Demonland

The old Mike Brady song had lyrics which spoke of the finals and the atmosphere in September. Were the Demons playing in September? Well, yes they were, but ... not in finals. Rather, it was some meaningless game at the end of the home and away season in a dump of a place called Etihad Stadium in front of a meagre 8,974 people - in itself setting a new record for lowest crowd attendance at the venue. At least in Melbourne's case, it finally put to bed yet another hoodoo in what has been a lacklustre year. After 22 consecutive losses the Demons finally beat someone at Etihad. And in bringing up their 7th win for the 2015 season, they gave their long-suffering supporters some glimmer of hope for next year. Yes, it was against a team only two spots above it on the ladder, but one which had recorded eleven wins for the season. It was a very different GWS side that fronted for the final game compared with the one that played in Canberra just a few months ago with the telling difference being the absence of Shane Mumford who simply brutalised Melbourne at Manuka Oval, and fed the small running Giants' players all day. Without him this time, Max Gawn had complete ascendency in the ruck with 55 hit outs! It was he who was able to provide the opportunity to the likes of Nathan Jones, Bernie Vince and Jack Viney both in the middle and around the ground. While we should never underestimate the value of the big man in this role, it also showed how fragile Melbourne is in this area. Without a suitable back-up, Lynden Dunn was asked to ruck to give Max a break. It was fortunate that GWS also had no backup for Tom Downie, but the team desperately needs someone else for 2016 to step up to assist in this area. With Vince, Jones and Viney all back to their best and Jesse Hogan monstering the young GWS backline the result should have been more of a landslide. Angus Brayshaw and James Harmes also showed the aggression and attack at man and ball necessary at AFL level plus the benefits of a weeks rest on their young bodies. However, there were still too many appalling episodes of play, which the supporters would have been all too familiar with that let the opposition in for easy goals or free kicks that resulted in goals. This writer has been banging on about them all season, and it is all too obvious to those who regularly attend the games, but there were players not playing today who were NOT missed in any way shape or form. Likewise, there were players on the field still, who do not play at the intensity and desperation and skill levels required at AFL level. Once again the off-season should see anywhere between eight and twelve players leave the club either by delisting or trade-out. These players have had their opportunities and simply cant make it. We do not need Hogan, Brayshaw and Viney types giving up, while these others coast along unscathed. Down back, Tom McDonald did a sterling job on Jeremy Cameron holding him to only 2 majors, while Col Garland seemed to find some of his earlier form and confidence as his wing-man. Oscar M is finding his way and it gave us the opportunity to move Dunn up forward and into the ruck pinch-hitting. Christian Salem was simply divine with his foot-skills and ability to read the play and the ball when in the air. How much better would we be as a team with just six others able to execute as well as he does? The other good thing is, while it was only one win in a fairly miserable last month of football, we have seen Roos get games into the youngsters at no real cost. Harmes, O. Mac, Stretch, White, JKH, and ANB all were given games when perhaps they might not have otherwise been entitled to them. But Roos was prepared to risk playing the youth instead of those sitting in the crowd or playing down the road for Casey. At least this group have shown more upside for the future and this has probably has sealed the fate of a few others. Finally, after attending football for a seriously long time I am completely confounded as to what this group of GWS supporters could possibly have been thinking? They cant possibly be married. What woman would let her man out in public dressed like that? In fact, what woman would let them dress like that ever? Melbourne 4.1.25 7.6.48 13.10.82 15.13.103 Greater Western Sydney 4.1.25 7.4.46 9.7.61 11.11.77 Goals Melbourne Hogan Newton 3 Garlett Harmes 2 Dunn Grimes Howe N Jones Kennedy-Harris Greater Western Sydney Cameron Williams 2 Greene Palmer Smith Stewart Townsend Ward Whitfield Best Melbourne N Jones Vince Viney Hogan Cross Garland McDonald Gawn Salem Greater Western Sydney Ward Greene Smith Shaw Townsend Changes Melbourne Nil Greater Western Sydney Nil Injuries Melbourne Cross (concussion) Greater Western Sydney Nil Substitutions Melbourne Alex Neal-Bullen replaced Mitch White in the final term Greater Western Sydney Jake Barrett replaced Caleb Marchbank at half-time Reports Melbourne Nil Greater Western Sydney Nil Umpires Foot Fisher Hay Wallace Official crowd 8,974 at Etihad Stadium

The Casey Scorpions' 2015 season came to an abrupt end today with a 21 point first elimination final loss against Essendon VFL at North Port Oval after a poor start kicking against the wind in the first term. The first five minutes of the game produced some scrambly football that resulted in a single point for each team. Casey had its opportunities early but gave away the ascendency with two goals that were directly as a result of turnovers which lifted the confidence of their opponents and quickly allowed four more to give them a 37 point break before a fantastic kick for goal from James Munro, his first for the season, gave the Scorpions some hope. When Casey's turn came with the wind, their fortunes turned quickly with Jayden Hunt playing on after a mark and when Jack Fitzpatrick, who was moved from defence, gathered and kicked Casey's third in a row, they were back in the game. The Scorps were applying great pressure and winning at the stoppages thanks to Mark Jamar's strong work in the ruck and big Max King was marking everything but they struggled to take advantage of the quarter's early momentum until they drew to within two goals in the shadows of half time thanks to a bouncing goal from Shannon Byrnes. The third quarter saw the wind blowing more across the ground in favour of the Bombers but the Scorpions were not to be denied. Unfortunately, they failed to capitalise on some early opportunities missing two early shots. Casey tried hard to gain the initiative as they game opened up and went goal for goal with goals from Essendon answered successively by Fitzpatrick, King and Tim Smith who was at last proving a focal point up forward. However, a late goal gave the Bombers a 15 point lead at the final break. The swirling wind now made things difficult for scoring at either end and the Bombers closed the game down. Try as they might, the Scorpions simply could not break through for a goal to bring them within distance and late in the term, it was the Bombers who scored the telling goal and the only one for the quarter to run out 21 point winners and advance to the semi finals. Midfielders Aidan Riley (30 touches) and Rohan Bail (26) were Casey's best but an honourable mention must go to speedster Dean Kent (22 disposals) who has only recently come back from a serious hamstring injury which kept him out for most of the season. Jordie McKenzie was tireless and Dean Terlich was steady and dogged while Jamar won the ruck duels clearly with a mammoth 64 hit outs but in the end it did not help the cause to have only 9 AFL senior listed players available for such a vital game. Mark Hutchins and Tim Smith were the best of the VFL listed players but again the Scorpions badly missed injured skipper Evan Panozza. Despite the disappointment of yet another finals exit without victory, Justin Plapp's debut season as coach was a marked improvement on last year and the club unearthed more talent which should hold it in good stead in the future. 2015 Peter Jackson VFL Casey Scorpions 1.1.7 4.3.27 7.6.48 7.8.50 Essendon VFL 6.2.38 6.4.40 9.9.63 10.11.71 Goals Casey Scorpions Fitzpatrick 2 Byrnes Hunt King Munro Smith Essendon VFL Hardingham 3 Thompson Willis 2 Ashby Coghlan Polkinghorne Best Casey Scorpions Bail Jamar Hutchins Riley Byrnes Kent Essendon VFL Coghlan Polkinghorne Tagliabue Hardingham Marigliani Ashby Statistics Rohan Bail 26 disposals 10 kicks 16 handballs 3 marks 4 tackles 88 dream team points Jack Fitzpatrick 2 goals 11 disposals 5 kicks 6 handballs 4 marks 4 tackles 4 hit outs 71 dream team points Jayden Hunt 1 goal 7 disposals 4 kicks 3 handballs 1 mark 3 tackles 40 dream team points Mark Jamar 9 disposals 7 kicks 2 handballs 3 marks 3 tackles 64 hit outs 105 dream team points Matt Jones 27 disposals 10 kicks 17 handballs 5 tackles 78 dream team points Dean Kent 1 behind 22 disposals 15 kicks 7 handballs 3 marks 7 tackles 99 dream team points Max King 1 goal 15 disposals 7 kicks 8 handballs 9 marks 2 tackles 7 hit outs 85 dream team points Jordie McKenzie 32 disposals 9 kicks 23 handballs 2 marks 5 tackles 90 dream team points Aidan Riley 2 behinds 30 disposals 11 kicks 19 handballs 1 mark 12 tackles 1 hit out 121 dream team points Dean Terlich 19 disposals 11 kicks 8 handballs 2 marks 4 tackles 1 hit out 73 dream team points The Development League team struggled throughout the year when it met Coburg Lions and today was no different with the team going down by 43 points in their elimination final. 2015 AFL Development League Casey Scorpions 3.0.18 4.5.29 8.7.55 10.8.68 Coburg Lions 3.1.19 9.5.59 11.7.73 17.9.111 Goals Casey Scorpions Fisscher Moncrieff 2 Hannon Lang Rennie Welsh K Wilson Wyatt Coburg Lions Cooper 4 Hemala Miles 2 Clarke Hunt Johns Kalanj Posar Robinson Sturgess Symes Totino Best Casey Scorpions Johnson Waters Keilty Godfrey Rosier Lang Coburg Lions Robinson Johns Symes Cooper Posar Sturgess

SCORPS BOMB OUT by KC from Casey The Casey Scorpions' 2015 season came to an abrupt end today with a 21 point first elimination final loss against Essendon VFL at North Port Oval after a poor start kicking against the wind in the first term. The first five minutes of the game produced some scrambly football that resulted in a single point for each team. Casey had its opportunities early but gave away the ascendency with two goals that were directly as a result of turnovers which lifted the confidence of their opponents and quickly allowed four more to give them a 37 point break before a fantastic kick for goal from James Munro, his first for the season, gave the Scorpions some hope. When Casey's turn came with the wind, their fortunes turned quickly with Jayden Hunt playing on after a mark and when Jack Fitzpatrick, who was moved from defence, gathered and kicked Casey's third in a row, they were back in the game. The Scorps were applying great pressure and winning at the stoppages thanks to Mark Jamar's strong work in the ruck and big Max King was marking everything but they struggled to take advantage of the quarter's early momentum until they drew to within two goals in the shadows of half time thanks to a bouncing goal from Shannon Byrnes. The third quarter saw the wind blowing more across the ground in favour of the Bombers but the Scorpions were not to be denied. Unfortunately, they failed to capitalise on some early opportunities missing two early shots. Casey tried hard to gain the initiative as they game opened up and went goal for goal with goals from Essendon answered successively by Fitzpatrick, King and Tim Smith who was at last proving a focal point up forward. However, a late goal gave the Bombers a 15 point lead at the final break. The swirling wind now made things difficult for scoring at either end and the Bombers closed the game down. Try as they might, the Scorpions simply could not break through for a goal to bring them within distance and late in the term, it was the Bombers who scored the telling goal and the only one for the quarter to run out 21 point winners and advance to the semi finals. Midfielders Aidan Riley (30 touches) and Rohan Bail (26) were Casey's best but an honourable mention must go to speedster Dean Kent (22 disposals) who has only recently come back from a serious hamstring injury which kept him out for most of the season. Jordie McKenzie was tireless and Dean Terlich was steady and dogged while Jamar won the ruck duels clearly with a mammoth 64 hit outs but in the end it did not help the cause to have only 9 AFL senior listed players available for such a vital game. Mark Hutchins and Tim Smith were the best of the VFL listed players but again the Scorpions badly missed injured skipper Evan Panozza. Despite the disappointment of yet another finals exit without victory, Justin Plapp's debut season as coach was a marked improvement on last year and the club unearthed more talent which should hold it in good stead in the future. 2015 Peter Jackson VFL Casey Scorpions 1.1.7 4.3.27 7.6.48 7.8.50 Essendon VFL 6.2.38 6.4.40 9.9.63 10.11.71 Goals Casey Scorpions Fitzpatrick 2 Byrnes Hunt King Munro Smith Essendon VFL Hardingham 3 Thompson Willis 2 Ashby Coghlan Polkinghorne Best Casey Scorpions Bail Jamar Hutchins Riley Byrnes Kent Essendon VFL Coghlan Polkinghorne Tagliabue Hardingham Marigliani Ashby Statistics Rohan Bail 26 disposals 10 kicks 16 handballs 3 marks 4 tackles 88 dream team points Jack Fitzpatrick 2 goals 11 disposals 5 kicks 6 handballs 4 marks 4 tackles 4 hit outs 71 dream team points Jayden Hunt 1 goal 7 disposals 4 kicks 3 handballs 1 mark 3 tackles 40 dream team points Mark Jamar 9 disposals 7 kicks 2 handballs 3 marks 3 tackles 64 hit outs 105 dream team points Matt Jones 27 disposals 10 kicks 17 handballs 5 tackles 78 dream team points Dean Kent 1 behind 22 disposals 15 kicks 7 handballs 3 marks 7 tackles 99 dream team points Max King 1 goal 15 disposals 7 kicks 8 handballs 9 marks 2 tackles 7 hit outs 85 dream team points Jordie McKenzie 32 disposals 9 kicks 23 handballs 2 marks 5 tackles 90 dream team points Aidan Riley 2 behinds 30 disposals 11 kicks 19 handballs 1 mark 12 tackles 1 hit out 121 dream team points Dean Terlich 19 disposals 11 kicks 8 handballs 2 marks 4 tackles 1 hit out 73 dream team points The Development League team struggled throughout the year when it met Coburg Lions and today was no different with the team going down by 43 points in their elimination final. 2015 AFL Development League Casey Scorpions 3.0.18 4.5.29 8.7.55 10.8.68 Coburg Lions 3.1.19 9.5.59 11.7.73 17.9.111 Goals Casey Scorpions Fisscher Moncrieff 2 Hannon Lang Rennie Welsh K Wilson Wyatt Coburg Lions Cooper 4 Hemala Miles 2 Clarke Hunt Johns Kalanj Posar Robinson Sturgess Symes Totino Best Casey Scorpions Johnson Waters Keilty Godfrey Rosier Lang Coburg Lions Robinson Johns Symes Cooper Posar Sturgess

