Demonland

INTO DARKNESS: THE BOULEVARD OF BROKEN DREAMS by The Oracle Following Melbourne these days is like waking up from a bad dream. It was only two or three weeks ago that things were looking up after that 12 goal final quarter against GWS and a dwindling injury list gave us some hope of better things to come. Even the defeat at the hands of Brisbane at the Gabba didn't seem so bad given the losing margin was contained to a margin of slightly less than five goals. But all of a sudden and almost in the blink of an eye, our worst nightmare was realised. A home game against the Gold Coast Suns, several key players injured and unavailable and the team runs out in front of its last remaining 13 thousand or so supporters and it produces an inept, soul destroying, non-competitive, soft performance that highlights that, apart from possibly GWS, it is the AFL's easiest team to play against. There were few redeeming features, most provided by young blokes like Jack Viney and Max Gawn who tried their hearts out, lion-hearted new skipper Nathan Jones despite having to fight off a hard tag and Jeremy Howe. Mature age newcomers Matt Jones and Dean Terlich battled hard but that was it - many of the others were spectators, wasting our time and standing around like stale laboratory samples. Nothing went right and the team was penalised heavily for simply being inept and inert, unwilling to chase and work anywhere near hard enough, especially against a young team willing to run and spread into the empty spaces its opposition appeared to be too lazy or simply physically unable to fill. They moved from defence to attack without resistance. In that respect, Melbourne has advanced not a single inch since it hosted the last Queensland team it played against at home in the opening round of 2012 when Mark Neeld coached his first game. Since then he's produced a team that's good only at botching things up like running too far and giving up an easy goal or standing around watching the footy do four or five leg breaks before finding its way between the big sticks or blowing any chance of a second half comeback by giving away a free in front goal before proceedings have even started - all characteristic of teams that are simply not switched on or awake. The night before the game I had a dream in which I saw the legendary Hawthorn coach John Kennedy delivering his famous plea to his players and bellowing out loud: "DO SOMETHING!" In my dream, he was addressing Neeld and his panel of coaches but they did nothing. Couldn't even get the team to produce a half decent tackle count. It didn't take long for the dream to come true. But if fingers are to be pointed at the coach and his assistants for the disaster that unfolded at the MCG on Mothers Day, then they should also be pointed at the fitness and conditioning people because to their shame, the Demons couldn't even run out a game better than the Suns who finished a couple of players short because of injury. And that must surely be a fitting epitaph to one of our worst nightmares. Melbourne 0.2.2 3.7.25 4.10.34 7.12.54Gold Coast Suns 5.5.35 9.8.62 14.12.96 16.18.114Goals Melbourne Howe 3 Gawn 2 Strauss SylviaGold Coast Suns Brown Smith 3, Hall Lynch 2 Bennell Day Harbrow McKenzie May Shaw Best Melbourne Howe Viney N Jones Gawn Terlich M Jones Gold Coast Ablett Bennell Shaw Brennan Smith Thompson Injuries Melbourne 13,000 fans (broken hearts) Gold Coast Brennan (concussion) Murphy (concussion) Changes Melbourne Nil Gold Coast Nil Reports Melbourne Colin Sylvia for allegedly striking Jared Brennan Gold Coast Nil Umpires McBurney Armstrong Harris Crowd 13,304 at the MCG

I'd give Gary Ablett the six votes myself but ...

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-05-12/dees-milliondollar-loss?utm_medium=RSS

SNAPSHOT by Whispering Jack It was reported on the Demons website during the week that Melbourne coach Mark Neeld said that in last week's game against Carlton his team displayed a glimpse of its future. Certainly, at times, there were snapshots of the way that were moving our football club forward absolutely no question, he said. There was a snapshot there lets enjoy the journey and get on board with these young boys. The boys who took the field on the weekend, Ive got a feeling that theyre going to be around for quite a while. This comes on the back of a 61 point defeat in which Carlton doubled Melbourne's score and, apart from the first 8½ minutes, the Blues were well in control of the game. The basis of the glimpse into future claim stems from the raw statistic of games played by the players making up the respective sides. Carlton not only doubled Melbourne's score but it also had almost double the number of games in its players' legs (more than double once Demon co-captain Jack Grimes broke his collarbone and had to be subbed off for first gamer Dean Kent). They fielded a team featuring 1109 games experience to the Blues 2165. With eight players coming away from the game with 68 games in total, the lack of experience was plainly obvious and, while that group contained a couple of tall lads, the deficiency in size and physical strength was a clear factor that enabled Carlton to break away at any time it looked as if there was a remote threat to the five goal lead it had developed in a short time during the first quarter (and yet the lead was just a little over six goals at one stage early in the last). The eight players and their games played were: ■ James Strauss (19) ■ Jake Spencer (17) ■ Michael Evans (8) ■ Max Gawn (7) ■ Matt Jones (6) ■ Dean Terlich (5) ■ Jack Viney (5) ■ Dean Kent (1) Neeld, himself lacking in coaching experience with less than 30 games under his belt, has constantly raised the inexperience factor in explaining his team's slow development and poor results over his tenure but we live in times when immediate results are the order of the day and Ken Hinkley is showing him up over at Port Adelaide with a 5-1 win loss record at an equally inexperienced club. On Sunday, the moment of truth will arrive. The Gold Coast Suns are also inexperienced although they do have the best player in the competition and a man whose skills and ability overshadow all else that will be on the field of play. As a young coach Neeld has had to contend with far more than most would on entering this most demanding profession and although his toughest assignment has always been the need to turn around what for want of a better description has become a dysfunctional culture at the club after years of incompetence in the areas of recruiting, player development and coaching, he faces the prospect of being eaten up by the very same culture if his team is unable to match it with a team of equally experienced counterparts. In the absence of Jack Grimes for several weeks due to his injury and in light of Jack Trengove's form slump, Nathan Jones has been given a co-captain's role. He has already shown great leadership without the captain tag and he has big shoulders. One hopes that he can continue to lead by the example of endeavour and strength he has routinely shown through the dark times, as otherwise, the critics will continue to harp on and call for his coach's head. It doesn't seem to be fair that a coach should not be given time to see his plan through but thats the AFL for you. If Neelds team is unable to show some more concrete and definite signs of moving forward, the jungle drums will keep on beating and the calls for a replacement coach will continue to be heard more loudly. The snapshot of the future might be a very ugly one for the coach and his players a little after 7.00pm on Sunday. THE GAME Melbourne v Gold Coast at the MCG Sunday 12 May 2013 at 4.40pm. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 3 wins Gold Coast 0 wins MCG Melbourne 2 wins Gold Coast 0 wins Since 2000 Melbourne 3 wins Gold Coast 0 wins The Coaches Neeld 1 win McKenna 0 wins MEDIA TV Fox Footy Channel (live) Radio ABC THE LAST TIME THEY MET Melbourne 16.12.108 defeated Gold Coast Suns 9.12.66 in round 19, 2012 at the MCG. The Demons had a great opening term booting six unanswered goals and spent the rest of the time coasting to win by 42 points, Brad Green booted five goals and Jeremy Howe and Nathan Jones had field days against an opposition that only had two performers you know who and Harley Bennell. THE BETTING Melbourne $2.10 to win Gold Coast $1.77 to win THE TEAMS MELBOURNE Backs Lynden Dunn James Frawley Dean Terlich Half backs Daniel Nicholson Tom McDonald Colin Garland Centreline Rohan Bail Jack Viney Matthew Jones Half forwards Jeremy Howe Chris Dawes Colin Sylvia Forwards Luke Tapscott Max Gawn Shannon Byrnes Followers Jake Spencer Michael Evans Nathan Jones Interchange Dean Kent Jordie McKenzie James Strauss James Sellar Emergencies Aaron Davey Troy Davis David Rodan In Chris Dawes James Sellar Out Jack Grimes (collar bone) Jack Trengove (calf) GOLD COAST SUNS Backs Trent McKenzie Tom Murphy Sam Day Half backs David Swallow Rory Thompson Broughton Centreline Matthew Shaw Gary Ablett Harbrow Half forwards: Harley Bennell Tom Lynch Jesse Lonergan Forwards Brandon Matera Steven May Aaron Hall Followers Zac Smith Jaeger OMeara Dion Prestia Interchange Jarrod Brennan Campbell Brown Jack Hutchins Danny Stanley Emergencies Clay Cameron Luke Russell Tim Sumner In Campbell Brown Jack Hutchins Steven May Out Charlie Dixon (ankle) Karmichael Hunt (hamstring) Michael Rischitelli BLUEY'S BLOOPER Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna is fortunate he's coaching where he's so far out of the public gaze that he doesn't have to put up with eagle-eyed critics who dwell on his every word looking for inconsistencies to justify why he should be sacked. Earlier this week, he was quoted in the Herald Sun as saying it was unlikely that Campbell Brown would be rushed back into the Suns' line-up now that his six match suspension had come to an end. Bluey said his team was already carrying a few bodies struggling to get through a full game and to bring Brown straight back for the clash with Melbourne might be "a risk too far". When Brown was selected on Thursday might, there was a suggestion on the Courier Mail website that he was included to rough up the young Demons but that story has mysteriously disappeared and in it's place is one that says Brown's inclusion was "to shock underperforming pair Brandon Matera and Aaron Hall into action". Make of this what you will but it seems to me that the Suns' coach is in a state of panic and is already waving the white flag. His team had the opportunity of a lifetime to knock off the injury-riddled Dockers on their own home turf last week but they were brushed off like flies. Now, he has completely compromised his principles and resorted to the desperate act of picking a veteran coming off no match practice to throw his weight around. That's the attitude of a loser who must be dreading the thought of losing the one ace he has up his sleeve in the form of Gary Ablett Junior without who his team might as well not turn up on Sunday evening against the Demons. Ablett has been under an injury cloud for several weeks and my mail is that he's been close to being rested for a mystery ailment. It's likely that he will come up against an in form Lynden Dunn, who despite the distraction of having a mum who rings up talk back radio, has returned from injury in ripping form. After a top game on comeback as a defender in the VFL, he took Brownlow Medallist Chris Judd apart last week, keeping him down to just 13 touches and drastically limiting his effectiveness around the ground (pity about the rest of the Blues' midfield). Dunn has shown he has the mongrel to take on his second Brownlow Medal winning opponent in consecutive weeks and if he succeeds there will be plenty of people, including the bookies, with egg on their faces this week. I can't for the life of me work out why people are throwing their money away by betting against Melbourne on the strength of the omission through injury of the co-captains. Jack Grimes was always going to be an "out" and Jack Trengove contributed only six touches against Carlton. Meanwhile, the Suns have lost their top goalkicker Dixon, one of the few matchwinners in their history in Hunt and Michael Rischitelli who was dropped but has always proved a bit of a thorn in the side for the Demons. Melbourne gains Chris Dawes to add to its forward line where it was undermanned badly last week and James Sellar as a back up who performed well there in the pre season. This is a perfect opportunity for the team to reload on confidence and I'm looking for some break out performances from players like James Strauss and Luke Tapscott who are ready to step up a notch. Melbourne by 55 points.

