Demonland

The rugged Sparrow’s career appears to have plateaued in recent years. He makes the side on a week to week basis but he is unable to establish a foothold in the team’s midfield and arguably performs best outside of the contest in a forward position without being a goal kicker. He remains a good honest foot soldier but is not a star. Date of Birth: 31 May 2000 Height: 183cm Games MFC 2025: 22 Career Total: 117 Goals MFC 2025: 1 Career Total: 44

Fullarton managed a couple of games in the first half of the season but soon found himself back in the VFL. There, he found a niche at centre half back but it was not enough to retain a place on the list at season’s end. Date of Birth: 23 February 1999 Height: 200cm Games MFC 2025: 2 Career Total: 21 Goals MFC 2025: 0 Career Total: 6 Games CDFC 2025: 17 Goals CDFC 2025: 20

Entering 2025, it looked as if Petty would be secured in a defensive position, but plans shifted and he spent more time forward, averaging just over a goal per game throughout the season. It remains uncertain which area of the ground he will be expected to cover under the new coaching regime. Date of Birth: 12 November 1999 Height: 197cm Games MFC 2025: 19 Career Total: 101 Goals MFC 2025: 20 Career Total: 48 Games CDFC 2025: 1 Goals CDFC 2025: 2

Men’s Grand Final eve On Friday, the Demons return to our Casey Fields fortress where they have a 77% win rate. The scent of September is in the air and the struggling Suns are on the horizon. The Cranbourne weather forecast? Ominous, like the match itself: a strong chance of carnage. Let’s be honest, last week’s first half against the West Coast was a training drill but we dropped our guard in the final quarter. While this match is a mismatch on paper — second versus seventeenth — football is won in the wind, the contests, and the moments. After Daisy Pearce’s homecoming last week, it’s heart and soul warrior Lily Mithen who returns. Lily was an inspirational rover, podcaster, MC, team leader, who was adored by her teammates and the Demon faithful. A Geelong girl with a family link to Melbourne great Laurie Mithen, her grandfather’s cousin, Lil’ was a foundation player and still has red and blue in her veins. She moved to the Suns during the 2024 trade period, which landed Melbourne pick two which eventually became pick three as Gold Coast secured the talented academy player Havana Harris. The Demons used the pick to select highly promising running half back Molly O’Hehir. It was a good trade. The Match-up Gold Coast and Melbourne have met three times, with the Demons victorious on each occasion. Melbourne’s Round 6 demolition of West Coast was a statement (at least the first three quarters anyways). Our forward line has been feasting on weaker defences and Gold Coast are certainly leaky, averaging more than 11 goals a game. Expect Eden Zanker, Georgia Gall, Tayla Harris, and Kate Hore, the four-headed monster, to cause defensive headaches for Rhyce Shaw coaching his first match against Melbourne. The Suns showed glimpses against Adelaide last week. Gun midfield colossus Charlie Rowbottom was immense, going toe-to-toe with Ebony Marinoff. Lily Mithen is in career-best form, ex-Dee breakaway mid Claudia Whitfort continues to be their barometer, and Lucy Shingle is the best tagger in the business. The Suns lack polish, and their defensive structures won’t hold up for eighty minutes. Our midfielders are having stellar seasons. Tyla Hanks and Kate Hore are slaying it in the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year leaderboard, currently sitting in the top 4. Shelley Heath, Eliza McNamara, and Megan Fitzsimon are commendably covering for the loss of Liv Purcell to an ACL. The backline, now in situation normal with the returns of Tahlia Gillard and Sinead Goldrick, provides composure, rebounding and intercepts. The Suns forwards Jacqui Dupuy and Jamie Stanton will find it tough going against Melbourne’s defensive structures. And with Alyssia Pisano finding her feet, could the monster grow a fifth head? Selection this week Meggs is not anticipating many changes. Last week we swapped an injured tall for a small. Pleasingly ruck Georgia Campbell has recovered and