Whispering_Jack

Freddie has permission to train with us.

I would never forget Bobby Davis - a true legend. This is what I said in the Foxtel thread:- "I'm already looking forward to this with anticipation. I really did enjoy the last attempt by Fox to run a dedicated AFL channel. Clinton Grybas was a definite favourite along with Grumpy Old Men.They don't make them like Bobby Davis any more."

I've come to realise that for those of us who remember the good old days, it's the rookie draft and not the national or PSDs that holds the fascination for the true blue footy fan these days. Back in the days of yore we used to look forward to World of Sport on a Sunday morning and there were so many highlights even in the summer time. There was the wood chop, the tug of war, John Dobbie's lawn bowls report, Freddie Villiers doing soccer, Uncle Doug and the creme de la creme - the Bemm River Report with Lou Richards and the late Jack Dyer. They used to talk rubbish in much the same way as we do on this thread. The segment was mainly about football rumours of all sorts with a few little stories about which player was thinking of changing clubs. Most of the time, as is the case today, the rumours simply weren't true. Occasionally, there would be talk of a smokey from a bush town who was built like a brick schyzenhausen and could kick a bag of wheat over a silo - the prototype of the player you're hoping to pick up in the rookie draft. So I'm done with the national draft and the first 97 selections going to an evil new franchise and count me out of the PSD with its 3 only picks. Give me the rookie draft and a banana smoothie come November/December and I'm back by Bemm River with Lou and Jack hoping to hear some news about the recruit who can transform our football club from a sow's ear to a silk purse. That's what Waylon Manson/Aaron Hall etc. are all about - a 2011 rookie that one day will be the next big thing.

How many days to the rookie draft?

Why are you surprised at Demetriou's comments? Surely, it's logical he would say those things given he and the AFL were in on the whole scheme from the start?

Thanks for that H_T - just 372 days to go. I'm thrilled (although technically we get JV during the next trade week).

Is there a similar countdown site that I can consult regarding the time to go before the 2012 draft?

After so many years it's great to see the 49ers winning week after week. If I'm loving that, just imagine when the Dees start doing the same!

Agreed, it was a fantastic run chase and I suspect that many of today's observers of the game don't comprehend how hard it is to chase a score of 300+ on what was virtually the last day of a test, particularly away from home against a world class opposition bowling attack. That said, Australia has a succession problem with NZ, India and the Windies coming up. We have a few aging players in Ponting, Hussey and Haddin who are going to have to be replaced in the next 18 months and much of the batting line up is unresolved. Something's gotta give.

You're kidding? Yes. I have a more serious (ok semi-serious) question to ask the draft experts. Given that Mr. P. Ssssssssssssssssssss ... cully is now on the GWS recruiting staff, does he have a seat at the GWS table when the draft is conducted and, if so, do the Giants get a bigger table than the other clubs?* (*not really a fat joke - they probably need a bigger table anyway because of the number of picks they have).

Never in doubt with our batting team

Yes. I think we have ourselves an opening bowler if we manage him properly. Now, if we can promote one kid ... why is it so hard for others to get into the test side?

There are a number of fine establishments which serve food of the Chinese variety that are owned by Melbourne supporters. What tempted you to go there?

A few big asks there given our lowly draft position. I have a gut feeling that our first pick at 36 is going to be a 179/180cm small midfielder who can get the footy out of the middle, kicks well and is good at decision making. Happy for the other two to be smokeys shrouded in mystery and discovered in remote or unknown parts of the country that nobody has heard of or seen. Jeremy Howe was a gem last year and Davis and McDonald both look good to me.

No way can it be the shambles it was last year. The commentators were too busy interviewing their subjects - often past draft picks whose careers were ending or over - to announce who was being picked and names were being quickly flashed across the screen. At times it was more about the presenters than about the players drafted. I heard today that Jason Dunstall who was the front man on Foxtel last year was in hospital this week and won't pass the fitness test to do the presenting this year. Perhaps they could give the gig to the woman who fluffed up the Foxtel top model presentation last year. I'm sure it would be an improvement, especially for Demon fans who are only going to hang around for 10 minutes in the middle of the show.

What's that about a week being a long time?

Does it have a better chance than Bauer had on Oaks Day?

Whatever the case with the rookie draft there are now six days to go before the draft and we'll be picking up half of that number of players on the night. If you have Foxtel then I suggest you set your IQ for Thursday at 7pm for the AFL draft. The telecast is due to last 90 minutes. Allow 10 minutes intro when Demetriou preens himself and hopes to high heaven that the wardrobe people have provided a suit that doesn't make him look the size of a GWS recruiting scout. Then allow 5 minutes for a commercial break and pray that you don't get hit with that stupid RACV commercial. Allow 10 minutes at the end for a commercial break (pray again) and the wrap up. After making a small allowance for passes, I estimate that we can safely start watching at 7.43 pm and knock off before 8 o'clock for all three MFC picks. They can do the countback from 10 to 1 if they like: the GWS selections don't really matter anyway. The way things are going more than half of them will be back home by the time they do next year's draft and on balance one will be a millionaire in two year's time if the franchise doesn't fold before then. Enjoy your viewing.

Don't know the rules but I haven't heard of any concessions to GWS in the rookie draft so it's probably 1. GWS 2. Gold Coast ... etc then in order of how the clubs finished from bottom up.

But only three will be drafted in seven day's time.

I've lost some close friends to cancer over the years and others have survived. Roll of the dice, I suppose. I don't know. On Sunday, I visited a cousin who is the same age as me. He had just gone through chemo and had no hair. It was a difficult meeting but e was in fantastic spirits and very optimistic. The people around those who suffer cancer also go through much pain and to Two Sheds family my deepest sympathy.

How many days are there to go to this national draft Redleg?

I think Junior would certainly have gotten his fair share of games at Melbourne in 2011 and possibly even into next year so it doesn't come as a surprise that he's a chance to play at GWS next year. I think on balance it was Junior's time to go at the end of 2010 (the departure like a few others in recent times was poorly handled) but given the circumstances in Sydney, I believe he'll be a valuable acquisition as both a player and a coach and I certainly wish him well in those roles.

My worst nightmare. We had visitors tonight - the type who hang around, well and truly overstay their welcome and aren't the least bit interested in the cricket. Arrived just after Clark was last man out in Australia's first innings and left when the second dig was about to start. I didn't even tape the SA innings. Damn.