Demonland

TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE SUNS by George on the Outer 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

I've posted The Oracle's updated match preview. You can read the full version here.

This. Robbo audio is coming out of the left speaker and Dom's audio is coming out of the right.

3fc1a61c3e2e9b173eed3ac2935e76dc "> We're proud to announce we'll be unveiling The Robert Flower Wing at Saturday's game.Starting from approximately... Posted by Melbourne Football Club on Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Gary Ablett's shoulder popped out of its socket early in the third quarter of the Gold Coast Suns v Collingwood game in Round 16 last year and with it went his team's prospects of a finals appearance. The Suns finished 12th, just a game out of the top eight with ten wins and a percentage of 93.7. Melbourne also struggled at the end of 2014 losing its last 10 games and finishing in 17th position on four wins, ahead only of St. Kilda on percentage. Fast forward six months to the pre season competition of 2015 and even without Ablett and a handful of other regulars, the Suns managed 1½ wins as against Melbourne's solitary victory and a record that included a loss to a half-baked Essendon in its final NAB Challenge hit out. We don't take much notice of practice matches but has anything changed? The Demons have recruited well with Heritier Lumumba (Collingwood), Jeff Garlett (Carlton), Sam Frost (GWS Giants) and Ben Newton (Port Adelaide) crossing from other AFL clubs inclusions for Saturday's season opener against the Suns along with the long-awaited debut of boom youngster Jesse Hogan, the inclusion of young draftee Angus Brayshaw and mature age Canberran rookie upgrade Aaron vandenBerg. The Suns have recruited Nick Malceski (Sydney) and Mitch Hallahan (Hawthorn) and have also introduced some fresh young faces but they will be relying mainly on their bevy of runners like Harley Bennell and Dion Prestia and, of course, Ablett himself to press home the advantage. The key to this game remains the man who hasn't played a game since 5 July and has yet to take part in even a practice match this year. However, my rule of thumb is to always take note of those who frame the odds and once it became clear that Ablett was definitely in the mix to play this weekend, the Suns' firmed with the betting agencies. According to the Official AFL Player Ratings, Ablett starts the season as the No. 1 ranked player on 723.4 player ratings points, nearly 30 points ahead of second placed Scott Pendlebury on 692.9. The leading Demon, skipper Nathan Jones, sits just outside the top 100 in 101th place with 405.5 points. If there really was such a thing as a one man team, then the writing would be well and truly on the wall. THE GAME Melbourne v Gold Coast Suns at the MCG Saturday 4 April, 2015 at 1.40 pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 3 wins Gold Coast Suns 3 wins At MCG Melbourne 2 wins Gold Coast Suns 2 wins Past five years Melbourne 3 wins Gold Coast Suns 3 wins The Coaches Roos 0 wins Eade 0 wins MEDIA TV - Fox Footy Channel - 1.30pm (live) RADIO - Triple M 3AW SEN ABC ABC Grandstand THE BETTING Melbourne to win - $2.95 Gold Coast Suns to win - $1.40 THE LAST TIME THEY MET Gold Coast Suns 11.20.86 defeated Melbourne 11.12.78 Round 5, 2014 at the MCG It was close on 12 months ago when the teams faced off at the MCG. It was a close game although the Suns took the lead in the second quarter despite their inaccuracy in front of goal and held on to it for the remainder of the game. A costly but questionable free given away to Gary Ablett Junior for interference in the last quarter gave the visitors the breathing room necessary to take away the points. Ablett had 32 touches and a goal while Nathan Jones was the Demons' star with 30 disposals and 5 tackles. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE B: Colin Garland, Lynden Dunn, Neville Jetta HB: Christian Salem, Tom McDonald, Jeremy Howe C: Heritier Lumumba, Daniel Cross, Ben Newton HF: Dean Kent, Jesse Hogan, Jimmy Toumpas F: Jeff Garlett, Sam Frost, Jack Watts FOLL: Mark Jamar, Nathan Jones, Dom Tyson I/C: Jack Viney, Angus Brayshaw, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Aaron vandenBerg EMG: Max Gawn, Jack Grimes, Matt Jones NEW: Angus Brayshaw, Sam Frost, Jeff Garlett, Jesse Hogan, Heritier Lumumba, Ben Newton, Aaron vandenBerg GOLD COAST SUNS B: Jarrod B: Harbrow, Rory Thompson, Kade Kolodjashnij HB: Trent McKenzie, Steven May, Nick Malceski C: Jack Martin, Dion Prestia, Alex Sexton HF: Michael Rischitelli, Sam Day, Matt Shaw F: Harley Bennell, Daniel Gorringe, Touk Miller FOLL: Zac Smith, Gary Ablett, David Swallow I/C: Mitch Hallahan, Jarrod Garlett, Adam Saad, Greg Broughton EMG: Tom Nicholls, Brandon Matera, Seb Tape NEW: Jarrod Garlett, Mitch Hallahan, Nick Malceski, Touk Miller, Adam Saad OFF THE WALL The reality is that it will be the best team that wins this game and for Melbourne, I suspect that we have seen in the selection of its team a pointer to the area of its likely improvement over its abysmal record of recent years. One half of the selected 22 were yet to play an AFL game for the Demons when Paul Roos arrived at the club 18 months ago. Seven are making their debut with the club in Saturday's game while four others - Dom Tyson (GWS Giants), Daniel Cross (Western Bulldogs) and draftees Christian Salem and Jay Kennedy-Harris came to the club last year. The Demons worked hard at improving the defensive aspect of their game in 2014 and appear to be settled in this area of the ground. There was also an improvement in the midfield which has again been bolstered by the recruiters. Lumumba and Newton have been named on the wings and it will be interesting to see which of them takes his place as the first Demon to line up on the newly named Robbie Flower Wing. It's hard to believe that the Prince was just a toddler when Robbie last graced this ground with his magical presence: Newton wasn't even born. We all know that Melbourne's 2015 nemesis was its attack where it averaged a little under an appalling 61 points per game, more than 50 points behind the premiers, Hawthorn. This is the area where team selection is indicating significant change. Hogan and Frost are the two new key position players, Garlett the pacy crumber with two partners in crime in Kent and Kennedy-Harris and more outsiders in Watts and Toumpas. The overall picture is an almost complete transition from the one-paced predictability of last year's forward line which was blamed for the team's penchant for slow sideways movement into attack. With these players up forward, there is less reason for the players further downfield not to show the enterprise necessary to take the game on when the opportunities present. This is of course, placing great responsibility on the inexperienced shoulders of Frost and Hogan but these two have already shown glimpses of their physical attributes as athletes. Hogan makes his long-awaited debut, delayed by nearly a year because of injury interruptions but he has already shown that he has the strength, endurance and skills to make the wait worthwhile. Frost has pace to burn and I expect his combination with the three crumbing amigos will make for interesting viewing for Demon fans for a while to come. I'm excited! What reinforces my view is the fact that there are a few who would once have been considered regulars who missed selection for various reasons. If it's true that the strength of a team is measured by its depth then this is indicative of a great leap forward and suggests we are about to witness a significant improvement in all round skills at Melbourne. I'm even more excited! But what about the Suns? They're expected to give the finals a shake and, after all, they are the firm favourite to win but I'm going against the grain. They certainly have been gifted with a talented bunch of players but when their lynchpin is one whose shoulder hasn't been tested in the field of battle, it's a worry. He might be superhuman and he will probably touch the ball thirty times but if the Demons stick to the task and put the right amount of pressure on the man, they can nullify his influence and knock the favourites off the wall. Melbourne by 10 points.

