Demonland

It's Game Day and the Demons return to the MCG to face the Tigers in their annual Blockbuster on ANZAC Eve for the 10th time. The Dees will be desperate to reignite their stuttering 2025 campaign and claim just their second win of the season. Can the Demons dig deep and find that ANZAC Spirit to snatch back to back wins?

Personal reasons?

A few years ago, the Melbourne Football Club produced a documentary about the decade in which it rose from its dystopic purgatory of regular thrashings to the euphoria of a premiership victory. That entire period could have been compressed in a fast motion version of the 2025 season to date as the Demons went from embarrassing basket case to glorious winner in an unexpected victory over the Dockers last Saturday. They transformed in a single week from a team that put in a pedestrian effort of predictably kicking the ball long down the line into attack that made a very ordinary Bombers outfit look like worldbeaters into a slick, fast moving side with urgency and a willingness to handball and create play with shorter kicks and by changing angles to generate an element of chaos that yielded six goals in each of the opening quarters against Freo. Players who were lambasted for showing no intensity and effort became dynamic and resilient. One of the key factors leading to the change in the team’s performance was the infusion of energy from players with extra run and pace to support the experienced group of leaders. The likes of Kozzy Pickett, Caleb Windsor, Xavier Lindsay and Koltyn Tholstrup who have all missed game time in the early part of the season, added much needed zest to the team mix. That’s all well and good but supporters of the club are asking whether this is the personification of a real and lasting new coaching deal or a one off mirage that leads nowhere. The answer will come soon enough as they play Richmond on Thursday night, fresh from their own miraculous last up winning performance against the previously unbeaten Gold Coast Suns. Like Melbourne, Richmond relied on the more experienced players who took part in its now long past days of premiership glory to generate the momentum for the win. Skipper Nankervis, Vlastuin, Taranto, Hopper, Short and Balta stood out in its first win in almost living memory on the grass of Marvel Stadium and it was well deserved. Just as with the Demons, the younger brigade played their roles in Tiger victory. Given that neither side has set the world on fire so far this year and there’s little else to separate them on the big stage of a blockbuster game, what can we look for to determine the issue. The Tigers have suffered a blow with the terms of a Magistrate’s Court judgment making Noah Balta a non starter for the Anzac Day eve game. On the other hand, the Demons are set to gain two very handy defenders in Steven May and Judd McVee. These anticipated changes should add steel to the Melbourne defence which last week conceded close to 100 points and will not only tip the scales in favour of the Demons but also aid in their quest to create a distance from their most recent ascent into hell. Melbourne by 8 points. THE GAME Melbourne v Richmond at the MCG on Thursday 24 April 2025 at 7.30pm MCG HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 80 wins Richmond 107 wins Drawn 2 At the MCG Melbourne 68 wins Richmond 72 wins Drawn 1 Past five meetings Melbourne 5 wins Richmond 0 wins The Coaches Goodwin 1 win Yze 0 wins THE LAST TIME THEY MET Melbourne 13.7.85 defeated Richmond 5.12.42 at the MCG, Round 7, 2024 After a tight encounter in the first half, Melbourne forged ahead with an impressive ten goal second half inspired by a masterclass from the skipper. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE B J. Bowey, S. May, C. Salem HB C. Windsor, T. McDonald, J. McVee C K. Chandler, J. Viney, E. Langdon HF T. Sparrow, T. Fullarton, K. Pickett F K. Tholstrup, B. Fritsch, C. Spargo FOLL M. Gawn, C. Petracca, H. Langford I/C X. Lindsay, C. Oliver, H. Petty, T. Rivers SUB H. Sharp EMG J. Billings, B. Howes, A. Johnson IN B. Fritsch, J. McVee, S. May OUT B. Howes (omitted), J. Melksham (leg), D. Turner (concussion) RICHMOND B B. Miller, N. Broad, N. Vlastuin HB J. Short, S. Banks, L. Trainor C H. Ralphsmith, T. Dow, J. Trezise HF S. Campbell, J. Ross, S. Green F J. Faull, T. Lynch, M. Rioli FOLL T. Nankervis, T. Taranto, J. Hopper I/C C. Gray, S. Lalor, K. McIntosh, R. Mansell SUB T. Brown EMG J. Bauer, K. Smith, T. Sonsie IN C. Gray, R. Mansell OUT N. Balta (personal reasons), S. Ryan (foot) Injury List: Round 7 Steven May — groin / test Jake Melksham — leg / test Daniel Turner — concussion / 1 - 2 weeks Marty Hore — calf / 3 - 4 weeks Jake Lever — ankle / 6 - 7 weeks Shane McAdam — Achilles / next season Andy Moniz-Wakefield — knee / next season

