Demonland

RIDICULOUSLY SUBLIME by KC from Casey The Casey Demons were always expected to emerge victorious in their matchup against the lowly-ranked Sydney Swans at picturesque Tramway Oval, situated in the shadows of the SCG in Moore Park. They dominated the proceedings in the opening two and a half quarters of the game but had little to show for it. This was primarily due to their own sloppy errors in a low-standard game that produced a number of crowded mauls reminiscent of the rugby game popular in old Sydney Town. However, when the Swans tired, as teams often do when they turn games into ugly defensive contests, Casey lifted the standard of its own play and … it was off to the races. Not to nearby Randwick but to a different race with an objective of piling on goal after goal on the way to a mammoth victory. At the 25-minute mark of the third quarter, the Demons held a slender 14-point lead over the Swans, who are ahead on the ladder of only the previous week's opposition, the ailing Bullants. Forty minutes later, they had more than fully compensated for the sloppiness of their earlier play with a decisive 94-point victory, that culminated in a rousing finish which yielded thirteen unanswered goals. Kicks hit their targets, the ball found itself going through the middle and every player made a contribution. It’s not hard to win against lowly teams but this was ridiculously sublime. Huge credit has to be given to the VFL-listed contingent who have been consistent in lifting the team after last year’s disappointments. Hardnut Riley Baldi, Mitch Hardie and Riley Bonner were solid contributors throughout while Paddy Cross chipped in with three of those eleven final quarter goals. Noah Yze overcame the disappointment of missing out on the Mid Season Draft with a couple of nice goals, Tyson Sruk was not as prolific as last week but was still full of endeavour in a hardworking display. Deakyn Smith led from the front. Of the AFL contingent (Casey had the edge over Sydney by 15 to 11), Jack Billings was the best with an indispensable four quarter display that netted him 32 disposals. His former teammate at the Saints in Tom Campbell dominated the rucks with his 34 hitouts, six clearances and a couple of goals with capable understudy Will Verrall again providing solid back up. The key forwards in Matthew Jefferson and Jacob van Rooyen were important in the early stages of the game with their goal kicking which netted seven goals between them to three quarter time. Both are now in intense competition for senior key position berths should a vacancy arise. The former would be edging slightly in front given his second consecutive five goal haul, but remember it’s an achievement over the VFL’s two bottom sides with one win between them. Other good performances were recorded by Jai Culley, Blake Howes, Oliver Sestan, Koltyn Tholstrup and Taj Woewodin who are all playing a waiting game for senior call ups that remain hard to come by in light of the club’s senior resurgence. Next up is the big Kings Birthday challenge against Collingwood to be played on Saturday night at, of all places, Mission Whitten Oval in Footscray. No doubt, the powers that be in the inner sanctum of the VFL have a logical explanation for this unusual and sublimely ridiculous fixture. CASEY DEMONS 5.4.34 8.5.53 13.9.87 24.11.165 SYDNEY SWANS 3.2.20 7.2.44 9.5.59 9.7.61 GOALS CASEY DEMONS Jefferson 5 Cross 3 Campbell Culley Mentha van Rooyen Yze 2 Baldi Craven Fullarton Hardie Howes Tholstrup SYDNEY SWANS Dattoli Hanily Kluske 3 BEST CASEY DEMONS Billings Jefferson Culley Baldi Hardie Sestan SYDNEY SWANS Florent Hanily Hanrahan Dattoli Shipley Edwards

It's Game Day and the Demons have traveled to Alice Springs to take on the Saints and they have a massive opportunity to build on the momentum of two big wins in a row and keep their finals hopes well and truly alive.

