Demonland

Normal deal - first three sets of serious votes on a 6,5,4,3,2,1 basis. Weighted average this week .6832.

A DRAWN OUT AFFAIR by Clyde the Clifton Hill Cabbie They call me in to do match reviews when things are getting desperate around the place and I suppose after witnessing last week's debacle against North Melbourne at the G, things are about as desperate as they can get, so here I am. When you can't find a way to trouble the scoreboard attendant until your opponent has already notched up twelve scoring shots and kicked a couple of others out of bounds on the full, you know that you've hit rock bottom. Well, not quite. Actually, you know that you've hit rock bottom when you come up against a team that has just ended a record 14 game losing streak and the bookies have them as raging favourites at $1.35 to win and you're rated at just $3.00. Perhaps there's some value there but, it means that it probably isn't worth the gamble. That's what my knowledgeable fares tell me anyway (I only take them too the races, they're usually too broke to take them home). Anyway, when you're quoted at $3.00 against a nag that was headed for the glue factory last week, then you've not only hit the rock bottom stage but you're also digging yourself a deep hole from which there is little hope of return. Carlton fans have come out of the woodwork since last Sunday's win and are cock-a-hoop and crowing about how they are going to give the Demons an almighty flogging. But look who they beat last weekend? Collingwood. The AFL’s love child – a 2007 top four team and one which came to within a heartbeat of playing off in the grand final (and probably winning it) against Port Adelaide. But the Magpies of 2008 have been but a shadow of last year's outfit. As a top team from 2007, the AFL doled out the ideal programme to them for this year. It included the opening four games against teams that occupied the bottom half of the ladder in 2007. Their dividend from four games is a 50% record which is pathetic - just wait until they play good sides like the big three! Now obviously, Melbourne isn't travelling all that flash either and Demon fans would have wet dreams about a 50:50 win-loss record so far, and I don't know why, but I like the look of their team for tomorrow. Collingwood lost to Carlton last week because of its arrogance in underestimating its opposition. The way Carlton and its supporters are carrying on at the moment, they might well be falling into the same trap. All we need to see is a Melbourne playing with a bit of emotion and the players using their brains and an upset will be on the cards. There's other thing Melbourne has going for it now. The club received an absolute hammering from Caroline Wilson in the Age during the week. That's usually a good sign because Caro slagged off at Richmond and its poor culture last week, and the Tigers responded with a 64-point win against Fremantle at Subiaco. The Demons are under siege and it's their turn for the next big improvement. THE GAME Melbourne v Carlton at the MCG – Sunday 20 April 2008 at 1.10pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 90 wins Carlton 109 wins 2 draws At the MCG Melbourne 48 wins Carlton 43 wins Since 2000: Melbourne 8 wins Carlton 4 wins The Coaches: Bailey 0 wins Ratten 0 wins MEDIA TV Fox Sports 1 at 1.00pm (live) Replays on The Comedy Channel at 8.00pm and 11.00pm. RADIO 774ABC SEN THE BETTING Melbourne to win $3.00 Carlton to win $1.35 LAST TIME THEY MET Melbourne 21.13.139 defeated Carlton 15.18.108 Round 22, 2007, at The MCG The ultimate "tank" game and one that will long live on in the memory of all those who attended. The prize for losing will be on display this Sunday wearing a Carlton Guernsey. Take your pick whether that person is Chris Judd or Matthew Kreuzer. For Melbourne, Travis Johnstone collected a season high 42 disposals which was enough to send him packing north to Brisbane in return for National Draft pick number 14. Meanwhile, Melbourne's coach for the day was rewarded by getting a posting as an assistant coach at Carlton. He should be able to work out the Demons' weaknesses this week because plenty of them were exposed during his brief coaching stint (mind you compared to that of the current coach, it's a record to be proud of). THE TEAMS MELBOURNE Backs Matthew Whelan Nathan Carroll Daniel Bell Half backs Paul Wheatley Jared Rivers Cameron Bruce Centreline Brad Green Brock McLean Clint Bartram Half forwards Cale Morton Russell Robertson Colin Sylvia Forwards Aaron Davey David Neitz Austin Wonaeamirri Followers Jeff White James McDonald Nathan Jones Interchange Lynden Dunn James Frawley Mark Jamar Brent Moloney Emergencies Colin Garland Chris Johnson Matthew Warnock In James Frawley Brent Moloney Out Chris Johnson (omitted) Brad Miller (suspended) CARLTON Backs Michael Jamison Bret Thornton Jordan Russell Half backs Heath Scotland Jarrad Waite Paul Bower Centreline Andrew Carrazzo Marc Murphy Bryce Gibbs Half forwards Kade Simpson Brad Fisher Nick Stevens Forwards Eddie Betts Brendan Fevola Cameron Cloke Followers Matthew Kreuzer Richard Hadley Chris Judd Interchange Jordan Bannister Shaun Grigg Setanta O'hAilpin Darren Pfeiffer Emergencies Dennis Armfield Adam Bentick Adam Hartlett No change AND ANOTHER THING Now that I've pumped up Melbourne's tyres a bit, I do want to get a few things off my chest. I'm so sick and tired of hearing the words "game plan" that I've put up a notice in my cab to the effect that passengers who utter those words will be ejected without further warning. Fair dinkum. There's only one frigging game plan in footy and that's to try to finish in front of your opponent when the final siren sounds. That can't happen whether you run and carry, go long or stand on your head if you can't deliver the ball properly to your team mates. It's not rocket science but I get the feeling that Melbourne's players are too frightened to make mistakes and that's exactly when you compound the problem. It was no co-incidence last week when the Demons loosened up a bit at the end of the game, that they actually outscored the opposition to win a quarter for the first time this season. Hopefully, they've learned their lesson and are prepared to play with some more flair and confidence. Against a team that has one of the competition's weakest defences, I'm expecting bigger things from the Dees this week. Their two key forwards David Neitz and Russell Robertson have to stand up and do just something. Neita's dividend of three goals from four games so far has been nowhere near good enough for him to retain his place in the team but, despite his age, he's too good a footballer to be kept down for too long. He needs an early goal and he'll be on his way. And so does Robbo because the way he's been going, his grand finals are fast approaching – one of them is on a celebrity talent programme and the other is likely to be the grand finale to his career unless he starts standing his ground playing for four quarters and not a cameo in junk time. By comparison, we have Carlton, which relies on Brendan Fevola to kick a lot of their goals. He's been firing on all cylinders for the past two weeks since he got off the grof but this week he runs into an even rougher nut than he is, in Nathan Carroll. The Demon defender will relish the opportunity to play against such an exalted bogan. If he can keep the Blues' spearhead to under ten goals without urinating on the MCG advertising boards, he will have done his job and the Demons could well be on their way to an unexpected victory. However, I’m still not sure if either side has developed a culture of winning yet. One swallow doesn't make a summer and the Blues will realise that it's not that easy to get away from what you've become used to for so long. The game will revive menories of their shameful tanking performance while playing in Carlton jumper against the red and the blue should bring a lump to Chris Judd's throat (and, no I'm not suggesting that anyone should perform a Barry Hall on him). The emotion of the day might well be too much for the Blues. On the other hand, the Demons have forgotten what it's like to come home with a well earned victory and the odds on a draw are tempting for me, so that's what I'm tipping. A draw.

by Clyde the Clifton Hill Cabbie They call me in to do match reviews when things are getting desperate around the place and I suppose after witnessing last week's debacle against North Melbourne at the G, things are about as desperate as they can get, so here I am. When you can't find a way to trouble the scoreboard attendant until your opponent has already notched up twelve scoring shots and kicked a couple of others out of bounds on the full, you know that you've hit rock bottom. Well, not quite. Actually, you know that you've hit rock bottom when you come up against a team that has just ended a record 14 game losing streak and the bookies have them as raging favourites at $1.35 to win and you're rated at just $3.00. Perhaps there's some value there but, it means that it probably isn't worth the gamble. That's what my knowledgeable fares tell me anyway (I only take them too the races, they're usually too broke to take them home). Anyway, when you're quoted at $3.00 against a nag that was headed for the glue factory last week, then you've not only hit the rock bottom stage but you're also digging yourself a deep hole from which there is little hope of return. Carlton fans have come out of the woodwork since last Sunday's win and are cock-a-hoop and crowing about how they are going to give the Demons an almighty flogging. But look who they beat last weekend? Collingwood. The AFL’s love child – a 2007 top four team and one which came to within a heartbeat of playing off in the grand final (and probably winning it) against Port Adelaide. But the Magpies of 2008 have been but a shadow of last year's outfit. As a top team from 2007, the AFL doled out the ideal programme to them for this year. It included the opening four games against teams that occupied the bottom half of the ladder in 2007. Their dividend from four games is a 50% record which is pathetic - just wait until they play good sides like the big three! Now obviously, Melbourne isn't travelling all that flash either and Demon fans would have wet dreams about a 50:50 win-loss record so far, and I don't know why, but I like the look of their team for tomorrow. Collingwood lost to Carlton last week because of its arrogance in underestimating its opposition. The way Carlton and its supporters are carrying on at the moment, they might well be falling into the same trap. All we need to see is a Melbourne playing with a bit of emotion and the players using their brains and an upset will be on the cards. There's other thing Melbourne has going for it now. The club received an absolute hammering from Caroline Wilson in the Age during the week. That's usually a good sign because Caro slagged off at Richmond and its poor culture last week, and the Tigers responded with a 64-point win against Fremantle at Subiaco. The Demons are under siege and it's their turn for the next big improvement. THE GAME Melbourne v Carlton at the MCG – Sunday 20 April 2008 at 1.10pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 90 wins Carlton 109 wins 2 draws At the MCG Melbourne 48 wins Carlton 43 wins Since 2000: Melbourne 8 wins Carlton 4 wins The Coaches: Bailey 0 wins Ratten 0 wins MEDIA TV Fox Sports 1 at 1.00pm (live) Replays on The Comedy Channel at 8.00pm and 11.00pm. RADIO 774ABC SEN THE BETTING Melbourne to win $3.00 Carlton to win $1.35 LAST TIME THEY MET Melbourne 21.13.139 defeated Carlton 15.18.108 Round 22, 2007, at The MCG The ultimate "tank" game and one that will long live on in the memory of all those who attended. The prize for losing will be on display this Sunday wearing a Carlton Guernsey. Take your pick whether that person is Chris Judd or Matthew Kreuzer. For Melbourne, Travis Johnstone collected a season high 42 disposals which was enough to send him packing north to Brisbane in return for National Draft pick number 14. Meanwhile, Melbourne's coach for the day was rewarded by getting a posting as an assistant coach at Carlton. He should be able to work out the Demons' weaknesses this week because plenty of them were exposed during his brief coaching stint (mind you compared to that of the current coach, it's a record to be proud of). THE TEAMS MELBOURNE Backs Matthew Whelan Nathan Carroll Daniel Bell Half backs Paul Wheatley Jared Rivers Cameron Bruce Centreline Brad Green Brock McLean Clint Bartram Half forwards Cale Morton Russell Robertson Colin Sylvia Forwards Aaron Davey David Neitz Austin Wonaeamirri Followers Jeff White James McDonald Nathan Jones Interchange Lynden Dunn James Frawley Colin Garland Mark Jamar Chris Johnson Brent Moloney Matthew Warnock Emergencies Colin Garland Chris Johnson Matthew Warnock In James Frawley Brent Moloney Out Chris Johnson (omitted) Brad Miller (suspended) CARLTON Backs Michael Jamison Bret Thornton Jordan Russell Half backs Heath Scotland Jarrad Waite Paul Bower Centreline Andrew Carrazzo Marc Murphy Bryce Gibbs Half forwards Kade Simpson Brad Fisher Nick Stevens Forwards Eddie Betts Brendan Fevola Cameron Cloke Followers Matthew Kreuzer Richard Hadley Chris Judd Interchange Jordan Bannister Shaun Grigg Setanta O'hAilpin Darren Pfeiffer Emergencies Dennis Armfield Adam Bentick Adam Hartlett No change AND ANOTHER THING Now that I've pumped up Melbourne's tyres a bit, I do want to get a few things off my chest. I'm so sick and tired of hearing the words "game plan" that I've put up a notice in my cab to the effect that passengers who utter those words will be ejected without further warning. Fair dinkum. There's only one frigging game plan in footy and that's to try to finish in front of your opponent when the final siren sounds. That can't happen whether you run and carry, go long or stand on your head if you can't deliver the ball properly to your team mates. It's not rocket science but I get the feeling that Melbourne's players are too frightened to make mistakes and that's exactly when you compound the problem. It was no co-incidence last week when the Demons loosened up a bit at the end of the game, that they actually outscored the opposition to win a quarter for the first time this season. Hopefully, they've learned their lesson and are prepared to play with some more flair and confidence. Against a team that has one of the competition's weakest defences, I'm expecting bigger things from the Dees this week. Their two key forwards David Neitz and Russell Robertson have to stand up and do just something. Neita's dividend of three goals from four games so far has been nowhere near good enough for him to retain his place in the team but, despite his age, he's too good a footballer to be kept down for too long. He needs an early goal and he'll be on his way. And so does Robbo because the way he's been going, his grand finals are fast approaching – one of them is on a celebrity talent programme and the other is likely to be the grand finale to his career unless he starts standing his ground playing for four quarters and not a cameo in junk time. By comparison, we have Carlton, which relies on Brendan Fevola to kick a lot of their goals. He's been firing on all cylinders for the past two weeks since he got off the grof but this week he runs into an even rougher nut than he is, in Nathan Carroll. The Demon defender will relish the opportunity to play against such an exalted bogan. If he can keep the Blues' spearhead to under ten goals without urinating on the MCG advertising boards, he will have done his job and the Demons could well be on their way to an unexpected victory. However, I’m still not sure if either side has developed a culture of winning yet. One swallow doesn't make a summer and the Blues will realise that it's not that easy to get away from what you've become used to for so long. The game will revive menories of their shameful tanking performance while playing in Carlton jumper against the red and the blue should bring a lump to Chris Judd's throat (and, no I'm not suggesting that anyone should perform a Barry Hall on him). The emotion of the day might well be too much for the Blues. On the other hand, the Demons have forgotten what it's like to come home with a well earned victory and the odds on a draw are tempting for me, so that's what I'm tipping. A draw.

