Demonland

RUDE AWAKENING by the Demonland Crew and hosted by JVM The Round 14 fixture between Melbourne and Richmond has assumed a greater measure of significance in the scheme of things as a result of the week's happenings at Tigerland. Our correspondents have looked at the game from different perspectives, starting with Demon Head who looks at the recent history of games between these clubs:- Melbourne and Richmond have an interesting recent history. Who could ever forget the "Jordan McMahon" game which was decided when that player goaled after the siren to secure victory for the Tigers and a priority draft pick for the Demons? In recent seasons Melbourne had the ascendency but all that has changed as Richmond continued their upward surge of improvement late last season to atone for the result when the teams met earlier in the season. This year, it was Richmond easily after an even first half and I can't see the result being overturned this week. It's a little unfortunate for the fans that injuries have hit Melbourne where it hurt the most at this stage of the season. You just can't afford to lose the likes of Mitch Clark, Aaron Davey, Mark Jamar and Nathan Jones in one week as happened against the Lions. Then to lose the most recent NAB Rising Star nominee in Tom McDonald five minutes into the next game is nothing short of frustrating. Some of those players might be back this week but the task of winning will be tough, such has been the disruption to the team's structure. Richmond has all the incentive to win. A loss to a team placed 16th would just about destroy their finals hopes. They can't afford to lose and they won't! premiers13 disagrees. Even before the news broke about the events at football's new "Sleepy Hollow", this correspondent believed in the Dees:- While Melbourne has been injury depleted, there awaits a massive opportunity this week against Richmond. Let's face it. No King, no Vickery, no Jackson, Morris doubtful - this must upset the Tiger balance. Hopefully back for Melbourne will be Jones, Jamar and Davey. Possible debuts from Couch or Cook or both and we have an interesting contest. While Sellar is 50/50, Richmond will be nervous of the improving Dees. Melbourne have absolutely nothing to lose. Rivers will probably venture back , while Garland will remain in the a key forward post. One gets the feeling that Garland is a 6 goal game, waiting to happen. Shutting down Deledio, Martin and Crotchin will determine the outcome. Jamar or Martin will have to give Maric a bath. Sylvia is getting better each week and I think Howe is about to take mark of the century. The game might be won at the selection table. If the Dees win, it will be wonderful, if they lose, then picks 3+4 seem assured. Melbourne may well surprise, as some of their middle of the road players will be starting to second guess their futures. They all need good performances from hereon in. Melbourne supporters will sleep well at either outcome. My pick Dees by 17 mrtwister missed the gaffe about the misspelling of Richmond's Trent Cotchin's name (a Freudian slip?) but he did note some problems with the way the afl.com preview expressed the scenario in the event that Cotchin "goes forward" then ... "Daniel Nicholson can sit on him and rotate Trengove through the back half as a spare." Yep. Go figure? THE GAME Melbourne v Richmond at the MCG Saturday 7 July 2012 at 2.10pm. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 79 wins Richmond 101 wins 2 draws At MCG Melbourne 60 wins Richmond 66 wins 1 draw Since 2000 Melbourne 9 wins Richmond 12 wins The Coaches Neeld 0 wins Hardwick 1 win MEDIA TV – Fox Footy Channel Live at 2.00pm RADIO -3AW Triple M THE BETTING Melbourne $5.00 to win Richmond $1.17 to win THE LAST TIME THEY MET Richmond 20.13.133 defeated Melbourne 11.8.74 at the MCG, Round 3, 2012 The Tigers were on top from the beginning but the Demons worked hard and had their moments in the first half. After the main break, the wheels fell off for Melbourne which simply couldn't muster up any run in the midfield. Richmond scored 9.3.57 to a solitary goal and finished with an emphatic 59 point win. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE Backs Daniel Nicholson James Frawley Jared Rivers Half backs Joel Macdonald Jack Watts Jack Grimes Centreline Jack Trengove Jordie McKenzie Jeremy Howe Half forwards Colin Sylvia, Stef Martin, Sam Blease Forwards James Magner Colin Garland Luke Tapscott Followers Jake Spencer Brent Moloney Nathan Jones Interchange Rohan Bail Matthew Bate Jamie Bennell Lynden Dunn Emergencies Lucas Cook Ricky Petterd James Strauss In Jamie Bennell Nathan Jones Out Tom McDonald (lung) James Sellar (thigh) RICHMOND Backs Chris Newman Alex Rance Steven Morris Half backs Matt Dea Ben Griffiths Bachar Houli Centreline Brandon Ellis Trent Cotchin Shaun Grigg Half forwards Shane Edwards Brett Deledio Matthew White Forwards Robin Nahas Jack Riewoldt Addam Maric Followers Ivan Maric Reece Conca Shane Tuck Interchange Jake Batchelor Tom Derickx Luke McGuane Brett O'Hanlon Emergencies Matthew Arnot Todd Elton Brad Miller In Jake Batchelor Reece Conca Tom Derickx Luke McGuane Addam Maric Brett O’Hanlon Matthew White Out Dan Connors (Khyber Pass) Todd Elton (omitted) Dylan Grimes (hamstring) Daniel Jackson (hamstring) Jake King (knee) Dustin Martin (club suspension) Brad Miller (omitted) New Tom Derickx (Claremont) Then the news came on Wednesday that Richmond had given the sack to one player and banned another for two weeks after both had dozed off and missed a training session the day before. It was certainly a rude awakening for the fighting fury from Tigerland. Legal Eagle Rumpole offered the lads some free advice:- I believe the time has come to offer the Richmond Football Club and its players some wisdom and legal counsel in preparation for the coming game and the rest of the season. 1. Never plead guilty; 2. Deny everything and 3. Play the game in good spirit. It is my considered opinion that the events of the week, the injuries and the disruption to your focus (and I can understand there might be problems with focussing when players undertake the activities that are alleged against them) will make it difficult for you to perform at your best when you face your Demons. Verdict: Melbourne Magistrates Court by 25 Penalty Points. SidViscious (no relation to another individual who might have had problems in the past with the use of certain substances) took a different approach but came down on the side of the Demons:- The events of July 4, 2012 have swung the momentum of the game dramatically. The Tigers would have been strong favourites before the sanctions against Dustin Martin (who averages 20 possessions and a goal a game against the Dees) and Daniel Connors who learned everything he knew about etiquette and behaviour on interstate trips from former teammate Ben Cousins but now it's not such a sure thing. As it is, Richmond reserves some of its best football for the elite teams whilst it hasn't really been that flash when taking on some of the others. It lost to Fremantle in Melbourne recently after beating Sydney and Hawthorn and it was rubbish against GWS a couple of weeks ago before losing to Adelaide after an eight goal first quarter. This suggests that Damien Hardwick's boys have some weaknesses that can be exploited. Their midfield is decidedly weaker although it still has the likes of Cotchin and Delidio but the Tigers are iffy in other positions so if James Frawley can do a number on Jack Riewoldt, it will definitely be game on. I'm tipping Melbourne by 12 points. Thanks to the Demonland crew for your input. I hope the foregoing hasn't put anyone to sleep!

