Demonland

HURRY SUNDOWN by the Oracle Shortly after sundown tomorrow night, we will witness the first bounce of the season. The match ball will hit the ground with a thump signalling the start of the action and when that happens, the most turbulent off-season in the game's history will come to an end. Make no mistake about it. Our game is under siege. At local level, in the suburbs and the bush, the game is at risk because the long drought has taken its toll on the very grounds upon which the game is played. The season's start has been delayed at grass roots level and is even in doubt in some leagues. Meanwhile, at the elite level, it's a case of footballers behaving very badly again and again. We're moving from one embarrassing disaster to another and all this at a time when the round ball game is taking a firm hold in Victoria, particularly after Australia's 2006 World Cup showing was followed up by Melbourne Victory's stunning A League premiership over the summer. At a little after 7.40pm AEST tomorrow, when one of the big ruckmen thumps the football down to the ground and we witness the first kicks, marks, handballs, tackles and goals, many of will view it with relief. Supporters will again be able to concentrate on the finer aspects of the game and perhaps, in our case, they will even start believing that, like its soccer counterpart, the Melbourne team will emerge triumphant at the end of the coming football season. So hurry sundown and let the nonsense that we've witnessed over the past few months be well and truly on its way … DEMONS AND SAINTS by Whispering Jack A long, long time ago it was an opening round game which took place between Melbourne and St. Kilda on the MCG. That was way back in 1966 and it was a game that marked the turning point for the fortunes of each of the participants. I was a bit loath to bring this game up because it was so painful. It certainly signalled the end of the Demons' golden era of the 50’s and ‘60’s and it was also the springboard for the Saints' only premiership in their long history. St. Kilda dominated all day to win by 76 points - 17.7.109 to 4.9.33. Melbourne stacked its team full of youngsters with many of the old guard having retired or moved on since the 1964 premiership victory over Collingwood. It would be a long time before the Demons would see finals action again. But who knows what will happen tomorrow night? Perhaps, the aftermath of the season opener will be a change in fortunes. This time however, the change is likely to be in Melbourne's favour – a change that could allow its long suffering supporters to finally celebrate a premiership victory for the first time in more than four decades. We can live in hope can't we? Actually, I think it's a little more than hope. The Demons' form over the past month in Nab Cup and Nab Challenger matches hasn't been anything to write home about but let's face it – these are practice matches and nothing more. You try players out in different positions, you rest some, you play around with tactics, strategies, your game plan and you hope that you don't suffer too badly in the way of injuries to players. Melbourne has come out of the pre season reasonably well in that regard although late injuries to Jared Rivers and Lynden Dunn and Byron Pickett's failure to come up will hurt a bit. However, I detect a level of healthy confidence as the team prepares to attack St. Kilda in the opening game of the season. The Demons have made the finals for the past three years in a row. They have promised much and performed brilliantly at times, poorly at others - particularly at crunch time. Melbourne now has a good mix of players, young and experienced, talls, mediums and smalls. The time has come for the team to perform with consistency throughout a long season. Nothing less than a top four berth will do! THE STATISTICS by Sam the Stats Man THE GAME: Melbourne v St. Kilda at the MCG - 30 March 2007 at 7.40pm HEAD TO HEAD: Overall: Melbourne 118 wins St. Kilda 77 wins 1 draw At the G: Melbourne 58 wins St. Kilda 29 wins Since 2000: Melbourne 9 wins St. Kilda 2 wins The Coaches: Daniher 0 Lyon 0 MEDIA: TV: Channel 7 at 8.30pm RADIO: SEN, ABC774 THE BETTING: Melbourne to win $1.60 - St. Kilda to win $2.25 LAST TIME THEY MET: Melbourne 13.12.90 defeated St. Kilda 10.12.72 at the MCG [Elimination Final] The Saints, with Fraser Gehrig on fire, started brilliantly but were held after quarter time and the Demons finally overran a tired combination that was carrying too many injured players. Brock McLean was the star - who could ever forget that bump which took out St. Kilda's Justin Koschitzke? THE TEAMS: MELBOURNE: Backs: Nathan Carroll Ben Holland Matthew Whelan Half backs: Daniel Ward Brad Miller Daniel Bell Centreline: Travis Johnstone James McDonald Matthew Bate Half forwards: Cameron Bruce Russell Robertson Adem Yze Forwards: Chris Johnson David Neitz Aaron Davey Followers: Jeff White Brad Green Brock McLean Interchange Clint Bartram Mark Jamar Nathan Jones Brent Moloney Emergencies: Clint Bizzell Nathan Brown Paul Johnson ST KILDA: Backs: Steven Baker Sam Fisher Brendan Goodard Halfbacks: Jason Gram Matt Maguire Leigh Fisher Centreline: Andrew Thompson Luke Ball Leigh Montagna Half forwards: Robert Harvey Justin Koschitzke Jason Blake Forwards: Xavier Clarke Fraser Gehrig Stephen Milne Followers: Matthew Clarke Lenny Hayes Nick Dal Santo Interchange: Jayden Attard Aaron Fiora Andrew McQualter Michael Rix Emergencies: Shane Birss Barry Brooks Brett Voss UMPIRES: Stephen McBurney Matt Stevic Simon Meredith THE BATTLE by J.V.McKay The protagonists in tomorrow night's game were both bundled out in the first week of the Nab Cup and consequently slipped into obscurity playing games around the countryside and chasing the tails of the Leyland Brothers. Neither side has produced impressive results in the past month with only one win from four outings. They might claim that this was a consequence of them not having the ability to field their best sides in meaningless practice matches but that matters little. St. Kilda has a long list of injured and will be playing a few players who are slightly underdone at this stage of the journey. Their defence will be under pressure for against the experienced Melbourne forward line which has plenty of scoring options. I think the Saints' normally strong midfield might also be under pressure in this match, particularly in the latter part of the game when their lack of solid pre season match practice begins to take its toll. The Saints will miss Nick Riewoldt who kicked a bag of nine against the Demons a few seasons back and among other Saints stars missing are Hammill, Hudghton and R. Clarke. To make matters worse, St. Kilda was without a fitness coach for part of the summer whilse the Demons, who will sorely miss Jared Rivers at centre half back, have the best fitness coach going around and playerwise look to have covered all bases. The danger behind all of this will occur if the Demons will come out and treat their opponents with less respect than they should, simply on the basis that the Saints don't have their best player in Riewoldt and few other handy footballers are absent with injury while others on the comeback trail after lengthy absences. They only need go back to last year's opening round fiasco when they underestimated the current wooden spooners to realise the folly of such an approach. Or back to Round 4 of 2005 when they sensed weakness in an injury depleted St. Kilda at Telstra Dome only to suffer an almight spanking after half time - mainly at the hands of Fraser Gehrig. I doubt however, whether Neale Daniher will allow any complacency to set in and besides, this time his charges have the all round strength and maturity for them to get home. And talking of home, the return to the M.C.G will be welcomed by the Demons and this is what I expect to be the ultimate difference between these teams. Melbourne by 17 points. DEMONLAND TIPPING Register here with Oztips. Detailed instructions for registration as a Demonland Tipster BECOME A MEMBER Join the Demons in 2007 - click here for membership.

HURRY SUNDOWN by the Oracle Shortly after sundown tomorrow night, we will witness the first bounce of the season. The match ball will hit the ground with a thump signalling the start of the action and when that happens, the most turbulent off-season in the game's history will come to an end. Make no mistake about it. Our game is under siege. At local level, in the suburbs and the bush, the game is at risk because the long drought has taken its toll on the very grounds upon which the game is played. The season's start has been delayed at grass roots level and is even in doubt in some leagues. Meanwhile, at the elite level, it's a case of footballers behaving very badly again and again. We're moving from one embarrassing disaster to another and all this at a time when the round ball game is taking a firm hold in Victoria, particularly after Australia's 2006 World Cup showing was followed up by Melbourne Victory's stunning A League premiership over the summer. At a little after 7.40pm AEST tomorrow, when one of the big ruckmen thumps the football down to the ground and we witness the first kicks, marks, handballs, tackles and goals, many of will view it with relief. Supporters will again be able to concentrate on the finer aspects of the game and perhaps, in our case, they will even start believing that, like its soccer counterpart, the Melbourne team will emerge triumphant at the end of the coming football season. So hurry sundown and let the nonsense that we've witnessed over the past few months be well and truly on its way … DEMONS AND SAINTS by Whispering Jack A long, long time ago it was an opening round game which took place between Melbourne and St. Kilda on the MCG. That was way back in 1966 and it was a game that marked the turning point for the fortunes of each of the participants. I was a bit loath to bring this game up because it was so painful. It certainly signalled the end of the Demons' golden era of the 50’s and ‘60’s and it was also the springboard for the Saints' only premiership in their long history. St. Kilda dominated all day to win by 76 points - 17.7.109 to 4.9.33. Melbourne stacked its team full of youngsters with many of the old guard having retired or moved on since the 1964 premiership victory over Collingwood. It would be a long time before the Demons would see finals action again. But who knows what will happen tomorrow night? Perhaps, the aftermath of the season opener will be a change in fortunes. This time however, the change is likely to be in Melbourne's favour – a change that could allow its long suffering supporters to finally celebrate a premiership victory for the first time in more than four decades. We can live in hope can't we? Actually, I think it's a little more than hope. The Demons' form over the past month in Nab Cup and Nab Challenger matches hasn't been anything to write home about but let's face it – these are practice matches and nothing more. You try players out in different positions, you rest some, you play around with tactics, strategies, your game plan and you hope that you don't suffer too badly in the way of injuries to players. Melbourne has come out of the pre season reasonably well in that regard although late injuries to Jared Rivers and Lynden Dunn and Byron Pickett's failure to come up will hurt a bit. However, I detect a level of healthy confidence as the team prepares to attack St. Kilda in the opening game of the season. The Demons have made the finals for the past three years in a row. They have promised much and performed brilliantly at times, poorly at others - particularly at crunch time. Melbourne now has a good mix of players, young and experienced, talls, mediums and smalls. The time has come for the team to perform with consistency throughout a long season. Nothing less than a top four berth will do! THE STATISTICS by Sam the Stats Man THE GAME: Melbourne v St. Kilda at the MCG - 30 March 2007 at 7.40pm HEAD TO HEAD: Overall: Melbourne 118 wins St. Kilda 77 wins 1 draw At the G: Melbourne 58 wins St. Kilda 29 wins Since 2000: Melbourne 9 wins St. Kilda 2 wins The Coaches: Daniher 0 Lyon 0 MEDIA: TV: Channel 7 at 8.30pm RADIO: SEN, ABC774 THE BETTING: Melbourne to win $1.60 - St. Kilda to win $2.25 LAST TIME THEY MET: Melbourne 13.12.90 defeated St. Kilda 10.12.72 at the MCG [Elimination Final] The Saints, with Fraser Gehrig on fire, started brilliantly but were held after quarter time and the Demons finally overran a tired combination that was carrying too many injured players. Brock McLean was the star - who could ever forget that bump which took out St. Kilda's Justin Koschitzke? THE TEAMS: MELBOURNE: Backs: Nathan Carroll Ben Holland Matthew Whelan Half backs: Daniel Ward Brad Miller Daniel Bell Centreline: Travis Johnstone James McDonald Matthew Bate Half forwards: Cameron Bruce Russell Robertson Adem Yze Forwards: Chris Johnson David Neitz Aaron Davey Followers: Jeff White Brad Green Brock McLean Interchange Clint Bartram Mark Jamar Nathan Jones Brent Moloney Emergencies: Clint Bizzell Nathan Brown Paul Johnson ST KILDA: Backs: Steven Baker Sam Fisher Brendan Goodard Halfbacks: Jason Gram Matt Maguire Leigh Fisher Centreline: Andrew Thompson Luke Ball Leigh Montagna Half forwards: Robert Harvey Justin Koschitzke Jason Blake Forwards: Xavier Clarke Fraser Gehrig Stephen Milne Followers: Matthew Clarke Lenny Hayes Nick Dal Santo Interchange: Jayden Attard Aaron Fiora Andrew McQualter Michael Rix Emergencies: Shane Birss Barry Brooks Brett Voss UMPIRES: Stephen McBurney Matt Stevic Simon Meredith THE BATTLE by J.V.McKay The protagonists in tomorrow night's game were both bundled out in the first week of the Nab Cup and consequently slipped into obscurity playing games around the countryside and chasing the tails of the Leyland Brothers. Neither side has produced impressive results in the past month with only one win from four outings. They might claim that this was a consequence of them not having the ability to field their best sides in meaningless practice matches but that matters little. St. Kilda has a long list of injured and will be playing a few players who are slightly underdone at this stage of the journey. Their defence will be under pressure for against the experienced Melbourne forward line which has plenty of scoring options. I think the Saints' normally strong midfield might also be under pressure in this match, particularly in the latter part of the game when their lack of solid pre season match practice begins to take its toll. The Saints will miss Nick Riewoldt who kicked a bag of nine against the Demons a few seasons back and among other Saints stars missing are Hammill, Hudghton and R. Clarke. To make matters worse, St. Kilda was without a fitness coach for part of the summer whilse the Demons, who will sorely miss Jared Rivers at centre half back, have the best fitness coach going around and playerwise look to have covered all bases. The danger behind all of this will occur if the Demons will come out and treat their opponents with less respect than they should, simply on the basis that the Saints don't have their best player in Riewoldt and few other handy footballers are absent with injury while others on the comeback trail after lengthy absences. They only need go back to last year's opening round fiasco when they underestimated the current wooden spooners to realise the folly of such an approach. Or back to Round 4 of 2005 when they sensed weakness in an injury depleted St. Kilda at Telstra Dome only to suffer an almight spanking after half time - mainly at the hands of Fraser Gehrig. I doubt however, whether Neale Daniher will allow any complacency to set in and besides, this time his charges have the all round strength and maturity for them to get home. And talking of home, the return to the M.C.G will be welcomed by the Demons and this is what I expect to be the ultimate difference between these teams. Melbourne by 17 points. DEMONLAND TIPPING Register here with Oztips. Detailed instructions for registration as a Demonland Tipster BECOME A MEMBER Join the Demons in 2007 - click here for membership.

Yeah, and I love him too so I might have a word in Finks' ear tomorrow night to see if we can get him a reprieve.

