Jump to content

Discussion on recent allegations about the use of illicit drugs in football is forbidden
  • IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING

    Posting unsubstantiated rumours on this website is strictly forbidden.

    Demonland has made the difficult decision to not permit this platform to be used to discuss & debate the off-field issues relating to the Melbourne Football Club including matters currently being litigated between the Club & former Board members, board elections, the issue of illicit drugs in footy, the culture at the club & the personal issues & allegations against some of our players & officials ...

    We do not take these issues & this decision lightly & of course we believe that these serious matters affecting the club we love & are so passionate about are worthy of discussion & debate & I wish we could provide a place where these matters can be discussed in a civil & respectful manner.

    However these discussions unfortunately invariably devolve into areas that may be defamatory, libelous, spread unsubstantiated rumours & can effect the mental health of those involved. Even discussion & debate of known facts or media reports can lead to finger pointing, blame & personal attacks.

    The repercussion is that these discussions can open this website, it’s owners & it’s users to legal action & may result in this website being forced to shutdown.

    Our moderating team are all volunteers & cannot moderate the forum 24/7 & as a consequence problematic content that contravenes our rules & standards may go unnoticed for some time before it can be removed.

    We reserve the right to delete posts that offend against our above policy & indeed, to ban posters who are repeat offenders or who breach our code of conduct.

    WE HAVE BUILT A FANTASTIC ONLINE COMMUNITY AT DEMONLAND OVER THE PAST 23 YEARS & WE WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO BE ABLE TO DISCUSS THE CLUB WE LOVE & ARE SO PASSIONATE ABOUT.

    Thank you for your continued support & understanding. Go Dees.


Rivers


Jaded No More

Recommended Posts

Terrible thread. Rivers among the best today. Cannot fathom where the hate for him is coming from. Took a pile of contested marks in defensive 50 and affected a heap of good spoils in contested situations as well as out on leads.

I'd agree he was among the best today. That said, one of only a few players. I thought his efforts were very good. Unlike others such as Bate and Sylvia who both needed to pull their finger out when the side needed them.

As for stranga, who said Rivers only took 2 contested marks, both he and Watts had the most out of the team (2 each) out a grand total of 10!

Others that had one each (for the record): Bennell, Sylvia, Hughes, Grimes, Jamar, Frawley.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 65
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

I don't think Rivers' work ethic is in doubt after today's performance, he worked hard.....

But the criticism (which isn't even close to "hate") is legit unfortunately. Rivers was able to put himself into the contest(s) as a loose defender because that is what he is good at,

always has been. But the flip side is that one on one he gets beaten, or at least has been recently.

This is not something that a team can always hold on to. I hope they find a way, but as with Cameron Bruce, these less than stellar attributes of some of the more seasoned

players will be more fiercely exposed, and the kids as they grow up and (hopefully) be better, these players will be eventually be phased out.

This is not a slight on Rivers, far from it really, but is more a recognition of the realities these guys are going to be facing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Our defensive structure and balance going forward is an interesting issue.

If we start with Frawley and Warnock as our key defenders

Then add Garland as third tall who can play on mid size forwards or pinch hit on a tall.

Whats the balance of the remaining 3?

Need 2 running half backs one of which is Grimes

Need a quick to cover quick small forwards.

Where does Rivers fit in? Have been a fan but am unsure of his role going forward if we are playing Frawley, Warncck and Garland down back. Grimes is a monty for half back so that leaves 2 spots. Does one automatically belong to Rivers?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Terrible thread. Rivers among the best today. Cannot fathom where the hate for him is coming from. Took a pile of contested marks in defensive 50 and affected a heap of good spoils in contested situations as well as out on leads.

How many games have we won with Rivers playing this year? He is a better version of Jason Cloke and that is all.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Does one automatically belong to Rivers?

Nope, all spots must be earned, no matter by who.....

Oh and good question ;) !!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

How many games have we won with Rivers playing this year? He is a better version of Jason Cloke and that is all.

Ok, thats just mean :) !!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'd agree he was among the best today. That said, one of only a few players. I thought his efforts were very good. Unlike others such as Bate and Sylvia who both needed to pull their finger out when the side needed them.

As for stranga, who said Rivers only took 2 contested marks, both he and Watts had the most out of the team (2 each) out a grand total of 10!

Others that had one each (for the record): Bennell, Sylvia, Hughes, Grimes, Jamar, Frawley.

