Demonland

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE by Whispering Jack Once upon a time it was known as the VFA but now it's the VFL. The history goes back one hundred and thirty years and one of its great features is that its traditional rivalries continue today on old-time football fields in a way that they no longer do with its elite AFL counterpart. You can go down to a local ground and see personalities mingling with the crowds before the game as I did on Saturday. There was Ernie Dingo having a kick on the ground with a young kid before the game, Brownlow Medallist Barry Round was watching near the social club while Mick Malthouse walked past me in the first quarter trying to look anonymous. Magpie cheer squad megastar Joffa looked resplendent with his straggly blond locks blowing in the wind and no gold jacket in sight. Former Saints and Hawk star Russell Greene was there and so apparently was Stinga! There were Melbourne stars and Collingwood stars and personalities from the old VFA and it was all part of a relaxing afternoon that included an interesting and absorbing spectacle that provided a smorgasbord of veteran footballers, up and comers, current VFL stars and together they produced some good old fashioned football. This week's participants at the Trevor Barker Beach Road Oval, Sandringham and Williamstown are old rivals whose past clashes rank among the competition's most memorable and the fact that they are aligned with two old league rivals in Melbourne and Collingwood makes their meeting even more attractive to football's diehards; they provide a setting and an atmosphere that’s compelling in these days of commercialism and sanitised stadiums with roofs that keep out the elements, the birds and the joys of suburban football. Something for everyone. The undefeated Zebras led all day and reclaimed top position on the ladder (lost to Geelong only because Sandringham had the bye last week) by accounting for their rivals who were also undefeated (Williamstown have drawn two of their first five games) by 22 points, 16.16.112 to 13.12.90. The game was given a boost with the inclusion of Melbourne stars Russell Robertson (returning from a knee injury) and Byron Pickett (after a week of high drama over his absence a week ago when an emergency for the Demons’ game against the Bulldogs). Neither of them disappointed the fans and the joined with Clint Bizzell, Paul Wheatley, youngsters Chris Johnston and Michael Newton and Zebra luminaries in Peter Summers and skipper Chad Liddell to keep a willing Seagull combination at bay. From the very opening bounce of the game, this was never going to be easy for Sandy which had the advantage of a blustery breeze aiding the southern end of the ground. Robbo was in the thick of things early taking a strong mark and missing from straight in front but he soon made amends and had a couple of goals on the board by quarter time. There was already no doubt that he was back in town and headed for an assignation in the AFL in a week’s time. He finished with eight marks and booted 4.3 and showed no ill effects from his knee injury suffered in round 2 against Hawthorn. The Zebras lost centre half forward Rod Crowe to concussion early in the game and this provided the improving Michael Newton with an opportunity to make that key position his own. He handled the task well finishing with a wayward 2.5 for the game plus a number of assists in an excellent display of forward work that suggests it won’t be too long before he joins Robertson at Melbourne. The other standout player early in the game was David Gallagher who had the ball on a string and he was instrumental in setting up the 26-point quarter time lead. Sandringham appeared to be cruising early in the second quarter and built its lead to in excess of five goals before Williamstown moved into another gear and began to play a far more attacking brand of football. The catalyst might well have been the report of full back Chris Lamb for allegedly striking Williamstown's Dean Limbach. Lamb was off injured not long after and again this brought another Demon youngster, James Frawley, under the spot light at full back. Frawley acquitted himself well there and appears to have a future in the game. It was not his fault that a few late goals to the Seagulls allowed the Zebras’ lead to dwindle down to 9 points at the main break. Sandy continued to find the going tough in the third quarter but with Bizzell and Chris Johnson solid in defence and Wheatley providing plenty of spark across midfield, it gradually added to its lead with skipper Liddell chiming in with a long, long goal. Neaves was having the better of the ruck duels with experienced Guy Richards while Gallagher, Summers and Shane Valenti were all busy picking up kicks and backing up their teammates. Byron Pickett stood out with his head bandaged (the legacy of that incident against Port Adelaide a fortnight ago). He floated across half-forward, occasionally stung like a bee and snagged a couple of goals playing with more purpose than we’ve seen from him all year. The question at three quarter time was whether Sandringham could hold on to its 17-point lead in the face of the strong wind advantage seemingly held in the final term by the visitors. Mark Williams did his level best to convince his players that the wind would not be the factor that won or lost the game and it was just a matter of level heads and kicking well into the forward line where there were plenty of men capable of kicking goals. It worked but for the fact that those forwards struggled to stay on target but with Pickett and Hughes both goaling there was never going to be an upset on this day although Willi fought it out admirably. Next week sees another break for Sandy with the interstate game against the WAFL, a game in which the Zebras are likely to be represented by up to six players with Andrew Biddlecombe, Rod Crowe, Ezra Poyas, Nick Sautner, Peter Summers and Shane Valenti all named this week in the VFL squad. Rennie Gilchrist, Stefan Martin and Tomi Johnston will represent VFL South against VFL North in an Under 23 game. HOW THE DEMONS FARED Clint Bizzell – at times was reminiscent of the player we got to know as the general of Melbourne’s backline. He was calm and cool in defence for much of the day although a few mistakes crept in to his play late in the day. Simon Buckley – started off on the bench and we didn’t see much of him until the third quarter, nor did he have much of an impact whilst on the ground. James Frawley – the first time I’ve seen him play live at this level and, on what I saw, he’s an excellent first round draft pick. He’s a natural and, while he didn’t star, showed enough football nous, speed and ability to suggest that he might be able to grab a tall defender’s position with the Demons before the halfway mark of the season. Colin Garland – in and out of the game but when he was “in” he showed enough in attack and in defence to suggest that he could become a very handy player at AFL level in the future. Ben Holland – at teams was as solid as a rock in defence but he seemed to go missing in stages and gave his opponent too much latitude. Daniel Hughes ® - another player who didn’t see much action early but he came into it in the second half and impressed with some strong marks. Chris Johnson – generally very good but with a few poor disposals which might be forgiven in view of the trying conditions. Shane Neaves ® - had a good game in the ruck and overshadowed Guy Richards. I can’t be 100% sure of this but he appears to have grown a few centimeters since first recruited and he’s now a very big unit. If he can pick up a yard or a metre in pace over the summer he could be a handy player in the red and blue in 2008. Michael Newton – an interesting game. He tried to perform some of the freakish tricks he has in his footballing wardrobe - a couple of speccies, the odd kick around the corner etc. None of them really came off but they will happen regularly as he gathers experience. What did impress me was the fact that he was doing all of the other things that have sometimes been absent from his game – the second efforts, strong tackles, backing up and the like. His tackle of Chris Egan dispossessed the young Magpie but the umpire was blindsided so he let it go. Egan got the ball again and Juice repeated the dose. This time the free was paid and the Zebras goaled as a result while Egan left the ground with a knee injury. You can’t blame Newton for that but it showed that he’s on a fast learning curve. Byron Pickett – must be kicking himself for his lapses in judgment last weekend. His absence from the Melbourne side over the next month could hurt both him and the club. Too good a player to be stuck at this level for that period of time and it’s a trifle late in his career to start learning the value of discipline. Russell Robertson – the Robbo of old. A real jumping jack and there were no signs of the hyper-extended knee injury. Paul Wheatley – appeared to be favouring his shoulder a bit early but he got better as his confidence grew. Took on the Williamstown forwards and was a great contributor. Seniors Sandringham 5.3.35 9.5.59 13.9.87 16.16.112 Williamstown 1.1.7 7.8.50 10.10.70 13.12.90 Goals Sandringham Robertson 4 Sautner 3 Hughes Newton Pickett 2 Gallagher Garland Liddell Williamstown Johnson 4 Clarke Greene Iles Limbach Medhurst Meyer Proctor Rose Williams Best Sandringham C Johnson Wheatley Holland Bizzell Summers Neaves Williamstown Johnson Stanley McKenzie Proctor Nicholls Clarke ZEBRA RESERVES UPSET SEAGULLS Despite almost kicking the game away in the first quarter, the young Zebra reserves side managed to hold off a persistent Williamstown to run out winners by five points to record their third win of the season and to remain in touch with the top five of the VFL reserves competition. Melbourne youngster Heath Neville played his best game so far for the club while Tom Paterakis continued to produce the excellent form that has been a feature of his game so far this season. Both are in line for senior selection if an opening can be found. Daniel Gribbin and Peter McGettigan were also solid in a tough tight struggle for the Zebras. Reserves Sandringham 2.13.25 4.15.39 8.19.67 11.20.86 Williamstown 3.3.21 5.9.39 7.11.53 11.15.81 Goals Sandringham Gileno 3 Zarra 2 Curcio T. Johnston Martin Martyn McKenzie Turcarelli Williamstown Beaumont Stretton 2 Chiu Cook Darvell 2 Keddell Kennedy MacAffer Miller Best Sandringham Neville Paterakis Dean Turcarelli McGettigan Gribbin Williamstown Cravino Boyd Foley Crawford Stretton Miller

Despite the fact that I could change my tips if I wanted to, I can assure you that I haven't. There is even a link beneath the Oztips ladder that allows you see any changes made by the Competition's Administrator.

Current standings 44. Aaron Davey 36. Cameron Bruce 35. Brent Moloney 33. Nathan Jones 28. Jeff White 25. Simon Godfrey 24. Adem Yze 21. Brad Green 20. Brad Miller 19. Daniel Bell 18. Jared Rivers 17. Matthew Bate 16. Travis Johnstone James McDonald 15. Nathan Brown 13. Ben Holland Colin Sylvia 12. David Neitz 11. Ricky Petterd Russell Robertson 5. Nathan Carroll 3. Daniel Bell Daniel Ward 2. Paul Johnson 1. Lynden Dunn

THIS IS THE MOMENT! by J.V. McKay This is the moment for which Demon fans everywhere should have been looking forward to with expectation. Throughout the long hot summer of 2006/7 they watched the players working their butts off, sweating profusely in the hot sun and spending long hours of arduous work on the track for this one very fateful moment - the instance in time when they were to run out on one of those long, thin interstate grounds way out west. Subiaco is one of those grounds that Melbourne has found so difficult to win on in past seasons that its entire game plan was turned upside down in order to find a winning formula there. The Demons have sacrificed a great deal to get to this point. The old game plan which won 11 out of 12 at the G last year was sacrificed for this, but who cares that the number is 0/5 on that ground at this stage of the season or that overall, it’s 0/7 if what we're really looking at is the bigger picture? So enough of the sarcasm because let’s face it, Melbourne's current situation is a little more than somewhat due to the massive injury toll suffered in the first half of 2007 although I still have nightmares about the round 1 performance against St. Kilda when the numbers injured weren’t nearly as bad as they have been in recent weeks. In fact, I’m still suffering from high anxiety as the team is about to embark on that trip across the Nullarbor on an assignment that has so often spelt disaster for teams coming out of Melbourne in past seasons. Mind you, the task this Sunday is not as hopeless as it seems. A few of Melbourne’s ace players return this week, others have struck a vein of form over the past fortnight and the Demons’ most recent form hasn’t been that much inferior to that of the Eagles. Well, at least on the form shown by them at Geelong last week when they were restricted to just 10 goals and lost to the Cats. And I’m not forgetting that Melbourne has travelled out west as a rank underdog before and still managed to come out trumps. The classic battle of 1998 when a patched up side with a number of youngsters stunned the football world and won the game on the day a young Russell Robertson came of age. The more I go on the more confident I become so I’d better take a break at this stage, take a Bex and have a good lie down. THE GAME: Western Coast v Melbourne at Subiaco - 20 May 2007 at 4.40pm (AEST) HEAD TO HEAD: Overall: West Coast 22 wins Melbourne 13 wins At Subiaco: West Coast 9 wins Melbourne 5 wins Since 2000: West Coast 6 wins Melbourne 5 wins The Coaches: Worsfold 5 wins Daniher 3 wins MEDIA: TV: Fox Sports 1 - Live from 4.30pm (AEST) Radio 774ABC SEN THE BETTING: West Coast to win $1.16 Melbourne to win $4.75 LAST TIME THEY MET: West Coast 13.19.97 d Melbourne 11.9.75 in Round 9, 2006 at Subiaco Melbourne’s form coming into this game was not bad – five wins in a row after a slow start. The Demons were nevertheless in with a chance at three quarter time when they trailed by a solitary point. In the end however, the Eagles, with Judd and Kerr starring, coasted away to win an entertaining and at times fiery game by 22 points. THE TEAMS: WEST COAST Backs David Wirrpanda Darren Glass Brett Jones Half backs Tyson Stenglein Adam Hunter Adam Selwood Centreline Matt Rosa Matt Priddis Michael Braun Half forwards Daniel Chick Ashley Hansen Shannon Hurn Forwards Beau Waters Quinten Lynch Rowan Jones Followers Mark Seaby Chris Judd Daniel Kerr Interchange Dean Cox Chad Fletcher Mitchell Morton Brent Staker Emergencies Steven Armstrong Mitchell Brown Mark LeCras In Dean Cox Chad Fletcher Mitchell Morton Out Steven Armstrong Mitchell Brown Mark LeCras MELBOURNE: Backs Daniel Ward Nathan Carroll Adem Yze Half backs Nathan Brown Ryan Ferguson Daniel Bell Centreline Matthew Bate James McDonald Aaron Davey Half forwards Brad Green Brad Miller Cameron Bruce Forwards Colin Sylvia David Neitz Lynden Dunn Followers Jeff White Simon Godfrey Travis Johnstone Interchange Paul Johnson Nathan Jones Ricky Petterd Matthew Whelan Emergencies Ben Holland Brock McLean Matthew Warnock In Ryan Ferguson Ricky Petterd Matthew Whelan Out Brent Moloney (groin) Ben Holland Matthew Warnock SELECTION TABLE Both teams welcome back handy players but the Eagles have gained the most with the return Big Dean Cox because they were trounced in the ruck last week and Cox, at home, is going to prove a handful for the winless Demons. The much expected returns from injury of Brock McLean and Russell Robertson have been deferred for another week and Jared Rivers is not quite there yet either. Byron Pickett is playing for Sandringham tomorrow and for several weeks into the foreseeable so he, at least will be able to have a drink in comfort tomorrow night and even send the Reverend a nice SMS wishing him well over there. It’s a pity though, because the holes in the Demon make up are still gaping and a rampant, in-form Byronator would have been handy. MATCH-UPS Simon Godfrey v Chris Judd Earlier in the season this would have been an unlikely match up but Godders is in career best form as a modern tagger. He has taken the scalps of Adam Goodes, Shaun Burgoyne and Scott West so it’s likely that he will be given the first bite of the cherry and, if that’s not working, he might have to take Daniel Kerr. This means that he will have his work cut out for him on Sunday afternoon and one can only hope that he doesn’t suffer from heat exhaustion or a bee sting that might cause him to suddenly collapse and hit the ground as he has done more than once in recent weeks. Paul Johnson v Mark Seaby Two up and coming ruckmen who will have an interesting duel in the shadows of White/Cox. Paul Johnson has been coming on strongly in the short time since he regained his place in the side after a series of shoulder problems last year and he has the added incentive of playing well against his old side. Seaby has done well in the absence of Cox but he was well beaten last week. Johnson could be a surprise packet here! David Neitz v Darren Glass David Neitz had an absolute shocker last week against Brad Harris but, at times, his own teammates were his own worst enemy as they often clogged up his leading space. His task is no easier this week when he confronts and All-Australian fullback in Glass. WHO WINS, WHY? This is not a good question to ask after seven rounds when one of the teams has won six and the other’s record for the year is just plain pathetic. The best indicator is often the bookies and they have the Eagles at mug’s odds of $1.16 so make of that what you will. According to the Pro-Stats published in the Age, West Coast is first in handball receives, first in winning the 50/50 contests and second in disposals over the past few weeks. That suggests that they can run and carry the ball and do anything else better than most. As a result I lean toward them to win but Melbourne will make them work hard all the way. West Coast by 17 points after a mildly nightmarish afternoon for the Demons.

