Demonland

Shaw Goal (first gamer) GC 2.2.14 Melb 2.0.12 12:00 Q1

Dunn Goal GC 1.2.8 Melb 2.0.12 10:00 Q1

GC 1.2.8 Melb 1.0.6 8:50 Q1

Jurrah Goal GC 1.1.7 Melb 1.0.6

Crowd is abysmal.

No worries daisycutter. we got the team in the end. Most of us would be looking to see if anything was happening with G Ablett. Obviously, the Suns are taking a conservative approach with their # 1 asset. Calf injuries can be a real pest if they're not managed properly and of course, resting it for a week or two would benefit him and the club in the long term. As far as the Demons are concerned, those who have an issue with Lynden Dunn might not recall he was very handy in his last game at the Gabba.

Going to the Casey game at Eureka Stadium tomorrow? PM me if you wish to be our correspondent for the day!

Couldn't be unchanged. Campbell Brown is out for 4 weeks for starters.

WHERE THE SUNS WON'T SHINE by The Oracle A neighbour at my work is the type of person who is commonly described as a "worry wart" (I believe someone around here might have even devised a clinical term for this very real psychological ailment). The bloke who will be named WW for legal reasons also happens to be a Melbourne supporter ("Ahah, that explains it", I hear you say!). As sure as day follows night, whenever there's any news about the Demons, be it good or bad, WW is always the first to inform me of it always managing to spin things in a negative light so that the story ends up sounding like an absolute disaster. During a game, if a Melbourne player suffers the slightest knock and happens to grimace a little in pain afterwards, WW will immediately diagnose the problem as a major injury before nervously announcing that he's gone for the year. "Knee reco, I can tell. I knew this was going to happen!" Even if the player in question gets up, has a dozen kicks for the rest of the game and walks off without the slightest hint of a limp, WW will continue to badger on about his impending collapse. He's even been know to check out various hospitals in the course of an evening after a game about Player X's medical condition. If there's a hint of a rumour of wrongdoing by an AFL footballer, then WW immediately convinces himself that it's one of our players. If claims are made that an AFL club is in danger of going broke or is involved in a scandal, then he remarks that "it has to be us" and promptly breaks out into a cold sweat. Throughout this week, he's been a nervous wreck. Not just because of the news that led Brent Moloney to be relieved (no pun intended) of the vice-captaincy which he regards as more calamitous than the bubonic plague, but because of who and where the Demons are playing this week. What concerns WW is the prospect of Melbourne becoming the first AFL club to hit the wall against the Gold Coast Suns. He first announced his fears when the fixture was announced several months ago. In the past few days, that fear has turned into sheer panic. To compound the issue, WW is ropeable that he won't be able to watch the game because, in its wisdom, Channel 7 has decided that even interstate clashes shall not be telecast live. I stupidly suggested that he should fly up to Brisbane for the game but then I remembered this worry wart's favourite TV show is Air Crash Disaster. He freaked out at the suggestion adding that if he managed to survive the flight, how would he get through another Brisbane flood? So the moment of truth arrives on Sunday and, in WW's mind it's been reinforced by Melbourne's own inconsistent performances in the season to date. He reminds me that three games have passed and the team has yet to manage two good quarters in any of its games. To WW, that's not even a pass mark. It's a recipe for disaster. Thankfully, his gloomy attitude isn't infectious and I'm looking forward to Sunday and the potential fields of gold that we can reap from the boys from the coast. THE GAME Gold Coast v Melbourne at the Gabba Sunday 17 April 2011 at 2.10pm. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Gold Coast 0 wins Melbourne 0 wins Gabba Gold Coast 0 wins Melbourne 0 wins Since 2000 Gold Coast 0 wins Melbourne 0 wins The Coaches McKenna 0 wins Bailey 0 wins MEDIA TV Channel 7, 3.00 pm (1 hr delay) Radio 3AW Triple M SEN ABC774 THE BETTING Gold Coast to win $4.90 Melbourne to win $1.18 THE TEAMS GOLD COAST Backs Nathan Bock Karmichael Hunt Seb Tape Half backs Josh Toy Michael Coad Jarrod Harbrow Centreline Michael Rischitelli Garry Ablett Matt Shaw Half forwards Luke Russell Charlie Dixon Daniel Stanley Forwards Josh Fraser Daniel Gorringe Brandon Matera Followers Zac Smith Daniel Harris David Swallow Interchange Jared Brennan, Trent McKenzie Dion Prestia Maverick Weller Emergencies Hayden Jolly Jack Hutchins Alik Magin In Josh Fraser Luke Russell Matt Shaw Josh Toy Out Harley Bennell Campbell Brown (suspended) Nathan Krakouer Alik Magin New Luke Russell (Burnie Dockers) Matt Shaw (Dandenong Stingrays) MELBOURNE Backs Clint Bartram James Frawley Luke Tapscott Half backs Jack Trengove Colin Garland Jared Rivers Centreline Rohan Bail Jack Grimes Jordan Gysberts Half forwards Jamie Bennell Brad Green Austin Wonaeamirri Forwards Aaron Davey Lynden Dunn Liam Jurrah Followers Mark Jamar Brent Moloney Colin Sylvia Interchange Nathan Jones Stef Martin Cale Morton Jack Watts Emergencies Addam Maric Ricky Petterd James Strauss NO CHANGE HOME AWAY FROM HOME I suppose it's a little bit cute to suggest that the Demons have an advantage in this game because they've won more games at the Gabba than the Suns but I happen to be correct. Melbourne won there as recently as Round 18 last year when it beat the Brisbane Lions in a pretty lacklustre game. They've had a few wins thre in the past but, during the days when the Lions were dominant, it's fair to say the Gabba wasn't a particularly happy hunting ground for them. For their part, the Suns don't move into their new home at Carrara until mid season. Theoretically, they don't have a home ground advantage here so this is the place where the Suns won't shine. The Gold Coast came to Melbourne and took on the Bulldogs last weekend at Etihad and lost by only 71 points, an improvement of six goals over their debut against the Blues a week before. That gives them a combined losing margin over two weeks of 190 points, a result that was not expected after a reasonable showing in the NAB Cup matches. Reality is now starting to bite into the new franchise. I fully expect Gary Ablett to star as he always does against Melbourne but he can't do it on his own and, for the next few weeks, he doesn't have strong man vice-captain Campbell Brown at his side protecting him against close sticking taggers. And while he has Michael Rischitelli there and abouts together with a handful of precocious young talents who will one day play their parts in a formidable midfield like the brilliant David Swallow and the smart Alik Magin (sorry, couldn't resist), he doesn't have the likes of Bartel, Joel Selwood, Enright, Corey, Ling, Kelly and a bucketload of others to share the responsibility in the midfield. Mind you, the Melbourne midfield is missing some prime movers in Tom Scully and Jordie McKenzie who might be light on for experience but their presence has been sorely missed so far this season and it looks like that situation will continue for a little while yet. Actually, it's been a bad week for both clubs but, at least the Demons still have Brent Moloney will Campbell Brown won't be sighted in active duty on a playing field for four matches. That's a double whammy for the Gold Coast because his physical presence and know how is irreplaceable at the fledgling club and it will be missed even more so given the forecast of wet weather on Sunday. He would have been worth his weight in gold against a Melbourne team not known for its physicality. Melbourne should be using this game as a springboard for resuscitating its 2011 season which really hasn't been at the level expected over the summer months. A victory will get it into the top eight and we can expect Brad Green and Aaron Davey together with the ruck strength of Mark Jamar and the bigger bodies of Moloney, Colin Sylvia, Nathan Jones and co to get them home. James Frawley has had two weeks to acclimatise back into the game after his pectoral muscle injury and now is the time for him to rise to the occasion. I even expect my friend WW to have a normal blood pressure reading by the tie the game ends. Melbourne by 85 points

