Demonland

Demonland Trackwatchers beat the Friday heat to bring you their observations from this morning's Captain's Run out at Gosch's Paddock in the lead up to their first hit out in a Practice Match tomorrow against the Kangaroos. TRAVY14'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS On the park: Trac Spargo Gawn Viney Langdon May Fritsch Salem Henderson Rehab: McVee (updated to include Melk, Kolt, AMW and Kentfield) Spoke to "Gus" the trainer, he said these are the guys not playing tomorrow. Will be playing a lot of the kids. Henderson training to get to know the guys. General drills with running incorporated into it for fitness, nothing really to report. McVee doing plenty or run throughs at gentle pace, but impressed considering its an eight week hammy. Rest of the team rocking up now for captains run. Windsor in footy boots!! Windsor just left the track, not looking comfortable. Not a new injury, but obviously still recovering. HARVEY WALLBANGER'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Absent: McAdam Rehabbing: Melksham and McVee lots of running. Moniz-Wahefield. Tholstrup and Kentfield not doing much. Not playing tomorrow: May, Salem, Petracca, Viney, Spargo, Gawn, Langdon, Fritsch, Henderson, Windsor Train-on: Roy George (Culley not present). Leaves the other 28 available to have a run tomorrow: 2 van Rooyen 8 Lever 13 Oliver 14 Billings 16 Laurie 17 Bowey 19 Langford 20 Lindsay 21 Jefferson 22 Howes 24 Rivers 25 TMac 26 Adams 27 Hore 28 Verrall 29 Campbell 30 Sharp 32 Sparrow 33 Fullarton 35 Petty 36 Pickett 37 Chandler 38 Sestan 39 Mentha 40 Woewodin 41 Brown 42 Johnson ? George Windsor did some running with the main group - a big step forward from last week. Don't expect him to play tomorrow though. Based on what we saw today I expect the Casey game will not have any AFL listed players, and as reported earlier it may be that Roy George has a run in the main game (even though not on the list?). Given the nature of Kolt's injury he just turns up to training but he is not doing any running or drills. Today he spent quite a bit of time with his friend Kentfield - gentle stretches etc, hand-balling, etc. They will both be a couple of months away based on official and unofficial reports. KEV MARTIN'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Gorgeous morning, right temperature, no wind, plenty of vibe around (excited, nervous, up), they are ready to hit and compete. The veterans of Trac, Spargo, Gawn, Viney, Langdon, May, Fritsch, Salem, and the new one Henderson, had their own program going. They did join in some main drills. Henderson looks OK, can run and covers the ground smoothly, also has a good kick on him. In a general drill where we hadn't dropped a ball until Henderson let one slip. Good learning curve for him. A few others missed after that. I think, starting in that group of leaders will be good for him. The veterans group did an excessive number of run throughs. The others were about 28 or so in numbers. Going to be an interesting hit out tomorrow in the sim against North. Goody controlled the training, mainly by himself. The sims had him structuring mostly infront of the ball. The contest weren't there as they kept distance and allowed each other space. Kossie heavily involved, as a small forward. Oliver, rotated with him in from the forward to the mid-area. JVR getting his hands on it, with Turner as his offsider. Jefferson and Johnson at the end that they weren't kicking too. Backline being led by Lever who got the intercepts. Sharp played high half-forward. Verral and Campbell rucking in different teams. H.Langford, looked nervous, fumbled a few. Hope he enjoys his first hit out with team tomorrow. Lindsay is going well, I like that he is quiet, absorbing all he can get, and plays with poise. Will be a good role player for Goody as he is a quick learner. They had some goal kicking at the end, Mentha has a good banana shape on his snaps. Brad Green was down at training, hanging out with the "brains trust", on the far side. (First time I have noticed him down at the Paddock).

Players not likely to play in tomorrows Practice Match in picture form.

