Chelly

I take it that this is the place for draft discussion today?

All aboard for the Jimmy Toumpas Cup.

Callum Twomey disagrees in Your club's first pick: Who's in the mix? He has Williams going at pick 53 - “Pick 53: At the start of the season Bailey Williams was touted as a possible top-10 choice. But the key forward's season was inconsistent, and although he finished well for the Dandenong Stingrays in their TAC Cup Grand Final win, he's dropped down the order. He plays best as a key forward who can pinch-hit in the ruck, and if he got to Hawthorn's first pick they'd have to have a think about adding to their tall stocks.”

I’m putting this name out there as a possible pick # 23 selection at the draft. He would make a good understudy to our two main key position forwards and would have plenty of time to develop at VFL level. Bailey Williams

Good get ... and, based on my early prediction on this thread (January 30) and my previous record with Charlie Spargo, he’s going to be my player of interest. Here’s the flashback to 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 – Sandrin gham Dragons 6. Sam Walsh – Geelong Falcons 7. Ian Hill – Perth (WA) 8. Jye Caldwell – Bendigo Pioneers 9. Jack Bytel – Calder Canno ns 10. Matt Green – Sporties Spitfires (NT)

The introduction of mid-season rookie draft will assist clubs with players who incur major injuries early in the season. AFL to introduce mid-season rookie draft in 2019 For eg., the MFC might have found a temporary replacement for Jake Lever.

The detail - More help but no priority picks for Blues, Suns

In the footsteps of the late, lamented Chilliboy, its time to kick off the trade period with the good old rumour file. I have one - Dean Kent going to the Saints.

There’s no doubt about where his father’s loyalty lies after last night. Here he is in the crowd celebrating after last night’s win.

Michael Johnson gorn too

Danyle Pearce (Fremantle), the 2006 rising star winner, has announced his retirement.

Western Bulldogs player Shane Biggs (retired)

Three more today and they will start going out thick and fast after the weekend. · Brendon Goddard (delisted) · Alex Silvagni (retired) · Jarrad Waite (retired)

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)

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

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

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.