Demonland

PLAYER VOTES 1 Max Gawn 126 2 Clayton Oliver 106 3 Jesse Hogan 90 4 Nathan Jones 70 5 Angus Brayshaw 62 6 Tom McDoanld 49 7 Neville Jetta 46 8 Christian Salem 35 9 Bayley Fritsch 34 10 Jake Melksham 33 11 Jack Viney 32 12 Michael Hibberd 31 13 Jake Lever 29 13 Oscar McDoanld 29 15 Christian Petracca 26 15 James Harmes 26 17 Jordan Lewis 20 18 Jeff Garlett 16 19 Alex Neal-Bullen 7 20 Tomas Bugg 6 21 Joel Smith 4 22 Dean Kent 2 23 Bernie Vince 1 23 Josh Wagner 1

It will come as no surprise that Maxy got full marks for his inspirational performance yesterday. Truth be told, nobody else came close to the mark with his influence on the game (unless you include the three blind mice who officiated) 126. Max Gawn 106. Clayton OIiver 90. Jesse Hogan 70. Nathan Jones 62. Angus Brayshaw 49. Tom McDonald 46. Neville Jetta 35. Christian Salem 34. Bayley Fritsch 33. Jake Melksham 32. Jack Viney 31. Michael Hibberd 29. Jake Lever Oscar McDonald 26. James Harmes Christian Petracca 20. Jordan Lewis 16. Jeff Garlett 7. Alex Neal-Bullen 6. Tom Bugg 4. Joel Smith 2. Dean Kent 1. Bernie Vince Josh Wagner

Yes folks, it’s back ... the ever present syndrome that afflicts supporters of the Melbourne Football Club. Playing in a game against St Kilda which had managed a mere two wins to date this season, with other results falling to its advantage and the chance to lock in a final eight position by a clear game and percentage, the Demons stuffed it again! Are we to see a repeat of last year, when we fell at the final hurdle? For those who suffer from the MFCSS, it is sure looking that way. Despite a three goal lead early in the first quarter, the Saints were allowed to haul it back almost never headed for the remainder of the game. How did that happen when ruckman Max Gawn had an incredible 39 hitouts, 25 disposals including 13 contested possessions and seven contested marks? Perhaps because Max was operating mostly on his own, while just too many others barely offered a whimper during the 100 minutes of the game. Mitch Hannan wrote himself a ticket to Casey with a lowly 4 disposal game, Dom Tyson a meagre 3 touches to half time, ANB an ineffective 14 touches with a solitary tackle, Sam Wiedeman with only 7 touches and tellingly not a single mark. But the side was poorly coached as well. Some of the failures during the game included no wingman for at least a 15 minute period, Gresham unmanned on the wing and half back. Until the last 10 minutes of the game, when we went man-on-man and kicked 4 goals, we persisted with the set up that hadn’t worked. Leaving Carlisle unchecked in the backline was a bonus to the Saints, and even better when we continued to bomb the ball long inside 50, with our forwards set far too much up the ground, instead of where the contest lay. Not all lay with the coaches, as we simply had too many plodders out on the field. Goodwin alluded to it in his presser, saying we lacked defensive pressure, but that wasn’t the backs, it was up the ground, where we saw the Saints