And now ... part two which is also featured in our News and Articles Section ... SPECIAL FEATURE: THE RIGHT PRESCRIPTION (PART TWO) by Whispering Jack Last week, I looked at the players I rate in the top ten at the Melbourne Football Club in terms of their importance towards achieving ultimate team success in the coming season. As with last year's ratings I have decided against rating the full list from first to last at this stage of the season on the basis that such a listing would be too tough on the blokes at the bottom end - especially those who I have barely seen in action. The thing that makes me optimistic about Melbourne's prospects at this stage of the list's development is the number of youngsters who I can see pushing hard for a place in the elite top ten group. It is that fact more than anything else which reinforces in my mind that my optimism is not based merely on a "vibe" as it was last year but upon something far more concrete. Here is my look at the rest of the list:- Clint Bartram [19] 16.02.88 181cm 73 kg Geelong U18 Selection # 60 - 2005 NAB AFL Draft, AFL Debut 2006 Round 1 v Carlton. Statistics: 22 games, 132 kicks, 85 marks, 115 handballs, 247 disposals, 6 goals, 1 behinds, 0 hit outs, 86 tackles, 12 frees for, 13 frees against. The selection of Clint Bartram at number 60 in the 2005 National Draft, Clint is already seen as a remarkable piece of recruiting as the youngster went on to play all 22 home and away games. He earned himself an AFL NAB Rising Star nomination (finishing fourth overall) before he succumbed to a bad ankle injury in the final home and away game at AAMI Stadium. In his debut season, he was used mainly as a hard running, hard tackling tagger but he has shown in his brief comeback practice match appearances at Sandringham that he could be much more than that as his career develops. Matthew Bate [6] 24.05.87 191cm 89 kg Eastern U18 Selection # 13 - 2004 NAB AFL Draft, AFL Debut 2006 Round 5 v Kangaroos. Statistics: 14 games, 121 kicks, 77 marks, 100 handballs, 221 disposals, 8 goals, 5 behinds, 1 hit out, 38 tackles, 13 frees for, 12 frees against. Another NAB AFL Rising Star Nomination in his first season of AFL football, Matty Bate was an impressive high possession winner utilised in many positions around the ground. This lad is genuinely exciting and he has the capacity to go a long way in his football career. Daniel Bell [21] 13.04.85 186cm 88 kg Glenelg (SA) Selection # 14 - 2002 National AFL Draft, AFL Debut 2004 Round 15 v St. Kilda. Statistics: 28 games, 177 kicks, 100 marks, 119 handballs, 296 disposals, 0 goals, 2 behinds, 1 hit out, 71 tackles, 17 frees for, 22 frees against. Belly has been around a few years without securing a regular place in the side but his strong pre season and practice match form suggests that he's in for the long ride at the club as a pacy defender who tackles very, very hard. Clint Bizzell [3] 28.06.76 188cm 89 kg (14 stone) Geelong Selection # 75 – 1995 National AFL Draft, AFL Debut 1996 Round 6 for Geelong v North Melbourne (75 games) 2001 Traded by Geelong for draft selections 17 and 41. MFC Debut 2002, Round 1 v Hawthorn (78 games). Statistics: 153 games, 1,216 kicks, 649 marks, 779 handballs, 1,995 disposals, 79 goals, 62 behinds, 47 hit outs, 212 tackles, 128 frees for, 94 frees against. On the comeback trail from a fractured leg that destroyed his 2006 season. The Biz is no longer the General of the backline and this is probably his last year but he will get his chances early in the season. At his age, it won't be an easy task for him to hold a place in the team but it will not be for lack of trying. Jace Bode [43] 14.09.87 183cm 80 kg Sturt (SA) Selection # 9 - 2005 Rookie Draft Had his share on injury and to date has struggled to impress. Nathan Brown [25] 14.08.76 180cm 76 kg West Adelaide (SA) Selection # 66 - 1997 National AFL Draft, AFL Debut 1998 Round 4 v Carlton. Statistics: 127 games, 1,350 kicks, 607 marks, 791 handballs, 2,141 disposals, 33 goals, 37 behinds, 2 hit out, 144 tackles, 70 frees for, 53 frees against. The highlight of Nathan Brown's 2006 was his 28 possession semi final performance against Fremantle. Injuries kept his output down to just nine games and he will need to fight hard to hold a spot as a small defender against a growing field of younger players looking to fill this role. Simon Buckley [1] 18.04.87 189cm 81 kg Sandringham U18 Selection # 53 - 2005 NAB AFL Draft. Has shown great development in terms of body and maturity over the past year and will be pushing for selection with the Demons at some stage during this season. Nathan Carroll [41] 20.10.80 191cm 91 kg Claremont (WA) Selection # 56 - 2003 Rookie Draft, 2003 rookie elevation (Melbourne) AFL Debut 2003 Round 4 v Geelong. Statistics: 41 games, 277 kicks, 197 marks, 225 handballs, 502 disposals, 1 goals, 0 behind, 7 hit out, 66 tackles, 20 frees for, 22 frees against. One of last year's big improvers, Carroll played every game and was under strong consideration by the pundits as an All Australian full back. He has gained so much in confidence and belief in himself and will be an important part of Melbourne's defence again this year. Lynden Dunn [14] 14.05.87 192cm 93 kg Calder U18 Selection # 15 - 2004 NAB AFL Draft, AFL Debut 2006 Round 6 v Geelong Statistics: 11 games, 70 kicks, 42 marks, 33 handballs, 103 disposals, 13 goals, 10 behinds, 6 hit outs, 13 tackles, 6 frees for, 3 frees against Dunn had an excellent debut season with some impressive pinch hitting performances in the Demon forward line but his prospects for 2007 have been set back by the depressed cheekbone fracture suffered in a practice match at Sandringham. Has a bright future and could hold down a regular key forward position when he matures. Ryan Ferguson [35] 29.09.81 195cm 91 kg Frankston Selection # 66 - 2002 National AFL Draft, AFL Debut 2003 Round 1 v Hawthorn. Statistics: 39 games, 169 kicks, 118 marks, 142 handballs, 311 disposals, 4 goals, 1 behinds, 6 hit outs, 34 tackles, 29 frees for, 28 frees against. Ferguson has had an injury interrupted career and 2006 was no exception. In round 2 he broke a rib and suffered a punctured a lung as a result of a friendly fire collision with Colin Sylvia at Telstra Dome. Then, when he finally made a return to the Demons late in the season, he injured a knee. He has courage to burn and is not so easily pushed aside as he was when he first came to the club, but there are still question marks about his ability to hold down a regular place in the teams defence. Mark Jamar [40] 09.08.83 198cm 103 kg North Adelaide (SA) Selection # 6 – 2002 Rookie Draft, 2002 rookie elevation (Melbourne) AFL Debut 2003 Round 1 v Hawthorn. Statistics: 42 games, 69 kicks, 73 marks, 122 handballs, 191 disposals, 13 goals, 3 behind, 409 hit outs, 41 tackles, 19 frees for, 23 frees against. Melbourne's second ranked ruckman behind Jeff White, Jamar is expected to be given more game time again in 2007. Whilst his ruckwork is improving, he doesn't appear to have developed a capacity to impose his presence on games at this stage. Apart from the odd mark and goal during a game, he needs to be doing far more around the ground. James Frawley [8] 20.09.88 193cm 79kg North Ballarat U18 Selection # 12 - 2006 NAB AFL Draft The club's first round draft pick at # 12 has been impressive in the Nab Cup and Challenge matches but he has suffered an injury setback. The stress fractures to the foot will see a late start for this tall defender with pace to burn and he is expected to spend a fair slab of it with the Zebras. Colin Garland [20] 28.04.88 191 cm 84 kg North Hobart Selection # 46 - 2006 NAB AFL Draft A mobile key position player who had a sensational year rising through the ranks at North Hobart last year and will develop further at Sandringhham in 2007. Simon Godfrey [30] 18.10.80 184cm 86 kg Box Hill 2000 Pre-Season Draft #14, AFL Debut 2000 Round 20 v Fremantle. Statistics: 88 games, 606 kicks, 230 marks, 479 handballs, 1,085 disposals, 16 goals, 18 behinds, 21 hit out, 275 tackles, 67 frees for, 84 frees against. Tough as nails, honest as the day is long but not as gifted in skills and athleticism as some of the others on the list. Daniel Hayes [42] 13.7.1988 180cm 70kg Eastern U18 Selection # 12 - 2006 Rookie Draft. A classy left footer with good evasive skills and a neat kick, Hayes is currently under suspension for failing to attend training. The problem is understood to be related to personal family issues. Ben Holland [4] 10.05.77 198cm 100 kg Richmond Selection # 19 1994 National AFL Draft by Fitzroy (0 games) 1995 Traded by Fitzroy for selection #16 and #32 to Richmond, AFL Debut 1996 Round 3 with Richmond against the Brisbane Bears (125 games) 2003 Traded by Richmond for draft selection # 20 (Sam Butler) to Melbourne Debut with Melbourne 2004, Round 1 against Hawthorn (54 games). Statistics: 179 games, 1121 kicks, 684 marks, 793 handballs, 1914 disposals, 164 goals, 99 behinds, 280 hit outs, 283 tackles, 140 frees for, 156 frees against. Was used more in defence in 2006 which is where he made his name with the Tigers. The Demons will be hoping that he can take on the stronger bodied opposition talls but it's clear that there will be times when there is no match up in the backline for a player of his ilk. Daniel Hughes [38] 10.12.86 186cm 82 kg Sandringham U18 Selection # 25 - 2005 Rookie Draft. The young rookie has plenty of opposition for a place as a medium tall forward but showed at times in 2006 with Sandringham that he can be smart around goals. If he continues to improve this year, he might be able to secure a place on the club's senior list. Nathan Jones [2] 20.01.88, 179cm 85 Dandenong U18 Selection # 12 - 2005 NAB AFL Draft, AFL Debut 2006 Round 17 v Western Bulldogs. Statistics: 8 games, 64 kicks, 20 marks, 47 handballs, 111 disposals, 2 goals, 0 behind, 1 hit out, 25 tackles, 5 frees for, 7 frees against. Melbourne's first round National Draft selection in 2005 had to wait most of the season for an AFL game but once he made it, he was very impressive gaining a NAB Rising Star nomination and some Brownlow votes. His strength and football nous has been evident in the pre season and he is challenging strongly for a permanent position in the Demon midfield. Chris Johnson [17] 25.01.86 189cm 86 kg East Fremantle (WA) Selection # 36 (father-son) - 2003 NAB AFL Draft, AFL Debut 2005 Round 8 with Melbourne v Hawthorn. Statistics: 13 games, 103 kicks, 59 marks, 46 handballs, 149 disposals, 0 goals, 2 behinds, 0 hit outs, 21 tackles, 4 frees for, 8 frees against. Chris Johnson has played only 13 games in his three years at the club but he appears the player most likely to take the next big step at the club. He has good skills and is finally playing with the confidence of an established player and I expect him to move forward in leaps and bounds over 2007 and beyond. Paul Johnson [11] 26.06.84 199cm 105 kg West Coast Selection # 24 - 2002 National AFL Draft, AFL Debut 2003 Round 5 with the West Coast Eagles against Fremantle (1 game) 2004 Traded by West Coast for draft selection # 29 (Matt Rosa), 2005 debut with Melbourne Round 7 against Adelaide. Statistics: 11 games, 29 kicks, 13 marks, 24 handballs, 53 disposals, 2 goals, 1 behinds, 48 hit outs, 11 tackles, 1 frees for, 10 frees against. After winning the 2005 Liston Trophy, the injury prone Johnson faced 2006 with great optimism but this was shattered when he dislocated his shoulder early in the season. He hasn't done anything to suggest over the preseason that he can take the next step but he has the size and the agility and will need to work hard at Sandringham and bide his time there before he gets another chance at AFL level. Neale Daniher has indicated that he is third in line in the club's rucking hierarchy at the present time but he might also challenge for a key forward role if the opportunity is presented. Brad Miller [7] 06.07.83 194cm 96 kg Mount Gravatt (Queensland) Selection # 55 - 2001 National AFL Draft, AFL Debut 2002 Round 8 v Fremantle. Statistics: 75 games, 411 kicks, 369 marks, 379 handballs, 790 disposals, 24 goals, 20 behinds, 31 hit outs, 88 tackles, 38 frees for, 47 frees against. Miller had an indifferent season in 2006 and has fallen from grace in terms of his leadership position at the club as a result. He paid a heavy price for an indiscretion at Subiaco in midseason but came back at the same venue to be his team's best in the final against Fremantle. The debate still rages as to whether he is better suited to defence or attack although, in my mind, he is of greater value up forward (except when the team plays the Swans because for some reason, he always beats Barry Hall). Brent Moloney [22] 28.01.84 181cm 88 kg Geelong U18 Selection # 4 - 2003 Pre-Season Draft, AFL Debut 2003 Round 14 with Geelong against Port Adelaide (23 games) 2004 Traded by Geelong for draft selection12 (Danny Meyer – Richmond) 2005 Debut for Melbourne Round 1 against Essendon. Statistics: 51 games, 525 kicks, 175 marks, 210 handballs, 735 disposals, 9 goals, 23 behinds, 1 hit out, 92 tackles, 25 frees for, 46 frees against. Another player whose 2006 season suffered as a result of injury, Moloney's strength and long kicking into the forward line will be most welcome although hopefully, he will mix that up with some well placed short passing when appropriate. Shane Neaves [39] 11.05.87 199cm 90 kg Calder U18 Selection # 39 - 2005 Rookie Draft A tall big man who remains on the rookie list and is a long term development player who showed a few signs in the ruck at Sandringham last year. Heath Neville [26] 02.02.88 186cm 83 kg Tasmania U18 Selection # 68 - 2005 NAB AFL Draft Had a shocking run of injuries last year and, when he was fit to play, spent most of the year in the VFL reserves. Michael Newton [29] 27.04.87 193cm 90 kg Whorouly.Murray U18 Selection # 43 - 2004 NAB AFL Draft A very athletic and talented footballer whose first season at the club was marred by a back injury and his second was one of slow development going from the Sandy seniors to reserves where he finally took the competition’s top goal kicking honours. Has a touch of class but is on a slow development curve. Ricky Petterd [15] 24.07.88 186 cm 76 kg Broadbeach Selection # 30 - 2006 NAB AFL Draft Melbourne's second round selection at last year's National Draft, there are big wraps on this Under 18 All-Australian and winner of the Harrison Medal for Best and Fairest Division Two in the Under 18 National Championships. Byron Pickett [33] 11.08.77 178cm 86 kg Port Adelaide Selection # 12 - 1996 National AFL Draft, AFL Debut 1997 Round 15 with North Melbourne v Geelong (120 games) 2002 Traded by North Melbourne for draft selections 13 and 31 2003 Debut for Port Adelaide Round 1 v West Coast (55 games) 2005 Traded by Port Adelaide for #28, #44 and #58 2006 Debut for Melbourne Round 1 v Carlton (20 games). Statistics: 195 games, 1822 kicks, 642 marks, 675 handballs, 2497 disposals, 170 goals, 90 behinds, 33 hit out, 540 tackles, 177 frees for, 180 frees against. Tough, solid and reliable in the clinches, Pickett was instrumental in giving the Demons a harder edge in 2006 and was at times simply inspirational. His form fell away badly however, after he was sidelined with a hamstring injury later in the season and he became largely ineffective. Has been under a fitness/injury cloud for most of the practice match series. Russell Robertson [24] 24.11.78 187cm 93 kg Tassie U18 Selection # 68 - 1996 National AFL Draft, 1997 rookie elevation (Melbourne) AFL Debut 1997 Round 20 v West Coast. Statistics: 190 games, 1620 kicks, 911 marks, 627 handballs, 2237 disposals, 337 goals, 231 behinds, 53 hit out, 201 tackles, 151 frees for, 136 frees against. Carried a knee injury through most of the year and as a consequence was hot and cold with more emphasis on the cold part of the equation. Still managed 44 goals in what was considered a poor year so hopefully, with a fitter body, he will return to something like the form of 2005 when he won the club's best and fairest. Daniel Ward [10] 09.07.77 185cm 84 kg Western U18. Fitzroy 1998 rookie elevation (Melbourne), AFL Debut 1998 Round 10 v Adelaide. Statistics: 118 games, 1179 kicks, 448 marks, 686 handballs, 1865 disposals, 28 goals, 26 behinds, 6 hit outs, 266 tackles, 85 frees for, 100 frees against. Had a very good season in 2006 when his career was at the crossroads. His pace off half back has helped him get by in the modern game but his disposal can be a problem at times. Isaac Weetra 27.02.89 182 cm 78 kg Port Adelaide Magpies (SA) Selection # 62 - 2006 NAB AFL Draft. A very fast, agile youngster who has a lot of development ahead of him and will be developed through the ranks at Sandringham. Paul Wheatley [31] 12.04.81, 189cm 90 kg .Preston U18 Selection # 20 - 1999 National AFL Draft, AFL Debut 2000 Round 2 v North Melbourne. Statistics: 99 games, 850 kicks, 439 marks, 410 handballs, 1,260 disposals, 26 goals, 27 behinds, 13 hit out, 150 tackles, 38 frees for, 39 frees against. Another player who was stricken with injury in 2006 after a strong showing the year before. This could be a make or break year for Wheaters but he should make the ton (in games played) at a reasonably early stage in the season. Matthew Warnock [37] 03.04.84 192cm 92 kg Sandringham Selection # 26 - 2005 Rookie Draft, AFL Debut 2006 Round 3 v Adelaide. Statistics: 2 games, 5 kicks, 4 marks, 5 handballs, 10 disposals, 0 goals, 0 behinds, 0 hit out, 4 tackles, 0 frees for, 1 frees against. Managed two games coming off the rookie list last year after impressing with his pace and athleticism. Struggled after that and an injury in a Nab Challenge game at Mount Gambier affected his preparation for this season. Adem Yze [13] 21.09.77 187cm 87 kg Murray U18 Selection # 16 - 1994 National AFL Draft, AFL Debut 1995 Round 13 v Richmond. Statistics: 257 games, 3702 kicks, 1006 marks, 960 handballs, 4662 disposals, 225 goals, 179 behinds, 12 hit outs, 429 tackles, 159 frees for, 160 frees against. It’s been a tough pre-season for Adem Yze. He looked good at training but has hardly impressed during the practice matches, which ended for him at Trevor Barker Oval in the unfamiliar Zebra gear. His 257 games puts him in the rarified atmosphere of the all time Demon greats and he's closing in on Jimmy Stynes' record of 225 on the trot but he’s under siege and must produce strong early performances and do so consistently.

