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\u2018THIS IS WHAT\u2019S POSSIBLE\u2019: COACH\u2019S \u2018REMARKABLE\u2019 START A BLUEPRINT FOR RIVAL STRUGGLERS<\/p>\n
Steven King walked into a football club that had endured a tumultuous few seasons, primarily off the field and, more recently, on the field.<\/p>\n
Eight games into his first AFL coaching stint and King has not only delivered results beyond many pundits\u2019 pre-season expectations, but been able get Melbourne players to buy in to a new game plan and culture immediately.<\/p>\n
The Demons have been one of the biggest surprise packets of the 2026 AFL season to date, sitting seventh on the ladder with a 5-3 record.<\/p>\n
Outside of a shock Gather Round loss to Essendon, the Demons have been competitive in every game, with wins coming against the likes of St Kilda, Gold Coast and Brisbane.<\/p>\n
They went down to the Swans last weekend by 17 points. Despite losing to Sydney, dual All-Australian Leigh Montagna told Fox Footy\u2019s First Crack the Demons showed \u201cas much character, who they are as a footy side and what they stand for as any other game this season\u201d.<\/p>\n
The Swans, who went into the game ranked No.1 for least points conceded, conceded 114 points to Melbourne, which has reached triple figures in six of their eight games so far this season.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m disappointed with the result but I\u2019m also really proud of the group for fighting it out,\u201d King told reporters post-match<\/p>\n
\u201cIt could have easily gone away from us today \u2026 as a coach, to have a group of players that are willing to fight and scrap to the death and never give in \u2013 I think if you take that away from the game, it\u2019s a pretty proud moment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Steven King embraces Jack Steele after Melbourne’s Round 1 win over St Kilda at the MCG on March 15, 2026 (Photo by Quinn Rooney\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Melbourne\u2019s never-say-die attitude against the Swans \u2013 widely regarded as a genuine premiership contender this year \u2013 left Montagna mightily impressed.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou talk about a coach and what he\u2019s been able to do, I can\u2019t think of a coach that has started his coaching career better than what Steven King has done,\u201d Montagna told First Crack. \u201cIn regards to selling his players a vision and a plan \u2013 and then buying into it and believing it so early and seeing it so evidently \u2013 it\u2019s remarkable.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd that\u2019s on top of what he\u2019s had to go through, moving on two of the all-time club greats in Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver, the big decision to say \u2018we don\u2019t want Steven May at our footy club anymore\u2019, what\u2019s happened with (ex-CEO) Paul Guerra.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a fractured and unhappy football club that now look like they are enjoying their football as much as they ever have.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Demons\u2019 offence has been humming this reason, ranking fourth for points scored. Personnel-wise, King has impressed with his magnet spinning, with Max Heath\u2019s increased ruck exposure and Caleb Windsor\u2019s midfield minutes paying dividends.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s still another 15 games to play, but the Demons are now well set up to finish inside the top 10.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just think it\u2019s been a wonderful display of coaching and maybe for some of the (struggling) clubs \u2026 they can be looking at Melbourne and going: \u2018This is what\u2019s possible,\u2019\u201d Montagna said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt can turn around pretty quick if you have the right person at the helm and the players all believe and buy-in to the same vision.\u201d<\/p>\n
King proud despite defeat | 08:41<\/p>\n
\u2018UNLIKELY HERO\u2019 THAT\u2019S RELEASED DUO\u2019S SHACKLES<\/p>\n
As frustrating as it\u2019s been for St Kilda fans, players and officials, there\u2019s a possible silver lining to Max King\u2019s frustrating, consistent injury setbacks.<\/p>\n
For in King\u2019s absence, an \u201cunlikely hero\u201d has emerged.<\/p>\n
With King yet to play an AFL game this season \u2013 and now set to spend more time on the sidelines after his recent hamstring strain in the VFL \u2013 ample responsibility has been on the shoulders of Cooper Sharman and Mitch Owens inside 50.<\/p>\n
And while Owens had been consistent across his first six games \u2013 he kicked 11.10 \u2013 Sharman had managed seven majors and wasn\u2019t getting much of the ball.<\/p>\n
Enter Anthony Caminiti, whose return to the forward line in the past fortnight has released the shackles on Owens and, especially, Sharman.<\/p>\n
In the past two games, Sharman has kicked four goals and averaged 18.5 disposals, 5.5 marks and 4.0 score insists. He recorded a whopping 13 score involvements in both Saints wins over West Coast and Carlton.<\/p>\n
