DEMONLAND/DEMONOLOGY v SAINTSATIONAL

DEMONLAND/DEMONOLOGY v SAINTSATIONAL – Forum Game - Sunday, 6 December, 2008 by Rollinson 65

The Demons triumphed again and retained the coveted Carl Ditterich Cup to make it a clean sweep of internet supporter site games for 2008 – three in all - with an overwhelming 118 points win over the Saints at Gosch’s Paddock on Sunday.

The victory meant that the Demonland/Demonology boys emulated their AFL counterparts with three victories for the year.

Unfortunately, the Saints went in with a very undermanned side with some of their better players including Casey Scorpions reserves player Ilsey sitting it out this time. As a result I am departing from the usual match summary, because the game was so uneven that it was something of a procession and a training drill. Saintsational had about 10 quality players missing, and it showed.

The Sainters had a couple of young kids who ran all day in the mid-field, and a couple of stalwarts in defence. Their full-back got at least 18 kicks that we know of! HD was his usual stubborn and running self, but that was the end of the story. They had one speedster who showed a lot of pace early which enabled them to score two early goals and lead by six points halfway through the quarter but some positional moves and the order to check him closely did the trick. Thanks Wise Monkey.

For the Demons, it was a very even and unselfish team performance and it was very difficult to pick the best player on ground for the Martin Heppell award. There were 10-15 blokes who could have been named without raising eyebrows.

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Mclean4brownlow, who played his first game a couple of years ago as Scotty’s “little brother”, is now a veteran of these forum games and put in another memorable performance, on the wing and up forward.

Cactus, another veteran forward, set up a number of goals and dominated wherever he was positioned.

Another regular, Pringle, ran all day, always seemed to have space and time (an indication of a thinking player), and read the play brilliantly, always in the right spot at the right time.

With the injury to Rivvo (from Demonology!), Doggo (another veteran) has now become Mr. Fixit in the team. No CHF, send Doggo. No CHB, send Doggo. On Sunday, it was no ruckman (Cribbes is still overseas), well then send Doggo. He did a great job in the ruck, alternating with Sean, to send us forward with monotonous regularity. This put him behind the play, so we were not treated to seeing his freakish marks on Sunday.

Wise Monkey captained again, running and crunching his way through the middle, getting first hands on the ball when it fell from the ruckmen, becoming (and relishing being) first player tackled and last player standing. Another veteran who played in our very first game alongside Doggo and Freak, Wise played yet another superlative captain’s game, facilitating talking on the field and leading by example with unselfish play. We are going to miss this bloke when he finally hangs up the boots. Hopefully, that may be when we need a new coach, so the transition can be as smooth as possible!

Funky41 played an impressive first game, combining footy skills with a thinking football brain and team orientation. Just as importantly, he and Wolfmother brought a number of Demon supporters to play their first games for us, and we were impressed. If these guys collectively front again, we will face TankingCarlton in February with confidence it will be an even and fierce contest. Thanks, guys, for breathing new life into our list.

Charlesy (Funky’s mate and another first-gamer) won a share of the Martin Heppell award for best Dees player with a faultless performance mainly off half-back. One of those blessed players that the ball seems to go to like a magnet, seem to receive the ball easily (no awkward bounces for these blokes), and have plenty of time and space to deliver the ball perfectly each time. Deceptive pace for a well-built bloke, too. Nobody seemed to want to tackle him for some reason.

Heater (Funky’s mate and another first-gamer) played full-forward, booted 3 and was denied 5-6 by the Sainters’ serviceable full-back and yours truly (as goal umpy). Apparently, Rollo's eyesight has not improved since game 1! Unselfish focal point, good lead, good mark and accurate kick. Did not succeed in starting any fights, but not for want of trying!

Wolfmother was also a first-gamer on Sunday but another accomplished player. Ran hard out of defence, left his man kick less and showed how team players play the game. Could watch his kicking and hand-ball skills all day (and did!).

Scotty is a veteran who has kicked twice as many goals for us as any other player, except perhaps Cactus. Another 4 this match tells only half of the story. At least four assists, many contested possessions, and flawless delivery. Like Freak, Scotty has put in so many consistent performances for us, you have to wonder why he has not yet had a Heppell – he can’t be too far away IMO. Fantastic mark for his height. Yet another great game.