It was reported on the Demons website during the week that Melbourne coach Mark Neeld said that in last week's game against Carlton his team displayed a glimpse of its future. Certainly, at times, there were snapshots of the way that were moving our football club forward absolutely no question, he said. There was a snapshot there lets enjoy the journey and get on board with these young boys. The boys who took the field on the weekend, Ive got a feeling that theyre going to be around for quite a while. This comes on the back of a 61 point defeat in which Carlton doubled Melbourne's score and, apart from the first 8½ minutes, the Blues were well in control of the game. The basis of the glimpse into future claim stems from the raw statistic of games played by the players making up the respective sides. Carlton not only doubled Melbourne's score but it also had almost double the number of games in its players' legs (more than double once Demon co-captain Jack Grimes broke his collarbone and had to be subbed off for first gamer Dean Kent). They fielded a team featuring 1109 games experience to the Blues 2165. With eight players coming away from the game with 68 games in total, the lack of experience was plainly obvious and, while that group contained a couple of tall lads, the deficiency in size and physical strength was a clear factor that enabled Carlton to break away at any time it looked as if there was a remote threat to the five goal lead it had developed in a short time during the first quarter (and yet the lead was just a little over six goals at one stage early in the last). The eight players and their games played were: ■ James Strauss (19) ■ Jake Spencer (17) ■ Michael Evans (8) ■ Max Gawn (7) ■ Matt Jones (6) ■ Dean Terlich (5) ■ Jack Viney (5) ■ Dean Kent (1) Neeld, himself lacking in coaching experience with less than 30 games under his belt, has constantly raised the inexperience factor in explaining his team's slow development and poor results over his tenure but we live in times when immediate results are the order of the day and Ken Hinkley is showing him up over at Port Adelaide with a 5-1 win loss record at an equally inexperienced club. On Sunday, the moment of truth will arrive. The Gold Coast Suns are also inexperienced although they do have the best player in the competition and a man whose skills and ability overshadow all else that will be on the field of play. As a young coach Neeld has had to contend with far more than most would on entering this most demanding profession and although his toughest assignment has always been the need to turn around what for want of a better description has become a dysfunctional culture at the club after years of incompetence in the areas of recruiting, player development and coaching, he faces the prospect of being eaten up by the very same culture if his team is unable to match it with a team of equally experienced counterparts. In the absence of Jack Grimes for several weeks due to his injury and in light of Jack Trengove's form slump, Nathan Jones has been given a co-captain's role. He has already shown great leadership without the captain tag and he has big shoulders. One hopes that he can continue to lead by the example of endeavour and strength he has routinely shown through the dark times, as otherwise, the critics will continue to harp on and call for his coach's head. It doesn't seem to be fair that a coach should not be given time to see his plan through but thats the AFL for you. If Neelds team is unable to show some more concrete and definite signs of moving forward, the jungle drums will keep on beating and the calls for a replacement coach will continue to be heard more loudly. The snapshot of the future might be a very ugly one for the coach and his players a little after 7.00pm on Sunday. THE GAME Melbourne v Gold Coast at the MCG Sunday 12 May 2013 at 4.40pm. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 3 wins Gold Coast 0 wins MCG Melbourne 2 wins Gold Coast 0 wins Since 2000 Melbourne 3 wins Gold Coast 0 wins The Coaches Neeld 1 win McKenna 0 wins MEDIA TV Fox Footy Channel (live) Radio ABC THE LAST TIME THEY MET Melbourne 16.12.108 defeated Gold Coast Suns 9.12.66 in round 19, 2012 at the MCG. The Demons had a great opening term booting six unanswered goals and spent the rest of the time coasting to win by 42 points, Brad Green booted five goals and Jeremy Howe and Nathan Jones had field days against an opposition that only had two performers you know who and Harley Bennell. THE BETTING Melbourne $2.10 to win Gold Coast $1.77 to win THE TEAMS MELBOURNE Backs Lynden Dunn James Frawley Dean Terlich Half backs Daniel Nicholson Tom McDonald Colin Garland Centreline Rohan Bail Jack Viney Matthew Jones Half forwards Jeremy Howe Chris Dawes Colin Sylvia Forwards Luke Tapscott Max Gawn Shannon Byrnes Followers Jake Spencer Michael Evans Nathan Jones Interchange Dean Kent Jordie McKenzie James Strauss James Sellar Emergencies Aaron Davey Troy Davis David Rodan In Chris Dawes James Sellar Out Jack Grimes (collar bone) Jack Trengove (calf) GOLD COAST SUNS Backs Trent McKenzie Tom Murphy Sam Day Half backs David Swallow Rory Thompson Broughton Centreline Matthew Shaw Gary Ablett Harbrow Half forwards: Harley Bennell Tom Lynch Jesse Lonergan Forwards Brandon Matera Steven May Aaron Hall Followers Zac Smith Jaeger OMeara Dion Prestia Interchange Jarrod Brennan Campbell Brown Jack Hutchins Danny Stanley Emergencies Clay Cameron Luke Russell Tim Sumner In Campbell Brown Jack Hutchins Steven May Out Charlie Dixon (ankle) Karmichael Hunt (hamstring) Michael Rischitelli BLUEY'S BLOOPER Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna is fortunate he's coaching where he's so far out of the public gaze that he doesn't have to put up with eagle-eyed critics who dwell on his every word looking for inconsistencies to justify why he should be sacked. Earlier this week, he was quoted in the Herald Sun as saying it was unlikely that Campbell Brown would be rushed back into the Suns' line-up now that his six match suspension had come to an end. Bluey said his team was already carrying a few bodies struggling to get through a full game and to bring Brown straight back for the clash with Melbourne might be "a risk too far". When Brown was selected on Thursday might, there was a suggestion on the Courier Mail website that he was included to rough up the young Demons but that story has mysteriously disappeared and in it's place is one that says Brown's inclusion was "to shock underperforming pair Brandon Matera and Aaron Hall into action". Make of this what you will but it seems to me that the Suns' coach is in a state of panic and is already waving the white flag. His team had the opportunity of a lifetime to knock off the injury-riddled Dockers on their own home turf last week but they were brushed off like flies. Now, he has completely compromised his principles and resorted to the desperate act of picking a veteran coming off no match practice to throw his weight around. That's the attitude of a loser who must be dreading the thought of losing the one ace he has up his sleeve in the form of Gary Ablett Junior without who his team might as well not turn up on Sunday evening against the Demons. Ablett has been under an injury cloud for several weeks and my mail is that he's been close to being rested for a mystery ailment. It's likely that he will come up against an in form Lynden Dunn, who despite the distraction of having a mum who rings up talk back radio, has returned from injury in ripping form. After a top game on comeback as a defender in the VFL, he took Brownlow Medallist Chris Judd apart last week, keeping him down to just 13 touches and drastically limiting his effectiveness around the ground (pity about the rest of the Blues' midfield). Dunn has shown he has the mongrel to take on his second Brownlow Medal winning opponent in consecutive weeks and if he succeeds there will be plenty of people, including the bookies, with egg on their faces this week. I can't for the life of me work out why people are throwing their money away by betting against Melbourne on the strength of the omission through injury of the co-captains. Jack Grimes was always going to be an "out" and Jack Trengove contributed only six touches against Carlton. Meanwhile, the Suns have lost their top goalkicker Dixon, one of the few matchwinners in their history in Hunt and Michael Rischitelli who was dropped but has always proved a bit of a thorn in the side for the Demons. Melbourne gains Chris Dawes to add to its forward line where it was undermanned badly last week and James Sellar as a back up who performed well there in the pre season. This is a perfect opportunity for the team to reload on confidence and I'm looking for some break out performances from players like James Strauss and Luke Tapscott who are ready to step up a notch. Melbourne by 55 points.