THE WRITING ON THE WALL by The Oracle Gary Ablett's shoulder popped out of its socket early in the third quarter of the Gold Coast Suns v Collingwood game in Round 16 last year and with it went his team's prospects of a finals appearance. The Suns finished 12th, just a game out of the top eight with ten wins and a percentage of 93.7. Melbourne also struggled at the end of 2014 losing its last 10 games and finishing in 17th position on four wins, ahead only of St. Kilda on percentage. Fast forward six months to the pre season competition of 2015 and even without Ablett and a handful of other regulars, the Suns managed 1½ wins as against Melbourne's solitary victory and a record that included a loss to a half-baked Essendon in its final NAB Challenge hit out. We don't take much notice of practice matches but has anything changed? The Demons have recruited well with Heritier Lumumba (Collingwood), Jeff Garlett (Carlton), Sam Frost (GWS Giants) and Ben Newton (Port Adelaide) crossing from other AFL clubs inclusions for Saturday's season opener against the Suns along with the long-awaited debut of boom youngster Jesse Hogan, the inclusion of young draftee Angus Brayshaw and mature age Canberran rookie upgrade Aaron vandenBerg. The Suns have recruited Nick Malceski (Sydney) and Mitch Hallahan (Hawthorn) and have also introduced some fresh young faces but they will be relying mainly on their bevy of runners like Harley Bennell and Dion Prestia and, of course, Ablett himself to press home the advantage. The key to this game remains the man who hasn't played a game since 5 July and has yet to take part in even a practice match this year. However, my rule of thumb is to always take note of those who frame the odds and once it became clear that Ablett was definitely in the mix to play this weekend, the Suns' firmed with the betting agencies. According to the Official AFL Player Ratings, Ablett starts the season as the No. 1 ranked player on 723.4 player ratings points, nearly 30 points ahead of second placed Scott Pendlebury on 692.9. The leading Demon, skipper Nathan Jones, sits just outside the top 100 in 101th place with 405.5 points. If there really was such a thing as a one man team, then the writing would be well and truly on the wall. THE GAME Melbourne v Gold Coast Suns at the MCG Saturday 4 April, 2015 at 1.40 pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 3 wins Gold Coast Suns 3 wins At MCG Melbourne 2 wins Gold Coast Suns 2 wins Past five years Melbourne 3 wins Gold Coast Suns 3 wins The Coaches Roos 0 wins Eade 0 wins MEDIA TV - Fox Footy Channel - 1.30pm (live) RADIO - Triple M 3AW SEN ABC ABC Grandstand THE BETTING Melbourne to win - $2.95 Gold Coast Suns to win - $1.40 THE LAST TIME THEY MET Gold Coast Suns 11.20.86 defeated Melbourne 11.12.78 Round 5, 2014 at the MCG It was close on 12 months ago when the teams faced off at the MCG. It was a close game although the Suns took the lead in the second quarter despite their inaccuracy in front of goal and held on to it for the remainder of the game. A costly but questionable free given away to Gary Ablett Junior for interference in the last quarter gave the visitors the breathing room necessary to take away the points. Ablett had 32 touches and a goal while Nathan Jones was the Demons' star with 30 disposals and 5 tackles. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE B: Colin Garland, Lynden Dunn, Neville Jetta HB: Christian Salem, Tom McDonald, Jeremy Howe C: Heritier Lumumba, Daniel Cross, Ben Newton HF: Dean Kent, Jesse Hogan, Jimmy Toumpas F: Jeff Garlett, Sam Frost, Jack Watts FOLL: Mark Jamar, Nathan Jones, Dom Tyson I/C: Jack Viney, Angus Brayshaw, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Aaron vandenBerg EMG: Max Gawn, Jack Grimes, Matt Jones NEW: Angus Brayshaw, Sam Frost, Jeff Garlett, Jesse Hogan, Heritier Lumumba, Ben Newton, Aaron vandenBerg GOLD COAST SUNS B: Jarrod B: Harbrow, Rory Thompson, Kade Kolodjashnij HB: Trent McKenzie, Steven May, Nick Malceski C: Jack Martin, Dion Prestia, Alex Sexton HF: Michael Rischitelli, Sam Day, Matt Shaw F: Harley Bennell, Daniel Gorringe, Touk Miller FOLL: Zac Smith, Gary Ablett, David Swallow I/C: Mitch Hallahan, Jarrod Garlett, Adam Saad, Greg Broughton EMG: Tom Nicholls, Brandon Matera, Seb Tape NEW: Jarrod Garlett, Mitch Hallahan, Nick Malceski, Touk Miller, Adam Saad OFF THE WALL The reality is that it will be the best team that wins this game and for Melbourne, I suspect that we have seen in the selection of its team a pointer to the area of its likely improvement over its abysmal record of recent years. One half of the selected 22 were yet to play an AFL game for the Demons when Paul Roos arrived at the club 18 months ago. Seven are making their debut with the club in Saturday's game while four others - Dom Tyson (GWS Giants), Daniel Cross (Western Bulldogs) and draftees Christian Salem and Jay Kennedy-Harris came to the club last year. The Demons worked hard at improving the defensive aspect of their game in 2014 and appear to be settled in this area of the ground. There was also an improvement in the midfield which has again been bolstered by the recruiters. Lumumba and Newton have been named on the wings and it will be interesting to see which of them takes his place as the first Demon to line up on the newly named Robbie Flower Wing. It's hard to believe that the Prince was just a toddler when Robbie last graced this ground with his magical presence: Newton wasn't even born. We all know that Melbourne's 2015 nemesis was its attack where it averaged a little under an appalling 61 points per game, more than 50 points behind the premiers, Hawthorn. This is the area where team selection is indicating significant change. Hogan and Frost are the two new key position players, Garlett the pacy crumber with two partners in crime in Kent and Kennedy-Harris and more outsiders in Watts and Toumpas. The overall picture is an almost complete transition from the one-paced predictability of last year's forward line which was blamed for the team's penchant for slow sideways movement into attack. With these players up forward, there is less reason for the players further downfield not to show the enterprise necessary to take the game on when the opportunities present. This is of course, placing great responsibility on the inexperienced shoulders of Frost and Hogan but these two have already shown glimpses of their physical attributes as athletes. Hogan makes his long-awaited debut, delayed by nearly a year because of injury interruptions but he has already shown that he has the strength, endurance and skills to make the wait worthwhile. Frost has pace to burn and I expect his combination with the three crumbing amigos will make for interesting viewing for Demon fans for a while to come. I'm excited! What reinforces my view is the fact that there are a few who would once have been considered regulars who missed selection for various reasons. If it's true that the strength of a team is measured by its depth then this is indicative of a great leap forward and suggests we are about to witness a significant improvement in all round skills at Melbourne. I'm even more excited! But what about the Suns? They're expected to give the finals a shake and, after all, they are the firm favourite to win but I'm going against the grain. They certainly have been gifted with a talented bunch of players but when their lynchpin is one whose shoulder hasn't been tested in the field of battle, it's a worry. He might be superhuman and he will probably touch the ball thirty times but if the Demons stick to the task and put the right amount of pressure on the man, they can nullify his influence and knock the favourites off the wall. Melbourne by 10 points.

