Demonland

Place your votes after the siren ...

Repeating the full OP with Whispering Jack's thoughts on a tragic day at the end ... HEARTLAND by Whispering Jack The Melbourne roller coaster moves to the Top End this week and I have a feeling this could reignite the debate that has been raging on and off among supporters for more than a decade about the financial necessity of selling home matches to venues outside of the home state. We are all painfully aware of the connection between financial stability and on field success, of how this combination can work to perpetuate the strength of a football club and conversely, of how failure in this area can bring long term grief such as that which the Melbourne Football Club has endured since it last featured in finals calculations. Lucrative sponsorships are hard to find and the funds coming in from the club's current partnership with the Northern Territory government no doubt help to balance the books but, as the club moves into the phase where it becomes competitive against the other clubs, the question needs to be asked. Should it be necessary for the club to sell off home ground advantage to play in far flung venues in front of small crowds far away from its supporter base? The Demons are in a vastly different position to the Hawks who have managed to turn Launceston's Aurora Stadium into a fortress at which they are rarely beaten. This has never been the case in relation to Melbourne's endeavours not only in Darwin Alice Springs and also before that, in Brisbane and Canberra. This week, the team comes up against the West Coast Eagles who admittedly have owned Melbourne, even at the MCG for much of living memory. Their rapid improvement in 2015 despite the loss of a couple of key defenders through injury, means they will relish the opportunity to take on a Victorian team on neutral soil at TIO Stadium in Darwin. Meanwhile, Demon fans who have been basking in the glory of that win at the Cattery almost a fortnight ago, as if a single good performance is a reflection of total resurrection (some are even calculating the mathematical possibility of how far into the top eight the team can finish), will miss the opportunity of cheering on their heroes in person after a big win. That happened last when Melbourne took on Port Adelaide in Alice Springs the week after their 39-point victory over the Bulldogs. It was seen as the perfect opportunity to win consecutive games for the first time in four years and the Dees were well on their way when they led by four goals halfway through the second quarter. Given Port's lapses against Carlton at the MCG and their poor recent form in Victoria, one wonders whether the result would have been the same had that game been played in Victoria rather than in the centre of the continent? Still, the game against West Coast on Saturday night presents the club and its players with a fascinating challenge and pushes the team into the limelight with a game against one of the premiership contenders. If it can prove that the performance against Geelong was indeed not an aberration and produces the goods again, then it might in the near future, win some of those appealing prime time Friday night fixtures which might help bring in the revenue and procure additional sponsorships that would make it unnecessary for the club to sell its soul and move games away from its supporters and it's heartland. THE GAME Melbourne v West Coast v Melbourne at TIO Stadium, Darwin Saturday 4 July, 2015 at 7.40pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 15 wins West Coast 31 wins At TIO Stadium Melbourne 0 wins West Coast 0 wins Past five meetings Melbourne 0 wins West Coast 5 wins The Coaches Roos 0 wins Simpson 2 wins MEDIA TV - Fox Sports Channel 3 at 7.30pm (live) RADIO - SEN, ABC, ABC Grandstand THE BETTING Melbourne to win - $4.30 West Coast to win - $1.23 THE LAST TIME THEY MET West Coast 18.11.119 defeated Melbourne 8.5.53 Round 22, 2014 at Patersons Stadium The Demons were never in the hunt after the Eagles booted 6 goals to 1 in the opening term. The teams went through the motions for another three quarters. Apart from some resistance from Bernie Vince and Dom Tyson, it was typical of a team for which the season's death knell had long ago sounded. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE B: Neville Jetta, Tom McDonald, Colin Garland HB: Daniel Cross, Lynden Dunn, Jimmy Toumpas C: Rohan Bail, Jack Viney, Jack Watts HF: Jeff Garlett, Chris Dawes, Jeremy Howe F: Angus Brayshaw, Jesse Hogan, Jake Spencer FOLL: Max Gawn, Bernie Vince, Nathan Jones I/C: Matt Jones, Alex Neal-Bullen, Billy Stretch, Dom Tyson EMG: Jack Fitzpatrick, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Aidan Riley IN: Colin Garland, Jesse Hogan OUT: Heritier Lumumba (foot), Aidan Riley (omitted) WEST COAST EAGLES B: Shannon Hurn, Will Schofield, Brad Sheppard HB: Sam Butler, Jeremy McGovern, Sharrod Wellingham C: Elliot Yeo, Matt Priddis, Andrew Gaff HF: Chris Masten, Jack Darling, Jamie Cripps F: Mark Le Cras, Josh Kennedy, Josh Hill FOLL: Nick Naitanui, Scott Selwood, Luke Shuey I/C: Liam Duggan, Xavier Ellis, Dom Sheed, Callum Sinclair EMG: Mark Hutchings, Fraser McInnes, Matt Rosa IN: Sam Butler OUT: Matt Rosa (omitted) WISH I HAD A RIVER 3.7.15 "Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on. I wish I had a river so long, I would teach my feet to fly." ~ River by Joni Mitchell A couple of days ago I read that singer/songwriter Joni Mitchell was recovering from a brain aneurysm she suffered in March. I was relieved to read that Mitchell can now speak, is going through therapy to help regain the ability to walk again and is expected to make a full recovery. That night, the words and the tune from "River" came to haunt me. The song is about loss, about pain and regret. In this song it's about the loss of a friend, not from bereavement but from the breakdown of a love affair. Regret for things that that might not have been said or done between people in relationships. Regret because things can never be the same again. It's been a rough week for the world at large. People have died in many places as a result of violence on such a massive scale that the scandals we read of here about young footballers taking social drugs have been overshadowed by the troubles across the globe. News that a prominent player is suffering from a cancer skated across our television screens and numbed us, but only momentarily. We moved on. Then this morning, came the terrible news about the death of Phil Walsh of the Adelaide Crows. There is nothing to say that can bring him back. There may be regrets but for one family and all those he touched, nothing will be the same again. The pain will linger forever. Suddenly, it doesn't matter that there's a game in Darwin or anywhere else for that matter. I wish I had a river I could skate away on.

I doubt they will be able to push the finals and grand final back. There's too much pre-planning and scheduling. They will more likely cancel the round.

http://www.9news.com.au/national/2015/07/03/05/48/suspicious-death-following-alleged-domestic-dispute-in-adelaide

