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A season and a half has passed since Round Zero 2024 when the Demons opened the season in steamy conditions in the Harbour City with a lacklustre performance against a team that ended up dominating the competition for all but the final game of the season. MELBOURNE 1.6.12 2.8.20 7.8.50 9.10.64 SYDNEY SWANS 3.3.21 4.3.27 7.12.54 12.14.86 GOALS MELBOURNE Fritsch 4 Viney 2 Langdon Petracca van Rooyen SYDNEY SWANS Hayward McLean 2 Florent Fox Heeney McDonald McInerney Papley Warner Wicks BEST MELBOURNE Viney May Salem Petracca Oliver Gawn SYDNEY SWANS Heeney Grundy Blakey Warner Papley Florent Rampe THE TEAMS

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“Max Gawn has been the heart and soul of the Dees for years now, but this recent recovery from a terrible start has been driven by him. He was everywhere again, and with the game in the balance, he took several key marks to keep the ball in the Dees forward half.” - The Monday Knee Jerk Reaction: Round Ten Of course, it wasn’t the efforts of one man that caused this monumental upset, but rather the work of the coach and his assistants and the other 22 players who took the ground, notably the likes of Jake Melksham, Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver and Kozzie Pickett but Max has been magnificent in taking ownership of his team and its welfare under the fire of a calamitous 0-5 start to the season. On Sunday, he provided the leadership that was needed to face up to the reigning premier and top of the ladder Brisbane Lions on their home turf and to prevail after a slow start, during which the hosts led by as much as 24 points in the second quarter. Titus O’Reily is normally comedic in his descriptions of the football but this time, he was being deadly serious. The Demons have come from a long way back and, although they still sit in the bottom third of the AFL pack, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel as they look to drive home the momentum inspired in the past four or five weeks by Max the Magnificent who was under such great pressure in those dark, early days of the season. It would be fair to say that the skipper did benefit from the absence of Brisbane’s number one ruckman, Oscar McInerney who was “being managed,” but let’s not forget that the Lions monstered Sydney in last year’s Grand Final without him. His replacement, Darcy Fort sort of broke even around the ground in the first quarter as the Lions skipped away to a 17 point lead at quarter time despite the Demons winning the centre bounce clearances. However, Gawn’s tireless work and hit-out dominance, won out and we saw his team gradually claw its way back as the game wore on before the final term in which, to use the words of Chris Fagan, they (Melbourne) annihilated us.” [note, he really meant to say “Narrm annihilated us”] The annihilation was shaped with the fast-finishing Demons putting together their best final quarter performance for the year outscoring the Lions by 4.8.32 to 1.1.7 to win by eleven points giving them a fourth win of the season to secure a place just one win and percentage away from the top eight. Who would ever have believed that? Speaking of players being managed, the Demons’ most managed man, Jake Melksham was instrumental in the team’s stunning victory adding much needed aggression and the ability to kick goals into the attack. He kicked the opening goal 59 seconds into the game and had the better of Harris Andrews except for an indiscretion that gave the Lions’ vice-captain a 50 metre penalty and a rare opportunity to score (which ultimately resulted in a point). An incredible performance given his end of season ACL injury in 2023 and his veteran age and status. Christian Petracca with 31 possessions in the midfield was imposing all day and kudos to Demons, while Clayton Oliver for his 23 disposals and a vital goal played his role in an intriguing duel with two time Brownlow Medal winner Lachie Neale. Trent Rivers was important with 24 touches and 563 metres gained. Last week, it was Harvey Langford who set the team’s youth standard. This week, it was Xavier Lindsay who showed great maturity for one so young. Together, the Demons shrugged off the supposed Narrm “curse” and in doing so were fittingly led by the pocket rocket Kozzie Pickett who worried everyone who came near him. His 21 disposals (14 kicks and 7 handballs) was always a danger around the goals and could have finished with a bigger goal haul than two given he finished with four behinds as well. He did Pastor Sir Douglas Nicholls, after who the Indigenous Round is named, proud. Perhaps next week against the Sydney Swans, we might finally see the day when the team actually gets on top of its disposal efficiency around the ground and in front of the goals so that the heart and soul efforts of its captain will be rewarded with an even greater boost to its season 2025 campaign. He deserves at least, that! NARRM 3.4.22 6.6.42 10.7.67 14.15.99 BRISBANE LIONS 6.3.39 8.7.55 12.9.81 13.10.88 GOALS NARRM Melksham 4 Pickett 2 Chandler Fritsch Johnson Langdon McDonald Oliver Rivers Sparrow BRISBANE LIONS Gardiner 4 Morris 3 Ah Chee Bailey Fletcher Hipwood McCluggage McKenna BEST NARRM Gawn Melksham Pickett Rivers Petracca Bowey BRISBANE LIONS Fletcher McCluggage Bailey W Ashcroft Gardiner Neale LATE CHANGES NARRM Nil BRISBANE LIONS Oscar McInerney (soreness) replaced by Darcy Fort INJURIES NARRM Nil BRISBANE LIONS Nil REPORTS NARRM Nil BRISBANE LIONS Nil SUBSTITUTIONS NARRM Bayley Fritsch (replaced Harry Sharp during the third quarter) BRISBANE LIONS Conor McKenna (replaced Kai Lohmann during the fourth quarter) UMPIRES Nick Jankovskis Leigh Haussen Andrew Stephens Andrew Adair CROWD 30,473 at the Gabba

