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In Season - Loading/Periodisation: Put your conjecture here.



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3 minutes ago, Lucifers Hero said:

Why is it that people immediately go to 'loading' as the cause/reason behind performance change or training level without giving weight to other factors. 

And why is one heavy training session per Chandler considered 'loading'.  It makes sense that training levels will wax and wane from week to week depending on travel, days between games etc.  That doesn't mean we are loading or it correlates to game results.

Because the inability to run out games by result of fatigue directly impacts how well we can execute our gameplan and beat the opposition. If you are constantly second to the ball it is not necessarily a result of lack of "intent" or desperation but inherently due to fatigue.

I saw an interesting vision from David King on the watchlist pointing out our lack of zoning off the corridor and positioning ourselves so that teams are forced to bomb it down the line compared to last year. I tend to agree that that could be largely a result of discipline and unfortunately complacency. This basically "debunks" those posters who presume we've been worked out by teams avoiding Max down the wing or using short kicks through the middle to pick our defence apart. If we were to play with the level of focus and intense zoning like last year that crap wouldn't work for teams this year and they would still be forced wide. Get that back into our game and our defence is back to being rock solid but it is in the players hands to get back to that, the gameplan is clear just relies on the execution.

Fitness will in large parts help in this way and we should now only be trying to maintain our fitness which was likely achieved by our last two months of heavy loading. 

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1 hour ago, Deenooos_ said:

Because the inability to run out games by result of fatigue directly impacts how well we can execute our gameplan and beat the opposition. If you are constantly second to the ball it is not necessarily a result of lack of "intent" or desperation but inherently due to fatigue.

I saw an interesting vision from David King on the watchlist pointing out our lack of zoning off the corridor and positioning ourselves so that teams are forced to bomb it down the line compared to last year. I tend to agree that that could be largely a result of discipline and unfortunately complacency. This basically "debunks" those posters who presume we've been worked out by teams avoiding Max down the wing or using short kicks through the middle to pick our defence apart. If we were to play with the level of focus and intense zoning like last year that crap wouldn't work for teams this year and they would still be forced wide. Get that back into our game and our defence is back to being rock solid but it is in the players hands to get back to that, the gameplan is clear just relies on the execution.

Fitness will in large parts help in this way and we should now only be trying to maintain our fitness which was likely achieved by our last two months of heavy loading. 

I agree the inability to run out games can be the result of fatigue but there are many causes of fatigue not just 'loading'. 

Other than Brisbane we haven't run out games since before the Freo game.  Even our wins since have found us wanting in the last quarter.  Some on here have said we started loading a few weeks before the Freo game.  Since then, others have often said we are loading as do the most recent posts above.  And based on Chandler's interview the view is we are still loading...

That is a long time to be loading especially if it is as you say, two months of 'heavy' loading.

I also saw that vision.  iirc that vision didn't involve Max, per se.  It compared our defending the transition form the opps d50 last week to the the equivalent game last year.  Up and about last year, but not last week.  I agree with you about complacency and discipline being a factor.  And that it is up to the players and their execution of the game plan.

I'm with you that we haven't been worked out.  Most teams have tried something new, some have worked some haven't.  All clubs know each other team's game plans, strengths and weaknesses.  As you say we need to get our focus back to where it was last year. 

Edited by Lucifers Hero
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1 hour ago, Lucifers Hero said:

Why is it that people immediately go to 'loading' as the cause/reason behind performance change or training level without giving due weight to other factors. 

And why is one heavy training session per Chandler considered 'loading'.  It makes sense that training levels will wax and wane from week to week depending on travel, days between games etc.  That doesn't mean we are loading when there is an intense training session.  Nor that it means the whole team is doing the intense training session. 

There are lots of variables.  Listen to the various interviews this week and folks will see what hasn't been working and why training standards needed to lift.

Based on this thread we have been loading since round 7 or 8.

I chose not to go for an 9km run this morning, thus I deloaded my body. I'll go for a 9km run tomorrow and that's a 50% increase on what I did 3 days ago after a 2 week illness. I'm loading up so I can consume some beers whilst watching the game tomorrow...

