Whispering_Jack

Brian Wilson won the Brownlow Medal on this day in 1982.

afl.com.auPotential draft guns fire Ranges to GF win over DragonsSome of the best young players in this year's draft crop showed their wares in the Coates Boys League Grand FinalThat’s Sullivan Robey in the middle of the picture. The four goals he kicked and his imposing stature will do no harm to his draft prospects.

And Eastern Ranges win by 15 points to break the Dragons’ hold on the Coates League premiership. Xavier Taylor named best afield for Eastern Ranges in the Grand Final win. He was a standout performer with 25 touches and 15 marks patrolling the defence.

Robey has four goals as the Ranges take a good lead. He’s certainly going to firm now in the draft rankings and that will make it difficult for us to get him.

Pardon me showing my bias but young Reidy has just kicked a couple to put the Dragons up by 7 points. At three quarter time Sandringham Dragons 10.6.66 lead the Eastern Ranges 9.5.59. Only the wind and the Ranges stand between the Dragons and a fourth flag in a row.

Go Dragons!

Dragons almost back in the game but Robey’s third just now was a steadier.

Eastern Ranges are three goals up at half time. Dovaston and Greeves look good for the Ranges while Wright is going all right for the Dragons. Robey has been quiet since his two early goals.

PLAYER PROFILES SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS 2. Jack Dalton (VC): Hard running midfielder-forward who suffered two broken arms during pre-season, delaying his season until mid year. Played for Vic Metro and is a vice captain of the Dragons this year. Played in the 2024 premiership as a bottom ager. 4. Julian Galbally: 19 year old athletic ruck who came to us as a top ager last year and has developed enormously. Covers the ground well as a ruck and can spend time forward. 6. Arki Butler: Talent bottom age forward who was part of the Vic Metro squad and will play in the Grand Final Day Futures game on the MCG. Smart around goals, strong overhead and has a high football IQ. 8. Sam Buck: 19 year old key forward who is one of three returning premiership players from 2024. Hits up strongly at the ball as a mobile agile forward. 9. Rory Wright: Versatile and combative half back has spent time as a midfielder this year with Dragons and Vic Metro. Excellent left foot kick and courageous in the air. 10. Gus Teixeira: Bottom age midfielder has great contest play and transition running. Has shown an ability to push forward and hit the scoreboard in his Coates Talent League games. 12. Keanu Nadji: Third tall defender who reads the play well in the air, tackles strongly in the contest and is a nice kick off half back. Member of St Kilda’s NGA. 13. Alfie Lambert: Hard running wing can play midfield and forward but has settled on the wing in recent weeks. Strong contest player who shows good composure with ball in hand. 15. Oliver Griffin: Versatile marking forward only joined our program this year as a top ager and impressed with his strong hands and accurate goal kicking. 16. Tyson Bradley: Bottom age key defender is strong in one-on-one contests and reads the play well to intercept mark. Will be part of the National Futures Boys game on the MCG next weekend. 17. Lochie Burrows: Bottom age small forward debuted mid season and impressed with his finishing in front of goal and defensive pressure. 20. Henry Thomas: Athletic key defender has good speed and ability to read the play to intercept and get involved in attack. 27. Xavier Bamert (C): Dragons Captain who played in the 2024 premiership as a bottom ager at half back. This year has played midfield and forward, as a strong contest winning midfielder who runs a sub-6 minute 2km, showing his running power contest to contest. 29. Phoenix Janover: Versatile wing is a neat ball user by foot, strong over the contest and a member of our leadership group. 30. Darby Heelis: Aggressive hard running rebounding defender has played every role on the ground this year before settling at half back. 32. Miles Tyrer: Ruck and key forward splits time between the two roles and uses his physicality to impact in the air and on the ground. Has hit the scoreboard in recent weeks while playing forward. 33. George Dimer: Hard working high half forward who has great agility and ability to step in and out of traffic. As a bottom ager he has performed strongly in each of his Coates Talent League games. 34. Kye Fincher: Vic Metro representative at half back spent time training as a midfielder in pre-season and has returned to that spot late in the season. Quick, agile and strong in the contest, kicked two goals in the prelim final against Gippsland. 41. Bennett Martin (VC): Vice captain in 2025 and spent time as a midfielder and half back this year. In recent weeks has played lockdown defensive roles on the oppositions best small forward and consistently won contests. 49. Jack Hayter: Combative wing spends time at half back as well, where he has impressed with his reading of the play and composed ball use. Jasper Noorbergen: Athletic bottom age Key Defender has impressed with his ability to support teammates in the air and on the ground, and his ability to play on talls and smalls. 56. Sacha Levine: Tall midfielder has been one of our most consistent players this year, playing every game and showing his strong contest and tackling, and ability to drive his legs out of traffic. 60. Freddy Brayshaw: Hard running half forward and wing has played selfless team roles at different times this year, using his high work rate to get up and down the ground and put on pressure in our forward half. 63. Kayne Watt: Key Forward joined us as a top ager this year and impressed with his marking ability. 73. Jack Davies: Bottom age versatile midfield, wing or half back joined us from Sturt’s under 16s in the SANFL, where he was second in their best and fairest. Composed ball user 75. Willis Reidy: Quick and agile small forward puts on pressure at ground level, is capable of flying for a high mark, and consistently hits the scoreboard.

