spirit of norm smith

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.

Apparently new AFL ruling for NGA… anyone called “Marcus” is ineligible!!!! 🤣🤣

Agree. Another “Destroy the Dees” clickbait story. Supporters from the clubs… yeah sack him !!! FFS.

Here was our WIZARD … the magic of Jeff Farmer 🧙🏽

Despite growing up in Melbourne and with the bulk of his family still in Victoria, Andrew said he never truly considered returning home. “Even when I got drafted I was pretty open with Gold Coast about wanting to get out of Melbourne."

Actually plays like Tom Hawkins. Big but smart forward craft already.

Young NGA player in the MFC program Draft eligible for 2026 draft (we think he’s eligible … at least until the AFL changes the rules) Had a great under 16s championship and made All Australian under 16 Team here was the write up Forward Pocket: Marcus Prasad Vic Country | 168cms | 23/03/2008 Prasad recently made his debut for Dandenong Stingrays’ Under 18 side and packs a punch at 167cm. Primarily playing as a small forward, the diminutive talent was crafty with ball in hand but also provided fierce defensive pressure to average 16.3 disposals and 5.7 tackles per game. His repeat efforts were complimented by sharp finishing on goal, proving an impactful creator both in attack and through midfield. Marcus also played in the finals for the Dandenong Stingrays. Whilst being 2-3 years younger than other players, his sharp footskills and evasive talents were good to see. Hes small but that’s probably ok for a forward pocket. Nick Watson is 170cms. 🤔

Agree. Why have him in our NGA academy if he didn’t fit the rules. Dees management is odd. The NGA was brought in to promote participation and development of non traditional player pathways and origins. Why wouldn’t a Samoan multicultural background be included ??! It’s another bizarre AFL rule. example … Cam McKenzie was in Saints NGA as under South African heritage. His dad Rob being born in South Africa meant Mackenzie was eligible to join St Kilda's Next Generation Academy. He was top 10 quality so the Saints missed out and he was picked by the hawks. Dees should seek a change !! Now !!!! The AFL already flipped to change the rules to have Mac Andrew go the Suns and deny the demons. Now the bombers get access to Kako who is top 15 in this years draft under new rules. Dees must fight this and ask for a rule change. Put up some kahunas Mr Pert or get out !!!

4 goals 8 behinds 5 out of bounds. 22% accuracy. FFS. Poor is the word. Practice is an understatement!!!

update 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 Doubtful…? Sestan That’s 9 off the list add ANW onto the list ———————————————— one more year … Kentfield, Tmcd ———————————————— Retire… or probably just go one more year??. Melksham One more year??? Adams, Verrall, Billings, Fullarton, Spargo, Laurie, Hore, Woey jnr … mcadam (contracted to 2026)

Why wouldn’t a Samoan multicultural background be included ??! It’s bizarre AFL ruling. example … Cam McKenzie was in Saints NGA as under South African heritage. His dad Rob was born in South Africa and his mum Delia was born in Canada before growing up in South Africa. Rob being born in South Africa meant Mackenzie was eligible to join St Kilda's Next Generation Academy. He was top 10 quality so the Saints missed out and he was picked by the hawks. Dees should seek a change !! Now !!!! Put up some kahunas Mr Pert or get out !!!

Dees must fight this … the NGAs are a joint initiative between the league and the clubs aimed at the attraction, retention and development of all talented players — both male and female — whilst growing participation in the under-represented segments of the community. First introduced in 2017, a key objective of the NGAs is to increase the talent pool of Indigenous and multicultural players. These groups are significantly under-represented in the AFL comparative to the population, and therefore clubs are incentivised through draft concessions for their role in growing this talent pool.

Why??! WTF … afl screwing us again !!!

Cats will retire Hawkins and use his $$$ to get Smith. They always get their man. 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

What ? Why? What the?? He’s multicural background is Samoan. Why not eligible???? Why are we being screwed again !!!