Demonland

Will anyone catch Clarrie? Progressive 130. Clayton Oliver 97. Michael Hibberd 92. Nathan Jones 67. Jack Viney 65. Jack Watts 64. Tom McDonald 54. Christian Petracca 53. Jayden Hunt 47. Neville Jetta 45. Jeff Garlett 44. Jordan Lewis 27. Sam Frost 26. Cam Pedersen Christian Salem 25. Oscar McDonald 23. Dom Tyson 19. Max Gawn 18. Mitch Hannan Bernie Vince 15. Jake Melksham 12. Alex Neal-Bullen 6. Jesse Hogan Billy Stretch 5. Dean Kent 4. Jay Kennedy Harris Josh Wagner 3. James Harmes

Cast those votes please - 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 ...

Let's reprise trade radio when the appropriate time comes in October, shall we?

You can download and subscribe to the Demonland Podcast on iTunes here: https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/demonland-podcast/id1220844996?mt=2 You can search Demonland Podcast on any other Podcast catching apps on iOs or Android devices.

We still recorded the podcast, albeit a short one, and wouldn't you know it, as soon as we finished I checked the stream and it was working. Damn you Fiji. No waves can be heard in this podcast. Next week I will have a recording of them to play in the background. The podcast will be available shortly. I apologise in advance for my lack of following anything footy/demons related during the past 10 days.

Looks like we'll have to cancel the LIVE show tonight. The Fijian internet just does not want to co-operate. I'll check with GV as to whether we record the podcast and post it later. I was really looking forward to our first international broadcast.

There's a possibility that the podcast may be cancelled tonight. It seems the Fijian internet does not want to connect to our podcast stream. We tested it yesterday and it worked fine. I'll keep you posted but it's not looking good at the moment. I guess Grapeviney and I can still record the podcast but it might not be LIVE.

