Demonland

The Demons hit the road for what will be their first of 8 interstate trips this year when they play their final practice match before the 2025 AFL Premiership Season against the Fremantle Dockers in Perth on Sunday, 2nd March @ 6:10pm (AEDT). 2025 AAMI Community Series Sun Mar 2 Fremantle v Melbourne, Rushton Oval, Mandurah, 3.10pm AWST (6.10pm AEDT)

One of my prized possessions is a framed, autographed guernsey bearing the number 31 worn by my childhood hero, Melbourne’s champion six time premiership player Ronald Dale Barassi who passed away on 16 September 2023, aged 87. The former captain who went on to a successful coaching career, mainly with other clubs, came back to the fold in his later years as a staunch Demon supporter who often sat across the way from me in the Northern Stand of the MCG cheering on the team. Barassi died the day after Melbourne was unexpectedly bundled out of the 2023 finals by Carlton in a semi final. On the morning after the news of his death was broadcast, I noticed the frame around my prized guernsey of the great man was askew and I wondered whether he was among the football gods sending a message; perhaps predicting the following year’s decline as penance. I left that frame exactly at an angle and that’s how it remained until yesterday when I returned home from the game at Arden Street and noticed that it had miraculously straightened on its own. The likely explanation is that the day’s heavy winds had shaken the walls and returned #31 back to square but could it be RDB declaring that all is forgiven and we can now return to normal. It certainly appeared to be so in yesterday’s preseason hit out against the Kangaroos when a makeshift Demon side with about ten regulars missing, easily disposed of a near full strength opponent. I had to keep reminding myself that it was only a practice game (or to be more precise, a match simulation exercise) and that premierships are won in September but there was something alluring about the way the Demons went about the match. It was as if the day was an extension of everything done by the club since the disappointing end of the 2024 season to put into place its swift rehabilitation and return to a place among the elite of the competition. While many of the team’s leading lights took an early break on the sidelines and others nursed injuries in the lead up to the finals, the fans would be happy to see a strong defensive structure in operation throughout the game and especially early given that on ball division was well below full strength. As the game went on, the Demons moved into attack mode and effectively wore down the Roos at the end, even against that gusting wind which made things difficult for the marking tall timber. Stand in ruckman Tom Campbell toiled hard for three quarters and shared the honours with North’s Tristan Xerri. Similarly, the on ball division remained on par in a real arm wrestle with its opponents that saw the home side winning lots of the ball except for the moments when Clayton Oliver was holding court and showing he was back in midfield town and ready to add to his bag of club best and fairest honours. At those times, even the classy Davies-Uniacke and McKercher were forced into the background. With Kysaiah Pickett making his impact when spending time on the ball and Trent Rivers continuing his rise as an on baller, you would think the Demons’ would be well placed to surge with the return in the coming weeks of Viney, Petracca and Langdon. That’s before you even consider that the teenage recruits, Harvey Langford and Xavier Lindsay also made their play for inclusion in the team for the season’s opener. Langford initially lined up at full forward and displayed great poise and strength both there and when moved into the midfield. I can see him combining with Petracca going from midfield to forward and causing havoc. Lindsay is more an outside player with classy delivery who will be a great asset, even early in the season. Harry Sharp couldn’t break into the Brisbane premiership side but the club has nevertheless struck gold with his recruitment. He looks good as a high half forward replacement for Alex Neal-Bullen given he has a similar tank and similar goal sense. His four goals showed how much of a handful he proved to the Kangaroo defence. Jake Lever showed he’s bounced back from last year’s injury woes which limited his capacity and commanded the defence, well aided by Harry Petty, Tom McDonald and Blake Howes. Jake Bowey and Andy Moniz-Wakefield, until his late injury, mopped up in defence and were creative with their attacking moves. The bad news is that scans taken after the game have revealed that he has ruptured his ACL, PCL and damaged his meniscus which means he will miss the 2025 season. We wish him well with his recovery. Jacob van Rooyen continued with his upward trajectory as a key forward of quality. He was backed up by Daniel Turner and Matt Jefferson who both showed some promising signs with their forward craft. Aidan Johnson and Kynan Brown came on for some cameo time at the end and both did well with the former, executing some great bullocking work in the ruck and the latter kicking a clever goal as the Demons stretched their winning lead to 47 points in the end. It’s worth mentioning again that the result was meaningless, there’s still lots of work to be done and that only the first steps of a marathon journey have been taken, but a return to normal is on the cards. MELBOURNE 3.3.21 6.6.42 12.7.79 18.9.117 NORTH MELBOURNE 2.3.15 5.3.33 9.8.62 10.10.70 GOALS MELBOURNE Sharp van Rooyen 4 Pickett Sparrow 2 Billings Brown Campbell Jefferson Turner Woewodin NORTH MELBOURNE Larkey 3 Curtis 2 Daniel Darling Phillips Powell Sheezel BEST MELBOURNE Oliver van Rooyen Pickett Sharp Lever Campbell NORTH MELBOURNE Davies-Uniacke Daniel Phillips Powell Curtis Larkey Comben INJURED MELBOURNE Marty Hore (broken hand) Andy Moniz-Wakefield (knee) NORTH MELBOURNE Nil

