Demonland

PLAYER VOTES 1 Max Gawn 108 2 Clayton Oliver 104 3 Jesse Hogan 89 4 Nathan Jones 70 5 Angus Brayshaw 62 6 Tom McDoanld 49 7 Neville Jetta 46 8 Christian Salem 35 9 Jake Melksham 33 10 Jake Lever 29 10 Oscar McDoanld 29 12 Christian Petracca 26 13 Michael Hibberd 23 14 Jack Viney 21 15 Jordan Lewis 20 16 Bayley Fritsch 19 17 Jeff Garlett 16 17 James Harmes 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

The progressive tally shows Max and Clarrie fighting it out tooth and nail. 108. Max Gawn 104. Clayton OIiver 89. Jesse Hogan 70. Nathan Jones 62. Angus Brayshaw 49. Tom McDonald 46. Neville Jetta 35. Christian Salem 33. Jake Melksham 29. Jake Lever Oscar McDonald 26. Christian Petracca 25. Michael Hibberd 21. Jack Viney 20. Jordan Lewis 19. Bayley Fritsch 16. Jeff Garlett James Harmes 7. Alex Neal-Bullen 6. Tom Bugg 4. Joel Smith 2. Dean Kent 1. Bernie Vince Josh Wagner

The Casey Demons were untroubled at home against cellar dwellers Coburg to make it six wins on the trot and consolidate their hold on second place on the Peter Jackson VFL 2018. With the memory of their disastrous 107-point opening round loss to the Demons at the back of their minds, the Lions came out with all guns blazing and surprised the home side with their tenacity but were unable to convert goals in the early going. After Sam Weideman gave a preview of what was to come with the first goal of the game, the visitors came up with a quick reply to lead at the ten minute mark but that was the last of their resistance as the Demons kicked the next seven to hold a 43-point lead by the main break. With rain pelting down, it was an unassailable lead and even in the greasy conditions, Casey steamrolled on with Weideman putting on a master class of marking and accurate kicking at full forward and when he went into the ruck he was handy there helping out Mitch King who had his hands full with Coburg ruckman, Goodwin. The game petered out under the gloomy skies and the Demons ran out 77-point winners. It might not have beaten the 100-point plus win that many were predicting but it was still a big percentage booster as the Lions were kept down to a meagre goal a quarter. Weideman had the unlikely perfect foil up forward in Jack Hutchins who is normally a defender. The skipper was most productive and booted three goals for the game. Billy Stretch continued his run of good form at this level and must be very close to a promotion. The move of Hutchins into attack gave the Demons the opportunity to test out some defenders for possible inclusion into their AFL side in the wake of Jake Lever's knee injury and Sam Frost relished the conditions, standing out with his marking and speed across the ground even when the ground got heavy in the second half. If Weideman was putting on a master class up forward, Frost was doing likewise down back. He was the pick of the defenders ahead of youngster Harry Petty and Josh Wagner but one needs to temper that against the fact that the opposition is a struggling