Demonland

Not from today but ….

We at Demonland would like to thank Meggs for the wonderful contribution made in this season in covering every aspect of the Demons’ journey through this very crucial season for the club. Meggs’ own personal style has helped us ride all of the bumps and live through all of the highs and lows of another exciting season for the club’s AFLW team. Three cheers for Meggs!!!🍾

Hats Off Hats off to Darren Crocker and his ‘invincibles’ — the North Melbourne Kangaroos — on winning the 2025 AFLW Premiership, going back-to-back and remaining undefeated since the 2023 grand final. Only one team came close to toppling the royal blue and whites: the mighty Demons, who led by six points at the final change of Preliminary Final 1. Alas, North held firm while Melbourne fatigued to lose by 10 points. Take comfort — none of the other 16 teams got anywhere near this close. In his grand final presser, Brisbane coach Craig Starcevich said his team “threw the kitchen sink” at North but admitted it barely made a dent. A second-quarter brain fade from stalwart Shannon Campbell — gifting consecutive 50-metre penalties to Kate Shierlaw — swung momentum irreversibly. The final margin of 40 points was a statement win. Catch the Kangaroos if you can. North Melbourne has assembled a mighty team: competitive, highly skilled, and lightning-fast ball movement that made Brisbane look helpless. The Lions bring ferocity but lack finesse — their best footy thrives in chaos, not precision. North lost the 2023 grand final, then added Libby Birch from Melbourne in 2024, grand final best-on-ground Elish Sheerin from Richmond in 2025, and in 2026 expect to secure former No. 1 draftee Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner from the Bulldogs via the draft. An elite group that keeps adding quality without losing talent. With Kangaroos stars Jas Garner and Ash Riddell leading the charge, a three-peat in 2026 would not surprise. Melbourne’s Season A 10–5 record and official third-place finish was reward for effort. We played scintillating footy at times, especially in the last two finals against Adelaide and North. Club leaders Kate Hore, Tyla Hanks, and Maeve Chaplin were standouts, all enjoying personal-best seasons and earning All-Australian honours. Megan Fitzsimon was thrusted into the midfield after Liv Purcell’s season-ending knee injury in Round 2 and delivered her best season yet. Shelley Heath produced a career-high campaign, capped by a sublime semi-final against Adelaide. Eliza McNamara burned up the wing, averaging 341 metres gained and 23 disposals. Ruck Lauren Pearce looked the fittest she’s ever been, playing every match and anchoring the contest. Tahlia Gillard missed the start of the season but returned in Round 6 and grew into a finals star. Her deputy, Saraid “Radar” Taylor, played 12 games in a breakout year. Up forward, Kate Hore (24 goals) reached the magical ton, Eden Zanker (22) and Tayla Harris (16) rounded out the top scorers. Tayla’s versatility — forward, back, and ruck — made her an impact player, rewarded with a contract extension to 2027. New kids on the block: Molly O’Hehir, Maggie Mahony, Laela Ebert, and Ryleigh Wotherspoon all showed plenty during the season to provide real excitement for the future. The season closed with much-loved premiership coach Mick Stinear stepping down after 10 seasons and is now heading to Geelong. No announcement yet on Melbourne’s next coach — watch this space. Season Highlights From • Melbourne: 10–5 record, 209.2% percentage, 3rd place finish; finals win over Adelaide, narrow prelim loss to North. • Round 1 — Western Bulldogs (Mission Whitten Oval): 48-point win; debutants Molly O’Hehir, Maggie Mahony, and Laela Ebert impress; Shelley Heath kicks the opener and logs a career-high 23 disposals. • Round 2 — St Kilda (Casey Fields): 74-point win; Lily Johnson kicks her first goal; heartbreak as Liv Purcell suffers a season-ending knee injury after 19 disposals. • Round 3 — Collingwood (Victoria Park): Thrilling 4-point win; Kate Hore clutch goal; Grace Campbell misses after the siren; Jemma Rigoni debuts; 75-game milestones for Hanks, Pearce, Zanker. • Round 4 — Richmond (Casey Fields): 37-point win; first use of goal-line technology overturns Fitzsimon’s shot; Hanks (32 disposals) and Hore (12 tackles, 2 goals) dominate. • Round 5 — Port Adelaide (Alberton Oval): 2-point loss; milestones for Harris (75), Fitzsimon (50), Campbell (25). • Round 6 — West Coast (Casey Fields): 51-point win; Zanker kicks five in the first half; McNamara’s 50th game; Daisy Pearce coaches against Melbourne for the first time. • Round 7 — Gold Coast (Casey Fields): 87-point demolition; Suns held goalless; Ry Wotherspoon breakout game. • Round 8 — Essendon (IKON Park): 14-point win; Bombers goalless for two quarters; Maeve Chaplin BOG with 24 disposals, 14 intercepts, 611m gained. • Round 