I like the fact that Melbourne is still standing four months into a season that has been so badly interrupted by injuries, illness, suspensions and some of the disappointing early losses that occurred at least partly as a result of the disruption that these things brought with them. The Demons are still standing particularly because in recent weeks they have found ways to win close games that tested their nerve and their depth which is one of the ingredients needed for them to become a great side. I'm not suggesting the club is anywhere near such lofty heights right now but if it wants to aspire to the level of greatness in this sport at any time soon then what happens over the next four weeks will be a guide as to how far this team can possibly go. This Saturday night the Demons face the Crows in Darwin, then it's Port Adelaide at the MCG, North Melbourne at Blundstone Arena, Hobart and the GWS Giants in the national capital. Three road trips is an enormous task in light of the fact that the co-captains Nathan Jones and Jack Viney might miss all of those games and other key midfielders like Christian Salem, Angus Brayshaw and possibly even Dom Tyson are likely to miss some, if not all of them. And that's not to mention Jack Watts whose lingering hamstring strain continues to place a question mark on the timing of his return. But let's go back and do what all good football people do and that is take things one game at a time, starting with the last one - that very lucky victory over Carlton. A narrow win over a 16th placed side, albeit by an undermanned team, is not particularly inspiring even allowing for the Blues' wins this year against the two Sydney teams and their recent close encounter with the Crows. Surprisingly, the Blues had the edge in both age and experience (games played +259) and with three of last year's top four best and fairest winners out (and the other underdone after coming back from a long injury break), the Demons belied their favoritism going into the game. Most good sides would have beaten Melbourne last Sunday. This week's opponent Adelaide is a very, very good one and a hard one to beat when you're without most of your best midfielders. Jones, Viney and Salem all starred when the Dees beat the Crows in Adelaide two months ago so it's going to be a tough ask expecting them to repeat the dose with another six day break and a trip to the hellishly hot and humid Top End. The forecast for Saturday is a maximum of 33 degrees. By nightfall, it will only be a few degrees cooler. The circumstances of the game will no doubt weigh heavily on the minds of the selectors who know that the team will also need to be refreshed for the week following when they take on Port Adelaide in another vital match up. But now I'm getting ahead of myself and ignoring my message about taking things a week at a time. On that score, the club has to take great credit for quickly defusing the matter between Clayton Oliver and that goading Blues fan by getting the Demon youngster to apologise for his behaviour. I like to call it the "Clayton's Apology". Oliver has been in great form despite the ribbing he and others have been getting from the media and opposition supporters which demonstrates that the club has finally shaken off the "loser" tag. I will be back after team selection to look at whether the Demons can take it one step further to upset the ladder leaders on the road in Darwin. THE GAME Melbourne v Adelaide at TIO Stadium, Darwin Saturday 15 July, 2017 at 7.40 pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall - Melbourne 13 wins Adelaide 23 wins At TIO Stadium - Melbourne 0 wins Adelaide 0 wins Past five meetings - Melbourne 2 wins Adelaide 3 wins The Coaches - Simon Goodwin 1 win Don Pyke 0 wins MEDIA TV - Channel 7, Fox Sports 3 Live at 7.30pm RADIO - SEN THE BETTING Melbourne to win - $3.00, Adelaide to win - $1.39 THE LAST TIME THEY MET Melbourne 17.5.107 defeated Adelaide 9.12.66 Round 15, 2017 at the Adelaide Oval The Demons stunned the Crows and the football world when they turned a 28 point deficit at the 18 minute mark of the second term into a 41 point victory. The turnaround came about thanks to the dominance of midfielders and co-captains Nathan Jones (25 disposals) and Jack Viney (30 touches) and emerging star Christian Salem (31 disposals), none of who will be out on the field on Saturday night. Michael Hibberd (34 possessions) was superb in defence while Bernie Vince, playing against his old club, celebrated his 200th AFL game by closing down the dangerous Rory Sloane. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE B: Michael Hibberd, Oscar McDonald, Neville Jetta HB: Josh Wagner, Sam Frost, Bernie Vince C: Alex Neal-Bullen, Jordan Lewis, Mitch Hannan HF: Christian Petracca, Tom McDonald, Jayden Hunt F: Jeff Garlett, Jesse Hogan, Cameron Pedersen FOLL: Max Gawn, Jake Melksham, Clayton Oliver I/C: James Harmes, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Dean Kent, Joel Smith EMG: Billy Stretch, Jack Trengove, Sam Weideman IN: Jay Kennedy-Harris OUT: Billy Stretch (omitted) ADELAIDE CROWS B: Rory Laird, Jake Lever, Andy Otten HB: Luke Brown, Daniel Talia, Jake Kelly C: Rory Sloane, Richard Douglas, Brodie Smith HF: Riley Knight, Taylor Walker, Charlie Cameron F: Eddie Betts, Josh Jenkins, Mitch McGovern FOLL: Sam Jacobs, Matt Crouch, Brad Crouch I/C: Rory Atkins, Hugh Greenwood, Tom Lynch, David Mackay EMG: Jonathon Beech, Jordan Gallucci, Paul Seedsman IN: Hugh Greenwood, Tom Lynch OUT: Wayne Milera (calf), Scott Thompson (omitted) Once it was clear that they were not ready and that Dom Tyson and Jack Watts were therefore not going to make the trip to Darwin, the team selection for the Adelaide Crows game was fairly predictable. Jay Kennedy-Harris received another chance to revive his career at the expense of Billy Stretch who has been disappointing of late. Kennedy-Harris' form at VFL level has been outstanding since he was dropped earlier in the season and he might well have been welcomed back a fortnight ago but for that well-documented drinking incident with a few of the boys after a recent Casey victory. His selection makes sense for a game in muggy heat and under lights that calls for smaller players with pace rather than the bigger types. However, the story is not all about the diminutive Demon youngster who showed promise in his debut season but has been severely curtailed by injuries ever since. The selectors would have dearly loved the option of bringing in more fit players for the team's fourth six-day break (and second interstate) game in five weeks but the cupboard was decidedly bare as a result of having those midfielders in the infirmary recovering from the ailments of recent rounds. Compounding matters is the fact that the Casey Demons had only three players in their last game who have played at AFL level this year and none of them fits the requirements in terms of their size. Simon Goodwin is however, extremely confident that the next tier of mids can step up to the plate: "We train all our players up to play a certain way, so it really isn't personnel based. Clearly we've got some really good midfielders out of the team. "But that's provided a great opportunity for guys like (Christian) Petracca, Mitch Hannan and James Harmes to come into the midfield and … last week (they) were very good in that area." Much the same could be said of the team when they met the Crows at Adelaide Oval in round eight and recorded their best win of the season. They did so without Max Gawn and Jesse Hogan but others stood up in their absence. This is exactly what Goodwin is asking for on Saturday night. The two teams are first and second for contested possessions so that battle will be crucial. If the Demons can contain the likes of dangerous forwards, Eddie Betts, Josh Jenkins and Tex Walker who are the Crows' heaviest goalkickers, then half the job will be done. I can't be entirely convinced that this will happen and that Melbourne will kick enough goals on the night so I'm going to sit on the fence and tip a draw.