Demonland

The media focus on the fiery interaction between Max Gawn and Steven May at the end of the game was unfortunate because it took away the gloss from Melbourne’s performance in winning almost everywhere but on the scoreboard in its Kings Birthday clash with Collingwood at the MCG. It was a real battle reminiscent of the good old days when the rivalry between the two clubs was at its height and a fitting contest to celebrate the 2025 Australian of the Year, Neale Daniher and his superb work to bring the campaign to raise funds for motor neurone disease awareness to the forefront. Notwithstanding the fact that the Magpies snatched a one point victory from his old club, Daniher would be proud of the fact that his Demons fought tooth and nail to win the keenly contested game in front of 77,761 fans. And the skipper, once again stood out in the ruck with yet another brilliant performance against an opponent who tried everything in the playbook to beat him but Max did to him that which he has done to so many others this season and beat him comprehensively. The match included some intriguing duels, none of which was better than that between Ed Langdon who sacrificed his own game to play a run with role on Magpie superstar Nick Daicos and kept him under control for most of the game. You could forgive him the few free kicks he gave away for holding and he wasn’t responsible for Daicos’ only goal or the point he scored courtesy of a free from the lightest touch to his back but I do take umbrage at his not getting the benefit of a free for insufficient intent with a handball that went straight over the boundary line. That’s football. The player Melbourne couldn’t control was Josh Daicos who finished with the most disposals and the Neale Daniher medal to hang around his neck. Melbourne really needed some clean finishers like him to seal the deal but unfortunately, they lacked in that area in a game where one clean finish like a Melksham goal instead of a poster, a level headed Fritsch kick for goal when playing on after a mark or an extra metre on Koltyn Tholstrup’s shot at goal late in the game. Another great duel was the one between Gawn’s end of game protagonist Steven May who was superb all day as was the entire Demon defence including the improving youngsters Daniel Turner and Blake Howes. May was supremely effective on Jamie Elliott who has been on fire recently and kept him quiet with just the single goal. After an even first quarter, Melbourne did what it has been particularly good at doing for some time - winning in general play without managing to do what good football teams are supposed to do and that is to score goals. For all its dominance in the early part of the second quarter, it managed only 1.2 from 13 inside-50s while Collingwood scored two straight goals from six entries in the same period. Thankfully, Kozzy Pickett was around to weave some magic with a couple of great goals but again, some poor lapses and a failure to shut the game down in the dying moments of the opening half allowed a goal to Membrey right on half time. This was a game between the competition’s oldies who are holding down first place and a team that has some promising youngsters who are in fourteenth place. They should not feel discouraged by how they went about their game. Xavier Lindsay who was subbed off after he gave away a 50 metre penalty – harsh punishment since he was well behind the line but like a few other umpiring decisions on the day, they were probably technically there. The message for he and the other Demon youngsters who took part in this game is that their day will come. The Demons won the second half and even managed to steal the lead from the Magpies when Pickett kicked his third halfway through the final term. But they were to rue some more missed opportunities at the end against the competition’s most formidable combination in close games and for the second week in a row, lost a game despite having more scoring opportunities. They had sufficient intent but were unable to finish the game on the scoreboard. MELBOURNE 2.2.14 4.6.30 7.8.50 10.11.71 COLLINGWOOD 2.2.14 6.2.38 9.3.57 11.6.72 GOALS MELBOURNE Fritsch Pickett 3 Melksham Petty Sparrow Tholstrup COLLINGWOOD McStay 2 N Daicos Elliott Hayes Hill Long McCreery Membrey Mihocek Sidebottom BEST MELBOURNE Gawn Oliver Pickett May Petracca Rivers COLLINGWOOD J Daicos Howe Sidebottom Pendlebury N Daicos Quaynor INJURIES MELBOURNE Nil COLLINGWOOD Darcy Cameron (head cut) REPORTS MELBOURNE Nil COLLINGWOOD Nil SUBSTITUTIONS MELBOURNE Caleb Windsor (replaced Lindsay in the third term) COLLINGWOOD Will Hoskin-Elliott (replaced Allan in the fourth term) UMPIRES Andrew Stephens, Brendan Hosking, Jack Howard, Jamie Broadbent CROWD 77,761 at The MCG

I have something on tomorrow night so Podcast will be Wednesday night. The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Wednesday, 11th June @ 8:00pm. Join Binman, George & I as we dissect the Dees heartbreaking 1 point loss to the Magpies on King's Birthday Your questions and comments are a huge part of our podcast so please post anything you want to ask or say below and we'll give you a shout out on the show. Listen LIVE: https://demonland.com/

The Demons are set to embark on a four-week road trip that takes them across the country, with two games in Adelaide and a clash on the Gold Coast, broken up by a mid-season bye. Next up is a meeting with the inconsistent Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval. Who comes in and who goes out?

