Media pundits who claim ruckmen are overrated had the perfect case study for a game where one side had two, highly paid rucks and the other had none. MARK DUFFIELD writes Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson had an absolute day out.
Melbourne returned back to the top eight by throwing out a promise made to supporters last year. Here’s how Simon Goodwin has kept the season alive ahead of a tough run home.
Melbourne won without captain Max Gawn last weekend, but heading to Perth on a revenge mission the club is sweating on his return from injury.
It is the 30th anniversary of outrageous shooting star Allen Jakovich’s final game in the red and blue. SHANNON GILL speaks to his old coach Neil Balme about the enigma, the memories and the legacy of ‘Jako’.
Many wondered if Melbourne would be a spent force without Max Gawn and Christian Petracca. As JON RALPH writes, the last month has shown the Demons are anything but.
Having returned without a lead in game, Jake Melksham is keen to stick around for good at Melbourne. He opens up on his knee rehab and contract status.
Toughness and smarts have been question marks at Essendon for the best past of two decades – and Saturday night didn’t answer any of those queries, writes JOSH BARNES.
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin gave an update on the Demons’ superstar captain with finals now firmly in their sights.
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has weighed in on Max Gawn’s bold recovery plans – and how he’ll replace the Demons skipper.
Melbourne’s captain says he will “push the envelope” in his recovery from an unusual injury, but is he out of step with club medical staff?
Max Gawn says ‘I currently can’t walk’, but that hasn’t stopped the Melbourne captain setting an ambitious timeline for his comeback from a chipped fibula.
After limping in to the club on Monday on crutches hopeful Melbourne captain’s hopes his injury wasn’t too bad have been dashed.
Jake Melksham gave Melbourne some much-needed spark up forward, but Dees fans will be sweating on Max Gawn’s fitness after the skipper was subbed out in the win over West Coast which will continue pressure on Adam Simpson.
The luckless streak has continued for Christian Petracca, with the sidelined Melbourne star back in hospital for the third time in less than a month.
In round 11 Harley Reid showed no respect for two of the best midfielders in the AFL in a statement game and the Demons won’t be caught out twice.
For the past two games Melbourne hasn’t kicked a final-quarter goal, with the worrying trend painting a concerning picture for the Demons.
It was a game no one gave the Demons a chance to win – but they almost did. Despite the final term and Hugh McCluggage dagger, Friday night was important for Melbourne, writes CALLUM DICK.
Brisbane Lions have stunned Melbourne with an almighty last quarter comeback that was only sealed in the final minutes thanks to an improbable Hugh McCluggage goal.
A wayward Brisbane has pinched a nail-biting victory over Melbourne to surge into the top eight for the first time this season. See the SuperCoach takeaways and relive all the action here.
Mac Andrew should be the shining light in the Demons’ defence, while Harley Reid could be stepping into Christian Petracca’s shoes on Friday night. SAM LANDSBERGER says the Dees have been dudded.
Trent Rivers has revealed the advice he received from Christian Petracca after stepping into the huge midfield void left by the Melbourne superstar. He speaks to GLENN MCFARLANE about his transition to a key member of the Demons’ engine room.
An emotional Christian Petracca has shared intimate details of his injury hell and responded to reports his family was at odds with Melbourne’s treatment and him returning to the field on King’s Birthday.
Clayton Oliver is in a serious form slump on the field and his contract to 2030 has been criticised as one of the worst in football. But will either affect his future at Melbourne? Here’s the latest.
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has hit back at criticism of star defender Steven May after he was fined for a staging incident.
AFL fans and commentators have called for the game to stamp out one of the sport’s most controversial acts after a furore erupted.
It was a tight opening half, but Melbourne were too good in the end for an inexperienced Richmond side.
Clayton Oliver copped it for his form before Melbourne’s bye but a finger operation has resolved all of his issues.
First-year coach Adem Yze says his knowledge of the Demons can help take them down on Anzac Day Eve but admits injuries have “taken a toll”.
The plans for Melbourne to call Caulfield racecourse its new home remain in motion, yet the next phase appears no closer according to a letter released to members by the club.
Brodie Grundy has been one of the dominant — and most successful — ruckmen of the modern era. Ahead of his 200th AFL game, he reflects with LACHLAN MCKIRDY.
The draft range of Carlton father-son prospects Ben and Lucas Campeoreale is becoming clearer, with the Blues set to pay a high price for at least one of the gifted twins.
The Demons were blown out of the water on Thursday night by the Lions, but they can’t panic and throw Harrison Petty into the backline.
The AFL has made it clear that Noah Answerth’s unnecessary sledge of Harrison Petty is not a good look for the club, but will leave the Lions to deal with the incident that took the shine away from their huge win.
22 points isn’t usually a drubbing but Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has conceded his team was “punished” by the rampaging Lions for most of Thursday night’s match at the MCG.
After a slow start to the season, the Lions have secured their second-straight win, beating the Demons 82-60 in Lachie Neale’s 250th game.
Max Gawn aside, it wasn’t a good night for Melbourne – on the scoreboard and in SuperCoach. But there could be a silver lining. Recap all the action and see the standouts here.
The simmering feud between Brisbane and Melbourne players has been reignited after an ugly act by Lion Noah Answerth.
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin had strong thoughts about why the Demons were blown away by Brisbane on the big stage.
The prominent Melbourne midfielder seemed to have turned the corner, but he was back under intense scrutiny at the MCG.
There are two key areas Melbourne wants a star forward to focus on after he was handed his third suspension in one year.
Adelaide’s left its charge too late against Melbourne and now faces an uphill battle to save its season. Relive all the action plus live SuperCoach scores here.
Melbourne forward Kysaiah Pickett will spend another week on the sidelines due to suspension after the MRO ruled on a Thursday night incident.
Steven May made headlines for his comments about Collingwood at Melbourne’s 2023 best and fairest, but following the Demons win over Adelaide he explained what he was trying to say in the moment.
Only one team in the AFL era has been able to turn an 0-4 start around and play finals meaning history is against the winless Crows to deliver on their post-season promise.
Melbourne have strongly denied ex-club doctor Zeeshan Arain’s claims that one third of the Demons’ squad ‘occasionally’ used illicit drugs and one third were ‘frequent’ drug users.
Port Adelaide defender Esava Ratugolea has been roasted for an unforgivable mistake that had commentators tearing their hair out.
Melbourne Demons star Clayton Oliver left training early on Wednesday morning with an injury to his hand.
What are we supposed to make of a drug testing system when fans — and even coaches — are kept in the dark? JAY CLARK examines the dubious reality and the ‘footy spin’ clubs including Melbourne have been caught up in.
The AFL is in crisis with whistleblower testimony released in Parliament exposing an alleged plot of secret drug activity, cover ups and fraud.
Steven May could play as soon as round 4 despite being badly hurt against Hawthorn as the Demons responded to scans on Jake Lever’s knee.
Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/sport/afl/teams/melbourne/page/3