Leaderboard

Lol.. he's not going to publicity come out express a desire that he wanted to leave. He played a straight bat and exactly the answer you'd expect from someone that either had every intention of wanting to leave or was at least putting some serious consideration into it. Was speaking with an ex colleague last Thursday who worked with the Murray Bushrangers and is from Shepparton way. He knows his Dad Steve very well. His old man confirmed to him that Oliver and his family desperately wanted to leave for Geelong, but due to our high demand, Geelong could not cater to our needs. The asking price was too much for Geelong. The Oliver family/camp are incredibly disgruntled with the Dees in how this has all unfolded. Similar to the Petracca situation, there is some serious amending of the bridges that will need occur over the off season. You can spin whatever narrative you want about the media, but Oliver absolutely wanted to leave Melbourne.

How it may work out – the top 15 picks and the potential phone call that will rock Tim Lamb Dees stance on draft night Having agreed to give up next year’s top pick, there’s no doubt in my mind (and I’d say any sane person’s mind) that the directive from Tim Lamb to JT will be to draft both the best tall and the best mid/small fwd with picks 5 and 9. I mean last year we chose a pacey mid (Caleb Windsor) at the expense of the best mobile forward (Nate Caddy) and we backed that up with another promising mid/small forward in Koltyn Tholstrop. We’ve also already given priority to a every-ready back-up mid (Harry Sharp) over a classy but untried back-up tall (Wade Derksen). And we’ve offloaded talls Adam Tomlinson and Josh Schache, so there’s clearly room on the list now for another tall. Based on videos I’ve seen, it’s hard not to be excited by the exploits of the Striking Viking Alix Tauru – who has an incredible leap and is only just getting used to playing as a forward after spending his early days as an intercept defender. And dare I say it, but his Nic Nat leaping style is something we need more than anything to spark the lads up at training. There’s nothing quite like an exciting teenager to take your mind off the club’s problems. As to our other get, it will be interesting to see whether the rise of HokBall means we will want the quickest livewire mid/small to go with the big. I have no doubt JT was planning to take Murphy Reid, although his fear at missing out on Tauru probably means we will most likely miss out on Reid and have to look for the next best player left – and from what I’ve seen so far, on video, I’m actually tipping that JT’s love of the west means he will take Bo Allan with that pick. Here’s how I see it unfolding and some of the big dilemmas facing clubs, primarily Richmond. 1 Jagga Smith (Rich) There’s been a lot of talk lately that the Tigers are more interested in Sam Lalor with pick 1, but that option defies belief. Smith is a livewire, small clever mid – an even better version of the clever Murphy Reid you might say – and he starred in the Tigers VFL side in two of his three games that he played this year. He’s trained with them and they love him. To risk losing him would be a big, big call, but it’s possible given North, Carlton and Adelaide won’t take him (they have other priorities), leaving us as the only potential spoilers at pick 5 before the Tigers pick 6. If North don’t take Tauru at 2, then JT would face a tricky decision on whether to pass on Smith as well if he fell that far and get Tauru at 5, but if they do take Tauru, then my tip is that we will go with Smith and add Armstrong, Shanahan or Jonty Faull. Whilst in a more logical world, I have Tigers taking Smith at 1 and North taking Lalor at pick 2, if the Tigers decide they want to be risktakers and try and get both Lalor and Smith and go Lalor with pick 1, then I reckon North then goes Tauru and we will have to decide if we take Smith or Reid at five, which we should until … the phone rings on draft night. Tim Lamb then advises his team that the Tigers are willing to offer us picks 10 and 11 for pick 5. They may also offer up pick 11 and their first rounder for 2025 – which is a likely top three pick, which would be even more tempting. Lamb would have an interesting call to make in that eventuality. But I’m tipping the Tiges will go the more orthodox route and make Jagga their No.1. And if they do, then the phone call remains a figment of my imagination. 