The Melbourne roller coaster moves to the Top End this week and I have a feeling this could reignite the debate that has been raging on and off among supporters for more than a decade about the financial necessity of selling home matches to venues outside of the home state. We are all painfully aware of the connection between financial stability and on field success, of how this combination can work to perpetuate the strength of a football club and conversely, of how failure in this area can bring long term grief such as that which the Melbourne Football Club has endured since it last featured in finals calculations. Lucrative sponsorships are hard to find and the funds coming in from the club's current partnership with the Northern Territory government no doubt help to balance the books but, as the club moves into the phase where it becomes competitive against the other clubs, the question needs to be asked. Should it be necessary for the club to sell off home ground advantage to play in far flung venues in front of small crowds far away from its supporter base? The Demons are in a vastly different position to the Hawks who have managed to turn Launceston's Aurora Stadium into a fortress at which they are rarely beaten. This has never been the case in relation to Melbourne's endeavours not only in Darwin Alice Springs and also before that, in Brisbane and Canberra. This week, the team comes up against the West Coast Eagles who admittedly have owned Melbourne, even at the MCG for much of living memory. Their rapid improvement in 2015 despite the loss of a couple of key defenders through injury, means they will relish the opportunity to take on a Victorian team on neutral soil at TIO Stadium in Darwin. Meanwhile, Demon fans who have been basking in the glory of that win at the Cattery almost a fortnight ago, as if a single good performance is a reflection of total resurrection (some are even calculating the mathematical possibility of how far into the top eight the team can finish), will miss the opportunity of cheering on their heroes in person after a big win. That happened last when Melbourne took on Port Adelaide in Alice Springs the week after their 39-point victory over the Bulldogs. It was seen as the perfect opportunity to win consecutive games for the first time in four years and the Dees were well on their way when they led by four goals halfway through the second quarter. Given Port's lapses against Carlton at the MCG and their poor recent form in Victoria, one wonders whether the result would have been the same had that game been played in Victoria rather than in the centre of the continent? Still, the game against West Coast on Saturday night presents the club and its players with a fascinating challenge and pushes the team into the limelight with a game against one of the premiership contenders. If it can prove that the performance against Geelong was indeed not an aberration and produces the goods again, then it might in the near future, win some of those appealing prime time Friday night fixtures which might help bring in the revenue and procure additional sponsorships that would make it unnecessary for the club to sell its soul and move games away from its supporters and it's heartland. THE GAME Melbourne v West Coast v Melbourne at TIO Stadium, Darwin Saturday 4 July, 2015 at 7.40pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 15 wins West Coast 31 wins At TIO Stadium Melbourne 0 wins West Coast 0 wins Past five meetings Melbourne 0 wins West Coast 5 wins The Coaches Roos 0 wins Simpson 2 wins MEDIA TV - Fox Sports Channel 3 at 7.30pm (live) RADIO - SEN, ABC, ABC Grandstand THE BETTING Melbourne to win - $4.30 West Coast to win - $1.23 THE LAST TIME THEY MET West Coast 18.11.119 defeated Melbourne 8.5.53 Round 22, 2014 at Patersons Stadium The Demons were never in the hunt after the Eagles booted 6 goals to 1 in the opening term. The teams went through the motions for another three quarters. Apart from some resistance from Bernie Vince and Dom Tyson, it was typical of a team for which the season's death knell had long ago sounded. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE B: Neville Jetta, Tom McDonald, Colin Garland HB: Daniel Cross, Lynden Dunn, Jimmy Toumpas C: Rohan Bail, Jack Viney, Jack Watts HF: Jeff Garlett, Chris Dawes, Jeremy Howe F: Angus Brayshaw, Jesse Hogan, Jake Spencer FOLL: Max Gawn, Bernie Vince, Nathan Jones I/C: Matt Jones, Alex Neal-Bullen, Billy Stretch, Dom Tyson EMG: Jack Fitzpatrick, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Aidan Riley IN: Colin Garland, Jesse Hogan OUT: Heritier Lumumba (foot), Aidan Riley (omitted) WEST COAST EAGLES B: Shannon Hurn, Will Schofield, Brad Sheppard HB: Sam Butler, Jeremy McGovern, Sharrod Wellingham C: Elliot Yeo, Matt Priddis, Andrew Gaff HF: Chris Masten, Jack Darling, Jamie Cripps F: Mark Le Cras, Josh Kennedy, Josh Hill FOLL: Nick Naitanui, Scott Selwood, Luke Shuey I/C: Liam Duggan, Xavier Ellis, Dom Sheed, Callum Sinclair EMG: Mark Hutchings, Fraser McInnes, Matt Rosa IN: Sam Butler OUT: Matt Rosa (omitted) WISH I HAD A RIVER 3.7.15 "Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on. I wish I had a river so long, I would teach my feet to fly." ~ River by Joni Mitchell A couple of days ago I read that singer/songwriter Joni Mitchell was recovering from a brain aneurysm she suffered in March. I was relieved to read that Mitchell can now speak, is going through therapy to help regain the ability to walk again and is expected to make a full recovery. That night, the words and the tune from "River" came to haunt me. The song is about loss, about pain and regret. In this song it's about the loss of a friend, not from bereavement but from the breakdown of a love affair. Regret for things that that might not have been said or done between people in relationships. Regret because things can never be the same again. It's been a rough week for the world at large. People have died in many places as a result of violence on such a massive scale that the scandals we read of here about young footballers taking social drugs have been overshadowed by the troubles across the globe. News that a prominent player is suffering from a cancer skated across our television screens and numbed us, but only momentarily. We moved on. Then this morning, came the terrible news about the death of Phil Walsh of the Adelaide Crows. There is nothing to say that can bring him back. There may be regrets but for one family and all those he touched, nothing will be the same again. The pain will linger forever. Suddenly, it doesn't matter that there's a game in Darwin or anywhere else for that matter. I wish I had a river I could skate away on.

HEARTLAND by Whispering Jack The Melbourne roller coaster moves to the Top End this week and I have a feeling this could reignite the debate that has been raging on and off among supporters for more than a decade about the financial necessity of selling home matches to venues outside of the home state. We are all painfully aware of the connection between financial stability and on field success, of how this combination can work to perpetuate the strength of a football club and conversely, of how failure in this area can bring long term grief such as that which the Melbourne Football Club has endured since it last featured in finals calculations. Lucrative sponsorships are hard to find and the funds coming in from the club's current partnership with the Northern Territory government no doubt help to balance the books but, as the club moves into the phase where it becomes competitive against the other clubs, the question needs to be asked. Should it be necessary for the club to sell off home ground advantage to play in far flung venues in front of small crowds far away from its supporter base? The Demons are in a vastly different position to the Hawks who have managed to turn Launceston's Aurora Stadium into a fortress at which they are rarely beaten. This has never been the case in relation to Melbourne's endeavours not only in Darwin Alice Springs and also before that, in Brisbane and Canberra. This week, the team comes up against the West Coast Eagles who admittedly have owned Melbourne, even at the MCG for much of living memory. Their rapid improvement in 2015 despite the loss of a couple of key defenders through injury, means they will relish the opportunity to take on a Victorian team on neutral soil at TIO Stadium in Darwin. Meanwhile, Demon fans who have been basking in the glory of that win at the Cattery almost a fortnight ago, as if a single good performance is a reflection of total resurrection (some are even calculating the mathematical possibility of how far into the top eight the team can finish), will miss the opportunity of cheering on their heroes in person after a big win. That happened last when Melbourne took on Port Adelaide in Alice Springs the week after their 39-point victory over the Bulldogs. It was seen as the perfect opportunity to win consecutive games for the first time in four years and the Dees were well on their way when they led by four goals halfway through the second quarter. Given Port's lapses against Carlton at the MCG and their poor recent form in Victoria, one wonders whether the result would have been the same had that game been played in Victoria rather than in the centre of the continent? Still, the game against West Coast on Saturday night presents the club and its players with a fascinating challenge and pushes the team into the limelight with a game against one of the premiership contenders. If it can prove that the performance against Geelong was indeed not an aberration and produces the goods again, then it might in the near future, win some of those appealing prime time Friday night fixtures which might help bring in the revenue and procure additional sponsorships that would make it unnecessary for the club to sell its soul and move games away from its supporters and it's heartland. THE GAME Melbourne v West Coast v Melbourne at TIO Stadium, Darwin Saturday 4 July, 2015 at 7.40pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 15 wins West Coast 31 wins At TIO Stadium Melbourne 0 wins West Coast 0 wins Past five meetings Melbourne 0 wins West Coast 5 wins The Coaches Roos 0 wins Simpson 2 wins MEDIA TV - Fox Sports Channel 3 at 7.30pm (live) RADIO - SEN, ABC, ABC Grandstand THE BETTING Melbourne to win - $4.30 West Coast to win - $1.23 THE LAST TIME THEY MET West Coast 18.11.119 defeated Melbourne 8.5.53 Round 22, 2014 at Patersons Stadium The Demons were never in the hunt after the Eagles booted 6 goals to 1 in the opening term. The teams went through the motions for another three quarters. Apart from some resistance from Bernie Vince and Dom Tyson, it was typical of a team for which the season's death knell had long ago sounded. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE B: Neville Jetta, Tom McDonald, Colin Garland HB: Daniel Cross, Lynden Dunn, Jimmy Toumpas C: Rohan Bail, Jack Viney, Jack Watts HF: Jeff Garlett, Chris Dawes, Jeremy Howe F: Angus Brayshaw, Jesse Hogan, Jake Spencer FOLL: Max Gawn, Bernie Vince, Nathan Jones I/C: Matt Jones, Alex Neal-Bullen, Billy Stretch, Dom Tyson EMG: Jack Fitzpatrick, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Aidan Riley IN: Colin Garland, Jesse Hogan OUT: Heritier Lumumba (foot), Aidan Riley (omitted) WEST COAST EAGLES B: Shannon Hurn, Will Schofield, Brad Sheppard HB: Sam Butler, Jeremy McGovern, Sharrod Wellingham C: Elliot Yeo, Matt Priddis, Andrew Gaff HF: Chris Masten, Jack Darling, Jamie Cripps F: Mark Le Cras, Josh Kennedy, Josh Hill FOLL: Nick Naitanui, Scott Selwood, Luke Shuey I/C: Liam Duggan, Xavier Ellis, Dom Sheed, Callum Sinclair EMG: Mark Hutchings, Fraser McInnes, Matt Rosa IN: Sam Butler OUT: Matt Rosa (omitted) WISH I HAD A RIVER 3.7.15 "Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on. I wish I had a river so long, I would teach my feet to fly." ~ River by Joni Mitchell A couple of days ago I read that singer/songwriter Joni Mitchell was recovering from a brain aneurysm she suffered in March. I was relieved to read that Mitchell can now speak, is going through therapy to help regain the ability to walk again and is expected to make a full recovery. That night, the words and the tune from "River" came to haunt me. The song is about loss, about pain and regret. In this song it's about the loss of a friend, not from bereavement but from the breakdown of a love affair. Regret for things that that might not have been said or done between people in relationships. Regret because things can never be the same again. It's been a rough week for the world at large. People have died in many places as a result of violence on such a massive scale that the scandals we read of here about young footballers taking social drugs have been overshadowed by the troubles across the globe. News that a prominent player is suffering from a cancer skated across our television screens and numbed us, but only momentarily. We moved on. Then this morning, came the terrible news about the death of Phil Walsh of the Adelaide Crows. There is nothing to say that can bring him back. There may be regrets but for one family and all those he touched, nothing will be the same again. The pain will linger forever. Suddenly, it doesn't matter that there's a game in Darwin or anywhere else for that matter. I wish I had a river I could skate away on.

