Some Home truths..

[buck_nekkid 5,461]

We are an absolute rabble at the moment. In summary:

1. Demons have no gameplan - Run and carry? Not one player seems to have a clue what to do with it.

2. Injuries are hurting us - no ones fault, but collectively costly.

3. Coaching seems limited and without any inventiveness (no plan B???)

4. They are weak as p&&&. Last year Dees were one of the hardest at it. This year many players dropped kilos over the preseason (to run the pants off the opposition) and now are soft. Can't hold a tackle, and cant break them.

5. No confidence and selfish play

6. Youngsters not selected - either not good enough, not ready, or.......

Who is going to take RESPONSIBILITY for these failures?

Who is going to stand up and turn it around????

It is going to be a long, painful, season.

[Guest baysidedave]

We are an absolute rabble at the moment. In summary:

1. Demons have no gameplan - Run and carry? Not one player seems to have a clue what to do with it.

2. Injuries are hurting us - no ones fault, but collectively costly.

3. Coaching seems limited and without any inventiveness (no plan B???)

4. They are weak as p&&&. Last year Dees were one of the hardest at it. This year many players dropped kilos over the preseason (to run the pants off the opposition) and now are soft. Can't hold a tackle, and cant break them.

5. No confidence and selfish play

6. Youngsters not selected - either not good enough, not ready, or.......

Who is going to take RESPONSIBILITY for these failures?

Who is going to stand up and turn it around????

It is going to be a long, painful, season.

yep, we are crap,crap,crap and ND has to go

[71 Molloy 266]

The most disheartning thing for me is the fact that in an injury crisis such as this so far we have gained nothing. In despirate times we have turned to the same old slop merchants that will never get us anywhere.

We have lost a game but what have we got from it? Would have been nice to at least been able to say maybe today we had a glimpse of the future with a couple of kids who showed something.

I feel empty.

[Geddy Lee 582]

The most disheartning thing for me is the fact that in an injury crisis such as this so far we have gained nothing. In despirate times we have turned to the same old slop merchants that will never get us anywhere.

We have lost a game but what have we got from it? Would have been nice to at least been able to say maybe today we had a glimpse of the future with a couple of kids who showed something.

I feel empty.

Slop merchants. I couldn't have put it better myself.

I feel empty too, there's probably only about 20 years left until the AFL is completely revolutionised and the Melbourne Demons are bastardized.

[Gorgoroth 12,308]

abysmal! that about sums it all up

we cant run in a straight line anymore

[Jaded No More 57,744]

We have lost a game but what have we got from it? Would have been nice to at least been able to say maybe today we had a glimpse of the future with a couple of kids who showed something.

I feel empty.

Yep, it would have been nice to see someone like Newton or Buckley or Petterd show something, instead of a whole collection of hacks show nothing.

For some reason, Daniher thinks that playing the kids is a sign of giving up. What he doesn't realise, is that his depth is completely ordinary.

We can't do anything about the injury list. It's shocking, and it's growing by the minute. What we can do, is make some use of this time to try and unearth new players. It's not as if playing these has-been players is going to get us the win.

PJ at CHB... well at least it's something different, and he didn't do too badly.

Would have been great to see some more positive moves like that, instead of the same old "White to FF", "Godfrey on the wing" etc etc.

[michael17seddon 0]

playing kids including 3 debuants didnt seem to hurt the filth on friday night.

[Gorgoroth 12,308]

exactly and lets face it some of these kids showed something in the nab cup so its not like we are just throwing any old kid in

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

It's hard for the players to get excited when they have Ferguson, Holland and Godfrey to kick it to.

How about you throw in the guy nicknamed "Freak" by his teammates, that might create a bit of interest.

[demoniac 1,243]

The 2007 season is over. The Daniher era is over.

Definite concerns over game plan, skill level, desperation and intensity. 3 goals conceded directly from clangers in the first quarter alone.

Paul Johnson mounting 3 consecutive chases from the half back flank to the wing with absolutely no assistance. Disgraceful.

Positives

Paul Johnson showed enough to demonstrate he has the mobility to be a key defender on oppostion big units - and he is also a smart footballer with good skills.

Nathan Jones' intensity.

Jamar was better at centre bounces than last week and showed some signs that he can be a threat up forward.

Bell runs straight and is one of the few who seems to be bale to break tackles.