2 Sam Lalor (NM) Unlike Smith, Lalor has a bit of size about him at 188cm (6ft1in) and he’s shown he can be both the tough mid and the clever leading forward (that crunching pack mark for Vic Country that is on almost every video of him was a super highlight). He also has more goal sense than most of the other mids – he kicked seven on return from injury at APS level. He’s been compared to Dusty (hence why Tiger fans rate him) but I reckon he’s more in the Matthew Larkin in his prime mould – similar vision and awareness, although he’s a better mark than Larkin ever was. Being a bigger mid/fwd, it means the Roos will like him because Wardlaw, McKercher and Sheezel aren’t big-bodied like him. The Roos should also be considering Harvey Langford, for exactly the same reason – he has size (190cm) and a thumping left foot kick which is a point of difference for their mids, but his lack of raw pace may see him slide a bit. As stated earlier, if the Tigers take Lalor then the Roos may decide to take the big gamble and go with Tauru at pick 2 – a player they apparently like the look of as well, but two months ago he was rated a likely second-rounder at best, so the risk factor is there. The other possibility is that the Tigers offer up picks 10 and 11 for pick 2 – meaning they are guaranteed Lalor and Smith. Would the Roos take it, given they could then go two quality talls or a mid/tall combo. I reckon they should, but most clubs don’t as they are inherently conservative for fear of ramifications. 3 Levi Ashcroft (Bris) The Tigers won’t bid on him at No.1 because they need the marketing power of keeping the No.1 label, so it’s then up to North or the Blues to hold the premiers accountable. The Roos did bid on Will Ashcroft back in 2022 and Jed Walter in 2023, so I reckon the Kangas might pass on him this time as he isn’t what they require position wise. And if that’s the case, the Blues will definitely bid on him to keep the Lions honest – especially given they are also in the same window. 4 Finn O’Sullivan (Carl) The Blues have already given up picks 12 and 14 to get this pick and it’s no secret they want him – Carlton always goes with the footy bloodlines and being Sam Walsh’s cousin will have Lygon St salivating. They will be a little scared that the Tigers will snare him at pick 1, but his VFL form for them, aside from two neat goals, wasn’t exactly exceptional. He did however stand out at testing, so everyone is aware he has upside and he will start as a classy, quick half forward for them, which is what they crave right now. 5 Sid Draper (Adel) Have a look at his highlights video and you know the guy is quick, smart and strong, although he still needs to work on his kicking prowess – he has a bit of the Clayton Oliver’s about him with his preference to handball. But as SA skipper, he seemed more aware of the importance of using his line-breaking ability at the carnival and his pace is top tier. The Crows will consider the best midfield bull in Harvey Langford, but I’m tipping they go local – big ramifications if they don’t and he turns out a gun. 6 Alix Tauru (Melb) As stated above, JT will be told to take a big as a priority and if Tauru is still around because North overlook him, then I reckon we have to take him here. The Saints will surely take him as one of their two picks if we don’t. He still looks a bit like a dear in headlights with his goalkicking routine, but I’m sure with good training from Chocco and our new forwards coach, he will get into good habits. And if he can’t find the goals, he’s a walkup start as an intercept defender in the James Sicily mould down the track (May and T-mac are not exactly young). And the best thing, for those of you fearful of another Jack Watts or even Matt Jefferson is that he loves tackling. I suspect JT had been thinking of using this pick for Murphy Reid, but solving our tall problem should be the priority. The proviso on this is what happens if Jagga Smith is still on the table or North gambles on the striking viking at pick 2. If North does go Tauru, one of Lalor or Smith will also still be around, and if it’s Smith I reckon that phone call from the Tigers may be made to us. And Tim Lamb better be ready. 