LAST TIME THEY MET Who could ever remember this game from Round 22 of last year? I tried to think - but it was one which has been erased completely from the memory banks. How on earth is that possible? THE TEAMS WEST COAST B: Jeremy McGovern, Eric Mackenzie, Jamie Bennell HB: Shannon Hurn, Mitchell Brown, Will Schofield C: Patrick McGinnity, Matt Priddis, Andrew Gaff HF: Jamie Cripps, Josh Kennedy, Chris Masten F: Nic Naitanui, Jack Darling, Josh Hill FOLL: Dean Cox, Mark Hutchings, Luke Shuey I/C: Sam Butler, Mark LeCras, Scott Lycett, Dominic Sheed EMG: Jacob Brennan, Adam Carter, Brant Colledge IN: Mark Le Cras OUT: Simon Tunbridge (omitted) MELBOURNE B: Lynden Dunn, James Frawley, Colin Garland HB: Neville Jetta, Tom McDonald, Jeremy Howe C: Matt Jones, Jack Viney, Daniel Cross HF: Bernie Vince, Cameron Pedersen, Jack Watts F: Max Gawn, Chris Dawes, Jack Fitzpatrick FOLL: Mark Jamar Nathan Jones Dom Tyson I/C: Rohan Bail, Dean Kent, Viv Michie, Christian Salem EMG: Dom Barry, Jordie McKenzie, Aidan Riley IN: Rohan Bail, Jack Fitzpatrick, Cameron Pedersen OUT: Dom Barry (omitted), Jack Grimes (hamstring), Aidan Riley (omitted)

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-06-23/team-of-the-week-round-12

I can't remember what happened that weekend.

I was hoping for more entries after that big, big, win but the quality was there. Thank you. Tom Mac's big lead is under attack and Jesse Hogan's week off saw him drop from second to fourth. I sense an exciting finish for once ... here is the progressive situation as we speak ... 101. Tom McDonald 80. Bernie Vince 79. Nathan Jones 75. Jesse Hogan 53. Angus Brayshaw 43. Daniel Cross 41. Jeffrey Garlett 40. Colin Garland Jack Viney 30. Christian Salem Aaron vandenBerg 28. Cam Pedersen 21. Max Gawn 19. Jimmy Toumpas 13. Jack Grimes 11. Jack Watts 10. Neville Jetta 9. Lynden Dunn 4. Mark Jamar Viv Michie Ben Newton 3. Heritier Lubumba 2. Jeremy Howe Jake Spencer 1. Dom Tyson

The Geelong fans who were streaming out of the ground in their droves would have been shocked at the sight of this when they arrived home and turned on their television sets:- A Geelong victory over Melbourne at the Cattery has become such a common sight that the producers of the news at Channel 9 had presumed the inevitable and decided that not only was Geelong already celebrating a win in Corey Enright's 300th game, but his entire home town of Kimba was celebrating his achievement and the victory with him.Melbourne fans have been making fun of the production failure at the Nine Network ever since although let's face it - most of us were fairly much convinced on the night before the game that it would be a blow out in favour of the Cats and possibly one of three figure proportions. Not only that, but after Max Gawn goaled to give the team a 20 point lead deep into the opening term, how many of us thought that lead would surely and inevitably dissipate very quickly? And it almost did with a late goal to the Cats and then the first major of the second quarter which made it only 6 points the difference. We fought back but as we reached the halfway mark of the term, how many of us remembered the same period in earlier games against Adelaide, GWS and Port Adelaide and sat waiting for what we thought was the inevitable - and then Hawkins kicked one in the shadows of half time to make it a 5 point game? Before the second half was two minutes old, Hawkins repeated the dose and the Demons' lead was gone but it was only temporary because Jake Spencer booted an unlikely reply followed by goals to Matt Jones and Jeff Garlett and it was suddenly back out to 16 points. So who among us was confident of a Demon win at that stage with ten minutes gone into the half? Sure enough, we sat back and watched in horror as Geelong scored three in a row to lay down yet another challenge as they snatched a two point lead and looked ready to run away with the game. When we rallied again it was Gawn setting up the ball for Jack Watts to pass to Garlett for his third and then young Alex Neal-Bullen got his third. The Cats came back but a Jeremy Howe mark and goal from a tight angle gave the Dees an 11 point lead at the final break. Who now had enough belief in their ability to play out that final term in the darkening cauldron of Simonds Stadium and to finish in front when it really mattered? I'll venture to say that it wasn't many with last week's dramatic final 42 seconds against St. Kilda at an equally hostile venue back in town still fresh in our minds. But the Demons continued their surge led by young and old with goals to Nathan Jones, Jeremy Howe, Billy Stretch and Bernie Vince to take the lead out to 32 points at the 17½ minute mark. The skipper and Vince had been magnificent all day racking up possessions thanks to the hard ruck work of emerging giant Gawn. Young Jack Viney was emerging as the conqueror of a different type of giant in football, snaring the scalp of Joel Selwood to go with that of Gary Ablett Junior in the opening round (and how much did we miss him when he broke his leg?). And we still had our doubts and the Cats still came with two goals to narrow the margin back to 19 points with a win still gettable and the final siren six minutes away. Then Garlett got his fourth and there was still doubt in the minds of the Demon fans even as the Cat fans streamed out. The Enright party was spoiled. They knew. Even then, the Demon leadership urged the players to defend stoutly and as the seconds ticked away our belief and our faith was restored for perhaps the first time in ten long years, leaving only a red-faced producer at the studios of Channel 9 unaware of the good news. Melbourne 5.2.32 7.3.45 13.4.82 18.5.113 Geelong 3.1.19 6.4.40 11.5.71 13.11.89 Goals Melbourne Garlett 4 Neal-Bullen 3 Howe M Jones Vince 2 Gawn N Jones Spencer Stretch Tyson Geelong Hawkins Johnson Kersten Lang Motlop 2 Guthrie Selwood Walker Best Melbourne Vince Brayshaw N Jones Gawn Dunn Viney Garlett Geelong Motlop Blicavs Guthrie Caddy Stokes Changes Melbourne Nil Geelong Nil Injuries Melbourne Nil Geelong Murdoch (hamstring) Substitutions Melbourne Aidan Riley replaced Jimmy Toumpas at three quarter time Geelong Michael Luxford replaced Jordan Murdoch in the third quarter Reports Melbourne Nil Geelong Nil Umpires Chris Donlon Troy Pannell Andrew Stephens Official Crowd 28,007 at Simonds Stadium All of the goals

Vote for your best 6 in order ...