Max Gawn has an almost insurmountable lead in the Demonland Player of the Year Award ahead of Christian Petracca, Jake Bowey, Clayton Oliver and Kozzy Pickett. Your votes please; 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 & 1.

Despite effectively playing against four extra opponents, the Dees controlled much of the match. However, their inaccuracy in front of goal and inability to convert dominance in clearances and inside 50s ultimately cost them dearly, falling to a heartbreaking one-point loss on King’s Birthday.

It's Game Day and the Demons face a monumental task as they take on the top-of-the-table Magpies in one of the biggest games on the Dees calendar: the King's Birthday Big Freeze MND match. Can the Demons defy the odds and claim a massive scalp to keep their finals hopes alive?

It was freezing cold at Mission Whitten Stadium where only the brave came out in the rain to watch a game that turned out to be as miserable as the weather. The Casey Demons secured their third consecutive victory, earning the four premiership points and credit for defeating a highly regarded Collingwood side, but achieved little else. Apart perhaps from setting the scene for Monday’s big game at the MCG and the Ice Challenge that precedes it. Neither team showcased significant skill in the bleak and greasy conditions, at a location that was far from either’s home territory. Even the field umpires forgot where they were and experienced a challenging evening, but no further comment is necessary. The Demons dominated from the outset, steadied by the experience of their defenders led by Tom McDonald, who accumulated 15 possessions and six marks, and Marty Hore, who returned from injury with 11 touches. They held the Magpies goalless in the opening quarter and limited them to just three goals at three-quarter time. The problem was that Casey struggled to convert in front of goals, in an almost mirror image of the challenges faced recently by its senior counterpart. In the final term, the Magpies managed to put a few goals together and were on the cusp of snatching victory until Jack Billings stepped up. The veteran had led from the beginning and he produced a brilliant 28 possession game on the night to kick a confidence boosting goal just when it was needed. It wasn’t exactly the sealer but, in a game where goals were hard to come by, it was an essential for the victory. That goal was followed by a freakish shot off the ground from regular goal sneak Paddy Cross and the game was safe. Billings’ partner in crime in the midfield was Bailey Laurie who chimed in for the only goal of the opening term. He was solid all evening racking up 27 touches and seven tackles. Unfortunately, “Bill” seems to always miss out at the highest level in terms of not being able to get full game time. Another important player in the same category is Taj Woewodin who lifted in the final term to finish with 21 possessions and seven tackles. That trio was complimented by some now regularly consistent performances from VFL-listed stars in Riley Bonner, Mitch Hardie and Riley Baldi. Bonner was best on ground with 27 kicks, 8 handballs, 9 marks, 5 inside 50s and 8 rebound 50s. He was in everything from the word go and Hardie and Baldi weren’t far behind. As the team moves closer to finals contention, these players are proving to be more than invaluable additions to the Casey roster. Also of key importance is the master/apprentice ruck relationship of Tom Campbell and Will Verrall who together have been significant in the midfield winning first use out of the stoppages. Casey’s Saturday Night Fever tour continues next week when for some illogical reason it is slated as the host at ETU Stadium, Port Melbourne, home of the famous Burraberger (but not sure if available for this event), against Essendon’s VFL team. Go figure? CASEY DEMONS 1.3.9 3.6.24 5.11.41 7.15.57 COLLINGWOOD VFL 0.1.1 2.2.14 3.5.23 7.6.48 GOALS CASEY DEMONS Billings Cross Hardie Ireland Kentfield Laurie Mentha COLLINGWOOD VFL Cox 2 Browne Byrne Mason Smit Steele BEST CASEY DEMONS Bonner Laurie Hardie Billings Woewodin Baldi COLLINGWOOD VFL Steele Mitchell Dean DeMattia Grey Markov

