spirit of norm smith

From Code Sports … Tom Campbell is the AFL’s great survivor. The journeyman ruckman – who has never played more than nine games in an AFL season – officially joined his fourth AFL club on Friday when he was unveiled as a delisted free agency signing for Melbourne. The 32-year-old, who was first selected by Western Bulldogs in the 2011 rookie draft, has spent the past 13 years on AFL lists for a total of 58 matches. In that time he has turned out in 11 out the 13 years he has been listed at AFL level, including four matches for St Kilda in the past three years as Rowan Marshall’s understudy. He also played 42 games in seven years as a Bulldog and 12 in three seasons at North Melbourne. “Tom is an experienced, competitive ruck, who we are excited to welcome to the club,” Melbourne’s list manager Tim Lamb said. He is an outstanding character, and will provide depth and maturity in our ruck stocks, which has been a focus for us this off season. “We look forward to having Tom and his family as part of the red and blue.” After his delisting in August, St Kilda’s David Misson said of Campbell: “Tom has been an incredible member of our playing group during his time here, having an invaluable impact on our emerging talent and ruck stocks. “His generosity and kindness have made an indelible mark on those around him, and we know will stand him in great stead for this next stage with his young family.” Campbell has the lowest average games played per season (4.46) of any player who will be listed for the 2025 season that has lasted in the AFL for a decade or more. His tally of 58 games is equal to Collingwood defender Billy Frampton, who has been in the AFL system for 10 years. Recently delisted Giant Braydon Preuss (28 games in 10 seasons), retired Richmond ruckman Sam Naismith (33 games, 11 years) and ex-Carlton defender Caleb Marchbank (63, 10 seasons) were the other players in the top five of the AFL’s game of survivor this year. Next year, Ivan Soldo (65 games, 10 years), Marc Pittonet (73 games, 10 years) and Lewis Melican (84 games, 10 years) will join those ranks. But Campbell will become the ultimate survivor after signing for Melbourne as Max Gawn’s understudy. He has been one of the VFL’s dominant big men in recent years and averaged 18.8 disposals, 4.7 marks and 3.9 tackles a game for St Kilda’s affiliate Sandringham this year. Campbell’s longevity does not come close to former Sydney, Gold Coast and North Melbourne ruckman Daniel Currie though. Currie played 10 AFL games in 10 seasons from 2007-2017 and once described himself as someone who had “given the term list clogger new meaning”.

Would love Bartel involved at the Dees. He’s footy IQ and leadership would be a huge addition. And he’d help with culture. Add also with Sloane, Bassett & Teague. That’s a good group to replace McQualter, Stafford and Plunkett.

MFC BEST AND FAIREST SPEECH 2024 BY GOODY Summarized as thanks to Gus 👏👏 thanks to NIBBLER 👏👏 Thanks and farewell to Stafford and Plunkett 👏👏 Got to love the process Go to love the hard work it’s not results … it’s the journey The success is in loving the process it’s not about winning the GF , it’s the process In following and loving the process, you will develop Embrace the process, you must love the process I’m excited for the future We must fall in love for the process of self improvement So bring on 2025 footnote from me … A few words slurred by Goody. Perhaps get him to do his speech earlier in the night !!

Thanks. DD36. There’s a lot going on inside head office Off field stability is causing us all concerns None of the several sources that spoke with Foxfooty.com.au were in favour of dismissing either Goodwin or Richardson from their current roles, nor were they against Brad Green’s involvement in the review.

The Weeknd for the 2025 GF pre match entertainment. Then he can watch us win the GF. 👏👏💙❤️

SWANS ACADEMY PROSPECT TAKES MANTLE SYDNEY Academy prospect Joel Cochran has claimed the first honours at this weekend's Draft Combine, winning Friday's 2km time trial. Cochran completed the run in 6:05 minutes, beating out Bendigo Pioneers talent Tobie Travaglia, who was second overall in a run of 6:13 minutes. South Australian defender Angus Clarke and Claremont's Will Hayes both registered times of 6:18 minutes, while Hamish Davis did the endurance test in 6:18 minutes. Cody Angove and Jasper Alger, who both ran 6:28, and Adrian Cole (6:24) were among the other strong performers in the test.

Agree. Derksen is a good young player but the Giants are stacked with tall forwards and tall defenders. They should honour his request. He’s family support should be recognized by the Giants. Dees should keep asking the question.

“I know, come round one next year, when I see the first ball bounced and our midfield of Gawn, Viney, Oliver and Petracca ... that you Melbourne faithful will be there in full force," Green said.

AFL website reporting Melbourne has its future first-round pick on the table for the Suns' “pick 13” selection. Maybe targeting one youngster the likes of Xavier Lindsay, Joe Berry, Cooper Haynes or Taj Hotton.

AFL website reporting Melbourne has its future first-round pick on the table for the Suns' pick “13” selection.

👏👏👏Trent Rivers 6th. 350 votes. Two behind Ed. So close. He had a superb year. Glad he got the Coaches Award.

Well played

Good call 👏👏💙💙

3rd Nibbler 402 votes 2nd Gawn 405 votes 1st Viney 407 votes amazingly close

JV7. unite next year. Coaches. Players. Fans. Galvanize ourselves. Not win or losses. Not about premierships. Just be proud of ourselves. Start to feel hungry to next year. We feel embarrassed. Like after 2019. Deflected the Todd calling him to see about the Kangas. He’s a great young man.

Riv? May?? Surely Rivers was 6th … thought he’d be top 5 but probably just missed.

winner JACK VINEY 💙❤️💙❤️👏👏👏 2024 MFC BEST & FAIREST

Max Gawn. Tonight shows our spirit. As a footy club, we are united. The lads. Ed. Milkshake. Gus. Nibbler. The Ring. Premiership ring. It means so much. Ring reminds us that we had some miserable years but developed. The hurt is something to build on.

2nd Max Gawn 💙❤️💙❤️👏👏👏… 5 votes between 1st and 3rd

3rd Nibbler ❤️💙❤️💙👏👏👏🥲 he is such an intelligent young man and had a great career … really sad he’s moving on.

4th love KOZZZZY 👏👏❤️💙

5th Ed Langdon 👏👏👏

Goody Gus 👏👏NIBBLER 👏👏 Stafford and Plunkett 👏👏 love the process love the hard work it’s not results success is loving the process it’s not about winning the GF Embrace the process excited for the future fall in love of the process of self improvement bring on 2025

Goody is up now 👏👏👏👏… thunderstruck !!! Yes very appropriate intro.

Gus Brayshaw. Love you. 💙❤️💙❤️A brilliant young man. I am just emotional but proud he is a Demon man. 👏👏👏