Whispering_Jack

Nothing spooky. I have a long association in junior football and often get early information on up and coming prospects as a result. If we end up drafting them it’s purely coincidence.

Actually, he’s not overage at all although he was born in January so he’s older than many in that age group. Date of birth: 13/1/2005.

There has to be a better answer than what we were dished up with this weekend. Both Casey and Collingwood VFL went down in a screaming heap. In our case, a number of players will be left without valuable match practice in the event of them being required to play later in September. There are concerns about a couple of our young players who played without the support of more experienced players who could have taken part and hopefully, they will take the lead of the likes of Judd McVee, JvR and Taj Woewoedin and work on their development over the off season. Most of us would have discounted McVee’s future prospects 12 months ago when he struggled at this level and yet, he is one of very few who have played every game throughout this season. It wasn’t luck. He didn’t sit back feeling sorry for himself - he put in the hard yards over the summer. Still, the AFL & VFL have to do something about this debacle that is discussed in this Herald Sun article - Grundy might have played last Dees game after VFL debacle “A new chink was thumped in the armour of the beefed up VFL on Saturday when Melbourne pulled out players from Casey's knockout clash with Footscray. ”As the AFL Demons prepared for a Thursday qualifying final, Casey's team announcement on Friday was more about who wasn't playing than who was”… “The 21-team VFL is riddled with flaws and seems destined for further shake ups in years to come. “There is no doubt if it were a genuine reserves competition, games wouldn't have been played on an AFL bye weekend and perhaps it is worth considering moving the competition in line with the bye, with a potential VFL grand final the Friday night before the AFL decider. “Yet again on Saturday, it appeared like the league was caught between being reserves or a serious competition in its own right”. Hopefully, this is the last time we see this situation arise.

https://www.afl.com.au/video/922200/2023-coates-talent-league-profile-series-harry-demattia?modal=true&publishFrom=1683770400001&type=video&videoId=922200

No matter which AFL club drafts Harry DeMattia, he will forever be known as a Demon because in the other sport at which he excels - cricket - Harry has represented Melbourne in Premier District Cricket. Indeed, the talented cricketer/footballer already took part in that game at its highest level when he was a substitute fielder for the Australian cricket team during last year's Boxing Day Test against South Africa. I first came across his name about four years ago when I read about his exploits as a junior footballer with Edithvale-Aspendale where he played in their Under 14 premiership, topped the competition goal kicking with a tally of well over the ton including one 20 goal haul. A couple of years later, the name cropped up at the MCC where he was generating interest as a left arm leg spinner and making the senior team at 16 years of age. Next thing, he’s playing footy with the Dandenong Stingrays as an underage player in 2022 and this year, the speedy midfielder/forward was the Vic Country co-captain. He runs the 20-metre sprint in 2.94 seconds, looks and plays like a true X factor cat. One to watch in the Coates League and a likely late first, early second round selection.

Found this one that might interest one of our posters

Casey Demons going around in a cut throat Elimination Final today against Footscray at Box Hill City Oval at noon. Game’s on Channel 7 and can also be viewed on the AFL website.

This poster was produced for sale on this day, 2 September, in 2000 which was the date of that year’s AFL Grand Final. The AFL season ended earlier that year because of the Sydney Olympic Games. Unfortunately, most of the posters were pulped because Essendon 19.21.135 defeated Melbourne 11.9.75 in the Grand Final and a different poster went on sale after the game.

This mark was taken on this day, 1 September, in 1995 by the father of a current day player.

Yeah - she was pretty good but I don’t do this often and I was nervous. Now fixed.

If we get enough interest from our readers. Here’s my effort - 6. Bannan 5. Purcell 4. Hanks 3. Zanker 2. Paxman 1. Hore

So, with the exception of the injured Luke Dunstan, the players coming out of the side are either ineligible to play according to the guidelines (whatever they are) or have been held back in case they are required. One can probably assume that if Ben Brown or Michael Hibberd have been ruled fit to play, the same thing applies to them. We’ve all been scratching our heads this week about the guidelines but it’s fairly clear that they’re irrelevant to Melbourne. However, what is clear is that the club has plenty of depth going into the finals with at least 6 players in contention for selection on top of the 22 fit players from the Sydney game plus Adam Tomlinson. Then there are BBB and Hibbo possibly for later on and James Harmes still a chance if he can join Mitch White, Jimmy Munro and Matt Buntine as an on ground leader and show us the form he’s capable of as an MFC premiership player. Good luck Harmesy! As to the guidelines, I think it’s worthwhile someone calling Channel 7 and requesting that their commentators explain how players become eligible to play in the finals series they are covering.

Anyone remember these?

Hey, it’s GAMEDAY and our premiership winning women deserve a GAMEDAY thread as much as our men. More so as we raise our premiership flag tonight in front of the old enemy. Go Demons!!!

