Demonland

The dove is a bird associated with peace and harmony. The hawk is its exact opposite - aggressive and warlike. Ironically, in the week when Melbourne takes on the AFL Hawks it is the club that you associate with the aggressive bird that sits in peaceful harmony at the top of the AFL table while the Demons are seemingly in disarray and ducking for cover in the wake of their coach's stinging attack on his players and the culture of the club. Paul Roos blamed the clubs culture of losing on its past tanking controversies claiming that some Demons players remaining from 2009 appear to be scarred from those experiences and must overcome them before the club can take further strides forward. I think he's wrong and that he didn't think out those comments very well at all. They invited the attention of the usual media vultures and were unnecessary negative given the shortcomings of the list he possesses. In my view, he should get on with the job of coaching and looking to the future rather than look for excuses. Whatever the reason for the malaise that led to the situation at ¾ time when Melbourne held a slender lead but almost double the number of shots at goal (and the possible explanations seem numerous and open to conjecture), the game was there to be won in the final quarter. That's when the coach can exert his influence and given we were seeing two young inexperienced teams that haven't performed well in 2014, the result reflected just as poorly on our coaching as it did on the players. Look at the replay and you can see the defensive mindset in mid quarter compared to the way Brisbane took on the game and you won't be surprised at all about who won and who lost. I thought at the time that Roos still had his eye on the future with the way they played out the game and was prepared to give him an escape card but I was disappointed with his references to the past in the post-match which of course, led to the predictable feeding frenzy from Caroline Wilson and co who simply won't let go of past personal agendas. Roos knew exactly what he was getting himself into when he took on the job and he should be last person to make excuses. We've seen some signs of improvement this year but given the fact that he has a better list that was expected, we should be seeing more. For all that, with a game against the top team in the competition, it's time to see a more aggressive approach to our opposition than to our ghosts of the past, perceived or otherwise. THE GAME Hawthorn v Melbourne at the MCG Saturday 9 August 2014 at 4.40 pm. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Hawthorn 82 wins Melbourne 74 wins At MCG Hawthorn 41 wins Melbourne 35 wins Last 5 years Hawthorn 5 wins Melbourne 0 wins The Coaches Clarkson 0 wins Roos 0 wins MEDIA TV Fox Footy Channel at 4.30pm (live) RADIO Triple M 3AW SEN ABC ABC Grandstand THE BETTING Hawthorn $1.04 to win Melbourne $11.00 to win THE LAST TIME THEY MET Hawthorn 15.25.115 defeated Melbourne 6.13.49 in Round 10, 2013 at the MCG The Hawks kicked 12 goals to 1 in the first half. Thanks to some atrocious kicking from the Hawks the Dees managed to miraculously outscore them in the second half. THE TEAMS HAWTHORN B: Taylor Duryea, Josh Gibson, Matt Spangher HB: Luke Hodge, Ben Stratton, Grant Birchall C: Isaac Smith, Sam Mitchell, Matthew Suckling HF: Bradley Hill, Ryan Schoenmakers, Luke Breust F: Paul Puopolo, Jarryd Roughead, Jordan Lewis FOLL: Ben McEvoy, Shaun Burgoyne, Liam Shiels I/C: David Hale, Jonathan Simpkin, Billy Hartung, Will Langford EMG: Jonathon Ceglar, Angus Litherland, Alex Woodward IN: Billy Hartung, Sam Mitchell, Isaac Smith OUT: Jack Gunston (knee), Angus Litherland, Alex Woodward MELBOURNE B: Colin Garland, Lynden Dunn, Jeremy Howe HB: Neville Jetta, Tom McDonald, Matt Jones C: Rohan Bail, Bernie Vince, Daniel Cross HF: Jay Kennedy-Harris, James Frawley, Jack Watts F: Mark Jamar, Chris Dawes, Dean Kent FOLL: Max Gawn, Nathan Jones, Dom Tyson I/C: Dom Barry, Viv Michie, Aidan Riley, Jack Viney EMG: Jack Fitzpatrick, Jordie McKenzie, Daniel Nicholson IN: Dom Barry, Daniel Cross, Max Gawn, Matt Jones, Viv Michie OUT: Blease, McKenzie, Pedersen (head), Tapscott (knee), Terlich The changes to the team this week reflect the fact that Paul Roos means business. He has warned that many of his players are virtually on trial and the three omissions from last week's fiasco are certainly on shaky ground. Luke Tapscott who is out by virtue of a knee injury is also in trouble because it took him the better part of the season to gain promotion from Casey and yet, he failed at the highest level yet again. The same can be said of most of the players selected in the VFL this week. With perhaps, the exception of Christian Salem and a couple of rookies, the rest have their cards virtually marked. The inclusions into the team look like plusses. Max Gawn has been in ripping form while Daniel Cross has been the team's measuring stick this year and it's no coincidence that things went awry the moment he dropped out of the team with that foot fracture. Matt Jones and Viv Michie are solid but unspectacular citizens with form at Casey while Dom Barry is young and fast but looms as the likely sub. All in all, there is likely to be an improvement in the line up but the bad news is that this week's opponent is Hawthorn, not Brisbane and that foretells of a tough evening at the office. Hawthorn comfortably.

THE DOVE by Whispering Jack The dove is a bird associated with peace and harmony. The hawk is its exact opposite - aggressive and warlike. Ironically, in the week when Melbourne takes on the AFL Hawks it is the club that you associate with the aggressive bird that sits in peaceful harmony at the top of the AFL table while the Demons are seemingly in disarray and ducking for cover in the wake of their coach's stinging attack on his players and the culture of the club. Paul Roos blamed the clubs culture of losing on its past tanking controversies claiming that some Demons players remaining from 2009 appear to be scarred from those experiences and must overcome them before the club can take further strides forward. I think he's wrong and that he didn't think out those comments very well at all. They invited the attention of the usual media vultures and were unnecessary negative given the shortcomings of the list he possesses. In my view, he should get on with the job of coaching and looking to the future rather than look for excuses. Whatever the reason for the malaise that led to the situation at ¾ time when Melbourne held a slender lead but almost double the number of shots at goal (and the possible explanations seem numerous and open to conjecture), the game was there to be won in the final quarter. That's when the coach can exert his influence and given we were seeing two young inexperienced teams that haven't performed well in 2014, the result reflected just as poorly on our coaching as it did on the players. Look at the replay and you can see the defensive mindset in mid quarter compared to the way Brisbane took on the game and you won't be surprised at all about who won and who lost. I thought at the time that Roos still had his eye on the future with the way they played out the game and was prepared to give him an escape card but I was disappointed with his references to the past in the post-match which of course, led to the predictable feeding frenzy from Caroline Wilson and co who simply won't let go of past personal agendas. Roos knew exactly what he was getting himself into when he took on the job and he should be last person to make excuses. We've seen some signs of improvement this year but given the fact that he has a better list that was expected, we should be seeing more. For all that, with a game against the top team in the competition, it's time to see a more aggressive approach to our opposition than to our ghosts of the past, perceived or otherwise. THE GAME Hawthorn v Melbourne at the MCG Saturday 9 August 2014 at 4.40 pm. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Hawthorn 82 wins Melbourne 74 wins At MCG Hawthorn 41 wins Melbourne 35 wins Last 5 years Hawthorn 5 wins Melbourne 0 wins The Coaches Clarkson 0 wins Roos 0 wins MEDIA TV Fox Footy Channel at 4.30pm (live) RADIO Triple M 3AW SEN ABC ABC Grandstand THE BETTING Hawthorn $1.04 to win Melbourne $11.00 to win THE LAST TIME THEY MET Hawthorn 15.25.115 defeated Melbourne 6.13.49 in Round 10, 2013 at the MCG The Hawks kicked 12 goals to 1 in the first half. Thanks to some atrocious kicking from the Hawks the Dees managed to miraculously outscore them in the second half. THE TEAMS HAWTHORN B: Taylor Duryea, Josh Gibson, Matt Spangher HB: Luke Hodge, Ben Stratton, Grant Birchall C: Isaac Smith, Sam Mitchell, Matthew Suckling HF: Bradley Hill, Ryan Schoenmakers, Luke Breust F: Paul Puopolo, Jarryd Roughead, Jordan Lewis FOLL: Ben McEvoy, Shaun Burgoyne, Liam Shiels I/C: David Hale, Jonathan Simpkin, Billy Hartung, Will Langford EMG: Jonathon Ceglar, Angus Litherland, Alex Woodward IN: Billy Hartung, Sam Mitchell, Isaac Smith OUT: Jack Gunston (knee), Angus Litherland, Alex Woodward MELBOURNE B: Colin Garland, Lynden Dunn, Jeremy Howe HB: Neville Jetta, Tom McDonald, Matt Jones C: Rohan Bail, Bernie Vince, Daniel Cross HF: Jay Kennedy-Harris, James Frawley, Jack Watts F: Mark Jamar, Chris Dawes, Dean Kent FOLL: Max Gawn, Nathan Jones, Dom Tyson I/C: Dom Barry, Viv Michie, Aidan Riley, Jack Viney EMG: Jack Fitzpatrick, Jordie McKenzie, Daniel Nicholson IN: Dom Barry, Daniel Cross, Max Gawn, Matt Jones, Viv Michie OUT: Blease, McKenzie, Pedersen (head), Tapscott (knee), Terlich The changes to the team this week reflect the fact that Paul Roos means business. He has warned that many of his players are virtually on trial and the three omissions from last week's fiasco are certainly on shaky ground. Luke Tapscott who is out by virtue of a knee injury is also in trouble because it took him the better part of the season to gain promotion from Casey and yet, he failed at the highest level yet again. The same can be said of most of the players selected in the VFL this week. With perhaps, the exception of Christian Salem and a couple of rookies, the rest have their cards virtually marked. The inclusions into the team look like plusses. Max Gawn has been in ripping form while Daniel Cross has been the team's measuring stick this year and it's no coincidence that things went awry the moment he dropped out of the team with that foot fracture. Matt Jones and Viv Michie are solid but unspectacular citizens with form at Casey while Dom Barry is young and fast but looms as the likely sub. All in all, there is likely to be an improvement in the line up but the bad news is that this week's opponent is Hawthorn, not Brisbane and that foretells of a tough evening at the office. Hawthorn comfortably.

