spirit of norm smith

agreed - dialogue and rumour mill has Dees selections as… (depending on availability) At 5: Langford … if already picked… then Tauru At 9: Tauru … if already picked by MFC or another club … look at either Allan or Lindsay

agreed - dialogue and rumour mill has Dees selections as… (depending on availability) At 5: Langford … if already picked… then Tauru At 9: Tauru … if already picked by MFC or another club … look at either Allan or Lindsay

Agreed … predictions are saying likely Langford at 5 & Allan/Lindsay at 9

I like it 👏👏 … JT will have the combinations all worked out

@Bombay Airconditioning Tauru has real AFL quality. 👏👏👏 Like his reading of the play and footy IQ. Athletic ability would enable him to step up with a solid preseason or two. Definitely in the mix for JT.

Here’s some analysis that has been compiled on Lindsay. He’s a very good young prospect. STRENGTHS: + highly skilled + Consistency + Inside-outside midfield balance + Kick penetration + leadership + Work rate IMPROVEMENTS: - physical size - recovery from knee injury Lindsay is a player whose improvement areas are difficult to identify given he does so many things well, and has no glaring weaknesses. His best trait is arguably his ball use, credit to a raking left-foot kick when is often used to penetrate the attacking 50. He uses the ball well on the run, either wheeling away from stoppages or chaining possessions on the outside. Lindsay makes the right decisions and is largely effective in the short and long-range. Lindsay's kicking is perhaps at its best when lowering his eyes. He is adept at gaining quick metres and compounding them by launching the ball long, but looks so slick when darting short passes inside, down the line, or to leading targets inside 50. Either way, he generates great momentum in attacking phases either as a connective outside runner or clearance winner. Was able to improve his inside craft and followed through to average 5.4 clearances from 23.4 disposals in the Coates Talent League. Lindsay gets a big tick for versatility. He has maintained his quality on the wing and flanks while improving his contested work and enjoying stints up forward. Few others have the same kind of inside-outside balance as he is developing, and continuing to build his endurance base will only widen his scope. It will also lend to greater durability and see him become even more prolific from contest to contest. Lindsay's consistency is felt through his work rate and week-on-week output. He is capable of racking up bulk possessions as a designated kicker or go-to at the centre bounces, hardly wavering in his ability to have between 20-30 touches. While most midfielders' defensive running could improve, Lindsay has also shown an appetite for tackling and hunts the opposition. He's the type of leader who can drive standards and lead by example. He did so with a relatively young Gippsland group this year having garnered tips from a squad which produced six draftees in 2023, and one as an over-ager in 2024. Having had arguably his best outing on the biggest of stages - the National Championships final - Lindsay proved he can rise to the occasion and compete with the best of the best.

Thanks @Whispering_Jack interesting additions in Baldi, Doultree, Ireland and Sruk and Garnham. Perhaps the excellent form of Baldi shows the gap between VFL and Gippsland league. Though Baldi was only given limited opportunities as Casey was very strong through the years he was on the list and he had limited games and minutes. Sruk is an excellent addition and I would like to see what he add through the Casey midfield. I really think more quality than this is still needed given the 6 players departing as known already. (** strangely the article missed departures of HUSTWAITE and STEELE together with White are huge losses)

Thanks @nascent. I think youngsters like Max Donohue and Archer Eastham should get invited to Casey squad train on to see how they go. (Also Harry Doughton, Ben Hopkins and Charlie Orchard from Stingrays). Ben Kennedy is tough reliable running half back. Just classic footballer so agree with you that he might get a shot 👏👏

