Demon Jack

Close to a career best year and would've been close to filling a forward pocket in the final All-Australian team. Fantastic response after a fairly mixed 2016.

What went wrong here? Kennedy was most likely leading our best and fairest after the first 4-5 rounds of 2016 and was looking like a genuinely good pick-up. Nothing quite happened for him after that. He looked OK in the VFL this year and was probably deserving of a chance in the seniors at some point. I 'm guessing that the likes of ANB and at times JKH overtook him and filled the role he would've provided in the team.

Was thinking the same for Neal-Bullen. Just missed out on the top ten.

Who's providing the music tonight? Interesting setlist so far.

Stream working fine for me. Clint Stanaway has the MC duties.

Balic was touted as first round pick in his draft year but ended up sliding to pick 30 odd. Could be a very good pickup now that he's back home in Victoria. As mentioned above, a fourth round pick could get it done considering he's officially requested a trade.

Watts will be meeting with Geelong this afternoon. Source: Mitch Cleary

Saints are apparently having talks with Michael Talia and also offering Adam Tomlinson a five year deal. Never change, St Kilda

Aside from a couple of cracking VFL games, I'd would've liked to have seen more from Sam this year. Saying that, he'll be given plenty of time by the club. He's a key position forward who only just turned 20 a couple of months ago. Not concerned yet.

I dunno. Strikes me as 54 sort of guy.

Conformation has just come though that Tom Petty has passed away at the age of 66 after going into cardiac arrest. Another incredibly sad day for music. Tom was an incredibly talented all-round musician. I've only recently started going through his catalogue and have thoroughly enjoyed his music so far, and this is coming from a 21 year old. Rest in Peace Charlie Wilbury Jr.

And it begins...

Reminds me of ANB in 2016. Often amassed huge numbers in the VFL but was unable to replicate it in the seniors. Hopefully next year, we see Jay take the step that ANB (who was more than handy at times during 2017) took this year.

Just a thought if the Crows don't budge on two first round picks. Would we be able to snare Sydney's first round pick as part of the potential Watts deal? As a basis, Watts + Pick 27 to Sydney for their first round pick (pick 13). Picks 10 + 13 to Adelaide for Lever.

Overall, a fairly average year for Bernie. Seems to have lost the penetration in his kicking and some general footy nouse. His suspensions did him no favours either. As mentioned above, one more slip up might see him banished to Casey. However, there's still 100% a spot for him in the team. Looking back on his year, Bernie's best game came in Round 8 when we beat the Crows in Adelaide. He only had 14 touches, but he completely shut down Rory Sloane. Hopefully we see more of this next year.

Can't think of anyone else aside from Ben Kennedy. EDIT: Bye Benny! I really thought there was a spot for him in the team but it seems that Goodwin was never really a fan.

I'd love Kade at the Dees. Former number five draft pick who can actually kick the football. Kolodjashnij and Hibberd rebounding the ball out of defense would allow maybe Hunt to push up onto a wing. I doubt he'd come cheap unless he wants out and/or the Suns are eager to send him on his way.

Cannot agree more. We seem to very rarely develop players who go on to reach big milestone games with us. For example, Nathan Jones is the only Demon to reach 200 games with the club over the last seven years (I think Green was the previous one back in 2010).

The Killers did a good job. Easily the best pre-game/half time entertainment the AFL have had in years.

Absolute legend! His 2-3 month stint in the ruck while Max was on the sidelines may go into the Demon archives as one of the great efforts in recent MFC history. Remember when everyone (probably myself included) wanted him delisted after his first season in 2013? Look at him now. He picked up his first Brownlow votes on Monday night as well. He has the opportunity to play another big role in 2018 with Watts' likely departure.

A revelation up forward with his uncanny ability to crumb the ball and snap a goal within seconds. I'd love to see a compilation of the countless times he did that during the season. He goes missing a bit during games but a very encouraging debut season. He missed a good chunk of the pre-season with a shoulder injury, so with any luck, he'll only get better with a full one under his belt.

If the whispers are true, I'd be absolutely guttered to see Watts go, but a fresh start might be best for both parties.

So Pick 10 & Watts for Lever and maybe a second/third round pick?

Add Watts who turned 26 at the start of the year to that list as well, but point taken. Our recruiting between 2008 and 2010 has really set us back in this department. Former players like Jordan Gysberts, Luke Tapscott, Addam Maric, James Strauss and Sam Blease (all first round draft picks) are now all in that 26-27 year old age bracket that we desperately lack.

Plenty to like about Billy in my opinion. Shame that he couldn't find a consistent spot in the team this year, but I saw plenty in his first two seasons to suggest that he'll be a player. For what its worth, It's been reported multiple times that he's one of the most professional players at the club. When Clayton Oliver won his AFLCA Best Young Player award, he said that he was told by the coaches to select one player to look up towards, and he picked Billy Stretch.