Jump to content

Discussion on recent allegations about the use of illicit drugs in football is forbidden
  • IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING

    Posting unsubstantiated rumours on this website is strictly forbidden.

    Demonland has made the difficult decision to not permit this platform to be used to discuss & debate the off-field issues relating to the Melbourne Football Club including matters currently being litigated between the Club & former Board members, board elections, the issue of illicit drugs in footy, the culture at the club & the personal issues & allegations against some of our players & officials ...

    We do not take these issues & this decision lightly & of course we believe that these serious matters affecting the club we love & are so passionate about are worthy of discussion & debate & I wish we could provide a place where these matters can be discussed in a civil & respectful manner.

    However these discussions unfortunately invariably devolve into areas that may be defamatory, libelous, spread unsubstantiated rumours & can effect the mental health of those involved. Even discussion & debate of known facts or media reports can lead to finger pointing, blame & personal attacks.

    The repercussion is that these discussions can open this website, it’s owners & it’s users to legal action & may result in this website being forced to shutdown.

    Our moderating team are all volunteers & cannot moderate the forum 24/7 & as a consequence problematic content that contravenes our rules & standards may go unnoticed for some time before it can be removed.

    We reserve the right to delete posts that offend against our above policy & indeed, to ban posters who are repeat offenders or who breach our code of conduct.

    WE HAVE BUILT A FANTASTIC ONLINE COMMUNITY AT DEMONLAND OVER THE PAST 23 YEARS & WE WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO BE ABLE TO DISCUSS THE CLUB WE LOVE & ARE SO PASSIONATE ABOUT.

    Thank you for your continued support & understanding. Go Dees.


Preview - Melbourne v Brisbane


Demonland

Recommended Posts

HOME AWAY FROM HOME by The Oracle

Saturday night's game between Melbourne and Brisbane will be an historic occasion. Hopefully, it will be the last time ever that Melbourne hosts the Lions at their own home ground. For half a decade the Demons have defied that old slogan about never giving a sucker an even break by doing that and more. They have given up valuable home ground advantage to a rival club from interstate for thirty pieces of silver or some near modern day equivalent.

This week's game is between the 13th and the 15th placed sides in the competition which suggests they are both evenly matched and therefore home ground advantage must be considered significant in these circumstances. Unfortunately, money talks all languages and, as a consequence, it's been a matter of financial survival ahead of on-field results for the Demons. Thankfully, this situation will soon be a thing of the past and Melbourne will never have to call The Gabba "home" again.

The lowly placing of the competing teams and their poor win/loss records also suggest that this contest is unlikely to create much interest among the general football public. However, that changed significantly in the past week or so with both clubs recording dramatic wins at their last up starts.

The Brisbane Lions produced what you would have to call a rare coup these days for coach Leigh Matthews. His team took advantage of the Eagles' apparent cockiness and the brouhaha surrounding the selection/non-selection of Ben Cousins to give their hosts a real mauling on their home turf at Subiaco. To my mind, the Lions played the game and the ground in the way that former Melbourne coach Neale Daniher might have envisaged at the beginning of the year when he tried to instill the "run and carry" formula into his team. What Matthews did better however, was that he ensured his charges maintained constant pressure on the Eagles. It started in their midfield and consequently the pressure was maintained all around the ground. In this way the Lions managed to starve the West Coast forward line where they were perceived to have weaknesses. The ploy worked and now the Lions deserve their heavy favouritism to make it two in a row against the Dees.

But Melbourne also had a rare victory at the weekend, even if it wasn't against such an illustrious opponent as the reigning premier. Indeed, the Demons won their game against a pitiful Carlton combination bereft of its three most influential players Nick Stevens, Lance Whitnall and the erratic and the unpredictable Brendan Fevola. Of course the Demons also had a cast of thousands missing from the game. They were without names like Neitz, Johnstone, Bartram. Bell, Bruce, Green, Moloney, Pickett, Rivers and Yze leaving them with one of the youngest and most inexperienced teams to run out on the MCG in recent years. To their credit, they rose to the occasion and came home with the points for new coach Mark Riley and recorded their highest score for the year along the way.

I have a good feeling about this game and I say that without even consulting my crystal ball. The logic behind my thinking is that the Lions' victory was so unexpected in an otherwise barren year that it has been magnified into what was virtually the club’s grand final victory for 2007. What usually follows such occasions is one gigantic let down. That is exactly what I predict for the Lions on Saturday night.

