Demonland

Oh and thanks to @binman for calling in. Great call. Love hearing from Demonlanders.

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Melbourne was riding high when it beat the Western Bulldogs by 49 points and won its sixth straight game just six weeks ago. At the time, the Demons were spoken of in terms of legitimate premiership contenders and finals certainties. Although, the midfield dominance they held in the previous month and a half was exposed for much of the game against the Dogs, there was very little else to suggest the mini fall from grace that was about to hit them. The Queens Birthday game could be explained away as a letdown after the highs of a six game winning run but the losses to Port Adelaide and St Kilda stung hard, particularly in view of their inability to convert from so many entries inside the fifty metre arc, a failing that continued for much of last week’s game against the injury-depleted Dockers in Darwin. The Demons face up to Luke Beveridge's team in what has to be considered another danger game. They have to overcome the complacency they showed two weeks ago against St Kilda when they gave their opponents far too much latitude after their fast start, allowing a team that had been struggling to kick ten goals a game to fight back, take control and score 18 for the day. They have to overcome the club’s overconfidence when coming to play lower ranked teams that have long injury lists. Historically, they haven’t fared well in these circumstances. They can’t even rely on the fact that they steamrolled the Bullies after half time a short six weeks ago because the game against the Saints showed how the worm can turn very quickly. And they have to overcome the post-Darwin blues that have affected their performances over the years when they played in the heat and humidity of the Top End and then had to saddle up a week later only to fall flat on their faces and exhausted due to lack of recuperative powers. The question is whether the club’s fitness gurus have learned from past history and can prepare a team with the necessary energy to play out four quarters. This team has had to live with the embarrassment of missing out on a finals berth at the end of 2017 through an inability to score just two more goals in a season of 22 games. It surely must be burning their insides. Shall we overcome? I think we can – Melbourne by 24 points. THE GAME Melbourne v Western Bulldogs at the MCG, Saturday 14 July, 2018 at 4.35pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall: Melbourne 87 wins Western Bulldogs 76 wins 1 draw At the MCG: Melbourne 45 wins Western Bulldogs 28 wins Last Five Meetings: Melbourne 3 wins Western Bulldogs 2 wins The Coaches: Goodwin 2 wins Beveridge 0 wins MEDIA TV – Fox Footy Channel Live at 4.30pm Radio - Triple M 3AW SEN ABC ABC Grandstand THE LAST TIME THEY MET Melbourne 15.10.100 defeated Western Bulldogs 7.9.51 at Etihad Stadium, Round 11, 2018 The Bulldogs jumped Melbourne early but the Demons gradually reined them in and were in a solid position by half time and they coasted to their sixth win on end. The loss of Jake Lever to an ACL injury was however, a major blow to the club’s top four aspirations with last week’s win against the Dockers being its first since that victory over the Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE B: Michael Hibberd, Sam Frost, Neville Jetta HB: Bernie Vince, Oscar McDonald, Jordan Lewis C : Tom McDonald, Clayton Oliver, Nathan Jones HF: Christian Petracca, Jesse Hogan, Angus Brayshaw F: Jeff Garlett, Bayley Fritsch, Jay Kennedy Harris Foll: Max Gawn, Mitch Hannan, James Harmes I/C: Jake Melksham, Alex Neal-Bullen, Christian Salem, Charlie Spargo Emg: Cameron Pedersen, Dom Tyson, Sam Weideman In: Jay Kennedy Harris, Mitch Hannan, Bernie Vince Out: Joel Smith (hip), Billy Stretch (toe), Jack Viney (toe) WESTERN BULLDOGS B: Marcus Adams, Jackson Trengove, Roarke Smith HB: Dale Morris, Zaine Cordy, Jason Johannisen C : Patrick Lipinski, Jack Macrae, Lachie Hunter HF: Ed Richards, Josh Schache, Josh Dunkley F: Luke Dahlhaus, Aaron Naughton, Billy Gowers Foll: Jordan Roughead, Toby McLean, Mitch Wallis I/C: Shane Biggs, Caleb Daniel, Mitch Honeychurch, Brad Lynch Emg: Tom Campbell, Fergus Greene, Fletcher Roberts, Lewis Young In: Mitch Honeychurch, Jack Macrae, Jordan Roughead Out: Marcus Bontempelli (appendix), Tom Boyd (hamstring), Hayden Crozier (hamstring) WHAT’S MY NUMBER - PART 2 by Sam the Stats Man Last year, the club was hit hard by injuries to key and depth players but a study of each player’s numbers continues to confirm this is not the case in 2018. Main losses have been Jake Lever at the halfway mark and Jayden Hunt who also lost form before his ankle injury. Hunt’s pace would be handy but he faces another month on the sidelines. 1. Jesse Hogan MFC games 15, goals 36. Despite a lean patch over the past month, he showed against the Dockers that he’s getting back to his best form of the season.  2. Nathan Jones MFC games 15, goals 8. The Demon hard man and co-captain has been influential this season as he hands over the team’s main midfield mantle to the younger brigade. 3. Christian Salem MFC games 14, goals 4. His precision kicking remains a great asset whether in defence or in midfield.  4. James Harmes MFC games 15, goals 8. Continues to be one of the club’s big improvers and is spending more and more time in the midfield. 5. Christian Petracca MFC games 14, goals 10. Has recovered from his dog bite and some flat form and is showing signs that he is about to take the next big step forward. 6. Jordan Lewis MFC games 14, goals 2. Despite the occasional brain fade, he is playing a role in setting up many damaging plays from the defensive half of the ground. 7. Jack Viney MFC games 7, goals 2, CD game 1, goal 0. Returning to his best form after his long layoff with a foot injury and is inspiring with his hardness at the football. 