This is a general warning and not directed at the original poster, but it's an important reminder for everyone in the community. When you share your membership barcode with someone, you’re potentially giving them unrestricted access to use that barcode at any time. Once a barcode is shared, it can be used multiple times, at any time, without your knowledge. While finals may feel like a distant dream this year (and yes, we acknowledge this might not be the most relevant season to be raising finals concerns), it's still worth considering. In a year where finals access is on the line, you could easily find yourself not able to purchase finals tickets simply because you gave someone your barcode and then when purchasing tickets for finals (or for bigger games like ANZAC Eve or Kings Birthday) your barcode has already been used. Again, this isn’t aimed at the original poster, but a heads-up for anyone who shares their barcode. Please be cautious. Once your code is out there, you can’t control how or when it’s used.

We are LIVE

We are LIVE in just under an hour.

We are LIVE in 3 hours at 8:00pm

The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE tonight (Tuesday) at 8:00pm.

Round 7 gets underway in iconic fashion with the traditional ANZAC Day blockbuster. The high-flying Magpies will be looking to solidify their spot atop the ladder, while the Bombers are desperate for a win to stay in touch with the top eight. Later that evening, Fremantle will be out to redeem themselves after a disappointing loss to the Demons, facing a hungry Adelaide side with eyes firmly set on breaking into the top four. Saturday serves up a triple-header of footy action. The Lions will be looking to consolidate their Top 2 spot as they head to Marvel Stadium to clash with the Saints. Over in Adelaide, Port Adelaide will be strong favourites at home against a struggling North Melbourne. The day wraps up with a fiery encounter in Canberra, where the Giants and Bulldogs renew their bitter rivalry. Sunday’s schedule kicks off with the Suns aiming to bounce back from their shock defeat to Richmond, taking on the out of form Swans.Then the Blues will be out to claim a major scalp when they battle the Cats at the MCG. The round finishes with a less-than-thrilling affair between Hawthorn and West Coast at Marvel. Who are you tipping and what are the best results for the Demons?

The Podcast is LIVE Tomorrow (Tuesday) night at 8:00pm. I am actually putting it all together now so I am going to cut the questions off here and lock the thread.

Melbourne got out of jail with strong second half but Richmond is on the improve this year and three of the Demons’ best in last year’s game might be unavailable this time around. MELBOURNE 2.3.15 3.5.23 8.7.55 13.7.85 RICHMOND 1.3.9 3.6.24 4.8.32 5.12.42 GOALS MELBOURNE Turner 3 Fritsch Laurie Pickett 2 Gawn Petracca van Rooyen Windsor RICHMOND Rioli 2 Bolton Lefau Martin BEST MELBOURNE Lever Gawn Turner May Langdon Oliver RICHMOND Lefau Broad Dow Hopper Baker THE TEAMS RICHMOND B T. Young, N. Broad, D. Grimes HB N. Vlastuin, T. Brown, D. Rioli C H. Ralphsmith, J. Graham, M. Pickett HF S. Campbell, R. Mansell, M. Rioli F M. Lefau, S. Bolton, D. Martin FOLL T. Nankervis, L. Baker, T. Dow I/C S. Banks, J. Hopper, B. Miller, S. Naismith SUB K. McIntosh EMG J. Koschitzke, K. McAuliffe, T. Sonsie IN D. Grimes, S. Naismith, J. Hopper, S. Banks OUT J. Koschitzke (omitted), K. McAuliffe (omitted), J. Short (calf), T. Sonsie (omitted) MELBOURNE B T. Rivers, S. May, T. McDonald HB B. Howes, J. Lever, J. McVee C E. Langdon, C. Petracca, J. Billings HF K. Chandler, J. Van Rooyen, K. Pickett F A. Neal-Bullen, B. Fritsch, H. Petty FOLL M. Gawn, J. Viney, C. Oliver I/C T. Sparrow, D. Turner, C. Windsor, T. Woewodin SUB B. Laurie EMG B. Brown M. Hore, K. Tholstrup IN B. Laurie, K. Pickett, S. Turner OUT B. Brown (omitted), C. Salem (hamstring) K. Tholstrop (omitted)

