Whispering_Jack

YOUR CLUB’S AFLW TRADE PERIOD INS AND OUTS

ADELAIDE : IN Grace Egan (Rich); OUTBrooke Boileau (Carl), Anne Hatchard (GC), Zoe Prowse (Ess). 2025 draft picks: 4, 13, 17, 39, 60

BRISBANE LIONS: IN Lily-Rose Williamson (Coll); OUT Poppy Boltz (GWS), Ellie Hampson (PA), Taylor Smith (Syd). 2025 draft picks: 11, 33, 72

CARLTON : IN Lauren Bella (GC), Brooke Boileau (Adel), Claudia Whitfort (GC); OUT Mia Austin (Melb), Keeley Skepper (WC), Maddison Torpey (NM)

2025 draft picks: 16, 34, 52, 66, 70

COLLINGWOOD: IN Ariana Hetherington (NM); OUT Mikala Cann (WB), Lily-Rose Williamson (BL). 2025 draft picks: 5, 15, 26, 29, 41, 47, 59

ESSENDON: IN Zoe Prowse (Adel); OUT Nil. 2025 draft picks: 6, 24, 49, 50, 78

FREMANTLE: IN Eden Zanker (Melb), Lily Johnson (Melb); OUT Dana East (Rich). 2025 draft picks: 40, 45

GEELONG: IN Nicola Stevens (StK), Jasmin Stewart (PA), Alissa Brook (PA); OUT Nil. 2025 draft picks: 7, 25, 43, 61, 79

GOLD COAST: IN Anne Hatchard (Adel); OUT Lauren Bella (Carl), Claudia Whitfort (Carl), Jacqui Dupuy (Haw). 2025 draft picks: 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 32, 74

MELBOURNE: IN Mia Austin (Carl); OUT Eden Zanker (Frem), Lily Johnson (Frem). 2025 draft picks: 9, 14, 53, 71, 81

ST KILDA : IN Sophie Butterworth (Haw); OUT Nicola Stevens (Geel)

2025 draft picks: 24, 31, 42, 85, 87

HAWTHORN : IN Jacqui Dupuy (GC), Niamh Martin (NM); OUT Sophie Butterworth (StK), Tilly Lucas-Rodd (GWS). 2025 draft picks: 51, 67, 69

PORT ADELAIDE: IN Lucy Boyd (WC), Ellie Hampson (BL); OUT Jasmin Stewart (Geel), Alissa Brook (Geel), Lily Paterson (PA). 2025 draft picks: 10, 30, 64, 82

GWS GIANTS: IN Poppy Boltz (BL), Tilly Lucas-Rodd (Haw); OUT Nil

2025 draft picks: 2, 3, 57, 75

NORTH MELBOURNE: IN Maddison Torpey (Carl); OUT Niamh Martin (Haw), Ella Slocombe (WC), Georgia Stubs (Rich). 2025 draft picks: 37, 48, 55, 73

RICHMOND: IN Dana East (Frem), Georgia Stubs (NM); OUT Grace Egan (Adel). 2025 draft picks: 1, 38, 56, 58, 63, 76

SYDNEY SWANS : IN Taylor Smith (BL); OUTNil. 2025 draft picks: 18, 28, 46, 65, 83

WEST COAST: IN Lily Paterson (PA), Ella Slocombe (NM), Keeley Skepper (Carl); OUT Lucy Boyd (PA) 2025 draft picks: 12, 36, 84

WESTERN BULLDOGS: IN Mikala Cann (Coll); OUT Nil . 2025 draft picks: 8, 44, 62, 80

Sad news.

Cherryl Barassi, widow of AFL legend Ron Barassi, has passed away peacefully at her home "in her beloved St Kilda", according to a statement issued on behalf of her family.

"It is with deep sadness that the Barassi family announces the passing of Cherryl Barassi (nee Copeland) on Tuesday, 9 December, 2025," the statement said.

Wishing her family and friends sincere condolences from all at Demonland.

2 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Good luck to him!

Always was a great fan of his dad - the family once lived in our street. 😀

This is how it stands with 2026 and 2027 draft selections for each club:-

ADELAIDE CROWS

2026:

ADE R1
ADE R2
ADE R3
ESS R3

2027:

ADE R1
ADE R2
ADE R3
ADE R4

BRISBANE LIONS

2026:

BL R1
BL R2
MEL R3
SYD R3
BL R4 

2027:

BL R1
BL R2
BL R3
BL R4

CARLTON

2026:

CAR R1
SYD R1
GCS R2
NM R2
BL R3
CAR R4 

2027:

CAR R1
SYD R1
CAR R3
CAR R4 

COLLINGWOOD

2026:

COL R1
COL R2
COL R4
GWS R4
SYD R4

2027:

COL R1
COL R2
COL R3
COL R4

ESSENDON

2026

ESS R1
ESS R2
ESS R4 

2027: 

ESS R1
ESS R2
ESS R3
ESS R4

FREMANTLE 

2026:

FRE R1
FRE R2
FRE R3
FRE R4

2027:

FRE R1
FRE R2
FRE R3
FRE R4

GEELONG

2026:

