Demonstone

Feeling nervous? A tad impatient? Don't know how you can possibly endure a further nine days? Here's another complete waste of time to occupy your mind. As usual, I have compiled a team with a common factor. You will observe that these players are drawn from different eras. I would rate this one as very easy. First in with the solution wins the gold medal, everlasting glory PLUS a special bonus prize. Please answer via PM only to keep the teaser open for others to play along. I'll post any incorrect answers to help narrow the range of possibilities. B: Michael Prior Ted Potter Glenn Archer H/B: Joel Smith Bert Deacon Ken Hunter C: Tom Cutler Ken Judge Oskar Baker H/F: Jeff Farmer Paul Abbott Dan Butler F: Cale Hooker John Butcher James Cook R: Rowan Marshall Glenn Hawker Josh Caddy I/C: Sam Draper Kade Chandler Alex Sexton Charlie Constable.

It is well known that number 57 is indeed relevant to MFC. Sauce?

Why do you refer to yourself in the third person, Meggs?

That was an interesting read, bill. Thanks for your post. I noticed the name Minton-Connell listed among our Under 19 team. That was Michael, whose brother Adrian also tried out for Melbourne, but neither played senior football. Adrian married Peter Hudson's sister Pam and their son Simon played for Carlton, Sydney, Hawthorn and Bulldogs.

Let's just say we are never in the same room together.

Halo, big boy.

Mazer and his elusive cup of coffee:

Feeling drained?

Speaking of MFC legends, I drove past the MCG today and both thumbs on the Norm Smith statue are up.

What about that reporter's name? Rusty Woodger? Come on now ...

I posted this yesterday morning. Seems like his info was on the money. Just chatting to the Geelong fan behind the console at my servo who not only doesn't fancy their chances but has also heard that there's a tummy bug going through the Cats. I'd take that with a huge grain of salt, but I wouldn't be upset if his mail is accurate.

I'd be highly surprised if he's playing next year.

I believe it's 1800-IFIXEM

Bump!

He's renowned for being a one touch player.

The dream clearly brought you down.

I dreamt I was eating a giant marshmallow and when I woke up this morning, I couldn't find my pillow.

Just chatting to the Geelong fan behind the console at my servo who not only doesn't fancy their chances but has also heard that there's a tummy bug going through the Cats. I'd take that with a huge grain of salt, but I wouldn't be upset if his mail is accurate.

I like arguing. What's there been to argue about this year ? We should all give up football and instead follow track and field. Discus.

You can win a prize by popping ping-pong balls into his mouth if they add up to a certain number.

The abiding memory I have is of Melbourne defenders looking up at the sky as yet another kick for goal sailed over their heads and through the sticks. I'm surprised they didn't end up with sunburn on the roofs of their mouths. Funnily enough, I still remember our banner, which read something like "Brownlow: Robbie Flower v Garry Who?" which was a reference to Garry Wilson, Fitzroy's champion rover and hot Brownlow favourite that year. *spoiler: Peter Moore won it. Robbie missed the game due to injury, but I doubt even he would have made much of a difference that black day.

Best Game: Round 22 V Footscray at the Western Oval in 1987 for the reasons others have spoken about. I went with my Doggie supporting brother who was giving me grief all day until we steamed home in the last quarter whereupon he spat the dummy and sooked off home before the game ended. Worst Game: Round 17 V Fitzroy at Waverley in 1979 where we were humiliated 36.22.238 to our 6.12.48. It was the highest ever score recorded at that time and is still the greatest winning margin in VFL/AFL history. I went with a Fitzroy supporter and he was driving. There was no choice but to stay until the end. First Game: This came at a later age to most of you as I grew up in a country town four to five hours drive from the big smoke. The occasion was West Portland Under 15s (Premiers!) end of season footy trip and we assembled in the dark for the long bus trip down the highway to Kardinia Park where, as luck would have it, Geelong were drawn to face Melbourne. It was round 19 of the 1972 season and both teams were out of the running for finals but we were above the Cats on the ladder. We arrived before the Reserves game had even started and were basically set loose with instructions to make sure to be back at the bus at the end of the game. I can't imagine such leniency with a group of young boys today. As we wandered around having a look, some of us took the opportunity to gorge ourselves on hot jam doughnuts from the van at the enticing price of six for twenty cents. Six!! I found a good spot on the fence near the players' race and can still recall the thunder of 20 pair of footy boots on concrete and muscly arms glistening with oil as our Seconds ran out to play. Jim Tilbrook was playing full-back in the magoos that day and, in the near empty ground, his kick-outs were accompanied by an almighty SMACK that resounded around the arena like a rifle shot as the ball left his boot and travelled almost to the centre of the ground. The details of the main game remain a bit of a blur, but Demonwiki informs me that Greg Parke booted seven goals and that Greg Wells and Paul Callery dominated. Ray Biffin was reported but, naturally, found not guilty. We were on fire that day and led by 88 points at 3/4 time before easing up in the last quarter to run out easy 57 point winners. It was heaven. On the way home, we stopped at Belmont where we were shouted Kentucky Fried Chicken for tea which was a treat that most of us had never had the opportunity to try before. Compared to the frenetic card games, joke-telling and general boisterous high spirits and yahooing that went on in the trip down, my team mates were pretty tired and dozed most of the way home. I was still too thrilled to sleep and even though I was the only Melbourne supporter on the whole bus, it didn't matter.

I'd expect Little Lord Fauntleroy of Essendon to poll well. He played some outstanding games this year.

Stop shouting!

Is he?