Demonland

Our handballing is sub standard

Sucked in Crows fans

That’s front in contract every day of the week

Our handballing has been atrocious all day.

Assume we didn't practice goal kicking this week either.

It's Game Day and the Demons are back on the road for their 3rd interstate game in 4 weeks as they face a fit and firing Crows at Adelaide Oval. With finals now out of our grasps what are you hoping from the Dees today?

A couple of retirement announcements and a Category B rookie pick at Melbourne bring us to this year’s HATCH MATCH & DESPATCH thread. 

There will be many more to come over the coming months - here’s this year’s version of the ins and outs at the AFL Clubs ~

ADELAIDE 

IN
 
OUT

BRISBANE 

IN
 
OUT
 
CARLTON 

IN
 
OUT

COLLINGWOOD 

IN
 
OUT

ESSENDON

IN
 
OUT

FREMANTLE 

IN
 
OUT
 
GEELONG 

IN
 
OUT

GOLD COAST SUNS

IN
 
OUT

GWS GIANTS 

IN
 
OUT
 
HAWTHORN 

IN
 
OUT

MELBOURNE 

IN Oscar Berry (Category B rookie)
 
OUT
 
NORTH MELBOURNE 

IN
 
OUT

PORT ADELAIDE

IN
 
OUT
 
RICHMOND 

IN
 
OUT

ST KILDA

IN
 
OUT 
 
SYDNEY SWANS 

IN

OUT

WEST COAST EAGLES
 
IN

OUT Jeremy McGovern (retired) Dom Sheed (retired)

WESTERN BULLDOGS

IN

OUT

What’s next for a beleagured Melbourne Football Club down in form and confidence, facing  intense criticism and disapproval over some underwhelming recent performances and in the midst of a four game losing streak?

Why, it’s Adelaide which boasts the best percentage in the AFL and has won six of its last seven games. The Crows are hot and not only that, the game is at the Adelaide Oval; yet another away fixture and the third in a row at a venue outside of Victoria. One of the problems the Demons have these days is that they rarely have the luxury of true home ground advantage, something they have enjoyed just once since mid April. 

Still, the club seems to have done well at the Adelaide Oval against the Crows over the years but that was mainly while they were in the doldrums. These days, things are somewhat different and with Melbourne’s finals hopes out of reach and Adelaide well in the fight for a top four berth, it’s not looking promising for the visitors. 

The Dees have been slow starters throughout the season, a condition exacerbated by their continual inaccurate efforts when shooting for goal. Last week they were appalling with a solitary point for and 5 goals 7 behinds kicked against them. Thanks to a couple of outstanding efforts from veteran Jake Melksham and newly re-signed Kozzy Pickett, they almost fought their way back into contention but overall, they gave away too great a lead. Another half-hearted display to open proceedings will kill all interest in the contest and seeing that the game is being played in the wilderness time of 3.15pm on Sunday afternoon, it doesn’t command the most exciting play bill of the week anyway. 

If Melksham and Pickett were the stars of last week’s game, then there’s very little that can be said for what were formerly the team’s strengths.

The midfield stars are no longer shining brightly and in fact are the problematic with their disposal to the forwards, but what can be said about the defence? 

Last week, two of its former stars in Tom McDonald and Jake Lever were languishing in the Casey side while Steven May struggled without much support and lucked about a little with the Suns’ poor kicking for goal early in the game. This week the backline must contend with the dominant presence of Riley Thilthorpe who marked strongly and finished with an equal-career-high five goals over Richmond. The question is who will stop him and even If he doesn’t score the goals then Fogarty, Walker and Rachele most likely will be the ones!

I’d like to be my confident self this week but last week’s pathetic first quarter effort is permanently etched in my memory. 

I’m not able to let that go so it’s Adelaide by 51 points.

THE GAME

Adelaide v Melbourne at The Adelaide Oval on Sunday 6 July 2025 at 3.15pm

HEAD TO HEAD

Overall - Adelaide 26 wins Melbourne 20 wins 
At Adelaide Oval - Adelaide 2 wins Melbourne 6 wins
Past five meetings - wins Adelaide 1 win Melbourne 4 
The Coaches - Matthew Nicks 1 win Simon Goodwin 5 wins 

THE LAST TIME THEY MET

Melbourne 10.18.78 defeated Adelaide 8.15.63 at the Adelaide Oval, Round 4, 2024

This was Melbourne’s second game at the Adelaide Oval in five days and it was well in control of the game from quarter time to complete a convincing double in the City of Churches. Max Gawn dominated in the ruck and Christian Petracca was outstanding with 29 touches.

