Demonland

The latter half of 2024 wasn’t all gloom and doom. Melbourne had a big night in Round 17 when it came to the MCG with the intent of obliterating the embarrassment of their earlier defeat at the hands of West Coast at Optus Stadium. Mission accomplished. MELBOURNE 7.3.45 11.5.71 14.9.93 17.10.112 WEST COAST EAGLES 1.2.8 3.4.22 6.8.44 8.10.58 GOALS MELBOURNE van Rooyen 4 Fritsch 3 Melksham Pickett Tholstrup Gawn Langdon Turner Windsor WEST COAST EAGLES Allen 4 Waterman 2 Darling Ryan BEST MELBOURNE Rivers Windsor van Rooyen Langdon Pickett Viney WEST COAST EAGLES Yeo Kelly Allen Hutchinson B Williams THE TEAMS MELBOURNE B J. Lever, S. May, J. McVee HB A. Moniz-Wakefield, T. McDonald, T. Rivers C T. Sparrow, A. Neal-Bullen, C. Windsor HF K. Tholstrup, J. Van Rooyen, E. Langdon F K. Pickett, B. Fritsch, J. Melksham FOLL M. Gawn, J. Viney, C. Oliver I/C J. Bowey, K. Chandler, C. Salem, D. Turner SUB T. Woewodin EMG T. Fullarton, B. Laurie, A. Tomlinson IN J. Bowey, J. Melksham, C. Salem OUT K. Brown (omitted), H. Petty (hamstring), A. Tomlinson (omitted) WEST COAST EAGLES B B. Hough, T. Barrass, A. Witherden HB T. Cole, J. McGovern, L. Duggan C J. Hunt, E. Yeo, J. Jones HF L. Ryan, J. Waterman, T. Brockman F J. Cripps, O. Allen, J. Darling FOLL B. Williams, H. Reid, T. Kelly I/C C. Chesser, R. Ginbey, J. Hutchinson, J. Rotham SUB J. Williams EMG H. Edwards, H. Johnston, R. Maric IN J. Hutchinson, J. Williams OUT M.Flynn (ankle), R. Maric (omitted)

The fans who turned up to the MCG for Melbourne’s Anzac Day Eve clash against Richmond would have been disappointed if they turned up to see a great spectacle. As much as this was a night for the 71,635 in attendance to commemorate heroes of the nation’s past wars, it was also a time for the Melbourne Football Club to consolidate upon its first win after a horrific start to the 2025 season. On this basis, despite the fact that it was an uninspiring and dour struggle for most of its 100 minutes, the night will be one for the fans to remember. They certainly got value out of the pre match activity honouring those who fought for their country. The MCG and the lights of the city as backdrop was made for nights such as these and, in my view, we received a more inspirational ceremony of Anzac culture than others both here and elsewhere around the country. They were also treated to one quarter of brilliant football from Melbourne — the third when the team scored 6.3 to 1.2, but that was all she wrote. The rest of the evening was a rather drab affair that generated little excitement apart perhaps from the opening when the Demons jumped out to an early three goal lead with majors to Ed Langdon, Bayley Fritsch and Kade Chandler before the Tigers reigned them in with two late goals. There was also room for some more excitement later on, when the final siren sounded to signal a second victory in a good week for a club with its back to the wall. Both sides fumbled away in the second term arm wrestle that was not pretty, filled with skill errors and some lapses in discipline. The frustration was evident on both sides as the Demons went into the rooms at half time only four points in front. All that changed in the third quarter when the Demons decided to pick up the pace. They played in the same dashing vein that a week earlier had lifted them out of the rut in which they subsisted in the opening month or so of the season. Their pressure rating went through the roof as they monstered the tiring young Tigers all over the ground. Some of the team’s key players such as Clayton Oliver and Kysaiah Pickett had been held mainly in check in the first half. They suddenly came to life and joined in the mayhem. But the true Melbourne Anzac heroes this year were to be found in an unusual pairing of tall and small that for the second week in a row set the stage for an overwhelming performance in terms of how the team was able to maintain control of the match. They were skipper Max Gawn who led the team and dictated the course of the game for 3½ quarters on his way to a second consecutive Frank 'Checker' Hughes Medal racking up 25 disposals, 34 hitouts, nine marks and six clearances in the time he spent on the field. His partner in crime was defender Jake Bowey who despite being one of the shortest players on the ground, grows in stature each week as he returns to full fitness after a tough 2024. His 32 pinpoint disposals were pivotal time and again in generating attack from defence and securing his team’s match winning burst to victory. Gawn and Bowey had a few others who were consistent in their contributions throughout the game — premiership players in Christian Petracca, Christian Salem, Trent Rivers and Ed Langdon who set the tone with their dash and movement. Petracca is leading a charge for his redemption at the club and it’s not an inconsequential in the team’s changing fortunes. Meanwhile, coach Simon Goodwin would have been pleased with the contributions of his teenage contingent in Xavier Lindsay, Harvey Langford and Caleb Windsor, all of who moved into the 20 possessions per match category. Their disposal and decision making skills are welcome additions to the club. Goody would also be very happy with the excellent first up game of Judd McVee after a long lay off with a bad hamstring injury incurred during the preseason. But in the end it was the skipper’s night. He remained the topic of conversation even when given a well earned rest for the last half of the final term after the lead hit a game high 44 points. Some might bemoan the fact that Gawn’s absence from the ground late in the piece allowed a dent in the team’s percentage as Richmond scored the last four goals of the game. However, it was coming off a five day break and the big man was deserving of a rest which will pay dividends in the weeks to come as the Demon revival continues to consolidate. MELBOURNE 3.2.20 5.4.34 11.7.73 12.11.83 RICHMOND 2.3.15 4.6.30 5.8.38 9.9.63 GOALS MELBOURNE Chandler Fritsch Petracca Petty 2 Langdon Pickett Sparrow Tholstrop RICHMOND Lynch 3 Taranto 2 Green Lalor Mansell Nankervis BEST MELBOURNE Gawn Petracca Bowey Salem Rivers Langdon May RICHMOND Taranto Hopper Dow Ross Short Nankervis INJURIES MELBOURNE Nil RICHMOND Nil REPORTS MELBOURNE Nil RICHMOND Nil SUBSTITUTIONS MELBOURNE Harry Sharp (replaced Koltyn Tholstrup in the fourth quarter) RICHMOND Tom Brown (replaced Campbell Gray in the third quarter) UMPIRES Nick Jankovskis Leigh Fisher Paul Rebeschini Eleni Tee CROWD 71,635 at the MCG

