Demonland

DEAD CALM by The Oracle On my way to the MCG yesterday I heard the commentators on SEN delivering their previews of the Melbourne v Richmond game. It was obvious what they were looking for in this game - any sign that one of the teams, Melbourne, was deliberately going out to set up a loss to gain a benefit in the national draft at the end of the season. Two and a half hours later, they had in their own minds what they had been looking for all afternoon - an opportunity to attack the Melbourne Football Club for doing its best to lose the game. Every move, every change and every nuance made by coach Dean Bailey was examined and analysed with suspicious intent so that the entire exercise of describing the game became a self-fulfilling prophecy. But in the end, the commentators who slammed the Demons for tanking were an embarrassment to themselves. The practice they were describing has been going on for years with the full approval of the governing body which continues to strongly deny that clubs "tank". Kevin Bartlett, the former Tiger champion and coach, has absolutely "cracked it" over his belief that the Demons were doing things that caused him "alarm" but that only belied the fact that his old club - the one that he alienated himself from because it sacked him after a fruitless period at the coaching helm - was facing a barren and bitter future. If the final siren sounds and you're not in front of a team that's trying to lose as badly as Bartlett and others are suggesting, then what does it say about the Tigers? That's the crux of my review of a game that by their reckoning, Melbourne should have lost by eight or ten goals. In fact, it was only won by Richmond by the narrow margin of four points in the last play of the game with a Jordan McMahon kick after the siren. Like many in the football world and particularly among the AFL hierarchy, Bartlett has been in denial for far too long about the state of play insofar as priority picks are concerned. Why now and why Melbourne? Where were they when Carlton famously imploded in the last half of 2007 ending in the infamous twilight game of round 22 of that year but really culminating in the recuiting of Chris Judd and the drafting of Matthew Kreuzer? The Demons had a swag of players missing for one reason or another - mainly injury - and by the end of the game a bench full of more injured players. So Demon coach Dean Bailey experimented with some unusual team placements. Did he have much of a choice in the circumstances? Did he have the luxury of a Tuck, a Bowden, a Coughlan or a Richardson in his club's VFL partner? Did he retire off a player who kicked five goals in his last match to ensure defeat or put his champion goalkicker in mothballs as other clubs have done in recent years? Does he pompously lecture the world on the evils of tanking while enjoying the fruits of his own priority pick "earned" in what might also be described as dubious circumstances just two years after a second consecutive grand final appearance? And just where does it say that sportsmanship, fair play and a level playing field has a role in this competition these days? Not if your playing programme is dictated by financial criteria. Not when an ambassadorship with Visy (for doing exactly what?) is worth a packet outside the salary cap. Come on down and have a cup of tea Karmichael Hunt. You still want fair play? Then give the game back to the people and not those who follow the trail to the money. Oh yes. The game. Melbourne was never out of it by more than a goal and a half and held the lead on numerous occasions. There were mistakes galore, some poor disposal and woeful decision making and that's pretty much what you would expect when the twelfth placed side meets the bottom team. But the standard was not appreciably lower than two or three other encounters in this round. Neither side managed no goals and nine behinds and one out on the full in a quarter. The result, a 12.14.86 to 12.10.82 win to the Tigers was not that dissimilar to the Demons' eight point win that stymied Terry Wallace's career earlier in the season. There was no shortage of highlights including some intriguing contests, heavy physical clashes, miracle goals from Lynden Dunn and Nathan Brown and plenty of emerging players of the future on display. There was excitement and tension, a sensational late game rally from Melbourne with two memorable goals, one to the rapidly developing Jack Grimes, who marked a kick-in and goaled with all the poise and balance of a veteran, and another to Ricky Petterd, who struck immediately afterwards and put his team two points up with 1 minute and 40 seconds remaining on the clock. Then, the fateful goal that sealed the game for the Tigers. Melbourne's best included skipper James McDonald, Aaron Davey, Grimes, Petterd, Nathan Jones and Lynden Dunn. James Frawley and Matthew Warnock continued to show their development and some versatility when moved forward and Jake Spencer, though visibly tiring at the end, gained valuable game time. This is precisely what Bailey has been telling the world he was planning to do and kudos go to him and his team for persevering and for finishing within a split second of a win. When Ron Barassi famously experimented in a grand final and implored his charges to handball, handball, handball and the result was a premiership, the football world applauded and called him a genius. When Bailey remains dead calm in the coach's box, experiments with his team and almost pulls off a remarkable victory, Kevin Bartlett pulls out what's left of his hair and calls it a joke. He should go back to trying to get Kevin Sheedy in the coach's box at Tigerland because the joke's on him! Melbourne 2.0.12 4.3.27 8.7.55 12.10.82 RIchmond 1.5.11 4.8.32 7.10.52 12.14.86 Goals Melbourne Dunn Miller Petterd 2 Bate Davey Grimes Newton Jetta Jones Newton Richmond Brown 3 Deledio Morton 2 Hislop McMahon Nahas Riewoldt Vickery Best Melbourne Petterd McDonald Grimes Davey Petterd Bate Cheney Richmond Deledio Cousins Brown Thursfield Morton McGuane Tambling Injuries Melbourne Bennell (knee), Whelan (foot), Martin (corked calf) Richmond Riewoldt (concussion) Changes Melbourne Morton (heel) replaced in selected side by Spencer. Richmond - nil Reports Melbourne Davey for wrestling King in the first quarter Richmond King for wrestling Davey in first quarter. Umpires Keating James Farmer Official Crowd 37,438 at MCG

by Whispering Jack A week ago they were in the nation's capital vainly seeking to shake down the opposition's thunder from the grey skies and on Sunday they return home as prodigal sons taking on the fighting fury against the odds. For Melbourne these days, it seems that every battle is against the odds. There's an air of resignation among Demon fans as to their team's likely fate at a time of the season when every week offers up yet another meaningless encounter with little to look forward to except the end of the road that's coming into view somewhere between here and the horizon. This is the price you pay when you first sign on to be a supporter of a football club. You have to take the bad with the good except if you happen to be fickle and decide to flit off to support whichever club is the winner for the time being. But that's not what being a true supporter entails. In our case the bad has considerably outweighed the good for quite some time but we continue to live in hope and endure the humiliation of defeat, the injuries to key players, the rotten umpiring decisions and the endless chorus of derision from the rest of the football community. These are all part and parcel of the life of the football tragic - the fine print in the contract almost hidden from view when we make the fateful decision to support a team. Lawyers will point out the important legal maxim that applies in such cases. It's called "caveat emptor" which loosely translated means "shit happens". Long suffering supporters of the Melbourne Football Club will tell you that although they have been mired deeply in the poo for a number of decades, the last two or three years have been the hardest to take. The question is always when will it end and when will see our team rise out of the muck and emerge as a true power as we were once upon a time in the '50s and the '60s? Some argued we had hit rock bottom last year; that we would turn the corner in 2009 but it's transpired that the corner is not so easy to navigate when you have a young side. You take a step or two forward and suddenly you find it's a struggle to maintain forward momentum. We sensed it would turn out this way even at the very beginning when we ventured down the road to catch a glimpse of what we hoped was a better future for the first intraclub game with the smoke of the bushfires that ravaged the nearby countryside still hanging in the air. We were searching then for something special but what we discovered was that the groundwork for success has to be laid first and for that we need bucket loads of patience. So that's the message that's been drilled into us continually as we've travelled on roads to grounds both near and far in 2009. They have to learn; to get games into their legs; they need time to gain experience and to get better. It never happens overnight if you want improvement to be meaningful, long lasting and permanent. And we're patient. We know there's no instant gratification and the better times won't be starting this week or even any time soon and in the meantime we live with caveat emptor. Shit happens. THE GAME Melbourne v Richmond at MCG - Sunday 2 August 2009 at 1.10pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 76 wins Richmond 98 wins 2 draws At the MCG Melbourne 57 wins Richmond 64 wins 1 draw Since 2000 Melbourne 6 wins Richmond 9 wins The Coaches Bailey 0 wins Rawlings 0 wins MEDIA Fox Sports 1 (live) 12.30 pm Radio ABC774 SEN THE BETTING Melbourne to win $3.30 Richmond $1.30 to win LAST TIME THEY MET Richmond 14.16.100 d Melbourne 13.14.92 in Round 4, 2009 at the MCG THE TEAMS MELBOURNE Backs James Frawley Matthew Warnock Kyle Cheney Half Backs Jack Grimes Jared Rivers Cameron Bruce Centreline Clint Bartram James McDonald Aaron Davey Half Forwards Jamie Bennell Michael Newton Lynden Dunn Forwards Brad Miller Matthew Bate Stefan Martin Followers Paul Johnson Ricky Petterd Nathan Jones Interchange Neville Jetta Jake Spencer Shane Valenti Matthew Whelan Emergencies Simon Buckley Jake Spencer Colin Sylvia In James Frawley Jack Grimes Neville Jetta Jake Spencer Out Liam Jurrah (ankle) Jordie McKenzie (calf) Cale Morton (heel) Brent Moloney (groin) RICHMOND Backs Jake King Will Thursfield Chris Newman Half Backs Dean Polo Luke McGuane Matthew White Centreline Shane Edwards Trent Cotchin Brett Deledio Half Forwards Robin Nahas Jack Riewoldt Jayden Post Forwards Nathan Brown Mitch Morton Ben Cousins Followers Tyrone Vickery Daniel Jackson Richard Tambling Interchange Tom Hislop Jordan McMahon Kel Moore Adam Pattison Emergencies Mark Coughlan Alex Rance Shane Tuck In Kel Moore Out Jarrod Silvester (knee) PLAYING DEVIL'S ADVOCATE Earlier this year I attended a Devil's Advocates function for Demon fans who some connection with the law. They're supposed to be a powerful group comprising judges, lawmakers, barristers and solicitors, legal clerks and law students but while they can contribute financially to the club they can't use their power in other ways to help it move its way up the ladder. That's unfortunate but as they say – caveat emptor. So we congregated last night at the MCG for the Devil's Advocates annual dinner and with lots of good food and talk. The proceedings compered by avid Demon fan and racing identity Dr Turf who intermingled some amusing racing stories with his knowledge of all things football. Devil's Advocate organising committee member Ralph Glezer thanked the legal eagles and their guests for assisting with the fundraising for his group's pet project - the sponsorship of specialist coach Kevin Ball, the club's kicking coach and a brilliant biomechanist who is doing some remarkable work at the club. More from him later. Stand in club president Don McLardy spoke about how Jim Stynes was in Phuket in good spirits and recovering from the initial major surgery and will return refreshed and ready to take up his battle with cancer. Despite the way things might seem the club is making progress both on and off the field. On the field, things are slowly coming together with the young team showing regular improvement as it gains experience. Gains are being made off the field as well with focus on rebuilding the club to bring everyone back into the fold. Our relationship with the MCC is now solid and the club is proceeding with its aim of clearing debt and once this happens it can go on to acquire assets and secure the future. Chris Connolly was at his effusive best and declared that "next year we'll have youngest list in the competition". He pointed to some of the players in the room who were drafted with first round draft picks - Cale Morton, Jack Grimes and James Frawley, to Aaron Davey (picked up in the rookie draft) and Jamie Bennell (in the '30s in last year's national draft). The club has many young players of quality like Jack Watts and our two recent pre season draft selections in Stef Martin and Liam Jurrah while we have yet to see Sam Blease and James Strauss in action. Later this year, we will gain more young talent. Connolly stressed that all this doesn't necessarily guarantee anything and that as a club we need to do more to ensure that we get the best out of our players. We need to get ahead of the pack. This was the point where the message of caveat emptor began to sink in. Over the years, Melbourne has been a fractured club. We've been divided, we haven't looked after our own and we haven't done enough to take the lead and be innovative in the quest to become a successful club: to get ahead of the pack. We let it happen. The fund raising aspect of the Devil's Advocates is helping raise funds for a specific project of securing a specialist to help us at the cutting edge i.e. to make something good happen. Kevin Ball is one of the leaders in the biomechanical field who works on kicking techniques and decision making. He's been at a couple of AFL clubs and also at the Melbourne Storm. He works with the AIS and is developing one of the best kicking programmes in the game - right here with the Demons. Ball gave a fascinating presentation of his work. He demonstrated some of the state of the art techniques he is using with the players and how he has implemented programmes tailored for each individual aimed at improving kicking style, decision making and judgement. He uses videos, high speed video and 3D analysis to help players move up in skill levels. Ball demonstrated by using a split screen how the kicking styles of players like Cale Morton and Jake Spencer had improved over the past year. And right there is the answer for those who question why the process of improvement is so slow and why we are being asked to be patient. When you are developing a young list and have no established champions of the competition, innovations such as those being introduced at the club by people such as Kevin Ball that will help it rise. In Connolly's words, they will help us "rise above the pack". But it takes time and in the meantime, we're just going to have to put up with the odd dose of caveat emptor. Dr. Turf wrapped up the night by interviewing Aaron Davey who put his improved form this year down to a better pre season that helped him improve his fitness base and allowed him to develop his strength - the use of his pace to break the lines. The Flash also described his journey to fulfil the dream of playing AFL by moving from Darwin to Port Magpies (SANFL) to Port Melbourne and finally to the Demons through the rookie draft. There are now 88 indigenous players living their AFL dream. Aaron hopes that one day there will be 200! James Frawley was a different subject for interview. He told of how he had worked hard on his kicking skills and this year had done a lot of work together with Matty Warnock. His toughest opponent to date has been Buddy Franklin who is so tall and strong. "Chip" has a burning desire to beat the Hawk next time they meet. Phil Kingston of Gary Peer Estate Agents again took care of the auctioneering and his efforts not only added to the fund raising but entertained those present. TAMING THE TIGERS? Which brings me to the preview of the game this week against Richmond, one whose result is hardly relevant in the scheme of things other than in terms of whether or not Melbourne might finish with that coveted priority pick in the draft. The team selection at least points to the fact that this is not the club's uppermost consideration because the return of Colin Sylvia, Grimes and Frawley should serve to considerably bolster the team's stocks against the inform Tigers who felt comfortable enough to leave Matthew Richardson out the side despite his availability after injury. Much will ride on the improving Richmond midfield and if Cousins, Deledio and Cochin can continue to thrive as they did last week in their upset win over the Bombers they will have won half the battle. And now my own caveat emptor. I previewed the game between these teams earlier this year and suggested that we were in for a dull affair between two lowly teams and that Richmond would win by 15 points. For that, I copped some stick from some of our readers who were vindicated when the Demons ran out winners by 8 points. Unfettered by all that, I'm selecting the Tigers by 15 points again but if I'm wrong, you know what happens!

