CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE

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CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE by The Oracle

It was twelve months ago that Melbourne played in that horrendous game against Hawthorn when it appeared totally shell-shocked in a third quarter from hell.

Then followed a roller coaster ride for much of the season before the club encountered the big dip into oblivion which continues to haunt the club to this very day. Despite a new coach, a truckload of new assistants and sports scientists, the club seems beset by a crisis in confidence not made any easier thanks to a number of off field well documented disasters.

Last week, the club came close to hitting rock bottom losing to the Eagles by a record 108 points to the Eagles at Paterson's Stadium. The performance was horrible and not far away from the worst of the past few years - the infamous 30 July, 2011 game against Geelong at Skilled Stadium or whatever they call that wretched place these days.

This time the Demons gave the Eagles access to 78 inside 50s, failed to effect a single tackle inside their own 50 and gave their opponent a record winning margin.

Fortunately for Melbourne, while Richmond's form has been encouraging so far this year, the Tigers are not in the same ball park as the Eagles, the MCG is a more welcoming venue than Paterson's Stadium and the weather is likely to be more comfortable than the 31 degree heat of Perth.

That still might not be enough to Melbourne's crisis of confidence.

THE GAME

Richmond v Melbourne at the MCG Saturday 15 April 2012 at 1.45pm.

HEAD TO HEAD

Overall Richmond 100 wins Melbourne 79 wins

At MCG Richmond 66 wins Melbourne 59 wins

Since 2000 Richmond 11 wins Melbourne 9 wins

The Coaches Hardwick 0 wins Neeld 0 wins

MEDIA

TV – Fox Footy Channel Live at 1.30pm Channel 7 (delayed at 3pm)

RADIO - ABC774 SEN TripleM

THE BETTING

Richmond $1.28 to win Melbourne $3.85 to win

THE LAST TIME THEY MET

Richmond 17.15.117 defeated Melbourne 17.8.110 at the MCG, Round 22, 2011

The stage was set early in the game when the Tigers jumped out of the blocks and had three goals on the board - two from free kicks - before the Demons started playing. The difference was 26 points by half time but a Melbourne fightback, triggered by a dynamic Colin Sylvia (5 goals) saw it take an 8 point lead into the final term. The Tigers regained momentum in the final term and held on to win by 7 points.

THE TEAMS

RICHMOND

Backs Steven Morris Alex Rance Chris Newman

Half backs Bachar Houli Dylan Grimes Brandon Ellis

Centreline Shaun Grigg Dustin Martin Daniel Jackson

Half forwards Brett Deledio Tyrone Vickery Shane Edwards

Forwards Brad Miller Jack Riewoldt Robin Nahas

Followers Ivan Maric Trent Cotchin Nathan Foley

Interchange Jake Batchelor Reece Conca Addam Maric Shane Tuck

Emergencies Matt Dea Angus Graham Matthew White

In Addam Maric

Out Jake King (knee)

MELBOURNE WEBJET DEMONS

Backs Clint Bartram James Sellar James Frawley

Half backs Colin Garland Jared Rivers Tom McDonald

Centreline Nathan Jones Jack Grimes Rohan Bail

Half forwards Jeremy Howe Jack Watts Cale Morton

Forwards Aaron Davey Mitchell Clark Matthew Bate

Followers Mark Jamar James Magner Jack Trengove

Interchange Lynden Dunn Jordie McKenzie Stefan Martin Luke Tapscott

Emergencies Jack Fitzpatrick Brad Green Joel Macdonald

In Aaron Davey Stefan Martin Cale Morton Luke Tapscott

Out Jamie Bennell Brad Green Joel Macdonald Ricky Petterd

Umpires J Schmitt J Armstrong A Mitchell

THE TURNING OF THE WHEEL

There have been developments in the past 24 hours which undoubtedly will play a role in turning around both the on and off field fortunes of the Melbourne Football Club in what has so far been a disastrous start to season 2012.

On Thursday morning the club announced the appointment of Tim Lamb as a national recruiting officer. Many might ask "Tim who?" but at least the announcement was positive news for once after more than a month of negative media.

Something a little positive for a change.

Things got appreciatively better in the evening w Melbourne has secured Australia's No.1 online travel agent Webjet as its joint major sponsor when the club announced that it had secured Australia's No.1 online travel agent Webjet as its "joint major sponsor" to feature on the front of its guernsey and training apparel.

That's great news after the club's ditching of a sponsor last week because of racist comments published on the facebook page of its CEO. And the reference to a "joint major sponsor" suggests that there might be more good news on the way in the form in the near future another major sponsor announcement.

But what's that got to do with this week's game against the Tigers?

Well, some might say "very little" but if there is an overall cloud of doom and gloom hanging over the club then every piece of good news to lift the playing group will help. This is particularly so if, as I maintain above, that the Demons have being undergoing a crisis in confidence. Any sign of that dark cloud dissipating could mark the beginning of something new. The turning of the wheel.

Of course, there needs to be a lot more to lift a team that's suffered a couple of soul destroying defeats and I believe that team selection this week brought about some necessary changes in balance and an infusion of a different mix of player which is definitely going to help things against Richmond.

Mark Jamar laboured last week when he was forced to take on the combined ruck might of Cox and Naitanui at Paterson's Stadium. Stef Martin's return will therefore be invaluable. The addition of Cale Morton and Luke Tapscott, both former first round draft picks and both capable of adding some variety to the team mix. Then there's Aaron Davey who comes into the side and frankly, is fighting to restore his standing as one of the club's quality players after an injury interrupted 2011 that was also attended by some poor form. With the Jason Mifsud controversy off his back, let's hope that he can now return to form and play with some of that old determination and flair that marked his career over the previous six or seven seasons.

The return to the MCG and some more mild conditions after battling in 30 degree heat on consecutive weeks will help as will some encouragement from opposition coach Damien Hardwick who told reporters:

"They're actually playing OK footy."

I think that was somewhat tongue in cheek from a coach whose only worry might be that his charges attack the game with an element of complacency but it does demonstrate that the concern is that a flaky team like Melbourne might actually hit back this week.

And whilst I believe the Demons will do that and return to a level of competitiveness in this game and in the weeks to come, it might not be enough against the Tigers whose strength (its midfield) will be too much for the Demons most glaring weakness.

Richmond by 10 points.