spirit of norm smith

AFL WEBSITE The Demons' new-look midfield has been hit hard with Jack Viney (Achilles) set to miss most of the first half of the season and Jai Culley (arm) out for a month after a promising summer. Max Gawn has been nursing a finger fracture but played in AAMI AFL Origin on Saturday, while Jake Bowey will miss several months as he recovers from a Lisfranc fracture in his foot. Harry Sharp (hamstring) and draftee Tom Matthews (groin) returned to match sim training last week, while Shane McAdam (Achilles), Jack Henderson (back/sacrum), Tom Campbell (neck) and Andy Moniz-Wakefield (knee) are all in various stages of recovery. Christian Salem has been restricted to running laps in recent sessions but the club reportedly said in late January there were no concerns with his fitness. Father-son tall Kalani White has returned to Queensland to spend time with family as he recovers from a bout of glandular fever. - Michael Rogers

Unavailable/ Injury list (12) Jack Henderson (sacrum stress fracture) - tbc Round 1-2 Bailey Laurie (fractured hand) - tbc Round 1-2 Brody Mihocek (toe) - tbc Round 1-2 Tom Campbell (neck) - TBC Luka Kentfield (face) -TBC Shane McAdam (knee) - TBC Tom Matthews (knee) - rehab group - likely round 3-4 Jai Culley (Arm/shoulder) - TBA/ round 1-2 Jake Bowey (foot) - indefinite/ round 13 Jack Viney (achilles) - indefinite/Round 12/13 Kalani White(glandular fever) - indefinite Steven May (TBA) - tbc

You’d have to blind to miss him. He is a Tom Hawkins type. Big. Strong. Good kick for goal. With the right guidance from blokes like Mihocek, he could be a very good AFL player.

@Demongirl35 I agree with Jacob Blight as one to watch. He was very good for the Tigers in several games, often when the Tigers defenders were under pressure from superior opposition. He stood up. I know a few Tigers supporters were puzzled why he was let go. One player to have on the “keep an eye on” list.

Ah-mu showed today that he could be a very good player. Definitely need to see him develop at Casey. Has the size and skill. Dees might swoop in and give him a chance if a list spot frees up.

Agree. Like to see Paddy Cross get a chance if a list space became available. He knows how to win the football and kick a goal !!

Where was Derryn Hinch? What about Neil Mitchell? Not in the young cool A grade status anymore? We could have got Baz Luhrmann to direct , he’s a Dees faithful supporter too

Injury list Jake Bowey (foot) - round 13 Max Gawn (finger) - available Jack Henderson (sacrum stress fracture) - tbc Round 1-2 Bailey Laurie (fractured hand) - tbc Round 1-2 Brody Mihocek (toe) - tbc Round 1-2 Harry Sharp (hamstring)- tbc Round 1 Jack Viney (achilles) - indefinite Jai Culley (Arm/shoulder) - TBA

How many days until the season begins ? Please let’s get the round 1 asap

DEPARTING: 15 Mitch Hardie (Wangaratta Rovers), Caleb Lewis (Gold Coast Suns), Riley Baldi (South Adelaide), Deakyn Smith (SANFL TBA), Noah Yze (Sandringham VFL) Mitchell Kirkwood-Scott (Sandringham VFL), Max Gregory (Frankston VFL) Roy George (Port Melbourne VFL), Jack Ferraro (Sandringham VFL TBA) Max Roney (Tassie Devils VFL), Jack Behnk (St Kilda VFL), Tyler Edwards (Rowville) Chance Doultree (Red Hill) Kobe Shipp (Beaconsfield) Patrick Ireland (Leongatha) STAYING: 9 tbc Riley Bonner Paddy Cross Lachie Bryce Wardell Lual Tyson Sruk Jesse Craven Jarrod Gatt Olliver Green Brayden La Planche TO BE CONFIRMED: 5 Tom Freeman, Jenson Graham, Andrew Green, Charlie Peters, Kai Windsor ARRIVING: 19 Luamon Lual (Essendon) Miller Bergman (North Melbourne), Xavier Hampton (West Adelaide reserves), Braedyn Bowden (Berwick), Luis D'Angelo (Traralgon), Jehi Esler (Tooradin-Dalmore), Joel Scholtes (Traralgon), Sam Hoghton (Officer), Nate Pipicelli (Nar Nar Goon), Clancy Pope (Nar Nar Goon) Tanj De La Rue (Dandenong Stingrays), Toby Sinnema (Dandenong Stingrays, MFC NGA), Tairon Ah-Mu (Dandenong Stingrays, MFC NGA), Louis Hodder (Dandenong Stingrays), Jasper Russell (Dandenong Stingrays), Jobe Scapin (Gippsland Power), Luke Cheffers (Gippsland Power), Harry Tatterson (Gippsland Power) Jonah Walker (Gippsland Power)

