Demonland

BRUISE FREE by Whispering Jack In reviewing the match for tomorrow night between Melbourne and Essendon, I promised myself not to mention the fact that the club’s spate of injuries and suspensions which left it without half of its best twenty-two last week could possibly have been to blame for their recent poor performances. I also swore not to raise the fact that the team that was pitted against Carlton last week seemed to play without purpose and lacked intensity, direction and toughness and went down by 47 points in a game where there was a singular lack of flair shown by either side with the exception of Carlton’s captain Chris Judd who was head and shoulders above most of the others who took to the field (OK, perhaps I should have included Marc Murphy in there with him). Then again, Judd seems to have the umpires living in such awe of his presence that even when he is tackled and fairly dispossessed, the rules are interpreted differently than they are for mere mortals. “He tried to handball it; that’s all he has to do.” Please umpire - tell that to the other 780 odd players in the competition who usually get pinged for incorrect disposal in the same circumstances. Of course, the fact that Judd gets paid more per quarter of football than most others on the ground collect for a full game might have something to do with his stature and presence although I’m sure that he cops more bruises during a game than he hands out. However, I still left the MCG feeling more than somewhat disillusioned about the Demons’ prospects for the remainder of the season and, in particular, for the forthcoming games against clubs like Essendon this week and … heaven’s above … Collingwood the week after. I needed some inspiration, some positive thought in order to be able to preview Melbourne’s forthcoming game against the Bombers and it was for this reason that I found myself on the steps of an inconspicuous looking little nursing home in the inner northern suburbs that houses my friend and colleague, Clyde who used to drive taxi cabs for a living and has, in all the time I have known him, been regarded as the font of all knowledge about things football. He's the kind of person who always has a rare insight into every subject under the sun. I entered the premises and immediately noticed that three of the residents were sleeping on couches that lined one side of the reception area. It was two o’clock in the afternoon. I noticed a rooms that were dark with dank air and a feline smell pervaded over the place as I waited patiently seeking to attract the attention of the woman behind the reception desk. She turned out to be of no help because she too, had fallen asleep, so I wandered into the lounge area and, after tripping over a cat whose shrieks brought the facility to life, I finally discovered Clyde in a corner reading the form guide. Clyde knew instinctively that I was carrying a painful burden. He doesn’t attend many games these days on account of the arthritis that plagues him and which he blames on having to grip steering wheels for so many years during which he couldn’t remember a day passing by without him being in the driver’s seat for hours on end. “So they lost again. I tried to watch the game but I fell asleep, “he groaned. “But you saw how they held the tide back in the first half and were only 16 points down at the main break?", I queried. “No, I fell asleep during Better Homes and Gardens. Roses and daffodils do that to me.” I could see I was getting nowhere but then he asked about the hoo ha involving some Carlton footballers whose faces had been all over the previous night’s television news broadcasts. I started to explain the controversy of “bruise-free” football but the expression on his face suggested he had no idea what I was talking about. “Gawn,” Clyde exclaimed. “Clyde, Gawn hasn’t played a senior game yet.” “No, I’m talking about Bruce. We know he’s gawn. Gawn to Hawthorn and that’s why we’re playing Bruce-free football these days.” "How ...", I tried to start a sentence but his thin crab-like hand grasped mine and he now spoke eagerly. "Howe. Of course he will play this week." Friends. What more can I say about a conversation with a friend that, when I thought it over afterwards, probably best sums up how the 2011 is going for the Melbourne Football Club? I stood to leave but he sat up erect screaming at the top of his lungs. "The Blitz. It's the Blitz!" THE GAME Essendon v Melbourne at the MCG Friday, 3 June 2011 at 7.40pm. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Essendon 126 wins Melbourne 78 wins 2 draws At the MCG Essendon 63 wins Melbourne 42 wins 1 draw Since 2000: Essendon 10 wins Melbourne 5 wins The Coaches Hird 0 wins Bailey 0 wins MEDIA TV Channel 7 Delayed at 8.30pm RADIO THE BETTING Essendon $1.22 to win Melbourne $4.30 to win THE LAST TIME THEY MET Melbourne 19.8.122 defeated Essendon 14.19.93 at the MCG Round 15, 2010 The Bombers were never going to win and the Demons were almost 10 goals ahead early in the final quarter before they put the foot on the pedal and almost came to a screaming halt. Mark Jamar dominated in the ruck and Colin Sylvia dominated around the ground but it was Brad Green with five goals who really stamped his name on this game. THE TEAMS ESSENDON Backs Kyle Hardingham Cale Hooker Dustin Fletcher Half backs Henry Slattery David Myers Nathan Lovett-Murray Centreline Leroy Jetta Brent Stanton Travis Colyer Half forwards Jake Melksham Patrick Ryder David Zaharakis Forwards Angus Monfries David Hill Stewart Crameri Followers Tom Bellchambers Ben Howlett Mark McVeigh Interchange Alex Brown Dyson Heppell Michael Hibberd Sam Lonergan Emergencies Alwyn Davey Kyle Reimers Andrew Welsh MELBOURNE Backs James Frawley Jared Rivers Joel Macdonald Half backs Tom Scully Jack Watts James Strauss Centreline Jordan Gysberts Brent Moloney Jack Trengove Half forwards Cale Morton Colin Sylvia Jeremy Howe Forwards Max Gawn Brad Green Jamie Bennell Followers Stef Martin Nathan Jones Jordie McKenzie Interchange Liam Jurrah Neville Jetta Michael Evans Daniel Nicholson Emergencies Matthew Bate Sam Blease Tom McDonald In Max Gawn Jeremy Howe Tom Scully James Strauss Jack Trengove Tom Scully Out Matthew Bate Addam Maric Michael Newton (foot) Ricky Petterd Matthew Warnock New Max Gawn (Sandringham Dragons) Jeremy Howe (Hobart) THE BLITZ by Whispering Jack and Clyde the (ex) Clifton Hill Cabbie One of the nurses rushed into the lounge room carrying a pot of tea which she thrust onto a tray in front of Clyde. He accepted it gracefully and, when she turned her back to leave, he pulled a silver hip flask from his back pocket and poured more than a few drops of golden brown liquid into his cup. He drank and it revived him. The colour returned to his cheeks and he was suddenly alert. “You’re writing the preview for Friday night’s Melbourne v Essendon game, aren't you?" I nodded. "Well, I'll let you in on a secret. Things are not as bad as they seem. We’ll get back Scully and Trengove this week and that 208cm giant Gawn will come in for his debut. He'll prove a handful for the Bombers and he won’t be alone in making his debut. There’s this kid from Tassie named Howe from Dodges Ferry near Hobart who can take a big grab. Both of the newbies have been showing good form at Casey and young Strauss goes well too. "You know, I always used to say there's no substitute for youth. These kids are keen, eager and talented. They have that lean and hungry look about them. "Take the $4.30 on offer from the betting agencies. In fact, lend me a gorilla and put on a bet for me!” At that stage, I had to ask him what he had just put into his tea and he simply smiled. Finally, I asked him what he meant when he was ranting on about "The Blitz" and he responded: “I used to love doing match reviews but I always tried to maintain some balance so, if I was reviewing a game against the Bombers, I would seek their viewpoint. "I suggest that you go searching in the direction of Bomber Blitz, their supporter website and you will find your answers.” I left Clyde there, drinking his tea and giggling away. The cat had fallen asleep and purring contentedly. I still had trouble writing the preview but then remembered Clyde's advice. I crossed enemy lines and entered Bomber Blitz. To tell the truth, I haven't visited the place for twelve months and all I can say is what a difference a year and a few million dollars of coaching expertise makes to a club! For a start, the arrogance meter has risen to a level that was high even when their team was slithering near the bottom of the ladder and every supporter was ready to string Matthew Knights up by the [snip]. They reckon they’re the best thing since sliced bread and that Melbourne will be a breeze. In honour of Clyde, here are some of the thoughts being expressed by the Essendon faithful on their supporter website: From Disco Stu I like the originality of his humour, particularly the knee-slapping gag about membership cards doubling as lift passes at Bulla. I hope the MFC board takes this one on board because it could be a real winner. Then there's Spirit of Ailsa: An intellectual giant if I ever saw one. And so it went on with page after page dripping with meaningless inanity. There was no analysis of the teams, the game plans or the strategies. I was struggling to find anything of significance that I could borrow to write about tomorrow night's game from what I was reading on the Blitz. The entire body of on line Bomber supporters surely could not be so brain dead? There had to be something among all that drivel that could deliver something inspirational about the Demons ... and then I found this gem from Darth Taj: That's it. The Bomber fans are full of fear. Despite the youth of tomorrow's Melbourne team, Essendon comes into the game without its captain Jobe Watson, without Hurley and Hocking and having dropped their eight goal hero from the Suns game in Kyle Reimers. Their injury list is almost as long as Melbourne's, their last start was a disappointing loss to Richmond and they're coming off the dreaded bye which has seen many a side falter already this year. They're frightened that the opposition might come out firing. That they might even give away a few bruises. So I'm tipping the Demons to pull off an upset and win this one. They'll blitz the Bombers and win by 21 points. There. I've done it and it only took three or four swigs from the hip flask I confiscated from Clyde to get me there!

We were very good the day we played the Bombers last year. I think our win on top of their debacle against the Eagles spelled the end for Matthew Knights. A few of the players who took part in this game will not be there due to injury and, in the cases of Cam Bruce Kyle Cheney and Paul Johnson, leaving to go elsewhere (none are playing for Hawthorn anyway) but if you put the players available back in their positions and add in a few players who have been doing well this year, I think we might just still be able to put together a squad that can beat them. MELBOURNE Backs Jamie Bennell Jared Rivers Clint Bartram Half backs Colin Garland James Frawley Tom Scully Centreline Nathan Jones Jack Trengove Brad Green Half forwards Lynden Dunn Jack Watts Cameron Bruce Forwards Colin Sylvia Matthew Bate Jordie McKenzie Followers Mark Jamar Brent Moloney Aaron Davey Interchange Kyle Cheney Paul Johnson Liam Jurrah Joel Macdonald Emergencies Rohan Bail Neville Jetta Addam Maric In Paul Johnson Liam Jurrah Colin Sylvia Out Jack Grimes (hamstring) Neville Jetta (omitted) Jake Spencer (back) ESSENDON Backs Andrew Welsh Cale Hooker Heath Hocking Half backs Mark McVeigh Michael Hurley Kyle Reimers Centreline Leroy Jetta Jobe Watson Courtenay Dempsey Half forwards Brent Stanton Scott Gumbleton Angus Monfries Forwards Alwyn Davey Jay Neagle David Zaharakis Followers Patrick Ryder Jason Winderlich Ben Howlett Interchange Tom Bellchambers Travis Colyer Ricky Dyson Nathan Lovett-Murray Emergencies Sam Lonergan Jake Melsham Brent Prismall In Travis Colyer Courtenay Dempsey Ricky Dyson Ben Howlett Angus Monfries Jay Neagle Out Sam Lonergan Jake Melsham Brent Prismall Michael Quinn (all omitted) Henry Slattery (ribs) Tyson Slattery (omitted)

