spirit of norm smith

One least we could use it for the big freeze game … 🤣🤣🤣 Let it go, let it go And I'll rise like the break of dawn Let it go, let it go That perfect player is gone Here I stand in the light of day Let the storm rage on The cold never bothered me anyway

Just pump it up !!!

Devil inside !!!

Cal T’s latest write up … Few in the draft have the same speed and endurance mix as Grlj, who can put on the jets but also run all day. He showed that at the Draft Combine last month when he finished second in the 2km time trial (5:59 minutes) and ran the 20-metre sprint in 2.92 seconds. Grlj likes to use the weapon in games, too, with the Oakleigh Chargers prospect enjoying taking a glimpse around to check his bearings before going on a run. With his dash and dare, 'The Sizzler' brings something different to the mix of midfielders in the first round. Where does he go? As Richmond considers speed, Grlj has been in the Tigers' mix after playing in the club's VFL side late in the year. If not there, he could be back a bit further into the first round, with Greater Western Sydney among the clubs who could be a chance

Cal T’s write up … Farrow started the season as a prospect to watch and as the year went on became Western Australia's leading draft hopeful. His flexibility – from half-back to midfield – and his size – 188cm – have been key parts of that, with the damaging left-footer standing out because of those attributes, He averaged 25 disposals at colts level with West Perth and also stepped up to play with West Perth's senior team, where he averaged 18 touches. Where does he go? Farrow is attending night one of the draft, and he is in the mix for several clubs with early selections. Essendon has done its work and Melbourne is a chance if he gets through to the Dees' pair of picks. Should he get past them, Hawthorn and the Giants loom as real contenders.

Lock in Anzac Eve game (away) v Tigers Kings Birthday -Monday afternoon v Magpies Then it’s …

AFL stealing another Dees NGA young gun !!! No way

@Gator @BLWNBA keep your eye on the red and the blue.

6 Hore 💙❤️ 5 Gillard 4 Liz Mc 3 Wotherspoon 2 Hanks 1 … struggling…Banno

Agreed. Cal has good intel as a general rule

@Little Goffy 🤣🤣🤣let’s prioritize Sam’s 7-Sam Grlj 8-Sam Cumming 37- Sam Allen

@Garbo I do actually like his run … and yes his continued running. He links up really well and has the ability to create quick passages of play to put opposition under pressure. His pace is something that will appeal. He’s still in need of better decision making though.

SA captain Dyson Sharp, who has widely been linked to the Bombers. He’s an Essendon supporter and suits what the club needs in midfield, being a bigger-bodied extractor who can also go forward for marks and goals.

STRENGTHS: + Clean hands + Competitiveness + Contested game + Leadership + Strength + Tackling IMPROVEMENTS: - Kicking - Outside game - Speed If there's one thing Sharp does better than anyone in the crop, it's winning contested ball. He was utterly dominant in that domain during the National Championships, averaging 11.3 contested possessions, six clearances and five tackles per game. Such feats helped further establish his reputation as a tone-setting, lead-by-example captain. Central to Sharp's contested nous is his toughness. He simply doesn't flinch in the face of contact and has the strength to absorb physical pressure while distributing the ball. As far as primary possession winners go, few were more effective by hand this year than Sharp. He handles the ball cleanly on the inside and had stood up to the rigours of senior footy. Sharp has become used to playing up the age groups for some time. He was a dual Under 16 All-Australian and established himself in South Australia's Under 18 side as a bottom-ager. Further to that, his SANFL League exposure across the last two years has been significant. Each experience has also leant to his growth of versatility; learning to play back in the state program, and as a high forward for Centrals' League side. Although, midfield is where Sharp shines - particularly in the cut and thrust of stoppages. It's there where his competitive nature comes to the fore, with the 18-year-old exhibiting first rate intent and effort. It lends to his leadership quality, as does his vocal nature out on the field. He has an abundance of footballing knowledge and always seems eager to impart it onto his teammates. While he leads the crop at what he's best at, Sharp remains entrenched in the ever evolving footballer vs. athlete debate. He is the type who has a high floor, but arguably lower ceiling than others in the same draft range. The likes of Ben Hobbs and Jhye Clark are similar stylistic examples who have gone on to the next level as first round draftees. On pure performance, Sharp was among the best of the crop, but a crystal ball approach may favour others in the draft class. The way top level football is headed leans towards fast transitional play, where leg speed and foot skills are king. Sharp's skillset fits outside that category, but still has a place in the modern game to help enhance those who thrive on that style. He did well to add weapons to his game this year, hitting the scoreboard at the National Championships and improving his ability to accumulate outside possessions. Those areas can still be enhanced, helping grow Sharp's ability to hurt the opposition. As it stands, he's the type of player who will be ready to go, helping those around him shine with his strong extraction work.

