I was in a conversation with some mates over coffee this morning, and they were questioning the future of Melbourne (the footy team). They were damning of the club's short-term prospects without two premiership midfielders who they said “jumped ship last month”. It's futile to argue with the skeptics, although I could have pointed out that Tracc and Clarry were advancing in age; we experienced a second consecutive year of 14th place failure with them in the midfield this year – not a premiership season like 2021 – and the move was by mutual agreement anyway. I could have referenced this morning's newspaper, which featured the Demons looking revitalized, like a “million bucks”, with the new coach introducing fresh ideas and securing commitments from new players at their second club. I could have mentioned that draft night is imminent, and we are poised to acquire more top talent to augment our squad. While I am weary of power rankings and phantom drafts, I share here Cal's top 30 late mail rankings in the hope that the players the Demons select over the next few days will meet the expectations of true supporters over those of my coffee-drinking colleagues.

Pick 1 – West Coast: Willem Duursma
Pick 2 – Gold Coast: Zeke Uwland (matching West Coast's bid)
Pick 3 – Carlton: Harry Dean (matching West Coast's bid)
Pick 4 – West Coast: Cooper Duff Tytler
Pick 5 – Gold Coast: Dylan Patterson (matching Richmond's bid)
Pick 6 – Brisbane: Daniel Annable (matching Richmond's bid)
Pick 7 – Richmond: Sam Cumming
Pick 8 – Richmond: Sullivan Robey
Pick 9 – Essendon: Xavier Taylor
Pick 10 – Essendon: Dyson Sharp 
Pick 11 – Melbourne: Jacob Farrow
Pick 12 – Melbourne: Cam Nairn
Pick 13 – Essendon: Lachy Dovaston
Pick 14 – Hawthorn: Sam Grlj
Pick 15 – North Melbourne: Latrelle Pickett
Pick 16 – Sydney: Harry Kyle (matching GWS's bid)
Pick 17 – Greater Western Sydney: Oskar Taylor
Pick 18 – Gold Coast: Jai Murray (matching West Coast's bid)
Pick 19 – West Coast: Beau Addinsall
Pick 20 – Western Bulldogs: Josh Lindsay
Pick 21 – Adelaide: Mitch Marsh
Pick 22 – Carlton: Jack Ison (matching Geelong's bid)
Pick 23 – Geelong: Blake Thredgold
Pick 24 – West Coast: Tylah Williams (matching Fremantle's bid)
Pick 25 – Essendon: Adam Sweid (matching Fremantle's bid)
Pick 26 – Fremantle: Aidan Schubert
Pick 27 – Hawthorn: Liam Hetherton
Pick 28 – North Melbourne: Harley Barker
Pick 29 – Sydney: Lachie Carmichael (matching Western Bulldogs' bid)
Pick 30 – Western Bulldogs: Louis Emmett

I'd prefer Grlj to the two listed there. I would think his pace is exactly what King wants for his game plan.

Now that Mr. Cal has spoken, I believe it is permissible for me to treat she who must be obeyed to an evening at the theatre, secure in the knowledge that the club will be selecting two suitable young fellows in the draft.

18 hours ago, Demonland said:

Tracc and Clarry were advancing in age …

Remember when Clarry was young …

51 minutes ago, Deeman said:

Tracc and Clarry were advancing in age …

Remember when Clarry was young …

Remember when they both were?

59 minutes ago, Deeman said:

Remember when Clarry was young …

What a specimen 😂

The list is accurate so far. Not sure if boring or not yet