Demonland

Rookie me Central - Top 30 power rankings (going in reverse)

Expectations of a comfortable win for Narrm at Victoria Park quickly evaporated as the match turned into a tense nail-biter. After a confident start by the Demons, the Pies piled on pressure and forced red and blue supporters to hold their collective breath until after the final siren. In a frenetic, physical contest, it was Captain Kate’s clutch last quarter goal and a missed shot from Collingwood’s Grace Campbell after the siren which sealed a thrilling 4-point win. Finally, Narrm supporters could breathe easy. Pre-match, the Indigenous dance group Djirri Djirridelivered an enchanting cultural performance, followed by a warm Welcome to Country from Uncle Colin Hunter Jnr. The @deearmy banner—"3 Premiership Demons, 75 Supreme Games, Hanks, Pearce, Zanker"—was a beauty. The Pies’ torn banner? Not quite as grand. The match Bannan got things moving early with a strong mark and goal. But the Dees midfield took a blow when Shelley Heath was subbed out at quarter time with an elevated heart rate. Thankfully, her condition later normalised. Collingwood’s midfield was outstanding. Bonnici (27 disposals), Rowe (26), Runnalls (24), and Remmos (24, 1 goal) gained ascendency in the middle quarters and helped the Pies take the lead. Then came some Hore heroics. Out of heavy traffic, Kate snapped a brilliant post-high goal to reclaim the lead. Moments later, she dished off to Gall in the square for another. Two goals in two minutes. All class. Despite six scoring shots to one in the final quarter, Collingwood couldn’t convert. One goal was all it took, and that was Kate Hore again. Narrm takes 4 points for the win but drops over 200 points in percentage to be second on the ladder. Match moment Debutant Jemma Rigoni was presented her #43 guernsey by her father Guy, who played 107 games for the Red and Blue. Jemma impressed with 11 possessions, 6 contested, 1 mark, and 3 tackles. Guy would’ve been proud. Meggs’ musings At last, a win against the Pies by less than a kick? You bewdy ! Congratulations to our 75-game milestoners Hanksy, Loz and Edo. You are champions. Slippery conditions meant a lack of clean ball and dropped marks. Of course, it didn’t stop Tayla Harris from flying and clunking a few rippers. It was great to see all the injured players out at the ground supporting their teammates while Max and Judd were spotted amongst the throng. Our forwards struggled to retain the ball in the front half, putting pressure on a backline missing Gillard, Lampard, Goldrick, and Mackin. Maeve Chaplin has magnificently stepped up as the defensive captain with deputy Taylor, in leading a young brigade of O’Hehir, Ebert, and Wotherspoon with energy and grit. Tyla Hanks was immense again —25 disposals, 9 tackles, 334 metres gained. Paxy Paxman (21 disposals), Eliza McNamara (25 disposals, 7 tackles), and Shelley Heath (before her exit) were other strong contributors. Kate Hore added 21 disposals, 4 clearances, and 2 goals. Coaches and Next Week Mick Stinear admitted Collingwood outplayed and outworked Naarm for much of the match. He highlighted some costly lapses in discipline. Happy to take the four points but lots of learnings this week. Sam Webster praised his team’s contested footy and ball movement — the best he’s seen from the Pies. Next week: Richmond at Casey Fields, Saturday 12:35pm. Meggs’ reckons if we can manage to take our chances over the next four weeks against the Tiges, Freo, Eagles and Suns it will set up our season. C’mon Dees! NARRM 2.2.14 2.4.16 4.7.31 5.7.37 COLLINGWOOD 1.0.6 2.3.15 4.3.27 4.9.33 GOALS NARRM Hore 2 Bannan Zanker Gall COLLINGWOOD Hyde Campbell Remmos Cann BEST NARRM Harris Paxman Hanks Chaplin Hore McNamara COLLINGWOOD Barnett Rowe Bonnici Remmos White Runnalls INJURIES NARRM Heath (elevated heart rate) COLLINGWOOD Nil LATE CHANGES NARRM Nil COLLINGWOOD Muireann Atkinson (illness) replaced in selected side by Georgia Clark CROWD 2,794 at Victoria Park