YE OF LITTLE FAITH by The Oracle The Geelong fans who were streaming out of the ground in their droves would have been shocked at the sight of this when they arrived home and turned on their television sets:- A Geelong victory over Melbourne at the Cattery has become such a common sight that the producers of the news at Channel 9 had presumed the inevitable and decided that not only was Geelong already celebrating a win in Corey Enright's 300th game, but his entire home town of Kimba was celebrating his achievement and the victory with him. Melbourne fans have been making fun of the production failure at the Nine Network ever since although let's face it - most of us were fairly much convinced on the night before the game that it would be a blow out in favour of the Cats and possibly one of three figure proportions. Not only that, but after Max Gawn goaled to give the team a 20 point lead deep into the opening term, how many of us thought that lead would surely and inevitably dissipate very quickly? And it almost did with a late goal to the Cats and then the first major of the second quarter which made it only 6 points the difference. We fought back but as we reached the halfway mark of the term, how many of us remembered the same period in earlier games against Adelaide, GWS and Port Adelaide and sat waiting for what we thought was the inevitable - and then Hawkins kicked one in the shadows of half time to make it a 5 point game? Before the second half was two minutes old, Hawkins repeated the dose and the Demons' lead was gone but it was only temporary because Jake Spencer booted an unlikely reply followed by goals to Matt Jones and Jeff Garlett and it was suddenly back out to 16 points. So who among us was confident of a Demon win at that stage with ten minutes gone into the half? Sure enough, we sat back and watched in horror as Geelong scored three in a row to lay down yet another challenge as they snatched a two point lead and looked ready to run away with the game. When we rallied again it was Gawn setting up the ball for Jack Watts to pass to Garlett for his third and then young Alex Neal-Bullen got his third. The Cats came back but a Jeremy Howe mark and goal from a tight angle gave the Dees an 11 point lead at the final break. Who now had enough belief in their ability to play out that final term in the darkening cauldron of Simonds Stadium and to finish in front when it really mattered? I'll venture to say that it wasn't many with last week's dramatic final 42 seconds against St. Kilda at an equally hostile venue back in town still fresh in our minds. But the Demons continued their surge led by young and old with goals to Nathan Jones, Jeremy Howe, Billy Stretch and Bernie Vince to take the lead out to 32 points at the 17½ minute mark. The skipper and Vince had been magnificent all day racking up possessions thanks to the hard ruck work of emerging giant Gawn. Young Jack Viney was emerging as the conqueror of a different type of giant in football, snaring the scalp of Joel Selwood to go with that of Gary Ablett Junior in the opening round (and how much did we miss him when he broke his leg?). And we still had our doubts and the Cats still came with two goals to narrow the margin back to 19 points with a win still gettable and the final siren six minutes away. Then Garlett got his fourth and there was still doubt in the minds of the Demon fans even as the Cat fans streamed out. The Enright party was spoiled. They knew. Even then, the Demon leadership urged the players to defend stoutly and as the seconds ticked away our belief and our faith was restored for perhaps the first time in ten long years, leaving only a red-faced producer at the studios of Channel 9 unaware of the good news. Melbourne 5.2.32 7.3.45 13.4.82 18.5.113 Geelong 3.1.19 6.4.40 11.5.71 13.11.89 Goals Melbourne Garlett 4 Neal-Bullen 3 Howe M Jones Vince 2 Gawn N Jones Spencer Stretch Tyson Geelong Hawkins Johnson Kersten Lang Motlop 2 Guthrie Selwood Walker Best Melbourne Vince Brayshaw N Jones Gawn Dunn Viney Garlett Geelong Motlop Blicavs Guthrie Caddy Stokes Changes Melbourne Nil Geelong Nil Injuries Melbourne Nil Geelong Murdoch (hamstring) Substitutions Melbourne Aidan Riley replaced Jimmy Toumpas at three quarter time Geelong Michael Luxford replaced Jordan Murdoch in the third quarter Reports Melbourne Nil Geelong Nil Umpires Chris Donlon Troy Pannell Andrew Stephens Official Crowd 28,007 at Simonds Stadium

The Casey Scorpions travelled to Eureka Stadium in search of gold but returned with nothing because they failed in the basic test of football - kicking for goal. The tone for the game between the Scorpions and North Ballarat was set by the end of the first quarter when the visiting team dominated play but, by virtue of its inaccuracy, trailed by a point. The Roosters goaled with all three shots at goal and the Scorpions were only successful with only two of seven, both to busy small man Jay Kennedy-Harris. And so the pattern continued for the rest of the game. The Roosters certainly had the better of the second quarter but, after half time, they kicked five straight goals to three goals six meaning they had stretched their lead at the main break by another goal to win by twenty points. The winners kicked straight but for Casey it was as they say in the classics, a case of "bad kicking is bad football" and one that got away after winning some close tussles in recent weeks. Thanks to the long run of injuries, Casey had only nine AFL players at its disposal including three rookies. They were fortunate to have Mark Jamar who dominated the ruck contests against two inexperienced big men from the country side but, after a few good outings at this level, must surely have written a ticket back into the AFL with that game. Kennedy-Harris showed out with his class at times and rookie James Harmes did some nice things but the Casey midfield really failed to take advantage of the Russian's domination in the ruck. The Casey defence worked hard, led by skipper Evan Panozza. He was well backed up by key defenders Jack Fitzpatrick who marked everything at centre half back and local lad Oscar McDonald who is no stranger to Eureka Stadium. Bryce Rutherford, co-opted from the development league team, was handy on the day. The defeat was a big blow to Casey which remains in the middle of a big field of final contenders and could ill afford to lose a game to a team that had previously lost four in a row. The team has a bye next weekend. 2015 Peter Jackson VFL Casey Scorpions 2.5.17 3.6.24 5.10.40 6.12.48 North Ballarat 3.0.18 6.2.38 10.2.62 11.2.68 Goals Casey Scorpions Kennedy-Harris 2 Hutchins King Morris Smith North Ballarat Hooper 3 Tsitas Bacon George Sewell McKenzie Marshall Black Rippon Best Casey Scorpions Smith Kennedy-Harris Fitzpatrick Byrnes Rutherford Jamar North Ballarat Bastinac Rippon Kiel Lockyer Hooper Black Jack Fitzpatrick 27 disposals 16 kicks 11 handballs 10 marks 2 tackles 106 dream team points James Harmes disposals 12 kicks 8 handballs 5 marks 7 tackles 96 dream team points Mark Jamar 18 disposals 15 kicks 3 handballs 6 marks 4 tackles 54 hit outs 136 dream team points Jay Kennedy-Harris 2 goals 3 behinds 26 disposals 18 kicks 8 handballs 6 marks 8 tackles 135 dream team points Max King 1 goal disposals 8 kicks 4 handballs 3 marks 4 tackles 11 hit outs 76 dream team points Viv Michie 1 behind 19 disposals 7 kicks 12 handballs 2 marks 7 tackles 72 dream team points Oscar McDonald 15 disposals 9 kicks 6 handballs 4 marks 49 dream team points Dean Terlich 14 disposals 9 kicks 5 handballs 4 marks 1 tackle 50 dream team points Mitch White 14 disposals 9 kicks 5 handballs 4 marks 2 tackles 57 dream team points Earlier, the Development League team wilted in the end after a good first half 2015 AFL Victoria Development League Casey Scorpions 1.1.7 7.3.45 8.5.53 9.8.62 Coburg Lions 3.4.22 4.4.28 9.7.61 12.11.83 Goals Casey Scorpions Rennie 3 Anderson Gawley Fisscher Lang O'Brien Rosier Coburg Lions Cooper Gleeson Madden Robertella 2 Schraven 2 Holdsworth Sturgess Best Casey Scorpions Wilson O'Brien Gains Keilty Hillard Rennie Coburg Lions Williams Totino Sortino Sturgess Madden Robertella

