INTIMIDATED

[Demonland 72,176]

INTIMIDATION by Dave from Dianella

On Anzac Day, I sat down in my lounge room with my young son and we watched a riveting contest between Collingwood and Essendon. The Pies got the jump on the Bombers but Jimmy Hird's boys fought back and the two teams fought it out tooth and nail to produce a sensational spectacle. I dare say there would be very few Essendon supporters who wouldn't have been satisfied with the outcome because their team had a dip against superior quality opposition. Last year's 14th placed team is young and it's going places.

Last night, I was able to head down to Patersons Stadium to watch Eagles v Demons and fortunately, I left the young bloke at home. I came with hope and expectation given that West Coast did finish last in 2010 and Melbourne was far more advanced in its rebuild than the local side in my adopted hope city.

Little did I know!

With a few exceptions, what I saw was seemingly a team of rank amateurs caught in the headlights and mesmerised by the atmospheric conditions at the ground. As far as the first quarter was concerned, I haven't seen anything like it in an elite competition of any sport (although admittedly, I didn't take the trouble to view the Gold Coast Suns' debut at the Gabba a month ago).

Most of you have probably seen the game on your television screens and let me say that such a view didn't give the whole, horrible picture that unfolded before our eyes. Nor did the quarter time scores of 5.5.35 to 0.2.2. What you would have seen was the hesitation, the fumbling, the lack of skills or the fear in players to do what should come naturally from a well drilled professional side. They looked intimidated.

However, those of us who were present did see the extent of how badly the team's third rate game plan was executed. From up there in the stands we saw the birth of a new style of football which, for want of a better description I will call the "backward press" in opposition to the more common "forward press" adopted by many successful AFL sides these days. In order to pull off a successful "backward press" you have to have skill, ability, a determination to succeed and raw emotion. Even then, it will probably fail because of its flawed nature against the systems that are currently in vogue but Melbourne achieved the extraordinary because it lacked the lot.

The result was a scenario that saw the ball move from a contested situation at centre bounces in the ruck (where Mark Jamar at least held his own on his own against two big athletic monsters), the ball would be invariably won by an Eagle (this started in the opening play of the game with Nick Naitanui's run towards goal), and end up deep inside the West Coast forward line where it was permanently positioned until the home side scored.

When the ball was won by a Melbourne player, it would be shuffled around deep inside the opposition fifty from player to player until it eventually went either out of bounds on the full or to a team mate under pressure or directly by miskick, bad handball, fumble or all of the above straight to an Eagle for an ultimate score. Lots of West Coast goals were scored by our turnovers and, on the very rare occasion when it did go in the direction of Melbourne's goals, the attack was easily repulsed (however, I defy Buddy Franklin, Peter Hudson or God himself to kick goals when your midfield isn't giving you any service).

The inside 50 count at the first break just about said it all - 22 to 3. Now I remember watching a game a few years ago and the commentators were marvelling at how low one of the team's inside 50 numbers was for a game. The figure of around 30 was being discussed as close to a record low. So if multiply the number 3 by 4 quarters to get 12 you can get a feeling of the depths of Melbourne's ineptitude. No skills, no pressure, no leadership and no direction.

But ... they're a young side and have a few year's development in them before are set to challenge, you say?

Sod that because youth and inexperience is no excuse for rubbish which is what was served up against last night's opposition.

Needless to say, things improved after the first break because they had to, and at half time I was beaming like those Gold Coast people who marvelled at winning a quarter off us at the Gabba a fortnight ago. We had just won the second quarter!!!

Hallelujah, because we happened to be hopeless in winning that quarter and things only got worse in the third and the last.

How we only ended up losing by nine goals is a miracle but I suppose we owe it to Colin Garland and Clint Bartram who battled manfully in defence, Jack Trengove and Jack Watts who can hold their heads up high and the poor old Russian who will at least remember his 100th game if only for all the wrong reasons. If I have to name any others, I'll throw in Nathan Jones and Jack Grimes but for the life of me, I don't know what's happened to coaches who are brave enough to try something different if things aren't working during a game.