8. Jake Lever MFC games 11, goals 0. After taking a while to settle in, the former Crow was a major factor in the club’s six game winning streak before he was brutally cut down by a second ACL tear. 9. Charlie Spargo MFC games 8, goals 7, CD games 3, goals 4. The pocket-sized dynamo has been a revelation with his maturity and work ethic. Returned refreshed after a short break at Casey. 10. Angus Brayshaw MFC games 12, goals 8, CD game 1, goal 1. Has been one of the club’s best and added some class to the midfield mix since his return earlier in the year. 11. Max Gawn MFC games 15, goals 8. Challenging for All Australian honours again with some brilliant ruck work and strong play around the ground. 12. Dom Tyson MFC games 8, goals 2, CD games 4, goals 2. Has been disappointing in recent times with two demotions to the VFL. 13. Clayton Oliver MFC games 15, goals 8. Last year’s club champion has continued where he left off and is rapidly becoming one of the competition’s best midfielders. 14. Michael Hibberd MFC games 15, goals 1. The 2017 All-Australian defender remains an important cog in the Demons’ defence. 15. Billy Stretch MFC games 2, goals 0, CD games 9, goals 6. Some strong form at Casey saw him back for the Darwin game where he acquitted himself well. Now out with a stress fracture of the toe. 16. Dean Kent MFC games 3, goals 6, CD games 2, goals 0. Just returning to form at Casey after being sidelined for several weeks with another hamstring injury. 17. Sam Frost MFC games 3, goals 0, CD games 8, goals 2. Finally staked a claim after several good performances as a tall defender with the Casey Demons. 18. Jake Melksham MFC games 15, goals 17. Has had a quiet month after a solid start to the season in medium forward role. 19. Mitch Hannan MFC games 10, goals 15, CD games 3, goals 5. A recent drop off in form has seen him dropped to VFL ranks. 20. Corey Maynard ® MFC games 1, goals 0, CD games 3, goals 2. After making the side in Round 1, he was dropped to the VFL but a hip injury has prematurely ended his season. 21. Cameron Pedersen MFC games 3, goals 2, CD games 10, goals 20. The work horse who has been used in various roles at Casey but his days at AFL level may be numbered. 22. Aaron Vandenberg. CD game 1, goal 0. Finally over his heel and ankle woes and came back strongly last week at Casey in his first game back since the end of 2016. 23. Bernie Vince MFC games 13, goal 1, CD game 1, goals 0. Fell out of favour after the team’s loss to Port Adelaide and found himself at Casey for the first time. 24. Jay Kennedy Harris CD games 12, goals 11. Working hard at Casey but has a long queue of players ahead of him. 25. Tom McDonald MFC games 10, goals 30. Made an immediate impact on his return from injury with his marking, kicking for goal and his ability to cover the ground but has been a little quiet of late. 26. Sam Weideman MFC games 5, goals 2, CD games 6, goals 15. Starting to get the odd game here and there but is still looking for that confidence boosting break out game. 27. Harley Balic CD games 10, goals 16. Still plugging away at VFL level waiting for an opening into the top echelons. 28. Oscar McDonald MFC games 15, goals 0. Had a great start to the season but found the going tougher after Lever was injured. 29. Jayden Hunt MFC games 5, goals 0, CD games 6, goals 1. His form was way down early in the piece and was unlucky to be injured late in Casey’s Queens Birthday game against the Magpies. Still looking at another month out with that ankle injury. 30. Alex Neal-Bullen MFC games 15, goals 18. The hard working small man has been quiet of late. 31. Bayley Fritsch MFC games 14, goals 15. Has played all bar one game when rested. The colt from Coldstream has exceeded all expectations as a medium sized forward with some time in the midfield. 32. Tomas Bugg MFC games 3, goals 4, CD games 10, goals 14. Had a few games early but is biding his time waiting for an opening at Casey. 33. Harrison Petty MFC game 1, goals 0, CD games 11, goals 0. The promising young key defender had a tough initiation in his one game on the MCG and, in hindsight, he probably needed more development time in the VFL. 34. Mitch King CD games 9, goals 3. An elbow injury set him back a month earlier in the season but he is not setting the world on fire as a ruckman at Casey. 35. Oskar Baker CD games 12, goals 7. The cheeky red-headed speedster must be getting close to AFL selection. 36. Jeff Garlett MFC games 6, goals 10, 1, CD games 7, goals 7. Been more cold than hot and had a long stint in the VFL this year before returning for the Fremantle game. 37. Dion Johnstone CD games 11, goal 1. Was probably on his way out before finding a niche for himself in defence at Casey. 38. Tim Smith ® MFC games 3, goals 10, CD games 6, goals 7. Has shown something at AFL level although his last game v St Kilda was below par. 39. Neville Jetta MFC games 15, goals 0. The team’s best small defender, approaching All Australian form. 40. Patrick McKenna. CD games 1, goals 0. Made it to Casey for his first game last week after being plagued by a hamstring injury since he was recruited from the Giants at the end of 2016. 42. Josh Wagner MFC games 5, goals 0, CD games 7, goal 1. After holding his place with Melbourne early in the season, he has been working hard at Casey without doing enough to satisfy the senior selectors. 44. Joel Smith MFC games 4, goals 0, CD games 7, goals 2. The spring-heeled, athletic defender got his chance at Melbourne when Jake Lever went down. Working hard to establish a place. 45. Declan Keilty ® CD games 11, goal 1. A solid contributor down back at Casey and is pushing hard for an AFL berth despite being near the end of a long queue of tall defenders. 47. Lachlan Filipovic ® CD games 10, goal 1 Slowly developing as a project ruckman but needs a big month or two before season’s end.

