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If he's not allowed to get his heart rate above 110. I wouldn't recommend that he has a match day role. My heart rate hits 180 every turnover.

I feel sorry for his fiance

Pretty much nailed it, there’s other ways to say you don’t think he”ll make it. I know the kid, (so don’t like the comments)he played cricket with my eldest and junior footy against him coming through and also coached him in WAFL development. When he was picked up I said he was coming from a fair way back and stand by that. He had a very interrupted WAFL pre season let alone an AFL pre season so we’re not seeing his best. To hold down a key position as a 17 going year old is no easy task but he managed it last season. I’m not sure whether he makes it but he’s got size and some mongrel and will hit contests hard. Hopefully he gets a decent run at it in the off season

This season gets worse and worse

Ridiculous revisionism. When we re-signed Clarry he was the best midfielder in the game, and x3 (or was it x4 at that stage?) best and fairest, x2 AFLCA award winner, x3 AA and premiership player. Sometimes I wonder if people are serious on here...

Roo is mature beyond his years and has future captain written all over him. I love this kid, and he is criminally underrated IMO. Need to move heaven and earth to make sure he never leaves us!

Medicinal use only?

Just here to remind the Demonland list managers who wrote off, amongst others, Judd McVee and oh yeah Christian Norm Smith Petracca off in their first year. Just FFS give someone more than 8 weeks to prove their worth? How were you performing 8 weeks into your first grown up job? I bet not great. Mind blowing stupidity on this site sometimes I swear.

The club has said from the outset Luker is a long term prospect. Give the kid a chance. He is, after all, a kid, a massive adjustment for him, and as others have pointed out, not conditioned through a preseason training regime, arrived mid year, ffs some of you here are unwarrantedly harsh.

Tom Morris just reported that North is targeting Jack Viney to “reunite” him with his father. Demonland implosion incoming…

I reckon being back in the club environment is just as important for him. We know that he will regain his physical form, but it's the mental side of things that will be hardest to overcome. I hope now that he's back in Melbourne and back at the club, that he is given a match day role for the remainder of the year. Would be good for him to feel involved again.

Last time we recruited a tall in the mid season draft we got Disco. He took a while to get going too. Luker was drafted at the end of May. If he was drafted in the National draft it wouldn’t even be mid January yet, and he wouldn’t have played a single game. Let’s not kick a kid because our season didn’t work out. It’s not his fault.

The problem with the Corn is that whilst he used to be outlandish he is now pretty reasonable in most things that he says. He is not wrong that Goodwin is going to be under enormous pressure next year. But the contract stuff is laughable, can't be blaming Melbourne that Collingwood players are thugs and a young man (one of the greatest demons ever) goes through a bad patch off field.

Youngest player on the list No preseason Yeah I'm giving him way more time.

The guy was dragged across the country at very short notice, never having had an AFL level preseason. No surprise that he "hasn't performed" in a bottom level VFL side. How about reserving judgement until he has had an opportunity to get physically fit enough to compete at least at VFL standard, and if he does then give him a go.

Pies absolutely stiffed with a missed 50m penalty What a shame

This is a boring game. The SCG dishes up terrible football matches and Sydney play a boring style.

