Demonland

I was asked to write a preview of this week’s Round 8 match between Melbourne and Geelong. The two clubs have a history that goes right back to the time when the game was starting to become an organised sport but it’s the present that makes the task of previewing this contest so interesting. Both clubs recently reached the pinnacle of the competition winning premiership flags in 2021 and 2022 respectively, but before the start of this season, many good judges felt their time had passed - neither was regarded as a major challenger for this year's flag and particularly not so the Cats. Geelong’s form late in 2023 was abysmal while Melbourne was ushered out of the finals in straight sets for the second time in as many years. The conventional wisdom was that the season belonged to last year’s Grand Finalists, Collingwood and the Brisbane Lions. If not them, then last year’s late bloomers, GWS Giants and Carlton were the next in line for consideration as the leaders of the pack. Who would have thought then, that seven rounds (okay, eight if you’re a Round Zero pedant) into the season, the Pies and Lions would be outside the top eight, the Cats would be resuscitated and sitting on top of the ladder at 7 zip, with the Demons, also undergoing something of a rejuvenation, in fourth spot? Geelong has a healthy list and is in great form coming off a last start victory over another premiership contender Carlton in a blockbuster shootout at the MCG. That game followed a convincing victory 2023 Grand Finalists Brisbane at the Gabba. The Cats will therefore come into the game, chock full of confidence, especially after having the wood over Melbourne in their encounters since the 2021 Preliminary Final. They are settled, with many of their players in good form and the list appears to have few weaknesses. Some have reinvented themselves like Jeremy Cameron who has risen to another level in a slightly different role and speedster Max Holmes who recently celebrated his spectacular conversion from wing to half back by inking a four-year contract extension. On the other hand, Melbourne has been in something of a rut since its successful sojourn in Adelaide a month ago. The apathy of its display against Brisbane was followed by a lacklustre first half against Richmond. Both performances were noteworthy for a substantially diminished output from the team’s acclaimed midfield ensemble. On the strength of their recent tip-top form, Geelong should win this one. While things aren’t always so straightforward in our world of football, a lot of things have to go right for Melbourne to upset the ladder leaders. For starters, a return of the big three in the midfield to their early season performance level. To win this week, they must get their act together. A consistent performance from all of the forward line components for more than one or two quarters of the game would also help. Melbourne’s defence has remained on song throughout the season and can be relied upon to hold the barnstorming Cat attack to far less than the 18 goals they kicked against the Blues. If Geelong had a weakness last week, it was in the way the defence leaked goals. Late in the game when Carlton made its last-minute desperate lunge, the Cats momentarily looked helpless to stop the flood in the shoot out. If Melbourne comes at the top of its game applying its defensive pressure, the Demons could cause them to drop their bundle. I’m expecting them to lift for the big occasion to provide the fans with a insight into whether they are capable of mixing it in a top of the table contest with their mixture of maturity and new emerging talent. The mission I was given was to tip with the head and not the heart so I’m leaning towards Geelong to prevail in a tough contest by 10 points. THE GAME Melbourne v Geelong at the MCG on Saturday 4 May 2024 at 7.30pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 88 wins Geelong 134 wins 2 draws At the MCG Melbourne 53 wins Geelong 54 wins The last five meetings Melbourne 2 wins Geelong 3 wins The Coaches Goodwin 4 wins Scott 7 wins LAST TIME THEY MET Geelong 11.12.78 defeated Melbourne 8.15.63 at GMHBA Stadium in Round 15 2023 The Demons were on a high, coming off a last start victory over the premiership favourites in the Kings Birthday blockbuster but they struggled to back it up with a repeat performance. Geelong grabbed the ascendancy early in the final term as it has often done on so many occasions at the Cattery. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE B B. Howes, S. May, J. Lever HB J. McVee, T. McDonald, T. Sparrow C A. Neal-Bullen, C. Petracca, C. Windsor HF J. Billings, B. Fritsch, K. Chandler F K. Pickett, J. Van Rooyen, D. Turner FOLL M. Gawn, J. Viney, C. Oliver I/C E. Langdon, H. Petty, T. Rivers, T. Woewodin SUB B. Laurie EMG B. Brown, M. Hore, L. Hunter NO CHANGE GEELONG B J. Henry, S. De Koning, J. Kolodjashnij HB Z. Guthrie, T. Stewart, M. Holmes C Z. Tuohy, T. Atkins, M. Blicavs HF B. Close, J. Cameron, G. Miers F T. Stengle, T. Hawkins, O. Henry FOLL R. Stanley, C. Guthrie, T. Bruhn I/C J. Bowes, J. Clark, O. Dempsey, M. Duncan SUB G. Rohan EMG S. Neale, M. O’Connor, B. Parfitt IN J. Clark, G. Rohan, T. Stewart OUT P. Dangerfield (hamstring), O'Connor (managed), B. Parfitt (managed) Injury List: Round 8 Jake Bowey — shoulder / 1 week Christian Salem — hamstring / 2 - 3 weeks Charlie Spargo — Achilles / 3 - 4 weeks Jake Melksham — knee / 6 - 8 weeks

