spirit of norm smith

Thanks DD36. Maybe we can develop Ricky Mentha and ANW as two small defenders in the next few years. With Salem ageing and Riv earmarked for more time in the midfield, there will be a role there in the near future.

The Go Home Factor. That little piece of the recruitment decision that surely must be considered when making a choice on draft picks. There is no denying it is demonstrated how risky it can be to recruit players from interstate. There was previously some discussion that it was riskier for interstate (non Victorian clubs) teams. I actually think it is now shown as more difficult for Victorian clubs trying to retain their interstate recruits especially from WA and SA. Or is it simply the lure of $$$s. Not necessarily in my view. For the Demons, we look back. Early days … Once the Crows came in, Todd Viney and Steven Stretch were on their radar. Both were loyal Demons and committed the club resisting offers. Earl Spalding left in strange circumstances He wanted to go home to the Eagles. The club said ok go. His manager then shopped interest and the Tigers and Blues were making offers. He went to the Blues and won a premiership. Andrew Obst went back to Port Adelaide after they came in. Scott Thompson. Went back to Adelaide after 4 years at MFC (40 games). Traded to the Crows as he wanted to go back for family reasons. Played 269 games over 13 years at the crows, including two time B&F winner. We know the others Jeff Farmer 😭 Jesse Hogan 😭 Luke Jackson 😭 Now … Alex Neal-Bullen 😭 Yes it does work both ways. We got Lever, Langdon & Jeff White as come back to Victoria players. Though Melbourne probably has had the least players brought back for this reason (famously missing out on Chris Judd due to $$ and brown paper bag ambassador roles). So we worry about Kozzzy, Riv, JVR, Petty, Sparrow, McVee, Tholstrup. Will they decide the lure of family or the surf will call them back home. Do we look ahead and look to prefer Victorian youngsters. This year most of the top 25 draft picks are Victorian. Probably 21 of the 25. So no shortage of talent. Is it a factor? The discussion continues…

Goodwin … early sign of his madness? The Age. October 2019. Adam Tomlinson is looking forward to some consistency in his playing role after being earmarked for a spot on the wing at Melbourne. The Demons recruit was unveiled at AAMI Park on Tuesday after joining the club as a free agent on a five-year deal on Monday. Melbourne have identified Tomlinson primarily as a wingman. Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin spoke about him playing a consistent role, and once games start, being cemented in that spot.

Andy Moniz -Wakefield played 12 of the 18 VFL games. In my opinion, he was our best player alongside White in 5 or 6 of those games as well as one of the best players in most other games. Very strange that he wasn’t in the top 10. Definitely one player who deserved promotion on his strong Casey performances.

VFL Top Ten Vote Count 1. Mitch White - 130 Votes 2. Roan Steele - 100 Votes 3. Matt Jefferson - 97 Votes 4. Oliver Sestan - 92 Votes 4. Bailey Laurie - 92 Votes 6. Kynan Brown - 86 Votes 6. Tom Fullarton - 86 Votes 8. Tyler Edwards - 85 Votes 9. Will Verrall - 75 Votes 10. Max Gregory - 74 Votes

Parfitt’s name is in the jar. Wait and see who and what’s available … then we may open the jar

No.

Caleb Windsor, Mckercher and Wardlaw will be the 3 best players from this group. Strange that Dempsey was so clear as the number 1. I think he’s okay but not exceptional.

I prefer Langford over Smillie, no doubt. However some foreboding that Langford may be on the Eagles radar. If so and he’s gone, it’s then a choice of Smillie or Lalor, which I am more 50/50 on the choice. Smillie has excellent foot skills and can kick 50metres easily. He wins the contested footy. He can distribute. All of these are demonstrated. The challenge is his defensive skills. He has been so good at winning the footy through his junior years, the AFL challenge is how you manage against other stars and “defend the footy”. Will he work hard without the ball. That’s his unknown for me.

