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.


The James Aish Thread



Recommended Posts

This kid is rated as the clear number 2 at the moment. I have to admit that his size is an issue for me. We have had too many skinny kids in recent years and look set to pick up Stretch next year who looks to be a bit of a beanpole too.

So I did a bit of looking around at some old phantom drafts to compare to others his size when drafted.

CALLAN WARD 184cm 73kg Now - 185cm / 83kg

Will Hoskin-Elliot 186cm, 73kg Now- 186cm /76kg

Chad Wingard 182cm, 77kg Now - 182cm / 78kg

Devon Smith - 175cm, 76kg Now 174cm / 76kg

Hamish Hartlett- 182cm, 74kg Now - 185cm / 83kg

Stephen Coniglio / 182cm / 76kg Now - 182cm / 81kg

Sam Blease - Midfielder - 183cm, 72kg Now - 184cm / 77kg

Stephen Hill - Midfielder - 182cm, 72kg Now - 182cm / 82kg

Jake Melksham 182cm / 70kg Now - 186cm / 84kg

Dan Hannebery - Midfielder - 182cm, 75kg Now 181cm / 81kg

David Zaharakis - Midfielder - 180cm, 73kg Now 185cm / 85kg

Tom Scully - Midfielder - 182cm / 74kg Now - 181cm / 78kg

Ryan Bastinac 183cm / 74kg Now - 184cm / 84kg

Lachie Whitfield - 184cm / 74kg Now - 187cm / 75kg

Verdict: His size wont matter if he is good enough.

Scully has shrunk? Haha

Link to comment
Share on other sites

From the boys at the Mad Monday Show:

James Aish (Norwood) Seniors

It was great to watch James run around after Norwoods bye week, and despite Norwoods dissapointing result he showed us why he is one of the most elite ball-users in this years draft class. All of his 23 touches in the game were all class, and showed his pure gut-running and structural awareness all over the round, providing rebounds as well as inside-50′s for his club. Has truly come back to his best footy, also kicking 3 goals in what was a true B.O.G performance. The Melbourne recruiting staff would be licking their lips at the chance to have both him and Jack Viney in the same midfield!

Stats: 19 kicks 4 handballs 23 disposals 8 marks 2 tackles 3 goals

Postscript I don't know what they mean about Norwood's "dissapointing result" (sic) as the Redlegs beat Sturt easily 9.12.66 to 2.8.20.

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah, he'll fit right in at St Kilda.

There is a fair chance we'll pick up at least 1 game on the way home - most likely 2.

St Kilda won't pick up any.

Good point. Though If we pick up 1 game and St Kilda don't win any we'll still remain below them as we will never catch them on percentage.

Having said that a winning culture comes first, one player doesn't make a 'team'.

Win at all costs from here on in.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Scully has shrunk? Haha

Maybe he physically became a smaller man after looking at big Jim in the eye and lying (OK, I hold onto things too long). Looks like Dan Hannebury has been on the anti growth serum too.

It’s perhaps too early to draw anything from the figures relating to the boys drafted by GWS, but interesting to note the differences in weight put on by the boys in Sam Blease’s draft year in comparison with him.

I always viewed Blease and Hill as similar types, and was hopeful that Sammy would develop into the player the Hill has become. They were almost identical when drafted, but now Hill (who is no Hercules) has out on 10kgs to Sammy’s 5kg in the 5 years since. Bastinac’s put on 9 in one less year. Probably best to ignore the samples from Essendon for now…

Whilst this is a small sample, I suspect that this is reflective of our recent development programs I comparison to other clubs.

Hamish Hartlett- 182cm, 74kg Now - 185cm / 83kg

Sam Blease - Midfielder - 183cm, 72kg Now - 184cm / 77kg

Stephen Hill - Midfielder - 182cm, 72kg Now - 182cm / 82kg

Jake Melksham 182cm / 70kg Now - 186cm / 84kg

David Zaharakis - Midfielder - 180cm, 73kg Now 185cm / 85kg

Ryan Bastinac 183cm / 74kg Now - 184cm / 84kg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As a young fella in the mid to late 70's i was much more interested in the SANFL than i am now and loved the redlegs (and port Melbourne in the VFA for that matter). There was a certain mystique then about the SANFL, prior to the the AFL being formed and taking the best young players. There were many players that made their name in Adelaide before coming to Melbourne as established players, some as stars of the game. Cornes and Egbert being two examples.

My favorite player in the SANFL was Michael Aish but unfortunately he never came to the VFL. I was desperate for him to come to the dees and for years there was talk he might. What a dream that would have been - Flower on one wing and Aish on the other. I reckon he was Flower's equal. A beautiful mover, who oozed skill and class.

Now we have a chance to get his son and i really hope this time we get our man.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Good point. Though If we pick up 1 game and St Kilda don't win any we'll still remain below them as we will never catch them on percentage.

Having said that a winning culture comes first, one player doesn't make a 'team'.

Win at all costs from here on in.

Great post and something we need to adhere to from here on in
Link to comment
Share on other sites


I was a bit dubious about him based on his efforts in the U18 carnival this year.

But if reports of his display on weekend for Norwood seniors are correct he is now fully recovered from his shoulder surgery and back to his best and would be the obvious choice for our No.2 pick - assuming we don't slip back to No.3.

