Demonland

With only one round left, the top three places are virtually locked in. PROGRESS VOTING ROUND 22 198. Nathan Jones 127. Colin Garland 111. Matt Jones 94. Jack Viney 86. Colin Sylvia 78. Dean Terlich 75. James Frawley 57. Jeremy Howe 50. Jack Watts 33. Lynden Dunn 32. Jack Trengove 29. Jimmy Toumpas 28. Tom McDonald 27. Max Gawn 26. Shannon Byrnes Jack Grimes 25. Mitch Clisby Aaron Davey 23. Michael Evans Jack Fitzpatrick Jordie McKenzie 21. Chris Dawes 16. Cam Pedersen Jake Spencer 12. Dean Kent James Magner Luke Tapscott 8. Mitch Clark 7. David Rodan 3. Mark Jamar 2. Rohan Bail 1. Sam Blease

They say that eating crow is the same as eating your own word ... well the Demon supporters did nothing of the sort, because the team delivered exactly what the supporters predicted against Adelaide ... another 10+ loss! The advertisement on Fox for mantherapy to cure depression, during the game will probably result in half our membership ( the blokes at least) signing up and ensuring Dr Brian Ironwoods kids are kept in good private schools if you missed it, here it is: http://www.mantherapy.org.au/ The small glimmer of hope, being a seven point lead, at the end of the first quarter was snuffed out all in a 4 minute stretch in the second. Adelaide piled on 4 goals in that period, then backed it up with a couple of others to kick 6 straight for the quarter. Game over, even though Melbourne pulled two back before the half-time siren. Speaking of sirens, the last game at AAMI park or Football Park or Westlakes or whatever they choose to call the place, has finally seen the last of that appalling siren. Surely it was dug out of a train wreck of some 1950s locomotive, which really when you think about it just about sums up the city of Adelaide ... Enough, the rubbish continued for Melbourne in the second half. The half- hearted efforts displayed by multiple Melbourne players was finally exploited by the Crows and an 11 goal break was opened up, which lasted until the end of the game. There is little hope for the supporters to hang their hats on for 2014 if we have to watch Jack Watts spectating on the game around himself again. If he goes elsewhere next year it wont be any loss as he simply refuses to go and get his own ball. His two goals (that some will trumpet today) were the result of others' hard work, while his high fiving simply makes the supporters guts churn. Do something seriously good before you chase accolades!!! Jimmy Toumpas returned to the seniors and showed plenty of promise. His skills with the boot are something to look forward to, but too often he had no-one upfield willing to do the hard running to provide a target. Jake Spencer rucked strongly and played well around the ground, with excellent second efforts. Pity he reverted to the Jamar ruck style this game and kept on trying to jump into Jacobs. When you are 204 cm, just go for the ball please. The early loss of David Rodan curtailed a good portion of our run, and even though he was replaced by Aaron Davey, we actually needed both of them out there. Why James Magner cannot get a run after being elevated to the senior list, when we are crying out for mids who can get the ball is beyond me. Dont care if he cant kick, we have plenty of players who can, but cant get the ball. Or dont want to get the ball in some cases. We all cant wait for the season to end. The AFL have done us another huge favour by scheduling our last game at Etihad at 4.40pm on a Sunday. This could set a new record for low attendances, and they really only have themselves to blame. Still the Suns v GWS game on the same day could just pip us and the Dogs for the all time low ... and we still wont be eating crow! Melbourne 2.3.15 4.5.29 5.9.39 7.10.52 Adelaide 1.2.8 7.4.46 11.8.74 18.12.120 Goals Melbourne Howe Sylvia Watts 2 Tapscott Adelaide Johnston 6 Callinan Douglas 2 Dangerfield Grigg Jacobs Kerridge Otten Talia Thompson van Berlo Best Melbourne Jones Toumpas Garland Terlich Trengove Spencer Adelaide Thompson Crouch Johnston Jacobs Douglas Sloane Dangerfield Injuries Melbourne Jeremy Howe (cut face) David Rodan (ankle) Adelaide Sam Kerridge (back) Daniel Talia (back) Changes Melbourne Nil Adelaide Tom Lynch (foot) replaced by Richard Tambling Reports Melbourne Nil Adelaide Nil Umpires Fleer Hay Armstrong Official Attendance 34,653 at AAMI Stadium

EATING CROW by George on the Outer They say that eating crow is the same as eating your own word ... well the Demon supporters did nothing of the sort, because the team delivered exactly what the supporters predicted against Adelaide ... another 10+ loss! The advertisement on Fox for mantherapy to cure depression, during the game will probably result in half our membership ( the blokes at least) signing up and ensuring Dr Brian Ironwoods kids are kept in good private schools if you missed it, here it is: http://www.mantherapy.org.au/ The small glimmer of hope, being a seven point lead, at the end of the first quarter was snuffed out all in a 4 minute stretch in the second. Adelaide piled on 4 goals in that period, then backed it up with a couple of others to kick 6 straight for the quarter. Game over, even though Melbourne pulled two back before the half-time siren. Speaking of sirens, the last game at AAMI park or Football Park or Westlakes or whatever they choose to call the place, has finally seen the last of that appalling siren. Surely it was dug out of a train wreck of some 1950s locomotive, which really when you think about it just about sums up the city of Adelaide ... Enough, the rubbish continued for Melbourne in the second half. The half- hearted efforts displayed by multiple Melbourne players was finally exploited by the Crows and an 11 goal break was opened up, which lasted until the end of the game. There is little hope for the supporters to hang their hats on for 2014 if we have to watch Jack Watts spectating on the game around himself again. If he goes elsewhere next year it wont be any loss as he simply refuses to go and get his own ball. His two goals (that some will trumpet today) were the result of others' hard work, while his high fiving simply makes the supporters guts churn. Do something seriously good before you chase accolades!!! Jimmy Toumpas returned to the seniors and showed plenty of promise. His skills with the boot are something to look forward to, but too often he had no-one upfield willing to do the hard running to provide a target. Jake Spencer rucked strongly and played well around the ground, with excellent second efforts. Pity he reverted to the Jamar ruck style this game and kept on trying to jump into Jacobs. When you are 204 cm, just go for the ball please. The early loss of David Rodan curtailed a good portion of our run, and even though he was replaced by Aaron Davey, we actually needed both of them out there. Why James Magner cannot get a run after being elevated to the senior list, when we are crying out for mids who can get the ball is beyond me. Dont care if he cant kick, we have plenty of players who can, but cant get the ball. Or dont want to get the ball in some cases. We all cant wait for the season to end. The AFL have done us another huge favour by scheduling our last game at Etihad at 4.40pm on a Sunday. This could set a new record for low attendances, and they really only have themselves to blame. Still the Suns v GWS game on the same day could just pip us and the Dogs for the all time low ... and we still wont be eating crow! Melbourne 2.3.15 4.5.29 5.9.39 7.10.52 Adelaide 1.2.8 7.4.46 11.8.74 18.12.120 Goals Melbourne Howe Sylvia Watts 2 Tapscott Adelaide Johnston 6 Callinan Douglas 2 Dangerfield Grigg Jacobs Kerridge Otten Talia Thompson van Berlo Best Melbourne Jones Toumpas Garland Terlich Trengove Spencer Adelaide Thompson Crouch Johnston Jacobs Douglas Sloane Dangerfield Injuries Melbourne Jeremy Howe (cut face) David Rodan (ankle) Adelaide Sam Kerridge (back) Daniel Talia (back) Changes Melbourne Nil Adelaide Tom Lynch (foot) replaced by Richard Tambling Reports Melbourne Nil Adelaide Nil Umpires Fleer Hay Armstrong Official Attendance 34,653 at AAMI Stadium

Please cast your votes ... 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 ...