It was close on 12 months ago when the teams faced off at the MCG. It was a close game although the Suns took the lead in the second quarter and held on to it for the remainder of the game. A costly but questionable free given away to Gary Ablett Junior for interference in the last quarter gave the visitors the breathing room necessary to take away the points. MELBOURNE B: Alex Georgiou, Tom McDonald, Lynden Dunn HB: Dean Terlich, James Frawley, Jack Grimes C: Jack Viney, Dom Tyson, Bernie Vince HF: Jack Watts, Cam Pedersen, Jordie McKenzie F: Jeremy Howe, Chris Dawes, Rohan Bail FOLL: Jake Spencer, Nathan Jones, Daniel Cross I/C: Jay Kennedy-Harris, Matt Jones, Neville Jetta, Michael Evans EMG: Shannon Byrnes, Jack Fitzpatrick, Jimmy Toumpas IN: Neville Jetta OUT: Dean Kent (calf) GOLD COAST SUNS B: Matthew Warnock, Steven May, Greg Broughton HB: Sean Lemmens, Rory Thompson, Trent McKenzie C: Matt Shaw, Gary Ablett, Jarrod Harbrow HF: Aaron Hall, Tom Lynch, Danny Stanley F: Luke Russell, Sam Day, Brandon Matera Fol: Tom Nicholls, Jaeger O'Meara, David Swallow I/C: Jack Hutchins, Kade Kolodjashnij, Michael Rischitelli, Dion Prestia EMG: Tom Murphy, Timmy Sumner, Jeremy Taylor IN: Brandon Matera Out: Clay Cameron (shoulder)

