Demonland

A Tale of Two Cities by George on the Outer credit Charles Dickens……re-written Paul Roos It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way... How apt are those words to describe the Demons fate for the past years. A team going nowhere….to Heaven or Hell. And indeed it has been the worst of times where the spring of hope was dashed by the winter of despair. But now the Tale of Two Cities has been re-written by Paul Roos. No longer is it London and Paris, but rather Sydney and Melbourne! We all know the Sydney story. A 72 year Premiership drought broken by Roos as coach. He adopted a relentless, structured, disciplined approach to the way football was played, and turned a group of ordinary, average footballers into ruthless role-players. What we saw in the game against Richmond, with his new charges, the Melbourne Demons, was a replica of the same formula. Players who last year were headed for the scrap heap, are re-born as integral cogs in the Roos machine. With the 3rd win for the Season the Demons have already exceeded their output for 2013, but it is the style of play that will win more, much more in the remainder of 2014. Today the standout was Cam Pedersen who marked and fought for everything that came his way. Only credited with 8 marks, most of them would have been contested with a 2 goal output to his balance sheet. 12 months ago he moved around the ground at glacial pace: today he is a different player and truly ripped the game apart at critical moments. Interestingly, it was probably the inclusion of Max Gawn that benefitted Pedersen most. Instead of having to pinch hit in the ruck, he was courtesy of Gawn, able to play a lethal role around the ground and in the forward line. Watts, Jamar, Vince, Tyson, Viney, Jones, Cross, Dawes, Salem……etc…..It was difficult to single out others for exceptional efforts, because there were simply so many contributors. This was the first time for many, many years that Demon supporters were not able to walk away from the game saying that player A or B failed to contribute. Today there were no spuds!!! And unlike previous Melbourne teams, when the opposition got back within 4 points in the last quarter, it would have signaled another capitulation. But not this Roos led team. They simply dug deeper, and now believe that once they have their noses in front, they never get beaten. Just like Sydney…. So now with what is unfolding before our eyes, is it too much to hope for a similar outcome in this new Roos fairytale? Sydney had to wait 72 years. We are at 50 and counting down!! RICHMOND 2.3 4.8 6.16 9.20 (74) MELBOURNE 1.3 4.5 9.6 14.7 (91) GOALS Richmond: Lennon 2, Edwards 2, Jackson, Riewoldt, Martin, Lloyd, Cotchin Melbourne: Watts 3, Tyson 2, Pedersen 2, N. Jones, M. Jones, Riley, Dawes, Viney, Vince, Kennedy-Harris BEST Richmond: Martin, Deledio, Jackson, Cotchin, Melbourne: Tyson, N. Jones, Pedersen, Viney, Dawes, Howe, Watts INJURIES Richmond: Astbury (left knee), Cotchin (ankle) Melbourne: Neville Jetta (Gastro) replaced in selected side by Jimmy Toumpas. SUBSTITUTES Richmond: Shaun Hampson replaced by Ben Lennon in the third quarter Melbourne: Aidan Riley replaced by Jay Kennedy-Harris in the third quarter Reports: Nil Umpires: Fisher, Nicholls, Ryan Official crowd: 56,960 at the MCG

Nathan Jones & Dom Tyson both poll votes - progressive:- 98. Nathan Jones 84. Dom Tyson 43. Lynden Dunn 42. Jack Viney 37. Daniel Cross 27. Chris Dawes 26. Matt Jones Bernie Vince Jack Watts 25. James Frawley 23. Tom McDonald 20. Cam Pedersen 17. Jeremy Howe 12. Mark Jamar 11. Rohan Bail Jack Grimes 8. Jay Kennedy-Harris 6. Alexis Georgiou Jimmy Toumpas 4. Dean Terlich 3. Jack Trengove 2. Shannon Byrnes Neville Jetta Jake Spencer 1. Max Gawn

It's probably because it has such a large screen that it displayed the desktop site.

I hear ya. There's a treatment for that but the side affects are worse than the cure.

If you scroll to the bottom left corner of the page does it say "Use Mobile Version"? If so clock that. Not sure why it isn't loading automatically for you. What phone are you using?