Those were the days when we could win a game of footy with Gys and Cale in the team. MELBOURNE Backs Joel Macdonald James Sellar Tom McDonald Half backs Jack Grimes James Frawley Colin Garland Centreline Jordie McKenzie Jack Trengove Rohan Bail Half forwards Sam Blease Jared Rivers Lynden Dunn Forwards Jeremy Howe Colin Sylvia Brad Green Followers Jake Spencer Brent Moloney Nathan Jones Interchange Jordan Gysberts Cale Morton James Strauss Luke Tapscott Emergencies Jack Fitzpatrick James Magner Josh Tynan In Jordan Gysberts Cale Morton Luke Tapscott Out Neville Jetta (suspension) Daniel Nicholson (jaw) Stef Martin (foot) GOLD COAST SUNS Backs Taylor Hine Charlie Dixon Trent McKenzie Half backs Daniel Stanley Matthew Warnock Jarrod Harbrow Centreline David Swallow Gary Ablett Michael Rischitelli Half forwards Jared Brennan Tom Lynch Brandon Matera Forwards Luke Russell Sam Day Campbell Brown Followers Zac Smith Karmichael Hunt Harley Bennell Interchange Josh Caddy Liam Patrick Dion Prestia Matt Shaw Emergencies Aaron Hall Steven May Maverick Weller In Sam Day Michael Rischitelli Out Steven May Maverick Weller

