Demonland

Who would have imagined, when the season kicked off early last month, that Melbourne would emerge from the opening six weeks with wins over both Queensland powerhouses? At the time, Gold Coast and Brisbane were the competition’s early pace-setters, the flavours of the month, and the prospect of the Demons toppling both within the course of a fortnight seemed remote. Yet here they are, banking those scalps alongside home victories over two traditional Victorian rivals and building a quietly impressive resume. That said, Melbourne’s 2026 campaign has already delivered a sharp reality check. The euphoria of the stirring win over the Suns quickly gave way to a sobering collapse just six days later against Essendon at Adelaide Oval. Whether it was overconfidence, lethargy, or a mix of both, the Demons were a shadow of the side that had looked so assured about its new style of running dangerously and with fun in the week prior. It was the kind of performance that can derail momentum, but also the kind that can sharpen focus. The message out of that defeat has been clear: no assumptions, no shortcuts. Every opponent demands respect, regardless of ladder position or recent form. Coaches and players alike have acknowledged the need to adapt, to stay grounded, and to treat each contest as its own challenge. That mindset will be tested again on Anzac Eve against a struggling Richmond outfit anchored to the bottom of the ladder and battered by injury. On paper, it shapes as a one-sided affair, but recent history offers Melbourne a timely warning against complacency. The stakes are heightened in light of the significance of an occasion resonates deeply with the club’s heritage and its longstanding ties to wartime service and sacrifice - its club champion trophy is named after a man who gave his life for his country in wartime In response to the Essendon loss, coach Steven King was proactive. He reshuffled the magnets on his clipboard, seeking both tactical flexibility and renewed energy. Ed Langdon’s move to half-back, Bayley Fritsch’s shift onto a wing, and the management of young Xavier Lindsay pointed to a willingness to be flexible and to experiment. The inclusion of Max Heath added height and presence, particularly important in the absence of Darcy Fort. With just a five-day turnaround from Sunday afternoon to Friday night, selection looms as a crucial lever. Fresh legs and sustained pressure will be essential if Melbourne is to avoid another lapse and maintain its intensity across four quarters. Richmond, despite its struggles, still boasts a core of experienced players complemented by emerging talent, and must not be dismissed lightly. In a competition as even as this one, every game carries weight - especially for a side with finals ambitions. Melbourne has already learned that lesson the hard way. The question now is whether it can apply it. Prediction: Melbourne by 33 points THE GAME Richmond vs Melbourne on Saturday 24 April 2026 at 7.30pm at the MCG HEAD TO HEAD Overall Richmond 107 wins Melbourne h 81 wins Drawn 2 At the MCG Richmond 72 wins Melbourne 69 wins Drawn 1 Past five meetings Richmond 0 wins Melbourne 5 wins The Coaches Yze 0 wins King 0 wins THE LAST TIME THEY MET Melbourne 12.11.83 defeated Richmond 9.9.63 at the MCG, Round 7, 2025 After an even first half, the Demons drew away in the third term and held a 35-point lead at three quarter time. They squandered the opportunity for a boost in percentage by resting the skipper for much of the final term and snuck in by 20-points. THE TEAMS (to be loaded when available) RICHMOND MELBOURNE Injury List: Round 7 Patrick Cross — thumb / Available Changkuoth Jiath — calf / Test Jake Bowey — foot / Test Jake Melksham — ankle / 2-3 weeks Trent Rivers — knee / 2-3 weeks Christian Salem — foot / 2-3 weeks Tom Campbell — neck / TBC Shane McAdam — Achilles / TBC Jack Viney — Achilles / TBC

Best-and-fairest leader: Max Gawn Most improved player: Harry Sharp All-Australian contenders: Max Gawn, Kozzy Pickett, Jack Steele Lowest point: Losing to Essendon in Gather Round Biggest surprise: The impact of their recruits. Both Jack Steele and Brody Mihocek are undoubtedly in early conversations for recruit of the year. The pair's output at their previous clubs was nothing to be sneezed at - Steele a two-time club champion and dual All-Australian, Mihocek a five-time leading goalkicker and premiership player - but their impact on this rebuilding group has been profound and is a key part of the Demons' fast start. Biggest watch: Inconsistency. It's a natural by-product of a new coach and new gameplan so the Demons won't be too concerned at this stage, but their fluctuations in form - both in-game and from week to week - are there. There was the inexplicable loss to a then-struggling Bombers that followed a big win over Gold Coast, while against Fremantle, they trailed 49-7 at quarter-time before flicking the switch to keep the final margin at 48 points. Melbourne didn't kick its first goal against Carlton until the 26-minute mark of the second quarter, fell 