BLWNBA

Let's not forget their maiden win with top-up players was against us too. I was at the 'G that day and we made them look like a top four side. It was absolutely infuriating and nauseating.

Ta, thanks mate

Might've missed it, but what was Cross' injury and where was this reported? Not doubting you, just this is the first mention of it I've seen.

2008!

Marlboro red, 25s

Agreed. He hasn't set the world on fire and his first few games have been relatively unassuming, but he is the exact type of player we've lacked for several seasons. We look far more balanced with him in and you get the sense he isn't far off turning those 'almost' moments into genuine opportunities.

Yeah it's a bit strange, I did a quick look and there's varying mentions of him over the past two weeks from various footy outlets and even across the same outlet, depending on the report some tie him to us while others don't. It would be great to actually get some clarity around this and understand the reason. Bit of a guestimate, but I'm thinking potentially we lost access with the rezoning of the Mornington Peninsula area to StK.

Yeah it was, a bunch of the old crew were there including Jordie McKenzie, Mark Jamar, Jack Trengove and a few more.

Strangely, Code have recently gone with this:

Already been posted, but: Dandenong dazzlerPowerful Dandenong Stingrays forward/midfielder Jackson Phillips has been one to pop early in 2026. His athleticism, competitiveness and skill have been on full display in both of Dandenong's wins to start the season. A 19-disposal, two-goal Round 1 outing was backed up by a game-high 27 disposals against Gippsland where his dual threat as an inside-outside mover set him apart. Meanwhile, Stingrays teammate Marcus Prasad has also had moments in the early rounds as a lively forward. Contrary to some reports, the Vic Country U16s representative is not tied to Melbourne through the club's Next Generation Academy. Draft watch: Statement-makers to start talent pathway season

Easily his best game for the year, despite at times it being an 'almost' game for young fella. Had he clunked that mark in the goal square and converted truly, we'd probably be talking up his output a hell of a lot more. Still, credit to him for converting our first. One could only imagine the professionalism it would've taken to shun any negative thoughts regarding the pressure of converting our first major after 55 minutes of game time!

If anyone needs a laugh:

People still going to defend Petty’s value based on ‘that’ game against Richmond, or what?

Omnia Pro Deo 🫡

Yeah agree with you, it's early and there's no reason he can't develop and tidy up some of the potential shortcomings. He does appear to cover ground too which would fit in with King's current appetite for quick ball movement and a steer away from our traditional contested game. I'll be keeping an eye on him and should he be drafted, I'd be interested to see where that would be.

Well what do you mean by important? I don't think anyone is projecting him to be the next great white hope, but plenty recognise his ability and potential. Let's not forget he isn't even close to hitting 100 games; he's 65 games into his career and is still 21 (22 in September). Given Humphrey's age and lineal growth since being drafted, I think it's fair to say you would be recruiting largely on potential as it stands, but that's not to say he hasn't exhibited some pretty strong indications of what he'll be able to achieve. For mine, he's one of the few in the under 23 category who I would say is a genuine mid-forward and IMO, he could be very similar to Robbie Gray. His versatility (with reference to an attacking mid/forward ability) would really add something to our current list and outside of Koz (who is a fairly different type of player to Hump anyway), I don't think we actually have many other players who can regularly, credibly and with effect move into that rotation*. If I'm using one attribute as a point of reference for his potential, and what it would mean for our side, it's his ability to translate a contested ball into a genuine forward 50 threat. Fundamentally, what really stands out when watching Humphrey is that he has an innate skill and effectiveness in winning a contested ball, maintaining possession and then controlling the tempo of the game, and then carry the ball into the forward 50. So he doesn't just have the ability to win a ball (i.e., in a similar vein to Viney), but he actually converts these possessions in contested / attacking scenarios into genuine scoring opportunities in the forward 50. So essentially, you're looking at a player who not only is capable of winning his own ball, but also has the vision, skill and decision-making to turn those possessions into shots on goal, or into a goal assist for teammates. Outside of this, Humphrey has also demonstrated an ability to score himself when in the F50, so he's not only a threat on the spread and on the offensive play, but he's a threat in front of the goals. I actually see Humphrey as being a bit of a replacement for Petracca, as he's probably our most recently player who fits into that mould of being a dynamic, powerful and unpredictable threat (once again, with reference to a MID/FWD ability). *The closest player(s) we'd probably have that really do have a solid Mid/FWD game would be Koz, or Chandler (probably more FWD/MID). Chandler isn't a centre square/rest in forward line player like Humphrey though, his utility is in the linking play on the transition out of the D50 and into the F50. TLDR: Humphrey has an ability to convert his contested acumen into damaging F50 possessions/scoring opportunities and has shown a genuine ability and trajectory to be a significant and damaging offensive AFL player.

Martin Gawn Fyfe Gunston The 2009 draft is relatively underwhelming, especially at the top end.

News Double milestones | McDonald and Gawn share moment

Humphrey is only half decent? Well, I would take a few blokes at his level even if they are only 'half decent'. He'd comfortably put the sword to a few blokes we have running around.

Remove the goal from the boundary and there wasn't really much to get excited about. Some of the negatives may be able to be coached out in an elite environment, such as the lack of composure and rush to constantly move the ball on. However, he seems to be somewhat limited largely due to his lack of size, which of course is not fault of his own. I'm echoing the thoughts of several above, but his inability to take the ball at the first touch, keep his feet and his general ball usage leaves a lot to be desired. Initially I thought he seemed to lack penetration on his kicking, but after rewatching the highlights reel I actually think he has a nice action and was able to deliver some very nice and neat passes. Also somewhat paradoxically to what I've mentioned above, I have to give some credit for his ability to keep the ball moving and generate a context. I'm kind of unsure on where to sit at the moment. On the one hand, he has some nice traits; but equally, there's a few marks against particularly with reference to his size and composure. I'm interested to see how he develops over the season, though I'm leaning more towards him being a rookie prospect at best on his current output.

Matt Jefferson continues to progress through a bone stress injury in his foot. “He’ll partially integrate into main training this week, with the plan to have him training fully next week,” Griffith said. “His availability will then be determined by his tolerance to main training.” Injury Report | Turner Sidelined

This isn't the US; there are substantial protections against vexatious / litigious claims and this isn't the Australian landscape at all. It's an extremely unnuanced take.

Selection integrity has been a big issue for us in recent times. It all feeds into maintaining a true performance based environment. It's a facet of our game and club I'm really hoping to see change under King.