Whispering_Jack

I'll ask KC to interrupt Justin Plapp's three quarter time speech to ask him the question.

Trading and Drafting 2015 - open for business now.

Max doesn't just drop down at Ormond occasionally, he is one of the co-coaches of the Under 17s although his MFC commitments don't allow him to get to all of their matches. My own son had a season at Ormond in their Under 16s some years ago and still has his jumper which must be one of the most godawful jumpers in football. Brown with a light blue V puts it in the Hawthorn jockey livery class of the 1990s.

To those questioning my "good authority" it's from a source not within the club but close to the players. Both have fairly serious injuries and you wouldn't expect another club to recruit them without a thorough medical check. Jack Trengove would no doubt be on Richmond's list today if that was not the case. What I'm suggesting is that we shouldn't get too excited about recruiting players who are going through long term injuries.

One of the big questions for today is whether people will bother to turn up for the game given that it's a clash between two out of form (at least I think that's a description of how Melbourne is playing at the moment) and out of luck teams occupying 11th and 15th spots on the ladder. The early morning weather out there looks foreboding - it's cold and bleak although the forecast says "rain clearing, wind easing" and it's true that Collingwood fans stick fat so you can still expect them to turn up in numbers for their home game on a ground they occupy and consider their own. But how many of our own will turn up to watch, given we're playing the type of game that's produced an average of 56½ points in the past four games which have involved opposition currently sitting in 13th, 14th and 18th spots on the ladder?

I have it on good authority that the injuries to both Prestia and O'Meara are pretty bad. In the case of the former, I was informed that any club that enquires after him needs to take a long hard look at his MRI scans. In the case of the Jaeger Bomb the verdict is even more problematic. My information is that unless he can get through a full season with Gold Coast before chasing after him. Prognosis not bright for either party.

They say that unless you’ve felt racial or religious oppression personally then you don’t know what it really means. That’s why I find much of the discourse we’re having at the moment so distasteful; and some of the excuses given to justify the constant booing of Adam Goodes are so patently pathetic that it beggars belief. I support the players’ stance of wearing Aboriginal colours in support of Adam Goodes who is a great Australian and without doubt a person of quality which I measure far beyond those who boo him. For several years I have also worn a symbol of my support for our Aboriginal people in honour of those members of the community who on 6 December, 1938 led a march down Collins Street to the German consulate where they attempted to present a petition to the German consul-general, D.W. Dreschler in protest against the "cruel persecution" of Jews in Germany in the wake of Kristallnacht -- the night of broken glass – when the Jews were targeted for killings or bashings, and Jewish businesses and homes were smashed. We know where that led and I wear my black bracelet in honour of Reverend William Cooper who organised what I understand was the only protest in the outside world at that time. For more about Reverend Cooper, see here. This entire controversy is bringing shame on the country and the sport and I salute our indigenous people and Adam Goodes for the dignified way in which they have put up with this tragic episode.

I've had enough too. Well done to the Melbourne players for showing their support for Adam Goodes, a great Australian and a champion footballer.

It would seem that Oscar McDonald has been dropped to the development league team. Maybe they're giving him a "rest" this week because this review of his game for Casey against Collingwood VFL from coach Justin Plapp isn't too bad except for the reference to him getting beaten "a couple of times in one-on-one contests". I believe the player who beat him those couple of times was a Collingwood AFL premiership player.

They've also named vandenBerg and ANB which means that they have three players in the 22 named to play Collingwood. Who do they think they're kidding?

The history of the draft is studded with unbelievable comments. We've all made them. I once saw Kane Tenace playing Under 18s and thought he would be a champion. 'Nuff said.

