Demonland

They should use our Daisy exclusively for Demons games just to make the replays of our games more bearable.?

As darkness fell over East Cranbourne early on Saturday evening, an already freezing day turned into a night of hell under lights for fourth placed Essendon at Casey Fields. The conditions at the ground were not helped by the wind chill factor from the strong gusts of cold air blowing in from Antarctic regions that tested players and spectators alike. In the end, they suited the home team which was on a mission after sitting out a week for the bye that followed two poor games on end. The Casey Demons were in top-eight survival mode and simply had to win the points on the night to remain in the finals race. The Bombers failed to score a goal against the wind in this game while half of Casey's majors were kicked at the non-scoring end and that was the simple reason why they won by the margin of 15 points. The start as always was going to be crucial especially with the Bombers opening with the aid of the strong breeze. It was wiry forward Bayley Fritsch who plucked a mark to convert for the first goal after a scrambly start five minutes into the game. The home side defended well to keep Essendon out and when they did finally break through, Mitch Gent was responsible for the quick reply so that they held the lead at the halfway mark of the term. Two quick goals from the Bombers gave them the ascendancy but strong defence from the Demons held them out until a late goal saw them 15 points in arrears at the first break. It took a lot of hard work to make up the deficit in the trying conditions and a succession of points flowed from missed opportunities before goals to Angus Scott and Cam Pedersen saw them nudge in front by a point by the time they welcomed the warmth of the sheds at half time. After the break, the Bombers booted an early goal before the inspired Demons unleashed a three goal blitz against the wind that turned the game on its head. Essendon was forced to spend most of the remainder of the term in catch up mode but it did manage to rein in the lead. However, a lead of four points at the last change was not going to be enough for the visitors who looked spent after exhausting much energy and knowing they had to confront a howling gale to win the game. The end came quickly and at the hands of Casey youngsters Bayley Fritsch and Aloysio Ferreira who made powerful statements with goals in the first eight minutes of the final stanza. Fritsch, already a state representative and the leading Casey goal kicker for the season, notched the first two and would no doubt be on the books of every AFL scout. The game then petered out in scrambly conditions but coach Justin Plapp would have been happy with pluck and the spirit of his charges. The team was well led by skipper Jack Hutchins and the experienced Jimmy Munro and the stout defence that kept a strong opponent to just three goals after quarter time. The Demons would be delighted by the return of Angus Brayshaw after a long time out with concerns over concussion injuries and rookie Corey Maynard continues to rack up possessions with his strong play. Ben Kennedy toiled hard and got plenty of the football, Josh Wagner was a consistent performer throughout and Declan Keilty was good, putting in one of his better performances of the season. The Demons are undefeated at home this year and they take on lowly Coburg at Casey Fields next Sunday in a game that looms as a vital one to win in order to retain their top-eight aspirations. Peter Jackson VFL 2017 Casey Demons 2.1.13 4.7.31 7.8.50 10.11.71 Essendon VFL 4.4.28 4.6.30 7.12.54 7.14.56 Goals Casey Demons Fritsch 3 Ferreira Pedersen 2 Gent Scott J Smith Essendon VFL Begley Francis Hind Hocking McKernan Merrett Stanton Best Fritsch Hutchins Maynard Munro Keilty Wagner Essendon VFL Mutch Merrett Howlett Hocking Bird Dea Statistics Angus Brayshaw 1 behind 17 kicks 8 handballs 25 disposals 5 marks 4 tackles 100 dream team points Dion Johnstone 7 kicks 7 handballs 14 disposals 2 marks 5 tackles 55 dream team points Declan Keilty 5 kicks 5 handballs 10 disposals 2 marks 2 tackles 39 dream team points Ben Kennedy 12 kicks 16 handballs 28 disposals 2 tackles 74 dream team points Mitch King 4 kicks 2 handballs 6 disposals 2 marks 8 hit outs 31 dream team points Corey Maynard 1 behind 9 kicks 21 handballs 30 disposals 3 marks 5 tackles 95 dream team points Cam Pedersen 2 goals 8 kicks 5 handballs 13 disposals 5 marks 5 tackles 78 dream team points Joel Smith 1 goal 2 kicks 8 handballs 10 disposals 3 marks 4 tackles 53 dream team points Jake Spencer 1 behind 6 kicks 4 handballs 10 disposals 4 tackles 22 hit outs 63 dream team points Billy Stretch 9 kicks 13 handballs 22 disposals 13 tackles 93 dream team points Josh Wagner 2 behinds 11 kicks 13 handballs 24 disposals 3 marks 9 tackles 106 dream team points Sam Weideman 3 kicks 11 handballs 14 disposals 1 mark 1 tackle 38 dream team points Mitch White 9 kicks 2 handballs 11 disposals 1 mark 3 tackles 43 dream team points The Demons are headed towards the finals in the last year of the Development League after winning by the same 15-point margin against the Northern Blues in the early game. AFL Vic Development League 2017 Casey Demons 3.3.21 3.5.23 6.10.46 7.12.54 Northern Blues 1.1.7 3.4.22 3.4.22 5.9.39 Goals Casey Demons Zijai 2 Briggs Cox Gardiner Hillard Lewis-Smith Northern Blues Jordan 4 Thorpe Best Casey Demons Gordon Lok Hulett Zijai Briggs Dan Johnston Northern Blues Bolger Ballard Jordan Thorpe Lentini Krithararis

