Jump to content

Strength from the back

tonatopia
in Melbourne Demons

Featured Replies

Posted

Leigh Mathews restructured the Brisbane Lions and made them a superpower by building the side from the backline.

He put Chris Johnson into the back pocket, he put Akermanis in the back pocket, he put Leppitsch at Centre Half Back.

What if we did the same, and we built the side like this; for example,

FB: Grimes Garland Tapscott

HB: Sylvia Frawley Green

An example of a tough, hard-tackling, hard running, pack marking backline that would give the side drive into the middfield, to hit up players like Bennell, Davey, Bail, Scully, Trengove, Gysberts, Jones, McKenzie and Moloney.

I still think our forward line can be super potent with the likes of Petterd, Jurrah, Wona, Watts, Bate.

Sylvia and Green are good players that can go missing, in the backline, they will be forced to stay in the play and drive forward.

thoughts?

  • Quote
    •  

    Leigh Mathews restructured the Brisbane Lions and made them a superpower by building the side from the backline.

    He put Chris Johnson into the back pocket, he put Akermanis in the back pocket, he put Leppitsch at Centre Half Back.

    What if we did the same, and we built the side like this; for example,

    FB: Grimes Garland Tapscott

    HB: Sylvia Frawley Green

    An example of a tough, hard-tackling, hard running, pack marking backline that would give the side drive into the middfield, to hit up players like Bennell, Davey, Bail, Scully, Trengove, Gysberts, Jones, McKenzie and Moloney.

    I still think our forward line can be super potent with the likes of Petterd, Jurrah, Wona, Watts, Bate.

    Sylvia and Green are good players that can go missing, in the backline, they will be forced to stay in the play and drive forward.

    thoughts?

    I'm all for playing good players in different positions to see how thay go. Who says Petterd can't play in the backline. I'd rather try him in the back half or even middle instead of playing at Casey.

    Howe and Tom McDonald looked good at Casey, it may be time to give them a game. Howe's a good mark and looked very composed. Although recruited as a forward I think he could do well in the backline running forward. Tom McDonald is a good size and should get a game later in the year if is form continues.

  • Quote

    Leigh Mathews restructured the Brisbane Lions and made them a superpower by building the side from the backline.

    He put Chris Johnson into the back pocket, he put Akermanis in the back pocket, he put Leppitsch at Centre Half Back.

    What if we did the same, and we built the side like this; for example,

    FB: Grimes Garland Tapscott

    HB: Sylvia Frawley Green

    An example of a tough, hard-tackling, hard running, pack marking backline that would give the side drive into the middfield, to hit up players like Bennell, Davey, Bail, Scully, Trengove, Gysberts, Jones, McKenzie and Moloney.

    I still think our forward line can be super potent with the likes of Petterd, Jurrah, Wona, Watts, Bate.

    Sylvia and Green are good players that can go missing, in the backline, they will be forced to stay in the play and drive forward.

    thoughts?

    Is a bit short.

    Seriously, the only thing Bailey really needs to work on is the tackling. We need to get hungry for the ball, when we don't have it, we need to lock the opposition down around the centre bounce.

    One problem with the bottoming out process, I think we went too far and now you have the divide between too many kids, some older players and nothing in the middle. I'd like to see Rivers play CHF. If there is one thing Rivers can do and that is mark the ball. At least he would give the opposition backman something to be accountable for.

    I'd be tempted to stick Tappscot in the centre, he'd add a little physical pressure in the engine. I'd switch Wonamerrie fro forward and give him a run through the middle.

    I'd also be looking to bring in Maric or Petterd (if fit) maybe drop Dunn.

    But we still need a game plan.

  • Quote
    •  

    Leigh Mathews restructured the Brisbane Lions and made them a superpower by building the side from the backline.

    He put Chris Johnson into the back pocket, he put Akermanis in the back pocket, he put Leppitsch at Centre Half Back.

    What if we did the same, and we built the side like this; for example,

    FB: Grimes Garland Tapscott

    HB: Sylvia Frawley Green

    An example of a tough, hard-tackling, hard running, pack marking backline that would give the side drive into the middfield, to hit up players like Bennell, Davey, Bail, Scully, Trengove, Gysberts, Jones, McKenzie and Moloney.

    I still think our forward line can be super potent with the likes of Petterd, Jurrah, Wona, Watts, Bate.

    Sylvia and Green are good players that can go missing, in the backline, they will be forced to stay in the play and drive forward.

    thoughts?

    Green down back has already been tried,and he is not as good as a backmen, his goal kicking is better than his field kicking as well. Sylvia down back is not a bad idea, his kicking skills would be useful and he could provide good pressure down back, can spoil well and more disciplined these day.

    that backline has too many midsized players though, needs more height and more pace. Blease or Nicholson type may be required in the back pocket by the end of the year. Also wonder how morton would go playing defensive Centre half back. did ok on Goodes and could take the athletic talls ok.