I had that one worded a bit differently but might use some of your wording along with mine if you don’t mind.

Already got that one cued up at the end.

Charlie Spargo in a holding pattern. 324 is the new 426.

Name Injury Expected Return Jake Bowey Shoulder 1 week Christian Salem Hamstring 2 - 3 weeks Charlie Spargo Achilles 3 - 4 weeks Jake Melksham Knee 6 - 8 weeks

I'm interviewing Melbourne Football Club's small forward Kade Chandler tomorrow for the Demonland Podcast. I'll be asking him about his road from being overlooked in the draft to his rookie listing to his apprenticeship as a sub to VFL premiership to his breakout 2023 season to mainstay in the Forwadline and much more. If you have any further questions let me know below and I'll see if I can squeeze them in. I will release the podcast at some time tomorrow so stay tuned.

Rory Sloane’s retirement announcement coming on top of the medical retirements of Angus Brayshaw and Nathan Murphy bring us to this year’s HATCH MATCH & DESPATCH thread. There will be many more to come over the next six months or so - here’s this year’s version of the ins and outs at the AFL Clubs ~ ADELAIDE IN Chris Burgess (re-listed rookie), Isaac Cumming (free agent, GWS Giants), Sid Draper (South Adelaide, SA), Alex Neal-Bullen (trade, Melbourne), James Peatling (trade, GWS Giants), Harry Schoenberg (re-listed rookie), Tyler Welsh (W West Torrens, SA) OUT Chris Burgess* (delisted), Lachlan Gollant (delisted), Will Hamill (delisted), Elliott Himmelberg (free agent, Gold Coast), Ned McHenry (delisted), Patrick Parnell (delisted), Harry Schoenberg* (delisted), Rory Sloane (retired) BRISBANE IN Levi Ashcroft (Sandringham Dragons), Darcy Craven (re-listed rookie), Ty Gallop (Maroochydore, Q), Darragh Joyce (re-listed rookie), Sam Marshall (Sandringham Dragons) OUT Darcy Craven* (delisted), Joe Daniher (retired), Darragh Joyce* (delisted), Kalin Lane (delisted), Jarryd Lyons (retired), James Madden (delisted), Carter Michael (delisted), Jaxon Prior (delisted), Harry Sharp (trade, Melbourne) CARLTON IN Ben Camporeale (Glenelg, SA), Lucas Camporeale (Glenelg, SA), Harry Charelson (GWV Rebels, rookie), Matt Duffy (Category B rookie), Nick Haynes (free agent, GWS Giants), Harry O’Farrell (Calder Cannons), Jagga Smith (Oakleigh Chargers) OUT Domanic Akuei (delisted), Jack Caroll (delisted), Matt Carroll (delisted), David Cuningham (delisted), Sam Durdin (delisted), Matt Kennedy (trade, Western Bulldogs), Caleb Marchbank (delisted), Jack Martin (delisted), Alex Mirkov (delisted), Matt Owies (trade, West Coast) COLLINGWOOD IN Joel Cochran (Sydney Swans Academy), Will Hayes (Claremont, WA), Dan Houston (trade, Port Adelaide), Ash Johnson (re-listed rookie), Oleg Markov (re-listed rookie), Tim Membrey (delisted free agent), Harry Perryman (free agent, GWS Giants), Charlie West (W West Torrens, SA) OUT Aiden Begg (delisted), Jack Bytel (delisted), Josh Carmichael (retired), Josh Eyre (delisted), Ash Johnson* (delisted), Nathan Kreuger (delisted), Oleg Markov* (delisted), Nathan Murphy (retired), John Noble (trade, Gold Coast), Joe Richards (trade, Port Adelaide) ESSENDON IN Angus Clarke (Glenelg, SA), Archer Day-Wicks (Bendigo Pioneers, rookie), Kayle Gerreyn (West Perth, WA), Isaac Kako (Calder Cannons), Jayden Nguyen (Category B rookie), Rhys Unwin (GWV Rebels) OUT Kaine Baldwin (delisted), Jayden Davey (delisted), Dyson Heppell (retired), Nick Hind (delisted), Jaiden Hunter (delisted), Jake Kelly (retired), Jake Stringer (trade, Greater Western Sydney), Tex Wanganeen (delisted), Sam Weideman (delisted) FREMANTLE IN Shai Bolton (trade, Richmond), Jarren Carr (South Fremantle, WA), Charlie Nicholls (Central District, SA), Murphy Reid (Sandringham Dragons), Aiden Riddle (Claremont WA, rookie) OUT Josh Corbett (retired), Tom Emmett (delisted), Ethan Hughes (delisted), Max Knobel* (delisted), Sebit Kuek (delisted), Ethan Stanley (delisted), Matt Taberner (delisted), Conrad Williams (delisted) GEELONG IN Cillian Burke (Category B rookie), Lennox Hofmann (Sandringham Dragons), Xavier Ivisic (Geelong Falcons, rookie), Jack Martin (delisted free agent), Keighton Matofei-Forbes (Western Jets), Jacob Molier Sturt, SA), Joe Pike (Geelong Falcons, rookie), Jay Polkinghorne (Norwood, SA), Patrick Retschko (Oakleigh Chargers, rookie), Bailey Smith (trade, Western Bulldogs) OUT Phoenix Foster (delisted), Joe Furphy (delisted), Mitch Hardie (delisted), Tom Hawkins (retired), Emerson Jeka (delisted), Oscar Murdoch (delisted), Brandan Parfitt (delisted), Gary Rohan (delisted), Zach Tuohy (retired), James Willis (delisted) GOLD COAST SUNS IN Cooper Bell (GWS Giants Academy), Sam Day (relisted), Asher Eastham (Gippsland Power, rookie), Zak Evans (Category B rookie), Lachlan Gulbin (Category B rookie), Elliott Himmelberg (free agent, Adelaide), Max Knobel (Fremantle, rookie), Leonardo Lombard (GCS Academy), John Noble (trade, Collingwood), Daniel Rioli (trade, Richmond) OUT Rory Atkins (trade, Port Adelaide), Sandy Brock (delisted), Levi Casboult (retired), Sam Day (delisted), Brandon Ellis (retired), Oskar Faulkhead (delisted), Jack Lukosius (trade, Port Adelaide), Darcy Macpherson (delisted), Jack Mahony (delisted), Hewago Oea (delisted), Will Rowlands (delisted), James Tsitas (delisted) GWS GIANTS IN Cody Angove (Claremont WA), Josh Fahey (re-listed rookie), Ollie Hannaford (GWV Rebels), Lachie Keeffe (re-listed rookie), Harry Oliver (Sandringham Dragons), Logan Smith GWS Giants Academy), Jake Stringer (trade, Essendon), Jacob Wehr (re-listed rookie) OUT Isaac Cumming (free agent, Adelaide), Josaia Delana (Category B rookie), Josh Fahey* (delisted), Cooper Hamilton (delisted), Nick Haynes (free agent, Carlton), Lachie Keeffe* (delisted), Adam Kennedy (retired), James Peatling (trade, Adelaide), Harry Perryman (free agent, Collingwood), Braydon Preuss (delisted), Jacob Wehr* (delisted) HAWTHORN IN Cody Anderson (Eastern Ranges), Josh Battle (free agent, St Kilda), Tom Barrass (trade, West Coast), Jack Gunston (relisted), Matt Hill (Category B rookie), Noah Mraz (Dandenong Stingrays), Jaime Uhr-Henry (Category B rookie) OUT Josh Bennetts (delisted), Denver Grainger-Barras (delisted), Jack Gunston* (delisted), Cooper Stephens (delisted), Jack O'Sullivan (delisted), Ethan Phillips (delisted), Clay Tucker (delisted), Chad Wingard (retired) MELBOURNE IN Tom Campbell (free agent, St Kilda), Aidan Johnson (Werribee), Harvey Langford (Dandenong Stingrays), Xavier Lindsay (Gippsland Power), Ricky Mentha (Category B rookie), Harry Sharp (trade, Brisbane) OUT Angus Brayshaw (retired), Ben Brown (retired), Kyah Farris-White (delisted), Lachie Hunter (retired), Alex Neal-Bullen (trade, Adelaide), Josh Schache (delisted), Joel Smith (delisted), Adam Tomlinson (delisted) NORTH MELBOURNE IN Caleb Daniel (trade, Western Bulldogs), Jack Darling (trade, West Coast), Jacob Konstanty (trade, Sydney), Finn O’Sullivan (Oakleigh Chargers), Luke Parker (trade, Sydney), Toby Pink (re-listed rookie), Luke Urquhart (East Fremantle, WA), River Stevens (Geelong Falcons), Matt Whitlock (Murray Bushrangers) OUT Blake Drury (delisted), Hamish Free (delisted), Hugh Greenwood (retired), Charlie Lazzaro (delisted), Bigoa Nyuon (delisted), Toby Pink* (delisted), Tyler Sellers (delisted), Liam Shiels (retired), Jaidyn Stephenson (retired), Curtis Taylor (delisted), Tarryn Thomas (delisted) PORT ADELAIDE IN Rory Atkins (trade, Gold Coast), Benny Barrett (Category B rookie), Joe Berry (Murray Bushrangers), Tom Cochran (Central Districts, SA), Jack Lukosius (trade, Gold Coast), Christian Moraes (Eastern Ranges), Jacob Moss (Category B rookie), Joe Richards (trade, Collingwood), Jack Whitlock (Murray Bushrangers) OUT Tom Clurey (delisted), Charlie Dixon (retired), Francis Evans (delisted), Dan Houston (trade, Collingwood), Kyle Marshall (delisted), Tom McCallum (delisted), Trent McKenzie (retired), Quinton Narkle (delisted), Tom Scully (delisted) RICHMOND IN Harry Armstrong (Sandringham Dragons), Jonty Faull (GWV Rebels), Taj Hotton (Sandringham Dragons), Sam Lalor (GWV Rebels), Thomas Sims (Northern Knights), Josh Smillie (Eastern Ranges), Luke Trainor (Sandringham Dragons) OUT Liam Baker (trade, West Coast), Shai Bolton (trade, Fremantle), Mate Colina* (delisted), Matthew Coulthard (delisted), Noah Cumberland (delisted), Jack Graham (free agent, West Coast), Dylan Grimes (retired), Dustin Martin (retired), Marlion Pickett (retired), Sam Naismith (retired), Daniel Rioli (trade, Gold Coast) ST KILDA IN Eamonn Armstrong (Category B rookie), James Barrat (Bendigo Pioneers), Hugh Boxshall (Claremont, WA), Brad Crouch (re-listed rookie), Alex Dodson (Sturt, SA), Jack Macrae (trade, Western Bulldogs), Alix Tauru (Gippsland Power), Tobie Travaglia (Bendigo Pioneers), OUT Matthew Allison (delisted), Josh Battle (free agent, Hawthorn), Riley Bonner (delisted), Tom Campbell (free agent, Melbourne), Brad Crouch* (delisted), Brad Crouch (retired),Jack Hayes (delisted), Olli Hotton (delisted), Tim Membrey (delisted), Ben Paton (delisted), Seb Ross (delisted), James Van Es (delisted) SYDNEY SWANS IN Riak Andrew (Dandenong Stingrays), Riley Bice (Werribee), Ned Bowman (Norwood, SA), Jesse Dattoli (Northern Knights), Aaron Francis (re-listed rookie), Joel Hamling (re-listed rookie), Blake Laidler (Oakleigh Chargers, rookie), Ben Paton (St Kilda, rookie) OUT Harry Arnold (delisted), Aaron Francis* (delisted), Joel Hamling* (delisted), Jacob Konstanty (trade, North Melbourne), Jaiden Magor (delisted), Lachlan McAndrew (delisted), Luke Parker (trade, North Melbourne), Sam Reid (retired), Cooper Vickery (delisted) WEST COAST EAGLES IN Bo Allan (Peel Thunder WA), Liam Baker (trade, Richmond), Malakai Champion (Category B rookie), Hamish Davis (Claremont), Jack Graham (free agent, Richmond), Lucca Greggo (Western Jets), Tom Gross (Oakleigh Chargers), Matt Owies (trade, Carlton), Jobe Shanahan (Bendigo Pioneers) OUT Jordyn Baker (delisted), Tom Barrass (trade, Hawthorn), Coby Burgiel (delisted), Jai Culley (delisted), Jack Darling (trade, North Melbourne), Luke Edwards (delisted), Andrew Gaff (retired), Jamaine Jones (delisted), Josh Rotham (delisted), Zane Trew (delisted), Alex Witherden (delisted) WESTERN BULLDOGS IN Sam Davidson (Richmond VFL), Josh Dolan (Sandringham Dragons), Cooper Hynes (Dandenong Stingrays), Lachie Jaques (Geelong Falcons), Luke Kennedy (Sandringham Dragons), Matt Kennedy (trade, Carlton) OUT Dominic Bedendo (delisted), Charlie Clarke (delisted), Caleb Daniel (trade, North Melbourne), Alex Keath (retired), Jack Macrae (trade, St Kilda), Aiden O'Driscoll (retired), Kelsey Rypstra (delisted), Bailey Smith (trade, Geelong) * = Club has committed to redrafting the player in the AFL and Rookie Drafts