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SHALL WE OVERCOME by The Oracle Melbourne was riding high when it beat the Western Bulldogs by 49 points and won its sixth straight game just six weeks ago. At the time, the Demons were spoken of in terms of legitimate premiership contenders and finals certainties. Although, the midfield dominance they held in the previous month and a half was exposed for much of the game against the Dogs, there was very little else to suggest the mini fall from grace that was about to hit them. The Queens Birthday game could be explained away as a letdown after the highs of a six game winning run but the losses to Port Adelaide and St Kilda stung hard, particularly in view of their inability to convert from so many entries inside the fifty metre arc, a failing that continued for much of last week’s game against the injury-depleted Dockers in Darwin. The Demons face up to Luke Beveridge's team in what has to be considered another danger game. They have to overcome the complacency they showed two weeks ago against St Kilda when they gave their opponents far too much latitude after their fast start, allowing a team that had been struggling to kick ten goals a game to fight back, take control and score 18 for the day. They have to overcome the club’s overconfidence when coming to play lower ranked teams that have long injury lists. Historically, they haven’t fared well in these circumstances. They can’t even rely on the fact that they steamrolled the Bullies after half time a short six weeks ago because the game against the Saints showed how the worm can turn very quickly. And they have to overcome the post-Darwin blues that have affected their performances over the years when they played in the heat and humidity of the Top End and then had to saddle up a week later only to fall flat on their faces and exhausted due to lack of recuperative powers. The question is whether the club’s fitness gurus have learned from past history and can prepare a team with the necessary energy to play out four quarters. This team has had to live with the embarrassment of missing out on a finals berth at the end of 2017 through an inability to score just two more goals in a season of 22 games. It surely must be burning their insides. Shall we overcome? I think we can – Melbourne by 24 points. THE GAME Melbourne v Western Bulldogs at the MCG, Saturday 14 July, 2018 at 4.35pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall: Melbourne 87 wins Western Bulldogs 76 wins 1 draw At the MCG: Melbourne 45 wins Western Bulldogs 28 wins Last Five Meetings: Melbourne 3 wins Western Bulldogs 2 wins The Coaches: Goodwin 2 wins Beveridge 0 wins MEDIA TV – Fox Footy Channel Live at 4.30pm Radio - Triple M 3AW SEN ABC ABC Grandstand THE LAST TIME THEY MET Melbourne 15.10.100 defeated Western Bulldogs 7.9.51 at Etihad Stadium, Round 11, 2018 The Bulldogs jumped Melbourne early but the Demons gradually reined them in and were in a solid position by half time and they coasted to their sixth win on end. The loss of Jake Lever to an ACL injury was however, a major blow to the club’s top four aspirations with last week’s win against the Dockers being its first since that victory over the Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE B: Michael Hibberd, Sam Frost, Neville Jetta HB: Bernie Vince, Oscar McDonald, Jordan Lewis ? Tom McDonald, Clayton Oliver, Nathan Jones HF: Christian Petracca, Jesse Hogan, Angus Brayshaw F: Jeff Garlett, Bayley Fritsch, Jay Kennedy Harris Foll: Max Gawn, Mitch Hannan, James Harmes I/C: Jake Melksham, Alex Neal-Bullen, Christian Salem, Charlie Spargo Emg: Cameron Pedersen, Dom Tyson, Sam Weideman In: Jay Kennedy Harris, Mitch Hannan, Bernie Vince Out: Joel Smith (hip), Billy Stretch (toe), Jack Viney (toe) WESTERN BULLDOGS B: Marcus Adams, Jackson Trengove, Roarke Smith HB: Dale Morris, Zaine Cordy, Jason Johannisen ? Patrick Lipinski, Jack Macrae, Lachie Hunter HF: Ed Richards, Josh Schache, Josh Dunkley F: Luke Dahlhaus, Aaron Naughton, Billy Gowers Foll: Jordan Roughead, Toby McLean, Mitch Wallis I/C: Shane Biggs, Caleb Daniel, Mitch Honeychurch, Brad Lynch Emg: Tom Campbell, Fergus Greene, Fletcher Roberts, Lewis Young In: Mitch Honeychurch, Jack Macrae, Jordan Roughead Out: Marcus Bontempelli (appendix), Tom Boyd (hamstring), Hayden Crozier (hamstring) WHAT’S MY NUMBER - PART 2 by Sam the Stats Man Last year, the club was hit hard by injuries to key and depth players but a study of each player’s numbers continues to confirm this is not the case in 2018. Main losses have been Jake Lever at the halfway mark and Jayden Hunt who also lost form before his ankle injury. Hunt’s pace would be handy but he faces another month on the sidelines. 1. Jesse Hogan MFC games 15, goals 36. Despite a lean patch over the past month, he showed against the Dockers that he’s getting back to his best form of the season.  2. Nathan Jones MFC games 15, goals 8. The Demon hard man and co-captain has been influential this season as he hands over the team’s main midfield mantle to the younger brigade. 3. Christian Salem MFC games 14, goals 4. His precision kicking remains a great asset whether in defence or in midfield.  4. James Harmes MFC games 15, goals 8. Continues to be one of the club’s big improvers and is spending more and more time in the midfield. 5. Christian Petracca MFC games 14, goals 10. Has recovered from his dog bite and some flat form and is showing signs that he is about to take the next big step forward. 6. Jordan Lewis MFC games 14, goals 2. Despite the occasional brain fade, he is playing a role in setting up many damaging plays from the defensive half of the ground. 7. Jack Viney MFC games 7, goals 2, CD game 1, goal 0. Returning to his best form after his long layoff with a foot injury and is inspiring with his hardness at the football. 