Whispering_Jack

The fact that only one media person promoted the story is telling, particularly given that he’s a Saint at heart and only part time in that role. Not that the rest of the media pack are by any means convincing, but the fact that they weren’t biting said that this story was never going to develop any legs. To Finey - well played. When I saw the vision of him making the announcement on SEN that that as "we sit here tonight ... I can tell you that Marcus Windhager is bound for the Melbourne football club", I couldn’t help but think it was a brilliant impersonation of Caroline Wilson and a performance that was the highlight of this year’s trade and draft period so far. It was reminiscent of former Demonland poster Chilliboy who used to bring us the most amazing trade rumours based on “good authority” that never eventuated.

For the time being we’re classifying Jack Billings as a “free agent” rather than a “delist” until his situation is made clear. Billings spent much of his time at the club playing for Casey. He was one of the players instrumental in their late run to the finals and would be one of the favourites for the Troy Broadbridge Memorial Trophy for the club’s best VFL player.

One thing that they all had in common is that not one of them played an AFL match in 2025. Edit: I stand corrected. Tom Fullarton played in a couple in the first half of the season.

Not so sure that the AJAX Football Club have definitely been included in any plans although there have been consultations with Jewish community sporting groups generally due to their profile in the region (Harry Sheezel's junior team manager :))

Today’s Herald Sun - “St Kilda will attempt to put a revised offer to midfielder Marcus Windhager to help keep the hardnut from joining Melbourne or North Melbourne”. Sounds like the plan’s working.

A Zero Hangar update -

A nicer looking ladder

Progressive voting to Round 4 62. Tyla Hanks 49. Kate Hore 27. Maeve Chaplin 25. Tayla Harris 16. Megan Fitzsimon 15. Shelley Heath Olivia Purcell 14. Elizabeth McNamara Paxy Paxman 7. Eden Zanker 2. Maggie Mahony Saraid Taylor Ryleigh Wotherspoon 1. Alyssa Bannan Molly O’Hehir

The draft order after week one of the 2025 finals series ~ ROUND ONE 1 West Coast Eagles 2 Richmond 3 Richmond 4 Essendon 5 Essendon 6 Gold Coast Suns 7 St Kilda 8 Hawthorn 9 Sydney 10 Western Bulldogs 11 Fremantle 12 GWS Giants 13 West Coast Eagles 14 Gold Coast Suns 15 Brisbane Lions 16 Adelaide 17 Gold Coast Suns 18 Geelong ROUND TWO 19 West Coast Eagles 20 North Melbourne 21 North Melbourne 22 Essendon 23 Melbourne 24 Port Adelaide 25 Essendon 26 Hawthorn 27 Sydney 28 Western Bulldogs 29 Fremantle 30 GWS Giants 31 West Coast Eagles 32 Gold Coast Suns 33 Carlton 34 GWS Giants 35 Collingwood 36 Geelong ROUND THREE 37 Brisbane Lions 38 Fremantle 39 North Melbourne 40 Brisbane Lions 41 Adelaide 42 Port Adelaide 43 St Kilda 44 Carlton 45 Sydney 46 Brisbane Lions 47 Fremantle 48 Adelaide 49 West Coast Eagles 50 Brisbane Lions 51 Melbourne 52 Adelaide 53 Collingwood 54 Geelong ROUND FOUR 55 Hawthorn 56 Gold Coast Suns 57 North Melbourne 58 St Kilda 59 Melbourne 60 Port Adelaide 61 Brisbane Lions 62 Carlton 63 Sydney 64 Western Bulldogs 65 Fremantle 66 Adelaide 67 Hawthorn 68 Gold Coast Suns 69 Collingwood 70 Adelaide 71 Western Bulldogs 72 Geelong

I went to Finey’s place of business and all I got was bagels 🥯 which is what they sell there. Unfortunately, the information I got there was also bagels, nada, zilch … because Finey was giving himself the morning off for Father’s Day. Perhaps, more in the next few days.

I’m heading off to see Finey this morning. Will see if I can get an exclusive.

My votes ~ 6. Kate Hore 5. Tyla Hanks 4. Megan Fitzsimon 3. Elizabeth McNamara 2. Maeve Chaplin 1. Shelley Heath

What’s this. A final at Engie Stadium? So what’s wrong with GMHBA Stadium for a final?

I don’t know if this has been mentioned previously but this from the Herald Sun, is particularly damning about our midfield and is something that the new coach will have to address immediately. What makes it worse is this comment re one of our young guns who is being groomed for a future place in the middle: “Caleb Windsor got some midfield time but the top 10 draft pick was also officially categorised as a poor kick by Champion Data”. When recruited, Windsor was regarded as a good disposer of the football.