PLAYER PROFILES EASTERN RANGES 1. Blake Chambers: A true winger and neat kick who is consistent each week. Will also set up forward nicely with his neat entries. 4. Bailey Lloyd: Has speed and athleticism. Clever with the footy and pressures well when playing mid. 7. Jordy Knapp: Great endurance midfielder than spreads well from contest and is smart with his ball use. Often kicks goals too. 8. Lachy Dovaston: Nifty pressure small forward who thrives on the big stage. Loves to celebrate a goal and help the team get the win. 9. Jos Landy: Contested ball winner, strong at stoppage and will run all day. Often taking the role on opposition mids to nullify 11. Mitch Gillan: Bottom ager who plays on small forwards and always gets the job done. Neat skills and very evasive. 14. Zac Antonellos: Cleaver wing forward player, who often kicks goals and sets others up well. Bottom ager. 15. Mitch Buckland: Coming off three ACL injuries, he has come in to impact at half back and wing. Smart footballer, uses the ball well and has a team-first attitude. 16. Tom Swainston: Played key back for the majority of the year, before moving forward in the finals and has found the goals. Sets others up and has great endurance as a high forward. 22. Xavier Taylor: Intercepting running back who plays on talls and smalls. Has taken many scalps at both CTL and National Champs level. Kickstarts Eastern's offence 25. Oskar Taylor: Elite speed and damaging left foot, plays a high rebounding role near stoppage and never loses a 1v1 26. Ollie Greeves: Inside mid whose strong contest work brings others into the game. Can do damage in midfield and attack as his forward craft has evolved. 29. Ryan McConnell: Inside contested player that can play mid and forward. A great ground level player who put his head over the ball to win it for the team. 31. Andrew Barker: Co-captain and key defender, often taking key forwards and resting rucks. With speed and power and a nice kick. Great overhead marking. 34. Archie Spencer: Great contested player who is hard over the football and plays his role at stoppage well. Versatile and can play all parts of the ground. 36. Jaden Lawrence: Bottom age ruck who plays his role well against older bodies. Has a strong mark and often impacts with goals when forward. 37. Rod Ali: Athletic key defender. Has played on talls and mediums this season and successfully beaten them with 1v1 skills and athleticism. 38. Harry Chapman: Bottom age winger than can play all parts of the ground. Covers the ground beautifully with a mix of speed and endurance. 41. Sam Devers: Bottom ager with speed to bun. No-fuss player that plays his half back role to a tee. 42. Ollie McKenzie: Strong role player who plays his role for the team and guides the backs with good leadership and talk. 51. Charlie Nash: Bottom ager tall forward. Plays structure so well and is the ultimate team player. Will find the goals and take a huge grab. 55. Sullivan Robey: Came into the program in May as a forward who can also play mid with his strong contest game and burst from stoppage. Neat around goals and a strong overhead mark. 59. Marcus Krasnadamskis: Has a basketball background and returned to the program from May after playing 16s at Eastern. Key ruck with great mobility, follow up and athleticism.