ZEBRAS LAMENT by Barry from Beach Road The Zebras started as firm favourites to prevail over rival club Frankston in Sunday's bayside derby at the Trevor Barker Beach Road Oval. They had the optimum number of 12 Melbourne Football Club affiliated players and a number of others with experience at the elite level giving them a combined tally of several hundred AFL games under their belt. On the other hand, the Dolphins were hit by injury, missing a key ruckman in Eames and dangerous forward Limbach and cobbled together an inexperienced side that included three first gamers at VFL level. It seemed that Sandy had only to turn up to claim the four premiership points on offer. Unfortunately, while the script ran that way early in the game, Frankston took the game right up to Sandringham and overpowered the home side to score an upset 12 point victory and leave the home team lamenting after their strong all round team performance. The Zebras were off to a good start as they raced away to a 26 point lead approaching the quarter time siren with Stefan Martin controlling the rucks, Simon Buckley kicking two booming long goals and 17 year old Addam Maric causing Frankston problems both around the ground and near the goals. The lead was pegged back to 20 points with a Dolphin goal on the siren but Sandringham looked well in control. Things changed in the second term as the visitors got their act together and began playing as a team, running in twos and threes to move the ball quickly forward. Sandringham lost the dominance of Martin to injury and this left young Jake Spencer to virtually play a lone hand on the ball against Frankston's rucks. Coach Andy Lovell was forced to move Nick Sautner and Michael Newton (neither was playing well anyway) to act as back ups to Spencer. With Rod Crowe out, the Zebras were struggling in the key forward positions where they are normally a strength. Sandringham maintained its lead into the major interval but now led by a narrow margin of five points although it did have the advantage of what seemed to be the scoring end going into the third term. However, Frankston's confidence was high and it now controlled the centre clearances with Sandy's normally steady midfielder like Peter Summers and Shane Valenti well down on their usual form. As a consequence, the normally solid defence wilted under pressure and the Dolphins took over the running. They snatched the lead halfway through the third quarter and never looked back from there although, to their credit, the Zebras made a number of spirited attempts to get back into the game. Andy Biddlecombe who had fought well in defence was summoned up forward for a while but was unable to repeat the heroics of the grand final from a couple of years ago and Sautner and Newton continued to be well held. Sautner remained goalless for the day and Newton managed just one goal - albeit a ripper from 55 metres. Maric finished with five goals in a sparkling performance and first gamer Shane Tregear was lively and kicked a nice goal when the chips were down. Brent Moloney and Colin Garland were good in patches. All in all, it was a disappointing performance that sees the Zebras in negative territory in terms of games won and lost which is a rarity for the club in recent years. They face a tough task at City Oval Box Hill on Sunday in an effort square the ledger at two all. HOW THE DEMONS FARED Jace Bode - started well in defence and provided a bit of early run before fading out of the game. Simon Buckley - was dominant in the first term when he stood out with his pace, preparedness to run through the lines and kick the ball long into attack to score two brilliant goals. He was hot and cold after that but may well have done enough to earn promotion. James Frawley - showed some real hope for the future with a display of his fine talent and athleticism . Frawley is developing well at Sandringham and should get AFL game time during the season. Colin Garland - plugged away all day, took a few telling marks and worked hard whether in defence or going forward. Stefan Martin - was doing well in the ruck until injured late in the first term. Addam Maric - a standout game from the youngster who turns 18 on Friday. He was not only deadly around the big sticks with five goals but also worked hard when further afield and he definitely merits promotion given Melbourne's ordinary form. Brent Moloney - started like a house on fire and, despite a few quiet moments, has most likely earned a return to the Melbourne team. Michael Newton - a poor game from Newton who seems to have lost the spark he was showing twelve months ago. Jake Spencer - called into the side to take the relief ruck role but when Stef Martin was injured early, had to play virtually a lone hand against two inexperienced big men from Frankston. Held his own but has a long, long way to go. Shane Valenti - heavily tagged out of the game and had no influence whatsoever. Matthew Warnock - one of the few triers in the team but didn' do enough to earn consideration for a berth in the AFL next week. Adem Yze -a better effort this week although still well below his best. Lifted in the final quarter but it wasn't enough to get his team across the line. The reserves featured five Demons including Matthew Bate who starred and Isaac Weetra who had his moments. Kyle Cheney looked strong and impressed with his persistance and determination. Sandringham 5.4.34 7.5.47 9.8.62 13.12.90 Frankston 2.2.14 6.6.42 10.9.69 15.12.102 Goals Sandringham Maric 5 Buckley 2 Liddell Newton Spencer Summers Tregear Yze Frankston Murray 3 Clark Dickson Proctor 2 Barker Berry Conroy Gabriel Magner Best Sandringham Biddlecombe Lamb Garland Warnock Tregear. Maric Frankston Pollard Marigliani Proctor Conroy Magner P Whelan RESERVES RUN RIOT It took a full quarter for the Zebra reserves to throw off the cobwebs but after that they ran riot over the Dolphins in the curtain raiser to win by 82 points. Sandringham booted seven goals straight with the wind in the second quarter and bettered that with nine in the last in a pleasing team performance. The Zebras were led by a strong performance from the experienced Guy Martin and Jarrod Plymin from Port Melbourne and Demon Matthew Bate, recovering from a pre season hamstring injury was also in devastating form with 32 touches, 14 of them in the opening stanza. Sandringham 2.3.15 9.3.57 14.7.91 22.13.145 Frankston 1.3.9 3.8.26 7.14.56 8.15.63 Goals Sandringham Dean Martyn Summons 4 Lockwood Waller 3 Cleeve Gilchrist Lyall Vickers Frankston Lourey 4 Krakouer Morris Potts Rebeschini Best Sandringham Martyn Plymin Bate Lockwood Dean Curcio Frankston Barry Bosward Degenhardt Krakouer Lourey Lombardozzi

by Barry from Beach Road The Zebras started as firm favourites to prevail over rival club Frankston in Sunday's bayside derby at the Trevor Barker Beach Road Oval. They had the optimum number of 12 Melbourne Football Club affiliated players and a number of others with experience at the elite level giving them a combined tally of several hundred AFL games under their belt. On the other hand, the Dolphins were hit by injury, missing a key ruckman in Eames and dangerous forward Limbach and cobbled together an inexperienced side that included three first gamers at VFL level. It seemed that Sandy had only to turn up to claim the four premiership points on offer. Unfortunately, while the script ran that way early in the game, Frankston took the game right up to Sandringham and overpowered the home side to score an upset 12 point victory and leave the home team lamenting after their strong all round team performance. The Zebras were off to a good start as they raced away to a 26 point lead approaching the quarter time siren with Stefan Martin controlling the rucks, Simon Buckley kicking two booming long goals and 17 year old Addam Maric causing Frankston problems both around the ground and near the goals. The lead was pegged back to 20 points with a Dolphin goal on the siren but Sandringham looked well in control. Things changed in the second term as the visitors got their act together and began playing as a team, running in twos and threes to move the ball quickly forward. Sandringham lost the dominance of Martin to injury and this left young Jake Spencer to virtually play a lone hand on the ball against Frankston's rucks. Coach Andy Lovell was forced to move Nick Sautner and Michael Newton (neither was playing well anyway) to act as back ups to Spencer. With Rod Crowe out, the Zebras were struggling in the key forward positions where they are normally a strength. Sandringham maintained its lead into the major interval but now led by a narrow margin of five points although it did have the advantage of what seemed to be the scoring end going into the third term. However, Frankston's confidence was high and it now controlled the centre clearances with Sandy's normally steady midfielder like Peter Summers and Shane Valenti well down on their usual form. As a consequence, the normally solid defence wilted under pressure and the Dolphins took over the running. They snatched the lead halfway through the third quarter and never looked back from there although, to their credit, the Zebras made a number of spirited attempts to get back into the game. Andy Biddlecombe who had fought well in defence was summoned up forward for a while but was unable to repeat the heroics of the grand final from a couple of years ago and Sautner and Newton continued to be well held. Sautner remained goalless for the day and Newton managed just one goal - albeit a ripper from 55 metres. Maric finished with five goals in a sparkling performance and first gamer Shane Tregear was lively and kicked a nice goal when the chips were down. Brent Moloney and Colin Garland were good in patches. All in all, it was a disappointing performance that sees the Zebras in negative territory in terms of games won and lost which is a rarity for the club in recent years. They face a tough task at City Oval Box Hill on Sunday in an effort square the ledger at two all. HOW THE DEMONS FARED Jace Bode - started well in defence and provided a bit of early run before fading out of the game. Simon Buckley - was dominant in the first term when he stood out with his pace, preparedness to run through the lines and kick the ball long into attack to score two brilliant goals. He was hot and cold after that but may well have done enough to earn promotion. James Frawley - showed some real hope for the future with a display of his fine talent and athleticism . Frawley is developing well at Sandringham and should get AFL game time during the season. Colin Garland - plugged away all day, took a few telling marks and worked hard whether in defence or going forward. Stefan Martin - was doing well in the ruck until injured late in the first term. Addam Maric - a standout game from the youngster who turns 18 on Friday. He was not only deadly around the big sticks with five goals but also worked hard when further afield and he definitely merits promotion given Melbourne's ordinary form. Brent Moloney - started like a house on fire and, despite a few quiet moments, has most likely earned a return to the Melbourne team. Michael Newton - a poor game from Newton who seems to have lost the spark he was showing twelve months ago. Jake Spencer - called into the side to take the relief ruck role but when Stef Martin was injured early, had to play virtually a lone hand against two inexperienced big men from Frankston. Held his own but has a long, long way to go. Shane Valenti - heavily tagged out of the game and had no influence whatsoever. Matthew Warnock - one of the few triers in the team but didn' do enough to earn consideration for a berth in the AFL next week. Adem Yze -a better effort this week although still well below his best. Lifted in the final quarter but it wasn't enough to get his team across the line. The reserves featured five Demons including Matthew Bate who starred and Isaac Weetra who had his moments. Kyle Cheney looked strong and impressed with his persistance and determination. Sandringham 5.4.34 7.5.47 9.8.62 13.12.90 Frankston 2.2.14 6.6.42 10.9.69 15.12.102 Goals Sandringham Maric 5 Buckley 2 Liddell Newton Spencer Summers Tregear Yze Frankston Murray 3 Clark Dickson Proctor 2 Barker Berry Conroy Gabriel Magner Best Sandringham Biddlecombe Lamb Garland Warnock Tregear. Maric Frankston Pollard Marigliani Proctor Conroy Magner P Whelan RESERVES RUN RIOT It took a full quarter for the Zebra reserves to throw off the cobwebs but after that they ran riot over the Dolphins in the curtain raiser to win by 82 points. Sandringham booted seven goals straight with the wind in the second quarter and bettered that with nine in the last in a pleasing team performance. The Zebras were led by a strong performance from the experienced Guy Martin and Jarrod Plymin from Port Melbourne and Demon Matthew Bate, recovering from a pre season hamstring injury was also in devastating form with 32 touches, 14 of them in the opening stanza. Sandringham 2.3.15 9.3.57 14.7.91 22.13.145 Frankston 1.3.9 3.8.26 7.14.56 8.15.63 Goals Sandringham Dean Martyn Summons 4 Lockwood Waller 3 Cleeve Gilchrist Lyall Vickers Frankston Lourey 4 Krakouer Morris Potts Rebeschini Best Sandringham Martyn Plymin Bate Lockwood Dean Curcio Frankston Barry Bosward Degenhardt Krakouer Lourey Lombardozzi

Thanks to the AFL he was deemed not to have a case to answer when he whacked a St. Kilda player forty metres away from the ball in the 2005 Preliminary Final. If that was in the play then his stoush with Staker was also in the play and I'm sure the good people at the AFL will deem it accidental contact and give him .975 demerit points allowing him to take his place in the team next week. On the other hand, a Melbourne player would get ...