Owens against Carlton was also dangerous, booting 3.2 from 17 disposals and seven marks \u2013 of which four were taken inside forward 50.<\/p>\n
While Caminiti\u2019s stats across the past two matches aren\u2019t glorious \u2013 he\u2019s managed just one goal from and averaged 4.5 disposals \u2013 his presence alone has released the burden on his key-position teammates.<\/p>\n
Lyon hails Saints after big Carlton win | 06:48<\/p>\n
\u201cOne factor I think had made a difference \u2013 and I\u2019m calling it \u2018The Caminiti Effect\u2019 \u2013 because Caminiti has come back in the last two weeks as a key forward. What that has done is the flow-on effect of the other players in the forward line,\u201d dual All-Australian Leigh Montagna told Fox Footy\u2019s First Crack.<\/p>\n
\u201cInstead of Cooper Sharman and Mitch Owens having to be the No.1 and 2 forwards and really struggling \u2013 and they were through Rounds 2 to 5 \u2013 the last couple of weeks, they\u2019re starting to get back to playing the footy that the club expected \u2013 because they didn\u2019t have to be the main men in the forward line. It was meant to be King, but now coming back into the side it\u2019s Caminiti.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving the tall in there to take a player like (Jacob) Weitering and allow Sharman to then play on a player like Nick Haynes \u2013 the second and third tall forwards \u2013 it\u2019s made a big difference to the forward line and the way they\u2019ve gone about it.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately it would be Max King who\u2019d be that player instead of Caminiti, but St Kilsda aren\u2019t going to get that for a number of weeks.<\/p>\n
\u201c(But) it also means they haven\u2019t had to play Rowan Marshall or Tom De Koning for long stints as a forward. They were able to play more on and off the bench \u2026 so when they went into the ruck, they were fresher and I think it had an impact on their performance as well and do more around the ruck contest.\u201d<\/p>\n
Herald Sun chief football reporter Jay Clark added Caminiti was the \u201cunlikely hero\u201d for St Kilda.<\/p>\n
The Saints\u2019 credentials, though, will be severely tested over the next five weeks, with a series of tough matches scheduled: Gold Coast (in Darwin), Fremantle (in Perth), Hawthorn and Sydney (at the SCG). <\/p>\n
That\u2019s a proper litmus test.<\/p>\n
St Kilda\u2019s \u201cunlikely hero\u201d of 2026 \u2014 Cooper Sharman (Photo by Michael Willson via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
LEGEND HITS BACK AT \u2018UGLY\u2019 MCKAY TREATMENT<\/p>\n
As Ben McKay prepares to come up against star Giants forwards Jesse Hogan and Aaron Cadman, Hall of Fame legend Leigh Matthews has hit back at Essendon\u2019s \u201cugly\u201d treatment of its own player.<\/p>\n
McKay copped Bronx cheers from Essendon supporters during an ineffective five-disposal game in last week\u2019s 64-point loss to Brisbane.<\/p>\n
The loudest jeers came when the defender took an intercept mark in the fourth quarter which Fox Footy commentators couldn\u2019t ignore.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not sure if that was a positive cheer,\u201d former West Coast coach Adam Simpson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBit of a whipping boy today. He hasn\u2019t done a lot wrong. Just hasn\u2019t done a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n
Saints legend Leigh Montagna responded: \u201cHe\u2019s only had the four disposals, but that\u2019s not his role.\u201d<\/p>\n
Matthews wasn\u2019t a fan. <\/p>\n
On Fox Footy On the Couch\u2019s \u2018Good, Bad and Ugly\u2019 segment, Matthews had it as a \u201cbad ugly\u201d and poor look from Bombers fans.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s bad enough to get booed by the opposition. But getting booed by your own supporters, I reckon that is off,\u201d Matthews said on the program.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a really ugly thing from the Essendon supporters.<\/p>\n
\u201cBen McKay had a bad game, but he didn\u2019t deserve that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben McKay of the Bombers looks dejected after the Round 8 AFL match between Essendon Bombers and Brisbane Lions at Marvel Stadium, on May 2, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Essendon coach Brad Scott defended the 27-year old post-match. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat was funny, that, I didn\u2019t think it was Bronx cheers and maybe it was, maybe it wasn\u2019t, but he was the leading intercept defender on the ground for the most part of the game. He was really, really important for us tonight,\u201d Scott said in his press conference.<\/p>\n
\u201cBen McKay has all the attributes of a really good key defender. He\u2019s got great size, he\u2019s big and strong, he can play on all the key forwards.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd the thing is with key defenders, when you have breakdowns all over the ground defensively, it\u2019s usually the last line key defenders that get hung out to dry. And we hung them out to dry last week.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we can\u2019t keep improving our system, Ben McKay\u2019s a really important part of what we\u2019re doing and I have great belief in his capability.\u201d<\/p>\n
