Demonland

Date of Birth: 30 July 2001 Height: 188cm Weight: 87kg Games MFC 2023: 25 Career Total: 77 Goals MFC 2023: 2 Career Total: 7 Melbourne Football Club: 10th Best & Fairest - 416 votes Continued the growth in his stature at the club, showing his versatility in defence mixed with some good runs in the middle. Watch out for him in 2024.

A FINAL NOD TO RON by Whispering Jack I sat down a little while ago to document the Melbourne Football Club’s 2023 in a “That was the Year that Was” format and I soon hit a snag in putting it all together. You see, it was a year that by all rights should have been a shining light in the club’s history after the club achieved such great heights at both men’s and women’s levels that it took out the revamped McClelland Trophy, adding $1m to its coffers. The format now includes the AFLW and is a combined award presented to the 'Champion Club' for the men and women. The Demons finished both competitions with the double chance but failed to make a Preliminary Final in either one of them; a crushing blow for all at the club, from the point of view of the administration, players, staff and supporters alike. Particularly so, because in both competitions, the club was not far off the mark which is a testament to how competitive our game is at the highest level these days. And as if that wasn’t enough, Melbourne suffered a further blow within a day of its semi final exit against Carlton, with the news of the passing of the man who was arguably the greatest player to ever wear the Red and the Blue, Ronald Dale Barassi. Former skipper Stan Alves, who made his debut in 1965 which was the season after Barassi left the club for Carlton, said, “No greater person has been involved in the game than Ron Barassi.” The dark cloud hanging over the club has barely lifted over the past few months with issues facing one of the great players of our present but time will surely heal. The players will be back on the track in no time to begin preparations in earnest for the season. What would the great Ronald Dale Barassi advise the players as they embark on their next campaign after letting the opportunity for greatness slip twice in a row? It would have to be encapsulated by the elements that made him famous — his resilience, his determination and his heroic feats. During his playing days, it was always Barassi who demonstrated the ability to rise to the occasion. He did so throughout his life and his career, both inside and outside of the game. Barassi was born in Castlemaine in the goldfields region of Victoria in 1936 and was five years old when his father, a former Melbourne player Ron Barassi Sr., died in action at Tobruk during World War II. I recently found this news item from the Castlemaine History Group that demonstrated his potential as a young sportsman of 11 years of age. Not long after this, he and his mother moved to the big smoke of the city and when she married and moved to Tasmania, he was taken in by Melbourne’s Coach Norm Smith, the father/son rule was devised and by the time he was 17 years and two months old, he was a senior footballer with the Demons. Two years later, a premiership and on the way to six flags in a decade as a player. Ronald Dale Barassi could turn a game on its head with a single bound. He was a hero to every second kid on the block. From his modest start in life and with the difficult circumstances of losing a father in wartime through his outstanding playing career, his brilliant coaching and even in the later years of his life, by his chivalry in saving a damsel in distress, he was not only the quintessential hero. He was a winner and while he was as tough as nails, played the game in the right spirit, was a happy, personable friend to all. That was Ron - heroism, sportsmanship and resilience personified, the very person for the Melbourne Football Club to honour in the season to come and, in return, his legacy will give inspiration from on high to take us forward to a bright premiership filled future.

An update from Max on Clarry

Date of Birth: 6 December 1996 Height: 188cm Weight: 86kg Games MFC 2023: 17 Career Total: 126 Goals MFC 2023: 38 Career Total: 211 Brownlow Medal Votes: 4 A huge presence and consistently a leading goal kicker in Melbourne’s forward line, Fritsch’s absence through injury in the latter part of the season left a gaping hole that couldn’t be completely covered. His five goals in Round 23 against the Swans in Sydney were exceptional but he couldn’t produce the goods without a proper lead up in the finals.

Date of Birth: 12 September, 2002 Height: 175cm Weight: 72kg Games MFC 2023: 23 Career Total: 47 Goals MFC 2023: 4 Career Total: 6 Games CDFC 2023: 1 Goals CDFC 2023: 0 The small defender who was the Demons’ good luck charm and won a flag in his debut season remains one of the classiest ball users at the club. Will we see a more versatile player in 2024?

Date of Birth: 1 February 1996 Height: 182cm Weight: 78kg Games MFC 2023: 25 Career Total: 157 Goals MFC 2023: 6 Career Total: 67 The energetic winger had a poor season by his standards and will be looking forward to better things in 2024.

