Demonland

Probably around 6:20pm tomorrow.

Who are you tipping this week?

Not arbitrary at all ...

There is a VFL practice match on Friday the 8th March and then one of Saturday the 16th of March. Both at Casey.

That could be something new which is a worry. He was running very well on Saturday. At one stage when he was resting he was poking at his calf and I assumed if he was just feeling around to see how it felt. Nothing in what I observed indicated any hamstring awareness. If this is a new injury then I have a feeling he will be a player that unfortunately spends more time on the sidelines than on the field.

Name Injury Expected Return Ben Brown Knee Available Charlie Spargo Achilles Available Harrison Petty Toe 2 weeks Lachie Hunter Calf 3 - 4 weeks Daniel Turner Hip 7 - 8 weeks Shane McAdam Hamstring TBC Jake Melksham Knee TBC

Very apt flipping them the bird

AFL orders clubs to stop ‘ridiculous’ tactic The AFL has officially ordered clubs to end the ‘ridiculous’ tactic of labelling injuries as ‘short, medium or long term’, with expected return dates now required for the 2024 season. Geelong, Richmond and Essendon were among those to come under fire from fans and broadcasters for the strategy. But all clubs must now share its plans for matchday and mid-week injury updates with the AFL as the league enforces the swift and detailed release of information. Criticism reached its peak midway through last year when dual premiership player David King said clubs — the Cats in particular — were “treating the fans like fools”. The changes, initially outlined in the new collective bargaining agreement, were reiterated by the AFL with new details ahead of Opening Round and Round 1. Clubs have been told to provide injury information “as soon as possible” on matchday. A player’s status must be declared alongside specific details around the problem, such as left or right side of the body and noting, for example, AC joint for a shoulder issue. Mid-week updates should also include that information — and, crucially, offer up the number of weeks until an injured player is expected to be available for selection. “It is not permissible to provide general availability windows, ie short term, medium term, long term,” the AFL wrote in its 2024 policy document. The shift has already become clear in Geelong’s injury reporting. After injuries suffered in Round 5 last year required surgery, the Cats said Tyson Stengle (fractured left wrist) and Rhys Stanley (fractured right eye socket) were both out for the ‘medium term’. But the ambiguity was on full show when Stengle returned in Round 10 while Stanley made his comeback in Round 15. In a further sign of the discrepancy, Geelong skipper Patrick Dangerfield was ruled out for the ‘short term’ with a left hamstring strain sustained in Round 8. Yet he went on to miss five games — the same number as Stengle with his ‘medium term’ injury. Following the introduction of the new rules this year the Cats last week specified Cam Guthrie was “likely to miss 8-10 weeks”when he went down with a right quadricep tendon injury. Clubs retain the ability to list an injured player’s return date as to be confirmed “if correct at the time ... but the status must be updated ASAP to a week-of-return timeline”. Geelong’s tendencies came under fire last year. “They want to massage the truth with all sorts of reporting, they don’t want to give up and extra information to opposition clubs, which is ridiculous,” King said on SEN. “At the end of the day, the fans pay the price for that. “The Geelong injury list is just ridiculous — the short term, medium term and long term. It’s always been 1-2 weeks, 3-4 weeks and five plus. “And then when something goes wrong, they say ‘you’ve got to trust us, you’ve got to believe us when we tell you this’. Well, we haven’t been able to believe you for the previous five years so why do we have to believe you today?” “Let’s just be done with all that stuff, you’re treating the fans like fools.” The new policy arrived alongside details surrounding greater media access to players as agreed in the new CBA. All players are to be made available, if requested by media, after matches and mid-week but “there is no realistic expectation” for all 23 players to attend a single session as a full group. The revised requirements sparked questions around Dustin Martin’s response, given he is the most high-profile player who largely shuns the spotlight. Fines of $10,000 for players and $20,000 for clubs are reportedly on the cards if requests are repeatedly rejected.