as a stand alone in the VFL. Tom Bugg worked his way into the game when he went to the midfield and finished with an equal game high 27 touches along with Jay Kennedy Harris. Corey Wagner continued to impress among the VFL listed contingent. James Munro was his usual consistent self and Goy Lok showed that he is becoming more and more confident at this level with every game. The Casey Demons' next assignment sees them traveling to RAMS Arena, Craigieburn in what will be a danger game against Essendon VFL in the first of two consecutive games to be telecast on the Seven Network. Peter Jackson VFL 2018 Casey Demons 4.2.26 9.4.58 13.6.84 16.12.108 Coburg 1.3.9 2.3.15 3.5.23 4.7.31 Goals Casey Demons Weideman 7 Hutchins 3 Stretch 2 Baker Garlett Kennedy Harris Stockdale Coburg Belo Binion Conn Weightman Best Casey Demons Frost Weideman Stretch Kennedy-Harris Bugg Hutchins Coburg Podhajski Guthrie Exon Allan Gregory Lentini Statistics Oskar Baker 1 goal 6 kicks 7 handballs 13 disposals 1 marks 3 tackles 49 dream team points Harley Balic 7 kicks 10 handballs 17 disposals 8 tackles 69 dream team points Tomas Bugg 15 kicks 12 handballs 27 disposals 3 marks 12 tackles 125 dream team points Sam Frost 11 kicks 4 handballs 15 disposals 8 marks 1 tackle 69 dream team points Jeff Garlett 1 goal 7 kicks 5 handballs 12 disposals 1 marks 4 tackles 56 dream team points Mitch Gent 6 kicks 3 handballs 9 disposals 2 marks 1 tackle 34 dream team points Jack Hutchins 3 goals 2 behinds 9 kicks 3 handballs 12 disposals 3 marks 5 tackles 82 dream team points Dion Johnstone 8 kicks 11 handballs 19 disposals 1 mark 4 tackles 66 dream team points Jay Kennedy Harris 1 goal 17 kicks 10 handballs 27 disposals 6 marks 5 tackles 116 dream team points Mitchell King 2 kicks 6 handballs 8 disposals 1 tackle 32 hit outs 53 dream team point Mykleti Lefau 1 behind 5 kicks 3 handballs 8 disposals 2 marks 8 tackles 11 hit outs 71 dream team points Jay Lockhart 4 kicks 6 handballs 10 disposals 2 marks 3 tackles 42 dream team points Goy Lok 1 behind 12 kicks 11 handballs 23 disposals 1 mark 9 tackles 97 dream team points Corey Machaya 6 kicks 11 handballs 17 disposals 1 mark 6 tackles 67 dream team points James Munro 7 handballs 9 disposals 1 mark 5 tackles 61 dream team points Cameron Pedersen 5 kicks 10 handballs 15 disposals 1 mark 1 tackle 39 dream team points Harrison Petty 4 kicks 4 handballs 8 disposals 3 marks 1 tackle 31 dream team points Charlie Spargo 9 kicks 10 handballs 19 disposals 1 mark 9 tackles 88 dream team points Corey Stockdale 1 goals 2 behind 6 kicks 5 handballs 11 disposals 2 marks 5 tackles 59 dream team points Billy Stretch 2 goals 13 kicks 11 handballs 24 disposals 3 marks 5 tackles 103 dream team points Corey Wagner 1 behind 14 kicks 9 handballs 23 disposals 2 marks 10 tackles 95 dream team points Josh Wagner 12 kicks 9 handballs 21 disposals 1 marks 6 tackles 78 dream team points Sam Weideman 7 goals 14 kicks 5 handballs 19 disposals 9 marks 3 tackles 5 hit outs 139 dream team points