Which ones? Not Trac, McVee or Spargo. I think they will rest Max for this match or at least half of it. In the corresponding match in 2020 we featured an inexperienced lineup. Melbourne squad 9. C.Spargo 10. A.Brayshaw 12. T.Bedford 16. T.McCaffrey (VFL) 17. J.Munro (VFL) 18. J.Melksham 20. A.Tomlinson 23. J.Jordon 24. T.Rivers 27. R.Sparkes (VFL) 28. O.McDonald 29. J.Hunt 30. A.Vella (VFL) 31. B.Fritsch 32. T.Sparrow 33. O.Baker 34. M.Hore 35. A.Courtney (VFL) 36. K.Pickett 37. M.Lewis (VFL) 38. M.Brown 40. C.Wagner 41. J.Lockhart 42. J.Wagner 44. C.Ellison (VFL) 46. A.Bradtke 48. J.Briggs (VFL)

That is known as the Binman Method and is not for the faint-hearted.

It's a Twitter/X issue. Happens every now and then. Also can occur if you use Ad Blockers on this website which you should definitely not do.

You must be new here. And the % is a lot higher.

Christian Petracca: 91 The Melbourne superstar has recovered physically from that seismic King’s Birthday lacerated spleen, four broken ribs and punctured lung - as well as preseason broken rib - but how will he fare psychologically? We won’t know until the games start. But the early signs are good after he flirted with the idea of a trade before returning to the Demons. He was in blistering form in the first half of last season - 16 Brownlow votes and 14 goals (including five against Carlton) from his 13 matches. We’re backing him in full throttle! 2024 rating: 92 Max Gawn: 90 Has nudged past Dean Cox as the ruckman with the most All-Australian blazers (seven) with another superb 2024. He strapped his teammates onto his back last year - again - and carried them when the club stumbled from one issue to the next. Missed two games due to injury late in the year. Had 19.5 disposals and 34 hitouts per game, and led the Demons in contested possessions (252). It’s hard to quantify the importance of his leadership but it’s fair to say the Demons would be stuffed without him. 2024 rating: 89 Jack Viney: 88 When Petracca was injured and considering his future and Oliver was a shadow of his destructive self, this midfield bull flew the flag and threw himself head-first into work. Viney’s pressure was elite (25.3 pressure acts per game) and contested possession count (10.3 per game) was above average. We love the fact his offence was still a factor - he kicked a career-best 10 goals. North Melbourne came hard for him but his loyalty to the club won out. He’s true red and blue. 2024 rating: 88 Steven May: 84 It wasn’t one of his vintage years, but the 33-year-old is still one of the most challenging opponents for the key forwards. His season ended after 19 games, with broken ribs in round 21. The Demons plan to be more attacking this year, which will suit May’s style. He called the club’s game style in 2024 “boring and safe”, which means he will be fully supportive of the change. In the final year of his current deal. 2024 rating: 86 Jake Lever: 83 Lever is Robin to May’s Batman in Melbourne’s defence but he did face some injury concerns in 2024, which dulled his impact a little. His numbers were slightly down but his importance to the club is as critical as ever. He was above average in almost all facets of Champion Data’s stats, but dipped a little in terms of spoils and one on ones. The 28-year-old will be critical as the Dees look to win their first final since that 2021 flag. 2024 rating: 87 Clayton Oliver: 81 We picked the market move on Clarry’s slide last year off the back of a tumultuous preseason last year. But we’re cautiously optimistic of a big 2025 bounce back. He barely had a fitness base leading into 2024 and should be far better equipped after a solid preseason this year. Can he get back to his best? Perhaps. On early preseason samples, he has at least given himself the best shot to make that happen. He met with Geelong last October when the club privately told a few clubs he was gettable. But he stayed, and has six years to run on a deal. Let’s hope he sees it out as the Dees need him back to his best. 2024 rating: 77 Kysaiah Pickett: 80 Kozzie will be an off-field talking point all season - will he “see out” his time at Melbourne or seek a trade to Freo - but on-field he needs to back up what was a solid 2024 season. The exciting mid/forward had a career-best result in the B&F (fourth) and for the fourth year in a row kicked more than 35 goals. Will play more midfield this year than previous years. Needs to find the line between his relentless attack on the footy and reckless abandon. The latter cost him the first three games this year, with a suspension for his bump on Darcy Moore. 