Things are looking considerably better at Melbourne after their win over Geelong a fortnight ago. But they could soon be forced to make a difficult decision on a warhorse midfielder. The emergence of Angus Brayshaw and Jack Viney, along with the impending return next year of Christian Petracca and the immovability of Nathan Jones means that Daniel Cross could find himself under pressure to hold his spot in the Demons' side next year. Many expected Cross to only spend one season at Melbourne after 12 years at the Western Bulldogs, but having gone on this year, Pssst understands that 32-year-old Cross is now keen to go on for a third season under Paul Roos. We're told the Dees think he's playing good football, but they will need to weigh up the development of their young onballers before recommitting.
Lonie star
St Kilda have already extended the contracts of two of their draftees from last season, with Daniel McKenzie and Jack Sinclair both locked away until the end of 2017. We've heard the Saints have also approached arguably their best first-year player, pint-sized forward Jack Lonie. There are a couple of different views though about what's happening with Lonie and his contract. One source tells us that talks are continuing, but another thinks things have been put off until the end of the year. Lonie's initial deal with the club still has a year to run after this one.
Kicking on
The push for women's football continues to gather momentum. AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has already outlined his vision for a women's league, declaring recently that it was inevitable. "It is coming," he said. "The only question is timing. There's a view that the depth of talent required will make it 2020. I'm pushing everybody to be a bit more adventurous than that ... but this is coming." It has emerged that Carlton is one team keen to add a women's side. The Blues have unveiled a revamped father-son academy that Pssst has been told they hope eventually will cater for daughters of past players. The current qualification threshold is for the father to have played 100 matches, which is under review. It may be wise to slash that eligibility when it comes to encouraging female youngsters.
Marking time
There have been some high leaps this AFL season, with Melbourne's Jeremy Howe featuring weekly on the highlight reels. However, magistrate John O'Callaghan, from Wangaratta, is concerned the aerial skill is seeping from the game. So much so that he rang Pssst and suggested the AFL offer a $1 million prize for the best grab. "My idea is that there is a $1 million mark, whether it be $1 million for the best mark, or $500,000 for the best mark, then $300,000 and $200,000 for second and third prize. The only way a player will disobey his coaches orders is thinking: 'There is a million dollars sitting on this ball here - I reckon I can get it.' It is the standout feature of our game internationally and if our game is ever going to be accepted or well regarded overseas, it's the high mark that is going to do that. It's the one thing that just is spectacular. Whenever you see the sports packages they have overseas, the AFL wraps up its sports package, the high mark just sets it apart. People don't understand the goals, but they look at the mark and see that as a physical feat. At its best, I think it's the best part of our game. It is being coached out of the game - I don't think coaches like it. They don't tell them not to do it, they just discourage them because it's low percentage."
Power plug
As speculation grows over who will make Carlton's coaching shortlist, one industry figure with knowledge of potential applicants says the Blues should ring former Port Adelaide premiership coach, Mark "Choco" Williams. "He is worth a call, at the very least," he said. "Many of those younger assistants don't really know what the job is about. Mark has mellowed, like everyone does when they are older, and look at the work he has done at Richmond." Williams has had a development role with the Tigers, and has played a key role in Dustin Martin's rise. "There could be the factor of how well he would get along with [Blues chief executive and former Crows CEO] Steven Trigg, but he is a winner. There is the question of his health, but I am not so sure the likes of Stuart Dew is the direction the Blues should be heading." Williams has not coached at senior level since he resigned from the Power in 2010.
Big Cash League
Both the AFL and Cricket Australia's player agents held conferences in Melbourne this week. Talk at the cricket meeting, which took place at the MCG, involved amongst other things betting on the Big Bash League and the need for everyone in the game to be vigilant about the risk of corruption. One figure splashed around was $4 billion, the amount of legal money one speaker at the conference estimated was being bet on the Twenty20 competition worldwide. That doesn't even take into account the illegal market.
Trophy hunter
Sunday night's Silverstone Formula One grand prix is always one of the highlights of the racing year, although it sadly looms as another battle between Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. However, double world champion Hamilton may have a rather odd reason not to ascend the podium at his home race, if his complaints are to be believed. "We just need to make better trophies, it's shocking how bad the trophies are," Hamilton said "The trophies are as good as at go-kart level, it was really bad. Formula Renault was just little boxes with a car in the middle. Formula Three was good, and at the beginning of my Formula One career the trophies were really good. But now they are just terrible, man. They are so bad. I told Bernie and he got the trophy guy in the room and I just said, 'You know'." Bernie, of course, being F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, who has much on his plate with complaints from many in the industry that the racing - and cars - have become boring. Expect a range of changes in time for next season, with drivers to be given more responsibility, rather than much being left to their engineers.
The quote
"It's not even just that he's a high-profile person, it's just absolutely terrible when families are torn apart in such tragic circumstances." - Superintendent Des Bray speaking after the tragic death of Phil Walsh.
Numbers up
122 VFL/AFL games played by Phil Walsh
41 goals he kicked
7 clubs at which Walsh either played or coached
1987 The year Walsh won the inaugural Brisbane Bears' best and fairest award
The watchman
0 minutes to midnight after the grimmest of weekends in football.
Local hero
John Millman
The 26-year-old Queenslander qualified for his first Wimbledon singles main draw and celebrated by routing 19th seed Tommy Robredo in straight sets before eventually losing in five sets to Marcos Baghdatis.
Got a tip? Contact Daniel Cherny or Jon Pierik. Twitter: @danielcherny or @pierik_agesport
