Demonland

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It feels as if I’m some form of rarefied atmosphere when previewing the AFL Match of the Round between third-placed Melbourne and fourth-placed Adelaide because it’s been a long time since the Demons have been involved in a game involving two teams in the top four this deep into a season. And ever since Adelaide skipper Taylor “Tex” Walker busted a gasket over Jake Lever’s decision to leave town and go back home to family, friends and the Melbourne Football Club, this game in the heart of the nation has been one of the made in heaven match ups of the season. It’s a pity that Tex won’t be taking the field at TIO Traeger Park but, as they say in the classics, the ground and the town like Alice isn’t big enough for both of them. Adelaide has a sizable injury list which includes a number of pesky characters who have caused Melbourne some grief in the past - Rory Sloane, Mitch McGovern, Brad Crouch and Brad Smith head the list - but our club’s history is studded with stories of opposition teams rising to the occasion and unearthing new stars in circumstances like this. In any event, the long injury list did not deter the Crows from demolishing the Bullies and keeping them down to just two goals last Friday night and they have the advantage over the Demons of an extra two days to recover from the tough rain-soaked match up. So when the Demons face off against the Crows it will be a huge clash for both sides but for Melbourne, it will be the time for it to claim a big scalp after winning four games in a row against some of the competition’s lesser lights. A victory over one of last year's Grand Finalists would give added credibility to the Demons as the mid point of the season approaches. THE GAME Melbourne v Adelaide at TIO Treager Park, Alice Springs Sunday 27 May, 2018 at 3.20 pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall - Melbourne 13 wins Adelaide 24 wins At TIO Treager Park - Melbourne 0 wins Adelaide 0 wins Past five meetings - Melbourne 2 wins Adelaide 3 wins The Coaches - Simon Goodwin 1 win Don Pyke 1 win MEDIA TV - Channel 7, Fox Sports 3, Live at 3.00pm RADIO - TBA THE LAST TIME THEY MET Adelaide 17.14.116 defeated Melbourne 10.10.70 Round 17, 2017 at TIO Stadium, Darwin The Demons fielded a depleted side and were never really in the hunt although they did mount a couple of spirited attempts to come back on either side of the three quarter time siren, a highlight of which was Jayden Hunt’s superb 65 metre torpedo that split the middle. Adelaide however, was too strong on the night and cruised away to a significant 46-point victory which was significant in harming Melbourne’s finals aspirations. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE B: Michael Hibberd, Oscar McDonald, Neville Jetta HB: Bernie Vince, Jake Lever, Jordan Lewis ? Nathan Jones, Jack Viney, Angus Brayshaw HF: Alex Neal-Bullen, Jesse Hogan, Jake Melksham F: Tom McDonald, Tim Smith, Christian Petracca Foll: Max Gawn, Christian Salem, Clayton Oliver I/C: James Harmes, Charlie Spargo, Mitch Hannan, Bayley Fritsch Emg: Dom Tyson, Cameron Pedersen, Jayden Hunt, Jeff Garlett No change ADELAIDE B: Jake Kelly , Daniel Talia, Luke Brown HB: Rory Laird, Tom Doedee, Paul Seedsman ? Rory Atkins, Hugh Greenwood, David Mackay HF: Richard Douglas, Tom Lynch, Cameron Ellis-Yolmen F: Darcy Fogarty, Josh Jenkins, Eddie Betts Foll: Sam Jacobs, Bryce Gibbs, Matt Crouch I/C: Jordan Gallucci, Kyle Hartigan, Sam Gibson, Wayne Milera, Emg: Lachlan Murphy , Reilly O'Brien, Andy Otten, Myles Poholke In: Luke Brown, Matt Crouch, W ayne Milera Out: Lachlan Murphy, Andy Otten, Myles Poholke The moment has finally arrived for Melbourne to assert itself, not as simply one of a pack of finals contenders, not just as a flat track bully that monsters the lowly and the weak and not as a pretender but as the real deal. The Demons have been bathing in glory over the past month but they have been doing so by mauling teams that occupy places among the competition's bottom six. They have won 14 quarters in a row in their past four games, during which time they scored 78.51 to 37.44 at a percentage of close to 200. They have thrown off the bogey of inaccuracy that marred their earlier games, have become the masters of the all-important third quarter (the famous premiership quarter) and have been getting better every week. On Sunday they come up against different opposition. Adelaide was for the better part of the 2017 season, the benchmark of the competition. The Crows were the premiership favourite right up until late in the second quarter of last year's grand final when the Tigers got hold of them and took a vice-like grip on the most important game of the season. And to add to the humiliation of their defeat, they were angered by the fact that one of their star young defenders was snatched away from them by those upstart Demons. How dare they? That was all a bit rich from a club that was in the process of luring Bryce Gibbs home from Carlton but skipper "Tex" Walker did nothing to hide the anger and angst of this young upstart walking out on them. It's a pity that Tex will be sitting in the stands when his teammates run onto the turf TIO Traeger Park where they have never played before, in a game that kicks off the celebrations for Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round in the following week. Despite the missing Adelaide stars, we shouldn't get carried away by the fact that an opponent has been hard hit by injury - we've been there before and had our noses severely bloodied. The Crows are not in the top four without reason and, despite their injury woes, they have won four of their past five games and were in front with less than a minute to go in the only defeat in that stretch of matches which included a win over the Swans at the SCG. This suggests that there's a big "beware Melbourne" written all over this game. And given its location and importance, there is one contest that stands out - the match up between Eddie Betts and Neville Jetta. You can forget the Crows' vendetta against Jake Lever or the doubt about whether Tom McDonald will play, this is the battle that will shape the contest. Eddie Betts has been back in town these past few weeks after a slow start to the season and likewise, Neville is also returning to his best form. This clash could well decide which team wins the battle for the heart of the nation. Call me biased if you wish, tell me I'm in the dreamtime, but I'm in the Jetta camp and I therefore tip Melbourne to make it five in a row for the first time in almost living memory. Melbourne by 28 points.