8. Jake Lever MFC games 11, goals 0. After taking a while to settle in, the former Crow was a major factor in the club’s six game winning streak before he was brutally cut down by a second ACL tear. 9. Charlie Spargo MFC games 8, goals 7, CD games 3, goals 4. The pocket-sized dynamo has been a revelation with his maturity and work ethic. Returned refreshed after a short break at Casey. 10. Angus Brayshaw MFC games 12, goals 8, CD game 1, goal 1. Has been one of the club’s best and added some class to the midfield mix since his return earlier in the year. 11. Max Gawn MFC games 15, goals 8. Challenging for All Australian honours again with some brilliant ruck work and strong play around the ground. 12. Dom Tyson MFC games 8, goals 2, CD games 4, goals 2. Has been disappointing in recent times with two demotions to the VFL. 13. Clayton Oliver MFC games 15, goals 8. Last year’s club champion has continued where he left off and is rapidly becoming one of the competition’s best midfielders. 14. Michael Hibberd MFC games 15, goals 1. The 2017 All-Australian defender remains an important cog in the Demons’ defence. 15. Billy Stretch MFC games 2, goals 0, CD games 9, goals 6. Some strong form at Casey saw him back for the Darwin game where he acquitted himself well. Now out with a stress fracture of the toe. 16. Dean Kent MFC games 3, goals 6, CD games 2, goals 0. Just returning to form at Casey after being sidelined for several weeks with another hamstring injury. 17. Sam Frost MFC games 3, goals 0, CD games 8, goals 2. Finally staked a claim after several good performances as a tall defender with the Casey Demons. 18. Jake Melksham MFC games 15, goals 17. Has had a quiet month after a solid start to the season in medium forward role. 19. Mitch Hannan MFC games 10, goals 15, CD games 3, goals 5. A recent drop off in form has seen him dropped to VFL ranks. 20. Corey Maynard ® MFC games 1, goals 0, CD games 3, goals 2. After making the side in Round 1, he was dropped to the VFL but a hip injury has prematurely ended his season. 21. Cameron Pedersen MFC games 3, goals 2, CD games 10, goals 20. The work horse who has been used in various roles at Casey but his days at AFL level may be numbered. 22. Aaron Vandenberg. CD game 1, goal 0. Finally over his heel and ankle woes and came back strongly last week at Casey in his first game back since the end of 2016. 23. Bernie Vince MFC games 13, goal 1, CD game 1, goals 0. Fell out of favour after the team’s loss to Port Adelaide and found himself at Casey for the first time. 24. Jay Kennedy Harris CD games 12, goals 11. Working hard at Casey but has a long queue of players ahead of him. 25. Tom McDonald MFC games 10, goals 30. Made an immediate impact on his return from injury with his marking, kicking for goal and his ability to cover the ground but has been a little quiet of late. 26. Sam Weideman MFC games 5, goals 2, CD games 6, goals 15. Starting to get the odd game here and there but is still looking for that confidence boosting break out game. 27. Harley Balic CD games 10, goals 16. Still plugging away at VFL level waiting for an opening into the top echelons. 28. Oscar McDonald MFC games 15, goals 0. Had a great start to the season but found the going tougher after Lever was injured. 29. Jayden Hunt MFC games 5, goals 0, CD games 6, goals 1. His form was way down early in the piece and was unlucky to be injured late in Casey’s Queens Birthday game against the Magpies. Still looking at another month out with that ankle injury. 30. Alex Neal-Bullen MFC games 15, goals 18. The hard working small man has been quiet of late. 31. Bayley Fritsch MFC games 14, goals 15. Has played all bar one game when rested. The colt from Coldstream has exceeded all expectations as a medium sized forward with some time in the midfield. 32. Tomas Bugg MFC games 3, goals 4, CD games 10, goals 14. Had a few games early but is biding his time waiting for an opening at Casey. 33. Harrison Petty MFC game 1, goals 0, CD games 11, goals 0. The promising young key defender had a tough initiation in his one game on the MCG and, in hindsight, he probably needed more development time in the VFL. 34. Mitch King CD games 9, goals 3. An elbow injury set him back a month earlier in the season but he is not setting the world on fire as a ruckman at Casey. 35. Oskar Baker CD games 12, goals 7. The cheeky red-headed speedster must be getting close to AFL selection. 36. Jeff Garlett MFC games 6, goals 10, 1, CD games 7, goals 7. Been more cold than hot and had a long stint in the VFL this year before returning for the Fremantle game. 37. Dion Johnstone CD games 11, goal 1. Was probably on his way out before finding a niche for himself in defence at Casey. 38. Tim Smith ® MFC games 3, goals 10, CD games 6, goals 7. Has shown something at AFL level although his last game v St Kilda was below par. 39. Neville Jetta MFC games 15, goals 0. The team’s best small defender, approaching All Australian form. 40. Patrick McKenna. CD games 1, goals 0. Made it to Casey for his first game last week after being plagued by a hamstring injury since he was recruited from the Giants at the end of 2016. 42. Josh Wagner MFC games 5, goals 0, CD games 7, goal 1. After holding his place with Melbourne early in the season, he has been working hard at Casey without doing enough to satisfy the senior selectors. 44. Joel Smith MFC games 4, goals 0, CD games 7, goals 2. The spring-heeled, athletic defender got his chance at Melbourne when Jake Lever went down. Working hard to establish a place. 45. Declan Keilty ® CD games 11, goal 1. A solid contributor down back at Casey and is pushing hard for an AFL berth despite being near the end of a long queue of tall defenders. 47. Lachlan Filipovic ® CD games 10, goal 1 Slowly developing as a project ruckman but needs a big month or two before season’s end.