The match up of teams competing in our great Aussie game at its second highest level is a rarity for a work day Thursday morning but the blustery conditions that met the players at a windswept Casey Fields was something far more commonplace. They turned the opening stanza between the Casey Demons and a somewhat depleted Richmond VFL into a mess of fumbling unforced errors, spilt marks and wasted opportunities for both sides but they did set up a significant win for the home team which is exactly what transpired on this Anzac Day round opener. Casey opened up strong against the breeze with the first goal to Aidan Johnson, the Tigers quickly responded and the game degenerated into a defensive slog and the teams were level when the first siren sounded. The Demons kicked four straight when their time with the wind came while the Tigers barely troubled the scorer and the progression continued after half time with Casey handing out Richmond’s biggest defeat in the current form of competition. By the end, it seemed as if it was a training drill against witches hats but it was hard to believe the opposition won their first three outings and looked the winner at the final break last week while Casey had succumbed by nine goals on this ground five days ago. First and foremost, the win was a triumph for the recruitment efforts of the Casey Demons with the top possession winners, Riley Bonner (44), Mitch Hardie (34) both lured from AFL clubs and Riley Baldi (32 and equal third with Bailey Laurie) back from a stint in the bush, all outstanding from go to whoa. Bonner had 28 touches at half time and looked to be on world record pace. Hardie was also outstanding and kicked three goals in the second half while Baldi’s work rate set an impressive example for his team mates. Last year, the club was crying out for exactly this sort of talent and for this game, they were accompanied by a couple of VFL premiership players in Melbourne listers Jack Henderson and Johnson who kicked five goals between them. The latter was somewhat off target kicking three goals from his eight shots at goal but was a prominent feature in a forward line that produced an impressive inside 50 count of 64 to 26. Paddy Cross was another VFL lister who stood out. He chimed in for a couple of majors at the end. Another big inclusion has been journeyman ruckman Tom Campbell, now at his fourth AFL club who shone in the ruck with 17 touches, 20 hit outs and a goal in his 150th VFL game. He is also doing great things mentoring Will Verrall who is increasing in confidence and form on a weekly basis. And on that note, some big news for Melbourne fans and that is the first signs of a return to form and renewed confidence in key forward Jacob van Rooyen who became the team’s third player to kick five goals in a match which is a sure-fire sign that selection at AFL level is imminent. After a shaky start in the blustery conditions, the blond key tall took command of proceedings in the second term with three goals showing great mastery in the air and with his kicking skills, adding another two in the third quarter. He was robbed of a third by an off the ball indiscretion from Laurie who could be forgiven for that because he otherwise played well and added a couple of goals of his own at the end. Taj Woewodin (28 possessions, 7 tackles) and Kynan Brown (24,5) also had excellent days out with the latter putting in an excellent third quarter performance. Jack Billings and Jai Culley were solid contributors. Casey had the luxury of 16 AFL listers at its disposal with Blake Howes participating only in the first half for 13 touches before heading back to town to fulfill an emergency role for the AFL team. Although, a one-sided game of this nature would not necessarily highlight big performances from defenders, there were some real positives to take out of the match with a couple of youngsters in Jed Adams and Ollie Sestan finally showing that they have grown into their roles of senior level football and are ready to take the next step up. Matt Jefferson and Luker Kentfield are a few steps behind them but it’s still very much a learning process for them and for the lightly built Rick Mentha Jr. The only disappointment that the 118 point win brought was that for the second time in a month, the team goes into recess for another bye next weekend. This element is a rarity for most serious sporting competitions and can hardly be conducive to maintaining team cohesion and momentum. CASEY DEMONS 1.2.8 5.8.38 12.11.83 21.17.143 RICHMOND VFL 1.2.8 1.3.9 2.6.18 3.7.25 GOALS CASEY DEMONS van Rooyen 5, Hardie, Johnson 3, Cross, Henderson, Laurie 2, Brown, Campbell, Jefferson, Verrall RICHMOND VFL Colina, Hayes-Brown, Raso BEST CASEY DEMONS Bonner van Rooyen Hardie Baldi Laurie Brown RICHMOND VFL El nour Smith McCarthy Smillie McAuliffe Wilson

