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Mate all of my stuff is original, unless you think it's crap, then I pinched it from someone else.

It seems like a great many of us were blue sky junkies for quite a few years there and the defection of Scully and the injury to Trengove and the disappointment surrounding Watts, Blease, Strauss, Tapscott and Cook meant that when we came down, we came down hard. We re-surfaced from rehab with a cynical new approach and a pragmatism that highlighted the need to be competitive with re-cycled players. Our premiership plans were shelved and our desire to simply survive kicked in. Now, there's a new sense of optimism in the air. I hope the new drugs are better than the old [censored].

That would mean $200,000 per game!

There's no Clayton's about it, we have been in a rebuild and our approach is very different to the WB & Saints. They have gone the kids approach that we did under the Schwab reign, we have a mixed approach now which has involved bringing in talent and leadership (Cross, Vince, 'H', Tyson, Garlett) along with kids. A much better balanced approach.

Just not yet CB.

Not necessarily. Look no further than that old chestnut in Ollie Wines. Exploded in his first year. After his second year he is now listed by potential draftees as someone to look up to and base their game around. He was a manchild, just like Brayshaw and Petracca. Miles at Richmond. Admittedly in his third year but had only played 10 games at GWS before he arrived at the Tigers and dragged them into the finals. Bontempelli was a first year sensation who quite literally won games off his own boot. He didn't need years in the system to have an impact or provide a strong indication as to where he sits on the spectrum. O'Meara in his debut season averaged 22 disposals and kicked 16 goals. Whose game enough to rule out Petracca reaching similar heights? None of our first year players may reach this level, but there's no way you can discount them doing so. If you have the big frame to compete against men, you give yourself a fighting chance.

It's going to take years for the last two drafts to reveal themselves, getting frustrated with an opinion of reality is pointless - how we perform next year will prove me, and others, wrong if we begin to be a median team in crucial midfield statistics that usually dictates who wins. But I don't see it happening in 2015 (or even 2016); you can't expect a bunch of kids to take on the load of seasoned professionals. Dom Tyson exploded for us last year, in his third year in the AFL...

I try to respect all opinions, but couldn't believe the short sightedness of so many who wanted to give up picks 2 AND 3 for Dangerfield, and still can't. This is the best and most sensible outcome in terms of our age profile and the longer term benefit of the club.

Young Billy is happy! Billy Stretch @billyjstretch · 17m 17 minutes ago Cannot believe that my best mate @anealbullen has slipped through to the dees at pick 40!!! Cannot believe it!! Brothers reunited!! Unreal

No personal ego is what makes Emma the best. Her articles are about what makes each candidate an individual. She is fascinated by the extraordinary range of personal experiences that lead to a young boy being so committed to a game that they, as teenagers, work way beyond average behavior. She is a treasure.

I tried vegetarianism. My experience was summed up by Dave Hughes who said about becoming a vegatarian "I lost alot of weight.......because there's stuff all to eat.....and I don't like veggies". I tried the low carbs thing but decided all that meat couldn't be good for my bowels. I tried intermittent fasting and that worked as long as as I was training. But everything about diet was trumped by my father who lived through The Great Depression and survived World War II. Whenever i banged on about diet he would look at me with an unsettling earnestness and say "the most important thing son, is to have food". Can't argue with that.

Mate, is this an original? Sig worthy stuff

The recruiters have done as good a job as they could possibly do. it's over to the development team now. No more excuses.

Players who make a major contribution in their first year, that is consistently, are the exception. Hopefully we are due for an exception, but I agree with RPFC, we shouldn't be expecting it. What I am expecting is for some meaningful contributions from players in the 2-5 year bracket. In other words accept the exception but don't be expectational of the exceptional.

A little trivia... Neale-Bullen and Brayshaw share a Birthday, just 5 days after Petracca. Could be a big week come January!

It's not just trading and it's not just drafting. Hale, Gunston, McEvoy, Gibson, Burgoyne, Lake and Spanger - all traded in. All in the Premiership team. Ceglar and Simpkin made significant contributions. 9 players in Hawks best 25? And they've just got Frawley and O'Rourke. Do both, make good decisions, get value for money. Don't ignore one for the other. I think we've done that in the last few years.

Looks a good option. I am sure Gawn has the talent (and height) to be 1st choice ruckman - but the durability? Spencer has the spirit and desire - but the talent? Jamar has the ability - but the time? With King already on the RL, I don't think it wise to recruit another teenage ruckman. Either, get one ready to compete, or don't bother.