THE NIGHT HELL FROZE OVER by Ice Station As darkness fell over East Cranbourne early on Saturday evening, an already freezing day turned into a night of hell under lights for fourth placed Essendon at Casey Fields. The conditions at the ground were not helped by the wind chill factor from the strong gusts of cold air blowing in from Antarctic regions that tested players and spectators alike. In the end, they suited the home team which was on a mission after sitting out a week for the bye that followed two poor games on end. The Casey Demons were in top-eight survival mode and simply had to win the points on the night to remain in the finals race. The Bombers failed to score a goal against the wind in this game while half of Casey's majors were kicked at the non-scoring end and that was the simple reason why they won by the margin of 15 points. The start as always was going to be crucial especially with the Bombers opening with the aid of the strong breeze. It was wiry forward Bayley Fritsch who plucked a mark to convert for the first goal after a scrambly start five minutes into the game. The home side defended well to keep Essendon out and when they did finally break through, Mitch Gent was responsible for the quick reply so that they held the lead at the halfway mark of the term. Two quick goals from the Bombers gave them the ascendancy but strong defence from the Demons held them out until a late goal saw them 15 points in arrears at the first break. It took a lot of hard work to make up the deficit in the trying conditions and a succession of points flowed from missed opportunities before goals to Angus Scott and Cam Pedersen saw them nudge in front by a point by the time they welcomed the warmth of the sheds at half time. After the break, the Bombers booted an early goal before the inspired Demons unleashed a three goal blitz against the wind that turned the game on its head. Essendon was forced to spend most of the remainder of the term in catch up mode but it did manage to rein in the lead. However, a lead of four points at the last change was not going to be enough for the visitors who looked spent after exhausting much energy and knowing they had to confront a howling gale to win the game. The end came quickly and at the hands of Casey youngsters Bayley Fritsch and Aloysio Ferreira who made powerful statements with goals in the first eight minutes of the final stanza. Fritsch, already a state representative and the leading Casey goal kicker for the season, notched the first two and would no doubt be on the books of every AFL scout. The game then petered out in scrambly conditions but coach Justin Plapp would have been happy with pluck and the spirit of his charges. The team was well led by skipper Jack Hutchins and the experienced Jimmy Munro and the stout defence that kept a strong opponent to just three goals after quarter time. The Demons would be delighted by the return of Angus Brayshaw after a long time out with concerns over concussion injuries and rookie Corey Maynard continues to rack up possessions with his strong play. Ben Kennedy toiled hard and got plenty of the football, Josh Wagner was a consistent performer throughout and Declan Keilty was good, putting in one of his better performances of the season. The Demons are undefeated at home this year and they take on lowly Coburg at Casey Fields next Sunday in a game that looms as a vital one to win in order to retain their top-eight aspirations. Peter Jackson VFL 2017 Casey Demons 2.1.13 4.7.31 7.8.50 10.11.71 Essendon VFL 4.4.28 4.6.30 7.12.54 7.14.56 Goals Casey Demons Fritsch 3 Ferreira Pedersen 2 Gent Scott J Smith Essendon VFL Begley Francis Hind Hocking McKernan Merrett Stanton Best Fritsch Hutchins Maynard Munro Keilty Wagner Essendon VFL Mutch Merrett Howlett Hocking Bird Dea Statistics Angus Brayshaw 1 behind 17 kicks 8 handballs 25 disposals 5 marks 4 tackles 100 dream team points Dion Johnstone 7 kicks 7 handballs 14 disposals 2 marks 5 tackles 55 dream team points Declan Keilty 5 kicks 5 handballs 10 disposals 2 marks 2 tackles 39 dream team points Ben Kennedy 12 kicks 16 handballs 28 disposals 2 tackles 74 dream team points Mitch King 4 kicks 2 handballs 6 disposals 2 marks 8 hit outs 31 dream team points Corey Maynard 1 behind 9 kicks 21 handballs 30 disposals 3 marks 5 tackles 95 dream team points Cam Pedersen 2 goals 8 kicks 5 handballs 13 disposals 5 marks 5 tackles 78 dream team points Joel Smith 1 goal 2 kicks 8 handballs 10 disposals 3 marks 4 tackles 53 dream team points Jake Spencer 1 behind 6 kicks 4 handballs 10 disposals 4 tackles 22 hit outs 63 dream team points Billy Stretch 9 kicks 13 handballs 22 disposals 13 tackles 93 dream team points Josh Wagner 2 behinds 11 kicks 13 handballs 24 disposals 3 marks 9 tackles 106 dream team points Sam Weideman 3 kicks 11 handballs 14 disposals 1 mark 1 tackle 38 dream team points Mitch White 9 kicks 2 handballs 11 disposals 1 mark 3 tackles 43 dream team points The Demons are headed towards the finals in the last year of the Development League after winning by the same 15-point margin against the Northern Blues in the early game. AFL Vic Development League 2017 Casey Demons 3.3.21 3.5.23 6.10.46 7.12.54 Northern Blues 1.1.7 3.4.22 3.4.22 5.9.39 Goals Casey Demons Zijai 2 Briggs Cox Gardiner Hillard Lewis-Smith Northern Blues Jordan 4 Thorpe Best Casey Demons Gordon Lok Hulett Zijai Briggs Dan Johnston Northern Blues Bolger Ballard Jordan Thorpe Lentini Krithararis

