Demonland

It's Game Day and Clarry's 200th game and for anyone who hates Carlton as much as I do this is our Grand Final. Go Dees.

The Fuchsias were third on the VFL ladder and enjoying their best start for many years when they made the short trip to Punt Road Oval to face seventh placed Richmond in front of a huge crowd that witnessed a hard fought slog . At the end of the game neither side could be separated and the clubs shared the premiership points on offer between them.

Round 6 Richmond vs Melbourne

Saturday 6 June

Venue: Punt Road

Attendance: 38,000

MELBOURNE 2.2.14 8.4.52 8.7.55 10.10.70

RICHMOND 2.5.17 5.8.38 6.13.49 9.16.70

Goalkickers: Col Deane 3, Derek Mollison 2, Harry Moyes 2, Harry Davie 1, Bill Shelton 1, Stan Wittman 1

Richmond was kicking to the end favored by a slight wind but managed only a three point lead at quarter time. The visitors pounced after the break and looked at one stage as if they were heading for a big lead but they were reined back to finish the half 14 points in front. Both sides missed their opportunities in the third term with poor kicking for goal but the home side was able to narrow the deficit to six points with a late goal before three quarter time. The match hung precariously in the balance in the last quarter, with the teams trading goals.  Richmond hit the front at one stage after converting a free kick into a goal after ten minutes and it was a neck and neck struggle until the final bell rang. With seconds remaining, a snap on goal was narrowly touched through by Coy to ensure the clubs would share the points. Chadwick, Deane, and Corbett were the standout players for Melbourne, which slipped slightly into fourth place on the table.

Seconds Richmond 16.16.112 d. Melbourne 10.7.67

The game marked the debut appearance for 28-year-old Harry Moyes, who kicked two goals, including a crucial one in the final quarter. He was also the player responsible for the team's poor kicking for goal in the third term, having missed three shots, but he was to redeem himself as his career at the club progressed.

Moyes was recruited from St Kilda ten years after both clubs had initially battled for the services of the promising left footed forward from South Yarra. He topped St Kilda's goalkicking with 32 goals in 1915 but enlisted in the military and didn't return to the club until 1919, leading the Saints' goalkicking in every season from 1921 to 1923. Melbourne finally got its man after persuading him to come out of retirement at the beginning of 1925. It proved to be a wise move.

Following his debut season, where he scored 26 goals in 12 games, Moyes became instrumental in the club's 1926 premiership season, scoring 55 goals that year. He kicked three goals in Melbourne's grand final win over Collingwood, and his end-of-season tally was the third highest in the league. He played his last game in Round 18, 1927 against Footscray at Western Oval for a total of 45 games (106 goals) for the club which is a record for the wearer of jumper 22 for Melbourne. Moyes died on 18 September 1968, aged 72.

The club’s next assignment was against ladder leader Fitzroy at the MCG, where it dispelled any notion that its excellent early season form was fleeting with a comprehensive victory.

Round 7 Melbourne vs Fitzroy

Saturday 13 June

Venue: MCG

Attendance: 23,601

MELBOURNE 3.4.22 7.6.48 9.8.62 12.11.83

FITZROY 1.2.8 1.3.9 3.8.26 6.9.45

Goalkickers: Stan Wittman 3, Jimmy Davidson 2, Harry Davie 2, Col Deane 2, Derek Mollison 1, Harry Moyes 1, Ivor Warne-Smith 1

The Redlegs were primed to impress their fans and led from start to finish in a dominant display of strength, speed and skill, winning in the air and around the ball. Coy and Thomas were impassable in defence and even the loss of Taylor through injury late in the second quarter did not stop them. The Maroons were restricted to a single goal in the opening half and received massive applause from the members' reserve as they left the field as 38-point winners. Best were Thomas, Coy and Chadwick.

