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I'm not an expert but I take an interest in watching some kids when I think they are a chance to be picked up by us. From what I’ve seen Taj is great below his knees, picks the ball up really cleanly and can kick with both feet. He doesn't get huge disposal numbers (mid 20s every game) but does a lot with it, good decision maker and he has gotten better as the year went on. Mainly played inside and outside midfield but he also has a bit of flexibility, his talents could developed to be used in a halfback role like Salem/Bowey or half forward role like Spargo/Neal Bullen role but I'm not sure on his tank. In the draft combine he was 2nd best in the 20m sprint with a blistering time of 2.89 seconds. He was captain of East Freo this year which is always a good sign in regards to a players character. I read an article yesterday on SEN saying he models his game on Steele Sidebottom and Mitch Duncan. From all reports he is driven and professional, so I think given the opportunity at the Demons he will flourish around players with similar hard work ethic like Brayshaw, Petracca etc We will probably use pick 49 on him.

13 victories shaping Melbourne’s 13th flag

I used to have Elle McPherson in my sights; fat lot of good it did me.

The amount of times in the last few games of the year where Bowza would be pinned against the boundary or in heavy traffic and go to kick it, I'd think "OK, long dump kick to a contest" only for him to lace out a teammate 30m away with a kick that barely goes above head height..... crazy stuff. The prospect of him and Salem distributing off half back for years to come is pretty enticing 🤤

This was my tribute to Col and others when I flew the flag for the GF. Loved watching Col play, particularly when he first arrived at the club, he was a beacon of hope that had star power written all over him. Had we had the other capable players and maturity of leadership around him, I very much think that Colin had the talent to have been a part of a Demons premiership side. See alot of how he played in Tommy Sparrow, hard, tough and an accurate, booming shot on goal. Was somewhat disappointed when he left for Freo, but also understand it based on what I understand of where he and the team were at around that point of time. Really happy how his family and the MFC were bought back together around our premiership and I hope his family felt some happiness being a part of it. Demon for life. RIP Colin.

The Melbourne Football Club has designated December 5 as the most likely date for its celebration of the 2021 Premiership at our Home and The Home of Football - the MCG. Melbourne chief executive Gary Pert announced: "This event is incredibly important to us, as it is the first chance our players, coaches and the wider club will have to thank our supporters for their amazing support and loyalty." The Grand Final team and the remainder of the playing list, coach Simon Goodwin, the coaches and football staff and the premiership cup will all be there but what would you like to see on the day? I would like to see some structure on the day rather than people randomly walking around the hallowed arena for hours. A specific event with a program including vision of season highlights, presentation of the players, speeches (but kept to a limit), special presentations to retiring players - especially Nathan Jones and Neville Jetta and tributes to Demon greats who passed away and missed our first premiership in 57 years. I have also suggested elsewhere that thought could be given to combining the evening with the club best and fairest presentation which is usually held indoors on an evening at the Crown Casino with a lavish dinner. However, it’s a night that’s limited in numbers and given Covid-19 restraints, it’s likely that a much smaller number of attendees would be admitted. And of course, children usually miss out on the best and fairest because it goes on well into the night. A video package could be put together and shown on the MCG screens with highlights of every game and the votes in say four quarters each of 10 minutes to keep us football starved fans entertained before presentation of the Bluey to the winner. And because footy’s a team game, that event could be followed by the presentation of our heroes - the 2021 AFL premiers and end with a welcome to the new members of our list including Luke Dunstan and the recently selected draftees to celebrate going forward into the future and our quest for next year’s premiership to be played at The Home of Football - the MCG. Note: in true football tradition, I’m taking things one premiership celebration at a time.😀 Over to you …

Given that he served as Premier of Tasmania, you'd have to say so. However, Brian Dixon served 18 years in the Victorian Government after being elected in 1964 while still playing for Melbourne. I can't imagine that happening these days! Dixon was probably best remembered for introducing the "Life. Be In It." campaign while he was the Minister for Youth, Sport & Recreation.

They showed some pace running onto the ground after the GF siren.

Whispering Jack’s THE KID - A TRIBUTE TO COLIN

I'm still working on whether Goodwin is a good coach.

Beware the hubris my friends. This sort of thinking never won anyone a flag. Stay hungry, stay humble!

He was out all night and when he finally got home, he told her a [censored]-and-bull story about winning a football cup, or something, with the perennial no-hopers the Melbourne Demons. She sent him to his room and he has to stack the dishwasher every night for the next month.