  • Quote

    Is a bit short.

    Seriously, the only thing Bailey really needs to work on is the tackling. We need to get hungry for the ball, when we don't have it, we need to lock the opposition down around the centre bounce.

    Exactly! We're getting way too technical with what we need to work on. All we really need to concentrate on is intensity at the ball.

    We known when we're hungry we can play some damn good footy. You can't seriously say our problem on Thursday was we weren't strong enough down back? It all quite simply comes down to our intent and we weren't prepared to work hard enough to tackle, get the footy or stop our opponents from getting it.

    We need some leadership from either the players or the coaching staff to pump us up and get us going for the game ahead and when things go wrong, to slow it down and say "follow me". A bit like Chris Judd this week.

  • Quote

    3 things to work on this week.

    1 intensity

    2 pressure applied (through tackling and running with not 5m behind opponents)

    3 PROTECTING THE BALL CARRIER with shepherding etc etc.

  • Quote

    Leigh Mathews restructured the Brisbane Lions and made them a superpower by building the side from the backline.

    He put Chris Johnson into the back pocket, he put Akermanis in the back pocket, he put Leppitsch at Centre Half Back.

    What if we did the same, and we built the side like this; for example,

    FB: Grimes Garland Tapscott

    HB: Sylvia Frawley Green

    An example of a tough, hard-tackling, hard running, pack marking backline that would give the side drive into the middfield, to hit up players like Bennell, Davey, Bail, Scully, Trengove, Gysberts, Jones, McKenzie and Moloney.

    I still think our forward line can be super potent with the likes of Petterd, Jurrah, Wona, Watts, Bate.

    Sylvia and Green are good players that can go missing, in the backline, they will be forced to stay in the play and drive forward.

    thoughts?

    Moving Sylvia and Green would take away two of our most important and experienced avenues to goal. Having said that at the moment and based on recent form I would be open to almost anything.

  • Quote

    • Archived

    This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

    Go to topic listing

    Featured Content

    • REPORT: St. Kilda

      When looking back at the disastrous end to the game, I find it a waste of time to concentrate on the final few moments when utter confusion reigned. Forget the 6-6-6 mess, the failure to mark the most dangerous man on the field, the inability to seal the game when opportunities presented themselves to Clayton Oliver, Harry Petty and Charlie Spargo, the vision of match winning players of recent weeks in Kozzy Pickett and Jake Melksham spending helpless minutes on the interchange bench and the powerlessness of seizing the opportunity to slow the tempo of the game down in those final moments.

      • 1 reply
      Demonland

    • CASEY: Sandringham

      The Casey Demons rebounded from a sluggish start to manufacture a decisive win against Sandringham in the final showdown, culminating a quarter century of intense rivalry between the fluctuating alignments of teams affiliated with AFL clubs Melbourne and St Kilda, as the Saints and the Zebras prepare to forge independent paths in 2026. After conceding three of the first four goals of the match, the Demons went on a goal kicking rampage instigated by the winning ruck combination of Tom Campbell with 26 hitouts, 26 disposals and 13 clearances and his apprentice Will Verrall who contributed 20 hitouts. This gave first use of the ball to the likes of Jack Billings, Bayley Laurie, Riley Bonner and Koltyn Tholstrup who was impressive early. By the first break they had added seven goals and took a strong grip on the game. The Demons were well served up forward early by Mitch Hardie and, as the game progressed, Harry Sharp proved a menace with a five goal performance. Emerging young forwards Matthew Jefferson and Luker Kentfield kicked two each but the former let himself down with some poor kicking for goal.
      Young draft talent Will Duursma showed the depth of his talent and looks well out of reach for Melbourne this year. Kalani White was used sparingly and had a brief but uneventful stint in the ruck.

      • 0 replies
      Demonland

    • PREGAME: West Coast

      The Demons return to the scene of the crime on Saturday to face the wooden spooners the Eagles at the Docklands. Who comes in and who goes out? Like moving deck chairs on the Titanic.

        • Like
      • 76 replies
      Demonland

    • POSTGAME: St. Kilda

      This season cannot end soon enough. Disgraceful.

        • Angry
        • Sad
        • Clap
        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 469 replies
      Demonland

    • VOTES: St. Kilda

      Captain Max Gawn still has a massive lead in the Demonland Player of the Year Award from Christian Petracca, Kozzy Pickett, Jake Bowey & Clayton Oliver. Your votes please; 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 & 1.

        • Love
      • 25 replies
      Demonland

    • GAMEDAY: St. Kilda

      It's Game Day and there are only 5 games to go. Can the Demons find some consistency and form as they stagger towards the finish line of another uninspiring season?

        • Clap
        • Love
        • Like
      • 566 replies
      Demonland
    View All