I haven't been as much into TAC Cup competition this year as in the past but in view of the fact (in all modesty?) that I discovered Clayton Oliver here last year, I think it might be worth a look.

FINALS WITHIN REACH FOR TAC CUP SIDES

Last weekend was a bit like the bye weekend but with two games played between teams that didn't make the finals. 

That being the case, perhaps it might be the right spot for the Demons to start looking for recruits in view of their current draft position and the fact that our second rounder might be required in a trade for Michael Hibberd.

SCOUTING NOTES: TAC CUP BOTTOM FOUR ROUND

8 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

Last weekend was a bit like the bye weekend but with two games played between teams that didn't make the finals. 

That being the case, perhaps it might be the right spot for the Demons to start looking for recruits in view of their current draft position and the fact that our second rounder might be required in a trade for Michael Hibberd.

SCOUTING NOTES: TAC CUP BOTTOM FOUR ROUND

Thanks for that Whispering Jack. I wonder where Chas Roberts is likely to be drafted. Seemed like a strong game from a ruckman, might be an option for the future.

Demons must look at Oscar Junker from the Jets. We do need a versatile forward that screams for the footy and can kick opportunistic goals as a Gunston type forward.

The TAC Cup finals start in earnest today

This preview from AFL Draft Central:-

 TAC CUP FINALS PREVIEW

Here's a look at the weekend's games:-

TAC Cup Finals Week 1: Teams / Preview

My game of interest is the first Elimination Final between the Sandringham Dragons and the Eastern Ranges, mainly because of the Brayshaw brothers but also because I was a friend of the late uncle of one of the Dragons players, Ashley Krakauer.

1st Elimination Final
Sandringham Dragons vs Eastern Ranges
Sunday 4th September, 2016
IKON Park at 11.30 AM

Sandringham Dragons

B: K Beveridge D James L Murphy
HB: A McGrath A Sakeson R Hayward
C: H Burt O Florent J Scrimshaw
HF: T Taranto H Mclean H Brayshaw
F: A Krakauer I Morrisby M Williams
FOLL: L Filipovic W Setterfield C Lyons
I/C (from) T Maloney Q Montanaro G Lok J Trew C Larkin A Zimmerman K Nissenbaum
23P A Brayshaw
      
Eastern Ranges 

B: T Hollins H Nolan H Stanley
HB: A Cerra J Hannon T Short
C: J Ross D Clarke N Lane
HF:  J Maibaum K Keppel J Garner
F: C Brown S Hayes J Stephenson
FOLL: N Mullenger-Mchugh J Begley J Gallucci
I/C (from) J Lynch J Haynes J McCormack M Stavrou K Doueal T Jacotine J Burleigh
 23P D Moore

Sandringham Dragons have won an exciting elimination final by two points 10.17.77 to defeat Eastern Ranges 10.15.75.

And of course, there was a Melbourne touch to the game. The Dragons trailed for most of the game but nudged ahead at 3/4 time only to give it back early in the last. They came back with the last three goals with the winning goal kicked by Corey Lyons, brother of Adelaide's Jarryd and son of former Demon Marty. Lyons was on the end of a pass from Hamish Brayshaw, brother of Melbourne's Angus. Another Brayshaw brother, Andrew, is also with the club and was 23rd player. Kye Beveridge, the son of the Bulldog coach  and a former Demon is also in the side.

Melbourne's All Australian ruckman, a former Dragon, spent some time at the Dragons this year doing ruck training so look out for Sandy ruckman Lachlan Fillipovic (199cm) at draft time.

I've been trying to put a lid on Dandenong Stingray KPF Josh Battle but 6 goals before 3/4 time v the Bushies might have put paid to that.

Josh Battle was always top 10 and at worst a top 15 selection.  There has never been a lid on him in the last 12 months. He is very very good.

I hear Kangas are very keen and would likely to grab him at pick 11/12.

16 minutes ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Josh Battle was always top 10 and at worst a top 15 selection.  There has never been a lid on him in the last 12 months. He is very very good.

I hear Kangas are very keen and would likely to grab him at pick 11/12.

So snaring him with pick 44 is likely to be a battle.

6 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

Melbourne's All Australian ruckman, a former Dragon, spent some time at the Dragons this year doing ruck training so look out for Sandy ruckman Lachlan Fillipovic (199cm) at draft time.

Fillipovic was tonight nominated as the ruckman in the TAC Cup Team of the year.

Hugh McCluggage was just announced the winner of this year's Morrish Medal.

What tall and small fwds are we looking at in the TAC cup as thats clearly where we are lacking the firepower?

Semi Final weekend in the TAC Cup and my interest still lies with the Sandringham Dragons although they have their work cut out tomorrow against the Dandenong Stingrays. 

Here are the AFL Draft Central scouting notes from last weekend's games -SCOUTING NOTES: SUNDAY’S TAC CUP FINALS.

This brings me to my feature player from the Dragons:-

"#7 Corey Lyons– One of Lyons’ best games for the season, kicking the winning goal with a few minutes to go. Had a few clangers but propelled the Dragons inside 50 on multiple occassions. He finished with 30 disposals and his kicking was better than what he’s been at stages throughout the year."

Lyons is the brother of Adelaide's Jarryd who is currently out of contract. Their father Marty played for the club in the 1970s. 

On the Dandenong Stingrays side my interest will be on Morrish Medal runner up Danny Allsop who would become a Category B rookie candidate for Melbourne if not picked up in the forthcoming drafts. And one of the Stingrays players #8 M La Fontaine has a famous name from Melbourne's history. Anyone know if he's related?

