Demonland

I'm hoping that the next few weeks prove the doubters wrong.

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If anyone had any problems downloading the last 2 podcasts via items the problem has been rectified.

The Demonland Podcast will be LIVE TONIGHT (11/4) @ 8:30PM Listen and Chat LIVE: http://demonland.com/podcast I'm still on the road so I can't take calls or have more than one cohost. We'll resume normal broadcasting next week.

At the time, the Hawks were playing like pox and we were trying to push for a place in the finals. Predictably, we lost ... MELBOURNE B: Michael Hibberd, Tom McDonald, Neville Jetta HB: Jayden Hunt, Sam Frost, Jordan Lewis C: Nathan Jones, Clayton Oliver, Tom Bugg HF: Christian Petracca, Jack Watts, Mitch Hannan F: Jeff Garlett, Jesse Hogan, Jay Kennedy-Harris FOLL: Cam Pedersen, Bernie Vince, Jack Viney I/C: Oscar McDonald, Christian Salem, Dom Tyson, Josh Wagner EMG: Dean Kent, Alex Neal-Bullen, Billy Stretch IN: Jesse Hogan, Josh Wagner OUT: Jake Melksham, Alex Neal-Bullen HAWTHORN B: Grant Burchall, James Frawley, Ben Stratton, HB: Ryan Burton, Josh Gibson, Shaun Burgoyne C: Isaac Smith, Tom Mitchell, Jaeger O'Meara HF: Luke Breust, Tim O'Brien, Jack Gunston F: Paul Puopolo, Jarryd Roughead, Cyril Rioli FOLL: Ben McEvoy Liam Shiels Luke Hodge I/C: Blake Hardwick, Billy Hartung, Daniel Howe, Brendan Whitecross EMG: Kaiden Brand, Will Langford, James Sicily IN: Grant Birchall, Cyril Rioli OUT: Kaiden Brand, Will Langford