I don't think that's something that you can learn or be taught. You've either got it or you don't. Clarry has it in spades.

HEART OF THE NATION by Whispering Jack It feels as if I’m some form of rarefied atmosphere when previewing the AFL Match of the Round between third-placed Melbourne and fourth-placed Adelaide because it’s been a long time since the Demons have been involved in a game involving two teams in the top four this deep into a season. And ever since Adelaide skipper Taylor “Tex” Walker busted a gasket over Jake Lever’s decision to leave town and go back home to family, friends and the Melbourne Football Club, this game in the heart of the nation has been one of the made in heaven match ups of the season. It’s a pity that Tex won’t be taking the field at TIO Traeger Park but, as they say in the classics, the ground and the town like Alice isn’t big enough for both of them. Adelaide has a sizable injury list which includes a number of pesky characters who have caused Melbourne some grief in the past - Rory Sloane, Mitch McGovern, Brad Crouch and Brad Smith head the list - but our club’s history is studded with stories of opposition teams rising to the occasion and unearthing new stars in circumstances like this. In any event, the long injury list did not deter the Crows from demolishing the Bullies and keeping them down to just two goals last Friday night and they have the advantage over the Demons of an extra two days to recover from the tough rain-soaked match up. So when the Demons face off against the Crows it will be a huge clash for both sides but for Melbourne, it will be the time for it to claim a big scalp after winning four games in a row against some of the competition’s lesser lights. A victory over one of last year's Grand Finalists would give added credibility to the Demons as the mid point of the season approaches. THE GAME Melbourne v Adelaide at TIO Treager Park, Alice Springs Sunday 27 May, 2018 at 3.20 pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall - Melbourne 13 wins Adelaide 24 wins At TIO Treager Park - Melbourne 0 wins Adelaide 0 wins Past five meetings - Melbourne 2 wins Adelaide 3 wins The Coaches - Simon Goodwin 1 win Don Pyke 1 win MEDIA TV - Channel 7, Fox Sports 3, Live at 3.00pm RADIO - TBA THE LAST TIME THEY MET Adelaide 17.14.116 defeated Melbourne 10.10.70 Round 17, 2017 at TIO Stadium, Darwin The Demons fielded a depleted side and were never really in the hunt although they did mount a couple of spirited attempts to come back on either side of the three quarter time siren, a highlight of which was Jayden Hunt’s superb 65 metre torpedo that split the middle. Adelaide however, was too strong on the night and cruised away to a significant 46-point victory which was significant in harming Melbourne’s finals aspirations. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE B: Michael Hibberd, Oscar McDonald, Neville Jetta HB: Bernie Vince, Jake Lever, Jordan Lewis ? Nathan Jones, Jack Viney, Angus Brayshaw HF: Alex Neal-Bullen, Jesse Hogan, Jake Melksham F: Tom McDonald, Tim Smith, Christian Petracca Foll: Max Gawn, Christian Salem, Clayton Oliver I/C: James Harmes, Charlie Spargo, Mitch Hannan, Bayley Fritsch Emg: Dom Tyson, Cameron Pedersen, Jayden Hunt, Jeff Garlett No change ADELAIDE B: Jake Kelly , Daniel Talia, Luke Brown HB: Rory Laird, Tom Doedee, Paul Seedsman ? Rory Atkins, Hugh Greenwood, David Mackay HF: Richard Douglas, Tom Lynch, Cameron Ellis-Yolmen F: Darcy Fogarty, Josh Jenkins, Eddie Betts Foll: Sam Jacobs, Bryce Gibbs, Matt Crouch I/C: Jordan Gallucci, Kyle Hartigan, Sam Gibson, Wayne Milera, Emg: Lachlan Murphy , Reilly O'Brien, Andy Otten, Myles Poholke In: Luke Brown, Matt Crouch, W ayne Milera Out: Lachlan Murphy, Andy Otten, Myles Poholke The moment has finally arrived for Melbourne to assert itself, not as simply one of a pack of finals contenders, not just as a flat track bully that monsters the lowly and the weak and not as a pretender but as the real deal. The Demons have been bathing in glory over the past month but they have been doing so by mauling teams that occupy places among the competition's bottom six. They have won 14 quarters in a row in their past four games, during which time they scored 78.51 to 37.44 at a percentage of close to 200. They have thrown off the bogey of inaccuracy that marred their earlier games, have become the masters of the all-important third quarter (the famous premiership quarter) and have been getting better every week. On Sunday they come up against different opposition. Adelaide was for the better part of the 2017 season, the benchmark of the competition. The Crows were the premiership favourite right up until late in the second quarter of last year's grand final when the Tigers got hold of them and took a vice-like grip on the most important game of the season. And to add to the humiliation of their defeat, they were angered by the fact that one of their star young defenders was snatched away from them by those upstart Demons. How dare they? That was all a bit rich from a club that was in the process of luring Bryce Gibbs home from Carlton but skipper "Tex" Walker did nothing to hide the anger and angst of this young upstart walking out on them. It's a pity that Tex will be sitting in the stands when his teammates run onto the turf TIO Traeger Park where they have never played before, in a game that kicks off the celebrations for Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round in the following week. Despite the missing Adelaide stars, we shouldn't get carried away by the fact that an opponent has been hard hit by injury - we've been there before and had our noses severely bloodied. The Crows are not in the top four without reason and, despite their injury woes, they have won four of their past five games and were in front with less than a minute to go in the only defeat in that stretch of matches which included a win over the Swans at the SCG. This suggests that there's a big "beware Melbourne" written all over this game. And given its location and importance, there is one contest that stands out - the match up between Eddie Betts and Neville Jetta. You can forget the Crows' vendetta against Jake Lever or the doubt about whether Tom McDonald will play, this is the battle that will shape the contest. Eddie Betts has been back in town these past few weeks after a slow start to the season and likewise, Neville is also returning to his best form. This clash could well decide which team wins the battle for the heart of the nation. Call me biased if you wish, tell me I'm in the dreamtime, but I'm in the Jetta camp and I therefore tip Melbourne to make it five in a row for the first time in almost living memory. Melbourne by 28 points.

