Whispering_Jack

Connors manages Callan Ward so you would expect his website to get it right on one of his own players.

While everybody is talking about Jaeger O'Meara as the big prize in the 17 year old "mini draft" my friends in Beaufort near Ballarat tell me there's another kid in that draft who would be well worth claiming. His name is Brad Crouch DOB: 12/01/1994 Height: 184cm Weight: 83kg Club: North Ballarat Rebels (VIC)

Who decided that Palmer's a "star" player?

This is pure gold - SCULLY COULD BE GIANTS CAPTAIN!!! AFL newcomers Greater Western Sydney’s marquee signing Tom Scully is shaping as a shock appointment as the pioneering franchise’s first captain. It is understood certain clauses in his multi-million dollar deal could include Scully’s on-field leadership in an even younger overall squad than Gold Coast’s inaugural squad this year. The brilliant young gun midfielder has been committed for several months to the Giants on a massive five-year contract. Appointment of the potentially stunning on-baller as the Giants first up skipper, at the age of just 20, is expected to stun some hard core analysts through AFL circles. There is even strong anticipation that Giants management could also appoint emerging young key defender Phil Davis as a co-captain alongside Scully. Confirmation of Scully and Davis as co-skippers is unlikely until after the Giants assemble their full squad later this year or even early into 2012 approaching the new outfit's first AFL season. Two 20 year olds with a combined total of 40 games as co-captains of an AFL club - sheer Sheedy genius!

No they're not. They're taking advantage of an opportunity to get paid far and above what their services would otherwise be worth or could command but for the fact that the AFL created rules that clearly restrain their original clubs from competitively bidding for their services. The fault lies with the AFL, not the players, as Callan Ward's mother states in today's Herald Sun. The problem is that whereas the Gold Coast had additional attractions like climate, lifestyle and a growing football market, GWS is a footballing graveyard. My Sydney contacts are extremely pessimistic about the chances of the GWS surviving in that market - hence it's missed out on a number of its targets who prefer less pay but greater future prospects both on and off the field to a dead workplace run by the likes of Sheedy and co. That's why their signings to date are players like Davis and Ward rather than Thomas, Kreuzer and Bartel.

KC provides a fairly comprehensive run down on the eligibility of players on his match report thread - Abandoned. As to whether the club's going to hold players back from playing for Casey in the finals, I think that's pretty much guesswork. It's hard to find out at Melbourne whether any given player is injured so who knows?

From the TAC Cup site: 2011 TAC Cup North Ballarat Rebels 4.3 6.6 10.9 10.12 (72) Oakleigh Chargers 3.2 5.8 7.13 13.14 (92) GOALS: North Ballarat Rebels: Crouch 3 O'Brien 2 Dobson Dalgleish Watchorn Rippon Spriggs Oakleigh Chargers: Murphy 3 Greene 2 Mascitti 2 Tyson 2 Curran Hammond Jaksch Orval BEST: North Ballarat Rebels: Mackenzie Crouch Schache Downie Rippon Neade Oakleigh Chargers: Tomlinson VINEY Purcell Curran Greene Hammond

Popular demand and tradition. It's that time of year again when we turn our attention to the upcoming trade and draft period so we've started the Demonland Trade and Draft Board named this year in honour of our newly crowned Demonland Player of The Year, Jack Trengove. Jack is the youngest Demon ever to win this award and achieved the honour in only his second year at the club. He has also shown great loyalty to Melbourne by extending his contract when he could easily have held out for another year which was when his original deal was due to run out. I like to think of him as our version of Jimmy Bartel and a player destined to go on to achieve many higher personal and team honours in his career with the Demons. Over the next few days we will be moving a number of threads across to the JT board so if you've posted something here about trades or drafts, don't panic - look around in the new board. Enjoy.

In the United States they award the Pulitzer Prize for (among other things) achievements in newspaper and online journalism. While I'm not suggesting that Hagdorn's piece doesn't predict what will be the ultimate outcome for Scully and Ward, I think the journalist deserves recognition for his outstanding work from the organisers of this award. After all, I understand the prize is properly pronounced as "Pull it, sir"

I'm kicking off this last weekly game day thread early with a serious question. It seems to me that being a game at a traditional old football venue like Adelaide Oval against an old, proud club (formed in its original guise in 1870) should we go back to the traditional values of a few years ago and reintroduce our famous match day tactic - the tank? Port stands to lose first round pick # 4 and get # 6 instead if it manages a win against us. On the other hand, we could finish as high as 9th with a win (which would get us # 18) or as low as 13th with a loss (# 12). We improve four places in subsequent rounds if this scenario comes to pass. I reckon we need to trade strongly to cover our on field deficiencies, particularly in the midfield, so improvement in draft position is the best we can get out of what would otherwise be a meaningless dead rubber played without a number of our best 22. If we tanked, it would give those in the media who lack the intellect to come up with any original thoughts on the game an opportunity to write pages of idiotic analysis on the evils of tanking or even as to whether it exists at all. Every Demetriou interview in the coming week would necessitate the same inane question. "Do clubs tank?" Is this the way to bid farewell to what has turned out an awful season of football?