ONE QUARTER NOT ENOUGH by KC from Casey Another poor opening quarter set the scene for the Casey Scorpions' Round 9 defeat by Williamstown at Avalon Oval, Werribee on Saturday. The Seagulls came out of the blocks quickly and were able to score regularly thanks to productive forwards in Grant and Hahn. At the same time they denied any opportunity to score to the Scorpions who looked rusty coming off a week's break with the bye. When the siren sounded to end the first term, Casey had managed to accumulate no more than a solitary point to Willy's 4.5.29. Brad Gotch was once again forced to bring his team to life during the quarter time break and they were eventually stirred into action kicking seven goals to three. They even held the lead temporarily a few moments before the half time break. The catalyst for the comeback was talented young Demon Tom Scully who was one of his team's better players in the barren opening quarter. He showed his class and skill with Casey's opening goal and had a hand in others as the team whittled away at the Seagull lead. Forwards Jeremy Howe and Brendon Fevola (who kicked all of his three goals for the game in this period) were proving dangerous and Casey grabbed the lead but a late goal restored the Williamstown lead to three points at the main break. Big ruckman Max Gawn was proving a handful for AFL hardened ruckman Ben Hudson and things were looking hopeful for the Scorpions despite some injury worries. David Collins continued to impress with some strong work in the midfield. The game turned into a dour struggle in the third quarter and it was a real armwrestle until the Seagulls got on top late in the quarter with three quick goals. Defenders Tom McDonald and Tim Mohr had been steady throughout but, with the weight of numbers favouring Willy, Casey was suddenly staring at defeat and trailing by 17 points at orange time. With Fevola nursing an elbow and injuries restricting rotations off the bench, Casey was in a difficult situation. The Scorpions held on temporarily before Williamstown's greater fitness kicked in and the Seagulls ran away to a well deserved and comfortable forty-point victory. For the visitors to the western suburbs, it was a case of one good quarter not being enough to provide them with a satisfactory outcome for their trouble. Casey is away again next week with a visit to Sandringham in a game that pits two clubs that switched alignment partners two years ago. The Scorps will be hoping to throw off the injury concerns that have hit both them and the Demons in recent weeks. HOW THE DEMONS FARED Those injuries that have had a debilitating effect on Casey's senior partner in Melbourne are also squeezing the Scorpions. However, the incentive is also there for young Demons players to break into the AFL team. We thank Melon22 again for his insights into how the Dees fared this week. Sam Blease – started down back but moved into the centre in the second quarter. This was his most mature performance so far and he showed great intensity at the ball when in the clearances. However, he marred his performance with a couple of bad turnovers in the second half. He seems much more comfortable in the midfield than playing back. Lucas Cook – had a quiet first half but continued to present and took a couple of very nice contested marks in the second half. Cook is a very natural lead up CHF who makes good decisions with the ball. Currently playing third tall in a crowded forward line, he is still making the most of his opportunities which is pleasing. Troy Davis - opened his first senior VFL game with a stint on the bench, coming on with the Casey defence under siege and he was able to have an immediate impact. Davis has a strong body and held his own against AFL experienced players. He managed to punch anything that came near him in the air and was able to give some run off half back as well. Faded in the second half but it was an impressive debut. Max Gawn – this could well come to be regarded as the breakout game for Big Max. Not only did he have an impact in the clearances but he was also able to become a linkman and focal point for Casey around the ground. Some of his taps to advantage were sublime and while he didn’t completely dominate Hudson in the ruck contests, he definitely had the better of him. Where his game impressed so much was the way he moved around the ground, was able to make contest after contest and have an impact which is something he previously hasn't shown. It was also interesting to see when he was pitted against first round father/son selection Ayce Cordy he had such an impact in the tapouts that Cordy was taken straight out and pushed forward, such was Gawn’s dominance. He has a few things still to work on but he is much closer to his AFL debut after his performance. Jeremy Howe – for the second game in a row Howe has been the dominant Casey forward and must now be considered close to his AFL debut. He is playing with great intensity at the moment and his work rate is really high. His teammates at Casey look for him as a first option because even if he is out of position or outnumbered he makes a contest which is sign of just how well he is playing and how much confidence his team mates have in him. Cameron Johnston – made his debut at senior VFL level, had limited game time and struggled to get into the game. Kelvin Lawrence - injured early and had no influence on the game. Tom Mc Donald - a really good prospect. He has great hands and is surprisingly quick across the ground. Played mainly in defence but had stints forward and in the ruck and was effective in all areas. It would not surprise if he gets a game late in the year. Tom McNamara - started in the middle but struggled to get involved and was moved back in the second half. Would be disappointed not to have made a bigger impact on the game. Tom Scully – looked a class above in the first quarter; his lightning hands and his customary run were evident and he started to rack up the possessions early. He certainly didn’t look like someone who hadn’t played a game in three months. Kicked Casey’s first goal of the game in the second quarter which started a great spell of dominance for the Scorpions. As the game wore on he started to show signs of fatigue and was rested for the last quarter but showed what a classy player he is and how much the Dees need him in their side at the moment. James Strauss – started poorly as the Casey defense couldn’t get the ball out of the press and he was bit too loose on his opponents . He really stepped up in intensity from quarter time on and was able to play one on one defensive footy effectively while generating great drive out of defence. His kicking was brilliant for most of the day and, with Melbourne lacking quality ball users in the back half at the moment, his skills are just what are needed. Austin Wonaemirri - flashed in and out of the game and had moments of brilliance tempered with a few too many errors. Although he is putting in the effort, it’s just not all coming together for him at the moment. Casey Scorpions 0.1.1 7.4.46 9.7.61 10.8.68 Williamstown 4.5.29 7.7.49 11.1278 15.18.108 Goals Casey Scorpions Fevola 3 Howe 2 Blease Collins Cook Scully Stockdale Williamstown Grant 4 Hooper 3 Cordy Jolley 2 Barlow Dahlhaus Hahn Stack Best Casey Scorpions Gawn Howe Collins Mohr Davis Scully Williamstown Mulligan Johnson Stack Jolley Barlow Djerrkura The Casey reserves proved no match for a strong Williamstown combination but managed to keep in touch until half time thanks to some extraordinary accuracy in front of the goals. Ben Waite's seven goals would have him in line for a senior promotion next week, particularly with an injury cloud over Fevola. Michael Risely also did his prospects no harm. Casey Scorpions 4.0.24 8.1.49 9.4.58 13.5.83 Williamstown 5.6.36 10.9.69 19.11.125 23.13.151 Goals Casey Scorpions Waite 7 Hill Petropoulos 2 Bell Purves Williamstown Gray 4 Conway Cravino Kefford 3 Johannisen Morris Purton-Smith 2 Caruso Carr Fogarty Panos Best Casey Scorpions Waite Riseley Hill Bolton Weekes Salton Williamstown Carr Caruso Cravino Conway Rampe Grossman

ONE QUARTER NOT ENOUGH by KC from Casey Another poor opening quarter set the scene for the Casey Scorpions' Round 9 defeat by Williamstown at Avalon Oval, Werribee on Saturday. The Seagulls came out of the blocks quickly and were able to score regularly thanks to productive forwards in Grant and Hahn. At the same time they denied any opportunity to score to the Scorpions who looked rusty coming off a week's break with the bye. When the siren sounded to end the first term, Casey had managed to accumulate no more than a solitary point to Willy's 4.5.29. Brad Gotch was once again forced to bring his team to life during the quarter time break and they were eventually stirred into action kicking seven goals to three. They even held the lead temporarily a few moments before the half time break. The catalyst for the comeback was talented young Demon Tom Scully who was one of his team's better players in the barren opening quarter. He showed his class and skill with Casey's opening goal and had a hand in others as the team whittled away at the Seagull lead. Forwards Jeremy Howe and Brendon Fevola (who kicked all of his three goals for the game in this period) were proving dangerous and Casey grabbed the lead but a late goal restored the Williamstown lead to three points at the main break. Big ruckman Max Gawn was proving a handful for AFL hardened ruckman Ben Hudson and things were looking hopeful for the Scorpions despite some injury worries. David Collins continued to impress with some strong work in the midfield. The game turned into a dour struggle in the third quarter and it was a real armwrestle until the Seagulls got on top late in the quarter with three quick goals. Defenders Tom McDonald and Tim Mohr had been steady throughout but, with the weight of numbers favouring Willy, Casey was suddenly staring at defeat and trailing by 17 points at orange time. With Fevola nursing an elbow and injuries restricting rotations off the bench, Casey was in a difficult situation. The Scorpions held on temporarily before Williamstown's greater fitness kicked in and the Seagulls ran away to a well deserved and comfortable forty-point victory. For the visitors to the western suburbs, it was a case of one good quarter not being enough to provide them with a satisfactory outcome for their trouble. Casey is away again next week with a visit to Sandringham in a game that pits two clubs that switched alignment partners two years ago. The Scorps will be hoping to throw off the injury concerns that have hit both them and the Demons in recent weeks. HOW THE DEMONS FARED Those injuries that have had a debilitating effect on Casey's senior partner in Melbourne are also squeezing the Scorpions. However, the incentive is also there for young Demons players to break into the AFL team. We thank Melon22 again for his insights into how the Dees fared this week. Sam Blease – started down back but moved into the centre in the second quarter. This was his most mature performance so far and he showed great intensity at the ball when in the clearances. However, he marred his performance with a couple of bad turnovers in the second half. He seems much more comfortable in the midfield than playing back. Lucas Cook – had a quiet first half but continued to present and took a couple of very nice contested marks in the second half. Cook is a very natural lead up CHF who makes good decisions with the ball. Currently playing third tall in a crowded forward line, he is still making the most of his opportunities which is pleasing. Troy Davis - opened his first senior VFL game with a stint on the bench, coming on with the Casey defence under siege and he was able to have an immediate impact. Davis has a strong body and held his own against AFL experienced players. He managed to punch anything that came near him in the air and was able to give some run off half back as well. Faded in the second half but it was an impressive debut. Max Gawn – this could well come to be regarded as the breakout game for Big Max. Not only did he have an impact in the clearances but he was also able to become a linkman and focal point for Casey around the ground. Some of his taps to advantage were sublime and while he didn’t completely dominate Hudson in the ruck contests, he definitely had the better of him. Where his game impressed so much was the way he moved around the ground, was able to make contest after contest and have an impact which is something he previously hasn't shown. It was also interesting to see when he was pitted against first round father/son selection Ayce Cordy he had such an impact in the tapouts that Cordy was taken straight out and pushed forward, such was Gawn’s dominance. He has a few things still to work on but he is much closer to his AFL debut after his performance. Jeremy Howe – for the second game in a row Howe has been the dominant Casey forward and must now be considered close to his AFL debut. He is playing with great intensity at the moment and his work rate is really high. His teammates at Casey look for him as a first option because even if he is out of position or outnumbered he makes a contest which is sign of just how well he is playing and how much confidence his team mates have in him. Cameron Johnston – made his debut at senior VFL level, had limited game time and struggled to get into the game. Kelvin Lawrence - injured early and had no influence on the game. Tom Mc Donald - a really good prospect. He has great hands and is surprisingly quick across the ground. Played mainly in defence but had stints forward and in the ruck and was effective in all areas. It would not surprise if he gets a game late in the year. Tom McNamara - started in the middle but struggled to get involved and was moved back in the second half. Would be disappointed not to have made a bigger impact on the game. Tom Scully – looked a class above in the first quarter; his lightning hands and his customary run were evident and he started to rack up the possessions early. He certainly didn’t look like someone who hadn’t played a game in three months. Kicked Casey’s first goal of the game in the second quarter which started a great spell of dominance for the Scorpions. As the game wore on he started to show signs of fatigue and was rested for the last quarter but showed what a classy player he is and how much the Dees need him in their side at the moment. James Strauss – started poorly as the Casey defense couldn’t get the ball out of the press and he was bit too loose on his opponents . He really stepped up in intensity from quarter time on and was able to play one on one defensive footy effectively while generating great drive out of defence. His kicking was brilliant for most of the day and, with Melbourne lacking quality ball users in the back half at the moment, his skills are just what are needed. Austin Wonaemirri - flashed in and out of the game and had moments of brilliance tempered with a few too many errors. Although he is putting in the effort, it’s just not all coming together for him at the moment. Casey Scorpions 0.1.1 7.4.46 9.7.61 10.8.68 Williamstown 4.5.29 7.7.49 11.1278 15.18.108 Goals Casey Scorpions Fevola 3 Howe 2 Blease Collins Cook Scully Stockdale Williamstown Grant 4 Hooper 3 Cordy Jolley 2 Barlow Dahlhaus Hahn Stack Best Casey Scorpions Gawn Howe Collins Mohr Davis Scully Williamstown Mulligan Johnson Stack Jolley Barlow Djerrkura The Casey reserves proved no match for a strong Williamstown combination but managed to keep in touch until half time thanks to some extraordinary accuracy in front of the goals. Ben Waite's seven goals would have him in line for a senior promotion next week, particularly with an injury cloud over Fevola. Michael Risely also did his prospects no harm. Casey Scorpions 4.0.24 8.1.49 9.4.58 13.5.83 Williamstown 5.6.36 10.9.69 19.11.125 23.13.151 Goals Casey Scorpions Waite 7 Hill Petropoulos 2 Bell Purves Williamstown Gray 4 Conway Cravino Kefford 3 Johannisen Morris Purton-Smith 2 Caruso Carr Fogarty Panos Best Casey Scorpions Waite Riseley Hill Bolton Weekes Salton Williamstown Carr Caruso Cravino Conway Rampe Grossman

Brent Moloney still leads the Demonland Player of the Year voting but interestingly, he has not polled since Mark Jamar was injured after/during the Adelaide game. 67 . Brent Moloney 55 . Jack Trengove 51 . Stefan Martin 46 . Nathan Jones 42 . Colin Sylvia 41 . Jared Rivers Jack Watts 37 . Mark Jamar 35 . Rohan Bail 25 . Luke Tapscott 17 . Colin Garland Jordan Gysberts 16 . Liam Jurrah 13 . Neville Jetta 10 . Ricky Petterd 9 . James Frawley 8 . Aaron Davey Addam Maric 7 . Michael Evans 6 . Brad Green 4 . Jamie Bennell 3 . Clint Bartram Michael Newton 2 . Jack Grimes 1 . Joel Macdonald Jordie McKenzie Cale Morton Matthew Warnock