43 points behind at one stage, before going on to win by 23 points. Not panic stations, but one to keep an eye on. Q1 rating: 8 out of 10. The Demons are 4-2 and have comfortably exceeded expectations to this stage, with the Gather Round loss to Essendon the only real blip. Steven King's new fun and dangerous Demons are playing with freedom and flair and it's serving them well, highlighted by statement wins over Brisbane and Gold Coast. The growth of several previously fringe players has also been encouraging; Harry Sharp has gone from a super-sub (he was subbed on or off in 11 of his 18 games last year) to a best-23 lock, ex-forward Koltyn Tholstrup has found a new defensive edge and has impressed across half-back and in shutdown roles, while Tom Sparrow has rediscovered his premiership-year form. Latrelle Pickett has been a find, adding plenty of spark and flair to the front half, while the likes of Jai Culley, Kade Chandler, Caleb Windsor and Harvey Langford are all thriving in King's run-and-gun system that is bringing out the best in this emerging group. - Alison O'Connor

Melbourne and Carlton in talks for AFL marquee mental health game next season Melbourne are leading the charge on staging a marquee mental health game next season, after initial discussions with Carlton earlier this year and a former premiership coach getting involved. Melbourne has held preliminary discussions with Carlton about staging a marquee game next season in support of mental health. Demons chief executive Paul Guerra confirmed the club is keen to play a game in 2027 which could shine a light on what he calls a societal ‘pandemic’ requiring more support and greater funding. In a week in which Carlton has had to deal with the hospitalisation of Elijah Hollands after a mental health episode during last Thursday’s clash with Collingwood, leading AFL figures including Jack Ginnivan and Bailey Smith have called for a dedicated round for mental health. The Blues have come under significant scrutiny about the handling of Hollands, with the AFL awaiting findings from the club’s investigation into why he was allowed to take the field. Guerra confirmed initial discussions with the Blues about a marquee game had taken place before the incident with Hollands. He said the AFL community needed to do more to support people with mental health challenges. Four-time premiership coach Kevin Sheedy approached Guerra earlier this year to ask the Demons to partner with another Melbourne-based AFL rival in a match designed to raise funds and support mental health awareness. Sheedy, an ambassador for The Male Hug (a not-for-profit organisation supporting men’s mental health), flagged Carlton or Essendon as potential partners for the Demons in the game. “It is an important cause,” Guerra told the Herald Sun on Tuesday. “For this (idea) to go further, we need to talk about it with another club, so there is still a bit to go (before it happens). “It has to be another big Melbourne club. We don’t have any hallmark games with Carlton or Essendon, one of those two clubs (could play). “I know that Carlton is keen to find a marquee game as well, but I haven’t spoken to Essendon yet.” Guerra said Sheedy pitched the idea to him earlier this year, but given the sensitivities at Carlton across the past week, those discussions would be parked to a later date. “We all love Sheeds and he has just been mighty for the game,” Guerra said. “When he comes to talk to you, you listen. “He is right about the impact of people struggling with mental health. The question is can we build a game around that, and if we can raise awareness, then we would have a look at it. “If we can help, and if we can build a crowd around that cause, it is something, as a club, that we would absolutely look at. “They are preliminary conversations .. As I have said to Sheeds, before we jump into doing it, let’s work this through so that it lasts. “The impact that AFL football has on society now … people are looking for somewhere to belong and AFL has been that spot. We have to be very conscious of that as a club. Yes, we are out there to win, but we are also out there to make people have somewhere to go. “For it to go further we need to talk about it (more) with the other club, we need to talk about it to the AFL, so there is a bit to go. “But the cause is important.” Sheedy has called Australia’s mental health crisis “the war within” and insists it is at a stage where the country - and the game - need to do more to assist not only those playing AFL football but the millions watching it around the country. Ginnivan said on Channel 9: “The Elijah stuff, he was in my draft (year), I was mates with him in the under 17s and 18s. I am just sending my love to him and his family.” “It is obviously a difficult time with all the stuff going on, first and foremost we want to put players and their mental health at the front of mind. “I know Baz (Smith) touched on it, but a mental health round would be so epic and I know players that I have spoken to are big advocates for that, so that would be nice.”