The 2018 VFL premiership season campaign opened up on a bright note for the Casey Demons when they demolished the stand-alone Coburg Lions on their home turf at Piranha Park yesterday. The plucky Lions were out of the blocks early with the opening goal of the game, but in an omen of what was to come, Sam Weideman crunched his way through a pack, gave the ball off to former Docker Harley Balic who leveled the scores. The pair would each kick another five goals in their team’s massive first up win and, of course, they put their hands up for higher selection in the near future. Weideman, who had ankle surgery over the off season, was in exquisite form both in front of goal (he had four goals at the main break) and helping out in the ruck. Balic appears to have left the homesick blues behind him and was right at home in his first official game back in Melbourne. By quarter time, Casey held a 20 point lead and, while Coburg maintained its resistance against a strong defence led by Declan Keilty, Mitch White and young Adelaide recruit Harry Petty, it cracked in the latter half of the term as the likes of Corey Maynard, Mitch Hannan and Jayden Hunt were lively around the ball. By half time, the Casey lead had stretched out to 55 points. The Demons would have been pleased with the performances of their younger guns in Petty, Oskar Baker and Charlie Spargo although the latter’s name ended up in the umpire’s notebook after an indiscretion in the opening term. Some observers might have been scratching their heads when Melbourne drafted the 197cm Norwood, SA key defender Petty in light of their depth in that part of the ground particularly after recruiting All Australian Jake Lever, but the youngster was all coolness and class in his debut at this level and promises big things in the future. Baker is a pacy jack-in-a-box who needs to work on his awareness as he backs himself with his run, but will excite when he gets his chances at a higher level. Spargo, who kicked two goals for the game, might lack in height but has all of the skills and will also be worth watching as he develops through the season. The procession continued after the main break with Angus Brayshaw overcoming a heavy tag and demonstrating his quality. Cam Pedersen was in awesome form with his marking and strong play setting up attacking opportunities for Balic, Jay Kennedy Harris and Hannan as the Demons strolled to the easiest of wins. VFL-lister Angus Scott worked hard for his two goals from limited opportunities and North Launceston recruit Jay Lockhart was steady on debut pushing forward for a goal in the third quarter. The other excitement for spectators was the sight of the Casey Radio truck bogged in a ditch at the ground before the game which effectively curtailed transmission for the day. Fortunately, it didn’t prevent the team from trucking away to a 107 point victory. It was difficult to assess the full impact of Casey’s win because of the opposition’s lack of high calibre players. The visitors had 18 AFL listed players plus two others with previous experience at the highest level and their dominance was inevitable. They are way from home again next week as they travel to Werribee on Saturday night to play against another stand alone team although the Tigers gave Geelong VFL a fright in their opening round game. Casey Demons 5.2.32 13.4.82 19.9.123 28.12.180 Coburg Lions 2.0.12 4.3.27 6.5.41 11.7.73 Goals Casey Demons Balic 6 Weideman 5 Hannan 3 Kennedy Harris Scott T Smith Spargo 2 Bradshaw Johnstone Lockhart Maynard Pedersen Stretch Coburg Lions Mellington Svarc 2 Cannolo Fox Goodwin Hunt Kerbatieh Lentini Mitchell-Russell Best Casey Demons Brayshaw Pedersen Hannan Weideman Balic Petty Coburg Lions Exon Dickson Mellington Lowson Guthrie Murphy Statistics Oskar Baker 1 behind 12 kicks 8 handballs 20 disposals 3 marks 2 tackles 65 dream team points Harley Balic 6 goals 1 behind 16 kicks 4 handballs 20 disposals 10 marks 3 tackles 126 dream team points Angus Brayshaw 1 goal 11 kicks 16 handballs 27 disposals 5 marks 6 tackles 104 dream team points Lachlan Filipovic 3 kicks 7 handballs 10 disposals 2 marks 13 hit outs 42 dream team points Mitchell Hannan 3 goals 1 behind 16 kicks 9 handballs 25 disposals 5 marks 1 tackle 100 dream team points Jayden Hunt 8 kicks 12 handballs 20 disposals 2 marks 7 tackles 83 dream team points Dion Johnstone 1 goal 4 kicks 4 handballs 8 disposals 1 marks 3 tackles 38 dream team points Declan Keilty 4 kicks 6 handballs 10 disposals 3 marks 34 dream team points Jay Kennedy-Harris 2 goals 1 behind 16 kicks 8 handballs 24 disposals 6 marks 4 tackles 114 dream team points Mitch King 6 kicks 3 handballs 9 disposals 2 marks 1 tackle 26 hit outs 56 dream team points Mitchell Lewis 1 behind 4 kicks 6 handballs 10 disposals 3 marks 2 tackles 40 dream team points Jay Lockhart 1 goal 7 kicks 6 handballs 13 disposals 3 marks 1 tackle 1 hit out 49 dream team points Corey Maynard 1 goal 10 kicks 15 handballs 25 disposals 9 marks 1 tackle 91 team points Cameron Pedersen 1 goal 20 kicks 5 handballs 25 disposals 15 marks 5 tackles 138 dream team points Harrison Petty 7 kicks 6 handballs 13 disposals 4 marks 42 dream team points Angus Scott 2 goals 1 behinds 14 kicks 4 handballs 18 disposals 4 marks 76 dream team points Joel Smith 4 kicks 5 handballs 9 disposals 3 tackles 39 dream team points Timothy Smith 2 goals 4 behinds 12 kicks 12 handballs 24 disposals 6 marks 2 tackles 100 dream team points Charlie Spargo 2 goals 0 behinds 8 kicks 9 handballs 17 disposals 5 marks 3 tackles 75 dream team points Billy Stretch 1 goal 1 behind 15 kicks 10 handballs 25 disposals 4 marks 5 tackles 102 dream team points Corey Wagner 10 kicks 5 handballs 15 disposals 1 mark 3 tackles 55 dream team points Samuel Weideman 5 goals 1 behind 8 kicks 8 handballs 16 disposals 5 marks 1 tackle 12 hit outs 98 dream team points Mitchell White 7 kicks 4 handballs 11 disposals 2 marks 2 tackles 40 dream team points

