Demonland

I say move it to the G and still give us the half a mill

Melbourne will give star midfielder Clayton Oliver every chance to prove his fitness ahead of Monday night’s Anzac Eve clash with Richmond after he missed the club’s main training session on Friday, due to flu-like symptoms. The Demons kept Oliver away from the main group as a precaution as he trained on his own on Friday afternoon. The players have a day off on Saturday, but Melbourne hopes Oliver will be back with the main group for its captain’s run session on Sunday. The Demons look set to regain Max Gawn, Jake Lever and Michael Hibberd for the big Anzac Eve clash, while coach Simon Goodwin said Angus Brayshaw could have some more midfield minutes against the Tigers.

That's all good and well if you have a guest for an unspecified amount of time to talk about anything. We have a very finite time with guests we get from the club. These type of guests are interviews. It's not a conversation. We simply don't have the time to build the rapport with someone you've just called on the phone and have 15 minutes to get all the questions you want to ask. You're also confusing the podcast with an interview. They're two different things. It would be a completely different situation if you had Judd on the podcast and were talking about a game of footy and each person is giving their take on something. That is a conversation and even if Judd (or another player) was shy and nervous after a while he or any player in that situation would loosen up. The podcast above is not that and it's not meant to be. It's an question and answer interview. You also don't know what you're going get with any new player. They're people too who may be shy or not have experience talking with the "media" or doing interviews. They're not all like Max who you could definitely get on and just shoot the [censored]. Have a look at any interview Clarry does. He's not very good in that situation and he would probably be the first person to admit that. Not many people are naturals at that. I saw clips of him on a longer form podcast where it is more of a conversation and he seemed a lot more relaxed and natural. Totally different from anytime a reporter throws a microphone in his face. To reiterate any of the interviews that we do on the podcast are not like this and due to the time constraints cannot be like this particularly with players who aren't experienced and are uncomfortable in that situation. There just isn't the time for them to be comfortable especially because it is not done face to face and is done over the phone cold. I wish it could be a longer form more relaxed situation but that's just not possible.

You are talking about an actual podcast where the hosts who are familiar with each other and are either in the same room or have visual cues with each other over video chat and are having a conversation. This is an interview over the phone with a kid who is shy and was nervous and has never done any outside media.

My understanding is he can only spend x amount of time on the Rookie list. His contract extension that he just signed takes him past the amount of time he is allowed to be on the Rookie list and hence places him on the senior list at some point before this current new contract expires at the end of 2025. I believe a similar situation occurred with Kade Chandler if I'm not mistaken.

Who are you tipping this week?

AFL Training Sessions Date: Sunday, April 23 Time: 9.30am - 10.30am Location: Gosch's Paddock