For this year’s Easter Saturday game at the MCG, Simon Goodwin and his Demons wound the clock back a few years to wipe out the horrible memories of last season’s twin thrashings at the hands of the Dockers. And it was about time! Melbourne’s indomitable skipper Max Gawn put in a mammoth performance in shutting out his immediate opponent Sean Darcy in the ruck and around the ground and was a colossus at the end when the game was there to be won or lost. It was won by 16.11.107 to 14.13.97. There was the battery-charged Easter Bunny in Kysaiah Pickett running anyone wearing purple ragged, whether at midfield stoppages or around the big sticks. He finished with a five goal haul. Jack Viney was given the role of limiting the output of Fremantle star Caleb Serong and while he got plenty of ball, his prey’s influence was diminished by his usual standards. Meanwhile, Viney himself won his own ball, particularly making the Demons so dangerous at centre bounces and around the ground. Together with his fellow premiership midfielders Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver, they added to the pressure count, won plenty of football and created many attacking opportunities even though they might not have been at their most prolific in terms of disposal numbers. Jake Bowey, Trent Rivers, Christian Salem and Charlie Spargo were also turning time back to their past glory days. Tom Sparrow had his moments. The consistent Ed Langdon was running up and down his wing as if it were still 2021. There were two players who not only turned the time back, but they also changed their positions around to pronounced effect. Tom McDonald and Harry Petty have been trading places from time to time over the years. Yesterday, the former filled the shoes of two modern day star Demon back line legends in Jake Lever and Steven May and held the Dockers’ dangerous goal kicking tall Josh Treacy to a single goal. At the other end of the ground, Petty went back to the future forward line and booted four goals (and gave a Joe the goose away to Kozzie). More importantly, the Demons went from predictable to versatile in their approach to the game, especially when going forward. They worked hard, ran hard and utilized a variety of ways including more handball, shorter kicks and less of the reckless blazing away to deliver into the forward line. All of this forced the Dockers into errors and an impressive half time scoreline of 12 goals, 2 behinds – a far cry from their usual standard of 2025. Was it much promised fresh style of play that led Melbourne to surpass its season average of 61 points less than 10 minutes into the second term on the way to recording its equal-highest score of the year with a minute left on the clock in the same quarter? Only time can tell on that score - one swallow doesn’t make a summer after all. What we did see was a different Melbourne from the one that has been playing sloppy football for the better part of the first five weeks of the season. They valued the ownership of the ball in play and defended as if there was no tomorrow. The Demons won the tackle count 59-46, they won overall clearances, centre clearances, and contested and uncontested ball. And they used it so much better with 305 effective disposals to 251 and their pressure rating reflected that improvement. Time has moved on and as much as it was a delight for Demon fans to see the win and a return to the team’s hard nut ways of the past, there were some promising signs for the future with the run and accurate ball disposal of the young guns who the club has recruited with first round draft picks over the last two years - Harvey Langford, Xavier Lindsay, Caleb Windsor and Koltyn Tholstrup. There are others and their time is coming too. The season is not yet over. MELBOURNE 6.1.37 12.2.74 15.5.95 16.11.107 FREMANTLE 4.2.26 8.5.53 11.10.76 14.13.97 GOALS MELBOURNE Pickett 5 Petty 4 Chandler Langford 2 Petracca Rivers Viney FREMANTLE Amiss Bolton 3 Darcy 2 Brayshaw Dudley McDonald Reid Sharp Treacy BEST MELBOURNE Pickett Viney Gawn Bowey Petty Rivers FREMANTLE Bolton Brayshaw Young Clark Reid Serong LATE CHANGES MELBOURNE Nil FREMANTLE Heath Chapman (illness), replaced in the selected side by James Aish INJURIES MELBOURNE Daniel Turner (concussion) FREMANTLE Jaeger O'Meara (hamstring) REPORTS MELBOURNE Nil FREMANTLE Nil SUBSTITUTIONS MELBOURNE Harry Sharp (replaced Daniel Turner at half-time) FREMANTLE Isaiah Dudley (replaced Bailey Banfield in the third quarter) UMPIRES Nick Jankovskis Leigh Fisher Andrew Heffernan Paul Rebeschini CROWD 25,202 at the MCG