CAVEAT EMPTOR by Whispering Jack A week ago they were in the nation's capital vainly seeking to shake down the opposition's thunder from the grey skies and on Sunday they return home as prodigal sons taking on the fighting fury against the odds. For Melbourne these days, it seems that every battle is against the odds. There's an air of resignation among Demon fans as to their team's likely fate at a time of the season when every week offers up yet another meaningless encounter with little to look forward to except the end of the road that's coming into view somewhere between here and the horizon. This is the price you pay when you first sign on to be a supporter of a football club. You have to take the bad with the good except if you happen to be fickle and decide to flit off to support whichever club is the winner for the time being. But that's not what being a true supporter entails. In our case the bad has considerably outweighed the good for quite some time but we continue to live in hope and endure the humiliation of defeat, the injuries to key players, the rotten umpiring decisions and the endless chorus of derision from the rest of the football community. These are all part and parcel of the life of the football tragic - the fine print in the contract almost hidden from view when we make the fateful decision to support a team. Lawyers will point out the important legal maxim that applies in such cases. It's called "caveat emptor" which loosely translated means "shit happens". Long suffering supporters of the Melbourne Football Club will tell you that although they have been mired deeply in the poo for a number of decades, the last two or three years have been the hardest to take. The question is always when will it end and when will see our team rise out of the muck and emerge as a true power as we were once upon a time in the '50s and the '60s? Some argued we had hit rock bottom last year; that we would turn the corner in 2009 but it's transpired that the corner is not so easy to navigate when you have a young side. You take a step or two forward and suddenly you find it's a struggle to maintain forward momentum. We sensed it would turn out this way even at the very beginning when we ventured down the road to catch a glimpse of what we hoped was a better future for the first intraclub game with the smoke of the bushfires that ravaged the nearby countryside still hanging in the air. We were searching then for something special but what we discovered was that the groundwork for success has to be laid first and for that we need bucket loads of patience. So that's the message that's been drilled into us continually as we've travelled on roads to grounds both near and far in 2009. They have to learn; to get games into their legs; they need time to gain experience and to get better. It never happens overnight if you want improvement to be meaningful, long lasting and permanent. And we're patient. We know there's no instant gratification and the better times won't be starting this week or even any time soon and in the meantime we live with caveat emptor. Shit happens. THE GAME Melbourne v Richmond at MCG - Sunday 2 August 2009 at 1.10pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 76 wins Richmond 98 wins 2 draws At the MCG Melbourne 57 wins Richmond 64 wins 1 draw Since 2000 Melbourne 6 wins Richmond 9 wins The Coaches Bailey 0 wins Rawlings 0 wins MEDIA Fox Sports 1 (live) 12.30 pm Radio ABC774 SEN THE BETTING Melbourne to win $3.30 Richmond $1.30 to win LAST TIME THEY MET Richmond 14.16.100 d Melbourne 13.14.92 in Round 4, 2009 at the MCG THE TEAMS MELBOURNE Backs James Frawley Matthew Warnock Kyle Cheney Half Backs Jack Grimes Jared Rivers Cameron Bruce Centreline Clint Bartram James McDonald Aaron Davey Half Forwards Jamie Bennell Michael Newton Lynden Dunn Forwards Brad Miller Matthew Bate Stefan Martin Followers Paul Johnson Ricky Petterd Nathan Jones Interchange Neville Jetta Jake Spencer Shane Valenti Matthew Whelan Emergencies Simon Buckley Jake Spencer Colin Sylvia In James Frawley Jack Grimes Neville Jetta Jake Spencer Out Liam Jurrah (ankle) Jordie McKenzie (calf) Cale Morton (heel) Brent Moloney (groin) RICHMOND Backs Jake King Will Thursfield Chris Newman Half Backs Dean Polo Luke McGuane Matthew White Centreline Shane Edwards Trent Cotchin Brett Deledio Half Forwards Robin Nahas Jack Riewoldt Jayden Post Forwards Nathan Brown Mitch Morton Ben Cousins Followers Tyrone Vickery Daniel Jackson Richard Tambling Interchange Tom Hislop Jordan McMahon Kel Moore Adam Pattison Emergencies Mark Coughlan Alex Rance Shane Tuck In Kel Moore Out Jarrod Silvester (knee) PLAYING DEVIL'S ADVOCATE Earlier this year I attended a Devil's Advocates function for Demon fans who some connection with the law. They're supposed to be a powerful group comprising judges, lawmakers, barristers and solicitors, legal clerks and law students but while they can contribute financially to the club they can't use their power in other ways to help it move its way up the ladder. That's unfortunate but as they say – caveat emptor. So we congregated last night at the MCG for the Devil's Advocates annual dinner and with lots of good food and talk. The proceedings compered by avid Demon fan and racing identity Dr Turf who intermingled some amusing racing stories with his knowledge of all things football. Devil's Advocate organising committee member Ralph Glezer thanked the legal eagles and their guests for assisting with the fundraising for his group's pet project - the sponsorship of specialist coach Kevin Ball, the club's kicking coach and a brilliant biomechanist who is doing some remarkable work at the club. More from him later. Stand in club president Don McLardy spoke about how Jim Stynes was in Phuket in good spirits and recovering from the initial major surgery and will return refreshed and ready to take up his battle with cancer. Despite the way things might seem the club is making progress both on and off the field. On the field, things are slowly coming together with the young team showing regular improvement as it gains experience. Gains are being made off the field as well with focus on rebuilding the club to bring everyone back into the fold. Our relationship with the MCC is now solid and the club is proceeding with its aim of clearing debt and once this happens it can go on to acquire assets and secure the future. Chris Connolly was at his effusive best and declared that "next year we'll have youngest list in the competition". He pointed to some of the players in the room who were drafted with first round draft picks - Cale Morton, Jack Grimes and James Frawley, to Aaron Davey (picked up in the rookie draft) and Jamie Bennell (in the '30s in last year's national draft). The club has many young players of quality like Jack Watts and our two recent pre season draft selections in Stef Martin and Liam Jurrah while we have yet to see Sam Blease and James Strauss in action. Later this year, we will gain more young talent. Connolly stressed that all this doesn't necessarily guarantee anything and that as a club we need to do more to ensure that we get the best out of our players. We need to get ahead of the pack. This was the point where the message of caveat emptor began to sink in. Over the years, Melbourne has been a fractured club. We've been divided, we haven't looked after our own and we haven't done enough to take the lead and be innovative in the quest to become a successful club: to get ahead of the pack. We let it happen. The fund raising aspect of the Devil's Advocates is helping raise funds for a specific project of securing a specialist to help us at the cutting edge i.e. to make something good happen. Kevin Ball is one of the leaders in the biomechanical field who works on kicking techniques and decision making. He's been at a couple of AFL clubs and also at the Melbourne Storm. He works with the AIS and is developing one of the best kicking programmes in the game - right here with the Demons. Ball gave a fascinating presentation of his work. He demonstrated some of the state of the art techniques he is using with the players and how he has implemented programmes tailored for each individual aimed at improving kicking style, decision making and judgement. He uses videos, high speed video and 3D analysis to help players move up in skill levels. Ball demonstrated by using a split screen how the kicking styles of players like Cale Morton and Jake Spencer had improved over the past year. And right there is the answer for those who question why the process of improvement is so slow and why we are being asked to be patient. When you are developing a young list and have no established champions of the competition, innovations such as those being introduced at the club by people such as Kevin Ball that will help it rise. In Connolly's words, they will help us "rise above the pack". But it takes time and in the meantime, we're just going to have to put up with the odd dose of caveat emptor. Dr. Turf wrapped up the night by interviewing Aaron Davey who put his improved form this year down to a better pre season that helped him improve his fitness base and allowed him to develop his strength - the use of his pace to break the lines. The Flash also described his journey to fulfil the dream of playing AFL by moving from Darwin to Port Magpies (SANFL) to Port Melbourne and finally to the Demons through the rookie draft. There are now 88 indigenous players living their AFL dream. Aaron hopes that one day there will be 200! James Frawley was a different subject for interview. He told of how he had worked hard on his kicking skills and this year had done a lot of work together with Matty Warnock. His toughest opponent to date has been Buddy Franklin who is so tall and strong. "Chip" has a burning desire to beat the Hawk next time they meet. Phil Kingston of Gary Peer Estate Agents again took care of the auctioneering and his efforts not only added to the fund raising but entertained those present. TAMING THE TIGERS? Which brings me to the preview of the game this week against Richmond, one whose result is hardly relevant in the scheme of things other than in terms of whether or not Melbourne might finish with that coveted priority pick in the draft. The team selection at least points to the fact that this is not the club's uppermost consideration because the return of Colin Sylvia, Grimes and Frawley should serve to considerably bolster the team's stocks against the inform Tigers who felt comfortable enough to leave Matthew Richardson out the side despite his availability after injury. Much will ride on the improving Richmond midfield and if Cousins, Deledio and Cochin can continue to thrive as they did last week in their upset win over the Bombers they will have won half the battle. And now my own caveat emptor. I previewed the game between these teams earlier this year and suggested that we were in for a dull affair between two lowly teams and that Richmond would win by 15 points. For that, I copped some stick from some of our readers who were vindicated when the Demons ran out winners by 8 points. Unfettered by all that, I'm selecting the Tigers by 15 points again but if I'm wrong, you know what happens!

That was when we won our first game of the season earlier this year and turned Terry Wallace's life into a misery. RICHMOND Backs Chris Newman Kelvin Moore Alex Rance Half Backs Tom Hislop Luke McGuane Dean Polo Centerline Matt White Shane Tuck Andrew Collins Half Forwards Nathan Brown Matthew Richardson Joel Bowden Forwards Mitch Morton Jack Reiwoldt Brett Deledio Followers Troy Simmons Daniel Jackson Nathan Foley Interchange Daniel Connors Angus Graham Jordan McMahon Robin Nahas Emergency Shane Edwards Jake King Jarred Oakley-Nicholls In Andrew Collins Daniel Connors Jordan McMahon Robin Nahas Out Shane Edwards Jake King Jay Schulz Richard Tambling New Andrew Collins (Bendigo Pioneers) MELBOURNE Backs Neville Jett Matthew Warnock Jared Rivers Half Backs James Frawley Stefan Martin Aaron Davey Centerline Jamie Bennell Lynden Dunn Brock McLean Half Forwards Matthew Bate Brent Maloney Michael Newton Forwards Brad Miller Colin Sylvia Cale Morton Followers John Meesen Cameron Bruce Brad Green Interchange Clint Bartram Paul Johnson Nathan Jones Ricky Petterd Emergencies Kyle Cheney Adam Maric Jake Spencer In Michael Newton Out Kyle Cheney

The Flash increases his lead over Beamer ... but just marginally! 102.615 Aaron Davey 90.172 Brent Moloney 58.652 Cameron Bruce 53.702 Brock McLean 52.790 Cale Morton 42.055 Colin Sylvia 40.383 Jack Grimes 40.272 Nathan Jones 38.121 James Frawley 37.985 Brad Green 33.646 Matthew Warnock 31.414 Mark Jamar 29.594 Ricky Petterd 24.313 Jared Rivers 19.408 Brad Miller 12.591 Liam Jurrah 12.435 Matthew Bate 12.420 Paul Johnson 10.711 Stefan Martin 10.053 Kyle Cheney 9.952 Addam Maric 8.827 Jamie Bennell 8.015 Clint Bartram 6.535 Neville Jetta 6.274 James McDonald 6.126 Russell Robertson 1.789 Lynden Dunn 0.613 John Meesen

by Grazman (our man in the national capital) A little over 16 years ago I took my new bride who hails from Northern climes for some cultural edification at the then Waverly Park (AKA- Arctic Park) to watch the Dees play the Saints. She made me faithfully promise her from that point on never to drag her to another sporting fixture as long as she drew breath. That contest like the one yesterday was eerily reminiscent both in terms of weather and the contest and is best expressed in one word … grey. I doubt that in 16 days time let alone 16 years that anyone will remember any of the events of the day. Certainly not for the paltry seven and a half thousand who attended, the numbers perhaps deflated by the relative ladder positions of both clubs (probably an extra three to four thousand stayed at home rather than risk hypothermia to see a result neither club seemed enthusiastic about). The temperature by the end of the game had dropped from a sultry ten degrees at 1pm to a not so nearly balmy eight degrees by 3.30. A casual glance at the footy record told me all I really needed to know, even though this was nominally a home game for us– Melbourne under Dean Bailey had never won a game interstate and with so many changes to the team it didn't look set to change. The Swans opened in clinical fashion with two goals on the board in quick time before the Demons started to find their rhythm. The Dees moved the ball fluidly from defence, but broke down time and again moving the ball beyond half forward. The first goal came via a bullocking run by Brent Moloney charging through a pack and soccering off the ground. By and large though the game never reached any memorable heights in the first half and the Swans turned at the long break four goals to the better and only Liam Jurrah's magic and the umpire's interesting interpretations of 'holding the ball' rousing the crowd to any sort of vocal interest in proceedings. Third quarters for the Demons this year have been a traumatic experience, and so it was again this time, for both tankers and non-tankers alike. Time and again the Demons created scoring opportunities to seize the initiative from the Swans only to squander their chances with diabolical shooting accuracy. They turned thirteen points down into the last, but could well have established a lead at that stage. After the first five minutes of the last quarter ex-Demon Darren Jolly had kicked his third goal and stamped himself as man of the match. The Dees would need to kick more goals than they'd kicked all game if they were to win. Again the opportunities presented themselves and again the Demons failed to hammer home the nails in the Swans coffin. For those salivating at the prospect of seeing Tom Scully run around in the red and blue next year, it was a piece of irony that Jude Bolton (himself a notoriously poor kick at goal) that managed to move the coveted Priority Pick one game closer to fruition. To bastardise an old football adage, the club is now one loss closer to its next win and in a match that was always about the result rather than the margin, the most memorable event of the match was when the final siren sounded There was no elation from anyone; just sheer relief this was over and intent to get to a warmer place. Manuka Oval may well go the way of Waverley in the AFL fixture. Unloved and unwanted by the clubs, with a notoriously apathetic local sporting community, a financially hamstrung local government and an AFL commission with Western Sydney in its sights; the future of AFL in Canberra is looking bleak. Melbourne it seems is now more likely to align itself with a future venture in Darwin rather than recommitting to Canberra, a ground it has failed to win a home game at in its brief, transitory assignment. Perhaps, it's a ground too far. Melbourne 1.2.8 2.6.18 4.11.35 6.14.50 Sydney 3.4.22 6.6.42 7.6.48 10.8.68 Goals Melbourne Davey Jurrah Miller Moloney Newton Whelan Sydney Jolly 3 McVeigh 2 Bolton Mattner Moore O'Keefe White Best Melbourne Bruce Warnock Davey Moloney Rivers Morton Sydney Jolly McVeigh Bird O'Keefe Hannebery Grundy Injuries Melbourne Cheney (calf) Jurrah (ankle). Sydney Mattner (ankle) Changes Melbourne Nil Sydney Buchanan (knee) replaced in the selected side by C Bird Reports Nil Umpires Stevic Mollison M Nicholls Official Crowd 7,311 at Manuka Oval