Melbourne (the city) turned on its best winter weather for the match against Port Adelaide but it was the Power who were frozen out of the game by the relentless Demons. Any concern about negatives that might be attributed to teams returning from a hot and steamy Darwin trip were well and truly dispelled with both participants in that match, Adelaide and Melbourne, putting on emphatic performances and wins in the following week. It's now clear that Melbourne's sad history of past losses after these games is simply because as a side the Demons were not up to standard. But not so this time. Playing against a top four side, the Demons came out of the blocks hard to hold a four goal lead at quarter time and they maintained that advantage right until the final siren. They also held Port goalless until well into the second quarter, which was remarkable given Port had a percentage well above 130 - an indication of its high scoring capability. With the return of the mid-fielders in Dom Tyson and Jack Viney, the whole Demon structure became balanced again. Jack Watts up forward and Christian Salem down back further bolstered the strength of the side and while Watts didn’t have any genuine effect on the game and Tyson tired heavily in the second half after 21 touches in the first, they were all better for the run. We can hope for the same as Gawn and Hogan weren’t up to match speed last week, but they were deciding factors in that frantic first quarter and a half. Clarrie finally had some help, and so racked up another 30 touches as his assistants in Christian Petracca, Mitch Hannan and Viney made life for the Power mids very difficult. They simply can’t match up everyone with the talent the Dees now have across the lines, and none more so than down back where Jayden Hunt cut Port to ribbons with his dash and 26 touches while Michael Hibberd got leather poisoning with 36 of his own. How impressive was the backline with Oscar McDonald an absolute rock who rarely makes a mistake these days. Similarly with Sam Frost who displays great dash and with the ever reliable Neville Jetta mopping up anything loose down back. Who would have thought at the start of the season that they could afford not to be playing Tom McDonald in defence? However, with the current crew in defence it is hard to imagine that setup again as we head towards finals. It was good to see the return of Jack Trengove and while he contributed and held his place he still has a way to go. His 16 touches were similar to others in the side who would be competing for those type of spots. With that first game for the season under his belt, he now needs to cement a spot with a step up, as the return of Nathan Jones and perhaps Angus Brayshaw will put pressure on the selectors. The Demons took a nearly five goal lead into the final change, and Port responded with two goals in the first six minutes. In the past this would have seen the flood-gates open as Melbourne had put undue pressure upon itself. But this is a different side that is now developing the maturity to know how to win ugly. They froze the game and for the next ten minutes we saw a rolling maul around the ground with Port unable to get free to continue that scoreboard pressure. Melbourne then grasped the opportunity and Melksham and Petracca took a couple of telling marks and converted to put the game beyond doubt. After the warmth of Darwin, Melbourne now faces further freezing conditions as Hobart and an icy blast coming from Antarctica beckons next week. Then to top it off, we head to Canberra where a lovely minus 7 greeted the day this morning. This is a new and different team of the Demons and until Hell freezes over they will just keep attacking, competing and playing a hot brand of football, no matter what the conditions. Like the Power today, it is the opposition who find themselves out in the cold. Melbourne 4.4.28 8.8.56 11.8.74 13.10.88 Port Adelaide 0.3.3 3.6.24 6.10.46 9.11.65 Goals Melbourne Hogan Melksham 3 Garlett Petracca 2 Hannan Harmes T McDonald Port Adelaide Boak 4 Westhoff 2 Dixon Wingard Trengove Best Melbourne Hibberd Tyson Hogan Hunt Gawn Viney Jetta Port Adelaide R Gray Boak Ebert Powell-Pepper Wines S Gray Changes Melbourne Nil Port Adelaide Nil Injuries Melbourne Gawn (right ankle) Port Adelaide Broadbent (leg) Wingard (left ankle) Reports Melbourne Nil Port Adelaide Nil Umpires Donlon, Nicholls, Meredith Attendance 27,068 at the MCG

