Demonland

Sydney v Melbourne, SCG Thursday, March 7, 7.30pm AEDT Last time: Melb 11.11 (77) d Syd 7.14 (56), R24, 2023 What it means Sydney snuck into the top eight last year despite an injury-riddled campaign that hit its tall stocks particularly hard, with Lance Franklin one of several Swans to be sidelined. The superstar forward's misfortune gave more opportunities to emerging key forwards like Logan McDonald, who now need to take the reins if the Swans are to set themselves up for another deep run in September. Melbourne will be counting down to the season-opener more than most following a off-season disrupted by off-field sagas and the heartbreaking retirement of Angus Brayshaw. But once the action starts the Demons have the pedigree to again challenge for the top four and chase a second flag to add to their breakthrough premiership in 2021. Game shapers Sydney is set to rely on new ruck Brodie Grundy more than initially hoped with fellow recruit Taylor Adams, stand-alone skipper Callum Mills and veteran onballer Luke Parkerall sidelined with injury. The two-time All-Australian faces a tough first test in red and white but will be out to prove a point against the side that left him languishing in the VFL at the pointy end last year. Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver has overcome an interrupted pre-season in time to earn selection in Opening Round but it remains to be seen whether he has the form and fitness to have his usual influence. The three-time All-Australian is sure to return to his familiar role in the middle, even if on reduced minutes, as the Demons start life without the recently-retired Brayshaw. Early tip: Sydney by seven points

Couple interesting players popping up in photos from todays gallery from training on the SCG including Spargo, Melksham and the suspended Kozzy

You would think he would need some match conditioning.

AFL.com.au's predicted teams. They didn't get the Harrison Petty injury memo.

Which seven other clubs do you think can make this year’s top eight? (18 times seven selections). 17 – Collingwood 16 – Brisbane 15 – Carlton, GWS GIANTS 14 – Melbourne, Sydney Swans 10 – Adelaide Crows 7 – Port Adelaide 6 – Western Bulldogs 4 – Gold Coast SUNS 3 – St Kilda 2 – Geelong Cats 1 – Essendon, Fremantle, Richmond Which other club is most likely to reach the Grand Final? (No captains picked eventual premier Collingwood in 2023). 9 – Brisbane Lions 6 – Collingwood 3 – GWS GIANTS Which player from another club do you think will win the 2024 Brownlow Medal? (Three captains correctly nominated Lachie Neale in 2023). 10 – Marcus Bontempelli, Western Bulldogs 2 – Nick Daicos, Collingwood 1 – Charlie Curnow, Carlton; Jordan Dawson, Adelaide Crows; Tom Green, GWS GIANTS; Errol Gulden, Sydney Swans; Darcy Parish, Essendon; Sam Walsh, Carlton; Which player do you think will win the 2024 Coleman Medal? (One captain nominated eventual Coleman Medalist Charlie Curnow in 2023). 7 – Charlie Curnow, Carlton 3 – Jeremy Cameron, Geelong Cats; Nick Larkey, North Melbourne 1 – Tom Hawkins, Geelong Cats; Max King, St Kilda; Tom Lynch, Richmond; Harry McKay, Carlton; Jacob Van Rooyen, Melbourne Which player do you think will win the 2024 AFL Rising Star? (One captain nominated eventual Ron Evans Medalist Harry Sheezel in 2023). 6 – Harley Reid, West Coast Eagles 5 – George Wardlaw, North Melbourne 3 – Ryley Sanders, Western Bulldogs 2 – Colby McKercher, North Melbourne 1 – Blake Howes, Melbourne; Jed Walter, Gold Coast SUNS Which club will win the McClelland Trophy? 8 – Brisbane Lions 4 – Melbourne 1 – Adelaide Crows, Collingwood, Gold Coast SUNS, GWS GIANTS, Richmond, Western Bulldogs Who would you love to see perform as the Telstra Pre-Game Entertainment this September? 3 – Coldplay 2 – Luke Combs, Tame Impala, 1 – AC/DC, Adele, Fred Again, Luca Brasi, Kylie Minogue, Mumford and Sons, Oasis, Rhianna, Robbie Williams, Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift

2 Ex-Demons to debut

Probably around 6:20pm tomorrow.

Who are you tipping this week?

Not arbitrary at all ...

There is a VFL practice match on Friday the 8th March and then one of Saturday the 16th of March. Both at Casey.

That could be something new which is a worry. He was running very well on Saturday. At one stage when he was resting he was poking at his calf and I assumed if he was just feeling around to see how it felt. Nothing in what I observed indicated any hamstring awareness. If this is a new injury then I have a feeling he will be a player that unfortunately spends more time on the sidelines than on the field.