Demonland

You can start casting your votes when the final siren sounds... 6 5 4 3 2 1

PATTERNS by Whispering Jack Halfway through the second quarter at StarTrack Oval last Saturday, the Demons were seemingly cruising through their game against the Giants. Leading by five goals and having kept their opponents down to a solitary goal, they loosened their hold on the game after Jeff Garlett had goaled at the ten minute mark. They allowed GWS too much latitude and it was only their poor finishing that kept them at bay. Late in the quarter and against the run of play, Ben Newton goaled to give his team a game high lead of 33 points in the shadows of half time. The game's defining moment however, came a minute and a half later when Cam McCarthy was provided with the opportunity to reply before the half time siren, the first of fourteen unanswered goal before Newton chimed in with his second and his team's last in a humiliating stanza of play. The pattern that was set late in the second term was familiar. Melbourne fans saw it some weeks ago during the NAB Challenge match in Ballarat against the Bulldogs when the team let slip an even larger lead standing by helplessly as that game was almost lost to another avalanche of goals. In other games, we have seen the team also commit dramatic lapses in play - in the first round at home, they were good enough to come back from these on three occasions but the question now is whether the pattern set at grounds far from home will be repeated and what can the coaches and players do to arrest a disturbing situation in which opposition teams are able to cut the team like butter through a knife. It won't be easy this Saturday against an in-form Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval because the Crows have established a pattern of their own which is to destroy all that comes before them. THE GAME Adelaide v Melbourne v at the Adelaide Oval Saturday 18 April, 2015 at 2.10 pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall Adelaide 21 wins Melbourne 12 wins At Adelaide Oval Adelaide 0 wins Melbourne 1 win Past five meetings Adelaide 3 wins Melbourne 2 wins The Coaches Welsh 0 wins Roos 0 wins MEDIA TV - Fox Sports 3 at 2:00pm (live) RADIO - SEN THE BETTING Adelaide to win - $1.05 Melbourne to win - $7.25 THE LAST TIME THEY MET Melbourne 11.4.70 defeated Adelaide 9.13.67 Round 7, 2014 at Adelaide Oval The Demons hadn't won in Adelaide for more than a decade but the got the early jump on the Crows to lead by 28 points at the main break. Nathan Jones and Jack Grimes courageously led the side home and despite a second half fightback from the home team to cause a major upset. THE TEAMS Adelaide Crows B: Luke Brown, Daniel Talia, Rory Laird HB: Jake Kelly, Kyle Hartigan, Brodie Smith C: Ricky Henderson, Scott Thompson, Matthew Jaensch HF: Cam Ellis-Yolmen, Taylor Walker, Charlie Cameron F: Eddie Betts, Patrick Dangerfield, Tom Lynch FOLL: Sam Jacobs, Rory Sloane, Nathan Van Berlo I/C: Richard Douglas, Josh Jenkins, David Mackay, Matthew Wright EMG: Matt Crouch, Mitch Grigg, Jarryd Lyons IN: Jake Kelly, Scott Thompson OUT: Kyle Cheney (hamstring), Mitch Grigg NEW: Kelly Melbourne B: Colin Garland, Lynden Dunn, Jeremy Howe HB: Neville Jetta, Tom McDonald, Christian Salem C: Daniel Cross, Heritier Lumumba, Sam Frost HF: Dean Kent, Jesse Hogan, Bernie Vince F: Jeff Garlett, Chris Dawes, Jack Watts FOLL: Mark Jamar, Dom Tyson, Nathan Jones I/C: Angus Brayshaw, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Ben Newton, Aaron vandenBerg EMG: Jack Grimes, Viv Michie, Jake Spencer IN: Jay Kennedy-Harris OUT: Jack Viney (leg) Over the past fortnight, the full force of the Adelaide Football Club has been unleashed upon North Melbourne and Collingwood, two clubs that were far more highly fancied this season than Melbourne. On that basis what are the chances of the Demons producing a second consecutive upset win over the Crows on their own home turf? Not much, say the pundits who include those who frame the odds and have decided that that the home side has seven times Melbourne's chances of winning. Much of this is due to the meltdown of the Demon midfield from the middle of the second term of their game against the powerful engine room of the Greater Western Sydney Giants who ran them off their feet at StarTrack Oval last week. Given that one of the few shining lights of that defeated Melbourne on ball brigade will be missing in action at Adelaide Oval, the negativity about their chances is understandable. And that's before one considers how the visitors will contend with the likes of Tex Walker and Paddy Dangerfield. They certainly need a major turnaround in form from the likes of Nathan Jones, Dom Tyson and Bernie Vince if they are to get to within 10 goals. Adelaide by 61 points.

It was back in May last year when Melbourne shocked the football world by breaking its long standing hoodoo against SA teams in Adelaide. Adelaide Crows B: Sam Shaw, Daniel Talia, Matthew Jaensch HB: Brodie Smith, Kyle Hartigan, Luke Brown C: Sam Kerridge, Patrick Dangerfield, David Mackay HF: Eddie Betts, James Podsiadly, Jared Petrenko F: Tom Lynch, Josh Jenkins, Matthew Wright FOLL: Sam Jacobs, Scott Thompson, Rory Sloane I/C: Brent Reilly, Mitch Grigg, Rory Laird, Matt Crouch EMG: Brodie Martin, Andy Otten, Ben Rutten No Change Melbourne B: Tom McDonald, Lynden Dunn, Alex Georgiou HB: Jack Grimes, James Frawley, Dean Terlich C: Dom Tyson, Bernie Vince, Jack Watts HF: Rohan Bail, Cameron Pedersen, Matt Jones F: Jack Viney, Chris Dawes, Jeremy Howe FOLL: Mark Jamar, Daniel Cross, Nathan Jones I/C: Christian Salem, Neville Jetta, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Shannon Byrnes EMG: Mitchell Clisby, Max Gawn, Aidan Riley No Change

