Demonland

Even though it missed Broome I’m sure the weather would not have been pleasant and my young daughter is petrified of storms and I didn’t need the spectre of evacuation hanging over us or the possibility of being stuck there. The weather in Queensland has been beautiful and the accommodation here was free so win win in the end.

Demonland sponsored his brother Josh.

Over summer, an explosion occurred in the AFL’s marketing department and the result was that every club was consigned to the sleepiest part of the country for a Round 5 weekend festival of football. Brisbane and North Melbourne travel to the Adelaide Hills where organisers hope the teams get lost forever but most of the games have been allocated to Adelaide Oval which gives Melbourne an opportunity to bask at one of the venues remembered for the club’s 2021 premiership triumph (the Demons beat the Lions there in the First Qualifying Final). Two seasons down the track of that memorable achievement, the Dees are back on the banks of the River Torrens as one of the premiership favourites. This is a less high profile contest but still one that involves two current top four teams making it highly relevant in terms of the projected end game of the season. No disrespect to the Bombers because you can only beat whatever they serve up to you, but they really haven’t had to knock over any of the competition’s leading lights from past seasons to get into their current elevated position. This game looms as one that in time could become known as the benchmark for their season so they should be pumped for the contest. A win here would certainly put the football world on notice. By way of coincidence, both Melbourne and Essendon have players missing who loom large on their playing lists. The Demons have skipper and perennial ruck star Max Gawn out for another month while the Bombers have Two Metre Peter, their 2022 B&F missing from action. And this is exactly where the contrast between the two clubs highlights their respective strengths for this particular contest. Melbourne’s flag favouritism is predicated on a number of things but where it truly stands out is that the depth of its list is downright scary. Ben Brown goes out with a back strain and Simon Goodwin replaces him with Tom McDonald who immediately boots a lazy four that should have been five. Meanwhile, Harry Petty and Jacob Van Rooyen are around the place pressing as tall marking forwards as well as providing support for Maxy’s very capable replacement — two time All Australian Brodie Grundy. And I haven’t started any commentary yet on the team’s midfield or defensive depth. Compare this with the Bombers. They lose Wright and now, Sam Weideman. Who replaces them? Kyle Langford filled in a few weeks ago against an embattled Hawthorn and kicked five goals but he’s more of a forward/midfielder and might be stretching the point if he were to claim a permanent role as a key position player. There’s “The Package”, Jake Stringer who has credentials as an All-Australian, a premiership player with the Bulldogs who has led his clubs' goalkicking on six occasions (three for the Western Bulldogs and three at Essendon). On Sunday, Stringer returned to form and helped the Bombers come from behind with four goals including a huge barrell among a couple of trademark zingers and half a dozen behinds in the win over GWS Giants. There’s no doubt The Package is a dangerous foe but he’s also terribly inconsistent, looks unfit and has also had to deal with a lack of consistency, back, hamstring and concussion issues lately. Goody knows that if he can control him, it leaves Brad Scott with very few aces left up his sleeves while he has an entire pack including some jokers in Oliver, Petracca and Viney gathered around him in the midfield and players all over the ground to help him come up trumps. The weather bureau is predicting rain and the Demons have the strength, experience and skills to overcome the Bombers on a wet track. Melbourne to win by 28 points. THE GAME Melbourne v Essendon at Adelaide Oval Saturday 15 April, 2023 at 4.10pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 86 wins Essendon 130 wins 2 draws At Adelaide Oval Melbourne 0 wins Essendon 0 wins The last five meetings Melbourne 4 wins Essendon 1 win The Coaches Goodwin 0 win Scott 0 wins THE LAST TIME THEY MET Melbourne 14.15.99 defeated Essendon 10.10.70 at The MCG, Round 3, 2022 Oliver, Brayshaw and Langdon were all prolific ball winners in Melbourne’s 29 point win over a plucky Essendon combination who stayed with the reigning premiers for the better part of three quarters before they were worn down by the superior run of the Demons. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE B A. Tomlinson S. May J. McVee HB J. Bowey T. McDonald H. Petty C A. Brayshaw C. Oliver L. Hunter HF K. Chandler B. Fritsch A. Neal-Bullen F C. Spargo J. Melksham K. Pickett FOLL B. Grundy J. Viney C. Petracca I/C E. Langdon T. Rivers T. Sparrow J. van Rooyen SUB J. Jordon EMG B. Laurie D Turner IN J. Melksham A. Tomlinson OUT M. Hibberd (Achilles) J. Lever (ankle) ESSENDON B M. Redman B. Zerk-Thatcher J. Ridley HB J. Kelly J. Laverde A. McGrath C D. Heppell Z. Merrett S. Durham HF J. Menzie H. Jones D. Parish F A. Perkins J. Stringer N. Martin FOLL S. Draper J. Caldwell D. Shiel I/C K. Langford A. Phillips W. Setterfield W. Snelling SUB N. Hind EMG B. Hobbs M. D'Ambrosio P. Voss IN N. Hind W. Snelling OUT A. Davey Jnr (Managed) S. Weideman (Concussion) Injury List: Round 5 Ben Brown - Back | Test Jake Lever - Ankle | Test Michael Hibberd - Achilles | 1 Week Max Gawn - Knee | 1 - 2 Weeks Joel Smith - Thumb | 1 - 2 Weeks Kye Turner - Groin | 1 - 2 Weeks Taj Woewodin - Finger | 1 - 2 Weeks Christian Salem - Knee | 3 - 5 Weeks Will Verrall - Pelvis | 8 - 9 Weeks

