The following statements by Footy Operations Manager Ross Monaghan (from MFC website) adds to the very positive view many of us are forming about of our playing list for 2009 and beyond. The progress of rookie Spencer is particularly encouraging (maybe we won't need the other Warnock).

"...................... In the Sandringham reserves, 2007 first-round draftee Jack Grimes starred and now looks set to make his senior debut with the Zebras this weekend against Geelong at Trevor Barker Oval.

"We would think Jack would step up and play with the Sandringham seniors this week, after he had a terrific game with the Sandy twos," Monaghan said.

Kyle Cheney also impressed in the Sandringham seconds upon his return.

"Kyle had a really good game. That was his first game back after a broken hand. He had a terrific first half, although he ran out of gas in the second half, but he certainly showed some really good signs on the weekend," Monaghan said.

Monaghan also made special mention of rookie ruckman Jake Spencer.

"Jake's a really developing ruckman and he unfortunately got squeezed back to the Sandy twos, but he was terrific in the ruck," Monaghan said.

"He kicked one outstanding goal … we showed that to the rest of the playing group today, so he was pretty popular for that."

Monaghan said Spencer's progression had been significant this season.

"He was very raw at the start of the year, but he's a got a great character and we're really pleased to have him and he keeps improving every week," Monaghan said.

"He's a terrific kid and really competitive and that's what you want and he's big, so he's coming on in leaps and bounds."

"...................... In the Sandringham reserves, 2007 first-round draftee Jack Grimes starred and now looks set to make his senior debut with the Zebras this weekend against Geelong at Trevor Barker Oval.

"We would think Jack would step up and play with the Sandringham seniors this week, after he had a terrific game with the Sandy twos," Monaghan said.

Monaghan also made special mention of rookie ruckman Jake Spencer.

Monaghan said Spencer's progression had been significant this season.

"He was very raw at the start of the year, but he's a got a great character and we're really pleased to have him and he keeps improving every week," Monaghan said.

"He's a terrific kid and really competitive and that's what you want and he's big, so he's coming on in leaps and bounds."

That's great news on both. Grimesy in the Seniors this week for Sandy.......brilliant news. Still a chance then for Round 21-22 for AFL.

Spencer got a big wrap. I love the quote: "he's big, he's coming on in leaps and bounds."

On that, maybe White is on the way out. Which would mean Jamar won't be looked at for trade. Unless they go for Naitanui....

interesting. BRB's sandy report wasnt quite as glowing...

There were six Demons in the team but Jack Grimes was by far the stand out player. He has lots of class and must be close to taking on senior football at last. Isaac Weetra was a useful contributor while the other Demons, Kyle Cheney, Tom McNamara, Jake Spencer and Trent Zomer were serviceable at best.

I wonder how Sandringham feels about the MFC footy operations manager making their team selection decisions....

Kyle Cheney also impressed in the Sandringham seconds upon his return.

"Kyle had a really good game. That was his first game back after a broken hand. He had a terrific first half, although he ran out of gas in the second half, but he certainly showed some really good signs on the weekend," Monaghan said.

Watch this space. Tough Red head.

I wonder how Sandringham feels about the MFC footy operations manager making their team selection decisions....

probably not great. but, and i feel sorry for the vfl clubs, unfortunately, if the victorian afl clubs are to go forward, this needs to happen. victorian teams need to be allowed to develop their players in the positions they want to, at the grade the want to, at the pace they need too.

if this means the afl needs to put up the cash to create a reserves comp in the afl so be it. 10 victorian teams, play every twice gives you an 18 week competition. if the afl expands to 24 weeks plus 2 byes and 4 weeks of finals, that is 30 weeks. you could play 10 teams, play everyone 3 times, have 1 bye, and have two weeks of finals in a top four scenario...

or perhaps instead of increasing the pay for the top players with salary caps, the afl could invest in a national reserves competition. not financially a money winner, but would be very good for the quality of the game...

That's great news on both. Grimesy in the Seniors this week for Sandy.......brilliant news. Still a chance then for Round 21-22 for AFL.

Spencer got a big wrap. I love the quote: "he's big, he's coming on in leaps and bounds."

On that, maybe White is on the way out. Which would mean Jamar won't be looked at for trade. Unless they go for Naitanui....

Which means we will effectively have one ruckman in Johnson, Naitanui wont be ready for a few years.