Cast your votes thanks folks - the final time this year.

My head is literally spinning at the prospect of Melbourne taking on the GWS Giants in our home city and while the pretenders from Western Sydney are without such key players as Shane Mumford, Phil Davis, Ryan Griffen, Dylan Shiel, Will Hoskin-Elliott and dare I say it, Tom Scully. No, I'm not saying this because I want to emulate the positivity about the club and this game that the powers that be would like displayed by supporters (as if that would have much bearing on team performance anyway) but rather as an indication that the Giants have not used the absence of some of their better players as an excuse for a lapse in effort leading to weak efforts and bad defeats. They are a young side, they have lost key playmakers including some of their most valuable and experienced team members - Mumford alone would make a substantial difference for then - and yet they were able to beat Carlton by 81 points last week. That's the same Carlton that Melbourne embarrassed itself only a week earlier when, at one stage just before half time, it trailed by one goal to ten. This is Melbourne which, a week earlier produced a goalless first quarter against the Bulldogs and were twelve goals down at the main break. The Melbourne which, after the club's negative culture as seen among its long-suffering supporters was emphasised ad nauseum in the media as being the problem. The fact is that the negative vibes at the club are merely a symptom of the fact that there are not enough players at the club who have sufficient ability to perform at the highest level, who can get their 25 to 30 possessions per game at the lower level but when it comes to the crunch, you look at their stats in the Fremantle game and the numbers beside their names are abysmally low and that's just numbers without representing the quality of their product. As a consequence, at this time of year, it's all left to the too few and to the inexperienced young kids and when the form of the team leaders in the categories of disposal count such as Nathan Jones and Bernie fall away from high 20s/30s per game to half that amount, it spells trouble with a capital T. So the curtain falls on a season of unfulfilled promise. There might have been improvement under Paul Roos but it really has been barely enough to register on the Richter Scale when you consider the fact that the club has recruited well and the list of players available is on paper far superior to that which he inherited. There is still much deadwood to be culled before we can stop making excuses. Against that backdrop, it is ironic that the first official end of year departure from the club is Daniel Cross who has been a fantastic heart and soul player in his two seasons with the Demons and whose example and effort will be sorely missed. Not a single one of those who follow him out of the door - and there will be many - will be able to put hand on heart and say he contributed more to the Melbourne Football Club in the last two years. THE GAME Melbourne v GWS Giants at Etihad Stadium, Sunday 6 September, 2015 at 1.10pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 3 wins GWS Giants 4 wins At Etihad Stadium Melbourne 0 wins GWS Giants 0 wins Past five meetings Melbourne 1 win GWS Giants 4 wins The Coaches Roos 0 wins Cameron 3 wins MEDIA TV - Fox Footy Channel at 1.00pm (live) RADIO - SEN ABC ABC Grandstand THE BETTING Melbourne to win - $2.95 GWS Giants to win - $1.41 THE LAST TIME THEY MET GWS Giants 15.11.101 defeated Melbourne 8.8.56 at Startrack Stadium Round 2, 2015 The opposite Melbourne to the one we've seen in the past month played that day. The Demons were on fire early kicking four goals to nil in the opening stanza and late in the first half were leading by seven goals to one. They then put up the shutters and scored only one more goal to travel home totally humiliated, at one stage conceding fourteen unanswered goals. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE B: Colin Garland, Lynden Dunn, Jeremy Howe HB: Daniel Cross, Tom McDonald, Christian Salem C: Jack Grimes, Bernie Vince, Mitch White HF: James Harmes, Oscar McDonald, Angus Brayshaw F: Jeff Garlett, Jesse Hogan, Jay Kennedy-Harris Foll: Max Gawn, Nathan Jones, Jack Viney I/C: Viv Michie, Alex Neal-Bullen, Ben Newton, Billy Stretch EMG: Mark Jamar, Matt Jones, Jack Watts IN: Angus Brayshaw, James Harmes, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Mitch White OUT: Neville Jetta (calf), Matt Jones (omitted), Jake Spencer (concussion), Jack Watts (omitted) NEW: Mitch White (19, Dandenong Stingrays) GWS GIANTS B: Adam Kennedy, Caleb Marchbank, Zac Williams HB: Lachie Plowman, Aidan Corr, James Stewart C: Lachie Whitfield, Adam Treloar, Heath Shaw HF: Devon Smith, Cam McCarthy, Rhys Palmer F: Josh Kelly, Jeremy Cameron, Adam Tomlinson FOLL: Tom Downie, Callan Ward, Tommy Bugg I/C : Jake Barrett, Toby Greene, Jacob Townsend, Nathan Wilson EMG: Paul Ahern, Rory Lobb, Jack Steele IN: Jake Barrett, Jacob Townsend OUT: Stephen Coniglio (hamstring), Ryan Griffen (knee), NEW: Jake Barrett (19, NSW/ACT Rams) GWS already boasts its best record against the Dees with four wins to three in its brief history and it has a good chance of improving that on the hard and fast Etihad Stadium surface which is conducive to strong running teams such as the Giants on ballers. But are they really that good? The Giants are certainly not all that great at clearing the ball from the centre since they average only 10.5 centre clearances per game which puts them in 17th place in the competition. The problem however, is that the Demons are 18th in this category with an average of 10.4. I believe therefore that the best way for Melbourne to beat the odds and finish the season with a win - important in my book - is to assert ruck dominance through 208cm Max Gawn who will be relied upon to get the ball down to his on ball division and create enough take aways to make a difference. Gawn's opponent is little known third string ruckman Tom Downie who has been at the club for years but has played only seven games. He stands at 203cm and is in the team only by virtue of injuries to Shane Mumford and Andrew Phillips. The big danger for the Demons is their propensity to turn unknowns into champions overnight with outstanding match-winning performances against them (following which they disappear never to be seen again). However, I have faith in Max getting the pill down to his players and on to Jesse Hogan in quick enough time to make a difference this week. Melbourne desperately needs a quality midfielder so this game affords it the opportunity to impress Adam Treloar and prove to him that the club is a worthy destination. It probably won't happen but who knows? It really is time for the club to beat its Etihad Stadium hoodoo and to that end, it would be really exciting if the Dees could kick a goal in the first fifty minutes of elapsed play time even if there's nobody around to witness the achievement. My tip: a draw.

The AFL is confronting yet another crisis at the weekend in the wake of its endorsement of decisions by both Fremantle and North Melbourne to "rest" players for its final round leading to allegations that the moves might alter the course of the finals series and seriously compromise the integrity of the competition. The new controversy came to light when the Melbourne Football Club mysteriously omitted fan favourite Jack Watts from its line up to play the GWS Giants at Etihad Stadium on Sunday raising allegations on national television by a Fox Football panelist that the Demons were not taking their final round match seriously in the hope of falling to 15th place to improve their draft position and their chances of selecting a highly fancied midfielder in this year's AFL National Draft. A Melbourne Football Club spokesman told reporters that his club was angry at the claim and said that Watts would be of more value to the club and to the AFL's cause sitting in the stands at Etihad because this game was in desperate need of having as many "bums on seats" at the ground as possible in light of fears that the final round fixture had the potential to highly embarrass the competition with a record low crowd. The official added that Watts was face of a club promotion to help make the ground look at least half full by giving away life size cardboard cut outs of human figures to be strategically placed on seats around the stadium. A local business has also joined in on the promotion by providing 500 plastic inflatable ladies which can later be used for other purposes. "The AFL allowed Port Adelaide to do the same thing for years, so I don't see what their problem is," said the club official who preferred to remain anonymous. He also said the club will be pumping crowd noise recorded in last year's AFL grand final through the ground's PA system to add atmosphere to the occasion although there was some concern after a rehearsal yesterday failed to co-ordinate the crowd's roar with several Jeremy Howe screamers. Meanwhile the AFL's Integrity Office is poised to launch a tanking investigation into the Gold Coast Suns who are likely to finish the season in 16th place if they lose tonight's game at the SCG against the Swans. Allegations of bringing the game into disrepute arose against the northern franchise team which is likely to have third or fourth selection at this season's AFL national draft after critics cited this 2013 article in which their captain Gary Ablett claimed the club was "on track to win a premiership by 2015" - Suns on track for 2015 flag, says Ablett. When questioned by Brett Clothier of the AFL Integrity Unit on Friday afternoon about his club's failure to live up to his prediction, Ablett is reported to have told him that he was "joking at the time". Clothier immediately contacted the Gold Coast Suns to inform them that he expected charges to be laid against the club early next week. Eric Blair, the AFL spokesperson on these matters said the leagues policy was not to comment on integrity-related issues but in this case he was able to say that the AFL was gravely concerned that a senior player had the temerity to take these things lightly. "There's too much of this hilarity going on and people need to realise that football's a serious business," he said. Former Purana Taskforce detective superintendent Gerry Ryan who joined the AFL last year as part of its beefed up integrity unit is likely to head the investigation and also report on the cardboard cut out situation to his boss Gillon McLachlan before the next AFL board meeting due in October.