With the opening round win under their belts, the Redlegs had a much tougher assignment in the second match of the season against Collingwood in hostile territory at Victoria Park. Round 2 Collingwood vs Melbourne Saturday 9 May Venue: Victoria Park Attendance: 15,000 MELBOURNE 0.3.3 2.7.19 3.10.28 7.12.54 COLLINGWOOD 2.2.14 5.6.35 6.10.46 10.11.71 Goalkickers: Richard Taylor 2, Harry Davie 1, Hugh Dunbar 1, Percy Tulloh 1, Bill Tymms 1, Stan Wittman 1 As it turned out, Melbourne put up on a tremendous performance but fell short in a fast paced match in which they missed the influence of skipper Bert Chadwick who was out with influenza. The superior Collingwood defence gave it the initial impetus on the wet ground by holding Melbourne goalless in the first term and holding it to just three goals by three quarter time. The game opened up in the final term with the Redlegs narrowing the margin to 11 points late in the game when Stan Wittman marked in front of goal but lost the ball attempting to run around the man on the mark. The opportunity to cut the margin to under a goal was lost. Collingwood surged to kick another goal and the game was lost. Melbourne’s best were Taylor, Mollison and Coy. Seconds - Collingwood 13.20 d. Melbourne 8.12.60 Goals - Alberry 5, Parker 2, Duff 1 Best Parker, Fergens, Anderson Round 3 Melbourne vs Carlton Saturday 16 May Venue: MCG Attendance: 16,570 MELBOURNE 2.2.14 3.7.25 6.10.46 12.12.84 CARLTON 1.1.7 3.8.26 3.11.29 4.14.38 Goalkickers: Harry Davie 5, Jack Cannan 3, Jimmy Davidson 1, Derek Mollison 1, Richard Taylor 1, Ivor Warne-Smith 1 The lowly Blues were struggling but, despite their inaccuracy in front of goal, managed to put up a fight and lead by a point at half time but collapsed after the long break. Carlton’s poor kicking in front of the goals persisted in the first five minutes of the third quarter scoring three behinds and from then onwards, the rest of the game belonged to the faster and more systematic Melbourne which added 9.5.59 to bring them a percentage building 46 point victory. The Redleg fans had been expecting the debut of champion Tasmanian player, Col Deane in the number 33 but were confused when it was actually "Snowy" Cannan from Bendigo because Deane was unable to play due to illness (he would debut the following week). Meanwhile, Cannan played the game of his brief career and kicked three goals. Best players were Taylor, Chadwick and Davie but the big news of the day was the resignation of Carlton coach Pat O'Brien, an outcome prompted by the game’s poor performance. Seconds Carlton 20.18.138 d. Melbourne 11.12.78 Goals Cameron 4 Round 4, Footscray vs Melbourne Saturday 23 May Venue: Western Oval Attendance: 12,000 MELBOURNE 1.3.9 7.8.50 8.12.60 9.16.70 FOOTSCRAY 1.3.9 5.4.34 6.5.41 6.6.42 Goalkickers: Col Deane 3, Harry Davie 2, Stan Wittman 2, Jimmy Davidson 1, Ivor Warne-Smith The fourth round marked Melbourne's first VFL game against the newly admitted Footscray Football Club. It was the first meeting between the two sides since August 1896 and the Redlegs continued their good start to the season by once again being victorious. When the teams gathered in the middle of the ground before the match to cheer for each other, Col Deane took his place and thrilled supporters by emulating Cannan's performance from the week before. He steered his first kick for sixty years, right through the goals and also finished three goals. A talented big man, Deane was fast for his size, a beautiful kick and a strong mark. He had been educated at Launceston Grammar where he was a fine athlete and a champion rower and became one of the best ruckmen in the competition. Deane was inducted into the Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame in 2014. Colin Deane Player Inductee -Launceston/New Town/Melbourne/St Kilda, Follower, 1919-33 • 82 games, 53 goals for Melbourne, 1925-30 • 3 games for St Kilda, 1933 • Around 40 games for Launceston, 1919-21 • Around 40 games for New Town, 1922-24 • St Kilda coach, 1933 • Melbourne VFL premiership, 1926 • Tasmanian National Carnival representative, 1924 (Hobart) • Victorian interstate representative, 1925, 1929 • NTFA representative, 1919-21 It was the first wet day of the season and rain fell during the game but before it came Melbourne was the superior team, marking and kicking with precision. After an even opening term, during which play became heavily congested, Melbourne nullified Footscray's tough bullocking play and kicked six goals to four in the second term to set up their win. The game became a slog when the rain came and the Redlegs managed a goal in each of the two final terms with Wittman's goal sealing the game. The atmosphere was convivial and the hosts provided a barrel of beer for their visitors in the rooms after the game. Best were Wittman, Warne-Smith and the newcomer, Deane. Seconds Footscray 6.6.42 vs Melbourne 3.4.22 (1/2 time score) Round 5 Melbourne vs North Melbourne Saturday 30 May Venue: MCG Attendance: 11,954 MELBOURNE 5.2.32 9.7.61 10.10.70 12.13.85 NORTH MELBOURNE 2.4.16 3.4.22 8.4.52 10.5.65 Goalkickers: Harry Davie 5, Col Deane 3, Jack Cannan 2, Derek Mollison 2 Melbourne's first ever match against North in the VFL saw them earn their second victory in a fortnight over one of the league's new boys after taking care of Footscray a week earlier. In an exciting, high standard game it looked as if Melbourne had the match won when they opened up a six goal lead at half time. They were dominant in the first quarter, always first to the ball and playing with a better system. In the circumstances the 16 point lead could have been larger, but the second term they kicked away to a 39 point lead. The first goal of the third quarter extended the margin to over 30 points, before North stormed back with five goals in a row to cut the margin to just 18 points at the last change. The lead was down to 13 points in the last quarter, but North had left themselves too much work to do and fell short. Best were Warne-Smith, Chadwick and Mollison.