Gremlins in the form of a server outage affected our coverage of the Casey game yesterday but our man on the spot Ice Station compiled this report with the help of KC. FOOL'S GOALED by Ice Station The Casey Scorpions travelled to Eureka Stadium in search of gold but returned with nothing because they failed in the basic test of football - kicking for goal. The tone for the game between the Scorpions and North Ballarat was set by the end of the first quarter when the visiting team dominated play but, by virtue of its inaccuracy, trailed by a point. The Roosters goaled with all three shots at goal and the Scorpions were only successful with only two of seven, both to busy small man Jay Kennedy-Harris. And so the pattern continued for the rest of the game. The Roosters certainly had the better of the second quarter but, after half time, they kicked five straight goals to three goals six meaning they had stretched their lead at the main break by another goal to win by twenty points. The winners kicked straight but for Casey it was as they say in the classics, a case of "bad kicking is bad football" and one that got away after winning some close tussles in recent weeks. Thanks to the long run of injuries, Casey had only nine AFL players at its disposal including three rookies. They were fortunate to have Mark Jamar who dominated the ruck contests against two inexperienced big men from the country side but, after a few good outings at this level, must surely have written a ticket back into the AFL with that game. Kennedy-Harris showed out with his class at times and rookie James Harmes did some nice things but the Casey midfield really failed to take advantage of the Russian's domination in the ruck. The Casey defence worked hard, led by skipper Evan Panozza. He was well backed up by key defenders Jack Fitzpatrick who marked everything at centre half back and local lad Oscar McDonald who is no stranger to Eureka Stadium. Bryce Rutherford, co-opted from the development league team, was handy on the day. The defeat was a big blow to Casey which remains in the middle of a big field of final contenders and could ill afford to lose a game to a team that had previously lost four in a row. The team has a bye next weekend. 2015 Peter Jackson VFL Casey Scorpions 2.5.17 3.6.24 5.10.40 6.12.48 North Ballarat 3.0.18 6.2.38 10.2.62 11.2.68 Goals Casey Scorpions Kennedy-Harris 2 Hutchins King Morris Smith North Ballarat Hooper 3 Tsitas Bacon George Sewell McKenzie Marshall Black Rippon Best Casey Scorpions Smith Kennedy-Harris Fitzpatrick Byrnes Rutherford Jamar North Ballarat Bastinac Rippon Kiel Lockyer Hooper Black Jack Fitzpatrick 27 disposals 16 kicks 11 handballs 10 marks 2 tackles 106 dream team points James Harmes disposals 12 kicks 8 handballs 5 marks 7 tackles 96 dream team points Mark Jamar 18 disposals 15 kicks 3 handballs 6 marks 4 tackles 54 hit outs 136 dream team points Jay Kennedy-Harris 2 goals 3 behinds 26 disposals 18 kicks 8 handballs 6 marks 8 tackles 135 dream team points Max King 1 goal disposals 8 kicks 4 handballs 3 marks 4 tackles 11 hit outs 76 dream team points Viv Michie 1 behind 19 disposals 7 kicks 12 handballs 2 marks 7 tackles 72 dream team points Oscar McDonald 15 disposals 9 kicks 6 handballs 4 marks 49 dream team points Dean Terlich 14 disposals 9 kicks 5 handballs 4 marks 1 tackle 50 dream team points Mitch White 14 disposals 9 kicks 5 handballs 4 marks 2 tackles 57 dream team points Earlier, the Development League team wilted in the end after a good first half 2015 AFL Victoria Development League Casey Scorpions 1.1.7 7.3.45 8.5.53 9.8.62 Coburg Lions 3.4.22 4.4.28 9.7.61 12.11.83 Goals Casey Scorpions Rennie 3 Anderson Gawley Fisscher Lang O'Brien Rosier Coburg Lions Cooper Gleeson Madden Robertella 2 Schraven 2 Holdsworth Sturgess Best Casey Scorpions Wilson O'Brien Gains Keilty Hillard Rennie Coburg Lions Williams Totino Sortino Sturgess Madden Robertella

THE PEOPLE SPEAK ... BUT DID THE CATS GET THEIR TONGUES? by Demonlanders The Melbourne Football club approached the match against Geelong with a team with a greater resolve after the disappointment of the last minute loss against St Kilda last week. Captain Nathan Jones said that this loss was 'more compelling than any of the past as it was after positive signs of improvement had been seen right through the club. "With the new players there is now a core of players who recognise that we are capable when playing our best football of matching any side". The committment was recognised not only by an increased intensity at training that saw four players sustain match day injuries after a vigorous session but also saw players sign continuing contracts. This novel approach to list management secured all players under 27 years of age sign for the next 5 years, while those over 27 approaching the last years of their contracts were provided with ongoing coaching and mentoring roles with the club up to the next 5 years. Payment would be performance based with a total pool divided amongst the squad based on a complex formula compensating for necessary list management decisions with success bonuses included. Contracts could of course be terminated due to exceptional circumstances but would be subject to group endorsement. "The money is not the significant issue though" said Jones on behalf of the players "we know we are well rewarded for doing a job which while it requires dedication and single minded focus is also what we all enjoy doing most. "We also recognise that the best reward is success and we are committed to winning a flag for our long suffering supporters within the five year time frame". The Sunday result saw a visible indicator that something had to happen and it is appropriate that the return to the scene of the notorious "186" comes so rapidly to the club. Paul Roos said that he was gutted with the loss " not for himself but the players and the club". Clearly we have improved and that was recognised after the performance against Collingwood, but we need to take our best football to the next level where we can perform under extreme pressure for the full 120 minutes or whatever". There was again a further recognition that there is a foundation of talent and skill levels for all features of the game that must be managed to the full by coaches and players. "We all have to be aware when to handball, when to shepherd, when to kick short or long, when to slow down and when to speed up play, but more importantly we need to do this as a team and not as individuals" said Jones saying these were the recurring comments coming from the players themselves. "For a brief moment we had team unity after Howies goal only to lose focus and the match " he said. All players agreed that they do not want this to happen again and will not only practice at increased tempo but will ensure they leave the field utterly physically exhausted, "expect to see this after every training session and every game from now on" The club hopes that Geelong brings the same level of intensity to this weeks game as they displayed against Port last Friday. The players were extremely vocal at training and aware that they have the support, the skill and now the desire to put their body over the ball, and keeping their emphasis on making and creating space by sacrificial acts to ensure their elite play will be rewarded. Analysis of the game showed that many basic errors were because their was a lack of awareness of their teammates so expect a louder more cohesive group of players this week. The team will be selected from those who survive the rigorous training scheduled for this week. There are some sore bodies now but they contain healthy minds committed to improve. Fans can be assured that win lose or draw, this weeks match at Simonds, will constitute a "line in the sand" moment that other successful clubs have displayed. Any less and the mighty Melbourne Football Club may as well look at dissolving and the contracts will be worthless. - dpositive Has the time come when the Demons can finally lay to rest the ghost of 186? It was at this very ground almost four years ago that a Melbourne team produced the most lifeless, insipid performance ever seen on the AFL/VFL stage. Whatever the reasons behind the display, it was not what the supporters of any football club deserve to witness. A large number of those who wore the club jumper that day have moved on and in many cases (but not all) rightfully so. There are many new players at the club and some small steps are being made in the right direction but the club continues to produce disappointing results. Like the insipid loss by over 100 points against Hawthorn a month ago or last week's brain fade after it snatched the lead in the final minute at Etihad only to give it all away 20 seconds later. Until the club can produce wins at a venue like Simonds Stadium against teams like Geelong in games like the one it faces this weekend, the ghosts will never be laid to rest. - Elwood 3184 THE GAME Geelong at Simonds Stadium on Sunday 21 June 2015 at 3.20pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall Geelong 126 wins Melbourne 83 wins 2 draws At Simonds Stadium Geelong 37 wins Melbourne 17 wins 1 draw The last five meetings Geelong 5 wins Melbourne 0 wins The Coaches Scott 1 Roos 0 MEDIA TV - Fox Footy Channel RADIO - Triple M 3AW SEN ABC ABC Grandstand THE BETTING Geelong to win $1.16 Melbourne to win $5.25 LAST TIME THEY MET Geelong 14.18.102 defeated Melbourne 5.6.36 at the MCG in Round 17, 2014 As the scores indicate, the game was very much like most of the last 12 meetings (apart from one which was a draw). A complete flogging. THE TEAMS GEELONG B: Jared Rivers, Harry Taylor, Corey Enright HB: Cameron Guthrie, Tom Lonergan, Jake Kolodjashnij C: Andrew Mackie, Joel Selwood, Steven Motlop HF: Cory Gregson, Josh Walker, Steve Johnson F: Jordan Murdoch, Tom Hawkins, Darcy Lang FOLL: Mark Blicavs, Josh Caddy, Mathew Stokes I/C: Jed Bews, Shane Kersten, Michael Luxford, Jackson Thurlow EMG: Sam Blease, Nakia Cockatoo, Jarrad Jansen IN: Jake Kolodjashnij, Michael Luxford OUT: James Kelly (ankle), Rhys Stanley (foot) MELBOURNE B: Daniel Cross, Tom McDonald, Neville Jetta HB: Jeremy Howe, Lynden Dunn, Heritier Lumumba C: Jimmy Toumpas, Dom Tyson, Jack Viney HF: Jack Watts, Chris Dawes, Billy Stretch F: Jeff Garlett, Jake Spencer, Angus Brayshaw FOLL: Max Gawn, Nathan Jones, Bernie Vince I/C: Rohan Bail, Matt Jones, Alex Neal-Bullen, Aidan Riley EMG: Jordie McKenzie, Viv Michie, Dean Terlich IN: Rohan Bail, Chris Dawes, Matt Jones, Jake Spencer OUT: Jack Grimes (hand), Jesse Hogan (hamstring soreness), Viv Michie (omitted), Cameron Pedersen (wrist) "It will be carnage. " - bingers For a less insightful match preview see this Whispering Jack - I'm not as optimistic as bingers. I don't think it will be carnage but I reckon we will win comfortably in the end after a good fight from the Cats. Melbourne by 4 to 5 goals.