It wasn't that long ago and we were horrible - especially after half time. RICHMOND Backs Steven Morris Alex Rance Chris Newman Half backs Bachar Houli Dylan Grimes Brandon Ellis Centreline Shaun Grigg Dustin Martin Daniel Jackson Half forwards Brett Deledio Tyrone Vickery Shane Edwards Forwards Brad Miller Jack Riewoldt Robin Nahas Followers Ivan Maric Trent Cotchin Nathan Foley Interchange Jake Batchelor Reece Conca Addam Maric Shane Tuck Emergencies Matt Dea Angus Graham Matthew White In Addam Maric Out Jake King (knee) MELBOURNE Backs Clint Bartram James Sellar James Frawley Half backs Colin Garland Jared Rivers Tom McDonald Centreline Nathan Jones Jack Grimes Rohan Bail Half forwards Jeremy Howe Jack Watts Cale Morton Forwards Aaron Davey Mitchell Clark Matthew Bate Followers Mark Jamar James Magner Jack Trengove Interchange Lynden Dunn Jordie McKenzie Stefan Martin Luke Tapscott Emergencies Jack Fitzpatrick Brad Green Joel Macdonald In Aaron Davey Stefan Martin Cale Morton Luke Tapscott Out Jamie Bennell Brad Green Joel Macdonald Ricky Petterd

This week we bring back our segment where THE PEOPLE SPEAK. Do your preview of Saturday's big clash with the Tigers below. The pick of the previews will be included in our weekly preview.

As you would expect with no Jones and no Clark, there was no real change at the top this week:- 141 Nathan Jones 81 Mitch Clark 69 Jared Rivers 68 Jack Watts 62 James Magner 60 Jeremy Howe 39 Jordie McKenzie 33 James Frawley 32 Jack Grimes 30 Tom McDonald 27 Sam Blease 26 Matthew Bate 20 Colin Garland 19 Cale Morton 15 Clint Bartram Joel Macdonald Jack Trengove 14. Colin Sylvia 9 Rohan Bail Stef Martin 8 James Sellar 7 Lynden Dunn 3 Brent Moloney Dan Nicholson 1 Aaron Davey Luke Tapscott

Game's over folks ... now we can turn our attention to the POST MATCH DISCUSSION!

THE WRITING ON THE WALL by Grapeviney At some point between Melbourne's unexpected victory over the Bombers on a wintry Saturday night last month, and quarter time against expansion team GWS a few weeks later, Demons supporters could have been forgiven for thinking that their team might purge their miserable 2012 season opening loss to the Lions with a victory in the return match in Brisbane on Sunday. Sure, the Demons' 2-10 win-loss ratio heading in to the Brisbane game was nothing to write home about, but there were increasing signs that Mark Neeld's charges were starting to adapt to the new coach's game-plan and vision. Some of that optimism had dissipated in the wake of Melbourne's 78-point thumping of the Giants, when the club learned of the season-ending foot injury to gun recruit Mitch Clark, who before yesterday's game had bagged an admirable 25 per cent of the Demons' goals in season 2012. But with the movement of Colin Garland and Jared Rivers to the forward line paying dividends, there seemed to be cause for hope even with Clark sidelined. Hope turned to dismay, however, before the Lions game, with news that Mark Jamar and Nathan Jones were late withdrawals, and any chance that the Demons had of causing an upset disappeared in the opening minutes of the match, when improving defender Tom McDonald copped a knee to the abdomen and had to be hospitalised with a suspected punctured lung. In isolation, Melbourne might have been able to handle these setbacks, but taken together, the side was seriously undermined whichever way Neeld chose to position his troops. To his credit, the coach didn't panic when McDonald went down, and while it left an undersized Watts matched up against the Lions' man-mountain in Brown for a short time, Neeld's faith in the starting line-up seemed to pay dividends when the Demons drew within a point of the home side late in the first quarter. But the writing was on the wall, even in that first term. While Melbourne could only manage to score goals best described as opportunistic, Brisbane had little trouble finding avenues forward, and two late goals to Brown saw the home side slip away to a handy lead that would only increase as the day wore on. From there, it was only a matter of filling in the details. Melbourne contested the hard ball well, and there was little to separate the two sides in the clearances, inside-50's, and contested possessions, but the Demons failed to register a major in the second term and could only manage a solitary goal in the third as Brisbane moved the ball with ease from half back to set up scoring chances in their forward 50. In contrast, the Demons struggled – as they have for much of the year - to run and spread and move the ball with speed, and they regularly broke down at half forward. Stef Martin made a triumphant return to senior football, displaying the form which saw him fill in so successfully for an injured Jamar last year, and Joel Macdonald answered his many critics by complementing his usual hardness at the ball with an 88-per cent disposal efficiency. Jeremy Howe continued to show why he is one of the more promising names on the club's list, and Jordie McKenzie played the rugged, no-nonsense type of game MFC supporters have come to expect from him. With Melbourne facing the Tigers – a team with much to play for and an impressive midfield – this week, it's going to take an effort of Herculean proportions if the Demons are to return to the winner's circle Melbourne 3.6.24 3.8.26 4.11.35 8.13.61 Brisbane Lions 6.1.37 9.60 13.11.89 18.14.122 Goals Melbourne Blease 2 Bail Bate Garland Howe McKenzie Sylvia Brisbane Lions Brown 4 Hanley McGrath 3 Green 2 Bewick Black Merrett Polec Redden Zorko Best Melbourne Howe Macdonald Sylvia Blease Martin Watts Brisbane Lions Rich Brown Black Rockliff Harwood Hanley Injuries Melbourne Tom McDonald (lung) Brisbane Lions McGrath (hamstring) Changes Melbourne Mark Jamar and Nathan Jones replaced in the selected side by Jake Spencer and Sam Blease Brisbane Lions Nil Reports Melbourne Nil Brisbane Lions Nil Umpires Kamolins Jennings Mollison Crowd 22,114, at Gabba

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

On top of the injury to Mitch and the Flash, two top players withdraw before the game and our Rising Star Nominee cops the curse of that prize and is subbed off early. Is it Friday 13th? Did Neeld walk under a ladder?