by J.V. McKay This is the moment for which Demon fans everywhere should have been looking forward to with expectation. Throughout the long hot summer of 2006/7 they watched the players working their butts off, sweating profusely in the hot sun and spending long hours of arduous work on the track for this one very fateful moment - the instance in time when they were to run out on one of those long, thin interstate grounds way out west. Subiaco is one of those grounds that Melbourne has found so difficult to win on in past seasons that its entire game plan was turned upside down in order to find a winning formula there. The Demons have sacrificed a great deal to get to this point. The old game plan which won 11 out of 12 at the G last year was sacrificed for this, but who cares that the number is 0/5 on that ground at this stage of the season or that overall, it’s 0/7 if what we're really looking at is the bigger picture? So enough of the sarcasm because let’s face it, Melbourne's current situation is a little more than somewhat due to the massive injury toll suffered in the first half of 2007 although I still have nightmares about the round 1 performance against St. Kilda when the numbers injured weren’t nearly as bad as they have been in recent weeks. In fact, I’m still suffering from high anxiety as the team is about to embark on that trip across the Nullarbor on an assignment that has so often spelt disaster for teams coming out of Melbourne in past seasons. Mind you, the task this Sunday is not as hopeless as it seems. A few of Melbourne’s ace players return this week, others have struck a vein of form over the past fortnight and the Demons’ most recent form hasn’t been that much inferior to that of the Eagles. Well, at least on the form shown by them at Geelong last week when they were restricted to just 10 goals and lost to the Cats. And I’m not forgetting that Melbourne has travelled out west as a rank underdog before and still managed to come out trumps. The classic battle of 1998 when a patched up side with a number of youngsters stunned the football world and won the game on the day a young Russell Robertson came of age. The more I go on the more confident I become so I’d better take a break at this stage, take a Bex and have a good lie down. THE GAME: West Coast v Melbourne at Subiaco - 20 May 2007 at 4.40pm (AEST) HEAD TO HEAD: Overall: West Coast 22 wins Melbourne 13 wins At Subiaco: West Coast 9 wins Melbourne 5 wins Since 2000: West Coast 6 wins Melbourne 5 wins The Coaches: Worsfold 5 wins Daniher 3 wins MEDIA: TV: Fox Sports 1 - Live from 4.30pm (AEST) Radio 774ABC SEN THE BETTING: West Coast to win $1.16 Melbourne to win $4.75 LAST TIME THEY MET: West Coast 13.19.97 d Melbourne 11.9.75 in Round 9, 2006 at Subiaco Melbourne’s form coming into this game was not bad – five wins in a row after a slow start. The Demons were nevertheless in with a chance at three quarter time when they trailed by a solitary point. In the end however, the Eagles, with Judd and Kerr starring, coasted away to win an entertaining and at times fiery game by 22 points. THE TEAMS: WEST COAST Backs David Wirrpanda Darren Glass Brett Jones Half backs Tyson Stenglein Adam Hunter Adam Selwood Centreline Matt Rosa Matt Priddis Michael Braun Half forwards Daniel Chick Ashley Hansen Shannon Hurn Forwards Beau Waters Quinten Lynch Rowan Jones Followers Mark Seaby Chris Judd Daniel Kerr Interchange Dean Cox Chad Fletcher Mitchell Morton Brent Staker Emergencies Steven Armstrong Mitchell Brown Mark LeCras In Dean Cox Chad Fletcher Mitchell Morton Out Steven Armstrong Mitchell Brown Mark LeCras MELBOURNE: Backs Daniel Ward Nathan Carroll Adem Yze Half backs Nathan Brown Ryan Ferguson Daniel Bell Centreline Matthew Bate James McDonald Aaron Davey Half forwards Brad Green Brad Miller Cameron Bruce Forwards Colin Sylvia David Neitz Lynden Dunn Followers Jeff White Simon Godfrey Travis Johnstone Interchange Paul Johnson Nathan Jones Ricky Petterd Matthew Whelan Emergencies Ben Holland Brock McLean Matthew Warnock In Ryan Ferguson Ricky Petterd Matthew Whelan Out Brent Moloney (groin) Ben Holland Matthew Warnock SELECTION TABLE Both teams welcome back handy players but the Eagles have gained the most with the return Big Dean Cox because they were trounced in the ruck last week and Cox, at home, is going to prove a handful for the winless Demons. The much expected returns from injury of Brock McLean and Russell Robertson have been deferred for another week and Jared Rivers is not quite there yet either. Byron Pickett is playing for Sandringham tomorrow and for several weeks into the foreseeable so he, at least will be able to have a drink in comfort tomorrow night and even send the Reverend a nice SMS wishing him well over there. It’s a pity though, because the holes in the Demon make up are still gaping and a rampant, in-form Byronator would have been handy. MATCH-UPS Simon Godfrey v Chris Judd Earlier in the season this would have been an unlikely match up but Godders is in career best form as a modern tagger. He has taken the scalps of Adam Goodes, Shaun Burgoyne and Scott West so it’s likely that he will be given the first bite of the cherry and, if that’s not working, he might have to take Daniel Kerr. This means that he will have his work cut out for him on Sunday afternoon and one can only hope that he doesn’t suffer from heat exhaustion or a bee sting that might cause him to suddenly collapse and hit the ground as he has done more than once in recent weeks. Paul Johnson v Mark Seaby Two up and coming ruckmen who will have an interesting duel in the shadows of White/Cox. Paul Johnson has been coming on strongly in the short time since he regained his place in the side after a series of shoulder problems last year and he has the added incentive of playing well against his old side. Seaby has done well in the absence of Cox but he was well beaten last week. Johnson could be a surprise packet here! David Neitz v Darren Glass David Neitz had an absolute shocker last week against Brad Harris but, at times, his own teammates were his own worst enemy as they often clogged up his leading space. His task is no easier this week when he confronts and All-Australian fullback in Glass. WHO WINS, WHY? This is not a good question to ask after seven rounds when one of the teams has won six and the other’s record for the year is just plain pathetic. The best indicator is often the bookies and they have the Eagles at mug’s odds of $1.16 so make of that what you will. According to the Pro-Stats published in the Age, West Coast is first in handball receives, first in winning the 50/50 contests and second in disposals over the past few weeks. That suggests that they can run and carry the ball and do anything else better than most. As a result I lean toward them to win but Melbourne will make them work hard all the way. West Coast by 17 points after a mildly nightmarish afternoon for the Demons.

I would suggest some shuffling around needs to be done now that the Melbourne team has been decided. Buckley and Garland will take their places at Sandringham in the firsts, have no doubt about that!

This is a bit emabarrassing but look who's leading the tipping comp? 1. (1) 36 Demonland 2. (3) 35 Whispering_Jack 3. (1) 34 great_gatsby 3. (10) 34 paliosiana 3. (3) 34 TimDees 6. (3) 33 bl3281 6. (3) 33 canberrademon(herb) 6. (3) 33 deanox 6. (10) 33 petejh2000 6. (10) 33 Scoop Junior 11. (15) 32 Clyde_Cabbie 11. (15) 32 demon_davey 11. (10) 32 DeMoNiC 11. (3) 32 KrazyJay 15. (20) 31 Alpha_33 15. (10) 31 Go_Ds 15. (20) 31 Kieranbj 18. (15) 30 dee'viator 18. (3) 30 demon_fanatic 18. (26) 30 frangas 18. (20) 30 Pinball_Wizard 18. (15) 30 slamevil 18. (15) 30 snarler_0 24. (26) 29 achirnside 24. (30) 29 BigKev Demon 24. (30) 29 deesthisyear 27. (20) 28 Dees_Fan16 27. (26) 28 Jackieboy_0 27. (20) 28 Rivers Run Red 30. (20) 27 Fingers Power 30. (26) 27 Goodvibes 32. (32) 25 Dappadan 33. (33) 23 rusty_corner 34. (36) 22 No Cigar 35. (33) 20 melon22 36. (35) 19 jaded24 37. (37) 13 CarnTheDees 38. (37) 11 rusty_kingswood

Come on now. We should be more hospitable to someone who comes on to inform us when teams involving our players are about to get some much needed publicity. Thansk for the heads up radio 1611!