Going to cut off the questions here. We have a lot to discuss. See you at 8:00pm

Perhaps Binman was correct and Brisbane were in fact loading.

Just a game and percentage outside the Top 8, the Demons return to Melbourne to face the Sydney Swans at the MCG, with a golden opportunity to build on the momentum from toppling the reigning premiers on their own turf. Who comes in, and who makes way?

The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 12th May @ 8:00pm. Join Binman, George & I as we analyse a famous victory by the Demons over the Lions at the Gabba. 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/

Captain Max Gawn still has a massive 48 votes lead in the Demonland Player of the Year ahead of Jake Bowey. Christian Petracca, Harvey Langford and Kade Chandler round out the Top 5. Your votes please. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

The Demons pulled off an absolute miracle at the Gabba coming from 24 points down in the 2nd Quarter to overrun the reigning premiers the Brisbane Lions winning by 11 points and keeping their season well and truly alive.

The Southport Sharks came to Casey. They saw and they conquered a team with 16 AFL-listed players who, for the most part, wasted their time on the ground and failed to earn their keep. For the first half, the Sharks were kept in the game by the Demons’ poor use of the football, it’s disposal getting worse the closer the team got to its own goal and moreover, it got worse as the game progressed. Make no mistake, Casey was far and away the better team in the first half, it was winning the ruck duels through Tom Campbell’s solid performance but it was the scoreboard that told the story. Even in the first quarter, it was 3 goals 5 behinds to 3 goals 2 with Southport’s last goal coming at siren time to give them a sniff. By half time, it was a wasteful 13 scoring shots to 8 for a five point lead. Things only worsened in what they call the premiership quarter which opened with three consecutive behinds to the home side in the first two minutes before the visitors took the lead with two quick goals and the rest is history. At three quarter time, the score was Casey 4.17.41 to 9.7.61, a lead of 20 points to Southport despite having far less scoring chances. At least, the comedy of errors in kicking for goals was over for the Demons but so was the game as they managed two straight meaningless goals in the final quarter with the game inevitably slipping further and further away. Imagine how the Southport coach laughed all the way to the airport as he banked his team’s 41 point victory. The plus for the Demons was Jake Lever’s successful return from his ankle injury with 17 disposals and eight marks in managed time. Not surprisingly, when he was off the ground, the team literally fell apart. Whilst on the ground, he gave Jed Adams, Blake Howes, Luker Kentfield and Ollie Sestan the benefit of his experience in defence with Howes the best of that bunch with 30 touches and 13 marks. Sestan continues to improve. Melbourne dropped three players from its loss last week to Hawthorn — Jacob van Rooyen, Matt Jefferson and Koltyn Tholstrup. They all disappointed with their poor disposal and effort. We can expect to see them back in the VFL next week. Tom Campbell beat his opponent in the ruck with Will Verrall provided some solid support. Kynan Brown with his 19 disposals and seven tackles was a strong contributor along with Jack Billings (20 touches) and Taj Woewodin who worked hard for his 22 disposals. Mitch Hardie and Riley Bonner with 28 and 26 possessions respectively were the best of the Casey listed players. Paddy Cross kicked two goals, one of them was a ripper. The game however, was a calamity for the Casey Demons. While their VFL list is so much better this year, they are not getting enough from their Melbourne listers and it’s difficult to gauge performance on possessions won when so many of these are wasted through errant disposal and poor decision making. CASEY DEMONS 3.5.23 4.9.33 4.17.41 6.17.53 SOUTHPORT 3.2.20 4.4.28 9.7.61 14.10.94 GOALS CASEY DEMONS Cross 2 Hardie Jefferson Tholstrup van Rooyen SOUTHPORT Dixon 3 Buzza Crossley Hayes 2 Foot Hay Rowe Sexton Woodcock BEST CASEY DEMONS Hardie Howes Billings Brown Smith Bonner SOUTHPORT Foot Joyce Manteit Pescud Crossley Dawson

