mo64

Damn. And I thought that was a gimme. This is heaps tougher than todays Age cryptic xword.

3. Nick Carter

Hmm. Dawid Malan would make sense if the clue was "I took from his second name to create an animal. Edit. You're correct. The "i" comes from his first name.

1. is Mike Brearley. Be (B) right (R) before time (early).

12. is Phil Tuffnell

Is 4 Liam Plunkett? Took i away from first name becomes Lam. 🤷‍♂️

Strongly disagree. Only May, Lever, Gawn, Petracca and Oliver would be certainties for our best 22 since 1976. The 8 players from the 2021 Premiership team that were 21 and under, are still unproven in real terms. Aside from the players you mentioned, surely Jeff Farmer gets in ahead of either Spargo or Pickett. Brett Lovett ahead of either Rivers or Salem. Laurie Fowler or Alan Johnson ahead of Bowey. Alan Jakovich ahead of Fritsch. Greg Wells ahead of Viney. Todd Viney ahead of Harmes. I could go on because Hibberd, Petty, Langdon, ANB, Sparrow and Jackson are not close to making best 22. The 2021 team is easily the best Melbourne team we've seen, but it's not made up of 22 stars.

Great work Deespic. No real surprises in the rankings. My only comment is that too much is made of the timing of Jack Watts' debut, and how it ruined his career. Not sure how many weeks it was prior to his debut, but he had an outstanding game for Casey against the Coburg Tigers (aligned with Richmond at the time). He deserved to be selected. At the end of the day, I just saw Jack Watts as a player with talents who didn't have the desire or natural competitiveness to get the best out of himself. The QB narrative is overplayed.

43/57. Rushed it a bit. Had 9 minutes left.

Max mentioned that he'd be attending JT's wedding on Dylan Buckley's Podcast.

Just like Mike Sheahan's Top 50, these lists will always be open to debate. Attended my first Dees game in 1972, so at least I can say I saw all of them play. The biggest headscratcher so far is Tony Elshaug at 99. He represented the Big V whilst at Melbourne, and was a very good footballer. I'd rate him ahead of almost all those ranked 81-98.

Thanks Demonstone for the entertainment. You put David Astle to shame.

Is no.1 Bruce Stumpy Laird?

Is 10. Mick Malone. Wouldn't select him. Mal (sick) one.

Go for it. I had a couple of thoughts on 6, but once again clutching at straws. Tony Dodemaide or Darren Lehmann.

Try Callum Ferguson if Bob Massie is incorrect.

2. Nathan Lyon. Anagram of only is Lyon

6. Ashton Agar. A Sparkling (sh) Hundred (ton). Clutching at straws.

3. Ashley Mallett. Hard hitter.

If Goody or any first time coach took over from Neeld, and had Roos' record of finishing 17th, 13th, 11th and lost their final game by 111 points, they would have been sacked. If the subsequent coach took us to a flag, would you be giving the plaudits to that coach, as you are with Roos?

I just want to refute this narrative that Paul Roos developed young talent, and changed the club culture. I suggest you listen to a podcast by Dylan Buckley with James Harmes, which was recorded in the week leading up to the GF. Harmes said that when he started at the club, which was the same time as Roos, the young players weren't given any guidance as to how and where they would fit into the senior team. They would just play for Casey and hope they could break in. Now all the young players are given clear guidance as to where they'll fit into the team, and what they need to do to achieve that. Case in point is Jason Taylor coming out and saying Van Rooyan will be developed as a forward. I'd also suggest you listen to Dylan Buckley's podcast with Max Gawn. It goes for over an hour, and covers a lot about the club. When asked who changed the culture of the club, Max said one word, "Goody". When talking about Roos, Max laughs and says that the players loved it when Roos arrived. After training 9-5 under Neeld, Max says that Roos was a family man, so would leave training at 1PM. So the players would leave after him. And listening to a recent interview with Goody, the only compliment he gave Roos was to say that he delegated authority. This narrative that Roos changed the culture, and was a big factor in our flag win, has to stop.

Chris Johnson was in the rooms after the game.

Been a long time absentee, but constant lurker. Thanks for showing this. That's me talking to Strawbs O'Dwyer at the end of the game. 1:30:10. I met his sister whilst backpacking, and spent a week travelling together.

Cheers.

ET, I'm curious to know what the most minor offence that someone can be charged for sexual assault?