Jump to content


Recommended Posts

Posted

by Grazman (our man in the national capital)

A little over 16 years ago I took my new bride who hails from Northern climes for some cultural edification at the then Waverly Park (AKA- Arctic Park) to watch the Dees play the Saints. She made me faithfully promise her from that point on never to drag her to another sporting fixture as long as she drew breath.

That contest like the one today was eerily reminiscent both in terms of weather and the contest and is best expressed in one word … grey.

I doubt that in 16 days time let alone 16 years that anyone will remember any of the events of the day. Certainly not for the paltry seven and a half thousand who attended, the numbers perhaps deflated by the relative ladder positions of both clubs (probably an extra three to four thousand stayed at home rather than risk hypothermia to see a result neither club seemed enthusiastic about). The temperature by the end of the game had dropped from a sultry ten degrees at 1pm to a not so nearly balmy eight degrees by 3.30.

A casual glance at the footy record told me all I really needed to know, even though this was nominally a home game for us– Melbourne under Dean Bailey had never won a game interstate and with so many changes to the team it didn't look set to change.

The Swans opened in clinical fashion with two goals on the board in quick time before the Demons started to find their rhythm. The Dees moved the ball fluidly from defence, but broke down time and again moving the ball beyond half forward.

The first goal came via a bullocking run by Brent Moloney charging through a pack and soccering off the ground.

By and large though the game never reached any memorable heights in the first half and the Swans turned at the long break four goals to the better and only Liam Jurrah's magic and the umpire's interesting interpretations of 'holding the ball' rousing the crowd to any sort of vocal interest in proceedings.

Third quarters for the Demons this year have been a traumatic experience, and so it was again this time, for both tankers and non-tankers alike. Time and again the Demons created scoring opportunities to seize the initiative from the Swans only to squander their chances with diabolical shooting accuracy. They turned thirteen points down into the last, but could well have established a lead at that stage.

After the first five minutes of the last quarter ex-Demon Darren Jolly had kicked his third goal and stamped himself as man of the match. The Dees would need to kick more goals than they'd kicked all game if they were to win.

Again the opportunities presented themselves and again the Demons failed to hammer home the nails in the Swans coffin. For those salivating at the prospect of seeing Tom Scully run around in the red and blue next year, it was a piece of irony that Jude Bolton (himself a notoriously poor kick at goal) that managed to move the coveted Priority Pick one game closer to fruition.

To bastardise an old football adage, the club is now one loss closer to its next win and in a match that was always about the result rather than the margin, the most memorable event of the match was when the final siren sounded There was no elation from anyone; just sheer relief this was over and intent to get to a warmer place.

Manuka Oval may well go the way of Waverley in the AFL fixture. Unloved and unwanted by the clubs, with a notoriously apathetic local sporting community, a financially hamstrung local government and an AFL commission with Western Sydney in its sights; the future of AFL in Canberra is looking bleak.

Melbourne it seems is now more likely to align itself with a future venture in Darwin rather than recommitting to Canberra, a ground it has failed to win a home game at in its brief, transitory assignment.

Perhaps, it's a ground too far.

Melbourne 1.2.8 2.6.18 4.11.35 6.14.50

Sydney 3.4.22 6.6.42 7.6.48 10.8.68

Goals

Melbourne Davey Jurrah Miller Moloney Newton Whelan

Sydney Jolly 3 McVeigh 2 Bolton Mattner Moore O'Keefe White

Best

Melbourne Bruce Warnock Davey Moloney Rivers Morton

Sydney Jolly McVeigh Bird O'Keefe Hannebery Grundy

Injuries

Melbourne Cheney (calf) Jurrah (ankle).

Sydney Mattner (ankle)

Changes

Melbourne Nil

Sydney Buchanan (knee) replaced in the selected side by C Bird

Reports Nil

Umpires Stevic Mollison M Nicholls

Official Crowd 7,311 at Manuka Oval

Posted

Thanks for a fantastic contribution Grazman. I almost felt that I was there myself ... right down to the freezing cold conditions and the hopelessness of the occasion.

I'm just wondering when Sydney is going to win its next game against Melbourne. Given the circumstances, the team selection, the missed goals and the dreadful umpiring, they should have slaughtered us. I reckon that despite the result, Melbourne has a lot more to look forward to than Sydney and thankfully, we won't hand an more "home" games at Manuka to them on a plate.

Posted

A couple of comments about the crowd size.

As well as the factors you mentioned, the fact that the Ruby mob decided (quite recently) to play a do or die match for the Canberra Raiders at the same time can't have helped. (They died.)

I've been to all the recent Demons v Swans matches at Manuka. Usually the crowd is a sea of red & white. Not this time - it seemed there was a large contingent of Melb supporters (as usual given the worst seats at the ground).

Posted

Agree with the best but Miller? Terrible...... never to put on a MFC jumper again. Bate to replace Miller for our best.

