Whispering_Jack

Agreed, it was a fantastic run chase and I suspect that many of today's observers of the game don't comprehend how hard it is to chase a score of 300+ on what was virtually the last day of a test, particularly away from home against a world class opposition bowling attack. That said, Australia has a succession problem with NZ, India and the Windies coming up. We have a few aging players in Ponting, Hussey and Haddin who are going to have to be replaced in the next 18 months and much of the batting line up is unresolved. Something's gotta give.

You're kidding? Yes. I have a more serious (ok semi-serious) question to ask the draft experts. Given that Mr. P. Ssssssssssssssssssss ... cully is now on the GWS recruiting staff, does he have a seat at the GWS table when the draft is conducted and, if so, do the Giants get a bigger table than the other clubs?* (*not really a fat joke - they probably need a bigger table anyway because of the number of picks they have).

I'm prepared to let this pass through to the keeper but posters should be aware that our current policy does not support the making of jokes at other people's expanse er ... expense.

Never in doubt with our batting team

I would have thought the same. Our fixture in 2011 wasn't particularly conducive to making good money out of home games which I believe is an important feature in determining the ultimate bottom line. If we finish with our noses in front and in the blank after that, it's not a bad result.

To Maldonboy38, Fan and jayceebee31, Thanks for your reports. They're much appreciated - keep them going please. Being mainly office bound ATM, I envy you guys (although I hope to get to at least one session, probably early January during the holiday period for those of us who work). The situation reminds me of a few lines of poetry from A.B. "Banjo" Patterson - "I am sitting in my dingy little office, where a stingy Ray of sunlight struggles feebly down between the houses tall, And the foetid air and gritty of the dusty, dirty city Through the open window floating, spreads its foulness over all." Perhaps not that bad but you get the picture ... Incidentally, I think Lucas Cook had hip surgery and Nev Jetta's problem was his shoulder.

Yes. I think we have ourselves an opening bowler if we manage him properly. Now, if we can promote one kid ... why is it so hard for others to get into the test side?

I think this is probably the article - Jobs for the boys: building a club, finding a roughie

There are a number of fine establishments which serve food of the Chinese variety that are owned by Melbourne supporters. What tempted you to go there?

North Melbourne would surely be feeling a little nervous about Bastinac. I remember reading an article at the time of the 2009 draft that Bastinac and Scully's fathers were both good mates and played football together at Dandenong in the old VFA days. Given what we now know, the chances are that Bastinac already has an offer of employment from the folks at Bleaktown.

The article Redleg's referring to is entitled "Media lock-in before draft" but it isn't available on the web but it says that the first round selections 1 to 26 will be made behind closed doors. Andrew Demetriou will then count down the selections from 10 to 1 for the television coverage. Selections 11 to 26 will then be "ripped through quickly" and then the live coverage will commence at # 27. At least from a timing point of view, things should move pretty crisply.

The way to get around that would be to tape the programme on IQ and then watch it on replay by playing it backwards.

The paper got it wrong. We have three picks - 36, 52 and 54. Assuming Couch has nominated for this week's draft, we can select him on Thursday night or (if he isn't selected) wait until the rookie draft and pick him then if that's what they want.

What does it matter what any of the players have done in the past? The new coach has outlined what he expects from his players in the future and what will happen if they don't follow the team rules. It's straightforward and applies to every player, young or old including recruits coming into the system. Same thing happens at clubs like Geelong and Collingwood which co-incidentally are very successful following that line.

I picked this up from Adam (Supermercado)'s twitter. The State Library has the Footy Record on line all the way up to 1989. FOOTY RECORD

More twitter from Emma Q: The other TMc was delisted a couple of weeks ago.

We shouldn't forget that beyond 54 the following players were taken:- • 55 Sam Fisher and Chris Newman • 56 Daniel Bradshaw and Ryan O'Keefe • 58 Dane Swan James Hird (79) • 64 Cameron Bruce • 71 Brian Lake • 78 Richie Vandenberg • 79 James Hird and • 105 Chris Grant Premiership players, club captains and Brownlow Medallists. OK so now we expect nothing less than that from Mr. Prendergast.

A few big asks there given our lowly draft position. I have a gut feeling that our first pick at 36 is going to be a 179/180cm small midfielder who can get the footy out of the middle, kicks well and is good at decision making. Happy for the other two to be smokeys shrouded in mystery and discovered in remote or unknown parts of the country that nobody has heard of or seen. Jeremy Howe was a gem last year and Davis and McDonald both look good to me.

No way can it be the shambles it was last year. The commentators were too busy interviewing their subjects - often past draft picks whose careers were ending or over - to announce who was being picked and names were being quickly flashed across the screen. At times it was more about the presenters than about the players drafted. I heard today that Jason Dunstall who was the front man on Foxtel last year was in hospital this week and won't pass the fitness test to do the presenting this year. Perhaps they could give the gig to the woman who fluffed up the Foxtel top model presentation last year. I'm sure it would be an improvement, especially for Demon fans who are only going to hang around for 10 minutes in the middle of the show.