Some beauties in here. http://www.afl.com.au/video/2013-08-15/jeremy-howes-top-10-marks

For the life of me, I don't understand how Adelaide could have possibly firmed to such hot favouritism for Saturday's game. The Crows struggled last week against the 15th placed Western Bulldogs when, not only their credibility, but also an outside chance of falling into the top eight and finals football was on the line. And yet they were overrun by the Dogs to the tune of seven final-term goals to three and with that went their chances of a top eight berth. It's been much that way for the Crows for most of the season; patchy, inconsistent and a little flakey. Who could blame them for their demise after suffering from AFL sanctions and the loss of key forward talent like Kurt Tippett and Taylor Walker? The AFL has been somewhat remiss in failing to see the promotional opportunities presented by this match up at a time when its poised to come down hard with sanctions on Essendon over the supplements scandal. These teams should be playing off for the 2013 NAB Transgressors Trophy with the Crows being done for salary cap breaches in the past twelve months and the Dees for cracking poor jokes in public. Dean Bailey would be the perfect choice as presenter. The emotion factor will certainly be operational in terms of the fact that the Crows play their last game at the ground before relocating along with Port Adelaide to new digs at the Adelaide Oval as from next year. But history says that Melbourne has a chance. Although, the team has produced only minimal improvement since the dark days of early 2013, it does have a good record when it comes to closing down opposition football grounds. The last time that happened was on 21 May, 2005 when Melbourne beat Carlton by 18 points in the final AFL game at Princes Park (aka Optus Oval, MC Labour Park and more lately Pricefixer Park or something to that effect). So, with a good recent record at farewelling the fields of others' dreams, the Demons are poised to cause an upset. Melbourne's team for the game has a much better look and feel to it than the one that was first strangled and then demolished by Fremantle last Sunday.James Frawley and Chris Dawes come in to bolster a key defence and key forward position respectively, Cam Pedersen was his team's best player in the game before he was injured and David Rodan and Jimmy Toumpas will add run to the team, the latter's confidence also bolstered with a couple of classy displays at Casey. The players should also be keen to give Aaron Davey a fitting farewell after a decade of fabulous service to the club. This is not the same Adelaide that swept all before it last year under first year coach Brenton Sanderson. Neil Craig has a treasure trove of knowledge about this team to offset the home team's advantages in skill and experience and with Sando showing signs of cracking up last week I was almost tempted to go for a Melbourne win. It was at about this time that the reality bus drove right past me with hundreds of black crows hovering menacingly above. Adelaide by 45 points.

THE BIRDS by JVM For the life of me, I don't understand how Adelaide could have possibly firmed to such hot favouritism for Saturday's game. The Crows struggled last week against the 15th placed Western Bulldogs when, not only their credibility, but also an outside chance of falling into the top eight and finals football was on the line. And yet they were overrun by the Dogs to the tune of seven final-term goals to three and with that went their chances of a top eight berth. It's been much that way for the Crows for most of the season; patchy, inconsistent and a little flakey. Who could blame them for their demise after suffering from AFL sanctions and the loss of key forward talent like Kurt Tippett and Taylor Walker? The AFL has been somewhat remiss in failing to see the promotional opportunities presented by this match up at a time when its poised to come down hard with sanctions on Essendon over the supplements scandal. These teams should be playing off for the 2013 NAB Transgressors Trophy with the Crows being done for salary cap breaches in the past twelve months and the Dees for cracking poor jokes in public. Dean Bailey would be the perfect choice as presenter. The emotion factor will certainly be operational in terms of the fact that the Crows play their last game at the ground before relocating along with Port Adelaide to new digs at the Adelaide Oval as from next year. But history says that Melbourne has a chance. Although, the team has produced only minimal improvement since the dark days of early 2013, it does have a good record when it comes to closing down opposition football grounds. The last time that happened was on 21 May, 2005 when Melbourne beat Carlton by 18 points in the final AFL game at Princes Park (aka Optus Oval, MC Labour Park and more lately Pricefixer Park or something to that effect). So, with a good recent record at farewelling the fields of others' dreams, the Demons are poised to cause an upset. Melbourne's team for the game has a much better look and feel to it than the one that was first strangled and then demolished by Fremantle last Sunday.James Frawley and Chris Dawes come in to bolster a key defence and key forward position respectively, Cam Pedersen was his team's best player in the game before he was injured and David Rodan and Jimmy Toumpas will add run to the team, the latter's confidence also bolstered with a couple of classy displays at Casey. The players should also be keen to give Aaron Davey a fitting farewell after a decade of fabulous service to the club. This is not the same Adelaide that swept all before it last year under first year coach Brenton Sanderson. Neil Craig has a treasure trove of knowledge about this team to offset the home team's advantages in skill and experience and with Sando showing signs of cracking up last week I was almost tempted to go for a Melbourne win. It was at about this time that the reality bus drove right past me with hundreds of black crows hovering menacingly above. Adelaide by 45 points.

When did we last win at AAMI? I think this is our last chance because next year they're at the Adelaide Oval (also not a happy hunting ground). This was the line up exactly twelve months ago:- MELBOURNE Backs Joel Macdonald Colin Garland Tom McDonald Half backs Jack Watts, James Frawley, Lynden Dunn Centreline Jack Trengove Jordie McKenzie Jack Grimes Half forwards Sam Blease Jared Rivers Rohan Bail Forwards Jeremy Howe Brad Green Neville Jetta Followers Jake Spencer Colin Sylvia Nathan Jones Interchange Daniel Nicholson James Sellar James Strauss Luke Tapscott Emergencies Matthew Bate Tom Couch Jordan Gysberts In Daniel Nicholson Out Tom Couch ADELAIDE Backs Graham Johncock Ben Rutten Sam Shaw Half backs Brodie Smith Daniel Talia Michael Doughty Centreline Bernie Vince Nathan van Berlo David Mackay Half forwards Jared Petrenko Taylor Walker Richard Douglas Forwards Jason Porplyzia Kurt Tippett Matthew Wright Followers Sam Jacobs Scott Thompson Patrick Dangerdfield Interchange Luke Brown Ian Callinan Brent Reilly Aidan Riley Emergencies Josh Jenkins Tom Lynch Jarryd Lyons In Jason Porplyzia Aidan Riley Brodie Smith Out Chris Knights Josh Jenkins Rory Sloane (elbow)

