Demonland

I asked Chat GPT to write a match preview for our Scratch Match against the Tigers. Hilarity ensued. Match Preview: Melbourne Demons vs. Richmond Tigers Practice Match Date: Sunday, February 18th, 2024 Location: TBD Introduction: As the AFL preseason gains momentum, the Melbourne Demons are gearing up to face the Richmond Tigers in what promises to be an electrifying practice match. Both teams are utilizing this opportunity to fine-tune their strategies, assess player form, and build cohesion ahead of the upcoming season. Melbourne Demons: The Melbourne Demons enter this practice match with high hopes after an impressive showing last season, where they made it to the finals series. Led by their seasoned coach and bolstered by a talented roster, including key players such as Max Gawn, Christian Petracca, and Clayton Oliver, the Demons aim to set the tone for the season ahead. With a mix of experience and youthful exuberance, Melbourne will look to assert their dominance early and lay down a marker against a formidable opponent. Richmond Tigers: On the other side of the field, the Richmond Tigers are no strangers to success, having secured multiple premierships in recent years. Despite facing some challenges last season, including injuries to key personnel, the Tigers remain a force to be reckoned with. Led by their astute coach and with stars like Dustin Martin, Jack Riewoldt, and Tom Lynch in their ranks, Richmond will be eager to demonstrate their championship pedigree even in a preseason encounter. Expect them to bring intensity and resilience as they test their combinations and tactics ahead of the grueling AFL campaign. Key Matchups: Max Gawn vs. Toby Nankervis: The battle in the ruck will be pivotal, with Gawn's height and athleticism matched against Nankervis' physicality and work rate. Christian Petracca vs. Dustin Martin: A clash of two dynamic midfielders known for their explosiveness and ability to influence games single-handedly. Melbourne's Forward Line vs. Richmond's Defense: Can Melbourne's forward line, spearheaded by Jack Viney and Ben Brown, break through Richmond's stout defensive unit? Expectations: This practice match offers both teams an invaluable opportunity to assess their preseason preparations and experiment with different strategies. While the result is secondary to the performance and progress made, both the Melbourne Demons and the Richmond Tigers will be eager to showcase their strengths and identify areas for improvement. Fans can anticipate an enthralling contest filled with skill, intensity, and perhaps a glimpse of what's to come in the AFL season ahead. Conclusion: As the Melbourne Demons square off against the Richmond Tigers in this preseason clash, football enthusiasts can look forward to a captivating display of Australian Rules football. With pride and momentum on the line, both teams will leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of victory. Whether you're a passionate supporter or a neutral observer, this match promises to deliver excitement and anticipation as the AFL season draws nearer.

The page on the MFC website about the Scratch Match doesn't specify. https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1484717/demons-launch-family-series

