YOU'VE GOT TO CARRY THAT WEIGHT

[Demonland 73,140]

YOU'VE GOT TO CARRY THAT WEIGHT by Clyde the (ex) Clifton Hill Cabbie

Sometimes older people like me suffer from the problem of remembering things, but when I was given the task of previewing this Sunday's Melbourne v Essendon game at the G, I gleefully accepted after instantly recalling the events of 2000 with a mixture of fondness and anger. That was the year that Demonland began; the year when these same two sides played off in the Grand Final (tragically, the Demons failed to replicate the triumph of '48 which was when I proudly became licenced to drive my then shiny new black cab) and the year of the Sydney Olympic Games.

I remember fondly how I went to the game full of confidence and then I recalled with anger how I felt let down when Essendon pummelled my young Demons into submission. There are very few players from that team around these days. James McDonald was nursing his knee after an ACL and Cameron Bruce pulled out of the grand final with an injury. Only Brad Green of the current crop at the club was around but, if my memory serves me well, he was on his way to hospital early in the game courtesy of a blow to his oesophagus from one of the Bomber thugs. The day ended tragically but I figured that the club was on its way up and I was about to taste some premiership glory.

Back in those days, we had a Prime Minister who didn't wear a dress (well, at least not to my knowledge), I could afford to visit the local for a drink, buy a packet smokes without mortgaging the family home (I've given it up now and so should you) and I could still have a decent chat with the punters in the back seat of my cab about the weather, politics, fashion, sport and lots of other things that are no longer politically correct to discuss.

These days I don't drive a cab and I miss it a lot. People don't talk to me about much anymore but then again, in many cases, they don't communicate face to face with each other either. They're all on their iPhones twittering, googling or facebooking and I have great difficulty in finding people who want to talk about football at all. This applies to fans of all teams including Essendon. The last one I knew was poor old Ernie at the nursing home but he hasn't uttered a single word since the night they gave Sheeds the heave ho at Bomberland. Nowadays he does nothing but sit mournfully in a little corner of his room waving his red and black jacket over his head. It's pathetic really!

Still, I want to discuss the current predicaments of the two teams as they limber up to face each other this week - particularly about how two great traditional clubs that led the pack and played off in a grand final a decade ago, now find themselves occupying space in the AFL's nether regions? After all, it's been well over a month since either the Bombers or the Demons have won a game.

How do the clubs, the players and the fans feel about this sad state of affairs? Why isn't there any emotion or anger coming from the Demon camp? Why aren't they getting fired up at the prospect of playing a team whose form isn't all that flash? Where are the calls to avenge the hits on Brad Green and Troy Simmonds from a decade ago?

Melbourne fans have by and large accepted their fate. The mantra about their team being in "development phase" seems to have sunk in. Unfortunately, the prospect of a long wait before the team can taste some success seems to be driving some supporters to distraction as can be seen from this prime example - Police search for armed demon. I don't condone his actions but certainly understand the frustrations this poor blighter is going through at the moment.

We live in desperate times. For us Demon desperados, there will be only a slow, inexorable improvement over the years and if we exercise some restraint, we might enjoy the fruits of our patience with some pleasing results at around about the same time that Burkina Faso plays off against Liechtenstein for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Rio de Janeiro. Of course, there's a good chance that by then I'll be in a corner with Ernie gleefully swinging my red and blue 2008 MFC members scarf in the air without a care in the world.

At least the wait will have been worthwhile (one can only hope).

THE GAME Melbourne v Essendon at the MCG Sunday, 11 July 2009 at 2.10pm.

HEAD TO HEAD

Overall Melbourne 77 wins Essendon 126 wins 2 draws

At the MCG Melbourne 41 wins Essendon 63 wins 1 draw

Since 2000: Melbourne 4 wins Essendon 10 wins

The Coaches Bailey 0 wins Knights 2 wins

MEDIA

TV Channel 7 Delayed at 3.30pm

RADIO K-Rock Triple M 3AW

THE BETTING Melbourne $1.96 to win Essendon $1.84 to win

THE LAST TIME THEY MET Essendon 19.17.131 defeated Melbourne 13.5.83 at Etihad Stadium Round 12, 2009

Somehow, Melbourne stayed in the game until half time when it was down by only two goals. The Bombers blew them apart with a sensational seven goal third quarter. The game was otherwise known as the night of Liam Jurrah's debut and he didn't let the fans down, kicking the first of his many miraculous goals for the season.