WHERE THE SUNS WON'T SHINE by The Oracle A neighbour at my work is the type of person who is commonly described as a "worry wart" (I believe someone around here might have even devised a clinical term for this very real psychological ailment). The bloke who will be named WW for legal reasons also happens to be a Melbourne supporter ("Ahah, that explains it", I hear you say!). As sure as day follows night, whenever there's any news about the Demons, be it good or bad, WW is always the first to inform me of it always managing to spin things in a negative light so that the story ends up sounding like an absolute disaster. During a game, if a Melbourne player suffers the slightest knock and happens to grimace a little in pain afterwards, WW will immediately diagnose the problem as a major injury before nervously announcing that he's gone for the year. "Knee reco, I can tell. I knew this was going to happen!" Even if the player in question gets up, has a dozen kicks for the rest of the game and walks off without the slightest hint of a limp, WW will continue to badger on about his impending collapse. He's even been know to check out various hospitals in the course of an evening after a game about Player X's medical condition. If there's a hint of a rumour of wrongdoing by an AFL footballer, then WW immediately convinces himself that it's one of our players. If claims are made that an AFL club is in danger of going broke or is involved in a scandal, then he remarks that "it has to be us" and promptly breaks out into a cold sweat. Throughout this week, he's been a nervous wreck. Not just because of the news that led Brent Moloney to be relieved (no pun intended) of the vice-captaincy which he regards as more calamitous than the bubonic plague, but because of who and where the Demons are playing this week. What concerns WW is the prospect of Melbourne becoming the first AFL club to hit the wall against the Gold Coast Suns. He first announced his fears when the fixture was announced several months ago. In the past few days, that fear has turned into sheer panic. To compound the issue, WW is ropeable that he won't be able to watch the game because, in its wisdom, Channel 7 has decided that even interstate clashes shall not be telecast live. I stupidly suggested that he should fly up to Brisbane for the game but then I remembered this worry wart's favourite TV show is Air Crash Disaster. He freaked out at the suggestion adding that if he managed to survive the flight, how would he get through another Brisbane flood? So the moment of truth arrives on Sunday and, in WW's mind it's been reinforced by Melbourne's own inconsistent performances in the season to date. He reminds me that three games have passed and the team has yet to manage two good quarters in any of its games. To WW, that's not even a pass mark. It's a recipe for disaster. Thankfully, his gloomy attitude isn't infectious and I'm looking forward to Sunday and the potential fields of gold that we can reap from the boys from the coast. THE GAME Gold Coast v Melbourne at the Gabba Sunday 17 April 2011 at 2.10pm. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Gold Coast 0 wins Melbourne 0 wins Gabba Gold Coast 0 wins Melbourne 0 wins Since 2000 Gold Coast 0 wins Melbourne 0 wins The Coaches McKenna 0 wins Bailey 0 wins MEDIA TV Channel 7, 3.00 pm (1 hr delay) Radio 3AW Triple M SEN ABC774 THE BETTING Gold Coast to win $4.90 Melbourne to win $1.18 THE TEAMS GOLD COAST Backs Nathan Bock Karmichael Hunt Seb Tape Half backs Josh Toy Michael Coad Jarrod Harbrow Centreline Michael Rischitelli Garry Ablett Matt Shaw Half forwards Luke Russell Charlie Dixon Daniel Stanley Forwards Josh Fraser Daniel Gorringe Brandon Matera Followers Zac Smith Daniel Harris David Swallow Interchange Jared Brennan, Trent McKenzie Dion Prestia Maverick Weller Emergencies Hayden Jolly Jack Hutchins Alik Magin In Josh Fraser Luke Russell Matt Shaw Josh Toy Out Harley Bennell Campbell Brown (suspended) Nathan Krakouer Alik Magin New Luke Russell (Burnie Dockers) Matt Shaw (Dandenong Stingrays) MELBOURNE Backs Clint Bartram James Frawley Luke Tapscott Half backs Jack Trengove Colin Garland Jared Rivers Centreline Rohan Bail Jack Grimes Jordan Gysberts Half forwards Jamie Bennell Brad Green Austin Wonaeamirri Forwards Aaron Davey Lynden Dunn Liam Jurrah Followers Mark Jamar Brent Moloney Colin Sylvia Interchange Nathan Jones Stef Martin Cale Morton Jack Watts Emergencies Addam Maric Ricky Petterd James Strauss NO CHANGE HOME AWAY FROM HOME I suppose it's a little bit cute to suggest that the Demons have an advantage in this game because they've won more games at the Gabba than the Suns but I happen to be correct. Melbourne won there as recently as Round 18 last year when it beat the Brisbane Lions in a pretty lacklustre game. They've had a few wins thre in the past but, during the days when the Lions were dominant, it's fair to say the Gabba wasn't a particularly happy hunting ground for them. For their part, the Suns don't move into their new home at Carrara until mid season. Theoretically, they don't have a home ground advantage here so this is the place where the Suns won't shine. The Gold Coast came to Melbourne and took on the Bulldogs last weekend at Etihad and lost by only 71 points, an improvement of six goals over their debut against the Blues a week before. That gives them a combined losing margin over two weeks of 190 points, a result that was not expected after a reasonable showing in the NAB Cup matches. Reality is now starting to bite into the new franchise. I fully expect Gary Ablett to star as he always does against Melbourne but he can't do it on his own and, for the next few weeks, he doesn't have strong man vice-captain Campbell Brown at his side protecting him against close sticking taggers. And while he has Michael Rischitelli there and abouts together with a handful of precocious young talents who will one day play their parts in a formidable midfield like the brilliant David Swallow and the smart Alik Magin (sorry, couldn't resist), he doesn't have the likes of Bartel, Joel Selwood, Enright, Corey, Ling, Kelly and a bucketload of others to share the responsibility in the midfield. Mind you, the Melbourne midfield is missing some prime movers in Tom Scully and Jordie McKenzie who might be light on for experience but their presence has been sorely missed so far this season and it looks like that situation will continue for a little while yet. Actually, it's been a bad week for both clubs but, at least the Demons still have Brent Moloney will Campbell Brown won't be sighted in active duty on a playing field for four matches. That's a double whammy for the Gold Coast because his physical presence and know how is irreplaceable at the fledgling club and it will be missed even more so given the forecast of wet weather on Sunday. He would have been worth his weight in gold against a Melbourne team not known for its physicality. Melbourne should be using this game as a springboard for resuscitating its 2011 season which really hasn't been at the level expected over the summer months. A victory will get it into the top eight and we can expect Brad Green and Aaron Davey together with the ruck strength of Mark Jamar and the bigger bodies of Moloney, Colin Sylvia, Nathan Jones and co to get them home. James Frawley has had two weeks to acclimatise back into the game after his pectoral muscle injury and now is the time for him to rise to the occasion. I even expect my friend WW to have a normal blood pressure reading by the tie the game ends. Melbourne by 85 points

