Whispering_Jack

The reigning premiers, the Sandringham Dragons, take on the Eastern Ranges in the Coates Talent League grand final at Ikon Park on Sunday at 11.15am. Players to look out for in the Dragons lineup are midfielder Ryley Sanders, key defender Ollie Murphy and rebounding halfback Archie Roberts - all are potential draft first rounders. Likewise with Ranges’ small forward Nick Watson and outside midfielder Caleb Windsor. The Dragons’ midfielder Charlie Edwards is considered a late bolter for draft selection - ONLINE: 10 PLAYERS TO WATCH IN GRAND FINAL

Would not have enjoyed his last game. The way the VFL competition is run is farcical and an insult to players like Munro who give their heart and soul every week of the season that’s not interrupted by yet another bye or the withdrawal of half of the team’s best players because of fixturing issues created from above.

THE 2023 Coates Talent League awards night was held this week. There was a tie for the Morrish Medal for the third year in a row. This time, midfielders Patrick Hughes (Geelong Falcons) and Colby McKercher (Tasmania Devils) each finished with 18 votes while George Stevens (GWV Rebels) came third on 16 votes. Stevens was also announced as Team of the Year captain. Melbourne father/son prospect Kynan Brown was named in the Team as an interchange. 2023 COATES TALENT LEAGUE TEAM OF THE YEAR B Billy Wilson (Dandenong Stingrays) Ollie Murphy (Sandringham Dragons) James Leake (Tasmania Devils) HB George Stevens (GWV Rebels) (c) Connor O’Sullivan (Murray Bushrangers) Archie Roberts (Sandringham Dragons) C Joel Freijah (GWV Rebels) Levi Ashcroft (Sandringham Dragons) Colby McKercher (Tasmania Devils) HF Darcy Wilson (Murray Bushrangers) Jordan Croft (Calder Cannons) Zane Duursma (Gippsland Power) F Nick Watson (Eastern Ranges) Logan Morris (Western Jets) Nate Caddy (Northern Knights) FOLL Will Green (Northern Knights) Harley Reid (Bendigo Pioneers) Ryley Sanders (Tasmania Devils) I/C Kynan Brown (Oakleigh Chargers) Harry De Mattia (Dandenong Stingrays) Patrick Hughes (Geelong Falcons) Luamon Lual (GWV Rebels) Finn O’Sullivan (Oakleigh Chargers) Michael Rudd (Geelong Falcons) Winners | 2023 Coates Talent League Boys awards night

From Today’s Herald Sun ”Melbourne has fast-tracked an AFLW debut for Gaelic football star Aimee Mackin, injecting more talent into its forward half. “The Irish recruit will join sister and premiership player Blaithin Mackin against Hawthorn on Friday night, with teammates calling the prospect “scary” for opponents.” Official selection later today …

AFL media’s most tedious product makes its return today. During the trade period AFL Trade Radio produces enormous lashings of interviews and commentary that are mainly rehashed material that we already know about with the odd scoop thrown in when it happens. If you happen to be tuned in when they bring up one of those scoops, please let us know.

Unfortunately, Collingwood will be far too good for GWS. We’ll have to wait for the Grand Final and Chris Fagan’s Lions to bring peace on the AFL’s earth.

Solid citizen.

And much better on this day in 1964. https:/

On this day, 19 September, 1987, an even worse result than last Friday ~

As Melbourne embarks on its post season recruiting, it’s worthwhile dwelling a little on how it gathered together its newcomers seventy years ago including the late, great Ronald Dale Barassi and many others who took part in the club’s golden era of six premierships which concluded on this day, 19 September, 1964 which marked his last game for the club. Vale Ron Barassi | The Debutants of 1953

Scouting Notes: Coates Talent League Preliminary Final 1 Scouting Notes: Coates Talent League Preliminary Final 2

The Eastern Ranges caused a major upset in their Coates League Preliminary Final yesterday when they beat the highly fancied Tasmania Devils by 40 points. They will meet reigning premiers Sandringham Dragons in the boys Grand Final next weekend. The Dragons overcame the Geelong Falcons by 34 points but the scores were close right up until midway through the final term.

