spirit of norm smith

Agree with Riccardi. It’s a shame we could not grab him when he was starrung in the VFL. There is plenty of absolute “yes” players to be named. Could name a dozen more easily. Of course their contract status (contracted) and then attracting them is the issue. Even out of contract players are not attracted to MFC now. Thats what makes the Tom Barrass switch to the Hawks so interesting. He’s contracted at eagles until 2027 yet the hawks are now likely to get him in for next year. They must have a big $$$ contract and long term contract in his face.

Reminds me of Dylan Moore or Gryan Miers type. Good burst of pace. Competitive. Smart around goals. Clubs could see him as a late draft pick or rookie. Certainly his game v Falcons was very special and a key reason for the Rebels win.

Lost Birch, Gay, West, Sherriff in trades out. Went young in the draft. With Purcell, Aimee Mackin, Harris and Pearce out it's going to be a tough ask to “compete this year”. That’s 9 out of the best 21 team from 2023.

Ahead of Round 3 vs Kangas Dees lost 5 key players in off season and now lost 5 players from their best 16 !!!

💔💔💔💔💔💔miss Libby in red and blue 💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔 'Reinvigorated' Roo on shock move, pre-season setbacks, facing her Demons Libby Birch says North's disciplined defence and the chance for more premiership success was appealing in her decision to join the Kangaroos By Sarah Black Libby Birch poses during North Melbourne's 2024 team photo day at Arden Street. Picture: AFL Photos IT WAS the shock move of the 2023 AFLW trade period. Unbeknownst to the football public, Melbourne premiership defender Libby Birch was at a juncture in her career, and had a number of keen suitors. Hawthorn was among the interested sides, keen to add some experience to its young group. Then only a few days after a Grand Final loss, with a side already packed with stars, North Melbourne pounced. The Roos' notoriously disciplined system-based defence – and the chance for further premiership success – appealed to the tenacious competitor. "I had been given an amazing opportunity at the Dees after coming across from the Western Bulldogs, to come to a side with my best mate Daisy Pearce and play with her again, and to play with some players I had played with at Darebin Falcons," Birch told AFL.com.au. "I was really excited about the potential of a new journey, and from the bottom of my heart, I saw some incredible chances at North Melbourne to have a real impact and be part of a side that was again chasing premiership glory. But number one, it was how do I get better as a player? I've been in the system for eight years now, and I wanted to grow as a player, as a person and as a leader again, and this new challenge, being uncomfortable again, has almost reinvigorated my career. "One of the things that really excited me was the fact I could train against Tahlia Randall, Kate Shierlaw and Emma King, who I've had some fierce battles with in the past. I've loved the fact I could train against them the entire pre-season. There's no doubt the AFLW is absolutely flying. It's getting better and better, and you need to individually lift as a player."

ABSOLUTELY NO !!!

Agree. Dees need to hold firm on at least pick 25. Nothing less !!!

@dazzledavey36 I agree a 5 year term for Sheldrick is a stretch but if you are going to attract talent from other clubs, you have to be gutsy with $ and term. That was more my angle. Hawks apparently offering 6 year deals to Battle and Barrass to attract them.

Cunningham. Marchbank. Martin. All injured most of their careers. All talented but their injuries cursed their careers.

Angus Sheldrick. Make sure his management know we are coming for him at end of 2025. Five year deal on the table. As per some experts prior comments… Angus Sheldrick. Clearance machine and unlikely to get a run at his best role anytime soon as the Sydney’s midfield is an embarrassment of riches. Been injured most of the year but would be a walk up start in a lot of midfields when healthy IMO. I get young Jack Viney vibes off him, and his ceiling is yet to be shown at AFL level. Another we could potentially grab on the cheap and he is excess to the swans needs.

Yes to Peatling, Parfitt Maybe if available to Membrey , Matt Kennedy, Maybe but with a lot of due diligence Malcolm Rosas (jnr) No to Macrae, Daniel, Ross, Taberner, Cerra, Ladhams, Jack Martin, Marchbank, Hind, Sam Day

update 13/9/24 Gone. Farris-White, Schache Retired. Brayshaw (medical), BBB (both knees) —————————————————- Free agent Going? Tomlinson (UFA) Going? Hunter ( out of contract ) Suspended?? Going? JS29 Trade request to Crows… ANB That’s 8 off the list add ANW onto the list Thats 7 list spots available need to trade to get 2 mature players, add minimum 4 draftees and one rookie likely Noah Yze ————————————————- ?Retire… or probably just go one more year??. Melksham ? one more year … Hore?? ————————————————- one more year … Kentfield, Tmcd, KBrown, Verrall, ANW, Sestan, Billings, Fullarton, Spargo, Woey jnr two more years (tears) Adams, Laurie, mcadam (contracted to 2026)

Surprised to see Sestan given another year. Gradual improvement and is smart around goals. But hard to see where he fits in. Had 3-4 good games but went missing in another 8-9 games. Injured across 5-6 for the year. Have to back in the club who sees him as one of those project players !!!

