spirit of norm smith

Agree @Demonland Kate had an excellent year. We are truly blessed that she is in red and blue, and that she is our captain 💙❤️

@Whispering_Jack agreed. Heath plays a big role in 2026 with the extended bench.

Jeff White and his son have proven the bond that a footy club like MFC can have. It’s great to see 👏👏

Ok with Rhett McLennan in as the new VFL coach at Casey Demons, he’d have to bring Brodie Atkins to Casey for 2026. Atkins was probably one of the unluckiest player to miss on draft night and rookie selections. What more could he do in 2026? He was excellent at the national championships and led Gippsland all the way into the preliminary final. He was one of the best player in each Gippsland game I saw. Plays like ? Jude Bolton. Here was his AFL bio write up Brodie Atkins State: Victoria Country State League Club: Gippsland Power Community Club: Drouin Date of Birth: 25/01/2007 Height: 182cm An inside midfielder who is a stoppage star, using his quick hands and vision to set up his teammates. Atkins is tough as nails, an aggressive tackler and a model of consistency whenever and wherever he plays. He starred for the Gippsland Power in the Coates Talent League, winning the Morrish Medal as the competition’s best and fairest and being named in the Team of the Year. He averaged 23.1 disposals, 6.9 tackles and 5.5 clearances per game and finished runner up in the Power’s best and fairest award. Also applied his craft for Victoria Country in the National Championships, averaging 22 disposals and 7.3 tackles, with his best performance coming in the win over the Allies. Produced a sharp time of 2.99 seconds on the 20m sprint at the State Draft Combine in Melbourne.

Ditto. I was onboard the Ollie Wines train that year. Wines was to be paired up with his best mate Jack Viney. We were set to get the best contested young ball winners in one hit. However if we got Wines… then perhaps Trac and Clarry may not have got the nod at the draft from us. Life works in mysterious ways.

Exactly. He was playing underage footy across half forward and wing as a skilled marking runner. Kicked some very classy goals. Was looking good at Casey in 2022 before injury ended his year. When the midfield was assessed, he was changed to the backline group as an interception type backman to play on the 3rd tall/medium forward. He’s done okay but his natural self in my view is across half forward. He might get a different look under King.

Tyla Hanks ❤️💙❤️💙❤️💙 Tyla had a sensational year and her 3rd place cements her as one of the best in the league. She’s a star ⭐️

Agreed @The Taciturn Demon Molly O might be rotated through the midfield next year to compliment the inside mids. Molly can run and gun and be a huge asset in years to come.

You might get a laugh out of this … Paul Daffey AFL PHANTOM DRAFT 2010 12. MELBOURNE - Daniel Gorringe Height: 200cm Weight: 88kg DOB: 02/06/92 Club: Norwood (SA) Draft range: 9-14 If Gorringe gets through to 12, the Demons have a bargain. His ability to find teammates with deft tap work is his trademark. He can also go forward. He's played senior footy in the SANFL and you imagine he'll adapt to the AFL quicker than most young ruckmen. Was tipped to be top 10 all year, but the cards have fallen differently. Did we dodge a bullet 🤣🤣🤣🤣 By the way … Daffey had Cook as a 2nd round pick 27. NORTH MELBOURNE - Lucas Cook(compensation) Height: 196cm Weight: 81kg DOB: 03/03/92 Club: North Ballarat Rebels (Vic) Draft range: 25-35 Key forward with a clean pair of hands whose endurance was indicated by his top-10 finish (10.34) in the three-kilometre time-trial at the combine. He also finished in the top 10 in the kicking drill. Cook would have been a monty for the top 20 before his form fell away in the second half of the under-18 championships. He'll build up and become more durable. In 2010, I remember I was very keen at Dees first pick on Dion Prestia, Tom Lynch, Jack Darling or Ben Jacobs. Cook was a surprise.

@Whispering_Jack 👏👏 Great post. Hassa is a true legend to the red and blue. I’ve met him several times at club functions. Truly a great bloke on and off field. It was nice to see him given that moment to present the jumper. I am sure once XT reads up on Hassa’s bio, he will appreciate the moment. - 3× VFL premiership winner (1959, 1960, 1964) - 3× Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Medallist (1962, 1963, 1967) - 2× Melbourne leading goalkicker (1967, 1968) - Melbourne captain (1965-1968) - Played 178 games for Melbourne, scoring 193 goals Also add… *All Australian twice 1966 & 1968 Represented Victoria in 8 interstate games Best first year player 1959 Life member MFC HALL OF FAME inductee 2001 Assistant coach Chairman of selectors Coached under 19s Chief Executive Officer Team of the century

You can see the reflection of Jeff White in his son. Super stoked Kalani is onboard. We have to give him time. Gym and protein shakes for the youngster for the next 2 years at least.

Thought Jaxon Binns showed AFL quality. Again starred for the Blues in VFL for past 3 years and was unlucky not to get more opportunities. Had the pace and skill to be a good running asset. Got 5 games in 2025 and showed enough. Maybe he’s like Bailey Laurie. Simply too good at VFL but not quite AFL. Maybe he needs more chances. Just turned 21!! He’s a Berwick lad so whilst AFL openings are not available for 2026, maybe it’s the Casey Demons as the next slot.

