spirit of norm smith

AFL is turning MFC off in any prime time timedlots. It will quickly favour the Hokball Hawks. The appeal and playing style of the Hawks captured the media, the AFL, Battle & Barrass. Time to re-energise our playing style.

Dees have room for 3 senior list additions. I think Dees will use 5,9 and potentially add 5th round draft pick OR save for a train on player to be added under the SSP.

It’s ridiculous… “unbelievable” is an understatement!!! Not to be even in the 42 named squad. Highest rated forward in AFL Fantasy with 85 average. In AFL website AA team as a Half Forward. Strong stats across disposals, goals, tackles and clearances for a forward. Her impact was huge. Clearly the selection panel didn’t see many Dees games !!!

Agreed. Kate Hore had one of her very best years. Above average in most KPIs and her leadership was outstanding. Clearly AFLW Dees are not in the sweetheart group right now.

Judd McVee and Jake Melksham will be promoted to the senior list in 2025.

Will the Dees trade out our future 1st 2026 draft pick to get into the 2025 1st round!?!?!?!?!

I’d like to see the Dees pickup a youngster with the “last draft pick”. We should have the place on the list available. There is talent all the way through even in the 4th round/ late 60s. Definitely like to give JT a stretch assignment and roll the dice …

we would love Lalor to fall to “5”… but it’s unlikely He has all the skills and strength and smarts to go pick 1 … it’s just his injury history that will be in the minds of the Tigers recruiting team

Agree. Keep 5. Keep 9. Two aces … so at 5… imv Langford. As per my many posts, he’s definitely shown strong consistent footy and offers the size, skill and endurance required. He’s got so many AFL qualities and is local lad. it’s likely he is available at “5”. If not, then it means options may include Draper, Smith or O’Sullivan. so at 9… imv Travaglia. Just like his competitive nature. You can’t teach intensity. He’s got the energy to succeed. Run and carry. Can develop as half back and then move into a midfield role. if he’s not available, then Allan, Lindsay & Reid are other options. Not sure we see Smillie as an option. I think we will look for two midfielders. Armstrong and Shanahan are good key forwards however our list imv needs a midfield refresh. All youngsters within this years top 12-15 will be very good. There is a lot of talent.

Love that time slot. Almost nostalgic feel !!!

http://bit.ly/4fhPkY9 Definitely think TT is a strong option for the Dees at pick “9”. I’m a big supporter of his style of footy. Like his run and carry and energy. Reminds me of the Riv in his draft year. State: Victoria Clubs: Bendigo Pioneers/Sandhurst Position: Defender Height: 187cm DOB: 26/10/2006 Key traits: Endurance, Speed, Run and Carry, Versatility, One-on-One Defending Compares himself to: Will Day U18 Championships Averages: 112 ranking points, 21.8 disposals, 6.3 marks, 8.3 intercept possessions, 2.3 tackles (4 games) Expected Draft Range: 8-12

I have to say, with Birch and Gay leaving, it left a massive hole in our key defence. We had young Gillard who at 20 shows signs of a very bright future but she is still very young. In 2024 however we saw Maeve Chaplin step into a CHB role and was under pressure, but she excelled. Certainly Maeve was a big improver with the opportunity presented. So it’s great see her season recognized . 👏👏👏👏 MFC media article http://mfcde.es/4hEFEIG Maeve Chaplin put together a career-best season in 2024, but it wasn’t without effort. THE AFLW world is made up of many unique journeys, but arguably none quite as unique as Melbourne defender Maeve Chaplin. It was just two years ago when Chaplin was first signed by the Dees, only to be delisted by the club a few months later. Now, after a career-best season, the 22-year-old has put her name in the mix of the top defenders in the league. is a unique journey, and I'm really grateful for it, I think it's shaped me to be the person I am,” Chaplin said. “I missed out on two drafts when I was 18 and 19, then got signed as a replacement player. “Then I got delisted, then drafted again in that same year – the 2022 seasons - and then won a premiership. “It's a unique start to a football career, but I honestly wouldn't change it. It's going to always make me work hard knowing that nothing comes easy. I'm just super grateful for the experience Melbourne has been able to give me.” While it’s been an increase of impact with each season that she’s been at the club, 2024 saw her skyrocket to new levels of talent. To put her rise into simple numbers - at the end of 2023, she had averaged eight disposals and 3.8 intercepts. In 2024, she finished the season averaging 6.7 intercepts (10th in the league) and 13.6 disposals, with a disposal efficiency of 78.7% (a team high). Rather than just a player in the Melbourne backline, Chaplin’s name became known among the league, recognised for her strength and power in the defensive contest. For the Demon, the season she put together was both a surprise and also a reward for effort, having put in an off-season of hard work. “I wasn't really expecting it to skyrocket the way it did,” Chaplin said. “I worked really hard in the off-season, so I feel like it's a surprise, but I also feel like I earned it.

