Demonland

1-- Demonland 1-- AzzKikA79 1-- great_gatsby 1-- carn dees 1-- Whispering_Jack 1-- DEE32 1-- rpfc 1-- H!GH TOWER 1-- Clyde_Cabbie 1-- Alpha33 1-- Pinball_Wizard 1-- Thundercloud 1-- ucanchoose 1-- achirnside 1-- barpen 1-- Tim - Go Dees! 1-- Simon Sylvia Strauss 1-- dee-luded 1-- mrawesome 1-- Jackieboy_0 1-- pandemonium 1-- aronbrandon 1-- Andees_0 1-- slamevil 1-- petejh2000 1-- butsdemon 1-- BVI Demon Total Tipsters: 27

We're going to try something a little different this year with our match previews this year. We're calling for previews of forthcoming games - these should be sent to me via PM and the best will be incorporated into our match reviews. Entries to be in by Friday morning 9am. We're looking for a diversity of views so please give it a go! The entries may be edited & we only need a few paragraphs, who you think will win and the winning margin. Anyone wishing to write their own articles on anything Melbourne and have them featured on Demonland can PM them to me and again we reserve the right to edit articles presented. You never know, this could be the start of a budding career as a writer for Demonland.

So far the following people have joined: 1-- Demonland 1-- AzzKikA79 1-- great_gatsby 1-- carn dees 1-- Whispering_Jack 1-- DEE32 1-- rpfc 1-- H!GH TOWER 1-- Clyde_Cabbie 1-- Alpha33 1-- Pinball_Wizard 1-- Thundercloud 1-- ucanchoose 1-- achirnside 1-- barpen 1-- Tim - Go Dees! It's not too late to join.

I forgot to mention that the competition is based on Price Tipping. eg: If the final match Tip prices were Tigers ($1.35) v Blues ($2.20) and the Tigers won, you would be awarded 1.35 points for that correct Tip. This might help those die-hard Demon tippers later in the year if we have an upset when we are at $20.

Is you sure?

www.OzTips.com AFL Join our AFL 2009 Tipping Competition now: Go to www.OzTips.com Click the 'REGISTER' button on the homepage and set-up a Login (if you don't already have one with OzTips). Once you have successfully registered a Username and Password, click the 'JOIN A COMP' button. You will be asked to enter an OzTips Comp Number and Password. The Comp you've been asked to join is: Comp#: 182152 Password: demonland That's it! Full instructions on how to Tip can be found on the website by clicking on the 'Help' link in the top header. Visit OzTips.com today to join your FREE Tipping Comp online!

And that's exactly where the relationship with Casey is going to help our sponsors from Hankook. The extra kilometres driving to Casey are going to wear those tyres out much more quickly!

A NEW ERA by KC from Casey When the Scorpions ran out in their red, blue and white gear at Casey Fields yesterday it marked the beginning of a new era. It wasn't only the fact that this was the first game under the club's alignment with the Melbourne Football Club but also that there were so many fresh new faces among the Casey contingent that made it an exciting event. You could sense that a new era was upon us. The game was a scrambly affair from the start but the team opened brightly with the aid of a strong northerly wind in hot, dry conditions. The Scorpions were winning the ball well out of the middle in the early going and goals came to Aaron Hillberge, Liam Jurrah and Trent Zomer. The Hawks were kicking poorly while the Scorpions were making every post a winner. Addam Maric was dynamic up forward in his comeback after hip surgery. Similarly, Austin Wonaeamirri who is also on the comeback trail (hamstring) was in everything early. By quarter time Casey held a comfortable 35-point lead. Immediately after the break, Maric booted his third to give the team a comfortable lead. Box Hill attacked with the wind but was held out by a strong defence led by Alex Silvagni who was ably assisted by the experienced Jared Rivers and newcomer Michael Stockdale from the Gippsland Falcons The Scorpions had the dominant big men on the ground with Paul Johnson and James Wall winning handsomely in the ruck and giving on ballers Kyle Matthews and Shane Valenti an armchair ride. A late rally by the Hawks saved them and saw the deficit reduced to 23 points at the main break. Box Hill went negative after half time in a bid to prevent Casey from taking advantage of the strong wind advantage and succeeded by playing a possession game and going wide at every opportunity. Their defence got on top and kept the home team down to only two goals for the quarter against a single point scored by the Hillmen. With only 25 minutes to go they were still within reach of victory as the wind was strengthening. The visitors managed to narrow the gap and piled on goal after goal to come within reach of the tiring Scorpions but a great captain's goal from Matthews saved the day for Casey which held on strongly in the last three or four minutes to win by just ten points. Wall, Matthews and Valenti were the stars for Casey while Nar Nar Goon's Andrew Oldmeadow, Jordie McKenzie and Stockdale all promised exciting things to come. Rosedale recruit Ben MaCreadie who has dominated the North Gippsland Football League over the past two seasons, showed something in the clinches as well. Although it was a scrappy affair in hot, windy conditions the Scorpions combined well given that many were still familiarising themselves with their new team mates. Coach Peter German still has plenty of players to come into his side and will be happy that he has the raw materials to build upon this game and the team can withstand the rigours of the tough, long season ahead. The reserves were outpointed by Box Hill in the curtain raiser. Pierce Liddle who captained the Northern Territory Under 18 side last year showed his magical skills and looks a player of the future. Next week's games are also at Casey Fields - this time against Frankston. HOW THE DEMONS FARED Paul Johnson - dominated the ruck and will play next week against the Roos. Casey had the two best big men in PJ and Wall and that probably held them in good stead. Liam Jurrah - the odd touch of brilliance but was naturally rusty in his first run and will need a few games with Casey to get to where he needs to be. Addam Maric – showed out with great disposal and he certainly knows how to find the goals. Kicked three himself and helped in a couple of others. Played a half and the sooner he is in the Demons' side the better because his general skills and his ability to hit targets are much needed there. I would almost be tempted to play him next week but they don't do things that way these days and for good reason. He will therefore get at least another run with Casey. Jordie McKenzie – got a lot of the ball and showed a bit. Has time to develop to develop at Casey where he will soon become a favourite. Jared Rivers - played most of the game and should be in the Melbourne side next week. A real class player who held sway in defence. Shane Valenti - had leather poisoning. Dominated and will form a good combination with Casey small man Matthews. Austin Wonaeamirri - appeared a little underdone due to his injury. Played half a game and will probably need another run with Casey opening the door for Jetta next week. Trent Zomer – kicked a goal early but was often caught wrong footed and appeared a little slow. Was moved around a bit to try and get into the game. Casey Scorpions 6.3.39 8.5.53 10.6.66 11.7.73 Box Hill Hawks 0.4.4 4.6.30 4.7.31 9.9.63 Goalkickers Maric 3, Bolton, Jurrah, Hillberge, Matthews, Scanlon, Sykes, Wall, Zomer Best Wall, Matthews, Johnson, Valenti, Maric, Stockdale, Oldmeadow