THERE'S ALWAYS NEXT YEAR by the Oracle Let's be very clear. The team that Melbourne put onto the ground for its Friday night clash against Carlton was undermanned and bereft of class. From the team that represented the club during its last foray onto the MCG when it thrashed Adelaide by 96 points just three weeks ago, ten players were missing; eight injured and two out suspended. The missing players included an All Australian ruckman from last year, several first round draft picks and a couple of others who were very much in form when the team lashed the Crows. Another player who would have been handy is Tom Scully who plays his first game for the season for Casey this round after sustaining a knee injury during the pre season. The situation was desperate. With that as the background, coach Dean Bailey approached the game by adopting the negative tactic of playing Jack Watts, recruited to the club to fill a key forward role, as a spare man deep in the back half - a tactic that remained in place for much of the first two quarters. The objective was to enable the team to get its hands on the football and to create options for quicker ball movement into the forward line. Of course, this strategy was always doomed to failure because Carlton had an edge in class and the players Melbourne had lined up in its own attacking half (when they were thereabouts) were inept, ineffective and played with such apparent disinterest that they brought their club and themselves to shame. The lack of pressure on the ball coming out of Melbourne's forward half was the subject of much discussion even earlier this year. Against the Blues, there were far too few tackles laid in the forward half and too many easy possessions given away to the opposition defenders. The forward set up was a shambles. Bailey was quoted as follows after the game: "Unfortunately, our kick inside 50 found them rather than us." There was nothing "unfortunate" about that at all. It was inevitable given the personnel in place, the way the forward line was set up and the manner of delivery into the forward line. One wag sitting near me suggested we would have been just as well off with Olivia Newton John playing up forward against three defenders than her namesake. The formula was a recipe for disaster at any time, let alone when players of limited ability were put in such a situation. And that just about sums up Melbourne's night. That they stayed within sight of the Blues as deep into the game as half time was a bonus but most of the 47,464 on hand at the MCG knew exactly what was coming next. The situation has almost certainly settled the futures of a number of players whose places on the list going forward must be decidedly shaky. Some might not get any more chances in view of the impending return of some regulars over the coming few weeks. Without detracting from Carlton's superiority, it would be remiss of me not to mention the inconsistency and the poor standard of the umpiring. Since the majority of the players on the field (from both sides) had bad nights, it was only fitting that the men in green would perform at the same abysmal level. Unfortunately for the Demons they were on the wrong end of a few umpiring bloopers early in the game that didn't help the confidence of the young group which collectively had two years less experience than its counterpart. Still Melbourne had few good players. The best were honest triers like Stef Martin who battled hard in the ruck and could have done with some assistance rather than the failed undersized back ups the club continues to field in the absence of so many of its tall timber. Jared Rivers, James Frawley and Joel Macdonald worked hard against the tide in defence and Nathan Jones, Colin Sylvia and Jordan Gysberts were overshadowed by a Carlton midfield that had Judd and Murphy but still they gave their all. Gysberts will one day be a real quality player. After ten rounds it's time to start looking towards the future and to follow the lead of teams that finished below the Demons last year but which have adapted to the realities of the game as it is being played now. I'm making the call early - there's always next year. Melbourne 1.2.8 3.4.22 4.7.31 6.10.46 Carlton 3.4.22 5.8.38 8.12.60 13.15.93 Goals Melbourne Green Jurrah Newton Petterd Rivers Sylvia Carlton O'hAilpin 3 Betts GarlettWaite Walker 2 Armfield Murphy Best MelbourneMacdonald Martin Jones Sylvia Gysberts Frawley Carlton Murphy Judd Gibbs Yarran Robinson, Jamison Scotland Injuries Melbourne Nil Carlton Russell (hamstring) Laidler (knee) Changes Melbourne Nil Carlton Nil Reports Melbourne Nil Carlton Nil Umpires McBurney Nicholls Armstrong Crowd47,464 at the MCG

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

THERE'S ALWAYS NEXT YEAR by the Oracle Let's be very clear. The team that Melbourne put onto the ground for its Friday night clash against Carlton was undermanned and bereft of class. From the team that represented the club during its last foray onto the MCG when it thrashed Adelaide by 96 points just three weeks ago, ten players were missing; eight injured and two out suspended. The missing players included an All Australian ruckman from last year, several first round draft picks and a couple of others who were very much in form when the team lashed the Crows. Another player who would have been handy is Tom Scully who plays his first game for the season for Casey this round after sustaining a knee injury during the pre season. The situation was desperate. With that as the background, coach Dean Bailey approached the game by adopting the negative tactic of playing Jack Watts, recruited to the club to fill a key forward role, as a spare man deep in the back half - a tactic that remained in place for much of the first two quarters. The objective was to enable the team to get its hands on the football and to create options for quicker ball movement into the forward line. Of course, this strategy was always doomed to failure because Carlton had an edge in class and the players Melbourne had lined up in its own attacking half (when they were thereabouts) were inept, ineffective and played with such apparent disinterest that they brought their club and themselves to shame. The lack of pressure on the ball coming out of Melbourne's forward half was the subject of much discussion even earlier this year. Against the Blues, there were far too few tackles laid in the forward half and too many easy possessions given away to the opposition defenders. The forward set up was a shambles. Bailey was quoted as follows after the game: "Unfortunately, our kick inside 50 found them rather than us." There was nothing "unfortunate" about that at all. It was inevitable given the personnel in place, the way the forward line was set up and the manner of delivery into the forward line. One wag sitting near me suggested we would have been just as well off with Olivia Newton John playing up forward against three defenders than her namesake. The formula was a recipe for disaster at any time, let alone when players of limited ability were put in such a situation. And that just about sums up Melbourne's night. That they stayed within sight of the Blues as deep into the game as half time was a bonus but most of the 47,464 on hand at the MCG knew exactly what was coming next. The situation has almost certainly settled the futures of a number of players whose places on the list going forward must be decidedly shaky. Some might not get any more chances in view of the impending return of some regulars over the coming few weeks. Without detracting from Carlton's superiority, it would be remiss of me not to mention the inconsistency and the poor standard of the umpiring. Since the majority of the players on the field (from both sides) had bad nights, it was only fitting that the men in green would perform at the same abysmal level. Unfortunately for the Demons they were on the wrong end of a few umpiring bloopers early in the game that didn't help the confidence of the young group which collectively had two years less experience than its counterpart. Still Melbourne had few good players. The best were honest triers like Stef Martin who battled hard in the ruck and could have done with some assistance rather than the failed undersized back ups the club continues to field in the absence of so many of its tall timber. Jared Rivers, James Frawley and Joel Macdonald worked hard against the tide in defence and Nathan Jones, Colin Sylvia and Jordan Gysberts were overshadowed by a Carlton midfield that had Judd and Murphy but still they gave their all. Gysberts will one day be a real quality player. After ten rounds it's time to start looking towards the future and to follow the lead of teams that finished below the Demons last year but which have adapted to the realities of the game as it is being played now. I'm making the call early - there's always next year. Melbourne 1.2.8 3.4.22 4.7.31 6.10.46 Carlton 3.4.22 5.8.38 8.12.60 13.15.93 Goals Melbourne Green Jurrah Newton Petterd Rivers Sylvia Carlton O'hAilpin 3 Betts GarlettWaite Walker 2 Armfield Murphy Best MelbourneMacdonald Martin Jones Sylvia Gysberts Frawley Carlton Murphy Judd Gibbs Yarran Robinson, Jamison Scotland Injuries Melbourne Nil Carlton Russell (hamstring) Laidler (knee) Changes Melbourne Nil Carlton Nil Reports Melbourne Nil Carlton Nil Umpires McBurney Nicholls Armstrong Crowd47,464 at the MCG

NOTHING TO LOSE - THE PEOPLE SPEAK by The People (introduced and edited by JVM) Three weeks ago Melbourne gave an emphatic response to its critics who were scathing in their attitude to the team's inept performance against West Coast in Perth. The 96 point victory over Adelaide and the manner in which it was achieved had supporters enthralled and looking forward to the remainder of the season with great positivity. Then things changed dramatically as injuries and suspension cut a swathe through its list. The rucks have been demolished, the midfield disturbed and the defence partly shattered by the scourge. The leadership group is looking decidedly shaky and the latest news is that Aaron Davey, already suffering from some poor form, is the latest injury victim with a kneee cartelige problem. In the wake of all this, the club has lost two eminently winnable matches and has fallen out of the top eight. It now finds itself in a position where it has nothing to lose. Striker475 takes up the story:- It's hard to remember a genuinely nothing-to-lose situation for the club recently. There have been situations where the club has been judged to be winning by losing. Last season, every win was a treat, a delight. Now, the situation is different. The pressure is on...or is it? The Melbourne Football Club faces three sides in the next three weeks all challenging for the top four. While the media seek to put the pressure on the coach, I would suggest there is anything but. This is the time where the pressure is off. There is nothing for the club to lose. Every neutral, every head-before-heart tipper will consider Carlton favourites for Friday night. But, at the hallowed turf of the MCG, the kids will get a chance to shine. The names are not household outside of those uttered by the Melbourne faithful. Names such as Gysberts, Jones, McKenzie, Martin. These are not the shining lights that other supporters know as the Melbourne guns. They are not Trengove, Scully or Jamar. Yet they are just as important and even more so heading forward. And they have a chance. Their task is not an easy one. Names such as Judd, Murphy, Gibbs and Waite sit on the opposing team sheet. Yet it would be foolish to discount their chance. Because ultimately, any given Friday anything can happen. THE GAME Melbourne v Carlton at the MCG - Friday 27 May 2011 at 2.10pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 88 wins Carlton 112 wins 2 draws At MCG Melbourne 49 wins Carlton 44 wins Since 2000 Melbourne 8 wins Carlton 7 wins The Coaches Bailey 0 wins Ratten 3 wins MEDIA TV - Channel 7 at 8:30 pm (delayed telecast) Radio - 3AW Triple M SEN K-Rock ABC774 THE BETTING Carlton to win $1.20 Melbourne to win $4.60 THE LAST TIME THEY MET Carlton 15.11.101 defeated Melbourne 9.6.60 at the MCG, Round 11, 2010 The bigger bodied Blues got the jump on the young Demons who were unable to reel them in as the rain teemed down on the MCG. Brent Moloney was the star and second gamer Jordan Gysberts was very good for the Demons while veteran skipper James McDonald kept Chris Judd in check until his hamstring gave way in the last quarter. TEAMS - to be loaded when available. MELBOURNE Backs James Frawley Matthew Warnock Joel Macdonald Half backs Cale Morton Jared Rivers Neville Jetta Centreline Jack Watts Brent Moloney Matthew Bate Half forwards Addam Maric Michael Newton Liam Jurrah Forwards Brad Green Colin Sylvia Jamie Bennell Followers Stef Martin Nathan Jones Jordie McKenzie Interchange Michael Evans Jordan Gysberts Daniel Nicholson Ricky Petterd Emergencies Max Gawn Jeremy Howe Austin Wonaeamirri In Jamie Bennell Cale Morton Daniel Nicholson Out Clint Bartram (hip) Aaron Davey (knee) Luke Tapscott (hamstring) CARLTON Backs Jordan Russell Bret Thornton Chris Yarran Half backs Nick Duigan Michael Jamison Jeremy Laidler Centreline Heath Scotland Brock McLean Kade Simpson Half forwards Chris Judd Jarrad Waite Eddie Betts Forwards Jeff Garlett Setanta O’hAilpin Andrew Walker Followers Shaun Hampson Bryce Gibbs Marc Murphy Interchange Dennis Armfield Andrew Carrazzo David Ellard Mitch Robinson Emergencies Lachlan Henderson Ryan Houlihan Aaron Joseph In Shaun Hampson Out Robert Warnock (concussion) Demon Head has his say:- Coach Dean Bailey urged his players last week to be "bolder and braver" against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium. He said the Demons had worked on more flair and intensity with their ball movement at training to try to eradicate the damning inconsistency so far this season. Well, I don't know if the players were listening to what he had to say or, if so, whether they understood because the team's performance in terms of better ball movement left a hell of a lot to be desired from my point of view. This week I call on Bailey as a supporter to bolder and braver himself. Bolder with team selection so as to give the message to those players who failed to contribute over the past two weeks that their peformances were not good enough and that if young players show something at Casey then the opportunity is there as it was to Michael Evans last week. The Demons are on the big stage this week. Friday night when the club gets exposure and hopefully, good crowds to help with the club's coffers. We need to dig deep and get things done this week. Daveytrain1 implores the Dees to show the world what they're made of:- The three biggest rounds of the year are here for Melbourne Football Club. The clouds were once clearing on the oldest football club in this land, however unforeseen storms have smashed this club on the bow early this year. The poor year started with the doubt surrounding the commitment of Melbourne's best potential, and hasn't cleared with injuries battering the group from pillar to post. The rain continued to poor when a young star was brought down for three weeks for an act that every other player in the greatest game on earth respected. However, as the young group turn the corner they face the big stage. The best thing about this situation is they can silent their critics, they can rise above the negativity haunting the club and stamp their authority as the 'next best thing'. Mr Watts is starting to show his potential, the new wizard has plenty of tricks and the battle hardened bodies of Moloney, Jones and Sylvia wont go down with a fight. Some say that this group now does not have the skills, the hardness or the leaders to win these games but as they say.. "It's not the size of the dog in the fight, its the size of the fight in the dog" Show the world what your made of Melbourne. Its your turn. And the last word goes to DemonWA:- The hamstring injury to Bull Tapscott is another blow to a team struggling for consistency in performance, and continuity on the team sheet. Although the injury list is starting to resemble something similar to a who's who of the playing group, this should allow more of the club's much hyped younger brigade to have a crack at senior level. The debut of young "Pickles" Evans last week left me with a strange feeling. On one hand, we have uncovered another promising young midfielder with a rookie selection, but on the other hand what type of a blight is it on the more senior players when an elevated rookie shows them up? Dean Bailey is in a difficult situation. The debut of Evans would have left him wondering whether there are others at Casey who may shine if given an opportunity on Friday night. He will however understand that blooding more youngsters and putting in admirable performances for defeats will not satisfy those still calling for his head. With a very difficult draw for the next month, Bailey will be wanting to show the footy viewing public that he can coach by creating an upset or two, and he will be no doubt struggling with the decision on whether injecting more of the enthusiasm of youth into an already young team is the right way to go about trying to achieving consistency from the playing group . Restless Demon supporters have been patient for the last few years whilst the club rebuilt our list, but since the NAB Cup its been clear that the rebuild is still a work in progress. There are many fans like myself who would be happy to continue to blood our youngsters so that we have a better idea of what they can or can't do, but you get the feeling that Bailey may persevere with the older group for a while yet, if only in an attempt to save his own career. Carlton also rebuilt their list with top draft picks, but topped it off with the addition of a then Brownlow medallist and premiership captain, one C. Judd. Even with this depth of talent the Blues have been regarded as underachievers in recent years. It is only now, 3 years since the drafting of Kreuzer, and 5 years since drafting Murphy that the Blues are proving to be a real contender. Impatient Demons fans should perhaps consider this when making assessments on when the Melbourne Football Club should reasonably expect to be in a similar position. That said, not yet being a legitimate contender does not make the Demons exempt showing a bit of heart and coming out to play. With the prematch entertainment being a fundraising effort for cancer you cannot discount the influence that a pre match address given by Jimmy could have on the players, however i'm expecting an admirable loss, not dissimilar to the performance against last years runners-up last round. Blues by 23 points

