏 Great news. Happy days. As I said, he got the footy ability and toughness to be an excellent player. He doesn’t take a backwards step

Let’s get this moving !!

Mac Andrew 😭😭

@Demongirl Farrow and then Nairn… ok happy with that combo.

So you end up likely getting Dovaston or Lindsay instead of Farrow, and then a future 2nd round 2026 to help land Bailey Humphrey. Keep talking …

Thanks @Pennant St Dee good cover of the WA lads like Farrow, Swadling, Rodriguez and Williams. Blake Kelly also did impress in some highlights but might just be a late or rookie pick most likely. Agree on your thoughts on Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves. Local youngster from the Stingrays. He's got star quality and would be a great pickup if still available at “30 something”… https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/46082593/afl-draft-2025-noah-hibbins-hargreaves-clutch-no-fear-nerves

The Age… The Demons are never afraid to go against the grain, but this may depend on whether Sam Cumming or Xavier Taylor are available. This is higher than Nairn has been projected, but Melbourne have him in their sights. Nairn had a seven-goal game at the championships before demonstrating his ball-winning wares with consecutive 30-plus-disposal outings to end the season. He is a high-IQ footballer, runs all day on the wing, could develop into an inside midfielder, marks well overhead and is a neat kick.

The Age … Farrow’s draft range starts at Essendon’s picks, and he has admirers into the mid-teens, but he should be long gone by then. He is one of the best kicks in this class – which should appeal to Melbourne – makes quick decisions, impacts the game as an interceptor, and showed his agility in combine testing. Farrow has also performed well in the midfield, but is more proven down back, where he will start and possibly stay in the AFL.

Yes see that. Fair compare to Rivers in a way. I’m a yes to Farrow if he’s available. He controls across half back. He Competes well. He Can go into midfield and win contest and clearance. 👍🏻

Yes agreed. Grlj has pace to break the lines and plenty of repeat efforts. He can turn defence into attack really quickly. Not sure why he wouldn’t suit the new King style of play. Maybe clubs see him more as Billy Hartung than Zac Butters !!

Cal’s phantom draft Top 30 10 of the top 30 are father son or Casey preselected players !! That’s crazy times Who’s missing from Cal’s top 30 Ollie Greeves - was talked about as potential number 1 pick - now … where? He’s the big bodied mid. He’s smart, and kicks it 50+ but his pace over 10 metres must have clubs worried !?!? Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves … wow - on his day, he’s as good as any player in the draft. Surely he’s top 20!! Others ? Jevan Phillipou. Fred Rodriguez. Matthew LeRay. Plenty of talent in the pool after Cal’s top 30.

@Demonland thanks. Watched whilst eating a beautiful salad roll for lunch. Like the call that we will use “7&8” and not overthink the trade up , down or future moves !!! There is likely to be two quality youngsters available. Nairn and Farrow would be good additions JT is a good man. We are in good hands with him steering the recruiting 😊

Hibbins-Hargreaves. I rate him around pick say 15-16 so if he fell past into the 30s, I’d be shocked … [censored] amazed. His inconsistency may deter others but his best is as good as any young gun in this draft.

@ChaserJ Good call. Endurance and getting to the contest is a big asset. Not unlike Nibbler, with the up and back tuning and 2nd running efforts a big plus. He’s also a good mark. Left foot is handy although like most of these youngsters, still work to do.

Thanks @Whispering_Jack a good summary in the H/sun. Kye Fincher is another name mentioned for our “30 something pick”. He had an excellent year as a half back/utility for the Dragons and put in a good performance in the GF. Of course he’s in the Saints NGA so they’ll likely match it … or not

Anything mentioned about Sam Allen. His start to the year and games at Scotch College were super impressive. Strong st the footy, good burst of speed and elite runner. Huge disappointment that he got injured and missed most of 2025. If he’s available, Dees should closely look at him for this pick.