Port Melbourne rarely loses on its home turf at North Port Oval and it took a barnstorming eight goal final term finish against the Casey Scorpions to protect its record and record a narrow three point victory on Saturday. The result also avenged the Borough's loss from last year at Casey Fields when, as visitors, they led all day only to succumb by 9 points to the fast finishing Scorpions. Casey was dominant in general play for the first three quarters although it kicked poorly in the early going which was to prove costly in the final analysis. The team took the lead early in the second term with fast improving Nathan Page's second goal and led by 17 points when they hit the sheds at half time. The hard running Scorpions have been particularly strong in each of their third quarters this year and this week no exception as they increased the lead to four goals at the final break despite some spirited efforts early in the term by the Borough. With James Magner, Tom Couch and young Jimmy Toumpas amassing plenty of touches in the midfield and Chris Dawes and Jack Fitzpatrick in strong marking form, the visitors looked set to break Port's home ground dominance at last. Alas, it was not to be as Port Melbourne unleashed a withering final term and took just six and a half minutes in which they scored four goals to wrest away the lead. Casey them regrouped and looked to have secured the game with the next three goals and by the half way mark of the quarter, was back in front by 17 points after David Rodan scored with a great check side goal. But the Borough just kept going, propelled by strong legs and mature bodies and led by 9 points at the 30 minute mark. A late goal by Dawes and a long shot from Sam Blease that missed its mark saw Casey's undefeated run come to an end by a narrow margin. For the first time in a couple of seasons it was close but no cigar for the Scorps who had a reputation of late of winning all the heart stoppers. Casey now has a vital home game coming up against the Box Hill Hawks after the bye for the State game and will be keen to emulate Port Melbourne and make its own ground a fortress from hell for visiting sides. HOW THE DEMONS FARED Sam Blease 21 kicks, 6 handballs, 27 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 0 goals, 3 behinds. Mitchell Clisby 8 kicks, 6 handballs, 14 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles. Thomas Couch 20 kicks, 8 handballs, 28 disposals, 5 marks, 3 tackles, 1 goal, 0 behinds. Aaron Davey 15 kicks, 6 handballs, 21 disposals, 6 marks, 2 tackles, 1 goals, 0 behinds. Troy Davis 9 kicks, 10 handballs, 19 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles. Christopher Dawes 9 kicks, handballs, 5 disposals, 7 marks, 3 tackles, 3 goals, 1 behind. Jack Fitzpatrick 10 kicks, 2 handballs, 12 disposals, 7 marks, 2 tackles, 15 hit outs, 3 goals, 2 behinds. Thomas Gillies 2 kicks, 3 handballs, 5 disposals, 2 marks. James Magner 10 kicks, 19 handballs, 29 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 1 hit out. David Rodan 13 kicks, 6 handballs, 19 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles, 2 goals, 2 behinds. James Sellar 13 kicks, 4 handballs, 7 disposals, 1 marks. Rory Taggert 4 kicks, 4 handballs, 8 disposals, 1 marks, 4 tackles, 0 goals, 2 behinds. Jimmy Toumpas 14 kicks, 11 handballs, 25 disposals, 10 marks, 4 tackles, 1 goal, 0 behinds. Joshua Tynan 4 kicks, 3 handballs, 7 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles. Casey Scorpions 1.5.11 5.9.39 10.11.71 14.14.98 Port Melbourne 2.3.15 3.4.22 7.5.47 15.11.101 Goals Casey Scorpions Dawes Fitzpatrick Page 3 Rodan 2 Couch Davey Toumpas Port Melbourne Scipione 4 O'Sullivan 3 Bonaddio O'Farrell 2 Cain Gale Pleming Woodley Best Casey Scorpions L Tynan Toumpas Fitzpatrick Sellar Gent Rodan Port Melbourne O'Sullivan Wooffindin Baird Skipper Pleming Scipione The development league team returned to the winning list with a 3 point victory thanks to a dominant performance from forward Ben Hughes who booted seven goals. Casey Scorpions 1.5.11 6.7.43 9.10.64 12.14.86 Port Melbourne 2.5.17 4.7.31 7.12.54 11.17.83 Goals Casey Scorpions Hughes 7 Barry Long Pollard Smith Troutman Port Melbourne Whelan 3 Johnston 2 Allan Hammond Johns Mascitti Muling O'Sullivan Best Casey Scorpions Petropoulos Hughes Lindsay Corrigan Troutman Fowler Port Melbourne Muling Smith Whelan Johnston Rounds Mascitti

CLOSE BUT NO CIGAR by KC from Casey Port Melbourne rarely loses on its home turf at North Port Oval and it took a barnstorming eight goal final term finish against the Casey Scorpions to protect its record and record a narrow three point victory on Saturday. The result also avenged the Borough's loss from last year at Casey Fields when, as visitors, they led all day only to succumb by 9 points to the fast finishing Scorpions. Casey was dominant in general play for the first three quarters although it kicked poorly in the early going which was to prove costly in the final analysis. The team took the lead early in the second term with fast improving Nathan Page's second goal and led by 17 points when they hit the sheds at half time. The hard running Scorpions have been particularly strong in each of their third quarters this year and this week no exception as they increased the lead to four goals at the final break despite some spirited efforts early in the term by the Borough. With James Magner, Tom Couch and young Jimmy Toumpas amassing plenty of touches in the midfield and Chris Dawes and Jack Fitzpatrick in strong marking form, the visitors looked set to break Port's home ground dominance at last. Alas, it was not to be as Port Melbourne unleashed a withering final term and took just six and a half minutes in which they scored four goals to wrest away the lead. Casey them regrouped and looked to have secured the game with the next three goals and by the half way mark of the quarter, was back in front by 17 points after David Rodan scored with a great check side goal. But the Borough just kept going, propelled by strong legs and mature bodies and led by 9 points at the 30 minute mark. A late goal by Dawes and a long shot from Sam Blease that missed its mark saw Casey's undefeated run come to an end by a narrow margin. For the first time in a couple of seasons it was close but no cigar for the Scorps who had a reputation of late of winning all the heart stoppers. Casey now has a vital home game coming up against the Box Hill Hawks after the bye for the State game and will be keen to emulate Port Melbourne and make its own ground a fortress from hell for visiting sides. HOW THE DEMONS FARED Sam Blease 21 kicks, 6 handballs, 27 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 0 goals, 3 behinds. Mitchell Clisby 8 kicks, 6 handballs, 14 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles. Thomas Couch 20 kicks, 8 handballs, 28 disposals, 5 marks, 3 tackles, 1 goal, 0 behinds. Aaron Davey 15 kicks, 6 handballs, 21 disposals, 6 marks, 2 tackles, 1 goals, 0 behinds. Troy Davis 9 kicks, 10 handballs, 19 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles. Christopher Dawes 9 kicks, handballs, 5 disposals, 7 marks, 3 tackles, 3 goals, 1 behind. Jack Fitzpatrick 10 kicks, 2 handballs, 12 disposals, 7 marks, 2 tackles, 15 hit outs, 3 goals, 2 behinds. Thomas Gillies 2 kicks, 3 handballs, 5 disposals, 2 marks. James Magner 10 kicks, 19 handballs, 29 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 1 hit out. David Rodan 13 kicks, 6 handballs, 19 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles, 2 goals, 2 behinds. James Sellar 13 kicks, 4 handballs, 7 disposals, 1 marks. Rory Taggert 4 kicks, 4 handballs, 8 disposals, 1 marks, 4 tackles, 0 goals, 2 behinds. Jimmy Toumpas 14 kicks, 11 handballs, 25 disposals, 10 marks, 4 tackles, 1 goal, 0 behinds. Joshua Tynan 4 kicks, 3 handballs, 7 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles. Casey Scorpions 1.5.11 5.9.39 10.11.71 14.14.98 Port Melbourne 2.3.15 3.4.22 7.5.47 15.11.101 Goals Casey Scorpions Dawes Fitzpatrick Page 3 Rodan 2 Couch Davey Toumpas Port Melbourne Scipione 4 O'Sullivan 3 Bonaddio O'Farrell 2 Cain Gale Pleming Woodley Best Casey Scorpions L Tynan Toumpas Fitzpatrick Sellar Gent Rodan Port Melbourne O'Sullivan Wooffindin Baird Skipper Pleming Scipione The development league team returned to the winning list with a 3 point victory thanks to a dominant performance from forward Ben Hughes who booted seven goals. Casey Scorpions 1.5.11 6.7.43 9.10.64 12.14.86 Port Melbourne 2.5.17 4.7.31 7.12.54 11.17.83 Goals Casey Scorpions Hughes 7 Barry Long Pollard Smith Troutman Port Melbourne Whelan 3 Johnston 2 Allan Hammond Johns Mascitti Muling O'Sullivan Best Casey Scorpions Petropoulos Hughes Lindsay Corrigan Troutman Fowler Port Melbourne Muling Smith Whelan Johnston Rounds Mascitti