TIGERS CRASH CASEY'S PARTY by Ice Station The Casey Scorpions crashed to earth on Saturday when their five game winning streak ended with an emphatic 78 point thrashing at the hands of the third placed Werribee Tigers at Avalon Airport Oval. It was only the second defeat for the season for Scorpions who have become renowned for scraping out of difficult situations with narrow victories but it must worry the football department that both losses have been blow outs with massive margins involved. Earlier in the year, Casey lost its only other game of the season to the Bendigo Bombers by 71 points in a similarly disappointing display. The Scorpions rang in several changes to the team (eight in total) from last week's exciting encounter at Sandringham with selectors naming a relatively inexperienced line up. Second gamer Chris Clay was joined by two debutants in Nathan Page and Gippsland Power's Shannen Lange as 23rd man. Page and Clay vindicated their selection and both were named in the best players for their team. The game was played in cold, bleak conditions with swirly breezes making it difficult to produce good football. The home side capitalised on its local knowledge and handled the early conditions much better, kicking accurately to open up a 16 point lead at the first break. From there, the result was never in doubt with the home side dominating the ruck, on the ball and up forward where enigmatic former Geelong premiership player Nathan Ablett was proving a handful for the Casey defence. The Tigers stretched their lead in every quarter and were untroubled to record a 13 goal winning margin. Casey's Michael Riseley worked hard all day and was deservedly the visitors' best player on the day. His improvement this season along with Luke Tynan from reserves players to regular seniors members has been a highlight. Skipper Evan Panozza also worked hard to generate some momentum for his team but it was to no avail. Tom Couch who was moved back on to Melbourne's rookie list to make way for Neville Jetta (returning from injury) racked up 27 disposals ahead of Cale Morton with 26 but generally, the AFL contingent disappointed although it must be added that a few were in the comeback trail after injury and will be better for the run. After the game, Casey coach Brett Lovett described Werribee as the best team the Scorpions have played so far and told reporters, ''We just think our guys, particularly early, didn't come to play and didn't come to play all day. They showed today that they're bloody good opposition. I thought their ball use and their strength, they just beat us in most areas.'' The Scorpions had better turn up to play next week. They meet top team and reigning premier Port Melbourne at Casey Fields on Sunday in an important top of the ladder contest. HOW THE DEMONS FARED Only eleven Demons lined up for the Scorps and, for the most part, they were disappointing. Lucas Cook - it wasn't really a day for a key forward in the Casey line up Thomas Couch - worked tirelessly, got a lot of the football (27 disposals) and was one of the few shining lights in his team. Troy Davis - had his hands full for the second week in a row and was beaten in the end simply by the flow of the ball into his part of the ground. Jack Fitzpatrick - a good comeback in the ruck and up forward after being well beaten early in the day by Majak Daw. Jordan Gysberts - started well but appeared to suffer an injury in the second quarter and faded out of the game. Neville Jetta - had a quiet return after a long stint out with an ankle injury but what he did, he did well. Will improve with more game time. Cale Morton - had 26 touches but really didn't seem to make much of an impression despite getting plenty of the ball. Ricky Petterd - had his moments but like most of his AFL listed teammates, he was disappointing overall. James Strauss - a great user of the ball who worked hard in his second or third game back from a long term injury. Josh Tynan - fearless and that got him hurt in one incident. Generally quiet. Leigh Williams - marked well and kicked a couple of goals. Promising. Casey Scorpions 2.3.15 4.4.28 5.5.35 8.7.55 Werribee Tigers 5.1.31 11.5.71 14.10.94 20.13.133 Goals Casey Scorpions Cook Fitzpatrick Williams 2 Page Smith Werribee Tigers Ablett 4 McKinley 3 Daw Lynch 2 Bolton Mather Moloney Ruggles Sharp Sherlock Sierakowski Speight Warren Best Casey Scorpions Riseley Couch Fitzpatrick Williams Page Clay Werribee Tigers Ablett Ross Daw Pedersen Kennedy Sierakowski The Scorpions led in their development league game against Werribee for most of the day before losing the lead late in the game. Rian McGough, who was down from the seniors, knew exactly what had to be done. He booted home the winning goal with seconds to spare. Seniors co-skipper Kyle Matthews, on return, again injured a shoulder. 2012 AFL Vic Development League Casey Scorpions 3.2.20 6.4.40 9.8.62 12.12.84 Werribee Tigers 2.3.15 4.7.31 7.8.50 12.9.81 Goals Casey Scorpions Galvin 3 McGough 2 Weekes 2 Troutman Collins Pollard Sheahan Hill Werribee Tigers Schibeci 3 Purton-Smith 3 Risol Barbuto Lucas Ruffles Davis Sodomaco Best Casey Scorpions Patti Pollard Weekes Collins Gent McGough Werribee Tigers Laracy Sodomaco Purton-Smith Schibeci Risol McCormack

This is the test for the Demons. Can they make it 3 out of 4 and achieve that result without Mitch Clark who has been a revelation for them up forward? The AFL needs another interesting match in a round that has so far created little excitement apart from Adelaide's stirring comeback against Rochmond. The rest of the weekend's games to date have been rubbish.

TIGERS CRASH CASEY'S PARTY by Ice Station The Casey Scorpions crashed to earth on Saturday when their five game winning streak ended with an emphatic 78 point thrashing at the hands of the third placed Werribee Tigers at Avalon Airport Oval. It was only the second defeat for the season for Scorpions who have become renowned for scraping out of difficult situations with narrow victories but it must worry the football department that both losses have been blow outs with massive margins involved. Earlier in the year, Casey lost its only other game of the season to the Bendigo Bombers by 71 points in a similarly disappointing display. The Scorpions rang in several changes to the team (eight in total) from last week's exciting encounter at Sandringham with selectors naming a relatively inexperienced line up. Second gamer Chris Clay was joined by two debutants in Nathan Page and Gippsland Power's Shannen Lange as 23rd man. Page and Clay vindicated their selection and both were named in the best players for their team. The game was played in cold, bleak conditions with swirly breezes making it difficult to produce good football. The home side capitalised on its local knowledge and handled the early conditions much better, kicking accurately to open up a 16 point lead at the first break. From there, the result was never in doubt with the home side dominating the ruck, on the ball and up forward where enigmatic former Geelong premiership player Nathan Ablett was proving a handful for the Casey defence. The Tigers stretched their lead in every quarter and were untroubled to record a 13 goal winning margin. Casey's Michael Riseley worked hard all day and was deservedly the visitors' best player on the day. His improvement this season along with Luke Tynan from reserves players to regular seniors members has been a highlight. Skipper Evan Panozza also worked hard to generate some momentum for his team but it was to no avail. Tom Couch who was moved back on to Melbourne's rookie list to make way for Neville Jetta (returning from injury) racked up 27 disposals ahead of Cale Morton with 26 but generally, the AFL contingent disappointed although it must be added that a few were in the comeback trail after injury and will be better for the run. After the game, Casey coach Brett Lovett described Werribee as the best team the Scorpions have played so far and told reporters, ''We just think our guys, particularly early, didn't come to play and didn't come to play all day. They showed today that they're bloody good opposition. I thought their ball use and their strength, they just beat us in most areas.'' The Scorpions had better turn up to play next week. They meet top team and reigning premier Port Melbourne at Casey Fields on Sunday in an important top of the ladder contest. HOW THE DEMONS FARED Only eleven Demons lined up for the Scorps and, for the most part, they were disappointing. Lucas Cook - it wasn't really a day for a key forward in the Casey line up Thomas Couch - worked tirelessly, got a lot of the football (27 disposals) and was one of the few shining lights in his team. Troy Davis - had his hands full for the second week in a row and was beaten in the end simply by the flow of the ball into his part of the ground. Jack Fitzpatrick - a good comeback in the ruck and up forward after being well beaten early in the day by Majak Daw. Jordan Gysberts - started well but appeared to suffer an injury in the second quarter and faded out of the game. Neville Jetta - had a quiet return after a long stint out with an ankle injury but what he did, he did well. Will improve with more game time. Cale Morton - had 26 touches but really didn't seem to make much of an impression despite getting plenty of the ball. Ricky Petterd - had his moments but like most of his AFL listed teammates, he was disappointing overall. James Strauss - a great user of the ball who worked hard in his second or third game back from a long term injury. Josh Tynan - fearless and that got him hurt in one incident. Generally quiet. Leigh Williams - marked well and kicked a couple of goals. Promising. Casey Scorpions 2.3.15 4.4.28 5.5.35 8.7.55 Werribee Tigers 5.1.31 11.5.71 14.10.94 20.13.133 Goals Casey Scorpions Cook Fitzpatrick Williams 2 Page Smith Werribee Tigers Ablett 4 McKinley 3 Daw Lynch 2 Bolton Mather Moloney Ruggles Sharp Sherlock Sierakowski Speight Warren Best Casey Scorpions Riseley Couch Fitzpatrick Williams Page Clay Werribee Tigers Ablett Ross Daw Pedersen Kennedy Sierakowski The Scorpions led in their development league game against Werribee for most of the day before losing the lead late in the game. Rian McGough, who was down from the seniors, knew exactly what had to be done. He booted home the winning goal with seconds to spare. Seniors co-skipper Kyle Matthews, on return, again injured a shoulder. 2012 AFL Vic Development League Casey Scorpions 3.2.20 6.4.40 9.8.62 12.12.84 Werribee Tigers 2.3.15 4.7.31 7.8.50 12.9.81 Goals Casey Scorpions Galvin 3 McGough 2 Weekes 2 Troutman Collins Pollard Sheahan Hill Werribee Tigers Schibeci 3 Purton-Smith 3 Risol Barbuto Lucas Ruffles Davis Sodomaco Best Casey Scorpions Patti Pollard Weekes Collins Gent McGough Werribee Tigers Laracy Sodomaco Purton-Smith Schibeci Risol McCormack

