Demonland

One of the best medium forwards in the business and a great reader of the flight of the ball in the air, Fritsch passed the half century in goals for the second year in a row but this time in a forward line that was often found wanting in the big games. "The star forward topped the Demons’ goalkicking for the third consecutive year with his 55 majors in 2022. Played every game in 2022, scoring in each match. Signed a new long-term deal at the end of last year to keep him at the Demons until at least 2026." - Herald Sun Date of Birth: 6 December 1996 Height: 188cm Weight: 84kg Games MFC 2022: 24 Career Total: 109 Goals MFC 2022: 55 Career Total: 173 Seventh Club Best & Fairest: 395 votes

Pipped at the post again.

Electric small forward with a huge back of tricks and a penchant for upsetting opposition defences, finding the goals and kicking plenty of them. Date of Birth: 2 June 2001 Height: 171cm Weight: 73kg Games MFC 2022: 23 Career Total: 62 Goals MFC 2022: 41 Career Total: 88 Eighth Club Best & Fairest: 391 votes Brownlow Medal: 4 votes

Half forward who is sometimes maligned but plays an important role in the Demons’ attacking sector. Known for the territory he covers and the number of selfless acts that often go unnoticed but end up setting up goals, these are the attributes that saw him finish inside the top ten in the club champion awards. "One of the Demons’ most improved players in their premiership season, Neal-Bullen didn’t have the same level of impact in 2022, kicking nine goals compared to his 15 last year. Contracted until the end of 2023 after signing a two-year extension in May last year." - Herald Sun Date of Birth: 9 January 1996 Height: 183cm Weight: 81kg Games MFC 2022: 23 Career Total: 128 Goals MFC 2022: 9 Career Total: 88 Ninth Club Best & Fairest: 384 votes

He should resign immediately from ever giving another opinion on football ever again. Completely lost any credibility.

He didn't say that did he?

Looks to be running in that photo unless they were just miming exaggerated running in slow motion.

An outstanding wingman who provides non stop run and carry, linking with his teammates up and down the ground and is a great decision-maker. Has great stamina but his effectiveness was blunted by a rib injury in midseason. "The former Docker has become a critical piece of the Melbourne midfield with his hard-running on a wing since arriving at the club three years ago. Langdon averaged more than 21 disposals a game, but had five matches over 25 disposals in the first eight rounds and only one after that. Attracted some unwanted attention when he labelled Collingwood a “one-trick pony” ahead of their round 21 clash at the MCG, which the Magpies went on to win." - Herald Sun Date of Birth: 1 February 1996 Height: 182cm Weight: 77kg Games MFC 2022: 23 Career Total: 132 Goals MFC 2022: 13 Career Total: 61 Tenth Club Best & Fairest: 367 votes Brownlow Medal: 7 votes