The criticism comes after McKay Essendon as a free agent in 2024 on a heavily front-loaded six-year deal that was believed to be worth as much $1.5 million in the first season.<\/p>\n
Scott to take advantage of Lions saga | 01:47<\/p>\n
\u2018WATCH\u2019 ON HAWKS STAR<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a \u201cwatch\u201d on rising Hawthorn star Josh Weddle. One area of his game, in particular.<\/p>\n
Weddle is one of the most highly-regarded young players in the competition and a key part of the Hawks\u2019 budding nucleus.<\/p>\n
Evidenced by Essendon coming hard for the 21-year old with a mega seven-year, $10 million offer, before Weddle re-signed with Hawthorn.<\/p>\n
But while the third-placed Hawks are flying, Weddle is yet to really hit his straps in 2026. <\/p>\n
He\u2019s posting a career-low 6.8 player rating through eight matches with just one coaches vote and just isn\u2019t quite impacting games like we\u2019ve seen in the past. <\/p>\n
His role as Sam Mitchell\u2019s Swiss Army knife that gets thrown into multiple positions can be tricky. Perhaps we won\u2019t see the best of Weddle until he settles into a role permanently.<\/p>\n
And right now he has the yips in front of goal.<\/p>\n
Weddle has averaged a career-high 2.3 shots at goal this season \u2014 more than double his career average \u2014 but he\u2019s converting just 22 per cent of shots. <\/p>\n
That\u2019s well down on his goalkicking accuracy returns in 2024 (45 per cent), 2024 (52 per cent) and 2023 (66 per cent).<\/p>\n
It included Weddle kicking 0.2 in last week\u2019s draw against Collingwood in a game the Hawks wayward 13.15 conversion proved costly.<\/p>\n
And though Hawthorn (32.5) is ranked second in the AFL to Sydney (34.5) in shots at goal this season, Sam Mitchell\u2019s men are rated in the bottom-third for accuracy (45.8 per cent) in front of the big sticks.<\/p>\n
\u201cJosh Weddle\u2019s kicking and where his ranking currently is in the AFL is a watch for Sam Mitchell,\u201d three-time Coleman medallist Jack Riewoldt said on Fox Footy\u2019s On the Couch.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis goalkicking is so, so poor.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019 was 99th in 2024 and 94th in 2025, but this year he\u2019s 273rd for a very important piece in Sam Mitchell\u2019s puzzle.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019d want to get more out of Josh Weddle.\u201d<\/p>\n
ROUND 9 AFL FIXTURE AND FOX FOOTY COMMENTATORS<\/p>\n
FREMANTLE vs HAWTHORN<\/p>\n
Thursday May 7, 8.10pm at Optus Stadium<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 7.00pm on Channel 504, hosted by Sarah Jones, Jason Dunstall, Leigh Montagna and Jon Ralph, with commentary from Matt Hill, Mark Howard, Jack Riewoldt, David King, Kath Loughnan and Will Schofield.<\/p>\n
BRISBANE LIONS vs CARLTON<\/p>\n
Friday May 8, 7.30pm at The Gabba<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 6.30pm on Channel 504, hosted by Garry Lyon, Tom Hawkins, Jordan Lewis and Jon Ralph, with commentary from Anthony Hudson, Gerard Whateley, Jason Dunstall, Alastair Lynch and Ruby Schleicher\ufeff.<\/p>\n
PORT ADELAIDE vs WESTERN BULLDOGS<\/p>\n
Friday May 8, 8.10pm at Adelaide Oval<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 8.00pm on Channel 503, with Dwayne Russell, Mark Riccuito, Shaun Burgoyne and Ben Dixon.<\/p>\n
NORTH MELBOURNE vs SYDNEY SWANS<\/p>\n
Saturday May 9, 1.15pm at Marvel Stadium<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 12.30pm on Channel 504, with Mark Howard, Jack Riewoldt, Cameron Mooney and Sarah Jones.<\/p>\n
GWS GIANTS vs ESSENDON<\/p>\n
Saturday May 9, 4.15pm at ENGIE Stadium<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 4.00pm on Channel 504, with Leigh Montagna, Brad Johnson, Nick Dal Santo and Ruby Schleicher.<\/p>\n
GOLD COAST SUNS vs ST KILDA<\/p>\n
Saturday May 9, 7.10pm at TIO Stadium, Darwin<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 7.00pm on Channel 503, with Dwayne Russell, Kelli Underwood, Gerard Healy, Adam Simpson and Alastair Lynch.<\/p>\n
GEELONG CATS vs COLLINGWOOD<\/p>\n
Saturday May 9, 7.35pm at MCG<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 7.00pm on Channel 504, hosted by Kath Loughnan, David King, Jack Riewoldt and Jay Clark, with commentary from Anthony Hudson, Jason Dunstall and Garry Lyon.<\/p>\n
MELBOURNE vs WEST COAST EAGLES<\/p>\n
Sunday May 10, 1.10pm at Marvel Stadium<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 12.30pm on Channel 504, with Dwayne Russell, Jess Webster, Brad Johnson, Nick Dal Santo, Ben Dixon and David Zita.<\/p>\n
RICHMOND vs ADELAIDE CROWS<\/p>\n
Sunday May 10, 3.20pm at the MCG<\/p>\n
How to watch on Fox Footy: From 7.00pm on Channel 503, with Matt Hill, Gerard Healy, Jordan Lewis, Eddie Betts and David Zita.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"In his first year at the helm of a fallen Victorian club, one AFL coach has spearheaded 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