Anyway... any variation in training is either loading up or deloading. It goes by a range of names such as  "heavier training block". Each week during a season the volume and intensity adjusts. So inherent in that is the notion that, each week is that there is an alteration in 'load'.

Again, if you're doing an intense training session, the volume will be shorter... that's a version of loading and/or deloading. Two processes are going on there.

Firstly from a physiological perspective the body is developing tolerance to fatigue, and also at a cellular/tissue level, so the body's window of tolerance is extended, less likelihood of soft tissue injuries. Further, psychologically the athlete is also developing tolerance/competence, so that when the context of stress comes (that's all about meaning, which I'll happily explain more about at some stage) - be it in a 'final' be it when 'fatigued' - skill execution at a proficient level can still occur.

You've seen the graphs, we've been loading all year so to speak Lucy - it's a full year program... aimed to be at our peak from a capacity to execute task on the field under high stress situations, both physiologically and psychologically. When's the most stressful time of the year? (each week for Demonlanders)... It's not Rounds 1-20 that's for sure.

Training Standards... ooof.... what does that even mean? Execution of behaviours irrespective of how you feel? Holding each other accountable? The evidence is training loads influences behavioral output be it in training or on game day.

Perhaps I should also start a thread  for the anti loading propaganda merchants 😇  - "In Season - It's an attitude problem, training standards need to lift - put your conjecture here"....

**actually I'm going to continue my little spiel...

Footballers aren't scientists. And what I mean by that is if a media commentator asks a question - a footballer gives it, the assumption is made that the footballer knows what he or she is talking about.

They can give their perspective on something, it doesn't mean they understand objectively the drivers.

The reality is though - and let me use an example in my own work - if a client comes in to see me about anxiety for example, they can give me their thoughts (literally the thoughts the notice and what they feel) - but they don't have the insight at a scientific level to understand the process that creates  and maintains the anxiety...which then influences behaviour under stress and pressure... you'd never speak about your daily behaviours at homer or at work needing to lift...

The best people to ask questions about training would be the Performance Managers... of course they'll never share. But I guarantee you this... they wouldn't be talking about 'training standards' as been the problem.

 

 

Edited by Engorged Onion
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1 minute ago, Engorged Onion said:

I chose not to go for an 9km run this morning, thus I deloaded my body. I'll go for a 9km run tomorrow and that's a 50% increase on what I did 3 days ago after a 2 week illness.

Any variation in training is either loading up or deloading. It goes by a range of names such as  "heavier training block". Each week during a season the volume and intensity adjusts. So inherent in that is the notion that, each week is that there is an alteration in 'load'.

Again, if you're doing an intense training session, the volume will be shorter... that's a version of loading and/or deloading. Two processes are going on there.

Firstly from a physiological perspective the body is developing tolerance to fatigue, but also at a cellular/tissue level. Further, psychologically the athlete is also developing tolerance/competence, so that when the context of stress comes (that's all about meaning, which I'll happily explain more about at some stage) - be it in a 'final' be it when 'fatigued' - skill execution at a proficient level can still occur.

You've seen the graphs, we've been loading all year so to speak Lucy - it's a full year program... aimed to be at our peak from a capacity to execute task on the field under high stress situations, both physiologically and psychologically. When's the most stressful time of the year? (each week for Demonlanders)... It's not Rounds 1-20 that's for sure.

Training Standards... ooof.... what does that even mean? Execution of behaviours irrespective of how you feel? Holding each other accountable? If after the reading all the posts on these threads, (that are evidenced based in science) - it takes a leap of faith for you to understand how training loads influences behavioral output be it in training or on game day, I've got nothing else to add that could possibly convince you.

Perhaps I should also start a thread  for the anti loading propaganda merchants  - "In Season - It's an attitude problem, training standards need to lift - put your conjecture here".

I've acknowledge many many times I believe in loading progrmas.  My issue is and always has been that loading is the go-to reason why we don't perform in games or fail to run them out.  Again, I'll say fatigue has many causes.