98.6. That number isn't a reference to one's normal body temperature but to a percentage. It's a figure I made up because I can't be sure of the precise amount but it refers to what I assess is the percentage of match time that Melbourne seemed "up and about" last Saturday night against the Western Bulldogs whereas, in order to win, it required the full 100%. We'll debate that dubious free kick to the Bulldogs' Stewart Crameri that put them in front five minutes from the end but from that point on Melbourne fell suddenly into the old pattern where lapses of concentration and effort both in defence and in attack put paid to its winning chances. The heart was in the mouth as Matt Jones ran down the heart of the MCG only to falter with that kick for goal that would have restored the lead and given the team an enormous confidence boost so late in the game. It's worth pointing out that, at this stage of the season, Melbourne leads the competition in one statistic - it allows its opposition to score a goal from just 20% of inside 50s. Bearing that in mind, immediately after the Matt Jones behind, the Bulldogs were allowed to go effortlessly coast to coast against a defence that held so tight for most of the evening bringing back memories of recent calamities and, in no time at all, it was game, set and match. And that's what the game is about when you reach the point where you're doing better in percentage terms than the freezing point figure of 32 where Melbourne has been in terms of effort and ability for most of the last decade. These days, you must be running at your best every week; you need to produce 100% which is where Melbourne needs to be throughout this week's game against Richmond. THE GAME Richmond v Melbourne on Saturday 17 May, 2014 at 1.40pm at the MCG HEAD TO HEAD Overall Richmond 103 wins Melbourne 72 wins Drawn 2 At MCG Richmond 68 wins Melbourne 60 wins Drawn 1 Past five years Richmond 4 wins Melbourne 1 win The Coaches Hardwick 0 wins Roos 0 wins MEDIA TV - Fox Footy Channel 1:30pm (live) RADIO - Triple M 3AW SEN ABC ABC Grandstand THE BETTING Richmond - $1.05 Melbourne to win - $5.50 THE LAST TIME THEY MET Richmond 15.16.106 defeated Melbourne 11.6.72 Round 8, 2013 at the MCG The Demons made a good fist of things for more than half a game before ultimately falling away to lose by 34 points. Aaron Davey was Melbourne's best. THE TEAMS RICHMOND B: Troy Chaplin, David Astbury, Alex Rance HB: Bachar Houli, Ben Lennon, Steven Morris C: Shaun Grigg, Daniel Jackson, Reece Conca HF: Dustin Martin, Ben Griffiths, Brett Deledio F: Shane Edwards, Jack Riewoldt, Ty Vickery FOLL: Shaun Hampson, Brandon Ellis, Trent Cotchin I/C: Nathan Foley, Sam Lloyd, Matt McDonough, Nick Vlastuin EMG: Jake Batchelor, Nathan Gordon, Ricky Petterd IN: Nathan Foley, Ben Griffiths, Ben Lennon OUT: Aaron Edwards (omitted), Nathan Gordon (omitted), Chris Newman (calf) NEW: Ben Lennon (Northern Knights) MELBOURNE B: Neville Jetta, Tom McDonald, Colin Garland HB: Dean Terlich, Lynden Dunn, Jack Grimes C: Bernie Vince, Jack Viney, Daniel Cross HF: Jack Watts, Max Gawn, Jeremy Howe F: Cam Pedersen, Chris Dawes, Rohan Bail FOLL: Mark Jamar, Nathan Jones, Dom Tyson I/C: Matt Jones, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Aidan Riley, Christian Salem EMG: Alex Georgiou, Jordie McKenzie, Jimmy Toumpas IN: Max Gawn, Aidan Riley OUT: Shannon Byrnes (foot), James Frawley (hamstring) TOM HAFEY The match has fittingly been designated as the tribute game to Tom Hafey who lost his battle with cancer earlier in the week. Before Hafey arrived on the scene to coach Richmond, the Tigers were a battling club regularly occupying a place at the foot of the VFL ladder. In those days, fifty years ago, our own Norm Smith was the leading coach in the sport with six premierships under his belt in the decade to 1964. Smith's mantle as the doyen of coaches was taken by Hafey who led the Tigers to the first of his four flags in 1967 and who then went on to reinvigorate the Collingwood Football Club. He was a model citizen who set an example of fitness and demanded high standards of behaviour that ushered in the professional era of our sport. May his soul rest in peace. NO QUESTION There's no question that the Tigers are the big disappointment of the competition to date. Having finally made it to the finals in 2013 only to be unceremoniously dumped out by "stand in" finallists Carlton, it was said that Richmond was approaching this season with a single-minded determination to not only atone for that embarrassing elimination final loss at the hands of their traditional rivals but also to go at least one or two steps beyond their final outcome for last season. They started the new year disastrously on the Gold Coast, extracted revenge against the Blues and scraped in against lowly Brisbane but were also spanked by Collingwood and Hawthorn before producing some gallantry in going down narrowly to Geelong at their last start. Defeat at the hands of Melbourne, their NAB Cup conqueror in February, could spell the end to their hopes and have their legion of fans up in arms and ready to consign their membership tickets to the microwave again. It was Melbourne's new look midfield that took Richmond by surprise when they met earlier in the year at that pre season game at Etihad Stadium. If the Tigers can't beat the Demons handsomely in this important sector then they simply can't win because Melbourne has a slight but discernable advantage over its opponent nearly everywhere else on the the field.

