After 182 long days since the disastrous 2025 season, the Demons will finally take the field again. Friday afternoon brings new coach Steven King’s first real hit-out, as the Demons takes on the Kangaroos in their opening 2026 practice match.

What are you most hoping to see from the Demons?

MELBOURNE’S pre-season preparations will step up a gear on Friday 20 February, with the Dees set to take on North Melbourne in a match simulation at Casey Fields.

The hit-out will be Melbourne’s first match simulation against external opposition this pre-season, offering a valuable opportunity for players to build match fitness as preparations continue for the 2026 AFL season.

The match simulation will begin at 4pm and will be played under modified conditions, with no limit on players or rotations. The contest will consist of four 25-minute quarters, with the clock stopping after goals only.

Gates will open at 3:30pm.

Quarter breaks will be set at six minutes for the first and third intervals, with a 15-minute main break, while a two-minute scenario will be played at the end of the second and fourth quarters using full match timing.

Later in the day, Casey Demons will also be in action at Casey Fields, featuring in a match simulation starting at approximately 6.30pm.

The VFL hit-out will consist of three 25-minute quarters, with six-minute breaks between each period.

Fans attending Casey Fields can also enjoy a range of partner activations, activities and food trucks throughout the day, including face painting, Demon Shop and membership activations, SEDA inflatables, the Demon Army sausage sizzle, and a carnival ride, making it a great day out for the whole family.

For those unable to attend, every match simulation will be broadcast exclusively live on Fox Footy, available via Kayo Sports and Foxtel.

I am hoping we don’t get belted like last season. If we can be close to the Roos it will be a good start.

No injuries this time.

2 hours ago, old dee said:

If we can be close to the Roos it will be a good start.

I agree.

And how bloody depressing. Oh how the mighty have fallen.

11 hours ago, old dee said:

I am hoping we don’t get belted like last season. If we can be close to the Roos it will be a good start.

Last time we played them we beat them by 6 goals.
And corresponding practise game last year we beat them by 40+

All I am hoping for besides another solid hit out is no injuries.

Sure AMW doesnt have fond memories of Norf in practise games 😫

2 minutes ago, JTR said:

Last time we played them we beat them by 6 goals.
And corresponding practise game last year we beat them by 40+

That was my first thought but he may have been referring to the day North pumped us in round 2 at Marvel??

I'm hoping for the following:

1) CJ, Petty and Salem play some minutes to ensure we have some depth to choose from in round 1.

2) How the new game plan works against opposition.

3) How our skills are looking overall.

4) Looking forward to seeing if Windsor and Langford can continue their pre season momentum against oppo.

5) Whether Jeffo can put his hand up for a round 1 gig. He's showing bits and pieces in the match sims.

6) Whether Latrelle is in round 1 contention. The intra club potentially showed that he might not be ready yet.

Not fussed about the result as we'll be missing Gawn, Kozzie and Rivers. If we're to win a game of footy, Gawn and Kozzie are going to be the key drivers and are central to our game plan.

Will take more notice of the result against Richmond as we should have close to a full squad and we're probably swimming with Richmond at the shallow end of the pool this year if we're being honest.

Edited 9 hours ago9 hr by Bring-Back-Powell

27 minutes ago, JTR said:

Last time we played them we beat them by 6 goals.
And corresponding practise game last year we beat them by 40+

All I am hoping for besides another solid hit out is no injuries.

Sure AMW doesnt have fond memories of Norf in practise games 😫

In between those wins we lost by 10 goals!

23 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

That was my first thought but he may have been referring to the day North pumped us in round 2 at Marvel??

I'm hoping for the following:

1) CJ, Petty and Salem play some minutes to ensure we have some depth to choose from in round 1.

2) How the new game plan works against opposition.

3) How our skills are looking overall.

4) Looking forward to seeing if Windsor and Langford can continue their pre season momentum against oppo.

5) Whether Jeffo can put his hand up for a round 1 gig. He's showing bits and pieces in the match sims.

6) Whether Latrelle is in round 1 contention. The intra club potentially showed that he might not be ready yet.

Not fussed about the result as we'll be missing Gawn, Kozzie and Rivers. If we're to win a game of footy, Gawn and Kozzie are going to be the key drivers and are central to our game plan.

