Demonland

It was an oversight. Force of habit.

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My comment was a little tongue in MFCSS cheek but yeah I have a sneaking suspicion that he might return later rather than sooner. Then again I'm a glass is almost empty kind of guy when it comes to the Dees and luck with injuries.

Leadership material written all over him.

The Dees travel out of the city for game one of two JLT Community Series practice matches before the season proper. Our first match takes us to the floodplains of the Goldburn River in Northern Victoria to the city of Shepparton. We take on the Tigers for the first of at least 3 encounters with the 2017 Premiers this year. The game will be played in scorching temperatures so expect plenty of rotations, ice vests, fans running overtime and extra water carriers. The Demons are coming off a win against Collingwood in it’s first practice hit out of the season. We went into that game with a strong lineup despite about a 1/3 of the best 22, including Nathan Jones, Jack Viney, Clayton Oliver, Tom McDonald, Jake Melksham, Jake Lever, Mitch Hannan and new recruits Steven May and Kade Kolodashnij, sitting out the match for various reasons. In a club presser on Thursday Tom McDonald stated that he should be right to play this week as long as he doesn’t have any soreness from the match simulation at training. He indicated that it was unlikely that Viney, Melksham, May and Kolodjashnij would line up against the Tigers but all would be looking towards JLT 2 to build up match fitness heading into Round 1. The Demons have rested Max Gawn possibly to gage how well new recruit Braydon Preuss goes solo. They have also decided to rest some of the older brigade with Michael Hibberd and Neville Jetta listed as emergencies along with Aaron vandenBerg. Jordan Lewis will not be making the trip up state. Bayley Fritsch makes his return to the team after missing last week due to AFLX commitments. After off season surgeries to both shoulders, Clayton Oliver returns to strengthen the midfield. James Jordon joins Tom Sparrow as the only rookies picked for the hit out. Harrison Petty and Declan Keilty who missed last week have been recalled to the team that will have a larger bench to accommodate the sweltering conditions. Demonland trackwatchers observed Tim Smith leaving the track early with a leg complaint so he too has been omitted. Boom Richmond recruit Tom Lynch will not be lining up against the Dees as he races the clock to be ready for Round 1. Other Tigers sidelined through injury include Josh Caddy, Jason Castagna, Shaun Grigg and Jacob Townsend. Despite these injuries Richmond have named a strong line up for the game including Trent Cotchin, Dustin Martin, Jack Riewoldt & Alex Rance. Players to watch for the Demons include Jayden Hunt, Billy Stretch, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Brayden Preuss and rookie Tom Sparrow. Jayden Hunt made an impressive return to the half back line at Olympic Park Oval. From all reports he has had a great preseason and I expect he will be working hard to cement his spot over the JLT series after a disappointing 2018. Preuss was also imposing in his first hit out for his new club. He kicked two goals and took some strong marks and played his role as back up to Max perfectly. It will be interesting to see how the Demons' new big man goes rucking alone in the heat but he will no doubt be backed up by Tom McDonald and Sam Weideman. Billy Stretch returned from injury and got his hands on the ball a lot. Prior to his injury last year his form was picking up so I expect that he will continue to push hard for a spot on the wing. Likewise Jay Kennedy-Harris attacked the ball well and got a fair bit of it. He too showed glimpses in stages last year but wasn’t able to cement a place in the side. No doubt he will take on these JLT games to stake his claim. New recruit Tom Sparrow had limited game time last week but was thrown in the middle on quality opposition and showed that he can get a couple of touches and also kicked a beautiful goal. I anticipate more game time for him over the JLT series and tip that he will play seniors at some point in 2019. Expect plenty of rotations and full use of the extended bench. Melbourne B: Josh Wagner, Sam Frost, Jayden Hunt HB: Marty Hore, Oscar McDonald, Harrison Petty ? Bayley Fritsch, James Harmes, Jay Kennedy-Harris HF: Alex Neal-Bullen, Tom McDonald, Joel Smith F: Chalrie Spargo, Sam Weideman, Jeff Garlett R: Braydon Preuss, Angus Brayshaw, Clayton Oliver IC (from): Christian Salem, Christian Petracca, Billy Stretch, Corey Maynard, Tom Sparrow, James Jordon, Corey Wagner, Declan Keilty Emergencies: Max Gawn, Michael Hibberd, Aaron Vandenberg, Neville Jetta Richmond B: Alex Rance, David Astbury, Dylan Grimes HB: Nick Vlastuin, Bachar Houli, Jayden Short ? Dion Prestia, Shane Edwards, Trent Cotchin HF: Daniel Rioli, Riley Collier-Dawkins, Jack Higgins F: Jack Riewoldt, Dustin Martin, Daniel Butler R: Toby Nankervis, Kane Lambert, Ivan Soldo IC (from): Oleg Markov, Nathan Broad, Jack Ross, Liam Baker, Jack Graham, Brandon Ellis, Maverick Weller, Noah Balta, Callum Moore, Connor Menadue, Fraser Turner, Callum Coleman-Jones JLT Community Series Richmond v Melbourne Sunday, March 3, 4.40pm AEDT Deakin Reserve Shepparton Gates open: 3.10pm General admission Tickets can be purchased via Ticketek. 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 upgrade to a reserved seat or 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 Ticketek. Car Deakin Reserve is situated on Nixon St in Shepparton. Off-street parking may be available in surrounding streets. Public transport Deakin Reserve is located a 10 minute walk from Shepparton Train station. TV The match will be televised live nationally on Fox Footy live from 4.30pm AEDT. 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: #JLTTigersDees Follow the club on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for live match coverage and a behind-the-scenes insight into match day.

