Demonland

Instagram Follower Update: Bailey did not add any Demons to his follow list today.

I love a cryptic post as much as the next guy but I honestly think that might have just been a it's good to be home post. Not a get me back here at all costs type of post.

Pride Vibe It’s Week One of the AFLW’s Pride Round double-header, and the Dees are heading west with purpose — to celebrate love, inclusion, and maybe, just maybe, settle a score. The AFLW has always had a strong link to the LGBTQI+ community— not just during Pride Round, but every round. The Dees will don their stunning Pride guernsey in front of home fans next week, but the spirit of Pride Round is already in full swing. This weekend is about more than four points — it’s about visibility, celebration, and standing tall for inclusion. Last year, Fremantle broke Demon hearts with a post-siren dagger from Aishling McCarthy. It was a gut-punch loss that still stings. Now, with finals looming and top-two ambitions alive, Melbourne returns to Fremantle Oval with a point to prove. This is the 10th meeting between Melbourne and Fremantle. The head-to-head sits at 6-3 in the Dees’ favour, but at Fremantle Oval, it’s dead even: two wins apiece. Saluting a centurion Triple-premiership star and former Demon Libby Birch notches up her 100th AFLW game this weekend. She’s astutely crafted a career as a backline general for high-performing teams, bringing leadership, discipline, and a fierce will to win. A trailblazer — Libby’s milestone is a testament to her resilience and class. Respect. Hopefully we get to salute Kate and Mick in the upcoming weeks too. The Match-Up • Midfield Battle: Hanks, Hore, Paxy, and Fitzsimon v Bowers, East, and Newton. Proud warriors going at it. • Ruck Duel: Pearce v Strom — two of the comp’s most consistent bigs. • Defensive Wall: Maeve Chaplin continues to marshal the backline with poise. Can Freo find a way through? Meggs’ musings Since losing Liv Purcell for the season, Melbourne’s midfield has transformed and it’s humming. Fitzsimon’s transformation from pressure forward to first-choice rover (see team) is one of the stories of the season. Her rise has been as rapid as it’s been rewarding. And how about Ryleigh Wotherspoon? Named on the ground again — the kid’s got strength, a classy boot and a nose for the contest. With Shelley Heath sidelined (finger), Denby “Dingo” Taylor is poised to finally make her 2025 debut. She returns to the scene of her AFLW red and blue debut — Fremantle Oval — where she first showed us her dash and dare. Selection-wise, the Dees have options. Georgia Campbell looms as the tall bench inclusion, but the final mix will depend on matchups. Freo’s Aine Tighe is back from injury and always looms large — literally and figuratively. Her aerial threat is real. Melbourne looks too strong across the ground. Fremantle will fight hard at home, but unless they can crack Maevo’s defensive wall and curb our midfield dominance, the Dees should run away with this one. Go Demons! Tip: Melbourne by 23 points THE GAME Round 9: Melbourne v Fremantle Sunday 12 October 2025 at 5:05pm (AEDT) at Fremantle Oval, Perth – Whadjuk HEAD TO HEAD Overall: Melbourne 6 wins | Fremantle 3 wins At Fremantle Oval: Melbourne 