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN by Whispering Jack I like the fact that Melbourne is still standing four months into a season that has been so badly interrupted by injuries, illness, suspensions and some of the disappointing early losses that occurred at least partly as a result of the disruption that these things brought with them. The Demons are still standing particularly because in recent weeks they have found ways to win close games that tested their nerve and their depth which is one of the ingredients needed for them to become a great side. I'm not suggesting the club is anywhere near such lofty heights right now but if it wants to aspire to the level of greatness in this sport at any time soon then what happens over the next four weeks will be a guide as to how far this team can possibly go. This Saturday night the Demons face the Crows in Darwin, then it's Port Adelaide at the MCG, North Melbourne at Blundstone Arena, Hobart and the GWS Giants in the national capital. Three road trips is an enormous task in light of the fact that the co-captains Nathan Jones and Jack Viney might miss all of those games and other key midfielders like Christian Salem, Angus Brayshaw and possibly even Dom Tyson are likely to miss some, if not all of them. And that's not to mention Jack Watts whose lingering hamstring strain continues to place a question mark on the timing of his return. But let's go back and do what all good football people do and that is take things one game at a time, starting with the last one - that very lucky victory over Carlton. A narrow win over a 16th placed side, albeit by an undermanned team, is not particularly inspiring even allowing for the Blues' wins this year against the two Sydney teams and their recent close encounter with the Crows. Surprisingly, the Blues had the edge in both age and experience (games played +259) and with three of last year's top four best and fairest winners out (and the other underdone after coming back from a long injury break), the Demons belied their favoritism going into the game. Most good sides would have beaten Melbourne last Sunday. This week's opponent Adelaide is a very, very good one and a hard one to beat when you're without most of your best midfielders. Jones, Viney and Salem all starred when the Dees beat the Crows in Adelaide two months ago so it's going to be a tough ask expecting them to repeat the dose with another six day break and a trip to the hellishly hot and humid Top End. The forecast for Saturday is a maximum of 33 degrees. By nightfall, it will only be a few degrees cooler. The circumstances of the game will no doubt weigh heavily on the minds of the selectors who know that the team will also need to be refreshed for the week following when they take on Port Adelaide in another vital match up. But now I'm getting ahead of myself and ignoring my message about taking things a week at a time. On that score, the club has to take great credit for quickly defusing the matter between Clayton Oliver and that goading Blues fan by getting the Demon youngster to apologise for his behaviour. I like to call it the "Clayton's Apology". Oliver has been in great form despite the ribbing he and others have been getting from the media and opposition supporters which demonstrates that the club has finally shaken off the "loser" tag. I will be back after team selection to look at whether the Demons can take it one step further to upset the ladder leaders on the road in Darwin. THE GAME Melbourne v Adelaide at TIO Stadium, Darwin Saturday 15 July, 2017 at 7.40 pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall - Melbourne 13 wins Adelaide 23 wins At TIO Stadium - Melbourne 0 wins Adelaide 0 wins Past five meetings - Melbourne 2 wins Adelaide 3 wins The Coaches - Simon Goodwin 1 win Don Pyke 0 wins MEDIA TV - Channel 7, Fox Sports 3 Live at 7.30pm RADIO - SEN THE BETTING Melbourne to win - $3.00, Adelaide to win - $1.39 THE LAST TIME THEY MET Melbourne 17.5.107 defeated Adelaide 9.12.66 Round 15, 2017 at the Adelaide Oval The Demons stunned the Crows and the football world when they turned a 28 point deficit at the 18 minute mark of the second term into a 41 point victory. The turnaround came about thanks to the dominance of midfielders and co-captains Nathan Jones (25 disposals) and Jack Viney (30 touches) and emerging star Christian Salem (31 disposals), none of who will be out on the field on Saturday night. Michael Hibberd (34 possessions) was superb in defence while Bernie Vince, playing against his old club, celebrated his 200th AFL game by closing down the dangerous Rory Sloane. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE B: Michael Hibberd, Oscar McDonald, Neville Jetta HB: Josh Wagner, Sam Frost, Bernie Vince C: Alex Neal-Bullen, Jordan Lewis, Mitch Hannan HF: Christian Petracca, Tom McDonald, Jayden Hunt F: Jeff Garlett, Jesse Hogan, Cameron Pedersen FOLL: Max Gawn, Jake Melksham, Clayton Oliver I/C: James Harmes, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Dean Kent, Joel Smith EMG: Billy Stretch, Jack Trengove, Sam Weideman IN: Jay Kennedy-Harris OUT: Billy Stretch (omitted) ADELAIDE CROWS B: Rory Laird, Jake Lever, Andy Otten HB: Luke Brown, Daniel Talia, Jake Kelly C: Rory Sloane, Richard Douglas, Brodie Smith HF: Riley Knight, Taylor Walker, Charlie Cameron F: Eddie Betts, Josh Jenkins, Mitch McGovern FOLL: Sam Jacobs, Matt Crouch, Brad Crouch I/C: Rory Atkins, Hugh Greenwood, Tom Lynch, David Mackay EMG: Jonathon Beech, Jordan Gallucci, Paul Seedsman IN: Hugh Greenwood, Tom Lynch OUT: Wayne Milera (calf), Scott Thompson (omitted) Once it was clear that they were not ready and that Dom Tyson and Jack Watts were therefore not going to make the trip to Darwin, the team selection for the Adelaide Crows game was fairly predictable. Jay Kennedy-Harris received another chance to revive his career at the expense of Billy Stretch who has been disappointing of late. Kennedy-Harris' form at VFL level has been outstanding since he was dropped earlier in the season and he might well have been welcomed back a fortnight ago but for that well-documented drinking incident with a few of the boys after a recent Casey victory. His selection makes sense for a game in muggy heat and under lights that calls for smaller players with pace rather than the bigger types. However, the story is not all about the diminutive Demon youngster who showed promise in his debut season but has been severely curtailed by injuries ever since. The selectors would have dearly loved the option of bringing in more fit players for the team's fourth six-day break (and second interstate) game in five weeks but the cupboard was decidedly bare as a result of having those midfielders in the infirmary recovering from the ailments of recent rounds. Compounding matters is the fact that the Casey Demons had only three players in their last game who have played at AFL level this year and none of them fits the requirements in terms of their size. Simon Goodwin is however, extremely confident that the next tier of mids can step up to the plate: "We train all our players up to play a certain way, so it really isn't personnel based. Clearly we've got some really good midfielders out of the team. "But that's provided a great opportunity for guys like (Christian) Petracca, Mitch Hannan and James Harmes to come into the midfield and … last week (they) were very good in that area." Much the same could be said of the team when they met the Crows at Adelaide Oval in round eight and recorded their best win of the season. They did so without Max Gawn and Jesse Hogan but others stood up in their absence. This is exactly what Goodwin is asking for on Saturday night. The two teams are first and second for contested possessions so that battle will be crucial. If the Demons can contain the likes of dangerous forwards, Eddie Betts, Josh Jenkins and Tex Walker who are the Crows' heaviest goalkickers, then half the job will be done. I can't be entirely convinced that this will happen and that Melbourne will kick enough goals on the night so I'm going to sit on the fence and tip a draw.