Why blame the AFL?Three wise men on the Tribunal made the decision.

8e24db8bca265abbec8b01eb38dadda2 "> NEWS: We've signed Haymes Paint as our ball sponsor for the next three years.As part of the arrangement, the Haymes... Posted by Melbourne Football Club on Sunday, March 29, 2015

The 2015 Footy Tipping season is upon us. Below is the URL to sign up to the Demonland Footy Tipping Competition. The password is demons. Let us know if you are joining. http://www.footytips.com.au/comps/Demonland&p=demons

SCORPIONS v SEAGULLS by KC from Casey After a bright start in their third practice match for the season, Casey Scorpions fell away badly in the face of a withering six-goal final quarter by stand alone Williamstown to lose by 25 points at Casey Fields. Conditions were perfect for football. The skies were cloudy but it was a windless day (an unusual feature out at Casey) but both clubs struggled to hit the scoreboard. It was the visitors who drew first blood but the Scorpions with 19-year-old Melbourne recruit Angus Brayshaw a standout in the midfield, were playing the better football and took the initiative to lead by seven points at the first break. Their first goal came from the youngster's boot after a great smother and the second from centre half forward Tim Smith. Casey continued to dominate, scoring the opening goal of the second term before giving one away courtesy of a 50 metre penalty. Jay Kennedy-Harris was playing well on a wing and when he snapped truly the home side looked well in control. Skipper Evan Panozza was strong in defence and he had a handy ally back there in Jake Fitzpatrick. Bernie Vince was solid in his comeback game after shoulder and hamstring problems and Aidan Riley, another player in comeback mode, was playing strongly. Melbourne's Canberra recruit Aaron vandenBerg is a big unit and was showing out with some good team play. A change came over the game late in the quarter with the Seagulls peppering the goals but only scoring points until a breakthrough saw them head into the rooms at half time only two points in arrears. The Scorpions went into the game without a much ruck strength and were undone in this area after half time. Their opponents got on top through more direct play, better run and carry and good delivery to their tall players who held front position to good effect. However, just as the Seagulls threatened to take the game apart, some individual brilliance from Brayshaw and Kennedy-Harris saw the Scorps retake the lead by a solitary point at the final break. It was all Casey when the final quarter started with a Smith goal and a miss to Dean Kent who had been lively up to that point. At the five minute mark of the term, a Williamstown goal heralded the game's final turn - it was the first of four consecutive Seagull majors and suddenly, the game was all over as a contest. Fitzpatrick, who had started the term in the forward line was despatched back but it was too late. Brayshaw continued to show his class all day whether in midfield or up forward and gathered 26 disposals for the day. Fellow midfielder Viv Michie started slowly but finished with 21 possessions and six tackles in a solid display. It was also a good hit out for the many inexperienced newcomers at Casey this year with Berwick recruit Jake Gains and up and comer Bryce Rutherford showing out. Assistant coach Shannon Byrnes is yet to play a practice match and another experienced VFL small man Will Petropoulos was listed in the development league team. The Casey Scorpions play Collingwood VFL next Saturday at Olympic Park at 10:30am leaving enough time for Demon fans to cross the bridge to watch the AFL season opener against the Gold Coast Suns. Casey Scorpions 2.4.16 4.4.28 6.7.43 8.8.56 Williamstown 1.3.9 3.8.26 5.12.42 11.15.81 Goals Brayshaw Kennedy-Harris Smith 2 Gawley King Best Brayshaw Kennedy-Harris Michie Kent Gains Rutherford The Development League team had a solid win over Williamstown, 12.4.76 to 5.10.40.

