Whispering_Jack

Well, they had two goes at it and are at 50%.

True. Most of the time, the spell check didn’t change the name. The spell check operated separately on the title to the thread as well as on the text. No idea why.

Selective spell check in operation

The selection dilemma caused by the injury to Melbourne’s 209cm ruckman Max Gawn leaving him out of the side for the next two to three weeks recalls the panic that spread through the ranks in Simon Goodwin’s first season as coach of the club. It was early in the AFL’s 2017 season when Max, who was the reigning All-Australian ruckman, badly tore his hamstring in Round 3 against Geelong at the Docklands and was facing a lengthy amount of time on the sidelines. Luckily for the Demons, they had a back up ruckman in the person of 203cm Jake Spencer who was in his tenth season at the club spent mostly as second fiddle to Mark Jamar and later, to Gawn. He was called up to face Fremantle giant Aaron Sandilands who amassed 53 hit outs to Spencer’s 15 in the Dockers’ surprise 2 point victory at the MCG. Things did not improve in the following match on Anzac Eve against the Tigers when Spencer was given a bath by Toby Nankervis (56 hit outs to 13) in a game where the Demons gave up a 20-point lead at the final break to lose by 13 in the wake of multiple injuries to their players including one to Spencer’s shoulder as the team’s finals hopes plummeted. Enter 193cm undersized ruckman Cam Pedersen who was called up to the senior side after spending the first five weeks with the Casey Scorpions in the VFL. His first assignment in the role was to take on 203cm Tom Bellchambers. Petersen lowered his colours by 18 to 33 in the hit outs but he fought valiantly as the Demons revived their season with a 38-point win over tomorrow night’s opponents, the Bombers. George on the Outer wrote in Demonland of his round 6 performance: “The return of Cam Pedersen to the side as a replacement ruck worked really well, for while he may have lost the hit-out stats to Tom Bellchambers, it was he who racked up 19 possessions to Bellchambers' miserable 9. Best of all was that he relieved the necessity for Jack Watts to ruck, which resulted in Watts kicking 4 goals when up forward. How we could have used that scenario in the final quarter last week!” Pedersen didn’t dominate the hit out stats by any means - against Adelaide, Sam Jacobs amassed a 74 hit outs but Melbourne won by 41 points. The point was that Petersen contested everything and became an asset around the ground where he played the best football of his career despite being matched against much larger adversaries such as Ben McEvoy, Jacobs, Todd Goldstein and Brodie Grundy. He was also capably assisted by Tom McDonald who was handy when called upon to give him a chop out. By the time, Gawn was ready to return to take his place in the ruck in round 14, the Demons were in fifth place on the ladder. While Pedersen was a handy back up who continued to play some top football, the team was squeezed out of the finals race by the narrowest of margins after the final home and away game of the season. Incidentally, Pedersen who was drafted as a rookie by North Melbourne made his AFL debut in the opening round of the 2011 season in the ruck against West Coast’s six-time All-Australian ruckman Dean Cox after Goldstein was a late withdrawal for the Kangaroos. He acquitted himself quite well in that position and gained the title of his team's "Mr fix-it" but fell out of favour and became a Demon in 2013. His first game was in a forward/ruck role in the club’s disastrous round 1 game against Port Adelaide when he was criticised for ducking when backing back to take a mark. After struggling in 2013 under Mark Neeld, he resurrected his career under Paul Roos in 2014 and went through highs and lows until he was thrust into the Demon ruck in that round 6, 2017 game against the Bombers. These are the teams for that game:- ESSENDON B: Patrick Ambrose, Michael Hurley, Martin Gleeson HB: Mark Baguley, Mitch Brown, Ben McNiece C: Travis Colyer, Zach Merrett, Andrew McGrath HF: Orazio Fantasia, Cale Hooker, David Zaharakis F: Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Joe Daniher, Brendon Goddard FOLL: Tom Bellchambers, Ben Howlett, Dyson Heppell I/C: Josh Green, Conor McKenna, Darcy Parish, Jobe Watson EMG: Kyle Langford,Brent Stanton, James Stewart IN: Tom Bellchambers, Martin Gleeson, Ben Howlett, Kyle Langford, Conor McKenna, James Stewart OUT: Aaron Francis (rested), James Kelly (rested), Matt Leuenberger (rested),Brent Stanton (omitted) MELBOURNE B: Michael Hibberd, Tom McDonald, Neville Jetta HB: Jordan Lewis, Sam Frost, Bernie Vince C: Jayden Hunt, Nathan Jones, Jake Melksham HF: Christian Petracca, Jack Watts, Alex Neal-Bullen F: Jay Kennedy-Harris, Mitch Hannan, Jeff Garlett FOLL: Cameron Pedersen, Clayton Oliver, Jack Viney I/C: Tomas Bugg, Oscar McDonald, Christian Salem, Dom Tyson EMG: James Harmes, Billy Stretch, Sam Weideman IN: Tomas Bugg, Mitch Hannan, Jordan Lewis, Oscar McDonald, Cameron Pedersen OUT: James Harmes (omitted), Jesse Hogan (family bereavement), Jake Spencer (shoulder), Timothy Smith (lung), Billy Stretch (omitted) Pedersen announced his retirement on 25 September 2018 after 64 games with Melbourne and 16 with North Melbourne. It's a late call to make almost six years after his retirement, but when all is said and done, Pedersen’s role as an undersized ruckman against giant opponents made him a modern day marvel. Here’s hoping that Harrison Petty who is four centimetres taller, can replicate Pedersen’s efforts from seven years ago!