Posted
A couple of comments about the crowd size.

As well as the factors you mentioned, the fact that the Ruby mob decided (quite recently) to play a do or die match for the Canberra Raiders at the same time can't have helped. (They died.)

I've been to all the recent Demons v Swans matches at Manuka. Usually the crowd is a sea of red & white. Not this time - it seemed there was a large contingent of Melb supporters (as usual given the worst seats at the ground).

The Swans are going to be in a bit of trouble when the new West Sydney team gets off the ground. They will inevitably lose some of their support to the cross town rival and I reckon Canberra will also be targetted by the new team. Plus they will lose a number of their leading players in the next year or two and be incapable of a proper rebuild because of the concessions to the new clubs. You're right grazman. Things are looking grey.

Posted
On the issue of injuries coming from the game, didn't Stef Martin get injured during the game?

loked like a corked thigh Fred


Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Demonland Forums  

  • Match Previews, Reports & Articles  

    2024 Player Reviews: #7 Jack Viney

    The tough on baller won his second Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Trophy in a narrow battle with skipper Max Gawn and Alex Neal-Bullen and battled on manfully in the face of a number of injury niggles. Date of Birth: 13 April 1994 Height: 178cm Games MFC 2024: 23 Career Total: 219 Goals MFC 2024: 10 Career Total: 66 Brownlow Medal Votes: 8

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 3

    TRAINING: Wednesday 13th November 2024

    A couple of Demonland Trackwatchers braved the rain and headed down to Gosch's paddock to bring you their observations from the second day of Preseason training for the 1st to 4th Year players. DITCHA'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS I attended some of the training today. Richo spoke to me and said not to believe what is in the media, as we will good this year. Jefferson and Kentfield looked big and strong.  Petty was doing all the training. Adams looked like he was in rehab.  KE

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    2024 Player Reviews: #15 Ed Langdon

    The Demon running machine came back with a vengeance after a leaner than usual year in 2023.  Date of Birth: 1 February 1996 Height: 182cm Games MFC 2024: 22 Career Total: 179 Goals MFC 2024: 9 Career Total: 76 Brownlow Medal Votes: 5 Melbourne Football Club: 5th Best & Fairest: 352 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 8

    2024 Player Reviews: #24 Trent Rivers

    The premiership defender had his best year yet as he was given the opportunity to move into the midfield and made a good fist of it. Date of Birth: 30 July 2001 Games MFC 2024: 23 Career Total: 100 Goals MFC 2024: 2 Career Total:  9 Brownlow Medal Votes: 7 Melbourne Football Club: 6th Best & Fairest: 350 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 2

    TRAINING: Monday 11th November 2024

    Veteran Demonland Trackwatchers Kev Martin, Slartibartfast & Demon Wheels were on hand at Gosch's Paddock to kick off the official first training session for the 1st to 4th year players with a few elder statesmen in attendance as well. KEV MARTIN'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Beautiful morning. Joy all round, they look like they want to be there.  21 in the squad. Looks like the leadership group is TMac, Viney Chandler and Petty. They look like they have sli

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports 2

    2024 Player Reviews: #1 Steven May

    The years are rolling by but May continued to be rock solid in a key defensive position despite some injury concerns. He showed great resilience in coming back from a nasty rib injury and is expected to continue in that role for another couple of seasons. Date of Birth: 10 January 1992 Height: 193cm Games MFC 2024: 19 Career Total: 235 Goals MFC 2024: 1 Career Total: 24 Melbourne Football Club: 9th Best & Fairest: 316 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 2

    2024 Player Reviews: #4 Judd McVee

    It was another strong season from McVee who spent most of his time mainly at half back but he also looked at home on a few occasions when he was moved into the midfield. There could be more of that in 2025. Date of Birth: 7 August 2003 Height: 185cm Games MFC 2024: 23 Career Total: 48 Goals MFC 2024: 1 Career Total: 1 Brownlow Medal Votes: 1 Melbourne Football Club: 7th Best & Fairest: 347 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 5

    2024 Player Reviews: #31 Bayley Fritsch

    Once again the club’s top goal scorer but he had a few uncharacteristic flat spots during the season and the club will be looking for much better from him in 2025. Date of Birth: 6 December 1996 Height: 188cm Games MFC 2024: 23 Career Total: 149 Goals MFC 2024: 41 Career Total: 252 Brownlow Medal Votes: 4

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 9

    2024 Player Reviews: #18 Jake Melksham

    After sustaining a torn ACL in the final match of the 2023 season Jake added a bit to the attack late in the 2024 season upon his return. He has re-signed on to the Demons for 1 more season in 2025. Date of Birth: 12 August 1991 Height: 186cm Games MFC 2024: 8 Career Total: 229 Goals MFC 2024: 8 Career Total: 188

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 7
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!
×
×
  • Create New...