98.6 by Whispering Jack 98.6. That number isn't a reference to one's normal body temperature but to a percentage. It's a figure I made up because I can't be sure of the precise amount but it refers to what I assess is the percentage of match time that Melbourne seemed "up and about" last Saturday night against the Western Bulldogs whereas, in order to win, it required the full 100%. We'll debate that dubious free kick to the Bulldogs' Stewart Crameri that put them in front five minutes from the end but from that point on Melbourne fell suddenly into the old pattern where lapses of concentration and effort both in defence and in attack put paid to its winning chances. The heart was in the mouth as Matt Jones ran down the heart of the MCG only to falter with that kick for goal that would have restored the lead and given the team an enormous confidence boost so late in the game. It's worth pointing out that, at this stage of the season, Melbourne leads the competition in one statistic - it allows its opposition to score a goal from just 20% of inside 50s. Bearing that in mind, immediately after the Matt Jones behind, the Bulldogs were allowed to go effortlessly coast to coast against a defence that held so tight for most of the evening bringing back memories of recent calamities and, in no time at all, it was game, set and match. And that's what the game is about when you reach the point where you're doing better in percentage terms than the freezing point figure of 32 where Melbourne has been in terms of effort and ability for most of the last decade. These days, you must be running at your best every week; you need to produce 100% which is where Melbourne needs to be throughout this week's game against Richmond. THE GAME Richmond v Melbourne on Saturday 17 May, 2014 at 1.40pm at the MCG HEAD TO HEAD Overall Richmond 103 wins Melbourne 72 wins Drawn 2 At MCG Richmond 68 wins Melbourne 60 wins Drawn 1 Past five years Richmond 4 wins Melbourne 1 win The Coaches Hardwick 0 wins Roos 0 wins MEDIA TV - Fox Footy Channel 1:30pm (live) RADIO - Triple M 3AW SEN ABC ABC Grandstand THE BETTING Richmond - $1.05 Melbourne to win - $5.50 THE LAST TIME THEY MET Richmond 15.16.106 defeated Melbourne 11.6.72 Round 8, 2013 at the MCG The Demons made a good fist of things for more than half a game before ultimately falling away to lose by 34 points. Aaron Davey was Melbourne's best. THE TEAMS RICHMOND B: Troy Chaplin, David Astbury, Alex Rance HB: Bachar Houli, Ben Lennon, Steven Morris C: Shaun Grigg, Daniel Jackson, Reece Conca HF: Dustin Martin, Ben Griffiths, Brett Deledio F: Shane Edwards, Jack Riewoldt, Ty Vickery FOLL: Shaun Hampson, Brandon Ellis, Trent Cotchin I/C: Nathan Foley, Sam Lloyd, Matt McDonough, Nick Vlastuin EMG: Jake Batchelor, Nathan Gordon, Ricky Petterd IN: Nathan Foley, Ben Griffiths, Ben Lennon OUT: Aaron Edwards (omitted), Nathan Gordon (omitted), Chris Newman (calf) NEW: Ben Lennon (Northern Knights) MELBOURNE B: Neville Jetta, Tom McDonald, Colin Garland HB: Dean Terlich, Lynden Dunn, Jack Grimes C: Bernie Vince, Jack Viney, Daniel Cross HF: Jack Watts, Max Gawn, Jeremy Howe F: Cam Pedersen, Chris Dawes, Rohan Bail FOLL: Mark Jamar, Nathan Jones, Dom Tyson I/C: Matt Jones, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Aidan Riley, Christian Salem EMG: Alex Georgiou, Jordie McKenzie, Jimmy Toumpas IN: Max Gawn, Aidan Riley OUT: Shannon Byrnes (foot), James Frawley (hamstring) TOM HAFEY The match has fittingly been designated as the tribute game to Tom Hafey who lost his battle with cancer earlier in the week. Before Hafey arrived on the scene to coach Richmond, the Tigers were a battling club regularly occupying a place at the foot of the VFL ladder. In those days, fifty years ago, our own Norm Smith was the leading coach in the sport with six premierships under his belt in the decade to 1964. Smith's mantle as the doyen of coaches was taken by Hafey who led the Tigers to the first of his four flags in 1967 and who then went on to reinvigorate the Collingwood Football Club. He was a model citizen who set an example of fitness and demanded high standards of behaviour that ushered in the professional era of our sport. May his soul rest in peace. NO QUESTION There's no question that the Tigers are the big disappointment of the competition to date. Having finally made it to the finals in 2013 only to be unceremoniously dumped out by "stand in" finallists Carlton, it was said that Richmond was approaching this season with a single-minded determination to not only atone for that embarrassing elimination final loss at the hands of their traditional rivals but also to go at least one or two steps beyond their final outcome for last season. They started the new year disastrously on the Gold Coast, extracted revenge against the Blues and scraped in against lowly Brisbane but were also spanked by Collingwood and Hawthorn before producing some gallantry in going down narrowly to Geelong at their last start. Defeat at the hands of Melbourne, their NAB Cup conqueror in February, could spell the end to their hopes and have their legion of fans up in arms and ready to consign their membership tickets to the microwave again. It was Melbourne's new look midfield that took Richmond by surprise when they met earlier in the year at that pre season game at Etihad Stadium. If the Tigers can't beat the Demons handsomely in this important sector then they simply can't win because Melbourne has a slight but discernable advantage over its opponent nearly everywhere else on the the field.