by KC from Casey When the Scorpions ran out in their red, blue and white gear at Casey Fields yesterday it marked the beginning of a new era. It wasn't only the fact that this was the first game under the club's alignment with the Melbourne Football Club but also that there were so many fresh new faces among the Casey contingent that made it an exciting event. You could sense that a new era was upon us. The game was a scrambly affair from the start but the team opened brightly with the aid of a strong northerly wind in hot, dry conditions. The Scorpions were winning the ball well out of the middle in the early going and goals came to Aaron Hillberge, Liam Jurrah and Trent Zomer. The Hawks were kicking poorly while the Scorpions were making every post a winner. Addam Maric was dynamic up forward in his comeback after hip surgery. Similarly, Austin Wonaeamirri who is also on the comeback trail (hamstring) was in everything early. By quarter time Casey held a comfortable 35-point lead. Immediately after the break, Maric booted his third to give the team a comfortable lead. Box Hill attacked with the wind but was held out by a strong defence led by Alex Silvagni who was ably assisted by the experienced Jared Rivers and newcomer Michael Stockdale from the Gippsland Falcons The Scorpions had the dominant big men on the ground with Paul Johnson and James Wall winning handsomely in the ruck and giving on ballers Kyle Matthews and Shane Valenti an armchair ride. A late rally by the Hawks saved them and saw the deficit reduced to 23 points at the main break. Box Hill went negative after half time in a bid to prevent Casey from taking advantage of the strong wind advantage and succeeded by playing a possession game and going wide at every opportunity. Their defence got on top and kept the home team down to only two goals for the quarter against a single point scored by the Hillmen. With only 25 minutes to go they were still within reach of victory as the wind was strengthening. The visitors managed to narrow the gap and piled on goal after goal to come within reach of the tiring Scorpions but a great captain's goal from Matthews saved the day for Casey which held on strongly in the last three or four minutes to win by just ten points. Wall, Matthews and Valenti were the stars for Casey while Nar Nar Goon's Andrew Oldmeadow, Jordie McKenzie and Stockdale all promised exciting things to come. Rosedale recruit Ben MaCreadie who has dominated the North Gippsland Football League over the past two seasons, showed something in the clinches as well. Although it was a scrappy affair in hot, windy conditions the Scorpions combined well given that many were still familiarising themselves with their new team mates. Coach Peter German still has plenty of players to come into his side and will be happy that he has the raw materials to build upon this game and the team can withstand the rigours of the tough, long season ahead. The reserves were outpointed by Box Hill in the curtain raiser. Pierce Liddle who captained the Northern Territory Under 18 side last year showed his magical skills and looks a player of the future. Next week's games are also at Casey Fields - this time against Frankston. HOW THE DEMONS FARED Paul Johnson - dominated the ruck and will play next week against the Roos. Casey had the two best big men in PJ and Wall and that probably held them in good stead. Liam Jurrah - the odd touch of brilliance but was naturally rusty in his first run and will need a few games with Casey to get to where he needs to be. Addam Maric – showed out with great disposal and he certainly knows how to find the goals. Kicked three himself and helped in a couple of others. Played a half and the sooner he is in the Demons' side the better because his general skills and his ability to hit targets are much needed there. I would almost be tempted to play him next week but they don't do things that way these days and for good reason. He will therefore get at least another run with Casey. Jordie McKenzie – got a lot of the ball and showed a bit. Has time to develop to develop at Casey where he will soon become a favourite. Jared Rivers - played most of the game and should be in the Melbourne side next week. A real class player who held sway in defence. Shane Valenti - had leather poisoning. Dominated and will form a good combination with Casey small man Matthews. Austin Wonaeamirri - appeared a little underdone due to his injury. Played half a game and will probably need another run with Casey opening the door for Jetta next week. Trent Zomer – kicked a goal early but was often caught wrong footed and appeared a little slow. Was moved around a bit to try and get into the game. Casey Scorpions 6.3.39 8.5.53 10.6.66 11.7.73 Box Hill Hawks 0.4.4 4.6.30 4.7.31 9.9.63 Goalkickers Maric 3, Bolton, Jurrah, Hillberge, Matthews, Scanlon, Sykes, Wall, Zomer Best Wall, Matthews, Johnson, Valenti, Maric, Stockdale, Oldmeadow

Andrew - that's been fixed now. Thanks and please tell the folks back in Kazakhstan - Nazdrovje! (geez I hope it means what they told me it meant )

by Whispering Jack There is no secret as to why I (along with many others) made the journey out to Casey Fields yesterday. It was very simple - Liam Jurrah was playing his first game since his selection by Melbourne in December's Pre Season Draft and while many articles have been written about this young indigenous phenomenon from the country's red centre, there's no substitute for seeing a player do his thing out there on the field. Admittedly, Jurrah's pre-season was patchy. There were reports of freakish pieces of play at training but we hadn't yet had the opportunity of seeing him in action. He was selected in the squad for the Aboriginal All Stars game against Adelaide in Darwin in early February but withdrew due to "lack of conditioning". After that there were reports that the project player wasn't quite ready and needed time and work to make the transition from bush footy to the elite level and Melbourne coach Dean Bailey made it clear that this progression will be gradual. "We don't want to rush his development. He's a very good ball handler, he's got really good agility, and he actually tackles particularly well. He's got a vertical jump which is exciting, and the defensive part of his game is very good." Bailey's conclusion was that it was necessary to keep working Jurrah in the gym to "get his body ready to play with some confidence around the ground." The knowledge that the coach believed that the player wasn't ready yet didn't deter me. I still wanted to see him in the flesh; to determine whether all the hype about the Centralian sensation was true. Even if we had to wait a while to see him at AFL level, it might give an insight into whether the Demons have on their hands one of the answers to their prayers for a goal kicking forward? The reality was never going to match the expectation. For starters, it was clear from the moment he ran out onto the ground with his Casey Scorpions team mates, that the impressive but spindly Jurrah was not as tall as some of the early reports on him suggested. He's not 193cm tall and not even 190cm as is stated in the melbournefc magazine - more like about 187cm at most. Jurrah showed some glimpses of brilliance, kicked an early goal and flashed in and out of the play but he barely played out a half before showing signs of tiredness. His last shot at goal (admittedly in windy conditions) hit the behind post. Perhaps it was due to limited time on the track but he doesn't seem to have a strong engine. Coming from our hot centre you would imagine that he'd be used to the dry heat that prevailed yesterday at Casey Fields and yet he looked tired after a couple of long chases. Yes, it is going to take time ... Then it struck me how alike his mission to become an AFL footballer must be to that of his club's current Chairman when he embarked on his remarkable sporting career almost a quarter of a century ago. Jim Stynes left his family and friends in Dublin and arrived here in November 1984 hopeful of kicking off a football career in unfamiliar surroundings a long way from home. He struggled early and his under 19 coach Ray Jordon sent him to Prahran in the VFA competition (now VFL) but returned to Melbourne after one season to become a club legend, a Brownlow Medallist and now the club's off field leader. Jim's valuable work with the Reach Foundation has also earned him acclimation from the wider general community. So Liam Jurrah's career is set to begin like Jimmy's not in the big time but in the VFL. His aim is to eventually succeed at the elite level and to become a role model for the youth back home in Yuendumu where he is being groomed as a future tribal elder. And though his football club leader's big footsteps will be eminently suitable ones to follow as his career unfolds, we're hoping if he happens to make it to a preliminary final in a few year's time, that he watches his step! LINK: ALL STAR DREAMING

