Whispering_Jack

Fantastic to read the original knee slapping humour as above - keep it coming please BUT this is a serious thread and we are looking for support from lawyers, paralegals etc and to give you an example, this is a report from one of the Devil's Advocates functions that was held in 2016:- Devil's Advocates Dinner 2016 (June 2, 2016) The annual Devil's Advocates Dinner took place last night hosted by Dr Turf and with headline guest speakers Rod Grinter (fresh from appearing the night before on Open Mike) and Jade Rawlings followed by an entertaining auction conducted by Phil Kingston of Gary Peer Estate. The Doc was in fine form and good humour and both guest speakers were entertaining in the question and answer format. Balls was far more open among friends and the legal fraternity (especially since the statute of limitations rules out any possible repercussions from the events he discussed) than he was with Mike Sheahan and the Foxtel viewing audience and threw an informative light on some of the happenings during his illustrious career of 134 games including the time when Terry Wallace embedded some of his teeth which infected his forearm and put him in hospital (Wallace played the next week but his voice is now at a higher pitch) during the time he somehow found himself out suspended for 6 weeks over the incident, the 1987 Preliminary Final (which we shoulda won), a pre season trip that landed him in hot water and the coaches who he played under including RDB, John Northey and Neil Balme. He spoke of his great friendships with teammates of the era including Garry Lyon, Jimmy Stynes, Brett Lovett during a period in which the club was relatively successful without pulling off a premiership flag. Rod is the President of the MFC Past Players and officials and he spoke of the initiatives this group has undertaken such as the Ron Barassi Club (which recently honoured the great RDB on his 80th birthday and is setting up a fund to look after former players who might be in need). In the near future the club will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the 1956 premiership - details available on this site. (I hope to be able to put together and post a tribute to 1956 before the event). Jade Rawlings had a superb career at Hawthorn before being hawked around to the Bulldogs and finally spent his last playing season with his brother Brady at North Melbourne. He has had a brief stint as a stand in coach at Richmond after his friend Terry Wallace was boned (it was really Wallace's night after the Grinter interview but readers here should know that Plough was once a Demon fan). In fact, Jade has worked with a number of sacked coaches at various clubs including Melbourne where he worked with Mark Neeld who he said was afflicted by a number of unfortunate setbacks during his brief time at the club. Rawlings is very positive about the club now under Paul Roos and soon to come under the coaching mantle of Simon Goodwin and strongly defended the club's defensive set up and personnel - they all have a purpose and we will be a strong club in the end as a result of what is being done with our inexperienced team of today. He went through most of the players in the team and their futures at the club and ended on a note that we can expect Chris Dawes, Jack Grimes and Jack Trengove at least in the 25 named (including emergencies) for Saturday's game. My only disappointment was that Max Gawn's name wasn't mentioned in discussion which I suppose reflects the fact that we've already become accustomed to the fact that he's one of the dominant ruckmen in the game today. Phil Kingston was in great form and raised a good few grand auctioning off some club goodies. He was so good in his role that he proved that even members of the legal fraternity can be dummies. Kudos to family lawyer Ralph Glezer who organised the night.

Graduates with LLB's or the old RMIT or law clerks courses etc are good.

The Devils Advocates, a Melbourne Football Club supporter group comprised of members of the legal profession who support the Demons is making a comeback in 2025. The group has over the years raised a substantial amount of much needed funding for the club through its annual dinner and other activities. It’s open to members of the legal and paralegal community including judges, academics, senior counsel, barristers, solicitors, law clerks and all those involved or working in and with the legal profession including law students. The annual dinner was previously one of the highlights of the season with interesting and sometimes controversial guests, insider news from players past and present, lively discussion, a fundraiser/auction and good food and drink and has been sorely missed since it disappeared from the scene at around about the time the Covid pandemic set in. Despite the perception many of the public might have, us lawyers are very giving people and what better time than now for us to give back to the club. One only has to look at the recent announcement of the club’s financial outcome to appreciate how much the legal profession took out of the club over the past year - so now is the time to give back 😀 Seriously though, if you’re one of the people in the group mentioned above and want to be involved in our Devil’s Advocates functions and help the Melbourne Football Club’s meteoric rise in 2025, please contact Colin at [email protected] to be placed on the Devil’s Advocates mailing list.

I've been involved with various facets of junior and senior sports administration for more than 40 years and I've come across a fair share of "ugly parents" as well as many supportive parents without whose encouragement and the sacrifices made by them in term of money and time, many great sporting careers would never have happened. Unless you know the people involved and their full story, it's unwise to jump in and comment on any specific case. I think Jeff's a proud parent and wish him and Kalani good luck - it's going to be an exciting time ahead for them. For my part, I look forward to the sight of a red and blue #34 jumping all over certain Collingwood players on a Kings Birthday in the future.