All we did was take off Jordan Gysberts and replace him with Lynden Dunn but there was nothing fundamentally different in the way we went about things in the second half. We were rancid and in the end, Priddis with his dislocated finger was showing up our pathetic show ponies in the midfield.

I heard that Dean Bailey said the team would have to work hard during the week in payment for their poor performance last night. What's wrong with working harder during the game next week against Adelaide?

And on that subject. No panic but if there aren't five or six changes in the side for next week then the football department is as soft as they appear to the outside world at the moment.

Melbourne 0.2.2 3.6.24 4.8.32 6.16.52

West Coast 5.3.33 7.8.50 10.12.72 15.16.106

Goals

Melbourne Davey Dunn Jones Moloney Sylvia Watts

West Coast Darling Embley Lynch 3 Kennedy Nicoski 2 LeCras Rosa

Best

Melbourne Jamar Garland Watts Trengove Jones Bartram

West Coast Priddis Ebert Cox Kerr Nicoski S Selwood

Injuries

Melbourne Nil

West Coast Priddis (dislocated finger)

Changes

Melbourne Nil

West Coast Nil

Reports

Melbourne Nil

West Coast Nil

Umpires Chris Donlon Shane Stewart Brett Rosebury

Crowd 36,298 at Subiaco.

[Striker475 696]

Witches hats? At least they show resistance when they get hit.

[beelzebub 23,364]

Have been more than vociferous al night. Its very easy to be very VERY critical of the efort tonight...and the sad thing is its al ldeserved. I want to see the club ddddDO something about tis. its no good just talking the niceties andmaking 'motions' about dissapointements but actually , how dare I say it, be a bit Kennetish about it and DEMAND something change. The Footbal dept ought to be thoroughly ashamed. Theycouldnt organise a shuffle of deckchairs on the Titanic !!Words fail..., almost

where to now ?

[fatmanblues 10]

Bailey clearly cannot get us fired up for the first qtr.

Have excluded seasons 2008 and 2009 because we were a basket case (and after last night's pathetic/insipid performance (and add any other woeful adjective you want) some would say we still are a basket case!!).

Season 2010 we were expected to improve and did.

Season 2011 we were expected to further improve but after five games one would suggest this is not the case.

So first quarter stats are for season 2010 and 2011 only. We have played a total of 29 games during that time and have won a total of 9 first quarters. We have won one first qtr this year - against the Suns - does that count?? Last year we won first qtrs against Collingwood (impressive), Richmond twice, Brisbane twice, Port once, Essendon once and Sydney once (impressive). Hardly brilliant stuff.

I have been a supporter of Bailey but I am certainly wavering………. Bring on Roos or Malthouse - at least the players would play with passion like we did when Northey was in charge.

Last night was as angry as I have been watching a Melbourne performance - but I will be there Sunday week against the Crows - Lift Dees, Lift