THE HEAT IS OFF by the Oracle A little over three months ago, it all started with the Brisbane Lions at the end of a long, hot summer. It was a time full of hope and a measure of confidence. There was so much about the club that was new and the pre season, while not inspirational, had produced some flashes that gave rise to some inspiration. To be sure, a handful of key personnel were missing the opening game of the season but this was Brisbane and it was our home soil. The Demons had their moments in the first half before they capitulated in the second. To the surprise of many, it was the visiting Lions who dominated the midfield and ran Melbourne off its feet in the hot conditions. Mark Neeld's Demons were already experiencing a horror run off the field but now the heat was was well and truly on where the game is really played - on the ground. That run stretched and extended itself in many directions over the ensuing two months with defeat after defeat, some of them crushings that left officials, players and supporters totally numbed and with no respite in sight. Relief came finally with a totally unexpected victory on drizzly Saturday night against Essendon, then one of the premiership favourites, and more lately, when Melbourne thrashed the fledgling GWS Giants last Sunday at the MCG. With the cold of winter finally setting in, the heat was finally off for the Demons of 2012. Their season is shot and there will be no finals glory (though the dreamers might speak of "mathematical possibility") the coming ten weeks provide very little for supporters of the club to which they can look forward with much excitement. There's the possibility of some face saving by winning a few of the remaining games - a number of them are definitely winnable. There's the possible introduction of new faces from the ranks of those going around at Casey and there will be farewells to old warriors. Those with keen eyes for the game will watch closely to observe the development of Mark Neeld's game plan and whether it's sinking in on the playing group. Others will be hoping the players stay healthy so that they can start the 2013 campaign on a good footing while others still, will be keeping a watchful eye on the youngsters coming through junior ranks in the hope that their club can snaffle a future star later in the year. It's clear that the focus will not be entirely where we all hoped it would be at this stage of the season when the Demons ran onto the field against the Brisbane Lions in March. We couldn't have known then that by the time the teams were due to meet again this Sunday in Brisbane, that the team's leading goalkicker for this season would be out of action for the year, that his counterpart from last year would not yet have played a full game or kicked even one goal and the one from the year before would also spend most of the season on the sidelines with a combination of injury and form worries. That is the state of the club's season to date. My preview of the opening game was entitled "The Heat Is On" but that is definitely not the case as we move into the cold month of July. THE GAME Brisbane v Melbourne at The Gabba - Sunday, 1 July 2012 at 3.15 pm. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Brisbane 11 wins Melbourne 19 wins Gabba Brisbane 8 wins Melbourne 4 wins Since 2000 Brisbane 8 wins Melbourne 8 wins The Coaches Voss 1 win Neeld 0 wins MEDIA Channel 7 TV Fox Footy (live at 3:00pm AEST) RADIO SEN ABC774 THE BETTING Brisbane $1.25 Melbourne $4.00 THE LAST TIME THEY MET Brisbane Lions 17.17.119 defeated Melbourne 11.12.78 in round 1, 2012 at the MCG Melbourne opened as the firm favourite for the opening round clash but it was ultimately exposed in the midfield where Brisbane veteran and his on ball cohorts put on a masterclass winning at will at the stoppages, running and spreading at will against the sluggish Demons. Newcomer James Magner was a revelation and Melbourne's best player in a disappointing effort that set the scene for many weeks to come. THE TEAMS BRISBANE LIONS Backs Josh Drummond Joel Patfull Ryan Harwood Half backs Mitch Golby Niall McKeever Jed Adcock Centreline Ryan Lester Daniel Rich Pearce Hanley Half forwards Simon Black Jonathan Brown Dayne Zorko Forwards James Polkinghorne Daniel Merrett Ashley McGrath Followers Ben Hudson Tom Rockliff Andrew Raines Interchange Rohan Bewick Josh Green Jared Polec Jack Redden Emergencies Jack Crisp Patrick Karnezis Elliot Yeo In Jared Polec Out Matt Maguire (elbow) MELBOURNE Backs Tom McDonald James Frawley Jared Rivers Half backs Daniel Nicholson Jack Watts Jack Grimes Centreline James Magner Jordie McKenzie Joel Macdonald Half forwards Jack Trengove James Sellar Rohan Bail Forwards Jeremy Howe Colin Garland Luke Tapscott Followers Jake Spencer Brent Moloney Colin Sylvia Interchange Matthew Bate Sam Blease Lynden Dunn Stef Martin Emergencies Jamie Bennell (Mark Jamar Nathan Jones replaced) In Rohan Bail Jamie Stef Martin Luke Tapscott Out Mitch Clark (foot) Aaron Davey (hamstring) Mark Jamar (calf) Nathan Jones (calf) THE GIFT OF THE GABBA A fine and sunny day awaits the Melbourne Football Club for its visit to Brisbane. Blue skies and 21 degrees Celsius sounds mighty inviting. If only I had the moolah to part with in my bank account instead of a close to maxed out Visacard, I would be up there in a flash on some heavily discounted Tiger Airway flight staying at that el cheapo motel that accommodated half of the Demons' football department when they went headhunting Mitch Clark last October. That would have been the best $39.00 spend in the club's history until Wednesday of this week when the surgeon presented it with a $23,000.00 bill for his Lisfranc (midfoot) operation. Which brings me back to my preview of Sunday's game at the Gabba because Mitch Clark's injury has revolutionised my thinking about the result. That and the fact that the Lions have discovered a rich vein of form and my relatives up there are even mentioning the "F" word (meaning "finals" in case you're wondering). Yes, a win to the Lions would put them on six wins and level with Carlton whose supporters still talk in hushed terms of not only making the finals but of winning the flag. In this game, both teams on the up and up and both have recently beaten genuine premiership contenders rather than sham ones like Carlton. Brisbane’s form against West Coast certainly shocked the football world but it’s follow up victory against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad certainly made them sit up. They have few injuries and their midfield of Black, Rich, Redden and Rockliff was good enough to destroy Melbourne back in March and continues to be its dominant line, so that is the department where the Demons need to improve if they are to win. Melbourne’s midfield stocks have also improved. Not so much in the terms of its personnel but more in its intensity and its work rate, which was virtually nonexistent after half time when the teams last met. I recall on that occasion, even without Jonathan Brown in the line up, the Lions were able to capitalise on their midfield dominance to score with regularity throughout the game. This time, with Brown and with at least one of the defenders having to drop forward to fill in for the loss of Clark and the continuing absence of Liam Jurrah, I expect Brisbane to just get home. Brisbane by 3 points. And for those who are going to the game, this special treat - 3 Things You Should Know For Your Great Gabba Getaway – Press Release

Presumably Couchy would be able to fill the vacancy left by Mitch Clark if required?

