Jump to content

It's not only the mid field that lacks pace



Recommended Posts

For much of the year several threads and comments (including one of my own) have highlighted the problem of pace notably the midfield. Leigh Matthews commented on 693 the other night when reflecting on the Melbourne team that a problem he saw with the backline was that it lacked pace. It lacks those who can break the lines. From my persepctive hard bodies are not the only means of creating pressure. Speed also kills and a Chip Frawley in form is the best we have. Joel Mac tries but skills let him down. Grimes is just learning and may develop this ability. Who knows about Tom Mac yet, just a bit early and he may end up on forward line. James Strauss was picked for such a role but such a broken journey makes it hard to know of his potential. Rivers, Garland and Bartram are all experienced campaingers have hit their peak and game style and won't change now. Others we await in the wings are Tynan, Davis and Taggert and perhaps Bennell and Nickolson. We await their development. But I agree with leigh. We need to improve in this area of our game.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

May I pose a serious question for anyone who reallly understands (as opposed to just thinks they have an opinion they would like to share) sports development etc:

How much can another preseason under Missen be expected to improve our overall leg speed as opposed to endurance?

Can top grade conditioning turn a plodder into a racehorse, to any extent?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Leg speed is one thing, but moving the ball is another, if we can start hitting players with our kicks and handballs, it will be amazing how much quicker we seem!

And I agree - how "slow" was Greg Williams, yet how quick was he in decision making and precision delivery especially by hand?

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Agree age, very well put.

Ball speed is crucial to outletting the ball successfully from defence, in the cause of AFL, ball speed is primarily achieved by quick decisions.

Watch a few players gain a yard of pace, when successfully 'release' players into space

Link to comment
Share on other sites

They have been trying to get Bennell to do that but he hasn't fired up yet.

Apparently may be getting the message and the confidence to do just this, if KC's most recent report is anything to go by

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This has been evident for a long time I reckon HR. We desperately need a couple of classy rebounding defenders. One of the reasons why it is important to get someone like Strauss firing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


May I pose a serious question for anyone who reallly understands (as opposed to just thinks they have an opinion they would like to share) sports development etc:

How much can another preseason under Missen be expected to improve our overall leg speed as opposed to endurance?

Can top grade conditioning turn a plodder into a racehorse, to any extent?

Conditioning will probably help the amount of time players can run full bull, but wouldn't have any effect on actual speed and acceleration. Things that can improve this upon natural characteristics are technique, muscle and flexibility.

Edited by DeeDay
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest gidon

Other than Rivers, I dont see anyone if the back half with speed issues. Frawley can play tall or small due to goood speed. Batram is not slow (in fact had speed in his younger yrs). Garland is similar to Frawley. Not sure if Grimes is considered slow, etc. In fact except for Garland i dont see great kickers in the backline. Especially ones that can break the lines.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Leigh Matthews again?

He lost me with his pathetic comments about Clark and Hudson.

What a [censored].

Agreed, Leigh really covered himself in glory with those well thought out comments. What a geriatric [censored].

Edited by Steamin Demon
Link to comment
Share on other sites

As far as I'm concerned, leg speed is irrelevant unless you don't have the ball; then it becomes really important. Tackling, spreading from contests, leading, and so forth all require great speed, but all the legspeed in the world is useless if your ball movement is slow.

Edited by Chook
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Rivers, Garland and Bartram are all experienced campaingers have hit their peak and game style and won't change now.

I think Garland is still developing and a long way from his peak.

Rivers I will concede is pretty much what you see is what you will get from now on and Bartram I'm not sure of, if they could address his disposal then he has a lot more in him.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As far as I'm concerned, leg speed is irrelevant unless you don't have the ball; then it becomes really important. Tackling, spreading from contests, leading, and so forth all require great speed, but all the legspeed in the world is useless if your ball movement is slow.

Points taken

Sure you have to be able, and willing by the way, to give chase and run for the loose ball.

But quickness of mind - decision making, summing up the situation and options - is vital especially coming out of defence.

And I am sure a big improvement in general fitness and endurance levels makes it all the easier to keep your cool. If you are physically buggered when you eventually get the ball the thought processes aren't going to be flash.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest Jackie

Agreed, Leigh really covered himself in glory with those well thought out comments. What a geriatric [censored].

