The people speak

[Demonland 72,216]

We've done this before with some success so why not try it with the game against Geelong at Sleepy Hollow.

Do your own preview of this Saturday's game and the pick of the bunch will be included in this week's match preview.

Can the Demons redeem themselves at the Cattery or will it be a repeat of 186?

You tell us what you think and why.

Match ups, tactics and strategies - its up to the voice of the people.

* we reserve the right to edit (correct spelling and grammar - not content).

[Grandson of a gun 276]

The Demons this week return to where it all began. Or ended depending on your outlook.

A completely new coaching panel. A completely new game plan. A very different Demons outfit.

But no one who is a part of our grea club can forget 186.

So what does this all equate too??? The bottom line is who the hell knows.

The Demons looked like they have started to turn the corner a bit with the game plan and effort required but as we know all to well Melbourne are nothing if not sporadic.

I cannot see a win no matter how I look at the game but there are still many things that can be achieved out of this game.

For starters- a result that is far closer.

An effort and intensity level that matches or builds on last week.

An improvement in the execution of our game plan.

Beamer must atone (regardless of how crook he was last year)

Our midfield must give our backmen a chance and our forwards a look at the ball more than 40 times.

Would it be folly to suggest this week that we adopt the old adage of everyone has one man for the day, regardless of where they play?

Trengove on Bartel

Jones on Chappy

Beamer on Selwood

Frawley/McDonald on Hawkins

Bartram on Stokes

Grimes on Christensen

Sylvia on Enright

Clarke on Scarlett

Morton on Mackie

Watts on Corey

....and the list goes on.

If nothing else, our boys will learn the work rate of a champion team, but if every player is responsible for just one man of flesh and blood, whom they must make it their life's ambition for that day to beat, then maybe, just maybe the Demons can make a game of it?!?

[Guest José Mourinho]

Swirly conditions make it a chaotic contest.

Hawkins well held by Frawley, with Davey kicking 3 goals.

Dees by 11 points.

(sorry, more of a prediction)

[DemonWA 3,934]

The demons are heading to skilled stadium this weekend to take on last year’s premiers. It’s a tough road trip for any side in the competition, let alone for the heavily scrutinised Demons who were pantsed by 186 points in the corresponding fixture in 2011.

Every player who gets an opportunity this week will be driven by the humiliation of last year. None more so than #22 who, in a year where he polled exceptionally well in the Brownlow, couldn’t manage a single possession in a half of football. He and the others will be keen to atone for last years effort.

If the 31 goal loss to Geelong was to have any silver lining, it is to be the subsequent introspection, and overhaul of the clubs footy department. This fresh start and direction looks to have galvanised the club as a whole. Lead by Mark Neeld the demons are working on a game style and culture which is intended to get the Melbourne Football club back towards being a quality, consistent AFL side. Egos have been battered as home truths have been told, the leadership group has been overhauled. Inconsistency from week to week and questionable endeavour will no longer be tolerated. Gone are the days of Melbourne playing top picks for the sake of development.

It’s obvious to all that the transition from the past environment to the current one has not been an easy one for many of the players. 5 losses in 5 rounds has been a tough start to the season, especially with 3 of these losses coming against the lions, tigers and bulldogs. However the signs are starting improve as Neeld picks through the list to find a core group of players who will give their all in implementing his game style for four quarters.

A four quarter effort which will be required this weekend if the demons are to be any match for Geelong at their home. A competitive effort will also set the side up for the coming weeks where the demons will play the majority of the form sides in the competition. A win during this period would do wonders for the confidence of the playing and coaching groups and set the side up for more victories in the second half of the year.

I think the demons will show allot of heart again this week but will be hurt on the scoreboard by a polished Cats outfit.

Cats by 6 goals, 25 less than last year.

[Sir Why You Little 37,046]

Frawley is still in doubt. Calf problem.

[Tony Tea 2,809]

Jurrah on Bartel.

For the memories.

[Demon Head 285]

Geelong are not playing the way they have in past years. Some of their wins have been unconvincing and they have lost twice to teams that failed to make last year's top eight. On the other hand, while Melbourne hasn't been all that flash, it isn't quite plumbing the depths of last year's devastating result at the Cattery. If the Dees can maintain their steady rate of improvement of the last couple of games then they might surprise the football world. Not necessarily with a win but with their best performance at this venue since the drawn game in 2006.