20 DEMON DAYS TO GET IT RIGHT IT IS a huge 20 days for the future of Melbourne. The Demons want to name their new coach by preliminary final weekend – which will run over September 19 and 20 – and the next three weeks will be spent going through their coaching process. AFL.com.au revealed on Saturday more names who had taken themselves out of the Demons' coaching process after having discussions with Melbourne, including Ken Hinkley, Corey Enright and Cameron Bruce, with Danny Daly also withdrawing interest. Nathan Buckley remains the No.1 seed ahead of the group of assistants and the Demons haven't been shy about wanting experienced options as part of the mix. Western Bulldogs assistant Brendon Lade, Geelong pair Steven King and James Kelly and Collingwood assistant Hayden Skipworth are part of the group being identified by the Demons as key candidates, with some assistants to weigh up how hard they pursue the role. Ahead of the next round of interviews this week, contenders must also be shaping their views on what to do with Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver ahead of the trade period. As well as game plan ideas, culture themes, assistants they have in mind and their long-term vision, the futures of two key players must be part of discussions. Melbourne has gone hard at the top end of the draft in recent years, regenerating its list on the move, and has a growing squad of under-24 talent there ready to coach and get moving. It is the right time to explore a Petracca trade. The Dees' only ever Norm Smith medallist will forever hold a significant place in Melbourne history but this off-season of change represents a good time for the 29-year-old to find a freshness with a new club a year after his failed trade bid. A new coach, new chief executive and new president also marks a time for the Demons to look ahead if a deal is conducive to them for Petracca, who has four years remaining on his contract.

The Casey Demons issued a strong statement to the remaining teams in the VFL race with a thumping 76-point victory in their Elimination Final against Williamstown. This was the sixth consecutive win for the Demons, who stormed into the finals from a long way back with scalps including two of the teams still in flag contention. Senior Coach Taylor Whitford would have been delighted with the manner in which his team opened its finals campaign with high impact after securing the lead early in the game when Jai Culley delivered a precise pass to a lead from Noah Yze, who scored his first of seven straight goals for the day. Yze kicked his second on the quarter time siren, by which time the Demons were already in control. The youngster repeated the dose in the second term as the Seagulls were reduced to mere spectators as they trailed by 44 points at half time. The procession continued with the son of Demon great and current Richmond coach Adem, lifting his goal tally to seven, an economical return from twelve possessions. It was a fine performance given the blustery conditions at Casey Fields. Yze was complemented by effective partners in the goal kicking spree. Key forwards Aidan Johnson and Luker Kentfield each contributed two goals, while Casey-listed Paddy Cross demonstrated his improvement with four opportunistic goals that would have likely impressed the talent scouts in attendance. The two men instrumental in securing the victory and ensuring a consistent supply to the forwards were ruckman Tom Campbell, who excelled in the ruck with 29 hitouts, 22 disposals, and 12 clearances, and midfielder Bailey Laurie, who delivered an outstanding performance in the engine room with 27 disposals, seven marks, four tackles, and a goal. They received great support from teammates Koltyn Tholstrup, Jack Billings Jai Culley and a couple more father-son products in Taj Woewodin. Mitch Hardie was strong in the clinches and Riley Bonner had some impressive moments. Tholstrup has faced criticism in the past for his inconsistency, but he is demonstrating rapid improvement at this level, and with a strong finish at Casey, a full preseason, and potential inclusion in Melbourne's midfield mix next year, he promises significant further development. The defence remained resolute throughout, with some promising signs for transition into the future, as Melbourne assesses its ageing backline. Blake Howes (25 possessions, 12 marks), Jed Adams (17 possessions, nine marks, one goal), and Oliver Sestan (20 disposals) all played a huge part in the victory. Sestan is an excellent long kick and his return after several weeks off with injury was a bonus. Tom Fullarton was strong all day. One sour note was Charlie Spargo's injury, which occurred when he dislocated his shoulder in the third quarter and ended up in hospital; until then, he had been motoring along nicely and given North Melbourne’s interest in the Demon premiership player, it might be the last time the fans will have to see him in the red and blue colours. The team has an interesting assignment in next week’s semi final against neighbouring Frankston by the bay. The local rivals did not meet during the home and away season but the Dolphins have always been tough opponents irrespective of ladder position. Details of the game are expected to be released early in the week CASEY DEMONS 6.2.38 11.5.71 15.6.96 20.12.132 WILLIAMSTOWN 2.3.15 4.3.27 7.4.46 8.8.56 GOALS CASEY DEMONS Yze 7 Cross 4 Johnson Kentfield 2 Adams Billings Brown Laurie Woewodin WILLIAMSTOWN Mc McLaughlin 3 Hollow 2 Colenso Collier-Dawkins Gollant BEST CASEY DEMONS Yze Adams Laurie Cross Howes Campbell WILLIAMSTOWN Greiser Fitzgerald Downie Toner Parks Hall-Kahan