PROGRESS VOTING ROUND 6 64. Nathan Jones 40. Matt Jones 31. Colin Garland 26. Jack Grimes Jack Viney 23. Shannon Byrnes Dean Terlich 22. Jeremy Howe 21. Michael Evans Colin Sylvia 13. Aaron Davey 12. James Frawley 11. Max Gawn 8. Mitch Clark Luke Tapscott 6. Lynden Dunn Tom McDonald 4. Jordie McKenzie Jack Trengove Jack Watts 2. Rohan Bail Mark Jamar 1. Sam Blease

The 10 goal Blues … No it’s not a new rendition of a song from the Delta, just a reflection of the gulf between a side that barely makes it into the 8, and where the Demons are at the moment. Yes it’s wonderful to think that the other results from the weekend had similar margins, but those results were between similarly based sides…..So where are we going to find 10 goals to bring us just up to a pass mark in the competition? We certainly won’t without any suitable forward. No Clarke or Dawes and the Melbourne forward line is suddenly bereft of any real talent. Jeremy Howe has to show more than a capability to stand on opponents heads if he is to be serious about an AFL career. Six touches in a game is not enough. Our mids were simply overwhelmed … again! Dunn did a fantastic job of curtailing Judd, but while Jones X 2 certainly battled manfully for the whole game, it was an easy job for the Carlton taggers to shut down any meaningful drive from the middle. Meanwhile Murphy and Simpson had a party and drove the Blues into attack relentlessly. They certainly got good feed from Warnock with 44 hit-outs. But if Jake Spencer doesn’t learn to try to tap the ball instead of jumping into his opponent, this type of one sided outcome will continue. We can only hope that Max Gawn continues his climb and good health, because he WILL be the No.1 ruckman at Melbourne by year end. Failing to score a major in the first quarter put the side in an unwinnable position early. How often does this have to occur? There were some courageous efforts in the 2nd to bring us back to a competitive position, but squandered opportunities in front of goal failed to provide any scoreboard pressure when needed. Luke Tapscott, while reported, showed a good amount of mongrel and attack at man and ball. He continues to improve week by week, and along with him, Matt Jones, Jack Viney, Tom McDonald and Michael Evans are showing some of the older heads the grit and determination required at AFL level. Thank heavens for our backline who again were under relentless pressure. Garland, Frawley and McDonald performed well considering the barrage coming from upfield. Pity the smalls who were supposed to be minding Garlett and Betts had kept to their jobs in the same way. The 8 goals they kicked between them was really the difference between the sides. It was another depressing day for the Demons supporters. Are they ever going to have something to be proud about or to hope for? Not the way the team and too many individuals are playing at the moment. There is a faint hope of success next week against Gold Coast. But that is a sad reflection of where the club is today, is it not? We truly have the Blues ... Melbourne 0.3.3 3.7.25 5.9.39 8.12.60 Carlton 5.1.31 8.4.52 12.10.82 18.13.121 Goals Melbourne Sylvia 2 Bail Dunn Garland M Jones Kent Tapscott Carlton Betts, Garlett 4 Murphy 3 Armfield Waite 2 Curnow Robinson Walker Best Melbourne: N Jones Dunn M Jones Garland Frawley Gawn ... no one else after that…. Carlton Murphy Betts Garlett Scotland Walker Henderson Waite Hampson Injuries Melbourne: Grimes (left shoulder) Carlton Nil Changes Melbourne Grimes (left shoulder) Carlton Nil Reports: Luke Tapscott (Melbourne) reported for rough conduct on Kade Simpson during the third quarter. Umpires Leppard Wenn Mitchell Official crowd 35,286 at the MCG

Game over - now to Post match discussion and other trauma

THE TEN GOAL BLUES by George on The Outer The 10 goal Blues … No it’s not a new rendition of a song from the Delta, just a reflection of the gulf between a side that barely makes it into the 8, and where the Demons are at the moment. Yes it’s wonderful to think that the other results from the weekend had similar margins, but those results were between similarly based sides…..So where are we going to find 10 goals to bring us just up to a pass mark in the competition? We certainly won’t without any suitable forward. No Clarke or Dawes and the Melbourne forward line is suddenly bereft of any real talent. Jeremy Howe has to show more than a capability to stand on opponents heads if he is to be serious about an AFL career. Six touches in a game is not enough. Our mids were simply overwhelmed … again! Dunn did a fantastic job of curtailing Judd, but while Jones X 2 certainly battled manfully for the whole game, it was an easy job for the Carlton taggers to shut down any meaningful drive from the middle. Meanwhile Murphy and Simpson had a party and drove the Blues into attack relentlessly. They certainly got good feed from Warnock with 44 hit-outs. But if Jake Spencer doesn’t learn to try to tap the ball instead of jumping into his opponent, this type of one sided outcome will continue. We can only hope that Max Gawn continues his climb and good health, because he WILL be the No.1 ruckman at Melbourne by year end. Failing to score a major in the first quarter put the side in an unwinnable position early. How often does this have to occur? There were some courageous efforts in the 2nd to bring us back to a competitive position, but squandered opportunities in front of goal failed to provide any scoreboard pressure when needed. Luke Tapscott, while reported, showed a good amount of mongrel and attack at man and ball. He continues to improve week by week, and along with him, Matt Jones, Jack Viney, Tom McDonald and Michael Evans are showing some of the older heads the grit and determination required at AFL level. Thank heavens for our backline who again were under relentless pressure. Garland, Frawley and McDonald performed well considering the barrage coming from upfield. Pity the smalls who were supposed to be minding Garlett and Betts had kept to their jobs in the same way. The 8 goals they kicked between them was really the difference between the sides. It was another depressing day for the Demons supporters. Are they ever going to have something to be proud about or to hope for? Not the way the team and too many individuals are playing at the moment. There is a faint hope of success next week against Gold Coast. But that is a sad reflection of where the club is today, is it not? We truly have the Blues ... Melbourne 0.3.3 3.7.25 5.9.39 8.12.60 Carlton 5.1.31 8.4.52 12.10.82 18.13.121 Goals Melbourne Sylvia 2 Bail Dunn Garland M Jones Kent Tapscott Carlton Betts, Garlett 4 Murphy 3 Armfield Waite 2 Curnow Robinson Walker Best Melbourne: N Jones Dunn M Jones Garland Frawley Gawn ... no one else after that…. Carlton Murphy Betts Garlett Scotland Walker Henderson Waite Hampson Injuries Melbourne: Grimes (left shoulder) Carlton Nil Changes Melbourne Grimes (left shoulder) Carlton Nil Reports: Luke Tapscott (Melbourne) reported for rough conduct on Kade Simpson during the third quarter. Umpires Leppard Wenn Mitchell Official crowd 35,286 at the MCG

6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 ...

Anyone feeling confident?

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Carrazzo out for Blueshttp://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-05-04/star-blue-withdrawn?utm_medium=RSS

I've just posted the first part of JVM's match preview for this week and it's titled "NO FIRE IN THE BELLY". If anyone should have fire in the belly then it would have to be James Magner. Clark's injury is a 6 to 8 weeker and inevitably with Melbourne those injuries turn out to take longer. If he can't come back due to being on the LTI then so be it - it gives him more time to heal. Magner should play this week.