WHITEWASH by KC from Casey The Casey Scorpions who finished a lowly second-last in 2014, ahead only of the now defunct Bendigo Gold, finished the practice match series off on Saturday with an emphatic victory over a lacklustre Werribee Tigers to go into next Sunday's opening game with a 3 - 2 preseason record. However, as an indicator of the season ahead, the game really provided nothing. The Tigers were a lifeless inept opposition which produced very little pressure and, as a consequence, there is very little one can say about the home side other than every player beat his opponent and did what was expected of him. Jack Grimes marshalled the forces and, with skipper Evan Panozza, led the team brilliantly. Grimes finished the game with 30 disposals and a neat goal. The other Demon listed players also had a picnic with Jordie McKenzie, Matt Jones, Viv Michie, Aidan Riley and Jimmy Toumpas all putting their hands up for a return to AFL ranks. Likewise, the talls in Jake Spencer, Max Gawn, Jack Fitzpatrick and Cam Pedersen all had a picnic. Dean Terlich got better as the game went on and youngster Billy Stretch showed touches of brilliance for the future. Some of the players whose disposal is often wayward in the intensity and heat of the battle at AFL level , were constantly hotting targets, indicating how much leeway their opponents were giving them. There were good signs from the VFL contingent with newcomers James Munro, Luke Walmsley and Tom Muir all impressing and young goal sneak Angus Scott kicking three goals. All in all, pleasing but not much of a pointer for the future because of the lack of opposition pressure which cause the match to result in a complete whitewash. Casey Scorpions 4.1.25 612.9.82 16.10.106 Werribee 0.1.1 1.1.7 1.1.7 2.3.15 Goals Michie Scott 3 Pedersen Toumpas 2 Gawn Grimes Muir Spencer Best Michie Grimes Toumpas Spencer Walmsley Scott Terlich

WHITEWASH by KC from Casey The Casey Scorpions who finished a lowly second-last in 2014, ahead only of the now defunct Bendigo Gold, finished the practice match series off on Saturday with an emphatic victory over a lacklustre Werribee Tigers to go into next Sunday's opening game with a 3 - 2 preseason record. However, as an indicator of the season ahead, the game really provided nothing. The Tigers were a lifeless inept opposition which produced very little pressure and, as a consequence, there is very little one can say about the home side other than every player beat his opponent and did what was expected of him. Jack Grimes marshalled the forces and, with skipper Evan Panozza, led the team brilliantly. Grimes finished the game with 30 disposals and a neat goal. The other Demon listed players also had a picnic with Jordie McKenzie, Matt Jones, Viv Michie, Aidan Riley and Jimmy Toumpas all putting their hands up for a return to AFL ranks. Likewise, the talls in Jake Spencer, Max Gawn, Jack Fitzpatrick and Cam Pedersen all had a picnic. Dean Terlich got better as the game went on and youngster Billy Stretch showed touches of brilliance for the future. Some of the players whose disposal is often wayward in the intensity and heat of the battle at AFL level , were constantly hotting targets, indicating how much leeway their opponents were giving them. There were good signs from the VFL contingent with newcomers James Munro, Luke Walmsley and Tom Muir all impressing and young goal sneak Angus Scott kicking three goals. All in all, pleasing but not much of a pointer for the future because of the lack of opposition pressure which cause the match to result in a complete whitewash. Casey Scorpions 4.1.25 612.9.82 16.10.106 Werribee 0.1.1 1.1.7 1.1.7 2.3.15 Goals Michie Scott 3 Pedersen Toumpas 2 Gawn Grimes Muir Spencer Best Michie Grimes Toumpas Spencer Walmsley Scott Terlich

Progressive totals after Round 2 - and it's been an ominous start by T Mac: 36. Tom McDonald 22. Jack Viney 13. Nathan Jones 11. Christian Salem 10. Colin Garland Jesse Hogan 6. Jack Watts 5. Jeffrey Garlett 4. Daniel Cross 3. Aaron vandenBerg 2. Neville Jetta Ben Newton 1. Angus Brayshaw Lynden Dunn