Here are their assessments of the Dees players:- 92 Christian Petracca Joins Brownlow Medallists Nathan Fyfe and Patrick Dangerfield as future Hall of Famers who are slightly marked down by periods where their kicking drops away. It was another massive season for best-and-fairest winner in 2023. Had he converted a little better than 28.34 in front of the sticks, it could have been one of footy’s greatest individual seasons. Instead it was unrequited with a straight-sets exit. Petracca needs a second flag to join the greats of the modern era. 89 Max Gawn The skipper will start the season as a 32-year-old, but remains footy’s most dangerous ruckman despite the disastrous Brodie Grundy experiment which cost him a seventh All-Australian jumper. He will need all of his leadership skills to bring together these Demons given their issues, but his form when playing one-out in the final 10 weeks of last year shows his football powers have barely diminished despite his veteran status. 88 Jack Viney Gets a rating this high given his stellar 2023 season — beaten by only Petracca in the best-and-fairest — but also his importance given the question marks over Clayton Oliver’s future. He stood up in Oliver’s absence last year, averaging five clearances and 5.9 tackles as well as racking up big possession tallies. At times he’s underrated, but few Demons are more important. 87 Jake Lever The defender missed the All-Australian side but was third in the Keith “Bluey” Truscott Medal for a 24-game season across which he averaged three intercept marks a game. His intercept game remained strong, although he polled coaches votes in only five matches. He’s about to turn 28, but should believe he has 100 elite games left in him. 86 Steven May Remains one of footy’s defensive forces and was a finals colossus against Carlton and not far short of it with a 12-spoil qualifying final against the Pies. May rated elite for disposals and metres gained in 2023 — and above average for everything else that matters. The only slight query is his age as he starts the new season as a 32-year-old. 80 Angus Brayshaw His finals exit after the brutal collision with Brayden Maynard took the gloss off an exceptional home-and-away season, with Brayshaw averaging 23 possessions and 3.3 clearances. Oliver might return to the midfield, but if Brayshaw isn’t repurposed to the half back line could he add goalkicking to his repertoire? He only kicked two goals and had 15 goal assists in 2023. 78 Kysaiah Pickett What a talent. What a game-turner. But also what a frustration in that finals flame-out to Carlton as he gave away needless free kicks with misplaced aggression and then nearly turned the game playing one-out as a dangerous forward in the second half. He must learn those lessons, but after 37 goals last season look for him to dominate with a consistent year that elevates him into the elite bracket. 78 Bayley Fritsch Look for a huge bounce-back year from Fritsch, who will compete with multiple forwards to be an inside-50 target but will also get more favourable match-ups after the Demons drafted and traded to improve their forward line. He still eked out 38 goals last season, despite battling foot issues late in the year. He’d be looking for 60 goals in 2024. 77 Clayton Oliver His football resume is incredible as a premiership player, three-time All Australian and four-time best-and-fairest winner at only 26. However, his desire to knuckle down and maximise his career is up for grabs. Until he proves he can toe the line, his football future is one giant question mark. His rating could start with a nine, but instead gets downgraded. 76 Christian Salem Battled a thyroid injury and then missed months with a knee injury in 2023, so a 16-game season averaging 19 possessions and 79 ranking points was a reasonable return. But he needs to elevate to a new level at half back if the Demons are to flourish, which would also release players including Rivers into the midfield. 75 Trent Rivers The premiership half back enjoyed a season of huge gains in 2023, with a top-ten best and fairest finish and an elite rating for intercepts. The Demons believe he’s capable of serious midfield time. Is it in 2024? He is still only 22. Expect 250 games from this Demons tyro. 73 Harrison Petty Melbourne has grand plans for Petty as one of its twin towers in attack alongside Jacob Van Rooyen. He is something of an unlikely spearhead, given the full back had been trialled in attack earlier last year. He was then sent back, only to switch again and kick six goals against Richmond in round 20. Petty injured his foot a week later and it likely cost the Demons a finals win given their forward struggles thereafter. But at his best he leads hard, marks strongly and kicks like a dream (12.1 in 2023). 72 Jacob Van Rooyen The Demons’ next big thing has the cult hero status and the appetite for the contest after 28 goals from the first 20 games of his career in 2023. He was silly to miss the semi-final trying to play tough guy and bumping Collingwood’s Dan McStay. Of greater concern is whether he can handle the bevy of No. 1 defenders who might come his way from round 1 onwards. He could be special but it wouldn’t surprise if it took him time to become a regular 40-goal forward. 71 Ed Langdon The wingman enjoyed a solid but not outstanding 2023 season, averaging 19 possessions as he missed a top-10 spot in the best and fairest and polled coaches votes only twice. He only kicked five goals for the year but averaged a strong 2.2 tackles. Will be one of many Demons who believe they can squeeze out more improvement if this side is to win another flag. 70 Shane McAdam We could end up with egg smeared across the face, but we predict big things for McAdam in 2024. In 50 career games across four completed seasons he has averaged 0.9, 1.7, 1.5 and 1.7 goals a game. He hasn’t been a senior mainstay so he has flaws in his game, but kicking goals isn’t one of them. McAdam could be a canny Moneyball selection for a player ranked elite for goals, accuracy and forward 50 marks at Adelaide in 2023. 69 Alex Neal-Bullen Might have put together a career-best season in 2023 as he finished sixth in the best-and-fairest, booted 19 goals and averaged 4.7 tackles a game. While the Demons have drafted to add potency to their midfield, the elite-running half forward will remain one of the first picked given his unique skill set. 68 Judd McVee What a spectacular breakthrough season for the lanky defender, who finished top-10 in the best-and-fairest. Like many Demons, he ended the year with a nasty taste in the mouth, failing to contain or body-line Sam Docherty in the decisive patch of play in a semi-final loss to Carlton. But it should not besmirch a year in which he was virtually impassable in one-on-one contests on talls and smalls. 66 Lachie Hunter Played 24 games as a hard-running wingman in his first season for the Demons after crossing from the Bulldogs. While he missed the top 10 in the best-and-fairest and polled only five coaches votes, he averaged 22 possessions and 390 metres gained. Hunter could hurt more with his disposal, after going at only 56 per cent efficiency in 2023. 65 Tom Sparrow A bustling, busy midfielder, Sparrow should only get more chances this year given James Jordon and James Harmes have departed for rival clubs. The 23-year-old might need an established strength to go to the next level — he averaged 17 touches, 58 per cent efficiency, 2.6 clearances, 3.5 tackles in 2023. All are solid but not elite. Is he capable of one day reaching elite status? We might find out in 2024. 64 Jake Bowey Flew under the radar with a far-from-flashy but consistent 2023 season, playing 23 games and averaging 16 possessions as a small close-checking defender. Since his debut in the premiership year of 2021 he has churned out 47 games with very few flat spots. At 21, he has so much room to improve. 60 Caleb Windsor The suspicion is the Demons drafted elite-running wingman Windsor at pick 7 last November as a plug-and-play option who could immediately improve their ball use given his penchant for hitting the right option at the right time. 58 Charlie Spargo Mixed seven VFL games with his 14 AFL matches last season, but managed only 11 goals in his senior action. Can he find a new wind, after also averaging only 10 possessions? He will need to as a buzzy energetic half forward if he is to retain his spot in the side. 55 Kade Chandler Should be commended for finally breaking out and winning a new deal after a 23-goal season in 2023. However, he managed only 10 majors from his last 15 games in a stretch where he went goalless nine times — including in both finals. Now that the attention has come for him, can he build on a season where he also averaged 1.2 score assists and 4.7 score involvements? 52 Koltyn Tholstrup An intriguing prospect for Simon Goodwin, the brash Tholstrup was taken at pick 13 as an energetic and bold forward prospect with elite finishing skills. The 186cm forward from Western Australia was a needs-based selection, so don’t be surprised if he gets early chances in the senior side after playing plenty of senior WAFL football last year. 51 Tom McDonald The veteran never quite got going in 2023 given form and injury issues, kicking four goals against easybeats West Coast but only five majors from his other seven games. At his best he is an athletic beast who draws the footy. But the Demons could start round 1 with Harrison Petty, Jacob Van Rooyen, Shane McAdam and Bayley Fritsch forward. Therefore, McDonald needs to prove himself again — at 31 years of age. 49 Jack Billings An unknown quantity at the Demons, but he was a canny acquisition for a club looking for more class on the outside. The question is whether he can eke out a meaningful role at a club that will hope to have a vastly improved run with injuries and has also drafted Koltyn Tholstrup and Caleb Windsor as half-forwards and wingmen. 48 Adam Tomlinson Has played wing and key defence at the Demons since moving from GWS as a free agent, but never quite locked down a spot. If Petty is to play forward, he could play as the third tall behind Lever and May. But he needs to seize the moment as an uncontracted tall. 44 Tom Fullarton Ex-Brisbane key forward Fullarton was identified as the Brodie Grundy replacement, even though he played little ruck in the VFL for the Lions in 2023. The athletic tall had only 50 total hit-outs across 19 senior games, so he’s an unlikely choice given he will need to provide Max Gawn with regular chop-outs to keep the skipper fresh for finals. 40 Ben Brown A premiership hero in 2021, but his badly damaged knees might have put paid to his career. He will play out the final season of his contract, hopeful he can add a late burst to his games tally with the Demons in the flag window. However, he only managed seven AFL games for four goals and eight VFL games for 11 goals in 2023. Let’s hope his body allows him to make a final charge. 39 Marty Hore Resuscitated his Demons career after a brilliant stint in the VFL, averaging 122 ranking points, 22 disposals and an amazing 5.5 intercept marks for Williamstown in 2023. At only 190cm he might not quite play as the third tall, but an injury or two will pave the way for him to add to his 14 games for the Demons in 2019. 38 Jake Melksham Comes into the season off an ACL tear, but with his form almost career-best before his knee buckled last August. With the Demons having drafted a pair of forwards and secured Shane McAdam, he will need to work his way back through the VFL. But he will believe he can be a finals difference-maker. 36 Taj Woewodin The midfielder-forward is highly regarded at the Demons and after impressive VFL form he won four straight AFL games from rounds 17-20, averaging nine possessions. It was a solid grounding which the 20-year-old son of Shane will be desperate to build on. 35 Bailey Laurie Played five senior games in 2023 — including the qualifying final against the Magpies — as a 179cm forward, but for little impact. The 21-year-old was the No. 22 pick in the 2020 draft so will be given chances as an elusive and clever small forward in 2024. 34 Jed Adams The 196cm key defender spent his first year in the VFL after being taken at pick 38 in the 2022 national draft. There he won 1.5 intercept marks a game across 20 matches in a solid year, adding experience playing against men. 33 Blake Howes The club’s No. 39 pick in the 2021 national draft emerged as a likely type in 2023 after a 2022 season decimated by a foot injury. Playing 14 VFL games, the former junior forward averaged an impressive 93 ranking points and 23 disposals. Watch this space. 33 Josh Schache Was contentiously preferred to Brodie Grundy as a finals sub given his capacity to ruck and play in attack. But despite an excellent VFL season, he had only 10 possessions in limited game time across three AFL games. Won another single-season deal, but is surely up against it for senior chances. 32 Kynan Brown The father-son was selected in last November’s rookie draft as a tough inside midfielder who thrives on tackling and contested ball. The son of former dogged defender Nathan will take time to build his tank and experience in the VFL. 31 Matthew Jefferson A 195cm key forward who was drafted at pick 15 in the 2022 national draft. One day he will be a serious prospect, but he is likely to need another year in the VFL. He had a solid 2023 season with Casey, averaging 1.3 contested marks and kicking 23 goals across 20 games. 30 Andy Moniz-Wakefield The NGA prospect had a solid season as a clever small forward in the VFL, kicking 20 goals from 19 contests splitting his time between the midfield and attacking half. He also averaged 1.8 clearances and 3.6 tackles. There’s plenty to like. But for 2024? Maybe not. 28 Will Verrall The mid-season draftee is an impressive ruck prospect and played nine VFL games last season, averaging 10 touches and 16 hit-outs as well as laying 10 tackles in a match against Williamstown. He’s a future prospect, but given the Demons’ thin ruck stocks it would only take injury to thrust him forward. 28 Oliver Sestan A medium-sized athletic forward who kicked 12 goals in 16 VFL games and was given another deal after missing the back-end of the year with injury. Still only 19 years of age. 18 Kyah Farris-White The former basketballer signed a new one-year deal as a category B rookie who in his first year mixed time with Dandenong in the Coates League and the Casey in the VFL. He averaged 2.5 disposals and 6.5 hit-outs in his eight VFL games, so he’s some way off. 15 Joel Smith We docked Smith almost 50 ratings points for stupidity. A player who kicked three goals as an unlikely semi-final target was subsequently nabbed by authorities for a cocaine positive detected on match-day from a previous contest. He is facing a two-year drug ban so who would know if he will play at all in 2024. But he will be pushing his case to downgrade it to three months.