GEE R1
GEE R2
GEE R3
GEE R4 

2027:

GEE R1
GEE R2
GEE R3
GEE R4

GOLD COAST SUNS 

2026:

GCS R4
RIC R4 

2027:

GCS R1
GCS R2
GCS R4 

GWS GIANTS 

2026:

GWS R1
MEL R2 

2027:

GWS R1
GWS R2
GWS R3
GWS R4

HAWTHORN

2026:

HAW R1
HAW R2
GWS R2
STK R2
MEL R4 

2027:

HAW R1
HAW R2
HAW R4

MELBOURNE

2026:

MEL R1
GCS R1
GWS R3 

2027:

MEL R1
MEL R2
GCS R3 

NORTH MELBOURNE 

2026:

NM R1
NM R3
NM R4
PTA R4 

2027:

NM R1
NM R2
NM R3
NM R4 

PORT ADELAIDE 

2026:

PTA R1
PTA R2
CAR R2
PTA R3
GCS R3
PTA R4 

2027:

PTA R1
PTA R2
PTA R3
PTA R4 

RICHMOND

2026:

RIC R1
RIC R2
RIC R3
RIC R4 

2027:

RIC R1
RIC R2
RIC R3
RIC R4 

ST KILDA

2026:

STK R1
STK R3
STK R4 

2027:

STK R1
STK R2
STK R3
MEL R3
WCE R3
STK R4
MEL R4

SYDNEY SWANS 

2026:

SYD R2
CAR R3
COL R3
HAW R4 

2027:

SYD R2
CAR R2
SYD R3
SYD R4

WEST COAST EAGLES 

2026:

WCE R1
WCE R2
WCE R3
HAW R3
WCE R4
WCE R4 

2027:

WCE R1
WCE R2
HAW R3
WCE R4 

WESTERN BULLDOGS 

2026:

WB R1
WB R2
WB R3 

2027:

WB R1
WB R2
WB R3
WB R4 

Each club still holds their original selections for 2028 while the TASSIE DEVILS will have allocations for 2027 and 2028 selections as per the conditions relating to their admission into the competition.

On 08/12/2025 at 17:30, Freddy Fuschia said:

… WJ is especially interested in information about Stan “Bunny” Wittman who kicked three goals that day. He was made a life member of the club late in his life.

Wittman, the last surviving member of the 1926 premiership team, passed away in May 1994. He was granted life membership of the Melbourne Football Club in 1992 and I attended the AGM at which he was given this award. It’s my personal connection with the club’s second flag which also happens to be the first premiership won by Melbourne, then known as the “Fuchsias”, at the MCG. We took out the 1900 flag with a victory over Fitzroy at East Melbourne Cricket Ground which was situated in what is now known as Wellington Parade South. The ground was taken over by Victorian Railways  as part of the electrification of Melbourne's metropolitan rail service. Its final season of use was 1921. 

Anyone with information about Wittman or who remembers the 1992 AGM, please let us know.

Report that Mia Austin who Carlton wants out is favouring a trade to Melbourne.

On 26/11/2025 at 17:46, dazzledavey36 said:

I did, and this is what it came up with..... 🤨

That one served about 30 years in prison. Like Reuben "Hurricane" Carter, he was convicted for "something that he never done".

Our own Ricky Jackson was the same height (171cm) as Tommy Matthews and started at the club in 1986 after playing in junior teams at the Tigers. He had his moments but his career was cut short by injuries. He had a big season with the Demons in 1988 when we made the Grand Final but after that his impact declined and by 1991 he was traded to the Bulldogs where I believe he struggled to get a game.

We might well be in the middle of a test cricket season, the big golf tournaments are on, and people are preparing for the tennis, but while the football season is no longer at the forefront of our minds, we can never forget Robbie.

As to who takes up Bowey’s post Xavier Lindsay has the attributes needed and his youth should not stand against him. Let’s not forget that Jake came straight into the team in late 2021 and played in a premiership team a couple of months after making his debut.

According to this morning’s Herald Sun (quoting Melbourne footy boss Alan Richardson), “Jake will have surgery in the coming days to repair the lisfranc injury.”

… and that was quick

melbournefc.com.au

1 hour ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Wonder if this potentially opens up a SPP spot for Boweys injury.

I doubt that the injury would be of the severity to have him placed on an inactive list which would open up a SPP spot. For that to occur it would have to be long term and virtually season ending.

I saw Bowsa at training on Friday in a moon boot and on crutches and if it’s an ankle ligament requiring surgery, then it would appear to be not dissimilar to what one of my grandsons copped playing in a VAFA C Grade final in September (torn ligament/syndesmosis). He’s been off crutches for a while and out of his moon boot for a couple of weeks but probably won’t get the go ahead to start running until the end of the month. If Bowey’s ready to start his own “preseason” on that basis (he’s a professional athlete and his injury might not be as severe), he won’t be ready to start it until a few weeks into the season. He’s probably out 6 months which is bad but not enough to warrant an SSP replacement.

