Demonland

Following successive comprehensive defeats by fellow Top Four heavyweights the Demons play down a division this Sunday against the highly promising Cats. Strangely, no games against the Cats for five seasons and now we play them twice in one season. With the blueprint on how to defeat the Dees available on the dark web the real question is, will we crumble again under the finals pressure cooker or will we rediscover our #DemonSpirit and execute a turnaround? Make no mistake this semi-final against Geelong is an enormous challenge. In Round 5 at Mordor, they stayed in the contest for three quarters but ultimately it was our record breaking forward efficiency that won the evening. Our high scoring has vanished these past two weeks, kicking only 9 and 28 points respectively. Against Top Eight teams this year our record is not so strong with a percentage of 98% whereas it’s 323% against the bottom eight teams. The weather forecast looks good for Sunday, 24 degrees and sunny. So, come along to IKON if you can and support our wonderful team. Noting there are a couple of milestones this week to celebrate: Midfield dynamo Liv Purcell’s plays her 50th game (including 19 games with Geelong), and Mick Stinear is coaching his 75th game. Good luck to the milestoners on Sunday. Selection this week Eliza West is back to boost our contested midfield pressure while Georgia Cambell is omitted. Rhi Watt, Charlotte Wilson and Sammie Johnson are named as emergencies. Geelong has lost goalkicking dynamo Chloe Sheer to a collarbone injury. Our opponents, Geelong The Cats have a strong engine room led by league stars in Georgie Prespakis and Nina Morrison. Support comes from 3-time best and fairest winner Amy McDonald, Zali Frizwell, and Mikayla Bowen. Meg McDonald leads the Cats’ defence along with former Dee Chantel Emonson, Claudia Gunjaca a strong intercept mark, Becky Webster, and Georgie Rankin. Ex Dee Jacqui Parry is having her best season up forward with 13 goals and 46 marks. It’s nice to see Shelley Scott back playing against her old team but the loss of Scheer will weaken their forward line. The danger player is tall athletic Irishwoman Aishling Moloney. She was on fire last time we played kicking 3 goals and will no doubt be a handful for Birch and Gillard again. Expect their coach Dan Lowther to have extra pressure planned for our stars Kate Hore and Tyla Hanks. He has two ready-made terrorisers to unleash in Darcy Moloney and Rachel Kearns. Meggs view Supporters’ confidence is understandably low following the recent defeats. There have been external comments about the Dees having illnesses last week so let’s hope we are fully fit and ready to give it red hot go on Sunday. Meggs is confident that we will bounce back and see an even team contribution. In leading goalkickers Hore, Zanker, Bannan, Harris and others we have the firepower to win. Our defence with Tahlia Gillard, Libby Birch and Goldrick is solid, and our engine room led by Liv Purcell, Tyla Hanks and Loz Pearce is a real strength. Reducing the impact of Prespakis