spirit of norm smith

http://bit.ly/4fhPkY9 Definitely think TT is a strong option for the Dees at pick “9”. I’m a big supporter of his style of footy. Like his run and carry and energy. Reminds me of the Riv in his draft year. State: Victoria Clubs: Bendigo Pioneers/Sandhurst Position: Defender Height: 187cm DOB: 26/10/2006 Key traits: Endurance, Speed, Run and Carry, Versatility, One-on-One Defending Compares himself to: Will Day U18 Championships Averages: 112 ranking points, 21.8 disposals, 6.3 marks, 8.3 intercept possessions, 2.3 tackles (4 games) Expected Draft Range: 8-12

I have to say, with Birch and Gay leaving, it left a massive hole in our key defence. We had young Gillard who at 20 shows signs of a very bright future but she is still very young. In 2024 however we saw Maeve Chaplin step into a CHB role and was under pressure, but she excelled. Certainly Maeve was a big improver with the opportunity presented. So it’s great see her season recognized . 👏👏👏👏 MFC media article http://mfcde.es/4hEFEIG Maeve Chaplin put together a career-best season in 2024, but it wasn’t without effort. THE AFLW world is made up of many unique journeys, but arguably none quite as unique as Melbourne defender Maeve Chaplin. It was just two years ago when Chaplin was first signed by the Dees, only to be delisted by the club a few months later. Now, after a career-best season, the 22-year-old has put her name in the mix of the top defenders in the league. is a unique journey, and I'm really grateful for it, I think it's shaped me to be the person I am,” Chaplin said. “I missed out on two drafts when I was 18 and 19, then got signed as a replacement player. “Then I got delisted, then drafted again in that same year – the 2022 seasons - and then won a premiership. “It's a unique start to a football career, but I honestly wouldn't change it. It's going to always make me work hard knowing that nothing comes easy. I'm just super grateful for the experience Melbourne has been able to give me.” While it’s been an increase of impact with each season that she’s been at the club, 2024 saw her skyrocket to new levels of talent. To put her rise into simple numbers - at the end of 2023, she had averaged eight disposals and 3.8 intercepts. In 2024, she finished the season averaging 6.7 intercepts (10th in the league) and 13.6 disposals, with a disposal efficiency of 78.7% (a team high). Rather than just a player in the Melbourne backline, Chaplin’s name became known among the league, recognised for her strength and power in the defensive contest. For the Demon, the season she put together was both a surprise and also a reward for effort, having put in an off-season of hard work. “I wasn't really expecting it to skyrocket the way it did,” Chaplin said. “I worked really hard in the off-season, so I feel like it's a surprise, but I also feel like I earned it.

Momentum building around Allan … if we get Smith at 5, then Allan is ideal at 9

http://7NEWS.com.au Maxy … oh no … copy their onfield energy only … fyi we once let our junior managers plan an offsite. Whilst it was on the business plan for the event, they forgot about the catering (drinks list only) and the bus transport was for arranged for one bus to transport 85 staff. At least we got the lunchtime fire pit experience (which is in vogue) where he all got smoked out and returned home full of smoke like being on a 1976 plane flight. As long as you don’t try to “pivot to lean in to future strategic initiatives to expand our footprint” 🤮 and … footnote… love the auto-text Who is Krishan Batraka … 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣did he convert to Hinduism whilst at the Red Bull love in !!!

Based on potential draft order, Langford is the most likely for pick “5”.

Another Smokey … George Grey. This would be a gutsy call. Ex Casey Demon, excelled at Frankston Dolphins in 2024. Averages 24 possessions a game. Had huge 30 possession games v Dogs and v Suns at end of 2024 against many AFL listed opponents. Simply he’s too good for the VFL. imv Grey is definitely AFL quality. His run & skill is the equal of many half backs or running mids in the AFL. Left foot. Right foot. He kicks extremely well on both.

Hold on Pick 5 & 9. Two young guns. JT to get 2 “aces”…

I’m not sold on Armstrong. Prefer others at 9.

NGA Academy is for players from multicultural and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander backgrounds opportunities to progress their individual development and footballing ability. Saints NGA Lennox Hoffman was born in Switzerland and moved to Australia after 6 months (grew up for the past 17 1/2 years in Australia). Bombers NGA Isaac Kako. His parents, Laith and Samiya who were both born in Iraq … young Isaac was born in Australia and is a born & bred fair dinkum Aussie youngster. So what’s the [censored] ambiguous rule? AFL … how many Polynesian youngsters are in the AFL? Nil. How many Polynesian youngsters are in the NRL … 132 !!! Pathways for young Polynesian origin boys to the AFL. Nil according to current rules.

https://www.zerohanger.com/afl-draft-the-leading-father-son-nga-and-northern-academy-prospects-for-2024-156624/amp/ Empty cupboard for MFC ?!?!?!?!

Jack Bell has committed to Old Haileybury in VAFA 2025 A grade for next year as a full-time player. Not sure if Casey offerred him another year or if he said “I’m out”. He was good in 2022 and 2023 with 30 games across the 2 years. But only 5 games in 2024 and used in limited minutes only. Farewell #73.