PROGRESS VOTING ROUND 21 189. Nathan Jones 127. Colin Garland 111. Matt Jones 94. Jack Viney 80. Colin Sylvia 75. James Frawley 73. Dean Terlich 57. Jeremy Howe 47. Jack Watts 30. Jack Trengove 28. Tom McDonald 27. Max Gawn 26. Shannon Byrnes Jack Grimes 25. Mitch Clisby Aaron Davey 23. Michael Evans Jack Fitzpatrick Jordie McKenzie 21. Chris Dawes 18. Lynden Dunn 16. Cam Pedersen 12. Dean Kent James Magner Luke Tapscott Jimmy Toumpas 10. Jake Spencer 8. Mitch Clark 7. David Rodan 3. Mark Jamar 2. Rohan Bail 1. Sam Blease

They were never going to influence the final outcome of the game because Fremantle were simply far too good. But the three sight-impaired gentlemen in the spiffy bright green and grey gear certainly welcomed our interstate visitors with a red carpet reception and rained free kick after free kick upon them early in the game so that they got the start they wanted. At one stage the Dockers had 5 free kicks to none and 15 inside 50s before the Demons went forward. It was all so Schmitt House. The Dees were appalling of course and by the time they were ready to play, they were a trifle shell-shocked. There was a brief interlude in the second term when Melbourne was competitive but a few mishaps, obtuse bounces and no luck whatsoever saw Fremantle rack up five goals in six or seven minutes in mid quarter and it was all over red and blue rover. Still, the Demons might have won the quarter had Shannon Byrnes' shot after the siren hit the mark but, let's face it, he kicked 1 goal from six shots last week and the only pass of his that hit someone's chest today found a purple and white jumper. Talk about bad bounces and rotten luck. By half time, Melbourne had lost Sam Blease (subbed off with an ankle injury) and a minute or two later James Strauss was in the dug out with a shoulder injury. And so it came to pass that after the break, Freo was too strong, fast and fit for the Dees who didn't have enough men to rotate and their crowning achievement was to avoid losing by 100 points but that was a feat that failed to keep many of the 13,768 fans at the ground for the duration. The football special to Sandringham was half empty when it departed Richmond Station with at least half of the passengers having come from other parts. You could tell the footy goers. They wore the colours red and blue and their faces were hidden by cupped hands all the way home. Strangely enough, the free kick stats almost evened up by the end of the day but the reality was that the stuff Melbourne got late in the game was insignificant and was never going to make any difference. Jack Viney put his hand up for a NAB Rising Star nomination (although Brodie Grundy will probably get it because he's Collingwood and they have 80k members). Jack Trengove stood up well and Lynden Dunn was good. Most of the rest had rings run around them. The midfield coach and the fitness people would be looking over their shoulders when the reshuffle comes and when the Demons next come back to the MCG in March or April, 2014 its likely that things will be a little different. And if Melbourne doesn't qualify for a priority pick at the end of the season, the AFL is not serious. Melbourne 0.2.2 4.5.29 5.7.37 5.8.38 Fremantle 4.5.29 9.6.60 14.11.95 20.13.133 Goals Melbourne Davis Fitzpatrick Howe Kent Viney Fremantle Ballantyne Pavlich 4 Hill Mayne 2 Clarke Fyfe D Pearce Sandilands Sheridan Silvagni, Spurr Walters Best Melbourne Viney Trengove Dunn McKenzie Sylvia Watts Fremantle Clarke Mundy D Pearce Pavlich Ballantyne, Crowley Sandilands (cut left eye/concussion), Dawson (left elbow), Ballantyne (right arm) Injuries Melbourne Blease (ankle) Garland (jaw) Spencer (cut elbow) Strauss (shoulder) Fremantle Sandilands (cut left eye/concussion), Dawson (elbow), Ballantyne (arm) Changes Melbourne Nil Fremantle Nil Reports Melbourne Nil Fremantle Nil Umpires Fila Burgess Schmitt Official Attendance 13,768 at the MCG

I heard today while at the ground that Jesse Hogan was OK. No major damage and he will play in the VFL finals. Nothing official although someone said they saw it in a club tweet.

All over red and blue rover. Please head out to Post March Discussion ... or at least come back next March when things might be different.

Cast your votes please -

THE FREMANTLE FESTIVAL OF FANTASTIC FREE KICKS by The Oracle They were never going to influence the final outcome of the game because Fremantle were simply far too good. But the three sight-impaired gentlemen in the spiffy bright green and grey gear certainly welcomed our interstate visitors with a red carpet reception and rained free kick after free kick upon them early in the game so that they got the start they wanted. At one stage the Dockers had 5 free kicks to none and 15 inside 50s before the Demons went forward. It was all so Schmitt House. The Dees were appalling of course and by the time they were ready to play, they were a trifle shell-shocked. There was a brief interlude in the second term when Melbourne was competitive but a few mishaps, obtuse bounces and no luck whatsoever saw Fremantle rack up five goals in six or seven minutes in mid quarter and it was all over red and blue rover. Still, the Demons might have won the quarter had Shannon Byrnes' shot after the siren hit the mark but, let's face it, he kicked 1 goal from six shots last week and the only pass of his that hit someone's chest today found a purple and white jumper. Talk about bad bounces and rotten luck. By half time, Melbourne had lost Sam Blease (subbed off with an ankle injury) and a minute or two later James Strauss was in the dug out with a shoulder injury. And so it came to pass that after the break, Freo was too strong, fast and fit for the Dees who didn't have enough men to rotate and their crowning achievement was to avoid losing by 100 points but that was a feat that failed to keep many of the 13,768 fans at the ground for the duration. The football special to Sandringham was half empty when it departed Richmond Station with at least half of the passengers having come from other parts. You could tell the footy goers. They wore the colours red and blue and their faces were hidden by cupped hands all the way home. Strangely enough, the free kick stats almost evened up by the end of the day but the reality was that the stuff Melbourne got late in the game was insignificant and was never going to make any difference. Jack Viney put his hand up for a NAB Rising Star nomination (although Brodie Grundy will probably get it because he's Collingwood and they have 80k members). Jack Trengove stood up well and Lynden Dunn was good. Most of the rest had rings run around them. The midfield coach and the fitness people would be looking over their shoulders when the reshuffle comes and when the Demons next come back to the MCG in March or April, 2014 its likely that things will be a little different. And if Melbourne doesn't qualify for a priority pick at the end of the season, the AFL is not serious. Melbourne 0.2.2 4.5.29 5.7.37 5.8.38 Fremantle 4.5.29 9.6.60 14.11.95 20.13.133 Goals Melbourne Davis Fitzpatrick Howe Kent Viney Fremantle Ballantyne Pavlich 4 Hill Mayne 2 Clarke Fyfe D Pearce Sandilands Sheridan Silvagni, Spurr Walters Best Melbourne Viney Trengove Dunn McKenzie Sylvia Watts Fremantle Clarke Mundy D Pearce Pavlich Ballantyne, Crowley Sandilands (cut left eye/concussion), Dawson (left elbow), Ballantyne (right arm) Injuries Melbourne Blease (ankle) Garland (jaw) Spencer (cut elbow) Strauss (shoulder) Fremantle Sandilands (cut left eye/concussion), Dawson (elbow), Ballantyne (arm) Changes Melbourne Nil Fremantle Nil Reports Melbourne Nil Fremantle Nil Umpires Fila Burgess Schmitt Official Attendance 13,768 at the MCG

