LANDSLIDE

[John Crow Batty 8,886]

Please, we had a poor game, we were out-enthused and we couldn't kick a goal to save our lives....it is not the end of the world.........read also what Rhino said above........it happens

They are just apologists words. Too many poor games against sides we should have beaten or at least been competative against( wc, carlton, north in Melb, freo, adelaide and port interstate). Never gave ourselves a chance against this mediocre to average lot. This has gone on for decades.

[Geddy Lee 582]

Port and Adelaide have both been two of the best teams of the last decade. Certainly not better than Geelong or Brisbane but both SA teams have high W/L records. Port have won the McLelland thrice, played in 2 GFs, winning one, and Adelaide have been the biggest underachiever of the past five years.

Throughout the decade, both teams have always had very strong midfields. Port have had a slew of outstanding ruckmen and outside ball users and Adelaide has obviously had some unbelievable players in its engine for the last decade (McLeod, Goodwin, Edwards, Ricciuto and now Thompson). Watch every match since 2001 and you'll see the same thing over and over. Our midfield gets smashed and we lose the game. It will take us another few years to start winning in Adelaide because the output of our midfield is actually far lower than D'landers like to believe. When we did get a clearance yesterday, they were usually blind bombs forward. Guys like Jones and Moloney had zero influence and Jamar did not get any possessions. McKenzie and Scully turned the ball over heaps and whilst Trenners and McDonald tried hard, they were hardly Boak. Win the midfield battle, we'll win the game. Patience is required.

(And our midfielders missed set shots yesterday if someone wants to play that card; Bruce, Trengove, Morton x2, Jones)

[Inner Demon 1]

Well I certainly wouldn't want to be branded an "apologist" so here is the only sensible solution to the problem of the youngest list in the AFL not being undefeated that I can imagine:

SACK BAILEY!!!!

SACK CONNOLLY!!!!

SACK SCHWAB!!!!

SACK STYNES!!!!!

DELIST ALL 46 PLAYERS!!!!

Will that do the trick???

[Luck Lucy 0]

LANDSLIDE by The Oracle

After half time, it was Port that came out full of energy and it smashed the Demon resistance and in the end, the club's dismal record at AAMI Stadium just got worse. When the club plays its next game there in the season to come, it will be a decade between its last victory at the ground.

Ten years of hard labour for the Dees in SA. I might be a little liberal with my language but I'm green with envy about the clubs that can win some votes there.

[John Crow Batty 8,886]

Well I certainly wouldn't want to be branded an "apologist" so here is the only sensible solution to the problem of the youngest list in the AFL not being undefeated that I can imagine:

SACK BAILEY!!!!

SACK CONNOLLY!!!!

SACK SCHWAB!!!!

SACK STYNES!!!!!

DELIST ALL 46 PLAYERS!!!!

Will that do the trick???

Good idea, then we can rehire them with a new attitude.

[satyricon 267]

Good idea, then we can rehire them with a new attitude.

It is a shame we can't do that with some MFC 'supporters'

[The Chazz 4,077]

Been MIA for a couple of weeks, but am back!

Just a couple of things I want to mention in regards to this thread;

* How can you blame the current Football Department for our decade-long, pathetic performances in SA? Bailey's first 2 years lacked wins at all, let alone a rare interstate win! I think next year we MIGHT win 1 game in both SA & WA, but I'm not holding my breath.

* For the remainder of the decade where Bailey can't be used as an excuse, you need to look at our opportunities that we had to win in SA. For 4 years (roughly 2002-2005), Port were a powerhouse (although they only managed the 1 flag). How many minor premierships did they win in this time? Also, throw in the act they made the GF again in 2007, this shows just how consistent they have been over the past decade, and how bloody hard they are to beat at home. We also need to look at how Adelaide were travelling in this decade, especially when you compare them to us.