Agree. Exciting midfield times ahead, emphasis on time, tick tick tick. Once again however we see the relegation of Matt Jones to the 'back-up' or unlikely to get a gig once the 'real' midfield kicks in. Like it or not, he's going to be hard to shift from our midfield, because, a little like Dan Cross, he's not that pretty, but plays his role and plays it well.

Webber, meet dee-luded.

And McCartney. The best development coach in the league. This trade/draft period has been off the charts. Thank you Paul Roos. And Peter Jackson.

Two!!Teach me your ways.

If he wants $3.5M over 5 years Just front end it and pay him. It's not overs based on the experience of our players.

Well said P-man! A couple more examples are "Boy Wonder" aka J. Selwood, and Toby Greene who averaged 28.4 disposals and 4 tackles per game in his first year. MOST A grade midfielders "breakout" somewhere within their first 4 years along with many glimpses of brilliance prior.

The thing that has killed us for years, has been the lack of confidence. Have we rid ourselves of the c grade players that caused the problem. I believe we have purged enough of the dead wood. These good young kids only know one thing. Winning is all that matters. We may need 1 experienced mid fielder when Crossy Calls it quits.

Always laugh at these likens... Petracca supposed to be explosive so like Dangerfield Brayshaw kicks both feet so must be Sam Mitchel Neal Bullen loves Lenny so is like Hayes They will all bring their own game and hopefully it is up to scratch.

As you say, one draft won't lift the "curse" but I think we've gone beyond that - by the middle of next week, the club under Paul Roos will have turned over close to half its playing list in the space of little more than twelve months. I consider this not only a revolutionary change but cleansing, cathartic, entirely necessary and highly positive for the future and therefore not based on hope alone.

I think blind freddy can see its a rebuild though...and I , have no problems at all with that...Had to be done.....but properly.

You're right and that's why if Kent, Viney and Toumpas can take significant strides next year we'll be looking good. If one of Brayshaw/Petracca could do a Joel Selwood next year then we might be able to fast track things a little. Let's hope we don't have to wait as long with our next generation as we did with Dunn!

And could go to another level again with the Demon Diet

Ed Morris was one of the few bright lights among the Casey players this year. He even outshone a number of the MFC listed players who were regulars there and was a matchwinner in one of the Scorpions' few wins. However, he's 177cm and if he was rookied by us he would be waiting in line behind many other mids and unlikely to get a game any time soon. Tyler Roos is taller but is slightly built and needs plenty of time to mature. I believe he's been offered an overage position on the Dragons' 2015 TAC Cup list and that might be a better option for him in the long run than being rookied and mainly forgotten at an AFL club. At Melbourne we already have Jayden Hunt, James Harmes and Max King as "development players" and a couple of the newly drafted players from Thursday night's draft will be joining them. I therefore tend towards going for needs and like the idea of drafting mature aged players to fill specific roles if needed in much the same way as Alexis Georgiou came in from Round 1 last year when Col Garland was injured. Because Jack Trengove is almost certain to remain on the long term injury list for most, if not all, of 2015 it seem to make sense that we have a couple of mature players available in case specific roles need to be addressed and the ruck and a key position forward are two areas not yet addressed in our recruitIng this year. My picks would be - • Sam Bauldertone - ruckman from Norwood SA, about who I wrote a little while ago here, and • Brett Eddy - a 191cm full forward who was the leading goalkicker in the SANFL. Matt Hammellman sounds promising if not taken by the Brisbane Lions who have priority over him as a member of their academy.

Absolutely 'P-man', lets hope the boys get on with it now. We can always look at someone like 'Danger' as a free agent if we need to, my bet would be more along the lines of Cameron. I know he's not a free agent but it doesn't seem to matter these days.

That is last years jumper isn't it. Don't think we have the badge on 2015 jumper

Let's all calm down. Yes, our draft looks good, but I've definitely heard all this before.

"Sir Elton John stopped his concert in Germany on Thursday night to pay tribute to fallen Australian cricket Phillip Hughes. The singer, who confesses to being a huge fan of the sport, was saddened by the untimely death of Hughes and wanted to honour him while showing support for bowler Sean Abbott who delivered the bouncer that killed Hughes." Amazing.

Clarke has been hard done by as captain. His presence and leadership during this tragedy has been outstanding. I hope the doubters rethink.

Just watched Michael Clarke's press conference. I have always respected him but that respect level has just soared. What an amazing captain. He has probably just been through the most traumatic few days of his life and is obviously so shattered. He has spoken so well all week but the tears were falling today. He has really held that team together. This sort of tragedy shows what an amazing captain he really is.