Were we at the same game? Rivers was sh1thouse. He was toweled by Kennedy early so played loose inside 50m where he dropped more marks than he took. When he took the mark he took an eternity to dispose of the ball and then kicked to a contest. People need to open their eyes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Rivers is an extra man in defense-type player. Put him one-on-one and he's no good. He will throw his body on the line, and can blast through the defense with precision and skill. MacDonald is mistake-prone; Brisbane got rid of him for a reason. Rivers is a general. I think you are all forgetting his role in the team.

Re-read and think about that after you clear your mouth.

General Custer??

Were we at the same game? Rivers was sh1thouse. He was toweled by Kennedy early so played loose inside 50m where he dropped more marks than he took. When he took the mark he took an eternity to dispose of the ball and then kicked to a contest. People need to open their eyes.

Despite his best efforts, Rivers really struggled out there.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I can smell a trade coming at seasons end with Hawthorn unfortunatly.

Rivers for Dowler.

I don't say this lightly either as Rivers is my fav player and has been since round 1 2004. I just don't see a spot for him long term. Warnock, Frawley and Garland are ahead of him and Martin needs to slot into CHB so we have a 2nd ruck option so we aren't forced to play PJ.

Also we are light on for tall marking forwards and Dowler could help with this. I have to wonder if the FD is starting to regret selecting MacDonald in the PSD instead of Mitch Thorpe who also trained with us pre-season?

Rivers was far from our worst today, in fact I gave him votes in our top half dozen but I do see where everyones concern is coming from as far as our structure goes. Unless injury befals Warnock, Frawley or Garland he may find himself in the same boat as MacDonald and struggle to get back into the team assuming he gets dropped which I feel he might assuming Martin is fit?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't buy that anymore.

In days gone by when our defense consisted of Carroll and a witches hat, he was the general.

Today, when we have Chip, Warnock, Garland and Grimes defending and attacking with precision and guys like Cheney, McNamara, Bail, Strauss and so forth all able to fill Rivers' role as a loose man in defense, your statement just no longer holds true.

5 years ago loose man in defense were all the rage and Rivers was one of the best. Today, you can't afford to carry someone who defensively is going to be shown up for pace and offensively is not very creative.

Rivers' biggest strength has always been his smarts in reading the play. There are few players who can read the ball as well as he can, and he can certainly take a mark. This makes me wonder whether it is worth giving him a go as a forward.

You make your point very well Jaded.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

About two years behind...

Two years ago we had no backline and Rivers was struggling to walk.

You couldn't confidently make those calls, as clearly demonstrated by the fact that the club has kept him on our list.

Just because you suspected it two years ago, doesn't mean it was viable to start making decisions about his future when Carroll was playing FB

Link to comment
Share on other sites

With so many kids waiting in the wings, a down game is no longer something that can just be brushed off.

We do not have a best 22, it is a work in progress. If you do not play well, your spot comes up for question.

Rivers has a spot at this club no doubt. Seems a handy player, and will work well on some match ups. He is no longer the 'General', but he is still one of the seasoned troops who are needed against hardened sides. His courage never comes under question- and he has a tonne of it.

As for next week? Pending fitness tests of Morton and Co, he may very well miss a week or two just to help him build up some confidence. He was in my bottom 5 against West Coast. To be fair to Rivo, half the side had a shocker of a performance. There will be others on the chopping board before Jared, but moves will be made!!

Rivers is 50/50 to play next week. That said, whoever replaces him will be under the same scrutiny, and someone will make way for him again in 2010 and beyond. If he is dropped, we will see him again in 2010!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I can smell a trade coming at seasons end with Hawthorn unfortunatly.

Rivers for Dowler.

I don't say this lightly either as Rivers is my fav player and has been since round 1 2004. I just don't see a spot for him long term. Warnock, Frawley and Garland are ahead of him and Martin needs to slot into CHB so we have a 2nd ruck option so we aren't forced to play PJ.

Also we are light on for tall marking forwards and Dowler could help with this. I have to wonder if the FD is starting to regret selecting MacDonald in the PSD instead of Mitch Thorpe who also trained with us pre-season?

Ummm, why do we want a kid who can't get a game for a team going worse than us??

And yeah, I'll bet the FD is really kicking themselves for passing on Mitch Thorp who is dominating for ...... ummmm ..... oh ......

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'd agree he was among the best today. That said, one of only a few players. I thought his efforts were very good. Unlike others such as Bate and Sylvia who both needed to pull their finger out when the side needed them.

