Demonland

CONCUSSION MAN Angus Brayshaw's season was derailed by continuing issues with concussion to the point where there was no option but to take a long break from the game. He returned to play for Casey and then starred in his first game back for the club, even surviving a head clash in the early stages of that match. He played well enough in the last two games but it was clear that the loss of conditioning in games held him back somewhat. He sustained a neck injury in Casey's final game. All at the club are expecting big things from Brayshaw when he comes back with a full pre season unhindered by any injury woes. Date of Birth: 9 January, 1996 Height: 187cm Weight: 90kg Games MFC 2017: 5 Career Total: 36 Goals MFC 2017: 2 Career Total: 14 Games 2017 CDFC: 9 Goals 2017 CDFC: 1 Season 2017 AFL Statistics Kicks: 53 Handballs: 42 Disposals: 95 Marks: 28 Scores: 2 goals 1 behinds Goal Assists: 2 Tackles: 12 Hitouts: 0 Clearances: 7 Clangers: 10 Inside 50s: 8 Rebound 50s: 5 Frees For: 1 Frees Against: 1

Only 3000 Giants fans have bought tickets for the Prelim.

To be clear I did say very serviceable.

I forgot that Newport went to the Saints too. He has the ball when the siren goes.

You didn't mind an old person helping you out with a rookie tech mistake last week. Just saying. #hastag

THE FORGOTTEN MAN Jack Trengove has been a wonderful servant of the Melbourne Football Club. He was thrust into the co-captaincy at a young age in a team that was beset by problems at a time when serious foot injuries prevented him from playing at all for two seasons and ultimately stifled his ability to return to the form of the prodigious young talent who was once a #2 draft pick. Our forgotten man fought his way back into the AFL side for short stints on two occasions in the past two years but he wasn’t able to sustain his place and was better suited to the pace of the VFL. Sadly, even fairy tales don't come true and he might was delisted last week but it would be a good touch to keep him around the club helping out the younger players at Casey as a mature age rookie and then, who knows what might happen then? Date of Birth: 2 September, 1991 Height: 185cm Weight: 88kg Games MFC 2017: 2 Career Total: 86 Goals MFC 2017: 0 Career Total: 39 Games 2017 CDFC: 19 Goals 2017 CDFC: 2 Season 2017 AFL Statistics Kicks: 17 Handballs: 12 Disposals: 29 Marks: 4 Scores: 0 goals 0 behinds Goal Assists: 0 Tackles: 4 Hitouts: 0 Clearances: 1 Clangers: 4 Inside 50s: 5 Rebound 50s: 2 Frees For: 0 Frees Against: 2

I hope we don't play them in an away final at Ethihad at 4:40pm on a Sunday.

After failing to impress in nine games over two seasons at Footscray Brian Wilson crossed to North Melbourne in 1980 and suddenly hit his straps. He played 39 games in two years with the 'Roos, but then was surprisingly offloaded to Melbourne, where, playing in the centre, he promptly produced the best football of his career to win the Brownlow Medal. Thereafter, Wilson never quite managed to recapture the same level of performance on a consistent basis, but he remained a very serviceable footballer for the Demons in 154 VFL games over nine seasons. Later in his career he played a good deal of football as a specialist forward pocket, and his tally of 208 goals affords evidence that he was a success in the role. Wilson's last port of call was St Kilda where he played seven games and kicked 16 goals in 1991. Club League Career span Games Goals Avg Win % AKI AHB AMK BV Footscray V/AFL 1978-1979 9 5 0.56 22% 6.11 3.78 1.78 0 North Melbourne V/AFL 1980-1981 39 17 0.44 54% 12.77 7.62 3.13 4 Melbourne V/AFL 1982-1990 154 208 1.35 48% 12.04 8.57 4.86 52 St. Kilda AFL 1991 7 16 2.29 29% 6.57 4.00 3.29 0 V/AFL 1978-1991 209 246 1.18 47% 11.74 8.03 4.35 56 Total 1978-1991 209 246 1.18 47% 11.74 8.03 4.35 56

HERITIER WHO? After he was restricted to five games in 2016 due to suffering from concussion, Lumumba did not return to pre-season training in November after being cleared to play by the club doctors, citing lingering concussion symptoms, The stand off persisted until he retired in December after settling his contract with the Demons. Unfortunately, this did not leave any room under AFL rules for the club to find a replacement for him on the team's playing lists. [no picture submitted] Date of Birth: 15 November, 1986 Height: 188cm Weight: 88kg Games MFC 2017: 0 Career Total: 223 Goals MFC 2017: 0 Career Total: 30

