spirit of norm smith

@Gator @BLWNBA keep your eye on the red and the blue.

6 Hore 💙❤️ 5 Gillard 4 Liz Mc 3 Wotherspoon 2 Hanks 1 … struggling…Banno

Agreed. Cal has good intel as a general rule

@Little Goffy 🤣🤣🤣let’s prioritize Sam’s 7-Sam Grlj 8-Sam Cumming 37- Sam Allen

@Garbo I do actually like his run … and yes his continued running. He links up really well and has the ability to create quick passages of play to put opposition under pressure. His pace is something that will appeal. He’s still in need of better decision making though.

SA captain Dyson Sharp, who has widely been linked to the Bombers. He’s an Essendon supporter and suits what the club needs in midfield, being a bigger-bodied extractor who can also go forward for marks and goals.

STRENGTHS: + Clean hands + Competitiveness + Contested game + Leadership + Strength + Tackling IMPROVEMENTS: - Kicking - Outside game - Speed If there's one thing Sharp does better than anyone in the crop, it's winning contested ball. He was utterly dominant in that domain during the National Championships, averaging 11.3 contested possessions, six clearances and five tackles per game. Such feats helped further establish his reputation as a tone-setting, lead-by-example captain. Central to Sharp's contested nous is his toughness. He simply doesn't flinch in the face of contact and has the strength to absorb physical pressure while distributing the ball. As far as primary possession winners go, few were more effective by hand this year than Sharp. He handles the ball cleanly on the inside and had stood up to the rigours of senior footy. Sharp has become used to playing up the age groups for some time. He was a dual Under 16 All-Australian and established himself in South Australia's Under 18 side as a bottom-ager. Further to that, his SANFL League exposure across the last two years has been significant. Each experience has also leant to his growth of versatility; learning to play back in the state program, and as a high forward for Centrals' League side. Although, midfield is where Sharp shines - particularly in the cut and thrust of stoppages. It's there where his competitive nature comes to the fore, with the 18-year-old exhibiting first rate intent and effort. It lends to his leadership quality, as does his vocal nature out on the field. He has an abundance of footballing knowledge and always seems eager to impart it onto his teammates. While he leads the crop at what he's best at, Sharp remains entrenched in the ever evolving footballer vs. athlete debate. He is the type who has a high floor, but arguably lower ceiling than others in the same draft range. The likes of Ben Hobbs and Jhye Clark are similar stylistic examples who have gone on to the next level as first round draftees. On pure performance, Sharp was among the best of the crop, but a crystal ball approach may favour others in the draft class. The way top level football is headed leans towards fast transitional play, where leg speed and foot skills are king. Sharp's skillset fits outside that category, but still has a place in the modern game to help enhance those who thrive on that style. He did well to add weapons to his game this year, hitting the scoreboard at the National Championships and improving his ability to accumulate outside possessions. Those areas can still be enhanced, helping grow Sharp's ability to hurt the opposition. As it stands, he's the type of player who will be ready to go, helping those around him shine with his strong extraction work.

Would he be available ? Surely not !! He’s a ready to go inside midfielder. He’s a bombers supporter and they surely pick him. Cannot see him dropping to pick “7”. If he did, wow he’d be hard to pass on.

Fox Footy:- MELBOURNE Dyson Sharp (MID; Central District) The Dees have had somewhat of an exodus this off-season as they look to reset under new coach Steven King. Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver were both traded away, while Judd McVee and Charlie Spargo also found new homes. It’s left Melbourne’s on-ball brigade pretty thin, and Jack Viney isn’t getting any younger either. At the top of Melbourne’s priority list should be finding some midfield support for the likes of Harvey Langford, Trent Rivers and Xavier Lindsay. South Australian beast Dyson Sharp would be a superb fit, especially when you consider he’s a terrific off-field character who could one day captain an AFL club. Sharp had a brilliant National Championships campaign that was both consistent and eye-catching, which saw him win the Larke Medal and South Australia MVP. The big-bodied midfielder averaged 27 disposals, 7.5 score involvements and six tackles a game, showcasing his strengths around the coalface and his ability to burst from stoppage. There’s a general consensus amongst recruiting circles that Sharp is ready made and could play round one in 2026. Melbourne president Brad Green said earlier this year that the Dees’ centre bounce for round one would be Gawn, Petracca, Viney and Oliver, but there’s a genuine chance it could instead be Gawn, Viney, Langford and Sharp.

Agree. Butters or Rozee… or Hartung or Blease. I think Grlj offers us pace and run and I’d be happy if he’s available and JT picks him.

You simply need… Your best team on the paddock. Chaplin, Purcell and Goldrick, plus Zanker out. That’s top line talent missing. Accurate goalkicking. That was a huge difference v Lions, indeed all season our accuracy has been poor.

afl.com.auThe footy-mad draft prospect who has charged into top-10...Jacob Farrow's life revolves around footy, and the WA draft prospect has charged into top-10 calculationsAgreed. Jacob Farrow is definitely in the mix. He’s got all the tools to be a long term AFL player. Good size. Excellent skills. Good attitude. Mobility. Smart. (Only negative from me is he’s from WA! Shouldn’t be scared off but it’s in the back of our mind given the go home factor).

Chris Cavanagh. Journalist. AFL football. The Demons have done work on Aidan Schubert if he falls past Essendon. Don't think there's any chance of Sullivan Robey getting through that far, as much as he'd suit. Sam Cumming is the name that kept coming up for Melbourne so I've got him at the Dees first selection and then Lachy Dovaston, so they’re the two. Grlj is also in the mix for Melbourne but my mail is the Demons might not be as keen on Grlj as other clubs in that range. Sharp is unlikely for Melbourne even if he does get past Essendon, but I wouldn't totally rule the Demons out.

