spirit of norm smith

@ChaserJ Good call. Endurance and getting to the contest is a big asset. Not unlike Nibbler, with the up and back tuning and 2nd running efforts a big plus. He’s also a good mark. Left foot is handy although like most of these youngsters, still work to do.

Thanks @Whispering_Jack a good summary in the H/sun. Kye Fincher is another name mentioned for our “30 something pick”. He had an excellent year as a half back/utility for the Dragons and put in a good performance in the GF. Of course he’s in the Saints NGA so they’ll likely match it … or not

Anything mentioned about Sam Allen. His start to the year and games at Scotch College were super impressive. Strong st the footy, good burst of speed and elite runner. Huge disappointment that he got injured and missed most of 2025. If he’s available, Dees should closely look at him for this pick.

Only saw Oscar Ainsworth in a few Western Jets games. He was ok but didn’t win it that much. Didn’t have him in the top 70-80 youngsters. Handy small medium goalkicker but there’s plenty of similar types in under 18s footy and we have plenty of small medium forwards already on the list.

I thought Sinnema showed enough this year to get a rookie spot. His game at Casey showed his outside run and skill would be a handy addition. Obviously there’s other considerations that make up whether he’s worthy of being added to the list. Wait & see.

Preliminary final Dragons v Gippsland Power. Rory Wright was clearly best on ground and the main reason why Sandy Dragons made it into the grand final. His ballwinning, skill and kicking was a highlight. At pick “37”, he’s as good as any youngster in that range.

Sidebottom dominated in the last few TAC cup games. Then he was easily the best player on the ground in the GF… as a midfielder, kicked 10 goals and had 32-possession performance. No one frowned at his selection, including me.

Fair call. I liked Grlj and Josh Lindsay. Pace and elite disposal as added quality. Nairn’s endurance and marking and versatility makes him an option. But from viewing , I’d say his kicking is also just ok.

Agree we pick the best player available … but then again we live every off season with the go home factor. (Jackson, ANB, McVee all lost in the last few years, and constant rumours about others).

Can’t understand why the Dees are off this youngster. He’s got the tools to be a 200 gamer at AFL level. A genuinely tough smart footballer. If it’s Sharp v Nairn, I’d take Sharp in a heartbeat.

He’s an absolute steal . The kid is a player with all the tools to succeed at AFL level in my opinion

I rate Xavier Taylor very highly. Excellent mark. Good pace (below 3 secs for 20m sprint). Smart. Can lockdown forwards. Determined. Has footy aggression. Doesn’t shirk a contest. Plays like Daniel Turner or Nick Vlastin type defender.

That’s a sweet deal for the Dees. I very much doubt it’s going to happen.

Nairn is an excellent athlete. His endurance and running power gets him involved in the contests. He’s a very good mark. Loves a goal. Yes his kicking is in need of work. It’s not poor, it’s just not smoothe like a few others.

If Sharp was available, Dees would have to strongly strongly consider picking him. We have Viney and Steele for maybe 2 or 3 years. Sharp would be the perfect partner alongside Kozzzy, Langford and Windsor. Sharp simply gets the footy… alot!!! His skills are ok but can work on them. Whilst it hurts losing Clarry, we would replace him with a similar version, 10 years younger !

Three local lads to bookmark for 2026 Saw them in the futures under 17 match ⭐️Gus Kennedy - Dandenong Stingrays -midfield- just had me thinking of Angus Brayshaw - he was super smart and showed real determination in his second efforts - definitely looked like a future first rounder !! Wish we had an academy Cody Templeton - Gippsland Power - midfield, half forward Clancy Snell - Gippsland Power - tall defender - we might need to add a few once May/Tmcd leave

Agree 100%

I’d like to see Dees grab Farrow or Josh Lindsay with one of our early picks. They are excellent ball users (especially Lindsay) and it’s one area that still need much better players who are good ball users by foot. Bowey stands out with his kicking to hit a target with a direct low accurate pass. Langford of course is close behind.

Lots of very good prospects on the CDG listings. Paul Connors continues to be a prime agent for young and emerging talent.

37… ? Assuming we keep it as is and don’t trade it up , down or out It’s now unlikely that Latrelle Sumner-Pickett will be available , but it’s the draft so you never know. I had optimistically thought Cam Nairn might slip down into this 2nd round range but now seems unlikely. JT might have to call out his name on night 1. There is still going to be a very good youngster available by this mark. I agree with a few prior posters here that it may depend on our player types chosen at picks 7&8 and if JT wants to add a taller option or top up on a young midfielder WA: Fred Rodriguez, Sam Swadling SA: Matthew Leray, Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier, Jett Dahlitz Vic country: Riley Onley Vic metro : Rory Wright, Sam Allen This pick will be our final pick , with Kalani White likely to get our last pick as a matched father son bid.

@george_on_the_outer agree. The ump called the crows into the right 666 formation !! The Dees men never got such a bonus !!

Hore finished with 26 touches, seven marks and three goals and was at the forefront in the crucial moments.

Kate Hore. That goal in the third quarter. Smart 👏 Skilled 👏 Entertaining 👏 👏👏👏 just amazing !!! She’s our leader ❤️💙❤️💙

Kate Hore ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tahlia Gillard ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️