TWILIGHT ZONE

[Demonland 73,324]

TWILIGHT ZONE by Whispering Jack

Last night an intrepid group of people associated with the legal profession met for the annual Devil’s Advocates dinner mc’d by former MFC board member Bev O’Connor and hosted by prominent Melbourne family lawyer, Ralph Glezer.

You have to be intrepid if you’re a Melbourne fan because, as Chris Connolly told the audience, there is a great deal being thrown at us from the cheap seats in these early days of the club’s new coaching regime.

It was a theme of the night that rather than being in the deep trouble as painted by some of the pundits, the Demons are indeed building for a better future. Connolly noted that in recent years the club had repaid its debt, reshaped its deal with the MCC, acquired a valuable asset in the Bentleigh Club, grown its membership. The necessary ingredients for long term success are being put together so that despite the short term pain of the current 0-7 win/loss ratio as the team learns a new style of play, the vision that will see a strong Melbourne in the years to come remains on track.

Glezer congratulated the gathering and all club supporters who stand firm at this time. It was fitting that he was able to pay a special tribute to the late Jim Stynes who was responsible for much of the club’s financial resurgence on the day on which the AFL, the MFC and the Reach Foundation proudly announced the launch of the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award.

Three players in attendance, Matthew Bate, Cale Morton and Stef Martin all impressed with their approach to the difficult season so far. It’s difficult for the supporters who measure things by way only of reference to the premiership table. The football department has other indicators that also need to be looked at in terms of the process of change sweeping through the club.

Neil Craig and Josh Mahoney also confirmed that the club has this vision that is certainly being embraced internally. Craig spoke of the particular difficulties faced by new coach Mark Neeld and asked what new coach would have such a controversial start with distractions such as the incident involving Liam Jurrah (couple with his injury), the death of Jim Stynes, the false claims of racism against him and the sponsorship fiasco with Energy Watch?

Craig made it clear that the club and Neeld had handled every obstacle put in their way with great dignity while those at other clubs and in the media who have been overcritical have a lot to answer for by comparison with the way in which they have conducted themselves at this time.

The wheel will turn.

Despite this, the feeling among the lawyers was not particularly optimistic but their mood was improved with estate agent Phil Kingston's wit and incise humour when auctioning items at the end of the function. It suddenly dawned on me that if a group's collective mood can be changed so swiftly then why can't the same stand for a group of footballers whose confidence has been down for several weeks?

I'm therefore looking forward to this week’s twilight game at the SCG and I’m going out on a limb by saying that the Demons are ready to take off and make the critics eat humble pie.

I think they will win this game and thereafter continue to show improvement for the remainder of the season.

Laugh, if you wish but I’m very bullish on Melbourne when it comes to taking on the Swans even in the confined spaces of the SCG. In recent years, Sydney has struggled against Melbourne which sent vocal critic Paul Roos off with an almighty thumping in 2010. Roos is obviously smarting from the embarrassment because he never misses an opportunity to sink the boots into the Demons. I will get great pleasure in seeing Melbourne do likewise to his old side this Saturday.

The last time the teams met was at the MCG in round 1 last year when they drew. For the purpose of the exercise, these were the teams as selected that day.

MELBOURNE (Round 1, 2011)

Backs Clint Bartram Jared Rivers Joel Macdonald

Half backs Jack Grimes Colin Garland Jamie Bennell

Centreline Nathan Jones Brent Moloney Luke Tapscott

Half forwards Rohan Bail Colin Sylvia Liam Jurrah

Forwards Jack Watts Brad Green Addam Maric

Followers Mark Jamar Lynden Dunn Aaron Davey

Interchange Neville Jetta Stefan Martin Ricky Petterd Jack Trengove

Emergencies Jake Spencer James Strauss Matthew Warnock

SYDNEY (Round 1, 2011)

Backs Paul Bevan Ted Richards Martin Mattner

Half backs Rhys Shaw Heath Grundy Andrejs Everitt

Centreline Daniel Hannebery Kieren Jack Nick Smith

Half forwards Lewis Jetta Adam Goodes Ben McGlynn

Forwards Ryan O'Keefe Sam Reid Jesse White

Followers Shane Mumford Josh Kennedy Jarrod McVeigh

Interchange Jude Bolton Gary Rohan Mark Seaby Byron Sumner

Emergencies Craig Bird Jed Lamb Brett Meredith

I look at the two teams and note only two players from the Melbourne side of that day are not available to play - Neville Jetta (ankle injury) and Addam Maric (now with Richmond). You could include Mitch Clark and James Magner and you have what is notionally a far superior list than that which drew with the Swans in round 1 last year.

Then I look at Sydney's team from that day and there's no Adam Goodes, Shane Mumford or Gary Rohan and many of its payers have been well below par in form over the past couple of weeks. They can't replace that lot for quality, their confidence is down and yet the Swans are red hot favourites to win. I know it's not much to go on but it's enough for me to come up with one of my famous inspired hunches.