A fresh report is suggesting Nathan Buckley is making key moves behind the scenes as Melbourne prepares to unveil its next senior coach by the end of September. The Demons are on the lookout for Simon Goodwin’s successor, with the former Collingwood coach largely tipped as the frontrunner to take over. And now Channel 7 reporter Xander McGuire says Buckley has gone as far as “sounding out” potential names who could form part of his backroom staff. “My understanding is (Nathan Buckley) has already started sounding out potential people that might form his footy department if he were to get the gig,” he said on Wide World of Sports. “Take that for what it is.”

Exactly. He can have two or three at the Dees and I wouldn't care.

THUMPING by KC from Casey Demons The Casey Demons issued a strong statement to the remaining teams in the VFL race with a thumping 76-point victory in their Elimination Final against Williamstown. This was the sixth consecutive win for the Demons, who stormed into the finals from a long way back with scalps including two of the teams still in flag contention. Senior Coach Taylor Whitford would have been delighted with the manner in which his team opened its finals campaign with high impact after securing the lead early in the game when Jai Culley delivered a precise pass to a lead from Noah Yze, who scored his first of seven straight goals for the day. Yze kicked his second on the quarter time siren, by which time the Demons were already in control. The youngster repeated the dose in the second term as the Seagulls were reduced to mere spectators as they trailed by 44 points at half time. The procession continued with the son of Demon great and current Richmond coach Adem, lifting his goal tally to seven, an economical return from twelve possessions. It was a fine performance given the blustery conditions at Casey Fields. Yze was complemented by effective partners in the goal kicking spree. Key forwards Aidan Johnson and Luker Kentfield each contributed two goals, while Casey-listed Paddy Cross demonstrated his improvement with four opportunistic goals that would have likely impressed the talent scouts in attendance. The two men instrumental in securing the victory and ensuring a consistent supply to the forwards were ruckman Tom Campbell, who excelled in the ruck with 29 hitouts, 22 disposals, and 12 clearances, and midfielder Bailey Laurie, who delivered an outstanding performance in the engine room with 27 disposals, seven marks, four tackles, and a goal. They received great support from teammates Koltyn Tholstrup, Jack Billings Jai Culley and a couple more father-son products in Taj Woewodin. Mitch Hardie was strong in the clinches and Riley Bonner had some impressive moments. Tholstrup has faced criticism in the past for his inconsistency, but he is demonstrating rapid improvement at this level, and with a strong finish at Casey, a full preseason, and potential inclusion in Melbourne's midfield mix next year, he promises significant further development. The defence remained resolute throughout, with some promising signs for transition into the future, as Melbourne assesses its ageing backline. Blake Howes (25 possessions, 12 marks), Jed Adams (17 possessions, nine marks, one goal), and Oliver Sestan (20 disposals) all played a huge part in the victory. Sestan is an excellent long kick and his return after several weeks off with injury was a bonus. Tom Fullarton was strong all day. One sour note was Charlie Spargo's injury, which occurred when he dislocated his shoulder in the third quarter and ended up in hospital; until then, he had been motoring along nicely and given North Melbourne’s interest in the Demon premiership player, it might be the last time the fans will have to see him in the red and blue colours. The team has an interesting assignment in next week’s semi final against neighbouring Frankston by the bay. The local rivals did not meet during the home and away season but the Dolphins have always been tough opponents irrespective of ladder position. Details of the game are expected to be released early in the week CASEY DEMONS 6.2.38 11.5.71 15.6.96 20.12.132 WILLIAMSTOWN 2.3.15 4.3.27 7.4.46 8.8.56 GOALS CASEY DEMONS Yze 7 Cross 4 Johnson Kentfield 2 Adams Billings Brown Laurie Woewodin WILLIAMSTOWN Mc McLaughlin 3 Hollow 2 Colenso Collier-Dawkins Gollant BEST CASEY DEMONS Yze Adams Laurie Cross Howes Campbell WILLIAMSTOWN Greiser Fitzgerald Downie Toner Parks Hall-Kahan