Just on the point concerning Hawthorn, I have no doubt that good administration and excellent coaching and player development played a major role in its rise over the past decade but you need some breaks with your drafting as well. They got a major break when Fremantle dealt them the number 1 pick which gave them Luke Hodge and picked up a slow reject midfielder in Sam Mitchell but they really hit the bonanza with their picks in the 2004 AFL Draft after getting priority pick 2 when the media and clubs were largely ignoring the shenanigans going on to achieve them and trading to get pick 7. Their selections were: 2. Jarryd Roughead 5. Lance Franklin 7. Jordan Lewis These, along with Cyril Rioli, a couple of years later were the keys to the Hawthorn rebuild that's made them a strength to this very day. Imagine however, if the Hawks had found themselves in the 2004 position a year earlier:- These were the equivalent draft selections from the 2003 AFL Draft:- 2. Andrew Walker 5. Brock McLean 7. Kane Tenace.

TAC Cup Wrap Round 14 Review An interesting name among the players named among the best for one of the clubs.

I hope Adam Goodes plays at the weekend to demonstrate that the redneck racists who boo him at games will never win. I have locked this thread because it has well and truly run its course. If you boo Adam and think you're not a racist, that's your prerogative but it has been made abundantly clear that he and other indigenous players are more than upset at the behaviour and that it clearly stems from elements among those who are booing that are racially motivated. Unfortunately, too many people are using this thread to justify boorish behaviour that quite frankly has no part in our society in the 21st Century and certainly has no part in a site supporting a club which has a rich heritage of indigenous players within its ranks.

I'm not convinced that the result on Sunday means that we've necessarily slipped behind St. Kilda or that they are going to be ahead of us as a club in two years. Judging by the Saints' best players from the game:- I'll back us against them any day of the week in 2017.

It doesn't take long for these games to roll around again does it?

Notice that he wasn't invited to the Draft Combine which means that he is unlikely to get selected in the main draft. So yes, we could probably select him as a rookie.

Invitations have been issued to the October National Draft Combine. South Australia Matthew Allen - Glenelg Riley Bonner - West Adelaide Ryan Burton - North Adelaide Aaron Francis - West Adelaide Cameron Hewett - North Adelaide Oleg Markov - North Adelaide Wayne Milera - Central Districts Andre Parrella - Sturt Luke Partington - Norwood Mason Redman - Glenelg Will Snelling - West Adelaide Stephen Tahana - North Adelaide Vic Country Tom Cole - Bendigo Pioneers Kieran Collins - Dandenong Stingrays Charlie Curnow - Geelong Falcons Tom Doedee - Geelong Falcons Josh Dunkley - Gippsland Power Thomas Glen - Dandenong Stingrays Nash Holmes - Gippsland Power Aidyn Johnson - Bendigo Pioneers Thomas Jok - Dandenong Stingrays Rhys Mathieson - Geelong Falcons Ben McKay - Gippsland Power Harry McKay - Gippsland Power Kurt Mutimer - Dandenong Stingrays Gach Nyuon - Dandenong Stingrays Clayton Oliver - Murray Bushrangers Darcy Parish - Geelong Falcons Bailey Rice - Dandenong Stingrays Josh Schache - Murray Bushrangers Sam Skinner - Gippsland Power Darcy Tucker - North Ballarat Rebels Jacob Weitering - Dandenong Stingrays Brandon White - Dandenong Stingrays Vic Metro Harley Balic - Sandringham Dragons Ryan Clarke - Eastern Ranges Ben Crocker - Oakleigh Chargers David Cuningham - Oakleigh Chargers Brayden Fiorini - Northern Knights Jack Firns - Oakleigh Chargers Jade Gresham - Northern Knights Blake Hardwick - Eastern Ranges Daniel Houston - Oakleigh Chargers Liam Jeffs - Eastern Ranges Hisham Kerbatieh - Calder Cannons Tyrone Leonardis - Northern Knights Darcy MacPherson - Northern Knights Callum Moore - Calder Cannons Alex Morgan - Oakleigh Chargers Nick O'Kearney - Calder Cannons James Parsons - Eastern Ranges Jack Silvagni - Oakleigh Chargers Sam Weideman - Eastern Ranges Western Australia Callum Ah Chee - South Fremantle Greg Clark - Subiaco Jesse Glass-McCasker - Swan Districts Brayden Hackett - Swan Districts Declan Mountford - Claremont Joshua Schoenfeld - Peel Thunder Dylan Smith - Swan Districts NSW/ACT Jock Cornell - Mangoplah CUE Matthew Flynn - Narrandera Harrison Himmelberg - Eastlake/Mangoplah CUE Jacob Hopper - Leeton-Whitton/North Ballarat Rebels Matthew Kennedy - Collingulli-GP Callum Mills - North Shore Lachlan Tiziani - Albury/Murray Bushrangers Northern Territory Davin Ferriera Wanderers/Norwood Daniel Rioli St Marys/North Ballarat Rebels Queensland Mabior Chol Yeronga Eric Hipwood Aspley Ben Keays Redlands/Morningside Corey Wagner Aspley Reuben William Wilston Grange/Zillmere Tasmania Mitchell Hibberd Clarence Kieran Lovell Kingston Tigers

