spirit of norm smith

Andrew Wu … thanks. 👏👏👏 https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/clayton-oliver-breaks-silence-after-failed-move-to-geelong-cats-20241019-p5kjnc.html

Interesting @MadAsHell agree that May (33 in Jan-25) and Tom McDonald (just turned 32) are now in the twilight of their careers. McDonald probably will finish end of ‘25 and May end of ‘26. We had Petty as a key defender but seems like we are trying to convert him to fix the MFC key forward ongoing absence. Tomlinson let go. Adams is certainly not yet ready. I’d have him 50/50 if he even makes it. Otherwise the cupboard is bare. Agree we would like to add another taller defender. It might be that the Dees keep a list spot open and invite players for an SSP train on option available over the summer. Not sure about Marchbank due to many many years of injury. Prefer Ethan Phillips as an option. At 6’6 and 90kgs, at 25yrs he’d cover off the defence if May or Tmcd were absent.

from the Code sports THE ‘BORN LEADER’ LEANING ON ADVICE FROM CRIPPS Big-bodied midfielder Josh Smillie has revealed he leant on advice from a two-time Brownlow Medal winner this year as he battled “some challenges” after entering the season as a highly-touted No. 1 draft pick contender. Smillie met with Carlton star Patrick Cripps earlier in the year and made notes from the conversation, which he continually went back and reflected on. A 195cm onballer, the 18-year-old has drawn comparisons to Cripps and Greater Western Sydney midfielder Tom Green, two players who he watches closely. “I’d want to be half the player Patrick Cripps is now,” Smillie said. “He’s the best player in the game at the moment. I really look up to those two (Cripps and Green) just because they’re big-bodied midfielders and I watch all the work that they do and try and implement it in my game.” Smillie’s form was a little up and down at times this year, not helped by some minor injuries and illness. He was required to spend significant time outside of the midfield during the under-18 national championships with Vic Metro, including roles in attack and defence. “I’m very versatile so I can play any position and I grew up playing any position,” Smillie said. “I can go forward or play across half back, but the midfield is my primarily position. “The year’s done and you reflect on your year. You take out some negatives but you also want to look at the positives. If you said last year I’d be in the position I am now, I’d be pretty proud of this year so far.” Smillie captained the Eastern Ranges in the Coates Talent League this year as well as serving as skipper of the AFL Academy team in two exhibition matches earlier this season. Alongside his power and ball-winning abilities, leadership is another key trait that he prides himself on. “I was raised from my parents being a real leader and a careful person to others,” Smillie said. “Leadership is something I take pretty seriously. I’m a very caring person that likes to put others before me and see them succeed. It’s just something I’ve grown up with and it just comes natural.”

Noah Mraz. Dandenong Stingrays. Tall interception type defender. Missed this year with navicular fracture. Part of National academy. Rated highly. Might be unlikely/unlucky to be drafted.

@DeeSpencer Crows would be crazy not to pick Draper if available. Hometown kid. He’s the complete package as a midfielder. Pace. Skills. Smart. He’s the equal of any of the other young stars. If he’s there at “4” for Crows, lock him in.

Casey is an alignment club and seemingly cannot offer the $$ of other non aligned clubs nor even some of the suburban grade/regional teams. Certainly Williamstown has recruiting lots of ex AFL players and junior talent. Others in local leagues also now got $$$ to throw at youngsters. If he is not picked up by another AFL club, then Jai Culley (ex Eagles) has to be the Number 1 target. He’s a talented player and should still have some MFC interest. He’s from Lamgwarrin (ex Dandenong Stingrays junior) so likely he’s going to fought over by WAFL clubs and Frankston throwing $$$ at him. Casey might offer less $$ but a chance within an AFL aligned system. He’s one player I’d target first if available.

6 Hore 5 Purcell 4 Bannan 3 Heath 2 McNamara 1 Gall

6 goal lead. Tigers kicked 3 to get within 13 points but Dees held on. Great win over a top 4 team. Kate Hore. Can she play AFL next year. She is an ABSOLUTE STAR 👏👏👏💙❤️💙❤️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tobie Travaglia is definitely a youngster on the list for pick “9”. 187cm running half back , can develop also into a running midfielder plays like (imv) Trent Rivers good runner with burst of speed I like that he runs and kicks and doesn’t use his wrong foot… kicking efficiency is high just turning 18yrs late October 2024 ran 6.13mins in 2kms time trial at combine to finish 2nd Coates league - 12 games, averaged 24 possessions and 6 tackles for Bendigo Pioneers Finished 8th in Morrish Medal HBF in Coates league team of the year Was versatile, playing back, mid and spending time forward Active voice and good young leader Played national championships for Vic country Played some VFL for Carlton as a 17yo this year and looked impressive

Zanker-licious. Dees 4th. 👏👏

Dogs making tough decision on a young 20 year old. Aside from Weightman, I thought the Dogs were light on for small forwards. Clarke kicked 23 goals for VFL team across 16 games. Made his debut this year. I saw some of the finals game VFL Dogs v Lions and to be honest he was quiet. Maybe they saw themselves as well covered for small forwards. High draft pick delisted early. THE WESTERN Bulldogs have made a further list change, axing small forward Charlie Clarke after two seasons with the club. The 20-year-old managed just one senior game in his time at the club, in round nine this year against Hawthorn. The former Sandringham Dragon was touted as one of the best pressure forward options in his draft year, and joined the Bulldogs with pick No.24 in the 2022 draft.

