spirit of norm smith

@red and blue forever thanks for the update. I think it’s 20 players with contracts ending in 2026. Tim Lamb will be busy especially resigning guys like Turner, Bowey, Chandler and Fritsch. I’d probably offer all of them a 3 year deal as a rule but obviously market forces and ‘26 performance may impact.

TWO Demons have topped the coaches votes for Round 10, with Kate Hore and Megan Fitzsimon polling nine apiece. Hore and Fitzsimon were both dominant through Melbourne's midfield with the two combining for a total of 48 disposals, 17 score involvements and 11 clearances. Eden Zanker received six votes for her four-goal performance, while Tyla Hanks (two) and Tahlia Gillard (one) were the remaining Demons to receive votes in the team's 44-point win over Sydney. Hore and Hanks remain in the top six on the overall leaderboard, 14 and 15 votes behind Ash Riddell who sits at the top with 85 votes. Melbourne v Sydney 9 Kate Hore MELB 9 Megan Fitzsimon MELB 6 Eden Zanker MELB 2 Tyla Hanks MELB 2 Zippy Fish SYD 1 Laura Gardiner SYD 1 Tahlia Gillard MELB

The “one year club”…refresh The core: Tom Sparrow, Jake Bowey, Christian Salem, Kade Chandler, Daniel Turner & Bailey Fritsch I’d assume the Dees will definitely look at further contracts for Bowey, Chandler, Turner & Fritsch. Whilst Sparrow and Salem are likely “best 23” at the start of 2026, that may not be so be season end. The veterans: Stephen May, Jake Melksham, Tom McDonald, Tom Campbell & Shane McAdam The developers: Matt Jefferson, Ricky Mentha, Jed Adams, Andy Moniz-Wakefield & Luker Kentfield The fringe: Harry Sharp, Bailey Laurie, Jai Culley, Jack Henderson & Aidan Johnson That’s 21 of the current 38 listed players.

The “one year club”… The veterans: Stephen May Jake Melksham Tom McDonald Tom Campbell Shane McAdam The developers: Matt Jefferson Ricky Mentha Andy Moniz-Wakefield The fringe: Bailey Laurie Jai Culley Jack Henderson Aidan Johnson (Not sure if I’ve left anyone out) It’s fair to say the list will also have some reshaping and be active in the trade/draft period at the end of 2026 as well

IN (+6) Max Heath (trade, St Kilda), Changkuoth Jiath (trade, Hawthorn), Brody Mihocek (trade, Collingwood), Jack Steele (trade, St Kilda) , Jai Culley (SSP to contracted) , Jack Henderson (SSP to contracted) OUT (-11) Jack Billings (delisted), Kynan Brown (delisted), Tom Fullarton (delisted), Marty Hore (delisted), Judd McVee (trade, Fremantle), Clayton Oliver (trade, Greater Western Sydney), Christian Petracca (trade, Gold Coast), Oliver Sestan (delisted), Charlie Spargo (free agent, North Melbourne), Will Verrall (delisted), Taj Woewodin (delisted) 5 list spots available Likely additions : Kalani White (MFC father son, listed), Toby Sinnema (MFC NGA, Rookie list) Draft picks: 7,8,37

I definitely think Grlj will be on JTs list. But …he was excellent for the Richmond VFL team in two games this year. The Tigers VFL described him as “very impressive”. They’d be mad to bypass him with their picks, but it’s a strange world so you never know. Grlj had great draft combine From ESPN FOOTYThe 2025 combine kingSam Grlj (pronounced Grill) didn't claim any combine titles but he proved himself as the premier athlete in this year's draft class. On Friday, the dashing midfielder trailed only Jack Dalton in the 2km time trial at AIA Centre, breaking the line at 5:59 to sneak under the six-minute mark. It was a time that would have taken out the test in last year's stacked pool. On Sunday, Grlj backed up his endurance feat with a fantastic 2.931 seconds in the 20m sprint. No prospect has combined for a sub-six minute 2km and sub-three second 20m sprint at the national combine in the past two years. His acceleration is backed up on-field -- Grlj takes on all-comers and burns away from his direct opponents in space. Clubs have had concerns around his contested work and damage by foot but Grlj's athletic profile and attacking mentality give him massive upside in time.

@shakeandbake “Only chance is 7&8 for 3 and future 2nd with Richmond. Only reason they'd be for for it cause they have Lalor as their Robey”. That’s not a deal for me !! We get access now to two top 10 young guns. Robey is a talent but so are others in the top 10.

