spirit of norm smith

Demons still active ... means - waiting on Jared Rivers decision (GFC or MFC) - we are waiting on FA compo pick to try to offer to NMFC for Pedersen - we will look to trade out Stef Martin or Jordie Gysberts - and whoever lease might be in our sights

Welcome aboard Chris Dawes. He will help "direct" our play to a bigger, more competitive forward line. In 2013, with Mitch Clark and Chris Dawes, we will real targets. Go the mighty Demons

Yes yes and yes. Forget Farren Ray. Broughton would be the skilled small defender we would be very keen for.

Yes if we have a pick around 35-45, Leigh Osbourne would be my recommended choice. At 22yo, he is ready to go, very good pace and skills. Effective left foot. Highly recommended

Again I think Whitfield / Grundy / Toumpas are 1,2,3 Oliver Wines is the our choice for Pick 4, as he is physically ready, loves the contest, can get the footy (over & over again), good skills, effective use of handball, and decision making. The fact that his character is A grade and he is good mates with Jack Viney are a bonus. He also has no history of injuries and so ticks all our requirements.

Good post. I was "surprised" he was overlooked. I thought it must be a character issue, as he has talent and "gets the footy". One to watch for me.

Matt Thomas does remind of having all the qualities of a good small defender. strong at the contest. physical. 2nd and 3rd efforts. loves to compete. In the mould of a Damian Hardwick style of defender

The 2nd zippy forward is Blease. Had him as a sub but Tappy could be that man for round 1. Also I think Dom Barry, whilst a wingman in junior footy, may be a show in the fwd pocket in the early stages.

Cam Pedersen for a (later) 2nd round pick 39 is just about right. I thought a 40-50 pick would be on the money. Anything sub 30 is a joke for a VFL Werribee B&F winner in 2012.

I am a fan of keeping Lynden Dunn. He shows he really wants the Demons to win and wears his heart of his sleeve. His 2nd half of 2012 was very good. In fact, he warmed to the 3rd defender role behind Mcdonald and Frawley/Sellar. I believe Frawley should be used as a more running defender for his size and pace. Dunn can utilise a defensive post, and has good size and skills.

Good post. Toumpas for speed and outside play. Wines for accumulating the footy and distributing/using it very smartly. Both are good gets either way. Wines for me.

David Rodan ... at 29yo with a dodgy knee. Hmmm, No. Surely there are better options. Great bloke. Great dancer. maybe 2-3 years ago, but not for 2013 and beyond.

Assume - Moloney and Rivers as Free agents, Martin is traded, Green retired, Delist - Jurrah, cook, Petterd, Davis, Bennell, Bate, bartram.(minues 11) Assume IN - Byrnes, Pedersen, Ray, Dawes, Barry, Hogan, Viney, Wines (#4), Pick 45, Pick 65 used as Nicho upgrade, Matt Thomas (Psd) New 22 in 2013 Matt Thomas Frawley Garland Grimes T Mcdonald Watts Ray Wines Trengove Sylvia Clark Howe Pedersen Dawes Byrnes Jamar Viney Jones Int: Tapscott Mckenzie Dunn Sub: Blease Fringe: Sellar, Gysberts, Morton, Davey, Spencer, Bail, Nicho, Gawn, Fitz, Jetta, Taggert, Tynan, Barry, J Macd, Strauss, Pick 45, Hogan 2014 = 39 listed (with jamar as veteran)

Free agent signing - Shannon Byrnes #26 father son selection : Jack Viney ... what a sensation MFC give picks #3 & 13 to GWS <> GWS give MD2 Jesse Hogan & pick 20 & Dom Barry Brent Moloney joins Lions as a Free Agent Rumours & negotiations: OUT - Jared Rivers - free agent to the Cats. GFC offer 3 yrs @$350k. JR has toured Cattery ...but Dees still hopeful Jordie Gysberts - likely may stay a Demon in 2013 now. Stef Martin - has been put on the market despite having 1 yr on contract left. Whisper is now he will be involved in the Saints?Pies package deal for Ray & Dawes. IN- Chris Dawes from pies - Has chosen the Demons (above Blues, Dogs and Lions) Cam Pedersen from kangas - reports say he will join MFC in 2013 (awaiting final pick options to be sorted once Melbourne knows FA comp available). Farren Ray from saints - under contract and Saints say he is wanted. Mgr and player are looking at ops elsewhere. MFC very keen and may acquire as part of a 3-way pacakge with Pies/Saints. Ben Warren from kangas - question asked. I hope its a full stop as he is VFL quality only. Matt Thomas from Power - discussion raised only Scott Gumbleton from bombers - Mark Neeld has a 30 minute coffee with Gumbleton. Mail has it Bombers offer is 1 yr, Freo offer is 3 yrs. I hope we pass on the injury proned, inaccurately kicking fwd.

