Whispering_Jack

The last time I opened a game day thread with a touch of poetry, it worked a treat and Melbourne upset the Eagles over there in Perth. So when I heard the distant sound of a gate creaking in the distance in the morning's gusty old weather, I knew that it was time for a touch of Henry Lawson:- "I can still feel the spirit that bore us, And often the old stars will shine — I remember the last spree in chorus For the sake of that other Lang Syne, When the tracks lay divided before us, Your path through the future and mine." Surely, the time has come ...

Any danger of the Hawks getting a goal any time soon?

Gippsland Power vice-captain Will Stephenson is a small midfielder (169cm) who can kick a nice goal. He's 23rd player on Sunday.

And now for Knightmare's AFL Draft Power Rankings: July

Yes, Justin Plapp's assessment of Maynard is fairly glowing but you have to wonder what it would take for him to get into the AFL team. In the first instance, I assume he would have to be promoted off the rookie list (not sure if the usual rookie upgrade procedures apply to Category B rookies) and secondly, who does he replace and if not this week, then how does he get into the midfield when Nathan Jones returns? I've been to a few Casey games this year and he's shown improvement every time I've seen him play. His time is definitely coming.

I'm fine with Collingwood's suggestion and while we're at it, the Demons and the Pies should be given a number of prime fixtures such as Friday night games as is commensurate with their respective ladder positions at the end of the season. And when we play our away games against Geelong these should be at the MCG and the likes of Collingwood and Carlton should be forced to take the hike down Princes Highway when they play against the Cats.

A couple of interesting draft rankings - both of them from before Will Sutherland's decision to opt for cricket ahead of football. Firstly, Brett Anderson's Big Board 1.0 and Secondly, Terry Wallace from Future Stars - 1. Cameron Rayner 187cm/88kg MID 2. Luke Davies-Uniack 187cm/85kg MID 3. Jarrod Brander 195cm/83kg FWD 4. Will Sutherland 195cm/90kg FWD 5. Jayden Stephenson 189cm/76kg FWD 6. Darcy Fogarty 192cm/88kg MID/FWD 7. Jack Higgins 178cm/78kg MID 8. Nick Coffield 190cm/78kg H/BACK 9. Paddy Dow 184cm/78kg MID 10. Lochie O'Brien 184cm/75kg MID 11. Charlie Constable 190cm/83kg MID 12. Adam Cerra 186cm/75kg MID 13. Patrick Naish 180cm/67kg FWD 14. Charle Spargo 173cm/75kg SML FWD 15. Sam Hayes 203cm/93kg RUCK 16. Connor Ballenden 199cm/95kg FWD/RUCK 17. Hunter Clark 186cm/79kg HALF BACK 18. Joel Garner 183cm/81kg MID 19. Oscar Allen 191cm/83kg FWD 20. Lachlan Fogarty 179cm/75kg MID

As I understand it both Hibberd and Melksham are relishing playing in a different environment which is understandable in the circumstances. As a result, they've had the freedom to progress their talents and improve their game. The sour grapes from Timmy are ill- founded and unnecessary.

When looking at a player's performances at VFL level (especially key forwards) it's worth noting that one of the factors that can have an influence on form is the relative strength of the side. Last year when Melbourne had a relatively short injury list, we saw a very strong Casey Scorpions team with plenty of experience and regularly fielding 17 or 18 MFC listed players. A few weeks ago the Casey Demons had only 9 MFC players in the team against Richmond VFL that had 18 players from its AFL list. Of the nine MFC players only 3 had played this year at AFL level. The lack of opportunity for a full forward in such a team is fairly obvious (Casey kicked 1 goal in the first half) and I would fully expect this to impact on his game. At times, Weideman has been called on to play on the ball to get him more involved in the game so not every week is going to be like the Box Hill game which took place just before our recent spate of injuries forced the lower AFL listed numbers at Casey. It's all part of what should be a learning experience for apprentices and it won't hurt the Weed in the long run.

I don't think I've ever been so pleased with a Collingwood win but the reality is that we are the ones in command of our own destiny. In fact, we have four games to go against teams outside the top eight and one against GWS which is wobbly at the moment. Let's take things one week at a time by all means but I can see some good times ahead.

I would be hoping that Max gets the ok after scans on his ankle because Jake Spencer's stats are not encouraging. I think he's taken one mark in three weeks. On the other hand, Angus Brayshaw's numbers on his return are good. Now he needs to get over the hump of his second game and if he keeps up the standard, he might get a call up. Corey Maynard just keeps on putting his hand up.

