Demonland

COMEBACK SEASON Jake Melksham was forced to sit out the whole of 2016 as one of 34 banned former and current Bombers as a result of Essendon's 2012 supplements program. He started off slowly and spent some time at Casey before settling down to have a great comeback season. His second half of the season saw some consistent football when moved from defence into the forward line where he could be relied upon for goals on a regular basis. Date of Birth: 29 August, 1991 Height: 179cm Weight: 84k Games MFC 2017: 19 Career Total: 133 Goals MFC 2017: 21 Career Total: 178 CDFC Games 2017: 2 CDFC Goals 2017: 3 Season 2017 AFL Statistics Kicks: 202 Handballs: 116 Disposals: 318 Marks: 84 Scores: 21 goals 6 behinds Goal Assists: 8 Tackles: 48 Hitouts: 0 Clearances: 21 Clangers: 59 Inside 50s: 65 Rebound 50s: 25 Frees For: 13 Frees Against: 21

FROSTY FINISH The dashing backman added a great deal of energy and zest to the Demons defence throughout most of the season but his form tapered off a little toward the end when he found himself in the VFL. There were many who thought the Demons could have used his athleticism in the vital games he missed when a couple of goals could have made all of the difference to their finals campaign. Has resigned on for two more years. Date of Birth: 28 August, 1993 Height: 194cm Weight: 94kg Games MFC 2017: 16 Career Total: 56 Goals MFC 2017: 1 Career Total: 8 CDFC Games 2017: 2 CDFC Goals 2017: 0 Season 2017 AFL Statistics Kicks: 127 Handballs: 89 Disposals: 216 Marks: 61 Scores: 1 goals 0 behinds Goal Assists: 1 Tackles: 40 Hitouts: 3 Clearances: 4 Clangers: 46 Inside 50s: 16 Rebound 50s: 59 Frees For: 15 Frees Against: 18

SHOULDER TROUBLES After finally getting his body right last year when he became an important cog in the forward line, Dean Kent's form lapsed and he was in and out of the side through much of a disappointing season. Kent was one of four Demons ruled ineligible for selection for Melbourne's game against Sydney, having breached team alcohol protocols after playing for Casey in the VFL but he was recalled for the game against Adelaide in Darwin where his season came to an abrupt end after he dislocated his left shoulder. Date of Birth: 24 February, 1994 Height: 179cm Weight: 84kg Games MFC 2017: 6 Career Total: 58 Goals MFC 2017: 7 Career Total: 56 CDFC Games: 8 CDFC Goals: 6 Season 2017 AFL Statistics Kicks: 56 Handballs: 34 Disposals: 90 Marks: 27 Scores: 7 goals 6 behinds Goal Assists: 3 Tackles: 13 Hitouts: 0 Clearances: 1 Clangers: 13 Inside 50s: 15 Rebound 50s: 4 Frees For: 8 Frees Against: 2

I don't think there's anything in it. They just bumped into each other. If he gets a one then Cotchin gets 2 or 3 and Lewis gets arrested.

I wouldn't mind that either but I don't think that would pass the AFL clash test against the Blues or Bombers or Crows.

STRETCHING THE FRIENDSHIP The youngster struggled to hold his spot in the team this year but showed some good signs at VFL level late in the year. The son of former Demon Steven will need a big pre season to enable him to continue as a developing player in the Melbourne midfield where his dash and cleverness would not go astray. Date of Birth: 8 September, 1996 Height: 180cm Weight: 80kg Games MFC 2017: 9 Career Total: 36 Goals MFC 2017: 3 Career Total: 8 CDFC Games: 13 CDFC Goals: 4 Season 2017 AFL Statistics Kicks: 57 Handballs: 107 Disposals: 164 Marks: 30 Scores: 3 goals 4 behinds Goal Assists: 2 Tackles: 30 Hitouts: 0 Clearances: 12 Clangers: 12 Inside 50s: 17 Rebound 50s: 6 Frees For: 6 Frees Against: 3

Oliver says hi.

GWS are done. I'm calling it.

GWS can't win playing like that.

The umps are willing the tigers to win this game.

That was a terrible handball attempt. He'd fit right in at the Dees.

GWS don't look dangerous going into forward 50.

Umps starting to have an impact. Tigers getting everything.

If it was Lewis he'd get 4 weeks. Cotchin will get off.

Richo should not be commentating. He cannot be objective.

I really like the Red Back jumper but I do not think that it satisfies the AFL's "clash" requirements.