Damian Barrett Premier: Brisbane Runner-up: Geelong Wooden spoon: Hawthorn Moving up: Geelong Set to fall: Port Adelaide Club under the most pressure (and why): Gold Coast, because it sacked Dew to get Dimma, and now won’t stop talking about finals Will the Suns finally make finals?: No Brownlow Medal: Chad Warner Coleman Medal: Jeremy Cameron AFL Rising Star: Ryley Sanders Recruit of the year: Brodie Grundy Surprise All-Australian: Ollie Henry Who should headline the Grand Final entertainment? Def Leppard and Motley Crue Headline you'll see: Melbourne: We Don’t Have A Drug Culture Headline you won't see: Gold Coast: We Knew We Had Dimma Even Before 2023 Started Big call: Suns Pick Up Buddy In Mid-Season Draft Barrett's ladder prediction 1. Brisbane 2. Geelong 3. Sydney 4. Greater Western Sydney 5. Collingwood 6. Carlton 7. Melbourne 8. Adelaide 9. St Kilda 10. Fremantle 11. Port Adelaide 12. Western Bulldogs 13. Essendon 14. Gold Coast 15. Richmond 16. West Coast 17. North Melbourne 18. Hawthorn Riley Beveridge Premier: Collingwood Runner-up: Brisbane Wooden spoon: West Coast Moving up: Adelaide Set to fall: St Kilda Club under the most pressure (and why): Gold Coast. Made the splashy coaching hire, now the Suns simply have to deliver and finally play finals football Will the Suns finally make finals?: No Brownlow Medal: Nick Daicos Coleman Medal: Charlie Curnow AFL Rising Star: Colby McKercher Recruit of the year: Lachie Schultz Surprise All-Australian: Josh Rachele Who should headline the Grand Final entertainment? Dua Lipa Headline you'll see: Nick Daicos stamps his name as the best player in the League Headline you won't see: Pressure off Blues as Michael Voss' side has a quiet few weeks Big call: All-Australian ruck Tim English lured home and joins the Eagles Beveridge's ladder prediction 1. Brisbane 2. Collingwood 3. Carlton 4. Greater Western Sydney 5. Melbourne 6. Port Adelaide 7. Adelaide 8. Sydney 9. Gold Coast 10. Western Bulldogs 11. Geelong 12. St Kilda 13. Essendon 14. Richmond 15. Fremantle 16. North Melbourne 17. Hawthorn 18. West Coast Sarah Black Premier: Brisbane Runner-up: Collingwood Wooden spoon: North Melbourne Moving up: Sydney Set to fall: Richmond Club under the most pressure (and why): Melbourne. An off-season in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, coupled with a talented list and an injury-decimated forward line spells concerns. Will the Suns finally make finals?: No (the women did it last year, though!) Brownlow Medal: Marcus Bontempelli. Please. The man needs one. Coleman Medal: Charlie Curnow AFL Rising Star: Ryley Sanders Recruit of the year: Tom Doedee Surprise All-Australian: Noah Anderson Who should headline the Grand Final entertainment?: Taytay played to 96,000 last month, let's bump it up to 100k. Dream big. Headline you'll see: Bombers' finals win-drought celebrates 20 years Headline you won't see: Tiges bounce back under Yze Big call: Cats to continue a slow descent, the old guard leading them to a couple of upset wins along the way Black's ladder prediction 1. Brisbane 2. Collingwood 3. Sydney 4. Greater Western Sydney 5. Carlton 6. Melbourne 7. Port Adelaide 8. Adelaide 9. St Kilda 10. Geelong 11. Fremantle 12. Western Bulldogs 13. Gold Coast 14. Essendon 15. Richmond 16. West Coast 17. Hawthorn 18. North Melbourne Nat Edwards Premier: Brisbane Runner-up: Carlton Wooden spoon: West Coast Moving up: Adelaide Set to fall: St Kilda Club under the most pressure (and why): Melbourne. It's the obvious answer, but after a tumultuous season they are going to be feeling