3. Max Gawn (Melbourne) “Gawn plays a different position to Greene but is able to impact in the same way, his endurance allows him to position himself exactly where the team needs him at any given time. “Behind the play, a big mark down the line, inside 50 or influencing at the centre bounce. Has a calm, level head and is an excellent media performer.”

If Channel is a direct stream of the Fox Footy Channel 504 on Foxtel then you should be able to watch the Scratch Match LIVE.

Is that a 24/7 live stream of the Fox Footy channel on Foxtel or just On Demand standalone streams of their programs like On the Couch, AFL 360, First Crack etc? If it's the former then you will be able to watch the Melb vs Rich scratch match. If it's the ladder then you will have to hope they make it available after the match as a standalone.

Kayo does not work overseas unless you are using a VPN to trick it into thinking you're in Australia. Even then it doesn't always work. If you are overseas I would recommend forking out for the month by month subscription for Watch AFL but don't do what I did and forget to cancel the month to month subscription and end up paying for an extra 3 months like I did for the pleasure of watching Melbourne vs GWS. Side note: your viewing experience will depend on the quality of the internet that you have. In Fiji our hotel had crappy Wifi and I could not watch the last quarter at all. The scores in the AFL app wouldn't even update and I got a rude shock once it finally updated and I saw we lost.

Bingo. But that was also click bait, in fairness, based on words Trac actually said. Welcome to the internet everybody.

Made you click. 😜

Full Podcast

Melbourne swingman Harrison Petty is battling a nerve-related injury to his toe as he battles to be ready for the Demons’ season-opener against Sydney in three weeks. The Demons will kick off their pre-season clashes with a Casey Fields contest against Richmond on Sunday but Petty has not been involved in recent intraclub scrimmages. The star Demon, set to be a huge part of the club’s forward line this year after the club denied him a trade to Adelaide, missed the final with a lisfranc fracture in his foot. The Herald Sun understands the fresh injury is to the opposite foot to the lisfranc issue but means Petty has been held back instead of building connectivity in the Demons forward line alongside Jacob Van Rooyen.

The promotional material probably has more nutritional value anyway. Ok. You've strong-armed me into buying snags.