7 Harvey Langford (Rich) With Lalor and O’Sullivan gone, the Tigers will turn to their attention to a player who they have trialled in the VFL and one who finished the season for Dandenong Stingrays like he was Marcus Bontempelli. He’s a powerful extractor with a booming left-foot and being bid-bodied will compliment Jagga Smith, who is the exact opposite. He’s also got a huge tank, but the only doubt about him in this modern HokBall world is that he lacks pace. But Patty Cripps doesn’t have pace either and he’s the best in the game. 8 Isaac Kako (Ess) You have to assume Essendon had inside word that the Saints would bid on him, otherwise their decision to give up pick 9 to us is bizarre. I doubt he is better than Murphy Reid, but he certainly has pace and leads up well. He also has that dynamic Kozzie-type aggressive style, so he should make an impact in a couple of seasons. 9 Murphy Reid (StK) I reckon the Saints will be jumping to get their local Sandy lad who has that touch of Gryan Miers about him. That’s a shame because we would definitely take him if he fell to our pick 9 (which will most likely slide to pick 11 or even 12). If JT’s intel is that the Saints aren’t into Tauru then I reckon we will flip and take Reid at pick 6. 10 Harry Armstrong (StK) With Jack Steele 29 next month and more of a lockdown player, the Saints will consider Josh Smylie, but I suspect a few clubs are wary of his low-tackle count and Ross and Smylie would clash big time I reckon. And Matteas Phillipou showed good signs late in the year and is a player earmarked for the guts, so another tall option up forward for the Saints would be smart. Armstrong’s high agility rating also would help their confidence as that was Nate Caddy’s strength as well last season. Armstrong looks a classy kick, but I didn’t see too many hangers in his highlights. But he’s quick on the lead, so that’s not crucial anyway. Being another Sandy kid helps the Sainters community appeal as well! 11 Leo Lombardo (GC) This guy is freakishly quick and agile and has high skills, but he’s a tad small – a bit like Caleb Daniel in his heyday. He looks to me like a cash cow for your SuperCoach teams next year and will play round 1 for the Suns barring injury. The Saints should have bidded on him to ensure the Suns lose their two second rounders before their third rounder. But I suspect if they bid on Kako they may not want to go again for a player they don’t get, so I reckon it will be left up to bid on him with our next pick. JT loves smalls like him anyway, although the Suns will match our bid in a flash. 12 Bo Allan (Melb) One of Reid, Smith or Lombard would have been the perfect player to combine with Tauru and solve most of our shortages and help counter Hokball. But alas, I doubt that will happen. Allan is the last of the players who I reckon are certainties to be high-quality impact players and being from WA, it’s a happy recruiting ground for JT. He’s a tall left-foot mid who moves really well and is a decent kick and he’s tough enough to play in the middle as well as off half-back where he will play for us for at least a couple of seasons until he’s ready to go inside. He reminds me a lot of Adelaide’s Jordan Dawson. He’s already had a taste of big games having been handy in the WAFL grand final and as captain of WA ticks all the boxes. In fact he’s so good a prospect, that if the Tigers did come knocking for our pick 5 in exchange for picks 10 and 11, I think I’d have to say yes because we still would get him. 13 Luke Trainor (Rich) Having set up their midfield with Smith and Langford, the Tigers surely will look at long-term bigs and Trainor is regarded as the best tall defender. You’d have to think West Coast at pick 15 would want a replacement for Barrass at their pick if the Tigers don’t pounce here. 14 Jobe Shanahan (Rich) He’s got a bit of the Michael Roach’s about him and is a very accurate kick. Given his size, I reckon the Dees would also be considering him, but Tauru is more exciting. I really like the look of Jonty Faull as well, but Shanahan’s games at VFL for Essendon won me over. As a footnote, if we did accept Richmond’s pick 5 trade offer in my imaginary world, then we’d take Allan, Shanahan and have a decision to make on Travaglia or Hannaford. 15 Xavier Lindsay (WC) I reckon West Coast would be a little [censored] that we took Bo Allan and Trainor would have been the right fix for their post-Barrass defence. I can’t see them going Faull or Hannaford, and McQualter will want clever ball movers and Lindsay is a bit of a Christian Salem freak with his precise kicking and will most likely start on the wing or half-back for them.