The last time it nearly ended in tears for Mark Neeld. This time .... MELBOURNE Backs Lynden Dunn James Frawley Dean Terlich Half backs Jack Watts Cam Pedersen Colin Garland Centreline Jack Trengove Michael Evans Matt Jones Half forwards Luke Tapscott Jeremy Howe Rohan Bail Forwards David Rodan Chris Dawes Aaron Davey Followers Mark Jamar Jordie McKenzie Nathan Jones Interchange Jack Fitzpatrick Dean Kent Joel Macdonald James Strauss Emergencies Daniel Nicholson James Sellar Jake Spencer In Jack Fitzpatrick Dean Kent Joel Macdonald Cam Pedersen David Rodan James Strauss Out Shannon Byrnes (wrist) Neville Jetta Max Gawn James Magner Daniel Nicholson HAWTHORN Backs Ben Stratton Brian Lake Brent Guerra Half backs Josh Gibson Grant Birchall Sam Mitchell Centreline Isaac Smith Luke Hodge Liam Shiels Half forwards Brad Hill Lance Franklin Jordan Lewis Forwards Paul Puopolo Jarryd Roughead Luke Breust Followers David Hale Brad Sewell Shaun Burgoyne Interchange Kyle Cheney Taylor Duryea Sam Grimley Jonathan Simpkin Emergencies Max Bailey Michael Osborne Shane Savage In Grant Birchall David Hale Out Max Bailey Jack Gunston (calf)

HAUNTED BY THE PRESENT by Whispering Jack It was about nine minutes into the final term and Melbourne was ahead by 14 points with almost twice as many scoring shots as the Brisbane Lions (6.14 to 5.6). A thought bubble rose over my head suggesting that I should be prepared to excuse the ugliness of this virtually unwatchable game. The mistakes, the turnovers, the poor skill sets from both sides were there clearly on display but the odds were that if the Demons would continue doing what they had done for more than three quarters then it would all be worth it because there were four premiership points on offer to be won that would lift the club ahead of another two AFL teams to establish a gap between themselves and the wooden spoon position. At that very point the Lions went onto the attack knowing that the only way they could win a low scoring scrap in which the teams had thus far scored a mere eleven goals between them. At the same time, the Demons, perhaps believing that a 13 point lead in such a game was there to be saved rather than won, went super defensive. Therein lay the problem. At times, it was an odds on certainty that with so many players down back, the opposition would simply belt the ball forward enough times to break through, especially if any of those players would commit an error which they did on cue and often enough to allow the Lions to break the wall of the dike and overrun the home team with a withering 20 minute and six goal burst. The suggestion from the coach was that the team is haunted by the past but I reckon it's more a case of haunted by the present. It was what the Demons deserved for bungling so many golden opportunities in the first three quarters and then shutting up shop far too early. For half a game between the beginning of the second quarter until siren time in the third they squandered countless opportunities to score goals. In the end, they got what they deserved. Nathan Jones led the Demons as he always does but even he was not immune to committing the odd blooper. Dom Tyson gave him great support in the middle but he too was wasteful at times. Jeremy Howe and Tom McDonald defended well while James Frawley was solid in attack and he certainly couldn't do it on his own - but all of them committed errors when Melbourne was well on top. There are too many in the team for who the practice has become commonplace. If your kicks and handballs miss the target, if you drop the football or fail to chase, then consider yourself lucky if you're on the list by the end of the year. Melbourne 3.3.214.8.32 5.13.43 6.15.51 Brisbane Lions 3.3.21 4.3.27 5.6.36 11.8.74 Goals Melbourne Kent 2 Bail Frawley N Jones Tyson Brisbane Lions McStay 3 Close 2 Adcock Beams Hanley Harwood Merrett Taylor Best Melbourne N Jones Howe Jetta Frawley Tyson Kent Brisbane Lions Bewick Rockliff Hanley Martin McStay Adcock Changes Melbourne Jack Grimes (hamstring) replaced in the selected side by Dean Terlich Brisbane Lions Nil Injuries Melbourne McDonald (ankle), Pedersen (nose) Brisbane Lions Maguire (foot) Reports Melbourne Nil Brisbane Lions Daniel Merrett for striking Cam Pedersen in the fourth quarter Umpires Donlon Harris O'Gorman Crowd 18,079 at Etihad Stadium

It was about nine minutes into the final term and Melbourne was ahead by 14 points with almost twice as many scoring shots as the Brisbane Lions (6.14 to 5.6). A thought bubble rose over my head suggesting that I should be prepared to excuse the ugliness of this virtually unwatchable game. The mistakes, the turnovers, the poor skill sets from both sides were there clearly on display but the odds were that if the Demons would continue doing what they had done for more than three quarters then it would all be worth it because there were four premiership points on offer to be won that would lift the club ahead of another two AFL teams to establish a gap between themselves and the wooden spoon position. At that very point the Lions went onto the attack knowing that the only way they could win a low scoring scrap in which the teams had thus far scored a mere eleven goals between them. At the same time, the Demons, perhaps believing that a 13 point lead in such a game was there to be saved rather than won, went super defensive. Therein lay the problem. At times, it was an odds on certainty that with so many players down back, the opposition would simply belt the ball forward enough times to break through, especially if any of those players would commit an error which they did on cue and often enough to allow the Lions to break the wall of the dike and overrun the home team with a withering 20 minute and six goal burst. The suggestion from the coach was that the team is haunted by the past but I reckon it's more a case of haunted by the present. It was what the Demons deserved for bungling so many golden opportunities in the first three quarters and then shutting up shop far too early. For half a game between the beginning of the second quarter until siren time in the third they squandered countless opportunities to score goals. In the end, they got what they deserved. Nathan Jones led the Demons as he always does but even he was not immune to committing the odd blooper. Dom Tyson gave him great support in the middle but he too was wasteful at times. Jeremy Howe and Tom McDonald defended well while James Frawley was solid in attack and he certainly couldn't do it on his own - but all of them committed errors when Melbourne was well on top. There are too many in the team for who the practice has become commonplace. If your kicks and handballs miss the target, if you drop the football or fail to chase, then consider yourself lucky if you're on the list by the end of the year. Melbourne 3.3.214.8.32 5.13.43 6.15.51 Brisbane Lions 3.3.21 4.3.27 5.6.36 11.8.74 Goals Melbourne Kent 2 Bail Frawley N Jones Tyson Brisbane Lions McStay 3 Close 2 Adcock Beams Hanley Harwood Merrett Taylor Best Melbourne N Jones Howe Jetta Frawley Tyson Kent Brisbane Lions Bewick Rockliff Hanley Martin McStay Adcock Changes Melbourne Jack Grimes (hamstring) replaced in the selected side by Dean Terlich Brisbane Lions Nil Injuries Melbourne McDonald (ankle), Pedersen (nose) Brisbane Lions Maguire (foot) Reports Melbourne Nil Brisbane Lions Daniel Merrett for striking Cam Pedersen in the fourth quarter Umpires Donlon Harris O'Gorman Crowd 18,079 at Etihad Stadium

Almost ready to call it a threepeat for Nat Jones 180. Nathan Jones 132. Dom Tyson 104. Lynden Dunn 75. Bernie Vince Jack Viney 60. Daniel Cross 55. Tom McDonald 44. Matt Jones 42. Jack Watts 41. James Frawley Mark Jamar Cam Pedersen 37. Chris Dawes 34. Jeremy Howe 27. Neville Jetta 18. Jack Grimes 15. Aidan Riley 14. Dean Kent 11. Rohan Bail 10. Jordie McKenzie 8. Jay Kennedy-Harris 6. Colin Garland Alexis Georgiou Jimmy Toumpas 4. Dean Terlich 3. Jack Trengove 2. Shannon Byrnes Jake Spencer 1. Max Gawn

Cast them votes please folks ...