Training standards covers more than loading.  I'm not thick.  I understand loading and deloading.  I get the natural rythyms of a training program and I have no doubt it influences behaviours.  No convincing required on that front.  There is no reason to be condescending.  If you put me in the anit-loading-propaganda-merchants I am seriously offended.

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1 hour ago, Lucifers Hero said:

Why is it that people immediately go to 'loading' as the cause/reason behind performance change or training level without giving due weight to other factors. 

And why is one heavy training session per Chandler considered 'loading'.  It makes sense that training levels will wax and wane from week to week depending on travel, days between games etc.  That doesn't mean we are loading when there is an intense training session.  Nor that it means the whole team is doing the intense training session. 

There are lots of variables.  Listen to the various interviews this week and folks will see what hasn't been working and why training standards needed to lift.

Based on this thread we have been loading since round 7 or 8.

Stop talking sense, it does not belong in this thread.

According to some on here we've been loading the moment we lost to Freo.

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1 minute ago, Lucifers Hero said:

There is no reason to be condescending.  If you put me in the anit-loading-propaganda-merchants I am seriously offende

Sincere apologies if that came across as condescending. On reflection/re-reading, I can see that it could come across that way.

I don't see you as as anti-loading - yet there seems to be an ongoing theme that people are positioning those that advocate for loading as a sense making tool - that they think it's the ONLY factor...

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1 hour ago, Lucifers Hero said:

I agree the inability to run out games can be the result of fatigue but there are many causes of fatigue not just 'loading'. 

Other than Brisbane we haven't run out games since before the Freo game.  Even our wins since have found us wanting in the last quarter.  Some on here have said we started loading a few weeks before the Freo game.  Since then, others have often said we are loading as do the most recent posts above.  And based on Chandler's interview the view is we are still loading...

That is a long time to be loading especially if it is as you say, two months of 'heavy' loading.

I also saw that vision.  iirc that vision didn't involve Max, per se.  It compared our defending the transition form the opps d50 last week to the the equivalent game last year.  Up and about last year, but not last week.  I agree with you about complacency and discipline being a factor.  And that it is up to the players and their execution of the game plan.

I'm with you that we haven't been worked out.  Most teams have tried something new, some have worked some haven't.  All clubs know how each other team's game plans, strengths and weaknesses.  As you say we need to get our focus back to where it was last year. 

I hear you. As far as I remember we played awful football between rounds 12-19 last year but never seemed unable to run out games in second halves or got "run on top of" like what has happened recently. I think this was in large parts due to the opposition we faced vs who we faced this year. If anything we have played better this year as we actually had very decent leads in games whereas last year during the loading "affected" games we were just crap the whole way through.

Funnily enough all of our losses this year have happened during our loading period (the timing of when we load is no certainty, just speculation) that we don't even have a gauge at where we stand against opposition when we aren't affected by fatigue, and as others have stated the Brisbane game was presumably after a short taper in-between our two blocks.

This is why Friday night will be really interesting. There is no more loading happening at this point in the season but rather only maintaining the fitness we have. I feel comfortable assuming this based on the sheer difference in our running ability from round 20 onwards last year. How about we wait and see what Friday brings and if we can identify an ability to finish the game off strongly and not capitulate, otherwise there are far deeper issues with why this may be happening.

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58 minutes ago, Engorged Onion said:

Sincere apologies if that came across as condescending. On reflection/re-reading, I can see that it could come across that way.

I don't see you as as anti-loading - yet there seems to be an ongoing theme that people are positioning those that advocate for loading as a sense making tool - that they think it's the ONLY factor...

Thank you.

That is because the advocates of loading in this thread rarely discuss in depth, other factors that may affect performance/reasons for intense training, and for some their 'go to' position is loading when our performance is lacking.  So it comes across as the only/dominant factor.   

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43 minutes ago, Lucifers Hero said:

I've acknowledge many many times I believe in loading progrmas.  My issue is and always has been that loading is the go-to reason why we don't perform in games or fail to run them out.  Again, I'll say fatigue has many causes.

Training standards covers more than loading.  I'm not thick.  I understand loading and deloading.  I get the natural rythyms of a training program and I have no doubt it influences behaviours.  No convincing required on that front.  There is no reason to be condescending.  If you put me in the anit-loading-propaganda-merchants I am seriously offended.