Zero Hanger’s latest power rankings (in reverse order) AFL Draft: Top 40 Prospect Power Rankings – September edition by Jonty Ralphsmith 40: Talor Byrne GWV Rebels, small forward 39: Jack Dalton Sandringham Dragons, utility 38: Liam Hetherton Murray Bushrangers, key forward 37: Max Kondogiannis Oakleigh Chargers, defender 36: Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier North Adelaide, midfielder 35: Koby Coulson Gold Coast Academy, utility 34: Oskar Taylor, halfback Eastern Ranges, halfback 33: Cam Nairn Central Districts, forward 32: Hugo Mikunda Geelong Falcons, forward/midfielder 31: Sam Swadling West Perth, midfielder 30: Kye Fincher Sandringham Dragons halfback/midfielder 29: Hussien El Achkar Calder Cannons, small forward 28: Sullivan Robey Eastern Ranges, forward/midfielder 27: Zac McCarthy Oakleigh Chargers, key forward/ruck 26: Beau Addinsall Gold Coast Academy, midfielder 25: Max King Sydney Academy, forward/midfielder 24: Lachy Carmichael Sydney Academy, defender 23: Louis Emmett Oakleigh Chargers, forward/ruck 22: Matt Leray Central Districts, utility 21: Adam Sweid Calder Cannons, midfielder/forward 20: Jacob FarrowWest Perth, utility 19: Jevan Phillipou Woodville West-Torrens, midfielder 18: Harley Barker Sturt, winger 17: Archie Ludowyke Sandringham Dragons, key forward 16: Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves Dandenong Stingrays, utility 15: Lachy Dovaston Eastern Ranges, small forward 14: Xavier Taylor Eastern Ranges, halfback 13: Sam Grlj Oakleigh Chargers, midfielder 12: Aidan Schubert Central Districts, key forward 11: Mitch Marsh West Adelaide, forward 10: Josh Lindsay Geelong Falcons, halfback Has had a slightly quieter month as he's been given the opportunity to develop out other areas of his game, but his strengths are abundantly clear for all to see. Kicks it as well as anyone in the draft class and isn't afraid to take it on, with his professionalism and leadership some other intangible ticks. 9: Dyson Sharp Central Districts, midfielder Has been in strong form for Central Districts, showing an increasingly rounded skillset in the middle. Has great strength and clean hands, is hard to take down and has excellent grit when the ball is in the opposition's hands. Crucially, his reliability on the outside and in transition is ever-increasing after a talismanic U18s National Championships. 8: Sam Cumming North Adelaide, midfielder/forward The strong and powerful forward/midfielder hasn't played since Round 16 due to injury, but is gaining traction as a potential selection right at the pointy end given his proven ability to play in the midfield and forward line. Originally from Wentworth on the Murray River, Cumming is a clean clearance-winner, and strong overhead and at ground level inside 50, which he showed off early in the year for North Adelaide and through the National Championships. 7: Ollie Greeves Eastern Ranges, midfielder This masthead has consistently placed Greeves higher than consensus because of his well-rounded skillset. Most players with comparable size and position profiles are stoppage beasts, and while Greeves has the ability to greatly influence at the clinches, his overlap run and kicking are just as dangerous when he's in the midfield, making him hard to stop. Eastern Ranges have also showcased him forward more in recent weeks, and goal-kicking accuracy aside, he's been excellent, proving a tough matchup with his power, size and marking. 6: Harry Dean Murray Bushrangers, defender The Carlton father-son prospect's season is officially over – and what a year it was. Averaging 17 disposals and seven marks per game, he has established himself as the clear best tall defender in the draft class, with his mix of intercepting, athleticism, size and ball use making for the perfect player. 5: Dan Annable Brisbane Lions Academy, midfielder Every time Annable plays at a higher level, his game seems to find another gear – and that's been clearly on show for Brisbane in the VFL in recent times. Has averaged 24 disposals and five tackles through August and clearly been his side's most consistent midfielder. The biggest barrier to early AFL game time for Annable appears to be the strength of the Brisbane AFL outfit, because the natural ball-winning star is bona fide. 4: Dylan Patterson Gold Coast Academy, utility A match-winner, an entertainer and a big-game player, Patterson finished the VFL season in style and has hurt factor that's impossible to teach. Numbers don't do justice how dangerous he is with ball in hand as his dash and fearlessness always break the game open. 3: Cooper Duff-Tytler Calder Cannons, forward/ruck His stint for Essendon VFL, where he kicked three goals playing forward, laid the foundation for an excellent finish to the season, where he has proven his excellent forward presence. Kicked 2.5 in a losing cause for Calder on Saturday, taking 11 marks - a mix of on the lead, up the ground and contested. His ability to impact as a fourth midfielder when he plays through the ruck is well-known - but given rucks tend to slip, and his size, the shift forward where he's shown natural craft and waxed well with the Cannons attack has been critical. 2: Zeke Uwland Gold Coast Academy, utility It was good to see Uwland get a run in some late-season Gold Coast VFL games, but clearly his high seeding is based on his stacked CV prior to this year. A powerful left footer with x-factor, skill and leadership, he'll be an excellent acquisition for the Suns. 1: Willem Duursma Gippsland Power, utility The Gippslander just continues churning out best on ground performances and is hurting opponents in different ways. Some weeks, he's intercepting off halfback and setting the game up by foot, other times it's his contested ball-winning, goal-kicking, pressure, work rate...the list goes on and on. He's a match-winner, a hard worker, flashy, entertaining, and athletic. He'll take to the next level with ease.