DEMON SELECTION CONTROVERSY ADDS TO AFL WOES by a staff reporter The AFL is confronting yet another crisis at the weekend in the wake of its endorsement of decisions by both Fremantle and North Melbourne to "rest" players for its final round leading to allegations that the moves might alter the course of the finals series and seriously compromise the integrity of the competition. The new controversy came to light when the Melbourne Football Club mysteriously omitted fan favourite Jack Watts from its line up to play the GWS Giants at Etihad Stadium on Sunday raising allegations on national television by a Fox Football panelist that the Demons were not taking their final round match seriously in the hope of falling to 15th place to improve their draft position and their chances of selecting a highly fancied midfielder in this year's AFL National Draft. A Melbourne Football Club spokesman told reporters that his club was angry at the claim and said that Watts would be of more value to the club and to the AFL's cause sitting in the stands at Etihad because this game was in desperate need of having as many "bums on seats" at the ground as possible in light of fears that the final round fixture had the potential to highly embarrass the competition with a record low crowd. The official added that Watts was face of a club promotion to help make the ground look at least half full by giving away life size cardboard cut outs of human figures to be strategically placed on seats around the stadium. A local business has also joined in on the promotion by providing 500 plastic inflatable ladies which can later be used for other purposes. "The AFL allowed Port Adelaide to do the same thing for years, so I don't see what their problem is," said the club official who preferred to remain anonymous. He also said the club will be pumping crowd noise recorded in last year's AFL grand final through the ground's PA system to add atmosphere to the occasion although there was some concern after a rehearsal yesterday failed to co-ordinate the crowd's roar with several Jeremy Howe screamers. Meanwhile the AFL's Integrity Office is poised to launch a tanking investigation into the Gold Coast Suns who are likely to finish the season in 16th place if they lose tonight's game at the SCG against the Swans. Allegations of bringing the game into disrepute arose against the northern franchise team which is likely to have third or fourth selection at this season's AFL national draft after critics cited this 2013 article in which their captain Gary Ablett claimed the club was "on track to win a premiership by 2015" - Suns on track for 2015 flag, says Ablett. When questioned by Brett Clothier of the AFL Integrity Unit on Friday afternoon about his club's failure to live up to his prediction, Ablett is reported to have told him that he was "joking at the time". Clothier immediately contacted the Gold Coast Suns to inform them that he expected charges to be laid against the club early next week. Eric Blair, the AFL spokesperson on these matters said the leagues policy was not to comment on integrity-related issues but in this case he was able to say that the AFL was gravely concerned that a senior player had the temerity to take these things lightly. "There's too much of this hilarity going on and people need to realise that football's a serious business," he said. Former Purana Taskforce detective superintendent Gerry Ryan who joined the AFL last year as part of its beefed up integrity unit is likely to head the investigation and also report on the cardboard cut out situation to his boss Gillon McLachlan before the next AFL board meeting due in October.

THE CURTAIN FALLS by JVM My head is literally spinning at the prospect of Melbourne taking on the GWS Giants in our home city and while the pretenders from Western Sydney are without such key players as Shane Mumford, Phil Davis, Ryan Griffen, Dylan Shiel, Will Hoskin-Elliott and dare I say it, Tom Scully. No, I'm not saying this because I want to emulate the positivity about the club and this game that the powers that be would like displayed by supporters (as if that would have much bearing on team performance anyway) but rather as an indication that the Giants have not used the absence of some of their better players as an excuse for a lapse in effort leading to weak efforts and bad defeats. They are a young side, they have lost key playmakers including some of their most valuable and experienced team members - Mumford alone would make a substantial difference for then - and yet they were able to beat Carlton by 81 points last week. That's the same Carlton that Melbourne embarrassed itself only a week earlier when, at one stage just before half time, it trailed by one goal to ten. This is Melbourne which, a week earlier produced a goalless first quarter against the Bulldogs and were twelve goals down at the main break. The Melbourne which, after the club's negative culture as seen among its long-suffering supporters was emphasised ad nauseum in the media as being the problem. The fact is that the negative vibes at the club are merely a symptom of the fact that there are not enough players at the club who have sufficient ability to perform at the highest level, who can get their 25 to 30 possessions per game at the lower level but when it comes to the crunch, you look at their stats in the Fremantle game and the numbers beside their names are abysmally low and that's just numbers without representing the quality of their product. As a consequence, at this time of year, it's all left to the too few and to the inexperienced young kids and when the form of the team leaders in the categories of disposal count such as Nathan Jones and Bernie fall away from high 20s/30s per game to half that amount, it spells trouble with a capital T. So the curtain falls on a season of unfulfilled promise. There might have been improvement under Paul Roos but it really has been barely enough to register on the Richter Scale when you consider the fact that the club has recruited well and the list of players available is on paper far superior to that which he inherited. There is still much deadwood to be culled before we can stop making excuses. Against that backdrop, it is ironic that the first official end of year departure from the club is Daniel Cross who has been a fantastic heart and soul player in his two seasons with the Demons and whose example and effort will be sorely missed. Not a single one of those who follow him out of the door - and there will be many - will be able to put hand on heart and say he contributed more to the Melbourne Football Club in the last two years. THE GAME Melbourne v GWS Giants at Etihad Stadium, Sunday 6 September, 2015 at 1.10pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 3 wins GWS Giants 4 wins At Etihad Stadium Melbourne 0 wins GWS Giants 0 wins Past five meetings Melbourne 1 win GWS Giants 4 wins The Coaches Roos 0 wins Cameron 3 wins MEDIA TV - Fox Footy Channel at 1.00pm (live) RADIO - SEN ABC ABC Grandstand THE BETTING Melbourne to win - $2.95 GWS Giants to win - $1.41 THE LAST TIME THEY MET GWS Giants 15.11.101 defeated Melbourne 8.8.56 at Startrack Stadium Round 2, 2015 The opposite Melbourne to the one we've seen in the past month played that day. The Demons were on fire early kicking four goals to nil in the opening stanza and late in the first half were leading by seven goals to one. They then put up the shutters and scored only one more goal to travel home totally humiliated, at one stage conceding fourteen unanswered goals. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE B: Colin Garland, Lynden Dunn, Jeremy Howe HB: Daniel Cross, Tom McDonald, Christian Salem C: Jack Grimes, Bernie Vince, Mitch White HF: James Harmes, Oscar McDonald, Angus Brayshaw F: Jeff Garlett, Jesse Hogan, Jay Kennedy-Harris Foll: Max Gawn, Nathan Jones, Jack Viney I/C: Viv Michie, Alex Neal-Bullen, Ben Newton, Billy Stretch EMG: Mark Jamar, Matt Jones, Jack Watts IN: Angus Brayshaw, James Harmes, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Mitch White OUT: Neville Jetta (calf), Matt Jones (omitted), Jake Spencer (concussion), Jack Watts (omitted) NEW: Mitch White (19, Dandenong Stingrays) GWS GIANTS B: Adam Kennedy, Caleb Marchbank, Zac Williams HB: Lachie Plowman, Aidan Corr, James Stewart C: Lachie Whitfield, Adam Treloar, Heath Shaw HF: Devon Smith, Cam McCarthy, Rhys Palmer F: Josh Kelly, Jeremy Cameron, Adam Tomlinson FOLL: Tom Downie, Callan Ward, Tommy Bugg I/C : Jake Barrett, Toby Greene, Jacob Townsend, Nathan Wilson EMG: Paul Ahern, Rory Lobb, Jack Steele IN: Jake Barrett, Jacob Townsend OUT: Stephen Coniglio (hamstring), Ryan Griffen (knee), NEW: Jake Barrett (19, NSW/ACT Rams) GWS already boasts its best record against the Dees with four wins to three in its brief history and it has a good chance of improving that on the hard and fast Etihad Stadium surface which is conducive to strong running teams such as the Giants on ballers. But are they really that good? The Giants are certainly not all that great at clearing the ball from the centre since they average only 10.5 centre clearances per game which puts them in 17th place in the competition. The problem however, is that the Demons are 18th in this category with an average of 10.4. I believe therefore that the best way for Melbourne to beat the odds and finish the season with a win - important in my book - is to assert ruck dominance through 208cm Max Gawn who will be relied upon to get the ball down to his on ball division and create enough take aways to make a difference. Gawn's opponent is little known third string ruckman Tom Downie who has been at the club for years but has played only seven games. He stands at 203cm and is in the team only by virtue of injuries to Shane Mumford and Andrew Phillips. The big danger for the Demons is their propensity to turn unknowns into champions overnight with outstanding match-winning performances against them (following which they disappear never to be seen again). However, I have faith in Max getting the pill down to his players and on to Jesse Hogan in quick enough time to make a difference this week. Melbourne desperately needs a quality midfielder so this game affords it the opportunity to impress Adam Treloar and prove to him that the club is a worthy destination. It probably won't happen but who knows? It really is time for the club to beat its Etihad Stadium hoodoo and to that end, it would be really exciting if the Dees could kick a goal in the first fifty minutes of elapsed play time even if there's nobody around to witness the achievement. My tip: a draw.

It was late in the second quarter of this game in Round 2 at Startrack Oval that our season began to unravel. My question this week is if we couldn't beat this mob last time with a 6 goal start, how are we going to go with the current mindset which involves not showing the slightest indication of scoring any goals until late in the first half? GWS GIANTS B: Heath Shaw, Phil Davis, Joel Patfull HB: Nick Haynes, Aidan Corr, Rhys Palmer C: Tommy Bugg, Callan Ward, Tom Scully HF: Lachie Whitfield, Jeremy Cameron, Cam McCarthy F: Adam Treloar, Adam Tomlinson, Josh Kelly FOLL: Shane Mumford, Stephen Coniglio, Dylan Shiel I/C: Toby Greene, Ryan Griffen, Devon Smith, Nathan Wilson EMG: Matt Buntine, Andrew Phillips, Zac Williams IN: Nathan Wilson OUT: Curtly Hampton (omitted) MELBOURNE B: Colin Garland, Lynden Dunn, Jeremy Howe HB: Neville Jetta, Tom McDonald, Christian Salem C: Daniel Cross, Heritier Lumumba, Ben Newton HF: Dean Kent, Jesse Hogan, Jack Viney F: Jeff Garlett, Chris Dawes, Jack Watts FOLL: Mark Jamar, Dom Tyson, Nathan Jones I/C: Angus Brayshaw, Sam Frost, Bernie Vince, Aaron vandenBerg EMG: Jay Kennedy-Harris, Viv Michie, Jake Spencer IN: Chris Dawes, Bernie Vince OUT: Jay Kennedy-Harris, Jimmy Toumpas (both omitted)

The voting is now in camera but I think it's fair to say that we will have a different winner this year given Nathan Jones' injury over at Subi.