Will take more notice of the result against Richmond as we should have close to a full squad and we're probably swimming with Richmond at the shallow end of the pool this year if we're being honest.

I am familiar with the shallow end, we have been in it for the majority of the 60 years. I look at the two sides we play in practice matches and I see teams that have crashed out of finals contention in recent years and are struggling to get out of the shallow end. North have been there for a considerable period. I actually think they will be better than the Tigers this year and I will not be surprised if they beat us. They have a legion of kids who are starting to find their feet at the top level. Beware the Roo in 26.

I've had a look at players we've lost since our 2021 premiership and attempted to pair them with players we've gained. I'm not suggesting the pairs are like-for-like replacements, just allocating the quality available. I'm attempting to get a feel for what we might expect as a Win/Loss estimate in 2026. I've not considered Bowey, Viney or May as I regard that trio as unavailable. Their eventual inclusion will be a bonus!

Bowey - Jiath

Brayshaw - Lindsay

Brown - Mihocek

Harmes - Windsor

Hibberd - Taylor

Jackson - Heath

Jordon - Tholstrup

May - Turner

Neal-Bullen - Chandler

Oliver - Langford

Petracca - Culley

Spargo - L. Pickett

Viney - Steele

North are apparently abandoning the zone defence and going man on man for 2026. Will be interesting watching how that plays out for them

FB: Howes T Mc Lever

HB: Tholstrup Disco Lindsay

C: Langford Steele Langdon

HF: Chandler JVR Fritsch

FF: L. Pickett Jeffo Mihocek

Foll: Gawn Windsor K. Pickett

Int: X Taylor, Rivers, Sparrow, Laurie, Sharp

Second half subs: Heath, Melk, Kentfield, Mentha, Adams, Onley, Matthews, Berry

Might play: AJ?, Salem, CJ, Petty

Inj: Culley, AMW, McAdam, Henderson, May, White, Viney, Campbell, Bowey

Just hope to see plenty of pace on the ball, switches and run. Our forwards getting chances in space.

Then hopefully our backline and particularly our transition defending can hold up against a North side that are dangerous when they get out in space.

4 minutes ago, BW511 said:

North are apparently abandoning the zone defence and going man on man for 2026. Will be interesting watching how that plays out for them

So, basically, Clarkson has retired. Or is it 'quiet quitting'?

I guess their theory has to be that they have a bundle of very talented players who might win their individual contests so decisively it outweighs the incremental losses from the weaker parts of the list.

Or... they have realised that they have managed to recruit a whole lot of players who are very good at football but dumb as bricks when it comes to game structure.

Without having a Foxtel account, or such, then we cannot watch it. Is that pretty poor if we actually have membership.

We are not being "looked after" very well.

Or do I have that wrong ?

16 minutes ago, Little Goffy said:

So, basically, Clarkson has retired. Or is it 'quiet quitting'?

I guess their theory has to be that they have a bundle of very talented players who might win their individual contests so decisively it outweighs the incremental losses from the weaker parts of the list.

Or... they have realised that they have managed to recruit a whole lot of players who are very good at football but dumb as bricks when it comes to game structure.

Could be a bit of both.

Likely the Coaches acknowledged they were getting nowhere with what they were trying to do and the players were feeling suffocated.

1 minute ago, 640MD said:

Without having a Foxtel account, or such, then we cannot watch it. Is that pretty poor if we actually have membership.

We are not being "looked after" very well.

Or do I have that wrong ?

None of the AFL practice matches are being broadcast on free to air television so we are in the same boat as all the other teams.

3 minutes ago, 640MD said:

Without having a Foxtel account, or such, then we cannot watch it. Is that pretty poor if we actually have membership.

We are not being "looked after" very well.

Or do I have that wrong ?

You are correct, but missed the best option - pub with Foxtel. When supporting the mighty Dees , proximity to alcohol is advisable.

18 minutes ago, Bigfoot said:

None of the AFL practice matches are being broadcast on free to air television so we are in the same boat as all the other teams.

I have Foxtel, so I’m ok, but it would be nice if the AFL could stream these games like they did with all of the VFL games last year.

I would assume it is in the contract with Foxtel/Kayo that the AFL cannot provide a stream for games on pay TV.