Season 2010 Us Them Qtr Won/Lost Opponent Game Result

Round 1 0.3.3 6.3.39 Lost Hawthorn Lost

Round 2 4.5.29 2.2.14 Won Collingwood Lost

Round 3 1.5.11 2.5.17 Lost Adelaide Won

Round 4 8.1.49 5.2.32 Won Richmond Won

Round 5 4.2.26 2.3.15 Won Brisbane Won

Round 6 2.1.13 3.3.21 Lost Kangas Lost

Round 7 0.6.6 3.2.20 Lost Bulldogs Lost

Round 8 1.3.9 3.0.18 Lost Eagles Lost

Round 9 5.2.32 3.3.21 Won Port A Won

Round 10 2.1.13 5.5.35 Lost Geelong Lost

Round 11 2.2.14 7.4.46 Lost Carlton Lost

Round 12 3.2.20 4.8.32 Lost Collingwood Draw

Round 13 1.3.9 4.6.30 Lost Adelaide Lost

Round 14 3.3.21 3.4.22 Lost St Kilda Lost

Round 15 6.2.38 3.4.22 Won Essendon Won

Round 16 1.2.8 6.3.39 Lost Fremantle Lost

Round 17 8.2.50 2.1.13 Won Sydney Won

Round 18 4.3.27 2.2.14 Won Brisbane Won

Round 19 3.1.19 2.5.17 Won Richmond Won

Round 20 4.1.25 4.1.25 Draw Hawthorn Lost

Round 21 2.6.18 3.2.20 Lost Port A Lost

Round 22 3.3.21 5.4.34 Lost Kangas Lost

Season 2011 Us Them Qtr Won/Lost Opponent Game Result

Round 1 3.2.20 5.3.33 Lost Sydney Draw

Round 2 3.1.19 2.8.20 Lost Hawthorn Lost

Round 3 1.1.7 5.2.32 Lost Brisbane Won

Round 4 6.2.38 3.2.20 Won Suns Won

Round 6 0.2.2 5.3.33 Lost Eagles Lost

[deeflog 679]

i am 100% sure Bailey has lost 100% of the players after watching that crap last night

[DemonDave 1,089]

From Natanui's takeaway of the very first bounce, leaving Trengove in his wake, you could tell we were not switched on and it would be one of those nights. And once the ball didnt leave our back 50 for the next 5 minutes you knew the contest was already over.

[Guest watts04]

the players dont want to die for him, we play soft footy

so inconsistent, he has to go

has 3 years to set a culture and hasnt

[Deeman 1,497]

"backward press"

Love it!

[PaulRB 6,362]

Unfortunately the only cure for a soft team are bitter humiliation like the two we've suffered so far this year. The Hustler school of character development requires it. Best thing about the latest fiasco was watching Jack Watts step up a notch in my book. Unfortunately if was well off-set by others dropping notches left right and centre.

Edited April 29, 2011 by PaulRB

[dee-luded 2,959]

Unfortunately the only cure for a soft team are bitter humiliation like the two we've suffered so far this year. The Hustler school of character development requires it. Best thing about the latest fiasco was watching Jack Watts step up a notch in my book. Unfortunately if was well off-set by others dropping notches left right and centre.

I agree Paul (Watts), and was pleasently surprised when Bennell,,, of all the people, stood his side and stood his ground.

The boy has some hope yet, (bennell)..

Watts showed a lot more vigor, (for him) and was at it.

This, in my opinion, has to happen BEFORE we will see the improved ball movement. When the players go in to help one another and stand up to it,,, then after this phase IMO we will see the boys start to turn to Men, and then, and only then will we see them play for one another.

When they start to play for one another, we Will see the blocks and shepherds, the run to recieves, and the pack crunching plays to bring the ball to the feet of our Wonneamirri's.

[PaulRB 6,362]

Watching Judd tonight makes me realise how desperate we are at Melbourne for some of our kids to become a champion that can change the direction of a game and lift his team to a higher performance level..

Edited April 29, 2011 by PaulRB

[Guest watts04]

i wouldnt critise witchin hats by calling them demons...

at least they can stand up

pss poor and we should all write letters to the club

[beelzebub 23,364]