WELCOME TO BIZARRO WORLD by Whispering Jack According to Wikipedia, the Bizarro World (also known as "HTRAE") is a fictional cube shaped planet in the DC comics universe. The original Bizarros were the opposites of Superman and Lois Lane but, in today's popular culture, the term Bizarro is used "to describe anything that utilizes twisted logic or that is the opposite of something else". In recent times, Bizarros have popped up on Sienfeld. Now they've arrived in the AFL! I know this because I was sitting in the stands watching the Western Bulldogs vs. Melbourne game at the Telstra Dome on Sunday afternoon and it was a fairly good spectacle until this team of Bizarro men in yellow masquerading as umpires descended on the football field in the middle of the second quarter and destroyed it all in the space of a few minutes. I'll come back to that later because I prefer to remember the match for its finer points and the excellent contest it provided for the 24,000 odd punters who came to watch the game rather than the depths to which the game can descend when administrators tinker with the rules and then let Bizarros loose to wreak havoc with the sport. This was the seventh game of the season but the Demons' 2007 injury curse failed to take a rest. Before selection, the team lost recruit Ricky Petterd, a rising star nominee the week before and who was averaging about 20 possessions in his first two games, with a hamstring injury. Then Jared Rivers pulled out of the selected side with a back injury and, with emergency Byron Pickett fighting off a hangover at some place other than the Telstra Dome where he was supposed to be, Ben Holland took his place in the team. As has become the norm in this disastrous season, two Demons - Nathan Carroll (concussion) and Brad Miller (ankle) - failed to see out the game while Dutchy was soon sporting an elastic headband to cover up the blood caused in an altercation with Brad Johnson. Then, at some stage during the game, Simon Godfrey appeared to faint and was seen lying prostrate on the Telstra Dome turf while his nearest opponent Scott West was sheepishly slinking into the distance hoping to god the television cameras were pointing elsewhere seconds earlier. Anyhow, I'll come back to the consequences of not seeing out a game with 22 fit men later. At the start, Melbourne did well. It ran hard, was on target and had the better of the contest for the first quarter. Aaron Davey had put his early season slump well behind him with two first-quarter goals on his way to a 29 possession game and Travis Johnstone and Adem Yze were finally both back in town. Youngsters Lynden Dunn and Matthew Bate were continuing on with their promising form and Colin Sylvia was finally asserting himself over a good opponent in Griffen. Godfrey had West by the proverbials and he was on his way to claiming his third top shelf scalp in as many weeks. Moreover, the Doggies were a trifle lucky to even be within two goals after a couple of lucky umpiring breaks in front of goal. But they were just normal garden variety breaks of luck from the maggots. The real fun hadn't started yet. The first half of the second quarter continued in the same vein with the Demons dictating terms as they stretched ahead a little to 13 points with a Bate goal when suddenly the Bizarros emerged out of a black hole underneath the ground at the Telstra Dome as maggots often will. Most people will point to the controversial free kick awarded to Daniel Cross as the turning point of the game and the emergence of the Bizarros but I believe it started and ended with Melbourne's skipper who had a dog of a day. I'll go back a minute earlier in time when David Neitz was ridden into the ground with his opponent landing on top of him. The free kick went against the Demon skipper who was deemed to be holding the ball. The play then moved into the Bulldog forward line where Cross James McDonald ran down. He was certainly caught holding the ball but the momentum of the tackle caused Junior to end up on top of his opponent. On viewing the replay later, I have no doubt the commentator, like many others including me, thought Cross was gone. But that's the luck of the game - the rough decisions will usually even themselves out - especially if the umpires are consistent. Won't they? The free to Cross resulted in a hand pass off to Gilbee and lead was down to seven points. A moment later Cross was in the action again when he took a mark and was brought down late by Paul Johnson who was doing well in the ruck. The resultant 70 metre penalty resulted in a Cross goal and was followed by another to Higgins after Brad Johnson appeared to put his hands on Cameron Bruce's back as the two went for the ball (the commentator used the words "Johnson wrestles with Bruce" - please give me a break!). Suddenly, the hard fought lead had evaporated and the Dogs were in front. The Demons had the chance to come back when Neitz took a mark and was brought down to the ground a trifle late by Harris. Now was the chance for the maggots, sorry stoggam, to display some consistency. Fifty metres anyone? No, not seventy, not fifty, not fifteen. Nada. I guess Neita should have kicked the goal from 35 metres but he didn't. Fact is if there was anything other than Bizarro justice in this world he would have been taking his shot from the goal square. The result was that the half time break came and the Dogs had gained the ascendancy even though Melbourne led everywhere statistically except where it counted and the opposition had kicked the last five goals of the Bizarro first half. I think Neale Daniher has been somewhat unfairly bagged during the team's horror start to the season by those who know no better. His coaching of the team in this game (and the previous one against Port Adelaide for that matter), particularly after half time was, sensational and he deserved to be better rewarded for his efforts than what the scribes called a "gallant" six point defeat. For starters, he didn't go negative and he didn't try to win with a negative style of game that his players haven't been able to perfect and certainly would have struggled with given the list of players he had available to him. He moved Cameron Bruce onto the ball instead of playing the negating role on Brad Johnson and the move immediately paid dividends with the team edging to within a point before the Dogs struggled to win back a couple later in the quarter. Melbourne came back again in the final term and it was goal for goal. Daniher didn't hesitate to drag Neitz off after he gave away a soft free kick (made even softer by the fact that the Bizarros in yellow had virtually thrown their whistles away earlier in the quarter) was awarded against him straight after a Melbourne goal. The resultant penalty let the Dogs back with a fortunate goal. It was the Bulldogs who had the run of luck when the Bizarros awarded Melbourne a fifty metre (I later measured it at 43½ but what the hell?) that actually worked to the their advantage because Colin Sylvia already had the ball and was off fifty metres downfield from where the original mark was paid. Daniher was again limited with Carroll and Miller injured - a huge disadvantage in a close contest but the final roll of the dice saw Brad Johnson showing his class and kicking the winning goal from almost fifty metres out. This was the final straw in a Bizarro game in which the productivity of the two skippers was the ultimate determinant as to which team would walk away with the four points. Even more Bizarro was the fact that, at the end of the game, Melbourne which had now narrowly lost to the top team and another major finals contender was still sitting winless after seven games and facing a tough game at Subiaco against the Eagles a week later. Totally Bizarro! Melbourne 6.1.37 7.6.48 10.9.69 16.10.106 Western Bulldogs 4.1.25 10.5.65 12.12.84 16.16.112 Goals: Melbourne: Davey Sylvia 3 Green Yze 2 Bate Bell Dunn Johnstone Neitz White Western Bulldogs: Johnson 4 Hahn Higgins 2 Akermanis Cooney Cross Darcy Eagleton Giansiracusa Gilbee Hargrave. Best: Melbourne: Davey Johnstone Sylvia White Bruce Yze. Western Bulldogs: Johnson Cross Eagleton Gilbee Harris Giansiracusa. Injuries: Melbourne: Miller (ankle), Carroll (concussion). Western Bulldogs Nil. Team Changes: Melbourne: Rivers (back) replaced in selected side by Holland. Western Bulldogs Nil. Umpires: McLaren Sully Head. Crowd: 24,584 at Telstra Dome

by Whispering Jack According to Wikipedia, the Bizarro World (also known as "HTRAE") is a fictional cube shaped planet in the DC comics universe. The original Bizarros were the opposites of Superman and Lois Lane but, in today's popular culture, the term Bizarro is used "to describe anything that utilizes twisted logic or that is the opposite of something else". In recent times, Bizarros have popped up on Sienfeld. Now they've arrived in the AFL! I know this because I was sitting in the stands watching the Western Bulldogs vs. Melbourne game at the Telstra Dome on Sunday afternoon and it was a fairly good spectacle until this team of Bizarro men in yellow masquerading as umpires descended on the football field in the middle of the second quarter and destroyed it all in the space of a few minutes. I'll come back to that later because I prefer to remember the match for its finer points and the excellent contest it provided for the 24,000 odd punters who came to watch the game rather than the depths to which the game can descend when administrators tinker with the rules and then let Bizarros loose to wreak havoc with the sport. This was the seventh game of the season but the Demons' 2007 injury curse failed to take a rest. Before selection, the team lost recruit Ricky Petterd, a rising star nominee the week before and who was averaging about 20 possessions in his first two games, with a hamstring injury. Then Jared Rivers pulled out of the selected side with a back injury and, with emergency Byron Pickett fighting off a hangover at some place other than the Telstra Dome where he was supposed to be, Ben Holland took his place in the team. As has become the norm in this disastrous season, two Demons - Nathan Carroll (concussion) and Brad Miller (ankle) - failed to see out the game while Dutchy was soon sporting an elastic headband to cover up the blood caused in an altercation with Brad Johnson. Then, at some stage during the game, Simon Godfrey appeared to faint and was seen lying prostrate on the Telstra Dome turf while his nearest opponent Scott West was sheepishly slinking into the distance hoping to god the television cameras were pointing elsewhere seconds earlier. Anyhow, I'll come back to the consequences of not seeing out a game with 22 fit men later. At the start, Melbourne did well. It ran hard, was on target and had the better of the contest for the first quarter. Aaron Davey had put his early season slump well behind him with two first-quarter goals on his way to a 29 possession game and Travis Johnstone and Adem Yze were finally both back in town. Youngsters Lynden Dunn and Matthew Bate were continuing on with their promising form and Colin Sylvia was finally asserting himself over a good opponent in Griffen. Godfrey had West by the proverbials and he was on his way to claiming his third top shelf scalp in as many weeks. Moreover, the Doggies were a trifle lucky to even be within two goals after a couple of lucky umpiring breaks in front of goal. But they were just normal garden variety breaks of luck from the maggots. The real fun hadn't started yet. The first half of the second quarter continued in the same vein with the Demons dictating terms as they stretched ahead a little to 13 points with a Bate goal when suddenly the Bizarros emerged out of a black hole underneath the ground at the Telstra Dome as maggots often will. Most people will point to the controversial free kick awarded to Daniel Cross as the turning point of the game and the emergence of the Bizarros but I believe it started and ended with Melbourne's skipper who had a dog of a day. I'll go back a minute earlier in time when David Neitz was ridden into the ground with his opponent landing on top of him. The free kick went against the Demon skipper who was deemed to be holding the ball. The play then moved into the Bulldog forward line where Cross James McDonald ran down. He was certainly caught holding the ball but the momentum of the tackle caused Junior to end up on top of his opponent. On viewing the replay later, I have no doubt the commentator, like many others including me, thought Cross was gone. But that's the luck of the game - the rough decisions will usually even themselves out - especially if the umpires are consistent. Won't they? The free to Cross resulted in a hand pass off to Gilbee and lead was down to seven points. A moment later Cross was in the action again when he took a mark and was brought down late by Paul Johnson who was doing well in the ruck. The resultant 70 metre penalty resulted in a Cross goal and was followed by another to Higgins after Brad Johnson appeared to put his hands on Cameron Bruce's back as the two went for the ball (the commentator used the words "Johnson wrestles with Bruce" - please give me a break!). Suddenly, the hard fought lead had evaporated and the Dogs were in front. The Demons had the chance to come back when Neitz took a mark and was brought down to the ground a trifle late by Harris. Now was the chance for the maggots, sorry stoggam, to display some consistency. Fifty metres anyone? No, not seventy, not fifty, not fifteen. Nada. I guess Neita should have kicked the goal from 35 metres but he didn't. Fact is if there was anything other than Bizarro justice in this world he would have been taking his shot from the goal square. The result was that the half time break came and the Dogs had gained the ascendancy even though Melbourne led everywhere statistically except where it counted and the opposition had kicked the last five goals of the Bizarro first half. I think Neale Daniher has been somewhat unfairly bagged during the team's horror start to the season by those who know no better. His coaching of the team in this game (and the previous one against Port Adelaide for that matter), particularly after half time was, sensational and he deserved to be better rewarded for his efforts than what the scribes called a "gallant" six point defeat. For starters, he didn't go negative and he didn't try to win with a negative style of game that his players haven't been able to perfect and certainly would have struggled with given the list of players he had available to him. He moved Cameron Bruce onto the ball instead of playing the negating role on Brad Johnson and the move immediately paid dividends with the team edging to within a point before the Dogs struggled to win back a couple later in the quarter. Melbourne came back again in the final term and it was goal for goal. Daniher didn't hesitate to drag Neitz off after he gave away a soft free kick (made even softer by the fact that the Bizarros in yellow had virtually thrown their whistles away earlier in the quarter) was awarded against him straight after a Melbourne goal. The resultant penalty let the Dogs back with a fortunate goal. It was the Bulldogs who had the run of luck when the Bizarros awarded Melbourne a fifty metre (I later measured it at 43½ but what the hell?) that actually worked to the their advantage because Colin Sylvia already had the ball and was off fifty metres downfield from where the original mark was paid. Daniher was again limited with Carroll and Miller injured - a huge disadvantage in a close contest but the final roll of the dice saw Brad Johnson showing his class and kicking the winning goal from almost fifty metres out. This was the final straw in a Bizarro game in which the productivity of the two skippers was the ultimate determinant as to which team would walk away with the four points. Even more Bizarro was the fact that, at the end of the game, Melbourne which had now narrowly lost to the top team and another major finals contender was still sitting winless after seven games and facing a tough game at Subiaco against the Eagles a week later. Totally Bizarro! Melbourne 6.1.37 7.6.48 10.9.69 16.10.106 Western Bulldogs 4.1.25 10.5.65 12.12.84 16.16.112 Goals: Melbourne: Davey Sylvia 3 Green Yze 2 Bate Bell Dunn Johnstone Neitz White Western Bulldogs: Johnson 4 Hahn Higgins 2 Akermanis Cooney Cross Darcy Eagleton Giansiracusa Gilbee Hargrave. Best: Melbourne: Davey Johnstone Sylvia White Bruce Yze. Western Bulldogs: Johnson Cross Eagleton Gilbee Harris Giansiracusa. Injuries: Melbourne: Miller (ankle), Carroll (concussion). Western Bulldogs Nil. Team Changes: Melbourne: Rivers (back) replaced in selected side by Holland. Western Bulldogs Nil. Umpires: McLaren Sully Head. Crowd: 24,584 at Telstra Dome

Have you considered this in your statistical analysis? WESTERN BULLDOGS 4.1 10.5 12.12 16.16 (112) MELBOURNE 6.1 7.6 10.9 16.10 (106) GOALS Western Bulldogs: Johnson 4, Hahn 2, Higgins 2, Cross, Gilbee, Eagleton, Giansiracusa, Darcy, Cooney, Akermanis, Hargrave. Melbourne: Sylvia 3, Davey 3, Yze 2, Green 2, Bate, Neitz, Dunn, Johnstone, Bell, White. BEST Western Bulldogs: Johnson, Cross, Eagleton, Gilbee, Harris, Giansiracusa. Melbourne: Davey, Johnstone, Sylvia, White, Bruce, Yze. INJURIES Melbourne: Miller (ankle), Carroll (concussion). Rivers (back) replaced in selected side by Holland. UMPIRES: McLaren, Sully, Head.