15) MAC ANDREWWhy you can't look away: Unpredictability, versatility, athleticism Watchability: 8 out of 10 Big Mac is big entertainment – he can do just about anything on the field, from taking hangers, kicking a match-winning goal after the siren to even playing in the ruck. But there's also the flick of the switch with him where he's in the middle of a melee or locked in an engrossing battle with an opposition key forward – ask Riley Thilthorpe – where the one-on-one becomes as watchable as the actual game. 14) SHAI BOLTONWhy you can't look away: Improvisation, split-second instincts Watchability: 8.1 There are times where Bolton plays like he's making it up on the spot – maybe he is, maybe he isn't - but either way it's worth tuning in for. Freo's star import isn't bound by team rules and set ups and that's what makes him a wildcard in their mix, with Bolton's elasticity, twisting, turning, high marks and long kicking making him difficult to stop when he's on. 13) JEREMY CAMERONWhy you can't look away: Gazelle-like running, eye-catcher, uncanny goals Watchability: 8.2 Cameron is capable of the impossible – he always has been. A totally unique key forward who has legs up to his arm pits, a left-foot kick that can make a ball spin in any which way, bravery that can go under the radar and then a gliding aspect to his game that makes it all come together quite effortlessly. You don't always know what's coming next with Cameron, so everything is a highlight in waiting. A perfect 10 goals last week was evidence of that. 12) HARLEY REIDWhy you can't look away: Fend-offs, fearless intent, explosive power Watchability: 8.4 The Watchability Meter goes up a few notches in West Coast games – in fact, Reid and new No.1 pick Willem Duursma are making the Eagles watchable again. With Reid, it's the physicality element. He is always in amongst the rough and tumble of games but it is equally why you watch his games; the burst from stoppages, the shrugging off opponents, the taking of risks. It comes with some free kicks and frayed moments, but that's all part of the package. Compelling viewing. 11) MAX GAWNWhy you can't look away: 'Ruck craft big boy', aerial dominance, greatness in action Watchability: 8.5 The appeal in watching Gawn is just seeing one of the best to ever do it do it. He influences games like few other rucks, he controls the play, he marks everything his way and his actual ruck craft is the best in the competition. It's max impact, max effort. 10) JOSH RACHELEWhy you can't look away: World game celebrations, swagger, classy finishes Watchability rating: 8.6 It's no wonder Rachele played elite level soccer as a kid – there's plenty of fun and theatrics to the emerging Adelaide star's game. Nobody loves a goal more but his evolution this year has seen him take his talents into the midfield, where his kicking and speed has added to the Crows' depth in the middle of the ground. He's a crowd interaction guy, plays with confidence and flair is and a team morale booster. Growing more watchable by the week, too. 9) ZAK BUTTERSWhy you can't look away: Win-at-all costs competitiveness, fierce toughness, abstract brilliance Watchability rating: 8.7 There is no player in the competition tougher or more courageous than Butters. The Port Adelaide superstar plays every game as though his career depends on it and if you want to see what that approach manifests into on the field, just watch any Butters game. Put that together with brilliant skill, the tongue-out no-mouthguard-wearing No.9 is a top-two player in the AFL. Throw in a few scraps along the way and Butters' emotional involvement in every game is high. Must watch. 