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.


Welcome to Demonland Will Verrall


Whispering_Jack

Recommended Posts

40 minutes ago, Turner said:

ah yes professional institution of 163 years cannot concurrently develop 4 players amongst a squad of 40, doh! why didnt the recruiters think of this first!! what a waste!

Given it’s unlikely they’ll be physically ready to hold down heavy ruck minutes it’s going to be a real struggle to get both Kyah and Verrall in the same VFL side. Especially with a first and second year key forward up forward. Plus a first year key defender and a medium tall who’s come from school footy.

We haven’t messed around with too many project players in the Goodwin era, and especially since the cut down on footy cap, which hasn’t jumped back to pre covid levels. That’s allowed us to keep big numbers on the training track and train to a high standard with a lot of competitive drills.

I’m happy we’re seemingly keen to use Casey as a development side and that we’ve got some quality talls on the list. But 2 baby project rucks at the same time seems hard work, not to mention we haven’t replaced Daw as the 3rd string ready to go ruck either. 

  • Like 1
  • Facepalm 2
  • Thinking 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Welcome to MFC Will Verral future forward/ruckman, some impressive highlights and MVP’s. Good height and weight for an 18 yo, 200cm, 95kg. Looking forward to watching you develop with Kyah, under the tutelage of Max and Brodie. Personally I can now relax knowing that we have now nailed the areas of greatest weakness on the list. Thanks JT and TL what a remarkable Draft and Trade period your team have pulled off.

  • Like 11
Link to comment
Share on other sites

24 minutes ago, DeeZone said:

Welcome to MFC Will Verral future forward/ruckman, some impressive highlights and MVP’s. Good height and weight for an 18 yo, 200cm, 95kg. Looking forward to watching you develop with Kyah, under the tutelage of Max and Brodie. Personally I can now relax knowing that we have now nailed the areas of greatest weakness on the list. Thanks JT and TL what a remarkable Draft and Trade period your team have pulled off.

Great summation.

Really looking forward to these kids develop at Casey. Great work by JT and his team

  • Like 3
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, fr_ap said:

I count 6 different hairstyles across that gamut of videos 

This alone is very impressive

And his nickname is Horse, maybe he likes apples😐

  • Haha 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

Given it’s unlikely they’ll be physically ready to hold down heavy ruck minutes it’s going to be a real struggle to get both Kyah and Verrall in the same VFL side. Especially with a first and second year key forward up forward. Plus a first year key defender and a medium tall who’s come from school footy.

We haven’t messed around with too many project players in the Goodwin era, and especially since the cut down on footy cap, which hasn’t jumped back to pre covid levels. That’s allowed us to keep big numbers on the training track and train to a high standard with a lot of competitive drills.

I’m happy we’re seemingly keen to use Casey as a development side and that we’ve got some quality talls on the list. But 2 baby project rucks at the same time seems hard work, not to mention we haven’t replaced Daw as the 3rd string ready to go ruck either. 

Really for Casey rucks, there are two strategies that are both valid, depending on circumstance:

1- a "ready to go" senior ruck and a developing ruck. Pros: player immediately available to backfill if a senior ruck gets injured. Cons: ready to go (and probably AFL NQR) ruck hogs all the game time at Casey, seriously impedes the development of the developing ruck
2- two development rucks, with the better of the two getting the lion's share of gametime at Casey. Pros: bets are hedged if one of them turns out to be no good. Cons: both could turn out to be no good.

With Gawn and Grundy both in the side, strategy 2- makes the most sense to me. It's a position of luxury, really. We don't really hurt too badly if one of the seniors gets injured; we just make do with TMac or Schache playing second ruck. If they both go down obviously we're stuffed, but I don't think having a Daw like player really mitigates that anyway.

When Jackson was on the list, developing rucks weren't a priority. Jackson was the development ruck, it just so happened that he was good enough that he could do it in the senior side. Now the only rucks on our list are on the wrong side of 30 (edit: whoops, I've added years to Grundy. Oh well, point remains the same). I think finding the next one is a pretty urgent priority and it's risky business putting all our eggs in one basket.

Edited by Nasher
  • Like 16
  • Thanks 1
  • Clap 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites


4 hours ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

About the most posted videos of any of our recruits as well.

Panthers are a tough team. He has earned accolades as a ruck/back whilst wearing nappies. At that level, public sympathies are also very strong - and the coverage is considerable, predictive and accompanied by some noted 'drooling' for his future. Great player to work on - coming into a great team in the Dees where ruck strength has been historical, and now steadily elite. Golly, another 'smokey' in terms of the future/our future AFL spreadsheet. Well done, JT. Big welcome, Will.

Edited by Deemania since 56
  • Like 2
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

Given it’s unlikely they’ll be physically ready to hold down heavy ruck minutes it’s going to be a real struggle to get both Kyah and Verrall in the same VFL side. Especially with a first and second year key forward up forward. Plus a first year key defender and a medium tall who’s come from school footy.

We haven’t messed around with too many project players in the Goodwin era, and especially since the cut down on footy cap, which hasn’t jumped back to pre covid levels. That’s allowed us to keep big numbers on the training track and train to a high standard with a lot of competitive drills.

I’m happy we’re seemingly keen to use Casey as a development side and that we’ve got some quality talls on the list. But 2 baby project rucks at the same time seems hard work, not to mention we haven’t replaced Daw as the 3rd string ready to go ruck either. 

