Leaderboard

5 year deal in front of him. Club happy for him to settle on a 2-3 year extension while our window is open.

I had some concerns that Salem might have had a serious injury but going off today's training he seems fine which is good news.

Smith was off the ground for one of Charlie’s goals and another was when Rivers missed a handball and gave it straight to Charlie. So let’s at least judge Smith realistically.

If Angus was my son, I'd be advising... "Stay and win some more flags, with your mates. Thats what footy is about."

Yep. Funnily enough I happened to watch that game last night as part of my 2021 season redux (two to go!) Sure cameron was too clever for Smith on a several occasions - though twice Smith beat Cameron in a pure one on one racing back towards goal, the second of which was critical as the lions were really pushing at that point. Cameron is brilliant one on one But an important point is related to why they chose to leave Smith on Cameron. Spoiler alert - it wasn't because he couldn't pick another forward up. Sure Cameron kicked 5 goals. Great. But no goal assists, only 2 involvements other than his goals (by way of contrast viney had no goals and 7 score involvements) and crucially bugger all pressure inside 50 . 13 disposals, but 12 were kicks, so not bringing teamstes into the game. But the key thing is the lions only scored 4 other goals. Cameron was basically their only avenue to goal and they went through him too often and look to isolate him on one one too often. Added to that is they looked to create space behind him to help him score. That is a rubbish way to play against us because we allow so few opportunities for teams to get behind us. Bottom line is even with Cameron kicking 5 they weren't scoring enough, and goody was happy with that.

In our round 12 game Hibberd played on Cameron for 80% game time and while on him held him goalless. Cameron kicked 1 on Salem and 1 on Hunt (a junk time free kick). I was surprised Hibberd didn't get the job again in round 1 of the finals. @Baghdad Bob Smith was on the ground for all of Cameron's 5 goals. Three were mistakes by Smith. The other 2 you can give Smith the benefit of the doubt. Cameron's second was the Rivers handball. Not Smiths fault but definitely a disconnect as Smith was indecisive and had no awareness. You could tell Rivers had an "oh [censored]" moment half way through what should have been simple handball. For Cameron's 3rd, Smith picked up McCluggage who went forward, and Salem picked up Cameron. That goal looked bad for Smith as he was the closest to Cameron when he kicked the goal, but if you relook at it closely it was a lapse of the entire back 6 as Salem ran off Cameron and impacted the contest and no-one dropped back to stand the Lions most dangerous forward.

Binman love your views, but might be worth going back and watching tommo’s form pre doing his knee last year! Lost 0 1-on-1’s in total games to that point. Tommo is km’s ahead of Smith :- only question is whether he will need to ease back into things post his acl.

Salem training today so you'd assume whatever knock he copped in this match is now OK

Charlie Cameron kicked 5 on Smith. He kicked 5 in a final against Geelong once, but beside that has kicked 17 goals in 11 finals. A couple of goals is about par, not 5 out of 9 team goals. The Lions game showed up Smiths weakness. Smith positioning was poor and Cameron continually got goal side of him. But Smith has not played many games, so can still learn, and has lots of upside.

The only evidence that Brayshaw is anywhere near a Brownlow comes from 2018, when we were an awful defensive transition team with Gus on ball and when he got all of Oliver’s votes because Oliver talked back to the umps. There’s been nothing either side of that year to suggest Brayshaw is a good on baller, yet alone a great one. He has nice clean hands around a stoppage but his pressure and in tight defensive work is a mess. If Gus gets 30 you have to live with his opponent getting 30 too, and there’s plenty of mids who will do better with their 30. Thats why our coaches use Harmes, Sparrow and Jordon on ball rather than Gus. He might enjoy playing on ball more. And might get that chance more often at a bottom 6 club. But he’s not getting on ball minutes at a top team the way he currently plays. If he was at Freo for instance he’d be behind Mundy, Fyfe, Andy Brayshaw and Serong and playing on the wing too!