It It was a case of all smiles at Casey Fields on Saturday when the Scorpions broke through for their first home win of the season with a seven goal victory over the Northern Blues. The club recorded a rare double with the improving development team also beating the Blues by 11 points. The Casey Scorpions have endured a difficult season. Their young inexperienced team has suffered a great deal from inexperience, injury, loss of form and a shortage of the hard-bodied foot soldiers so necessary for to succeed at this level of the game. The short description of their form during 2014 would be "as cold as ice" and that phrase would also best sum up the chilly conditions the team faced for their round 17 game. For once however, the weather was the only thing about the Scorpions that you could call cold because in every other regard they were white hot. They comfortably won the ruck duels through the agency of twin towers in Max Gawn and Jack Fitzpatrick who put Carlton big man Robert Warnock out of business and also effectively doubled up as tall forwards when rested, each booting three goals. Gawn, who shouldered the majority of the ruckwork, tellingly kicked two goals in the opening term when the game was still a contest and the home team led narrowly over an inaccurate opposition at the first break. After a brief arm wrestle the Scorpions took control winning the ball out of the middle and constantly pumping the ball forward. With Fitzpatrick the main target and Jake Best returning to form and both kicking goals, Casey overwhelmed the opposition and stormed to 37- point half time lead. The six goals to one second term made the difference in the end but unlike so many previous occasions this year when they lapsed badly and gave up good half time leads, Casey nailed it this time by continuing to apply intense pressure and extending the lead to 46 points at the final change making the final quarter a virtual formality. Apart from the dominant big men, Casey was well served by Viv Michie, Matt Jones and James Strauss while Dom Barry lifted his possession rate this week. What would have been most pleasing to coach Rohan Welsh was the team's much more even performance and its greater efficiency with the football which was a stark contrast to many previous games when the team struggled to create scoring chances out of the opportunities presented even when on top in the stoppages. The next two weeks sees Casey up against quality opposition and looking to taking some further steps forward in what has been an otherwise cold winter for the club. Peter Jackson VFL Casey Scorpions 4.2.26 10.4.64 12.9.81 13.14.92 Northern Blues 3.6.24 3.9.27 4.11.35 6.14.50 Goals Casey Scorpions Best Fitzpatrick Gawn 3 M Jones Page Salem Scott Northern Blues Walton 3 Bransgrove Totevski Warnock Casey Scorpions Gawn Michie Strauss Barry Fitzpatrick Jones Northern Blues Armfield Wilson Wilkinson Cripps Sheehan Possessions M Jones Michie 26 Clisby 24 Harmes 22 Barry Strauss 19 Gawn 18 Nicholson 16 Georgiou 14 The development team took some further promising steps forward and led all game to record a strong victory despite some late heart flutters when the Blues outscored them in the final term. Matthew Rennie, one of many to debut with the seniors this year, starred with five goals. Match Stats Dom Barry 18 disposals 7 kicks 11 handballs 1 mark 2 tackles 54 Dream Team Points Matt Clisby 25 disposals 12 kicks 13 handballs 2 marks 4 tackles 79 Dream Team Points Michael Evans 12 disposals 6 kicks 6 handballs 1 mark 6 tackles 51 Dream Team Points Jack Fitzpatrick 3 goals 3 behinds 13 disposals 11 kicks 2 handballs 6 marks 3 tackles 18 hit outs 106 Dream Team Points Max Gawn 3 goals 1 behind 18 disposals 12 kicks 6 handballs 8 marks 3 tackles 57 hit outs Dream Team Points Alexis Georgiou 14 disposals 8 kicks 6 handballs 3 marks 1 tackle 50 Dream Team Points James Harmes 1 behind 22 disposals 10 kicks 12 handballs 2 marks 3 tackles 59 Dream Team Points Matt Jones 1 goal 1 behind disposals 14 kicks 13 handballs 6 marks 4 tackles 101 Dream Team Points Viv Michie 1 behind 27 disposals 17 kicks 10 handballs 1 mark 2 tackles 81 Dream Team Points Dan Nicholson 15 disposals 9 kicks 6 handballs 5 marks 6 tackles 73 Dream Team Points Christian Salem 1 goal 8 disposals 5 kicks 3 handballs 2 marks 4 tackles 49 Dream Team Points James Strauss 20 disposals 13 kicks 7 handballs 2 marks 2 tackles 68 Dream Team Points AFL Victoria Development League Casey Scorpions 4.1.25 6.3.39 10.5.65 12.7.79 Northern Blues 1.1.7 2.4.16 4.10.34 9.14.68 Goals Casey Scorpions Rennie 5 Lang Paredes 2 Fisscher Jackson Murray Northern Blues Johnson 3 Curnow 2 Haynes Johnston Sutton Watson Casey Scorpions Rennie Paredes Symons Hillard Corrigan Jackson Northern Blues Jenkins Johnston Roberts Thomas Watson Tardio

WHITE HOT by KC from Casey It It was a case of all smiles at Casey Fields on Saturday when the Scorpions broke through for their first home win of the season with a seven goal victory over the Northern Blues. The club recorded a rare double with the improving development team also beating the Blues by 11 points. The Casey Scorpions have endured a difficult season. Their young inexperienced team has suffered a great deal from inexperience, injury, loss of form and a shortage of the hard-bodied foot soldiers so necessary for to succeed at this level of the game. The short description of their form during 2014 would be "as cold as ice" and that phrase would also best sum up the chilly conditions the team faced for their round 17 game. For once however, the weather was the only thing about the Scorpions that you could call cold because in every other regard they were white hot. They comfortably won the ruck duels through the agency of twin towers in Max Gawn and Jack Fitzpatrick who put Carlton big man Robert Warnock out of business and also effectively doubled up as tall forwards when rested, each booting three goals. Gawn, who shouldered the majority of the ruckwork, tellingly kicked two goals in the opening term when the game was still a contest and the home team led narrowly over an inaccurate opposition at the first break. After a brief arm wrestle the Scorpions took control winning the ball out of the middle and constantly pumping the ball forward. With Fitzpatrick the main target and Jake Best returning to form and both kicking goals, Casey overwhelmed the opposition and stormed to 37- point half time lead. The six goals to one second term made the difference in the end but unlike so many previous occasions this year when they lapsed badly and gave up good half time leads, Casey nailed it this time by continuing to apply intense pressure and extending the lead to 46 points at the final change making the final quarter a virtual formality. Apart from the dominant big men, Casey was well served by Viv Michie, Matt Jones and James Strauss while Dom Barry lifted his possession rate this week. What would have been most pleasing to coach Rohan Welsh was the team's much more even performance and its greater efficiency with the football which was a stark contrast to many previous games when the team struggled to create scoring chances out of the opportunities presented even when on top in the stoppages. The next two weeks sees Casey up against quality opposition and looking to taking some further steps forward in what has been an otherwise cold winter for the club. Peter Jackson VFL Casey Scorpions 4.2.26 10.4.64 12.9.81 13.14.92 Northern Blues 3.6.24 3.9.27 4.11.35 6.14.50 Goals Casey Scorpions Best Fitzpatrick Gawn 3 M Jones Page Salem Scott Northern Blues Walton 3 Bransgrove Totevski Warnock Casey Scorpions Gawn Michie Strauss Barry Fitzpatrick Jones Northern Blues Armfield Wilson Wilkinson Cripps Sheehan Possessions M Jones Michie 26 Clisby 24 Harmes 22 Barry Strauss 19 Gawn 18 Nicholson 16 Georgiou 14 The development team took some further promising steps forward and led all game to record a strong victory despite some late heart flutters when the Blues outscored them in the final term. Matthew Rennie, one of many to debut with the seniors this year, starred with five goals. AFL Victoria Development League Casey Scorpions 4.1.25 6.3.39 10.5.65 12.7.79 Northern Blues 1.1.7 2.4.16 4.10.34 9.14.68 Goals Casey Scorpions Rennie 5 Lang Paredes 2 Fisscher Jackson Murray Northern Blues Johnson 3 Curnow 2 Haynes Johnston Sutton Watson Casey Scorpions Rennie Paredes Symons Hillard Corrigan Jackson Northern Blues Jenkins Johnston Roberts Thomas Watson Tardio

Better late than never (I've amended Shannon Byrnes to "retired" status. Melbourne injury list: round 19 Shannon Byrnes (foot) – retired Daniel Cross (leg) – test Michael Evans (shoulder) – test Jesse Hogan (back) – 3-4 weeks Jayden Hunt (back) – 3-4 weeks Max King (knee) – test Jake Spencer (ankle) – season Jack Trengove (foot) – season

