Mark Neeld

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Longest Gap Between Matches Against an Opponent: Kevin Sheedy (GWS) met Essendon for the first time since he was a player for Richmond in Round 17, 1978, on July 29. This gap of 33 years and 302 days is the longest gap in League history for any person between matches against one club. Fitzroy's Paddy Noonan played against Geelong in 1898, then coached North Melbourne against Geelong in 1929, a gap of 30 years, 355 days.

Both teams came into Round 3 with a 0-2 record and were feeling the heat for different reasons. Demons' coach Mark Neeld had been under siege after a poor start to his AFL coaching career, taking over a team considered Finals contenders at the start of the previous season. The coaching change was supposed to inject new life into the Demon line-up but the results so far had been disappointing to say the least. On the other side of the coin, Richmond shared the dreaded 0-2 record. However both losses were to highly touted opponents in Carlton and Collingwood. There had been enough positive football played by the Tigers to suggest they could still improve on their 12th position finish from last season but a loss to the struggling Demons would no doubt have loyal supporters and the media lamenting yet another season of unfulfilled promise.

Melbourne has had a tough time against the West Coast Eagles over the years, particularly when traveling to their fortress, Patersons Stadium, winning only eight times in the last 28 matches. The Demons were trounced last week in an emotional game after the passing of their club President and playing hero Jim Stynes. Today was another serving of the same medicine as the Eagles went all out to crush their spirit.