Well he does make it look easy.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/injury-list plus potentially Billy Stretch as reported by @Choko in the Training Thread: http://demonland.com/forums/topic/44295-training-wednesday-11th-july-2018/?do=findComment&comment=1577617

Better at training than in a game.

Full presser here: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2018-07-11/goodwin-rapt-with-vandenbergs-return

Interesting given Clarry was rested at Full Forward a couple of times in Darwin. I like Clarry resting forward.

Thanks for the updates @dazzledavey36

Bernie Failed.

The Demonland Podcast returns all sweaty from Darwin. Just kidding. I watched from home with the humidifier set to high. Join @Grapeviney, @Supermercado & me LIVE from 8:30pm. Listen and Chat: http://demonland.com/podcast Call: 03 9016 3666 Skype: Demonland31

I'm not sure Carey was taking the [censored]. Think he was serious. Bring on pick #1.

We didn’t lose to “Carlscum” last year. That was the year before.

Just last month and really ridiculously close to the last time they met. Aside from the injury to Jake Lever and despite the 8 goal win, this was the game where some cracks began appearing and things started getting a lot tougher for the Demon campaign. WESTERN BULLDOGS B: Matthew Suckling, Jackson Trengove, Ed Richards HB: Bailey Williams, Dale Morris, Easton Wood C : Jason Joha nnisen, Lachie Hunter, Patrick Lipinski HF: Caleb Daniel, Josh Schache, Tory Dickson F: Luke Dahlhaus, Marcus Bontempelli, Billy Gowers Foll: Tom Boyd, Toby McLean, Jack Macrae I/C: Hayden Crozie r, Mitch Honeychurch, Jordan Roughead, Roarke S mith Emg: Tom Campbell, Lin Jong, Lukas Webb, Lewis Young In: Mitch Honeychurch, Dale Morris Out: Zaine Cordy (concussion), Bailey Dale (foot) MELBOURNE B: Michael Hibberd, Oscar McDonald, Neville Jetta HB: Angus Brayshaw, Jake Lever, Jordan Lewis C : Bernie Vince, Jack Viney, Nathan Jones HF: James Harmes, Jesse Hogan, Jake Melksham F: Tim Smith, Tom McDonald, Christian Petracca Foll: Max Gawn, Christian Salem, Clayton Oliver I/C: Bayley Fritsch, Mitch Hannan, Alex Neal-Bullen, Charlie Spargo Emg: Tom Bugg, Cameron Pedersen, Joel Smith, Billy Stretch NO CHANGE

