Melbourne was beset by injuries and swimming against the tide in its first semi final match up against Brisbane. The team still fought tooth and nail in the opening half but their hard earned 21 point half time lead evaporated to nothing by the final break. The pattern had been set and the energy simply wasn’t there. The Lions were able to take control of proceedings and they unceremoniously marched the Demons out of the finals in straight sets.

MELBOURNE 3.6.24 6.8.44 8.11.59 11.13.79



BRISBANE LIONS 1.3.9 3.4.23 9.5.59 14.8.92

THE TEAMS


MELBOURNE 

B: C.Salem 3 S.May 1 H.Petty 35
HB: A.Brayshaw 10 J.Lever 8 M.Hibberd 14 
C:  T.Sparrow 32 C.Oliver 13 E.Langdon 15
HF: J.Melksham 18 M.Gawn 11 J.Harmes 4
F:  A.Neal-Bullen 30 B.Fritsch 31 C.Spargo 9 
Foll: L.Jackson 6 J.Viney 7 C.Petracca 5
I/C: B.Brown 50 J.Hunt 29 K.Pickett 36 T.Rivers 24 Sub: J.Smith 44
Emerg: T.Bedford 12 J.Bowey 17 J.Van Rooyen 21

No change

BRISBANE LIONS

B:  D.Gardiner 27 D.McStay 25 D.Rich 10
HB: B.Starcevich 37 H.Andrews 31 K.Coleman 18
C: Z.Bailey 33 J.Berry 7 C.Ah Chee 4
HF: D.Zorko 15  E.Hipwood 30 L.McCarthy 11
F: J.Payne 40 T.Fullarton 21 3 C.Cameron 23
Foll: D.Fort 32 46 L.Neale 9 H.McCluggage 6
I/C: N.Answerth 43 C.Rayner 16 D.Robertson 2 D.Wilmot 44
Emerg: K.Lohmann 1Emerg: R.Lester 35 K.Lohmann 1 R.Mathieson 36 J.Prior 20

In: N.Answerth D.Fort T.Fullarton C.Rayner

Out: J.Daniher (personal reasons) O.McInerney (ill) R.Mathieson (omitted) J. Prior (omitted) M.Robinson (omitted)

I need to preface that this is based on them together & not how they stack up individually but how close are they to being on that level or possibly surpassing them ?

Does a Brownlow to Oliver or Petracca & another premiership this year give them the edge over the Eagles trio ?

Round 1, 2023 MCG – Demons vs Bulldogs

Clarry opens his 2023 salvo with the No.1 mantle.  Not sure i would agree with that after watching the match but then again you do miss alot of what’s happening up the opposite end when you’re sitting behind the goals

Thought CP5 & Kozzie were close to BOG.  Kozzie’s pressure in our F 50 and even higher up the ground was super all night.  Track lifted from about the 20 minute mark of the second and the Dogs couldn’t go with him afterwards continuing his fabulous pre-season form

Great result for BBB with four snags.  The one from the pocket was a beautiful bender

The defence looked a little shakey at times but settled after half time and held up nicely with some lovely connection happening later in the match.  Thought Melk’s goal in particular was team poetry off HB.  The Bowser handball in traffic out wide to Claz… wowsers!

Top 5 Meters Gained > Tracc 661 (Doggy’s best…Smith with 623),  Clarry 488 (drive those legs Mr Choo Choo!),  Lever 484, Tomlinson 424 & Rivers 388

Thought this was an excellent result given the key outs we had.  Grundy slotted in very nicely ty.  Had a few iffy moments but appeared to improve as the game progressed

Bring on the Bears!

Player

Score

Rank

C Oliver 

5.575

1

K Pickett 

4.825

2

Trent Rivers 

4.450

3

A Brayshaw 

4.150

4

Max Gawn #

4.125

5

Jake Lever 

4.075

6

A Tomlinson

3.800

7

C Petracca

3.675

8

J Harmes

3.500

9

H Petty

3.425

10

Jake Bowey

3.175

11

C Spargo

3.100

12

Ben Brown #

3.075

13

K Chandler

3.000

14

B Grundy #

2.675

15

A N-Bullen

2.550

16

T McDonald #

2.250

17

Judd McVee

2.250

18

T Sparrow

2.250

18

Ed Langdon

1.850

20

L Hunter

1.750

21

B Laurie*< 1.150 22 J Melksham* >

0.650

23

Team Score

70.68

 

Top 6

27.20

 

Bottom 6

11.50

 

# Hit outs to advantage not counted

*< Subbed out TOG 47% * > Subbed in TOG 17%

Stats courtesy of footwire.com

Not the best of looks but I’d be [censored] if he gets time. 
A rough conduct fine?

 

Gawn – the perfect game

Petracca – prolific and unstoppable 

Oliver – a selfless game

Pickett – offer him anything 

McDonald – was often bypassed

Brown – finest Demon performance 

Grundy – will be awesome 

Langdon – was not dominant 

Hunter – will be vital

Spargo – ten important minutes

Brayshaw – great second half

Neal-Bullen – better second half

Rivers – impressive fitness level

Lever – defensive general again

Chandler – some important possessions 

Harmes – impressive tagging game

Sparrow – impressive tagging game

McVee – some important touches

Melksham – took his chances

Bowey – constantly instilled confidence 

Laurie – had little involvement 

Tomlinson – 4 consistent quarters 

Petty – looked nervous early

 

The Demons head to Brisbane for the their Round 02 clash against the Lions. The Demons will be looking to make amends for their loss to the Lions in last years Semi Final. Who comes in and who goes out?

The Demons took the first step on their road to redemption by thrashing the Western Bulldogs in their opening match for the season to the tune of 50 points at the MCG.

 

Demonlanders cast their votes for the Demonland Player of the Year. Clayton Oliver is aiming to defend his title by taking home his fifth Demonland Trophy in 2023.

Cast your votes please 

6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1

Richmond picking Tambling and giving the Hawks Buddy, has to be the greatest gift.

 

The Saints gifting us Trac and picking McCartin has to be up there…. He was a clear No 1 pick, but the Saints wanted a Riewoldt replacement. 
 

Sincerely Thanks 😘

Today’s Casey Demons VFL practice match will be played in the heat of the day (commences at 2.30pm) at Skinner Reserve, Braybrook against the Footscray Bulldogs.

We’ll try to bring you as much information from the game as we can (by remote). Anyone brave enough to take on the hot, windy conditions – your contributions are welcome.