Season 2010 Us Them Qtr Won/Lost Opponent Game Result

Round 1 0.3.3 6.3.39 Lost Hawthorn Lost

Round 2 4.5.29 2.2.14 Won Collingwood Lost

Round 3 1.5.11 2.5.17 Lost Adelaide Won

Round 4 8.1.49 5.2.32 Won Richmond Won

Round 5 4.2.26 2.3.15 Won Brisbane Won

Round 6 2.1.13 3.3.21 Lost Kangas Lost

Round 7 0.6.6 3.2.20 Lost Bulldogs Lost

Round 8 1.3.9 3.0.18 Lost Eagles Lost

Round 9 5.2.32 3.3.21 Won Port A Won

Round 10 2.1.13 5.5.35 Lost Geelong Lost

Round 11 2.2.14 7.4.46 Lost Carlton Lost

Round 12 3.2.20 4.8.32 Lost Collingwood Draw

Round 13 1.3.9 4.6.30 Lost Adelaide Lost

Round 14 3.3.21 3.4.22 Lost St Kilda Lost

Round 15 6.2.38 3.4.22 Won Essendon Won

Round 16 1.2.8 6.3.39 Lost Fremantle Lost

Round 17 8.2.50 2.1.13 Won Sydney Won

Round 18 4.3.27 2.2.14 Won Brisbane Won

Round 19 3.1.19 2.5.17 Won Richmond Won

Round 20 4.1.25 4.1.25 Draw Hawthorn Lost

Round 21 2.6.18 3.2.20 Lost Port A Lost

Round 22 3.3.21 5.4.34 Lost Kangas Lost

Season 2011 Us Them Qtr Won/Lost Opponent Game Result

Round 1 3.2.20 5.3.33 Lost Sydney Draw

Round 2 3.1.19 2.8.20 Lost Hawthorn Lost

Round 3 1.1.7 5.2.32 Lost Brisbane Won

Round 4 6.2.38 3.2.20 Won Suns Won

Round 6 0.2.2 5.3.33 Lost Eagles Lost

damning isnt it...says it all really

Bailey the Master ( at failing ) at catch up footy

[Tricky 341]

Watching Judd tonight makes me realise how desperate we are at Melbourne for some of our kids to become a champion that can change the direction of a game and lift his team to a higher performance level..

Thought the same thing watching him last night. He was the difference...

[Wadda We Sing 10,685]

Bailey clearly cannot get us fired up for the first qtr.

Have excluded seasons 2008 and 2009 because we were a basket case (and after last night's pathetic/insipid performance (and add any other woeful adjective you want) some would say we still are a basket case!!).

Season 2010 we were expected to improve and did.

Season 2011 we were expected to further improve but after five games one would suggest this is not the case.

So first quarter stats are for season 2010 and 2011 only. We have played a total of 29 games during that time and have won a total of 9 first quarters. We have won one first qtr this year - against the Suns - does that count?? Last year we won first qtrs against Collingwood (impressive), Richmond twice, Brisbane twice, Port once, Essendon once and Sydney once (impressive). Hardly brilliant stuff.

I have been a supporter of Bailey but I am certainly wavering………. Bring on Roos or Malthouse - at least the players would play with passion like we did when Northey was in charge.

Last night was as angry as I have been watching a Melbourne performance - but I will be there Sunday week against the Crows - Lift Dees, Lift