ALL THAT GLITTERS ... by KC from Casey The Casey Scorpions had no trouble in disposing of the winless Bendigo Gold by a massive 129 points at Casey Fields on Saturday but the glitter of the victory was somewhat overshadowed by a shock injury to Demon youngster Jesse Hogan who suffered a hyperextension to his knee early in the game. Hogan left the ground for scans with Casey general manager Matthew Young saying that "it's pretty disappointing but we're hoping that it's only a minor injury," and a Melbourne spokesman later expressing optimism that the young forward who has kicked 39 goals for the season to date, had managed to avoid major damage. The Scorpions opened brightly kicking against a strong northerly breeze and the seeds of their domination over the Gold were set early. Beanpole ruckman Max Gawn dominated the hit outs, James Magner and Jimmy Toumpas were in control in the middle, David Rodan was leading Bendigo a merry dance and Jake Best and Rory Taggert were finishing things off with goals. The latter duo each had two goals by the time the opening stanza was barely halfway through (Rodan had the other after running from a wing and bouncing four times, a feat he later produced with one more bounce). The five goal blitz against the wind would prove enough to win the game but there was to be a lot more to come although the second quarter was disappointing. Bendigo had almost the entire team behind the ball and for large patches of the quarter, all 36 players on the ground were in Casey's half making it a poor spectacle for the small crowd on hand to witness the game. This made little difference to Magner who amassed an amazing 29 touches to half time as the team waltzed to a 35 point half time lead. The second half was a complete whitewash with Bendigo failing to score a goal and Casey adding five against the wind and ten with it to finish off the game (making it 19 final quarter goals in its last two matches) with a massive percentage booster. Gawn, who was already playing well, took control of the game with a sensational purple patch in the third quarter kicking two goals and having a hand in a couple of others as he dominated proceedings against shorter opponents. He finished the game off with a massive 59 hitouts, 27 disposals, 14 marks and three goals. Despite suffering a knock in the third term, Magner also provided a statistical highlight with an outstanding 51 touches. He was ably assisted by Toumpas who underlined his enormous potential with 32 classy disposals while Mitch Gent and Dan Nicholson finished with 30 each. Taggert and Best both kicked five apiece and Joel Macdonald, who announced his retirement last week, capped off his career with a fine display in defence and a couple of nice goals when he went forward at the end. He left the ground chaired off by his teammates and to the well deserved rousing applause of the crowd. It was Casey's last home and away game for the year at Casey Fields but a win against the Box Hill Hawks next Sunday should guarantee at least a home final in the qualifying final round in a fortnight's time. Casey Scorpions 5.0.30 8.3.51 13.6.84 23.11.149 Bendigo Gold 1.4.10 2.4.16 2.7.19 2.8.20 Goals Casey Scorpions Best Taggert 5 Gawn Rodan 3 Gent Macdonald 2 Bail Page Smith Bendigo Gold McInnes Toman Best Casey Scorpions Magner Gawn Rodan Toumpas Macdonald Best Bendigo Gold Magin Aarts Heavyside Stroobants Kelm Beck Stats: Magner 51 Toumpas 32 Gent Nicholson 30 VFL Player Review - Round 18.

The Casey Scorpions had no trouble in disposing of the winless Bendigo Gold by a massive 129 points at Casey Fields on Saturday but the glitter of the victory was somewhat overshadowed by a shock injury to Demon youngster Jesse Hogan who suffered a hyperextension to his knee early in the game. Hogan left the ground for scans with Casey general manager Matthew Young saying that "it's pretty disappointing but we're hoping that it's only a minor injury," and a Melbourne spokesman later expressing optimism that the young forward who has kicked 39 goals for the season to date, had managed to avoid major damage. The Scorpions opened brightly kicking against a strong northerly breeze and the seeds of their domination over the Gold were set early. Beanpole ruckman Max Gawn dominated the hit outs, James Magner and Jimmy Toumpas were in control in the middle, David Rodan was leading Bendigo a merry dance and Jake Best and Rory Taggert were finishing things off with goals. The latter duo each had two goals by the time the opening stanza was barely halfway through (Rodan had the other after running from a wing and bouncing four times, a feat he later produced with one more bounce). The five goal blitz against the wind would prove enough to win the game but there was to be a lot more to come although the second quarter was disappointing. Bendigo had almost the entire team behind the ball and for large patches of the quarter, all 36 players on the ground were in Casey's half making it a poor spectacle for the small crowd on hand to witness the game. This made little difference to Magner who amassed an amazing 29 touches to half time as the team waltzed to a 35 point half time lead. The second half was a complete whitewash with Bendigo failing to score a goal and Casey adding five against the wind and ten with it to finish off the game (making it 19 final quarter goals in its last two matches) with a massive percentage booster. Gawn, who was already playing well, took control of the game with a sensational purple patch in the third quarter kicking two goals and having a hand in a couple of others as he dominated proceedings against shorter opponents. He finished the game off with a massive 59 hitouts, 27 disposals, 14 marks and three goals. Despite suffering a knock in the third term, Magner also provided a statistical highlight with an outstanding 51 touches. He was ably assisted by Toumpas who underlined his enormous potential with 32 classy disposals while Mitch Gent and Dan Nicholson finished with 30 each. Taggert and Best both kicked five apiece and Joel Macdonald, who announced his retirement last week, capped off his career with a fine display in defence and a couple of nice goals when he went forward at the end. He left the ground chaired off by his teammates and to the well deserved rousing applause of the crowd. It was Casey's last home and away game for the year at Casey Fields but a win against the Box Hill Hawks next Sunday should guarantee at least a home final in the qualifying final round in a fortnight's time. Casey Scorpions 5.0.30 8.3.51 13.6.84 23.11.149 Bendigo Gold 1.4.10 2.4.16 2.7.19 2.8.20 Goals Casey Scorpions Best Taggert 5 Gawn Rodan 3 Gent Macdonald 2 Bail Page Smith Bendigo Gold McInnes Toman Best Casey Scorpions Magner Gawn Rodan Toumpas Macdonald Best Bendigo Gold Magin Aarts Heavyside Stroobants Kelm Beck Stats: Magner 51 Toumpas 32 Gent Nicholson 30 VFL Player Review - Round 18. The Development League game was there to be won with Casey kicking with the aid of the wind in the last quarter. They scored 1.6.12 to 2.0.12 and lost by 5 points. CaseyScorpions 2.1.13 5.5.35 5.6.36 6.12.48 PortMelbourne 1.2.8 3.3.21 5.11.41 7.11.53 Goals Casey Scorpions Fowler Hughes 2 Pollard Riseley Port Melbourne Johnston 2 McTaggart Muling Pitt Thornton Whelan Best Casey Scorpion Lindsay Pollard Troutman Waters P Rosier Riseley Port Melbourne Burstin Muling Papaleo Gordon Hammond Smith

