Timothy Reddan-A'Blew

I think perhaps the 'opt-out' Dedicated Demons automatic sign-up, taking effect in the last week or so and seemingly very efficient this year, might have had a snowballing (unfortunate stereotypicalling reference) effect for the early figures - the providers of the previous year's member-growth being re-signed automatically without fully realising it. I hope I'm wrong, and the early 3000-above-trend in fact continues to 45000+ by mid 2017!

Why on earth is there an article on the club's website - our first pick being way down at now 28 - about a prospective number one draft pick?? (and it's tagged "Exclusive to melbournefc.com.au) Some guesses, one of: by AFL direction (sadistic!); club choice (masochistic!); club intention (subliminal support for our targeting a half back)

He is obviously a serious player in his native sport: Kerry starlet Mark O'Connor to try out for AFL clubs Interesting he sacrificed a final to come here. And no wonder he impressed with his clean overhead marking at the combine, given how he "lit up Croke Park with his high-fielding".

I suspect Oscar is on people's radars at the moment because he did enough in the qualifying and preliminary finals, from seemingly nowhere, to excite a 'who-is-this-guy/where-did-he-come-from' reaction, particularly in the qualifying where everyone looked good. Are any 'landers aware of a bigger picture that warrants interest?

By the way, Ongarello is reputed to be the last VFL player to have used the place kick. The yellow ribbon has certainly been tied around the old oak tree for Jesse H; now, could channelling Ongarello help with his goal-kicking shakiness?

Any relation to Lionel? Handy if any in management or the leadership group have difficulty with making speeches (It's late)

He didn't, 55. My only point was that now two articles on the club's website discuss our current top pick in terms wider than its use for Hibberd, leading me only to ask what this might mean, and then leading me to speculate that this year's trade period may unfold something like last year, i.e. with a better cluster of 'early' picks than we now have (albeit further down the ladder this year!) The opening sentence in the Taylor article says "...Jason Taylor says the club is keeping an open mind with its opening selection in this year’s NAB AFL Draft, ahead of the trade and draft period." You're correct to call me on "will" in my post; I should have said "may", though in my defence I hope "implies" diluted the (unintentional) certainty. S'orright?

And now a key insider, Jason Taylor, on the club's website going down the same path as Sheehan, implying our first pick will be live in the draft. Presuming Hibberd is intended and a 20s pick is adequate for him, seems to reinforce that we expect to come out of the trade period with a pick or two more in the 20s (at least).

'Finey' on SEN the other night noted that Johannisen's win of the medal named after our greatest coach had added another aspect to our curse also named after him: we are - ironically - now the only team of the 'original' 12 not to have a Norm Smith Medallist since its1977 inception. So, another 'record' to put on the (thankfully otherwise shortened in 2016) list? And, by the way, when we do break it, I'm expecting it not to be of the Rioli/GazSnr/Buckley/Judd type!

Yep, I can't help thinking our LM guys will again proceed as they did, so well, last year and somehow magic a larger number of picks around (both sides of) our starting top pick.

Curious, the in-club (Matt Burgan) interview with 'Shifter' Sheehan, on the club's site, about the good/several draft prospects that might be available to us at 26 (sic. Now 27). No mention of Hibberd/trading. Stuff-up? Tactic? Insight?

Interesting interview about her between Red Symons and Caroline Wilson on '3LO' this morning, with incidental insight into both Wilson (unrelated) women and Rebecca's brother, Ch7's Jim. About 10 past 7.

Speaking of blunders; today's Age: "Hardy Hanneberry Scoops Simpson Medal"...

No; for referring in any way to the 'looks' of the women players, deano. And, like I said, I'm now in a more confident position.

Anything happening on this? Though I do notice that posting over there brings the thread into the main threads list on the front page here anyway, so I wonder what purpose a separate forum serves? As to Ms Cordner's family resemblance, I wanted to post a 'peas from the same pod' reference over there, based on memory of photos seen, but I caught myself up in a miasma of pc doubt. Thanks for your post, Bobby; I'll feel a little more free now!

I see Phillips is up on the club's website now, with this reference: "The 24-year-old mechanical engineer joined Melbourne University’s VFL women’s side in 2016 and played seven games this season, including the recent VFL Women’s Grand Final." So some Aussie Rules registration is OK for rookie qualification, it seems? The Foxsports article I tagged above (dated "8 months ago") noted "Neither Michelle nor Cat have any kind of football foundation" but also reported that they participated in "first leg of the AFL’s nationwide talent search, blitzing the field to earn two spots in the women’s academy" (which dates-wise aligns with the small/recent number of VFL games). So perhaps the cut-off was the talent search or thereabouts? I think I'll ask the club.

Thanks, Red. If the pay ratio of rookies-to-listeds is the same as in the mens comp they'll be doing it for the love of it, eh? I know a mature-age ex-WNBL woman nominating, and I understand now where she's likely to fit. An avid Dees family, so I've got fingers crossed!

...and on another rookie(!) - as reported by Hun - Cat Phillips: http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/womens-afl-ultimate-frisbee-sisters-cat-and-michelle-phillips-pursue-dual-sporting-career/news-story/c0eb87cfdbd701d3c7f06f44d11a2e92 Not sure what the transferable skills are, but I'm guessing there's a fair bit of athleticism!

Just to keep the forum ticking... http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2016-10-05/cordner-continues-tradition Has anyone yet come to grips with how the playing list will be put together? How are we getting rookies before there is even a main list? (I'm thinking they're the women being attracted from other sports?)

A teeny tiny vicarious silver lining regarding 'records'?... Adelaide's '98 win from 5th now means nothing, as does their '97 win as the only team to win 4 finals to achieve it, which was MUCH less creditable than the 'dogs, coming in that brief, not-lamented finals system where they got 2 home finals from 4th position.

Is the rookie list continuing next year? I think it's AFLPA that wants it scrapped and playing lists extended (mainly to up the pay of those who would previously have been rookies). Would the change matter anyway, if the club wanted him? I've seen him play quite a few times and add my enthusiasm, for his Robertson-skills and Lovett-hardattheballness. However (and maybe someone out there knows him?) would there be a query on his capacity for the constant training and other rigours at AFL level? He seems to be in the 'country footballer' mould (apologies to country footballers present and past!)

Hibberd and Melksham in and the Bummers as our Round 1 opponent in preliminary AFL thoughts on the fixture, I believe! Well played, Gil!

Thanks DS. Glad I added that last bracket! Reasonable conclusion in your second line. Pity they didn't think the 'less important' 2nds could be 'sacrificed' to the Saturday! Anyway, I now contract my post to the '7-day break' point!

I thought that, too. But the GF is on Sunday, so there will still be a 'regulation' 7-day break for (hopefully!) the Scorps. Presumably the scheduling tries to equalise the coming week's breaks for the 2 teams coming from this weekend's semis (is that how it worked out, not 6 days for one and 8 for the other?)