Whispering_Jack

Of course, you're right. We are no doubt witnessing the result of the work of many but we all know where the buck stopped and whose heads were and are on the chopping block if these initiatives were to end in failure. Garry was on a hiding to nothing. It's now up to others at the club to follow things through to what we all hope is going to be a successful outcome but at this point in time, I marvel at what he and Don (and those others) have achieved whilst filling in the breach for their mate. I thing it's a great story and could be the (re)making of our club.

I just realised there was supposed to be a training session on at Casey Fields today. Anyone go?

I wonder what would be happening right now if the test team was performing as poorly as it was last year? It's easy to keep naming unchanged sides when you're winning but the lack of four day state games is IMO not ideal. For example, we have a few worthy candidates for the wicketkeeper position but they're being starved of opportunities to show their wares. I think Haddin is very lucky to still have the gig. Meanwhile, in Dubai the Poms are getting flogged by Pakistan in the first test.

I was a bit of a sceptic about Lyon at first but I think done a wonderful job. It isn't easy moving people aside, sacking others and then making the right appointments. There's going to be some criticism and some resentment but things have gone remarkably smoothly in what has realistically been a period of great upheaval within the ranks of the football club. The big test of the work done will come at some time in the future but given where we've come from just 5½ months ago, I think both he and Don McLardy deserve great praise for their efforts in backing Jimmy to the hilt and giving us some hope for the immediate future.

Well there you go. I could have sworn the first report I read on the trials referred to improvement on the December trials and didn't mention PB's. The 23/25 figure is truly sensational for PB's and indicates that the work is paying dividends. Hopefully, this can translate into similar results in terms of the skill set training being undertaken and, if so, we should be in for a good year.

... and do you have to grow a porn moustache to appear in it?

Green Bay's shock elimination today puts the 49ers in a good position for the NFC championship match. Home field advantage against the New York Giants who I think I dislike as much as their notorious West Sydney namesakes!

I'm not so sure that it was 23 out of 25 PB's. The reports I read spoke of 23 bettering their times for the same trials in December but not necesssarily achieving PB's. However, if there were in fact 23 PB's that would be truly exceptional.

There was a long delay late on the first day when Warner was hit on the head by that short ball but, based on the cricinfo score report they were six overs short at the end of the day. That's still a fair bit even when you're getting carted around all over the place and quite significant if taken over the course of a whole test match. If the authorities want to crack down on slow over rates, the sanction against Dhoni is correct.

Warner's superb innings has finally allowed me to get back on topic and refer to my OP about Shiv Chanderpaul. The connection is the record they now share for the fourth fastest test century:- Fastest Test centuries No. of balls Player Opponent Venue Season 56 West Indies Cricket Board Viv Richards v England Antigua Recreation Ground, St. John's 1985–86 57 Australia Adam Gilchrist v England WACA Ground, Perth 2006–07 67 Australia Jack Gregory v South Africa Old Wanderers, Johannesburg 1921–22 69 West Indies Cricket Board Shivnarine Chanderpaul† v Australia Bourda, Georgetown, Guyana 2002–03 69 Australia David Warner† v India WACA Ground, Perth 2011-12 The funny thing from my point of view is that I always thought of Shiv as a dogged batsman rather than a big hitter. I can't recall that century in 2002-03 but it must have been out of character. Anyway, it's good to know that the Aussies finally did find a way to end his innings as per my my post #1.

And so ... after a big weekend in sport when the test match finished early to enable a perfect segue into a fortnight of tennis, the Demons are moving training back to Casey Fields where they can fly under the radar in preparation for the season to come. And it's Casey for the entire week as James Sellar informs us on twitter; "Weekend is over... @melbournefc got all next week out at Casey fields... Looking forward to it." So now it's over to those among us who live nearby or have the time on their hands. I might be a chance for Friday!

Question without notice. How many members of the current touring Indian team have captained their country?

Well, if he backed the horse then he might not be so cashed up any more. Perhaps he should have divulged the name of the jockey on board - P. Scully Banana Fritter.

I've just been speaking to Redleg who is still swanning around the Gold Coast with all the celebrities. Told me he sold three colts at the Magic Millions sales so I reckon he might be cashed up ATM. He's given me a tip to pass on for the next at Kilmore (5:12pm) - No Dispute. Reckons it's a bit like those Demons in Friday's time trials - a definite improver. Redleg has some big footy news from one of the brains of AFL football with who he is now on close first name terms. More of that later. The one on the left is Redleg for those who don't know him.

Sorry make that 8 ... now 9 Hilfy has taken WW..W Three wickets in 5 balls with Umesh Yadav coming in to partner Kholi. This test match won't last half the distance. Edit: Siddle gets Kohli and it's all over red rover. Warner must get MOM.

