Demonland

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

Before Sunday, the last time the Brisbane Lions had walked onto the turf of the Melbourne Cricket Ground, they celebrated the pinnacle of the sport - an AFL premiership secured in emphatic fashion for the second consecutive year. In stark contrast, the Melbourne Football Club entered the same timeframe as a smouldering ruin, a club in turmoil. A disappointing 14th-place finish, the dismissal of their coach, and widely reported cultural issues had left the club searching for direction. Incoming president Steven Smith was candid in his assessment, describing standards and behaviours as “not good,” with internal discord and off-field concerns compounding the crisis. The appointment of coach Steven King signalled a decisive break from the past. In a bold and controversial move, established stars including Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca and Steven May were moved on as part of a sweeping cultural reset. King made no grand promises of immediate success, but he was unequivocal about his intent: Melbourne would adopt a fast, daring style of play - one that ensured the team would leave no one to die wondering. Against this backdrop, Melbourne welcomed Brisbane back to the MCG in a Round 6 milestone match for champion Lion Lachie Neale, who was playing his 300th game. What followed was a dramatic and high-quality contest. After squaring the opening term an falling behind late in the second, the Demons produced some scintillating form after the main interval, piling on 11 goals to secure a hard-fought two-point victory, a margin that scarcely reflected some periods of dominance in the latter half of the game, but one that underscored both the potency and risk inherent in their attacking approach. Key moments defined the closing stages of the match. Jacob van Rooyen proved pivotal with some crucial goals and his strong marking presence, while captain Max Gawn delivered a decisive late tackle close to the end aided by Jack Steele on dual Norm Smith Medallist Will Ashcroft to steady his side. The final siren sparked jubilant scenes, fitting on a day that also honoured the club’s legendary ruckman Jim Stynes - and added another memorable chapter to the leadership of its current champion ruckman in Max Gawn. Melbourne’s performance was underpinned by contributions across the ground. The quick movement by hand was outstanding despite some inevitable errors. Ed Langdon’s run was superhuman. Bayley Fritsch showed his versatility in an excellent coaching move that saw him playing further from his customary forward line spot. Kysaiah Pickett and Kade Chandler provided moments of sheer brilliance, while recruit Jack Steele impressed with his composure and resilience. Brodie Mihocek offered a strong presence in attack, Tom Sparrow continued his steady development, and Koltyn Tholstrup delivered a breakout performance. Debutants Max Heath and Xavier Taylor also showed encouraging signs, Latrelle Pickett played his best game yet and demonstrated an impressive tank, while a standout display from young wingman Harvey Langford, who only recently turned 20, highlighted his and the club’s promising future. To Brisbane’s credit, the reigning premiers were relentless. They refused to concede, applying pressure until the final moments and nearly stealing the match, aided in part by a late defensive error from a clearly unwell Harrison Petty. Ultimately, however, this was a defining victory for Melbourne - not just in result, but in significance. It marked an early vindication of King’s bold vision and demonstrated a newfound resilience and identity, forged against one of the competition’s benchmark teams. MELBOURNE 4.1.25 5.6.36 11.8.74 16.8.104 BRISBANE 4.1.25 8.4.52 10.8.68 15.12.102 GOALS MELBOURNE Chandler Langford van Rooyen 3 Fritsch Mihocek Sharp 2 Steele BRISBANE Cameron Morris 3 Rayner 2 Allen W Ashcroft Draper Fletcher Lohmann McCarthy McCluggage BEST MELBOURNE Langford K Pickett Steele Tholstrup Chandler Gawn BRISBANE Neale W Ashcroft Andrews Reville Wilmont Morris Neale LATE CHANGES MELBOURNE Nil BRISBANE Darcy Fort (illness) replaced in selected side by Zane Zakostelsky INJURIES MELBOURNE Harrison Petty (head) BRISBANE Noah Answerth (concussion) Jarrod Berry (calf) UMPIRES Cameron Dore Robert O'Gorman Andrew Stephens Andrew Adair CROWD 41,629 at the MCG

Max is still well ahead in the leading trio but some extra names entered the picture this week. Progressive voting ... 82. Max Gawn 64. Kysaiah Pickett 58. Jack Steele 24. Harvey Langford 19. Tom Sparrow 17. Ed Langdon Jake Lever Jacob van Rooyen 14. Kade Chandler Christian Salem 11. Bayley Fritsch Koltyn Tholstrup 8. Jai Culley 7. Brody Mihocek 5. Jake Melksham Trent Rivers 3. Daniel Turner 1. Harrison Petty Harry Sharp

OUT-BUSTLED by KC from Casey 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

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