THE TEAMS 

ADELAIDE

B J. Worrell, J. Butts, R. Laird

HB M. Hinge, M. Keane, S. Berry

C I. Cumming, J. Dawson, D. Curtin

HF B. Keays, R. Thilthorpe, M. Michalanney.

F J. Soligo, T. Walker, D. Fogarty.

FOLL R. O'Brien, I. Rankine, J. Peatling

I/C L. Murphy,  A. Neal-Bullen, J. Rachele, B. Smith SUB Z. Taylor

EMG H. Bond, C. Burgess

IN Z. Taylor

OUT W. Milera (personal)

MELBOURNE

B J. Bowey, S. May, J. Lever

HB J. McVee, D. Turner, C. Salem

C X. Lindsay, C. Petracca, E. Langdon

HF J. Viney, B. Fritsch, K. Chandler

F J. Melksham, M. Jefferson, K. Pickett

FOLL M. Gawn, C. Oliver, T. Sparrow

I/C H. Langford, T. Rivers, K. Tholstrup, J. van Rooyen SUB H. Sharp

EMG J. Adams, J. Billings, T. McDonald

IN J. Lever, J. van Rooyen

OUT B. Howes (concussion), H. Petty (concussion)

Injury List: Round 17

Charlie Spargo — Scapula / Test

Oliver Sestan — hamstring / 1 week 

Blake Howes — concussion / 1 - 2 weeks

Harry Petty — concussion / 1 - 2 weeks

Aidan Johnson — ankle / 3 - 4 weeks

Shane McAdam — Achilles / season

Andy Moniz-Wakefield — knee / season

Who are you tipping this week?

Goals from Free Kicks (After 14 Rounds):

Best differentials

1 - Carlton (+12)
2 - Brisbane (+11)
3 - Hawthorn (+6)
Eq.4 - North Melbourne & Geelong (+5)

Worst differentials

1 - St Kilda (-16)
2 - Adelaide (-7)
3 - Melbourne (-6)
4 - Sydney (-5)
Eq.5 - Richmond, Port Adelaide & GWS (-3)

Most goals kicked from frees

1 - Hawthorn (29)
Eq.2 - Brisbane, Gold Coast & Bulldogs (28)
5 - North Melbourne (26)
6 - Carlton (25)

Least goals kicked from frees

1 - St Kilda (9)
2 - West Coast (14)
3 - Adelaide (15)
4 - Collingwood (16)
Eq.5 - Essendon & Fremantle (17)

Most goals conceded from frees

1 - Melbourne (27)
2 - Western Bulldogs (26)
3 - St Kilda (25)
Eq.4 - Gold Coast & Sydney (24)

Least goals conceded from frees

1 - Carlton (13)
2 - Collingwood (15)
Eq.3 - Fremantle & West Coast (16)
Eq.5 - Brisbane & Geelong (17)

The 2025 Goals from Free Kicks Ladder - Round 14

Carlton (+12) sits atop the Goals from Free Kicks differential with 25 goals and only 13 against. They've been conscientious in that regard.

Second is Brisbane (+11) with the equal second most goals from frees (28) and 17 goals conceded, ahead of Hawthorn (+6) who have the most goals from frees with 29.

Making up the top five is North Melbourne and Geelong (+5) with Gold Coast (+4) next.

The team that has seemingly not been looked after when it comes to Goals from Free Kicks is... look away Saints fans... St Kilda with just nine majors from frees.

Their differential of -16 is comfortably the worst in the league.

Second bottom is Adelaide (-7) with only 15 goals from frees, narrowly behind Melbourne (-6) and Sydney (-5).

See the Goals FK Ladder after Round 14 below:

We also thought we'd throw in the Goals from 50-Metre Penalties differential for your perusal.

NOTE: Seven clubs (Geelong, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hawthorn, GWS, Melbourne & West Coast) have played 14 games. 10 clubs (Collingwood, Fremantle, Bulldogs, Carlton, Port Adelaide, Essendon, Sydney, St Kilda, North Melbourne & Richmond) have played 13 games. One club (Gold Coast) has played 12 games.