I think you will find that while our interstate record is currently sh!thouse, we wouldn't be on our own. While other Vic clubs may have won in SA and WA, of the battling teams, how many have they actually won?

Until Geelong changed the trend, the first decade of 2000 was fast becoming the decade that saw this great game stamp itself as a national competition. For many years, a Victorian-based team struggled to fill 1 of the top 4 sides at seasons end, proving the dominant performances of the interstate ones. Now, because of drafting and list changes/retirements/etc, it's the Victorian teams that are creating the "home ground advantage". We are still a way off this yet, but it is coming.

FWIW, I actually think Port and Adelaide are better teams than us, it's just that we've had a better year. That said, I think both tenants of Moron Park will struggle for a few years to come, and this will no doubt see our away record improve significantly.

[The Chazz 4,077]

Port and Adelaide have both been two of the best teams of the last decade. Certainly not better than Geelong or Brisbane but both SA teams have high W/L records. Port have won the McLelland thrice, played in 2 GFs, winning one, and Adelaide have been the biggest underachiever of the past five years.

Throughout the decade, both teams have always had very strong midfields. Port have had a slew of outstanding ruckmen and outside ball users and Adelaide has obviously had some unbelievable players in its engine for the last decade (McLeod, Goodwin, Edwards, Ricciuto and now Thompson). Watch every match since 2001 and you'll see the same thing over and over. Our midfield gets smashed and we lose the game. It will take us another few years to start winning in Adelaide because the output of our midfield is actually far lower than D'landers like to believe. When we did get a clearance yesterday, they were usually blind bombs forward. Guys like Jones and Moloney had zero influence and Jamar did not get any possessions. McKenzie and Scully turned the ball over heaps and whilst Trenners and McDonald tried hard, they were hardly Boak. Win the midfield battle, we'll win the game. Patience is required.

(And our midfielders missed set shots yesterday if someone wants to play that card; Bruce, Trengove, Morton x2, Jones)

Sorry Geddy, just saw your post. We are on the same wavelength though!

[John Crow Batty 8,886]

Been MIA for a couple of weeks, but am back!

Just a couple of things I want to mention in regards to this thread;

* How can you blame the current Football Department for our decade-long, pathetic performances in SA? Bailey's first 2 years lacked wins at all, let alone a rare interstate win! I think next year we MIGHT win 1 game in both SA & WA, but I'm not holding my breath.

* For the remainder of the decade where Bailey can't be used as an excuse, you need to look at our opportunities that we had to win in SA. For 4 years (roughly 2002-2005), Port were a powerhouse (although they only managed the 1 flag). How many minor premierships did they win in this time? Also, throw in the act they made the GF again in 2007, this shows just how consistent they have been over the past decade, and how bloody hard they are to beat at home. We also need to look at how Adelaide were travelling in this decade, especially when you compare them to us.

I think you will find that while our interstate record is currently sh!thouse, we wouldn't be on our own. While other Vic clubs may have won in SA and WA, of the battling teams, how many have they actually won?

Until Geelong changed the trend, the first decade of 2000 was fast becoming the decade that saw this great game stamp itself as a national competition. For many years, a Victorian-based team struggled to fill 1 of the top 4 sides at seasons end, proving the dominant performances of the interstate ones. Now, because of drafting and list changes/retirements/etc, it's the Victorian teams that are creating the "home ground advantage". We are still a way off this yet, but it is coming.

FWIW, I actually think Port and Adelaide are better teams than us, it's just that we've had a better year. That said, I think both tenants of Moron Park will struggle for a few years to come, and this will no doubt see our away record improve significantly.

I agree with this but Melbourne's record overall interstate has been sub par since WC came into the comp and even in their good years. Of course we've been beaten by powerhouses in that time. If anyone can post the full list of stats of interstate games it would be great.

[Dee Fan 3,247]

Port and Adelaide have both been two of the best teams of the last decade. Certainly not better than Geelong or Brisbane but both SA teams have high W/L records. Port have won the McLelland thrice, played in 2 GFs, winning one, and Adelaide have been the biggest underachiever of the past five years.

