Whispering_Jack

The game today at the Trevor Barker Beach Oval is memory lane time and I have to say that most of those memories are good. When the Demons were partnered with the Zebras, the alignment won four VFL premierships and they were also regular AFL finalists. Was it coincidence that the bottom started falling out of our club in the latter years of the partnership and went really bust after we were established at Casey? I always felt that the MFC embraced the locals well at Sandy and while it's working hard in the Casey/Cardinia corridor, it doesn't seem the same for those of us who venture out from what is relatively inner suburbia to cold and windy East Cranbourne. For those who are heading down there today, here is the team that was announced on Thursday night with numbers but note that the four MFC interchange players for Sunday's game v the Doggies have been taken out and one of the emergencies for that match will also be held back (my guess is Oscar). Casey Scorpions B 62 D Terlich 81 L Dunn 70 B Newton HB 61 B Stretch 1 J Hutchins 6 J Munro C 80 J Grimes 54 J Trengove 78 C Petracca HF 73 S Frost 74 O McDonald 71 C Salem F 64 A Brayshaw 20 T Smith 15 D Keilty R 59 J Spencer 72 A Neal-Bullen 63 V Michie Int 55 L Hulett 79 J Smith 53 Max King 75 C Dawes 5 P Pattison 49 S Weideman 24 J Moncrieff 58 M White 27 A Scott 16 J Gains 2 K Wilson 17 E Morris

The Scorpions aren't playing the Bulldogs today.

Really, I think Ash35 is correct. The Bombers have copped ample punishment and pain for their digressions - probably far more than had they come fully clean in the first place. I think the real reason they aren't fully coming out with the full mea culpa is the fact that their players' case is still being played out in the Swiss legal system and in any event, to do so might have the effect of further repercussions from the point of view of the legal proceedings that are likely to take place in the near future. In effect, the Bombers have had about four of their seasons destroyed as a result of the saga and they face further pain for a few years to come because of the disruption caused to the club by the player suspensions, the loss of draft picks and the financial repercussions. They deserved it from my point of view because someone at the club removed all evidence of the injection programme and the club then tried to plead innocence. They placed the health of their players at risk and, despite that, many of their players have remained loyal. Some of the Essendon supporters remain completely delusional and insist their club and their players did nothing wrong. I think however, that the majority of them have come to understand what took place and just want to move on. I don't think it's rational to want to see further pain for Bomber fans or more blood spilt although the Dank situation needs to be dealt with as does the Brownlow which I believe has to be taken away from Job Watson just as Sergey Kirdyapkin will lose his 2012 Olympic Gold Medal for the 50km walk to Jared Talent this week.

Tall timber on show in 2016 draft pool To be successful, you need to have a good ruckman or two as has been proven by the example of Todd Goldstein at North, the absence of Aaron Sandilands at Fremantle and the emergence of Melbourne coinciding with Max Gawn's form lift. The Dees have acknowledged this by giving Jake Spencer an extra year. Still, the search continues for the next big thing even though many of the tall ruck types will go further down in the draft.

This year's National Under 18 Championships are being conducted under a different format which looks to add to the interest in this competition, particularly in light of the growing influence of the academy system. The Second Division of the Championships which has already started, involves the same states but at the end of that competition an Allies team will be selected to compete in the First Division. Here are some articles from last week's opening round of Div 2 ~ GWS academy prospect Kobe Mutch impresses in big win NSW/ACT 2.5 6.5 11.5 18.6 (114) QUEENSLAND 2.3 4.10 7.11 9.13 (67) GOALS NSW/ACT: Marshall 4, Spargo 3, Maguire, Byrne, Davis, Sproule 2, Perryman, Lynch, Fisher Queensland: Scheer, Kempe 2, Bowes, Allison, Mason, S.Watson, Williams BEST NSW/ACT: Lynch, Mutch, Baker, MacDonald, Carroll, Perryman Queensland: Rolls, Scheer, D. Watson, Kempe, Williams, Bowes Brandon Parfitt impresses in NT's big win over Tasmania NT 6.4 11.9 14.11 17.12 (114) TASMANIA 3.2 4.2 4.2 6.9 (45) GOALS NT: Bricknell 3, Frank 3, Hagan 2, Grant 2, Shannon 2, Olango 2, Farrell-Nelson, Totham, Lawrance Tasmania: C Smith 2, L Smith, Clifford, Burchner, Pearton BEST NT: Parfitt, Grant, Hampton, Frank, Long, Armstrong Tasmania: Auckland, Tyrrell, Thompson, Palmer-Hughes, Gadomski, Clifford DIVISION TWO ROUND ONE WRAP