KANGAROOS COP KEYSTONE by Whispering Jack The bloke who came to the game with me stood up suddenly and said, "That's it. I've had enough. I'm out of here," and with that he was gone ... This was an unusual event because, in all of the years that we've been going to the footy, he's usually stayed, even to the bitter end when we were getting a flogging in the wind and the rain at some of the old inhospitable suburban locations where they used to play the game at its highest level. More unusual was the fact that we were ten minutes away from half time. The score line that showed Melbourne trailing by 45 points (1.2.8 to 7.11.53) wasn't pretty but it was still only a little over an hour ago that he'd purchased an all day return ticket to Richmond Station when he could have bought the cheaper two hour version. Something had to be wrong. I have to admit that it came as a relief later in the day on discovering that there were no reports on the 5 o'clock news bulletin of any water police dredging the Yarra for bodies under the Bolte Bridge. And so it is that life goes on! Life went on for the Melbourne Football Club yesterday, although, in truth, life was barely hanging on by the knuckles. For the first fifty or so minutes of the game it was extremely difficult to detect a pulse as the season from hell continued. And if there is little heartbeat or pulse in the grand old flag these days, there's also very little soul. The first quarter resembled a badly scripted scene from an old Keystone Cops feature. I could never quite get my head around how it was possible for those cops to bungle everything they attempted so Mack Sennett's silent film comedies always lacked an air of credibility until I was a witness to yesterday's opening quarter. I should add that the bungling wasn't confined to the Demons and the Kangaroos contributed to the antics with some poor football of their own kicking 0.7 in the first 20 or so minutes. Most teams worth their salt would take advantage of such a poor early return but the Demons weren't up to it because they were busily going on their merry way making skill errors and decision errors of their own like handpassing direct to opponents or at the feet of teammates or kicking to one on none contests where the "one" was wearing blue and white. The umpires were also equal to the task managing to destroy the game with a constant barrage of pathetic decision making that virtually started with the first bounce and later in the opening term handed North three of its first four goals on a platter. They didn't get better as the afternoon wore on either as they creatively invented new rules on the run that rewarded North Melbourne players for tripping over themselves and for taking dives and they were still bungling at the end of the game but I promised myself I wouldn't complain about the maggots this year, so I'll just shut up! But the real villains of the piece were the blokes wearing red and blue and the ones directing the play in the coach's box. I understand fully that they are being taught a new style of game (paradoxically described as a "game plan") but its execution was truly miserable. The only thing missing was the silly vaudeville music in the background to accompany the mistakes and muck-ups that were coming with such regularity that fans were loathe to cup their heads in their hands in despair for fear of missing another clanger. This more or less went on until I was left by myself late in the second quarter. During that time, there were a few triers who worked hard at limiting the mistakes. Brad Green was one of the few who showed some leadership which is another of those funny paradoxes since he's one of the few elders not in the leadership group. Aaron Davey, Paul Wheatley and Jeff White (the victim of an apparent new rule that penalises ruckmen holding the front position in ruck contests) tried and there was promise shown by Colin Sylvia, Lynden Dunn and the real "youngies" in Cale Morton and Austin Wonaeamirri. The latter two continue to improve and showed that the young are often better placed to learn new things. They represent where the club should be putting its faith for the rest of the year. The Keystone Cops never left the stage entirely but there was a marked improvement as the game went on and particularly in the final term when Melbourne kicked six goals and won its first quarter for the season. I don't know whether the instructions changed at the final huddle but they lost some of their hesitation and actually started running through the lines. There was more movement further afield when our players had the ball in their hands. Suddenly, they actually found targets to direct their kicks at and – voila – the result was measured in terms of goals and not sheer and utter despair for the supporters. Unfortunately, this came much too late in the day and the Demons lacked the leadership necessary to enable the mounting of the sort of counter-offensive the Brisbane Lions were able to provide that evening against Port Adelaide. I've been saying since before the season started that the club's leadership group is problematic. After witnessing yesterday's events, I have to add that it's much more than that – it's a debacle and some tough decisions will have to be made in this area in the near future. Those tough decisions will inevitably lead to more Melbourne-bashing in the media and in other quarters but all of the answers for the club now lie in it's youth which makes those decisions tougher but even more necessary. North Melbourne 4.8.32 8.11.59 13.15.83 18.19.127 Melbourne 1.0.6 3.6.24 5.10.40 11.13.79 Goals North Melbourne N Thompson 5 Edwards Thomas 3 Campbell Jones 2 Grant Harvey Je Smith Melbourne Robertson 3 Wonaeamirri 2 Davey Dunn Jamar McLean Wheatley White Best North Melbourne Harvey Wells Rawlings N.Thompson Edwards Power Campbell Firrito Melbourne Davey Green Wheatley Sylvia Morton Miller Injuries North Melbourne Gibson (knee) Melbourne Nil Changes North Melbourne Nil Melbourne Nil Reports North Melbourne Nil Melbourne Miller (charging) Umpires Farmer Armstrong McInerney Crowd 23,427 at the MCG

by Whispering Jack The bloke who came to the game with me stood up suddenly and said, "That's it. I've had enough. I'm out of here," and with that he was gone ... This was an unusual event because, in all of the years that we've been going to the footy, he's usually stayed, even to the bitter end when we were getting a flogging in the wind and the rain at some of the old inhospitable suburban locations where they used to play the game at its highest level. More unusual was the fact that we were ten minutes away from half time. The score line that showed Melbourne trailing by 45 points (1.2.8 to 7.11.53) wasn't pretty but it was still only a little over an hour ago that he'd purchased an all day return ticket to Richmond Station when he could have bought the cheaper two hour version. Something had to be wrong. I have to admit that it came as a relief later in the day on discovering that there were no reports on the 5 o'clock news bulletin of any water police dredging the Yarra for bodies under the Bolte Bridge. And so it is that life goes on! Life went on for the Melbourne Football Club yesterday, although, in truth, life was barely hanging on by the knuckles. For the first fifty or so minutes of the game it was extremely difficult to detect a pulse as the season from hell continued. And if there is little heartbeat or pulse in the grand old flag these days, there's also very little soul. The first quarter resembled a badly scripted scene from an old Keystone Cops feature. I could never quite get my head around how it was possible for those cops to bungle everything they attempted so Mack Sennett's silent film comedies always lacked an air of credibility until I was a witness to yesterday's opening quarter. I should add that the bungling wasn't confined to the Demons and the Kangaroos contributed to the antics with some poor football of their own kicking 0.7 in the first 20 or so minutes. Most teams worth their salt would take advantage of such a poor early return but the Demons weren't up to it because they were busily going on their merry way making skill errors and decision errors of their own like handpassing direct to opponents or at the feet of teammates or kicking to one on none contests where the "one" was wearing blue and white. The umpires were also equal to the task managing to destroy the game with a constant barrage of pathetic decision making that virtually started with the first bounce and later in the opening term handed North three of its first four goals on a platter. They didn't get better as the afternoon wore on either as they creatively invented new rules on the run that rewarded North Melbourne players for tripping over themselves and for taking dives and they were still bungling at the end of the game but I promised myself I wouldn't complain about the maggots this year, so I'll just shut up! But the real villains of the piece were the blokes wearing red and blue and the ones directing the play in the coach's box. I understand fully that they are being taught a new style of game (paradoxically described as a "game plan") but its execution was truly miserable. The only thing missing was the silly vaudeville music in the background to accompany the mistakes and muck-ups that were coming with such regularity that fans were loathe to cup their heads in their hands in despair for fear of missing another clanger. This more or less went on until I was left by myself late in the second quarter. During that time, there were a few triers who worked hard at limiting the mistakes. Brad Green was one of the few who showed some leadership which is another of those funny paradoxes since he's one of the few elders not in the leadership group. Aaron Davey, Paul Wheatley and Jeff White (the victim of an apparent new rule that penalises ruckmen holding the front position in ruck contests) tried and there was promise shown by Colin Sylvia, Lynden Dunn and the real "youngies" in Cale Morton and Austin Wonaeamirri. The latter two continue to improve and showed that the young are often better placed to learn new things. They represent where the club should be putting its faith for the rest of the year. The Keystone Cops never left the stage entirely but there was a marked improvement as the game went on and particularly in the final term when Melbourne kicked six goals and won its first quarter for the season. I don't know whether the instructions changed at the final huddle but they lost some of their hesitation and actually started running through the lines. There was more movement further afield when our players had the ball in their hands. Suddenly, they actually found targets to direct their kicks at and – voila – the result was measured in terms of goals and not sheer and utter despair for the supporters. Unfortunately, this came much too late in the day and the Demons lacked the leadership necessary to enable the mounting of the sort of counter-offensive the Brisbane Lions were able to provide that evening against Port Adelaide. I've been saying since before the season started that the club's leadership group is problematic. After witnessing yesterday's events, I have to add that it's much more than that – it's a debacle and some tough decisions will have to be made in this area in the near future. Those tough decisions will inevitably lead to more Melbourne-bashing in the media and in other quarters but all of the answers for the club now lie in it's youth which makes those decisions tougher but even more necessary. North Melbourne 4.8.32 8.11.59 13.15.83 18.19.127 Melbourne 1.0.6 3.6.24 5.10.40 11.13.79 Goals North Melbourne N Thompson 5 Edwards Thomas 3 Campbell Jones 2 Grant Harvey Je Smith Melbourne Robertson 3 Wonaeamirri 2 Davey Dunn Jamar McLean Wheatley White Best North Melbourne Harvey Wells Rawlings N.Thompson Edwards Power Campbell Firrito Melbourne Davey Green Wheatley Sylvia Morton Miller Injuries North Melbourne Gibson (knee) Melbourne Nil Changes North Melbourne Nil Melbourne Nil Reports North Melbourne Nil Melbourne Miller (charging) Umpires Farmer Armstrong McInerney Crowd 23,427 at the MCG

Paul Wheatley = new leader 19.984 Paul Wheatley 14.504 Paul Johnson 14.149 Brock McLean 12.013 Cameron Bruce 11.86 Cale Morton 11.196 Aaron Davey 7.38 Nathan Carroll 5.928 Austin Wonaemirri 5.88 Brad Miller 4.55 Nathan Jones 4.1 Jeff White 3.732 Colin Sylvia 3.294 James McDonald 2.925 Brent Moloney 2.488 Matthew Whelan 2.191 Brad Green 1.866 Lynden Dunn 1.866 Jared Rivers 0.732 Clint Bartram 0.65 Colin Garland 0.325 Simon Buckley

Let's have three new faces who haven't voted yet this year. Weighted average this week is .622. Votes on a 6,5,4,3,2,1 basis ...

Just out of interest what has she allegedly done?