Some minor rejigging of Terry Wallace's TAC Cup Future Stars selections:- 1. Brisbane - Jacob Weitering 2. Gold Coast - Joshua Schache 3. Sydney* - Callum Mills 4. Carlton - Aaron Francis 5. GWS* - Jacob Hopper 6. Melbourne - Darcy Parish 7. Essendon - Rhys Mathieson 8. St. Kilda - Darcy Tucker 9. Port Adelaide - Harley Balic 10. GWS* - Matthew Kennedy 11. Collingwood - Charlie Curnow 12. Brisbane* - Ben Keays 13. Geelong - Kieran Collins 14. North Melbourne - Sam Weideman 15. Western Bulldogs - Ryan Burton 16. Adelaide - Riley Bonner 17. Richmond - Harry McKay 18. West Coast - Kieran Lovell 19. Brisbane* - Eric Hipwood 20. Hawthorn - Jade Gresham * Academy bid

During the week the MFC marked the 50th anniversary of the ignominious sacking of Norm Smith by the MCC committee. 50 years in the wilderness for the Club. No premierships since 1964 and the curse of Norm continues to haunt the club. And what an almighty curse it must be, because the Israelites were banished to the wilderness for only 40 years, for their indiscretions. We have seen various prophets come and go, all promising to take us to the Promised Land, but after the performance against the Saints, we are no closer to reaching that target than we have ever been. The false dawn of improvement we saw against Geelong, was crushed by a totally insipid demonstration of ineptitude by numerous Melbourne players. It started in the first quarter when Dawes couldn’t kick straight while running into an open goal to set the tone, and followed that with a series of failed marking attempts and turnovers gifted to the Saints. He wasn’t alone as Grimes, Watts and Jetta fed plenty of their possession directly the opposition. Instead of relieving the pressure by taking control of the situation and booting it down the field, they sought to handball to others under pressure. It is better to see the ball 50 metres away from the opponent’s goal, than giving it up to them. The usual apologists will point to the number of possessions this trio had, but fail to look at their combined efforts of 16 clangers! Sixteen straight turnovers to the opposition, and that doesn’t count the ones where they give it to someone who had no chance of disposing of it properly and is themselves the cause of the clanger. What would the score board look like with 16 less direct turnovers? There were some players who could hold their heads high. Jack Viney 20 contested possessions with 31 disposals. Max Gawn 32 hit outs. But beyond those two there weren’t many others who could say they beat their opponent on the day, or provided anything positive toward the team. This was against a bottom of the ladder type side. They are no Hawthorn or West Coast. This was against a side that had won the same number of games as we had. The result should have been a close contest, but never was. Where was the improvement we have been promised? How can the fans be expected to watch the absolute and utter cr@p that is being served up to them at the moment? Seven goals is all they have seen from their side in the last 7 quarters of football. A solitary goal for each quarter played! We were at the bottom of the ladder when Richmond were last there. We were at the bottom of the ladder when the Bulldogs and GWS were there. We were there when Port and Gold Coast were there. And when St. Kilda were the cellar dwellers. Now each of those sides has gone past us and left us still languishing at the bottom. We have reverted to the game style from 2 years ago! 195 handballs in a game where we only had 178 kicks. The result is we go around in circles until it is coughed up. And to top it off we have ridiculous player placement. McDonald up forward isn’t working, with no score to his name again this week. Meanwhile the player he has taken apart in the past, Riewoldt, on one leg, manages 3 goals and 13 marks! So how long will it be before Jesse Hogan, Angus Brayshaw and Jack Viney give up? It won’t be long because the Melbourne fans are giving up themselves. We have spent 50 years supporting the club in the Wilderness, these talented kids only a couple of years. If we have had enough, then they will stop trying and go elsewhere to get some satisfaction playing the game. They will leave to play with others who care, who are prepared to put in when needed, who want to do the hard work. At the moment all they see is further wilderness before them. Melbourne 1.2.8 3.6.24 5.9.39 6.10.46 St. Kilda 4.4.28 4.7.31 10.8.68 12.11.83 Goals Melbourne Dawes Garlett Gawn Hogan N Jones Tyson St. Kilda Riewoldt 3 Dunstan 2 Bruce Lonie McCartin Newnes Savage Sinclair Weller Best Melbourne Viney Gawn Grimes, Cross, Vince, Watts St. Kilda Riewoldt, Roberton, Gilbert, Geary, Dempster, Fisher, Montagna Changes Melbourne Nil St. Kilda Nil Injuries Melbourne T McDonald (left eye) St. Kilda Armitage (shin), Webster (ribs), Riewoldt (corked calf) Substitutions Melbourne Viv Michie replaced Aaron vandenBerg in the third quarter St. Kilda Eli Templeton replaced Hugh Goddard at three-quarter time Reports Melbourne Nil St. Kilda Nil Umpires Rosebury, Mollison, Wallace Official crowd 22,945 at the MCG