CASEY DEMONS KEEP ON TRUCKING by KC from Casey The 2018 VFL premiership season campaign opened up on a bright note for the Casey Demons when they demolished the stand-alone Coburg Lions on their home turf at Piranha Park yesterday. The plucky Lions were out of the blocks early with the opening goal of the game, but in an omen of what was to come, Sam Weideman crunched his way through a pack, gave the ball off to former Docker Harley Balic who leveled the scores. The pair would each kick another five goals in their team’s massive first up win and, of course, they put their hands up for higher selection in the near future. Weideman, who had ankle surgery over the off season, was in exquisite form both in front of goal (he had four goals at the main break) and helping out in the ruck. Balic appears to have left the homesick blues behind him and was right at home in his first official game back in Melbourne. By quarter time, Casey held a 20 point lead and, while Coburg maintained its resistance against a strong defence led by Declan Keilty, Mitch White and young Adelaide recruit Harry Petty, it cracked in the latter half of the term as the likes of Corey Maynard, Mitch Hannan and Jayden Hunt were lively around the ball. By half time, the Casey lead had stretched out to 55 points. The Demons would have been pleased with the performances of their younger guns in Petty, Oskar Baker and Charlie Spargo although the latter’s name ended up in the umpire’s notebook after an indiscretion in the opening term. Some observers might have been scratching their heads when Melbourne drafted the 197cm Norwood, SA key defender Petty in light of their depth in that part of the ground particularly after recruiting All Australian Jake Lever, but the youngster was all coolness and class in his debut at this level and promises big things in the future. Baker is a pacy jack-in-a-box who needs to work on his awareness as he backs himself with his run, but will excite when he gets his chances at a higher level. Spargo, who kicked two goals for the game, might lack in height but has all of the skills and will also be worth watching as he develops through the season. The procession continued after the main break with Angus Brayshaw overcoming a heavy tag and demonstrating his quality. Cam Pedersen was in awesome form with his marking and strong play setting up attacking opportunities for Balic, Jay Kennedy Harris and Hannan as the Demons strolled to the easiest of wins. VFL-lister Angus Scott worked hard for his two goals from limited opportunities and North Launceston recruit Jay Lockhart was steady on debut pushing forward for a goal in the third quarter. The other excitement for spectators was the sight of the Casey Radio truck bogged in a ditch at the ground before the game which effectively curtailed transmission for the day. Fortunately, it didn’t prevent the team from trucking away to a 107 point victory. It was difficult to assess the full impact of Casey’s win because of the