Congratulations to Daisy’s Dees on a huge 78-point one-sided win against West Coast in challenging windy and wet conditions at Casey Fields. The banner celebrating Sarah Lampard’s 50 games was a victim of the wind, but nonetheless Lampy received a warm round of applause from the parochial crowd in attendance. Melbourne has the double-chance and is excited about its chances in the Season 7 AFLW finals. If this means the Grand Final is played at Metricon and the Demond make it, then they will be ready. Finishing the home and away season in second position was a great result. So why does a 78-point win feel like a 1-point loss? Well, scoring that extra point would have secured the minor premiership and theoretically, a home grand final. Missed by that much. After Brisbane demolished Collingwood by 45 points on Friday night, most pundits and supporters regarded Melbourne’s chances of being minor premiers as a longshot. The Coach did too. However, the defensive set up proved impassable. It has been great for several weeks, and this is the fourth match in a row where Melbourne has kept the opposition scoreless in the first term. West Coast only scored a single point for the entire match, the equal lowest score in AFLW history (It was still one too many!). They had a miserable 14 inside-fifty entries for the match. The girls were excellent and unrelenting. Tayla Harris’s ruck work and long kicking were outstanding. Purcell, West, Mithen, and Paxman were again really strong around the contest and spreading well. And a big shout out to @Deearmy during that last quarter. There was wild cheering for each goal, and urging of the team to score in those final desperate minutes. Alas, it was not to be, missing by a miniscule 0.3%. Let’s not dwell on it. The truth is, there were several gettable shots they missed over the day (and in recent weeks). It was windy all day and it rained heavily during the main break. Tough conditions to score big. Q1 Five minutes in, Paxy kicks the first major of the day. Lampy is getting some early touches in her milestone game. The Dees are dominating but not making the most of their chances. Finally, Meg Fitzsimon nails a great snap on her left. Her team rally around her. Next, Purcell snaps truly in traffic after some nice work from Paxy. This game is all one-way traffic. At quarter time Melbourne 3.5.23 to West Coast 0.0.0 (Melb 251.6% v Bris 282.4%) Q2 West Coast playing much better to start the second quarter with the first four inside fifties. Melbourne defends strongly. It’s great to see Maddison Gay out there. Her experience, toughness and skillset will be important against the top teams in finals. Bannan kicks the first second quarter goal after Tayla Harris marks and handballs to her in the goal square. Zanker juggles a contested mark then goes back and kicks a beauty from 40 metres. Sheriff hits the post. Bad luck Casey. We keep attacking for the remainder of the quarter but are unable to convert our opportunities. Here comes the rain. At half time Melbourne 5.8.38 to West Coast 0.1.1. (Melb 251.6% v Bris 282.4%) Q3 It’s slippery out there now, still windy and the lights are on. And the PA doesn’t work! Melbourne continue their domination and Kate Hore marks and makes no mistake from directly in front. To us supporters standing at the Clyde end, a clever Daisy Pearce snap on the run appears to be a goal. However, the goal umpire immediately calls it a behind. Replays seem to support the view that it was probably a goal. Blaithin Mackin runs on to a perfectly weighted handball from Hore and kicks an impressive goal. All her team mob her as they know it’s her first career goal. Well done B. At three-quarter time Melbourne 7.12.54 to West Coast 0.1.1. (Melb 268.5% v Bris 282.4%) Q4 While the match result is a foregone conclusion, interest turns to whether the Dees can score 26 points to secure the minor premiership. Hanks marks and kicks the first of the last. Closely followed by Kate Hore converting a free kick with a banana from the boundary line. The tempo is rising as Melbourne plays on at all costs. Fitzy, on her non-preferred foot, hits up Zanker whose set shot delivers another goal. Harris is having a great last quarter. Her booming kick from halfback sets up an opportunity for Shelley Heath to run on to and she slots the goal. Loz Pearce snaps for a point and we are into the final minute. Daisy marks within range of goal but unwittingly centres the ball instead of trying to score and it’s cleared by West Coast. The final siren sounds and it’s a 78-point thumping victory to Melbourne and the double chance. Melbourne 11.13.79 to West Coast 0.1.1. (Melb 282.1% v Bris 282.4%) The Coaches and next week: Melbourne Coach Mick Stinear was really content to achieve a top 2 finish and the double chance. He admitted the minor premiership was not a key coaching focus. He wanted the players to continue to be in the moment. It was a strong defensive performance again. Mick praised Libby Birch for her game, said Sinead Goldrick did really well and that Maddi Gay was excellent in her return from injury. Michael Prior was not particularly glowing about his charge’s efforts. The gap was huge he said. He will be gobsmacked if young star Ella Roberts does not win a Rising Star nominee this week. He also flagged that post-season exit meetings will be brutal for some of his players. The Demons play reigning premiers Adelaide on Friday Night in the Qualifying Final at Ikon Park which we hope continues to be a happy hunting ground for them. Come along if you can and support our women. Go Dees!!! MELBOURNE 3.5.23 5.8.38 7.12.54 11.13.79 WEST COAST EAGLES 0.0.0 0.1.1 0.1.1 0.1.1 GOALS MELBOURNE Hore Zanker 2 Bannan Fitzsimon Hanks Heath Mackin Paxman Purcell WEST COAST EAGLES Nil BEST MELBOURNE Paxman Purcell Birch Hore Mithen WEST COAST EAGLES Thomas Roberts McCarthy Lakay INJURIES MELBOURNE Nil WEST COAST EAGLES Swanston (hamstring) REPORTS MELBOURNE Nil WEST COAST EAGLES Nil CROWD 726 at Casey Fields