Spring is just around the corner and it's rather inspirational that the Demons have the opportunity this year to contest a game in September. It won't be a final but next week's "home" game at Etihad Stadium against the Giants will provide them with the opportunity to prove that the events of the month since their last win against Collingwood hasn't been an aberration. Against Fremantle at Domain Stadium in Perth, the recurring nightmare of the month duly eventuated after the team which was instructed to play angry managed to make its supporters (who are the cause of all their problems after all) really angry by conceding the first 10 goals of the game to lead by 60 points when the second quarter was a little more than ten minutes old. Jeff Garlett kicked their first goal at the mid point in that term and Melbourne came back a little to have four goals on the board by half time. By then, it had lost skipper Nathan Jones to an ankle injury which soured his 200th game and second ruckman Jake Spencer had followed him when a head knock caused him concussion leaving the team one short for the remainder of proceedings. In the normal course that would be a major issue in a game of football but, in this instance, it was offset by the circumstance that Fremantle was assured of top position going into the finals (meaning they're unlikely to have to front up to Hawthorn in a fortnight's time) and they let the intensity drop off dramatically. As a result, the Demons were able to stumble and fumble their way to an even par finish for the rest of a game that had long been rendered meaningless. Indeed, had they managed to hold on in the final ten minutes and avoided conceding the last three goals when the fatigue had really set in, they might have even won the second half and added a false aura of respectability to the outcome. As it was, the 54 point defeat was a positively better result than some of the hidings handed out to the competition's other lesser lights and when you consider that there a difference of 1352 in games played between the two sides and Melbourne had 10 players on the ground who had played less than 50 games including promising Oscar McDonald in his first, you have your answer - it's not not negativity but rather, a lack of experience and know how, particularly when you're another 200 games down when your skipper gets subbed out. More so, when you consider that the club rested two of its promising youngsters in Angus Brayshaw and James Harmes and there's a fair whack of other good players missing from the mix. In those circumstances, the Demons would be encouraged that some of their better players were their youth. You couldn't go past the 30 possession game of Jack Viney (with 12 tackles and six clearances) and the hard work in the ruck of Max Gawn agains one of the AFL's maestros or the run of Christian Salem. Daniel Cross had a standout 39 touches and worked his butt off belying his age. Unfortunately, the depth just wasn't there and the bottom half dozen weren't good or interested enough for this standard and consequently might be angry at themselves in a month or two's time when they're told their truth that their AFL careers are over. Melbourne 0.1.1 4.2.26 6.5.41 8.6.54 Fremantle 5.1.31 11.3.69 14.5.89 17.6.108 Goals Melbourne Garlett Hogan 2 Gawn Grimes Vince Watts Fremantle Pavlich Pearce 3 De Boer Neale 2 Barlow Hill Ibbotson Mayne Mzungu Sandilands Sheridan Best MelbourneCross Viney Salem Dunn Gawn Vince Fremantle Mundy Neale Barlow Hill Suban D Pearce Changes Melbourne Nil Fremantle , M Walters (calf) replaced in selected side by P Duffield Injuries Melbourne N Jones (ankle) J Spencer (head) Fremantle C Sutcliffe (shoulder) Substitutions Melbourne N Jones (ankle) replaced by J Grimes in the second quarter Fremantle M Pavlich replaced by P Duffield in the third quarter Reports Melbourne Nil Fremantle Nil Umpires Dean Margetts Luke Farmer Nick Brown Official Crowd 33,529 at Domain Stadium

Game over and we cross to post match dementia...

ANGRY by The Oracle Spring is just around the corner and it's rather inspirational that the Demons have the opportunity this year to contest a game in September. It won't be a final but next week's "home" game at Etihad Stadium against the Giants will provide them with the opportunity to prove that the events of the month since their last win against Collingwood hasn't been an aberration. Against Fremantle at Domain Stadium in Perth, the recurring nightmare of the month duly eventuated after the team which was instructed to play angry managed to make its supporters (who are the cause of all their problems after all) really angry by conceding the first 10 goals of the game to lead by 60 points when the second quarter was a little more than ten minutes old. Jeff Garlett kicked their first goal at the mid point in that term and Melbourne came back a little to have four goals on the board by half time. By then, it had lost skipper Nathan Jones to an ankle injury which soured his 200th game and second ruckman Jake Spencer had followed him when a head knock caused him concussion leaving the team one short for the remainder of proceedings. In the normal course that would be a major issue in a game of football but, in this instance, it was offset by the circumstance that Fremantle was assured of top position going into the finals (meaning they're unlikely to have to front up to Hawthorn in a fortnight's time) and they let the intensity drop off dramatically. As a result, the Demons were able to stumble and fumble their way to an even par finish for the rest of a game that had long been rendered meaningless. Indeed, had they managed to hold on in the final ten minutes and avoided conceding the last three goals when the fatigue had really set in, they might have even won the second half and added a false aura of respectability to the outcome. As it was, the 54 point defeat was a positively better result than some of the hidings handed out to the competition's other lesser lights and when you consider that there a difference of 1352 in games played between the two sides and Melbourne had 10 players on the ground who had played less than 50 games including promising Oscar McDonald in his first, you have your answer - it's not not negativity but rather, a lack of experience and know how, particularly when you're another 200 games down when your skipper gets subbed out. More so, when you consider that the club rested two of its promising youngsters in Angus Brayshaw and James Harmes and there's a fair whack of other good players missing from the mix. In those circumstances, the Demons would be encouraged that some of their better players were their youth. You couldn't go past the 30 possession game of Jack Viney (with 12 tackles and six clearances) and the hard work in the ruck of Max Gawn agains one of the AFL's maestros or the run of Christian Salem. Daniel Cross had a standout 39 touches and worked his butt off belying his age. Unfortunately, the depth just wasn't there and the bottom half dozen weren't good or interested enough for this standard and consequently might be angry at themselves in a month or two's time when they're told their truth that their AFL careers are over. Melbourne 0.1.1 4.2.26 6.5.41 8.6.54 Fremantle 5.1.31 11.3.69 14.5.89 17.6.108 Goals Melbourne Garlett Hogan 2 Gawn Grimes Vince Watts Fremantle Pavlich Pearce 3 De Boer Neale 2 Barlow Hill Ibbotson Mayne Mzungu Sandilands Sheridan Best MelbourneCross Viney Salem Dunn Gawn Vince Fremantle Mundy Neale Barlow Hill Suban D Pearce Changes Melbourne Nil Fremantle , M Walters (calf) replaced in selected side by P Duffield Injuries Melbourne N Jones (ankle) J Spencer (head) Fremantle C Sutcliffe (shoulder) Substitutions Melbourne N Jones (ankle) replaced by J Grimes in the second quarter Fremantle M Pavlich replaced by P Duffield in the third quarter Reports Melbourne Nil Fremantle Nil Umpires Dean Margetts Luke Farmer Nick Brown Official Crowd 33,529 at Domain Stadium s ...

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SANDBANK by KC from Casey You would have hardly known that spring was coming as gray skies and drizzling rain greeted the smallish crowd entering the Trevor Barker Beach Road Oval for the clash between the Zebras and the Scorpions to mark the final round of the VFL season. The conditions weren't conducive to great football and perhaps it was just as well that Casey had secured its place in the finals a week earlier because it was no match for Sandringham which needed the win to secure second place on the ladder and a home final. After an early scare when the visitors controlled the games opening stanza to keep them goalless and lead by three goals, the Zebras took over and that home final was never in doubt from about 10½ minutes into the second term when they scored their fourth goal. The game turned into a real scramble in the difficult conditions and Casey managed a late major after five unanswered goals to be in arrears by two goals at the main break. However, they were held to a single goal in the second half so that when it was all over, Sandy had marched to a 51 point win to put it behind only the Box Hill Hawks and headed towards a likely home assignation against Williamstown in the second qualifying final next week. They left the Scorps listless in their wake as if beached on a sandbank in the bay nearby. The result was hardly unexpected by those who noted the youth of the Casey team selected to do battle, a team which contained a season low of six senior AFL listed players (one returning for only his second game after a long layoff with a hamstring injury) and two rookies. With half a dozen youngsters who have played mainly development league games this season including debutant Kim Wilson and skipper Evan Panozza still missing with injury, the inevitable result occurred. Early in the game, Jay Kennedy-Harris proved handful for the Zebra defenders and his two goals were a handsome result for his great endeavour and attack on the football but like the rest of the team he tapered off a little after that. However, he did add some much-needed speed and his contribution on the day was handy. Dean Terlich was tireless against the relentless tide of Zebra attacks, particularly after quarter time and he could possibly have earned himself a game in the Demon lineup for next week, assuming this is his farewell season. Likewise, Mark Jamar, one of two players (along with James Munro) in Scorpions' colours to have played for the Zebras and in fact a premiership player with them. The big Russian dominated the ruck and was the standout big man on the ground but much of his work there was undone by an opposition midfield that sharked his hitouts and constantly won the breaks at the stoppages. Mitch White and Jimmy Toumpas put in but were swamped by the intensity of the home charge and often forced into error. Conditions didn't really suit big Max King, coming back from injury but he did at least snag a goal in the second half while Dean Kent, displaying a nice turn of pace and some good kicking, is well on his way back after a long lay off. Another comeback player Tim Smith worked hard and will be a welcome addition to the lineup in the finals. You can expect a much different and more experienced Casey to take the field for next weekend's finals opener. The team will need to be at full strength after limping into the finals with just one win in its last six home and away appearances. Peter Jackson VFL Casey Scorpions3.2.20 4.2.26 5.8.38 5.8.38 Sandringham 0.2.2 5.9.39 8.13.61 12.17.89 Goals Casey Scorpions Kennedy-Harris 2 King Rennie Smith Sandringham Saad 4 Dennis-Lane 3 Delaney Jones Shenton Siposs Best Casey Scorpions Kennedy-Harris White Terlich Smith Sandringham Pierce Siposs Cook Jones Weickhardt Saad Statistics Rohan Bail 23 disposals 9 kicks 14 handballs 2 marks 9 tackles 88 dream team points Mark Jamar 6 disposals 3 kicks 3 handballs 1 marks 1 tackles 64 hit outs 65 dream team points Jay Kennedy-Harris 2 goals 19 disposals 13 kicks 6 handballs 1 marks 10 tackles 102 dream team points Dean Kent 14 disposals 8 kicks 6 handballs 1 marks 4 tackles 3 hit outs 49 dream team points Max King 1 goal 6 disposals 3 kicks 3 handballs 2 marks 1 tackles 11 hit outs 36 dream team points Jimmy Toumpas 16 disposals 11 kicks 5 handballs 5 marks 7 tackles 87 dream team points Dean Terlich 22 disposals 14 kicks 8 handballs 5 marks 5 tackles 93 dream team points Mitch White 1 behind 19 disposals 10 kicks 9 handballs 5 marks 4 tackles 80 dream team points The more accurate Scorpions shrugged off the Zebras after a close three quarters in the development league game to win by three goals and will also feature in the finals. 2015 AFL Victoria Development League Casey Scorpions 3.0.18 5.1.31 8.2.50 13.5.83 Sandringham 1.3.9 4.6.30 7.7.49 9.11.65 Goals Casey Scorpions Lang 3 Fisscher Scott 2 Droessler Moncrieff O'Brien Paredes Stanlake Wyatt Sandringham McTaggart Uthayakumar 2 Cameron Daidone Harris Jones Williams Best Casey Scorpions Scott McDonald Johnson Thwaites Hillard O'Brien Sandringham Laumets Fisher Woodman Maitland Wallace Hooy