Nice!!!

Misson’s injury assessments Dean Kent (hamstring) – 3 weeks “Kenty’s going really well. He’s doing some good solid running work and is starting to do some skills. He’ll play in and around the bye week.” Mitch King (elbow) – available “Mitch has had an elbow [injury] and has been going very well. He’s been doing a lot of contact in rehab, and he joined the group today for training. He’ll be available this week.” Corey Maynard (hip) – indefinite “Corey is progressing with that hip. He’s starting to run fast and is doing a bit more work in rehab. We’re not putting a timeframe on him.” Pat McKenna (hamstring) – indefinite “Patty is starting to run at 90 per cent and we’re starting to increase his agility and one-on-one skills, but we’re not putting a definitive timeframe on him.” Aaron vandenBerg (ankle) – 4-6 weeks “Vanders is going really well. We’re seeing the type of athlete that we’ve come to know and love Aaron to be – he’s powerful, explosive, but he also has a good tank. He’s really showing that in rehab, so we’re looking forward to seeing him just after the bye.” Sam Weideman (calf) – 1 week “Weids unfortunately just had a minor calf strain at training last Thursday. He actually did the whole session, but we felt it was too risky to put him in for the game. We’re going to look after him by not pushing him to play this week on a short turnaround. We think he’ll definitely be available this week.”

Trengove or Trengrove?

I think it would be healthy for some including myself. There is no offseason at Demonland.

All 120 minutes including the presentation will be running on a loop at my house if that were to come to fruition.

Also @Drunkn167 if you are available we'd love to hear your thoughts later in the show re: the Dees listed players at Casey.

We can schedule more mandatory downtime if people feel they need to have a social life?

If we lose on Sunday then Adelaide may still be on 2.

If you have any questions for the boys then let me know and I'll ask them tonight.

??

You can waste the whole work week by watching it about 282 times.

I'm taking it a quarter at a time.

Agreed. I'm under no illusions that we've had a relatively easy month but you can only play who you play and we've done well and improved each week. This week (and the 2 after) is a big test for sure. The back half of the year will prove whether we are contenders or pretenders. We have the cattle do we have the mettle?

Shaun Smith is the guest on Open Mike. Tune in to watch the full episode on Fox Footy at 8.30pm on Tuesday night (22/5). EDIT: Clashes with the Demonland Podcast so tape Open Mike and watch it later.

I don't think this was a tactic or a set play per se. I think it was just football smarts all round by some classy players. Sure the witches hat opposition probably assisted but I bet we'll see more of this stuff in years to come.

See OP. The whole play was magnificent. From the Trac smother to the Nibbler pickup and handball to Spargo's dance and kick to space to Tracs run down the field to get in space and have the vision and presence of mind to tap it to Melk to Melk's snap and goal. Anyone who thinks that's ho hum and run of the mill obviously hasn't seen the last decade that I've seen.

Censorship? Posts that say another poster is full of shit are usually deleted by mods if we see them. I happened to see this one and it was deleted. Usually it would be accompanied by a warning. I didn't in this instance.

Tell me about it. You'd think they were bored Hawks fans in the last quarter of the 2015 Grand Final.

Exactly. I won't be worried unless I hear that contracts negotiations have been put on hold until the end of the year.