Demonland

The Demons’ impressive late season charge to finals will most likely come unstuck this Saturday evening when the Bombers blow up the also-ran Blues in the Ikon Park double-header. To mangle McCartney, what does it matter to ya? To have any chance to play next week Narrm has got a job to do and needs to do it well. We’ve got to give the Pie sheilas hell, say live and let die! It’s Indigenous Round for this game and the chance to celebrate and engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. Supporters are encouraged to be in their seats by 12:40pm, with students from Worawa Aboriginal College performing a traditional dance prior to Narrm running out at 12:55pm. A Welcome to Country from Wurundjeri man Colin Hunter Jnr will then take place before the first bounce at 1:05pm. Saturday is forecast for a sunny afternoon, ideal for entertaining footy in Narrm’s final home game for 2024. Both teams have endured long injury lists this season which has impacted their respective ladder positions. A Pies loss will see Collingwood win the wooden spoon while we Dees will have to wait until around 9pm to learn their fate. Congratulations to Blaithin Mackin who was named in the Week 9 Team of the Week. B has played some scintillating footy this season. How good will it be to see A and B return fully fit for Season 2025. Selection this week Kate Hore has been cleared to play and Alyssia Pisano gets to play her 8th game in this debut season. The small forward is yet break into disposals double figures. A goal-sneaky chance this week? Making way is Goldie who was really banged up by the heaved-handed Hawks last week receiving concussion, while reliable defender Denby Taylor is being managed. Meggs’ view The Demons must win. Collingwood is missing their Captain Bri Davey but has a solid core group of experienced players such as Brit Bonnici and Ruby Schleicher who are capable of restricting our ball movement. Can the Pies maintain the pressure for 4 quarters? The return of Kate Hore will strengthen the midfield and Hanksy et al will enjoy her company. Goldie’s attack and flair will be sorely missed but Mick Stinear will ensure that others step up. Expecting Loz Pearce to match it with Sabrina Frederick and give our midfielders first use of the ball. The Demons defensive group are well led by Chaplin and Gillard. Fan favourite Alyssa Bannan is in a rich vein of form scoring in her past 5 games. Narrm should kick enough goals for a comfortable win. Carn the Blues! Narrm by 24 points THE GAME Round 11: Narmm v Collingwood Saturday 2 November 2024 at 1:05pm (Melbourne time) Ikon Park, Melbourne – Wurundjeri HEAD TO HEAD Overall Narmm 4 wins Collingwood 2 wins At Ikon Park Narrm 2 wins Collingwood 0 wins The Coaches Stinear 0 wins Wright 0 wins MEDIA TV – Fox Footy, Kayo THE LAST TIME THEY MET - 2023 Season 8 Round 1 Melbourne 10.13 (73) defeated by Collingwood 4.7 (31) at Ikon Park, 1 September 2023 MELBOURNE 1.4 2.7 7.11 10.13 (73)
 COLLINGWOOD 2.0 4.3 4.4 4.7 (31) GOALS
 MELBOURNE Bannan 3 Heath Zanker 2 Campbell Harris
 Hore COLLINGWOOD Brown Cann Davey Morris-Dalton BEST MELBOURNE Hanks Mithen Bannan Purcell Zanker Heath COLLINGWOOD
 Davey Bonnici Rowe Cann Morris-Dalton CROWD 8,412 at Ikon Park Entertainment plus in the Season 2023 opener as the Hot Pies went cold after half time due to an 8-goal second half blitz by the Mighty Dees. The skill level and delivery into our forward 50 was some of the best we’d seen. The vibe at IKON Park was great and Kate Roffey and Daisy Pearce unfurled the Demons Season 7 premiership flag. It was Hanksy’s 50th milestone game. She displayed her usual gameday awesomeness, celebrating with a crushing win. THE TEAMS NARRM B S Taylor Gillard HB Heath, Chaplin Lampard C Mackin Hanks McNamara HF Gall Wotherspoon Zanker F Bannan Hore FOLL Pearce Purcell Fitzsimon I/C Johnson Watt Campbell Mithen Pisano EMG Hill Rigoni Madigan IN Hore Pisano OUT D Taylor (managed) Goldrick (concussion) COLLINGWOOD B Cronin Livingstone HB Schutte Butler Schleicher C Rowe White Allan HF Morris James Porter F Fowler Hyde FOLL Frederick Bonnici Cann I/C Atkinson Barnett Evans Remmos Brazzale EMG Sansonetti Clark Taylor IN James Hyde OUT Ivey Clark INJURY LIST: ROUND 11 Narrm Kate Hore Hamstring Test Sinead Goldrick Concussion 1-2 weeks Gaby Colvin Concussion 1-2 weeks Paxy Paxman Foot TBC Grace Beasley ACL Season Tayla Harris Shoulder Season Jacinta Hose ACL Inactive Aimee Mackin ACL Inactive Collingwood Eliza James Concussion Test Bri Davey Tibia Season Grace Campbell Hip Season Kalinda Howarth ACL Season Selena Kalson Shin Season Annie Lee Knee Season Charlotte Blair Shin Season Nell Morris-Dalton Back Inactive Aishling Sheridan Personal Inactive

