Demonstone

Jontee, Spud and Neil Crompton have come up with the correct answer but, with all medals awarded, will have to console themselves with a virtual participation ribbon. The answer is that the team is named in alphabetical order by first name, the nicknames being used to make it a little more challenging and requiring some lateral thinking. Due to the ancient nature of some of the players, this teaser suited our more mature posters. I had to stop at "T" because I don't know of any player whose first name begins with "U". Anybody know of one? The team with actual first names: B: Alan Gale Brian Roberts Christian Salem H/B: Don Fraser Edward Whitten Frank Hughes C: Graham Farmer Harry Vallence Ian Hampshire H/F: John Newman Kevin Neale Lance Franklin F: Matthew Burton Neil Clarke Oliver Wines R: Peter Keenan Quinton Narkle Robert Skilton 19th: Stephen Kernahan 20th: Terry Wallace

Sean Wight.

Hint #5: The nicknames are a misdirection.

Bronze medal has been won by Jumping Jack Clennett. I'll leave the teaser open for a while longer with the reveal to occur around 5pm.

I thought we might get there by process of elimination, Luci! However, it's getting late so here's a more direct clue. Hint #4: The players don't just have surnames.

Nothing to do with comic books or any other type of publication.

The answer is not film related. Hint #3: It has nothing to do with music or any of the other arts, either.

It's about a Melbourne player, so the one on the left I would say.

The players in this team do not share a first name with children's cartoon characters. Hint #2: The answer is not football related.

They are not Enid Blyton characters, nor are they childrens' toys.

I have those in my bookcase along with ones about/by Robbie Flower, Garry Lyon, David Schwarz and Neale Daniher plus "The Red Fox" of course, along with "An Illustrated History" which was released in 2008 as part of our 150th Anniversary. A few years back I found a copy of the Stuart Spencer book (written by his widow) in my library, but that seems hard to find these days. edit: There's a copy on ebay but they want $49 plus postage for it which is a bit steep I think.

The bizarre response that they are Aboriginal trackers may also be discounted. Hint #1: The answer has nothing to do with the players' surnames.

We can eliminate suggestions that they are all fishermen and also that they are types of soap (!).

Congratulations to tilly18 who has run into second place and wins the Silver medal.

Onya Jack. I've ordered my copy. What other MFC books are you aware of and could recommend?

We have a winner already! Gold medal to mo64, which either means that the teaser is easy or mo is a genius.

The game in Alice Springs is never going to get here, is it? We won't even know the team until Saturday with an extended squad to be named tonight. Here's another brainteaser to help fill in that interminable gap and provide some entertainment (for me, anyway). Today's team is a little unusual in that it has only two on the bench in a throwback to the olden days. The players are an eclectic bunch as well. Some are from yesteryear, some are not. Some are champions, some are not. Some are in their correct position, some are not. Some are given nicknames, some are not. Some are Demons, some are not. What links them all? As usual, answers in PM only please. Again, I have spared any expense assembling prizes of zip, zilch and nada which will be awarded to the first three correct respondents. B: Butch Gale Whale Roberts Christian Salem H/B: Mopsy Fraser Ted Whitten Checker Hughes C: Polly Farmer Soapy Vallence Bluey Hampshire H/F: Sam Newman Cowboy Neale Buddy Franklin F: Spider Burton Nobby Clarke Ollie Wines R: Crackers Keenan Quinton Narkle Bobby Skilton 19th: Sticks Kernahan 20th: Terry Wallace

He's making the scissors sign. Oh no! It means he plans to cut and run.

The same Hayden Burbank who went to jail after sneaking into WA for the Grand Final, I presume?

Franklin is originally from Perth. I'd be worried about the go home factor if we recruited him.

Your wish has been granted.

It seems to me Clint that you only trot your theory out if Melbourne are losing or other games aren't going the way that you'd prefer. For example, I've never heard you claim that any of our wins are the result of such "manipulation". Happy to agree to disagree with your views on the matter. All the best to you.

What we're discussing (not arguing) is Clint's long-held assertion that the AFL and its umpires are influencing games to achieve a pre-determined outcome. My view is that such an opinion is balderdash.

Pray tell, what is the difference between rigged and manipulated?

Still sticking with the "It's all rigged" narrative then, Clint?