spirit of norm smith

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.

Only saw Oscar Ainsworth in a few Western Jets games. He was ok but didn’t win it that much. Didn’t have him in the top 70-80 youngsters. Handy small medium goalkicker but there’s plenty of similar types in under 18s footy and we have plenty of small medium forwards already on the list.

I thought Sinnema showed enough this year to get a rookie spot. His game at Casey showed his outside run and skill would be a handy addition. Obviously there’s other considerations that make up whether he’s worthy of being added to the list. Wait & see.

Preliminary final Dragons v Gippsland Power. Rory Wright was clearly best on ground and the main reason why Sandy Dragons made it into the grand final. His ballwinning, skill and kicking was a highlight. At pick “37”, he’s as good as any youngster in that range.

Sidebottom dominated in the last few TAC cup games. Then he was easily the best player on the ground in the GF… as a midfielder, kicked 10 goals and had 32-possession performance. No one frowned at his selection, including me.

Fair call. I liked Grlj and Josh Lindsay. Pace and elite disposal as added quality. Nairn’s endurance and marking and versatility makes him an option. But from viewing , I’d say his kicking is also just ok.

Agree we pick the best player available … but then again we live every off season with the go home factor. (Jackson, ANB, McVee all lost in the last few years, and constant rumours about others).

Can’t understand why the Dees are off this youngster. He’s got the tools to be a 200 gamer at AFL level. A genuinely tough smart footballer. If it’s Sharp v Nairn, I’d take Sharp in a heartbeat.

He’s an absolute steal . The kid is a player with all the tools to succeed at AFL level in my opinion

I rate Xavier Taylor very highly. Excellent mark. Good pace (below 3 secs for 20m sprint). Smart. Can lockdown forwards. Determined. Has footy aggression. Doesn’t shirk a contest. Plays like Daniel Turner or Nick Vlastin type defender.