MASTER CLASS by KC from Casey The Casey Demons were untroubled at home against cellar dwellers Coburg to make it six wins on the trot and consolidate their hold on second place on the Peter Jackson VFL 2018. With the memory of their disastrous 107-point opening round loss to the Demons at the back of their minds, the Lions came out with all guns blazing and surprised the home side with their tenacity but were unable to convert goals in the early going. After Sam Weideman gave a preview of what was to come with the first goal of the game, the visitors came up with a quick reply to lead at the ten minute mark but that was the last of their resistance as the Demons kicked the next seven to hold a 43-point lead by the main break. With rain pelting down, it was an unassailable lead and even in the greasy conditions, Casey steamrolled on with Weideman putting on a master class of marking and accurate kicking at full forward and when he went into the ruck he was handy there helping out Mitch King who had his hands full with Coburg ruckman, Goodwin. The game petered out under the gloomy skies and the Demons ran out 77-point winners. It might not have beaten the 100-point plus win that many were predicting but it was still a big percentage booster as the Lions were kept down to a meagre goal a quarter. Weideman had the unlikely perfect foil up forward in Jack Hutchins who is normally a defender. The skipper was most productive and booted three goals for the game. Billy Stretch continued his run of good form at this level and must be very close to a promotion. The move of Hutchins into attack gave the Demons the opportunity to test out some defenders for possible inclusion into their AFL side in the wake of Jake Lever's knee injury and Sam Frost relished the conditions, standing out with his marking and speed across the ground even when the ground got heavy in the second half. If Weideman was putting on a master class up forward, Frost was doing likewise down back. He was the pick of the defenders ahead of youngster Harry Petty and Josh Wagner but one needs to temper that against the fact that the opposition is a struggling as a stand alone in the VFL. Tom Bugg worked his way into the game when he went to the midfield and finished with an equal game high 27 touches along with Jay Kennedy Harris. Corey Wagner continued to impress among the VFL listed contingent. James Munro was his usual consistent self and Goy Lok showed that he is becoming more and more confident at this level with every game. The Casey Demons' next assignment sees them traveling to RAMS Arena, Craigieburn in what will be a danger game against Essendon VFL in the first of two consecutive games to be telecast on the Seven Network. Peter Jackson VFL 2018 Casey Demons 4.2.26 9.4.58 13.6.84 16.12.108 Coburg 1.3.9 2.3.15 3.5.23 4.7.31 Goals Casey Demons Weideman 7 Hutchins 3 Stretch 2 Baker Garlett Kennedy Harris Stockdale Coburg Belo Binion Conn Weightman Best Casey Demons Frost Weideman Stretch Kennedy-Harris Bugg Hutchins Coburg Podhajski Guthrie Exon Allan Gregory Lentini Statistics Oskar Baker 1 goal 6 kicks 7 handballs 13 disposals 1 marks 3 tackles 49 dream team points Harley Balic 7 kicks 10 handballs 17 disposals 8 tackles 69 dream team points Tomas Bugg 15 kicks 12 handballs 27 disposals 3 marks 12 tackles 125 dream team points Sam Frost 11 kicks 4 handballs 15 disposals 8 marks 1 tackle 69 dream team points Jeff Garlett 1 goal 7 kicks 5 handballs 12 disposals 1 marks 4 tackles 56 dream team points Mitch Gent 6 kicks 3 handballs 9 disposals 2 marks 1 tackle 34 dream team points Jack Hutchins 3 goals 2 behinds 9 kicks 3 handballs 12 disposals 3 marks 5 tackles 82 dream team points Dion Johnstone 8 kicks 11 handballs 19 disposals 1 mark 4 tackles 66 dream team points Jay Kennedy Harris 1 goal 17 kicks 10 handballs 27 disposals 6 marks 5 tackles 116 dream team points Mitchell King 2 kicks 6 handballs 8 disposals 1 tackle 32 hit outs 53 dream team point Mykleti Lefau 1 behind 5 kicks 3 handballs 8 disposals 2 marks 8 tackles 11 hit outs 71 dream team points Jay Lockhart 4 kicks 6 handballs 10 disposals 2 marks 3 tackles 42 dream team points Goy Lok 1 behind 12 kicks 11 handballs 23 disposals 1 mark 9 tackles 97 dream team points Corey Machaya 6 kicks 11 handballs 17 disposals 1 mark 6 tackles 67 dream team points James Munro 7 handballs 9 disposals 1 mark 5 tackles 61 dream team points Cameron Pedersen 5 kicks 10 handballs 15 disposals 1 mark 1 tackle 39 dream team points Harrison Petty 4 kicks 4 handballs 8 disposals 3 marks 1 tackle 31 dream team points Charlie Spargo 9 kicks 10 handballs 19 disposals 1 mark 9 tackles 88 dream team points Corey Stockdale 1 goals 2 behind 6 kicks 5 handballs 11 disposals 2 marks 5 tackles 59 dream team points Billy Stretch 2 goals 13 kicks 11 handballs 24 disposals 3 marks 5 tackles 103 dream team points Corey Wagner 1 behind 14 kicks 9 handballs 23 disposals 2 marks 10 tackles 95 dream team points Josh Wagner 12 kicks 9 handballs 21 disposals 1 marks 6 tackles 78 dream team points Sam Weideman 7 goals 14 kicks 5 handballs 19 disposals 9 marks 3 tackles 5 hit outs 139 dream team points

