Whispering_Jack

He was still picked so his presence will likely depend on his wife's contractions.

The quality of the contributions for this episode of "The People Speak" was outstanding. We gave The Oracle the job of putting together the Melbourne v Port Adelaide preview (with thanks and apologies to those who missed out). THE PEOPLE SPEAK - THE TOP END GAME edited by The Oracle Last week's bye gave Melbourne and its supporters plenty of time to reflect on the club's disappointing 64-point loss to the Western Bulldogs. A win would have given their top eight prospects a major boost but instead the Bombers and the Bulldogs appear to have stolen the march on Melbourne which, as one fired up maco states must restart its race to the Top Eight on Saturday night: After a week or two, Saturday Night dawns upon us up in the hot, humid conditions that surround the home of Indigenous footy, TIO Stadium; a home away from home some may believe, with the strong connection of our multiple Aboriginal players and their community up North. In a week in which player contracts have been mentioned constantly, Melbourne has provided its last punch in the Tom Scully saga, GWS have thrown caution into the wind and Eddie has once has opened his mouth, the time has come for the club to stand up as a whole. These are the games where the players need to unite as one and stand up. The credibility of the club is on the line once again come the weekend. Not only is the game expected to be a real toughie, it is amazing to see that no-body has talked up the fact that the Dees have had the chop out of the bye and should be refreshed and near peak physical condition to take on the lowly Power. With their vast array of inconsistent players and the odd A grader, David Rodan, it is amazing to think that a team such as this is being talked up to win after abysmal performances for multiple weeks on end. The danger men for Port clearly will be Schulz, Rodan, Chad Cornes going on last week, Robbie Gray and Travis Boak. The match ups in order surely would have to be James Frawley, Jamie Bennell, Jack Watts at CHF, Luke Tapscott and Jordie McKenzie. If all of the above get on top of their opponents then the game could easily be in the Dees favour. Men that need to fire for the Dees to win would have to be our indigenous boys, Liam especially and Mark Jamar has to get on top of the ageing warrior that is Dean Brogan. People are wary of how dangerous Port can be in these conditions with the recent win there against the Tiges, but a win for them this week would put Melbourne right out of contention and have an under-fire Dean Bailey under further immense pressure. A win for the Dees is paramount to keep alive the dream of September action. Dees by 20 points Striker475 considers a similar theme when looking at the game in terms of Money Money Money A week is a long time in football. Two weeks? Even longer. It may have been my bad case of man flu, it may have been the cold, but it felt weird not having the Dees play as the march to the finals revs up. And yet, we look at last week, where all news finished effectively for the Dees when a certain tackle was cleared, to now. Two men, key to this particular fixture and to the future have both already been in the news, albeit for different reasons. Both symbolise two great things about the Melbourne Football Club. Their names? Austin Wonaeamirri and Tom Scully. Aussie is part of the Indigenous 'brigade' at Melbourne. Along with Liam Jurrah, Aaron Davey, Neville Jetta, Jamie Bennell and rookie Kelvin Lawrence, they continue to deepen and enrich this club's great connection with the Indigenous community. The club has done great things for the indigenous people of our country, and continues to do so. Saturday night, in a way, the Indigenous community says thanks. While its thanks are, of course, given regardless, it is noted by many that at TIO the bulk of the crowd will be Indigenous Australians. They cheer for every player, but the Indigenous players get a roar, regardless of their team colours. Yes, the club does get a pay day from it. But it is a way to continue fostering a connection with these players now and into the future, to set up the structures to have more Indigenous talents ply their ways for the club. Of course, other talents do so as well and the spotlight will surely shine on arguably the brightest of them this Saturday, Tom Scully. Figures are being bandied about. Offers have been received. The question is being asked about the fact that there's a lot of hype about this 20-year-old. Will he stand up? Port have only won two this year - and one was up here, against Richmond. They have more Darwin experience, yes - but are struggling no matter where they play. Melbourne need the win to rally and continue their push for a spot in the eight. The reality is that Port are in Struggletown right now. I can see them going close - depending on which Melbourne turns up but, honestly, I'm expecting a typical ten-goal Melbourne win. Dees by 68. THE GAME Melbourne v Port Adelaide Saturday 16 July 2011 at TIO Stadium, Darwin 7.40pm AEST HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 10 wins Port Adelaide 12 wins At TIO Stadium Melbourne 1 win Port Adelaide 0 wins Since 2000 Melbourne 7 wins Port Adelaide 10 wins The Coaches Bailey 0 wins Primus 1 win MEDIA TV Channel 10 Live from 7.30 pm. Radio THE BETTING Melbourne to win $1.23 Port Adelaide to win $4.20 LAST TIME THEY MET Port Adelaide 17.10.112 defeated Melbourne 11.17.83 Round 21, 2011 at the AAMI Stadium Melbourne was overrun by a confident Port Adelaide under reasonably newly appointed coach Matthew Primus at AAMI Stadium which is not a happy hunting ground for the Demons. Jay Schulz was a star up forward and Travis Boak and Dom Cassisi led the dominant Power midfield against a Melbourne team that was hopelessly off target up forward and out of sorts almost everywhere on the ground. The exceptions were Liam Jurrah who took mark of the year honours and booted four goals and Cameron Bruce who was coming to the end of his career in Demon colours. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE Backs James Strauss James Frawley Daniel Nicholson Half backs Colin Garland Jared Rivers Nathan Jones Centreline Jack Trengove Colin Sylvia Tom Scully Half forwards Ricky Petterd Liam Jurrah Cale Morton Forwards Brad Green Jack Watts Stefan Martin Followers Mark Jamar Brent Moloney Jordie McKenzie Interchange Jordan Gysberts Jeremy Howe Addam Maric Luke Tapscott Emergencies Clint Bartram Matthew Bate Max Gawn In Addam Maric Luke Tapscott Out Jamie Bennell Sam Blease (both omitted) PORT ADELAIDE Backs Tom Logan Jackson Trengove Cameron O'Shea Half backs Nick Salter Troy Chaplin Hamish Hartlett Centreline Ben Jacobs Travis Boak Kane Cornes Half forwards David Rodan Jay Schulz Brett Ebert Forwards Danyle Pearce Chad Cornes Robbie Gray Followers Matthew Lobbe Domenic Cassisi Matt Thomas Interchange Mitch Banner Hitchcock Michael Pettigrew Steven Salopek Emergencies Matthew Broadbent Daniel Stewart Jacob Surjan In Michael Pettigrew Steven Salopek Out Matthew Broadbent Daniel Stewart (both omitted) satyricon has come up with an interesting reason as to why Melbourne will win - "Because I will be leaning over the fence from my front row seat at TIO imploring them to". I'm not sure that this view is strong enough from an objective viewpoint. On the other hand, DemonWA argues that "this is a game that all MFC supporters expect to win. Whether you think we can make finals or you are more measured about your 2011 expectations, a "home" game against the struggling Port Adelaide should get us the 4 points. But is it that cut and dry? Aside from back to back wins against the Dockers and Tigers, Melbourne’s form has been inconsistent to say the least. Couple this with the fact that the game being played at a ground other than the MCG and it starts to look like much more of a contest. Whilst no one doubts the Demons' potential, their desire and hunger to tackle and chase - to play at the level required at AFL standard in today’s game – is called into question every second week. If the 'good Melbourne' turns up to play then it will win comfortably. If the 'insipid, Bruise-free (inset Buzz Term here)' Melbourne travels to TIO then the game becomes much more interesting. The conditions will be beaten up by the media to no end. In reality the heat will be foreign to both teams. Match fitness shouldn’t be a problem for the majority of the guys who walk out onto the field at this stage of the season. The team that is willing to push through and work harder in the heat will win. Not the team that uses gloves, sweatbands, cool rooms etc. Port won their last game at TIO – with a solid win over the Tigers. They will have earmarked this game as a good chance for a win, in what has been a disappointing season, so I’m expecting port to have a red hot crack. I’m hoping the Dees turn up with a desire to tackle and chase; a desire to earn a win rather than turn up and win. If this is the case I'll back us in by 30 points after kicking away in the last." High Tower reckons the game is about recharging the batteries:- "The last time these two clubs met in Darwin, they played a cliff hanger with Jack Trengove providing the difference in hitting the ball through the goals for a behind and helping secure the 4 points. Fast forward 12 months and the Demons are coming off the Round 16 Bye after 3 matches with 6 day breaks prior and Port Adelaide on the back of a Saints smashing in Adelaide in more ways than one. Port Adelaide went out with intent to unsettle the opposition to no avail. Melbourne remain just outside the eight and if it has any finals aspirations in 2011 this game is a must win and then some. Preparation will be a huge key to this game and Port Adelaide will be smarting having handed Richmond a lesson in Darwin not that long ago. The Demons last game against the Bulldogs in Round 15 saw a disappointing Friday night result, where the Bulldogs outfit simply outplayed Melbourne through efficient ball use and their star players in Cooney, Boyd and Griffen in particular performing very well. The Demons whilst very young and somewhat inexperienced have had inconsistent results as expected from prudent judges this season (very few), but strive for consistency of good and fluent play as they have shown here and there in 2011. They meet a similar young group this Saturday night in Port Adelaide, who have some experienced players in Cassisi, Cornes, Gray, Chaplin, Ebert, Schulz, Rodan and equally some good young players in Hartlett, Boak, Pearce, Banner and Trengove. Not only will preparation be important, but tactically for the Demons to obtain four premiership points they must come with the correct attitude and application that has seen it win 6 games this season to date. The midfield needs to perform better than it did against the Bulldogs. They need to execute and be as efficient as possible, which will not be easy in humid conditions in Darwin. The Power coach will note how Eade's Bulldogs dismantled the Melbourne midfield by nullifying Scully at stoppages with Liam Picken, and Hudson getting on top in the ruck. If Primus employs the same tactics with a Kane Cornes, I feel Tom Scully will eventually run him into the ground. So they will need to rotate on Scully in the heat, and Dean Bailey will equally be wanting Tom to work hard around the ground and break lines to create. Other Melbourne mids will need to lift their game collectively. Moloney, Jones, Sylvia in particular. Gysberts and McKenzie at stoppages and clearances. I expect others such as Trengove, Watts, Martin and Petterd who did ok last start, to be very important in obtaining the result this Saturday night. Win the midfield and this game is virtually won. Go forward and press and squeeze every ounce of power the Power may have. Speaking of power, let's hope TIO Stadium has plenty of backup generators after the last farce in the Richmond v Port game. A lot has been spoken on the GWS & Tom Scully saga, and at a guess there will be more, however I'm of the belief that all he wants to do is play the game he loves among his teammates. Its games like this one, unique games. Even though it may be miles and miles away from the expanses of the MCG, the importance of teamwork, bonding, building relationships, sense of direction and team goals will come to the fore for many. Another small step in creating a winning environment. Prediction: Dees back on the winner's list, by 26 points in a tough night at work." THE LAST WORD I'm going to leave the last word to Maldonboy38 who entertained us with some incisive training reports in the pre season. Now it's his turn to analyse the Top End game:- "Melbourne should be planning to have the ball in their hands a lot, and play positive, strong football. WE can't underestimate Port - they usually play 2 - 3 quarters of good footy and so do we so it is not going to be as easy as it appears on the surface. But man for man we have a much more skilful starting 22, and a lot more grunt players (which in light of some recent efforts says a bit about Port). The sure hands of Gysberts, Trengove and Watts should be too much for them. Dangers: Schulz. Frawley should tear him apart, or Garland with his amazing spoiling attributes. Gray. A really good footballer who is playing brilliant footy in a poor side. Rodan. Bennell to run with him and run off him. Rodan is only quick off the mark - he can be caught after 10 metres or so. Bennell is quick off the mark and continues to accelerate. On recent form, Bennell does not deserve his place but it is horses for courses and he should play in Darwin." There you have it and thanks to all of our contributors. I'll go along with the grain and tip the Dees to continue their unbeaten run at TIO (they won a NAB Cup game there against the Bulldogs a few years back and beat Port there last year). The Power's record at the ground is only 1-4 with the win against the Tigers their first in the Territory and we all know that game started in the dark. Not so this week. Melbourne by 37 points.