the heat if they don't get off to a good start. Will the Suns finally make finals?: I've been burned by the Suns on this front for the last two seasons, never again. So, no. Brownlow Medal: Nick Daicos Coleman Medal: Nick Larkey AFL Rising Star: George Wardlaw Recruit of the year: Brodie Grundy Surprise All-Australian: Max Holmes Who should headline the Grand Final entertainment? Taylor Swift - she's already been enchanted by Melbourne, so why not get her back to rock the 'G in style? It's the perfect Love Story. Headline you'll see: Contract talks on hold for Dusty Headline you won't see: Eagles fans revolt after West Coast brings back the banner Big call: Brodie Grundy back in the All-Australian team Edwards' ladder prediction 1. Brisbane 2. Carlton 3. Collingwood 4. Port Adelaide 5. Greater Western Sydney 6. Melbourne 7. Adelaide 8. Essendon 9. Sydney 10. Western Bulldogs 11. Geelong 12. Gold Coast 13. St Kilda 14. Fremantle 15. Richmond 16. Hawthorn 17. North Melbourne 18. West Coast Josh Gabelich Premier: Brisbane Runner-up: Collingwood Wooden spoon: West Coast Moving up: Adelaide Set to fall: St Kilda Club under the most pressure (and why): Western Bulldogs following the off-season upheaval in the footy department. Will the Suns finally make finals?: No Brownlow Medal: Tom Green Coleman Medal: Nick Larkey AFL Rising Star: Ryley Sanders Recruit of the year: Brodie Grundy Surprise All-Australian: Hayden Young Who should headline the Grand Final entertainment? DMAs Headline you'll see: Eagles chase free agent Tim English Headline you won't see: Brisbane's era under Chris Fagan is over Big call: Bailey Smith has played his final game for the Western Bulldogs Gabelich's ladder prediction 1. Brisbane 2. Collingwood 3. Carlton 4. Greater Western Sydney 5. Sydney 6. Port Adelaide 7. Western Bulldogs 8. Adelaide 9. Melbourne 10. Gold Coast 11. St Kilda 12. Fremantle 13. Geelong 14. Essendon 15. Richmond 16. Hawthorn 17. North Melbourne 18. West Coast Sarah Olle Premier: Brisbane Runner-up: Greater Western Sydney Wooden spoon: West Coast Moving up: Adelaide Set to fall: St Kilda Club under the most pressure (and why): Given its off-season, Melbourne will be an eternal fascination in 2024. If Carlton can't hit the highs of last year, it will be intriguing to see if the Blues revert to self-implosion or maintain the course. Fremantle must perform better – otherwise expect coach Justin Longmuir's tenure to be at the fore of discussion in the west. Will the Suns finally make finals?: No. But by the thinnest of margins. Brownlow Medal: A NSW flavour: Errol Gulden or Tom Green Coleman Medal: Charlie Curnow AFL Rising Star: If he stays fit, George Wardlaw. Expect an immediate impact from Ryley Sanders. Recruit of the year: Lachie Schultz will fit in beautifully at the reining premiers, while Brodie Grundy will fill a big hole at the Swans. Surprise All-Australian: Mitch Owens Who should headline the Grand Final entertainment? Bring some more girl power to the 'G: Is Beyonce in the budget? Headline you'll see: 400 not out: Pendles eyes Boomer's games record Headline you won't see: Honeymoon period's over for McRae Big call: Extra time will decide the Grand Final Olle's ladder prediction 1. Brisbane 2. Greater Western Sydney 3. Collingwood 4. Port Adelaide 5. Carlton 6. Melbourne 7. Adelaide 8. Sydney 9. Gold Coast 10. Geelong 11. Western Bulldogs 12. St Kilda 13. Essendon 14. Fremantle 15. Richmond 16. Hawthorn 17. North Melbourne 18. West Coast Nathan Schmook Premier: Brisbane Runner-up: Greater Western Sydney Wooden spoon: West Coast Moving up: Fremantle Set to fall: Melbourne Club under the most pressure (and why): Melbourne. The Demons haven't taken full advantage of their prime years. Ending two seasons of straight-sets exits will be a challenge after their pre-season setbacks. Will the Suns finally make finals?: No Brownlow Medal: Errol Gulden Coleman Medal: Charlie Curnow AFL Rising Star: Colby McKercher Recruit of the year: Brodie Grundy Surprise All-Australian: Jordan Clark Who should headline the Grand Final entertainment?: Foo Fighters Headline you'll see: Freo zeroes in on forward target with draft kitty Headline you won't see: Club pushes the line with matchday concussion management Big call: Like the Brownlow Medal in 2023, youth will be the big storyline in the Coleman Medal race (around Charlie Curnow) as Max King, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Nick Larkey push the superstar Blue with top-five finishes. Schmook's ladder prediction 1. Brisbane 2. Greater Western Sydney 3. Collingwood 4. Sydney 5. Carlton 6. Fremantle 7. Adelaide 8. Port Adelaide 9. St Kilda 10. Western Bulldogs 11. Melbourne 12. Gold Coast 13. Geelong 14. Essendon 15. Hawthorn 16. Richmond 17. North Melbourne 18. West Coast Callum Twomey Premier: Brisbane Runner-up: Port Adelaide Wooden spoon: West Coast Moving up: Gold Coast Set to fall: St Kilda Club under the most pressure (and why): Brisbane – they're as ready as a challenger can be. Five years near the top and they have a super list. Will the Suns finally make finals?: Miss on percentage Brownlow Medal: Nick Daicos Coleman Medal: Jeremy Cameron AFL Rising Star: Harley Reid Recruit of the year: Lachie Schultz Surprise All-Australian: Nic Martin Who should headline the Grand Final entertainment?: Katy Perry or Pink Headline you'll see: Bring back the tagger Headline you won't see: Clubs in full agreeance on 2025 mid-season trade rules Big call: Sam Darcy becomes a star of the competition in his third season Twomey's ladder prediction 1. Brisbane 2. Port Adelaide 3. Collingwood 4. Melbourne 5. Greater Western Sydney 6. Carlton 7. Sydney 8. Western Bulldogs 9. Gold Coast 10. Essendon 11. Adelaide 12. St Kilda 13. Fremantle 14. Geelong 15. Richmond 16. North Melbourne 17. Hawthorn 18. West Coast Michael Whiting Premier: Brisbane Runner-up: Greater Western Sydney Wooden spoon: West Coast Moving up: Adelaide Set to fall: St Kilda Club under the most pressure (and why): Melbourne. After losing all four finals since winning the 2021 premiership, coupled with their off-field dramas, it's a huge season for Simon Goodwin's Demons, who should still be very much in premiership contention with their list. Will the Suns finally make finals? Yes. The coach says finals is the floor, so let’s see them back it up. Brownlow Medal: Errol Gulden Coleman Medal: Charlie Curnow AFL Rising Star: George Wardlaw Recruit of the year: Lachie Schultz Surprise All-Australian: Keidean Coleman Who should headline the Grand Final entertainment? Foo Fighters Headline you'll see: Hugh McCluggage is the game's next million-dollar man Headline you won't see: Shutdown small defender selected in the All-Australian team (they're the new wingmen). Big call: We'll see our first non-Victorian Grand Final since West Coast and Sydney in 2006. Whiting's ladder prediction 1. Brisbane 2. Greater Western Sydney 3. Sydney 4. Collingwood 5. Carlton 6. Melbourne 7. Adelaide 8. Gold Coast 9. Port Adelaide 10. Fremantle 11. Western Bulldogs 12. Essendon 13. Geelong 14. St Kilda 15. Richmond 16. Hawthorn 17. North Melbourne 18. West Coast