by Grazman (our man in the national capital) A little over 16 years ago I took my new bride who hails from Northern climes for some cultural edification at the then Waverly Park (AKA- Arctic Park) to watch the Dees play the Saints. She made me faithfully promise her from that point on never to drag her to another sporting fixture as long as she drew breath. That contest like the one today was eerily reminiscent both in terms of weather and the contest and is best expressed in one word … grey. I doubt that in 16 days time let alone 16 years that anyone will remember any of the events of the day. Certainly not for the paltry seven and a half thousand who attended, the numbers perhaps deflated by the relative ladder positions of both clubs (probably an extra three to four thousand stayed at home rather than risk hypothermia to see a result neither club seemed enthusiastic about). The temperature by the end of the game had dropped from a sultry ten degrees at 1pm to a not so nearly balmy eight degrees by 3.30. A casual glance at the footy record told me all I really needed to know, even though this was nominally a home game for us– Melbourne under Dean Bailey had never won a game interstate and with so many changes to the team it didn't look set to change. The Swans opened in clinical fashion with two goals on the board in quick time before the Demons started to find their rhythm. The Dees moved the ball fluidly from defence, but broke down time and again moving the ball beyond half forward. The first goal came via a bullocking run by Brent Moloney charging through a pack and soccering off the ground. By and large though the game never reached any memorable heights in the first half and the Swans turned at the long break four goals to the better and only Liam Jurrah's magic and the umpire's interesting interpretations of 'holding the ball' rousing the crowd to any sort of vocal interest in proceedings. Third quarters for the Demons this year have been a traumatic experience, and so it was again this time, for both tankers and non-tankers alike. Time and again the Demons created scoring opportunities to seize the initiative from the Swans only to squander their chances with diabolical shooting accuracy. They turned thirteen points down into the last, but could well have established a lead at that stage. After the first five minutes of the last quarter ex-Demon Darren Jolly had kicked his third goal and stamped himself as man of the match. The Dees would need to kick more goals than they'd kicked all game if they were to win. Again the opportunities presented themselves and again the Demons failed to hammer home the nails in the Swans coffin. For those salivating at the prospect of seeing Tom Scully run around in the red and blue next year, it was a piece of irony that Jude Bolton (himself a notoriously poor kick at goal) that managed to move the coveted Priority Pick one game closer to fruition. To bastardise an old football adage, the club is now one loss closer to its next win and in a match that was always about the result rather than the margin, the most memorable event of the match was when the final siren sounded There was no elation from anyone; just sheer relief this was over and intent to get to a warmer place. Manuka Oval may well go the way of Waverley in the AFL fixture. Unloved and unwanted by the clubs, with a notoriously apathetic local sporting community, a financially hamstrung local government and an AFL commission with Western Sydney in its sights; the future of AFL in Canberra is looking bleak. Melbourne it seems is now more likely to align itself with a future venture in Darwin rather than recommitting to Canberra, a ground it has failed to win a home game at in its brief, transitory assignment. Perhaps, it's a ground too far. Melbourne 1.2.8 2.6.18 4.11.35 6.14.50 Sydney 3.4.22 6.6.42 7.6.48 10.8.68 Goals Melbourne Davey Jurrah Miller Moloney Newton Whelan Sydney Jolly 3 McVeigh 2 Bolton Mattner Moore O'Keefe White Best Melbourne Bruce Warnock Davey Moloney Rivers Morton Sydney Jolly McVeigh Bird O'Keefe Hannebery Grundy Injuries Melbourne Cheney (calf) Jurrah (ankle). Sydney Mattner (ankle) Changes Melbourne Nil Sydney Buchanan (knee) replaced in the selected side by C Bird Reports Nil Umpires Stevic Mollison M Nicholls Official Crowd 7,311 at Manuka Oval

Please note only 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 votes will be selected. Also Tom Scully is not eligible and nor is Dean Bailey even if you think he's Tanking for Thomas! Thanks

DEFYING LOGIC by KC from Casey When the Casey selectors sat down to pick a side for yesterday's round 15 game they had to contend with plenty of headaches. A spate of injuries had dramatically reduced the number of both AFL and VFL listed players available and the prospect of coming up with a revamped side augmented by inexperienced VFL listed players against a Coburg Tigers team replete with AFL footballers was a daunting one. In the end the selectors came up with eleven changes to the team that beat Collingwood last week including three first gamers (James Blaser, Wade Lees and TAC Cupper Chris Wiley from the Gippsland Falcons) in an already inexperienced lineup and in the circumstances, logic dictated that they would not come out with a win. But the Scorpions defied logic and triumphed by 33 points in a famous victory for the club that was a tribute to the self-belief of the players, their determination, some great leadership and inspired coaching. For Casey it was a case of simply refusing to allow the many changes to have an unsettling effect on them after their recent surge of strong wins had carried them into the top four. This self-confidence carried them through an opening quarter which saw them in front at the first break despite kicking against a strong northerly wind, a lead they held onto against a team with far greater experience in terms of age and senior games played. Once again the wind was a major factor but at least this time the ground was bathed in brilliant sunshine with the Scorpions kicking into the face of a strong northerly breeze at the start of the game. Despite the adverse conditions the hosts were able to draw first blood when a James Wall pass found full forward Ben Waite right in front of goal. The defence held on stoutly and it took a free kick and fifty metre penalty before it conceded its first goal for the game. Pocket dynamo Michael Stockdale chipped in with a goal after accepting a pass from hard working skipper Kyle Matthews, then Trent Zomer turned his opponent inside out with the goal of the day. Coburg momentarily took the lead early in the second quarter courtesy of yet another fifty metre penalty but the hosts regrouped thanks to their solid core of leaders headed by Matthews, Wall and the ever-reliable Silvagni and a bunch of enthusiastic youngsters. They scrapped their way forward in blustery conditions not suited to good ball movement and regained the lead with an opportunist goal to Danny Hughes in the goal square followed by a Ryan Creed snap to go 13 points ahead. Ben MacReadie who was showing great endeavour chipped in with a left foot goal at the 22 minute mark and Simon Buckley's goal on siren from outside fifty metres capped off a fantastic half of football for the home team. The four goal lead was well earned by a team of players who kept their eyes on the ball and showed great courage. The game was still there to be won and the question was whether the Casey youngsters had the fitness and strength to match it with an experienced group that boasted a goal to goal line that could easily have represented Richmond earlier in the season. Grim defence was in order particularly in the first five minutes after half time when two goals were conceded to Coburg's Nick Liddle. The Scorps fought back with a great pass from Matthews to Waite for his second but it was tough going against the wind as defenders tried to lock the ball in packs. A free in the goal square to the Tigers narrowed the margin down to ten points by mid quarter and by the twenty minute mark the lead had been pegged back down to just three points. It was now time for Casey to dig deep into their resources. The loss of ruckmen Paul Johnson (injury replacement for Mark Jamar at Melbourne) and Tim Mohr to injury had hit Casey hard. Big Jake Spencer came into the side on the back of just one run in the reserves after missing over a month with injury and he was backed up by young Wylie who stands at 196 cm. Although beaten on the day they battled manfully against the Coburg giants and provided a good contest. The backs led by Wall, Peter Faulks and Silvagni and containing sturdy defender James Taylor and unheralded youngsters in MacReadie and Glenn Chivers held firm. Stockdale seemed to be everywhere drifting back and forward and the Scorpions pushed forward for a Pierce Liddle goal late in the term giving them a handy eight point buffer coming home with the wind. The final half hour fittingly belonged to Casey as the visitors were shut down to a single point just before the final siren while the Scorpions added two more goals to Waite and one each to Hughes and Faulks. It was a tribute to the astute coaching of Peter German that his team defied the odds with unrelenting football to produce a memorable win for the club which still faces a tough month or so with mounting injuries and encounters with top four and finals aspirants still to come. HOW THE DEMONS FARED Melbourne's injury woes, the suspension of Colin Sylvia and the need to take Rohan Bail to Canberra as an emergency left only six players available for selection at Casey. Tom McNamara remained in the reserves after showing some frustration there last week on return from injury but Simon Buckley and Jake Spencer were rushed in on the back of limited preparation. Trent Zomer also came into the side after doing reserve duty for most of the season. That left rookie Danny Hughes as the only regular Casey playing Demon in the side while Robbo was there in body if not in spirit. Simon Buckley - ideally should have had another week at reserves level but aquitted himself well in the circumstances and got into the action kicking a beautiful long goal on the half time siren. Hopefully will have time and the fitness for another crack at AFL selection before the season ends. Danny Hughes - a good contribution from one of the team's big improvers who must be a chance for an AFL call up in coming weeks. Russell Robertson - his performance at Casey answered critics who claim that by dropping him the Demons are tanking. More is expected from a player who has had such an illustrious career at the club. Jake Spencer - in only his second game back from injury (and his first in the seniors) Spencer toiled hard in the conditions against two big men with ruck experience for Richmond this year. He's very raw and has a long learning curve ahead of him but looks a likely type for the future. Trent Zomer - apart from a briliant goal that will certainly make his personal highlights reel, Zomer had a minimal impact on a day not made for big men. Casey Scorpions 3.2.20 7.6.48 9.7.61 13.9.87 Coburg Tigers 2.5.17 3.6.24 7.11.53 7.12.54 Goals Casey Scorpions Waite 4 Hughes 2 Buckley Creed Faulks Liddle MacReadie Stockdale Zomer Coburg Tigers Liddle 3 Hughes Pettifer Raines Thomson Best Casey Scorpions MacReadie Stockdale Faulks Collins Waite Wall Coburg Tigers Rance Tuck Coughlan Polak Liddle Horne The undermanned Casey Reserves with a number of players lost to the senior team got off to a good start but were overwhelmed against the wind in the second quarter. They fought back in the second half but the windy conditions and a stronger Coburg outfit containing a few AFL listed players who kicked ten of their fifteen goals prevailed. Brad Sykes kicked four goals and Gareth Snow was best for the Scorpions. Casey Scorpions 7.3.45 7.5.47 12.7.79 13.7.85 Coburg Tigers 2.1.13 10.5.65 10.8.68 15.13.103 Goals Casey Scorpions Sykes 4 Clay 3 Williams 2 Dean Smith Tiberi Virtue Coburg Tigers Gourdis 5 Gilligan 3 Putt 2 Jordon 2 Bassi Kellett Morgan Best Casey Scorpions Snow Dean Clay Dearaugo Mildren Sykes Coburg Tigers Cattapan Jordon Putt Rayson Ambrose Gourdis

by KC from Casey When the Casey selectors sat down to pick a side for yesterday's round 15 game they had to contend with plenty of headaches. A spate of injuries had dramatically reduced the number of both AFL and VFL listed players available and the prospect of coming up with a revamped side augmented by inexperienced VFL listed players against a Coburg Tigers team replete with AFL footballers was a daunting one. In the end the selectors came up with eleven changes to the team that beat Collingwood last week including three first gamers (James Blaser, Wade Lees and TAC Cupper Chris Wiley from the Gippsland Falcons) in an already inexperienced lineup and in the circumstances, logic dictated that they would not come out with a win. But the Scorpions defied logic and triumphed by 33 points in a famous victory for the club that was a tribute to the self-belief of the players, their determination, some great leadership and inspired coaching. For Casey it was a case of simply refusing to allow the many changes to have an unsettling effect on them after their recent surge of strong wins had carried them into the top four. This self-confidence carried them through an opening quarter which saw them in front at the first break despite kicking against a strong northerly wind, a lead they held onto against a team with far greater experience in terms of age and senior games played. Once again the wind was a major factor but at least this time the ground was bathed in brilliant sunshine with the Scorpions kicking into the face of a strong northerly breeze at the start of the game. Despite the adverse conditions the hosts were able to draw first blood when a James Wall pass found full forward Ben Waite right in front of goal. The defence held on stoutly and it took a free kick and fifty metre penalty before it conceded its first goal for the game. Pocket dynamo Michael Stockdale chipped in with a goal after accepting a pass from hard working skipper Kyle Matthews, then Trent Zomer turned his opponent inside out with the goal of the day. Coburg momentarily took the lead early in the second quarter courtesy of yet another fifty metre penalty but the hosts regrouped thanks to their solid core of leaders headed by Matthews, Wall and the ever-reliable Silvagni and a bunch of enthusiastic youngsters. They scrapped their way forward in blustery conditions not suited to good ball movement and regained the lead with an opportunist goal to Danny Hughes in the goal square followed by a Ryan Creed snap to go 13 points ahead. Ben MacReadie who was showing great endeavour chipped in with a left foot goal at the 22 minute mark and Simon Buckley's goal on siren from outside fifty metres capped off a fantastic half of football for the home team. The four goal lead was well earned by a team of players who kept their eyes on the ball and showed great courage. The game was still there to be won and the question was whether the Casey youngsters had the fitness and strength to match it with an experienced group that boasted a goal to goal line that could easily have represented Richmond earlier in the season. Grim defence was in order particularly in the first five minutes after half time when two goals were conceded to Coburg's Nick Liddle. The Scorps fought back with a great pass from Matthews to Waite for his second but it was tough going against the wind as defenders tried to lock the ball in packs. A free in the goal square to the Tigers narrowed the margin down to ten points by mid quarter and by the twenty minute mark the lead had been pegged back down to just three points. It was now time for Casey to dig deep into their resources. The loss of ruckmen Paul Johnson (injury replacement for Mark Jamar at Melbourne) and Tim Mohr to injury had hit Casey hard. Big Jake Spencer came into the side on the back of just one run in the reserves after missing over a month with injury and he was backed up by young Wylie who stands at 196 cm. Although beaten on the day they battled manfully against the Coburg giants and provided a good contest. The backs led by Wall, Peter Faulks and Silvagni and containing sturdy defender James Taylor and unheralded youngsters in MacReadie and Glenn Chivers held firm. Stockdale seemed to be everywhere drifting back and forward and the Scorpions pushed forward for a Pierce Liddle goal late in the term giving them a handy eight point buffer coming home with the wind. The final half hour fittingly belonged to Casey as the visitors were shut down to a single point just before the final siren while the Scorpions added two more goals to Waite and one each to Hughes and Faulks. It was a tribute to the astute coaching of Peter German that his team defied the odds with unrelenting football to produce a memorable win for the club which still faces a tough month or so with mounting injuries and encounters with top four and finals aspirants still to come. HOW THE DEMONS FARED Melbourne's injury woes, the suspension of Colin Sylvia and the need to take Rohan Bail to Canberra as an emergency left only six players available for selection at Casey. Tom McNamara remained in the reserves after showing some frustration there last week on return from injury but Simon Buckley and Jake Spencer were rushed in on the back of limited preparation. Trent Zomer also came into the side after doing reserve duty for most of the season. That left rookie Danny Hughes as the only regular Casey playing Demon in the side while Robbo was there in body if not in spirit. Simon Buckley - ideally should have had another week at reserves level but aquitted himself well in the circumstances and got into the action kicking a beautiful long goal on the half time siren. Hopefully will have time and the fitness for another crack at AFL selection before the season ends. Danny Hughes - a good contribution from one of the team's big improvers who must be a chance for an AFL call up in coming weeks. Russell Robertson - his performance at Casey answered critics who claim that by dropping him the Demons are tanking. More is expected from a player who has had such an illustrious career at the club. Jake Spencer - in only his second game back from injury (and his first in the seniors) Spencer toiled hard in the conditions against two big men with ruck experience for Richmond this year. He's very raw and has a long learning curve ahead of him but looks a likely type for the future. Trent Zomer - apart from a briliant goal that will certainly make his personal highlights reel, Zomer had a minimal impact on a day not made for big men. Casey Scorpions 3.2.20 7.6.48 9.7.61 13.9.87 Coburg Tigers 2.5.17 3.6.24 7.11.53 7.12.54 Goals Casey Scorpions Waite 4 Hughes 2 Buckley Creed Faulks Liddle MacReadie Stockdale Zomer Coburg Tigers Liddle 3 Hughes Pettifer Raines Thomson Best Casey Scorpions MacReadie Stockdale Faulks Collins Waite Wall Coburg Tigers Rance Tuck Coughlan Polak Liddle Horne The undermanned Casey Reserves with a number of players lost to the senior team got off to a good start but were overwhelmed against the wind in the second quarter. They fought back in the second half but the windy conditions and a stronger Coburg outfit containing a few AFL listed players who kicked ten of their fifteen goals prevailed. Brad Sykes kicked four goals and Gareth Snow was best for the Scorpions. Casey Scorpions 7.3.45 7.5.47 12.7.79 13.7.85 Coburg Tigers 2.1.13 10.5.65 10.8.68 15.13.103 Goals Casey Scorpions Sykes 4 Clay 3 Williams 2 Dean Smith Tiberi Virtue Coburg Tigers Gourdis 5 Gilligan 3 Putt 2 Jordon 2 Bassi Kellett Morgan Best Casey Scorpions Snow Dean Clay Dearaugo Mildren Sykes Coburg Tigers Cattapan Jordon Putt Rayson Ambrose Gourdis