2 wins | Fremantle 2 wins Coaches: Stinear 1 win | Webb 1 win MEDIA COVERAGE Foxtel, Kayo, AFL Live Official App THE LAST TIME THEY MET Season 9, Round 5 – 21 September 2024 Fremantle Oval MELBOURNE 4.0.24 5.1.31 6.5.41 6.5.41 FREMANTLE 1.1.7 2.5.17 3.5.23 7.5.57 GOALS MELBOURNE Bannan, Gall, Goldrick, Hanks, Hore, Zanker FREMANTLE O'Sullivan 3, Antonio, Biedenweg-Webster, McCarthy, Miller BEST MELBOURNE McNamara, Goldrick, Hore, Hanks, Chaplin FREMANTLE O'Sullivan, Miller, Strom, O'Driscoll, Newton, McCarthy INJURIES MELBOURNE Mackin (calf) FREMANTLE Tighe (knee) LATE CHANGES MELBOURNE Grace Beasley (knee) replaced in selected side by Grace Hill FREMANTLE Nil CROWD 1,633 at Fremantle Oval Smarting after consecutive defeats from competition heavyweights Brisbane and North Melbourne, Melbourne Coach Mick Stinear had promised an improved performancein Round 4 to turn the season around. We burst out of the blocks using the breeze advantage,winning the ball out of the middle and connecting to our forwards with Hore, Bannan, Hanks and Zanker goaling in the opening quarter. By three quarter time the Demons had built a three-goal lead. It was a thrilling final quarter played almost exclusively in the Dockers half while our backs and mids desperately defended. Mick threw Kate Hore back as a spare and Eliza McNamara was everywhere. Into the last minute Hore errantly kicks out on the full. The ball comes straight back, and Kate tries to step past a Freo player, misses her kick and is pinged for holding the ball. The siren sounds and then Freo’s Aishling McCarthy kicks truly to win the match for Fremantle. Crushing result! THIS WEEK’S TEAMS MELBOURNE FB [17] Tahlia Gillard [19] Laela Ebert HB [13] Maeve Chaplin [32] Gabrielle Colvin [23] Sinead Goldrick C [4] Paxy Paxman [5] Tyla Hanks [22] Eliza McNamara HF [29] Eden Zanker [6] Alyssa Bannan [12] Ryleigh Wotherspoon FF [9] Georgia Gall [7] Tayla Harris FOL [15] Lauren Pearce [10] Kate Hore [24] Megan Fitzsimon I/C (from) [43] Jemma Rigoni [18] Denby Taylor [1] Georgia Campbell [33] Lily Johnson [14] Amelia Dethridge [20] Maggie Mahony [3] Alyssia Pisano [11] Molly O'Hehir IN Jemma Rigoni, Denby Taylor, Georgia Campbell, Amelia Dethridge OUT Shelley Heath (finger) FREMANTLE FB [24] Ashleigh Brazil [26] Indi Strom HB [29] Indiana West [3] Emma O’Driscoll [5] Sarah Verrier C [18] Philipa Seth [2] Kiara Bowers [30] Jessica Low HF [4] Angelique Stannett [19] Hayley Miller [25] Megan Kauffman FF [13] Georgie Brisbane [31] Gabrielle Biedenweg-Webster FOL [21] Mim Strom [1] Gabrielle Newton [7] Aisling McCarthy I/C (from) [17] Holly Ifould [8] Dana East [33] Amy Mulholland[16] Matilda Banfield [15] Evie Parker [32] Laura Pugh [37] Tunisha Kikoak [10] Aine Tighe IN Aine Tighe, Evie Parker, Amy Mulholland, Sarah Verrier OUT Gabby O’Sullivan (injured) INJURY LIST: ROUND 9 Melbourne Shelley Heath — finger / 1 - 2 weeks Sarah Lampard — calf / 1 - 2 weeks Saraid Taylor — hamstring / 1 - 2 weeks Blaithin Mackin — calf / 3 weeks Grace Beasley — knee / 4 - 5 weeks Olivia Purcell — knee / Season Jacinta Hose — knee / Inactive Aimee Mackin — knee / Inactive Fremantle Aine Tighe — Knee / Test Madi Scanlon — Quad / Test Orlagh Lally — Foot / TBC Holly Egan — Knee / Season