From the Herald Sun’s online article on the AFL draft: The draftees who could line up in Round 1 2025, best SuperCoach rookie picks:

From the Herald Sun’s online article on the AFL draft: The draftees who could line up in Round 1 2025, best SuperCoach rookie picks:

From the Herald Sun’s online article on the AFL draft: The draftees who could line up in Round 1 2025, best SuperCoach rookie picks

A summary of the 2024 draft crop. 2024 AFL Draft Review: Melbourne

2025 Melbourne numbers — 1. Steven May 2. Jacob van Rooyen 3. Christian Salem 4. Judd McVee 5. Christian Petracca 6. Caleb Windsor 7. Jack Viney 8. Jake Lever 9. Charlie Spargo 10. Daniel Turner 11. Max Gawn 12. Koltyn Tholstrup 13. Clayton Oliver 14. Jack Billings 15. Ed Langdon 16. Bailey Laurie 17. Jake Bowey 18. Jake Melksham 19. Harvey Langford 20. Xavier Lindsey 21. Matt Jefferson 22. Blake Howes 23. Shane McAdam 24. Trent Rivers 25. Tom McDonald 26. Jed Adams 27. Marty Hore 28. Will Verrall 29. Tom Campbell 30. Harry Sharp 31. Bayley Fritsch 32. Tom Sparrow 33. Tom Fullarton 35. Harry Petty 36. Kysaiah Pickett 37. Kade Chandler 38. Oliver Sestan 39. Ricky Mentha Jnr 40. Taj Woewodin 41. Kynan Brown 42. Aidan Johnson 44. Luker Kentfield 45. Andy Moniz-Wakefield

The club gave up on that many years ago although it was reported recently that we did look at a couple of Irish lads who were invited to the Draft Combine in October.

This article on the AFL website discusses the changes in draft bidding on academy and father/son picks. Change is coming: How Lions' bids would look in 2025 Worth considering the repercussions in the case of Kalani White. Of particular interest is how Gold Coast could handle the possibility of drafting more than two first round picks in light of the points changes.

Agree ... he should never have been off it.

Paul Amy on X is reporting that Deng Andrew, brother of Mac and Riak, is fighting for a place on the Northern Bullants list. A long way from Casey.

No. With the exception of a possible Category B spot for international players or players from other sports (not considered particularly likely), there are no vacancies on the club’s lists.

The Melbourne Football Club has gone bush to a magnificent part of Central Victoria. The boys were photographed today at various locations around Yea - at Sacred Heart Primary School and at Yea High School. Tomorrow, it’s off to Mansfield for Open Training at the Mansfield Recreation Reserve (9am - 10am) followed by a Player Signing Session (10am - 10.15am). If you’re in the area, please report in!

And just like that Essendon has signed delisted Brisbane defender Jaxon Prior on the opening day of the pre-season supplemental selection period (SSP).

I’ve taken step of locking this thread because it has moved away from its original purpose of informing Melbourne fans about Friday’s training session which was a largely positive one for the club. The club is moving on to its Mansfield training camp with the full entourage including the recent draftees expected to attend. It’s a beautiful part of our state and I look forward to more positive reports from those fortunate enough to make it to that part of the camp which is open to the fans … and please keep on topic. Thanks.

Don’t start feeling too cocky dazzle. You’re walking a very fine line. Consider yourself warned. And deemac too!

Now that the AFL Drafts are done and dusted, attention turns to the 2025 Supplementary Selection Period (SSP) which presents the final opportunity for players to secure an AFL list spot ahead of the start of next season. A limited number of clubs have left list spots open and now have the option to offer train-on opportunities to prospective players with the objective of filling those vacancies by February 2025. The first window of opportunity in the post draft period begins tomorrow and the following clubs are expected to be involved in the SSP process: Carlton - the Blues have two spots open and their most noted invitee is former Hawthorn No. 6 pick Denver Grainger-Barras. Liam McMahon, a key position forward formerly of Collingwood but who was a leading goalkicker with Carlton’s VFL team this year is also on board with the Blues. Delisted pair Sam Durdin and Matt Carroll will also be trying to reclaim their places at the club. Essendon - the Bombers have promised delisted defender Kaine Baldwin the opportunity to train on with a view to SSP selection. Fremantle - the Dockers have long been expected to sign former Cat and Power midfielder Quinton Narkle. Gold Coast - the Suns passed up in the rookie draft and can also sign a player through the SSP. Port Adelaide - the Power will invite North Melbourne VFL skipper Jack Watkins to audition for a SSP spot. Western Bulldogs - Dom Brew, captain of VFL premier Werribee is expected to be invited, along with SA ruckman Harry Boyd. West Coast - the Eagles have been linked to cut Suns defender Sandy Brock.

As has already been noted, there is plenty of Northern Academy talent around to expand the first night of next year’s draft. Three prospects in the top ten according to Cal Twomey and then there’s Kalani White to consider as well. Stars of the future: 10 draft prospects to watch in 2025

Is that a toupee? If so, we should get one for Aidan Johnson.

AFL Draft: Melbourne excited by early look of promising 2025 club-tied prospect