The votes have been counted for the first round. We've decided that the match ratio is too complicated and timeconsuming for us to count, collate, check and recheck so here are the votes thus far - Round 1 17 Brent Moloney 11 Mark Jamar 10 Luke Tapscott 10 Jack Trengove 5 Colin Sylvia 4 Jamie Bennell 3 Colin Garland 3 Stefan Martin Round 2 16 Rohan Bail 14 Luke Tapscott 12 Stefan Martin 11 Jared Rivers 3 Mark Jamar 3 Colin Sylvia 3 Jack Trengove 1 Aaron Davey Round 3 17 Jared Rivers 14 Liam Jurrah 14 Brent Moloney 8 Mark Jamar 3 Jordan Gysberts 3 Stefan Martin 2 Rohan Bail 2 Nathan Jones Leaderboard to Round 3 31.Brent Moloney 28. Jared Rivers 24. Luke Tapscott 22. Mark Jamar 18. Rohan Bail 18. Stefan Martin 14. Liam Jurrah 13. Jack Trengove 8. Colin Sylvia 4. Jamie Bennell 3. Colin Garland 3. Jordan Gysberts 2. Nathan Jones 1. Aaron Davey

That's right. We decided that there was a lot of crossover between the two boards and that it would be better to merge them so the Casey articles can now be found here.

Updated Injury List Robbie Campbell (achilles) - 5 weeks Jordie McKenzie (groin) - 4 weeks Tom Scully (knee) - 6 weeks

If you opened up this thread, please pretend it's 1 April

THE BAD AND UGLY CURSE OF THE SLOW START by Whispering Jack This year's curse seems to be the slow start - it's bad and it's ugly and it's not good! In round one against the Sydney Swans, Melbourne was slow off the blocks early, spent most of the game playing catch up football, overcame a 25-point deficit late in the third quarter and hit the lead late in the game before allowing a couple of points through to finally register a tied result. In round two, the Demons conceded the first eleven scoring shots to the Hawks in the first half of the opening stanza. That they were able to recover and, at one stage managed to hold a 27-point lead a little more than half an hour later, was due in large measure to the opposition's poor kicking for goal. In the end, they were blown away with ease. Finally, Melbourne managed its first win for the season over the Brisbane Lions at the MCG but the result was unconvincing and came after it allowed the Lions the luxury of a five goal start early into the second term. Brisbane got away to a flyer with a five-goal-to-one first quarter in which the visitors' dominance was there to see in the statistics. They had 30 more disposals for the opening term, had more than double the marks (40-19) and led the clearances by ten to six. It should be remembered that this was a team that one week earlier had meekly surrendered by 78 points to the Western Bulldogs, who had themselves been thrashed a week earlier by an emerging Essendon team. A great deal of desperation and the fear of humiliation in front of their own fans then drove the Demons for two very productive quarters leaving them 14 points to the good at the final break but, even then, they simply couldn't allow their fans to breath easily. Another goalless 20 minute period left red and blue hearts pounding away nervously before a long kick from Brent Moloney was safely shepherded through by Liam Jurrah for the team's only final quarter goal and they prevailed by 12.10.82 to 11.5 .71. Moloney was the star of the day picking up a game-high 37 possessions on his way to his best start for the club since early in his debut year with the club of 2005 after crossing earlier from Geelong. He led a much maligned midfield division that was completely smashed in the final half last week and for the first quarter or so this week. Nathan Jones was strong with 27 disposals and fourth games Jordan Gysberts took up where he left off in mid season last year with 25 touches. The on ballers were given an armchair ride by Mark Jamar continuing on from his stellar 2010 and now very ably assisted by Stef Martin who is fine when allowed to play ruck or defend and not so crash hot whilst up forward. Their ascendancy came at an important time because early in the game the team was being carved up by a couple of old stagers in Simon Black in midfield and Luke Power up forward. Having lost skipper and experienced power forward Jonathan Brown after the opening round, I don't know what Brisbane will do if it loses either of these two as well. Liam Jurrah was the most important forward line in an attack that continues not to do enough on a weekly basis. Jurrah snagged five goals for the day. He was devastating in the second quarter comeback and the last of his goals came early in the third term. Ash McGrath then had him seeing stars with a questionable head high bump and Jurrah faded a little allowing others to do the work for the third term but he was back in excitement mode late in the game when he shepherded Moloney's rolling long bomb which became the match winner. The club goes into next week's groundbreaking game against the Gold Coast Suns with some problems that need attention and of course, the brains trust will be trying to work out what to do about the slow starts. Then there's the problem of the midfield still not performing anywhere near as well as it should especially given that, for the most part, it has been playing to a winning ruck. Then there are the leaders, particularly Brad Green and Aaron Davey who have failed to stand up for a full 120 minutes. Green has been pedestrian this year in comparison to the lofty standards he has set in recent yeares and uncharacteristically has missed some easy shots at goal including one that could have sealed the game in the last quarter. Hawthorn had it worked out last week and once again, Aaron Davey had a tagger in Andrew Raines who wore him like a glove and kept him out of the game. There are creative ways to break tags and hopefully, the football department will concentrate on helping Davey through close tagging situations and if this doesn't work, then have a strategy to put the taggers out of business (legally of course). The forward line set up is also an issue as Melbourne lacks a strong forward who can be relied upon to contest marking situations and to keep the ball inside the 50 metre arc. The return of Austin Wonaeamirri will help things at ground level but we simply cannot afford to rely predominantly on Liam Jurrah's heroics every week. The way the Demons play the game, returns of 11, 12 and 12 goals are not enough in today's football. Above all, the team needs to be persistent and consistent with its attack on the football. Even against an inexperienced outfit like next week's opponents, the Suns, the team must play four good quarters of good football together. This is what Gold Coast skipper Gary Ablett is demanding of his team heading into this weekend's fixture against Melbourne at the Gabba and it is no less what is to be expected of the Demons at the same time... right from the start of every game. Melbourne 1.1.7 6.3.39 11.7.73 12.10.82 Brisbane Lions 5.2.32 7.3.45 9.5.59 11.5.71 Goals Melbourne Jurrah 5 Bennell Dunn Grimes Gysberts Moloney Sylvia Wonaeamirri Brisbane Lions Power 4 Banfield 2 Clark Leuenberger Polkinghorne Redden Rockliff Best Melbourne Moloney Jurrah Rivers Jamar Jones Gysberts Brisbane Lions Clark Adcock Power Rockliff Black Leuenberger Injuries Melbourne Nil Brisbane Lions Nil Changes Melbourne Nil Brisbane Lions Nil Reports Melbourne Nil Brisbane Lions Nil Umpires Schmitt Chamberlain Keating Crowd 24,380 at the MCG