SANDBANK by KC from Casey You would have hardly known that spring was coming as gray skies and drizzling rain greeted the smallish crowd entering the Trevor Barker Beach Road Oval for the clash between the Zebras and the Scorpions to mark the final round of the VFL season. The conditions weren't conducive to great football and perhaps it was just as well that Casey had secured its place in the finals a week earlier because it was no match for Sandringham which needed the win to secure second place on the ladder and a home final. After an early scare when the visitors controlled the games opening stanza to keep them goalless and lead by three goals, the Zebras took over and that home final was never in doubt from about 10½ minutes into the second term when they scored their fourth goal. The game turned into a real scramble in the difficult conditions and Casey managed a late major after five unanswered goals to be in arrears by two goals at the main break. However, they were held to a single goal in the second half so that when it was all over, Sandy had marched to a 51 point win to put it behind only the Box Hill Hawks and headed towards a likely home assignation against Williamstown in the second qualifying final next week. They left the Scorps listless in their wake as if beached on a sandbank in the bay nearby. The result was hardly unexpected by those who noted the youth of the Casey team selected to do battle, a team which contained a season low of six senior AFL listed players (one returning for only his second game after a long layoff with a hamstring injury) and two rookies. With half a dozen youngsters who have played mainly development league games this season including debutant Kim Wilson and skipper Evan Panozza still missing with injury, the inevitable result occurred. Early in the game, Jay Kennedy-Harris proved handful for the Zebra defenders and his two goals were a handsome result for his great endeavour and attack on the football but like the rest of the team he tapered off a little after that. However, he did add some much-needed speed and his contribution on the day was handy. Dean Terlich was tireless against the relentless tide of Zebra attacks, particularly after quarter time and he could possibly have earned himself a game in the Demon lineup for next week, assuming this is his farewell season. Likewise, Mark Jamar, one of two players (along with James Munro) in Scorpions' colours to have played for the Zebras and in fact a premiership player with them. The big Russian dominated the ruck and was the standout big man on the ground but much of his work there was undone by an opposition midfield that sharked his hitouts and constantly won the breaks at the stoppages. Mitch White and Jimmy Toumpas put in but were swamped by the intensity of the home charge and often forced into error. Conditions didn't really suit big Max King, coming back from injury but he did at least snag a goal in the second half while Dean Kent, displaying a nice turn of pace and some good kicking, is well on his way back after a long lay off. Another comeback player Tim Smith worked hard and will be a welcome addition to the lineup in the finals. You can expect a much different and more experienced Casey to take the field for next weekend's finals opener. The team will need to be at full strength after limping into the finals with just one win in its last six home and away appearances. Peter Jackson VFL Casey Scorpions3.2.20 4.2.26 5.8.38 5.8.38 Sandringham 0.2.2 5.9.39 8.13.61 12.17.89 Goals Casey Scorpions Kennedy-Harris 2 King Rennie Smith Sandringham Saad 4 Dennis-Lane 3 Delaney Jones Shenton Siposs Best Casey Scorpions Kennedy-Harris White Terlich Smith Sandringham Pierce Siposs Cook Jones Weickhardt Saad Statistics Rohan Bail 23 disposals 9 kicks 14 handballs 2 marks 9 tackles 88 dream team points Mark Jamar 6 disposals 3 kicks 3 handballs 1 marks 1 tackles 64 hit outs 65 dream team points Jay Kennedy-Harris 2 goals 19 disposals 13 kicks 6 handballs 1 marks 10 tackles 102 dream team points Dean Kent 14 disposals 8 kicks 6 handballs 1 marks 4 tackles 3 hit outs 49 dream team points Max King 1 goal 6 disposals 3 kicks 3 handballs 2 marks 1 tackles 11 hit outs 36 dream team points Jimmy Toumpas 16 disposals 11 kicks 5 handballs 5 marks 7 tackles 87 dream team points Dean Terlich 22 disposals 14 kicks 8 handballs 5 marks 5 tackles 93 dream team points Mitch White 1 behind 19 disposals 10 kicks 9 handballs 5 marks 4 tackles 80 dream team points The more accurate Scorpions shrugged off the Zebras after a close three quarters in the development league game to win by three goals and will also feature in the finals. 2015 AFL Victoria Development League Casey Scorpions 3.0.18 5.1.31 8.2.50 13.5.83 Sandringham 1.3.9 4.6.30 7.7.49 9.11.65 Goals Casey Scorpions Lang 3 Fisscher Scott 2 Droessler Moncrieff O'Brien Paredes Stanlake Wyatt Sandringham McTaggart Uthayakumar 2 Cameron Daidone Harris Jones Williams Best Casey Scorpions Scott McDonald Johnson Thwaites Hillard O'Brien Sandringham Laumets Fisher Woodman Maitland Wallace Hooy

WE'LL GET THEM NEXT TIME by Whispering Jack I was one of those who held high hopes for a Melbourne win over Collingwood because I believed the Demons are emerging and, as such is due to take further steps forward against a team I was not convinced about: one that had beaten only teams in the bottom half of the competition. A win would have broken the club's eight year losing streak against the Magpies and whilst, the Pies prevailed in the end and every defeat hurts, I believe that the team has their measure and will get them next time which happens to be in the return game in Round 18, so barring a major run with injuries, pencil in the date Saturday 1 August, 2015. My hopes for a win were shattered for a number of reasons but the main ones were the performance of inaugural Neale Daniher Trophy winner (and a worthy one at that) of Travis Cloke who has hitherto struggled for accuracy in front of goal this season but against Melbourne, goaled with every one of his seven shots at the big sticks. He monstered Tom McDonald in the early play and continued to be a major danger up forward for Collingwood. A few weeks ago, I heard his coach Nathan Buckley whining about how little protection Cloke gets from the umpires but on Queens Birthday, they treated him like a king. Players were being pulled off the ball in ruck and marking contests all around the ground but it didnt seem to worry the umpires until the ball got into the vicinity of Cloke who was leaning back on Lynden Dunn and suddenly, it was time for the whistle to blow. The other area where Melbourne lapsed badly was in the turnover count. According to the statisticians, Collingwood scored 84 points from Melbourne turnovers while the Dees scored 23 from Pies turnovers a differential of 61 points in a four goal-game. Thats disappointing in anyones language but turnovers happen, its part of the time and young teams have to learn to deal with the pressure of a match. In many aspects, it was a case of Melbourne taking the game on and playing high risk football rather than the dreary pedestrian stuff we saw last year when the team kicked only three goals for the game and if youre doing that, then mistakes will happen and, as time goes on, a developing team will reduce the turnovers as it matures. But you really cant take the brain fades that result in opposition goals. Lynden Dunns short kick in and Jack Fitzpatricks tunnel ball throw were two examples that are true coach killers and are simply unacceptable (as were a couple of umpiring brain fades but you cant do much about that other than your coach risking a fine and publicly stating something to the effect that he wishes Jesse Hogan got the same protection from the umpires as does Cloke). There was also a lot made of the fact that Collingwoods Adam Oxley was allowed to roam the back half unattended and Melbourne seemed to constantly kick in his direction where the numbers dictated that he was going to win the ball more often than not. I simply didnt get that Paul Roos was unable to change things with the simple move necessary to cover that situation but I for one, got sick of seeing number 43 mark it on his own time and again. It was almost as if our one avenue to goal was through Oxley and if you are going to have a go at a player for tunnel balling the pill through goals and giving away six points, then the coach who allows an unattended opposition player to save several times more through his inaction has a lot to answer for (as do I for ending a sentence with a preposition). The pity of the defeat was that it overshadowed and possibly hid the fact that the Melbourne midfield showed definite signs of emerging out of the third world that it has inhabited for those eight or so years of darkness and it started with the ruckwork of Max Gawn who, unlike others tried in this department over those years, is actually good at the craft of giving his on ballers first use and as a result Bernie Vince, Nathan Jones and Jack Viney won the day over a very accomplished AFL midfield led by some handy types in Pendlebury, Swan and Sidebottom for starters. Melbourne lost a bit after half time with the injury and subbing off of Aaron vandenBerg and the discomfort of Viney with a corked calf (and lets hope thats all was) and probably tired in this division in the final quarter. But the main thing was that because they were getting drive from the midfield and were prepared to run and move the ball with a little more speed than normal, they were able to come back a few times when we thought they were gone. And they will only get better next week with the inclusion of Dom Tyson and possibly the debut of young ball magnet Alex Neal-Bullen who has been tearing it up at Casey. Speaking of tearing, the team missed Christian Salem who did the other hamstring at training on Saturday and continues to miss the pace of Dean Kent or the other hyphen JKH. Collingwood had close to its best team on the park and got through the game unscathed. Everything went its way but that doesn't happen every week. We'll get them next time. Melbourne 3.1.19 9.1.55 13.4.82 13.7.85 Collingwood 7.1.43 11.3.69 15.4.94 17.8.110 Goals Melbourne Howe 3 Garlett N Jones Vince 2 Brayshaw Collingwood Cloke 7 Blair Elliott 3 Broomhead Fasolo Seedsman Swan Best Melbourne Jones Vince Brayshaw Viney Cross Jetta Collingwood Cloke Oxley Pendlebury Swan Elliott Blair Williams Changes Melbourne Nil Collingwood Nil Injuries Melbourne Viney (corked calf) vandenBerg (leg) Collingwood Nil Substitutions Melbourne Matt Jones replaced Aaron vandenBerg (leg) at half-time Collingwood Ben Kennedy replaced Paul Seedsman in the third quarter Reports MelbourneNil Collingwood Nil Umpires Stevic Kamolins Pannell Official Crowd 66,120 at the MCG