The Demonland Podcast returns tonight LIVE from Fiji at 8:30pm. http://demonland.com/Podcast

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Club Life Members and current staff members Russell Robertson and Jackie Emmerton, along with Liz Coningsby (Melbourne Coterie Committee member) are participating in the 2017 Daniher’s Drive – as team “Demons & Angels”. Their aim is to raise awareness and much-needed funds for MND research, as part of MFC’s great friend, Neale Daniher’s Fight MND campaign. The drive will be held from 12 – 15 October and go to the “Heart of Victoria – the Goulburn River Valley region” and include overnight stays in Wagga, Echuca and Ballarat. They will participate in fundraising events and activities along the way, with over 200 other drive participants.To kick-start their fundraising efforts they are holding an event on the afternoon of the Sunday 6 August (2.30pm-6pm) at The Sporting Globe Richmond. Lauren Phillips will be the MC and Russell “Robbo” Robertson and friends will be playing some live music for guests to enjoy. There will also be some great raffle and door prizes up for grabs. Tickets are $15 if purchased pre-event or $20 at the door. If you would like to join them click on this link to purchase tickets https://fightmnd.sproutix.com.au/event/If you are unable to make it on the day and would like to support the cause, you can click on this link to make a donation - any amount is appreciated https://danihersdrive2017.everydayhero.com/au/demons-and-angels

