Jump to content

  • IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING

    Posting unsubstantiated rumours on this website is strictly forbidden.

    Demonland has made the difficult decision to not permit this platform to be used to discuss & debate the off-field issues relating to the Melbourne Football Club including matters currently being litigated between the Club & former Board members, board elections, the issue of illicit drugs in footy, the culture at the club & the personal issues & allegations against some of our players & officials ...

    We do not take these issues & this decision lightly & of course we believe that these serious matters affecting the club we love & are so passionate about are worthy of discussion & debate & I wish we could provide a place where these matters can be discussed in a civil & respectful manner.

    However these discussions unfortunately invariably devolve into areas that may be defamatory, libelous, spread unsubstantiated rumours & can effect the mental health of those involved. Even discussion & debate of known facts or media reports can lead to finger pointing, blame & personal attacks.

    The repercussion is that these discussions can open this website, it’s owners & it’s users to legal action & may result in this website being forced to shutdown.

    Our moderating team are all volunteers & cannot moderate the forum 24/7 & as a consequence problematic content that contravenes our rules & standards may go unnoticed for some time before it can be removed.

    We reserve the right to delete posts that offend against our above policy & indeed, to ban posters who are repeat offenders or who breach our code of conduct.

    WE HAVE BUILT A FANTASTIC ONLINE COMMUNITY AT DEMONLAND OVER THE PAST 23 YEARS & WE WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO BE ABLE TO DISCUSS THE CLUB WE LOVE & ARE SO PASSIONATE ABOUT.

    Thank you for your continued support & understanding. Go Dees.


Neelds defensive game plan


Barney Rubble

Recommended Posts

I've just been watching the Foxtel repeats games against GWS & GC this season.

The game especially against GWS showcased the defensive game that Neeld was trying to instil.

Now I know you will say that we were playing against kids.

But I say have a look at the way we went about doing it.

Add to this the amount of experience we have added to our list and I can only see a huge amount of improvement.

A couple of years ago Sean Wellman improved the backline so much that it was rumoured that they were knocking on the door to being the best backline in the league.

Mark Neeld has improved the defensive game plan all over the ground.

It may take a year or two to get it right, but from what I saw in the low intensity game on display,.he is on he right track.

Never have I seen that amount of defensive pressure all over the ground.

I would appreciate your learned opinions.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In a low intensity game against kids any game plan would look good. Against good oposition other factors come into play. Read organisation, team discipline and mixed with more elusive concepts like team elan. Even during the Bailey days his more offensive game style smashed the likes of GC and then distracted clubs like Adelaide with ease. To see how a defensive game is is being done well this year look at how the Swans, Fremantle and Adelaide have gone about it this year. We are still in the school yard cowboys and indians bang bang your dead stage trying to immitate Colingwood of several years ago.

Edited by america de cali
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I thought the best two games we played which showed the game plan that Neeld want us to play was the Essendon game and the first St.Kilder game.

We played very hard at the ball and the way we switched the play to cross it to the other side of the field to get into our forward 50 was fantastic, when the tv went to full field view you could see each player run off the man in a perfect row so they could get it into the forward line.

The only problem was we had no one to kick to other then Mitch which was the reason why we didn't kick a goal in the final quieter in the st.Kilda game.

With the new forward line we have made in this trade period I think we will be seeing a lot more wins in 2013.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

In a low intensity game against kids any game plan would look good. Against good oposition other factors come into play. Read organisation, team discipline and mixed with more elusive concepts like team elan. Even during the Bailey days his more offensive game style smashed the likes of GC and then distracted clubs like Adelaide with ease. To see how a defensive game is is being done well this year look at how the Swans, Fremantle and Adelaide have gone about it this year. We are still in the school yard cowboys and indians bang bang your dead stage trying to immitate Colingwood of several years ago.

The Swans and Adelaide actually had quite offesive gameplans.... They relied on winning the contested footy and firing the ball out from contests to their ball users. he top sides (All of them) relied on winning the contested footy. Saints and Freo were more the traditional defensive game plan.

Anyway the part of your analysis you forget or neglect to mention that for the majority of the year we were just as in-experienced as GWS or GC and teaching a whole side to be defensive - Neeld didn't have the cattle - i think we all acknowledge that

2013 will be interesting - 2014 will be the year we will be able to tell if Neeld can coach or not

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In my observation, in the modern era defence wins all big football games irrespective of the code: AFL, soccer, rugby, NRL, NFL.

So I agree with Neeld's focus on defensive pressure. It will stand up much better to test in finals in due course.

And yes - I do believe Neeld will take us to the finals in the coming years.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I see it more like our "cattle" have been skinned, gutted and hanged on hooks in the abattoir with their hearts cut out and consigned to the pet food bin. I'd like to see Neeld have a chance to coach but he has Buckley's chance with the current leadership at the club.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I see it more like our "cattle" have been skinned, gutted and hanged on hooks in the abattoir with their hearts cut out and consigned to the pet food bin. I'd like to see Neeld have a chance to coach but he has Buckley's chance with the current leadership at the club.

Wow...what a load of drivel, give it a rest, smoke a joint or something!