FIRST GLIMPSES by Whispering Jack There is no secret as to why I (along with many others) made the journey out to Casey Fields yesterday. It was very simple - Liam Jurrah was playing his first game since his selection by Melbourne in December's Pre Season Draft and while many articles have been written about this young indigenous phenomenon from the country's red centre, there's no substitute for seeing a player do his thing out there on the field. Admittedly, Jurrah's pre-season was patchy. There were reports of freakish pieces of play at training but we hadn't yet had the opportunity of seeing him in action. He was selected in the squad for the Aboriginal All Stars game against Adelaide in Darwin in early February but withdrew due to "lack of conditioning". After that there were reports that the project player wasn't quite ready and needed time and work to make the transition from bush footy to the elite level and Melbourne coach Dean Bailey made it clear that this progression will be gradual. "We don't want to rush his development. He's a very good ball handler, he's got really good agility, and he actually tackles particularly well. He's got a vertical jump which is exciting, and the defensive part of his game is very good." Bailey's conclusion was that it was necessary to keep working Jurrah in the gym to "get his body ready to play with some confidence around the ground." The knowledge that the coach believed that the player wasn't ready yet didn't deter me. I still wanted to see him in the flesh; to determine whether all the hype about the Centralian sensation was true. Even if we had to wait a while to see him at AFL level, it might give an insight into whether the Demons have on their hands one of the answers to their prayers for a goal kicking forward? The reality was never going to match the expectation. For starters, it was clear from the moment he ran out onto the ground with his Casey Scorpions team mates, that the impressive but spindly Jurrah was not as tall as some of the early reports on him suggested. He's not 193cm tall and not even 190cm as is stated in the melbournefc magazine - more like about 187cm at most. Jurrah showed some glimpses of brilliance, kicked an early goal and flashed in and out of the play but he barely played out a half before showing signs of tiredness. His last shot at goal (admittedly in windy conditions) hit the behind post. Perhaps it was due to limited time on the track but he doesn't seem to have a strong engine. Coming from our hot centre you would imagine that he'd be used to the dry heat that prevailed yesterday at Casey Fields and yet he looked tired after a couple of long chases. Yes, it is going to take time ... Then it struck me how alike his mission to become an AFL footballer must be to that of his club's current Chairman when he embarked on his remarkable sporting career almost a quarter of a century ago. Jim Stynes left his family and friends in Dublin and arrived here in November 1984 hopeful of kicking off a football career in unfamiliar surroundings a long way from home. He struggled early and his under 19 coach Ray Jordon sent him to Prahran in the VFA competition (now VFL) but returned to Melbourne after one season to become a club legend, a Brownlow Medallist and now the club's off field leader. Jim's valuable work with the Reach Foundation has also earned him acclimation from the wider general community. So Liam Jurrah's career is set to begin like Jimmy's not in the big time but in the VFL. His aim is to eventually succeed at the elite level and to become a role model for the youth back home in Yuendumu where he is being groomed as a future tribal elder. And though his football club leader's big footsteps will be eminently suitable ones to follow as his career unfolds, we're hoping if he happens to make it to a preliminary final in a few year's time, that he watches his step! LINK: ALL STAR DREAMING

2009 MELBOURNEFC SEASON PREVIEW - RE-SHAPING THE MELBOURNE IDENTITY from the Blog of Dee man (Kevin Hawkins) Let's face it; Melbourne aren't going to win the premiership this year. Nor will they challenge for the finals. In fact - to be plainly honest - the Dees will be lucky to escape from the wooden spoon for the second year running. However, ladder position should not be the main concern for the Demons in 2009. This season is about development and improvement. In 2008 we saw the changing of the guard. In 2009 the focus must be on building the foundations. Forget wins and losses; if Dean Bailey can finish the season with a team of 22 footballers capable of claiming a future premiership, '09 can be considered a success. As it stands, Melbourne has roughly ten players who wouldn't look out of place at a Hawthorn or Geelong. The usual suspects Brad Green, Cameron Bruce, Matthew Whelan and Brock McLean would fit in like peas and carrot, while veterans such as Paul Wheatley and new captain James McDonald wouldn't disgrace themselves either. Through in a fit Aaron Davey, an in-form Colin Sylvia and young defensive duo Matthew Warnock and Colin Garland and you've got yourselves a decent list of footballers. One may also be inclined to include TV personality Russell Robertson, former Rising Star winner Jared Rivers and would-be premiership player Brent Moloney in that category, however a poor run injuries has demoted all three to the fringes of Melbourne's best 22. A colossal comeback season – particularly from the latter two – is essential to the immediate future of the club. What Dean Bailey must do is accept reality and realise that 4-5 of those guys will be well past their peak by the time Melbourne challenges for its next flag – whenever that may be. Which means there are still more than a dozen holes needed to be filled before the Demons can consider themselves a threat to rival clubs. Hence, Bailey's objective for his sophomore season must be to push the also-rans of the club to the next level. Strong bodied forwards Brad Miller and Matthew Bate look the most likely to step up, but both need to kick more goals. No one at Melbourne managed to kick more than 30 last season. In contrast, six Dogs did, five Cats did and three Hawks did. A strong forward line wins games, but as it stands no one at Melbourne looks capable of kicking bags of 5 or more. With Neita gone, Robbo hobbling, Michael Newton going nowhere and youngsters Jack Watts and Liam Jurrah still a few years off, Miller and Bate must make FF and CHF their own. Both are confident players with leadership qualities who, if they hold onto their marks and kick straight, can bolster the Melbourne revival. Nathan Jones is another who could be on the verge of something big. There is no doubting that Jones will be around for a long time, but the question is: when he finishes his career will he be remembered as a star or simply an 'honest, hard working battler'. Like so many others, Jones is currently heading towards that unflattering latter category, but let's not forget that he finished 2nd in the B+F only two years ago. His kicking and decision making may still require fine-tuning, but Jones runs hard, finds the ball easily and isn't afraid of showing off his aggression, three valuable traits any coach would be pleased with. Jones leads a bunch of young men who could become the nucleus of the Melbourne side within a couple of years, however individual flaws must be addressed beforehand. Simon Buckley is arguably the most exciting footballer to pull on the red and blue since the Wiz, but his decision making ability must not relapse back to the disastrous stage it was at early last year. In his fourth season, Clint Bartram must reward the faith of the selectors – who made him an automatic selection throughout '06 and '08 – with a breakthrough year. With a strong engine and spiky blonde hair, Bartram looks like he should be winning Brownlow votes, but as it stands his role in the team is questionable. Meanwhile, Austin Wonaeamirri has had a big pre-season, but it will be worth nothing if he is unable to last the full 22 rounds again. The others have more noticeable blemishes. Hypothetically, not one of Lynden Dunn, Ricky Petterd, James Frawley, Michael Newton, Daniel Bell or Mark Jamar could walk into a rival club and get a walk-up start; not even Fremantle. Nevertheless, this contingent – along with '08 debutants Cale Morton, Addam Maric, Stefan Martin, Jack Grimes and Shane Valenti – must be given regular opportunities in the seniors during the year, regardless of form slumps. A few seasons back we saw Hawthorn experiment by allowing Zac Dawson – a skinny boy way out of his league – to contest with strong power forwards. Dawson may now be a Saint rookie, but the boldness and persistence shown by the Hawks coaching staff is the exact reason why they rose from cellar dwellers to premiers in such a rapid time frame. Bailey and co. must follow Hawthorn's lead. Already we have witnessed the consequences of not giving developing players a go. Week in, week out, Chris Johnson was earning best on grounds in the VFL while Melbourne was being demoralised a level higher. No wonder he left on such unpleasant terms. It wouldn't surprise many fans to see CJ take his game to a new level at Carlton. The past is the past, however, and Melbourne can't afford to worry about what they can no longer control. What Melbourne can control is their destiny. There isn't a player on Melbourne's list that doesn't deserve to be there. Even the rookies are an exciting bunch; ruckman Jake Spencer is already making mouths water and pressuring the likes of Jamar, John Meesen and, to a lesser extent, Paul Johnson to lift. It wouldn't be a season preview without a bold prediction, so I won't leave you disappointed. I don't expect the Demons to win more than five games. Nor do I expect VCE students Jack Watts or Sam Blease to burst onto the scene and unleash themselves as the second coming. They probably won't even play a game. On the contrary, I have high hopes for a couple of individuals to make their mark on the competition in the same way that the likes of Garland and 'Wonna' did in '08. Watch out for one Stefan Martin to step up and become a star defender. He has all the hallmarks of a dominant AFL footballer - height, strength, speed and skill - and can read the play incredibly well for a guy who only picked up the game a couple of years ago. Jack Grimes is another to watch. His only appearance last season may not have given fans many clues as to his ability, but he is a ball magnet who has a valuable touch of leadership. He will finish top 5 in the Rising Star and average over 20 disposals. Of the debutants, expect Rohan Bail to shine. After winning the Rising Star in the AFLQ last year, Bail has the same credentials that Davey and Valenti had before joining the Dees. His experience should see him accumulate more game time and possessions than the likes of Neville Jetta, Jamie Bennell and Kyle Cheney – all of whom should be commencing their careers in '09 after promising pre-seasons. But arguably the most important player on the Melbourne list this season is Colin Sylvia, who last year continued his encouraging – yet frustratingly slow - progression. He is now fit enough to be an on-baller, skilful enough to be a playmaker and strong enough to be a power forward. Many supporters may have lost patience with him, but a top 5 best and fairest place beckons in 2009. However, single players don't win premierships. Teams do. And Melbourne – as a collective – must show mass signs of improvement. A Rising Star nomination or a Brownlow vote may look fancy on paper, but they are not going to give the Demons long term success. Each and every player on the Melbourne list must take a step forward this season, injuries being the only valid excuse. Those that have reached a plateau and those that are on the decline are now superfluous to Melbourne's plans and Bailey should make it clear that '09 is a make or break year for everyone. Including himself. Author's note: Unfortunately I will miss every game from Round 2 onwards as I will be away doing volunteer work in South Africa until the end of the year. To cover for my absence, here are the premature working titles for the later season reviews: Mid Season (3rd - 9 wins, 2 losses) – Like A Bat out of Hell End of Season Review (1st - 19 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw) – The Melbourne Supremacy Grand Final Preview – The Melbourne Ultimatum – Premiership or Choke? Grand Final Review – Melbourne Victory! If the season does not pan out exactly as I have predicted above, please do not inform me as I would rather remain ignorant and happy. [Editor's Note: Thanks Kevin and all the best in your work over in South Africa. Hope the year brings you good news from home]