IT'S A LONG WAY TO THE TOP ... by JVM and Sam the Stats Man The Melbourne Football Club is at the crossroads as far as its 150th Anniversary Year is concerned. We are three rounds into the new season and the Demons are sitting in last place on a 0 and 3 record but we've been in that place before. In both of the past two seasons, Melbourne had the worst of all possible beginnings to their premiership campaigns but with significantly different outcomes. I defer to our resident Statistician, Sam the Stats Man to take you through those horror starts and to give a statistical insight into what might happen next: In 2006, the club was at a low ebb after opening with three defeats including a 19 point loss at Telstra Dome to the eventual wooden spooner, Carlton and a soul destroying 47 point loss at the same venue to the Bullies. The results were - Round 1 2006 Melbourne 10.12.72 lost to Carlton 13.15.93 Round 2 2006 Western Bulldogs 20.17.137 defeated Melbourne 12.18.90 Round 3 2006 Melbourne 14.13.97 lost to Adelaide 15.12.101 The ladder after Round 3 showed the Bulldogs on top (3-0), Adelaide in sixth place (2-1) and Carlton ninth (1-2). Melbourne was in 15th place with a percentage of 78.0 and ahead only of Richmond. Things looked bleak because the Demons' next game was an away fixture against Sydney but, against the odds, they turned things around and won a thriller by 5 points. They won their next four before losing by 22 points to eventual premiers, the Eagles at Subiaco which was the venue of their next defeat against Fremantle in Round 16. In the interim, they had won 11 out of 12 games. A 51 point victory over the Bulldogs in their return game at the MCG had the Demons well placed in third position but they lost Aaron Davey, Travis Johnstone and Byron Pickett to injury and fell again Carlton the following week. Wracked by injuries, the team limped into the finals and managed to win one against the Saints in a game where Brock McLean came of age, before falling at Subiaco in the following week's semi final. The end result was a fifth placing - the highest of all Victorian based teams that year. The injury curse continued into 2007 when the team once again made a poor start - Round 1 2007 Melbourne 9.8.62 lost to St. Kilda 13.15.93 Round 2 2007 Hawthorn 17.14.116 defeated Melbourne 14.10.94 Round 3 2007 Melbourne 8.9.57 lost to Geelong 15.19.109 All three of Melbourne's opponents were in the top eight on 2 - 1 records: the Cats were 2nd, the Saints 6th and the Hawks were 8th. The Demons were last with a percentage of 67.0. The horror run with injury persisted and there was almost no light in the tunnel although things were looking better with two consecutive wins in Rounds 10 and 11 against Adelaide (the club's ice-breaker for the season) and Collingwood. The club finished in 14th place after the farcical final round game in which Carlton "tanked" in order to win the notorious "Kreuzer Cup". And so we come to 2008 and statistically, Melbourne's start has been even worse than in 2006 and 2007 - Round 1 2007 Hawthorn 23.16.154 defeated Melbourne 6.14.50 Round 2 2007 Melbourne 9.12.66 lost to Western Bulldogs 24.17.161 Round 3 2007 Geelong defeated 16.16.112 defeated Melbourne 12.10.82 This time however, there is little doubting that the Demons have been provided with a tough initiation for their new coach. All three of the opponents to date are undefeated and naturally, they occupy the top three spots on the ladder. Melbourne is last with a measly percentage of 46.4 and hasn't won a quarter of football let alone a whole game. Statistically, there's very little to suggest that the Dees are going anywhere in season 2008 but to the very foot of the table although there are some small glimmers of hope. The result against Geelong was pleasing in that the team improved by at least 10 goals on what might have been the anticipated result in view of its two earlier shellackings. Despite the loss of Paul Johnson with a broken hand, the general trend as far as injuries are concerned is turning around markedly. Every week since the start of the season, the club's playing ranks have been strengthened through the return of key players after injury. Two weeks ago it was Clint Bartram, Lynden Dunn and Colin Sylvia, last week it was Jared Rivers and this week it's Matty Whelan. The number of experienced games missing through injury from players of higher value to the team is dropping at a rapid rate and that means the team's results have to get better. Every week so far, the club has increased by an increment of three, the number of goals it has kicked in a game - from 6, to 9, to 12. It's not beyond the bounds of statistical probability therefore to predict a 15 goals score line for the Demons against North this week which, based on the stats of all games played so far, should see them produce some winning quarters of football at last. There's a strong probability that a further improvement of that proportion will see them fall in by a narrow margin - say 5 points which is the same as the team's winning margin in 2006 against Sydney in the equivalent round. This should start to see a turn around in Melbourne's season, perhaps in the same way as that famous game at the SCG turned its fortunes around two years ago. I'm 50% sure of that! So that's the statistical analysis and, though it probably doesn't mean much, it shows that there's still hope even when you're at 0 and 3. The challenge of course, is to start winning games and that's another ball game altogether. That ball game starts on Saturday. THE GAME North Melbourne v Melbourne at MCG – Saturday 12 April 2008 at 2:10pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall North Melbourne 61 wins Melbourne 83 wins 1 draw At the MCG North Melbourne 30 wins Melbourne 54 wins Since 2000 North Melbourne 5 wins Melbourne 7 wins The Coaches Laidley 0 wins Bailey 0 wins MEDIA TV Fox Sports 1 RADIO SEN 774ABC THE BETTING North Melbourne to win $1.25 Melbourne to win $3.55 LAST TIME THEY MET North Melbourne 19.12.126 d Melbourne 9.8.62, Round 16, 2007, at Telstra Dome This game will be remembered by Melbourne fans for one reason and one reason only. It was the night when Michael Newton soared through the stratosphere and landed on the Telstra Dome turf to claim mark of the year. Every other aspect of this game is shrouded in dense fog and has been erased from the memory banks. THE TEAMS NORTH MELBOURNE Backs Josh Gibson Michael Firrito Drew Petrie Half Backs Daniel Pratt Shannon Watt Jess Smith Centreline Daniel Wells Adam Simpson Ed Lower Half Forwards Nathan Thompson Aaron Edwards Brent Harvey Forwards Ben Ross Corey Jones Matt Campbell Followers Hamish McIntosh Brady Rawlings Daniel Harris Interchange Sam Power Shannon Grant Lindsay Thomas Leigh Brown Emergencies Leigh Harding Eddie Sansbury Gavin Urquhart In Ed Lower Ben Ross Jess Smith Out David Hale (quad) Leigh Harding Andrew Swallow (both omitted) New Ben Ross (Gippsland U18) MELBOURNE Backs Matthew Whelan Nathan Carroll Jared Rivers Half Backs Paul Wheatley Brad Miller Daniel Bell Centreline Brad Green Brock McLean Clint Bartram Half Forwards Cameron Bruce Russell Robertson Colin Sylvia Forwards Aaron Davey David Neitz Austin Wonaeamirri Followers Jeff White James McDonald Nathan Jones Interchange Mark Jamar Chris Johnson Lynden Dunn Cale Morton Emergencies James Frawley Colin Garland Brent Moloney In Whelan Jamar Out Colin Garland (omitted) Paul Johnson (hand) Field umpires TBA ... WHEN YOU'RE ON THE BOTTOM I had a bit of a giggle this week when I read a preview of a game involving a certain AFL team (not Melbourne) that remains without a victory at this juncture. The reason why they weren't winning was (and I kid you not) is that they weren't able to kick a winning score. Go figure? I must admit however, that from Melbourne's viewpoint, the same thing applies. If you're only averaging nine goals a game, it's unlikely that you're going to come home with the four points. This means that the coaching department need to take a long hard look at both the midfield, its supply to the forward line and the forwards themselves. The performance of the midfield last week was a great improvement on the two opening rounds and hence, the improved result. However, things could have been even better had the forward line shown a similar improvement. The key to Melbourne's improvement therefore, is whether its forward line can respond and start performing as expected. Looking around at the other AFL clubs, you find some formidable tall forwards who really have a lot to offer in terms of their potency and the capacity to destroy opposition defences. The reigning premiers have Mooney and Hawkins, the Hawks have Franklin and Roughhead, the Saints Riewoldt and Justin Koschitzke (plus the G Train). On their form to date, the Demons suffer by comparison - Neitz and Robertson have only three and five goals respectively for the season to date. The two have been stalwarts in the forward line and even though it might be argued that the deliver into their region hasn't been too flash, they haven't looked dangerous at any stage this season. Three of Robbo's goals came late in the Hawthorn game when the massacre had already taken place. Both players are on notice and the pressure will be on them to perform this week. Is that a lot to ask of two blokes with more than 500 games experience between them? The competing clubs started the season poorly. North Melbourne's opening round defeat of 55 points at the hands of Essendon was nowhere near as pathetic as Melbourne's 104 point drubbing at the hands of Hawthorn but the Bombers' 99 point defeat to Geelong the following week put that in its perspective. The Kangaroos were lucky enough to come up against a rudderless Richmond in Round 2 but it was last week, against Hawthorn, that saw them really come back to the form expected from them. To lead the rampaging hawks for all but 6 minutes of the game was an exceptional effort although the last few minutes of the game would have been disappointing. Similarly, the gloss was taken off Melbourne's improved form last week by some lapses in red time when kicking with the aid of the wind in the first and third quarters. In any event, both teams are playing with far more confidence than they did in Round 1 and the result of this game might well devolve on whether they can continue that trend this week. I have a hunch that Melbourne has greater scope for improvement in this area than North Melbourne but it still might not be enough to get the Demons off the bottom. On reflection, I think I'll have to disagree with our stats man and select North Melbourne to win by a margin of 15 points in what will, for the Demons of 2008, be a real thriller.

by JVM and Sam the Stats Man The Melbourne Football Club is at the crossroads as far as its 150th Anniversary Year is concerned. We are three rounds into the new season and the Demons are sitting in last place on a 0 and 3 record but we've been in that place before. In both of the past two seasons, Melbourne had the worst of all possible beginnings to their premiership campaigns but with significantly different outcomes. I defer to our resident Statistician, Sam the Stats Man to take you through those horror starts and to give a statistical insight into what might happen next: In 2006, the club was at a low ebb after opening with three defeats including a 19 point loss at Telstra Dome to the eventual wooden spooner, Carlton and a soul destroying 47 point loss at the same venue to the Bullies. The results were - Round 1 2006 Melbourne 10.12.72 lost to Carlton 13.15.93 Round 2 2006 Western Bulldogs 20.17.137 defeated Melbourne 12.18.90 Round 3 2006 Melbourne 14.13.97 lost to Adelaide 15.12.101 The ladder after Round 3 showed the Bulldogs on top (3-0), Adelaide in sixth place (2-1) and Carlton ninth (1-2). Melbourne was in 15th place with a percentage of 78.0 and ahead only of Richmond. Things looked bleak because the Demons' next game was an away fixture against Sydney but, against the odds, they turned things around and won a thriller by 5 points. They won their next four before losing by 22 points to eventual premiers, the Eagles at Subiaco which was the venue of their next defeat against Fremantle in Round 16. In the interim, they had won 11 out of 12 games. A 51 point victory over the Bulldogs in their return game at the MCG had the Demons well placed in third position but they lost Aaron Davey, Travis Johnstone and Byron Pickett to injury and fell again Carlton the following week. Wracked by injuries, the team limped into the finals and managed to win one against the Saints in a game where Brock McLean came of age, before falling at Subiaco in the following week's semi final. The end result was a fifth placing - the highest of all Victorian based teams that year. The injury curse continued into 2007 when the team once again made a poor start - Round 1 2007 Melbourne 9.8.62 lost to St. Kilda 13.15.93 Round 2 2007 Hawthorn 17.14.116 defeated Melbourne 14.10.94 Round 3 2007 Melbourne 8.9.57 lost to Geelong 15.19.109 All three of Melbourne's opponents were in the top eight on 2 - 1 records: the Cats were 2nd, the Saints 6th and the Hawks were 8th. The Demons were last with a percentage of 67.0. The horror run with injury persisted and there was almost no light in the tunnel although things were looking better with two consecutive wins in Rounds 10 and 11 against Adelaide (the club's ice-breaker for the season) and Collingwood. The club finished in 14th place after the farcical final round game in which Carlton "tanked" in order to win the notorious "Kreuzer Cup". And so we come to 2008 and statistically, Melbourne's start has been even worse than in 2006 and 2007 - Round 1 2007 Hawthorn 23.16.154 defeated Melbourne 6.14.50 Round 2 2007 Melbourne 9.12.66 lost to Western Bulldogs 24.17.161 Round 3 2007 Geelong defeated 16.16.112 defeated Melbourne 12.10.82 This time however, there is little doubting that the Demons have been provided with a tough initiation for their new coach. All three of the opponents to date are undefeated and naturally, they occupy the top three spots on the ladder. Melbourne is last with a measly percentage of 46.4 and hasn't won a quarter of football let alone a whole game. Statistically, there's very little to suggest that the Dees are going anywhere in season 2008 but to the very foot of the table although there are some small glimmers of hope. The result against Geelong was pleasing in that the team improved by at least 10 goals on what might have been the anticipated result in view of its two earlier shellackings. Despite the loss of Paul Johnson with a broken hand, the general trend as far as injuries are concerned is turning around markedly. Every week since the start of the season, the club's playing ranks have been strengthened through the return of key players after injury. Two weeks ago it was Clint Bartram, Lynden Dunn and Colin Sylvia, last week it was Jared Rivers and this week it's Matty Whelan. The number of experienced games missing through injury from players of higher value to the team is dropping at a rapid rate and that means the team's results have to get better. Every week so far, the club has increased by an increment of three, the number of goals it has kicked in a game - from 6, to 9, to 12. It's not beyond the bounds of statistical probability therefore to predict a 15 goals score line for the Demons against North this week which, based on the stats of all games played so far, should see them produce some winning quarters of football at last. There's a strong probability that a further improvement of that proportion will see them fall in by a narrow margin - say 5 points which is the same as the team's winning margin in 2006 against Sydney in the equivalent round. This should start to see a turn around in Melbourne's season, perhaps in the same way as that famous game at the SCG turned its fortunes around two years ago. I'm 50% sure of that! So that's the statistical analysis and, though it probably doesn't mean much, it shows that there's still hope even when you're at 0 and 3. The challenge of course, is to start winning games and that's another ball game altogether. That ball game starts on Saturday. THE GAME North Melbourne v Melbourne at MCG – Saturday 12 April 2008 at 2:10pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall North Melbourne 61 wins Melbourne 83 wins 1 draw At the MCG North Melbourne 30 wins Melbourne 54 wins Since 2000 North Melbourne 5 wins Melbourne 7 wins The Coaches Laidley 0 wins Bailey 0 wins MEDIA TV Fox Sports 1 RADIO SEN 774ABC THE BETTING North Melbourne to win $1.25 Melbourne to win $3.55 LAST TIME THEY MET North Melbourne 19.12.126 d Melbourne 9.8.62, Round 16, 2007, at Telstra Dome This game will be remembered by Melbourne fans for one reason and one reason only. It was the night when Michael Newton soared through the stratosphere and landed on the Telstra Dome turf to claim mark of the year. Every other aspect of this game is shrouded in dense fog and has been erased from the memory banks. THE TEAMS NORTH MELBOURNE Backs Josh Gibson Michael Firrito Drew Petrie Half Backs Daniel Pratt Shannon Watt Jess Smith Centreline Daniel Wells Adam Simpson Ed Lower Half Forwards Nathan Thompson Aaron Edwards Brent Harvey Forwards Ben Ross Corey Jones Matt Campbell Followers Hamish McIntosh Brady Rawlings Daniel Harris Interchange Sam Power Shannon Grant Lindsay Thomas Leigh Brown Emergencies Leigh Harding Eddie Sansbury Gavin Urquhart In Ed Lower Ben Ross Jess Smith Out David Hale (quad) Leigh Harding Andrew Swallow (both omitted) New Ben Ross (Gippsland U18) MELBOURNE Backs Matthew Whelan Nathan Carroll Jared Rivers Half Backs Paul Wheatley Brad Miller Daniel Bell Centreline Brad Green Brock McLean Clint Bartram Half Forwards Cameron Bruce Russell Robertson Colin Sylvia Forwards Aaron Davey David Neitz Austin Wonaeamirri Followers Jeff White James McDonald Nathan Jones Interchange Mark Jamar Chris Johnson Lynden Dunn Cale Morton Emergencies James Frawley Colin Garland Brent Moloney In Whelan Jamar Out Colin Garland (omitted) Paul Johnson (hand) Field umpires TBA ... WHEN YOU'RE ON THE BOTTOM I had a bit of a giggle this week when I read a preview of a game involving a certain AFL team (not Melbourne) that remains without a victory at this juncture. The reason why they weren't winning was (and I kid you not) is that they weren't able to kick a winning score. Go figure? I must admit however, that from Melbourne's viewpoint, the same thing applies. If you're only averaging nine goals a game, it's unlikely that you're going to come home with the four points. This means that the coaching department need to take a long hard look at both the midfield, its supply to the forward line and the forwards themselves. The performance of the midfield last week was a great improvement on the two opening rounds and hence, the improved result. However, things could have been even better had the forward line shown a similar improvement. The key to Melbourne's improvement therefore, is whether its forward line can respond and start performing as expected. Looking around at the other AFL clubs, you find some formidable tall forwards who really have a lot to offer in terms of their potency and the capacity to destroy opposition defences. The reigning premiers have Mooney and Hawkins, the Hawks have Franklin and Roughhead, the Saints Riewoldt and Justin Koschitzke (plus the G Train). On their form to date, the Demons suffer by comparison - Neitz and Robertson have only three and five goals respectively for the season to date. The two have been stalwarts in the forward line and even though it might be argued that the deliver into their region hasn't been too flash, they haven't looked dangerous at any stage this season. Three of Robbo's goals came late in the Hawthorn game when the massacre had already taken place. Both players are on notice and the pressure will be on them to perform this week. Is that a lot to ask of two blokes with more than 500 games experience between them? The competing clubs started the season poorly. North Melbourne's opening round defeat of 55 points at the hands of Essendon was nowhere near as pathetic as Melbourne's 104 point drubbing at the hands of Hawthorn but the Bombers' 99 point defeat to Geelong the following week put that in its perspective. The Kangaroos were lucky enough to come up against a rudderless Richmond in Round 2 but it was last week, against Hawthorn, that saw them really come back to the form expected from them. To lead the rampaging hawks for all but 6 minutes of the game was an exceptional effort although the last few minutes of the game would have been disappointing. Similarly, the gloss was taken off Melbourne's improved form last week by some lapses in red time when kicking with the aid of the wind in the first and third quarters. In any event, both teams are playing with far more confidence than they did in Round 1 and the result of this game might well devolve on whether they can continue that trend this week. I have a hunch that Melbourne has greater scope for improvement in this area than North Melbourne but it still might not be enough to get the Demons off the bottom. On reflection, I think I'll have to disagree with our stats man and select North Melbourne to win by a margin of 15 points in what will, for the Demons of 2008, be a real thriller.