Bartlett announced as President

It says something for the indomitable spirit of the Demon faithful that so many turned up last night to the club's sixth annual Foundation Heroes dinner and how so many contributed to their ailing club's cause. This has been the case ever since the late Jim Stynes and Don McLardy launched the concept which had already raised in excess of $6m and by last year had wiped off the black hole of millions of dollars in debt but now, the situation was in many ways more dire than ever before. Since last year's FH function things have gone downhill considerably. Having tragically lost Jim to cancer, the club lurched through the tanking enquiry and its aftermath and then the wheels fell off with the team underperforming so badly that we saw heads rolling and a projected profit of $200k turning into a sea of red ink and a potentially massive drain on club finances. The club faced a liquidity crisis. Peter Jackson, the club's new CEO explained to last night's attendees that we were now facing "reality". The club has gone cap in hand to the AFL for assistance which will tide it over until it can make a new start in 2014 operating under the new reality. We will have a new chairman, new board members, new coaches and some new and hopefully better players. But that will still not be enough. Jackson wants us to model ourselves on successful well run clubs like Geelong and Sydney. The key is "list management, list management and list management" and from that will follow "player development, player development and player development." The wheels are already rolling in that direction. The idea is to get the club out of the trough and never to go back there. We know that clubs like Geelong and Sydney and this week's opponent, Fremantle were once struggling both on and off the field. And as Todd Viney pointed out last night, today's powerhouse club Hawthorn was a laughing stock less than 10 years ago but by 2008 had won the flag. The host for the evening opened with the story of how his grandfather used to recall the team of 1953 that finished second last but morphed into a team that won six premierships in the decade to follow. If only we had a time machine and could go back to right the wrongs that we now know were done and which afflict our club to this day. We don't have the benefit of that but with a new regime coming into place and a young playing list that can and must improve with time and hard work, we're still alive and with the generosity and support of the growing band of Foundation Heroes we can still astound the football world with the resilience for which men like Jim Stynes who inspired the concept was so well known and respected. THE GAME Melbourne v Fremantle at the MCG, Sunday 18 August, 2013 at 1.10pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 17 wins Fremantle 13 wins MCG Melbourne 7 wins Fremantle 4 wins Since 2000 Melbourne 9 wins Fremantle 13 wins The Coaches Craig 0 wins Lyon 0 wins MEDIA TV Fox Footy Channel (live at 1.00pm) RADIO SEN ABC THE BETTING Melbourne $17.00 to win Fremantle $1.01 to win THE LAST TIME THEY MET Fremantle 19.16.130 defeated Melbourne 6.4.40 Round 9, 2013 at Paterson Stadium Jack Watts kicked the first goal of the match and after that, Fremantle comprehensively blew Melbourne away. Jeremy Howe defies the odds and was the Demons' best with 27 possessions and two goals. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE Backs Lynden Dunn Colin Garland Dean Terlich Half backs Matt Jones Tom McDonald James Strauss Centreline Jordie McKenzie Jack Trengove Jeremy Howe Half forwards Jack Viney Jack Watts Shannon Byrnes Forwards Colin Sylvia Jack Fitzpatrick Troy Davis Followers Jake Spencer Jack Grimes Nathan Jones Interchange Sam Blease Aaron Davey Dean Kent Luke Tapscott Emergencies Max Gawn Cameron Pedersen David Rodan In Sam Blease Jeremy Howe Out Mitch Clisby (suspension) Daniel Nicholson FREMANTLE Backs Alex Silvagni Zac Dawson Paul Duffield Half backs Tendai Mzungu Michael Johnson Lee Spurr Centreline Nick Suban Ryan Crowley Danyle Pearce Half forwards David Mundy Chris Mayne Michael Walters Forwards Aaron Sandilands Matthew Pavlich Hayden Ballantyne Followers Zac Clarke Nathan Fyfe Matt de Boer Interchange Michael Barlow Stephen Hill Lachie Neale Tom Sheridan Emergencies Hayden Crozier Cameron Sutcliffe Matthew Taberner In Stephen Hill Out Cameron Sutcliffe I don't know whether it was by design or merely a co-incidence but we didn't hear much at Wednesday night's Foundation Heroes function about the playing side of the club. We saw a video presentation of the leaders Jack and Jack and Nathan Jones about how they prepare themselves in these times of adversity and some hopeful references of a better future from some of the speakers but there was precious little from stand in coach Neil Craig. Perhaps the organisers felt it might detract from the fundraising to focus too much on the reality of the on field disaster that 2013 will come to be known as for the club in the future. It's a pity we didn't hear from Craig because he's a straight shooter and always positive and constructive in what he says. Notwithstanding, some of those present might not have liked to hear what he had to say. At his presser he pointed out that the team needs to learn how to win again and that's an obvious one. So is the fact that it's the midfield where the team suffers so much in comparison with its opposition on a weekly basis. But I also suspect that Craig was kept out of the limelight because, despite his apparent popularity with the playing group, he's probably not in the running for the coaching role in 2014 and beyond. In that respect, there's a certain irony in the fact that the Demons take on the Dockers at the MCG this week. When they last confronted each other at this venue, the visitors were coached by Mark Harvey, were coming off an ordinary season and were badly affected by injury woes. Confidence and morale were low and they received a whipping to the tune of 89 points. They looked totally inept in the face of an attacking Melbourne line up against which they hardly raised a whimper - the exact opposite of what we're expecting this Sunday. In the interim, Fremantle went out an got themselves a coach who changed the mindset and style of the football team. He tinkered a little with the list and prepared them in his own inimitable way and now, Ross Lyon has taken the team forward in his own time machine. Two years down the track, they are heading for a top four (and possibly top two) placing that puts them well in the frame to win a flag in 2013. That's coming off an 89 point loss in June 2011 to a Melbourne side which a month earlier had been described as "bruise-free". There's not much more that one can say about this game. The two teams are travelling in different directions at this time. One has its sights set on a bigger prize; the other limping its way to season's end. At least the Demons showed a little fight up there on the Gold Coast last week and with some better accuracy in kicking for goal, could easily have won the game. They might learn a little about winning this week but mostly, it will be from the opposition. Fremantle by 58 points.

