spirit of norm smith

Patrick Walker impresses last year and to see him playing good footy again in 2020. One to consider around a pick 50 if we have one available. Excellent skills and good mover. Like Trent Rivers in style.

Brown had a very good 2019 was probably unlucky to be cut by the Dons. My mate Skeats is a bombers man and he thought Brown would have kept his spot in their list. Was puzzled he was delisted. I really thought he would have got a game but club has preferred Jackson and his development. With tommy mcd and Weid (obviously) also in the mix, Browns opportunities appear limited. He is turning 30 shortly so may get another year but he’s on the edge again. I think he’s a good CHF and can still make a contribution if called up

Agree. I think dons v Dees will be in round 18 as a floating round. Might play it as one of the final games of the year. It might decide 8th spot !!!

He’s the master of rumour. He gets about 20% right or 80% wrong. In most jobs, that means you’re terminated !!!

Yes this is likely. Though Vandenburg (teachers pet) and Melksham would be very lucky. Hard to drop Melksham after making him the “stand in skipper”. Spargo and Swallow were okay so they deserve another run. outs : Tommy mcd - not in the zone right now. Looks slower than ever. He only stays in if gawn fails the fitness test Jones - played a good game but could be squeezed out. Maybe we list him as “managed”. Harmesy - one of my favourite blokes. Lives for the MFC. But he’s definitely out of form. I’d love to see him tag Sidebottom this week as he has the fitness and grunt to take up the job.

Yes very talented but lazy. Like Gysberts. Very disappointing. 2004 draft was poor. Top 4-5 blokes were very good but then it is a bust for many. Only about 7-8 guys ended up playing 150+ games. Dunn was probably one of the better selections.

I agree with comment Melksham- not captain material. I think he’s on the edge of the selection precipice each week. He’s a great kick for goal but doesn’t get involved enough. I would have preferred May as the captain in absence of Gawn or Viney.

I think the order so far is about right. Top 5 are all in excellent form. Certainly Salem and Harmes are two players who I ranked in our top 12 players , and they can still lift their performance this year to move us up the ladder.

Dunn was “traded” at the end of 2016 after being ignored for the year. Dunn and pick 51 to Pies for pick 47! Delisted effectively. He stuck with the Dees through the very lean years. 11 years. 165 games. Former vice captain. Dees said they preferred young Frost and Oscar McDonald. Perhaps in hindsight, we’d have kept Dunn. He has had knee injury issues at Pies but otherwise played some pretty good footy. This year will be his last so good to see him finish on his terms.

I’ve said we nailed the picks. The only worry is how long Jackson will stay a Demon. The go home factor and the fact that both Freo and Eagles would come with big $$$$ contracts. Need to get Jacko entrenched in Melbourne life and hopefully he meets a nice Melbourne girl.

trade Preuss for ... trade Neal-Bullen for ... trade Joel Smith for ... trade Hunt for ...

Dan Butler - 3 possessions in 3 quarters

I’d love to see Dees v Freo at Alice springs and then Dees v Dons in Darwin. Then Dees back to Qld to play Saints and Swans and Giants. Of course the Saints would come off a bye and 10 days rest and we would have a 4 day break after dons in Darwin. Saints are one of the Mr Gill Mcclayaclhlalhlhannn’s new loves!!

I’d have the Brownlow after the final round. Makes sense. Get the votes in and then count as per usual. Held at the Brisbane Convention Centre with only the invited players, coaches, club and afl officials and media.

Yes the tickets are all open to the General Public and not based on Dees membership or even Pies membership. Club says crowd is mixed and not designated Dees members area. Ridiculous from the Gabba or AFL or MFC. Still need perspective. Going to the footy right now is a privilege.

Ticketmaster allocating Upper Tier UU or WW. Must be in the clouds? Isn’t this our home game to get better tix !

Ditto

Trac is definitely on the upward trajectory to being Elite. My kids get excited when he bursts into forward 50 and nails the goal. In my 45 years of supporting the Dees, Robbie Flower remains the best player that I’ve seen in a red and blue jumper.

I love it. Chocolate ripple cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. yes - Harmes “form has *deserted him “

Last week after the Port game, the trade out drums were beating. He had a shocker. Fast forward to one week and he was in our best v Crows and our best 3 (behind Clarry and Trac) v Roos. He showed again his talent and will be a key driver in our club over the next few years.

Agree. He kicked 2.3 and should have nailed at least 5 goals. He played a good game but with the amount of footy coming inside 50, he gets plenty of opportunity. At least he didn’t get caught under the ball so much as in prior years. Big game v Pies. Likely Darcy Moore or Roughead, both of whom are having very good years and it’s a challenge for Weid this week. We need him this year to really be our key target.

Likely only 13 players from the Dees 2019 team will be facing the Pies this week. Key additions in Langdon, Tomlinson, Weideman, Pickett, Jackson.

Yes needs a big boost. Form has desserted him. I’d give him a Pendlebury or Sidebottom assignment this week. Maybe play on Sidebottom on the wing opposite to Langdon.

Spargo had a good game. Probably gets another go this weekend v Pies. He’s a smart footballer and running was good. Kicking for me remains questionable but we’ll see. His play to go at the footy v Daw in the last quarter was good. He got crunched then got up and went again. Definitely one for goody to share. I’m still doubtful on Spargo and I’d expect him to deliver on a weekly basis ... that’s the standard now.

Jack was a very good Demon and should be remembered. Always welcome back. 152 games. 9 years. He is still great mates with most of the players and always was the most generous bloke with supporters and our young kids at footy clinics and functions.