JVM is doing this week's match preview and has supplied the following selected sides for the teams when they met last time in Round 16 2007 - the Kangaroos had a comfortable victory. KANGAROOS Backs Shannon Watt Michael Firrito Daniel Pratt Half Backs Glenn Archer Jesse Smith Scott McMahon Centreline Adam Simpson Brady Rawlings Kasey Green Half Forwards Brent Harvey David Hale Shannon Grant Forwards Corey Jones Drew Petrie Djaran Whyman Followers Hamish McIntosh Daniel Harris Andrew Swallow Interchange Leigh Brown Ed Lower Eddie Sansbury Jess Sinclair Emergencies Leigh Adams Leigh Aaron Edwards Lindsay Thomas MELBOURNE Backs Daniel Ward Nathan Carroll James Frawley Half Backs Paul Wheatley Brad Miller Nathan Brown Centreline Brad Green James McDonald Clint Bizzell Half Forwards Simon Godfrey Russell Robertson Matthew Bate Forwards Colin Sylvia David Neitz Paul Johnson Followers Jeff White Brock McLean Nathan Jones Interchange Simon Buckley Chris Johnson Brent Moloney Michael Newton Emergencies Lynden Dunn Colin Garland Ben Holland

Is North Melbourne in Round 4 of 2008 at the MCG any more difficult a proposition than Sydney in Round 4 of 2006 at the SCG?

And now a pat on the back to our own Whispering Jack who was the first on the net to mention our Aussie (although we're not sure yet about the spelling of his surname). It happened way back in November 2006 when he wrote about the boredom of the off season in THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT: November 18 2006 "The Tiwi Islanders might not be in AFL star class but they do play such an exciting, running game that it's often mind boggling. And what great cult heroes they're throwing up for the sparse audiences of this little known television station - names that roll off the commentators' tongues like Simon Munkara, Ephram Tipungwuti, Norman Pangirimini, Rupert Pupungameri, Thomas Simon and exciting youngsters Roy Farmer and Austin Wonaeamirra." In posts yesterday, Demonlanders were trying to compare Cale Morton with some of the AFL's stars. It might be a bit early yet but comparisons are being with Hird and Pavlich. WJ said way back in July last year that his play was "reminiscent of James Hird" - THE WILD COLONIAL BOY . He also mentioned Jack Grimes whose placement on the long term injury list allowed the Demons to play Aussie and another Territorian, Cyril Rioli also got a gig (unfortunately, the Hawks got him!) - 15 July 2007 "West Australia's outstanding carnival threw up a few real contenders who could upset the equation of a Northern Knights quinella on draft day. The most obvious improver in the rankings was Larke Medal winner Cale Morton, brother of West Coast's Mitch and Hawthorn's Jarryd. The 17 year old is a tall midfielder at 192cm and is all class. I couldn't detect any weaknesses in his play which was reminiscent of James Hird. The Bomber champion was a bargain when selected at pick # 79 in the 1990 National Draft but Morton won't come so cheap. He is certain to push his way into the top three and could even go at number one - he's that good! "Another player who could figure high in the selections would be Vic Metro skipper Jack Grimes who is a well balanced midfielder and an outstanding leader who has good hands. I've also been told that one can't overlook Tasmanians Tom Collier and Tom Bellchambers or NT's Cyril Rioli." Read about it first on Demonland ...

Scoop Junior has arrived back in Melbourne and his best players are posted in ON THE ROAD BACK With the votes of Geddy Lee and Destroy08 and with our special game rating system, Paul Johnson has retained a slender leader in the Demonland POTY with Brock McLean and Paul Wheatley breathing down his neck. 14.504 Paul Johnson 14.149 Brock McLean 13.764 Paul Wheatley 11.391 Cameron Bruce 10.616 Cale Morton 7.380 Nathan Carroll 4.550 Nathan Jones 4.100 Jeff White 2.925 Brent Moloney 2.770 Brad Miller 2.196 Austin Wonaemirri 2.050 James McDonald 0.732 Clint Bartram 0.650 Colin Garland 0.325 Simon Buckley 0.325 Brad Green

ON THE ROAD BACK by Scoop Junior The trip back up the highway after an outing at Skilled Stadium often an enjoyable one. This ground that is regularly the location of some of Melbourne's poorest performances yesetrday witnessed its best under new coach Dean Bailey. The result was the same as every other competitive match the Demons have played in this year, but this time there was some genuine reason for optimism (as well as a genuine reason to stay beyond three quarter time). While the drive home was in no way joyous, at least Melbourne fans could be proud of their team's effort against the odds. The match began in a fashion not totally unexpected. Melbourne came out hard and fired up after two disgraceful performances while Geelong was inevitably thinking the game would be a walk in the park. Three quick goals unsettled the locals and sprung the Cats into action. Their cause was greatly assisted however by some of the horrendous Demon errors that have been on show far too often in season 2008. Nathan Carroll’s attempted rushed behind was at best a schoolboy error and at worst, well let's not go there, while Nathan Jones’ errant kick across half back gifted Geelong another easy goal. The Cats led by a goal at quarter time, which was a blow to a Melbourne side that had worked hard and played the better football of the first term. As Geelong started to wrest control in the middle and hit the scoreboard early in the second term, it appeared as though the floodgates were about to open. But unlike previous rounds, the Demons held firm and worked their way back. With the defence holding steady, Cameron Bruce, Brad Miller and Lynden Dunn found the big sticks and the Dees only trailed by 17 points at half time. By that time, the small contingent of Demon fans on hand had already seen their team’s best performance yet for the season, though that only underlines how poor Rounds 1 and 2 were. We were resigned to the fact that a solid half of footy against the reigning premiers was probably all we were going to see for the day. However, Melbourne did not intend to follow the script and began the second half like the first, closing to within five points midway through the term thanks partly to two neat goals from Cale Morton. Sensing the boilover of the century, Geelong lifted a cog, rallying late in the term to secure a comfortable four-goal advantage at the last change. In truth, the Demons never really looked like hauling in the Cats but they refused to lie down in the last quarter. A couple of times it seemed as though the home side would run away with a big win but the Dees scrapped it out, kicked a few late goals and kept the margin to a respectable 30 points. While it is another loss and the Demons now sit 0-3, for the first time this year there were some real positives to take out of a game. In fact, more than just a few. Brock McLean returned to form with an excellent performance. His first half was exceptional, gathering 22 possessions, most of them in the heat of the action, before Cameron Ling shut him down in the second half. He was smarter with his ball use this week, dishing off when under pressure rather than trying to break tackles. His hard work at the stoppages kept the ball rolling and helped ensure a competitive display from the Demons. Paul Wheatley played a good game rebounding off the wing and half back. His run and long kicking were features of his game but he did make a few errors which led to Geelong goals. Wheatley’s style suits the modern game and he really should be reaching the peak of his career. He needs to produce more of these types of games rather than them being mere flashes in the pan. Cameron Bruce was another terrific performer, nullifying the dangerous Steve Johnson and running off him to not only link up with team mates but also kick three goals. Bruce is without doubt one of the better one-on-one players in the AFL – he rarely gets beaten in such contests. With the added abilities to read the play and know when to leave his man, Bruce really is ideally sited for a defensive role against mid-sized forwards. I believe his best footy is off a half back flank. Probably the biggest surprise packet for the day (other than the final margin) was Paul Johnson, whose improvement continues each week. Johnson has always been a big man with good little man skills and apart from Dean Cox you would rarely find a ruckman with such clean hands below his knees and pinpoint foot skills. These were on show down at Geelong, as well as strong overhead marking and competitive ruckwork, aspects of Johnson’s game that have let him down in the past. With his rising confidence, Johnson is getting more and more involved in matches and is starting to make more of a an impact. His form has been a rare highlight for the Demons so far this year. The other big positive was the impressive performances of first-year players – first gamer Austin Wonaeamirri and first round draft selection Cale Morton. Aussie displayed a great appetite for the contest and his chasing and harassment helped provide improved forward pressure. He is very clean below his knees and is calm and composed with the ball in hand. Most importantly, he makes good decisions and executes well. He doesn’t have the raw pace and sheer excitement of Aaron Davey, but appears to have more grunt and will hopefully prove a handy small forward for the side. Morton is a natural footballer and displays incredible awareness for such a young player. Like Aussie, he is composed when in possession and makes sound decisions. This bloke has the class; he just needs to put on a hell of a lot of weight. He does need to improve his attack on the ball but this should come with added strength and experience. The return of Jared Rivers was another positive, his calming presence just makes the back line look so much more settled. Clint Bartram displayed some of the form of 2006 with his hard running and tackling a highlight. And the game style was vastly improved, with Melbourne making better use of handball, running in numbers and generally making better decisions. In the end though, as Bailey said, his team lost the game and now sits at 0-3. Despite the encouraging signs, there was still plenty to tear the hair out about (at least for the fans if not the coach). Some of the skill execution at times was woeful, with the Demons missing targets 15 metres away and kicking the ball out on the full despite a lack of pressure from the opposition. Against a quality side like Geelong, you get punished for such mistakes. Russell Robertson's season continues to stall. While delivery to the forward line has been poor, Robbo is becoming too one-dimensional and the fact that players these days need to be able to move around, run and play different roles means that he must be on thin ice on the selection front. Jeff White worked hard and found plenty of the ball but made too many errors for a senior, experienced player. With Johnson’s form, he needs to step up to retain the number one ruck title. Colin Garland is young and inexperienced, but like Issac Weetra he is clearly not ready for AFL football. He seems unsure of himself, doesn't know when to go and when to hold back and just doesn’t have any presence out on the ground. He needs to gain some confidence at a lower level. But without doubt the biggest disappointment of the day for mine was Colin Sylvia. The bloke who was taken at pick three in 2003 has delivered very little in his time at the club. His career is five years in, he had a good pre-season and should be starting to become a more than dependable player for the club but he's anything but that. He simply doesn't work hard enough to get into space or in close around the stoppages, which means his disposal count is always around the 10-15 mark which is simply not good enough for a player of his talents. He only seems to be interested when the threat of a fight breaks out. Someone needs to tell Col to pull his finger out because his career is going nowhere fast. His attitude seems to be a problem and perhaps he needs some time down at Sandy to think about his future. I would challenge him to step up next week against North but if he fails to perform again then he can spend some time in the VFL. What will be interesting is whether this was a flash in the pan competitive performance or whether the Demons are on the road back to resembling a senior professional football side. There's really no excuse not to put in that sort of effort week in, week out. North Melbourne will be another challenging game next week, but if the team can play with the same attitude and keep improving its style of football, then it can regain its lost respect. If that happens then supporters can at least be proud of their team, look to the future with some sense of optimism and perhaps the club might even be able to emulate its feats of two years ago when it picked itself off the bottom after a poor 0-3 start and took part in the finals. Geelong 4.4.28 8.11.59 13.14.82 16.16.112 Melbourne 3.4.22 6.6.42 10.8.68 12.10.82 Goals Geelong Hawkins 5 Johnson Ling Mooney 2 Ablett Blake Chapman Milburn Stokes Melbourne Bruce 3 Dunn Morton 2 Green Miller Neitz Wheatley White Best Geelong Corey Bartel Hawkins Ling Chapman Taylor Melbourne Bruce McLean Wheatley P Johnson Morton Bartram Injuries Geelong Nil Melbourne Nil Reports Nil Umpires Wenn Sully Ryan Official crowd 23,569 at Skilled Stadium.