by Whispering Jack Last week, I looked at the players I rate in the top ten at the Melbourne Football Club in terms of their importance towards achieving ultimate team success in the coming season. As with last year's ratings I have decided against rating the full list from first to last at this stage of the season on the basis that such a listing would be too tough on the blokes at the bottom end - especially those who I have barely seen in action. The thing that makes me optimistic about Melbourne's prospects at this stage of the list's development is the number of youngsters who I can see pushing hard for a place in the elite top ten group. It is that fact more than anything else which reinforces in my mind that my optimism is not based merely on a "vibe" as it was last year but upon something far more concrete. Here is my look at the rest of the list:- Clint Bartram [19] 16.02.88 181cm 73 kg Geelong U18 Selection # 60 - 2005 NAB AFL Draft, AFL Debut 2006 Round 1 v Carlton. Statistics: 22 games, 132 kicks, 85 marks, 115 handballs, 247 disposals, 6 goals, 1 behinds, 0 hit outs, 86 tackles, 12 frees for, 13 frees against. The selection of Clint Bartram at number 60 in the 2005 National Draft, Clint is already seen as a remarkable piece of recruiting as the youngster went on to play all 22 home and away games. He earned himself an AFL NAB Rising Star nomination (finishing fourth overall) before he succumbed to a bad ankle injury in the final home and away game at AAMI Stadium. In his debut season, he was used mainly as a hard running, hard tackling tagger but he has shown in his brief comeback practice match appearances at Sandringham that he could be much more than that as his career develops. Matthew Bate [6] 24.05.87 191cm 89 kg Eastern U18 Selection # 13 - 2004 NAB AFL Draft, AFL Debut 2006 Round 5 v Kangaroos. Statistics: 14 games, 121 kicks, 77 marks, 100 handballs, 221 disposals, 8 goals, 5 behinds, 1 hit out, 38 tackles, 13 frees for, 12 frees against. Another NAB AFL Rising Star Nomination in his first season of AFL football, Matty Bate was an impressive high possession winner utilised in many positions around the ground. This lad is genuinely exciting and he has the capacity to go a long way in his football career. Daniel Bell [21] 13.04.85 186cm 88 kg Glenelg (SA) Selection # 14 - 2002 National AFL Draft, AFL Debut 2004 Round 15 v St. Kilda. Statistics: 28 games, 177 kicks, 100 marks, 119 handballs, 296 disposals, 0 goals, 2 behinds, 1 hit out, 71 tackles, 17 frees for, 22 frees against. Belly has been around a few years without securing a regular place in the side but his strong pre season and practice match form suggests that he's in for the long ride at the club as a pacy defender who tackles very, very hard. Clint Bizzell [3] 28.06.76 188cm 89 kg (14 stone) Geelong Selection # 75 – 1995 National AFL Draft, AFL Debut 1996 Round 6 for Geelong v North Melbourne (75 games) 2001 Traded by Geelong for draft selections 17 and 41. MFC Debut 2002, Round 1 v Hawthorn (78 games). Statistics: 153 games, 1,216 kicks, 649 marks, 779 handballs, 1,995 disposals, 79 goals, 62 behinds, 47 hit outs, 212 tackles, 128 frees for, 94 frees against. On the comeback trail from a fractured leg that destroyed his 2006 season. The Biz is no longer the General of the backline and this is probably his last year but he will get his chances early in the season. At his age, it won't be an easy task for him to hold a place in the team but it will not be for lack of trying. Jace Bode [43] 14.09.87 183cm 80 kg Sturt (SA) Selection # 9 - 2005 Rookie Draft Had his share on injury and to date has struggled to impress. Nathan Brown [25] 14.08.76 180cm 76 kg West Adelaide (SA) Selection # 66 - 1997 National AFL Draft, AFL Debut 1998 Round 4 v Carlton. Statistics: 127 games, 1,350 kicks, 607 marks, 791 handballs, 2,141 disposals, 33 goals, 37 behinds, 2 hit out, 144 tackles, 70 frees for, 53 frees against. The highlight of Nathan Brown's 2006 was his 28 possession semi final performance against Fremantle. Injuries kept his output down to just nine games and he will need to fight hard to hold a spot as a small defender against a growing field of younger players looking to fill this role. Simon Buckley [1] 18.04.87 189cm 81 kg Sandringham U18 Selection # 53 - 2005 NAB AFL Draft. Has shown great development in terms of body and maturity over the past year and will be pushing for selection with the Demons at some stage during this season. Nathan Carroll [41] 20.10.80 191cm 91 kg Claremont (WA) Selection # 56 - 2003 Rookie Draft, 2003 rookie elevation (Melbourne) AFL Debut 2003 Round 4 v Geelong. Statistics: 41 games, 277 kicks, 197 marks, 225 handballs, 502 disposals, 1 goals, 0 behind, 7 hit out, 66 tackles, 20 frees for, 22 frees against. One of last year's big improvers, Carroll played every game and was under strong consideration by the pundits as an All Australian full back. He has gained so much in confidence and belief in himself and will be an important part of Melbourne's defence again this year. Lynden Dunn [14] 14.05.87 192cm 93 kg Calder U18 Selection # 15 - 2004 NAB AFL Draft, AFL Debut 2006 Round 6 v Geelong Statistics: 11 games, 70 kicks, 42 marks, 33 handballs, 103 disposals, 13 goals, 10 behinds, 6 hit outs, 13 tackles, 6 frees for, 3 frees against Dunn had an excellent debut season with some impressive pinch hitting performances in the Demon forward line but his prospects for 2007 have been set back by the depressed cheekbone fracture suffered in a practice match at Sandringham. Has a bright future and could hold down a regular key forward position when he matures. Ryan Ferguson [35] 29.09.81 195cm 91 kg Frankston Selection # 66 - 2002 National AFL Draft, AFL Debut 2003 Round 1 v Hawthorn. Statistics: 39 games, 169 kicks, 118 marks, 142 handballs, 311 disposals, 4 goals, 1 behinds, 6 hit outs, 34 tackles, 29 frees for, 28 frees against. Ferguson has had an injury interrupted career and 2006 was no exception. In round 2 he broke a rib and suffered a punctured a lung as a result of a friendly fire collision with Colin Sylvia at Telstra Dome. Then, when he finally made a return to the Demons late in the season, he injured a knee. He has courage to burn and is not so easily pushed aside as he was when he first came to the club, but there are still question marks about his ability to hold down a regular place in the teams defence. Mark Jamar [40] 09.08.83 198cm 103 kg North Adelaide (SA) Selection # 6 – 2002 Rookie Draft, 2002 rookie elevation (Melbourne) AFL Debut 2003 Round 1 v Hawthorn. Statistics: 42 games, 69 kicks, 73 marks, 122 handballs, 191 disposals, 13 goals, 3 behind, 409 hit outs, 41 tackles, 19 frees for, 23 frees against. Melbourne's second ranked ruckman behind Jeff White, Jamar is expected to be given more game time again in 2007. Whilst his ruckwork is improving, he doesn't appear to have developed a capacity to impose his presence on games at this stage. Apart from the odd mark and goal during a game, he needs to be doing far more around the ground. James Frawley [8] 20.09.88 193cm 79kg North Ballarat U18 Selection # 12 - 2006 NAB AFL Draft The club's first round draft pick at # 12 has been impressive in the Nab Cup and Challenge matches but he has suffered an injury setback. The stress fractures to the foot will see a late start for this tall defender with pace to burn and he is expected to spend a fair slab of it with the Zebras. Colin Garland [20] 28.04.88 191 cm 84 kg North Hobart Selection # 46 - 2006 NAB AFL Draft A mobile key position player who had a sensational year rising through the ranks at North Hobart last year and will develop further at Sandringhham in 2007. Simon Godfrey [30] 18.10.80 184cm 86 kg Box Hill 2000 Pre-Season Draft #14, AFL Debut 2000 Round 20 v Fremantle. Statistics: 88 games, 606 kicks, 230 marks, 479 handballs, 1,085 disposals, 16 goals, 18 behinds, 21 hit out, 275 tackles, 67 frees for, 84 frees against. Tough as nails, honest as the day is long but not as gifted in skills and athleticism as some of the others on the list. Daniel Hayes [42] 13.7.1988 180cm 70kg Eastern U18 Selection # 12 - 2006 Rookie Draft. A classy left footer with good evasive skills and a neat kick, Hayes is currently under suspension for failing to attend training. The problem is understood to be related to personal family issues. Ben Holland [4] 10.05.77 198cm 100 kg Richmond Selection # 19 1994 National AFL Draft by Fitzroy (0 games) 1995 Traded by Fitzroy for selection #16 and #32 to Richmond, AFL Debut 1996 Round 3 with Richmond against the Brisbane Bears (125 games) 2003 Traded by Richmond for draft selection # 20 (Sam Butler) to Melbourne Debut with Melbourne 2004, Round 1 against Hawthorn (54 games). Statistics: 179 games, 1121 kicks, 684 marks, 793 handballs, 1914 disposals, 164 goals, 99 behinds, 280 hit outs, 283 tackles, 140 frees for, 156 frees against. Was used more in defence in 2006 which is where he made his name with the Tigers. The Demons will be hoping that he can take on the stronger bodied opposition talls but it's clear that there will be times when there is no match up in the backline for a player of his ilk. Daniel Hughes [38] 10.12.86 186cm 82 kg Sandringham U18 Selection # 25 - 2005 Rookie Draft. The young rookie has plenty of opposition for a place as a medium tall forward but showed at times in 2006 with Sandringham that he can be smart around goals. If he continues to improve this year, he might be able to secure a place on the club's senior list. Nathan Jones [2] 20.01.88, 179cm 85 Dandenong U18 Selection # 12 - 2005 NAB AFL Draft, AFL Debut 2006 Round 17 v Western Bulldogs. Statistics: 8 games, 64 kicks, 20 marks, 47 handballs, 111 disposals, 2 goals, 0 behind, 1 hit out, 25 tackles, 5 frees for, 7 frees against. Melbourne's first round National Draft selection in 2005 had to wait most of the season for an AFL game but once he made it, he was very impressive gaining a NAB Rising Star nomination and some Brownlow votes. His strength and football nous has been evident in the pre season and he is challenging strongly for a permanent position in the Demon midfield. Chris Johnson [17] 25.01.86 189cm 86 kg East Fremantle (WA) Selection # 36 (father-son) - 2003 NAB AFL Draft, AFL Debut 2005 Round 8 with Melbourne v Hawthorn. Statistics: 13 games, 103 kicks, 59 marks, 46 handballs, 149 disposals, 0 goals, 2 behinds, 0 hit outs, 21 tackles, 4 frees for, 8 frees against. Chris Johnson has played only 13 games in his three years at the club but he appears the player most likely to take the next big step at the club. He has good skills and is finally playing with the confidence of an established player and I expect him to move forward in leaps and bounds over 2007 and beyond. Paul Johnson [11] 26.06.84 199cm 105 kg West Coast Selection # 24 - 2002 National AFL Draft, AFL Debut 2003 Round 5 with the West Coast Eagles against Fremantle (1 game) 2004 Traded by West Coast for draft selection # 29 (Matt Rosa), 2005 debut with Melbourne Round 7 against Adelaide. Statistics: 11 games, 29 kicks, 13 marks, 24 handballs, 53 disposals, 2 goals, 1 behinds, 48 hit outs, 11 tackles, 1 frees for, 10 frees against. After winning the 2005 Liston Trophy, the injury prone Johnson faced 2006 with great optimism but this was shattered when he dislocated his shoulder early in the season. He hasn't done anything to suggest over the preseason that he can take the next step but he has the size and the agility and will need to work hard at Sandringham and bide his time there before he gets another chance at AFL level. Neale Daniher has indicated that he is third in line in the club's rucking hierarchy at the present time but he might also challenge for a key forward role if the opportunity is presented. Brad Miller [7] 06.07.83 194cm 96 kg Mount Gravatt (Queensland) Selection # 55 - 2001 National AFL Draft, AFL Debut 2002 Round 8 v Fremantle. Statistics: 75 games, 411 kicks, 369 marks, 379 handballs, 790 disposals, 24 goals, 20 behinds, 31 hit outs, 88 tackles, 38 frees for, 47 frees against. Miller had an indifferent season in 2006 and has fallen from grace in terms of his leadership position at the club as a result. He paid a heavy price for an indiscretion at Subiaco in midseason but came back at the same venue to be his team's best in the final against Fremantle. The debate still rages as to whether he is better suited to defence or attack although, in my mind, he is of greater value up forward (except when the team plays the Swans because for some reason, he always beats Barry Hall). Brent Moloney [22] 28.01.84 181cm 88 kg Geelong U18 Selection # 4 - 2003 Pre-Season Draft, AFL Debut 2003 Round 14 with Geelong against Port Adelaide (23 games) 2004 Traded by Geelong for draft selection12 (Danny Meyer – Richmond) 2005 Debut for Melbourne Round 1 against Essendon. Statistics: 51 games, 525 kicks, 175 marks, 210 handballs, 735 disposals, 9 goals, 23 behinds, 1 hit out, 92 tackles, 25 frees for, 46 frees against. Another player whose 2006 season suffered as a result of injury, Moloney's strength and long kicking into the forward line will be most welcome although hopefully, he will mix that up with some well placed short passing when appropriate. Shane Neaves [39] 11.05.87 199cm 90 kg Calder U18 Selection # 39 - 2005 Rookie Draft A tall big man who remains on the rookie list and is a long term development player who showed a few signs in the ruck at Sandringham last year. Heath Neville [26] 02.02.88 186cm 83 kg Tasmania U18 Selection # 68 - 2005 NAB AFL Draft Had a shocking run of injuries last year and, when he was fit to play, spent most of the year in the VFL reserves. Michael Newton [29] 27.04.87 193cm 90 kg Whorouly.Murray U18 Selection # 43 - 2004 NAB AFL Draft A very athletic and talented footballer whose first season at the club was marred by a back injury and his second was one of slow development going from the Sandy seniors to reserves where he finally took the competition’s top goal kicking honours. Has a touch of class but is on a slow development curve. Ricky Petterd [15] 24.07.88 186 cm 76 kg Broadbeach Selection # 30 - 2006 NAB AFL Draft Melbourne's second round selection at last year's National Draft, there are big wraps on this Under 18 All-Australian and winner of the Harrison Medal for Best and Fairest Division Two in the Under 18 National Championships. Byron Pickett [33] 11.08.77 178cm 86 kg Port Adelaide Selection # 12 - 1996 National AFL Draft, AFL Debut 1997 Round 15 with North Melbourne v Geelong (120 games) 2002 Traded by North Melbourne for draft selections 13 and 31 2003 Debut for Port Adelaide Round 1 v West Coast (55 games) 2005 Traded by Port Adelaide for #28, #44 and #58 2006 Debut for Melbourne Round 1 v Carlton (20 games). Statistics: 195 games, 1822 kicks, 642 marks, 675 handballs, 2497 disposals, 170 goals, 90 behinds, 33 hit out, 540 tackles, 177 frees for, 180 frees against. Tough, solid and reliable in the clinches, Pickett was instrumental in giving the Demons a harder edge in 2006 and was at times simply inspirational. His form fell away badly however, after he was sidelined with a hamstring injury later in the season and he became largely ineffective. Has been under a fitness/injury cloud for most of the practice match series. Russell Robertson [24] 24.11.78 187cm 93 kg Tassie U18 Selection # 68 - 1996 National AFL Draft, 1997 rookie elevation (Melbourne) AFL Debut 1997 Round 20 v West Coast. Statistics: 190 games, 1620 kicks, 911 marks, 627 handballs, 2237 disposals, 337 goals, 231 behinds, 53 hit out, 201 tackles, 151 frees for, 136 frees against. Carried a knee injury through most of the year and as a consequence was hot and cold with more emphasis on the cold part of the equation. Still managed 44 goals in what was considered a poor year so hopefully, with a fitter body, he will return to something like the form of 2005 when he won the club's best and fairest. Daniel Ward [10] 09.07.77 185cm 84 kg Western U18. Fitzroy 1998 rookie elevation (Melbourne), AFL Debut 1998 Round 10 v Adelaide. Statistics: 118 games, 1179 kicks, 448 marks, 686 handballs, 1865 disposals, 28 goals, 26 behinds, 6 hit outs, 266 tackles, 85 frees for, 100 frees against. Had a very good season in 2006 when his career was at the crossroads. His pace off half back has helped him get by in the modern game but his disposal can be a problem at times. Isaac Weetra 27.02.89 182 cm 78 kg Port Adelaide Magpies (SA) Selection # 62 - 2006 NAB AFL Draft. A very fast, agile youngster who has a lot of development ahead of him and will be developed through the ranks at Sandringham. Paul Wheatley [31] 12.04.81, 189cm 90 kg .Preston U18 Selection # 20 - 1999 National AFL Draft, AFL Debut 2000 Round 2 v North Melbourne. Statistics: 99 games, 850 kicks, 439 marks, 410 handballs, 1,260 disposals, 26 goals, 27 behinds, 13 hit out, 150 tackles, 38 frees for, 39 frees against. Another player who was stricken with injury in 2006 after a strong showing the year before. This could be a make or break year for Wheaters but he should make the ton (in games played) at a reasonably early stage in the season. Matthew Warnock [37] 03.04.84 192cm 92 kg Sandringham Selection # 26 - 2005 Rookie Draft, AFL Debut 2006 Round 3 v Adelaide. Statistics: 2 games, 5 kicks, 4 marks, 5 handballs, 10 disposals, 0 goals, 0 behinds, 0 hit out, 4 tackles, 0 frees for, 1 frees against. Managed two games coming off the rookie list last year after impressing with his pace and athleticism. Struggled after that and an injury in a Nab Challenge game at Mount Gambier affected his preparation for this season. Adem Yze [13] 21.09.77 187cm 87 kg Murray U18 Selection # 16 - 1994 National AFL Draft, AFL Debut 1995 Round 13 v Richmond. Statistics: 257 games, 3702 kicks, 1006 marks, 960 handballs, 4662 disposals, 225 goals, 179 behinds, 12 hit outs, 429 tackles, 159 frees for, 160 frees against. It's been a tough pre-season for Adem Yze. He looked good at training but has hardly impressed during the practice matches, which ended for him at Trevor Barker Oval in the unfamiliar Zebra gear. His 257 games puts him in the rarified atmosphere of the all time Demon greats and he's closing in on Jimmy Stynes' record of 225 on the trot but he’s under siege and must produce strong early performances and do so consistently.