"No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were: any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee." ~ John Donne There are plenty of reasons not to like playing GWS at Star Track oval ( Manuka): 1. Having to listen to that god-awful Cossack dance of a club song; 2. Only 2 gates for entry and exit to the ground; 3. No pies or hot dogs for sale; 4. 1 drinks stand; 5. 1 ticket seller window; 6. 1 icecream stand; 7. Did I mention that god-awful Cossack dance of a club song? Well that Cossack song became even more unbearable when it sounded out around the ground at the end as well, following a complete and utter capitulation by the Demons after leading by more than five goals late in the second quarter. This gave the Demon fans one more good reason the hate the place ... Last week, the Demons set about removing some diabolical history, and finally won an opening round game for the first time in ten years. After conceding eleven goals straight and kicking a solitary major in a half of football, they are well on the way to plumbing new depths. Everything was there to be taken by the team and the club. A good opening game win, playing against a perennial bottom side full of youngsters, at least half the spectators decked out in Red and Blue and showing much more voice than their counterparts in orange. There was much hope and rightly so, after the suffering that the fans had faced for the past 7 years. And the fans had every reason to think there was something special about to happen. Similar to last week as the team ran onto the ground to the AC-DC theme of Hells Bells the bells of the local Catholic church rang out loud and strong. Trouble was that it was merely a wedding taking place, and those bells were more of a portent of things to come, with the words of John Donnes famous poem ringing true ... know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee ... your time is up Demons! After a promising first quarter when the team took all before it, and even the opening fifteen minutes of the second, all seemed well. Compatriots at the game noted that halfway through its second game, Melbourne had yet to lose a single quarter of football this season ... Then the bells started ringing again! Opportunities to seal the game were squandered, and despite being absolutely pantsed by Mark Jamar in the first quarter, Shane Mumford began a steady and relentless comeback in the ruck. A goal just before half-time to GWS was the start of an avalanche of goals that didnt stop until just before the final bell ... and thank goodness that Tom McDonald was playing in our backline, because the result may have been even more ugly without his constant rejection of the GWS attacks. Leadership was lacking when it was most needed, and the much vaunted leadership group was nowhere to be seen. Sadly, the captain appeared to be operating under an injury cloud ( I hope he was), for he had no spark, run or the normal levels of aggression that he displays week in week out. Jamar was still getting his hands on the ball in the middle, but Shiel, Treloar, Ward and Coniglio just kept sharking it, while our mids stood by looking on. There were at least nine successive clearances from the centre without a single Melbourne player touching the ball or the opposition player who had it in his hands. Particularly troubling was that nothing was done to stem this rampage. The same players were left in the middle, even when it was obvious that the GIants' pace was killing us. Surely it was the time to try something different, but it wasnt until the last quarter that Brayshaw, Garlett and Lumumba got a chance to show some spirit on behalf of the team by playing in the middle? But by then it was all over, and the hopes of the Demon fans who had travelled by road and air to support their team, not to mention the hordes of local supporters, were dashed well and truly YET AGAIN. How many time have the fans been asked to dig deep over these past hard years, and when the opportunity to lift the club from its doldrums is left up to the players they fail? So when the 2015 season draws to a close, and those same players want to know whether they will see season 2016, remember the tolling of the bells and remember that they toll for thee!! Melbourne 4.2.26 7.3.45 7.6.48 8.8.56 GWS Giants 0.2.2 2.6.18 11.8.74 15.11.101 Goals Melbourne Hogan Newton 2 Garlett Jamar Kent T McDonald GWS Giants McCarthy Shiel 3 Coniglio Smith 2 Cameron Mumford Scully Treloar Wilson Best Melbourne T McDonald Viney Salem Cross Tyson Lumumba GWS Giants Coniglio Kelly Haynes Greene Shaw Shiel Changes Melbourne Nil GWS Giants Nil Injuries Melbourne Nil GWS Giants Nil Substitutions Melbourne Brayshaw replaced Vince in the fourth quarter. GWS GiantsWilson replaced Tomlinson in the second quarter. Reports Melbourne Nil GWS Giants Nil Umpires Stevic Hat Pannell Official crowd 7,760 at the StarTrack Oval

HELLS BELLS by George on the Outer "No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were: any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee." John Donne There are plenty of reasons not to like playing GWS at Star Track oval ( Manuka): 1. Having to listen to that god-awful Cossack dance of a club song; 2. Only 2 gates for entry and exit to the ground; 3. No pies or hot dogs for sale; 4. 1 drinks stand; 5. 1 ticket seller window; 6. 1 icecream stand; 7. Did I mention that god-awful Cossack dance of a club song? Well that Cossack song became even more unbearable when it sounded out around the ground at the end as well, following a complete and utter capitulation by the Demons after leading by more than five goals late in the second quarter. This gave the Demon fans one more good reason the hate the place ... Last week, the Demons set about removing some diabolical history, and finally won an opening round game for the first time in ten years. After conceding eleven goals straight and kicking a solitary major in a half of football, they are well on the way to plumbing new depths. Everything was there to be taken by the team and the club. A good opening game win, playing against a perennial bottom side full of youngsters, at least half the spectators decked out in Red and Blue and showing much more voice than their counterparts in orange. There was much hope and rightly so, after the suffering that the fans had faced for the past 7 years. And the fans had every reason to think there was something special about to happen. Similar to last week as the team ran onto the ground to the AC-DC theme of Hells Bells the bells of the local Catholic church rang out loud and strong. Trouble was that it was merely a wedding taking place, and those bells were more of a portent of things to come, with the words of John Donnes famous poem ringing true ... know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee ... your time is up Demons! After a promising first quarter when the team took all before it, and even the opening fifteen minutes of the second, all seemed well. Compatriots at the game noted that halfway through its second game, Melbourne had yet to lose a single quarter of football this season ... Then the bells started ringing again! Opportunities to seal the game were squandered, and despite being absolutely pantsed by Mark Jamar in the first quarter, Shane Mumford began a steady and relentless comeback in the ruck. A goal just before half-time to GWS was the start of an avalanche of goals that didnt stop until just before the final bell ... and thank goodness that Tom McDonald was playing in our backline, because the result may have been even more ugly without his constant rejection of the GWS attacks. Leadership was lacking when it was most needed, and the much vaunted leadership group was nowhere to be seen. Sadly, the captain appeared to be operating under an injury cloud ( I hope he was), for he had no spark, run or the normal levels of aggression that he displays week in week out. Jamar was still getting his hands on the ball in the middle, but Shiel, Treloar, Ward and Coniglio just kept sharking it, while our mids stood by looking on. There were at least nine successive clearances from the centre without a single Melbourne player touching the ball or the opposition player who had it in his hands. Particularly troubling was that nothing was done to stem this rampage. The same players were left in the middle, even when it was obvious that the GIants' pace was killing us. Surely it was the time to try something different, but it wasnt until the last quarter that Brayshaw, Garlett and Lumumba got a chance to show some spirit on behalf of the team by playing in the middle? But by then it was all over, and the hopes of the Demon fans who had travelled by road and air to support their team, not to mention the hordes of local supporters, were dashed well and truly YET AGAIN. How many time have the fans been asked to dig deep over these past hard years, and when the opportunity to lift the club from its doldrums is left up to the players they fail? So when the 2015 season draws to a close, and those same players want to know whether they will see season 2016, remember the tolling of the bells and remember that they toll for thee!! Melbourne 4.2.26 7.3.45 7.6.48 8.8.56 GWS Giants 0.2.2 2.6.18 11.8.74 15.11.101 Goals Melbourne Hogan Newton 2 Garlett Jamar Kent T McDonald GWS Giants McCarthy Shiel 3 Coniglio Smith 2 Cameron Mumford Scully Treloar Wilson Best Melbourne T McDonald Viney Salem Cross Tyson Lumumba GWS Giants Coniglio Kelly Haynes Greene Shaw Shiel Changes Melbourne Nil GWS Giants Nil Injuries Melbourne Nil GWS Giants Nil Substitutions Melbourne Brayshaw replaced Vince in the fourth quarter. GWS GiantsWilson replaced Tomlinson in the second quarter. Reports Melbourne Nil GWS Giants Nil Umpires Stevic Hat Pannell Official crowd 7,760 at the StarTrack Oval