One thing I see in Jimmy Toumpas is his passion and drive. Toumpas is hard on himself - and probably to a fault. But I don't think Toumpas will let these next batch of kids overtake him. I reckon these young kids in Petracca and Brayshaw will bring the best out of Toumpas. Toumpas is competitive, I see it in him, that competitiveness just hasn't quite transferred over to the field - but I think it will. To my eye, Toumpas looks like he has no core - absolutely none. I would be worried about this if he hadn't had crook hips - and had a fair run at things, but he hasn't had a fair run. Given an injury free pre-season I agree with you, I think Toumpas will be a gun.

From Paige Cardona The winners in this draft...... 1 .MELBOURNE 2 Daylight.....

Well Done Emma! She got the first 9 order right! She got 19 of the first 20 players and wasn't far off with the order...the player she missed was Carlton's Boekhurst and Mckenzie dropped out of her top 20 (only to 22) Fantastic performance by the premier Draft guru!

PETRACCA AND BRAYSHAW COMBO!!!! YYYEEEESSSSS!!!!!111ONE!!!!!!

Thank you Mr Frawley

tuned in heard Dwayne Russells voice Turned it off immediately A great reminder why I never listen to the radio

Jones is a "heart and soul" player who means something to the club in ways beyond his footy ability. He is the one bloke who we long suffering supporters can to look to with pride every week, to fly the flag and give us something to cheer about. In that sense he is akin to the great Robbie - he is a shining beacon in an otherwise miserable team. Hopefully players like Viney and Hogan and, who knows, a new draft pick can grow into this type of role? At the moment ,however, Jones is it and, should we lose him, Melbourne would be well and truly on that highway made famous by AC DC.

Mate for a start Frank Grimes shouldn't be Captain. He is lucky to get a game imo So Jonesy deserves a lot more than Grimes. But from what i gather he wants 5 years. Now on the surface that is a very fair call. But he is an inside mid who gets bashed around every game. So 5 years is a big call for the club so i can see why talk have slowed. I want him to stay, but not at any cost.