Have a look at his highlights - he is very light still but looks to have a thumping kick and good leg speed.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

As a young fella in the mid to late 70's i was much more interested in the SANFL than i am now and loved the redlegs (and port Melbourne in the VFA for that matter). There was a certain mystique then about the SANFL, prior to the the AFL being formed and taking the best young players. There were many players that made their name in Adelaide before coming to Melbourne as established players, some as stars of the game. Cornes and Egbert being two examples.

My favorite player in the SANFL was Micheal Aish but unfortunately he never came to the VFL. I was desperate for him to come to the dees and for years there was talk he might. What a dream that would have been - Flower on one wing and Aish on the other. I reckon he was Flower's equal. A beautiful mover, who oozed skill and class.

Now we have a chance to get his son and i really hope this time we get our man.

Michael is James' uncle.

http://www.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/aish-up-for-any-challenge-20130416-2hydn.html

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We will have a midfield full of South Australian's if we pick him. Toumpas, Trengove, Aish, Viney(grew up in S.A.). And then if we get Billy Stretch the year after.

In addition to Terlich, who was a premiership teammate of Aish at Norwood last year, and Clisby, who had been playing for North Adelaide.

Oh, i thought it was his son. Still i'd take that connection - man from unlce

I keep hearing that his dad was still a very good footballer who would have made a bigger name for himself if he didn't choose career over football.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Dan Hannebery - Midfielder - 182cm, 75kg Now 181cm / 81kg

Verdict: His size wont matter if he is good enough.

Size never matters if you're good enough.

And Dan Hannebery, who was always known as a tough junior and brilliant endurance runner, also shows that size is no impediment to "head over the ball" contested footy if you are made of the right stuff.

I sometimes wonder what our recruiters were doing when they were watching these kids run around.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Size never matters if you're good enough.

And Dan Hannebery, who was always known as a tough junior and brilliant endurance runner, also shows that size is no impediment to "head over the ball" contested footy if you are made of the right stuff.

I sometimes wonder what our recruiters were doing when they were watching these kids run around.

Not watching to closely I would have thought.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Size never matters if you're good enough.

And Dan Hannebery, who was always known as a tough junior and brilliant endurance runner, also shows that size is no impediment to "head over the ball" contested footy if you are made of the right stuff.

I sometimes wonder what our recruiters were doing when they were watching these kids run around.

I totally agree- you think they just went off stats and interviews?

There would be no substitute than getting to a game and watching live. Obviously this is hard with hundreds of names, but the top 20 are usually playing in the sanfl, wafl or tac cup and pretty accessible.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

James Aish has again been named in Norwood's best players - Redlegs survive a scare against West Adelaide at Parade.

You can watch a replay on Thursday at 2.30am (I'm setting the IQ to have a look).

Stats: 14 kicks 8 handballs 7 marks 2 handballs 1 point.

From what I've seen Aish is more of an outside player, more in the Toumpas mould who will take a bit of time to get up to speed with the increased tempo of the game.

We also badly need some hard in and under mids who can get the ball out of the middle which is where the AFL can step in with some draft assistance, without which we will remain a problematic member of the competition for some time yet.

Incidentally, despite being involved in some controversy earlier this year, Nathan Bassett would merit a close look for an assistant's position with an eye to a more senior role at some time in the future.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


I am reading plenty about class and ball use, but not much about ability to win his own contested footy.

Surely it is plain for everyone to see at the club, that unless we are able to win the footy in the first instance, forwards and outside mids will have little relevance in our team.

The only time we have a chance of truly controlling the ball ATM is when we are kicking out from a behind....

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Is it too cynical to not rate how young players go in the SANFL after what we have seen from Trengove and Toumpas so far at AFL level?

Well, I always think that they play with a group of older, experienced players that take the share if the load.

A much better situation than the one the find themselves at the Dees...

But these kids have never been further away from being physically ready for the AFL.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

All theses comments make me wonder why Magner is only playing at Casey.

He seemed to perform ok but it was reported that neeld and others(???Craig ) thought he was too slow and tried to develop more run and defensive skill???

If he can get the ball 30 and give it to Toumpas etc maybe we could overcome 2 problems

Is Couch a heavier more experienced body worth a go can we rotate these older harder guys with the younger boys to get some mid field presence and give our forwards a bit more of the ball????

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am reading plenty about class and ball use, but not much about ability to win his own contested footy.Surely it is plain for everyone to see at the club, that unless we are able to win the footy in the first instance, forwards and outside mids will have little relevance in our team.The only time we have a chance of truly controlling the ball ATM is when we are kicking out from a behind....

Does win his own ball.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Is it too cynical to not rate how young players go in the SANFL after what we have seen from Trengove and Toumpas so far at AFL level?

Well, I always think that they play with a group of older, experienced players that take the share if the load.

A much better situation than the one the find themselves at the Dees...

But these kids have never been further away from being physically ready for the AFL.

Funny you should mention this. I was just thinking last night that these guys Trengove, Toumpas and Aish have all been in top SANFL clubs, premiers or runners up. The load is carried across the team as 'rpfc' says.

Maybe more weight should be placed on not premiership players but players who perform well with lesser clubs.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I will have serious issues if we draft this young fella.

Top player - No doubt!

But the return home factor is huge! The kid has already stated in interviews over here that his dream is to play for his beloved Adelaide Crows... Can anyone say "Scott Thompson"

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 278

    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 363

    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...