They just had an opera singer doing Elvis Presley's "It's now or never" in Italian as a tribute to the great man. Bloke supports the Dees. Then another opera singer doing a song called Barassi in Spanish that sounded like Granada. I hope our blokes can play footy on Sunday as well as these blokes can sing.

Exactly what Steve Smith said in his speech and similarly with Richard Colless about the role he played at Sydney.

Steve Smith just described RDB as the centre of Melbourne's football universe.

At the G - this man is my hero!!!

Matt Jones has finally made it onto the injury list with a back injury. A couple of weeks out should see him back. Not sure if he was injured when rested with general soreness or whether the soreness was something more sinister than first thought. Heritier Lumumba is out another week with concussion but Angus Brayshaw and Chistian Salem are both available.

One of the things that I discovered about the Western Bulldogs and their major breakout year last year is that they certainly played some good football, particularly in the latter stages of the year but they were blessed with a rather easy fixture. It was however, the regular winning of games that built their confidence and, in the end were rated possibly more highly than might have been. Their wins this year have come against Fremantle, St. Kilda, Carlton, Brisbane and Adelaide - the latter being their major scalp. All games have been at Etihad. They also lost close ones to Hawthorn and North (a low scoring game) at the same ground. Unlike us, they have won the games they should have won but I really have this feeling that they are gettable on the G.

Sam's Stats for BK corrected. Good to see people paying attention ?