So much false hope. Always have a really good first half before malfunctioning. I would never bet a single cent on them.

We're LIVE in 1 hour Listen & Chat LIVE: https://demonland.com/podcast Call: 03 9016 3666 Skype: Demonland31

Who's on the table? Full list of 2023 free agents revealed https://www.afl.com.au/news/902296/who-s-on-the-table-full-list-of-2023-free-agents-revealed Melbourne’s unrestricted free agents - Luke Dunstan* James Jordon* Jake Melksham Alex Neal-Bullen

Gather Round Everyone who are you tipping this week?

It would be fair to say that the departure of Tom Scully in September 2011 from the Melbourne Football Club to seek fame, glory and a million dollars a year in the northern suburbs of Sin City was not received well by the Demon faithful. After all, the club had taken him as first selection (a priority pick) in the 2009 AFL National Draft and bestowed on him the prized 31 guernsey formerly worn by the all time club champion and six time premiership player Ron Barassi Junior. How dare he leave us? Scully went on to have moderate success with expansion club, the GWS Giants over seven seasons, adding 121 games to the 31 played for the Demons. He even had a fleeting taste of finals football before the relationship soured amid concerns as to the Giants' handling of an ankle injury he incurred early in 2018. His career ended after 35 games at Hawthorn under the coaching of Al Clarkson who was trying vainly to sustain his club’s crumbling dynasty. Several months after Scully’s retirement in February 2021 at the height of the Covid19 epidemic, his first club broke a 57 year premiership drought. The team was led by skipper Max Gawn (today a 6 time All-Australian) who was selected with the thirty-fourth selection in the same draft as Scully. On Grand Final night, the famous number 31 guernsey was worn by Bayley Fritsch who booted six goals in the magical victory. He was picked at number 31 in the 2017 draft. Today, a little over two years after Scully’s retirement, the Giants are well back in the pack while the Hawks are in a deep hole. And the fascination with high draft picks continues. There’s a highly fancied youngster who the pundits have pegged as a certain number one, much like Scully in his day. There’s also speculation that the club where Scully’s career came to a sudden and silent end, might be tanking to snare that prized number one pick come November. There’s also a somewhat unsavory pastime among some Melbourne fans who are “death riding” rival club Fremantle; wishing failure on them so that the Demons can derive maximum benefit from the fact that they hold the Dockers’ first and second round picks in this year’s draft thanks to their trading of selections when Luke Jackson crossed to Fremantle. Demon fans should know better. The pursuit of Scully all those years ago failed to achieve the holy grail. Instead, it heaped more years of desperation and humiliation upon them as they searched vainly for that special someone. The messiah who, in the words of the disparaging parody song that emerged on social media after his departure, was the “someone like you.” History tells us that Melbourne eventually found much better than that someone who could singlehandedly and magically bring about success. Rather, it methodically and slowly built a whole team with many component parts that, with a lot of hard work and a modicum of good luck, enabled them to reach the pinnacle. Harley Reid alone will not help achieve this. Greater Western Sydney and Melbourne Demons in tug of war over young superstar Tom Scully

