spirit of norm smith

Is McCartin available? He has 5-6 bad concussions.

Kk should be listed as long term/indefinite. He won’t play this year. Bennell will be managed through 2020. I think earliest is mid year for a return to full match fitness. Nietschke knee is out for the year. Preuss won’t be back until round 5-6. Joel Smith hasn’t played so will be managed and expect he may be a round 3-4 return. Super talented so fingers crossed Gawn. Round 1 probably- relief. Others are all likely to be available for round 1.

Visser probably will talk about pressure and how to compose yourself. Obviously there is a focus on our mental well being and helping players on the field and off the field. Good call MFC.

Can’t believe this is where the negativity is being directed. It’s not even round 1 yet. Let’s look at how much better we will be in 2020 and bring back the respect.

Ridiculous thread. Shut it down. A fit Jack Viney is in the best 22 in ANY side in the league. He is a tough mid who wins the footy and gets the footy. He bleeds red and blue. His disposal is ok but certainly not horrid. His toughness and leadership leaves many others in the dust.

Given our 2018 and 2019, the “experts” are finding it very tough to gauge where we are. I think we are a 7-10 team but if we are ever blessed with a “tigers type injury free run”, we could really give it a shake !!

This is a very tough subject and I believe MFC is supporting Kk in many ways both financially and emotionally. Obviously he loves the game which has been his life, but the longer term issues mean Kk should probably be listed as a long term injury for 2020. He should not even consider playing this year. His continued mental state and ability to function must be prioritised.

Good discussion here and I think most of us want to see Hunt back in the team with his pace and burst style of play exciting to watch. If he can regain form, he’ll be a great asset, probably used off the bench. Otherwise he may find trade suitors at year end.

Two years ago Jayden Hunt was one of our bright young stars. With pace to burn, it was considered he would be a future wing or half back. His electric run and bounce was exciting and his torpedo goal v Crows showed his talent. He struggled last year with injury and form and seemed to be a forward pocket option in a “pieced together” forward setup. what’s his outlook for 2020 and beyond? I previously thought he was going places however from today’s practice match report, he is on the outskirts of getting a game now. Hope he gets his mojo back

5 years deal through to 2025 imo

Outstanding work MFC. Great insights and shows a real bond in the players. Now let’s hit our footy targets and show true fight in the Game moment.

Are they fit to play ?? Tmcd. Tomlinson. Vandenburg. Thought they’d all miss and still recovering. Unleashed: Pickett and Jackson. Let them play about 1/2 game and see how they go. Don’t expect them to gun it just yet but they are super talented Hope he gets through: Joel Smith. Love to see his talent on show in 2020. Give him a go: James Jordan. Love his delivery and willingness to kick the footy. Hopefully he’ll be in for Hawks practice match. Who? Tom Sparrow. Loved his aggression in 2019 in limited game time due to injury. Tough and solid and hope he gets into the action. Key players missing: Gawn May Brayshaw

About 15 players injured and no practice matches yet. Cotton wool may be ordered in bulk to get us through to round 1 !!!!!

agree to keep supporting this young bloke. he must be in a bad place but should be under no pressure to get back. Keep working on his own mental capability and the light fitness work to keep in good shape only if he and the doctors make the call to stop, then we can look to the top up process.

I think we need to get through the preseason with minimal injuries. Need to get a fit and firing squad for the season start. Gawn, Brayshaw, Tmcd and May are crucial. All in my top 10 MFC players.

Great insight into the club Goodwin - yes you got it wrong. It does take courage to admit it. It takes absolutely internal thinking to change And get it right this year Vandenburg- hope this guy gets back. Great attitude. Would be a huge in for 2020. Bennell - it’s a honest call from the club. This is his last chance. Hopefully he has good support at the club and importantly away from the club. Fingers crossed. Burgess - seems to be the man to lift and push the players. Wait and see how it goes. I’m backing him.

Good article imo. Everyone is unclear whether the Demons are as good as the 2018 model or as bad as the 2019 version. that’s fair enough. 2018 was an easy draw. 2019 was a tough draw and a shocking run of injuries to key players. still our ability to score and actually to kick the footy to hit targets was shocking. This simple improvement to AFL standard would be a huge lift. I’m tipping a 7-10 position this year with a good draw. Tmcd and Weideman have to be better. They have to get strong and mark the footy. We need a 40+ and a 25+ goal scoring year from these two. Fit and firing, we can beat anyone. Yes Anyone. But getting a fit squad is already proving hard to achieve and we haven’t even had a practice game.

Farrkkk me !! He’s on $600k and we need him fit and firing. Fingers crossed

Love it

There’s 8 blokes already very doubtful imo for round 1. Wow. And not even up to preseason matches. Gawn is crucial!!

Looked very good in the preseason at Maroochydore. We are cursed!!!

Expect Jonesy to be ripping for round 1. Bloody legend.

Weid to kick 50+ goals this year. I’d like to see that !!!!

Williamstown signed up Jack Leslie. He is one to keep watch on as he proved a very versatile tall defender at AFL level. Willy seems to always recruit very well and Andy Collins obviously drives a good discussion around the opportunity to “play” consistent game time at a stand alone non aligned club. I think they also have some $$$$$ to offer which helps recruit other VFL Players like Corey Rich and Luke Meadows. They lost GF by 3 points last year and imo will be top 2-3 again.

Surely the AFL could give us these kids as compensation for long term suffering. (?!?) Lord is a Tom Hawkins type key forward and Phillips is a gun young midfielder who should go in the top 10 picks in 2020.