Go the Fuchsias, er Redlegs, er Demons

Talk about cloud 9!! (you must be too), what a fortnight (well month really) it’s more than a shade or so of ’87 all over again – and is it just me but that #2 on our captain’s back, it puts the hair on the back of my neck on end… I feel like one of those frogs that has lain dormant for years in the desert & then there’s a downpour of rain & whammo – I’ve broken the surface now fully brought back to life and croaking like mad.

by Nigel Dawe

I’m actually related to Kevin Sheedy (and as such many in my family actually go for either the bombers or GWS) but its been the Dees for me ever since I saw and was sold on our mercurial #2 back in the early ’80s – and I’ve been absolutely ‘on-board’ ever since, from getting in touch with Fred Fanning in the early ’90s to get his autograph to going without 4 of my 5 food groups for about 12 months while I was at uni so as to afford an original 1875 etching of an early Melbourne vs Carlton match from an antique print gallery in Sydney once.

I’ve just so loved the journey, my highlight (after seeing us make 2 grand finals and actually win a reserves ‘Big One’ in ’93 against the then Bears, which I still have tucked away somewhere on VHS) was winning the writing comp back in 2001 for our ‘Hall of Fame’ and who should be the inaugural legend – silly question when you have the likes of the coach of the century to choose from…

But so many memories and magical experiences to draw upon, I used to be great friends with Tiger Ridley (before he passed away) and I’ll never forget the day he got me into the rooms after a game against Richmond at the ‘G to see and sing along to A Grand Old Flag and personally meet my hero in Big Jimmy…

Not to mention the starry night I sat watching the boys at the SCG some years ago and turned to the bloke sitting next to me after mulling as to whether I should or shouldn’t I – but “excuse me, you look awfully like the great Dr Don Cordner” and as such it turned out to be his younger brother John who then said “I only played 6 games but wore the famous #21 straight after my brother retired” to which I replied “Well that’s definitely 6 more than me!!” and we then shared a laugh at how his ‘other’ brother Denis said to a young Barassi when he asked him before his first ever game “where do you want me to go?” – & he famously barked – “I don’t care, just stay out of my bloody way!!”

My house is already decked out with red & blue streamers and about 10 different Melbourne gurnseys that I’ve ‘acquired’ over the years (the most recent being our 160th number that even has my name on it (directly below the AFL logo about 3/4s the way down), I’ve even brought my prized and near-on mint condition 1964 Grand Final Record out of ‘storage’ and have it pride of place next to the TV for luck 🙂

Should we get beyond next week I’ll be bringing out my ‘big gun’ – a 1960 Norm Smith autographed premiership booklet… But as the saying goes – ‘one week at a time’ … and daring now to dream, ah perchance to dream, should we proceed from there I might just put on ‘stand-alone’ display my treasured Ivor Warne-Smith cigarette card.

I have a 5 year old daughter which I’ll be ‘formally’ inducting into the Demons fold come this Friday circa 7.50pm-ish.  I can’t wait to share the thrill of seeing them run out and have a red hot go… It’s just such a buzz to be back in the thick of September once again! & it so doesn’t feel like 12 years since we last savoured such a thing…Unfortunately I can’t get down to Melbourne this week, I actually live in Grafton, NSW and can’t make the trip to the ‘G because of work commitments, but like countless other fans I will be there in spirit, the ‘Spirit of ’26’, riding every bump and feeling every blow.

Hope we meet one day, please pass on my appreciation to the crew for their creative efforts once again and well done!!

Go the Fuschias, er Redlegs, er Demons, – or the oldest and only football team in the world to play a sport which they actually created over a few beers in a pub all those years ago.

All the very best,
Nigel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Demons Slay Giants

Round 23 – Melbourne Vs Greater Western Sydney – Demons Slay Giants

By Liam Chambers

 

Melbourne finally broke through this week. The win against the Eagles was significant but the way they played against GWS was a statement of self-confidence. The first quarter was some of the best footy that Melbourne have played under coach Simon Goodwin.

It was a great start with Tom McDonald scoring the opening goal. After the Giants scored the next three, Melbourne seized back control with goals from Harmes, vandenBerg and a second from McDonald. Harry Himmelberg got GWS’s only goal of the second quarter as the Dees started to stamp their authority on the game. Our contested possessions were impressive, and Max Gawn was again brilliant in the ruck.

