Demonland

Billy has really bulked up during his rehab.

There's 52 days until Round 1. 6 weeks is 42 days and 8 weeks is 56 days. 6 to 8 weeks falls inbetween. Given he'll need to build some match fitness he'll be lucky to play Round 1 but my MFCSS senses a miraculous recovery.

Aaron vandenBerg vs Kade Kolodjashnij James Jordon vs Tim Smith Braydon Preuss vs Tom Sparrow Toby Bedford vs Jake Lever Corey Wagner vs Sam Weideman Tough first round match for KK. My hot tip is that Braydon Preuss will go deep into the competition.

I just assumed that this was the way we had to do it.

I've got to go with all the home teams here. Mitch Hannan vs Jay Kennedy-Harris Corey Wagner vs Austin Bradtke James Jordon vs Kade Chandler Toby Bedford vs Aaron Nietschke Charlie Spargo vs Declan Keilty

Call me cynical but I'm positive that the teams are prearranged with the clubs and there will be equal representation. Nobody picked on the night hasn't been given prior approval by their club to play.

He appeared to be one of the groomsmen at the wedding so perhaps he had permission. I doubt be just didn't turn up.

Top pick Tom Sparrow (No.27) is already turning heads with his solid frame and power out of stoppages. James Jordon is training with the defenders and is developing a reputation is a good user of the footy. The same goes with Aaron Nietschke, who could develop into a midfielder as his career progresses. After recovering from post-season ankle surgery, Marty Hore is starting to press his claims for an early-season debut. Toby Bedford is a strong tackler and he pinned Max Gawn in a tackle at training on Thursday, while rookie Kade Chandler plays with energy and likes to fly for his marks despite his small stature. Corey Wagner is already one of the club's strongest runners and has done some nice things up forward. Category B rookies Guy Walker (who has been dealing with a shoulder injury) and Austin Bradtke are further behind than the others, and will spend the year learning their craft in the VFL. - Ben Guthrie The standout After winning back-to-back best and fairests for Collingwood's VFL side, Hore is a fast learner and could get an opportunity to play early. On track for round one Marty Hore, Tom Sparrow

Melbourne Co-captains: Elise O’Dea and Shelley Scott Coach: Mick Stinear Squad: Madeline Brancatisano, Harriet Cordner, Tegan Cunningham, Meg Downie, Chantel Emonson (rookie), Madison Gay, Madeleine Guerin, Ashleigh Guest, Tyla Hanks, Shelley Heath, Jordann Hickey, Kate Hore, Bianca Jakobsson, Ainslie Kemp, Sarah Lampard, Lily Mithen, Aliesha Newman, Elise O’Dea, Brooke Patterson, Karen Paxman, Lauren Pearce, Catherine Phillips, Talia Radan, Shelley Scott, Casey Sherriff, Shae Sloane (rookie), Katherine Smith, Claudia Whitfort, Ashleigh Woodland, Eden Zanker Key player: Karen Paxman The veteran half-back/midfielder has been one of Melbourne’s standouts in the first couple of seasons, and she will need to stand up in the absence of Mel Hickey and Daisy Pearce. How they went last year: Third (4-3) For the second year running it was a case of so close yet so far for the Demons, who look brilliant at times but rued a costly loss to Collingwood in Alice Springs before narrowly going down to the Western Bulldogs in what was effectively a preliminary final in the last round of the season. Prediction: Fourth in conference Melbourne’s depth will be tested this season with inaugural skipper Pearce missing the campaign because of pregnancy, and Hickey defecting to Geelong. There are still plenty of quality players on the list but this looms as a tough conference.

Corey Maynard vs Joel Smith Bayley Fritsch vs Oskar Baker Josh Wagner vs Harrison Petty Tom Sparrow vs Marty Hore vs Guy Walker