McDonalds it is then. 😜

Yes

Well done Gary Pert and co. Zurich re-signs with the Demons

Surely I now qualify for a free snag or two at the Scratch Match @WalkingCivilWar?

The WatchAFL app only has the official Community Series practice matches listed and not the Scratch Matches so this Scratch Match against the Tigers might not be available but our next Practice Match against the Blues will be.

Share your passion for the Melbourne Football Club by becoming part of The Demon Army - the official cheer squad of the red and blue. Package Benefits Exclusive 2024 Demon Army supporter item Demon Army Membership Card Access to purchase reserved seats at away games The chance to walk onto the 'G to display the club banner Access to ticketing privileges Key Info Cheer squad members must hold a 2024 Melbourne Football Club access membership to be eligible to join. Access to reserved seats with The Demon Army for Melbourne Football Club matches interstate will be allocated on a first-come, first served basis to Melbourne Football Club members. Demon Army membership does not guarantee a ticket to any ticketed match. Easy Pay based on 6 monthly instalments. Family membership includes two adults and up to four children under 15 as of 1 January 2024. Alternatively, can include two juniors under 15 as of 1 January 2024 and two youths under 18 as of 1 January 2024. Finals tickets eligibility: Should Melbourne participate: the Cheer Squad has access to a limited amount of finals tickets, which are allocated based on active participation within the group, regular involvement on match day and length of membership. Under no circumstance are finals tickets guaranteed by holding a Demon Army membership. Any questions hit up @WalkingCivilWar Or visit this link: https://membership.melbournefc.com.au/membership/demon-army