Round 1. Unavailable Bowey Presume Unavailable. Campbell. Matthews McAdam Henderson Probably unavailable. Petty, Melksham, Viney, Mihocek B: Lever May Jiath# HB: Salem Turner Lindsay C: Langdon Steele Windsor HF: Chandler JVR Langford F: Fritsch Kentfield* L.Pickett* R: Gawn Rivers K.Pickett I/C. Culley Sparrow Steele# Throlstrup Heath# Emerg. Howes Sharp AMW Fringe. Laurie. X.Taylor Jeffo. Tmcd. Adams Onley Mentha A.Johnson Berry

Our midfield is in refresh for 2026. I agree with the outlook for Langford. He’s a genuine star for the future and I’ve been singing his talent since his under 18 performances. Absolutely was over the moon when we drafted him and with his 2025 debut season. But don’t load up pressure too much for a second season player I do have to agree with @dazzledavey36 about the loss of Petracca. Even though he didn’t perform like 2021-2023, he still had a very very good 2025 in my view. Runner up in the MFC B&F, 16 Brownlow votes, 582 disposals, 18 goals, MFC number one for goals assists. He is a huge loss. We got three 1st round draft picks in exchange and he wanted out. So we move on. But he must acknowledge his loss. Hopefully the loss of Trac and Clarry (both will be remembered as greats for the MFC), there’s now opportunities for Langford, Riv, Kozzy to now own the new midfield. More opportunity perhaps for Kolt and Sparrow to show us that they have the ability to play midfield minutes too. JV7 still has some grunt to give. Jack Steele is also a great addition with his own talent and guiding influences to others. Let’s go Dees in 2026

It’s cooked !! Stinker of a competition now

Given the blues lost Curnow, if there’s an opportunity or any midsessin draft opening , Derksen would be well placed.

Two games. Limited time. Kicked 2 goals. Average 4 possessions. I would think he wants to commit full time to Leongatha … rather than sit by the phone waiting for a call.

That’s a shocker of a start. The VFL ??? With teams in Tassie, NSW & Queensland. Time to end this farcical competition.