2024 rating: 78 Bayley Fritsch: 77 In a team which has found it hard to kick goals, the opportunistic Fritsch is a blessing in disguise for the Demons. He has won the past five club goalkicking awards, and has booted 215 goals in that time (41.23 last year from 23 games). If there was one small gripe, he could sharpen his defensive capabilities without blunting his attack (he had 59 tackles in his 2018 debut year and only 27 last year). 2024 rating: 78 Trent Rivers: 77 The only shining midfield light during the Petracca injury drama was that the Demons finally threw this bloke into the action on a permanent basis and reaped the rewards. He ended the season with career-best numbers (21.3 disposals, 403 metres gained and 6.8 contested possessions), finishing sixth in the Bluey Truscott Medal. There is no reason - at 23 and with 100 games now behind him - that he can’t continue the ascent. 2024 rating: 75 Ed Langdon: 73 Melbourne’s running man is set for a role change in 2025, as our colleague Jay Clark told us recently. Langdon will play more inside mid this year, rather than his customary wing role. That will add some zip and speed to the engine room. Finished fifth in the best and fairest and just keeps on keeping on, having missed only a handful of Dees’ games in six seasons. 2024 rating: 71 Jacob van Rooyen: 73 The key forward turns 22 in April and will look to keep his year-to-year progression rolling after kicking 30.16 from 21 games last year. Could elevate this ranking even further if he can push his tally into the 40+ goals ratio. He took some ruck work in attack and around the stoppages last year which helped Gawn out. Has a big future ahead, but needs to work at it. 2024 rating: 72 Caleb Windsor: 69 The 2023 pick seven already looks like he will be a 15-year player after a hugely underrated debut season which saw him play 19 games and earn a Rising Star nomination. Looked at home on the wing (14.47 disposals and eight goals) but will move to half-back this season which could see him turbo charge the Demons’ ball movement. His 118-rankings point game against Geelong last year showed how good this guy can be when he takes the game on. 2024 rating: 60 Christian Salem: 68 Melbourne would dearly love this defender/mid to recapture his 2021 All-Australian squad form. It’s been a hard run since for Salem, with a host of soft tissue and knee injuries blunting his effectiveness. Has played 13, 16 and 17 games in interrupted seasons since the flag year, with his 2024 figures down 5.3 disposals, 106 metres gained, 2.7 rebound 50s and 2.3 intercept possessions on his 2021 peak. Let’s hope he gets a clear run at it again. 2024 rating: 76 Judd McVee: 65 The McVee streak is over and that’s bad news for Dees fans. After playing every Melbourne game since his round 1 debut in 2023, the one-time rookie is going to miss an extended period of games with a high-grade hamstring. He will be missed early in the season, having been a crucial part of the Dees’ back six last year. Finished sixth in the B&F last year and his rating would have been in the high 60s if not for the high-grade hamstring injury that will sideline him in the early part of the season. 2024 rating: 68 Tom McDonald: 65 A return to defence brought about the veteran’s best form in several years as he looked more comfortable defending than attacking. Worked well with May and Lever, playing 22 games, his best return since the 2021 premiership season. It brought about above average returns in metres gained, spoils, disposals and intercept. Can he back it up again? Will the return of Petty to defence impact him? 2024 rating: 51 Harrison Petty: 65 It’s back to the future for Harry Petty and not before time. There were some within the Demons camp who wanted to end the forward experiment during last season but Simon Goodwin stood firm. Thankfully the coach has now swung him back. Just 21 goals in the past two seasons wasn’t going to cut it. He will look much more comfortable at the other end. 2024 rating: 73 Kade Chandler: 65 Has carved a bit of a niche as a small forward with two consistent seasons - playing 23 games in each of them - which saw him rewarded with eighth place in the B&F. His pressure role is important and will be doubly so in the first three weeks in Pickett’s absence. He averaged 30 forward half pressure points and 20.1 forward pressure acts last year. Can he score 30 goals after 24 and 18 in the last two years? 