Mobile young rucks in development can be adapted to many other areas of our game, let's not forget that ... rucking is great but it ain't everything ... all-rounders who improve add something special.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

53 minutes ago, Nasher said:

I don't think having a Daw like player really mitigates that anyway.

Well, unfortunately it didn't last season, because all three were down at once 😥.  I think Daw would have got a game and done a more than serviceable job if that were not the case though.

For you option 2, you forgot to add that the two development ruckman get to be mentored by and learn from the best two rucks in the game.  Gawn was an understudy to Jamar when he was the games best ruck for a few years and not to forget that Gawn also says he learnt alot from sitting in the coaches box and in the stands with players while recoving from knee reconstructions.  Gawn also somewhat developed on a parallel path with Spencer and Fitzpatrick for a while, so I think your second theory has much merit and hopefully there is another champion ruck in this next batch somewhere too!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I like the fact that Verrall is already 95kg, meaning physically he doesn't require as much development as Farris-White. 

Having Grundy as a mentor for Verrall (both drafted out of SA) and Gawn mentor Farris-White works well. Both kids get to learn off one of the games best rucks, and neither of our senior rucks are stretched too thin.

  • Like 2
  • Love 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ruckman are always a risk. Rarely do they go early in the draft (Jackson and NicNat are exceptions), and you can get a good one at pick 30, or pick 103. Nobody at 18 at 200cm and 9kgs soaking wet is going to show much more than some baby giraffe like athleticism. 

You gotta keep taking punts on these guys and see how they turn out. Low risk but high reward type stuff.

We have had decades of being blessed with really phenomenal ruckman from Stynes all the way to Gawn and now Grundy. That doesn't mean we have to have another one in the ranks, as many teams have won flags with ordinary ruckman. It's just about how you play it. 

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

Ruckman are always a risk. Rarely do they go early in the draft (Jackson and NicNat are exceptions), and you can get a good one at pick 30, or pick 103. Nobody at 18 at 200cm and 9kgs soaking wet is going to show much more than some baby giraffe like athleticism. 

You gotta keep taking punts on these guys and see how they turn out. Low risk but high reward type stuff.

We have had decades of being blessed with really phenomenal ruckman from Stynes all the way to Gawn and now Grundy. That doesn't mean we have to have another one in the ranks, as many teams have won flags with ordinary ruckman. It's just about how you play it. 

Jamar was good as well - All Australian

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites


13 hours ago, ThreeOneSix said:

He’s undersized at 199cm. But if he does grow a couple of inches he’ll be some prospect. Ground game is good. Ruck IQ appears well above average (on those clips). For a ruck you’d have to say he is a very good kick. Good type to compete head to head with the new young basketball kid.

what size do you need to be to be a ruck and whats his leap like and how big is his arm span?????????

What's better 208cm ruckman that cant jump or a 199cm ruckman that has elite running jump stats

Running Vertical Jump

James Van Es (GWV Rebels/North Ballarat) – 98cm

Aaron Cadman (GWV Rebels/Darley) – 93cm

Will Verrall (South Adelaide/Christies Beach) – 90cm

Josh Weddle (Oakleigh Chargers/Eltham) – 90cm

Edited by BangBnagBang
  • Like 9
Link to comment
Share on other sites

16 hours ago, ThreeOneSix said:

He’s undersized at 199cm. But if he does grow a couple of inches he’ll be some prospect. Ground game is good. Ruck IQ appears well above average (on those clips). For a ruck you’d have to say he is a very good kick. Good type to compete head to head with the new young basketball kid.

one of the summaries has him as 200cm, so it seems he is still growing

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

15 hours ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

Well, unfortunately it didn't last season, because all three were down at once 😥.  I think Daw would have got a game and done a more than serviceable job if that were not the case though.

For you option 2, you forgot to add that the two development ruckman get to be mentored by and learn from the best two rucks in the game.  Gawn was an understudy to Jamar when he was the games best ruck for a few years and not to forget that Gawn also says he learnt alot from sitting in the coaches box and in the stands with players while recoving from knee reconstructions.  Gawn also somewhat developed on a parallel path with Spencer and Fitzpatrick for a while, so I think your second theory has much merit and hopefully there is another champion ruck in this next batch somewhere too!

Also forgot that Steff Martin was another future of the developmental ruck options the early Gawn era.  Obviously not every hits a winner, but I think the MFC has a great recient history of developing champion ruckman.  Having Greg Stafford around a ruck coach is probably another very good ingredient to have.

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, BangBnagBang said:

what size do you need to be to be a ruck and whats his leap like and how big is his arm span?????????

What's better 208cm ruckman that cant jump or a 199cm ruckman that has elite running jump stats

Running Vertical Jump

James Van Es (GWV Rebels/North Ballarat) – 98cm

Aaron Cadman (GWV Rebels/Darley) – 93cm

Will Verrall (South Adelaide/Christies Beach) – 90cm

Josh Weddle (Oakleigh Chargers/Eltham) – 90cm

Tall ruckman are always a good premium to have I recon.  As they say, they don't get any shorter as the game wears on, but endurace and mobility around the ground is also a good thing in this regard, so in the end who really knows.  At the end of the day, as coaches of mine also repeatedly said, "footy is players above the sholders" so knowing how to and having the confidence to consistently play your own game to the best of your ability is what sets out guys like Max from the rest.

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 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
  • 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...