That is the truth.

THE TEAMS RICHMOND Backs Steven Morris Alex Rance Troy Chaplin Half backs Chris Newman Brandon Ellis Bachar Houli Centreline Shaun Grigg Trent Cotchin Daniel Jackson Half forwards Brett Deledio Shane Edwards Jake King Forwards Luke McGuane Jack Riewoldt Dustin Martin Followers Orren Stephenson Nathan Foley Nick Vlastuin Interchange (from) Matthew Arnot Jake Batchelor Matthew Dea Aaron Edwards Robin Nahas Tyrone Vickery Matthew White In Matthew Arnot Trent Cotchin Matthew Dea Aaron Edwards Tyrone Vickery Matthew White Out Chris Knights (knee) Ivan Maric (ankle) Shane Tuck (shoulder) MELBOURNE Backs Neville Jetta James Frawley Dean Terlich Half backs Dan Nicholson James Sellar Colin Garland Centreline Jack Trengove Jordie McKenzie Michael Evans Half forwards Luke Tapscott LyndenDunn Jeremy Howe Followers Max Gawn Chris Dawes Jimmy Toumpas Followers Mark Jamar Matt Jones Nathan Jones Interchange (from) Rohan Bail Aaron Davey Troy Davis Dean Kent James Magner Jake Spencer James Strauss In Troy Davis Mark Jamar Neville Jetta James Magner Jimmy Toumpas Jack Trengove Out Shannon Byrnes (wrist) Colin Sylvia (suspension) Jack Viney (toe)

Thank you. Also thank you to the others that have donated in the past few days.

I think the solution we have implemented to minimize the server crashes may be causing this. I read somewhere that if I set the flood control (amount of time set between posting and then being able to post again) to a longer time it will not allow the double posts. I guess that didn't work.

Thanks George. Last night our server passed the first test of coping with the post match load so a big thank you to all those who donated to make this happen. I also want to thank everyone for being patient with us through all the outages and down time. Hopefully going forward we won't experience those same issues.