THE PEOPLE SPEAK ... BUT DID THE CATS GET THEIR TONGUES? by Demonlanders The Melbourne Football club approached the match against Geelong with a team with a greater resolve after the disappointment of the last minute loss against St Kilda last week. Captain Nathan Jones said that this loss was 'more compelling than any of the past as it was after positive signs of improvement had been seen right through the club. "With the new players there is now a core of players who recognise that we are capable when playing our best football of matching any side". The committment was recognised not only by an increased intensity at training that saw four players sustain match day injuries after a vigorous session but also saw players sign continuing contracts. This novel approach to list management secured all players under 27 years of age sign for the next 5 years, while those over 27 approaching the last years of their contracts were provided with ongoing coaching and mentoring roles with the club up to the next 5 years. Payment would be performance based with a total pool divided amongst the squad based on a complex formula compensating for necessary list management decisions with success bonuses included. Contracts could of course be terminated due to exceptional circumstances but would be subject to group endorsement. "The money is not the significant issue though" said Jones on behalf of the players "we know we are well rewarded for doing a job which while it requires dedication and single minded focus is also what we all enjoy doing most. "We also recognise that the best reward is success and we are committed to winning a flag for our long suffering supporters within the five year time frame". The Sunday result saw a visible indicator that something had to happen and it is appropriate that the return to the scene of the notorious "186" comes so rapidly to the club. Paul Roos said that he was gutted with the loss " not for himself but the players and the club". Clearly we have improved and that was recognised after the performance against Collingwood, but we need to take our best football to the next level where we can perform under extreme pressure for the full 120 minutes or whatever". There was again a further recognition that there is a foundation of talent and skill levels for all features of the game that must be managed to the full by coaches and players. "We all have to be aware when to handball, when to shepherd, when to kick short or long, when to slow down and when to speed up play, but more importantly we need to do this as a team and not as individuals" said Jones saying these were the recurring comments coming from the players themselves. "For a brief moment we had team unity after Howies goal only to lose focus and the match " he said. All players agreed that they do not want this to happen again and will not only practice at increased tempo but will ensure they leave the field utterly physically exhausted, "expect to see this after every training session and every game from now on" The club hopes that Geelong brings the same level of intensity to this weeks game as they displayed against Port last Friday. The players were extremely vocal at training and aware that they have the support, the skill and now the desire to put their body over the ball, and keeping their emphasis on making and creating space by sacrificial acts to ensure their elite play will be rewarded. Analysis of the game showed that many basic errors were because their was a lack of awareness of their teammates so expect a louder more cohesive group of players this week. The team will be selected from those who survive the rigorous training scheduled for this week. There are some sore bodies now but they contain healthy minds committed to improve. Fans can be assured that win lose or draw, this weeks match at Simonds, will constitute a "line in the sand" moment that other successful clubs have displayed. Any less and the mighty Melbourne Football Club may as well look at dissolving and the contracts will be worthless. - dpositive Has the time come when the Demons can finally lay to rest the ghost of 186? It was at this very ground almost four years ago that a Melbourne team produced the most lifeless, insipid performance ever seen on the AFL/VFL stage. Whatever the reasons behind the display, it was not what the supporters of any football club deserve to witness. A large number of those who wore the club jumper that day have moved on and in many cases (but not all) rightfully so. There are many new players at the club and some small steps are being made in the right direction but the club continues to produce disappointing results. Like the insipid loss by over 100 points against Hawthorn a month ago or last week's brain fade after it snatched the lead in the final minute at Etihad only to give it all away 20 seconds later. Until the club can produce wins at a venue like Simonds Stadium against teams like Geelong in games like the one it faces this weekend, the ghosts will never be laid to rest. - Elwood 3184 THE GAME Geelong at Simonds Stadium on Sunday 21 June 2015 at 3.20pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall Geelong 126 wins Melbourne 83 wins 2 draws At Simonds Stadium Geelong 37 wins Melbourne 17 wins 1 draw The last five meetings Geelong 5 wins Melbourne 0 wins The Coaches Scott 1 Roos 0 MEDIA TV - Fox Footy Channel RADIO - Triple M 3AW SEN ABC ABC Grandstand THE BETTING Geelong to win $1.16 Melbourne to win $5.25 LAST TIME THEY MET Geelong 14.18.102 defeated Melbourne 5.6.36 at the MCG in Round 17, 2014 As the scores indicate, the game was very much like most of the last 12 meetings (apart from one which was a draw). A complete flogging. THE TEAMS GEELONG B: Jared Rivers, Harry Taylor, Corey Enright HB: Cameron Guthrie, Tom Lonergan, Jake Kolodjashnij C: Andrew Mackie, Joel Selwood, Steven Motlop HF: Cory Gregson, Josh Walker, Steve Johnson F: Jordan Murdoch, Tom Hawkins, Darcy Lang FOLL: Mark Blicavs, Josh Caddy, Mathew Stokes I/C: Jed Bews, Shane Kersten, Michael Luxford, Jackson Thurlow EMG: Sam Blease, Nakia Cockatoo, Jarrad Jansen IN: Jake Kolodjashnij, Michael Luxford OUT: James Kelly (ankle), Rhys Stanley (foot) MELBOURNE B: Daniel Cross, Tom McDonald, Neville Jetta HB: Jeremy Howe, Lynden Dunn, Heritier Lumumba C: Jimmy Toumpas, Dom Tyson, Jack Viney HF: Jack Watts, Chris Dawes, Billy Stretch F: Jeff Garlett, Jake Spencer, Angus Brayshaw FOLL: Max Gawn, Nathan Jones, Bernie Vince I/C: Rohan Bail, Matt Jones, Alex Neal-Bullen, Aidan Riley EMG: Jordie McKenzie, Viv Michie, Dean Terlich IN: Rohan Bail, Chris Dawes, Matt Jones, Jake Spencer OUT: Jack Grimes (hand), Jesse Hogan (hamstring soreness), Viv Michie (omitted), Cameron Pedersen (wrist) "It will be carnage. " - bingers For a less insightful match preview see this Whispering Jack - I'm not as optimistic as bingers. I don't think it will be carnage but I reckon we will win comfortably in the end after a good fight from the Cats. Melbourne by 4 to 5 goals.