POWER FREEZE by George on the Outer Melbourne (the city) turned on its best winter weather for the match against Port Adelaide but it was the Power who were frozen out of the game by the relentless Demons. Any concern about negatives that might be attributed to teams returning from a hot and steamy Darwin trip were well and truly dispelled with both participants in that match, Adelaide and Melbourne, putting on emphatic performances and wins in the following week. It's now clear that Melbourne's sad history of past losses after these games is simply because as a side the Demons were not up to standard. But not so this time. Playing against a top four side, the Demons came out of the blocks hard to hold a four goal lead at quarter time and they maintained that advantage right until the final siren. They also held Port goalless until well into the second quarter, which was remarkable given Port had a percentage well above 130 - an indication of its high scoring capability. With the return of the mid-fielders in Dom Tyson and Jack Viney, the whole Demon structure became balanced again. Jack Watts up forward and Christian Salem down back further bolstered the strength of the side and while Watts didn’t have any genuine effect on the game and Tyson tired heavily in the second half after 21 touches in the first, they were all better for the run. We can hope for the same as Gawn and Hogan weren’t up to match speed last week, but they were deciding factors in that frantic first quarter and a half. Clarrie finally had some help, and so racked up another 30 touches as his assistants in Christian Petracca, Mitch Hannan and Viney made life for the Power mids very difficult. They simply can’t match up everyone with the talent the Dees now have across the lines, and none more so than down back where Jayden Hunt cut Port to ribbons with his dash and 26 touches while Michael Hibberd got leather poisoning with 36 of his own. How impressive was the backline with Oscar McDonald an absolute rock who rarely makes a mistake these days. Similarly with Sam Frost who displays great dash and with the ever reliable Neville Jetta mopping up anything loose down back. Who would have thought at the start of the season that they could afford not to be playing Tom McDonald in defence? However, with the current crew in defence it is hard to imagine that setup again as we head towards finals. It was good to see the return of Jack Trengove and while he contributed and held his place he still has a way to go. His 16 touches were similar to others in the side who would be competing for those type of spots. With that first game for the season under his belt, he now needs to cement a spot with a step up, as the return of Nathan Jones and perhaps Angus Brayshaw will put pressure on the selectors. The Demons took a nearly five goal lead into the final change, and Port responded with two goals in the first six minutes. In the past this would have seen the flood-gates open as Melbourne had put undue pressure upon itself. But this is a different side that is now developing the maturity to know how to win ugly. They froze the game and for the next ten minutes we saw a rolling maul around the ground with Port unable to get free to continue that scoreboard pressure. Melbourne then grasped the opportunity and Melksham and Petracca took a couple of telling marks and converted to put the game beyond doubt. After the warmth of Darwin, Melbourne now faces further freezing conditions as Hobart and an icy blast coming from Antarctica beckons next week. Then to top it off, we head to Canberra where a lovely minus 7 greeted the day this morning. This is a new and different team of the Demons and until Hell freezes over they will just keep attacking, competing and playing a hot brand of football, no matter what the conditions. Like the Power today, it is the opposition who find themselves out in the cold. Melbourne 4.4.28 8.8.56 11.8.74 13.10.88 Port Adelaide 0.3.3 3.6.24 6.10.46 9.11.65 Goals Melbourne Hogan Melksham 3 Garlett Petracca 2 Hannan Harmes T McDonald Port Adelaide Boak 4 Westhoff 2 Dixon Wingard Trengove Best Melbourne Hibberd Tyson Hogan Hunt Gawn Viney Jetta Port Adelaide R Gray Boak Ebert Powell-Pepper Wines S Gray Changes Melbourne Nil Port Adelaide Nil Injuries Melbourne Gawn (right ankle) Port Adelaide Broadbent (leg) Wingard (left ankle) Reports Melbourne Nil Port Adelaide Nil Umpires Donlon, Nicholls, Meredith Attendance 27,068 at the MCG

True to my word. Welcome to our newest Life Member Mogwai. Do not feed him after midnight.

Thank you. Received with Thanks.

Dear me ... Why do they keep doing that to us? From a 44 point lead to almost a heart stopper ...

Your votes please people 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1

Indigenous Mascot named Flash after Aaron Davey.

It will be on the house if we win.

The guys from The Dee Brief were there filming live to Facebook. They said Viney was not training with the main group so unlikely he will play.

Next week we are joined by very special guest Jayden Hunt.

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The Chat Room is now Open. Show starts in 20 mins ... http://demonland.com/Podcast

According to the HUNs Top 10 8 Point Games remaining we have two. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/more-news/we-look-at-the-games-that-will-have-the-biggest-impact-on-the-top-eight-in-the-run-home/news-story/049fed95cb8d23a57701c50e7e44cab9 9. MELBOURNE v PORT ADELAIDE, ROUND 18 The Demons are currently a game back of Port Adelaide and Richmond but a win this weekend would certainly give them hope of a double chance. However, a Power win would all but end the Demons’ top-four hopes and possibly deliver Ken Hinkley’s team a Showdown qualifying final against Adelaide. Top 4 Chances Demons: WIN = 20% LOSS 3% Power: WIN = 83% LOSS 52% 6. MELBOURNE v ST KILDA, ROUND 21 One of those earlier games for the Saints is this, a date with the Demons in Round 21. At the moment both teams are locked on nine wins. Fast forward three weeks and if the Saints can claim a win their finals hopes are better than 50-50 while a loss drops them to just 19 per cent. Melbourne look comfortable in the eight despite sitting only a game ahead of the Bulldogs in 11th and with results factored in, a win sees them become a 86 per cent chance of playing finals. Top 8 Chances Demons: WIN = 86% LOSS 53% Saints: WIN = 52% LOSS 19%

