Freddy Fuschia

No. I'm saying that because there is no spot open, player managers won't be suggesting to clients who want an AFL spot that they should come over to Casey. They are more likely to go to clubs that have train-on positions available for inclusion in the SSP rather than to train with the VFL affiliate and hope a long term injury occurs to open up a possible spot.

ESPN.comWay-too-early AFL Draft Power Rankings: The top 10 for 2026Twelve months out from the 2026 AFL Draft, this is ESPN's way-too-early top 10 prospects to track.Thankfully, they’re only confined to ten prospects at the moment.

That’s all well and good but in the immediate term, Melbourne lacks available list spots to guarantee a potential player's position, unlike Adelaide, Carlton, Richmond, GWS, West Coast, Fremantle, Port Adelaide, St Kilda, and Hawthorn, which all have openings. The Dockers have already secured Mason Cox for two years as the off-season's first SSP signing. Carlton and Port Adelaide have expressed interest in evaluating familiar names during the summer, while Richmond has confirmed its intention to reserve a spot for consideration during the SSP or next year's Mid-Season Draft. Notable train-on prospects include Louis Kellaway (Richmond), delisted Crow Harry Schoenberg (potentially West Coast Eagles), Elijah Hollands and Will White (Carlton), and Jaidyn Stephenson (Port Adelaide). Jaxon Binns, a young delisted Blues player, is training with Essendon's main group. By way of contrast, Melbourne can only offer a player a spot at Casey without further guarantees. That’s the position Noah Yze was in this year and the word today is that he’s considering his opportunities at Sandringham. Hopefully, no injuries this year and no need for an SSP.

Good move Freo. Cox will probably get six to eight games to fill in when the need arises and will have his day in the sun.

Surely we take two players tonight?

Now GCS will live for 12 months with a player who knows he’s earning substantially less than he could otherwise earn elsewhere. It’s something that might easily breed discontent. If Tracc doesn’t perform as well as expected and JUH remains a problem child, what happens then?

Why not we hand over Clarry and pick 28 in return for pick 12. Seems fair to me if they can’t provide a suitable player.

Ollie Sestan did that too, somewhere in the bush.

6 Harris 5 Paxman 4 Hanks 3 Chaplin 2 Hore 1 McNamara

Just listening to him, I think he’s going to take the gig.

How did the Bulldogs go last year?

The traditional rivalry between Melbourne and Carlton has yielded some captivating contests at the MCG in recent seasons, when both teams were either vying for a finals berth or already participating and competing to advance further into the finals. On each of the last three occasions, the Blues have had the luck on their side winning close encounters through greater accuracy in front of goals. This Saturday night, the narrative will be a different one as both clubs are no longer in contention for the finals. Despite this, they will be eager to make a positive impression, given that their fans have been deprived of the satisfaction of winning and their coaches need to plan for the future, assuming that said coaches have a future with the team. It is likely that Simon Goodwin’s tenure is secure for the remainder of his current coaching contract, given his premiership achievement and apparent strong support and respect from his playing group, who consistently speak highly of him in interviews. Moreover, he is in the process of implementing a new game plan and deserves the opportunity to see this work in progress through another pre season and into next year. Michael Voss, on the other hand, is under considerable pressure. Carlton supporters are known for their high expectations and are exhibiting signs of restlessness and discontent. A loss on Saturday night could potentially lead to significant repercussions and even some bloodletting. The question therefore is how the Carlton playing group will respond, particularly if Melbourne applies pressure on them from the outset (and kicks straight for goal). With the Demons' midfield, spearheaded by Max Gawn, Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver, Jack Viney, and now Kozzie Pickett, having found the confidence that winning form brings with it, I anticipate further challenges ahead for the struggling Blues.

Jeffo?

So a 196cm key position forward who has “every tool in the box you’d want in a modern-day key forward” and was there right under our noses got drafted to the Gold Coast Suns yesterday. He couldn’t get a game at Casey? Something here doesn’t add up.

Disco’s playing the best football of his life down back, so why move him? Windsor had 24 touches last week - that’s not too shabby. Were you at the game?