The interruption to the season by means of the second bye for the year has somewhat quashed the momentum gained by Melbourne in its thrilling performance against Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval when it came within a minute or two of snatching a famous victory for the club. Not only does the momentum seem to have dissipated but with so many events taking place on the world stage both on and off the sporting scene that the Demons' strong efforts in that match have been almost forgotten. Deadly wars and plane crashes, the removal of the carbon tax, Wimbledon, the British Open, Tour de France and the riveting flow of gold, gold and more gold from the Commonwealth Games have all seen to that. So much so that I can recall so little of Melbourne's last game that I has to check the record books twice to confirm that it actually took place. And to make matters worse, the Demons' opponent in this week's game - the Brisbane Lions - took all the limelight at the weekend with their brutal hatchet job against the Gold Coast Suns in Brisbane. For a side supposedly lamenting near the bottom of the table, Justin Leppitsch's mob took the honours of the round with Stefan Martin continuing his rich vein of form in the ruck and Tom Rockliff and Pierce Hanley breaking the record books by racking up in excess of forty disposals each in their midfield demolition of the hapless and Ablettless young Suns whose finals aspirations were virtually snuffed out in one fell swoop. Meanwhile, Demon fans were at least left to celebrate one piece of big news - the extension of Paul Roos' contact by another year to the end of 2016. It's not often that fans of a team will celebrate the addition of an extra year to their coach's tenure when his team has a 25% win/loss ratio but perhaps all that was forgotten due to the long break in the football. In any event, it has been well worthwhile when one considers that on top of its four wins to date, the team has been in front during the final quarter of five other games which suggests that Roos has lifted his team significantly in a short space of time. Now, if only they can learn to win on a regular basis ... THE GAME Melbourne v Brisbane at Etihad Stadium Sunday 3 August 2014 at 1.10pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall: Melbourne 21wins Brisbane 19 wins At Etihad Stadium: Melbourne 0 wins Brisbane 1 win Last Five Years: Melbourne 1 wins Brisbane 4 wins The Coaches: Roos 0 wins Leppitsch 0 wins MEDIA TV Fox Footy Channel at 1:00pm AEST Radio - Triple M 3AW THE BETTING Melbourne $1.65 to win Brisbane $2.25 to win LAST TIME THEY MET Brisbane 13.16.94 defeated Melbourne 11.9.75 at the TIO Stadium, Darwin in Round 10, 2013 On a damp and slippery night the Demons held their own for a long time but lacked the class to take up the fight for the full four quarters. TEAMS MELBOURNE B: Neville Jetta, Tom McDonald, Colin Garland HB: Lynden Dunn, James Frawley, Jeremy Howe C: Dean Terlich, Bernie Vince, Jordie McKenzie HF: Rohan Bail, Cameron Pedersen, Jack Viney F: Luke Tapscott, Chris Dawes, Jack Watts FOLL: Mark Jamar, Nathan Jones, Dom Tyson I/C: Sam Blease, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Dean Kent, Aidan Riley EMG: Daniel Cross, Max Gawn, Matt Jones IN: Dean Terlich OUT: Jack Grimes (hamstring) BRISBANE LIONS B: Darcy Gardiner, Matt Maguire, Justin Clarke HB: Joel Patfull, Daniel McStay, Ryan Harwood C: Ashley McGrath, James Aish, Sam Mayes HF: Lewis Taylor, Michael Close, Josh Green F: Dayne Zorko, Daniel Merrett, Jed Adcock FOLL: Stefan Martin, Tom Rockliff, Pearce Hanley I/C: Claye Beams, Rohan Bewick Jack Crisp, Ryan Lester EMG: Jordan Lisle, Zac O'Brien, Nick Robertson NO CHANGE What can Melbourne do to turn around its current run of five successive losses? What can Melbourne do to turn around its run of four consecutive defeats at the hands of the Brisbane Lions? What can Melbourne do to turn around its seven year run of defeats at Etihad Stadium? So far this year the Demons have put paid to one of its hoodoos being its long run of defeats in Adelaide but that was achieved at the Adelaide Oval and not AAMI Stadium where most of the damage had been done over the years. The team even got close to making it a double at its last start where it stretched Port Adelaide a fortnight ago. It did so with a team not dissimilar to that which succumbed meekly to top four aspirants Fremantle and Geelong in games where it could do no better than score a measly five goals. This week the team takes on the Brisbane Lions which returned to form in the Q game last week when they slaughtered the ailing Gold Coast Suns whose form has collapsed since Garry Ablett's shoulder injury. The Lions will be brimming with confidence after such a strong showing but Melbourne's performance away from home in Adelaide was no less impressive. Despite the loss of co-captain Jack Grimes, Melbourne's defence looks strong and the midfield continues to show improvement as the stocks of Nathan Jones and Dom Tyson continue to rise. The result might well depend on whether it's run with players are able to hold the surging Lion midfield headed by Rockliff, Hanley and Zorko. I believe that they will do so and on the back of that a few Melbourne hoodoos will bite the dust. Melbourne to win by 4 points.

PARDON THE INTERRUPTION by JVM The interruption to the season by means of the second bye for the year has somewhat quashed the momentum gained by Melbourne in its thrilling performance against Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval when it came within a minute or two of snatching a famous victory for the club. Not only does the momentum seem to have dissipated but with so many events taking place on the world stage both on and off the sporting scene that the Demons' strong efforts in that match have been almost forgotten. Deadly wars and plane crashes, the removal of the carbon tax, Wimbledon, the British Open, Tour de France and the riveting flow of gold, gold and more gold from the Commonwealth Games have all seen to that. So much so that I can recall so little of Melbourne's last game that I has to check the record books twice to confirm that it actually took place. And to make matters worse, the Demons' opponent in this week's game - the Brisbane Lions - took all the limelight at the weekend with their brutal hatchet job against the Gold Coast Suns in Brisbane. For a side supposedly lamenting near the bottom of the table, Justin Leppitsch's mob took the honours of the round with Stefan Martin continuing his rich vein of form in the ruck and Tom Rockliff and Pierce Hanley breaking the record books by racking up in excess of forty disposals each in their midfield demolition of the hapless and Ablettless young Suns whose finals aspirations were virtually snuffed out in one fell swoop. Meanwhile, Demon fans were at least left to celebrate one piece of big news - the extension of Paul Roos' contact by another year to the end of 2016. It's not often that fans of a team will celebrate the addition of an extra year to their coach's tenure when his team has a 25% win/loss ratio but perhaps all that was forgotten due to the long break in the football. In any event, it has been well worthwhile when one considers that on top of its four wins to date, the team has been in front during the final quarter of five other games which suggests that Roos has lifted his team significantly in a short space of time. Now, if only they can learn to win on a regular basis ... THE GAME Melbourne v Brisbane at Etihad Stadium Sunday 3 August 2014 at 1.10pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall: Melbourne 21wins Brisbane 19 wins At Etihad Stadium: Melbourne 0 wins Brisbane 1 win Last Five Years: Melbourne 1 wins Brisbane 4 wins The Coaches: Roos 0 wins Leppitsch 0 wins MEDIA TV Fox Footy Channel at 1:00pm AEST Radio - Triple M 3AW THE BETTING Melbourne $1.65 to win Brisbane $2.25 to win LAST TIME THEY MET Brisbane 13.16.94 defeated Melbourne 11.9.75 at the TIO Stadium, Darwin in Round 10, 2013 On a damp and slippery night the Demons held their own for a long time but lacked the class to take up the fight for the full four quarters. TEAMS MELBOURNE B: Neville Jetta, Tom McDonald, Colin Garland HB: Lynden Dunn, James Frawley, Jeremy Howe C: Dean Terlich, Bernie Vince, Jordie McKenzie HF: Rohan Bail, Cameron Pedersen, Jack Viney F: Luke Tapscott, Chris Dawes, Jack Watts FOLL: Mark Jamar, Nathan Jones, Dom Tyson I/C: Sam Blease, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Dean Kent, Aidan Riley EMG: Daniel Cross, Max Gawn, Matt Jones IN: Dean Terlich OUT: Jack Grimes (hamstring) BRISBANE LIONS B: Darcy Gardiner, Matt Maguire, Justin Clarke HB: Joel Patfull, Daniel McStay, Ryan Harwood C: Ashley McGrath, James Aish, Sam Mayes HF: Lewis Taylor, Michael Close, Josh Green F: Dayne Zorko, Daniel Merrett, Jed Adcock FOLL: Stefan Martin, Tom Rockliff, Pearce Hanley I/C: Claye Beams, Rohan Bewick Jack Crisp, Ryan Lester EMG: Jordan Lisle, Zac O'Brien, Nick Robertson NO CHANGE What can Melbourne do to turn around its current run of five successive losses? What can Melbourne do to turn around its run of four consecutive defeats at the hands of the Brisbane Lions? What can Melbourne do to turn around its seven year run of defeats at Etihad Stadium? So far this year the Demons have put paid to one of its hoodoos being its long run of defeats in Adelaide but that was achieved at the Adelaide Oval and not AAMI Stadium where most of the damage had been done over the years. The team even got close to making it a double at its last start where it stretched Port Adelaide a fortnight ago. It did so with a team not dissimilar to that which succumbed meekly to top four aspirants Fremantle and Geelong in games where it could do no better than score a measly five goals. This week the team takes on the Brisbane Lions which returned to form in the Q game last week when they slaughtered the ailing Gold Coast Suns whose form has collapsed since Garry Ablett's shoulder injury. The Lions will be brimming with confidence after such a strong showing but Melbourne's performance away from home in Adelaide was no less impressive. Despite the loss of co-captain Jack Grimes, Melbourne's defence looks strong and the midfield continues to show improvement as the stocks of Nathan Jones and Dom Tyson continue to rise. The result might well depend on whether it's run with players are able to hold the surging Lion midfield headed by Rockliff, Hanley and Zorko. I believe that they will do so and on the back of that a few Melbourne hoodoos will bite the dust. Melbourne by 4 points.