Would he be available ? Surely not !! He’s a ready to go inside midfielder. He’s a bombers supporter and they surely pick him. Cannot see him dropping to pick “7”. If he did, wow he’d be hard to pass on.

Fox Footy:- MELBOURNE Dyson Sharp (MID; Central District) The Dees have had somewhat of an exodus this off-season as they look to reset under new coach Steven King. Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver were both traded away, while Judd McVee and Charlie Spargo also found new homes. It’s left Melbourne’s on-ball brigade pretty thin, and Jack Viney isn’t getting any younger either. At the top of Melbourne’s priority list should be finding some midfield support for the likes of Harvey Langford, Trent Rivers and Xavier Lindsay. South Australian beast Dyson Sharp would be a superb fit, especially when you consider he’s a terrific off-field character who could one day captain an AFL club. Sharp had a brilliant National Championships campaign that was both consistent and eye-catching, which saw him win the Larke Medal and South Australia MVP. The big-bodied midfielder averaged 27 disposals, 7.5 score involvements and six tackles a game, showcasing his strengths around the coalface and his ability to burst from stoppage. There’s a general consensus amongst recruiting circles that Sharp is ready made and could play round one in 2026. Melbourne president Brad Green said earlier this year that the Dees’ centre bounce for round one would be Gawn, Petracca, Viney and Oliver, but there’s a genuine chance it could instead be Gawn, Viney, Langford and Sharp.

Agree. Butters or Rozee… or Hartung or Blease. I think Grlj offers us pace and run and I’d be happy if he’s available and JT picks him.

You simply need… Your best team on the paddock. Chaplin, Purcell and Goldrick, plus Zanker out. That’s top line talent missing. Accurate goalkicking. That was a huge difference v Lions, indeed all season our accuracy has been poor.

afl.com.auThe footy-mad draft prospect who has charged into top-10...Jacob Farrow's life revolves around footy, and the WA draft prospect has charged into top-10 calculationsAgreed. Jacob Farrow is definitely in the mix. He’s got all the tools to be a long term AFL player. Good size. Excellent skills. Good attitude. Mobility. Smart. (Only negative from me is he’s from WA! Shouldn’t be scared off but it’s in the back of our mind given the go home factor).

Chris Cavanagh. Journalist. AFL football. The Demons have done work on Aidan Schubert if he falls past Essendon. Don't think there's any chance of Sullivan Robey getting through that far, as much as he'd suit. Sam Cumming is the name that kept coming up for Melbourne so I've got him at the Dees first selection and then Lachy Dovaston, so they’re the two. Grlj is also in the mix for Melbourne but my mail is the Demons might not be as keen on Grlj as other clubs in that range. Sharp is unlikely for Melbourne even if he does get past Essendon, but I wouldn't totally rule the Demons out.

Possibly run through Eagles grab Duursma & CDT Tigers grab Robey & X.Taylor Bombers grab Sharp & Cumming. Likely any combos of these 6. Who’s left? Grlj …the speedster who takes the game on with excitement and dash. Josh Lindsay … the deadly accurate left footer with elite skills. Farrow or Dovaston as other potential options. Both are excellent youngsters. Theres the raw ruck/forward Schubert constantly spruiked to us in phantom drafts. Cam Nairn as the latest young gun mentioned. He was impressive in the carnival. I’m still onboard with (if available) Grlj at 7 and then Lindsay at 8. We instantly improve our pace & run, and instantly improve our half back distribution. We can use speed on the ball or creativity to move it. I think they align with the King ball movement at speed philosophy.

@BAMF cheers to you it’s all friendly banter !!

Maeve out !!! That hurts us. Ebert was good last week when needed. Does this leave the backline vulnerable ? Will we play Wotherspoon back??

Chaplin, who was named in the All-Australian squad on Thursday, injured her hamstring at training during the week and is understood to be unavailable for the clash