After Round 16:

Best differentials

1 - Hawthorn (+56)
2 - Carlton (+47)
3 - Brisbane (+33)
4 - Gold Coast (+29)
5 - Melbourne (+26)

Worst differentials

1 - Port Adelaide (-69)
2 - North Melbourne (-51)
3 - GWS Giants (-39)
4 - West Coast (-37)
5 - Fremantle (-18)

Most frees for

1 - Carlton (338)
2 - Hawthorn (323)
3 - Adelaide (316)
4 - Melbourne (305)
5 - Brisbane (299)

Least frees for

1 - GWS Giants (252)
2 - Port Adelaide (256)
3 - Richmond (266)
4 - Essendon (269)
5 - West Coast (271)

Most frees against

1 - North Melbourne (331)
2 - Port Adelaide (325)
3 - Adelaide (315)
4 - Fremantle (310)
5 - West Coast (308)

Least frees against

1 - Essendon (255)
2 - Gold Coast (264)
Eq.3 - Western Bulldogs & Brisbane (266)
5 - Hawthorn (267)

The 2025 Free Kick Ladder - Round 16

Last time we took a look at these numbers was after Round 10 when Hawthorn led the way with a differential of +63.

The Hawks (+56) remain on top but the gap has been somewhat bridged by Carlton (+47) who sit second thanks to the most frees for (338).

Brisbane (+33) occupies third position after sitting fifth six weeks ago, slightly ahead of Queensland compatriots Gold Coast (+29), with Melbourne (+26) making up the top five.

At the foot of the table, Port Adelaide (-69) are on the nose with the match officials, attracting the second fewest frees (256) and giving away the second most (325).

North Melbourne (-51) has also copped the raw end of the deal, infringing most frequently with 331 frees against.

GWS (-39) sits third bottom, while the noise of affirmation in 2025 for WA duo West Coast (-37) and Fremantle (-18) is not quite there.

See the FK Ladder after Round 16 below:

NOTE: Gold Coast and Essendon have played 14 games, the rest of the clubs have played 15.

Just to mix it up a little, we’ve thrown in a quick glimpse at the individual free kick numbers on the back of Tom Lynch’s five frees against in Round 16.

Most frees for (player)
43 - Darcy Cameron (COL)
36 - Max Gawn (MEL)
35 - Jarrod Witts (GCS)
35 - Tristan Xerri (NM)
33 - Jai Newcombe (HAW)
32 - Tim English (WB)
31 - Patrick Cripps (CAR)
30 - Reilly O’Brien (ADE)
30 - Caleb Serong (FRE)
29 - Andrew Brayshaw (FRE)
29 - Nick Daicos (COL)

Most frees against (player)
43 - Harley Reid (WCE)
40 - Rowan Marshall (STK)
37 - Matt Rowell (GCS)
33 - Brodie Grundy (SYD)
30 - Toby Nankervis (RIC)
29 - Patrick Cripps (CAR)
29 - Tristan Xerri (NM)
27 - Luke Davies-Uniacke (NM)
27 - Max Gawn (MEL)
26 - Jordon Sweet (PA)

After a slow start, Melbourne dominated the next two quarters and held firm in the last term to complete a convincing double in the city of churches.

MELBOURNE 2.0.12 6.7.43 10.13.73 10.18.78

ADELAIDE 2.5.17 3.8.36 6.9.45 8.15.63

GOALS

MELBOURNE Fritsch 3 Pickett van Rooyen 2 Chandler Petracca Petty

ADELAIDE Fogarty 2 Dawson Keays Laird Rachele Rankine Walker

BEST

MELBOURNE Petracca May Gawn McVee Sparrow Viney

ADELAIDE Soligo Dawson Laird Keane Rankine

THE TEAMS 

ADELAIDE

B J. Worrell, J. Butts, B. Smith    
HB P. Parnell, M. Keane, M. Michalanney
C M. Hinge, J. Dawson, C. Jones 
HF J. Soligo, I. Rankine, J. Rachele   
F B. Cook, D. Fogarty, T. Walker   
FOLL R. 0 Brien, R. Laird, B. Keays. 
I/C C. Burgess, M. Crouch, N. McHenry, L. Nankervis SUB S. Berry
EMG J. Borlase, L. Gollant, L. Pedlar

IN S. Berry, J. Butts, B. Cook, L. Nankervis, P. Parnell

OUT J. Borlase (omitted), W. Milera (knee), L. Murphy (knee), L. Pedlar (omitted), L. Sholl (omitted)

MELBOURNE 

B T. Rivers, S. May, T. McDonald 
HB B. Howes, J. Lever, J. McVee    
C E. Langdon, C. Petracca, J. Billings  
HF A. Neal-Bullen, H. Petty, K. Pickett      
F J. van Rooyen, B. Brown, B. Fritsch    
FOLL M. Gawn, J. Viney, C. Oliver   
I/C K. Chandler, C. Salem, T. Sparrow, C. Windsor SUB T. Woewodin                
EMG B. Laurie, J. Schache, A. Tomlinson

IN S. May

OUT M. Hore (thumb)

Going to cut the questions off here. Thank you all for your contributions. Feeling flat. Hopefully I can come out firing from the first bounce and not have to rely on a quarter time spray.