is available, speedy defender Denby Taylor is too, while Irish star Blaithin Mackin is inching closer to a return. Gold Coast Suns have several players listed as ‘Test’: ex-Dee Charlotte Wilson, Darcie Davies, Katie Lynch, and Sienna McMullen. Kick it to Kate On century-watch we note our captain needs just seven more career goals to be the first player in AFLW history to hit a century. Meggs wonders if Lil’ marks or wins a free kick on Friday, will she reflexively kick it to Kate like she did so many times in the red and blue? Go on, do it. Meggs’ musings Key Matchups Rowbottom versus Hanks – two midfield bulls, mismatched for size, expect some bruises. Zanker versus Fitzpatrick – dual-coder Irishwoman Clara is their wall and Edo our wrecking ball. Single versus Hore – the Blanketeer Lucy has strength and a knack for being an annoying shadow. Meggs loved seeing Maeve Chaplin back to her roots in the midfield and Tayla Harris in the ruck. Mick Stinear has a versatile group and is not afraid to mix it up. Once on the ground, expect the Demons to be in “we’re not here to make friends” mode. We’ve got the deeper talent and defensive and offensive weapons to pound the scoreboard. Make the sun set early, Dees — but enjoy catching up with old friends. Go Dees! Tip: Melbourne by 39 points THE GAME Round 7 Melbourne v Gold Coast on Friday 26 September 2025 at 1:05pm (AEST) at Casey Fields, Melbourne – Wurundjeri/Boon Wurrung HEAD TO HEAD Overall: Melbourne 3 wins | Gold Coast 0 wins At Casey Fields: Melbourne 1 win | Gold Coast 0 wins Coaches: Stinear 0 wins | Shaw 0 wins THE LAST TIME THEY MET Season 7, Round 8 – 15 October 2022 at Carrara Oval MELBOURNE 3.1.19 5.1.31 7.2.44 9.4.58 GOLD COAST 0.0.0 1.0.6 1.3.9 1.3.9 GOALS MELBOURNE Harris 3, Zanker 2, Hore 2, Fitzsimon, Pearce GOLD COAST Dupuy BEST MELBOURNE Purcell, Mithen, Heath, West, Harris, Hanks GOLD COAST Drennan, Single, Saad, Rowbottom CROWD 1,004 at Carrara Oval Melbourne surged to second place on the ladder, effortlessly dismissing Gold Coast, running out 49-point winners. It was captain Daisy Pearce’s 50th game and she celebrated by kicking the first goal of the match. Our forwards feasted on the lopsided 45-9 inside-50 opportunities with Tayla Harris (3 goals), Eden Zanker (2) and Kate Hore (2) the main beneficiaries. The mids, led by Oliva Purcell (32 disposals), Tyla Hanks (20), Eliza West (19, 11 tackles) and now-Sun Lily Mithen (21) were all prolific. MEDIA COVERAGE Foxtel, Kayo, AFL Live Official App THE TEAMS MELBOURNE FB [32] Gabrielle Colvin, [17] Tahlia Gillard HB [23] Sinead Goldrick, [19] Laela Ebert, [13] Maeve Chaplin C [22] Elizabeth McNamara, [5] Tyla Hanks [4] Paxy Paxman, HF [24]Megan Fitzsimon, [6] Alyssa Bannan [29] Eden Zanker FF [7] Tayla Harris, [9] Georgia Gall FOLL [15] Lauren Pearce, [10] Kate Hore, [30] Shelley Heath I/C [31] Alyssia Pisano, [20] Maggie Mahony, [12] Ryleigh Wotherspoon, [33] Lily Johnson, [43] Jemma Rigoni EMG [11] Georgia Campbell, [14] Amelia Dethridge, [18] Denby Taylor GOLD COAST FB [22] Charlotte Wilson, [9] Clara Fitzpatrick HB [26] Kiara Bischa, 125] Meara Girvan, [11] Niamh McLaughlin C [14] Lily Mithen, [8] Charlie Rowbottom, [18] Georgia Clayden HF [16] Ella Smith, [12] Havana Harris, [1] Annabel Kievit FF [27] Jacqueline Dupuy, [17] Jamie Stanton FOLL [2] Lauren Bella, [5] Maddy Brancatisano, [13] Lucy Single I/C [4] Claudia Whitfort, [10] Ella Maurer, [28] Tara Harrington, [33] Ellie Veerhuis, [44] Taya Oliver EMG [15] Wallis Randell [19], Mia Salisbury [32] Tayla Gregory IN Charlotte Wilson, Taya Oliver OUT Mia Salisbury (omitted), Tayla Gregory (omitted) Injury List: Round 7 Melbourne Tahlia Gillard — knee / Test Sinéad Goldrick — shoulder / Test Denby Taylor foot — foot / 1 week Sarah Lampard — calf / 3 – 4 weeks Grace Beasley — knee / 4 – 6 weeks Blaithin Mackin — knee / 5 – 7 weeks Olivia Purcell — knee / Season Jacinta Hose — knee / Inactive Aimee Mackin — knee / Inactive Gold Coast Charlotte Wilson — leg / Test Darcie Davies — knee / Test Katie Lynch — ankle / Test Sienna McMullen — foot / Test Nyalli Milne — ankle / 4-6 weeks Elise Barwick — knee/ Season Daisy D’Arcy — knee / Season Heidi Talbot — shoulder / Season

