MATCH SIM: Friday 6th February 2026

A couple Demonland Trackwatchers as well as a Jounalist were in attendance out at Casey Fields this morning to bring you their observations from the Match Simulation including reports that Jai Culley left the field with a suspected broken arm.

GATOR'S MATCH SIMULATION OBSERVATIONS

Rivers kicked 3 that I saw. All from set shots.

Heath battled hard against Gawn and took a couple of nice marks.

Howes was good. Got a lot of it and was strong in the air.

I thought Rivers, Windsor and Langford were the standouts.

Culley did his arm in the last few minutes.

The forwards play a very high press. There was often no-one in one half of the ground. Lots of switching and short passes to retain control combined with long down the line when needed. Lots of quick play and ball movement that occasionally came unstuck. We'll be trying to get out the back towards goal quite a lot.

Mihocek, van Rooyen and Jefferson all had their moments without starring.

Fritsch is a different player from last year, but you already knew that.

Sparrow was good.

Plenty took turns in the centre square.

Standing in the back pocket on the boundary line with Salem and Jiath while watching proceedings, Jarrad Rivers yelled out to Rick (Lever) about his positioning. Once play had moved up field Xavier Taylor turned around and yelled out to Rivers, "were you calling me "? Rivers shook his head. Taylor then nodded before saying, "call me Reg, or you can call me Daddy". Needless to say there were howls of laughter with Rivers telling Salem you're going to have to get that boy under control. He then told Petty the story of how Taylor told him to call him Daddy, before lamenting he gets enough grief at home.

Just a solid hitout with some good bits of play interspersed with some errors. I think Mihocek will be very important and a handy pick up, notwithstanding his age.

I left thinking we'll get a lot more of an even performance than the last couple of years and that I have no real clue how we'll go. I actually doubt we'll be worse and have a sneaky suspicion we could surprise a little to the upside. Pity I didn't see Latrelle.

I should add that Windsor's kicking was very good. We all know it's not always. I suspect his kicking is linked to his body health.

I'm not a fan of Tholstrup but thought he was one of the better players on the ground. He got quite a lot of it and used it pretty well. I find him a fumbler but only saw that once. It was my first preseason viewing but he looked noticeably better to me.

Salem ran laps at a good pace and seemed unhindered. He didn't take place in any of the match sim.

LACE OUT LARRY'S MATCH SIMULATION OBSERVATIONS

Lost count how many Rivers dobbed

Jefferson took some nice marks

Thought Berry looked good

The forward line looked more cohesive and Mihocek plays a good leading role there … good teacher

Langford kicked a pearler from outside 50. But something tells me that is regulation.

All of them looked sharp. No real standouts besides Rivers

A really searching session with drills after the match component.

MATT DEMON'S MATCH SIMULATION OBSERVATIONS

Culley injured, arm/shoulder. Using his jumper as a sling as he walks off into the rooms.

Confirmed by Troy Chaplin it's a broken arm, will have a plate put in and should only miss a couple of weeks.

TREN KNIESE FROM NINE NEWS PROVIDED SOME TIDBITS FROM THE FIRST QUARTER OF THE MATCH SIMULATION

Melbourne match sim notes:

- Serious concerns with Jack Viney. Walked a few laps with Tom Campbell (who’s still in a neck brace) before sitting on the bench and putting sunnies on. Achilles injury is worse than first thought. Demons injury report on Jan 14 said “We expect him to return to full training in the next few weeks.” Almost a month on and he hasn’t progressed. He isn’t playing any time soon. Former captain still showing his love and passion for the club, helping coach from the sidelines and at quarter time.

- Steven May still on leave from Dees.

- Kysaiah and Latrelle Pickett absent, the pair are in Alice Springs for a marketing campaign with Northern Territory Tourism.

- Changkuoth Jiath didn’t take part in match sim and instead completed a running session. As did Jake Melksham, Christian Salem, Harrison Petty and Shane McAdam.

1st QTR: The Dees have stacked the defence and forward line for team blue, but are keeping it reasonably even in the midfield. Tom McDonald played in deep defence with Jake Lever on team blue. Daniel Turner down back also. Harvey Langford (spent time on wing), Jai Culley, Ed Langdon, Brody Mihocek and Jacob Van Rooyen other names on Blue. Team White includes, Max Gawn, Jack Steele and Trent Rivers.

QTR TIME: Blue: 5.4.34 to White 2.1.13

MFC REPORT ON THE MATCH SIMULATION

melbournefc.com.au

The below match report has been produced by Melbourne Media, and does not represent the views of the club or coaching staff. 

SPEED machine Caleb Windsor has pushed his case for a place in the Demons midfield with an eye-catching match simulation showing at Casey Fields.

The former No. 7 selection in the 2023 National Draft showcased a clean pair of heels as he repeatedly burst free from stoppage for three early goal assists.

A running bomb from 50 rounded out his afternoon as the 20-year-old looks to cement a place in the guts after finishing 2025 in the middle.

Skipper Max Gawn returned to match play after a stint on the sidelines with a finger fracture, proving his fitness for next Saturday’s AFL State of Origin.

New Demon Max Heath took it right up to the eight-time All Australian, using his large frame to great effect in and around the stoppages.

Brody Mihocek made his first match simulation appearance after overcoming a toe injury dating back to last year’s finals series with the Magpies.

The veteran forward paired well with Jacob van Rooyen ahead of the ball, providing a target down the line and kicking two goals across three terms of action.

The 22-year-old van Rooyen was everywhere as he continued his strong pre-season campaign, looking mobile and athletic as he presented again and again.

The midfield battle was a juicy one as Windsor, Langford, Steele, Culley, Rivers, Sparrow and Tholstrup locked horns, rotating between blue and white sides each term.

Trent Rivers showcased his ability to be a damaging playmaker through the middle, pouncing on back half turnovers to kick three majors.

Langford and Steele were busy as they racked up the football on the inside.

Daniel Turner looked the goods down back, taking a number of intercept grabs alongside Blake Howes who also turned in an impressive performance.

Bayley Fritsch (four goals) was the top goalscorer for the afternoon, with his clinical finishing around goals always threatening.

Harry Sharp was another Demon to return to the fray after suffering a hamstring injury late last year, using his pace to get free and put the finishing touches on some highlight plays.

First-year draftee Tom Matthews also got his first taste of the action after arriving at the club with a meniscus injury last year.

The zippy small forward showed run and carry and managed to finish the three terms with a goal on the board.

Ed Langdon ran hard on the wings, using his trademark engine to push from goalsquare to goalsquare and find himself out the back of the play for two goals.

Ricky Mentha, Kysaiah and Latrelle Pickett were all absent from training as they visit Alice Springs on a club community trip.

Total Goals

Fritsch 4, Rivers 3, van Rooyen, Chandler, Langford, Mihocek, Langdon 2, Mathews, Gawn, Windsor