In addition, no personal abuse please and stick to the subject matter. Please.

CAMPAIGN'S END by Whispering Jack Melbourne finished off its 2009 pre season campaign on a disappointing note when it failed to score in the appalling conditions that prevailed in the last quarter of its NAB Challenge against the Bulldogs at Casey Fields yesterday. The word "apalling" may not be entirely appropriate because what appeared to be the arrival of Cyclone Hamish direct from Cairns did herald an end to the state's bushfires. Unfortunately, it also put paid to any chance Melbourne had of winning this game. The Western Bulldogs had the advantage of cyclonic conditions and kicked 5.6 for the term to storm home by 38 points but the result was in no way indicative of how the game was played. For the first three quarters the Demons took it right up to last year's beaten preliminary finalists who fielded virtually a full squad while the Melbourne was without injured players Paul Johnson, Jack Grimes, Russell Robertson, Paul Wheatley, Austin Wonaemirri, Mark Jamar and Matthew Whelan as well as the suspended Colin Sylvia. It lost Ricky Petterd (corked hip), Daniel Bell (broken thumb) and Aaron Davey (bruised heel) at various stages during the course of the game. That is not making excuses but rather stating fact although I'm not sure whether any of the individuals who were out could have made a difference. The circumstances did however, make a mockery of the result and the 38 point blow out. It was an even first half in which the highly skilled Bulldogs dominated for the first ten minutes before Melbourne settled down and played some good, positive team football. The Western Bulldogs then started getting on top during the third quarter before a two goal Brad Green inspired comeback got Melbourne to within two points at the final break. I sensed that the Demons were going to be hard put to win anyway in the face of a more precise and skilful opponent but the changed conditions which gave the Doggies a distinct wind advantage made it a certainty. It's ironic that we've experienced such a severe drought and yet the team has had to brave such shocking conditions for two weeks in a row. In the end, it must have had an effect on the legs. The point however, is that last year Melbourne might have held its own for one quarter and been beaten for three quarters in a game like that but yesterday, the team was more than competitive for three quarters. I think that's a significant factor when looking at the season to come. They are not going to be world beaters but they will win more than their three games of 2008. As in previous weeks, the obvious improvement came from the defence. Colin Garland continues to shine and he is well backed up by Matthew Warnock, Stef Martin, James Frawley, Kyle Cheney, Clint Bartram and Jamie Bennell. This group probably averages no more than a dozen AFL games but they are moulding into a strong, compact hard working defensive unit. It's exactly what you need to launch a campaign to get your team off the deck. The addition of Jared Rivers who got through a full game for the first time in eons will be an important added bonus. I was really impressed with Bennell's first half. He has poise, skill and a natural football brain. But defenders also must keep their opponents in check as the slightest amount of latitude given to an opponent at this level can be deadly. I think he might have learned that lesson yesterday. The midfield performed reasonably well for the first three quarters. Brock McLean (who looked like an alien with his shaven head), James McDonald, Nathan Jones and Brent Moloney worked hard to get an advantage in the clearances but they still need to improve on their awareness and disposal skills coming out of the packs. Against this level of opposition, turnovers will always hurt you and unfortunately, the Demons had a few too many unforced turnovers in this area. Cale Morton, Daniel Bell, Cameron Bruce and Lynden Dunn all added support without being spectacular but like most of the team, went missing in the deluge (at least Bell had an excuse - he was off the ground injured!). Simon Buckley gave this division the benefit of some added run and will be an important player in 2009 while Green played a superb game both in the midfield and in attack. Jake Spencer was beaten by a strong Bulldog ruck combination but he worked hard and made Hudson and Minson earn their keep. He can only improve and looks set to lead the Demon rucks into the first third of the season. John Meesen tried but is not up to this standard. The attacking division remains problematic. Brad Miller cost the team a certain goal with his tantrum after Kyle Cheney had been awarded a fifty metre penalty. Miller remonstrated long and hard until the decision was reversed and then added insult to injury by giving away another fifty. This altered the tempo of the play at a time when the Demons were challenging to take the ascendency and Miller went missing for the rest of the game. I have no problem with flying the flag but this just wasn't smart at all. Matthew Bate had an off day. Michael Newton had his moments and was good but only in patches. At times he ran hard and chased hard and did well in conditions that would not have suited him. At other times, he seemed uninterested and didn't attack the ball hard enough. Admittedly, he was starved of opportunities after half time and the delivery to the forward line wasn't all that flash but he has a lot of work to do if he wants to become an AFL regular. Ricky Petterd played a lot out of the forward line and was probably the most impressive of the forwards until he injured his hip. Hopefully, it really is only a corked hip and he doesn't miss games. Neville Jetta is a great competitor and is looking good for a round one debut given the uncertainty about Aussie and Aaron Davey. Thankfully, the players have a well needed week's break before we get into the real stuff but there will be no rest for coach Dean Bailey. He hasn't managed to cover all of his team's deficiencies from 2008 during the off season (not that this was ever a possibility) and will have another tough assignment in 2009. Bailey's main problem again looks to be in the forward line where many of the deficiencies lie. I suspect he will have to make a decision very soon on whether to conscript Brad Green into this area because there simply doesn't enough goalkicking power up there in his absence. Melbourne 2.1.13 7.3.45 10.3.63 10.3.63 Western Bulldogs 2.7.19 5.10.40 9.11.65 14.17.101 Goals Melbourne Green 3 Miller Jetta Newton Davey McLean McDonald Jones Western Bulldogs Hill 3 Johnson 2 Higgins 2 Griffin 2 Akermanis Hahn Harbrow Cross Ward Best Melbourne Green, Jones, McDonald, Jetta, Buckley, Garland Western Bulldogs Cross, Gilbee, Griffin, Hill, Boyd, Higgins Injuries Melbourne Petterd (corked hip), Bell (suspected broken thumb), Davey (bruised heel) Western Bulldogs Nil Reports Clint Bartram for making front on contact with Daniel Giansiracusa in the fourth quarter Umpires Kennedy, Mollison, Stewart Crowd 2,500 (approx) at Casey Fields