RAIN MEN by Whispering Jack A young and inexperienced Casey combination breathed life back into their club's season with a gutsy 16-point win over the Northern Bullants at a rain drenched Visy Park on Saturday. The Scorpions who squandered a big half time lead to lose narrowly last week at the hands of the Werribee Tigers looked like repeating the effort again this week after seeing a 32-point lead just before the main break dwindle down to a single goal just before the final break. However, the team dug deep in the final term despite the fact that several were hurt during the game and had spent time in the hands of the trainers. The loss of Max Gawn to AFL emergency duty combined with the fact that a couple of ruckmen are on the injured list had left them so desperately short of ruckmen that defender Troy Davis had to be co-opted for second ruck duty giving away 10cm when contesting against Cameron Wood. He was helping out first gamer in 202cm beanpole Jake Thomas after losing Jack Fitzpatrick to injury just on quarter time but it was tough going against seasoned big man Cameron Wood who had a birthday party with a near record number of hit outs that helped drive the Blues during their four goal to one comeback in the third quarter. The highlight of the game was Tim Smith's five goal haul in the first half, a time when conditions at the ground were at their worst. He marked strongly and kicked straight and was the difference between the sides in the opening two stanzas. After half time he was well covered by the Blues' defence but by then the damage had almost been done. The Scorpions offset their ruck disadvantage with strength in their midfield. Jimmy Toumpas, Jordie McKenzie, Viv Mitchie and Aidan Riley all worked their butts off throughout the game and the centre line of Sam Blease, Michael Evans and Dom Barry gave great drive into the forward line all day. These players should be putting pressure on the midfielders at Melbourne as they all had a much harder edge in the difficult conditions. Although things improved weather wise as the afternoon went on the soggy ball made it difficult to play cohesive football and the game came to a virtual standstill in the final quarter when scoring was painfully difficult. The hero was youngster Jayden Hunt who slipped behind a contest near goals and kicked truly to make the game safe. Hunt has great pace and could become a real prospect as he matures. Next week the Scorpions take on Coburg at Mantello Oval on Saturday afternoon before enjoying the first bye of the year the following week. 2014 Peter Jackson VFL Casey Scorpions 3.2.20 8.5.53 9.9.63 10.11.71 Northern Bullants 2.1.13 4.3.27 8.7.55 8.7.55 Goals Casey Scorpions Smith 5 Tapscott 2 Hunt Mitchie Rosier Northern Bullants Bransgrove Wilson 2 Byrne Cattapan Temay Wood Best Casey Scorpions Blease Smith McKenzie Michie Riley Barry Northern Bullants Cachia Graham McInnes Bransgrove Anthony Tardio Possessions McKenzie 32 Blease 30 Riley 27 Michie 23 Nicholson 23 Evans 21 Tapscott 20 Toumpas 20 Rosier 15 Casey's Development League team copped a fair towelling from the Northern Blues going down by 58 points. Siren has just sounded and the main game's on in half an hour. 2014 AFL Victoria Development League Casey Scorpions 0.2.2 2.3,15 2.5.17 4.6.30 Northern Blues 4.6.30 6.11.47 7.12.54 12.16.88 Goals Casey Scorpions Anderson Lang Scott Shiels Northern Bullants Walton 3 Dorman 2 Couch Emley McCann Murray Sutton Toman Watson Best Casey Scorpions Drew Rutherford Lang Shiels Thwaites Corrigan Northern Bullants McCann Walton Watson Dirago Taglieri Johnston