The Age is saying this: MELBOURNE A Davey (knee) test J Fitzpatrick (ankle) test N Jetta (hand) test J Macdonald (knee) 1 wk R Bail (knee) 2-3 wks M Newton (foot) 2-3 wks J Grimes (foot) season J Spencer (knee) season

Apologies, misread a tweet on Twitter. The person in question was Adam White. My comment re Eddie still stands though.

The revelations of the past 24 hours have severely damaged the credibility of a number of commentators in the media. The Ox, Eddie and Mark Stevens are three of the more prominent persons who stuck out their necks making claims that they had it on good authority that Scully to GWS was a done deal. It appears now that it is not. It's of interest that having had their credibility smashed by the Scully situation, McChins and Stevens are now seeking to minimise any claim Melbourne might have for compensation if Scully does decide to go to GWS. Both in unison acting as spoilers. They seem to be acting as proxies for someone. Anyone care to guess who?

So now the AFL has tightened up on the rules. When did they make tighten up the rules and why are they not epplying those tightened rules to Judd's case and including his Visy deal in Carlton's total player payments this year? If the tightened rules make it impossible for one club to compete with another for the servies of a player then I believe the club offended against by this situation has an actionable case against the AFL. The AFL and its Commission cannot be above the law.

It's a very important point and one Scully's advisers need to consider. What happens if GWS fails? To what extent would the AFL prop up the franchise if it started to become a financial millstone around its neck? Demetriou and co might point to the AFL's billion dollar plus TV rights deal but we live in difficult economic times. If the GFC strikes Australia as it did to the US and to Europe (the news today is that the Italian economy is in strife) could a situation arise where Seven and/or Foxtel struggle to secure sufficient advertisers for their football programming? I know that on balance it's an unlikely scenario but I agree with the view that it's going to be a difficult task for GWS to secure a foothold in hostile territory, particularly in the likely event that the team is unsuccessful on the field in it's formative years.

The Ox was one of my favourites but I think he's doing nothing there other than trying to repair the damage to his credibility. He has made numerous comments to the effect that he was 98% certain that Scully or someone on his behalf had already made a commitment to GWS. The revelations of the past 24 hours and Cameron Schwab's comments on the Ox's programme this evening have left his credibility in tatters. Scully might well still sign with GWS but that won't make his earlier claims proven. Earlier in the evening he claimed that he was now 99% certain that Scully would go which is a different proposition. Bob's right, Schwabby wiped the floor with him.

Sounds very much like Mark Jackson (except for the bit about being short). I'm 98% certain that GWS won't offer him a contract.