How about the theory that some Eagles players weren’t trying all that hard because they wanted Simpson out? Fits in with the events as they transpired after the game.

Long time Bigfooty poster Davo-27 has issued his July 2024 Rankings - Top 52 1. Finn O'Sullivan - Oakleigh Chargers (VC) - 182cm 2. Levi Ashcroft - Sandringham Dragons (Brisbane FS) - 179cm 3. Leonardo Lombard - GCS Academy - 178cm 4. Sid Draper - South Adelaide - 180cm 5. Josh Smillie - Eastern Ranges - 194cm 6. Jonty Faull - GWV Rebels - 195cm 7. Luke Trainor - Sandringham Dragons - 194cm 8. Tobie Travaglia - Bendigo Pioneers - 187cm 9. Harry O'Farrell - Calder Cannons - 196cm 10. Jagga Smith - Oakleigh Chargers - 181cm 11. Taj Hotton - Sandringham Dragons - 182cm (ACL injury) 12. Josh Murphy - Murray Bushrangers - 190cm 13. Tyler Welsh - WWT (Adelaide FS)- 191cm 14. Christian Moraes - Eastern Ranges - 183cm 15. Murphy Reid - Sandringham Dragons - 180cm 16. Jack Whitlock - Murray Bushrangers - 200cm 17. Harvey Langford - Dandenong Stingrays - 190cm 18. Ben Camporeale - Glenlg (Carlton FS) - 186cm 19. Sam Marshall - Sandringham Dragons (Brisbane Academy) - 185cm 20. Sam Lalor - GWV Rebels - 187cm 21. Bo Allan - Peel - 191cm 22. Lucas Camporeale - Glenlg (Carlton FS) - 185cm 23. Joe Berry - Murray Bushrangers - 180cm 24. Tom Gross - Oakleigh Chargers - 181cm 25. Jobe Shanahan - Bendigo Pioneers (NSW) - 194cm 26. Cooper Hynes - Dandenong Stingrays - 190cm 27. Phoenix Hargrave - South Adelaide - 182cm 28. Kayle Gerreyn - West Perth - 199cm 29. Thomas Sims - Northern Knights - 199cm 30. Matt Whitlock - Murray Bushrangers - 197cm 31. Xavier Lindsay - Gippsland - 183cm 32. Noah Mraz - Dandenong Stingrays - 198cm 33. Zaydyn Lockwood - Bendigo Pioneers - 198cm 34. Isaac Kako - Calder Cannons (Essendon NGA) - 175cm 35. Jesse Dattoli - Northern Knights - 179cm 36. Zak Johnson - Northern Knights - 185cm 37. Patrick Retschko - Oakleigh Chargers - 186cm 38. Malakai Champion - Subiaco (WCE NGA) - 172cm 39. Damon Hollow - Calder Cannons - 180cm 40. Lucas McInerney - Northern Knights - 180cm 41. Kade Herbert - WWT - 184cm 42. Lucca Grego - Western Jets - 184cm 43. Doug Kerr - Oakleigh Chargers (ACL injury/Collingwood NGA) - 192cm 44. Archer Day-Wicks - Bendigo Pioneers - 186cm 45. Hugh Boxshall - Clare - 187cm 46. Oliver Depaoli-Kubank - Tasmania - 178cm 47. Evan Bradley - North Adelaide - 174cm 48. Jacob Newton - Norwood - 178cm 49. Luke Urquhart - East Fremantle - 190cm 50. Jasper Alger - Oakleigh Chargers (VC) -182cm 51. Xavier Ivisic - Geelong Falcons - 180cm 52. Charlie Nicholls - Central District - 197cm