2024 VFL FULL FIXTURE Here is a full analysis of the fixture for your club: Last Season: 3rd (15-6) Coach: Zane Littlejohn (2nd season) Fixture: Cas (A), Gee (A), GC (A), NM (H), Syd (H), Foo (A), San (N), bye, BL (H), Ess (A), GWS (H), Ric (A), bye, PM (H), Gee (H), Sou (A), NM (A), Wil (H), GWS (A), bye, Wer (H) Plays Twice: Geelong, GWS, North Melbourne Doesn’t Play: Carlton, Coburg, Collingwood, Frankston, Northern Bullants Interstate Trips: NSW 1, Queensland 2 VFLW Double Headers: 7 AFL curtain raisers/closers: 1 (Rd3 v GC) Summary: Hawk fans will know very early on where their team sits in the premiership race, with three difficult away games to start the season against Casey, Geelong and premier Gold Coast before they finally grace Box Hill City Oval in Round 4. Once that is out of the way, it opens up with three home games and their Wonthaggi journey in the next five split by a challenging trip to Footscray. Three interstate trips including that Suns sojourn won’t be easy and they don’t face last year’s bottom three in Frankston, Northern Bullants and Coburg. The run into the finals is also the testing material, with three of the last five being away, and the home games against Williamstown and Werribee. Difficulty Score: 454 (ranked equal 4th in difficulty) Last Season: 4th (14-6-1) Coach: Ben Hudson (2nd season) Fixture: Ess (A), Coll (H), NM (A), Gee (H), Sou (A), GC (H), bye, Cas (A), Box (A), bye, Foo (TBC), San (H), Fra (H), Cob (H), Cas (H), bye, Syd (H), GC (A), Car (A), GWS (H), Col (A) Plays Twice: Casey Demons, Collingwood, Gold Coast Suns Doesn’t Play: Northern Bullants, Port Melbourne, Richmond, Werribee, Williamstown Interstate Trips: Victoria 7 VFLW Double Headers: 2 AFL curtain raisers/closers: 0 Summary: The Lions will be delighted. After leading the ladder for the first half of last season and making the preliminary final, they have been handed nominally the second-easiest fixture, despite double-ups against the last two premiers and Collingwood and no game against Northern Bullants. They avoid Werribee and Williamstown but the section that stands out is between Rounds 12-18, where they don’t leave Queensland, with five straight home games, with three against 2023 bottom-six teams. The trade off is four ‘single-figure’ games in a row before that and three challenging away games in the last four rounds. Difficulty Score: 551 (ranked 20th) Last Season: 11th (10-8) Coach: Luke Power (2nd season) Fixture: bye, NM (A), Col (H), PM (H), Gee (H), Wer (A), Cas (H), Wil (A), GC (H), NB (A), Ess (A), bye, Sou (H), Ric (A), GWS (A), Foo (A), Col (A), bye, BL (H), Gee (A), Ric (H) Plays Twice: Collingwood, Geelong, Richmond Doesn’t Play: Box Hill Hawks, Coburg, Frankston, Sandringham, Sydney Interstate Trips: NSW 1 VFLW Double Headers: 4 AFL curtain raisers/closers: 0 Summary: The Blues have nominally the hardest fixture in the competition, despite no clash against Box Hill Hawks for the second year in a row, however the standout is no games against four of last year’s bottom six. Only one interstate trip (GWS) is a bonus, but they do have three of the hardest Victorian road trips. 10 matches rated at 21 points or less means they will need to be on their mettle from the get go in their bid to make up for that Round 22 collapse last season. They will finally face Southport again in Round 13 – the first time they will meet since the Sharks won their VFL debut against the Blues in 2021. Difficulty Score: 424 (ranked 1st) Last Season: 7th (12-8) Coach: Taylor Whitford (2nd season) Fixture: Box (H), Foo (H), PM (A*), bye, Ric (A), Wil (H), Car (A), BL (H), San (H), Cob (A), Col (H), bye, NM (H), NB (A), BL (A), Ess (H), Fra (A), GWS (H), Foo (A), bye, GC (A) Plays Twice: Brisbane Lions, Footscray Doesn’t Play: Geelong, Southport, Sydney, Werribee Interstate Trips: Queensland 2 VFLW Double Headers: 7 AFL curtain raisers/closers: 0 Summary: The Demons start the quest to regain their title with three matches at Casey Fields, although they are tough fixtures. They take on Box Hill followed by the team that blasted them out of the finals in Footscray and then taking on expected big improver Port Melbourne in an away game at their home venue. Two flights to Queensland are the only interstate journeys, while there is no clash with Grand Finalist Werribee. They won’t want to leave their jockeying for ladder positions to the last minute, with away games against the Bulldogs and reigning premier Gold Coast to finish either side of a bye. Given they will be short favourites in the three games before that, they’ll have every chance. No away game with the Hawks means no Wonthaggi visit, and they also don’t go to Williamstown or Geelong. Difficulty Score: 481 (ranked equal 13th) Last Season: 21st (0-18) Coach: Jamie Cassidy-McNamara (2nd season) Fixture: Syd (A), Wil (H), bye, Col (H), Fra (A), Ric (H), PM (A), Gee (H), bye, Cas (H), NM (A), Sou (H), NB (H), BL (A), bye, Wer (A), PM (H), Fra (H), GC (A), NB (A), Ess (H) Plays Twice: Frankston, Northern Bullants, Port Melbourne Doesn’t Play: Box Hill, Carlton, Footscray, GWS, Sandringham Interstate Trips: NSW 1, Queensland 2 VFLW Double Headers: 1 AFL curtain raisers/closers: 0 Summary: An interstate trip first up, followed by Williamstown and a double bye is something the Lions wouldn’t have wanted to see as they look to break a 20-match losing run. It gets a little more helpful after that, with the next nine games rated 20 points or easier on the sliding scale, giving them the third friendliest fixture by the numbers. However, there are still two nasty-looking flights to Gold Coast and Brisbane Lions and a visit to Werribee looming large. There are two Battles of Bell Street to get excited about as well as lucrative return games against Frankston and Port Melbourne and a home game against neighbour Essendon to finish. Difficulty Score: 550 (ranked 19th) Last Season: 8th (12-8) Coach: Josh Fraser (2nd season) Fixture: San (A), BL (A), Car (A), Cob (A), Ess (H), Sou (A), NB (A), Wer (H), bye, Foo (TBC), Cas (A), NM (H), bye, Ess (A), Fra (A), Gee (H), Car (H), Ric (H), bye, Syd (A), BL (H) Plays Twice: Brisbane Lions, Carlton, Essendon Doesn’t Play: Box Hill Hawks, Gold Coast, GWS, Port Melbourne, Williamstown Interstate Trips: NSW 1, Queensland 2 VFLW Double Headers: 5 AFL curtain raisers/closers: 0 Summary: Rivalry matches feature heavily on the Magpies’ fixture, with return games against both Carlton and Essendon, as well as preliminary finalist Brisbane Lions. Four away games and six of the first seven on the road to start the year means they must protect against a slow start that would have them chasing their tails. Three interstate trips (Brisbane, Southport, Sydney) loom as tests, but no games against premier Gold Coast (two years in a row), third-placed Box Hill Hawks and fifth-placed Williamstown, as well as likely big improver Port Melbourne, plus a game at Swinburne Centre – where they haven’t lost in the modern era – push the difficulty factor into the middle rungs. Still tougher than last year, however. Difficulty Score: 478 (ranked 12th) Last Season: 17th (5-13) Coach: Blake Caracella (1st season, replacing Leigh Tudor) Fixture: BL (H), San (A), Foo (TBC), Sou (H), Col (A), bye, Wil (A), NM (H), Ric (N), Box (H), Car (H), bye, GC (A), Col (H), PM (A), Cas (A), bye, San (H), NB (A), GC (H), Cob (A) Plays Twice: Collingwood, Gold Coast, Sandringham Doesn’t Play: Frankston, Geelong, GWS, Sydney, Werribee Interstate Trips: Queensland 1 VFLW Double Headers: 6 AFL curtain raisers/closers: 1 (R9 v Ric) Summary: Another tough fixture for the Bombers … in fact this one is nominally the equal second hardest. Only one interstate trip –to reigning premier Gold Coast which will see the Suns wary after losing to the Bombers last year (and they play them twice). They don’t go to Southport, where they have played some great footy, and they don’t play Frankston for the second year in a row, while also not meeting either Sydney team. However, they also avoid Grand Finalist Werribee. So what makes it so difficult on paper? Nine games rated under 20 points, with the Suns trip joined by visits to every team from fifth to ninth on the ladder, with home games against first, third and fourth also looming as challenges. Difficulty Score: 435 (ranked equal 2nd) Last Season: 6th (13-7) Coach: Stewart Edge (4th season) Fixture: GWS (H), Cas (A), Ess (TBC), Wil (A), bye, Box (H), Ric (A), GWS (A), PM (H), Col (TBC), BL (TBC), Syd (H), bye, NM (A), Wer (A), Car (H), Gee (A), bye, Cas (H), Fra (A), Syd (A) Plays Twice: Casey Demons, GWS, Sydney Doesn’t Play: Coburg, Gold Coast, Northern Bullants, Sandringham, Southport Interstate Trips: NSW 2 VFLW Double Headers: 4 AFL curtain raisers/closers: 0 Summary: No trips to Queensland for the Bulldogs, who will be desperate to hit the ground running after struggling early last year. The two hardest away games in Victoria loom in that first month. They play both Sydney teams twice, with the Swans away in the last round, and avoid Gold Coast, although there is no Coburg or Northern Bullants and Sandringham is missing for the second year in a row. Only two “single-figure” games, one a home fixture against Box Hill, and they hadn’t lost at Werribee before last year. There are trips to Casey, Williamstown and Geelong, while being able to reacquaint themselves with their hallowed Teddy turf is the biggest win of all. Difficulty Score: 450 (ranked equal 4th) Last Season: 4-14 (19th) Coach: Jackson Kornberg (1st season, replacing Danny Ryan) Fixture: Wil (H), PM (A), bye, NB (H), Cob (H), Gee (A), GWS (A), Syd (H), Sou (A), San (H), Wer (A), bye, BL (A), GC (H), Col (H), NB (A), Cas (H), Cob (A), PM (H), Foo (H), bye Plays Twice: Coburg, Northern Bullants, Port Melbourne Doesn’t Play: Box Hill Hawks, Carlton, Essendon, North Melbourne, Richmond Interstate Trips: NSW 1, Queensland 2 VFLW Double Headers: 1 AFL curtain raisers/closers: 0 Summary: Both teams the Dolphins didn’t play in 2023 in Essendon or Richmond are again off the menu. They also avoid top-three team Box Hill and are grouped for return matches against fellow bottom-four standalones Port Melbourne, Northern Bullants and Coburg. All five of their home games in the first 13 rounds are under lights as they create a wonderful niche. Three interstate trips is the equal most among standalones and there is a nightmare run from Rounds 11-14 with both Grand Finalists and a trip to Brisbane Lions. Three home games in the first four weeks against standalones should have the Hill rocking and give them a chance to start well. Amazingly, they will host Sandringham for the first time since 2015. Difficulty Score: 542 (ranked 18th) Last Season: 13th (8-9-1) Coach: Mark Corrigan (2nd season) Fixture: Wer (H), Box (H), NB (A), BL (A), Car (A), Fra (H), bye, Cob (A), GWS (H), Ric (H), Syd (A), bye, PM (A), San (H), Box (A), Col (A), Foo (H), NM (A), bye, Car (H), San (A) Plays Twice: Box Hill Hawks, Carlton, Sandringham Doesn’t Play: Casey Demons, Essendon, Gold Coast, Southport, Williamstown Interstate Trips: NSW 1, Queensland 1 VFLW Double Headers: 3 AFL curtain raisers/closers: 3 (R9 v GWS, R10 v Ric, R11 v Syd) Summary: Very much a mixed bag for the Cats, with two home games to start, although they are against two of last year’s top three. That precedes three trips including a flight to Queensland to face the Lions, giving them three “single-figure” matches in the first four weeks. They will have the chance to build momentum with six winnable games in a row from Rounds 5-11, culminating in a visit to Sydney, where they have won twice already. Two of their three double-ups didn’t make the finals last year, while the five teams they avoid include reigning premier Gold Coast, 2022 champion Casey Demons and Williamstown for the second year in a row. Most of last year’s strugglers are away games, which they will be confident of dealing with. Difficulty Score: 476 (ranked 11th) Last Season: Premiers (19-2) Coach: Tate Kaeslar (returning for 2nd season after coaching in 2021, replacing Josh Drummond) Fixture: Ric (H), bye, Box (H), Syd (A), PM (A), BL (A), Sou (H), bye, Car (A), Wer (H), San (A), bye, Ess (H), Fra (A), Wil (H), Ric (A), GWS (A), BL (H), Cob (H), Ess (A), Cas (H) Plays Twice: Brisbane Lions, Essendon, Richmond Doesn’t Play: Collingwood, Footscray, Geelong, North Melbourne, Northern Bullants Interstate Trips: NSW 2, Victoria 6 VFLW Double Headers: 2 AFL curtain raisers/closers: 2 (R3 v Box, R10 v Wer) Summary: The Suns took almost all before them last year but will need to step up a gear to defend their historic premiership, with the equal second-hardest fixture by the numbers. Two home games to start gives their fans an early chance to remember last year’s success before three trips in a row that include an away QClash, the return of which removes one road trip from the schedule. There is no Collingwood for the second year in a row, with three of the five teams they miss being from last year’s top 10. Northern Bullants are also not on the schedule. The Grand Final rematch is a home game, meaning one of the two venues they lost at last year is missing, while they play their other 2023 conqueror Essendon twice. Difficulty Score: 435 (ranked equal 2nd) Last Season: 12th (9-9) Coach: Wayne Cripps (2nd season) Fixture: Foo (A), bye, San (H), Wer (A), NM (H), Syd (A), Fra (H), Foo (H), Gee (A), bye, Box (A), PM (H), Syd (H), Sou (A), Car (H), bye, GC (H), Cas (A), Box (H), BL (A), Will (A) Plays Twice: Box Hill Hawks, Footscray, Sydney Doesn’t Play: Coburg, Collingwood, Essendon, Northern Bullants, Richmond Interstate Trips: Queensland 2, Victoria 6 VFLW Double Headers: 1 AFL curtain raisers/closers: 4 (R3 v San, R6 v Syd, R9 v Gee, R13 v Syd) Summary: While last year saw the Giants receive nominally the hardest fixture and this one is tenth, it is still less than ideal reading for the Big Big Sound. The first two away games are tests against Footscray and Werribee, while Sandringham will visit Canberra instead of Sydney, where the Zebras have played well in the past. Seven “single-figure” games, including double-ups against the Bulldogs and Box Hill, while they travel to every team seeded two to seven. The return of two Sydney Derbies cuts one flight out of the schedule, but they are also likely to rue the fact they don’t play last year’s bottom two in Coburg and Northern Bullants. The “easiest” game they have in the last five is a home fixture against the Hawks, which says it all. Difficulty Score: 468 (ranked 8th) Last Season: 10th (10-9) Coach: Tom Lynch (2nd season) Fixture: NB (H), Car (H), BL (H), Box (A), GWS (A), San (A), Syd (H), Ess (A), Wer (A), bye, Cob (H), Col (A), Cas (A), Foo (H), bye, Syd (A), Box (H), Gee (H), Wil (A), bye, Sou (A) Plays Twice: Box Hill Hawks, Sydney Doesn’t Play: Frankston, Gold Coast, Port Melbourne, Richmond Interstate Trips: NSW 2, Queensland 1 VFLW Double Headers: 4 AFL curtain raisers/closers: 0 Summary: Along with the Casey Demons, the Roos are only one of two sides outside the Southport-Werribee-Williamstown group to only have two double-up opponents – one a preliminary finalist, the other a bottom four team. They showed they can get on a roll and have the perfect opportunity to do so with three home games to kick off the season, and they will need to make that work because seven of the next nine are away. The Kangaroos don’t face reigning premier Gold Coast and don’t get the chance for revenge against the team that almost ended their finals dream last year in Richmond. Three interstate trips are the testing material, including a final-round visit to Southport that they wouldn’t want to rely on to retain their finals ticket. Difficulty Score: 470 (ranked equal 9th) Last Season: 21st (1-17) Coach: Rohan Welsh (1st season, replacing Brodie Holland) Fixture: NM (A), bye, Gee (H), Fra (A), San (A), PM (H), Col (H), Sou (H), Syd (A), Car (H), bye, Wil (A), Cob (A), Cas (H), Ric (H), Fra (H), Wer (A), bye, Ess (H), Cob (H), PM (A) Plays Twice: Coburg, Frankston, Port Melbourne Doesn’t Play: Box Hill Hawks, Brisbane Lions, Footscray, Gold Coast, GWS Interstate Trips: NSW 1 VFLW Double Headers: 3 AFL curtain raisers/closers: 0 Summary: The Bullants had a horror fixture last year, but this one is much friendlier – in fact, comfortably the easiest by the numbers to give them a little leg up in their rebuilding efforts. Two Battles of Bell Street, two games against Frankston and only one interstate trip – to Sydney, the team they have beaten the past two years in a row. They don’t play four of last year’s top six, only facing the two top standalones, Werribee and Williamstown. The drive to Avalon Airport Oval is their only “single-figure” fixture. Three of the first four games are on the road, including a double bye after their season opener, which stops them building momentum early, but they get five out of six at home from Rounds 14-20. Difficulty Score: 610 (ranked 21st) Last Season: 15th (6-12) Coach: Adam Skrobalak (3rd