I've asked Neil why he thinks this.

THE CASEY Demons have appointed a new VFL Senior Coach, welcoming Rhett McLennan to the role for the 2026 season. McLennan, who has spent the past six seasons at the helm of Gippsland Power, brings a wealth of knowledge to the job, having tallied 23 years of coaching experience. His time with Gippsland, as the longest-serving head coach in the club’s history, has seen him lead the team to three of the last five preliminary finals, and achieve the minor premiership twice. He has also helped develop 32 players who have been drafted to AFL, making Gippsland Power the most successful Talent League program in recent years. McLennan’s playing career also speaks for itself, spanning 22 years, more than 300 senior games and three premierships. Melbourne GM of AFL Football Performance Alan Richardson said the club was thrilled to appoint a highly experienced football person in McLennan. “After a thorough process, we are really pleased to welcome Rhett as senior coach of the Casey Demons for the 2026 VFL season,” Richardson said. “Rhett’s coaching philosophy, character and experience in helping his players reach their full potential made him a standout candidate, and we had no hesitation in offering him the role. “In addition to his VFL commitments, Rhett will also work across our AFL program, with focus on the development space. We’re excited by what he can contribute here. “We look forward to welcoming Rhett and his family to the club, ahead of an exciting season.” McLennan replaces Taylor Whitford in the job, following his elevation to Melbourne’s Head of Development.

Rhett McLennan, newly appointed senior coach of the Casey Demons, will further assist in the development space of the AFL program, while Riley Bonner and Dylan Roberton will continue their support of the VFL program.

MELBOURNE has added to its AFL coaching panel, welcoming three new names for the 2026 season. Jared Rivers, Rory Atkins and Matthew Scarlett will all join Steven King’s coaching mix and don the red and blue next year. A name familiar to Dees fans, Rivers returns to the club he called home for 10 seasons to take on an assistant coaching role, tasked with looking after the backline and team defence. Rivers’ coaching CV includes five seasons at Collingwood between 2015 and 2019, three seasons at Collegians Football Club in the VAFA A Grade competition, and most recently, a stint at St Kilda. Rivers played 150 games in the red and blue jumper – he totalled 194 AFL matches, having joined Geelong after his time at Melbourne – and was inducted as a Life Member of the club in 2015. Melbourne GM of AFL Football Performance Alan Richardson said the club was thrilled to bring a favourite son home. “It’s really exciting to welcome Jared back to the club in an assistant coaching capacity,” Richardson said. “He has an incredibly strong understanding of the game and significant experience, having held coaching positions at the Pies, in the VAFA and with the Saints. “We are excited by what Jared can add to our program, and look forward to welcoming him, his partner Sophie and their children Chloe, Charlotte and Isabella to the club.” Atkins joins the Demons as a development coach, following a 13-year playing career. The 31-year-old, who called time at season’s end having represented Port Adelaide, Gold Coast and Adelaide throughout his journey, will work closely with new Head of Development Taylor Whitford in helping the club’s youth thrive. “We’re looking forward to having Rory on board as part of our development team,” Richardson said. “We think he will have an immediate impact, having only recently retired from the game, and provide some unique insights for our younger players. “We’re excited to welcome Rory, his partner Georgia and their daughter Daisy to the red and blue.” Scarlett is set to bring experience aplenty, with Melbourne adding the former Cat as a specialist coach in a part-time capacity. The Geelong legend, who achieved the ultimate success on three occasions, will work with the Demons’ talls in honing their craft. “We’re really excited to have someone of Scarlo’s calibre with us, to work with our talls,” Richardson said. “Scarlo featured at the top level for 15 seasons, and for our players to be able to learn from him and have his assistance is pretty special. “We look forward to Scarlo getting to work, and welcoming his partner Milla and children Tayla, Charlie, Oliver and Henry to the Dees.” The trio will combine with Troy Chaplin and Nathan Jones, who continue in their respective roles of looking after the forwards and midfield, as well as part-time ruck specialist coach Mark Jamar. Rhett McLennan, newly appointed senior coach of the Casey Demons, will further assist in the development space of the AFL program, while Riley Bonner and Dylan Roberton will continue their support of the VFL program. Combat and grappling coach Max Viney, too, will return for the 2026 season. Melbourne’s AFL pre-season is set to commence in November.

Dees on the way home are either ... or ...

To be fair they would have had to have spent more than they wanted to on Nas (they were always going to have to pay a king's randsom), Windhager and Wilkie but yeah.

lol. We're Dees supporters. We have trust issues.

@Very Jaded changing her username to Extremely Jaded.