Throughout the decade, both teams have always had very strong midfields. Port have had a slew of outstanding ruckmen and outside ball users and Adelaide has obviously had some unbelievable players in its engine for the last decade (McLeod, Goodwin, Edwards, Ricciuto and now Thompson). Watch every match since 2001 and you'll see the same thing over and over. Our midfield gets smashed and we lose the game. It will take us another few years to start winning in Adelaide because the output of our midfield is actually far lower than D'landers like to believe. When we did get a clearance yesterday, they were usually blind bombs forward. Guys like Jones and Moloney had zero influence and Jamar did not get any possessions. McKenzie and Scully turned the ball over heaps and whilst Trenners and McDonald tried hard, they were hardly Boak. Win the midfield battle, we'll win the game. Patience is required.

(And our midfielders missed set shots yesterday if someone wants to play that card; Bruce, Trengove, Morton x2, Jones)

That's all well and good but how do you explain our performances against Collingwood this year? They are arguably the best side in the competition and we run them to a point and a draw.

I have to agree with Malthouse when he says that he cannot understand why clubs have to "get themselves up for games", playing for your future and four points should be enough. If we can run the best team so close twice why can't we beat or at least get close to one of the poorer teams in the competition? I'm sick of hearing "we didn't bring our A game" or "we didn't follow instructions" or "we let ourselves down", good sides don't stuff up winnable games and we do it continually so you have to ask are we a good side?

They made us look second rate yesterday and that's under a new coach with presumably a new set of instructions. I'm not calling for the coach's head I'm just asking why we continually fail away from the G, do we have a softness that needs some severe hardening up, or are we just not that good.

[e25 5]

So that would make you one of the multitude of Melbourne supporters that are happy with mediocrity?

It also makes you part of the problem.

What problem??!

You are a case study on the classic misinterpretation of the term "accepting mediocrity".

And it is pathetic to "demand answers" over a bad loss.

They happen. Every week. And every team has a turn, unless you are utterly dominant top 2 like Geelong or Collingwood at the moment.

Wake up to yourself.

[The Chazz 4,077]

That's all well and good but how do you explain our performances against Collingwood this year? They are arguably the best side in the competition and we run them to a point and a draw.

I have to agree with Malthouse when he says that he cannot understand why clubs have to "get themselves up for games", playing for your future and four points should be enough. If we can run the best team so close twice why can't we beat or at least get close to one of the poorer teams in the competition? I'm sick of hearing "we didn't bring our A game" or "we didn't follow instructions" or "we let ourselves down", good sides don't stuff up winnable games and we do it continually so you have to ask are we a good side?

They made us look second rate yesterday and that's under a new coach with presumably a new set of instructions. I'm not calling for the coach's head I'm just asking why we continually fail away from the G, do we have a softness that needs some severe hardening up, or are we just not that good.

Summed it up. I'm being harsh, but realistic. We showed glimpses of what we could be like when we are "good", and I like it! But, we are coming off 2 wooden spoons, and have taken a great step forward this year. But it also could mean other teams have dropped off too.

Let's face it, we have only been a genuine premiership threat twice in the past 30 years. I believe if we made it in 1987 we would have won it. I have this debate with Carlton friends who reckon they had it regardless of who they played, I disagree.

The only other time would be in 1998, when we flogged Adelaide in the first final by 8 goals, pumped St Kilda in the next final by a similar amount, but lost to Norf under lights in the Prelim (back when they used to get a heap of night games, and it was bloody near impossible to beat them in the dark!).

For the other years, we haven't been a serious contender, especially since 2000, hence our bad away records.

Oh gee, I'm sure this one will generate some discussion!

[RalphiusMaximus 6,111]

Pretty sure Watts only had one goal.