WASTED by KC from Casey The Southport Sharks came to Casey. They saw and they conquered a team with 16 AFL-listed players who, for the most part, wasted their time on the ground and failed to earn their keep. For the first half, the Sharks were kept in the game by the Demons’ poor use of the football, it’s disposal getting worse the closer the team got to its own goal and moreover, it got worse as the game progressed. Make no mistake, Casey was far and away the better team in the first half, it was winning the ruck duels through Tom Campbell’s solid performance but it was the scoreboard that told the story. Even in the first quarter, it was 3 goals 5 behinds to 3 goals 2 with Southport’s last goal coming at siren time to give them a sniff. By half time, it was a wasteful 13 scoring shots to 8 for a five point lead. Things only worsened in what they call the premiership quarter which opened with three consecutive behinds to the home side in the first two minutes before the visitors took the lead with two quick goals and the rest is history. At three quarter time, the score was Casey 4.17.41 to 9.7.61, a lead of 20 points to Southport despite having far less scoring chances. At least, the comedy of errors in kicking for goals was over for the Demons but so was the game as they managed two straight meaningless goals in the final quarter with the game inevitably slipping further and further away. Imagine how the Southport coach laughed all the way to the airport as he banked his team’s 41 point victory. The plus for the Demons was Jake Lever’s successful return from his ankle injury with 17 disposals and eight marks in managed time. Not surprisingly, when he was off the ground, the team literally fell apart. Whilst on the ground, he gave Jed Adams, Blake Howes, Luker Kentfield and Ollie Sestan the benefit of his experience in defence with Howes the best of that bunch with 30 touches and 13 marks. Sestan continues to improve. Melbourne dropped three players from its loss last week to Hawthorn — Jacob van Rooyen, Matt Jefferson and Koltyn Tholstrup. They all disappointed with their poor disposal and effort. We can expect to see them back in the VFL next week. Tom Campbell beat his opponent in the ruck with Will Verrall provided some solid support. Kynan Brown with his 19 disposals and seven tackles was a strong contributor along with Jack Billings (20 touches) and Taj Woewodin who worked hard for his 22 disposals. Mitch Hardie and Riley Bonner with 28 and 26 possessions respectively were the best of the Casey listed players. Paddy Cross kicked two goals, one of them was a ripper. The game however, was a calamity for the Casey Demons. While their VFL list is so much better this year, they are not getting enough from their Melbourne listers and it’s difficult to gauge performance on possessions won when so many of these are wasted through errant disposal and poor decision making. CASEY DEMONS 3.5.23 4.9.33 4.17.41 6.17.53 SOUTHPORT 3.2.20 4.4.28 9.7.61 14.10.94 GOALS CASEY DEMONS Cross 2 Hardie Jefferson Tholstrup van Rooyen SOUTHPORT Dixon 3 Buzza Crossley Hayes 2 Foot Hay Rowe Sexton Woodcock BEST CASEY DEMONS Hardie Howes Billings Brown Smith Bonner SOUTHPORT Foot Joyce Manteit Pescud Crossley Dawson

It’s Game Day, and the Demons are back on the road with a massive challenge ahead — facing the reigning premiers, the Brisbane Lions, at their Gabba fortress. The Lions are licking their wounds after a shock draw in Tasmania last week, while Melbourne’s season hangs in the balance. Can the Dees defy the odds and pull off a miracle to keep their razor thin finals hopes alive?

The Sir Doug Nicholls Round kicks off in Darwin with a Top 4 clash between the Suns and the Hawks. On Friday night the Swans will be seeking to rebound from a challenging start to the season, while the Blues have the Top 8 in their sights after their sluggish start. Saturdays matches kick off with a blockbuster between the Collingwood and Kuwarna with the Magpies looking to maintain their strong form and the Crows aiming to make a statement on the road. The Power face a difficult task to revive their season against a resilient Cats side looking to make amends for their narrow loss last week. The Giants aim to reinforce their top-eight status, while the Dockers will be looking to break the travel hoodoo. The sole Saturday game is a critical matchup for both teams, as the Bulldogs strive to cemet their spot in the top six and the Bombers desperately want break into the 8. Sundays start with a bottom 3 clash between the Tigers and Kangaroos with both teams wanting to avoid the being in wooden spoon contention. The Round concludes with the Eagles still searching for their first win of the season, while the Saints look to keep their finals hopes alive with a crucial away victory. Who are you tipping and what are the best results for the Demons?

Here is a photoshop of what Luke Jackson could potentially look like in a Dees guernsey.