Here it is. You can’t screen record off Kayo anymore so I videoed my computer screen.

Votes Player (Club) 9 Jake Lever (MELB) 9 Max Gawn (MELB) 4 Daniel Turner (MELB) 4 Trent Rivers (MELB) 2 Ed Langdon (MELB) 2 Steven May (MELB) Leaderboard Votes Player Club 54 Isaac Heeney SYD 37 Zach Merrett ESS 33 Max Gawn MELB 32 Jeremy Cameron GEEL 32 Caleb Serong FRE 31 Tom Green GWS 28 Matt Rowell GCFC 27 Noah Anderson GCFC 27 Patrick Cripps CARL 27 Errol Gulden SYD 27 Gryan Miers GEEL 27 Elliot Yeo WCE 25 Christian Petracca MELB 24 Zak Butters PORT 24 Connor Rozee PORT 23 Harry McKay CARL 20 Marcus Bontempelli WB 20 Nick Daicos COLL 19 Nick Blakey SYD 19 Shai Bolton RICH 19 Jordan Dawson ADEL 19 Jordan De Goey COLL 19 Andrew McGrath ESS 19 Alex Pearce FRE 19 Sam Walsh CARL

No 426ers at Alberton

A palate cleanser @Jaded No More

Who are you tipping this week? Who do you actually want to win? What are the best results for the Demons?

Some easy listening for @Jaded No More

Demonland Trackwatcher Kev Martin was on hand at Gosch's Paddock for Monday's training session and made the following observations. About 38 to 40 players down at training. BBB walking laps. Charlie Spargo still in rehab, doing short run throughs. Christian Salem has full kit on and doing individual work with a trainer. He is is starting to get into some sprints. I cannot see Andy Moniz-Wakefield out there. Jack Viney and Kade Chandler have broken away from the drills that have some contact and are doing run throughs. Melky, Bowser, Shane McAdam and Lachie Hunter, doing main training without any indication that they are aren't fully participating. Three stations, all in a competitive handball game. Now four stations with a competitive kicking game. Some 3 on 3 , others 4 on 4. Goody has joined one of the stations with a bib. Calls for move the ball quick ring out. Bibs play defensive. The whistle goes and they all head off for some goal kicking. A short look at it, as they gather centrally and set for a full oval drill. Jack Viney has rejoined the main group, but Kade Chandler has returned to the sheds, The energy is great, many having a good time, calls are loud and plenty of support for their teamates. Two stations and doing stoppage simulations. Shane McAdam playing out of the stoppage area, like a high half-forward would. Occasionally looking disinterested, though that may be his demeanour. I think he is a shy kinda fella. Troy Chaplin was doing most of the talking when they gathered. They finished the session with some sprints along the boundary, and some runs down the middle, then off to individual stuff, goal kicking and low ball gets. Choco working with Harry Petty on his goal kicking. Before the runs, Shane McAdam was getting some work on his left hip. Completely the sprints, but not the runs down the middle. A trainer has continued to work on that hip now for the past 5 minutes.