Kohli is batting well in the circumstances and his duel with Siddle is interesting. His problem is that he's running out of partners and the Aussies are playing at a war of attrition out there. Currently 7 down.

I'm leaving no stone unturned in my quest to uncover new talent for the Demons and I've already come up with some interesting names:- • Aaron Jetta Very little known about him ATM other than that his date of birth is 2 April, 1994, he comes from Carey Park and played 14 games for Swan Districts Reserves in 2011 wearing jumper # 61. Not a prolific possession gatherer (88 kicks, 29 handballs 117 disposals in total, 36 marks, 42 tackles and kicked 13 goals 16 behinds). Sounds like a small forward but I will get my spies onto the job to find out some more. Incidentally, you would expect a kid that age in the WAFL to be playing for the Colts rather than the reserves so there could be a story behind that as well. Carey Park is situated just outside Bunbury from where Neville Jetta hails and I've noted the names of Bernard Jetta, Brandon Jetta, Clement Jetta and Peter Jetta in connection with clubs in the area. Other football names I've found associated with the Bunbury/Carey Park area are Bennell, Blurton, Garlett, Narkle, Pickett, Rintoul and Yarren. I'm ready to fly off in that direction if that's what the club wants. • Shaquille McKenzie No relation to our Jordie, this young bloke also comes from out west and is an exciting speedster who came to prominence a couple of years ago in the Under 16 National Carnival playing in the same team as Jaeger O'Meara. From Nollamara-Nth Cobras and born 22 April, 1994, he was 171cm 62kg as an Under 16 and has hopefully grown since then. He's now affiliated with East Perth in the WAFL. Point is that I'm a firm believer in picking players on name and this pair have a bit of a magic ring about their names. That reminds me that I always regarded the name Trengove as a strong sounding name. On that alone, he deserves to be captain!

However, we could also activate both with the intention of using one this year and trading the other to get a player. (noting that the comp picks can be traded whether or not they have been activated)