and Ash Moloney is a key to winning. All of our players must win or at least halve the one-v-one contests, its finals footy. We are looking for more energy and physical pressure this week, a rediscovery of our trademark run and carry game and hoping our all-conquering forward line stars get their mojo back. Go Dees! Melbourne to win by 7 points THE GAME Melbourne v Geelong at IKON Park, on Sunday 19 November 2023 at 3:05pm (Melbourne time) HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 1 win Geelong 0 wins At IKON Park Melbourne 1 win Geelong 0 wins (Against others - Melbourne 7 wins 1 loss Geelong 2 wins 1 loss The Coaches Stinear 1 win Lowther 0 wins MEDIA TV – 7 mate, Fox Footy, Kayo Mobile – AFL Live Official App Radio – ABC, AFL Nation, Tagalog FIL THE LAST TIME THEY MET (Season 8, Round 5) MELBOURNE 2.1.13 5.4.34 7.5.47 11.8.74 GEELONG 1.0.6 2.0.12 4.1.25 4.1.25
 GOALS MELBOURNE Hore 4 Paxman Zanker 2 Gay Hanks Mithen GEELONG A. Moloney 3 Morrison
 BEST MELBOURNE Hore Purcell Paxman West Gillard Hanks GEELONG Morrison A. Moloney A. McDonald Prespakis Webster INJURIES MELBOURNE Nil 
GEELONG Nil
 CROWD 4,312 at GMHBA Stadium The Dees proved once again that they were the team to beat in Season 8 running away with a comfortable 49-point win. It was an intense battle and Geelong challenged us. Nina Morrisson was best with a game-high 30 possessions while Irish sensation Aishling Maloney was dominant everywhere and kicked three goals. Liv Purcell, with her typical ferocious play, contested strongly and was well supported by vice captain Tyla Hanks, Lily Mithen, Paxy, and Westy. Kate Hore had a fantastic game kicking four goals and our efficiency in the forward half was brilliant and the reason why we kicked away to win by so much. Mick Stinear said it was an even battle, the contest felt much tighter than the final result. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE B L. Birch T. Gillard HB S. Goldrick M. Gay S. Heath C B. Mackin T. Hanks A. Mackin HF M. Fitzsimon P. Paxman E. Zanker F K. Hore T. Harris FOLL L. Pearce O. Purcell L. Mithen I/C A. Bannan M. Chaplin E. McNamara J. Ivey E. West EMG S. Johnson R. Watt C. Wilson IN E. West 
OUT G. Campbell (omitted) Milestones Olivia Purcell (50 games), Mick Stinear (75 games coached) GEELONG B C. Emonson C. Guniaca HB R. Webster M. McDonald G. Rankin C M. Bowen G. Prespakis N. Morrison HF R. Garing J. Parry K. Surman F S. Scott A. Moloney FOLL E. Hoare A. McDonald J. Crockett-Grills I/C K. Darby G. Featherston Z. Friswell R. Kearns D. Moloney EMG M. Bragg A. Kennedy B. Plummer IN K. Darby G. Featherston 
OUT M. Bragg (omitted) C. Scheer (collarbone) Injury List: Semi Final Rhi Watt - Concussion | Test Gaby Golvin - Achilles | 1-2 weeks Sarah Lampard - Wrist | 2 Weeks Casey Sherriff - Arm | Season

Melbourne v Geelong at Ikon Park, 3.05pm AEDT MELBOURNE In: E.West Out: G.Campbell (omitted) Milestone: Olivia Purcell (50 games), Mick Stinear (75 games coached) GEELONG In: K.Darby, G.Featherston Out: C.Scheer (collarbone), M.Bragg (omitted)