free running with too many slow Melbourne players in their wake. It was an exact repeat of the Collingwood game, and fortunately St.Kilda lacked the abilities of the Pies or the result would have been similar. The backs were under enormous pressure given that 29 scoring opportunities came down their way. Harrison Petty was overwhelmed and probably wasn’t ready for the AFL level contests, but you have to start somewhere. O Mac had a handful with McCartin who got the benefit of numerous free kicks from the umpires. If anyone doubted the value of Lever, now missing, it was in evidence on this occasion, when he would have been able to get to contests and help out. Sadly Neville Jetta appeared to be still suffering the effects of the battering he took last week, and wasn’t up to his normal reliable self. Up forward Bayley Fritsch continued to show his value, snagging 4 goals from limited opportunities. Tom McDonals was down on form, but could be forgiven since he could barely get up a trop during the week. Hogan showed some signs, with 3 goals but Weidemann had little to no effect. Did I mention the umpiring? Well after last week's debacle, surely it couldn’t get worse? Wrong again! Seven goals from free kicks for the Saints, including 4 from 50m penalties saw the umpires cover themselves in glory again. Don’t let it ever be heard that they cannot influence a game, especially when the final result is a mere two points. In the middle Brayshaw and Viney were fantastic, but were they used correctly? Viney sent to tag Jack Steven meant one of our best contested ball magnets didn’t have much effect in the first half. Once released from that role he almost single-handedly lifted the side to victory. Brayshaw despite 27 touches only spent 2/3 of the game time on the ground. What gives? Was he injured? It didn't look like it given his intensity. Jones played off the wing and still managed 27 touches as well, but once again, was this the best use of him? He certainly doesn’t have that outside run, but he certainly has inside grunt. A respectable 38K crowd turned up as part of the Welcome Game, but were many of those converted by the spectacle that Melbourne produced ... again! Probably not. The side now sits barely in the eight, on equal points to 4 other sides, with Adelaide sniffing at the edge. It would indeed be a welcome game if the side can produce the same effort all over the ground as we know is possible in Darwin next week ... or the MFCSS will just get worse ... again! Melbourne 4.2.26 9.3.57 11.6.72 18.9.117 St Kilda 4.3.27 11.6.72 14.10.94 18.11.119 Goals Melbourne Fritsch 4 Harmes Hogan 3, Brayshaw 2 Lewis T McDonald Melksham Neal-Bullen Petracca Tyson St Kilda Gresham Membrey 4 McCartin 2 Armitage Battle Billings Clark Newnes Savage Steele Steven Best Melbourne Gawn Brayshaw Harmes Viney St Kilda Carlisle Billings Gresham Sinclair Steele Steven Armitage Injuries Melbourne Nil St Kilda Brown (hamstring) Reports Nil Umpires Deboy, Gavine, Pannell Official crowd 38,910 at the MCG