The dynamic small forward, possessing an innate ability to generate excitement with his explosive play around the goals, successfully transitioned into a role that afforded him more time in the midfield. The club also negotiated a long-term deal with Pickett, thereby eliminating any prospect of a move west by their star young player. Date of Birth: 2 June 2001 Height: 171cm Games MFC 2025: 20 Career Total: 126 Goals MFC 2025: 40 Career Total: 201 Brownlow Medal Votes: 10 votes Melbourne Football Club: Ron Barassi Senior Memorial Trophy 3rd Best & Fairest: 467 votes

For a few years now, he has been a reliable, hard working pressure forward, but in 2025, Chandler elevated his performance, becoming an integral component of the team with enough versatility to play effectively on a wing from time to time. Date of Birth: 13 January 2000 Height: 175cm Games MFC 2025: 23 Career Total: 79 Goals MFC 2025: 18 Career Total: 60 Melbourne Football Club: 6th Best & Fairest: 376 votes

Ollie Sestan appeared on the cusp of senior selection midway through his third year at the club when a hamstring strain and then a facial injury sidelined him from round ten until the eve of the VFL finals, leaving him with insufficient time to impress the club’s list managers enough to warrant further consideration for a place on the playing list for next year. Date of Birth: 15 April 2004 Height: 188cm Games CDFC 2025: 10 Goals CDFC 2025: 1

Selected as a Category B Rookie through the Next Generation Academy system, the youngster has shown decent signs of improvement at Casey and under the mentoring of his idol Kozzy Pickett who he hopes to join in the Melbourne team in the near future. Date of Birth: 4 September 2006 Height: 179cm Games CDFC 2025: 19 Goals CDFC 2025:

The career of the son of former Demon Brownlow Medalist Shane, seems to have stalled. Taj added 16 games to his overall AFL tally last year but managed only one appearance this year amid a moderate season at Casey. He remains on the list but is the only player yet to be contracted for at least a further season. Date of Birth: 26 March 2003 Height: 182cm Games MFC 2025: 1 Career Total: 21 Goals MFC 2024: 0 Career Total: 3 Games CDFC 2024: 17 Goals CDFC 2024: 2

The son of Melbourne's Nathan Brown, Kynan made his debut in 2024 as a sub against North Melbourne and a strong tackle laid on Nick Larkey saved the day for the Demons. He had one further game the following week against the Lions but after that he remained stuck in the VFL. This year he failed to make a lasting impact in his 20 games at Casey and was not offered a contract extension at the end of the season. Date of Birth: 13 January 2005 Height: 181cm Games MFC 2025: 0 Career Total: 2 Goals MFC 2025: 0 Career Total: 0 Games CDFC 2025: 20 Goals CDFC 2025: 3

The VFL premiership player was recruited from Werribee to alleviate Melbourne’s forward line woes and give a chop out in the ruck, but he managed only five senior matches in his first season at the club. At times, he was a dominant force at VFL level. Date of Birth: 9 March 2000 Height: 193cm Games MFC 2025: 5 Career Total: 5 Goals MFC 2025: 3 Career Total: 3 Games CDFC 2025: 10 Goals CDFC 2025: 20

Picked up late as a preseason supplemental selection after trialing with the West Coast Eagles, Henderson broke through for an AFL debut in Round 1. For the most part however, he struggled in the VFL but did get a contract extension for a further year. Date of Birth: 1 October 1999 Height: 177cm Games MFC 2025: 5 Career Total: 5 Goals MFC 2025: 2 Career Total: 2 Games CDFC 2025: 10 Goals CDFC 2025: 4