by JVM No AFL team has ever comfortably fitted into the national capital and I don't really have an explanation for this other than to speculate that a city full of politicians, career diplomats and bureaucrats is never going to ignite passion for the game. Years ago, our brand of football reigned in Canberra. It even produced a true champion in Alex Jesaulenko. Then Rugby League took the initiative with the Canberra Raiders and our game took a back seat. The AFL briefly experimented with Fitzroy which was already in its death throes, followed by the Kangaroos, the Bulldogs and finally the Demons. There's an obvious common thread there and the guarantee of $300k for a struggling club is very tempting even if the powers that be throw in the strong Sydney Swans from up the road to draw in a crowd. Now the AFL is said to be considering a different tack by including the capital as part of the power base for the new club playing out of West Sydney. In recent years, the prospect of hosting Sydney at Manuka has spoiled the party for the supposed "home side". Melbourne has been thrashed in both of its fixtures against Paul Roos' team, the past four encounters have seen the Swans win by an average of 42 points and, until recently, popular opinion suggested a threepeat was very much on the cards. The Demons haven't been all that flash on the road either having lost their last 18 games interstate since beating the Lions in the halcyon days of 2006 (round 14). But Sydney ain't Sydney any more. The Swans are on the decline and even the "home" ground advantage of a game at the nearby national capital is no longer what it used to be. They were thrashed there earlier in the season by the Doggies. They've lost their goal kicking machine - the man who threw fear (and the odd cut lunch) into opposition defenders, old Micky O is retiring and has lost it anyway and injuries are starting to kick in. Roos was once able to command control of games tactically but he no longer has the cattle. This time, the Swans are ripe for the picking. THE GAME Melbourne v Sydney at the Manuka Oval Sunday 26 July 2009 at 1.10pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 91 wins Sydney 108 wins 1 draw At Manuka Melbourne 0 wins Sydney 2 wins Since 2000 Melbourne 6 wins Sydney 11 wins The Coaches Bailey 0 Roos 1 MEDIA TV Fox Footy Channel at 1 pm (live) RADIO ABC774 SEN THE BETTING Melbourne to win $2.40 - Sydney to win $1.53 LAST TIME THEY MET Sydney Swans 17.12.114 defeated Melbourne 11.8.74 at Manuka in Round 13, 2008 The Swans, with Barry Hall running rampant, got the early jump on the Dees and led by around five goals at each of the first two breaks. Matthew Bate and Austin Wonaeamirri put Melbourne back in the game in the third term and the deficit at three quarter time was pared back to 17 points before the Swans, mainly through Hall (5 goals) and Kirk too control. Bate finished with four goals and was Melbourne's best THE TEAMS MELBOURNE Backs Lynden Dunn Matthew Warnock James Frawley Half backs Brent Moloney Jared Rivers Cameron Bruce Centreline Clint Bartram James McDonald Aaron Davey Half forwards Jamie Bennell Michael Newton Cale Morton Forwards Brad Miller Matthew Bate Liam Jurrah Followers Stefan Martin Ricky Petterd Nathan Jones Interchange (from) Rohan Bail Kyle Cheney Neville Jetta Paul Johnson Jordie McKenzie Shane Valenti Matthew Whelan In Rohan Bail Kyle Cheney Paul Johnson Jordie McKenzie Brad Miller Michael Newton Shane Valenti Matthew Whelan Out Jack Grimes (back) Brad Green (scaphoid) Mark Jamar (quad) Brock McLean (knee) Russell Robertson New Rohan Bail (Mt Gravatt) Jordie McKenzie (Geelong Falcons) SYDNEY Backs Ed Barlow Lewis Roberts-Thomson Craig Bolton Half backs Rhyce Shaw Heath Grundy Martin Mattner Centreline Nick Smith Brett Kirk Jarrad McVeigh Half forwards Ryan O'Keefe Adam Goodes Luke Ablett Forwards Jesse White Michael O'Loughlin Daniel Hannebery Followers Darren Jolly Kieran Jack Jude Bolton Interchange (from) Paul Bevan Craig Bird Amon Buchanan Jarred Moore Michael Pyke Kristin Thornton Patrick Veszpremi In Amon Buchanan Jarred Moore Michael Pyke Kristin Thornton Out Ted Richards (chest) SWAN SONG There is a school of thought which maintains that Sydney can still make the finals but those who hold this view must have been on vacation and missed the last quarter of their game at Etihad Stadium last week when Carlton turned a 9 point lead into a 61 point mauling. By way of contrast, the Demons' form against Geelong at Skilled Stadium was quite reasonable. It's true that they also had their one bad quarter when the Cats had the advantage of the wind when it was at its strongest but the Dees never capitulated like the Swans. This week they will relish a return to a game where the opposition pressure will be far less intense. Much will depend on the battle in the midfield and upon the Demons' ability to contain Adam Goodes. The Brownlow Medallist doesn't really appreciate close checking and Lynden Dunn is just the man to match up on him. He has been known to harass and annoy the living suitcases out of opposition playmakers. He can run with them and get his own ball as well. Melbourne has been hit hard by the injury and in particular to ruckman Mark Jamar, a big improver since returning to the side, but Paul Johnson has been killing them at Casey and should prove an adequate replacement. Together with Stef Martin, he should overcome Darren Jolly and give midfielders like the in form Brent Moloney, the run machine of Aaron Davey, hardnosed Nathan Jones and skipper James McDonald a platform with which to set up a win. The experience of Cam Bruce who is in good form should help tip the scales in favour of their team. The Demon defence led by Matty Warnock, James Frawley and Jared Rivers will greatly appreciate the absence of a huge power forward in the opposition line up and frankly, I can't see where the Swans can kick a winning score. Nor can I see the Swans' depleted backline in the absence of Ted Richards stopping the Melbourne forward line. Who do they have to curb the magical talents of the Warlpiri Wizard? And watch out for Brad Miller and Michael Newton who have been biding their time kicking goals and regaining their confidence at Casey. The Demons have been down for far too long. Against a team that is on its last legs and looking down the barrel of a number of barren years they should finally break their Manuka hoodoo. Melbourne by 27 points.

RIPE FOR THE PICKING by JVM No AFL team has ever comfortably fitted into the national capital and I don't really have an explanation for this other than to speculate that a city full of politicians, career diplomats and bureaucrats is never going to ignite passion for the game. Years ago, our brand of football reigned in Canberra. It even produced a true champion in Alex Jesaulenko. Then Rugby League took the initiative with the Canberra Raiders and our game took a back seat. The AFL briefly experimented with Fitzroy which was already in its death throes, followed by the Kangaroos, the Bulldogs and finally the Demons. There's an obvious common thread there and the guarantee of $300k for a struggling club is very tempting even if the powers that be throw in the strong Sydney Swans from up the road to draw in a crowd. Now the AFL is said to be considering a different tack by including the capital as part of the power base for the new club playing out of West Sydney. In recent years, the prospect of hosting Sydney at Manuka has spoiled the party for the supposed "home side". Melbourne has been thrashed in both of its fixtures against Paul Roos' team, the past four encounters have seen the Swans win by an average of 42 points and, until recently, popular opinion suggested a threepeat was very much on the cards. The Demons haven't been all that flash on the road either having lost their last 18 games interstate since beating the Lions in the halcyon days of 2006 (round 14). But Sydney ain't Sydney any more. The Swans are on the decline and even the "home" ground advantage of a game at the nearby national capital is no longer what it used to be. They were thrashed there earlier in the season by the Doggies. They've lost their goal kicking machine - the man who threw fear (and the odd cut lunch) into opposition defenders, old Micky O is retiring and has lost it anyway and injuries are starting to kick in. Roos was once able to command control of games tactically but he no longer has the cattle. This time, the Swans are ripe for the picking. THE GAME Melbourne v Sydney at the Manuka Oval Sunday 26 July 2009 at 1.10pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 91 wins Sydney 108 wins 1 draw At Manuka Melbourne 0 wins Sydney 2 wins Since 2000 Melbourne 6 wins Sydney 11 wins The Coaches Bailey 0 Roos 1 MEDIA TV Fox Footy Channel at 1 pm (live) RADIO ABC774 SEN THE BETTING Melbourne to win $2.40 - Sydney to win $1.53 LAST TIME THEY MET Sydney Swans 17.12.114 defeated Melbourne 11.8.74 at Manuka in Round 13, 2008 The Swans, with Barry Hall running rampant, got the early jump on the Dees and led by around five goals at each of the first two breaks. Matthew Bate and Austin Wonaeamirri put Melbourne back in the game in the third term and the deficit at three quarter time was pared back to 17 points before the Swans, mainly through Hall (5 goals) and Kirk too control. Bate finished with four goals and was Melbourne's best THE TEAMS MELBOURNE Backs Lynden Dunn Matthew Warnock Matthew Whelan Half backs Brent Moloney Jared Rivers Cameron Bruce Centreline Clint Bartram James McDonald Aaron Davey Half forwards Jamie Bennell Michael Newton Cale Morton Forwards Brad Miller Matthew Bate Liam Jurrah Followers Stefan Martin Ricky Petterd Nathan Jones Interchange Kyle Cheney Paul Johnson Jordie McKenzie Shane Valenti Emergencies Rohan Bail Simon Buckley Jake Spencer In Kyle Cheney Paul Johnson Jordie McKenzie Brad Miller Michael Newton Shane Valenti Matthew Whelan Out Jack Grimes (back) James Frawley (back) Brad Green (scaphoid) Mark Jamar (quad) Neville Jetta (flu) Brock McLean (knee) Russell Robertson New Jordie McKenzie (Geelong Falcons) SYDNEY Backs Ed Barlow Lewis Roberts-Thomson Craig Bolton Half backs Rhyce Shaw Heath Grundy Martin Mattner Centreline Nick Smith Brett Kirk Jarrad McVeigh Half forwards Ryan O'Keefe Adam Goodes Luke Ablett Forwards Jesse White Michael O'Loughlin Daniel Hannebery Followers Darren Jolly Kieran Jack Jude Bolton Interchange Amon Buchanan Jarred Moore Michael Pyke Kristin Thornton Emergencies Paul Bevan Craig Bird Patrick Veszpremi In Amon Buchanan Jarred Moore Michael Pyke Kristin Thornton Out Paul Bevan Craig Bird Ted Richards (chest) Patrick Veszpremi SWAN SONG There is a school of thought which maintains that Sydney can still make the finals but those who hold this view must have been on vacation and missed the last quarter of their game at Etihad Stadium last week when Carlton turned a 9 point lead into a 61 point mauling. By way of contrast, the Demons' form against Geelong at Skilled Stadium was quite reasonable. It's true that they also had their one bad quarter when the Cats had the advantage of the wind when it was at its strongest but the Dees never capitulated like the Swans. This week they will relish a return to a game where the opposition pressure will be far less intense. Much will depend on the battle in the midfield and upon the Demons' ability to contain Adam Goodes. The Brownlow Medallist doesn't really appreciate close checking and Lynden Dunn is just the man to match up on him. He has been known to harass and annoy the living suitcases out of opposition playmakers. He can run with them and get his own ball as well. Melbourne has been hit hard by the injury and in particular to ruckman Mark Jamar, a big improver since returning to the side, but Paul Johnson has been killing them at Casey and should prove an adequate replacement. Together with Stef Martin, he should overcome Darren Jolly and give midfielders like the in form Brent Moloney, the run machine of Aaron Davey, hardnosed Nathan Jones and skipper James McDonald a platform with which to set up a win. The experience of Cam Bruce who is in good form should help tip the scales in favour of their team. The Demon defence led by Matty Warnock, James Frawley and Jared Rivers will greatly appreciate the absence of a huge power forward in the opposition line up and frankly, I can't see where the Swans can kick a winning score. Nor can I see the Swans' depleted backline in the absence of Ted Richards stopping the Melbourne forward line. Who do they have to curb the magical talents of the Warlpiri Wizard? And watch out for Brad Miller and Michael Newton who have been biding their time kicking goals and regaining their confidence at Casey. The Demons have been down for far too long. Against a team that is on its last legs and looking down the barrel of a number of barren years they should finally break their Manuka hoodoo. Melbourne by 27 points.