Casey had 29 players listed in 2025 (outside of a few young guns like Duursma who got a run as a topup underage player). There is heavy turnover for 2026 for both Melbourne AFL and Casey VFL squads. Casey has certainly lost some very good talent from last year. In my opinion, players want certainty in knowing their role and the “next game” likelihood. The aligned clubs have a fragmented program and it means players look elsewhere and come and go. It looks like the new program is adding youth and ex Gippsland Power as identified under the new coach. There’s some good young players coming through which will be good to see them get a chance too. DEPARTING: 14 Mitch Hardie (Wangaratta Rovers), Caleb Lewis (Gold Coast Suns), Riley Baldi (South Adelaide), Deakyn Smith (SANFL TBA), Noah Yze (Sandringham VFL) Mitchell Kirkwood-Scott (Sandringham VFL), Max Gregory (Frankston VFL) Roy George (Port Melbourne VFL), Jack Ferraro (Sandringham VFL TBA) Max Roney (Tassie Devils VFL), Jack Behnk (St Kilda VFL), Tyler Edwards (Rowville) Chance Doultree (Red Hill) Kobe Shipp (Beaconsfield) STAYING: 10 tbc Riley Bonner Paddy Cross Lachie Bryce Wardell Lual Tyson Sruk Jesse Craven Jarrod Gatt Olliver Green Patrick Ireland Brayden La Planche TO BE CONFIRMED: 5 Tom Freeman, Jenson Graham, Andrew Green, Charlie Peters, Kai Windsor ARRIVING: 19 Luamon Lual (Essendon) Miller Bergman (North Melbourne), Xavier Hampton (West Adelaide reserves), Braedyn Bowden (Berwick), Luis D'Angelo (Traralgon), Jehi Esler (Tooradin-Dalmore), Joel Scholtes (Traralgon), Sam Hoghton (Officer), Nate Pipicelli (Nar Nar Goon), Clancy Pope (Nar Nar Goon) Tanj De La Rue (Dandenong Stingrays), Toby Sinnema (Dandenong Stingrays, MFC NGA), Tairon Ah-Mu (Dandenong Stingrays, MFC NGA), Louis Hodder (Dandenong Stingrays), Jasper Russell (Dandenong Stingrays), Jobe Scapin (Gippsland Power), Luke Cheffers (Gippsland Power), Harry Tatterson (Gippsland Power) Jonah Walker (Gippsland Power) Some players may only play 1-2 games and still represent their local club through the year.

Tyler Edwards has committed to Rowville as a full time player for 2026. He showed plenty of potential in his 4 years at Casey. He blended really well when given the opportunities, being a strong contributor on the wing.

Thanks @Demonland Ex AFL recruits: Miller Bergman (Kangas) Luamon Lual (Bombers) Coates League under18s recruits - Stingrays: Toby Sinnema, Tairon Ah-Mu, Louis Hodder and Jasper Russell. From local leagues: Braedyn Bowden, Tahj De La Rue, Joel Scholtes and Nate Pipicelli Resigned : Riley Bonner, Paddy Cross, Tyson Sruk, Brayden La Planche, Wardell Lual, Jesse Craven, Lachie Bryce, Olly Green, Patrick Ireland, and Jarrod Gatt .

The Kolt. Koltyn Throlstrup He’s one young gun that gets overlooked. Did JT miss the mark on picking this kid from WA? Kolt has natural aggression. A real X factor type player who might excite then drift out of games. He has to develop like Cam Rayner at the Lions. Kolt is unlikely to be the 30+ possessions midfielder but rather the impact half forward who kicks goals and rotates through the midfield as a point of difference. Kolt might prove to be another young gun to excite us for years to come (preferably ) … or alternatively seek an exit shortly to return home to WA.

The Smithy’s VFL campaign will feature 21 home and away rounds, with all 22 clubs to play 18 matches and have three byes.

What I really liked in 2024 was AMW able to tackle and really stop/hold his opponent. His rugby background means he can be strong through the hips and upper body. Add more composure with the footy, and I think he replaces McVee in our team from round 1.

@WERRIDEE Thoughts? Sinclair Weitering Stewart Ash Battle Holmes Anderson Rowell McCluggage Greene Cameron (Rayner) (Watson) Darcy Dangerfield Gawn Bont Butters Int. N.Daicos. Serong. Richards Hardwick. Merrett. (T.De Koning) Surely Vic’s add in Rayner, Watson and TDK. TDK as 2nd ruck.

Vic squad is going to be star studded on every position. Surely Finn Callaghan and Lachie Ash get a call up !! Any chance of a spot for Christian Petracca ? Probably not.

@KC from Casey @Whispering_Jack Brodie Atkins. Gippsland u18 best and fairest and 2025 Morrish medal winner. He’s signed with Sandringham VFL for 2026. Disappointing to see that Casey couldn’t appeal to him as a local lad and with the former Power coach Rhett McLennan as Casey’s new coach. Atkins had a great year and still a player to watch out for. He averaged 24 disposals per game and 6 tackles per game. I think the standalone clubs like Tassie and Zebras and Saints are appealing to these young guns who will more likely to get a regular game than if they are in AFL aligned clubs. The “whole of club” feel also a potential factor.