CAPTAINS TWO Last year's Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Memorial Trophy winner was named co-captain with Nathan Jones at the start of the season. The move worked and both skippers provided strong leadership as the team rose up the ladder to become a genuine top four challenger by Round 15. However, by that time, Jones was already injured and, to compound matters, Viney failed to return to the field after half-time in the team's 35-point loss to Sydney and subsequent scans showed he required surgery to release his plantar fascia. He recovered sooner than expected and was sensational on his return but further foot issues derailed his end to the season and he is not expected back on the track until the new year. Date of Birth: 13 April, 1994 Height: 178cm Weight: 86kg Games MFC 2017: 18 Career Total: 88 Goals MFC 2017: 6 Career Total: 25 Season 2017 AFL Statistics Kicks: 151 Handballs: 264 Disposals: 415 Marks: 44 Scores: 6 goals 5 behinds Goal Assists: 2 Tackles: 126 Hitouts: 0 Clearances: 98 Clangers: 47 Inside 50s: 49 Rebound 50s: 19 Frees For: 28 Frees Against: 18

I just spoke with the club and these are the facts. “Russell Robertson will continue in his role as the face of the Melbourne Football Club. He will continue to be our match-day host and the host of other supporter functions and events. His role has simply transitioned from a full-time position to a contractor. This change was made some weeks ago and is no way connected to today’s announcement.”

Is this true? I might be biased but Russell brings a lot more energy to our home matches than some of the vanilla match day hosts of other clubs.

THE EXPERIENCED HEAD Jordan Lewis brought with him a vast treasure of football brains, leadership and experience at a successful club that proved invaluable for a young rising team. That said and because that team relied so much on its older heads, his indiscretion in the round two game against Carlton that led to a three week suspension, let the team down badly and in retrospect, played its part in the team's ultimate downfall. Let's hope he can repeat the good elements of his contribution to the club in 2018 and leave the other stuff behind him. Date of Birth: 24 April, 1986 Height: 186cm Weight: 87kg Games MFC 2017: 19 Career Total: 283 Goals MFC 2017: 5 Career Total: 150 Season 2017 AFL Statistics Kicks: 216 Handballs: 284 Disposals: 500 Marks: 93 Scores: 5 goals 3 behinds Goal Assists: 11 Tackles: 47 Hitouts: 0 Clearances: 68 Clangers: 68 Inside 50s: 57 Rebound 50s: 30 Frees For: 23 Frees Against: 17

Meters Gained Stats: https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/ft_player_rankings?year=2017&rt=LT&st=MG 14. Hibberd - 10,017 20. Hunt - 9,591 70. Saad - 6,986 84. Jones - 6,794 89. Tyson - 6,653

Next headline: North Melbourne the front runner for *INSERT PLAYERS NAME HERE*

STAR ON THE RISE Christian Petracca didn't quite reach the required standard for what's usually described as a "breakout season" but he’s getting close. He played in all 22 games and there were times when the powerfully built youngster really impacted games like a veteran with his strength, clean football and dangerous disposal. Petracca's star continues to rise and he will only get bet better. Stay tuned. Date of Birth: 4 January, 1996 Height: 186cm Weight: 94kg Games MFC 2017: 22 Career Total: 39 Goals MFC 2017: 26 Career Total: 38 Season 2017 AFL Statistics Kicks: 181 Handballs: 233 Disposals: 414 Marks: 72 Scores: 26 goals 6 behinds Goal Assists: 19 Tackles: 54 Hitouts: 0 Clearances: 58 Clangers: 64 Inside 50s: 71 Rebound 50s: 11 Frees For: 11 Frees Against: 17

We kick off the Blast from the Past series with South Australian midfielder/wing Andrew Obst. Debuting in 1990, Andrew played 149 games for the Dees finishing 3rd in the 1996 Best and Fairest before retiring at the end of 1997. http://demonwiki.org/Andrew+Obst

WATTS UP? One of the big questions at the club is whether Jack Watts has lost faith with coach Simon Goodwin. The former #1 draft pick weathered the pre season storm concerning perceived attitude issues and was playing some good football both as a forward and as a secondary ruck option in the absence of Max Gawn before tearing his own hamstring against the Western Bulldogs in Round 13. His form on return after missing four weeks was poor, leading to his demotion to Casey. He played in the last game against Collingwood and managed only one goal. With the Goodwin style based on contested ball and a gritty attitude, there are some who question whether Watts' style and approach to the game really complies with the demands of his coach. Time will tell. Date of Birth: 26 March, 1991 Height: 196cm Weight: 93kg Games MFC 2017: 16 Career Total: 153 Goals MFC 2017: 22 Career Total: 143 Games 2017 CDFC: 2 Goals 2017 CDFC: 2 Season 2017 AFL Statistics Kicks: 129 Handballs: 122 Disposals: 251 Marks: 77 Scores: 12 goals 9 behinds Goal Assists: 9 Tackles: 42 Hitouts: 53 Clearances: 11 Clangers: 25 Inside 50s: 35 Rebound 50s: 6 Frees For: 10 Frees Against: 9

Congratulations to Jayden Hunt and Clayton Oliver for being named in the 22 Under 22 team. * Jake Lever was also named.