Demonstone

It's a thorny issue, @Jontee. Under the current system, a club that identifies, nurtures and develops a young player who looks like being a very good footballer is facing odds of seventeen to one against of being able to draft that player.

Next Generation Academy background The Next Generation Academies (NGA's) are a joint initiative between the AFL and AFL Clubs aimed at the attraction, retention and development of all talented players (both male and female), whilst growing participation in the under-represented segments of our community. A key objective of the NGA's is to increase the talent pool of Indigenous and Multicultural players. These groups are significantly under-represented in the AFL comparative to the population, and therefore AFL Clubs are incentivised through draft concessions for their role in growing this talent pool. However, the primary function of the NGA's is to provide a Club based talent program to all kids, using the AFL Clubs' profile and expertise to raise awareness and interest in the programs.

That's the dilemma. We want them to be good, but not TOO good otherwise they get drafted early by another team. The AFL really needs to re-think their selection criteria for NGA prospects because the current system defeats the purpose of the scheme and doesn't provide suitable incentive for clubs to participate.

That's why the footy commentators appear to be bright until you hear them speaking.

Poor Oliver Sestan. He has morphed into "Seston" and now "Seaton". We did have a player called Phil Seaton at one point. No relation as far as I know.

Giddy up!

I'm conVINCEd it's true.

A medial is much more preferable than an ACL, although a medial injury is not to be sneezed at. If Max was indeed sneezing, it may well just be knee-monia.

I think we had all better get used to the idea of Goody holding up the Premiership Cup with Jack Viney this year.

Be a good game to win from here.

So is Melksham, who is the sub. And even the bleeding club can't spell Jordon properly!

Knee, I think.

Only if you're a neghead with a victim mentality and a persecution complex. This is a great time to be a Melbourne supporter. Enjoy the ride.

To counter the Carlton fans chanting "woof" whenever Saad kicks the footy, I'd love to see opposition fans yelling "miaow" every time he turns it over.

Did somebody mention Peter Noone?

It sure is. I wonder who would go out to make way for Pickett and Salem, who are both surely in our best side.

An acquaintance of mine who insists that the AFL is all rigged (no, not @Clintosaurus) is convinced that the Grand Final will be between Carlton and Collingwood because the league will need lots of money to settle the concussion class actions. Strangely, he has refused my offer to have a bet on that GF match-up.

His books were banned following the publication of the rather racy "Biggles' Flies Undone".

Losing to them again this year would be a 'mare.

We might see George Gawn running around for the Demons in 2041.

Many of 'em are retreads, binny!

So this is what Fremantle meant when they said he looked like having a Goodyear.

Sam Weideman may have encountered more bad luck. He was moving very gingerly after Sunday's game as this photo shows and a Bomberbliz poster has reported that he is wearing a moon boot.

If not then, certainly in the after-training shower.