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LONG TIME COMING by The Oracle It's been a long time since Melbourne played a game against Port Adelaide at the MCG but it was one that fans of both teams should remember well. The game was the opening match of 2013 and it was Ken Hinkley's first as coach of a club that had been pushed from pillar to post and had suffered some massive defeats in the previous season. They had recruited well picking up the likes of Angus Monfries from Essendon and a strong youngster in Ollie Wines from the Murray Bushrangers and their team was fit, healthy and ready for the fray. The Demons, not so. They had sent a very inexperienced side to play a near full strength Port in a NAB Cup game in Renmark a month earlier and surprisingly beat them by 2 points but we know full well the folly of relying on the results of these practice matches. Mark Neeld, the coach, was buoyed by the result but it was accepted that it was meaningless as a guide to what might happen during the season. By the time of the opening round, the Demons produced a better line up but there were plenty of cracks in their make up, much of them due to internal issues relating to attitude and division in the ranks concerning their coach who would in any event, fail to last out the season. The result was decisive. Port Adelaide 19.19.133 defeated Melbourne 8.6.54. Hinkley's team did not look back from there. They made the finals and finished a couple of kicks away from playing in a grand final. Neeld's team never recovered and it's been a long hard grind to the present time for the club, first under Paul Roos and now Simon Goodwin, to reach the point where it is today - at the crossroads and needing to beat Port Adelaide in its next game at the MCG to keep its foothold in the race for the top eight. The opposition also needs to win in order to hold its place in the top four, making for an intriguing tussle between two teams with finals aspirations. The make up of the Melbourne side has changed dramatically since the season opener of 2013. Ironically, the only member of that team to represent it last Saturday night in Darwin was Cam Pedersen who had crossed from North Melbourne at the end of the previous season but had a debut to forget with the Demons. Other current day players who played that day - co-captains Nathan Jones and Jack Viney (another debutant in 2013) and Jack Watts and Col Garland are all injured but the first three are chances to return this week. In light of the fact that some key players are slated for a return to the side, I will wait upon team selection before I reach any conclusion as to the result. THE GAME Melbourne v Port Adelaide on Saturday 22 July, 2017 at 2.10pm at the MCG HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 12 wins, Port Adelaide 19 wins At the MCG Melbourne 7 wins, Port Adelaide 2 wins Past five meetings Melbourne 1 win, Port Adelaide 4 wins The Coaches Goodwin 0 wins Hinkley 0 wins MEDIA TV - Fox Sports 3 RADIO - THE BETTING Melbourne to win - $2.25, Port Adelaide to win - $1.65 THE LAST TIME THEY MET Melbourne 13.16.94 defeated Port Adelaide 8.6.54 Round 21, 2016 at Adelaide Oval The Demons were on a high having beaten the Hawks a week earlier and they continued on with another exciting and groundbreaking victory - their first over the Power at Adelaide Oval. Max Gawn dominated the ruck duels and Dom Tyson and Bernie Vince starred. It was to be Melbourne's last win for the season as the young team was fast running out of steam as the season was coming to a close. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE B: Michael Hibberd, Oscar McDonald, Neville Jetta HB: Jordan Lewis, Sam Frost, Jayden Hunt C: Alex Neal-Bullen, Dom Tyson, Clayton Oliver HF: Christian Petracca, Jesse Hogan, James Harmes F: Jeff Garlett, Jack Watts, Tom McDonald FOLL: Max Gawn, Jack Viney, Jake Melksham I/C: Mitch Hannan, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Christian Salem, Jack Trengove EMG: Cameron Pedersen Joel Smith, Billy Stretch IN: Christian Salem, Jack Trengove, Dom Tyson, Jack Viney, Jack Watts OUT: Kent (shoulder), Pedersen (omitted), Joel Smith (omitted), Bernie Vince (suspended), Josh Wagner (omitted) PORT ADELAIDE B: Matthew Broadbent, Tom Clurey, Logan Austin HB: Darcy Byrne-Jones, Tom Jonas, Hamish Hartlett C: Brad Ebert, Ollie Wines, Jared Polec HF: Sam Gray, Jackson Trengove, Sam Powell-Pepper F: Chad Wingard, Charlie Dixon, Justin Westhoff FOLL: Paddy Ryder, Robbie Gray, Travis Boak I/C: Joe Atley, Dan Houston, Jarman Impey, Matthew White EMG: Karl Amon Jasper Pittard, Aaron Young IN: Matthew Broadbent OUT: Jasper Pittard The return of co-skippers Jack Viney and a number of others gives Melbourne an "A team" look after it lost two of the past three matches with a patched up side that was also limited by the fact that it was carrying players like Max Gawn, Jesse Hogan and Joel Smith who had come back to football after extra long stints on the sidelines. Viney's return to lead the Demons less than three weeks after undergoing foot surgery to release his plantar fascia is the stuff of Superman and should be an inspiration to the rest of the team. Viney is of course, the icing on the cake with Christian Salem, Dom Tyson and Jack Watts all coming back as well as Jack Trengove finally getting his reward for so much perseverance in coming back from his horrible foot injury and then having to languish in the VFL for a year. The renewed opportunity for the former skipper, the return of those players to bolster the midfield and Watts to attack convergence with the day on which the club acknowledges the Wurundjeri people and honours their heritage and lands by wearing its Indigenous jumper on the MCG for the first time. They don't really need the extra boost but Neville Jetta, Jeff Garlett and Jay Kennedy-Harris should be inspired. The pressure will also be off young guns Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver with the return of so much midfield class. Port Adelaide are winning games and find themselves in the top four. Last week they beat North Melbourne by 70 points but there's something about them that's not quite right. They can't beat top eight teams so if the Demons want to prove their credentials, this is the time. Melbourne by 37 points.