The thing about the selection at the time is that Melbourne traded picks because they had certain players in mind for this draft. As a consequence, they traded for picks 3 and 9 which enabled them to get Clayton Oliver (so far a big tick) and the player who in their view was the next best key position forward after Josh Schache who Brisbane took at pick 2. The Blues went for a kpp as well with the pick after Weideman and ended up with Harry McKay who has yet to play a game so you can make the comparison with him as well if you like. Everyone seems to be salivating about pick 19 in that draft who was Ryan Burton. Fact is that Melbourne went for a kpp knowing that they take 3 or 4 years and are rarely overnight successes. They did get one of those with Clarrie.

2018 banner will see some new recruits.

Also sorry for being slack with replies and updates to ladder and player of the week in homepage. I'm currently away and the beach is calling.

Clayton Oliver almost has the field to himself with only Michael Hibbert challenging given that 3rd to 5th are all out injured. 125. Clayton Oliver 93. Michael Hibberd 92. Nathan Jones 67. Jack Viney 65. Jack Watts 64. Tom McDonald 52. Christian Petracca 47. Neville Jetta 45. Jeff Garlett 37. Jayden Hunt 29. Jordan Lewis 27. Sam Frost 26. Cam Pedersen Christian Salem 25. Oscar McDonald 23. Dom Tyson 19. Max Gawn 18. Mitch Hannan 13. Bernie Vince 11. Alex Neal-Bullen 7. Jake Melksham 6. Jesse Hogan Billy Stretch 5. Dean Kent 3. James Harmes 1. Josh Wagner

When you consider that Brent Maloney got weeks for an incident involving Jimmy Bartel when he didn't even hit him, it beggars belief that Walker would get off lightly here. If the AFL/MRP want to avoid sickening injuries from players hitting goal posts and/or fences, Walker requires some sort of sanction.

