Whispering_Jack

The story of Guy Walker, a serious cricketer, who was drafted as a rookie a few years ago but unfortunately spent his time as a Demon on the injured list. Former AFL and Big Bash League player Guy Walker opens up on life-changing disability claim

I think we should protest to the AFL for abandoning the 8th period of Friday’s SIM when we would have had the wind advantage. Cost us valuable percentage.

It appears from postings on social media that after today’s photo shoot there was some training at Gosch’s Paddock.

The Herald Sun is reporting that Steven May is expected to be free to play Western Bulldogs in the Round 1 blockbuster. “May was involved in a late hit on Saint Dan Butler on Friday night but the umpires and St Kilda are not expected to refer the incident for match officer review.”

To the generation of Demon fans who grew up supporting the club in the golden era of the 50s - 60s, Ronald Dale Barassi remains the greatest!

Schache’s on the list Dee Spencer posted but not in your version.

Once again, a great read and there should be much, much more of the same. So much better researched and done than Colin Carter’s book on recognizing some real ancient “premierships” before the VFL/AFL competition began.

It’s not as if the AFL, through the various pathways to the elite level of the sport, doesn’t spend significant resources in education on the subject of recreational drug use, is it? The great majority of players who get onto senior lists are responsible and mature about this and a whole raft of subjects that has an effect on their lives but there’s always a small minority for who the learning slips through cracks. It’s a case of dealing with it properly. I think Gold Coast probably got it right with the case of Mac Andrew driving under the influence. It obviously needs the personal follow up to prevent it from getting out of hand and destroying the individual and his career.

I recall reading at the time when Melbourne drafted Judd McVee as a rookie at the end of 2021, that the recruiters were relying in part on the initial impression he made when he was part of WA’s midfield mix two years earlier in the state's Under 16 National Championships campaign in 2019. It was back then that McVee’s class came to the fore. He was regarded as a clean ball handler, an efficient disposer of the football who had a cool head. His stocks fell during the Covid19 years and he barely held on to his state spot but managed to take a place across half back for WA in what were regarded as the U19 Nationals of 2021. It’s still a way to go but hopefully, the long memory and/or faith paid in him by a Demon recruiter plus his own hard work and development will pay off in spades.

Thanks Picket Fence and Gator - what a sterling job to brave the heat and head down into the wilderness area in outer south east Melbourne. More importantly, great to read that we have players putting their hands up for a game with the season just five weeks away.

I’ve always been fascinated by the history of our sport and, over the years have amassed a fair collection of books about Aussie footy. I embarked up the Carter book with an open mind but started to run aground at about pages 50-60 where I found it becoming a bit too repetitive in its advocacy of adding premierships won from 1870 through to the commencement of the VFA in 1877 to the VFL/AFL count from 1897 onwards. I’ve stopped reading it for the time being but am a long way off supporting a change to the status quo. I’m inclined to favour the argument that the game didn’t really reach the stage where it had premier status until 1896 with the formation of the VFL and I think we should stick with the way we look back at our game these days. We can still acknowledge the old SANFL, VFA, WAFL records for what they were and we can recognize the pre VFA “competition” as it was but, after more than 100 years of VFL/AFL competition, I don’t think we should change things now for the sake of giving mainly Victorian teams further recognition over and above what they have now.

Now that the lists for 2023 are sorted out these are the candidates for making a debut with Melbourne during the season:- PRIMARY LIST Jed Adams, Brodie Grundy, Blake Howes, Lachie Hunter, Matthew Jefferson, Bailey Laurie, Josh Schache, Jacob van Rooyen, Taj Woewodin ROOKIE LIST: CATEGORY A Judd McVee, Oliver Sestan, Deakyn Smith, Kye Turner, Will Verrell ROOKIE LIST: CATEGORY B Kyah Farris-White, Andy Moniz-Wakefield That is certainly a treasure trove of young talent - we have a lot to look forward to.

He’s an Old Haileyburyian like a certain former No 1 draft pick who isn’t well thought of among many MFC fans. Perhaps, he can have a stellar career and atone for the other bloke’s sin of walking out after being lured by treasure from up north. Kye Turns Heads to Become A Demon

And with that the list is settled … PRIMARY LIST: — Jed Adams Jake Bowey Angus Brayshaw Ben Brown Kade Chandler Luke Dunstan Bayley Fritsch Max Gawn Brodie Grundy James Harmes Michael Hibberd Blake Howes Lachie Hunter Matthew Jefferson James Jordon Ed Langdon Bailey Laurie Jake Lever Tom McDonald Steven May Jake Melksham Alex Neal-Bullen Clayton Oliver Christian Petracca Harrison Petty Kysaiah Kropinyeri Pickett Trent Rivers Christian Salem Josh Schache Joel Smith Charlie Spargo Tom Sparrow Adam Tomlinson Jacob van Rooyen Jack Viney Taj Woewodin ROOKIE LIST: CATEGORY A Judd McVee Oliver Sestan Deakyn Smith Daniel Turner Kye Turner Will Verrell ROOKIE LIST: CATEGORY B Kyah Farris-White Andy Moniz-Wakefield

They’re saying he’s been offered a place at Casey after missing out on the SSP. Good luck and thanks Trent.