Date of Birth: 22 July 1997 Height: 189cm Weight: 88kg Games MFC 2023: 15 Career Total: 162 Goals MFC 2023: 6 Career Total: 51 Brownlow Medal Votes: 6 Oliver’s hamstring injury, its length and the aftermath was probably Melbourne’s biggest and saddest story of the year. Here’s hoping that Clarrie can overcome his off season woes and do what he does best on the field for the Demons where he is already established as one of our greats.

Date of Birth: 16 April 2003 Height: 193cm Weight: 96kg Games MFC 2023: 20 Career Total: 20 Goals MFC 2023: 28 Career Total: 28 Games CDFC 2023: 3 Goals CDFC 2023: 6 Brownlow Medal Votes: 2 A revelation in his first year of AFL with his boundless enthusiasm, passion and attack on the football, van Rooyen promises something really special for Demon fans in the not too distant future.

Date of Birth: 13 January, 2000 Height: 175cm Weight: 79kg Games MFC 2023: 23 Career Total: 33 Goals MFC 2023: 24 Career Total: 24 Games CDFC 2023: 1 Goals CDFC 2023: 0 Brownlow Medal Votes: 2 Grabbed his chances as a small early in the season with his energy and accuracy in front of goal and rewarded the club for its perseverance.

Date of Birth: 11 December 1999 Height: 197cm Weight: 93kg Games MFC 2023: 14 Career Total: 62 Goals MFC 2023: 12 Career Total: 19 Brownlow Medal Votes: 2 The club tried the key position premiership defender out twice as a forward only to be thwarted by injuries. His six goals against the Tigers signaled a promising career there if he can recover and stay on the ground in 2024.

Date of Birth: 31 May, 2000 Height: 183cm Weight: 85kg Games MFC 2023: 23 Career Total: 74 Goals MFC 2023: 11 Career Total: 28 It isn’t easy to break into Melbourne’s midfield but Sparrow made the most of his opportunities and received more time there, especially after Clayton Oliver’s injury. He should be looking forward to further improvement and consolidating his place there in 2024.

Date of Birth: 13 December, 1994 Height: 182cm Weight: 82kg Games MFC 2023: 24 Career Total: 197 Goals MFC 2023: 6 Career Total: 79 Brownlow Medal Votes: 3 Recruited from the Bulldogs to add extra bite on a wing, Hunter was a valuable asset and played in all but one game (unlucky to be suspended in the game against Port Adelaide).

Date of Birth: 25 November, 1999 Height: 172cm Weight: 75kg Games MFC 2023: 14 Career Total: 97 Goals MFC 2023: 11 Career Total: 63 Games CDFC 2023: 7 Goals CDFC 2023: 7 The small forward with the rich football heritage faced a slump in his fortunes this year as goals dried up for him in mid season. As a consequence, he spent seven games at VFL level although he fought back into the side late in the season.

Date of Birth: 15 July, 1995 Height: 184cm Weight: 81kg Games MFC 2023: 16 Career Total: 159 Goals MFC 2023: 0 Career Total: 25 Brownlow Medal Votes: 1 Salem’s overactive thyroid, which had troubled him earlier in his career, returned earlier this year to interrupt his preseason and delay his start to 2023. Then, just as he was set to return to play, scans revealed a small meniscus tear which kept him out until the Port Adelaide game in Round 10. Although he played out the rest of the season and was a steady performer for the most part, he never reached the heights he reached in Melbourne’s premiership season.