MELBOURNE has locked in a quintet of young talent, with Andy Moniz-Wakefield, Kynan Brown, Will Verrall, Oliver Sestan and Luker Kentfield all signing new deals with the club. The five players put pen to paper this week, extending their time in the red and blue until at least the end of 2025.

Agree. Hes not great but adds value in a position now available… certainly not a hunter or Billings buy… he’s not 29 and in decline.

@Davos lukewarm on Finn O’Sullivan? He dominated as an under age player last year and would have been drafted top 5 if eligible last year. He has had some injuries this year. But he has elite skills, wins the footy, can play mid or half back distribution role, is a leader, wins the footy etc etc. He plays LDU … slightly shorter version (4cms shorter than LDU). He’s still my number 1 pick this year. Tigers might go Smith or Langford and I hope O’Sullivan drops to us. Unlikely though. O’Sullivans situation reminds me of the Joel Selwood draft year where he went from likely pick 2 or 3 (behind Bryce Gibbs)to 7th pick due to an injury interrupted draft year. on Selwood pre the draft, Matt Burgan wrote … Although a knee injury plagued him in 2006, Selwood is enormously rated by AFL recruiters. He is regarded as one of the premier midfielders in the draft, while his character and leadership qualities have also been highly commended. He has been touted as a future AFL captain by one recruiting manager. The rest is known what that meant for the Cats!!

Ben Camporeale is in the 12-18 range. He’s going to be a very very good pickup for Blues. (His brother Lucas at about 45/48). Here was my phantom section 11 to 20 from last week. 11. Murphy Reid - Sandringham 12. Tobie Travaglia - Bendigo 13. Harry Armstrong - Sandringham 14. Taj Hotton - Sandringham 15. Jobe Shanahan - Bendigo (NSW) 16. ***Blues match bid. Ben Camporeale - Glenelg SA ( father son) 17. Bo Allan - WA 18.***Lions match bid. Sam Marshall - Bris Lions academy 19. Joe Berry - Murray 20. Alix Tauru - Gippsland

5-star post. Agree we were attractive but now are seen as in decline and with a media led toxic culture. We must pick our targets closely. It’s the draft this year. 5 quality youngsters at least plus perhaps two mature players traded in.

His talent is unquestionable. His grit and determination is the thing to assess. He’s dominated junior footy. His defensive side is the query.

I’m a definite NO NO NO for Macrae. I can see why posters might think he would be an asset. But he’s lost his pace and his kicking is chip/up and under. Too many $$$ on his contract even with some salary dumping by Dogs. @Tolstoys Nudge I agree that our #1 strategy atm is definitely another top 15 pick in this bumper draft! Future 1st is likely to be offerred up.

I’ve only been out to Casey fields 3 times. It is a long way out and definitely would not be preferred for the Melbourne Football Club as a training base for the players. It shows the poor planning and action over many decades to find the right location. We have to get a place like Caulfield Racecourse or Fawkner Park or similar!! "A lot of players have concerns with the fact they have to go out (to Casey Fields)." Expect the Demons' training venue to feature prominently as part of Melbourne's review, reports @cleary_mitch.

Agree with the “one more year”. Mainly because our erosion of depth and Melksham can help guide others. I think he stays on a lower dollar contract based more on games played. Definitely the forward line looked more potent with him in the team and his kicking for goal is elite (unlike most others).

Yes prefer my phantom draft over this one. Agree @Pennant St Deethat Boxshall might have got a few recruiters to notice him after the weekend game and is now on recruiters boards. He a strong midfielder with good skills and tackles hard. I only saw him v Vic metro and Vic country. Liked his contested work. He had limited time at CBA but competed hard against Langford and Hynes. Maybe still a 4th round pick imv or rookie.

No

Cerra is a no.