When the game was over, the pessimists called it a shellacking, the optimists pointed to the fact that the damage was done in only one quarter. The realists started looking towards the day when the club would claim he first two selections in the national draft at the end of the year and the rest of us just went home.

THE TEAMS

MELBOURNE

Backs Jamie Bennell Jared Rivers Clint Bartram

Half backs Colin Garland James Frawley Tom Scully

Centreline Nathan Jones Jack Trengove Brad Green

Half forwards Lynden Dunn Jack Watts Cameron Bruce

Forwards Colin Sylvia Matthew Bate Jordie McKenzie

Followers Mark Jamar Brent Moloney Aaron Davey

Interchange Kyle Cheney Paul Johnson Liam Jurrah Joel Macdonald

Emergencies Rohan Bail Neville Jetta Addam Maric

In Paul Johnson Liam Jurrah Colin Sylvia

Out Jack Grimes (hamstring) Neville Jetta (omitted) Jake Spencer (back)

ESSENDON

Backs Andrew Welsh Cale Hooker Heath Hocking

Half backs Mark McVeigh Michael Hurley Kyle Reimers

Centreline Leroy Jetta Jobe Watson Courtenay Dempsey

Half forwards Brent Stanton Scott Gumbleton Angus Monfries

Forwards Alwyn Davey Jay Neagle David Zaharakis

Followers Patrick Ryder Jason Winderlich Ben Howlett

Interchange Tom Bellchambers Travis Colyer Ricky Dyson Nathan Lovett-Murray

Emergencies Sam Lonergan Jake Melsham Brent Prismall

In Travis Colyer Courtenay Dempsey Ricky Dyson Ben Howlett Angus Monfries Jay Neagle

Out Sam Lonergan Jake Melsham Brent Prismall Michael Quinn (all omitted) Henry Slattery (ribs) Tyson Slattery (omitted)

THE BOMBER BLITZ

For the Essendon viewpoint, I went searching in the direction of Bomber Blitz, their supporter website – a feral version of Demonland if you like.

I discovered that, despite the prospect of an axe hovering above his head, Bomber coach Matthew Knights believes his team remains in AFL Finals contention despite four losses on the trot.

"The reality is we're two games out [of the eight]," Knights said on Tuesday morning.

"We are a long way back in the ruck, that's a fact and we're way back with a lot of other teams that would probably still think that the door is slightly ajar.

"But we let one of those teams jump us last week … now every win you give to an opposition or every time you get beaten, you have someone pushing up a little bit harder.

"It's still very realistic, but we're going to have to improve our footy dramatically if we're going to do that."

So what about the supporters? At least some of them are somewhat less sanguine about their prospects.

Sameold predicts a Melbourne win by 84 points:

"Well what can I say about Essendon playing Melbourne? The stats say that..... and that bloke from Melbourne looks like a peanut... and I'll be wearing my lucky shirt....and the Bombers will tear them a new.... Forget it! My will to predict a positive outcome for Dons is about as strong as their will to win a game of footy. Bracing one's self to be flogged by flogs may make it feel moderately better post loss."

Then there's mcphee33 who says:

Melbourne by 46

"Melbourne's problem is their forward line, they should not have any problems playing against our pathetic backline."

Dubai opines that the Demons will win by 25 points:

"Their form at the MCG this year has been reasonably good. Last time they played there, they drew with Collingwood. They beat Brisbane by 50 points when the Lions were undefeated and went within a goal of the Pies the first time and the Doggies. They must be pumped and ready."