When I started this series I had a bit of an ulterior motive in that I often think that Geelong draft guru Stephen Wells is overrated because of his success during the early naughties when he plucked out players such as Harry Taylor and Steve Johnson. I mean under his guidance the Cats have also had their share of blunders – Billy Smedts (pick 15, 2010), Darcy Lang (pick 16, 2013) and Nakia Cockatoo-Collins (pick 10, 2014) to name a few that didn’t come off. And I thought that maybe Jason Taylor had become someone who we all give a tick of approval too, based on his success in 2014 and 2019, without thinking of his misses – primarily his failure to find a key forward until JVR and his failed stabs at finding a decent back up ruckman. But as many of you have summised in your comments, Taylor has an incredible strike rate, plus a really good awareness of what to look for, not to mention his affinity with the WA kids - Van Rooyen, McVee, Rivers and Jackson are all quality choices. Indeed you could justly argue that if we hadn’t kept trading away Taylor’s draft picks to either upgrade or bring in second-rate players at the expense of second and third rounders, we’d be a lot better off. As a result of this year's failing, the spotlight will be on Tim Lamb when Melbourne enters the trade/draft period this season – and rightfully so. The role of list manager means you are the subject of criticism and most likely inaccuracies from bloggers like me, but after a bad season like this one, there’s a big queue that want Lamb out of the place and I’m inclined to think they have a point. Three years ago, he, and we, were feted in the media. Back then we had the best list and it was full of youngsters. A dynasty was expected after claiming the 2021 flag. Compare that to now. Since 2022 we have lost five premiership players – Jackson, Hibberd, Brayshaw, Harmes and Jordon – on top of losing three important fringe players – Hunt, Bedford and Baker. Our Jackson replacement Brodie Grundy has come and gone. Ben Brown will join the list of departures post-season as injuries have crippled him for the past three years. He’s now 32. Charlie Spargo must be thinking about it to after falling victim to a persistent achilles problems. T-Mac will probably want to play on and after a solid season down back, few would deny him that right, even at 32. Same goes for Melky, now turning 33. The worrying thing for Lamb is that virtually none of his moves to improve the list have paid big dividends – Ed Langdon being the one exception in 2019. Surprisingly Grundy, the most publicised pick-up, didn’t pay off. That’s not entirely Lamb’s fault, in fact I’d argue his recruitment was a clever and cheap recalibration once Jackson left with the Pies paying $250K of his salary and his asking price a mere second rounder in a dud draft year. Goodwin’s failure to adapt and use Gawny as the more permanent forward, rather than Grundy, arguably cost us the 2023 flag. But in the past three years aside from Grundy, Lamb’s brought in Dunstan, Hunter, Schache, McAdam, Fullarton and Billings from other clubs – that’s hardly a sign that he’s a judge of players and then on top of that he’s regularly offloaded our future first rounders – in 2020 it was done so that we could acquire Bailey Laurie and then last year he gave away three pretty good picks to progress up the order by two spots for a player – Tholstrop – who almost certainly would have been available at our original pick. Thankfully last year he didn’t offload our future first rounder, because it now shapes up as being around pick 7 or 8. He did though get rid of our second rounder (currently pick 27) to Adelaide for McAdam. Lamb’s record is a little why I’m wary of our mooted Dan Houston deal. Houston, if we get him and it seems like we are indeed a chance, is a quality player and will provide us with a clever, taller long-kicking defender – something we are clearly lacking. He will be our best pick up since Langdon. But Houston turns 28 in May and talk of us offering two first rounders for him is hopefully well off the mark. Lever was 21 when he came to us for two first rounders. Our options are to throw Sparrow or Salem, if they wanted to go, into their deal and see if they’d accept our second rounder (linked to Sydney) and third rounder (linked to St Kilda). But most likely Houston will require our first rounder and, in this case, I’d offer them our future one instead of this year’s one, as I reckon our bounce back chances are high next year and giving Taylor pick 7 or 8 this year should net us a pretty handy kid as well. If Power plays hard ball for this year’s pick 7 or 8 as part of the swap, then I’d request their second rounder back in return so Taylor can at least try and work some magic. Aside from finding a mid-sized long-kicking running defender, we also have to ensure that we get some mature back-up bigs for Gawny. We don’t and won’t be able to secure a genuine top liner so we should be trying to find a mature delisted back-up ruckman like Braydon Preuss or a standout tapman at VFL level like Coburg’s Cooper Keogh. We can’t solely rely on Will Verrall developing quickly. And if the VFL’s best defender Adam Tomlinson leaves for a club willing to give him more opportunities, then I’d be keen on us bringing in an experienced back-up tall to replace him and if Sam Weideman was happy to come back I’d take him as a UFA as he can provide cover at both ends of the field – we will be losing Schache and Ben Brown after all. We also will pick up Noah Yze, Adem’s son, who is rated well outside any top 25 kids lists and I imagine he’ll be a rookie choice a la Kynan Brown last year. But ultimately our philosophy should be to make sure to give Taylor as many kid picks as we can. Aside from Ben Brown and Schache, Lachie Hunter will depart and I expect Tomlinson will move as well to a club that needs him. Joel Smith will surely be delisted as well. I’d certainly hold off on re-signing Melky, instead I’d make him one of our assistants if he’s willing to fill such a role. I suspect Billings, who is contracted, may want to retire instead of going around again and as stated, Spargo’s achilles may also see him finish up a year early. But the other big list changes in the off-season should be to our ageing management and coaches. Tim Lamb is the likely first scapegoat given it’s his area that we have underachieved. CEO Gary Pert and Footy GM Alan Richardson are both 59 and it’s time that at least one of them moves on – Hawthorn youthful management environment has worked wonders this year and we need to start a phase out with one leaving this year and the other going next. I love what Mark Williams does – he’s a born coach, given his constant communication to players on fundamentals. But I do worry that his message is lost a little with a lack of respect stemming from the age gap – he’s about to turn 66 after all. And just as Lamb’s exit papers should have been stamped, so to should our forward coach Greg Stafford. He may be a great bloke, but at 50, it’s time for us to refresh our feel around Goody. McQualter and Chappy are still just 38, so they are in the prime of their tuition years. I know some here have also suggested it’s time to move on fitness coach Selwyn Griffith and they may have a case as well given our last quarter fadeouts mid-season, but I certainly don’t feel qualified enough to assess that area. Whatever happens, I think we are in for an intriguing blood-spilling off-season. But my hope is that we give Jason Taylor enough line to hook a few gems.

