Demonland

Tim Smith (calf) too.

They named an extended bench that was always going to be whittled down to 23.

If anyone is heading down to watch the Casey game we'd appreciate updates on Nathan Jones, Jack Viney, Jake Melksham and the other Demon listed players.

Take the discussion over to the GameDay thread http://demonland.com/forums/topic/45703-gameday-jlt-02-vs-brisbane/

JLT Community Series Match Details Melbourne v Brisbane Saturday, March 9, 4.10pm AEDT Casey Fields Key timings 12.00pm: Gates open 12.30pm: Curtain Raiser - Casey v Brisbane Lions Reserves (Practice Match) 4.10pm: JLT Community Series - Melbourne v Brisbane Lions 7.30pm: Melbourne U15s Academy Match Ticketing General admission Tickets can be purchased via Ticketmaster. All prices are subject to additional ticket agent fees. Members Melbourne Members with Premiership Season entry entitlements will have free general admission access by scanning in at the ground (subject to availability, upgrade fees may be applicable). However, entry is not guaranteed and it is recommended that Members register for a general admission ticket in order to guarantee entry. Membership upgrades and registrations are subject to availability on a first come, first serve basis and subject to an additional fee. Transaction fees may also apply. To register, visit Ticketmaster. Seating Bring along a camp chair or a picnic rug to enjoy the game in comfort from the hill. The earlier you get there, the more chance you'll have to secure a prime position. Getting to Casey Fields Car Casey Fields is located approximately 50km from Melbourne CBD in Cranbourne East. Plenty of parking is available around Casey Fields. with parking signs and attendants to assist you to find a spot. If you're driving, it is recommended that you arrive as early as possible to secure a park and avoid long queues entering the ground. And if you're not in a rush to get home, stick around and catch our Academy U15s take the field from 7.30pm. Public Transport Catch a a train to Cranbourne Station, which is located 5km from Casey Fields. From the station, catch the 897 bus to Casey Fields. Plan your trip to Casey Fields using the PTV Journey Planner. Around the ground Demon Shop Deck yourself out in red and blue at the Demon Shop, which will be located near the main entrance. Membership Our friendly team will be on hand to help you secure your Membership for 2019 or answer any other queries. You can find them near the main entrance. Mascot Our mascot Checker will be doing the rounds pre-game, available for high-fives and photo opportunities! Food and beverage Multiple food trucks will be set up around Casey Fields, with jaffles, Mexican food and plenty of other options up for grabs! The canteen will also be open at the main stand, serviving food and drinks. Broadcast TV The match will be televised live nationally on Fox Footy from 4.00pm AEDT on Saturday. Radio SEN and AFL Nation will provide live play-by-play coverage. Online coverage Mobile app Live scores, stats and match highlights are available at the tap of a finger in the club's mobile app. Download it for iOS or Android. Social media Match hashtag: #JLTSeries Follow the club on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for live match coverage and a behind-the-scenes insight into match day.

Melbourne has set a bold target of reaching 70,000 members in 2019. Chief executive Gary Pert laid down the challenge to Dees supporters in a one-on-one interview with foxfooty.com.au, declaring the ambition is achievable if performances remain strong.

More fugazi for your Friday ...

In his own words ...

It might not be a matter of them wearing their socks down. It might be that the sock are only that particular size. That is they don't go all the way up to just below the knees anymore. They seem to go to only just above the ankle.

You can add Tim Smith to the list too.