You might have been, don't include everyone into your panic attack.

the article re jackson has appeared in the little paper... there's literally nothing to it; just says that melbourne can't afford to lowball dogga as he's the sort of player that freo MIGHT throw a godfather offer at to capture his signature my god the herald-sun is an appalling newspaper

what's so wrong about being a wingman? it can be a very strategic and influential position. i don't get the "but he's only a wingman" sentiment wingmen have won the brownlow in the past many past wingmen have been revered players

What a load of rubbish. If he goes somewhere else it will be for cash. The fact he is a premiership player and played his best game for years in the big one means he will never be remembered as a bit player.

probably my best post ever demonland hall of fame stuff

Luke Breust and Jack Gunston have both been star footballers and All-Australians. I've watched from afar with envy, as they've both been so valuable in their ability to hit the scoreboard and complement Hawthorn's key forwards (and Cyril) in their dominant premiership years. Neither have ever kicked goals more than Fritsch did in 2021 (Gunston equalled once - Breust best is 57). And it's never been harder to hit the scoreboard than in 2021. Fritsch is only 25 and his best years lie ahead. He is a role player, but tell me anyone who plays his role better. The last two years running Fritsch has taken the 5th most marks inside 50. The last non key forward to do that (top 5) was Steve Johnson in 2010. It's easy to downplay Fritsch but his role is just about as valuable as it gets in my eyes.

Flash. This must be a dress rehearsal for the first game against the Dogs IMO. Pick as close to our round one team as possible. The rest can show their wares playing for Casey.

I get that you like Smith... hell, so do i. Personally think he is under-rated by most on DL.... But you cannot possibly know that "...he would have thrashed Daniher." I could just as easily state with the same conviction that Danners would have given him a bath. Neither of us will ever know.

Don't agree with you rpfc. Doesn't mean he doesn't know how to play a winger It merely means he plays within his limitations and to his strengths. Angus is a Top 10 pick that has not produced perhaps a career that we all thought when drafted along with Trac 2 and he 3. You are very quick to forget that the concussion issues he has overcome have not been without some loss of that free flowing style with greater pace and flair all vote catching and highlight reel friendly in 2018. Fast forward and his on the ball career in 2019 and 2020 was not convincing but 2021 saw him placed on the members wing with the indefatigable Lingers running a marathon each week on the opposite snd never appearing to run out of pace and style with the ball improving before our eyes as an unlucky to miss AA in 2021. How to play a role to the satisfaction of himself team and starting to doubt and very demanding supporters resulted in a patiently built very credible team role as defensive back up, in pack pressure and when able an attacking option to either score or pass to leading forwards to enable a score. His Top 10 ability and toughness came to the fore as he made a position ( not always appreciated by some fans only interested in flair and highlights packages.) "He only got 14 possessions " and but his disposal and heavy work was good in close" but kicking a little astray to the forwards". Well he persisted and came good at the biggest time of the year Finals culminating in his third or fourth best on ground in the Granny snd was a major player in the vital third quarter as he refused to let the Dogs maintain ball control on the non members wing. And he put us in front and we never were to forfeit the lead. In all his most influential and courageous performance only a very good footballer with his pedigree he can play. Trust me I sat on that wing at Optus snd he does many other knock balls out of bounds spoils opponents marks and hand balls with deft precision to keep our "quiet" wing going under the radar. I haven't looked at his opponents possessions but would be very surprised if many in 2021 caused Angus to alter his match style and team requirements. His defensive work early in the third term bottled up the ball so Dogs couldn't get a clean possession to turn into enough to worry us on the scoreboard. We saved the game before we won it with our pressure then when things turned we never released the hand brake. This wing player knows how to play defensive and pressure footy so the on ballers and excitement machines can do their stuff.

"Only a winger" Our two wingers Langon and Brayshaw were one of the key reasons for our success and one of our key failures in previous years. Short memories forget how desperate we were for two runners 5 years ago.

My mail is he would have played or at least been sub if May wasn't going into the GF with a grade 6 hammy issue. We couldn't go in with two suspect hammy's even if Smith's was graded much better at the time.

Jeff Garlett is one that comes to mind.

