spirit of norm smith

Rohan Connolly: AFL JOURNALIST Nothing against Nathan Buckley, who you'd think now gets Tassie job, but really pleased to see Steven King get his chance coaching at senior level. Knows his stuff, been around traps a long time, and is a genuinely nice guy, would love to see him succeed.

Can’t remember. When was YZE appointed for Tigers at end of 2023. I think we’d already gone out !!! I think he literally got the gig about 3-4 days after we got knocked out

Jay Clark at Herald Sun - Geelong unofficial number 1 ticket holder Nathan Buckley was asked specifically if he was given the Melbourne job would he accept it. Buckley said he was still unsure. He wanted more info from the Devils first. Ultimately, Dees picked Steven King, and Buckley remains front runner for Tassie. heraldsun.com.au/sport/geelong-…

When I used this earlier this week, it was to support the appointment of Nathan Buckley. But actually now in hindsight, I was closest to the pin !!! LONG LIVE THE KING

Shhhh Staggered by the silence from the AFL and the Cats on the week’s events both from Smith and from the almighty Chris Scott. Culture?!?! … all we hear about is “respect & responsibility” and again the AFL is silent … I guess they will of course and have to be complicit as they double down on the snoop dogg appointment ! 🤮🤮🤮

ARROGANCE AND IGNORANCE. That’s the Cats culture. How wonderful they are !!! Geelong coach Chris Scott and star Bailey Smith have both apologised to women they aimed verbal outbursts at. Smith's incident took place on Wednesday, while Scott reportedly brought an AFL staffer to tears after the qualifying final.

McVee for … they can FOCKER OFF !!

Yes that’s an odd call. Retain Henderson and delist Sestan and Kynan Brown. Zero sense!!

Jack Henderson surely would be highly unlikely to be retained. He started ok but quickly was found not to be up to the required standard. He then struggled at VFL level and was ultimately injured by seasons end.

Nailed it. He was good in “21 and part of our premiership 👏😭. Of course now only getting 7 possessions a game and struggling to kick a goal and struggling to kick 30 metres was a problem in the end. We wish him all the best !!

Let’s bring back to excitement And yeah, the membership and communications departments need a kick to improve dramatically in 2026 More surveys anyone 😭😭😭

Geez I wish we had the wonderful CULTURE like the Cats. The media rubs themselves to excitement mode with Jezza and Danger (cold spoon needed for Hudson and Whateley). But there is silence around Bruh#n, Stengle and Smith for their behaviours. It’s like the media and the AFL themselves have a lot of ex cats players or support the Cats. Oh yes, forgot … they do !!!

Buckley at Tassie!! Give me and him a break. A foundation club takes years to get right and Buckley would have years of pain. The Dees allow him to stay with family in Melbourne and a shot at his premiership glory that has evaded him so far. The AFL should not be interfering in our “process” or trying to somehow conflict Buckley with an imaginary club coaching role.

Coach Paul Roos: brought Goodwin into his coaching panel as part of a long-term succession plan. The plan was set and aimed to transition the top coaching job from Roos to Goodwin over time. Roos viewed Goodwin's recruitment as an assistant as the "final piece in the puzzle" to ensure a seamless transition.

FYI.. hope this panel can do better than the prior one assembled (Note, Roos was appointed and Goodwin then appointed as a succession plan) the prior panel … "We interviewed extensively for the role, xxxx clearly had a lot of attributes that we were seeking, and decided he’s the man," "We're very confident in the structure he's going to put in place, the people around him, his game plan - he's very convinced about his game plan to succeed”. Dees on Mark Neeld And we know how that ended. …

Update on prior post from last week I had Sestan as staying and Woey jnr as the unlucky one But it was actually Sestan as the tough call and I think unlucky to be delisted, as he had shown good form at Casey until injured Changes are still on standby imv … awaiting new coach to arrive Keep Oliver Petracca Uncontracted McVee ✅Hope a new coach and a good contract offer sees him stay Billings ❌ Fullerton ❌ Sestan ❌ Spargo⭕️UFA Trade or allow to leave (R) Verrall ❌ (R) Hore❌. (R) KBrown💔❌ (R SSP) Henderson❌? 8 off the list - Spargo, KBrown, Fullerton, Hore, Verrall, Billings, Henderson, Sestan (Henderson was top up so we can add 7) I cannot see Henderson being retained He had some chances but ultimately is another very good VFL player who probably couldn’t step up to the AFL standard Contracted 2026 McAdam⭕️sure he has mercurial talent but can’t believe he was 29 yo and injury prone and he got 3 years Maybe he gets to see out his final year 🤞he can stay on the park or I think he’ll have to retire early Laurie⭕️ elite at VFL Level Just wish he’d got more chances at AFL game and shown something He has been on our list 5 years now Might just seek opportunity elsewhere . Contracted. One more year … The Veterans. Melksham Tmcd May McAdam Campbell On the edge. Must prove themselves Laurie Woey jnr Jeffo Adams Johnson rookies: Kentfield Culley AMW Mentha 7 additions Add Culley as upgrade from SSP to rookie Add Derksen + add another mature player Draft… Add White (likely list) and Sinnema (likely cat b rookie) Add 2 quality youngsters in the draft

This is as expected. Media whips us frenzy that a player may leave their club. Usually pumped up by the player manager. Then the club adds $$$ and an extra year. QED. TOM MORRIS 💩💩Rest easy Saints fans, expect Windhager to stay now. It could even be formalised this week. He had crucial chats with Ross Lyon before he left on a holiday for New Zealand.

Players managers and the game of player movement chess. Suggest the threat of leaving has pushed the Saints to up the offer by $100,000 per year and to add an extra year to the contract term. I’m thinking he stays at the Saints but stranger things happen all the time in the AFL, especially during trade period.

Agreed. Wanted a bit more commitment to 2026 but I guess it’s hard to judge these things. I know Max talked about loyalty and being a one club player. Maybe a subtle message.

Dees list management announcements

Trent Rivers - EQUAL 10TH Thought he’d go higher Definitely a player we want to keep Was rated as above average in most categories as a rebounding half back.

Let’s sign up NATHAN BUCKLEY ASAP Let him sign up his support team and get set for 2026 Buckley will command respect and will have a drive to succeed He will bring the edge back to the Dees

Max Gawn Legend Champion 3 x winner MFC best and fairest What a leader!!!

2nd place. Great year 👏👏 No surprise he was runners up Came back to get back on the field and showed he is a star player. Had a few nearly games which perhaps was reflected in our year … Hope next year he nails more goals, backs himself and brings his very best

Kozzzzy💙❤️💙❤️ 3 rd place All Australian 2025! Love ya Kozzzy