NOTHING TO LOSE - THE PEOPLE SPEAK by The People (introduced and edited by JVM) Three weeks ago Melbourne gave an emphatic response to its critics who were scathing in their attitude to the team's inept performance against West Coast in Perth. The 96 point victory over Adelaide and the manner in which it was achieved had supporters enthralled and looking forward to the remainder of the season with great positivity. Then things changed dramatically as injuries and suspension cut a swathe through its list. The rucks have been demolished, the midfield disturbed and the defence partly shattered by the scourge. The leadership group is looking decidedly shaky and the latest news is that Aaron Davey, already suffering from some poor form, is the latest injury victim with a kneee cartelige problem. In the wake of all this, the club has lost two eminently winnable matches and has fallen out of the top eight. It now finds itself in a position where it has nothing to lose. Striker475 takes up the story:- It's hard to remember a genuinely nothing-to-lose situation for the club recently. There have been situations where the club has been judged to be winning by losing. Last season, every win was a treat, a delight. Now, the situation is different. The pressure is on...or is it? The Melbourne Football Club faces three sides in the next three weeks all challenging for the top four. While the media seek to put the pressure on the coach, I would suggest there is anything but. This is the time where the pressure is off. There is nothing for the club to lose. Every neutral, every head-before-heart tipper will consider Carlton favourites for Friday night. But, at the hallowed turf of the MCG, the kids will get a chance to shine. The names are not household outside of those uttered by the Melbourne faithful. Names such as Gysberts, Jones, McKenzie, Martin. These are not the shining lights that other supporters know as the Melbourne guns. They are not Trengove, Scully or Jamar. Yet they are just as important and even more so heading forward. And they have a chance. Their task is not an easy one. Names such as Judd, Murphy, Gibbs and Waite sit on the opposing team sheet. Yet it would be foolish to discount their chance. Because ultimately, any given Friday anything can happen. THE GAME Melbourne v Carlton at the MCG - Friday 27 May 2011 at 2.10pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 88 wins Carlton 112 wins 2 draws At MCG Melbourne 49 wins Carlton 44 wins Since 2000 Melbourne 8 wins Carlton 7 wins The Coaches Bailey 0 wins Ratten 3 wins MEDIA TV - Channel 7 at 8:30 pm (delayed telecast) Radio - 3AW Triple M SEN K-Rock ABC774 THE BETTING Carlton to win $1.20 Melbourne to win $4.60 THE LAST TIME THEY MET Carlton 15.11.101 defeated Melbourne 9.6.60 at the MCG, Round 11, 2010 The bigger bodied Blues got the jump on the young Demons who were unable to reel them in as the rain teemed down on the MCG. Brent Moloney was the star and second gamer Jordan Gysberts was very good for the Demons while veteran skipper James McDonald kept Chris Judd in check until his hamstring gave way in the last quarter. TEAMS MELBOURNE Backs James Frawley Matthew Warnock Joel Macdonald Half backs Cale Morton Jared Rivers Neville Jetta Centreline Jack Watts Brent Moloney Matthew Bate Half forwards Addam Maric Michael Newton Liam Jurrah Forwards Brad Green Colin Sylvia Jamie Bennell Followers Stef Martin Nathan Jones Jordie McKenzie Interchange Michael Evans Jordan Gysberts Daniel Nicholson Ricky Petterd Emergencies Max Gawn Jeremy Howe Austin Wonaeamirri In Jamie Bennell Cale Morton Daniel Nicholson Out Clint Bartram (hip) Aaron Davey (knee) Luke Tapscott (hamstring) CARLTON Backs Jordan Russell Bret Thornton Chris Yarran Half backs Nick Duigan Michael Jamison Jeremy Laidler Centreline Heath Scotland Brock McLean Kade Simpson Half forwards Chris Judd Jarrad Waite Eddie Betts Forwards Jeff Garlett Setanta O’hAilpin Andrew Walker Followers Shaun Hampson Bryce Gibbs Marc Murphy Interchange Dennis Armfield Andrew Carrazzo David Ellard Mitch Robinson Emergencies Lachlan Henderson Ryan Houlihan Aaron Joseph In Shaun Hampson Out Robert Warnock (concussion) Demon Head has his say:- Coach Dean Bailey urged his players last week to be "bolder and braver" against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium. He said the Demons had worked on more flair and intensity with their ball movement at training to try to eradicate the damning inconsistency so far this season. Well, I don't know if the players were listening to what he had to say or, if so, whether they understood because the team's performance in terms of better ball movement left a hell of a lot to be desired from my point of view. This week I call on Bailey as a supporter to bolder and braver himself. Bolder with team selection so as to give the message to those players who failed to contribute over the past two weeks that their peformances were not good enough and that if young players show something at Casey then the opportunity is there as it was to Michael Evans last week. The Demons are on the big stage this week. Friday night when the club gets exposure and hopefully, good crowds to help with the club's coffers. We need to dig deep and get things done this week. Daveytrain1 implores the Dees to show the world what they're made of:- The three biggest rounds of the year are here for Melbourne Football Club. The clouds were once clearing on the oldest football club in this land, however unforeseen storms have smashed this club on the bow early this year. The poor year started with the doubt surrounding the commitment of Melbourne's best potential, and hasn't cleared with injuries battering the group from pillar to post. The rain continued to poor when a young star was brought down for three weeks for an act that every other player in the greatest game on earth respected. However, as the young group turn the corner they face the big stage. The best thing about this situation is they can silent their critics, they can rise above the negativity haunting the club and stamp their authority as the 'next best thing'. Mr Watts is starting to show his potential, the new wizard has plenty of tricks and the battle hardened bodies of Moloney, Jones and Sylvia wont go down with a fight. Some say that this group now does not have the skills, the hardness or the leaders to win these games but as they say.. "It's not the size of the dog in the fight, its the size of the fight in the dog" Show the world what your made of Melbourne. Its your turn. And the last word goes to DemonWA:- The hamstring injury to Bull Tapscott is another blow to a team struggling for consistency in performance, and continuity on the team sheet. Although the injury list is starting to resemble something similar to a who's who of the playing group, this should allow more of the club's much hyped younger brigade to have a crack at senior level. The debut of young "Pickles" Evans last week left me with a strange feeling. On one hand, we have uncovered another promising young midfielder with a rookie selection, but on the other hand what type of a blight is it on the more senior players when an elevated rookie shows them up? Dean Bailey is in a difficult situation. The debut of Evans would have left him wondering whether there are others at Casey who may shine if given an opportunity on Friday night. He will however understand that blooding more youngsters and putting in admirable performances for defeats will not satisfy those still calling for his head. With a very difficult draw for the next month, Bailey will be wanting to show the footy viewing public that he can coach by creating an upset or two, and he will be no doubt struggling with the decision on whether injecting more of the enthusiasm of youth into an already young team is the right way to go about trying to achieving consistency from the playing group . Restless Demon supporters have been patient for the last few years whilst the club rebuilt our list, but since the NAB Cup its been clear that the rebuild is still a work in progress. There are many fans like myself who would be happy to continue to blood our youngsters so that we have a better idea of what they can or can't do, but you get the feeling that Bailey may persevere with the older group for a while yet, if only in an attempt to save his own career. Carlton also rebuilt their list with top draft picks, but topped it off with the addition of a then Brownlow medallist and premiership captain, one C. Judd. Even with this depth of talent the Blues have been regarded as underachievers in recent years. It is only now, 3 years since the drafting of Kreuzer, and 5 years since drafting Murphy that the Blues are proving to be a real contender. Impatient Demons fans should perhaps consider this when making assessments on when the Melbourne Football Club should reasonably expect to be in a similar position. That said, not yet being a legitimate contender does not make the Demons exempt showing a bit of heart and coming out to play. With the prematch entertainment being a fundraising effort for cancer you cannot discount the influence that a pre match address given by Jimmy could have on the players, however i'm expecting an admirable loss, not dissimilar to the performance against last years runners-up last round. Blues by 23 points

Appreciate people putting together their own previews for this exercise rather than criticising those who have made an attempt to do so. Cheers, Andy

We've had some relative success with our THE PEOPLE SPEAK previews in the past so I though it might be an idea to go with it again. Best previews will be used (some editing may be necessary). So let's hear ... THE PEOPLE SPEAK!

Here are the teams but if I recall correctly, James Frawley had to pull out at the last minute and we were fined by the AFL for making a late change. Can someone recall who nreplaced Chip (I think it was Matthew Warnock)? MELBOURNE Backs Clint Bartram James Frawley Cameron Bruce Half backs Jack Grimes Jared Rivers James McDonald Centreline Brad Green Jack Trengove Aaron Davey Half forwards Nathan Jones Brad Miller Tom Scully Forwards Jamie Bennell Jack Watts Cale Morton Followers Mark Jamar Brent Moloney Neville Jetta Interchange Matthew Bate Colin Garland Jordan Gysberts Colin Sylvia Emergencies Kyle Cheney Jordie McKenzie Michael Newton In Matthew Bate Tom Scully Jack Trengove Out Joel MacDonald Matthew Warnock Austin Wonaeamirri<BR style="mso-special-character: line-break"><BR style="mso-special-character: line-break">CARLTON Backs Aaron Joseph Michael Jamison Bret Thornton Half backs Steven Browne Andrew Walker Jordan Russell Centreline Kade Simpson Chris Judd Heath Scotland Half forwards Ryan Houlihan Jarrad Waite Andrew Carrazzo Followers Eddie Betts Setanta O’hAilpin Matthew Kreuzer Rucks Sam Jacobs Bryce Gibbs Marc Murphy Interchange Joe Anderson Jeff Garlett Richard Hadley Mitch Robinson Emergencies Shaun Grigg Lachie Henderson Brock McLean In Ryan Houlihan Jarrad Waite Out Lachie Henderson Henderson Brock McLean

The big mover is the big improver - Stef Martin moves into third place overall. 67. Brent Moloney 55. Jack Trengove 47. Stefan Martin 37. Mark Jamar 36. Nathan Jones 35. Rohan Bail 30. Jack Watts 28. Jared Rivers 27. Colin Sylvia 25. Luke Tapscott 17. Colin Garland Jordan Gysberts 16. Liam Jurrah 13. Neville Jetta 10. Ricky Petterd 8. Aaron Davey Addam Maric 7. Michael Evans James Frawley 4. Jamie Bennell 3. Clint Bartram Michael Newton 2. Jack Grimes 1. Cale Morton Matthew Warnock