This week was the third anniversary of Colin’s passing. Thread here -

Hey Sue, I hear you and agree we should be cautious, humble etc... however when close games consistently go your way, and open up to solid wins, you are the better team. If thats happening more often then it used to you are also getting better quicker than your opposition and this is a reason for genuine optimism... I felt nervous in every game, but, increasingly not worried, especially after the Rd 23 comeback. That game was our step shift game when we realised we were genuinely the best team in this competition, and never out of the game. Take that shift, plus the sheer joy we just experienced winning the Big one and the non-22 players wanting in, into 2022,... and we shall be very hard to beat. Harder to beat than we were in 2021. In my opinion, significantly so.

I was a fan of Paul Wheatley and thought he could have been anything with a good club/system around him. Jack Grimes will unfortunately be remembered for his horrendous kicking, but apart from that he was a gun. Templeton was a seriously top shelf forward. His style of play would hold up well now, and he scored consistently in a fairly average Dees era. So it is between Templeton and Fritsch for mine. Considering Fritsch kicked 6 in a GF, he just gets the nod.

Are you disappointed Petracca had a low percentage shot from the boundary instead of centering it as well? Sparrow kicked a vital goal in our first premiership in 57 years and you are questioning if he took the right option.

Part 2: A house in order The Melbourne Football Club hasn’t just spent the month of October celebrating its 13th premiership flag. It has also been doing other things in terms of list management including getting its house in order by signing previously uncontracted team members while dealing with the difficult decision involved in making two further delistings. Some players were signed on for extended lengths of time at the club but the Demons also bade farewell to unlucky defender Marty Hore after three seasons at the club and to rookie Kye Declase who had a much shorter stay. Hore joined Melbourne as a mature-age defender from Collingwood VFL in the 2018 National Draft with pick 56 and played all of his 14 games in 2019 after making his debut in the team’s opening round loss to Port Adelaide at the MCG. His only goal for the club leveled the scores late in the game against the Suns at Metricon Stadium Stadium which ended in a win for the Demons when Tom McDonald kicked a point seconds before the siren. Hore’s last two years were blighted by injury - in 2020 it was a broken toe followed by a quad issue and then, early this year he tore his ACL at training. Utility player Declase joined the club in this year’s Mid-Season Rookie Draft. The 24-year-old was limited to just 4 games with the Casey Demons as a consequence of the early closure due to Covid19 of the VFL competition. The result of this month’s changes leave the club with the following lists — PRIMARY LIST: — Oskar Baker Toby Bedford Jake Bowey Angus Brayshaw Ben Brown Luke Dunstan Bayley Fritsch Max Gawn James Harmes Michael Hibberd Jayden Hunt Luke Jackson Ed Langdon Bailey Laurie Jake Lever Tom McDonald Steven May Jake Melksham Alex Neal-Bullen Clayton Oliver Christian Petracca Harrison Petty Kysaiah Kropinyeri Pickett Trent Rivers Fraser Rosman Christian Salem Charlie Spargo Joel Smith Tom Sparrow Adam Tomlinson Jack Viney Sam Weideman ROOKIE LIST: CATEGORY A Mitch Brown Kade Chandler Majak Daw James Jordon Deakyn Smith Daniel Turner ROOKIE LIST: CATEGORY B Nil 2021 AFL NATIONAL DRAFT PICKS: 17 37 49 57 94 The month of November sees AFL clubs moving toward the National, Pre Season and Rookie Drafts. The club’s grand final medical sub James Jordon appears a certain upgrade to the Primary List. The club also holds options to secure players through its Next Generation Academy (NGA) and a Father-Son (F-S) selection. They are — • Mac Andrew 18, 200cm, 80kg Ruckman (Dandenong Stingrays - NGA) I wouldn’t be holding my breath about Andrew remaining affiliated with the Demons beyond the National Draft following widespread speculation that at least one club from outside of Victoria is interested in drafting the long term ruck prospect inside the top ten (under new rules, clubs are unable to match any NGA bids coming in the first 20 selections). This is despite the fact that his body of work (albeit limited throughout the Covid19 period) has been unspectacular. He finished 13th in this year’s Stingrays B & F, was unsighted for three quarters playing for the AFL Academy v Geelong VFL and reports of his game for Vic Country vs Metro in a challenge match when only lightly used in the ruck are mixed. Yet an Age reporter claims he’s had a “head-turning” season. Andrew has an exciting highlights package and, as the AFL website’s Cal Twomey notes, this year’s draft will be unique with spending and travel limited during the pandemic limiting recruiters. "They'll be drafting some players who they actually haven't seen live". With no Victorian participation in the national championships or a draft combine, there remain huge risks involved with speculative choices like Andrew who is expected to take years to develop as a ruckman or key position player. • Andy Moniz-Wakefield 18, 180cm, 73kg Midfielder (Nightcliff, NT - NGA) Probably sits at the other end of the scale to Andrew in that there’s been little interest in him and he’s unlikely to attract a bid at the draft which would allow Melbourne to place him on its Category B Rookie list. Moniz-Wakefield who has played for NT Thunder and the Allies, is said to possess breakaway speed, good agility and ball use. • Taj Woewodin 18, 182cm, 77kg Midfielder (East Fremantle, WAFL - FS) The son of former Demon star and 2000 Brownlow Medallist Shane will realise his AFL dream in November’s National Draft if selected by the club. He was captain of the East Fremantle’s Colts team and also did well for WA in the limited National Under 19 championships. He models his game on Collingwood champion Steele Sidebottom and Geelong star Mitch Duncan and recently put in the fastest time for the 20m sprint (2.89secs) at the WA Draft Combine. He nominated Melbourne as a father-son prospect in the upcoming National Draft yesterday and is expected to be picked up in the 40s. In terms of recruitment, it should be noted that of the players already on the lists set out above, the following have yet to play an AFL game for Melbourne Luke Dunstan, Bailey Laurie, Fraser Rosman, Majak Daw, Deakyn Smith and Daniel Turner while Adam Tomlinson will return after a long lay off after ACL surgery. There’s scope there for plenty of potential new faces introduced to the team even before the draft. I have always been a big believer in the idea that the draft is for the best player available and this one looks very much an even draft with a number of handy midfield types of which there should be some very good options at the club’s current first selection at number 17 (which will draft out to 19 after Nick Daicos and Sam Darcy are picked as father-son selections). The club could use a developing key position player but they’re thin on the ground and I’m told that there will be some outstanding talls available in next year’s batch including some genuine ruck types. In the final wash up, I see Melbourne taking no more than two or three players in the national draft which fits in with the view of a club that has its house well and truly in order and primed to remain a force again in 2022.