bump

To join the Demonland Footy Tipping Competition please follow the instructions below: www.OzTips.com AFL 2007 Tipping Competition Do you want to join an AFL 2007 Tipping Comp for the 2007 season? To Join "Demonland Footy Tipping Competition" 1. Go to OzTips.com - http://www.OzTips.com. 2. Select "Register", and setup a User account (if you don't already have one at OzTips.com) 3. Once you have successfully registered a Username and Password, click on "Tipping" tab and then click "Join a Tipping Comp". 4. You will be asked for an OzTips Competition Number and Password. The Comp you've been asked to join is: Comp#: 104464 Password: demonland 5. That's it! Full instructions on how to Tip can be found on the site by clicking on the "Help" tab. Visit OzTips.com today to join your FREE Sports Tipping Competition Online!

WE NOW HAVE THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE - THANKS TO ALPHA33.

Thanks to Alpha33 for providing this transcript of the Neale Daniher Interview on SEN as part of the Melbourne Football Club membership day on Friday 23 March 2007. Neale was interviewed by Liam Pickering and David Schwarz. THE REVEREND AND THE OX GET ON BEAUTIFULLY Liam Pickering: It's a good afternoon to the coach of the Melbourne Football Club, Neale Daniher. How are you Neale? Neale Daniher: Pickers! It's good to be back in here mate. Ox, how are you? David Schwarz: Hello Neale. How's things? Liam Pickering: Now can we get straight into it. Do you two get along well, you and Ox, Neale? Neale Daniher: We get on beautifully. David Schwarz: We have no problems at all. Neale Daniher: He's an old married man with two kids. He's really mellowed, he's matured. THE PRE SEASON'S OVER Liam Pickering: well, you've got about forty kids on your list that you’re looking after. How are they all progressing the Demons? How have you found the pre season so far? Neale Daniher: The pre season's come to an and. Bring on next Friday night against the Saints. It’s a slog and the good thing out of it is that we're fit and we haven't got too many injury worries. That's the important thing and we look forward to bouncing out. It's great t to have the first game really, Friday night, Ox, Channel Seven. David Schwarz: It'll be big, the first challenge for the team... Neale Daniher: We look forward to starting off the season. David Schwarz: I remember from when I was playing under you Neale that you loved the big occasion. You loved playing Friday night footy because it was a chance to put the side on show, being the first game of the year on the Friday night against St. Kilda who – it was their last game last year after you knocked them out when you ran over them in the last quarter and they'll be coming out breathing a bit of fire and I guess it's a chance for you guys to prove exactly where you're at. Neale Daniher: Exactly, and having a Friday night game. It's time for a change. We've really built our club up to be competitive. We've played finals for the last three years and I think there have only been four clubs that have been able to do that and we've been one of them and we’ve got a Friday night game where probably two or three or four years ago we wouldn’t get Friday night games. We know that’s a privilege. We’ve got a good draw, our first four games are at the G before we go off and play Sydney. We think our young players are going to be good, we need our 26 year olds like Travis Johnstone, Cam Bruce and Brad Green to take another big step and we've got some veterans who have still got some good footy in them with Neita and Whitey and a few of those boys. So we've got a good mix. It's never easy. The Saints for sure will want to atone for last year's finals loss and the game's set up for a ripper, I reckon. David Schwarz: What about when you get through a pre season and you cop some nasty injuries towards the end. Lynden Dunn – there's some pretty big wraps on the young man who's pretty skilful and he had a good pre season. He's had a facial injury. Neale Daniher: Yes, he had a facial injury. He was down at training today running laps. He had a depressed fracture but it wouldn't surprise me if he was back a bit earlier than we thought. The other real disappointment was James Frawley who has a stress fracture of his foot. He was looking really good so he might miss the first two or three or four games, but Col Sylvia plays his first game at the weekend and Clint Bartram plays his second so we're not in too bad a shape. You always have a couple at this time. David Schwarz: Jared Rivers? Neale Daniher: Jared's a little bit sore so we’ll just see how he comes up next week. I reckon that right now he's about 60-40. Liam Pickering: You've got to come up against the Saints next week. They've got a heap of players playing in the VFL tomorrow; will you have a look at that because some of their best players are having a run around? Neale Daniher: We'll be out there having a look. They won't be able to keep us away, we're all out there having a look at the Sainters there. There's a few who need another game. We play on Sunday at Sandringham but we'll only have about three or four topping up. MFC MEMBERSHIPS - WHY? [Join here] David Schwarz: Neale. Memberships are always important at this time of the year. I guess every club is chasing every supporter to get on board. Why should Melbourne supporters that are looking to get onto the Melbourne membership base, why should they get on board this year? Neale Daniher: because they understand that in order to be up in the top four, in the top two and to win it, that the teams that win premierships are the teams that have been the most financial in this competition. It's not just money, it's money plus smart decisions but we need to catch them. At the end of 2003 we were six million dollars in debt. We're hoping by the end of this year we'll be debt free. We've got a very stable board, we've got a very good CEO in Steve Harris. We look forward to have a new home and it's just a really good time to get on board because we've got some exciting young kids. We've been three years in the finals but we're not happy and I think the time's dawning for an exciting couple of years. IMPROVEMENT - 2007 Liam Pickering: Whereabouts is the improvement going to come Neale to take it up to the very best sides. We know that West Coast have had their own issues but Sydney have been a great team over the last couple of years. How do the Demons catch up to those sides? Neale Daniher: I think where the Demons will catch up is that firstly we're not probably expecting Neitz or White or the older players, even Byron to play better but where I see us improving is the example last year of James McDonald who was an All Australian as a mature age player. I see we'll have a lot of improvement from players like Travis who I think is a star player but he only came tenth in our best and fairest. I think Cameron Bruce can be an All Australian and Brad Green can be an All Australian and follow James McDonald - those blokes are around 26 and can go another step and then we’ve got the young players like Brock McLean who’s only 21 and we know he's going to improve. We've got Col Sylvia. He hasn't played anywhere near his best yet. We've got Bate, we've got Jones, we've got Bartram, we've got Dunn and I think we've got Mark Jamar who can imporve as well. We've given him more and more game time. I think he'll improve. Even kids like Chris Johnson – he's had a tremendous pre-season and I think he's about to blossom. We've got a good mix and I think it’ll be coming from our younger players and the three or four I mentioned around 25 or 26 who'll improve. Liam Pickering: What about a couple of the older guys. Adem Yze had a disappointing years last year and I'd add Russell Robertson to that after winning the best and fairest the year before, Robbo struggled too. Neale Daniher: Well, Robbo had a knee complaint. Liam Pickering: yeah, I understand that but he'll need a bit of improvement. Neale Daniher: Well, Russell will improve. I think in Russell's own estimation, he won the best and fairest the year before, but he carried a lot of shoulder and knee problems. Now he's fit and we know he play some real good footy. I think with Adem Yze, at thirty we ask him play solid footy. That's probably what we need from him. Who else is there. There's Byron who we spoke about. One bloke I haven't mentioned is Aaron Davey, well he's an excitement machine, he's starting to get some real stamina into his game. Brent Moloney we didn't have last year, Clint Bizzell didn't play a game and both of those boys will come in again this year and make a contribution. David Schwarz: A question from Steve – what is being done to reverse the trend of recent years where we get off to a terrific start then stumble towards the end of the year, where is this improvement going to come from? Neale Daniher: A good question but first of all we didn't get off to a flyer last year, we were nought and three. When we went up Sydney for the fourth game we just hung on so it wasn't that we had a flyer last year. The point is that we've had really good patches but we haven't finished the year off. There's no doubt about that. We haven't been at our best come finals time. We haven't been cherry ripe and we haven't had all our best players available and that's an area we're addressing in terms of we've got a new fitness man in Bohdan Babiczjuk. David Schwarz: And the word is form all of the players couldn't be happier with him. Individually, he's really sharpened some of the players up. Neale Daniher: And, still injuries have a big impact. Neitzy got up for the finals last year but the two years before that he was out of action, and you really need - and the Sydney Swans have shown it - to have your best players up and in good nick at the end of the year and we're no different. We can't have three or four or five going down and be right at our best and hopefully with a bit of good luck and good management we'll get there. HOME AND AWAY Liam Pickering: You talked about the MCG and the fact that you've got the first four at the G and I'm just having a look at the draw and you've got 9 of the first 12 at the G. You play the ground well. Neale Daniher: We love playing at the MCG and we didn’t lose too many there but it doesn't guarantee anything. We also need to address the fact that we haven't been able to win on the long grounds. Mind you West Coast and Adelaide are hard to beat over there but we're having a look at trying to improve our game and our personnel on the road. We love the G, our supporters love being there and we really need the membership. We've got a great opportunity to jump for 25-26 thousand with the offer to MCC members who aren’t Melbourne members. It's a great offer. Forty Dollars to get on board and it really changes the whole dynamics of our club when you go form 25 or 26 thousand up to 40 and that that means for sponsorship. I know when they sign up for the MCC and they look for another 40 bucks, it’s going to have a huge impact not just financially but how we’re seen in the whole scheme of things within this town and how we pick up sponsors from that. There's a real flow on from these people getting on board. Liam Pickering then invited callers to join the club and asked Neale to hang around for some listener questions. [if you haven’t already done so, you can join here] SOME QUESTIONS A caller, Emmanuel asked whether Paul Johnson will be given a shot in 2007. Neale Daniher: Paul Johnson had a shoulder injury that need a reconstruction last year. He’s up and going, he’s had a really good pre-season. He's probably at the moment our third ruckman, he's still learning the craft at the moment. We could use him as a key position but we need him as a ruckman just in case Mark or Whitey fall away. You recall in the final last year young Smith had to come in and ruck for us but we don't want to be in that position this year. He could play key position for us and in the future he might when Neita retires but right now we need him to ruck and you can't play three ruckmen but he's going to be important for us. David Schwarz : Will Jeff White play more up forward this year? Neale Daniher: He can and he did a bit in the pre season and he really looked good. We want to give Jamar Mark a bigger crack at it because he's a different sort of a ruckman, he's big and he’s strong and he balances out Whitey and Whitey can go forward. Jeff probably won’t have ground time as he has in the past and that’ll be good for him because we'll be able to keep him going a little bit longer. A young caller, James asked about Brad Miller – will he be good enough for his Dream Team this year? Neale Daniher: I'm not really quite up with the Dream Team. Tell me what does he need to do to get into your Dream Team? James: He needs to get a lot of possessions. Neale Daniher: A lot of possessions eh? He can, he's very good at centre half forward but when we send him down back we actually don't want him running around getting possessions. We really want to play him forward; at CHF he does get to the ball and always presents really well, but he still needs to be able to play both ends but if he's in your Dream Team and he's getting plenty of possessions I'll be happy too, so you whack him in there. A caller Steve, a real one-eyed Melbourne supporter (literally), asked if the club had someone to help people with disabilities. Neale Daniher said he would take that on board (and suggesting that the Ox might want to take on the responsibility). He finished by saying he'll see everybody on Friday night and Go Demons. SEN - the 24 hour sports station. Alpha has it on his dial all day.