Round One Saturday, Aug 16 Western Bulldogs v Melbourne at Mission Whitten Oval, 7:35pm AEST (Seven) Round Two Saturday, Aug 23 Melbourne v St Kilda at Casey Fields 3:05pm AEST (FOX) Round Three Sunday, Aug 31 Collingwood v Melbourne at Victoria Park, 1:05pm AEST (Seven) Round Four Saturday, Sep 6 Melbourne v Richmond at Casey Field, 12:35pm AEST (FOX) Round Five Port Adelaide v Melbourne at Alberton Oval, 2:35pm ACST (FOX) Round Six Sunday, Sep 21 Melbourne v West Coast at Casey Fields, 1:05pm AEST (Seven) Round Seven Friday, Sep 26 Melbourne v Gold Coast at Casey Fields, 1:05pm AEST (FOX) Round Eight Friday, Oct 3 Melbourne v Essendon at Ikon Park, 7:15pm AEST (Seven) Round Nine Sunday, Oct 12 Fremantle v Melbourne at Fremantle Community Bank Oval, 2:05pm AEDT (FOX) Round 10 Saturday, Oct 18 Melbourne v Sydney at Casey Fields, 1:05pm AEDT (FOX) Round 11 Saturday, Oct 25 Brisbane v Melbourne at Brighton Homes Arena, 6:15pm AEST (FOX) Round 12 Friday, Oct 31 - Sunday, Nov 2 Geelong v Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium - time and broadcaster TBC