The Demons have named a star studded line up in it’s final practice match before the season proper. They take on the emerging Brisbane Lions out at Casey which is the second of three matches at the ground on Saturday. Many of the Dees best 22 have been recalled including Vice Captains Max Gawn and Neville Jetta whilst Captains Nathan Jones and Jack Viney will play restricted minutes in the VFL curtain raiser. Former Gold Coast co-captain Steven May will play his first official game for Melbourne after recovering from a hamstring injury and will help shore up the Demons defence. Others who make their returns to the line up are Michael Hibberd, Aaron vandenBerg and Jordan Lewis whilst Jake Melksham will also be on restricted minutes in the reserves. Small forward Jeff Garlett has been ruled out of the clash with the Lions after suffering a shoulder injury in a clash with Alex Rance last Sunday. Surgery was not required but Jeff will still miss between 4 to 6 weeks whilst he recovers. Other players still sidelined with injuries are Kade Kolodjashnij (adductor), Mitch Hannan (knee), Jake Lever (knee) and Aaron Nietschke (knee). Demonland track watchers observed that Tim Smith was not present at training on Wednesday fuelling speculation that the calf injury that he appeared to sustain at training the prior week which forced him to miss JLT 01 will keep him out of JLT 02 as well. AFL reporter Ben Guthrie confirmed this on Twitter further stating that Smith will miss at least 3 weeks further adding that it’s “bad luck for a player who was pushing for a berth in round one.” Guthrie also revealed that Braydon Preuss was set for a stint in the VFL as “part of his development”. Preuss was underwhelming in his first up solo rucking game for the Demons after a strong start the week earlier as partner to Max Gawn against the Magpies. With Preuss set to miss it gives Declan Keilty another chance after he impressed many onlookers with his leap and tap work. The Dees main midfielders Angus Brayshaw, Clayton Oliver & James Harmes have another week to continue to grow the synergy they’ve been building. They racked up an astonishing 90 possessions between them. When you add Salem and Petracca to the mix with 27 and 22 possessions respectively and ample supply from a returning Max Gawn it’s not hard to see why this midfield is fast becoming the envy of many teams. Bayley Fritsch continued where he left off after an impressive first year in 2018. He amassed 26 touches on the wing where his forward 50 delivery shined. Harrison Petty showed a lot to like with some of his intercept marking in defence. Petty's only game in 2018 was a disappointing match against St. Kilda after which he was relegated back to the twos for the remainder of the year. He demonstrated that he can fill a position in defence for the Dees and is good depth for the team and an exciting prospect given that Jake Lever will not return until midway through the season. With Steven May making his debut in the line up this week it will be interesting to see who of Marty Hore, Petty & Sam Frost makes the cut as they have all been named on an extended bench which is likely to be whittled down by Saturday. Brisbane were impressive in JLT 01 albeit against an undermanned Hawthorn. The Lions were busy in the offseason and 3 of their new recruits in Lachie Neale, Jarryd Lyons and Lincoln McCarthy all starred in their 42 point win. Former number one draft pick Cam Rayner was lively in the forward half booting 3 goals and ruckman Archie Smith had a strong outing. On the injury front Charlie Cameron left the field during the 3rd quarter of last week’s match but Brisbane claimed that it was just a cramp. Marcus Adams (Knee), Tom Fullarton (Hamstring), Darcy Gardiner (Knee), Nick Robertson (Hamstring), Connor McFayden (Foot) and Jack Payne (Tibia) are all unavailable. Stefan Martin played for the Lions NEAFL team last week after returning from a series of niggling injuries and has been recalled to the senior team to face his former club. The Demons go into this game with a strong line up and coach Simon Goodwin has stated that he will play 23 players in order to simulate the regular season game day. Which 3 on the extended bench won't make the cut? Melbourne v