JUDGEMENT DAY 2011 by The Oracle They've done it again. For the second week in a row they have lost an eminently winnable game, mostly for the fact that they cannot avoid inflicting the wounds upon themselves. Forget about the fact that the team was undermanned and lost another player to injury in the opening minutes of the game. The Saints were ripe for the plucking and Melbourne gifted them a game of football through playing to a game plan that it could not only not perform properly but one of which the opposition was awake to and prepared to exploit. After watching the game from the night before between Geelong and Carlton it was painful and embarrassing to watch these teams going through their routines. The Saints were down on confidence and played no better than they have for most of the season - a team shattered, lost and lacking in self-respect and confidence. Melbourne won statistically in nearly every aspect with the exception of the one that mattered - on the scoreboard. They also lost the inside 50 count although they were well ahead at half time and led at every break until a final quarter 9-21 put them behind. This was because the team insisted on playing laterally across the ground and in a game that devolved into a matter of which team would make the most mistakes this spelled disaster and, for that ... Take a bow, Demons! I wrote earlier this year (after the NAB Cup game against Essendon) that Melbourne has gone backwards since last year and I was criticised for this. Let me say now that the team has gone further backwards and the trend appears to irreversible as long as they are coached to do the things that were done yesterday. Unlike last year when it was shaping as a strong unit under Sean Wellman, the defence simply has no clue. It's regular default position is to switch play, then switch it back again until the inevitable brainfart occurs and results in an opposition goal. How many times did that happen yesterday? Enough to make a difference in the result of the game. The forward line has no focal point, particularly when Liam Jurrah is out of form or out of sorts. He kicked three goals but two of them were in junk time. (although the cynics will say that every minute of a Melbourne game these days is "junk time"). There was little pressure to keep the ball inside 50 and once it was swept out, Melbourne made things easy for the opposition by providing inadequate coverage on opposition playmakers, particularly Stephen Milne in the first quarter and Brendon Goddard and Leigh Montagna all day. The midfield actually held up reasonably well with Martin winning in the ruck and getting the ball down to Brent Moloney, Jordan Gysberts, Nathan Jones and Colin Sylvia. However, when you overuse handball and do it sloppily in defence then you really don't give yourself much of a chance. Rather, you play people like Goddard and Montagna right into form. The game will long be remembered for a series of classic clangers. Michael Newton's failure to convert when running loping into an open goal is one that comes quickly to mind, especially given that the Saints ran the ball down the ground to punish the Dees with a goal immediately thereafter. But the cake was taken in the first play of the final term. With Melbourne trailing by two goals, St. Kilda got the first clearance only to see Joel Macdonald take a solid mark on the 50 metre line. Inexplicably, he played on with an opponent on his hammer, was tackled and penalised. Aaron Davey, who was having a shocker of a game, threw the ball to Macdonald and gave away a 50 metre penalty to deliver yet another gift goal at such a crucial stage of the game. Disaster. And speaking of Davey and disaster, he is so far out of form that a trip to Casey or a week off beckons. I'd recommend a trip to the club psychologist but I understand that he's fully booked up this week treating traumatised Demon fans in the wake of the past two weeks. There are always some rays of light and I would nominate Jack Watts who is really turning into a quality footballer, Jordan Gysberts who keeps on improving from week to week and Michael Evans for his fine 27 possession debut. Jordie McKenzie's return from injury was also a boon. On the strength of Evans' return, I believe it's time to bring more youth into the team in the coming weeks. Saturday 21 May 2011 was supposed to be Judgement Day - the end of the earth. It seems however, that most of the planet came out of the day unscathed but not the Melbourne Football Club. Nothing will cover the club's deficiencies now. It has a third world coaching set up and therefore other developing sides will do a leapfrog over Melbourne unless it can start playing a more positive and purposeful style of football. Melbourne 5.1.31 7.5.47 10.7.67 13.8.86 St. Kilda 5.4.34 9.5.59 12.6.78 16.10. 106 Goals Melbourne Jurrah 3 Green Maric Newton Watts 2 Gysberts Petterd St Kilda Milne Riewoldt 3 Cripps Montagna 2, Jones Peake Polo Ray Schneider Siposs Best Melbourne Gysberts Watts Evans Sylvia Moloney Martin St. Kilda Montagna Riewoldt Goddard Gilbert Fisher Gwilt Injuries Melbourne Tapscott (hamstring) St. Kilda Nil Changes Melbourne Nil St. Kilda Nil Reports Melbourne Nil St. Kilda Jason Blake for striking Clint Batram Umpires Stevic Dalgleish Pannell Crowd28,863 at Etihad Stadium

Votes please ...

JUDGEMENT DAY 2011 by The Oracle They've done it again. For the second week in a row they have lost an eminently winnable game, mostly for the fact that they cannot avoid inflicting the wounds upon themselves. Forget about the fact that the team was undermanned and lost another player to injury in the opening minutes of the game. The Saints were ripe for the plucking and Melbourne gifted them a game of football through playing to a game plan that it could not only not perform properly but one of which the opposition was awake to and prepared to exploit. After watching the game from the night before between Geelong and Carlton it was painful and embarrassing to watch these teams going through their routines. The Saints were down on confidence and played no better than they have for most of the season - a team shattered, lost and lacking in self-respect and confidence. Melbourne won statistically in nearly every aspect with the exception of the one that mattered - on the scoreboard. They also lost the inside 50 count although they were well ahead at half time and led at every break until a final quarter 9-21 put them behind. This was because the team insisted on playing laterally across the ground and in a game that devolved into a matter of which team would make the most mistakes this spelled disaster and, for that ... Take a bow, Demons! I wrote earlier this year (after the NAB Cup game against Essendon) that Melbourne has gone backwards since last year and I was criticised for this. Let me say now that the team has gone further backwards and the trend appears to irreversible as long as they are coached to do the things that were done yesterday. Unlike last year when it was shaping as a strong unit under Sean Wellman, the defence simply has no clue. It's regular default position is to switch play, then switch it back again until the inevitable brainfart occurs and results in an opposition goal. How many times did that happen yesterday? Enough to make a difference in the result of the game. The forward line has no focal point, particularly when Liam Jurrah is out of form or out of sorts. He kicked three goals but two of them were in junk time. (although the cynics will say that every minute of a Melbourne game these days is "junk time"). There was little pressure to keep the ball inside 50 and once it was swept out, Melbourne made things easy for the opposition by providing inadequate coverage on opposition playmakers, particularly Stephen Milne in the first quarter and Brendon Goddard and Leigh Montagna all day. The midfield actually held up reasonably well with Martin winning in the ruck and getting the ball down to Brent Moloney, Jordan Gysberts, Nathan Jones and Colin Sylvia. However, when you overuse handball and do it sloppily in defence then you really don't give yourself much of a chance. Rather, you play people like Goddard and Montagna right into form. The game will long be remembered for a series of classic clangers. Michael Newton's failure to convert when running loping into an open goal is one that comes quickly to mind, especially given that the Saints ran the ball down the ground to punish the Dees with a goal immediately thereafter. But the cake was taken in the first play of the final term. With Melbourne trailing by two goals, St. Kilda got the first clearance only to see Joel Macdonald take a solid mark on the 50 metre line. Inexplicably, he played on with an opponent on his hammer, was tackled and penalised. Aaron Davey, who was having a shocker of a game, threw the ball to Macdonald and gave away a 50 metre penalty to deliver yet another gift goal at such a crucial stage of the game. Disaster. And speaking of Davey and disaster, he is so far out of form that a trip to Casey or a week off beckons. I'd recommend a trip to the club psychologist but I understand that he's fully booked up this week treating traumatised Demon fans in the wake of the past two weeks. There are always some rays of light and I would nominate Jack Watts who is really turning into a quality footballer, Jordan Gysberts who keeps on improving from week to week and Michael Evans for his fine 27 possession debut. Jordie McKenzie's return from injury was also a boon. On the strength of Evans' return, I believe it's time to bring more youth into the team in the coming weeks. Saturday 21 May 2011 was supposed to be Judgement Day - the end of the earth. It seems however, that most of the planet came out of the day unscathed but not the Melbourne Football Club. Nothing will cover the club's deficiencies now. It has a third world coaching set up and therefore other developing sides will do a leapfrog over Melbourne unless it can start playing a more positive and purposeful style of football. Melbourne 5.1.31 7.5.47 10.7.67 13.8.86 St. Kilda 5.4.34 9.5.59 12.6.78 16.10. 106 Goals Melbourne Jurrah 3 Green Maric Newton Watts 2 Gysberts Petterd St Kilda Milne Riewoldt 3 Cripps Montagna 2, Jones Peake Polo Ray Schneider Siposs Best Melbourne Gysberts Watts Evans Sylvia Moloney Martin St. Kilda Montagna Riewoldt Goddard Gilbert Fisher Gwilt Injuries Melbourne Tapscott (hamstring) St. Kilda Nil Changes Melbourne Nil St. Kilda Nil Reports Melbourne Nil St. Kilda Jason Blake for striking Clint Batram Umpires Stevic Dalgleish Pannell Crowd28,863 at Etihad Stadium

INDIGINE - PART EIGHT by Whispering Jack At 9:30am on 13 February 2008, Australia's Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd presented an apology in Parliament to Australia's Indigenous people which began as follows: "Today we honour the Indigenous peoples of this land, the oldest continuing cultures in human history. We reflect on their past mistreatment. We reflect in particular on the mistreatment of those who were Stolen Generations – this blemished chapter in our nation's history. The time has now come for the nation to turn a new page in Australia's history by righting the wrongs of the past and so moving forward with confidence to the future." It was a long time coming and reflected the refreshing movement in the mood of the country towards reconciliation and to heal some of the deep wounds embedded in its history. The lead had been taken in the sporting field decades before with Australia embracing heroes like Lionel Rose, Evonne Goolagong, Cathy Freeman and a host of footballers. By the time that Rudd spoke in Canberra, indigenous players made up in excess of ten per cent of AFL lists. Today, at the Melbourne Football Club, six out of forty-six Demons are Aboriginal. Six others have represented the club in this century. Jeff Farmer and Scott Chisholm whose time at the club straddled the last century and have already been covered in this series. Matthew Whelan was the first Indigenous player to join the club in the new century. Whelan's Indigenous Australian heritage can be traced to the Ngalakan language speaking peoples of the Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. He grew up in Darwin playing rugby league until he converted to Australian football at the age of 15. In his late teens he would play the summer season for the Darwin Buffaloes in the NTFL and in winter for Woodville-West Torrens in the SANFL where he came under notice of recruiting scouts leading to his drafting at age 20 in the 1999 national draft with the Demons' pick number 50 which proved to be a bargain selection. Whelan was a hard nosed reliable 180 cm tall (80kg) defender/back pocket who wore the number 45 throughout his career. He made his AFL debut against St. Kilda in round four of season 2000 and played every game until round 20 when an injured neck cost him his place and he missed the finals series which included Melbourne's last grand final appearance in 2000 against Essendon. Known as "Wheels", the youngster soon developed a reputation for tough uncompromising football but he was also a skillful player who sometimes went into the midfield. His strong tackling style sometimes came under scrutiny and, during his career, he was involved in his share of incidents. In 2003 he was reported for rough play against Hawthorn's Shane Crawford for a tackle described as similar to the now outlawed rugby spear tackle but the tribunal threw the charge out. The following year saw him shirtfront James Hird in the 2004 Elimination Final in a legitimate bump that rendered the Bomber skipper unconscious. He gathered the ball and fed it off to Travis Johnstone who goaled. Many observers considered the incident, which occurred just before half time, as the matchwinning passage of play. During the final quarter of Melbourne's round 10 game against Richmond at the Docklands, Wheels came from nowhere to smother a Nathan Brown kick but he landed awkwardly shattering Brown's right foot. Brown was put out for the season and never fully recovered while Whelan seemed a subdued player for a long time although the incident was an accident. A clash of heads with St. Kilda's Luke Ball led to Whelan being charged for rough play but the charge was later dropped as the high contact was ruled as an accidental clash of heads. In 2008, he accepted a one week suspension for striking Carlton's Brendon Fevola. Despite his hardness, Whelan was a clever ball player who had few blemishes in his play. Unfortunately, his career was marred by injury. He played every game in 2002 but was forced out in round 22 with a calf injury missing his second opportunity for a finals series. He was injured during the 2006 finals and played few games in the following season due to injury. Late in his career, calf and hamstring injuries curtailed his playing days and, in August 2009 Wheels announced his retirement playing his farewell game in Round 22 against premiership favourites St. Kilda. In his final years he played a mentoring role for the growing list of young Indigenous footballers at the Melbourne Football Club and he will forever be fondly remembered by the Demon family for his 150 games (15 goals), his unrelenting courage and his strong play. He was awarded life membership at the club's annual general meeting in February 2010. Shannon Motlop played 54 AFL games for North Melbourne and, in just his seventh AFL game with the Kangaroos, he played in the victorious 1999 Grand Final against Carlton. His career there petered out and he was playing in the SANFL with North Adelaide when the call came in 2005 from the Melbourne Football Club for him to replace Troy Broadbridge who had perished in the Boxing Day tsunami. He failed to establish himself in the team, playing just ten times for five goals before being delisted at the end of 2006 returning to North Adelaide. During his time at the club Motlop played in successive VFL premierships with the club's then alignment partner Sandringham. Byron Pickett, a teammate of Motlop in the 1990 North Melbourne premiership, was a highly decorated Indigenous footballer who was selected in the Indigenous Team of the Century and also played in Port Adelaide's first premiership. At only 178 cm and 86 kg, Pickett was tough and solidly built and developed a reputation for his aggression. During his initial season at Melbourne in 2006 his presence was invaluable and many of his teammates walked tall to become the leading Victorian team in the competition, then dominated by interstate clubs. Late in the season he suffered successive hamstring injuries which sidelined him for several games and his career went into decline. Unable to regain full fitness, his 2007 season was shrouded in controversy. He was suspended for failing to turn up for a game. With concerns surrounding his weight and work ethic and questions about alcohol, his retirement after 29 goals and 16 games at the end of 2007 was inevitable. Isaac Weetra was drafted by Melbourne as a 17 year old from Port Adelaide Magpies at selection number 62 in the 2006 AFL Draft. Earlier that year, he represented Australia's indigenous youth on tour to South Africa with the "Flying Boomerangs" to play against South Africa's Buffaloes. He struggled with injury and confidence in his first season at the club but made his debut in Melbourne's opening game of the 2008 season. Weetra debuted against Hawthorn at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. He failed to make an impact, was dropped after his second game against the Western Bulldogs and delisted at the end of the season. I met Isaac when he was playing in his first season with Sandringham. The son of a university lecturer came across as a highly intelligent and articulate young man. These days, he says his real work passion is “changing things for the better," and whilst he loves his football, his career ambition is now focused on his work in employment and training. Isaac Weetra's dream of making it as a professional footballer might not have been fulfilled but he will one day be a leader of a community of people who can look forward to a better future in better times. TO BE CONTINUED This series is written in honour of the late Matthew Wonaeamirri, father of current Melbourne player Austin. Our hearts go out to all of the family.