I believe Sam Blease is eligible too and Robbie Campbell coming back will also make a difference. Juice will also be better off for the run today. I just hope Melbourne doesn't pull the plug on players as was apparently done in the past.

So is Juice out there?

Jimmy Bartel of the Cats was strongly linked with GWS up to a month ago. Reports are that he's signed up to stay at Geelong. Another GWS recruiting fail.

Exactly. The significance of this game for me was not so much about what happened to Collingwood but rather about how Geelong has fought its way back into contention after the twin disruptions of the Gary Ablett and Bomber Thompson sagas. The Cats have regrouped particularly well with a new coach and rejuvenated list and there's definitely a lesson there for other clubs about how to overcome the monster that the AFL created with the rules for new franchises.

I was certain last week that Casey would struggle with only 10 AFL listed players against the Bullants' 15 but they were brilliant in winning by 100 points. It's a far more difficult ask this week with even less AFL players at their disposal but even if they lose they should have plenty of numbers available in the later weeks of the finals series.

I bear no ill will against Dean Wallis for belting Brad Green in the windpipe and putting him out early in the 2000 Grand Final but what an absolute idiot he is if he actually placed bets on the football. All we need now is to see Brad star on Sunday against the Power and I will feel instant karma!

Looks like the late Froggy Crompton to me. He was the hero of the game with the goal so he deserved to have a puff after the final siren. Wore # 5 and was also a handy state cricketer who was probably a bit unlucky never to have played in a test match. Big Bob Johnson used to smoke at the intervals and I can remember seeing Crackers Keenan in the race once at Windy Hill having a drag on a ciggy before the start of a game.

Mitch Clark of the Lions who was strongly linked with GWS up to a month ago is reported in today's Australian as being on his way to the Dockers. Another GWS recruiting fail.

A diplomatically worded announcement from the club would have sufficed.

Obviously the one game that he played at WC was more outstanding than the 68 that he played with us. I liked PJ but we all know his limitations and he's done well for himself to break into the Hawthorn team this week. Still, it's a one off and I doubt that he would be good enough to displace either of the ruckmen we have at the MFC at the moment let alone hold his place in the Hawks' team for the finals series. Indeed, he would struggle for a senior game at Casey. There's no way he would be selected over the bloke who's playing FF there ATM while Max Gawn's ruckwork and aerial power is far superior and he's just as good at ground level. Since overcoming his Achilles injury, Robbie Campbell has been most impressive in the ruck and around the ground. So much so that I think the club should definitely keep him for next year with him possibly getting games and taking a leadership role. I know that might sound crazy but he's there in our backyard, is a premiership ruckman with a good reputation and character and I'm sure he wouldn't let us down.

Nice story but where's the editor? Kyle turns into someone called "Williams" in the middle of the story. Annoying.

In future I recommend that you holiday in Rooty Hill. I can fix you up on a $5:00 per night plan in a room that gets fumigated twice a day for cockroaches and other vermin. I hear that the natives up there are really into AFL and all eight games are replayed on rotation on the local free to air station.