The writing is on the wall for the Dockers. After plunging to defeat against North Melbourne last Sunday at Etihad Stadium, they are odds on (in my book anyway) to suffer another loss to the plucky Demons who will cross the Nullarbor with every reason to feel confident about their prospects knowing that thousands of their own long-suffering negative supporters have been left behind whining and moaning in Melbourne. With very few supporters in Perth, the Dees will be able to lift the "veil of negativity" and play the style of free-flowing running football that the modern game requires without the worrisome and pessimistic vibes of supporters in the stands who have stunted the team's performances since coach Paul Roos took over the coaching reins almost two years ago. The hard working Melbourne board and its coaching panel are entitled to expect positivity to course through and through the veins of every player who runs out onto the hallowed turf of Domain Stadium unburdened by the pressure of thousands of critical pairs of eyes of the fans left behind in Victoria. Max Gawn will cut Aaron Sandilands down to size in the ruck duels and his dominance there and around the ground should lead the way for the Demon midfield to destroy those hesitant worry warts in the Docker on ball division which will be quaking in their collective boots knowing that their star player and Brownlow favourite Nat Fyfe has been ruled out of this game because of a "leg injury". Leg injury, my foot. The bloke's supposed to have inflammation in his fibula in his left leg, a condition known as periostitis but my spies tell me he took one look at the vision of Melbourne's midfield in full flight against Carlton at the MCG last Sunday and quickly bailed out knowing that there was absolutely no chance that he could possibly poll any votes against that lot. After all, he's no Patrick Cripps is he? The Demons should be first to the ball at every contest. There will be no fumbling and no turnovers. Jack Watts will barge his way through packs to win the footy, Chris Dawes will mark everything in sight and every inside fifty pass will hit Jess Hogan on the tit as he gives Fred Fanning's long standing goal kicking record a fair shake. By about 7.00pm AEST the commentators on the Fox Footy Channel will be delving into the record books to ascertain whether they have just witnessed the biggest upset in the history of the game. And don't think Sunday's inevitable victory of Fremantle will be the end of the matter for the dazzling Dees. They will go on to bigger and brighter things to wrap up the season by finally winning successive AFL home and away games for the first time since Methuselah was a boy and simultaneously break their Etihad Stadium hoodoo by teaching the GWS Giants a lesson on how to play football under a roof in front of a non existent crowd because, like their counterparts from Sydney's western suburbs, those negative nellies are unlikely to turn up to the game either. After that, I fully expect them to go further onwards and upwards with a 2016 season that will make the Western Bulldogs' turnaround of this year look like small pickings because I'm one of those people who (like the Doggies' coach and former Demon player, Luke Beveridge) doesn't place modest objectives on my team. I have loftier ideals. And I'm positive about that! THE GAME Fremantle v Melbourne at Domain Stadium Sunday 30th August, 2015 at 4.40pm (AEST) HEAD TO HEAD Overall: Fremantle 20 wins Melbourne 13 14 wins At Domain Stadium: Fremantle 10 wins Melbourne 3 4 wins Last Five meetings: Fremantle 5 4 wins Melbourne 0 1 wins The Coaches: Lyon 2 wins Roos 0 1 wins * since I have no doubt that the Dees will whip the Dockers within an inch of their lives, I already have credited them with the win in advance in the above stats. Why muck around after all? MEDIA TV - Fox Footy Channel, live at 4.30pm (AEST) Radio - SEN, ABC, ABC Grandstand THE BETTING Fremantle $1.07 to win Melbourne $8.50 to win LAST TIME THEY MET Fremantle 18.10.118 defeated Melbourne 6.14.50 at the MCG, Round 5, 2015 The Dockers toyed with the Demons and never really gave them a look in. Nat Fyfe picked up his inevitable three Brownlow votes with consumate ease and Chris Mayne booted four against the hapless Dees who only had one player, Daniel Cross (21) who could manage more than twenty touches. FREMANTLE B: Lee Spurr, Luke McPharlin, Tendai Mzungu HB: Cameron Sutcliffe, Michael Johnson, Garrick Ibbotson C: Michael Barlow, Stephen Hill, Nick Suban HF: Danyle Pearce, Matthew Pavlich, Matt de Boer F: Jonathon Griffin, Chris Mayne, Michael Walters FOLL: Aaron Sandilands, David Mundy, Lachie Neale I/C: Zac Dawson, Ed Langdon, Clancee Pearce, Tommy Sheridan EMG: Paul Duffield, Alex Pearce, Matt Taberner IN: Ed Langdon, Matthew Pavlich, Clancee Pearce OUT: Hayden Crozier (omitted), Nat Fyfe (leg), Alex Pearce (omitted) MELBOURNE B: Colin Garland, Lynden Dunn, Jeremy Howe HB: Neville Jetta, Tom McDonald, Christian Salem C: Matt Jones, Bernie Vince, Daniel Cross HF: Viv Michie, Jesse Hogan, Alex Neal-Bullen F: Jeff Garlett, Jake Spencer, Oscar McDonald FOLL: Max Gawn, Nathan Jones, Jack Viney I/C: Jack Grimes, Ben Newton, Billy Stretch, Jack Watts EMG: Rohan Bail, James Harmes, Aidan Riley IN: Neville Jetta, Matt Jones, Oscar McDonald, Jake Spencer OUT: Angus Brayshaw (rested), Chris Dawes (ankle), James Harmes (omitted), Heritier Lumumba (ankle) NEW: Oscar McDonald (19, North Ballarat) What more can I say? The Demons are so confident of a win that they decided to rest young guns Angus Brayshaw and James Harmes this week and gave Oscar McDonald a debut game in the penultimate round in much the same way as they did with older brother Tom some four years ago. Even the selection moves are oozing positivity! It wasn't all that many moons ago that a different Melbourne turned up at the airport in Perth ready to do battle with Fremantle at the same ground (although it was called something else at the time). It was around the middle of the last decade when they were actually ranked more highly than any other Victorian club in the AFL. Back then, the Demons had a dip but the Dockers were committed, on song and on the way up. Conversely and unbeknown to them, the visitors from interstate were on the wrong side of their then coach's premiership clock which had not only stopped ticking but was about to break a spring and stop working altogether. Co-incidentally, some of the major players in the club's more recent past were aligned to the Dockers but were brought back home to help the Dees when they went into decline. Sadly, that didn't help. In the interim it's no secret that Melbourne has struggled in the west. The team has lost its last 15 games at Domain Stadium and their last six against Fremantle have been by an average of 68 points. However, we know that the tide must turn one day and what better day than now? The Dockers have been unconvincing in recent weeks, having lost their last two matches and now must finish off the home and away season without playmaker Nat Fyfe who dominated when these teams last met at the MCG earlier in the season. Teams always lift for milestone games and I expect Melbourne to lift for its courageous captain Nathan Jones who will notch up his 200th in this match. It's no coincidence that the team's performances have slipped in synch with a decline in the skipper's form over the past few weeks when he didn't look quite right but those who attended the club's training session at Domain reckon both he and Bernie Vince look to be in tip top shape for this one. Their return to form and the absence of Fyfe could swing this one in the Dees' favour. I already alluded to big Max Gawn earlier but there is really only one man in the competition who can stare eye to eye into the face of Docker ruckman Aaron Sandilands and that man is Max who I tip will topple him in an intriguing contest between the two tallest men in the AFL. I also believe the Demons will be primed to win the key position battles with Tom McDonald and Jesse Hogan forming the new breed of dominant key position players of the future joined by T Mac's younger bit slightly taller brother Oscar making his long-awaited debut. Make no mistake - the Dockers are in a state of panic about this game. The best indication of that is the fact that they rushed Matthew Pavlich back prematurely when he really should be sitting in the stand resting with Nat! The pundits are giving the Dees no chance in this game but I'm predicting a shock (but not for me) result in a game that will push the Dockers further into decline. Melbourne by 29 points.

DETERMINED AND DASHING DEES WILL BE TOO HOT FOR DIVING DOCKERS AT DOMAIN by Positive Peter from Perth The writing is on the wall for the Dockers. After plunging to defeat against North Melbourne last Sunday at Etihad Stadium, they are odds on (in my book anyway) to suffer another loss to the plucky Demons who will cross the Nullarbor with every reason to feel confident about their prospects knowing that thousands of their own long-suffering negative supporters have been left behind whining and moaning in Melbourne. With very few supporters in Perth, the Dees will be able to lift the "veil of negativity" and play the style of free-flowing running football that the modern game requires without the worrisome and pessimistic vibes of supporters in the stands who have stunted the team's performances since coach Paul Roos took over the coaching reins almost two years ago. The hard working Melbourne board and its coaching panel are entitled to expect positivity to course through and through the veins of every player who runs out onto the hallowed turf of Domain Stadium unburdened by the pressure of thousands of critical pairs of eyes of the fans left behind in Victoria. Max Gawn will cut Aaron Sandilands down to size in the ruck duels and his dominance there and around the ground should lead the way for the Demon midfield to destroy those hesitant worry warts in the Docker on ball division which will be quaking in their collective boots knowing that their star player and Brownlow favourite Nat Fyfe has been ruled out of this game because of a "leg injury". Leg injury, my foot. The bloke's supposed to have inflammation in his fibula in his left leg, a condition known as periostitis but my spies tell me he took one look at the vision of Melbourne's midfield in full flight against Carlton at the MCG last Sunday and quickly bailed out knowing that there was absolutely no chance that he could possibly poll any votes against that lot. After all, he's no Patrick Cripps is he? The Demons should be first to the ball at every contest. There will be no fumbling and no turnovers. Jack Watts will barge his way through packs to win the footy, Chris Dawes will mark everything in sight and every inside fifty pass will hit Jess Hogan on the tit as he gives Fred Fanning's long standing goal kicking record a fair shake. By about 7.00pm AEST the commentators on the Fox Footy Channel will be delving into the record books to ascertain whether they have just witnessed the biggest upset in the history of the game. And don't think Sunday's inevitable victory of Fremantle will be the end of the matter for the dazzling Dees. They will go on to bigger and brighter things to wrap up the season by finally winning successive AFL home and away games for the first time since Methuselah was a boy and simultaneously break their Etihad Stadium hoodoo by teaching the GWS Giants a lesson on how to play football under a roof in front of a non existent crowd because, like their counterparts from Sydney's western suburbs, those negative nellies are unlikely to turn up to the game either. After that, I fully expect them to go further onwards and upwards with a 2016 season that will make the Western Bulldogs' turnaround of this year look like small pickings because I'm one of those people who (like the Doggies' coach and former Demon player, Luke Beveridge) doesn't place modest objectives on my team. I have loftier ideals. And I'm positive about that! THE GAME Fremantle v Melbourne at Domain Stadium Sunday 30th August, 2015 at 4.40pm (AEST) HEAD TO HEAD Overall: Fremantle 20 wins Melbourne 13 14 wins At Domain Stadium: Fremantle 10 wins Melbourne 3 4 wins Last Five meetings: Fremantle 5 4 wins Melbourne 0 1 wins The Coaches: Lyon 2 wins Roos 0 1 wins * since I have no doubt that the Dees will whip the Dockers within an inch of their lives, I already have credited them with the win in advance in the above stats. Why muck around after all? MEDIA TV - Fox Footy Channel, live at 4.30pm (AEST) Radio - SEN, ABC, ABC Grandstand THE BETTING Fremantle $1.07 to win Melbourne $8.50 to win LAST TIME THEY MET Fremantle 18.10.118 defeated Melbourne 6.14.50 at the MCG, Round 5, 2015 The Dockers toyed with the Demons and never really gave them a look in. Nat Fyfe picked up his inevitable three Brownlow votes with consumate ease and Chris Mayne booted four against the hapless Dees who only had one player, Daniel Cross (21) who could manage more than twenty touches. FREMANTLE B: Lee Spurr, Luke McPharlin, Tendai Mzungu HB: Cameron Sutcliffe, Michael Johnson, Garrick Ibbotson C: Michael Barlow, Stephen Hill, Nick Suban HF: Danyle Pearce, Matthew Pavlich, Matt de Boer F: Jonathon Griffin, Chris Mayne, Michael Walters FOLL: Aaron Sandilands, David Mundy, Lachie Neale I/C: Zac Dawson, Ed Langdon, Clancee Pearce, Tommy Sheridan EMG: Paul Duffield, Alex Pearce, Matt Taberner IN: Ed Langdon, Matthew Pavlich, Clancee Pearce OUT: Hayden Crozier (omitted), Nat Fyfe (leg), Alex Pearce (omitted) MELBOURNE B: Colin Garland, Lynden Dunn, Jeremy Howe HB: Neville Jetta, Tom McDonald, Christian Salem C: Matt Jones, Bernie Vince, Daniel Cross HF: Viv Michie, Jesse Hogan, Alex Neal-Bullen F: Jeff Garlett, Jake Spencer, Oscar McDonald FOLL: Max Gawn, Nathan Jones, Jack Viney I/C: Jack Grimes, Ben Newton, Billy Stretch, Jack Watts EMG: Rohan Bail, James Harmes, Aidan Riley IN: Neville Jetta, Matt Jones, Oscar McDonald, Jake Spencer OUT: Angus Brayshaw (rested), Chris Dawes (ankle), James Harmes (omitted), Heritier Lumumba (ankle) NEW: Oscar McDonald (19, North Ballarat) What more can I say? The Demons are so confident of a win that they decided to rest young guns Angus Brayshaw and James Harmes this week and gave Oscar McDonald a debut game in the penultimate round in much the same way as they did with older brother Tom some four years ago. Even the selection moves are oozing positivity! It wasn't all that many moons ago that a different Melbourne turned up at the airport in Perth ready to do battle with Fremantle at the same ground (although it was called something else at the time). It was around the middle of the last decade when they were actually ranked more highly than any other Victorian club in the AFL. Back then, the Demons had a dip but the Dockers were committed, on song and on the way up. Conversely and unbeknown to them, the visitors from interstate were on the wrong side of their then coach's premiership clock which had not only stopped ticking but was about to break a spring and stop working altogether. Co-incidentally, some of the major players in the club's more recent past were aligned to the Dockers but were brought back home to help the Dees when they went into decline. Sadly, that didn't help. In the interim it's no secret that Melbourne has struggled in the west. The team has lost its last 15 games at Domain Stadium and their last six against Fremantle have been by an average of 68 points. However, we know that the tide must turn one day and what better day than now? The Dockers have been unconvincing in recent weeks, having lost their last two matches and now must finish off the home and away season without playmaker Nat Fyfe who dominated when these teams last met at the MCG earlier in the season. Teams always lift for milestone games and I expect Melbourne to lift for its courageous captain Nathan Jones who will notch up his 200th in this match. It's no coincidence that the team's performances have slipped in synch with a decline in the skipper's form over the past few weeks when he didn't look quite right but those who attended the club's training session at Domain reckon both he and Bernie Vince look to be in tip top shape for this one. Their return to form and the absence of Fyfe could swing this one in the Dees' favour. I already alluded to big Max Gawn earlier but there is really only one man in the competition who can stare eye to eye into the face of Docker ruckman Aaron Sandilands and that man is Max who I tip will topple him in an intriguing contest between the two tallest men in the AFL. I also believe the Demons will be primed to win the key position battles with Tom McDonald and Jesse Hogan forming the new breed of dominant key position players of the future joined by T Mac's younger bit slightly taller brother Oscar making his long-awaited debut. Make no mistake - the Dockers are in a state of panic about this game. The best indication of that is the fact that they rushed Matthew Pavlich back prematurely when he really should be sitting in the stand resting with Nat! The pundits are giving the Dees no chance in this game but I'm predicting a shock (but not for me) result in a game that will push the Dockers further into decline. Melbourne by 29 points.