Join us LIVE on Monday night at 8:30pm—note that this special time is just for this week due to prior commitments. We'll break down the Match SIM against North Melbourne and wrap up the preseason with insights into training and our latest recruits. I apologize for skipping our annual season review show at the end of last season. After a disapponting season filled with off-field antics and a heated trade week, I needed a break. Thankfully, the offseason has recharged me, and I’m back—ready to be disappointed all over again. We won't dwell too much on season 2024 and instead we'll dive into our early observations for 2025. As always, your questions are a vital part of the show. We’re eager to hear your thoughts about the Match SIM, our new recruits, and training track insights as we gear up for season 2025. Stay tuned for our post-Fremantle game show and perhaps even a full Season Preview before the opening whistle of 2025. If you would like to leave us a voicemail please call 03 9016 3666 and don't worry no body answers so you don't have to talk to a human. Listen & Chat LIVE: https://demonland.com/podcast Call: 03 9016 3666 Skype: Demonland31

Looks like a knee for AMW

Is that the free kick stats?

After an agonizingly long off-season the 2025 AFL Premiership Season is almost upon us and the Demons have their first practice hit out against the Kangaroos in a match simulation out at Arden Street. The Demons will take on the Kangaroos in match simulation play, starting from 10am AEDT and broadcast live on Foxtel and Kayo. The play start time was brought forward from the initial 11am bounce, due to the high temperatures forecast. The match sim will consist of four 25-minute quarters, plus game-specific simulations at the end of the second and fourth quarters. Following the match, the Casey Demons will face North Melbourne in a VFL practice match at 1pm. Please note there is limited shade, seating and amenities at Arden Street Oval, so please prepare accordingly. TRANSPORT Public transport is advised with North Melbourne Station, Macaulay Station and the 57 Tram all walking distance to the club Very limited street parking is available around the oval, however secure paid parking is available at Arden Gardens, 250m from the ground AMENITIES AND WHAT TO BRING Arden Street has limited seating so feel free to bring picnic blankets and portable chairs for your comfort Food trucks, coffee and ice cream will be available on site as well as water taps. Fans are encouraged to BYO food and water bottles Limited shade is available, so with high temperatures expected please wear sun smart clothes and hats, and apply sunscreen Match simulation Sat, Feb 22 North Melbourne v Melbourne at Arden Street Oval, 10am AEDT 2025 AAMI Community Series Sun Mar 2 Fremantle v Melbourne, Rushton Oval, Mandurah, 3.10pm AWST (6.10pm AEDT)