THE TIME MACHINE by Whispering Jack It says something for the indomitable spirit of the Demon faithful that so many turned up last night to the club's sixth annual Foundation Heroes dinner and how so many contributed to their ailing club's cause. This has been the case ever since the late Jim Stynes and Don McLardy launched the concept which had already raised in excess of $6m and by last year had wiped off the black hole of millions of dollars in debt but now, the situation was in many ways more dire than ever before. Since last year's FH function things have gone downhill considerably. Having tragically lost Jim to cancer, the club lurched through the tanking enquiry and its aftermath and then the wheels fell off with the team underperforming so badly that we saw heads rolling and a projected profit of $200k turning into a sea of red ink and a potentially massive drain on club finances. The club faced a liquidity crisis. Peter Jackson, the club's new CEO explained to last night's attendees that we were now facing "reality". The club has gone cap in hand to the AFL for assistance which will tide it over until it can make a new start in 2014 operating under the new reality. We will have a new chairman, new board members, new coaches and some new and hopefully better players. But that will still not be enough. Jackson wants us to model ourselves on successful well run clubs like Geelong and Sydney. The key is "list management, list management and list management" and from that will follow "player development, player development and player development." The wheels are already rolling in that direction. The idea is to get the club out of the trough and never to go back there. We know that clubs like Geelong and Sydney and this week's opponent, Fremantle were once struggling both on and off the field. And as Todd Viney pointed out last night, today's powerhouse club Hawthorn was a laughing stock less than 10 years ago but by 2008 had won the flag. The host for the evening opened with the story of how his grandfather used to recall the team of 1953 that finished second last but morphed into a team that won six premierships in the decade to follow. If only we had a time machine and could go back to right the wrongs that we now know were done and which afflict our club to this day. We don't have the benefit of that but with a new regime coming into place and a young playing list that can and must improve with time and hard work, we're still alive and with the generosity and support of the growing band of Foundation Heroes we can still astound the football world with the resilience for which men like Jim Stynes who inspired the concept was so well known and respected. THE GAME Melbourne v Fremantle at the MCG, Sunday 18 August, 2013 at 1.10pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 17 wins Fremantle 13 wins MCG Melbourne 7 wins Fremantle 4 wins Since 2000 Melbourne 9 wins Fremantle 13 wins The Coaches Craig 0 wins Lyon 0 wins MEDIA TV Fox Footy Channel (live at 1.00pm) RADIO SEN ABC THE BETTING Melbourne $17.00 to win Fremantle $1.01 to win THE LAST TIME THEY MET Fremantle 19.16.130 defeated Melbourne 6.4.40 Round 9, 2013 at Paterson Stadium Jack Watts kicked the first goal of the match and after that, Fremantle comprehensively blew Melbourne away. Jeremy Howe defies the odds and was the Demons' best with 27 possessions and two goals. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE Backs Lynden Dunn Colin Garland Dean Terlich Half backs Matt Jones Tom McDonald James Strauss Centreline Jordie McKenzie Jack Trengove Jeremy Howe Half forwards Jack Viney Jack Watts Shannon Byrnes Forwards Colin Sylvia Jack Fitzpatrick Troy Davis Followers Jake Spencer Jack Grimes Nathan Jones Interchange Sam Blease Aaron Davey Dean Kent Luke Tapscott Emergencies Max Gawn Cameron Pedersen David Rodan In Sam Blease Jeremy Howe Out Mitch Clisby (suspension) Daniel Nicholson FREMANTLE Backs Alex Silvagni Zac Dawson Paul Duffield Half backs Tendai Mzungu Michael Johnson Lee Spurr Centreline Nick Suban Ryan Crowley Danyle Pearce Half forwards David Mundy Chris Mayne Michael Walters Forwards Aaron Sandilands Matthew Pavlich Hayden Ballantyne Followers Zac Clarke Nathan Fyfe Matt de Boer Interchange Michael Barlow Stephen Hill Lachie Neale Tom Sheridan Emergencies Hayden Crozier Cameron Sutcliffe Matthew Taberner In Stephen Hill Out Cameron Sutcliffe I don't know whether it was by design or merely a co-incidence but we didn't hear much at Wednesday night's Foundation Heroes function about the playing side of the club. We saw a video presentation of the leaders Jack and Jack and Nathan Jones about how they prepare themselves in these times of adversity and some hopeful references of a better future from some of the speakers but there was precious little from stand in coach Neil Craig. Perhaps the organisers felt it might detract from the fundraising to focus too much on the reality of the on field disaster that 2013 will come to be known as for the club in the future. It's a pity we didn't hear from Craig because he's a straight shooter and always positive and constructive in what he says. Notwithstanding, some of those present might not have liked to hear what he had to say. At his presser he pointed out that the team needs to learn how to win again and that's an obvious one. So is the fact that it's the midfield where the team suffers so much in comparison with its opposition on a weekly basis. But I also suspect that Craig was kept out of the limelight because, despite his apparent popularity with the playing group, he's probably not in the running for the coaching role in 2014 and beyond. In that respect, there's a certain irony in the fact that the Demons take on the Dockers at the MCG this week. When they last confronted each other at this venue, the visitors were coached by Mark Harvey, were coming off an ordinary season and were badly affected by injury woes. Confidence and morale were low and they received a whipping to the tune of 89 points. They looked totally inept in the face of an attacking Melbourne line up against which they hardly raised a whimper - the exact opposite of what we're expecting this Sunday. In the interim, Fremantle went out an got themselves a coach who changed the mindset and style of the football team. He tinkered a little with the list and prepared them in his own inimitable way and now, Ross Lyon has taken the team forward in his own time machine. Two years down the track, they are heading for a top four (and possibly top two) placing that puts them well in the frame to win a flag in 2013. That's coming off an 89 point loss in June 2011 to a Melbourne side which a month earlier had been described as "bruise-free". There's not much more that one can say about this game. The two teams are travelling in different directions at this time. One has its sights set on a bigger prize; the other limping its way to season's end. At least the Demons showed a little fight up there on the Gold Coast last week and with some better accuracy in kicking for goal, could easily have won the game. They might learn a little about winning this week but mostly, it will be from the opposition. Fremantle by 58 points.

Not our finest hour ... or two and a half. FREMANTLE Backs Lee Spurr Zac Dawson Michael Johnson Half back Garrick Ibbotson Luke McPharlin Alex Silvagni Centreline Cameron Sutcliffe Ryan Crowley Chris Duffield Half forwards Michael Barlow Chris Mayne Nathan Fyfe Forwards Matt de Boer Zachary Clarke Hayden Ballantyne Followers Jack Hannath David Mundy Danyle Pearce Interchange Hayden Crozier Tendai Mzungu Clancee Pearce Nick Suban Emergencies Viv Michie Josh Simpson Matt Taberner In Hayden Crozier Out Michael Walters (ankle) MELBOURNE Backs Lynden Dunn James Frawley Dean Terlich Half backs Jack Watts James Sellar Colin Garland Centreline Jack Trengove Michael Evans Matt Jones Half forwards Luke Tapscott Jeremy Howe Neville Jetta Forwards Max Gawn Chris Dawes Aaron Davey Followers Mark Jamar Nathan Jones James Magner Interchange Rohan Bail Shannon Byrnes Jordie McKenzie Daniel Nicholson Emergencies Tom Gillies Jake Spencer James Strauss In Shannon Byrnes Jack Watts Out Jimmy Toumpas (ankle) James Strauss

Title changed to provide the respect a 10 year player at this club deserves.

