Plan B: Where will Dees turn if Gawn disaster strikes?
After its failed Brodie Grundy experiment, Melbourne has risked being exposed with Max Gawn as its only senior ruckman. Who will be the Dees’ No.2?
Melbourne
Player ratings: What Clayton Oliver has to prove in 2024
It’s been a turbulent 12 months for Clayton Oliver, but with the season ahead, can he turn it all around on the field? GLENN MCFARLANE and JON RALPH rate every Demon.
Dees board war to rage on as peace talks collapse
There were hopes private talks between four Melbourne board members and former president Glen Bartlett would end a long-running stoush – but there’s been a “frustrating” setback.
Robbo: The complexities of ‘Clayton’s World’
There are few people who understand the true extent of Clayton Oliver’s mental health issues. As MARK ROBINSON writes, Oliver’s world is a complex one which has left his AFL career in jeopardy.
Back on track: Oliver makes Demons return
After a self-imposed absence, Demons star Clayton Oliver has returned to Melbourne training, joining teammates in a bid to play in the opening round of the season.
Pictures: Oliver trains like a demon in solo session
Troubled Melbourne star Clayton Oliver has continued to train strongly in the January heat, despite still working away from his Melbourne Demon teammates. See the exclusive pictures.
Dee-lemma: Have Melbourne’s forward woes gotten worse?
One of the key questions heading into 2024 is whether Melbourne can score more to get back to flag contention. But injuries could have them in a worse spot than they were four months ago.
Dees recruit facing ‘several months’ on sidelines
The Demons are preparing to lose one of their new recruits to a serious hamstring injury suffered at training. Plus more from Melbourne match simulation here.
Dee slip causes worry as Hunter steps up running
A clumsy fall from a Melbourne big man caused some concern as a bunch of injured Demons trained well on a wet Wednesday. Here’s what went down.
Dees’ pre-season from hell takes further blow
Melbourne’s pre-season has been clouded with disappointment, and the hits are still coming for the club with another one of their guns under a fitness cloud.
Oliver future unclear as Demons provide pre-season update
Melbourne’s pre-season restarts today after the new year break but it will be without star Clayton Oliver who remains on extended leave – with no return date set.
AFL star facing monster two-year ban
A Melbourne Demons star who late last year tested positive for cocaine has learned his potential fate – and intends to fight against it.
Demons bombshell: Smith faces two-year ban for cocaine
Melbourne footballer Joel Smith is expected to fight a bombshell finding that could leave his career in jeopardy as he faces a big suspension for taking cocaine.
Star leaves golfer a bloody mess in ugly scene
Demons midfielder Angus Brayshaw has left a golfer with blood streaming down his face at Royal Melbourne Golf Club.
Tigers spearhead provides fitness update in race to Round 1
Richmond star Tom Lynch has stepped up his injury recovery as he gets set to tick off a milestone next week. And Melbourne’s latest on Clayton Oliver.
Dees best 23: Where does ex-Saint fit in Melbourne’s flag equation?
Melbourne snared both Shane McAdam and Jack Billings in the trade period, but are they walk-up starters in 2024? Lauren Wood previews Melbourne’s season.
Key Dee’s big concession over straight-sets finals exits
Christian Salem admits his side’s past two finals efforts have been bitterly disappointing, but says the Dees will continue to put themselves in the thick of the race until they get it right.
Inside story: How Demons are sowing seeds of change
They’ve heard all the rumours and know they’re under siege from the outside – but what’s it like on the inside for Melbourne players? Go behind the scenes of the Lorne training camp.
Dees teammate opens up on Oliver’s ‘very tough time’
With Melbourne in the dark over Clayton Oliver’s return after he left the club’s training camp early, teammate Christian Salem has responded to questions about the superstar midfielder.
Forgotten star ‘hungry’ to find best form
A former Saint taken the pick before Marcus Bontempelli in his draft year is optimistic he can rediscover his best football in 2024.
Dees president fiercely defends club’s board decision
At Tuesday night’s annual general meeting, Melbourne president Kate Roffey responded to those questioning the club’s election process.
Revealed: The peacemaker out to end Dees’ bitter board stoush
Mediation between Glen Bartlett and the current Melbourne board was recently held in Perth – and the man acting as the peacemaker has spoken out for the first time.
Demetriou rejected as Bartlett, Demons enter peace talks
There’s hope the long-running war between Glen Bartlett and the current Melbourne board could now be settled out of court – but Andrew Demetriou won’t be involved in any resolution.
‘Squeeze’ on Dees: Caulfield plans baulked at by council
What looked to be full steam ahead for the Dees in Caulfield could be placed on the backfoot, with the Glen Eira council voicing their concerns.