Had to shoulder more responsibility as the club’s injury concerns deepened but needs to step up more as he closes in on 100 games. Date of Birth: 31 May 2000 Height: 186cm Games MFC 2024: 21 Career Total: 95 Goals MFC 2024: 6 Career Total: 34 Games CDFC: 1 Goals CDFL: 0

After careful consideration, Demonland has made the decision to prohibit any discussion related to the Joel Smith case and his subsequent four-year ban. This decision has not been made lightly, but it’s necessary to protect the Demonland website, its community members, and the integrity of our platform. Due to the sensitive nature of the case, discussing it on this forum opens up significant risks for legal ramifications, particularly around potential rumors, speculation, or the spread of misinformation. Managing these risks has proven to be incredibly challenging for our moderation team, and enforcing a complete restriction is the only feasible way to ensure the safety and respect of all involved parties. To clarify, any mention of the Joel Smith case, whether as standalone posts or within other threads, may be automatically moderated and/or removed. This policy is in place to prevent time wasted for both users and moderators. Please understand that any lengthy posts regarding this topic will not be permitted and will ultimately be deleted and you will have wasted your time. We recognize the interest and concerns around this topic, and we respect your right to engage in discussions; however, we ask that you find alternative venues on the internet if you wish to discuss this case further. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

https://x.com/melbournefc/status/1851814173870903443

Date of Birth: 12 November 1999 Height: 197cm Games MFC 2024: 20 Career Total: 82 Goals MFC 2024: 9 Career Total: 28 Brownlow Medal Votes 3 Failed to fulfill the promise of his breakout six goal effort against the Tigers in 2023 and was generally disappointing as a key forward. It remains to be seen whether Simon Goodwin will persevere with him in attack or return him to the backline where he was an important cog in the club’s 2021 premiership success.

Please don't take your fights/arguments from one thread into others. Enough with the personal attack on posters. Last warning.

Melbourne chief executive officer Gary Pert has resigned. The Demons boss informed the club of his departure on Thursday morning, this masthead has confirmed with a source who had direct knowledge of the decision. It continues a year of drama for the Dees, who were expected to hand down the findings of two separate reviews into the club’s operations in coming days. Pert had been leading Melbourne’s proposal to build a combined training base and administration headquarters at Caulfield Racecourse. More to come.

After a bright start to the season, playing mostly in defence, Howes seemed to lose his way in midseason but fought back with some good performances at Casey and finished the year back at AFL level. One to watch in 2024. Date of Birth: 7 March 2003 Height: 191cm Games MFC 2024: 15 Career Total: 15 Goals MFC 2024: 0 Career Total: 0 Games CDFC 2024: 6 Goals CDFC 2024: 0

Originally an NBL basketballer with the Brisbane Bullets, he moved across town in 2019 to the AFL Lions where he played 19 games before crossing to Melbourne where he was expected to fill a role as a back up ruckman/key forward. Unfortunately, didn’t quite get there although he did finish equal sixth in Casey’s best and fairest award. Date of Birth: 23 February 1999 Height: 198cm Games CDFC: 14 Goals CDFL: 13

Sadly, had to wrap up a great career in midstream on the back of multiple concussions which culminated in the Maynard hit in the 2023 Qualifying Final. His loss to the club was inestimable over and above his on field talent given his character and leadership qualities, all of which have been sorely missed. Date of Birth: 9 January 1996 Height: 188cm Games MFC 2024: 0 Career Total: 167 Goals MFC 2024: 0 Career Total: 49

