ANOTHER PINK DAY by Whispering Jack

[Demonland 65,445]

Wednesday: Last night the AFL Tribunal delivered an extraordinary verdict in the case against Jack Viney when it agreed with the prosecutor Jeff Gleeson's submission that the player should have avoided what was virtually the unavoidable contest. This made him guilty of failing to take a split second decision to pirouette away from a physical clash and, in other words, of showing courage on a sporting arena in front of more than 40,000 spectators and thousands more viewers on television and in other media.

Wayne Schimmelbusch, Emmett Dunne and Wayne Henwood who made up the Tribunal and who must be named and shamed therefore relegated the sport from one in which courage and skill is its hallmark to one in which fear of making contact with an opponent is an imperative of the game and in doing so, ensured that it took only 15 months for the AFL to produce another black day in Australian sport.

Viney's teammates will (pending a decision on an appeal) take the field on Saturday night with the responsibility of fulfilling his pledge not to change the way he plays, to attack the ball with ferocity and to never wave the white flag.

That exercise should be left to the fans in the stands as a message to those who run the game and are seemingly intent on destroying it.

A TOUCH OF PINK by Whispering Jack

Thursday: The controversy over the Viney report has overshadowed what is a most commendable initiative by the clubs involved in the game - Field of Women - to highlight the battle against breast cancer.

It also overshadows the fact that this encounter is one of vital importance to two struggling clubs which appear well out of contention for finals honours even at this stage but are desperately seeking victory to demonstrate to themselves, their supporters and the world at large that they're moving forward.

The Bulldogs are seemingly at a distinct advantage in that they are free of concern from major injury worries or the distraction of controversy such as that which has been raging around Viney this week. Whilst they are sitting on a three game losing streak, their form hasn't been all that dismal and they could easily have come out in top in each of the last two encounters. They have the more experienced campaigners in their ranks.

These teams met twice last year with honours even at one win each. The Demons in their second game under caretaker coach Neil Craig played their best game of the season at the MCG and held a massive seven goal lead halfway through the final term before running out of steam and almost ceding victory.

In the return match at Etihad, a similar lapse in the second quarter gave the Bulldogs the initiative and the eventually ran out 20 point winners but they were certainly not convincing in their victory. However, what they did achieve in between those two matches was that they produced consistent performances including some wins against more fancied opponents. They had an emerging young midfield, a solid core of steady experienced hands including the likes of Griffin, Murphy and Cooney and were on the up and up. The Demons, on the other hand, were going nowhere.

The emergence of a highly credentialed coach and the introduction of midfield depth and a playing strategy that is slowly starting to seep into the team's mindset is beginning to redress the many layers of on field deficiencies that once beset the Demons. Last week's game showed they have far greater leadership strength than they have had for a number of years. Nathan Jones continues to set the example around the ground, Jack Grimes is looking more at home leading a stable, revitalised defence and Chris Dawes has fired up the attacking division although it could do with one or two more players capable of scoring goals on a regular basis.

I see Melbourne well ahead of the Western Bulldogs in defence as well as holding a slight advantage in attack and if the week's distractions are not allowed to influence the team, I expect it to make the MCG its own Field of Men on this special day and to bring home the four points for the first team as a home team, even if not in the truly traditional colours of the club. A touch of pink and Viney in the jumper will do the job nicely.

THE GAME

Melbourne v Western Bulldogs at the MCG Saturday 10 May, 2014 at 7.40 pm

HEAD TO HEAD

Overall Melbourne 84 wins Western Bulldogs 72 wins Drawn 1

At MCG Melbourne 44 wins Western Bulldogs 26 wins

Past five years Melbourne 1 wins Western Bulldogs 4 wins

The Coaches Roos 0 wins McCartney 0 wins

MEDIA

TV - Channel 7, Fox Footy Channel @ 7.30pm (live)

RADIO - Triple M 3AW ABC

THE BETTING

Melbourne to win - $3.00 Western Bulldogs to win - $1.40

THE LAST TIME THEY MET

Western Bulldogs 16.11.107 defeated Melbourne 13.9.87 Round 23, 2013 at Etihad Stadium

The experience of the Bulldogs won out in the end and one of their best was Daniel Cross playing his last game in their colours.