Voting for the second round of the DEMONLAND PLAYER OF THE YEAR begins with the final siren. Votes on a 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 basis (best gets 6 and so on to sixth best which gets 1). As usual, we will select three sets of votes as the official Denonland votes for the round.

b708c9e3cd6c7603ffbc205f9dfd2e13 "> TEAM SELECTION: Chris Dawes and Bernie Vince are back in our team for round two.View the full team HERE: http://bit.ly/MFCteam Posted by Melbourne Football Club on Thursday, April 9, 2015

b708c9e3cd6c7603ffbc205f9dfd2e13 "> INTERSTATE: There will be short open training sessions and pre-match functions ahead of our round two and three games in... Posted by Melbourne Football Club on Tuesday, April 7, 2015

b708c9e3cd6c7603ffbc205f9dfd2e13 "> NEWS: Defender Tom McDonald received the maximum of 10 votes in the AFL Coaches' Association Player of the Year award... Posted by Melbourne Football Club on Wednesday, April 8, 2015

This week, Melbourne goes on the road to the AFL's final frontier, the national capital Canberra, where it takes on another of the AFL's new franchise clubs in the Greater Western Sydney Giants. Both clubs won their opening rounds but they are considered to be a long way behind the AFL's elite teams and in a different stratosphere completely to the reigning premier, Hawthorn. A win at StarTrak Oval, Manuka will mean a lot to the victor - it will provide confidence, credibility and an excellent starting point for the long year ahead. To the vanquished it will make the long year ahead feel even a little bit longer. Needless to say, a win is important for both clubs. Melbourne has been down for a long time and one wonders how long it can keep treading water. And even though they have been gifted so many drafting concessions in their formative years, the Giants are not without problems of their own - Difficult times for Greater Western Sydney For Melbourne, last week's win, albeit against an undermanned opposition with its main man severely restricted due to not having fully recovered from his shoulder injury, was therapeutic to its players, management and staff and most of all, its supporters to who the adjective "long-suffering" has well and truly outworn its welcome. After all these years there was a light at the end of the tunnel and it was neither a mirage nor an express train rumbling down the tracks on its way to cause wreckage and further untold damage to our collective pride. It was a supreme team effort. Every one of the twenty-two players including the seven debutants played his part and for the first time in a long while, the talk of the town around Melbourne is how do you fit two players - one returning from injury, the other from suspension - into the team and who would be the unlucky player or players omitted in order to make way for them. There's something else about this game that also needs to be said. At the last meeting between these teams, Melbourne wasn't just beaten badly, it was smashed and left badly bleeding after a shameful, shambolic display of ineptitude. Up to about two thirds of that team is likely to be playing at Manuka this Saturday and if they have any pride in their ability as footballers they will be out to atone for that performance. There are some obvious reasons why I am confident that they can reverse that horrific outcome. For one, the team has some marking targets and clever smalls up forward and for another, they are more focussed, aggressive and hitting the scoreboard. Although they were well beaten by the Giants last year, the Demons had only four scoring shots less than the winners. They have straightened up and are playing more direct football and though the home side will be no pushover, there's no reason why they shouldn't avenge their two 2014 losses to the AFL's newest franchise team to give themselves and their fans yet another much needed boost. THE GAME GWS Giants at StarTrack Oval, Saturday 11 April, 2015 at 2.10pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall GWS Giants 3 wins Melbourne 3 wins At StarTrak Oval GWS Giants 0 wins Melbourne 1 win Past five meetings GWS Giants 3 wins Melbourne 2 wins The Coaches Cameron 2 wins Roos 0 wins MEDIA TV - Fox Sports 3 at 2.00pm (live) RADIO - SEN THE BETTING GWS Giants to win - $1.46 Melbourne to win - $2.70 THE LAST TIME THEY MET GWS Giants 15.8.98 defeated Melbourne 3.16.34 at the MCG Round 21, 2014 This game saw Melbourne sink to its lowest ebb in a disappointing season. It was bad enough to lose on the MCG to the newest franchise team by 64 points but to score only three goals for the day and only one (against thirteen) in the final three quarters after starting the game as firm favourites was nothing short of humiliating. And it all happened on Members Appreciation Day. THE TEAMS 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) Melbourne impressed last week with an uncharacteristic style of ball movement that we've rarely witnessed in recent seasons. The defence held tight, particularly in the first half when it conceded only three goals to the Suns. The midfield was neat and impressive and shared the ball around so that it was not left to the few to carry the load and there was plenty of run and contested marking power up forward. The Giants will certainly test them out with their pace and movement in the middle of the ground thanks to the likes of Adam Treloar, Lachie Whitfield, Dylan Shields and Toby Greene while Jeremy Cameron, Cam McCarthy and Adam Tomlinson will test the Melbourne defence. Shane Mumford gave the Demons a workout in the ruck last year and his duel with a rejuvenated Mark Jamar will be crucial to the outcome of this game. The Giants are playing their first home game at their home away from home, StarTrack Oval, Canberra. Their problem however, is that they don't really play well at this venue having just one win from nine games there. They played at Manuka three times last year without victory. Melbourne won there at their only meeting in round 21, 2012 when they emerged 25-point victors. The Dees have played five times in the ACT for two wins. Melbourne is in good form and has been further bolstered by the return from suspension of Chris Dawes and of Bernie Vince from a hamstring injury. These players should give the team the edge in experience which, combined with the fact that the Demons are buoyed with confidence, comfortable with this venue and are capable of using their new found aggression and size to advantage, should see them win their second successive game for a perfect start to the 2015 season. Melbourne by 17 points.