The injury curse has hit yet another Demon. Alex de Minaur has pulled out of Wimbledon prior to his quarter-final against Novak Djokovic due to a hip injury.

Just a reminder about the Reach Foundation: "Everyone go to reach.org.au, donate $11 just to keep Jim's legacy alive, and keep us working with between 40,000 and 50,000 young people every year, developing them into a stronger mental position to tackle life."

It’s being reported that Charlie Spargo requires an Achilles operation and is out for the season. Hoping for a successful surgery and rehab and looking forward to seeing him out there in the preseason.

The Redlegs travelled to the Brunswick Street Oval where they received a reality check in the form of a 46 point trouncing that ruined its hopes of playing in the finals. The correspondent for the Football Record was scathing, calling it the "most lifeless" game he had seen that season. Round 8 Fitzroy vs Melbourne Saturday 14 June 1924 Venue: Brunswick Street Attendance 15,000 FITZROY 3.1.19 5.5.35 10.13.73 12.15.87 MELBOURNE 2.7.19 3.10.22 5.11.41 5.11.41 Goals Derek Mollison 2 Hugh Dunbar Richard Taylor Stan Wittman Melbourne coach Gordon Rattray, a former Fitzroy champion and premiership coach was appointed the Redlegs’ playing coach at the beginning of the season but, as he was still residentially tied to the Maroons, he was ineligible to play for Melbourne. He faced his old side for the first time in this Round 8 match up but it was to no avail as his new side put on its second scoreless last quarter in three weeks. Rattray served the entire season as Melbourne's non-playing coach and, after the club failed to make the Finals in 1924, he was able to return to Fitzroy as a player for one Finals match, the second of the club's Round Robin Semi-Final matches on 20 September 1924. He was chosen to be the playing−coach of North Melbourne in its inaugural VFL season, 1925 but was eventually cleared to serve as captain-coach of Brighton in the VFA which he took to two losing grand finals in 1926 and 1927 before returning to Fitzroy as captain-coach in 1928. Round 9 Melbourne vs Essendon Saturday 21 June 1924 Venue: MCG Attendance: 18,769 MELBOURNE 1.2.8 1.8.14 1.10.16 5.12.42 ESSENDON 4.1.25 6.2.38 10.8.68 10.11.71 Goals Harry Harker 3 Stan Wittman 2 Melbourne's stocks reached rock bottom in freezing cold and windy conditions at the MCG as they struggled to a solitary goal at three quarter time. It managed four goals kicking with a howling wind in the final term but finished two games and percentage out of the four. Harry Harker kicked three of the team’s five goals and Chadwick, Donaldson and Streeter were the team’s best. Round 10 Melbourne vs St Kilda Saturday 28 June 1924 Venue: MCG Attendance: 14,286 MELBOURNE 0.1.1 4.3.27 5.10.40 8.15.63 ST KILDA 2.4.16 3.9.27 5.11.41 6.15.51 Goals Harry Harker Percy Tulloh 3 Jimmy Abernethy Stan Wittman The two bottom sides met at the MCG and St Kilda’s inaccuracy in the first half was telling as the team’s went in at the main break on level pegging. It was Melbourne’s turn to kick poorly after half time and despite losing Stan Wittman to a fractured ankle and playing a man short, they were good enough to kick away to a two goal victory. Taylor, Dunbar and Streeter were best. Seconds - Melbourne 8.8.56 d. St Kilda 5.6.36 Round 11 Bye After their bye, the Redlegs travelled to Victoria Park bolstered by the return of Percy Wilson who had recently resigned as coach of St Kilda. The Magpies recent form had been poor and there was room for confidence as Melbourne stormed through the second term to take a 17 point lead at half time but they fell apart and failed to score another goal in the final hour. Round 12 Collingwood vs Melbourne Saturday 12 July 1924 Venue: Victoria Park Attendance: 8,000 COLLINGWOOD 4.0.24 5.3.33 7.5.47 11.10.76 MELBOURNE 2.4.16 7.8.50 7.11.53 7.11.53 Goals Richard Taylor Percy Tulloh 3 Tom Elliot Melbourne was still in front at three quarter time but a couple of clangers from Bert Chadwick and another defensive calamity involving Percy Wilson and Charlie Streeter gifted the Pies another goal. Collingwood ran out the 23 point winner in what was Harry Harker’s last game for the Redlegs. Despite the mistakes, Chadwick was named Melbourne’s best player. His day was still to come.

