By Nigel Dawe

Leadership is a funny thing, in this ultra construed era of ours, it appears to have taken on a somewhat quasi-here-there-and-everywhere kind of prevalence.

But true leadership is somehow forged only through, or because of – hardship, not to mention trial and the gravest of tribulations; it is a quality that often ‘leads’ to triumph, after having endured the tests and red-hot throes of defeat, and rarely, albeit almost never, the other way around.

The Melbourne Football Club recently lost one of its all-time greats and captain – John Beckwith, on-field leader for the premierships of 1957 and 1959, not to mention ‘the upset of the century’ in 1958. John is also credited as having been the first captain to ever receive a premiership cup on Grand Final day, after they were inaugurated in 1959.

Intriguingly, Beckwith’s first season in senior ranks (1951) saw Melbourne win on only one solitary occasion, and in another game that year against the Bulldogs they were walloped by 30 goals!

So, John knew first-hand the grave questions only defeat can pose, before it sometimes propels a chosen few to victory beyond all imagination. Needless to say, Beckwith was named Best First Year Player, before going on to forge a career as one of the best defenders to have ever donned a red and blue guernsey.

With Beckwith’s passing, Max Gawn becomes the lone living Melbourne player to have captained the club to a premiership. And like Gawn, who seems to have that elusive ability, albeit aura to rouse the spirit and fortunes of team mates to do the miraculous.

Beckwith famously leapt up at half-time of the Second Semi-Final (being 48-points down) against Essendon in 1957, and started singing ‘It’s a grand old flag’. The team didn’t win that day, but they did go on to resoundingly beat the Bombers by over 10-goals a few weeks later.

John Beckwith was only 24 years of age when he took on the role as captain of what would be the greatest dynasty that any side in the history of the game would go on to enjoy. Having played in each of the 7 Grand Finals between 1954 to 1960 for 5 premierships (two as captain) – is a record that seems destined to never be rivalled, let alone ever beaten.

There is a famous image of Beckwith on the MCG after one of their Grand Final wins, sharing a cold ale with his coach Norm Smith – whereby you just can’t help but ponder – what sublime, never to be repeated recipe this team created for the elixir of ultimate success.

Sadly, our side wasn’t able to win for ‘Becky’ last weekend up in Alice Springs, the players were all wearing black armbands in honour of the boy from Black Rock who wore the number 30 guernsey for Melbourne on 176 miraculous occasions.

As upsetting as it was that our modern-day batch of Demons couldn’t win for one of its all-time greats, it might prove eerily appropriate, that from the searing clutches of this defeat, our team could eventually rise again to the heights of success, as Beckwith and his fellow Demons did all those years ago.

Rest in Peace John Beckwith, one of the very last links and vital cogs to the game’s greatest dynasty has passed on, but you have left a legacy and an example of true greatness that will last and shine brightly for as ever long as the game is played.

Round 9 – Carlton V Melbourne

Liam Chambers

The Blues launch operation warp speed

After last week’s thriller against Geelong, the Dees were again facing an inform side vying for a top four position. Fans were expecting another tight game with an abundance of goals.

However, the first score of the game didn’t come until the nine minute mark when Sam Walsh took a hand pass and snapped an around the corner from 40m to put Carlton in front.
A couple of minutes later, the hosts were two ahead when Marc Pittonet slotted a 45m set shot.  Next up was Jack Martin, who marked the ball less than 10m from goal.
The Blues had their tails up and Melbourne was struggling to counter the attacks.

The situation was beginning to look precarious for the Dees when Harry McKay ran out to take a contested mark. He went back and easily converted his 50m set shot. To add to the bleak atmosphere, the rain had set in, further dampening the spirits of the Demon faithful.

Towards the end of the term, Melbourne at last started to put some pressure on Carlton’s defence but was unable to penetrate the Blue fortress. Then, in another cruel blow and against the run of play, Tom De Koning took a difficult contested mark, despite the wet conditions. He drilled the 45m kick and extended the margin to thirty points at quarter time.

The Dees claw back some momentum

When play resumed, Carlton also resumed control, keeping their guests goalless and pointless in the process. When Matthew Owies marked and hit the target from 35m out, Melbourne’s outlook was bleaker than the weather.

That was until Christian Petracca juggled a difficult mark in front of goal and converted from 35m, finally putting his side on the scoreboard. A few minutes later and Petracca had another shot on goal, making sure that his 30m set shot shaved another six points off the Blues’ lead.