INDIGINE - PART EIGHT by Whispering Jack At 9:30am on 13 February 2008, Australia's Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd presented an apology in Parliament to Australia's Indigenous people which began as follows: "Today we honour the Indigenous peoples of this land, the oldest continuing cultures in human history. We reflect on their past mistreatment. We reflect in particular on the mistreatment of those who were Stolen Generations – this blemished chapter in our nation's history. The time has now come for the nation to turn a new page in Australia's history by righting the wrongs of the past and so moving forward with confidence to the future." It was a long time coming and reflected the refreshing movement in the mood of the country towards reconciliation and to heal some of the deep wounds embedded in its history. The lead had been taken in the sporting field decades before with Australia embracing heroes like Lionel Rose, Evonne Goolagong, Cathy Freeman and a host of footballers. By the time that Rudd spoke in Canberra, indigenous players made up in excess of ten per cent of AFL lists. Today, at the Melbourne Football Club, six out of forty-six Demons are Aboriginal. Six others have represented the club in this century. Jeff Farmer and Scott Chisholm whose time at the club straddled the last century and have already been covered in this series. Matthew Whelan was the first Indigenous player to join the club in the new century. Whelan's Indigenous Australian heritage can be traced to the Ngalakan language speaking peoples of the Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. He grew up in Darwin playing rugby league until he converted to Australian football at the age of 15. In his late teens he would play the summer season for the Darwin Buffaloes in the NTFL and in winter for Woodville-West Torrens in the SANFL where he came under notice of recruiting scouts leading to his drafting at age 20 in the 1999 national draft with the Demons' pick number 50 which proved to be a bargain selection. Whelan was a hard nosed reliable 180 cm tall (80kg) defender/back pocket who wore the number 45 throughout his career. He made his AFL debut against St. Kilda in round four of season 2000 and played every game until round 20 when an injured neck cost him his place and he missed the finals series which included Melbourne's last grand final appearance in 2000 against Essendon. Known as "Wheels", the youngster soon developed a reputation for tough uncompromising football but he was also a skillful player who sometimes went into the midfield. His strong tackling style sometimes came under scrutiny and, during his career, he was involved in his share of incidents. In 2003 he was reported for rough play against Hawthorn's Shane Crawford for a tackle described as similar to the now outlawed rugby spear tackle but the tribunal threw the charge out. The following year saw him shirtfront James Hird in the 2004 Elimination Final in a legitimate bump that rendered the Bomber skipper unconscious. He gathered the ball and fed it off to Travis Johnstone who goaled. Many observers considered the incident, which occurred just before half time, as the matchwinning passage of play. During the final quarter of Melbourne's round 10 game against Richmond at the Docklands, Wheels came from nowhere to smother a Nathan Brown kick but he landed awkwardly shattering Brown's right foot. Brown was put out for the season and never fully recovered while Whelan seemed a subdued player for a long time although the incident was an accident. A clash of heads with St. Kilda's Luke Ball led to Whelan being charged for rough play but the charge was later dropped as the high contact was ruled as an accidental clash of heads. In 2008, he accepted a one week suspension for striking Carlton's Brendon Fevola. Despite his hardness, Whelan was a clever ball player who had few blemishes in his play. Unfortunately, his career was marred by injury. He played every game in 2002 but was forced out in round 22 with a calf injury missing his second opportunity for a finals series. He was injured during the 2006 finals and played few games in the following season due to injury. Late in his career, calf and hamstring injuries curtailed his playing days and, in August 2009 Wheels announced his retirement playing his farewell game in Round 22 against premiership favourites St. Kilda. In his final years he played a mentoring role for the growing list of young Indigenous footballers at the Melbourne Football Club and he will forever be fondly remembered by the Demon family for his 150 games (15 goals), his unrelenting courage and his strong play. He was awarded life membership at the club's annual general meeting in February 2010. Shannon Motlop played 54 AFL games for North Melbourne and, in just his seventh AFL game with the Kangaroos, he played in the victorious 1999 Grand Final against Carlton. His career there petered out and he was playing in the SANFL with North Adelaide when the call came in 2005 from the Melbourne Football Club for him to replace Troy Broadbridge who had perished in the Boxing Day tsunami. He failed to establish himself in the team, playing just ten times for five goals before being delisted at the end of 2006 returning to North Adelaide. During his time at the club Motlop played in successive VFL premierships with the club's then alignment partner Sandringham. Byron Pickett, a teammate of Motlop in the 1990 North Melbourne premiership, was a highly decorated Indigenous footballer who was selected in the Indigenous Team of the Century and also played in Port Adelaide's first premiership. At only 178 cm and 86 kg, Pickett was tough and solidly built and developed a reputation for his aggression. During his initial season at Melbourne in 2006 his presence was invaluable and many of his teammates walked tall to become the leading Victorian team in the competition, then dominated by interstate clubs. Late in the season he suffered successive hamstring injuries which sidelined him for several games and his career went into decline. Unable to regain full fitness, his 2007 season was shrouded in controversy. He was suspended for failing to turn up for a game. With concerns surrounding his weight and work ethic and questions about alcohol, his retirement after 29 goals and 16 games at the end of 2007 was inevitable. Isaac Weetra was drafted by Melbourne as a 17 year old from Port Adelaide Magpies at selection number 62 in the 2006 AFL Draft. Earlier that year, he represented Australia's indigenous youth on tour to South Africa with the "Flying Boomerangs" to play against South Africa's Buffaloes. He struggled with injury and confidence in his first season at the club but made his debut in Melbourne's opening game of the 2008 season. Weetra debuted against Hawthorn at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. He failed to make an impact, was dropped after his second game against the Western Bulldogs and delisted at the end of the season. I met Isaac when he was playing in his first season with Sandringham. The son of a university lecturer came across as a highly intelligent and articulate young man. These days, he says his real work passion is “changing things for the better," and whilst he loves his football, his career ambition is now focused on his work in employment and training. Isaac Weetra's dream of making it as a professional footballer might not have been fulfilled but he will one day be a leader of a community of people who can look forward to a better future in better times. TO BE CONTINUED This series is written in honour of the late Matthew Wonaeamirri, father of current Melbourne player Austin. Our hearts go out to all of the family.

Careful with these sorts of things. There are millions of people in some parts of the earth who actiually believe that trash.

Fixed.

PERCEPTION by Whispering Jack I had some truly surreal experiences last Sunday afternoon. I attended the funeral of a friend who was President of my boys' junior footy club when they first started playing. He was a larger than life figure who was gruff on the exterior but a warm human being on the inside. We became good friends and worked together on club committees for many years. Two weeks ago, I visited him in hospital and he told me that not only he was stuffed but so too was his footy team, St. Kilda. I tried to lift his mood but when I left I could feel that he was down and that I might never see him again. The funeral was at a cemetery at Lyndhurst which isn't far from Cranbourne. It was a gloomy day, cold and drizzly but the mourners were all rugged up and shivering. All except for a young man in his thirties who was a Bhuddist, dressed in the familiar maroon and yellow garb and sleeveless. I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't in a dream. With the funeral over at a little past one o'clock, I decided to go to the Casey game. It was a line ball decision but I had originally intended to go and what the heck? * * * * I listen to the description of the first quarter of the Hawthorn v St. Kilda game on the car radio. The Saints are in front and Riewoldt is killing it up forward. I hear the commentators waxing lyrical as he comes in to kick his third for the quarter at the 24 minute mark. St. Kilda is dominating the middle, has winners everywhere and even a spud like Dean Polo, cast off by Richmond at the end of the year, kicks a goal a minute later. By quarter time, the consensus from the commentators is that they're back in town and the Hawks, who lost Gilham to what appeared a serious knee injury in the early minutes of the game, are in serious trouble. I arrive at Casey Fields as Koschitzke kicks a behind to start off the second quarter and just before I slam the car door shut, the score is St. Kilda 5.4.34 to Hawthorn 0.1.1. "Just our luck," I think to myself. "They're getting back into form in the week before they're due to play us!" * * * * I didn't pay much more attention to the events at the G but, as further scores filtered through from the game, it became obvious that fortunes were being reversed during its course (in much the same way as had occurred twenty-four hours earlier in the match at Etihad Stadium). Moreover, the game between the Casey Scorpions and the Bendigo Bombers also followed the same pattern with the latter side enjoying an almost five goal lead at the main break only to lose the lead in fewer than fifteen minutes when hostilities resumed. How then can you draw a line through form in a game between two teams like Melbourne and St. Kilda when you can't even predict what might happen to them from one quarter to the next? Can anyone actually believe that Melbourne won its penultimate game by 16 goals against a team that mastered St. Kilda the week before? Well, everyone's saying that Melbourne is stuffed because of the injuries and suspensions but I don't know about that. I saw some likely types going around in the gloom at Casey Fields and while the standard there is light years away from the AFL, perhaps one or two of them might step up and breath life back into the team's season on Saturday. There's perception and then there's karma. THE GAME St. Kilda v Melbourne at Etihad Stadium, Saturday 21 May 2011 at 2:10 pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall St. Kilda 82 wins Melbourne 118 wins 1 drawn Etihad Stadium St. Kilda 3 Melbourne 3 wins Since 2000 St. Kilda 7 wins Melbourne 9 wins The Coaches Lyon 4 wins Bailey 0 wins MEDIA TV Channel 10 (delayed telecast at 3:00 pm) RADIO THE BETTING St. Kilda to win $1.50 Melbourne to win $2.60 THE LAST TIME THEY MET St. Kilda 15.10.100 defeated Melbourne 9.11.65 Round 14, 2010 at Etihad Stadium It was becoming a common feature of Melbourne in 2010. A tentative start, some unforced errors leading to easy opposition goals and suddenly St. Kilda held a lead of around 20 points with the game just ten minutes old. The rest of the day saw a vain attempt to catch up but we knew it would never work out in Melbourne's favour. Jack Grimes was a shining light until a hamstring ended his season and the Saints coasted to a 35 point win. THE TEAMS ST. KILDA Backs Sam Gilbert Zac Dawson Farren Ray Half backs Sean Dempster Sam Fisher James Gwilt Centreline Brendon Goddard David Armitage Dean Polo Half forwards Brett Peake Nick Riewoldt Adam Schneider Forwards Stephen Milne Justin Koschitzke Arryn Siposs Followers Jason Blake Nick Dal Santo Leigh Montagna Interchange Jamie Cripps Clinton Jones Jack Steven Nicholas Winmar Emergencies Ryan Gamble Ben McEvoy Andrew McQualter In Jason Blake Leigh Montagna Brett Peake Nicholas Winmar Out Steven Baker (suspended) Jason Gram Ben McEvoy Andrew McQualter New Nicholas Winmar (Scarborough) MELBOURNE Backs Joel Macdonald Matthew Warnock Jared Rivers Half backs Nathan Jones James Frawley Jack Watts Centreline Addam Maric Aaron Davey Luke Tapscott Half forwards Jordan Gysberts Michael Newton Colin Sylvia Forwards Ricky Petterd Brad Green Liam Jurrah Followers Stefan Martin Brent Moloney Clint Bartram Interchange Matthew Bate Michael Evans Neville Jetta Jordie McKenzie Emergencies Jamie Bennell Max Gawn Jeremy Howe In Matthew Bate Michael Evans Joel Macdonald Jordie McKenzie Jared Rivers Out Rohan Bail (knee) Jamie Bennell Lynden Dunn (suspended) Colin Garland (ankle) Austin Wonaeamirri (knee) New Michael Evans (Claremont) THE STATE OF THE LIST by Sam the Stats Man I come on here a couple of times every year with the bare statistics on the Melbourne players and every year the effect of injuries is one of the main features that stands out. Add a suspension or two and things really start to hurt. The Demon midfield has been the subject of much criticism in recent years but it has been missing some of its leading young lights in Scully, McKenzie, Trengove and, given that he was about to get a gig in the centre, you can add Grimes to the list. That said, you can't use injuries as an excuse. Essendon has a long injury list and is thriving. Hawthorn lost two players early against St. Kilda and still came back from five and a half goals down. Things such as injury and suspension test the mettle of the group. With an enormous void in the ruck and midfield, is there anyone on this list ready to step up? If there is, then the Demons could yet still make something of season 2011. BAIL, Rohan MFC 7 games, 1 goal - was showing great improvement before his PCL injury last Saturday at Etihad. BARTRAM, Clint MFC 7 games, 2 goals - has been steadily doing his job in defence. BATE, Matthew MFC 1 game, 1 goal, CFC Seniors 5 games, 12 goals - out of form and doing his penance at Casey, Bate has been showing improved form of late. BENNELL, Jamie MFC 6 games, 4 goals, CFC Seniors 1 game - promising a lot but has failed to deliver to date. BLEASE, Sam CFC Seniors 5 games, 2 goals - making steady progress in the VFL. CAMPBELL, Robert ® CFC Reserves 1 game, 1 goal - restricted to one VFL reserves game due to an Achilles injury. COOK, Lucas CFC Seniors 6 games, 3 goals - another promising youngster cutting his teeth at Casey. DAVEY, Aaron MFC 7 games, 4 goals - has yet to hit his peak this season. DAVIS, Troy CFC Reserves 4 games - victim of a thyroid complaint and therefore slowly being eased back into the game. DUNN, Lynden MFC 7 games, 9 goals - season hit a low with a poor game against North Melbourne and a two-week suspension following that game. EVANS, Michael ® CFC Seniors 6 games, 5 goals - rookie midfielder who has been a revelation at Casey. FITZPATRICK, Jack CFC Seniors 1 game, 1 goal, CFC Reserves 4 games, 8 goals - had a slow start to the season and was just starting to show something when an ankle injury interrupted his season by six to eight weeks. FRAWLEY, James MFC 6 games, 0 goals - starting to hit his straps after an injury interrupted season. GARLAND, Colin MFC 7 games - was playing well in defence but now the victim of an ankle injury that will see him out for up to two months. GAWN, Max CFC Seniors 5 games, CFC Reserves 1 game, 1 goal - impressing with some excellent ruckwork at Casey. GREEN, Brad MFC 7 games, 8 goals - seemingly struggling with the burden of responsibility of skipper. GRIMES, Jack MFC 6 games, 1 goal - young leader was in good form before a navicular injury early in the Adelaide game. GYSBERTS, Jordan MFC 5 games, 1 goal, CFC Seniors 1 game - young midfielder coming on and showing great promise HOWE, Jeremy CFC Seniors 4 games, 6 goals, CFC Reserves 1 game, 2 goals - starting to show some good form at Casey after an injury interrupted pre season. JAMAR, Mark MFC 6 games, 3 goals - All Australian ruckman was enjoying a good season until his PCL injury. Will miss another month. JETTA, Neville MFC 3 games, 1 goal, CFC Seniors 4 games, 1 goal - had a good pre season but has been inconsistent. JOHNSTON, Cameron ® CFC Reserves 2 games - has shown out in his return to football at Casey Reserves level after missing out early with injury. JONES, Nathan MFC 7 games, 4 goals - is having a good season on the ball for the Demons. JURRAH, Liam MFC 7 games, 18 goals - the club's leading goalkicker but still has yet to hit his straps for a four quarter effort. LAWRENCE, Kelvin ® CFC Seniors 6 games, 8 goals - has genuine pace and some electrifying skills and will only get better as his confidence rises. MACDONALD, Joel MFC 1 game, 0 goals, CFC Seniors 5 games - after a disappointing opening round, the former Lion has been biding his time at Casey and is looking for another opportunity at top level. MCDONALD, Tom CFC Seniors 6 games - has been creating some favourable impressions in the VFL. MCKENZIE, Jordie CFC Seniors 1 game, CFC Reserves 1 game, 1 goal - restricted by a groin complaint and sorely missed. MCNAMARA, Tom CFC Seniors 1 game, 2 goals, CFC Reserves 5 games, 4 goals - a foot injury curtailed his pre season and has returned in the hope of reinventing himself in more of a midfield role. MARIC, Addam MFC 4 games, 3 goals, CFC Seniors 2 games, 5 goals - showed a lot in the pre season and had a great game against the Crows a fortnight ago. MARTIN, Stefan MFC 6 games, 0 goals, CFC Seniors 1 game - one of the big improvers this year who had to carry the rucks in Jamar's absence. MOLONEY, Brent MFC 7 games, 4 goals - would be leading the club best and fairest by the length of Bourke Street despite the blemish of that late night drink session that cost him his place in the leadership group. MORTON, Cale MFC 3 games, 3 goals, CFC Seniors 2 games - early draft pick who seems to have lost confidence. NEWTON, Michael ® MFC 1 game, 2 goals, CFC Seniors 4 games, 13 goals - trying to resurrect his career after being delisted and rookied last year. NICHOLSON, Daniel ® CFC Seniors 6 games, 4 goals - a consistent performer at Casey who shows skill and pace. PETTERD, Ricky MFC 4 games, 7 goals, CFC Seniors 3 games, 5 goals - has shown patches of some good form as he struggles to return after a long layoff with a shoulder injury. RIVERS, Jared MFC 5 games, 0 goals - was coming along quite well until injured and is badly needed back in the side following Garland's injury. SCULLY, Tom – a pre season knee injury was a major blow to player and club as the cloud of GWS hovers. SPENCER, Jake CFC Seniors 5 games - the ruckman in waiting who ironically broke down with an ACL on the same day that Mark Jamar was injured. STRAUSS, James CFC Seniors 4 games - was running into good form when a training accident cost him a couple of weeks. SYLVIA, Colin MFC 7 games, 8 goals - one of the players the club needs to shine more often. TAPSCOTT, Luke MFC 7 games, 1 goal - is having a good debut season but seems to be tiring of late. TRENGOVE, Jack MFC 6 games, 3 goals - his good season has been derailed by the fact that he executed a perfect tackle that resulted in his player's head hitting the ground leading him to suffer the effects of concussion. A similar tackle with a slightly different effect (there were at least a dozen of them in the last round) would have seen him still playing this week. WARNOCK, Matthew MFC 2 games, 0 goals CFC Seniors 3 games - has the chance to resurrect his career in defence. WATTS, Jack MFC 7 games, 5 goals - coming on slowly but a definite improver. WONAEMIRRI, Austin MFC 5 games, 5 goals, CFC Seniors 1 game - still struggling to overcome the effects of his personal tragedies over summer and yet to produce his best.