GROUP ONE GROUP TWO GROUP THREE North Melbourne Richmond West Coast Hawthorn Essendon Carlton Brisbane Melbourne Sydney Adelaide Geelong Greater Western Sydney Fremantle St Kilda Gold Coast Western Bulldogs Western Bulldogs Collingwood 2025 NAB AFLW FIXTURERound One Thursday, Aug 14 Carlton v Collingwood at Ikon Park, 7:15pm AEST (Seven) West Coast v Gold Coast at Sullivan Logistics Stadium, 7:15pm AWST (Seven) Friday, Aug 15 Sydney v Richmond at North Sydney Oval, 6:15pm AEST (FOX) Saturday, Aug 16 Geelong v North Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium, 3:35pm AEST (FOX) Greater Western Sydney v Essendon at Corroboree Group Manuka Oval, 5:35pm AEST (FOX) Western Bulldogs v Melbourne at Mission Whitten Oval, 7:35pm AEST (Seven) Sunday, Aug 17 Brisbane Lions v Hawthorn at Brighton Homes Arena, 12:40pm AEST (Seven) St Kilda v Adelaide at RSEA Park, 2:10pm AEST (FOX) Port Adelaide v Fremantle at Alberton Oval 3:40pm ACST (FOX) Round Two Saturday, Aug 23 Collingwood v Greater Western Sydney at Victoria Park, 1:05pm AEST (FOX) Melbourne v St Kilda at Casey Fields 3:05pm AEST (FOX) Gold Coast v Sydney at People First Stadium, 3:05pm AEST (FOX) Fremantle v Brisbane at Fremantle Community Bank Oval, 3:05pm AWST (FOX) Hawthorn v Carlton at Kinetic Stadium, 7:15pm AEST (Seven) Sunday, Aug 24 Essendon v West Coast at Windy Hill, 1:05pm AEST (FOX) North Melbourne v Port Adelaide at Arden Street Oval, 1:05pm AEST (Seven) Richmond v Western Bulldogs at Ikon Park, 3:05pm AEST (FOX) Adelaide v Geelong at Unley Oval, 2:35pm ACST (Seven) Round Three Friday, Aug 29 Richmond v Essendon at TIO Stadium, 6:45pm ACST (Seven) Saturday, Aug 30 Greater Western Sydney v Adelaide at Henson Park, 1:05pm AEST (FOX) St Kilda v West Coast at RSEA Park, 3:05pm AEST (FOX) Geelong v Sydney at GMHBA Stadium, 3:05pm AEST (FOX) Port Adelaide v Gold Coast at Alberton Oval, 4:35pm ACST (FOX) Western Bulldogs v Hawthorn at Mission Whitten Oval, 7:15pm AEST (Seven) Sunday, Aug 31 Collingwood v Melbourne at Victoria Park, 1:05pm AEST (Seven) Fremantle v North Melbourne at Fremantle Community Bank Oval, 1:05pm AWST (Seven) Brisbane v Carlton at Brighton Homes Arena, 5:05pm AEST (FOX) Round Four Saturday, Sep 6 Melbourne v Richmond at Casey Field, 12:35pm AEST (FOX) Gold Coast v Greater Western Sydney at People First Stadium, 1:05pm AEST (FOX) Carlton v Western Bulldogs at Ikon Park, 3:05pm AEST (FOX) Hawthorn v St Kilda at Cazalys Stadium, 7:15pm AEST (FOX) Sunday, Sep 7 Sydney v Fremantle at Henson Park, 1:05pm AEST (FOX) Adelaide v Brisbane at Norwood Oval, 12:35pm ACST (Seven) North Melbourne v Collingwood at Arden Street Oval, 3:05pm AEST (FOX) Essendon v Geelong at Windy Hill, 3:05pm AEST (Seven) West Coast v Port Adelaide at Mineral Resources Park, 3:05pm AEST (FOX) Round Five Saturday, Sep 13 Collingwood v Sydney at Victoria Park, 1:05pm AEST (FOX) Carlton v Gold Coast at Ikon Park, 2:35pm AEST (FOX) Port Adelaide v Melbourne at Alberton Oval, 2:35pm ACST (FOX) Greater Western Sydney v Western Bulldogs at Corroboree Group Manuka Oval, 4:35pm AEST (FOX) Sunday, Sep 14 Essendon v St Kilda at Windy Hill, 1:05pm AEST (FOX) Richmond v Geelong at Ikon Park, 1:05pm AEST (Seven) Hawthorn v Adelaide at Kinetic Stadium, 3:05pm AEST (FOX) Brisbane v North Melbourne at Brighton Homes Arena, 3:05pm AEST (Seven) Fremantle v West Coast at Fremantle Community Bank Oval, 3:05pm AWST (FOX) Round Six Saturday, Sep 20 Collingwood v Hawthorn at Victoria Park, 1:05pm AEST (FOX) North Melbourne v Carlton at Arden Street Oval, 1:05pm AEST (FOX) Fremantle v Essendon at Fremantle Community Bank Oval, 1:05pm AWST (FOX) Port Adelaide v Geelong at Alberton Oval, 7:35pm ACST (FOX) Sunday, Sep 21 Sydney v Greater Western Sydney at Henson Park, 1:05pm AEST (FOX) Melbourne v West Coast at Casey Fields, 1:05pm AEST (Seven) Western Bulldogs v Brisbane at Mission Whitten Oval, 3:05pm AEST (FOX) St Kilda v Richmond