opposition’s lack of high calibre players. The visitors had 18 AFL listed players plus two others with previous experience at the highest level and their dominance was inevitable. They are way from home again next week as they travel to Werribee on Saturday night to play against another stand alone team although the Tigers gave Geelong VFL a fright in their opening round game. Casey Demons 5.2.32 13.4.82 19.9.123 28.12.180 Coburg Lions 2.0.12 4.3.27 6.5.41 11.7.73 Goals Casey Demons Balic 6 Weideman 5 Hannan 3 Kennedy Harris Scott T Smith Spargo 2 Bradshaw Johnstone Lockhart Maynard Pedersen Stretch Coburg Lions Mellington Svarc 2 Cannolo Fox Goodwin Hunt Kerbatieh Lentini Mitchell-Russell Best Casey Demons Brayshaw Pedersen Hannan Weideman Balic Petty Coburg Lions Exon Dickson Mellington Lowson Guthrie Murphy Statistics Oskar Baker 1 behind 12 kicks 8 handballs 20 disposals 3 marks 2 tackles 65 dream team points Harley Balic 6 goals 1 behind 16 kicks 4 handballs 20 disposals 10 marks 3 tackles 126 dream team points Angus Brayshaw 1 goal 11 kicks 16 handballs 27 disposals 5 marks 6 tackles 104 dream team points Lachlan Filipovic 3 kicks 7 handballs 10 disposals 2 marks 13 hit outs 42 dream team points Mitchell Hannan 3 goals 1 behind 16 kicks 9 handballs 25 disposals 5 marks 1 tackle 100 dream team points Jayden Hunt 8 kicks 12 handballs 20 disposals 2 marks 7 tackles 83 dream team points Dion Johnstone 1 goal 4 kicks 4 handballs 8 disposals 1 marks 3 tackles 38 dream team points Declan Keilty 4 kicks 6 handballs 10 disposals 3 marks 34 dream team points Jay Kennedy-Harris 2 goals 1 behind 16 kicks 8 handballs 24 disposals 6 marks 4 tackles 114 dream team points Mitch King 6 kicks 3 handballs 9 disposals 2 marks 1 tackle 26 hit outs 56 dream team points Mitchell Lewis 1 behind 4 kicks 6 handballs 10 disposals 3 marks 2 tackles 40 dream team points Jay Lockhart 1 goal 7 kicks 6 handballs 13 disposals 3 marks 1 tackle 1 hit out 49 dream team points Corey Maynard 1 goal 10 kicks 15 handballs 25 disposals 9 marks 1 tackle 91 team points Cameron Pedersen 1 goal 20 kicks 5 handballs 25 disposals 15 marks 5 tackles 138 dream team points Harrison Petty 7 kicks 6 handballs 13 disposals 4 marks 42 dream team points Angus Scott 2 goals 1 behinds 14 kicks 4 handballs 18 disposals 4 marks 76 dream team points Joel Smith 4 kicks 5 handballs 9 disposals 3 tackles 39 dream team points Timothy Smith 2 goals 4 behinds 12 kicks 12 handballs 24 disposals 6 marks 2 tackles 100 dream team points Charlie Spargo 2 goals 0 behinds 8 kicks 9 handballs 17 disposals 5 marks 3 tackles 75 dream team points Billy Stretch 1 goal 1 behind 15 kicks 10 handballs 25 disposals 4 marks 5 tackles 102 dream team points Corey Wagner 10 kicks 5 handballs 15 disposals 1 mark 3 tackles 55 dream team points Samuel Weideman 5 goals 1 behind 8 kicks 8 handballs 16 disposals 5 marks 1 tackle 12 hit outs 98 dream team points Mitchell White 7 kicks 4 handballs 11 disposals 2 marks 2 tackles 40 dream team points