Nick has now played two for us, and bagged two majors this time. Good contested mark, and deceptively good when the ball is on the ground, One percenters are admirable.

Ucanchoose brought his own cheer squad and they cheered the veteran through another game. One day he will get his wish for a posting down forward. Wherever he plays, a welcome and valuable member of a team which is gaining a reputation for invincibility.

Deanox wasted a number of posts on the board telling us he could not play if his life depended on it and hadn’t played footy since under 9’s. When he turned up, and Whispering Jack discovered this fact, he wondered we could hide him. He was eventually consigned to a forward pocket with a request to stay out of Heater’s way and he responded with two goals and two assists as well as laying out a few Sainters with some strong rugby tackles. He took every mark that came his way. Way to go, Deanox!

Toot182 may have won his share of the Heppell because he looked a bit like Luke, but I don’t think so. Fitter than most, he ran and ran, and created opportunity after opportunity for the team. Another first-gamer, we hope will become a regular. Thanks, mate, we need you to front up against TankingCarlton next game.

BL2381 is another of Pringle’s brothers (and a nephew of Whispering Jack). He showed us he can play, with 2 goals from limited time up forward. Not the fittest player on the park having not played for a few years, but footy-savvy and a most welcome addition to the team.

Fuzz gained veteran status with Sunday’s game. Tallish and a real team player, impresses with his commitment to forum footy games.

Sean (Scotty’s mate) played ruck, alternating with Doggo. Very impressive first game for us. Complete player who deserves his chance to play in a position that will enable him to better showcase his ability. Good fitness and fierce at the man and the ball. Hope to see him again.

Freak hung over and tired is still a force to be reckoned with. Good roving skills, and won the contested ball again and again. Consistently in our best players.

Jackson (Mclean4brownlow’s mate) played on the wing and gave much run through the middle. Well played, mate.

Luke, Scotty’s mate, looked a bit like Toot182, booted 3 valuable goals and was among our best. Another I hope to see again.

A good third of our players were first gamers, but the team produced a group effort which won the approval of coaches Redleg and Whispering Jack.

Special thanks to Bails and Jinksy (mates of funky) who volunteered to play for the Sainters in the first quarter, and played so well for them. Sent away for the second quarter, and then asked for by the Sainters again for the third quarter, these guys didn't know if they were coming or going. I was sad to see you guys staying away from the singing of the song at the end of the match. You had the hardest job all day, and deserved your place in the circle...

Special thanks also to Amanda, the physio, who attended to the players' needs for strapping and binding before the match, and who also took the only quality photos of the action. I am here to tell the thought police on site that there was no sexual element to the strapping or binding...

I walked away from the TankingCarlton game in November with many memories of a close and entertaining contest that could have gone either way. This time around, it was only close for the first quarter with the Dees’ bad kicking keeping the opposition in the game. The second term was a 10 goals 3 behinds to nil massacre and it was well and truly over at the final break when the coaches switched the forwards and backs around.

I walked away a bit sad, and hoping that the Sainters can regroup and realistically challenge for the trophy next year. I, for one, hope they can get back some of the quality players they have fielded in the past because nobody likes to see such an uneven contest...

A first for this game, we got 5 people to the pub after the game. About time, people!

If anybody would like to add corrections or additional comments, they will be most welcome. Goal umpiring, and so many first-gamers on board, does not make for accurate reporting.

Demonland/Demonology 2.7.19 12.10.82 19.15.129 22.18.150

Saintsational 2.1.13 2.1.13 4.2.26 6.2.38

Goals Scotty 4 Heater Luke 3 BL3281 Deanox Freak Nick 2 Charlesy Pringle Toot Wise Monkey Wolfmother

Martin Heppell award (Dees player) shared by Charlesy and Toot but this was a real team effort

Pictorial evidence of the game will be posted as soon as we can work out the technology. Thanks to Eddie McGuire for providing the ground. It was the least you Collingw&%$ people could do given that we at Melbourne allow your mob to play their home games at our ground – the MELBOURNE Cricket Ground.