I don't believe 10 wins, a draw and an ordinary percentage will be sufficient to make the top 8 or, for that matter, render the team deserving of playing off in the finals. We have dropped games to three other contenders - North, St. Kilda and the Bulldogs - when a win in any one of those might have put us in with a good chance. In reality, we didn't even come close to deserving victory in any of those games. In order for us to make the finals, if that is indeed the aim in what is still a development year for the club, we need to win games not only against teams we're expected to beat but also to win against at least one of the top four aspirants we're due to play in the four week block after the Port Adelaide game. I don't believe that under our current set up we can win any of those games but I reckon we should have a crack at it by tweaking the makeup of the team. I don't think this will happen for Saturday night's game in the tropics but I can see possibilities for an attack on Hawthorn should we win against Port. In the meantime, the finals aren't really on the agenda. We need to take things one week at a time, hope for no more injuries and some of the injured to return and otherwise continue to develop our young team so they can make a surge forward in the next year or two.

There is no way on earth that Davey should be played on Saturday night. He's been out since round 9 and it's not as if he was setting the world on fire before that. For his and the team's own good, he needs a couple of weeks at Casey to find his feet. The problem is that Casey has a game next week against Frankston and then follows that up with another bye which is really not suitable for any players due to come back from injury in the next couple of weeks.

BRAD GOTCH'S PLAYER REVIEW Luke Tapscott: We played Luke more midfield this week, because he's been playing back line at senior level, but we just thought we'd build his fitness, and he's got a strong body - those conditions would suit him, and they certainly did. He had 22 possessions, and we actually pulled his game time back a little bit in the last quarter, just to make sure we didn't overcook him, in case he was needed this week in the senior team, and they travel. So that cost him a few more touches, I reckon, because he was very good. I was at the game and FWIW I agree with Casey in his report and Brad Gotch about Max Gawn. He was great and I'm a little biased but I have rarely seen a tall bloke like him dominate and show the flexibility needed in those conditions. It might be hard to fit him in the side to play Port Adelaide but against Hawthorn the following week, I think he would be handy. Matty Bate was also fantastic IMO. The Melbourne selectors will have a lot to think about in team selection this week although, given that it's supposed to be the dry season up in Darwin the conditions will be much different to yesetrday at Casey.

I've already put in a job application for the gig. First recommendation is that for the purposes of cost cutting, we will accomodate eight players per room on interstate trips and to meet that requirement, all ruckmen and KPP's will have to stay at home starting this weekend when nobody over 178cm will be selected to travel to Darwin.

No chance of that whatsoever. I was watching the Casey game yesterday very near to where Jack was also watching and I can assure you that he behaved himself, didn't collide with any of the field umpires and didn't sling tackle any of the yahoos in attendance. He's clear and may he be as instrumental in beating Port Adelaide on Saturday night as he was last year (but please let the margin be greater than one point).

My understanding is that the only business they ever do is horsetrading so I reckon there's a good chance they'll deal with your case. And if you ask nicely and contribute some hard currency, they might get you that horse back that you didn't want to sell and is now winning major races interstate. [see the Kabul Convention to Preserve the Health and Safety of Bovine and Equine Species currently supervised jointly by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea 조선민주주의인민공화국 and the Republic of Zimbabwe].

The following tweet from Craig Lees of the MFC suggests that Robert Campbell will be playing in the Casey Reserves tomorrow:- Very much consistent with the youth push at Melbourne.

Take your case to the United Nations. I'm sure they'll give you a good hearing.

Yeah, I'll come but only if, on the way in to the ground (after swinging past you know who's place to pay appropriate homage), we have a nice legal discussion on this subject matter. Humberto Leal Garcia is a cause celebre in Mexico today. In 1994, he kidnapped 16-year-old Adria Sauceda, raped her with a large stick, and bludgeoned her to death with a piece of asphalt. Leal's brother has stated that Leal came home with blood on him saying he had killed a girl. Two of the trial witnesses were present when Leal's brother made these statements. The police searched Leal's house. They seized a blouse which contained several blood stains, hair and fibres. This blouse was later identified as belonging to Adria. Other DNA evidence was found on the underwear Leal was wearing that night. That evidence consisted of blood as well as bodily fluid. The DNA test did not preclude Adria's blood type from the evidence tested. Leal was found guilty of the murder and executed overnight after President Obama sought to intervene and prevent the execution. Read about it here - Texas executes death row Mexican national despite US government call for reprieve Even the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay has entered the fray by saying the US breached international law by executing Leal. UN human rights, get it? In the past decade, human rights violators have murdered millions of people on the face of this earth and the worst of them have been represented by nations like Sudan, North Korea, Cuba and Libya. Recently, Syria came within a bee's diaphragm of getting on the United Nations Human Rights Commission. If you commit murder and rape in the US you have a better chance of getting help from the UN than if you're a starving Darfurian. And we worry about whether a 20 year old kid is going to leave his home in Berwick and move to Rooty Hill? Fair dinkum! (Hopefully, I'll be in a better mood tomorrow)

