Demonland

It was a tough ask for him to break through as a 199cm ruckman in the shadow of an all-time great in that position who is also the club captain. He had some good days at Casey but was unable to progress and was delisted at the end of the season. Date of Birth: 11 March 2004 Height: 199cm Games CDFC 2025: 19 Goals CDFC 2025: 5

The 33-year-old Campbell has yet to play AFL football for Melbourne, but his Casey form has been strong and he has been retained as a ready-made ruck depth option who is widely regarded as someone who is excellent for the culture of the club. Date of Birth: 2 November 1991 Height: 201cm Games MFC 2025: 0 Career Total: 58 Goals MFC 2025: 0 Career Total: 30 Games CDFC 2025: 17 Goals CDFC 2025: 7

Tyla Hanks is leading the pack as we head into the second half of the season. Who will kick us off with the votes from today’s game at Casey Fields?

Clue: the game is being played at Windy Hill.

The Demons acquired an interesting player in Sharp, who narrowly missed securing a spot in the Lions’ premiership team last year. The 22-year-old medium forward played in the opening round this season and ended up with 18 senior games, although he was substituted in or out in for ten of those matches. He demonstrated glimpses of form, but ultimately ended the year on the margins of the team. Date of Birth: 17 December 2002 Height: 182cm Games MFC 2025: 18 Career Total: 34 Goals MFC 2025: 8 Career Total: 12 Games CDFC 2025: 3 Goals CDFC 2025: 8

Worked his way back after a slow start and a further slump in form going into the midseason but became a solid contributor for the club in the latter half of 2025. Closing in on 300 goals for the club. Date of Birth: 6 December 1996 Height: 188cm Games MFC 2025: 22 Career Total: 171 Goals MFC 2025: 36 Career Total: 288 Games CDFC 2025: 1 Goals CDFC 2025: 1

Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central2025 National Under 17 Futures squads finalisedThe 2025 National Under 17 Futures squad will represent Team Boak and Team Docherty in Saturday's Grand Final curtain-raiser.

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