Last time Melbourne played Sydney was at Manuka in June, 2008. We were walloped but Barry Hall was the star for the Swans. MELBOURNE Backs James McDonald Colin Garland Matthew Warnock Half backs Brad Green Paul Wheatley Cameron Bruce Centreline Colin Sylvia Brock McLean Lynden Dunn Half forwards Jace Bode Matthew Bate Aaron Davey Forwards Paul Johnson Brad Miller Austin Wonaeamirri Followers Jeff White Clint Bartram Nathan Jones Interchange James Frawley Mark Jamar Chris Johnson Matthew Whelan Emergencies Cale Morton Shane Valenti Adem Yze In Mark Jamar Matthew Whelan Out Cale Morton Adem Yze (both omitted) SYDNEY SWANS Backs Nick Malceski Leo Barry Martin Mattner Half backs Craig Bolton Ted Richards Tadhg Kennelly Centreline Adam Goodes Jarrad McVeigh Amon Buchanan Half forwards Ryan O'Keefe Barry Hall Luke Ablett Forwards Paul Bevan Michael O'Loughlin Lewis Roberts-Thomson Followers Darren Jolly Brett Kirk Jude Bolton Interchange Craig Bird Kieren Jack Jarred Moore Henry Playfair Emergencies Luke Brennan Nic Fosdike Ben Mathews No change

CASEY KILLS COLLINGWOOD by KC from Casey The Casey Scorpions removed yet another monkey off their backs on Saturday when they returned to the scene where they suffered a thrashing at the hands of Sandringham and turned it all around by walloping Collingwood by 62 points. The Magpies were playing their home game at Trevor Barker Beach Oval due to the unavailability of Visy Park but they never managed to cope with the small ground or the blustery conditions. Their team was chock full of AFL listed players against Casey's six senior Demon listers and three rookies but even that did not help them with the Scorpion VFL contingent continuing to blossom as the alignment strengthens. Casey had first use of the strong breeze and goaled with their first foray up forward when Matty Whelan anticipated well and marked twenty metres out. This was followed by a nice snap through Ryan McGough before the Pies tightened up and started to employ am 18 man flood in their defence. The two Kyles, Matthews and Cheney and Shane Valenti were going in hard and finding conditions to their liking. A long impasse full of ugly defensive footy was snapped by a long goal from ruckman Tim Mohr but Collingwood fought back against the run of play with their first major. A late reply from Nick Scanlon was handy but there was concern in the Scorpion camp that their 23 point quarter time lead was not enough. Collingwood attacked strongly with the wind but was extremely wasteful in front of the goal kicking point after point so that it took until almost halfway through the quarter to bridge the gap to 2 goals. At that points change came over the game. With Paul Johnson dominant in the ruck and Jordie McKenzie, Matthews and Valenti winning at the stoppages, Casey shrugged off the Magpies. Miller and Newton both took strong marks in front goal, the latter after a perfect pass from Jack Watts and suddenly the Scorpions were in control. Another to Hughes before the bell and it was a comfortable 28 point half time lead. Collingwood came out full of running and drew first blood but Michael Stockdale answered and then a withering burst of three goals from Newton iced the game and the Scorpions went into the final break 52 points in front. Casey had broken the back of the Magpies' resistance and despite the wind, they managed to win the final quarter with goals from Stockdale, Matthews, David Collins and 17 year old David Donchi the TAC Cupper from the Gippsland Falcons to run out easy 62 point winners. The ABC Man of the Match Award was awarded to a worthy winner in Kyle Matthews for another courageous four quarter performance as the skipper of the winning team. HOW THE DEMONS FARED Kyle Cheney - went hard at the ball from the very start, marked and tackled strongly and very persistent at half back. Disposal a little patchy at times. 15 kicks 10 handballs 8 marks 5 tackles Danny Hughes - freed to play in a couple of positions and has impressed with the improvement in his play around the ground this year. 12 kicks 4 handballs 7 marks 1 tackle 2 score assists 1 hit out 2 goals 1 behind Paul Johnson - dominated the ruck duels and was handy around the ground. 12 kicks 5 handballs 1 mark 1 tackle 1 score assist 40 hit outs Jordie McKenzie - hard, in and under extractor of the ball out of the stoppages. Played an important role in establishing his team's midfield dominance. 11 kicks 17 handballs 4 marks 3 tackles 1 score assist Brad Miller - on a tough day for key position players Miller showed out with his strength but kicking for goal in the swirly conditions let him down. 8 kicks 12 handballs 5 marks 1 tackle 1 score assist, 1 hit out 1 goal 4 behinds Michael Newton - worked hard to create opportunities on the forward line in trying conditions. Put the game beyond doubt with three goals in a short space of time in the third quarter 10 kicks 2 handballs 6 marks 3 tackles 4 hit outs 4 goals 1 behind Shane Valenti - relished the conditions and the return to his old stamping ground. Ran hard all day. 13 kicks 12 handballs 2 marks 5 tackles 3 score assists 2 behinds Jack Watts - played on a wing and went back into defence and although he didn't show out as much as some of the others he showed exquisite skills in the conditions, the highlight being a magnificent pass to Brad Miller against the wind in the second term. 8 kicks 7 handballs 1 mark 3 tackles 1 score assist 1 hit out Matthew Whelan - quite in the first half after the opening goal but showed his class in the second half. 9 kicks 10 handballs 4 marks 3 tackles 2 score assists 1 goal Casey Scorpions 4.5.29 7.6.48 11.14.80 16.19.115 Collingwood 1.0.6 2.8.20 3.10.28 7.11.53 Goals Casey Scorpions Newton 4 Hughes Stockdale 2 Collins Donchi McGough Matthews Miller Mohr Scanlon Whelan Collingwood Bryan 3 Cooke Dawes Reed Sidebottom Best Casey Scorpions Matthews McKenzie Valenti Johnson Wall Newton Collingwood Cook Keefe Reed Blight Clarke Sidebottom PETER GERMAN'S REPORT The Casey Reserves went down in a thriller to a more accurate Coburg side at Coburg on Sunday. Dean and Lees kicked three each and NT Under 18 star Pierce Liddle was Casey's best. Casey Scorpions 5.6.36 5.7.37 12.12.84 13.12.90 Coburg Tigers 1.0.6 7.3.45 10.3.63 14.7.91 Goals Casey Scorpions Dean Lees 3 Zomer 2 Clay Hillberge McLeod Terry Waite Coburg Tigers Gilligan 4 De Sousa 3 Abdallah 2 Bassi Kandilakis McErlain Putt Saville Best Casey Scorpions Liddle Dean Snow Costigan Lees McLeod Coburg Tigers Jordon Abadallah McQuilken Gilligan Kandilakis

by KC from Casey The Casey Scorpions removed yet another monkey off their backs on Saturday when they returned to the scene where they suffered a thrashing at the hands of Sandringham and turned it all around by walloping Collingwood by 62 points. The Magpies were playing their home game at Trevor Barker Beach Oval due to the unavailability of Visy Park but they never managed to cope with the small ground or the blustery conditions. Their team was chock full of AFL listed players against Casey's six senior Demon listers and three rookies but even that did not help them with the Scorpion VFL contingent continuing to blossom as the alignment strengthens. Casey had first use of the strong breeze and goaled with their first foray up forward when Matty Whelan anticipated well and marked twenty metres out. This was followed by a nice snap through Ryan McGough before the Pies tightened up and started to employ am 18 man flood in their defence. The two Kyles, Matthews and Cheney and Shane Valenti were going in hard and finding conditions to their liking. A long impasse full of ugly defensive footy was snapped by a long goal from ruckman Tim Mohr but Collingwood fought back against the run of play with their first major. A late reply from Nick Scanlon was handy but there was concern in the Scorpion camp that their 23 point quarter time lead was not enough. Collingwood attacked strongly with the wind but was extremely wasteful in front of the goal kicking point after point so that it took until almost halfway through the quarter to bridge the gap to 2 goals. At that points change came over the game. With Paul Johnson dominant in the ruck and Jordie McKenzie, Matthews and Valenti winning at the stoppages, Casey shrugged off the Magpies. Miller and Newton both took strong marks in front goal, the latter after a perfect pass from Jack Watts and suddenly the Scorpions were in control. Another to Hughes before the bell and it was a comfortable 28 point half time lead. Collingwood came out full of running and drew first blood but Michael Stockdale answered and then a withering burst of three goals from Newton iced the game and the Scorpions went into the final break 52 points in front. Casey had broken the back of the Magpies' resistance and despite the wind, they managed to win the final quarter with goals from Stockdale, Matthews, David Collins and 17 year old David Donchi the TAC Cupper from the Gippsland Falcons to run out easy 62 point winners. The ABC Man of the Match Award was awarded to a worthy winner in Kyle Matthews for another courageous four quarter performance as the skipper of the winning team. HOW THE DEMONS FARED Kyle Cheney - went hard at the ball from the very start, marked and tackled strongly and very persistent at half back. Disposal a little patchy at times. 15 kicks 10 handballs 8 marks 5 tackles Danny Hughes - freed to play in a couple of positions and has impressed with the improvement in his play around the ground this year. 12 kicks 4 handballs 7 marks 1 tackle 2 score assists 1 hit out 2 goals 1 behind Paul Johnson - dominated the ruck duels and was handy around the ground. 12 kicks 5 handballs 1 mark 1 tackle 1 score assist 40 hit outs Jordie McKenzie - hard, in and under extractor of the ball out of the stoppages. Played an important role in establishing his team's midfield dominance. 11 kicks 17 handballs 4 marks 3 tackles 1 score assist Brad Miller - on a tough day for key position players Miller showed out with his strength but kicking for goal in the swirly conditions let him down. 8 kicks 12 handballs 5 marks 1 tackle 1 score assist, 1 hit out 1 goal 4 behinds Michael Newton - worked hard to create opportunities on the forward line in trying conditions. Put the game beyond doubt with three goals in a short space of time in the third quarter 10 kicks 2 handballs 6 marks 3 tackles 4 hit outs 4 goals 1 behind Shane Valenti - relished the conditions and the return to his old stamping ground. Ran hard all day. 13 kicks 12 handballs 2 marks 5 tackles 3 score assists 2 behinds Jack Watts - played on a wing and went back into defence and although he didn't show out as much as some of the others he showed exquisite skills in the conditions, the highlight being a magnificent pass to Brad Miller against the wind in the second term. 8 kicks 7 handballs 1 mark 3 tackles 1 score assist 1 hit out Matthew Whelan - quite in the first half after the opening goal but showed his class in the second half. 9 kicks 10 handballs 4 marks 3 tackles 2 score assists 1 goal Casey Scorpions 4.5.29 7.6.48 11.14.80 16.19.115 Collingwood 1.0.6 2.8.20 3.10.28 7.11.53 Goals Casey Scorpions Newton 4 Hughes Stockdale 2 Collins Donchi McGough Matthews Miller Mohr Scanlon Whelan Collingwood Bryan 3 Cooke Dawes Reed Sidebottom Best Casey Scorpions Matthews McKenzie Valenti Johnson Wall Newton Collingwood Cook Keefe Reed Blight Clarke Sidebottom PETER GERMAN'S REPORT The Casey Reserves went down in a thriller to a more accurate Coburg side at Coburg on Sunday. Dean and Lees kicked three each and NT Under 18 star Pierce Liddle was Casey's best. Casey Scorpions 5.6.36 5.7.37 12.12.84 13.12.90 Coburg Tigers 1.0.6 7.3.45 10.3.63 14.7.91 Goals Casey Scorpions Dean Lees 3 Zomer 2 Clay Hillberge McLeod Terry Waite Coburg Tigers Gilligan 4 De Sousa 3 Abdallah 2 Bassi Kandilakis McErlain Putt Saville Best Casey Scorpions Liddle Dean Snow Costigan Lees McLeod Coburg Tigers Jordon Abadallah McQuilken Gilligan Kandilakis

by the Oracle Melbourne travelled to Skilled Stadium to take on an out of form Geelong in the hope of extending its winning run to three on Saturday but soon discovered that life wasn't meant to be so easy. The Cats had their first win of the day when Demon captain James McDonald lost the toss at the start of the game giving the home team the opportunity of kicking first to the Colac end which was aided by a strong breeze. Bouyed by the return of no less than six of its top players and determined to celebrate the 150th birthday in better fashion than its opponent did last year, Geelong went to work on making amends for its fortnight of failures (and its ridiculously swanky anniversary guernsey) with Joel Selwood posting the first goal inside 90 seconds. That was about ten times as long as it took Garry Ablett to perform the same feat when they met at the MCG earlier in the season but the point had been made. You don't mess around with this mob and a dominant seven goals to nil opening term burst (20 inside 50's to 5) was testimony to that fact. The Demons of last year might have caved in when down by as much as 44 points at quarter time but they showed they had some resolve and a willingness to fight when they booted the first three goals of the second term to narrow the margin to 29 points. The Cats regrouped and showed that it was possible to kick goals into the wind but they did concede a win to their visitors who outscored them by a point for the term. This was largely due to the effectiveness in the ruck of Mark Jamar, having his best season, and up and comer Stef Martin which resulted in the Demons winning more than their share of the clearances where Ricky Petterd and the skipper were doing well. Problematic however, was the fact that they simply were not nearly as effective in their disposal as their opponents, not to mention the skill errors that returned in profusion this week. The returning Cats Gary Ablett, Matthew Scarlett, Andrew Mackie, Travis Varcoe, Cameron Ling and Darren Milburn were all massive contributors to their improved performance this week. Ablett finished with 40 disposals, Scarlett racked up 30 - an incredible effort from a full back - to shut out Russell Robertson, Ling restricted Brock McLean to seven possessions, Varcoe was a pest near goal and Mackie and Miburn defended tightly. The whole of the second half was pretty much junk time with the presure well and truly off. Geelong coasted and Melbourne tried hard to prevent a blow out and thanks to the efforts of Brent Moloney, Brad Green, Petterd and Jack Grimes the final margin was restricted to a mere 46 points. A special mention should go to Jared Rivers who held Cam Mooney goaless which was assisted to some extent by the big hairy Cat's inaccuracy in front of goal. After a week of strident debate about teams tanking it was gratifying to hear from AFL head honcho who pronounced unequivocably that the practice doesn't exist (well at least on this side of the Nullarbor). This has saved the Demons from that accusation this week and, judging by the way their next opponent, Sydney, collapsed in the final quarter yesterday against a far less superior opponent, there's a fair chance that the tanking issue will finally be laid to rest. Unless of course ... Melbourne 0.2.2 3.2.20 7.3.45 11.5.71 Geelong 7.4.46 9.9.63 14.13.97 17.15.117 Goals Melbourne Bate Morton 3 Jurrah 2 Dunn Moloney Petterd Geelong Stokes 3 Ablett Hogan Mackie Varcoe 2 Byrnes Chapman Hawkins Selwood Taylor Tenace Best Melbourne Moloney Green Petterd Grimes Rivers Frawley Geelong Selwood Ablett Scarlett Ling Chapman Milburn Enright Injuries - nil Changes Melbourne Paul Wheatley (quad) replaced by Jamie Bennell Geelong Tom Harley (knee) replaced by Tom Gillies Reports - nil Umpires Kennedy Stewart Kamolins Crowd 21,160 at Skilled Stadium

And Beamer's making a big challenge ... 95.262 Aaron Davey 85.760 Brent Moloney 54.240 Cameron Bruce 53.702 Brock McLean 43.966 Cale Morton 42.055 Colin Sylvia 40.383 Jack Grimes 40.272 Nathan Jones 38.121 James Frawley 37.985 Brad Green 31.414 Mark Jamar 28.123 Ricky Petterd 24.087 Matthew Warnock 19.408 Brad Miller 17.695 Jared Rivers 12.435 Matthew Bate 12.420 Paul Johnson 11.856 Liam Jurrah 10.711 Stefan Martin 10.053 Kyle Cheney 9.952 Addam Maric 8.827 Jamie Bennell 8.015 Clint Bartram 6.535 Neville Jetta 6.126 Russell Robertson 3.333 James McDonald 1.789 Lynden Dunn 0.613 John Meesen