Otherwise people would not fork out for Foxtel

2 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

Foll: Gawn Windsor K. Pickett

Int: X Taylor, Rivers, Sparrow, Laurie, Sharp

This hasn't been confirmed but I was of the understanding that Pickett, Gawn and Rivers won't be playing this game because of their Origin participation.

8 minutes ago, DubDee said:

I would assume it is in the contract with Foxtel/Kayo that the AFL cannot provide a stream for games on pay TV.

Otherwise people would not fork out for Foxtel

Yeah, that makes sense.

1 hour ago, 640MD said:

Without having a Foxtel account, or such, then we cannot watch it. Is that pretty poor if we actually have membership.

We are not being "looked after" very well.

Or do I have that wrong ?

Does a Russian emigre/Gordon Gecko clone pull the strings in Global sport telecasting? 'Greed is is good' appears to have arrived with a vengeance. On (a) previous occasion(s) a live stream with commentary of the 'match simulation' was was provided from Arden Street via the MFC website.

Departed Foxtel and Kayo when the incentives $$$ to continue disappeared. Free to Air or if I'm keen depending on team performance/fixture go the local sports club. Otherwise its Radio and replay. Back to old school days.

17 hours ago, Demonland said:

After 182 long days since the disastrous 2025 season, the Demons will finally take the field again. Friday afternoon brings new coach Steven King’s first real hit-out, as the Demons takes on the Kangaroos in their opening 2026 practice match.

What are you most hoping to see from the Demons?

MELBOURNE’S pre-season preparations will step up a gear on Friday 20 February, with the Dees set to take on North Melbourne in a match simulation at Casey Fields.

The hit-out will be Melbourne’s first match simulation against external opposition this pre-season, offering a valuable opportunity for players to build match fitness as preparations continue for the 2026 AFL season.

The match simulation will begin at 4pm and will be played under modified conditions, with no limit on players or rotations. The contest will consist of four 25-minute quarters, with the clock stopping after goals only.

Gates will open at 3:30pm.

Quarter breaks will be set at six minutes for the first and third intervals, with a 15-minute main break, while a two-minute scenario will be played at the end of the second and fourth quarters using full match timing.

Later in the day, Casey Demons will also be in action at Casey Fields, featuring in a match simulation starting at approximately 6.30pm.

The VFL hit-out will consist of three 25-minute quarters, with six-minute breaks between each period.

Fans attending Casey Fields can also enjoy a range of partner activations, activities and food trucks throughout the day, including face painting, Demon Shop and membership activations, SEDA inflatables, the Demon Army sausage sizzle, and a carnival ride, making it a great day out for the whole family.

For those unable to attend, every match simulation will be broadcast exclusively live on Fox Footy, available via Kayo Sports and Foxtel.

Do you or does anyone know if you are able to bring a chair ?

40 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

This hasn't been confirmed but I was of the understanding that Pickett, Gawn and Rivers won't be playing this game because of their Origin participation.

I forgot about that. In that case Heath comes in, there’s every chance Max will be on light duties not risking his tight hammy. And a couple of runners to replace the other 2. Maybe Mentha and Onley if CJ isn’t right.

1 minute ago, Deestar9 said:

Do you or does anyone know if you are able to bring a chair ?

Previously you’ve been able to at Casey, although during the intraclub they had a couple of decent sized temporary stands on the outer side which would do the job better than byo chair.

4 hours ago, waynewussell said:

I've had a look at players we've lost since our 2021 premiership and attempted to pair them with players we've gained. I'm not suggesting the pairs are like-for-like replacements, just allocating the quality available. I'm attempting to get a feel for what we might expect as a Win/Loss estimate in 2026. I've not considered Bowey, Viney or May as I regard that trio as unavailable. Their eventual inclusion will be a bonus!

Bowey - Jiath

Brayshaw - Lindsay

Brown - Mihocek

Harmes - Windsor

Hibberd - Taylor

Jackson - Heath

Jordon - Tholstrup

May - Turner

Neal-Bullen - Chandler

Oliver - Langford

Petracca - Culley

Spargo - L. Pickett

Viney - Steele

On that list basis other than losing Jackson we’re probably only 2 elite on ballers short of becoming seriously competitive again. Thats assuming that LPickett becomes best 18 and Chandler continues to improve.

Edited 5 hours ago5 hr by Roost it far