A young and inexperienced Casey combination breathed life back into their club's season with a gutsy 16-point win over the Northern Bullants at a rain drenched Visy Park on Saturday. The Scorpions who squandered a big half time lead to lose narrowly last week at the hands of the Werribee Tigers looked like repeating the effort again this week after seeing a 32-point lead just before the main break dwindle down to a single goal just before the final break. However, the team dug deep in the final term despite the fact that several were hurt during the game and had spent time in the hands of the trainers. The loss of Max Gawn to AFL emergency duty combined with the fact that a couple of ruckmen are on the injured list had left them so desperately short of ruckmen that defender Troy Davis had to be co-opted for second ruck duty giving away 10cm when contesting against Cameron Wood. He was helping out first gamer in 202cm beanpole Jake Thomas after losing Jack Fitzpatrick to injury just on quarter time but it was tough going against seasoned big man Cameron Wood who had a birthday party with a near record number of hit outs that helped drive the Blues during their four goal to one comeback in the third quarter. The highlight of the game was Tim Smith's five goal haul in the first half, a time when conditions at the ground were at their worst. He marked strongly and kicked straight and was the difference between the sides in the opening two stanzas. After half time he was well covered by the Blues' defence but by then the damage had almost been done. The Scorpions offset their ruck disadvantage with strength in their midfield. Jimmy Toumpas, Jordie McKenzie, Viv Mitchie and Aidan Riley all worked their butts off throughout the game and the centre line of Sam Blease, Michael Evans and Dom Barry gave great drive into the forward line all day. These players should be putting pressure on the midfielders at Melbourne as they all had a much harder edge in the difficult conditions. Although things improved weather wise as the afternoon went on the soggy ball made it difficult to play cohesive football and the game came to a virtual standstill in the final quarter when scoring was painfully difficult. The hero was youngster Jayden Hunt who slipped behind a contest near goals and kicked truly to make the game safe. Hunt has great pace and could become a real prospect as he matures. Next week the Scorpions take on Coburg at Mantello Oval on Saturday afternoon before enjoying the first bye of the year the following week. 2014 Peter Jackson VFL Casey Scorpions 3.2.20 8.5.53 9.9.63 10.11.71 Northern Bullants 2.1.13 4.3.27 8.7.55 8.7.55 Goals Casey Scorpions Smith 5 Tapscott 2 Hunt Mitchie Rosier Northern Bullants Bransgrove Wilson 2 Byrne Cattapan Temay Wood Best Casey Scorpions Blease Smith McKenzie Michie Riley Barry Northern Bullants Cachia Graham McInnes Bransgrove Anthony Tardio Statistics: Dom Barry 14 disposals 7 kicks 7 handballs 2 marks 8 tackles 74 Dream Team Points Sam Blease 29 disposals 25 kicks 4 handballs 5 marks 3 tackles 110 Dream Team Points Michael Evans 24 disposals 13 kicks 11 handballs 2 marks 13 tackles 1 hit out 117 Dream Team Points Jack Fitzpatrick 2 disposals 1 kick 1 handball 1 tackle 11 hit outs 21 Dream Team Points [injured] Alexis Georgiou 10 disposals 6 kicks 4 handballs 4 tackles 42 Dream Team Points Jayden Hunt 1 goal 1 behind 14 disposals 7 kicks 7 handballs 1 mark 44 Dream Team Points Jordie McKenzie 1 behind 30 disposals 18 kicks 12 handballs 2 marks 8 tackles 110 Dream Team Points Viv Michie 1 goal 1 behind disposals 16 kicks 7 handballs 7 marks 3 tackles 1 hit out 104 Dream Team Points Dan Nicholson 22 disposals 11 kicks 11 handballs 6 marks 4 tackles 91 Dream Team Points Aidan Riley 28 disposals 6 kicks 22 handballs 1 mark 11 tackles Dream 102 Team Points James Strauss 1 behind 10 disposals 7 kicks 3 handballs 1 marks 3 tackles 43 Dream Team Points Luke Tapscott 2 goals 20 disposals 18 kicks 2 handballs 3 tackles 82 Dream Team Points Jimmy Toumpas 21 disposals 12 kicks 9 handballs 1 mark 15 tackles 2 hit outs 118 Dream Team Points Casey's Development League team copped a fair towelling from the Northern Blues going down by 58 points. 2014 AFL Victoria Development League Casey Scorpions 0.2.2 2.3,15 2.5.17 4.6.30 Northern Blues 4.6.30 6.11.47 7.12.54 12.16.88 Goals Casey Scorpions Anderson Lang Scott Shiels Northern Bullants Walton 3 Dorman 2 Couch Emley McCann Murray Sutton Toman Watson Best Casey Scorpions Drew Rutherford Lang Shiels Thwaites Corrigan Northern Bullants McCann Walton Watson Dirago Taglieri Johnston Casey holds on for victory over Blues