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Off to TIO Stadium, Darwin to play Adelaide. Does anyone know if we've played them there before for premiership points? The last time these teams met was a mere two months ago just after Jesse Hogan's illness was diagnosed but not yet divulged publicly. We were also without any tall ruckman but we beat them anyway by dominating the midfield. This time around, it's the opposite - our entire centre line who were so instrumental in the win will be missing. ADELAIDE B: Jake Kelly, Daniel Talia, Luke Brown HB: Rory Laird, Kyle Hartigan, David Mackay C: Rory Sloane, Richard Douglas, Brodie Smith HF: Tom Lynch, Josh Jenkins, Wayne Milera F: Andy Otten, Taylor Walker, Eddie Betts FOLL: Sam Jacobs, Rory Atkins, Matt Crouch I/C: Charlie Cameron, Brad Crouch, Curtly Hampton, Troy Menzel EMG: Jordan Gallucci, Hugh Greenwood, Reilly O'Brien IN: Wayne Milera Troy Menzel OUT: Riley Knight (corked gluts) Jake Lever (hamstring), MELBOURNE B: Michael Hibberd, Tom McDonald, Neville Jetta HB: Jayden Hunt, Sam Frost, Bernie Vince C: Nathan Jones, Jack Viney, Christian Salem HF: Christian Petracca, Jack Watts, Clayton Oliver F: Jeff Garlett, Sam Weideman, Mitch Hannan FOLL: Cameron Pedersen, Jordan Lewis, Dom Tyson I/C: Tomas Bugg, Dean Kent, Oscar McDonald, Josh Wagner EMG: Alex Neal-Bullen, Billy Stretch, Sam Weideman IN: Dean Kent Sam Weideman OUT: Jesse Hogan (ill) Jay Kennedy-Harris (omitted)

The Demons rightly got out of jail today against the Blues at the MCG in a game in which many supporters of the Red and Blue were at one stage thinking they were in for a repeat of Round 22 of last year when Carlton put paid to Melbourne’s slim finals hopes for 2016. The Demons were in the top eight and playing against the team sitting 16th. Other games prior to the 3.20pm start on the weekend had already determined that Melbourne could slip outside the top eight should it lose, and then have to face up to three of the top four sides in the coming month. Things weren't looking so good, especially with co-captains Nathan Jones and Jack Viney along with Dom Tyson, Jack Watts, Christian Salem and Tomas Bugg all among those missing through injury or suspension. And just coming back from the rehab were Jeff Garlett, Jesse Hogan, Joel Smith and not so long ago Max Gawn - hardly a situation to feel confident about especially since Carlton had already defeated Sydney and GWS Giants this season and took ladder leaders Adelaide to within two goals. With a midfield that wouldn’t set the world alight and a lot of underdone players, the Demons were ripe for the pickings once again! And so it was almost to be as Carlton jumped Melbourne in the first quarter to lead by three goals at the first change. The Blues play the old “rope-a-dope” style of game and if you give them freedom they will just chip the ball around and then surge forward. A stern word from the coach and a change in game style saw the end to that and by half time the Demons had pulled back the deficit to be within one point thanks to Tom McDonald's goal after the half time siren. Injuries to Cripps and White placed Carlton in jeopardy of running out of legs, and it certainly looked to be the case as Melbourne hit the front early in the third term through Tom McDonald's third and by ¾ time it had extended its lead to nine points. By that time, the elder McDonald had kicked his fourth; for the second time in three matches his goal kicking exploits made a world of difference in keeping his team out of jail. A series of stupid and costly mistakes by a few Melbourne players handed the momentum back to Carlton and by 10 minutes into the final quarter they led by nine points. The game then became an arm wrestle and the Demons willed and dragged themselves to a two point lead with only minutes remaining. The wrestle continued and in the telling stages of the match, Neville Jetta took the critical mark in the Carlton backline that denied them an opportunity to take back the lead. The ball moved to the other end and Alex Neal-Bullen marked with a minute left in the match and using up his full 30 seconds, he passed to Jordan Lewis rather than shooting for goal. Another 30 seconds was used up and Lewis converted after the siren for the Demons to run out winners by eight points. Melbourne did get out of jail in the end but it did so through hard work and effort which is now their modus operandi in almost every game it plays. The question now is whether it can carry the team through the next month? We can only wait and see ... Melbourne 1.2.8 7.4.46 11.5.71 14.6.90 Carlton 4.3.27 7.5.47 9.8.62 12.10.82 Goals Melbourne T McDonald 4 Garlett 3 Neal-Bullen Wagner 2 Hogan Lewis Melksham Carlton Silvagni 3 Curnow Murphy Wright 2 Casboult Kreuzer Petrevski-Seton Best Melbourne T McDonald Oliver Lewis Petracca Neal-Bullen Frost Carlton Kreuzer Gibbs Murphy Curnow Docherty Casboult Changes Melbourne Nil Carlton Nil Injuries Melbourne Nil Carlton Cripps (left leg) White (left knee) Reports Melbourne Nil Carlton Nil Umpires Deboy, Williamson, Ryan Official crowd 47,266 at the MCG