Brisbane at Casey Fields, 4.10pm AEDT MELBOURNE B: S.May 1 M.Hibberd 14 J.Hunt 29 HB: J.Lewis 6 O.McDonald 28 N.Jetta 39 C : C.Salem 3 J.Harmes 4 B.Stretch 15 HF: A.Brayshaw 10 S.Weideman 26 B.Fritsch 31 F: C.Petracca 5 T.McDonald - C 25 J.Kennedy Harris 24 Foll: M.Gawn 11 A.Neal-Bullen 30 C.Oliver 13 I/C: C.Spargo 9 S.Frost 17 A.vandenBerg 22 M.Hore 34 H.Petty 35 C.Wagner 40 J.Smith 44 D.Keilty 45 In: S.May, M.Hibberd, J.Lewis, N.Jetta, M.Gawn, A.vandenBerg Out: J.Garlett (injured), J.Jordon, J.Wagner, B.Preuss, C.Maynard, T.Sparrow Emerg: C.Maynard 20 B.Preuss 21 T.Sparrow 32 J.Wagner 42 Notable absentees: Jack Viney, Nathan Jones, Jake Lever, Jake Melksham BRISBANE B: L.Hodge 2 J.Walker 14 D.Rich 10 HB: Z.Bailey 33 H.Andrews - C 31 A.Witherden 29 C : M.Robinson 5 L.Neale 9 H.McCluggage 6 HF: C.Rayner 16 E.Hipwood 30 L.McCarthy 11 F: C.Cameron 23 D.McStay 25 O.McInerney 46 Foll: A.Smith 44 J.Berry 7 J.Lyons 17 I/C: B.Keays 1 A.Christensen 3 R.Bastinac 4 S.Martin 12 T.Berry 13 L.Taylor 28 R.Lester 35 R.Mathieson 36 In: B.Keays, A.Christensen, S.Martin, T.Berry Out: D.Zorko (injured), E.Smith, C.Ballenden, B.Starcevich Emerg: E.Smith 8 M.Hinge 22 B.Starcevich 37 C.Ballenden 38 Notable absentees: Marcus Adams JLT Community Series Match Details Melbourne v Brisbane Saturday, March 9, 4.10pm AEDT Casey Fields Key timings 12.00pm: Gates open 12.30pm: Curtain Raiser - Casey v Brisbane Lions Reserves (Practice Match) 4.10pm: JLT Community Series - Melbourne v Brisbane Lions 7.30pm: Melbourne U15s Academy Match Ticketing General admission Tickets can be purchased via Ticketmaster. TICKET TYPE GENERAL ADMISSION Adult $20.00 Concession $15.00 Junior $5.00 Family (2 adults, up to 4 juniors under 15) $40.00 Adult Member Upgrade $5.00 Concession Member Upgrade $5.00 Junior Member Upgrade $3.00 All prices are subject to additional ticket agent fees. Members Melbourne Members with Premiership Season entry entitlements will have free general admission access by scanning in at the ground (subject to availability, upgrade fees may be applicable). However, entry is not guaranteed and it is recommended that Members register for a general admission ticket in order to guarantee entry. Membership upgrades and registrations are subject to availability on a first come, first serve basis and subject to an additional fee. Transaction fees may also apply. To register, visit Ticketmaster. Getting to Casey Fields Car Casey Fields is located approximately 50km from Melbourne CBD in Cranbourne East. Plenty of parking is available around Casey Fields. with parking signs and attendants to assist you to find a spot. If you're driving, it is recommended that you arrive as early as possible to secure a park and avoid long queues entering the ground. And if you're not in a rush to get home, stick around and catch our Academy U15s take the field from 7.30pm. Public Transport Catch a a train to Cranbourne Station, which is located 5km from Casey Fields. From the station, catch the 897 bus to Casey Fields. Plan your trip to Casey Fields using the PTV Journey Planner. Around the ground Daisy Demon Our mascot Daisy Demon will be doing the rounds pre-game, available for high-fives and photo opportunities! Food and beverage Multiple food trucks will be set up around Casey Fields, with jaffles, Mexican food and plenty of other options up for grabs! The canteen will also be open at the main stand, serviving food and drinks. Broadcast TV The match will be televised live nationally on Fox Footy from 4.00pm AEDT on Saturday. View the full broadcast guide here. Radio TBC Online coverage Mobile app Live scores, stats and match highlights are available at the tap of a finger in the club's mobile app. Download it for iOS or Android. Social media Match hashtag: #JLTSeries Follow the club on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for live match coverage and a behind-the-scenes insight into match day.

This opens the door up for Declan Keilty to get another game to show his wares. Last week they needed to use him as plan B in the ruck. With Max back this week and temperatures a lot milder perhaps he can be played in the forward position he has been training in during the summer and then be used as the relieving ruckman when Max needs a rest.