Progress Voting After Round 6 and Nathan Jones is the big mover:- 35. Brent Moloney 33. Nathan Jones 32. Cameron Bruce 26. Aaron Davey 23. Simon Godfrey 22. Jeff White Adem Yze 21. Brad Green 20. Brad Miller 19. Daniel Bell 18. Jared Rivers 16. James McDonald 15. Nathan Brown 14. Matthew Bate 13. Ben Holland 12. David Neitz 11. Ricky Petterd Russell Robertson 5. Nathan Carroll 3. Daniel Bell Daniel Ward 2. Travis Johnstone 1. Lynden Dunn Paul Johnson

by Scoop Junior Way back in Round 18 2003, Melbourne lost to the 16th placed Bulldogs at Telstra Dome in a game which may well have been one of the lowlights of Neale Daniher’s coaching career. Even for the struggling Demons, the game against the Dogs, who could not beat anyone in 2003, was seen as a mere formality. Despite starting well, Melbourne soon lost its way and the confidence-sapped Dogs started to believe that they could snare a rare win. The Demons faltered late in the game and went down without a yelp by 21 points. After the match, Daniher appeared to be at his lowest ebb, almost resigned to the fact that there was only so much he could do with this group. The Dees went on to lose their remaining four games to secure a priority pick and select the names of Colin Sylvia and Brock McLean at the national draft. As Melbourne prepares to tackle the Dogs at the Dome this week, there are a number of parallels that can be drawn between this game and Round 18 2003. Once again, Daniher must be feeling as though he is at rock bottom and that his luck has completely deserted him. With expectations of a big year, the Dees blew their season-opener against the Saints and then suffered key injuries in the next three games, while in the meantime succumbing to beatable opposition in the Hawks, Cats and Dockers. Melbourne then went up to the SCG with an inexperienced side and got what they expected - a 49-point drubbing by the Swans. Then, finally, with some key players returning and the side's form and luck starting to turn against Port, a couple dodgy decisions made it difficult for the team to get over the line. With no luck in terms of injuries and umpiring, what the Demons didn’t need was Luke Hodge escaping a tripping charge to face the Dees in Round 2, Des Headland getting a 6 week suspension overhauled for Round 4 and Shaun Burgoyne having his 2 week ban overturned for Round 6. It's just been one of those years where whatever can go wrong, has gone wrong. Last week's game was close to the last chance the Dees had to make something of their season so with the Eagles at Subiaco next week, this week is the absolute last hurrah and that's if you happen to be the eternal optimist. THE GAME: Western Bulldogs v Melbourne at Telstra Dome - 13 May 2007 at 2.10pm HEAD TO HEAD: Overall: Western Bulldogs 64 wins Melbourne 82 wins At the G: Western Bulldogs 3 wins Melbourne 5 wins Since 2000: Western Bulldogs 4 wins Melbourne 9 wins The Coaches: Eade 1 win Daniher 3 wins MEDIA: TV Channel 7 (delayed telecast commencing at 3.00pm) RADIO 3AW MMM THE BETTING: Western Bulldogs to win $1.33 Melbourne to win $2.95 LAST TIME THEY MET: Melbourne 18.11.119 d Western Bulldogs 9.14.68, Round 17, 2006, at MCG After an even first quarter the Demons got right on top of the Dogs and with Adem Yze and David Neitz finding the goals the result was never in doubt after that. The result put Melbourne into third place with what was seemingly an easy game coming up at Telstra Dome against likely wooden spooner Carlton. However, this game was also the last time that Melbourne has come close to fielding what resembles its full side. Byron Pickett and Aaron Davey went down with hamstring injuries during the match and Travis Johnstone withdrew before the following week's game with the same ailment. Melbourne has been plagued by injuries ever since and things have never been the same. THE TEAMS: WESTERN BULLDOGS Backs: Jordan McMahon Brian Harris Dale Morris Half Backs: Lindsay Gilbee Cameron Wight Ryan Hargrave Centreline: Nathan Eagleton Scott West Ryan Griffen Half Forwards: Daniel Giansiracusa Brad Johnson Matthew Boyd Forwards: Mitchell Hahn Luke Darcy Jason Akermanis Followers: Peter Street Daniel Cross Adam Cooney Interchange: Dylan Addison Jarrod Harbrow Shaun Higgins Farren Ray Emergencies: Cameron Faulkner Will Minson Sam Power In: Harbrow Hahn Out: Robert Murphy (injured) Sam Power MELBOURNE: Backs: Daniel Ward Nathan Carroll Adem Yze Half backs: Nathan Brown Jared Rivers Daniel Bell Centreline: Matthew Bate James McDonald Aaron Davey Half forwards: Brad Green Brad Miller Cameron Bruce Forwards: Colin Sylvia David Neitz Brent Moloney Followers: Jeff White Simon Godfrey Travis Johnstone Interchange: Lynden Dunn Paul Johnson Nathan Jones Matthew Warnock Emergencies: James Frawley Ben Holland Byron Pickett In: Brad Green Daniel Ward Out: Ricky Petterd (hamstring) Byron Pickett (omitted) HOW THE GAME WILL UNFOLD Melbourne has a good recent record over the Dogs and has a better head-to-head record at Telstra Dome. The last time they clashed there was in Round 2 2006, with Melbourne right on top early before the fleet-footed Bulldogs ran all over them in the second half to secure a comfortable win. And that’s precisely what the Dees cannot let their opponents do if they want to register their first win for the season. The Bulldogs are known for their kicking efficiency and pace, while Melbourne’s midfield has been a bit one-paced this year and their field kicking is arguably the worst in the league. If it’s an open, free-flowing game, say goodnight because the Doggies will rip us to shreds. The Demons need to make it a scrap in the middle of the park, and will be calling on McDonald, Jones and Godfrey to tackle hard and bottle it up. The Dees' defence appears well equipped to handle their opposition forward set-up. Darcy will play close to goals and may be a difficult match-up with his height, but in the absence of Murphy the Dogs' forward line appears to have a sameness about it that should be manageable. Bell has been given the big jobs on the best mid-sized opposition forwards and did well on Ebert last week. Will he be given the tough task of minding Brad Johnson or will regular opponent Bruce be given the job? Higgins has kicked a number of goals as a small forward and could be the man for Bell if Bruce takes Johnson. Another area the Dees look to have a bit of an edge is up forward. Neitz, Miller and Dunn could well exploit the Dogs' lack of height and strength in defence, provided the midfield supplies them with better quality delivery than has been on show this season. Harris has the body to match the big forwards, but Hargrave lacks size and Wight strength. Throw in Bate, who finally showed some form last week, and Sylvia, and the Demons may find themselves with an aerial advantage up forward. Speaking of Sylvia, it's about time he makes his mark on a game. Injuries aside, he just hasn't been able to make the most of his opportunities thus far. Ironically, had we beaten the Bulldogs back in Round 18 2003, we probably would have missed out on drafting him. While a tall forward structure could worry the Doggies, it's equally likely that their quick defenders will run it out unopposed. And that's where their game plan kicks in and makes them such a dangerous side. Players like McMahon, Gilbee and Griffen are excellent movers off half back and deliver the ball well. Given space and time, they cut sides apart. So what happens when the ball spills up forward will almost be as important as the marking contest itself. The Western Bulldogs are an interesting side. When they play well, they are accountable defensively and use their natural pace and attacking skills to kick big scores. However, they have shown the tendency to go missing and appear at times to take the wrong mindset into games. This results in them forgetting about their defensive duties and going all-out attack. When this happens and the opposition seize control in the midfield, they don't have the defensive structure to hold on and they can concede goals in a hurry. With a game against the winless 15th placed side, perhaps the Dogs may slacken off a bit in their work rate this week. However, one would have to think that the Dogs should win this game. They have better form and more polish than the Dees and they are on their home ground. Melbourne has not played well at the Dome recently and despite a few more numbers coming back this week, doesn't appear to have the confidence to take it up to a quality side like the Bulldogs. To win, the Demons must pressure and harass, make it a scrap in midfield, apply immense forward pressure at the drop of the ball inside 50 and kick efficiently to their tall forwards. The Dees are definitely in with a chance, but on the evidence of Rounds 1-6, it's not easy to back them here.

THE LAST HURRAH by Scoop Junior Way back in Round 18 2003, Melbourne lost to the 16th placed Bulldogs at Telstra Dome in a game which may well have been one of the lowlights of Neale Daniher’s coaching career. Even for the struggling Demons, the game against the Dogs, who could not beat anyone in 2003, was seen as a mere formality. Despite starting well, Melbourne soon lost its way and the confidence-sapped Dogs started to believe that they could snare a rare win. The Demons faltered late in the game and went down without a yelp by 21 points. After the match, Daniher appeared to be at his lowest ebb, almost resigned to the fact that there was only so much he could do with this group. The Dees went on to lose their remaining four games to secure a priority pick and select the names of Colin Sylvia and Brock McLean at the national draft. As Melbourne prepares to tackle the Dogs at the Dome this week, there are a number of parallels that can be drawn between this game and Round 18 2003. Once again, Daniher must be feeling as though he is at rock bottom and that his luck has completely deserted him. With expectations of a big year, the Dees blew their season-opener against the Saints and then suffered key injuries in the next three games, while in the meantime succumbing to beatable opposition in the Hawks, Cats and Dockers. Melbourne then went up to the SCG with an inexperienced side and got what they expected - a 49-point drubbing by the Swans. Then, finally, with some key players returning and the side's form and luck starting to turn against Port, a couple dodgy decisions made it difficult for the team to get over the line. With no luck in terms of injuries and umpiring, what the Demons didn’t need was Luke Hodge escaping a tripping charge to face the Dees in Round 2, Des Headland getting a 6 week suspension overhauled for Round 4 and Shaun Burgoyne having his 2 week ban overturned for Round 6. It's just been one of those years where whatever can go wrong, has gone wrong. Last week's game was close to the last chance the Dees had to make something of their season so with the Eagles at Subiaco next week, this week is the absolute last hurrah and that's if you happen to be the eternal optimist. THE GAME: Western Bulldogs v Melbourne at Telstra Dome - 13 May 2007 at 2.10pm HEAD TO HEAD: Overall: Western Bulldogs 64 wins Melbourne 82 wins At the G: Western Bulldogs 3 wins Melbourne 5 wins Since 2000: Western Bulldogs 4 wins Melbourne 9 wins The Coaches: Eade 1 win Daniher 3 wins MEDIA: TV Channel 7 (delayed telecast commencing at 3.00pm) RADIO 3AW MMM THE BETTING: Western Bulldogs to win $1.33 Melbourne to win $2.95 LAST TIME THEY MET: Melbourne 18.11.119 d Western Bulldogs 9.14.68, Round 17, 2006, at MCG After an even first quarter the Demons got right on top of the Dogs and with Adem Yze and David Neitz finding the goals the result was never in doubt after that. The result put Melbourne into third place with what was seemingly an easy game coming up at Telstra Dome against likely wooden spooner Carlton. However, this game was also the last time that Melbourne has come close to fielding what resembles its full side. Byron Pickett and Aaron Davey went down with hamstring injuries during the match and Travis Johnstone withdrew before the following week's game with the same ailment. Melbourne has been plagued by injuries ever since and things have never been the same. THE TEAMS: WESTERN BULLDOGS Backs: Jordan McMahon Brian Harris Dale Morris Half Backs: Lindsay Gilbee Cameron Wight Ryan Hargrave Centreline: Nathan Eagleton Scott West Ryan Griffen Half Forwards: Daniel Giansiracusa Brad Johnson Matthew Boyd Forwards: Mitchell Hahn Luke Darcy Jason Akermanis Followers: Peter Street Daniel Cross Adam Cooney Interchange: Dylan Addison Jarrod Harbrow Shaun Higgins Farren Ray Emergencies: Cameron Faulkner Will Minson Sam Power In: Harbrow Hahn Out: Robert Murphy (injured) Sam Power MELBOURNE: Backs: Daniel Ward Nathan Carroll Adem Yze Half backs: Nathan Brown Jared Rivers Daniel Bell Centreline: Matthew Bate James McDonald Aaron Davey Half forwards: Brad Green Brad Miller Cameron Bruce Forwards: Colin Sylvia David Neitz Brent Moloney Followers: Jeff White Simon Godfrey Travis Johnstone Interchange: Lynden Dunn Paul Johnson Nathan Jones Matthew Warnock Emergencies: James Frawley Ben Holland Byron Pickett In: Brad Green Daniel Ward Out: Ricky Petterd (hamstring) Byron Pickett (omitted) HOW THE GAME WILL UNFOLD Melbourne has a good recent record over the Dogs and has a better head-to-head record at Telstra Dome. The last time they clashed there was in Round 2 2006, with Melbourne right on top early before the fleet-footed Bulldogs ran all over them in the second half to secure a comfortable win. And that’s precisely what the Dees cannot let their opponents do if they want to register their first win for the season. The Bulldogs are known for their kicking efficiency and pace, while Melbourne’s midfield has been a bit one-paced this year and their field kicking is arguably the worst in the league. If it’s an open, free-flowing game, say goodnight because the Doggies will rip us to shreds. The Demons need to make it a scrap in the middle of the park, and will be calling on McDonald, Jones and Godfrey to tackle hard and bottle it up. The Dees' defence appears well equipped to handle their opposition forward set-up. Darcy will play close to goals and may be a difficult match-up with his height, but in the absence of Murphy the Dogs' forward line appears to have a sameness about it that should be manageable. Bell has been given the big jobs on the best mid-sized opposition forwards and did well on Ebert last week. Will he be given the tough task of minding Brad Johnson or will regular opponent Bruce be given the job? Higgins has kicked a number of goals as a small forward and could be the man for Bell if Bruce takes Johnson. Another area the Dees look to have a bit of an edge is up forward. Neitz, Miller and Dunn could well exploit the Dogs' lack of height and strength in defence, provided the midfield supplies them with better quality delivery than has been on show this season. Harris has the body to match the big forwards, but Hargrave lacks size and Wight strength. Throw in Bate, who finally showed some form last week, and Sylvia, and the Demons may find themselves with an aerial advantage up forward. Speaking of Sylvia, it's about time he makes his mark on a game. Injuries aside, he just hasn't been able to make the most of his opportunities thus far. Ironically, had we beaten the Bulldogs back in Round 18 2003, we probably would have missed out on drafting him. While a tall forward structure could worry the Doggies, it's equally likely that their quick defenders will run it out unopposed. And that's where their game plan kicks in and makes them such a dangerous side. Players like McMahon, Gilbee and Griffen are excellent movers off half back and deliver the ball well. Given space and time, they cut sides apart. So what happens when the ball spills up forward will almost be as important as the marking contest itself. The Western Bulldogs are an interesting side. When they play well, they are accountable defensively and use their natural pace and attacking skills to kick big scores. However, they have shown the tendency to go missing and appear at times to take the wrong mindset into games. This results in them forgetting about their defensive duties and going all-out attack. When this happens and the opposition seize control in the midfield, they don't have the defensive structure to hold on and they can concede goals in a hurry. With a game against the winless 15th placed side, perhaps the Dogs may slacken off a bit in their work rate this week. However, one would have to think that the Dogs should win this game. They have better form and more polish than the Dees and they are on their home ground. Melbourne has not played well at the Dome recently and despite a few more numbers coming back this week, doesn't appear to have the confidence to take it up to a quality side like the Bulldogs. To win, the Demons must pressure and harass, make it a scrap in midfield, apply immense forward pressure at the drop of the ball inside 50 and kick efficiently to their tall forwards. The Dees are definitely in with a chance, but on the evidence of Rounds 1-6, it's not easy to back them here.