Hibberd was on Zuhuar for a good chunk of the game and also thrashed him. Our entire defence thrashed North due to our complete dominance as an entire side. I wouldn't take too much out of Smith's individual performance in that game. I'd take almost none.

Total bollocks. In fact Smith's flexibility is one reason 'they love' Smith. He could have taken any of their forwards - tall, medium or small. Hell, he would have thrashed Daniher. As an example of his flexibility, he didn't take a small or medium against the Roos in the practice match. he played as key defender and thrashed Zuhar, who was playing as a key forward.

I'd also be looking at what life after football could bring. Earning less money in your football career but being a multiple premiership player at one club, maybe with a coaching career, might be more lucrative over your lifetime than earning more immediate money but with a lesser achievement. Of course, not all think longer term of life beyond football.

A ‘defensive wingman’ is a disciplined player who doesn’t know how to play wing. Angus can build to more than that. And @rollinson 65 - he probably has his own drivers that aren’t necessarily where he finishes in the Brownlow… When I look back at the Premiership he played in - he is remembered right behind Petracca, Oliver, and Fritsch. So maybe we should all stop projecting what we would do onto his future actions and just enjoy the present.

The subtleties of it… it can be read so many ways! Kudos.

Wow, you guys must have seen a different replay to the one I have watched 46 times now. I am struggling to beat my eldest son, who lives in New York, to 57 times. Look, guys. We are all fervent Dees supporters on here. Ed Langdon may be content to go down in history as the best wingman in the modern game, but I just cannot see why you think Brayshaw will stay at a club that will deny him the opportunity to win that Brownlow. He already has a premiership medal. He has got to have the desire to go one better. Look, I hope he stays. I just don't see the logic. His management must be telling him to leave. And the Saints would be the best fit IMO. Gotta say it is good that the playing group are forbidden to access this site. None of us will ever forget his grand final game in 2021. What a player, what a game. Angus will make his decision and i will respect it.

Mate, I just watched the replay again yesterday. He did not 'come close to destroying our premiership' with this 7 disposals and 0 scoreboard impact.

I love a man of few words.

What a load of bollocks other players got the ball because of what Pickett did.

it just shows more demon fans have class and bypass the twitter cesspit

You could mount a case that every key forward last year was rubbish against us because we had a All Australian full back and an All Australian intercepting 3rd defender. No key forward was going to get past through them. 'Bin', I can't stand Daniher more then anyone. His face is punchable and he proved what a [censored] of a bloke he is by going after Jake Bowey in the first final before he [censored] himself when May and Viney retaliated. But he's not a rubbish footballer 'Bin'. Before injuries got hold of him he kicked 65 goals back in 2017 as a 22 year old and he was destined for superstar status. That's an amazing achievement for a young key forward at that age. Even this year alone after finally having a full season injury he still managed 46 goals which is a good outcome from a key forward especially someone who's had significant injuries that nearly ended his career. It's no wonder Sydney were willing to pay big and Brisbane actually did. Any team that has Joe Daniher still worries me because on his good day he can still kick 7.1. A bad day though is him kicking 2.6 You saying Smith would have Daniher's measure is simply laughable mate. Smith is nothing but depth at the moment and I would absolutely cringe and tear my hair out if I saw Smith standing next to Daniher because he would be far too good for him.

I think that in the GF the two goals kicked by Treloar in the second term were gifts, one by Salem and another by Petty, they were errant handballs under pressure. Even the best make mistakes when under pressure.

Correct. Cameron was held to 2 that night while Daniher, Hipwood and McStay managed just 2 between them. Bailey kicked 4. For the record, I like bits and pieces of Smith's game and he was excellent against Adelaide late last year. A good depth player that may actually sneak into round 1 and never look back if all goes right for him. I guess my point is that he's not suited to your smart and crafty Charlie Cameron small forward types, rather a taller forward. The question is with Jetta gone, who takes the premier classy small forward from the opposition? Eg - Cameron, Papley, Shai Bolton etc...