[Inner Demon 1]

I agree with this but Melbourne's record overall interstate has been sub par since WC came into the comp and even in their good years. Of course we've been beaten by powerhouses in that time. If anyone can post the full list of stats of interstate games it would be great.

Marrara Oval Win 100%

Stadium Australia Win 100%

SCG Win 41.67%

GABBA Win 35.29%

Carrara Win 33.33%

Subiaco Win 29.63%

Manuka Oval Win 25.00%

Football Park Win 17.86%

W.A.C.A Ground Win 14.29%

North Hobart Win 0.00%

[John Crow Batty 8,886]

Marrara Oval Win 100%

Stadium Australia Win 100%

SCG Win 41.67%

GABBA Win 35.29%

Carrara Win 33.33%

Subiaco Win 29.63%

Manuka Oval Win 25.00%

Football Park Win 17.86%

W.A.C.A Ground Win 14.29%

North Hobart Win 0.00%

Thanks very much for that, looks like the SCG is the only ground with perhaps acceptable win levels. Marrara and Stadium Australia too few games there. Granted that in the 24 years of interstate history there has been 9 interstate premierships and nearly the same for interstate grand final losers. Improvement interstate is required or else we'll never be any good.

[Inner Demon 1]

Thanks very much for that, looks like the SCG is the only ground with perhaps acceptable win levels. Marrara and Stadium Australia too few games there. Granted that in the 24 years of interstate history there has been 9 interstate premierships and nearly the same for interstate grand final losers. Improvement interstate is required or else we'll never be any good.

This issue is long recognised by the footy dept and they've been trying to work on it already this season as illustrated by the 'travel' game to Geelong.

There's no magic formula to apply here, they just have to keep working away at it until they improve.

[Summer Blease 0]

The Melbourne football club has a responsibility to it's members to explain this deplorable and insipid side we keep fielding at AAMI.

Regardless of the opposition or the players we take over, the same team of half arsed limps give the crows or the Power a bye and leaves us chasing our wins from a reduced fixture of 20 games and starting from 50% percent behind.

We have turned enough of the list over for it not to be a list issue.

Blame now rests with the footy department and the coaching. They never get our players up for these games. Look at the pies, you can't tell me that they just get lucky and keep drafting players that travel well. Malthouse prepares ultra hard strategically and prepares the players mentally and they near on win them all. We must significantly change how we approach interstate games and we as a supporter group should demand explanations from the club we have all opened our wallets for in recent times.

To accept this twice a year every year for a decade is to accept mediocrity.

I've never seen a mediocre premiership team.

Time to start making some noise Dees supporters we have a genuine right for an answer from our footy department.

I just had a rather novel idea- next season, the round we are going to be going interstate, particulary AAMI, we go to training in PORT/CROWS attire, blast the song and wave the flags etc. We taunt them. Embarrass them into action no?

It would definately send a message..

[loges 6,767]

Summed it up. I'm being harsh, but realistic. We showed glimpses of what we could be like when we are "good", and I like it! But, we are coming off 2 wooden spoons, and have taken a great step forward this year. But it also could mean other teams have dropped off too.

Let's face it, we have only been a genuine premiership threat twice in the past 30 years. I believe if we made it in 1987 we would have won it. I have this debate with Carlton friends who reckon they had it regardless of who they played, I disagree.

The only other time would be in 1998, when we flogged Adelaide in the first final by 8 goals, pumped St Kilda in the next final by a similar amount, but lost to Norf under lights in the Prelim (back when they used to get a heap of night games, and it was bloody near impossible to beat them in the dark!).

For the other years, we haven't been a serious contender, especially since 2000, hence our bad away records.

Oh gee, I'm sure this one will generate some discussion!

N0 1990 we were a big chance but stuffed up badly

[loges 6,767]

I believe the performance yesterday indicates a side that although has great potential and has made steady improvement is still quite immature. And lets face it as far as on field leadership goes its pretty thin on the ground. Need to improve these areas also more goals from a forward line that regularly only scores 11 - 12 goals

[rpfc 28,966]

Expectations through the roof here.