Don't compare Bate to Sylvia today, Bate was on one leg and did far more than Sylvia despite his handicap. Bate has also been a better contributor than Sylvia who has had one good game and a few stinkers.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ummm, why do we want a kid who can't get a game for a team going worse than us??

And yeah, I'll bet the FD is really kicking themselves for passing on Mitch Thorp who is dominating for ...... ummmm ..... oh ......

As opposed to holding onto a guy who probably wont be able to get a game in our back line next year at least we'd have a forward who can't get a game for a team with Franklin and Roughead already in their forward line, he might relish the chance at a new club. Kicked 7 goals in the last 2 rounds last year and the VFL match I saw him play this year he looked alright.

As for Thorpe from all reports I've heard he's doing pretty well at CHF with Weribee in the VFL, while MacDonald finds himself battling with Frawley, Warnock, Rivers, Garland, Martin and McNamara for 3 or at best 4 tall defender spots. The most obvious deficency we have is tall marking forwards, not tall rebounding defenders.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I can smell a trade coming at seasons end with Hawthorn unfortunatly.

Rivers for Dowler.

I don't say this lightly either as Rivers is my fav player and has been since round 1 2004. I just don't see a spot for him long term. Warnock, Frawley and Garland are ahead of him and Martin needs to slot into CHB so we have a 2nd ruck option so we aren't forced to play PJ.

Also we are light on for tall marking forwards and Dowler could help with this. I have to wonder if the FD is starting to regret selecting MacDonald in the PSD instead of Mitch Thorpe who also trained with us pre-season?

Rivers was far from our worst today, in fact I gave him votes in our top half dozen but I do see where everyones concern is coming from as far as our structure goes. Unless injury befals Warnock, Frawley or Garland he may find himself in the same boat as MacDonald and struggle to get back into the team assuming he gets dropped which I feel he might assuming Martin is fit?

Thats an interesting point re Hawthorn, and they need a Ruck as well, and a backup ruck.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Actually now after having watched the St. Kilda-v-Essendon match the Saints might be a club that could do with someone like Rivers, Zac Dawson really does struggle down there. Possible trade Rivers and a draft pick for Stanley or Lynch?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Rivers was in my three worst on the ground on Saturday, he was continually lead to the ball and when he did get off his man to fly for the high ball he dropped it!!! i would rather have Martin in defense then rivers, as he is very quick and did show a bit when he played there.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

About two years behind...

Exactly what I thought. Even just this season we've had this debate many a time.

Rivers is an extra man in defense-type player. Put him one-on-one and he's no good. He will throw his body on the line, and can blast through the defense with precision and skill. MacDonald is mistake-prone; Brisbane got rid of him for a reason. Rivers is a general. I think you are all forgetting his role in the team.

If you can't play one-on-one and are just an 'extra man in defence' you're no good unless you give drive.

I think you're the only person I've ever seen characterise Rivers as a guy who blasts through with precision and skill (unless you're talking about the way he leaps through the air at a pack ;)).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Exactly what I thought. Even just this season we've had this debate many a time.

Not true, the "debate" as you so nicely put it, has been that Rivers is either completely crap and should never be seen in a Melbourne jumper again, or that he is a great player and easily part of our best 22.

I think the answer lies somewhere in between, because he is definitely not a terrible footballer and does have some unique qualities, but he is also going to struggle to be part of our backline if he doesn't change his game.

Nobody here really seemed to answer my question about his viability as a forward. He is a better kick than Miller, he can take a mark and he can read the play. Question is, can we teach him to lead to the right spots and can he instinctively make the switch into an attacking player?

IMO it would be wrong to throw him away like yesterday's garbage without trying him in a new position. Clearly our club holds him in high regard, or they wouldn't have stuck with him through years of surgeries and injuries and they wouldn't have put him in the leadership group, so he is worth something.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Don't compare Bate to Sylvia today, Bate was on one leg and did far more than Sylvia despite his handicap. Bate has also been a better contributor than Sylvia who has had one good game and a few stinkers.

There was no comparison as such Redleg. Merely pointed out the side needed them to pull their finger out. If you're going by numbers you're right. However, Bate should have had 2.1 not 0.3. Sylvia was barely seen and needed to at least impose himself. His shots at goal were woeful. (0.1)

I know it was not a good time for our forwards. But FCS, we needed someone to at least move and kick too. Too many stationary for mine. But I must say, West Coast came well prepared and came to play.

We only needed to be off 5% from previous weeks and we were gone. The writing was on the wall, 10 mins into the game.