Has to be Fritter. Huge things were expected of Groom but did not really deliver. Several others as noted above had careers compromised by injury. I did rate Wheatley highly, but in terms of on-field impact no-one on that list is close to six goals in a GF. Having said that, and having a very high opinion of Fritter, it must be noted that he stands in the shadow of RDB whose closest likeness is the current No 5.

Who knows what's going to happen, but I do know one thing. Whomever improves enough to do it will be doing so from within, because none of them got better during the trade period.

I couldn’t have been more impressed with Spaz for his entire finals campaign. I, like many, wondered how he’d get a game in home n away let alone finals but he has proven he belongs. Kept his close friend and housemate Jordon out of the team in finals, both have enormous upside….. but can’t see either getting Trac like standards ( yes I know you said close!! I walked past the 2 of them having a stroll mid year, he is built like an absolute brick sheethouse!! Has a 200+ game career ahead of him. We have a ripper on our hands!

R.I.P Col. And all the best to your family and friends. Lets hope the cup brought you some joy mate.

That third quarter is classic "Tale of Two Cities" material. I think like most I find it far more satisfying than the last quarter

Breaks my heart even now

Sylvia played 2 or 3 games that were up there with the best of what Petracca and Oliver are capable of. A game against Hawthorn in 2009 comes to mind.

P.S. ... can we also get a few old boys up? For starters Brian Dixon & Alan Johnson who were front and square in the fight to save the club during 96!! Guest appearance from Ron at some point would be awesome as well.

So much conjecture over whether that one pass to Gus was intended for him or not (personally, I thought it was directed to Ben Brown), but I think the key point here is that Bowey pulls off this type of kick multiple times a game. I loved pleanty more of his kicks in the grand final and games leading up to it. Such natural poise. Usually doesn't try to bite off the miracle pass, so just picks sound options most of the time, in the blink of a eye. But when he does decide to go big and hit up the target with a switch kick through the centre, it 'hits his team mates on the chest' as the man himself would say. His awareness of players around him and ability and agility to get out of a tight spot are elite as well. Love watching him play and if he keeps on the trajectory he's on, I think we could well have another AA player on our hands.