This is a great article from Inside Football's Brett Anderson who I believe supports Melbourne. I tried to post the link only but it didn't work so I'm posting it as a quote and giving both IF and SEN a plug and I hope they don't mind. "INSIDE FOOTBALL AFL Draft | Academy stars top first Big Board by Brett Anderson Seven months of work is still to be done on the 2016 National Draft, but with each passing week the class starts to take shape. Over the past six weeks, countless hours have been spent watching trials and early season matches either live or on tape, but before we get into the first 2016 edition, here is what the corresponding version looked like just over 12 months ago. We had Callum Mills at No. 1; Jacob Hopper at No. 2; Charlie Curnow at No. 3; Jacob Weitering at No. 4; and Josh Schache at No. 9. Our only top-10 player who wound up outside the top 15 on draft night was our early No.5 Darcy Tucker (taken at Pick 27 by Fremantle). This year you could throw a blanket over the top 10 prospects, so it looks less predictable. As the season progresses, it’s a given that some players will rise up into the rankings (Clayton Oliver and Matt Kennedy last year) while others will drop out. This is not a mock draft, purely how I rate the prospects so far. 1. Jack BOWES Ht: 188cm | Wt: 76kg | Surfers Paradise/Gold Coast Academy Classy ball winner from Cairns who is good overhead for his size and can push forward and hit the scoreboard. He booted four goals to go with 25 touches for the Suns reserves in a trial against Brisbane last month. Has plenty of time in traffic and is clean with his hands. Missed the championships last year after hurting his knee, but will figure heavily for Queensland and the Allies this time around. 2. Harrison MACREADIE Ht: 195cm | Wt: 82kg | Henty/GWS Academy Macreadie looked as cool as a cucumber in the back half for the Rams in the national championships last year as a bottom-ager to stamp himself as one of this year’s top prospects. He generally uses the ball well exiting defence, reads it well in the air and has played senior football in the Hume league since he was 16. Has played a bit on a wing and even in centre bounces in recent weeks in the TAC Cup. 3. Hugh McCLUGGAGE Ht: 184cm | Wt: 70kg | North Ballarat Rebels Missed a bit of pre-season so he is still working towards full match fitness, but his form in the AFL Academy games and to start the season with the Rebels has been eye-catching. Time can seem to stand still when he has the ball in congestion, he makes great decisions and is brave overhead. Kicked five goals on the weekend to go with 30-plus touches showing that he can also hit the scoreboard from midfield. 4. Ben AINSWORTH Ht: 179cm | Wt: 74kg | Gippsland Power Played mostly as a small forward for Gippsland and Vic Country last year as a bottom-ager and was rewarded with All-Australian selection (booted 15 goals in six games). Has planned to move into the midfield on a more regular basis in 2016, which will add another string to his bow. Tweaked his knee in Round 1 of the TAC Cup and was reported on the weekend for two striking incidents so will miss the next four games – including the championships opener. 5. Sam PETREVSKI-SETON Ht: 179cm | Wt: 70kg | Claremont Considered “Cyril #2” by some recruiters with the way he can dance through traffic and make the ball talk. Petrevski-Seton (above) comes from Halls Creek in the East Kimberley region and kicks as well on his left side as he does on his natural right. Plays mostly at half forward but can go through midfield and won the Kevin Sheehan Medal for best player in the under-16 carnival in 2014. 6. Will BRODIE Ht: 189cm | Wt: 82kg | Murray Bushrangers A running midfielder who has clearly worked hard in the gym over summer and added some size across his chest and shoulders. The AFL Academy’s best player in both outings against VFL opponents (Werribee and Geelong) and averaged 19.8 disposals last year in the TAC Cup and 15.6 in the national championships. Resembles Port Adelaide’s Brad Ebert with his physique and the way he moves. 7. Daniel VENABLES Ht: 186cm | Wt: 81kg | Western Jets Venables is a powerful midfielder who can also play in attack. He makes things happen when he is around the ball with his burst from congestion and line-breaking carry. He has averaged nearly five inside-50s a game in his short TAC Cup career. A broken leg last season restricted him to just four games as a bottom-ager but has started the season in good touch with the Jets and PEGS despite a minor knee complaint. 8. Will SETTERFIELD Ht: 190cm | Wt: 79kg | Sandringham Dragons/GWS Academy The Albury native relocated to Melbourne as a 15-year-old and attends Caulfield Grammar. He is a smooth moving midfielder who is now up to 190cm and might still have a bit more growing in him—cue comparisons to Marcus Bontempelli—but in reality he is a different type to the Bulldog star. A quiet country kid at heart and ticks all the boxes with his professionalism. 9. Josh ROTHAM Ht: 192cm | Wt: 82kg | West Perth Athletic hybrid defender who is composed with ball in hand. A good organiser in the back half and knows when to leave an opponent to get involved in transition from defence to attack. Still slender but has huge scope for improvement with the potential to push up into midfield. May even wind up as the first Western Australian picked in November. 