And Happy Birthday Goody

Melbourne 2024 preview: How added X-factor, hunger will help Demons rebound after consecutive finals losses The Demons’ post-season has had more drama than a Taylor Swift break-up album, following a second consecutive straight-sets exit. LAUREN WOOD examines their prospects for 2024. A second consecutive straight-sets exit and more post-season drama than a Taylor Swift break-up album has the spotlight firmly on the Demons in 2024. There’s been questions about culture, star midfielder Clayton Oliver under the microscope, cheeky swipes from Steven May at the B & F and more boardroom battles, but on-field is where they will be looking to exorcise their finals demons. The Brodie Grundy experiment might have failed but having the endless talk about his future removed will be handy, while draftee Koltyn Tholstrup comes in with big wraps. MELBOURNE Coach: Simon Goodwin Captain: Max Gawn What happened in 2023? It really was a season of missed opportunities for the Demons, who made the finals despite plenty not going their way. They built a bank of early victories and were evenly split for results in close games as they tinkered with their forward setup in the absence of a key target. Oliver was missing for large chunks due to injury, while the Gawn-Grundy ruck experiment was dead in the water by the second half of the season. The team finished fourth on the ladder with a 16-7 record but crashed out of the finals in unspectacular fashion, leaving the Demons without a finals victory since their 2021 triumph. Need to rectify things when the pressure reaches fever pitch. Where do they finish in 2024? While there’s been a few chops and changes in the trade period and additions in the draft, the spine of the team remains and it’s hard to see them dropping too far away. Not sure they would have “smoked” Collingwood – as May put it so bluntly – in the grand final, but they’re definitely capable of more than consecutive straight-sets finals exits. The spotlight will follow Clayton Oliver after his off-season issues, along with coach Simon Goodwin who was forced to go on the defence in a lengthy radio interview after the season had ended, defending the club’s culture and handling of a positive drug test for forward Joel Smith. They were dominant in defence with May and Jake Lever absolute pillars, but need to sharpen offensively to gain that edge. Delivered figures of 16.28 in front of goal in their last two outings – the Dees need to flip that script urgently. Biggest improver in 2024? Jacob Van Rooyen broke out and should only improve again to be a vital tall alongside a hopefully-fit Harrison Petty. Draftee Koltyn Tholstrup will be a very close watch as is considered by those in the know to have been performing strongly to begin his first AFL pre-season. Expect Judd McVee to take the next step after a full season at the level, with his body and game nous to only build next year. MELBOURNE'S BEST 23 FB T. Rivers, S. May, A. Tomlinson HB J. McVee, J. Lever, C. Salem C L. Hunter, C. Oliver, E. Langdon HF C. Spargo, B. Fritsch, A. Neal-Bullen F J. Van Rooyen, H. Petty, S. McAdam Foll M. Gawn, C. Petracca, J. Viney Inter J. Bowey, T. Sparrow, A. Brayshaw, K. Chandler, J. Billings (sub) X-factor Shane McAdam should slot straight in after moving from Adelaide during the trade period, and is already mentoring draftee Tholstrup as they both settle into their respective lives as Demons. If McAdam can find consistency and the team’s forwards stay fit, it could go a long way to unlocking the team’s offensive problems it has faced over recent months. Clayton Oliver is one of the most electric players in the competition and if he can get things sorted, will be a more than handy addition for coach Simon Goodwin. Talk about an understatement. Coach status Simon Goodwin signed a two-year deal on the eve of the finals that sees him at the club until the end of 2026. The new deal came amid more conjecture about the club’s culture and reported behavioural issues that had been said to have been raised at board level, but the Demons’ faith has seemingly unwavered in their man. Who is in last year of contract? Adam Tomlinson, Andy Moniz-Wakefield, Bailey Laurie, Ben Brown, Daniel Turner, Ed Langdon, Jake Bowey, Jake Melksham, Jed Adams, Joel Smith, Josh Schache, Kyah Farris-White, Kynan Brown, Lachie Hunter, Marty Hore, Oliver Sestan, Tom McDonald, Tom Sparrow, Will Verrall Outs for 2024 More Coverage Luke Dunstan (retired), Brodie Grundy (trade, Sydney), James Harmes (trade, Western Bulldogs), Michael Hibberd (retired), James Jordon (free agent, Sydney), Deakyn Smith (delisted), Kye Turner (delisted) Ins for 2024 Jack Billings (trade, St Kilda), Kynan Brown (Rookie Draft, father-son), Tom Fullarton (trade, Brisbane), Marty Hore (SSP, Williamstown VFL), Shane McAdam (trade, Adelaide), Koltyn Tholstrup (No. 13 draft pick), Caleb Windsor (No. 7 draft pick) Melbourne's first six games Rd 1 Western Bulldogs @ MCG (W) Rd 2 Hawthorn @ MCG (W) Rd 3 Port Adelaide @ AO (L) Rd 4 Adelaide @ AO (W) Rd 5 Brisbane @ MCG (L) Rd 6 BYE

Date of Birth: 20 November 1992 Height: 200cm Weight: 101kg Games MFC 2023: 7 Career Total: 169 Goals MFC 2023: 11 Career Total: 353 Games CDFC 2023: 8 Goals CDFC 2023: 11 Brownlow Medal Votes: 1 Started the season booting nine goals across the opening three rounds, including two bags of four, before missing the match against the Eagles due to back soreness. His injury woes continued to disrupt his season and when he did play, his knees were heavily bandaged. By season’s end, he was battling in the VFL at Casey and failed to come up for the finals. However, by all reports, he is looking fit at early pre season training.