WELCOME BACK MFCSS by George on the Outer Yes folks, it’s back ... the ever present syndrome that afflicts supporters of the Melbourne Football Club. Playing in a game against St Kilda which had managed a mere two wins to date this season, with other results falling to its advantage and the chance to lock in a final eight position by a clear game and percentage, the Demons stuffed it again! Are we to see a repeat of last year, when we fell at the final hurdle? For those who suffer from the MFCSS, it is sure looking that way. Despite a three goal lead early in the first quarter, the Saints were allowed to haul it back almost never headed for the remainder of the game. How did that happen when ruckman Max Gawn had an incredible 39 hitouts, 25 disposals including 13 contested possessions and seven contested marks? Perhaps because Max was operating mostly on his own, while just too many others barely offered a whimper during the 100 minutes of the game. Mitch Hannan wrote himself a ticket to Casey with a lowly 4 disposal game, Dom Tyson a meagre 3 touches to half time, ANB an ineffective 14 touches with a solitary tackle, Sam Wiedeman with only 7 touches and tellingly not a single mark. But the side was poorly coached as well. Some of the failures during the game included no wingman for at least a 15 minute period, Gresham unmanned on the wing and half back. Until the last 10 minutes of the game, when we went man-on-man and kicked 4 goals, we persisted with the set up that hadn’t worked. Leaving Carlisle unchecked in the backline was a bonus to the Saints, and even better when we continued to bomb the ball long inside 50, with our forwards set far too much up the ground, instead of where the contest lay. Not all lay with the coaches, as we simply had too many plodders out on the field. Goodwin alluded to it in his presser, saying we lacked defensive pressure, but that wasn’t the backs, it was up the ground, where we saw the Saints free running with too many slow Melbourne players in their wake. It was an exact repeat of the Collingwood game, and fortunately St.Kilda lacked the abilities of the Pies or the result would have been similar. The backs were under enormous pressure given that 29 scoring opportunities came down their way. Harrison Petty was overwhelmed and probably wasn’t ready for the AFL level contests, but you have to start somewhere. O Mac had a handful with McCartin who got the benefit of numerous free kicks from the umpires. If anyone doubted the value of Lever, now missing, it was in evidence on this occasion, when he would have been able to get to contests and help out. Sadly Neville Jetta appeared to be still suffering the effects of the battering he took last week, and wasn’t up to his normal reliable self. Up forward Bayley Fritsch continued to show his value, snagging 4 goals from limited opportunities. Tom McDonals was down on form, but could be forgiven since he could barely get up a trop during the week. Hogan showed some signs, with 3 goals but Weidemann had little to no effect. Did I mention the umpiring? Well after last week's debacle, surely it couldn’t get worse? Wrong again! Seven goals from free kicks for the Saints, including 4 from 50m penalties saw the umpires cover themselves in glory again. Don’t let it ever be heard that they cannot influence a game, especially when the final result is a mere two points. In the middle Brayshaw and Viney were fantastic, but were they used correctly? Viney sent to tag Jack Steven meant one of our best contested ball magnets didn’t have much effect in the first half. Once released from that role he almost single-handedly lifted the side to victory. Brayshaw despite 27 touches only spent 2/3 of the game time on the ground. What gives? Was he injured? It didn't look like it given his intensity. Jones played off the wing and still managed 27 touches as well, but once again, was this the best use of him? He certainly doesn’t have that outside run, but he certainly has inside grunt. A respectable 38K crowd turned up as part of the Welcome Game, but were many of those converted by the spectacle that Melbourne produced ... again! Probably not. The side now sits barely in the eight, on equal points to 4 other sides, with Adelaide sniffing at the edge. It would indeed be a welcome game if the side can produce the same effort all over the ground as we know is possible in Darwin next week ... or the MFCSS will just get worse ... again! Melbourne 4.2.26 9.3.57 11.6.72 18.9.117 St Kilda 4.3.27 11.6.72 14.10.94 18.11.119 Goals Melbourne Fritsch 4 Harmes Hogan 3, Brayshaw 2 Lewis T McDonald Melksham Neal-Bullen Petracca Tyson St Kilda Gresham Membrey 4 McCartin 2 Armitage Battle Billings Clark Newnes Savage Steele Steven Best Melbourne Gawn Brayshaw Harmes Viney St Kilda Carlisle Billings Gresham Sinclair Steele Steven Armitage Injuries Melbourne Nil St Kilda Brown (hamstring) Reports Nil Umpires Deboy, Gavine, Pannell Official crowd 38,910 at the MCG

