Chelly

Sounds like a complete overhaul starting at the top might be needed.

Reminds me. Time for my first phantom draft and it’s no surprise that a few South Australians figure very highly. From the POV of the Dees, we are unlikely participants in the top 10 of the draft which is fine by me since we have Jake Lever instead. However, that said, this year’s batch of players coming into the system is looking very strong. My top 10:- 1. Izak Rankine – West Adelaide (SA) 2. Jack Lukosius - Woodville West-Torrens (SA) 3. Max King – Sandringham Dragons 4. Connor Rozee – North Adelaide (SA) 5. Ben King – Sandringham Dragons 6. Sam Walsh – Geelong Falcons 7. Ian Hill – Perth (WA) 8. Jye Caldwell – Bendigo Pioneers 9. Jack Bytel – Calder Cannons 10. Matt Green – Sporties Spitfires (NT)

Dave Misson’s December pre-season update “Nathan Jones: Nathan is back in the main group, after he just had a minor calf. It wasn’t quite a strain, but we’re pretty precautionary in pre-season, but he joined in [with the main group] on Friday. Dean Kent: Kenty had that shoulder [injury] after the Darwin game [against the Adelaide Crows in round 17, this year]. He’s pretty close to starting some contact. He’s done a lot of running and is pretty fit. Tom McDonald: He had surgery on each ankle and is going very well. He’s done a lot of running and is starting to get into some pretty intense agility work, and football work. He’ll probably jump into the main group after Christmas, but he’s going well. Harrison Petty: Ten days ago, Harrison fractured his elbow, tripping over a wire fence, so both of those guys have got a little bit of time in rehab. Bayley and Oskar are going pretty well and they’ve come in and they’re pretty sharp. Joel Smith: Joel’s towards the end of his rehab, with that fracture he had with his knee. He’s looking like the Joel Smith of old – really athletic and dynamic, so [we’re] pretty pleased with how he’s going. Tim Smith: Tim had that navicular stress fracture. He’s done a couple of weeks of running outside and is going really well. He’s started to do run throughs and a little bit of agility. Charlie Spargo: Charlie had a shoulder reconstruction during the year and he’s not far away from getting into some contact. Aaron vandenBerg: Vanders has been a little bit slow, just with that foot [injury], but he’s probably had his best week in rehab this week. We’re really hopeful that he can start to progress a little bit quicker. Jack Viney: Jack’s going pretty well, as expected with the [foot] injury that he had. He’s starting to do more, and more on his legs, and being Jack, he’s working really, really hard off legs and in the gym. Sam Weideman: Weids had ankle surgery in the off-season, so he’s progressing really well. He’s doing some good running on the AlterG [Anti-Gravity] Treadmill and he’ll start running outside next week.” As long as we don’t get them between March and September.

Yes, it's true that my overall tipping wasn't great but that's a reflection of how things can change in 12 months at this age level in light of injuries, loss of form and other players coming over the top. My point is that Spargo is one of those players who slipped off the radar to a great extent during 2017 but my mail on him has always been that he's potentially a much better player than a mid second round selection in the draft might suggest. Now, I'm off to do my 2018 version.

Albury star Charlie Spargo drafted by Melbourne at No.29

I was a fan of Constable but on reflection, the knocks on him (disposal, lack of run) probably rule him out if the emphasis is on fast, clean and efficient movement of the footy. Hes still a good player but ...

In all modesty, I nailed the first choice for Jason Taylor and Demonland almost 12 months ago.