It's the Hogan and Gawn show at the head of the leader board after three rounds:- 37. Jesse Hogan 35. Max Gawn 28. Nathan Jones 27. Clayton OIiver 26. Christian Petracca 16. Jeff Garlett 6. Tom Bugg Jordan Lewis 2. Bayley Fritsch Dean Kent 1. James Harmes Oscar McDonald Bernie Vince Josh Wagner

It had been twelve years since Melbourne last beat North Melbourne but it finally happened in what turned out to be an emphatic win by 37 points. It was an almost single-handed demolition of the opposition by Max Gawn that put the Demons over the line, and demonstrated how much his influence was missed in season 2017. Gawn’s opponent, Todd Goldstein, was being touted as having returned to his best AA form, but big Max with 50 hit outs, 7 contested possessions, 3 inside 50’s and over a dozen hit outs to advantage (nine of those resulting in Melbourne goals!) put to bed any question of who is the premier ruckman in the competition. The game was a true danger one for the Demons, regardless of the long-standing hoo-doo, as North left out Tarrant from their side and replaced him with Daw. With two known ruckmen in their side, the risk was that Max would be run into the ground. But Brad Scott never took this advantage, especially when the Melbourne second string rucks were Christians Petracca and James Harmes! Still, the Demons got off to one of their more traditional starts to find themselves four goals down half way through the first quarter. The groans from the fans signified their past history, but it is this very history that is in the past. For Melbourne pegged back the lead to two goals at the first break, and then hit the front twelve minutes into the second term and were never headed again. While Ben Brown was the Kangaroos’ major target up front, he was gifted goal after goal from dubious free kicks, and it was only once in the whole game that he beat Oscar McDonald in the one-on-one contest. Without his (or rather the umpires) input, the result would have been more of a ten goal win, than the six that it became. Tomas Bugg chipped in with four goals for the Demons, but really, really should have doubled that score, as once again he failed to convert simple shots in front of goal, and on two other occasions dropped regulation chest marks without opposition. Dean Kent returned from a long stay on the injured list to chime in with three goals, and was joined by Garlett with a trio of his own, including a brilliant steal similar to the one last week. Jesse Hogan only managed one major, but was absolutely dominant around the ground, and he was one of the main reasons why the ball was getting down to the small forwards. Twelve contested possessions and seven marks is as good as can be expected from a key position player and his new found role up the ground and in the middle, will send shivers down oppositions during the coming year. In the absence of Jack Viney, we once depended upon Nathan Jones to hold the fort, and he did so with five clearances of his own. But Simon Goodwin has developed an additional mid in Christian Salem with eight clearances and twelve contested possession at 75% disposal efficiency. These are numbers associated with top-line mids, and suddenly we have another one! And surely, we cannot forget Clayton Oliver, with 20 touches, 10 contested, and despite a heavy tag, he was able to top it off with two last quarter goals, when taking a well-earned rest in the forward line. The backs held up well again, especially Oscar, but also Josh Wagner who topped the tackle count on the day with seven. Josh is another one who is producing and repaying the faith shown in him by the selection panel. While Jordan Lewis had 27 touches, it is not surprising given where he plays. Unfortunately, he is not what he used to be when playing at the Hawks, and all too often the body is not responding to what he wants to do. Still he is providing value, but for how long, as other younger defenders stake their claim for a place in the side? In the past, in a game such as today, Melbourne would have either lost after getting four goals in front or won by a handful of points. Instead, despite the pressure of the final quarter, the margin was pushed to six goals. Perhaps the team have learnt the lesson of last season, when so much depended upon so little. The competition is seriously close this year. Once again, it will be a small difference at season end as to who will make it or not. Beating a bottom side convincingly, and not allowing oneself to fall back into the pack is exactly what needs to be done at this point in the season. We now sit third on the ladder (with other games still to come), but a loss would have probably dropped us outside the eight. Our percentage has improved markedly, and we all know how important that is at year end. With losing Hoo-doo’s gawn, there is only one thing to now do, and that is turn those into winning Hoo-doo’s ... and we can start with the Brown and Gold mob next week. Melbourne 3.2.20 9.7.61 12.13.85 18.15 123 North Melbourne 5.3.33 8.4.52 10.6.66 13.8 86 Goals Melbourne Bugg 4 Garlett Kent 3 Oliver 2 Fritsch Hogan Jones Lewis Petracca Vince North Melbourne Brown 4 Waite 3 Cunnington 2 Goldstein Hartung Simpkin Ziebell Best Melbourne Gawn Hogan Petracca Lewis Salem Kent North Melbourne Cunnington Brown Higgins McDonald Dumont Injuries Melbourne Melksham (cut head) Vince (groin) North Melbourne Tarrant (hamstring) late withdrawal replaced in the selected side by Daw. Reports Nil Umpires Nicholls, Fleer, Mollison Official crowd 35,518 at the MCG