THE DEE IN DARWIN by George on the Outer A nine goal win against the hapless Dockers helped to cement the status of the Demons in Darwin and likewise with their current position in the top eight in the quest for September action. If there was any doubt about the value of the Darwin enterprise to the Melbourne Football Club, you only had to look at the street banners (pictured) that heralded its arrival in town although the big question still remains as to whether the exercise is advantageous to the team as well. While it was truly lovely to leave the environs of Melbourne in the depth of winter, to come to a 33 degree day, with the temperature still in the low 20’s at the start of the game, it was the draining humidity and its possible effects on the players in the week’s to come that remain at the heart of the question. It was hardly a factor this time last year but on Saturday evening, the humidity rose dramatically just before game start, and it remained so for the rest of the evening. The effect of the steamy conditions would not necessarily have been evident to television viewers but as the game went on, the players struggled for their breath, and had to work hard to maintain repeat efforts. More importantly was the lack of clean football due to the slippery ball, so marking and fumbling became the order of the day. Without that clean possession, turnovers happened again and again with the Demons putting their noses in front courtesy of the cleaner work around the ball of Max Gawn, Angus Brayshaw, Jack Viney and Clayton Oliver. Nor should we be under any illusions about the quality of the opposition. Fremantle, without Fyfe and Sandilands, were complete and utter rubbish. The Ross Lyon style of play was to stifle the game, defend in huge numbers and try to snatch the odd score from turnover down the field. It certainly kept them in the game for half the match, but then Melbourne started to score majors instead of behinds that they had amassed up to half-time with 15 misses in their attack on the big sticks. The game should really have been over by quarter time, Melbourne having 11 shots to 2, with the inside 50m count so one sided, that in normal circumstances a +50 margin would have seen a 15+ goal win. Gawn was simply magnificent in the ruck with 42 hitouts, but given his junior opponent, that was not surprising. What was surprising was his 20 disposals as well, and his rapport with Brayshaw in the hitouts a sight to behold. The sight of those clean clearances, particularly in the second half, was well worth the cost of the airfare to the Top End! Angus really is hitting his straps with 35 touches including 16 contested possessions, although he came off slightly the worse against his brother in one tackle. Still we would much rather the brother who has 16 contested possessions ahead of the one who only managed two. Viney was simply a bull around the packs, and he was joined by Petracca - 28 and 29 disposals for that pair was only overshadowed by another 3 vote game from Clayton Oliver with 35 touches including 19 contested possessions! This relentless attack on the ball in the contest was what kept the Melbourne juggernaut pushing goalward. If only that effort was rewarded more on the scoreboard, the game would have been a complete whitewash. In the second half, the Demons finally got their targeting correct and piled on a more respectable 8 goals 6 behinds. Tags were put on Mundy, primarily by Brayshaw (which makes his game even more special) after he probably had 10 touches in the first quarter. There weren’t any other Freo players to worry about, and don’t take note of their stats, because their touches come from those cheap outside efforts. Given the conditions you can see this, with Sheridan and Cerra being two of their top performers each with 23 disposals, but only six of them contested. For those who weren’t at the game, Joel Smith was injured in the first quarter with what initially looked like a hamstring but turned out to be more a hip or heavy “corky” to the top of the hamstring. The result was he could barely run, so was sent forward to fill a gap and maintain the rotations. Leaving a player who couldn’t run in the backline would have been disastrous. However, Sam Frost cemented a place for himself in following weeks down back. He killed every marking contest that came his way. There was no mucking around trying to mark the slippery ball, it was just sent OOB or downfield out of danger. He backed that up with dashes through the lines, which has been so lacking in past weeks. Behind him Oscar McDonald really had little to do, but when called upon both him, Michael Hibberd and the ever reliable Nev Jetta mopped up. The other additions of Jeff Garlett and Charlie Spargo had little opportunity to show their wares, due to Freo stacking the backline, leaving little space for them to operate. However, they did their job when possible, and were an every present threat and also providing that link down the flanks when needed. Billy Stretch was a positive addition as well, although he may not be the answer until his delivery and awareness improve. He has the run, which was desperately needed, so he too can be sure of future selection. Nathan Jones had a quiet game by his standards, but Goodwin isn’t playing him in the middle much in recent games. Supporters should be aware that the coach is getting games in the engine room into the likes of Brayshaw and Christian Petracca and James Harmes, so that the future is more assured, and should finals eventuate, then we have more experienced options. Jonesy can go in there anytime, but when you are killing it in the middle, these are the times the younger ones get the go. In this game, Darwin was a success. A good win built on the back of relentless pressure. Four points produced when much was at stake in terms of the ladder, as we now sit with 4 other sides on 36 points and the Giants just back on 34. The town loves the Demons, and to see and speak with the locals about how excited they are about AFL and Melbourne the team, is a real positive. We have succeeded in putting the Dees into Darwin, and now with an equally telling game against the Dogs next week, lets put the M into Melbourne town and produce a similar result. Melbourne 2.9.21 5.15.45 9.18.72 13.24.102 Fremantle 2.0.12 4.2.26 6.5.41 7.6.48 Goals Melbourne Hogan Oliver 2 Garlett Gawn Harmes Jones T McDonald Melksham Neal-Bullen Salem Spargo Fremantle Cox Sheridan Walters 2 Mundy Best Melbourne Oliver Gawn Brayshaw T McDonald Viney Petracca Hogan Fremantle S Hill Mundy Cerra Walters Sheridan Injuries Melbourne J Smith (hip) Fremantle Nil Reports Nil Umpires O'Gorman, Chamberlain, Pannell Official crowd 8,689 at TIO Stadium