NO FIRE IN THE BELLY by JVM When the media summed up Melbourne's loss to the Brisbane Lions last week there were some who highlighted many acts by the Demons that demonstrated a lack of pressure applied to the opposition when they had the ball. Players hanging back and not attacking the ball carrier, failing to chase and run hard, leaving their men alone and allowing them to create space and/or make to leads and take easy marks. All this apart from the simple mistakes and skill errors that conceded easy goals. These were all instances of players not being prepared to work hard enough or worse still, lacking of any fire in the belly which, given what theyre paid to do and how much theyre paid, is extremely disappointing. Not only disappointing but strange after the team made a spirited start to the game and even stayed with the Lions for most of the first half but the writing was on the wall even then. The team is now well past 25 games into coach Mark Neeld's tenure but it remains one of the easiest teams to play against and not the hardest as he promised the fans when the ride began. Not long after that it was said that the team's level of fitness was inferior to that of most of the rest of the competition so preseason training was stepped up by increments, a little in the first year and another 15% in the next. But still that doesn't seem to be the answer except when pitted against Sheedy's pimply faced kids, the team has been unable to step up to the plate after half time. Last week, they fell into the hole after half time and stood by meekly allowing the Lions (whose own form up to that stage was appalling) to trample all over them This week, the Demons face up to a team that has struck a bit of form and promises to make mincemeat of any team it plays that has that necessary ingredient missing. If theres no fire in the belly among the playing group then Mark Neelds first meeting with his old master, Mick Malthouse, could well be the last. THE GAME Carlton v Melbourne at the MCG - Sunday 5 May, 2013 at 3.15pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall Carlton 116 wins 2 draws Melbourne 88 wins At MCG Carlton 48 wins Melbourne 49 wins Since 2000 Carlton 10 wins Melbourne 8 wins The Coaches Malthouse 0 wins Neeld 0 wins MEDIA TV Channel 7, Fox Footy Channel (live) Radio - 3AW Triple M THE BETTING Carlton to win $1.02 Melbourne to win $13.00 THE LAST TIME THEY MET Carlton15.17.107 defeated Melbourne 6.13.49 at the MCG, Round 9, 2012 The pattern of the game was not unfamiliar. Melbourne kept up with Carlton for most of the first half and was even in a threatening position midway through the third quarter before capitulating against a seven goal final term onslaught from Carlton. Nathan Jones was best afield for Melbourne and Mitch Clark booted three goals TEAMS CARLTON Backs Chris Yarran Michael Jamison Lachlan Henderson Half backs Zach Tuohy Dennis Armfield White Centreline Kane Lucas Mitch Robinson Kade Simpson Half forwards Chris Judd Andrew Walker Jeff Garlett Forwards Ed Curnow Shaun Hampson Jarrad Waite Followers Robert Warnock Marc Murphy Brock McLean Interchange Eddie Betts Jaryd Cachia David Ellard Heath Scotland Emergencies Tom Bell Sam Rowe In Jaryd Cachia David Ellard Jarrad Waite Out Andrew Carazzo Bryce Gibbs (hamstring) Sam Rowe MELBOURNE Backs Lynden Dunn James Frawley Dean Terlich Half backs Jack Grimes Tom McDonald Colin Garland Centreline Jack Trengove Jack Viney Matt Jones Half forwards Jeremy Howe Colin Sylvia Dean Kent Forwards Rohan Bail Max Gawn Shannon Byrnes Followers Jake Spencer Jordie McKenzie Nathan Jones Interchange Michael Evans Daniel Nicholson James Strauss Luke Tapscott Emergencies Sam Blease Aaron Davey Cameron Pedersen In Lynden Dunn Dean Kent Daniel Nicholson Jake Spencer James Strauss Jack Viney Out Sam Blease Aaron Davey Mark Jamar (groin) Cameron Pedersen David Rodan Jack Watts (hamstring) New Dean Kent (Perth) There was a time when you could preview a game by matching up the teams player for player and working out which of the two was stronger by deciding how many of one side were ahead of the other. The winner would in all likelihood, be the one that was in front in the majority of positions. It was a reasonably good guide but didn't always work because a team would often have a certain number of dominant players who would have sufficient influence over a game to override the disadvantage of depth of numbers. I have no such problems with a game like Carlton v Melbourne where the Blues not only have the extra advantage of having the champion or class players in their team but they also have the greater depth. They have the luxury of Murphy, Judd, McLean (at his peak), Scotland, Simpson, Robinson and co and the fact that Carazzo (late omission) and Gibbs out with injury is a mere bagatelle. Melbourne has Nathan Jones so if the opposition manages to cover him then it's all over red rover. At least we won't have a repeat of Jamar tapping the ball constantly to someone like Maloney. The changes at Melbourne (and there are six of them) wont do the trick. On top of having possible the worst midfield in the competition, the team is without important forward in Mark Jamar and Chris Dawes (along with Jack Watts whose brief stint up forward last week produced two goals) and while the injuries give some younger players an opportunity, the differential in class will be mo more pronounced than in this game. The injury hit forward line is problematic because the Dees have only managed an average of seven goals in their last four bruise free matches against the Blues. And if that's not enough to convince anybody then let's not forget that Carlton is ranked fourth in AFL for contested possessions this season, while Melbourne is last. Can't avoid it but this should be a percentage booster for both sides. Carlton by 41 points.