I love these rumours. A reliable source tells me that WCW is moving to the C'wood cheer squad in 2025.

Trac’s back on the track

I second that. After finding out one of my best mate’s had been beaten up by her husband for years- I would be appalled if we gave this creep a chance. Footy is great, but as I get older I realise it is a small part of what is important. Being an inclusive club with morals, one that my 2 girls are proud to be a part of, is more important to me..

The AFL allowing this guy to come back into the fold is a disgrace. This game has a massive female following, and as one of those followers, we deserve better than to allow players to get away with the sort of despicable behaviour that Thomas has displayed repeatedly. If he stepped foot at our club I would never buy a membership again.

Watched him train and was amazed by the size of him, particularly given his age. He will not get any smaller over the coming years, but will get faster and more confident. Give the poor lad time and give him a chance.

There is an ignore function on Demonland. If he gets on your goat that much you could use this. Just a suggestion 😉 Personally I like Picket Fence's eccentricities. Sometime OTT, but mostly written in good spirits. Usually I read them in the voice of Donald Trump and they make me laugh!

Viney will be 31 near the start of next season. We have no ruck to replace 34 yo Max. No gorilla fullback for May, who is 33 in January. Oliver's 2024 makes Dusty look like a choirboy. Petracca is a physical and psychological mess at the moment, will he return? He'll be 29 in Jan. Tmac is 31. ANB, Langers and Lever will be 29 by R1, 2025. Our list is the 3rd oldest, according to Draft Guru. I would be disappointed if we traded pick 7 in a draft with 10 high quality mids when that's exactly what we need, especially with Tassie coming in. 2028 midfield of Clarry, Rivers, McVee, Windsor, 2024 pick 7 Our 2025 1st pick would be what I'd trade for DH, maybe a 2nd as well, or perhaps a player from SA prepared to return (Sparrow or ANB?). Kalani White might choose us over GCS in 2025 and AhMu looks promising. There's a difference between "going all out to win" a flag and selling the farm Just my view though!

3 moths into an AFL/VFL career. Without a preseason. To early to tell.

Certainly detect an uptick in aggressive posting from either new posters or posters that have been dormant for a few years. I guess they've actually missed the mediocrity...

Heeney’s last quarter was unbelievable!

It’s not acting with that fella. Proper tool.

Jordan Lewis type recruitment. It's smart move by the Roos and don't blame them for having a crack. He'd be perfect for a team with young up and coming midfield like North.

HERE HERE, it makes a change from the dribble P.F sometimes comes out with!