by Barry from Beach Road Sandringham made it five wins in a row and a near perfect start for the 2007 season with a four-goal victory over Frankston at the Frankston City Oval on Sunday. The Zebras now go into their first bye and will have a well-earned rest to enable them to focus on the rest of the season. This was considered a danger game because the Dolphins always play well against their bayside rivals and their home is not a happy hunting ground for Sandy. However, playing in perfect conditions, the Zebras were off to a flyer with young forward Michael Newton in scintillating early form. His three goals in the first term were superb. He presented well, marked well and was always in position to take control of the football. At the other end of the ground Chris Lamb was in fine form. He was switched to full back early after the Frankston full forward kicked a few goals and he controlled the defence for much of the day in a superb defensive display. Although the Zebras took a 20-point lead into quarter time, the Dolphins struck back with the first three goals of the second term to narrow the deficit to just two points. Sandy, with Chad Liddell showing strong leadership steadied to kick the next two, including Newton’s fourth, to go into the main break 16 points ahead. A measure of Liddell’s inspiration was the fact that he recorded an impressive 13 one per centers for the game. Sandringham lost big ruckman Jamar to a hamstring injury but Demon rookie Shane Neaves underlined his steady improvement and gave his midfielders led by Peter Summers (33 possessions) an armchair ride. He was strongly assisted by stalwarts Ezra Poyas (also 33) and David Gallagher (23), The Zebras were able to edge forward in the third quarter as Nick Sautner came into the game and thanks to the experience of Daniel Ward, Clint Bizzell (28 disposals) and Ben Holland (24), the visitors held firm to hold a handy 26 point lead at the final change. The Dolphins showed that they were not going to go down in any way other than fighting and the big home crowd lifted with them as they and kicked the first two goals of the final quarter to get within 14 points. Former Frankston player Ryan Ferguson turned the tide with a goal and that was followed by the sealer from Summers and the Zebras were on their way to a 24-point win. Zebra coach mark Williams was happy with the outcome and praised the opposition. "We had to work hard. They pushed us all the way," he said after the match. By way of contrast to what is happening in the elite competition, the umpires contributed to a good game allowing it to flow and having little impact on the outcome of the contest. With two strong key position players in Sautner and Newton both on fire up forward, the prospects for the Zebras’ rivals are daunting at this stage of the season. HOW THE DEMONS FARED Clint Bizzell - got plenty of the ball and despite a few glitches, played an important role in his team's victory. Jace Bode - a bit player on interchange. Simon Buckley - looked out of sorts and put in a poor game, which is a pity because previously, he was getting close to AFL selection. Ryan Ferguson - a top game whether in defence or up forward where he went late in the game and capped it off with an important goal against his former side. Colin Garland - dropped after one AFL game, Garland went into his shell a little and struggled both up forward and in defence. Needs more time. Ben Holland – a strong performance in which he put his hand up for selection for the Demons but it is unlikely to be this week with the opposition Bulldogs not presenting a viable match up. Daniel Hughes started on the bench but showed out with pace, strong hands and a couple of nice goals just when they were needed. Mark Jamar – a hamstring injury put paid to his chances of returning to the AFL in the short term. Chris Johnson – didn’t do anything outstanding after being dropped from the Demons after their Sydney debacle. Shane Neaves – is improving with the added responsibility of the first ruck and also did well around the ground. Carried the rucks after Jamar limped off with his hamstring. Michael Newton - started like a house on fire and then was reasonably well guarded. Presented well for the ball throughout and his presence up forward demanded close attention. When that happened Sautner took over and kicked a few himself. . Daniel Ward – was one of his team’s best and his experience was invaluable but one wonders whether he can still perform at the highest level. Sandringham 6.3.39 8.6.54 12.8.80 14.8.92 Frankston 3.1.19 6.2.38 8.6.54 10.8.68 Goals Sandringham Newton 5 Sautner 3 Ferguson 2 Gallagher Hughes Summers Valenti Frankston Morris 4 Murray 3 Berry 2 Marigliani Best Sandringham Lamb Holland Ward Newton Bizzell Neaves Frankston Morris Rebeschini Conroy Pollard Magner Kennedy MUGGED It was all too much for the Zebra reserves as they faced a Coburg side which was able to include up to a dozen listed Richmond players when the Tigers had a bye in the seniors. With Kent Kingsley, Greg Tivendale and Andy Krakouer dominating, the Tigers ran away in the first quarter, but to their credit the young Zebras never gave in. Such was their persistence that they were only outscored by a single point in the final term. Tom Paterakis was outstanding with 24 possessions and, on that performance is not far away from senior selction. Livewire little man Tomi Johnston was in everything and showed the benefiot of his early senior games. Daniel Collyer, Ewen McKenzie and Guy Martyn were all impressive at times and Rennie Gilchrist worked hard with twelve one per centers. On the debit side, it was disappointing to see Tom Mentiplay injured again and James Frawley was taken to hospital after suffering concussion early in the game. Sandringham 1.2.8 2.3.15 3.3.21 6.6.42 Frankston 9.2.56 16.9.105 24.14.158 27.18.180 Goals Sandringham Curcio Gilchrist Gileno T Johnston Mentiplay Paterakis Coburg Tigers Kingsley 8 Riewoldt 4 Krakouer Lynch Rayson 3 Edwards Pattison 2 Farrelly Liddle Best Sandringham Paterakis Collyer McGettigan McKenzie Gilchrist Martyn Coburg Tigers Krakouer Kingsley Rayson Riewoldt Polo Gazzo

ZEBRAS ON FIRE by Barry from Beach Road Sandringham made it five wins in a row and a near perfect start for the 2007 season with a four-goal victory over Frankston at the Frankston City Oval on Sunday. The Zebras now go into their first bye and will have a well-earned rest to enable them to focus on the rest of the season. This was considered a danger game because the Dolphins always play well against their bayside rivals and their home is not a happy hunting ground for Sandy. However, playing in perfect conditions, the Zebras were off to a flyer with young forward Michael Newton in scintillating early form. His three goals in the first term were superb. He presented well, marked well and was always in position to take control of the football. At the other end of the ground Chris Lamb was in fine form. He was switched to full back early after the Frankston full forward kicked a few goals and he controlled the defence for much of the day in a superb defensive display. Although the Zebras took a 20-point lead into quarter time, the Dolphins struck back with the first three goals of the second term to narrow the deficit to just two points. Sandy, with Chad Liddell showing strong leadership steadied to kick the next two, including Newton’s fourth, to go into the main break 16 points ahead. A measure of Liddell’s inspiration was the fact that he recorded an impressive 13 one per centers for the game. Sandringham lost big ruckman Jamar to a hamstring injury but Demon rookie Shane Neaves underlined his steady improvement and gave his midfielders led by Peter Summers (33 possessions) an armchair ride. He was strongly assisted by stalwarts Ezra Poyas (also 33) and David Gallagher (23), The Zebras were able to edge forward in the third quarter as Nick Sautner came into the game and thanks to the experience of Daniel Ward, Clint Bizzell (28 disposals) and Ben Holland (24), the visitors held firm to hold a handy 26 point lead at the final change. The Dolphins showed that they were not going to go down in any way other than fighting and the big home crowd lifted with them as they and kicked the first two goals of the final quarter to get within 14 points. Former Frankston player Ryan Ferguson turned the tide with a goal and that was followed by the sealer from Summers and the Zebras were on their way to a 24-point win. Zebra coach mark Williams was happy with the outcome and praised the opposition. "We had to work hard. They pushed us all the way," he said after the match. By way of contrast to what is happening in the elite competition, the umpires contributed to a good game allowing it to flow and having little impact on the outcome of the contest. With two strong key position players in Sautner and Newton both on fire up forward, the prospects for the Zebras’ rivals are daunting at this stage of the season. HOW THE DEMONS FARED Clint Bizzell - got plenty of the ball and despite a few glitches, played an important role in his team's victory. Jace Bode - a bit player on interchange. Simon Buckley - looked out of sorts and put in a poor game, which is a pity because previously, he was getting close to AFL selection. Ryan Ferguson - a top game whether in defence or up forward where he went late in the game and capped it off with an important goal against his former side. Colin Garland - dropped after one AFL game, Garland went into his shell a little and struggled both up forward and in defence. Needs more time. Ben Holland – a strong performance in which he put his hand up for selection for the Demons but it is unlikely to be this week with the opposition Bulldogs not presenting a viable match up. Daniel Hughes started on the bench but showed out with pace, strong hands and a couple of nice goals just when they were needed. Mark Jamar – a hamstring injury put paid to his chances of returning to the AFL in the short term. Chris Johnson – didn’t do anything outstanding after being dropped from the Demons after their Sydney debacle. Shane Neaves – is improving with the added responsibility of the first ruck and also did well around the ground. Carried the rucks after Jamar limped off with his hamstring. Michael Newton - started like a house on fire and then was reasonably well guarded. Presented well for the ball throughout and his presence up forward demanded close attention. When that happened Sautner took over and kicked a few himself. . Daniel Ward – was one of his team’s best and his experience was invaluable but one wonders whether he can still perform at the highest level. Sandringham 6.3.39 8.6.54 12.8.80 14.8.92 Frankston 3.1.19 6.2.38 8.6.54 10.8.68 Goals Sandringham Newton 5 Sautner 3 Ferguson 2 Gallagher Hughes Summers Valenti Frankston Morris 4 Murray 3 Berry 2 Marigliani Best Sandringham Lamb Holland Ward Newton Bizzell Neaves Frankston Morris Rebeschini Conroy Pollard Magner Kennedy MUGGED It was all too much for the Zebra reserves as they faced a Coburg side which was able to include up to a dozen listed Richmond players when the Tigers had a bye in the seniors. With Kent Kingsley, Greg Tivendale and Andy Krakouer dominating, the Tigers ran away in the first quarter, but to their credit the young Zebras never gave in. Such was their persistence that they were only outscored by a single point in the final term. Tom Paterakis was outstanding with 24 possessions and, on that performance is not far away from senior selction. Livewire little man Tomi Johnston was in everything and showed the benefiot of his early senior games. Daniel Collyer, Ewen McKenzie and Guy Martyn were all impressive at times and Rennie Gilchrist worked hard with twelve one per centers. On the debit side, it was disappointing to see Tom Mentiplay injured again and James Frawley was taken to hospital after suffering concussion early in the game. Sandringham 1.2.8 2.3.15 3.3.21 6.6.42 Frankston 9.2.56 16.9.105 24.14.158 27.18.180 Goals Sandringham Curcio Gilchrist Gileno T Johnston Mentiplay Paterakis Coburg Tigers Kingsley 8 Riewoldt 4 Krakouer Lynch Rayson 3 Edwards Pattison 2 Farrelly Liddle Best Sandringham Paterakis Collyer McGettigan McKenzie Gilchrist Martyn Coburg Tigers Krakouer Kingsley Rayson Riewoldt Polo Gazzo

CLINT BARTRAM, THIS IS YOUR LIFE - SO FAR! by George on the Outer Our group had our first get together with Clint Bartram on the weekend. This was indeed the first time that we had actually met Clint "up close and personal" as his success last year meant that his match-day commitments didn't allow pre-game socialising. So the blight of injury has had some positive for our group but what a gem of a player we have as our own! Clint arrived exactly on time as planned, without the benefit of someone organising him. For parents of teenagers this would otherwise be seen as something of a miracle, but Clint's parents can be very proud that they have an intelligent, well mannered, well spoken, well presented son, and just to top it off he can play some pretty good football as well! Still it must have been a bit daunting for a 19 year old to face a group such as ours, particularly as we represent a diverse collection of individuals who have only formed an association through the Internet. And we also have some reputational baggage produced by various “over the top” individuals on our respective sites. All the same Clint was quickly comfortable and sat down to be interviewed by our specialist in these matters – Whispering Jack. Jack started by making Clint feel at home by giving him a copy of the Geelong Advertiser, which for those who don't know is the daily newspaper from his home town. Jack asked some questions about Clint and his football history, and the group were able to learn that he had played with Ocean Grove footy club, but only after moving from another (Leopold I think it was) who were unable to fit him in their side. I'll bet that they are regretting that decision today, as there are benefits which flow to the junior club from which players are selected. Clint also trained at the AIS having won selection to that position. When he related the list of players who were also provided with that privilege, our group realised how fortunate that we were able to pick Clint up at number 60 in the draft. It was simply unbelievable that he had been overlooked so often to that point. Clint spoke of the rigours of training and playing football at AFL level. The weekly recovery process takes days and is difficult both mentally and physically. Imagine getting out of bed early in Melbournes winter, just so you can go down to the beach or sea baths to walk around in the freezing water. And after that, as he explained, you really don’t feel like going back to sleep. (perhaps that is something that parents of teenagers may contemplate for their children…). He then explained how the recovery is tied in with the preparation for the next game, and how a short turn-around severely impact on both. He also told of how the coach is frustrated by these as he attempt to get the players up and ready for the next game, but can’t get access to them until they are physically ready. This also goes a long way to explaining the often heard expression that in order to play a good season, you have to have a good pre-season. It would seem that any physical development has to occur before the matches begin. Clint spoke of his success last year, and how he was assigned tagging roles to some of the most experienced and damaging mid-field players in the competition. When asked who was the most difficult to handle, the name Chapman from Geelong came quickly as he was so hard to chase all day. Clint told the group of his injuries and how following the long rehabilitation needed to overcome his ankle damage at the end of last season, that an unfortunate training accident saw him injury his knee as well. In a tackle his leg became jammed behind another player and his knee cartlidge was similarly jammed, with his leg in an extended position. He then couldn't "unlock" his knee, which caused great consternation to the training and medical staff as this is apparently a rare event. Arthroscopy and some trimming of the affected cartlidge has him now recovering, but it will be a few weeks before we see him on the field. He also anticipates that he may have to return through Sandringham, as he recognises the value of match fitness, and to use his own words "it doesn’t matter how much running you do, it just isn’t the same…" Well after about 45 minutes of "grilling" from the group, Clint agreed to photos of himself and the group. Hopefully, the one of Clint alone will be used in the new Home Page of Demonland soon. The group then broke up to get to the match with the expectation that we always see a win after our events. Wouldn’t you know it the umpires cruelly denied us our winning streak, so Jack is looking for some new superstition on which we can pin our faith for the next event ... For those that weren't able to make the day, I hope that this small report gives you some insight into the goings on, and I have also attached the photos that I took for the group. On another small positive, I have had contact from Sally Trevena from the NSW Demons. Sally joined us for one event last year, but travels infrequently to the games. However, she was so impressed by what she saw with our group that she made a recommendation to do similarly with the NSW Demons and they have. This year they are sponsoring TJ. So in an indirect way, our group is bigger than we think… Thank you to everyone who has joined the group for this year. We have now attained more support from our group than the cost of the sponsorship, so this extra money ($350 at the present time) will be sent to the club. Thank you for those that could make it along on Sunday. For those that couldn't get there, we hope to see you at the next event. Finally, both Jack and I are keen to make this grow but also to continue to make it worthwhile for everyone. So if you have any friends who may be interested, please introduce them, but also if there are any ideas which can make it more attractive then let us know. Again thank you for your support, and here's hoping that the Demons can have a bit of on-field success in the near future. With the return of Clint to the side, I feel we can be assured of this, but given that things don't appear to be working out too well at the moment, it may mean that our meeting with Craig Cameron at year end will be very, very interesting ...