When the media summed up Melbourne's loss to the Brisbane Lions last week there were some who highlighted many acts by the Demons that demonstrated a lack of pressure applied to the opposition when they had the ball. Players hanging back and not attacking the ball carrier, failing to chase and run hard, leaving their men alone and allowing them to create space and/or make to leads and take easy marks. All this apart from the simple mistakes and skill errors that conceded easy goals. These were all instances of players not being prepared to work hard enough or worse still, lacking of any fire in the belly which, given what theyre paid to do and how much theyre paid, is extremely disappointing. Not only disappointing but strange after the team made a spirited start to the game and even stayed with the Lions for most of the first half but the writing was on the wall even then. The team is now well past 25 games into coach Mark Neeld's tenure but it remains one of the easiest teams to play against and not the hardest as he promised the fans when the ride began. Not long after that it was said that the team's level of fitness was inferior to that of most of the rest of the competition so preseason training was stepped up by increments, a little in the first year and another 15% in the next. But still that doesn't seem to be the answer except when pitted against Sheedy's pimply faced kids, the team has been unable to step up to the plate after half time. Last week, they fell into the hole after half time and stood by meekly allowing the Lions (whose own form up to that stage was appalling) to trample all over them This week, the Demons face up to a team that has struck a bit of form and promises to make mincemeat of any team it plays that has that necessary ingredient missing. If theres no fire in the belly among the playing group then Mark Neelds first meeting with his old master, Mick Malthouse, could well be the last. THE GAME Carlton v Melbourne at the MCG - Sunday 5 May, 2013 at 3.15pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall Carlton 116 wins 2 draws Melbourne 88 wins At MCG Carlton 48 wins Melbourne 49 wins Since 2000 Carlton 10 wins Melbourne 8 wins The Coaches Malthouse 0 wins Neeld 0 wins MEDIA TV Channel 7, Fox Footy Channel (live) Radio - 3AW Triple M THE BETTING Carlton to win $1.02 Melbourne to win $13.00 THE LAST TIME THEY MET Carlton15.17.107 defeated Melbourne 6.13.49 at the MCG, Round 9, 2012 The pattern of the game was not unfamiliar. Melbourne kept up with Carlton for most of the first half and was even in a threatening position midway through the third quarter before capitulating against a seven goal final term onslaught from Carlton. Nathan Jones was best afield for Melbourne and Mitch Clark booted three goals TEAMS CARLTON Backs Chris Yarran Michael Jamison Lachlan Henderson Half backs Zach Tuohy Dennis Armfield White Centreline Kane Lucas Mitch Robinson Kade Simpson Half forwards Chris Judd Andrew Walker Jeff Garlett Forwards Ed Curnow Shaun Hampson Jarrad Waite Followers Robert Warnock Marc Murphy Brock McLean Interchange Eddie Betts Jaryd Cachia David Ellard Heath Scotland Emergencies Tom Bell Sam Rowe In Jaryd Cachia David Ellard Jarrad Waite Out Andrew Carazzo Bryce Gibbs (hamstring) Sam Rowe MELBOURNE Backs Lynden Dunn James Frawley Dean Terlich Half backs Jack Grimes Tom McDonald Colin Garland Centreline Jack Trengove Jack Viney Matt Jones Half forwards Jeremy Howe Colin Sylvia Dean Kent Forwards Rohan Bail Max Gawn Shannon Byrnes Followers Jake Spencer Jordie McKenzie Nathan Jones Interchange Michael Evans Daniel Nicholson James Strauss Luke Tapscott Emergencies Sam Blease Aaron Davey Cameron Pedersen In Lynden Dunn Dean Kent Daniel Nicholson Jake Spencer James Strauss Jack Viney Out Sam Blease Aaron Davey Mark Jamar (groin) Cameron Pedersen David Rodan Jack Watts (hamstring) New Dean Kent (Perth) There was a time when you could preview a game by matching up the teams player for player and working out which of the two was stronger by deciding how many of one side were ahead of the other. The winner would in all likelihood, be the one that was in front in the majority of positions. It was a reasonably good guide but didn't always work because a team would often have a certain number of dominant players who would have sufficient influence over a game to override the disadvantage of depth of numbers. I have no such problems with a game like Carlton v Melbourne where the Blues not only have the extra advantage of having the champion or class players in their team but they also have the greater depth. They have the luxury of Murphy, Judd, McLean (at his peak), Scotland, Simpson, Robinson and co and the fact that Carazzo (late omission) and Gibbs out with injury is a mere bagatelle. Melbourne has Nathan Jones so if the opposition manages to cover him then it's all over red rover. At least we won't have a repeat of Jamar tapping the ball constantly to someone like Maloney. The changes at Melbourne (and there are six of them) wont do the trick. On top of having possible the worst midfield in the competition, the team is without important forward in Mark Jamar and Chris Dawes (along with Jack Watts whose brief stint up forward last week produced two goals) and while the injuries give some younger players an opportunity, the differential in class will be mo more pronounced than in this game. The injury hit forward line is problematic because the Dees have only managed an average of seven goals in their last four bruise free matches against the Blues. And if that's not enough to convince anybody then let's not forget that Carlton is ranked fourth in AFL for contested possessions this season, while Melbourne is last. Can't avoid it but this should be a percentage booster for both sides. Carlton by 41 points.

Tomorrow.

We actually gave them a run for their money till we died at ¾ time. CARLTON Backs Zac Tuohy Michael Jamison Aaron Joseph Half backs Bryce Gibbs Lachlan Henderson Chris Yarran Centreline Kade Simpson Chris Judd Heath Scotland Half forwards Dennis Armfield Matthew Kreuzer Andrew Walker Forwards Eddie Betts Shaun Hampson Jeff Garlett Followers Robert Warnock Mitch Robinson Brock McLean Interchange (from) Josh Bootsma Paul Bower Andrew Collins Ed Curnow David Ellard Kane Lucas Matthew Watson In Josh Bootsma Andrew Collins Aaron Joseph Kane Lucas Brock McLean Robert Warnock Matthew Watson Out Nick Duigan (calf) Marc Murphy (shoulder) Bret Thornton Jordan Russell MELBOURNE Backs James Frawley Jared Rivers Clint Bartram Half backs Jack Grimes Colin Garland Tom McDonald Centreline Rohan Bail Brent Moloney Sam Blease Half forwards Jack Trengove Jack Watts Brad Green Forwards Jeremy Howe Mitch Clark James Sellar Followers Mark Jamar Lynden Dunn Nathan Jones Interchange (from) Jamie Bennell Jordie McKenzie James Magner Dan Nicholson James Sellar Emergencies Troy Davis Joel Macdonald Luke Tapscott In Rohan Bail Lynden Dunn Dan Nicholson James Sellar Out Aaron Davey Liam Jurrah (ankle) Cale Morton Colin Sylvia

OK. I think most would have had enough of the personal attacks and abuse on this and some of the other threads around here. I'm referring to both sides of the argument. Please keep to the topic and please don't tempt fate by starting your brawling up again. Discuss Wilson and her articles but leave character assassination out of this. Thank you.

Melbourne has made it a habit of late to play its opponents into form. The Brisbane Lions are a case in point. I watched most of their game last week against North Melbourne and they were pathetic. They looked sluggish, ran to the wrong places when they did run and were outplayed by superior opposition. By a strange quirk of the draw they sit ahead of the Kangaroos on the AFL ladder today but I doubt whether that will last. But enough of that game. Back home at the Gabba they weathered Melbourne's efforts in the first quarter when the teams were on equal terms at the first break and were only a goal in front by half time but they were never going to lose. By then, it was clear that they had worked their way back into form by a team that simply appeared unable or unwilling enough to put in the hard work and the hard yards necessary to get on top in a game. Brisbane was leading the game significantly in most of the key indicators and in particular the disposal count where it was led by former Demon best and fairest Brent Moloney who put into the game significantly more effort than he had appeared to do at any time under coach Mark Neeld last year when he was at Melbourne. At least he was able to momentarily recapture the old combination of the Russian tapping the ball to Beamer in the middle although it wasn't to the effect intended back in the good old days when they dominated every second week. With Nathan Jones pretty well covered in the midfield, Melbourne struggled while the Lions prospered even without Simon Black and Daniel Rich. When things are going bad, they really go bad and things went pear shaped in the third quarter when the Lions inevitably got on top and the hapless Demons committed coach killing errors to let the home side effortlessly stride to a five goal buffer which they kept to the end. The sad part from my point of view is that, although the mature age newcomers like Matt Jones and Dean Terlich are being persevered with and doing well, there seems to be little improvement from the early twenty somethings and not much of an inclination to go with a youth policy. Injuries to Clark and Dawes don't help either as the club lurches into a never land of long term failure to improve. Melbourne 5.3.33 7.5.47 10.7.67 14.10.94 Brisbane 5.3.33 7.11.53 13.14.92 17.20.122 Goals Melbourne Gawn Howe Watts 2 Bail Davey Jamar Jones McKenzie Pedersen Rodan Tapscott Brisbane Brown Leuenberger Zorko 3 Cornelius 2 Adcock Bewick Paparone Polkinghorne Redden Rockliff Best MelbourneB yrnes Sylvia Terlich Watts Garland Gawn Brisbane Moloney Mayes Polkinghorne Leuenberger Zorko Rockliff Injuries Melbourne Nil Brisbane Nil Changes Melbourne Nil Brisbane Nil Reports Melbourne Nil Brisbane Polkinghorne (Brisbane) for tripping Byrnes in the second quarter Umpires McBurney Leppard Bannister Crowd 19,018 at Gabba