9 — Fremantle (Fremantle Oval): 5-point loss; late bus drama; Freo exploits the Doctor with four first-quarter goals. • Round 10 — Sydney (Casey Fields): Finals clinched with a 44-point win; Rigoni kicks her first AFLW goal. • Round 11 — Brisbane (Brighton Homes Arena): 9-point loss; Chaplin kicks her first AFLW goal after the three-quarter time siren; Ruby Svarc’s miracle snap seals it. • Round 12 — Geelong (GMHBA Stadium): 14-point win; five-goal third-quarter blitz; Gillard drills her first AFLW goal; Heath’s 75th game. • Qualifying Final — Brisbane (IKON Park): 13-point loss; Hore’s 100th career goal; Mahony kicks her first; Zanker concussed. • Semi Final — Adelaide (IKON Park): 11-point win; Hore becomes first AFLW player with 25+ disposals and 3 goals in a final; Gillard’s chase-down of Randall epitomises #demonspirit. • Preliminary Final — North Melbourne (IKON Park): 10-point loss; season-high crowd of 7,057; Harris takes mark-of-the-year contender; Melbourne leads at 3QT before North surges late. Friendly fixture When AFLW published its 2025 fixture, we breathed a sigh of relief. It was clearly favourable for a return to finals. During the home and away, we didn’t play 4 of the Top 8 teams: North, Adelaide, Hawthorn or Carlton. Nine wins and 209.2% saw us finish in second after the home and away. Awards • Kate Hore: 2025 All-Australian (AA) forward line, AA vice-captain; widely rated among the league’s best. Now a four-time winner of the Daisy Pearce Trophy for best and fairest MFC player during the home-and-away season. • Tyla Hanks: Finally, AA (centre) and third in W Awards. Runner-up in the Daisy Pearce Trophy. • Maeve Chaplin: AA defender; intercept queen, leadership elevation and fifth place in the Daisy Pearce Trophy. • Eliza McNamara: Third place in the Daisy Pearce Trophy and leadership elevation. • Tahlia Gillard: MFC Coach’s Award 2025 and missed 5 games with injury! • Maggie Mahony: MFC Best Young Player, standout displays in November finals. • Megan Fitzsimon: MFC Demon Spirit Award for the second consecutive year and fourth place in the Daisy Pearce Trophy. Congratulations to our Demon champions making an impact across the competition in Season 2025! • Player Movements & Trade Period With Mick Stinear stepping down after a decade at the helm and recruiting guru Todd Patterson long gone, the club is facing a pivotal moment in defining its future direction. It’s a critical off-season where big calls and bold moves will reshape Melbourne’s list for the next chapter. Meggs asks who is spearheading list management and running the coach replacement process? The headline trade saw star forward Eden Zanker (with Lily Johnson) depart for Fremantle, a decision that stings but Melbourne ultimately finished the trade period with an upgraded draft hand, including two first round draft picks 9 and 14 along with later selections (53, 71, 89). Expect the club to use only two picks, keeping list places available for targeted re-signings. Fresh faces are already on board: • Aoife Horisk, an Irish Gaelic Football speedster who lit up the draft combine, brings pace and forward flair. She was fastest in the 20m sprint and came 10th in the 2km time trial. • Mia Austin, daughter of Carlton great Rod Austin, adds size and goal sense at 178cm — a young forward with serious upside. Retirements and exits include Gaby Colvin hanging up her boots and Denby Taylor moving on. Meanwhile, the Club still has list spots to fill, with uncontracted names like Goldrick, Mahony, O’Hehir, Rigoni, and Dethridge in the mix. Aimee Mackin is not expected to return. With more than 650 players nominating for the draft and academy prospects expected to dominate the top end, draftees like Chloe Bown, Chloe Baker-West, and Jordynn Allan are tipped to dominate early selections but we’ll have to wait to see who’s available at our selections. It’s exciting as Melbourne’s recruiters will have a golden opportunity to inject more fresh talent. Meggs is hoping for a strong bodied skilled mid and another key defender with elite kicking. The 2025 AFLW Draft takes place Monday, 15 December at 7pm —hopefully whoever is calling out the numbers has a good recruiters’ eye. And to help you wade through the draft prospects on Monday night, here’s a very useful preview from afl.com.au - afl.com.au/aflw20 prospects to look out for at this year's AFLW draftFormer AFLW player Phoebe McWilliams has run her eye across the draft pool and picked a handful of the best prospects across each lineSigning Off That’s a wrap for Season 10. It feels like the end of the chapter with Mick’s departure, but optimism abounds as we turn the page. A strong core, fresh ideas, and returning talent can propel Melbourne to new heights in 2026. Thanks for reading — and for riding every bump with Meggs this season. Wishing you and your families a safe and happy festive season. C’mon Dees! MEGGS