It’s a nervous time for young players, parents and families&friends. Good luck to all. It’s exciting and tense, and some may be disappointed. All are “Best guesses” with a strong top Round 1 group and a deep pool of talent this year. It’s a unique year imv. I have the Dees holding at picks 5 & 9. There’s likely to be some pick swaps throughout but the first round predictions with picks “as is” are: 1. Richmond. Sam Lalor. GWV 2.****Lions father son. Levi Ashcroft. Sandringham 3. North Melbourne. Alix Tauru. Gippsland 4. Carlton (via West Coast). Finn O’Sullivan . Oakleigh 5. Adelaide. Sid Draper. SA Sth Adelaide 6. Melbourne . Harvey Langford. Dandenong. 7. Richmond (via Gold Coast). Jagga Smith. Oakleigh. 8. ****Suns academy. Leonardo Lombard 9. St Kilda. Josh Smillie. Eastern 10. St Kilda (via Josh Battle compensation pick). Tobie Travaglia. Bendigo 11. Melbourne (via Essendon).Bo Allan. WA Peel 12. Richmond (via Fremantle) Xavier Lindsay. Gippsland 13.Richmond (via Fremantle, Collingwood) Jobe Shanahan. Bendigo 14. **** Ess NGA. Isaac Kako. Calder 15. West Coast (via Carlton) Taj Hotton. Sandringham 16. Port Adelaide (via Gold Coast, Western Bulldogs). Harry Armstrong . Sandringham 17. Fremantle (via Richmond, Hawthorn, Carlton). Joe Berry. Murray 18. Greater Western Sydney. Cooper Hynes . Dandenong 19. Greater Western Sydney (via Harry Perryman compensation pick). Murphy Reid. Sandringham 20. Western Bulldogs (via Geelong). Ollie Hannaford. GWV 21. **** Lions academy. Sam Marshall 22. Richmond (via Fremantle, Port Adelaide). Jack Whitlock. Murray . 23.****Blues father son. Ben Camporeale. SA. 24. Sydney. Luke Trainor. Sandringham 25. Richmond (via Brisbane). Alex Dodson. SA Sturt 26. Greater Western Sydney (via Isaac Cumming compensation pick). Hamish Davis. WA Claremont 27. Sydney (via North Melbourne). Matt Whitlock. Murray 28. Richmond (via Gold Coast, North Melbourne). Harrison Oliver. Sandringham predicting the longest first round ever!! Some likely 2nd rounders: Tom Gross - Oakleigh. Christian Moraes - Eastern. Kayle Gerryn - WA West Perth. Thomas Sims - Northern. Jonty Faull - GWV. Jesse Dattoli - Northern. Harry O'Farrell - Calder. Lachie Jacques - Geelong. Jack Ough - GWV. Angus Clarke - SA Glenelg. Jasper Alger. Oakleigh Josh Murphy - Murray. *** GWS Academy - Logan Smith Charlie Nicholls - Central District SA. *** Crows. Tyler Welsh SA WWT eagles. James Barrat - Bendigo. *** Sydney academy. Joel Cochran. Tate Delmenico SA WWT eagles. Archer Day-Wicks - Bendigo. Likely 3rd rounders: Clancy Dennis - WA Claremont Noah Mraz - Dandenong. *** Crows father son . Luke Camporeale. Glenelg Sam Davidson. RICHMOND VFL Nathaniel Sulzberger - Sandringham/ Tassie. Hugh Boxshall. WA Claremont Zane Cochrane - Oakleigh. *** Stk NGA. Adrian Cole. Sandringham. Dom Brew. Werribee VFL Riley Bice Werribee VFL. ***Port father son Louis Montgomery. SA Nth Adel. Ned Bowman. Norwood SA Xavier Ivisic Geelong *** West Coast NGA Malakai Champion. WA Subiaco. Josh Dolan. Sandringham Floyd Burmeister. GWV Will Hayes. WA Claremont. after this it’s seeing who might have draft picks available, or will pickup rookie opportunities or SSP train on spots. As with every year, there will be some very talented young footy players will miss out on getting on an AFL senior or rookie list. Potential for 4th round or more likely rookies: Charlie West SA WWT Eagles Phoenix Hargrave. SA Sth Adel Oliver Warburton. Murray. Jack Henderson. Werribee VFL. Luke Kennedy . Sandringham. Patrick Retschko. Oakleigh Oliver Depaoli-Kubank. Tassie Lucca Grego. Western. Kade Herbert. SA WWT eagles. *** Port Adel NGA. Benny Barrett.Sth Adel. SA Cody Angove. WA Claremont Zak Johnson. Northern. Jaxon Artemis- WA Sth Frem *** GWS academy. Cooper Bell. Nash King. Calder. Bailey McKenzie. Sandringham Aiden Riddle - WA. Claremont ** Dees. NGA Riak Andrew Dandenong Luke Urquhart. WA East Frem Damon Hollow. Calder *** Saints NGA. Lennox Hoffman. Sandringham. Rhys Unwin. GWV. Jett Hasting. SA WWT eagles. Mitch Kirkwood-Scott. Sandringham Blake Leidler. Oakleigh. Keighton Matofai-Forbes. Western. Harry Charlson. GWV ** GWS academy. Josaia Delana ** Haw NGA . Cody Anderson. Eastern. ** Ess NGA Jayden Nguyen Calder . ** Stk father son. Elwood Peckett ** Dees Father son Noah Yze. Oakleigh. **Dees NGA Ricky Mentha Gippsland

just hold the crows don’t swoop on Langford!!!