at RSEA Park, 3:05pm AEST (Seven) Gold Coast v Adelaide at People First Stadium, 5:05pm AEST (FOX) Round Seven Thursday, Sep 25 Geelong v Hawthorn at GMHBA Stadium, 7:15pm AEST (Seven) Friday, Sep 26 Melbourne v Gold Coast at Casey Fields, 1:05pm AEST (FOX) Essendon v North Melbourne at Windy Hill, 3:05pm AEST (Seven) Carlton v Fremantle at Ikon Park, 5:05pm AEST (FOX) Western Bulldogs v Collingwood at Mission Whitten Oval, 7:15pm AEST (Seven) Sunday, Sep 28 St Kilda v Port Adelaide at RSEA Park, 1:05pm AEST (Seven) Adelaide v Sydney at Unley Oval, 2:35pm ACST (FOX) Brisbane v Richmond at Brighton Homes Arena, 3:05pm AEST (Seven) West Coast v Greater Western Sydney at Mineral Resources Park, 3:05pm AWST (FOX) Round Eight Thursday, Oct 2 Hawthorn v Fremantle at Kinetic Stadium, 7:15pm AEST (FOX) Friday, Oct 3 Melbourne v Essendon at Ikon Park, 7:15pm AEST (Seven) Saturday, Oct 4 Greater Western Sydney v St Kilda at Henson Park, 1:05pm AEST (FOX) North Melbourne v Sydney at UTAS Stadium, 3:05pm AEST (FOX) Gold Coast v Brisbane at People First Stadium, 5:05pm AEST (FOX) Port Adelaide v Western Bulldogs at Alberton Oval, 6:45pm ACST (Seven) Sunday, Oct 5 Richmond v Adelaide at Ikon Park, 1:05pm AEDT (Seven) Geelong v Carlton GMHBA Stadium, 3:05pm AEDT (Seven) West Coast v Collingwood at Mineral Resources Park, 2:05pm AWST (FOX) Round Nine Friday, Oct 10 Western Bulldogs v Essendon at Mission Whitten Oval, 7:15pm AEDT (Seven) Saturday, Oct 11 Adelaide v West Coast at Norwood Oval, 12:35pm ACDT (FOX) Geelong v Greater Western Sydney at GMHBA Stadium, 3:05pm AEDT (FOX) Hawthorn v Gold Coast at Kinetic Stadium, 3:05pm AEDT (FOX) Brisbane v Port Adelaide at Brighton Homes Arena, 4:05pm AEST (FOX) Richmond v North Melbourne at Ikon Park, 7:15pm AEDT (Seven) Sunday, Oct 12 Sydney v Carlton at Henson Park, 1:05pm AEDT (Seven) St Kilda v Collingwood at RSEA Park, 3:05pm AEDT (Seven) Fremantle v Melbourne at Fremantle Community Bank Oval, 2:05pm AEDT (FOX) Round 10 Friday, Oct 17 Port Adelaide v Hawthorn at Alberton Oval, 6:45pm ACDT (Seven) West Coast v Geelong at Sullivan Logistics Stadium, 6:15pm AWST (FOX) Saturday, Oct 18 Melbourne v Sydney at Casey Fields, 1:05pm AEDT (FOX) North Melbourne v Adelaide at Arden Street Oval, 3:05pm AEDT (FOX) Greater Western Sydney v Fremantle at Henson Park, 3:05pm AEDT (FOX) Carlton v St Kilda at Ikon Park, 7:15pm AEDT (Seven) Sunday, Oct 19 Essendon v Brisbane at Windy Hill, 1:05pm AEDT (Seven) Collingwood v Richmond at Victoria Park, 3:05pm AEDT (Seven) Gold Coast v Western Bulldogs at Great Barrier Reef Arena, 4:05pm AEST (FOX) Round 11 Friday, Oct 24 Adelaide v Port Adelaide at Norwood Oval, 6:45pm ACDT (Seven) Saturday, Oct 25 Sydney v West Coast at Henson Park, 1:05pm AEDT (FOX) Essendon v Hawthorn at Windy Hill, 3:05pm AEDT (FOX) Fremantle v Richmond at Fremantle Community Bank Oval, 2:05pm AWST (FOX) Brisbane v Melbourne at Brighton Homes Arena, 6:15pm AEST (FOX) Sunday, Oct 26 Western Bulldogs v Geelong at Mars Stadium, 1:05pm AEDT (Seven) North Melbourne v St Kilda at North Hobart Oval, 1:05pm AEDT (FOX) Carlton v Greater Western Sydney at Ikon Park, 3:05pm AEDT (Seven) Gold Coast v Collingwood at Bond University, 3:05pm AEST (FOX) Round 12 Friday, Oct 31 - Sunday, Nov 2 Adelaide v Fremantle at Norwood Oval - time and broadcaster TBC Collingwood v Brisbane at Victoria Park - time and broadcaster TBC Geelong v Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium - time and broadcaster TBC Greater Western Sydney v Port Adelaide at Henson Park - time and broadcaster TBC Hawthorn v North Melbourne at Kinetic Stadium - time and broadcaster TBC Richmond v Gold Coast at Ikon Park - time and broadcaster TBC St Kilda v Western Bulldogs at RSEA Park - time and broadcaster TBC Sydney v Essendon at C.ex Coffs International Stadium - time and broadcaster TBC West Coast v Carlton at Sullivan Logistics Stadium - time and broadcaster TBC