I'll blame @Bitter but optimistic Great reporting. Thank you. People were speculating that we wouldn't be taking a strong team to Shepparton. Did you get that impression?

I got the impression from @Moonshadow's post that they weren't in the match simulation. Not Moonie's fault.

Safe to say neither Bedford or Chandler will be playing in Shepparton?

Were the other rookies (James Jordon and Tom Sparrow) taking part in the match simulation?

I thought it was common knowledge that KK would struggle to make Round 1. I think we might even see Lever before KK.

Training Sessions Date: Thursday, 28 February Session start time: 10.00am Location: Gosch's Paddock, Olympic Bvd, Melbourne We'd love a report from any attendees.

That hair ...

The results are in.

A little refresher.

There is an Open Session listed for Thursday. Upcoming Men's Training Sessions Date: Thursday, 28 February Session start time: 10.00am Location: Gosch's Paddock, Olympic Bvd, Melbourne @Satyriconhome was there a "craft work" session this morning?

It's the Kiss of Death.

Based on his 2018 prediction results we will win the premiership this year.

Mark Robinson BIG CALL “Gillon McLachlan departs at season’s end, Brendon Gale to be the AFL’s next CEO.” Top 8 Collingwood Richmond Melbourne West Coast Essendon Adelaide GWS North Melbourne Premier: Collingwood Wooden Spoon: Gold Coast Brownlow: Nat Fyfe Coleman: Josh Kennedy (WC) Rising Star: Izak Rankine David King BIG CALL “The new kick-in rule sends scoring spiralling down — the complete reverse of what was desired.” Top 8 Melbourne Richmond Adelaide Essendon Collingwood North Melbourne Geelong West Coast Premier: Melbourne Wooden Spoon: Gold Coast Brownlow: Nat Fyfe Coleman: Tom McDonald Rising Star: Sam Walsh Sam Edmund BIG CALL “Essendon snaps the longest finals drought in the AFL, saluting in September for the first time since 2004 .” Top 8 Richmond Melbourne West Coast Collingwood Essendon GWS North Melbourne Adelaide Premier: Melbourne Wooden Spoon: Gold Coast Brownlow: Josh Kelly Coleman: Josh Kennedy (WC) Rising Star: Will Setterfield Mick Malthouse BIG CALL “Expect Collingwood to scoop most of the awards this season .” Top 8 Collingwood West Coast Richmond Essendon North Melbourne GWS Adelaide Geelong Premier: Collingwood Wooden Spoon: Gold Coast Brownlow: Brodie Grundy Coleman: Josh Kennedy (WC) Rising Star: Sam Walsh Glenn McFarlane BIG CALL “Bombers to finally win a finals match, its first since way back in 2004 when Andy McGrath was six.” Top 8 Collingwood Richmond Melbourne West Coast Essendon GWS Adelaide Hawthorn Premier: Collingwood Wooden Spoon: Gold Coast Brownlow: Steele Sidebottom Coleman: Josh Kennedy (WC) Rising Star: Sam Walsh Lauren Wood BIG CALL “It all — finally — comes together for Joe Daniher and Jesse Hogan, who each boot 50 goals.” Top 8 West Coast Collingwood Melbourne GWS Essendon Sydney Richmond North Melbourne Premier: Melbourne Wooden