Looking forward to your podcast

Is Melbourne regressing into the unreliable combination of its pre-Covid days when fans never quite knew what to expect from the team on any given day? We are five matches into a new season and the Demons have produced outstanding performances in three matches coupled with two insipid displays, albeit marred by conditions and circumstances that were not ideal. However, any good team worth its salt, is expected to rise above adversity and Melbourne did not against Essendon last week in Adelaide. The Demons have not yet lost the faith of the supporters but on Anzac Eve, at a time we traditionally associate with strong spirit, heroism, and the triumph of courage over adversity, they will be tested. There will be no room for them to shrug shoulders at the end of the night and claim that “this was not us”. Certainly, Melbourne without its indefatigable skipper, was tested for yet another week by a team with two tall rucks who dominated in front of the goals in wild and woolly conditions with rain falling and the normally ever-reliable defence stretched in the absence of Jake Lever and Michael Hibberd to intercept the ball coming regularly out of the middle, particularly early when Clayton Oliver was well shackled. But there was still something terribly wrong happening for the Demons in the first half against the Bombers. They give up the ascendancy in each of the opening terms, regained momentum, took control momentarily and gave it away again. On the second occasion, the Demons were outrun and outplayed after cockily wasting opportunities to increase their lead to something handy while a heavy downpour threatened. The team that a week earlier were being vaunted for their newly found high scoring attacking style of play, spent fifty spiritless and goalless minutes under intimidation from a team that one week earlier, struggled to beat the lowly Giants on their home turf. So, the question on every Demon fan’s lip as the Anzac Eve match approaches is simple - which Melbourne team is going to turn up on the night? It will certainly be a different combination to the one that gathered round and spectated for so much of their game in Adelaide. The makeup of the team will necessarily change with players mooted to return from injury and others who have shown some form at the level below. Melbourne can take solace from its midfield leaders who fought out the last game in the Anzac Spirit. That Oliver finished with more than 40 touches was testament to the will he showed and the example he brings to the team. Likewise Christian Petracca and Jack Viney who never gave in and gave their team a touch of respectability in the final term last week. This still leaves Simon Goodwin with a massive repair job for this week against a team with troubles of its own. The Tigers’ form has been poor lately and they will miss Nankervis in the ruck and Lynch at full forward. Missing also will be some valuable foot soldiers in Broad, Short, Gibcus and Soldo. But even if the memory of their recent premiership run is fading, they cannot be taken lightly and if the Demons do so, they will suddenly find themselves back in the pack with other contenders fighting for life and light years away from the premiership favouritism to which they only recently aspired. I’m tipping them to win but only if they show some spirit this time. Otherwise, it will start getting close to the last chance saloon as far as their credibility as a football power is concerned. Melbourne by 15 points. THE GAME Melbourne v Richmond on Monday 24 April 2023 at 7.25pm at the MCG HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 77 wins Richmond 107 wins Drawn 2 At MCG Melbourne 65 wins Richmond 72 wins Drawn 1 Past five meetings Melbourne 2 wins Richmond 3 wins The Coaches Goodwin 2 wins Hardwick 4 wins THE LAST TIME THEY MET Melbourne 9.22.76 defeated Richmond 8.6.54 Clayton Oliver had 41 possessions in an outstanding display of midfield power. Max Gawn dominated the rucks and Ed Langdon was supreme on his wing. Despite all that, thanks to their appalling inaccuracy in front of goals the Demons scrambled their way to an unconvincing 22-point victory. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE B H. Petty S. May T. Rivers HB K. Chandler J. Lever E. Langdon C A. Brayshaw C. Oliver L. Hunter HF J. McVee B. Grundy A. Neal-Bullen F K. Pickett J. van Rooyen B. Fritsch FOLL M. Gawn J. Viney C. Petracca I/C J. Bowey M. Hibberd J. Jordon T. Sparrow SUB B. Laurie EMG L. Dunstan J. Schache D. Turner IN M. Gawn M. Hibberd B. Laurie J. Lever OUT J. Melksham (omitted) T. McDonald (omitted) C. Spargo (concussion) A. Tomlinson (omitted) RICHMOND B N. Balta D. Grimes T. Young HB L. Baker N. Vlastuin D. Rioli C K. McIntosh T. Taranto M. Pickett HF M. Rioli D. Martin R. Mansell F B. Miller N. Cumberland J. Riewoldt FOLL S. Ryan S. Bolton J. Hopper I/C J. Clarke T. Cotchin D. Prestia J. Short T. Sonsie SUB H. Ralphsmith EMG J. Bauer J. Ross T. Sonsie IN J. Short OUT T. Sonsie (omitted) Injury List: Round 6 Ben Brown - Back | Test Max Gawn - Knee | Test Michael Hibberd - Achilles | Test Jake Lever - Ankle | Test Charlie Spargo - Concussion | TBC Kye Turner - Groin | TBC Joel Smith - Thumb | 1 Week Christian Salem - Knee | 2 - 4 Weeks Will Verrall - Pelvis | 8 - 9 Weeks

Essendon 5.12 (42) def by Casey Demons 12.10 (82) 10 Bailey Laurie (CD) 8 James Harmes (CD) 5 Ben Hobbs (ESS) 4 Josh Schache (CD) 2 Daniel Turner (CD) 1 Stefan Rasinac (ESS) LEADERBOARD 28 James Cousins (WIL) 21 Paddy Dow (CAR) 21 Rhys Mathieson (BL) 20 Bailey Laurie (CD) 19 Callum Brown (BHH) 19 Marty Hore (WIL) 18 Jye Chalcraft (GC) 18 Ben Hobbs (ESS) 16 Jacob Dawson (SS) 16 Luke Dunstan (CD) 16 Brodie McLaughlin (GCS)

Anyone know what this means?

I'll be interviewing Demon rookie Judd McVee on the Demonland Podcast tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon. If you have any questions that you'd like Judd to answer let me know below. I'll post the interview here some time on Thursday evening so look out for it wherever you get your podcasts.

In fairness I just got back from a whirlwind 10 days on the road and had a mountain of work to catch up on and a podcast to prepare for.

Concussion protocols state they have to be away from the club/training for the concussion period (12 days?).

Hoping Brown was also training?

Dang it. I forgot about this. Looking forward to your report Kev. Rehab group update would be appreciated as well as whether Max is back training in full.