The son of former Demon Brownlow Medalist Shane, Taj added a further 16 games to his overall tally of games but a number were as substitute. He is slowly fitting into the team structure but without doing anything spectacular and needs to take further steps forward in 2025 for his career to progress. Date of Birth: 26 March 2003 Height: 182cm Games MFC 2024: 16 Career Total: 20 Goals MFC 2024: 1 Career Total: 3 Games CDFC 2024: 6 Goals CDFC 2024: 1

The clever small was unable to cement a place in the Melbourne midfield and spent most of his time this year with the Casey Demons where he finished equal fourth in its best & fairest. Date of Birth: 24 March 2002 Height: 179cm Games MFC 2024: 6 Career Total: 11 Goals MFC 2024: 2 Career Total: 2 Games CDFC 2024: 12 Goals CDFC 2024: 7

Bowey’s season was curtailed early when he sustained a shoulder injury that required surgery in the opening game against Sydney. As a consequence, he was never able to perform consistently or at anywhere near his previous levels. Date of Birth: 12 September 2002 Height: 175cm Games MFC 2024: 14 Career Total: 61 Goals MFC 2024: 0 Career Total: 6

It was a sweaty, slippery night at Cazalys Stadium, a tough slog with low scoring and missed opportunities. The Hokball Hawks hung on to win by a goal and sit second on the ladder, relegating the disappointed Demons to, almost certainly, finals spectators. We had to win this match. When news broke of late withdrawals of talisman Kate Hore and key back Gaby Colvin, expectations plummeted, and Demon fans despaired. The bad news was the signature song of 2024, a season that’s breaking us in two as we watch it slip away. Narrm began Indigenous Round brightly. A Tyla Hanks sublime kick to Georgia Gall in the first quarter was well marked and she goaled to open the scoring. A promising start. The hot and humid conditions slowly exhausted the players and footy became more slippery as the match went on. Ambitious handballs and pressured kicking were not helping our connection nor our chances of scoring. The Hawks really got on top in the second and third terms, missing several chances to extend their lead. A match highlight was Hawks and Tiwi Islander player Mattea Breed’s brilliant flying mark-of-the-year contender in the third quarter. To change it up, Mick moved Eliza MacNamara into the midfield which gave the team more drive. Liz alongside our key playmakers Hanks, Goldrick, B Mackin, Purcell and Fitzsimon were critical in keeping the margin to only eight-points at the last change. Two key Hawks were later praised by Mick Stineaer in ruck and ex Casey VFLW player Lucy Wales who took 9 marks and 21 hit outs and veteran defensive sweeper Tilly Lucas-Rodd. He could also have mentioned Westy’s 6 clearances and game-high 25 disposals or young superstar Jas Fleming, Emily Bates or Kashy. In the end the chances were not taken and Narrm failed to bridge the gap. While payers and spectators are understandably crestfallen, we all know it was not due to a lack of effort. The Hawks were the better team. Goldie is good Sinead Goldrick has played outstanding football for Narrm this year. Thursday night against the Hawks was no different with her 20 possessions, familiar attack on the ball and lots of run and carry. Worryingly, Goldie was taken from the ground in the final quarter looking groggy from a head knock after Emily Bates kneed her with both knees. No free from the umps? Earlier Goldie had been dumped by Mackenzie Eardley in a nasty dangerous tackle but on that occasion, she jumped straight back up to take her free kick We hope Sinead is Good as Gold(ie). All we need is a Miracle Essendon looks set to pip Narrm, Geelong and St Kilda into a finals berth. Expecting the Saints to lose to Brisbane next week and Narrm to defeat Collingwood. Essendon have played 3 matches against fellow top 8 teams, losing each game whereas Narrm has played 7 matches against Top 8 teams winning 2. The Bombers will likely defeat the Blues next week and end on 26 points with Demons on 24 points. Essendon will have defeated us and 5 of the bottom 7 teams to make it. The Narrm wins have been against superior quality: Adelaide, Richmond, Geelong, St Kilda and only 2 of the bottom 7 teams. The Demons hierarchy could not be happy to miss out on finals once again to the uneven AFLW fixture. Season 2024 is up to the footy gods now. We beat Collingwood and hope the Bombers blow an engine. For the Dees Alyssa Bannan, who some were critical of early in the season,has really turned it around with some exciting footy. She looked our most dangerous forward and kicked 1 goal 3 behinds. Youngster Ryleigh Wotherspoon, who hails from Mackay, looked right at home in the tropical conditions. Ry was a solid contributor tonight, one of her best games so far. Coaches and Next Week Mick Stinear and the playing group were shattered with the loss. He was proud of the way they fought out the game but acknowledged that the better team won on the night. He expects Kate Hore and Goldie to be chipper for next week. Daniel Webster said his team produced a high-level performance against quality opposition and was rapt with the win. He praised the hard stuff that Eliza West does and her work getting hands on the ball and setting up teammates. The Demons next play Collingwood at Ikon Park on Saturday while the Hawks take on Richmond at Punt Road on Sunday. Good luck Dees! NARRM 1.0.6 1.1.7 2.2.14 2.5.17 HAWTHORN 2.0.12 3.2.20 3.5.23 3.5.23 GOALS NARRM Bannan Gall HAWTHORN Fleming Hipwell McDonagh BEST NARRM McNamara B Mackin Hanks Bannan Goldrick Purcell HAWTHORN Fleming West Lucas-Rodd Wales Bates Ashmore LATE CHANGES NARRM Kate Hore (quad) and Gabby Colvin (concussion) replaced in selected side by Saraid Taylor and Lily Johnson HAWTHORN Nil INJURED NARRM Goldrick (head) HAWTHORN Nil REPORTS NARRM Nil HAWTHORN Nil CROWD 2,602 at Cazaly Stadium

