Demonstone

Twelve months ago we were saying the same about Judd McVee.

I think it's now a three year minimum contract for top 20 draftees. Of course, the Horne-Francis situation last year showed that contracts mean nothing these days.

We've committed to automatically taking him as a rookie IF he is not drafted by another club tonight.

We traded pick 42 to St Kilda for a future third rounder I believe.

But do we have any vacancies on the list? I understood we are at capacity. Stand to be corrected.

We had Cale Morton, who was Cale A. Now we have Cale B.

Michael Gleeson in 'The Age' and Jason Taylor have a different view. Melbourne again traded into the draft and had picks at seven and 13. List manager Jason Taylor said it was serendipitous that the players they regarded as the best available talents at that pick also happened to fit needs they had on their list. Koltyn Tholstrup is 186cm tall, a powerful forward who can run, while Caleb Windsor is an elite ball-user and very quick. If you asked what type of players Melbourne needed right now they would be close to being it.

Of course we looked at him. We decided that Windsor was better. Have some faith in our recruiting staff FFS.

I know the TV coverage starts at 7pm, but what time is the actual first pick made? Is it 7.30? (No desire to sit through all the waffle before the interesting stuff happens.)

Marnie Vinall has had a go at explaining it. https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/why-dominant-melbourne-demons-are-at-risk-of-straight-sets-aflw-finals-exit-20231114-p5ejvh.html

So the Demons starting slowly, @Clintosaurus complaining about the umpiring and @DeeSpencer sticking the boots into Libby Birch. Business as usual, then.

That could lead to some ... checks and re-checks spelling ... cunning stunts.

Wilson doesn't look too excited about the prospect of joining Melbourne. We might need to have him train with Mick Stinear's squad and have T. Hanks mentor him.

He'd be good value on MFC corporate golf days. Koltyn Tholstrup = troll honky putts.

Demon fans' motto should be "illegitimi non carborundum".

I hope all the Chicken Littles have a nice cheese board to go with their whine.

I've never heard a single comment like that, nor any denigration of our premiership from any supporters of other clubs at any time. If anything, they were blown away at just how dominant we were in that 2021 finals series.

What better excuse to post this 1970 classic? Who's that fresh-faced young singer? Play it LOUD!!!

He never left it. He was drafted as a rookie and remains there, with the promise of elevation to the senior list next year (much as what happened with Disco Turner this year).

Ivo Crapp. He didn't stand for any ... err... umm ... nonsense from the players.

The answer to this teaser is that all the players in my team share a surname with squad members for their country in the 2023 Cricket World Cup. @Watson11 noted that former Adelaide Crows listed player Balraj Singh would have been eligible if he had managed to play a game at AFL level. The team with their real names is listed below. My favourite is that bloke in the centre! B: Matt Henry (NZ) Mark Wood (ENG) Lockie Ferguson (NZ) H/B: Glenn Maxwell (AUS) David Miller (SAF) Will Young (NZ) C: Scott Edwards (NED) Lizaad Williams (SAF) Dave Warner (AUS) H/F: Steven Smith (AUS) Alex Carey (AUS) Mark Chapman (NZ) F: Sean Abbott (AUS) Sam Curran (ENG) Ben Stokes (ENG) R: Mitchell Marsh (AUS) Cameron Green (AUS) Daryl Mitchell (NZ) I/C: Glenn Phillips (NZ) Gus Atkinson (ENG) Liam Livingstone (ENG) Kane Williamson (NZ)

Well done to @Watson11 for cracking the puzzle and providing more information (to be revealed!).

It will come as no surprise to learn that @tilly18 has once again nailed the answer. @Ethan Tremblay is part of the way there but missing the key link. Reveal to be posted around lunchtime today.