MELBOURNE Backs Lynden Dunn Colin Garland Dean Terlich Half backs Tom McDonald James Frawley Mitch Clisby Centreline Jimmy Toumpas Jack Trengove Jack Grimes Half forwards Colin Sylvia Jack Watts Shannon Byrnes Forwards Aaron Davey Chris Dawes Jeremy Howe Followers Max Gawn Jack Viney Nathan Jones Interchange Sam Blease Jack Fitzpatrick Matt Jones Dean Kent Emergencies Jordie McKenzie Cameron Pedersen Jake Spencer In Jack Viney Out Daniel Nicholson BRISBANE LIONS Backs Jed Adcock Matt Maguire Joel Patfull Half backs Ryan Harwood Justin Clarke Brent Staker Centreline Pearce Hanley Tom Rockliff Sam Mayes Half forwards Dayne Zorko Jordan Lisle Rohan Bewick Forwards Josh Green Daniel Merrett Ashley McGrath Followers Matthew Leuenberger Jack Redden Daniel Rich Interchange Sam Docherty Ryan Lester Andrew Raines Elliot Yeo Emergencies James Polkinghorne In Sam Docherty Jordan Lisle Elliot Yeo Out Jonathan Brown Mitch Golby James Polkinghorne

Dom Tyson is having a great season but the Jones boy is still streets ahead. 172. Nathan Jones 123. Dom Tyson 103. Lynden Dunn 75. Bernie Vince Jack Viney 60. Daniel Cross 45. Tom McDonald 44. Matt Jones 42. Jack Watts 41. Mark Jamar Cam Pedersen 39. James Frawley 37. Chris Dawes 34. Jeremy Howe 27. Neville Jetta 18. Jack Grimes 15. Aidan Riley 13. Dean Kent 11. Rohan Bail 10. Jordie McKenzie 8. Jay Kennedy-Harris 6. Colin Garland Alexis Georgiou Jimmy Toumpas 4. Dean Terlich 3. Jack Trengove 2. Shannon Byrnes Jake Spencer 1. Max Gawn

COMPOSURE by The Oracle It was the second time this year that Melbourne held the lead half way through the final quarter against Port Adelaide and yet it lost the game. Earlier in the year, it was a case of a young club simply running out of legs against fitter opposition but this time, it was a case of running out of composure when the time came to hold strong when a game was in the balance. The other comparison with their earlier encounter at Alice Springs was the fact that the Demons leaked goals in conceding an early run on and then had to work hard to rein in the Power. It was hard enough doing that in Alice Springs but it was even more difficult at the "Portress". Melbourne surprised its fans with the opening goal through Luke Tapscott but the Power answered and the game was evenly balanced until Dom Tyson broke through for his team's second goal and a six point lead. The next half hour's play was the low point for Melbourne with the home side kicking three consecutive majors on both sides of the first break to go to a 30-point lead. Twenty minutes into the second quarter, Port had all the momentum, leading 7.4.46 to 2.4.16 and all thoughts of Melbourne fans were about where was the next goal going to come from and how could the damage best be controlled. Somehow, the Demons found the inspiration to take the game on and returned the favour to their hosts by kicking three goals on either side of the break. In the early part of the third quarter the goals came through speedsters Sam Blease and Jay Kennedy-Harris while Jack Watts, who had been quiet early but dominant in this term, goaled at the 16-minute mark to give his side the lead. The question that Melbourne fans were asking now was why had it taken so long for the team to start using some run and to take a game on in the way it was doing now? It didn't last long as the game turned into an arm wrestle for the remainder of the term and it was almost inevitable that the Power would regain the ascendancy, which it did right on three quarter time with the aid of a fortunate free kick paid against Watts for interference - ironically because he had been crunched once or twice earlier in the game without gaining the benefit of a free. The Demons refused to allow the game to slip and goals to Rohan Bail and Tyson's second restored the lead until a late forward thrust by Melbourne was cut off and Port Adelaide moved the ball virtually the length of the ground to where Port's Jay Schulz was paid a mark against a protesting Lynden Dunn to score the winning goal with less than two minutes remaining on the clock. The Demons last roll of the dice came to nothing when a clearing kick from Jack Grimes to Tyson who was in the clear and had support, went out of bounds on the full. Thirty seconds later, the game was over. Dom Tyson with 32 touches was Melbourne's best and he was well backed up by skipper Nathan Jones who was subjected to some close treatment early in the game. It was a much better performance for the Demons but, having twice had chances against a top four club in Port Adelaide it still needs to learn how to beat the top sides. Melbourne 2.3.15 5.5.35 8.7.55 10.9.69 Port Adelaide 4.4.28 7.6.48 8.9.57 10.12.72 Goals Melbourne Tyson 2 Bail Blease Frawley Kennedy-Harris Pedersen Tapscott Vince Pedersen Watts Port Adelaide Schulz Stewart Westhoff 2 Boak Pittard Wingard Young Best Melbourne Tyson Jamar N Jones Garland Watts Frawley Port Adelaide Westhoff Gray Wines Cornes O'Shea Schulz Ebert Changes Melbourne Nil Port Adelaide Nil Injuries Melbourne Tapscott (knee) Port Adelaide Hartlett (ankle) Reports Melbourne Nil Port Adelaide Nil Umpires Jeff Dalgleish, Dean Margetts, David Harris Crowd 37,894 at Adelaide Oval.

It was the second time this year that Melbourne held the lead half way through the final quarter against Port Adelaide and yet it lost the game. Earlier in the year, it was a case of a young club simply running out of legs against fitter opposition but this time, it was a case of running out of composure when the time came to hold strong when a game was in the balance. The other comparison with their earlier encounter at Alice Springs was the fact that the Demons leaked goals in conceding an early run on and then had to work hard to rein in the Power. It was hard enough doing that in Alice Springs but it was even more difficult at the "Portress". Melbourne surprised its fans with the opening goal through Luke Tapscott but the Power answered and the game was evenly balanced until Dom Tyson broke through for his team's second goal and a six point lead. The next half hour's play was the low point for Melbourne with the home side kicking three consecutive majors on both sides of the first break to go to a 30-point lead. Twenty minutes into the second quarter, Port had all the momentum, leading 7.4.46 to 2.4.16 and all thoughts of Melbourne fans were about where was the next goal going to come from and how could the damage best be controlled. Somehow, the Demons found the inspiration to take the game on and returned the favour to their hosts by kicking three goals on either side of the break. In the early part of the third quarter the goals came through speedsters Sam Blease and Jay Kennedy-Harris while Jack Watts, who had been quiet early but dominant in this term, goaled at the 16-minute mark to give his side the lead. The question that Melbourne fans were asking now was why had it taken so long for the team to start using some run and to take a game on in the way it was doing now? It didn't last long as the game turned into an arm wrestle for the remainder of the term and it was almost inevitable that the Power would regain the ascendancy, which it did right on three quarter time with the aid of a fortunate free kick paid against Watts for interference - ironically because he had been crunched once or twice earlier in the game without gaining the benefit of a free. The Demons refused to allow the game to slip and goals to Rohan Bail and Tyson's second restored the lead until a late forward thrust by Melbourne was cut off and Port Adelaide moved the ball virtually the length of the ground to where Port's Jay Schulz was paid a mark against a protesting Lynden Dunn to score the winning goal with less than two minutes remaining on the clock. The Demons last roll of the dice came to nothing when a clearing kick from Jack Grimes to Tyson who was in the clear and had support, went out of bounds on the full. Thirty seconds later, the game was over. Dom Tyson with 32 touches was Melbourne's best and he was well backed up by skipper Nathan Jones who was subjected to some close treatment early in the game. It was a much better performance for the Demons but, having twice had chances against a top four club in Port Adelaide it still needs to learn how to beat the top sides. Melbourne 2.3.15 5.5.35 8.7.55 10.9.69 Port Adelaide 4.4.28 7.6.48 8.9.57 10.12.72 Goals Melbourne Tyson 2 Bail Blease Frawley Kennedy-Harris Pedersen Tapscott Vince Pedersen Watts Port Adelaide Schulz Stewart Westhoff 2 Boak Pittard Wingard Young Best Melbourne Tyson Jamar N Jones Garland Watts Frawley Port Adelaide Westhoff Gray Wines Cornes O'Shea Schulz Ebert Changes Melbourne Nil Port Adelaide Nil Injuries Melbourne Tapscott (knee) Port Adelaide Hartlett (ankle) Reports Melbourne Nil Port Adelaide Nil Umpires Jeff Dalgleish, Dean Margetts, David Harris Crowd 37,894 at Adelaide Oval.

We have a bye next week so we can talk about this game for two weeks.

Please cast your votes 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, No Jones rule today.