After a bright start in their third practice match for the season, Casey Scorpions fell away badly in the face of a withering six-goal final quarter by stand alone Williamstown to lose by 25 points at Casey Fields. Conditions were perfect for football. The skies were cloudy but it was a windless day (an unusual feature out at Casey) but both clubs struggled to hit the scoreboard. It was the visitors who drew first blood but the Scorpions with 19-year-old Melbourne recruit Angus Brayshaw a standout in the midfield, were playing the better football and took the initiative to lead by seven points at the first break. Their first goal came from the youngster's boot after a great smother and the second from centre half forward Tim Smith. Casey continued to dominate, scoring the opening goal of the second term before giving one away courtesy of a 50 metre penalty. Jay Kennedy-Harris was playing well on a wing and when he snapped truly the home side looked well in control. Skipper Evan Panozza was strong in defence and he had a handy ally back there in Jake Fitzpatrick. Bernie Vince was solid in his comeback game after shoulder and hamstring problems and Aidan Riley, another player in comeback mode, was playing strongly. Melbourne's Canberra recruit Aaron vandenBerg is a big unit and was showing out with some good team play. A change came over the game late in the quarter with the Seagulls peppering the goals but only scoring points until a breakthrough saw them head into the rooms at half time only two points in arrears. The Scorpions went into the game without a much ruck strength and were undone in this area after half time. Their opponents got on top through more direct play, better run and carry and good delivery to their tall players who held front position to good effect. However, just as the Seagulls threatened to take the game apart, some individual brilliance from Brayshaw and Kennedy-Harris saw the Scorps retake the lead by a solitary point at the final break. It was all Casey when the final quarter started with a Smith goal and a miss to Dean Kent who had been lively up to that point. At the five minute mark of the term, a Williamstown goal heralded the game's final turn - it was the first of four consecutive Seagull majors and suddenly, the game was all over as a contest. Fitzpatrick, who had started the term in the forward line was despatched down back but it was too late. Brayshaw continued to show his class all day whether in midfield or up forward and gathered 26 disposals for the day. Fellow midfielder Viv Michie started slowly but finished with 21 possessions and six tackles in a solid display. It was also a good hit out for the many inexperienced newcomers at Casey this year with Berwick recruit Jake Gains and up and comer Bryce Rutherford showing out. Assistant coach Shannon Byrnes is yet to play a practice match and another experienced VFL small man Will Petropoulos was listed in the development league team. The Casey Scorpions play Collingwood VFL next Saturday at Olympic Park at 10:30am leaving enough time for Demon fans to cross the bridge to watch the AFL season opener against the Gold Coast Suns. Casey Scorpions 2.4.16 4.4.28 6.7.43 8.8.56 Williamstown 1.3.9 3.8.26 5.12.42 11.15.81 Goals Brayshaw Kennedy-Harris Smith 2 Gawley King Best Brayshaw Kennedy-Harris Michie Kent Gains Rutherford The Development League team had a solid win over Williamstown, 12.4.76 to 5.10.40.

NO report from KC but for the sake of continuity, here's a link to the Casey Scorpions article from the club website.

I've been trying to organise a Demonland Podcast. Good luck guys. If you need any help with promotion then let me know.

Moving on to the MATCH REVIEW THREAD - Here (includes The Oracle's match report).