And just like that, we’re Narrm again. Even though the annual AFL Sir Doug Nicholls Round which commemorates the contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture to our game has been a welcome addition to our calendar for ten years, more lately it has been a portent of tough times ahead for we beleaguered Narrm supporters. Ever since the club broke through for its historic 2021 premiership, this has become a troubling time of the year for the club. For example, it all began when Melbourne rebranded itself as Narrm across the two rounds of the Sir Doug Nicholls Round to become the first club to adopt an Indigenous club name especially for the occasion. It won its first outing under the brand against lowly North Melbourne to go to 10 wins and no losses but not without a struggle or a major injury to star winger Ed Langdon who broke his ribs and missed several weeks. In the following week, still as Narrm, the team’s 17 game winning streak came to an end at the hands of the Dockers. That came along with more injuries, a plague that remained with them for the remainder of the season until, beset by injuries, the Dees were eliminated from the finals in straight sets. It was even worse last year, when Narrm inexplicably lowered its colours in Perth to the Waalit Marawar Eagles. Oh, the shame of it all! At least this year, if there is a corner to turn around, it has to be in the direction of something better. To that end, I produced a special pre-game chant in the local Narrm language - “nam mi:wi winnamun katjil prolin ambi ngamar thamelin amb” which roughly translated is “every heart beats true for the red and the blue.” My belief is that if all of the Narrm faithful recite it long enough, then it might prove to be the only way to beat the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Sunday. The Lions are coming off a disappointing draw in Tasmania against a North Melbourne team that lacks the ability and know how to win games (except when playing Melbourne). Brisbane are, however, a different kettle of fish at home and have very few positional weaknesses. They are a midfield powerhouse, strong in defence and have plenty of forward options, particularly their small and medium sized players, to kick a winning score this week after the sting of last week’s below par performance. This is in contrast to Narrm’s shortcomings which were exposed so clearly last week against Hawthorn when, despite holding the advantage in general play for three quarters, it folded like a pack of cards in the end with half a dozen players contributing absolutely nothing to the team effort. And I mean “effort.” The fans are sick and tired of watching opposition defenders intercepting kicks from downfield with consummate ease. Sick of players not chasing or tackling inside forward fifty. The offenders have to be culled and replaced with players who have enough pride in themselves or their jumper to effectively play out their roles in the team. There is however, no cavalry of top line players to immediately replace them and some untried players will need to stand up along with some of the club’s promising you and the experienced hands like the skipper and Tracc. It all points to a Brisbane victory. I expect the Lions to run the game out comfortably by 40 points after a close battle until the 27 minute mark of the third quarter, at which time I will be silently chanting these words in my head top myself - “nam mi:wi winnamun katjil prolin ambi ngamar thamelin amb”. THE GAME Brisbane Lions v Narrm at The Gabba, Sunday 18 May 2025 at 3.20pm HEAD TO HEAD * Overall Brisbane Lions 26 wins Narrm 30 wins At The Gabba Brisbane Lions 16 wins Narrm 9 wins Last Five Meetings Brisbane Lions 4 wins Narrm 1 win The Coaches Fagan 6 wins Goodwin 8 wins * does not include Brisbane Bears or Fitzroy games LAST TIME THEY MET Brisbane Lions 11.20.86 defeated Narrm 11.15.81 at The Gabba, Round 16 2024 The Demons’ proved that they could play football with a dominant eight goal second quarter on the Gabba. It still wasn’t enough and they succumbed to the fast finishing Lions, courtesy of a goal from the boundary line after Alex Neal-Bullen gave away a free kick late in the game. THE TEAMS BRISBANE LIONS B D. Zorko, J. Payne, R. Lester HB N. Answerth, H. Andrews, D. Wilmot C J. Fletcher, H. McCluggage, Z. Bailey HF C. Cameron, E. Hipwood, W. Ashcroft F C. Rayner, L. Morris, C. Ah Chee FOLL O. McInerney, J. Dunkley, L. Neale I/C L. Ashcroft, K. Coleman, D. Gardiner, K. Lohmann, C. McKenna EMG D. Fort, T. Gallop, D. Robertson IN K. Coleman, C. McKenna OUT J. Berry (concussion), D. Fort (omitted) NARRM B J. Bowey, S. May, C. Salem HB J. McVee, T. McDonald, T. Rivers C C. Windsor, C. Petracca, E. Langdon HF H. Sharp, B. Fritsch, T. Sparrow F C. Spargo, J. Melksham, K. Pickett FOLL M. Gawn, C. Oliver, H. Langford I/C K. Chandler, A. Johnson, X. Lindsay, H. Petty, D. Turner EMG T. Fullarton, B. Howes, B. Laurie IN A. Johnson, J. Melksham, H. Petty OUT M. Jefferson (omitted), K. Tholstrup (omitted), J. van Rooyen (omitted) Injury List: Round 10 Jack Billings — calf / available Jake Lever — ankle / available Jake Melksham — soreness / available Ricky Mentha — concussion / Test Harrison Petty — concussion / Test Taj Woewodin — ankle / Test Jack Viney — concussion / 1 - 2 weeks Marty Hore — calf / 3 - 4 weeks Shane McAdam — Achilles / next season Andy Moniz-Wakefield — knee / next season