Jump to content

Featured Replies

13 minutes ago, The Taciturn Demon said:

This is going to sound negative. I don't mean it to be. I saw the video of Taylor and Lamb talking about Henderson with Goodwin and others and their comments were glowing. Now, I know a club isn't going to release footage of football department members bagging newly recruited players, but I'm still intrigued:

What's the knock on him? Why isn't a player considered to have outstanding ball-handling skills, an ability to kick goals (from long-range as well as close to goal) and excellent movement and fitness not already on a list?

These 1000’s of AFL hopefuls trying to get on an AFL list. Players from all over Aust ..even overseas. There will be plenty of players that  don’t get picked up for a variety of reasons just as there’s plenty who get picked up & for a variety of reasons don’t make it. Jack has an opportunity albeit through the misfortune of Shane & hopefully he does well. I think he’s lucky he’s come into a team with a pretty good list in the Premiership window ..he’s got his chance & good on him. I hope he does well ..to make us better & to fulfil his dreams. 

 
4 hours ago, Roost it far said:

 

I'll demand training reports when I see fit to demand them punk. Step Brothers Mf GIF by reactionseditor

 

 

 

How to beat the auto censor 😄

And you can't say [censored]. 

Edited by ManDee
Insert whatever minor swear word you like.

On 18/02/2025 at 22:49, Sideshow Bob said:

image.jpeg.d922d6e42481f78cbd7db57635ecc3c6.jpeg

Went to primary school with the kid that played Brains (kid in the red shirt for all you non gen Xers)- being a short Henderson.... Brains sounds perfect 👌 for our new one

Not a patch on the Pissweak Kids and Charlie the Wonder Dog, Bob. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAax9nJPEb8

 

 
23 minutes ago, Wizard of Koz said:

There's a bit of Steven Stretch about Hendo.

"Hendo marks!" doesn't quite have the same ring to it, though.

21 hours ago, Demonland said:

 

Very pleased that the Demons media department did a brief interview with Jack Henderson so promptly.

Excellent work by them! 😎👍🏻


On 18/02/2025 at 20:48, dazzledavey36 said:

MFC journo's are asleep on the wheel..

As they have been for the last couple of years Daz! Pathethic that a professional sports club is so poor in this area!

57 minutes ago, Ugottobekidding said:

I think you a stretching the comparison a little 

He looks more like Ricky Jackson!

7 hours ago, picket fence said:

He looks more like Ricky Jackson!

Golly, if he proves half as useful as RJ then we are on a winner.


10 hours ago, Dee Boys said:

IMG_0545.jpeg

An excellent article pumping of Jack Henderson. Love it! ❤️💙

Looking forward to seeing "Hendo" get a run against Fremantle this coming weekend.

7 hours ago, Supreme_Demon said:

An excellent article pumping of Jack Henderson. Love it! ❤️💙

Looking forward to seeing "Hendo" get a run against Fremantle this coming weekend.

"JH: I won't die woundering, I can assure you of that."

 

Great attitude from this bloke.  I feel that if there were questions about our culture, having guys like this around the place helps reinforce good culture.  Had been suggested he's been earmarked for the ANB role - possibly in attitude as well.

I WON’T DIE WONDERING with John Anderson 

From a rice farm in the Southern Riverina, Jack Henderson is a poster boy for what character, persistence and ultimately performance can achieve in the AFL. 

Henderson, 24, voted best afield in Werribee’s 2024 VFL grand final win, this week was added to Melbourne’s list via the supplemental selection period after being overlooked in eight-straight drafts. 

JA: The last time we spoke was in December and it’s fair to say you were flat about your AFL dream. 

JH: I was. My manager Winston Rous suggested I do extra work with a high-performance person in Geelong. That helped me and then Dom Sheed at West Coast went down for the season and then Shane McAdam got injured at Melbourne. 

JA: How did it play out.

JH: I was at work (as an agronomist) two weeks ago when I got a call from West Coast and flew over a day later. It was such an experience. I trained all week and then played in the practice match against Richmond last Monday as a midfielder. Then I came off the field and shortly later spoke with Simon Goodwin. 

JA: Which led to a tough decision?

JH: The hardest I have ever had to make. West Coast were brilliant to me, but I would be lying if I said the lure of being in Victoria wasn’t strong. I want to settle as quickly as possible to play my best footy and Melbourne have had a lot of faith in me. 

JA: Is midfield the aim with Melbourne, or high half-forward with Alex Neal-Bullen gone?

JH: I trained and played in the midfield at West Coast, whereas with Melbourne it is probably high half-forward.

JA: Explain the frustration at being overlooked in eight-straight drafts?

JH: There were times last year when I thought there were guys going to AFL sides who I could match it with. It just kept that fire burning in me

JA: Tell us about your journey, Jack?

JH: I boarded at The Geelong College, finishing in 2017 and missed that year’s draft before joining Werribee. I only did testing with Fremantle that year, but had no discussions with them so no real chance, and the same for the next two years. 