Possibly run through Eagles grab Duursma & CDT Tigers grab Robey & X.Taylor Bombers grab Sharp & Cumming. Likely any combos of these 6. Who’s left? Grlj …the speedster who takes the game on with excitement and dash. Josh Lindsay … the deadly accurate left footer with elite skills. Farrow or Dovaston as other potential options. Both are excellent youngsters. Theres the raw ruck/forward Schubert constantly spruiked to us in phantom drafts. Cam Nairn as the latest young gun mentioned. He was impressive in the carnival. I’m still onboard with (if available) Grlj at 7 and then Lindsay at 8. We instantly improve our pace & run, and instantly improve our half back distribution. We can use speed on the ball or creativity to move it. I think they align with the King ball movement at speed philosophy.

@BAMF cheers to you it’s all friendly banter !!

Maeve out !!! That hurts us. Ebert was good last week when needed. Does this leave the backline vulnerable ? Will we play Wotherspoon back??

Chaplin, who was named in the All-Australian squad on Thursday, injured her hamstring at training during the week and is understood to be unavailable for the clash

Agree. He’s a tough well built utility. Plays like Bailey Humphrey.

Cameron Nairn is a quality young player. 188cms. Yes he’s like Ollie Dempsey or a little like Jai Culley, or throw in a little Bailey Fritsch (but not as smoothe). Medium forward? Actually he plays more wing/half forward, or can shift to half back. He’s a smart player too. Left footer. Not highly skilled but good enough. His big assets are his running power and his marking. Kicking is not elite but satisfactory to be honest. I had him pegged in about pick 30 so it’ll be a big move to have him at our “11/12”. Again it’s all in JTs capable hands.

He showed plenty in limited games and it’s good that he will get more of a run at Sandringham. Still one youngster to watch for the Dees in the future Mitchell Kirkwood-Scott, SandringhamA premiership player with Sandringham Dragons in 2024, speedy small defender Kirkwood-Scott spent 2025 with Casey Demons, playing eight games for a finals team. In between he played for Old Haileybury in the VAFA under new Sandy coach Daniel Ward. Zebras CEO Mark Wheeler is also aware of Kirkwood-Scott’s ability, having put him on the books at the Dragons.

All kinds of combinations! Top 7 are likely to be Duursma, CDT, Robey, Grlj, Sharp, X Taylor and Cumming. One should be available at pick 7. Pick 8… Farrow, Lindsay and Dovaston are clearly in the mix (imv not Schubert ) , with Hibbins-Hargreaves as the smoky and Pickett as the wildcard.

the top draft prospects say “who” their game is modeled on … Willem Duursma – Marcus Bontempelli and Finn Callaghan Zeke Uwland – Errol Gulden Cooper Duff-Tytler – Luke Jackson Dan Annable – Lachie Neale Dylan Patterson – Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera Matt LeRay – Will Day ⭐️Josh Lindsay – Errol Gulden and Hayden Young ⭐️Lachy Dovaston – Nick Watson, Kysaiah Pickett, Jamie Elliott and Izak Rankine Adam Sweid – Nick Daicos Hussien El Achkar – “Izak Rankine and Kysaiah Pickett Louis Kellaway – Hugh McCluggage Sam Allen – Isaac Heeney ⭐️Sam Grlj – Zak Butters, Ed Richards and Hugh McCluggage Aidan Schubert – Shannon Neale ⭐️Sullivan Robey – Hugh McCluggage Tylah Williams – Bobby Hill ⭐️Sam Cumming – Isaac Heeney Hunter Holmes – Chad Warner Archie Ludowyke – Aaron Cadman Liam Hetherton – Charlie Curnow and Aaron Naughton Jack Ison – Kysaiah Pickett and Cyril Rioli Louis Emmett – Luke Jackson Zac McCarthy – Luke Jackson and Nick Larkey ⭐️Xavier Taylor – Nick Vlastuin Cody Curtin – Josh Treacy and Riley Thilthorpe ⭐️Jacob Farrow – Jordan Dawson Jesse Mellor – Dustin Martin Hugo Mikunda – Zach Bailey

The reaction from all at Demonland

Most recent Herald Sun has us picking … 34. CAMERON NAIRN188cm Forward, Central District Drafted: MELBOURNEWe say: The Demons would love if Latrelle Pickett slipped through to this pick, but that doesn’t look likely. They may still be able to add a quality forward in Nairn, though, who has drawn comparisons to Bayley Fritsch. At 188cm, Nairn measures exactly the same height as Fritsch and similarly possesses vice-like hands overhead, a big leap and an accurate boot. The South Australian recorded one of the best individual performances at the under-18 national championships with a seven-goal haul in a match against Western Australia. Along with his strong hands, he also has strong endurance to outwork opponents and finished fourth in the 2km time trial at the national draft combine. I had Nairn around this mark but preferred a few more as better ball users Rory Wright. VIC Gun HBF/mid👍🏻 Sam Swadling WA Mid Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier👍🏻 mid. Think Luke Parker. Beau Addinsall(** academy GCS) midfield Jett Dahlitz SA 👍🏻def/halfback/quarterback Koby Coulson (* Suns academy) Mid Harry Kyle. (*Swans academy ) halfback/quarterback Jack Dalton. Sml mid. Accumulation Cameron Nairn SA fwd /utility