Podcast will be LIVE tomorrow night (Wednesday) @ 8:30pm Apologies for the late podcast. Originally was going to be tonight (Tuesday) due to the long weekend but I traveling to Broome right into a Category 4 Cyclone. I've course corrected and am heading back to the East Coast but won't get back in time for tonight. So Wednesday @ 8:30pm it will be. Better late and safe than never.

Due to unforeseen circumstances the podcast may be moved to Wednesday night. Stay tuned.

Already a multiple winner of every award pertaining to the MFC, Clarrie streaks further ahead:- 47. Clayton Oliver 35. Christian Petracca 28. Brodie Grundy 26. Jake Lever 18. Max Gawn 14. Lachie Hunter 13. Kysaiah Pickett 11. Trent Rivers Jack Viney 9. Ben Brown 8. Ed Langdon 7. Charlie Spargo 5. Jake Bowey Tom McDonald 4. Angus Brayshaw Bayley Fritsch 3. James Jordon 2. Jacob van Rooyen 1. Kade Chandler Tom Sparrow

Is he really that good? Dustin Martin clone Harley Reid ‘tormented’ under-18 opponents in ridiculous performance against Tasmania

Didn’t Luke Jackson have a terrible time in March?

The reference here is not to drinking, but rather to the sounds of the feral West Coast supporters when on home soil. However, on this sunny April day out West they were barely able to voice their displeasure at any of ths events on Optus Stadium that unfolded before their eyes as they watched the Demons grind their side into the dust to record a 10 goal win. Sure, Melbourne were not expected to do anything other than record a resounding victory, given the extensive injury list that West Coast had to contend with. However, it was the methodical and clinical way in which the Demons took apart the challenge of the opposition that impressed. Right down to the individuals like Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca who struggled to gain ascendancy in the first quarter, but by the end of the game had amassed 34 and 29 disposals respectively. And relishing his role as the primary ruck, Brodie Grundy simply kept amassing hitouts - 33 of them, but more importantly hitouts to advantage were at an extraordinary 39%! The forwards in the absence of Ben Brown certainly created more problems for the selection committee next week, with Tom McDonald kicking 4, Bayley Fritsch 3, Jacob van Rooyen and Kysiaiah Pickett 2 each. One cannot ask for more from a forward line, while Hurn and Barrass are on the field for the Eagles. The Backs also showed their usual composure to keep West Coast to nine majors, with another gem showing up in the defense in the form of Judd McVee. In only his fourth game he showed composure far beyond his years that portends a position running long into the future. At season‘s beginning fans were asking who would coach Simon Goodwin use to replace the injured Christian Salem, and now we know. Eight intercept possessions and extraordinarily for someone playing in the backline, seven score involvements! That’s a great afternoon to contemplate. From the coach’s box we saw more trials and experimentation with players being used in uncustomary roles. Trent Rivers as a mid, Harry Petty forward and back, Kozzie Pickett forward and mid and Tom McDonald and Jacob van Rooyen pinch hitting in the ruck. All this creates new options for use in the future. But very importantly, this match showed the belief the players have in each other and an unfailing belief in the systems which have been implemented. This is the character of the highly successful sides of past years. Even when challenged, they know what they have together will win through. Even when they face a stadium full of braying opposition supporters, bleating about every decision, trying to influence the umpires, it is that belief which enables them to concentrate on the task at hand and block out the superfluous noise. Just leave the boos to turned into booze for the fans, as they pop the champagne corks to celebrate yet another Demon victory. MELBOURNE 5.1.31 8.4.52 14.9.93 19.12.126 WEST COAST EAGLES 2.2.14 4.4.28 6.8.44 9.9.63 GOALS MELBOURNE McDonald 4 Petracca Fritsch 3 Pickett Spargo van Rooyen 2 Chandler Neal-Bullen Viney WEST COAST EAGLES Allen 3 Kelly 2 Hunt Long Petrevski-Seton West BEST MELBOURNE Oliver Petracca Grundy Viney McDonald Rivers May WEST COAST EAGLES Kelly Allen Hunt Yeo Duggan Jones INJURIES MELBOURNE Hibberd (Achilles) Lever (ankle) WEST COAST EAGLES Nil REPORTS MELBOURNE Nil WEST COAST EAGLES Nil SUBSTITUTIONS MELBOURNE James Jordon (replaced Michael Hibberd in the fourth quarter) WEST COAST EAGLES Josh Rotham (replaced Elliot Yeo in the fourth quarter) UMPIRES Daniel Johanson Matt Stevic Tom Bryce Eleni Tee CROWD 42,458 at Optus Stadium