10. Harry PERRYMAN Ht: 184cm | Wt: 75kg | Collingullie/GWS Academy Smart mid/forward who played at half back last year, so has great versatility. He isn't overly quick but always gets to the ball first where he has great ball control and balance on both sides. Played alongside GWS’s Matt Kennedy in the seniors at Collingullie for the past two seasons, booting four goals in last year’s grand final and among the best in the 2014 decider as a 16-year-old. Great to watch each week. 11. Jarrod BERRY Ht: 191cm | Wt: 80kg | North Ballarat Rebels The North Ballarat skipper played in last year’s national championships for Vic Country as a bottom-ager across half back and quickly emerged as a player to watch for 2016 averaging 19 disposals and four rebounds per game and was named All-Australian. He has all the athletic and personality traits you look for in an early draftee but his kicking does need some work. 12. Jacob ALLISON Ht: 193cm | Wt: 73kg | Aspley/Brisbane Academy Allison is an athletic utility who caught the eye playing with Queensland last year as a bottom-ager at the national championships where he averaged 18 disposals and six marks and four inside-50s. He is a hard runner who can break the lines and kicks the ball with good penetration, but can spray a few. Played five games for the Lions reserves in the NEAFL in 2015 and held his own against the mature bodies. 13. Jy SIMPKIN Ht: 182cm | Wt: 72kg | Murray Bushrangers Unfortunately for Simpkin he broke his leg playing for Scotch College in mid-April and will miss the season, however clubs have enough information on him. He is smart in traffic, makes things happen when he has the ball in his hands and an uncanny knack for knowing where the big sticks are. Played mostly as a small forward in 2015 with an eye on a move into the midfield this year. 14. Tim ENGLISH Ht: 203cm | Wt: 86kg | South Fremantle A long-term ruck prospect who’s form in the WAFL Colts has been strong having come in as a 19-year-old. He is averaging 26 hit-outs (24 per cent to advantage). He shows good touch at the stoppages with his hits where he can go forward, back, 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock, and he can get involved around the ground, displaying good kicking skills for a player of his size, and is a capable tackler. 15. Todd MARSHALL Ht: 197cm | Wt: 87kg | Murray Bushrangers/GWS Academy The former cricketer has turned his sights to footy and quickly caught the eye of scouts in matches with the Bushrangers and Giants reserves in the NEAFL. He is lightly framed but knows where to run and shows good speed to separate from defenders and a good kicking technique. Having come into the system so late, he has plenty of areas to work on, but his upside is big. 16. Joseph ATLEY Ht: 184cm | Wt: 80kg | Bendigo Pioneers The brother of North Melbourne’s Shaun is a clearance-winning machine. A different body type to his more athletic brother, but still covers the ground well and his work in close is his main strength. Some 62 per cent of his possessions this season with the Pioneers have been contested, and he is averaging five clearances and four inside-50s a game. 17. Kym LEBOIS Ht: 174cm | Wt: 65kg | North Adelaide Hailing from Ceduna, Lebois (above) is a small left footer is blessed with silky skills and the rare ability to turn an opponent inside out within three or four steps. He is the nephew of Aaron and Alwyn Davey and shares similar exciting traits as a small forward and creative midfielder where he is averaging 15 disposals and five inside-50s in the SANFL Under 18s and reserves this year. 18. Brad SCHEER Ht: 184cm | Wt: 82kg | Palm Beach Currumbin/Gold Coast Academy Scheer is a physical midfielder who likes the crash and bash. He was named the best Division 2 player at the 2014 Under 16 championships and has been a member of the AFL Academy for two years. Having already tasted senior football in the NEAFL with the Suns reserves (averaged 13 disposals in six matches), he is one of the more physically advanced midfielders in this year’s crop. 19. Shai BOLTON Ht: 177cm | Wt: 67kg | South Fremantle A bouncy and exuberant small forward with a bag full of tricks who has started the season in blistering form for the Bulldogs in the WAFL colts. He is a willing tackler inside forward 50 but cat-like at ground level. He also has a great leap – he can sit on your head, and hunts the ball when it hits the deck. He just needs to work on his consistency. 20. Alex WITHERDEN Ht: 186cm | Wt: 80kg | Geelong Falcons The St Joseph’s product is just a solid citizen across half back, but he does have the scope to press into midfield as the year progresses to add another dimension to his game. He was a consistent performer last season as a bottom-ager showing good courage in the air, composure with ball in hand and a strong defensive game. ❚ On the watch list: Andrew McGrath (Sandringham Dragons), Brandon Parfitt (North Adelaide), Calvin Thorne (Peel Thunder), Declan Watson (Aspley/Brisbane Lions Academy), Harrison Bult (Western Jets), Harry Morrison (Murray Bushrangers), Jack Henry (Geelong Falcons), Jack Scrimshaw (Sandringham Dragons), Jonty Scharenberg (Glenelg), Jordan Gallucci (Eastern Ranges), Josh Battle (Dandenong Stingrays), Josh Williams (Surfers Paradise/Gold Coast Academy), Judah Dundon (Western Jets), Kobe Mutch (Bendigo Pioneers/GWS Academy), Max Lynch (Murray Bushrangers/GWS Academy), Myles Poholke (Dandenong Stingrays), Oscar Junker (Western Jets), Reece Piper (Dandenong Stingrays), Ryan Garthwaite (Murray Bushrangers), Sam McLarty (Oakleigh Chargers), Tim Taranto (Sandringham Dragons), Willem Drew (North Ballarat Rebels). Follow Brett Anderson on Twitter @BrettAndersonIF. For all your AFL Draft news, make sure you listen to Inside Football's weekly “On The Clock podcast” where Matt Granland and Brett Anderson chat about the upcoming draft and trade periods."