And one more time our thanks go to Sam the Stats Man for providing the history of ... SELECTION 54 Carlton hit the jackpot with 200 gamer Michael Sexton in the 1988 draft but that was in the early days when some clubs didn't have a clue what they were doing at the draft table. Sexton played in a back pocket alongside Stephen Silvagni in the Blues' 1995 premiership. Most of the others have barely made an impact. Current Bomber Cale Hooker (2007) is one game shy of his fifty but the last three 54s have managed a total of one game between them. The Demons drafted tall, gangly ruckman Daniel Clarke from Queensland in 1993 but he failed to get a senior game and ended up a bit of a legend in the VFL with Frankston. Lightly built Cameron Hunter (2002), son of Carlton great Ken, managed two games with the Demons before heading off to Box Hill. The odds are not good for success at this selection, particularly in a shallow draft of the likes of this one. 1986 - Paul Page, Kennington (St. Kilda): 0 games 1987 - Adam Ladbrook, Pakenham (Brisbane): 0 games 1988 - Michael Sexton, Sandurst (Carlton): 200 games 1989 - Steve Bozicevic, Myrtleford (Sydney): 0 games 1990 - Brian Stanislaus, St. Marys NT (Sydney): 1 game 1991 - Leigh Snooks, Derinallum (Carlton): 0 games 1992 - Daniel Clarke, West Brisbane (Melbourne): 0 games 1993 - Sedat Sir, Central Dragons (Western Bulldogs): 24 games 1994 - Ian Downsborough, West Perth (West Coast): 20 games (Port Adelaide 7 games, Adelaide 12 games) 1995 - Adam Ansell, West Adelaide (Hawthorn): 0 games 1996 - Matthew Watson, Essendon (Essendon): 1 game 1997 - Justin Wood, Tassie Mariners (Geelong): 7 games 1998 - Derek Murray, Murray Bushrangers (Port Adelaide): 23 games 1999 - Murray Pitts, St. Kilda (St. Kilda) 0 games 2000 - Jarrad Sundqvst, Glenelg (Sydney): 9 games 2001 - Ben Robbins, Brisbane (North Melbourne): 40 games (previously Brisbane 52 games) 2002 - Cameron Hunter, Calder Cannons (Melbourne): 2 games 2003 - Pass (Geelong) 2004 - Stephen Tiller, West Adelaide (Western Bulldogs): 21 games 2005 - Kristin Thornton, Peel (Sydney): 0 games (Sydney 8 games) 2006 - Matt Tyler, North Ballarat Rebels (Brisbane): 0 games 2007 - Cale Hooker, East Fremantle (Essendon): 49 games 2008 - Jarrad Redden, Woodville-W T (Port Adelaide): 0 games 2009 - Byron Sumner, Woodville-W T (Sydney): 1 game 2010 - Jordan Schroder, Calder Cannons (Geelong): 0 games

As the thread suggests, he was taken with pick 52. We had 53 so if we wanted to take him we were pipped at the post. In the event, we went for Tom McDonald and I'm glad that we did. He might not have played 18 games but he is a genuine prospect and many of those who have seen him at Casey and then late in the season in his two games for Melbourne wouldn't be keen on changing things now.