Thanks to Alpha33 for providing this transcript of the Neale Daniher Interview on SEN as part of the Melbourne Football Club membership day on Friday 23 March 2007. Neale was interviewed by Liam Pickering and David Schwarz. THE REVEREND AND THE OX GET ON BEAUTIFULLY Liam Pickering: It's a good afternoon to the coach of the Melbourne Football Club, Neale Daniher. How are you Neale? Neale Daniher: Pickers! It's good to be back in here mate. Ox, how are you? David Schwarz: Hello Neale. How's things? Liam Pickering: Now can we get straight into it. Do you two get along well, you and Ox, Neale? Neale Daniher: We get on beautifully. David Schwarz: We have no problems at all. Neale Daniher: He's an old married man with two kids. He's really mellowed, he's matured. THE PRE SEASON'S OVER Liam Pickering: well, you've got about forty kids on your list that you're looking after. How are they all progressing the Demons? How have you found the pre season so far? Neale Daniher: The pre season's come to an and. Bring on next Friday night against the Saints. It's a slog and the good thing out of it is that we're fit and we haven't got too many injury worries. That's the important thing and we look forward to bouncing out. It's great t to have the first game really, Friday night, Ox, Channel Seven. David Schwarz: It'll be big, the first challenge for the team... Neale Daniher: We look forward to starting off the season. David Schwarz: I remember from when I was playing under you Neale that you loved the big occasion. You loved playing Friday night footy because it was a chance to put the side on show, being the first game of the year on the Friday night against St. Kilda who - it was their last game last year after you knocked them out when you ran over them in the last quarter and they'll be coming out breathing a bit of fire and I guess it's a chance for you guys to prove exactly where you're at. Neale Daniher: Exactly, and having a Friday night game. It's time for a change. We've really built our club up to be competitive. We've played finals for the last three years and I think there have only been four clubs that have been able to do that and we've been one of them and we've got a Friday night game where probably two or three or four years ago we wouldn’t get Friday night games. We know that's a privilege. We've got a good draw, our first four games are at the G before we go off and play Sydney. We think our young players are going to be good, we need our 26 year olds like Travis Johnstone, Cam Bruce and Brad Green to take another big step and we've got some veterans who have still got some good footy in them with Neita and Whitey and a few of those boys. So we've got a good mix. It's never easy. The Saints for sure will want to atone for last year's finals loss and the game's set up for a ripper, I reckon. David Schwarz: What about when you get through a pre season and you cop some nasty injuries towards the end. Lynden Dunn - there's some pretty big wraps on the young man who's pretty skilful and he had a good pre season. He's had a facial injury. Neale Daniher: Yes, he had a facial injury. He was down at training today running laps. He had a depressed fracture but it wouldn't surprise me if he was back a bit earlier than we thought. The other real disappointment was James Frawley who has a stress fracture of his foot. He was looking really good so he might miss the first two or three or four games, but Col Sylvia plays his first game at the weekend and Clint Bartram plays his second so we're not in too bad a shape. You always have a couple at this time. David Schwarz: Jared Rivers? Neale Daniher: Jared's a little bit sore so we'll just see how he comes up next week. I reckon that right now he's about 60-40. Liam Pickering: You've got to come up against the Saints next week. They've got a heap of players playing in the VFL tomorrow; will you have a look at that because some of their best players are having a run around? Neale Daniher: We'll be out there having a look. They won't be able to keep us away, we're all out there having a look at the Sainters there. There's a few who need another game. We play on Sunday at Sandringham but we'll only have about three or four topping up. MFC MEMBERSHIPS - WHY? [Join here] David Schwarz: Neale. Memberships are always important at this time of the year. I guess every club is chasing every supporter to get on board. Why should Melbourne supporters that are looking to get onto the Melbourne membership base, why should they get on board this year? Neale Daniher: because they understand that in order to be up in the top four, in the top two and to win it, that the teams that win premierships are the teams that have been the most financial in this competition. It's not just money, it's money plus smart decisions but we need to catch them. At the end of 2003 we were six million dollars in debt. We're hoping by the end of this year we'll be debt free. We've got a very stable board, we've got a very good CEO in Steve Harris. We look forward to have a new home and it's just a really good time to get on board because we've got some exciting young kids. We've been three years in the finals but we're not happy and I think the time's dawning for an exciting couple of years. IMPROVEMENT - 2007 Liam Pickering: Whereabouts is the improvement going to come Neale to take it up to the very best sides. We know that West Coast have had their own issues but Sydney have been a great team over the last couple of years. How do the Demons catch up to those sides? Neale Daniher: I think where the Demons will catch up is that firstly we're not probably expecting Neitz or White or the older players, even Byron to play better but where I see us improving is the example last year of James McDonald who was an All Australian as a mature age player. I see we'll have a lot of improvement from players like Travis who I think is a star player but he only came tenth in our best and fairest. I think Cameron Bruce can be an All Australian and Brad Green can be an All Australian and follow James McDonald - those blokes are around 26 and can go another step and then we’ve got the young players like Brock McLean who's only 21 and we know he's going to improve. We've got Col Sylvia. He hasn't played anywhere near his best yet. We've got Bate, we've got Jones, we've got Bartram, we've got Dunn and I think we've got Mark Jamar who can imporve as well. We've given him more and more game time. I think he'll improve. Even kids like Chris Johnson - he's had a tremendous pre-season and I think he's about to blossom. We've got a good mix and I think it'll be coming from our younger players and the three or four I mentioned around 25 or 26 who'll improve. Liam Pickering: What about a couple of the older guys. Adem Yze had a disappointing years last year and I'd add Russell Robertson to that after winning the best and fairest the year before, Robbo struggled too. Neale Daniher: Well, Robbo had a knee complaint. Liam Pickering: yeah, I understand that but he'll need a bit of improvement. Neale Daniher: Well, Russell will improve. I think in Russell's own estimation, he won the best and fairest the year before, but he carried a lot of shoulder and knee problems. Now he's fit and we know he play some real good footy. I think with Adem Yze, at thirty we ask him play solid footy. That's probably what we need from him. Who else is there. There's Byron who we spoke about. One bloke I haven't mentioned is Aaron Davey, well he's an excitement machine, he's starting to get some real stamina into his game. Brent Moloney we didn't have last year, Clint Bizzell didn't play a game and both of those boys will come in again this year and make a contribution. David Schwarz: A question from Steve - what is being done to reverse the trend of recent years where we get off to a terrific start then stumble towards the end of the year, where is this improvement going to come from? Neale Daniher: A good question but first of all we didn't get off to a flyer last year, we were nought and three. When we went up Sydney for the fourth game we just hung on so it wasn't that we had a flyer last year. The point is that we've had really good patches but we haven't finished the year off. There's no doubt about that. We haven't been at our best come finals time. We haven't been cherry ripe and we haven't had all our best players available and that's an area we're addressing in terms of we've got a new fitness man in Bohdan Babiczjuk. David Schwarz: And the word is form all of the players couldn't be happier with him. Individually, he's really sharpened some of the players up. Neale Daniher: And, still injuries have a big impact. Neitzy got up for the finals last year but the two years before that he was out of action, and you really need - and the Sydney Swans have shown it - to have your best players up and in good nick at the end of the year and we're no different. We can't have three or four or five going down and be right at our best and hopefully with a bit of good luck and good management we'll get there. HOME AND AWAY Liam Pickering: You talked about the MCG and the fact that you've got the first four at the G and I'm just having a look at the draw and you've got 9 of the first 12 at the G. You play the ground well. Neale Daniher: We love playing at the MCG and we didn't lose too many there but it doesn't guarantee anything. We also need to address the fact that we haven't been able to win on the long grounds. Mind you West Coast and Adelaide are hard to beat over there but we're having a look at trying to improve our game and our personnel on the road. We love the G, our supporters love being there and we really need the membership. We've got a great opportunity to jump for 25-26 thousand with the offer to MCC members who aren't Melbourne members. It's a great offer. Forty Dollars to get on board and it really changes the whole dynamics of our club when you go form 25 or 26 thousand up to 40 and that that means for sponsorship. I know when they sign up for the MCC and they look for another 40 bucks, it's going to have a huge impact not just financially but how we're seen in the whole scheme of things within this town and how we pick up sponsors from that. There's a real flow on from these people getting on board. Liam Pickering then invited callers to join the club and asked Neale to hang around for some listener questions. [if you haven’t already done so, you can join here] SOME QUESTIONS A caller, Emmanuel asked whether Paul Johnson will be given a shot in 2007. Neale Daniher: Paul Johnson had a shoulder injury that need a reconstruction last year. He's up and going, he's had a really good pre-season. He's probably at the moment our third ruckman, he's still learning the craft at the moment. We could use him as a key position but we need him as a ruckman just in case Mark or Whitey fall away. You recall in the final last year young Smith had to come in and ruck for us but we don't want to be in that position this year. He could play key position for us and in the future he might when Neita retires but right now we need him to ruck and you can't play three ruckmen but he's going to be important for us. David Schwarz : Will Jeff White play more up forward this year? Neale Daniher: He can and he did a bit in the pre season and he really looked good. We want to give Jamar Mark a bigger crack at it because he's a different sort of a ruckman, he's big and he's strong and he balances out Whitey and Whitey can go forward. Jeff probably won't have ground time as he has in the past and that'll be good for him because we'll be able to keep him going a little bit longer. A young caller, James asked about Brad Miller - will he be good enough for his Dream Team this year? Neale Daniher: I'm not really quite up with the Dream Team. Tell me what does he need to do to get into your Dream Team? James: He needs to get a lot of possessions. Neale Daniher: A lot of possessions eh? He can, he's very good at centre half forward but when we send him down back we actually don't want him running around getting possessions. We really want to play him forward; at CHF he does get to the ball and always presents really well, but he still needs to be able to play both ends but if he's in your Dream Team and he's getting plenty of possessions I'll be happy too, so you whack him in there. A caller Steve, a real one-eyed Melbourne supporter (literally), asked if the club had someone to help people with disabilities. Neale Daniher said he would take that on board (and suggesting that the Ox might want to take on the responsibility). He finished by saying he'll see everybody on Friday night and Go Demons. SEN - the 24 hour sports station. Alpha has it on his dial all day.

THE RIGHT PRESCRIPTION (PART ONE) by Whispering Jack Sadly, we now live in the post football age (i.e., beyond the age of football as we once knew it). With less than a week to go before the start of the football season the focus is not on the opening round or the skills and talents of our footballers but rather on the chemical substances that some of them are taking, who supplied them and how the hell are we going to deal (no pun intended) with it all. When we do take the time to talk about the footy nowadays, it's all about once alien tactics and strategies like "tempo football" and "run and carry". Worse still, these modern day post football age coaches have had the temerity to play around with the game so much that the traditional positions on the ground that were used to characterise a given player's role in the game are also falling by the wayside. I always used to think that one of the most important positions in football (along with that of the ruck) was centre half forward. At some time last year however, I discovered that our coaching geniuses had decided to abolish the position - virtually without any notice to us unsuspecting fans. That's right! The CHF no longer exists except of course, on those dodgy team lists they produce on a Thursday night which mean nothing and rarely come close to matching the actual line-ups when the teams run out onto the ground at the weekend. Then there are those pesky rule changes. It seems that every season in this post football age we have to start off with new rules and interpretations imposed on the footballing fraternity by people who seem intent on turning the game into something other than the game we grew to love as kids (i.e. before the post football age). We all know that by mid season, the rules will be interpreted differently again and by that time, the fans will be so frustrated and confused that there will be no choice but for them to take it out on the usual scapegoats - the poor white maggots who officiate. Really, umpire baiting is probably the one constant of the post football age - we all love to abuse the white maggots except they no longer dress up in white but in such a varying pastiche of colours that we're sometimes not even sure as to who they are as they run around the ground (or, for that matter, what they're doing out there)! So please forgive me if, in assessing the Demon players on the eve of the new season, I sound a bit confused because I am confused. How can you assess your players when you don't know from one minute to the next, whether the style of game that's currently in vogue makes any given player a vital cog or totally superfluous to the team's game plan? These are just some of the issues that confronted me when I sat down to prepare my traditional top ten list of MFC players in advance of the 2007 season. What I'm endeavouring to do here is not so much produce a list of the ten best players at the club - instead, it's my top ten players in order of importance towards the team's quest to win an AFL premiership. In other words, the players who I think can fire the team up to go those few extra long steps forward that are necessary to wrest West Coast's mantle away from them so that David Neitz can stand on the podium at the end of September waving that much coveted piece of silverware over his head. As the erstwhile premiership coach might well be saying at this very moment, I'm looking for the right prescription for success. Twelve months ago, I bemoaned the fact that the club was still not quite there. The team had faded out late in 2004 after reaching the top at the end of round 18. The fadeout came a little earlier in 2005 but there was enough steely resolve to fight back with desperation in late 2005. Last year, after a poor start, the engine purred until round 17 when a series of injuries brought everything to a screeching halt for almost a month. At least the team won a finals game, although it was fortunate to strike an even more decimated team in St. Kilda in the elimination final. The club appears to have made an effort to attack the deficiencies exposed in the finals defeats of recent years, the players appear primed to peak at the business end but it all remains so much up in the air. We need the players to perform both individually and as a team. So here's my top ten. It's totally subjective and, like the people who change the rules of the game, I made a lot of it up as I went along so now I'm ready to cop the usual stream of invective and threatening hate mail. It comes with the territory and, after all, it's only one man's opinion:- 1. Brock McLean Jumper: [5] Date of Birth: 11.03.86, Height: 184 cm, Weight: 86 kg, Recruited from: Calder U18. Selection # 5 - 2003 NAB AFL Draft, AFL Debut 2004 Round 11 v Fremantle. Statistics: 47 games, 479 kicks, 178 marks, 296 handballs, 775 disposals, 25 goals, 11 behinds, 3 hit outs, 163 tackles, 27 frees for, 40 frees against. What strikes you about this kid is that he has a sense of purpose, is totally focussed on his game and on improving it in every facet. The MFC hasn't had someone of that ilk since ... well, the last game of 1964 when the great Ronald Dale Barassi bowed out of his MFC career (although we didn't know it at the time) clutching a premiership trophy - his sixth as a league footballer. 2. Travis Johnstone [16] 17.07.80 183cm 83 kg Dandenong U18 Selection # 1 - 19997 AFL Draft, AFL Debut 1998 Round 1 v Fremantle. Statistics: 145 games, 1784 kicks, 530 marks, 610 handballs, 2,394 disposals, 104 goals, 62 behinds, 4 hit out’s, 292 tackles, 119 frees for, 105 frees against. Trapper is an elite player in terms of talent and skill. It's hard to believe that it's taken almost a decade from him to force his way into elite AFL status but he's there now in my book. His body looks so much stronger these days and I expect this will stand him in good stead in combating the buffeting he inevitably will receive from opposition taggers. 3. Jared Rivers [27] 18.10.84 192cm 92 kg North Adelaide (SA) Selection # 26 - 2002 National AFL Draft, AFL Debut 2003 Round 19 v Geelong. Statistics: 61 games, 398 kicks, 308 marks, 325 handballs, 723 disposals, 4 goals, 4 behinds, 3 hit outs, 138 tackles, 49 frees for, 40 frees against. As I said above the position of CHF has disappeared from the game, so what do you need a CHB for? Well, Rivers is more than just a CHB, he's the club's number 1 defender and he's coming back to the sort of form that earned him NAB Rising Star Status in 2004. In fact, he looks so good at the moment that I expect him to transcend that form in 2007. He makes up for a lack of pace with his football nous - he can mark and spoil and his defensive timing is excellent. I really believe that Rivers can become a genuine champion in Melbourne's defence and that's a term I don't use lightly. We can also expect to see him drift forward on occasion to kick goals as he did last year on Queens Birthday against the mortal enemy. 4. Jeff White [34] 19.02.77 195cm 95 kg Southern U18.Fremantle Selection # 1 - 1994 National AFL Draft, AFL Debut 1995 Round 3 for Fremantle v Fitzroy (32 games). Traded in 1997 for draft selections 2 & 18. MFC Debut 1998 Round 1 v Fremantle (199 games). Statistics: 231 games, 1884 kicks, 1180 marks, 1381 handballs, 3,265 disposals, 99 goals, 66 behinds, 4,268 hit outs, 326 tackles, 201 frees for, 185 frees against. The high leaping ruckman's standing in the game was dealt a severe blow by the changes in the ruck centre circle rule a couple of years ago. This forced him to make some changes to his style and even so, he's no longer in the All Australian ruckman class. He gives away a lot of inches to the best in the competition and he can't ruck all day any more. However, there's a huge gape between White and our next best ruckman and that makes his role at the club even more crucial. A solid year from Jeff White is vital to the club's 2007 prospects. 5. Cameron Bruce [32] 30.09.79 190cm 88 kg MHSOB Selection # 64 - 1999 National AFL Draft, AFL Debut 2000 Round 1 v Richmond. Statistics: 146 games, 1378 kicks, 704 marks, 998 handballs, 2376 disposals, 173 goals, 116 behinds, 35 hit outs, 337 tackles, 108 frees for, 100 frees against. A gifted footballer, Bruce's importance will be seen in his versatility and athleticism - he can take out an opposition footballer (I say that in the nicest possible way) and he can also be creative in the midfield and going forward where he can kick goals. 6. David Neitz [9] 22.01.75 191cm 103 kg Parkmore VMFL Zone Selection AFL Debut 1993 Round 1 v Hawthorn. Statistics: 286 games, 2328 kicks, 1414 marks, 795 handballs, 3123 disposals, 602 goals, 347 behinds, 308 hit outs, 258 tackles, 125 frees for, 197 frees against. This man holds almost every record of note at the club but is fast running out of opportunities to play in a premiership. He is important because of his experience, leadership and his position as the only true reliable power forward at the club (now that CHF has been abolished). He kicked 66 goals, including bags of eight against St Kilda (Round 10) and the Kangaroos (Round 20) and six against the Hawks (Round 8). He has to stay healthy, kick goals consistently and learn to play (read as "milk") the latest hands on back interpretation when going for the mark. Who knows what might happen if the umpires deal with him as generously as they have with some of the others in the pre season games? He might even create another club record by kicking a ton in a season! 7. Brad Green [18] 13.03.81 184cm 85 kg Tassie U18 Selection # 19 1999 National AFL Draft AFL Debut 2000 Round 2 v North Melbourne. Statistics: 148 games, 1374 kicks, 673 marks, 739 handballs, 2113 disposals, 194 goals, 107 behinds, 9 hit outs, 271 tackles, 80 frees for, 110 frees against Green had a reasonably good season in 2006 picking up plenty of possessions in his role as a midfielder but a nasty spur in his foot and other injuries definitely affected his normally reliable kicking skills. A few post season operations now have him back as good as gold and he can build on the improved consistency he showed in 2006. Ready for a big season in 2007. 8. Aaron Davey [36] 10.06.83, 177cm 72 kg Port Melbourne Selection # 3 - 2004 Rookie Draft, 2004 rookie elevation AFL Debut 2004 Round 1 v Hawthorn. Statistics: 64 games, 582 kicks, 149 marks, 205 handballs, 787 disposals, 95 goals, 67 behinds, 0 hit outs, 184 tackles, 53 frees for, 47 frees against. The exciting goal kicking crumber has also been given assignments further downfield and lifted last year with the presence of Byron Pickett. That Davey magic is a vital X factor ingredient in the Melbourne make up and if he takes further steps forward in 2007, the team will benefit enormously. 9. Matthew Whelan [45] 13.11.79 180cm 84 kg Woodville – West Torrens (SA) Selection # 50 1999 National AFL Draft, AFL Debut 2000 Round 4 v St. Kilda. Statistics: 123 games, 927 kicks, 453 marks, 811 handballs, 1738 disposals, 13 goals, 7 behinds, 2 hit outs, 328 tackles, 106 frees for, 76 frees against. Whelan's importance in the role of the small, ever-reliable and courageous back pocket player with the ability to win the ball was no better emphasised when he was absent from the team's defence in its semi final defeat at Subiaco. I've said it before and I'll say it again - his presence in defence lifts his teammates and that's a vital element because of the importance of keeping the opposition's score down to a minimum in this post football age. 10. James McDonald [23] 05.10.76 180cm 78 kg Old Xaverians 1997 Rookie Draft 1997 rookie elevation AFL Debut 1997 Round 17 v Collingwood. Statistics: 177 games, 1720 kicks, 620 marks, 1187 handballs, 2907 disposals, 45 goals, 57 behinds, 27 hit outs, 559 tackles, 196 frees for, 141 frees against Coming off a stellar season in which he was made an All-Australian and won club best and fairest honours as a hard tackling on baller, finally gaining the recognition in the football community which he so richly deserves. A big possession winner, Junior will remain an important cog in the team's emerging midfield. That's the top 10 but the right prescription for a team's success cannot be filled by only looking at what's on top of the crop (again, no pun intended). Melbourne is fortunate to have some very exciting emerging talent to back up its elite group and who will hopefully strongly challenge for a place among them by season's end. I'll look at the rest of the players on the list in the coming week.