Until this game Frankston had never won a game at Casey Fields. In recent years the Dolphins have suffered some humiliating losses both at home and away and they have not beaten the Scorpions since 2006. Well they finally made it and deservedly so because, despite the poor start they kept plugging away with an insatiable desire for the football and ultimately, they triumphed by a solitary goal. Casey started well in the cold and drizzly conditions that prevailed at Cranbourne East playing arguably their best football for more than twelve months. They were getting first use of the ball out of the middle and moving it well into the forward line. Max Gawn was in good marking form when he played up forward and had two goals at the first break. The Dolphins came out with improved intensity with the aid of the breeze and took 12 minutes to narrow the deficit to a mere two points and looked like brushing the home team aside completely but the Scorpions regrouped and held firm to hold the narrowest of leads at half time. Frankston continued to work hard and harass the more accomplished Casey players and held the lead for much of the early part of the third quarter. From there the game ebbed and flowed to the end and whilst the Scorps looked winners when the lead went out to 17 points halfway through the final term and with Gawn in great form up forward, the Dolphins surged to a well deserved victory. The excitement continued until well after the thirty minute mark when Christian Salem marked 45 metres out. Unlike a few weeks ago, his shot for goal fell short just before the siren sounded. Most of Casey's better players were its AFL listees but young Ed Morris (29 disposals) again impressed and the club introduced yet another debutant Nathan Paraedes who had his moments as did young Demon international rookie Maia Westrupp in just his second game. Youngsters such as Angus Scott who kicked two goals are showing improvement. Casey now has a week's bye to reflect on a season gone wrong. 2014 Peter Jackson VFL Casey Scorpions 5.3.33 6.4.40 9.10.64 12.10.82 Frankston 1.1.7 6.3.39 8.4.52 13.10.88 Goals Casey Scorpions Gawn 4 Petropoulos Scott 2 Best Clisby Fitzpatrick M Jones Frankston Harper Potts Simpson 2 Buchan Coleman Haretuku Lourey Newman Pollard Sutton Best Casey Scorpions Gawn Strauss Nicholson Fitzpatrick Morris M Jones Frankston Kitchin Potts Simpson Tynan Harper Statistics The statistics from the game are interesting. Casey finished with 422 disposals to 345, they had 123 to 68 marks and dominated the hit outs by 69 to 22. I would expect figures like those to produce a reasonably easy win but instead they lost by a goal and in fact, went inside 50 only 43 times to 56. Disposal and decision-making must have been rather ordinary to produce such a result. Dom Barry 8 disposals 2 kicks 6 handballs 1 marks 3 tackles 30 Dream Team Points Matt Clisby 1 goal 28 disposals 15 kicks 13 handballs 8 marks 2 tackles 106 Dream Team Points Jack Fitzpatrick 1 goal 3 behinds 19 disposals 12 kicks 7 handballs 10 marks 2 tackles 30 hit outs 128 Dream Team Points Max Gawn 4 goals 1 point 23 disposals 12 kicks 11 handballs 13 marks 5 tackles 39 hit outs 179 Dream Team Pointsłuî Alexis Georgoiu 10 disposals 7 kicks 3 handballs 6 marks 3 tackles 53 Dream Team Points James Harmes 21 disposals 8 kicks 13 handballs 3 marks 1 tackle 59 Dream Team Points Matt Jones 1 goal 2 behinds 35 disposals 17 kicks 18 handballs 9 marks 5 tackles 139 Dream Team Points Viv Michie 24 disposals 13 kicks 11 handballs 2 marks 7 tackles 93 Dream Team Points Dan Nicholson 39 disposals 23 kicks 16 handballs 11 marks 8 tackles 168 Dream Team Points Christian Salem 1 point 22 disposals 18 kicks 4 handballs 3 marks 4 tackles 85 Dream Team Points James Strauss 35 disposals 22 kicks 13 handballs 11 marks 3 tackles 135 Dream Team Points Maia Westrupp disposals 3 kicks 4 handballs 3 tackles 32 Dream Team Points The development league team was in the game until well into the final quarter before going down by 16 points. 2014 AFL Victoria Development League Casey Scorpions 3.4.22 4.7.31 6.11.47 7.15.57 Frankston 3.4.22 5.8.38 7.9.51 10.13.73 Casey Scorpions Rennie 2 Anderson Pears Rosier Saunders Smith Frankston Farmer 4 Alwan 3 Clements Fox Irving Best Casey Scorpions Hillard Jackson Lang Anderson Welsh Del Papa Frankston Irving Fox Alwan Farmer Brennan Beech

SEASON GONE WRONG by KC from Casey Until this game Frankston had never won a game at Casey Fields. In recent years the Dolphins have suffered some humiliating losses both at home and away and they have not beaten the Scorpions since 2006. Well they finally made it and deservedly so because, despite the poor start they kept plugging away with an insatiable desire for the football and ultimately, they triumphed by a solitary goal. Casey started well in the cold and drizzly conditions that prevailed at Cranbourne East playing arguably their best football for more than twelve months. They were getting first use of the ball out of the middle and moving it well into the forward line. Max Gawn was in good marking form when he played up forward and had two goals at the first break. The Dolphins came out with improved intensity with the aid of the breeze and took 12 minutes to narrow the deficit to a mere two points and looked like brushing the home team aside completely but the Scorpions regrouped and held firm to hold the narrowest of leads at half time. Frankston continued to work hard and harass the more accomplished Casey players and held the lead for much of the early part of the third quarter. From there the game ebbed and flowed to the end and whilst the Scorps looked winners when the lead went out to 17 points halfway through the final term and with Gawn in great form up forward, the Dolphins surged to a well deserved victory. The excitement continued until well after the thirty minute mark when Christian Salem marked 45 metres out. Unlike a few weeks ago, his shot for goal fell short just before the siren sounded. Most of Casey's better players were its AFL listees but young Ed Morris (29 disposals) again impressed and the club introduced yet another debutant Nathan Paraedes who had his moments as did young Demon international rookie Maia Westrupp in just his second game. Youngsters such as Angus Scott who kicked two goals are showing improvement. Casey now has a week's bye to reflect on a season gone wrong. 2014 Peter Jackson VFL Casey Scorpions 5.3.33 6.4.40 9.10.64 12.10.82 Frankston 1.1.7 6.3.39 8.4.52 13.10.88 Goals Casey Scorpions Gawn 4 Petropoulos Scott 2 Best Clisby Fitzpatrick M Jones Frankston Harper Potts Simpson 2 Buchan Coleman Haretuku Lourey Newman Pollard Sutton Best Casey Scorpions Gawn Strauss Nicholson Fitzpatrick Morris M Jones Frankston Kitchin Potts Simpson Tynan Harper The development league team was in the game until well into the final quarter before going down by 16 points. 2014 AFL Victoria Development League Casey Scorpions 3.4.22 4.7.31 6.11.47 7.15.57 Frankston 3.4.22 5.8.38 7.9.51 10.13.73 Casey Scorpions Rennie 2 Anderson Pears Rosier Saunders Smith Frankston Farmer 4 Alwan 3 Clements Fox Irving Best Casey Scorpions Hillard Jackson Lang Anderson Welsh Del Papa Frankston Irving Fox Alwan Farmer Brennan Beech

TIRED by Whispering Jack The story this week is that the young Melbourne side is now suffering from fatigue. Strangely enough, this came from a young player who was one of the very few at the club who showed no signs of weariness last week against Geelong - Jack Viney. Viney, who was one of his team's best in the 66-point defeat last Saturday at the MCG, told the club's website this week, "We started the season really well and were starting to play some real top quality teams now, and its starting to show that the boys are getting a bit fatigued." He added that "They (Geelong) were beating us in contested footy and all areas, so it was about getting back to playing man-on-man footy, and beating our opponent. "From my point of view, it was pleasing to see a little bit more fight in the second half, but it was still not as much as we needed." Sorry Jack, but there's no need to start making excuses for your teammates and the only ones really getting tired are the fans. Over the past two weeks, against quality opposition in Fremantle and Geelong the team has managed a total of nine goals on the back of a creditable performance in coming close to beating the Western Bulldogs at Etihad. In the same time span the equally young (and possibly more inexperienced) Bulldogs have shown no sign whatsoever against of tiredness against two teams that are in the finals race. Rather than demonstrating fatigue, that team is bubbling with enthusiasm and full of energy - a team prepared to take the game on and play attacking football rather than be mired in defensive football only. The Demons' defensive mindset may well be a matter of design; that several months of training and playing in that mode will hold it in good stead in the future but is now weighing heavily on the team. They take on Port Adelaide this Sunday at a ground where they have already recorded a win this year and against a team undergoing a form slump. Moreover, the Demons have available, all bar one player (the injured Daniel Cross) who represented them so admirably in Alice Springs on 31 May. On that occasion, they missed their suspended and then in form key forward Chris Dawes and it wasn't a matter of tiredness that cost them the game but two lapses at either end of the match (each conceding four goals in a quarter hour of play). The teams also have history at the Adelaide Oval where they met a few years ago before it was refurbished in preparation for its role as an AFL ground. That was the day when some incredible umpiring decisions went the way of the home team to give them an unexpected victory. Similarly, this is also a game that could bring Melbourne the four points. It is winnable if the players want it but to do that they need to go for the win and do so for the 120 minutes allocated. THE GAME Port Adelaide v Melbourne on Sunday 20 July, 2014 at 1.10pm at Adelaide Oval HEAD TO HEAD Overall Port Adelaide 16 wins Melbourne 11 wins At Adelaide Oval Port Adelaide 1 win Melbourne 0 wins Past five years Port Adelaide 4 wins Melbourne 1 win The Coaches Hinkley 1 win Roos 0 wins MEDIA TV - Fox Footy Channel Live at 1.00pm RADIO - Triple M 3AW SEN ABC Grandstand THE BETTING Port Adelaide to win - $1.05 Melbourne to win - $10.00 THE LAST TIME THEY MET Port Adelaide 14.11.95 defeated Melbourne 11.9.75 in Round 11, 2014 at TIO Tregear Park, Alice Springs Port Adelaide jumped Melbourne early to race to a 26-point lead but the Demons hit back to take the lead in the third quarter. Port struck back to lead at the last break but Melbourne was in front halfway through the final term before a Power surge saw them safely home. THE TEAMS PORT ADELAIDE B: Cam O'Shea, Jack Hombsch, Dom Cassisi. HB: Matthew Broadbent, Tom Jonas, Jasper Pittard C: Jared Polec, Travis Boak, Kane Cornes HF: Paul Stewart, Justin Westhoff, Matt White F: Robbie Gray, Jay Schulz, Chad Wingard FOLL: Matthew Lobbe, Ollie Wines, Brad Ebert I/C: Hamish Hartlett, Jarman Impey, Benjamin Newton, Aaron Young EMG: Thomas Logan, Sam Gray, John Butcher IN: John Butcher, Dom Cassisi, Benjamin Newton, Paul Stewart OUT: Sam Gray, Thomas Logan, Kane Mitchell (all omitted) MELBOURNE B: Colin Garland, James Frawley, Lynden Dunn HB: Neville Jetta, Tom McDonald, Jeremy Howe C: Jack Grimes, Bernie Vince, Jordie McKenzie HF: Jack Viney, Cameron Pedersen, Jack Watts F: Rohan Bail, Chris Dawes, Aidan Riley FOLL: Mark Jamar, Nathan Jones, Dom Tyson I/C: Dean Kent, Sam Blease, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Luke Tapscott EMG: Viv Michie, Max Gawn, Dean Terlich IN: Sam Blease, Jay Kennedy-Harris OUT: Matt Jones, Dean Terlich Port Adelaide starts the game as the hottest of hot favourites despite having lost four of its last five matches and tumbling out of the top four for the first time since very early in the season. They disappointed last week against Richmond but missed by only two points the week before against Essendon and the defeat that started their slump was by just four points in Sydney. Melbourne's stocks have plummeted badly since their win against Essendon with poor performances against North Melbourne, Fremantle and Geelong (losses of 41, 63 and 66 points respectively) with only the single goal loss to the Bulldogs among them for consolation. The disturbing aspect had been the complete collapse of the club's capacity to put goals on the board - a total of only nine scored in the last two goals stands as testament to its forward line impotence. One wonders what Paul Roos is going to do about the problem this week, assuming he acknowledges that it is indeed a problem that needs to be dealt with in the short term. Earlier in the season, the team performed best when Chris Dawes returned to hold down one key forward placing and James Frawley was moved forward to plug the gap left by Mitch Clark's sudden retirement and Jesse Hogan's ongoing back problems. Lately, Dawes has been unproductive. He's not holding those marks and he's not kicking goals either. Meanwhile, Frawley has been moved down back where he has been relatively ineffective. On top of that, none of the small crumbing forwards who have been given opportunities around the goals have worried the opposition or been able to kick multiple goals. Instead, we get a buzz when someone, anyone, manages to scrounge a singe goal in a quarter of play. The only redeeming feature of this game is that it was at this ground earlier in the year against the Adelaide Crows that Melbourne was able to manage a decent run of goals but even then, although it won the game, the goals dried up after half a game of football. The signs are therefore not good. Port Adelaide by 50 points.