Tyla Hanks has a narrow lead over skipper Kate Hore. 48. Tyla Hanks 40. Kate Hore 20. Alyssa Bannan 14. Lauren Pearce Olivia Purcell 12. Eliza McNamara 10. Shelley Heath 8. Eden Zanker 6. Sarah Lampard 5. Blaithin Mackin 3. Maddison Gay Tayla Harris Lily Mithen Paxy Paxman

G’day Daniel, the fact that you have spoken up now is not only courageous but also, an important act for other young people who don’t have a voice and who might be spared your experience in the future. If I can speak on their behalf, all I can say is “thank you” and though I can’t speak for the AFL, I can say “sorry” from the bottom of my heart for what you went through.

Melbourne’s draft order before October’s trade period is locked in at 5, 13, 24, 32 and 87. The order after the second week of the 2023 finals series:- ROUND ONE 1. West Coast Eagles 2. North Melbourne 3. Hawthorn 4. Gold Coast Suns 5. Melbourne (via Fremantle) 6. GWS Giants (via Richmond) 7. Geelong 8. Essendon 9. Adelaide 10. Western Bulldogs 11. Sydney Swans 12. St Kilda 13. Melbourne 14. North Melbourne (via Port Adelaide) 15. GWS Giants 16. Carlton 17. Western Bulldogs (via Brisbane) 18. Collingwood ROUND TWO 19. West Coast Eagles 20. Adelaide (via North Melbourne) 21. Fremantle (via North Melbourne compensation) 22. Sydney Swans (via Hawthorn) 23. Adelaide (via Gold Coast Suns) 24. Melbourne (via Fremantle) 25. Richmond 26. Brisbane (via Geelong) 27. Essendon 28. Gold Coast Suns (via Adelaide) 29. Hawthorn (via Western Bulldogs) 30. Sydney Swans 31. St Kilda 32. Melbourne 33. West Coast Eagles (via Port Adelaide) 34. Gold Coast Suns (via GWS Giants) 35. Collingwood (via Carlton) 36. Western Bulldogs (via Brisbane) 37. Port Adelaide (via Collingwood) ROUND THREE 38. West Coast Eagles 39. North Melbourne 40. Fremantle (via North Melbourne compo) 41. Sydney Swans (via Hawthorn) 42. Gold Coast Suns 43. Port Adelaide (via Fremantle) 44. Richmond 45. Brisbane (via Geelong) 46. Essendon 47. Gold Coast Suns (via Adelaide) 48. Hawthorn (via Western Bulldogs) 49. Sydney Swans 50. St Kilda 51. North Melbourne (via Melbourne) 52. West Coast Eagles (via Port Adelaide) 53. GWS Giants 54. Fremantle (via Carlton) 55. Brisbane 56. Gold Coast Suns (via Collingwood) ROUND FOUR 57. West Coast Eagles 58. Fremantle (via North Melbourne) 59. North Melbourne (via Hawthorn) 60. Gold Coast Suns 61. Brisbane (via Fremantle) 62. Richmond 63. Western Bulldogs (via Geelong) 64. Carlton (via Essendon) 65. Gold Coast Suns (via Adelaide) 66. Western Bulldogs 67. Essendon (via Sydney Swans) 68. Gold Coast Suns (via St Kilda) 69. Western Bulldogs (via Melbourne) 70. Port Adelaide 71. GWS Giants 72. Carlton 73. GWS Giants (via Brisbane) 74. Collingwood ROUND FIVE 75. West Coast Eagles 76. North Melbourne 77. Hawthorn 78. Gold Coast Suns 79. Fremantle 80. Richmond 81. Geelong 82. Essendon 83. Adelaide 84. Western Bulldogs 85. Sydney Swans 86. St Kilda 87. Melbourne 88. Port Adelaide 89. GWS Giants 90. Carlton 91. Brisbane Lions 92. Collingwood The order will continue to change as the ladder positions change during the finals series.

For many of my generation who grew up in our golden era in the 50s and early 60s, he was our first true hero. Rest in peace, dear Ronald Dale Barassi. At a club function on the occasion of Ron’s 80th birthday, one of the tributes was from tenor David Hobson who sang “You Raise Me Up” as requested by the guest of honour. For those of us who were blessed to grow up following the Demons during the time when RDB ruled as Mr Football, this song will always resonate with us … we were always strong when we were on his shoulders.