Tracca’s goals had an electrifying affect on his team mates, and they were suddenly hell bent on taking the game to Carlton.

Paddy Cripps spoiled the festivities however, when he brought the Dees momentum to a shuddering halt, after collecting the ground ball from a stoppage and snapping from the top of the square. 
Another party pooper, Matthew Owies, kicked his second from a 45m set shot and pushed the margin out to a game high of thirty seven points.

Just as the situation was looking its bleakest for Melbourne, Daniel Turner became the recipient of a down field free kick when Alex Neal-Bullen was struck after he kick the ball. Turner cut the lead back to thirty one points, with his coolly taken set shot from the 50m arc.

Melbourne get themselves back in the game

The Demons have recovered from greater half time deficits in the past, but Carlton seemed in particularly good form, and the wet conditions were not conducive to a high scoring game.

Melbourne’s task only increased in difficulty, when twenty seconds after the bounce, Charlie Curnow collected the ball and curled it through, again putting Carlton thirty seven points in front.

After the bounce, Max Gawn won the hitout and sent the ball inside 50, where Kysaiah Pickett received a hand pass and launched the ball forward and across the line. Could this finally be the catalyst that truly turned the tables for Melbourne?

Alas, no. Matthew Owies kicked his hat trick by snapping round the corner from the top of the square and returning the margin to thirty seven.

By now, the rain had all but stopped and three goals had been scored in less than two minutes.

Still the Demons were undaunted, continuing to pressure their opponents and creating chances on goal. Unfortunately though, they were unable to capitalise. Then another stoppage and the unstoppable Petracca fought his way through to escape the pack, snapping his third of the night.

But, yet again Carlton had the right of reply. Charlie Curnow found himself alone in front of goal as the ball dropped behind the group of players inside 50. Easy pickings for the leading Coleman contender.

Though Melbourne struggled to lower the deficit, conversely, Carlton was unable to extend their lead beyond the magical number thirty seven.

Bailey Fritsch had earlier missed a relatively easy shot but was deadly accurate when given a second chance. Finally the margin was under thirty points for the first time since midway through the second quarter. It was further reduced, and Christian Petracca’s status was officially upgraded to Superhero, when the Midfielder snapped his fourth goal from just outside the square.

So close and yet so far

With only twenty two points now dividing the sides, Melbourne fans had good reason for optimism at the start of the final term. However, that optimism was severely tested when George Hewitt kicked the opener for Carlton with a 35m snap.

By the halfway mark, the Dees had only managed to kick a couple of minor points before Jacob van Rooyen revived his team with a 20m set shot in front of goal. The Blues were defending fiercely but the feel of the game had changed, and Melbourne wasn’t holding anything back.

Several more opportunities for the visitors in front of goal were to no avail, but then an act of sheer heroic desperation finally netted another major. Jack Viney never gives up and his lunging slapback of the sherrin on the behind line was pounced on by Caleb Windsor, who then soccered the ball across the line. After an agonisingly long review, the goal was awarded, and the Dees’ belief was sky high.

With no time to spare, Melbourne pushed the ball back inside 50, where Viney picked out Tracca in the pocket. The around the corner kick was his fifth goal and had the Demons within seven points of their opponents.

With less than a minute to go, Max Gawn marked just inside the arc. He quickly took the set shot, which sailed high, long and finally across the goal line. Unfortunately, with only forty seconds left on the clock, the courageous Dees couldn’t complete what would have been a comeback for the ages.

Next round is against West Coast in Perth. The Eagles are a long way from their recent best and are very beatable on their previously impervious home ground, but they still have a few surprises up their sleeves and Melbourne won’t be taking anything for granted.

Go the Mighty Dees!!!

Round 7 – Richmond V Melbourne

Liam Chambers

Opening quarter fails to reflect the fighting Anzac spirit

With games against Geelong and Carlton looming, Melbourne could ill afford a loss to the lowly Tigers, in what’s proving to be a highly competitive top six this season.

It was the perfect start for the Dees though. Having won the bounce, Jacob van Rooyen marked inside 50 and converted the 45m set shot.

After the goal, Richmond played some good footy, pressuring the Demons and keeping the ball in their forward half. They failed to fully capitalise on their momentum though and Melbourne retained the lead.

Up the other end, the Dees were off target, as they racked up three minor scores in a row. Richmond finally got reward for effort when Mykelti Lefau was on the receiving end of a hand pass, just outside the square. He was able to skate around Melbourne’s defence and slot from three metres in front.