Knightmare's power rankings divide players into potential A Graders, potentially high level AFL players and potential AFL quality. Here is his list as it currently stands but, over time, I will come in and edit the list by adding information such as heights, weights, dates of birth, player origins etc to assist in recruiting discussions - Potential A Graders 1. Jaeger O’Meara (Gold Coast - GWS U17 mini draft) Height: 183cm, Weight: 78kg, DOB: 23/02/1994 Perth WA 2. Lachie Whitfield 185cm 75kg 18/07/1994 Dandenong Stingrays VIC 3. Jake Stringer 191cm 86kg 25/4/1994 Bendigo Pioneers VIC 4. Jack Viney (Melbourne – father/son) 178cm 77 13/04/1994 Oakleigh Chargers VIC 5. Joe Daniher (Essendon - father/son) 199cm 81kg 04/03/1994 Calder Cannons VIC 6. Brad Crouch (Adelaide - GWS U17 mini draft) 184cm 83kg 12/01/1994 North Ballarat Rebels VIC 7. Nick Vlastuin 186cm 83kg 19/04/1994 Northern Knights VIC 8. Mason Shaw 198cm 88kg South Fremantle WA 9. Brodie Grundy 200cm 92kg 15/04/1994 Sturt SA 10. James Stewart (Collingwood - father/son) 195cm 79kg 04/03/1994 Sandringham Dragons VIC Potentially high level AFL players 11. Matthew Haynes Height: 190cm 76kg 19/03/1994 Northern Knights VIC 12. Craig Moller (Fremantle – NSW/ACT scholarship) 13. Dayle Garlett 181cm 68kg 09/01/1994 S. Districts WA 14. Ben Kennedy 174cm 73kg 03/03/1994 Glenelg SA 15. Oliver Wines 184cm 84kg 07/10/1994 Bendigo Pioneers VIC 16. Liam McBean 199cm 85kg 25/08/1994 Calder Cannons VIC 17. Jonathan O'Rourke 183cm 74kg 21/04/1994 Calder Cannons VIC 18. Jed Anderson (GWS – likely NT Zone selection) 178 75kg 16/02/1994 Darwin NT 19. Sam Mayes 187cm 74kg 20/05/1994 North Adelaide SA 20. Josh Simpson 181cm 67kg 09/02/1994 North Adelaide SA 21. Lachie Hunter (Western Bulldogs - father/son) 22. Rory Atkins 183cm 75kg 12/07/1994 Calder Cannons VIC 23. Jason Pongracic 181cm 82kg 21/04/1994 Dandenong Stingrays VIC 24. Jimmy Toumpas 183cm 74kg 2/1/1994 Woodville-W. Torrens SA 25. Aaron Luccon 195cm 86kg 21/4/1994 Norwood SA 26. Christopher Yarran 183cm 80kg 27/4/1994 Perth WA 27. Shannon Taylor 177cm 72kg 5/2/1994 Claremont WA 28. Anthony Bonaddio 174cm 71kg 6/1/1994 Northern Knights VIC 29. Matthew McDonough 180cm 82kg 26/1/1994 Woodville-W. Torrens SA 30. Corey Chalmers 179cm 70kg 24/11/1994 W. Perth WA Potential AFL Quality 31. Emmanuel Irra 179cm 73kg 25/3/1994 S. Adelaide SA 32. Nick Amato 177cm 70kg 15/10/1994 N. Adelaide SA 33. Laine Wilkins 189cm 73kg 30/3/1994 Peel WA 34. Riley Hutchinson 187cm 78kg 12/1/1994 E. Perth WA 35. Ashlin Brown 185cm 91kg 23/4/1994 Western Jets VIC 36. Tim Membrey 187cm 87kg 26/5/1994 Gippsland Power VIC 37. Jesse Lonergan 180cm 83kg 14/11/1994 Launceston Tas 38. Tim Broomhead Port Adelaide SA 39. Spencer White 193cm 88kg 22/9/1994 Western Jets VIC 40. Nathan Hrovat 174cm 75kg 7/6/1994 Northern Knights VIC 41. Jordan Bourke (Geelong - father/son) 192cm 79kg 11/11/1994 Morningside QLD 42. Clay Cameron 189cm 79kg 27/5/1994 Mt Gravatt QLD 43. Joe Redfern 184cm 75kg 18/11/1994 Coolamon NSW 44. Matt Wallis Norwood SA 45. Kamdyn McIntosh 192cm 82kg 3/4/1994 Peel WA 46. Harley Montgomery 177cm 67kg 20/2/1994 Sturt SA 47. Lachlan Plowman 190cm 81 kg 11/9/1994 Calder VIC 48. Brant Colledge 192cm 85kg 25/10/1994 Perth WA 49. Sean Lynch 184cm 76kg 30/1/1994 S. Fremantle WA 50. Chase Strange 176cm 67kg 5/3/1994 Peel WA 51. Sam Martyn 52. Sean Lemmens Port Adelaide SA 53. Braedon McLean (GWS – NT Zone selection) 176cm 65kg 9/11/1994 Waratah NT 54. Kenny Ong 180cm 68kg 14/3/1994 Sandringham Dragons VIC 55. Adam Carter 179cm 70kg 17/4/1994 S. Fremantle WA 56. Todd McKay 176cm 74kg 25/01/1994 S. Adelaide SA 57. Cameron Banfield 181cm 65kg 1/2/1994 Sandringham Dragons VIC 58. Brandon Jack 179cm 68kg 25/5/1994 Westbrook NSW 59. Kristian Jaksch 193cm 84kg 7/10/1994 Oakleigh Chargers VIC 60. Will Beasley (Western Bulldogs - father/son) details not available*. * previously invited to Geelong Falcons but declined in favour of rowing I am also adding a further category to list additional potential from time to time. It will start off as a blank canvas and hopefully with some scouting and your suggestions we can do the job of the BBBP's and Phil Scully's of the world at far less cost. Potential • Claude Alcorso 178cm 72kg 14/7/1994 Hobart TAS • Rohan Bones 200cm 94 kg 30/12/1994 Hobart TAS • Thor Boscott 177cm 78cm 25/12/1994 Lauderdale TAS • Andrew Boston 179cm 73kg 23/3/1994 Broadbeach QLD • Chase Bower Norwood SA • Corey Chalmers 179cm 70kg 24/11/1994 W. Perth WA • Brian Coleman-Broome 178cm 71kg 9/4/1994 Mornington QLD • Jason Cooke Calder Cannons VIC • Sean Crook 188cm 88kg 19/8/1994 Apsley QLD • Tom Davidson 176cm 80kg 17/3/1994 Broadbeach QLD • Josh Grant 195cm 83kg 1/3/1994 Glenorchy TAS • Brodie Haberfield 180cm 81kg 13/1/1994 Surfers Paradise QLD • Lonnie Hampton 166cm 63kg 29/1/1994 Lavington NSW • Jack Hatcher 172cm 68kg 11/9/1994 Waratah NT • Thomas Head 195cm 89kg 26/5/1994 Balmain NSW • Jarrod Hibberd 187cm 89kg 4/9/1994 Lauderdale TAS • Mitch Hopkins 175cm 66kg 19/2/1994 Southport QLD • Calen Jeffrey 182cm 74kg 2/12/1994 Hobart TAS • Aaron Jetta East Perth WA • Brennon Kendall 182cm 74kg 11/5/1994 Devonport TAS • Troy Lawton 180cm 75kg 13/6/1994 Rovers NT • Shaquille McKenzie East Perth WA • Joel Madden Calder Vic (f/s) • Troy Menzel 181cm 72kg 22/9/1994 C. Districts SA • Andrew Moody 171cm 60kg 21/3/94 Maquarie University NSW • Jake Neade 170cm 64kg 29/3/1994 West Alice NT • Reece Peckham 189cm 80kg 24/11/1994 Pioneers NT • Daniel Robinson 183cm 79kg 3/7/1994 Riverview NSW • Sam Siggins 192cm 81kg 20/3/1994 Lauderdale TAS • Josh Smith 175cm 69kg 2/1/1994 Morningside QLD • Jarrod Stokes 175cm 73kg 15/12/1994 Darwin NT • Jordan Taylor 186cm 85kg 8/4/1994 Riverview NSW • Jackson Thurlow 188cm 72kg 28/3/1994 Launceston TAS • Nick Tuddenham Langwarrin Dandenong Stingrays VIC • Brendan Verrier 9/8/1994 S. Fremantle WA • Ben Vile 190cm 76cm 16/3/1994 Albury NSW • Bryce Walsh 177cm 77kg 4/5/1994 Lauderdale TAS • Zachary Williams 180cm 72kg 20/9/1994 Albury NSW • Daniel Williamson Norwood SA • Stephen Wray 182cm 74kg 15/4/1994 Pennant Hills NSW • Michael Wyld 188cm 78kg 26/7/1994 Morningside QLD So right now, we're already on top of the game with one of the top four ranked players due to come into contention in 2013 from the draft pool of players available. As at mid January, that list comprises only players born in 1994. There will be additions from that age group as well as from those who missed out in previous drafts and including mature age players. At least we're hitting the ground running and we don't have to fret about not having a head honcho for recruiting.