ROO-DOO GAWN ... by George on The Outer It had been twelve years since Melbourne last beat North Melbourne but it finally happened in what turned out to be an emphatic win by 37 points. It was an almost single-handed demolition of the opposition by Max Gawn that put the Demons over the line, and demonstrated how much his influence was missed in season 2017. Gawn’s opponent, Todd Goldstein, was being touted as having returned to his best AA form, but big Max with 50 hit outs, 7 contested possessions, 3 inside 50’s and over a dozen hit outs to advantage (nine of those resulting in Melbourne goals!) put to bed any question of who is the premier ruckman in the competition. The game was a true danger one for the Demons, regardless of the long-standing hoo-doo, as North left out Tarrant from their side and replaced him with Daw. With two known ruckmen in their side, the risk was that Max would be run into the ground. But Brad Scott never took this advantage, especially when the Melbourne second string rucks were Christians Petracca and James Harmes! Still, the Demons got off to one of their more traditional starts to find themselves four goals down half way through the first quarter. The groans from the fans signified their past history, but it is this very history that is in the past. For Melbourne pegged back the lead to two goals at the first break, and then hit the front twelve minutes into the second term and were never headed again. While Ben Brown was the Kangaroos’ major target up front, he was gifted goal after goal from dubious free kicks, and it was only once in the whole game that he beat Oscar McDonald in the one-on-one contest. Without his (or rather the umpires) input, the result would have been more of a ten goal win, than the six that it became. Tomas Bugg chipped in with four goals for the Demons, but really, really should have doubled that score, as once again he failed to convert simple shots in front of goal, and on two other occasions dropped regulation chest marks without opposition. Dean Kent returned from a long stay on the injured list to chime in with three goals, and was joined by Garlett with a trio of his own, including a brilliant steal similar to the one last week. Jesse Hogan only managed one major, but was absolutely dominant around the ground, and he was one of the main reasons why the ball was getting down to the small forwards. Twelve contested possessions and seven marks is as good as can be expected from a key position player and his new found role up the ground and in the middle, will send shivers down oppositions during the coming year. In the absence of Jack Viney, we once depended upon Nathan Jones to hold the fort, and he did so with five clearances of his own. But Simon Goodwin has developed an additional mid in Christian Salem with eight clearances and twelve contested possession at 75% disposal efficiency. These are numbers associated with top-line mids, and suddenly we have another one! And surely, we cannot forget Clayton Oliver, with 20 touches, 10 contested, and despite a heavy tag, he was able to top it off with two last quarter goals, when taking a well-earned rest in the forward line. The backs held up well again, especially Oscar, but also Josh Wagner who topped the tackle count on the day with seven. Josh is another one who is producing and repaying the faith shown in him by the selection panel. While Jordan Lewis had 27 touches, it is not surprising given where he plays. Unfortunately, he is not what he used to be when playing at the Hawks, and all too often the body is not responding to what he wants to do. Still he is providing value, but for how long, as other younger defenders stake their claim for a place in the side? In the past, in a game such as today, Melbourne would have either lost after getting four goals in front or won by a handful of points. Instead, despite the pressure of the final quarter, the margin was pushed to six goals. Perhaps the team have learnt the lesson of last season, when so much depended upon so little. The competition is seriously close this year. Once again, it will be a small difference at season end as to who will make it or not. Beating a bottom side convincingly, and not allowing oneself to fall back into the pack is exactly what needs to be done at this point in the season. We now sit third on the ladder (with other games still to come), but a loss would have probably dropped us outside the eight. Our percentage has improved markedly, and we all know how important that is at year end. With losing Hoo-doo’s gawn, there is only one thing to now do, and that is turn those into winning Hoo-doo’s ... and we can start with the Brown and Gold mob next week. Melbourne 3.2.20 9.7.61 12.13.85 18.15 123 North Melbourne 5.3.33 8.4.52 10.6.66 13.8 86 Goals Melbourne Bugg 4 Garlett Kent 3 Oliver 2 Fritsch Hogan Jones Lewis Petracca Vince North Melbourne Brown 4 Waite 3 Cunnington 2 Goldstein Hartung Simpkin Ziebell Best Melbourne Gawn Hogan Petracca Lewis Salem Kent North Melbourne Cunnington Brown Higgins McDonald Dumont Injuries Melbourne Melksham (cut head) Vince (groin) North Melbourne Tarrant (hamstring) late withdrawal replaced in the selected side by Daw. Reports Nil Umpires Nicholls, Fleer, Mollison Official crowd 35,518 at the MCG

Well that was never in doubt ... let's move on to Post Match Discussion.

How about that? We've won one in a row against North!!!

Let's have those votes please people ... 6,5,4,3,2,1