Move on from what? I still haven't gotten over Jimmy running through the mark. And don't even start me on round 22, 1976.

Why would his father spin it different if Simon rang him? He's as honest as they come as is mother Michelle. They tell you how it is. The family felt the club treated Oliver during last year's saga with absolute care and professionalism. They were proud of the club in the way they wrapped support around because he simply went of the rails and even to the point where they both had to drive down and spend a few a few days with him as they were genuinely concerned for his welfare. This year, not so much. The whole Gary Pert situation completely blindsided them. Even in his exit meeting there was no discussion of a trade, it was all about getting his body right, completing his off season program with the goal of being fit ready to go come day one of pre season. I know one part of the reason to get to Geelong was pure lifestyle and needing to escape the bright lights or Melbourne. At the end of the day he's the boy from the country who still has incredible strong ties to his country roots. He's desperate to stay out of media headlines. The other part was obviously Geelongs leadership success and strong on field culture.

Clarrie may not be the most articulate Demon but the overall thrust of the article is positive and that is terrific news !!!!

This time last year we all would have considered Windsor to be a massive reach, and that's worked out pretty well, so reach away I say. I have no doubt JT will reach for the name of whoever he has highest on his board regardless of media/bigfooty groupthink. Other "reaches" he's made like Oliver, Jackson, Kozzy and Caleb have been great picks. It's so good to have faith in our drafting these days. I'd love Lalor or Jagga to fall to us but if they were available and JT read out another name I wouldn't be bothered at all because I'd back in our drafting dept every time.

Can't believe I'm going to have 30 sleepless nights leading up to the draft only for us to blow pick 6 on a tall!

I think it's important to understand who these people are in the context of sports journalism. It's struck me this trade period how the more serious, or perhaps I should say responsible football journalists mostly avoid the speculation about potential trades. At The Age - a much diminished product but nonetheless the one I read most closely - Jake Niall and Michael Gleeson are seen nowhere near these trade talkfests. What passes for a responsible person at the Herald Sun so far as I can tell is Mark Robinson (I know, I know) and I don't see his byline attached to anything like that linked to the usual culprits. These journos you talk of operate on radio, social media, and internet/TV. The expanse of radio/internet/TV airtime they must occupy to justify their existence seems to force them into endless verbal garbage. Usually around trade time I bury my head in the sand and wait for the period to end and then see what comes of it because in my experience 90% of it is bull dust. This year for obvious reasons I was sucked in. Trac in particular was an issue but in future I'll be leaving lightweight flibbertigibbets like Morris and McNoClue to their own devices. If someone like Niall starts to write it, then I'll give it credence.

I had a dream last night. We win the flag next year, with Tracc winning his second Norm Smith, after Clarry won the Brownlow, with Max breaking records with another AA and our pick 5 winning the Rising Star, after JVR wins his first Coleman. How quickly would all this media garbage last if my dream came true?

We won't be using our first pick on a tall.

Every one can put their own spin on any issue Dazzle, as I have said ad- nausea’s I don’t readily believe anything I hear and only half of what I see. I bet if Goody rang Steve he would get a different story and I bet Steve’s sister would have a different version of the truth. Fact is - Geelong had no currency to bring in Smith & Oliver at the same time, so they were just muddying up the water, or putting the boots in, there is little love lost between the two teams. I expect that Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca will return to the fold healthy and energised and that both players will contribute significantly to our rise up the ladder.

I am angry! I'm angry at the ongoing regurgitation of the perceived sequence of events under the 'truth' banner. It is destabilising. It becomes fodder for those who can benefit from bringing the club to its knees. The fact that the parents of an AFL player can be 'disgruntled' over a clubs handling of a situation is hardly groundbreaking news. At any point in time a number of parents at each and every club will be disgruntled! Most parents have been disgruntled at some stage over the manner in which their child's school has handled some issue. That doesn't mean that they immediately rip the kid out of the environment and enrol the kid in another school. Outcomes are negotiated. This situation at MFC has been negotiated! I prefer to have faith in those at the club who have participated, rather than join a lynch-mob. I apologise for any disrespect I have shown, but I don't apologise for being angry!

Sorry but I find your post horribly disrespectful and totally unwarranted. Daz was simply passing on information he had heard - which we all encourage. You may not like the info presented, but there is no cause to be so angry and disrespectful.

The headline says ‘failed trade’ but Oliver only ever talks about ‘having a chat’ or ‘meeting with’ Geelong. At no point did he say or even hint at any desire (or otherwise) to leave. A little bit of a peek behind the curtain there, seeing how the media creates a narrative rather than reporting things straight.