Thanks again to Sam the Stats Man for providing the history of ... SELECTION 52 If it's hard to pick a winner with selection 36, then it's a hell of lot tougher in the 50s. Most Demon fans would be pleased so far with the results of Barry Prendergast's efforts last year with Troy Davis (#50) and Tom McDonald (#53) and a repeat with 52 and 54 would enhance his growing reputation as a recruiter. After all, anyone can pick a Jack Watts or a Tom Sc... Jack Trengove at the pointy end of the draft but only the best can regularly find quality around these parts. Amon Buchanan of the Swans (2000) is probably the best of this lot but he was delisted early in his career (after only 6 games) before being redrafted. He went on to play more than 100 games at Sydney before crossing to the Lions. Matthew Dent (1993) was a solid footballer who played 118 games with three clubs but made his mark with the Western Bulldogs. Defender Rod Jameson was drafted by North Melbourne at 52 in 1989 but never came across from SA. Two years later, he was in Adelaide's inaugural squad and he played 153 games with the Crows and was full back in their first premiership team in 1997. Last year's pick 52 was Cameron O'Shea who played 18 games with Port Adelaide - a fine effort for such a late choice. The only past Demon connection with pick 52 is the fact that Tony Campbell was redrafted at that number by the Bulldogs in 1995 but that was long after he finished up at Melbourne. The only time in history that the club held national draft pick 52 was in 2003 when it passed on that selection after taking Colin Sylvia (3), Brock McLean (5) and father/son selection Chris Johnson (36). 1986 - Robin McKinnon, West Adelaide (Hawthorn): 0 games 1987 - Stephen Gemmill, Cobram (Carlton): 0 games 1988 - Darren Bartsch, West Adelaide (West Coast): 0 games 1989 - Rod Jameson, Glenelg (North Melbourne): 0 games (Adelaide 153 games) 1990 - Brendon Retzlaff, Swan Districts (Collingwood): 0 games (Brisbane 15 games, West Coast 3 games, Fremantle 6 games) 1991 - Matthew Henderson, Morwell (Hawthorn): 0 games 1992 - Paul Bullus, Woodville- W T (Richmond): 97 games 1993 - Matthew Dent, Northern Knights (Fitzroy): 47 games (Western Bulldogs 63 games, Hawthorn 8 games) 1994 - Danny Stevens, Northern Knights (North Melbourne): 15 games 1995 - Tony Campbell, Perth (Western Bulldogs): 8 games (previously Melbourne 75 games, Western Bulldogs 35 games) 1996 - Damien Lock, Bendigo Pioneers (Carlton): 18 games 1997 - Jordan Doering, Bendigo Pioneers (Essendon): 0 games (Carlton 18 games) 1998 - Ryan O'Connor, Essendon (Sydney) 24 games (previously Essendon 63 games) 1999 - Andrew Mills, Murray Bushrangers (Richmond): 14 games 2000 - Amon Buchanan, Geelong Falcons (Sydney): 6 games (Sydney 110 games, Brisbane 17 games) 2001 - Andrew R. Browne, Claremont (Fremantle): 29 games 2002 - Pass (Geelong) 2003 - Pass (Melbourne) 2004 - Dean Limbach, Calder Cannons (Richmond): 0 games 2005 - Pass (Collingwood) 2006 - Brock O'Brien, Peel (Fremantle): 3 games 2007 - Brad Dalziell, East Fremantle (Brisbane): 15 games (Fremantle 9 games) 2008 - Jordan Jones, Geelong Falcons (West Coast): 2 games 2009 - Justin Bollenhagen, South Adelaide (Fremantle): 4 games 2010 - Cameron O'Shea, Eastern Ranges (Port Adelaide): 18 games

Thanks to Sam the Stats Man for providing the history of ... SELECTION 36 Melbourne will be hoping that it can emulate Hawthorn's number 36 effort from the draft of 10 years ago when the Hawks secured Sam Mitchell who went on to captain the club and is closing in on 200 AFL games. The pick has produced a few handy players like Jonathan Hay (157 AFL games) and Danny Jacobs (126). Luke McGuane and Alwyn Davey have had their moments but most of the # 36 picks have been more miss than hit. The Demons' two 36ers have been disappointing. Jason Dullard (1991) failed to gain AFL selection while father/son pick Chris Johnson (2003) struggled for a regular place and left for Carlton in strained circumstances after just 31 games with the club. 1986 - Donald Thompson, Albury (Sydney): 0 games 0 goals 1987 - Tony Vigona, Jerilderie (Sydney): 0 games 0 goals 1988 - Nick Chigwidden, Glenelg (Sydney): 0 games 0 goals 1989 - Rohan J Smith, Port Adelaide Magpies (Sydney): 0 games (St. Kilda 3 games) 1990 - Matthew Burton, Subiaco (West Coast): 0 games (Fremantle 70 games, North Melbourne 77 games) 1991 - Jason Dullard, Essendon (Melbourne): 0 games 1992 - Tim Sherman, Geelong Falcons (Brisbane): 0 games 1993 - Julian Kirzner, Central Dragons (Essendon) 1 game (North Melbourne 3 games) 1994 - Matthew Robbins, Central Dragons (Geelong) 7 games (Western Bulldogs 139 games) 1995 - Andrew Lamb, Murray Bushrangers (St. Kilda): 0 games 1996 - Jonathan Hay, East Fremantle (Hawthorn): 149 games (North Melbourne 8 games) 1997 - Judd Lalich, East Perth (Essendon): 17 games 1998 - Danny Jacobs, Prahran Dragons (Essendon) 81 games (Hawthorn 45 games) 1999 - Rhett Biglands, Woodville-WT(Adelaide) 134 games 2000 - Jeremy Humm, North Ballarat Rebels (West Coast): 23 games 2001 - Sam Mitchell, Box Hill (Hawthorn): 193 games 2002 - Tim Callan (f/s), Geelong Falcons (Geelong): 15 games (Western Bulldogs 19 games) 2003 - Chris A. Johnson (f/s), East Fremantle (Melbourne): 31 games (Carlton 15 games) 2004 - Luke McGuane, Broadbeach (Richmond): 84 games 2005 - Jake Edwards, Western Jets (Carlton): 5 games 2006 - Alwyn Davey, South Adelaide (Essendon): 69 games 2007 - Steven Browne, West Perth (Carlton): 23 games 2008 - Ashley Smith, Dandenong Stingrays (West Coast): 26 games 2009 - Joel Houghton, Perth (Fremantle): 0 games 2010 - Aaron Young, Eastern Ranges (Port Adelaide): 0 games

From her twitter: (a) is an adaptable player (v) turns 28 or older in next year