SLOW START COSTLY FOR SCORPIONS by KC from Casey For the second week in a row a slow start hampered the Casey Scorpions in their endeavours to win a game. Last week, they were good enough to make a successful comeback but against Port Melbourne at TEAC Oval on Saturday, they gave away too much of a lead to enable them to rein in the home side: the result - a ten point loss to a team that has in recent times become their nemesis. Casey conceded the first goal in the opening minute when Matt Fieldsend caught a ball thrown at him after a penalty was awarded in the middle to a Port player. The technical 50 metre penalty gifted the Borough a goal that was soon answered by spearhead Michael Newton but it was the first of six fifty metre penalties for the day, four of which resulted in goals given away, lapses which certainly played their part in the eventual result. For the next two and a half quarters, the opposition was simply too strong for Casey. They worked in numbers to exert pressure and set up play and were prepared to put their bodies in first and their disposal and decision making were top notch. They also kicked accurately and took advantage of their knowledge of local conditions. This allowed Port Melbourne to skip away to a 25 point lead at quarter time and extend that to seven goals at the main break. Special commendation should go to defenders Joel Macdonald, Tom McDonald and to the improving Michael Riseley who kept a dangerous opponent under control all day. Their efforts were noted particularly when the team was under fire in the opening half. After the break, Port opened as it did in every quarter of the game - with a goal. However, a scuffle behind play resulted in a free and a goal to Addam Maric and, from that point on, the tide started turning although the comeback was stalled by consecutive 50 metre penalty goals in mid quarter. This setback seemed to steel the visitors and they lifted in the middle with the ruckmen coming good. They provided plenty of the ball to the midfield with the likes of Neville Jetta and Michael Evans getting the ball out cleanly into the forward line where Matthew Bate and Newton started getting on top of their defenders. Skipper James Wall also produced some important passages of play and kicked a vital goal during this term. By the final break, the lead had been whittled down to 27 points. Although, deprived of the wind advantage by moderating weather in advance of a coming rain storm, Casey kept plugging away in the final quarter with Newton proving a dangerous target. He booted three goals one behind for the term as the team stormed the goals, particularly late in the game. Unfortunately, the siren thwarted Casey's hopes. The Scorpions have another tough road trip coming up this week when they meet reigning premier North Ballarat on the goldfields. Hopefully, they will get away to a good start this time. HOW THE DEMONS FARED Matthew Bate (10 kicks, 6 handballs, 5 marks, 2 goals) - was virtually unsighted in the first half and struggled to get into the game but did play a part in Casey's resurgence in the third quarter. He passed to James Wall for a goal and then kicked two himself. Worked hard after that but seems to be lacking in confidence. Sam Blease (6 kicks, 1 handball, 1 mark) - at times he was brilliant but he was not consistently so. Played wing and half back and gave a lot of run but he needs to work even harder if he wants to make the big time. Lucas Cook (5 kicks, 4 handballs, 5 marks) - rangy forward who has talent and took a couple of nice marks but is very much in the early stages of his football development. Michael Evans (12 kicks, 9 handballs, 4 marks) - a real prospect in the midfield. Has pace and football smarts and is very constructive. Max Gawn (2 kicks, 8 handballs, 0 marks) - started slowly but worked his way into the game with some clever ruckwork, strong marking and clever around the ground play. However, ruckmen take time and he requires patience. Neville Jetta (11 kicks, 10 handballs, 4 marks) - worked hard but was frustrated early and then recovered to finish the game strongly. Was responsible for many forward pushes at crucial stages in his team's comeback. Kelvin Lawrence (4 kicks, 5 handballs, 1 mark) - looked all at sea in the first half and at times was easily brushed aside. To his credit, he lifted with the team's increase in tempo from halfway through the third quarter. Joel Macdonald (5 kicks, 15 handballs, 1 mark) - was good for Casey throughout the game, probably the only consistent performer over four quarters. Tom McDonald (7 kicks, 4 handballs, 3 marks) - played well in a key defensive post and really showed great maturity for one so recently out of under 18 ranks. Addam Maric (14 kicks, 11 handballs, 2 marks, 3 goals) - kicked three goals and was particularly influential after half time. He appeared to have been decked behind the play and then won the free after a scuffle with his opponent. He lifted after that and finished high among his team's best. Michael Newton (15 kicks, 0 handballs, 7 marks, 6 goals) - kicked six goals and had a near miss late in the game. Marked strongly but also did the hard things like chasing and tackling and was stiff to be penalised 50 metres for a marginally late attempt to spoil a Port Melbourne mark. Dan Nicholson (10 kicks, 6 handballs, 3 marks) - like Evans, he showed a bit. Has pace and balance and is prepared to run and carry. Ricky Petterd (14 kicks, 3 handballs, 7 marks, 1 goal) - it was a bit of a surprise to see him out there as it was thought he would be the emergency for Melbourne. It was a pretty flaky performance in which he went from producing the spectacular to periods when he seemed to disappear from sight. Won't get a promotion on that effort. James Strauss (11kicks, 1 handball, 5 marks) - couldn't put a foot right early in the game but worked hard to set things right. Unfortunately, it's not happening for him at the moment. Jake Spencer (3 kicks, 7 handballs, 1 mark) - worked hard in the ruck contests and had his moments around the ground. Casey Scorpions 2.2.14 5.5.35 11.9.75 17.12.114 Port Melbourne 6.3.39 12.5.77 16.6.102 19.10.124 Goals Casey Scorpions Newton 6 Maric 3 Bate Fieldsend Wall 2 McGough Petterd Port Melbourne Keely 3 Bentick Cain Galea Valenti 2 Batsanis Dwyer Edwards Fanning Langford Lynch McMahon Rose Best Casey Scorpions Maric Newton Wall Jetta Riseley McDonald Port Melbourne Dwyer Dillon Batsanis Bentick McMahon Fanning The Casey Reserves were overwhelmed by a strong Port Melbourne combination. Promising defender Brayden Salton from Gippsland Falcons stuck to his opponent well on a day when Brendan Fevola booted three goals from limited opportunities on debut for his new club. HOW THE DEMONS FARED by Ice Station Troy Davis - playing his first game after recovering from a thyroid problem, Davis managed 10 disposals in the first half before being rested in a good return. Jack Fitzpatrick - marked strongly and kicked a good goal. Is making good progress on return from a foot injury. Jeremy Howe - another coming back from injury, Howe took a couple of nice marks and kicked two goals. Tom McNamara - looked solid and ready to return to the senior team. Casey Scorpions 2.2.14 3.5.23 7.9.51 9.11.65 Port Melbourne 6.2.38 10.6.66 15.7.97 22.10.142 Goals Casey Scorpions Fevola 3 Howe 2 Bell Carew Fitzpatrick Purves Port Melbourne Pitt 6 Sengstock 4 Burstin Mullins 3 Scipione 2 Allan Dermott Free Smith Best Casey Scorpions Salton Tynan Petropoulos Collins Purves Allen Port Melbourne Woods Henderson Pitt Thornton Baird Free