The first arrivals to Casey Fields for Sunday’s VFL local derby between the Casey Demons and the Frankston Dolphins were greeted by fleeting glimpses of blue skies and the rains that lashed the region were moderating although the winds still gusted from time to time. After a torrid start the wind turned out to be a friendly breeze in the end for the home side as it coasted to its third win on the trot, this time by a comfortable margin of ten goals, 16.13 (109) to 7.7 (49). The Dolphins kicked first with the benefit of the wind and for the first half hour of the game, they held sway. They were on top in the early clearance battles, scored the opening goal that was soon matched by Tom Sheridan’s first and held a two goal lead at quarter time. It was rare for anyone to hold the ascendancy at any time at the Fortress and the Demons were stung into action by coach Taylor Whitford’s measured address at the break. For the ensuing two quarters, Casey put on something of a clinic booting the next nine goals unanswered on either side of the half time break to hold an unassailable 49 point lead as the final term kicked off. By then the game opened up with goals flowing for both sides. The final margin at the end was a 60-point victory for the hosts that saw them at the top of the table. There were many stars for Casey. Bailey Laurie with 35 disposals, 6 tackles and a goal from the middle was the standout. He was accompanied by former Saint turned Demon in Luke Dunstan (26 touches) and two much improved youngsters in the livewire Andy Moniz-Wakefield from Darwin and George Grey who was recently upgraded to the club’s leadership group. And, as usual, we marveled at the massive contribution of master tackler Jimmy Munro who kept the Dolphins on their toes with his relentless pressure on the tackle. He finished with 11 bone jarring tackles for the game. There were many contributions from the well blended side that contained just ten AFL listed players. Blake Howes again stood out with his good ball control and running through the lines. He was particularly important early when the pressure was well and truly on the team. Forward Matt Jefferson showed great goal awareness near the big sticks. He can take a mark and he kicked three goals, as did recruit Sheridan who was noticed by Max Gawn starring in a final for South Croydon. Josh Schache was also among the goals while pinch hitting in the ruck helping the improving Jack Bell. Coming back from injury, Daniel Turner stood up well in defence where he and Deakyn Smith toiled hard. Young forward Oliver Sestan flashed in and out of play and although not prolific in winning the football, he again showed his promise for the future. It will be interesting to see exactly where he is with a year of development and the mentoring of the experienced heads of Melbourne under his belt. With the AFL clubs congregating in Adelaide next weekend for the Gather Road, Casey should have a strong squad available for its first away encounter of the year at the NEC Hangar against the Bombers next Sunday afternoon. That part of the world is far from home for Casey and the support of local Dees would be greatly appreciated. CASEY DEMONS 1.1.7 7.7.49 10.13.73 16.13.109 FRANKSTON 3.1.19 3.3.21 3.6.24 7.7.49 GOALS CASEY DEMONS Jefferson Schache Sheridan 3 Baldi Dunstan Laurie Neocleous Sestan Shepherd Valentine FRANKSTON Lambert 2 Butland Florent Johnson Quirk Small BEST CASEY DEMONS Laurie Dunstan Munro Schache Grey Steele FRANKSTON Stoddart Mynott Voss Fordham Quirk Owens Statistics Jed Adams 5 kicks 1 handballs 6 disposals 1 mark 1 tackle 24 dream team points Riley Baldi 1 goal 8 kicks 10 handballs 18 disposals 2 marks 6 tackles 80 dream team points Jack Bell 5 kicks 1 handballs 6 disposals 3 marks 1 tackle 30 hit outs 54 dream team points Matt Buntine 9 kicks 2 handballs 11 disposals 5 marks 2 tackles 55 dream team points Paddy Cross 1 behind 9 kicks 5 handballs 14 disposals 2 marks 2 tackles 52 dream team points Luke Dunstan 1 goal 15 kicks 11 handballs 26 disposals 4 marks 3 tackles 97 dream team points Tom Freeman 3 kicks 4 handballs 7 disposals 2 marks 1 tackle 27 dream team points Max Gregory 4 kicks 4 handballs 8 disposals 3 marks 1 tackle 33 dream team points George Grey 2 behinds 14 kicks 9 handballs 23 disposals 1 mark 5 tackles 85 dream team points Blake Howes 14 kicks 9 handballs 23 disposals 2 marks 2 tackles 71 dream team points Matt Jefferson 3 goals 10 kicks 2 handballs 12 disposals 2 marks 3 tackles 71 dream team points Bailey Laurie 1 goal 12 kicks 23 handballs 35 disposals 5 marks 6 tackles 127 dream team points Andy Moniz-Wakefield 2 behinds 10 kicks 16 handballs 26 disposals 2 marks 2 tackles 71 dream team points James Munro 9 kicks 11 handballs 20 disposals 11 tackles 93 dream team points Harvey Neocleous 1 goal 1 behind 5 kicks 5 handballs 10 disposals 2 marks 1 tackle 42 dream team points Josh Schache 3 goals 9 kicks 7 handballs 16 disposals 7 marks 2 tackles 6 hit outs 92 dream team points Oliver Sestan 1 goal 1 behind 9 kicks 2 handballs 11 disposals 1 mark 1 tackle 40 dream team points Miles Shepherd 1 goal 7 kicks 1 handballs 8 disposals 5 marks 2 tackles 52 dream team points Tom Sheridan 3 goals 1 behind 7 kicks 7 disposals 3 marks 3 tackles 62 dream team points Deaykin Smith 5 kicks 10 handballs 15 disposals 5 marks 4 tackles 63 dream team points Roan Steele 11 kicks 11 handballs 22 disposals 7 marks 2 tackles 84 dream team points Daniel Turner 12 kicks 3 handballs 15 disposals 4 marks 4 tackles 71 dream team points Ryan Valentine 1 goal 7 kicks 5 handballs 12 disposals 5 marks 1 tackle 3 hit outs 60 dream team points