The game between two of the VFL's leading teams Casey and Williamstown was strongly influenced by Mother Nature and the strong winds she conjured up that swept across Casey Fields on Saturday night. The angry conditions that resulted provided a suitable backdrop to the Scorpions' theme for the night which was to support the White Ribbon Campaign against violence on women and the club deserves accolades for its involvement in such a worthy cause. It was fitting therefore that the home team would ultimately triumph against the elements and the opposition through hard work, particularly when defending against the strong breeze. The team managed only three goals against the wind but every one of them was significant in terms of the final outcome in a game where subtle changes of direction were significant. The Scorpions came out of the blocks with all guns blazing. With Jake Spencer winning in the ruck and feeding a hungry midfield, the team racked up the goals and had four on the board by mid term through the agency of Chris Dawes, Jesse Hogan, a long bomb from Lynden Dunn and one from Rory Taggert. The visitors then settled defensively and managed to contain the damage to a couple of points for the rest of the term. Casey's cause was not helped when Hogan incurred a knock and left the field with a corkie. His night had ended and, from the team's point of view, the feeling was that a 26 point lead was hardly enough in these conditions. Sure enough, Williamstown wasted no time when its chances came to reel in the Casey advantage by halfway through the second quarter. The Scorpions were facing the possibility of a major half time deficit when, against the run of play, their other young West Australian Dean Kent, produced the highlight of the night. He gathered the ball in defence and ran like the wind that was blowing into his face. Several bounces later, he kicked truly to regain the lead and lift the spirits of his team. The Seagulls struck back but late in the quarter, Jack Fitzpatrick scored a handy goal to make it a two point deficit at the half. As they have done for most of this season the Scorpions turned on their best football in the third quarter. Fitzpatrick was again to the fore booting three further goals to add to the one he scored just before half time to ensure that his team would be defending a lead in excess of five goals in the final term. Casey closed the game down and with the visitors managing only a few points in the first half of the term, Danny Nicholls and Jake Best combined well for a goal to put the game beyond doubt. Willi managed a couple of late goals but could do nothing to prevent their hosts from moving to the top of the ladder with a well deserved 23 point victory. Nathan Page was the best of the Casey listed players. Luke Tynan was another who worked hard all night. Lynden Dunn was the star off half back. Casey Scorpions 4.4.28 6.5.41 13.8.86 14.8.92 Williamstown 0.2.2 6.7.43 7.10.52 9.15.69 Goals Casey Scorpions Fitzpatrick 4 Dawes Dunn Taggert 2 Best Hogan Kent Page Williamstown Cordy 3 Nastasi 2 Addison Grant Howard McCallum Best Casey Scorpions Dunn Couch Fitzpatrick Magner Page Spencer Williamstown Markovic Lockwood Addison Cordy Wood Sing The development league team came up against ladder leader Williamstown who were far too strong and ran away with the game in a frenetic final quarter to win by 69 points. Josh Tynan was Casey's best. Casey Scorpions 2.4.16 3.5.23 7.12.54 7.12.54 Williamstown 2.1.13 10.4.64 11.4.70 19.9.123 Goals Casey Scorpions Hughes 2 Barry McInnes McPhie Pollard Smith Williamstown Ball Coneay Deery 3 Anastasio Burgess 2 Giles Hetherington McConnon Norton Polizzi Williams Best Casey Scorpions Tynan Hill Troutman Pollard Hughes Lindsay Williamstown Hoghton Hetherington Giles Dorgan Deery Casley

WINDY NIGHT by K C from Casey The game between two of the VFL's leading teams Casey and Williamstown was strongly influenced by Mother Nature and the strong winds she conjured up that swept across Casey Fields on Saturday night. The angry conditions that resulted provided a suitable backdrop to the Scorpions' theme for the night which was to support the White Ribbon Campaign against violence on women and the club deserves accolades for its involvement in such a worthy cause. It was fitting therefore that the home team would ultimately triumph against the elements and the opposition through hard work, particularly when defending against the strong breeze. The team managed only three goals against the wind but every one of them was significant in terms of the final outcome in a game where subtle changes of direction were significant. The Scorpions came out of the blocks with all guns blazing. With Jake Spencer winning in the ruck and feeding a hungry midfield, the team racked up the goals and had four on the board by mid term through the agency of Chris Dawes, Jesse Hogan, a long bomb from Lynden Dunn and one from Rory Taggert. The visitors then settled defensively and managed to contain the damage to a couple of points for the rest of the term. Casey's cause was not helped when Hogan incurred a knock and left the field with a corkie. His night had ended and, from the team's point of view, the feeling was that a 26 point lead was hardly enough in these conditions. Sure enough, Williamstown wasted no time when its chances came to reel in the Casey advantage by halfway through the second quarter. The Scorpions were facing the possibility of a major half time deficit when, against the run of play, their other young West Australian Dean Kent, produced the highlight of the night. He gathered the ball in defence and ran like the wind that was blowing into his face. Several bounces later, he kicked truly to regain the lead and lift the spirits of his team. The Seagulls struck back but late in the quarter, Jack Fitzpatrick scored a handy goal to make it a two point deficit at the half. As they have done for most of this season the Scorpions turned on their best football in the third quarter. Fitzpatrick was again to the fore booting three further goals to add to the one he scored just before half time to ensure that his team would be defending a lead in excess of five goals in the final term. Casey closed the game down and with the visitors managing only a few points in the first half of the term, Danny Nicholls and Jake Best combined well for a goal to put the game beyond doubt. Willi managed a couple of late goals but could do nothing to prevent their hosts from moving to the top of the ladder with a well deserved 23 point victory. Nathan Page was the best of the Casey listed players. Luke Tynan was another who worked hard all night. Lynden Dunn was the star off half back. Casey Scorpions 4.4.28 6.5.41 13.8.86 14.8.92 Williamstown 0.2.2 6.7.43 7.10.52 9.15.69 Goals Casey Scorpions Fitzpatrick 4 Dawes Dunn Taggert 2 Best Hogan Kent Page Williamstown Cordy 3 Nastasi 2 Addison Grant Howard McCallum Best Casey Scorpions Dunn Couch Fitzpatrick Magner Page Spencer Williamstown Markovic Lockwood Addison Cordy Wood Sing The development league team came up against ladder leader Williamstown who were far too strong and ran away with the game in a frenetic final quarter to win by 69 points. Josh Tynan was Casey's best. Casey Scorpions 2.4.16 3.5.23 7.12.54 7.12.54 Williamstown 2.1.13 10.4.64 11.4.70 19.9.123 Goals Casey Scorpions Hughes 2 Barry McInnes McPhie Pollard Smith Williamstown Ball Coneay Deery 3 Anastasio Burgess 2 Giles Hetherington McConnon Norton Polizzi Williams Best Casey Scorpions Tynan Hill Troutman Pollard Hughes Lindsay Williamstown Hoghton Hetherington Giles Dorgan Deery Casley