I have to admit that I haven't seen a Melbourne team pumped and ready for a while. Most recently, they've developed a habit of starting their games in a stupor and waking up between three and five goals in arrears before mounting a comeback that eventually falters in the end under the weight of playing catch up over two and a half quarters. Woe betide the Bombers therefore if the Demons kick the first goal or two or even find themselves in front at half time. As it happens, the team holding the half time lead has won on every occasion that the teams have met since the year 2000.

I take on board what Bombers' fan Dubai says about Melbourne at the MCG. The Demons have beaten Essendon in two of their past three contests at the ground. Their last up effort at Etihad against St. Kilda was a fair bit more presentable a performance that that of their opponents this week.

The final determinant from my point of view is based on who the teams have out of their side and this is where I sway against the Bombers. Melbourne is missing its skipper James McDonald with a hamstring but it should, at least get back Colin Sylvia and the exciting Liam Jurrah. These players should fit nicely into the Demon forward line that has been struggling since earlier in the year when Ricky Petterd was kicking goals. The Dees should also be buoyed by the signings of Petterd, Colin Garland and Jared Rivers.

On the other hand, there's a pall over Essendon with some calling for Knights' head and key players in Dustin Fletcher (suspension), David Hille (hamstring), Tayte Pears (pancreas) all missing. They've also lost both Slatterys - Henry and Tyson - but that's OK because my mother once told me "Slattery will get you nowhere (or was I deaf even back then?). The clincher for me is Fletcher who never fails to destroy the Demons with those Inspector Gadget arms that invariably turn certain Demon goals into touched points.

That's why I'm tipping Melbourne to win by the length of Fletcher's absent fingernails and to lift a bit of weight off Dean Bailey's mind.

Dees by 1 point.

[Disclosure: Clyde is currently coming 21st in the Demonland football tipping competition with 57 winners to date. He trails the leader by 22]

[beelzebub 23,383]

Carn Dees !!!! Bury those Bomber buggers !!!!!! Melbourne by an emphatic 10 goals . This will be remembered as the game wenot only stood up to be counted but the day we marched towards our destiny, the MCG is ours !!! Ground control to bomber Tom your engine's dead your powers gone.

Jurrrah at 12 o'clock high ... Let the anihilation begin

[armstrong35 262]

Rohan Bail, Liam Jurrah and Colin Sylvia all named!

[Robbie57 2,022]

Great to Jurrah back. We have a lot to look forward to and Petterds comments about the players group only serves to inspire faith in our direction.

[beelzebub 23,383]

Melbourne v Essendon

2.10pm @ MCG

Melbourne

B: Jamie Bennell, Jared Rivers, Clint Bartram

HB: Colin Garland, James Frawley, Tom Scully

C: Nathan Jones, Jack Trengove, Brad Green

HF: Lynden Dunn, Jack Watts, Cameron Bruce

F: Colin Sylvia, Matthew Bate, Jordie McKenzie

Foll: Mark Jamar, Brent Moloney, Aaron Davey

I/C (from): Joel Macdonald, Kyle Cheney, Rohan Bail, Paul Johnson, Addam Maric, Neville Jetta, Liam Jurrah

In: Johnson, Sylvia, Bail, Jurrah, Maric

Out: Jack Grimes (hamstring), Jake Spencer (back)

Essendon

B: Andrew Welsh, Cale Hooker, Heath Hocking

HB: Mark McVeigh, Michael Hurley, Kyle Reimers

C: Leroy Jetta, Jobe Watson, Courtenay Dempsey

HF: Brent Stanton, Scott Gumbleton, Angus Monfries

F: Alwyn Davey, Jay Neagle, David Zaharakis

Foll: Patrick Ryder, Jason Winderlich, Ben Howlett

I/C (from): Ricky Dyson, Brent Prismall, Sam Lonergan, Tom Bellchambers, Travis Colyer, Nathan Lovett-Murray, Jake Melksham

In: Dyson, Dempsey, Monfries, Howlett, Neagle, Colyer

Out: Henry Slattery (Soreness), Tyson Slattery , Michael Quinn

[Red Sox 2]

Is it too simplistic to assume that clubs tend to drop the last few named in the initial squad? Meaning no Jurrah this week?