Congratulations to Jesse Hogan and Bernie Vince for making the AFL Round 11 Team of the Week.

How many of these players will be travelling down the highway this weekend? THE TEAMS MELBOURNE B: Lynden Dunn, James Frawley, Colin Garland HB: Jeremy Howe, Tom McDonald, Neville Jetta C: Jack Grimes, Bernie Vince, Jordie McKenzie HF: Matt Jones, Cam Pedersen, Jack Watts F: Rohan Bail, Chris Dawes, Jack Viney FOLL: Mark Jamar, Dom Tyson, Nathan Jones I/C: Dean Kent, Aidan Riley, Luke Tapscott, Dean Terlich EMG: Sam Blease, Max Gawn, Christian Salem IN: Neville Jetta, Aidan Riley, Luke Tapscott OUT: Dom Barry, Max Gawn, Christian Salem GEELONG B: Corey Enright, Tom Lonergan, Andrew Mackie HB: Cameron Guthrie, Harry Taylor, Jared Rivers C: Jimmy Bartel, Joel Selwood, Travis Varcoe HF: Allen Christensen, Shane Kersten, Jordan Murdoch F: Steven Motlop, Tom Hawkins, Steve Johnson FOLL: Hamish McIntosh, James Kelly, Josh Caddy I/C: Mark Blicavs, Mitch Duncan, Brad Hartman,George Horlin-Smith EMG: Jed Bews, Dawson Simpson, Billie Smedts IN: James Kelly OUT: Jed Bews (omitted)

Could a first year player win this prestigious award for the first time ever? 101. Tom McDonald 75. Jesse Hogan 71. Nathan Jones 63. Bernie Vince 46. Angus Brayshaw 43. Daniel Cross 40. Colin Garland 37. Jeffrey Garlett 30. Christian Salem Aaron vandenBerg Jack Viney 28. Cam Pedersen 19. Jimmy Toumpas 13. Jack Grimes 11. Jack Watts 10. Neville Jetta 7. Max Gawn 5. Lynden Dunn 4. Mark Jamar Viv Michie Ben Newton 3. Heritier Lubumba 2. Jeremy Howe Jake Spencer 1. Dom Tyson

Well Demonlanders, you've had plenty to say about our first half of the season and now it's time for you to play your part in our THE PEOPLE SPEAK match preview of the club's next trip to the Cattery - place where the AFL prefers to see Melbourne playing Geelong more often than at the MCG. Some of our past THE PEOPLE SPEAK have actually drawn out some good performances from the team so let's see how good you are at writing the match preview from your very own perspective...

"42 ... the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, The Universe, and Everything." - Douglas Adams. The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. It took the supercomputer, Deep Thought, 7½ million years to compute and check the answer, which turns out to be 42. And 42 seconds was how long remained on the clock when Melbourne finally hit the front in the final quarter against the Saints. It seems that the slow thinking Melbourne contingent ... from the coaches box, to the runner, to the senior players, to the most junior of players think that they also have 7 1/2 million years to work out how to shut down the game at that point. Every single player should have been in the back half at the final bounce. Every single player should have attacked the ball to kill the game. The result: a Jack Steven possession, long kick to the forward line, where Montagna crumbed after starting in the centre himself. Not one Melbourne player ran with him! After that goal, not a single St.Kilda players remained in their forward half for the final bounce. What a contrast, and exactly what the Melbourne players should have done 20 seconds earlier! Ball killedgame over. It was a fitting end to a game that Melbourne should have taken by the throat multiple times but like last week against the Pies, the ineptitude and costly turnovers kept the oppositions score ticking over nicely. Coupled with that was the unwillingness of multiple players to make a contest when needed. With two relatively new additions to the team in Billy Stretch and Alex Neal-Bullen, it should be expected that others take up the role of providing them with the necessary leadership. But that is coming from the likes of Jack Viney, Jesse Hogan and Angus Brayshaw, who once again put in sterling performances. Not so Jeremy Howe who is fast writing himself a ticket to elsewhere, and would remain in the side only because there are no options pressing at Casey. Jeff Garlett needs to produce more than three disposals in a game, while Heritier Lumumba and Cam Pedersen put in absolute shockers as well. In the ruck Max Gawn all but cemented his position as number 1 ruck for the future, as he fed the mids with plenty of opportunities both in the middle and around the ground. If only we could only get a decent pre-season into him, he would be our answer for next year. Where would Melbourne have been without Bernie Vince and Daniel Cross who picked up 38 and 29 disposals respectively which meant they had more touches than any Saints player? Unfortunately, these figures also show how the standard drops away so quickly from there. Nathan Jones put in his usual efforts trying to create something, but is obviously still carrying an injury as he spent a good portion of the second quarter on the bench, and then slotted onto the half forward flank instead of his usual mid only role. How we could have used his grunt in the middle with those 42 seconds to go? This was a game which summed up the Melbourne Football club in this game: Unwilling to do the necessary work when required, to seal an already won game. Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Slow thinking, dumb thinking. Laziness and an unwillingness to take responsibility yourself. Failing to follow instructions. Not giving the fans anything to be hopeful for. Ron Barassi had a saying if it is to beit is up to me! It should be written on the inside of every Melbourne player's locker. The answer doesnt lie with anyone else. The answer is not 42. Melbourne 3.4.22 8.6.54 11.9.75 12.11.83 St. Kilda 3.5.23 9.6.60 11.9.75 12.13.85 Goals Melbourne Hogan 5 Toumpas 2 Brayshaw Garlett Howe McDonald Viney St. Kilda Riewoldt 4 Lonie 2 Bruce Membrey Minchington Montagna Ross Steven Best Melbourne Hogan Viney Toumpas Dunn N Jones Vince Cross St. Kilda Montagna Riewoldt Newnes Changes Melbourne Nil St. Kilda Nil Injuries Melbourne Cam Pedersen (hand) St. Kilda Nil Substitutions Melbourne Cam Pedersen (hand) replaced by Viv Michie in the third quarter St. Kilda Luke Delaney replaced by Blake Acres in the third quarter Reports Melbourne Nil St. Kilda Nil Umpires Chamberlain, Kamolins, Wallace Official crowd 25,217 at Etihad Stadium