If Jagga is still there I think we have to take him

As a casual observer (who isn’t an expert), I’m wary of Smilie. The game he’ll need to play at AFL level is different to the one he plays now, so there’s a lot of risk. He’s currently an outside midfielder trapped in a tall’s body being asked to play as an inside midfielder. He’s not a great stoppage player and he struggles to release the ball in traffic, instead trying to bust out of tackles with his arms down. He wants to receive the ball out in space to use his good kicking but he doesn’t run well enough to do that at an AFL level. He also doesn’t mark the ball well for his size. He has a bunch of really great traits that read incredibly well for a recruit. But his work rate and ‘football’ ability mean that a lot of these skills are mismatched and there’s a lot of risk that he’ll be a constant ‘almost’ player. If the inside work clicks and he discovers AFL work rate then he’ll be a gun. Personally, I’d take that risk at 9 but I’d be very nervous at 5.

Not a fan of Reid at all to be honest. Whilst it's good to show you can win the footy at junior level, when you're 180cm slow midfielder you've got to have some sort of athletic trait that can separate you from the rest of the other elite mids, and in my opinion he doesn't have any. He's not quick, doesn't have that burst from stoppages and is on the slight side of his physical profile. Reminds me exactly of Hunter Clark who's an ordinary AFL player.

I knew someone, who knew a cow that was owned by someone who knew the Oliver family, who definately told him he was mooing on. I emailed Tom Morris instantly.

Mid only at 5 pls Open to a tall at 9 but we can’t pass up on an opportunity to bring in an A grade midfielder at the top end of the draft

Have heard whispers from a source close to me (he usually has good intel) that North are leaning towards selecting Josh Smillie with pick 2 (pick 3 after Ashcroft).

My rough guess which will probably be different by tomorrow is. 1. Sam Lalor (Richmond) 2. Levi Ashcroft (Brisbane) 3. Alix Tauru (North Melbourne) 4. Finn O'Sullivan (Carlton) 5. Sid Draper (Adelaide) 6. Jagga Smith (Melbourne) 7. Leo Lombard (Gold Coast) 8. Harvey Langford (Richmond) 9. Josh Smillie (St Kilda) 10. Harry Armstrong (St Kilda) 11. Murphy Reid (Melbourne) 12. Issac Kako (Essendon) 13. Jobe Shanahan (Richmond) 14. Luke Trainor (Richmond) 15. Bo Allen (West Coast)

The back page of today's The Age (a tabloid rag), on the sports page, has more of Clarrie than the Caulfield Cup and The Everest results combined. How pathetically poor is their journalism. A fully resolved player situation is more important than the results of two significant horse races especially where the same trainer trained the winner of both events. Says more about the tabloid trash than about MFC and Clarrie.

Gall is very exciting and will be a star. Fitzsimon is underrated…I think she’s been great this year.

He’s a high IQ footballer and is very clean with his skills in all conditions. Stood out as one of the best for Metro in wet conditions against the Allies…his cleanliness and quick mind gave him much more time than others. His creativity in tight is as good as I’ve seen at junior level. Went on to dominate champs. Can see him being a game breaker, BUT the limitations with his pace had created a perception that he won’t become a true mid at the level (won’t be able to break away on offence, run quick enough defensively on transition). He’s a smart footballer, so maybe he’ll find a way to compensate, he had been compared to Pendles, but SP has around 8cm on him and has always been good overhead. Probably sits in a rung just below the first group and it gets very even there. Could go 8, could go 18.

Goldy is pure G&D. Live the way she plays - her attack on the ball is relentless. Was a big factor in the win.

This is the time of year when the VFL clubs are in preparation for the coming season. With the AFL Trade and Free Agency period now over, the VFL clubs will be looking to add to their lists and the recruiters at Casey have plenty of work to do given Mitch White’s retirement and the unlikely prospect that their two main recruits of 2024 (injured pair Campbell Hustwaite and Leo Connolly) will be back in the fold for next year. Time for new names and an innovative approach for the club that went downhill quickly after the glory of its 2022 premiership.