8) JACK GINNIVANWhy you can't look away: Uncanny goal sense, see-through vision, celebrations Watchability rating: 8.8 The Pie-turned-Hawk has had more headlines in his short career than just about anyone. Never too far from controversy, Ginnivan has turned his game from opportunistic goal sneak to forward half creator. He is a lightning rod of rival fan vitriol, but has become a key player for Hawthorn. He catches eyeballs in ways others don't – the bleached blond hair and pre-prepared celebrations help too. 7) MARCUS BONTEMPELLIWhy you can't look away: Power and poise, control taker, footy purity Watchability rating: 9 'The Bont' ranks high for watchability due to consistent performance and pulling his side over the line time and time again. The tackle shrugging, the gliding through traffic, the delivery on that left boot and the commanding force in attack. When you become a 'prototype', you are instantly a player to watch because you become a player others want to be. 6) NICK DAICOSWhy you can't look away: Complete game control, time distortion, surgical ball use Watchability rating: 9.1 You don't have a choice but to watch Daicos because he is in the middle of every game Collingwood plays. His team plan around him, his opponents plan to stop him. The Collingwood champion's phenomenal running powers him from contest to contest and he is the architect of games – you watch him because he controls them as the AFL's No.1 player. Hits impossible kicks, has had multiple goal of the year contenders and shakes off tags. 5) MURPHY REIDWhy you can't look away: Football's best hands, creativity, elite IQ Watchability rating: 9.2 When the game is racing at speed, Reid plays on his own tempo. Freo's rising star turns opponents inside out, rarely wastes a possession and finds absolute calm in congestion. Reid might already be the best handballer in the game and his kicking tells teammates where to go – not the other way around. You watch him because you know he knows what he's about to do next when others don't. And the best bit? There's another 15 years of watching him do his thing. 4) NASIAH WANGANEEN-MILERAWhy you can't look away: Effortless ball use, brilliant vision, messiah-ness Watchability rating: 9.3 It's Wanganeen-Milera's kicking that elevates his game. He spots targets that others miss and then finds them with bullet passes that others wouldn't even try. His move up the field into more dangerous goalkicking positions adds to his impact, and his game-winning effort against Melbourne last year will go down in watchability folklore. You're not watching him because he's paid $2 million a season – he's paid $2 million a season because you're watching him. 3) ISAAC HEENEYWhy you can't look away: Aerial elegance, hang time, crazy courage Watchability rating: 9.5 Mr. Smooth. Heeney makes the spectacular feel routine – certainly early this year the Sydney superstar has been at the top of his game. Whether it's a midfield clearance, a high grab, a brilliant goal or a piece of bravery in the air or the contest, Heeney is undoubtedly one of the game's best – and most watchable – guns. As courageous as they come as well. 2) NICK WATSONWhy you can't look away: Ground-ball wizardry, high footy instincts, crowd energy Watchability rating: 9.7 Whenever Watson gets near the ball, you hear the crowd's hum of 'Wizard!' This year, his third AFL season, Watson has taken his game up another few notches. His performance on Easter Monday against Geelong was superb and encapsulated his watchableness – a goal from the boundary line, brilliant speed, a lover of the big stage. Another five goals on the weekend against Port Adelaide stole the show. The crowd, often adorning wizard hats for the Hawks' No.5, often feels it before it happens. 1) KYSAIAH PICKETTWhy you can't look away: Chaos at ground level, scoreboard damage, highlight reel perfection Watchability rating: 10 Pickett is the game's Most Watchable Player right now. In career-best form, the Melbourne dynamo lives in the blur between control and madness. He doesn't need a huge amount of touches to change games but is ultra clean, ultra quick and ultra composed and tilts games in moments. You watch Kozzy because anything is possible – from a high mark, a goal, or a burst clearance.