It was even steven at nine points apiece and it looked to stay that way as the seconds ticked down to quarter time. Then Bailey Fritsch was held just inside 50 and awarded a free kick. He nailed the 48m set shot; not even distracted by a melee between Jack Viney and Marlion Pickett being conducted a few metres away on his left hand side.

Overly cautious sides unable to be separated

After a low scoring first term, Dusty Martin outmaneuvered the Dees’ defence to mark the ball 20m from goal. Martin swiveled round and snapped to again level the scores. Melbourne were finding their opponents more formidable than expected and Richmond’s defence was holding firm in the face of some strong pressure from the Dees.

At the halfway mark of Q2, neither side had found a way to put some daylight between themselves and their rivals. Then finally Melbourne was able to mount a strong challenge through the centre with Christian Petracca taking a hand pass and kicking the ball 55m to find Daniel Turner in the pocket. The young forward marked and ran on, kicking from inside the square to celebrate his first goal as an AFL player.

There was much rejoicing, but what potentially promised to be the start of a Melbourne tsunami, was tragically cut short when Maurice Rioli marked directly in front and slotted his 30m set shot, turning the momentum tide back in favour of Richmond.

Still, it looked to all even again at the end of the quarter, but then Dylan Grimes marked directly in front of goal just before the siren. His kick missed the main target; the defender steering his shot to the right, but his effort put his side ahead by a single point going into the main break.

Melbourne’s class finally reveals itself

After half time, play resumed in the same fashion with neither side showing any great ambition to take the reins and break on through.

Some form of catalyst was required. Then, as has happened so many times before, Captain Max Gawn answered the call. His mark on the behind line allowed him to snap an around the corner set shot kick, reclaiming the lead for Melbourne.

A minute later, Daniel Turner took a diving mark deep in the pocket. His subsequent 50m kick sailed high and long before dropping behind the goal line. Now the Dees were playing with a greater sense of purpose and eventually Turner again marked just inside the 50m line. Again his set shot was spot on, and he had his hat trick.

Star player and new Dad Kysaiah Pickett, made it four in a row for the Demons when he collected the ground ball in the pocket, ran around and snapped the goal.

Just as Melbourne looked to be running away with the game, up popped Maurice Rioli to again stem the Dees’ momentum. The high scoring medium forward marked 30m out, fumbled briefly, then turned, ran and kicked from the top of the square.

Richmond started to build on their new found belief but their accuracy on front of goal continued to let them down and the Demons were able to ride out the storm.

To add to the Tigers’ woes, Cabel Windsor took a brilliantly opportunistic intercept mark just before the siren. His 25m set shot was successful and Melbourne was ahead by twenty three points.

The Dees gallop to the finish line

Despite the hiccup at the end of term three, the Tigers continued to charge forward at the start of the final quarter, with Shai Bolton marking and converting from the pocket.

Bailey Fritsch was having none of it though, snapping his second goal from a 40m running kick on his non preferred side. After the bounce, the ball was back in Melbourne’s forward 50 where Kozzie Pickett marked it just inside the arc. His 45m set shot was successful and the Dees were pulling away at a rate of knots. Next up, it was another debut goal when Bailey Laurie kicked a right foot banana from the edge of the square.

Melbourne was thirty eighty points in front when Laurie slotted his second in a row via an around the corner kick from the pocket. Christian Petracca was having another solid game with twenty two disposals and twelve clearances when he awarded a free kick after being held. His 45m set shot was on target and the Dees had an unassailable lead.

We may be enjoying our top four spot on the ladder but Round 8’s showdown with table toppers the Cats will be anything but comfortable. Geelong haven’t put a foot wrong so far this year, but every cat has a bad day and Melbourne has the depth of talent to punish any complacency from the undisputed league leaders.

Go the Mighty Dees!!!

Round 5 – Melbourne V Brisbane

Liam Chambers

The hordes from the North attack

Brisbane’s recent appearances at the MCG have left a lot to be desired and with a poor start to the season, they would have been keen to address that particular Achilles Heel. They had a lot riding on their match against Melbourne and would be anxious to prove themselves worthy contenders in 2024.

The Demons have been travelling well so far this season and their opening goal courtesy of Alex Neal-Bullen would have gladdened the hearts of the faithful. The midfielder works extremely hard and his 45m running kick, under pressure, landed in the goal square before bouncing across the line.