The 2014 Demons have just let another winnable game slip by, and their chances of showing some real outcome from the work put in just bit the dust. Again! Like the St.Kilda game and maybe the game against Gold Coast, this was one which was 100% within reach of a positive result. Just that little more was needed. It didn't take too much to work out that it would come down to the wire, even in the first quarter. Yet, once again we were let down by the passengers in the side, and the half-hearted efforts again from the usual offenders. Not that these failures were in the last ten minutes of the game, the opportunities to do something which would change the result happened in all the previous quarters. And once again, do these people REALLY think the fans don't notice, when they are on full public display, and in full view of the circumstances? There will have been much written about Byrnes on the Demonland site yet again, but how he gets a game week in and out is simply beyond comprehension. Especially, when slightly flawed, unwilling or underdone players have to put in the hard yards at Casey before they qualify for a recall. We dare not speak of the umpires..they didn't affect the overall result. But the sheer lack of control and willingness to pay free kicks when they were blatently obvious was a real blight on the game. Not a single holding the ball (incorrect disposal) call was made all night. Even the Jack Watts call was called a throw. And don't get me started about how Dean Terlich could be taken from the ground with concussion, having spent five minutes lying prostrate on the ground, and was not awarded a whistle in his favour. It is even more reprehensible that these flannelled fools continued on, while a player was in serious trouble, and the ball was not in play! It's about time the umpire's director stopped assuming that NOT making a call is a good thing. It is exactly why we see rolling mauls in our game, and a good reason why people will stop coming. A visitor to the game would have been mistaken for thinking they had arrived at the wrong stadium, as Storm were playing just across the road at the same time. The positives: There certainly were some. Mark Jamar was simply magnificent against the bigger bodied Will Minson. He got no assistance from the umpires ( sorry had to mention them again) as Minson infringed at every centre bounce, either across the line or jumping into Mark. Without him the situation would have been a lot worse, considering the higher quality mid-field that the Dogs had available. Dom Tyson was another standout, and showed everyone who thought recruiting him to be a risky option as totally wrong. With only 30 games under his belt, he will be a serious long-term asset to the team. Chris Dawes once again showed the value of the big body up forward. Not just for his marking capabilities, but his ability to generate an opportunity because he attacks the ball when it is in his area. Sadly others could learn from this approach, as standing around the edges of packs hoping someone else can do the hard yards is not a winning football formula. Daniel Cross was another who put in a magnificent performance against his old side. And he was ably assisted by the young and now famous Jack Viney. Again, we are developing a good solid base of capable mids, and taking the pressure off Nathan Jones. Yes we fluffed another chance. With just a LITTLE more effort from some ( just some), the team could have doubled its number of wins for the season, and indeed that of the 2013 season! Thats what is so frustrating for the fans in the Outer. We can see the chances, we can see what is being squandered. The season will not get easier, as we now enter the harder phase both physicall and with the draw. There will be less to build on, so we should have built early. Melbourne 2.2.14 5.5.35 10.6.66{b] 12.11.83 Western Bulldogs 3.2.20 5.7.37 9.7.61 15.9.99 Goals Melbourne Frawley Kennedy-Harris Tyson 2 Cross Dawes Jamar Pedersen Salem Vince Western Bulldogs Crameri 4 Williams 3 Liberatore Tutt 2 Cooney Giansiracusa Griffen Minson. Best Melbourne Cross, Tyson, Vince, N.Jones, McDonald, Viney, Western Bulldogs Liberatore Griffen Crameri Cooney Williams Dahlhaus Wood Johannissen Changes Melbourne Nil Western Bulldogs Nil Injuries Melbourne Frawley (right thigh), Terlich (concussion) Western Bulldogs Dickson (left shoulder), Williams (right calf) Reports Melbourne Nil Western Bulldogs Nil Umpires Fleer Stevic Stevens Attendance 36,326 at the MCG.

Nathan Jones still holds a comfortable lead after eight rounds but Dom Tyson is rising fast: 84. Nathan Jones 69. Dom Tyson 43. Lynden Dunn 37. Daniel Cross 31. Jack Viney 27. Chris Dawes 26. Matt Jones Bernie Vince 25. James Frawley 23. Tom McDonald 17. Jack Watts 14. Jeremy Howe 12. Mark Jamar 11. Rohan Bail Jack Grimes Cam Pedersen 8. Jay Kennedy-Harris 6. Alexis Georgiou Jimmy Toumpas 4. Dean Terlich 3. Jack Trengove 2. Shannon Byrnes Neville Jetta Jake Spencer

