Chelly

Albury star Charlie Spargo drafted by Melbourne at No.29

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.

You're not suggesting the AFL would defer putting the changes into effect until after this year's draft when there are so many players who otherwise would be eligible for its $20m per annum love ❤️ child, are you?

The AFL has ruled that its love child the GWS will keep areas of NSW such as Albury which have been traditionally AFL regions as part of their "development" areas. Another free leg up when it comes to draft time later this year.

Tried that and got hit by a ? firewall

GW$ have been given more time to prepare their defence in the Whitfield farce saga. Likely outcome is a wet lettuce delivered over the holidays when everybody's looking away.

In that case, you can start spewing now RTG because I've thought long and hard to come up with my first 2017 Phantom Draft. 1. Charlie Spargo (Murray Bushrangers) GWS Academy2. Darcy Fogarty (Glenelg SA) 3. Jarrod Brander (Bendigo Pioneers) GWS Academy4. Jaidyn Stephenson (Eastern Ranges)5. Connor Ballenden (Brisbane Lions) Brisbane Lions Academy6. Sam Hayes (Eastern Ranges)7. Hunter Clark (Dandenong Stingrays)8. James Worpel (Geelong Falcons)9. Jack Higgins (Oakleigh Chargers)10. Jack Powell (Canberra) GWS Academy That makes three early picks available to GWS through the academy system assuming their zone isn't changed to exclude the Riverina District which isn't really being "developed" by the Giants anyway (and note where my picks 1 & 3 are playing). Here is an article about the GWS Academy that might be of interest.

A timely reminder for me to start working on my 2017 Phantom Draft.

Glacial in comparison to the way it came out immediately on the day the CAS judgement was made in January and announced its contingency plan to top up the Essendon list with players and confirm that in the event that their weakened team finished last, it would still have first pick in the draft notwithstanding the CAS findings.

I heard him on SEN this afternoon suggesting the AFL should move our game v Geelong to the G to get a bigger crowd. Nice try Chris.

T20 Mickey Mouse stuff.

No offense to the people who live there but it's a bit of a way down in the world from Toorak to McKinnon, isn't it?

I thought Voges was gone myself and would have gone for one of the younger up and comers but let's see how he goes on tour.

You have to throw in Brent Moloney to Melbourne as well. No wait ... he retired, didn't he? Ok, throw in Zorko.

I think you've both committed a breach by alluding to the unmentionable and should be banned.

Whoever we go for the first thing we need to do with the player is ensure that we have adequate insurance cover.

Good preparation for the NAB Challenge match in Alice Springs.

Even when he's not in the test side Monty gets into the news - http://m.ntnews.com.au/sport/ground-announcer-sacked-after-panesar-comments-in-alice-springs/story-fnk0b28u-1226772077510]Ground announcer sacked after Panesar comments in Alice Springs Surely, the ground announcer gets tool of the week?

Meanwhile, Marley Williams' victim remains hospitalized and the assault barely warrants a footnote to someone else's main story.

I believe that part of the deal finalised today for Hogan and Barry was that Jack Viney must cease and desist from any attempt at tackling, body slams or other violent attacks on the little mongrel until the end of the 2014 season.

Who do you think I was writing about old timer?

After carrying his overweight no hoper of a slob of a father for several years, guess who's succumbed to a back injury and consequently is out of his side for this week's game?

Protest upheld. Driefontein wins.

Changes for Perth? Watson, if fit replaces Cowan or Marsh and if he can bowl his inclusion means the bowlers used in the first two tests all play? Wicketkeeper?