Seconds Fitzroy 15.16 d. Melbourne 8.9

Goals - Duff 3, Unknown 5

Best - Cannon, Forty, White

Round 8 South Melbourne vs Melbourne

Saturday 20 June

Venue: Lake Oval

Attendance: 16,000

MELBOURNE 3.7.25 4.11.35 11.14.80 14.16.100

SOUTH MELBOURNE 3.1.19 5.4.34 5.8.38 7.12.54

Goalkickers: Harry Davie 5, Harry Moyes 5, Col Deane 2, George Haines 1, Frank Jorgensen 1

Despite being held to a single point lead in the opening half, Melbourne decisively defeated South Melbourne at the Lakeside Oval with a dominant 7.3 to 0.4 third quarter, ultimately securing a commanding 46-point victory that solidified its position in third place. Mollison led the way in the ruck where he combined well with former Geelong rover Haines and Moyes, Davie and Wittman were all prominent.

Seconds: South Melbourne 16.18.114 d. Melbourne 5.12.42

The trip down Princes Highway to Corio Oval is always a challenge and the Fuchsias certainly met their match against Geelong on the following Saturday when they were virtually blown off the park.

Round 9 Geelong vs Melbourne

Saturday 27 June

Venue: Corio Oval

Attendance: 19,500

MELBOURNE 0.1.1 4.5.29 6.10.46 10.15.75

GEELONG 6.4.40 9.5.59 13.8.86 15.9.99

Goalkickers: Harry Moyes 6, Harry Davie 2, Col Deane 1, Ivor Warne-Smith 1

After scoring the first point of the game, Melbourne was forced into submission by a six goal onslaught that saw them trailing by 39 points at the first break. Despite kicking with the advantage of a slight breeze in the second quarter, the gallant visitors were unable to make inroads and four behinds in a row immediately after half time was hardly helpful. Melbourne kicked four goals in the last quarter, three of which came from Moyes, but Geelong had been given too great a start and ran out winners by four goals. It was the team’s first loss since Round 2. Warne-Smith, Chadwick and Davidson were their best.

Seconds: Geelong 10.12 d. Melbourne 6.1

Goals - Hazzell 2, Forness 2, Fergeus 1, Parker

It was time for redemption after a fortnight’s break and it came in the form of a hard fought victory against second placed Essendon in the cold and the wet on a grey day at the MCG.

Round 10 Melbourne vs Essendon

Saturday 11 July

Venue: MCG

Attendance: 22,872

MELBOURNE 4.1.25 6.2.38 7.3.45 8.7.55

ESSENDON 1.1.7 4.4.28 5.6.36 5.8.38

Goalkickers: Harry Moyes 3, Stan Wittman 2, Harry Davie 1, Col Deane 1, Gerry Donnelly 1

Still reeling from their defeat on the road to Geelong, the bigger, stronger Fuschias commenced strongly in atrocious conditions with a dominant opening term with the advantage of the wind against the reigning premier. They opened up a four goals to one lead and were able to hold off Essendon in the driving rain by playing a hard, tough brand of football as evidenced by it giving away 58 to 35 free kicks. Essendon fought hard to get back into the game for the next three quarters and despite closing the gap and even looking the likely winner at stages, Melbourne was able steady and keep the visitors goalless in the final quarter. It was Wittman who kicked the sealer through to extend the margin to 15 points with a few minutes left. Warne-Smith, Thomas and Donnelly were Melbourne's best.

Seconds: Essendon 14.20.104 d. Melbourne 6.12.48

On this day, 100 years ago, Melbourne and Hawthorn clashed for the first time ever in their match at the Glenferrie Oval, with Harry Davie kicking six goals in the visitors’ 56-point victory.

Round 11 Hawthorn vs Melbourne

Saturday 18 July

Venue: Glenferrie Oval

Attendance: 6,000

MELBOURNE 1.5.11 6.11.47 10.12.72 14.18.102

HAWTHORN 2.4.16 3.5.23 5.7.37 6.10.46

Goalkickers: Harry Davie 6, Carlyle Jones 2, Harry Moyes 2, Stan Wittman 2, Col Deane 1, George Haines 1

Hawthorn was positioned at the bottom of the VFL ladder in its inaugural season in the league; its sole victory for the season having come at home in Round 5 against fellow newcomers Footscray.

They managed to trouble the Fuchsias early in the wet, muddy conditions on the small, sardine can shaped Glenferrie Oval to hold a five-point lead at quarter time, but the resistance was short-lived as Melbourne took control and had little trouble in running away to record an easy win. Corbett, Chadwick, Collins, and Streeter were the standout players.