THE HEAT IS OFF by the Oracle A little over three months ago, it all started with the Brisbane Lions at the end of a long, hot summer. It was a time full of hope and a measure of confidence. There was so much about the club that was new and the pre season, while not inspirational, had produced some flashes that gave rise to some inspiration. To be sure, a handful of key personnel were missing the opening game of the season but this was Brisbane and it was our home soil. The Demons had their moments in the first half before they capitulated in the second. To the surprise of many, it was the visiting Lions who dominated the midfield and ran Melbourne off its feet in the hot conditions. Mark Neeld's Demons were already experiencing a horror run off the field but now the heat was was well and truly on where the game is really played - on the ground. That run stretched and extended itself in many directions over the ensuing two months with defeat after defeat, some of them crushings that left officials, players and supporters totally numbed and with no respite in sight. Relief came finally with a totally unexpected victory on drizzly Saturday night against Essendon, then one of the premiership favourites, and more lately, when Melbourne thrashed the fledgling GWS Giants last Sunday at the MCG. With the cold of winter finally setting in, the heat was finally off for the Demons of 2012. Their season is shot and there will be no finals glory (though the dreamers might speak of "mathematical possibility") the coming ten weeks provide very little for supporters of the club to which they can look forward with much excitement. There's the possibility of some face saving by winning a few of the remaining games - a number of them are definitely winnable. There's the possible introduction of new faces from the ranks of those going around at Casey and there will be farewells to old warriors. Those with keen eyes for the game will watch closely to observe the development of Mark Neeld's game plan and whether it's sinking in on the playing group. Others will be hoping the players stay healthy so that they can start the 2013 campaign on a good footing while others still, will be keeping a watchful eye on the youngsters coming through junior ranks in the hope that their club can snaffle a future star later in the year. It's clear that the focus will not be entirely where we all hoped it would be at this stage of the season when the Demons ran onto the field against the Brisbane Lions in March. We couldn't have known then that by the time the teams were due to meet again this Sunday in Brisbane, that the team's leading goalkicker for this season would be out of action for the year, that his counterpart from last year would not yet have played a full game or kicked even one goal and the one from the year before would also spend most of the season on the sidelines with a combination of injury and form worries. That is the state of the club's season to date. My preview of the opening game was entitled "The Heat Is On" but that is definitely not the case as we move into the cold month of July. THE GAME Brisbane v Melbourne at The Gabba - Sunday, 1 July 2012 at 3.15 pm. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Brisbane 11 wins Melbourne 19 wins Gabba Brisbane 8 wins Melbourne 4 wins Since 2000 Brisbane 8 wins Melbourne 8 wins The Coaches Voss 1 win Neeld 0 wins MEDIA Channel 7 TV Fox Footy (live at 3:00pm AEST) RADIO SEN ABC774 THE BETTING Brisbane $1.25 Melbourne $4.00 THE LAST TIME THEY MET Brisbane Lions 17.17.119 defeated Melbourne 11.12.78 in round 1, 2012 at the MCG Melbourne opened as the firm favourite for the opening round clash but it was ultimately exposed in the midfield where Brisbane veteran and his on ball cohorts put on a masterclass winning at will at the stoppages, running and spreading at will against the sluggish Demons. Newcomer James Magner was a revelation and Melbourne's best player in a disappointing effort that set the scene for many weeks to come. THE TEAMS BRISBANE LIONS Backs Josh Drummond Joel Patfull Ryan Harwood Half backs Mitch Golby Niall McKeever Jed Adcock Centreline Ryan Lester Daniel Rich Pearce Hanley Half forwards Simon Black Jonathan Brown Dayne Zorko Forwards James Polkinghorne Daniel Merrett Ashley McGrath Followers Ben Hudson Tom Rockliff Andrew Raines Interchange Rohan Bewick Josh Green Jared Polec Jack Redden Emergencies Jack Crisp Patrick Karnezis Elliot Yeo In Jared Polec Out Matt Maguire (elbow) MELBOURNE Backs Tom McDonald James Frawley Jared Rivers Half backs Daniel Nicholson Jack Watts Jack Grimes Centreline James Magner Jordie McKenzie Joel Macdonald Half forwards Jack Trengove James Sellar Nathan Jones Forwards Jeremy Howe Colin Garland Luke Tapscott Followers Mark Jamar Brent Moloney Colin Sylvia Interchange Rohan Bail Matthew Bate Lynden Dunn Stef Martin Emergencies Jamie Bennell Sam Blease Jake Spencer In Rohan Bail Jamie Stef Martin Luke Tapscott Out Sam Blease (omitted) Mitch Clark (foot) Aaron Davey (hamstring) THE GIFT OF THE GABBA A fine and sunny day awaits the Melbourne Football Club for its visit to Brisbane. Blue skies and 21 degrees Celsius sounds mighty inviting. If only I had the moolah to part with in my bank account instead of a close to maxed out Visacard, I would be up there in a flash on some heavily discounted Tiger Airway flight staying at that el cheapo motel that accommodated half of the Demons' football department when they went headhunting Mitch Clark last October. That would have been the best $39.00 spend in the club's history until Wednesday of this week when the surgeon presented it with a $23,000.00 bill for his Lisfranc (midfoot) operation. Which brings me back to my preview of Sunday's game at the Gabba because Mitch Clark's injury has revolutionised my thinking about the result. That and the fact that the Lions have discovered a rich vein of form and my relatives up there are even mentioning the "F" word (meaning "finals" in case you're wondering). Yes, a win to the Lions would put them on six wins and level with Carlton whose supporters still talk in hushed terms of not only making the finals but of winning the flag. In this game, both teams on the up and up and both have recently beaten genuine premiership contenders rather than sham ones like Carlton. Brisbane’s form against West Coast certainly shocked the football world but it’s follow up victory against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad certainly made them sit up. They have few injuries and their midfield of Black, Rich, Redden and Rockliff was good enough to destroy Melbourne back in March and continues to be its dominant line, so that is the department where the Demons need to improve if they are to win. Melbourne’s midfield stocks have also improved. Not so much in the terms of its personnel but more in its intensity and its work rate, which was virtually nonexistent after half time when the teams last met. I recall on that occasion, even without Jonathan Brown in the line up, the Lions were able to capitalise on their midfield dominance to score with regularity throughout the game. This time, with Brown and with at least one of the defenders having to drop forward to fill in for the loss of Clark and the continuing absence of Liam Jurrah, I expect Brisbane to just get home. Brisbane by 3 points. And for those who are going to the game, this special treat - 3 Things You Should Know For Your Great Gabba Getaway – Press Release

WJ assures me there are more on the way and some of them are rather more uplifting than 1919.

Little did we know! MELBOURNE Backs Joel Macdonald James Frawley Clint Bartram Half backs Rohan Bail Jared Rivers Colin Garland Centreline Jack Watts Jack Grimes Nathan Jones Half forwards Jack Trengove Brad Green Jeremy Howe Forwards Aaron Davey Mitch Clark Stef Martin Followers Mark Jamar Brent Moloney James Magner Interchange Matthew Bate Sam Blease Jordie McKenzie Josh Tynan Emergencies Tom Couch Lynden Dunn James Sellar New Mitch Clark (Brisbane) James Magner (Sandringham) Josh Tynan (Gippsland Power) BRISBANE Backs Niall McKeever Daniel Merrett Ashley McGrath Half backs Mitch Golby Matt Maguire Daniel Rich Centreline Tom Rockliff Jed Adcock Pearce Hanley Half forwards Jared Polec Joel Patfull Todd Banfield Forwards James Polkinghorne Matthew Leuenberger Ryan Lester Followers Ben Hudson Simon Black Jack Redden Interchange Claye Beams Rohan Bewick Sam Sheldon Cheynee Stiller Emergencies Ryan Harwood Billy Longer Jesse O’Brien New Ben Hudson (Western Bulldogs)

It's all one way traffic as Nathan Jones is doing a Frankel to the opposition. With Mitch Clark out for the rest of the season he is doubling the votes of the next possible contender in Jared Rivers. 141 Nathan Jones 81 Mitch Clark 69 Jared Rivers 62 James Magner 57 Jack Watts 53 Jeremy Howe 39 Jordie McKenzie 33 James Frawley 32 Jack Grimes 30 Tom McDonald 26 Matthew Bate 21 Sam Blease 20 Colin Garland 19 Cale Morton 15 Clint Bartram Jack Trengove 9 Rohan Bail 7 Lynden Dunn 4 Stef Martin 3 Joel Macdonald Brent Moloney 2 Dan Nicholson 1 Aaron Davey James Sellar Luke Tapscott

The Frantic Finish on YouTube:

From the MFC Twitter:

MONEY CAN'T BUY ME LOVE by Mean Gene Melbourne displayed great emotion when it monstered the young guns from Greater Western Sydney in their long-awaited clash at the MCG. While the board, the football department and the players have long moved on from the departure at the end of 2011 of Tom Scully, the majority of the fans needed to vent at their former player who not only jumped ship for the money but also who many believe acted disrepectfully to the club in the way he and his connections dealt with his departure. The fans got what they wanted. Like most of his fellow Giants, Scully started well enough. He was collecting his share of boos with every possession in the game's first 25 minutes as the Sydneysiders scored five of the game's first eight goals but then the wheels swiftly fell off as Melbourne went in for the kill. By game's end, they were no longer Giants and more in the nature of midgets in the presence of a superior opposition. It was hard to believe that this was the same team that went to Geelong and stayed with the reigning premiers or was in with a chance late in the game last week against Richmond. For that matter, it's still hard to get the head around the fact that one of their number is really cashing in to the tune of $2 million for this season alone. Hard to fathom that from the 25 minute mark of the first term until the siren blared to end the third quarter, another team that had been pushed from pillar to post in the first nine rounds of the season and only won its first game a few weeks ago, could outscore an opponent by 15.8 to 1.1. The fact is that money can't buy what that scoreline provided to the people who collectively make up the Melbourne Football Club. It could only happen with emotion, with integrity, with hard work and with some healthy improvement in every facet of the club over recent weeks. The hero of the early part of the game was Mitch Clark who was absolutely superb with four first goals before he came off with a foot injury and a knock to the head. At one stage, it would not have been unreasonable to expect him to finish with double figures. His departure allowed others to take over as forward targets, notably former defenders Jared Rivers and Colin Garland who finished with four and three goals respectively (although the former was already in the goals by the time Clark left the field). Multiple goalkickers are always the heroes but it was another Demon who has stood consistently as a beacon among his teammates in Nathan Jones who ran all day to pick up 34 disposals and who led the way all day. So too did Mark Jamar in the ruck against a couple of the Giants big men in Brogan and Giles who might be unsung but have taken some significant scalps this year. Speaking of unsung heroes Matthew Bate has been in football's no man's land for the past few years but he was superb against the Giants amassing 27 touches, seven marks and a super goal. Then there were Melbourne's early draft picks in Jack Watts (27 touches), co-captains Jack Grimes and Jack Trengove, James Frawley and the much-maligned Colin Sylvia. All of them turned it on and showed their worth and the fact that they were deserving of their early draft slots. One should add some plaudits to Jordie McKenzie who quelled Scully's early start and put him out of the game. Similarly, Tom McDonald took the other GWS number one pick Jonathon Patton to the cleaners in a true break out performance in defence. The game could well turn out to be a turning point for the Melbourne Football Club and it was only fitting that former skipper James McDonald was on hand to watch his old club take its first steps towards future greatness. Perhaps I'm getting a bit carried away but it's been a while since the Demons had such a convincing victory but I suspect there will be many more against plastic franchises built on dollars yet lacking in the emotional aspects of the game that money can't buy, a principle no better exemplified than by the emotionless robot who got paid more than anyone else on the day. Melbourne 6.1.37 11.4.70 18.8.116 20.15.135 GWS Giants 5.1.31 6.2.38 6.2.38 9.3.57 Goals Melbourne Clark Rivers 4 Garland 3 Davey Sylvia 2 Blease, Bate Blease Howe Jamar Trengove GWS Giants Cameron 3 Wilson 2 Adams Bugg Greene Patton Best Melbourne Jones Watts McDonald Bate Grimes Clark GWS Giants Ward Adams Treloar Shiel Greene McDonald Injuries Melbourne Mitch Clark (foot) GWS Giants Nil Changes Melbourne Rohan Bail (concussion) replaced in the selected side by Sam Blease. GWS Giants Nil Reports Melbourne Nil GWS Giants Nil Umpires McBurney, Ryan, Hay Crowd 20,070 at the MCG

ANOTHER DAY AT THE OFFICE by KC from Casey The Casey Scorpions played out yet another close game with a thrilling finish that produced a four point win at Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Saturday. A goal to on baller Tom Couch gave them the lead with less than thirty seconds left on the clock which gave Sandringham just enough time for one final push forward but Farren Ray's shot for goal missed and Casey won it's fifth game of the season by one kick or less to give it a 9-1 record and a firm hold on a top two position on the 2012 Peter Jackson VFL ladder. The skies were gloomy, the ground was soft afoot and intermittent rain affected the game between the two top four aspirants and the first quarter was certainly a scrappy affair. The Zebras dominated the early going and took first blood when Beau Wilkes marked and goaled. For the visitors Evan Panozza and Will Petropoulos were busy and it was well into the opening term before Jordan Gysberts scrambled a goal but the consensus among fans was that they were fortunate to be in arrears by only eight points at the first break although they had worked hard to produce the tight defensive football necessary to curb the home team's early dominance. The tempo of the game lifted in the second term and the rest of the game was marked by swings in momentum as first one side and then the other grappled for control of the game. Ricky Petterd and Stef Martin goaled in the opening minutes of the quarter to give Casey what turned out to be a very short-lived lead. Sandy replied with three majors and ran out to a 15 point lead in a very short space of time. At this stage the Scorpions regrouped and produced some excellent running play. Petterd kicked his second, Rian McGough chipped in with a soccer goal and, when youngster Leigh Williams kicked one late in the term, Casey had a 6 point lead to take into half time. The Scorpions maintained control of the game for most of the third quarter scoring three goals to two and at one stage had stretched the lead out to 17 points. A late goal to the Zebras was significant because it kept them in the game and set up a cracking final quarter. Coach Brett Lovett urged his players to work hard in the final term and suggested that they should be the fresher team because of their lighter workload over the previous five weeks but things didn't work that way. With Wilkes on fire and the Zebras full of running, the lead was pegged back and eventually the home side took a narrow lead early in time on. It took two great goals to secure the win for Casey which was playing with two debutants in Chris Clay and Gippsland Power's Tom Muir among its eleven non AFL players. Recruit Tim Smith marked near the boundary and his shot restored the lead for the Scorps but then both sides scrambled points before Tom Couch, who had been heavily tagged all day, kicked truly to put them in front again. Casey's best was skipper Panozza who had a team best of 30 disposals and is a much improved player under Lovett's coaching. Gysberts and Martin were also prominent while another improver in Ricky Plummer was lively and Tim Smith and Luke Tynan continued to produce some promising football. James Strauss got through his important return game after his broken leg 10 month's ago and displayed some sublime kicking skills. It was a triumph for Lovett and his team who are getting used to winning the close ones, and while luck plays a part in such results, they also take a quality team to consistently produce them. In that respect, it was just another day at the office for the Casey Scorpions. HOW THE DEMONS FARED See melbournefc.com.au - Casey player review by Paul Satterley Casey Scorpions 1.4.10 6.10.46 9.11.65 11.15.81 Sandringham 2.6.18 5.8.38 7.12.54 10.17.77 Goals Casey Scorpions Gysberts Martin Petterd 2 Bennell Couch McGough Smith Williams Sandringham Wilkes 4 Shenton 2 Cockie Ledger Markworth Polo Best Casey Scorpions Panozza Gysberts Strauss Martin Plummer Smith Sandringham Peake Cockie Markworth Curren Marigliani Ferguson Sandringham Peake Cockie Markworth Curren Marigliani Ferguson Main possession winners Panozza 30, Gysberts 23, Martin 21, Strauss, L Tynan 18 AFL Development League Casey Scorpions 2.2.14 3.4.22 7.5.47 13.7.85 Sandringham 1.3.9 4.5.29 5.6.36 9.7.61 Goals Casey Scorpions Salton 3 Fitzpatrick Hill Lindsay 2 Chin Galvin Lawrence McInnes Sandringham Fallon Lourey 2 Brown Rist Sands Staley Stevens Best Casey Scorpions Pollard Salton Gent Patti McInnes Weekes Sandringham Meehan Sands Widdowson Stevens Plostins