OVERALL VOTES (21 voters) To play finals 21 (of 21) - Brisbane Lions, Collingwood, GWS Giants 20 - Carlton 17 - Melbourne 16 - Port Adelaide 14 - Sydney Swans 13 - Adelaide Crows 7 - Western Bulldogs 6 - St Kilda 5 - Geelong 3 - Essendon 2 - Fremantle, Gold Coast Suns Premiers 13 - Brisbane Lions 3 - Collingwood 2 - GWS Giants, Sydney Swans 1 - Carlton Runner-up 9 - Collingwood 3 - Brisbane Lions, Carlton, GWS Giants 2 - Sydney Swans 1 - Melbourne Wooden spoon 18 - West Coast Eagles 3 - North Melbourne Brownlow Medal 5 - Nick Daicos (Collingwood), Tom Green (GWS Giants), Errol Gulden (Sydney Swans) 2 - Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs) 1 - Zak Butters (Port Adelaide), Toby Greene (GWS Giants), Christian Petracca (Melbourne), Caleb Serong (Fremantle) Coleman Medal 6 - Charlie Curnow (Carlton) 5 - Nick Larkey (North Melbourne) 4 - Jeremy Cameron (Geelong) 2 - Aaron Naughton (Western Bulldogs) 1 - Ben King (Gold Coast Suns), Max King (St Kilda), Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (Western Bulldogs), Taylor Walker (Adelaide) JONATHAN BROWN Top 8 changes: Adelaide and Western Bulldogs IN, St Kilda and Sydney OUT Premiers: Brisbane Lions. “So close last year. The additions of Will Ashcroft, Tom Doedee and Jack Payne, all not there on Grand Final day should get them to the promised land.” Runner-up: Collingwood Wooden spoon: West Coast Eagles Brownlow Medal: Nick Daicos (Collingwood) Coleman Medal: Jeremy Cameron (Geelong) BEN COTTON Top 8 changes: Adelaide IN, St Kilda OUT Premiers: Collingwood Runner-up: Brisbane Lions Wooden spoon: West Coast Eagles Brownlow Medal: Nick Daicos (Collingwood) Coleman Medal: Nick Larkey (North Melbourne) BEN DIXON Top 8 changes: Adelaide and Essendon IN, Melbourne and St Kilda OUT Premiers: Collingwood. “System and talent, clearly the competition leaders in these areas, young enough to be still hungry and their ability to win tight games in clutch moments is no fluke.” Runner-up: Sydney Swans Wooden spoon: West Coast Eagles Brownlow Medal: Toby Greene (GWS Giants) Coleman Medal: Charlie Curnow (Carlton) JASON DUNSTALL Top 8 changes: Adelaide IN, St Kilda OUT Premiers: Brisbane Lions Runner-up: Collingwood Wooden spoon: West Coast Eagles Brownlow Medal: Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs) Coleman Medal: Charlie Curnow (Carlton) BRAD JOHNSON Top 8 changes: Western Bulldogs IN, St Kilda OUT Premiers: Brisbane Lions. “They have class all over the ground and will finish top 4 to put themselves in the best position to hold up the cup in 2024.” Runner-up: Carlton Wooden spoon: North Melbourne Brownlow Medal: Errol Gulden (Sydney Swans) Coleman Medal: Aaron Naughton (Western Bulldogs) SARAH JONES Top 8 changes: Adelaide and Essendon IN, Port Adelaide and St Kilda OUT Premiers: Brisbane Lions Runner-up: Collingwood Wooden spoon: West Coast Eagles Brownlow Medal: Errol Gulden (Sydney Swans) Coleman Medal: Jeremy Cameron (Geelong) JACK JOVANOVSKI Top 8 changes: Adelaide and Geelong IN, Port Adelaide and Sydney OUT Premiers: Brisbane Lions Runner-up: Collingwood Wooden spoon: West Coast Eagles Brownlow Medal: Tom Green (GWS Giants) Coleman Medal: Nick Larkey (North Melbourne) DAVID KING Top 8 changes: Western Bulldogs IN, Melbourne OUT Premiers: Collingwood. “I think the Pies will be better in year three under Craig McRae. Collingwood played awesome football pre-bye last year, but patchy after that point, winning games in bursts, which avails significant scope for improvement.” Runner-up: GWS Giants Wooden spoon: West Coast Eagles Brownlow Medal: Nick Daicos (Collingwood) Coleman Medal: Nick Larkey (North Melbourne) MAX LAUGHTON Top 8 changes: Adelaide and Geelong IN, Carlton and Sydney OUT Premiers: Brisbane Lions Runner-up: GWS Giants Wooden spoon: West Coast Eagles Brownlow Medal: Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs) Coleman Medal: Max King (St Kilda) KATH LOUGHNAN Top 8 changes: Adelaide and Fremantle IN, Port Adelaide and St Kilda OUT Premiers: GWS Giants. “I want to see history made with Toby Greene