It didn’t take long for Brisbane to get on the scoreboard, with Eric Hipwood marking the in front of goal, then slotting his 40m set shot. Joe Daniher took a similar mark five minutes later but steered it left. However his next set shot from inside the square sailed through and Brisbane was a goal up.

Unfortunately Christian Salem was subbed off early with a suspected hamstring injury. Taj Woewodin took to the field as replacement. Bailey Fritsch proved his class yet again with his flawless 48m set shot from the pocket, shrinking the margin back to one point.

Before long though, Melbourne’s defence was under siege with Brisbane launching wave after wave of attack, basically keeping the ball hostage inside their forward 50. The pressure paid off with Hipwood again marking in front of goal. The 40m set shot was a simple conversion for the key forward. Joe Daniher shot from the 50m arc was a little more difficult, but he too kicked cleanly, and the visitors were up by thirteen points.

It was beginning to look like one of those nights, when Melbourne just couldn’t get the ball to behave, whereas Brisbane’s handling was clean and effective. Luckily for us though, the margin remained at a respectable fourteen points when the sides went in at quarter time.

Brisbane consolidate their advantage

The Lions would have been encourage with their performance during the first term and the fans would have been very encourage with their start to the second, when Jaspa Fletcher snapped a 35m goal, resulting from of a clearance. Brisbane continued to dominate, with the Dees struggling to get a grip on the game.

The Lions kicked four in a row after Hugh MacLuggage drew a free kick and a Logie nomination, when his head was lightly brushed as he jumped for the ball in the pocket. His 40m set shot was on target. Everything was going Brisbane’s way, with Melbourne missing contested and uncontested marks in equal measure. Their opponents, on the other hand, couldn’t miss. There was no let up to Melbourne’s misery.

As if to further compound our predicament, just before half time, Charlie Cameron took a contested mark 25m directly. He split the middle with set shot.

No relief in sight

With their season on the line, Brisbane was not about to up their thirty point half time lead. The onus was well and truly on the Dees to step up and reclaim the momentum.

Melbourne got the start they so desperately needed when Kade Chandler kicked a difficult set shot from deep in the pocket.

Unfortunately five minutes later Kai Lohmann dribbled the ball through traffic, on the edge of the square, stretching the lead back out to thirty two points in the process.

The Demons couldn’t get a break, with all decisions seemingly going Brisbane’s way. In addition, the Lions had set up their base camp in Melbourne’s defensive 50 and showed no signs of moving on. The gap grew to thirty nine points after Hugh MacLuggage tapped in a second from inside the goal square.

Up the other end, nothing was working for the Dees. There was an abundance of missteps and miskicks.

It only got more painful for fans of the red and the blue when Charlie Cameron stole a handpass on the edge of the square, before running around to the front and snapping from 10m.

Melbourne manages to stem the carnage

With a game high margin of forty three points, only the most fanatically optimistic Demon fan expected Melbourne to prevail. Still, you have to hope. Ben Brown gave us a fighting chance with his impressive contested mark and accurate set shot.

However Brisbane douse the flames of fans’ enthusiasm when they quickly took possession after the hitout and got the ball to Zac Bailey, who then snapped a goal from 15m in front. Charlie Cameron put the result beyond doubt when he marked inside 50 and out ran Jake Lever, before tapping in the ball from the edge of the square.

Max Gawn helped soothe the blow for Melbourne fans when he marked in the pocket and converted the set shot. The Dees then won the bounce and Jacob van Rooyen took a contested mark inside 50. His 30m set shot reduced the margin to thirty six points. Bailey Fritsch further eased the pain when he kicked his second from a 40m set shot, but with only three minutes left on the clock, it provided only the faintest of hopes.

In a bonus for traumatised spectators and viewers, Jake Lever scored a very rare goal after he was awarded a 50m penalty, allowing him to kick from point blank range

We played Richmond in our Anzac Eve game. We were victorious in the same clash last season but with both teams returning from a bye, anything could happen. However, if I was a betting man, I’d put the farm on Melbourne.

Go the Mighty Dees!!!

Round 4

Liam Chambers

Low scoring first quarter

After last week’s nailbiter, the Dees opted to extend their stay in SA, in order to prepare for the Round 4 clash with the Crows. Although winless in 2024, Adelaide have caused more than a few nervous moments for Demon fans over the years. That last minute one point loss in our premiership winning year anyone?

Harrison Petty is slowly returning to form and proved how dangerous he can be in front of goal by almost taking a one handed mark. He was awarded a free kick anyway, as he was deemed to have been held. His successful set shot was the opening goal of Gather Round.