I’m really excited to see what Riley Onley can show. He was super impressive in the under 18 championships. His speed through the contest. Outmarked other mids. Run and link up work was very very good. He has the X factor ability. I was shocked he wasn’t drafted. Thought he’d go 25-30, and thought we’d grab him at pick 30. Then when at 56. To steal him as a pick 3 rookie draft is amazing. He has the goods to be a strong AFL player. Runs 20m in 2.885secs. For a young guy at 195cms that very impressive. Loved this summary of him “powerful tall midfielder with speed and clean hands to take the ball from inside to out.”

Surely Casey Demons will reach out to Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves. Surprising he wasn’t drafted at all. He is inconsistent but I think that’s because his best is as good as any player in the draft. He moves at ease at good pace. Can kick goals. Classic wing half forward type. He has class. An excellent sidestep. Very good kick. Can hit targets. He might kick 4 goals and have 30 possessions then next week go scoreless and have 12 possessions. Sometimes that’s the go with outside running type. He was injured and missed some matches but I wouldnt think that’s the reason he was overlooked. Is it attitude? He isn’t big on defense but the kids grown up as a star and often just runs and wins the footy. Being undrafted might be the kick in the pants he needed.

I had to watch the game last night in replay (I did see the result so it wasn’t a complete heartbreak) So proud of the team We started on fire - first 3 goals The intensity wow that’s finals footy Just needed to take our chances in the 3rd The fourth quarter yes I saw the girls effort just beyond them Unfortunately allowed Garner be unmarked in that last ball up to get the sealer goal Maeve was incredible Shelley Heath tackles Taylor in defence Hanksy is heart and soul TAYLA’s first quarter goal and mark Kate was Kate. Just a shining star always Wish we’d had Liv Purcell. She will be great to get back in 2026 Another year from the youngsters. Let’s go again in 2026 💙❤️

@Dee in a Kilt Paxy. What can we say ? She’s a legend. Like Daisy, she has been Melbourne. Whilst the physical speed and intensity was up, she just stood up with her smarts and skill and showed glimpses of what she was able to do. However I think she will retire. At 36yo and after 92 games, I feel yes that’s it. But then the lure of getting to 100!! Perhaps …

@adonski BOB missed out … I thought he showed plenty during the under 18 championships and when was promoted in the SANFL. Strong onballer with good skills and tackles hard. Assume he stays in the SANFL in 2026.

2025 Draft National recruiting manager Jason Taylor:“It was a waiting game [to see who would get through to us]. We weren’t entirely sure. We had a strategy in place to take the best available player, and then there was an element of need [Pickett] that was going to come into play for us as well with those selections, at a certain point. We were able to achieve both of those, which is a very good result for us.” The Age Mark McGowan MelbourneWho they picked: Xavier Taylor (11), Latrelle Pickett (12), Tom Matthews (30) The Demons were delighted that Eastern Ranges defender Taylor, who was best afield in the Talent League grand final, made it through to their first pick. Taylor takes the game on with his athleticism and agility, is an intercepting force, and has improved as a decision-maker. Pickett, a mercurial small forward, is the cousin of club star Kysaiah, but earned his own reputation with a breakout SANFL season after Melbourne tracked him for almost three years. They grabbed another small forward in the second round, selecting Gippsland Power’s Matthews despite a PCL injury wiping out the second half of his season.

MFC list update … key defenders: May, Tmcd, Adams, +K.White tall defenders: Lever, D.Turner, Howes, +X.Taylor, +Berry 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 Tall mid: +Onley key forwards: +Mihocek , JVR, Petty, Jefferson , Kentfield, Johnson med-tall forwards: Fritsch, Melksham, Mcadam small forwards: Chandler, Sharp, Henderson, Mentha, +L.Pickett, +Matthews Rucks: Gawn, Campbell , +Heath

I had 3 categories for midfielders Inside mid Running mid Mid/forward rotation Riley Onley is unique. No sure he fits into any of those 3. Like Cripps, he has a size advantage over other midfielders and can still burst through at clearance. He’s a “big tall mid” who has shown the physical power and footy ability to really stand out. A great addition.

As I said, he’s a steal. To get Riley Onley as a rookie is an excellent outcome. He can play tall as a midfield option and really stretches opposition mids. He kicks it 50+ easily. If he gets a big preseason in, he might even get a debut game during 2026 !!!

Write up by poster from the Vic country trial game in early May Matthews showed plenty of X-factor on Sunday and proved to be very dangerous at the fall of the ball from the packs, while also being strong around the contest, especially against bigger opponents. His follow-up work was excellent while he also showed great vision and composure to set up his teammates for a few goals. A highlight of his game off the ball was where he continually showed his endeavour to chase with his closing speed to ensure his opponent earned his kick. His goals came at crucial moments in the game, which included an excellent set shot kick on the half time siren and a goal early in the third quarter to get things going for Vic Country in the second half. Matthews showed great kicking power and was hard and fast on a lead inside forward 50. He came off halfway through the last quarter with what looked to be an ankle injury Stats: 10 disposals, 4 goals, 2 behinds

Assume that the Dees will nominate Kalani in the rookie draft today. I do think it would have been good to call Kalani White rather than Pass with that pick 56. It would have been a nice position to add him to the main list. Nevertheless no dramas. Let’s give him the handshake today.

Sestan showed talent before injuries cruelled his season. What might have been ? Good luck young man

Conspiracy theories abound. Dees will push to get Bailey Humphrey by offering 2026 MFC 1st round + GCS 1st round draft picks. Perhaps back from Suns … Humphrey and Suns 2027 2nd round pick