A FRIENDLY BREEZE by KC from Casey The first arrivals to Casey Fields for Sunday’s VFL local derby between the Casey Demons and the Frankston Dolphins were greeted by fleeting glimpses of blue skies and the rains that lashed the region were moderating although the winds still gusted from time to time. After a torrid start the wind turned out to be a friendly breeze in the end for the home side as it coasted to its third win on the trot, this time by a comfortable margin of ten goals, 16.13 (109) to 7.7 (49). The Dolphins kicked first with the benefit of the wind and for the first half hour of the game, they held sway. They were on top in the early clearance battles, scored the opening goal that was soon matched by Tom Sheridan’s first and held a two goal lead at quarter time. It was rare for anyone to hold the ascendancy at any time at the Fortress and the Demons were stung into action by coach Taylor Whitford’s measured address at the break. For the ensuing two quarters, Casey put on something of a clinic booting the next nine goals unanswered on either side of the half time break to hold an unassailable 49 point lead as the final term kicked off. By then the game opened up with goals flowing for both sides. The final margin at the end was a 60-point victory for the hosts that saw them at the top of the table. There were many stars for Casey. Bailey Laurie with 35 disposals, 6 tackles and a goal from the middle was the standout. He was accompanied by former Saint turned Demon in Luke Dunstan (26 touches) and two much improved youngsters in the livewire Andy Moniz-Wakefield from Darwin and George Grey who was recently upgraded to the club’s leadership group. And, as usual, we marveled at the massive contribution of master tackler Jimmy Munro who kept the Dolphins on their toes with his relentless pressure on the tackle. He finished with 11 bone jarring tackles for the game. There were many contributions from the well blended side that contained just ten AFL listed players. Blake Howes again stood out with his good ball control and running through the lines. He was particularly important early when the pressure was well and truly on the team. Forward Matt Jefferson showed great goal awareness near the big sticks. He can take a mark and he kicked three goals, as did recruit Sheridan who was noticed by Max Gawn starring in a final for South Croydon. Josh Schache was also among the goals while pinch hitting in the ruck helping the improving Jack Bell. Coming back from injury, Daniel Turner stood up well in defence where he and Deakyn Smith toiled hard. Young forward Oliver Sestan flashed in and out of play and although not prolific in winning the football, he again showed his promise for the future. It will be interesting to see exactly where he is with a year of development and the mentoring of the