by Whispering Jack Melbourne finished off its 2009 pre season campaign on a disappointing note when it failed to score in the appalling conditions that prevailed in the last quarter of its NAB Challenge against the Bulldogs at Casey Fields yesterday. The word "apalling" may not be entirely appropriate because what appeared to be the arrival of Cyclone Hamish direct from Cairns did herald an end to the state's bushfires. Unfortunately, it also put paid to any chance Melbourne had of winning this game. The Western Bulldogs had the advantage of cyclonic conditions and kicked 5.6 for the term to storm home by 38 points but the result was in no way indicative of how the game was played. For the first three quarters the Demons took it right up to last year's beaten preliminary finalists who fielded virtually a full squad while the Melbourne was without injured players Paul Johnson, Jack Grimes, Russell Robertson, Paul Wheatley, Austin Wonaemirri, Mark Jamar and Matthew Whelan as well as the suspended Colin Sylvia. It lost Ricky Petterd (corked hip), Daniel Bell (broken thumb) and Aaron Davey (bruised heel) at various stages during the course of the game. That is not making excuses but rather stating fact although I'm not sure whether any of the individuals who were out could have made a difference. The circumstances did however, make a mockery of the result and the 38 point blow out. It was an even first half in which the highly skilled Bulldogs dominated for the first ten minutes before Melbourne settled down and played some good, positive team football. The Western Bulldogs then started getting on top during the third quarter before a two goal Brad Green inspired comeback got Melbourne to within two points at the final break. I sensed that the Demons were going to be hard put to win anyway in the face of a more precise and skilful opponent but the changed conditions which gave the Doggies a distinct wind advantage made it a certainty. It's ironic that we've experienced such a severe drought and yet the team has had to brave such shocking conditions for two weeks in a row. In the end, it must have had an effect on the legs. The point however, is that last year Melbourne might have held its own for one quarter and been beaten for three quarters in a game like that but yesterday, the team was more than competitive for three quarters. I think that's a significant factor when looking at the season to come. They are not going to be world beaters but they will win more than their three games of 2008. As in previous weeks, the obvious improvement came from the defence. Colin Garland continues to shine and he is well backed up by Matthew Warnock, Stef Martin, James Frawley, Kyle Cheney, Clint Bartram and Jamie Bennell. This group probably averages no more than a dozen AFL games but they are moulding into a strong, compact hard working defensive unit. It's exactly what you need to launch a campaign to get your team off the deck. The addition of Jared Rivers who got through a full game for the first time in eons will be an important added bonus. I was really impressed with Bennell's first half. He has poise, skill and a natural football brain. But defenders also must keep their opponents in check as the slightest amount of latitude given to an opponent at this level can be deadly. I think he might have learned that lesson yesterday. The midfield performed reasonably well for the first three quarters. Brock McLean (who looked like an alien with his shaven head), James McDonald, Nathan Jones and Brent Moloney worked hard to get an advantage in the clearances but they still need to improve on their awareness and disposal skills coming out of the packs. Against this level of opposition, turnovers will always hurt you and unfortunately, the Demons had a few too many unforced turnovers in this area. Cale Morton, Daniel Bell, Cameron Bruce and Lynden Dunn all added support without being spectacular but like most of the team, went missing in the deluge (at least Bell had an excuse - he was off the ground injured!). Simon Buckley gave this division the benefit of some added run and will be an important player in 2009 while Green played a superb game both in the midfield and in attack. Jake Spencer was beaten by a strong Bulldog ruck combination but he worked hard and made Hudson and Minson earn their keep. He can only improve and looks set to lead the Demon rucks into the first third of the season. John Meesen tried but is not up to this standard. The attacking division remains problematic. Brad Miller cost the team a certain goal with his tantrum after Kyle Cheney had been awarded a fifty metre penalty. Miller remonstrated long and hard until the decision was reversed and then added insult to injury by giving away another fifty. This altered the tempo of the play at a time when the Demons were challenging to take the ascendency and Miller went missing for the rest of the game. I have no problem with flying the flag but this just wasn't smart at all. Matthew Bate had an off day. Michael Newton had his moments and was good but only in patches. At times he ran hard and chased hard and did well in conditions that would not have suited him. At other times, he seemed uninterested and didn't attack the ball hard enough. Admittedly, he was starved of opportunities after half time and the delivery to the forward line wasn't all that flash but he has a lot of work to do if he wants to become an AFL regular. Ricky Petterd played a lot out of the forward line and was probably the most impressive of the forwards until he injured his hip. Hopefully, it really is only a corked hip and he doesn't miss games. Neville Jetta is a great competitor and is looking good for a round one debut given the uncertainty about Aussie and Aaron Davey. Thankfully, the players have a well needed week's break before we get into the real stuff but there will be no rest for coach Dean Bailey. He hasn't managed to cover all of his team's deficiencies from 2008 during the off season (not that this was ever a possibility) and will have another tough assignment in 2009. Bailey's main problem again looks to be in the forward line where many of the deficiencies lie. I suspect he will have to make a decision very soon on whether to conscript Brad Green into this area because there simply doesn't enough goalkicking power up there in his absence. Melbourne 2.1.13 7.3.45 10.3.63 10.3.63 Western Bulldogs 2.7.19 5.10.40 9.11.65 14.17.101 Goals Melbourne Green 3 Miller Jetta Newton Davey McLean McDonald Jones Western Bulldogs Hill 3 Johnson 2 Higgins 2 Griffin 2 Akermanis Hahn Harbrow Cross Ward Best Melbourne Green, Jones, McDonald, Jetta, Buckley, Garland Western Bulldogs Cross, Gilbee, Griffin, Hill, Boyd, Higgins Injuries Melbourne Petterd (corked hip), Bell (suspected broken thumb), Davey (bruised heel) Western Bulldogs Nil Reports Clint Bartram for making front on contact with Daniel Giansiracusa in the fourth quarter Umpires Kennedy, Mollison, Stewart Crowd 2,500 (approx) at Casey Fields

or possibly Melbourne v Sydney in the NAB Challenge at Visy Park a couple of weeks ago.

What about the boy Hughes. Can he bat or what?

Funny that when this happens the Herald Sun runs an article "Warnock steps up" but its not about Matthew Warnock. It's about his brother Robert although he's done abolutely nothing on any football field. The article's about how Carlton is optimistic that the injury prone ruckman (who's costing them 400k a season for four years) "could run out with the Northern Bullants in their season-opener on April 12." That's news?