and Adam Kingsley leading the Giants to their first ever premiership.” Runner-up: Brisbane Lions Wooden spoon: North Melbourne Brownlow Medal: Nick Daicos (Collingwood) Coleman Medal: Taylor Walker (Adelaide) ALASTAIR LYNCH Top 8 changes: Nil Premiers: Brisbane Lions. “They’re the only team to play in finals all of the past five years and they’ve won the most games over the last five years. The team that narrowly got beaten on Grand Final day last year will improve: Will Ashcroft will come in for the second half of the year, Tom Doedee comes in too and their better players like Hugh McCluggage and Zac Bailey are young and improving ... They’ve got to win one. There’ll be a next year, but those stats are both good and bad. You play finals the last five years and win the most games last five years and not win one? That’s no good. I think they are legitimately getting better, so they’ve got to win one.” Runner-up: Collingwood Wooden spoon: West Coast Eagles Brownlow Medal: Errol Gulden (Sydney Swans) Coleman Medal: Jeremy Cameron (Geelong Cats) GARRY LYON Top 8 changes: Geelong IN, St Kilda OUT Premiers: Brisbane Lions. “Been trending towards this for 5 years. They’re ready.” Runner-up: GWS Giants Wooden spoon: West Coast Eagles Brownlow Medal: Tom Green (GWS Giants) Coleman Medal: Charlie Curnow (Carlton) LEIGH MONTAGNA Top 8 changes: Geelong IN, Sydney OUT Premiers: Brisbane Lions. “This is their season, no excuses, Gabba fortress, players in their prime.” Runner-up: Melbourne Wooden spoon: West Coast Eagles Brownlow Medal: Caleb Serong (Fremantle) Coleman Medal: Charlie Curnow (Carlton) CAMERON MOONEY Top 8 changes: Adelaide and Geelong IN, Melbourne and St Kilda OUT Premiers: GWS Giants. “They have all three areas covered well as a team, with game winners on every-line and last year will push them to go further.” Runner-up: Collingwood Wooden spoon: West Coast Eagles Brownlow Medal: Tom Green (GWS Giants) Coleman Medal: Nick Larkey (North Melbourne) MATTHEW PAVLICH Top 8 changes: Essendon and Fremantle IN, Port Adelaide and St Kilda OUT Premiers: Carlton Runner-up: Sydney Swans Wooden spoon: West Coast Eagles Brownlow Medal: Christian Petracca (Melbourne) Coleman Medal: Jeremy Cameron (Geelong) MARK RICCIUTO Top 8 changes: Adelaide and Gold Coast IN, St Kilda and Sydney OUT Premiers: Brisbane Lions. “Very close last year and would be hungrier than ever.” Runner-up: Collingwood Wooden spoon: North Melbourne Brownlow Medal: Zak Butters (Port Adelaide) Coleman Medal: Nick Larkey (North Melbourne) JACK RIEWOLDT Top 8 changes: Adelaide and Gold Coast IN, Port Adelaide and St Kilda OUT Premiers: Sydney Swans Runner-up: Collingwood Wooden spoon: West Coast Eagles Brownlow Medal: Errol Gulden (Sydney Swans) Coleman Medal: Ben King (Gold Coast Suns) DWAYNE RUSSELL Top 8 changes: Western Bulldogs IN, St Kilda OUT Premiers: Brisbane Lions. “Perfectly placed to go one better after meeting a better team on Grand Final day last year, and blowing a golden opportunity when the grand final was at the Gabba.” Runner-up: Collingwood Wooden spoon: West Coast Eagles Brownlow Medal: Nick Daicos (Collingwood) Coleman Medal: Charlie Curnow (Carlton) KELLI UNDERWOOD Top 8 changes: Adelaide and Western Bulldogs IN, Melbourne and St Kilda OUT Premiers: Sydney Swans. “No Bud, but Brodie will use the fire in his belly to propel the Swans to their first flag in twelve years.” Runner-up: Brisbane Lions Wooden spoon: West Coast Eagles Brownlow Medal: Errol Gulden (Sydney Swans) Coleman Medal: Aaron Naughton (Western Bulldogs) BEN WATERWORTH Top 8 changes: Western Bulldogs IN, Sydney Swans OUT Premiers: Brisbane Lions Runner-up: Carlton Wooden spoon: West Coast Eagles Brownlow Medal: Tom Green (GWS Giants) Coleman Medal: Charlie Curnow (Carlton) DAVID ZITA Top 8 changes: Adelaide and Western Bulldogs IN, St Kilda and Sydney OUT Premiers: Brisbane Lions Runner-up: Carlton Wooden spoon: West Coast Eagles Brownlow Medal: Tom Green (GWS Giants) Coleman Medal: Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (Western Bulldogs)