Seconds: Hawthorn 8.10.58 defeated Melbourne 5.19.49

Goals - Fergens 3, Parker 1, Duff 1

It was past the halfway mark of the season and  the Redlegs were in second place in the standings and well placed to make it all the way to the finals.

Who are you tipping this week?

Good evening, Demon fans and welcome back to the Demonland Podcast ... it’s time to discuss this week’s game against the Blues. Will the Demons celebrate Clayton Oliver’s 200th game with a victory? We have a number of callers waiting on line …

Leopold Bloom:

Carlton and Melbourne are both out of finals contention with six wins and eleven losses, and are undoubtedly the two most underwhelming and disappointing teams of 2025. Both had high expectations at the start of participating and advancing deep into the finals, but instead, they have consistently underperformed and disappointed themselves and their supporters throughout the year. However, I am inclined to give the Demons the benefit of the doubt, as they have made some progress in addressing their issues after a disastrous start. In contrast, the Blues are struggling across the board and do not appear to be making any notable improvements. They are regressing, and a significant loss is looming on Saturday night. Max Gawn in the ruck will be huge and the Demon midfield have a point to prove after lowering their colours in so many close calls.

Kev:

With Carlton transitioning through what Melbourne experienced last year, as the media speculate about their elite players, and staff, moving on. It comes as MFC are in a better emotional state (went through it last season), than the Blues, who appear to have not hit rock bottom yet. Both clubs have the players, the processes, and structure, when they are on, to hurt any team. It will be a battle of the underachievers, with a fair bit of arm wrestling as they fight to get the upper-hand.

Melbourne have been playing a very competitive game, using effort and some flair. The older mids are being rotated at stoppages with some young ones getting a look in, and doing well as they balance their attacking brand, with a defensive structure. Goody continues to adjust his system, controlling tempo and ball movement. They look for boundary line outlets and set the forwards high up the ground, creating forward one on ones as they run hard into the 50. Some more of those long raking kicks to advantage from Langford will impress. Kozzie to continue being an untouchable speedster no matter what they try to do to him, running circles around them. Melky to hit them from their blindside, and Max to mark everything coming his way.

Carlton will use the main pillars of, mids gaining clearances, the defensive intercept and slings, and the forwards taking contested marks. Voss continues to hope for centralised corridors for fast ball movement so as to create open areas in the forward line.

Expect Melbourne to stay within striking range, slowly getting their noses in front and holding the lead. Neither team will dominate as the game ebbs and flow between the two contestants.

Sydney Pennski 

Melbourne fans are well known for their pessimistic outlook, and my expectation from this game is that the roof is about to fall in. With the exception of Kozzie, the Dees finally found their kicking boots last week with 18.11. I highly doubt that this performance will be repeated this week. Meanwhile, dual Coleman Medallist Charlie Curnow, who has recently struggled with his kicking, posting 0.9 in his last four games, will kick five straight as the Blues fall in by a point in controversial circumstances after Adam Cerra accidentally bumps into a field umpire preventing him from paying a free kick to Bayley Fritsch right in front of goal as the siren sounds.

Little Goffy

There are two deep reasons Melbourne should be expected to defeat Carlton this Saturday night at the MCG. 

Firstly, there's nothing at stake. For a generation, and even at their lowest ebb, Carlton found a way to ruin seasons for Melbourne. Ranging from 2006, when the Blues managed two wins over the Demons and only one more for the rest of the season and in the process cost Melbourne a top-4 spot in a wide open premiership chase, to 2023 when the Demon's coughed up a semi final to the Blues in a manner which marked the start of a serious stumble.

Not that it did the Blues any good. At a most elementary level Carlton are currently relying on too few to do too much, with determined but exhausted Cripps symbolising the crisis whenever he is thrown to the ruck. Many of Carlton's more capable players are somewhat one-dimensional, meaning that when holes are created by injury or form problems, there is little to provide a patch up. With each passing week the sensation grows that Carlton as a club is fully aware of the oncoming storm and chooses to sail without urgency or alarm directly into it, with the Blues' famously contentious factions all imagining they will be able to seize control of the wreckage.