Something I'm finding is that there's now more talk about physical conditioning and less talk of the mental aspect and how resilient the side is. Eg. the leads we've blown are mainly due to loading but mental toughness, confidence and the psychological side don't get a second glance lately. 

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25 minutes ago, Deenooos_ said:

I hear you. As far as I remember we played awful football between rounds 12-19 last year but never seemed unable to run out games in second halves and got "run on top of". I think this was in large parts due to the opposition we faced vs who we faced this year. If anything we have played better this year as we actually had very decent leads in games whereas last year during the loading "affected" games we were just crap the whole way through.

Funnily enough all of our losses this year have happened during our loading period (the timing of when we load is no certainty, just speculation) that we don't even have a gauge at where we stand against opposition when we aren't affected by fatigue, and as others have stated the Brisbane game was presumably after a short taper in-between our two blocks.

This is why Friday night will be really interesting. There is no more loading happening at this point in the season but rather only maintaining the fitness we have. I feel comfortable assuming this based on the sheer difference in our running ability from round 20 onwards last year. How about we wait and see what Friday brings and if we can identify an ability to finish the game off strongly and not capitulate, otherwise there are far deeper issues with why this may be happening.

Good points;

Re the last sentence:  I think there have been deeper issues in recent times.

Interviews this week have been telling:

  • Brayshaw (SEN) said it really isn't a sort of arrogance but more not doing team things.
  • Goodwin (press conf) several times said we need to get back to everyone buying-in.  Big reference to the need to be more ruthless.
  • Petracca (AFL360) several times referred to complacency creeping in and players leaving (pressure) work to a team mate.

Petracca said coaches have been telling them to not look at this time last year and expect the wins to the finals to be repeated.  Something like: Forget last year, they need to make it happen this year.

However, I think the 'deeper issues' they mention have been addressed particularly in the last week.  Some soul searching has been happening. 

On the positive side, each talked with conviction that we know the issues and we can fix them. 

Looking forward to a good win on Friday night.  Will the reasons be the end of loading or players changing the things in the interviews?  We will never know really know.  Probably both.

Edited by Lucifers Hero
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4 minutes ago, layzie said:

Something I'm finding is that there's now more talk about physical conditioning and less talk of the mental aspect and how resilient the side is. Eg. the leads we've blown are mainly due to loading but mental toughness, confidence and the psychological side don't get a second glance lately. 

It's happened too often now to not have been addressed though. Wouldn't the coaches have talked about this right after it happened a second time against Sydney or have we become extremely soft? A good side shouldn't give up those kinds of leads and it's been happening far too often to not learn from.

I can't see us being that stubborn to have not learnt after the third time to be conscious of not dropping off that to me the only explanation is not being able to maintain our defence/gameplan for long enough due to fatigue.

It's been happening to Richmond all year so you may have a point there, however we are a much better side than them and they are well past their peak. Are we a 1 hit wonder? Time will tell but while we haven't been proven wrong yet (to be seen Friday) I remain to hold onto the belief it is largely due to loading.

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2 minutes ago, Deenooos_ said:

It's happened too often now to not have been addressed though. Wouldn't the coaches have talked about this right after it happened a second time against Sydney or have we become extremely soft? A good side shouldn't give up those kinds of leads and it's been happening far too often to not learn from.

I can't see us being that stubborn to have not learnt after the third time to be conscious of not dropping off that to me the only explanation is not being able to maintain our defence/gameplan for long enough due to fatigue.

It's been happening to Richmond all year so you may have a point there, however we are a much better side than them and they are well past their peak. Are we a 1 hit wonder? Time will tell but while we haven't been proven wrong yet (to be seen Friday) I remain to hold onto the belief it is largely due to loading.

That's right and Binman is usually the first to say that he thinks there are other factors but that loading is the most significant one. I certainly don't disagree with it but I'd hate to think the mental side has been neglected because as we know it's probably the much harder one to fix.

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32 minutes ago, Deenooos_ said:

I think this was in large parts due to the opposition we faced vs who we faced this year.