SLOW START COSTLY FOR SCORPIONS by KC from Casey For the second week in a row a slow start hampered the Casey Scorpions in their endeavours to win a game. Last week, they were good enough to make a successful comeback but against Port Melbourne at TEAC Oval on Saturday, they gave away too much of a lead to enable them to rein in the home side: the result - a ten point loss to a team that has in recent times become their nemesis. Casey conceded the first goal in the opening minute when Matt Fieldsend caught a ball thrown at him after a penalty was awarded in the middle to a Port player. The technical 50 metre penalty gifted the Borough a goal that was soon answered by spearhead Michael Newton but it was the first of six fifty metre penalties for the day, four of which resulted in goals given away, lapses which certainly played their part in the eventual result. For the next two and a half quarters, the opposition was simply too strong for Casey. They worked in numbers to exert pressure and set up play and were prepared to put their bodies in first and their disposal and decision making were top notch. They also kicked accurately and took advantage of their knowledge of local conditions. This allowed Port Melbourne to skip away to a 25 point lead at quarter time and extend that to seven goals at the main break. Special commendation should go to defenders Joel Macdonald, Tom McDonald and to the improving Michael Riseley who kept a dangerous opponent under control all day. Their efforts were noted particularly when the team was under fire in the opening half. After the break, Port opened as it did in every quarter of the game - with a goal. However, a scuffle behind play resulted in a free and a goal to Addam Maric and, from that point on, the tide started turning although the comeback was stalled by consecutive 50 metre penalty goals in mid quarter. This setback seemed to steel the visitors and they lifted in the middle with the ruckmen coming good. They provided plenty of the ball to the midfield with the likes of Neville Jetta and Michael Evans getting the ball out cleanly into the forward line where Matthew Bate and Newton started getting on top of their defenders. Skipper James Wall also produced some important passages of play and kicked a vital goal during this term. By the final break, the lead had been whittled down to 27 points. Although, deprived of the wind advantage by moderating weather in advance of a coming rain storm, Casey kept plugging away in the final quarter with Newton proving a dangerous target. He booted three goals one behind for the term as the team stormed the goals, particularly late in the game. Unfortunately, the siren thwarted Casey's hopes. The Scorpions have another tough road trip coming up this week when they meet reigning premier North Ballarat on the goldfields. Hopefully, they will get away to a good start this time. HOW THE DEMONS FARED Matthew Bate (10 kicks, 6 handballs, 5 marks, 2 goals) - was virtually unsighted in the first half and struggled to get into the game but did play a part in Casey's resurgence in the third quarter. He passed to James Wall for a goal and then kicked two himself. Worked hard after that but seems to be lacking in confidence. Sam Blease (6 kicks, 1 handball, 1 mark) - at times he was brilliant but he was not consistently so. Played wing and half back and gave a lot of run but he needs to work even harder if he wants to make the big time. Lucas Cook (5 kicks, 4 handballs, 5 marks) - rangy forward who has talent and took a couple of nice marks but is very much in the early stages of his football development. Michael Evans (12 kicks, 9 handballs, 4 marks) - a real prospect in the midfield. Has pace and football smarts and is very constructive. Max Gawn (2 kicks, 8 handballs, 0 marks) - started slowly but worked his way into the game with some clever ruckwork, strong marking and clever around the ground play. However, ruckmen take time and he requires patience. Neville Jetta (11 kicks, 10 handballs, 4 marks) - worked hard but was frustrated early and then recovered to finish the game strongly. Was responsible for many forward pushes at crucial stages in his team's comeback. Kelvin Lawrence (4 kicks, 5 handballs, 1 mark) - looked all at sea in the first half and at times was easily brushed aside. To his credit, he lifted with the team's increase in tempo from halfway through the third quarter. Joel Macdonald (5 kicks, 15 handballs, 1 mark) - was good for Casey throughout the game, probably the only consistent performer over four quarters. Tom McDonald (7 kicks, 4 handballs, 3 marks) - played well in a key defensive post and really showed great maturity for one so recently out of under 18 ranks. Addam Maric (14 kicks, 11 handballs, 2 marks, 3 goals) - kicked three goals and was particularly influential after half time. He appeared to have been decked behind the play and then won the free after a scuffle with his opponent. He lifted after that and finished high among his team's best. Michael Newton (15 kicks, 0 handballs, 7 marks, 6 goals) - kicked six goals and had a near miss late in the game. Marked strongly but also did the hard things like chasing and tackling and was stiff to be penalised 50 metres for a marginally late attempt to spoil a Port Melbourne mark. Dan Nicholson (10 kicks, 6 handballs, 3 marks) - like Evans, he showed a bit. Has pace and balance and is prepared to run and carry. Ricky Petterd (14 kicks, 3 handballs, 7 marks, 1 goal) - it was a bit of a surprise to see him out there as it was thought he would be the emergency for Melbourne. It was a pretty flaky performance in which he went from producing the spectacular to periods when he seemed to disappear from sight. Won't get a promotion on that effort. James Strauss (11kicks, 1 handball, 5 marks) - couldn't put a foot right early in the game but worked hard to set things right. Unfortunately, it's not happening for him at the moment. Jake Spencer (3 kicks, 7 handballs, 1 mark) - worked hard in the ruck contests and had his moments around the ground. Casey Scorpions 2.2.14 5.5.35 11.9.75 17.12.114 Port Melbourne 6.3.39 12.5.77 16.6.102 19.10.124 Goals Casey Scorpions Newton 6 Maric 3 Bate Fieldsend Wall 2 McGough Petterd Port Melbourne Keely 3 Bentick Cain Galea Valenti 2 Batsanis Dwyer Edwards Fanning Langford Lynch McMahon Rose Best Casey Scorpions Maric Newton Wall Jetta Riseley McDonald Port Melbourne Dwyer Dillon Batsanis Bentick McMahon Fanning The Casey Reserves were overwhelmed by a strong Port Melbourne combination. Promising defender Brayden Salton from Gippsland Falcons stuck to his opponent well on a day when Brendan Fevola booted three goals from limited opportunities on debut for his new club. HOW THE DEMONS FARED by Ice Station Troy Davis - playing his first game after recovering from a thyroid problem, Davis managed 10 disposals in the first half before being rested in a good return. Jack Fitzpatrick - marked strongly and kicked a good goal. Is making good progress on return from a foot injury. Jeremy Howe - another coming back from injury, Howe took a couple of nice marks and kicked two goals. Tom McNamara - looked solid and ready to return to the senior team. Casey Scorpions 2.2.14 3.5.23 7.9.51 9.11.65 Port Melbourne 6.2.38 10.6.66 15.7.97 22.10.142 Goals Casey Scorpions Fevola 3 Howe 2 Bell Carew Fitzpatrick Purves Port Melbourne Pitt 6 Sengstock 4 Burstin Mullins 3 Scipione 2 Allan Dermott Free Smith Best Casey Scorpions Salton Tynan Petropoulos Collins Purves Allen Port Melbourne Woods Henderson Pitt Thornton Baird Free