The second reason is named Sam. A 55cm project player with a powerful kick and an uncanny ability to escape traffic, Sam has quickly begun accumulating disposables despite currently playing mostly from the bench and is expected to progress to more of a flank position in the near future. His leadership qualities are already showing through, with a 100% win rate since being promoted from the In Utero league on Friday. 

Demons to win a game which will have more than a passing resemblance to whack-a-mole as each team tries to exploit or cover their holes, with perhaps the most interesting contest-within-the-contest being whether Max Gawn can decisively put to rest the AA contention of Tom DeKoning, who has gradually faded since his potent early season form.

After Xerri embarrassed himself with the kind of undisciplined moments that you'd normally only expect to see from someone poorly self-regulating their emotions following a head injury the previous week (ahem) the list of real rivals to Gawn is growing thinner.

Freddy Fuschia

The traditional rivalry between Melbourne and Carlton has yielded some captivating contests at the MCG in recent seasons, when both teams were either vying for a finals berth or already participating and competing to advance further into the finals. On each of the last three occasions, the Blues have had the luck on their side winning close encounters through greater accuracy in front of goals.

This Saturday night, the narrative will be a different one as both clubs are no longer in contention for the finals. Despite this, they will be eager to make a positive impression, given that their fans have been deprived of the satisfaction of winning and their coaches need to plan for the future, assuming that said coaches have a future with the team.

It is likely that Simon Goodwin’s tenure is secure for the remainder of his current coaching contract, given his premiership achievement and apparent strong support and respect from his playing group, who consistently speak highly of him in interviews. Moreover, he is in the process of implementing a new game plan and deserves the opportunity to see this work in progress through another pre season and into next year.

Michael Voss, on the other hand, is under considerable pressure. Carlton supporters are known for their high expectations and are exhibiting signs of restlessness and discontent. A loss on Saturday night could potentially lead to significant repercussions and even some bloodletting. The question therefore is how the Carlton playing group will respond, particularly if Melbourne applies pressure on them from the outset (and kicks straight for goal).

With the Demons' midfield, spearheaded by Max Gawn, Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver, Jack Viney, and now Kozzie Pickett, having found the confidence that winning form brings with it, I anticipate further challenges ahead for the struggling Blues.

Demonland Consensus - Melbourne wins by 18 points 

THE GAME

Carlton v Melbourne at the MCG Saturday 19 July 2024 at 7.35pm

HEAD TO HEAD

Overall Carlton 120 wins Melbourne 97 wins Drawn 2
At The MCG Carlton 53 wins Melbourne 56 wins
Past five meetings Carlton 3 wins Melbourne 2 wins
The Coaches Voss 3 wins Goodwin 2 wins

THE LAST TIME THEY MET

Carlton 12.5.77 defeated Melbourne 11.10.76 in Round 9 2024

Following a scoreless initial quarter, Melbourne nearly overcame a 36-point deficit against Carlton, ultimately falling short by a single point. This defeat marked the club's third consecutive loss to the Blues, with an aggregate losing margin of merely 7 points. Notably, on each of these occasions, the Demons recorded more scoring shots than their opponents, totaling 28 goals and 35 behinds against 32 goals and 18 behinds.

THE TEAMS 

CARLTON 

B N. Haynes, J. Weitering, A. Saad

HB L. Cowan, H. O'Farrell, S. Docherty

C A. Moir, P. Cripps, A. Cerra

HF F. Young, C. Curnow, L. Fogarty

F J. Motlop, T. De Koning, Z. Williams FOLL M. Pittonet, G. Hewett, O. Hollands

I/C M. Carroll, C. Durdin, F. Evans, C. Lord, W. White

EMG B. Acres, J. Boyd, H. O Keeffe

IN F. Evans, A. Saad, W. White

OUT A. Cincotta (managed), O. Fantasia (hamstring), M. McGovern (hamstring)