The next major was a long time coming, but when it did, it was brilliant in its simplicity. Izac Rankine scooped up the low ball, zig zagged around the Dees’ defence, then snapped from point blank.
If Rankine made his goal look easy, up the other end Kysaiah Pickett’s banana bend off the outside of his right boot was simply genius.

In a term of few goals, the Crows took the lead with ten seconds left on the clock, after Darcy Fogarty marked the ball on the edge of the goal square.

Playing see saw with the scoreboard

Melbourne had the wind advantage going into the second quarter but was unable to add to its goal tally; notching up five consecutive minor scores in the opening ten minutes. Then Christian Petracca broke the drought by collecting the ball in the pocket, spinning around and snapping the goal; giving his side back the lead.

Rory Laird redressed the balance when he marked in the pocket and converted.

Kade Chandler has been in good form so far this year, taking on the challenge when faced with difficult kicks. His 50m set shot from close to the boundary line was pitch perfect and Melbourne was ahead again.

When Kozzie Pickett’s in the mix, it’s never boring, as he proved yet again when he ran into the pack, collected the ground ball, turned, then snapped. The result was never in doubt. Back to back goals for the Demons.

Jacob van Rooyen made it three in a row for Melbourne when he marked 30m in front. Adelaide’s Mark Keane made sure the goal was a certainty by giving away a 50m penalty for Umpire dissent.

Fritsch picks up the tempo

Bailey Fritsch was having a quiet night before he opened his account, and the second half scoring, when his 30m set shot, directly in front, sailed through. After that goal, Melbourne had the chance to potentially put the game further out of Adelaide’s reach but squandered some good chances.

At some point during most Crows’ games, Taylor (Tex) Walker makes his presence felt and this match was no exception. His contested mark and subsequent 25m set shot, put the hosts back within three goals of the Demons.

Fritsch stretch the lead out to twenty six points when he marked 60m from goal, then ran on and launched from the 50m arc. The ball landed in the square and bounced across the line. He wasn’t done yet though, and the high scoring Demon racked up his hat trick for the quarter when his 45m set shot hit the target.

With a buffer of thirty two points, Melbourne appeared to be cruising.

Then, when the Crows looked to be on the canvas, they kicked a goal against the run of play, after Tex Walker marked 20m out, then hand passed to Ben Keays, allowing the forward to run in the goal. Suddenly the Crows were fired up and the fans were on their feet.

They sat down again when van Rooyen took a mark on the edge of the square and kicked the set shot.

Darcy Fogarty had them up again with his outstanding set shot from deep in the pocket.

Max Gawn had a chance with his own set shot but sent it slightly wide. The Dees were again notching up the minor scores as Jack Billings hit the upright. Overall though, Melbourne would have been happy with a twenty eight point lead at three quarter time.

Crows’ revival comes late in the game

The Crows needed to move quickly if they intended to run down the Dees in the final term. Conversely, Melbourne couldn’t rest on their laurels if they wanted to put the contest beyond doubt early in the quarter.

Despite, or perhaps because both sides were fighting so hard for supremacy, the first goal wasn’t kicked until mid-way through the term. Much to the delight of the home crowd, it was Adelaide’s captain Jordan Dawson who took the contested mark on the edge of the square. He didn’t miss and the margin was cut to twenty two points. Though Adelaide was still in contention, it would take a very impressive comeback to kick another four unanswered goals.

There was some concerned looking faces amongst the Demon faithful however, when a mistake in defence allowed Josh Rachelle to snap an around the corner set shot, closing the gap to fifteen points.

Adelaide almost had a second in quick succession, but a case of friendly fire between team mates meant Melbourne dodged a bullet and was able to rush behind the ball, conceding a minor point. Still the Crows kept attacking. Fortunately the Dees were up to the challenge.

In an interesting twist, Kysaiah Pickett was stranded on the sidelines, unable to participate, for over six minutes. When he eventually made it back on ground, he had a half chance which failed to hit the target. It seemed like everything that Melbourne threw at their opponents was missing the mark.

In the end, the Dees prevailed, and the win meant a return to the top of the table, albeit temporarily.

Next week we’re back at the MCG to take on the Brisbane Lions. Last’s years runners up in the Grand Final have only had one win so far in 2024, though that statistic doesn’t mean Melbourne won’t have to work hard for victory.

Go the Mighty Dees!!!