ANOTHER DAY AT THE OFFICE by KC from Casey The Casey Scorpions played out yet another close game with a thrilling finish that produced a four point win at Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Saturday. A goal to on baller Tom Couch gave them the lead with less than thirty seconds left on the clock which gave Sandringham just enough time for one final push forward but Farren Ray's shot for goal missed and Casey won it's fifth game of the season by one kick or less to give it a 9-1 record and a firm hold on a top two position on the 2012 Peter Jackson VFL ladder. The skies were gloomy, the ground was soft afoot and intermittent rain affected the game between the two top four aspirants and the first quarter was certainly a scrappy affair. The Zebras dominated the early going and took first blood when Beau Wilkes marked and goaled. For the visitors Evan Panozza and Will Petropoulos were busy and it was well into the opening term before Jordan Gysberts scrambled a goal but the consensus among fans was that they were fortunate to be in arrears by only eight points at the first break although they had worked hard to produce the tight defensive football necessary to curb the home team's early dominance. The tempo of the game lifted in the second term and the rest of the game was marked by swings in momentum as first one side and then the other grappled for control of the game. Ricky Petterd and Stef Martin goaled in the opening minutes of the quarter to give Casey what turned out to be a very short-lived lead. Sandy replied with three majors and ran out to a 15 point lead in a very short space of time. At this stage the Scorpions regrouped and produced some excellent running play. Petterd kicked his second, Rian McGough chipped in with a soccer goal and, when youngster Leigh Williams kicked one late in the term, Casey had a 6 point lead to take into half time. The Scorpions maintained control of the game for most of the third quarter scoring three goals to two and at one stage had stretched the lead out to 17 points. A late goal to the Zebras was significant because it kept them in the game and set up a cracking final quarter. Coach Brett Lovett urged his players to work hard in the final term and suggested that they should be the fresher team because of their lighter workload over the previous five weeks but things didn't work that way. With Wilkes on fire and the Zebras full of running, the lead was pegged back and eventually the home side took a narrow lead early in time on. It took two great goals to secure the win for Casey which was playing with two debutants in Chris Clay and Gippsland Power's Tom Muir among its eleven non AFL players. Recruit Tim Smith marked near the boundary and his shot restored the lead for the Scorps but then both sides scrambled points before Tom Couch, who had been heavily tagged all day, kicked truly to put them in front again. Casey's best was skipper Panozza who had a team best of 30 disposals and is a much improved player under Lovett's coaching. Gysberts and Martin were also prominent while another improver in Ricky Plummer was lively and Tim Smith and Luke Tynan continued to produce some promising football. James Strauss got through his important return game after his broken leg 10 month's ago and displayed some sublime kicking skills. It was a triumph for Lovett and his team who are getting used to winning the close ones, and while luck plays a part in such results, they also take a quality team to consistently produce them. In that respect, it was just another day at the office for the Casey Scorpions. HOW THE DEMONS FARED See melbournefc.com.au - Casey player review by Paul Satterley Casey Scorpions 1.4.10 6.10.46 9.11.65 11.15.81 Sandringham 2.6.18 5.8.38 7.12.54 10.17.77 Goals Casey Scorpions Gysberts Martin Petterd 2 Bennell Couch McGough Smith Williams Sandringham Wilkes 4 Shenton 2 Cockie Ledger Markworth Polo Best Casey Scorpions Panozza Gysberts Strauss Martin Plummer Smith Sandringham Peake Cockie Markworth Curren Marigliani Ferguson Sandringham Peake Cockie Markworth Curren Marigliani Ferguson Main possession winners Panozza 30, Gysberts 23, Martin 21, Strauss, L Tynan 18 AFL Development League Casey Scorpions 2.2.14 3.4.22 7.5.47 13.7.85 Sandringham 1.3.9 4.5.29 5.6.36 9.7.61 Goals Casey Scorpions Salton 3 Fitzpatrick Hill Lindsay 2 Chin Galvin Lawrence McInnes Sandringham Fallon Lourey 2 Brown Rist Sands Staley Stevens Best Casey Scorpions Pollard Salton Gent Patti McInnes Weekes Sandringham Meehan Sands Widdowson Stevens Plostins

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

MONEY CAN'T BUY ME LOVE by Mean Gene Melbourne displayed great emotion when it monstered the young guns from Greater Western Sydney in their long-awaited clash at the MCG. While the board, the football department and the players have long moved on from the departure at the end of 2011 of Tom Scully, the majority of the fans needed to vent at their former player who not only jumped ship for the money but also who many believe acted disrepectfully to the club in the way he and his connections dealt with his departure. The fans got what they wanted. Like most of his fellow Giants, Scully started well enough. He was collecting his share of boos with every possession in the game's first 25 minutes as the Sydneysiders scored five of the game's first eight goals but then the wheels swiftly fell off as Melbourne went in for the kill. By game's end, they were no longer Giants and more in the nature of midgets in the presence of a superior opposition. It was hard to believe that this was the same team that went to Geelong and stayed with the reigning premiers or was in with a chance late in the game last week against Richmond. For that matter, it's still hard to get the head around the fact that one of their number is really cashing in to the tune of $2 million for this season alone. Hard to fathom that from the 25 minute mark of the first term until the siren blared to end the third quarter, another team that had been pushed from pillar to post in the first nine rounds of the season and only won its first game a few weeks ago, could outscore an opponent by 15.8 to 1.1. The fact is that money can't buy what that scoreline provided to the people who collectively make up the Melbourne Football Club. It could only happen with emotion, with integrity, with hard work and with some healthy improvement in every facet of the club over recent weeks. The hero of the early part of the game was Mitch Clark who was absolutely superb with four first goals before he came off with a foot injury and a knock to the head. At one stage, it would not have been unreasonable to expect him to finish with double figures. His departure allowed others to take over as forward targets, notably former defenders Jared Rivers and Colin Garland who finished with four and three goals respectively (although the former was already in the goals by the time Clark left the field). Multiple goalkickers are always the heroes but it was another Demon who has stood consistently as a beacon among his teammates in Nathan Jones who ran all day to pick up 34 disposals and who led the way all day. So too did Mark Jamar in the ruck against a couple of the Giants big men in Brogan and Giles who might be unsung but have taken some significant scalps this year. Speaking of unsung heroes Matthew Bate has been in football's no man's land for the past few years but he was superb against the Giants amassing 27 touches, seven marks and a super goal. Then there were Melbourne's early draft picks in Jack Watts (27 touches), co-captains Jack Grimes and Jack Trengove, James Frawley and the much-maligned Colin Sylvia. All of them turned it on and showed their worth and the fact that they were deserving of their early draft slots. One should add some plaudits to Jordie McKenzie who quelled Scully's early start and put him out of the game. Similarly, Tom McDonald took the other GWS number one pick Jonathon Patton to the cleaners in a true break out performance in defence. The game could well turn out to be a turning point for the Melbourne Football Club and it was only fitting that former skipper James McDonald was on hand to watch his old club take its first steps towards future greatness. Perhaps I'm getting a bit carried away but it's been a while since the Demons had such a convincing victory but I suspect there will be many more against plastic franchises built on dollars yet lacking in the emotional aspects of the game that money can't buy, a principle no better exemplified than by the emotionless robot who got paid more than anyone else on the day. Melbourne 6.1.37 11.4.70 18.8.116 20.15.135 GWS Giants 5.1.31 6.2.38 6.2.38 9.3.57 Goals Melbourne Clark Rivers 4 Garland 3 Davey Sylvia 2 Blease, Bate Blease Howe Jamar Trengove GWS Giants Cameron 3 Wilson 2 Adams Bugg Greene Patton Best Melbourne Jones Watts McDonald Bate Grimes Clark GWS Giants Ward Adams Treloar Shiel Greene McDonald Injuries Melbourne Mitch Clark (foot) GWS Giants Nil Changes Melbourne Rohan Bail (concussion) replaced in the selected side by Sam Blease. GWS Giants Nil Reports Melbourne Nil GWS Giants Nil Umpires McBurney, Ryan, Hay Crowd 20,070 at the MCG