MELBOURNE

B J. Bowey, S. May, J. McVee

HB C. Salem, T. McDonald, D. Turner

C X. Lindsay, C. Petracca, H. Langford

HF J. Viney, M. Jefferson, E. Langdon

F J. Melksham, J. Van Rooyen, K. Pickett

FOLL M. Gawn, C. Oliver, T. Rivers

I/C K. Chandler, B. Fritsch, H. Sharp,

H. Sharp, K. Tholstrup, C. Windsor

EMG T. Campbell, B. Howes, H. Petty

IN S. May, H. Sharp

OUT Jake Lever (ankle), Tom Sparrow (concussion)

Injury List: Round 19

Oliver Sestan — hamstring / Available

Aidan Johnson — ankle / Test

Harry Petty — concussion / Test

Tom Sparrow —concussion / 1 - 2 weeks

Jake Lever — ankle/ TBC

Marty Hore — knee, shoulder / season

Shane McAdam — Achilles / season

Andy Moniz-Wakefield — knee / seas

Earlier in the year a mate of mine who has been on the money on a number of occasions said he heard the Bombers were into him. Mate is not affiliated with the Bombers but has an acquaintance who is. Take with a grain of salt.

39 minutes ago, Dodos Demons said:

Any links for the live stream. They are not appearing in the landing page for the podcast chat on the forum. Thanks

No LIVE show this week. The Podcast will be released shortly.

The match information to be included at the end of the Match Preview article -

THE GAME

Carlton v Melbourne at the MCG Saturday 19 July 2024 at 7.35pm

HEAD TO HEAD

Overall Carlton 120 wins Melbourne 97 wins Drawn 2
At The MCG Carlton 53 wins Melbourne 56 wins
Past five meetings Carlton 3 wins Melbourne 2 wins
The Coaches Voss 3 wins Goodwin 2 wins

THE LAST TIME THEY MET

Carlton 12.5.77 defeated Melbourne 11.10.76 in Round 9 2024

Following a scoreless initial quarter, Melbourne nearly overcame a 36-point deficit against Carlton, ultimately falling short by a single point. This defeat marked the club's third consecutive loss to the Blues, with an aggregate losing margin of merely 7 points. Notably, on each of these occasions, the Demons recorded more scoring shots than their opponents, totaling 28 goals and 35 behinds against 32 goals and 18 behinds.

THE TEAMS (to be loaded when available)

CARLTON 

MELBOURNE 

Injury List: Round 19

Oliver Sestan — hamstring / Available

Aidan Johnson — ankle / Test

Harry Petty — concussion / Test

Tom Sparrow —concussion / 1 - 2 weeks

Jake Lever — ankle/ TBC

Marty Hore — knee, shoulder / season

Shane McAdam — Achilles / season

Andy Moniz-Wakefield — knee / season

There is not going to be a LIVE show tonight. George is unavailable and Binman is on holidays. Binman and I will record the podcast and it will be released as normal on your favourite podcast app.

Once a year, we ask the Demonland Crew to take on the task of previewing the upcoming Melbourne match.

Here’s your chance to write up your preview of the Carlton vs Melbourne game.

The Blues have won the last three games against the Demons but by narrow margins of less than a goal in each instance. Can the Dees win this one?

Go for it Demonlanders!

Following a scoreless initial quarter, Melbourne nearly overcame a 36-point deficit against Carlton, ultimately falling short by a single point. This defeat marked the club's third consecutive loss to the Blues, with an aggregate losing margin of merely 7 points. Notably, on each of these occasions, the Demons recorded more scoring shots than their opponents, totaling 28 goals and 35 behinds against 32 goals and 18 behinds.

MELBOURNE 0.0.0 3.1.19 7.6.48 11.10.76

CARLTON 5.0.30 8.2.50 11.4.70 12.5.77

GOALS

MELBOURNE Petracca 5 Fritsch Gawn Pickett Turner van Rooyen Windsor

CARLTON Owies 3 Curnow 2 Cripps De Koning Hewett McKay Martin Pittonet Walsh

BEST

MELBOURNE Petracca May Neal-Bullen Viney Gawn Langdon

CARLTON Cripps Walsh Weitering Kennedy O Hollands Curnow

THE TEAMS

CARLTON

B B. Kemp, J. Weitering, L. Cowan

HB A. Cincotta, M. McGovern, N. Newman

C O. Hollands, P. Cripps, B. Acres

HF J. Martin, H. McKay, E. Hollands

F M. Owies, C. Curnow, T. De Koning

FOLL M, Pittonet, S. Walsh, M. Kennedy

I/C J. Boyd, A. Cerra, M. Cottrell, C. Durdin SUB G. Hewett

EMG D. Cuningham, O. Fantasia, L. Young

IN B. Kemp, O. Hollands, M. McGovern, J. Martin

OUT D. Cuningham (omitted), O. Fantasia (omitted), Z. Williams (glute soreness), L. Young (omitted)