2024 rating: 55 Tom Sparrow: 64 The mid/forward is edging closer to 100 games after barely missing a game in the past four seasons, but his stats regressed a little last year. He was solid but just didn’t impact games the way he should be doing. Turns 25 in May and is considered a young leader within the group, but we’d love to see him take a few more steps in 2025. 2024 rating: 65 Harvey Langford: 64 Is he going to be a Jack Viney clone? A midfield bull in every sense of the word, the Dees’ No.6 pick is on track for a round 1 debut after impressing teammates across the preseason. The 18-year-old has even drawn praise from Viney and co. He averaged 25 disposals, six clearances and six inside 50s at the national championship. Steps through traffic like a good player - a trait Demons fans are going to love. C’mon Goody, just lock him in now! 2024 rating: N/A Daniel Turner: 64 Simon Goodwin got ‘Disco’ right. He decided to switch the one-time rookie defender to attack last year, and he responded immediately, kicking three goals against Richmond (in his third game). He ended the year as a partner in attack for van Rooyen and kicked 17.7, including a four-goal haul against Gold Coast in the penultimate round. 2024 rating: N/A Jake Bowey: 63 Missed two months of footy last year after suffering a collarbone injury against Sydney in Opening Round. It wasn’t ideal and he struggled to recapture his best form when he returned to the fray. Still played 14 games for the year without the same damaging impact we’ve seen from him before. Might get his chance to recapture that this season. 2024 rating: 64 Jake Melksham: 62 He’s a bloody hard player to hold back. Every time you think someone might have passed him, his tenacity and willpower gets him back into the fray. He resumed off his knee injury in the VFL but was back playing AFL in round 17, kicking two goals against the Eagles. He’s 33 now, but still rates elite in F50 marks. Kicked eight goals in his eight games last year. Don’t discount him finding a spot again in 2025. 2024 rating: 38 Xavier Lindsay: 59 He will likely form a one-two killer punch with Harvey Langford in the future, but for the moment he will look to get 15 games under his belt in what will be a learning year for the midfielder who could also find a spot on the wing. He’s a metres gained player, rated second in the national championships, so he is going to be an exciting watch in 2025 and beyond. 2024 rating: N/A Koltyn Tholstrup: 54 This rating would have been higher but for the bone stress injury that will sideline him for the first part of the season. It’s a shame as the 2023 No.11 pick had shown some encouraging signs last year. He ended up playing 10 games in attack, kicking five goals and rating above average for F50 marks. Will have to work hard to get back but he is capable of locking down a role in the second half of the season. 2024 rating: 52 Harry Sharp: 54 The Brisbane wingman couldn’t lock down a regular role on the wing - 16 games in four years - so he was eager to try his luck at a new home. But it won’t be easy locking in a wing role in a Dees’ side bursting with mids. He was, however, recruited for a purpose, so expect him to get a look in nice and early. The Lions thought so highly of him that he was an emergency for the grand final. 2024 rating: 44 Blake Howes: 53 Finally broke through for his AFL debut in his third season with the club, the intercept defender ended up playing 16 games as he worked alongside stars May and Lever. Can he hold his spot in 2025 with Petty and McDonald in the mix down there. 2024 rating: 33 Jack Billings: 52 The pressure is on for the former Saints as he faces the final year of his deal with Melbourne, with a question mark on his role within the side. He did play 16 games last year, but kicked only four goals. Turns 30 this year and still has some assets, but the pressure will be on for spots. Big year ahead. 2024 rating: 49 Charlie Spargo: 52 It was a wipeout year for the 2021 premiership player due to an Achilles tendon injury suffered in the Opening Round clash, which ended up requiring surgery. He never made it back. It left him on 98 games but the Dees are confident he can bring his forward pressure craft to the fore again in 2025. There is a spot there for him again if he can stay sound. 2024 rating: 58 Taj Woewodin: 50 He was almost the Dees’ first choice sub for a large slice of the season, with 10 of his 16 matches coming as the substitute. It must have been frustrating for the son of a Dees’ Brownlow winner, but he would have learnt plenty from the experiences. 