THE GAME

Melbourne v. Brisbane at the Gabba, Saturday, July 14, 7.10pm

HEAD TO HEAD

Overall Melbourne 17 wins Brisbane 12 wins

At the Gabba Melbourne 5 wins Brisbane 8 wins

Since 2000 Melbourne 3 wins Brisbane 4 wins

The Coaches Riley 0 wins Matthews 0 wins

MEDIA:

TV - Foxtel Channel 1 @ 7:00pm

RADIO - ABC774 SEN

THE BETTING Melbourne to win $2.40 Brisbane to win $1.50

LAST TIME THEY MET Melbourne 14.14.98 defeated Brisbane 13.12.90, Round 14, 2006, at the Gabba

It was a lacklustre game and the Demons couldn't get out of first gear as they struggled against a Brisbane combination that was inspired by full forward Daniel Bradshaw's damaging work in front of goal. The Lions' spearhead finished with 8 goals and was virtually unbeatable on the night. Melbourne surged a number of times and it took some Davey magic to steady the ship and see the Demons home by 8 points in an unconvincing display. The game will also be remembered for the way Mal Michael nonchalantly booted the ball right through Melbourne's goals to concede a point even though he could easily have cleared the ball the other way.

THE TEAMS

MELBOURNE

Backs Daniel Ward Nathan Carroll James Frawley

Half backs Lynden Dunn Clint Bizzell Nathan Brown

Centreline Paul Wheatley James McDonald Cameron Bruce

Half forwards Simon Godfrey Russell Robertson Aaron Davey

Forwards Colin Sylvia Brad Miller Matthew Bate

Followers Jeff White Brock McLean Nathan Jones

Interchange Simon Buckley Chris Johnson Paul Johnson Michael Newton

Emergencies Colin Garland Ben Holland Brent Moloney

In Cameron Bruce

Out Ricky Petterd (punctured lung)

BRISBANE

Backs Robert Copeland Daniel Merrett Jason Roe

Half backs Jed Adcock Josh Drummond Jared Brennan

Centreline Tim Notting Nigel Lappin Cheynee Stiller

Half forwards Joel Macdonald Jonathan Brown Troy Selwood

Forwards Michael Rischitelli Matthew Leuenberger Joel Patfull

Followers Jamie Charman Simon Black Luke Power

Interchange Will Hamill Rhan Hooper Ashley McGrath Wayde Mills

Emergencies Richard Hadley Scott Harding Cameron Wood

In Ashley McGrath

Out Colm Begley (shoulder)

MATCHING UP

I wanted to look at this game in the traditional way by considering some of the possible match ups. I started with the man who I believe to be the most influential player on both sides - Brisbane's Jonathan Brown. The Demons have no obvious match up and the prospect of the Lions' key power forward breaking loose at the Gabba is frightening. Centre half back Jared Rivers has already been ruled out for the season while Nathan Carroll suffered a bout of concussion last week as a result of that courageous mark in the last quarter. His chances of playing were 50:50 earlier in the week so he is an unlikely starting match up. I guess that leaves our old ever-reliable Clint Bizzell who was back with a vengeance in a most timely manner. He produced a strong performance last week with 22 touches and 15 marks. It would be wishful thinking to expect him to deliver such a wonderful set of figures against Brown but if he can keep up his form we are certain to be treated to an interesting duel in the Brisbane forward line.

Staying with the big men, the contest in the ruck between Jamie Charman and Jeff White looms as another one of significance. Last week White blitzed in the ruck against Carlton but the Blues' midfielders sharked enough of his hit outs to win the clearance statistics. A recurrence of that this week is an awesome prospect to consider given that the opposition midfield boasts Nigel Lappin, Simon Black, Luke Power and co. Melbourne needs Brock McLean, who has endured some heavy tagging of recent weeks, to come back to his best form. James McDonald is sure to be his usual reliable hard tackling self and Nathan Jones will work hard in the packs. Simon Godfrey will probably take on Lappin or Black but the Dees will need to be at their very best here. The midfield duels, as always, be the key and the Demons are at a disadvantage with so many of their talented outside midfielders looking on from over the other side of the fence. However, they have some interesting youngsters standing by in the wings whose youthful exuberance and enthusiasm could surprise.

Melbourne will again be relying on the younger brigade to continue its improvement of recent weeks. Matthew Bate, Lynden Dunn and Michael Newton are all starting to show something above the ordinary. The trio was recruited in the same draft and they played in the same team in an AFL game for the first time against Carlton last week giving them a 100% success rate together. I would suggest that this will be the first of many.

Speaking of a 100% success rate, let's not forget that Melbourne coach Mark Riley remains unbeaten as coach of the club. However, that statistic might not make up for the unevenness in experience when matching him up with rival coach Leigh Matthews who has been around for a long time and coached four premiership teams.