STARTRACK: THE FINAL FRONTIER by Whispering Jack This week, Melbourne goes on the road to the AFL's final frontier, the national capital Canberra, where it takes on another of the AFL's new franchise clubs in the Greater Western Sydney Giants. Both clubs won their opening rounds but they are considered to be a long way behind the AFL's elite teams and in a different stratosphere completely to the reigning premier, Hawthorn. A win at StarTrak Oval, Manuka will mean a lot to the victor - it will provide confidence, credibility and an excellent starting point for the long year ahead. To the vanquished it will make the long year ahead feel even a little bit longer. Needless to say, a win is important for both clubs. Melbourne has been down for a long time and one wonders how long it can keep treading water. And even though they have been gifted so many drafting concessions in their formative years, the Giants are not without problems of their own - Difficult times for Greater Western Sydney For Melbourne, last week's win, albeit against an undermanned opposition with its main man severely restricted due to not having fully recovered from his shoulder injury, was therapeutic to its players, management and staff and most of all, its supporters to who the adjective "long-suffering" has well and truly outworn its welcome. After all these years there was a light at the end of the tunnel and it was neither a mirage nor an express train rumbling down the tracks on its way to cause wreckage and further untold damage to our collective pride. It was a supreme team effort. Every one of the twenty-two players including the seven debutants played his part and for the first time in a long while, the talk of the town around Melbourne is how do you fit two players - one returning from injury, the other from suspension - into the team and who would be the unlucky player or players omitted in order to make way for them. There's something else about this game that also needs to be said. At the last meeting between these teams, Melbourne wasn't just beaten badly, it was smashed and left badly bleeding after a shameful, shambolic display of ineptitude. Up to about two thirds of that team is likely to be playing at Manuka this Saturday and if they have any pride in their ability as footballers they will be out to atone for that performance. There are some obvious reasons why I am confident that they can reverse that horrific outcome. For one, the team has some marking targets and clever smalls up forward and for another, they are more focussed, aggressive and hitting the scoreboard. Although they were well beaten by the Giants last year, the Demons had only four scoring shots less than the winners. They have straightened up and are playing more direct football and though the home side will be no pushover, there's no reason why they shouldn't avenge their two 2014 losses to the AFL's newest franchise team to give themselves and their fans yet another much needed boost. THE GAME GWS Giants at StarTrack Oval, Saturday 11 April, 2015 at 2.10pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall GWS Giants 3 wins Melbourne 3 wins At StarTrak Oval GWS Giants 0 wins Melbourne 1 win Past five meetings GWS Giants 3 wins Melbourne 2 wins The Coaches Cameron 2 wins Roos 0 wins MEDIA TV - Fox Sports 3 at 2.00pm (live) RADIO - SEN THE BETTING GWS Giants to win - $1.46 Melbourne to win - $2.70 THE LAST TIME THEY MET GWS Giants 15.8.98 defeated Melbourne 3.16.34 at the MCG Round 21, 2014 This game saw Melbourne sink to its lowest ebb in a disappointing season. It was bad enough to lose on the MCG to the newest franchise team by 64 points but to score only three goals for the day and only one (against thirteen) in the final three quarters after starting the game as firm favourites was nothing short of humiliating. And it all happened on Members Appreciation Day. THE TEAMS 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) Melbourne impressed last week with an uncharacteristic style of ball movement that we've rarely witnessed in recent seasons. The defence held tight, particularly in the first half when it conceded only three goals to the Suns. The midfield was neat and impressive and shared the ball around so that it was not left to the few to carry the load and there was plenty of run and contested marking power up forward. The Giants will certainly test them out with their pace and movement in the middle of the ground thanks to the likes of Adam Treloar, Lachie Whitfield, Dylan Shields and Toby Greene while Jeremy Cameron, Cam McCarthy and Adam Tomlinson will test the Melbourne defence. Shane Mumford gave the Demons a workout in the ruck last year and his duel with a rejuvenated Mark Jamar will be crucial to the outcome of this game. The Giants are playing their first home game at their home away from home, StarTrack Oval, Canberra. Their problem however, is that they don't really play well at this venue having just one win from nine games there. They played at Manuka three times last year without victory. Melbourne won there at their only meeting in round 21, 2012 when they emerged 25-point victors. The Dees have played five times in the ACT for two wins. Melbourne is in good form and has been further bolstered by the return from suspension of Chris Dawes and of Bernie Vince from a hamstring injury. These players should give the team the edge in experience which, combined with the fact that the Demons are buoyed with confidence, comfortable with this venue and are capable of using their new found aggression and size to advantage, should see them win their second successive game for a perfect start to the 2015 season. Melbourne by 17 points.

This game saw Melbourne sink to its lowest ebb in a disappointing season. It was bad enough to lose on the MCG to the newest franchise team by 64 points but to score only three goals for the day and only one (against thirteen) in the final three quarters was nothing short of humiliating. And it all happened on Members Appreciation Day! MELBOURNE B: Neville Jetta, Tom McDonald, Colin Garland HB: Jeremy Howe, Lynden Dunn, Jack Grimes C: Bernie Vince, Jack Watts, Daniel Cross HF: Viv Michie, James Frawley, Jack Viney F: Dean Kent, Chris Dawes, Max Gawn FOLL: Mark Jamar, Nathan Jones, Dom Tyson I/C: Dom Barry, Matt Jones, Aidan Riley, Christian Salem EMG: Rohan Bail, Jack Fitzpatrick, Jordie McKenzie IN: Jack Grimes, Christian Salem OUT: Rohan Bail, Jay Kennedy-Harris (both omitted) GWS GIANTS B: Adam Kennedy, Lachie Plowman, Heath Shaw HB: Jono O'Rourke, Phil Davis, Matt Buntine C: Devon Smith, Adam Treloar, Toby Greene HF: Rhys Palmer, Adam Tomlinson, Will Hoskin-Elliott F: Joshua Kelly, Jonathon Patton, Tom Boyd FOLL: Shane Mumford, Callan Ward, Dylan Shiel I/C: Tomas Bugg, James Stewart, Mark Whiley, Nathan Wilson EMG: Jon Giles, Tim Golds, Zac Williams IN: James Stewart, Mark Whiley, Nathan Wilson OUT: Tim Golds, Jed Lamb, Zac Williams (all omitted) NEW: James Stewart (Sandringham U18), Mark Whiley (Finley)

