by Whispering Jack

Melbourne finished off its 2009 pre season campaign on a disappointing note when it failed to score in the appalling conditions that prevailed in the last quarter of its NAB Challenge against the Bulldogs at Casey Fields yesterday. The word "apalling" may not be entirely appropriate because what appeared to be the arrival of Cyclone Hamish direct from Cairns did herald an end to the state's bushfires. Unfortunately, it also put paid to any chance Melbourne had of winning this game. The Western Bulldogs had the advantage of cyclonic conditions and kicked 5.6 for the term to storm home by 38 points but the result was in no way indicative of how the game was played.

For the first three quarters the Demons took it right up to last year's beaten preliminary finalists who fielded virtually a full squad while the Melbourne was without injured players Paul Johnson, Jack Grimes, Russell Robertson, Paul Wheatley, Austin Wonaemirri, Mark Jamar and Matthew Whelan as well as the suspended Colin Sylvia. It lost Ricky Petterd (corked hip), Daniel Bell (broken thumb) and Aaron Davey (bruised heel) at various stages during the course of the game.

That is not making excuses but rather stating fact although I'm not sure whether any of the individuals who were out could have made a difference. The circumstances did however, make a mockery of the result and the 38 point blow out.

It was an even first half in which the highly skilled Bulldogs dominated for the first ten minutes before Melbourne settled down and played some good, positive team football. The Western Bulldogs then started getting on top during the third quarter before a two goal Brad Green inspired comeback got Melbourne to within two points at the final break. I sensed that the Demons were going to be hard put to win anyway in the face of a more precise and skilful opponent but the changed conditions which gave the Doggies a distinct wind advantage made it a certainty. It's ironic that we've experienced such a severe drought and yet the team has had to brave such shocking conditions for two weeks in a row. In the end, it must have had an effect on the legs.

The point however, is that last year Melbourne might have held its own for one quarter and been beaten for three quarters in a game like that but yesterday, the team was more than competitive for three quarters. I think that's a significant factor when looking at the season to come. They are not going to be world beaters but they will win more than their three games of 2008.

As in previous weeks, the obvious improvement came from the defence. Colin Garland continues to shine and he is well backed up by Matthew Warnock, Stef Martin, James Frawley, Kyle Cheney, Clint Bartram and Jamie Bennell. This group probably averages no more than a dozen AFL games but they are moulding into a strong, compact hard working defensive unit. It's exactly what you need to launch a campaign to get your team off the deck. The addition of Jared Rivers who got through a full game for the first time in eons will be an important added bonus.

I was really impressed with Bennell's first half. He has poise, skill and a natural football brain. But defenders also must keep their opponents in check as the slightest amount of latitude given to an opponent at this level can be deadly. I think he might have learned that lesson yesterday.

The midfield performed reasonably well for the first three quarters. Brock McLean (who looked like an alien with his shaven head), James McDonald, Nathan Jones and Brent Moloney worked hard to get an advantage in the clearances but they still need to improve on their awareness and disposal skills coming out of the packs. Against this level of opposition, turnovers will always hurt you and unfortunately, the Demons had a few too many unforced turnovers in this area.

Cale Morton, Daniel Bell, Cameron Bruce and Lynden Dunn all added support without being spectacular but like most of the team, went missing in the deluge (at least Bell had an excuse - he was off the ground injured!). Simon Buckley gave this division the benefit of some added run and will be an important player in 2009 while Green played a superb game both in the midfield and in attack.

Jake Spencer was beaten by a strong Bulldog ruck combination but he worked hard and made Hudson and Minson earn their keep. He can only improve and looks set to lead the Demon rucks into the first third of the season. John Meesen tried but is not up to this standard.

The attacking division remains problematic. Brad Miller cost the team a certain goal with his tantrum after Kyle Cheney had been awarded a fifty metre penalty. Miller remonstrated long and hard until the decision was reversed and then added insult to injury by giving away another fifty. This altered the tempo of the play at a time when the Demons were challenging to take the ascendency and Miller went missing for the rest of the game. I have no problem with flying the flag but this just wasn't smart at all. Matthew Bate had an off day. Michael Newton had his moments and was good but only in patches. At times he ran hard and chased hard and did well in conditions that would not have suited him. At other times, he seemed uninterested and didn't attack the ball hard enough. Admittedly, he was starved of opportunities after half time and the delivery to the forward line wasn't all that flash but he has a lot of work to do if he wants to become an AFL regular.

Ricky Petterd played a lot out of the forward line and was probably the most impressive of the forwards until he injured his hip. Hopefully, it really is only a corked hip and he doesn't miss games. Neville Jetta is a great competitor and is looking good for a round one debut given the uncertainty about Aussie and Aaron Davey.

Thankfully, the players have a well needed week's break before we get into the real stuff but there will be no rest for coach Dean Bailey. He hasn't managed to cover all of his team's deficiencies from 2008 during the off season (not that this was ever a possibility) and will have another tough assignment in 2009.

Bailey's main problem again looks to be in the forward line where many of the deficiencies lie. I suspect he will have to make a decision very soon on whether to conscript Brad Green into this area because there simply doesn't enough goalkicking power up there in his absence.

Melbourne 2.1.13 7.3.45 10.3.63 10.3.63

Western Bulldogs 2.7.19 5.10.40 9.11.65 14.17.101

Goals

Melbourne Green 3 Miller Jetta Newton Davey McLean McDonald Jones

Western Bulldogs Hill 3 Johnson 2 Higgins 2 Griffin 2 Akermanis Hahn Harbrow Cross Ward

Best

Melbourne Green, Jones, McDonald, Jetta, Buckley, Garland

Western Bulldogs Cross, Gilbee, Griffin, Hill, Boyd, Higgins

Injuries

Melbourne Petterd (corked hip), Bell (suspected broken thumb), Davey (bruised heel)

Western Bulldogs Nil

Reports Clint Bartram for making front on contact with Daniel Giansiracusa in the fourth quarter

Umpires Kennedy, Mollison, Stewart

Crowd 2,500 (approx) at Casey Fields

31 scoring shots to 13. Comprehensive despite trailing by not much (2 points) at 3/4 time.