In great Indigenous Round atmosphere at Casey Fields, a season-defining battle loomed for the Demons against a somewhat under-the-radar Kangaroos outfit. The teams have had some close encounters, with the equivalent fixture last season an absolute cracker under lockdown lights. Returning for Melbourne were Sherriff and Gay, replacing the omitted Fitzsimon and Magee. Dees fans tuning in to the broadcast were met with Melbourne royalty, in ex-men’s captain Nathan Jones taking up a special comments role. How amazing that two of our recent club captains have called each other’s games. Nice also to see MFC President Kate Roffey in attendance as well as the involvement of Krstel Petrevski in the design of our jumper and some of our players’ indigenous art-themed boots. FIRST QUARTER A good start was again the plea from Melbourne fans, and this time the players avoided leaking early goals. As always, the Casey wind was a key character, this time in a particularly gusty mood. The ball ping-ponged between the arcs early, with the Dees unable to make deep wind-assisted inroads, while the Roos’ attempts to exit saw the ball repeatedly drifting out. Heath took up a defensive forward role against a crucial cog for North in Kearney (possibly explaining the omission of Fitzsimon). A big blow to the Roos seemed to occur five minutes in as their ruck Emma King limped off, only to return later unscathed but perhaps limited. Bannister out-marked Goldrick to set up the Roos first real chance. She kicked long and strong, but the ball dropped in the wind and was further denied by Gillard on the goal line. Consequently, Melbourne was able to roam out of the shadows and onto the sun-drenched outer wing for the first time. After a good mark from Sherriff, a bouncing ball from a Daisy kick goalward eluded everyone until Bannon trapped it in the pocket. Her snap was on-line, but the wind said, “Nah”, and everyone was left confounded as the ball plummeted abruptly and staggered wildly into the behind post. In the next play, Parry willed her way through traffic and drove the ball forward where Hore marked and converted. Parry soon backed that up with a solid grab on attacking 50 and a neat kick inboard to Paxman, who looked corridor as well, drawing a 50-metre penalty from a Roo cutting across to shut down that option. A gift of a goal resulted. North threatened to reply immediately with a quick clearance, only to be halted by Gillard with safe hands. A messy exit eventually saw Sherriff poke a rushed kick directly to Bruton, who lined up directly in front. Again, Gillard stood tall to touch the fading ball on the line. SECOND QUARTER Now it was time to see what the Roos could do with the wind. North had a quick answer to that question, with the always dangerous Garner finding space on Hanks to kick a forward stoppage gem. Hanks look disappointed but was straight back at it, determined to strike that offensive/defensive balance in a critical match-up. In this quarter, the Roos ratcheted up the intensity and looked on the verge of outmuscling us. Still, Melbourne was eventually able to find some space, with Goldrick dashing up the middle and passing to Harris who launched a mark of the year contender. In that classic “just took a great mark” style, unfortunately she wasted her kick. In a similar fashion to the first but in reverse, North was preventing Melbourne from making deep forward entries. A chance for Purcell went begging, and North was able to move forward, aided by Goldie being penalised for holding a ball that she’d made every effort to get rid of. Undeterred, she went back in again in the next contest and was again penalised, though fairly this time. Abbatangelo failed to read the wind with her shot, and the Dees executed a classy transition out of defence through Lampard, Hanks, Bannan and Scott. The latter hoofed it forward, where Zanker made a good contest, and some strong forward pressure by Paxman earned her a free kick – cue some disproportionately enthusiastic celebrations from McNamara! In what was becoming a theme of the game, Paxy’s shot fell just short, though Zanker made a valiant effort to reel it in on the last line. As the sun set on the half, literally and figuratively, North’s Gilroy conceded a crucial 50-metre penalty for failing to hand the ball back. Frustrating for them for sure, but the umpire has to pay it, and we’ve certainly been victim of similar cross coder blunders ourselves. The cost for the Roos was high, with Harris kicking a carefully judged and very valuable goal into the wind. The clock ticked down, the Roos squandered another shot and Daisy dropped back to steady the ship. THIRD QUARTER The third started well, with some clever manoeuvring by West, Zanker, Hanks, L Pearce and Mithen creating a quick entry forward. This provoked some panic in North’s defenders who (the umpire reckoned!) held down an elevating Harris. A goal in the first minute was the result. Harris was soon lining up again, after receiving a 50 due to Garner mouthing off to the umpire – keep giving them up, and we’ll keep taking them! The Roos got lucky, though, with a behind