SURRENDER FOOTBALL by The Oracle Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser who passed away yesterday on the same day as the Melbourne Football Club's pre season crashed in an embarrassing heap, once won a Federal election using the slogan "Turn on the Lights". The Demons lost their NAB Challenge game yesterday by turning them off and playing like blind men in pitch darkness. Losing to a half strength Bomber side was bad enough given that the Demons came into the game boasting of having a "settled side" but the error-filled exhibition which the team put on for the small crowd in attendance at Etihad Stadium would have been a complete fiasco but for the performances of the club's recruits - Heritier Lumumba (Collingwood), Jeff Garlett (Carlton), Sam Frost (GWS), Ben Newton (Port Adelaide) and mature age Canberran Aaron vandenBerg who should become the club's first rookie elevation in a fortnight's time. Dom Tyson and Nathan Jones worked hard in the middle and Christian Salem and Jesse Hogan produced some promising signs, there were the odd brief cameos from others but generally, it really was a case of Melbourne showing little respect for the opposition and paying the price accordingly. The Demons looked one paced, hesitant and lethargic and were shown up by the speed and enthusiasm of the Bomber youngsters eager to cement a place in the side. One thing is for certain - Melbourne's depth is miserable. The bottom four players (and I'm not even including sub Jordie McKenzie who didn't get a run at all) were not of AFL standard and contributed far less than Essendon's four "top up" players. Perhaps it was an error not to include two players, Cam Pedersen and Angus Brayshaw who from all accounts starred for Casey last weekend, especially in view of last week's fade out against the Bulldogs? The fiasco for the Demons began before the opening siren when Jay Kennedy-Harris was injured in the pre game warm up and ended a couple of hours when a Jack Viney short pass in the goal square area was intercepted, conceding the game. That error could have been explained or even overlooked if not for the fact that it was one of several as the team employed the style of game it has come to be renowned for over the past few years - one that plays entirely into an opposition's hands. I call it "surrender football". MELBOURNE 0.2.4 0.5.7 0.9.8 0.11.9 (75) ESSENDON 0.2.1 0.6.1 0.9.8 0.11.11 (77) SUPERGOALS Melbourne: Nil Essendon: Nil GOALS Melbourne: Garlett 4, vandenBerg 2, Dawes 2, Watts 2, Viney Essendon: Daniher 3, Fantasia 2, Dalgleish 2, Merrett, Langford, Zaharakis, Edwards BEST Melbourne: Lumumba, Tyson, Garlett, Salem, N. Jones, vandenBerg Essendon: Cooney, Goddard, Chapman, Gwilt, Ashby, Daniher INJURIES Melbourne: Newton (leg) Essendon: Laverde (knee) SUBSTITUTES Melbourne: Max Gawn replaced Mark Jamar at three-quarter time, Jordie McKenzie (unused) Essendon: Shaun McKernan replaced Jonathan GIles at half-time, Marcus Marigliani replaced James Gwilt at three-quarter time. Reports: Nil Umpires: Ryan, Schmitt, McInerney Official crowd: TBC at Etihad Stadium

Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser who passed away yesterday on the same day as the Melbourne Football Club's pre season crashed in an embarrassing heap, once won a Federal election using the slogan "Turn on the Lights". The Demons lost their NAB Challenge game yesterday by turning them off and playing like blind men in pitch darkness. Losing to a half strength Bomber side was bad enough given that the Demons came into the game boasting of having a "settled side" but the error-filled exhibition which the team put on for the small crowd in attendance at Etihad Stadium would have been a complete fiasco but for the performances of the club's recruits - Heritier Lumumba (Collingwood), Jeff Garlett (Carlton), Sam Frost (GWS), Ben Newton (Port Adelaide) and mature age Canberran Aaron vandenBerg who should become the club's first rookie elevation in a fortnight's time. Dom Tyson and Nathan Jones worked hard in the middle and Christian Salem and Jesse Hogan produced some promising signs, there were the odd brief cameos from others but generally, it really was a case of Melbourne showing little respect for the opposition and paying the price accordingly. The Demons looked one paced, hesitant and lethargic and were shown up by the speed and enthusiasm of the Bomber youngsters eager to cement a place in the side. One thing is for certain - Melbourne's depth is miserable. The bottom four players (and I'm not even including sub Jordie McKenzie who didn't get a run at all) were not of AFL standard and contributed far less than Essendon's four "top up" players. Perhaps it was an error not to include two players, Cam Pedersen and Angus Brayshaw who from all accounts starred for Casey last weekend, especially in view of last week's fade out against the Bulldogs? The fiasco for the Demons began before the opening siren when Jay Kennedy-Harris was injured in the pre game warm up and ended a couple of hours when a Jack Viney short pass in the goal square area was intercepted, conceding the game. That error could have been explained or even overlooked if not for the fact that it was one of several as the team employed the style of game it has come to be renowned for over the past few years - one that plays entirely into an opposition's hands. I call it "surrender football". MELBOURNE 0.2.4 0.5.7 0.9.8 0.11.9 (75) ESSENDON 0.2.1 0.6.1 0.9.8 0.11.11 (77) SUPERGOALS Melbourne: Nil Essendon: Nil GOALS Melbourne: Garlett 4, vandenBerg 2, Dawes 2, Watts 2, Viney Essendon: Daniher 3, Fantasia 2, Dalgleish 2, Merrett, Langford, Zaharakis, Edwards BEST Melbourne: Lumumba, Tyson, Garlett, Salem, N. Jones, vandenBerg Essendon: Cooney, Goddard, Chapman, Gwilt, Ashby, Daniher INJURIES Melbourne: Newton (leg) Essendon: Laverde (knee) SUBSTITUTES Melbourne: Max Gawn replaced Mark Jamar at three-quarter time, Jordie McKenzie (unused) Essendon: Shaun McKernan replaced Jonathan GIles at half-time, Marcus Marigliani replaced James Gwilt at three-quarter time. Reports: Nil Umpires: Ryan, Schmitt, McInerney Official crowd: TBC at Etihad Stadium

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Moving the discussion now to our post match thread here. Thanks.