More due diligence required in my view. We must be super super diligent in adding anyone. I like his goal sense and pace but there must be a reason that the Suns terminated his contract with a year still to run. Why are they letting him go ???? Rosas, originally from Darwin, was the first player to be signed by the Suns through their Darwin talent zone. He made his AFL debut in 2021 and quickly became known for his speed and goal-scoring ability. Over the years, Rosas became an integral part of the Suns’ forward line, playing 33 games and scoring 33 goals during his time with the club. The decision to release Rosas is surprising given his recent contract extension and the significant contributions he made to the team. His departure leaves a noticeable gap in the Suns’ forward line as they look towards the future. Rosas’ release raises questions about the Suns’ strategy moving forward and how they plan to fill the void left by his departure. The reasons behind the decision have not been publicly disclosed, but it marks a significant change for both Rosas and the Gold Coast Suns.

@leave it to deever I agree there’s a few more that would not be part of the future. But we have to keep them to honour contracts (Laurie, Billings, McAdam, Fullarton) or just to keep some sense of stability (which is crumbling quickly). It shows how quickly our depth has been eroded. We were tight for list spots and perhaps didn’t give JJ or Bedford the sense of security. Deakyn Smith also unlucky to go but we were limited for spots. Now as you mentioned, we could find plenty to delist !!!

Full stop. Good.

One kid out of Queensland that has improved this year is Ty Gallop. Plays key forward at local club Maroochydore in QAFL as a 17 year old. He’s not Jed Walter but can take pack marks, loves a goal and has physical presence even as a youngster. He can kick 45/50 metres easily. Records this year shows kicked 8 goals in 3 Coates league games for the Brisbane Lions academy, 4 goals in 2 Under18 championships games for Allies and Kicked 30 goals in 9 QAFL games for Maroochydore (including 16 in last three games of the year). Dominated the last game of the year versus morningside. He is unfortunately tied to the Lions academy but sure to bolt up recruitment lists. Not sure the Lions have ability to match as they will have invested heavily in Ashcroft and Marshall. Aggressive young key forwards are hard to find. Might not be top 50 but Dees have to find some gems with skill and some real toughness in their style. Reminds me of Logan Morris in style.

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 ———————————————— Unknown/TBC - Petracca (still 5 years on contract) Retire… or probably just go one more year??. Tmcd, Melksham One more year??? Adams, Verrall, Billings, Fullarton, Spargo, Laurie, Hore, McAdam*, Woey jnr

Max Gawn. 👏👏❤️💙❤️❤️ One of the true Demon greats. Best ruckman of all time. 👏👏👏👏

Casey B&F 1st 👏👏👏Mitch White - inspirational captain Defender turned inside mid. Clearly best for Casey in 2024 2nd 👏👏Roan Steele vice captain 3rd year at Casey. Mid sized half back /half forward. 3rd 👏Matt Jefferson - 2nd year AFL listed key forward. Inconsistent year but showed he had capability to be key forward. Preseason in the gym and some guidance from Choco still needed. Rising star. 👍🏻Kai Windsor (20yo, Caleb’s older brother). Recovered from year out with injury. Played some reasonable footy but often limited minutes and looks just ok at VFL level. Not AFL standard at this time. Values Award.👍🏻 Roan Steele / definitely