Yep, that's been in my mind.

Our draw this year put us up against the better sides right in the loading period which hasn't helped.

Onward we go to Friday night.

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28 minutes ago, Lucifers Hero said:

Thank you.

That is because the advocates of loading in this thread rarely discuss in depth, other factors that may affect performance/reasons for intense training, and for some their 'go to' position is loading when our performance is lacking.  So it comes across as the only factor.   

The reason I am convinced of the significance of loading is because I am yet to read or hear of one other reasonable or logical explanation for the shape of MFC's 2021 season.  Why did we win 9 straight then suddenly become a 50% team for the next 9 games (4W-1D-4L)?  Why then did we go into a 7 game winning streak that crescendos with what many commentators say was one of the most dominate finals series ever?  What were the trigger's of such widely different form lines?  And why, when you look at the formlines of other premiership teams over the last decade is it a pattern that is repeated so often?  If there is a better explanation to why very good teams have mid-year slumps, then I'm ready to hear it.

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3 minutes ago, rjay said:

Yep, that's been in my mind.

Our draw this year put us up against the better sides right in the loading period which hasn't helped.

Onward we go to Friday night.

The flip side of this is that those better teams are not loading to the extent we are... meaning come September we may have the edge...

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Haha One things for sure, after all his positioning on loading, Friday night’s game will either greatly enhance or alternatively, possibly destroy the credibility of one @binman. We all hope (but not yet fully believe) it will be the former, but secretly dread it could well be the latter. Just in case the worst happens, if I was @binman, I’d be getting together with Luci to explore her “other factors” that might help explain this disaster, and help start to resurrect his reputation. 

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3 minutes ago, layzie said:

I certainly don't disagree with it but I'd hate to think the mental side has been neglected because as we know it's probably the much harder one to fix.

Yes you are right if there is also a large mental aspect playing a part then that’s another story and problem.

However I also made a post earlier in the week after I read through some studies and experiences throughout elite sports where not only fatigue is a side effect of loading but also mental confidence leading to skill errors. These would no doubt contribute and affect a players psychological state onfield as their physical ability is somewhat hampered.

But as Lucifer has said the fact it is being mentioned by Gus on air and Goody/Petracca talking about complacency creeping in also has it’s own merit.

Let’s hope this is the main thing they have worked on this week reminding the players what the goal actually is, GF at the “G” to instill some enthusiasm back into the group.

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9 minutes ago, Neil Crompton said:

Haha One things for sure, after all his positioning on loading, Friday night’s game will either greatly enhance or alternatively, possibly destroy the credibility of one @binman. We all hope (but not yet fully believe) it will be the former, but secretly dread it could well be the latter. Just in case the worst happens, if I was @binman, I’d be getting together with Luci to explore her “other factors” that might help explain this disaster, and help start to resurrect his reputation. 

Haha.

Now it is @binmanin the red corner and @Lucifers Heroin the blue corner🙃?  Good colours.

We will win Friday night but it won't mean either position is more correct as the result will be an interplay of both as all games are.. 

His reputation is safe.

Edited by Lucifers Hero
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I don’t think anyone loses, regardless of what happens on Friday/for the rest of the year. I’m grateful for the considered theories on this thread - we can’t all be right (or maybe we can?!) but these ideas have been compelling and thoughtful: certainly much better than espousing thoughts of players ‘not trying’.

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I don't think Kade's comments indicate we are still loading. I took it as the level of pressure in the match sim and drills had increased over previous weeks where the focus had been on kilometres in the legs and non-football activity (weights etc). This would hopefully be reflected in the in-game pressure being dialed up. 

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33 minutes ago, Deenooos_ said:

Yes you are right if there is also a large mental aspect playing a part then that’s another story and problem.

However I also made a post earlier in the week after I read through some studies and experiences throughout elite sports where not only fatigue is a side effect of loading but also mental confidence leading to skill errors. These would no doubt contribute and affect a players psychological state onfield as their physical ability is somewhat hampered.

But as Lucifer has said the fact it is being mentioned by Gus on air and Goody/Petracca talking about complacency creeping in also has it’s own merit.