I think we would consider Mitch Banner in the PSD or the rookie draft. I could even see him playing as a small defender. He has that toughness and tackling ability. Wait and see. Surjan would be another interesting one. Strange that Port delisted him as he always showed real guts and ability whenever I watched Port (admittedly only about 3 times this year!!!)

Whitfield, Grundy & Toumpas = 1,2,3. That's why GWs wanted pick 3. (Oliver Wines at pick 4 is fine by me).

Chris Dawes would be a very welcome addition. I hope the deal gets done. Yes for pick 20 swap is fair. (we must keep pick 4 as untouchable). No way to any suggestion of to Dawes &Collwoods pick 17 for MFc pick 4 (as suggested by one magpie supporter at the bar tonight)

In the words of Star Wars from Obi Wan Kenobi ..." you were the chosen one". Jack Watts was our messiah. A key fwd with the blone movie star looks. We imagined a Nick Riewoldt type with class, and kicking goals as a premier forward. Jack is now a drifting half back, pushed aside in a contest by Swan, Petrenko and Deledio in one on ones. Jack has that word POTENTIAL so if we get for a 1st round draft pick, say 12-18 pick would be sufficient.

Pedersen would be a very good get. IMO the MFC are waiting on other deals to see what picks we can fit into the frame. I think a pick in the order for 45-55 gets the deal done with Pedersen. He is physically ready.

That's a big gain for Brisbane Lions. have a look at Beamers stats and he will bounce back. In 2012, he lacked a yard of pace and with a full pre season in the Qld sun, Beamer could be a very good pickup. His durability over the past 4-5 years has been very good. Very very sad to see a Demons supporter, Demons player, and ripping bloke, move on in such circumstances. The AFL free agent compo will be tested. His credentials are strong, with a recent B&F, high finish in the Brownlow, and 122 games at MFC. Good luck Brent. You will be welcome back ANYTIME.

Yes Cook was never a 1st round choice, and should have been a 25-35 selection as per most of the pre draft expectations. Simple case of not drafting the "Best available" with your 1st pick but a "what gaps do we have". That philosophy is reserved for premiership contenders or for picks in 3rd,4th rounds or PSD. Bailey & Prendergast ... Hale & pace ... Laurel & Hardy - great comedy duos. Parker, Atley, Darling & Jacobs were all players linked to our choice pre 2010 draft (Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh) maybe Lucas Cook could be packaged with one of our draft packs as a "sweetener". Big men take time to develop and he may appeal somewhere!

can anyone tell me WHY MFC is NOT listed as an interested party for Ben Jacobs. It seems to me we need Skilled young players, and Jacobs fits our quarterback need. He would release Grimes to a midfield role. I know we seem to be mentioned as linked to 6-7 players right now, but Jacobs would be in my top 3 behind Dawes & Ray. (a swap of Gysberts for Jacobs would be a win for both clubs provided JG was agreeable).

Thats a great deal Saints lose Ray & pick 43 for Martin & pick 45 ... will they cop that ?? Pies lose Dawes & pick 39 for Pick 20 & 43 ... seems fair Dees lose Martin & pick 20 & pick 45 for Ray, Dawes &pick 39. Merry Xmas !!!

Demonland got their man. We have been "asking" for a big tall fwd from this trade/drfta period and from the Under 18 champs, he was the standout. Jesse Hogan is a big forward in the Neitz or Schwartz mould. Has the size and strength to build on. I agree we should not put any pressure on the kid. Still Jumper #31 is free, #18 available and most likely #6 ...I think number 18 sits well (IMO) I think Jack Viney for jumper no. 1 ... next to Jonesy !!!!!

Apparently with Cats getting Josh Caddy, the "need" or appetitie for Jordie Gysberts has been terminated. Also situation with Tom Gillies may settle the Jared Rivers future. If JR goes to Cats, I think Tom Gillies will walk out on the Cats. He has spent 5 years now in the shadow of Scarlett and played some good footy when given the chance.