I have seen far better MFC sides go to AAMI and get beaten.

PA had just as much as us, or even more with Primus looking for a job, to play for.

The ladder also says they are a better team than us too.

This is the first time we have gone to AAMI under Bailey where I thought we were a show.

How is that a pervasive problem that needs to be addressed by the coaching staff and footy dept?

[ICU2 Jerry Jerry 257]

Expectations through the roof here.

I have seen far better MFC sides go to AAMI and get beaten.

PA had just as much as us, or even more with Primus looking for a job, to play for.

The ladder also says they are a better team than us too.

This is the first time we have gone to AAMI under Bailey where I thought we were a show.

How is that a pervasive problem that needs to be addressed by the coaching staff and footy dept?

We were higher on the ladder (2 points) going in with a far superior percentage. That would suggest we were a better team wouldn't it?

[casey scorp 2]

Very disappointing result (for me).

It is the only result in the past 19 matches of AFL footy (3/3 on the Sunday in Round 19, 8/8 in Round 20, 7/8 in Round 21) that I have missed.

Zooming up the Leaderboard in the work footy tipping comp, but still 2 off top spot. Might be a bit hard to make up next week!

[jayceebee31 768]

Very disappointing result (for me).

It is the only result in the past 19 matches of AFL footy (3/3 on the Sunday in Round 19, 8/8 in Round 20, 7/8 in Round 21) that I have missed.

Zooming up the Leaderboard in the work footy tipping comp, but still 2 off top spot. Might be a bit hard to make up next week!

Sloppiness cost them.

[Dee Fan 3,247]

Expectations through the roof here.

I have seen far better MFC sides go to AAMI and get beaten.

PA had just as much as us, or even more with Primus looking for a job, to play for.

The ladder also says they are a better team than us too.

This is the first time we have gone to AAMI under Bailey where I thought we were a show.

How is that a pervasive problem that needs to be addressed by the coaching staff and footy dept?

That in itself is the problem, we cannot win away from home irrespective of how good we are or the quality of the opposition. Port at home last week only scraped in against the bottom side West Coast, 1 point and the week before they were thrashed, 94 points, by the Saints. They played with us and we mounted the usual last quarter challenge when the game was over and they'd lost interest.

This is a massive problem and if we are going to win a flag we have to learn how to win interstate, look at Freo they are dreadful away from Subi and that will prevent them from going all the way until they address the same issue.

I have no doubt we would have beaten them if this game had been played at the G.

[John Crow Batty 8,886]

That in itself is the problem, we cannot win away from home irrespective of how good we are or the quality of the opposition. Port at home last week only scraped in against the bottom side West Coast, 1 point and the week before they were thrashed, 94 points, by the Saints. They played with us and we mounted the usual last quarter challenge when the game was over and they'd lost interest.

This is a massive problem and if we are going to win a flag we have to learn how to win interstate, look at Freo they are dreadful away from Subi and that will prevent them from going all the way until they address the same issue.

I have no doubt we would have beaten them if this game had been played at the G.

Agree with this sentiment. Although we did win two interstate game this year the reality is not as pretty as these wins will appear on the fact sheet. As I said before we barely scraped in against Port in bad form and internal strife at a neutral venue and Brisbane who are playing their worst football in 10 years. Things are back to normal for Port and they payed us back double. In both these games we surrendered big leads to spirited fightbacks from teams playing mediocre that should have been crushed. We were too kind. They would have crushed us if the situations were reversed. I was a bit more pleased with the Freo game but why did the team have to wait for the point of no return to start playing? But they are like blood brothers in playing attitude so not unexpected.

I believe interstate sides know we are poor travellers and it is a simple formula for them. Apply some pressure in stoppages and contests and we will wilt easily.