Casey travelled across to Frankston to meet its bayside neighbour and won an unusual encounter by 31 points to take a mortgage on a top four spot with two rounds left to play before the finals. The sun shone and conditions at ground level looked favourable but the white caps on the waters of Port Phillip Bay in the background signalled that swirly winds would be the order of the day and that they would favour the Kars Street end to which the home side kicked first. The Dolphins opened with an early goal but Casey replied after a James Magner mark in front. The game never hit any high notes for the rest of the term and became a battle of the defences with the Scorpions controlling the play through the agency of the likes of Luke Tynan, Joel Macdonald, James Sellar, Sam Blease and Neville Jetta. In hindsight, the first term against the wind which saw the Scorpions leading by a point set up their win. Casey controlled the second quarter but inaccuracy in front of goal saw their half time lead limited to only 24 points while it held Frankston scoreless for the term. Gawn was rucking well and taking marks around the ground while Magner and Rodan were winning the ball at stoppages. Still, the absence of Jesse Hogan was clear and obvious with nobody on the forward line able to take control with the big grab in the packs. Frankston came out after half time with a steely determination and completely turned the game around. They attacked the goals incessantly and put great pressure on the Casey defence which was forced into costly errors that reaped rewards for the home side that took little time to make up the gap and take a 19 point lead into the final break. They had kicked seven goals three behinds to nothing and had the local crowd full of voice and the Casey team stunned. What followed was a nine-goal final quarter onslaught by a Casey Scorpions team that was stunned into action after one of its worst quarters of football for the year. Certainly, the wind was an influence but the thought of being tipped out of the top four after such a good start to the season must have come into play. Neville Jetta got them going and goal followed goal. Suddenly, the lead was theirs. By mid-term the Scorps were 7 points up but the Dolphins were still fighting hard. The killer blow came when Tim Smith intercepted to run straight into goal for his second of the quarter. An altercation followed and a free in front was paid to Nathan Page. The double goal knocked the stuffing out of the home side and Casey finished with two more goals for a 31-point victory which also killed off the Dolphins chances of sneaking into the finals. Best for the Scorpions was Jetta who defended stoutly early and kicked two crucial final quarter goals at the end. Jimmy Toumpas picked up 25 touches and David Rodan 22. In the end, it was Casey's desire to work hard and get the hands on the footy first which was lacking in the third quarter but very much evident in the last that got it well across the line. HOW THE DEMONS FARED Rohan Bail 10 kicks 8 handballs 18 disposals 4 marks 5 tackles Dominic Barry 10 kicks 8 handballs 18 disposals 4 marks 1 tackle 1 behind Sam Blease 14 kicks 6 handballs 20 disposals 6 marks 2 tackles 1 goal 1 behind Max Gawn 13 kicks 8 handballs 21 disposals 10 marks 2 tackles 34 hitouts 1 behind Neville Jetta 17 kicks 3 handballs 20 disposals 8 marks 3 tackles 2 goals 2 behinds Joel Macdonald 16 kicks 5 handballs 21 disposals 8 marks 1 tackle 1 hitout James Magner 6 kicks 13 handballs 19 disposals 5 marks 6 tackles 2 goals David Rodan 15 kicks 7 handballs 22 disposals 8 marks 7 tackles 1 goal 1 behind James Sellar 8 kicks 10 handballs 18 disposals 12 marks 1 hitout 2 goals Rory Taggert 9 kicks 4 handballs 13 disposals 8 marks 1 tackle Jimmy Toumpas 18 kicks 7 handballs 25 disposals 8 marks 3 tackles Josh Tynan 1 kick 1 disposal 2 tackles (injured early) Casey Scorpions 2.2.14 5.8.38 5.8.38 14.13.97 Frankston 2.1.13 2.2.14 9.5.59 10.6.66 Goals Casey Scorpions Jetta Magner Sellar Smith 2 Best Blease Lang Matthews Page Rodan Frankston Best Casey Scorpions Jetta Rodan Macdonald Gawn Smith L Tynan Frankston Simpson Buchan Potts Hockey Dermott Irving The winning run of the Development League team came to an end when Frankston put on a six goals to nil final quarter to win by 25 points. 2013 AFL Victoria Development League Casey Scorpions 2.3.15 4.4.28 9.7.61 9.8.62 Frankston 2.214 5.6.36 6.7.43 12.15.87 Goals Casey Scorpions Anderson Lindsay 2 Hughes Petropoulos Plummer P Rosier Troutman Frankston Bosward Giobbi Morrow 2 Bailey Cooper Haretuku Kennedy Rolfe Sykes Best Casey Scorpions Lindsay Waters Roberts Fowler Petropoulos Rosier Frankston Haretuku Bosward Cooper Cunningham Rolfe Sykes VFL PLAYER REVIEW

WELL ACROSS THE LINE by KC from Casey Casey travelled across to Frankston to meet its bayside neighbour and won an unusual encounter by 31 points to take a mortgage on a top four spot with two rounds left to play before the finals. The sun shone and conditions at ground level looked favourable but the white caps on the waters of Port Phillip Bay in the background signalled that swirly winds would be the order of the day and that they would favour the Kars Street end to which the home side kicked first. The Dolphins opened with an early goal but Casey replied after a James Magner mark in front. The game never hit any high notes for the rest of the term and became a battle of the defences with the Scorpions controlling the play through the agency of the likes of Luke Tynan, Joel Macdonald, James Sellar, Sam Blease and Neville Jetta. In hindsight, the first term against the wind which saw the Scorpions leading by a point set up their win. Casey controlled the second quarter but inaccuracy in front of goal saw their half time lead limited to only 24 points while it held Frankston scoreless for the term. Gawn was rucking well and taking marks around the ground while Magner and Rodan were winning the ball at stoppages. Still, the absence of Jesse Hogan was clear and obvious with nobody on the forward line able to take control with the big grab in the packs. Frankston came out after half time with a steely determination and completely turned the game around. They attacked the goals incessantly and put great pressure on the Casey defence which was forced into costly errors that reaped rewards for the home side that took little time to make up the gap and take a 19 point lead into the final break. They had kicked seven goals three behinds to nothing and had the local crowd full of voice and the Casey team stunned. What followed was a nine-goal final quarter onslaught by a Casey Scorpions team that was stunned into action after one of its worst quarters of football for the year. Certainly, the wind was an influence but the thought of being tipped out of the top four after such a good start to the season must have come into play. Neville Jetta got them going and goal followed goal. Suddenly, the lead was theirs. By mid-term the Scorps were 7 points up but the Dolphins were still fighting hard. The killer blow came when Tim Smith intercepted to run straight into goal for his second of the quarter. An altercation followed and a free in front was paid to Nathan Page. The double goal knocked the stuffing out of the home side and Casey finished with two more goals for a 31-point victory which also killed off the Dolphins chances of sneaking into the finals. Best for the Scorpions was Jetta who defended stoutly early and kicked two crucial final quarter goals at the end. Jimmy Toumpas picked up 25 touches and David Rodan 22. In the end, it was Casey's desire to work hard and get the hands on the footy first which was lacking in the third quarter but very much evident in the last that got it well across the line. HOW THE DEMONS FARED Rohan Bail 10 kicks 8 handballs 18 disposals 4 marks 5 tackles Dominic Barry 10 kicks 8 handballs 18 disposals 4 marks 1 tackle 1 behind Sam Blease 14 kicks 6 handballs 20 disposals 6 marks 2 tackles 1 goal 1 behind Max Gawn 13 kicks 8 handballs 21 disposals 10 marks 2 tackles 34 hitouts 1 behind Neville Jetta 17 kicks 3 handballs 20 disposals 8 marks 3 tackles 2 goals 2 behinds Joel Macdonald 16 kicks 5 handballs 21 disposals 8 marks 1 tackle 1 hitout James Magner 6 kicks 13 handballs 19 disposals 5 marks 6 tackles 2 goals David Rodan 15 kicks 7 handballs 22 disposals 8 marks 7 tackles 1 goal 1 behind James Sellar 8 kicks 10 handballs 18 disposals 12 marks 1 hitout 2 goals Rory Taggert 9 kicks 4 handballs 13 disposals 8 marks 1 tackle Jimmy Toumpas 18 kicks 7 handballs 25 disposals 8 marks 3 tackles Josh Tynan 1 kick 1 disposal 2 tackles (injured early) Casey Scorpions 2.2.14 5.8.38 5.8.38 14.13.97 Frankston 2.1.13 2.2.14 9.5.59 10.6.66 Goals Casey Scorpions Jetta Magner Sellar Smith 2 Best Blease Lang Matthews Page Rodan Frankston Best Casey Scorpions Jetta Rodan Macdonald Gawn Smith L Tynan Frankston Simpson Buchan Potts Hockey Dermott Irving The winning run of the Development League team came to an end when Frankston put on a six goals to nil final quarter to win by 25 points. 2013 AFL Victoria Development League Casey Scorpions 2.3.15 4.4.28 9.7.61 9.8.62 Frankston 2.214 5.6.36 6.7.43 12.15.87 Goals Casey Scorpions Anderson Lindsay 2 Hughes Petropoulos Plummer P Rosier Troutman Frankston Bosward Giobbi Morrow 2 Bailey Cooper Haretuku Kennedy Rolfe Sykes Best Casey Scorpions Lindsay Waters Roberts Fowler Petropoulos Rosier Frankston Haretuku Bosward Cooper Cunningham Rolfe Sykes VFL PLAYER REVIEW