by Whispering Jack Sadly, we now live in the post football age (i.e., beyond the age of football as we once knew it). With less than a week to go before the start of the football season the focus is not on the opening round or the skills and talents of our footballers but rather on the chemical substances that some of them are taking, who supplied them and how the hell are we going to deal (no pun intended) with it all. When we do take the time to talk about the footy nowadays, it's all about once alien tactics and strategies like "tempo football" and "run and carry". Worse still, these modern day post football age coaches have had the temerity to play around with the game so much that the traditional positions on the ground that were used to characterise a given player's role in the game are also falling by the wayside. I always used to think that one of the most important positions in football (along with that of the ruck) was centre half forward. At some time last year however, I discovered that our coaching geniuses had decided to abolish the position - virtually without any notice to us unsuspecting fans. That's right! The CHF no longer exists except of course, on those dodgy team lists they produce on a Thursday night which mean nothing and rarely come close to matching the actual line-ups when the teams run out onto the ground at the weekend. Then there are those pesky rule changes. It seems that every season in this post football age we have to start off with new rules and interpretations imposed on the footballing fraternity by people who seem intent on turning the game into something other than the game we grew to love as kids (i.e. before the post football age). We all know that by mid season, the rules will be interpreted differently again and by that time, the fans will be so frustrated and confused that there will be no choice but for them to take it out on the usual scapegoats - the poor white maggots who officiate. Really, umpire baiting is probably the one constant of the post football age - we all love to abuse the white maggots except they no longer dress up in white but in such a varying pastiche of colours that we're sometimes not even sure as to who they are as they run around the ground (or, for that matter, what they're doing out there)! So please forgive me if, in assessing the Demon players on the eve of the new season, I sound a bit confused because I am confused. How can you assess your players when you don't know from one minute to the next, whether the style of game that's currently in vogue makes any given player a vital cog or totally superfluous to the team's game plan? These are just some of the issues that confronted me when I sat down to prepare my traditional top ten list of MFC players in advance of the 2007 season. What I'm endeavouring to do here is not so much produce a list of the ten best players at the club - instead, it's my top ten players in order of importance towards the team's quest to win an AFL premiership. In other words, the players who I think can fire the team up to go those few extra long steps forward that are necessary to wrest West Coast's mantle away from them so that David Neitz can stand on the podium at the end of September waving that much coveted piece of silverware over his head. As the erstwhile premiership coach might well be saying at this very moment, I'm looking for the right prescription for success. Twelve months ago, I bemoaned the fact that the club was still not quite there. The team had faded out late in 2004 after reaching the top at the end of round 18. The fadeout came a little earlier in 2005 but there was enough steely resolve to fight back with desperation in late 2005. Last year, after a poor start, the engine purred until round 17 when a series of injuries brought everything to a screeching halt for almost a month. At least the team won a finals game, although it was fortunate to strike an even more decimated team in St. Kilda in the elimination final. The club appears to have made an effort to attack the deficiencies exposed in the finals defeats of recent years, the players appear primed to peak at the business end but it all remains so much up in the air. We need the players to perform both individually and as a team. So here's my top ten. It's totally subjective and, like the people who change the rules of the game, I made a lot of it up as I went along so now I'm ready to cop the usual stream of invective and threatening hate mail. It comes with the territory and, after all, it's only one man's opinion:- 1. Brock McLean Jumper: [5] Date of Birth: 11.03.86, Height: 184 cm, Weight: 86 kg, Recruited from: Calder U18. Selection # 5 - 2003 NAB AFL Draft, AFL Debut 2004 Round 11 v Fremantle. Statistics: 47 games, 479 kicks, 178 marks, 296 handballs, 775 disposals, 25 goals, 11 behinds, 3 hit outs, 163 tackles, 27 frees for, 40 frees against. What strikes you about this kid is that he has a sense of purpose, is totally focussed on his game and on improving it in every facet. The MFC hasn't had someone of that ilk since ... well, the last game of 1964 when the great Ronald Dale Barassi bowed out of his MFC career (although we didn't know it at the time) clutching a premiership trophy - his sixth as a league footballer. 2. Travis Johnstone [16] 17.07.80 183cm 83 kg Dandenong U18 Selection # 1 - 19997 AFL Draft, AFL Debut 1998 Round 1 v Fremantle. Statistics: 145 games, 1784 kicks, 530 marks, 610 handballs, 2,394 disposals, 104 goals, 62 behinds, 4 hit out’s, 292 tackles, 119 frees for, 105 frees against. Trapper is an elite player in terms of talent and skill. It's hard to believe that it's taken almost a decade from him to force his way into elite AFL status but he's there now in my book. His body looks so much stronger these days and I expect this will stand him in good stead in combating the buffeting he inevitably will receive from opposition taggers. 3. Jared Rivers [27] 18.10.84 192cm 92 kg North Adelaide (SA) Selection # 26 - 2002 National AFL Draft, AFL Debut 2003 Round 19 v Geelong. Statistics: 61 games, 398 kicks, 308 marks, 325 handballs, 723 disposals, 4 goals, 4 behinds, 3 hit outs, 138 tackles, 49 frees for, 40 frees against. As I said above the position of CHF has disappeared from the game, so what do you need a CHB for? Well, Rivers is more than just a CHB, he's the club's number 1 defender and he's coming back to the sort of form that earned him NAB Rising Star Status in 2004. In fact, he looks so good at the moment that I expect him to transcend that form in 2007. He makes up for a lack of pace with his football nous - he can mark and spoil and his defensive timing is excellent. I really believe that Rivers can become a genuine champion in Melbourne's defence and that's a term I don't use lightly. We can also expect to see him drift forward on occasion to kick goals as he did last year on Queens Birthday against the mortal enemy. 4. Jeff White [34] 19.02.77 195cm 95 kg Southern U18.Fremantle Selection # 1 - 1994 National AFL Draft, AFL Debut 1995 Round 3 for Fremantle v Fitzroy (32 games). Traded in 1997 for draft selections 2 & 18. MFC Debut 1998 Round 1 v Fremantle (199 games). Statistics: 231 games, 1884 kicks, 1180 marks, 1381 handballs, 3,265 disposals, 99 goals, 66 behinds, 4,268 hit outs, 326 tackles, 201 frees for, 185 frees against. The high leaping ruckman's standing in the game was dealt a severe blow by the changes in the ruck centre circle rule a couple of years ago. This forced him to make some changes to his style and even so, he's no longer in the All Australian ruckman class. He gives away a lot of inches to the best in the competition and he can't ruck all day any more. However, there's a huge gape between White and our next best ruckman and that makes his role at the club even more crucial. A solid year from Jeff White is vital to the club's 2007 prospects. 5. Cameron Bruce [32] 30.09.79 190cm 88 kg MHSOB Selection # 64 - 1999 National AFL Draft, AFL Debut 2000 Round 1 v Richmond. Statistics: 146 games, 1378 kicks, 704 marks, 998 handballs, 2376 disposals, 173 goals, 116 behinds, 35 hit outs, 337 tackles, 108 frees for, 100 frees against. A gifted footballer, Bruce's importance will be seen in his versatility and athleticism - he can take out an opposition footballer (I say that in the nicest possible way) and he can also be creative in the midfield and going forward where he can kick goals. 6. David Neitz [9] 22.01.75 191cm 103 kg Parkmore VMFL Zone Selection AFL Debut 1993 Round 1 v Hawthorn. Statistics: 286 games, 2328 kicks, 1414 marks, 795 handballs, 3123 disposals, 602 goals, 347 behinds, 308 hit outs, 258 tackles, 125 frees for, 197 frees against. This man holds almost every record of note at the club but is fast running out of opportunities to play in a premiership. He is important because of his experience, leadership and his position as the only true reliable power forward at the club (now that CHF has been abolished). He kicked 66 goals, including bags of eight against St Kilda (Round 10) and the Kangaroos (Round 20) and six against the Hawks (Round 8). He has to stay healthy, kick goals consistently and learn to play (read as "milk") the latest hands on back interpretation when going for the mark. Who knows what might happen if the umpires deal with him as generously as they have with some of the others in the pre season games? He might even create another club record by kicking a ton in a season! 7. Brad Green [18] 13.03.81 184cm 85 kg Tassie U18 Selection # 19 1999 National AFL Draft AFL Debut 2000 Round 2 v North Melbourne. Statistics: 148 games, 1374 kicks, 673 marks, 739 handballs, 2113 disposals, 194 goals, 107 behinds, 9 hit outs, 271 tackles, 80 frees for, 110 frees against Green had a reasonably good season in 2006 picking up plenty of possessions in his role as a midfielder but a nasty spur in his foot and other injuries definitely affected his normally reliable kicking skills. A few post season operations now have him back as good as gold and he can build on the improved consistency he showed in 2006. Ready for a big season in 2007. 8. Aaron Davey [36] 10.06.83, 177cm 72 kg Port Melbourne Selection # 3 - 2004 Rookie Draft, 2004 rookie elevation AFL Debut 2004 Round 1 v Hawthorn. Statistics: 64 games, 582 kicks, 149 marks, 205 handballs, 787 disposals, 95 goals, 67 behinds, 0 hit outs, 184 tackles, 53 frees for, 47 frees against. The exciting goal kicking crumber has also been given assignments further downfield and lifted last year with the presence of Byron Pickett. That Davey magic is a vital X factor ingredient in the Melbourne make up and if he takes further steps forward in 2007, the team will benefit enormously. 9. Matthew Whelan [45] 13.11.79 180cm 84 kg Woodville – West Torrens (SA) Selection # 50 1999 National AFL Draft, AFL Debut 2000 Round 4 v St. Kilda. Statistics: 123 games, 927 kicks, 453 marks, 811 handballs, 1738 disposals, 13 goals, 7 behinds, 2 hit outs, 328 tackles, 106 frees for, 76 frees against. Whelan's importance in the role of the small, ever-reliable and courageous back pocket player with the ability to win the ball was no better emphasised when he was absent from the team's defence in its semi final defeat at Subiaco. I've said it before and I'll say it again - his presence in defence lifts his teammates and that's a vital element because of the importance of keeping the opposition's score down to a minimum in this post football age. 10. James McDonald [23] 05.10.76 180cm 78 kg Old Xaverians 1997 Rookie Draft 1997 rookie elevation AFL Debut 1997 Round 17 v Collingwood. Statistics: 177 games, 1720 kicks, 620 marks, 1187 handballs, 2907 disposals, 45 goals, 57 behinds, 27 hit outs, 559 tackles, 196 frees for, 141 frees against Coming off a stellar season in which he was made an All-Australian and won club best and fairest honours as a hard tackling on baller, finally gaining the recognition in the football community which he so richly deserves. A big possession winner, Junior will remain an important cog in the team's emerging midfield. That's the top 10 but the right prescription for a team's success cannot be filled by only looking at what's on top of the crop (again, no pun intended). Melbourne is fortunate to have some very exciting emerging talent to back up its elite group and who will hopefully strongly challenge for a place among them by season's end. I'll look at the rest of the players on the list in the coming week.