2024 rating: 36 Andy Moniz-Wakefield: 48 His patience was rewarded after he finally made his AFL debut in round 16 against Brisbane, having been with the club since he was next generation rookie draftee from 2021. He didn’t look out of place when he got his chance. His pressure and one-on-one work was commendable, but now he has to get his way back in the side again. 2024 rating: 30 Bailey Laurie: 47 The club hasn’t given up on the pick 22 from the 2020 national draft, having handed him a deal that stretches into 2026. But the small forward needs to start making his mark. He has played 11 games in the past two seasons - including six last year and 13 times as an emergency - but never had the continuity required. Will he get it in 2025? 2024 rating: 35 Aidan Johnson: 48 A mature-aged key forward from Werribee’s VFL premiership side, the 24-year-old has been recruited to potentially give the Demons a new avenue to goal. Originally from Lavington, he had been a teammate of Shaun Mannagh, who urged him to try his luck in the VFL. He kicked 17.18 from 20 games last year, and looms as a wildcard option this season. 2024 rating: N/A Tom Campbell: 45 Google ‘journeyman ruckman’, and there’s likely to be an image of Campbell, who has previously been at Western Bulldogs, North Melbourne and St Kilda. He’s played 58 games in 13 seasons. He’s never played more than 10 games in a season - just two with the Saints last year - but can provide insurance for Max Gawn. 2024 rating: 38 Jack Henderson: 45 Playing for the Eagles in a match sim game on a Monday; signed up by Melbourne by the end of the week. It’s been a wild ride for the 24-year-old who has joined Werribee premiership teammate Aidan Johnson at the Demons. Midfielder who had 23 disposals and kicked two goals in the VFL grand final. 2024 rating: N/A Marty Hore: 44 In his second stint with the Demons, he surprised us a little by playing six games last season and again will be on call in defence in case the likes of May, Lever, McDonald and Petty have any injury concerns. Good cover if needed. 2024 rating: 39 Kynan Brown: 44 The young Demon played two games as the sub last year, but laid one of the club’s most important tackles in 2024. He launched himself at Nick Larkey as Melbourne clung to a three-point lead late in the round 15 clash. It was a big tick for the coaching staff, and he could get more opportunities this year. 2024 rating: 32 Tom Fullarton: 39 Was meant to be the Brodie Grundy replacement when he joined the club from Brisbane last year but his cards appeared to be marked when he was overlooked as a ruck back-up when Max Gawn was out injured for a fortnight. Hard to see how that changes in 2025. 2024 rating: 44 Jed Adams: 34 196cm key defender who has been unable to crack it for a senior game in three years on the Demons’ list. Played 17 games with Casey. He will keep pushing hard but needs to start making inroads soon. 2024 rating: 34 Ricky Mentha: 33 Next Generation Demon who hails from Alice Springs and played 14 games for Gippsland Power last year. Still raw, but he is a small forward who can also spend some time in defence. The 18-year-old can build on his craft and experience through the Casey program. 2024 rating: N/A Will Verrall: 30 199cm ruckman who has been at the club for three seasons now without getting a look-in. Has had some injury challenges. Did perform OK at VFL level last year. 2024 rating: 28 Oliver Sestan: 29 This is third year on the Demons’ rookie list, so it is time that he started making a move. Mid/forward who has played 16 games in each of the past two VFL seasons but is yet to get close to making his AFL debut. Averaged 15.3 disposals and kicked 15 goals including four for Casey against Brisbane. 2024 rating: 28 Luker Kentfield: 28 Midseason draft pick who spent some time in hospital with pneumonia when he was back in Perth during the Christmas break. The 194cm forward played nine games with Casey in the second half of last year, but his return of 4.3 disposals, 1.6 marks and five goals will need to be elevated if he is breakthrough for a senior game. 2024 rating: N/A Shane McAdam: 20 Gee, footy can be a cruel game. Just when it looked like he was ready to stake his claim for a forward berth after three games and a goal last year, the former Crows forward ruptured his Achilles during the week. His season is over. 2024 rating: 70

Game has been brought forward 1 hour to 10am due to the high temperatures forecast.