A nine goal win against the hapless Dockers helped to cement the status of the Demons in Darwin and likewise with their current position in the top eight in the quest for September action. If there was any doubt about the value of the Darwin enterprise to the Melbourne Football Club, you only had to look at the street banners (pictured) that heralded its arrival in town although the big question still remains as to whether the exercise is advantageous to the team as well. While it was truly lovely to leave the environs of Melbourne in the depth of winter, to come to a 33 degree day, with the temperature still in the low 20’s at the start of the game, it was the draining humidity and its possible effects on the players in the week’s to come that remain at the heart of the question. It was hardly a factor this time last year but on Saturday evening, the humidity rose dramatically just before game start, and it remained so for the rest of the evening. The effect of the steamy conditions would not necessarily have been evident to television viewers but as the game went on, the players struggled for their breath, and had to work hard to maintain repeat efforts. More importantly was the lack of clean football due to the slippery ball, so marking and fumbling became the order of the day. Without that clean possession, turnovers happened again and again with the Demons putting their noses in front courtesy of the cleaner work around the ball of Max Gawn, Angus Brayshaw, Jack Viney and Clayton Oliver. Nor should we be under any illusions about the quality of the opposition. Fremantle, without Fyfe and Sandilands, were complete and utter rubbish. The Ross Lyon style of play was to stifle the game, defend in huge numbers and try to snatch the odd score from turnover down the field. It certainly kept them in the game for half the match, but then Melbourne started to score majors instead of behinds that they had amassed up to half-time with 15 misses in their attack on the big sticks. The game should really have been over by quarter time, Melbourne having 11 shots to 2, with the inside 50m count so one sided, that in normal circumstances a +50 margin would have seen a 15+ goal win. Gawn was simply magnificent in the ruck with 42 hitouts, but given his junior opponent, that was not surprising. What was surprising was his 20 disposals as well, and his rapport with Brayshaw in the hitouts a sight to behold. The sight of those clean clearances, particularly in the second half, was well worth the cost of the airfare to the Top End! Angus really is hitting his straps with 35 touches including 16 contested possessions, although he came off slightly the worse against his brother in one tackle. Still we would much rather the brother who has 16 contested possessions ahead of the one who only managed two. Viney was simply a bull around the packs, and he was joined by Petracca - 28 and 29 disposals for that pair was only overshadowed by another 3 vote game from Clayton Oliver with 35 touches including 19 contested possessions! This relentless attack on the ball in the contest was what kept the Melbourne juggernaut pushing goalward. If only that effort was rewarded more on the scoreboard, the game would have been a complete whitewash. In the second half, the Demons finally got their targeting correct and piled on a more respectable 8 goals 6 behinds. Tags were put on Mundy, primarily by Brayshaw (which makes his game even more special) after he probably had 10 touches in the first quarter. There weren’t any other Freo players to worry about, and don’t take note of their stats, because their touches come from those cheap outside efforts. Given the conditions you can see this, with Sheridan and Cerra being two of their top performers each with 23 disposals, but only six of them contested. For those who weren’t at the game, Joel Smith was injured in the first quarter with what initially looked like a hamstring but turned out to be more a hip or heavy “corky” to the top of the hamstring. The result was he could barely run, so was sent forward to fill a gap and maintain the rotations. Leaving a player who couldn’t run in the backline would have been disastrous. However, Sam Frost cemented a place for himself in following weeks down back. He killed every marking contest that came his way. There was no mucking around trying to mark the slippery ball, it was just sent OOB or downfield out of danger. He backed that up with dashes through the lines, which has been so lacking in past weeks. Behind him Oscar McDonald really had little to do, but when called upon both him, Michael Hibberd and the ever reliable Nev Jetta mopped up. The other additions of Jeff Garlett and Charlie Spargo had little opportunity to show their wares, due to Freo stacking the backline, leaving little space for them to operate. However, they did their job when possible, and were an every present threat and also providing that link down the flanks when needed. Billy Stretch was a positive addition as well, although he may not be the answer until his delivery and awareness improve. He has the run, which was desperately needed, so he too can be sure of future selection. Nathan Jones had a quiet game by his standards, but Goodwin isn’t playing him in the middle much in recent games. Supporters should be aware that the coach is getting games in the engine room into the likes of Brayshaw and Christian Petracca and James Harmes, so that the future is more assured, and should finals eventuate, then we have more experienced options. Jonesy can go in there anytime, but when you are killing it in the middle, these are the times the younger ones get the go. In this game, Darwin was a success. A good win built on the back of relentless pressure. Four points produced when much was at stake in terms of the ladder, as we now sit with 4 other sides on 36 points and the Giants just back on 34. The town loves the Demons, and to see and speak with the locals about how excited they are about AFL and Melbourne the team, is a real positive. We have succeeded in putting the Dees into Darwin, and now with an equally telling game against the Dogs next week, lets put the M into Melbourne town and produce a similar result. Melbourne 2.9.21 5.15.45 9.18.72 13.24.102 Fremantle 2.0.12 4.2.26 6.5.41 7.6.48 Goals Melbourne Hogan Oliver 2 Garlett Gawn Harmes Jones T McDonald Melksham Neal-Bullen Salem Spargo Fremantle Cox Sheridan Walters 2 Mundy Best Melbourne Oliver Gawn Brayshaw T McDonald Viney Petracca Hogan Fremantle S Hill Mundy Cerra Walters Sheridan Injuries Melbourne J Smith (hip) Fremantle Nil Reports Nil Umpires O'Gorman, Chamberlain, Pannell Official crowd 8,689 at TIO Stadium

I didn't see it but the worst he can get is a fine considering Steele from the Saints felled Clarry last week and escaped with a fine.