DIGGING DEEP by Whispering Jack That wily old campaigner Kevin Sheedy had to dig deep into his bag of tricks to come up with a message for this week's game between the fledgling GWS Giants and Melbourne. Instead of informing all and sundry that his team, composed of mainly pimply faced teenagers mixed in with a handful of broken down old hacks and two or three players poached for nothing from other clubs considered it an honour to grace the wonderful ground which really gave birth to our native game, Sheedy couldn't help but go feral by baiting Melbourne fans with stereotypes about visiting the snow and with tales about how his club lured Tom Scully away from the club and into the fleshpots of Rooty Hill. As with much of what Sheedy says and does these days, it's all smoke and mirrors stuff - deception to mask the inadequacy of his team which was put together with the money and influence of a higher power being the AFL. There was no recruiting acumen and no finesse involved. The Giants' recruiters picked heir marks, offered more than their current clubs could possibly pay and had them hook, line and sinker. Clubs whose investments in the game were garnered through a century and a half of the hard slog had players pirated by people using their money. Talk about insult and injury! The truth of the matter is that Sheedy's new franchise is bleeding the AFL of millions of dollars to gain the sport a foothold in a new heartland in the western suburbs of a city that isn't interested the game at all. You only had to look at the rows and rows of empty seats at Skoda Stadium where the visiting Tiger fans almost outnumbered the bewildered looking locals at last week's affair to tell you that it's just not working. The truth is that Sheedy's ploy is a total distraction. An attempt to move the focus away from the fact that there's a game to be played and won and onto personalities like Scully, who jumped ship at the first opportunity to make a bigger buck (and good luck to him if he can get paid for routinely producing less on the field than half a dozen of his pubescent teammates) or James McDonald who, quite frankly, must have been embarrassed by the coach's suggestion that he be made captain for the day just so he could stick it up the fans who supported Junior so well for more than a decade. The first game between Melbourne and Greater Western Sydney Giants deserves much more than the piffling build up and humbuggery of Kevin Sheedy. It deserves to be taken seriously as a game of football for four points and not as a circus. Unfortunately, that's exactly what Sheedy has made it. Hopefully, Mark Neeld won't take the bait. THE GAME Melbourne v. GWS Giants at the MCG – Sunday 26 June 2012 at 3.15pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 0 wins GWS Giants 0 wins At the MCG Melbourne 0 wins GWS Giants 0 wins Since 2000 Melbourne 0 wins GWS Giants 0 wins The Coaches Neeld 0 wins Sheedy 0 wins MEDIA TV - Channel 7 & Fox Footy Channel live at 3.00pm. RADIO - ABC774 3AW Triple M THE BETTING Melbourne to win $1.31 GWS to win $3.55 LAST TIME THEY MET Never. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE Backs James Sellar James Frawley Jared Rivers Half backs Daniel Nicholson Tom McDonald Jack Watts Centreline Rohan Bail Jack Trengove Jack Grimes Half forwards Jeremy Howe Lynden Dunn Nathan Jones Forwards Mitch Clark Colin Garland Colin Sylvia Followers Mark Jamar Brent Moloney Jordie McKenzie Interchange Matthew Bate Aaron Davey Joel Macdonald James Magner Emergencies Sam Blease Troy Davis Cale Morton In Rohan Bail Matthew Bate Aaron Davey Joel Macdonald Out Sam Blease Brad Green (hip) Cale Morton Luke Tapscott (suspension) GWS GIANTS Backs Jack Hombsch Tim Mohr Sam Darley Half backs Shaun Edwards Phil Davis Toby Greene Centreline Tom Scully Callan Ward Adam Treloar Half forwards Taylor Adams Jeremy Cameron Rhys Palmer Forwards Nathan Wilson Jonathan Patton Mark Whiley Followers Dean Brogan James McDonald Dylan Shiel Interchange Tomas Bugg Jonathan Giles Devon Smith Luke Power Emergencies Chad Cornes WIlliam Hoskin-Elliot Andrew Phillips In Jonathan Giles Jack Hombsch Nathan Wilson Out Chad Cornes (rested) Andrew Phillips Sam Schulz (calf) THE PERILS OF LONG RANGE FORECASTING Let's face it. The minute the AFL issued its programme of matches way back twhen the full roster of Greater Western Sydney players was far from finalised, we were all smacking our chops in anticipation of what shaped not only as an eminently winnable game for Melbourne but also as a probable crushing of the club we had quickly grown to loathe because of the tactics used to lure Tom Scully away from the club. After all, Melbourne's first encounter in 2011 with that year's debutants from the Gold Coast had resulted in a 15 goal victory even though most judges felt the team didn't even raise a gallop until the final quarter. Surely, this would be another massacre of similar proportions? Well, we've seen some changes since then. Things have not gone well for Melbourne with injuries, loss of form, a slow adaptation to a new style of play and some extraordinary and well documented on and off field events derailing the first half of the club's season. Not even in our wildest nightmares did we expect Melbourne to be on only one win at this juncture. A similar thing could be said of Greater Western Sydney who most expected to go through 2012 winless. Not only did they beat the Suns earlier in the season, but they have been impressive with some real competitive performances, particularly in recent times. It's no mean feat to be on even terms with Geelong on its home turf even if the Cats are seemingly on their way down and the Giants did well last week to be within sniffing distance late in their game against the Tigers. On Sunday, the Giants will experience the MCG for the first time and the big ground should suit them because they run and spread well, a feature which has for the most part been lacking at Melbourne this year. The Demons have loaded up with big bodies in order to exploit the youthful Giants and it will be interesting to see how the game plays itself out. What puzzles me is the GWS decision to omit Chad Cornes who routinely stars against Melbourne and whose form this year had been widely acknowledged as one of the reasons why his team has been so competitive. Last week he had 23 touches against Richmond and whilst not as prolific against Geelong in the game before that, his contribution was significant. In his team's only win this year, Cornes had 28 possessions, took 12 marks and was easily best on the ground. It's hard to believe that he's been rested for this game on this ground and in the heavy conditions anticipated for Sunday. I wouldn't be surprised if this was yet another Sheedy ploy and a late change will see Cornes running out for the game. What Melbourne needs to win on Sunday is a good start. After a couple of weeks of competitive starts against Carlton and Essendon, the Demons were woeful for almost a quarter and a half as they conceded more than eight goals as a result of some sloppy play, loose checking and poor kicking for goal against the Pies on Queens Birthday. A similar start will lead to a day of embarrassment. On the other hand, the Giants will need everything to go their way much as it did last week against the Tigers when virtually every foray into the forward line resulted in a goal while Richmond was extremely wasteful up forward. The result was that the home side needed only fourteen shots to achieve twelve goals while the visitors scored one less goal with 31 attempts in their two goal win. In other words, it was only a matter of accuracy in front of goal that was the difference between a close result and an absolute thumping. These things rarely happen two weeks in a row and, on that basis I believe the time has come for Melbourne to kick off a better half of the season and I'm tipping Melbourne and Black Caviar to make it a double for the weekend. Both will end up saluting the judges. Demon fans - prepare to wave your jackets in the direction of the GWS coaches box at the end of the game! Melbourne by 36 points.