Maybe looking at more game time at Casey? Would apply to Bail in that case wouldn't it?

Rapt to see Bail back by the way and Col, would love to add Jurrah to that final side.

Could be Cheney to miss considering that Bennell has been named in a BP. Would be a bit stiff though.

Think Nifty Nev is due a game back at Casey to get a few more touches.

[Brayshaw Self 847]

I do not understand why PJ would be included in the squad against a team with

one good ruckman after showing nothing then getting suspended unless Jamar

is a possible late exclusion. Jamar's last 2 weeks have been questionable..

posibly carrying a niggling injury?

[beelzebub 23,383]

As I have noted elsewhere id like to see Bail, Sylvia and Jurrah in. Sylvia is definite.

but if they have named both Maric and Jetta on the bench then I would think both wont get the gig. Ive noted via the comments of both Bails and Gotch that theyd prefer to see Maric get back closer to goal. if so then is maric a possible rotator through the forward lineup ??

Do we need both Jamar and Johnson for this game ?? I think PJ was named in case of a surprise by Knights, I cant see that being the case.

Still a game of chess by Bails and knights to occur me thinks

[dees_rule_4eva 22]

The bench I am hoping for:

Int: Jurrah, Bail, Jetta, Maric

This is an attacking bench and would show that Bails is serious about taking the game on. Would love to see Maric given a go, to at least have one more crack at staying on our list. The others speak for themselves - I don't think Nev Jetta will be dropped, his work off the ball has been second to none. And he does kick a goal each week which is more than can be said for the majority of our forward line.

The bench I am expecting to see:

Int: Macdonald, Cheney, Bail, Jurrah

A more defensive bench, more to Bailey's liking.

Here's hoping for bench A !!

[Jaded No More 68,974]

I WANT A FORWARD LINE DAMMIT!

That is all.

[Lil_red_fire_engine 11,233]

If Jurrah was playing Bailey would have thought Bailey would state that rather than him "being a likely inclusion".

You just had to see the footage in the rooms post game and Jamar covered in icebags to understand why we may be playing a second ruck. Still I would think dunn could fill the role as required.

Want to see: MacDonald, Bail, Jetta, Jurrah

Expect to see: MacDonald, Bail, Johnson, Jetta

[Little Goffy 14,639]

If I recall correctly -

2000 - Grand final, obviously. A dog of a day, but wasn't it fun getting there? Slaughtering North and tripping Carlton along the way.

2004 - Llyod takes a shameful dive to get himself a double-goal, tipping the momentum and the game to Essendon in the Elimination Final. Troy Broadbridge's last game.

2005 - Rnd 1, Troy Broadbridge memorial match, the teams walk onto the field together through one banner. The Demons deliver a beautiful game and a big win.

2005 - Rnd 22, victory over Essendon confirmed by a corkscrew bouncing goal from Robbo, to slip into finals after an amazing three game fightback at the end of an up-down, emotional season.

2007 - Neale Daniher's last game as coach. David Neitz took the field with a broken, well, everything, really. A thriller to the last horrible moment, with a Scott Lucas goal, leaving Nathan Brown, who had been pinged for dragging it under, distraught and hammering the turf with his fists.

2009 - Liam Jurrah makes his debut for the Demons.

2010 - ??? This should be interesting...

[The O 39]

I do not understand why PJ would be included in the squad against a team with

one good ruckman after showing nothing then getting suspended unless Jamar

is a possible late exclusion. Jamar's last 2 weeks have been questionable..

posibly carrying a niggling injury?

With Spencer out injured and no Fletcher or Pears, I think Bailey may use a combination of Jamar/PJ as resting forward pockets when not in the ruck with both playing the majority of the match on the park. Having been slaughtered during the last 3 weeks in inside 50 entries, I see a few slightly different tactics by the FD being employed this week to combat this problem. I wouldn't be surprised to see both Bate and Watts played much further up the ground as HFF's playing almost off the wing, with PJ/Jamar and Jurrah being used out of the square. As crazy as it sounds, I'd like to see Davey and Sylvia play at CHF (well from a positional aspect) taking the handball from the likes of Bate/Dunn and Watts as they push up to the wings allowing Davey to use his pace and footskills to advantage to deliver it to Jurrah, PJ/Jamar and whomever plays as the small FP.

