From steamy Darwin to a nest of hawks.
Last week
Saw a good win over Port Adelaide in Darwin with some testing, though not unexpected moments in the last quarter! Another super game from Ricky Petterd with three goals and 25 possessions and the welcome return to the team of an in form Addam Maric also with three goals. Other highlights of the game included Jared River’s reading of the play and zone positioning, Stefan Martin and Jack Trengove’s sure handling in the humid conditions and Liam Jurrah’s three goals on his return to Darwin.
This week
Melbourne plays Hawthorn at the MCG and we welcome Matthew Bate and Lynden Dunn back into the team this week after consistently good performances for Casey in the VFL. Injuries to Scully, Bartram and Evans means they have not been considered for selection in the final 22 for Sunday. Matthew Warnock, Max Gawn and Jamie Bennell have been added as emergencies.
I am looking forward in particular to the match up between James Frawley/Colin Garland and Lance Franklin and the contest in the midfield. In recent years Hawthorn has smashed us through the middle so interest is in what development has occurred and with the good form of Mark Jamar and Stefan Martin how that is reflected in the battle between Demons Moloney, Sylvia, Jones, Trengove, Gysberts and McKenzie and Hawks Hodge, Mitchell, Sewell and Shiels!
The team
B: James Strauss, James Frawley, Daniel Nicholson
HB: Colin Garland, Jared Rivers, Nathan Jones
C: Jack Trengove, Colin Sylvia, Lynden Dunn
HF: Ricky Petterd, Liam Jurrah, Luke Tapscott
F: Brad Green, Jack Watts, Addam Maric
FOLL: Mark Jamar, Brent Moloney, Jordie McKenzie
I/C: Jordie Gysberts, Matthew Bate, Stefan Martin, Jeremy Howe
EMG: Mattew Warnock, Max Gawn, Jamie Bennell.
IN: Matthew Bate, Lynden Dunn
OUT: Cale Morton (omitted), Tom Scully (knee)
Melbourne v Footscray Live on the Big Screen – 7.40pm – Friday 1 July
Melbourne v Footscray Live on the Big Screen – 7.40pm – Friday 1 July.
Join the NSW Demons to watch the game on the big screen at the Camelia Grove Hotel, 146 Henderson Rd, Alexandria. Ph: 02 9516 5611. Check out www.thecammy.com.au for more information.
Vale Sean Wight
Vale Sean Wight
by Darren Spence
Hi fellow Demon fanatics! I am back from my stay in hospital and heading back on track. It is with a very heavy heart that I write these words with the terrible news of the death of Sean Wight. It just doesn’t feel right writing a unique review of last week’s game so instead I have decided to dedicate this week’s report to a review of the career of one of our greats – Sean Wight.
John Phillips ‘Sean’ Wight was born on the 15th of March 1964 (an auspicious year on more than one account). He was born in Scotland but spent most of his early life in Ireland. Part of the famous ‘Irish Experiment’ he travelled to Australia with Paul Early in 1982 after impressing scouts with his high leaping and determination. The first ever game he saw was the 1982 VFL Grand Final.
His first year at the club saw him playing in the 1983 U/19s Grand Final that saw the Dees triumph over North Melbourne. Some of his team mates that day included Greg Healy, Stephen Newport, Brett Bailey, Rod Grinter and Paul Payne – all players that would go on and play senior footy with Sean.
1984 was a year to regret for Sean as he severely injured his knee and missed the entire season. 1985 saw Sean finally make his debut for the MFC in Round 8 versus the Saints and line up on Tony Lockett! In a game that saw the Dees beat the Saints by 52 points, Chris Connolly received three Brownlow votes and the young Scottish/Irishmen making his debut received two Brownlow votes from the umpires. A rare feat that provided a glimpse of what lay ahead.
One of the traits that made Sean a favourite amongst his team mates and fans was his ability to lift and play in big games. Nothing better exemplifies this than his performances in some of the most important games in the MFC’s recent history. In 1987 the Demons saw themselves with the opportunity to play finals for the first time since 1964, coincidently the same year that Sean was born! To achieve this a few results had to go our way but most importantly we had to win our last two games. History goes on to show that results went our way and we did indeed win our final two games against the Eagles and Footscray. What many people do not know is that Sean Wight received three Brownlow votes in BOTH of these last two home and away games.
We move our attention to 1988 – the year we finally made the Grand Final. Again Sean Wight stood up when it counted. In the semi final against Collingwood he showed his versatility by scoring three goals and followed up the next week in the preliminary final versus the Blues with four critical goals; a pivotal contribution catapulting the Dees into the Grand Final.