THE BAD AND UGLY CURSE OF THE SLOW START by Whispering Jack This year's curse seems to be the slow start - it's bad and it's ugly and it's not good! In round one against the Sydney Swans, Melbourne was slow off the blocks early, spent most of the game playing catch up football, overcame a 25-point deficit late in the third quarter and hit the lead late in the game before allowing a couple of points through to finally register a tied result. In round two, the Demons conceded the first eleven scoring shots to the Hawks in the first half of the opening stanza. That they were able to recover and, at one stage managed to hold a 27-point lead a little more than half an hour later, was due in large measure to the opposition's poor kicking for goal. In the end, they were blown away with ease. Finally, Melbourne managed its first win for the season over the Brisbane Lions at the MCG but the result was unconvincing and came after it allowed the Lions the luxury of a five goal start early into the second term. Brisbane got away to a flyer with a five-goal-to-one first quarter in which the visitors' dominance was there to see in the statistics. They had 30 more disposals for the opening term, had more than double the marks (40-19) and led the clearances by ten to six. It should be remembered that this was a team that one week earlier had meekly surrendered by 78 points to the Western Bulldogs, who had themselves been thrashed a week earlier by an emerging Essendon team. A great deal of desperation and the fear of humiliation in front of their own fans then drove the Demons for two very productive quarters leaving them 14 points to the good at the final break but, even then, they simply couldn't allow their fans to breath easily. Another goalless 20 minute period left red and blue hearts pounding away nervously before a long kick from Brent Moloney was safely shepherded through by Liam Jurrah for the team's only final quarter goal and they prevailed by 12.10.82 to 11.5 .71. Moloney was the star of the day picking up a game-high 37 possessions on his way to his best start for the club since early in his debut year with the club of 2005 after crossing earlier from Geelong. He led a much maligned midfield division that was completely smashed in the final half last week and for the first quarter or so this week. Nathan Jones was strong with 27 disposals and fourth games Jordan Gysberts took up where he left off in mid season last year with 25 touches. The on ballers were given an armchair ride by Mark Jamar continuing on from his stellar 2010 and now very ably assisted by Stef Martin who is fine when allowed to play ruck or defend and not so crash hot whilst up forward. Their ascendancy came at an important time because early in the game the team was being carved up by a couple of old stagers in Simon Black in midfield and Luke Power up forward. Having lost skipper and experienced power forward Jonathan Brown after the opening round, I don't know what Brisbane will do if it loses either of these two as well. Liam Jurrah was the most important forward line in an attack that continues not to do enough on a weekly basis. Jurrah snagged five goals for the day. He was devastating in the second quarter comeback and the last of his goals came early in the third term. Ash McGrath then had him seeing stars with a questionable head high bump and Jurrah faded a little allowing others to do the work for the third term but he was back in excitement mode late in the game when he shepherded Moloney's rolling long bomb which became the match winner. The club goes into next week's groundbreaking game against the Gold Coast Suns with some problems that need attention and of course, the brains trust will be trying to work out what to do about the slow starts. Then there's the problem of the midfield still not performing anywhere near as well as it should especially given that, for the most part, it has been playing to a winning ruck. Then there are the leaders, particularly Brad Green and Aaron Davey who have failed to stand up for a full 120 minutes. Green has been pedestrian this year in comparison to the lofty standards he has set in recent yeares and uncharacteristically has missed some easy shots at goal including one that could have sealed the game in the last quarter. Hawthorn had it worked out last week and once again, Aaron Davey had a tagger in Andrew Raines who wore him like a glove and kept him out of the game. There are creative ways to break tags and hopefully, the football department will concentrate on helping Davey through close tagging situations and if this doesn't work, then have a strategy to put the taggers out of business (legally of course). The forward line set up is also an issue as Melbourne lacks a strong forward who can be relied upon to contest marking situations and to keep the ball inside the 50 metre arc. The return of Austin Wonaeamirri will help things at ground level but we simply cannot afford to rely predominantly on Liam Jurrah's heroics every week. The way the Demons play the game, returns of 11, 12 and 12 goals are not enough in today's football. Above all, the team needs to be persistent and consistent with its attack on the football. Even against an inexperienced outfit like next week's opponents, the Suns, the team must play four good quarters of good football together. This is what Gold Coast skipper Gary Ablett is demanding of his team heading into this weekend's fixture against Melbourne at the Gabba and it is no less what is to be expected of the Demons at the same time... right from the start of every game. Melbourne 1.1.7 6.3.39 11.7.73 12.10.82 Brisbane Lions 5.2.32 7.3.45 9.5.59 11.5.71 Goals Melbourne Jurrah 5 Bennell Dunn Grimes Gysberts Moloney Sylvia Wonaeamirri Brisbane Lions Power 4 Banfield 2 Clark Leuenberger Polkinghorne Redden Rockliff Best Melbourne Moloney Jurrah Rivers Jamar Jones Gysberts Brisbane Lions Clark Adcock Power Rockliff Black Leuenberger Injuries Melbourne Nil Brisbane Lions Nil Changes Melbourne Nil Brisbane Lions Nil Reports Melbourne Nil Brisbane Lions Nil Umpires Schmitt Chamberlain Keating Crowd 24,380 at the MCG

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

Green vest for Cale Morton who is today's sub. Hopefully, he will have an impact when he comes on.

RUNNING WITH THE ODDS by the Oracle Can the Melbourne Football Club recover from the humiliation it received from Hawthorn when it was comprehensively spanked in every facet of the game during the last half capitulation? Demon supporters were seen leaving the MCG on Sunday evening tearing out their hair and grimacing in pain after such a pitiful performance. President Jim Stynes labelled the club's second-half as unacceptable and called for the leaders to step up and make a stand against the Brisbane Lions in the next game. Now that things have settled down somewhat, the Demons must be comforted by the fact that they not only play host to the lowly Brisbane Lions but their opponent is heavily depleted without their skipper Jonathan Brown and a handful of others and playing at a venue where they have won just one of their past eight matches. However, I wouldn't draw too much comfort from this. The Lions’ last two outings against the Demons might have been Mickey Mouse stuff but they still acquitted themselves very well. Back in Shanghai in October, a young Brisbane side led all day to be overrun by a singlehanded patch of brilliance from Liam Jurrah. During the NAB Challenge series in March Brisbane accounted for a lacklustre Melbourne rather easily. I've been around for long enough to know that the results of these games don't deserve to get too much prominence but I simply cannot fathom how, on last week’s display, the bookies have Melbourne a favourite at $1.18 to wallop the Lions. In many ways, Melbourne has certainly not been able to live up to the hype from before the pre season that suggested that the team was on the cusp of winning back the respect of the football world. That is exactly what was happening late last year when the club smashed the Sydney Swans and Brisbane and wee an outside chance of making the finals before bravely going down to the Hawks in Round 20. The club lost their last three matches of 2010 and have yet to win this season so they really are limping into this week’s encounter. The Demon midfield has only been able to perform intermittently but there is a real problem with the forward line with the team scoring 11 and 12 goals respectively in the opening two games. We haven’t seen any big bags of goals from Lynden Dunn, Liam Jurrah, Brad Green or Jack Watts and the little men up forward have been unable to get among the goals. Things will have to change in these departments if the club is to secure its first win for the season on Sunday. THE GAME Melbourne v Brisbane at The MCG - Sunday, 10 April 2011 at 1.10pm. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 18 wins Brisbane 10 wins MCG Melbourne 3 Brisbane 2 wins Since 2000 Melbourne 7 wins Brisbane 7 wins The Coaches Bailey 2 wins Voss 1 win MEDIA TV Fox Sports1 Live at 1.00pm RADIO ABC 774, 1116 SEN THE BETTING Melbourne $1.18 Brisbane $4.90 THE LAST TIME THEY MET Melbourne 11.8.74 defeated Brisbane Lions 7.11.53 at The Gabba Round 19, 2010 Melbourne took the lead early and established a handy lead at half time on a humid Brisbane evening. With rains threatening the big lead at the main break looked as if it might be enough but, as usual with the Demons, there were a few heart flutters before they stumbled home with a late goal or two. Colin Sylvia was the catalyst for the Demons’ win and was best on ground. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE Backs Luke Tapscott James Frawley Clint Bartram Half backs Jared Rivers Colin Garland Jamie Bennell Centreline Colin Sylvia Jack Grimes Rohan Bail Half forwards Austin Wonaeamirri Stef Martin Jack Trengove Forwards Jamie Brad Green Liam Jurrah Jordan Gysberts Followers Mark Jamar Brent Moloney Aaron Davey Interchange (from) Lynden Dunn Nathan Jones Cale Morton Ricky Petterd James Strauss Matthew Warnock Jack Watts In Jordan Gysberts Cale Morton James Strauss Matthew Warnock Austin Wonaeamirri Out Neville Jetta Addam Maric BRISBANE Backs Cheynee Stiller Daniel Merrett Jed Adcock Half backs Ashley McGrath Joel Patfull Pearce Hanley Centreline Jack Redden Simon Black Tom Rockliff Half forwards Jesse Ryan Lester Luke Power Forwards Todd Banfield Mitchell Clark James Polkinghorne Followers Matthew Leuenberger Andrew Raines Daniel Rich Interchange (from) Claye Beams Rohan Bewick Eamonn Buchanan Tom Collier Aaron Cornelius Broc McCauley Jared Polec In Tom Collier Aaron Cornelius Jared Polec Out ONE WEEK AT A TIME If Melbourne was disappointing last week then what about the struggling Lions? They copped a 78-point shellacking at the hands of the Western Bulldogs and without Brown, Brent Staker and the now departed Brendan Fevola they are struggling up forward as much as their hosts if not more. Notwithstanding this they have a good mix of mature players and youth and all they need to do is show some enthusiasm for the win and they might well pull of a surprise in this game. Black, Power and Rich constitute a solid midfield that will worry the Demons’ one paced midfield although if Grimes starts in the middle, we could all be in for a surprise. He came to the club from Under 18 ranks as a midfielder and, in a brief hit out there in a practice game last year at Visy Park, he was simply sensational. A few of us at Demonland have been waiting for a good while to see him play there again and the move could be an inspirational one. Heaven knows, the Dees need some inspiration after last week. I’m not going to argue with the bookies but I think the margin will be a lot closer than the posted odds suggest. Melbourne by 3 points.

