The Demons hit the road for their last practice hit out before the start of the 2026 AFL Premiership season when they take on the Tigers at Mars Stadium in Ballarat.

According to Chaplin towards the end of this interview Max should be back to take on the Tigers as well as Petty. CJ & Salem are expected to play the full game.

The Demons are defending their second place spot on the AFL’s unofficial ladder:-

Does anybody know Melksham's injury? No one has said anything.

I'm going to Ballarat with a Richmond supporter should be good.

I think another 80 pts touch up is on the cards and the recipient will be ooze's chargers.

Edited February 20Feb 20 by YesitwasaWin4theAges

I'll try and pick the team for next week

B: Lever, McDonald, Salem

HB: Jiath, Turner, Tholstrup

C: Langford, Steele, Lindsay

HF: Chandler, van Rooyen, L.Pickett

F: Fritsch, Kentfield, Jefferson

FOLL: Gawn, Rivers, K.Pickett

IC: Langdon, Sparrow, Windsor, Howes, Heath, Petty, Sharp, Melksham

EMERG: Taylor, Adams, Laurie

7 hours ago, WERRIDEE said:

Does anybody know Melksham's injury? No one has said anything.

Melksham has been back in full training for several weeks and took part in last week’s intraclub match. He was also on the track on Wednesday, so unless there’s been a new setback or recurrence, he was probably just managed this week. I’d expect him to line up against the Tigers.

From the 23 that started the North game:

Out: Heath, Mihocek (inj), Kolt

In: Gawn, Kentfield, Salem

FB: Lever T Mc CJ

HB: Salem Disco Lindsay

C: Langdon Steele Howes

HF: Chandler JVR Fritsch

FF: Jeffo Kentfield L. Pickett

Foll: Gawn Sparrow K. Pickett

Int: Langford, Rivers, Windsor, Laurie, Sharp

Subs: Heath, Kolt, Petty, Melk, X Taylor

Selection questions before round 1:

• Can we play 4 key forwards, 2 rucks or Melk or is the extra runner too vital for the game plan?

• Can Petty dislodge Lever or T Mc?

• Can Kolt or X Taylor dislodge a more proven back flanker

• Will Culley be right to go and how does that rejig the midfield mix

Does anybody know if you need to purchase a ticket for this match?

Hoping Kentfield plays a full game. I’m on board with him playing round 1 than Jeffo. Jefferson seemed scared of his own shadow yesterday.

Would love Heath to get a good crack at the ruck again also. Even if it means Gawn can float back for any high kicks into our backline.

Edited February 21Feb 21 by Demongirl35

Wow, I have 30 players still in the mix for Rd 1 after our game yesterday.

From the squad of 26 that played v North, add Culley, Melky and Petty if fit and Gawn.

Ironically our two worst performers yesterday were our two best the week before. While Windsor is still a cert for Rd 1, Jeffo probably played himself out of the side, especially with Luka and Moose so good.

And while Luka showed he is highly capable in the ruck, can we go with him against the Saints who have jumping jack TDK and Marshall. Would Moose be better as back-up given his extra height and ruck prowess and the fact that it's his old side? A good showing against the Tiges by any of those three will tip the balance their way I reckon.

But it's great situation to be in and so nice that DLers are all up and about now.

14 hours ago, WERRIDEE said:

I'm going to Ballarat with a Richmond supporter should be good.

Put a peg on your nose

As a guide to who might be selected for next Friday’s game against Richmond, let’s look at where they were last Friday:-

MELBOURNE V NORTH MELBOURNE (Casey Fields 22 February 2026)

2. Jacob Van Rooyen

3. Christian Salem

4. Harvey Langford

5. Xavier Lindsay

6. Caleb Windsor

8. Jake Lever

9. Jack Steele

10. Daniel Turner

12. Koltyn Tholstrup

14. Changkuoth Jiath

15. Ed Langdon

16. Bailey Laurie

19. Xavier Taylor

21. Matthew Jefferson

22. Blake Howes

24. Trent Rivers

25. Tom McDonald

26. Jed Adams *

27. Max Heath

28. Brody Mihocek

30. Harry Sharp

31. Bayley Fritsch

32. Tom Sparrow

33. Latrelle Sumner-Pickett

36. Kysaiah Pickett

37. Kade Chandler

39. Ricky Mentha Jnr *

44. Luker Kentfield

* selected but did not play

CASEY DEMONS V NORTH MELBOURNE VFL (Casey Fields 22 February 2026)

3. Christian Salem +

18. Jake Melksham

19. Xavier Taylor  +

20. Thomas Matthews

26. Jed Adams

30. Harry Sharp +

38. Oscar Berry

39. Ricky Mentha Jnr

40. Riley Onley

44.Luker Kentfield +

+ also played in main game

DID NOT PLAY (22 February 2026)

1. Steven May (personal leave)

7. Jack Viney (Achilles)

11. Max Gawn (managed)

13. Jai Culley (arm)

17. Jake Bowey (foot)

23. Shane McAdam (Achilles)

29. Tom Campbell (neck)

34. Kalani White (glandular fever)

35. Harry Petty (concussion protocol)

42. Aidan Johnson (hamstring) 

43. Jack Henderson (back/sacrum)

45. Andy Moniz-Wakefield (knee)

INJURED (22 February 2026)

28. Brody Mihocek (concussion protocol)

Last one before the season.

