spirit of norm smith

No.16 1998 Round 22 v Richmond at the MCG 1998 what a year. We’d been in decline through 1995 to 1997 with merger talks, Schwarz’s 3 knee reconstructions, Lyon’s injured back, Viney’s tennis holiday and the wooden spoon in 1997 to sink our spirits. But 1998 saw a new dawn. Neale Daniher had arrived and his strict but calculated style appeared to be working. I remember a great win over the Kangas (the dominant team) in round 2 giving us a feeling that we were able to recapture the form of a few years ago. Then we nailed a few more wins and beat the Pies by a few points in huge win with a true finals atmosphere. That was in round 8 and 6 wins had us in the top 4. I went overseas for 10 weeks and got back to see us play the Kangas again (they smashed us by 11 goals). We were now 9-8 and falling quickly with a poor percentage. However with Neitz and Farmer firing, we won the next 4 matches including wins over Power in Adelaide and a big round 21 over the Swans who were in 2nd place. This sets the tone for round 22. The Dees were in 6th place and would have to play the Sydney in Sydney the next week if we won. A loss would see us tumble to 8th and a showdown against the Kangas likely. The Tigers were in 8th and playing for a finals berth and could finish as high as 6th. The crowd was 80,000. Buzzing. We sat on level 1 behind the Punt Road goals. It was massive. The Demons fans erupted in the first quarter from a sensational mark (mark of the Year) over Gary Lyon and Scott Turner. Farmer just kept going up and timed it beautifully. He nailed the goal and the Dees kicked 5 to 1 for the term to excite the faithful. But in the second, wasted opportunities only saw us lead by 3 goals as the Tigers got a late goal to climb back into it. In the second half early goals to Farmer and Neita reassured our position. We marched out to a 7 goal lead at 3/4 time. The Dees supporters were ecstatic. The last quarter started with another two quick goals and we piled on 7 for the quarter to demolish the Tigers. The final margin was 76 points. We kicked the Tigers out of the finals on percentage. White and Stynes had dominated in the ruck. Farmer and Neitz each kicked 5 goals. Jeff Farmer (the Wiz) was amazing. We could not stop talking about his mark. Even today it is superhuman. But the team was more than just the forwards. Shanahan, Ingerson and Seecamp (in perhaps his best game) controlled the back half. Yze, Rigoni, Woey, Tingay, Anthony McDonald and the Febeys provided the run. This team was on fire. The crowd knew we had a special group, returning to the finals and we couldn’t wait to return the next week for September action. With the Saints amazingly losing to the bottom placed Lions, the Dees finished 4th. Not guaranteed but a quasi double chance finish. We also would return to play at the MCG the next week and not travel to Sydney or Adelaide, and would face the Crows (the reigning premiers). That’s another story.

Yes agree. Effectively Kosi Pickett is our 2020 1st rounder. Our trade “got him a year early” so happy with the shift. There are so many academy, multicultural zone and father-son kids this year that are good so it’s definitely compromised. Our 1st pick could be in the late 20s again. We might only have 2-3 picks this year and we should aim for a young key forward.

Exactly. He’s the spare tyre !!

Pass. Maybe back in 2017-18 but not now !!

No change

Two suburban players formerly on Casey list. Utility types. Paul Amy reporting potential signing of Luke Nelson from VFL Richmond Tigers. Fast. Goalkicker. Would be very handy pickup and one to watch for future rookie opportunities.

I agree. I’d be happy not to show any vision for the cats brains trust to use. Sometimes it’s better to go quietly and not produce “PR” material.

Yes it was not good

In. Crap year out. Enjoying the footy

Agree. The club should be penalized

No mans land.

Agreed. Have to reschedule their games or perhaps just give us the 4 points.

I think they’ll reschedule the match. Perhaps to a later date or have a 3-games in 2 weeks scenario. Thursday night to Tuesday night to Sunday night fixture. Stay tuned.

Slightly taller !?!?! ?

Based on the practice match form, Casey would be very thin and not really competitive against teams like Port, Werribee and Williamstown. The team only has about 9-10 VFL experienced players and then about another 9-10 under 18 graduates. They would need to recruit another 5-6 players including key CHB, CHF, Ruck and a quality onballer. There may some VFL listed players from the AFL reserves clubs like Essendon, Footscray, Collingwood etc who like Hustwaite would see benefit in playing this shortened season. Likely structure so far: Munro Hutchins White Ellison* Xxxxx Vella DiPasquale Mutimer Sparkes* Lewis Xxxxx McCaffrey Briggs Smith* Xxxxx Courtney* Hustwaite Xxxx Int. Hourigan* Johnson Modica Goonan* emerg. Grey* Lambie* Baldi* *under18s graduates

Yes he showed promise. Perhaps too much. Signed with Woodville-West Torrens Eagles for 2020.

Maybe Tomlinson to play forward. We have plenty of others to play through the middle.

Is it predicted to rain on Sunday? Tmcd as only tall forward and he’s underperforming. Gawn will be exhausted again. No wonder he tired last week in the last quarter. Hurley and Hooker will control the “air” within back 50. We will need to move the ball quickly.

Just wondering about Declan Kielty returning. He was a very good key defender or key forward. Would be handy for Casey as a new addition. Was going to play for Bentleigh in 2020.

Yes it’s becoming a big concern. We had high hopes for Hogan and Weideman to be our key forwards. Hogan is gone and now we can only hope the club puts faith in Weideman this year. It’s amazing to think at 22yrs, he still needs development whilst Jackson is in ahead of him. Give the Weid 7-8 games to show what he can deliver. I think the Pies will be circling as they need to key forward with Cox injury prone and Ben Reid now well past it.

Good times. Alas I didn’t go this one. I did go in 84 because it was around my birthday (16th) and we went to see my aunt at Geelong and my Dad, my uncle (a Cats man) and I went to the footy. The Dees lost but it was close and Templeton kicked a bag. I remember sitting on those “one row” of wooden bench around the boundary. My Dad and Uncle John stood behind me enjoying some liquid bevies. It was a rough affair as I remember a big fight and the crowd being pretty rough and ready. Such was the time at the suburban grounds. Moorabin, Windy Hill and Vic Park of course were the most colourful for my teenage years. I was amazed by the stark vast empty stands as I was spoilt by attending most Dees games at the G or VFL Park.

Hamish “It’s all me” Mclachlan loves Cripps. He took one big mark and goal last week but imo he was BEATEN by Clarry Oliver. I’m not sure he even saw the match. Ridiculous

Likely 22 The Tall defenders - May. Lever. Midsized defender - Smith Rebound half backs - Salem,Rivers Lockdown small defender - Jetta Ruck - Gawn Inside mids - Oliver. Viney. Petracca. Harmes* Jones* Outside mids - Langdon. Brayshaw. Tomlinson* Key forwards - Tmcd. Jackson (!) Midsized forwards- Melksham. Fritsch. Bennell* Small dynamic forward - Pickett. Hunt. * start on the bench

I am puzzled often by the way we do things.

Brayshaws 2018 was excellent and he brings a lot to our team. Good mid runner with skills on left and right. I’m not setting the bar as high as 2018. Oliver-Viney-Petracca-Harmes-Langdon-Brayshaw-Sparrow. That’s my midfield group for this year and beyond. Kill the BRAYSHAW trade talk.