Whispering_Jack

Ned Walmsley goals for the Chargers to make it 6 points the difference. If it's tied up at the end there will be extra time.

Tim Membrey gets the ball through the big sticks but it was touched of the boot for a point. Difference is 12 points @ 20 minutes.

And in a nice segue from Deers' post, the Power now lead by 12 points after Membrey kicks his fourth.

The big man Tim Membrey kicks his third and the lead changes again. Nick Graham has been fantastic in the second half, not only with his ball gathering but also with some strong tackling.

Vearing of Oakleigh goals to put the Chargers back in front by a point.

And a goal to Power puts them in front for the first time.

Nick Graham kicks his third to bring Gippy to within 2 points. They're coming!!!

Three Quarter Time Oakleigh Chargers 9.7.61 to Gippsland Power 8.5.53. A bit of deja vu with the Chargers having led in last year's grand final at this stage of proceedings. Macrae and Jaksch were well held that quarter.

Scott kicks his second for Gippsland and it's back to 7 points.

Franetic replies for Oakleigh, followed by another to Billings. Chargers 9.6.60 to Power 7.4.46.

Another goal to Graham (his second) from the boundary line and it's an 8 point game.

Morrish Medalist Nick Graham goals and it's 14 points the difference with the Power coming back.

Oakleigh Chargers look like they have the advantage in class and are leading by 20 points at half time - 7.5.47 to 4.3.27. Macrae and Jaksch playing well for the Chargers while Membrey of the Power is the standout for his team with two goals.

Try the live feed on the TAC Cup website - http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=0-3020-0-102897-0&sID=69677&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=20673656 or get down to Etihad.

The name players are all in the action at Etihad Stadium for the TAC Cup Grand Final as Oakleigh leads Gippsland narrowly at quarter time. - 3.3.21 to 3.2.20. Goalkickers for Oakleigh include Billings, Macrae, Jaksch while Membrey has kicked one for the Power. Macrae is starring with nine disposals in the opening term.

Macrae has just kicked Oakleigh's second goal in the TAC Cup Grand Final. Oakleigh's 2.1.13 to Gippsland 0.1.1.

He's bringing up money because that's the point he's making. The $500k price tag quoted for Mackay was way too high. I don't think anyone doubts that we, as a club, need to spend to attract quality players to the club and sometimes pay over the odds, but at the same time, most would consider $500k for Mackay as way over the top. FWIW, I thought he went quiet in the first half and went ok in the second half but overall, I haven't seen enough from him that suggests he would make a difference at our club if we had recruited him. Also, I think if you're going to take on a player on that pay, it's not unreasonable to expect a top five b & f finish.

This is from Kim Hagdorn whose batting average rivals that of NZ's Chris Martin so FWIW we might find out about Cloke's future very soon - Clock ticks on Cloke at Carlton Don't get too excited but the article goes on to say we're after Chris Dawes. I hope someone's keeping a tally of draft stories of 2012 that went belly up!

One of the footnotes to an article in the Courier Mail about Grant Thomas' departure from TV

But that is the nature of things where the draft is concerned. Players can come from nowhere to establish their credentials or (as often happens at that age), they can improve dramatically over a season. There have been many instances of players coming good late in the season and Mick Malthouse used to look for players who excelled in the high pressure games like finals because he believed them to be the best tests of a player's ability. He did well with Pendelbury and Thomas out of that philosophy.* If Macrae stars again today his really will be the name on everybody's lips. * and if Vlad's reading this, MM experimented that year and lost the last eight games of the season to get them.

It's good to hear the 49ers are out of the wilderness after so many years. I know they made the playoffs last year but they've been so disappointing since the Joe Montana/Jerry Rice days. I'll get into this as soon as the AFL is done and dusted next week.

I'm not sure as to whether it's appropriate to include discussion on the T20 championships in this thread but I must question the application of DL to T20 when we can win a game and score 91 runs less than the opposition. I think the other game played overnight became a 7 overs a side game. Ridiculous!

Hawks, Blues chase Irish star

Just went past the ground and Uni Blacks lead Beauy by 39 points.

Hardly likely. Thomas is not exactly the AFL's poster boy but the AFL makes a sizable contribution to Port's coffers to keep the Power afloat. I can't see them supporting the appointment of Thomas as coach of this or any other AFL club.