Leigh Mathews career achievements 10/10. MFC in the the same time frame 0/10.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

agility is something that can compensate for speed. Peter Walsh was a great example, his great evasive skills used to buy him time and space and compensate greatly for lack leg speed

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Leigh Mathews career achievements 10/10. MFC in the the same time frame 0/10.

Leigh is in the media now so to remain relevant you have to create some level of controversy. Take 5 points off for media duties and a couple off for being out of the game for more than a couple of years.

Great player/coach but being kind maybe a 3/10 now.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

May I pose a serious question for anyone who reallly understands (as opposed to just thinks they have an opinion they would like to share) sports development etc:

How much can another preseason under Missen be expected to improve our overall leg speed as opposed to endurance?

Can top grade conditioning turn a plodder into a racehorse, to any extent?

Is Missen our running coach now?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Demonland Forums  

  • Match Previews, Reports & Articles  

    FROZEN by Whispering Jack

    Who would have thought?    Collingwood had a depleted side with several star players out injured, Max Gawn was in stellar form, Christian Petracca at the top of his game and Simon Goodwin was about to pull off a masterstroke in setting Alex Neal-Bullen onto him to do a fantastic job in subduing the Magpies' best player. Goody had his charges primed to respond robustly to the challenge of turning around their disappointing performance against Fremantle in Alice Springs. And if not that, t

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 7

    TURNAROUND by KC from Casey

    The Casey Demons won their first game at home this year in the traditional King’s Birthday Weekend clash with Collingwood VFL on Sunday in a dramatic turnaround on recent form that breathed new life into the beleaguered club’s season. The Demons led from the start to record a 52-point victory. It was their highest score and biggest winning margin by far for the 2024 season. Under cloudy but calm conditions for Casey Fields, the home side, wearing the old Springvale guernsey as a mark of res

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Casey Articles

    PREGAME: Rd 15 vs North Melbourne

    After two disappointing back to back losses the Demons have the bye in Round 14 and then face perennial cellar dweller North Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday night in Round 15. Who comes in and who goes out?

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 142

    PODCAST: Rd 13 vs Collingwood

    The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Tuesday, 11th June @ 8:30pm. Join George, Binman & I as we analyse the Demons loss at the MCG against the Magpies in the Round 13 on Kings Birthday. You questions and comments are a huge part of our podcast so please post anything you want to ask or say below and we'll give you a shout out on the show. If you would like to leave us a voicemail please call 03 9016 3666 and don't worry no body answers so you don't have to talk to a human. L

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 36

    VOTES: Rd 13 vs Collingwood

    Captain Max Gawn has a considerable lead over reigning champion Christian Petracca in the Demonland Player of the Year Award. Steven May, Alex Neal-Bullen & Jack Viney make up the Top 5. Your votes for the loss against the Magpies. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 41

    POSTGAME: Rd 13 vs Collingwood

    Once again inaccuracy and inefficiency going inside 50 rears it's ugly head as the Demons suffered their second loss on the trot and their fourth loss in five games as they go down to the Pies by 38 points on Kings Birthday at the MCG.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 415

    GAMEDAY: Rd 13 vs Collingwood

    It's Game Day and the Demons are once again faced with a classic 8 point game against a traditional rival on King's Birthday at the MCG. A famous victory will see them reclaim a place in the Top 8 whereas a loss will be another blow for their finals credentials.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 941

    BOILED LOLLIES by The Oracle

    In the space of a month Melbourne has gone from chocolates to boiled lollies in terms of its standing as a candidate for the AFL premiership.  The club faces its moment of truth against a badly bruised up Collingwood at the MCG. A win will give it some respite but even then, it won’t be regarded particularly well being against an opponent carrying the burden of an injured playing list. A loss would be a disaster. The Demons have gone from a six/two win/loss ratio and a strong percentag

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Match Previews 3

    CLEAN HANDS by KC from Casey

    The Casey Demons headed into town and up Sydney Road to take on the lowly Coburg Lions who have been perennial VFL easy beats and sitting on one win for the season. Last year, Casey beat them in a practice match when resting their AFL listed players. That’s how bad they were. Nobody respected them on Saturday and clearly not the Demons who came to the game with 22 players (ten MFC), but whether they came out to play is another matter because for the most part, their intensity was lacking an

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Casey Articles
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!
×
×
  • Create New...