Here is Knightmare's 2012 Mock Draft First Round based on ladder predictions:- Of course, the order of the first round of the draft will be very different by November when some clubs will use compensatory selections gained directly from the two new franchises or by trades. As mentioned above, in Melbourne's case it has two such first round choices by way of silver lining for the loss of dark cloud which it could activate in November 2012 so we recruiting people need to be intimately aware of what's on the horizon in terms of quality players in this draft. Knightmare has, in addition to the mock draft, produced some lists of potential draftees in groups which he calls "power rankings". I will be back soon with his list and then of course, I'll put in some of my own work to help the club out till it completes its quest to find a national recruiting manager. All Demonlanders are invited to help out in this important endeavour to help keep the club strong over the course of the next decade.

It's January 2012 and the players are training their butts off for the coming season. The Demons have just lost the man who has, for the past four years, been in charge of rebuilding their talent-laden young list and, at this point in time, we have no national recruiting manager. Is this our worst nightmare and a time to panic? No way! If Phil Scully can get paid $100k to be a recruiting scout then I'm prepared to do it for nothing and come to the club's rescue with your help and the aid of bigfooty draft expert Knightmare who has already produced a Mock Draft for September's draft. I realise it's an important gig because we could have as many as three first round draft picks in what is a sensationally strong draft pool. I'll kick things off by recommending that the club takes talented father/son prospect Jack Viney and this will most likely cost us our first draft pick. From there, I'm going to let the power of social networking and the Internet to take over. You too can be our own Phil Scully but don't get your appetite up too much because, unlike GWS, we don't have the AFL's deep pockets to pay you and you might have to go hungry doing a job for the love of the club. As I said above Knightmare on bigfooty has kicked off with his 2012 mock draft. Knightmare outlined the strength of the pool by noting that it has already lost two of its best in the GWS Minidraft and a 2011 Under 18 All Australian to the Giants through a Northern Territory Zone Selection:- Knightmare's 2012 Mock Draft is for the First Round based on ladder predictions and I will set it out in my next post.

Apparently, a move has been on the cards for a while. BBBP following in the footsteps of Ron Barassi, Peter Smith, Greg Wells, Mark Riley, Brock McLean and Chris Johnson and will cover the forward scout position left vacant by Brett Munro's move to Gold Coast. He's done a very good job at the club but it was probably time to move on. For those posters concerned at the timing, the national draft is in November and any realistic candidate would need to have a working knowledge of the draft pool available so when is it a better time to change the position? Whatever, I doubt very much whether it's going to change our first pick in November.

The way I see it, the MFC has moved on and that's enough for me. We have a new coach with many new assistants, many other changes to the football department including elite performance manager, David Misson, eight new players including a quality key forward in Mitch Clark and a new and different game plan. As long as the club is focussed on the future without the dark cloud, then why shouldn't we have some entertainment at his expense?

Gai Waterhouse gets 1 - 2 with No Looking Back and Driefontein.