The versatile defender who can play as a tall interceptor and also take on smaller opponents got his second chance this year but injuries prevented him from getting a regular place in the Melbourne team and managed to add only seven games to his AFL tally this year. Recently signed on for another year in 2025. Date of Birth: 5 March 1996 Height: 191cm Games MFC 2024: 7 Career Total: 20 Goals MFC 2024: 0 Career Total: 1 Games CDFC 2024: 7 Goals CDFC 2024: 0

The club’s Next Generation Academy member from its former Darwin zone finally broke into the Melbourne team in his third season as a Category B Rookie. He fitted well into the higher standard of football and impressed with his ball winning ability at this level. Earned the right to promoting and will be an interesting watch now that we know he has a place in senior AFL football. Date of Birth: 26 October 2003 Height: 182cm Games MFC: 2024: 6 Career Total: 6 Goals MFC 2024: 0 Career Total: 0 Games CDFC 2024: 12 Goals CDFC 2024: 0

FNQ will be hot and sultry this Thursday night when the mighty Demons take on the highflying Hawks at up there Cazalys Stadium in Cairns. The Demons once again rebrand for Indigenous Round as ‘Narrm’, the Woi Wurrung name for Melbourne in the language of the traditional owners. Narrm has surged back up the ladder and sits just outside the eight on percentage with 5 wins. Our opponents Hawthorn sit second with 8 wins and have been become really offensive. Having previously won only 6 out 20 games at an average score of 27 ‘points for’ under their former coach, the Hawks are humming with 8 wins from 9 games and scoring 59 points a game. The single biggest factor in the Hawks rapid improvement seems to be the appointment of new coach Daniel Webster. As an understudy to Craig Starcevic at Brisbane, Webster had oversight of the Lions elite premiership winning midfield and he has shaped the component parts of his new squad brilliantly. The Hawks have recruited a bevy of experienced players from other clubs. AFLW Champion Player of the Year, Emily Bates leads the midfield. She is supported by ex-Demon Eliza West who is in career best form and top 4 for competition disposals. Former skipper Tilly Lucas-Rodd has transformed into a defensive sweeper and Kashy an evergreen runner on the wing. The Hawks’ experienced midfielders have been complemented with young stars Jas Fleming and the strong bodied Mattea Breed. Irish players Gilroy and McDonagh aredangerous forwards. The Happy team also have Hokball, but Meggs is not sure what is. Selection this week Gaby Colvin returns after her concussion issues and last week’s debutant Saraid Taylor is omitted. For the Hawks, Demon premiership player Casey Sherriff, returns from injury against her old club. Meggs’ view The Hawks are playing at an incredibly high standard. Their Round 5 match against Geelong was the best AFLW game Meggs has seen. The ball movement, contested marking, accurate kicking and pressure was elite. If you have Kayo, you should watch it. Mick Stinear and his playing group have their work cut out this week. Promisingly, we have been building since the Essendon debacle. Tyla Hanks, Kate Hore and now Liv Purcell have been awesome in the midfield. Loz Pearce is fit, doing her ruck thing. Eliza Mac has her wing buddy Blaithin back. A sound defensive unit has emerged with Chappy, Goldie, Tahls, Heathy and Denby T really stepping up. Plus, Gaby returns this week. Yay! With Banno kicking goals, Zanker making her presence felt and Gally clunking marks, our forwards are on song. If it’s slippery, get it forward any way you can. Precision footy in the predicted weather conditions will likely end up in turnovers. And please kick straight. The bookies overwhelmingly favour Hawthorn ($1.39) this week, but Meggs senses an upset which keeps our finals hopes alive. 