The cream of the players in line for the 2024 AFL Draft will be on show on Grand Final Day. Future stars to feature ahead of 2023 Toyota AFL Grand Final

Some indicative pointers on Combine results ~ 2km Time Trial Elite - Sub 6:00 minutes Very Good - 6:20 minutes Average - 6:45 minutes Below Average - 7:00 minutes Poor - 7:30 minutes 20m Sprint Elite - 2.80 seconds Very Good - 2.90 seconds Average - 3.00 seconds Below Average - 3.10 seconds Poor -3.20 seconds Vertical Jump Elite - 75 centimetres Very Good - 65 centimetres Average - 60 centimetres Below Ave - 55 centimetres Poor - 50 centimetres

Draft Central’s Coates Talent Team of the Year announced with Kynan Brown named on the half forward flank.

Beyond our control. Let’s move on. We have bigger fish to fry. Carlton this week and Brisbane the next with another crack at Collingwood on Saturday 30 September 2023.

Seven MFC players are currently off contract ~ Luke Dunstan, Michael Hibberd, James Jordon, Jake Melksham, Andy Moniz-Wakefield, Deakyn Smith and Kye Turner. Unfortunately, Dunstan and Melksham are set to be out for all of 2024 with injuries and, in that case, are unlikely to be contracted. Hibbo has retired and Jordon may choose to go elsewhere for more opportunities. AMW might well be the only one on this list to continue into next year. AFL PLAYERS OFF CONTRACT 2023

The order after the first week of the 2023 finals series:- ROUND ONE 1. West Coast Eagles 2. North Melbourne 3. Hawthorn 4. Gold Coast Suns 5. Melbourne 6. GWS Giants 7. Geelong 8. Essendon 9. Adelaide 10. Western Bulldogs 11. Sydney Swans 12. St Kilda 13. GWS Giants 14. Carlton 15. Melbourne 16. North Melbourne 17. Western Bulldogs 18. Collingwood ROUND TWO 19. West Coast Eagles 20. Adelaide 21. Fremantle 22. Sydney Swans 23. Adelaide 24. Melbourne 25. Richmond 26. Brisbane Lions 27. Essendon 28. Gold Coast Suns 29. Hawthorn 30. Sydney Swans 31. St Kilda 32. Gold Coast Suns 33. Collingwood 34. Melbourne 35. West Coast Eagles 36. Western Bulldogs 37. Port Adelaide ROUND THREE 38. West Coast Eagles 39. North Melbourne 40. Fremantle 41. Sydney Swans 42. Gold Coast Suns 43. Port Adelaide 44. Richmond 45. Brisbane Lions 46. Essendon 47. Gold Coast Suns 48. Hawthorn 49. Sydney Swans 50. St Kilda 51. GWS Giants 52. Fremantle 53. North Melbourne 54. West Coast Eagles 55. Brisbane Lions 56. Gold Coast Suns ROUND FOUR 57. West Coast Eagles 58. Fremantle 59. North Melbourne 60. Gold Coast Suns 61. Brisbane Lions 62. Richmond 63. Western Bulldogs 64. Carlton 65. Gold Coast Suns 66. Western Bulldogs 67. Essendon 68. Gold Coast Suns 69. GWS Giants 70. Carlton 71. Western Bulldogs 72. Port Adelaide 73. GWS Giants 74. Collingwood ROUND FIVE 75. West Coast Eagles 76. North Melbourne 77. Hawthorn 78. Gold Coast Suns 79. Fremantle 80. Richmond 81. Geelong 82. Essendon 83. Adelaide 84. Western Bulldogs 85. Sydney Swans 86. St Kilda 87. GWS Giants 88. Carlton 89. Melbourne 90. Port Adelaide 91. Brisbane Lions 92. Collingwood The order will continue to change as the ladder positions change during the finals series.

PREVIEW | 2023 Coates Talent League – Quarter Finals ONES TO WATCH Oakleigh’s midfield rotation has caught fire in recent weeks, headlined by a trio of bottom-agers in Finn O’Sullivan, Jagga Smith and Tom Gross. That’s not to mention Kynan Brown fresh off a five-goal haul, Will Lorenz out on a wing, and Harvey Thomas as a potential wildcard.

Kynan Brown had 20 touches and kicked a couple of goals today but the Chargers lost by 7 points to the Eastern Ranges in their Elimination Final today - meaning season’s end for him.