And Kye has it … great story and well done!!!

Hot air balloons sighted over Malvern on my way into the city this morning. Perhaps the club has arranged for its winning SSP candidate to make a surprise entry landing in the centre of Gosch’s Paddock for the start of training?

On this day 65 years ago, the Secretary of the Melbourne Football Club, Mr. James H. Cardwell issued an invitation to a young Ronald Matthews to attend the MCG to meet fellow prospective third and fourth XVIII players ahead of the forthcoming season. I wonder whatever became of young Ronald?

The SSP ends tomorrow and we’re still none the wiser as to whether Melbourne will sign up one of the candidates. I have my doubts as to whether either has put up a convincing enough argument to warrant a list place.

Anthony Caminiti is a tall key position forward from the Northern Knights who was mentioned in despatches a couple of years ago as a likely draft pick but was overlooked in the end. He persevered and is about to be added to the rookie list at Moorabbin ahead of the SSP deadline. The Saints offered the 19-year-old key forward a contract hours after a dominant match sim display at RSEA Park on Friday.

Casey, it was. Selection of photos from the MFC Gallery:-

Now that both Josh Kennedys have announced their retirements, it’s time to revive this annual thread that starts with our farewelling of some old favourites and ends after the drafts with the introduction of some of the stars of tomorrow. ADELAIDE In: Hugh Bond (GWV Rebels) Tyler Brown ® (Collingwood) ** Billy Dowling (North Adelaide SA) Mark Keane ® (Collingwood) ** Andrew McPherson ® * Max Michalanney (Norwood SA) Izak Rankine (Gold Coast) Paul Seedsman ® * Out: Luke Brown (retired) Ben Davis (delisted) Billy Frampton (Collingwood) Fischer McAsey (retired) Andrew McPherson (delisted) James Rowe (delisted) Paul Seedsman (delisted) Brett Turner (delisted) BRISBANE In: Will Ashcroft (Sandringham Dragons) Shadeau Brain (Cat B ®) Nakia Cockatoo ® * Josh Dunkley (Western Bulldogs) Jaspa Fletcher (Brisbane Lions Academy) Jack Gunston (Hawthorn) Darragh Joyce ® (St Kilda) ** Ryan Lester ® * Darryl McDowell-White Junior (Cat B ®) Conor McKenna ® (Essendon) ** Out: Tom Berry (Gold Coast) Nakia Cockatoo delisted) Mitchell Cox (delisted) Ryan Lester (delisted) Connor McFadyen (delisted) Dan McStay (Collingwood) Mitch Robinson (retired) Ely Smith (delisted) Deividas Uosis (delisted) CARLTON 
In: Blake Acres (Fremantle) Jaxon Binns (Dandenong Stingrays) Lachlan Cowan (Tassie Devils) Ed Curnow ® * Oliver Hollands (Murray Bushrangers) Harry Lemmey (West Adelaide SA) Hudson O'Keeffe ® (Oakleigh Chargers) ** Out: Will Hayes (delisted) Liam Jones (Western Bulldogs) Oscar McDonald (delisted) Jack Newnes (delisted) Luke Parks (delisted) Will Setterfield (Essendon) Liam Stocker (St Kilda) Tom Williamson (retired) COLLINGWOOD In: Ed Allan (Claremont WA) Billy Frampton (Adelaide) Bobby Hill (GWS Giants) Daniel McStay (Brisbane) Oleg Markov ® (Gold Coast) ** Tom Mitchell (Hawthorn) Cooper Murley ® * Joe Richards (Wangaratta) Jacob Ryan (Glenelg SA) Oscar Steene ® (West Adelaide) ** Out: Callum Brown (delisted) Tyler Brown (Adelaide) Isaac Chugg (delisted) Brodie Grundy (Melbourne) Ollie Henry (Geelong) Liam McMahon (delisted) Jack Madgen (delisted) Cooper Murley (delisted) Caleb Poulter (delisted) Jordan Roughhead (retired) ESSENDON In: Alwyn Davey (Palmerston NT) Jayden Davey (Palmerston NT) Lewis Hayes (Eastern Ranges) Rhett Montgomerie ® (Central Districts) Anthony Munkara (Cat B ®) Will Setterfield (Carlton) Elijah Tsatas (Oakleigh Chargers) Sam