RUNNING WITH THE ODDS by the Oracle Can the Melbourne Football Club recover from the humiliation it received from Hawthorn when it was comprehensively spanked in every facet of the game during the last half capitulation? Demon supporters were seen leaving the MCG on Sunday evening tearing out their hair and grimacing in pain after such a pitiful performance. President Jim Stynes labelled the club's second-half as unacceptable and called for the leaders to step up and make a stand against the Brisbane Lions in the next game. Now that things have settled down somewhat, the Demons must be comforted by the fact that they not only play host to the lowly Brisbane Lions but their opponent is heavily depleted without their skipper Jonathan Brown and a handful of others and playing at a venue where they have won just one of their past eight matches. However, I wouldn't draw too much comfort from this. The Lions’ last two outings against the Demons might have been Mickey Mouse stuff but they still acquitted themselves very well. Back in Shanghai in October, a young Brisbane side led all day to be overrun by a singlehanded patch of brilliance from Liam Jurrah. During the NAB Challenge series in March Brisbane accounted for a lacklustre Melbourne rather easily. I've been around for long enough to know that the results of these games don't deserve to get too much prominence but I simply cannot fathom how, on last week’s display, the bookies have Melbourne a favourite at $1.18 to wallop the Lions. In many ways, Melbourne has certainly not been able to live up to the hype from before the pre season that suggested that the team was on the cusp of winning back the respect of the football world. That is exactly what was happening late last year when the club smashed the Sydney Swans and Brisbane and wee an outside chance of making the finals before bravely going down to the Hawks in Round 20. The club lost their last three matches of 2010 and have yet to win this season so they really are limping into this week’s encounter. The Demon midfield has only been able to perform intermittently but there is a real problem with the forward line with the team scoring 11 and 12 goals respectively in the opening two games. We haven’t seen any big bags of goals from Lynden Dunn, Liam Jurrah, Brad Green or Jack Watts and the little men up forward have been unable to get among the goals. Things will have to change in these departments if the club is to secure its first win for the season on Sunday. THE GAME Melbourne v Brisbane at The MCG - Sunday, 10 April 2011 at 1.10pm. HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 18 wins Brisbane 10 wins MCG Melbourne 3 Brisbane 2 wins Since 2000 Melbourne 7 wins Brisbane 7 wins The Coaches Bailey 2 wins Voss 1 win MEDIA TV Fox Sports1 Live at 1.00pm RADIO ABC 774, 1116 SEN THE BETTING Melbourne $1.18 Brisbane $4.90 THE LAST TIME THEY MET Melbourne 11.8.74 defeated Brisbane Lions 7.11.53 at The Gabba Round 19, 2011 Melbourne took the lead early and established a handy lead at half time on a humid Brisbane evening. With rains threatening the big lead at the main break looked as if it might be enough but, as usual with the Demons, there were a few heart flutters before they stumbled home with a late goal or two. Colin Sylvia was the catalyst for the Demons’ win and was best on ground. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE Backs Luke Tapscott James Frawley Clint Bartram Half backs Jared Rivers Colin Garland Jamie Bennell Centreline Colin Sylvia Jack Grimes Rohan Bail Half forwards Austin Wonaeamirri Stef Martin Jack Trengove Forwards Jamie Brad Green Liam Jurrah Jordan Gysberts Followers Mark Jamar Brent Moloney Aaron Davey Interchange (from) Lynden Dunn Nathan Jones Cale Morton Ricky Petterd James Strauss Matthew Warnock Jack Watts In Jordan Gysberts Cale Morton James Strauss Matthew Warnock Austin Wonaeamirri Out Neville Jetta Addam Maric BRISBANE Backs Cheynee Stiller Daniel Merrett Jed Adcock Half backs Ashley McGrath Joel Patfull Pearce Hanley Centreline Jack Redden Simon Black Tom Rockliff Half forwards Jesse Ryan Lester Luke Power Forwards Todd Banfield Mitchell Clark James Polkinghorne Followers Matthew Leuenberger Andrew Raines Daniel Rich Interchange (from) Claye Beams Rohan Bewick Eamonn Buchanan Tom Collier Aaron Cornelius Broc McCauley Jared Polec In Tom Collier Aaron Cornelius Jared Polec Out ONE WEEK AT A TIME If Melbourne was disappointing last week then what about the struggling Lions? They copped a 78-point shellacking at the hands of the Western Bulldogs and without Brown, Brent Staker and the now departed Brendan Fevola they are struggling up forward as much as their hosts if not more. Notwithstanding this they have a good mix of mature players and youth and all they need to do is show some enthusiasm for the win and they might well pull of a surprise in this game. Black, Power and Rich constitute a solid midfield that will worry the Demons’ one paced midfield although if Grimes starts in the middle, we could all be in for a surprise. He came to the club from Under 18 ranks as a midfielder and, in a brief hit out there in a practice game last year at Visy Park, he was simply sensational. A few of us at Demonland have been waiting for a good while to see him play there again and the move could be an inspirational one. Heaven knows, the Dees need some inspiration after last week. I’m not going to argue with the bookies but I think the margin will be a lot closer than the posted odds suggest. Melbourne by 3 points.

MELBOURNE Backs Colin Garland Jared Rivers Clint Bartram Half backs Cameron Bruce James Frawley Joel Macdonald Centreline Rohan Bail James McDonald Brad Green Half forwards Lynden Dunn Jack Watts Tom Scully Forwards Jamie Bennell Paul Johnson Austin Wonaeamirri Followers Mark Jamar Colin Sylvia Aaron Davey Interchange Jordie McKenzie, Cale Morton, Nathan Jones, Liam Jurrah Emergencies Jack Trengove, Addam Maric, Matthew Warnock BRISBANE Backs Xavier Clarke Daniel Merrett Ashley McGrath Half backs Luke Power Brent Staker Joel Patfull Centreline Jack Redden Daniel Rich Tom Rockliff Half forwards James Polkinghorne Jonathan Brown Albert Proud Forwards Jared Brennan Brendan Fevola Todd Banfield Followers Mitchell Clark Simon Black Michael Rischitelli Interchange Pearce Hanley Ryan Harwood Matthew Leuenberger Cheynee Stiller Emergencies Aaron Cornelius James Hawksley Justin Sherman

