Demonstone

Those people are wrong. Essendon are in for a short season. It will be finished by the end of August.

From the National Film and Sound Archives, this is a film of life in Melbourne in 1966. The mighty Demons feature very early on in the piece. Tuck in, nostalgia lovers!

Can't wait to see TiMOTHy English get his wings clipped.

Kudos to @reynolds46 for solving the mystery. Alas, he just misses out on a podium finish this time. As if the past few posts haven't made it obvious, all the players in my team share a surname with a West Indian Test cricketer. Granted, some of those players such as Vibart Wight, Foffie Williams, Runake Morton, Thelston Payne and Jahmar Hamilton may not exactly be household names That is why so many clues were scattered along the way. In order of appearance, those hints were: 1. "heed wittiness" - an anagram of "The West Indies". 2. Pictorial clue of "Marley & Me" - a reference to reggae legend Bob Marley who was from Jamaica. 3. Barry Hall and Matthew Lloyd - a nod to West Indies greats Wes Hall and Clive Lloyd. 4. "sporting nature" - revealing that the answer was sports related. 5. "By Jiminy" - a reference to Jiminy Cricket. I also mentioned "test" in the same sentence. 6. Musical clue #1 - Led Zep's attempt at reggae. The song title was a play on "Jamaica". 7. Musical clue #2 - 10CC referencing both cricket and the Caribbean. 8. "Taking my bat and ball and going home" - what else could it be but a cricket reference? Other posters provided further hints which make sense once you know the answer.

Answer to teaser and explanation of clues will be posted around lunchtime today if it's not too windy.

Third place has been filled by @mo64 who wins Bronze for his efforts.

Both teams were forced to change numbers. The only exception was Collingwood's Ray Gabelich who retained his #13 because they couldn't find another jumper big enough to fit his substantial girth.

Here is another musical clue, which should give it away for those still pondering. This is the last hint I can provide. If nobody else gets it, I'm taking my bat and ball and going home.

I'm pleased to announce that perennial mastermind @Mazer Rackham has worked out the answer to take home Gold, with @Witches Hat hot on his heels in second place and scoring the Silver.

There are many more than that.

By Jiminy, this has certainly been a test of posters' ability to work through all the clues I've provided. To elaborate upon the suggestions I've received that the answer relates to USA or Canada, I can reveal that several different nations are involved. Still confused? Here, have some appropriate think music.

Other answers that may be eliminated from the list of possibilities is that the common factor relates to the USA, racehorses, politicians, Canada, comedic actors, authors or books of any kind. I like to think I'm of a sporting nature. So is the solution.

Not the case, Mr. Mellie. Please PM your suggestions rather than posting here. 🙂

Wednesday morning clue: A pair of useful full-forwards in Barry Hall and Matthew Lloyd would be eligible for selection in this team if they only had the good sense to have played for the mighty Demons.

I may have been a little economical with the truth, there. Maybe an apology is warranted. The teaser is so difficult I don't think it's possible for anybody to solve it unless they have the benefit of some clues. Here comes another one to tide you over until tomorrow ... The team once held a bonding session by having dinner together at a nice restaurant (no fights took place) and followed up by going to the movies as a group, but the film they chose wasn't anything like what they expected.

There are a finite number of possible answers to this teaser. To make things much, much easier () for everybody, we can eliminate incorrect suggestions that have been received and rejected. Please be advised that the players in my team have no connection with county names in the USA, Australian politicians, wrestlers, names of islands, publishing companies, British or Irish heritage, types of guns or anything related to the military. Those familiar with my posts will be aware that I am fond of both humour and cryptic clues. If you hope to solve the teaser, it would be in your interests to heed wittiness.

Are you sure that's not the pitch for the next Test in India?

You're right, you know. I'd forgotten about the extra game this year. 26 it is then!

You're saying we'll lose the first game?

Out of the way Melba. Step aside Farnham. The comeback is on! Given the the abrupt demise of @Witches Hat's most recent brainteaser, here's a replacement to keep you awake at night. As you can see, this team consists of Melbourne players (in position) and is of a pretty high standard as far as fictional teams go. What common factor unites them? Does it really need saying that all responses must be forwarded to me by PM so as not to spoil the fun? I'd rate this teaser as very tough and make no apologies for that. ================================================================================================= B: Matthew Collins Sean Wight Tony Campbell H/B: Frank Davis Ryan Ferguson Peter Walsh C: Frank "Bluey" Adams Jordan Lewis Scott Thompson H/F: David Williams Ross Dillon Cale Morton F: Brad Miller Noel Clarke Big Bob Johnson R: Jeff White Brock McLean Nathan Jones I/C: Stefan Martin David Grant Paul Payne Peter Hamilton COACH: Norm Smith

According to the impeccable Demonwiki, Tingay went 52 -> 15 ->2 and Charles 44 -> 18 -> 1. That is also how I recall the sequence. Your source may be incorrect (?).

Don't forget Peter Moore, @Timothy Reddan-A'Blew. He wore #10 in his first season with us before moving to #30.

How about we conduct a poll on our favourite website, Deeland?

The new entity was to be called The Melbourne Hawks. Go Aitches!