The temperature was rising throughout todays preseason training session at Gosch's Park and two umpires were in attendance to officiate the first official Match Simulation of the Preseason. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONSPRESENT: 1. Steven May 2. Jacob van Rooyen 3. Christian Salem 5. Xavier Lindsay 6. Caleb Windsor 8. Jake Lever 9. Jack Steele 12. Koltyn Tholstrup 13. Jai Culley 14. Changkuoth Jiath 16. Bailey Laurie 19. Xavier Taylor 21. Matt Jefferson 22. Blake Howes 24. Trent Rivers 25. Tom McDonald 26. Jed Adams 27. Max Heath 28. Brody Mihocek 29. Tom Campbell 30. Harry Sharp 31. Bayley Fritsch 32. Tom Sparrow 33. Latrelle Sumner-Pickett 34. Kalani White 35. Harry Petty 36. Kysaiah Pickett 37. Kade Chandler 38. Oscar Berry 40. Riley Onley 42. Aidan Johnson 44. Luker Kentfield REHAB: 4. Harvey Langford 7. Jack Viney 10. Daniel Turner 11. Max Gawn 18. Jake Melksham 20. Thomas Matthews 23. Shane McAdam 43 Jack Henderson 45. Andy Moniz-Wakefield ABSENT: 15. Ed Langdon 17. Jake Bowey 39. Ricky Mentha Jnr A number of train on players present today including Toby Sinnema. This could mean Bowey could be placed on the LTI List. It’s also possible that these guys are not necessarily train-ons to replace Bowey but rather, Casey players to make up numbers for the Match SIM. Two umpires here today so looks like there will be a serious Match SIM at some point. Max, Disco, Langford and Melksham kicking around the footy and all running well. None should be too far off resume regular training. AMW has joined Max, Melk, Disco & Langford in a small version of a circle work like drill. All moving very well. Players have split into 4 colours Blue, White, Pink & Orange and are being addressed by the two umpires. Two half court Match SIM games (length ways) umpired by one umpire each: Orange vs Pink and Blue vs White A mix of all positions amongst the teams. About 8 or 9 on each team with Casey/Train-On players making up the numbers. Plays are just started randomly from a position with the goal to score at your end Very quick ball movement is the order of the day for this simulation. Match Ups have changed. White vs Orange and Blue vs Pink White: Jefferson Berry Culley Petty Fritsch Heath Howes Rivers Casey Player Orange: May Kentfield CJ Pickett Kolt Kalani Chandler Casey Player Blue: Trelly Sharp Campbell Sparrow Lever Onley Laurie Pink: JVR TMAC Taylor Salem Windsor AJ Steele Sinnema Casey Player McAdam running laps with Reece Conca. It doesn’t appear as if Langdon is present today. It was previously reported that he copped a knock last week and was in concussion protocols. Gawn, Melksham, Langford and Disco running repeat 150m fast run throughs along the boundary. You can tell that all 4 are champing at the bit to be out there. Soon. AMW & Matthews running laps separately. Matthews appears to be running more comfortably than he was the other day. AMW as reported, is very close to resuming full training which should be after the Christmas break. Matthews will still be a little further away from resuming as he has just started running. Viney & Henderson smashing the bikes Now they’ve split into two groups (Blues & Whites) for what could be the Match SIM. CJ is not participating in the Match SIM and is now jogging lap with one of the trainers. MATCH SIM Mids: Blue: Kozzy Campbell Sparrow Kolt Wings: Onley Culley White: Heath Windsor Steele Chandler Rivers Wings: Sharp & a Casey Player Forwards: Blue: JVR Fritsch Kalani Kentfield White: Mihocek AJ Jefferson Defenders: White: May TMac Howes Blue: Lever Petty Adams HALF TIME: White: 6.2.38 Blue: 3.1.19 Sharp and Windsor (both White) in everything. Kozzy (Blue) getting a lot of the footy too. CJ heading back to the rooms. He participated in the mini SIMs before doing some running with trainer and now heading back to the rooms after not participating in the full Match SIM. Watch this space. 