PERCEPTION by Whispering Jack I had some truly surreal experiences last Sunday afternoon. I attended the funeral of a friend who was President of my boys' junior footy club when they first started playing. He was a larger than life figure who was gruff on the exterior but a warm human being on the inside. We became good friends and worked together on club committees for many years. Two weeks ago, I visited him in hospital and he told me that not only he was stuffed but so too was his footy team, St. Kilda. I tried to lift his mood but when I left I could feel that he was down and that I might never see him again. The funeral was at a cemetery at Lyndhurst which isn't far from Cranbourne. It was a gloomy day, cold and drizzly but the mourners were all rugged up and shivering. All except for a young man in his thirties who was a Bhuddist, dressed in the familiar maroon and yellow garb and sleeveless. I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't in a dream. With the funeral over at a little past one o'clock, I decided to go to the Casey game. It was a line ball decision but I had originally intended to go and what the heck? * * * * I listen to the description of the first quarter of the Hawthorn v St. Kilda game on the car radio. The Saints are in front and Riewoldt is killing it up forward. I hear the commentators waxing lyrical as he comes in to kick his third for the quarter at the 24 minute mark. St. Kilda is dominating the middle, has winners everywhere and even a spud like Dean Polo, cast off by Richmond at the end of the year, kicks a goal a minute later. By quarter time, the consensus from the commentators is that they're back in town and the Hawks, who lost Gilham to what appeared a serious knee injury in the early minutes of the game, are in serious trouble. I arrive at Casey Fields as Koschitzke kicks a behind to start off the second quarter and just before I slam the car door shut, the score is St. Kilda 5.4.34 to Hawthorn 0.1.1. "Just our luck," I think to myself. "They're getting back into form in the week before they're due to play us!" * * * * I didn't pay much more attention to the events at the G but, as further scores filtered through from the game, it became obvious that fortunes were being reversed during its course (in much the same way as had occurred twenty-four hours earlier in the match at Etihad Stadium). Moreover, the game between the Casey Scorpions and the Bendigo Bombers also followed the same pattern with the latter side enjoying an almost five goal lead at the main break only to lose the lead in fewer than fifteen minutes when hostilities resumed. How then can you draw a line through form in a game between two teams like Melbourne and St. Kilda when you can't even predict what might happen to them from one quarter to the next? Can anyone actually believe that Melbourne won its penultimate game by 16 goals against a team that mastered St. Kilda the week before? Well, everyone's saying that Melbourne is stuffed because of the injuries and suspensions but I don't know about that. I saw some likely types going around in the gloom at Casey Fields and while the standard there is light years away from the AFL, perhaps one or two of them might step up and breath life back into the team's season on Saturday. There's perception and then there's karma. THE GAME St. Kilda v Melbourne at Etihad Stadium, Saturday 21 May 2011 at 2:10 pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall St. Kilda 82 wins Melbourne 118 wins 1 drawn Etihad Stadium St. Kilda 3 Melbourne 3 wins Since 2000 St. Kilda 7 wins Melbourne 9 wins The Coaches Lyon 4 wins Bailey 0 wins MEDIA TV Channel 10 (delayed telecast at 3:00 pm) RADIO THE BETTING St. Kilda to win $1.50 Melbourne to win $2.60 THE LAST TIME THEY MET St. Kilda 15.10.100 defeated Melbourne 9.11.65 Round 14, 2010 at Etihad Stadium It was becoming a common feature of Melbourne in 2010. A tentative start, some unforced errors leading to easy opposition goals and suddenly St. Kilda held a lead of around 20 points with the game just ten minutes old. The rest of the day saw a vain attempt to catch up but we knew it would never work out in Melbourne's favour. Jack Grimes was a shining light until a hamstring ended his season and the Saints coasted to a 35 point win. THE TEAMS ST. KILDA Backs Sam Gilbert Zac Dawson Farren Ray Half backs Sean Dempster Sam Fisher James Gwilt Centreline Brendon Goddard David Armitage Dean Polo Half forwards Brett Peake Nick Riewoldt Adam Schneider Forwards Stephen Milne Justin Koschitzke Arryn Siposs Followers Jason Blake Nick Dal Santo Leigh Montagna Interchange Jamie Cripps Clinton Jones Jack Steven Nicholas Winmar Emergencies Ryan Gamble Ben McEvoy Andrew McQualter In Jason Blake Leigh Montagna Brett Peake Nicholas Winmar Out Steven Baker (suspended) Jason Gram Ben McEvoy Andrew McQualter New Nicholas Winmar (Scarborough) MELBOURNE Backs Joel Macdonald Matthew Warnock Jared Rivers Half backs Nathan Jones James Frawley Jack Watts Centreline Addam Maric Aaron Davey Luke Tapscott Half forwards Jordan Gysberts Michael Newton Colin Sylvia Forwards Ricky Petterd Brad Green Liam Jurrah Followers Stefan Martin Brent Moloney Clint Bartram Interchange Matthew Bate Michael Evans Neville Jetta Jordie McKenzie Emergencies Jamie Bennell Max Gawn Jeremy Howe In Matthew Bate Michael Evans Joel Macdonald Jordie McKenzie Jared Rivers Out Rohan Bail (knee) Jamie Bennell Lynden Dunn (suspended) Colin Garland (ankle) Austin Wonaeamirri (knee) New Michael Evans (Claremont) THE STATE OF THE LIST by Sam the Stats Man I come on here a couple of times every year with the bare statistics on the Melbourne players and every year the effect of injuries is one of the main features that stands out. Add a suspension or two and things really start to hurt. The Demon midfield has been the subject of much criticism in recent years but it has been missing some of its leading young lights in Scully, McKenzie, Trengove and, given that he was about to get a gig in the centre, you can add Grimes to the list. That said, you can't use injuries as an excuse. Essendon has a long injury list and is thriving. Hawthorn lost two players early against St. Kilda and still came back from five and a half goals down. Things such as injury and suspension test the mettle of the group. With an enormous void in the ruck and midfield, is there anyone on this list ready to step up? If there is, then the Demons could yet still make something of season 2011. BAIL, Rohan MFC 7 games, 1 goal - was showing great improvement before his PCL injury last Saturday at Etihad. BARTRAM, Clint MFC 7 games, 2 goals - has been steadily doing his job in defence. BATE, Matthew MFC 1 game, 1 goal, CFC Seniors 5 games, 12 goals - out of form and doing his penance at Casey, Bate has been showing improved form of late. BENNELL, Jamie MFC 6 games, 4 goals, CFC Seniors 1 game - promising a lot but has failed to deliver to date. BLEASE, Sam CFC Seniors 5 games, 2 goals - making steady progress in the VFL. CAMPBELL, Robert ® CFC Reserves 1 game, 1 goal - restricted to one VFL reserves game due to an Achilles injury. COOK, Lucas CFC Seniors 6 games, 3 goals - another promising youngster cutting his teeth at Casey. DAVEY, Aaron MFC 7 games, 4 goals - has yet to hit his peak this season. DAVIS, Troy CFC Reserves 4 games - victim of a thyroid complaint and therefore slowly being eased back into the game. DUNN, Lynden MFC 7 games, 9 goals - season hit a low with a poor game against North Melbourne and a two-week suspension following that game. EVANS, Michael ® CFC Seniors 6 games, 5 goals - rookie midfielder who has been a revelation at Casey. FITZPATRICK, Jack CFC Seniors 1 game, 1 goal, CFC Reserves 4 games, 8 goals - had a slow start to the season and was just starting to show something when an ankle injury interrupted his season by six to eight weeks. FRAWLEY, James MFC 6 games, 0 goals - starting to hit his straps after an injury interrupted season. GARLAND, Colin MFC 7 games - was playing well in defence but now the victim of an ankle injury that will see him out for up to two months. GAWN, Max CFC Seniors 5 games, CFC Reserves 1 game, 1 goal - impressing with some excellent ruckwork at Casey. GREEN, Brad MFC 7 games, 8 goals - seemingly struggling with the burden of responsibility of skipper. GRIMES, Jack MFC 6 games, 1 goal - young leader was in good form before a navicular injury early in the Adelaide game. GYSBERTS, Jordan MFC 5 games, 1 goal, CFC Seniors 1 game - young midfielder coming on and showing great promise HOWE, Jeremy CFC Seniors 4 games, 6 goals, CFC Reserves 1 game, 2 goals - starting to show some good form at Casey after an injury interrupted pre season. JAMAR, Mark MFC 6 games, 3 goals - All Australian ruckman was enjoying a good season until his PCL injury. Will miss another month. JETTA, Neville MFC 3 games, 1 goal, CFC Seniors 4 games, 1 goal - had a good pre season but has been inconsistent. JOHNSTON, Cameron ® CFC Reserves 2 games - has shown out in his return to football at Casey Reserves level after missing out early with injury. JONES, Nathan MFC 7 games, 4 goals - is having a good season on the ball for the Demons. JURRAH, Liam MFC 7 games, 18 goals - the club's leading goalkicker but still has yet to hit his straps for a four quarter effort. LAWRENCE, Kelvin ® CFC Seniors 6 games, 8 goals - has genuine pace and some electrifying skills and will only get better as his confidence rises. MACDONALD, Joel MFC 1 game, 0 goals, CFC Seniors 5 games - after a disappointing opening round, the former Lion has been biding his time at Casey and is looking for another opportunity at top level. MCDONALD, Tom CFC Seniors 6 games - has been creating some favourable impressions in the VFL. MCKENZIE, Jordie CFC Seniors 1 game, CFC Reserves 1 game, 1 goal - restricted by a groin complaint and sorely missed. MCNAMARA, Tom CFC Seniors 1 game, 2 goals, CFC Reserves 5 games, 4 goals - a foot injury curtailed his pre season and has returned in the hope of reinventing himself in more of a midfield role. MARIC, Addam MFC 4 games, 3 goals, CFC Seniors 2 games, 5 goals - showed a lot in the pre season and had a great game against the Crows a fortnight ago. MARTIN, Stefan MFC 6 games, 0 goals, CFC Seniors 1 game - one of the big improvers this year who had to carry the rucks in Jamar's absence. MOLONEY, Brent MFC 7 games, 4 goals - would be leading the club best and fairest by the length of Bourke Street despite the blemish of that late night drink session that cost him his place in the leadership group. MORTON, Cale MFC 3 games, 3 goals, CFC Seniors 2 games - early draft pick who seems to have lost confidence. NEWTON, Michael ® MFC 1 game, 2 goals, CFC Seniors 4 games, 13 goals - trying to resurrect his career after being delisted and rookied last year. NICHOLSON, Daniel ® CFC Seniors 6 games, 4 goals - a consistent performer at Casey who shows skill and pace. PETTERD, Ricky MFC 4 games, 7 goals, CFC Seniors 3 games, 5 goals - has shown patches of some good form as he struggles to return after a long layoff with a shoulder injury. RIVERS, Jared MFC 5 games, 0 goals - was coming along quite well until injured and is badly needed back in the side following Garland's injury. SCULLY, Tom – a pre season knee injury was a major blow to player and club as the cloud of GWS hovers. SPENCER, Jake CFC Seniors 5 games - the ruckman in waiting who ironically broke down with an ACL on the same day that Mark Jamar was injured. STRAUSS, James CFC Seniors 4 games - was running into good form when a training accident cost him a couple of weeks. SYLVIA, Colin MFC 7 games, 8 goals - one of the players the club needs to shine more often. TAPSCOTT, Luke MFC 7 games, 1 goal - is having a good debut season but seems to be tiring of late. TRENGOVE, Jack MFC 6 games, 3 goals - his good season has been derailed by the fact that he executed a perfect tackle that resulted in his player's head hitting the ground leading him to suffer the effects of concussion. A similar tackle with a slightly different effect (there were at least a dozen of them in the last round) would have seen him still playing this week. WARNOCK, Matthew MFC 2 games, 0 goals CFC Seniors 3 games - has the chance to resurrect his career in defence. WATTS, Jack MFC 7 games, 5 goals - coming on slowly but a definite improver. WONAEMIRRI, Austin MFC 5 games, 5 goals, CFC Seniors 1 game - still struggling to overcome the effects of his personal tragedies over summer and yet to produce his best.