I’d like to see

B: Taylor* Petty Lever

HB: CJ Turner Lindsey

C: Langdon Steele Howes*

HF: Chandler JVR Melks

F: Fritsch Kentfield* L.Pickett

R: Gawn K.Pickett Langford

Int: Windsor Kolt* Heath Rivers Jeffo*

Players with * are in question for round 1

Unsure if we’ll go with Gawn, Heath, Kentfield, JVR and Mihocek round 1. As much as I’ve never been a fan of that many talls I don’t mind it. Kentfield has some pace and JVR seems to be putting in with his running.

Hopefully Kolt works on his kicking and decision making because he had a few to many turn overs again North. Other teams would make us pay for most of them.

I’m hoping Matthews makes it l, as it will free up Trelly up the ground but not lose a small in the forward line. Trelly seems to have a good tank and speed to burn. Exciting times!

anyone know how the parking is around the stadium? any secret parking spots i should know about

35 minutes ago, harveylangfordisthegoat said:

anyone know how the parking is around the stadium? any secret parking spots i should know about

Thought about thr train? I went to Ballarat to do some ancestor research at the Old Cemetery and got a bus from the station and back.I guess there could be a bus to the ground.Enjoy

1 hour ago, Dingo said:

Thought about thr train? I went to Ballarat to do some ancestor research at the Old Cemetery and got a bus from the station and back.I guess there could be a bus to the ground.Enjoy

The #15 bus from Ballarat station takes you to the ground (5 stops).

On 21/02/2026 at 14:56, mandeelorian said:

Does anybody know if you need to purchase a ticket for this match?

Yeah you do. It’s $5 for members using the barcode or $20 for non members.

If you’re a member you should’ve received an email a week or two ago with the barcode.

17 minutes ago, DistrACTION Jackson said:

Yeah you do. It’s $5 for members using the barcode or $20 for non members.

If you’re a member you should’ve received an email a week or two ago with the barcode.

Plus a $4.05 handling fee.

I suspect the match has technically sold out. The reason being there is construction currently underway on the stands therefore there weren’t many tickets available in the first place.

On 21/02/2026 at 00:58, WERRIDEE said:

I'm going to Ballarat with a Richmond supporter should be good.

make sure you're fumigated before heading home.

1 hour ago, Ghostwriter said:

Plus a $4.05 handling fee.

I suspect the match has technically sold out. The reason being there is construction currently underway on the stands therefore there weren’t many tickets available in the first place.

Yep paid that fee also… love a handling fee to handle electronic tickets….

6 hours ago, harveylangfordisthegoat said:

anyone know how the parking is around the stadium? any secret parking spots i should know about

If you head around the Ballarat Ring Road and turn left at the 1st exit. You will drive along Creswick Road. You can park next to the stadium on Creswick Rd, or go left onto Howitt St and there is parking options there. Max walk of about 300m

12 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

As a guide to who might be selected for next Friday’s game against Richmond, let’s look at where they were last Friday:-

MELBOURNE V NORTH MELBOURNE (Casey Fields 22 February 2026)

2. Jacob Van Rooyen

3. Christian Salem

4. Harvey Langford

5. Xavier Lindsay

6. Caleb Windsor

8. Jake Lever

9. Jack Steele

10. Daniel Turner

12. Koltyn Tholstrup

14. Changkuoth Jiath

15. Ed Langdon

16. Bailey Laurie

19. Xavier Taylor

21. Matthew Jefferson

22. Blake Howes

24. Trent Rivers

25. Tom McDonald

26. Jed Adams *

27. Max Heath

28. Brody Mihocek

30. Harry Sharp

31. Bayley Fritsch

32. Tom Sparrow

33. Latrelle Sumner-Pickett

36. Kysaiah Pickett

37. Kade Chandler

39. Ricky Mentha Jnr *

44. Luker Kentfield

* selected but did not play

CASEY DEMONS V NORTH MELBOURNE VFL (Casey Fields 22 February 2026)

3. Christian Salem +

18. Jake Melksham

19. Xavier Taylor  +

20. Thomas Matthews

26. Jed Adams

30. Harry Sharp +

38. Oscar Berry

39. Ricky Mentha Jnr

40. Riley Onley

44.Luker Kentfield +

+ also played in main game

DID NOT PLAY (22 February 2026)

1. Steven May (personal leave)

7. Jack Viney (Achilles)

11. Max Gawn (managed)

13. Jai Culley (arm)

17. Jake Bowey (foot)

23. Shane McAdam (Achilles)

29. Tom Campbell (neck)

34. Kalani White (glandular fever)

35. Harry Petty (concussion protocol)

42. Aidan Johnson (hamstring) 

43. Jack Henderson (back/sacrum)

45. Andy Moniz-Wakefield (knee)

INJURED (22 February 2026)

28. Brody Mihocek (concussion protocol)

Unless hot weather is predicted, you would expect a squad of 24 to be selected.

Of the 26 who played vs North, Brodie Mihocek is an injured out and I think Kozzie and Riv who played State of Origin get a rest while Max comes in to lead the side. There might be a couple of other changes around the edges just to give a couple of others some opportunities to stake a claim.

It sounds as though Tommy Matthews had a solid game for Casey in their practice hit our after the Melbourne vs North game.

I think I read somewhere that he kicked two and took a hanger.

Would love to see him get a quarter or two against Richmond.

11 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

Plus a $4.05 handling fee.

I suspect the match has technically sold out. The reason being there is construction currently underway on the stands therefore there weren’t many tickets available in the first place.

Playing an AFL match (of any kind) at a rural oval with limited capacity because of construction is one of the sillier decisions I have heard for a while