The totals after Round 1: 18. Tom McDonald 13. Nathan Jones 10. Colin Garland 8. Jack Viney 6. Jack Watts 5. Jeffrey Garlett 3. Aaron vandenBerg

Thanks for your suggestion and we understand where you're at but we've decided to stick with our usual format. Please feel free however, to run your own separate format and we can compare outcomes at the end of the year. Cheers, Andy

George on the Outer's match report has now been posted ~ TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE SUNS You can also read it in the opening post of this thread.

The Demons finally erased a whole series of undesirable and unwanted records with a 26-point opening round eclipse of the Gold Coast Suns. It was ten years since an opening round win, two seasons since the team had scored over 100 points in a game, and most importantly, the team survived a number of comebacks from the Suns during the course of the afternoon - a rare occurrence in recent times. It was a fitting performance to pay respect to the great Robbie Flower, who has now been immortalized with the Robbie Flower Wing proudly inaugurated before this game. In recent times, the Melbourne sides would have given way under pressure. Last year, numerous final quarter leads were squandered. Not any more it seems, and the addition of older heads and harder bodies is paying dividends. And wasn't it pleasing that Paul Roos was able to inject seven new players into the side for this match, most of who were not draftees. Heritier Lumumba and Jeff Garlett had a good number of games under their belts at other clubs and Sam Frost and Ben Newton also had AFL experience so when the going really got hard as the Suns relentlessly attacked, it was these same players who stood tall. And that is what the Demon fans have been longing for now for a couple of years ... leaders who will show the way when times are tough. However, the most pleasing aspect about the game is that players like Jesse Hogan, Angus Brayshaw and Aaron vandenBerg were able to be introduced without the pressures that draftees faced in previous years - all showed more than enough signs that each of them will be long-term contributors to the future of the club. Before the game there were great concerns about how Gary Ablett would be held to a tally which would keep the side in the game. Jack Viney was given the role when he played mid-field and Colin Garland took over the role when he moved forward. With only 19 possessions for the game it was a positive outcome for the Demons with Viney racking up 24 touches of his own to put the unfortunate circumstances of that NAB Challenge gaffe well behind him. Special mention goes to Tom McDonald who took 12 telling marks in the backline to turn back multiple attacks. Again his performance is a sign of positive recruiting outcomes, as Lumumba and Frost were able to add some depth to the backline meaning that McDonald could often play the loose man role. It is a real bonus for the Demons that they can afford to have such a tall, strong option to play the sweeper out of the backline. Even the forward line now looks to be blessed with an abundance of talent and options. Hogan and Garlett have filled the holes that were there last year, and not just filled them but are a potent pair in their own right. The strength of a 20 year old in Hogan provided more than just the 2 goals he registered in his first game, as he broke packs and provided contests to advantage the crumbers at his feet. And the ability of Garlett to pinch pockets and add some zip and x-factor around goals will be a delight in coming games. While it is only one game in a long season, it was a special win for the fans and the club as well. It has been a long time for that good-time feeling to be experienced so early in a season, so we should be all looking for something positive to build upon as we work into 2015. Melbourne 2.5.17 7.7.49 12.9.81 17.13.115 Gold Coast Suns 1.2.8 3.6.24 8.8.56 13.11.89 Goals Melbourne Watts 3 Garlett Hogan Newton Tyson 2 Garland Jamar N Jones Lumumba Salem vandenBerg Gold Coast Suns Ablett Day Rischitelli 2 Bennell Gorringe Harbrow Miller Saad Sexton Swallow Best Melbourne N Jones. Watts McDonald Viney Garlett Newton Howe vandenBerg Jamar Gold Coast Prestia Rischitelli Swallow Bennell Saad Changes Melbourne Nil Gold Coast Nil Injuries Melbourne Nil Gold Coast Nil Substitutions Melbourne Jimmy Toumpas replaced Angus Brayshaw in the fourth quarter Gold Coast Jarrod Garlett replaced Sam Day at three-quarter time Reports Melbourne Nil Gold Coast Matt Shaw reported for rough conduct on Dean Kent Umpires Donlon Farmer Hosking Official crowd 27,013 at the MCG http://lon-cdn220-is-3.se.bponlinewoc2264.ngcdn.telstra.com/platform_release/805/388/EDT_GAMECHANGER_NEW_DEES_0404_S_409808899.mp4 http://m.melbournefc.com.au/video/2015-04-05/rd-1-watch-all-the-goals