The statistics are now up and they tell an interesting story. Angus Brayshaw 1 behind 17 kicks 8 handballs 25 disposals 5 marks 4 tackles 100 dream team points Dion Johnstone 7 kicks 7 handballs 14 disposals 2 marks 5 tackles 55 dream team points Declan Keilty 5 kicks 5 handballs 10 disposals 2 marks 2 tackles 39 dream team points Ben Kennedy 12 kicks 16 handballs 28 disposals 2 tackles 74 dream team points Mitch King 4 kicks 2 handballs 6 disposals 2 marks 8 hit outs 31 dream team points Corey Maynard 1 behind 9 kicks 21 handballs 30 disposals 3 marks 5 tackles 95 dream team points Cam Pedersen 2 goals 8 kicks 5 handballs 13 disposals 5 marks 5 tackles 78 dream team points Joel Smith 1 goal 2 kicks 8 handballs 10 disposals 3 marks 4 tackles 53 dream team points Jake Spencer 1 behind 6 kicks 4 handballs 10 disposals 4 tackles 22 hit outs 63 dream team points Billy Stretch 9 kicks 13 handballs 22 disposals 13 tackles 93 dream team points Josh Wagner 2 behinds 11 kicks 13 handballs 24 disposals 3 marks 9 tackles 106 dream team points Sam Weideman 3 kicks 11 handballs 14 disposals 1 mark 1 tackle 38 dream team points Mitch White 9 kicks 2 handballs 11 disposals 1 mark 3 tackles 43 dream team points

You're right. i stand corrected.

There was a time when I had some issues about giving up home games for the ? but these days, our record at the G isn't all that flash. We've only beaten Carlton (twice) and Collingwood there and have had costly stumbles against others who were outside the top 8. On the other hand, we're unbeaten at interstate venues and have done well away from home losing only to Geelong at Etihad when Max and Tim Smith both went down with injury and we ran out of gas. I don't have high expectations tonight but getting the points would probably cement us in the finals race, albeit with lots of work to do.

Hardwick's intentions are good in that the public should be getting behind the man's attempts to rehabilitate himself after the doping scandal but the AFL has actually worsened the situation by coming out with this announcement and not thinking about the public's reaction or that of Hird, his family and advisers to the news. To open Hird up to this sort of thing so early and without having shown very much in terms of remorse for his conduct is in my view counterproductive. Old wounds are being opened up and he would inevitably be booed. The subject would be him and not the Norm Smith medalist and I don't think he quite needs this in his life at the moment. Let him earn a return to the public stage first.

Dave Culbert who has been a strong campaigner against drugs in sport says Hird has lost the right to present the award and I agree with him. AFL'S HIRD DECISION "DISGRACEFUL" SAYS ANTI-DRUGS CRUSADER

I tend to agree with you that Trac is on track to be a special player except on the matter of one score and that is his tank which is not yet quite developed enough for him to take centre stage and I mean literally - in the midfield where at some stage in the future I reckon he will be A+ grade elite. Another year or two of preseason work should hopefully get him there.

Looking like neither Watts nor Tyson will be playing this week.

My memory of him is fading a bit but I think there was an issue with his disposal. He missed an absolute sitter that cost Casey a game against Box Hill in his last season. Unless he's improved in that aspect of his game, he wouldn't make it onto an AFL list in this day and age.

Justin Plapp's assessment and I think it's sometimes hard being positive ~ VFL player review: Round 12

Yes, he was definitely the steak knife in the deal that netted us Hogan, Toumpas and Viney (in the second round).

The name Jack Higgins is associated more with espionage thrillers but this bloke goes well and being a quality mid, sounds very much like what we need - Jack Higgins shines for Vic Metro at AFL Under-18 National Championships

Yes, the same Dom Barry who was on the MFC's list a few years ago is playing well in the SANFL and has his hand up for a second chance - Worth a look: SANFL players pushing their draft case Sam Baulderstone is the Norwood ruckman who I wrote about a couple of years ago and who underwent a massive fitness regime to lose heaps of weight (a la Mumford) to become one of the standout ruckman in the SANFL.

Unfortunately, Billy had some issues in his life. At this stage, we don't know what was said in Clarry's situation - they are almost entirely different although I agree that he should have ignored the loser.

A special vote of thanks to George who wrote this terrific report under some duress. He received news of his father in law's passing as he was putting on the finishing touches. On behalf of all at Demonland, we send our condolences to the family.