JA: Then you travelled to the Double Blues in the SANFL?

JH: In the Covid year of 2020 I made the move to Sturt for nine games and got a bit of interest from GWS, but nothing major. In 2021 nothing. Same in 2022-23, and last year it picked up a little after the grand final. 

JA: You actually had a medical with Melbourne?

JH: That’s when things started to get close, but the Demons only had a few selections and I missed again. That wasn’t a great time but they kept in touch with me. And Werribee coaches as in Mark “Choco” Williams and Mick Barlow have been sensational for me. 

JA: I can’t think of anyone who deserves their chance more than you Jack, so go get ’em.

JH: I won’t die wondering, Ando, I can assure you of that.

  • 4 weeks later...

I enjoyed his first game, a real bulldog and think he’s exactly what we need for a pressure forward.

If Fritsch can’t get back into form I can see a world where we go the three talls and then have Sparrow, Pickett, Henderson, Chandler, Sharp and Trac all playing as the small/mediums around them.

Fritsch is our most natural forward and goalkicker, but if he isn’t kicking goals then he becomes less useful. The alternative then is to go with a group of high pressure forwards who can lock the ball in the forward line.

Edited by DistrACTION Jackson

Reminds me a bit of James Harmes when he used to wear #43 back in the day.

His VFL highlights show that he's a capable goal kicker, so if he can get into some goal kicking opportunities he could be an asset. 

 

A big fillip for VFL. 

Don't tell anyone

  • Author

I think everyone underestimates just the complete lack of preparation he's had leading into to round 1 and to still not look out of place against a genuine top 4 side is impressive enough as it is.

Whilst everyone was fumbling in the wet conditions, he looked pretty clean and certainly showed good agility and evasiveness around the packs.

Will only get better.


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...

Featured Content

  • PREVIEW: St. Kilda

    The media has performed a complete reversal in its coverage of the Melbourne Football Club over the past month and a half. Having endured intense criticism from all quarters in the press, which continually identified new avenues for scrutiny of every aspect, both on and off the field, and prematurely speculated about the departures of coaches, players, officials, and various employees from a club that lost its first five matches and appeared out of finals contention, the narrative has suddenly shifted to one of unbridled optimism.  The Demons have won five of their last six matches, positioning themselves just one game (and a considerable amount of percentage) outside the top eight at the halfway mark of the season. They still trail the primary contenders and remain far from assured of a finals berth.

    • 3 replies
    Demonland
  • REPORT: Sydney

    A few weeks ago, I visited a fellow Melbourne Football Club supporter in hospital, and our conversation inevitably shifted from his health diagnosis to the well-being of our football team. Like him, Melbourne had faced challenges in recent months, but an intervention - in his case, surgery, and in the team's case, a change in game style - had brought about much improvement.  The team's professionals had altered its game style from a pedestrian and slow-moving approach, which yielded an average of merely 60 points for five winless games, to a faster and more direct style. This shift led to three consecutive wins and a strong competitive effort in the fourth game, albeit with a tired finish against Hawthorn, a strong premiership contender.  As we discussed our team's recent health improvement, I shared my observations on the changes within the team, including the refreshed style, the introduction of new young talent, such as rising stars Caleb Windsor, Harvey Langford, and Xavier Lindsay, and the rebranding of Kozzy Pickett from a small forward to a midfield machine who can still get among the goals. I also highlighted the dominance of captain Max Gawn in the ruck and the resurgence in form in a big way of midfield superstars Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver. 

      • Thanks
    • 9 replies
    Demonland
  • PODCAST: Sydney

    The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 26th May @ 8:00pm. Join Binman, George & I as we analyse a crushing victory by the Demons over the Swans at the G. 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.

      • Haha
      • Like
    • 49 replies
    Demonland
  • POSTGAME: Sydney

    The Demons controlled the contest from the outset, though inaccurate kicking kept the Swans in the game until half time. But after the break, Melbourne put on the jets and blew Sydney away and the demolition job was complete.

      • Clap
      • Thanks
      • Like
    • 428 replies
    Demonland
  • VOTES: Sydney

    Max Gawn still has an almost unassailable lead in the Demonland Player of the Year award. Jake Bowey, Christian Petracca, Harvey Langford, Kade Chandler & Ed Langdon round out the Top 5. Your votes please. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 & 1.

      • Like
    • 46 replies
    Demonland
  • CASEY: Northern Bullants

    The Casey Demons travelled to a windy Cramer Street, Preston yesterday and blew the Northern Bullants off the ground for three quarters before shutting up shop in the final term, coasting to a much-needed 71-point victory after leading by almost 15 goals at one stage. It was a pleasing performance that revived the Demons’ prospects for the 2025 season but, at the same time, very little can be taken from the game because of the weak opposition. These days, the Bullants are little more than road kill. The once proud club, situated behind the Preston Market in a now culturally diverse area, is currently facing significant financial and on-field challenges, having failed to secure a win to date in 2025.

    • 0 replies
    Demonland