The Melbourne Football Club had already managed a number of significant achievements in 1925, having rising from equal last place to a position in the final four, a result of which it could be justifiably proud. However, with the arrival of the final series there was still much work to be done. Prior to the Albert Chadwick era of coaching, the team was seen as suffering from frequent changes in coaches which prevented the development of effective teamwork and strategies within the playing group. As noted by one football writer, Chadwick’s personality, intellect and profound knowledge of the game, was ideally suited for him to elevate Melbourne from its struggles. And, indeed, he did that. The final series of 1925 was to be his team’s first stepping stone. Semi Final, 1925 Melbourne met Geelong in the second semi-final in a game which was considered a virtual certainty for Geelong. After all, the Pivotonians from Corio Bay had played brilliantly all year to head the premiership list. Meanwhile Melbourne was handicapped by the absence of dependable goalkicker, Harold Moyes and dashing rover, Jimmy Davidson who both had been injured in training mishaps. However, to everyone’s surprise the club delighted its supporters by turning on a superlative performance to defeat the strong Geelong side, 14.17.101 to 13.8.86. Melbourne vs Geelong Saturday 26 September Venue: MCG Attendance: 51,256 MELBOURNE 3.9.27 8.10.58 13.13.91 14.17.101 GEELONG 1.1.7 5.2.32 9.5.59 13.8.86 Goalkickers: Percy Tulloh 5, Stan Wittman 3, Harry Davie 2, Hugh Dunbar 1, George Haines 1, Derek Mollison1, Richard Taylor 1 Playing in their first final since 1915, and just their fifth in VFL history, the Fuchsias weren’t at full strength going into the match against the minor premiers although Derek Mollison was able to use the team's week off after the Round 17 match to recover from a case of measles. Melbourne was already the underdog after poor early season form, but without two of their crucial players in Moyes and Davidson, it seemed even more unlikely that they would be able to beat the premiership favourites. They even lost the use of their dressing rooms after Geelong, who brought around 8,000 fans to the MCG for the game, won a toss of the coin and chose the more luxurious Melbourne rooms. Team B: Lilley, Coy, Streeter HB: Thomas, Chadwick, Corbett C: Collins, Taylor, Wilson HF: Jorgenson, Mollison, Wittman F: Duff, Davie, Dunbar Foll: Deane, Warne-Smith, Haines The teams had last played in Round 9 where Geelong had taken a quarter time lead of 40-1, but with the luck of playing the match on their own home ground and with the breeze in the first quarter Melbourne put in a stronger, faster and more determined effort to turn the tables and jump out to a handy early lead, putting 3.6 on the board in the first 15 minutes and eventually kicked the first 27 points unanswered. The red-hot favourite Geelong managed their first goal late in the term to cut the margin to 20 points at quarter time. The Blue and Whites steadied from there, with Lloyd Hagger kicking the first of a finals record equalling seven goals in the first 90 seconds of the second quarter, but Melbourne hit back and won the second quarter by a goal despite Geelong resorting to crowding tactics. With the wind subsiding slightly in the third quarter, Geelong performed significantly better than in the first, yet still trailed by a goal after George Haines kicked a running goal on the bell. Despite a late-quarter rally, the visitors failed to close the gap sufficiently to pose a threat, and Melbourne secured their first finals match victory since the 1900 Grand Final, posting their highest score of the year. The 27 goals kicked were the most ever in a finals match to that point. The Redlegs lost the free kick count 53-51. The Governor-General Lord Forster and the Governor the Earl of Stradbroke both came to the ground for the end of the match after attending the Moonee Valley races. The standout performers were Wittman, Taylor, and Haines, and amidst jubilant scenes in the dressing rooms, the Redlegs prepared themselves for a Preliminary Final clash against Collingwood. Under the existing system of finals, Geelong, as the top side after the home and away round of matches, then had the right to challenge the victor for the premiership in a grand final. Preliminary Final, 1925 