Demonlander The Analyser was the sole Trackwatcher out at Casey Fields today to bring you the following observations from this mornings preseason training session. Training was at Casey today. It consisted of a match simulation for one half and then a free choice activity time. Activities included kicking for goal, aerial , contest work etc. I noticed the following players not in match simulation Jack Viney running laps and looks fine for round one . I think Kolt looks like he’s improving but many weeks still away. It was good to see Caleb Windsor. He ran laps. Difficult to see how close or if he will make round one. In the probable team I noticed the following players – Steven May, JvR, Christian Salem, Trac, Jake Lever, Disco Turner, Max Gawn, Clayton Oliver, Ed Langdon, Jake Bowey, Harvey Langford, Blake Howes, Trent Rivers, Bayley Fritsch, Tom Sparrow, Harry Petty and Kade Chandler. Then there seems to be a contest for the three wing spots out of these four players – Jack Billings, Harry Sharp, Xavier Lindsay and Woey. They constantly changed teams and I think one may be unlucky unless there’s another injury and the unlucky one will be the sub. The defenders( as you can see from above ) seem set and with the seventh defender they are possibly waiting to see if Windsor will make it or not. Also the seventh forward is difficult to know at the moment and whether they decide to go tall or short. In the match simulation both Jeffo and AJ played in the possible team only. I did notice Gawn at times was playing up forward so whether they decide to go for two ruckman I’m not sure. Bailey Laurie also did okay for the possibles and perhaps could be sub or unfortunately may just miss. So overall it was a lighter Wednesday training than normal with just 1/2 a match simulation and the free choice activities and I guess they’re gearing up for the game on Saturday. It was nice to see Trac in full training even though he wore the hat as did a few others. I was impressed by the speed of Langdon and Oliver also got heaps of the ball. Tom Campbell certainly keeping Gawny on his toes, which is great.

Demonland Trackwatchers were on hand at Monday morning's preseason training at Gosch's Paddock to bring you their brief observations of the session. HARVEY WALLBANGER'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Gentle flush session at Gosch's this morning. Absent: May, Pickett (All Stars) McVee, McAdam. Rehabbing: Great to see Kentfield back (much slimmer), walking with Tholstrup, TMac (suspect just a management thing), Viney (still being cautious with that rib cartilage?), Melksham (in and out of drills with lots of straight-line running), Fritsch also in and out of drills, but that is not unusual for him. Windsor definitely has a limp, and you can see the photos. Train-ons: Culley and Yze. Culley looks good - as he has all pre-season. Great to see Trac and Spargo back into full training, will be interesting to see if Charles has a run on Saturday? AMW copped a corky (from Gawny) but was running it out and in good spirits. KEV MARTIN'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Beautiful morning at The Paddock. Windless with a few less spectators than usual. There was a group of young, probably academy players in MFC gear on the sidelines as well. Goody throwing the positions around, at one stage he spent 5 minutes on the board organising them. Spargo had some time on the wing as did Chandler. Langdon had some time off halfback and pushed really high. Fritsch continues to play a high forward role. Brown and Lindsay matched up against each other, either as half's or on the wing. They broke even, as Brown finds space with arcs and separation, and Lindsay makes straight line breaks with quick steps, and finishes very well. Sestan still off the backline and playing well, also showing structural leadership as he instruct others to position. Most of the sim sets started from a throw in from the back point post. We cleared well and found lots of space up forward. The backline couldn't get to the contest numerous times. Trac has brought lots of poise to the midfield. Clayton was in good form, shrugging tackles with hip movement, and beating the scramble and congested packs. Lever is doing well, as they play plenty of switches from one boundary to the other, a few times they went central. H. Langford missed a few hit ups and made a couple of poor decisions, though getting plenty of the ball. Billings is playing strong and wants the ball off the wing. Laurie is doing everything right as a mid. Woey has a bit of pain through his shoulder, but continues to do most drills and sims. They are happy and boisterous.

Was he carried off or did he leave the field on his own volition? Too soon?