by Scoop Junior The trip back up the highway after an outing at Skilled Stadium often an enjoyable one. This ground that is regularly the location of some of Melbourne's poorest performances yesetrday witnessed its best under new coach Dean Bailey. The result was the same as every other competitive match the Demons have played in this year, but this time there was some genuine reason for optimism (as well as a genuine reason to stay beyond three quarter time). While the drive home was in no way joyous, at least Melbourne fans could be proud of their team's effort against the odds. The match began in a fashion not totally unexpected. Melbourne came out hard and fired up after two disgraceful performances while Geelong was inevitably thinking the game would be a walk in the park. Three quick goals unsettled the locals and sprung the Cats into action. Their cause was greatly assisted however by some of the horrendous Demon errors that have been on show far too often in season 2008. Nathan Carroll’s attempted rushed behind was at best a schoolboy error and at worst, well let's not go there, while Nathan Jones’ errant kick across half back gifted Geelong another easy goal. The Cats led by a goal at quarter time, which was a blow to a Melbourne side that had worked hard and played the better football of the first term. As Geelong started to wrest control in the middle and hit the scoreboard early in the second term, it appeared as though the floodgates were about to open. But unlike previous rounds, the Demons held firm and worked their way back. With the defence holding steady, Cameron Bruce, Brad Miller and Lynden Dunn found the big sticks and the Dees only trailed by 17 points at half time. By that time, the small contingent of Demon fans on hand had already seen their team’s best performance yet for the season, though that only underlines how poor Rounds 1 and 2 were. We were resigned to the fact that a solid half of footy against the reigning premiers was probably all we were going to see for the day. However, Melbourne did not intend to follow the script and began the second half like the first, closing to within five points midway through the term thanks partly to two neat goals from Cale Morton. Sensing the boilover of the century, Geelong lifted a cog, rallying late in the term to secure a comfortable four-goal advantage at the last change. In truth, the Demons never really looked like hauling in the Cats but they refused to lie down in the last quarter. A couple of times it seemed as though the home side would run away with a big win but the Dees scrapped it out, kicked a few late goals and kept the margin to a respectable 30 points. While it is another loss and the Demons now sit 0-3, for the first time this year there were some real positives to take out of a game. In fact, more than just a few. Brock McLean returned to form with an excellent performance. His first half was exceptional, gathering 22 possessions, most of them in the heat of the action, before Cameron Ling shut him down in the second half. He was smarter with his ball use this week, dishing off when under pressure rather than trying to break tackles. His hard work at the stoppages kept the ball rolling and helped ensure a competitive display from the Demons. Paul Wheatley played a good game rebounding off the wing and half back. His run and long kicking were features of his game but he did make a few errors which led to Geelong goals. Wheatley’s style suits the modern game and he really should be reaching the peak of his career. He needs to produce more of these types of games rather than them being mere flashes in the pan. Cameron Bruce was another terrific performer, nullifying the dangerous Steve Johnson and running off him to not only link up with team mates but also kick three goals. Bruce is without doubt one of the better one-on-one players in the AFL – he rarely gets beaten in such contests. With the added abilities to read the play and know when to leave his man, Bruce really is ideally sited for a defensive role against mid-sized forwards. I believe his best footy is off a half back flank. Probably the biggest surprise packet for the day (other than the final margin) was Paul Johnson, whose improvement continues each week. Johnson has always been a big man with good little man skills and apart from Dean Cox you would rarely find a ruckman with such clean hands below his knees and pinpoint foot skills. These were on show down at Geelong, as well as strong overhead marking and competitive ruckwork, aspects of Johnson’s game that have let him down in the past. With his rising confidence, Johnson is getting more and more involved in matches and is starting to make more of a an impact. His form has been a rare highlight for the Demons so far this year. The other big positive was the impressive performances of first-year players – first gamer Austin Wonaeamirri and first round draft selection Cale Morton. Aussie displayed a great appetite for the contest and his chasing and harassment helped provide improved forward pressure. He is very clean below his knees and is calm and composed with the ball in hand. Most importantly, he makes good decisions and executes well. He doesn’t have the raw pace and sheer excitement of Aaron Davey, but appears to have more grunt and will hopefully prove a handy small forward for the side. Morton is a natural footballer and displays incredible awareness for such a young player. Like Aussie, he is composed when in possession and makes sound decisions. This bloke has the class; he just needs to put on a hell of a lot of weight. He does need to improve his attack on the ball but this should come with added strength and experience. The return of Jared Rivers was another positive, his calming presence just makes the back line look so much more settled. Clint Bartram displayed some of the form of 2006 with his hard running and tackling a highlight. And the game style was vastly improved, with Melbourne making better use of handball, running in numbers and generally making better decisions. In the end though, as Bailey said, his team lost the game and now sits at 0-3. Despite the encouraging signs, there was still plenty to tear the hair out about (at least for the fans if not the coach). Some of the skill execution at times was woeful, with the Demons missing targets 15 metres away and kicking the ball out on the full despite a lack of pressure from the opposition. Against a quality side like Geelong, you get punished for such mistakes. Russell Robertson's season continues to stall. While delivery to the forward line has been poor, Robbo is becoming too one-dimensional and the fact that players these days need to be able to move around, run and play different roles means that he must be on thin ice on the selection front. Jeff White worked hard and found plenty of the ball but made too many errors for a senior, experienced player. With Johnson’s form, he needs to step up to retain the number one ruck title. Colin Garland is young and inexperienced, but like Issac Weetra he is clearly not ready for AFL football. He seems unsure of himself, doesn't know when to go and when to hold back and just doesn’t have any presence out on the ground. He needs to gain some confidence at a lower level. But without doubt the biggest disappointment of the day for mine was Colin Sylvia. The bloke who was taken at pick three in 2003 has delivered very little in his time at the club. His career is five years in, he had a good pre-season and should be starting to become a more than dependable player for the club but he's anything but that. He simply doesn't work hard enough to get into space or in close around the stoppages, which means his disposal count is always around the 10-15 mark which is simply not good enough for a player of his talents. He only seems to be interested when the threat of a fight breaks out. Someone needs to tell Col to pull his finger out because his career is going nowhere fast. His attitude seems to be a problem and perhaps he needs some time down at Sandy to think about his future. I would challenge him to step up next week against North but if he fails to perform again then he can spend some time in the VFL. What will be interesting is whether this was a flash in the pan competitive performance or whether the Demons are on the road back to resembling a senior professional football side. There's really no excuse not to put in that sort of effort week in, week out. North Melbourne will be another challenging game next week, but if the team can play with the same attitude and keep improving its style of football, then it can regain its lost respect. If that happens then supporters can at least be proud of their team, look to the future with some sense of optimism and perhaps the club might even be able to emulate its feats of two years ago when it picked itself off the bottom after a poor 0-3 start and took part in the finals. Geelong 4.4.28 8.11.59 13.14.82 16.16.112 Melbourne 3.4.22 6.6.42 10.8.68 12.10.82 Goals Geelong Hawkins 5 Johnson Ling Mooney 2 Ablett Blake Chapman Milburn Stokes Melbourne Bruce 3 Dunn Morton 2 Green Miller Neitz Wheatley White Best Geelong Corey Bartel Hawkins Ling Chapman Taylor Melbourne Bruce McLean Wheatley P Johnson Morton Bartram Injuries Geelong Nil Melbourne Nil Reports Nil Umpires Wenn Sully Ryan Official crowd 23,569 at Skilled Stadium.

Alpha33 and Whispering Jack lead at the end of Round 3 but the leaders are closely bunched up ... 20 Alpha33 20 Whispering_Jack 19 barpen 19 deanox 19 Demonland 19 No Cigar2 19 The Natural 18 petejh2000 18 Pinball_Wizard 18 rjhrjh 18 Scoop Junior 18 Tim - Go Dees 17 achirnside 17 aronbrandon 17 belzebub59 17 deesthisyear 17 DeMoNiC 17 mo64 17 mpinnell 17 old man rivers 17 Super_Slater 17 The Little Devils 16 BigKev Demon 16 bl3281 16 Davey's sugar daddy 16 great_gatsby 16 Kieranbj 16 slamevil 15 Clyde_Cabbie 15 DEE32 15 glamorizeme 14 BrockMclean 14 CarnTheDees 14 Dappadan 14 DeeReaming 14 demonsflag555657 14 Edorion 14 KrazyJay78 14 stelioss 13 dee'luded 13 Joe_Gutnick64 13 paliosiana 12 -FitZ^ 12 thegoldenmonkey

Votes this week will be given by Scoop Junior who actually was at Skilled Stadium today and who file his match report at some stage soon and two others ... Cast your votes now! Percentage weighting for this week is .7321.