Melbourne is on the brink of ending its decades-long search for a permanent home base. Negotiations between the Demons and key parties including the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve Trust have advanced significantly in recent weeks. A new option being pushed by the race club would see Melbourne’s $100 million high-performance and administration facility built on land opposite the Caulfield train station where an existing tunnel beneath the track would be used for access to two full-sized training ovals. Further progress is expected at a meeting involving Sports Minister Steve Dimopoulos next week. Talks have gathered pace after Melbourne relented on a series of demands surrounding public access to the ovals, payment of rent and control of subleasing. Melbourne insists it will be able to fully fund the project through a combination of government grants, cash and members’ donations. Artists' impression of the Melbourne Football Club plans for new headquarters at Caulfield racecourse. The Demons’ long-running failure to secure a home base was not lost on outgoing senior coach Simon Goodwin when he half-jokingly declared at his farewell press conference that he would not miss the daily commute out to Casey. Former Melbourne chief executive Gary Pert was hired by the Melbourne board in 2018 largely on the promise of delivering a “state-of-the-art” training and administrative headquarters. The club’s first ambitious bid to secure a site in Yarra Park near the MCG was embarrassingly shot down by the state government just hours after the club had publicly declared it a live option. Other concepts were floated and abandoned above an AAMI Park car park and beneath the Bolte Bridge before the Dees changed tack to focus on Caulfield. Artists' impression of the Melbourne Football Club plans for new headquarters at Caulfield racecourse. The initial blueprint involved the construction of Melbourne’s headquarters in the southwestern wedge of the racecourse precinct before it was ditched earlier this year in favour of a new patch in the southeastern corner, near Neerim Road. The latest option would see the Dees set up shop on the existing “Guineas car park” off Normanby Road as part of a wider development that will allow fans to hop straight off a train to watch their team practice. Pert was pushed out last October but was retained as a “consultant” to help steer the Caulfield project, however insiders say he hasn’t been sighted in months. “Pert has gone fishing and it might just be the only place where he lands a catch,” an insider said.

Dees Caulfield home base moves a step closer https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/melbourne-plans-to-establish-home-at-caulfield-racecourse-progress-key-meeting-set-for-this-week/news-story/289ce5e10a03bc0bfb03b14806efb27f?giftid=isjgq3Cd7j