10 Goals 17 behinds with set shots sprayed at either side of the big sticks doesnt create the possibility of winning. And so it was for the Melbourne side against the Gold Coast Suns. The result was far better than the 10 goal thrashing we had to endure at our home ground earlier in the season, but losses are losses. We simply should have won this match, and to sit and watch Shannon Byrnes kill any hope with his errant kicking; to watch Dan Nicolson kick his 14th behind for the season running into an open goal is not the formula for success. At least Jack Fitzpatrick's howler in front of goals was reversed 30 seconds later after Jordie McKenzie crumbed the pack in the forward line. And what a delight it was to see Jordie in action again. While his kicking still leaves a lot to be desired, his relentless tagging of potentially this year's Brownlow Medallist and holding him to a mere 19 possessions was a first class effort. More importantly, he is someone who helps fills the hole in the middle that we all know we have. But a bigger hole filler is Jack Viney. The kid, and that is all he is today, is just as good as his old man, with his tenacious attack on ball and man. It has been a long first season for him but he is still in there at the end. With another season under his belt, we will start to see his true capabilities. If there was ever evidence that Neil Craig is a superior coach to Mark Neeld it is in the performance of Jake Spencer. Prior to the change, Spencer would not keep his eyes on the ball, constantly looking at the opposition ruckman and trying to second guess. Now he just goes for it. And when you are that big, you usually do! Why has it taken so long? The bonus is that the mids are finally given a chance, where they were only getting scraps before. May we see more of it ... However, Craigs positioning of players is still questionable. Why Troy Davis was in the forward line all night, having played all of his career in defense is incomprehensible. Ill give him slack for the Watts back move, as Jack hates having an opponent. The move gives him the freedom to use his skills, but guess what Jack? This is AFL level football and there are plenty of coaches already aware of your weaknesses. You wont get this chance against the good sides. When we go into a game without Frawley and Dawes and then lose Pederson and Howe before the game starts, you know its going to be difficult. Why James Magner cant get a run over the others brought in, is confusing to say the least - especially after he was upgraded just this week. You might think it was because we need to see who is worth keeping, but winning a game with your best players playing in their best positions might be a good starting point! Jack Fitzpatrick has become another positive since Neeld left, and thank goodness for that. He at least competes and brings the ball to ground. Its almost a bonus when he scores goals, but he has the endurance and marking capabilities to be far more threatening when he has a couple of other big bodies around him, hopefully next year. Other positives at this late stage of the season are Mitch Clisby, Dean Kent, Matt Jones and Dean Terlich. Clisby is a natural footballer with the brain to do the job. He is smart and can execute quickly, which is what is needed at AFL level. He will finish up in the middle when his body fills out. Jones, Kent and Terlich are further plusses, and can be forgiven for their occasional lapses as they find their way in their first season. Pity is that these three first year players are light-years ahead of some of their more senior and more highly paid teammates. The real downer from this game is that Melbourne have forgotten how to win. The chance was there, and all that was needed was that little bit extra. Especially with Gold Coast having three injured on the bench in the last quarter. It wasnt provided by those experienced players who we brought in for exactly that. The lapses of runs of goals to Gold Coast only happened while Nathan Jones was off the ground (usually getting another repair job done to his nose), and showed his immense value and courage to the team. If he can do it, why not others? Melbourne 3.2.20 5.6.36 8.11.59 10.17.77 Gold Coast Suns 2.4.16 5.9.39 10.11.71 13.12.90 Goals Melbourne Kent Watts 2 Byrnes Davey Fitzpatrick McKenzie Sylvia Tapscott Gold Coast Suns Brown 3 Sumner 2 Ablett Bennell Day Dixon Hall Stanley Swallow Thompson Best Melbourne Viney Nathan Jones McKenzie Spencer Garland Watts Gold Coast Swallow Prestia, Brown O'Meara Thompson McBurney Injuries Melbourne Nil Gold Coast Bock (leg) Day (quad) May (hamstring) Sexton (dislocated shoulder) Changes Melbourne Jeremy Howe (calf) and Cam Pedersen (ill) replaced by Dan Nicholson and James Strauss Gold Coast Matt Shaw (virus) replaced by Thomas Murphy Reports Melbourne Nil Gold Coast Nil Umpires McBurney Fila Foot Official Attendance 13,840 at Metricon Stadium

Congratulations to Nathan Jones who wins back to back Demonland Player of the Year awards. The interest is now in who will be runner up. PROGRESS VOTING ROUND 20 189. Nathan Jones 124. Colin Garland 111. Matt Jones 76. Colin Sylvia Jack Viney 75. James Frawley 72. Dean Terlich 57. Jeremy Howe 44. Jack Watts 28. Tom McDonald 27. Max Gawn 26. Shannon Byrnes Jack Grimes 25. Mitch Clisby Aaron Davey 23. Michael Evans 21. Chris Dawes 19. Jack Fitzpatrick 17. Jordie McKenzie 16. Cam Pedersen 15. Jack Trengove 12. James Magner Lynden Dunn Luke Tapscott Jimmy Toumpas 10. Dean Kent 9. Jake Spencer 8. Mitch Clark 7. David Rodan 3. Mark Jamar 2. Rohan Bail 1. Sam Blease