Spoon: Gold Coast Brownlow: Max Gawn Coleman: Ben Brown Rising Star: Darcy Fogarty Jay Clark BIG CALL “North Melbourne breaks its big-fish trading drought when it lands Josh Kelly on the back of a Brownlow Medal.” Top 8 Melbourne Collingwood West Coast Richmond GWS Adelaide Essendon Sydney Premier: Melbourne Wooden Spoon: Gold Coast Brownlow: Josh Kelly Coleman: Tom Lynch (Rich) Rising Star: Sam Walsh Scott Gullan BIG CALL “Youngest AFL coach appointed. We follow everything from the US and Sean McVay coaching the LA Rams in a Super Bowl at the age of 33 means youth will be the word for the next round of AFL coaching vacancies.” Top 8 Collingwood Melbourne Richmond Adelaide Essendon West Coast Geelong Port Adelaide Premier: Collingwood Wooden Spoon: Gold Coast Brownlow: Patrick Cripps Coleman: Josh Kennedy (WC) Rising Star: Sam Walsh Rebecca Williams BIG CALL “Questions mount about the move into the Gold Coast as pain for the expansion team continues” Top 8 Richmond West Coast Collingwood Melbourne Essendon Geelong GWS Adelaide Premier: Richmond Wooden Spoon: Carlton Brownlow: Patrick Dangerfield Coleman: Josh Kennedy (WC) Rising Star: Sam Walsh Jon Ralph BIG CALL “The AFL’s rules will have significant teething problems but still create a more flowing game and a spike of two goals per team.” Top 8 Richmond Adelaide Collingwood West Coast Melbourne Sydney Geelong Essendon Premier: Richmond Wooden Spoon: Gold Coast Brownlow: Patrick Cripps Coleman: Josh Kennedy (WC) Rising Star: Jack Lukosius Reece Homfray BIG CALL “Steven May finally gives Melbourne a lockdown defender for the Kennedys and Hawkinses of the AFL and the Demons’ midfield can challenge for the flag.” Top 8 West Coast Adelaide Richmond Melbourne Collingwood Sydney Essendon Port Adelaide Premier: Melbourne Wooden Spoon: Carlton Brownlow: Dustin Martin Coleman: Josh Kennedy (WC) Rising Star: Izak Rankine Michelangelo Rucci BIG CALL “AFL to revamp final series with bye weekend making way for wildcard games for teams ranked from seventh to 10th.” Top 8 Richmond Adelaide Essendon West Coast Melbourne Geelong Collingwood Hawthorn Premier: Richmond Wooden Spoon: Gold Coast Brownlow: Patrick Cripps Coleman: Jack Riewoldt Rising Star: Izak Rankine JON ANDERSON BIG CALL “The rule changes will prove a resounding success, while Melbourne will achieve premiership glory for the first time in 55 years.” Top 8 Melbourne Richmond Collingwood Essendon West Coast GWS Port Adelaide Hawthorn Premier: Melbourne Wooden Spoon: Gold Coast Brownlow: Patrick Cripps Coleman: Tom Lynch (Rich) Rising Star: Darcy Fogarty Mick Warner BIG CALL “Greater Western Sydney midfielder Josh Kelly to stay put.” Top 8 Melbourne Richmond Collingwood West Coast GWS Adelaide Essendon Geelong Premier: Melbourne Wooden Spoon: St Kilda Brownlow: Nat Fyfe Coleman: Tom Lynch (Rich) Rising Star: Sam Walsh Tyson Goldsack BIG CALL “The new kick-in rule change, albeit small, makes