I wouldn't be surprised at all if we selected Bo Allan for our number 9 pick over Lindsay. After watching Allan on the Preliminary Final and Grand Final in the WAFL. Allan would be very much in the mix ready to play Round AFL Round 1 2025. I did mention that I had a discussion with Tim Lamb when we played against GWS on that very cold Saturday night. During half time break, I was standing next to him watching swimming Finals (Olympics) and we were talking about draft prospects and the Championship Carnival. Tim did mention to me he was very impressed with Bo Allan and spoke very highly of him having excellent leadership qualities as well. I do like Lindsay's elite kicking skills and efficiency. I believe it is very much a 50/50 between Allan and Lindsay. I believe we will be selecting 2 midfielders ready to play in the very early rounds in 2025.

I'm pretty sure Tim Lamb said we're not targeting any specific type with these picks but simply taking the best available talent. I'll be stunned if pick 5 isn't used on a midfielder.

That guy’s 3rd quarter in the 2021 grand final was worth pick 3

Yeah he was. Shoulda gone any of Serong, Young, Day, Green instead!

I think that relentless tackling and pressure is what has turned things around for us. The key personnel coming back is helping now for sure but 4 weeks ago our stocks were decimated but we just seemed to switch on with the agression. It's been quite the transformation. We've been led by Macca and Goldy this year. They are true competitive animals and I love watching them. Hanks and Bannon were way off to start the season and their lift in form in recent weeks has really helped us turn things around. A big shout out to Gall too. She really struggled to hold a mark early in the season but she is just clunking everyhting now. Gall, Zanker, Campbell and Bannon are quite a combo now. It's going to be really hard to sneak in. As everyone has said, the fixturing just sucks. It looks like one of the in form teams in the comp is going to miss out. But...every week has been a final for us and every goal helps. I'm loving this demon resurrection! Very proud of Mick and the team. I still think he should be helping the blokes through the AFLW season. Go Dees.

What a nice, typical Clarrie articulated positive story. Pity about the people on here who just want to argue and litigate their petty point making over and over ad nauseam.

To be honest if I was in Clayton's position, I to would have been chatting to other clubs, if I got wind of the club shopping me around for the second year in a row (i.e 2 can play that game). At the very least taking some control of the situation and being proactive in the finding a preferred destination. As for Pert, what was he hoping to achieve? Oliver had as much right to refuse any prospective trade, just as much as Melbourne has/did - so for Pert to be successful he would have needed to get Clayton sufficiently disillusioned to leave (agree to being traded).

Yours is the dribble. You point us to evidence that Pert didn't shop him around. Maybe the boot studder took it upon himself to shop around one of our vest players. The fact that the Board had to intervene to stop it is embarrassing.

From all reports there seems to be a pretty clear top 4 now. Richmond are keen to take Lalor at 1. Yes the injuries and tank are questionable but he and FOS have the two highest upsides to be top 5 AFL players Lalor FOS Smith Draper So we're going to be choosing between Langford and Smilie unfortunately. If Smith dropped to us I would take him in a heartbeat. Perfect complimentary piece to our midfield bulls and has similar traits to Daicos.

He had a bit of a knee issue, they took the metal plate out of his hand,( which was keeping it attached to his wrist, AND A COUPLE OF BUSTED RIBS!!! PARK ME WHAT A SUPERHUMAN EFFORT JUST TO PLAY, plenty here on demonland were scathingly sledging him, well after that CLAYTON YOU ARE A BLOODY LEGEND IN MY BOOK

A few thoughts on our P5/P9 midfield options, from someone who isn't qualified (note: I am not a doctor) Harvey Langford: Looks a bust-proof, plug and play option for round 1. Looks like a ready made AFL player amongst boys in some of his highlights. Pace is a worry. Xavier Lindsay: Brayshaw replacement? Half back, wing or inside mid all options. Good pace, good skills, accumulates, willing tackler. Left footer which is fun. Could be accused of being a bit vanilla? Murphy Reid: Hands of God (HoG). Class, poise, accumulates well. Not much speed, on the smaller side for a mid. Can get a bit Hollywood with his disposal. Does he get stuck as a flanker at AFL level? Josh Smillie: Excellent movement and agility for a guy his size, kicking seems a bit hit or miss, a bit Petracca like. Rag dolls opponents his own age, will probably continue at AFL level given his size. Could be anything if it all comes together. Jagga Smith: Probably the style of midfielder that we lack. Nice speed, agility, movement, disposal. Buzzes round. Averages 58 touches a game, probably weighs 58kg too. Bit of N Daicos about him. FOS: Slick looking midfielder that kicks goals. Good mark, excellent agility and speed. I'm not as enamoured with him as most seem to be. Not that that means anything. Sam Lalor: Powerfull mid/fwd, built like a brick shizenhausen. Clean & powderful at the footy - internet reckons Richmond are keen at pick 1. Sid Draper: Great speed & explosiveness. Maybe a quicker Serong style mid? Sometimes looks a bit indecisive with ball in hand. Conclusion: Stuffed if I know