Keep 5. Keep 9. Keep “65”. likely draft order is 1-Lalor (tigers) 2- Ashcroft* (lions father son ) 3- Tauru (NMFC) 4- O’Sullivan (blues) 5- Draper (crows) 6/ Dees … look at Smith, Smillie or Langford. Tough decision. All are very good. Langford probably is the one to take. 7/Tigers would grab Smith 8/Saints would grab Smillie 9/ Lombard* bid … Suns academy match 10/ Saints likely to take Harry Armstrong 11/ Dees … it’s either Lindsay or Travaglia. Either would be great additions for “9”. They are both running outside types but can win the footy too (Lindsay plays like Josh Kelly, Travaglia plays like Trent Rivers). Outside chance Murphy Reid

Keep 5. Keep 9. Keep “65”. likely draft order is 1-Lalor (tigers) 2- Ashcroft (lions father son ) 3- Tauru (NMFC) 4- O’Sullivan (blues) 5- Draper (crows) Dees look at Smith, Smillie or Langford. Tough decision. All are very good. Langford probably is the one to take. (Tigers would grab Smith) (Saints would grab Smillie).

Collingwood …

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-18/women-in-the-afl-left-hurt-and-disappointed/104489114?utm_source=abc_news_web&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_web and yet … Legendary footy writer Caroline Wilson didn't see it that way telling 3AW… "I don't think they're over." "I think it's great to celebrate the end of season and dress up in stupid gear." GWS is in a mess !!!

Damien Barrett is [censored] [censored]. Hates the Dees. Hates everything MFC. Complains about all the negativity in life and on the news and how people get sick of all the negativity. but he is a [censored] …”A grade piece of 💩 💩💩💩💩💩” his words IF ... the positive spin on the trade period is that Petracca and Oliver stayed on the list ... THEN ... spare me. Well done, Dees. Clap, clap. And Petracca's desperation to leave was the single reason that Dan Houston chose not to come. What a mess of a club.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/needed-to-be-better-greene-s-manager-speaks-as-giants-face-punishment-over-post-season-function-20241017-p5kj0n.html FIVE JOURNALISTS… wow. That’s serious serious journalism. Where is the extreme outrage. Assume Caro, Damo, Lloydy, Sammy Edmund, Greg Baum etc etc will publish multiple articles over weeks and months to come. Surely a $500,000 club fine. Why not? It’s toxic. It’s 2024.

Bookmark. Derksen for 2025 trade period.

@adonskithat’s tough to hear. He’s a quality youngster Does not take a backward step He would be in to defend his teammates in an instant (aka next to Viney to get into Maynard) Showed elite skills at Sandringham and at Brighton Grammar Beautiful kick in smarts as well All the things MFC need He’s a small-midsized defender I think MFC would have had to be in around pick 22-25 to get him though. I do not think he’s pick 9 quality. Dees need to monitor him and see if we can snag him down the line Harrison Oliver State: Victoria Metro State League Club: Sandringham Dragons Community Club: St Bedes/Mentone Date of Birth: 15/06/2006 Height: 181cm A composed and hard running medium defender who helped set the play up for Victoria Metro with his great decision making and precise left-foot kicking. He averaged 16.2 disposals at 83 per cent efficiency and 3.2 tackles across four matches at the National Championships, with his speed also a weapon in breaking the lines. Was rewarded with All Australian honours and capped a great year with a premiership win for the Sandringham Dragons, where he was also selected in the Coates Talent League Team of the Year. Didn’t take part in physical testing at the Draft Combine due to illness.

What was the knock on DGB… injury? Failure to work hard? Highly rated junior but didn’t show enough development/ desire. Assume he goes back home to WA.

Absolutely NO !!!

excluding Ashcroft … if Smith was available at “5”, it would likely mean top 4 was Lalor, O’Sullivan, Langford & Draper. I agree that imv Dees should probably rate Smillie above Smith.

Sam. He was one of the nicest young blokes. Always very generous with his time for a chat and a photos with my kids. Honestly he had the talent but like others have said, lacked the sheer aggression to be that contested marking key forward. His kicking was fine then seemed to worsen and his confidence went. Hope he moves on to the next stage in life. Will remain a Demon and we will have the 2018 finals to look back on. Good luck Sam.

I am a No. Huge disappointment this year at the Pies. Played VFL and lack of work ethic. Has the talent. Not the dedication. He’s contracted so unless he’s delisted, move on.

Departures off the 2024 squad - traded: 😭ANB (crows) BBB (⏰)Gus (med ret) , Hunter (⏰) delisted: JS29, KFW, Schache & Tomlinson ??? Marty Hore??? Staying or delisted???