Have to disagree with you're statement Davey Gravy about PJ showing nothing prior to suspension. I personally thought he was our BOG (and most pundits at the game would say he was in our best 2) in that disgraceful performance against Williamstown. I'd like to see him play a similar role to his 4th quarter role against Willy.

Edited July 8, 2010 by The O

[Jerry Lundergard 420]

You forgot to mention 2008, wildly regarded as one of the worst umpired games of all time in terms of us getting screwed.

[13thflag 0]

Go LLLLLLLLJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ. I hate bummers and i hope we can win this one. GO DEMONS bury them!

[Felix 92]

Melbourne v Essendon

2.10pm @ MCG

Melbourne

B: Jamie Bennell, Jared Rivers, Clint Bartram

HB: Colin Garland, James Frawley, Tom Scully

C: Nathan Jones, Jack Trengove, Brad Green

HF: Lynden Dunn, Jack Watts, Cameron Bruce

F: Colin Sylvia, Matthew Bate, Jordie McKenzie

Foll: Mark Jamar, Brent Moloney, Aaron Davey

I/C (from): Joel Macdonald, Kyle Cheney, Rohan Bail, Paul Johnson, Addam Maric, Neville Jetta, Liam Jurrah

In: Johnson, Sylvia, Bail, Jurrah, Maric

Out: Jack Grimes (hamstring), Jake Spencer (back)

Essendon

B: Andrew Welsh, Cale Hooker, Heath Hocking

HB: Mark McVeigh, Michael Hurley, Kyle Reimers

C: Leroy Jetta, Jobe Watson, Courtenay Dempsey

HF: Brent Stanton, Scott Gumbleton, Angus Monfries

F: Alwyn Davey, Jay Neagle, David Zaharakis

Foll: Patrick Ryder, Jason Winderlich, Ben Howlett

I/C (from): Ricky Dyson, Brent Prismall, Sam Lonergan, Tom Bellchambers, Travis Colyer, Nathan Lovett-Murray, Jake Melksham

In: Dyson, Dempsey, Monfries, Howlett, Neagle, Colyer

Out: Henry Slattery (Soreness), Tyson Slattery , Michael Quinn

I hope the interchange consists of Bail, Maric Jetta & Jurrah.

Although Bail has only played a handful of AFL games, I am a fan of his work and happy to see him named in the extended IC bench.

Seeing as though MFC want to get games into the future players (this season) it would be good to see Maric have a few games towards the end of the season to show off his moves, otherwise MFC are paying big bucks for a VFL player. Its not like MFC will make TOP FOUR or the EIGHT

Jetta I feel will be a handy MFC player in the years to come

Jurrah because he is Jurrah, he gives me a "semi" when the ball is around him

on a side note is Spencer a long term project? As I was not a fan of the Russian last season & prior... but this year he has proven me totally wrong (whcih is awesome)??????

[Grandson of a gun 276]

Essendon have a tallish forward line (given i believe Ryder will venture down there too) so i expect to see a bench consisting of:

MacDonald- as the back up tall/small defender given Garland will probably play more of a Grimes role.

Jurrah- The x factor our forward line has been craving.

Johnson- Jamar's support as i do think that he is starting to wilt a bit under the load of carrying it all.

Jetta- He keeps the pressure on and chimes in for a goal so i think Bailey will give him another go.

Bail has only been back 1 week and i think they will give him another run at Casey (even though i want to see him play and think he will be in the team soon)

Maric still needs to show something in the next Casey game me thinks in order to push Nev out.

Cheney may be a fraction stiff.

However with an extended bench like that, something in me says that there may be a late change for MFC which might see Cheney stay in or even Bail as the late inclusion. Just a hunch.

Edited July 8, 2010 by Grandson of a gun

[Grandson of a gun 276]

The Monday Herald Sun has already got the Sports Liftout printed:

JURRAHCANE......