Whoever ghost writes his post football memoir will have earned their fee.

Tobie Travaglia is definitely a youngster on the list for pick “9”. 187cm running half back , can develop also into a running midfielder plays like (imv) Trent Rivers good runner with burst of speed I like that he runs and kicks and doesn’t use his wrong foot… kicking efficiency is high just turning 18yrs late October 2024 ran 6.13mins in 2kms time trial at combine to finish 2nd Coates league - 12 games, averaged 24 possessions and 6 tackles for Bendigo Pioneers Finished 8th in Morrish Medal HBF in Coates league team of the year Was versatile, playing back, mid and spending time forward Active voice and good young leader Played national championships for Vic country Played some VFL for Carlton as a 17yo this year and looked impressive

Harsh Dubdie

Imagine the panic at MFC when they heard Clarry spoke to a reporter at the Caulfield Cup

Love what Gall and Campbell are showing. Gall just jumps at everything, crashing packs and has a strong pair of hands. Campbell doing similar. Rather than look at Bannan's 3rd goal....notice what Gall does in the background to make sure an opponent is dispatched to give Alyssa the free shot. That is the sign of a real footballer who knows how to play forward.

I'm not sure exactly but the VFL salary cap for AFL-aligned clubs is $110,000. 26 players on Casey's squad this year= $4,200~ each. I assume match payments as well. Could easily double that taking $500 a game at local footy. Had a mate who played VFL, left it to get paid $250 a game at a local club and his agreement was that he didn't have to train during the week. Was still BOG almost every week.

Agree with you that Windsor should be in the centre. A natural progression of a superstar in the making. Will rival one of the stars in the Swans trio. His career will possibly as as already been lauded or alluded close to the late great Robbie Flower. The difference will be we still have our A graders and champs potentially to enjoy as well if they are back to their best. I am backing them to be as good as ever and for us to improve with our youngsters on the improve. Bring on 2025 let’s show the doubters Dees.

I’m not upset at taking Langford

All is good and right with the world again. ‘I had a stinker’: Oliver vows to atone in 2025 after failed move to Geelong Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver has broken his silence after the trade period, pledging to atone for his self-described “stinker” of a season next year. Days after the Demons shut the door on a move to Geelong, the four-time best and fairest winner was pragmatic about the failed trade and is “keen to get back” to training with his Melbourne teammates when preseason formally starts next month. The Dees kept their word in not trading Oliver, who had met several Cats players at ruckman Rhys Stanley’s farm heading into the player exchange period. “That’s alright, Melbourne are looking good, we’ll be right,” Oliver said at the races at Caulfield, where a horse raced by his friend Darcy Mangan was victorious. Oliver spoke bullishly of the Demons’ chances next year after a disappointing 2024 in which the club missed the finals for the first time since 2020. I think this just about confirms Melbourne as the big winner of the trade and free agency period. The club kept its absolute champions and has two top ten picks in its back pocket. We can now follow Clarry’s lead and concentrate on the Spring Carnival, the cricket, tennis and the rest of the AFLW season before moving on to take the next premiership flag.

Another failed 'media' expose. It ran deep and down the wrong track, and then hit a bumpy road (that we call BS) that was totally unsympathetic with the welfare and deepest thoughts of Clarrie, the Club, the Demon faithful. You got 'em right between the eyes, Clarrie; hook, line and sinker. And we are all rapt that you did!!!

He really does have a way with words.

we've already got langdon, so you nailed this pick!