Collingwood vs Melbourne Saturday 3 October Venue: MCG Attendance: 49,833 MELBOURNE 2.2.14 3.4.22 3.5.23 3.8.26 COLLINGWOOD 1.3.9 4.8.32 5.9.39 8.15.63 Goalkickers: Bob Corbett 1, Richard Taylor 1, Percy Tulloh 1 The stage was now set for Melbourne to play Collingwood, who had defeated Essendon in the other semi-final, in the preliminary final match. Following their success over Geelong, they were confident of defeating the Magpies to secure the right to compete in what would have been only the second Grand Final in their history. Melbourne went into the game with an unchanged side and started well enough when it took the lead after kicking with the advantage of the breeze in the opening term. The lead at the first break however, was simply not enough and the Fuchsias gradually faded away as the game went on. The outcome was a debacle, with only half of the side performing to its potential. Injuries to Taylor, Hugh Dunbar, and Davie further complicated matters, forcing Melbourne to conclude the game with only 15 fit players. Ivor Warne-Smith delivered an exceptional performance, showcasing his prowess and driving Collingwood back repeatedly. In the third quarter, he secured at least nine marks in eleven minutes, a testament to his outstanding skill. This extraordinary individual display unequivocally demonstrated his greatness. Collingwood had established a ten-point advantage by half-time and subsequently dictated the pace of the game, preventing Melbourne from scoring after the main break and effectively eliminating them from the competition. The standout performers for Melbourne were Warne-Smith, Corbett, and Thomas. Injuries sustained during the game included concussion to Davie, back and leg issues for Taylor, and an unspecified injury to Dunbar. Notably, Ivor Warne-Smith was found to be playing despite suffering from broken ribs incurred the previous week. The result was exceedingly disappointing as the team failed entirely to replicate its previous exemplary performance, and although holding a weight advantage of almost two pounds per man, too many players allowed themselves to be overwhelmed and effectively excluded from the game. In the grand final, Geelong exhibited its own aggression, matching Collingwood’s vigour, to secure its first-ever VFL premiership in a highly popular victory. Melbourne had, however, taken several important steps forward in its own pursuit of a pennant and, as the season ticked over, it looked ahead with apprehension for what was to come. MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB 1925 STATISTICS Played Goals Cannan, J. H.* 5 8 Chadwick, A. E. 18 1 Corbett, R. J 19 2 Davidson, J. 13 7 Davie, H.J. 19 56 Deane, C. F.* 16 21 Donnelly, G. V.* 12 4 Dunbar, Hugh 19 4 Haines, G. V. 19 5 James, C. T.* 1 2 Jorgensen, F.* 10 1 Mollison, C. D 19 9 Moyes, H. M.* 12 26 Shelton, W. H. H 4 1 Taylor, R. J. 19 5 Tymms, W. J.* 2 1 Warne-Smith, I. P. 18 7 Wittman, S. L. 19 2 Collins, J. A. 19 - Coy, H. F. 19 - Ewer, R. J. 1 - Lilley, C. H. 6 - Parker, J.* 1 - Richardson, F. B.* 2 - Streeter, C. 17 - Sullivan, J.A.* 6 - Thomas, E.H. 15 - Wilson, A.M. 3 - Wright, M 1 - Wyatt, C.* 1 - Tulloh, A. P. 7 12 Games won: 13 Games lost: 5 Tied: 1 Games won at home: 8 Games won away: 5 Number of players: 31 New players: 11 ** Indicates new player

An exciting young key forward, Kentfield was selected in the 2024 mid-season draft but has yet to make his AFL debut. He was sidelined by a severe bout of pneumonia over the summer, which consequently limited his pre-season. Upon his return a month into the season, he commenced in defence but ultimately impressed with his progress at Casey, particularly in the latter part of the season as a strong marking goal kicking forward. Date of Birth: 10 September 2005 Height: 194cm Games CDFC 2025: 17 Goals CDFC 2025: 24

I found this newspaper article from 1966 when Melbourne was in a steep decline after its golden era. Note the last sentence of the article - “Melbourne's last nine scoring kicks were behinds.” Nothing’s changed.

Moniz-Wakefield tore his ACL late in a practice match at Arden Street and is progressing well with his rehab. The club showed faith in the 21 year old medium sized defender by signing a one-year extension in August. Date of Birth: 26 October 2003 Height: 182cm Games MFC 2025: 0 Career Total: 6 Goals MFC 2025: 0 Career Total: 0