Jed Adams in. Reckon Lever will be mystery injury of the week.

afl.com.auAFL announces executive team restructureThe League's executive team has been restructured to more closely align with its strategic priorities

Round 12 kicks off with the Brisbane hosting Essendon at the Gabba as the Lions aim to solidify their top-two position against an injury-hit Bombers side seeking to maintain momentum after a win over Richmond. On Friday night it's a blockbuster at the G as the Magpies look to extend their top of the table winning streak while the Hawks strive to bounce back from a couple of recent defeats and stay in contention for the Top 4. On Saturday the Suns, buoyed by 3 wins on the trot, face the Dockers in a clash crucial for both teams' aspirations this season. The Suns want to solidify their Top 4 standing whilst the Dockers will be desperate to break into the 8. The Giants will want to capitalize on their return to form last week and the young Tigers should not trouble them too much. The Swans return home after a heavy defeat and will be facing an uphill battle to overcome the Crow who don't want to give up their place in the Four. The Round closes with the struggling Eagles taking on the in-form Cats in Perth. Carlton, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide & the Western Bulldogs all have the bye this week.

The media has performed a complete reversal in its coverage of the Melbourne Football Club over the past month and a half. Having endured intense criticism from all quarters in the press, which continually identified new avenues for scrutiny of every aspect, both on and off the field, and prematurely speculated about the departures of coaches, players, officials, and various employees from a club that lost its first five matches and appeared out of finals contention, the narrative has suddenly shifted to one of unbridled optimism. The Demons have won five of their last six matches, positioning themselves just one game (and a considerable amount of percentage) outside the top eight at the halfway mark of the season. They still trail the primary contenders and remain far from assured of a finals berth. Their current ladder position (11th, 5-6) does, however, place them on equal footing with the Western Bulldogs of last season and ahead of the eventual premiers, the Brisbane Lions (13th, 4-1-6), and Hawthorn (14th, 4-7), all of whom surged from the lower half of the ladder into finals action in September. With Melbourne experiencing its resurgence and displaying an attractive, attacking brand of football, the entire organization has become the darling of a media that is eager to lavish praise upon the club. One example of the media turnaround is this piece from the Herald Sun: "Nathan Buckley was full of praise for Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin's ‘change of tact’ in recent weeks, particularly in the way the Dees had found a more efficient method in the forward half of the ground." By defeating last year’s grand finalists with thanks to this ‘change of tact,’ the Demons find themselves back in town (or at least closer to the CBD than a month or so ago) but their next up challenge takes them way out of town to Alice Springs. There, Ross Lyon, awaits. He’s a cunning opponent known more for his lack of tact than anything else and with his team languishing, Lyon has been deflecting attention from their poor performances by making provocative comments like the pre-game "nepo baby" attack on the Suns that had people scrambling to google its meaning. The concern for the Demons is that Lyon’s mind games, his uber negative approach and the unconventional location of this match in the country’s Red Centre all could potentially disrupt their momentum in a match that remains imperative to win. Melbourne’s financially lucrative sale of its home game to play at TIO Traeger Park might be culturally significant but from a performance perspective it’s been a wipeout in the past two seasons. In 2023, it rained uncharacteristically for the region over several days and nights before the game against the Giants and the Demons kicked themselves out of contention with 5.15.45 to 7.5.47, a last minute 60 metre plus goal from Josh Kelly that rolled and rolled into an unprotected goal area sealing their fate. Last year, they were insipid as the Fremantle Dockers brushed them aside by 92 points to send their confidence plummeting. It took them a long time to hit the floor after that! Melbourne won its only previous encounter against the Saints in Alice Springs — in Covid ravaged season 2000 when it fell in by two points inspired by Christian Petracca’s four goals, the dominance of Steven May at full back and the ruckwork of Max Gawn. They didn’t play in Alice Springs in the premiership year (still the pandemic) but Kysaiah Pickett put on a one man show in front of his adoring fans in 2022 when he racked up six majors to give the Demons the edge in the game and to finally run out winners by 14 points. As it happens, the players just mentioned are all at the top of their game at the moment along with Clayton Oliver who is slowly getting back to his premiership best. I can’t see a negative Nellie like Ross the Nepo Man making enough changes of tact or doing enough to stop them in front of their adoring community of fans in the heart of the country. Melbourne by 25 points. THE GAME Melbourne v St Kilda at TIO Traeger Park, Alice Springs on Sunday 1 June 2025 at 3.20pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall Melbourne 126 wins St Kilda 94 wins 1 drawn At TIO Traeger Park Melbourne 1 win St Kilda 0 wins Past five meetings Melbourne 5 wins St Kilda 0 wins The Coaches Goodwin 2 wins Lyon 0 wins THE LAST TIME THEY MET Melbourne 14.16.100 defeated St Kilda 8.10.58 at The MCG, Round 12 2024 The Demons applied the pressure from the very start and led all day to win in a canter. It was probably the last time for the year that the club could truly claim to be a contender. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE B J. Bowey, S. May, C. Salem HB C. Windsor, J. Lever, X. Lindsay C K. Chandler, C. Petracca, E. Langdon HF H. Langford, B. Fritsch, H. Petty F J. Melksham, H. Petty, K. Pickett FOLL M. Gawn, C. Oliver, T. Sparrow I/C A. Johnson, B. Laurie, J. McVee, D. Turner, T. Rivers EMG J. Adams, J. Henderson, J. van Rooyen IN B. Laurie OUT C. Spargo (scapula) ST KILDA B I. Keeler, C. Wilkie, J. Webster HB M. Windhager, N. Wanganeen-Milera, T. Travaglia C M. Wood, J. Sinclair, B. Hill HF J. Higgins, M. Phillipou, D. Butler F C. Sharman, A. Caminiti, M. Owens FOLLR. Marshall, Z. Jones, J. Steele I/C H. Boxshall, R. Byrnes, J. Carroll, H. Clark, M. Hall EMG A. Hastie, M. Heath, L. O Connell IN D. Butler, J. Carroll, A. Hastie OUT L. O’Connell (omitted), D. Wilson (omitted) Injury List: Round 12 Jack Viney — concussion / Test Marty Hore — calf / 1 - 2 weeks Charlie Spargo — scapula/ 4 - 6 weeks Shane McAdam — Achilles / next season Andy Moniz-Wakefield — knee / next season