LATE RALLY STOPS THE ZEBRAS by Barry from Beach Road VFL Rivalry Round saw one of the competition's strongest rivalries, that of Sandringham and Port Melbourne, and they fought out a fantastic battle at North Port on Saturday with the home side getting up by a solitary point after snatching the lead in dying moments of the game. Conditions were good for football and Sandy kicked the opening goal but the boys from the Borough were soon on top and looked like taking the game away from the visitors with five unanswered goals before two late goals to the Zebras including one from a free after the siren to Shane Valenti saw them trailing by 12 points at the first break. Port opened the second term strongly but, with Jamar holding sway in the ruck and new skipper Peter Summers together with livewire Valenti and Ezra Poyas leading the way at ground level, Sandringham fought back into the game and took control. Rod Crowe and Nick Sautner were well on top in the key forward positions and the Zebra defence, led by Chris Lamb, Andy Biddlecombe and Matthew Whelan were repelling all attacks. Sandy went into half time leading by a goal but looking well in the ascendency. There was a lot of pushing and shoving as the teams were making their way off the ground at the main break and it threatened to get ugly for a split second but the players eventually dispersed for a well earned break. The third quarter is known as the premiership quarter and while Sandringham held sway for most of this period, its inaccuracy in front of goal ended up costing it dearly. Sautner missed a couple of easy shots but the Zebras seemed to have the game firmly in their control with a nice goal from Tomi Johnston on the run. Sandy had kicked away to lead by 14 points midway through the term and was looking the goods. The turning point however, may well have come when youngster Sam Monaghan picked up a loose ball in the goal square and kicked truly but it was adjudged to have been touched off the boot for a point. Port immediately played on and moved the ball forward for a goal with little pressure and in a matter of seconds. In the context of the game it was a massive goal and it gave the Borough a sniff. As the players went into the final huddle the home side was only 11 points in arrears and still with a chance to win. The Zebras looked well in control in the first half of the final term as the teams went goal for goal and the visitors seemed to be just one goal away from breaking the game open. Unfortunately, they paid a heavy price for some undisciplined acts, gave away a couple of fifty metre penalties and allowed the Borough back into the game. During this frenetic period, Sautner was reported for allegedly charging an opponent. With Stef Martin required on the ball late in the game, the Port forwards were able to take some strong marks and they capitalised kicking two late goals to hit the front in the time on period. The final two or three nerve wracking moments passed with both sides desperately trying to penetrate their half forward lines but to no avail as far as the Zebras were concerned and the siren sounded to give Port the narrowest of victories in a game fittingly described as the best of the VFL’s rivalry round. After two rounds the competition is tightly bunched and the club will be desperate to atone for the disappointment of Saturday's narrow loss as it takes on another rival from the other side of the bay in Frankston next Sunday at the Trevor Barker Beach Road Oval. HOW THE DEMONS FARED The selectors were limited under the VFL's 12:10 rule which applies when teams affiliated with AFL clubs play against stand alone VFL clubs. Sandy was restricted further by the non-appearance of a handful of players named in the team, presumably either injured or on stand-by for Melbourne's clash with Geelong. As a result, Matthew Bate, Jace Bode, Brent Moloney and Michael Newton were missing from this game. Simon Buckley – nothing special from the youngster who made his fair share of mistakes but kept plugging away and tried hard. A couple of his kicks were smothered because he took too long to make a decision as to what to do with the ball (one of them late in the final quarter when a long kick might have saved the game). Despite that he is on a steep learning curve, is well worth persevering with. He should get more opportunities at the higher level. Kyle Cheney - started on the interchange and showed some promise with limited opportunities on the ground. A typical red headed hard nut who seems keen to learn and would have benefited from playing alongside a seasoned defender like Matthew Whelan. James Frawley - a promising display in defence. He was prepared to back himself and while he also committed some errors he showed good football smarts. There is every possibility that he will become a key defender of the highest quality in time. Mark Jamar - led the rucks and played reasonably well but did not dominate around the ground as one would have expected from him. Stefan Martin - a solid tall backman who marked strongly and cleared well. He went into the ruck later in the game when Meesen came off with an injury and looks a player of the future. As a tall defender of the type so sorely lacking at Melbourne, Martin is developing nicely for one who is coming off a basketball background and if he can improve his kicking, he could be an asset at the highest level. Addam Maric - used in more of a midfield role and was in and out of the game all afternoon. Showed some clever skills but needs to get involved in the game a bit more. John Meesen – it's hard to work out where Meesen is at in terms of whether he has a future at AFL level. He was just average when in the ruck and didn't really impose himself on the game. His best word was done when up forward but he was injured in the second half. Shane Valenti – a real ball magnet who put his team back in the game with a lively display on the ball and was also dangerous near goal. Close to his team's best and could be headed for a Liston Trophy. Matthew Warnock – steady in defence but made a crucial error when he gobbed off at the umpire late in the game after a soft free was awarded against him resulting in a late Port Melbourne goal. Isaac Weetra – did one or two nice things but was otherwise lost at sea and struggled. Matthew Whelan – returned to the Wheels of old with a classic best on ground display in defence. He was cool, calm, safe and sure and set up many attacking moves from half back. Should be back in the red and blue next week. Adem Yze – kicked a nice curling goal early that was reminiscent of the old days but he really had no real influence on the game and was just a shadow of his former self. Unfortunately, the Oooze is starting to look more and more like that champion boxer who's been in one fight too many. Port Melbourne 6.2.38 9.4.58 13.5.83 17.7.109 Sandringham 4.1.25 10.4.64 14.10.94 16.12.108 Goals Port Melbourne Bonaddio Cotchett 3 Cain 2 Dalton Fanning Nahas Pearce Pinwill Pitt Robbins Smith Spriggs Sandringham Sautner 4 Valenti 3 Crowe Poyas 2 Jamar T Johnston Monaghan Summers Yze Best Port Melbourne Baird McMahon McGrath Pinwill McGlynn Bonaddio Sandringham Crowe Whelan Valenti Sautner Liddell T Johnston SANDY RESERVES MASSACRE PORT The young Zebras were too strong, too big, too fast and had the edge in talent in the curtain raiser and had a perfect start to their season with a 110-point victory over the Borough. Demon rookie Trent Zomer booted 7 goals and Stuart Cleeve underlined his improvement with four in a team that was well served by a bevy of midfielders who outran a ragged opposition that managed only one goal after half time. HOW THE DEMONS FARED Three Demons were represented in the Sandy Reserves team. Ironically, two of them, Tom McNamara and Trent Zomer, were in the Melbourne Nab Cup team that played the Cats at Skilled Stadium in February. Tom McNamara – a solid and polished performance in defence. McNamara is athletic, a sound mark, has a good football brain and won’t be beaten. Jake Spencer – a big, raw tall man who needs to be nursed along in his football development. Tap ruckwork was good, his marking needs improvement but he was not bad at ground level for one who stands at 203cm. A highlight was when he accepted a handpass from Zomer and baulked around an opponent to kick a nice goal. Trent Zomer – difficult to judge against such weak opposition but seven goals is seven goals. He also had a hand in a few assists. His second quarter was quite spectacular and netted him five goals. As strange as this might sound, I think he will be even better if he increases his intensity as he tends to switch on and off at times. Port Melbourne 2.2.14 3.6.24 4.7.31 4.10.34 Sandringham 5.4.34 11.8.74 14.13.97 21.18.144 Goals Port Melbourne Francis 2 Gilham Sheldon Sandringham Zomer 7 Cleeve 4 McConnell Martyn Waller 2 Curcio Lockwood Shakaib Spencer Best Port Melbourne Mullins Hassett deBruin Francis Dillon Martin Sandringham Tregear McConnell Cleeve B Liddell Gilchrist Zomer

by Barry from Beach Road VFL Rivalry Round saw one of the competition's strongest rivalries, that of Sandringham and Port Melbourne, and they fought out a fantastic battle at North Port on Saturday with the home side getting up by a solitary point after snatching the lead in dying moments of the game. Conditions were good for football and Sandy kicked the opening goal but the boys from the Borough were soon on top and looked like taking the game away from the visitors with five unanswered goals before two late goals to the Zebras including one from a free after the siren to Shane Valenti saw them trailing by 12 points at the first break. Port opened the second term strongly but, with Jamar holding sway in the ruck and new skipper Peter Summers together with livewire Valenti and Ezra Poyas leading the way at ground level, Sandringham fought back into the game and took control. Rod Crowe and Nick Sautner were well on top in the key forward positions and the Zebra defence, led by Chris Lamb, Andy Biddlecombe and Matthew Whelan were repelling all attacks. Sandy went into half time leading by a goal but looking well in the ascendency. There was a lot of pushing and shoving as the teams were making their way off the ground at the main break and it threatened to get ugly for a split second but the players eventually dispersed for a well earned break. The third quarter is known as the premiership quarter and while Sandringham held sway for most of this period, its inaccuracy in front of goal ended up costing it dearly. Sautner missed a couple of easy shots but the Zebras seemed to have the game firmly in their control with a nice goal from Tomi Johnston on the run. Sandy had kicked away to lead by 14 points midway through the term and was looking the goods. The turning point however, may well have come when youngster Sam Monaghan picked up a loose ball in the goal square and kicked truly but it was adjudged to have been touched off the boot for a point. Port immediately played on and moved the ball forward for a goal with little pressure and in a matter of seconds. In the context of the game it was a massive goal and it gave the Borough a sniff. As the players went into the final huddle the home side was only 11 points in arrears and still with a chance to win. The Zebras looked well in control in the first half of the final term as the teams went goal for goal and the visitors seemed to be just one goal away from breaking the game open. Unfortunately, they paid a heavy price for some undisciplined acts, gave away a couple of fifty metre penalties and allowed the Borough back into the game. During this frenetic period, Sautner was reported for allegedly charging an opponent. With Stef Martin required on the ball late in the game, the Port forwards were able to take some strong marks and they capitalised kicking two late goals to hit the front in the time on period. The final two or three nerve wracking moments passed with both sides desperately trying to penetrate their half forward lines but to no avail as far as the Zebras were concerned and the siren sounded to give Port the narrowest of victories in a game fittingly described as the best of the VFL’s rivalry round. After two rounds the competition is tightly bunched and the club will be desperate to atone for the disappointment of Saturday's narrow loss as it takes on another rival from the other side of the bay in Frankston next Sunday at the Trevor Barker Beach Road Oval. HOW THE DEMONS FARED The selectors were limited under the VFL's 12:10 rule which applies when teams affiliated with AFL clubs play against stand alone VFL clubs. Sandy was restricted further by the non-appearance of a handful of players named in the team, presumably either injured or on stand-by for Melbourne's clash with Geelong. As a result, Matthew Bate, Jace Bode, Brent Moloney and Michael Newton were missing from this game. Simon Buckley – nothing special from the youngster who made his fair share of mistakes but kept plugging away and tried hard. A couple of his kicks were smothered because he took too long to make a decision as to what to do with the ball (one of them late in the final quarter when a long kick might have saved the game). Despite that he is on a steep learning curve, is well worth persevering with. He should get more opportunities at the higher level. Kyle Cheney - started on the interchange and showed some promise with limited opportunities on the ground. A typical red headed hard nut who seems keen to learn and would have benefited from playing alongside a seasoned defender like Matthew Whelan. James Frawley - a promising display in defence. He was prepared to back himself and while he also committed some errors he showed good football smarts. There is every possibility that he will become a key defender of the highest quality in time. Mark Jamar - led the rucks and played reasonably well but did not dominate around the ground as one would have expected from him. Stefan Martin - a solid tall backman who marked strongly and cleared well. He went into the ruck later in the game when Meesen came off with an injury and looks a player of the future. As a tall defender of the type so sorely lacking at Melbourne, Martin is developing nicely for one who is coming off a basketball background and if he can improve his kicking, he could be an asset at the highest level. Addam Maric - used in more of a midfield role and was in and out of the game all afternoon. Showed some clever skills but needs to get involved in the game a bit more. John Meesen – it's hard to work out where Meesen is at in terms of whether he has a future at AFL level. He was just average when in the ruck and didn't really impose himself on the game. His best word was done when up forward but he was injured in the second half. Shane Valenti – a real ball magnet who put his team back in the game with a lively display on the ball and was also dangerous near goal. Close to his team's best and could be headed for a Liston Trophy. Matthew Warnock – steady in defence but made a crucial error when he gobbed off at the umpire late in the game after a soft free was awarded against him resulting in a late Port Melbourne goal. Isaac Weetra – did one or two nice things but was otherwise lost at sea and struggled. Matthew Whelan – returned to the Wheels of old with a classic best on ground display in defence. He was cool, calm, safe and sure and set up many attacking moves from half back. Should be back in the red and blue next week. Adem Yze – kicked a nice curling goal early that was reminiscent of the old days but he really had no real influence on the game and was just a shadow of his former self. Unfortunately, the Oooze is starting to look more and more like that champion boxer who's been in one fight too many. Port Melbourne 6.2.38 9.4.58 13.5.83 17.7.109 Sandringham 4.1.25 10.4.64 14.10.94 16.12.108 Goals Port Melbourne Bonaddio Cotchett 3 Cain 2 Dalton Fanning Nahas Pearce Pinwill Pitt Robbins Smith Spriggs Sandringham Sautner 4 Valenti 3 Crowe Poyas 2 Jamar T Johnston Monaghan Summers Yze Best Port Melbourne Baird McMahon McGrath Pinwill McGlynn Bonaddio Sandringham Crowe Whelan Valenti Sautner Liddell T Johnston SANDY RESERVES MASSACRE PORT The young Zebras were too strong, too big, too fast and had the edge in talent in the curtain raiser and had a perfect start to their season with a 110-point victory over the Borough. Demon rookie Trent Zomer booted 7 goals and Stuart Cleeve underlined his improvement with four in a team that was well served by a bevy of midfielders who outran a ragged opposition that managed only one goal after half time. HOW THE DEMONS FARED Three Demons were represented in the Sandy Reserves team. Ironically, two of them, Tom McNamara and Trent Zomer, were in the Melbourne Nab Cup team that played the Cats at Skilled Stadium in February. Tom McNamara – a solid and polished performance in defence. McNamara is athletic, a sound mark, has a good football brain and won’t be beaten. Jake Spencer – a big, raw tall man who needs to be nursed along in his football development. Tap ruckwork was good, his marking needs improvement but he was not bad at ground level for one who stands at 203cm. A highlight was when he accepted a handpass from Zomer and baulked around an opponent to kick a nice goal. Trent Zomer – difficult to judge against such weak opposition but seven goals is seven goals. He also had a hand in a few assists. His second quarter was quite spectacular and netted him five goals. As strange as this might sound, I think he will be even better if he increases his intensity as he tends to switch on and off at times. Port Melbourne 2.2.14 3.6.24 4.7.31 4.10.34 Sandringham 5.4.34 11.8.74 14.13.97 21.18.144 Goals Port Melbourne Francis 2 Gilham Sheldon Sandringham Zomer 7 Cleeve 4 McConnell Martyn Waller 2 Curcio Lockwood Shakaib Spencer Best Port Melbourne Mullins Hassett deBruin Francis Dillon Martin

