Demonland

Everyone is challenging the dangerous tackles this week.

That's the get out of jail free card.

Is Oliver doing everything the rest of the group is doing? If you didn't know he was in injured would you suspect anything?

Live footage from AFL House

Of course they are ... Paging @Jaded No More

A friend of mine saw Oliver doing run throughs at about 75% pace at Gosch's on Saturday before the game. Said he looked unhampered and looked like he could play next week. Just a random observation though.

The Narrm Football Club found a second way in the space of 12 months less a day to unexpectedly lose a home game against Walyalup on Saturday afternoon. The equivalent match of last year has been described as Melbourne’s “ground zero” of 2022 where things went wrong for the club after a long run of wins that included its 57 year drought-breaking premiership triumph. Unfortunately for the Demons, the 2023 version was a case of deja vu with the Dockers overcoming a half time deficit and running over the home team in the decisive third quarter. During that term last year, the visitors won the centre clearances 7-0 to shock the reigning premiers and end their 17-game winning sequence. This time our Norm Smith medallist Christian Petracca was healthy enough to hold up his end and Tom Sparrow did as good a job as any human can do in filling the cavernous hole left by the absence of Clayton Oliver but the Demons still fell apart badly in the middle of the ground. This was especially so even after Walyalup’s Sean Darcy was subbed off the ground with a hamstring injury leaving Narrm’s All Australian ruck duo Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy to contend with previously out of form former Demon premiership ruckman Luke Jackson. It should have been a ruck mauling to lead the team to a big massacre but, once again, there was a major deficiency in the engine room that led to an anomalous statistic in take always from stoppages. How does a side that dominates the ruck hit outs by 56 to 28 lose the clearance battle by 37 to 39? Simple answer (for the second week in a row). The Walyalup midfield had enough talent and was prepared to work a damn sight harder than its counterpart to get their hands on the football. The consequence was that like Butters and Rozee of last week, Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong busted the Demons open and won the day for the Dockers. It wasn’t all the fault of the Demon defence which battled manfully to stem the tide in the first half but the dam wall broke in the third term, ironically when Jackson split the middle to put his team ahead by more than a goal, after which they were never headed. The problem was that the attack was horrible, bordering on dysfunctional once again. The powerful defensive pressure that this line once applied was missing and Walyalup’s defenders were able to out position their small foes, outmark the talls, worry them with their own persistence and eventually get out of their backline methodically where, in the past, the ball would have been retrieved and returned without much trouble. The writing was on the wall last week when Narrm succumbed to Yartapuulti. The selectors ignored the signs and the team lost. NARRM 3.2.20 4.5.29 6.8.44 10.12.72 WALYALUP 2.0.12 4.3.27 9.5.59 12.7.79 GOALS NARRM Fritsch Pickett 2 Grundy Harmes McDonald Sparrow van Rooyen Viney WALYALUP Amiss 3 Banfield Treacy 2 Aish Frederick Jackson Schultz Serong BEST NARRM Petracca Gawn Brayshaw Pickett Sparrow Grundy WALYALUP Jackson Brayshaw Serong O'Meara Young INJURIES NARRM Nil WALYALUP Sean Darcy (hamstring) REPORTS NARRM Nil WALYALUP Nil SUBSTITUTIONS NARRM James Jordon (replaced Kade Chandler in fourth quarter) WALYALUP Sam Sturt (replaced Sean Darcy in second quarter) UMPIRES Chris Donlon Leigh Haussen Mathew Nicholls Andre Gianfagna CROWD 29,154 at the MCG