MELBOURNE

B B. Howes, S. May, T. Rivers

HB J. McVee, J. Lever, T. McDonald

C J. Billings, C. Oliver, C. Windsor

HF E. Langdon, H. Petty, K Pickett

JF J. van Rooyen, B. Fritsch, D. Turner

FOLL M. Gawn, J. Viney, C. Petracca

I/C J. Bowey, K. Chandler, A. Neal-Bullen, T. Sparrow SUB T. Woewodin

EMG B. Brown M. Hore, B. Laurie

IN J. Bowey

OUT B. Laurie (omitted)

I suppose that I should apologise for the title of this piece, but the temptation to go with it was far too great. The memory of how North Melbourne tore Melbourne apart at the seams earlier in the season and the way in which it set the scene for the club’s demise so early in the piece has been weighing heavily upon all of us. This game was a must-win from the club’s perspective, and the team’s response was overwhelming. The 36 point win over Alastair Clarkson’s Kangaroos at the MCG on Sunday was indeed — roovenge of the highest order!

The game was full of individual contests, but the standout was the duel of the giants, which was spiced up for extra interest as a consequence of the fallout from the last engagement between the clubs, when Max Gawn, was outplayed by North’s Tristan Xerri, who finished with 20 disposals and one goal and even shaded the Demons' skipper in the hit out total. The media highlighted post-match comments by Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin, suggesting that personal issues may have contributed to his decline in form, with SEN's David King labeling it a "balls up". 

It was inevitable therefore, that the press would frame yesterday’s meeting between the two as a battle Royal and a contest for All-Australian honours and in this context, Gawn decisively gained retribution, dominating the hit-out and possession count and facilitating his team’s victory. Roovenge.

However, that merely scratched the surface of the 95-point reversal in fortunes between the two teams. Since their last encounter, the Melbourne brains trust has been diligently reconfiguring the team's strategy, achieving moderate success thus far, albeit hindered by subpar conversion in front of goal. 

Yesterday, things worked well thanks to the attacking skills of Jake Melksham (5 goals) and Bayley Fritsch (3) and a different input of sorts from young talls in Jacob van Rooyen and Matthew Jefferson  who are combining to show some good signs for the future. And while Kozzy Pickett missed a couple of sitters in the second term, his presence was always a dangerous factor in the Demon attack. All in all, the forwards are starting to gel with more caring and sharing.

In their last encounter, the young Kangaroos outran the Demons midfield bulls when the game was in the balance in the third quarter, enabling a goal deluge in the last, but this time it was the experience of Christian Petracca, Jack Viney, and Clayton Oliver that stood out. Petracca’s game was special. Youngster Harvey Langford is fitting into that group nicely. The defence while under constant pressure at times also performed admirably. 

With half a dozen games to go and no prospect of finals, the emphasis will remain on improving and preparing for the future but looking to next week’s meeting with Carlton, the idea of some bluevenge is certainly on the table.

