Jump to content

Vanders- What a Gun, Tough Story

Cards13
in Melbourne Demons

Featured Replies

 

A very moving story.

What an incredible character to deal with rehab, studies, losing his father, keeping the family business running.  A very resilient young man.  It was really good to have Jessie around to support him, to know what he was going through.

Vandemon has done an amazing job for us since coming returning from nearly two years out of the game.  He only had a few weeks at Casey and came into the seniors raring to go and hasn't blinked.  Adds so much to our team by playing his role and the pressure he applies.

  • Quote
    • Like 7
    • Love 6

    Jesus Christ. What a hand to be dealt. Takes quite a bit of character to deal with all that. They say: anything that doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. I guess that explains the on field monster we've seen in the last month.

    Go Vanders.

    GO DEMONS!!!

  • Quote
    • Like 4
     

    What a load the poor guy has endured.

    And what credit to him for coming literally back better than ever - attests to his character and dedication.

    It sounds as if Jesse's support has also bee pivotal.

    Great work. to you all.

    Edited by monoccular

  • Quote
    • Like 4

    Wishing VanDemon all the best. It really has been a missing piece of the puzzle now hes back.

  • Quote
    • Like 4
    • Love 1

    Great read, onya Vanders.  There can't be many players left that haven't had a story on them recently!

  • Quote
    • Like 1
     

    Got a couple of jobs for him in the GF. Keep your powder dry, the line white and the tiger in the tank, son.......

  • Quote
    • Like 2
    • Love 1

    Already had so much on his back that alot of us didnt know of, he's pushed through not only with football but with life! Also didnt realise he goes to monash uni, might have to keep an eye out for him :laugh:

  • Quote
    • Like 3

    A real bonus for us having Vanders coming back after horrible setbacks and loss of his dad. 

  • Quote
    • Like 2

    Human battering ram and completely fair. No hint of anything underhanded or cheap when he crunches an opponent. Looking forward to few broken up hawk defenders tomorrow. 

  • Quote
    • Like 5
    • Love 1

    Heartbreaking. 

    It’s the players who go through the most, who appreciate the rewards the most as well. 

    Thrilled and excited for him to be playing and playing so well at the right time of the year. 

  • Quote
    • Like 2

    I regard him as a secret weapon in this campaign. I've always rated him. 100% all the time, no excuses, just endeavour and effort. 

  • Quote
    • Like 4

    Lets make sure that tomorrow 50,000 of us make sure he knows we support him. What an amazing character to persivere under such a difficult and tragic period. 

  • Quote
    • Like 2

    I don’t know him too well, but I know enough to know he is a modest person who works hard and has a lasting relationship with former teammates and coaches (I think this says a lot about an AFL player - last week a he was at a local footy match in Bayswater because a few of his former Ainslie mates were playing for South Croydon).

    Has been through a lot and is getting rewarded.

    It’s life affirming.

  • Quote
    • Like 5
    • Love 1

    Had no idea he was facing that much! Having to run his dad’s business remotely is not something you can give a couple of hours here and there to. 

    Aaron, you are an inspiration. I really hope there’s good times ahead for you.

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    • Love 1
    3 hours ago, dieter said:

    I regard him as a secret weapon in this campaign. I've always rated him. 100% all the time, no excuses, just endeavour and effort. 

    Expand on this pls Dieter. Secret weapon is a big call.

     

    For me, I've seen so many finals influenced by physicality (1988 and 2000 come painfully to mind), and that causes me to look at the current list and smile, as we, for the first time in my 50yrs, have a list capable of physically matching any other side. More than that, with players such as Vandenberg, we have many who will have opposition pausing when they are in the area.

    We finally have the team to not just match it when things get tough,  but a team who can set a standard of their own, and do the bullying ourselves for a change.

     

     

     

  • Quote
    • Like 2
    • Love 1

    Just on Vanders - do any of you Telstra subscribing folk have access to his heat-maps over the past few weeks? I'm curious as to where he's been spending the bulk of his time and if there have been any tweaks of late. His ToG% has been jumping up and down quite a bit since his return and he hasn't really been in the goal-scoring frame the last couple of matches. 

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    2 hours ago, Skuit said:

    Just on Vanders - do any of you Telstra subscribing folk have access to his heat-maps over the past few weeks? I'm curious as to where he's been spending the bulk of his time and if there have been any tweaks of late. His ToG% has been jumping up and down quite a bit since his return and he hasn't really been in the goal-scoring frame the last couple of matches. 

    Well he has only had 3 touches in the FWD 50 in each of the last three games. Lot of ball on the wing. Averaged 17 possies in last three games.