If you think Chris25's draft in June was a big deal then how about this one from Knightmare on bigfooty? Knightmare 2011 AFL Mock Draft (ladder as at end of round 15) #1 GWS - Stephen Coniglio (WA - Mid) Height: 182cm, Weight: 76kg, DOB: 15/12/1993 Recruited from: Swan Districts Football Club Style: Marc Murphy/Dane Swan Range: 1-2 Why: #2 GWS - Jonathon Patton (VIC - KPF) Height: 197cm, Weight: 95kg, DOB: 20/05/1993 Recruited from: Eastern Ranges Style: Jonathan Brown Range: 1-2 Why: #3 GWS - Chad Wingard (SA – Mid/Fwd) Height: 181cm, Weight: 73kg, DOB: 29/07/1993 Recruited from: Sturt Style: Scott Pendlebury Range: 3-5 Why: #4 Gold Coast - Hayden Crozier (VIC – Fwd/Mid) Height: 184cm, Weight: 68kg, DOB: 24/12/1993 Recruited from: Eastern Ranges Style: Dale Thomas Range: 4-10 Why: #5 GWS - Billy Longer (VIC - Ruck) Height: 202cm, Weight: 95kg, DOB: 12/05/1993 Recruited from: Northern Knights Style: Range: 5-10 Why: #6 Port Adelaide - Matthew Buntine (VIC – Def/Mid) Height: 188cm, Weight: 83kg, DOB: 19/10/1993 Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays Style: Range: 4-15 Why: #7 GWS - Mitchell Grigg (SA - Mid) Height: 183cm, Weight: 81kg, DOB: 02/01/1993 Recruited from: Norwood Style: Range: 5-15 Why: #8 Brisbane - Dom Tyson (VIC - Mid) Height: 186cm, Weight: 82kg, DOB: 08/06/1993 Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers Style: Range: Why: #9 GWS - Will Hoskin-Elliot (VIC – Mid) Height: 182cm, Weight: 73kg, DOB: 02/09/1993 Recruited from: Western Jets Style: Range: 5-15 Why: #10 Adelaide - Taylor Adams (VIC - Mid) Height: 181cm, Weight: 80kg, DOB: 20/09/1993 Recruited from: Geelong Falcons Style: Range: 10-25 Why: #11 GWS - Todd Elton (Dandenong – KPF/Ruck) Height: 197cm, Weight: 87kg, DOB: 29/04/1993 Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays Style: Range: 5-20 Why: #12 Richmond - Elliot Kavanagh (VIC - Mid) Height: 187cm, Weight: 78kg, DOB: 19/05/1993 Recruited from: Western Jets Style: Range: Why: #13 GWS - Shane Nelson (WA - Mid) Height: 178cm, Weight: 70kg, DOB: 11/05/1993 Recruited from: West Perth Football Club Style: Range: 9-17 Why: #14 St Kilda - Myles Bolger (WA - Ruck) Height: 199cm, Weight: 80kg, DOB: 25/03/1993 Recruited from: South Fremantle Football Club Style: Range: 6-25 Why: #15 GWS - Devon Smith (VIC – Mid/Fwd) Height: 175cm, Weight: 73kg, DOB: 20/05/1993 Recruited from: Geelong Falcons Style: Range: 7-25 Why: #16 Western Bulldogs - Liam Sumner (VIC - Mid) Height: 182cm, Weight: 70kg, DOB: 16/08/1993 Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons Style: Range: 9-25 Why: #17 North Melbourne - Sam Docherty (VIC - Def) Height: 183cm, Weight: 83kg, DOB: Recruited from: Gippsland Power Style: Range: 26-50 Why: #18 Melbourne- Toby Greene (VIC - Mid) Height: 180cm, Weight: 78kg, DOB: 15/09/1993 Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers Style: Range: Why: #19 Essendon - Clay Smith (VIC – Mid/Fwd) Height: 180cm, Weight: 78kg, DOB: 11/05/1993 Recruited from: Gippsland Power Style: Range: 17-35 Why: #20 Sydney - F/S Tom Mitchell (WA - Mid) Height: 181cm, Weight: 79kg, DOB: 31/05/1993 Recruited from: Claremont Football Club Style: Range: Why: #21 Fremantle - Julian Dobosz (TAS - KPF) Height: 193cm, Weight: 85kg, DOB: 17/11/1992 Recruited from: North Hobart Style: Range: Why: #22 West Coast - Brad McKenzie (SA - Mid) Height: 188cm, Weight: 75kg, DOB: 29/05/1993 Recruited from: Sturt Style: Range: 9-25 Why: #23 Carlton - F/S Dylan Buckley (VIC - Mid) Height: 183cm, Weight: 69kg, DOB: Recruited from: Northern Knights Style: Range: Why: #24 Hawthorn – F/S Tom Curran (VIC – KPF/KPD) Height: 195cm, Weight: 85kg, DOB: 18/09/1993 Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers Style: Range: Why: #25 Collingwood - Shane Kersten (WA – Fwd) Height: 191cm, Weight: 90kg, DOB: 15/03/1993 Recruited from: South Fremantle Style: Range: 15-35 Why: #26 Geelong - Michael Talia (VIC - KPD) Height: 193cm, Weight: 87kg, DOB: 11/02/1993 Recruited from: Calder Cannons Style: Range: 12-35 Why: #27 GWS – Sam Frost (VIC - KPF/KPD) Height: 193cm, Weight: 85kg, DOB: 28/08/1993 Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons Style: Range: 9-25 Why: #28 Gold Coast – Nic O’Brien (VIC - Fwd) Height: 189cm, Weight: 89kg, DOB: 26/06/1993 Recruited from: North Ballarat Rebels Style: Range: Why: #29 Port Adelaide – Michael Bussey (VIC – KPF/KPD/Ruck) Height: 196cm, Weight: 81kg, DOB: 05/07/1993 Recruited from: Eastern Ranges Style: Range: 12-35 Why: #30 