Hi I am wishing to sponsor a player . I saw Moniz- Wakefield play his first game against Brisbane 2 seasons ago and I was very impressed. He was out all last year with a leg injury I think. Has anybody seen him on the track pre-season ,ie does he look fit and ready to go next season.

AMW is still running with non contact group but is looking really good. No obvious sign that his injury is a hinderance.

19 minutes ago, Fritta and Turner said:

AMW is still running with non contact group but is looking really good. No obvious sign that his injury is a hinderance.

If he can reproduce consistently the form he showed in the practice game where he got injured, we will have another very good player.

56 minutes ago, Basher said:

Hi I am wishing to sponsor a player . I saw Moniz- Wakefield play his first game against Brisbane 2 seasons ago and I was very impressed. He was out all last year with a leg injury I think. Has anybody seen him on the track pre-season ,ie does he look fit and ready to go next season.

The person who handles player sponsorship has just gone on maternity leave. Her replacement will be contactable after the holiday break.

The MFC website used to publish sponsors’ names under the player’s bio. The new-look website doesn’t do this. From memory I know AMW already has Platinum and Gold level sponsors. Silver and Bronze levels may be still available, but I’m not sure.

AMW looked really promising in the North practice match in Feb after showing a little something in late 2024. The modern day prototypical small defender that has pace, gets effective possessions and can shut down the oppo’s premier small defender. Basically Judd Mcvee when he’s fit.

When he did his knee that day my first thought was how do we replace both he and McVee for round 1?

I have him in my best 23 in 2025 as the season progresses.

I’ve said this before (probs many times) but it really bears repeating:

Our club has the amazing ability to keep LTI players’ spirits up, not just some of the time, but the entire time they’re off. I’ve seen it time and time again, and without exception. It can’t be a coincidence.

In AMW’s case, it helped that Shane was also out for the year. Both he and Shane have said as much. And yeah, I’m gonna extol Wheels again for he’s largely responsible for how confident and happy and full of hope these two boys are.

But even without another LTI player to rehab alongside, the players who do suffer an LTI are consistently positive and there’s never a dip in this. And the physical side of recovery isn’t diminished one iota at the expense of the psychological side, in fact, it’s enhanced. It’s psychosomatic.

I have no idea how other clubs manage their LTI players but ours couldn’t possibly do a better job of it.

17 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

AMW looked really promising in the North practice match in Feb after showing a little something in late 2024. The modern day prototypical small defender that has pace, gets effective possessions and can shut down the oppo’s premier small defender. Basically Judd Mcvee when he’s fit.

When he did his knee that day my first thought was how do we replace both he and McVee for round 1?

I have him in my best 23 in 2025 as the season progresses.

Agree he showed promise in 2024. He made some errors but showed dash & was prepared to take the game on.

If he can tidy up a few areas he could be a very handy player.

What I really liked in 2024 was AMW able to tackle and really stop/hold his opponent. His rugby background means he can be strong through the hips and upper body. Add more composure with the footy, and I think he replaces McVee in our team from round 1.

One of my favourite Dees players. I SINCERELY hope hegets over his injuries and plays some great footy. Saw him quite a bit at Casey earlier and his Training form at Slithera Central was excellent!

AMV will be like a new Player when he joins the Senior side, he showed so much promise in last years preseason

4 hours ago, picket fence said:

One of my favourite Dees players. I SINCERELY hope hegets over his injuries and plays some great footy. Saw him quite a bit at Casey earlier and his Training form at Slithera Central was excellent!

And he can play forward or back.

Immediate replacement for Bowey? He probably wont take the role of "designated kicker off half back" which Bowey fills so well because of his vision and kicking skills, but he looks a ready made HB Flanker.

Got expectations for him this season. A potentially exciting player to settle into or backline.

On 19/12/2025 at 15:36, Basher said:

Hi I am wishing to sponsor a player . I saw Moniz- Wakefield play his first game against Brisbane 2 seasons ago and I was very impressed. He was out all last year with a leg injury I think. Has anybody seen him on the track pre-season ,ie does he look fit and ready to go next season.

Basher, not sure whether he is still working but the person to contact re player sponsorship is Liam Faithful ([email protected]).

Good luck. It is one of the best experiences to have for a passionate demon supporter.

Got quite high hopes for AMW. Has all the tricks, just needs a good run with luck.