In the final analysis I'm going for the Demons to win because, as I suggested above, I believe that the effort from the Lions on the other side of the continent last week will have left them emotionally drained for this contest. They will return home to reality and succumb on Saturday night to an enthusiastic young Melbourne team by 10 points.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Melbourne will again be relying on the younger brigade to continue its improvement of recent weeks. Matthew Bate, Lynden Dunn and Michael Newton are all starting to show something above the ordinary. The trio was recruited in the same draft and they played in the same team in an AFL game for the first time against Carlton last week giving them a 100% success rate together. I would suggest that this will be the first of many.

The performances of these three players are what I will watch closely and with interest. They are all different and all very exciting.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The performances of these three players are what I will watch closely and with interest. They are all different and all very exciting.

You might want to add Colin Garland who is tipped to replace Cameron Bruce in tonight's team. Brucey is apparently still not over the hamstring strain that kept him out last week.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Demonland Forums  

  • Match Previews, Reports & Articles  

    DEPTH CHARGE by Whispering Jack

    The jubilation on the coach’s face as he danced a celebratory jig by the playing bench after the final siren sounded to record his team’s four-point victory over the Demons when the teams last met, said it all.    On that rainy Friday night at the Adelaide Oval, Ken Hinkley’s young midfield secured much more than four points on offer. The victory over one of the big dogs of the competition after a succession of wins over some of its lesser lights gave his team respect and validation fo

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 5

    TRAINING: Monday 25th March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers Demon Dynasty & Kev Martin were trackside at Gosch's Paddock today to bring you their observations from training. DEMON DYNASTY'S TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Kade Chandler's left knee heavily strapped. BBB, Spargs & Jake Lever also in rehab group. Jake Bowey solo running separate kicking/sprint/agility drills. Super fine morning / early arvo at Gosch's for the boys to blow out some cobwebs. Choco initially had the light duties / rehab group

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    HIBERNATING by KC from Casey

    When they locked up the rooms for summer at the end of last year’s football season, the rooms gathered cobwebs, the atmosphere became dense and the place developed a sleepy feel. They opened up the rooms to let Casey out to play on Sunday but the team was still hibernating and they missed the bulk of the opening quarter. By the time they worked out it was game on, their opponents from Box Hill had accumulated five goals and, if the game wasn’t over, it might as well have been. For a se

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Casey Articles

    A FORK IN THE HAWK by George on the Outer

    For too long in the past, Demon fans became habitually sick and tired of watching the Hawks hand out thrashings to their side. But Melbourne’s empahtic 55-point win at the MCG on Saturday has truly put a fork in the Hawk and turned that history well and truly on its head. The Demons have now won nine of their last ten encounters with the other result, a draw.     And like a fork, it was the multi-pronged options that Melbourne had all across the ground.  It certainly helped that Hawthorn

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Match Reports 8

    PREGAME: Rd 03 vs Port Adelaide

    The Demons head on the road for the next 2 weeks as they travel to Adelaide to play Port on Saturday and then have a 5 Day break before facing the Crows in the Gather Round. With injuries to May and Lever who comes in and who goes out?

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 262

    PODCAST: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 25th March @ 8:30pm. Join George, Binman & I as we analyse the Demons victory at the MCG against the Hawks in the Round 02. You questions and comments are a huge part of our podcast so please post anything you want to ask or say below and we'll give you a shout out on the show. If you would like to leave us a voicemail please call 03 9016 3666 and don't worry no body answers so you don't have to talk to a human. Listen & Chat

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 46

    VOTES: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    Last week Steven May took the lead in the Demonland Player of the Year Award from Jack Viney. Clayton Oliver & Max Gawn round out the Top 4. Your votes for the win/loss against/to the Hawks. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 50

    POSTGAME: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The Demons cruised to an easy 55 point win over the Hawks at the MCG but but paid a heavy toll on the injury front with Steven May & Jake Lever possibly sidelined for a number of weeks.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 357

    GAMEDAY: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    It's Game Day and after mixed results in the first two weeks of the season the Demons have the opportunity to capitalise on their good form last week when they take on the Hawks at the MCG today.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 437
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!
  • Podcast 

  • Podcast 

  • Podcast Stream 


    Open Stream in
    New Window
        TuneIn    Opens in New Tab
  • Support Demonland  



  • 2021 Premiership  

  • Social Media 

  • Non MFC Games  

    NON-MFC: Round 03

    Discussion of all the other games that don't involve the Demons in Round 03 ... READ MORE

    Demonland | Round 03

  • Match Preview      

    DEPTH CHARGE by Whispering Jack

    The jubilation on the coach’s face as he danced a celebratory jig by the playing bench after the final siren sounded to record his team’s four-point victory over the Demons when the teams last met, said it all ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 27

  • Latest Podcast      

    PODCAST: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The boys dissected the clinical thrashing of Hawks praising the immense performance of Christian Petracca whilst lamenting the injury toll to our defensive unit ... LISTEN

