Demonland

ESSENDON B: [1] Andrew McGrath, [32] Ben McKay, [21] Dyson Heppell HB: [27] Mason Redman, [31] Zach Reid, [29] Jake Kelly C: [5] Elijah Tsatas, [6] Jye Caldwell, [37] Nic Martin HF: [22] Sam Durham, [4] Kyle Langford, [16] Archie Perkins F: [25] Jake Stringer, [20] Peter Wright, [11] Jade Gresham FOL: [17] Todd Goldstein, [12] Will Setterfield, [7] Zach Merrett I/C: [13] Nik Cox, [23] Harrison Jones, [28] Xavier Duursma, [35] Matt Guelfi, [47] Jye Menzie EMG: [2] Sam Draper, [15] Jayden Laverde, [19] Nick Hind HAWTHORN B: [4] Jarman Impey, [8] Sam Frost, [14] Jack Scrimshaw HB: [16] Massimo D’Ambrosio, [6] James Sicily, [28] Cam Mackenzie C: [31] Connor Macdonald, [3] Jai Newcombe, [23] Josh Weddle HF: [18] Mabior Chol, [13] Dylan Moore, [34] Nick Watson F: [15] Blake Hardwick, [2] Mitch Lewis, [33] Jack Ginnivan FOL: [7] Ned Reeves, [25] Josh Ward, [11] Conor Nash I/C: [32] Finn Maginness, [5] James Worpel, [19] Jack Gunston, [22] Luke Breust, [10] Karl Amon EMG: [38] Max Ramsden, [37] Ethan Phillips, [44] Henry Hustwaite GWS GIANTS B: [27] Harry Himmelberg, [15] Sam Taylor, [39] Connor Idun HB: [6] Lachie Whitfield, [44] Jack Buckley, [7] Lachie Ash C: [33] Xavier O’Halloran, [22] Josh Kelly, [17] Finn Callaghan HF: [16] Brent Daniels, [26] Jake Riccardi, [14] Toby Bedford F: [4] Toby Greene, [23] Jesse Hogan, [46] Callum M. Brown FOL: [32] Kieren Briggs, [3] Stephen Coniglio, [12] Tom Green I/C: [10] Jacob Wehr, [28] Harvey Thomas, [19] Nick Haynes, [5] Aaron Cadman, [36] Harry Perryman EMG: [20] James Peatling, [31] Toby McMullin, [25] Lachlan Keeffe NORTH MELBOURNE B: [31] Josh Goater, [4] Aidan Corr, [42] Kallan Dawson HB: [16] Zac Fisher, [32] Toby Pink, [13] Darcy Tucker C: [15] Dylan Stephens, [9] Luke Davies-Uniacke, [8] Bailey Scott HF: [44] Cameron Zurhaar, [21] Callum Coleman-Jones, [10] Colby McKercher F: [25] Paul Curtis, [20] Nick Larkey, [7] Zane Duursma FOL: [38] Tristan Xerri, [6] George Wardlaw, [3] Harry Sheezel IC: [35] Charlie Lazzaro, [24] Tom Powell, [2] Jaidyn Stephenson, [14] Liam Shiels, [40] Eddie Ford EMG: [28] Bigoa Nyuon, [46] Robert Hansen Jr, [27] Miller Bergman GEELONG B: [44] Tom Stewart, [16] Sam De Koning, [39] Zach Guthrie HB: [42] Mark O’Connor, [38] Jack Henry, [22] Mitch Duncan C: [46] Mark Blicavs, [35] Patrick Dangerfield, [9] Max Holmes HF: [45] Brad Close, [18] Tyson Stengle, [26] Tom Hawkins F: [5] Jeremy Cameron, [28] Oliver Dempsey, [36] Oliver Henry FOL: [1] Rhys Stanley, [4] Tanner Bruhn, [13] Jhye Clark I/C: [8] Jake Kolodjashnij, [30] Tom Atkins, [2] Zach Tuohy, [32] Gryan Miers, [7] Shaun Mannagh EMG: [34] Oisin Mullin, [33] Shannon Neale, [3] Brandan Parfitt ST KILDA B: [14] Liam Stocker, [21] Zaine Cordy, [44] Callum Wilkie HB: [26] Josh Battle, [36] Riley Bonner, [7] Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera C: [32] Mason Wood, [6] Sebastian Ross, [8] Bradley Hill HF: [22] Darcy Wilson, [23] Liam Henry, [10] Mitch Owens F: [1] Jack Higgins, [12] Max King, [28] Tim Membrey FOL: [19] Rowan Marshall, [9] Jack Steele, [5] Brad Crouch I/C: [2] Marcus Windhager, [4] Lance Collard, [13] Ryan Byrnes, [25] Mattaes Phillipou, [43] Cooper Sharman EMG: [27] Arie Schoenmaker, [34] Hugo Garcia, [47] Anthony Caminiti GOLD COAST B: [32] Bodhi Uwland, [10] Charlie Ballard, [25] Sam Collins HB: [35] Connor Budarick, [27] Wil Powell, [6] Alex Sexton C: [8] Brayden Fiorini, [11] Touk Miller, [4] Brandon Ellis HF: [9] Ben Ainsworth, [19] Bailey Humphrey, [16] Thomas Berry F: [34] Ben King, [13] Jack Lukosius, [41] Malcolm Rosas FOL: [28] Jarrod Witts, [15] Noah Anderson, [18] Matt Rowell I/C: [3] Sam Flanders, [7] Nick Holman, [24] David Swallow, [30] Levi Casboult, [44] Darcy Macpherson EMG: [2] Rory Atkins, [26] Will Graham, [49] Ned Moyle ADELAIDE B: [24] Josh Worrell, [41] Jordan Butts, [33] Brodie Smith HB: [30] Wayne Milera, [35] James Borlase, [16] Max Michalanney C: [38] Lachlan Sholl, [12] Jordan Dawson, [1] Chayce Jones HF: [2] Ben Keays, [23] Izak Rankine, [8] Josh Rachele F: [21] Chris Burgess, [32] Darcy Fogarty, [44] Lachlan Gollant FOL: [43] Reilly O’Brien, [29] Rory Laird, [3] Sam Berry IC: [10] Luke Pedlar, [5] Matt Crouch, [4] Lachlan Murphy, [14] Jake Soligo, [20] Mitchell Hinge EMG: [34] Elliott Himmelberg, [25] Edward McHenry, [48] Mark Keane MELBOURNE B: [24] Trent Rivers, [1] Steven May, [8] Jake Lever HB: [4] Judd McVee, [22] Blake Howes, [27] Marty Hore C: [15] Ed Langdon, [5] Christian Petracca, [6] Caleb Windsor HF: [32] Tom Sparrow, [2] Jacob van Rooyen, [36] Kysaiah Pickett F: [30] Alex Neal-Bullen, [31] Bayley Fritsch, [37] Kade Chandler FOL: [11] Max Gawn, [7] Jack Viney, [13] Clayton Oliver I/C: [3] Christian Salem, [14] Jack Billings, [25] Tom McDonald, [40] Taj Woewodin, [50] Ben Brown EMG: [16] Bailey Laurie, [33] Tom Fullarton, [39] Koltyn Tholstrup, WESTERN BULLDOGS B: [29] Lachlan Bramble, [19] Liam Jones, [17] Nick Coffield HB: [20] Ed Richards, [24] Buku Khamis, [31] Bailey Dale C: [22] James Harmes, [1] Adam Treloar, [12] Harvey Gallagher