Brad Crouch. I’d offer him the Casey captaincy. Though he would get better $$$ elsewhere. He’s a good tough contested player but injuries and now wear & tear have eroded his body. Could play a few good games but not for the campaign needed.

Teams often need a blend in the midfield. Inside contested bulls. Running skilled mids. Smart footy IQ decision makers. You can rotate various ways depending on opposition and your strengths. example. Lions. Neale. Ashcroft. Berry. McCluggage. Rayner. Dunkley. Fletcher. They all have various skills to compliment each other. Dees are loaded for inside bulls. JV7, Trac, Clarry, Sparrow. Need to add the class and running power. That’s why we grabbed Windsor. Thats why we are looking to convert Rivers. Hope we add two more guns to our midfield.

Agree. Caleb wasn’t recruited for his disposal efficiency which was average 55% at best. It’s his run and carry and metres gained, as well as his competitive nature. He’s a ripper. Just need to compliment him with other mids including an elite ball user.

Not imv. Lindsay kicking at 82% in disposal efficiency at Coates league. Averages 27 disposals per game. Averages 4.2 tackles. He compares more to Josh Kelly in my view. Billings went at 60% kick efficiency this year and 1.8 average tackles. Dees need elite kickers.

No. Salem is certainly up and under kicks. Certainly not sharp in the last 3 years. Often kicked it 15 metres sideways. Windsor is too early to call. I would say he runs and gets metres etc and love that but disposal efficiency this year was low at around 55% Mcvee was composed and assured but I wouldn’t say his kicking is elite. Definitely good with ball in hand and around the 70/75% level. We need midfielders with high kicking efficiency to deliver forward connection

Lindsay is an elite ball user. Not sure if you could say that about anyone in our current midfield or our list.

https://www.afl.com.au/video/1251142 point of difference is versatility

Mostly very good. Prediction is Langford at “5” and Reid at “9”. Happy with Langford. Reid is a very good and smart player however I prefer Allan or Lindsay if that’s the available players for that choice.

http://mfcde.es/3Ai2bKF Your chance to crown 2024's best performer 🏆 Vote for your chance to win a team-signed guernsey.

Here’s the AFL media website team 2024 AFL.com.au All-Australian team B: Bre Koenen (Brisbane), Jenna Richardson (Hawthorn) HB: Emma O'Driscoll (Fremantle), Maddison Gay (Essendon), Tilly Lucas-Rodd (Hawthorn) C: Ally Anderson (Brisbane), Ash Riddell (North Melbourne), Sophie Conway (Brisbane) HF: Kate Hore (Melbourne), Aishling Moloney (Geelong), Ella Roberts (West Coast) F: Caitlin Gould (Adelaide), Taylor Smith (Brisbane) Foll: Mim Strom (Fremantle), Ebony Marinoff (Adelaide), Jasmine Garner (North Melbourne) Int: Mon Conti (Richmond), Charlie Rowbottom (Gold Coast), Aileen Gilroy (Hawthorn), Eliza West (Hawthorn), Aisling McCarthy (Fremantle) Melbourne captain Kate Hore has continued to show why she is a star of the competition But who were the unlucky names to miss out? Up-and-coming Brisbane midfielder Isabel Dawes has taken her game to another level in 2024, while Essendon ball-magnet Maddy Prespakis has also put together another strong campaign. Melbourne's Eliza McNamara had a strong season as a mainstay in the Demons' onball brigade, while Adelaide forward Danielle Ponter has also had flashes of brilliance. North Melbourne duo Alice O'Loughlin and Kate Shierlaw have had impressive campaigns, while in defence Charlotte Thomas, Brenna Tarrant and Harriet Cordner have been strong contributors for the Eagles, Swans and Blues respectively.

My post was from 30 August prior to the pick swaps. Eagles had pick 3 at that date On 30/08/2024 at 16:31, spirit of norm smithsaid: I prefer Langford over Smillie, no doubt. However some foreboding that Langford may be on the Eagles radar.

If we had a pick in the mid 20s then definitely Hannaford would be an option. He’s good but others are better. He’s not pick “9” worthy in my view.

Thanks Meggs. Yes looking forward to the end of season review. It was a season of two halves … a season that could have descended into darkness but emerged with some blue skies ahead. So much to work with … we must retain the key players and continue to develop the youngsters. We have the nucleus again of a premiership team. This season was a reset due to departures and injuries. Go Dees in 2025.

@red and blue forever Dees AFLW Team got top up players this year. List of 30, and we had 8-10 on the injury list by mid season. Just had 21 players to choose from and we had to have top up players brought in as emergencies. Thats why we see Lin and D’arcy listed. They automatically drop off. All the young draftees debuted due to the desperate shortage of players. But we saw some surprise development in players that was probably accelerated by the absence of some of our stars. Have to sign up Chaplin and Gillard on 2 or 3 year deals. They are young stars.