The thread for injuries in season 2018 starting with a pre season update: Dave Misson’s November pre-season update from melbournefc.com.au Lochie Filipovic: Lochie is pretty close to running flat out, coming back into the group [after a hip flexor injury suffered in the 2017 season]. Dean Kent: Kenty, with his shoulder, has been able to do a fair bit of running work, but still needs to improve that strength and range in his shoulder. Tom McDonald: He did some agility work on Tuesday, so he’s probably likely to join in the football program before Christmas, which would be good. Touch wood, he’s looking really good [after having surgery on both ankles on separate occasions]. Pat McKenna: Patty’s going well. He’s up to 90 per cent. He’s still working in and around some things on his hamstring. Joel Smith: Joel is doing some really good work, on and off the track. He’s improved his strength work, in and around that knee. Tim Smith: He had his first run out on the grass on Monday, so he’s done a fair bit of work with that foot and a fair bit of work on the AlterG treadmill. He’ll run again Friday. He’s pulled up well, so we’re pretty excited that the rehab is going according to plan. Hopefully he’ll be out towards the end of January, early February training with the group. Aaron vandenBerg: Vanders has been a little bit slow since that [heel] surgery. We’re just trying to improve his range in that ankle and get his calf strength up. He’s started running on the AlterG treadmill on Monday. Jack Viney: Jack’s away at the moment. He came in last week and did a little bit of work. He’s still got to work on getting his range in that ankle back. We’re not going to rush him back into football work. We’ve got plenty of time and we just want to make sure we get it right and get some miles into his legs before he starts football.

So, Lever's a fourth year player (he played at Adelaide for three years) so he should be back on Monday.

Jack's last two seasons.

I think it's a promotion for one and a demotion for the other but not sure which.

Judge for yourself which player would suit our needs. Cal Twomey's Phantom form guide: September edition

The usual suspects plus a couple of tests but I won't be holding my breath about Viney. Melbourne injury list: round 23 Lochie Filipovic (hip flexor) – season Colin Garland (knee) – season Dean Kent (shoulder) – season Pat McKenna (hamstring) – season Joel Smith (knee) – season Tim Smith (navicular bone) – season Jake Spencer (abdomen) – test Jack Viney (foot) – test Aaron vandenBerg (heel) – season Mitch White (hamstring) – 2 weeks

Dean Kent's shoulder to be operated on and he will be out for the remainder of the season. Melbourne injury list: round 22 Tom Bugg (suspension) – available Lochie Filipovic (hip flexor) – season Colin Garland (knee) – season Jesse Hogan (shoulder) – 2-3 weeks Dean Kent (shoulder) – season Pat McKenna (hamstring) – season Jake Spencer (abdomen) – test Joel Smith (knee) – season Tim Smith (navicular bone) – season Aaron vandenBerg (heel) – season Mitch White (hamstring) – 2-3 weeks

Season over for so many already. Melbourne injury list: round 21 Lochie Filipovic (hip flexor) – season Colin Garland (knee) – season Jesse Hogan (shoulder) – 3-4 weeks Dean Kent (shoulder) – 4-6 weeks Pat McKenna (hamstring) – season Joel Smith (knee) – season Tim Smith (navicular bone) – season Jake Spencer (abdomen) – test Aaron vandenBerg (heel) – season Mitch White (hamstring) – 3-4 weeks

The big news is the return of the club's spiritual leader Melbourne injury list: round 20 Lochie Filipovic (hip flexor) – season Colin Garland (knee) – season Jesse Hogan (collarbone) – TBC Nathan Jones (quadriceps) – available Dean Kent (shoulder) – 4 weeks Pat McKenna (hamstring) – hamstring Joel Smith (hip) – test Tim Smith (navicular bone) – season Aaron vandenBerg (heel) – season Mitch White (hamstring) – 4 weekS

The revolving door continues. Dean Kent out injured indefinitely and Bernie Vince suspended for two matches. A few "tests" but no doubt the conservative approach will continue and only Dom Tyson and Jack Watts will get a guernsey. My guess is Salem & Viney wait one more week at least. Melbourne injury list: round 18 Angus Brayshaw (concussion) – available Lochie Filipovic (hip flexor) – 1-2 weeks Colin Garland (knee) – season Nathan Jones (quadriceps) – 1-2 weeks Dean Kent (shoulder) – indefinite Pat McKenna (hamstring) – season Christian Salem (hamstring) – test Tim Smith (navicular bone) – season Dom Tyson (knee) – test Aaron vandenBerg (heel) – season Jack Viney (plantar fascia) – test Jack Watts (hamstring) – test