Weideman (Melbourne) Out: Cody Brand (delisted) Tom Cutler (delisted) Joshua Eyre (delisted) Aaron Francis (Sydney) Brayden Ham (delisted) Tom Hird (delisted) Michael Hurley (retired) Garrett McDonagh (delisted) Devon Smith (retired) Alec Waterman (delisted) FREMANTLE In: Josh Corbett (Gold Coast Suns) Hugh Davies (Claremont WA) Josh Draper (Cat B ®) Tom Emmett (Sturt SA) Luke Jackson (Melbourne) Ultan Kelm (Cat B ®) Max Knobel (Gippsland Power) Jaeger O’Meara (Hawthorn) Liam Reidy ® (Frankston) Corey Wagner (Port Melbourne) Conrad Williams (Cat B ®) Out: Blake Acres (Carlton) Connor Blakely (delisted) Mitch Crowden (delisted) Rory Lobb (Western Bulldogs) Griffin Logue (North Melbourne) Lloyd Meek (Hawthorn) David Mundy (retired) Darcy Tucker (North Melbourne) Joel Western (delisted) GEELONG In: Jack Bowes (Gold Coast) Tanner Bruhn (GWS Giants) Jhye Clark (Geelong Falcons) Ted Clohesy (Cat B ®) Phoenix Foster (Norwood SA) Ollie Henry (Collingwood) Oisin Mullin (Cat B ®) Oscar Murdoch ® (Geelong Falcons) Osca Riccardi (Cat B ®) Out: Luke Dahlhaus (retired) Francis Evans (Port Adelaide) Shaun Higgins (retired) Quinton Narkle (delisted) Joel Selwood (retired) Cooper Stephens (Hawthorn) Nick Stevens (delisted) Paul Tsapatolis (delisted) Zane Williams (delisted) GOLD COAST In: Jed Anderson ® (North Melbourne) ** Tom Berry (Brisbane) Connor Blakely ® (Fremantle) Bailey Humphrey (Gippsland Power) Lloyd Johnston (Cat B ®) Ben Long (St Kilda) Brodie McLaughlin ® (Frankston) ** Jake Stein ® (GWS Giants) Out: Jack Bowes (Geelong) Matt Conroy (delisted) Josh Corbett (Fremantle) Jez McLennan (delisted) Oleg Markov (delisted) Patrick Murtagh (delisted) Rhys Nicholls (delisted) Izak Rankine (Adelaide) Rory Thompson (retired) GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY In: Toby Bedford (Melbourne) Aaron Cadman (GWV Rebels) Phil Davis ® * Jason Gillbee (Cat B ®) Max Gruzewski (Oakleigh Chargers) Darcy Jones (Swan Districts WA) Toby McMullin (Sandringham Dragons) Nick Madden (Cat B ®) Harry Rowston (GWS Giants Academy) Out: Jarrod Brander (delisted) Tanner Bruhn (Geelong) Matt de Boer (retired) Bobby Hill (Collingwood) Jacob Hopper (Richmond) Zach Sproule (delisted) Jake Stein (delisted) Tim Taranto (Richmond) HAWTHORN In: Karl Amon (Port Adelaide) Josh Bennetts (Cat B ®) Fergus Greene (Box Hill Hawks) Henry Hustwaite (Dandenong Stingrays) Bailey McDonald (Oakleigh Chargers) Cameron Mackenzie (Sandringham Dragons) Lloyd Meek (Fremantle) Seamus Mitchell ® * Jack O'Sullivan (Oakleigh Chargers) Cooper Stephens (Geelong) Josh Weddle (Oakleigh Chargers) Out: Jackson Callow (delisted) Connor Downie (delisted) Jack Gunston (Brisbane) Kyle Hartigan (delisted) Daniel Howe (delisted) Ben McEvoy (retired) Seamus Mitchell (delisted) Tom Mitchell (Collingwood) Jaeger O’Meara (Fremantle) Tom Phillips (delisted) Jack Saunders (delisted) Liam Shiels (North Melbourne) MELBOURNE In: Jed Adams (Peel WA) Kyah Farris-White (Cat B ®) Brodie Grundy (Collingwood) Lachie Hunter (Western Bulldogs) Matthew Jefferson (Oakleigh Chargers) Josh Schache (Western Bulldogs) Oliver Sestan ® (Mansfield) Will Verrall ® (South Adelaide SA) Out: Oskar Baker (Western Bulldogs) Toby Bedford (GWS Giants) Mitch Brown (retired) Majak Daw (retired) Jayden Hunt (West Coast Eagles) Luke Jackson (Fremantle) Fraser Rosman (delisted) Sam Weideman (Essendon) NORTH MELBOURNE In: Blake Drury ® (Oakleigh Chargers) Hamish Free ® (South Fremantle WA) Brayden George (Murray Bushrangers) Cooper Harvey (Northern Knights) Daniel Howe ® (Hawthorn) Griffin Logue (Fremantle) Harry Sheezel (Sandringham Dragons) Liam Shiels ® (Hawthorn) ** Darcy Tucker (Fremantle) Kayne Turner ® * George Wardlaw (Sandringham Dragons) Out: Jed Anderson (delisted) Atu Bosenavulagi (delisted) Kyron Hayden (delisted) Jason Horne-Francis (Port Adelaide) Tom Lynch (retired) Matt McGuinness (delisted) Jared Polec (delisted) Kayne Turner (delisted) Josh Walker (delisted) Patrick Walker (delisted) PORT ADELAIDE In: Nathan Barkla (Cat B ®) Francis Evans (Geelong) Jason Horne-Francis (North Melbourne) Tom McCallum (Tassie Devils) Kyle Marshall (South Adelaide SA) Junior Rioli (West Coast) Tom Scully (West Adelaide SA) Dylan Williams ® * Out: Karl Amon (Hawthorn) Martin Frederick (delisted) Robbie Gray (retired) Sam Mayes (delisted) Steven Motlop (retired) Taj Schofield (delisted) Sam Skinner (delisted) Dylan Williams (delisted) RICHMOND In: Seth Campbell ® (Tassie Devils) Steely Green (South Fremantle WA) Jacob Hopper (GWS Giants) Kaleb Smith (East Fremantle WA) Tim Taranto (GWS Giants) Tylar Young ® (Richmond VFL) Out: Jake Aarts (delisted) Josh Caddy (retired) Riley Collier-Dawkins (delisted) Shane Edwards (retired) Kane Lambert (retired) Will Martyn (delisted) Matthew Parker (retired) Sydney Stack (delisted) ST KILDA Zaine Cordy (free agent, Western Bulldogs), Olli Hotton (Sandringham Dragons), Isaac Keeler (West Adelaide), Angus McLennan (category B rookie), Mattaes Phillipou (Woodville-WT), Liam Stocker ® (Carlton) **, James Van Es (GWV Rebels) Out: Jarryn Geary (retired) Dan Hannebery (retired) Darragh Joyce (Brisbane) Dean Kent (retired) Jarrod Lienert (delisted) Ben Long (Gold Coast) Paddy Ryder (retired) SYDNEY In: Will Edwards (Cat B ®) Aaron Francis (Essendon) Jacob Konstanty (Gippsland Power) Jaiden Magor ® (South Adelaide SA) Caleb Mitchell (Murray Bushrangers) Cameron Owen ® (Tassie Devils) Cooper Vickery (Gippsland Power) Out: James Bell (delisted) Josh Kennedy (retired) Sam Naismith (delisted) Barry O’Connor (delisted) Colin O'Riordan (retired) Ben Ronke (delisted) Callum Sinclair (retired) Lewis Taylor (delisted) WEST COAST EAGLES In: Jordyn Baker (Cat B ®) Harry Barnett (West Adelaide SA) Coby Burgiel (Gippsland Power) Tyrell Dewar (Cat B ®) Reuben Ginbey (East Perth WA) Elijah Hewett (Swan Districts WA) Jayden Hunt (Melbourne) Noah Long (Bendigo Pioneers) Zane Trew * Isiah Winder ® * Out: Hugh Dixon (delisted) Tom Joyce (delisted) Josh Kennedy (retired) Zac Langdon (delisted) Patrick Naish (delisted) Jackson Nelson (delisted) Jack Redden (retired) Junior Rioli (Port Adelaide) Zane Trew (delisted) Isiah Winder (delisted) WESTERN BULLDOGS In: Oskar Baker ® (Melbourne) ** Jedd Busslinger (East Perth WA) Charlie Clarke (Sandringham Dragons) Harvey Gallagher (Bendigo Pioneers) Liam Jones (Carlton) Rory Lobb (Fremantle) Out: Louis Butler (delisted) Zaine Cordy (St Kilda) Josh Dunkley (Brisbane) Lachie Hunter (Melbourne) Stefan Martin (retired) Charlie Parker (delisted) Josh Schache (Melbourne) Mitch Wallis (delisted) * re-listed ** SSP

Is it a closed session at Casey Fields today or an open one somewhere else?

Confirmed today that Tiernan Stynes has chosen basketball ahead of footy. Stynes has been playing well at Nunawading’s NBL1 senior team this season. He’s been working under 400-game NBL legend and former Boomer Adam Gibson.

I’m not all that excited by either of the candidates for the vacant spot, partly because neither stands out enough to me and partly because we’re not screaming out for their type - eg for K Turner, he’s going to be way out the back of the line for a key defender’s spot. I would be waiting for the mid season draft even though we’ll probably be the last pick.