NOT SO EASY by the Oracle Melbourne travelled to Skilled Stadium to take on an out of form Geelong in the hope of extending its winning run to three on Saturday but soon discovered that life wasn't meant to be so easy. The Cats had their first win of the day when Demon captain James McDonald lost the toss at the start of the game giving the home team the opportunity of kicking first to the Colac end which was aided by a strong breeze. Bouyed by the return of no less than six of its top players and determined to celebrate the 150th birthday in better fashion than its opponent did last year, Geelong went to work on making amends for its fortnight of failures (and its ridiculously swanky anniversary guernsey) with Joel Selwood posting the first goal inside 90 seconds. That was about ten times as long as it took Garry Ablett to perform the same feat when they met at the MCG earlier in the season but the point had been made. You don't mess around with this mob and a dominant seven goals to nil opening term burst (20 inside 50's to 5) was testimony to that fact. The Demons of last year might have caved in when down by as much as 44 points at quarter time but they showed they had some resolve and a willingness to fight when they booted the first three goals of the second term to narrow the margin to 29 points. The Cats regrouped and showed that it was possible to kick goals into the wind but they did concede a win to their visitors who outscored them by a point for the term. This was largely due to the effectiveness in the ruck of Mark Jamar, having his best season, and up and comer Stef Martin which resulted in the Demons winning more than their share of the clearances where Ricky Petterd and the skipper were doing well. Problematic however, was the fact that they simply were not nearly as effective in their disposal as their opponents, not to mention the skill errors that returned in profusion this week. The returning Cats Gary Ablett, Matthew Scarlett, Andrew Mackie, Travis Varcoe, Cameron Ling and Darren Milburn were all massive contributors to their improved performance this week. Ablett finished with 40 disposals, Scarlett racked up 30 - an incredible effort from a full back - to shut out Russell Robertson, Ling restricted Brock McLean to seven possessions, Varcoe was a pest near goal and Mackie and Miburn defended tightly. The whole of the second half was pretty much junk time with the presure well and truly off. Geelong coasted and Melbourne tried hard to prevent a blow out and thanks to the efforts of Brent Moloney, Brad Green, Petterd and Jack Grimes the final margin was restricted to a mere 46 points. A special mention should go to Jared Rivers who held Cam Mooney goaless which was assisted to some extent by the big hairy Cat's inaccuracy in front of goal. After a week of strident debate about teams tanking it was gratifying to hear from AFL head honcho who pronounced unequivocably that the practice doesn't exist (well at least on this side of the Nullarbor). This has saved the Demons from that accusation this week and, judging by the way their next opponent, Sydney, collapsed in the final quarter yesterday against a far less superior opponent, there's a fair chance that the tanking issue will finally be laid to rest. Unless of course ... Melbourne 0.2.2 3.2.20 7.3.45 11.5.71 Geelong 7.4.46 9.9.63 14.13.97 17.15.117 Goals Melbourne Bate Morton 3 Jurrah 2 Dunn Moloney Petterd Geelong Stokes 3 Ablett Hogan Mackie Varcoe 2 Byrnes Chapman Hawkins Selwood Taylor Tenace Best Melbourne Moloney Green Petterd Grimes Rivers Frawley Geelong Selwood Ablett Scarlett Ling Chapman Milburn Enright Injuries - nil Changes Melbourne Paul Wheatley (quad) replaced by Jamie Bennell Geelong Tom Harley (knee) replaced by Tom Gillies Reports - nil Umpires Kennedy Stewart Kamolins Crowd 21,160 at Skilled Stadium

Your votes please ... 6,5,4,3,2,1

Here's WJ's report THE NIGHT OF THE LONG JOURNEY. WJ tells me that Pates from Demonland was there and took photos. Hopefully, he can work out the technology necessary to get them onto the website.

THE NIGHT OF THE LONG JOURNEY by Whispering Jack Paul Kelly (the singer not the footballer) sings a song entitled "From Little Things Big Things Grow". The song itself tells a story of great historical significance for this country but its basic message is what brought me to The Long Room of the Melbourne Cricket Club on Thursday 16 July 2009 where, on behalf of Demonland and together with Judee of Demonology, we presented the jumper to Liam Jurrah that he wore a month before when he made his debut for the Melbourne Football Club against Essendon. It was truly The Night of the Long Journey. The Long Journey was an evening put together by the Women of Melbourne to honour Melbourne's indigenous footballers. The story of the jumper began when Luke Scholes, a mad keen Demon fan and a resident of Alice Springs who posts on both Demonland and Demonology as "The Fork", discovered that the jumper was being auctioned off on the internet. The Fork posted on both sites initially in the hope getting about 30 people to fork up (pun intended) about $20.00 each to help make a bid in order to get the jumper back to the people of Liam's community at Yuendumu which is 297 kilometres north west of Alice Springs. Well, the whole thing snowballed, the bids kept coming in and a movement began which included co-operation with the Mount Theo programme run by Susie Low and which closely works with Liam's community. We ended up with the winning bid of $3,100 which was the highest amount ever fetched for a guernsey on the club's auction website. It even pipped the bid that secured David Neitz's 300th game guernsey. And that's not all because the donations have kept flowing in ever since, even from people who have never previously posted on the sites. I understand that about $5,000.00 has been collected to date. So it came to pass that Judee and I handed over the number 48 guernsey to Liam who, in turn, passed it on to two beautiful ladies - his grandmother Cecily and Susie Low who told of how it will have pride of place in the Mount Theo office where it will stand as an inspiration for the young of the community to assist them in taking their long journeys in life whether they be at home or in far away places like Melbourne. Susie described Liam as a perfect role model and said the community was proud of what he has achieved. She also thanked the internet community and especially Luke, The Fork, whose brainchild – a little thing like starting simple threads on two internet sites – grew into the big thing that made it all possible. Also people like our own Rudeboy (despite being a Collingwood supporter) who from the start mentored Liam in Melbourne, posts on our site and thinks Melbourne is the right club and the right place for our new hero! Grandmother Cecily spoke in both her mother tongue and in English of how proud she was of her grandson who co-incidentally was this week's NAB Rising Star Award winner. The whole room was immersed in the same pride – not just for our Warlpiri Wizard as Liam prefers to be referred to but also for all of our growing indigenous crew. Another of the evening's highlights was Lynette Jetta, mother of Neville who was introduced by Chris Connolly and who spoke from the heart about how she and her husband made their long journey in the family ute from Bunbury to Melbourne to support their son. Connolly was at his witty best when he descibed the look on the face of the concierge at the Crown Plaza Hotel when the family arrived in the vehicle whose gear stick came off as soon as one of the porters tried to park it. Lynette spoke beautifully of her experience and articulated her feelings as a mother when she recited a graceful and moving poem that she wrote to reflect her support for her son in his quest to fly. Demon forward coach Josh Mahoney visited the Tiwi Islands last summer and came back with a five minute film he made of his experiences from Austin Wonaeamirri's home territory - a place where footy and fishing are the main pastimes and life is simple and very laid back. Aussie treated us to a little anecdote about when he played a joke on Mahoney after he relieved himself near a watering hole. Josh recalled the story of the sea turtle which lives in warm temperate coastal waters like those that surround Aussie's home island. The adult female sea turtle returns to the beach where she was born to lay up to 200 eggs in the sand. Only a small proportion of these eggs are hatched, a small proportion of the hatchlings make the 30 metre trip across the sand to the water's edge and few survive the journey once in the sea. Mahoney drew the analogy between the sea turtle and the success rate of young indigenous footballers. Many living in remote regions start off kicking makeshift "footballs" like plastic coke bottles as shown in Mahoney's film but only a small handful make it onto the MCG to play like Matty Whelan, Aaron Davey, Aussie, Jamie Bennell, Neville Jetta and, of course, our own Warlpiri Wizard. The night was more than a tribute to these electrifying young men but also to those who preceded them. Chris Connolly told the story of Melbourne's first indigenous player, Eddie Jackson, who came to the club as a lightly built wingman in 1947 and played in the club's 1948 premiership side. Eddie has since returned to the Dreamtime but his daughters Fiona and Karen proudly took the stage to stand alongside our six great young men who carry on the tradition of their father to this very day. When asked what Matty Whelan wanted from the players on stage with him, he answered, "a premiership". Just like Eddie who will always be remembered as the man who opened the gateway to indigenous players at the Melbourne Football Club. Connolly could have gone back further than Eddie Jackson. He could have gone all the way back into history when Australia's first people played a game with some of the characteristics of our game today. Some historians consider that one of our game's founders Tom Wills, who lived part of his life in the outback, took parts of what he saw and included them when formulating the rules with co-founder Henry Harrison. These were the rules of the Melbourne Football Club - the oldest football club in the world. Harrison was its first captain: perhaps Aaron Davey will be its next? The host for the evening Ernie Dingo alluded to the fact that the oldest club was a perfect place for players from our land's oldest community. He also did a sensational job (I'll allow him the slight gaffe when he almost had me married off to Judee although undoubtedly neither my wife nor Judee will!) despite the fact that his allegiances lie with the West Coast Eagles. Many of his relatives play the game including former North Melbourne, Port Adelaide and Melbourne star Byron Pickett. Ernie once caught a flight across the Nullarbor to watch a Port Adelaide v Fremantle game. What on earth for? Because a record 13 indigenous men were playing in that game. He also took a bit of a risk (considering that it was a Women of Melbourne function) of comparing the Collingwood Football Club with a poorly made bra - plenty of support but no cups. Board member Karen Hayes who chairs the Women of Melbourne gave her thanks to all who contributed to an amazing night. It was as much a night for women as it was for the players. We had seen and heard from Cecily, Lynette Jetta and from Aaron Davey, who came up with the idea of a scholarship for young indigenous footballers which the Women of Melbourne are sponsoring, had told the audience how he owed such a great debt to his mother who brought up the family alone after his father died in a car smash when he was just nine years old. Jimmy's wife Sam was also there and we stand with her in support of her man's long journey to recovery from his illness. Also interesting was the reflection that such a function was taking place in The Long Room - a place where not so long ago women could not venture and dare I say it, neither could black people and other minorities. The changes that have taken place in our society during my lifetime have been quite amazing. I've personally travelled through time from when, as a nine year old I watched my mother, a Holocaust survivor, nursing an aboriginal man bleeding from stab wounds in a suburban milk bar while others stood by refusing to help, to the 1967 Referendum which gave our original people the right to be "equal" with recent arrivals, to my work in the early days of the Aboriginal Legal Service, to the story of Vincent Lingiarri, the Gurindju people and Gough Whitlam from the Paul Kelly song, to Kevin Rudd's sorry and all the way to my own recent discovery that this oppressed community produced such heroic (but sadly unknown) figures as William Cooper who made his long journey in 1938 when he led an indigenous delegation on a march from Footscray to the German consulate in South Melbourne to protest at that country's treatment of its Jews. To my knowledge, no other such protests took place anywhere else in the world. For of all of the long journeys made by these proud, gentle and wonderful people it was a true honour for me to recall my own long journey and to play a small role in such a wonderful evening. And as far as I'm concerned, the Melbourne Football Club won its 13th premiership on Thursday night.

by Whispering Jack Paul Kelly (the singer not the footballer) sings a song entitled "From Little Things Big Things Grow". The song itself tells a story of great historical significance for this country but its basic message is what brought me to The Long Room of the Melbourne Cricket Club on Thursday 16 July 2009 where, on behalf of Demonland and together with Judee of Demonology, we presented the jumper to Liam Jurrah that he wore a month before when he made his debut for the Melbourne Football Club against Essendon. It was truly The Night of the Long Journey. The Long Journey was an evening put together by the Women of Melbourne to honour Melbourne's indigenous footballers. The story of the jumper began when Luke Scholes, a mad keen Demon fan and a resident of Alice Springs who posts on both Demonland and Demonology as "The Fork", discovered that the jumper was being auctioned off on the internet. The Fork posted on both sites initially in the hope getting about 30 people to fork up (pun intended) about $20.00 each to help make a bid in order to get the jumper back to the people of Liam's community at Yuendumu which is 297 kilometres north west of Alice Springs. Well, the whole thing snowballed, the bids kept coming in and a movement began which included co-operation with the Mount Theo programme run by Susie Low and which closely works with Liam's community. We ended up with the winning bid of $3,100 which was the highest amount ever fetched for a guernsey on the club's auction website. It even pipped the bid that secured David Neitz's 300th game guernsey. And that's not all because the donations have kept flowing in ever since, even from people who have never previously posted on the sites. I understand that about $5,000.00 has been collected to date. So it came to pass that Judee and I handed over the number 48 guernsey to Liam who, in turn, passed it on to two beautiful ladies - his grandmother Cecily and Susie Low who told of how it will have pride of place in the Mount Theo office where it will stand as an inspiration for the young of the community to assist them in taking their long journeys in life whether they be at home or in far away places like Melbourne. Susie described Liam as a perfect role model and said the community was proud of what he has achieved. She also thanked the internet community and especially Luke, The Fork, whose brainchild – a little thing like starting simple threads on two internet sites – grew into the big thing that made it all possible. Also people like our own Rudeboy (despite being a Collingwood supporter) who from the start mentored Liam in Melbourne, posts on our site and thinks Melbourne is the right club and the right place for our new hero! Grandmother Cecily spoke in both her mother tongue and in English of how proud she was of her grandson who co-incidentally was this week's NAB Rising Star Award winner. The whole room was immersed in the same pride – not just for our Warlpiri Wizard as Liam prefers to be referred to but also for all of our growing indigenous crew. Another of the evening's highlights was Lynette Jetta, mother of Neville who was introduced by Chris Connolly and who spoke from the heart about how she and her husband made their long journey in the family ute from Bunbury to Melbourne to support their son. Connolly was at his witty best when he descibed the look on the face of the concierge at the Crown Plaza Hotel when the family arrived in the vehicle whose gear stick came off as soon as one of the porters tried to park it. Lynette spoke beautifully of her experience and articulated her feelings as a mother when she recited a graceful and moving poem that she wrote to reflect her support for her son in his quest to fly. Demon forward coach Josh Mahoney visited the Tiwi Islands last summer and came back with a five minute film he made of his experiences from Austin Wonaeamirri's home territory - a place where footy and fishing are the main pastimes and life is simple and very laid back. Aussie treated us to a little anecdote about when he played a joke on Mahoney after he relieved himself near a watering hole. Josh recalled the story of the sea turtle which lives in warm temperate coastal waters like those that surround Aussie's home island. The adult female sea turtle returns to the beach where she was born to lay up to 200 eggs in the sand. Only a small proportion of these eggs are hatched, a small proportion of the hatchlings make the 30 metre trip across the sand to the water's edge and few survive the journey once in the sea. Mahoney drew the analogy between the sea turtle and the success rate of young indigenous footballers. Many living in remote regions start off kicking makeshift "footballs" like plastic coke bottles as shown in Mahoney's film but only a small handful make it onto the MCG to play like Matty Whelan, Aaron Davey, Aussie, Jamie Bennell, Neville Jetta and, of course, our own Warlpiri Wizard. The night was more than a tribute to these electrifying young men but also to those who preceded them. Chris Connolly told the story of Melbourne's first indigenous player, Eddie Jackson, who came to the club as a lightly built wingman in 1947 and played in the club's 1948 premiership side. Eddie has since returned to the Dreamtime but his daughters Fiona and Karen proudly took the stage to stand alongside our six great young men who carry on the tradition of their father to this very day. When asked what Matty Whelan wanted from the players on stage with him, he answered, "a premiership". Just like Eddie who will always be remembered as the man who opened the gateway to indigenous players at the Melbourne Football Club. Connolly could have gone back further than Eddie Jackson. He could have gone all the way back into history when Australia's first people played a game with some of the characteristics of our game today. Some historians consider that one of our game's founders Tom Wills, who lived part of his life in the outback, took parts of what he saw and included them when formulating the rules with co-founder Henry Harrison. These were the rules of the Melbourne Football Club - the oldest football club in the world. Harrison was its first captain: perhaps Aaron Davey will be its next? The host for the evening Ernie Dingo alluded to the fact that the oldest club was a perfect place for players from our land's oldest community. He also did a sensational job (I'll allow him the slight gaffe when he almost had me married off to Judee although undoubtedly neither my wife nor Judee will!) despite the fact that his allegiances lie with the West Coast Eagles. Many of his relatives play the game including former North Melbourne, Port Adelaide and Melbourne star Byron Pickett. Ernie once caught a flight across the Nullarbor to watch a Port Adelaide v Fremantle game. What on earth for? Because a record 13 indigenous men were playing in that game. He also took a bit of a risk (considering that it was a Women of Melbourne function) of comparing the Collingwood Football Club with a poorly made bra - plenty of support but no cups. Board member Karen Hayes who chairs the Women of Melbourne gave her thanks to all who contributed to an amazing night. It was as much a night for women as it was for the players. We had seen and heard from Cecily, Lynette Jetta and from Aaron Davey, who came up with the idea of a scholarship for young indigenous footballers which the Women of Melbourne are sponsoring, had told the audience how he owed such a great debt to his mother who brought up the family alone after his father died in a car smash when he was just nine years old. Jimmy's wife Sam was also there and we stand with her in support of her man's long journey to recovery from his illness. Also interesting was the reflection that such a function was taking place in The Long Room - a place where not so long ago women could not venture and dare I say it, neither could black people and other minorities. The changes that have taken place in our society during my lifetime have been quite amazing. I've personally travelled through time from when, as a nine year old I watched my mother, a Holocaust survivor, nursing an aboriginal man bleeding from stab wounds in a suburban milk bar while others stood by refusing to help, to the 1967 Referendum which gave our original people the right to be "equal" with recent arrivals, to my work in the early days of the Aboriginal Legal Service, to the story of Vincent Lingiarri, the Gurindju people and Gough Whitlam from the Paul Kelly song, to Kevin Rudd's sorry and all the way to my own recent discovery that this oppressed community produced such heroic (but sadly unknown) figures as William Cooper who made his long journey in 1938 when he led an indigenous delegation on a march from Footscray to the German consulate in South Melbourne to protest at that country's treatment of its Jews. To my knowledge, no other such protests took place anywhere else in the world. For of all of the long journeys made by these proud, gentle and wonderful people it was a true honour for me to recall my own long journey and to play a small role in such a wonderful evening. And as far as I'm concerned, the Melbourne Football Club won its 13th premiership on Thursday night.