From the start, Melbourne’s performance against the Gold Coast Suns at Peoples First Stadium was nothing short of a massive botch up and it came down in the first instance to poor preparation.

Rather than adequately preparing the team for battle against an opponent potentially on the skids after suffering three consecutive losses, the Demons looking anything but sharp and ready to play in the opening minutes of the game.

By way of contrast, the Suns demonstrated a clear sense of purpose and will to win. From the very first bounce of the ball they were back to where they left off earlier in the season in Round Three when the teams met at the MCG. They ran rings around the Demons and finished the game off with a dominant six goal final term. This time, they produced another dominant quarter to start the game, restricting Melbourne to a solitary point to lead by six goals at the first break, by which time, the game was all but over.

If the coach deserves credit when a team wins then he must accept responsibility when things go askew. He bore the ultimate burden of maintaining the energy, enthusiasm and skills of the Melbourne list over the fortnight of the club’s midseason bye and it was no use speaking after the game about watching with mixed emotions:

"That first quarter was unacceptable in terms of our ability to win the ball, our ability to pressure the ball, our ability to get our hands on the ball.

"Gold Coast were unbelievable, but we were miles off early in the game, and clearly that was the game".

The only emotion that was mixed was the anger of the fans that subsided somewhat as the team made its way back into the game to stage a couple of minor comebacks, the first being to get to within three goals just after halftime and then late in the game when the heat was off when they narrowed the final margin to a respectable 19 points. By then, there was no emotion left.

It was always going to be a hard day at the office for Melbourne on a day in which skipper Max Gawn only broke even in every aspect of his ruck contest with Jarrod Witts. The task was made that more difficult when his back up ruckman Harry Petty was concussed in a double blow when defender Blake Howes was subbed off for the same reason in the second term. 

To his credit, Max continued to lead from the front and with Jake Melksham and Kozzy Pickett in form around goals, and Christian Petracca and Jack Viney standing firm and making a case for the team, they almost got themselves back in the game. 

Then came the scrap involving most of the players on the field with the Suns running out winners in that battle with a long play on run out of the confusion that ensued. The goal turned the pendulum back in favour of the home side at just the right time. For Melbourne, it was the wrong time to show frustration and get into a fight.

Still, with the veteran Melksham playing one of his best ever games, the Demons managed to lift to a point where, had he lived up to the tag attributed to him earlier in the week of the club’s best kick inside 50, they might have been a chance. Instead he finished the game with 5 goals 6 behinds. 

It was close to a best on ground performance but the inaccuracy in front of goal summed up exactly the team’s standing over most of the past few seasons. Midway through the third quarter, Melbourne’s score was 7.4.46 but it finished off the term with three straight behinds while the Suns booted three straight goals. The Demons managed 5.9 from that point to the end of the game. Something like 9.5 might have done the trick.

Leaving aside emotions, the club is underperforming on the objective level of the game. Call it the business of football that necessitates teams to perform at the highest and optimal level. At every stage, there were too many fundamental errors where the preparation, the skill and the effort were simply not good enough.

MELBOURNE 0.1.1 5.3.33 7.7.49 12.13.85

GOLD COAST SUNS 5.7.37 8.9.57 14.11.95 15.14.104

GOALS

MELBOURNE Melksham 5 Pickett 3 Fritsch 2 Gawn Petty

GOLD COAST SUNS King 3 Ainsworth Humphrey Long Walter 2 Budarick Jeffrey Miller Read

BEST

MELBOURNE Melksham Pickett Bowey Petracca Rivers Viney

GOLD COAST SUNS Rowell Noble Miller Flanders Humphrey Fiorini

INJURIES

MELBOURNE Blake Howes (concussion) Harrison Petty (concussion)

GOLD COAST SUNS Nil

REPORTS

MELBOURNE Nil

GOLD COAST SUNS Nil

SUBSTITUTIONS

MELBOURNE Harry Sharp (replaced Blake Howes during the second quarter)

GOLD COAST SUNS Alex Sexton (replaced Bailey Humphrey during the fourth quarter)

UMPIRES Andrew Stephens, Nicholas Brown, Andre Gianfagna, Martin Rodger

CROWD 13,064 at People First Stadium