At the end of the day, they had McKinely, the Big Q, Kennedy and Le Cras who lead well and presented. We had 'F' all. There is only so much our backline can withstand if we're turning over the ball time and again.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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  

    DEPTH CHARGE by Whispering Jack

    The jubilation on the coach’s face as he danced a celebratory jig by the playing bench after the final siren sounded to record his team’s four-point victory over the Demons when the teams last met, said it all.    On that rainy Friday night at the Adelaide Oval, Ken Hinkley’s young midfield secured much more than four points on offer. The victory over one of the big dogs of the competition after a succession of wins over some of its lesser lights gave his team respect and validation fo

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 5

    TRAINING: Monday 25th March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers Demon Dynasty & Kev Martin were trackside at Gosch's Paddock today to bring you their observations from training. DEMON DYNASTY'S TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Kade Chandler's left knee heavily strapped. BBB, Spargs & Jake Lever also in rehab group. Jake Bowey solo running separate kicking/sprint/agility drills. Super fine morning / early arvo at Gosch's for the boys to blow out some cobwebs. Choco initially had the light duties / rehab group

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    HIBERNATING by KC from Casey

    When they locked up the rooms for summer at the end of last year’s football season, the rooms gathered cobwebs, the atmosphere became dense and the place developed a sleepy feel. They opened up the rooms to let Casey out to play on Sunday but the team was still hibernating and they missed the bulk of the opening quarter. By the time they worked out it was game on, their opponents from Box Hill had accumulated five goals and, if the game wasn’t over, it might as well have been. For a se

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Casey Articles

    A FORK IN THE HAWK by George on the Outer

    For too long in the past, Demon fans became habitually sick and tired of watching the Hawks hand out thrashings to their side. But Melbourne’s empahtic 55-point win at the MCG on Saturday has truly put a fork in the Hawk and turned that history well and truly on its head. The Demons have now won nine of their last ten encounters with the other result, a draw.     And like a fork, it was the multi-pronged options that Melbourne had all across the ground.  It certainly helped that Hawthorn

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Match Reports 8

    PREGAME: Rd 03 vs Port Adelaide

    The Demons head on the road for the next 2 weeks as they travel to Adelaide to play Port on Saturday and then have a 5 Day break before facing the Crows in the Gather Round. With injuries to May and Lever who comes in and who goes out?

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 279

    PODCAST: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 25th March @ 8:30pm. Join George, Binman & I as we analyse the Demons victory at the MCG against the Hawks in the Round 02. You questions and comments are a huge part of our podcast so please post anything you want to ask or say below and we'll give you a shout out on the show. If you would like to leave us a voicemail please call 03 9016 3666 and don't worry no body answers so you don't have to talk to a human. Listen & Chat

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 46

    VOTES: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    Last week Steven May took the lead in the Demonland Player of the Year Award from Jack Viney. Clayton Oliver & Max Gawn round out the Top 4. Your votes for the win/loss against/to the Hawks. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 50

    POSTGAME: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The Demons cruised to an easy 55 point win over the Hawks at the MCG but but paid a heavy toll on the injury front with Steven May & Jake Lever possibly sidelined for a number of weeks.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 363

    GAMEDAY: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    It's Game Day and after mixed results in the first two weeks of the season the Demons have the opportunity to capitalise on their good form last week when they take on the Hawks at the MCG today.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 437
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!

  • Podcast 

  • Podcast 

  • Podcast Stream 


    Open Stream in
    New Window
        TuneIn    Opens in New Tab
  • Support Demonland  



  • 2021 Premiership  

  • Social Media 

  • Non MFC Games  

    NON-MFC: Round 03

    Discussion of all the other games that don't involve the Demons in Round 03 ... READ MORE

    Demonland | Round 03

  • Match Preview      

    DEPTH CHARGE by Whispering Jack

    The jubilation on the coach’s face as he danced a celebratory jig by the playing bench after the final siren sounded to record his team’s four-point victory over the Demons when the teams last met, said it all ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 27

  • Latest Podcast      

    PODCAST: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The boys dissected the clinical thrashing of Hawks praising the immense performance of Christian Petracca whilst lamenting the injury toll to our defensive unit ... LISTEN

    Demonland | March 26

  • Training  

    Monday, 25th March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers Demon Dynasty & Kev Martin were trackside at Gosch's Paddock today to bring you their observations from training ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 25