We’re into September and with the coming of Spring, the first of the Phantom Drafts begin to rise up. ESPN has a new reporter doing its draft work and here’s his effort with less than three months to go before the real thing- AFL Phantom Draft: How will the first round of the 2023 draft play out? Spoiler alert: Harley Reid is #1. 😀

SEN has a crack at selection

This weekend sees a Wild Card round including all teams except for the Tassie Devils who finished on top for the first time in their history and the northern state academies who took part in a limited number of matches throughout the season. The finals system for the Coates Boys League is explained in this article - Explainer: Coates Talent League Wildcard Round

The Coates League has reached the finals stage. This is the ladder at the end of the home and away season.

• Friday October 6 - National AFL Draft Combine at MCG & Margaret Court Arena. • Friday, October 6 9am – Friday October 13 2023 5pm - Restricted and Unrestricted Free Agency Period (bid matching ends Sunday October 16 2023 5pm). • Sunday October 8 - Victorian State Combine 
at Margaret Court Arena (for players from ACT, NSW, QLD, TAS, & VIC). • Monday October 9 9am – Wednesday October 18 7.30pm Trade Period (1) picks and players. • Tuesday October 10 9am – Monday November 13 3pm Draft Nominations. • Saturday October 14 - South Australian State Combine at University SA Mawson Lakes and Bridgestone Athletics Track (for players from SA & NT). • Sunday October 15 - Western Australian State Combine at Curtin University (for players from WA). • Monday October 23 9am – Friday November 10 5pm Trade Period (2) picks only. • Tuesday October 31 2pm List Lodgement 1*. • Wednesday November 1 9am – Wednesday November 8 5pm Delisted Free Agency Period (1). • Friday November 10 9am–5pm Delisted Free Agency Period (2) • Tuesday November 14 2pm List Lodgement 2* • Monday November 20 AFL National Draft First Round (time and venue TBA) • Tuesday November 21 5.45pm–6.30pm Trade Period (3) picks only. • Tuesday November 21 AFL National Draft Remaining Rounds (time and venue TBA) • Tuesday November 21 after completion of the AFL National Draft Rookie Promotions. • Tuesday, November 21 after completion of the AFL National Draft Delisted Free Agency Period (3). • Wednesday, November 22 10am List Lodgement 3* (optional; required for those participating in the Pre-Season Draft) • Wednesday, November 22 3pm Pre-Season Draft (on-line) • Wednesday, November 22 3.20pm Rookie Draft (on-line) • Thursday, November 23 4pm Final List Lodgement*. * List lodgement dates are yet to be made public, so are approximate based on past history and the requirements of the AFL Rules. When lists are lodged, the number of players on the list must not exceed maximum list sizes. At the same time, clubs must provide the AFL with estimates of total player payments in the current and following year, which must prove the club is not and will not exceed the salary cap.

Sadly, selection will be something of a consolation price for Luke following his ACL injury.

Confirmed by Essendon - Darcy Parish has signed a five-year deal.

The Herald Sun’s online edition article on what it’s writers think your club will do with their first draft pick says this about the clubs that have first right to a raft of talented youngsters likely to be picked early in the National Draft - GOLD COAST Current Indicative Draft Order: 4, 28, 31, 42, 47, 56, 60, 65, 69, 78, 96 We know what Gold Coast is likely to do with not only its first draft pick but potentially up to four selections. The club's first selection currently sits at pick four, but that is on the trade table given it will otherwise be swallowed up by matching Suns Academy bids. The first of those bids is likely to come for key forward Jed Walter as early as pick two or three, while mobile ruckman Ethan Read and tough inside midfielder Jake Rogers could also attract bids within the first 12 picks on draft night. The Suns also have another Academy midfielder in Will Graham, who is likely to attract a bid in the 30s or 40s. Gold Coast has already loaded up on points in this draft to give it the ability to match all these bids.

PREVIEW: Smithy's VFL Week One Finals The Bulldogs have risen from the depths with 10 wins in a row but most of their recent victories have been against the lower ranked teams in the competition. Much will depend on team selection with the devastating loss to the Demons of Luke Dunstan to an ACL injury, a major blow.

This Herald Sun article asks what each club will do with its first pick - Ultimate guide: What will your club do with its first pick? It’s early days still, but this is what the author says about the Demons: MELBOURNE Current Indicative Draft Order: 5, 15, 24, 34, 89 As it stands, the Demons hold two of the first 15 selections in this draft. That's because they secured Fremantle's first-round selection last year as part of the trade that sent ruckman-forward Luke Jackson to the Dockers. There have been indications that Melbourne could package up picks to move up the order. However, if they hold onto pick five - which could become pick six or seven - it would still put them in the frame for a high-end talent. If exciting forwards Zane Duursma and Nick Watson are already off the board, the Demons could look at 192cm marking forward Nate Caddy to try and bolster their tall forward stocks into the future. If Melbourne wants to look to life after Steven May and Jake Lever, Connor O'Sullivan would also be in the mix as a big-bodied 198cm key defender who has had an outstanding season.