LONG TIME COMING by The Oracle It's been a long time since Melbourne played a game against Port Adelaide at the MCG but it was one that fans of both teams should remember well. The game was the opening match of 2013 and it was Ken Hinkley's first as coach of a club that had been pushed from pillar to post and had suffered some massive defeats in the previous season. They had recruited well picking up the likes of Angus Monfries from Essendon and a strong youngster in Ollie Wines from the Murray Bushrangers and their team was fit, healthy and ready for the fray. The Demons, not so. They had sent a very inexperienced side to play a near full strength Port in a NAB Cup game in Renmark a month earlier and surprisingly beat them by 2 points but we know full well the folly of relying on the results of these practice matches. Mark Neeld, the coach, was buoyed by the result but it was accepted that it was meaningless as a guide to what might happen during the season. By the time of the opening round, the Demons produced a better line up but there were plenty of cracks in their make up, much of them due to internal issues relating to attitude and division in the ranks concerning their coach who would in any event, fail to last out the season. The result was decisive. Port Adelaide 19.19.133 defeated Melbourne 8.6.54. Hinkley's team did not look back from there. They made the finals and finished a couple of kicks away from playing in a grand final. Neeld's team never recovered and it's been a long hard grind to the present time for the club, first under Paul Roos and now Simon Goodwin, to reach the point where it is today - at the crossroads and needing to beat Port Adelaide in its next game at the MCG to keep its foothold in the race for the top eight. The opposition also needs to win in order to hold its place in the top four, making for an intriguing tussle between two teams with finals aspirations. The make up of the Melbourne side has changed dramatically since the season opener of 2013. Ironically, the only member of that team to represent it last Saturday night in Darwin was Cam Pedersen who had crossed from North Melbourne at the end of the previous season but had a debut to forget with the Demons. Other current day players who played that day - co-captains Nathan Jones and Jack Viney (another debutant in 2013) and Jack Watts and Col Garland are all injured but the first three are chances to return this week. In light of the fact that some key players are slated for a return to the side, I will wait upon team selection before I reach any conclusion as to the result. THE GAME Melbourne v Port Adelaide on Saturday 22 July, 2017 at 2.10pm at the MCG HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 12 wins, Port Adelaide 19 wins At the MCG Melbourne 7 wins, Port Adelaide 2 wins Past five meetings Melbourne 1 win, Port Adelaide 4 wins The Coaches Goodwin 0 wins Hinkley 0 wins MEDIA TV - Fox Sports 3 RADIO - THE BETTING Melbourne to win - $2.25, Port Adelaide to win - $1.65 THE LAST TIME THEY MET Melbourne 13.16.94 defeated Port Adelaide 8.6.54 Round 21, 2016 at Adelaide Oval The Demons were on a high having beaten the Hawks a week earlier and they continued on with another exciting and groundbreaking victory - their first over the Power at Adelaide Oval. Max Gawn dominated the ruck duels and Dom Tyson and Bernie Vince starred. It was to be Melbourne's last win for the season as the young team was fast running out of steam as the season was coming to a close. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE B: Michael Hibberd, Oscar McDonald, Neville Jetta HB: Jordan Lewis, Sam Frost, Jayden Hunt C: Alex Neal-Bullen, Dom Tyson, Clayton Oliver HF: Christian Petracca, Jesse Hogan, James Harmes F: Jeff Garlett, Jack Watts, Tom McDonald FOLL: Max Gawn, Jack Viney, Jake Melksham I/C: Mitch Hannan, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Christian Salem, Jack Trengove EMG: Cameron Pedersen Joel Smith, Billy Stretch IN: Christian Salem, Jack Trengove, Dom Tyson, Jack Viney, Jack Watts OUT: Kent (shoulder), Pedersen (omitted), Joel Smith (omitted), Bernie Vince (suspended), Josh Wagner (omitted) PORT ADELAIDE B: Matthew Broadbent, Tom Clurey, Logan Austin HB: Darcy Byrne-Jones, Tom Jonas, Hamish Hartlett C: Brad Ebert, Ollie Wines, Jared Polec HF: Sam Gray, Jackson Trengove, Sam Powell-Pepper F: Chad Wingard, Charlie Dixon, Justin Westhoff FOLL: Paddy Ryder, Robbie Gray, Travis Boak I/C: Joe Atley, Dan Houston, Jarman Impey, Matthew White EMG: Karl Amon Jasper Pittard, Aaron Young IN: Matthew Broadbent OUT: Jasper Pittard The return of co-skippers Jack Viney and a number of others gives Melbourne an "A team" look after it lost two of the past three matches with a patched up side that was also limited by the fact that it was carrying players like Max Gawn, Jesse Hogan and Joel Smith who had come back to football after extra long stints on the sidelines. Viney's return to lead the Demons less than three weeks after undergoing foot surgery to release his plantar fascia is the stuff of Superman and should be an inspiration to the rest of the team. Viney is of course, the icing on the cake with Christian Salem, Dom Tyson and Jack Watts all coming back as well as Jack Trengove finally getting his reward for so much perseverance in coming back from his horrible foot injury and then having to languish in the VFL for a year. The renewed opportunity for the former skipper, the return of those players to bolster the midfield and Watts to attack convergence with the day on which the club acknowledges the Wurundjeri people and honours their heritage and lands by wearing its Indigenous jumper on the MCG for the first time. They don't really need the extra boost but Neville Jetta, Jeff Garlett and Jay Kennedy-Harris should be inspired. The pressure will also be off young guns Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver with the return of so much midfield class. Port Adelaide are winning games and find themselves in the top four. Last week they beat North Melbourne by 70 points but there's something about them that's not quite right. They can't beat top eight teams so if the Demons want to prove their credentials, this is the time. Melbourne by 37 points.

We beat them on their own dung heap. Time to beat them at our home ground. PORT ADELAIDE B: Darcy Byrne-Jones, Logan Austin, Jasper Pittard HB: Matthew Broadbent, Jackson Trengove, Tom Clurey C: Brad Ebert, Ollie Wines, Jared Polec HF: Jarman Impey, Justin Westhoff, Chad Wingard F: Jesse Palmer, Charlie Dixon, Aaron Young FOLL: Matthew Lobbe, Travis Boak, Robbie Gray I/C: Karl Amon, Sam Gray, Nathan Krakouer EMG: Riley Bonner, Brendon Ah Chee, Jake Neade IN: Matthew Lobbe, Jesse Palmer, Cam O'Shea OUT: John Butcher (omitted), Brendon Ah Chee (Omitted), Paul Stewart (Omitted) NEW: Jesse Palmer MELBOURNE B: Sam Frost, Tom McDonald, Neville Jetta HB: Jayden Hunt, Oscar McDonald, Tomas Bugg C: Christian Petracca, Bernie Vince, Dom Tyson HF: Jeff Garlett, Jack Watts, Aaron vandenBerg F: James Harmes, Jesse Hogan, Dean Kent FOLL: Max Gawn, Nathan Jones, Jack Viney I/C: Angus Brayshaw, Clayton Oliver, Cameron Pedersen, Billy Stretch EMG: Chris Dawes, Colin Garland, Alex Neal-Bullen IN: Jesse Hogan OUT: Sam Weideman (quad)