Momentum building around Allan … if we get Smith at 5, then Allan is ideal at 9

http://7NEWS.com.au Maxy … oh no … copy their onfield energy only … fyi we once let our junior managers plan an offsite. Whilst it was on the business plan for the event, they forgot about the catering (drinks list only) and the bus transport was for arranged for one bus to transport 85 staff. At least we got the lunchtime fire pit experience (which is in vogue) where he all got smoked out and returned home full of smoke like being on a 1976 plane flight. As long as you don’t try to “pivot to lean in to future strategic initiatives to expand our footprint” 🤮 and … footnote… love the auto-text Who is Krishan Batraka … 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣did he convert to Hinduism whilst at the Red Bull love in !!!

Based on potential draft order, Langford is the most likely for pick “5”.

Another Smokey … George Grey. This would be a gutsy call. Ex Casey Demon, excelled at Frankston Dolphins in 2024. Averages 24 possessions a game. Had huge 30 possession games v Dogs and v Suns at end of 2024 against many AFL listed opponents. Simply he’s too good for the VFL. imv Grey is definitely AFL quality. His run & skill is the equal of many half backs or running mids in the AFL. Left foot. Right foot. He kicks extremely well on both.

Hold on Pick 5 & 9. Two young guns. JT to get 2 “aces”…

I’m not sold on Armstrong. Prefer others at 9.

NGA Academy is for players from multicultural and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander backgrounds opportunities to progress their individual development and footballing ability. Saints NGA Lennox Hoffman was born in Switzerland and moved to Australia after 6 months (grew up for the past 17 1/2 years in Australia). Bombers NGA Isaac Kako. His parents, Laith and Samiya who were both born in Iraq … young Isaac was born in Australia and is a born & bred fair dinkum Aussie youngster. So what’s the [censored] ambiguous rule? AFL … how many Polynesian youngsters are in the AFL? Nil. How many Polynesian youngsters are in the NRL … 132 !!! Pathways for young Polynesian origin boys to the AFL. Nil according to current rules.

https://www.zerohanger.com/afl-draft-the-leading-father-son-nga-and-northern-academy-prospects-for-2024-156624/amp/ Empty cupboard for MFC ?!?!?!?!

Jack Bell has committed to Old Haileybury in VAFA 2025 A grade for next year as a full-time player. Not sure if Casey offerred him another year or if he said “I’m out”. He was good in 2022 and 2023 with 30 games across the 2 years. But only 5 games in 2024 and used in limited minutes only. Farewell #73.

Brad Crouch. I’d offer him the Casey captaincy. Though he would get better $$$ elsewhere. He’s a good tough contested player but injuries and now wear & tear have eroded his body. Could play a few good games but not for the campaign needed.

Teams often need a blend in the midfield. Inside contested bulls. Running skilled mids. Smart footy IQ decision makers. You can rotate various ways depending on opposition and your strengths. example. Lions. Neale. Ashcroft. Berry. McCluggage. Rayner. Dunkley. Fletcher. They all have various skills to compliment each other. Dees are loaded for inside bulls. JV7, Trac, Clarry, Sparrow. Need to add the class and running power. That’s why we grabbed Windsor. Thats why we are looking to convert Rivers. Hope we add two more guns to our midfield.

Agree. Caleb wasn’t recruited for his disposal efficiency which was average 55% at best. It’s his run and carry and metres gained, as well as his competitive nature. He’s a ripper. Just need to compliment him with other mids including an elite ball user.

Not imv. Lindsay kicking at 82% in disposal efficiency at Coates league. Averages 27 disposals per game. Averages 4.2 tackles. He compares more to Josh Kelly in my view. Billings went at 60% kick efficiency this year and 1.8 average tackles. Dees need elite kickers.