experienced heads of Melbourne under his belt. With the AFL clubs congregating in Adelaide next weekend for the Gather Road, Casey should have a strong squad available for its first away encounter of the year at the NEC Hangar against the Bombers next Sunday afternoon. That part of the world is far from home for Casey and the support of local Dees would be greatly appreciated. CASEY DEMONS 1.1.7 7.7.49 10.13.73 16.13.109 FRANKSTON 3.1.19 3.3.21 3.6.24 7.7.49 GOALS CASEY DEMONS Jefferson Schache Sheridan 3 Baldi Dunstan Laurie Neocleous Sestan Shepherd Valentine FRANKSTON Lambert 2 Butland Florent Johnson Quirk Small BEST CASEY DEMONS Laurie Dunstan Munro Schache Grey Steele FRANKSTON Stoddart Mynott Voss Fordham Quirk Owens Statistics Jed Adams 5 kicks 1 handballs 6 disposals 1 mark 1 tackle 24 dream team points Riley Baldi 1 goal 8 kicks 10 handballs 18 disposals 2 marks 6 tackles 80 dream team points Jack Bell 5 kicks 1 handballs 6 disposals 3 marks 1 tackle 30 hit outs 54 dream team points Matt Buntine 9 kicks 2 handballs 11 disposals 5 marks 2 tackles 55 dream team points Paddy Cross 1 behind 9 kicks 5 handballs 14 disposals 2 marks 2 tackles 52 dream team points Luke Dunstan 1 goal 15 kicks 11 handballs 26 disposals 4 marks 3 tackles 97 dream team points Tom Freeman 3 kicks 4 handballs 7 disposals 2 marks 1 tackle 27 dream team points Max Gregory 4 kicks 4 handballs 8 disposals 3 marks 1 tackle 33 dream team points George Grey 2 behinds 14 kicks 9 handballs 23 disposals 1 mark 5 tackles 85 dream team points Blake Howes 14 kicks 9 handballs 23 disposals 2 marks 2 tackles 71 dream team points Matt Jefferson 3 goals 10 kicks 2 handballs 12 disposals 2 marks 3 tackles 71 dream team points Bailey Laurie 1 goal 12 kicks 23 handballs 35 disposals 5 marks 6 tackles 127 dream team points Andy Moniz-Wakefield 2 behinds 10 kicks 16 handballs 26 disposals 2 marks 2 tackles 71 dream team points James Munro 9 kicks 11 handballs 20 disposals 11 tackles 93 dream team points Harvey Neocleous 1 goal 1 behind 5 kicks 5 handballs 10 disposals 2 marks 1 tackle 42 dream team points Josh Schache 3 goals 9 kicks 7 handballs 16 disposals 7 marks 2 tackles 6 hit outs 92 dream team points Oliver Sestan 1 goal 1 behind 9 kicks 2 handballs 11 disposals 1 mark 1 tackle 40 dream team points Miles Shepherd 1 goal 7 kicks 1 handballs 8 disposals 5 marks 2 tackles 52 dream team points Tom Sheridan 3 goals 1 behind 7 kicks 7 disposals 3 marks 3 tackles 62 dream team points Deaykin Smith 5 kicks 10 handballs 15 disposals 5 marks 4 tackles 63 dream team points Roan Steele 11 kicks 11 handballs 22 disposals 7 marks 2 tackles 84 dream team points Daniel Turner 12 kicks 3 handballs 15 disposals 4 marks 4 tackles 71 dream team points Ryan Valentine 1 goal 7 kicks 5 handballs 12 disposals 5 marks 1 tackle 3 hit outs 60 dream team points