42 AND THE ULTIMATE QUESTION by George on the Outer "42 ... the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, The Universe, and Everything." - Douglas Adams. The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. It took the supercomputer, Deep Thought, 7½ million years to compute and check the answer, which turns out to be 42. And 42 seconds was how long remained on the clock when Melbourne finally hit the front in the final quarter against the Saints. It seems that the slow thinking Melbourne contingent ... from the coaches box, to the runner, to the senior players, to the most junior of players think that they also have 7 1/2 million years to work out how to shut down the game at that point. Every single player should have been in the back half at the final bounce. Every single player should have attacked the ball to kill the game. The result: a Jack Steven possession, long kick to the forward line, where Montagna crumbed after starting in the centre himself. Not one Melbourne player ran with him! After that goal, not a single St.Kilda players remained in their forward half for the final bounce. What a contrast, and exactly what the Melbourne players should have done 20 seconds earlier! Ball killedgame over. It was a fitting end to a game that Melbourne should have taken by the throat multiple times but like last week against the Pies, the ineptitude and costly turnovers kept the oppositions score ticking over nicely. Coupled with that was the unwillingness of multiple players to make a contest when needed. With two relatively new additions to the team in Billy Stretch and Alex Neal-Bullen, it should be expected that others take up the role of providing them with the necessary leadership. But that is coming from the likes of Jack Viney, Jesse Hogan and Angus Brayshaw, who once again put in sterling performances. Not so Jeremy Howe who is fast writing himself a ticket to elsewhere, and would remain in the side only because there are no options pressing at Casey. Jeff Garlett needs to produce more than three disposals in a game, while Heritier Lumumba and Cam Pedersen put in absolute shockers as well. In the ruck Max Gawn all but cemented his position as number 1 ruck for the future, as he fed the mids with plenty of opportunities both in the middle and around the ground. If only we could only get a decent pre-season into him, he would be our answer for next year. Where would Melbourne have been without Bernie Vince and Daniel Cross who picked up 38 and 29 disposals respectively which meant they had more touches than any Saints player? Unfortunately, these figures also show how the standard drops away so quickly from there. Nathan Jones put in his usual efforts trying to create something, but is obviously still carrying an injury as he spent a good portion of the second quarter on the bench, and then slotted onto the half forward flank instead of his usual mid only role. How we could have used his grunt in the middle with those 42 seconds to go? This was a game which summed up the Melbourne Football club in this game: Unwilling to do the necessary work when required, to seal an already won game. Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Slow thinking, dumb thinking. Laziness and an unwillingness to take responsibility yourself. Failing to follow instructions. Not giving the fans anything to be hopeful for. Ron Barassi had a saying if it is to beit is up to me! It should be written on the inside of every Melbourne player's locker. The answer doesnt lie with anyone else. The answer is not 42. Melbourne 3.4.22 8.6.54 11.9.75 12.11.83 St. Kilda 3.5.23 9.6.60 11.9.75 12.13.85 Goals Melbourne Hogan 5 Toumpas 2 Brayshaw Garlett Howe McDonald Viney St. Kilda Riewoldt 4 Lonie 2 Bruce Membrey Minchington Montagna Ross Steven Best Melbourne Hogan Viney Toumpas Dunn N Jones Vince Cross St. Kilda Montagna Riewoldt Newnes Changes Melbourne Nil St. Kilda Nil Injuries Melbourne Cam Pedersen (hand) St. Kilda Nil Substitutions Melbourne Cam Pedersen (hand) replaced by Viv Michie in the third quarter St. Kilda Luke Delaney replaced by Blake Acres in the third quarter Reports Melbourne Nil St. Kilda Nil Umpires Chamberlain, Kamolins, Wallace Official crowd 25,217 at Etihad Stadium

Wait for the siren then away you go ...

The Casey Scorpions won their third match on end by overcoming a persistent Coburg Lions combination after a hard fought afternoon of football at Casey Fields. The Scorpions kicked off the game with a fine goal from Demon rookie Max King who was to herald his return to the seniors with a five goal performance in perfect conditions. Both sides were on target with Casey in control for much of the first term and taking a three goal advantage into the break with a goal on the siren to Nathan Page. Goals were more difficult to come by in the second quarter and Coburg rallied to narrow the margin with some strong work at the stoppages despite the home team's superior ruck strength. Thanks to the work of King and Spencer up forward (each kicked his second goal during this quarter) and the prolific ball-winning ability of Matt Jones, Rohan Bail and James Harmes, the Scorpions were able to maintain a handy little buffer of 14 points at half time. However, the accurate Lions kicked the first three goals on end after the break to take a two point lead before King booted his third. It was goal for goal in a tense tussle that saw the visitors lead by the narrowest of margins when the teams went into the huddle at three quarter time. The Coburg Lions have had to battle against adversity and to stay alive in the VFL competition in recent years. They are now a stand alone club with no big name players but against an aligned club with 11 AFL listed players they stood tall coming back every time Casey threatened to run away with the game. Max King kicked his fourth and the Lions came back. King got his fifth and still they fought back with another goal to be down by a solitary point. Even when Casey scored the next two goals through Jordie McKenzie and Chris Dawes, the Lions rallied with a reply but it was too late; the Scorpions prevailing by eight points when the siren sounded. All in all, it was a big day for Demon rookie listers. King is no overnight sensation as he has played in NAB Challenge matches and VFL seniors before but he remains a work in progress as a tall, strong marking and accurate kick for goal. His five goals overshadowed the emergence of James Harmes who continues to impress as a hardworking midfielder who is not only good with his clearance work but has a significant impact around the ground. Mitch White also continues to produce positive efforts in defence and his accurate and long kicking is an asset. Bail put in a fine performance and produced good run as did Matt Jones while Ed Morris continues to do his future prospects no harm. Former Gold Coast utility Jack Hutchins was strong all day as Justin Plapp continues to mould his list of emerging players into a team with final eight aspirations after last year's disappointing result. The team travels to Central Victoria next Saturday to take on North Ballarat at Eureka Stadium in a must win game against a traditionally difficult opponent. 2015 Peter Jackson VFL Casey Scorpions 6.0.36 8.4.52 10.8.68 14.13.97 Coburg Lions 3.0.18 6.2.38 11.3.69 14.5.89 Goals Casey Scorpions King 5 Page Spencer 2 Bail Gent Dawes McKenzie Newton Coburg Lions Featherstone 3 Carnell Cauchi Thomas 2 Christensen Fox MacDonald Mance Younan Best Casey Scorpions Bail Newton Smith Harmes M Jones Hutchins Coburg Lions Iacobaccio Clifton Allan McConnell Christensen Venditti Statistics Rohan Bail 1 goal 1 behind 34 disposals 26 kicks 8 handballs 14 marks 7 tackles 173 dream team points Chris Dawes 1 goal 10 disposals 5 kicks 5 handballs 3 marks 4 tackles 57 dream team points James Harmes 1 behind 31 disposals 15 kicks 16 handballs 5 tackles 101 dream team points Mark Jamar 2 behinds 17 disposals 14 kicks 3 handballs 7 marks 2 tackles 29 hit outs 96 dream team points Matt Jones 1 behind 36 disposals 20 kicks 16 handballs 13 marks 7 tackles 157 dream team points Max King 5 goals 9 disposals 7 kicks 2 handballs 4 marks 6 tackles 91 dream team points Oscar McDonald 1 behind 18 disposals 13 kicks 5 handballs 10 marks 81 dream team points Jordie McKenzie 1 goal 10 disposals 7 kicks 3 handballs 5 marks 48 dream team points Ben Newton 1 goal 10 disposals 7 kicks 3 handballs 3 marks 4 tackles 56 dream team points Jake Spencer 2 goals 1 behind 15 disposals 8 kicks 7 handballs 6 marks 4 tackles 31 hit outs 113 dream team points Mitch White 15 disposals 12 kicks 3 handballs 8 marks 1 tackle 71 dream team points The development team came back to earth with a thud after it was ambushed in the first quarter and remained goalless at half time. The team fought back in the second half but couldn't bridge the huge gap and went down by 25 points. 2015 AFL Victoria Development League Casey Scorpions 0.2.2 0.6 .6 4.10.34 6.12.48 Coburg Lions 6.2.38 9.4.58 11.7.73 12.11.83 Goals Casey Scorpions Lang 2 Fritsch Hunt Paredes Petropoulos Coburg Lions Hemala Symes 2 Corigliano Easton Gleeson Hill Holdsworth Madden Robinson Totino Best Casey Scorpions O'Brien Kennedy-Harris Lang Wyatt Hunt Gains Coburg Lions Sturgess Totino Holdsworth Williams Posar Easton Disposals K Wilson 25 Petropoulos 24 Paredes 23 Kennedy-Harris 23