HF: [9] Ryley Sanders, [7] Rory Lobb, [3] Cody Weightman F: [14] Rhylee West, [33] Aaron Naughton, [2] Jamarra Ugle-Hagan FOL: [44] Tim English, [4] Marcus Bontempelli, [21] Tom Liberatore IC: [35] Caleb Daniel, [39] Jason Johannisen, [30] Lachlan McNeil, [23] Laitham Vandermeer, [34] Bailey Williams EMG: [18] James O’Donnell, [13] Oskar Baker, [10] Sam Darcy PORT ADELAIDE B: [3] Ryan Burton, [27] Esava Ratugolea, [25] Brandon Zerk-Thatcher HB: [34] Lachie Jones, [21] Aliir Aliir, [5] Dan Houston C: [14] Miles Bergman, [1] Connor Rozee, [10] Travis Boak HF: [33] Darcy Byrne-Jones, [4] Todd Marshall, [18] Jason Horne-Francis F: [41] Jed McEntee, [22] Charlie Dixon, [15] Willie Rioli FOL: [13] Ivan Soldo, [16] Ollie Wines, [9] Zak Butters I/C: [6] Kane Farrell, [44] Jackson Mead, [31] Francis Evans, [28] Willem Drew, [11] Jeremy Finlayson, EMG: [7] Jase Burgoyne, [23] Dylan Williams, [24] Jordon Sweet WEST COAST B: [23] Alex Witherden, [37] Tom Barrass, [19] Brady Hough HB: [14] Liam Duggan, [20] Jeremy McGovern, [28] Tom Cole C: [5] Jayden Hunt, [6] Elliot Yeo, [3] Andrew Gaff HF: [13] Noah Long, [27] Jack Darling, [21] Jack Petruccelle F: [2] Jake Waterman, [12] Oscar Allen, [15] Jamie Cripps FOL: [32] Bailey J. Williams, [11] Tim Kelly, [9] Harley Reid I/C: [7] Reuben Ginbey, [10] Tyler Brockman, [16] Luke Edwards, [18] Campbell Chesser, [40] Callum Jamieson EMG: [31] Jamaine Jones, [41] Ryan Maric, [43] Tyrell Dewar FREMANTLE B: [11] James Aish, [25] Alex Pearce, [6] Jordan Clark HB: [13] Luke Ryan, [15] Ethan Hughes, [21] Oscar McDonald C: [44] Matthew Johnson, [7] Nat Fyfe, [14] Jeremy Sharp HF: [18] Tom Emmett, [35] Josh Treacy, [32] Michael Frederick F: [39] Sam Switkowski, [24] Jye Amiss, [10] Michael Walters FOL: [9] Luke Jackson, [3] Caleb Serong, [8] Andrew Brayshaw I/C: [36] Brennan Cox, [41] Bailey Banfield, [23] Karl Worner, [26] Hayden Young, [28] Neil Erasmus EMG: [29] Cooper Simpson, [17] Will Brodie, [42] Liam Reidy BRISBANE LIONS B: [37] Brandon Starcevich, [27] Darcy Gardiner, [35] Ryan Lester HB: [26] Conor McKenna, [31] Harris Andrews, [44] Darcy Wilmot C: [28] Jaspa Fletcher, [16] Cam Rayner, [7] Jarrod Berry HF: [23] Charlie Cameron, [30] Eric Hipwood, [6] Hugh McCluggage F: [11] Lincoln McCarthy, [3] Joe Daniher, [15] Dayne Zorko FOL: [46] Oscar McInerney, [5] Josh Dunkley, [17] Jarryd Lyons I/C: [1] Kai Lohmann, [2] Deven Robertson, [4] Callum Ah Chee, [33] Zac Bailey, [43] Noah Answerth EMG: [29] James Tunstill, [32] Darcy Fort, [40] Jack Payne

