Whispering_Jack

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

I thought I would start a thread about odd spots involving the Melbourne Football Club, so here goes … This one is about one of the state’s top criminal barristers Dermott Dann KC who is in the news today as he is representing former St Kilda great Nicky Winmar in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on a family violence matter [No comment on the case here but you can read about it in the media]. Back in the 1980’s, Dermott Dann was a handy young footballer for Melbourne Under 19s and Reserves with dreams of playing at the top level. He didn’t quite make it although he would have learned a bit about strong oratory that would have held him in good stead for his future career at the bar, from his coach at the Demons, Ray “Slug” Jordan. Dann might not have made the grade at VFL/AFL level but he went back to the Amateurs where he became a legend with Old Xaverians. Thanks to DemonWiki and Demonlander @Supermercado for the following pen picture.

Added a new category for the situation where a player announces he will be leaving his club as a free agent and it appears that his club will accept that the player will be going.

The finals are coming and so is the Coates Talent League discussion.

Terrible news for Olivia Purcell - a second ACL which will keep her out of the game for the season. Wishing Olivia well for her recovery. PURCELL BLOW FOR DEMONS Melbourne has been hit with a devastating injury blow with Olivia Purcell ruled out for the season with an ACL injury. She twisted her left knee late in the second term during the Demons’ 74-point win over St Kilda on Saturday, with the club’s worst fears confirmed 48 hours later. It is the second ACL injury for the 24-year-old, who missed a season for Geelong prior to joining the Demons. Melbourne felt Purcell’s absence in the first six rounds of 2024 after she suffered a serious facial injury. The Demons will be able to sign a replacement player. Herald Sun 26/8/25

Progressive 35. Tyla Hanks 19. Kate Hore 15. Olivia Purcell 13. Shelley Heath 12. Tayla Harris 7. Maeve Chaplin 5. Megan Fitzsimon Elizabeth McNamara Eden Zanker 4. Paxy Paxman 2. Maggie Mahony Saraid Taylor 1. Alyssa Bannan Molly O’Hehir

This one’s better …

It’s been reported that the outcome of the club’s search for a new coach will be announced close to grand final week. If that’s the case, it puzzles me on two levels:- 1. Why did the board not leave the final decision to sack our premiership coach until now when it could have been handled so much better and allowed Goody an exit with better optics and far more dignity than a dumping three weeks before the end of the season? The extra fortnight or so would surely have made no difference in the final analysis? 2. Our list management policy seems to have been placed in disarray at the most important time of the year. How do you deal with the question of which players to move on, who to retain and who to chase for the future if you don’t know who the coach is and what attitude he has to these important issues?

The AFL table comes from our friends at the Herald Sun who are doing their bit to promote a merger between Hawthorn and the Brisbane Lions. Ignore them.

I reckon that group plus the best of the Casey-listed players has a fairly good chance of taking the flag.

How does this work? Does it take into account the position and distance from goals when the shots are taken? That would be a definite factor.

Please note that we’re moving posts from the general Melbourne Demons board to The Trade, Draft & Free Agency Board over the next day or so. Enjoy 😊

There was a draw at Frankston between Casey’s neighbour and the Brisbane Lions which was enough to assure the Demons of at least sixth place on the ladder after they won their fifth game on the trot against the ladder leaders. This means they get a week’s break (or another bye if you like 😄) and a home elimination final. If Williamstown can beat Richmond, Casey will finish fifth! Now let’s find a place to hide Toby SInnema away for a couple of months.

He probably can’t be moved from St Kilda but if there’s a way, we should move heaven and earth to get him.