FIND out what’s being said about the club in the major daily newspapers on Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Herald Sun

Take my Rising Star award, Blease
By AAP

MELBOURNE midfielder Sam Blease was dogged by injury in the early part of his career, but has overcome the setbacks to be named the Rising Star nominee for Round 23. Blease starred for the Demons in their 30-point win against Gold Coast at the MCG on Sunday, with 22 kicks and six marks. The 20-year-old has only played four senior games for the club since debuting against the Western Bulldogs in Round 15. Melbourne's caretaker coach Todd Viney said he wasn't the only one "rapt" by Blease's stellar performance at the weekend. "You can just hear the crowd get really excited when he starts to take off and you see him run and bounce and take the game on," Viney said. "He's going to be a really good player for us."

The Age

Demon on the rise ... and some other players who may yet shine
By Emma Quayle

SAM Blease wondered, only a few months after he was drafted by Melbourne three years ago, if he would ever get to play an AFL game. A broken leg suffered in the schoolyard ate away at both the teenager's body and mind, and it wasn't until round 15 this year that his speedy legs got put to use on the Demons' half-back line. Blease became the round 23 nomination for next week's Rising Star award yesterday, paving the way for the annual logjam of highly deserving youngsters. Here are some of the players jostling for the last seat at this year's function.