Whispering_Jack

Outside the David Neitz Pavilion waiting for the Cup to arrive.

Loving this… IMG_7838.MOV

American folk singer, Steve Goodman was a classmate of Hillary Rodham Clinton back in their native Chicago in the 1950s where both grew up as fans of the Chicago Cubs who played baseball out of the famous Wrigley Field and had long been denied of the ultimate in the sport’s success. Goodman was a devoted Cubs fanatic and when he wrote "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request", they had already waited seven long decades to reach the pinnacle of a triumph in the World Series and were to wait four more before winning it at last in 2016. The song resonates with all sports fans who follow teams that seem perennially doomed to failure and, until very recently, it was an anthem for us long term supporters of the Melbourne Demons, forever hoping for a miracle in their lifetime. Today at the MCG, we will gather together at our game’s birthplace and our team’s spiritual home to watch a replay of a sporting contest that took place in another place at a time when we were all locked down and isolated from our team. We’ll mingle with each other, meet the players and catch a glimpse of the premiership cup. We’ll be there to celebrate the miracle of victory and also to bury forever the curse that hung long over our shoulders as it did for poor Steve Goodman who succumbed to leukemia in September, 1984 at the young age of 36. This isn’t just for us — it’s for Steve and for all sports fans who missed out on the opportunity to savour a day like today.

It was this game in late August that kicked off the truncated National Championships that was the clincher for Van Rooyen EYECATCHERS: Votes are in for the WA v SA U19s Champs clash

Apparently won a basketball premiership yesterday.

The idea is definitely growing on me. Fancy having around four months to play the last time they met over and over again and then reliving the sequel in person?

Rookie Me Central’s look ahead into 2022. 22 in 2022: A look ahead to next year’s top prospects

Chris Doerre (Knightmare) on ESPN - Who are the early top 10 players for the 2022 AFL Draft?

Young kid does serious interviews. Kicking off with Taj Woewodin

Wednesday night Dees-Dogs opener The AFL is expected to release the first nine rounds of its men’s 2022 fixture next week with an opening round that features a grand final rematch between Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs on the MCG as the season opener on the Wednesday night. Now that it’s official - your thoughts?

It could be that we start both the women’s and men’s seasons in 2022 against the Bulldogs. Saints to kick off AFLW season in Frankston against Richmond

2021 AFL Draft review: Melbourne

I’m waiting for the moment on the replay in the third quarter when Bontempelli kicks the goal to put the Bulldogs 19 points in front. Wondering how many MFCSS infested people are going to get up and storm out staying, “I’ve had enough of this!”

It’s unlikely that the club will need to resort to the Pre-Season Supplemental Selection Period unless a long term injury crops up. AFL confirms rookie rules for SSP, Mid-Season Draft

We can let Stuart Dew worry about it now.

Judd McVee was named on the interchange for WA for this game which I watched as it was streamed live. I was mainly interested in two players - Taj Woewodin who I knew was going to be a Demon and for JVR who was close to best on ground and who I hoped would become a Demon. I didn’t notice McVee all that much but welcome to the club JMcV! To get three players from a state side in these times is a great effort.

The end of the trading and drafting period means that a new cycle of drafting life begins ~ Eye on the future: 10 draft prospects to watch in 2022

With the drafts done and dusted for the time being, the SEN commentators have turned their attention to the season ahead with 10 WAY-TOO-EARLY PREDICTIONS FOR THE 2022 AFL SEASON These are their top ten predictions:- • COVID will have a tangible impact on 2022 results • An unpredictable year on and off the field • The Tiger train to rumble back into the top four • Emerging Saint to announce himself as a star of the competition (Max King) • West Coast to accept their fate and commit to a rebuild • If you thought Collingwood had hit rock bottom … • The Blues will make the top eight • Two key Bombers will reinvent themselves in other positions (new roles for McGrath and Shiel?) • We'll see more variation in how teams play • Former Brownlow Medallists to reassert themselves as league’s best (Dangerfield and Fyfe) What are your predictions?

Mid West products Jed Hagan, Judd McVee feature in Swans win against South Australia

Started the season really well but had an ankle injury. Northern Knights player from the same club as Josh Ward who went to Hawthorn.

Williamstown key defender Charlie Dean (195cm, 89kg) who won the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal as the VFL's most promising young talent was unlucky not to be drafted. Probably not for us but I can see Carlton taking him.

By my count, the club has one vacancy on its Category A Rookie List but whether it decides to make another selection is unknown. I believe clubs can take three Category B rookies - we don’t have any at present.