Chris Cavanagh CODE SPORTS … consistently gets our list confused and our list needs!! Schubert and Marsh are very good players but I think we need skill and speed to fit into the new King attacking game plan. We have plenty of developing key forwards so unlikely to pick up Schubert. Also Latrelle Sumner-Pickett plays for Glenelg. Facts and insights missing from this “expert” analysis. MELBOURNEDraft Picks Pre-Trade Period: 27, 59, 64 Draft Picks Post-Trade Period: 7, 8, 37, 66, 71 The Demons are taking a step back to take what they hope will be a stride forward as they undertake a list re-jig. Trading Christian Petracca to Gold Coast has left Melbourne with two first-round draft picks for each of the next two years. That will mean the club could use eight first-round selections in the space of four years ahead of Tasmania’s inclusion in the 2027 draft, with Melbourne having already snapped up Caleb Windsor and Koltyn Tholstrup in 2023 and Harvey Langford and Xavier Lindsay in 2024. The Demons will have some good options at picks 7 and 8, which could include players like South Australian marking forwards Aidan Schubert and Mitch Marsh who fit a clear list need. Sturt goal sneak Latrelle Pickett would also have to be considered if he got to Melbourne’s third pick, especially with the small forward being a cousin of current Demons star Kysaiah. Melbourne has also committed to selecting father-son prospect Kalani White, a 198cm developing tall who looms as a later pick.

6 Hore 💙❤️ 5 Heath 💙❤️ 4 Zanker💙❤️ 3 McNamara 💙❤️ 2 Hanks 💙❤️ 1 Gillard 💙❤️

“All Of The Above” Farewell to the big Cox

Agree. That was a hit. She is a warrior. Love her in the red & blue. #TH7⭐️

Good win. Not great. Good. Last quarter again was … I get disappointed that we didn’t keep rolling on to a really really big smashing. I guess a short turnaround after a big road trip to WA Zanker. Yes. Get her a bigger contract. ⭐️ Kate Hore. Wow. Build her a statue. ⭐️ Lizzie Mc. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️Heart & soul Tyla Hanks 🤩is just a star. Shelley Heath. 100% every week 👏👏👏 Tahlia G. 💙💙💙💙💙 still only 21 but commands the backline

He’s certainly come on this season as a bolter up the order. His pace over 10-15 metres will definitely appeal to clubs.

🤩Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves is the “smoky” choice for the Dees with say pick 8. There’s something about him that gives AFL traits. He’s similar in style to Hugh McCluggage. He can win the footy but also play out wide and hurt you in the scoreboard. He kicked plenty of goals for the Stingrays. In the 4-5 games I saw at the Stingrsys, he was clearly a standout player. He wins it and can connect with the footy through run and carry. He could reconnect with his former Stingrays teammate in Harvey Langford.

Would of course like to try to get Duursma, but he’s now a virtual lock in for pick 1 to the Eagles. (We will probably be one of many clubs who will keep in touch and eventually be asking him to “come home”). Then it’s Cooper Duff-Tytler at 2 for the Eagles in my view. Then it’s a jumble as bids as likely bids on the academy and father son picks come through! As it stands today , my picks at 7&8 from the likely available players … ⭐️Sam Grlj - best comparison is Butters or Rozee. Would be a perfect fit for the Dees future midfield. He had the speed and sidestep and can repeat run. Whilst he needs upskilling, his base is definitely AFL quality. (Unfortunately I think the Tigers or Bombers will grab him ahead of us) ⭐️Josh Lindsay - who’s the best kick in the draft? Lindsay is. He is super composed and makes good decisions. Was a potential number 1 pick at the start of the year. Some have questioned pace but I see him being smart enough and good over 5-10 metres. I do like the fact that his coaches say he’s a natural leader If he’s available, he’s a must pick ! Plays like ?? Perhaps Errol Gulden , as he’s such a damaging kick with the footy. We would love to have such a skilled user of footy in a red & blue jumper 🕊️ Lachie Dovaston - who’s the best small forward in the draft? Dovaston. Has comparisons to Nick Watson but doesn’t have the electric pace over 5 metres like Watson. Dovaston is smart. Clever with his skill and goalkicking IQ. He’s maybe not a top 10 rated player in the draft but works as a “future need selection”.

Agree. Lock in Steele for number 9. 👏👏 It’s a famous one too. 🏆Brian Dixon, Laurie Fowler, Alan Johnson Neita and … 🏆Charles Spargo

I believe he has already spoken with one other AFL club located in the inner western suburbs. Hope he gets a rookie chance elsewhere or has a crack again through a VFL program.