A MATTER OF INCHES by George on the Outer Melbourne, the 4th placed team v Port Adelaide, the 6th placed side. Both with the same number of wins. Both with a contested approach to the way football should be played. It was certain that the final result would come down to a matter of inches, and so it was to be. The Demons got off to a flying start, simply overpowering (appropriate word) Port with a three goal first term, but with what proved critical to the final result, they simply failed to make best use of their opportunities in front of goal. Numerous misses from easy positions saw eight shots at goal to four yield a lead of only 14 points when Port managed its first major after the siren after Melbourne again failed to shut down the game in the dying seconds. The Gawn v Ryder contest was to last all game, with the result probably being a draw, although Max had slightly more hitouts - 53 to 40. Those numbers were a sign of the game given a single ruckman would have them in a winning dominant side, but this game was all about contest after contest, ball up after ball up. The same was to be said about the mid-field, Jack Viney 20 contested possessions, Ollie Wines 18. Jared Polec 18 contested, Clayton Oliver 17. As a game of football it had everything that the game is showcased to be with the exception of the umpiring which left a lot to be desired. It often wasn’t what they called but rather what they didn’t and although that cut both ways, Port was heavily advantaged by the sheer numbers in their favour, especially in the second half. By half time the margin was two points Melbourne's way, which only increased to eight by the final change. The final quarter promised a game which would go down to the wire, and would be won by inches, not the dramatic margins that both teams had produced in previous weeks. In the end Port prevailed, but only in the last ten minutes when they kicked the last two goals of the game when the Melbourne interchange bench was suddenly swamped with injured players needing attention. Tom McDonald, Tim Smith and critically Nev Jetta were all forced from the ground for attention following head knocks. In those crucial minutes Melbourne attacks lacked a target, and the defenders were left floundering to cover the most reliable among them. Put those players back on the field during that time, and the result probably would have been the opposite. Normally, there are standout performances to note, but it was for the most part just even across the ground, although some special mentions must go to Jetta and Oscar McDonald who saved certain goals during the match when they were last man standing against multiple opposition players, and somehow they repelled or broke down the attack. Melbourne lost the game, but if one thing was to be learned was that this type of match is typified by inches. It is IDENTICAL to that which happens in a Grand Final. If you win or lose it comes down to winning that contest or losing it, making the error or delivering. And because the opposition face the same, it comes down to whether you do it more or less than them. For Melbourne, there are still a number of players who did not have enough influence on the game when called upon. While those players are selected, because there are no better options, then the best the Demons can expect is perhaps where they are today….somewhere in the 8, but not in the top 4. The style of play that Melbourne is playing under Simon Goodwin is what is needed to produce results. Now we have the consistency so longed for, but without that killer instinct and plain ability under extreme pressure, it won’t be shown against the top sides. To prove that is the case, then the games in the coming weeks against weaker sides should see positive results. If not then the 2018 season will be a write off. If successful, then a continuous improvement and opportunity will happen this year. The pundits were expecting Melbourne to demonstrate they were capable of beating genuine teams. Although a loss happened, it could have easily been the other way. Did we demonstrate that capability? Yes. Did the result fall our way? No. Were Port in the same situation? Most probably. And that is why we now sit at 4th and 5th on the Ladder. We are inches apart. The games can be inches apart. We now have to fight to win those inches in coming games. And the reality is that both Melbourne and Port can find themselves competing against each other come finals time. Should that happen each Melbourne player already knows what extra he has to do to ensure the result is different than this time. Melbourne 3.5.23 4.8.32 9.9.63 9.11 65 Port Adelaide 1.3.9 4.6.30 8.7.55 11.9.75 Goals Melbourne T McDonald 3 Hannan 2 Melksham Petracca Salem T Smith Port Adelaide Ebert R Gray Westhoff 2 Boak Dixon S Gray Thomas Wingard Best Melbourne Viney Brayshaw Oliver Jones T McDonald Jetta Port Adelaide Wines Wingard Jonas Powell-Pepper Rockliff Westhoff Injuries Melbourne Jetta (head knock/ankle) T McDonald (ribs) Port Adelaide Nil Reports Nil Umpires Deboy, Nicholls, Hay, McInerney Official crowd 40,751 at The Adelaide Oval

