Demon Head

As at the morning of the QB game this is the scenario: James Frawley (back) test selected MFC Nathan Jones (hamstring) test selected MFC James McDonald (hamstring) test - out Sam Blease (leg) 2 weeks - out Liam Jurrah (shoulder) 3 weeks - out Jake Spencer (knee) 3 weeks - out Rohan Bail (cheekbone) 3-4 weeks - out Luke Tapscott (hip) 4 weeks - out Max Gawn (knee) 5 weeks - out John Meesen (ankle) indefinite - out Ricky Petterd (shoulder) season - out Not on injury list but out Colin Sylvia - out Michael Newton - out Stefan Martin - out Rhys Healey - out My question is - who puts together the club's injury list and why?

The next Shane Valenti?

Not unless they double up and also play in Saints' colours

Happy to oblige but apologies for the lateness of the hour. A third quarter goal burst by the Casey Scorpions was enough to shrug off a determined Northern Bullants at Casey Fields yesterday evening. The Carlton affiliated Bullants had the advantage of the strong wind in the first term to hold a narrow lead at quarter time but the Scorpions took over in the second quarter and then blitzed in the third to run out easy winners in the end by 12 goals. The AFL gave special permission to listed players on both sides to participate in what is officially a rest week leading into the AFL's opening round starting on Thursday night. Rookie listed players are also permitted to play. The Bullants played Dennis Armfield, Marcus Davies, Sam Jacobs, Kane Lucas, Marc Murphy and Jarrad Waite. Although on the list, former Demon Chris Johnson was a no show. Most of the Carlton contingent appeared only in the first two quarters so it was hardly surprising that the Scorpions ran away from their opponents in the last half. Casey got a bit more value from its Demon listed players with Matthew Bate and Colin Garland the standouts. Jack Watts looked a bit bigger than last year and put in a satisfactory performance in his first half of football playing mainly on a wing and kicking a nice goal from the boundary. However, he is still several weeks away from an AFL appearance and will need more time at this level. Tall midfield recruit Jordan Gysberts got a lot of the ball and did enough to suggest that a long AFL careeer awaits him. With Melbourne light on for key position strength the selectors might well decide to go with the impressive Bate and defender Garland. Bate booted three goals in the third term while Garland was back to his very best in defence. Jake Spencer had his moments in the ruck and was assisted by the lightly built Jack Fitzpatrick. Michael Newton worked hard at full forward and got his three goals but didn't impose himself on the game nearly enough. Danny Hughes had his moments but I'm not sure whether he can step up beyond VFL level while Tom McNamara and rookie Rhys Healey were quiet. Scorpion skipper Kyle Matthews was in strong early season form along with Ben Macreadie and second year player Michael Stockdale. Among the recruits Danny Nicholls (ex-Collingwood) and Mitch Dowse (Gippsland Power) were busy on the night and will be great acquisitions for the team and key forward Luke McDonald from the Eastern Ranges was again impressive.

New bloke on the block. Needs to be controversial to get peoples' attention and the Dees are a soft target. Easy pickings and well done to those who allowed themselves get sucked in .

That's because it was announced at the AGM/MIN that the Family Day was to be held the day after the intraclub game next Saturday.

I think that practice is frowned upon by the club. Someone posted some film of a session here a couple of years ago and it was removed on request by the club.

Recently, Graeme Yeats who coached Tom Scully at the Stingrays was reported in our local Leader newspaper that "he is capable of playing up to 14 games before exploding in years to come." Now that you've seen him, do you think that's a fair call?

There's definitely something fishy going on with the booze cruise and Judd. As captain it was his responsibility to keep a lid on alcohol consumption and yet there's no evidence that he lifted a finger to stop it. Then, on the other hand, if he was trying then the players showed him no respect. This is the bloke who in his early days was able to convince by example the other players of the benefits of a healthy diet. No such example these days with respect to this drinking binge.

FFS the bloke just got a 99.95 TER into the AFL. Who cares a rats clacker what he got in his VCE?

I heard that Eddie was put under the pump at Collingwood's AGM over a number of issues including how the Pies let Liam Jurrah slip to Melbourne after spending the first part of 2008 with their VFL club. Supporters not happy.

I must say that not only do I agree with this proposition but I would add that most of the incoming changes are quality footballers. If we end up getting the best out of new faces I think we will go places. It might take 2-3 years or more but our football department has acted in just the right time. Unless you're GC17 or GWS you have no chance of filling gaps in your list for the next few years.

Right. The other 15 clubs whose talent scouts saw him play for Gold Coast in the TAC U18 comp are all such idiots that they allowed a player of second round standard in a weakened draft slip down to 75. The comparison with Beams doesn't stand up either apart from the fact they come from the same part of the world. Beams is 10cm taller than the light and tiny Thomas although I will give you two things: 1. He's faster than Ball and 2. He can kick further than Ball (30m). I wish him all the best.

The question I have is whether we did or did not make a commitment in the first place? It was suggested in the media that we did but I would like someone to point out where a club official is quoted saying we would definitely take the player in the rookie draft. Under the rules it's not an obligation if we pay out the player concerned.

I think it's sad for Ball that he probably won't get through to the club of his choice but he really doesn't have a leg to stand on. His club of choice and his manager both botched things up. They could have made a reasonable offer to the Saints and they neglected the opportunity for mediation during trade week. The best Collingwood could offer was the equivalent of pick 25. If we're considering taking him with pick 18 it shows Collingwood wasn't trying hard enough.

We really need to do our due diligence with this player to find out why he went off the rails and what, if anything can be done to get him on track again. In that event, he might be worth the risk.

As Beamer so eloquently put it at the Bluey Truscotts during the week, we want a team full of players committed to the cause. That's it pure and simple. If Ball wants to commit to the MFC then he knows the correct way to do so is by nominating for the PSD where we can take him with first pick rather than "waste" 18 on him in the ND. I can't see our no nonsense FD involving themselves in a game of bluff with Ball or anyone else. We put our case and if Ball doesn't want to be part of our future then I'd rather use # 18 and get a player who will. It's unlikely he'll end up at Collingwood because there are 2 or 3 clubs with earlier selections in the ND who would take him anyway. And BTW, Ball is 25 years old. Is he capable of making up his own mind without the intervention of relatives?

So much for the theory that the big trades that take a long time to finalise hold up a whole lot of smaller deals. The Fev to Brisbane trade was effectively the last to go through and there was time for lots more to go through.

Which rookie was traded?

Rumour going around that the Bloos are interested in him as a back up forward and want him as part of the McLean trade.

So it's lunchtime and where are all the deals that were promised? Brock, Barry Hall, Jolly ????? I can understand the Brock hold up because we're dealing with welshing scum but the others ???

Exciting times ahead. Let's hope the next week brings the club some good rewards.

Daniel Talia has been injured for 2 months. Probably won't be at draft camp either!

Not a ripple over Brock but I hope we don't have problems putting the finishing touches to Aaron Davey's contract because I think we might expect more than a ripple over that one!

Thanks for doing us all a favour. Whenever there's a story floating around that can't be substantiated as coming from a reputable source then it has to be regarded as nothing more than a rumour until such time as some proof of its truth can be provided. The views of people who register on a site one day and post solely on one issue should also be treated with scepticism especially when they start posting during the school holidays. Cheers dafatcat and I hope you enjoy your time posting on Bigfooty and Tanking Carlton.