Grand Final: Eastern Ranges vs Sandringham Dragons Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 1:00pm AEST at IKON Park BROADCAST: The 2025 Coates Talent League Grand Finals will be streamed live and free at AFL.com.au, the AFL Live Official App and the Coates Talent League App. TEAMS EASTERN RANGES B: Andrew Barker (31), Xavier Taylor (25), Rod Ali (37) HB: Mitchell Gillan (11), Lachy Dovaston (8), C: Blake Chambers (1), Jordan Knapp (7), Harrison Chapman (38) HF: Zac Antonellos (14), Oliver McKenzie (42), Sullivan Robey (55) F: Bailey Lloyd (4), Thomas Swainston (16), Ryan McConnell (29) R: Marcus Krasnadamskis (59), Jos Landy (9), Oliver Greeves (26) INT: Mitchell Buckland (15), Archie Spencer (34), Jaden Lawrence (36), Sam Devers (41), Charlie Nash (51) SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS B: Henry Thomas (20), Tyson Bradley (16), Jasper Noorbergen (56) HB: Rory Wright (9), Bennett Martin (41), Darby Heelis (30) C: Phoenix Janover (29), Sacha Levine (60), Jack Hayter (49) HF: George Dimer (33), Kye Fincher (34), Willis Reidy (75) F: Arki Butler (6), Oliver Griffin (15), Miles Tyrer (32) R: Julian Galbally (4), Xavier Bamert (27), Jack Dalton (2) INT: Sam Buck (8), Gus Teixeira (10), Keanu Naji (12), Alfie Lambert (13), Frederick Brayshaw (63)

Until recently, my most recent premiership memory was of this one from 19 September 1964. Sixty-one years ago, the great Ronald Dale Barassi held our twelfth premiership cup aloft and he then he took off to follow other dreams and never played in the famous red and blue guernsey again.

And the Coates Talent League Team of the Year

This is from an online article in the Herald Sun and Code Sports. I’ve added the player numbers and might add some more details later. 10 PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2025 COATES TALENT LEAGUE GRAND FINAL EASTERN RANGES 26 Oliver Greeves A 191cm big-bodied midfielder, Greeves won Vic Metro's MVP award at the under-18 national championships and has enjoyed some big games with the Ranges and school side Caulfield Grammar. He logged 35 disposals and kicked four goals in last week's preliminary final win over the GWV Rebels. Lauren Morecroft says: "We're really lucky that he's got two parts of the ground that he can impact for us in. His rotation's always gone forward, but to kick three pretty quick ones in the third quarter last week helped us a lot." 8 Lachy Dovaston The best small forward in this year's draft pool, Dovaston has been a consistent goalkicker at every level this year. The creative 177cm prospect brings good pressure and kicked nine goals across four games for Vic Metro at the under-18 national championships. He has also slotted 36.21 from 15 games in the Coates Talent League. Lauren Morecroft says: "That's probably been the name of his year - consistency. He plays high up the ground, he plays deep, he impacts really strongly with his pressure and he's been able to give a few goals off that. He loves big games, too." 22 Xavier Taylor A 191cm intercepting defender, Taylor loves having a role on an opponent and has also developed the offensive side of his game. He impressed for Vic Metro during the under-18 national championships and has been another consistent performer for the Ranges. Lauren Morecroft says: "He can play on talls, he can play on smalls. But he really starts our attack from half back. So he's a really strong player for us." 55 Sullivan Robey A draft bolter, Robey only played his first game for the Ranges in round 12 after strong early-season form for Rowville in the Eastern Football League. A 192cm forward who has also shown ability through the midfield, he had 40 disposals and kicked three goals in a wildcard round match against the Western Jets last month. Lauren Morecroft says: "He's a great clean player, strong mark, nice kick. He's obviously got a big size frame, so he's an exciting player to watch. He's a true bolter, that's for sure." 22 Oskar Taylor An important part of the Ranges' program all year, the 182cm rebounding defender was not part of the Vic Metro under-18 squad in the middle of the year but has come into first-round draft calculations on the back of his ball use and line-breaking abilities from the back half. Lauren Morecroft says: "We've been giving him roles on a small forward for the opposition throughout the year and he's done that job really well. Then now he's added more attacking to his game. I think in the last six to eight weeks, clubs have seen that speed and attacking ball use as well." SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS 2 Jack Dalton A 178cm midfielder-forward who can play inside or outside and has a huge tank, Dalton only played his first game of the season on June 6 after breaking both his wrists in a freak gym accident in mid-March. But he hit the ground running after his return, producing a bumper second half of the season. Rob Harding says: "He's showcasing himself as that dynamic contest-to-contest midfielder. I think he's got the capacity to play wing, high-half-forward, or high-half-back at AFL level. He's very versatile." 9 Rory Wright A strong and explosive 184cm midfielder, Wright was a late addition to the Vic Metro squad for the national championships after strong early-season form. In more recent weeks he has been playing a different role across halfback for the Dragons, where he has also had a big impact. Rob Harding says: "Once he ticked the box as a midfielder for recruiters, I wanted to show him as a halfback again, which I think is his role at AFL level. So he's been fantastic for us. He's got good balance of defending and attacking." 34 Kye Fincher A St Kilda Next Generation Academy prospect, Fincher has starred in both halfback and midfield roles for Vic Metro and the Dragons this year. The 185cm prospect provides run and uses the footy well. He also had an impressive VFL debut for Sandringham in August, gathering 26 disposals and four clearances through the midfield. Rob Harding says: "It's been great to put him back into the midfield through this period to showcase what he can do around a contest. He's got great speed and agility and he's powerful at his size. He's a really strong month of football." 27 Xavier Bamert A fierce competitor with great workrate and ball-winning ability inside or outside the contest, this 186cm midfielder has captained the Dragons this year after missing last year's premiership win with a shoulder injury. He also represented Vic Metro at the under-18 national championships. Rob Harding says: "He had to carry a heavy load throughout the year but we've been able to freshen him up a little bit in recent weeks. I thought he was super last weekend with his hunt around the contest and driving his legs out of traffic." 33 George Dimer A bottom-age player, this 171cm prospect has featured mostly as a high half-forward in nine games for the Dragons this season but also played an important role through the midfield for school football side Haileybury College this year. He has speed and is exceptionally clean with his hands at ground level. Rob Harding says: "He's come in and had a massive impact in his games that he's played through this year. He's quick, he's electric around contests and hits the scoreboard. He's been a big part of what we've done over the past six weeks."