Titus is still going strong as far as I know. Here’s the link to his THE MONDAY KNEE JERK REACTION: AFL ROUND THREE Hope he’s just on his Easter break and will be back with his biting reflections on football when the weekend’s over.

Round 3 last year. It was a dour struggle all night and, after a tight game for three quarters, Melbourne shook off the Bombers in the final term. MELBOURNE 3.5.23 4.8.32 9.12.66 14.15.99 ESSENDON 0.4.4 3.5.23 8.5.53 10.10.70 Best players for Melbourne were Oliver, Brayshaw and Gawn. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE 

B: T.Rivers 24 A. Tomlinson 20 S.May 1 HB: J.Hunt 29 J.Smith 44 J.Jordon 23 C: T. Sparrow 32 C.Petracca 5 E.Langdon 15 HF: L. Jackson 6 T.McDonald 25 J.Viney 7 F: B.Fritsch 31 S.Weideman 26 C.Spargo 9
Foll: M.Gawn - C 11 C.Oliver 13 K.Pickett 36 I/C: J.Bowey 17 A.Brayshaw 10 J.Harmes 4 A.Neal-Bullen 30
Sun: T. Bedford 12 Emerg: M.Brown 38 J.Melksham 18 L.Dunstan 27 In: Sam Weideman Out: Ben Brown (H&S protocols) ESSENDON B: J. Stewart 17 J. Laverde 15 J. Kelly 29 HF: M. Redman 27 D. Heppell - C 21 N. Hind 19
C: A. McGrath 1 J. Caldwell 6 T. Cutler 12
HF: J. Stringer 25 M. Guelfi 35 N. Martin 37 F: A. Perkins 16 P. Wright 20 T. Wanganeen 40 Foll: S. Draper 2 D. Parish 3 S. Durham 22 I/C: B. Ham 33 A. Phillips 34 J. Ridley 14 D. Shiel 9 Sub: D.Smith 5 Emerg: B. Hobbs 8 A. Waterman 44 B. Zerk-Thatcher 30 In: Nic Martin Andrew Phillips Dylan Shiel Out: Nik Cox (ankle) Aaron Francis (omitted) Zach Merrett (ankle) Devon Smith (omitted)10.10.

Article is here but is behind a paywall. Melbourne Demons defender Trent Rivers enjoys career-best figures in Optus Stadium win over West Coast He is contracted until the end of this year.