There is no rookie nominating before the National draft. Clubs can list their nominated father-son or NGA players as rookies for free after the National Draft and before the rookie draft if obviously they are passed over initially. Adelaide declined to nominate Luke Edwards as a father-son altogether so he was fair game last year in the ND. Gold Coast were able to Prelist their Zone selections as Rookies last year.

Gee Libba played a crap game.

Commentary on a fan forum never actually won or lost a game either, for what its worth

Kevin Sheehan reveals his top NAB AFL Draft Prospects: Tall forwards/rucks There’s such a shortage of tall forwards and rucks that Shifter’s covering both categories in one article.

In the lead up to Angus' third quarter goal, it was Jake Bowey who found the ball and in a nanosecond summed up the situation and deliberately delivered a short pass to Angus to mark and goal. Smart footy. He has shown many times in his few games that he has the footy smarts to be a star. Impressive.

I wonder if he will ever play in a loss.

No doubt he is a better player than Baker, but we don't need flaky, 29-year-old, injury prone guys even if Norf was going to pay most of his wage!

Very Sad Col another of our family to pass too young 3 years ago but Hope He enjoyed our 13 th premiership which has majorly lifted all our families spirits by the level of excellence 2021 maintained from Day 1. At This stage it's unknown what effect this Premiership will have on our future but the signs are positive for a great period of stabilisation success and growth if all is handled correctly. Our families were very much thought of as we triumphed last month and are Never forgotten.

Cat B will be the aim.

It’s a no for me

Great news, hopefully we get him for a late pick under father/son.

Will a team improve enough to challenge us next year? Interesting question. I gave it some serious thought, then pre-ordered a 2022 framed premiership guernsey to match this years.

Gus pointed to where he wanted the ball kicked (like Gawny against Geelong in R23). And Bowser placed it beautifully...

Watching the GF replay (again) today, couldn't help thinking he reminded me a lot in appearance to Allan Jakovich.

I didn't rate him at all until late in the year, but he genuinely delighted me in the finals. Not that he got heaps of the ball, but his body strength, booming kick, positioning - a lot to like. The pass to Ben Brown early in the last quarter - the way he read the play before all the Bulldogs boys and ran forward of the play was a thing of beauty (as was ANB's through ball!) I am happy to go out on a limb and say this bloke will explode in 2022. He has a touch of the raging bull about him, has a strong physique, and just a little bot of arrogance. I am as excited about this kid as I am about Rivers.

In the past players like Jake Bowey were gifted games on potential because they were 1st round draft picks but this year he got his chance late in the season with good form at Casey due to injury to the incumbent and basically made the position his own on form. I think he will win another Rising Star Award next year if he continues his form from this year and maybe be in the running to be the Rising Star along with Daicos and Horne-Francis

He was clearly trying to kick it in to the gap to the advantage of a Melbourne player, any Melbourne player, and it was Gus who got there first. Good thinking in a tight game not to blaze away inside 50 (so 2019).

I like it how, even though we're all in awe of the fact he's a premiership player after only seven games, there's no way anyone could argue that he didn't deserve it. With the opportunity he was given, he barely put a foot wrong and in fact played an important role for the team - in no way just a stopgap or filler player, as you might expect from a player who sort of falls into a premiership team like this. The novelty of it isn't how few games he played, it's how well he played in those games.

This kid could go down as the best player in his draft. I think we should start calling him Jamara Ugle-Bowey, just to really annoy the Dogs fans.

Sparrow has a lot of great attributes, and people inside the club (especially Yze) rave about how he trains and prepares. With a big preseason and the confidence he would take from 2021, I reckon he could crack the regular midfield rotation. Keep in mind a that plenty of the games he put up good numbers were off ~60% game time - pretty impressive for a youngster. He's a like a proto-Viney but with a booming right shoe. Here's to more 🤘🤪🤘 celebrations from Sparrow!

not so sure he was trying to pass to gus

As Leigh Matthews once said, to win a premiership everything at the club has to be in lockstep right down to who cooks the sausage sizzle or something like that. So we must keep the BBQ in good shape, source the best sausages, bread, sauce and onions plus make sure our sausage turner’s contract is extended so not poached by other clubs.