15 minutes ago, Go Ds said:

And it's "in fine fettle". But I'm just thrilled to hear that phrase and to be able to read about my team's training. The internet is such a double-edged sword. BTW does Luker regret his parents' name choice? I guess if there's one of those quizzes and it's for players with unique first names he goes in. That's not all bad.

Fine fiddle is what Nero was doing while Rome was burning. We’re not in that much of an emergency situation just quite yet.

I attended training with Andy and really appreciate the reports from him and the others who wrote about the session. I have little to offer above and beyond that aside from reiterating the memorable words of Dennis Denuto in The Castle, that I enjoyed "the vibe" of the session. There appears to be a more relaxed mood prevailing, in contrast to the last couple of seasons, which were clouded by off-field issues and injuries. Hopefully, this translates into a more successful outcome on the field when we turn up to watch the team play for points again.

Agree - none are any good but the Y2K is a shocker because it brings back memories of the silver gray monstrosity that we rarely won when we wore it.

One of my childhood heroes was Bob "Tassie" Johnson (2 December 1937 – 29 October 2015) who played with Melbourne from 1959 to 1969.  The 189cm tall Johnson was originally signed to play for the Demons in 1958 from North Launceston but missed the entire season as they refused to clear him.

Melbourne introduced two future captains in 1959 after its surprise defeat at the hands of Collingwood in the 1958 Grand Final - Hassa Mann and Johnson who gained the nickname “Tassie” to distinguish him from the other two Johnsons at the club, “Big Bob” and Trevor.

Tassie played mainly at full back but was sometimes used in other defensive positions and in the ruck. He was a prodigious kick and his long drop kick outs after a point often penetrated into the centre of the ground.

His achievements were many:

3 × VFL grand finals for 3 x VFL premierships: 1959, 1960, 1964

Melbourne captain: 1970

Melbourne Team of the Century (full back)

Tasmanian Team of the Century (full back)

Melbourne Hall of Fame

Wore # 8 (most games for Melbourne in that number)

Games - 202

Goals - 20

Finals - 11

Finals Goals - 2

Debut - Rd 1, 1959 v Richmond (PR)

Final Game - Rd 20, 1969 v SM (LO)

Debuted in 1959 at the age of 21

Retired in 1969 at the age of 31

Father of Tony Johnson (1981-83, U19's/Reserves)

Awards/Achievements

MFC Captain (1969)

MFC Vice Captain (1967-68)

1966, 1968 2nd MFC Best & Fairest

1960, 1961 MFC Outstanding Service Award

1960, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1967 Victorian State Rep.

1968 Australian IR Rep.

MFC Team of the Century

MFC 150 Heroes Selection

MFC Life Member

MFC Hall of Fame

Tasmanian Team of the Century

Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame

First Tasmanian to play 100 VFL games

NTFA - North Launceston

* 35 games & 30 goals for NL (1956-57)

VFA - Box Hill Captain/Coach (1971) played 4 games (3 goals)

One of my fondest memories apart from his premierships and his outstanding performances in defence was that he often featured on World of Sport in a segment that highlighted long kicking and the style of each player’s kicks where the judges would lift up a placard with a number up to 10. Tassie always did the Demons proud in that competition.

I’ve taken this fantastic Track Watch Report and accompanying photo from Cameron Burt on The DeeBrief Facebook page. Hope that’s okay and I haven’t breached any copyright ©️ !

𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 📝

@coachcavcam ventured down to training today:

▪️Hendo, McAdam, Vines and Tom Matthews didn’t train. They all completed an off field strength session.

▪️Bowey, AMW, Roo and Jeffo spent a huge part of their day running laps. Jeffo dealing with concussion from a couple weeks ago.

▪️Each drill Jared Rivers ran was about containing, keepings off and tackling. He produced three bloodied faces with those drills. Roo, Onley and Heath.

▪️CJ’s run and carry is so exciting, but just has to tidy up his foot skills. We’ll have a fun player to watch.

▪️Koz and Max stuck out massively in all simulation. Culley was really good, too - a big body.

▪️T Mac the best defender today. Chin super vocal in the front half. Onley is a big lad, who could surprise and Latrelle has such silky skills.

▪️Vibe of the session was hard work. It was drills ran by different line coaches treated as a circuit. Drill after drill rotating. Finished with some match sim and some transition work. Lots of running, they were cooked!

▪️Leading back at the ball carrier was a focus of the transition match sim drill.

Big thanks to Cam Burt for this 🙏

They’re training tomorrow so that should tell us a few stories about how the injured players are faring.

Paul Guerra getting lost in a Victorian alpine region is a good omen for the club in terms of how the Demons are expected to fare in the coming season.

The last time Melbourne people got lost in the Victorian snow country, it was in the 50s when we were winning premierships.

The great Norm Smith in his playing days

On the subject of Where Eagles Dare, here’s a great article from Code Sports ~

Inside Melbourne’s pre-season camp to Bright and the top of Mount Porepunkah

Pretty ballsy of Steven King to lead his team to the site of the year’s biggest police manhunt. I assume he was assured that they were in no danger and that JvR sitting on a bullants nest was the most risky episode of the pre-season camp.