Brisbane - Sam Gordon (VIC – KPF/KPD) Height: 197cm, Weight: 87kg, DOB: 31/03/1993 Recruited from: Geelong Falcons Style: Range: 11-35 Why: #31 Adelaide – Josh Waldhunter (SA - Mid) Height: 184cm, Weight: 83kg, DOB: 15/03/1993 Recruited from: Central District Style: Range: 10-45 Why: #32 Richmond – Jordan Kelly (VIC - Def) Height: 191cm, Weight: 81kg, DOB: 27/06/1993 Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays Style: Range: 9-25 Why: #33 St Kilda – Tom Sunberg (VIC - Utility) Height: 183cm, Weight: 84kg, DOB: 22/12/1988 Recruited from: Collingwood VFL Style: Range: Why: #34 Western Bull Dogs – Jordan Lockyer (WA – KPD/Def) Height: 190cm, Weight: 85kg, DOB: 15/06/1993 Recruited from: West Perth Football Club Style: Range: Why: #35 North Melbourne – Josh Tynan (VIC - Mid) Height: 184cm, Weight: 72kg, DOB: 06/11/1993 Recruited from: Gippsland Power Style: Range: Why: #36 Melbourne – Brandon Ellis (VIC – Def) Height: 181cm, Weight: 81kg, DOB: 03/08/1993 Recruited from: Calder Cannons Style: Range: 14-28 Why: #37 Essendon- Max Duffy (WA – Mid/Fwd) Height: 189cm, Weight: 78kg, DOB: 11/04/1993 Recruited from: East Fremantle Style: Range: Why: #38 Sydney – Sam Kerridge (VIC - Mid) Height: 188cm, Weight: 84kg, DOB: 26/04/1993 Recruited from: Bendigo Pioneers Style: Range: Why: #39 Fremantle – Adam Tomlinson (VIC – KPD/KPF) Height: 192cm, Weight: 86kg, DOB: 10/08/1993 Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers Style: Range: 11-28 Why: #40 West Coast – Alex Forster (SA – Utility) Height: 189cm, Weight: 75kg, DOB: 14/07/1993 Recruited from: Norwood Style: Range: Why: #41 Carlton – Luke Brown (SA - Utility) Height: 181cm, Weight: 79kg, DOB: 22/09/1992 Recruited from: Norwood Style: Range: Why: #42 Hawthorn – Jimmy Webster (TAS - Mid) Height: 186cm, Weight: 71kg, DOB: 28/06/1993 Recruited from: Glenorchy Style: Range: Why: #43 Collingwood – Aseri Raikiwasa (SA – KPD/Def) Height: 191cm, Weight: 91kg, DOB: 18/04/1993 Recruited from: Port Adelaide Magpies Style: Range: Why: #44 Geelong – Lewis Hender (SA – Fwd/KPF) Height: 187cm, Weight: 89kg, DOB: 13/09/1993 Recruited from: Glenelg Style: Range: 13-50 Why: #45 GWS – Marley Williams (WA - Mid) Height: 181cm, Weight: 85kg, DOB: 22/07/1993 Recruited from: Claremont Football Club Style: Range: Why: #46 Gold Coast – Xavier Richards (VIC - KPD) Height: 194cm, Weight: 81kg, DOB: 25/04/1993 Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons Style: Range: Why: #47 Port Adelaide- Jordan Staley (VIC - KPF) Height: 194cm, Weight: 90kg, DOB: 14/07/1993 Recruited from: Gippsland Power Style: Range: Why: #48 Brisbane – Murray Newman (WA – Mid/Fwd) Height: 177cm, Weight: 65kg, DOB: 18/11/1993 Recruited from: Swan Districts Football Club Style: Range: Why: #49 Adelaide – Lachie Neale (SA - Mid) Height: 177cm, Weight: 73kg, DOB: 22/10/1993 Recruited from: Glenelg Style: Range: Why: #50 Richmond – Hayden Hector (VIC - Mid) Height: 181cm, Weight: 81kg, DOB: 08/03/1993 Recruited from: Gippsland Power Style: Range: Why: #51 St Kilda – Bradley Hill (WA - Mid) Height: 180cm, Weight: 60kg, DOB: 09/07/1993 Recruited from: West Perth Style: Range: Why: #52 Western Bull Dogs – Sebastian Ross (VIC - Fwd) Height: 187cm, Weight: 82kg, DOB: 07/05/1993 Recruited from: North Ballarat Rebels Style: Range: Why: #53 North Melbourne – Brett O’Hanlon (VIC - Fwd) Height: 189cm, Weight: 82kg, DOB: 17/07/1993 Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays Style: Range: Why: #54 Melbourne – Matthew Jacquier (SA - Fwd) Height: 188cm, Weight: 80kg, DOB: 29/03/1993 Recruited from: Woodville West Torrens Style: Range: Why: #55 Essendon – Jamie Elliott (VIC - Fwd) Height: 175cm, Weight: 75kg, DOB: 21/08/1992 Recruited from: Murray Bushrangers Style: Range: Why: #56 Sydney – Jack Newnes (VIC - Mid) Height: 184cm, Weight: 74kg, DOB: 24/02/1993 Recruited from: Northern Knights Style: Range: Why: #57 Fremantle – Thomas Sheridan (VIC - Mid) Height: 185cm, Weight: 76kg, DOB: 28/10/1993 Recruited from: Calder Cannons Style: Range: Why: #58 West Coast – Shaun Wyatt (VIC - Mid) Height: 180cm, Weight: 75kg, DOB: 01/11/1993 Recruited from: Gippsland Power Style: Range: Why: #59 Carlton – Cam Eardley (WA - Mid) Height: 182cm, Weight: 74kg, DOB: 24/06/1993 Recruited from: East Fremantle Football Club Style: Range: Why: #60 Hawthorn – Fraser McInness (WA - KPD) Height: 197cm, Weight: 91kg, DOB: 19/07/1993 Recruited from: Perth Football Club Style: Range: Why: #61 Collingwood – Ahmed Saad (VIC - Fwd) Height: 