season) Fixture: Sou (A), Fra (H), Cas (H*), Car (A), GC (H), NB (A), Cob (H), bye, Foo (A), Wil (H), Ric (H), GWS (A), Gee (H), Box (A), Ess (H), bye, Cob (A), Wer (H), Fra (A), bye, NB (H) Plays Twice: Coburg, Frankston, Northern Bullants Doesn’t Play: Brisbane Lions, Collingwood, North Melbourne, Sandringham, Sydney Interstate Trips: NSW 1, Queensland 1 VFLW Double Headers: 9 AFL curtain raisers/closers: 0 Summary: The Borough will be extremely confident of locking in six of the 10 wins they need to play finals for the first time in five years with their double-ups against last year’s bottom three. After a trip to Southport in Round 1, they will only journey once more for the year (GWS) and avoid preliminary finalist Brisbane Lions among three top-10 teams missed. They climbed five spots with the easiest fixture in 2023, and while this one is a little tougher, their games against the Grand Finalists are at home and should bring bumper crowds from the Port faithful. Two Friday night double headers will take centre stage. No game against former neighbour Sydney is either disappointing or a relief for fans of both clubs, depending on who you ask. Difficulty Score: 529 (ranked 14th) Last Season: 9th (10-8-1) Coach: Steven Morris (3rd season) Fixture: GC (A), Syd (H), Wer (A), bye, Cas (H), Cob (A), Foo (H), San (A), Ess (N), Gee (A), PM (A), Box (H), bye, Car (H), NB (A), GC (H), Wil (A), Col (A), bye, San (H), Car (A) Plays Twice: Carlton, Gold Coast, Sandringham Doesn’t Play: Brisbane Lions, Frankston, GWS, North Melbourne, Southport Interstate Trips: Queensland 1 VFLW Double Headers: 2 AFL curtain raisers/closers: 2 (R9 v Ess, R10 v Gee) Summary: A nightmare start with their first two away matches being against both Grand Finalists from 2023, while the game splitting those – Sydney at home – being a match-up they dropped last year that eventually cost them a chance to push for the top six. Tiger fans in Melbourne will be happy, however, with that Round 1 flight to the Suns being their only interstate trip. No game against Frankston for the second year in a row and they play Gold Coast twice, while avoiding Brisbane Lions and a likely resurgent Southport won’t be disappointing. Three of the last four games being away mean they won’t want to leave securing their finals spot until the last minute as they did last year. Difficulty Score: 462 (ranked 6th) Last Season: 16th (5-12-1) Coach: Jake Batchelor (3rd season) Fixture: Col (H), Ess (H), GWS (A), bye, NB (H), NM (H), Box (N), Ric (H), Cas (A), Fra (A), GC (H), BL (A), bye, Gee (A), Syd (H), Wil (A), Sou (H), Ess (A), bye, Ric (A), Gee (H) Plays Twice: Essendon, Geelong, Richmond Doesn’t Play: Carlton, Coburg, Footscray, Port Melbourne, Werribee Interstate Trips: NSW 1, Queensland 1 VFLW Double Headers: 6 AFL curtain raisers/closers: 1 (R3 v GWS) Summary: A little friendlier than last year, beginning with two home games against well-supported opponents and four home games in the first five (including a Round 1 blockbuster at RSEA Park) having the bean counters smiling. Only two interstate trips and three “single-figure” outings, with no trip to Gold Coast and no game against Werribee. Coburg has been a danger game in recent years so missing them isn’t the worst. The trade off from the early home games is seven journeys in their last 11, so they must make hay early on. They miss Footscray for the second year in a row among five absent match-ups and only play one top-10 team twice, with the three double-ups putting their fate in their own hands against clubs pushing for the same spots. Difficulty Score: 525 (ranked 15th) Last Season: 14th (8-10) Coach: Steve Daniel (4th VFL season, 7th overall) Fixture: PM (H), Wer (H), Wil (A), Ess (A), BL (H), Col (H), GC (A), NB (A), Fra (H), bye, Wil (H), Cob (A), Car (A), GWS (H), bye, Box (H), San (A), Syd (H), Wer (A), bye, NM (H) Plays Twice: Werribee, Williamstown Doesn’t Play: Casey, Footscray, Geelong, Richmond Interstate Trips: Victoria 7 VFLW Double Headers: 1 AFL curtain raisers/closers: 0 Summary: A testing start to the season for the Sharks as they aim to make up for an injury-ruined 2023, with home games against likely big improver Port Melbourne, Grand Finalist Werribee and a trip to Williamstown to kick things off. However, they need to re-establish that Fankhauser Fortress after losing four times there last year and those first two games couldn’t offer a better chance to send a message to the rest of the competition. Away games against the top two will show where they stand, but it is interesting to see all four teams they miss are likely contenders for the same positions on the ladder. No action for Shark fans in Sydney after the pre-season but a home game against the Lions shapes as a blockbuster. Difficulty Score: 474 (ranked 10th) Last Season: 18th (4-14) Coach: Damian Truslove (2nd season) Fixture: Cob (H), Ric (A), bye, GC (H), Box (A), GWS (H), NM (A), Fra (A), NB (H), bye, Gee (H), Foo (A), GWS (A), Wer (H), San (A), NM (H), BL (A), Sou (A), bye, Col (H), Foo (H) Plays Twice: Footscray, GWS, North Melbourne Doesn’t Play: Carlton, Casey Demons, Essendon, Port Melbourne, Williamstown Interstate Trips: Queensland 2, Victoria 6 VFLW Double Headers: 2 AFL curtain raisers/closers: 3 (R6 v GWS, R11 v Gee, R13 v GWS) Summary: The Swans slid horribly last year as injuries played havoc on their depth, and their bid to climb back up the ladder faces a lot of roadblocks with one of the hardest fixtures. After a game they will start strong favourites in to kick off the year, they have three big tests in a row as part of a difficult run between a double bye for Gather Round and their second week off in Round 10. If they are still in the hunt, having two home games to finish the season against 2023 finalists will give them a chance to either earn their spot or prove them unworthy. Three of the five teams they miss are from the bottom 11 but they will be happy to avoid trips to both Grand Finalists. Two Sydney Derbies is a bonus as it means one less trip to the airport. Difficulty Score: 465 (ranked 7th) Last Season: 2nd (18-3) Coach: Jimmy Allan (1st season, replacing Michael Barlow) Fixture: Gee (A), Sou (A), Ric (H), GWS (H), Wil (A), Car (H), bye, Col (A), NM (H), GC (A), Fra (H), bye, Wil (H), Syd (A), Foo (H), Cob (H), NB (H), PM (A), Sou (H), bye, Box (A) Plays Twice: Southport, Williamstown Doesn’t Play: Brisbane Lions, Casey Demons, Essendon, Sandringham Interstate Trips: NSW 1, Queensland 2 VFLW Double Headers: 0 (same club – underlined), 2 (different clubs – italics) AFL curtain raisers/closers: 1 (R10 v GC) Summary: The Tigers could not possibly be upset by what they have been handed as they aim to go one better, with only five clubs given a nominally friendlier fixture than the runners-up. They only have two “single-figure” games, one of which is the rematch with the Suns in Queensland, while they have an even spread of top-10/bottom-10 double-ups and the same for missed opponents. A testing road double to start (although not as tough as last year) and three interstate trips provide the biggest challenges, but they should be able to build some momentum in the run to the finals. No game against their preliminary final victim Brisbane Lions or the Casey Demons. Look for them to make their move early. Difficulty Score: 528 (ranked 16th) Last Season: 5th (14-6) Coach: Justin Plapp (4th season) Fixture: Fra (A), Cob (A), Sou (H), Foo (H), Wer (H), Cas (A), Ess (H), Car (H), bye, PM (A), Sou (A), NB (H), Wer (A), bye, GC (A), San (H), Ric (H), Box (A), NM (H), bye, GWS (H) Plays Twice: Southport, Werribee Doesn’t Play: Brisbane Lions, Collingwood, Geelong, Sydney Interstate Trips: Queensland 2 VFLW Double Headers: 5 AFL curtain raisers/closers: 0 Summary: After charging up the ladder despite having nominally the second hardest fixture last season, the Seagulls should be much happier with this year’s offering. Two trips to Queensland and they play only one fellow top-10 team twice, although that is next-door neighbour and Grand Finalist Werribee, while the four teams they miss include their semi-final conqueror Brisbane Lions, and they don’t play Geelong for the second year in a row. They start with back-to-back away games but will be favourites in both before a run of three home fixtures that could give their year the perfect start. Only have four games that the difficulty chart rates in single figures, although that includes trips to last year’s top three. Difficulty Score: 526 (ranked 16th)