Corrected and got you covered -

https://www.instagram.com/p/DI0XdtyvOV7/?img_index=1&igsh=MTNmMHlyMTN2MzByZA==

RARITY by KC from Casey The match up of teams competing in our great Aussie game at its second highest level is a rarity for a work day Thursday morning but the blustery conditions that met the players at a windswept Casey Fields was something far more commonplace. They turned the opening stanza between the Casey Demons and a somewhat depleted Richmond VFL into a mess of fumbling unforced errors, spilt marks and wasted opportunities for both sides but they did set up a significant win for the home team which is exactly what transpired on this Anzac Day round opener. Casey opened up strong against the breeze with the first goal to Aidan Johnson, the Tigers quickly responded and the game degenerated into a defensive slog and the teams were level when the first siren sounded. The Demons kicked four straight when their time with the wind came while the Tigers barely troubled the scorer and the progression continued after half time with Casey handing out Richmond’s biggest defeat in the current form of competition. By the end, it seemed as if it was a training drill against witches hats but it was hard to believe the opposition won their first three outings and looked the winner at the final break last week while Casey had succumbed by nine goals on this ground five days ago. First and foremost, the win was a triumph for the recruitment efforts of the Casey Demons with the top possession winners, Riley Bonner (44), Mitch Hardie (34) both lured from AFL clubs and Riley Baldi (32 and equal third with Bailey Laurie) back from a stint in the bush, all outstanding from go to whoa. Bonner had 28 touches at half time and looked to be on world record pace. Hardie was also outstanding and kicked three goals in the second half while Baldi’s work rate set an impressive example for his team mates. Last year, the club was crying out for exactly this sort of talent and for this game, they were accompanied by a couple of VFL premiership players in Melbourne listers Jack Henderson and Johnson who kicked five goals between them. The latter was somewhat off target kicking three goals from his eight shots at goal but was a prominent feature in a forward line that produced an impressive inside 50 count of 64 to 26. Paddy Cross was another VFL lister who stood out. He chimed in for a couple of majors at the end. Another big inclusion has been journeyman ruckman Tom Campbell, now at his fourth AFL club who shone in the ruck with 17 touches, 20 hit outs and a goal in his 150th VFL game. He is also doing great things mentoring Will Verrall who is increasing in confidence and form on a weekly basis. And on that note, some big news for Melbourne fans and that is the first signs of a return to form and renewed confidence in key forward Jacob van Rooyen who became the team’s third player to kick five goals in a match which is a sure-fire sign that selection at AFL level is imminent. After a shaky start in the blustery conditions, the blond key tall took command of proceedings in the second term with three goals showing great mastery in the air and with his kicking skills, adding another two in the third quarter. He was robbed of a third by an off the ball indiscretion from Laurie who could be forgiven for that because he otherwise played well and added a couple of goals of his own at the end. Taj Woewodin (28 possessions, 7 tackles) and Kynan Brown (24,5) also had excellent days out with the latter putting in an excellent third quarter performance. Jack Billings and Jai Culley were solid contributors. Casey had the luxury of 16 AFL listers at its disposal with Blake Howes participating only in the first half for 13 touches before heading back to town to fulfill an emergency role for the AFL team. Although, a one-sided game of this nature would not necessarily highlight big performances from defenders, there were some real positives to take out of the match with a couple of youngsters in Jed Adams and Ollie Sestan finally showing that they have grown into their roles of senior level football and are ready to take the next step up. Matt Jefferson and Luker Kentfield are a few steps behind them but it’s still very much a learning process for them and for the lightly built Rick Mentha Jr. The only disappointment that the 118 point win brought was that for the second time in a month, the team goes into recess for another bye next weekend. This element is a rarity for most serious sporting competitions and can hardly be conducive to maintaining team cohesion and momentum. CASEY DEMONS 1.2.8 5.8.38 12.11.83 21.17.143 RICHMOND VFL 1.2.8 1.3.9 2.6.18 3.7.25 GOALS CASEY DEMONS van Rooyen 5, Hardie, Johnson 3, Cross, Henderson, Laurie 2, Brown, Campbell, Jefferson, Verrall RICHMOND VFL Colina, Hayes-Brown, Raso BEST CASEY DEMONS Bonner van Rooyen Hardie Baldi Laurie Brown RICHMOND VFL El nour Smith McCarthy Smillie McAuliffe Wilson