Dom Tyson and Jack Watts face fitness tests for selection this week with the former more likely to return. I could have sworn that Jack came off at 3/4 time against the Bulldogs as a precaution with a bit of hamstring tightness. Nathan Jones is still 3-4 weeks away with his groin and Jack Viney has 2 - 3 weeks to go to recover from that plantar fascia injury. Melbourne injury list: round 17 Angus Brayshaw (concussion) – 2-3 weeks Lochie Filipovic (hip flexor) – 3-4 weeks Colin Garland (knee) – season Nathan Jones (quadriceps) – 3-4 weeks Pat McKenna (hamstring) – 4-6 weeks Christian Salem (hamstring) – 2-3 weeks Tim Smith (navicular bone) – season Dom Tyson (knee) – test Aaron vandenBerg (heel) – season Jack Viney (plantar fascia) – 2-3 weeks Jack Watts (hamstring) – test

A sad, sad story. Melbourne injury list: round 16 Angus Brayshaw (concussion) – indefinite Lochie Filipovic (hip flexor) – 3 weeks Colin Garland (knee) – season Jeff Garlett (hamstring) – test Jesse Hogan (testicular cancer) – test Nathan Jones (quadriceps) – 3-4 weeks Pat McKenna (hamstring) – 4-5 weeks Christian Salem (hamstring) – 2-3 weeks Tim Smith (navicular bone) – season Dom Tyson (knee) – test Aaron vandenBerg (heel) – season Jack Viney (plantar fascia) – 4-6 weeks Jack Watts (hamstring) – 1-2 weeks' Melbourne suspension list: round 16 Tomas Bugg (suspended) - 6 weeks

It's unusual to have the injury list out so early and it's an interesting one. Jesse Hogan's situation has gone up and down like a yo-yo. He's gone from "indefinite" to "4-6 weeks" to "indefinite" and now is a "test" for Friday night. Joel Smith is back at Casey this week but Christian Salem's out for a month. A few tests have to be passed this week. Melbourne injury list: round 15 Angus Brayshaw (concussion) – indefinite Lochie Filipovic (hip) – 4 weeks Colin Garland (knee) – season Jeff Garlett (hamstring) – test Jesse Hogan (testicular cancer) – test Nathan Jones (quadriceps) – 4-5 weeks Pat McKenna (hamstring) – 4-5 weeks Christian Salem (hamstring) – 3-4 weeks Joel Smith (shoulder) – available Tim Smith (navicular bone) – season Aaron vandenBerg (heel) – season Jack Viney (shoulder) – available Jack Watts (hamstring) – test

The list is getting longer and some players seem to be going backwards. Jesse Hogan has gone from 426 to indefinite (not sure what that means) and Lochie Filipovic is out to 3 weeks. And Big Max ... he's back!!! Melbourne injury list: round 14 Angus Brayshaw (concussion) – indefinite Lochie Filipovic (hip flexor) – 3 weeks Col Garland (knee) – season Max Gawn (hamstring) – available Jesse Hogan (testicular cancer) – indefinite Jayden Hunt (shoulder) – available Neville Jetta (ankle) – available Nathan Jones (quadriceps) – 4-6 weeks Pat McKenna (hamstring) – 6-8 weeks Joel Smith (shoulder) – 2 weeks Tim Smith (navicular bone) – season Aaron vandenBerg (heel) – season Jack Watts (hamstring tightness) – test

Jordan Lewis = 6.

Maxy's a test, Tim Smith's gawn for 2017 and Jesse Hogan is taking it 426 weeks at a time. Melbourne injury list: round 13 Angus Brayshaw (concussion) – indefinite Lochie Filipovic (hip) – 2 weeks Colin Garland (knee) – season Max Gawn (hamstring) – test Jesse Hogan (testicular cancer) – 4-6 weeks Pat McKenna (hamstring) – 6-8 weeks Joel Smith (shoulder) – 2 weeks Tim Smith (navicular bone) – season Aaron vandenBerg (heel) – season

The team as shown on Channel 7 before the game. Spencer was named in the centre but I've switched him into the ruck. B Munro Hutchins Collis HB Wagner Keilty White C Kennedy-Harris Maynard Stretch HF Morris T Smith Scott F Johnstone Weideman Kent FOLL Spencer Kennedy Trengove I/C Fritsch Gent Hulett Lewis-Smith Moncrieff

Collingwood injury news