They beat us earlier in the year on our ground when we were in form after the Richmond win. What are they going to do to us in Perth after our last few #%#*^ efforts? MELBOURNE B: Colin Garland, Tom McDonald, Jeremy Howe HB: Christian Salem, Lynden Dunn, Jack Grimes C: Heritier Lumumba, Bernie Vince, Daniel Cross HF: Jeff Garlett, Jesse Hogan, Jay Kennedy-Harris F: Jack Watts, Cameron Pedersen, Angus Brayshaw FOLL: Mark Jamar, Nathan Jones, Dom Tyson I/C: Jordie McKenzie, Viv Michie, Ben Newton, Aaron vandenBerg EMG: Aidan Riley, Jake Spencer, Billy Stretch IN: Jack Grimes, Jordie McKenzie, Cameron Pedersen OUT: Chris Dawes (calf), Neville Jetta (concussion), Dean Kent (hamstring) FREMANTLE B: Cameron Sutcliffe, Luke McPharlin, Lee Spurr HB: Garrick Ibbotson, Michael Johnson, Nick Suban C: Paul Duffield, Nat Fyfe, Matt de Boer HF: Danyle Pearce, Matthew Pavlich, Matt Taberner F: Zac Clarke, Chris Mayne, Michael Walters FOLL: Aaron Sandilands, David Mundy, Stephen Hill I/C (from): Hayden Ballantyne, Michael Barlow, Lachie Neale, Clancee Pearce EMG: Hayden Crozier, Jack Hannath, Tendai Mzungu IN: Hayden Ballantyne OUT: Tendai Mzungu

Tommy Mac is making a big run at the right end of the season … 138. Tom McDonald 130. Bernie Vince 121. Jesse Hogan 118. Nathan Jones 106. Jack Viney 81. Max Gawn 65. Daniel Cross 53. Angus Brayshaw 52. Jeffrey Garlett 51. Jack Watts 44. Colin Garland Aaron vandenBerg 33. Christian Salem 32. Jack Grimes 28. Cam Pedersen 22. Neville Jetta 19. Jimmy Toumpas 18. Chris Dawes 17. Lynden Dunn 16. Viv Michie 15. Jeremy Howe Dom Tyson 9. Ben Newton 4. James Harmes Mark Jamar Heritier Lubumba 3. Billy Stretch 2. Matt Jones Jake Spencer 1. Alex Neal-Bullen Counting now goes into camera for the final two rounds and the result will be announced shortly before the Bluey.

During the week, the Melbourne supporters were regaled with the near weekly promises of “improved performances more focus, tougher and harder”. It all means nothing because we have been promised this for at least the past seven or eight years and at the end of it we can barely muster half a dozen wins in a season. We all remember Cameron Bruce trotting out the same mantra, over 5 years ago, and we can be sure that Jack Watts or Max Gawn or Tom McDonald will be called out this week to perform a similar task. Honestly the club must think we supporters are sheep, deserving of nothing better. Worse is now this week, the Coaches have taken up the mantle of spin-doctors. Jade Rawlings promised us that: “We’ve certainly amped the players up this week for what we expect and with the chats they’ve had among themselves – they certainly know what to expect from each other.” Paul Roos promised us this week: “From our point of view, we’ve got to reset for the three [remaining] games,” And the players response to being reset and amped up … another five goal first quarter deficit, two lousy goals to half-time and a seven goal match total ….again! And this, against the bottom side on the ladder who had only managed three wins this season. It was a good thing they came into the game so fired up, or the result would have been a lot worse! What we the Fans want now is an apology. Demonland has rightly demanded this after yet another wasted season of miserable performances and downright disgraceful efforts. Do these same players think that we cannot see you running at half-pace while your opponents run away freely? Do you think we cannot see when you prefer to avoid a marking contest? Do you think we cannot see how slow you are to move the ball? Do you think we cannot see when you don’t honour the hard work of others to get to space? If there was ANY sort of positive from today it is with the likes of Brayshaw, Viney, Hogan, Jones and Vince. They are the only true footballers in the side today. Sadly three of them are mere kids who should have been rested long ago in this hard season, but we have no-one to replace them. NO-ONE! When Casey has the likes of Fitzpatrick, Jamar, Riley, McKenzie, Bail, M Jones and Terlich running around, unable to get into a side like ours at the moment, you start to appreciate the extent of the problem. When we have to play Stretch, Harmes, ANB, and Newton in our starting 18 then the problem is of even greater magnitude, as these kids should be undergoing an apprenticeship not being destroyed at senior level. Sadly, Daniel Cross has reached the end of the road, despite his big heart and efforts. Another hole that we should be filling for next year. Garlett despite a good haul of goals for the year, simply goes missing for most of the games he plays in. Chris Dawes cannot take a mark and is useful only as a big body. The holes in the playing list are monumental and potentially getting worse. Where is the hope for the future that a Club needs to sell to supporters? Nathan Jones is obviously carrying an injury and has been for a good part of the season. However, it doesn’t stop him trying his guts out every week. It must break his heart to see the efforts of others in his side that are simply not up to AFL standard. Jack Watts put in a more than serviceable game with 9 marks, 3 tackles and 19 disposals. Viv Michie probably saved his career with a 21 disposal effort. Tom McDonald was simply fantastic as once again he was thrown into the ruck to relieve Gawn, and finished up playing a ruck-rover type of role for the greater part of the game. How long has it been since a Melbourne player took 10 marks in a game? Max Gawn has cemented his ruck role in the side as number 1 with another 39 hit outs against the much vaunted Matthew Kruezer. When he builds a bigger engine, he will be a really potent force, but without decent support around him, it will all be for nothing. With next weeks game against Fremantle in Subiaco potentially being another shellacking, the only real hope is that Fremantle rest a dozen or more of their side as they have done in the past, in the lead up to finals. They cannot lose their top 2 spot, but even with half a side they should still easily defeat the Melbourne side that has been turning up for the past couple of months. No more promises, just apologise. *Apologise to those on the bus who travelled from south Gippsland to watch the day's performance. * Apologise to the young Chinese family decked out in Demon colours who want to be part of our Australian culture. * Apologise to the tired old blokes in faded Demon outfits who have been watching the game since Ron was running around the field. * Apologise to those kids who will be laughed at and taunted tomorrow at school, again. AND DON’T MAKE ANY MORE PROMISES … BECAUSE YOU DON’T DELIVER! Melbourne 1.2.8 2.3.15 6.9.45 7.13.55 Carlton 6.2.38 10.2.62 11.3.69 12.6.78 Goals Melbourne Dawes Garlett Gawn Grimes Jones Newton Watts Carlton Kreuzer 4 Walker 3 Cripps Everitt 2 Watson Best Melbourne McDonald Michie Watts Newton Viney Carlton Cripps Kreuzer Tutt Curnow Murphy Docherty Changes Melbourne Nil Carlton Casboult (knee) replaced in selected side by Watson Injuries Melbourne Heritier Lumumba (ankle) Carlton Menzel (shoulder) Murphy (shoulder) Jamison (concussion) Kreuzer (back) Substitutes Melbourne Heritier Lumumba (ankle) replaced by Alex Neal-Bullen in the second quarter Carlton Marc Murphy (shoulder) replaced by David Ellard in the third quarter Reports Melbourne Nil Carlton Nil Umpires Foot Ryan Hay Armstrong Official crowd 33,962 at the MCG

A dominant second half by the Casey Scorpions against a desperate Coburg at Pirhana Park has secured them a place in the Peter Jackson VFL finals series. The victory came after the team had a bright opening but squandered a four goal first quarter lead to trail by 20 points at the main break. The game demanded a backs to the wall performance and the team produced just that in the final two quarters. Four weeks ago Casey was sitting pretty with prospects of finishing in the top four but injuries and reversals of form had left them in a precarious position. Skipper Evan Panozza and beanpole Jack Fitzpatrick had been the glue that kept the team's defence together for most of the year but were now missing as were leading goal kickers Max King and Jayden Hunt who had been instrumental in the mid season surge. The team was down to just ten Demon listed players including Dean Kent who was lacking match fitness after he badly injured his hamstring in the Anzac Eve game v Richmond and playing ½ a game in the development league four weeks earlier. He was used sparingly in the hope that he can add to the team's playing stocks in the finals and did well to get 11 touches but it was always going to be a risk playing him in such a vital match. As it happened, the Scorps were able to make do with using twin tower ruckmen in Jake Spencer and Mark Jamar to kick goals while resting up forward. They were simply too tall and too strong for the Coburg defence and between them, they booted seven goals. Key forward Tim Smith made a timely return after missing most of the last half of the season. He had a purple patch in the first quarter booting three goals and then bobbed up with another in the third when the comeback was on. It was still a very inexperienced team with three players Jackson Anderson, Sean Corrigan and Matthew Rennie coming in for the first time this year. Between them they have played a handful of senior games. Perhaps it was the youth and inexperience or perhaps it was the flatness of the Demon-listed players after a tough campaign but the team simply stopped running in the second quarter and all the momentum went the way of the enthusiastic Lions who knew they had to win this and next week's final round game to displace the visitors from the finals but it was all one way traffic as they piled on six goals six behinds to two points to push the Scorpions to the brink of the abyss. However, it must have been something Justin Plapp said because a different breed of Scorpion came out of the sheds at half time. It was Spencer's quarter with the opening goal and another vital one in a six goal to two spree that had them in from with a goal to Rennie on the siren. The experience of veteran midfielders in McKenzie and Jones and the steadiness of Dean Terlich were invaluable in turning the tide in Casey's favour. Then it was the turn of another youngster in the form of the team's lucky charm 23rd player, Tom Papley, who was handy in a couple of wins early last month in the middle of the team's mid season winning streak that put it in finals contention in the first place. His goal to open the final stanza was critical and was followed by two each to the big blokes and it was all over - mission accomplished and the Scorpions were headed towards the finals and a place in the springtime sun. Peter Jackson VFL Casey Scorpions 6.1.37 6.3.39 12.6.78 17.9.111 Coburg Lions 3.0.18 9.6.60 11.8.74 14.10.94 Goals Casey Scorpions Smith Spencer 4 Jamar 3 Jones McKenzie Papley Rennie Riley Terlich Coburg Lions Johns 3 Hill MacDonald Younan 2 Carnell Cauchi Clifton Thomas Venditti Best Casey Scorpions Smith McKenzie Spencer Riley Jones Jamar Coburg Lions Johns Thomas Clifton Carnell Venditti Christensen Statistics Mark Jamar 3 goals 1 behind 13 disposals 11 kicks 2 handballs 6 marks 1 tackle 34 hit outs 102 dream team points Matt Jones 1 goal 30 disposals 13 kicks 17 handballs 5 marks 3 tackles 100 dream team points Jay Kennedy-Harris 9 disposals 5 kicks 4 handballs 2 marks 6 tackles 53 dream team points Dean Kent 1 behind 11 disposals 8 kicks 3 handballs 1 mark 2 tackles 40 dream team points Oscar McDonald 1 behind 11 disposals 4 kicks 7 handballs 3 marks 1 tackle 40 dream team points Jordie McKenzie 1 goal 12 disposals 4 kicks 8 handballs 1 mark 2 tackles 45 dream team points Aidan Riley 1 goal 24 disposals 6 kicks 18 handballs 2 mark 10 tackles 118 dream team points Jake Spencer 4 goals 1 behind 19 disposals 12 kicks 7 handballs 12 marks 5 tackles 30 hit outs 157 dream team points Dean Terlich 1 goal disposals 17 kicks 14 handballs 10 marks 1 tackle 119 dream team points Mitch White 15 disposals 11 kicks 4 handballs 4 marks 53 dream team points The development league team was overwhelmed for the third time this year by its bogey team, Coburg. 2015 Peter Jackson VFL Casey Scorpions 3.2.20 5.3.33 7.7.49 12.10.82 Coburg Lions 3.6.24 8.10.58 15.13.103 19.16.130 Goals Casey Scorpions Wyatt 3 McDonald Scott 2 Gawley Hillard Moncrieff Paredes Wilson Coburg Lions Madden 4 Cooper Kalanj 3 Hemala Schraven 2 Bailey Featherstone Hunt Miles Rogers Best Casey Scorpions Wyatt McDonald Rutherford Walmsley Scott Hillard Coburg Lions Sturgess Cooper Blair Madden Rogers Hunt