The story this week is that the young Melbourne side is now suffering from fatigue. Strangely enough, this came from a young player who was one of the very few at the club who showed no signs of weariness last week against Geelong - Jack Viney. Viney, who was one of his team's best in the 66-point defeat last Saturday at the MCG, told the club's website this week, "We started the season really well and were starting to play some real top quality teams now, and its starting to show that the boys are getting a bit fatigued." He added that "They (Geelong) were beating us in contested footy and all areas, so it was about getting back to playing man-on-man footy, and beating our opponent. "From my point of view, it was pleasing to see a little bit more fight in the second half, but it was still not as much as we needed." Sorry Jack, but there's no need to start making excuses for your teammates and the only ones really getting tired are the fans. Over the past two weeks, against quality opposition in Fremantle and Geelong the team has managed a total of nine goals on the back of a creditable performance in coming close to beating the Western Bulldogs at Etihad. In the same time span the equally young (and possibly more inexperienced) Bulldogs have shown no sign whatsoever against of tiredness against two teams that are in the finals race. Rather than demonstrating fatigue, that team is bubbling with enthusiasm and full of energy - a team prepared to take the game on and play attacking football rather than be mired in defensive football only. The Demons' defensive mindset may well be a matter of design; that several months of training and playing in that mode will hold it in good stead in the future but is now weighing heavily on the team. They take on Port Adelaide this Sunday at a ground where they have already recorded a win this year and against a team undergoing a form slump. Moreover, the Demons have available, all bar one player (the injured Daniel Cross) who represented them so admirably in Alice Springs on 31 May. On that occasion, they missed their suspended and then in form key forward Chris Dawes and it wasn't a matter of tiredness that cost them the game but two lapses at either end of the match (each conceding four goals in a quarter hour of play). The teams also have history at the Adelaide Oval where they met a few years ago before it was refurbished in preparation for its role as an AFL ground. That was the day when some incredible umpiring decisions went the way of the home team to give them an unexpected victory. Similarly, this is also a game that could bring Melbourne the four points. It is winnable if the players want it but to do that they need to go for the win and do so for the 120 minutes allocated. THE GAME Port Adelaide v Melbourne on Sunday 20 July, 2014 at 1.10pm at Adelaide Oval HEAD TO HEAD Overall Port Adelaide 16 wins Melbourne 11 wins At Adelaide Oval Port Adelaide 1 win Melbourne 0 wins Past five years Port Adelaide 4 wins Melbourne 1 win The Coaches Hinkley 1 win Roos 0 wins MEDIA TV - Fox Footy Channel Live at 1.00pm RADIO - Triple M 3AW SEN ABC Grandstand THE BETTING Port Adelaide to win - $1.05 Melbourne to win - $10.00 THE LAST TIME THEY MET Port Adelaide 14.11.95 defeated Melbourne 11.9.75 in Round 11, 2014 at TIO Tregear Park, Alice Springs Port Adelaide jumped Melbourne early to race to a 26-point lead but the Demons hit back to take the lead in the third quarter. Port struck back to lead at the last break but Melbourne was in front halfway through the final term before a Power surge saw them safely home. THE TEAMS PORT ADELAIDE B: Cam O'Shea, Jack Hombsch, Dom Cassisi. HB: Matthew Broadbent, Tom Jonas, Jasper Pittard C: Jared Polec, Travis Boak, Kane Cornes HF: Paul Stewart, Justin Westhoff, Matt White F: Robbie Gray, Jay Schulz, Chad Wingard FOLL: Matthew Lobbe, Ollie Wines, Brad Ebert I/C: Hamish Hartlett, Jarman Impey, Benjamin Newton, Aaron Young EMG: Thomas Logan, Sam Gray, John Butcher IN: John Butcher, Dom Cassisi, Benjamin Newton, Paul Stewart OUT: Sam Gray, Thomas Logan, Kane Mitchell (all omitted) MELBOURNE B: Colin Garland, James Frawley, Lynden Dunn HB: Neville Jetta, Tom McDonald, Jeremy Howe C: Jack Grimes, Bernie Vince, Jordie McKenzie HF: Jack Viney, Cameron Pedersen, Jack Watts F: Rohan Bail, Chris Dawes, Aidan Riley FOLL: Mark Jamar, Nathan Jones, Dom Tyson I/C: Dean Kent, Sam Blease, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Luke Tapscott EMG: Viv Michie, Max Gawn, Dean Terlich IN: Sam Blease, Jay Kennedy-Harris OUT: Matt Jones, Dean Terlich Port Adelaide starts the game as the hottest of hot favourites despite having lost four of its last five matches and tumbling out of the top four for the first time since very early in the season. They disappointed last week against Richmond but missed by only two points the week before against Essendon and the defeat that started their slump was by just four points in Sydney. Melbourne's stocks have plummeted badly since their win against Essendon with poor performances against North Melbourne, Fremantle and Geelong (losses of 41, 63 and 66 points respectively) with only the single goal loss to the Bulldogs among them for consolation. The disturbing aspect had been the complete collapse of the club's capacity to put goals on the board - a total of only nine scored in the last two goals stands as testament to its forward line impotence. One wonders what Paul Roos is going to do about the problem this week, assuming he acknowledges that it is indeed a problem that needs to be dealt with in the short term. Earlier in the season, the team performed best when Chris Dawes returned to hold down one key forward placing and James Frawley was moved forward to plug the gap left by Mitch Clark's sudden retirement and Jesse Hogan's ongoing back problems. Lately, Dawes has been unproductive. He's not holding those marks and he's not kicking goals either. Meanwhile, Frawley has been moved down back where he has been relatively ineffective. On top of that, none of the small crumbing forwards who have been given opportunities around the goals have worried the opposition or been able to kick multiple goals. Instead, we get a buzz when someone, anyone, manages to scrounge a singe goal in a quarter of play. The only redeeming feature of this game is that it was at this ground earlier in the year against the Adelaide Crows that Melbourne was able to manage a decent run of goals but even then, although it won the game, the goals dried up after half a game of football. The signs are therefore not good. Port Adelaide by 50 points.