MELBOURNE 3.3.21 6.5.41 11.9.75 18.11.119

NORTH MELBOURNE 4.2.26 5.6.36 8.11.59 12.11.83

GOALS 

MELBOURNE Melksham 5 Fritsch 3 Chandler 2 Gawn Jefferson Langdon Petracca Pickett Sparrow Tholstrup van Rooyen

NORTH MELBOURNE Harvey 4 Darling Zurhaar 3 Curtis 2

BEST

MELBOURNE Fritsch Melksham Petracca Salem Gawn Viney

NORTH MELBOURNE McKercher Zurhaar Sheezel Harvey Parker

LATE CHANGES

MELBOURNE Tom McDonald replaced Steven May (illness)

NORTH MELBOURNE Nil

INJURIES

MELBOURNE Tom Sparrow (concussion)

NORTH MELBOURNE Nil

REPORTS 

MELBOURNE Nil

NORTH MELBOURNE Nil

SUBSTITUTIONS 

MELBOURNE Caleb Windsor replaced Xavier Lindsay (tactical) in the third quarter  

NORTH MELBOURNE Bailey Scott replaced Finnbar Maley (tactical) in the third quarter

UMPIRES Jeff Dalgleish Jack Howard Alex Whetton Peter Bailes 

CROWD 35,844 at The MCG

The Casey Demons remain in contention for a VFL finals berth following a comprehensive 76-point victory over the Werribee Tigers at Whitten Oval last night. The caveat to the performance is that the once mighty Tigers have been raided of many key players and are now a shadow of the premiership-winning team from last season.

The team suffered a blow before the game when veteran Tom McDonald was withdrawn for senior duty to cover for Steven May who is ill.  However, after conceding the first goal of the game, Casey was dominant from ten minutes in until the very end and despite some early errors and inaccuracy, they managed to warm to the task of dismantling the Tigers with precision, particularly after half time when the nominally home side provided them with minimal resistance.

The experienced Jack Billings was in everything from the start to produce the stand out performance for his team as he amassed 30 disposals, seven marks, four clearances, also hitting the scoreboard with two goals. Likewise, former Brisbane Lion Harry Sharp booted two as he reacted to his omission from the Demons’ senior side with 23 touches, six tackles and six marks.

While Charlie Spargo and Bailey Laurie contributed to the team effort, the most pleasing aspect the perspective of the Melbourne-Casey partnership, was the form displayed by some of the younger players vying for senior positions.

Blake Howes made an outstanding return from the concussion he suffered on the Gold Coast a fortnight ago showing out with his athleticism on his way to a 26 disposal, 9 mark and 7 rebound 50s game. Jai Culley (26 touches, five tackles and five clearances) played possibly his best game since coming back from WA putting on a classy display in the midfield.

In the absence of Tom Campbell who was on standby for senior duty Will Verrall (19 disposals, 31 hitouts, eight clearances and a goal) underscored his improvement in the ruck while Kynan Brown and Taj Woewodin had 22 and 18 touches respectively.

A few other youngsters in Jed Adams, Luker Kentfield and Ricky Mentha jnr, while not as prominent also came under notice for their future potential. The livewire Mentha is coming along nicely and his three goals indicated that he will prove a real handful at senior level when his time comes.

For the second week in a row Mitch Hardie took on a starring role kicking four goals in the absence of the tall keys up forward. It could have been more but for a few misses but he kept the Tigers’ defenders on their toes for the whole night. Riley Bonner was his usual reliable self picking up 22 disposals and Noah Yze had some good moments although his kicking for goal was off target. He finished with just one goal from his four scoring attempts.

The team returns to Casey Fields next week for what could be a season defining game against Carlton VFL.

CASEY DEMONS 2.4.16 5.5.35 11.11.77 16.15.111

WERRIBEE 2.0.12 3.1.19 4.3.27 5.5.35

GOALS

CASEY DEMONS Hardie 4 Mentha 3 Billings Sharp 2 Ireland Kentfield Laurie Verrall Yze

WERRIBEE Wright 2 Dahlhaus GaronI Grintell

BEST

CASEY DEMONS Billings Hardie Verrall Sharp Culley Howes

WERRIBEE Brew Jeka Pinnuck Andrews Grintel Malual

The Demons return to the MCG as the the visiting team on Saturday night to take on the Blues who are under siege after 4 straight losses. Who comes in and who goes out?

The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 14th July @ 8:00pm. Join Binman & I as we dissect the Dees glorious win over the Kangaroos at the MCG.

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.

Listen LIVE: https://demonland.com/

Max Gawn has an almost unassailable lead in the Demonland Player of the Year Award followed by Jake Bowey, Christian Petracca, Kozzy Pickett & Clayton Oliver. Your votes please. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 & 1