Oliver to face court after latest incident
After a tumultuous 2023, Demon Clayton Oliver will front court in 2024, after being caught by police behind the wheel despite being banned.
Oliver’s Demon days in limbo as attitude comes into question
Melbourne’s four-time best and fairest and three-time All-Australian Clayton Oliver finds his Demons career in limbo over concerns about his attitude and professionalism.
‘Footy world’s gone mad’: News rocks AFL
The footy world has reacted with disbelief after an AFL club on Wednesday night dropped massive Trade Period news.
Suitors unmasked in Oliver trade saga twist
The Melbourne Demons are reportedly going after Harley Reid in the AFL Draft but the club’s has been given a bitter reality check.
‘Wasn’t professional’: Demons rift emerges
More details are emerging about a potential bombshell AFL trade, amid reports of a “disconnect” between the Demons and their star player.
Sticking points: the deals that could hold up trade period
As with every trade period, some deals will slide through early while others will drag on for two weeks. And there are at least two this year that sit in the latter category.
Swans’ hardball Grundy play, set to swoop on key defender
Brodie Grundy couldn’t even get a spot as the sub in Melbourne’s semi-final loss, so the Swans won’t be paying overs. Plus a key defender is also expected to be on his way to Sydney.
Premiership Dee’s future ‘up in the air’
A contracted flag hero’s future is uncertain after Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin encouraged them to assess the market in the upcoming trade period.
Finals rival wins race for Dees free agent
A number of clubs were chasing Demons midfielder James Jordon, but the free agent told Melbourne of his preference on Thursday. Get all the details here.
AFL legend slams star over classy act
Former Geelong captain Joel Selwood has torn into a Melbourne star over an act of sportsmanship that was widely applauded.
Grundy’s Demons nightmare all but over
Brodie Grundy’s trade could be one of the first deals struck in October after he skipped a key end of season meeting with the Demons.
’Scary’: Dees bring in star Irish recruit
The sister of a Melbourne premiership star will make her AFLW debut under lights as the Demons look to continue piling on the goals.
‘Wow’: AFL star’s unseen act goes viral
With Melbourne’s season on the line and only a few minutes left on the clock, Clayton Oliver delivered a rare act of sportsmanship.
Dees slammed for ‘absolutely pathetic’ excuse
The former Hawk and Sun took aim at the Dees after senior officials said Angus Brayshaw’s concussion played a role in their finals exit.
Ralph: The left-field option to solve Dees’ forward crisis
The Dees’ forward issues caused them grief in the finals once again, struggling to put a winning score on the board. Jon Ralph looks at 13 options who could solve their biggest flaw.
‘Distasteful’ detail in Grundy trade fiasco
Caroline Wilson has given unwanted Demons star Brodie Grundy a bake over new details about his move to a rival AFL club.
KO victim Brayshaw makes big decision on career
Angus Brayshaw will have brain scans to guide his path forward after being concussed six times in the AFL. Will he be playing for the Demons next year?
The seismic moment Barassi changed football forever
Ron Barassi is a football icon. In the game’s equivalent of the “Big Bang Theory”, he made a call that changed history as we know it.
Watch: Never-before-seen video of Barassi’s final game emerges
Rare colour footage of one of the game’s greatest players in Ron Barassi has emerged, showing a battle between his two former sides.
Robbo: The great Melbourne choke will go down in history
They choked again, the Demons, writes Mark Robinson. The game was there to be won but, instead, Melbourne achieved a club-first on Friday night – and not the positive kind.
Finals player ratings: Who starred, flopped on big stage
Sam Walsh may have played his best ever game and a number of young Blues stood up when it mattered. But which Demons would like their time again? We rate every player.
The harsh truth facing Demons after another blown finals series
The Demons were a dynasty waiting to happen after their 2021 triumph, but now, after two blown finals series, they must face the reality that they’ve underachieved.
‘Needed coverage’: Demons defend odd sub call
Melbourne’s decision to select a back-up tall as the sub backfired spectacularly, but coach Simon Goodwin has revealed why he made the call.
Chaotic scenes as Blue heaven rolls into prelim
A wounded Carlton has knocked out a wayward Melbourne to progress to a preliminary final in an all-time classic. How many of their injured stars will front up next week? Details here.
‘Picked the wrong vase’: Gawn on Maynard visit
Melbourne captain Max Gawn has clarified some of the rumours around Brayden Maynard’s awkward visit to the Brayshaw house.
McGuane: Forward that can explode in Blues-Dees matchups
Both the Dees and Blues are missing forwards, but that doesn’t mean either side don’t have a player who could explode. Mick McGuane analyses the Blues-Dees clash.
Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/sport/afl/teams/melbourne/page/6