Family loyalty is one thing but sometimes you shouldn't talk ... Essendon saga: Allan Hird hits out at ASADA chief and government McDevitt gave his reasons why certain information could not be divulged at this point in time. It would affect current ongoing investigations and cases yet to be heard including the Dank appeal. Hird Snr's comments are embarrassing.

We won't know for sure until the weekend when the club's mystery player of the week becomes apparent OD.

Witherden, one of the early favourites for early draft selection has received a major setback. Geelong Falcons’ top AFL draft hope Alex Witherden breaks leg

From AFL Draft Central:- MATT BALMER’S MAY POWER RANKINGS

The statistics - Chris Dawes 2 goals 10 disposals 6 kicks 4 handballs 2 marks 1 tackles 49 dream team points Lynden Dunn 1 behind disposals 23 kicks 3 handballs 5 marks 4 tackles 105 dream team points Sam Frost 12 disposals 7 kicks 5 handballs 1 marks 2 tackles 37 dream team points Jack Grimes 2 goals 1 behind 26 disposals 13 kicks 13 handballs 2 marks 10 tackles 127 dream team points Max King 1 goals 14 disposals 9 kicks 5 handballs 3 marks 1 tackles 5 hit outs 58 dream team points Oscar McDonald 13 disposals 4 kicks 9 handballs 1 marks 35 dream team points Alex Neal-Bullen 31 disposals 15 kicks 16 handballs 13 tackles 129 dream team points Ben Newton 2 goals disposals 19 kicks 18 handballs 4 marks 9 tackles 1 hit out 156 dream team points Joel Smith 9 disposals 4 kicks 5 handballs 2 tackles 30 dream team points Jake Spencer 1 goal 1 behind 11 disposals 3 kicks 8 handballs 1 mark 8 tackles 51 hit outs dream team points Dean Terlich 1 goal disposals 12 kicks 7 handballs marks tackles 83 dream team points Jack Trengove 1 goal 1 behind disposals 12 kicks 18 handballs 10 tackles 1 hit out 118 dream team points Sam Weideman 4 goals 8 disposals 7 kicks 1 handball 4 marks 2 tackles 59 dream team points Mitch White 22 disposals 11 kicks 11 handballs 3 marks 2 tackles 72 dream team points And some vision - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LDK01ZtRmY&sns=em

Yes, that game was an absolute Barry Crocker. I dare say however, that we will probably field a team with half of its players different to the one that ran out against the Bullies last August and in addition we know that the likes of Nathan Jones, Bernie Vince and Heritier Lumumba were NQR in terms of fitness - all of them undergoing post season surgery. Also, we take a different attitude into our game most of the time these days.

Could we please stick to Jayden Hunt, the player and cut out the argy bargy about each other?

Not sure about that TRAB. The thread is 800 pages long and it's starting to become a little tiresome. Here we are 12 hours after our biggest win in yonks and not a single comment about such a glorious victory? Not even from Mr Leg. It makes me wonder ...

I think it was said when Prestia re-signed with the Suns a couple of years ago, one of the things that was foremost in his consideration was the fact that the team looked as if it had a real future while we were a long way off the pace. There's been a massive turnaround and the Suns are a train wreck. He will probably leave at the end of the year. The question is whether we're still interested at the price his management is asking (and that's also going to partly depend on how his body stands up in view of recent injuries)?

Don't think the Doggies' good run with the umpires (28-12 frees) can be sustained either. I'm hoping that the media and the Adelaide supporting public keep this subject at the forefront because the usual reaction is a reverse effect the following week.

After a little moderation, this topic has been reopened because I feel we're getting a little closer to solving the mystery I posed at its beginning. That's not to suggest that Jayden is up there with the likes of Jack Viney, Christian Salem, Jesse Hogan, Angus Brayshaw, Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca among our really outstanding young prospects for the future but he's inching closer by the week. He and Billy Stretch are adding the pace and cleverness to the strength of those above and they give me some confidence and belief that we're not that far off the pace when it comes to thinking finals.

Close enough to south of the yarra