Is there anythinig this man can't do???

And in the subscript:

Bombers or just Bombs. Where to next for disgusting Bombers?

[Nasher 33,617]

Want to see: MacDonald, Bail, Jetta, Jurrah

Expect to see: MacDonald, Bail, Johnson, Jetta

Agree with your wants. I expect to see Macdonald, Bail, Johnson, Jurrah. Could just as easily be Cheney ahead of Johnson or Macdonald as well. I don't like these selection dilemmas - which NQR to pick?

[armstrong35 262]

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/tabid/7415/default.aspx?newsid=97804

Round 12 Casey teams

Seniors: Frankston v Casey Scorpions, Frankston Oval, 2pm (EST)

B: Panozza, Warnock, Stockdale

HB: Bail, Mohr, Cheney

C: Wall, Bell, Macdonald

HF: McGough, Jurrah, Morton

F: Wonaemirri, Miller, Maric

Foll: Johnson, MacReadie, Nicholls

I/C (from): Fitzpatrick, Jetta, Tapscott, Smith, Creed, Woodhead, Fieldsend, Cleven, Weekes, Lees, Chivers, Moore, McNamara

Melbourne-listed players: Matthew Warnock, Rohan Bail, Kyle Cheney, Daniel Bell, Joel Macdonald, Liam Jurrah, Cale Morton, Austin Wonaeamirri, Brad Miller, Addam Maric, Paul Johnson, Jack Fitzpatrick, Neville Jetta, Luke Tapscott and Tom McNamara

luke tapscott in the seniors :)

Edited July 8, 2010 by armstrong35

[fredblackham 19]

This is a danger match that could kill our season.

Essendon have talked it up all week as their "must win for pride" etc etc.

Any team is dangerous in that mood. This is the type of game we have recently embarrassed ourselves in.

[deeflog 679]

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/tabid/7415/default.aspx?newsid=97804

Round 12 Casey teams

Seniors: Frankston v Casey Scorpions, Frankston Oval, 2pm (EST)

B: Panozza, Warnock, Stockdale

HB: Bail, Mohr, Cheney

C: Wall, Bell, Macdonald

HF: McGough, Jurrah, Morton

F: Wonaemirri, Miller, Maric

Foll: Johnson, MacReadie, Nicholls

I/C (from): Fitzpatrick, Jetta, Tapscott, Smith, Creed, Woodhead, Fieldsend, Cleven, Weekes, Lees, Chivers, Moore, McNamara

Melbourne-listed players: Matthew Warnock, Rohan Bail, Kyle Cheney, Daniel Bell, Joel Macdonald, Liam Jurrah, Cale Morton, Austin Wonaeamirri, Brad Miller, Addam Maric, Paul Johnson, Jack Fitzpatrick, Neville Jetta, Luke Tapscott and Tom McNamara

luke tapscott in the seniors :)

great to see Wona named, must mean his injury could not have been to bad. Give us 2 good weeks at casey and he will back in the red and blue

[MO FINE 171]

They've also lost both Slatterys - Henry and Tyson - but that's OK because my mother once told me "Slattery will get you nowhere (or was I deaf even back then?).

• Gold.

[stretch marks 2]

"Nowadays he does nothing but sit mournfully in a little corner of his room waving his red and black jacket over his head. It's pathetic really!"

I assume you are actually refering to Sheeds himself here?

[Hiram Cowfreak 78]

I remember fondly how I went to the game full of confidence and then I recalled with anger how I felt let down when Essendon pummelled my young Demons into submission. There are very few players from that team around these days. James McDonald was nursing his knee after an ACL and Cameron Bruce pulled out of the grand final with an injury. Only Brad Green of the current crop at the club was around but, if my memory serves me well, he was on his way to hospital early in the game courtesy of a blow to his oesophagus from one of the Bomber thugs..

Good memory there, I can recall Hardwick holding young Greenys arms behind his back while Wallis snapped him in the first quarter. Schwarter spent most of the game trying to even up. I hated Essendon that day, revenge will be sweet.