Demonland

Binman presents his Long Form Stats Files Preview of the upcoming match against the Richmond. I'm still traveling and didn't have time to put together an Intro/Outro for the show so you get a raw and unfiltered Binman this week. I also will be flying during the match so I will only get to watch the scores update. Lucky me. Hopefully we win so I get to watch it once I land. After the match on tonight you can also post your questions and comments for Binman, George & I for the Review podcast here. Go Demons.

afl.com.auThe 'massive' decision that changed Latrelle Pickett's fo...Josh Gabelich tracks Latrelle Pickett's incredible journey from Glenelg reserves to the No.12 pick in last year's draft

It's Game Day on Friday night. ANZAC Eve. The big stage at the ‘G. The Demons return to the spotlight for one of our most significant nights on the football calendar, taking on the Tigers in a clash that always carries extra weight given the gravity of occasion of the commemoration of the ANZAC Spirit. Under the lights, in front of a packed house, this is where moments are made. Can the Dees rise to the occasion and deliver on the big stage, or will Richmond spoil the night? All the build-up, discussion, and in-game reactions here. Go Dees.

Love jumping up a spot on the ladder without even playing.

Round 7 is here, with the ANZAC commemoration games taking centre stage. Who are you tipping this week, and which results would be most favourable for the Demons?

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 7.40pm 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 RICHMOND B N. Vlastuin, B. Miller, N. Balta HB N. Broad, J. Short, S. Grl] C H. Ralphsmith, D. Prestia, P. Retschko HF S. Campbell, S. Cumming, S. Green F J. Faull, T. Lynch, M. Lefau FOLL S. Ryan, J. Ross, S. Lalor I/C T. Brown, T. Burton, C. Gray, J. Hopper, K. McAuliffe EMG O. Hayes-Brown, T. Sonsie, J. Trezise IN T. Brown T. Burton, S. Cumming, J. Hopper, T. Lynch OUT S. Banks (collarbone), L. Fawcett (omitted), M. Rioli (hamstring), T. Sonsie (omitted), T. Taranto (concussion) MELBOURNE B D. Turner, J. Lever, B. Howes HB X. Taylor, C. Jiath, T. Sparrow C J. Culley, J. Steele, E. Langdon HF K. Chandler, B. Mihocek, B. Laurie F J. van Rooyen, B. Fritsch, K. Pickett FOLL M. Gawn, H. Langford, C. Windsor I/C K. Tholstrup, M. Jefferson, M. Heath, L. Pickett, H. Sharp EMG J. Adams, P. Cross, J. Henderson IN C. Jiath OUT H. Petty (concussion protocols) 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