My conclusion from this is that it’s only a matter of time before Melbourne realises that it’s all in the head and that they quite capable of beating an out of form Sydney that is missing key players. If the Demons grab the opportunity and a confident mood starts spreading through the team a win is possible.

I’m tipping the Demons by 12 points.

THE GAME

Melbourne v Sydney at the SCG Saturday 19 May at 4.40pm

HEAD TO HEAD

Overall Sydney 106 wins Melbourne 92 wins 2 draws

At SCG Sydney 13 wins Melbourne 8 wins

Since 2000 Sydney 12 wins Melbourne 7 wins 1 draw

The Coaches Longmire 0 Neeld 0

MEDIA

Fox Footy Channel live at 4.30pm.

RADIO SEN ABC774

THE BETTING

Sydney to win $1.09 Melbourne to win $7.50

LAST TIME THEY MET

Melbourne 11.18.74 drew with Sydney Swans 11.18.74 in Round 1, 2011

The teams sparred against each other all day and first one and then the other held the ascendency. The Demons, with Ricky Petterd on fire as the sub who came on in the final term, grabbed the lead late but a Ryan O’Keefe behind tied things up.

THE TEAMS

MELBOURNE

Backs James Frawley Jared Rivers Clint Bartram

Half backs Jack Grimes Colin Garland, Tom McDonald

Centreline Cale Morton Brent Moloney Nathan Jones

Half forwards Jack Trengove Jack Watts Liam Jurrah

Forwards Jeremy Howe Mitch Clark Aaron Davey

Followers Mark Jamar Jordie McKenzie Colin Sylvia

Interchange Jamie Bennell Sam Blease Brad Green James Magner

Emergencies Rohan Bail Lynden Dunn James Sellar

  

In Sam Blease Brad Green Liam Jurrah Jack Watts

Out Rohan Bail Matthew Bate Jack Fitzpatrick Ricky Petterd

SYDNEY SWANS

Backs Martin Mattner Ted Richards Rhyce Shaw

Half backs Nicholas Smith Heath Grundy Jarrad McVeigh

Centreline Lewis Jetta Josh P Kennedy Nick Malceski

Half forwards  Ryan O'Keefe Tommy Walsh Daniel Hannebery

Forwards Ben McGlynn Sam Reid Trent Dennis-Lane

Followers Mike Pyke Kieren Jack Jude Bolton

Interchange Craig Bird Alex Johnson Luke Parker Lewis Roberts-Thomson 

Emergencies Andrejs Everitt Jesse White

In Mike Pyke Lewis Roberts-Thomson Tommy Walsh

Out Andrejs Everitt Mark Seaby Jesse White

New Tommy Walsh (St Kilda)

THE YEAR SO FAR by Sam the Stats Man

Who would ever have believed that almost a third of the way through the season, two of Melbourne’s true playmakers Liam Jurrah and Colin Sylvia would not have scored a goal between them for the Demons? Injuries and poor form are again dogging the club as we look at the players statistically over the first seven rounds:-

BAIL, Rohan MFC 7 games, 3 goals, CFC Sen 1 game, 0 goals – yet to really fire.

BARTRAM, Clint MFC 7 games, 1 goal - moved to the leadership group at the start of the year, Bartram has rejuvenated his career with some steady if not spectacular performances.

BATE, Matthew MFC 7 games, 5 goals - attempting to resurrect his career but three games as opening sub haven't helped greatly.

BENNELL, Jamie MFC 2 games, 0 goals, CFC Sen 4 games, 1 goal - great at Casey but unimpressive so far in the big league.

BLEASE, Sam MFC 1 game, 0 goals, CFC Sen 5 games, 5 goals - disappointed at his only start in the AFL but has worked hard at Casey.

CLARK, Mitch MFC 6 games, 17 goals - Melbourne's recruit of the year.

COOK, Lucas CFC Sen 2 games, 3 goals, CFC DL 1 game, 5 goals - has been in the background at Casey after recovering from injury and is still some way from making an AFL debut.

COUCH, Tom ® CFC Sen 6 games, 2 goals - showing excellent form at Casey but missed a big opportunity last week when he missed with illness.

DAVEY, Aaron MFC 6 games, 5 goals - well down on form and confidence. Needs to improve his fitness.

DAVIS, Troy CFC Sen 6 games, 2 Goals - continues to show good form and promise with the Scorpions.

DUNN, Lynden MFC 5 games, 6 goals, CFC Sen 2 games, 3 goals - career at the crossroads. Does well at Casey and not too bad when with the Demons.

EVANS, Michael ® - out indefinitely with a back injury.

FITZPATRICK, Jack MFC 1 game, 0 goals, CFC Sen 6 games, 9 goals – clawed his way back into the senior side last week but needs time and senior experience in his legs.

FRAWLEY, James MFC 6 games, 0 goals - working hard in defence against the odds.

