Demonland

David Misson – Injury Update Jay Kennedy Harris – 12 weeks “It was a significant knee hyperextension issue. Luckily, his ACL was okay, but he’s got pretty significant bone bruising on that knee. He’s probably 12 weeks before he’s back to play.” James Harmes – one week “He had a compound dislocation of that finger, which was operated on Saturday night. He’s looking really good, so we expect him to be running at the end of the week, back doing ball work and full training next week, and able to play in round one.” Braydon Preuss – one week “On the scan, it showed to be a minor adductor strain. He will be in rehab this week, but we’re looking to get him up to train next week and be available for round one.” Aaron vandenBerg – available “vanders has had foot ankle issues for most of his career. His standard recovery post-game is to really keep off his legs, so having Family Day on the Sunday, we thought in his interest it was better if he just stayed off his legs. He’s in no danger of missing round one.” Joel Smith – test “Joel had a pretty significant groin injury in the game – he just landed in a marking contest and pulled up really sore. Because we were two down on the bench, unfortunately we had to keep Joel going. We played him deep forward which probably didn’t help his groin. He’s pulled up pretty sore, so we’ll have to assess him towards the end of the week about what his reloading plan is.” Bayley Fritsch – available "Bayley had a significant hip pointer in the game – he copped a whack right in that hip. Again, because we were two down on the bench, we needed to keep Bayley going, but he pulled up okay. He’ll do a little bit of running tomorrow probably, will still train on Friday and be in no doubt for round one." Nathan Jones, Jack Viney and Jake Melksham – available “They all did really well. Jack got a corky (corked thigh) in his IT band, just above his knee – that’s why he’s walking around with a bit of strapping on. Nathan got a corky in the calf, but all of those guys will train on Friday and be available for round one. We’re pretty pleased with the minutes they got through and how they pulled up."

Join @Grapeviney, @Supermercado & I LIVE Tonight (12/3) @ 8:30pm to discuss our failed JLT campaign, the Steven May Incident, the star studded Casey lineup, the road to Round 1, our AFLW hopes, Robbo's Top 50 and more. Listen & Chat LIVE: http://demonland.com/podcast Call: 03 9016 3666 Skype: Demonland31

1. Nat Fyfe 2. Dustin Martin 3. Patrick Dangerfield 4. Patrick Cripps 5. Lance Franklin 6. Max Gawn 7. Josh Kennedy (WCE) 8. Brodie Grundy 9. Josh Kelly 10. Clayton Oliver

In addition Max was ranked Number 1 by Robbo at the end of 2018.

In 2018 we had 3 in the Top 50. 30. Max Gawn 34. Michael Hibberd 46. Clayton Oliver

When was the last time we had 2 in the Top 10? Also Brayshaw deserves higher.

The Dees 6. Max Gawn 10. Clayton Oliver 40. Jack Viney 43. Angus Brayshaw 46. Tom McDonald

And the winner is ...

Meanwhile, May's team-mate Aaron vandenBerg was slapped with two fines totalling $3000 ($2000 for striking Lachie Neale, which was seen as intentional conduct with low impact to the body, and $1000 for making careless contact with umpire David Harris in the final quarter). And gun Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver was charged with striking Brisbane onballer Jarryd Lyons and can accept a $1500 fine.

Except all other teams have amazing recuperative powers.

Will miss Round 1.

It might be his quad that's strapped. Looking again now the strapping is coming out of his shirts and covers half the knee.

Viney's knee is strapped at the family day.

Preuss and his doppleganger.

Forget the fact that Melbourne narrowly missed out on getting the four JLT points on offer for a second consecutive week and the blow to the ego of a supposed top four contender losing ... well almost at home ... to a team that has recently dwelt in the AFL cellar and won a mere five games in 2018. The things that emerged from the horror final JLT outing was that the Demons are a long way from being prepared to take on the rigours of a long tough season in which they have one of the hardest fixtures in the competition and that things weren’t helped by injury blows to James Harmes and Jay Kennedy Harris (along with Braydon Preuss injured in the curtain raiser) and the MRP most likely looking at incidents involving Steven May and Aaron vandenBerg. The major concern was the failure of the team to put together some consistently fluid football in any area of play. Max Gawn won in the ruck as was expected but the much vaunted midfield strength was not evident as the Lions won the stoppages, a factor that was due to the brilliance of Gold Coast reject Jarryd Lyons and a bevy of young helpers. Whilst Angus Brayshaw, Clayton Oliver and James Harmes (until injured) did their best they lowered their colours on the day and could have done with the aid of the comeback skippers who were kicking up the Casey dew earlier in the day. The defence had a number of poor patches and conceded 100 points for the second week running. Oscar McDonald was particularly disappointing, Steven May looked good in nullifying a rampant Hipwood who threatened havoc with two early goals and Neville Jetta was Neville Jetta but once again the defenders were often too loose and conceded easy goals. To let through seven in the opening quarter was not a good sign just a fortnight before the season opener. I know the results of practice games are usually forgotten in the blink of an eye but the contributions of Tom McDonald and Sam Weideman were below par and their lack of goal power would be of concern. Fortunately, Joel Smith showed something with four goals including a couple on one leg in the latter part of the game while Jayden Hunt was exciting with a couple of early goals. On the whole however, it was a performance that was not indicative of a team that has been predicted to rise above the pack and perhaps the blow to the ego of two losses in the JLT isn’t such a bad thing given that we might have been getting ahead of ourselves in the face of the blaze of publicity that had the Demons set in stone almost as a top four certainty for 2019. Melbourne 4.2.26 9.4.58 10.6.66 15.7.97 Brisbane 7.4.46 9.6.60 13.7.85 16.8.104 Goals Melbourne J Smith 4 Brayshaw 3 Hunt 2, Fritsch T McDonald Neal-Bullen Petracca, Spargo Weideman Brisbane Lyons 4 Hipwood McStay 2 Bastinac Cameron McCluggage Mathieson Neale Raynor Robinson Taylor Best Melbourne Brayshaw Gawn Petracca J Smith Jetta Oliver Brisbane Lyons Neale Robinson Rich Martin Witherden Injuries Melbourne Kennedy-Harris (knee) Harmes (finger) Fritsch (leg) Brisbane Smith (larynx) Reports Nil Umpires Harris, Brown, Haussen Official crowd 4,215 at Casey Fields

Kane Cornes has spoken.