Not that long ago ... MELBOURNE B: Colin Garland, Tom McDonald, Dean Terlich HB: Neville Jetta, Lynden Dunn, Jack Grimes C: Daniel Cross, Dom Tyson, Bernie Vince HF: Rohan Bail, James Frawley, Jack Watts F: Cameron Pedersen, Max Gawn, Jeremy Howe FOLL: Mark Jamar, Nathan Jones, Jack Viney I/C: Matt Jones, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Aidan Riley, Christian Salem EMG: Jordie McKenzie, Daniel Nicholson, Jimmy Toumpas IN: James Frawley, Neville Jetta OUT: Chris Dawes (suspended), Jimmy Toumpas (omitted) PORT ADELAIDE B: J Hombsch, A Carlile, J Impey HB: M Broadbent, J Trengove, J Pittard C: J Polec, T Boak, K Cornes HF: A Moore, J Westhoff, M White F: R Gray, J Schulz, C Wingard FOLL: M Lobbe, O Wines, B Ebert I/C: K Mitchell, J Neade, P Stewart, A.Young EMG: K Amon, S Gray, B Newton IN: P Stewart, A Moore, J Neade OUT: D Cassisi, A Monfries, H Hartlett

An otherwise dull and boring afternoon at Queen Elizabeth Oval, Bendigo was lifted by a thrilling finish that saw Casey Scorpions youngster Ed Morris goal in the dying moments to give his team a thrilling victory by 2 points against the hapless Bendigo Gold. There was much sadness in the air from the locals as the final siren sounded. The Gold are on their last legs after it was announced last month that the team, which hasn't won since the Bendigo-Essendon alignment ended two years ago, will fold at the end of the season. The game against poorly performed Casey, was possibly their last realistic opportunity ever for a win. The Scorpions have introduced a significant amount of new blood into their senior team this season. This week it was the turn of David Gawley and Maia Westrupp, Melbourne's New Zealand born international rookie who picked up seven touches with limited opportunities. Bendigo took the lead early in the game and although the visitors clawed it back late in the first quarter, it was the home side that held sway for most of the afternoon. The game itself never reached great heights and the skills on offer were what one would expect for two teams that had been winless for so long. Casey last tasted victory in early May against the Northern Blues. Ironically, that team had a fortnight ago deprived Bendigo of a win when they snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with a last kick goal. The Scorpions had the advantage of a number of AFL listed Melbourne players. A few of them like Viv Michie, Mitch Clisby, James Strauss, Sam Blease and Jay Kennedy-Harris achieved big numbers stats wise (plus Max Gawn who got the ball often and had an astonishing 80 hit outs) but the real heroes were a trio of youngsters who I predict have extremely promising futures ahead of them. James Harmes (31 touches), Ed Morris from the Gippsland Power and Dom Barry who had a taste of AFL football over the previous fortnight are the players who impressed most for Casey when the chips were down. The former, a rookie, played his best game to date; the latter, two players each kicked two goals in a frenetic final quarter. Barry kicked one at the 23 minute mark of the final quarter to regain the lead for his team. Bendigo responded three minutes later to grab back the ascendency. Jack Fitzpatrick marked deep in a pocket at 29 minutes but his shot for goal sailed wide of the goalposts to register a point. Another minute and a half ticked by until Morris grabbed the ball in a pack and kicked truly. It was to be the last score of the day although another excruciating five minutes would elapse before the final siren saved Casey from what would have been an embarrassing defeat. 2014 Peter Jackson VFL Casey Scorpions 4.3.27 5.8.38 8.13.61 12.14.86 Bendigo Gold 3.5.23 6.6.42 10.9.69 12.12.84 Goals Casey Scorpions Barry 3 Blease Morris 2 Gawn Fitzpatrick Michie Strauss Bendigo Gold Downie Pollock Walls 2 Aarts Farrelly Magin Redfern Stroobants Toman Best Casey Scorpions Harmes Michie Morris Gawn Clisby Strauss Bendigo Gold Toman Magin Walls Hayes Redfern Downie Statistics * Dom Barry 3 goals 1 point 9 disposals 6 kicks 3 handballs 3 marks 52 Dream Team Points * Sam Blease 2 goals 2 behinds 24 disposals 15 kicks 9 handballs 2 marks 6 tackles 107 Dream Team Points * Mitch Clisby 1 point 28 disposals 13 kicks 15 handballs 6 marks 6 tackles 103 Dream Team Points * Jack Fitzpatrick 2 goals 3 points 16 disposals 13 kicks 3 handballs 11 marks 3 tackles 34 hit outs 133 Dream Team Points * Max Gawn 1 goal 1 point 26 disposals 12 kicks 14 handballs 4 marks 5 tackles 80 hitouts 187 Dream Team Points * Alexis Georgiou 13 disposals 7 kicks 6 handballs 3 marks 5 tackles 57 Dream Team Points * James Harmes 31 disposals 12 kicks 19 handballs 7 marks 4 tackles 106 Dream Team Points * Jay Kennedy-Harris disposals 13 kicks 12 handballs 2 marks 1 tackle 74 Dream Team Points * Viv Michie 1 goal 29 disposals 18 kicks 11 handballs 4 marks 6 tackles 109 Dream Team Points * Dan Nicholson 25 disposals 18 kicks 7 handballs 8 marks 4 tackles 100 Dream Team Points * James Strauss 1 goal 25 disposals 16 kicks 9 handballs 4 marks 6 tackles 106 Dream Team Points * Maia Westrupp 7 disposals 4 kicks 3 handballs 4 marks 4 tackles 46 Dream Team Points The Development League team came close to winning its second consecutive game but fell short by eight points in a close battle with Port Melbourne. 2014 AFL Victoria Development League Casey Scorpions 4.0.24 5.5.35 7.9.51 9.12.66 Port Melbourne 3.3.21 7.4.46 8.6.54 10.14.74 Goals Casey Scorpions Jackson Rosier Waters 2 Bundle Drew Thomas Port Melbourne Johnson 3 McKenzie Magner 2 Hogan Keogh Michaliades Best Casey Scorpions Paredes Waters Shiels Rosier Jackson Corrigan Port Melbourne Johnston McKenzie Keogh Thornton Robinson Vearing

DULL GAME, EXCITING FINISH by KC from Casey An otherwise dull and boring afternoon at Queen Elizabeth Oval, Bendigo was lifted by a thrilling finish that saw Casey Scorpions youngster Ed Morris goal in the dying moments to give his team a thrilling victory by 2 points against the hapless Bendigo Gold. There was much sadness in the air from the locals as the final siren sounded. The Gold are on their last legs after it was announced last month that the team, which hasn't won since the Bendigo-Essendon alignment ended two years ago, will fold at the end of the season. The game against poorly performed Casey, was possibly their last realistic opportunity ever for a win. The Scorpions have introduced a significant amount of new blood into their senior team this season. This week it was the turn of David Gawley and Maia Westrupp, Melbourne's New Zealand born international rookie who picked up seven touches with limited opportunities. Bendigo took the lead early in the game and although the visitors clawed it back late in the first quarter, it was the home side that held sway for most of the afternoon. The game itself never reached great heights and the skills on offer were what one would expect for two teams that had been winless for so long. Casey last tasted victory in early May against the Northern Blues. Ironically, that team had a fortnight ago deprived Bendigo of a win when they snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with a last kick goal. The Scorpions had the advantage of a number of AFL listed Melbourne players. A few of them like Viv Michie, Mitch Clisby, James Strauss, Sam Blease and Jay Kennedy-Harris achieved big numbers stats wise (plus Max Gawn who got the ball often and had an astonishing 80 hit outs) but the real heroes were a trio of youngsters who I predict have extremely promising futures ahead of them. James Harmes (31 touches), Ed Morris from the Gippsland Power and Dom Barry who had a taste of AFL football over the previous fortnight are the players who impressed most for Casey when the chips were down. The former, a rookie, played his best game to date; the latter, two players each kicked two goals in a frenetic final quarter. Barry kicked one at the 23 minute mark of the final quarter to regain the lead for his team. Bendigo responded three minutes later to grab back the ascendency. Jack Fitzpatrick marked deep in a pocket at 29 minutes but his shot for goal sailed wide of the goalposts to register a point. Another minute and a half ticked by until Morris grabbed the ball in a pack and kicked truly. It was to be the last score of the day although another excruciating five minutes would elapse before the final siren saved Casey from what would have been an embarrassing defeat. 2014 Peter Jackson VFL Casey Scorpions 4.3.27 5.8.38 8.13.61 12.14.86 Bendigo Gold 3.5.23 6.6.42 10.9.69 12.12.84 Goals Casey Scorpions Barry 3 Blease Morris 2 Gawn Fitzpatrick Michie Strauss Bendigo Gold Downie Pollock Walls 2 Aarts Farrelly Magin Redfern Stroobants Toman Best Casey Scorpions Harmes Michie Morris Gawn Clisby Strauss Bendigo Gold Toman Magin Walls Hayes Redfern Downie The Development League team came close to winning its second consecutive game but fell short by eight points in a close battle with Port Melbourne. 2014 AFL Victoria Development League Casey Scorpions 4.0.24 5.5.35 7.9.51 9.12.66 Port Melbourne 3.3.21 7.4.46 8.6.54 10.14.74 Goals Casey Scorpions Jackson Rosier Waters 2 Bundle Drew Thomas Port Melbourne Johnson 3 McKenzie Magner 2 Hogan Keogh Michaliades Best Casey Scorpions Paredes Waters Shiels Rosier Jackson Corrigan Port Melbourne Johnston McKenzie Keogh Thornton Robinson Vearing