Thank heavens they play in Darwin next week.

Your votes please 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 ...

You know it's been a truly crazy weekend for VFL football when Sandringham, held goalless in its last game, could manage 21 of them in its game against Port Melbourne yesterday and then the Casey Demons, known this year for their free flowing high scoring football, could score eight for the day (only two after half time) and still beat Essendon VFL by eight points in their vital top-four battle at RAMS Arena, Craigieburn. That outcome reflected Casey’s early dominance when it kicked the first five goals of the game to the midpoint of the second quarter, an almost impassible defence led by Declan Keilty, Sam Frost and Jay Lockhart and particularly after half time, the superior class of veteran Bernie Vince (25 disposals) who was making his VFL debut. He stood out like a beacon and his contribution was enormous when the Demons were under siege and it highlighted the difference in quality between this level and the high step up to AFL. Without him, the side would not be sitting with a record of seven consecutive wins this morning. The Bombers scored the first point early but a goal from Angus Scott gae the Demons a lead which they held throughout the rest of the game. They maintained the ascendancy throughout periods of heavy rain. When the rain stopped, the Bomber resurgence began and it was relentless for a while until Casey ruckman Mitch King took a mark from close in to restore three goal lead at the main break. Essendon had the better of Casey in most departments when the game turned into a battle of defences after half time. The Bombers had plenty of run but it was the fierce tackling of the Demons and the strong marking of Keilty and Frost that saved the day in an arm wrestle that saw the home team reign their lead to 10 points at three quarter time. A goal to Tim Smith, who had been so important earlier in the game with his strength and tackling, was the perfect start to the final term but the Bombers were not to be denied. They kept coming and the defenders kept repelling until the siren heralded the end of a dour struggle with Casey still on top. The game was a breakout match for ginger headed Oskar Baker who finished with 34 touches on a wing. Billy Stretch continued his strong vein of good form and kicked two goals and Corey Wagner was again an important cog in the Casey cause. Their next assignment is a home game - Casey's first meeting with the newly formed North Melbourne VFL. Peter Jackson VFL 2018 Casey Demons 3.2.20 6.3.39 7.3.45 8.6.54 Essendon VFL 0.2.2 3.3.21 5.5.35 6.10.46 Goals Casey Demons Stretch 2 Balic Garlett Hutchins King Scott T Smith Essendon VFL Boyse 2 Houlahan Merrett Stewart Younan Best Casey Demons Keilty Wagner Stretch Vince Frost Lockhart Essendon VFL Mutch Hind Merrett Draper Heppell Clarke Statistics Oskar Baker 20 kicks 14 handballs 34 disposals 9 marks 6 tackles 126 dream team points Harley Balic 1 goal 9 kicks 7 handballs 16 disposals 4 marks 1 tackles 63 dream team points Tomas Bugg 12 kicks 5 handballs 17 disposals 3 marks 5 tackles 75 dream team points Lachlan Filipovic 2 hit outs -4 dream team points Sam Frost 10 kicks 6 handballs 16 disposals 6 marks 1 tackle 58 dream team points Jeff Garlett 1 goal 2 behinds 7 kicks 2 handballs 9 disposals 1 mark 7 tackles 65 dream team points Jack Hutchins 1 goal 2 kicks 3 handballs 5 disposals 4 marks 2 tackles 36 dream team points Dion Johnstone 3 kicks 3 handballs 6 disposals 3 marks 4 tackles 37 dream team points Declan Keilty 7 kicks 8 handballs 15 disposals 7 marks 3 tackles 68 dream team points Jay Kennedy Harris 8 kicks 9 handballs 17 disposals 1 mark 11 tackles 88 dream team points Dean Kent 10 kicks 4 handballs 14 disposals 4 marks 1 tackle 45 dream team points Mitchell King 1 goal 4 kicks 4 handballs 8 disposals 2 marks 3 tackles 17 hit outs 56 dream team point Jay Lockhart 13 kicks 7 handballs 20 disposals 4 marks 4 tackles 78 dream team points Goy Lok 3 kicks 5 handballs 8 disposals 1 mark 4 tackles 36 dream team points Corey Machaya 6 kicks 1 handballs 7 disposals 2 marks 2 tackles 35 dream team points James Munro 7 kicks 5 handballs 12 disposals 3 marks 6 tackles 61 dream team points Cameron Pedersen 10 kicks 5 handballs 15 disposals 3 marks 3 tackles 55 dream team points Corey Stockdale 5 kicks 6 handballs 11 disposals 4 tackles 45 dream team points Angus Scott 1 goal 11 kicks 7 handballs 18 disposals marks tackles dream team points Tim Smith 1 goal 11 kicks 9 handballs 20 disposals 7 marks 2 tackles 78 dream team points Billy Stretch 2 goals 13 kicks 10 handballs 23 disposals 1 mark 9 tackles 110 dream team points Bernie Vince 18 kicks 7 handballs 25 disposals 6 marks 5 tackles 107 dream team points Corey Wagner 15 kicks 12 handballs 27 disposals 2 marks 9 tackles 106 dream team points