WHAT'S NEW by JVM The picturesque Adelaide Oval has witnessed many gripping test and international cricket matches over the years along with some local football, rugby and soccer. It has also hosted athletics, baseball, cycling, hockey and tennis as well as archery, highland games and even quoits. Some famous musical acts have performed there as well. KISS played there in 1980, Michael Jackson in 1996, Elton John in 1998 and more lately, Pearl Jam, AC/DC and Wolfmother. The Foo Fighters will be on stage in December. The ground's current capacity is not all that flash but there are plans to redevelop the ground and to drag it kicking and screaming into the 21st Century but, in the meantime, the AFL has selected the venue to host its first AFL contest with Port Adelaide to meet Melbourne in the deadest of dead rubbers of what can only be described as an underwhelming season for both clubs. The home side is broke and relying mainly on a massive injection of funds from the AFL to keep the wheels turning in future seasons. The hope is that the move of the two local AFL clubs to the Adelaide Oval will bring them salvation but for the Power, the concessions to the new expansion franchises stand in the way of any immediate on field progress. They showed glimmers of improved form last week against Essendon at Etihad when they led by 34 points seven minutes into the final term only to concede 7.5 in the ensuing 23 minutes. The ray of hope for Port is young key position forward John Butcher but he happens to be out of contract and homesick. If the Power loses on Sunday and finishes with the wooden spoon, it's first national draft pick will be number four; it's second in the twenties. A win means that it starts at selection number six. Hardly, the stuff that you would tank in the last game for but, there's barely any incentive for winning either. Melbourne remains a club fractured and hurt by the events surrounding the departure of coach Dean Bailey. The wounds it sustained are deep but can be healed by a wise selection of coach and the infusion of the right personnel both on and off the field. The Demons will also benefit by the impending resolution, one way or the other, of the situation concerning Tom Scully. The club has a fundamentally sound young list waiting for the right person to come along and fashion it into a winning combination. Next year ... So two teams both focussed on the future meet in a round 24 game that holds very little meaning in terms of 2011. What's new? THE GAME Port Adelaide v Melbourne Sunday 4 September 2011 at the Adelaide Oval 3.10pm AEST HEAD TO HEAD Overall Port Adelaide 12 wins Melbourne 11 wins At Adelaide Oval Port Adelaide 0 wins Melbourne 0 wins Since 2000 Port Adelaide 10 wins Melbourne 8 wins The Coaches Primus 0 wins Viney 0 wins MEDIA TV - Channel 7 Live from 3.00 pm. Radio - 3AW TripleM THE BETTING Port Adelaide to win $2.50 Melbourne to win $1.53 THE LAST TIME THEY MET Melbourne 17.11.113 defeated Port Adelaide 14.8.92 Round 17, 2011 at TIO Stadium, Darwin Melbourne hit the ground running and took a good early lead in the the tropical heat of Darwin. The enthusiastic Demons maintained the ascendency for much of the game but slowed appreciably in the final term when they allowed Port Adelaide to peg them back by a few goals but the result was never really in doubt. Liam Jurrah was in graet form early and he finished with three goals as did Addam Maric and Ricky Petterd. THE TEAMS PORT ADELAIDE Backs Troy Chaplin Alipate Carlile Tom Logan Half backs Jacob Surjan Jackson Trengove Cameron O'Shea Centreline Steven Salopek Travis Boak Danyle Pearce Half forwards Brett Ebert John Butcher Robert Gray Forwards Daniel Motlop Jay Schulz Justin Westhoff Followers Matthew Lobbe Domenic Cassisi David Rodan Interchange (from) Mitchell Banner Matthew Broadbent Dean Brogan Kane Cornes Thomas Jonas Matt Thomas Aaron Young In Dean Brogan Kane Cornes Aaron Young Out New Aaron Young (Eastern Ranges) MELBOURNE Backs Tom McDonald James Frawley Sam Blease Half backs Clint Bartram Jared Rivers Colin Garland Centreline Jamie Bennell Jordie McKenzie Nathan Jones Half forwards Jack Trengove Jack Watts Brad Green Forwards Rohan Bail Stefan Martin Neville Jetta Followers Mark Jamar Cale Morton Brent Moloney Interchange Matthew Bate Jack Fitzpatrick Jeremy Howe Luke Tapscott Emergencies Joel Macdonald Tom McNamara Daniel Nicholson In Rohan Bail Matthew Bate Jack Fitzpatrick Out Liam Jurrah (wrist) Tom McNamara Tom McNamara New Jack Fitzpatrick (Western Jets) Leaving aside the Mickey Mouse opening round of this year’s NAB Cup, it's been a long while since Melbourne, last won a game in Adelaide. Indeed, a number of the youngsters on the current Demons’ list were still a year or two away from their teens when their team accomplished a real victory for four premiership points in the City of Churches. This game won’t quite be the same for Melbourne because, after all, the first-ever AFL match at Adelaide Oval, will be played kilometres away from AAMI Stadium. In any event, the Power haven’t been travelling well either at home or away this year. They have recorded only two wins for the season and the victory over Adelaide in Round 4 was their only home win this year. They have lost eleven games on end and yet, there are some who believe that Port Power are back in town on the strength of last week’s defeat at the hands of Essendon after leading by 34 points well into the final term. If you believe that’s a welcome return to form, then Melbourne’s five goal win over Gold Coast last Sunday to break a losing streak of five goals would also be regarded as one of the most miraculous turnarounds in the history of the game. Well, not really although it was good to see Brad Green returning to a semblance of form and it’s a timely return as well because the Demons will be relying on their skipper to score enough goals to provide them with a winning score. Remember, the three players who each kicked three goals when Melbourne beat Port Adelaide in Darwin earlier this year, Liam Jurrah, Addam Maric and Ricky Petterd will all be missing on Sunday. If the Demons can take advantage of their ruck strength and convert that into clearances from stoppages and clean forward moves, then perhaps they will find Green and co enough times to win their ninth game for the season and give themselves bragging rights as an improver on paper for 2011. We all know that this is a deceptive viewpoint in the light of the horrors of Melbourne’s past month but perhaps it will presage a real turnaround next year. Melbourne by 8 points.

Casey coach Brad Gotch runs through the Melbourne-listed players who played for the Scorpions in round 22 - Round 22 Casey player review

So when was the last time we beat Carlton to recruit a player from another club? Never. The challenge for Melbourne's recruiters to beat the others in a race to get him would be enormous. Nonetheless, we have one small factor in our favour and that is that his family comes from Maffra and, according to reports, his father has some form of minor coaching role at Gippsland Power which has a connection with the Casey Scorpions. Butcher also has a younger brother with Gippsland Power who is line ball to get drafted and therefore could end up down the highway at the Scorpions which is the usual destination for the better Gippsland players who miss out on the cut. I suppose we'll know very soon how much $'s we have to splash about on recruiting and what we have in terms of draft picks to offer in trades but my guess is our priorities will be to bolster the midfield and find a tall, strong marking KPF like Butcher. We're up against it but every little bit counts!