VFL coach Taylor Whitford shares his thoughts on ten key players who have made a significant impact throughout the season. From emerging talents to seasoned veterans, Whitford's insights provide a deeper understanding of the individual contributions that have shaped the Dees' journey in 2024. Andy Moniz-Wakefield "2024 saw Andy assume a new role across half-back. There was a period of adjustment to his new role in that first part of the season, but after a breakout performance against Williamstown in round 6, he was away. He went on to average 26 disposals per VFL game and was rewarded with an AFL debut, playing six AFL games at the back end of the season." Bailey Laurie "Bailey was a consistent performer at VFL level this season. His work in and around stoppages made him a damaging player in the league, going on to average 24 disposals, seven tackles, and five clearances per game." Kai Windsor "Joining the VFL program this year, Kai played 15 games. This was a brilliant effort, considering some of the limitations he had coming into the pre-season through injury and surgeries over the course of last year. Demonstrating such great attributes, his speed and great ball use, at only 20, we can't wait to see what he can do in the coming years." Kynan Brown "Kynan had a brilliant first season at the club, making real strides in his game performance and role understanding at VFL level, being rewarded with AFL opportunities in the back end of the season. Playing through various roles, whether up forward, as a midfielder or on a wing, he averaged 17 possessions and three clearances per match, with the highlight being a massive 27 disposal and 24 tackle game against Frankston in Round 17." Matthew Jefferson "Jeffo was able to develop some real consistency in his game in 2024. He had nine games with two or more goals, finishing with 29 goals for the season, and he was 11th in the VFL goal-kicking tally. He was able to show more readily his capacity to take both contested marks and still follow up and be clean on ground level." Max Gregory "Off the back of an injury-free and full pre-season, Max would be one of the more improved and reliable players at Casey this season. He was able to tally a career-best 16 VFL games and was tasked with the opposition's most dangerous small forwards each week. We love Max's ability to win contests, but it's his speed and run and carry with the ball that was most exciting." Mitch White "What a season Whitey put together. Averaging 23 disposals and five tackles per game, he was so consistent in not only his performance on field each week but his ability to lead and teach our young VFL group." Roan Steele "Promoted to co-vice-captain this season, Roan continued to show his quality at the VFL level. After a slower start to the season than he would have liked, a shift to a new role at half-back allowed him to flourish, averaging 20 disposals and five rebound 50's in the games he played there." Tyler Edwards "Teddy took some real strides in his game in 2024. Playing in all 18 VFL matches, through a variety of roles, he found his feet both on a wing and was able to get some expose through the midfield." Will Verrall "Will had some strong performances within season 2024. He showed the ability to more than match it with more experienced rucks within the competition whilst being able to use his strengths around the ground. His Round 17 game against Frankston, where he amassed 18 disposals alongside 45 hitouts, was a highlight."

Thanks @Whispering_Jack Saw Lucca Grego in the championships and liked his aggressive style and running. Interesting to see him mentioned again in the TOTW. He attacked footy with competitive edge and won contested footy. Good one grab type of player. Also noted he had played recently in VFL for Williamstown so must be well rated to get that. He might be a pick in the “50” range that could be a handy pickup. Dont panic… plays like Zak Jones.

GAWN HAS TO BE CONSIDERED AS ONE OF THE GREATEST RUCKMAN TO HAVE EVER PLAYED THE GAME. CERTAINLY IS MELBOURNE’S GREATEST RUCKMAN

And he’s a heart and soul leader

Agree with another 12 months We grabbed him from across the country and plugged him in Needs an AFL preseason and the development of a full summer in the gym and on the track Whilst he is raw and his VFL 2023 form showed us little, we need to give him a chance. A punt , experiment perhaps but worth taking !!

Get the statue ready Max Gawn 💙❤️🏆 2010– current (end of 2024) 224 games captain since 2020 Career highlights so far AFL premiership captain: 2021 Frank 'Checker' Hughes Medal: 2024 7x All-Australian team: 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 (c), 2022, 2024 Melbourne captain: 2020– 2× Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Medallist: 2018, 2019 AFLCA Champion Player of the Year: 2018 Neale Daniher Trophy: 2016

Love to see Ricky Mentha on board with the Dees. Hopefully he can be a Cat B rookie under NGA Program.

65,000 members demand an explanation. Kate Roffey needs to go. Disconnected to the key issues at the club. Clearly either too arrogant or incompetent.

Let me think. He’s in the jar … not in the bin. Put his name in the jar for future consideration and discussion.