RECRUITING SUCCESS STORY Hibberd started the season slowly recovering from injury but he quickly stamped himself as one of the club's great recruiting success stories of all time. The versatile defender added polish and experience to the Demon line up after a year off as a result of the Essendon doping scandal outcome, capping off a great season with All Australian honours. Date of Birth: 3 January, 1990 Height: 186cm Weight: 90kg Games MFC 2017: 18 Career Total: 102 Goals MFC 2017: 1 Career Total: 18 CDFC Games: 1 CDFC Goals: 0 Season 2017 AFL Statistics Kicks: 305 Handballs: 188 Disposals: 493 Marks: 97 Scores: 1 goals 1 behinds Goal Assists: 5 Tackles: 23 Hitouts: 0 Clearances: 17 Clangers: 57 Inside 50s: 48 Rebound 50s: 123 Frees For: 18 Frees Against: 11

If I had a dollar .....

Preliminary Final, 1988 Melbourne vs Carlton Saturday 17 September Venue: Waverley Attendance: 68,516 1st 2nd 3rd Final Melbourne 6.3 9.4 16.5 19.6.120 Carlton 1.3 9.6 10.8 14.14.98 Goalkickers: Ricky Jackson 5, Sean Wight 4, Garry Lyon 3, David Flintoff 1, Greg Healy 1, Andy Lovell 1, Steven O'Dwyer 1, David Williams 1, Brian Wilson 1, Graeme Yeats 1 from: http://demonwiki.org/Preliminary+Final+1988 With the heartache of 1987's corresponding game still fresh in everybody's minds there were plenty of questions about how the Demons, who had barely scraped into the five and past West Coast in the Elimination Final would cope with the Blues. It was the first time the sides had met in a final since the 1962 Semi Final. Melbourne dropped Todd Viney - who had barely left the interchange in the Semi Final against Collingwood - and Doug Koop, replacing them with David Flintoff who had impressed against Carlton in Round 13 and first year player Steven Febey. Carlton, fresh off a demoralising defeat against Hawthorn on the same ground a week earlier, were missing key midfielder Wayne Johnston but had a raft of other dangerous players, not least Stephen Kernahan. Jamie Duursma, who had been on the football scrapheap before being rescued by John Northey was given the job of stopping "Sticks". Kernahan got away from his opponent for three goals in the first half and four for the game but didn't have enough teammates to help kick a winning score. In similar slippery conditions to those which caused the Blues to come unstuck a week earlier, the Demons kicked with the wind in the first quarter and ran away to what would ultimately become a match winning five goal lead. The Blues fought back in the second quarter with more disciplined football, and took a meagre lead into half time before the Demons once again used the wind to perfection in the third term, where they piled on seven goals to one despite the heavens opening. The most memorable of all the goals was Garry Lyon kicking a 75m torpedo. Brawls were the order of the day, and continued to break out all over the ground. Andy Lovell was decked after a third-quarter goal to spark one melee, and Steven O'Dwyer was reported for striking Steven Da Rui in another. He was outed for three weeks and missed the Grand Final through suspension. The lead was set up, but Melbourne still had to contend with the Blues kicking with a breeze. They managed to hold on, the backline, repelling repeated thrusts forward. Despite their resilience the Blues got to within 14 points at the 20 minute mark. Ricky Jackson kicked a controversial goal that Blues fans claim hit the post (and to be fair Jackson was cursing his miss as the goal umpire signalled full points) to steady his side. At the other end Duursma continued his war with Kernahan, and frustrated the Carlton spearhead so comprehensively that he gave away a 50m penalty which allowed Duursma a shot on goal and the Demons were into the Grand Final. Best for the Demons were Garry Lyon, Ricky Jackson and Jamie Duursma. David Flintoff also won praise for his second half tagging role on the dangerous Mark Naley. Lyon suffered a cut ear.

I'm assuming you are referring to this article on Nick Meese. http://m.afl.com.au/news/2017-09-20/why-isnt-vfl-ruck-star-nick-meese-playing-afl

If we must have a clash strip (do Collingwood?) then I prefer the Red Strip over the White Strip.

THE REAL THING Barely out of his teenage years, Oliver had a sensational 2017 amassing 659 disposals in a season highlighted by his consistency in his clearance work and ability to win the contested ball. Oliver played in every game and many observers were surprised that he missed out on an All Australian nomination in just his second year in the game. Although not noted for going forward and kicking goals, Oliver kicked one of the goals of the year when he scored from the boundary at Adelaide Oval. Date of Birth: 22 July, 1997 Height: 187cm Weight: 88kg Games MFC 2017: 22 Career Total: 35 Goals MFC 2017: 4 Career Total: 10 Season 2017 AFL Statistics Kicks: 177 Handballs: 482 Disposals: 659 Marks: 68 Scores: 4 goals 3 behinds Goal Assists: 14 Tackles: 152 Hitouts: 1 Clearances: 146 Clangers: 76 Inside 50s: 65 Rebound 50s: 34 Frees For: 20 Frees Against: 40

I loathe our white away strip and I feel for Richmond more if they have to wear the yellow over Adelaide having to wear their away strip. Having said that shouldn't the higher ranked team be given the choice considering that's how the finals system works in relation to "home" teams? Clash strips were not an issue for over a hundred years.