Remember when the Demons could get out of tight spots and come from behind to win the close ones? MELBOURNE 1.2.8 4.6.30 7.11.53 11.13.79 CARLTON 1.3.9 3.4.22 7.8.50 10.14.74 THE TEAMS MELBOURNE B:T. Rivers 24 J. Lever 8 H.Petty 35 HB: T. Sparrow 32 S. May 1 J. Jordon 23 C: C. Salem 3 C Oliver 13 E. Langdon 15 HF: A. Brayshaw 10 B. Fritsch 31 A. Neal-Bullen 30 F: C. Spargo 9 B. Brown 50 K. Pickett 36 Foll: M. Gawn 11 J.Viney 7 C. Petracca 5 I/C: M. Hibberd 14 J. Hunt 29 L. Jackson 7 J. Melksham 18 Sub: J. Harmes 4 Emerg: B.Laurie 16 A. Tomlinson 20 J.Van Rooyen 21 No change CARLTON B: A.Saad 42 J.Weitering 23 S.Docherty 15 HB: C.Marchbank 22 M.McGovern 11 L.Young 33 C: L.O'Brien 4 P.Cripps 9 J.Newnes 32 HF: Z.Fisher 25 H.McKay 10 J.Silvagni 1 F: M.Owies 44 C.Curnow 30 C.Durdin 19 Foll: M.Pittonet 27 W.Setterfield 43 S.Walsh 18 I/C: M.Cottrell 46 J.Martin 21 J.Motlop 3 L.Stocker 13 Sub: P.Dow 2 Emerg: T. De Koning 12 B.Kemp 17 In: M.Pittonet L.Stocker Out: A.Cerra (adductor) T. De Koning (omitted)

Surely that’s a free kick umpire?

The Casey Demons were dealt a crushing blow to their hopes of repeating last year’s premiership glory when they capitulated to the Werribee Tigers in the final term of what was for the first three quarters a riveting game of football. The Demons struck early with the opening two goals of the match but the Tigers fought back to level the scores by mid-term. From there on until the middle of the last quarter, there was never more than two goals separating the teams although the home side looked to be in charge after a Casey burst in the middle of the third term. The Demons had no less than 14 AFL listed players on board together with a few of their VFL listed players who are midseason draft hopefuls and were expected to win a closely contested game. By comparison, the Tigers lineup was comprised of more of hard bodied players capable of playing tough, relentless football and in this instance, they prevailed with their hard tackling and strong marking that lifted the pressure gauge when the game was there to be won. Casey’s captain Mitch White was one Demon who was not overawed by the occasion. He finished with 24 disposals and a goal. Similarly, Adam Tomlinson worked his butt off in defence amassing 29 touches and 8 marks. Preseason draft nominees Roan Steele (22 disposals) and George Grey (16) were also prominent for Casey. Jack Bell had a good game in the ruck. Josh Schache and Ben Brown were busy up forward but when the chips were down in that final term they were unable to turn the Werribee tide that saw most of the scoring go the way of the victorious home team which snared the Demons’ place in the top four and have a game in hand in the battle for that all-important