[Still Waiting 94]

Geelong by 12-14 goals. Far too accomplished for a battling young Demons outfit. At least we may see an improved effort by the side for a couple of qtrs.

[deeflog 679]

The Demons this week return to where it all began. Or ended depending on your outlook.

A completely new coaching panel. A completely new game plan. A very different Demons outfit.

But no one who is a part of our grea club can forget 186.

So what does this all equate too??? The bottom line is who the hell knows.

The Demons looked like they have started to turn the corner a bit with the game plan and effort required but as we know all to well Melbourne are nothing if not sporadic.

I cannot see a win no matter how I look at the game but there are still many things that can be achieved out of this game.

For starters- a result that is far closer.

An effort and intensity level that matches or builds on last week.

An improvement in the execution of our game plan.

Beamer must atone (regardless of how crook he was last year)

Our midfield must give our backmen a chance and our forwards a look at the ball more than 40 times.

Would it be folly to suggest this week that we adopt the old adage of everyone has one man for the day, regardless of where they play?

Trengove on Bartel

Jones on Chappy

Beamer on Selwood

Frawley/McDonald on Hawkins

Bartram on Stokes

Grimes on Christensen

Sylvia on Enright

Clarke on Scarlett

Morton on Mackie

Watts on Corey

....and the list goes on.

If nothing else, our boys will learn the work rate of a champion team, but if every player is responsible for just one man of flesh and blood, whom they must make it their life's ambition for that day to beat, then maybe, just maybe the Demons can make a game of it?!?

Mckenzie on Selwood for me, Moloney no where near disiplened enough to look after the oppositions best and most dangerous player

[Dr. Mubutu 853]

Mckenzie on Selwood for me, Moloney no where near disiplened enough to look after the oppositions best and most dangerous player

I hope Jordie can do half the job on Selwood he did on Goddard last week. One of the highlights for mine was just seeing BJ getting more and more frustrated.

However, expect him to be on enforced vacation next week, if the Selwood protectionism from the MRP continues.

Trengove to go to Bartel, if only to see (IMO) the most damaging player in the game. If JT can even be spoken of in the same breath as Bartel, we'll be well on our way! (Even if Bartel IS coming off his worst game of the season: trust me, he's the captain of my UF team!)

As much as I'd like Grimes to be released into the midfield, unfortunately there's no player who can play the rebounding half back role (especially one who can read the play as well as Frank). Given it's a foregone loss, could we see someone trialled in this position?

Frawley or Sellar I think will have to go to Hawkins, none of our other backline players have the strength to go to him, given current form. Garland definitely has to take Stevie J. Chapman seemed to play himself back into a bit of form last week, I'd expect Tom McD to play on him this week.

The most important thing, assuming the ball will get inside our attacking 50, is restricting the rebound. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see the return of Petterd to play alongside Dunn to restrict this movement. Clark, so far, is a classy player, and I assume Scarlett will be playing on him. If he can reduce Scarlett's impact, that's half the battle.

Neeld should bear none of the scars of 186, but he IS a realist. I'm sure he'll be backing the players to just stick to the gameplan, and restrict Geelong's rebound from defence, as well as their run and spread.

In saying that, the Cats are a class side, and as much as I hate to say it, just not in our league at the moment. Expect the ground to be greasy and could, as the outlook is for showers down there to continue until Saturday morning.

IMO, if the players keep up the effort we saw last week, and restrict Geelong's run and carry, they could very well get very frustrated and we could see a surprising result.

I'm not expecting a win, but if the guys keep the defensive pressure up as we saw last week, as well as the week-on-week improvement, the loss could be not-too-damaging!

Cats by 45, for mine.

However, if I hear: "The boys are doing oustandingly on the training track..." ONE MORE TIME at the post-match presser, I may well lose my mind.

[Deez 298]

Most match ups are standard, if no frawls, perhaps T mac could have a run on hawkins?

we know Tmac can out run hawkins.

the other match up id like to see would be mckenzie tag the crap out of selwood.

[satyricon 267]

It is quite simple, Melbourne have to better the tackle count from last week, in fact better every stat, and lift the effort again....

If you go to training you will see they are bustin their balls to improve........we will........

McKenzie will go to Selwood

McDonald will go to Johnson, Stevie J does so much work off the ball these days creating space for the big lumps to run into

Bartram to whichever small forward they go for, with Grimes on the other (Motlop and Christensen methinks)

Reckon Morton will get Kelly

Trengove will be tagged by Taylor Hunt