by Sam the Stats Man If you run a line through the recent form of the two teams fighting it out on Saturday afternoon at the Cattery, it would seem a no brainer as to who should win. One team has saluted at its last two starts while the other has lost two in a row, the second defeat marking a sensational 136 point turnaround that suggests it is on a downward spiral. But things are not so cut and dried and for some strange reason the team with the losing form is still starting out a firm favourite to win. Perhaps this is because of the expected return of players of the calibre of Brownlow Medal favourite Gary Ablett, four-time All Australian Matthew Scarlett, Andrew Mackie and Travis Varcoe and the possible return of Darren Milburn and vice-captain Cameron Ling. But who cares? Not me because I know that Melbourne's prime movers in Cameron Bruce, Brad Green, Brock McLean and Brent Moloney have all struck a rich vein of form and the younger brigade headed by Rising Stars Jack Grimes and Liam Jurrah are causing a great deal of excitement among Demon fans. So I'm going to tip an upset - Melbourne by 1 point in the boilover of the season because winning form is good form. [Editor's note: Readers will note from the above that we don't give Sam too many opportunities to make predictions about match results. Please read on however, for Sam's Statistical Summary of Melbourne 2009 to date] THE GAME Geelong v Melbourne at Skilled Stadium on Saturday 18 July 2009 at 2.10pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall Geelong 120 wins Melbourne 83 wins 2 draws At Skilled Stadium Geelong 32 wins Melbourne 17 wins Since 2000 Geelong 10 wins Melbourne 6 wins 1 draw The Coaches Thompson 3 Bailey 0 MEDIA TV Channel 10 at 3pm (1 hour delay) RADIO ABC774 K-Rock SEN THE BETTING Geelong to win $9.00 Melbourne to win $1.04 LAST TIME THEY MET Geelong 15.21.111 defeated Melbourne 10.8.68 at the MCG in Round 6 2009 An undermanned and undersized Geelong took on the AFL's giants at the MCG in front of a crowd of 36,932 witnessed a highly competitive effort from Melbourne against Geelong although the Cats were always going to win and the margin would undoubtedly have been much greater but for their inaccuracy in front of goal. Garry Ablett broke the Demons' hearts with a goal just 9 seconds into the game but to their credit, the Demons kept plugging away and were by no means humiliated as they were in Round 19 last year when they went down by 116 points in a massacre. Russell Robertson marked his return with three goals and Aaron Davey was sensational for the losing side. THE TEAMS GEELONG Backs Darren Milburn Matthew Scarlett Corey Enright Half backs Harry Taylor Tom Harley Andrew Mackie Centreline Joel Corey Cameron Ling David Wojcinski Half forwards Mathew Stokes Cameron Mooney Shannon Byrnes Forwards Paul Chapman Tom Hawkins Max Rooke Followers Shane Mumford Joel Selwood Gary Ablett Interchange Travis Varcoe Simon Hogan Tom Lonergan Kane Tenace Emergergencies Tom Gillies Jeremy Laidler Trent West In Gary Ablett Matthew Scarlett Andrew Mackie Travis Varcoe Cameron Ling and Darren Milburn Out Jimmy Bartel (hip) Nathan Djerrkura (thigh) Mark Blake Ryan Gamble Jeremy Laidler Tom Gillies MELBOURNE Backs Cale Morton Matthew Warnock James Frawley Half backs Brent Moloney Jared Rivers Jack Grimes Centreline Neville Jetta Brock McLean Aaron Davey Half forwards Cameron Bruce Matthew Bate Ricky Petterd Forwards Russell Robertson Brad Green Liam Jurrah Followers Mark Jamar,James McDonald Nathan Jones Interchange Clint Bartram Lynden Dunn Stephan Martin Paul Wheatley Emergencies Jamie Bennell Paul Johnson Brad Miller In Clint Bartram Out Daniel Bell (shoulder) SAM'S STATISTICAL SUMMARY OF THE MELBOURNE 2009 LIST TO DATE BAIL Rohan CFC Seniors 9 games, 0 goals, CFC Reserves - 1 game, 0 goals. Missed early games with injury and put in some handy performances before going into a bit of a form slump after being king hit behind the play against the Bullants. Seems to be regaining his tempo. BARTRAM Clint MFC - 9 games, 1 goal, CFC Seniors - 6 games, 2 goals. Had a traumatic time with the passing of his father due to cancer and his form has been patchy. Starring recently with the Scorpions and deserves his elevation this week. BATE Matthew MFC - 14 games, 20 goals. Is becoming more influential playing up forward but where he currently shares club goal kicking honours with Russell Robertson. BELL Daniel MFC - 3 games, 0 goals, CFC Seniors - 6 games, 4 goals. Given the opportunity to play in the midfield during the preseason Bell was impressive before breaking a thumb in the last practice match and struggled at AFL level on return. Suffered a shoulder injury against Port Adelaide that has left his season in tatters. BENNELL Jamie MFC - 12 games, 2 goals, CFC Seniors - 1 game, 1 goal. The teenager has been a revelation as a skilful running defender. BLEASE Sam The speedy youngster broke an ankle in a playground incident at school before he had his chance to play and won't be seen till next year. BRUCE Cameron MFC - 15 games, 9 goals. The prolific ball winner has played every game and has been important in the team's recent revival. Picked up 37 disposals in the game against Port Adelaide. BUCKLEY Simon MFC - 1 game, 0 goals, CFC Seniors - 1 game, 0 goals, CFC Reserves - 2 games, 0 goals. Groin problems flared after he played in the season opener and he has been plagued by the injury ever since. Could return shortly through the VFL. CHENEY Kyle MFC - 6 games, 0 goals, CFC Seniors - 7 games, 1 goals. The tough defender made an excellent debut game in round 1 before his form fell away a little. Has been on the fringes of AFL selection in recent times. DAVEY Aaron MFC - 15 games , 5 goals. Continues to have a stand out season for the Demons and his form in defence has seen him in contention for All Australian selection this year. DUNN Lynden MFC - 7 games, 5 goals, CFC Seniors - 6 games, 6 goals. Appeared to have fallen out of favour with selectors but played well on return last week. FRAWLEY James MFC - 14 games , 1 goals. The club's biggest improver who has shown great poise and dash out of defence. GARLAND Colin MFC - 1 game, 0 goals. The big improver of 2008 was showing signs of taking even more rapid steps up the ladder but a stress fracture in the leg has abruptly put an end to that and he won't be seen until next year. GREEN Brad MFC - 11 games, 12 goals. The team's best player until he suffered a broken jaw in the team's early wins against the Tigers. Slotted straight back on return after missing over a month and is having a good year. GRIMES Jack MFC - 9 games, 1 goals, CFC Seniors - 3 games, 1 goal. An injury setback after an impressive pre season limited him early but he has proven himself with some cool performances mainly in defence. NAB Rising Star nominee for Round 14. HEALEY Rhys ® CFC Reserves - 6 games , 3 goals. We didn't see much of him the pre season and he was impressing in the Casey reserves until injured. HUGHES Daniel ® CFC Seniors - 9 games, 14 goals, CFC Reserves - 2 games, 3 goals. Has done well in the firsts at Casey and deserves a break after a couple of seasons of debilitating injuries. JAMAR Mark MFC - 4 games, 1 goals, CFC Seniors - 2 game, 2 goals. His season was curtailed by a stress fracture in the foot but has been a big improver in ruck on return to the Melbourne side. JETTA Neville MFC - 9 games, 4 goals, CFC Seniors - 5 game, 9 goals. A fair start to a career from a player who has a touch of magic about him and should develop into a handy small man for the club. JOHNSON Paul MFC - 13 games, 4 goals, CFC Seniors - 2 games, 1 goal. Has filled the role of backup ruckman at AFL level but is currently just going ok at Casey. JONES Nathan MFC - 14 games, 5 goals. After a slow start to the season he stood up with some impressive performances as a strong on ball option for the Demons. JURRAH Liam MFC - 4 games, 8 goals, CFC Seniors - 5 games, 14 goals, CFC Reserves - 2 games, 0 goals. Has been a revelation with his magical skills since making his AFL debut against Essendon a month ago. Received a NAB Rising Star nomination after his last up four goal performance against Port Adelaide. MARIC Addam MFC - 6 games, 5 goals, CFC Seniors - 3 games, 3 goals. Started and ended his season with injury and wasn't able to show his wares as a handy crumbing forward who knows how to find the goals. MARTIN Stefan MFC - 13 games, 4 goals, CFC Seniors - 2 games, 0 goals. After missing the season opener, has been a steady improver since returning to the team and has shown great versatility moving from defence to the ruck and into an occasional forward role. McDONALD James MFC - 11 games, 2 goals. The skipper has overcome a mid-season knee scare and continues to provide steadiness to the midfield. McKENZIE Jordie ® CFC Seniors - 11 games, 0 goals. The young rookie has been something of a surprise packet in the hard working Casey midfield. It would not surprise if he receives a late promotion to the senior list. McLEAN Brock MFC - 15 games, 5 goals. Found it tough early after a long injury lay off but is really playing some good football as some of his old touch returns. McNAMARA Tom CFC Seniors - 6 games, 4 goals, CFC Reserves - 1 game, 1 goal. Was playing well at Casey and would have been under consideration for a call up to the big stuff before injury intervened. Is now close to a return to the Scorpion team. MEESEN John MFC - 4 games, 0 goals. Finally got the call to selection with the Demons when selected to fill a ruck position in the Port Adelaide game and was travelling along nicely until a stress fracture to his foot put an end to his season. MILLER Brad MFC - 12 games, 13 goals, CFC Seniors - 3 games, 9 goals. Had a reasonably good start to the season but his form fell off in mid-season and has been with the Casey Scorpions for the past two games. MOLONEY Brent MFC - 15 games, 3 goals. Over his groin and shoulder problems, Moloney has returned to the sort of form he showed in his first year at the club. MORTON Cale MFC - 15 games, 5 goals Establishing himself as a future elite footballer and racking up some impressive numbers with 71 disposals in the past fortnight. NEWTON Michael MFC - 2 games, 2 goals, CFC Seniors - 9 games, 24 goals. The enigmatic toward struggled in games with the Demons where his kicking for goal and decision and even his attitude questioned. Has worked hard at turning things around at Casey and deserves a recall. PETTERD Ricky MFC - 12 games, 15 goals, CFC Seniors - 3 games, 3 goals. Gradually settling back after his injury woes and is still getting more consistency into his game. RIVERS Jared MFC - 14 games, 0 goals. The injury prone defender is finding his feet back in the game and starting to get back some of his old form. ROBERTSON Russell MFC - 9 games, 20 goals, CFC Seniors - 4 games, 12 goals. Robbo's successful return after a long period of recovery from his Achilles injury. Still not kicking bags of goals but provides a target up forward. SPENCER Jake ® MFC - 2 games, 0 goals, CFC Seniors - 4 games, 0 goals, CFC Reserves - 3 game, 0 goals. Showed out in the opening NAB Cup game against Hawthorn and through the preseason to earn promotion from the rookie list. He was then outgunned by stronger more experienced ruckmen in his early games before suffering a series of injuries that have kept him mainly on the sidelines. STRAUSS James CFC Seniors - 4 game, 1 goal, CFC Reserves - 4 games, 1 goal. Another whose start to the season was affected by injury and just when the sure footed defender was starting to show some form with Casey, a dislocated shoulder put him out until next season. SYLVIA Colin MFC - 13 games, 15 goals. At long last, Sylvia has found form and consistency to become one of his team's most important players. VALENTI Shane ® MFC - 1 game, 1 goal, CFC Seniors - 10 games, 4 goals. Valenti is considered too small and too slow and more suited for the VFL and has managed just one game with the Demons this year. WARNOCK Matthew MFC - 14 games, 0 goals. One of many improving talls in the Demon defence, Warnock has established himself in the team. WATTS Jack MFC - 3 games, 2 goals, CFC Seniors - 5 games, 4 goals, CFC Reserves - 2 games, 1 goal The schoolboy star has been given a taste of what to expect in the pressure cooker of AFL football. WHEATLEY Paul MFC - 2 games, 0 goals, CFC Seniors - 3 games, 2 goals, CFC Reserves - 2 games, 0 goals. Took a while to break back into the Melbourne team after being kept out by a string of injuries. WHELAN Matthew MFC - 6 games, 0 goals, CFC Seniors - 3 game, 1 goal, CFC Reserves - 3 games, 0 goals. Another of the Demon defenders troubled by injury this year, Whelan has been limited to only six games this season and his career is at the crossroads. WONAEMIRRI Austin CFC Seniors - 2 games, 1 goal Another whose season has been curtailed by injury. Not due back for a month, if at all this year. ZOMER Trent ® Seniors - 3 games, 1 goal, CFC Reserves - 9 games, 20 goals. Has shown good form at VFL reserves level with Casey but has struggled in his few games at senior level.