The Casey Demons were simply far too strong for North Melbourne’s new stand alone team in trying conditions on a cold, wet and windy, winter’s afternoon to win their eighth straight game. By doing so, they kept the Kangaroos goalless into the bargain. The Demons with 17 AFL-listers were in control all day on an inhospitable, rain sodden Casey Fields ground that suited their strong-bodied, persistent, hard tackling game. They produced the ultimate in wet weather football dominating in every facet, perhaps with the exception of in the ruck where North giant Braydon Preuss held sway with a massive 71 hit outs. However, even that advantage was of little assistance to the Kangaroo cause given the fact that the slippery ball and Casey’s pressure in the clinches made it difficult for their on ball brigade to win the clearances. Casey had so much of the forward play that it was inevitable the opportunities would eventually come and they did so once or twice in every quarter, which was enough for them to forge an emphatic 37-point victory. That they kept they opposition to just seven points (three in the games’s dying moments) was a testament to their commitment to work hard all over the ground. The man who relished the difficult conditions most was possibly the shortest on the ground in Jay Kennedy Harris who kept his feet and his composure to score the only three goals of the second and third quarters. He finished the game with 25 touches. Along with Tom Bugg and Dom Tyson (31 possessions each), the trio controlled the midfield and ensured that Casey was going to be favoured in the majority of those stoppages where the ball wasn’t shoveled over the boundary line or killed under the weight of a pack of players. That was the sort of game you expect on a day when howling winds and teeming rain are the order of the day. Those conditions would certainly have suited the burly Aaron vandenBerg in the ordinary course but you would hardly have expected that 679 days after his last game he would collect 23 disposals and 16 tackles after coming onto the ground at quarter time. We saw less of his teammate Pat McKenna, a former champion junior cricketer who has been out of the game for almost as long as vandenBerg, but he would have been happy to get through three quarters after a couple of seasons that have been cruelled by hamstring issues. The Wagner brothers were solid again - Corey (19 touches and 15 tackles) was excellent against his old club and is really staking a claim for a second chance at AFL level while Jay Lockhart and James Munro with 20 possessions each coming out of defence hardly put a foot wrong all day. The Demons are home again next Sunday against Footscray and will be anxious to maintain their pressure packed style on yet another opponent. Peter Jackson VFL 2018 Casey Demons 1.4.10 2.6.18 4.12.36 5.14.44 North Melbourne VFL 0.2.2 0.3.3 0.4.4 0.7.7 Goals Casey Demons Kennedy Harris 3 Hannan C Wagner North Melbourne VFL Best Casey Demons Lockhart Kennedy-Harris Tyson Munro Vandenberg C Wagner North Melbourne VFL Rippon Davies-Uniacke Preuss McKay Holmes Northe Statistics Oskar Baker 1 behind 17 kicks 4 handballs 21 disposals 5 marks 2 tackles 78 dream team points Harley Balic 10 kicks 9 handballs 19 disposals 3 marks 10 tackles 97 dream team points Tomas Bugg 13 kicks 18 handballs 31 disposals 2 marks 11 tackles 128 dream team points Lachlan Filipovic 1 behind 3 kicks 5 handballs 8 disposals 3 tackles 4 hit outs 41 dream team points Mitch Hannan 1 goal 7 kicks 17 handballs 24 disposals 3 marks 12 tackles 116 dream team points Jack Hutchins 12 kicks 4 handballs 16 disposals 2 marks 4 tackles 63 dream team points Declan Keilty 1 kick 1 handballs 2 disposals 1 mark 6 tackles 32 dream team points Jay Kennedy Harris 3 goals 14 kicks 11 handballs 25 disposals 1 mark 5 tackles 106 dream team points Dean Kent 1 behind 11 kicks 4 handballs 15 disposals 2 marks 9 tackles 85 dream team point Mitchell King 6 kicks 6 disposals 2 tackles 16 hit outs 37 dream team points Jay Lockhart 15 kicks 5 handballs 20 disposals 3 marks 1 tackle 66 dream team points Pat McKenna 1 kick 8 handballs 9 disposals 1 mark 3 tackles 25 dream team points Corey Machaya 1 behind 8 kicks 14 handballs 22 disposals 3 marks 6 tackles 85 dream team points James Munro 14 kicks 6 handballs 20 disposals 4 marks 6 tackles 88 dream team points Cameron Pedersen 13 kicks 10 handballs 23 disposals 4 marks 4 tackles 87 dream team points Harrison Petty 6 kicks 4 handballs 10 disposals 2 marks 3 tackles 41 dream team points Tim Smith 1 behind 9 kicks 7 handballs 16 disposals 3 marks 2 tackles 59 dream team points Corey Stockdale 17 kicks 2 handballs 19 disposals 1 mark 8 tackles 91 dream team points Dom Tyson 8 kicks 23 handballs 31 disposals 7 marks 15 tackles 145 dream team points Aaron vandenBerg 1 behind 13 kicks 10 handballs 23 disposals 16 tackles 108 dream team points Corey Wagner 1 goal 14 kicks 5 handballs 19 disposals 3 marks 15 tackles 123 dream team points Josh Wagner 12 kicks 5 handballs 17 disposals 1 mark 8 tackles 82 dream team points Sam Weideman 2 behinds 8 kicks 4 handballs 12 disposals 7 marks 2 tackles 3 hit outs 66 dream team points