Langford trained with the Dees for sessions in the December 2023 The club will be well aware of his training ethic and off field nature Hopefully it’s a good sign

That’s worth a thought … I’m sure it’s in the 1001 combos being worked through in the JT war room If not Langford, then Draper or Allan or Tauru at 5 are options being talked about

I think Xavier Lindsay is possibly still in the MFC mix at “9”… he’s elite skill and ability to play inside or outside mid might be a good compliment if we get a Langford at “5”. Twomey write up on Lindsay is … Xavier Lindsay established himself as a first-rounder at the back end of the national carnival, when he picked up 30 disposals for Vic Country against Vic Metro and locked in his All-Australian guernsey. He took that form into the back end of Gippsland Power's season, storming home with a run of consistency and taking out the Morrish medal as the competition's best player. He is a left-footed midfielder who can play anywhere around the centre square – or inside it – and has a piercing kick that complements their other mix.

spirit of norm smith 16,310 Posted September 16 it’s a shame that the Chargers lost (8.18.66 to 10.10.70) because they were the only team capable of challenging the Dragons imv. I only saw the first half of Rebels v Dragons but will try to catch the game highlights or replay ⭐️Jagga Smith. He’s small but classy and evasive. Quick hands. Think he’s probably getting closer to being the number 1 pick. ⭐️Finn O’Sullivan. Not at his best again , but still won the footy and his disposal was elite by foot. Also nice to see his tackling and contest work. He kicks goals as a mid. As per prior, slightly smaller LDU. 👏Zane Cochrane. Yes he’s now more than likely going to get drafted. Saw him in a half at Carey and he stood out. Then he played a great game versus dragons earlier in the year. He’s very good tall mid who can play inside/outside. Excellent skills. Thought he’d be early 4th round. Might drift into high 40s now. Dees should be looking at him definitely.

From my Coates League grand final write up … spirit of norm smith 16,310 Posted September 21 Dragons lead easily from start to end. Clearly the guns Ashcroft and Marshall were equal BOG in today’s GF. Marshall showed he’s definitely a round 1 draft pick and the Lions are blessed to get both for 2025 and beyond. Armstrong impressed in bursts. Top 12-13 ranking confirmed for him. I really liked Harry Oliver’s game. Solid. Composed. Brave. Classy left footer. Mitch Kirkwood-Scott across half back also impressed. Great kick. Setup several rebound attacks. Captains Haileybury and has leadership. He’s just 178cms so that’s hard to judge where clubs could place him. Ollie Hannaford clearly best for Rebels and will have impressed recruiters.

There you go. He’s got a good build and certainly has the athletic qualities of an AFL player. He’s versatile with a half back role early before a midfielder role as he matures. I agree that his kicking (whilst penetrating) is not as skilled and precise as others STRENGTHS: + Contested game + Explosive speed + Kick penetration + Leadership + Physicality + run and carry IMPROVEMENTS: - Decision making - Skilled delivery

Yes happy with Langford and Allan if that’s the way the cards fall …

Agreed. It’s a tough call as Lindsay’s elite disposal would be a nice addition to our squad. Allan is a tough contested athletic footballer who especially impressed so much in later stage of the year.

That would be happy days … Langford & Allan

Cal reckons it’s Langford & Allan

Pies late mail … looking at Hamish Davis They have picks in late 40s cannot believe quality youngster like Davis lasts until pick 45ish I had ranked around 25-30 in this draft one of very best youngsters coming out of WA this year

JT is a good poker player … I don’t imagine JT, Goody and Tim Lamb will login to DL and pickup our learned recommendations !!! 🤣🤣

Allan would be an excellent addition at 9. He has good athletic ability and strong build. Can play half back and then into midfield role (like Riv is doing).

Lalor is the obvious gun player for #1, then it’s a lottery. I think Draper goes to Blues or Crows. Both would be quickly snapped by Dees if available but I think it’s unlikely. ‪In order of preference ‬ At “5”‪… Langford or FOS or Smith At “9”…‪Travaglia or Allan or Lindsay ‪Mids mids mids ‬ ‪whilst I think Armstrong or Tauru ‬will be good players, imv Dees need to use this prime picks to start to rebuild for next generation elite midfield‬.