PLAYER VOTES 1 Max Gawn 68 2 Jack Bowey 45 3 Christian Petracca 35 =4 Ed Langdon 32 =4 Clayton Oliver 32 6 Kysaiah Pickett 29 7 Kade Chandler 23 8 Jack Viney 18 9 Christian Salem 17 =10 Harvey Langford 15 =10 Steven May 15 12 Xavier Lindsay 13 13 Tom McDonald 12 =14 Harrison Petty 7 =14 Trent Rivers 7 16 Daniel Turner 4 17 Tom Sparrow 3 =18 Bayley Fritsch 1 =18 Jack Henderson 1 =18 Harry Sharp 1

The Casey Demons took on an undefeated UWS Giants outfit at their own home ground on a beautiful autumn day but found themselves completely out of their depth going down by 53 points against a well-drilled and fair superior combination. Despite having 15 AFL listed players at their disposal - far more than in their earlier matches this season - the Demons were never really in the game and suffered their second defeat in a row after their bright start to the season when they drew with the Kangaroos, beat the Suns and matched the Cats for most of the day on their own dung heap at Corio Bay. The Giants were a different proposition altogether. They had a very slight wind advantage in the opening quarter but were too quick off the mark for the Demons, tearing the game apart by the half way mark of the term when they kicked the first five goals with clean and direct football. They maintained their dominance for most of the game although the Demons made minor inroads when their time came with the breeze in the second term. After the main break, the more efficient Giants lifted a gear and booted eight goals in the third quarter to have the game well and truly iced before the final half hour. It would be fair to say that the final deficit would have been far greater but for the efforts of Riley Bonner who amassed 36 disposals, 10 marks and kicked a goal. He was assisted by two other fine additions to the list this year in Mitch Hardie (25 touches) and Riley Baldi (23 disposals), both of who were consistent throughout and never dropped their heads when the opposition got on top. Of the Melbourne listed players, Judd McVee’s return from a hamstring injury incurred in the preseason was pleasing. He kicked off the cobwebs with a strong started, attacked the ball hard and showed that he’s ready to return to the fray in time for the Anzac Eve clash after collecting 19 disposals up to three quarter time when he was rested. Oliver Sestan also had a good game with 23 disposals and he also scored a nice goal coming out of defence while Jed Adams showed some nice touch in a back line that was under heavy pressure for most of the game. Will Verrall had an interesting tussle in the ruck playing a lone hand in the absence of the injured Tom Campbell. He lowered his colours against a bigger opponent but was by no means disgraced finishing with 16 possessions and 25 hitouts. Jack Billings was solid with 26 touches but his kicking lacked penetration and Bailey Laurie was also busy with 19 touches, 11 tackles and two goals. Jai Culley also had the ball 19 times and was handy. If the selectors were looking for forwards to add to the mix for next week, they would be disappointed. Axed pair Bayley Fritsch and Jacob van Rooyen were quiet with Fritsch kicking one major from 11 disposals and van Rooyen also scoring one goal from his nine touches. The former was also taken off at the final break suggesting he might also be under consideration for a return given the short turnaround to Anzac Day Eve. Matthew Jefferson also failed to impress while 2024 midseason draftee Luker Kentfield made a successful return playing mainly in defence after a long layoff due to illness. The Demons return to Casey Fields next Thursday morning at 11:05am and will be out to get their season back on track after yesterday’s setback. It’s a work day, so don’t expect too many in the crowd. CASEY DEMONS 1.1.7 4.5.29 5.8.38 9.13.67 UWS GIANTS 6.1.37 9.1.55 17.3.105 19.6.120 GOALS CASEY DEMONS Laurie 2 Baldi Bonner Cross Fritsch Johnson Sestan van Rooyen UWS GIANTS Gruzewski 5 Wardius 4 Lugsdin 3 Angove Butson Delana Hughes Keeffe Madden Sheather GOALS CASEY DEMONS Bonner Baldi Verrall Laurie Cross Culley UWS GIANTS Madden Leake Gruzewski Aleer Wardius Angove