😊 Melbourne by 6 points THE GAME Round 10: Narrm v Hawthorn Thursday 24 October 2024 at 7:45pm (Melbourne time) Cazalys Stadium, Cairns – Yidinji HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 1 win Hawthorn 0 wins At Cazalys Stadium Melbourne 0 wins Hawthorn 0 wins The Coaches Stinear 0 wins Webster 0 wins MEDIA TV – Fox Footy, Kayo THE LAST TIME THEY MET - 2023 Season 8 Round 3 Melbourne 10.10 (70) defeated Hawthorn 1.5 (11) at Frankston Oval, 22 September 2023 MELBOURNE 2.4 4.6 8.7 10.10 (70) HAWTHORN 0.1 0.3 1.5 1.5 (11)
 GOALS
 MELBOURNE Zanker 3 Hore 2 Bannan Harris B Mackin McNamara Pearce HAWTHORN McDonagh BEST
 MELBOURNE Hanks Heath Gillard Mithen Purcell HAWTHORN Bates Everist Fleming Elliott Lucas-Rodd
 INJURIES MELBOURNE Nil HAWTHORN Nil CROWD 2,917 at Kinetic Stadium The setting sun at Frankston Oval caused havoc for spectators, TV camera people, commentators, coaches, and players alike. A wonderful #DeeArmy banner paid tribute to the great Ron Dale Barassi. It was Aimee Mackin’s debut game. The Hawks applied pressure winning the tackle count and inside 50s but the Demons withstood everything they could muster and blitzed them easily by 59 points. Tyla Hanks starred with 26 disposals, 3 clearances and 10 score involvements. Eden Zanker kicked 3 goals, all in the 3rd quarter. Melbourne Assistant Shae Sloane was the matchday coach. She was pleased with how her team was able to stay calm with ball in hand under heaps of Hawthorn pressure. THE TEAMS NARRM B Colvin Gillard HB Chaplin Heath Goldrick C B Mackin Hanks McNamara HF Fitzsimon Mithen Zanker F Bannan Gall FOLL Pearce Hore Purcell I/C Campbell Lampard D Taylor Watt Wotherspoon EMG Johnson Rigoni S Taylor IN Colvin OUT S Taylor (omitted) HAWTHORN B Kemp Eardley HB Elliott Richardson Smith C Ashmore Lucas-Rodd Fleming HF Breed McDonagh Gilroy F Hipwell Baskaran FOLL Wales West Bates I/C McLaughlin Sherriff Stephenson Vukic Williamson EMG Butterworth Fellows Locke IN Eardley Sherriff OUT Locke (omitted) Butterworth (omitted) Injury List: Round 10 Narrm Gab Colvin (concussion) test Paxy Paxman (foot) TBC Grace Beasley (ACL) season Tayla Harris (shoulder) season Jacinta Hose (ACL) inactive Aimee Mackin (ACL) inactive Hawthorn Greta Bodey (toe) 1 week Kristy Stratton (ankle) 1-2 weeks Emily Everist (illness) TBC Laura Stone (ankle) TBC

The former number 3 draft pick for St Kilda had a hot and cold season at the club this year, mainly as a half forward. Needs more depth and penetration in his kicking. Date of Birth: 18 August 1995 Height: 185cm Games MFC 2024: 16 Career Total: 171 Goals MFC 2024: 4 Career Total: 12 Games CDFC 2024: 6 Goals CDFC 2024: 4

Retired at the end of the season after recurring calf injuries severely limited his ability to perform at his best. Date of Birth: 13 December 1994 Height: 182cm Games MFC 2024: 2 Career Total: 199 Goals MFC 2024: 1 Career Total: 80 Games CDFC 2024: 10 Goals CDFC 2024: 1