Demonland

The unicorn had to be a subtle (or not so subtle) dig at Freo and Jackson.

Did you recognise anyone in particular or could they have just been 5 or 6 random people doing laps?

🦄

The Gold Coast has been treated to a feast of womens football over the past couple of days. On Friday night, the Brisbane Lions claimed flag favouritism when they knocked the Adelaide Crows off their second placed perch at Metricon Stadium. Then on Saturday evening at the same venue, the Melbourne Demons consolidated their hold on that vacated second spot when, they ruthlessly smashed a finals contender in consecutive weeks, this time the home town favourites, the Suns. It was a case of the Demons dominating from the start to the very end against Gold Coast who were kept to a solitary goal while the visitors scored goals on a regular basis in their march to a 49-point victory which was enough to tip the Suns from eighth into ninth place on the ladder. Melbourne went into Pride Round somewhat depleted by injuries but that mattered little. They were in control from the get go but a single point was little to show for their dominance until well past the halfway mark of the opening term when Daisy Pearce, in her 50th game, bobbed up with a mark and the first goal of the match. This was followed in quick succession by majors from Kate Hore and Tayla Harris and by the first break, Melbourne held a handy 3.1.19 to 0.1.1 lead . It took the Suns until late in the term for them to make their first foray inside the 50 metre arc and this was the standard the Demons set for the day as they amassed an incredible 45 in that part of the ground against their opponents’ meagre 9 for the night. The measure of that superiority came from out of a midfield that managed to thrive even without injured Lauren Pearce directing the rucks. Olivia Purcell (32 disposals), Tyla Hanks (20) and Eliza West (19 and 11 tackles) were on fire and winger Lily Mithen (21 touches) added plenty of run from the outside. Little wonder then that the forwards reaped the benefit with Harris kicking three goals, and Eden Zanker and Hore two each. And on those rare occasions when the ball found itself in Melbourne’s defence, the backline stood up and Libby Birch and Shelley Heath were impassable. The Demons are now sitting pretty with their two remaining matches are at Casey Fields against teams that are out of finals contention and while there’s no room for over-confidence or complacency, they can look forward to some exciting times in the month or two ahead. MELBOURNE 3.1.19 5.1.31 7.2.44 9.4.58 GOLD COAST SUNS 0.0.0 1.0.6 1.3.9 1.3.9 GOALS MELBOURNE Harris 3 Hore Zanker 2 Fitzsimon D Pearce GOLD COAST SUNS Dupuy BEST MELBOURNE Purcell Mithen Heath West Harris Hanks 
GOLD COAST SUNS Drennan Single Saad Rowbottom INJURIES MELBOURNE Nil GOLD COAST SUNS Nil REPORTS MELBOURNE Nil GOLD COAST SUNS Nil CROWD 1,004 at Metricon Stadium ODDSPOT The official attendances have just come out which showed that the crowd for the home team’s game against Melbourne was 229 less than the night before when Brisbane played Adelaide.

The Inner Sanctum’s First Round AFL Phantom Draft 2022 1. Aaron Cadman – GWS 2. Will Ashcroft – Brisbane (matched F/S bid) 3. Harry Sheezel – North Melbourne 4. George Wardlaw – North Melbourne 5. Elijah Tsatas – Essendon 6. Bailey Humphrey – Gold Coast 7. Jhye Clark – Hawthorn 8. Cam Mackenzie – Geelong 9. Rueben Ginbey – West Coast 10. Mattaes Phillipou – St Kilda 11. Jedd Busslinger – Carlton 12. Oliver Hollands – Western Bulldogs 13. Elijah Hewett – West Coast 14. Matthew Jefferson – Melbourne 15. Josh Weddle – Sydney 16. Henry Hustwaite – GWS 17. Lewis Hayes – Collingwood 18. Lachlan Cowan – Sydney 19. Jacob Konstanty – GWS “14. Matthew Jefferson Vic Metro’s best tall forward was Jefferson this year. He’s springy and quick off the mark akin to Ollie Henry, but has genuine key position height. The Dees have lost Sam Weideman and struggled without Tom McDonald in 2022 – Jefferson could be the future focal point for their forward line.”

Pick 14 - Melbourne: Mattaes Phillipou Position: Midfielder/Forward Height: 192cm Weight: 83kg Clubs: PHOS/Henly HS, Woodville-West Torrens A tantalising prospect to say the least, with Phillipou looking to rival the likes of Sheezel as one of the most mercurial players in his class. The leading South Australian for 2022, Phillipou frames as a bullish midfield-forward option that can win his own ball and impact the scoreboard. The Demons are likely to be tempted by the Isaac Heeney-like talent, especially considering their own attacking livewire in Kysaiah Pickett is seen as no certainty to remain in red and blue past 2023. Standing at 192cm tall, it's Phillipou's stunning ground-ball ability that will catch opponents by surprise, while the teenager is also a fierce competitor in the air.

Toby in his new threads.

Vicious cycle.

Recruited from the Saints to fill the understudy role for the club’s strong midfield, Dunstan was rarely called upon to play that role. Was outstanding at Casey and was one of the best on ground in the premiership victory. "The former Saint played just five senior games in his first season with the Demons, but was named Melbourne’s best VFL player for 2022 and was also second in the Casey Demons’ best-and-fairest award. The midfielder had 31 disposals in Casey’s premiership win." - Herald Sun Date of Birth: 29 January 1995 Height: 185cm Weight: 86kg Games MFC 2022: 5 Career Total: 121 Goals MFC 2022: 0 Career Total: 46 Games CDFC 2022: 18 Goals CDFC 2022: 14

The high hopes the club had for Weideman as a key forward have faded since he had his supposed break out finals series in 2018. He did however, surprise with good effect late in the season at Casey when he took over the ruck role improving with every game despite being on the short side for the position. He was traded to the Bomber during Trade Week for Pick 37 in the Draft. Date of Birth: 26 June 1997 Height: 197cm Weight: 97kg Games MFC 2022: 10 Career Total: 59 Goals MFC 2022: 13 Career Total: 62 Games CDFC 2022: 11 Goals CDFC 2022: 15

The Western Australian rookie showed signs of gradual improvement through the year at Casey and his progression after a full preseason at the club will be watched with interest. "The rookie-listed defender is yet to play a senior game, but was a regular in the Casey Demons line-up and played in the VFL premiership win. Signed a new contract in August to retain a spot on the rookie list for next season." - Herald Sun Date of Birth: 8 July 2003 Height: 185cm Weight: 70kg Games CDFC 2022: 19 Goals CDFC 2022: 0

McDonald’s foot injury in mid season was the most telling blow struck against the club in its campaign to defend the 2021 premiership flag. The key forward hasn’t played in a losing team since Round 19 of that season and was close to a return when the club lost its semi final against the Lions. The Demons sorely missed the strength and energy up forward that McDonald provides in the latter part of 2022. "The key forward didn’t play a senior game following round 10 after surgery for a Lisfranc injury. McDonald’s gallant bid to return for the Demons’ finals campaign with a metal plate still in his foot ultimately fell short. A fit McDonald, with his big tank and strong marking, will make a welcome return to the Demons’ forward line next year." - Herald Sun Date of Birth: 18 September 1992 Height: 195cm Weight: 101kg Games MFC 2022: 9 Career Total: 202 Goals MFC 2022: 15 Career Total: 157 Games CDFC 2022: 3 Goals CDFC 2022: 7 Brownlow Medal: 2 votes

Nevermind - https://www.tiktok.com/@stackman_44?lang=en I need a minute of my life back.