Well, we’re now well and truly into the finals. This is the fixture for this weekend: BOYS QUARTER FINALS FIXTURE Dandenong Stingrays vs. GWV Rebels Saturday September 6, 12:00pm @ Mars Stadium Eastern Ranges vs. Calder Cannons Sunday September 7, 10:00am @ Toorak Park Gippsland Power vs. Geelong Falcons Sunday September 7, 12:30pm @ Toorak Park Sandringham Dragons vs. Oakleigh Chargers Sunday September 7, 3:00pm @ Toorak Park The results of these games ~ Saturday, September 6 and Sunday, September 7 First Quarter Final: Eastern Ranges 16.11 (107) def Calder Cannons 8.11 (59) Second Quarter Final: Sandringham Dragons 10.9 (69) def Oakleigh Chargers 7.9 (51) Third Quarter Final: Gippsland Power 8.11 (59) def Geelong Falcons 7.9 (51) Fourth Quarter Final: Dandenong Stingrays 11.13 (79) def by GWV Rebels 12.10 (82)

Nominated as a player of interest for the Stingrays in Rookie Me Central’s Coates Talent League Wildcard Round roundup

Progressive 46. Tyla Hanks 32. Kate Hore 22. Tayla Harris 21. Maeve Chaplin 15. Olivia Purcell 13. Shelley Heath 11. Paxy Paxman 9. Elizabeth McNamara 7. Eden Zanker 5. Megan Fitzsimon 2. Maggie Mahony Saraid Taylor Ryleigh Wotherspoon 1. Alyssa Bannan Molly O’Hehir

The Casey Demons have a weekly award for their trademark player. No surprise is this week’s award to Noah Yze.

The ladder for scores in games after half time (not including the Suns vs Bombers game)

While the football world scratches its head at the conundrum presented to the clubs in the heavily compromised upcoming National Draft, some are looking further into the future at the 2026 AFL National Draft prospects, the best of who will be on the main stage on Grand Final Day. Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central2025 National Under 17 Futures squad announcedThe AFL has announced a 48-player squad set to take part in the National Under 17 Futures program later this year.

They used to be called the Springvale Scorpions but they played a famous grand final against Williamstown 35 years ago.

Matt Jefferson ruled out of the finals with his foot injury. Tomorrow’s team - CASEY DEMONS vs WILLIAMSTOWNFirst Elimination Final Saturday 30 August, 2:10pm, Casey Demons CASEY DEMONS B: B. Howes (22), J. Adams (26), D. Smith (54) HB: R. Bonner (52), T. Fullarton (33), O. Sestan (38) C: J. Culley (46), J. Billings (14), K. Brown (41) HF: C. Spargo (9), A. Johnson (42), R. Mentha Jnr (39) F: M. Hardie (55), L. Kentfield (44), P. Cross (64) R: T. Campbell (29), T. Woewodin (40), B. Laurie (16) INT: A. Lual (74), K. Tholstrup (12), R. Baldi (56), W. Verrall (28), N. Yze (49) 23rd Player: N. Yze (49) EMG: M. Kirkwood-Scott (51), T. Sruk (53), T. Freeman (67), T. Edwards (58), J. Craven (75) IN: J. Culley, B. Howes, O. Sestan, N. Yze OUT: M. Jefferson (foot), T. Sinnema (Dandenong Stingrays), T. Edwards, T. Freeman (omitted) WILLIAMSTOWN B: L. Parks (22), N. Pendergast (32), H. Minton-Connell (16) HB: F. O'Dwyer (17), J. Fitzgerald (8), M. Philpot (19) C: N. Gadsby (13), J. Greiser (18), J. Petric (24) HF: C. Polson (5), J. Brown (2), J. McHale (1) F: H. Ollington (38), L. Gollant (15), B. McLaughlin (6) R: T. Downie (11), H. Hall-Kahan (20), T. Triffett (7) INT: M. Cox (4), R. Collier-Dawkins (9), N. Colenso (35), D. Hollow (12), J. Toner (14) EMG: B. Kennedy (42), L. Impey (45), J. Noonan (31), H. Murphy (30), O. Sasalu (37) IN: M. Philpot OUT: Z. Pritchard (injured) Head-to-head: Williamstown 37-26-1; At Casey Fields: Williamstown 7-5-1; Streak: Williamstown 2; Last time: Casey Demons 10.8 (68) def by Williamstown 15.10 (100) – Round 6, 2024, Casey Fields