Let’s hope this is the main thing they have worked on this week reminding the players what the goal actually is, GF at the “G” to instill some enthusiasm back into the group.

Interesting! I'd love to get a look at some of those studies Deenooos. Are they available online?

They've had the media blowtorch on them all week this week. Questioning their pressure levels, some even suggesting they pick and choose when to make efforts now. I really hope this lights the biggest fire under their A***s this Friday. 

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26 minutes ago, layzie said:

Interesting! I'd love to get a look at some of those studies Deenooos. Are they available online?

They've had the media blowtorch on them all week this week. Questioning their pressure levels, some even suggesting they pick and choose when to make efforts now. I really hope this lights the biggest fire under their A***s this Friday. 

I'm honestly not sure anymore where specifically I read about it but it was specifically mentioned and observed in sports where athletes not only require fitness and power but also skill i.e. Soccer, Football etc. You can just google around "negative affect of General Adaptation Syndrome on professional athletes", something should come up.

I found these two diagrams quite interesting. We are clearly aiming to reach the "super-compensation" stage and maintain it over the next 8 weeks for finals. 

1435635363_Screenshot2022-07-28at02_37_59.thumb.png.2387c6466c1b780e600cf0b060f9b74c.png 

477430_Screenshot2022-07-28at02_42_51.thumb.png.a54b996f2b2a5a78b1c1cf1a83c52588.png

So basically reaching super-compensation and maintaining this level is the key and goal here. Reducing training too much and you lose fitness, train too much and you go into prolonged fatigue. Finding the sweet spot is of course in the hands of our High Performance coaches.

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4 minutes ago, Deenooos_ said:

I'm honestly not sure anymore where specifically I read about it but it was specifically mentioned and observed in sports where athletes not only require fitness and power but also skill i.e. Soccer, Football etc. You can just google around "negative affect of General Adaptation Syndrome on professional athletes", something should come up.

I found these two diagrams quite interesting. We are clearly aiming to reach the "super-compensation" stage and maintain it over the next 8 weeks for finals. 

1435635363_Screenshot2022-07-28at02_37_59.thumb.png.2387c6466c1b780e600cf0b060f9b74c.png 

477430_Screenshot2022-07-28at02_42_51.thumb.png.a54b996f2b2a5a78b1c1cf1a83c52588.png

So basically reaching super-compensation and maintaining this level is the key and goal here. Reducing training too much and you lose fitness, train too much and you go into prolonged fatigue. Finding the sweet spot is of course in the hands of our High Performance coaches.

Cheers for that. It's a real balancing act and something you can see teams prioritising when it comes to getting the right coaches for it. 

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1 hour ago, Vipercrunch said:

The reason I am convinced of the significance of loading is because I am yet to read or hear of one other reasonable or logical explanation for the shape of MFC's 2021 season.  Why did we win 9 straight then suddenly become a 50% team for the next 9 games (4W-1D-4L)?  Why then did we go into a 7 game winning streak that crescendos with what many commentators say was one of the most dominate finals series ever?  What were the trigger's of such widely different form lines?  And why, when you look at the formlines of other premiership teams over the last decade is it a pattern that is repeated so often?  If there is a better explanation to why very good teams have mid-year slumps, then I'm ready to hear it.

A clear indicator that i have found when we are supposedly increased our training is the lessed ability of our small forwards to apply pressure.

This is a clear performance indicator for our team when this is not happening the rest of our team defensive mechanisms go to 💩

The Small Forward role is the most taxing role on the ground.

When Charlie, Kozi, Bedders, ANB and co are on with their intensity teams have no chance of breaking us down.

It allows us to set up the rest of the ground to form the much vaunted Dees Squeeze.

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    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
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    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 262

    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 357

    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
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    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 

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    Round 03

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    Saturday 30th March 2024
    @ 07:30pm (AO)

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      PLAYER INJURY LENGTH
    Jake Lever Knee Test
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    Steven May Ribs 1 Week
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    Daniel Turner Hip 2-3 Weeks
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    Jake Melksham ACL 12-14 Weeks
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  • 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
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