Why a search for a sidekick could make or break the Demons Shane McAdam’s cruel Achilles tendon rupture – the latest setback in a career riddled with injuries – has added further mystery to the make-up of Melbourne’s maligned forward line. The former Crow arrived at the Demons via a trade two years ago in the hope he could add a new element in attack, but played only three games last season and faces another extended absence following likely surgery after hurting himself in match simulation on Friday. Melbourne’s big hope is Jacob van Rooyen, a 21-year-old key forward who ex-Demon Russell Robertson likened to a “young David Schwarz” for their physical likeness but also fearless attack on the Sherrin. “I feel like I’ve put in a really strong block over the pre-season. It hasn’t been interrupted at all, and hopefully, it stays that way,” van Rooyen said. “I’m really looking forward to [this season], and working with the group we have, and building off last year. I’m only 21, so I’ve still got a lot to learn [with] my forward craft.” Van Rooyen kicked 58 goals across the past two seasons and shapes as a future star, but the Demons are yet to find a reliable second tall target to partner him. That is one of the reasons Melbourne were the fifth-lowest scoring team in the AFL last year, mustering a paltry 77.6 points per game as they tumbled to 14th on the ladder and missed finals for the first time since 2020. Coach Simon Goodwin’s experiment with Harry Petty as a forward failed, and he will return to defence this year, while Matt Jefferson – the No.15 pick in the 2022 draft – is yet to play a senior game. For all their draft success in different areas of the ground, particularly in the midfield, Melbourne have struggled to unearth a key forward besides van Rooyen, with Sam Weideman also a bust as a top-10 pick a decade ago. They opted not to select one with any of their four first-round picks in the past two drafts, including passing on the likes of Jonty Faull, Harry Armstrong, Jack Whitlock and Thomas Sims last year. Melbourne instead took a punt on late-bloomer Aidan Johnson, a “very, very aggressive” 193-centimetre forward out of VFL club Werribee and Lavington, with the 68th selection. The club’s national recruiting manager Jason Taylor said at the time that he had tracked 24-year-old Johnson for several seasons. “We think he could potentially have an instant impact for us,” Taylor said. “We’re excited by what he could become.” The Demons’ two key forwards in their drought-breaking 2021 grand final triumph were the since-retired Ben Brown – secured in a trade with North Melbourne – and Tom McDonald, who started his career as a defender and is back there now. However, their attempt to transform Brodie Grundy into a forward-ruck in his one season at the club backfired spectacularly; he was not even selected in their finals campaign that year. Bayley Fritsch, a 188-centimetre lead-up forward, has kicked 38 or more goals in each of the past four seasons and is the most reliable option Melbourne have, while Kysaiah Pickett is one of the game’s best and most prolific small forwards. Kade Chandler, another small forward, is also a regular goalkicker. But the Demons lost Alex Neal-Bullen, their best game runner and pressure player, to Adelaide last year after he requested a trade home on compassionate grounds. They recruited fringe Lion Harry Sharp to fill the void. The latest tall forward being used alongside van Rooyen in attack is Daniel Turner, another ex-defender who was the last pick in the 2021 mid-season draft. Turner kicked 17 goals in 15 games last year, including three hauls of at least three. Melbourne rewarded him with a two-year extension in July. Former Brisbane player Tom Fullarton, a forward-ruck, is also on the Demons’ list, and van Rooyen said having so many options was “a good problem”. “There are still a lot of guys fighting for those spots,” van Rooyen said. “And they are all looking really strong coming into the year.”

A couple of Demonland Trackwatchers made their way out to Casey Field's for the Melbourne Football Club's Family Series day to bring you their observations on the Match Simulation. HARVEY WALLBANGER'S MATCH SIMULATION OBSERVATIONS Absent: May, Pickett (All Stars), McVee, Windor, Kentfield, Mentha Present but not playing: Petracca, Viney, Spargo, Tholstrup, Melksham Starting Blue 18 (+ just 2 interchange): B: Petty, TMac, Lever, Howes, Bowey Salem M: Gawn, Oliver, Langdon, Rivers Wings: Lindsay, Billings F: Sparrow, Fritsch, JVR, Chandler, Turner, Langford Inter: Sharp and McAdam (just these two rotating into the Blue team for the first half. Seems a signal that these twenty are in the mix re Round 1 considering the number absent and injured. McAdam's injury looks serious (2nd stanza) - either knee or ankle, no weight at all as he went straight into the rooms. Both Laurie and AMW were treated for minor knocks but re-entered the game. For three of the stanzas all of the following stayed in white/gray, so I would expect to start with Casey this year: Adams, Hore, Laurie, Verrall, Brown, Johnson, AMW, Sestan, Fullarton, Campbell, Jefferson Woewodin rotated with Lindsay between teams. Wholesale changes between teams only took place in the fourth quarter. Up until then the interchanging was minimal - in my view