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From the outset, the Casey Demons lacked any spring in their steps. They were out-hustled and out-bustled and finally outplayed by the Brisbane Lions by 38 points on their home turf in perfect conditions at Casey Fields. It was never going to be easy for the Demons, who are a young and inexperienced combination left with very little in the way of big-man strength in the absence of Max Heath, promoted to the AFL, and Tom Campbell, out injured. Similarly, their key forward stocks were diminished with Matt Jefferson playing at Melbourne, Aidan Johnson on the injury list, and Luker Kentfield seconded into a raw, makeshift, and undersized ruck after Nate Pipicelli’s late withdrawal. The result was virtually inevitable against the Brisbane Lions, a power of the competition in recent seasons but who had lost their two opening matches in their home state. They opened the game with great vigor. They made space ran with the ball kicked accurately both around the ground and in front of goal while the Demons, beaten at the stoppages were sloppy and forced into error. The Lions opened up a five goal lead by time while the home team remained goalless. There was a brief period of revival early in the second term after Luker Kentfield opened with a goal within seconds, to which the Lions immediately responded. Then came a Casey purple patch with two quick goals from Luke Cheffers followed up by two more youngsters in Jobe Scapin and the lively Tom Matthews chipping in for opportunist goals and suddenly there was hope. The deficit had been narrowed to 15 points in the space of a few minutes. It was the Lion machine that revved itself up and blew the game apart with four unanswered goals to go into the sheds at the major interval with a solid 37-point lead. From there it was a procession until the sting went off the game and Casey clawed back a little dignity at the end of the game. For the most part, the Lions played with greater intensity and in doing so, they made the play. The Demons left too many opponents unguarded so that even when they made an error and miskicked, there was always someone else to gather the football. When the ball went forward for Casey, the visitors always seemed to have a defender in position to cut off the ball movement. Casey’s problems were not helped by the fact that Paddy Cross had to leave at half time to take up emergency duty at the MCG after a reasonable stint working hard with some strong tackling. With his departure, the Demons were left with ten mostly inexperienced foot soldiers, the exception being Tom McDonald who played his heart out, as he always does, picking up 23 possessions and taking eight marks. Jack Henderson, with 26 disposals, seven tackles and seven clearances, Andy Moniz-Wakefield had 23 touches, and Ricky Mentha Junior 19 possessions coming out of defence were impressive. Mentha Jnr was particularly strong early while Tom Matthews was lively and courageous, taking a few hits along the way. Kentfield who is being touted as the club’s potential next AFL debutant managed 16 hitouts but, apart from his goal did little damage. He was assisted in the ruck by lightly built Kalani White who looked like he was being carefully managed on return from a bout of glandular fever. Jed Adams, Oscar Berry and Riley Onley had tough assignments in defence with Adams taking some strong saving marks. Skipper Riley Bonner was again the top possession winner with 29 disposals, capably backed up by Ethan Stanley, Jesse Craven and two up a coming youngsters in Toby SInnema and Luke Cheffers who finished with three goals. Last minute inclusion Tairon Ah-Mu contested hard up forward and in the ruck and was also rewarded with three goals. The Casey contingent is young and will improve with time as they acclimatize to the tempo of the game. The Demons sit uncomfortably near the foot of the table and will be desperate for an infusion of experience into its ruck and midfield stocks if it is to play a meaningful role in this season’s VFL action. Their next opponents are Richmond’s VFL side at Casey Fields on Anzac Day. CASEY DEMONS 0.4.4 4.7.31 9.7.61 13.9.87 BRISBANE LIONS 5.2.32 11.2.68 17.4.106 20.5.125 GOALS CASEY DEMONS Ah-Mu Cheffers 3 Craven Kentfield Hodder Hoghton Matthews Scapin Stanley BRISBANE LIONS McKenna McLachlan 4 Abberley Fazldeen Torrent 2 Beecken Curtin Dunkley Hayes McCarthy Moore BEST CASEY DEMONS Bonner McDonald Henderson Moniz-Wakefield Cheffers Adams BRISBANE LIONS Joyce Marshall Torrent McLachlan Beecken McKenna