HAMISH AND HAPPINESS by Bananabender Moose and I had all the good intentions in the world when we embarked on Thursday monrning on what was to be a leisurely 24 plus hours 1,670 kilometre drive north to watch the Demons take on the Lions at Cazaly Stadium, Cairns on the following evening. But we never made it. The reasons for missing our first Melbourne game in tropical far north Queensland were many. Initially, engine trouble with the ute set us back by several hours. During the time the garage was attending to the repairs, Moose got stuck into our supply of frothies and promptly ruled himself out of any possible role as co-driver for the trip. Then the warnings about a looming tropical cyclone were enough to force us to turn back home. We've experienced tropical cyclones before. Driving rain and roaring winds are not a pleasant mix and you don't want to get slapped in the face by a sheet of flying corrugated iron (or even a cane toad for that matter). The decision not to push on was made a lot easier with the knowledge that we still have the opportunity to watch the Dees play this year in what will be a fair dinkum game for premiership points against St. Kilda in a couple of months time at a venue much closer to home - Carara on the Gold Coast so we ended up back in the flat in suburban Brisbane with two days supply of XXXX watching Phil Hughes and Simon Katich flaying the Protea bowling attack on a flat deck in Durban. And they were carrying out the demolition with more speed and more efficiency than what we were doing with the tinnies! The problem was the promise made to Demonland of a match report on a game that we never came within 1,500 k's of watching! We decided to fulfill our obligation by improvising i.e commenting on reports from the media and the internet and providing a story from the viewpoint of long-suffering footy starved fans who at least reside in the same state where the game was played. The problem was that the first media stories about the game were so Brisbane-centric that it wasn't funny. The Courier Mail (and the Herald Sun) ran a report by Robert Craddock - JARED BRENNAN INJURED IN PRACTICE MATCH. Bloody hell, I thought Craddock did cricket and judging by this shite he probably should have been at Durban (Moose wanted me to say Lahore or La Whore but please excuse him – he was totally shickered by this stage). Fair dinkum, we double the home team's score (well ... they were a little bit closer to home than we were) and all he can write about is Jared Brennan's injury (a quad strain), Michael Voss' lamentation that his side had played "poorly" and without "intensity" and gave away too many "free kicks" (a time honoured default excuse for losing a game), how young Lions Rich and Redden played well in the conditions and that one J. Brown got through half a game unscathed. Oh, and yes. The other team that took part was Melbourne. You call that a match report Craddock? The AFL's own site was no better and it should therefore not come as a surprise that the website editors decided to retain the author's anonymity - VOSS NOT WORRIED BY HEAVY LOSS TO DEMONS. This report tells us that Voss isn't panicking about his team's loss (as you wouldn't when you get flogged by the raging favourites for the wooden spoon), that he saw no discernible "gaping holes" in his team's makeup and that the game was played in horrible conditions on account of Tropical Cyclone Hamish (named after the bloke from Melbourne who's supposed to be promoting the Demons?). Incidentally, to round off his/her/its report, the unnamed journo let slip the fact that Dean Bailey was happy with the performance. I won't even bother commenting on the effort of Cairns Post reporter Andrew Piva - DEMONS SWOOP ON LIONS LAPSES other than to ask whether the winning side is ever going to get any credit for beating their opposition on the night and noting Moose's astute comment that the word "piva" apparently means "beer" in Polish. (although Moose is of Polish extraction, he could be wrong because he was heavily on the piss beer piva at the time he made the comment). So my last refuge was the message boards on the Demon supporter sites and, thanks to the hardy efforts of "Junior" who is apparently the offspring of correspondent "faultydet" and who was one of 4,000 spectators who got a thorough drenching at Cazaly Stadium, I can impart some information about the game. Thanks guys. The conditions were wet and windy ( no surprises there). At times visibility was down to almost zero as the rain sheeted down and Brisbane had first use of the wind. However, Melbourne kicked the first goal through Ricky Petterd before the Lions struck back to take a two point lead into the first break. Nathan Jones and Shane Valenti were prominent early and Jared Rivers was doing some nice things in his comeback game. Jonathan Brown was being well held by the Demon defence. The Demons struck early in the second term and were never headed from that point onwards. Cameron Bruce was probably the most experienced player in the team in the absence of skipper James McDonald, Matthew Whelan, Brad Green and Paul Wheatley and he starred. The goals were being evenly spread around, the coaches were pleased with the intensity and defensive efforts of the forwards and, after Michael Newton kicked the team's sixth goal, the team was able to take a 22 point lead into the main break. The only clouds on the horizon at this stage were ... well, the clouds on the horizon and an ankle injury to ruckman/forward Paul Johnson but he must have made a quick recovery because he took the ground again later in the game. Brisbane was expected to hit back hard after half time but the young Demons were ready for them and, not only matched them goal for goal but also managed to increase the lead with two late quarter goals from Michael Newton. The coaches took time to admonish young 19 year old rookie ruckman Jake Spencer for a couple of unsatisfactory efforts and this should hold him in good stead in the future. He certainly lifted his game in the final quarter so he's learning quickly. With conditions deteriorating, the Demons were not going to allow a lead of in excess of five goals slip for the second time in a fortnight and they maintained their tight grip in the ensuing slog, keeping the Lions goalless for another quarter and (I don't believe I'm writing this) winning comfortaby by 37 points in a low scoring encounter. Brock McLean was dominant in the middle which is exactly what you would expect of him in those conditions. The return to full fitness of McLean and Rivers will have wide-reaching effects on their team's performance in 2009 and beyond. Let's hope they stay fit from now on! That's about all there is to report except that Moose and I are happy that the Melbourne injury column from the game was blank, Dean Bailey was happy after the game but thinks there's room for improvement ... oh, and yes. The other team that participated was called Brisbane Lions and their coach, um ... er ... Michael Voss wasn't much concerned that his team suffered a heavy loss. MELBOURNE 2.1.13 6.3.39 10.3.63 11.7.73 BRISBANE LIONS 2.3.15 2.5.17 4.7.31 4.12.36 Goals MELBOURNE Newton 3 Dunn Petterd 2 Bruce Jetta Jones Moloney BRISBANE LIONS Brown Clark Dalziell Hooper BEST MELBOURNE Newton Warnock Dunn BRISBANE LIONS Johnstone Adcock Dalziell Injuries MELBOURNE Nil BRISBANE LIONS J Brennan (quad) Umpires H Kennedy J Mollison B Ryan Crowd Approximately 4,000 at Cazaly Stadium Cairns