The weekend's teams

1st Semi Final Dandenong Stingrays vs Sandringham Dragons
Sunday 11th September, 2016
IKON Park at 11:30 AM

Dandenong Stingrays 

B 4. R Piper 25. O Clavarino 8. M La Fontaine
HB 46. M DeWit 1. L Dalmau 12. B Morrish
C 2. H Clark 10. M Poholke 33. L Gill-Renouf
HF 15. S Fowler 17. J Battle 26. T Murphy
F 42. D Allsop 52. T De Koning 36. T Young
R 20. D Atkins 40. N Scagliarini 11. T Glen
Int 39. D Morris 23. J Stewart 30. L McKay 14. A Darling 7. M Kleverkamp 27. C Harris 13. T Jok 19. J Bateman
23P 47. L Young

Sandringham Dragons 

B 18. C Larkin 2. D James 23. K Beveridge
HB 5. A McGrath 20. A Sakeson 9. R Hayward
C 16. H Burt 13. O Florent 14. L Murphy
HF 8. T Taranto 61. H McLean 11. H Brayshaw
F 1. A Krakauer 59. I Morrisby 32. M Williams
R 28. L Filipovic 4. W Setterfield 7. C Lyons
Int 3. J Trew 25. T Maloney 6. G Lok 10. J Scrimshaw 70. E Casey 21. K Nissenbaum 35. A Zimmerman
23P 41. A Brayshaw

2nd Semi Final North Ballarat Rebels vs Oakleigh Chargers
Sunday 11th September, 2016
IKON Park at 2:15 PM 

North Ballarat Rebels

B 18. H Dawborn 35. C Bilney 11. C Lee
HB 46. C Cox 19. J Korewha 36. K O'Connor
C 13. T Williamson 7. H McCluggage 32. L Huppatz
HF 21. J Harrison 14. S White 31. J McQueen
F 26. I Johnson 8. S Beks 34. J Johnston
R 23. L Meek 6. W Drew 2. C Wellings
Int 1. J Jones 43. R Taylor 38. T Reed 20. T Lawrence 44. K Gray 28. A Shepherd 22. N McRoberts
23P 4. A Domic
      
Oakleigh Chargers

B 2. E Phillips 26. R Jones 33. N Larkey
HB 5. C Searle 42. L Cunningham 9. J Aujard
C 35. J Higgins 15. J Ridley 7. T Duman
HF 11. P Kerr 8. T Wooller 24. D Johnstone
F 66. A Trigar 22. D Stanford 58. N Boucher
R 4. N Reeves 21. L Walker 3. V Adduci
Int 49. J Boehm 6. C Lane 23. E Phillips 28. J Daicos 14. X Jordan 68. J Webster 17. A Tomaro
23P 78. S Harte

WEEK 2 FINALS PREVIEW

Lots of talent in these teams. Louis Cunningham is one to watch. He has improved through the year.  Would be available around 50+

My boy Corey Lyons accepts a pass from my boy Ashley Krakouer and the Dragons lead 2.2.14 to Stingrays 0.2.2.

6 minutes ago, Whispering_Jack said:

My boy Corey Lyons accepts a pass from my boy Ashley Krakouer and the Dragons lead 2.2.14 to Stingrays 0.2.2.

Keep up the work today WJ, used to do this myself until I got bored with retirement, at work again!!!!

A goal to Dandenong on the siren from a free to Sam Fowler makes it 8 to 20.

The Dragons have some handy medium sized players such as Tim Taranto, Andrew McGrath and Will Setterfield, the latter is one of about 4 GWS Academy players who are likely top 20 draft picks.

Hamish Brayshaw going all right too.

8 minutes ago, Whispering_Jack said:

A goal to Dandenong on the siren from a free to Sam Fowler makes it 8 to 20.

The Dragons have some handy medium sized players such as Tim Taranto, Andrew McGrath and Will Setterfield, the latter is one of about 4 GWS Academy players who are likely top 20 draft picks.

How is a GWS academy player in a Sandringham team? Do they just get access to anyone they want, anywhere?

Dandy get the first goal of the quarter through key forward Battle but Sandy replies - lead is 14 points.

14 minutes ago, FireInTheBelly said:

How is a GWS academy player in a Sandringham team? Do they just get access to anyone they want, anywhere?

Apparently, he comes from Albury which is part of the zone allocated to the GWS Academy and is boarding at Caulfield Grammar, therefore with the Dragons.

It's a sore point with me because the Ovens and Murray league area is an established football region and it therefore belies the idea of an academy to foster player development.

Setterfield is dominating - he's a tallish mid who plays with composure. Ready to play AFL IMO.

Maloney of the Dragons kicks his third - it's a 19 point lead. 

7 minutes ago, Whispering_Jack said:

Apparently, he comes from Albury which is part of the zone allocated to the GWS Academy and is boarding at Caulfield Grammar, therefore with the Dragons.

It's a sore point with me because the Ovens and Murray league area is an established football region and it therefore belies the idea of an academy to foster player development.

Exactly. Realistically, if he's attending Caulfield Grammar he's nowhere near a GWS academy so they're teaching him nothing..

It begs the question, is there even a GWS academy, or do they simply sign up all the good local talent and then farm them out to the best footy schools? Sounds like a zone, not an academy.

Thanks for updates BTW.

Goal to Sandringham gives them a four goal lead into time on.

Dandenong seem to be concentrating heavily on their big forward Battle but he's being outnumbered as the Sandy boys flood back and apply the pressure.

That's half time with Sandringham 6.6.42 leading Dandenong 2.6.18 and there's a bit of argy bargy going on between the players before they leave the ground.

First blood of the second half to the 'Rays Sam Fowler who looks like your typical little forward pest.