keeping them in it. Next up, a shocking kick by Paxman turned the ball over in the corridor, leaving Birch and Gillard scrambling to defend. Gillard toiled hard but ended up diving on the footy. The subsequent free kick was sprayed by the Roos player, one of many for them who looked unsure in front of the big sticks. A diving effort by Gillard a moment later effected another North score attempt and Melbourne pounced, sweeping the ball from deep in defence – not exactly cleanly, but with great persistence and the involvement of several players cascading down the field. The move culminated in a bit of dash from Bannan, who passed to Heath. The defensive dynamo’s eyes lit up for a rare chance at scoreboard glory. But … she hit the post. Things looked a little grim when Zanker, who was just beginning to go into rampage mode, went down with a painful ankle injury (known as a “zankle”) and was helped from the field. North was going in with brutal intensity and winning the ball relentlessly but failed to hit targets or make any meaningful progress as the Dees held their structure. FOURTH QUARTER While Melbourne had accumulated eleven inside 50s to two in the first quarter, it took North until three-quarter time to reach the same figure. For a team that’s struggled to make the most of inside 50 dominance in recent times, to be denied many at all really suffocated their chances and left them a lot of work to do. Meanwhile, Melbourne seemed happy to get numbers down back to the contest and cling to their 17-point lead. Zanker resurrected herself (the zankle not being structural) to play out the final term, the story of which was an epic defensive effort from every Demon, as North piled on the forward entries. Aside from a ripper goal from Ashmore, who left a desperately chasing Daisy in the rear-view mirror, the Roos’ key players weren’t able to muster smart plays when it counted. Timely marks in defence by Gay and McNamara and a few big efforts from Birch were crucial. With the margin ten points with ten minutes remaining, I was fairly confident of our ability to scrap it out. Despite some tired kicks and decisions towards the end (and a failure to even look like scoring a final blow), a real team endeavour carried the team through some nervous moments. Unlike in most games this season, we were able to get on the scoreboard early then keep it ticking over just enough to retain control, for a win that solidified our position in the finals race and marked a twelfth victory in a row at Casey Fields. STATS & STAND-OUTS Riddell put on another prolific display for North, with 30 disposals, but faded in the second half. Paxman and Mithen (28 each, both with 16 kicks) were consistently impactful, always there for the outlet handpass and making things happen with the ball. A side story of this game was the battle of the only five-time All Australians, Paxman and Kearney. While previously they’ve faced off in the middle, Paxman was damaging on the wing while Kearney was in her new role as a handy half-back, symbolic of the evolution of the competition but also the continued relevance of these two stalwarts of the old VWFL (the precursor to AFLW and VFLW). Paxy won the day, getting in everything, while Heath (8 tackles) held Kearney to a career low 11 disposals, well down on her season average of 19. Garner and Bruton were the other main disposal leaders for the Roos (19 and 17), while Purcell (15) and McNamara (14) rounded out the Dees’ contributors. A solid representation of Demons around the 10-disposal mark signalled an even effort from Melbourne’s middle tier of players. L Pearce won the ruck with 16 hit outs and 3 clearances, while Purcell had 4 clearances and 7 tackles. Harris was again a huge presence, her two goals making it at least a goal in every game for Melbourne thus far, as she drew level in the league goalkicking stakes. Special mention to Gillard, who was barely of draftable age for this season, but has been impressive with her game sense, composure, and second efforts in some high-pressure situations. In the end, the Roos made up an early deficit to edge the Dees in inside 50s but couldn’t take their chances. Melbourne gained a slight ascendency in uncontested possessions (115 to 97) and had another game of marking dominance (38 to 22). The Roos laid on solid tackling pressure (83 to Melbourne’s 61), but our players were able to withstand this and made their first use count. Each team received 15 free kicks, although the Demons were certainly well served by the positioning of theirs and capitalised on the ill-discipline of their opponents. MELBOURNE 2.0.12 3.1.19 4.3.27 4.3.27 NORTH MELBOURNE 0.2.2 1.4.10 1.4.10 2.5.17 GOALS MELBOURNE Harris 2 Hore Paxman NORTH MELBOURNE Ashmore Garner BEST MELBOURNE Paxman Harris Mithen L Pearce Heath NORTH MELBOURNE Garner Riddell M King Bruton Ashmore INJURIES MELBOURNE E Zanker (ankle) NORTH MELBOURNE E King (ankle) REPORTS MELBOURNE Nil NORTH MELBOURNE Nil CROWD TBC at Casey Fields NEXT ROUND Finals contender Fremantle at Fremantle Oval, Saturday 5th, 7PM AEDT THE LAST WORD A four-quarter focus but it hasn’t all clicked yet