BUMP

Is it really possible that we're going to see the sight of Adem Yze in a Sandringham jumper tomorrow?

THE ORACLE'S FEARLESS PREDICTIONS FOR 2007 - A SPECIAL DEMONLAND FEATURE Throughout history the Oracle family has been famous for making predictions. By and large these predictions have been proven statistically as accurate as other competing agencies and we're immensely proud to say that on average, we're still by any measure well ahead of tarot card readers and the weather bureau. Modernity of course, has taken a bit of the sting out of our business and unfortunately, we are no longer held in the high esteem as our most famous ancestor from the Fourteenth Century BC - the Oracle of Delphi. You must remember that in those days there was little opposition to our trade. The Oracles of old certainly had no interference from radio waves, x rays, telephony and the latest satellite technology to play havoc with our vital tools of trade such as the ever-reliable crystal ball. And, as if those things weren't enough, the phenomenon of global warming has caused plenty of problems with Stella (that's what I call my personal crystal ball) as the snows have slowly melted away in recent years only to leave a dense smog to cloud her insides and thereby limit severely my abilities to predict events accurately. In spite of this technical difficulty I have been able to respond to the request to come up with my fearless predictions for the 2007 AFL season and what follows is my final eight at the end of the home and away season plus other predictions. Since the warranty on my crystal ball extends for only six months, I can't quite extend the scenario through to the end of the finals series, but the good news for Demon fans is that your team will still be there at the equivalent date in September! 1. Fremantle - The Dockers are well situated to continue their rapid improvement of the second half of 2006 when they climbed up from 10th place after being pounded by successive losses to Geelong (64 points at home) and Sydney in Rounds 12 and 13 to go on and win nine in a row and finish third at the end of the home and away season. The famous premiership clock is telling us that the time is now for Chris Connolly's team as the likes of Pavlich, Hasleby and Longmuir reach their peak and Sandilands' own physical peak becomes too much for the other teams to conquer. 2. Sydney - Paul Roos is such a brilliant coach that he's even worked out his own way of defying the immutable power of the premiership clock. What he does is that every once in a while he sends out his recruiting people to buy a former St. Kilda player whose career looks a bit washed up and then he turns him into a champion again. This year the man could well be Peter Everitt who spent the latter half of 2006 clowning around and organising raffles at Hawthorn. Meanwhile, nobody ever gets injured at the Swans so they manage to get by with a squad of about 25 and, because of their favourable salary cap situation, they always seem to be there or thereabouts. 3. Melbourne - There is no logic behind my placement of the Demons as high as third other than the vision I see through Stella's smoky haze of hundreds and thousands of red ants running across my blue carpet carrying tiny sugar pieces from one place to another in a seemingly unsystematic fashion. I can only take this to mean that the new Neale Daniher philosophy of "run" and "carry" is somehow going to sink in to the players (and the fans) and that Melbourne will finally break through for a top four position in 2007. 4. West Coast Eagles - The reigning premiers are a happy group. They would have to be, given the fact that they spent the off season on the piss getting shickered to the point of being legless and armless, popping more pills than coach John Worsfold ever dispensed during his entire career as a pharmacist and fighting anybody who stumbled into their lines of sight. They drop to fourth on the ladder because, despite their obvious talent and a dominant midfield, I see some of their players spending more time in the witness box than on the training track. This of course, sets up a highly explosive derby in the first week of the finals but I have more bad news for the Eagles - they will go out in straight sets and worse still, one of those red ants I see roaming around on my blue carpet looks a bit like Chris Judd. 5. Adelaide - The Crows are aging, some of their players and wives are still feuding and Lleyton Hewitt continues to hang around the club like a bad smell (when he's he's not overseas losing to hack players ranked outside the top 50). These things plus their adverse position on the clockface spell the word "decline" but I've kept them in the top eight because of their scintillating pre-season form against a Melbourne B team in that praccie at Mt. Gambier a fortnight ago. 6. Geelong - One of the most talented lists in the competition and slotted for improvement in 2007 because my fashion consultant tells me that handbags are in this year. 7. Hawthorn - I have a soft spot for Alistair Clarkson and his assistant Todd Viney, I like Lance Franklin who was apparently once a Demon supporter and I think Jeff Kennett is sorely needed to provide some comic relief during the finals now that John Elliott is out of the picture (or perhaps his cigars are responsible for the smoky haze inside my beloved Stella). The Hawks' return to the finals scene will be symbolic only however - they won't last more than a week. 8. Port Adelaide - No, I haven't done this to set up another interstate derby or showdown or whatever they call it. I believe that the Power have enough talent to scrape into the finals and besides, I enjoy watching dickhead coaches prancing around at finals time. Sadly, Mark Williams will only be around to embarrass the State of South Australia for a very limited part of early September. I left out the Bulldogs because, despite the return of their injured stars, I think they will lose that desperate "backs against the wall" feeling that held them together so well in times of injury crisis last year. On top of that their game plan is now well understood and surpassed by the by the better opposition clubs. The injury hit Saints won't recover from the hiding they're about to receive in Round 1 and I hate Collingwood so I decided to ignore the Magpies altogether. Richmond will finish ninth as usual, the Bombers will improve and so will Carlton but they will find themselves in a spot of bother when the Melbourne Magistrates Court issues an intervention order to prevent the skipper from playing at any football ground where his sister-in-law is in attendance. A four-month end of season trip for every player to Las Vegas, Baghdad and Kabul courtesy of Dick Pratt will be a great consolation prize for the boys whose new sponsor is global giant Enron Corporation. That leaves Brisbane and the Kangaroos to enjoy the warmth and beauty of the Sunshine State as they fight it out for the honour of winning the wooden spoon. Brownlow Medal - Travis Johnstone will finally step out of the smoke and shadows and walk away with Charlie. Watch out for his Brownlow Night antics blowing kisses into the ears of a special mystery guest. Coleman Medal - Brendan Fevola should win this one hands down. This year's sponsor is the Irish bar Association. Season Highlight - the number of full forwards to kick big bags of goals in the first half of the season courtesy of the new hands in the back interpretation followed by a rapid decline in that number as the rule is gradually relaxed in the second half. Season Lowlight - the sacking of seven coaches (two of whom will have coached winning teams) after the opening round. I'm off now to deliver Stella into the hands of the crystal ball doctor for a well overdue medical check up but I promise to return during the season, to bring more exciting AFL predictions and to uphold the centuries-old family tradition of fearlessness, accuracy and foresight. See you in the future!

by the Oracle Throughout history the Oracle family has been famous for making predictions. By and large these predictions have been proven statistically as accurate as other competing agencies and we're immensely proud to say that on average, we're still by any measure well ahead of tarot card readers and the weather bureau. Modernity of course, has taken a bit of the sting out of our business and unfortunately, we are no longer held in the high esteem as our most famous ancestor from the Fourteenth Century BC - the Oracle of Delphi. You must remember that in those days there was little opposition to our trade. The Oracles of old certainly had no interference from radio waves, x rays, telephony and the latest satellite technology to play havoc with our vital tools of trade such as the ever-reliable crystal ball. And, as if those things weren't enough, the phenomenon of global warming has caused plenty of problems with Stella (that's what I call my personal crystal ball) as the snows have slowly melted away in recent years only to leave a dense smog to cloud her insides and thereby limit severely my abilities to predict events accurately. In spite of this technical difficulty I have been able to respond to the request to come up with my fearless predictions for the 2007 AFL season and what follows is my final eight at the end of the home and away season plus other predictions. Since the warranty on my crystal ball extends for only six months, I can't quite extend the scenario through to the end of the finals series, but the good news for Demon fans is that your team will still be there at the equivalent date in September! 1. Fremantle - The Dockers are well situated to continue their rapid improvement of the second half of 2006 when they climbed up from 10th place after being pounded by successive losses to Geelong (64 points at home) and Sydney in Rounds 12 and 13 to go on and win nine in a row and finish third at the end of the home and away season. The famous premiership clock is telling us that the time is now for Chris Connolly's team as the likes of Pavlich, Hasleby and Longmuir reach their peak and Sandilands' own physical peak becomes too much for the other teams to conquer. 2. Sydney - Paul Roos is such a brilliant coach that he's even worked out his own way of defying the immutable power of the premiership clock. What he does is that every once in a while he sends out his recruiting people to buy a former St. Kilda player whose career looks a bit washed up and then he turns him into a champion again. This year the man could well be Peter Everitt who spent the latter half of 2006 clowning around and organising raffles at Hawthorn. Meanwhile, nobody ever gets injured at the Swans so they manage to get by with a squad of about 25 and, because of their favourable salary cap situation, they always seem to be there or thereabouts. 3. Melbourne - There is no logic behind my placement of the Demons as high as third other than the vision I see through Stella's smoky haze of hundreds and thousands of red ants running across my blue carpet carrying tiny sugar pieces from one place to another in a seemingly unsystematic fashion. I can only take this to mean that the new Neale Daniher philosophy of "run" and "carry" is somehow going to sink in to the players (and the fans) and that Melbourne will finally break through for a top four position in 2007. 4. West Coast Eagles - The reigning premiers are a happy group. They would have to be, given the fact that they spent the off season on the piss getting shickered to the point of being legless and armless, popping more pills than coach John Worsfold ever dispensed during his entire career as a pharmacist and fighting anybody who stumbled into their lines of sight. They drop to fourth on the ladder because, despite their obvious talent and a dominant midfield, I see some of their players spending more time in the witness box than on the training track. This of course, sets up a highly explosive derby in the first week of the finals but I have more bad news for the Eagles - they will go out in straight sets and worse still, one of those red ants I see roaming around on my blue carpet looks a bit like Chris Judd. 5. Adelaide - The Crows are aging, some of their players and wives are still feuding and Lleyton Hewitt continues to hang around the club like a bad smell (when he's he's not overseas losing to hack players ranked outside the top 50). These things plus their adverse position on the clockface spell the word "decline" but I've kept them in the top eight because of their scintillating pre-season form against a Melbourne B team in that praccie at Mt. Gambier a fortnight ago. 6. Geelong - One of the most talented lists in the competition and slotted for improvement in 2007 because my fashion consultant tells me that handbags are in this year. 7. Hawthorn - I have a soft spot for Alistair Clarkson and his assistant Todd Viney, I like Lance Franklin who was apparently once a Demon supporter and I think Jeff Kennett is sorely needed to provide some comic relief during the finals now that John Elliott is out of the picture (or perhaps his cigars are responsible for the smoky haze inside my beloved Stella). The Hawks' return to the finals scene will be symbolic only however - they won't last more than a week. 8. Port Adelaide - No, I haven't done this to set up another interstate derby or showdown or whatever they call it. I believe that the Power have enough talent to scrape into the finals and besides, I enjoy watching dickhead coaches prancing around at finals time. Sadly, Mark Williams will only be around to embarrass the State of South Australia for a very limited part of early September. I left out the Bulldogs because, despite the return of their injured stars, I think they will lose that desperate "backs against the wall" feeling that held them together so well in times of injury crisis last year. On top of that their game plan is now well understood and surpassed by the by the better opposition clubs. The injury hit Saints won't recover from the hiding they're about to receive in Round 1 and I hate Collingwood so I decided to ignore the Magpies altogether. Richmond will finish ninth as usual, the Bombers will improve and so will Carlton but they will find themselves in a spot of bother when the Melbourne Magistrates Court issues an intervention order to prevent the skipper from playing at any football ground where his sister-in-law is in attendance. A four-month end of season trip for every player to Las Vegas, Baghdad and Kabul courtesy of Dick Pratt will be a great consolation prize for the boys whose new sponsor is global giant Enron Corporation. That leaves Brisbane and the Kangaroos to enjoy the warmth and beauty of the Sunshine State as they fight it out for the honour of winning the wooden spoon. Brownlow Medal - Travis Johnstone will finally step out of the smoke and shadows and walk away with Charlie. Watch out for his Brownlow Night antics blowing kisses into the ears of a special mystery guest. Coleman Medal - Brendan Fevola should win this one hands down. This year's sponsor is the Irish bar Association. Season Highlight - the number of full forwards to kick big bags of goals in the first half of the season courtesy of the new hands in the back interpretation followed by a rapid decline in that number as the rule is gradually relaxed in the second half. Season Lowlight - the sacking of seven coaches (two of whom will have coached winning teams) after the opening round. I'm off now to deliver Stella into the hands of the crystal ball doctor for a well overdue medical check up but I promise to return during the season, to bring more exciting AFL predictions and to uphold the centuries-old family tradition of fearlessness, accuracy and foresight. See you in the future!

Even if you can't help out with the Demon 2 Demon initiative you can still take out your own membership now online direct through the MFC:- J O I N - T H E - D E M O N S click here

We commend this initiative started over at Demonology by Geoff Sowden. Geoff's family roots to the Melbourne Football Club go back over a century and the Sowden family's heart still beats true:- DEMON 2 DEMON - Overview Welcome to an introduction to the Demon2Demon volunteer membership program. We are a group of members and supporters coming together to assist the club's membership drive. For 2007 our group will be located in Membership at the G. Under the guidance and with support of the Membership staff we talk (Demon2Demon) to supporters and members to encourage early signup, upgrading as appropriate and to former members to do likewise. The program usually operates on Monday and Tuesday evenings 5.30//600pm to 8.00pm (so, approx.2 hours).. This program commenced in February 2004 & we have operated throughout the growth spurt of membership that has seen a 30% climb in members over the last 3 years. Our immediate objective is to continue to strengthen our program and our biggest requirement is for more volunteers for the two evenings]. We are very flexible and will accept ANY offers of volunteer time; someone from the club is always available to assist us and other volunteers are always willing to help with any training. Our long term objective (over 5 years) is to talk to every accessible Demon supporter to get them involved with the club wherever possible. Demon2Demon volunteers feel a sense of reward from the group involvement and being a significant part of our club's success. Our success rate is high; folk are responding to fellow Melbourne supporters who identify as volunteers and the calls are comfortable. Please join us. Contact Geoff on [email protected] or 0425 832 522 or Judi on 0421 448 166. Once initial contact is made we will talk you through the process of using our volunteer calendar to register your availability. GO DEES