TIO Stadium in Darwin, the location of Melbourne's match against Adelaide on Saturday, was an absolute picture. With the sun setting over the bay behind the grandstand and the temperature in the low 20’s the conditions were perfect for football. Don’t let anyone perpetuate the myth about humid conditions: they simply weren't there and there will be no effects from this trip. But in the Land of The Dreaming, for the Demons to have any pretensions about beating league leaders Adelaide, it was truly too much of a stretch to expect anything other than the result which eventuated. The Crowd were at full strength, while Melbourne were without arguably six or seven of their top 22 players, and were certainly lacking considerably in the midfield without the likes of Nathan Jones, Jack Viney, Christian Salem. and Dom Tyson. To replace them we had Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver, Alex Neal-Bullen and Jay Kennedy-Harris, all who had barely played a much footballing in that area at the start of 2017. And so it showed with the stronger Adelaide bodies taking control from the first bounce and continuing on to have a six goal lead at quarter time. It was to be a difference that remained to the end. In past years this sort of start would have led to a 100 point blow out but not the current Demons side, however undermanned they have been. Slowly they pegged the lead back over the next two threatening to sneak an unlikely win. But it was all to much and the bigger bodies of the Crows against the tiring bodies of the young Demond side eventually saw them with a 46 point victory as they topped the game off with a couple of junk time goals. It was a strange game to watch live as the crowd have no idea of what is happening on the field, since it is more of a social gathering. Eyes were fixed on the big screen more often than not, and most of the “not” time was on their small screens or taking a trip to the beer stands or just catching up with friends. If you come up next year to watch the football, get yourself a seat, as the locals won’t give you the chance to watch it in peace otherwise. However, the 12,000 socialites who turned up did turn it into a worthwhile event for the MFC as a home game, because this was a sellout match, probably a first for that arena. More were turned away, as they expected to roll up and buy entrance at the gate, and couldn’t do so. On field for the Demons there were also those who didn’t turn up in time. Jesse Hogan was hopelessly outpointed and while returning from difficult times for himself, he is simply not playing good football as a forward. Positioning behind the defenders simply gave them first dibs at the ball as it came forward and Ottens and Lever had a field day. Then combined with shocking kicking and dropped marks, he truly had a night to forget. Max Gawn came up against Sam Jacobs who ran him ragged. It is good to have Max back and he was able to get his hands on the ball plenty of times, but around the ground his fitness was lacking. Without him being able to get to marking contests, we simply are behind when we are looking for that tall target. Then Adelaide have a surfeit of talls in Jacobs, Jenkins, Lynch and Ottens and Lever, so it became even more pronounced. Bernie Vince will be spending time with the MRP again and can look forward to more time away from the game with an almost certain suspension for a hit on Betts. Tom McDonald was almost unsighted this week and likewise Cam Pedersen. With Hogan making up our tall forwards, they simply failed to provide anything of value and a solitary goal between the 3 of them represented their total output. The mids did their best and Jordan Lewis probably played his best game for the Red and Blue with 33 touches, while Oliver and Jay Kennedy-Harris contributed 27 and 28 respectively. They gave the forwards enough chances and even up to ¾ time Melbourne had more inside 50 chances. The backs were magnificent all night. There are no longer questions around Oscar McDonald with 10 1% ers and 3 rebound 50’s, more than double anyone else in the side. Michael Hibberd continued his courageous form with 32 touches and his general toughness in tight situations is telling. Josh Wagner played brilliantly and is complementing the rest of the backline with his dash, while Hunt almost pulled off the play of the day with a 60m kick after the ¾ time siren to bring the Demons back within striking distance. It is a dream to make finals this year and that is still a strong possibility. But to fulfil that dream we need the players to do the job, and it just seems to get harder. Dean Kent popped a shoulder and will not play next week, Bernie will be suspended again and we can only hope for the return of Jack Watts and Dom Tyson. One step forward and yet one back. Can the dream be revitalized? Maybe, and maybe the opponents in the final weeks of the season will give us the necessary wins. But as this game showed, without a respectable midfield the story of the 2016 season may just become the by-line of Darryl Kerrigan in The Castle ... "tell them they are dreamin' …” Melbourne 1.3.9 5.3.33 9.7.61 10.10.70 Adelaide 7.2.44 11.6.72 12.11.83 17.14.116 Goals Melbourne Melksham 3 Gawn Hunt Kent T.McDonald Neal-Bullen Oliver Petracca Adelaide Walker 4 Lynch 3 Betts McGovern Mackay 2 B.Crouch Jacobs Jenkins Knight Best Melbourne Hibberd Vince Lewis Kennedy-Harris Hunt Neal-Bullen Adelaide B.Crouch Walker Lynch Laird M.Crouch Cameron Changes Melbourne Nil Adelaide Nil Injuries Melbourne Dean Kent (left shoulder) Adelaide Rory Sloane (concussion) Jake Lever (hamstring) Reports Melbourne Bernie Vince for rough conduct on Douglas in the second quarter Adelaide Nil Umpires Donlon, Rosebury, Ryan Attendance 12,104 at TIO Stadium