NO MORE PROMISES ... JUST SEND THE APOLOGY by George on The Outer During the week, the Melbourne supporters were regaled with the near weekly promises of “improved performances more focus, tougher and harder”. It all means nothing because we have been promised this for at least the past seven or eight years and at the end of it we can barely muster half a dozen wins in a season. We all remember Cameron Bruce trotting out the same mantra, over 5 years ago, and we can be sure that Jack Watts or Max Gawn or Tom McDonald will be called out this week to perform a similar task. Honestly the club must think we supporters are sheep, deserving of nothing better. Worse is now this week, the Coaches have taken up the mantle of spin-doctors. Jade Rawlings promised us that: “We’ve certainly amped the players up this week for what we expect and with the chats they’ve had among themselves – they certainly know what to expect from each other.” Paul Roos promised us this week: “From our point of view, we’ve got to reset for the three [remaining] games,” And the players response to being reset and amped up … another five goal first quarter deficit, two lousy goals to half-time and a seven goal match total ….again! And this, against the bottom side on the ladder who had only managed three wins this season. It was a good thing they came into the game so fired up, or the result would have been a lot worse! What we the Fans want now is an apology. Demonland has rightly demanded this after yet another wasted season of miserable performances and downright disgraceful efforts. Do these same players think that we cannot see you running at half-pace while your opponents run away freely? Do you think we cannot see when you prefer to avoid a marking contest? Do you think we cannot see how slow you are to move the ball? Do you think we cannot see when you don’t honour the hard work of others to get to space? If there was ANY sort of positive from today it is with the likes of Brayshaw, Viney, Hogan, Jones and Vince. They are the only true footballers in the side today. Sadly three of them are mere kids who should have been rested long ago in this hard season, but we have no-one to replace them. NO-ONE! When Casey has the likes of Fitzpatrick, Jamar, Riley, McKenzie, Bail, M Jones and Terlich running around, unable to get into a side like ours at the moment, you start to appreciate the extent of the problem. When we have to play Stretch, Harmes, ANB, and Newton in our starting 18 then the problem is of even greater magnitude, as these kids should be undergoing an apprenticeship not being destroyed at senior level. Sadly, Daniel Cross has reached the end of the road, despite his big heart and efforts. Another hole that we should be filling for next year. Garlett despite a good haul of goals for the year, simply goes missing for most of the games he plays in. Chris Dawes cannot take a mark and is useful only as a big body. The holes in the playing list are monumental and potentially getting worse. Where is the hope for the future that a Club needs to sell to supporters? Nathan Jones is obviously carrying an injury and has been for a good part of the season. However, it doesn’t stop him trying his guts out every week. It must break his heart to see the efforts of others in his side that are simply not up to AFL standard. Jack Watts put in a more than serviceable game with 9 marks, 3 tackles and 19 disposals. Viv Michie probably saved his career with a 21 disposal effort. Tom McDonald was simply fantastic as once again he was thrown into the ruck to relieve Gawn, and finished up playing a ruck-rover type of role for the greater part of the game. How long has it been since a Melbourne player took 10 marks in a game? Max Gawn has cemented his ruck role in the side as number 1 with another 39 hit outs against the much vaunted Matthew Kruezer. When he builds a bigger engine, he will be a really potent force, but without decent support around him, it will all be for nothing. With next weeks game against Fremantle in Subiaco potentially being another shellacking, the only real hope is that Fremantle rest a dozen or more of their side as they have done in the past, in the lead up to finals. They cannot lose their top 2 spot, but even with half a side they should still easily defeat the Melbourne side that has been turning up for the past couple of months. No more promises, just apologise. *Apologise to those on the bus who travelled from south Gippsland to watch the day's performance. * Apologise to the young Chinese family decked out in Demon colours who want to be part of our Australian culture. * Apologise to the tired old blokes in faded Demon outfits who have been watching the game since Ron was running around the field. * Apologise to those kids who will be laughed at and taunted tomorrow at school, again. AND DON’T MAKE ANY MORE PROMISES … BECAUSE YOU DON’T DELIVER! Melbourne 1.2.8 2.3.15 6.9.45 7.13.55 Carlton 6.2.38 10.2.62 11.3.69 12.6.78 Goals Melbourne Dawes Garlett Gawn Grimes Jones Newton Watts Carlton Kreuzer 4 Walker 3 Cripps Everitt 2 Watson Best Melbourne McDonald Michie Watts Newton Viney Carlton Cripps Kreuzer Tutt Curnow Murphy Docherty Changes Melbourne Nil Carlton Casboult (knee) replaced in selected side by Watson Injuries Melbourne Heritier Lumumba (ankle) Carlton Menzel (shoulder) Murphy (shoulder) Jamison (concussion) Kreuzer (back) Substitutes Melbourne Heritier Lumumba (ankle) replaced by Alex Neal-Bullen in the second quarter Carlton Marc Murphy (shoulder) replaced by David Ellard in the third quarter Reports Melbourne Nil Carlton Nil Umpires Foot Ryan Hay Armstrong Official crowd 33,962 at the MCG

A PLACE IN THE SPRINGTIME SUN by KC from Casey A dominant second half by the Casey Scorpions against a desperate Coburg at Pirhana Park has secured them a place in the Peter Jackson VFL finals series. The victory came after the team had a bright opening but squandered a four goal first quarter lead to trail by 20 points at the main break. The game demanded a backs to the wall performance and the team produced just that in the final two quarters. Four weeks ago Casey was sitting pretty with prospects of finishing in the top four but injuries and reversals of form had left them in a precarious position. Skipper Evan Panozza and beanpole Jack Fitzpatrick had been the glue that kept the team's defence together for most of the year but were now missing as were leading goal kickers Max King and Jayden Hunt who had been instrumental in the mid season surge. The team was down to just ten Demon listed players including Dean Kent who was lacking match fitness after he badly injured his hamstring in the Anzac Eve game v Richmond and playing ½ a game in the development league four weeks earlier. He was used sparingly in the hope that he can add to the team's playing stocks in the finals and did well to get 11 touches but it was always going to be a risk playing him in such a vital match. As it happened, the Scorps were able to make do with using twin tower ruckmen in Jake Spencer and Mark Jamar to kick goals while resting up forward. They were simply too tall and too strong for the Coburg defence and between them, they booted seven goals. Key forward Tim Smith made a timely return after missing most of the last half of the season. He had a purple patch in the first quarter booting three goals and then bobbed up with another in the third when the comeback was on. It was still a very inexperienced team with three players Jackson Anderson, Sean Corrigan and Matthew Rennie coming in for the first time this year. Between them they have played a handful of senior games. Perhaps it was the youth and inexperience or perhaps it was the flatness of the Demon-listed players after a tough campaign but the team simply stopped running in the second quarter and all the momentum went the way of the enthusiastic Lions who knew they had to win this and next week's final round game to displace the visitors from the finals but it was all one way traffic as they piled on six goals six behinds to two points to push the Scorpions to the brink of the abyss. However, it must have been something Justin Plapp said because a different breed of Scorpion came out of the sheds at half time. It was Spencer's quarter with the opening goal and another vital one in a six goal to two spree that had them in from with a goal to Rennie on the siren. The experience of veteran midfielders in McKenzie and Jones and the steadiness of Dean Terlich were invaluable in turning the tide in Casey's favour. Then it was the turn of another youngster in the form of the team's lucky charm 23rd player, Tom Papley, who was handy in a couple of wins early last month in the middle of the team's mid season winning streak that put it in finals contention in the first place. His goal to open the final stanza was critical and was followed by two each to the big blokes and it was all over - mission accomplished and the Scorpions were headed towards the finals and a place in the springtime sun. Peter Jackson VFL Casey Scorpions 6.1.37 6.3.39 12.6.78 17.9.111 Coburg Lions 3.0.18 9.6.60 11.8.74 14.10.94 Goals Casey Scorpions Smith Spencer 4 Jamar 3 Jones McKenzie Papley Rennie Riley Terlich Coburg Lions Johns 3 Hill MacDonald Younan 2 Carnell Cauchi Clifton Thomas Venditti Best Casey Scorpions Smith McKenzie Spencer Riley Jones Jamar Coburg Lions Johns Thomas Clifton Carnell Venditti Christensen Statistics Mark Jamar 3 goals 1 behind 13 disposals 11 kicks 2 handballs 6 marks 1 tackle 34 hit outs 102 dream team points Matt Jones 1 goal 30 disposals 13 kicks 17 handballs 5 marks 3 tackles 100 dream team points Jay Kennedy-Harris 9 disposals 5 kicks 4 handballs 2 marks 6 tackles 53 dream team points Dean Kent 1 behind 11 disposals 8 kicks 3 handballs 1 mark 2 tackles 40 dream team points Oscar McDonald 1 behind 11 disposals 4 kicks 7 handballs 3 marks 1 tackle 40 dream team points Jordie McKenzie 1 goal 12 disposals 4 kicks 8 handballs 1 mark 2 tackles 45 dream team points Aidan Riley 1 goal 24 disposals 6 kicks 18 handballs 2 mark 10 tackles 118 dream team points Jake Spencer 4 goals 1 behind 19 disposals 12 kicks 7 handballs 12 marks 5 tackles 30 hit outs 157 dream team points Dean Terlich 1 goal disposals 17 kicks 14 handballs 10 marks 1 tackle 119 dream team points Mitch White 15 disposals 11 kicks 4 handballs 4 marks 53 dream team points The development league team was overwhelmed for the third time this year by its bogey team, Coburg. 2015 Peter Jackson VFL Casey Scorpions 3.2.20 5.3.33 7.7.49 12.10.82 Coburg Lions 3.6.24 8.10.58 15.13.103 19.16.130 Goals Casey Scorpions Wyatt 3 McDonald Scott 2 Gawley Hillard Moncrieff Paredes Wilson Coburg Lions Madden 4 Cooper Kalanj 3 Hemala Schraven 2 Bailey Featherstone Hunt Miles Rogers Best Casey Scorpions Wyatt McDonald Rutherford Walmsley Scott Hillard Coburg Lions Sturgess Cooper Blair Madden Rogers Hunt