Max also got the first goal of the second half with Melbourne putting in yet another sterling third quarter performance. With a forty-three-point advantage going into the last quarter it looked like Melbourne had it in the bag. Earlier in the season, a similar lead against a top side, would have the fans on edge, counting down the seconds to the siren. There was an air of confidence this week; everything was under control and we could sit back and enjoy the ride.

It wasn’t all good news though. Dean Kent was off early in the first quarter with an AC joint injury followed by a wrist injury to Dom Tyson. There was also the sickening clash of heads between Jake Melksham and James Harmes. Luckily both players escaped serious injury.

Well, we’re officially in the final eight after securing 5th spot (only denied a top four position by a lucky Collingwood against a resurgent Fremantle in Perth). We play Geelong at the MCG on September 7th. Third time lucky? I’ve got a good feeling, but nobody will expect an easy game. Geelong are one of the hardest teams to beat and they’ll fancy their chances on Friday night. Melbourne have waited twelve years for this though and won’t give up easily. Bring it on!

 

 

 

 

MELBOURNE 4.2 7.6 12.9 15.12 (102)
GWS GIANTS 4.1 5.5 5.8 8.9 (57)
GOALS
Melbourne: T. McDonald 3, Petracca 3, Neal-Bullen 2, Harmes, vandenBerg, Brayshaw, Gawn, Jones, Weideman, Melksham
GWS Giants: Coniglio 2, Tomlinson, Lobb, Cameron, Himmelberg, Langdon, Finlayson

James Harmes NSW Demons Sponsorship prizes in 2018

Reading about the Dees

The Eagle Has Landed (For The Demons)

Round 22 – West Coast Eagles Vs Melbourne – The Eagle Has Landed (For The Demons)

By Liam Chambers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well, we finally beat a top eight side. Not only that but we beat a top two side and we did it at one of the most difficult and hostile home grounds in the country.

One enduring memory of my three years in Perth was how parochial their sporting fans can be. When you have fifty thousand plus Eagles fans baying for the opposition’s blood it can be a tad unsettling. Melbourne handled the pressure well and didn’t buckle as they would have done in previous seasons. This was a huge game for the Dees not only because it secured a top eight berth but also because they proved to themselves that they can win the tight games against quality sides.

The disappointment and frustration of losing by two points to Geelong twice (!) and battling valiantly again Port Adelaide only to be ten points behind on the siren. Even last week when we mounted a spirited comeback against the Swans in the latter part of the final quarter, we couldn’t quite make it over the line. Then at Optus Stadium, as West Coast took the lead by a single point with twelve minutes to play, you could be forgiven for thinking the finals dream was slowly ebbing away.

Three goals in just over six minutes for the Demons changed all that. First Jake Melksham, then Dean Kent, then Melksham again put the result beyond doubt. Finally the Melbourne faithful had something to celebrate. The joy on Nathan Jones’ face was a sight that will live in Dee’s fans memories for a long time. He was expressing what we were all feeling. The long drought was over. The years of humiliating losses and the slow climb back to being a competitive team were forgotten the instant siren sounded.

Melbourne has made the finals. There’s still a long way to go and there may be more upsets to come. The Dees have been playing better as a team this year and are now starting to believe in themselves. Last week was billed as a must win game and they struggled to find a way to defeat the Swans. In Perth the expectations on Melbourne were greatly reduced and it freed the players up to just go for it.

From the opening bounce the Demons were determined to take the game to the Eagles and when the inevitable pushback came they handled it well. The third quarter was especially eventful but Melbourne didn’t panic and there was a calmness to the team. Christian Salem typified the attitude with some clever passing in tight circumstances. Jake Melksham was again pivotal with four goals and Weideman was impressive; he will be crucial now that Jesse Hogan is out. Harmes and Brayshaw were inspiring and Tom McDonald is kicking better. Next week we play the Giants at the MCG. A win could possibly see us secure a top four spot. Now that would be interesting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEST COAST 3.0 5.4 11.6 14.7 (91)
MELBOURNE 4.4 7.6 12.8 16.12 (108)
GOALS
West Coast: Rioli 3, Hutchings 2, Masten, Ah Chee, Cripps, Vardy, Sheed, Yeo, Venebles, LeCras, Ryan
Melbourne: Melksham 4, McDonald 3, Hannan 3, Weideman, Harmes, Brayshaw, vandenBerg, Jones, Kent

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