Having played their first three games at their fortress at the south east fringe of town, the Casey Demons took their game on the road for the first time in 2023 when they ventured to the other side of our great metropolis to come out trumps by 40 points against Essendon VFL and retain their hold on top spot on the VFL ladder. The Casey faithful could not have been happier at the sight of The NEC Hangar when they arrived at the ground in the shadows of Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport in the vicinity of the abode of the legendary Kerrigan family from the classic movie The Castle. A beautiful playing surface, the wind swirling across an open tree lined ground — a veritable northern suburban version of their own fortress and another Casey castle. And with the odd lashing of rain mixed in with heavy clouds followed by emerging blue skies, the Demons proceeded to completely smother the Bombers as they had done to others in the opening three games of the season. Casey had first aid of the breeze and had the better of things early but were punished by their inaccuracy in front of goal, scoring five behinds before Josh Schache nailed their first major. He also scored their second to put his team ahead by the margin of those five points at the end of the first term. They retained control through a strongly fought out second quarter but this time, it was the home side’s turn to miss the big sticks. At half time, they led by seven points. Early in the second half it was all Essendon but the Bombers were constantly rebuffed by a powerful Casey defence headed by Daniel Turner until the Demons broke forward to score a goal against the run of play from youngster Tyler Edwards after an outstanding display of desperation football from James Harmes who bustled his way through traffic with a sensational chain of handballs to advantage that ended in the hands of his teammate. This was the signal for the visitors to take control of the midfield through the agency of Harmes, Luke Dunstan, Bailey Laurie and Taj Woewodin. It was all one way traffic for the remainder of the quarter with goals coming one after another. When the dust settled at three quarter time, the Demons held an unassailable six goal lead which they stretched to 40 points by the end of the game. The final half of football had yielded them seven goals to one. Following Melbourne’s disappointing performance against Essendon in Adelaide, all eyes were on their twelve AFL listed players. Were any contenders out their for senior berths against Richmond on Anzac Eve? Harmes was outstanding with 32 disposals and five clearances in his comeback game after a couple of weeks out for personal reasons. He was in the thick of things from the get go, already had 17 touches at the main break, was the catalyst in that first goal of the second half and continued to work hard to ensure the game was out of the opposition’s hands by early in the final term. Schache followed up his strong 3 goal performance against Frankston with four goals to go with his 19 possessions, eight marks, seven hitouts and three clearances in a dominant performance. Laurie (32 disposals and four clearances) was also in everything with his clever play and his hand is well and truly up for the spot vacated by Charlie Spargo who was concussed just before half time in Adelaide. Dunstan picked up 24 possessions and kicked a goal and other leading possession gatherers were Woewodin (22), defender Turner (20) who was outstanding and Blake Howes (19). Casey was missing the injured tackling machine James Munro and experienced Matt Buntine who joined skipper Mitch White on the sidelines. In their place, the Demons were well served by Jack Bell who, though beaten in the ruck duels by a bigger AFL listed opponent, was solid with his marking and strong play around the ground, the hardworking George Grey and forward Ryan Valentine who kicked a career high three goals. The end result saw the Demons holding fort at the top of the ladder. They remain the kings of the VFL castle. CASEY DEMONS 2.5.17 5.7.37 10.8.68 12.10.82 ESSENDON VFL 2.0.12 4.6.30 4.8.32 5.12.42 GOALS CASEY DEMONS Schache 4 Valentine 3 Bell Dunstan Edwards Neocleous Sestan ESSENDON VFL Voss 2 Munkara Phillips Sutton BEST CASEY DEMONS Harmes Schache Laurie Bell Dunstan Turner Woewodin ESSENDON VFL Hobbs Bryan Rasinac Phillips Fitzgerald Hoare Statistics Jed Adams 7 kicks 2 handballs 9 disposals 2 marks 1 tackle 35 dream team points Jack Bell 1 goal 9 kicks 7 handballs 16 disposals 6 marks 3 tackles 10 hit outs 86 dream team points Paddy Cross 4 kicks 3 handballs 7 disposals 2 marks 1 tackle 28 dream team points Luke Dunstan 1 goal 12 kicks 12 handballs 24 disposals 7 marks 1 tackle 89 dream team points Tyler Edwards 1 goal 5 kicks 4 handballs 9 disposals 1 mark 89 dream team points Tom Freeman 8 kicks 2 handballs 10 disposals 3 marks 2 tackles 46 dream team 12 points 2 Max Gregory 8 kicks 4 handballs disposals marks 1 tackle 39 dream team points George Grey 9 kicks 5 handballs 14 disposals 5 marks 3 tackles 64 dream team points James Harmes 15 kicks 17 handballs 32 disposals 6 marks 1 tackle 97 dream team points Blake Howes 13 kicks 7 handballs 20 disposals 5 marks 2 tackles 74 dream team points Matt Jefferson 1 behind 3 kicks 3 handballs 6 disposals 1 mark 2 tackles 28 dream team points Bailey Laurie 2 behinds 16 kicks 16 handballs 32 disposals 2 marks 1 tackle 89 dream team points Andy Moniz-Wakefield 2 behinds 5 kicks 4 handballs 9 disposals 4 tackles 35 dream team points Harvey Neocleous 1 goal 3 kicks 5 handballs 8 disposals 2 marks 3 tackles 44 dream team points Josh Schache 4 goals 2 behinds 12 kicks 7 handballs 19 disposals 8 marks 1 tackle 7 hit outs 114 dream team points Oliver Sestan 1 goal 1 behind 9 kicks 2 handballs 11 disposals 4 marks 53 dream team points Miles Shepherd 4 kicks 2 handballs 6 disposals 2 marks 19 dream team points Tim Sheridan 3 kicks 3 handballs 6 disposals 3 marks 2 tackles 33 dream team points Deaykin Smith 7 kicks 7 handballs 14 disposals 4 marks 2 tackles 56 dream team points Roan Steele 9 kicks 5 handballs 14 disposals 5 marks 46 dream team points Daniel Turner 16 kicks 3 handballs 19 disposals 4 marks 2 tackles 71 dream team points Ryan Valentine 3 goals 6 kicks 2 handballs 8 disposals 2 marks 2 tackles 53 dream team points Taj Woewodin 1 behind 11 kicks 11 handballs 22 disposals 3 marks 3 tackles 74 dream team points