Back in the present, Whispering Jack discovers the cure for the club's ailments ... A HIGHWAY OF DEMONS by Whispering Jack CHAPTER TWELVE - THE DELISTING OF JOE BTFSPLK "Well I'll be damned Here comes your ghost again But that's not unusual It's just that the moon is full And you happened to call" ~ Diamonds and Rust by Joan Baez It was the day of the AFL National Draft. I ventured out into the crisp morning air for a light jog to clear the head after what had been a hard week at work. With no particular course in mind, I simply ambled along in a random direction followed by the silky white clouds of misty breathing. At the end of the road, I discovered that I had stumbled by accident upon a place full of long forgotten memories buried deep in the past. It was my old school bus stop. There used to be a petrol station on the corner of North Road and now it's a fire station but the seating outside where we waited for the bus remains in place with a new roof so that today it provides shelter for travellers who sit in patience waiting for their ride. I was in the very spot where I alighted the number 10 bus every school morning and the memories of 1964 came flooding back. I was a young teenager holding the Sun News-Pictorial open at the comic section where my favourite was Li'l Abner by satirist and artist Al Capp. I recalled the many famous characters of the comic strip, whose images has been hidden from mind for more than half a century. Abner Yokum and his sweetheart Daisy Mae, Mammy and Pappy, Moonbeam McSwine, Sadie Hawkins, Earthquake McGoon, Rotten Ralphie and other residents of Dogpatch and the dystopian Lower Slobbovia. There were also assorted other characters like Fearless Fosdick, Senator Phogbound, General Bullmoose and the controversial Joanie Phoanie who sang revolutionary songs of class warfare like "Molotov Cocktails for Two". Capp had bitingly and unfairly used the character to parody singer/songwriter Joan Baez. Somewhere at home I had an album by the real Joan singing sweet songs of peace and freedom and it was close to my heart. Suddenly, he appeared in my mind's eye: the iconic Li'l Abner character whose image best describes the sad condition that has infected my football team during that long gulf in time that separates then and now. Joe Btfsplk was the world's worst jinx, a man whose very presence caused instantaneous bad luck to befall anyone unfortunate enough to be in his vicinity. Joe had a perpetually dark rain cloud over his head and despite the fact that he was well-meaning and friendly, people avoided him like the plague. I realised then and there exactly what had to be done. I turned around and with heat pounding, I made my way home running faster, yet more smoothly in stride than I had done in many years. Thoughts bounced through my head all of the way back and when I got there, I went directly into the study where I found a large sheet of white paper, a drawing pencil, crayons and some ink. I worked feverishly, drawing rectangular boxes, sketching characters and scenes within them and after an hour, withdrew to view my work. Modesty prevents me from describing it as a masterpiece. The first box portrays the scene in an office where a Christmas tree adorned with festive decorations sits in a corner next to a calendar showing the month of December 1964. A newspaper of the day is visible showing a front page picture of Melbourne Football Club hero Ronald Dale Barassi wearing a Carlton guernsey. The two men standing in the office appear to be in shock, their faces ghostlike. They are Stormin' Norman Smith and Jumpin' Jim Cardwell, leading figures in the most successful football team over the past decade. The next box is a close-up of Jumpin' Jim with a dialogue balloon that says, "Water under the bridge Norm. He's gone and there's nothin' we can do about it now!" Moving to the right we see Norm and his response, "I suppose you're right. The silver spoon mob destroyed any chance we had to keep him and now, we have to move forward ... Did I hear a knock on the door?" Norm's hearing is good because in the next frame we see the unmistakable figure of Joe Btfsplk standing before them with the customary dark cloud hovering over his head. Then another Jumpin' Jim close-up, almost identical to the last, but this time a touch of red lights up his chubby left cheek. "Sit down Joe and thanks for coming. Norm and I have been talkin' and ... er ... well, um ... we think your future here is limited. We're moving you on. You've been delisted. Oh, and on your way out, can you ask that young Alves feller outside to come in please?" The following scenes show thunderous storms surrounding the M.C.G with heavy rain lashing the old Grey Smith Stand doomed to fall soon under the wrecker's ball. The 1965 season is well under way and Stormin' Norman has just been sacked as coach. The Demons are on the other side of town playing the Kangaroos under stand-in coach Checker Hughes and are on their way to defeat. A week later, Smith is reinstated but the team keeps losing and slips out of the finals for the first time in more than a decade. I sensed that the hand of Joe Btfsplk was behind this despite or perhaps because of his delisting. But something more still had to be done so I spent the rest of draft day trying to come up with a solution. By mid-afternoon, when I thought I finally had the answer, I went back to the drawing board and kept working away for a couple of hours until the stroke of seven o'clock in the evening and my work was done. Just in the nick of time. This time the first box is dominated by the hulking figure of Abner, all 191 centimetres of him (or 6' 3" on the old scale) with hat in hand, and next to him stands the diminutive Joanie Phoanie, the sad-eyed lady of the lowlands. "Joanie, Mr. Capp probably won't agree with me sayin' this but on behalf of the good citizens of Dogpatch, I want to sincerely apologise to you for the hurt, his nasty attacks caused you. We're sorry." The following box features Joanie, her eyes now lit up, placing a gentle kiss on Abner's cheek and the ones that follow show the modern municipality of Dogpatch bathed in sunshine. The swamps and the piggeries are gone, the streets are clean and green and the townspeople all look happy. Joe Btfsplk is standing in the crowd but the storm clouds no longer sit over his head. They have been replaced by a rainbow halo. The next strip contains vision of a scene at the Gold Coast Convention Centre and it contains five rectangular boxes, all of them depicting the same white haired man and the five balloons above him bearing the following words, "Player number 214953 Jubilation C Petracca ... Eastern Ranges, Beverley Hills Junior Football Club", "Player number 215163 Available Angus Brayshaw ... Sandringham Dragons, Hampton Rovers", "Player number 214809 Smilin' Alex Neal-Bullen ... Glenelg, Klimpton Football Club", "Player number 215424 Stupefyin' Billy Stretch ... Glenelg, Henley Sharks Football Club", "Player number 214991 Oscar Colossal McDonald ... North Ballarat Rebels, Edenhope-Apsley". The bad luck that inflicted this football club for so long is gone. We're over players killed in tsunamis, tanking sagas, footballers involved in machete attacks, sacked coaches, mental illness, parents killed in car accidents, dodgy sponsors, merger talks, drunken players in jail, outside casinos and urinating in bars, lazy and incompetent officials, disgruntled players, presidents, club legends and coaches dying before their time, salary cap breaches, debilitating injuries and bungled drafts. With the ghosts of the past buried and the curse of Norm Smith gone with it, the picture should be clear. We're ready to take on the world.

Its like one of those magic rings, the closer we are to a flag the more visible it becomes... One of Crazy Cams final initiatives!

Melbourne scored a coup this week when it drafted Christian Petracca from the Eastern Ranges but the Casey Scorpions also did well to sign Petracca's teammate, captain and club best and fairest winner at the Ranges in Luke Hannon.

Every club wants this kid. GWS were falling over themselves to get him and they have midfield talent coming out the wazoo. It's easy to let our history with these picks make someone gun shy. I get that. But we're becoming a very different club to those days.