Well, at least some things never change. The game was against St. Kilda at Etihad and Steven Baker was out suspended. ST. KILDA Backs Brett Peake Jason Blake Sam Gilbert Half backs Jarryn Geary Sam Fisher James Gwilt Centreline Brendon Goddard Nick Dal Santo Farren Ray Half forwards Clinton Jones Justin Koschitzke Adam Schneider Forwards Andrew McQualter Ben McEvoy Stephen Milne Followers Michael Gardiner Lenny Hayes Leigh Montagna Interchange Sean Dempster Adam Pattison Rhys Stanley Jack Steven Emergencies Zac Dawson Jason Gram Nick Heyne In Adam Pattison Out Steven Baker (suspended) MELBOURNE Backs Clint Bartram James Frawley Kyle Cheney Half backs Colin Garland Jared Rivers Jack Grimes Centreline Brad Green Jack Trengove Cameron Bruce Half forwards Jamie Bennell Matthew Bate Lynden Dunn Forwards Neville Jetta Jack Watts Aaron Davey Followers Mark Jamar Brent Moloney Nathan Jones Interchange Joel Macdonald Jordie McKenzie Tom Scully Jake Spencer Emergencies Addam Maric Brad Miller Matthew Warnock In Jamie Bennell Kyle Cheney Jake Spencer Out Brad Miller Cale Morton Matthew Warnock

MAKING THE MOST OF A GLOOMY DAY by Whispering Jack There was no sunshine to greet the fans as they arrived at Casey Fields yesterday. It was cloudy and cool but not yet winter cold and the gloomy air was disturbed only by a gentle breeze. The game the fans were about to witness was an important match between the fifth placed Scorpions and the Bendigo Bombers (third). A loss for Casey with a bye coming up next week could have seen them lose touch with the top four. There was another matter of concern for the home side and that was the pall of injuries and suspension affecting its alignment partner, Melbourne, although this was surely an incentive for the 14 AFL listed players in the team to perform at their best? Casey also had some talent missing in the form of small men in Matt Fieldsend, co-captain Kyle Matthews and Danny Nicholls, the last two having yet to appear with the senior team this year. One of the characteristics of most of the Scorpions' games so far this year have been their slow starts and this week proved no exception. The visitors were quick out of the blocks and were winning all over the ground in the early going with the scoreboard ticking over to 4.2.26 while Casey had yet to bother the scorer until young speedster Sam Blease raced into goal. The Bombers held on and their ascendency at quarter time was clear cut. They held a 27 point lead and things were looking grim for the Scorps. After coach Brad Gotch handed out a wakeup call to his players during the break, things turned at the start of the second quarter with both Kelvin Lawrence and Sam Blease using their pace to trouble the Bomber defence. Max Gawn was getting on top in the ruck and the Casey midfield started to win the clearances. The quarter was only halfway through its course when Brendan Fevola got among the goals for his first to get the team to within five points. Then came another twist as the Bendigo midfield, led by former Cat Brent Prismall lifted itself off the canvas and mounted a counterattack that stunned the home team with the Bombers booting the next four goals and going into the sheds at half time chock full of confidence and enjoying a 29 point lead. Casey opened the second half full of purpose and produced a withering burst of seven goals in less than fifteen minutes to completely change the game's momentum in a way that literally shocked the Bombers into submission. The goal feast was initiated in the ruck with Gawn now winning the tap outs and delivering them to the advantage of the likes of Michael Evans, Jordie McKenzie, Cale Morton, Dan Nicholson and Rian McGough and the forwards led by Jeremy Howe and the irrepressible Fevola did the rest. The former AFL bad boy was in superb fettle and the highlight of the day was a goal from a tight angle and a long way out that split the uprights and had the crowd roaring with delight. The Bombers worked hard in an attempt to peg back the margin but they had lost their accuracy and Casey responded with a great running goal from Lawrence for his third. Matthew Bate, who was doing everything right, missed a simple shot after the siren but the Scorpions held a lead of 10 points after an eight goal quarter. The final quarter arm wrestle was won by the Scorpions who continued to score goals through its multipronged attack while the Bombers, although working hard, were repelled by the strong defence from Tim Mohr and Joel Macdonald who both played great defensive games. Michael Stockdale was also coming into his own and the Scorpions coasted at the end to win by 27 points. The game had many pleasing features for the club. Fevola has settled in nicely and is already a firm favourite, not only with the locals but he even opposition supporters applauding his exploits. Howe's aerial work, Gawn in the ruck, McKenzie's tackling, the defensive work of Mohr, the pace of Blease and Lawrence and the leadership of James Wall all helped to lift the gloom and give the local side a fantastic experience on what started out such a gloomy day. The team goes into the bye and can now lick its wounds before resuming hostilities in a fortnight's time while the reserves had the first of their two consecutive byes playing a practice game against an undermanned Cranbourne and proving too strong for their young opposition. HOW THE DEMONS FARED Thanks to contributor Melon 22 for his thoughts on the MFC listed players who took part in the game. Matthew Bate (12 kicks, 8 handballs, 8 marks, 1 goal) – played a true CHF role all day and was one of Casey's most consistent performers giving a strong four quarter effort. He took a number of strong marks and presented all day in a performance that will surely see him pushing for selection next week. Sam Blease (15 kicks, 4 handballs, 2 marks, 2 goals) – kicked a couple of very nice goals with his first being the most spectacular, running in and kicking it from 50m to score Casey’s first after Bendigo had put 4 on the board early. Continues to improve on his skills and decision-making (e.g he is much less prone to kick grubbers which he had a habit of doing earlier in his recovery from that foot injury). Improving every time I see him and he just needs to tidy up a few things to start pushing for senior selection. Lucas Cook (3 kicks, 5 handballs, 5 marks, 1 goal) – it was a quiet game from the young tall, possibly Lucas more of result of a crowded forward line. He looks more natural playing as the lead up CHF than the forward pocket role he is playing in right now. When he did get the ball he looked composed and clean with his disposal and was able to kick a nice goal as well. Michael Evans (18 kicks, 4 handballs, 5 marks) – one of Casey’s best for the day, he got a lot of the ball in close and was a physical presence in the clearances. He kicked three behinds in the only downside to his game; otherwise he would have been close to BOG had he managed to finish off some of his hard work and kicked those goals. Max Gawn (4 kicks, 8 handballs, 7 marks) - dominated the hit outs all day although Casey only sometimes took advantage of these. He played much more game time than on previous occasions but he seemed to run the game out very well. Took a number of good marks and he was involved in a lot of the play around the ground as well. Must be considered for selection for his AFL debut in the next few weeks with so many big men out for Melbourne. Jeremy Howe (10 kicks, 9 handballs, 7 marks, 3 goals) – played at high intensity right from start and was one of the few Casey players who started well. Played as a half forward flanker who pushed up and presented and he was very effective in that role, managing to kick three goals and stay involved in the game for all four quarters. He continues to show a great ability in the marking contests with some spectacular efforts but that shouldn’t overshadow his overall skill level which is very good. Kelvin Lawrence (6 kicks, 5 handballs, 4 marks, 3 goals) - a very exciting player every time he touches the ball. Made the most of his opportunities by kicking three goals and setting a couple of others as well. He has some very special qualities about him and look forward to him developing his game. Joel Macdonald (10 kicks, 9 handballs, 4 marks) – struggled to get into the game early but continued to work hard and was a driving force for Casey in the second half. Always plays at a high intensity and is very aggressive at the ball which is always valued by his team. Tom McDonald (7 kicks, 5 handballs, 5 marks) - played in the ruck due to the injury problems at Melbourne and acquitted himself very well. Was good around the ground and he has a great composure with the ball. He is prone to make one really bad decision per match but is still learning at this level and is showing really some really good signs. Jordie McKenzie (11 kicks, 13 handballs, 1 mark) - started slowly but just kept on getting better and better every quarter and was one of the main reasons behind the turnaround in the second half. Looked too good for this level and as long as he is cleared by the medicos he should go straight into the Melbourne side. Tom McNamara (13 kicks, 2 handballs, 4 marks, 2 goals) - a consistent performer for most of the game and managed snag a couple of goals as well. He is very clean with his disposal and reads the game very well when in defence. Was pleasing to see him play at both ends of the ground and make an impact. Cale Morton (15 kicks, 13 handballs, 9 marks) – had a lot of the ball but seems to be lacking in confidence at the moment. His disposal was very poor for an experienced AFL player but he gave good run. He needs to work on his decision-making and overall skill level which was below the standards we have come to expect from such a talented player and he needs to do more for senior selection in my opinion. Daniel Nicholson (10 kicks, 8 handballs, 4 marks, 1 goal) - more quiet than he has been in the last few games but still managed to show some of his class and brilliant pace. James Strauss (14 kicks, 3 handballs, 6 marks) - like many teammates, he started slowly. His kicking radar was also a bit off but he put in a solid performance for most of the day. His strength over the ball is much improved this year and I can see him getting a chance at AFL very soon if he keeps up his form. Casey Scorpions 2.2.14 7.6.48 15.9.99 19.11.125 Bendigo Bombers 6.5.41 12.5.77 13.11.89 14.14.98 Goals Casey Scorpions Fevola 5 Howe Lawrence 3 Blease McNamara 2 Bate Cook Nicholson Wall Bendigo Bombers Dickson Little Prismall Stewart Williams 2 Duscher Dyson Meli Silverlock Best Casey Scorpions Howe McKenzie Mohr Morton Macdonald Evans Bendigo Bombers Prismall Quinn Dyson Duscher Jenkins