THE CASE FOR THE DEFENCE

by The Oracle

Melbourne was no match for the second placed Western Bulldogs at Telstra Dome on Sunday but the score line of 14.11.95 to 9.10.64 served to emphasise that the team is on the improve.

The Demons kept the Doggies down to their lowest score of the season in a performance that was light years in advance of the dismal effort put up when it met the same opponent earlier in the year in round 2 at the MCG. Back then, the number 95 also figured – but it represented the margin between the teams at the end of the game.

In those days, the Melbourne line up resembled more closely that of the bygone era of the previous coaching regime whereas what we see now is a team developing under the mark of a new coach with a different philosophy. That is not to say that the group who took the field at Telstra Dome is ready to lead the club out of the wilderness and into a new era of success but rather, that it is starting to represent the shape of things to come.

For one reason or another, the following players who wore the Demon colours back on the last Sunday in March were not there by mid-July:

Jace Bode, Nathan Carroll, Aaron Davey, James McDonald, Brock McLean, David Neitz, Russell Robertson, Isaac Weetra and Jeff White

They were replaced by this group:

Matthew Bate, Mark Jamar, Chris Johnson, Stefan Martin, Michael Newton, Shane Valenti, Matthew Warnock, Matthew Whelan and Austin Wonaemirri.

The new look Demon side is by no means perfect. Against the Bullies, it was a battle early just to get a score on the board and it managed to do so only thanks to a goal square infringement on Lynden Dunn late in the first quarter.

They then struggled hard for the next quarter and a half to stay in touch with the Bulldogs whose season to date has been highlighted by its added strength, consistency and a potent attack that surpassed 100 points in every one of the first thirteen rounds and narrowly missed the ton in their last game a fortnight earlier. Early in the third term the margin between the sides had narrowed to 14 points but half an hour later, a blow out threatened.

The Melbourne of March would have laid down and submitted but the new Demons of July were prepared to fight to hold their own - even when the dishlickers pushed the lead to 49 points early in the final term. The result was still a defeat of a dimension that should be regarded as totally unacceptable (even if it was such an improvement on paper), but also one that could have been far less but for the turnovers and some errors in front of goal, particularly in the final term.

The bulk of the team's improvement from March can be measured in terms of defensive efforts. Dunn is already gaining recognition as a stopper. Despite Adam Cooney breaking away from him to get the first clearance of the game and setting up a goal in the opening minute, he nullified the effectiveness of the Bulldog's Brownlow aspirant throughout the day. Daniel Bell had a good duel with Brad Johnson and constantly frustrated him. Perhaps, if he has learned one thing from his latest stint in the VFL, it is how to shadow an opponent.

Others in defence who played strongly were Matthew Whelan and the new breed in Colin Garland and Matthew Warnock who had an impressive new mate in Stef Martin who gave the club added height in the last line defence. It was all not enough to prevent a dangerous attack from kicking the winning score but put another 30 or 40 games into their legs and then we'll see something.

So there is a case for the Demon defence but alas, even if developing this area is the first building block towards an improved team, there is still a long way to go for the Demons. The rucks, led by Mark Jamar dominated the hit outs but the midfielders were dominated in the clearances. They certainly missed Brock McLean and Aaron Davey but the former won't be seen till next year so there's a lot of work to do in this area. This is particularly so with their disposal of the football and their decision making which was horrible.

That said you could understand exactly why the forward line was so starved of opportunities that it failed (albeit by 2 points) to match its round 2 total against the Bulldogs. This time around however, it was Brad Miller and not Russell Robertson kicking the junk time goals. Brad Green was dangerous when he was up forward but Colin Sylvia and Austin Wonaemirri were well covered and they were dragged too far away from the goals to be effective. Michael Newton, on his return after three months of languishing outside the team with injuries and a slow return through the Zebra reserves and seniors provided a target of sorts and took some strong marks but they were often taken in positions where goals were not going to result and, in any event, his kicking was generally below standard. Still, it was his first game back and he must be persevered with. Perhaps, some confidence and a more lively approach to his game, could see him produce something special in the final phase of the season.

The final phase starts on Sunday when the team travels to Perth for a rematch with the Dockers who were its first of two victims to date this year. The last seven matches on the club's appointment board present six against teams in the bottom eight and (go figure this) three of which its has yet to meet this year. I fully expect the Demons to be off the bottom of the ladder even before the opening bounce of the game, courtesy of what will be the inevitable slaughter of Freo's cross town rival on Saturday night. A win would mark a meteoric rise in one week from last to 14th place on the ladder for a team that lost its first two games by an aggregate of 199 points and always looked to be the likely wooden spooner – until now.

Melbourne 1.0.6 4.2.26 5.6.36 9.10.64

Western Bulldogs 3.2.20 7.4.46 12.7.79 14.11.95

Goals

Melbourne Miller 3 Green 2 Buckley Dunn C Johnson Newton

Western Bulldogs Akermanis Minson 3 Eagleton Giansiracusa Hahn 2 Cross Harbrow

Best

Melbourne Bruce Garland C Johnson Wheatley Martin Miller

Western Bulldogs Cross Boyd Lake Gilbee Akermanis Eagleton Hill Everitt

Injuries

Melbourne nil

Western Bulldogs nil

Changes

Melbourne nil

Western Bulldogs Welsh (back) out replaced in selected side by Wight

Reports nil

Umpires Farmer McLaren Keating

Crowd 27,446 at Telstra Dome