Tassie Trouts

Tassie Devils it is. 🤮

Adelaide has expressed interest in luring Melbourne’s emerging midfield star Tom Sparrow home as he holds off contract talks until he established his role in the club’s star-studded midfield. Sparrow is still likely to re-sign with the Demons but Angus Brayshaw’s sudden medical retirement has put a premium on the 23-year-old’s signature at Melbourne. Sparrow was taken at pick 23 in the 2018 national draft after growing up in the Adelaide Hills and looks set for a breakout season after 67 games in the last three years including the 2021 premiership. His three-goal, 20-possession outing against Carlton in last week’s community series game highlighted his potential as an inside mid who can still go forward to take overhead marks and hit the scoreboard. As Adelaide and Melbourne haggled over the Shane McAdam trade the Crows asked about whether Sparrow or Harrison Petty might be involved in that deal. The Demons quickly shut down the Crows but Adelaide has again asked about his availability. In the end Adelaide threw a monster offer at Petty that involved him being paid over $1 million in the first season of a front-ended five-year deal worth $4 million. Melbourne shut down that trade request but could have to ward off the Crows interest again given Petty made no secret of the fact he and his partner are at some stage keen to return to South Australia. In an AFL environment where the salary cap will go up again by 12 per cent next season Sparrow can expect a significant pay rise to remain at Melbourne. He is seen as a loyal player who enjoys living in Victoria, so if he can frank his pre-season form in the early rounds of the year it will give both parties a chance to broker a deal. Ideally the Demons would have loved to have locked him away already but they are comfortable with their progress so far. He could sign a two-year extension through to free agency or a longer deal to give him security given the salary cap is set to 2027. Melbourne is still in talks with the AFL about whether they can exempt some or all of Brayshaw’s salary for the next four seasons after he was medically retired by the AFL. He is due more than $3 million in a deal to 2028 with Demons football boss Alan Richardson confident the AFL will work with the club on a resolution that helps the Demons’ cap picture. Finding a way to place some of his salary outside the cap will help in the retention of Sparrow and Petty, who the club is keen to offer a long-term deal past 2025 when he hits free agency.

Updated injury list from information at Goody's presser. PLAYER INJURY LENGTH Kysaiah Pickett Suspension 1 Week Shane McAdam Calf 2 Weeks Harrison Petty Toe 2 Weeks Lachie Hunter Calf 3-4 Weeks Ben Brown Knee TBC Jake Melksham ACL TBC Charlie Spargo Achilles TBC Daniel Turner Stress Fracture 6-8 Weeks