DustyDemon

From the way I read it, GC17 can 'tag' 12 x 17 year olds this year (2009). New rules direct that 17 year olds cannot be drafted at the end of this year (2009). At the end of next year those 'tagged' by GC17 will be 18 and GC17 can either trade them for (extra) draft picks or unilaterally sign them themselves. If the 'kids' don't want to move then they probably don't really want to play AFL football. Along with GC17's 2010 ensured draft picks of 1,3,5,6,9, &/etc or whatever, there'll be very slim pickin's for everyone else. Hence the desperate need for Demons to do everything they can (or can't) to ensure as many early picks as possible at the end of this year (2009).

As a preface, although new to Demonland, I do like to imagine that I have some 'cred' in having actually been at the '64 GF as a 10 year old and barracking for the Demons before then and ever since. I've been in the first to say for years that Brad Miller isn't really an AFL level player. BUT. Obviously we haven't got anyone else that presents themselves as a better option. Now I say, "Well done to you Brad Miller, you are doing as best as you can do and we should all appreciate that and admire you for it". Meanwhile, as quite a few have said, we now need to have renewed patience. It's ridiculous to continue to complain about our KPP stocks when that deficiency has now most obviously and publicly addressed by the club most clearly with our no:1 draft selection. As suggested previously, we need more than one KPP (forward) and I'm quite confident that the football department is well aware of this. Do we need the (assured) 'priority pick' as well? I think so. There are only so many gun 17-18 year olds around and, ominously, this season GC17 have first dibs on twelve of the best 17 year olds in the country. Carlton has shown what is required if you are serious about rebuilding towards a flag. Swallow the cr#p, bite the bullet, (and all those other cliches), and let the club rebuild and work on the list without the endless, moronic, constant carping of all you losers. I've been lurking around this site for a couple of years now and I know who you are and you know who you are: FOR CHRIST'S SAKE , GIVE IT A BREAK !!

The Age guide was very useful for sorting my Supercoach team in order to determine exactly who each team's rookies were (i.e. most are very unlikely to get a game this year) BUT Player profile/information was rather varied in quality, to say the least. e.g. (Good supercoach price and likely firsts player), Dayne Beams (Coll) comment: "Midfielder likened to Simon Black. (because he's from?) Qld, but resisted Gold Coast entreaties. Tattoos". (great comments, I imagine the tattoos must make him tougher)

I can't sleep so today's season fixture lift out in the little paper provides the following information: Number of games per team that are live on foxtel this season; Adel 17 Freo 17 WCE 16 Port 15 Bris 14 Syd 14 Melb 12 St.K 12 Nth 11 Foot 11 Ess 8 Gee 7 Carl 6 Haw 6 Rich 6 Coll 4 1: Looking at the numbers, I assume Foxtel must either get 3rd pick nearly every week after 7 & 10 OR Their market penetration in Adelaide & Perth must be even worse than their 25% National figure and it's mostly a marketing decision. 2: I think we can sheet the blame back to Kerry Packer, (who pushed up the rights bid), for the fact that half of the matches played each round are now only available to the 25% of the population who have/can afford pay & pay & pay & pay television. 3: Incidentally, given the press today, if Port Adelaide supporters can't afford to go to the footy I can't see them coming up with the dough for Foxtel with Sports. (I certainly can't justify it in our budget)

Personally, I wonder just how far will the rule manipulators go in their quest to have as many goals kicked as possible. I know they are the glamour boys and great for the 'product' but, hand/s on the forwards' back, hitting forwards' arms, deliberate out of bounds. I mean, how much easier are they going to make it for forwards? Some marketing clown has convinced those at AFL headquarters that a game is only a good game if high numbers of goals are kicked. Absolute cr#p! Easily the best game I've seen for 10 years was Sydney's GF win. Absolute worst was a Ess-Nth game at MCG 10 or so years ago when 25+ goals were kicked by both sides. If we continue down this path it will resemble basketball more and more, where just moving the ball into the forward line almost inevitably results in a score. That'd be great. Who'd be a defender by choice these days? (Speaking of basketball, I won't even mention the rules threat to the legitimate bump)! The worst aspect of this sinister new rule is that it's going to be the umpires opinion of what's gone on at the goal line. Adrian Anderson can prattle on as much as he likes about stopping 'blatant' and 'cynical' walking back over goal lines or handballing through but, mark my words, as sure as day follows night, it will result in a very suspect, unfair and game changing umpiring decision at a critical stage and all hell will break loose when, yet again, an umpire will have had a direct influence on a game's result with a poor decision. Umpires definitely get caught up in the excitement of a game, everyone has seen how that ridiculous and hateful 'deliberate out of bounds rule' seems to only ever be enacted when the recipient is within kicking distance from goal. In that rotten rule, most of the time it's paid, the umpire has had to 'look into a players mind' and decide what he was thinking and attempting to do. Amazing skills Ump. I hate that rule. I wish they'd either get rid of it or go to the same as so many other sports where the last player to touch the ball before going out decides who gets the free. Sorry about the rant but I really do despair most of the time now as to just where this wonderful game is actually being steered to.

I agree with others, Bennell does look good and I was very happy with Buckley I've watched footy & Melb. for 50 years, read my lips, Newton is not an AFL footballer. Heartstrings. Speaking of ticker, Ricky Petterd's got plenty. From what I saw where I was standing he was fortunate to not have broken his neck after diving on the ball. He laid there making sure his legs were still working before attempting to get up. I thought Meesen did the best I've seen him do today - still not good enough for firsts footy. Spencer does look the goods though, 203cm/100kg/19 years old. Just what has his mum been feeding him!? Future looks very good for him - I hope. Miller can slip off the list with Newton as far as I'm concerned. Just not a smart enough footballer for 2009. For future potential Cale Morton was the stand out for me today. Silky moves, very clever touches and thoughtful disposals, HEAPS of courage. Obviously needs to stay at Jake Spencer's house for a while and chow down.

Final score in Cairns . Melb 73 Bris 36