Sorry OD but Bo Derek left town

The last time Melbourne beat St. Kilda was on the 8th September, 2006 in the Second Elimination Final at the MCG. Melbourne 2.2.14 3.4.22 8.5.53 13.12.90 St. Kilda 5.4.34 6.6.42 9.8.62 10.12.72 Goals Melbourne Neitz 4 McLean 2 Bate Bruce McDonald Miller Pickett Robertson Yze St. Kilda Gehrig 3 Milne Riewoldt 2 Baker Koschitzke Peckett Best Melbourne McLean Neitz Bruce Green McDonald White Carroll St. Kilda Riewoldt Harvey Baker S Fisher Milne Ball Gehrig Melbourne kicking ten goals in the second half. I'd like to see that live on the MCG today!!!

The guy played 41 games for us in 1996-7 and was considered (by me at least) as a bit of a little rough nut pest who was just borderline AFL level. By that I mean he could get games with struggling clubs but not with the power houses and that's why he found himself at Melbourne in those days. Later on, I had a brief experience of him with my junior club and I knew then that he was a student of the game. He kept notes on everything and was a thinker but I still hadn't figured out how great he could be. Well, he's on his way to emulating the late great Norm Smith as a coach in this game of ours. I love this wry comment that he made just before on 3AW when discussing his team's annihilation of Carlton which he shrugged off in this way:- "I know it sounds dull, but it's all about September." Read it and weep.

Hawthorn's record win over Carlton a 'PR and television disaster' It's not as if the writing wasn't on the wall a long time ago.

We were a victim of our own success and remained innately conservative clinging on to the ways of amateur sport when the direction everywhere else was towards professionalism. The club was run with an imperious air by a committee that thought it was born to rule and it brooked no change. The attitude to a loyal and successful servant in Smith was just part of the problems that were building up at the club but the sacking was the watershed. On the Saturday, we played North Melbourne which had moved that year to the Coburg City Oval. Checker Hughes was our stand in coach and I remember it rained heavily and we lost. To North Melbourne - a lowly club and in normal circumstances we would never lower our colours to them. We were the reigning premiers. We won the first eight games of 1965 and the boat was being rocked.