CRAZY WEEKEND by KC from Casey It’s been a truly crazy weekend for VFL footballs far when Sandringham, held goalless in its last game, could manage 21 of them in its game against Port Melbourne yesterday and the Casey Demons, known this year for their free flowing high scoring football, scored eight for the day (only two after half time) and still beat Essendon VFL by eight points in their vital top-four battle at RAMS Arena, Craigieburn. You know it's been a truly crazy weekend for VFL football when Sandringham, held goalless in its last game, could manage 21 of them in its game against Port Melbourne yesterday and then the Casey Demons, known this year for their free flowing high scoring football, could score eight for the day (only two after half time) and still beat Essendon VFL by eight points in their vital top-four battle at RAMS Arena, Craigieburn. That outcome reflected Casey’s early dominance when it kicked the first five goals of the game to the midpoint of the second quarter, an almost impassible defence led by Declan Keilty, Sam Frost and Jay Lockhart and particularly after half time, the superior class of veteran Bernie Vince (25 disposals) who was making his VFL debut. He stood out like a beacon and his contribution was enormous when the Demons were under siege and it highlighted the difference in quality between this level and the high step up to AFL. Without him, the side would not be sitting with a record of seven consecutive wins this morning. The Bombers scored the first point early but a goal from Angus Scott gae the Demons a lead which they held throughout the rest of the game. They maintained the ascendancy throughout periods of heavy rain. When the rain stopped, the Bomber resurgence began and it was relentless for a while until Casey ruckman Mitch King took a mark from close in to restore three goal lead at the main break. Essendon had the better of Casey in most departments when the game turned into a battle of defences after half time. The Bombers had plenty of run but it was the fierce tackling of the Demons and the strong marking of Keilty and Frost that saved the day in an arm wrestle that saw the home team reign their lead to 10 points at three quarter time. A goal to Tim Smith, who had been so important earlier in the game with his strength and tackling, was the perfect start to the final term but the Bombers were not to be denied. They kept coming and the defenders kept repelling until the siren heralded the end of a dour struggle with Casey still on top. The game was a breakout match for ginger headed Oskar Baker who finished with 34 touches on a wing. Billy Stretch continued his strong vein of good form and kicked two goals and Corey Wagner was again an important cog in the Casey cause. Their next assignment is a home game - Casey's first meeting with the newly formed North Melbourne VFL. Peter Jackson VFL 2018 Casey Demons 3.2.20 6.3.39 7.3.45 8.6.54 Essendon VFL 0.2.2 3.3.21 5.5.35 6.10.46 Goals Casey Demons Stretch 2 Balic Garlett Hutchins King Scott T Smith Essendon VFL Boyse 2 Houlahan Merrett Stewart Younan Best Casey Demons Keilty Wagner Stretch Vince Frost Lockhart Essendon VFL Mutch Hind Merrett Draper Heppell Clarke Statistics Oskar Baker 20 kicks 14 handballs 34 disposals 9 marks 6 tackles 126 dream team points Harley Balic 1 goal 9 kicks 7 handballs 16 disposals 4 marks 1 tackles 63 dream team points Tomas Bugg 12 kicks 5 handballs 17 disposals 3 marks 5 tackles 75 dream team points Lachlan Filipovic 2 hit outs -4 dream team points Sam Frost 10 kicks 6 handballs 16 disposals 6 marks 1 tackle 58 dream team points Jeff Garlett 1 goal 2 behinds 7 kicks 2 handballs 9 disposals 1 mark 7 tackles 65 dream team points Jack Hutchins 1 goal 2 kicks 3 handballs 5 disposals 4 marks 2 tackles 36 dream team points Dion Johnstone 3 kicks 3 handballs 6 disposals 3 marks 4 tackles 37 dream team points Declan Keilty 7 kicks 8 handballs 15 disposals 7 marks 3 tackles 68 dream team points Jay Kennedy Harris 8 kicks 9 handballs 17 disposals 1 mark 11 tackles 88 dream team points Dean Kent 10 kicks 4 handballs 14 disposals 4 marks 1 tackle 45 dream team points Mitchell King 1 goal 4 kicks 4 handballs 8 disposals 2 marks 3 tackles 17 hit outs 56 dream team point Jay Lockhart 13 kicks 7 handballs 20 disposals 4 marks 4 tackles 78 dream team points Goy Lok 3 kicks 5 handballs 8 disposals 1 mark 4 tackles 36 dream team points Corey Machaya 6 kicks 1 handballs 7 disposals 2 marks 2 tackles 35 dream team points James Munro 7 kicks 5 handballs 12 disposals 3 marks 6 tackles 61 dream team points Cameron Pedersen 10 kicks 5 handballs 15 disposals 3 marks 3 tackles 55 dream team points Corey Stockdale 5 kicks 6 handballs 11 disposals 4 tackles 45 dream team points Angus Scott 1 goal 11 kicks 7 handballs 18 disposals marks tackles dream team points Tim Smith 1 goal 11 kicks 9 handballs 20 disposals 7 marks 2 tackles 78 dream team points Billy Stretch 2 goals 13 kicks 10 handballs 23 disposals 1 mark 9 tackles 110 dream team points Bernie Vince 18 kicks 7 handballs 25 disposals 6 marks 5 tackles 107 dream team points Corey Wagner 15 kicks 12 handballs 27 disposals 2 marks 9 tackles 106 dream team points

Caroline Wilson strikes again.

I don't believe there is anything you can do about not seeing ignored posters posts in quoted posts. This is the a problem for many forums across the internet. I suggest making use of the scroll wheel on your mouse or your thumb if viewing on a mobile device. As to permanently ignoring thread I think the only thing you can do is not click to open the thread.

I think we're more excited for Jack than Port. ?

Well done Jack and good luck.