BACK AND FORWARD by Whispering Jack It's a pity in many ways that the NAB Challenge game against the Western Bulldogs couldn't be played backwards because that might satisfy many of the Melbourne supporters who were disgruntled by the outcome of a game which their team actually won and give them some perspective. If you really could play the game backwards then the deficit at half time would have been 38 points making Melbourne's fightback to pull the game out of the fire look heroic. Given that such things are such a valuable commodity but have been rare in recent times, I would prefer the heroics to be kept for events that have a little more meaning than this little romp in the goldfield town of Ballarat. The reality was that this was a practice match and the result was as irrelevant as it will be next Friday evening when the Demons face up to a truncated Bomber line up at Etihad Stadium in front of however many fans bother to front up to the ground or watch on Foxtel (strange how that mob still get all of their games televised even if half the side are unlisted ring ins). The reality is that Melbourne disposed of an undermanned opposition in the first half of the game so comprehensively that the second half was used for its proper purpose - experimentation. In the event, the Bulldogs came out with some added purpose and managed to outscore the Demons in the third quarter with the aid of the wind and continued to surge against a much different midfield set up and an altered defensive mindset in changed conditions with a swirly wind gusting all over the place. This did not alter the fact that the focus should be on the style of play that we saw in the first half which is going to be more the hallmark of the Melbourne Football Club's on field efforts in 2015. As Paul Roos put it after the game, "omething we've been working really hard on is getting the ball moving with a bit more speed." This was highlighted by the showings of the club's four 2015 recruits from other clubs in Heritier Lumumba (running defender and midfield), Jeff Garlett (goal sneak), Sam Frost (a big man with pace who can play forward or back) and Ben Newton (midfield). There was also a lot to like in the games of Christian Salem, Jay Kennedy-Harris and Jimmy Toumpas and the little we were allowed to see of Jesse Hogan whose season was crippled by the injury he suffered in the corresponding game last year. There is also evidence of other players playing different roles as the club's rejuvenation continues, albeit not at the same revolutionary pace that many would prefer. Nathan Jones and Dom Tyson dominated the first half stoppages but were used sparingly in the engine room in the second half and these were among many of the changes rung in by the coaching group, the consequences of which were stunningly obvious but lost on some of the fans who turned on their team expecting it to go for the jugular when there was another game even more meaningless in terms of result only six days away. When that day comes, the match conditions will be changed further to the traditional 22 man team format and two weeks beyond that, the real stuff starts. You can rest assured that by then, the team's focus and its line up will be different again and it will be some time after, that we will really be able to discern whether or not the team has moved forward. MELBOURNE 0.2.2 0.8.4 0.9.6 0.10.9 (69) WESTERN BULLDOGS 0.0.1 0.1.1 0.4.4 0.9.8 (62) GOALS Melbourne: Garlett Kennedy-Harris 2 Cross Dawes Frost Hogan N Jones Watts Western Bulldogs: A Cordy 2 Bontempelli Boyd Goodes Grant Jong Minson Stringer SUPERGOALS Melbourne: Nil Western Bulldogs: Nil BEST Melbourne: Salem T McDonald Tyson Dunn N Jones Jetta Kennedy-Harris Western Bulldogs: Honeychurch M Boyd Grant Jong Daniel A Cordy INJURIES Melbourne: vandenBerg (cut head) Western Bulldogs: Nil SUBSTITUTES Melbourne: Western Bulldogs: Reports: Nil Umpires: Chris Donlon Scott Jeffery Brendan Hosking, Curtis Deboy Official crowd: 5000 approx. at Eureka Stadium, Ballarat.