HE CAME TO A MEETING HE DIDN’T WANT TO BE ATGuerra says Jack Steele’s capacity to fall in love with the Melbourne football club in 24 hours proves Steven King’s path ahead is the right one. St Kilda had told Steele to consider his options as they revamped their midfield but the 2025 captain wanted to stay despite telling the club he would step down from his leadership position. “Jack’s an amazing story. Captain of St Kilda, All Australian recently. It signifies to us we are on the right track,” Guerra said. “The pitch that we gave Jack was unbelievable in terms of who we thought he was, where we thought he was at with his footy and how we would transform his game, but importantly, how we would value his leadership, and we painted what the next three years for him was going to be like, and the role that he’s going to play, and the impact that he can have across the whole of the football club. “It’s probably my proudest day so far as CEO. Seeing the people in that meeting. Steve King, Alan Richardson, (list boss) Tim Lamb, (assistant coach) Nathan Jones. They were all saying Jack, this is your home. “Jack was wrestling with leaving St Kilda and Max (Gawn) and Jared Rivers spoke to him that afternoon. He came to a medical at 9am Wednesday morning and by midday he spoke to our high performance manager and said do I start following your program or the St Kilda program. By midday he wanted to come to us which was significant. He wants to help us win our next premiership.” Guerra says Steele’s leadership will be invaluable, just as Mihocek will help Matthew Jefferson and Jacob Van Rooyen with their leading patterns and growth. “We have Jack (Steele) and Jack (Viney) running through the midfield and the young crop on the outside. Then either Max Gawn or Max Heath through the middle so at point are we short of leadership in there because with Max, Jack and Jack we have strong experience through the middle.”

@dazzledavey36 Agreed. It’s s very positive and insightful story. Paul Guerra has gone through the key player issues and conversations. Have to say it’s the best story and journalism in a long time about the Melbourne footy club. Importantly it doesn’t snipe or comment on off field issues with Trac, Clarry or Goody. It’s a fresh start. Jack Steele will be a huge addition. His leadership. Culture. Helps out immediately. I’m really pleased and amazed that we landed him. In 36 hours !!!

Keep our available spots for young guns now Definitely a NO from me … too late now Zak Jones had a decent career but he’s AFL days are likely to be at an end So NO to MFC But could be a handy pickup for Casey Demons

Casey Demons need to pickup the phone !!! Be nice to see him finally play at the Demons

AI says Steven King's coaching style for the Melbourne Football Club (MFC) aims to create an aggressive, expressive, and attacking game with more freedom in possession, while building on the team's strong foundation in defense and contest. His philosophy is to empower players to be more daring in attack and to play with a uniquely "Melbourne" brand of football, a balance of fun, freedom, and competitiveness that taps into the club's premiership experience. Player empowerment: King wants to give players more ownership and freedom in possession, moving beyond the team's established strengths in defense and contest structure. Attacking football: He aims to be more aggressive in attack, challenge opponents more, and score more consistently. Aggression and physicality: He intends to tap into the team's past success by emphasizing physicality and aggression. Freedom and expression: King wants to create a fun, stimulating environment that allows players to express themselves on the ball. Unique brand: He aims to develop a distinct style of play that is uniquely "Melbourne" and adaptable to the current players' skill sets

Delisted : Marty Hore, Tom Fullarton, Oliver Sestan, Will Verrall, Kynan Brown, Jack Billings AND TAJ WOEWODIN Departed, Free agent: Charlie Spargo North Melbourne) Going home/ trade departure: Judd McVee (Fremantle) Farewell/ Traded out with sadness: Christian Petracca 💔 (Suns) Clayton Oliver💔(Giants) 11 departures - a huge turnover of 25% of the list Who’s arrived: Max Heath (trade, St Kilda), Brody Mihocek (trade, Collingwood), Changkuoth Jiath (trade, Hawks) , Jack Steele (trade, St Kilda) MFC list key defenders: May, Tmcd, Adams tall defenders: Lever, D.Turner, Howes med/sml/running defenders: Bowey, Salem, Lindsay, AMW, Jiath. inside Mids: Viney, Steele, Langford , Laurie Runners/outside Mids: Rivers, Langdon, Windsor Mid/fwd: Kozzzy, Kolt, Sparrow, Culley key forwards: Mihocek , JVR, Petty, Jefferson , Kentfield, Johnson med-tall forwards: Fritsch, Melksham, Mcadam small forwards: Chandler, Sharp, Henderson, Mentha Rucks: Gawn, Campbell , Heath Likely arrivals - Kalani White (Father son), Toby Sinnema (NGA, rookie) Also likely to bring in 3 new players through the draft/SSP

Steele is an absolute “steal” 🤣🤣🤣had to say it !! Smart buying Perfectly fits our needs in transition from the JV,Trac and Clarry midfield era into the Kozzy/Langford/Lindsay/Windsor midfield.

Toby Sinnema?