  • Quote
    • Like 2
    19 minutes ago, rpfc said:

    Well he has only had 3 touches in the FWD 50 in each of the last three games. Lot of ball on the wing. Averaged 17 possies in last three games.

    That's crazy. So we solved our issues with pace on the wing by adding Vanders? Kudos to the big fella. But? 

  • Quote
    •  
    • Author
    3 hours ago, Skuit said:

    Just on Vanders - do any of you Telstra subscribing folk have access to his heat-maps over the past few weeks? I'm curious as to where he's been spending the bulk of his time and if there have been any tweaks of late. His ToG% has been jumping up and down quite a bit since his return and he hasn't really been in the goal-scoring frame the last couple of matches. 

    Last 3 games, Cats, GWS and Eagles.

    C5D75329-430D-40DB-BC8C-6A9F55C02E61.png

    40DC5DD5-E5B9-4C1A-94AF-6C51E85903B1.png

    698F7D1B-B787-4EDB-A6E1-BD8D361B4B63.png

  • Quote
    • Like 4
    8 hours ago, faultydet said:

    Expand on this pls Dieter. Secret weapon is a big call.

     

    For me, I've seen so many finals influenced by physicality (1988 and 2000 come painfully to mind), and that causes me to look at the current list and smile, as we, for the first time in my 50yrs, have a list capable of physically matching any other side. More than that, with players such as Vandenberg, we have many who will have opposition pausing when they are in the area.

    We finally have the team to not just match it when things get tough,  but a team who can set a standard of their own, and do the bullying ourselves for a change.

     

     

     

    Secret weapon: simple, he emphatically makes his presence felt. His opponents are aware there's danger lurking. 

  • Quote

    • 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...
    Go to topic listing

    Featured Content

    • PREVIEW: Carlton

      Good evening, Demon fans and welcome back to the Demonland Podcast ... it’s time to discuss this week’s game against the Blues. Will the Demons celebrate Clayton Oliver’s 200th game with a victory? We have a number of callers waiting on line … Leopold Bloom: Carlton and Melbourne are both out of finals contention with six wins and eleven losses, and are undoubtedly the two most underwhelming and disappointing teams of 2025. Both had high expectations at the start of participating and advancing deep into the finals, but instead, they have consistently underperformed and disappointed themselves and their supporters throughout the year. However, I am inclined to give the Demons the benefit of the doubt, as they have made some progress in addressing their issues after a disastrous start. In contrast, the Blues are struggling across the board and do not appear to be making any notable improvements. They are regressing, and a significant loss is looming on Saturday night. Max Gawn in the ruck will be huge and the Demon midfield have a point to prove after lowering their colours in so many close calls.

      • 0 replies
      Demonland

    • REPORT: North Melbourne

      I suppose that I should apologise for the title of this piece, but the temptation to go with it was far too great. The memory of how North Melbourne tore Melbourne apart at the seams earlier in the season and the way in which it set the scene for the club’s demise so early in the piece has been weighing heavily upon all of us. This game was a must-win from the club’s perspective, and the team’s response was overwhelming. The 36 point win over Alastair Clarkson’s Kangaroos at the MCG on Sunday was indeed — roovenge of the highest order!

        • Like
      • 4 replies
      Demonland

    • CASEY: Werribee

      The Casey Demons remain in contention for a VFL finals berth following a comprehensive 76-point victory over the Werribee Tigers at Whitten Oval last night. The caveat to the performance is that the once mighty Tigers have been raided of many key players and are now a shadow of the premiership-winning team from last season. The team suffered a blow before the game when veteran Tom McDonald was withdrawn for senior duty to cover for Steven May who is ill.  However, after conceding the first goal of the game, Casey was dominant from ten minutes in until the very end and despite some early errors and inaccuracy, they managed to warm to the task of dismantling the Tigers with precision, particularly after half time when the nominally home side provided them with minimal resistance.

      • 0 replies
      Demonland

    • PREGAME: Carlton

      The Demons return to the MCG as the the visiting team on Saturday night to take on the Blues who are under siege after 4 straight losses. Who comes in and who goes out?

        • Like
      • 222 replies
      Demonland

    • PODCAST: North Melbourne

      The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 14th July @ 8:00pm. Join Binman & I as we dissect the Dees glorious win over the Kangaroos at the MCG.
      Your 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.
      Listen LIVE: https://demonland.com/

      • 29 replies
      Demonland

    • POSTGAME: North Melbourne

      The Demons are finally back at the MCG and finally back on the winners list as they continually chipped away at a spirited Kangaroos side eventually breaking their backs and opening the floodgates to run out winners by 6 goals.

        • Clap
        • Haha
        • Love
        • Thanks
      • 255 replies
      Demonland
    View All