placing. Some of the team’s younger members are struggling to fire up, particularly in the midfield mix and the club will continue to be patient in monitoring their development. The Demons have another tough assignment next week as they travel to the Gold Coast to play last year’s vanquished grand finalists, Southport. CASEY DEMONS 3.2.20 7.3.45 12.4.76 12.6.78 WERRIBEE 2.2.14 8.3.51 13.4.82 16.10.106 GOALS CASEY DEMONS Melksham Schache Smith 2 Brown Grey Jefferson McRae Moniz-Wakefield White WERRIBEE Garoni 3 Hayes Lever Paea 2 Boyd Brew Declase Grey Gribble Keast Malual BEST CASEY DEMONS Tomlinson Schache Brown White Steele Bell WERRIBEE Gribble Brew J Henderson Mannagh Declase Clohesy Statistics Jed Adams 7 kicks 1 handballs 8 disposals 3 marks 2 tackles 40 dream team points Riley Baldi 6 kicks 11 handballs 17 disposals 2 marks 4 tackles 53 dream team points Jack Bell 5 kicks 4 handballs 9 disposals 4 marks 3 tackles 27 hit outs 63 dream team points Ben Brown 1 goal 16 kicks 3 handballs 19 disposals 7 marks 1 tackle 5 hit outs 93 dream team points Matt Buntine 7 kicks 3 handballs 10 disposals 4 marks 5 rebounds tackles 60 dream team points Max Gregory 2 kicks 2 disposals 2 marks 2 tackles 17 dream team points George Grey 1 goal 1 behind 10 kicks 6 handballs 16 disposals 1 mark 2 tackles 59 dream team points Blake Howes 9 kicks 8 handballs 17 disposals 4 marks 3 tackles 59 dream team points Matt Jefferson 1 goal 2 kicks 2 handballs 4 disposals 16 dream team points Bailey Laurie 6 kicks 7 handballs 15 disposals 2 marks 4 tackles 51 dream team points Tom McRae 1 goal 4 kicks 4 handballs 8 disposals 1 mark 9 tackles 1 hit out 60 dream team points Jake Melksham 2 goals 8 kicks 4 handballs 12 disposals 4 marks 46 dream team points Andy Moniz-Wakefield 1 goal 1 behind 3 kicks 7 handballs 10 disposals 1 mark 2 tackles 38 dream team points Charlie Peters 1 kick 1 disposal 2 tackles 11 dream team points [injured] Josh Schache 2 goals 1 behind 12 kicks 6 handballs 17 disposals 4 marks 3 tackles 8 hit outs 91 dream team points Oliver Sestan 4 kicks 5 handballs 9 disposals 1 mark 2 tackles 31 dream team points Deaykin Smith 3 kicks 2 handballs 5 disposals 2 marks 3 tackles 22 dream team points Joel Smith 2 goals 4 kicks 2 handballs 6 disposals 4 marks 3 tackles 47 dream team points Roan Steele 12 kicks 10 handballs 22 disposals 4 marks 1 tackle 70 dream team points Adam Tomlinson 25 kicks 4 handballs 29 disposals 8 marks 104 dream team points Daniel Turner 10 kicks 3 handballs 13 disposals 5 marks 1 tackle 55 dream team points Mitch White 1 goal 20 kicks 4 handballs 24 disposals 3 marks 4 tackles 100 dream team points Taj Woewodin 11 kicks 7 handballs 18 disposals 3 marks 2 tackles 53 dream team points

