The Melbourne Demons recorded their sixth of the season with a 37-point win over the Collingwood Magpies at the MCG. It marks the first time since 2007 that the Demons have defeated Collingwood, who have now lost six in a row.
>>MATCH REPORT: Dogged Demons too good for flat Pies
Bernie Vince was the best on ground for the Demons with 30 disposals and 3 goals, while Jesse Hogan also chipped in with three goals of his own.
The Magpies are staring down the barrel of back-to-back seasons without September football now, and coach Nathan Buckley surely must be in some trouble.
Melbourne 13.13.91 def Collingwood 7.12.54
We’ve got a traditional clash at the MCG on a Saturday afternoon, as the Collingwood Magpies play host to the Melbourne Demons. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 2:10pm (AEST).
The Magpies took the AFL world by storm early in the season, rattling off eight wins from their first 11 games. But five straight losses (the first time that has happened to Collingwood since 2007) has seen them fall to an 8-8 record, and they now are unlikely to play finals.
Although the situation still isn’t dire, a sixth straight loss to the Demons would all but end their season.
The Demons had a groundbreaking win over the Cats back in Round 12, but their form has been patchy since then, with only a win over the Lions to their name.
The club is struggling to kick a reasonable score at the moment, and many are questioning Paul Roos’ game plan.
Considering the marked improvement of teams like the Western Bulldogs and St Kilda, clubs that were seen on a similar level to the Demons at the start of the year, there’s something still very wrong at Melbourne.
The Magpies have made four changes for this clash, with Jamie Elliott, Taylor Adams, Paul Seedsman, and Sam Dwyer all named to return. Jarryd Blair, Ben Kennedy, Adam Oxley, and Jesse White have all been omitted from the squad. The aforementioned Blair has been named as an emergency, joining Matthew Scharenberg and Jonathon Marsh.
The Demons have one change, with youngster Billy Stretch dropped from the side. Young midfielder Alex Neal-Bullen will take his spot. Jordie McKenzie, Mark Jamar and Matt Jones are the emergencies.
Prediction
Melbourne haven’t beaten Collingwood since 2007, and I don’t see that trend ending in this one.
While Collingwood are in bad form, they should have enough class across the ground to get the job done. Don’t expect a high scoring game either.
Collingwood by 14
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
FULL TIME A good win for the Demons, as they record their sixth of the season with a 37-point win over the Magpies at the MCG. It marks the first time since 2007 that the Demons have defeated Collingwood, who have now lost six in a row. Bernie Vince was the best on ground for the Demons with 30 disposals and 3 goals, while Jesse Hogan also chipped in with three goals of his own. The Magpies are staring down the barrel of back-to-back seasons without September football now, and coach Nathan Buckley surely must be in some trouble. Thanks for joining me for Saturday Afternoon football from the MCG.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
GOAL DEMONS 0' A late goal for Jeremy Howe to blow the margin out to 37 points. Magpies 7.12 54 Demons 13.13 91
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND DEMONS 3' Colin Garland hits the post from outside 50. Magpies 7.12 54 Demons 12.13 85
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND DEMONS 4' Aaron Vandenberg takes a strong mark in the pocket, but he's missed to the left. Magpies 7.12 54 Demons 12.12 84
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
GOAL DEMONS 7' Nathan Jones marks from a Jetta kick in, and he finally sinks the dagger in!!! The Demons are home!! Magpies 7.12 54 Demons 12.11 83
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND DEMONS 8' The Demons could have finished the game off already, but their just a little inaccurate. This time Alex Neal-Bullen kicks a point. Magpies 7.12 54 Demons 11.11 77
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND DEMONS 10' Bernie Vince again with the service inside 50, and Harmes gets up to take a nice mark. He can put the dagger in here, but he's off to the left as well. Magpies 7.12 54 Demons 11.10 76
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND DEMONS 10' Bernie Vince has a superb day, and he wins a nice clearance inside 50. He spots Lumumba at a better angle, but the former Magpie can't keep his kick straight. Magpies 7.12 54 Demons 11.9 75
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND MAGPIES 13' Moore marks on the lead, but he's right at the junction of the 50 and the boundary line. The kick is a beauty, but it just falls short. Magpies 7.12 54 Demons 11.8 74
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
GOAL DEMONS 14' The Demons are up and about, and now Garlett finds space at half forward. He goes inside to Vandenberg, and he has Harmes running into an open goal!!! Magpies 7.11 53 Demons 11.8 74
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND DEMONS 16' Elliott with a big fly in defence, but it might be detrimental. This one falls perfectly for Bernie Vince, but his snap shot is just off to the right. Magpies 7.11 53 Demon 10.8 68
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND DEMONS 17' A quick clearance for the Demons, and Dawes has marked 30 from goal. He can make it two in a minute, but he's missed to the left. Magpies 7.11 53 Demons 10.7 67
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
GOAL DEMONS 17' Pendlebury is dispossessed by Bradshaw, and the Dees are in. Bernie Vince receives the handball just outside 50, and he's kicked his third goal!!! Magpies 7.11 53 Demons 10.6 66
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND MAGPIES 19' Neville Jetta punches one through. Magpies 7.11 53 Demons 9.6 60
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
FOURTH QUARTER 20' First clearance for the Magpies, and they'll go forward. Moore couldn't mark, but they've managed to hold it in. The Demons making a bit of a meal of possession back here, and the ball will get out of bounds in the pocket. Magpies 7.10 52 Demons 9.6 60
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
THREE QUARTER TIME A tale of two halves in that quarter, as the Demons dominated the early going, but the Magpies worked their way back into the game. It's an 8-point lead for the Demons, who are looking to hold on for their sixth win of the season. A loss for the Magpies will just about end their season, so they should come out with some desperation in the final quarter. STATS Disposals: Magpies 306-304 Free Kicks: Magpies 15-8 Demons Clearances: Magpies 33-25 Inside 50: Magpies 48-34 Contested Possessions: Demons 119-113 Tackles: Magpies 69-55 Hit Outs: Demons 32-28 Magpies Top 5 AFL Fantasy: 1. Taylor Adams 104 2. Alex Fasolo 98 3. Dane Swan 91 4. Levi Greenwood 88 5. Scott Pendlebury 78 Demons Top 5 AFL Fantasy: 1. Bernie Vince 86 2. Max Gawn 83 3. Colin Garland 79 4. Aaron Vandenberg 77 5. Jack Watts 74
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
1' Good attack on the footy from both sides here. They both know how important a late goal would be. Magpies 7.10 52 Demons 9.6 60
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND MAGPIES 3' Their forward pressure is first class at the moment, and now Sam Dwyer finds some space at half forward. He lowers the eyes, and hits Elliott about 40 from goal. He's a beautiful kick of the footy, but this one is off to the left. Magpies 7.10 52 Demons 9.6 60
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
BEHIND MAGPIES 5' It's all Collingwood at the moment, and now Dane Swan breaks from the middle. He can run to 50 and have a fly, but his shot is way off to the right. Magpies 7.9 51 Demons 9.6 60
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
GOAL MAGPIES 5' The Magpies go forward quickly from the centre, and Marley Williams sends it long inside 50. Cross does enough to hold it up there, but the danger isn't over. Taylor Adams gets a little bit of space from the ensuing bounce, and he's kicked a goal!!! It's back to 10 points!! Magpies 7.8 50 Demons 9.6 60