3 QTR TIME (Full Time): White: 7.3.45 Blue: 6.3.39 Culley (blue) finding space in the forward line. Trelly (white) like Kozzy has such good footy IQ and instincts and knows exactly what he is going to do with the footy before he gets it. GHOSTWRITER'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONSMax, Disco and Melky have been out here for a while already. They’re following instructions from Selwyn. Tmac just arrived. He’s usually first out. He looked a bit puzzled when he saw the other three already out there. I’ve never seen someone put their boots on so quickly - not sure he even tied the laces. Five or six Casey players are here today. One is wearing Bowser’s jumper and one is wearing Ricky’s jumper. Neither Roo nor Ricky are here. They’re close to well enough but Wheels said they’re keeping them back from training partly because of the heat. Clearly the club are all across Demonland… Nothing to worry about re Disco. His hammy isn’t a concern, they’re just being super cautious with him. He’ll be “running today and running fast” according to Pete our head physio. Pete says at this time of year they don’t want anyone trying to be a hero. I have nfi what that means, I just nodded like I understood. Ollie Green and Louie Hodder (no relation to Courtney but wishes he was) are two Casey boys here. And of course Tobes. Lamond is also a Casey player who’s here Edit: Ollie Green isn’t Brad’s son, they just share the same name There’s only one Casey player whose name I’ve yet to find out*. Latrelle is wearing #39 but so is this Casey boy, just to add to confusion. * It’s Paddy Cross. ON THE CASEY/TRAIN-ON PLAYERS FROM WHISERPING JACK MENTIONED BY GHOSTWRITER: Oliver Green, aged 19. was on the Casey list this year. He originally was with the Sandringham Dragons and played mainly on a wing in amateur football in 2025. Louis Hodder, aged 18, is a small forward from the Dandenong Stingrays (176cm). Just had a chat with Kingy. We talked about training. I told him that of the players I’ve asked about training so far the consensus is that it’s brutal, intense, very challenging, etc. I even told him one player called him a [censored] psycho. He loves it. He said that tells him he’s doing things right. But I also told him that these same players all said while it took some getting used to, they actually love this level of intensity and they feel so much stronger and fitter. I told Kingy that thus far there’s been no S&Gs out there. Not a single shc!tt or giggle in sight. He said, “Oh there’s S&Gs, most definitely there is. But that’s when we’re over there” and he motioned towards AAMI. He said he doesn’t just let them engage in S&Gs, he encourages it because there has to be a healthy balance. Then, back on the serious training subject, he told me some of the things he tells the players. This was my favourite: he tells them “Yes, it’s bloody hard, it’s brutal, I’m pushing you then pushing you again, and again. I’m pushing you to your absolute limits. I’m doing everything I can to get everything possible out of you and that’s because I want you to be bulletproof and, more importantly I want you to KNOW you’re bulletproof.” Talk about inspirational! It took every fibre of my being to resist jumping the fence and slam tackling anyone in my path then running 50 laps for fun. But then I remembered I’d likely pull a hammy just trying to jump the fence so instead I just pictured myself doing it. Further on the subject of Vines seemingly having a weight lifted from his shoulders, despite being injured, he definitely is different now. And he’s not the only one. I see a similar thing with Melky, Max and Tmac. They seem to be less burdened, if you will. I spoke with one of the medics and he said it’s probably because of all the changes and that Kingy has a reassuring way about him. This makes sense. I was introduced to our new “psych” as he calls himself. His name is David. He’s about 6ft5 and very softly spoken and gentle-natured. I felt like I’d had a professional session with him, minus the $600 fee 😁 David only started two days ago which means we’ve been psych-less since Stephen Rendall left months ago. Maybe we haven’t had a desperate need for one, therefore not in a hurry to fill the position 🤷‍♀️ It was the (now) usual tough session. The boys actually pulled up well, despite the heat. Knackered of course but they still looked pumped. FRITTA & TURNER'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONSArrived at 9.30 to find nearly all the players out having a kick