175cm, Weight: 76kg, DOB: 09/10/1989 Recruited from: Northern Bullants Style: Range: Why: #62 Geelong - Piva Wright (VIC – Def/utility) Height: 189cm, Weight: 94kg, DOB: 28/06/1993 Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays Style: Range: Why: The mock draft was posted before last week's final round of championship matches but I would happily take Toby Greene with that pick at this stage. It also seems that we can't seem to shake off Jaquier. That's not all, Knightmare also has put together a mock draft first round for 2012 (posted on draftcentral) where he or she correctly nominates Melbourne's first draft pick (although not necessarily in correct position):- Knightmare 2012 AFL Mock Draft #1 GWS- Jaeger O’Meara (Perth – WA -- Mid) Height: 182cm, Weight: 75kg, DOB: 23/02/1994 Recruited from: Perth Football Club Style: Range: 1-2 Why: #2 Brisbane- Lachie Whitfield (Dandenong Stingrays – VIC -- Mid) Height: 182cm, Weight: 72kg, DOB: 18/07/1994 Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays Style: Range: 1-2 Why: #3 Port Adelaide- Brodie Grundy (Sturt – SA -- Ruckman) Height: 200cm, Weight: 92kg, DOB: 15/04/1994 Recruited from: Sturt Style: Range: Why: #4 Gold Coast- Danyle Garlett (Swan Districts – WA -- Mid) Height: 181cm, Weight: 68kg, DOB: 09/01/1994 Recruited from: Swan Districts Football Club Style: Range: Why: #5 Essendon – Joe Daniher (Calder Cannons – VIC – Ruckman/KPF) F/S Height: 198cm, Weight: 81kg, DOB: 04/03/1994 Recruited from: Calder Cannons Style: Paul Salmon Range: Why: #6 Adelaide -- Christopher Yarran (Perth – WA -- Forward) Height: 183cm, Weight: 80kg, DOB: 27/04/1994 Recruited from: Perth Football Club Style: Range: Why: #7 Richmond -- Brad Crouch (North Ballarat Rebels – VIC -- Mid) Height: 184cm, Weight: 83kg, DOB: 12/01/1994 Recruited from: North Ballarat Rebels Style: Range: Why: #8 North Melbourne -- Jake Stringer (Bendigo Pioneers – VIC -- Utility) Height: 191cm, Weight: 86kg, DOB: 25/4/1994 Recruited from: Bendigo Pioneers Style: Brendan Goddard Range: Why: #9 Sydney -- Ben Kennedy (Glenelg – SA – Forward/Mid) Height: 174cm, Weight: 73kg, DOB: 03/03/1994 Recruited from: Glenelg Style: Brent Harvey Range: Why: #10 Western Bull Dogs -- Matthew Haynes (Northern Knights – VIC -- HBF) Height: 190cm, Weight: 76kg, DOB: 19/03/1994 Recruited from: Northern Knights Style: Range: Why: #11 St Kilda -- Jed Anderson (NT – Mid/Utility) Height: 178cm, Weight: 75kg, DOB: 16/02/1994 Recruited from: Darwin Style: Range: Why: #12 Melbourne -- Jack Viney (North Adelaide – SA -- Mid) F/S Height: 178cm, Weight: 77kg, DOB: 13/04/1994 Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers Style: Joel Selwood Range: Why: #13 Geelong – Emmanuel Irra (South Adelaide – SA -- Mid) Height: 179cm, Weight: 73kg, DOB: 25/03/1994 Recruited from: South Adelaide Style: Range: Why: #14 Fremantle -- Nick Vlastuin (VIC) Height: 186cm, Weight: 83kg, DOB: 19/04/1994 Recruited from: Northern Knights Style: Range: Why: #15 West Coast -- Shannon Taylor (Claremont – WA – Forward/Mid) Height: 177cm, Weight: 72kg, DOB: 05/02/1994 Recruited from: Claremont Football Club Style: Range: Why: #16 Carlton- Anthony Bonaddio (Northern Knights – VIC -- Mid) Height: 176cm, Weight: 78kg, DOB: 06/01/1994 Recruited from: Northern Knights Style: Range: Why: #17 Hawthorn- Sam Mayes (North Adelaide – SA -- Forward) Height: 187cm, Weight: 74kg, DOB: 20/05/1994 Recruited from: North Adelaide Style: Range: Why: #18 Collingwood- James Stewart (Sandringham Dragons – VIC -- KPF) F/S Height: 195cm, Weight: 79kg, DOB: 04/03/94 Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons Style: Range: Why: In the mix: Jesse Lonergan (Launceston – TAS -- Mid) Height: 180cm, Weight: 83kg, DOB: 14/11/1994 Recruited from: Launceston Style: Range: Why: Matthew McDonough (Woodville West Torrens – SA) Height: 180cm, Weight: 82kg, DOB: 26/01/1994 Recruited from: Woodville West Torrens Style: Range: Why: Rory Atkins (Calder Cannons – VIC) Height: 183cm, Weight: 75kg, DOB: 12/07/1994 Recruited from: Calder Cannons Style: Range: Why: Corey Chalmers (West Perth –WA) Height: 179cm, Weight: 70kg, DOB: 24/11/1994 Recruited from: West Perth Football Club Style: Range: Why: Jimmy Toumpas (Woodsville West Torrens – SA) Height: 183cm, Weight: 74kg, DOB: 02/01/1994 Recruited from: Woodville West Torrens Style: Range: Why: Todd McKay (South Adelaide – SA) Height: 176cm, Weight: 74kg, DOB: 25/01/1994 Recruited from: South Adelaide Style: Range: Why:

Metro dominate AA selections 

2011 NAB AFL Under-18 All Australian team: Defenders: Jed Anderson (NT), Michael Talia (Vic Metro), Brandon Ellis (Vic Metro), Brad Crouch (Vic Country), Brody Mihocek (Tas), Alex Forster (SA) Midfield: Billy Longer (Vic Metro), Dom Tyson (Vic Metro), Stephen Coniglio (WA), Jaeger O’Meara (WA), Toby Greene (Vic Metro), Will Hoskin-Elliott (Vic Metro)
 
Forwards: Chad Wingard (SA), Sam Mayes (SA), Lachie Whitfield (Vic Country), Ben Kennedy (SA), Jonathon Patton (Vic Metro), John McKenzie (Tas) Interchange: Mitchell Grigg (SA), Brodie Grundy (SA), Taylor Adams (Vic Country), Clay Smith (Vic Country)
 
Coach: Rohan Welsh (Vic Metro) 
Assistant Coach: Matt Armstrong (TAS)

Lacks credibility for two reasons:- (1) "they all agree that this must be true" - it would have been more believable had you said "believe that it's 98% true"; and (2) The giveaway is the mention of the GDP of East European countries. I have it on good authority that the GDP of most of those countries is now much lower than the AFL salary cap and therefore the claim must be incorrect.

As this weekend marks Melbourne's second bye for the season and the only Demons going around are in the VFL, I thought it appropriate to dedicate these You Tubes of the 2000 VFL grand final which was the first of its kind under the alignment system that brought together the AFL reserves and the former VFA clubs. I dedicate them to two former Demonland posters jczebra and The Pig who were both avid Zebra fans and who both passed away a few years after this game:- 2000 VFL GRAND FINAL- FIRST HALF HIGHLIGHTS 2000 VFL GRAND FINAL- SECOND HALF HIGHLIGHTS [From VFL Footy]

Yeah, they should've called him Mike.

Yes. Happy to be in the warmth of home and watching it in my own good time. Agree that the standard is nowhere near as high as, e.g 2008 with Watts, Naitanui, Rich, Scully and numerous others. Patton was a standout apart from his kicking for goal and I do think Billy Longer will be an acquisition for some club (probably GWS). Whitfield of Vic Country looks a future star and leading contender for #1 pick in the 2012 draft if the AFL don't conjure up a way to gift him to GWS in the meantime. Couldn't help but be impressed by Dom Tyson, Will Hoskin-Elliott (a Demon name if there ever was one) and Toby Greene. Jack Viney didn't star tonight but you can tell he has quality about him and with his schoolmates Trengove and Tapscott and Jordie Mac in the side I somehow doubt if many MFC games in the next decade are going to be bruise free.

Could it be that this is the "punishment" for the "offence"? Anyhow, if he's not playing, I don't think I'll brave the elements. The game's live on Fox Sports 1 anyway.