DARWIN DREAMING by George on the Outer TIO Stadium in Darwin, the location of Melbourne's match against Adelaide on Saturday, was an absolute picture. With the sun setting over the bay behind the grandstand and the temperature in the low 20’s the conditions were perfect for football. Don’t let anyone perpetuate the myth about humid conditions: they simply weren't there and there will be no effects from this trip. But in the Land of The Dreaming, for the Demons to have any pretensions about beating league leaders Adelaide, it was truly too much of a stretch to expect anything other than the result which eventuated. The Crowd were at full strength, while Melbourne were without arguably six or seven of their top 22 players, and were certainly lacking considerably in the midfield without the likes of Nathan Jones, Jack Viney, Christian Salem. and Dom Tyson. To replace them we had Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver, Alex Neal-Bullen and Jay Kennedy-Harris, all who had barely played a much footballing in that area at the start of 2017. And so it showed with the stronger Adelaide bodies taking control from the first bounce and continuing on to have a six goal lead at quarter time. It was to be a difference that remained to the end. In past years this sort of start would have led to a 100 point blow out but not the current Demons side, however undermanned they have been. Slowly they pegged the lead back over the next two threatening to sneak an unlikely win. But it was all to much and the bigger bodies of the Crows against the tiring bodies of the young Demond side eventually saw them with a 46 point victory as they topped the game off with a couple of junk time goals. It was a strange game to watch live as the crowd have no idea of what is happening on the field, since it is more of a social gathering. Eyes were fixed on the big screen more often than not, and most of the “not” time was on their small screens or taking a trip to the beer stands or just catching up with friends. If you come up next year to watch the football, get yourself a seat, as the locals won’t give you the chance to watch it in peace otherwise. However, the 12,000 socialites who turned up did turn it into a worthwhile event for the MFC as a home game, because this was a sellout match, probably a first for that arena. More were turned away, as they expected to roll up and buy entrance at the gate, and couldn’t do so. On field for the Demons there were also those who didn’t turn up in time. Jesse Hogan was hopelessly outpointed and while returning from difficult times for himself, he is simply not playing good football as a forward. Positioning behind the defenders simply gave them first dibs at the ball as it came forward and Ottens and Lever had a field day. Then combined with shocking kicking and dropped marks, he truly had a night to forget. Max Gawn came up against Sam Jacobs who ran him ragged. It is good to have Max back and he was able to get his hands on the ball plenty of times, but around the ground his fitness was lacking. Without him being able to get to marking contests, we simply are behind when we are looking for that tall target. Then Adelaide have a surfeit of talls in Jacobs, Jenkins, Lynch and Ottens and Lever, so it became even more pronounced. Bernie Vince will be spending time with the MRP again and can look forward to more time away from the game with an almost certain suspension for a hit on Betts. Tom McDonald was almost unsighted this week and likewise Cam Pedersen. With Hogan making up our tall forwards, they simply failed to provide anything of value and a solitary goal between the 3 of them represented their total output. The mids did their best and Jordan Lewis probably played his best game for the Red and Blue with 33 touches, while Oliver and Jay Kennedy-Harris contributed 27 and 28 respectively. They gave the forwards enough chances and even up to ¾ time Melbourne had more inside 50 chances. The backs were magnificent all night. There are no longer questions around Oscar McDonald with 10 1% ers and 3 rebound 50’s, more than double anyone else in the side. Michael Hibberd continued his courageous form with 32 touches and his general toughness in tight situations is telling. Josh Wagner played brilliantly and is complementing the rest of the backline with his dash, while Hunt almost pulled off the play of the day with a 60m kick after the ¾ time siren to bring the Demons back within striking distance. It is a dream to make finals this year and that is still a strong possibility. But to fulfil that dream we need the players to do the job, and it just seems to get harder. Dean Kent popped a shoulder and will not play next week, Bernie will be suspended again and we can only hope for the return of Jack Watts and Dom Tyson. One step forward and yet one back. Can the dream be revitalized? Maybe, and maybe the opponents in the final weeks of the season will give us the necessary wins. But as this game showed, without a respectable midfield the story of the 2016 season may just become the by-line of Darryl Kerrigan in The Castle ... "tell them they are dreamin' …” Melbourne 1.3.9 5.3.33 9.7.61 10.10.70 Adelaide 7.2.44 11.6.72 12.11.83 17.14.116 Goals Melbourne Melksham 3 Gawn Hunt Kent T.McDonald Neal-Bullen Oliver Petracca Adelaide Walker 4 Lynch 3 Betts McGovern Mackay 2 B.Crouch Jacobs Jenkins Knight Best Melbourne Hibberd Vince Lewis Kennedy-Harris Hunt Neal-Bullen Adelaide B.Crouch Walker Lynch Laird M.Crouch Cameron Changes Melbourne Nil Adelaide Nil Injuries Melbourne Dean Kent (left shoulder) Adelaide Rory Sloane (concussion) Jake Lever (hamstring) Reports Melbourne Bernie Vince for rough conduct on Douglas in the second quarter Adelaide Nil Umpires Donlon, Rosebury, Ryan Attendance 12,104 at TIO Stadium