FROZEN IN TIME by the Oracle Imagine if it were possible to freeze everything and to suspend yourself in a single moment in time? If I could do that I would choose to go back a little more than a year and a half to Round 21, 2006 when the Demons last travelled to the Cattery to take part in an AFL game played for premiership points. If I could narrow the time down a little more, I would select the very moment well beyond the halfway mark of the second quarter when Melbourne was coasting toward victory with a more than handy 38 point lead and with every chance of securing a top four placing on the eve of the finals series given that the last game was to be played against an injury ravaged Adelaide in the final home and away round. In this frozen moment of time, Melbourne should have been further in front against Geelong but for one or two appalling decisions from the umpires but I'll let that rest for now. The Demons had dominated the game to that point and they held sway by such a huge margin because they were playing an aggressive free-wheeling brand of football while the Cats were hesitant and lacked accountability. The home team was virtually down and out sitting in the middle of the road as far a ladder placement was concerned and destined to finish behind Richmond (which in turn, would acquire another wooden spoon by the end of 2007). There was little incentive for the Cats to get themselves off the floor while the Demons had every reason to push hard for a good victory to consolidate third position on the ladder in a battle where every goal was worth valuable percentage in a tight battle for positions at the top of the AFL table. Now let's unfreeze and move on through the rest of the game played on that fateful day just twenty months ago. History tells us that it was Geelong that regrouped, added a mix of desperation, discipline and attack and pushed itself to the limit in order to kick nine of the last eleven goals of the match to peg the margin back and to momentarily take the lead. In the end, the Demons managed to contain the damage by fighting back with a late point in the dramatic final three or four minutes of the game. The second half of the game was a precursor to where the teams would be over the next twelve months and beyond. Geelong added disciple, fitness and confidence to its armoury and, at a point six weeks into the following season, was on its way to a premiership. Melbourne, on the other hand, fell apart. The decline was exacerbated by a serious injury list but the cracks were everywhere. Coach Neale Daniher fell by the wayside. His caretaker coach Mark Reilly, has gone too. Dean Bailey is left to pick up the pieces with a list that has already seen a dozen changes in personnel after one summer and which is being asked to play a different style of game to that which many players have been accustomed for all their football lives. They are struggling and the Cats are purring. They meet each other on Sunday in a game where the bookies are saying that if the Dees get up to win, the bookies will pay out up to a $34.00 dividend. Thirty-four bucks in a two horse race. Think about that. If the match were an even bet they would be offering around $1.85 so that suggests what the bookies think of Melbourne’s chances. The rest of the world thinks the same thing. THE GAME Geelong v Melbourne at Skilled Stadium - Sunday 6 April 2008 at 1.10pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall Geelong 117 wins Melbourne 83 wins 2 draws At Skilled Stadium Geelong 31 wins Melbourne 17 wins 1 draw Since 2000 Geelong 7 wins 1 draw Melbourne 6 wins The Coaches Thompson 0 Bailey 0 MEDIA TV Fox Sports 1 (1.00pm) RADIO ABC 774 SEN KRock MMM THE BETTING Geelong to win $1.01 Melbourne to win $34.00 LAST TIME THEY MET: Geelong 15.19.109 defeated Melbourne 8.9.57 at the MCG in Round 3 2007 The Demons had opened the season poorly with losses to both St. Kilda and Hawthorn and their injury list was growing by the day. They were blown away by the Cats who dominated in virtually every position on the ground. Brad Green, who was moved forward to cover the loss through injury of Neitz and Robertson and kicked four goals, was one of the few Demons who could hold his head high after the game. As a youngster, Green was one of the club's most effective forwards. Perhaps this is where his future lies? THE TEAMS: GEELONG B Tom Harley Matthew Scarlett Josh Hunt HB Darren Milburn Harry Taylor Corey Enright C Cameron Ling Joel Selwood Jimmy Bartel HF Steve Johnson, Cameron Mooney, Paul Chapman F Ryan Gamble Tom Hawkins Mathew Stokes Foll Mark Blake Gary Ablett Joel Corey Interchange James Kelly Max Rooke Trent West David Wojcinski Emergencies Shannon Byrnes David Johnson Brent Prismall In Max Rooke Out Shannon Byrnes MELBOURNE B Paul Wheatley Nathan Carroll Jared Rivers HB Clint Bartram, Daniel Bell Lynden Dunn C Brad Green, Brock McLean Colin Sylvia HF Cameron Bruce Brad Miller, Paul Johnson F Aaron Davey David Neitz Russell Robertson Foll Jeff White James McDonald Nathan Jones Interchange Colin Garland Chris Johnson Cale Morton Austin Wonaeamirri Emergencies Simon Buckley James Frawley Brent Moloney In James Frawley Chris Johnson Brent Moloney Jared Rivers Austin Wonaeamirri Out Jace Bode Isaac Weetra New Austin Wonaeamirri (St Mary's NT) ODD SPOT Just in case you think Skilled Stadium holds any fears in the hearts of the Demons, don't forget that Melbourne hasn't lost a game at Sleepy Hollow since Round 8 2004 when the Cats won 15.11.101 to 12.15.87 [and even on that occasion the Demons had more scoring shots]. UNFURLING SOME SPIRIT AND PASSION The best thing to happen to the Demons for a long time is that they have been invited to attend the premiership flag unveiling at the Cats' first real home game of the year. Melbourne should regard that as an honour and a privilege because it will give all and sundry - the Board, officials, coaches, players and even a handful of supporters - the opportunity to see at close quarters, exactly what a truly successful football is all about. That feeling should resonate with them before, during and after the unfurling of the flag and, with a little bit of luck, some of the lessons gained from the experience will help the club immeasurably going forward. It matters little what the result of the game might be - as long as they play with some spirit and passion and learn from the experience because this year does not look like a year for winning games - at least not this early in the season or against this opposition. It might sound as if I'm writing the Demons off here but that's not really the case. I really don't expect this week to be a total loss; rather a stepping stone to the following weeks with games against North Melbourne and Carlton when the many players whose pre seasons were interrupted will start finding their legs and the team gets some more experience, confidence and accountability into its system. In the words of coach Bailey, this should make them more

by the Oracle Imagine if it were possible to freeze everything and to suspend yourself in a single moment in time? If I could do that I would choose to go back a little more than a year and a half to Round 21, 2006 when the Demons last travelled to the Cattery to take part in an AFL game played for premiership points. If I could narrow the time down a little more, I would select the very moment well beyond the halfway mark of the second quarter when Melbourne was coasting toward victory with a more than handy 38 point lead and with every chance of securing a top four placing on the eve of the finals series given that the last game was to be played against an injury ravaged Adelaide in the final home and away round. In this frozen moment of time, Melbourne should have been further in front against Geelong but for one or two appalling decisions from the umpires but I'll let that rest for now. The Demons had dominated the game to that point and they held sway by such a huge margin because they were playing an aggressive free-wheeling brand of football while the Cats were hesitant and lacked accountability. The home team was virtually down and out sitting in the middle of the road as far a ladder placement was concerned and destined to finish behind Richmond (which in turn, would acquire another wooden spoon by the end of 2007). There was little incentive for the Cats to get themselves off the floor while the Demons had every reason to push hard for a good victory to consolidate third position on the ladder in a battle where every goal was worth valuable percentage in a tight battle for positions at the top of the AFL table. Now let's unfreeze and move on through the rest of the game played on that fateful day just twenty months ago. History tells us that it was Geelong that regrouped, added a mix of desperation, discipline and attack and pushed itself to the limit in order to kick nine of the last eleven goals of the match to peg the margin back and to momentarily take the lead. In the end, the Demons managed to contain the damage by fighting back with a late point in the dramatic final three or four minutes of the game. The second half of the game was a precursor to where the teams would be over the next twelve months and beyond. Geelong added disciple, fitness and confidence to its armoury and, at a point six weeks into the following season, was on its way to a premiership. Melbourne, on the other hand, fell apart. The decline was exacerbated by a serious injury list but the cracks were everywhere. Coach Neale Daniher fell by the wayside. His caretaker coach Mark Reilly, has gone too. Dean Bailey is left to pick up the pieces with a list that has already seen a dozen changes in personnel after one summer and which is being asked to play a different style of game to that which many players have been accustomed for all their football lives. They are struggling and the Cats are purring. They meet each other on Sunday in a game where the bookies are saying that if the Dees get up to win, the bookies will pay out up to a $34.00 dividend. Thirty-four bucks in a two horse race. Think about that. If the match were an even bet they would be offering around $1.85 so that suggests what the bookies think of Melbourne’s chances. The rest of the world thinks the same thing. THE GAME Geelong v Melbourne at Skilled Stadium - Sunday 6 April 2008 at 1.10pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall Geelong 117 wins Melbourne 83 wins 2 draws At Skilled Stadium Geelong 31 wins Melbourne 17 wins 1 draw Since 2000 Geelong 7 wins 1 draw Melbourne 6 wins The Coaches Thompson 0 Bailey 0 MEDIA TV Fox Sports 1 (1.00pm) RADIO ABC 774 SEN KRock MMM THE BETTING Geelong to win $1.01 Melbourne to win $34.00 LAST TIME THEY MET: Geelong 15.19.109 defeated Melbourne 8.9.57 at the MCG in Round 3 2007 The Demons had opened the season poorly with losses to both St. Kilda and Hawthorn and their injury list was growing by the day. They were blown away by the Cats who dominated in virtually every position on the ground. Brad Green, who was moved forward to cover the loss through injury of Neitz and Robertson and kicked four goals, was one of the few Demons who could hold his head high after the game. As a youngster, Green was one of the club's most effective forwards. Perhaps this is where his future lies? THE TEAMS: GEELONG B Tom Harley Matthew Scarlett Josh Hunt HB Darren Milburn Harry Taylor Corey Enright C Cameron Ling Joel Selwood Jimmy Bartel HF Steve Johnson, Cameron Mooney, Paul Chapman F Ryan Gamble Tom Hawkins Mathew Stokes Foll Mark Blake Gary Ablett Joel Corey Interchange James Kelly Max Rooke Trent West David Wojcinski Emergencies Shannon Byrnes David Johnson Brent Prismall In Max Rooke Out Shannon Byrnes MELBOURNE B Paul Wheatley Nathan Carroll Jared Rivers HB Clint Bartram, Daniel Bell Lynden Dunn C Brad Green, Brock McLean Colin Sylvia HF Cameron Bruce Brad Miller, Paul Johnson F Aaron Davey David Neitz Russell Robertson Foll Jeff White James McDonald Nathan Jones Interchange Colin Garland Chris Johnson Cale Morton Austin Wonaeamirri Emergencies Simon Buckley James Frawley Brent Moloney In James Frawley Chris Johnson Brent Moloney Jared Rivers Austin Wonaeamirri Out Jace Bode Isaac Weetra New Austin Wonaeamirri (St Mary's NT) ODD SPOT Just in case you think Skilled Stadium holds any fears in the hearts of the Demons, don't forget that Melbourne hasn't lost a game at Sleepy Hollow since Round 8 2004 when the Cats won 15.11.101 to 12.15.87 [and even on that occasion the Demons had more scoring shots]. UNFURLING SOME SPIRIT AND PASSION The best thing to happen to the Demons for a long time is that they have been invited to attend the premiership flag unveiling at the Cats' first real home game of the year. Melbourne should regard that as an honour and a privilege because it will give all and sundry - the Board, officials, coaches, players and even a handful of supporters - the opportunity to see at close quarters, exactly what a truly successful football is all about. That feeling should resonate with them before, during and after the unfurling of the flag and, with a little bit of luck, some of the lessons gained from the experience will help the club immeasurably going forward. It matters little what the result of the game might be - as long as they play with some spirit and passion and learn from the experience because this year does not look like a year for winning games - at least not this early in the season or against this opposition. It might sound as if I'm writing the Demons off here but that's not really the case. I really don't expect this week to be a total loss; rather a stepping stone to the following weeks with games against North Melbourne and Carlton when the many players whose pre seasons were interrupted will start finding their legs and the team gets some more experience, confidence and accountability into its system. In the words of coach Bailey, this should make them more