A TOUCH OF HISTORY by Whispering Jack It turns out that Saturday 4 April, 2015 has gone down as an historic day for the Melbourne Football Club. It not only won an opening round match for the first time in a decade, introducing a bevy of first gamers for the club with an attractive new style of play, but even those on its list who didn't make it to the big stage on this day, were a part of history. Long before Eddie McGuire and his Collingwood Football Club occupied the Westpac Centre and the adjoining ground at Olympic Park, that place was known as the "Motordome"* and owned by another Collingwood identity in John Wren. Back in 1932, when Melbourne was known as the Fuschias, the team played three VFL matches there while the MCG was undergoing resurfacing works. The team was well beaten in all three contests including a 61-point hiding to the ultimate premier Richmond, coached by FV "Checker" Hughes in the first game. Melbourne moved back to its spiritual home at the MCG and late in the same year, Hughes walked out in the Tigers and joined Melbourne, turned them into "Demons" and won four premierships in the club's first golden era of the late 30s and the 40s. He remained at the club to see another six flags mentoring the great Norm Smith in the club's second golden era in the 50s and 60s. Yesterday, 16 current day Demons returned to the ground as part of their club's alignment, the Casey Scorpions to finally secure a victory after more than eight decades. They were Rohan Bail, Jack Fitzpatrick, Max Gawn, Jack Grimes, James Harmes ®, Max King ®, Oscar McDonald, Jordie McKenzie, Viv Michie, Cam Pedersen, Aidan Riley, Jake Spencer, Billy Stretch, Dean Terlich, Bernie Vince and Mitch White ®. The conditions were perfect for a practice match. I noticed Demon coach Paul Roos on the boundary fence before the start of the game, there was a good crowd in attendance and the weather was great. It was a such a pity therefore that Eddie's mob couldn't provide team sheets for the crowd or a scoreboard for that matter and it was difficult at times to pick up the Demon players let alone the Casey lads so please forgive me for any inadequacies in this report. The Magpies also fielded 13 of their AFL list and while the Demon contingent looked to have the greater experience, it was a solid workout and a close game for three quarters until the Casey team put on the afterburners and outran a tiring Magpie outfit. After conceding an early goal amid an early run of skill errors, the Scorpions controlled most of the opening term with Jake Spencer killing it in the ruck after a dreadful miskick to start proceedings. He got better and better as the game went on and it was he, and the strength of midfielders Bernie Vince and Jordie McKenzie, who kept the team on top for most of the game, the exception being in the second quarter when the Magpie runners were on top. Once the Casey forwards started presenting themselves, the goals came and the team exerted its dominance over the opposition. The team was a little on the top heavy side in the warm conditions with Max Gawn, Jack Fitzpatrick and Max King joining Spencer in the 200cm plus bracket but the height was probably an advantage as the Magpies wilted in the end. The Casey Scorpions are definitely set for a better season in 2015. They went into this game without a number of their leading lights from previous weeks and brought in a mix of experience in assistant coach Shannon Byrnes and stalwart Will Petropoulos and youth. Small man Nathan Paraedes was particularly impressive. The style of play was much more open and attacking than last year and I have little doubt that they will be a much better team to watch than they were last year when they finished second last to the now defunct Bendigo Gold. If the team stays healthy, they will most likely figure in the finals but whatever happens, they've already been a part of history. Casey Scorpions 3.5.23 5.6.36 11.10.76 15.11.101 Collingwood VFL 2.1.13 6.4.40 10.6.66 10.9.69 Goals Gawn Harmes King Paredes Petropolous 2 Riley Spencer Michie Pedersen Riley Spencer Best Michie Vince White Stretch Spencer Paredes HOW THE DEMONS FARED Rohan Bail - was in and out of the game and didn't have much impact. Jack Fitzpatrick - played a reasonable game, mainly in defence where he is learning the caper. Max Gawn - filled a number of big man roles but was best when up forward where he took some strong marks and kicked a couple of goals. Jack Grimes - generally played his role in defence well although there were one or two skill errors that he needs to iron out of his game if he is to fight his way back into the Demons' side. James Harmes ® - is really coming on as a footballer. Linked up well all day and kicked two goals for the day. Max King ® - had a minor role for the day and is very much at the back of the queue when it comes to talls at the club but he did kick two goals, one a nice running goal in the third quarter. He's a development player at the club and, at this stage, it's possible given the players available that he might spend a part of the year in Casey's Development League team. Oscar McDonald - showed some great composure in defence and should benefit from a year learning the trade at Casey where he will be under little pressure for promotion. Jordie McKenzie - showed out with his strength and experience and got lots of the football. One of Casey's best. Viv Michie - had a bright start but a bit patchy at times after that. Not as good a game as last week. Cam Pedersen - kicked a goal in the second quarter but lacked a bit of zip. Aidan Riley - hard over the ball and some strong tackling but struggled at times to compete with the pace of the Magpies. Jake Spencer - dominated the ruck and, despite the occasional Spencil glitch, he was very good on the day. He will provide ideal cover for Mark Jamar if and when required. Billy Stretch - real classy with outside run and good skills. I expect him to get a game in the seniors by the halfway mark of the season and eventually to be a long term player at the club. Dean Terlich - first game up in the preseason and was working off the cobwebs. Bernie Vince - really classy in the midfield and did enough to earn a call up for next week's game with the Demons in Canberra. Mitch White ® - a strong lad with a beautiful left foot kick. Might take time to develop but looks a handy acquisition. I heard Paul Roos saying in an interview that one of the considerations when recruiting is to look at the direction in which the game is going. I think White is somewhere in that direction. THE DEMONS WHO DIDN'T QUITE FARE Chris Dawes - suspended. I was told by a couple of people that Dawes wanted to play but did not get the necessary permission. Jayden Hunt - the speedster is still a month off but doing well in rehab after back problems ended his 2014 season. Matt Jones - sat out the weekend with emergency duty for the Demons. Alex Neal-Bullen - the midfield extractor from Glenelg is well into his recovery from a knee injury. Expect him back in a few weeks. Christian Petracca - on the long term injury list with an ACL. Jack Trengove - indefinite out with foot injury but reported to be coming along well. COMING UP Saturday 11th April - Casey Scorpions v Werribee at Casey Fields at 2.00pm (Development League at 11.00am) * For more on the Motordome, see this article in Demon Wiki