SETBACK by KC from Casey The Casey Demons took on an undefeated UWS Giants outfit at their own home ground on a beautiful autumn day but found themselves completely out of their depth going down by 53 points against a well-drilled and fair superior combination. Despite having 15 AFL listed players at their disposal - far more than in their earlier matches this season - the Demons were never really in the game and suffered their second defeat in a row after their bright start to the season when they drew with the Kangaroos, beat the Suns and matched the Cats for most of the day on their own dung heap at Corio Bay. The Giants were a different proposition altogether. They had a very slight wind advantage in the opening quarter but were too quick off the mark for the Demons, tearing the game apart by the half way mark of the term when they kicked the first five goals with clean and direct football. They maintained their dominance for most of the game although the Demons made minor inroads when their time came with the breeze in the second term. After the main break, the more efficient Giants lifted a gear and booted eight goals in the third quarter to have the game well and truly iced before the final half hour. It would be fair to say that the final deficit would have been far greater but for the efforts of Riley Bonner who amassed 36 disposals, 10 marks and kicked a goal. He was assisted by two other fine additions to the list this year in Mitch Hardie (25 touches) and Riley Baldi (23 disposals), both of who were consistent throughout and never dropped their heads when the opposition got on top. Of the Melbourne listed players, Judd McVee’s return from a hamstring injury incurred in the preseason was pleasing. He kicked off the cobwebs with a strong started, attacked the ball hard and showed that he’s ready to return to the fray in time for the Anzac Eve clash after collecting 19 disposals up to three quarter time when he was rested. Oliver Sestan also had a good game with 23 disposals and he also scored a nice goal coming out of defence while Jed Adams showed some nice touch in a back line that was under heavy pressure for most of the game. Will Verrall had an interesting tussle in the ruck playing a lone hand in the absence of the injured Tom Campbell. He lowered his colours against a bigger opponent but was by no means disgraced finishing with 16 possessions and 25 hitouts. Jack Billings was solid with 26 touches but his kicking lacked penetration and Bailey Laurie was also busy with 19 touches, 11 tackles and two goals. Jai Culley also had the ball 19 times and was handy. If the selectors were looking for forwards to add to the mix for next week, they would be disappointed. Axed pair Bayley Fritsch and Jacob van Rooyen were quiet with Fritsch kicking one major from 11 disposals and van Rooyen also scoring one goal from his nine touches. The former was also taken off at the final break suggesting he might also be under consideration for a return given the short turnaround to Anzac Day Eve. Matthew Jefferson also failed to impress while 2024 midseason draftee Luker Kentfield made a successful return playing mainly in defence after a long layoff due to illness. The Demons return to Casey Fields next Thursday morning at 11:05am and will be out to get their season back on track after yesterday’s setback. It’s a work day, so don’t expect too many in the crowd. CASEY DEMONS 1.1.7 4.5.29 5.8.38 9.13.67 UWS GIANTS 6.1.37 9.1.55 17.3.105 19.6.120 GOALS CASEY DEMONS Laurie 2 Baldi Bonner Cross Fritsch Johnson Sestan van Rooyen UWS GIANTS Gruzewski 5 Wardius 4 Lugsdin 3 Angove Butson Delana Hughes Keeffe Madden Sheather GOALS CASEY DEMONS Bonner Baldi Verrall Laurie Cross Culley UWS GIANTS Madden Leake Gruzewski Aleer Wardius Angove

The Dees are back at the MCG on Thursday for the annual blockbuster ANZAC Eve game against the Tigers. Can the Demons win back to back games for the first time since Rounds 17 & 18 last season? Who comes in and who goes out?

The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on TUESDAY, 22nd April @ 8:00pm. Join Binman, George & I as we analyse the Demons first win for the year against the Dockers. Your questions and comments are a huge part of our podcast so please post anything you want to ask or say below and we'll give you a shout out on the show. If you would like to leave us a voicemail please call 03 9016 3666 and don't worry no body answers so you don't have to talk to a human. Listen LIVE: https://demonland.com/ Call: 03 9016 3666 Skype: Demonland31

Max Gawn is leading the Demonland Player of the Year award from Christian Petracca followed by Ed Langdon, Jake Bowey & Clayton Oliver. Your votes for our first victory for the season. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 & 1.

A undermanned Dees showed some heart and desperation to put the Fremantle Dockers to the sword as they claimed their first victory for the season winning by 10 points at the MCG.

It’s Game Day, and the Demons return to the MCG wounded, undermanned and desperate. Still searching for their first win of the season, Melbourne faces a daunting task against the Fremantle Dockers. With key pillars missing at both ends of the ground, the Dees must find a way to rise above the adversity and ignite their season before it slips way beyond reach. Will today be the spark that turns it all around, or are we staring down the barrel of a 0–6 start?