ICE CHALLENGE ONE by KC from Casey It was freezing cold at Mission Whitten Stadium where only the brave came out in the rain to watch a game that turned out to be as miserable as the weather. The Casey Demons secured their third consecutive victory, earning the four premiership points and credit for defeating a highly regarded Collingwood side, but achieved little else. Apart perhaps from setting the scene for Monday’s big game at the MCG and the Ice Challenge that precedes it. Neither team showcased significant skill in the bleak and greasy conditions, at a location that was far from either’s home territory. Even the field umpires forgot where they were and experienced a challenging evening, but no further comment is necessary. The Demons dominated from the outset, steadied by the experience of their defenders led by Tom McDonald, who accumulated 15 possessions and six marks, and Marty Hore, who returned from injury with 11 touches. They held the Magpies goalless in the opening quarter and limited them to just three goals at three-quarter time. The problem was that Casey struggled to convert in front of goals, in an almost mirror image of the challenges faced recently by its senior counterpart. In the final term, the Magpies managed to put a few goals together and were on the cusp of snatching victory until Jack Billings stepped up. The veteran had led from the beginning and he produced a brilliant 28 possession game on the night to kick a confidence boosting goal just when it was needed. It wasn’t exactly the sealer but, in a game where goals were hard to come by, it was an essential for the victory. That goal was followed by a freakish shot off the ground from regular goal sneak Paddy Cross and the game was safe. Billings’ partner in crime in the midfield was Bailey Laurie who chimed in for the only goal of the opening term. He was solid all evening racking up 27 touches and seven tackles. Unfortunately, “Bill” seems to always miss out at the highest level in terms of not being able to get full game time. Another important player in the same category is Taj Woewodin who lifted in the final term to finish with 21 possessions and seven tackles. That trio was complimented by some now regularly consistent performances from VFL-listed stars in Riley Bonner, Mitch Hardie and Riley Baldi. Bonner was best on ground with 27 kicks, 8 handballs, 9 marks, 5 inside 50s and 8 rebound 50s. He was in everything from the word go and Hardie and Baldi weren’t far behind. As the team moves closer to finals contention, these players are proving to be more than invaluable additions to the Casey roster. Also of key importance is the master/apprentice ruck relationship of Tom Campbell and Will Verrall who together have been significant in the midfield winning first use out of the stoppages. Casey’s Saturday Night Fever tour continues next week when for some illogical reason it is slated as the host at ETU Stadium, Port Melbourne, home of the famous Burraberger (but not sure if available for this event), against Essendon’s VFL team. Go figure? CASEY DEMONS 1.3.9 3.6.24 5.11.41 7.15.57 COLLINGWOOD VFL 0.1.1 2.2.14 3.5.23 7.6.48 GOALS CASEY DEMONS Billings Cross Hardie Ireland Kentfield Laurie Mentha COLLINGWOOD VFL Cox 2 Browne Byrne Mason Smit Steele BEST CASEY DEMONS Bonner Laurie Hardie Billings Woewodin Baldi COLLINGWOOD VFL Steele Mitchell Dean DeMattia Grey Markov

My biggest vice is listening/watching clips of Blues Radio when they lose. Especially the close ones.

I have a feeling it was agreed to because two versions of the Ad were probably filmed and for whatever reason only one has ever aired. That's just a guess though.