There’s a separate thread for this but the selections will change right up to and including the night of the draft because picks can be traded.

The art of the draft must surely be to be able to select a player who becomes an elite player but not necessarily at the cost of a top five pick. The selection of Harley Reid at #1 in the 2023 National Draft didn’t involve any genius or inspirational moment on behalf of the West Coast Eagles recruiting staff but landing Murphy Reid at #17 was definitely a coup. I would like to think that Melbourne could manage to somehow snare a pick around the 10 - 15 mark where it might land a player like Sullivan Robey or this bloke who @spirit of norm smith likes - I do too. Both will be out there on the big stage of a Coates Talent League Grand Final at the weekend. As often happens, the good players rise to the occasion in big games like this one. I know that I’ll be viewing with interest.

You can quote me on this - "As we sit here this morning ... I can tell you that Marcus Windhager is staying at the St Kilda football club".

Another draft top ten. I have had somewhat less interest than in the past up until now for obvious reasons but who knows where we end up once the wheeling and dealing come out into the open.

Congratulations to Riley Bonner and Mitch Hardie who have been selected in the final VFL Team of the Year for 2025. Also to the Casey Demons’ recruiting program for contracting these guys in the first place. Two good recruits in one season plus the return of Baldi and they originally recruited Jai Culley here to play for Casey.

This is from a click bait site but … New Demons coach discusses list plans, expectations for 2026

Aussie Rules Rookie Me CentralScouting Notes: 2025 CTL Preliminary Final - Eastern Rang...Eastern Ranges have set up a rematch of the 2023 Coates Talent League decider after beating GWV in Saturday's preliminary final.

Aussie Rules Rookie Me CentralScouting Notes: 2025 CTL Preliminary Final - Gippsland Po...Sandringham Dragons' quest for a fourth straight Coates Talent League flag continues after knocking off Gippsland in Saturday's prelim.

On this day in 1956, the 15th September, something wonderful happened in the history of the Melbourne Football Club. I won’t spoil it for you though …

Come on folks - it was a disappointing loss but let's get more voters involved. The progressive voting after round five sees Tyla in front by 10 votes over Kate. Looking for a big win and an even performance from the team against Daisy's Eagles to make the voting more interesting next week. Progressive 77. Tyla Hanks 67. Kate Hore 37. Maeve Chaplin 32. Tayla Harris 24. Elizabeth McNamara 17. Megan Fitzsimon 15. Shelley Heath Olivia Purcell 14. Paxy Paxman 7. Eden Zanker 2. Maggie Mahony Saraid Taylor Ryleigh Wotherspoon 1. Alyssa Bannan Gabrielle Colvin Laela Ebert Molly O’Hehir

And for the record the results of the other Preliminary Final Eastern Ranges 4.2.26 6.4.40 13.4.82 17.9.111 GWV Rebels 2.1.13 4.2.26 7.5.47 9.6.60 Goals Eastern Ranges Greeves 4 Nash 3 Dovaston Lloyd 2 Buckland Chapman Knapp McConnell Robey Spencer GWV Rebels Molan 2 F Burmeister S Burmeister Finck Glenwright-McGuane Kenna McKinnon Pittard Best Eastern Ranges Greeves Krasnadamskis Nash Dovaston Lloyd Robey GWV Rebels Bowman Taylor F Burmeister Shea Grayland Phillips