by Bananabender Moose and I had all the good intentions in the world when we embarked on Thursday monrning on what was to be a leisurely 24 plus hours 1,670 kilometre drive north to watch the Demons take on the Lions at Cazaly Stadium, Cairns on the following evening. But we never made it. The reasons for missing our first Melbourne game in tropical far north Queensland were many. Initially, engine trouble with the ute set us back by several hours. During the time the garage was attending to the repairs, Moose got stuck into our supply of frothies and promptly ruled himself out of any possible role as co-driver for the trip. Then the warnings about a looming tropical cyclone were enough to force us to turn back home. We've experienced tropical cyclones before. Driving rain and roaring winds are not a pleasant mix and you don't want to get slapped in the face by a sheet of flying corrugated iron (or even a cane toad for that matter). The decision not to push on was made a lot easier with the knowledge that we still have the opportunity to watch the Dees play this year in what will be a fair dinkum game for premiership points against St. Kilda in a couple of months time at a venue much closer to home - Carara on the Gold Coast so we ended up back in the flat in suburban Brisbane with two days supply of XXXX watching Phil Hughes and Simon Katich flaying the Protea bowling attack on a flat deck in Durban. And they were carrying out the demolition with more speed and more efficiency than what we were doing with the tinnies! The problem was the promise made to Demonland of a match report on a game that we never came within 1,500 k's of watching! We decided to fulfill our obligation by improvising i.e commenting on reports from the media and the internet and providing a story from the viewpoint of long-suffering footy starved fans who at least reside in the same state where the game was played. The problem was that the first media stories about the game were so Brisbane-centric that it wasn't funny. The Courier Mail (and the Herald Sun) ran a report by Robert Craddock - JARED BRENNAN INJURED IN PRACTICE MATCH. Bloody hell, I thought Craddock did cricket and judging by this shite he probably should have been at Durban (Moose wanted me to say Lahore or La Whore but please excuse him – he was totally shickered by this stage). Fair dinkum, we double the home team's score (well ... they were a little bit closer to home than we were) and all he can write about is Jared Brennan's injury (a quad strain), Michael Voss' lamentation that his side had played "poorly" and without "intensity" and gave away too many "free kicks" (a time honoured default excuse for losing a game), how young Lions Rich and Redden played well in the conditions and that one J. Brown got through half a game unscathed. Oh, and yes. The other team that took part was Melbourne. You call that a match report Craddock? The AFL's own site was no better and it should therefore not come as a surprise that the website editors decided to retain the author's anonymity - VOSS NOT WORRIED BY HEAVY LOSS TO DEMONS. This report tells us that Voss isn't panicking about his team's loss (as you wouldn't when you get flogged by the raging favourites for the wooden spoon), that he saw no discernible "gaping holes" in his team's makeup and that the game was played in horrible conditions on account of Tropical Cyclone Hamish (named after the bloke from Melbourne who's supposed to be promoting the Demons?). Incidentally, to round off his/her/its report, the unnamed journo let slip the fact that Dean Bailey was happy with the performance. I won't even bother commenting on the effort of Cairns Post reporter Andrew Piva - DEMONS SWOOP ON LIONS LAPSES other than to ask whether the winning side is ever going to get any credit for beating their opposition on the night and noting Moose's astute comment that the word "piva" apparently means "beer" in Polish. (although Moose is of Polish extraction, he could be wrong because he was heavily on the piss beer piva at the time he made the comment). So my last refuge was the message boards on the Demon supporter sites and, thanks to the hardy efforts of "Junior" who is apparently the offspring of correspondent "faultydet" and who was one of 4,000 spectators who got a thorough drenching at Cazaly Stadium, I can impart some information about the game. Thanks guys. The conditions were wet and windy ( no surprises there). At times visibility was down to almost zero as the rain sheeted down and Brisbane had first use of the wind. However, Melbourne kicked the first goal through Ricky Petterd before the Lions struck back to take a two point lead into the first break. Nathan Jones and Shane Valenti were prominent early and Jared Rivers was doing some nice things in his comeback game. Jonathan Brown was being well held by the Demon defence. The Demons struck early in the second term and were never headed from that point onwards. Cameron Bruce was probably the most experienced player in the team in the absence of skipper James McDonald, Matthew Whelan, Brad Green and Paul Wheatley and he starred. The goals were being evenly spread around, the coaches were pleased with the intensity and defensive efforts of the forwards and, after Michael Newton kicked the team's sixth goal, the team was able to take a 22 point lead into the main break. The only clouds on the horizon at this stage were ... well, the clouds on the horizon and an ankle injury to ruckman/forward Paul Johnson but he must have made a quick recovery because he took the ground again later in the game. Brisbane was expected to hit back hard after half time but the young Demons were ready for them and, not only matched them goal for goal but also managed to increase the lead with two late quarter goals from Michael Newton. The coaches took time to admonish young 19 year old rookie ruckman Jake Spencer for a couple of unsatisfactory efforts and this should hold him in good stead in the future. He certainly lifted his game in the final quarter so he's learning quickly. With conditions deteriorating, the Demons were not going to allow a lead of in excess of five goals slip for the second time in a fortnight and they maintained their tight grip in the ensuing slog, keeping the Lions goalless for another quarter and (I don't believe I'm writing this) winning comfortaby by 37 points in a low scoring encounter. Brock McLean was dominant in the middle which is exactly what you would expect of him in those conditions. The return to full fitness of McLean and Rivers will have wide-reaching effects on their team's performance in 2009 and beyond. Let's hope they stay fit from now on! That's about all there is to report except that Moose and I are happy that the Melbourne injury column from the game was blank, Dean Bailey was happy after the game but thinks there's room for improvement ... oh, and yes. The other team that participated was called Brisbane Lions and their coach, um ... er ... Michael Voss wasn't much concerned that his team suffered a heavy loss. MELBOURNE 2.1.13 6.3.39 10.3.63 11.7.73 BRISBANE LIONS 2.3.15 2.5.17 4.7.31 4.12.36 Goals MELBOURNE Newton 3 Dunn Petterd 2 Bruce Jetta Jones Moloney BRISBANE LIONS Brown Clark Dalziell Hooper BEST MELBOURNE Newton Warnock Dunn BRISBANE LIONS Johnstone Adcock Dalziell Injuries MELBOURNE Nil BRISBANE LIONS J Brennan (quad) Umpires H Kennedy J Mollison B Ryan Crowd Approximately 4,000 at Cazaly Stadium Cairns

What about Roughhead's hands in the back (not paid again) for his second goal? How does he get away with it?

by The Oracle In the TV series "Lost" the main subjects are the survivors of a plane wreck who are lost on what they originally thought was a deserted tropical island. They soon discover they are not alone: that there are "others". So it is with the Melbourne Football Club. Yesterday, a squad of 26 took part in the NAB Challenge game at Vizy Park. The squad included a couple of rookies - Jake Spencer and Shane Valenti leaving 14 senior listed players and four rookies on the sidelines. For this week those 18 Demon footballers were our "others". The question remains as to whether they will still be counted among the "others" when the ball is bounced for the first time when the real season opens on 29 March? Today, I take a look at the current list of "others" and their short-term prospects from an admittedly not totally informed viewpoint - Clint Bartram - played well but damaged an eardrum against Hawthorn. Should be right for next week. Matthew Bate - apparently rested this week after booting four goals against the Hawks. Sam Blease - VCE student on a modified training programme. Will see action later in the season starting at Casey. Simon Buckley - not sure what the problem is with Bucks but he seemed to be hampered by some sort of a niggle at the intraclub game a fortnight ago. Hopefully, it's not too serious. Mark Jamar - has been hampered with a foot injury and is expected back in the next week or so. Liam Jurrah - making up for lost time and lack of conditioning with a modified training programme but all reports suggest he is something "special". Another who will eventually start at Casey. Addam Maric - an end-of-season hip operation has curtailed his pre-season and he's looking at a delayed start to his year. Tom McNamara – injured and hasn't been seen in practice match action this year. Jared Rivers - rolled an ankle during the intraclub practice match at Casey Fields a fortnight ago. Rivers is an important player who is badly needed back fit and playing at his peak if the club is to progress in 2009. Russell Robertson - out of action since round 10 last year with a torn Achilles. On the comeback trail but will still need several games at VFL level before making a return to top company. Jack Watts - the Year 12 Brighton Grammar School student is training twice a week on the same special programme as Sam Blease and will be given time to develop in his initial season at the club. Paul Wheatley - a calf injury has forced him out of action for over a month. Apparently due back in the next week or so. Matthew Whelan – suffered a calf injury in last week's NAB Cup in Launceston after a sparkling first half and missed yesterday's game. Austin Wonaeamirri - looking super fit but a hamstring injury incurred early in the game against the Hawks will see him out of action for the better part of the month. The remaining "others" from yesterday were rookies Rhys Healey, Daniel Hughes, Jordie McKenzie and Trent Zomer. The closest of this lot to getting a game is Zomer who was an emergency yesterday. These lads and some more of the "others" should be seen in action later in the month when the Casey Scorpions begin their practice match programme. As a footnote, I saw Jarod Rivers and Tom McNamara leaving the ground yesterday and they weren't carrying any noticeable injuries. McNamara appears to have grown a little taller than last year and looked to be Rivvo's height. If you can update or clarify the information above, please do.