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They used to always be recalled.

So Cox doesn't want to admit that Gawn is better than him.

Working on it but I have been so busy it has been put on the back burner.

Going to cut off the questions here. See you at 8:00pm

A few weeks ago, I visited a fellow Melbourne Football Club supporter in hospital, and our conversation inevitably shifted from his health diagnosis to the well-being of our football team. Like him, Melbourne had faced challenges in recent months, but an intervention - in his case, surgery, and in the team's case, a change in game style - had brought about much improvement. The team's professionals had altered its game style from a pedestrian and slow-moving approach, which yielded an average of merely 60 points for five winless games, to a faster and more direct style. This shift led to three consecutive wins and a strong competitive effort in the fourth game, albeit with a tired finish against Hawthorn, a strong premiership contender. As we discussed our team's recent health improvement, I shared my observations on the changes within the team, including the refreshed style, the introduction of new young talent, such as rising stars Caleb Windsor, Harvey Langford, and Xavier Lindsay, and the rebranding of Kozzy Pickett from a small forward to a midfield machine who can still get among the goals. I also highlighted the dominance of captain Max Gawn in the ruck and the resurgence in form in a big way of midfield superstars Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver. I attributed a significant amount of the credit to the professionalism and creative thinking of coach Simon Goodwin, who was transforming the team from a state of ill health to a thriving unit. I even ventured to suggest that Melbourne might exceed expectations and secure victories in the coming weeks against the reigning premiers and the team they beat in the grand final. To my chagrin, my friend met my optimism with hostility, disbelief and a dismissive wave, labelling my prediction as 'rubbish' and launching into a heated tirade against Goodwin. He argued it was time for the coach to depart, citing over a dozen reasons to support the claim. As the conversation became increasingly heated from the patient’s side, the numbers on the screen of the machine by his bed rose accordingly and a nurse intervened. Like Goody, it was time for me to go and I took my leave as he muttered something about writing another letter demanding action to the club’s president Brad Green. In the two weeks since my visit, the Melbourne Football Club's health has continued to improve, and my predictions have proven accurate. The team secured victories against both 2024 grand finalists (the first Narrm clean sweep in the history of the AFL’s Indigenous Round), making it five wins out of six matches since Goodwin's intervention early in the season. My friend is also due to be discharged from rehabilitation today. Currently, the focus is on Kozzy Pickett, who delivered a match-winning performance with 24 possessions, five goals, and six clearances. His speed and ability to attack and hit centre stoppages caused havoc in the middle, while the damage he caused up forward was equally impressive. All done while he wore the Indigenous guernsey designed by his father for Sir Doug Nicholls Round. Another subject for discussion this week is the team's almost complete all-round game, marred only by kicking errors in the second and third quarters. It was a testament to its defensive prowess and ability to force errors. Also in the news is the continued resurgence of the premiership combination of Oliver and Petracca, under the masterful ruckmanship of Max Gawn, a key factor in the team's success. I could go on and mention the renewed combination of May and Lever in defence along with a most impressive and improved Daniel Turner, the young guns, Trent Rivers and Tom Sparrow’s growth and development, Ed Langdon’s gut busting running and the attacking combination of Melksham, Fritsch and Chandler. All talking points of worthy of note but none that could have occurred but for the man who directed proceedings when the club was in crisis mode languishing on the AFL operating table at zip and five after Gather Round. There’s still a way to go but it’s time for chief surgeon, Professor Goodwin to take a bow. NARRM 3.3.21 6.11.47 11.15.81 19.17.131 SYDNEY SWANS 2.1.12 4.1.25 7.3.45 12.6.78 GOALS NARRM Pickett 5 Melksham 3 Fritsch Sharp Sparrow 2 Gawn Oliver Petracca Petty Salem SYDNEY SWANS Heeney 3 Ladhams 2 Blakey Campbell Hamling Hayward McLean Mills Warner BEST NARRM Pickett Oliver Petracca Salem Gawn Rivers SYDNEY SWANS Heeney Warner Rowbottom Roberts Grundy Sheldrick INJURIES NARRM Nil SYDNEY SWANS Sam Wicks (hamstring) REPORTS NARRM Nil SYDNEY SWANS Nil SUBSTITUTIONS NARRM Harry Sharp (replaced Charlie Spargo in the third quarter) SYDNEY SWANS Taylor Adams (replaced Sam Wicks in the third quarter) UMPIRES Jeff Dalgleish Craig Fleer Paul Rebeschini Cameron Jones CROWD 38,520 at The MCG