    Demonland | March 26

  • Training  

    Monday, 25th March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers Demon Dynasty & Kev Martin were trackside at Gosch's Paddock today to bring you their observations from training ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 25

  • Casey Report      

    HIBERNATING by KC from Casey

    When they locked up the rooms for summer at the end of last year’s football season, the rooms gathered cobwebs, the atmosphere became dense and the place developed a sleepy feel. They opened up the rooms to let Casey out to play on Sunday but the team was still hibernating and they missed the bulk of the opening quarter ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 25

  • PreGame      

    PREGAME: Rd 03 vs Port Adelaide

    The Demons head out on the road for the next 2 weeks as they travel to Adelaide to play Port on Saturday and then have a 5 Day break before facing the Crows in Gather Round. With injuries to May and Lever who comes in and who goes out? ...READ MORE

    Demonland | March 28

  • Match Report      

    A FORK IN THE HAWK by George on the Outer

    For too long in the past, Demon fans became habitually sick and tired of watching the Hawks hand out thrashings to their side. But Melbourne’s empahtic 55-point win at the MCG on Saturday has truly put a fork in the Hawk and turned that history well and truly on its head ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Post Game      

    POSTGAME: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The Demons cruised to an easy 55 point win over the Hawks at the MCG but but paid a heavy toll on the injury front with Steven May & Jake Lever possibly sidelined for a number of weeks ...READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Votes      

    VOTES: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    Last week Steven May took the lead in the Demonland Player of the Year Award from Jack Viney. Clayton Oliver & Max Gawn round out the Top 4. Your votes for the win/loss against/to the Hawks. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 ...READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Game Day      

    GAMEDAY: Round 02 vs Hawthorn

    It's Game Day and after mixed results in the first two weeks of the season the Demons have the opportunity to capitalise on their good form last week when they take on the Hawks at the MCG today ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Training  

    Friday, 22nd March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatcher Kev Martin and I attended the Captain's Run at Gosch's Paddock on this lovely sunny morning to bring you the following observations from the training session ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 22

  • Training  

    Tuesday, 19th March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers Kev Martin & Walking Civil War attended Tuesday morning's training session at Gosch's Paddock to bring you the following observations ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 19

  • Training  

    Saturday, 16th March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers Kev Martin and Dee Zephyr wandered down to Gosch's Paddock on Saturday morning to bring you their observations from the Captain's Run in the lead up to Sunday's Round One match against the Bulldogs ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 16

  • Farewell  

    Angus Brayshaw Retires

    After 167 games including the drought breaking Premiership Angus Brayshaw has made the heart breaking decision to medically retire from football as a result of a series of serious head knocks over his nearly decade of footy. We wish Gus all the best and he'll always be a hero at Demonland ... READ MORE

    Demonland | February 22

  • Latest Podcast  

    PODCAST: Koltyn Tholstrup Interview

    I interview the Melbourne Football Club’s newest recruit Koltyn Tholstrup to have a chat about his journey from the farm to the Demons, his first few weeks of preseason training, which Dees have impressed him on the track and his aspirations of playing Round 1 ... LISTEN

    Demonland | December 14

  • Latest Podcast  

    PODCAST: Jason Taylor Interview

    I interview the Melbourne Football Club's National Recruitment Manager Jason Taylor to have a chat about our Trade and Draft period, our newest recruits, our recent recruits who have yet to debut as well as those father son prospects on the horizon ... LISTEN

    Demonland | November 27

  • Next Match 

    .

    Round 03

       vs   

    Saturday 30th March 2024
    @ 07:30pm (AO)

  • MFC Forum  

  • Match Previews & Reports  

  • Training Forum  

  • AFLW Forum  

  • 2024 Player Sponsorship

  • Topics

  • Injury List  


      PLAYER INJURY LENGTH
    Jake Lever Knee Test
    Clayton Oliver Hand Test
    Oliver Sestan Concussion Test
    Steven May Ribs 1 Week
    Lachie Hunter Calf 1 Week
    Daniel Turner Hip 2-3 Weeks
    Charlie Spargo Achilles 2-4 Weeks
    Shane McAdam Hamstring 3-5 Weeks
    Jake Bowey Shoulder 7 Weeks
    Jake Melksham ACL 12-14 Weeks
    Joel Smith Suspension TBA

  • Player of the Year  


        PLAYER VOTES
    1 Christian Petracca 27
    2 Steven May 25
    3 Max Gawn 21
    4 Jack Viney 20
    5 Bayley Fritsch 19
    6 Clayton Oliver 18
    7 Christian Salem 12
    8 Blake Howes 11
    9 Jack Billings 10
    9 Alex Neal-Bullen 10

        FULL TABLE
  • Demonland Interviews 



  • Upcoming Events 

×
×
  • Create New...