spirit of norm smith

Lots of top talent again as shown in the futures game on GF day. I’m seeing another very compromised draft in 2025 as much of the top youngsters are already tied to academies, especially the Suns who might get 4 quality youngsters again (like they did in 2023! ) 2025 draft early walk … ROUND ONE - (24 players) Dyson Sharp (likely pick 1) Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves Willem Duursma Zeke Uwland (GCS Academy) * Daniel Annable (Brisbane Lions Academy) * Fred Rodriguez Cooper Duff-Tytler Cody Curtin Sam Cumming Oliver Greeves Jack Dalton Riley Onley Louis Emmett Josh Lindsay Ryder Corrigan (GWS Giants Academy) * Dylan Patterson (GCS Academy) * Liam Hetherton (GWS Academy) * Beau Addinsall (GCS Giants Academy) * Felix Kneipp Basil Hart (Fremantle NGA) * Archie Ludowyke Thomas McGuane (Collingwood FS) * Sam Grlj Tairon Ah-Mu (Melbourne NGA but not eligible for selection) ROUND TWO Thomas Burton Max King (Sydney Swans Academy) * Kalani White (Melbourne FS/GCS Academy) * Luke Candy Ben Rongdit (Geelong NGA) * Lachlan Dovaston Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier Matthew LeRay Harley Barker Jai Murray (GCS Academy) * Charlie Banfield (WCE FS) * Darcy Montgomery Wes Walley (WCE NGA) * Koby Evans (WCE NGA) * Noah Chamberlain (Sydney Swans Academy) * Lachlan Carmichael (Sydney Swans Academy) * Aiden Schubert Toby Sinnema (Melbourne NGA) * Louis Kellaway (Richmond FS) * Jim Kelly Marcus Cassidy Jadd Hill Noah Roberts-Thompson Taj Longmuir (son of Troy but not eligble for any club as a FS) * Toby Whan (Fremantle NGA) * Xavier Bamert Jobe Scapin

Was an important part of the team although appeared reluctant to score a goal. Often just handballs off even when 30 metres out. Has the show his very best after a full year out.

Bonner would be good enough to play on an AFL list. He was unlucky to get delisted after a solid 2024. If he signs at Casey, he could immediately be a potential captain for 2025. Off field opportunities might also present for him.

MFC squad for 2025 key defenders: May, McDonald, Petty*, Adams tall defenders: Lever, D.Turner*, Hore. med/sml/running defenders: Rivers, Bowey, Salem, Mcvee, Howes, AMW, KBrown inside Mids: Petracca, Oliver, Viney, Sparrow, Laurie, Tholstrup, Langford outside Mids: Langdon, Windsor, Woey jnr, Sharp, Lindsay key forwards: JVR, Petty*, D.Turner*, Fullerton , Jefferson , Kentfield, Johnson med-tall forwards: Fritsch, Melksham, McAdam, Sestan small forwards: Pickett, Spargo, Chandler, Billings , Mentha Rucks: Gawn, Verrell, Campbell 43

Havana Harris. By far the popular choice for number 1 pick. She’s prototype of the tall athletic player with the skills to come in straight away and be a star. In true AFL tradition , she is already taken as a Gold Coast Suns academy member. It’s a compromised draft across both AFL and AFLW. note QAFLW is a strong competition including at junior level. Plenty of good youngsters coming through for Lions and Suns AFLW teams.

AFLW UMPS VOTES… 3 Fleming 2 Wales 1 West. Joke !!! Dees had as much play and opportunities. Tight game. Liz Mc deserved a vote or two !!!!

AFLW B&F … Kate Hore 12 votes 👏👏👏💙❤️. Definitely another standout year.

Strange ? Windsor and Langdon already got wing covered !!!

Sparrow. Throlstrup. Sharp. All can play HFF role. I’d always like to see Howes be given a chance. He played as a wing/HFF in his junior footy.

Any whispers on an appointment or any candidates ?

Casey needs to get Jai Culley. He is the priority to rebuild quality in Casey supplemental listings and gives him the chance to showcase himself for another shot at getting back onto an AFL list. I think Casey should look to add Max Donohue, midfielder. Runner up in Gippsland Power B&F this year. Leongatha lad who impressed through the 4 power games I saw.

Thanks SD. yes missed that one. He looked very good and will be very handy for the Swans 😭

Just wait today for the official welcome for Ricky Mentha 👍🏻

http://mfcde.es/3Zf9H2h i like the connections inside forward 50 !!!

Good points raised. I agree Dees tried to get Derksen as a mature body key forward for more impact and play a physical role as well. Whilst similar but different, Johnson brings energy and plays as a physical contested type. In summary…

He’s had to toil and battle and scrap. Seems to love the contest. Goody seemed genuinely excited to get him on board.

Sorry DD36. Tired after a long 48 hrs and season. My Error. Big man gets two years on draftee contract.

Ready to unleash him on Kings Birthday. Straight to Maynard !!! Bring it on

Looking ahead … to the end of season 2025…potential changes retirement… McDonald, Melksham sitting on the edge are …potentially delistings 🔪 would include some of (or all of) … Spargo, Hore, Billings, Laurie, Fullarton, McAdam, Verrall, Sestan, Adams, Kentfield & Johnson. I think Dees will have up to 9 list changes to add at the end of 2025. Definitely need to upgrade list before Tassie comes in and need to be tougher and more ruthless with list spots.

McAdam. I’m still puzzled why he was recruited? 50 games in 6 years. Injury prone. I guess if he gets fit and if he’s injury free … and if he can kick over 35 metres. World of “ifs”

Potentially also … Kolt 12 (upgraded) Campbell 29 Johnson 30 Menths 39

Ricky and his mate XL Ricky with the Dees cap already good luck young man 👏👏👏

That’s good news. Ricky is still raw but has ability. This academy NGA program is exactly suited to players like Ricky Mentha. Not quite draft quality however can still develop and will be great for him to be in the AFL system. He has a good mate like Xavier Lindsay to help assimilate together. When he’s on the move, the smooth run and skill can be seen.

Thought these youngsters were good enough to get drafted tonight. Tate Delmenico SA WWT eagles. Archer Day-Wicks - Bendigo. Clancy Dennis - WA Claremont Nathaniel Sulzberger - Sandringham/ Tassie. Zane Cochrane - Oakleigh. Stk NGA. Adrian Cole. Sandringham. also honestly thought Brew and Henderson showed enough all year and in the VFL GF to earn a spot !!! Dom Brew. Werribee VFL Riley Bice Werribee VFL. 2

This is me … ALL AUSTRALIAN CENTRE HALF BACK CLANCY DENNIS NOT DRAFTED he must have really insulted the recruiting teams during his interviews Would have been a good addition to the Dees young rebuild refresh