[Geddy Lee 582]

Bell runs straight and is one of the few who seems to be bale to break tackles.

Well he got caught trying to break tackles about 100 times in his last two seasons, so about bloody time he got the knack of it (and I'm speaking as a fan of him!).

[Gorgoroth 12,308]

but atleast he is still trying to run straight instead of backwards handballing and running around in circles

[Geddy Lee 582]

but atleast he is still trying to run straight instead of backwards handballing and running around in circles

He's still young, he will learn ND's gameplan over time lol.

[Red and Blue Flame 142]

yep, we are crap,crap,crap and ND has to go

absolutley right. Daniher has to go. 10 th season and no flag. I've been wanting him out the past two years as i think 8 years and no flag is enough. Get hopefully John longmire to take over in 2008, we'll get some good draft picks and get everyone fit and on the track. Hopefully no more injuries fingers crossed. I think we need to blood more sandy boys into the senior team i.e Newton, Petterd, Garland ect. Hopefully blokes like Byron, Col Slyvia, Dunny can get into the side soon. Brad Miller, Moloney and Jones are looking good, only ones going in for it. Brucey, Green, junior are honest tryers. Trav was better today, and Davey a slight improvement but had no impact on the game. White is gone, cannot ruck under new rules, past his best. Johnson and Jamar need time in the ruck l, Johnson did well in the backline, very mobile...White's only hope is up forward. Bell is getting better. We look very slow and aren't hungry, and there is no passion, no celebrating the goals early on. Things are looking very shaky and yes, we are in for a long painful season.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Yep, it would have been nice to see someone like Newton or Buckley or Petterd show something, instead of a whole collection of hacks show nothing.

For some reason, Daniher thinks that playing the kids is a sign of giving up. What he doesn't realise, is that his depth is completely ordinary.

We can't do anything about the injury list. It's shocking, and it's growing by the minute. What we can do, is make some use of this time to try and unearth new players. It's not as if playing these has-been players is going to get us the win.

PJ at CHB... well at least it's something different, and he didn't do too badly.

Would have been great to see some more positive moves like that, instead of the same old "White to FF", "Godfrey on the wing" etc etc.

I'm as [censored] off as anyone. We were a rabble today and we are about rock bottom in every category.

Jaded none of Buckley, Pettard or Newton have shown any form at Sandringham to justify for selection. How about they justify selection? indeed both Buckley and Pettard are coming back from injury. As poor as the others were it does not suddenly make these better. THere is no evidence that ND thinks that playing the kids is a sign of giving up. He has got a few out there that have a few more kudos that ones selected and they are struggling.

Playing the kids because they are kids without having showing they can at least handle VFL is flying the white flag in round 3 and giving up the year. Honestly the side in total played so badly I doubt you would have any idea how any of the 3 young players would have gone. They would have been washed away in the flood.

However the extent of injuries to key player and the pitiful performance of many players who are regular players will get us there soon enough.

Ultimately if the performances dont turn around then the highest scapegoat will be the Coach prior to year end. It should be some of the players as well. The incoming coach should actively seek to "trade" some of alleged stars who are about as flaky and insipid as I have seen

We are still 4 to 8 weeks aways from getting top players back. Its going to be hard hard rocky road for next couple of weeks.

It will be interesting to see how the Board will handle this issue. I dont give a stuff about Press conferences. I am concerned what is happening behind closed doors where these issues should be responsibly played out.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

The 2007 season is over. The Daniher era is over.

......

Positives

Paul Johnson showed enough to demonstrate he has the mobility to be a key defender on oppostion big units - and he is also a smart footballer with good skills.

Nathan Jones' intensity.

Jamar was better at centre bounces than last week and showed some signs that he can be a threat up forward.

Bell runs straight and is one of the few who seems to be bale to break tackles.

I think that is right D.

However you positives are shallow at this point...

PJ is 200cm rover than cant mark. As good as a FF that cant kick.

Jamar is not up to it. FCS, the bronx cheer man at Geelong Blake even towelled our rucks.

[Red and Blue Flame 142]

your right with the playing the kids bit and the form ect..but, having said that..just to give them a taste of the footy is the whole idea behind it. If senior players arent chasing, running , hard..who cares if the vfl boys arent in form- at least they have been running, and a bit more passion is in that side.