Venues 13 - Adelaide Oval 2 - Marvel Stadium 2 - MCG 1 - Heritage Bank Stadium 1 - Optus Stadium 1 - Blundstone Arena 1 - Gabba 1 - GMHBA Stadium 1 - SCG Time slot (First 15 rounds only) 4 - Saturday arvo 3 - Thursday night 3 - Friday night 2 - Saturday night 1 - Sunday arvo 1 - Sunday twilight Venues 11 - Gabba 3 - Marvel Stadium 2 - Adelaide Oval 2 - Optus Stadium 1 - Norwood Oval 1 - MCG 1 - Manuka Oval 1 - Heritage Bank Stadium 1 - MCG Time slot (First 15 rounds only) 3 - Friday night 3 - Thursday night 2 - Saturday night 2 - Sunday arvo 2 - Sunday night 1 - Saturday arvo 1 - Friday twilight Venues 9 - MCG 8 - Marvel Stadium 2 - Adelaide Oval 1 - Gabba 1 - SCG 1 - Giants Stadium 1 - Optus Stadium Time slot (First 15 rounds only) 4 - Friday night 4 - Saturday twilight 3 - Thursday night 1 - Friday twilight 1 - Saturday arvo 1 - Sunday night Venues 14 - MCG 3 - Marvel Stadium 1 - Giants Stadium 1 - Gabba 1 - Adelaide Oval 1 - Optus Stadium 1 - Heritage Bank Stadium 1 - SCG Time slot (First 15 rounds only) 4 - Friday night 2 - Thursday night 2 - Saturday arvo 2 - Sunday arvo 1 - Thursday arvo 1 - Saturday night 1 - Sunday twilight 1 - Wednesday arvo Venues 9 - Marvel Stadium 8 - MCG 2 - Adelaide Oval 1 - SCG 1 - Optus Stadium 1 - Heritage Bank Stadium 1 - Gabba Time slot (First 15 rounds only) 3 - Friday night 3 - Saturday night 2 - Saturday twilight 2 - Sunday arvo 1 - Saturday arvo 1 - Thursday arvo 1 - Sunday twilight 1 - Sunday night Venues 12 - Optus Stadium 3 - Marvel Stadium 2 - MCG 2 - Adelaide Oval 1 - TIO Traeger Park 1 - SCG 1 - UTAS Stadium 1 - Giants Stadium Time slot (First 15 rounds only) 4 - Saturday night 3 - Friday night 3 - Sunday arvo 2 - Saturday arvo 1 - Saturday twilight 1 - Sunday twilight Venues 9 - GMHBA Stadium 6 - MCG 2 - Adelaide Oval 1 - Marvel Stadium 1 - Gabba 1 - TIO Stadium 1 - SCG 1 - Blundstone Arena 1 - Optus Stadium Time slot (First 15 rounds only) 5 - Saturday night 3 - Friday night 2 - Saturday twilight 2 - Sunday arvo 1 - Thursday night 1 - Monday arvo Venues 9 - Heritage Bank Stadium 4 - Marvel Stadium 2 - TIO Stadium 2 - Optus Stadium 1 - MCG 1 - Mars Stadium 1 - Mount Barker 1 - SCG 1 - Gabba 1 - Giants Stadium Time slot (First 15 rounds only) 4 - Sunday arvo 4 - Saturday night 3 - Saturday arvo 1 - Saturday twilight 1 - Thursday night 1 - Sunday night Venues 8 - Giants Stadium 3 - Manuka Oval 2 - Marvel Stadium 2 - MCG 1 - Optus Stadium 1 - Mount Barker 1 - SCG 1 - GMHBA Stadium 1 - UTAS Stadium 1 - Adelaide Oval 1 - Gabba 1 - Mars Stadium Time slot (First 15 rounds only) 6 - Saturday twilight 3 - Saturday arvo 1 - Saturday night 1 - Thursday night 1 - Sunday arvo 1 - Sunday night 1 - Sunday twilight Venues 9 - MCG 4 - UTAS Stadium 3 - Marvel Stadium 3 - Adelaide Oval 1 - Heritage Bank Stadium 1 - Optus Stadium 1 - GMHBA Stadium 1 - Manuka Oval Time slot (First 15 rounds only) 4 - Saturday arvo 4 - Sunday twilight 2 - Saturday twilight 2 - Sunday arvo 1 - Saturday night 1 - Monday arvo Venues 14 - MCG 2 - Optus Stadium 2 - Adelaide Oval 1 - Marvel 1 - SCG 1 - TIO Traeger Park 1 - Gabba 1 - Heritage Bank Stadium