Season 2010 Us Them Qtr Won/Lost Opponent Game Result

Round 1 0.3.3 6.3.39 Lost Hawthorn Lost

Round 2 4.5.29 2.2.14 Won Collingwood Lost

Round 3 1.5.11 2.5.17 Lost Adelaide Won

Round 4 8.1.49 5.2.32 Won Richmond Won

Round 5 4.2.26 2.3.15 Won Brisbane Won

Round 6 2.1.13 3.3.21 Lost Kangas Lost

Round 7 0.6.6 3.2.20 Lost Bulldogs Lost

Round 8 1.3.9 3.0.18 Lost Eagles Lost

Round 9 5.2.32 3.3.21 Won Port A Won

Round 10 2.1.13 5.5.35 Lost Geelong Lost

Round 11 2.2.14 7.4.46 Lost Carlton Lost

Round 12 3.2.20 4.8.32 Lost Collingwood Draw

Round 13 1.3.9 4.6.30 Lost Adelaide Lost

Round 14 3.3.21 3.4.22 Lost St Kilda Lost

Round 15 6.2.38 3.4.22 Won Essendon Won

Round 16 1.2.8 6.3.39 Lost Fremantle Lost

Round 17 8.2.50 2.1.13 Won Sydney Won

Round 18 4.3.27 2.2.14 Won Brisbane Won

Round 19 3.1.19 2.5.17 Won Richmond Won

Round 20 4.1.25 4.1.25 Draw Hawthorn Lost

Round 21 2.6.18 3.2.20 Lost Port A Lost

Round 22 3.3.21 5.4.34 Lost Kangas Lost

Season 2011 Us Them Qtr Won/Lost Opponent Game Result

Round 1 3.2.20 5.3.33 Lost Sydney Draw

Round 2 3.1.19 2.8.20 Lost Hawthorn Lost

Round 3 1.1.7 5.2.32 Lost Brisbane Won

Round 4 6.2.38 3.2.20 Won Suns Won

Round 6 0.2.2 5.3.33 Lost Eagles Lost

Brilliant post....crystal clear. These stats should be forwarded to the football dept immediately.

[deejammin' 2,370]

damning isnt it...says it all really

Bailey the Master ( at failing ) at catch up footy

Pretty damning to note that we have only won two (against a depleted adelaide and a poor brisbane) games after losing the first quarter, especially seeing as we lose them so often! I was a big believer in this rebuild and maintain optimism in the face of rationality that somehow we will turn it around this year, but I really don't know about Bailey as a coach and the culture at our footy club.

I think the idea of a bottom up no.1 draft pick rebuild taking a looong time to build up a list of boys whilst getting flogged approach is yet to be proven, the saints and the closest in recent years and they have only really pushed for premierships after they instituted a well-drilled thoroughly thought out game plan, before then they struggled when they should have done better... Carlton also tried the complete rebuild approach and found themselves out of contention for a very long time, really the only thing that turned it around was Judd and that was more trading and finding money than some kind of rebuild strategy. The Blues still don't perform consistantly if Judd doesn't play. I think it is interesting to note that the most recent power teams didn't bottom out in the way we have, the cats sat around the middle and Collingwood was 14th in one season... Both these clubs have had an uncompromising culture and strong leadership with clear gameplans.

I think that too much belief was been placed in the we build it and they(premierships) will come approach, the reality is we have to go out and get them! We need to make big changes to our approach to football and develop a hard at the ball/ball-carrier uncompromising never say die attitude regardless of where our "window" is at. That is what both Essendon and West Coast have done without any no.1 draft picks or tanking and it seems to be working...

[Wadda We Sing 10,685]

Pretty damning to note that we have only won two (against a depleted adelaide and a poor brisbane) games after losing the first quarter, especially seeing as we lose them so often! I was a big believer in this rebuild and maintain optimism in the face of rationality that somehow we will turn it around this year, but I really don't know about Bailey as a coach and the culture at our footy club.

I think the idea of a bottom up no.1 draft pick rebuild taking a looong time to build up a list of boys whilst getting flogged approach is yet to be proven, the saints and the closest in recent years and they have only really pushed for premierships after they instituted a well-drilled thoroughly thought out game plan, before then they struggled when they should have done better... Carlton also tried the complete rebuild approach and found themselves out of contention for a very long time, really the only thing that turned it around was Judd and that was more trading and finding money than some kind of rebuild strategy. The Blues still don't perform consistantly if Judd doesn't play. I think it is interesting to note that the most recent power teams didn't bottom out in the way we have, the cats sat around the middle and Collingwood was 14th in one season... Both these clubs have had an uncompromising culture and strong leadership with clear gameplans.

I think that too much belief was been placed in the we build it and they(premierships) will come approach, the reality is we have to go out and get them! We need to make big changes to our approach to football and develop a hard at the ball/ball-carrier uncompromising never say die attitude regardless of where our "window" is at. That is what both Essendon and West Coast have done without any no.1 draft picks or tanking and it seems to be working...

Great post.

[H_T 3,043]

Following fatmanblues lengthy post on the stats. So if we win the first quarter on Sunday against Adelaide, we're a pretty good chance of winning given recent history of first quarters. On the flipside if we lose the first quarter, the blowtorch may be turned up a notch for North. However, there are no guarantees that either will happen.