Perhaps they swap their 4 & 29 for Petty and our 9 & 38?

Where it stands now - ROUND ONE 1 Richmond 2 North Melbourne 3 West Coast Eagles 4 Adelaide 5 St Kilda 6 Hawthorn 7 Gold Coast Suns 8 Gold Coast Suns 9 Melbourne 10 Fremantle 11 GWS Giants 12 Brisbane Lions 13 Fremantle 14 Geelong 15 Essendon 16 Fremantle 17 Carlton 18 Sydney Swans 19 Sydney Swans 20 Gold Coast Suns ROUND TWO 21 Richmond 22 North Melbourne 23 West Coast Eagles 24 GWS Giants 25 Fremantle 26 Collingwood 27 Gold Coast Suns 28 Western Bulldogs 29 Adelaide 30 Hawthorn 31 St Kilda 32 Gold Coast Suns 33 Port Adelaide 34 Geelong 35 Essendon 36 Richmond 37 Carlton 38 Melbourne ROUND THREE 39 Richmond 40 North Melbourne 41 Richmond 42 Adelaide 43 Melbourne 44 Collingwood 45 Western Bulldogs 46 Melbourne 47 St Kilda 48 Collingwood 49 GWS Giants 50 Brisbane Lions 51 Port Adelaide 52 Geelong 53 Gold Coast Suns 54 Richmond 55 St Kilda 56 Sydney Swans ROUND FOUR 57 Richmond 58 North Melbourne 59 West Coast Eagles 60 Adelaide 61 Fremantle 62 Brisbane Lions 63 Carlton 64 Carlton 65 Melbourne 66 Richmond 67 GWS Giants 68 Brisbane Lions 69 Richmond 70 Geelong 71 North Melbourne 72 Carlton 73 Port Adelaide 74 Sydney Swans

Big performances across the competiton as Roo rises in return, Bulldog breaks through: AFL Rookie Rankings – Round 17 Caleb Windsor second on this ranking of rookies behind Harley Reid.

I went to the Mornington races a few months after TJ was drafted and he was deep inside the betting ring. The kid was 17 years old. I started having misgivings about him then and there but he still turned out a very, very good player. Could he have been a great if he had his head in the “right” place all of the time? I’m not sure because that was TJ - a bit of a larrikan who could never be tamed.

As soon as I read that Max was substituted out of yesterday's game "as a precaution" I knew there was trouble brewing. I just hope it's not 4 to 6.

The sum of all of our fears is here.