Despite missing the game, Clayton Oliver retains a slender lead over Christian Petracca. 127. Clayton Oliver 125. Christian Petracca 50. Max Gawn Jack Viney 40. Brodie Grundy 38. Angus Brayshaw 33. Trent Rivers 30. Jake Lever 23. Lachie Hunter 19. Jake Bowey 18. Ed Langdon Kysaiah Pickett 17. Steven May 15. Tom Sparrow 14. Bayley Fritsch 11. Kade Chandler 9. Ben Brown 8. Judd McVee 7. Charlie Spargo 6. Christian Salem 5. Tom McDonald Alex Neal-Bullen 3. Michael Hibberd James Jordon 2. Jacob van Rooyen 1. Harry Petty

CRUSHED by KC from Casey The Casey Demons were dealt a crushing blow to their hopes of repeating last year’s premiership glory when they capitulated to the Werribee Tigers in the final term of what was for the first three quarters a riveting game of football. The Demons struck early with the opening two goals of the match but the Tigers fought back to level the scores by mid-term. From there on until the middle of the last quarter, there was never more than two goals separating the teams although the home side looked to be in charge after a Casey burst in the middle of the third term. The Demons had no less than 14 AFL listed players on board together with a few of their VFL listed players who are midseason draft hopefuls and were expected to win a closely contested game. By comparison, the Tigers lineup was comprised of more of hard bodied players capable of playing tough, relentless football and in this instance, they prevailed with their hard tackling and strong marking that lifted the pressure gauge when the game was there to be won. Casey’s captain Mitch White was one Demon who was not overawed by the occasion. He finished with 24 disposals and a goal. Similarly, Adam Tomlinson worked his butt off in defence amassing 29 touches and 8 marks. Preseason draft nominees Roan Steele (22 disposals) and George Grey (16) were also prominent for Casey. Jack Bell had a good game in the ruck. Josh Schache and Ben Brown were busy up forward but when the chips were down in that final term they were unable to turn the Werribee tide that saw most of the scoring go the way of the victorious home team which snared the Demons’ place in the top four and have a game in hand in the battle for that all-important placing. Some of the team’s younger members are struggling to fire up, particularly in the midfield mix and the club will continue to be patient in monitoring their development. The Demons have another tough assignment next week as they travel to the Gold Coast to play last year’s vanquished grand finalists, Southport. CASEY DEMONS 3.2.20 7.3.45 12.4.76 12.6.78 WERRIBEE 2.2.14 8.3.51 13.4.82 16.10.106 GOALS CASEY DEMONS Melksham Schache Smith 2 Brown Grey Jefferson McRae Moniz-Wakefield White WERRIBEE Garoni 3 Hayes Lever Paea 2 Boyd Brew Declase Grey Gribble Keast Malual BEST CASEY DEMONS Tomlinson Schache Brown White Steele Bell WERRIBEE Gribble Brew J Henderson Mannagh Declase Clohesy Statistics Jed Adams 7 kicks 1 handballs 8 disposals 3 marks 2 tackles 40 dream team points Riley Baldi 6 kicks 11 handballs 17 disposals 2 marks 4 tackles 53 dream team points Jack Bell 5 kicks 4 handballs 9 disposals 4 marks 3 tackles 27 hit outs 63 dream team points Ben Brown 1 goal 16 kicks 3 handballs 19 disposals 7 marks 1 tackle 5 hit outs 93 dream team points Matt Buntine 7 kicks 3 handballs 10 disposals 4 marks 5 rebounds tackles 60 dream team points Max Gregory 2 kicks 2 disposals 2 marks 2 tackles 17 dream team points George Grey 1 goal 1 behind 10 kicks 6 handballs 16 disposals 1 mark 2 tackles 59 dream team points Blake Howes 9 kicks 8 handballs 17 disposals 4 marks 3 tackles 59 dream team points Matt Jefferson 1 goal 2 kicks 2 handballs 4 disposals 16 dream team points Bailey Laurie 6 kicks 7 handballs 15 disposals 2 marks 4 tackles 51 dream team points Tom McRae 1 goal 4 kicks 4 handballs 8 disposals 1 mark 9 tackles 1 hit out 60 dream team points Jake Melksham 2 goals 8 kicks 4 handballs 12 disposals 4 marks 46 dream team points Andy Moniz-Wakefield 1 goal 1 behind 3 kicks 7 handballs 10 disposals 1 mark 2 tackles 38 dream team points Charlie Peters 1 kick 1 disposal 2 tackles 11 dream team points [injured] Josh Schache 2 goals 1 behind 12 kicks 6 handballs 17 disposals 4 marks 3 tackles 8 hit outs 91 dream team points Oliver Sestan 4 kicks 5 handballs 9 disposals 1 mark 2 tackles 31 dream team points Deaykin Smith 3 kicks 2 handballs 5 disposals 2 marks 3 tackles 22 dream team points Joel Smith 2 goals 4 kicks 2 handballs 6 disposals 4 marks 3 tackles 47 dream team points Roan Steele 12 kicks 10 handballs 22 disposals 4 marks 1 tackle 70 dream team points Adam Tomlinson 25 kicks 4 handballs 29 disposals 8 marks 104 dream team points Daniel Turner 10 kicks 3 handballs 13 disposals 5 marks 1 tackle 55 dream team points Mitch White 1 goal 20 kicks 4 handballs 24 disposals 3 marks 4 tackles 100 dream team points Taj Woewodin 11 kicks 7 handballs 18 disposals 3 marks 2 tackles 53 dream team points

they will end up pinching it.

The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 29th May @ 8:30pm. Join Binman and I as we analyse Narrm's narrow loss against Yartapuulti at Adelaide Oval. You 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 & Chat LIVE: https://demonland.com/podcast Call: 03 9016 3666 Skype: Demonland31

The Carlton Blues are on the ropes with their season on the line and the Demons will be desperate for a win to keep touch with the Top Four. Who comes in and who goes out?

The Narrm Demons continually misfired and fumbled all day long eventually going down to Walyalup Dockers by seven points at the Melbourne Cricket Ground notching up their second loss in a row.

The injured Clayton Oliver holds a narrow lead over Christian Petracca from Jack Viney & Max Gawn in the Demonland Player of the Year award. Your votes please 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 …

He won’t be able to miss next week.

Narrm return to the MCG to take on Walyalup who in the corresponding match last season broke the Demon's 17 game winning streak which was their first of three losses in a row. The Dees will need to win to stay in the Top 4.