TIRED

[Demonland 72,192]

TIRED by The Oracle

For the first quarter and a half of the Demons' farewell to favoured son Brad Green, things were going well. When Jared Rivers' goal put them only five points down, they looked a substantially improved outfit to the one which stumbled through most of the first half of the season.

Green himself had featured prominently in his team's impressive start with two first quarter goals and he could easily have set his retirement match alight had he not missed two easy shots that presented themselves in the second term. His final tally of goals sits at an impressive 350 from 254 matches but this one was not to be the fairytale ending that most would hope for after giving so much for his team.

The Crows made the most of a few Demon turnovers and other errors kicking the last four goals of the half to lead by 31 points at the main break.

The problem with this young team decimated by injuries and loss of form was that it was travelling on two cylinders while the opposition, winning in the ruck and midfield, with two dominant key position forwards in fine marking form and a final four finish in its sights, put on the afterburners in the third quarter and that was that. The Crows kicked ten goals for the term to take a 74-point lead into Green's last quarter and, though the Demons looked tired and dispirited they fought on gamely to narrowly win the final term.

Colin Sylvia who started the season with a broken back and had to contend with injury and criticism as to his attitude has kept his best games until near the very end. Nathan Jones was his usual self as the battering ram midfielder and Jeremy Howe did well, taking a few marks to add to the album. Sam Blease did a few nice things and the co-leaders worked hard for a lost cause. Their team is playing as if it is in the middle of a long, hard pre season. It looks tired and in need of a rest as much as its supporters.

Melbourne 3.4.22 5.7.37 8.10.58 11.15.81

Adelaide 5.3.33 10.8.68 20.12.132 22.18.150

Goals

Melbourne Green Rivers Sellar 2 Blease Howe Jones Spencer Watts

Adelaide Callinan Walker 4 Dangerfield Tippett 3 Douglas Johncock 2 Petrenko Reilly van Berlo Wright

Best

Melbourne Sylvia Jones Howe Grimes Bail McKenzie

Adelaide Walker Dangerfield Tippett Thompson Wright Petrenko Jacobs Callinan

Changes

Melbourne Nil.

Adelaide Nil.

Injuries

Melbourne Nil.

Adelaide Nil.

Reports

Melbourne Nil.

Adelaide Nil.

Umpires Wenn Leppard Fleer

Official Crowd 18,450 at MCG

[Pipefitter 2,159]

Was just trying to think what players get a pass mark this year. I could only think of 4, Jones, Howe, McDonald, and Blease. This is why we are where we are. The saying "Too much left to too few" doesn't even come close to describing this clubs situation.

[Jerry Lundergard 420]

Once again our midfield is putrid. Smashed in the middle, smashed on the scoreboard.

[red and blue forever 1,030]

well, only one more week of pain to go, then some excitement with the trade and draft...

Thanks Greeny, your a champion!

[Norm Smith's Curse 2,602]

Watching Brad get carried off unstabley was probably the saddest moment Ive seen in a while at a club with many sad moments in the last 12 months. Not even a whimper today. Looked ok in the first quarter but the second half was embarrassing. Slow, under skilled, poor disposal, never in the right position, kicking to a contest. It was all there once again.

[bing181 9,236]

Adelaide ... fitter, stronger, bigger, more experienced.

Work to do, we ain't gonna find all that in one off-season.

[ding 5,126]

During the third quarter i sent an email to the club cancelling my automatic membership renewal. I can understand many things, but a complete lack of heart was the final straw. Much more rewarding things i can waste my coin on.

[jumbo returns 6,741]

During the third quarter i sent an email to the club cancelling my automatic membership renewal. I can understand many things, but a complete lack of heart was the final straw. Much more rewarding things i can waste my coin on.

That's a shame - just when the club needs more support than ever.

[stuie 7,374]

Bravo Fuschias, really showed that good old fashioned gentleman's spirit today, hurrah!.......

I'll never stop loving this club, but the sex is really average at the moment...

[stuie 7,374]

That's a shame - just when the club needs more support than ever.

And just when they should be showing us they deserve it...

[agent 99 71]

Well what can you really say about that second half.

Greeny i have had your number on my jumper for many years now its time for a new one.

Why the hell was with the crows theme song being played while they carried green of disgraceful.

[dee-tox 4,835]

When did Frawley become so crap?

[Norm Smith's Curse 2,602]

Or that atleast they care and will put the effort in to indicate that they are proud.

[DeeZee 7,395]

Frawley had his pants pulled down today....been very poor all year.

Cant get the ball out of the centre to save ourselves

Always playing one short with Mckenzie in the centre, as he doesnt get enough of the ball himself.

Your not going to win premierships with one dimensional players these days.

[Rob Mac...... 638]

Col Sylvia MFC BOG today. Howe, Bail & some others need hours of kicking practice every day between now & round 1 2013.

[jumbo returns 6,741]

Some perspective please.

We got done by 10 goals by a top four side that is much better......for now.

The FD know the problems that need to be addressed and it will start with the draft.

The clean out is on the horizon.

Edited August 26, 2012 by jumbo returns

[Norm Smith's Curse 2,602]

Your not concerned by the fact that players supposedly playing for their careers had their pants completely pulled down in every department from half time. Not even a whimper?

[stuie 7,374]

Some perspective please.

We got done by 10 goals by a top four side that is much better......for now.

The FD know the problems that need to be addressed and it will start with the draft.

The clean out is on the horizon.

As I've said all year, it's not the result we're upset about, it's the lack of any sense of spirit or effort, especially on a day like today. What a nothing game, again.

[jumbo returns 6,741]

Are you addressing my post?

If you are, decisions about players were made several weeks ago, not today.

[Range Rover 1,935]

No midfield. No hope.

[jumbo returns 6,741]

As I've said all year, it's not the result we're upset about, it's the lack of any sense of spirit or effort, especially on a day like today. What a nothing game, again.

Okay, but the turnaround and culture has begun - big names were dropped, standards set.

2013 will be huge.

[jnrmac 20,065]

Once again our midfield is putrid. Smashed in the middle, smashed on the scoreboard.

Yep. It was disgraceful. Maggots didn't help but our centre work was appalling. Anyone have the stats for clearances?

I heard 8 of the first 9 goals for the Crows were from our turnovers.

[stuie 7,374]

Okay, but the turnaround and culture has begun - big names were dropped, standards set.

2013 will be huge.

Has it? What culture? I like all the talk about culture but I'm yet to see it on the field.

Big names were dropped? Is that meant to be something to hang our hats on?

But you're right, 2013 will be huge, one way or another.

[beelzebub 23,376]

Your not concerned by the fact that players supposedly playing for their careers had their pants completely pulled down in every department from half time. Not even a whimper?

The flip side to this of course is in some respects we'l lnever die wondering what some "might' have produced one day . ALL and everything has ben laid bare.

[Sir Why You Little 37,036]

At least 25% of this list needs to be turned over by October.