to kick with a partner. Melkys partner was his young son. The rehabers havent changed since last time. And i know this is impossible but Langford looks even taller. And Max G must be sick of the sight of the back of Disco head as thy run the boundary. Shane McA was running with Reece Conca but perhaps not at the same intensity as Wednesday. Tom Matthews had a bandage on his left leg and was jogging the line. Also did some time on the bike. And the baggy training shorts seems like a tent at times. TC did some time running the line. I dont think that is his favourite drill... Hendo and Vines on the bikes. The match sims were good fun. Trelly move very well but tried to take on Fritta and Culley. Trelly off to catch his breath.. Culley and Windsor looking good. And if you are a young add on from Casey and Windsor is chasing you dont run in a straight line. Salems tackles always keeps his opponents on the ground for an extra couple of seconds. Onleys disposal may be an issue. Kalani did some competitive work with Jamar, with Conca kicking the ball in . Bump now, ...and again ...and again. And just between you and me, I think we are going to handball more next season. (Just kick the thing I can hear us yelling now). At any one time there are about 30+ 'track watchers' looking on. TRAINING REPORT FROM THE MFC WEBSITEhttps://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1941480/afl-training-report-friday-standouts MELBOURNE’S AFL pre-season is ramping up with players putting their best foot forward this side of Christmas. While they're not full matches just yet, the group have started completing 20-minute match-like drills, with Melbourne Media trackside to scope out the notable moments. Anyone watching on would be able to quickly note that Kysaiah Pickett isn’t looking to slow down, despite having already had a career-best campaign in 2025. His quick feet and electric energy were back on Gosch’s and dare we say, with a slight edge to them, making the Demon even more of danger. A moment of excitement was a chain down the ground between K.Pickett and young draftee Xavier Taylor, the duo’s speed helping them link up through the centre and deliver the ball inside 50. Changkuoth Jiath started strong during the half-ground match-sim, his intercepting and explosive speed out of defence a standout. Through the middle and up forward, Jai Culley was as strong as ever, clunking marks and winning contests – two skills he became known for in the back-half of last season. One match-up that was particularly entertaining to watch was between Aidan Johnson and Jake Lever, who went head-to-head in the opening half. Johnson proved stronger in plenty of the one-on-ones. Brody Mihocek seemed crucial up forward, not just from his own impact, slotting a number of goals, but from his vocals, clearly using his experience to help lead the young teammates around him. Bursts of talent came from draftee Latrelle Pickett, one standout moment saw him speed down the ground, successfully taking on a number of players and coming out on top. Second-year Demon Xavier Lindsay had moments of gold. There’s exciting potential with Lindsay for 2026, who was able to put together an impressive 2025 despite having not had a full pre-season in the lead up to games. With a full pre-season under his belt, there’s no telling where he can take his game next year.

That was the update. CJ went back to rooms during the Match SIM.

3 QTR Time (Full Time) White: 7-3-45 Blue: 6-3-39 Culley (blue) finding space in the forward line. Trelly (white) like Kozzy has such good footy IQ and instincts and knows exactly what he is going to do with the footy before he gets it.

CJ heading back to the rooms. He participated in the mini SIMs before doing some running with trainer and now heading back to the rooms after not participating in the full Match SIM. Watch this space.

Viney & Henderson smashing the bikes

Kozzy (Blue) getting a lot of the footy too.

Sharp and Windsor (both White) in everything.

White 6-2-38 to Blue 3-1-19 at Half Time.

Casey player was on the other wing.

Forwards: Blue: JVR Fritsch Kalani Kentfield White: Mihocek AJ Jefferson Defenders: White: May TMac Howes Blue: Lever Petty Adams