THE OTHERS by The Oracle In the TV series "Lost" the main subjects are the survivors of a plane wreck who are lost on what they originally thought was a deserted tropical island. They soon discover they are not alone: that there are "others". So it is with the Melbourne Football Club. Yesterday, a squad of 26 took part in the NAB Challenge game at Vizy Park. The squad included a couple of rookies - Jake Spencer and Shane Valenti leaving 14 senior listed players and four rookies on the sidelines. For this week those 18 Demon footballers were our "others". The question remains as to whether they will still be counted among the "others" when the ball is bounced for the first time when the real season opens on 29 March? Today, I take a look at the current list of "others" and their short-term prospects from an admittedly not totally informed viewpoint - Clint Bartram - played well but damaged an eardrum against Hawthorn. Should be right for next week. Matthew Bate - apparently rested this week after booting four goals against the Hawks. Sam Blease - VCE student on a modified training programme. Will see action later in the season starting at Casey. Simon Buckley - not sure what the problem is with Bucks but he seemed to be hampered by some sort of a niggle at the intraclub game a fortnight ago. Hopefully, it's not too serious. Mark Jamar - has been hampered with a foot injury and is expected back in the next week or so. Liam Jurrah - making up for lost time and lack of conditioning with a modified training programme but all reports suggest he is something "special". Another who will eventually start at Casey. Addam Maric - an end-of-season hip operation has curtailed his pre-season and he's looking at a delayed start to his year. Tom McNamara – injured and hasn't been seen in practice match action this year. Jared Rivers - rolled an ankle during the intraclub practice match at Casey Fields a fortnight ago. Rivers is an important player who is badly needed back fit and playing at his peak if the club is to progress in 2009. Russell Robertson - out of action since round 10 last year with a torn Achilles. On the comeback trail but will still need several games at VFL level before making a return to top company. Jack Watts - the Year 12 Brighton Grammar School student is training twice a week on the same special programme as Sam Blease and will be given time to develop in his initial season at the club. Paul Wheatley - a calf injury has forced him out of action for over a month. Apparently due back in the next week or so. Matthew Whelan – suffered a calf injury in last week's NAB Cup in Launceston after a sparkling first half and missed yesterday's game. Austin Wonaeamirri - looking super fit but a hamstring injury incurred early in the game against the Hawks will see him out of action for the better part of the month. The remaining "others" from yesterday were rookies Rhys Healey, Daniel Hughes, Jordie McKenzie and Trent Zomer. The closest of this lot to getting a game is Zomer who was an emergency yesterday. These lads and some more of the "others" should be seen in action later in the month when the Casey Scorpions begin their practice match programme. As a footnote, I saw Jared Rivers and Tom McNamara leaving the ground yesterday and they weren't carrying any noticeable injuries. McNamara appears to have grown a little taller than last year and looked to be Rivvo's height. If you can update or clarify the information above, please do.

by Whispering Jack Another practice match; another narrow loss in a low scoring game against one of 2008's leading AFL clubs. I did say a "practice match" didn't I? Right ... in a game whose result was meaningless, the Demons showed a fair bit against a pretty strong Sydney combination but we need to forget the scoreboard and look purely at the performance of the team and how it's shaping up in comparison with last year. The narrative is starting to take on a familiar look. The defence continues to step up in leaps and bounds, the midfield is showing small signs of improvement after attracting the tag "third world" but still struggles to win enough clearances and lacks a bit of toe and a forward line that's ... well, um ... basically inept. There will be much debate as to where this will lead us to in 2009 and a great deal will depend on whether the list stays healthy. It's a list that's young and promising but those players need games in their legs before they can make a difference. Despite some promising signs, the midfield needs a lot more strengthening. There are plenty of hard nuts there but they were overwhelmed by Sydney's determination, pace and superior ball movement. That said, it appeared as though Brock McLean, Brent Moloney and James McDonald weren't being pushed hard in this game. Nathan Jones was disappointing, looked slow and was caught a bit too often. Cale Morton continued to kick on picking up a swag of possessions and Cameron Bruce was good outside but what Melbourne really needed was someone like Simon Buckley (inexplicably missing recently) who can take on the opposition and run through the lines. In the end, there was nobody there who could put his hand up high and say, "I'm taking this game on!" But if we can be critical of the midfield, what can be said of the attack? Brad Miller was the only tall forward of any note; Paul Johnson has a fair way to go either as a forward or a ruckman and Michael Newton simply isn't up to it. Matthew Bate who booted four goals last week was sorely missed. Aaron Davey had his moments, Brad Green was used sparingly and Neville Jetta added some excitement but the forwards didn't do enough to keep the ball in the team's attacking half. On what's been on display over the past fortnight, there might be some improvement in the side in 2009 but, even so, that might not translate into many more wins than last year. You don't win too many games when you average 8 or 9 goals a match. Still there was evidence of advancement – mainly in the fact that the team is not as much out of touch with the game is being played these days as it was last year and in the way the back half is developing. I won't dwell too much on the defenders other than to say that they not only performed but they also stood out. Garland, Grimes, Warnock, Martin, Frawley and Cheney - all of them look to be long term members of what could become one of the competition's leading back lines in the not too distant future. Ricky Petterd and Jamie Bennell both showed that they would challenge for places in the strongest area of the Demon armoury. And Jared Rivers and Matty Whelan are due to come back in the next week or so. The ungainly Jake Spencer again showed promise in the ruck and held his own against Darren Jolly but whether Melbourne can find a way to promote him off the rookie list is another matter. Regardless of that, the Demons might have uncovered the next big thing in the 200cm plus category and that will certainly diminish the pain of being gazumped by Carlton who paid $400k for an injury prone Docker beanpole with barely 20 games in three years to his name. It's unfortunate however, that the Blues weren't as keen on beating us to John Meesen a year earlier. Meesen just went against the Swans but he was contending against a Canadian rugby player for part of the game. Bunbury pair Jetta and Bennell and former Scotch College on baller James Strauss were used sparingly. However, despite their cameo roles they all did enough to suggest that we are going to see a lot more of them in the future. Rohan Bail got a lot of the ball when substituted on in the last half but wasted a few of his kicks by being perhaps a bit eager to impress. After a poor NAB Cup performance last week and a quiet start to this game, Colin Sylvia sparked up the team and answered his critics with a near match winning effort in the final three terms and that was despite getting some close and heavy treatment in the latter stages of the third quarter. Daniel Bell was warming up to be playing one of his better games when he hobbled off with injury in the third quarter. They're still making mistakes but thankfully, it's nothing like this time last year with its Keystone Cops clangers, the hand wringing and the grief. What the Demons need most right now is a more potent combination up forward and until that happens, they are placed in a position where they will always wonder where the next goal is coming from and therefore will continue to lag behind the procession of finals contenders. Melbourne 3.1 3.2 6.5 8.7 (55) Sydney Swans 1.3 3.5 6.7 9.9 (63) GOALS Melbourne: Sylvia 2, Miller, Morton, McDonald, Newton, Davey, Jetta Sydney Swans: Barlow, J. Bolton 2, O'Keefe, White, Moore, Pyke, Smith BEST Melbourne: Sylvia, Grimes, Martin, Warnock, Garland, Bruce Sydney Swans: Goodes, McVeigh, Bird, Buchanan, Mattner INJURIES Melbourne: Bell (corked thigh) Sydney Swans: Nil Reports: Nil Umpires: Vozzo, Statham, Gestier