The Demons hit the road in Round 8, heading to Perth to face the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium. With momentum building, the Dees will be aiming for a third straight victory to keep their season revival on course. Who comes in and who goes out?

The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 28th April @ 8:00pm. Join Binman, George & I as we analyse the Demons 2nd win for the year against the Tigers. Your questions and comments are a huge part of our podcast so please post anything you want to ask or say below and we'll give you a shout out on the show. If you would like to leave us a voicemail please call 03 9016 3666 and don't worry no body answers so you don't have to talk to a human. Listen LIVE: https://demonland.com/ Call: 03 9016 3666 Skype: Demonland31

Max Gawn leads the Demonland Player of the Year from Jake Bowey with Christian Petracca, Ed Langdon and Clayton Oliver rounding out the Top 5. Your votes for the Demons victory over the Tigers on ANZAC Eve. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, & 1.

After five consecutive defeats, the Demons have now notched up back-to-back victories, comfortably accounting for the Tigers in the traditional ANZAC Eve clash. They surged to a commanding 44-point lead early in the final quarter before easing off the pedal, resting skipper Max Gawn and conceding the last four goals of the game to close out a solid 20-point win.

I had an issue last week and was getting a similar error. I had to log out and when I tried to log back it it said that the password was incorrect but I know for a fact that it was not because I had an issue before the season started and changed it to that password. I had to go through the Forgot Password thing to reset and when I went to reset I used that last password that it said was wrong and it said that you can't use a password that you have used before. I chose a different password it accepted it and I was able to log in again.

This is not going to help. 😢

It's Game Day and the Demons return to the MCG to face the Tigers in their annual Blockbuster on ANZAC Eve for the 10th time. The Dees will be desperate to reignite their stuttering 2025 campaign and claim just their second win of the season. Can the Demons dig deep and find that ANZAC Spirit to snatch back to back wins?

Personal reasons?