THE TEAMS

MELBOURNE

B: Neville Jetta, Tom McDonald, Dean Terlich

HB: Colin Garland, Lynden Dunn, Jack Grimes

C: Daniel Cross, Dom Tyson, Bernie Vince

HF: Rohan Bail, James Frawley, Jack Watts

F: Jeremy Howe, Chris Dawes, Cam Pedersen

FOLL: Mark Jamar, Nathan Jones, Jack Viney

I/C: , Shannon Byrnes, Matt Jones, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Christian Salem

EMG: Mitch Clisby, Max Gawn, Aidan Riley

IN: Colin Garland

OUT: Alex Georgiou

WESTERN BULLDOGS

B: Liam Picken, Tom Williams, Easton Wood.

HB: Shaun Higgins, Dale Morris, Robert Murphy.

C: Adam Cooney, Ryan Griffen, Jack Macrae.

HF: Jake Stringer, Stewart Crameri, Tory Dickson.

F: Luke Dahlhaus, Liam Jones, Daniel Giansiracusa.

FOLL: Will Minson, Matthew Boyd, Tom Liberatore.

I/C: Jason Tutt, Fletcher Roberts, Lachie Hunter, Jason Johannisen.

EMG: Marcus Bontempelli, Brett Goodes, Michael Talia

IN: Daniel Giansiracusa, Fletcher Roberts, Jason Tutt

OUT: Marcus Bontempelli, Koby Stevens, Michael Talia

THE STATISTICS: ROUNDS 1 to 7 by Sam the Stats Man

The numbers are stacking up well for the Demons of 2014 - at least in comparison with 2013.

They have come from being the worst side defensively to middle of the road. They have players in the top 10 for kicks (Bernie Vince), handballs (Daniel Cross), marks (James Frawley), disposals (Nathan Jones) and shepherds (surprisingly Neville Jetta). Another player of interest who is shining when it comes to the figures is Dom Tyson who has been impressive all round and is probably just a little behind Nathan Jones when it comes to favouritism for the Bluey at this point in time.

Twenty year old Tyson has played just 20 games of AFL football and earlier this week, the Footy Classified panel looked at his statistics which measured up favourably against some of the current day stars of the game. He averages 18 handballs, 4.7 marks and 2.9 clearances per game, figures that eclipse Chris Judd, Brett Deledio, Brendan Goddard and Garry Ablett Junior in every caterory by a decent margin at the same stage of their respective careers.

The signs are pointing in the right direction statisticall heres my regular run through of the list to date.

BAIL, Rohan MFC 7 games, 3 goals. Has made an excellent recovery from the concussion issues that affected him in the past couple of seasons and has become an important contributor to the team.

BARRY, Dom CSFC 3 games, 0 goals. Some injury and form issues are slowing his development at Casey.

BLEASE, Sam CSFC 5 games, 3 goals. Battling to show the form necessary to gain promotion from the VFL.

BYRNES, Shannon MFC 5 games, 5 goals, CSFC 1 game, 3 goals. Has had his moments near goals.

CLARK, Mitch (retired).

CLISBY, Mitch CSFC 5 games, 1 goal. Getting close to promotion from the VFL.

CROSS, Daniel MFC 7 games, 0 goals. A strong contributor either in the midfield or in run with roles.

DAWES, Chris MFC 4 games, 8 goals. A team lifter since resuming his place in the team.

DUNN, Lynden MFC 7 games, 3 goals. Has stepped up and is producing consistent performances in both defence and occasionally in attack.

EVANS, Michael MFC 3 games, 1 goal, CSFC 2 games 1 goal. In between the senior and Casey team as he strives for consistency.

FITZPATRICK, Jack MFC 3 games, 0 goals, CSFC 3 games 4 goals. Concussed early in the opening game of the season and, Fitzpatrick was unable to reproduce the form that made him a promising tall prospect last year.