BACK TO NORMALITY by KC from Casey After a pre-season like no other and a forgettable opening twenty minutes to their 2011 campaign, things returned to normal for the Casey Scorpions as the "March madness" and "Fev Fever" were forgotten and the team ran over Geelong in the final three quarters to finish on an impressive note with a 27 point win on Saturday night at Casey Fields. The undermanned Cats took the fight right up to the home team in the early going booting the opening five goals of the game but that was the end of the penny section for the visitors. The Scorpions regrouped and kicked 13 of the next 17 goals in a complete reversal of the game's opening. As often happens, Casey's rucks, Jake Spencer and Max Gawn, took over and gave their on ballers first use of the football at the stoppages ensuring that they held control of the play. Jordan Gysberts, Michael Evans and the irrepressible Austin Wonaeamirri kept getting better as the game went on. By half time Casey trailed by 18 points but the team was playing with confidence. After the break, it was total dominance with the Cats barely getting a sniff. The Scorps had a winning spine with Matthew Warnock and Tom McDonald in defence and Matthew Bate moving well up forward. With Gysberts and Wonaeamirri continuing to dominate through the midfield, Michael Newton had a field day and finished with 5 goals 4 behinds. He also had a hand in assisting in three or four more, such was his impact on his team's attack. Acting captain James Wall continued to provide great leadership while Kyle Matthews recovers from his hamstring injury. Rian McGough, who has had an excellent pre season was also in good form as the Scorpions finished the game full of running. Although the visitors fielded a depleted line up, Casey was also missing some handy performers in addition to Matthews who coach Bradley Gotch last week described as "the heart and soul of the place." Rover Danny Nicholls and defender Evan Panozza are both out with stress fractures while Ben Waite is missing through suspension. Michael Stockdale was back for his first game after a long layoff with a serious knee injury. Then there is a certain noted former AFL goal kicker who is working on getting himself right to play at this level some time soon. In the absence of the injured players, the Scorpions welcomed youngster Aiden Lindsay (Gippsland Power) and Kieran McShane from the Box Hill Hawks to the fold. Senior debutants from Melbourne's list were Lucas Cook, Michael Evans, Max Gawn, Kelvin Lawrence , Tom McDonald and Daniel Nicholson. All of the newcomers made solid contributions ensuring that the new look Scorpions will be involved in some exciting football for the 2011 season. Next week Casey travels to Port Melbourne for what promises to be a tough encounter against one of the competition's traditionally strong stand alone clubs. See here for the Melbourne Football Club's official player assessments. Casey Scorpions 1.1.7 4.6.30 8.13.61 13.14.92 Geelong 5.2.32 7.6.48 7.8.53 9.11.65 Goals Casey Scorpions Newton 5 Evans 2 Lawrence Lindsay McGough Nicholson Riseley Wall Geelong Corrigan Walker 2 Barham Cowan T Selwood Sheringham Simpson Best Casey Scorpions Wonaeamirri Wall Newton Gysberts McGough Warnock Geelong West Cowan McLean Corrigan Barham Tutungi The Casey Scorpions started slowly and lost their reserves game against an accurate Northern Bullants by 20 points at Visy Park today. Mark Weeks and David Bell were the team's best. Casey Scorpions 0.1.1 3.4.22 8.12.60 12.16.88 Northern Bullants 7.1.43 11.3.69 14.4.88 17.6.108 Goals Casey Scorpions Dowse 4 Gent 2 Allen Carew Cleven Fitzpatrick Harrison Purdy Northern Bullants Church 4 Toman 3 Arrowsmith Labi Lincoln 2 Bray Caspersz Dorman Way Best Casey Scorpions Weeks Bell Tynan Salton Harrison Dowse Northern Bullants Toman German Arrowsmith Overman Lincoln Church

BACK TO NORMALITY by KC from Casey After a pre-season like no other and a forgettable opening twenty minutes to their 2011 campaign, things returned to normal for the Casey Scorpions as the "March madness" and "Fev Fever" were forgotten and the team ran over Geelong in the final three quarters to finish on an impressive note with a 27 point win on Saturday night at Casey Fields. The undermanned Cats took the fight right up to the home team in the early going booting the opening five goals of the game but that was the end of the penny section for the visitors. The Scorpions regrouped and kicked 13 of the next 17 goals in a complete reversal of the game's opening. As often happens, Casey's rucks, Jake Spencer and Max Gawn, took over and gave their on ballers first use of the football at the stoppages ensuring that they held control of the play. Jordan Gysberts, Michael Evans and the irrepressible Austin Wonaeamirri kept getting better as the game went on. By half time Casey trailed by 18 points but the team was playing with confidence. After the break, it was total dominance with the Cats barely getting a sniff. The Scorps had a winning spine with Matthew Warnock and Tom McDonald in defence and Matthew Bate moving well up forward. With Gysberts and Wonaeamirri continuing to dominate through the midfield, Michael Newton had a field day and finished with 5 goals 4 behinds. He also had a hand in assisting in three or four more, such was his impact on his team's attack. Acting captain James Wall continued to provide great leadership while Kyle Matthews recovers from his hamstring injury. Rian McGough, who has had an excellent pre season was also in good form as the Scorpions finished the game full of running. Although the visitors fielded a depleted line up, Casey was also missing some handy performers in addition to Matthews who coach Bradley Gotch last week described as "the heart and soul of the place." Rover Danny Nicholls and defender Evan Panozza are both out with stress fractures while Ben Waite is missing through suspension. Michael Stockdale was back for his first game after a long layoff with a serious knee injury. Then there is a certain noted former AFL goal kicker who is working on getting himself right to play at this level some time soon. In the absence of the injured players, the Scorpions welcomed youngster Aiden Lindsay (Gippsland Power) and Kieran McShane from the Box Hill Hawks to the fold. Senior debutants from Melbourne's list were Lucas Cook, Michael Evans, Max Gawn, Kelvin Lawrence , Tom McDonald and Daniel Nicholson. All of the newcomers made solid contributions ensuring that the new look Scorpions will be involved in some exciting football for the 2011 season. Next week Casey travels to Port Melbourne for what promises to be a tough encounter against one of the competition's traditionally strong stand alone clubs. See here for the Melbourne Football Club's official player assessments. Casey Scorpions 1.1.7 4.6.30 8.13.61 13.14.92 Geelong 5.2.32 7.6.48 7.8.53 9.11.65 Goals Casey Scorpions Newton 5 Evans 2 Lawrence Lindsay McGough Nicholson Riseley Wall Geelong Corrigan Walker 2 Barham Cowan T Selwood Sheringham Simpson Best Casey Scorpions Wonaeamirri Wall Newton Gysberts McGough Warnock Geelong West Cowan McLean Corrigan Barham Tutungi The Casey Scorpions started slowly and lost their reserves game against an accurate Northern Bullants by 20 points at Visy Park today. Mark Weeks and David Bell were the team's best. Casey Scorpions 0.1.1 3.4.22 8.12.60 12.16.88 Northern Bullants 7.1.43 11.3.69 14.4.88 17.6.108 Goals Casey Scorpions Dowse 4 Gent 2 Allen Carew Cleven Fitzpatrick Harrison Purdy Northern Bullants Church 4 Toman 3 Arrowsmith Labi Lincoln 2 Bray Caspersz Dorman Way Best Casey Scorpions Weeks Bell Tynan Salton Harrison Dowse Northern Bullants Toman German Arrowsmith Overman Lincoln Church