Time slot (First 15 rounds only) 4 - Thursday night 3 - Saturday night 3 - Sunday arvo 1 - Wednesday night 1 - Saturday twilight 1 - Sunday twilight 1 - Monday arvo Venues 11 - Marvel Stadium 4 - Blundstone Arena 1 - MCG 1 - Giants Stadium 1 - Norwood Oval 1 - GMHBA Stadium 1 - TIO Stadium 1 - Optus Stadium 1 - SCG 1 - UTAS Stadium Time slot (First 15 rounds only) 4 - Saturday arvo 3 - Sunday arvo 2 - Friday twilight 2 - Saturday twilight 2 - Saturday night 1 - Sunday twilight Venues 13 - Adelaide Oval 3 - MCG 2 - Marvel Stadium 1 - Optus Stadium 1 - GMHBA Stadium 1 - Blundstone Arena 1 - GIANTS Stadium 1 - Heritage Bank Stadium Time slot (First 15 rounds only) 3 - Friday night 3 - Saturday arvo 2 - Sunday arvo 2 - Sunday twilight 2 - Saturday night 2 - Thursday night Venues 13 - MCG 2 - Marvel Stadium 2 - Adelaide Oval 2 - Optus Stadium 1 - GMHBA Stadium 1 - Gabba 1 - Heritage Bank Stadium 1 - Norwood Oval Time slot (First 15 rounds only) 4 - Saturday night 3 - Sunday arvo 2 - Thursday night 2 - Sunday twilight 1 - Saturday arvo 1 - Saturday twilight 1 - Wednesday night Venues 13 - Marvel Stadium 2 - MCG 2 - Adelaide Oval 1 - Gabba 1 - Optus Stadium 1 - GMHBA Stadium 1 - Manuka Oval 1 - Norwood Oval 1 - UTAS Stadium Time slot (First 15 rounds only) 3 - Saturday arvo 3 - Saturday night 2 - Saturday twilight 2 - Sunday arvo 2 - Friday night 2 - Thursday night Venues 11 - SCG 3 - MCG 3 - Marvel Stadium 2 - Adelaide Oval 1 - Gabba 1 - Optus Stadium 1 - Giants Stadium 1 - Mount Barker Time slot (First 15 rounds only) 3 - Friday night 2 - Sunday twilight 2 - Sunday arvo 2 - Saturday arvo 2 - Saturday night 2 - Thursday night 1 - Saturday twilight Venues 12 - Optus Stadium 4 - Marvel Stadium 2 - Adelaide Oval 1 - MCG 1 - Heritage Bank Stadium 1 - GMHBA 1 - Mount Barker 1 - Blundstone Arena Time slot (First 15 rounds only) 7 - Sunday arvo 3 - Saturday arvo 2 - Sunday twilight 2 - Saturday night Venues 12 - Marvel Stadium 3 - Adelaide Oval 2 - Mars Stadium 2 - MCG 1 - SCG 1 - Optus Stadium 1 - GMHBA 1 - GIANTS Stadium Time slot (First 15 rounds only) 3 - Sunday arvo 3 - Friday night 3 - Saturday night 2 - Thursday night 1 - Saturday twilight 1 - Saturday arvo 1 - Sunday twilight

Venues 14 - MCG 2 - Optus Stadium 2 - Adelaide Oval 1 - Marvel 1 - SCG 1 - TIO Traeger Park 1 - Gabba 1 - Heritage Bank Stadium Time slot (First 15 rounds only) 4 - Thursday night 3 - Saturday night 3 - Sunday arvo 1 - Wednesday night 1 - Saturday twilight 1 - Sunday twilight 1 - Monday arvo

I will post any audio if and when it is available. In the meantime if anyone heard the interview post details, thoughts and comments here.

INS – West, Watt, Wilson, Johnson OUTS – Campbell BACK Libby Birch Tahlia Gillard HALF-BACK Sinead Goldrick Maddi Gay Shelley Heath CENTRE Blaithin Mackin Tyla Hanks Aimee Mackin HALF-FORWARD Megan Fitzsimon Paxy Paxman Eden Zanker FORWARD Tayla Harris Kate Hore FOLLOWERS Lauren Pearce Olivia Purcell Lily Mithen INTERCHANGE Maeve Chaplin Eliza West Eliza McNamara Alyssa Bannan Jordan Ivey Rhi Watt Charlotte Wilson Samantha Johnson