spirit of norm smith

Hibbo ❤️💙❤️💙👋👏 We all loved his 2021 premiership cup run But I knew from many mates that are Essendon fans that he was wanted by the Bombers and they were reluctant to let him go. But after the scandal, he wanted the move. Luckily for us, he chose the Dees and connected with his great mate Melksham After speculation surrounding whether he would return to Essendon once his suspension was finished, he confirmed in August that he wanted to be traded to another club for a "fresh start" despite being contracted to Essendon until the end of 2017 and he nominated Melbourne as his preferred destination in September. He was officially traded to Melbourne in October.

7 weeks. High. Well behind play. Intentional. Severe impact. Gutless act.

Let’s get this back on track. Which players recruited were discarded or delisted by their former clubs and not getting game time and went on to be very very good career players at the Dees. Only Lovett, Rigoni, Wilson, Fowler shine out. Pedersen was a good one too for a short period. Most over the past 50 years have faded into the abyss. Otherwise our star recruits were most predominantly traded in and enticed through either a return home , contract length, contract dollars or the hope of better times. Some good and some not so good.

Observations. We need to be patient with Jeffo. Yes he might be a Weideman or a Lucas Cook but he need time to develop. He can clearly mark the footy. It’s his second efforts and intensity that will determine if he makes it or drifts away imv. Hunter is well below the player he was about 5-6 years ago at the Bulldogs. Not sure he’s onboard next year if we have to be fully paying his wages. Laurie looks slow and he gets a high tackle count because he’s second to the footy. He’s not become the skilled midfielder that JT had hoped. Really puzzled why we extended his contract to the end of 2026 (???) Sestan can be a player. Another preseason into him and he’s got the smarts and goalkicking.

Connolly?? Hustwaite??? Both missing over the past few weeks. Any injury updates??? Both were in the best players in the first 3 weeks but absent over the last 3 games.

Roy George ??? He looked good and added some excitement to the forward structure. Anyone know why he’s only had a one game cameo ???

Trying to think of players who were given no opportunity/ discarded by their former clubs … or who failed at their first club … who then were “saved” by the Dees and given a second chance and turned into excellent players. Not sure they’ve been many. Laurie Fowler. Brian Wilson. Brett Lovett Guy Rigoni.

Spot on. Williams tackle was a sling !!! But that’s ok as it’s the blues. JVR was robbed !!!

8 listed players only -AFL 23 + T. Fullarton, K. Tholstrup, A. Tomlinson… all travelling emergencies …(26) (10 unavailable) Brayshaw-medical retirement JS29- sanctioned Josh Schache — Achilles/ TBC Jacob van Rooyen — concussion / 1 week Charlie Spargo — Achilles / 2 - 3 weeks Daniel Turner — Calf / 2 - 3 weeks Marty Hore — Calf / 4 - 6 weeks Jake Melksham — knee / 5 - 7 weeks Ed Langdon - personal reasons Farris-White - suburban league

Like to see what McAdam can deliver

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Last weeks Coates League player of the week was Gippsland Power captain Xavier Lindsay. Had 32 disposals in the midfield, with high efficiency, using his left foot deadly disposal. He had the good mix of skill, smarts and athletic ability. Lock him in as a future star.

Agree. Walsh clearly was complaining to the umps over and over. Finally got the free. Trac and Clarry were scragged last week with no frees from the umps. Heeney also tagged by Hewett. Being held but Swans have plenty of runners to fill the gap. Swans by 5 goals and more.

Agree they were in our best “23” as the sub over and over and over again. It was monotonous. Clearly they were both targeted by other clubs (Giants and Swans) as players of talent that were denied regular footy and they have shown their talent. Jordon in particular would have been a key player for us in the midfield rotation this year with Gus’ retiring.

Ditto. 👏👏👏truth .

Yes. Play someone as a sub for 11 games in a season … then offer a contract. Jordon and Bedford weren’t given the opportunity and saw better chances elsewhere. That’s the uncomfortable truth of it.

Seems like we are now lacking the depth we had in 21,22 and 23. Loss of Brayshaw hurts us in a big way as well as moving on guys like Bedford, Baker, Jordon, and Harmes.

Cats have a good run and probably still top 4 side with good amount of GMHBA games so likely 15 to 16 wins at least. 😭😭 Chris Scott. He’s a sore sore loser. That’s a fact.

Agree. Got the footy last week v blues afl but was slow user and often looked undecided. Maybe a lack of movement ahead of him but he should kick to the players ahead or to space for forwards to lead into. Langdon out. Thought I’d bring Hunter back but can see Taj Woey playing in that wing.

Lever may McVee Bowey Tmcd Rivers Woey Viney Windsor Sparrow Petty ANB KOZZZY BBB? Fritsch Gawn Trac Oliver Int. Salem Billings. Howes. Mcadam sub. Chandler (to manage him) Likely BBB comes in Ins. Salem. McAdam. BBB Emergency. Kolt.

Hustwaite?? Connolly?? Both have been injured for a few weeks. Do we know the extent of their injuries?? ps. Terrible match fixture with both sides having

SHANE McAdam will make his long-awaited Narrm debut, nearly halfway through the season. The livewire small forward, recruited from Kuwarna last year in the Trade Period, will play on Sunday against Waalitj Marawar in Perth.

Daniel Turner and Marty Hore must be two very unlucky or fragile types of players. Hore has been injured for majority of his return. Got back and now copped more injuries. Turner has played max 3-4 games then injured again for likely 3-5 weeks. Hugely disappointed as both show to be handy players when fit and available.

Likely that Fullarton will get a chance this week. Has shown moderate form for Casey but has some skills and can do relief rucking (in absence of JVR).

Cheers DD36. I haven’t seen much of the Bullants so couldn’t comment.

Paul Amy has reported A bit of AFL interest in star Northern Bullant Jean-Luc Velissaris for the mid year draft. His coach Rohan Welsh confirm: 'He’s tough, he wins it inside, he uses it well and he’s so consistent. He might be one of those guys who gets to the next level and rises again.’ apparently was very good again v Pies VFL on the weekend