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST by George on the Outer The 2014 Demons have just let another winnable game slip by, and their chances of showing some real outcome from the work put in just bit the dust. Again! Like the St.Kilda game and maybe the game against Gold Coast, this was one which was 100% within reach of a positive result. Just that little more was needed. It didn't take too much to work out that it would come down to the wire, even in the first quarter. Yet, once again we were let down by the passengers in the side, and the half-hearted efforts again from the usual offenders. Not that these failures were in the last ten minutes of the game, the opportunities to do something which would change the result happened in all the previous quarters. And once again, do these people REALLY think the fans don't notice, when they are on full public display, and in full view of the circumstances? There will have been much written about Byrnes on the Demonland site yet again, but how he gets a game week in and out is simply beyond comprehension. Especially, when slightly flawed, unwilling or underdone players have to put in the hard yards at Casey before they qualify for a recall. We dare not speak of the umpires..they didn't affect the overall result. But the sheer lack of control and willingness to pay free kicks when they were blatently obvious was a real blight on the game. Not a single holding the ball (incorrect disposal) call was made all night. Even the Jack Watts call was called a throw. And don't get me started about how Dean Terlich could be taken from the ground with concussion, having spent five minutes lying prostrate on the ground, and was not awarded a whistle in his favour. It is even more reprehensible that these flannelled fools continued on, while a player was in serious trouble, and the ball was not in play! It's about time the umpire's director stopped assuming that NOT making a call is a good thing. It is exactly why we see rolling mauls in our game, and a good reason why people will stop coming. A visitor to the game would have been mistaken for thinking they had arrived at the wrong stadium, as Storm were playing just across the road at the same time. The positives: There certainly were some. Mark Jamar was simply magnificent against the bigger bodied Will Minson. He got no assistance from the umpires ( sorry had to mention them again) as Minson infringed at every centre bounce, either across the line or jumping into Mark. Without him the situation would have been a lot worse, considering the higher quality mid-field that the Dogs had available. Dom Tyson was another standout, and showed everyone who thought recruiting him to be a risky option as totally wrong. With only 30 games under his belt, he will be a serious long-term asset to the team. Chris Dawes once again showed the value of the big body up forward. Not just for his marking capabilities, but his ability to generate an opportunity because he attacks the ball when it is in his area. Sadly others could learn from this approach, as standing around the edges of packs hoping someone else can do the hard yards is not a winning football formula. Daniel Cross was another who put in a magnificent performance against his old side. And he was ably assisted by the young and now famous Jack Viney. Again, we are developing a good solid base of capable mids, and taking the pressure off Nathan Jones. Yes we fluffed another chance. With just a LITTLE more effort from some ( just some), the team could have doubled its number of wins for the season, and indeed that of the 2013 season! Thats what is so frustrating for the fans in the Outer. We can see the chances, we can see what is being squandered. The season will not get easier, as we now enter the harder phase both physicall and with the draw. There will be less to build on, so we should have built early. Melbourne 2.2.14 5.5.35 10.6.66 12.11.83 Western Bulldogs 3.2.20 5.7.37 9.7.61 15.9.99 Goals Melbourne Frawley Kennedy-Harris Tyson 2 Cross Dawes Jamar Pedersen Salem Vince Western Bulldogs Crameri 4 Williams 3 Liberatore Tutt 2 Cooney Giansiracusa Griffen Minson. Best Melbourne Cross, Tyson, Vince, N.Jones, McDonald, Viney, Western Bulldogs Liberatore Griffen Crameri Cooney Williams Dahlhaus Wood Johannissen Changes Melbourne Nil Western Bulldogs Nil Injuries Melbourne Frawley (right thigh), Terlich (concussion) Western Bulldogs Dickson (left shoulder), Williams (right calf) Reports Melbourne Nil Western Bulldogs Nil Umpires Fleer Stevic Stevens Attendance 36,326 at the MCG.

your votes please - 6 to 1 in descending order

Any amount that one can afford is great. As I stated earlier in the thread I am not a fan of forcing people to pay to use the site. I don't mind giving paid members some added perks, such as a mobile version of the site and no advertisements, but I don't want to exclude people from talking about the Dees. Times are tough and not everyone can afford to pay and if someone is strapped for cash I would prefer they spent their hard earned on the club on memberships and merchandise.. This is purely voluntary and targeted to those that can afford it in order to assist me in covering the mounting costs to keep the site running. The load that this site gets, particularly in peak times like post match, due to it's popularity is immense and in order to keep the site from crashing we have had to pay for better hosting services, which include increased specs and tech support and the costs were starting to mount. I can't say this enough but thank you again to all those who have pitched in and thanks to those who decide to do it in the future.

Thank you to all the new subscribers and a big thank you to those who have subscribed already and re-donated.

If Ling is to be in contention then he needs to do an apprenticeship.

The response has been great. Thank you to all.

BBO I like your stuff but could we have one thread not hijacked by you. I don't want to scare anyone away. Maple your post was collateral damage.

You donate enough. #qualitynotquantity