FRAWLEY, James MFC 7 games, 5 goals. Has had his moments but lacked consistent form. Now battling a toe injury.

GARLAND, Colin CSFC 3 games 1 goal, CSFC DL1 game 0 goals. Recovering from pre-season surgery and after four weeks at Casey is ready to resume his place in the senior side.

GAWN, Max CSFC 3 games, 0 goals. Another trying to break into the senior side after an injury-interrupted pre-season.

GEORGIOU, Alexis ® MFC 7 games, 0 goals. Promoted from the rookie list, Georgiou has made the most of the opportunities presented to him and has played every game in the AFL team.

GRIMES, Jack MFC 7 games, 0 goals. Seems comfortable on return to defence.

HARMES, James ® CSFC 3 games 0 goals, CSFC DL1 game 1 goal. Was showing promise at Casey until a punctured lung stopped him in his tracks.

HOGAN, Jesse (injured - yet to play).

HOWE, Jeremy MFC 7 games, 1 goal. Struggled up forward but relishing games down back.

HUNT, Jayden CSFC 4 games, 0 goals, CSFC DL 1 game 0 goals. Finding his feet with the Scorpions.

JAMAR, Mark MFC 2 games, 1 goal, CSFC3 games, 2 goals. Has made a good return to the ruck after a long period on the injury list.

JETTA, Neville ® MFC 3 games, 0 goals, CSFC 2 games 2 goals. Great last up game on Eddie Betts could be the turning point.

JONES, Matthew MFC 7 games, 1 goal. Quiet and unassuming but puts in every week.

JONES, Nathan MFC 7 games, 3 goals. The heart and soul of the Demons.

KENNEDY-HARRIS MFC 7 games, 4 goals. An exciting prospect who is so clean with his disposal.

KENT, Dean MFC 2 games, 1 goal, CSFC 1 game, 0 goals. Was showing something when injured and was reported in his first game back.

KING, Max ® CSFC 2 games 0 goals, CSFC DL 1 game 2 goals. Young lightly built rookie ruckman set to miss another month with injury.

McDONALD, Tom MFC 7 games, 0 goals. Solid emerging defender.

MCKENZIE, Jordie MFC 2 games, 0 goals, CSFC 3 games, 1 goal. Desperate to get back into the side after an early form setback.

MICHIE, Viv MFC 2 games, 0 goals, CSFC 1 game 0 goals. Broken jaw has kept him out in recent weeks.

NICHOLSON, Daniel CSFC 5 games, 1 goal. Unable to break into the senior team.

PEDERSEN, Cameron MFC 7 games, 2 goals. Much improved this season.

RILEY, Aidan CSFC 5 games, 0 goals. Coming back from a long term injury, Riley has impressed with his strong tackling at Casey.

SALEM, Christian MFC 2 games, 2 goals, CSFC 3 games, 3 goals. Impressing in the very early stage of his career.

SPENCER, Jake MFC 5 games, 0 goals. Played a lion-hearted role in the ruck in the early games only to suffer injury.

STRAUSS, James CSFC 4 games, 1 goal. Another returning from injury and unable to break back into the AFL team.

TAPSCOTT, Luke CSFC 2 games, 0 goals. Injury-riddled in the preseason and just finding his feet again.

TERLICH, Dean MFC 7 games, 2 goals. Steady in defence.

TOUMPAS, Jimmy MFC 2 games, 2 goals, CSFC 5 games, 0 goals. Went back to Casey and working hard on his game.

TRENGOVE, Jack MFC 2 games, 0 goals, CSFC 2 games, 1 goal. Broken navicular ended his season.

TYSON, Dom MFC 7 games, 3 goals. A great acquisition for the club and a potential future star.

VINCE, Bernie MFC 7 games, 1 goal. Going great guns in the club's revitalised midfield.

VINEY, Jack MFC 5 games, 2 goals. This future leader has shown great bravery and courage.

WATTS, Jack MFC 7 games, 5 goals. Sometimes unfairly maligned but there are some positive signs.

WESTRUPP, Maia ® CSFC DL 4 games, 0 goals. International rookie still learning the ropes in the development league.