  • Casey Report      

    HIBERNATING by KC from Casey

    When they locked up the rooms for summer at the end of last year’s football season, the rooms gathered cobwebs, the atmosphere became dense and the place developed a sleepy feel. They opened up the rooms to let Casey out to play on Sunday but the team was still hibernating and they missed the bulk of the opening quarter ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 25

  • PreGame      

    PREGAME: Rd 03 vs Port Adelaide

    The Demons head out on the road for the next 2 weeks as they travel to Adelaide to play Port on Saturday and then have a 5 Day break before facing the Crows in Gather Round. With injuries to May and Lever who comes in and who goes out? ...READ MORE

    Demonland | March 28

  • Match Report      

    A FORK IN THE HAWK by George on the Outer

    For too long in the past, Demon fans became habitually sick and tired of watching the Hawks hand out thrashings to their side. But Melbourne’s empahtic 55-point win at the MCG on Saturday has truly put a fork in the Hawk and turned that history well and truly on its head ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Post Game      

    POSTGAME: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The Demons cruised to an easy 55 point win over the Hawks at the MCG but but paid a heavy toll on the injury front with Steven May & Jake Lever possibly sidelined for a number of weeks ...READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Votes      

    VOTES: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    Last week Steven May took the lead in the Demonland Player of the Year Award from Jack Viney. Clayton Oliver & Max Gawn round out the Top 4. Your votes for the win/loss against/to the Hawks. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 ...READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Game Day      

    GAMEDAY: Round 02 vs Hawthorn

    It's Game Day and after mixed results in the first two weeks of the season the Demons have the opportunity to capitalise on their good form last week when they take on the Hawks at the MCG today ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Training  

    Friday, 22nd March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatcher Kev Martin and I attended the Captain's Run at Gosch's Paddock on this lovely sunny morning to bring you the following observations from the training session ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 22

  • Training  

    Tuesday, 19th March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers Kev Martin & Walking Civil War attended Tuesday morning's training session at Gosch's Paddock to bring you the following observations ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 19

  • Training  

    Saturday, 16th March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers Kev Martin and Dee Zephyr wandered down to Gosch's Paddock on Saturday morning to bring you their observations from the Captain's Run in the lead up to Sunday's Round One match against the Bulldogs ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 16

  • Farewell  

    Angus Brayshaw Retires

    After 167 games including the drought breaking Premiership Angus Brayshaw has made the heart breaking decision to medically retire from football as a result of a series of serious head knocks over his nearly decade of footy. We wish Gus all the best and he'll always be a hero at Demonland ... READ MORE

    Demonland | February 22

  • Latest Podcast  

    PODCAST: Koltyn Tholstrup Interview

    I interview the Melbourne Football Club’s newest recruit Koltyn Tholstrup to have a chat about his journey from the farm to the Demons, his first few weeks of preseason training, which Dees have impressed him on the track and his aspirations of playing Round 1 ... LISTEN

    Demonland | December 14

  • Latest Podcast  

    PODCAST: Jason Taylor Interview

    I interview the Melbourne Football Club's National Recruitment Manager Jason Taylor to have a chat about our Trade and Draft period, our newest recruits, our recent recruits who have yet to debut as well as those father son prospects on the horizon ... LISTEN

    Demonland | November 27

  • Next Match 

    .

    Round 03

       vs   

    Saturday 30th March 2024
    @ 07:30pm (AO)

  • MFC Forum  

  • Match Previews & Reports  

  • Training Forum  

  • AFLW Forum  

  • 2024 Player Sponsorship

  • Topics

  • Injury List  


      PLAYER INJURY LENGTH
    Jake Lever Knee Test
    Clayton Oliver Hand Test
    Oliver Sestan Concussion Test
    Steven May Ribs 1 Week
    Lachie Hunter Calf 1 Week
    Daniel Turner Hip 2-3 Weeks
    Charlie Spargo Achilles 2-4 Weeks
    Shane McAdam Hamstring 3-5 Weeks
    Jake Bowey Shoulder 7 Weeks
    Jake Melksham ACL 12-14 Weeks
    Joel Smith Suspension TBA

  • Player of the Year  


        PLAYER VOTES
    1 Christian Petracca 27
    2 Steven May 25
    3 Max Gawn 21
    4 Jack Viney 20
    5 Bayley Fritsch 19
    6 Clayton Oliver 18
    7 Christian Salem 12
    8 Blake Howes 11
    9 Jack Billings 10
    9 Alex Neal-Bullen 10

        FULL TABLE
  • Demonland Interviews 



  • Upcoming Events 

×
×
  • Create New...