Having convincingly defeated last year’s premier and decisively outplayed the runner-up with 8.2 in the final quarter, nothing epitomized the Melbourne Football Club’s performance more than its 1.12 final half, particularly the eight consecutive behinds in the last term, against a struggling St Kilda team in the midst of a dismal losing streak. Just when stability and consistency were anticipated within the Demon ranks, they delivered a quintessential performance marked by instability and ill-conceived decisions, with the most striking aspect being their inaccuracy in kicking for goal, which suggested a lack of preparation (instead of sleeping in their hotel in Alice, were they having a night on the turps) rather than a well-rested team. Let’s face it - this kicking disease that makes them look like raw amateurs is becoming a millstone around the team’s neck. How could anyone reasonably expect Melbourne to defeat Collingwood in the traditional King’s Birthday clash on Sunday following that performance? Mind you, I should add that I also watched the Magpies dominate the Hawks on Friday night, and based on that display, it was unlikely that I was going to predict an upset anyway. However, while I am pondering where Melbourne can win individual battles, and frankly, I am struggling to identify many such opportunities, I believe there might be a bright side. I believe the team’s competitiveness hinges on Simon Goodwin’s ability to devise the right strategy and tactics to reverse last week’s debacle. He cannot rectify their kicking inaccuracy overnight, so he must ensure his players are psychologically prepared to regain their pre-Alice Springs mindset. If they can achieve this, Melbourne still has a chance, albeit an outside chance. Looking back two years to the equivalent 2023 fixture, the first of the modern day Kings Birthday clashes, Melbourne demonstrated the ability to match Collingwood’s aggression, even with inaccurate kicking, amassing 8 goals 18 behinds to the Pies’ 9.8.62. What has changed since then? Not much of significance, apart from each team acquiring new players and losing key personnel, including Maynard for Collingwood and Jack Viney for Melbourne. The Demons have undoubtedly suffered a setback with Viney’s broken hand, which would have been invaluable in countering the dynamic Magpie brothers Daicos and injecting some attacking aggression into the mix. In his absence, Melbourne must find alternative personnel and strategies to curb Collingwood’s midfield dominance, which often creates scoring opportunities for their goal-kicking specialists like Elliott and Mihocek, who collectively kicked 9.2 last week. Those statistics would undoubtedly have our forward line coaches salivating. Ultimately, it is not mission impossible for Melbourne as long as it can overcome the propensity for self-inflicted errors. It has the players to do it, provided its big guns in Max Gawn, Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver fire and if the May/Lever combination holds firm, but will they rise to the challenge? In the end, sentiment prevails over rationality. I expect Collingwood to win by 29 points. THE GAME Melbourne v Collingwood at the MCG Monday 9 June 2025 at 3.20pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall Collingwood 156 wins Melbourne 85 wins 5 drawn At the MCG Collingwood 88 wins Melbourne 64 wins 3 drawn Last five meetings Collingwood 4 wins Melbourne 1 win The Coaches McCrae 5 wins Goodwin 1 win LAST TIME THEY MET Collingwood 15.13.103 defeated Melbourne 8.9.57 at the MCG in Round 23 2024 The season ended in a shambolic performance from a team that appeared uninterested and lacking in any inspiration and, to add insult to injury, it lost Kozzy Pickett for the first three weeks of the season to follow through suspension. The best thing to happen was the break through lightning which sent many Demon fans to the warmth of their homes early. A fitting end to a disappointing season. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE B J. Bowey, S. May, C. Salem HB J. McVee, J. Lever, T. Rivers C K. Chandler, C. Petracca, X. Lindsay HF E. Langdon, J. van Rooyen, B. Fritsch F J. Melksham, H. Petty, K. Pickett FOLL M. Gawn, C. Oliver, T. Sparrow I/C B. Howes, H. Langford, K. Tholstrup, D. Turner, C. Windsor EMG J. Culley, M. Jefferson, H. Sharp IN B. Howes, K. Tholstrup, J. van Rooyen OUT A. Johnson (suspended), B. Laurie (omitted), H. Sharp (omitted) COLLINGWOOD B J. Howe, B. Frampton, J. Daicos HB H. Perryman, D. Moore, I. Quaynor C J. Crisp, S. Sidebottom, E. Allan HF B. Hill, D. McStay, B. McCreery F J. Elliott, B. Mihocek, T. Membrey FOLL D. Cameron, N. Long, N. Daicos I/C W. Hayes, W. Hoskin-Elliott, D. Houston, S. Pendlebury, L. Sullivan EMG T. Mitchell, W. Parker, O. Steene IN W. Hayes, D. McStay OUT P. Lipinski (concussion), L. Schultz (hamstring) Injury and Suspension List: Round 13 Marty Hore — calf / available Aidan Johnson — suspended / 2 weeks Jack Viney — hand / TBC Charlie Spargo — scapula/ 4 - 5 weeks Shane McAdam — Achilles / next season Andy Moniz-Wakefield — knee / next season

Follow all the action from every Round 13 clash excluding the Dees as the 2025 AFL Premiership Season rolls on. With Melbourne playing in the final match of the round on King's Birthday, all eyes turn to the rest of the competition. Who are you tipping to win? And more importantly, which results best serve the Demons’ finals aspirations? Join the discussion and keep track of the matches that could shape the ladder and impact our run to September.

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