by George on the Outer Our group had our first get together with Clint Bartram on the weekend. This was indeed the first time that we had actually met Clint "up close and personal" as his success last year meant that his match-day commitments didn't allow pre-game socialising. So the blight of injury has had some positive for our group but what a gem of a player we have as our own! Clint arrived exactly on time as planned, without the benefit of someone organising him. For parents of teenagers this would otherwise be seen as something of a miracle, but Clint's parents can be very proud that they have an intelligent, well mannered, well spoken, well presented son, and just to top it off he can play some pretty good football as well! Still it must have been a bit daunting for a 19 year old to face a group such as ours, particularly as we represent a diverse collection of individuals who have only formed an association through the Internet. And we also have some reputational baggage produced by various “over the top” individuals on our respective sites. All the same Clint was quickly comfortable and sat down to be interviewed by our specialist in these matters – Whispering Jack. Jack started by making Clint feel at home by giving him a copy of the Geelong Advertiser, which for those who don't know is the daily newspaper from his home town. Jack asked some questions about Clint and his football history, and the group were able to learn that he had played with Ocean Grove footy club, but only after moving from another (Leopold I think it was) who were unable to fit him in their side. I'll bet that they are regretting that decision today, as there are benefits which flow to the junior club from which players are selected. Clint also trained at the AIS having won selection to that position. When he related the list of players who were also provided with that privilege, our group realised how fortunate that we were able to pick Clint up at number 60 in the draft. It was simply unbelievable that he had been overlooked so often to that point. Clint spoke of the rigours of training and playing football at AFL level. The weekly recovery process takes days and is difficult both mentally and physically. Imagine getting out of bed early in Melbournes winter, just so you can go down to the beach or sea baths to walk around in the freezing water. And after that, as he explained, you really don’t feel like going back to sleep. (perhaps that is something that parents of teenagers may contemplate for their children…). He then explained how the recovery is tied in with the preparation for the next game, and how a short turn-around severely impact on both. He also told of how the coach is frustrated by these as he attempt to get the players up and ready for the next game, but can’t get access to them until they are physically ready. This also goes a long way to explaining the often heard expression that in order to play a good season, you have to have a good pre-season. It would seem that any physical development has to occur before the matches begin. Clint spoke of his success last year, and how he was assigned tagging roles to some of the most experienced and damaging mid-field players in the competition. When asked who was the most difficult to handle, the name Chapman from Geelong came quickly as he was so hard to chase all day. Clint told the group of his injuries and how following the long rehabilitation needed to overcome his ankle damage at the end of last season, that an unfortunate training accident saw him injury his knee as well. In a tackle his leg became jammed behind another player and his knee cartlidge was similarly jammed, with his leg in an extended position. He then couldn't "unlock" his knee, which caused great consternation to the training and medical staff as this is apparently a rare event. Arthroscopy and some trimming of the affected cartlidge has him now recovering, but it will be a few weeks before we see him on the field. He also anticipates that he may have to return through Sandringham, as he recognises the value of match fitness, and to use his own words "it doesn’t matter how much running you do, it just isn’t the same…" Well after about 45 minutes of "grilling" from the group, Clint agreed to photos of himself and the group. Hopefully, the one of Clint alone will be used in the new Home Page of Demonland soon. The group then broke up to get to the match with the expectation that we always see a win after our events. Wouldn’t you know it the umpires cruelly denied us our winning streak, so Jack is looking for some new superstition on which we can pin our faith for the next event ... For those that weren't able to make the day, I hope that this small report gives you some insight into the goings on, and I have also attached the photos that I took for the group. On another small positive, I have had contact from Sally Trevena from the NSW Demons. Sally joined us for one event last year, but travels infrequently to the games. However, she was so impressed by what she saw with our group that she made a recommendation to do similarly with the NSW Demons and they have. This year they are sponsoring TJ. So in an indirect way, our group is bigger than we think… Thank you to everyone who has joined the group for this year. We have now attained more support from our group than the cost of the sponsorship, so this extra money ($350 at the present time) will be sent to the club. Thank you for those that could make it along on Sunday. For those that couldn't get there, we hope to see you at the next event. Finally, both Jack and I are keen to make this grow but also to continue to make it worthwhile for everyone. So if you have any friends who may be interested, please introduce them, but also if there are any ideas which can make it more attractive then let us know. Again thank you for your support, and here's hoping that the Demons can have a bit of on-field success in the near future. With the return of Clint to the side, I feel we can be assured of this, but given that things don’t appear to be working out too well at the moment, it may mean that our meeting with Craig Cameron at year end will be very, very interesting ...

OUT OF THE DARKNESS by J.V. McKay Melbourne came out of its shell and played truly competitive football for virtually all four quarters of a game for the first time this season but it still fell short of victory by 5 points against Port Adelaide at the MCG on Sunday. Nevertheless, the game marked the end of a dark period for the club and things are starting to look up for the rest of the season. The Demons lost the arm wrestle in controversial circumstances when a late goal to Aaron Davey was disallowed due to a penalty paid against skipper David Neitz whose hands momentarily touched Darryl Wakelin's back as the players were contesting a mark in front of goal. A minute later James McDonald was penalised for deliberately sending the ball out of bounds when his attempted handpass to Jared Rivers went slightly astray. Demon supporters had reason to be angry at those decisions because they highlighted the inconsistencies of the way the umpires' interpretation varied during the day and how much it has changed since that bleak night that marked the opening of the season. A holding the ball penalty paid against Daniel Bell was identical to at least half a dozen others not paid but all of them would have been penalised in round 1. Still, I'm not blaming the the umpiring for the defeat. Well, not much anyway ... I thought the Demons had the game in their keeping at the final break. The return of David Neitz seemed to inspire them to an across-the-board improvement in nearly all facets of the game with the exception of one important one - kicking for goal, which was quite atrocious particularly after quarter time. Nathan Jones may be one of the youngest players in the team but he was quite an inspiration winning the hard ball while second gamer Ricky Petterd was playing with all the skills of a 200 game player. Matthew Bate also came of age with a much-needed boost in confidence. How much more confident did he appear at half forward knowing he had David Neitz nearby? He led well into space, held his marks and would have Brad Miller feeling somewhat nervous about his place on the forward line. Although the Demons trailed by a goal with 20 minutes of game time left, they looked to have more petrol in the tank and I felt they needed only to nudge ahead by more than a point or two and the four points would be there for the taking. But with the game in the balance, Melbourne simply could not come up with a way to forge ahead before the heartbreak inevitably came. Daniel Motlop, who had already kicked a nice goal earlier in the match, weaved around a player in the pocket and pushed through a banana kick goal to put his team back in front with just under three minutes remaining. I had to ask myself was this the same player who had missed an easy set shot shot after the siren to deny his team victory last year against St. Kilda? For the second year in a row Melbourne was denied its first premiership points for the season when a Davey goal was not paid. If that wasn’t enough, along came the penalty against McDonald. Why would you deliberately push the ball out of bounds when you have a minute to get the ball into your forward line for a winning goal? How different was this piece of play to the two or three occasions during the game when Power defenders pushed towards the safety of the boundary and the umpires mandated a throw in? It was a too bitter a pill to swallow but the "good" news came a couple of hours later when it became clear that the Demons had been lifted off the bottom of the ladder when Geelong smashed Richmond. Of course, that's not much really but it is something to hang your hat on after the horror of the first five weeks and it's a move in the right direction for a change. There is also promise of better things to come with the return of more team leaders in the near future. The influence of David Neitz, although still very rusty, was there for all to see in terms of the way he led from the front and inspired his team mates to lift and tackle hard. It was quite a change from the previous two or three weeks of timid football. With Brock McLean and Brad Green set to return to provide additional leadership in the middle of the ground, we can expect the team to improve by more leaps and more bounds in the coming weeks. Jared Rivers' return to defence in the past fortnight has also been an important factor in the team's improvement. While not officially a leader, he has given the back line the focus it lacked in earlier games. Daniel Bell is relishing his presence and played a terrific game while Simon Godfrey took Shaun Burgoyne's scalp - his second big one in a row. In the end however, it was a victory for the Power in front of a miniscule crowd whose lack of size spells "shame" for those who would call themselves supporters of the Melbourne Football Club. It's time for the fair weather fans to come out of the woodwork and they will because, despite Melbourne’s poor start, there is light at the end of the tunnel. MELBOURNE 2.1.13 6.6.42 8.12.60 9.17.71 PORT ADELAIDE 3.4.22 7.7.49 9.11.65 10.16.76 Goals Melbourne Bate Jones Neitz 2 Brown Warnock Yze Port Adelaide Pearce 3 Motlop Tredrea 2 S Burgoyne Ebert Krakouer Best Melbourne White Jones Godfrey Brown Yze Rivers Petterd Port Adelaide C Cornes K Cornes Pearce Motlop Lonie P Burgoyne Injuries Melbourne Pickett (lacerated ear) Port Adelaide K Cornes (concussion) Chaplin (foot) Reports Nil Team Changes Nil Umpires Farmer Hendrie Ryan Crowd 16,266 at MCG

by J.V. McKay by J.V. McKay Melbourne came out of its shell and played truly competitive football for virtually all four quarters of a game for the first time this season but it still fell short of victory by 5 points against Port Adelaide at the MCG on Sunday. Nevertheless, the game marked the end of a dark period for the club and things are starting to look up for the rest of the season. The Demons lost the arm wrestle in controversial circumstances when a late goal to Aaron Davey was disallowed due to a penalty paid against skipper David Neitz whose hands momentarily touched Shane Wakelin's back as the players were contesting a mark in front of goal. A minute later James McDonald was penalised for deliberately sending the ball out of bounds when his attempted handpass to Jared Rivers went slightly astray. Demon supporters had reason to be angry at those decisions because they highlighted the inconsistencies of the way the umpires' interpretation varied during the day and how much it has changed since that bleak night that marked the opening of the season. A holding the ball penalty paid against Daniel Bell was identical to at least half a dozen others not paid but all of them would have been penalised in round 1. Still, I'm not blaming the the umpiring for the defeat. Well, not much anyway ... I thought the Demons had the game in their keeping at the final break. The return of David Neitz seemed to inspire them to an across-the-board improvement in nearly all facets of the game with the exception of one important one - kicking for goal, which was quite atrocious particularly after quarter time. Nathan Jones may be one of the youngest players in the team but he was quite an inspiration winning the hard ball while second gamer Ricky Petterd was playing with all the skills of a 200 game player. Matthew Bate also came of age with a much-needed boost in confidence. How much more confident did he appear at half forward knowing he had David Neitz nearby? He led well into space, held his marks and would have Brad Miller feeling somewhat nervous about his place on the forward line. Although the Demons trailed by a goal with 20 minutes of game time left, they looked to have more petrol in the tank and I felt they needed only to nudge ahead by more than a point or two and the four points would be there for the taking. But with the game in the balance, Melbourne simply could not come up with a way to forge ahead before the heartbreak inevitably came. Daniel Motlop, who had already kicked a nice goal earlier in the match, weaved around a player in the pocket and pushed through a banana kick goal to put his team back in front with just under three minutes remaining. I had to ask myself was this the same player who had missed an easy set shot shot after the siren to deny his team victory last year against St. Kilda? For the second year in a row Melbourne was denied its first premiership points for the season when a Davey goal was not paid. If that wasn’t enough, along came the penalty against McDonald. Why would you deliberately push the ball out of bounds when you have a minute to get the ball into your forward line for a winning goal? How different was this piece of play to the two or three occasions during the game when Power defenders pushed towards the safety of the boundary and the umpires mandated a throw in? It was a too bitter a pill to swallow but the "good" news came a couple of hours later when it became clear that the Demons had been lifted off the bottom of the ladder when Geelong smashed Richmond. Of course, that's not much really but it is something to hang your hat on after the horror of the first five weeks and it's a move in the right direction for a change. There is also promise of better things to come with the return of more team leaders in the near future. The influence of David Neitz, although still very rusty, was there for all to see in terms of the way he led from the front and inspired his team mates to lift and tackle hard. It was quite a change from the previous two or three weeks of timid football. With Brock McLean and Brad Green set to return to provide additional leadership in the middle of the ground, we can expect the team to improve by more leaps and more bounds in the coming weeks. Jared Rivers' return to defence in the past fortnight has also been an important factor in the team's improvement. While not officially a leader, he has given the back line the focus it lacked in earlier games. Daniel Bell is relishing his presence and played a terrific game while Simon Godfrey took Shaun Burgoyne's scalp - his second big one in a row. In the end however, it was a victory for the Power in front of a miniscule crowd whose lack of size spells "shame" for those who would call themselves supporters of the Melbourne Football Club. It's time for the fair weather fans to come out of the woodwork and they will because, despite Melbourne’s poor start, there is light at the end of the tunnel. MELBOURNE 2.1.13 6.6.42 8.12.60 9.17.71 PORT ADELAIDE 3.4.22 7.7.49 9.11.65 10.16.76 Goals Melbourne Bate Jones Neitz 2 Brown Warnock Yze Port Adelaide Pearce 3 Motlop Tredrea 2 S Burgoyne Ebert Krakouer Best Melbourne White Jones Godfrey Brown Yze Rivers Petterd Port Adelaide C Cornes K Cornes Pearce Motlop Lonie P Burgoyne Injuries Melbourne Pickett (lacerated ear) Port Adelaide K Cornes (concussion) Chaplin (foot) Reports Nil Team Changes Nil Umpires Farmer Hendrie Ryan Crowd 16,266 at MCG