[Deetective Sgt. Taggert 389]

Pretty damning to note that we have only won two (against a depleted adelaide and a poor brisbane) games after losing the first quarter, especially seeing as we lose them so often! I was a big believer in this rebuild and maintain optimism in the face of rationality that somehow we will turn it around this year, but I really don't know about Bailey as a coach and the culture at our footy club.

I think the idea of a bottom up no.1 draft pick rebuild taking a looong time to build up a list of boys whilst getting flogged approach is yet to be proven, the saints and the closest in recent years and they have only really pushed for premierships after they instituted a well-drilled thoroughly thought out game plan, before then they struggled when they should have done better... Carlton also tried the complete rebuild approach and found themselves out of contention for a very long time, really the only thing that turned it around was Judd and that was more trading and finding money than some kind of rebuild strategy. The Blues still don't perform consistantly if Judd doesn't play. I think it is interesting to note that the most recent power teams didn't bottom out in the way we have, the cats sat around the middle and Collingwood was 14th in one season... Both these clubs have had an uncompromising culture and strong leadership with clear gameplans.

I think that too much belief was been placed in the we build it and they(premierships) will come approach, the reality is we have to go out and get them! We need to make big changes to our approach to football and develop a hard at the ball/ball-carrier uncompromising never say die attitude regardless of where our "window" is at. That is what both Essendon and West Coast have done without any no.1 draft picks or tanking and it seems to be working...

I wonder if the recent MFC review came to a similar conclusion...

[... 11]

Pretty damning to note that we have only won two (against a depleted adelaide and a poor brisbane) games after losing the first quarter, especially seeing as we lose them so often! I was a big believer in this rebuild and maintain optimism in the face of rationality that somehow we will turn it around this year, but I really don't know about Bailey as a coach and the culture at our footy club.

I think the idea of a bottom up no.1 draft pick rebuild taking a looong time to build up a list of boys whilst getting flogged approach is yet to be proven, the saints and the closest in recent years and they have only really pushed for premierships after they instituted a well-drilled thoroughly thought out game plan, before then they struggled when they should have done better... Carlton also tried the complete rebuild approach and found themselves out of contention for a very long time, really the only thing that turned it around was Judd and that was more trading and finding money than some kind of rebuild strategy. The Blues still don't perform consistantly if Judd doesn't play. I think it is interesting to note that the most recent power teams didn't bottom out in the way we have, the cats sat around the middle and Collingwood was 14th in one season... Both these clubs have had an uncompromising culture and strong leadership with clear gameplans.

I think that too much belief was been placed in the we build it and they(premierships) will come approach, the reality is we have to go out and get them! We need to make big changes to our approach to football and develop a hard at the ball/ball-carrier uncompromising never say die attitude regardless of where our "window" is at. That is what both Essendon and West Coast have done without any no.1 draft picks or tanking and it seems to be working...

Great post.

[H_T 3,043]

I think that too much belief was been placed in the we build it and they(premierships) will come approach, the reality is we have to go out and get them! We need to make big changes to our approach to football and develop a hard at the ball/ball-carrier uncompromising never say die attitude regardless of where our "window" is at. That is what both Essendon and West Coast have done without any no.1 draft picks or tanking and it seems to be working...

We need to instil some non-negotiables within the young team now as they grow and help build a consitent competitive culture. My concern is the lack of top end leaders we currently have. Hence the thread I started a month ago on "Leadership lacking". Green & Davey have been okay in previous years, but this year they have been anything but good on the field where it counts.

Unfortunately, our young aspiring leaders are just that, too young to step up physically time and again. We'll have to generate on field leadership over time.

Quite frankly, the leaders need to collectively set the tone and lead by example on a consistent basis. This inconsistent nature of pulling the finger out only when it suits (when the blowtorch is applied) is not good enough and not good enough for who we have drafted to look up to as role models onfield. Junior was a good leader to put his head over the ball in the packs and contested balls. We've no doubt missed him, not just for his football, but importantly his leadership and attitude to contest.

Someone like a Lenny Hayes would be perfect atm. Even Junior himself.