VFL Fixture Round 1 vs Box Hill, Sunday March 24, 2:00pm AEDT (Casey Fields) Round 2 vs Footscray Bulldogs, Saturday March 30, 2:05pm AEDT (Casey Fields) Round 3 vs Port Melbourne, Saturday April 13, 3:05pm AEST (Casey Fields) Round 4 BYE. Round 5 vs Richmond, Wednesday April 24, 2:05pm AEST (Swinburne Centre) Round 6 vs Williamstown, Sunday May 5, 2:05pm AEST (Casey Fields) Round 7 vs Carlton, Friday May 10, 5:10pm AEST (Ikon Park) Round 8 vs Brisbane, Saturday May 18, 11:05am AEST (Casey Fields) Round 9 vs Sandringham, Sunday May 26, 2:05pm AEST (Casey Fields) Round 10 vs Coburg, Saturday June 1, 1:05pm AEST (Piranha Park) Round 11 vs Collingwood, Sunday June 9, 2:05pm AEST (Casey Fields) Round 12 BYE Round 13 vs North Melbourne, Sunday June 23, 2:00pm AEST (Casey Fields) Round 14 vs Northern Bullants, Date TBC, Location TBC Round 15 vs Brisbane, Date TBC, Location TBC Round 16 vs Essendon, Date TBC, Location TBC Round 17 vs Frankston, Date TBC, Location TBC Round 18 vs GWS Giants, Date TBV, Location TBC Round 19 vs Footscray Bulldogs, Date TBC, Location TBC Round 20 BYE Round 21 vs Gold Coast Suns, Date TBC, Location TBC

They have a McDonalds there? Or is that the personal section for TMac's family.