Whispering_Jack

Happy New Year to Demonlanders … I bring you an omen in the form of this vision of the sky over Mount Fuji in Japan literally split in two for the first sunrise of 2026. That dark path is Fuji casting a massive shadow against the glowing atmosphere, producing its own red and blue energy for the 2026.

Some of the members of the 1926 premiership team. What were they thinking 100 years ago today

Twenty-one years ago today a massive earthquake off Indonesia triggered the Asian Tsunami, a pivotal moment that united the world in grief and solidarity. The tsunami devastated communities along the coasts of the Indian Ocean, claiming an estimated 227,898 lives in 14 countries, especially in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand, where many Australian tourists were holidaying. Today we remember all of the victims of this horrific tragedy which took 26 Australian lives including Melbourne footballer Troy Broadbridge, who was on his honeymoon with his wife Trish who survived him. 💦 Broadbridge was drafted by the Melbourne Football Club at the commencement of the 2001 AFL season. He received the club's Most Improved Player award in 2001, and became a regular in the side, playing a total of 40 games over his three seasons. His first and last AFL games were both against Essendon - he made his debut in Round 8, 2001, in the teams' first meeting since the 2000 Grand Final, while his last league game was also against Essendon, in the 2004 elimination final.

There’s a thread above with our CODE OF CONDUCT

Cameron Pedersen was a late developer and not the most highly skilled in the game but he gave his all every time he took the field. After a couple of seasons at North Melbourne for 16 games (20 goals), the 193cm utility who could play a bit in the ruck switched to Melbourne and played another 64 games for 50 goals. He retired at the end of 2018 and my lasting memory of him is the vision of him battling manfully as a relief ruckman matching it with guys who towered over him. More recently he’s been starring with Phillip Island in the West Gippsland Football League and in one game this season, Pedersen gathered a whopping 51 disposals, 37 hit outs and 17 clearances. Tonight the 38-year-old is running around for the Darwin Buffaloes against Waratah in the Northern Territory Football League. If there’s someone out there who follow NT football and can let us know how he went, it would be greatly appreciated.

Jarrod Gatt was on the Casey list this year but I think he only played one game in the first half of the season.

They all say that.

Congratulations Meggs, on winning the 2025 nearest to the pin. I'll also take credit for the 2024 version when I picked Langford and Lindsay in the men's version And thanks once again for your fantastic commentaries - they've really helped make the season interesting and fulfilling.

… and from the people at Fox. I have to agree that this is as compromised as the men’s version. Pick #16 is what we get for a seasoned player like Eden Zanker. Go figure!

Scoops AFLW 2025 Phantom Draft: 1. Richmond- Chloe Bown GWS bid on Georja Davies. GC matched. 2. Gold Coast- Georja Davies GWS bid on Ava Usher. Suns match. 3. Gold Coast- Ava Usher 4. GWS- Scarlett Johnson 5. GWS- Olivia Wolmarans Crows bid on Sunny Lappin. Suns match. 6. Gold Coast- Sunny Lappin 7. Adelaide- Imogen Trengove 8. Collingwood- Evie Cowcher 9. Essendon- Tayla McMillan Geelong bid on Alannah Welsh. Suns match. 10. Gold Coast- Allanah Welsh 11. Geelong- Chloe Baker West Western Bulldogs bid on Dakota Beron. Suns match. 12. Gold Coast- Dakota Beron 13. Western Bulldogs- Eloise Mackaereth 14. Melbourne- Mia Russo 15. Port Adelaide- Lucy Waye Brisbane bid on Mikayla Nurse. Suns match. 16. Gold Coast- Mikayla Nurse 17. Brisbane- Alicia Blizzard 18. West Coast- Carys D'Addario 19. Adelaide- Priya Bowering Melbourne bid on Kiera Yerbury. Swans match. 20. Sydney- Kiera Yerbury 21. Melbourne- Josie Bamford Collingwood bid on Alex Neyland. Swans match. 22. Sydney- Alex Neyland 23. Collingwood- Sophie Eaton 24. Carlton- Olivia Crane 25. Adelaide- Mizuki Brothwell 26. St Kilda- Maddie Quinn (Swans can't match) 27. Geelong- Alex McBride-Loane Collingwood bid on Rhianna Ingram. Suns match. 28. Gold Coast- Rhianna Ingram 29. Collingwood- Jordyn Allen 30. Collingwood- Jade McLay 31. Port Adelaide- Sophie Thredgold 32. St Kilda- Jovie Skewes Clinton Others in the mix: Renee Morgan, Zara Neuwirth, Mischa Barwin, Ella Gilbey, Mia Anderson, Juliet Kelly, Lucy Greenwood, Isla Weincke, Maya Louvul Finn, Maggie Johnstone, Ella Stoddart, Nalu Brothwell, Nikhita Spiteri, Annabelle Foat, Sienna Burnham, Aleah Stringer, Monique Corrigan, Monique Beeson, Asher Fearn Wannan, Chloe Thorn, Noa McNaughton, Stasia Stevenson, Tahlia Sanger, Nyakoat Dojiok, Paige Price, Mikayla Antony.

Not a phantom draft ~

Thanks Meggs - great working with you and fantastic reading your reports. I thought I would drop this here ~ Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central2025 AFLW Draft Preview: MelbourneMelbourne has two selections inside the top 15 picks and can regenerate more of its list with a rebuild on the run while still competing.

Oliver Green, aged 19. was on the Casey list this year. He originally was with the Sandringham Dragons and played mainly on a wing in amateur football in 2025. Louis Hodder, aged 18, is a small forward from the Dandenong Stingrays (176cm).

The club song that refers to the Spirit of Twenty-six THE GRAND OLD FLAG It's a grand old fag, it's a high-flying flag, It's the emblem for you and for me. It's the emblem of the team we love, The team of the Red and the Blue. Every heart beats true, for the Red and the Blue, And we sing this song to you, Should old acquaintance be forgot, Keep your eye on the Red and the Blue. Oh, the team played fine in the year Thirty-nine, We're the Demons that no one can lick, And you'll find us there at the final bell With the spirit of 'Twenty-six. Every heart beats true, for the Red and the Blue, And we'll sing this song to you, Should old acquaintance be forgot, Keep your eye on the Red and the Blue.

The best three midfielders for each club. Where does our midfield stand among the AFL clubs?