A few years ago, the Melbourne Football Club produced a documentary about the decade in which it rose from its dystopic purgatory of regular thrashings to the euphoria of a premiership victory. That entire period could have been compressed in a fast motion version of the 2025 season to date as the Demons went from embarrassing basket case to glorious winner in an unexpected victory over the Dockers last Saturday. They transformed in a single week from a team that put in a pedestrian effort of predictably kicking the ball long down the line into attack that made a very ordinary Bombers outfit look like worldbeaters into a slick, fast moving side with urgency and a willingness to handball and create play with shorter kicks and by changing angles to generate an element of chaos that yielded six goals in each of the opening quarters against Freo. Players who were lambasted for showing no intensity and effort became dynamic and resilient. One of the key factors leading to the change in the team’s performance was the infusion of energy from players with extra run and pace to support the experienced group of leaders. The likes of Kozzy Pickett, Caleb Windsor, Xavier Lindsay and Koltyn Tholstrup who have all missed game time in the early part of the season, added much needed zest to the team mix. That’s all well and good but supporters of the club are asking whether this is the personification of a real and lasting new coaching deal or a one off mirage that leads nowhere. The answer will come soon enough as they play Richmond on Thursday night, fresh from their own miraculous last up winning performance against the previously unbeaten Gold Coast Suns. Like Melbourne, Richmond relied on the more experienced players who took part in its now long past days of premiership glory to generate the momentum for the win. Skipper Nankervis, Vlastuin, Taranto, Hopper, Short and Balta stood out in its first win in almost living memory on the grass of Marvel Stadium and it was well deserved. Just as with the Demons, the younger brigade played their roles in Tiger victory. Given that neither side has set the world on fire so far this year and there’s little else to separate them on the big stage of a blockbuster game, what can we look for to determine the issue. The Tigers have suffered a blow with the terms of a Magistrate’s Court judgment making Noah Balta a non starter for the Anzac Day eve game. On the other hand, the Demons are set to gain two very handy defenders in Steven May and Judd McVee. These anticipated changes should add steel to the Melbourne defence which last week conceded close to 100 points and will not only tip the scales in favour of the Demons but also aid in their quest to create a distance from their most recent ascent into hell. Melbourne by 8 points. THE GAME Melbourne v Richmond at the MCG on Thursday 24 April 2025 at 7.30pm MCG HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 80 wins Richmond 107 wins Drawn 2 At the MCG Melbourne 68 wins Richmond 72 wins Drawn 1 Past five meetings Melbourne 5 wins Richmond 0 wins The Coaches Goodwin 1 win Yze 0 wins THE LAST TIME THEY MET Melbourne 13.7.85 defeated Richmond 5.12.42 at the MCG, Round 7, 2024 After a tight encounter in the first half, Melbourne forged ahead with an impressive ten goal second half inspired by a masterclass from the skipper. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE B J. Bowey, S. May, C. Salem HB C. Windsor, T. McDonald, J. McVee C K. Chandler, J. Viney, E. Langdon HF T. Sparrow, T. Fullarton, K. Pickett F K. Tholstrup, B. Fritsch, C. Spargo FOLL M. Gawn, C. Petracca, H. Langford I/C X. Lindsay, C. Oliver, H. Petty, T. Rivers SUB H. Sharp EMG J. Billings, B. Howes, A. Johnson IN B. Fritsch, J. McVee, S. May OUT B. Howes (omitted), J. Melksham (leg), D. Turner (concussion) RICHMOND B B. Miller, N. Broad, N. Vlastuin HB J. Short, S. Banks, L. Trainor C H. Ralphsmith, T. Dow, J. Trezise HF S. Campbell, J. Ross, S. Green F J. Faull, T. Lynch, M. Rioli FOLL T. Nankervis, T. Taranto, J. Hopper I/C C. Gray, S. Lalor, K. McIntosh, R. Mansell SUB T. Brown EMG J. Bauer, K. Smith, T. Sonsie IN C. Gray, R. Mansell OUT N. Balta (personal reasons), S. Ryan (foot) Injury List: Round 7 Steven May — groin / test Jake Melksham — leg / test Daniel Turner — concussion / 1 - 2 weeks Marty Hore — calf / 3 - 4 weeks Jake Lever — ankle / 6 - 7 weeks Shane McAdam — Achilles / next season Andy Moniz-Wakefield — knee / next season

This is a general warning and not directed at the original poster, but it's an important reminder for everyone in the community. When you share your membership barcode with someone, you’re potentially giving them unrestricted access to use that barcode at any time. Once a barcode is shared, it can be used multiple times, at any time, without your knowledge. While finals may feel like a distant dream this year (and yes, we acknowledge this might not be the most relevant season to be raising finals concerns), it's still worth considering. In a year where finals access is on the line, you could easily find yourself not able to purchase finals tickets simply because you gave someone your barcode and then when purchasing tickets for finals (or for bigger games like ANZAC Eve or Kings Birthday) your barcode has already been used. Again, this isn’t aimed at the original poster, but a heads-up for anyone who shares their barcode. Please be cautious. Once your code is out there, you can’t control how or when it’s used.

We are LIVE

We are LIVE in just under an hour.

We are LIVE in 3 hours at 8:00pm