Melbourne, the 4th placed team v Port Adelaide, the 6th placed side. Both with the same number of wins. Both with a contested approach to the way football should be played. It was certain that the final result would come down to a matter of inches, and so it was to be. The Demons got off to a flying start, simply overpowering (appropriate word) Port with a three goal first term, but with what proved critical to the final result, they simply failed to make best use of their opportunities in front of goal. Numerous misses from easy positions saw eight shots at goal to four yield a lead of only 14 points when Port managed its first major after the siren after Melbourne again failed to shut down the game in the dying seconds. The Gawn v Ryder contest was to last all game, with the result probably being a draw, although Max had slightly more hitouts - 53 to 40. Those numbers were a sign of the game given a single ruckman would have them in a winning dominant side, but this game was all about contest after contest, ball up after ball up. The same was to be said about the mid-field, Jack Viney 20 contested possessions, Ollie Wines 18. Jared Polec 18 contested, Clayton Oliver 17. As a game of football it had everything that the game is showcased to be with the exception of the umpiring which left a lot to be desired. It often wasn’t what they called but rather what they didn’t and although that cut both ways, Port was heavily advantaged by the sheer numbers in their favour, especially in the second half. By half time the margin was two points Melbourne's way, which only increased to eight by the final change. The final quarter promised a game which would go down to the wire, and would be won by inches, not the dramatic margins that both teams had produced in previous weeks. In the end Port prevailed, but only in the last ten minutes when they kicked the last two goals of the game when the Melbourne interchange bench was suddenly swamped with injured players needing attention. Tom McDonald, Tim Smith and critically Nev Jetta were all forced from the ground for attention following head knocks. In those crucial minutes Melbourne attacks lacked a target, and the defenders were left floundering to cover the most reliable among them. Put those players back on the field during that time, and the result probably would have been the opposite. Normally, there are standout performances to note, but it was for the most part just even across the ground, although some special mentions must go to Jetta and Oscar McDonald who saved certain goals during the match when they were last man standing against multiple opposition players, and somehow they repelled or broke down the attack. Melbourne lost the game, but if one thing was to be learned was that this type of match is typified by inches. It is IDENTICAL to that which happens in a Grand Final. If you win or lose it comes down to winning that contest or losing it, making the error or delivering. And because the opposition face the same, it comes down to whether you do it more or less than them. For Melbourne, there are still a number of players who did not have enough influence on the game when called upon. While those players are selected, because there are no better options, then the best the Demons can expect is perhaps where they are today….somewhere in the 8, but not in the top 4. The style of play that Melbourne is playing under Simon Goodwin is what is needed to produce results. Now we have the consistency so longed for, but without that killer instinct and plain ability under extreme pressure, it won’t be shown against the top sides. To prove that is the case, then the games in the coming weeks against weaker sides should see positive results. If not then the 2018 season will be a write off. If successful, then a continuous improvement and opportunity will happen this year. The pundits were expecting Melbourne to demonstrate they were capable of beating genuine teams. Although a loss happened, it could have easily been the other way. Did we demonstrate that capability? Yes. Did the result fall our way? No. Were Port in the same situation? Most probably. And that is why we now sit at 4th and 5th on the Ladder. We are inches apart. The games can be inches apart. We now have to fight to win those inches in coming games. And the reality is that both Melbourne and Port can find themselves competing against each other come finals time. Should that happen each Melbourne player already knows what extra he has to do to ensure the result is different than this time. Melbourne 3.5.23 4.8.32 9.9.63 9.11 65 Port Adelaide 1.3.9 4.6.30 8.7.55 11.9.75 Goals Melbourne T McDonald 3 Hannan 2 Melksham Petracca Salem T Smith Port Adelaide Ebert R Gray Westhoff 2 Boak Dixon S Gray Thomas Wingard Best Melbourne Viney Brayshaw Oliver Jones T McDonald Jetta Port Adelaide Wines Wingard Jonas Powell-Pepper Rockliff Westhoff Injuries Melbourne Jetta (head knock/ankle) T McDonald (ribs) Port Adelaide Nil Reports Nil Umpires Deboy, Nicholls, Hay, McInerney Official crowd 40,751 at The Adelaide Oval

Tell us what you think ...

Please cast your votes 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1

How many frees in front of goal are they going to get?

Why do they get twenty minutes to kick before they're called to play on.

We need to score early. If they get a few early we're cooked.

Would like a goal before the siren for us for once.

We can't buy a free. Port have them on sale.

Wines threw that.

We don't have backs they have 2.

Murder in progress. Umps suspected.

Not in the back to Melk?

Getting murdered by the umps.

How many times is Powell pepper allowed to be spun around in a tackle before we get a free.

Oh TMac. Nearly buggered that.

Another couple butchered possessions for Harmes.

It was a free but we probably wouldn't have got it.

Harmes butchering the ball tonight.

Getting crucified with decisions and non decisions.