Looking fwd to see what he can bring in '26

Interesting to see what back six or seven King goes with. I just had a little go at a possible Round 1 team and realised, there's not an overabundance of small defenders on the list by any means.

Now that Bowey is out, I reckon only Turner and Petty are immediately on the sheet. Jiath, too, but mainly because you don't trade for a 26 year old, 75-gamer and then play him in the reserves (not completely convinced he's going to play 100 or more games for Melbourne).

So that's two talls and a dasher.

AMW looks in a great position to become the 'lockdown' small after McVee cracked the sads.

If Rivers starts in the middle, which I think he will, maybe Taylor gets an early - even Round 1 - gig.

AMW Petty Salem
Taylor Turner Jiath
(Horses for courses on the bench - May, Lever, Adams or McDonald if the opposition is tall; Lindsay if they're smaller.)

Who am I missing?

On 23/12/2025 at 10:56, The Taciturn Demon said:

Interesting to see what back six or seven King goes with. I just had a little go at a possible Round 1 team and realised, there's not an overabundance of small defenders on the list by any means.

Now that Bowey is out, I reckon only Turner and Petty are immediately on the sheet. Jiath, too, but mainly because you don't trade for a 26 year old, 75-gamer and then play him in the reserves (not completely convinced he's going to play 100 or more games for Melbourne).

So that's two talls and a dasher.

AMW looks in a great position to become the 'lockdown' small after McVee cracked the sads.

If Rivers starts in the middle, which I think he will, maybe Taylor gets an early - even Round 1 - gig.

AMW Petty Salem
Taylor Turner Jiath
(Horses for courses on the bench - May, Lever, Adams or McDonald if the opposition is tall; Lindsay if they're smaller.)

Who am I missing?

May and Lever will probably start Salem out.

1 hour ago, demon3165 said:

May and Lever will probably start Salem out.

Salem is looking a bit too in form at training to leave out at the moment.

On 19/12/2025 at 19:22, Bring-Back-Powell said:

AMW looked really promising in the North practice match in Feb after showing a little something in late 2024. The modern day prototypical small defender that has pace, gets effective possessions and can shut down the oppo’s premier small defender. Basically Judd Mcvee when he’s fit.

When he did his knee that day my first thought was how do we replace both he and McVee for round 1?

I have him in my best 23 in 2025 as the season progresses.

I remember JKH practice match

On 24/12/2025 at 00:11, Deemac said:

I remember JKH practice match

Fair retort to be honest. You can’t judge a book based on a praccy match at Arden Street (although he showed a bit in a few 2024 AFL games)

I recall that JFK practice match you’re referring to circa 2014 at Marvel. He looked like our next 15 year premier small forward that night.

6 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Fair retort to be honest. You can’t judge a book based on a praccy match at Arden Street (although he showed a bit in a few 2024 AFL games)

I recall that JFK practice match you’re referring to circa 2014 at Marvel. He looked like our next 15 year premier small forward that night.

If only he hadn't tripped on that grassy knoll.

Whilst the contested ball side of his game is great (even taller opponents don't mark against him), I just like that he consistently gets high possessions off half back. With the rebounding game being played next year, he should excel.

I'm a huge fan and with question marks over our best midfield combo I'm wondering if he's been considered there?

He's quick, keeps his feet, very strong physically and 1 on 1.

All good inside/outside mid traits

3 hours ago, Bang Na Demon said:

I'm a huge fan and with question marks over our best midfield combo I'm wondering if he's been considered there?

He's quick, keeps his feet, very strong physically and 1 on 1.

All good inside/outside mid traits

As a point for comparison, look at Tom McCarthy at west coast. Had a great role at half back, was a genuine weapon. But for want of a midfielder they’ve turned him into a sub 20 touch player who has to find his feet in a tougher role.

If your role is already filled (much like Petty last couple of years) then it makes sense to try your hand at another position to get games. But AMWs got a spot available at the top level. It’s not glamorous to play on the games best smalls but it is appreciated by club/fans. With McVee gone we need AMW to slot in.

Our mids need time to gel unfortunately. It’s fine to inject a new element into a group and have them learn how to fit in but we have effectively transplanted an entire midfield core. There’s going to be lots of settling in to take place amongst them and other than Steele who has done enough time to know, the rest are going to have a rough year figuring things out.