WINNING FORM IS GOOD FORM by Sam the Stats Man If you run a line through the recent form of the two teams fighting it out on Saturday afternoon at the Cattery, it would seem a no brainer as to who should win. One team has saluted at its last two starts while the other has lost two in a row, the second defeat marking a sensational 136 point turnaround that suggests it is on a downward spiral. But things are not so cut and dried and for some strange reason the team with the losing form is still starting out a firm favourite to win. Perhaps this is because of the expected return of players of the calibre of Brownlow Medal favourite Gary Ablett, four-time All Australian Matthew Scarlett, Andrew Mackie and Travis Varcoe and the possible return of Darren Milburn and vice-captain Cameron Ling. But who cares? Not me because I know that Melbourne's prime movers in Cameron Bruce, Brad Green, Brock McLean and Brent Moloney have all struck a rich vein of form and the younger brigade headed by Rising Stars Jack Grimes and Liam Jurrah are causing a great deal of excitement among Demon fans. So I'm going to tip an upset - Melbourne by 1 point in the boilover of the season because winning form is good form. [Editor's note: Readers will note from the above that we don't give Sam too many opportunities to make predictions about match results. Please read on however, for Sam's Statistical Summary of Melbourne 2009 to date] THE GAME Geelong v Melbourne at Skilled Stadium on Saturday 18 July 2009 at 2.10pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall Geelong 120 wins Melbourne 83 wins 2 draws At Skilled Stadium Geelong 32 wins Melbourne 17 wins Since 2000 Geelong 10 wins Melbourne 6 wins 1 draw The Coaches Thompson 3 Bailey 0 MEDIA TV Channel 10 at 3pm (1 hour delay) RADIO ABC774 K-Rock SEN THE BETTING Geelong to win $9.00 Melbourne to win $1.04 LAST TIME THEY MET Geelong 15.21.111 defeated Melbourne 10.8.68 at the MCG in Round 6 2009 An undermanned and undersized Geelong took on the AFL's giants at the MCG in front of a crowd of 36,932 witnessed a highly competitive effort from Melbourne against Geelong although the Cats were always going to win and the margin would undoubtedly have been much greater but for their inaccuracy in front of goal. Garry Ablett broke the Demons' hearts with a goal just 9 seconds into the game but to their credit, the Demons kept plugging away and were by no means humiliated as they were in Round 19 last year when they went down by 116 points in a massacre. Russell Robertson marked his return with three goals and Aaron Davey was sensational for the losing side. THE TEAMS GEELONG Backs Darren Milburn Matthew Scarlett Corey Enright Half backs Harry Taylor Tom Harley Andrew Mackie Centreline Joel Corey Cameron Ling David Wojcinski Half forwards Mathew Stokes Cameron Mooney Shannon Byrnes Forwards Paul Chapman Tom Hawkins Max Rooke Followers Shane Mumford Joel Selwood Gary Ablett Interchange Travis Varcoe Simon Hogan Tom Lonergan Kane Tenace Emergergencies Tom Gillies Jeremy Laidler Trent West In Gary Ablett Matthew Scarlett Andrew Mackie Travis Varcoe Cameron Ling and Darren Milburn Out Jimmy Bartel (hip) Nathan Djerrkura (thigh) Mark Blake Ryan Gamble Jeremy Laidler Tom Gillies MELBOURNE Backs Cale Morton Matthew Warnock James Frawley Half backs Brent Moloney Jared Rivers Jack Grimes Centreline Neville Jetta Brock McLean Aaron Davey Half forwards Cameron Bruce Matthew Bate Ricky Petterd Forwards Russell Robertson Brad Green Liam Jurrah Followers Mark Jamar,James McDonald Nathan Jones Interchange Clint Bartram Lynden Dunn Stephan Martin Paul Wheatley Emergencies Jamie Bennell Paul Johnson Brad Miller In Clint Bartram Out Daniel Bell (shoulder) SAM'S STATISTICAL SUMMARY OF THE MELBOURNE 2009 LIST TO DATE BAIL Rohan CFC Seniors 9 games, 0 goals, CFC Reserves - 1 game, 0 goals. Missed early games with injury and put in some handy performances before going into a bit of a form slump after being king hit behind the play against the Bullants. Seems to be regaining his tempo. BARTRAM Clint MFC - 9 games, 1 goal, CFC Seniors - 6 games, 2 goals. Had a traumatic time with the passing of his father due to cancer and his form has been patchy. Starring recently with the Scorpions and deserves his elevation this week. BATE Matthew MFC - 14 games, 20 goals. Is becoming more influential playing up forward but where he currently shares club goal kicking honours with Russell Robertson. BELL Daniel MFC - 3 games, 0 goals, CFC Seniors - 6 games, 4 goals. Given the opportunity to play in the midfield during the preseason Bell was impressive before breaking a thumb in the last practice match and struggled at AFL level on return. Suffered a shoulder injury against Port Adelaide that has left his season in tatters. BENNELL Jamie MFC - 12 games, 2 goals, CFC Seniors - 1 game, 1 goal. The teenager has been a revelation as a skilful running defender. BLEASE Sam The speedy youngster broke an ankle in a playground incident at school before he had his chance to play and won't be seen till next year. BRUCE Cameron MFC - 15 games, 9 goals. The prolific ball winner has played every game and has been important in the team's recent revival. Picked up 37 disposals in the game against Port Adelaide. BUCKLEY Simon MFC - 1 game, 0 goals, CFC Seniors - 1 game, 0 goals, CFC Reserves - 2 games, 0 goals. Groin problems flared after he played in the season opener and he has been plagued by the injury ever since. Could return shortly through the VFL. CHENEY Kyle MFC - 6 games, 0 goals, CFC Seniors - 7 games, 1 goals. The tough defender made an excellent debut game in round 1 before his form fell away a little. Has been on the fringes of AFL selection in recent times. DAVEY Aaron MFC - 15 games , 5 goals. Continues to have a stand out season for the Demons and his form in defence has seen him in contention for All Australian selection this year. DUNN Lynden MFC - 7 games, 5 goals, CFC Seniors - 6 games, 6 goals. Appeared to have fallen out of favour with selectors but played well on return last week. FRAWLEY James MFC - 14 games , 1 goals. The club's biggest improver who has shown great poise and dash out of defence. GARLAND Colin MFC - 1 game, 0 goals. The big improver of 2008 was showing signs of taking even more rapid steps up the ladder but a stress fracture in the leg has abruptly put an end to that and he won't be seen until next year. GREEN Brad MFC - 11 games, 12 goals. The team's best player until he suffered a broken jaw in the team's early wins against the Tigers. Slotted straight back on return after missing over a month and is having a good year. GRIMES Jack MFC - 9 games, 1 goals, CFC Seniors - 3 games, 1 goal. An injury setback after an impressive pre season limited him early but he has proven himself with some cool performances mainly in defence. NAB Rising Star nominee for Round 14. HEALEY Rhys ® CFC Reserves - 6 games , 3 goals. We didn't see much of him the pre season and he was impressing in the Casey reserves until injured. HUGHES Daniel ® CFC Seniors - 9 games, 14 goals, CFC Reserves - 2 games, 3 goals. Has done well in the firsts at Casey and deserves a break after a couple of seasons of debilitating injuries. JAMAR Mark MFC - 4 games, 1 goals, CFC Seniors - 2 game, 2 goals. His season was curtailed by a stress fracture in the foot but has been a big improver in ruck on return to the Melbourne side. JETTA Neville MFC - 9 games, 4 goals, CFC Seniors - 5 game, 9 goals. A fair start to a career from a player who has a touch of magic about him and should develop into a handy small man for the club. JOHNSON Paul MFC - 13 games, 4 goals, CFC Seniors - 2 games, 1 goal. Has filled the role of backup ruckman at AFL level but is currently just going ok at Casey. JONES Nathan MFC - 14 games, 5 goals. After a slow start to the season he stood up with some impressive performances as a strong on ball option for the Demons. JURRAH Liam MFC - 4 games, 8 goals, CFC Seniors - 5 games, 14 goals, CFC Reserves - 2 games, 0 goals. Has been a revelation with his magical skills since making his AFL debut against Essendon a month ago. Received a NAB Rising Star nomination after his last up four goal performance against Port Adelaide. MARIC Addam MFC - 6 games, 5 goals, CFC Seniors - 3 games, 3 goals. Started and ended his season with injury and wasn't able to show his wares as a handy crumbing forward who knows how to find the goals. MARTIN Stefan MFC - 13 games, 4 goals, CFC Seniors - 2 games, 0 goals. After missing the season opener, has been a steady improver since returning to the team and has shown great versatility moving from defence to the ruck and into an occasional forward role. McDONALD James MFC - 11 games, 2 goals. The skipper has overcome a mid-season knee scare and continues to provide steadiness to the midfield. McKENZIE Jordie ® CFC Seniors - 11 games, 0 goals. The young rookie has been something of a surprise packet in the hard working Casey midfield. It would not surprise if he receives a late promotion to the senior list. McLEAN Brock MFC - 15 games, 5 goals. Found it tough early after a long injury lay off but is really playing some good football as some of his old touch returns. McNAMARA Tom CFC Seniors - 6 games, 4 goals, CFC Reserves - 1 game, 1 goal. Was playing well at Casey and would have been under consideration for a call up to the big stuff before injury intervened. Is now close to a return to the Scorpion team. MEESEN John MFC - 4 games, 0 goals. Finally got the call to selection with the Demons when selected to fill a ruck position in the Port Adelaide game and was travelling along nicely until a stress fracture to his foot put an end to his season. MILLER Brad MFC - 12 games, 13 goals, CFC Seniors - 3 games, 9 goals. Had a reasonably good start to the season but his form fell off in mid-season and has been with the Casey Scorpions for the past two games. MOLONEY Brent MFC - 15 games, 3 goals. Over his groin and shoulder problems, Moloney has returned to the sort of form he showed in his first year at the club. MORTON Cale MFC - 15 games, 5 goals Establishing himself as a future elite footballer and racking up some impressive numbers with 71 disposals in the past fortnight. NEWTON Michael MFC - 2 games, 2 goals, CFC Seniors - 9 games, 24 goals. The enigmatic toward struggled in games with the Demons where his kicking for goal and decision and even his attitude questioned. Has worked hard at turning things around at Casey and deserves a recall. PETTERD Ricky MFC - 12 games, 15 goals, CFC Seniors - 3 games, 3 goals. Gradually settling back after his injury woes and is still getting more consistency into his game. RIVERS Jared MFC - 14 games, 0 goals. The injury prone defender is finding his feet back in the game and starting to get back some of his old form. ROBERTSON Russell MFC - 9 games, 20 goals, CFC Seniors - 4 games, 12 goals. Robbo's successful return after a long period of recovery from his Achilles injury. Still not kicking bags of goals but provides a target up forward. SPENCER Jake ® MFC - 2 games, 0 goals, CFC Seniors - 4 games, 0 goals, CFC Reserves - 3 game, 0 goals. Showed out in the opening NAB Cup game against Hawthorn and through the preseason to earn promotion from the rookie list. He was then outgunned by stronger more experienced ruckmen in his early games before suffering a series of injuries that have kept him mainly on the sidelines. STRAUSS James CFC Seniors - 4 game, 1 goal, CFC Reserves - 4 games, 1 goal. Another whose start to the season was affected by injury and just when the sure footed defender was starting to show some form with Casey, a dislocated shoulder put him out until next season. SYLVIA Colin MFC - 13 games, 15 goals. At long last, Sylvia has found form and consistency to become one of his team's most important players. VALENTI Shane ® MFC - 1 game, 1 goal, CFC Seniors - 10 games, 4 goals. Valenti is considered too small and too slow and more suited for the VFL and has managed just one game with the Demons this year. WARNOCK Matthew MFC - 14 games, 0 goals. One of many improving talls in the Demon defence, Warnock has established himself in the team. WATTS Jack MFC - 3 games, 2 goals, CFC Seniors - 5 games, 4 goals, CFC Reserves - 2 games, 1 goal The schoolboy star has been given a taste of what to expect in the pressure cooker of AFL football. WHEATLEY Paul MFC - 2 games, 0 goals, CFC Seniors - 3 games, 2 goals, CFC Reserves - 2 games, 0 goals. Took a while to break back into the Melbourne team after being kept out by a string of injuries. WHELAN Matthew MFC - 6 games, 0 goals, CFC Seniors - 3 game, 1 goal, CFC Reserves - 3 games, 0 goals. Another of the Demon defenders troubled by injury this year, Whelan has been limited to only six games this season and his career is at the crossroads. WONAEMIRRI Austin CFC Seniors - 2 games, 1 goal Another whose season has been curtailed by injury. Not due back for a month, if at all this year. ZOMER Trent ® Seniors - 3 games, 1 goal, CFC Reserves - 9 games, 20 goals. Has shown good form at VFL reserves level with Casey but has struggled in his few games at senior level.

MELBOURNE Backs Brent Moloney Matthew Warnock Clint Bartram Half backs James Frawley Stefan Martin Aaron Davey Centreline Jared Rivers Ricky Petterd Brock McLean Half forwards Addam Maric Lynden Dunn Russell Robertson Forwards Brad Miller Colin Sylvia Matthew Bate Followers John Meesen Cameron Bruce James McDonald Interchange Jamie Bennell Paul Johnson Nathan Jones Cale Morton Emergencies Kyle Cheney Neville Jetta Michael Newton In Addam Maric Russell Robertson Out Neville Jetta Michael Newton GEELONG Backs Andrew Mackie Matthew Scarlett Darren Milburn Half backs Joel Corey Harry Taylor Max Rooke Centreline Jimmy Bartel Corey Enright David Wojcinski Half forwards James Kelly Cameron Mooney Mathew Stokes Forwards Paul Chapman Tom Hawkins Steve Johnson Followers Mark Blake Joel Selwood Gary Ablett Interchange (from) Shannon Byrnes Nathan Djerrkura Ryan Gamble David Johnson Tom Lonergan Shane Mumford Travis Varcoe In Nathan Djerrkura Ryan Gamble Tom Lonergan