GARLAND, Colin MFC 7 games, 0 goals – steady and workmanlike but needs to produce more.

GAWN, Max - the handy young ruckman is out for the year following his second ACL injury.

GREEN, Brad MFC 2 games, 1 goal, CFC Sen 2 games, 2 goals – disappointing drop off in form and then a broken thumb at Casey have cruelled his season to date.

GRIMES, Jack MFC 6 games, 0 goals, CFC Sen 1 game, 0 goals - co-captain has not had a great impact this season and missed a week through suspension.

GYSBERTS, Jordan CFC Sen 3 games, 0 goals - we've seen very little of Gysberts who suffered a broken jaw at Geelong after shrugging off an ankle injury. Will miss another three to five weeks.

HOWE, Jeremy MFC 7 games, 6 goals - solid this season having added endurance and strength to his repertoire to go will his high marking skills.

JAMAR, Mark MFC 7 games, 0 goals - dominant in the ruck at times although not as in tune with the onballers at his feet as he was two years ago.

JETTA, Neville - came back from a shoulder injury (that wasn't successfully dealt with in the first place) only to incur torn ankle ligaments and recently had a setback with an infection.

JONES, Nathan MFC 7 games, 7 goals - hard work on the track is starting to pay off.

JURRAH, Liam CFC Sen 2 games, 2 goals - the wrist injury and legal issues have soured his season so far.

LAWRENCE, Kelvin ® CFC Sen 5 games, 3 goals, CFC DL 2 games, 3 goals - battling rookie starting to show some consistency in the VFL.

MACDONALD, Joel MFC 4 games, 0 goals, CFC Sen 2 games, 0 goals - spare parts man in defence recently despatched to Casey.

MAGNER, James MFC 7 games, 3 goals - one of the club's few success stories of 2012 so far, midfielder Magner would be in the top three in the club's best and fairest at this stage.

MARTIN, Stefan MFC 2 games, 1 goals, CFC Sen 1 games, 1 goals - a hip injury has marred his progress.

McDONALD, Tom MFC 6 games, 0 goals, CFC Sen 2 games, 4 goals - making solid progress with the Demons after breaking into the side.

MCKENZIE, Jordie MFC 7 games, 1 goal - a hard worker often given some tough assignments in the midfield.

MOLONEY, Brent MFC 5 games, 2 goals - well below the form that made him club champion in 2011.

MORTON, Cale MFC 5 games, 1 goal, CFC Sen 3 games, 1 goals - has worked hard to restore his status at the club after a couple of disappointing seasons.

NICHOLSON, Daniel ® CFC Sen 3 games, 1 goal, CFC DL 1 game, 0 goals - slowly coming back at Casey from injury and a week's suspension for disciplinary reasons.

PETTERD, Ricky MFC 2 games, 0 goals, CFC Sen 3 games, 3 goals - form well below expectations to date.

RIVERS, Jared MFC 7 games, 0 goals - is having a reasonably good season in a defence under fire.

SELLAR, James MFC 5 games, 1 goals, CFC Sen 1 games, 0 goals - filled roles in defence and on the ball without being outstanding.

SHEAHAN, Jai ® MFC CFC Sen 7 games, 0 goals - rookie who has barely put a foot wrong in defence at AFL level.

SPENCER, Jake CFC Sen 4 games, 1 goal, CFC DL 1 game, 1 goal - slowly progressing on return from almost 12 months absence after an ACL injury.

STRAUSS, James CFC Sen 1 game, 0 goals - suffered concussion in the opening round of the VFL season, missed a couple of weeks and is due to come back after incurring ongoing leg problems related to last year's broken leg.

SYLVIA, Colin MFC 3 games, 0 goals - suffered a fracture in his back on the eve of the season and has struggled since his return.

TAGGERT, Rory CFC Sen 3 games, 2 goals - injured his back in the preseason but has been very impressive on return at Casey.

TAPSCOTT, Luke MFC 4 games, 0 goals, CFC Sen 4 games, 3 goals - missed most of the pre season and has not struck the form of early last year.

TRENGOVE, Jack MFC 7 games, 3 goals - co-skipper has struggled in the role and doesn't look 100%.

TYNAN, Josh MFC 1 games 0 goals, CFC Sen 2 games, 1 goal - impressed when given an early opportunity but was dropped back to Casey. Currently out for a couple more weeks with a foot injury.

VINEY, Jack * CFC Sen 1 game, 0 goals - suffered a broken jaw late in his only game with Casey. Showed great promise before being injured.

WATTS, Jack MFC 5 games, 4 goals, CFC Sen 3 games, 7 goals - had a reasonable start after being dropped to Casey after the NAB Cup games but lapsed again and returned to the VFL for a couple of weeks.

WILLIAMS, Leigh ® CFC Sen 2 games, 2 goals, CFC DL 1 game, 3 goals - injury and illness have restricted him to bit pieces in a few games with the Scorpions.