Demonland Trackwatchers beat the Friday heat to bring you their observations from this morning's Captain's Run out at Gosch's Paddock in the lead up to their first hit out in a Practice Match tomorrow against the Kangaroos. TRAVY14'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS On the park: Trac Spargo Gawn Viney Langdon May Fritsch Salem Henderson Rehab: McVee (updated to include Melk, Kolt, AMW and Kentfield) Spoke to "Gus" the trainer, he said these are the guys not playing tomorrow. Will be playing a lot of the kids. Henderson training to get to know the guys. General drills with running incorporated into it for fitness, nothing really to report. McVee doing plenty or run throughs at gentle pace, but impressed considering its an eight week hammy. Rest of the team rocking up now for captains run. Windsor in footy boots!! Windsor just left the track, not looking comfortable. Not a new injury, but obviously still recovering. HARVEY WALLBANGER'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Absent: McAdam Rehabbing: Melksham and McVee lots of running. Moniz-Wahefield. Tholstrup and Kentfield not doing much. Not playing tomorrow: May, Salem, Petracca, Viney, Spargo, Gawn, Langdon, Fritsch, Henderson, Windsor Train-on: Roy George (Culley not present). Leaves the other 28 available to have a run tomorrow: 2 van Rooyen 8 Lever 13 Oliver 14 Billings 16 Laurie 17 Bowey 19 Langford 20 Lindsay 21 Jefferson 22 Howes 24 Rivers 25 TMac 26 Adams 27 Hore 28 Verrall 29 Campbell 30 Sharp 32 Sparrow 33 Fullarton 35 Petty 36 Pickett 37 Chandler 38 Sestan 39 Mentha 40 Woewodin 41 Brown 42 Johnson ? George Windsor did some running with the main group - a big step forward from last week. Don't expect him to play tomorrow though. Based on what we saw today I expect the Casey game will not have any AFL listed players, and as reported earlier it may be that Roy George has a run in the main game (even though not on the list?). Given the nature of Kolt's injury he just turns up to training but he is not doing any running or drills. Today he spent quite a bit of time with his friend Kentfield - gentle stretches etc, hand-balling, etc. They will both be a couple of months away based on official and unofficial reports. KEV MARTIN'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Gorgeous morning, right temperature, no wind, plenty of vibe around (excited, nervous, up), they are ready to hit and compete. The veterans of Trac, Spargo, Gawn, Viney, Langdon, May, Fritsch, Salem, and the new one Henderson, had their own program going. They did join in some main drills. Henderson looks OK, can run and covers the ground smoothly, also has a good kick on him. In a general drill where we hadn't dropped a ball until Henderson let one slip. Good learning curve for him. A few others missed after that. I think, starting in that group of leaders will be good for him. The veterans group did an excessive number of run throughs. The others were about 28 or so in numbers. Going to be an interesting hit out tomorrow in the sim against North. Goody controlled the training, mainly by himself. The sims had him structuring mostly infront of the ball. The contest weren't there as they kept distance and allowed each other space. Kossie heavily involved, as a small forward. Oliver, rotated with him in from the forward to the mid-area. JVR getting his hands on it, with Turner as his offsider. Jefferson and Johnson at the end that they weren't kicking too. Backline being led by Lever who got the intercepts. Sharp played high half-forward. Verral and Campbell rucking in different teams. H.Langford, looked nervous, fumbled a few. Hope he enjoys his first hit out with team tomorrow. Lindsay is going well, I like that he is quiet, absorbing all he can get, and plays with poise. Will be a good role player for Goody as he is a quick learner. They had some goal kicking at the end, Mentha has a good banana shape on his snaps. Brad Green was down at training, hanging out with the "brains trust", on the far side. (First time I have noticed him down at the Paddock).

Players not likely to play in tomorrows Practice Match in picture form.

Which ones? Not Trac, McVee or Spargo. I think they will rest Max for this match or at least half of it. In the corresponding match in 2020 we featured an inexperienced lineup. Melbourne squad 9. C.Spargo 10. A.Brayshaw 12. T.Bedford 16. T.McCaffrey (VFL) 17. J.Munro (VFL) 18. J.Melksham 20. A.Tomlinson 23. J.Jordon 24. T.Rivers 27. R.Sparkes (VFL) 28. O.McDonald 29. J.Hunt 30. A.Vella (VFL) 31. B.Fritsch 32. T.Sparrow 33. O.Baker 34. M.Hore 35. A.Courtney (VFL) 36. K.Pickett 37. M.Lewis (VFL) 38. M.Brown 40. C.Wagner 41. J.Lockhart 42. J.Wagner 44. C.Ellison (VFL) 46. A.Bradtke 48. J.Briggs (VFL)