[Gorgoroth 12,308]

rhino i do agree in some ways that id rather players earn their spot but seriously id rahter see atleast 1 in the side than ward, godfrey and the like who offer the same crap week in week out

[Red and Blue Flame 142]

condemned 84, godfrey at least tries his heart out. how players like ward and wheatley get a game each week is beyond me cos they do absolutley nothing for the side.

[classy dees 42]

I have never seen a team with worse footskills than i did today, and not only that, their decision making was deplorable, as well as their willingness to run and shephard and do all the small things.

no team will win a game of football, with holland, ferg, jamar, godfrey, miller, brown, ward

i'm not sure what we as a football club are aiming to achieve when we are using godfrey as an offensive midfielder. heart or no heart, his skills lets you down every time.

[Red and Blue Flame 142]

Whoa...Brad miller is one of our best. the way he presents up the ground is 10/10..he dishes it off well with the hands, yet its a shame he doesnt have a kick on him..but its fine cos he's a CHF. I agree with most of the rest bar godfrey again as he's our only tagger and tries hard. again, he doesn't have the skill. Ferg is alright, hasn't played afl for a while tho, but has a good spoil and contested mark on him.

[Jaded No More 57,744]

Jaded none of Buckley, Pettard or Newton have shown any form at Sandringham to justify for selection.

Would they have made a difference to the outcome? Nope, and I never said they would.

Would they at least given us an insight into their capabilities? Yes.

I know what I'm going to get from Wheatley, Ferguson, Brown, Holland, Godfrey... I don't know what Buckely can do at senior level. Who knows, maybe Newton would have done well.

How much form has Hawkins shown prior to his selection? How about the kids at Collingwood?

It's not as if the players who were brought in were absolutely dominating at VFL level. Buckley has had a very good pre-season and deserves a go. The other two may not be setting the world on fire, but these are desperate times.

At the end of the day, not only do we walk away with a humiliating loss, we are also more aware of just how shallow our experienced depth is. Just great!

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

rhino i do agree in some ways that id rather players earn their spot but seriously id rahter see atleast 1 in the side than ward, godfrey and the like who offer the same crap week in week out

While I know his limitations, Godfrey was not disgraced last week and in this injury depleted team justified his selection? So which of Pettard, Buckley and Newton would replace Ward on the HBF.

I think it grossly unfair to submit players who cannot master the standard at Sandy to be expected to stand tall when our senior season players are so so spineless and insipid.

A case of supporters selfish curiousity and knee jerk reactions rather than the best interests of the young player.

[Brockstar 1]

Whoa...Brad miller is one of our best. the way he presents up the ground is 10/10..he dishes it off well with the hands, yet its a shame he doesnt have a kick on him..but its fine cos he's a CHF. I agree with most of the rest bar godfrey again as he's our only tagger and tries hard. again, he doesn't have the skill. Ferg is alright, hasn't played afl for a while tho, but has a good spoil and contested mark on him.

Godders does his best with what he's got. If he had skills he'd be dangerous.

If only the more seasoned players had his attitude.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Would they have made a difference to the outcome? Nope, and I never said they would.

Would they at least give us an insight into their capabilities? Yes.

I know what I'm going to get from Wheatley, Ferguson, Brown, Holland, Godfrey... I don't know what Buckely can do at senior level. Who knows, maybe Newton would have done well.

How much form has Hawkins shown prior to his selection? How about the kids at Collingwood?

It's not as if the players who were brought in were absolutely dominating at VFL level. Buckley has had a very good pre-season and deserves a go. The other two may not be setting the world on fire, but these are desperate times.

At the end of the day, not only do we walk away with a humiliating loss, we are also more aware of just how shallow our experienced depth is.

Your approach is akin to sacrificing the season at Rd 3. What a disaster! You would get no idea of their capabilities because their teammates would not be there to assist.

Hawkins is an AAA recruit who has the physical development and the ability to cut it at the top level. He would have challenge Gibbs for top draft pick. What a F-S pick up that is! Its not indicative. The Collingwood players at least had some form and were not be thrown in to such a critically undermanned side as MFC. Indeed their opponents Richmond were nearly as bad as us.

Buckley and Pettard have both had injuries toward the end of pre season and have not even completed a full match at Sandy. You put your selfish desires to see these players ahead of their fair interests.