A TOUCH OF HISTORY by Whispering Jack It turns out that Saturday 4 April, 2015 has gone down as an historic day for the Melbourne Football Club. It not only won an opening round match for the first time in a decade, introducing a bevy of first gamers for the club with an attractive new style of play, but even those on its list who didn't make it to the big stage on this day, were a part of history. Long before Eddie McGuire and his Collingwood Football Club occupied the Westpac Centre and the adjoining ground at Olympic Park, that place was known as the "Motordome"* and owned by another Collingwood identity in John Wren. Back in 1932, when Melbourne was known as the Fuschias, the team played three VFL matches there while the MCG was undergoing resurfacing works. The team was well beaten in all three contests including a 61-point hiding to the ultimate premier Richmond, coached by FV "Checker" Hughes in the first game. Melbourne moved back to its spiritual home at the MCG and late in the same year, Hughes walked out in the Tigers and joined Melbourne, turned them into "Demons" and won four premierships in the club's first golden era of the late 30s and the 40s. He remained at the club to see another six flags mentoring the great Norm Smith in the club's second golden era in the 50s and 60s. Yesterday, 16 current day Demons returned to the ground as part of their club's alignment, the Casey Scorpions to finally secure a victory after more than eight decades. They were Rohan Bail, Jack Fitzpatrick, Max Gawn, Jack Grimes, James Harmes ®, Max King ®, Oscar McDonald, Jordie McKenzie, Viv Michie, Cam Pedersen, Aidan Riley, Jake Spencer, Billy Stretch, Dean Terlich, Bernie Vince and Mitch White ®. The conditions were perfect for a practice match. I noticed Demon coach Paul Roos on the boundary fence before the start of the game, there was a good crowd in attendance and the weather was great. It was a such a pity therefore that Eddie's mob couldn't provide team sheets for the crowd or a scoreboard for that matter and it was difficult at times to pick up the Demon players let alone the Casey lads so please forgive me for any inadequacies in this report. The Magpies also fielded 13 of their AFL list and while the Demon contingent looked to have the greater experience, it was a solid workout and a close game for three quarters until the Casey team put on the afterburners and outran a tiring Magpie outfit. After conceding an early goal amid an early run of skill errors, the Scorpions controlled most of the opening term with Jake Spencer killing it in the ruck after a dreadful miskick to start proceedings. He got better and better as the game went on and it was he, and the strength of midfielders Bernie Vince and Jordie McKenzie, who kept the team on top for most of the game, the exception being in the second quarter when the Magpie runners were on top. Once the Casey forwards started presenting themselves, the goals came and the team exerted its dominance over the opposition. The team was a little on the top heavy side in the warm conditions with Max Gawn, Jack Fitzpatrick and Max King joining Spencer in the 200cm plus bracket but the height was probably an advantage as the Magpies wilted in the end. The Casey Scorpions are definitely set for a better season in 2015. They went into this game without a number of their leading lights from previous weeks and brought in a mix of experience in assistant coach Shannon Byrnes and stalwart Will Petropoulos and youth. Small man Nathan Paraedes was particularly impressive. The style of play was much more open and attacking than last year and I have little doubt that they will be a much better team to watch than they were last year when they finished second last to the now defunct Bendigo Gold. If the team stays healthy, they will most likely figure in the finals but whatever happens, they've already been a part of history. Casey Scorpions 3.5.23 5.6.36 11.10.76 15.11.101 Collingwood VFL 2.1.13 6.4.40 10.6.66 10.9.69 Goals Gawn Harmes King Paredes Petropolous 2 Riley Spencer Michie Pedersen Riley Spencer Best Michie Vince White Stretch Spencer Paredes HOW THE DEMONS FARED Rohan Bail - was in and out of the game and didn't have much impact. Jack Fitzpatrick - played a reasonable game, mainly in defence where he is learning the caper. Max Gawn - filled a number of big man roles but was best when up forward where he took some strong marks and kicked a couple of goals. Jack Grimes - generally played his role in defence well although there were one or two skill errors that he needs to iron out of his game if he is to fight his way back into the Demons' side. James Harmes ® - is really coming on as a footballer. Linked up well all day and kicked two goals for the day. Max King ® - had a minor role for the day and is very much at the back of the queue when it comes to talls at the club but he did kick two goals, one a nice running goal in the third quarter. He's a development player at the club and, at this stage, it's possible given the players available that he might spend a part of the year in Casey's Development League team. Oscar McDonald - showed some great composure in defence and should benefit from a year learning the trade at Casey where he will be under little pressure for promotion. Jordie McKenzie - showed out with his strength and experience and got lots of the football. One of Casey's best. Viv Michie - had a bright start but a bit patchy at times after that. Not as good a game as last week. Cam Pedersen - kicked a goal in the second quarter but lacked a bit of zip. Aidan Riley - hard over the ball and some strong tackling but struggled at times to compete with the pace of the Magpies. Jake Spencer - dominated the ruck and, despite the occasional Spencil glitch, he was very good on the day. He will provide ideal cover for Mark Jamar if and when required. Billy Stretch - real classy with outside run and good skills. I expect him to get a game in the seniors by the halfway mark of the season and eventually to be a long term player at the club. Dean Terlich - first game up in the preseason and was working off the cobwebs. Bernie Vince - really classy in the midfield and did enough to earn a call up for next week's game with the Demons in Canberra. Mitch White ® - a strong lad with a beautiful left foot kick. Might take time to develop but looks a handy acquisition. I heard Paul Roos saying in an interview that one of the considerations when recruiting is to look at the direction in which the game is going. I think White is somewhere in that direction. THE DEMONS WHO DIDN'T QUITE FARE Chris Dawes - suspended. I was told by a couple of people that Dawes wanted to play but did not get the necessary permission. Jayden Hunt - the speedster is still a month off but doing well in rehab after back problems ended his 2014 season. Matt Jones - sat out the weekend with emergency duty for the Demons. Alex Neal-Bullen - the midfield extractor from Glenelg is well into his recovery from a knee injury. Expect him back in a few weeks. Christian Petracca - on the long term injury list with an ACL. Jack Trengove - indefinite out with foot injury but reported to be coming along well. COMING UP Saturday 11th April - Casey Scorpions v Werribee at Casey Fields at 2.00pm (Development League at 11.00am) * For more on the Motordome, see this article in Demon Wiki

I thought he looked a bit like Jeff Hilton.

6dff10d4d0cbe656734a38496aebf05c "> Watch the boys singing the song after today's win HERE: http://mfcde.es/1Hv6XgH Posted by Melbourne Football Club on Friday, April 3, 2015

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