The early 90s were not kind to Sean as he struggled with injuries and it wasn’t until 1994 that he was again able to play consistently for the Dees. That year he played 24 games and was the best player in the preliminary final loss to West Coast that ended the Dees season. In 1995, his final year, he played 21 games.
Sean was also very principled. In 1991 when Sean was struggling with injury he found boots that provided adequate pain relief and support but unfortunately these boots were not the brand that sponsored the club at the time. Before a reserves game against St. Kilda that year he refused to change his boots and the club forbade him to play that day. Luckily a successful compromise was achieved but it shows Sean’s strength of character to stand up for what he believed was right.
I will always remember Sean for his courage, his superb athletic ability and his determination. I can scarcely recall a game where he was beaten by his direct opponent. In my time following the Dees he would be the best key defender that I have ever had the pleasure to watch represent the mighty Demons.
Sean Wight
- Played 150 games for the MFC
- Member of the team that won the 1987 Night Premiership
- Member of the MFC hall of fame
- Named as one of the 150 Heroes of the club
- Life member of the MFC
- Director of the MFC in 1996-97
- Had a career high 23 possessions versus Carlton in 1991
- Kicked four goals in a game on three occasions
- Kicked 63 goals in his career
- Received 11 Brownlow votes in his career
- Is and will always be a legend of the MFC and I am proud to say that I saw this great man play for the MFC.
How delightfully old fashioned!
The Melbourne Demons take on the Richmond Tigers at the MCG on a Saturday afternoon! I’m reminded of those lyrics from the iconic Paul Kelly:
I’m high on the hill
Looking over the bridge
To the M.C.G
And way up on high
The clock on the silo
Says eleven degrees,
………
I remember I remember
I go leaps and bounds
I remember everything
This game is expected to draw a big crowd to watch these two emerging teams and I for one can’t resist and am going to join them. I expect to also be able to read the results in the Sporting Globe (pink copy of course)!
Mark Jamar is back after he missing the past six matches with a knee injury and Jordan Gysberts also returns to the midfield rotation after missing the last game. Max Gawn and Clint Bartram have been omitted. Gawn, Matthew Bate and Sam Blease are the emergencies.
The team
B: James Strauss, James Frawley, Daniel Nicholson
HB: Colin Garland, Jared Rivers, Jack Trengove
C: Tom Scully, Colin Sylvia, Jeremy Howe
HF: Nathan Jones, Jack Watts, Ricky Petterd
F: Jamie Bennell, Mark Jamar, Brad Green
FOLL: Stef Martin, Brent Moloney, Jordie McKenzie
I/C: Jordan Gysberts, Joel Macdonald, Cale Morton, Liam Jurrah
EMG: Matthew Bate, Max Gawn, Sam Blease
IN: Mark Jamar, Jordan Gysberts
OUT: Clint Bartram, Max Gawn
Melbourne v Richmond Live on the Big Screen – 2.10pm – Saturday 25 June
Join the NSW Demons to watch the game on the big screen at the Camelia Grove Hotel, 146 Henderson Rd, Alexandria. Ph: 02 9516 5611. Check out www.nswdemons.com and www.thecammy.com.au for more information.
Melbourne v Fremantle Live on the Big Screen -1.10pm – Sunday 19 June
Melbourne v Fremantle Live on the Big Screen -1.10pm – Sunday 19 June
Good to be over those pesky Friday night and Monday games and back to a nice quiet early Sunday afternoon to watch the Dees take on Freo this weekend. Join the NSW Demons to watch the game and welcome back Ricky Petterd who joins the mid field rotation following a scintillating 39 possession, 13 tackle game for Casey last Sunday.
Watch the game on the big screen at the Camelia Grove Hotel, 146 Henderson Rd, Alexandria. Ph: 02 9516 5611. Check out www.thecammy.com.au for more information.
Match Report
Ace reporter Darren is on leave this week so unfortunately there is no report from the Queens Birthday match.
Media update
Hope you caught Dean Bailey “On the Couch” earlier this week. After a “tough day at the office” Bailey was clear and direct and amongst many interesting points here are some of his comments:
- the inconsistency in the contested possession count from week to week is a major frustration
- the club has recruited for kicking skills and emphasised kicking the ball over the past two to three years
- they have been working on “the press” for over a year and it is still a work in progress
- the lack of games and experience leads to the current weekly patience/impatience cycle
- the importance of backmen playing in front of their opponents
- St Kilda, Geelong and Collingwood all took six to eight years to build to a Grand Final / Premiership
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