215cm

Meanwhile, somewhere in the Richmond area an upset customer is still waiting for their almond latte.

I saw on socials this deal has already been signed off. I can tell by her posts she has one foot out the door already. Dogga vibes all over it.

In my post I wrote a player "LIKE" Brynn Teackle. The operative word being like, with full knowledge that we had our pick after North.

As posted in his injury thread apparently he can't get his heart rate above 110 so still some way to go before some moderate exercise but fantastic he's with the boys.

viney started the season red hot and has cooled, considerably, as the season has progressed oliver was always going to be hot and cold - a hamstring tendon injury last year then no proper pre-season then a hand injury bowey looked great early in the year then had that awful injury opening round, but his kicking is a real worry of late mcadam is a waste of space, fritsch is always going to be hot and cold as a forward reliant upon the ball coming in from a midfield being thrashed, and sparrow is classique 'good, ordinary' afl level player people potting an 18 year old luker kentfield based on less than half a season in a system need to get a grip, or loosen the one they're applying

Hibberd was 27 when he came to us. All-Australian in his first year. Played in a Grand Final 4 years later aged 31. The difference here will be the asking price.

Casey have a bye this weekend. Good luck trying to get form Jeffo.

I also wouldn't recommend he join in the game day thread on Dland.

We should have bought in someone like Fullerton. He might have been worth a punt.

thanks WCW, i do appreciate the reports. half the reason i come on this site lol

The Tigers are a club I’d be looking to trade our future first for one of their first round picks this year They’re likely going to be flush with picks in the top 30 if Bolton and Baker leave, but might want to trade a couple of those into 2025 to stagger their rebuild Food for thought

Cornes is doing what we'd hope Lyon would do for us. Pump up Houston's value so Cornes' club gets a premium return.

Houston was a 2023 All Australian. Houston is tracking towards a 2024 All Australian as suggested by Kane Cornes who is on the committee himself. I note that he wasn't in the mid season mock All Australian sides but appears to have stepped up his game in the second half of the year. Champion Data have him as the top 5 best user of the footy in the league. Imagine having an MFC player that is in the top 5 users of the prune in the league. Last year against Essendon, Houston kicked what I consider to be the best after the siren winning goal behind Mal Blight in the mid 70's. To be potentially a back to back All Australian means you're a player at the absolute peak of your career and clearly an A to A+ grade player. That in anyone's language is worth a pick 7. The risk I concede is that Houston is probably having the best 2 seasons of his career, and may not be able to replicate them again if he were to cross over to the MFC.

dusty also didn't rip a tendon off the bone shortly after signing the 'lifetime' deal nor see the team's fortunes plummet around him clayton will get back to his better self with a full pre-season under his belt and more control over his personal circumstances he might never get back to his absolute best, which was the greatest midfielder i've seen at the dees but i'm confident - based upon the highlights of games in 2024 - that he will get more consistency back into his performances, which is the big difference in his performances since the injury last year in the wet vs the pear

Haven't given up on Mcadam. Seems like his Hamstring was more major than minor...could be better next year. Fingers crossed.

Will be watching with interest! Kalani White and Tairon Ah-Mu... key position future right there.

The questions to ask: - What do we have to lose by playing AMW and/or Howes at this point? - What do we gain by not playing them and going to the well again? And alternatively: -What do we gain by playing them?

Collingwood would be kicking themselves at giving up PICK 6 for Lachy Schultz. They have no first rounder this year and already have questionable young talent outside of the Daicos brothers at both ends of the ground. They should be our measuring stick. They got greedy, paid overs because they thought they could go back-to-back and sacrificed their future for the now. We cannot do the same. Houston's form is off the back of playing with the same defensive unit for years and so there's no guarantee he just waltzes into our program year one and plays to the same level. Schultz case in point. These players are role players who are excelling thanks to the system they're in. They're not top end/brilliant individuals who dominate from word go. It's not their position or role. Go to the draft, nail a top 7 midfielder and develop them. I'll pay those odds anyday over giving up the farm for Houston to help win us a flag next year.