spirit of norm smith

👏👏Three goals yesterday in Stingrays come from behind win. He’s small but very smart and is a very good left foot kick.

Ollie Florent. Sort of prototype running player that can play half back or midfield. His skills are excellent. Swans have more young talent coming in through the academy and he might get squeezed. But he’s a talent and a return home to family & friends might be tempting. Contract signed to 2029 so whilst he’s out of form now, it’s highly unlikely that he’s looking around imv.

Miles Bergman. Yes we were very very keen in his draft year. He’s developed as expected. A 5 year deal likely is on the table. Similar to what we probably were offering Houston. Saints will put all their $$$ into TDK. If that happens, Saints would be out of the chase for Bergman Though Bergman is very good, we wouldn’t want to go too big in $$$$ spend. Need our $$$ for Disco, Bowsa, McVee etc who in the next 12 months will need for a top up in new contracts.

Thanks @adonski @Demonland I wanted to give a shoutout to Ricky Mentha. His two goals yesterday were excellent, with the crumb and run and goal in the first being a very good moments. He did a few things really well including two smart handballs that showed his quick thinking. It’s a development year and he’s going ok imv.

Poor quality opposition in last 2 weeks. Good win but not too much stock on today. Swans are poor. Let’s see next week v Pies. That’s a test. That’s when we see who is capable and when there is pressure, who holds up !!

Crows - definitely a top 4 team Recruited strongly with ANB PEATLING CUMMING Lively forwards. Walker. Thilthorpe. Fogarty. Rachele. Rankine. Keays A huge batch of prototype runners. Dawson. Soligo. Peatling. ANB. Strong defence. Keane. Worrall. Murray. Backline run. Michalanney. Milera. Smith. Hinge. Curtin Star quality types. Lots of pressure. No weak links !!!

Absolutely good call @Whispering_Jack I saw him earlier in the year for Dragons v Giants underagers and he stood out. Rory Wright is the classic left footed midfielder. Has good size and I like his skills & 2nd efforts. Definitely rising up draft boards (Ironically both Hunter Wright and Rory Wright are number 9 for their teams)

Saw Q1 and Q4 Bang Bang Bang Bang Bsng Really enjoyed Yzzzzzzeeee goal

Back online. Checked back in Casey up by 5 goals Cross. Goal. Goal. That’s game over

1sr qtr Entertaining Yes last minute turnover was poor Otherwise good JVR 2 goals, Woey good, Mentha lively, Jeffo better as CHF type, Kentfield is looking promising. Kolt needs to get into it. Heading down to Geelong now for a family dinner. Cheers to all.

Mentha!!! Crumbs the pack Runs 10 metre Kicks from 25 Goal 👏👏👏

Goal to Craven Actually due to good work by Kynan Brown. Double tackle, Culley to Craven.

Lead up Jeffo 👏👏👏 25 metres out Dead straight GOAL BETTER !!

Jefferson free kick 15 metre out. Slight angle. Lucky to score a point. Yips !!! 🤮🤮🤮

Dees smashed the dead last Bullants last week Swans are the 2nd bottom team Casey should aim for another 10 goal win.

@Whispering_Jack different point. Pendles was a star and Pies grabbed him at pick 5 in the draft, Pies knew he was special and he’s stayed at home. Whereas McCarthy has gone to WA, left his family. The bloke has real talent. Dees should monitor with his manager and keep an eye out. Lure of playing on the MCG with the Dees would likely still be there.

Bailey Laurie will play v Saints JVR, Henderson & Adams all travel for the frequent flyer points. Last minute changes in an interstate trip … last one was never!!! Like to see Edwards and Freeman added to the team.

Agreed. We were better than the hawks and ACTUALLY BEAT OURSELVES.

Pick 1 Tom McCarthy (West Coast) McCarthy grew up adoring Melbourne, listing the likes of David Neitz, Brad Green and Russell Robertson as some of his idols, as well as current superstar Christian Petracca.

I think Laurie is more likely a Spargo replacement. Here was his draft profile report which highlights our views Is he a smart small forward or an inside mid ? POSITION: Forward/Midfielder Laurie is a crafty small forward/midfielder who loves to take the game on and can carve up the opposition with his attacking creativity. Having put together a sensational NAB League finals series which ended in premiership glory last year, he consolidated his high standing among the Chargers' raft of elite 2020 AFL Draft prospects. The diminutive forward/midfielder is a high impact player in attack, able to tear games open with his magnificent evasion and ability to hit targets by foot in full flight. Most of his work as a bottom-ager was done at half-forward, where Laurie worked hard to find space and receive in all the right areas to set up scoring opportunities for his teammates.

Laurie has to come in. He has to show something and needs to take his chance. I’d assume he would be sub however actually prefer to see him start.

Ouch. Thought Tmac might at least be an emergency

Thanks @Whispering_Jack Interested again in some value picks. I think as always that there’s quality through the draft even in the 25-40 range and even this year with all the compromises pre-academy and father son picks. Early call out for value in the 30+ pick range. Watch for Hunter Wright from the Bendigo Pioneers. Not ranked at this time in the top 30 but he’s quality. Skilled left footed mid. Plays like Josh Kelly or Scott Pendlebury prototype. Good inside as well as outside player. Like to see how he goes for Vic Country.

Baby Bombers. Better recruiting after some dud years !!

@binman thank you for your comments about the constant media rants about players actually potentially bringing about mental health challenges for players. AFL and media need to be more aware of their ridicule and negative opinions. Whether it be Clarry or Sheezel, these are young men doing their best and don’t deserve such negativity from headline seeking spruikers. Just talk about the good stuff and the number of excellent footy acts or behaviours. AFL can play a role too. We should have a mental health round but it shouldn’t be one week focus but a constant ongoing thought by those commenting on the game to be positive!!