1. (1) 29 Demonland 1. (1) 29 great_gatsby 3. (5) 28 bl3281 3. (5) 28 canberrademon(herb) 3. (5) 28 deanox 3. (5) 28 demon_fanatic 3. (1) 28 KrazyJay 3. (5) 28 TimDees 3. (1) 28 Whispering_Jack 10. (11) 27 DeMoNiC 10. (11) 27 Go_Ds 10. (17) 27 paliosiana 10. (11) 27 petejh2000 10. (17) 27 Scoop Junior 15. (17) 26 Clyde_Cabbie 15. (17) 26 dee'viator 15. (11) 26 demon_davey 15. (5) 26 slamevil 15. (11) 26 snarler_0 20. (24) 25 Alpha_33 20. (17) 25 Dees_Fan16 20. (17) 25 Fingers Power 20. (11) 25 Kieranbj 20. (17) 25 Pinball_Wizard 20. (24) 25 Rivers Run Red 26. (28) 23 achirnside 26. (28) 23 frangas 26. (26) 23 Goodvibes 26. (28) 23 Jackieboy_0 30. (26) 22 BigKev Demon 30. (32) 22 deesthisyear 32. (28) 20 Dappadan 33. (36) 18 melon22 33. (33) 18 rusty_corner 35. (34) 17 jaded24 36. (35) 16 No Cigar 37. (37) 9 CarnTheDees 37. (37) 9 rusty_kingswood

DOWN UNDER by The Oracle We are now into the month of May and the Melbourne Football Club has yet to break its duck for the 2007 season. Nor, apart from a fleeting moment when it came back early in the last quarter against Hawthorn (and that seems like such a long time ago) has it even looked like it might emerge from a game with a win. You have to feel for poor Neale Daniher! In the final year of his coaching contract at Melbourne and after ten years at the helm, things were shaping up nicely a little over two months ago. The pundits were anointing his team as the sole potential challenger to the interstate domination of the competition. That was however, before a football was kicked or hand passed (or indeed fumbled) in anger. Since then, bad news and even worse luck has followed his team like the proverbial bad smell. He persisted with the "run and carry" style but his disciples could neither run nor carry the football in the proper direction, his players went down like nine-pins (often during the course of games leaving him without the ability to over rotate them), the AFL Tribunal pardoned war criminals for no logical reason other than to allow them to star against his team instead of sitting out their penance in the stands and please don't get me started on the subject of the white maggots (memo: do not publish this article in the vicinity of the Gabba – it could lead to your arrest). The fact of the matter is that Neale Daniher has tried everything to get his team into a winning frame of mind in 2007 and he has failed at every step along the way. Either that or the team has failed him. That is why the Reverend should be forever grateful to his opposite number in Port Adelaide coach Mark "Chocko" Williams for plucking out of his backside (for that is the only source from which it could possibly have come) the one remaining formula for Melbourne to win this Sunday's round six MCG encounter. In a move that one could only describe in terms of sheer genius, Williams turned up at Alberton where the Port Adelaide team trains and pinned a copy of the AFL ladder upside down in the clubrooms. Surely this move, designed to ensure that his players respect the winless Melbourne, is one of those flaky ideas that AFL coaches come up with from time to time that is inevitably destined to backfire? Instead of generating confidence in the ranks of his players, it can only generate doubt. Add to this, the fact that the Power is certainly no power when it comes to playing at the MCG and the doubt starts to multiply to a point where it gets into the players' heads and before you know it, the reality is translated into failure out there on the playing field. Listen to what Port Adelaide midfielder Kane Cornes has to say about the team that on my viewing hold up the remaining fifteen clubs on the AFL ladder: - "Melbourne always beat us at the MCG. "They've really got the wood on us, a bit like the Kangaroos have. I know they haven't won a game yet but it's still going to be a very nervous and twitchy game for us." That's right. Port should be nervous because in the six matches played between the two sides at the home of football, Melbourne has emerged the victor on every occasion and its average winning margin in that time has been around six goals. So let's hear it again: "Melbourne always beat us at the MCG." Start twitching Kane. Keep looking at that ladder and watch those jangled nerves. As for Daniher's Demons, I have it on good authority that they have also now been ordered to look at the inverted AFL ladder that shows them on top. That automatically makes them the kings of the heap and allows them to approach this game which marks the return of skipper David Neitz and hard nut midfielder Nathan Jones "chocko" full of confidence. THE GAME: Melbourne v. Port Adelaide at the MCG – 6 May 2007 at 2.10pm HEAD TO HEAD: Overall: Melbourne 8 wins Port Adelaide 7 wins At the G: Melbourne 6 wins Port Adelaide 0 wins Since 2000: Melbourne 5 wins Port Adelaide 5 wins The Coaches: Daniher 6 wins Williams 6 wins MEDIA: TV Channel 7 (delayed telecast commencing at 3.00pm) RADIO 3AW 774ABC MMMM THE BETTING: Melbourne to win $2.95 Port Adelaide to win $1.35 LAST TIME THEY MET: Melbourne 18.12.120 d Port Adelaide 12.10.82, Round 13, 2006, at MCG It was an insipid Port Adelaide that ran out on to the MCG, a team that bore no resemblance to the hard hitting skilful combination that won an AFL premiership just 18 months previously. Melbourne took full advantage of this uninspiring rabble and took them to the cleaners, winning by 38 points. David Neitz booted five goals, Aaron Davey was in magical form and the Power would have been in even more strife without Shaun Burgoyne who starred. THE TEAMS: MELBOURNE: Backs: Cameron Bruce Nathan Carroll Adem Yze Half backs: Nathan Brown Jared Rivers Daniel Bell Centreline: Colin Sylvia James McDonald Aaron Davey Half forwards: Ricky Petterd, Brad Miller Byron Pickett Forwards: Lynden Dunn David Neitz Brent Moloney Followers: Jeff White Simon Godfrey Travis Johnstone Interchange: Matthew Bate Paul Johnson Nathan Jones Matthew Warnock Emergencies: Simon Buckley Ben Holland Chris Johnson In: Nathan Jones David Neitz Matthew Warnock Out: Colin Garland Mark Jamar Chris Johnson (all omitted) PORT ADELAIDE Backs: Troy Chaplin Darryl Wakelin Michael Pettigrew Halfbacks: Jacob Surjan Chad Cornes Matthew Thomas Centeline: Nathan Lonie Kane Cornes Domenic Cassisi Halfforwards: Peter Burgoyne Warren Tredrea, Josh Mahoney Forwards: Greg Bentley Damon White Brett Ebert Followers: Brendon Lade Shaun Burgoyne David Rodan Interchange: Nathan Krakouer Daniel Motlop Danyle Pearce Toby Thurstans Emergencies: Fabian DeLuca Brad Symes Adam Thomsonj In: Daniel Motlop Danyle Pearce Matthew Thomas Out: Steven Salopek (hamstring) Brad Symes (omitted) Michael Wilson (pectoral/chest muscle) MY GRIPE THIS WEEK - THE TRIBUNAL'S GET OUT OF JAIL CARD OK this has nothing to do with Sunday's game but I have to get it off my chest. In today's column in The Australian, Patrick Smith ponders about what is happening with the AFL's judicial system. The AFL Tribunal has charged 28 players this season, but it has only suspended two, Fraser Gehrig and Steven Dodd, each of them for one week only. Meanwhile the following players are charged and escape serious charges on specious grounds in the week immediately prior to their teams playing against Melbourne - Luke Hodge (thrice), Josh Carr, Des Headland (in a precedent setting groundbreaker that gets him off scott free) and now Shaun Burgoyne lucks it out because he satisfies the judiciary that a head high hit was an accident. Adam Goodes is similarly lucky to get away with a mere reprimand after belting the angelic Simon Godfrey who wasn't even looking when the Brownlow Medallist cannoned into his back. Pity those like Beamer who was brutalized by the same Tribunal a couple of years ago when there was a doubt about whether he had even made any contact at all with Jimmy Bartel before the Cat footballer fell to the ground and his head hit the MCG turf. What does he think about AFL justice right now? I don't necessarily subscribe to conspiracy theories about grassy knolls, Harold Holt's drowning or the non-existent jets crashing into American buildings but I have to admit to frothing at the mouth a lot about this Tribunal and about what it's doing to our great game of football. Get rid of them all I say. End of rant. Geez, I feel better now. SO LET'S DISCUSS THE GAME ITSELF! There's not much to say about the game if you want to go on form. Last Friday night, Port Adelaide mangled St. Kilda to the tune of 53 points at Football Park while, a day later Melbourne was crushed by Sydney at the SCG. That makes the teams about 100 points apart. Give Melbourne three goals to cater for the return of Neita and there you have it. We lose by more than 13 goals. The Power has surprised the football world by amassing a 4-1 record at this early stage of the season. Melbourne has under whelmed us all with a 0-5 start. True, injuries have played a major role but it's not the full explanation. A number of the players who have made it onto the park have performed poorly, there doesn't seem to be much system or purpose about the way the team goes about its game these days, leadership is scarce on the ground (mainly because it's been sitting watch the game with me in the stands) and there haven't been and of those stand out individual performances that sometimes can turn a game. I then look at the potential match ups and I'm scared out of my wits. On the AFL website, the match summary suggests that the key match ups are as follows:- (i) Chad Cornes (Port Adelaide) v Brad Miller (Melbourne) (ii) Simon Godfrey (Melbourne) v Shaun Burgoyne (Port Adelaide) (iii) Jeff White (Melbourne) v Brendon Lade (Port Adelaide) Agghr... I can see Melbourne coming out on top in one out of those three key match ups and that's being generous to Jeff White who is no longer the star ruckman that he used to be a few years ago when he made All Australian. His opponent rated in that award last year. The return of David Neitz and possibly Nathan Jones will add a bit of hardness to the Demon make up but Port Adelaide seems to have the edge in pace and skill all over the ground. As a result I'm tipping a Port Adelaide victory by 81 points. One moment please. I just stood on my head and I've changed my selection. From my new vantage point, I see Melbourne winning by 18 points ... Let's hear it again from Kane Cornes:- "Melbourne always beat us at the MCG."