by the Oracle We're a little over halfway through the pre season Nab Cup/Challenge series and there’s been a fair bit of hand wringing and gnashing of teeth about Melbourne’s lacklustre performance to date. In the Nab Cup game v Hawthorn the Demons seemingly had the game in their control late in the third quarter before they gave away a couple of nine pointers which then gave the Hawks the momentum for a strong final term against a half strength Melbourne that wilted in the end. The following week, the Dees sent a team minus a number of stars to Mount Gambier to take on the Crows and the result was fairly predictable in view of the relative strengths of the teams that took the ground. Yesterday against Richmond, Melbourne fielded a better team against a largely inexperienced team and it duly saluted; no four points but a win is a win. Throughout the journey the Demons have been experimenting with different styles and strategies ahead of the regular season. In the Nab Cup game they went handball mad and almost wrote themselves into the Guinness Book of Records by running up nearly 200 handballs for the day. They also drove some of their supporters crazy with this style but the coach had already stated that he had a purpose and that was to prepare the team for the style of game necessary to win matches against the interstate heavyweights on their home turf. In case anybody hasn't noticed yet, last year's top four comprised of West Coast, Sydney, Adelaide and Fremantle. It's also becoming somewhat ridiculous for people to panic about where their team is at several weeks before the start of the season proper. Football history is studded with stories of teams that struggle to win practice matches and even some which make slow starts to the season, and yet they are there at the business end of the season. It was Malcolm Blight, then coach of Geelong, who famously stated in 1994 that he wasn't worried about the thrashing his team had suffered at the hands of Melbourne (16.13.109 to 26.18.174) in the opening round of the season, because "the bloke who leads the marathon out of the stadium normally isn’t still in front at the end of the race." Blight's Cats made the grand final in 1994 only to be beaten by West Coast but he had made his point. Despite the early season 65 point shellacking, his team was among the leading pack when the runners returned to the stadium late in the race and it was in contention on the last Saturday in September (actually I think it might have been the first Saturday in October that year but who's counting?). That's exactly what the teams should be focussing on – even at this stage of proceedings. ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** And now to the players themselves. How are they travelling in those early kilometres of the marathon? Simon Buckley - has come into 2007 with a stronger body and great purpose in his approach to the game. Performed well against the Hawks in the Nab Cup and, whilst he had been less prominent since, he displays all the makings of a player with a very promising future at the club. Nathan Jones - has dropped nearly 8 kgs over the summer but it hasn’t affected either his hardness or his ball winning ability. He has done everything right as the team’s tough inside midfielder in the absence of the injured Brock McLean. Clint Bizzell - after a couple of quite early games, the Biz has started showing some of the form that once made him the general of the team’s backline. Will need to continue to impress however, to gain a place in the starting 22. Ben Holland - a withdrawal from the Nab Cup and then injured a hip against the Crows at Mount Gambier. Holland played at Sandringham at the weekend but failed to stand out. Brock McLean - was going along nicely until he suffered a thigh injury. Supposed to be back this week. Matthew Bate - has been going along steadily without setting the world on fire. Along with Lynden Dunn, he faces a challenge to continue his steady improvement in that vital second year of senior AFL footy. Still needs to work on his disposal. Brad Miller - a major disappointment in the Nab Cup game, Miller has been struggling to adapt to the team’s game plan. No certainty to play in round 1. James Frawley - has played a bit part in every game to date but hasn’t disappointed. Tall and moves well and has an awkward but effective kicking style. Will definitely see AFL action this season. David Neitz - dropped a couple of sitters against the Hawks but looked reasonably solid. Kicked three in a half against the Tigers' Joel Bowden before coming off with stomach pains. Otherwise looks reasonably fit and ready for his eighth season as skipper. Daniel Ward - has a fair bit to prove to himself and his teammates and is attacking the game with some purpose. His disposal lets him down. Paul Johnson - right now is third in line for a ruck spot and while he is more mobile than Mark Jamar, the Russian appears to be the favoured option as Jeff White’s back up. Colin Sylvia - is pre-season has been curtailed by a recurring groin problem. Is expected back in about two weeks but could take longer. Adem Yze - most veterans take a while to get going early and Yze is no exception. His form to date playing both forward and in the middle has been uninspiring to say the least. Lynden Dunn - hasn't gotten into gear in any of the matches so far. Ricky Petterd - a player with real poise and balance and not afraid to have a dip, Petterd has shown some real signs of promise with Sandringham but will take time. Travis Johnstone - a broken toe kept him out of the first two games but his return against the Tigers was sublime. His body looks stronger and with it, he seems to have gathered a bit of pace as well. Good signs. Chris Johnson - based on what he has shown to date, Johnson is on the way to being the club’s big improver this year. Bound to be a regular for a long time. Brad Green - post season surgery has him back in town. His kicking in particular is back to its very best. Clint Bartram - taking a long time to recover from the ankle injury suffered against the Crows in round 22 last year and is still a few weeks away from a return. Colin Garland - Tasmanian recruit finding his feet at Sandringham. Is a fair way off but appears to have a big up side. Daniel Bell - has generally been very good, fast, hard and tough and looks like becoming a fixture in defence. Brent Moloney - slowly coming back after a year hampered by a shoulder and then a debilitating groin injury. His pace is still suspect but will benefit from working under Bohdan Babijczuk. James McDonald - slowly building up but hasn’t shown 2006 form yet. Russell Robertson - another veteran who has floated through the pre-season games without doing anything spectacular. Nathan Brown - is running well through the lines but his disposal still lacks penetration. Heath Neville - just went at Sandringham at the weekend. Jared Rivers - a strong game in defence against Hawthorn in the Nab Cup. The Demons will be looking at him to surpass his Rising Cup form of 2004 and lift a notch to achieve football stardom. Isaac Weetra - hasn't been seen under match conditions at this stage. Michael Newton - a bit of an enigma, this bloke looks to have everything but the application necessary to make it in the big time. Showed some good signs mainly on a wing for the Zebras at the weekend. Simon Godfrey - to be brutally honest I think this hard working tough on baller will struggle to make the grade due to the presence of younger, more skilful types at the club. Paul Wheatley - first game at Sandringham and wasn’t particularly impressive at all. Cameron Bruce - the versatile utility is working towards a solid start to the season. Will be an invaluable factor in the team's line up. Byron Pickett - the subject of a bit of mirth and ridicule over the pre-season because he hasn't quite shaped up in the same manner as most of the others. However, that's Byron and he showed at Sandringham on Sunday that, as long as he can regain close to full fitness, he will be a menacing factor as the season wears on. Jeff White - missed the Nab Cup game against the Hawks but remains undoubtedly the club's number one ruckman. Against the Tigers on Saturday, he showed something by moving forward and kicking a few goals. Ryan Ferguson - has his limitations but is a real goer, is versatile and looks a bit stronger this year. Has poise and courage and can dispose of the ball. A place in the first 22 beckons. Aaron Davey - start to season set back by an ankle injury sustained in the Indigenous All Stars game. Is slowly getting back into it and the club will be hoping he can take a few more steps and particularly start dominating in finals games (but that’s a fair way off at present). Matthew Warnock - after a poor Nab Cup game against the Hawks, he injured an ankle against the Crows and will miss a few weeks. Shane Neaves - second string ruckman to Paul Johnson in the Sandringham match. A long term prospect. Mark Jamar - seems to have improved his ruckwork but still doesn't do enough around the ground. Unless he improves in this regard, he could find his spot under pressure from the more mobile Johnson. Nathan Carroll - looked good in pre season training but a little shaky against the Hawks. Contested strongly against the Tigers and will be a feature in the Demon backline for a few years to come. Daniel Hayes - yet to be sighted in the practice matches. Jace Bode - out for a couple of weeks with a back injury. Matthew Whelan – recovering from injury which hampered his pre-season. Will be a factor in the Demon defence again in 2007.

EARLY DOORS - PART TWO by the Oracle Simon Buckley - has come into 2007 with a stronger body and great purpose in his approach to the game. Performed well against the Hawks in the Nab Cup and, whilst he had been less prominent since, he displays all the makings of a player with a very promising future at the club. Nathan Jones - has dropped nearly 8 kgs over the summer but it hasn’t affected either his hardness or his ball winning ability. He has done everything right as the team’s tough inside midfielder in the absence of the injured Brock McLean. Clint Bizzell - after a couple of quite early games, the Biz has started showing some of the form that once made him the general of the team’s backline. Will need to continue to impress however, to gain a place in the starting 22. Ben Holland - a withdrawal from the Nab Cup and then injured a hip against the Crows at Mount Gambier. Holland played at Sandringham at the weekend but failed to stand out. Brock McLean - was going along nicely until he suffered a thigh injury. Supposed to be back this week. Matthew Bate - has been going along steadily without setting the world on fire. Along with Lynden Dunn, he faces a challenge to continue his steady improvement in that vital second year of senior AFL footy. Still needs to work on his disposal. Brad Miller - a major disappointment in the Nab Cup game, Miller has been struggling to adapt to the team’s game plan. No certainty to play in round 1. James Frawley - has played a bit part in every game to date but hasn’t disappointed. Tall and moves well and has an awkward but effective kicking style. Will definitely see AFL action this season. David Neitz - dropped a couple of sitters against the Hawks but looked reasonably solid. Kicked three in a half against the Tigers' Joel Bowden before coming off with stomach pains. Otherwise looks reasonably fit and ready for his eighth season as skipper. Daniel Ward - has a fair bit to prove to himself and his teammates and is attacking the game with some purpose. His disposal lets him down. Paul Johnson - right now is third in line for a ruck spot and while he is more mobile than Mark Jamar, the Russian appears to be the favoured option as Jeff White’s back up. Colin Sylvia - is pre-season has been curtailed by a recurring groin problem. Is expected back in about two weeks but could take longer. Adem Yze - most veterans take a while to get going early and Yze is no exception. His form to date playing both forward and in the middle has been uninspiring to say the least. Lynden Dunn - hasn't gotten into gear in any of the matches so far. Ricky Petterd - a player with real poise and balance and not afraid to have a dip, Petterd has shown some real signs of promise with Sandringham but will take time. Travis Johnstone - a broken toe kept him out of the first two games but his return against the Tigers was sublime. His body looks stronger and with it, he seems to have gathered a bit of pace as well. Good signs. Chris Johnson - based on what he has shown to date, Johnson is on the way to being the club’s big improver this year. Bound to be a regular for a long time. Brad Green - post season surgery has him back in town. His kicking in particular is back to its very best. Clint Bartram - taking a long time to recover from the ankle injury suffered against the Crows in round 22 last year and is still a few weeks away from a return. Colin Garland - Tasmanian recruit finding his feet at Sandringham. Is a fair way off but appears to have a big up side. Daniel Bell - has generally been very good, fast, hard and tough and looks like becoming a fixture in defence. Brent Moloney - slowly coming back after a year hampered by a shoulder and then a debilitating groin injury. His pace is still suspect but will benefit from working under Bohdan Babijczuk. James McDonald - slowly building up but hasn’t shown 2006 form yet. Russell Robertson - another veteran who has floated through the pre-season games without doing anything spectacular. Nathan Brown - is running well through the lines but his disposal still lacks penetration. Heath Neville - just went at Sandringham at the weekend. Jared Rivers - a strong game in defence against Hawthorn in the Nab Cup. The Demons will be looking at him to surpass his Rising Cup form of 2004 and lift a notch to achieve football stardom. Isaac Weetra - hasn't been seen under match conditions at this stage. Michael Newton - a bit of an enigma, this bloke looks to have everything but the application necessary to make it in the big time. Showed some good signs mainly on a wing for the Zebras at the weekend. Simon Godfrey - to be brutally honest I think this hard working tough on baller will struggle to make the grade due to the presence of younger, more skilful types at the club. Paul Wheatley - first game at Sandringham and wasn’t particularly impressive at all. Cameron Bruce - the versatile utility is working towards a solid start to the season. Will be an invaluable factor in the team's line up. Byron Pickett - the subject of a bit of mirth and ridicule over the pre-season because he hasn't quite shaped up in the same manner as most of the others. However, that's Byron and he showed at Sandringham on Sunday that, as long as he can regain close to full fitness, he will be a menacing factor as the season wears on. Jeff White - missed the Nab Cup game against the Hawks but remains undoubtedly the club's number one ruckman. Against the Tigers on Saturday, he showed something by moving forward and kicking a few goals. Ryan Ferguson - has his limitations but is a real goer, is versatile and looks a bit stronger this year. Has poise and courage and can dispose of the ball. A place in the first 22 beckons. Aaron Davey - start to season set back by an ankle injury sustained in the Indigenous All Stars game. Is slowly getting back into it and the club will be hoping he can take a few more steps and particularly start dominating in finals games (but that’s a fair way off at present). Matthew Warnock - after a poor Nab Cup game against the Hawks, he injured an ankle against the Crows and will miss a few weeks. Shane Neaves - second string ruckman to Paul Johnson in the Sandringham match. A long term prospect. Mark Jamar - seems to have improved his ruckwork but still doesn't do enough around the ground. Unless he improves in this regard, he could find his spot under pressure from the more mobile Johnson. Nathan Carroll - looked good in pre season training but a little shaky against the Hawks. Contested strongly against the Tigers and will be a feature in the Demon backline for a few years to come. Daniel Hayes - yet to be sighted in the practice matches. Jace Bode - out for a couple of weeks with a back injury. Matthew Whelan – recovering from injury which hampered his pre-season. Will be a factor in the Demon defence again in 2007.

Yes, best wishes to Scott and his partner on the new addition to the family. I agree though with Dappa about the soft spot. I hope one day to be watching 22 Demon players collecting premiership medallions while Mr. Thompson is sitting with his backside on the MCG turf with head bowed in hands lamenting the fact that he ever went back to SA.

And with that, this thread is officially closed. Posters are asked to consult our code of conduct.

Please stop the bickering. It's annoying and adds nothing to this forum.

Hi all from Hawaii where I'm holidaying with my wife. I'm missing the Dees and delighted we finally broke through for a victory yesterday (actually it's still today over here!). Anyhow, I've received this article from the Oracle so I thought I'd put it up. I believe we're not far away from having a permanent home on the new site for our feature articles so please enjoy:- EARLY DOORS - PART ONE by the Oracle We're a little over halfway through the pre season Nab Cup/Challenge series and there’s been a fair bit of hand wringing and gnashing of teeth about Melbourne’s lacklustre performance to date. In the Nab Cup game v Hawthorn the Demons seemingly had the game in their control late in the third quarter before they gave away a couple of nine pointers which then gave the Hawks the momentum for a strong final term against a half strength Melbourne that wilted in the end. The following week, the Dees sent a team minus a number of stars to Mount Gambier to take on the Crows and the result was fairly predictable in view of the relative strengths of the teams that took the ground. Yesterday against Richmond, Melbourne fielded a better team against a largely inexperienced team and it duly saluted; no four points but a win is a win. Throughout the journey the Demons have been experimenting with different styles and strategies ahead of the regular season. In the Nab Cup game they went handball mad and almost wrote themselves into the Guinness Book of Records by running up nearly 200 handballs for the day. They also drove some of their supporters crazy with this style but the coach had already stated that he had a purpose and that was to prepare the team for the style of game necessary to win matches against the interstate heavyweights on their home turf. In case anybody hasn't noticed yet, last year's top four comprised of West Coast, Sydney, Adelaide and Fremantle. It's also becoming somewhat ridiculous for people to panic about where their team is at several weeks before the start of the season proper. Football history is studded with stories of teams that struggle to win practice matches and even some which make slow starts to the season, and yet they are there at the business end of the season. It was Malcolm Blight, then coach of Geelong, who famously stated in 1994 that he wasn't worried about the thrashing his team had suffered at the hands of Melbourne (16.13.109 to 26.18.174) in the opening round of the season, because "the bloke who leads the marathon out of the stadium normally isn’t still in front at the end of the race." Blight's Cats made the grand final in 1994 only to be beaten by West Coast but he had made his point. Despite the early season 65 point shellacking, his team was among the leading pack when the runners returned to the stadium late in the race and it was in contention on the last Saturday in September (actually I think it might have been the first Saturday in October that year but who's counting?). That's exactly what the teams should be focussing on – even at this stage of proceedings. [in part two, I'll discuss how the players themselves are travelling in the first 5kms of the marathon]

Here are the articles:- INJURY WOES FOR DEMONS MELBOURNE suffered a handful of injuries to cap off a disappointing day at the Blue Lake Sports Ground in Mount Gambier where it went down to Adelaide by 56 points in Saturday’s NAB Challenge clash. Key defender/forward Ben Holland (corked hip), backman Matthew Warnock (ankle) and rookie Daniel Hughes (illness) were the casualties. NAB CUP: YOUNG DEES OUTCLASSED BY CROWS MATCH-DAY coach Mark Riley admitted his side was outclassed by Adelaide in Mount Gambier, but said there were positives to come out of the day. "Everyone has had a hitout now, so that has been a real positive of the last week and today and we've got to have a look at guys under AFL intensity," he said. "The Crows were just dominating us all over the place." Riley said Melbourne would look at its over-use of handball.