Tarax Club

It’s a toss up between Helter Skelter and Ken Kesey. But suspect Kesey would rather eat his hat.

It’s decidedly warm up here… Harry Armstrong l’ve got it now…

With apologies to Stanley Kubrick for the added poetic licence.

High flyer who can take a big pack mark? “ But the AFL world all stopped to watch on a King’s Birthday afternoon. Watched a man named Armstrong walk on the ‘G.” Meanwhile a fluctuating, weakly static, barely decipherable, signal was picked up from the dark side at Olympic Park. It was decoded as; “Houston we have a problem…”

With the twilight approaching for a number of listed mature players. Briefly glimpsing JT’s crystal ball afar, suggests the priority will be draftees that will make an impact in the next couple of seasons. The pattern has been set with Windsor and Tholstrup, both getting continuity of games in their first season. Both having physiques that provided sufficient resilience, endurance and strength to make an immediate impact off field in the gym, at training and on field at senior level. Plus the potential for positively developing quickly at subsequent pre-seasons early in their careers. On presence alone candidates at the top end of the draft who have these desirable traits would logically be prioritized by the recruitment team. If the core of experienced veterans remain healthy. The spark of developing younger players added too by some canny recruitment. Could re-ignite some real demon passion and a return to the top tier next year.

Yes Roan Steele off to the West Perth Falcons in the WAFL. Club webpage describes itself as a "professional Australian Rules club". Couple of MFC connections; team song is 'A Grand Old Flag' and their home ground is at Joondalup where the Demons were based in September 2021. Add those attributes to Roan's innate footy abilities suggests this is a step up for Roan. Good luck Roan!

AFL surely will act to remove players’ age data. Weight or more accurately mass went the way of the Dodo, AFLW saw to that. Next will be height as the little people complained. All that will be left will be the guernsey numbers. However the AFL numerologists sub- committee spat the dummy. Numbers will be removed because it distracted from advertisers’ logos and was too complicated.

Yes and they’re confident about drafting ‘a terrific player too’.

In the wash up Tim Lamb appears to have allowed ‘the magician’ Jason Taylor a free hand to do his magic come draft night. Plus totally confounded the critics.

Dodged a bullet IMO

As proceedings draw to a close at Trade Radio the interest levels heighten, plateau or pancake. Flick the switch to corridor cam or team room surveillance. iPhones, Samsungs are out waiting for the late deal or is it just bubbles… Trust the group choreography includes hygiene training. Picking your nose in the public glare of the pod is a no no.

Only thing non-stop is the incessant advertising. During the one hour soak, wash, rinse, spin, repeat cycle of ‘the show’. The presenters, after product promos need to come up with roughly ten minutes of spoken words each. Set the time delay dial to next Wednesday.

Voldemort wouldn’t associate with a Muggle like Barrett. This guy might fit the bill.

Heritier Lumumba, Brody Grundy and Ben Kennedy in more recent memory. Reputations and controversies aside none really met with expectations. Digging deeper, Henry Coles and Peter Moore both played 77 games with the Demons. Moore winning a second Brownlow (his second) during the 1984 season, suggests a more successful transition. Henry Coles and Phil Carmen shared a mutual propensity for confrontation with Carl Dietrich. The other way Demons to Pies, *Ross Brewer, Taj Woewodin and currently Jeremy Howe. Brewer and Woewodin were in the twilight of their careers. Howe's continues with a premiership in 2023. * Ross Dellamarta and Wayne Gordon were traded to MFC from the pies for Brewer. So if over time, the participants contributions post trade to their new homes are weighed up. The balance may not be as some posters purport to be, so one sided in Collingwood's favour.

For all those south of the Berrimah line. Nightcliff ‘Tigers’ in traditional yellow and black. Wanderers in the non-descript blue and yellow.

No struggle at all. Three positives about the arrival of Tom Campbell; 1. Post Jackson and Grundy departures we now have genuine back up ruckman/training partner for Max. 2. He won’t cost the earth and whilst resolvedly waiting in the wings will mentor young Verrall etc at VFL level. 3. As Tom’s neighbor @jayceebee31 and his wider reputation affirm. Tom Campbell brings more than just his trade to the club. Ben Brown’s contribution was rightly recognized and applauded last night at the B&F. It goes far beyond his on field exploits during the flag year. People of his ilk should be welcome additions to the MFC.

No problem with the live stream. We pay our taxes up here! Kudos to the club, event organizers, MC, presenters, participants and award winners. Seems like a great night out and worthy celebration of the season that was. So much more classy than the Brownlow. ps. Thought the young woman who conducted the onstage interviews was terrific. Professional, polished and smart.

Three positives in an ordinary week; 1. Tom Campbell’s arrival. 2. AFLW team played like Demons. 3. Angus Brayshaw’s farewell in particular the optimism he expressed about the future of the club. Roll away the fair weather sailors, muckrakers and doomsayers.

Shortlist these guys.

Agree all the hoopla crammed into the non-playing time seriously detracts from the real footy. Especially during the quarter and half time breaks. Let the game breathe. Pre-game is OK.