Indigenous Round Narrm time isn’t a standard concept—it’s the time within the traditional lands of Narrm, the Woiwurrung name for Melbourne. Indigenous Round runs for rounds 3 and 4 and is a powerful platform to recognise the contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in sport, community, and Australian culture. It This week, suburban footy returns to the infamous Victoria Park as the mighty Narrm take on the Collingwood Magpies at 1:05pm Narrm time, Sunday 31 August. Come along if you can. The Match-up The Pies posted an admirable win last week against the Giants at home, but Coach Sam Wright will find the Dees a much tougher proposition this Sunday. I'm expecting Collingwood to look to nullify our scoring strengths. Good luck with that, Sam! The Magpies are missing several key leaders through injury—captain Ruby Schleicher, Bri Davey, Jordyn Allen, and boom recruit Mattea Breed. They’ll rely on promising youngsters to step up, including No. 1 draft pick Ash Centra, who impressed last week with some crunching tackles. She’s shaping as a future star. Despite having some big names out, Naarm Coach Mick Stinear still has a deep list to draw from, and the talent chasm should see Narrm win—and win well. Selection this week Narrm is missing four or five first-choice players—nearly a quarter of the team. We’re in top-up territory, with ex-Pie Sophie Casey and ex-Geelong VFLW player Mekah Morrissy joining the squad. Liv Purcell, in career-best form, is heartbreakingly out for the season with an ACL (her other knee). She joins Tahlia Gillard (MCL), Sarah Lampard (calf), Blaithin Mackin (knee), and Sinead Goldrick (shoulder) in the rehab group. Ryleigh Wotherspoon has been named in defence, while Lily Johnson, Alyssia Pisano, potential debutants Amelia Dethridge and Jemma Rigoni, and the top-up players round out the extended bench. Milestone Treble (75 games) With the women’s season having roughly half the games of the men’s, 75 games is equivalent to 150—a significant milestone. This week, premier ruck star Loz Pearce (an inaugural), championship full forward Eden Zanker, and Melbourne’s top-rated gun midfielder Tyla Hanks all run out in the red and blue for their 75th game. Congratulations, superstars! Meggs’ musings Tayla Harris, with 10 coaches’ votes last week, is primed for a big 2025. Paxy Paxman, the evergreen warrior, will be vital in Mackin’s absence. Expect Eliza McNamara and Megan Fitzsimon to support the three H’s—Hanks, Heath, Hore—in the middle. Hanksy is currently equal second in the coaches award. Wotherspoon and Dethridge have played on-ball in the VFLW and acquitted themselves well, giving Mick some flexibility on match day. We’re top of the table after Week 2, averaging 75 points for and just 15 against. Our defence may be weakened by Irish absences, but the young guns—O’Hehir and Ebert—have settled in nicely, and Chaplin leads with poise. With our three-pronged tall forward line—Harris, Gall, and Zanker—Narrm should be too strong and kick a winning score. Go Dees! Tip: Melbourne by 32 points THE GAME Round 3: Melbourne v Collingwood Sunday 31 August 2025 at 1:05pm (Narrm time) at Victoria Park – Wurundjeri Country HEAD TO HEAD Overall: Melbourne 5 wins | Collingwood 2 wins At Victoria Park: Melbourne 1 win | Collingwood 1 win Coaches: Stinear 1 win | Wright 0 wins MEDIA COVERAGE 7, 7Plus, Foxtel, Kayo, AFL Live Official App THE LAST TIME THEY MET Melbourne 11.8 (74) defeated Collingwood 4.3 (27) Season 9, Round 11 – 2 November 2024 at Ikon Park Goals Narrm: Hore 3, Bannan 2, Zanker, Pisano, Hanks, Gall, Fitzsimon, Campbell Collingwood: Bonnici 2, Butler, Barnett Best Narrm: Hore, McNamara, Hanks, Purcell, Fitzsimon Collingwood: Bonnici, Schleicher, White, Brazzale Crowd: 1,854 at Ikon Park It was the final chapter of Narrm’s handicapped and doomed season. Carlton failed to beat Essendon, denying us a finals berth despite a late-season surge. Still, our women entertained with flair and smashed the Pies by nearly eight goals to finish ninth. Kate Hore, returning from injury, starred with three goals. Hanksy was her usual brilliant self, and Eliza McNamara capped off a stellar season with 30 disposals. Rhi Watt stunned TV audiences by announcing her retirement mid-match—on the boundary line! THIS WEEK’S TEAMS MELBOURNE FB [19] Laela Ebert [28] Saraid Taylor HB [12] Ryleigh Wotherspoon [11] Molly O'Hehir [13] Maeve Chaplin C [22] Eliza McNamara [5] Tyla Hanks [4] Paxy Paxman HF [24] Megan Fitzsimon [6] Alyssa Bannan [7] Tayla Harris FF [29] Eden Zanker [9] Georgia Gall FOL [15] Lauren Pearce [30] Shelley Heath [10] Kate Hore I/C [1] Georgia Campbell [3] Alyssia Pisano [20] Maggie Mahony [33] Lily Johnson [43] Jemma Rigoni [14] Amelia Dethridge [36] Sophie Casey [33] Mekah Morrissey EMG IN Wotherspoon, Pisano, Rigoni, Dethridge, Casey*, Morrissy* OUT [31] Blaithin Mackin [2] Olivia Purcell [23] Sinead Goldrick (all injured) *Top-up players COLLINGWOOD FB [27] Lucille Cronin [23] Lauren Butler HB [29] Tarni White [10] Muireann Atkinson [21] Amber Schutte C [36] Airlie Runnalls [16] Ashley Centra [7] Sarah Rowe HF [35] Kalind Howarth [17] Nett Morris-Dalton [13] Grace Campbell FF [1] Sabrina Frederick [22] Lily-Rose Williamson FOL [4] Imogen Barnett [25] Mikala Cann [8] Brittany Bonnici I/C [12] Georgia Knight [2] Eliza James [22] Mikayla Hyde [19] Georgia Clark [30] Carly Remmos [26] Violet Patterson [5] Annie Lee [9] Alana Porter EMG IN Barr OUT Plane (omitted) Injury List: Round 3 Melbourne Gab Colvin — knee / 2 weeks Sarah Lampard — calf / 4 - 8 weeks Denby Taylor foot — / 4 weeks Tahlia Gillard — knee / 5 - 7 weeks Grace Beasley — knee / 8 - 10 weeks Blaithin Mackin — knee / 10 - 12 weeks Jacinta Hose — knee / Inactive Olivia Purcell — knee / Inactive Collingwood Ruby Schleicher — concussion / Protocols Jordyn Allen — calf / 2 - 3 weeks Kellyann Hogan — shoulder / 4 - 6 weeks Charlotte Taylor —foot / 7 - 9 weeks Bri Davey— ankle / TBC Mattea Breed — knee / Season