ESCAPE FROM JAIL by George on the Outer The Demons rightly got out of jail today against the Blues at the MCG in a game in which many supporters of the Red and Blue were at one stage thinking they were in for a repeat of Round 22 of last year when Carlton put paid to Melbourne’s slim finals hopes for 2016. The Demons were in the top eight and playing against the team sitting 16th. Other games prior to the 3.20pm start on the weekend had already determined that Melbourne could slip outside the top eight should it lose, and then have to face up to three of the top four sides in the coming month. Things weren't looking so good, especially with co-captains Nathan Jones and Jack Viney along with Dom Tyson, Jack Watts, Christian Salem and Tomas Bugg all among those missing through injury or suspension. And just coming back from the rehab were Jeff Garlett, Jesse Hogan, Joel Smith and not so long ago Max Gawn - hardly a situation to feel confident about especially since Carlton had already defeated Sydney and GWS Giants this season and took ladder leaders Adelaide to within two goals. With a midfield that wouldn’t set the world alight and a lot of underdone players, the Demons were ripe for the pickings once again! And so it was almost to be as Carlton jumped Melbourne in the first quarter to lead by three goals at the first change. The Blues play the old “rope-a-dope” style of game and if you give them freedom they will just chip the ball around and then surge forward. A stern word from the coach and a change in game style saw the end to that and by half time the Demons had pulled back the deficit to be within one point thanks to Tom McDonald's goal after the half time siren. Injuries to Cripps and White placed Carlton in jeopardy of running out of legs, and it certainly looked to be the case as Melbourne hit the front early in the third term through Tom McDonald's third and by ¾ time it had extended its lead to nine points. By that time, the elder McDonald had kicked his fourth; for the second time in three matches his goal kicking exploits made a world of difference in keeping his team out of jail. A series of stupid and costly mistakes by a few Melbourne players handed the momentum back to Carlton and by 10 minutes into the final quarter they led by nine points. The game then became an arm wrestle and the Demons willed and dragged themselves to a two point lead with only minutes remaining. The wrestle continued and in the telling stages of the match, Neville Jetta took the critical mark in the Carlton backline that denied them an opportunity to take back the lead. The ball moved to the other end and Alex Neal-Bullen marked with a minute left in the match and using up his full 30 seconds, he passed to Jordan Lewis rather than shooting for goal. Another 30 seconds was used up and Lewis converted after the siren for the Demons to run out winners by eight points. Melbourne did get out of jail in the end but it did so through hard work and effort which is now their modus operandi in almost every game it plays. The question now is whether it can carry the team through the next month? We can only wait and see ... Melbourne 1.2.8 7.4.46 11.5.71 14.6.90 Carlton 4.3.27 7.5.47 9.8.62 12.10.82 Goals Melbourne T McDonald 4 Garlett 3 Neal-Bullen Wagner 2 Hogan Lewis Melksham Carlton Silvagni 3 Curnow Murphy Wright 2 Casboult Kreuzer Petrevski-Seton Best Melbourne T McDonald Oliver Lewis Petracca Neal-Bullen Frost Carlton Kreuzer Gibbs Murphy Curnow Docherty Casboult Changes Melbourne Nil Carlton Nil Injuries Melbourne Nil Carlton Cripps (left leg) White (left knee) Reports Melbourne Nil Carlton Nil Umpires Deboy, Williamson, Ryan Official crowd 47,266 at the MCG

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Was that season defining enough for us?

Please cast those votes people 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 ...

A big season defining quarter coming up!