I can't attend tomorrow's session but if anyone does attend please start a new thread with those observations tomorrow.

Since it's not the preseason anymore I thought I would start a general thread for Training Times and other training information. If you do attend a training session please start a new thread for those observations. Here are the times for the next few week. https://www.melbournefc.com.au/teams/training-times Gosch's Paddock Saturday 16 March 9:45am-10:30am approx Tuesday 19 March 11:45am onwards Friday 22 March 9:45am onwards Monday 25 March 11:45am onwards

I feel sorry for the umpires in the Grand Final. They won't know who to award free kicks to. Carlton or Collingwood.

Match of the Round according to SEN. https://x.com/1116sen/status/1768437768924057698?s=20

Tigers look toothless

Blues blessed by the umps again.

Melbourne’s performance in losing its Round Zero contest in Sydney has certainly caused the club, the coach and the players to come firmly under the watchful eye of the football world and exposed all of its aspects to a microscopic lens. Much of the commentary surrounding them has been less than complimentary and, while some might argue that this is unfair after only one round, leaving aside some of the scuttlebutt that surrounds a lot of the discussion around the game, a fair amount of the criticism has been deserved. That is the nature of the game. The Demons went into the match in Sydney without any apparent understanding of the conditions in which it was to be played. The ground and the ball turned out to be so slippery that, at times, the players appeared to be playing with bars of soap. The overuse of handball and poor skills compounded the lack of momentum and forward movement. Turnovers were costly and connection into an already crowded forward line was almost non-existent. Ed Langdon’s goal after the half time siren, barely made the scoreline of one major from 29 forward 50 entries up until then look any better. Even though the Swans managed only a single scoring shot in the second quarter, they were in front at half time, a factor that proved conclusive by the end. As a few of the other teams discovered in playing games at a relatively early stage in their preparation for the season ahead, the Demons ran themselves too hard early for the lack of reward and were found wanting in the final quarter - something we have not been used to from Melbourne teams in recent seasons. So, the Melbourne selectors go into the game this week with the mission of turning their game around and in doing so, they need to address every area of the ground. The defence is the only area that needs only a minor rejig in the absence of the injured Jake Bowey. The forward line will gain an instant boost with Kozzie Pickett’s return - he will not only make the attack more dangerous but as he showed in the practice matches, he can also go into the middle and cause some havoc. We know that as much as Max Gawn is a superhuman ruckman, he can’t do it all on his own and therefore needs more support in the ruck and from the teammates surrounding him. This is especially so against a talented ruck foe like Tim English who will have plenty of support from the Bulldog talls. Melbourne’s other main task is to subdue the influence of Marcus Bontempelli who many judges claim to be the best in the business. I was thinking of calling this a line ball game but if my theory about teams not being well enough prepared for a season from the get-go is correct, then the Dogs might struggle against a team that has played a hard game of football followed by a full week and more to reflect on getting better. I think it will be close, but the Demons will end up with the cigar and win by four points. THE GAME Melbourne v Western Bulldogs at The MCG Sunday 17 March 2024 at 1.00 pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 91 wins Western Bulldogs 79 wins 1 draw At The MCG Melbourne 48 wins Western Bulldogs 29 wins Last Five Meetings Melbourne 3 wins Western Bulldogs 2 wins The Coaches Goodwin 7 wins Beveridge 4 wins THE LAST TIME THEY MET Melbourne 17.13.115 defeated Western Bulldogs 9.11.65 at The MCG in Round 1, 2023 Melbourne was primed to overcome the disappointment of the previous season’s straight sets finals demise and it did so emphatically with total control of the game. Ben Brown and Pickett booted four goals apiece and, but for Kozzie’s over exuberant hit on Bailey Smith, it might have been the perfect start to a season. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE B T. Rivers, S. May, J. Lever HB J. McVee, B. Howes, M. Hore C E. Langdon, C. Petracca, C. Windsor HF T. Sparrow, J. Van Rooyen, K. Pickett F A. Neal-Bullen, B. Fritsch, K. Chandler FOLL M. Gawn, J. Viney, C. Oliver I/C J. Billings. B. Brown, T. McDonald, C. Salem, T. Woewodin EMG T. Fullarton, B. Laurie, K. Tholstrup IN B. Brown, M. Hore, T. McDonald, K. Pickett SUB T. Woewodin 
OUT J. Bowey (collarbone), J. Schache (omitted), B. Laurie (omitted), C. Spargo (Achilles), A. Tomlinson (omitted) WESTERN BULLDOGS B L. Bramble, L. Jones, N. Coffield HB E. Richards, B. Khamis, B. Dale C J. Harmes, A. Treloar, H. Gallagher HF R. Sanders, R. Lobb, C. Weightman F R. West, A. Naughton, J. Ugle-Hagan FOLL T. English, M. Bontempelli, T. Liberatore 
I/C J. Johannisen, L. McNeil, L. Vandermeer, B. Williams SUB C. Daniel EMG O. Baker, S. Darcy, J. O'Donnell NEW Ryley Sanders (Sandringham Dragons), Lachlan Bramble (Hawthorn), Nick Coffield (St Kilda), Harvey Gallagher (Bendigo Pioneers), James Harmes (Melbourne) Injury and Suspension List: Round 1 Harrison Petty — toe/ test Lachie Hunter — calf/ 2 - 3 weeks Daniel Turner — hip/ 6 - 7 weeks Jake Bowey — shoulder/ 8 weeks Shane McAdam — hamstring/ TBC Jake Melksham — knee/ TBC Joel Smith — suspended/ TBC

THURSDAY, MARCH 14 Carlton v Richmond at the MCG, 7.30pm AEDT CARLTON IN: C.Durdin OUT: S.Docherty (knee) Last week's sub: Jack Carroll RICHMOND IN: D.Martin, T.Lynch, T.Nankervis, R.Mansell OUT: S.Banks (omitted), J.Koschitzke (omitted), S.Naismith (omitted), S.Ryan (omitted) Last week's sub: Jack Ross