This is an interesting story about South Australian indigenous footballer, Michael Graham, who recently received AFL Hall of Fame status. The journey of Michael Graham, aka 'The Flash', to the Australian Football Hall of Fame He was chased by Melbourne in the early 1970s but the club couldn’t persuade him to shift across from SA. At around the same time, we were also interested in getting Glenelg ruckman/forward Peter Carey to come to the club but he stayed put. Both players had long and productive careers and would have improved the Demons immeasurably during the difficult years of the 70s and early 80s. Graham’s nephew Colin Graham did make it to Melbourne and played 35 games (32 goals) between 1975-78.

Talls fire, potential No.1 pick returns as Vic Country sets up title decider Country come up clutch in Springfield shootout

It would be helpful if someone in defence made a contest.

The inevitable reply from Brisbane.

Jefferson goal off the ground

An article about the standout players among this year’s crop of APS players. Draft watch: The APS school footy standouts who have impressed throughout the 2024 season Here they are in summary because it’s behind a firewall: Tairon Ah-Mu, Haileybury College (he’s also an MFC NGA) “The bottom-age ruckman has been in Haileybury College's best nearly every week. In addition to racking up the hit-outs, Ah-Mu can, and has, hit the scoreboard. Once he fills in his frame a bit more, he will be incredibly difficult to stop.” Jasper Alger, Caulfield Grammar - an exciting goal kicker. Harry Armstrong, Haileybury College - kicked 10 in his last game against Melbourne Grammar. Levi Ashcroft, Brighton Grammar - son of Marcus and brother of Will is on his way to Brisbane. Jesse Dattoli, Carey Grammar - impressed for Vic Metro. Gets the ball and can kick goals. Tom Evans, Xavier College - school captain and a prolific inside midfielder. Archer Hanegraaf, Geelong College - contested ball winner. Lenny Hoffman, Brighton Grammar - St Kilda NGA product. Taj Hotton, Haileybury College - brother of Ollie recently sustained an ACL injury which will keep him on the sidelines for an extended period of time. Xavier Ivisic, Geelong Grammar - plays midfield nicely both on the inside and outside. Ben Kennedy, Xavier College - lockdown defender from the Murray Bushrangers who can also go forward. Doug Kerr, St Kevin's - a Collingwood NGA. Felix Kneipp, Wesley College - a smooth-moving midfielder. Sam Lalor, Geelong Grammar - amassed 42 disposals, 22. contested possessions and two goals in his last game against St Kevin's. Sam Marshall, Melbourne Grammar - another Brisbane Lions Academy prospect. Bailey McKenzie, Brighton Grammar - consistently in the best players. Harry O'Farrell, St Kevin's - AFL Academy plays in a key defensive position. Riley Onley, Scotch College - contested midfielder. Flynn Penry, Geelong Grammar - a dominant ruckman who gets plenty of the football. Angus Phillips, St Kevin's - high possession midfielder who kicks goals. Murphy Reid, Caulfield Grammar “The potential no.1 pick has been a clearance beast at APS level this season. Prior to his dominant national championships, Reid was winning his fair share of possessions for Caulfield Grammar but was having his biggest say at stoppage. In one game this year, more than 50 per cent of Reid's disposals for the day were clearances.“ Ben Rongdit, Geelong Grammar - bottom age Cats Next Generation Academy. River Stevens, Geelong College - son of dual North Melbourne premiership player Anthony. Nathaniel Sulzberger, Caulfield Grammar - Tasmanian who started the APS season as one of the early bolters in this year's draft and has maintained his trajectory. Luke Trainor, Brighton Grammar - highly rated with great football pedigree. Miles Tyrer, Melbourne Grammar - bottom-age ruckman. Ollie Warburton, Caulfield Grammar - classy wingman. Archie Watt, Xavier College - midfielder who consistently hits the scoreboard. Levi West, Carey Grammar - son of five-time All-Australian Scott West and brother of Bulldog Rhylee.

Corrected: this was an error carried forward from last week

Another hero of the 50s and early 60s passes. Condolences to the family.