a large difference and will be scrapped for 2020.” Top 8 Collingwood Richmond Adelaide Melbourne GWS West Coast Port Adelaide Geelong Premier: Collingwood Wooden Spoon: Gold Coast Brownlow: Steele Sidebottom Coleman: Josh Kennedy (WC) Rising Star: Izak Rankine Chris Cavanagh BIG CALL “The end of an era. Sydney to miss finals for the first time since 2009 as Lance Franklin’s hopes of winning a third premiership fade.” Top 8 Richmond West Coast Essendon Adelaide Collingwood Melbourne Geelong GWS Premier: Richmond Wooden Spoon: Gold Coast Brownlow: Dustin Martin Coleman: Tom Lynch (Rich) Rising Star: Izak Rankine Daniel Hoyne BIG CALL “With an easy draw and an injury-free season, expect the Crows to feature late in September” Top 8 Melbourne Richmond Adelaide Collingwood Geelong West Coast Essendon GWS Premier: Melbourne Wooden Spoon: Gold Coast Brownlow: Clayton Oliver Coleman: Josh Kennedy (WC) Rising Star: Izak Rankine Gilbert Gardiner BIG CALL “Gary Ablett to retire before the end of the season.” Top 8 Richmond Collingwood Melbourne Essendon West Coast GWS Adelaide North Melbourne Premier: Richmond Wooden Spoon: Gold Coast Brownlow: Dustin Martin Coleman: Ben Brown Rising Star: Isaac Quaynor Eliza Sewell BIG CALL “It’s been too long at Collingwood without a tattooed matchwinner named Dayne/Dane. Problem rectified.” Top 8 Collingwood West Coast Richmond Melbourne Geelong GWS Essendon North Melbourne Premier: Collingwood Wooden Spoon: Gold Coast Brownlow: Dayne Beams Coleman: Tom Lynch (Rich) Rising Star: Sam Walsh Sam Landsberger BIG CALL “Brett Ratten will be coaching St Kilda by Round 12.” Top 8 Melbourne Richmond Adelaide West Coast Essendon Collingwood GWS North Melbourne Premier: Melbourne Wooden Spoon: Gold Coast Brownlow: Marcus Bontempelli Coleman: Ben Brown Rising Star: Izak Rankine Mick McGuane BIG CALL “With the new kick-in rule we will see a more “fold back” defensive set-up with a mindset of midfield coverage.” Top 8 West Coast Richmond Collingwood Melbourne GWS Essendon Sydney Geelong Premier: Collingwood Wooden Spoon: Gold Coast Brownlow: Josh Kelly Coleman: Josh Kennedy (WC) Rising Star: Sam Walsh Devon Smith BIG CALL “My Essendon teammate Dylan Shiel to win the Brownlow this year.” Top 8 Richmond West Coast Melbourne Essendon Collingwood GWS Geelong Adelaide Premier: Richmond Wooden Spoon: Gold Coast Brownlow: Dylan Shiel Coleman: Jeremy Cameron Rising Star: Izak Rankine The Wash Up 1st: 6 Premiers: 9 Brownlow: Max Gawn 1 Clayton Oliver 1 Coleman: Tom McDonald 1 Predictably Mick Malthouse was the only one to predict us missing the 8.

Do you think players should be able to express themselves and wear whatever they want as they arrive to the ground or should they be forced to wear club attire? This obviously follows the trend of American sport stars which many of today's players idolise. No surprise that Dangerfield wants to express himself.

Happy Birthday Ron Barassi Jr.