It's a pity in many ways that the NAB Challenge game against the Western Bulldogs couldn't be played backwards because that might satisfy many of the Melbourne supporters who were disgruntled by the outcome of a game which their team actually won and give them some perspective. If you really could play the game backwards then the deficit at half time would have been 38 points making Melbourne's fightback to pull the game out of the fire look heroic. Given that such things are such a valuable commodity but have been rare in recent times, I would prefer the heroics to be kept for events that have a little more meaning than this little romp in the goldfield town of Ballarat. The reality was that this was a practice match and the result was as irrelevant as it will be next Friday evening when the Demons face up to a truncated Bomber line up at Etihad Stadium in front of however many fans bother to front up to the ground or watch on Foxtel (strange how that mob still get all of their games televised even if half the side are unlisted ring ins). The reality is that Melbourne disposed of an undermanned opposition in the first half of the game so comprehensively that the second half was used for its proper purpose - experimentation. In the event, the Bulldogs came out with some added purpose and managed to outscore the Demons in the third quarter with the aid of the wind and continued to surge against a much different midfield set up and an altered defensive mindset in changed conditions with a swirly wind gusting all over the place. This did not alter the fact that the focus should be on the style of play that we saw in the first half which is going to be more the hallmark of the Melbourne Football Club's on field efforts in 2015. As Paul Roos put it after the game, "omething we've been working really hard on is getting the ball moving with a bit more speed." This was highlighted by the showings of the club's four 2015 recruits from other clubs in Heritier Lumumba (running defender and midfield), Jeff Garlett (goal sneak), Sam Frost (a big man with pace who can play forward or back) and Ben Newton (midfield). There was also a lot to like in the games of Christian Salem, Jay Kennedy-Harris and Jimmy Toumpas and the little we were allowed to see of Jesse Hogan whose season was crippled by the injury he suffered in the corresponding game last year. There is also evidence of other players playing different roles as the club's rejuvenation continues, albeit not at the same revolutionary pace that many would prefer. Nathan Jones and Dom Tyson dominated the first half stoppages but were used sparingly in the engine room in the second half and these were among many of the changes rung in by the coaching group, the consequences of which were stunningly obvious but lost on some of the fans who turned on their team expecting it to go for the jugular when there was another game even more meaningless in terms of result only six days away. When that day comes, the match conditions will be changed further to the traditional 22 man team format and two weeks beyond that, the real stuff starts. You can rest assured that by then, the team's focus and its line up will be different again and it will be some time after, that we will really be able to discern whether or not the team has moved forward. MELBOURNE 0.2.2 0.8.4 0.9.6 0.10.9 (69) WESTERN BULLDOGS 0.0.1 0.1.1 0.4.4 0.9.8 (62) GOALS Melbourne: Garlett Kennedy-Harris 2 Cross Dawes Frost Hogan N Jones Watts Western Bulldogs: A Cordy 2 Bontempelli Boyd Goodes Grant Jong Minson Stringer SUPERGOALS Melbourne: Nil Western Bulldogs: Nil BEST Melbourne: Salem T McDonald Tyson Dunn N Jones Jetta Kennedy-Harris Western Bulldogs: Honeychurch M Boyd Grant Jong Daniel A Cordy INJURIES Melbourne: vandenBerg (cut head) Western Bulldogs: Nil SUBSTITUTES Melbourne: Western Bulldogs: Reports: Nil Umpires: Chris Donlon Scott Jeffery Brendan Hosking Curtis Deboy Official crowd: 5000 approx. at Eureka Stadium, Ballarat.

There seems little doubt that the Casey Scorpions of 2015 will be a far different proposition to the side that limped through much of last season to finish second last, ahead only of the now defunct Bendigo Gold. On that performance, the club would be ranked last among the remaining VFL clubs but, after a shaky opening few minutes, the team settled down well against one of the competition's power house combinations and maintained control for much of the game. Their accuracy in front of goal was a stand out. Gone were the hesitancy and poor decision making of a team that was often undermanned, inexperienced and outclassed side playing poor directionless football and in its place were bigger bodies and a new style of more direct purposeful football under new coach Justin Plapp. They held on against the wind to win well by 20 points - 10.2.62 to 5.12.42. There was only a small contingent of AFL listed players with rejuvenated big man Cam Pedersen relishing the game against his old VFL club and dominating all over the ground, particularly up forward where he was in fine marking form and got among the goals. Angus Brayshaw was the most impressive of the young recruits. Playing in the middle, he showed class and balance and dominated the centre clearances with great effect. His second term was outstanding. He has clean hands and delivered the ball well given the gusty conditions and relished playing under Plapp, his 2014 coach at the Sandringham Dragons. James Harmes was effective coming out of defence and Oscar McDonald, playing mainly up forward moved well and kicked a goal early. Billy Stretch on a wing was quiet but had a few good runs and looms as a future outside player who will no doubt be groomed to emulate the Lewis Jetta/Isaac Smith type of player in the future. Jake Spencer rucked strongly, assisted by Jack Fitzpatrick who filled in up forward for short periods. Skipper Evan Panozza played his usual workmanlike role in defence with occasional stints up forwards. Mitch Gent, who was sidelined by injury last year, was in good form and Tim Smith took a couple of his trademark hangers. Ed Morris and Bryce Rutherford look to be kicking on from their break out seasons of last year. Lucas Walmsley was the stand out among the recruits. He has pace and poise, kicked the first goal and showed out and with his shock of blond dreadlocked hair is sure to become a crowd favourite. Other recruits who caught the eye were Jack Hutchins ex Gold Coast, returning Gippsland Power player Tom Muir who spent last year in Adelaide, James Munro from Sandringham and Luke Hannon who skippered Eastern Ranges last year and was a teammate of injured Demon recruit Christian Petracca. Jordan Moncrieff, the son of ex-Hawthorn forward Michael, is a likely type at 197cm. The side was missing experienced Shannon Byrnes and Will Petropoulos and will have much greater depth in 2015 but the main difference between the Scorps of last year and this year is the purpose and spirit of the players. They have a greater desire to succeed. At the final break, Plapp called upon them to maintain their intensity and show the opposition no respite and they managed to do that against a very strong side. They mastered the conditions, kicked well for goal and deserved the result.

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