because the coaches were trying to build cohesion amongst the "probables". Jeffo was white/gray for the first three quarters. GATOR'S MATCH SIMULATION OBSERVATIONS In the second half they changed some of the players from Blue to White and vice versa. I think it’s more interesting as to who started in Blue and who started in White. Blue (probables): Gawn, Oliver, Rivers, Langdon, Lindsay, Langford, Sharp, Howes, Bowey, Salem, Billings, Petty, Lever, Sparrow, Fritsch, Chandler, Turner, van Rooyen, McAdam, McDonald White: (possibles): Campbell, Laurie, Culley, Brown, Adams, Jefferson, Sestan, Hore, Fullarton, Johnson, Woewodin, Moniz-Wakefield, Verrall, Adams, plus Casey top ups. No Mentha and George, or those who you already know about. It seems Petracca, Viney and Windsor will be back next week. So, while we do have injuries, I suspect we won’t be far off our best team soon. Jefferson: He started as a forward for White and was quiet. To get him involved they moved him into defence in the second quarter. He looked very comfortable behind the footy and got quite a lot of it. In the second half he swapped teams and played forward again, but was again quiet, although he took a nice contested mark in the last. Gawn: Campbell is a handful in the ruck contests. He competes hard against Max and manages to neutralize many of the hitouts, but Max worked his way nicely into the game. He took 6 or 7 marks and dropped a couple he’ll take in a few weeks. He got plenty of it. He won’t be falling away this year. Oliver: He’s moving really well and looks back to his best for mine, despite Goody saying supporters will need patience. He used it well, was clever, and wasn’t rushed like he seemed last year. In the votes. Langdon: He was in most centre bounces. He just gets a lot of it when he’s on ball and uses his quick feet to get out of trouble. Kicked a goal and missed a few other chances. Like all of the mids he made a couple of blues but he was in my best. Salem: Played in defence. He’s back to his best and moving like it’s 2021. Bowey: He too played in defence and racked it up. The odd mistake and sometimes I’d like him to move it on a bit quicker, but he looks a lock for the best 22 to me. Langford: He just looks comfortable at the level already and around the contest. His height will be a real asset around the ground and he makes good decisions. His one Achilles heel is he sometimes overruns ground-balls, but he looks a star in the making. Kicked a nice long goal. Lindsay: I thought he was good. He got it about as much as you’d expect playing a true wing role. Nice poise and competes/tackles well for a first year player. Some people think he’s skinny, but I look at the legs and his core looks great for an 18 year old. His upper body will obviously develop. Sharp: Not as noticeable today, but still did some nice things, including a smart front and square crumbing goal. Rivers: Played midfield all game and was good. In my best along with Oliver, Langdon, Fritsch, Salem, Bowey and Gawn. Fritsch: Involved, looked quicker than usual and seems set for a better year. Lever, etc: It was a pretty easy day for the defenders and they did what they had to. Not much to say. Chandler: Did some nice things and seems over his shoulder injury. Turner: Pretty quiet, but he did take a couple of good marks. Van Rooyen: Was the best key forward on the ground and we know he competes well. He still seems to drop an easy mark or chest mark every time I watch him, but he also clunked a couple and I reckon he’s ready to stamp himself on the competition. McAdam: He was playing deep forward and was having a good game before getting injured. A few for White. Moniz-Wakefield: I thought he was really good. Competed really hard, much to Salem’s annoyance at one stage. He played in defence and wouldn’t be out of place in the best 22. Brown: The boy was good. He played mainly on a wing and was one of the better players for White. His Dad was watching on. Sestan: I really like him down back. He was very involved and we know he usually kicks it well. There isn’t a spot for him, but I think he’d equip himself well. Johnson: Good early with a goal and a nice mark, but largely unsighted from then on. Fullarton: He’s such a great build. He did a couple of nice things, but on a whole was reasonably quiet. But I may have missed some stuff. Verrall: He did pretty well against the odds. He took a very good mark in the last and got involved. His kicking is problematic. Woewodin: Played wing and was one of White’s best. Used his pace through the centre in the last when he was switched to Blue. He and Lindsay were matched on a wing for a while. I’d say they’re going head to head for a spot in the 22. Hore: He was good. He looks a class above VFL level, but will have to bide his time. Culley: OK, he did a couple of sloppy kicks interspersed with quality left foot kicks, including a great goal on the run from 45. He was often head to head with Oliver, including the mandatory niggle. I have to say I really like this bloke. I haven’t seen enough to know what his pace is like, but in so many other facets he looks a fantastic prospect in the midfield. We probably have a greater need for a small forward, like George, who I also like, but gee, Culley is too good not to be on an AFL list.

Fierce tackling