Not sure I would assume only struggling clubs will be interested. I suggest Richmond and Geelong would have a very good look. Both will have highly paid players retiring in the next few years so will have money to splash. An added attraction to all clubs is he is an RFA so they don't need to give up draft picks. Not making a case for him to go but just saying he will be an attractive get for any club.

Brian Dixon won 6 premierships as wingman and later became a parlimentarian and minister.

I couldn’t find anything to argue with.

Brayshaw has grown into the wing position shown up with his total of 69 disposals in the 3 finals. That's a good outcome (playing well in vital games) These days teams play through both wings as well as through the middle so the wingmen are becoming very important players again especially with the stationary man on the mark ... switching wide from a mark or free (unimpeded) is a weapon And the 666 rule allows the wingmen to be in space 20-30 times a game Brayshaw is not just a defensive wingman anyway ... he just happens to be good defensively as well as possessing other skills (which includes attacking play) Brayshaw & Langdon complement each other very well ... different types but that's a plus As others have stated, unless he gets a colossal offer elsewhere (unlikely in my view) he'll stay a Demon

Not a bit player, he’s recognised as a very good player and an integral part of a premiership side, sure he’s a rung down from our superstars in Trac and Clarry but that’s what it takes for team success: isn’t that more important than individual accolades?

What's "community" about the Docklands stadium? Surely this can be played at princess park or Casey.

Adam Cerra can get a close up look at what he's missing out on

It's funny that he has Papley at 23 and he kicked 43 goals last year, where Pickett kicked 40 and isn't even in the top 50. Not sure how Fritsch doesn't make it either, after kicking 59 goals for the season.

The only problem with this is it makes our biggest challenger, the Bulldogs, better.

This was how I saw it as he went back to kick then coughed it up - a real ‘get out of jail free’ moment at a time they had all the momentum. The sling on Gawn wasn’t the ‘turning point’ as frequently suggested. That said, I still think we’d have overrun them in the final quarter even if they had gone up by 25.

Looks like you have been influenced by the media Nev. SWYL is spot on. Just took people (and the media) a while to recognise the value of his selfless role:- that he performed all year long.

Yep, half the commentators call him Fritz. Hudson with his continual yelling drives me crazy as well. I just don't see the need for the continual hyperbolic rubbish. Just call the game and have some decent analysis commentary from the likes of Daisy.

Tne commentators mentioned at the start of the game that the original intention had been to have 6 periods of 20 mins (no time on) but gastro, I think, and maybe other injuries had affected both teams so they agreed to play 4 x 25 mins. The Collingwood-Hawthorn game was six periods, for example. If the game had been 6 periods, I imagine we would have played every fit player by the end of the day. Players like Weeds, Bedford, Hunt et al as well as our new recruits would have all got a decent run in periods 5 and 6. I think this is we we should generally try to do for the first practice game - play the best team for 3-4 quarters and bring on all the fringe for the end. Then practice game 2 is best 23.

I'm tipping anyone who turns up to Casey for a practice match aganst North in February is aready a member ;-)