Whispering_Jack

The Dragons make it three flags in a row with a big victory over the Rebels. Brisbane father/son sensation Levi Ashcroft kicked three goals and had 29 touches to stamp himself as a likely #1 draft pick in the coming draft. But the Lions have a double bonus coming their way because their Academy prospect Sam Marshall pipped Ashcroft for the best on ground medal with 28 disposals and two goals of his own. Harry Armstrong, a 195cm key forward was strong with four goals while defender Harrison Oliver was a workhorse in defence. For the losers, Ollie Hannaford (two goals) can hold his head high. Ashcroft has played in all three of the Dragons’ current run of premierships. SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS 6.1.37 11.3.69 14.5.89 16.7.103 GWV REBELS 0.0.0 2.2.14 6.3.39 10.6.66 GOALS SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS Armstrong 4 Ashcroft 3 Buck Marshall Surkitt 2 Reid Sulzberger Travers GWV REBELS Burmeister Byrne Mast 2 Hannaford McDonald Molan Unwin BEST SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS Marshall Ashcroft Kirkwood-Scott Armstrong Kennedy Oliver GMV REBELS Hannaford Ough Unwin Penry Byrne Burmeister

3QT Dragons 14.5.89 to Rebels 6.3.39

HT Dragons 11.3.69 to Rebels 2.2.14

PREVIEW | 2024 Coates Talent League Grand Final TEAMS: Coates Talent League Boys Grand Final

On this day, 20 September, in 1982, Brian Wilson won the Brownlow Medal.

Eat your heart out Ray Gabelich

Saturday 19 September 1964: A crowd of 102,471 gathered at the MCG to witness a thrilling grand final in which Melbourne defeated Collingwood by four points after back pocket player Neil Crompton (#5) pushed forward to kick the winning goal. It was the Demons’ 12th VFL Premiership. MELBOURNE 2.6.18 5.7.37 7.10.52 8.16.64 COLLINGWOOD 2.5.17 5.9.39 5.11.42 8.12.60 Enjoy 😊

Could posters please avoid the personal stuff and try to keep the discussion friendly and constructive?

Apologies. I forgot to mention that it has to be an independent review headed by someone commanding great respect in the football world like Steven Dank.

The lid’s off at Bomberland in this expose by the Herald Sun chief football writer - AFL Integrity warns Essendon over Nick Hind and Jake Stringer’s associates. The team which hasn’t won a final for two decades had one of the easiest fixtures in the competition but meekly fell out of finals contention after riding high in mid season. Now, Robinson reports that AFL Integrity has warned the Bombers to be vigilant over who they allow into their change rooms after concerns raised about players' associates. “It's believed the Bombers were warned to be aware of a group of associates of recently delisted Bomber Nick Hind, who is known to have a shared friendship group with teammate Jake Stringer. “It's believed the associates regularly attend Essendon matches and were seen in the Bombers' rooms more than once this season.” The implication from the article is that the “associates” are possibly gangland figures as Robinson mentions the situation in 2013 when Richmond's Jake King was advised to not bring bikie underworld figure Toby Mitchell into their rooms after a match. The culture at Bomberland is rotten. We still haven’t forgotten the doping scandal that wracked the club a decade ago or the fiasco when Andrew Thorburn was forced to quit as Essendon CEO just one day after stepping into the role. There must be a review of that club’s operations which indicate clear cultural deficiencies at that club. Heads must roll. 😀

Commiserations @Big Col. I posted the 1954 Preliminary Final teams from the Melbourne Age today and your uncle was named in the middle for the game won by the Demons against the Cats that got them into the Grand Final against the Bulldogs, the first of seven in a row from ‘54 to ‘60. The prelim was played exactly 70 years ago today. As you mentioned, he was there at the start of our golden era and retired far too young at 25 to take on his calling. I think he became a minister at the church in my neighbourhood on the corner of Bambra and Neerim Roads, Caulfield - ironically very close to the site of the long hoped for future home of the Melbourne Football Club which was announced today. I can still remember the board outside the church bearing his name. Sadly, we’ve lost another club icon from the greatest period in the club’s history.

One of the advantages of not making the top eight (and I don’t advocate we should make this a practice) is that the club will have more time to properly prepare for the season to follow. Official pre season training still doesn’t start for several weeks.

Melbourne defeated Geelong by 17 points in the preliminary final 70 years ago today, Saturday 18th of September 1954.

Compare and contrast these two sets of rankings - Cal Twomey: Cal Twomey's Phantom Form Guide: Top draft prospects' September ranking ESPN: September 2024 Draft Power Rankings: New No. 1 as finals bolters shake up order

I must have slept through 2009 :)

You didn’t scroll down far enough …

So true - but we really need to secure a couple more picks in the top 25. Assuming we get one from Adelaide from ANB, we need to be creative to get another from somewhere so we have 3 in that group of 25.

Meanwhile, the injury list comes out and, oh no, another injury, this one to Paxy Paxy Paxman Foot 1 - 2 Weeks Jemma Rigoni Groin 1 - 2 weeks Saraid Taylor Calf 2 - 3 Weeks Lauren Pearce Wrist 6 weeks Olivia Purcell Face TBC Tayla Harris Shoulder Season Jacinta Hose Knee Season Aimee Mackin Knee Season

The Trade Radio panel opened proceedings today by trying to answer the three biggest questions ahead of what promises to be a busy trade period. • Damian Barrett expressed his feeling that Jake Stringer will find his way to the Magpies. • Cal Twomey believes the Dockers in the best position to get at least one of Shai Bolton and Liam Baker if not both as they have a full hand of three first-round picks to offer the Tigers. • Riley Beveridge says the Saints are out of the mix for Dan Houston leaving three options - (a) the Blues but they don’t want to give up Pick 11, (b) the Bulldogs don’t have a first-round pick but will probably get back into this year’s draft through Bailey Smith, and (c) Collingwood also don’t have a first-round pick. Twomey added that there’s still a possibility he stays at Port.

As much as I like the Swans to win this year’s flag (and then disappear next year like the last two AFL premiers), I’ve just recovered my urge to do some death riding. If Port Adelaide can reproduce the form of Round 21 against the Swans, our current pick 38 will shoot up the charts to pick 36. Who knows what that little extra edge might deliver us in the hands of JT (in who we trust)?

“Forward Matt Owies is without a deal to stay at Ikon Park and is gauging interest.” Owies would also come in handy. Both are worth a look if the cost isn’t too high.

As far as we know, neither the AFL, the Melbourne Football Club nor the public are privy to the reasons for the delay. It’s an unfortunate situation but we have to live with it and speculation as to the reasons will not help the club nor Joel Smith who according to reports in the media tonight is unlikely to receive a new contract offer when the current one expires next month. He has been unable to train because of the ongoing investigation and is reported to have “lost interest in Australian rules”. Closing this thread until we’re better informed.

Scouting notes from the two finals, including some names that will be of interest as the drafts approach. Scouting Notes: Dragons down Dandenong to keep three-peat alive Scouting Notes: Rebels snatch Grand Final spot from wayward Chargers