One more before the big day when we gorge ourselves, argue with family members and conk out for a drunken mid-afternoon snooze.

This is teaser #49, with the half-century scheduled to be raised before the year is out.

You all know the drill by now. What common factor links the players in the team below?

Answers in a PM only, or Yule be sorry.

=======================================================================

B: Shannon Hurn Daniel Curtin Seb Tape

H/B: Lachie Ash Tom De Koning Jack Newnes

C: Sam Power Heath Black Farren Ray

H/F: Brad Johnson Anthony Rocca Jake Stringer

F: Kai Lohmann Jack Reiwoldt Nic Naitanui

R: Brad Ottens Dustin Martin Darcy Parish

I/C: Jarrod Picket Angus Monfries Reef McInnes Jarrad Grant

That horrifying moment when you look at one of these and think the answer has instantly clicked.

Either I'm brilliant or that wrong answer is going to stick with me and I won't be able to think of anything else.

Yeah, I've done some checking. Not even going to PM Demonstone with it. Not worth the inbox clutter.

Doooooomed.

In a departure from my customary MO, today's quiz is very much football based.

@710 Ashbury St is reasonably close to solving the mystery and a little more cranium straining should have things in order.

Nobody else has submitted a suggestion. I might need to provide a clue at some point.

A clue it is, then.

To unlock the mystery, you would need to concentrate on the players' positions.

Heeee's baaaaack🙀🙀

Just for you oh cranky one, I had a word to the site's owner and he has generously agreed to allow posters to scroll right on by if they're not interested.

Ain't it a wonderful life? Fester ye merrily on high now, ya hear?

I had to go out for a bit, but I’m determined to get this 😂

3 minutes ago, 710 Ashbury St said:

I had to go out for a bit, but I’m determined to get this 😂

You're clearly in the box seat. Kudos.

48 minutes ago, Demonstone said:

A clue it is, then.

To unlock the mystery, you would need to concentrate on the players' positions.

On what football-based issues?

Edited December 14, 2025Dec 14 by Timothy Reddan-A'Blew

That's the nub of the teaser, @Timothy Reddan-A'Blew .

I've just noticed that there are no MFC players in the team. I wonder if that has any significance.

1 minute ago, Demonstone said:

That's the nub of the teaser, @Timothy Reddan-A'Blew .

I've just noticed that there are no MFC players in the team. I wonder if that has any significance.

I was just trying to be funny, Mr Stone. You're not trying to tell me this is actually about team members' attitudes on something (and football based), as opposed to their places on the field?!

Nothing to do with attitudes nor (massive hint) places on the field.

@Demonstone, we have established previously that hints from the successful are a definite no-no. However, and particularly for His (pre)Eminence the Puzzles Patron's puzzles, I reckon open discussion of the setter's hints is a yes-yes! And good luck to whoever turns said discussion into success!

So...

Hmmm: 'positions', yes, but 'places on the field', no! 🤔

And...

No MFC players undoubtedly is significant! 🤨 Because, say, each team member matches an MFC player in some way? 🔬

Humbly, I look forward to your resounding squashes, Mr Stone!

Edited December 14, 2025Dec 14 by Timothy Reddan-A'Blew

Given the horrific events at Bondi, I'm pulling the pin on this one early. It doesn't seem the appropriate time for fun and light-heartedness.

The players in my team were all taken immediately after MFC's first pick/s in their respective drafts.

They could have all played for Melbourne.

Scrap the answer I just PM’d you..

9 minutes ago, Demonstone said:

Given the horrific events at Bondi, I'm pulling the pin on this one early. It doesn't seem the appropriate time for fun and light-heartedness.

The players in my team were all taken immediately after MFC's first pick/s in their respective drafts.

They could have all played for Melbourne.

Well played on both fronts, P.

😢

1 hour ago, Demonstone said:

Given the horrific events at Bondi, I'm pulling the pin on this one early. It doesn't seem the appropriate time for fun and light-heartedness.

The players in my team were all taken immediately after MFC's first pick/s in their respective drafts.

They could have all played for Melbourne.

Oddly enough, you could still have included quite a few Demon players.

Latrelle Pickett, Bailey Laurie, Angus Brayshaw, Jack Trengove.

And, in a mind-bending way, Jordan Gysberts, who was taken one after Jake Melksham, and just to mirror that, Ed Langdon who was taken one after Oscar McDonald.

23 hours ago, Demonstone said:

Given the horrific events at Bondi, I'm pulling the pin on this one early. It doesn't seem the appropriate time for fun and light-heartedness.

The players in my team were all taken immediately after MFC's first pick/s in their respective drafts.

They could have all played for Melbourne.

I think I would have gotten there. But, what happened at Bondi is exactly what pulled me away. Heartbreaking.