by The Oracle We are now into the month of May and the Melbourne Football Club has yet to break its duck for the 2007 season. Nor, apart from a fleeting moment when it came back early in the last quarter against Hawthorn (and that seems like such a long time ago) has it even looked like it might emerge from a game with a win. You have to feel for poor Neale Daniher! In the final year of his coaching contract at Melbourne and after ten years at the helm, things were shaping up nicely a little over two months ago. The pundits were anointing his team as the sole potential challenger to the interstate domination of the competition. That was however, before a football was kicked or hand passed (or indeed fumbled) in anger. Since then, bad news and even worse luck has followed his team like the proverbial bad smell. He persisted with the "run and carry" style but his disciples could neither run nor carry the football in the proper direction, his players went down like nine-pins (often during the course of games leaving him without the ability to over rotate them), the AFL Tribunal pardoned war criminals for no logical reason other than to allow them to star against his team instead of sitting out their penance in the stands and please don't get me started on the subject of the white maggots (memo: do not publish this article in the vicinity of the Gabba – it could lead to your arrest). The fact of the matter is that Neale Daniher has tried everything to get his team into a winning frame of mind in 2007 and he has failed at every step along the way. Either that or the team has failed him. That is why the Reverend should be forever grateful to his opposite number in Port Adelaide coach Mark "Chocko" Williams for plucking out of his backside (for that is the only source from which it could possibly have come) the one remaining formula for Melbourne to win this Sunday's round six MCG encounter. In a move that one could only describe in terms of sheer genius, Williams turned up at Alberton where the Port Adelaide team trains and pinned a copy of the AFL ladder upside down in the clubrooms. Surely this move, designed to ensure that his players respect the winless Melbourne, is one of those flaky ideas that AFL coaches come up with from time to time that is inevitably destined to backfire? Instead of generating confidence in the ranks of his players, it can only generate doubt. Add to this, the fact that the Power is certainly no power when it comes to playing at the MCG and the doubt starts to multiply to a point where it gets into the players' heads and before you know it, the reality is translated into failure out there on the playing field. Listen to what Port Adelaide midfielder Kane Cornes has to say about the team that on my viewing hold up the remaining fifteen clubs on the AFL ladder: - "Melbourne always beat us at the MCG. "They've really got the wood on us, a bit like the Kangaroos have. I know they haven't won a game yet but it's still going to be a very nervous and twitchy game for us." That's right. Port should be nervous because in the six matches played between the two sides at the home of football, Melbourne has emerged the victor on every occasion and its average winning margin in that time has been around six goals. So let's hear it again: "Melbourne always beat us at the MCG." Start twitching Kane. Keep looking at that ladder and watch those jangled nerves. As for Daniher's Demons, I have it on good authority that they have also now been ordered to look at the inverted AFL ladder that shows them on top. That automatically makes them the kings of the heap and allows them to approach this game which marks the return of skipper David Neitz and hard nut midfielder Nathan Jones "chocko" full of confidence. THE GAME: Melbourne v. Port Adelaide at the MCG – 6 May 2007 at 2.10pm HEAD TO HEAD: Overall: Melbourne 8 wins Port Adelaide 7 wins At the G: Melbourne 6 wins Port Adelaide 0 wins Since 2000: Melbourne 5 wins Port Adelaide 5 wins The Coaches: Daniher 6 wins Williams 6 wins MEDIA: TV Channel 7 (delayed telecast commencing at 3.00pm) RADIO 3AW 774ABC MMMM THE BETTING: Melbourne to win $2.95 Port Adelaide to win $1.35 LAST TIME THEY MET: Melbourne 18.12.120 d Port Adelaide 12.10.82, Round 13, 2006, at MCG It was an insipid Port Adelaide that ran out on to the MCG, a team that bore no resemblance to the hard hitting skilful combination that won an AFL premiership just 18 months previously. Melbourne took full advantage of this uninspiring rabble and took them to the cleaners, winning by 38 points. David Neitz booted five goals, Aaron Davey was in magical form and the Power would have been in even more strife without Shaun Burgoyne who starred. THE TEAMS: MELBOURNE: Backs: Cameron Bruce Nathan Carroll Adem Yze Half backs: Nathan Brown Jared Rivers Daniel Bell Centreline: Colin Sylvia James McDonald Aaron Davey Half forwards: Ricky Petterd, Brad Miller Byron Pickett Forwards: Lynden Dunn David Neitz Brent Moloney Followers: Jeff White Simon Godfrey Travis Johnstone Interchange: Matthew Bate Paul Johnson Nathan Jones Matthew Warnock Emergencies: Simon Buckley Ben Holland Chris Johnson In: Nathan Jones David Neitz Matthew Warnock Out: Colin Garland Mark Jamar Chris Johnson (all omitted) PORT ADELAIDE Backs: Troy Chaplin Darryl Wakelin Michael Pettigrew Halfbacks: Jacob Surjan Chad Cornes Matthew Thomas Centeline: Nathan Lonie Kane Cornes Domenic Cassisi Halfforwards: Peter Burgoyne Warren Tredrea, Josh Mahoney Forwards: Greg Bentley Damon White Brett Ebert Followers: Brendon Lade Shaun Burgoyne David Rodan Interchange: Nathan Krakouer Daniel Motlop Danyle Pearce Toby Thurstans Emergencies: Fabian DeLuca Brad Symes Adam Thomsonj In: Daniel Motlop Danyle Pearce Matthew Thomas Out: Steven Salopek (hamstring) Brad Symes (omitted) Michael Wilson (pectoral/chest muscle) MY GRIPE THIS WEEK - THE TRIBUNAL'S GET OUT OF JAIL CARD OK this has nothing to do with Sunday's game but I have to get it off my chest. In today's column in The Australian, Patrick Smith ponders about what is happening with the AFL's judicial system. The AFL Tribunal has charged 28 players this season, but it has only suspended two, Fraser Gehrig and Steven Dodd, each of them for one week only. Meanwhile the following players are charged and escape serious charges on specious grounds in the week immediately prior to their teams playing against Melbourne - Luke Hodge (thrice), Josh Carr, Des Headland (in a precedent setting groundbreaker that gets him off scott free) and now Shaun Burgoyne lucks it out because he satisfies the judiciary that a head high hit was an accident. Adam Goodes is similarly lucky to get away with a mere reprimand after belting the angelic Simon Godfrey who wasn't even looking when the Brownlow Medallist cannoned into his back. Pity those like Beamer who was brutalized by the same Tribunal a couple of years ago when there was a doubt about whether he had even made any contact at all with Jimmy Bartel before the Cat footballer fell to the ground and his head hit the MCG turf. What does he think about AFL justice right now? I don't necessarily subscribe to conspiracy theories about grassy knolls, Harold Holt's drowning or the non-existent jets crashing into American buildings but I have to admit to frothing at the mouth a lot about this Tribunal and about what it's doing to our great game of football. Get rid of them all I say. End of rant. Geez, I feel better now. SO LET'S DISCUSS THE GAME ITSELF! There's not much to say about the game if you want to go on form. Last Friday night, Port Adelaide mangled St. Kilda to the tune of 53 points at Football Park while, a day later Melbourne was crushed by Sydney at the SCG. That makes the teams about 100 points apart. Give Melbourne three goals to cater for the return of Neita and there you have it. We lose by more than 13 goals. The Power has surprised the football world by amassing a 4-1 record at this early stage of the season. Melbourne has under whelmed us all with a 0-5 start. True, injuries have played a major role but it's not the full explanation. A number of the players who have made it onto the park have performed poorly, there doesn't seem to be much system or purpose about the way the team goes about its game these days, leadership is scarce on the ground (mainly because it's been sitting watch the game with me in the stands) and there haven't been and of those stand out individual performances that sometimes can turn a game. I then look at the potential match ups and I'm scared out of my wits. On the AFL website, the match summary suggests that the key match ups are as follows:- (i) Chad Cornes (Port Adelaide) v Brad Miller (Melbourne) (ii) Simon Godfrey (Melbourne) v Shaun Burgoyne (Port Adelaide) (iii) Jeff White (Melbourne) v Brendon Lade (Port Adelaide) Agghr... I can see Melbourne coming out on top in one out of those three key match ups and that's being generous to Jeff White who is no longer the star ruckman that he used to be a few years ago when he made All Australian. His opponent rated in that award last year. The return of David Neitz and possibly Nathan Jones will add a bit of hardness to the Demon make up but Port Adelaide seems to have the edge in pace and skill all over the ground. As a result I'm tipping a Port Adelaide victory by 81 points. One moment please. I just stood on my head and I've changed my selection. From my new vantage point, I see Melbourne winning by 18 points ... Let's hear it again from Kane Cornes:- "Melbourne always beat us at the MCG."

The standings after round five and Brent Moloney and Cameron Bruce are our leaders with the Flash moving up fast:- 35. Brent Moloney 31. Cameron Bruce 23. Aaron Davey 21. Brad Green 20. Brad Miller 19. Daniel Bell 18. Nathan Jones Jared Rivers Adem Yze 16. Simon Godfrey 15. Nathan Brown James McDonald 13. Ben Holland 12. David Neitz 11. Russell Robertson 10. Ricky Petterd 8. Jeff White 5. Nathan Carroll 3. Daniel Ward 2. Travis Johnstone 1. Lynden Dunn Paul Johnson

ZEBRAS LIFT A GEAR by Barry from Beach Road After three narrow wins to open their 2007 campaign, Sandringham lifted a gear on Sunday and punished the Casey Scorpions by 79 points to retain their undefeated record and top position on the TRUenergy/VFL Ladder. The Zebras were simply too strong all over the ground for the Scorpions and produced a dazzling display that was highlighted by a superb nine goal feast in the final term. A committed Sandy side came out full of running and it gained the early initiative through Shane Valenti and Peter Summers in the middle while, up forward, Michael Newton was in good touch early with a couple of goals to herald an exciting performance from the 20 year old forward. David Gallagher was in everything and the defence stood solid with its usual firmness. The home side led by 25 points at the first break. The Scorpions worked hard in the second quarter and thanks to some early successful forays forward they managed to stay in touch with their hosts. Sandy was inaccurate in front of goal and this allowed the visitors to narrow the deficit down to just 19 points at the main break. Zebra skipper Chad Liddell was booked during the second term for allegedly tripping Shane Birss but from my vantage point, it appeared to be more a well-timed smother than anything else. The report put a temporary dampener on things but Sandy continued to display its dominance in the second half with a multifaceted attack that simply blew Casey off the park. Sandringham finished the game with almost twice the number of entries inside the fifty metre arc as its opponent with Newton booting six majors, Ezra Poyas (making a welcome return to form after injury) ending with five and leading goalkicker Nick Sautner finishing on four. Danny Hughes would have joined them but for the fact that he sprayed the ball everywhere and finished with 1 goal 4 behinds. Of course, the massive input of the goalkicking forwards would have been impossible without the magnificent contribution of Gallagher and Valenti, both of whom are having stellar seasons. Valenti simply grows in stature every week and if he continues in this vein, higher honours await him. In the ruck duels, the young pair of Shane Neaves and Stefan Martin shaded their more experienced VFL opponents and gave their on ballers first use of the football. Sandringham's defence has been a strong point right throughout the Mark Williams coaching era and this week was no exception. Ryan Ferguson in particular was in rare form taking two screamers and covering a lot of ground at half back. He had plenty of assistance from the likes of Chris Lamb, Matthew Warnock and Andy Biddlecombe who were impressive as always while Simon Buckley continues to show improved skills, dash and greater maturity. Coach Mark Williams would have been very pleased with the way in which his team responded to his three quarter time request to "try to break the game open and work hard." They certainly did that and more finishing the game full off running with nine goals to one in the final term. The team responded to the call so well that the coach was afforded the luxury of taking off two key forwards in Newton and Sautner during the final term and the goals still kept on coming. The Zebras performance came despite a string of injuries to its AFL aligned partner in Melbourne and augers well for the team's quest for four flags in a row. For the time being however, that thought is being kept out of the players' minds as they face a tough challenge next Sunday against beachside neighbour Frankston at the Frankston City Oval. The Dolphins are improving by the week and will be out to repeat their 2006 performance when they gave the Zebras a drubbing at the same venue just two weeks out from the finals. ODD SPOT: Although Sandringham leads the competition, it is not the only undefeated team. Williamstown, which had the bye this weekend, has won only once, but drew its two other matches, meaning that the Seagulls also remain undefeated in 2007. HOW THE DEMONS FARED And then there were ten. Only ten Melbourne listed players were available to play for Sandringham at the weekend. Nine played with the firsts while youngster Heath Neville took his place in the reserves and played impressively to be named in their best players in a good winning performance. Michael Newton showed that he has a liking for the Casey Scorpions booting six goals after kicking four in a cameo performance last year at Casey Fields. Ben Holland was a withdrawal again with a groin problem while young recruit Isaac Weetra suffered a broken wrist in the reserves last week and will miss a few weeks. Clint Bizzell - started well and was reasonably solid in defence but the General let himself down with a few unforced errors and might find it hard to force his way back into AFL ranks. Jace Bode - the rookie had limited game time but was quite lively when given an opportunity. Simon Buckley – a solid game from the youngster who collected 20 plus possessions and kicked a goal. His delivery under pressure was good and he showed great composure. Not far off getting a run in the red and blue. Ryan Ferguson – had a great game. Ferg was strong in defence and took a great speccy early on. Marked and punched the ball away at the right times, then capped it all off with a stint up forward for a couple of goals. Daniel Hughes – lively at half forward but let himself down with poor kicking for goal. He has sticky hands and took eight strong marks. His ground play has also improved. Shane Neaves – rucked and marked well around the ground. Showed that he is finding his feet in this company and the club will no doubt monitor his development closely with a view to 2008. Michael Newton – there’s a theory going around that this laconic but talented young forward might have been stung into action this week by the promotion of Colin Garland who is younger and has only been around the club for less than half a year. Newton, in his third season at the club, has always had latent talents that have come to the fore only sparingly. He is a great kick of the football and that skill alone commends him for promotion to a Melbourne side that lacks a forward to deliver the killer punch. He can also take a good grab is and is adequate at ground level. His day must come soon. Daniel Ward - quiet early and then injured. Did not have a great impact on the game. Matthew Warnock – a solid game against an undermanned opposition but there are a few ahead of him for higher honours in defence. Sandringham 6.3.39 8.10.58 12.14.86 21.18.144 Casey Scorpions 2.2.14 6.3.39 9.5.59 10.5.65 Goals Sandringham Newton 6 Poyas 5 Sautner 4 Ferguson 2 Buckley Crowe Liddell Valenti Casey Scorpions Sweeney 3 Rix Silvagni 2 Birss Harrison Jones Best Sandringham Gallagher Valenti Newton Warnock Ferguson Poyas Casey Scorpions Rix O'Bryan Gwilt Taylor Eddy Harrison Report Chad Liddell (Sandringham) for tripping Shane Birss (Casey Scorpions) in the second quarter. SEEING DOUBLE The final result of the Sandringham Reserves game against Casey Scorpions was almost identical to that of the seniors as the young Zebras found touch and ran away in the final term to score an imposing 82-point victory. Former Sandringham Dragons player Rennie Gilchrist continued his impressive early form and along with Daniel Gribbin, was a standout. Tom Paterakis was his usual steady self and Tom Paule also stood out with his terrier like play. The win sees the Zebra reserves holing on to fifth spot on the ladder with two wins and two defeats at this early stage of the season. Sandringham 4.5.29 10.8.68 15.11.101 21.19.145 Casey Scorpions 2.6.18 6.7.43 8.11.59 8.15.63 Goals Sandringham Collyer Gileno Mentiplay Gilchrist 3 Curcio Martyn Monaghan 2 Dean Paterakis Paule Casey Scorpions Brown 4 Wood Waite Geary Lees Goals Sandringham Gilchrist Gribbin Paterakis Paule Collyer Neville Casey Scorpions Lentini Geary Brown McGrath Scalzo Howard