The Demons and the Saints last faced off against each other as part of the 2024 Sir Doug Nicholls Round in a game dominated by Max Gawn’s 34 hit out and 27 disposal performance in the ruck and the two Christian’s, Perracca and Salem, on the ball.and around the ground. They were far too good for Euro-Yroke. Despite their total dominance, there were heavy clouds on the horizon as the team was about to spiral down the ladder in the months ahead. As it turned out, they failed to make an impact on the finals race in the second half of the season after looking so good in the first eight rounds. NARRM 4.7.31 5.9.39 11.10.76 14.16.100 EURO-YROKE 1.0.6 4.3.27 5.5.35 9.8.62 GOALS NARRM van Rooyen 3 Fritsch Petracca Viney 2 Chandler Gawn Hunter May Pickett EURO-YROKE M King 3 Higgins 2 Owens Steele Sinclair Wilson BEST NARRM Gawn Petracca Salem Viney Tomlinson May EURO-YROKE Steele Wanganeen-Milera Sinclair Wood Dow Higgins THE TEAMS NARRM B J. Bowey, S. May, T. Rivers HB J. McVee, T. McDonald, C. Salem C E. Langdon, C. Oliver, C. Windsor HF A. Neal-Bullen, H. Petty, K. Pickett F K. Chandler, B. Fritsch, S. McAdam FOLL M. Gawn, J. Viney, C. Petracca I/C L. Hunter, T. Sparrow, A. Tomlinson, J. Van Rooyen SUB T. Woewodin EMG J. Billings, T. Fullarton, B. Howes IN L. Hunter, E. Langdon, A. Tomlinson, J. van Rooyen OUT J. Billings (omitted), B. Brown (omitted), B. Howes (omitted), J. Lever ((knee) EURO-YROKE B J. Battle, D. Howard, C. Wilkie HB J. Webster, L. Stocker, N. Wanganeen-Milera C S. Ross, J. Sinclair, M. Wood HF D. Wilson, B. Hill, L. Henry F J. Higgins, M. King, A. Caminiti FOLL R. Marshall, J. Steele, M. Windhager I/C R. Bonner, L. Collard, P. Dow, M. Owens SUB: C. Sharman EMG R. Byrnes, Z. Jones, B. Paton IN J. Higgins, S. Ross, L. Stocker OUT Z. Jones (omitted), B. Paton (omitted), M. Phillipou (omitted)

The Demons head to the Red Centre to face St Kilda in Alice Springs, aiming for a third straight win to keep their push for a Top 8 spot alive. Who comes in and who goes out?

The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 26th May @ 8:00pm. Join Binman, George & I as we analyse a crushing victory by the Demons over the Swans at the G. Your questions and comments are a huge part of our podcast so please post anything you want to ask or say below and we'll give you a shout out on the show. Listen LIVE: https://demonland.com/