  • Like 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites


I see it more like our "cattle" have been skinned, gutted and hanged on hooks in the abattoir with their hearts cut out and consigned to the pet food bin. I'd like to see Neeld have a chance to coach but he has Buckley's chance with the current leadership at the club.

You are obviously not a farmer - the weak cattle always get slaughtered for the betterment of the herd.

It has been no secrect that 'senior' cattle hated CC and other administration at the club - now the majority of these 'senior' members have been moved on I am hoping Neeld has a better chance of producing success at the club

ADC - i think you need to be less vague, who in the current leadership group is not on the Neeld 'reality bus'??? I thought they had been all moved on now?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Looking foward to the repeat of round 23 against Fremantle on Fox Footy too.

In the first half, they put to Freo a hard one on one contest. Perhaps the fitness didn't see them through to keep them in the game, but it looked the goods in the way of seeing Neelds defensive focus bearing fruit.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I see it more like our "cattle" have been skinned, gutted and hanged on hooks in the abattoir with their hearts cut out and consigned to the pet food bin. I'd like to see Neeld have a chance to coach but he has Buckley's chance with the current leadership at the club.

We're on to you Caroline.

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

You are obviously not a farmer - the weak cattle always get slaughtered for the betterment of the herd.

ADC - i think you need to be less vague, who in the current leadership group is not on the Neeld 'reality bus'??? I thought they had been all moved on now?

There are more than one players on our banner here that are on the reality bus but not necessarily Neeld's take on it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There are more than one players on our banner here that are on the reality bus but not necessarily Neeld's take on it.

So to eleborate - (please feel free to PM me as I want to be in the know.........) Please answer these questoins/concerns I have below

Why would these players put their reputations and careers on the line with a disagreement over team tactics or strategy?? Why not asked to be traded at the end of this year?? When should we expect the next '186' in response to above named players dissatisfactoin??

Or should I just expect a mass exudos at year end 2013?

Thanks in advance - i appreciate you being the playing groups voice

Edited by Unleash Hell
Link to comment
Share on other sites

There are more than one players on our banner here that are on the reality bus but not necessarily Neeld's take on it.

Who are you ADC?

Some of the comments you make it seems like your someone who is on the inside of the MFC or

You just like messing with everyone this site.

Which one is it?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've just been watching the Foxtel repeats games against GWS & GC this season.

The game especially against GWS showcased the defensive game that Neeld was trying to instil.

Now I know you will say that we were playing against kids.

But I say have a look at the way we went about doing it.

Add to this the amount of experience we have added to our list and I can only see a huge amount of improvement.

A couple of years ago Sean Wellman improved the backline so much that it was rumoured that they were knocking on the door to being the best backline in the league.

Mark Neeld has improved the defensive game plan all over the ground.

It may take a year or two to get it right, but from what I saw in the low intensity game on display,.he is on he right track.

Never have I seen that amount of defensive pressure all over the ground.

I would appreciate your learned opinions.

Did you watch rd 11 v the pies we smashed them in the third quarter by putting preesuer on the ball carrier Tehn we allowed them to roam free and had multiple goals kicked against us

I have watched the whole season once on fox and i will watch again

I am left wuith a few impressions

1) We were better than i thought in some quarters and games

2) We were no where fit enough

3) stupid turnovers by Morton Gimes tapscott McDonald eta l cost us momentum thatw e could recover from

4) Davey is completely cooked

5)Jack Watts belongs on the halfback flank

6)Tom McDonald is a star

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Did you watch rd 11 v the pies we smashed them in the third quarter by putting preesuer on the ball carrier Tehn we allowed them to roam free and had multiple goals kicked against us

I have watched the whole season once on fox and i will watch again

I am left wuith a few impressions

1) We were better than i thought in some quarters and games

2) We were no where fit enough

3) stupid turnovers by Morton Gimes tapscott McDonald eta l cost us momentum thatw e could recover from

4) Davey is completely cooked

5)Jack Watts belongs on the halfback flank

6)Tom McDonald is a star

I've been doing the same Jackaub -

It has been good to go back and re-watching the games without the passion and disappointment (plus it's a footy fix).

I've found personally, on top of what you and Chippa have already said, that it has been interesting to watch the team develop over the weeks - From approx round 10 onwards there is clear improvement ... you can see the team using the ball with more confidence and winning uncontested possessions, and shutting down teams (if only for qtrs at a time - The st kilda game in the 2nd qtr we smashed them but we couldn't score ourselves).

Anyway here is hoping we continue to improve in 2013

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

In a low intensity game against kids any game plan would look good. Against good oposition other factors come into play. Read organisation, team discipline and mixed with more elusive concepts like team elan. Even during the Bailey days his more offensive game style smashed the likes of GC and then distracted clubs like Adelaide with ease. To see how a defensive game is is being done well this year look at how the Swans, Fremantle and Adelaide have gone about it this year. We are still in the school yard cowboys and indians bang bang your dead stage trying to immitate Colingwood of several years ago.

He asked for "learned opinions". That rules your out.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Did you watch rd 11 v the pies we smashed them in the third quarter by putting preesuer on the ball carrier Tehn we allowed them to roam free and had multiple goals kicked against us

I have watched the whole season once on fox and i will watch again

I am left wuith a few impressions

1) We were better than i thought in some quarters and games

2) We were no where fit enough

3) stupid turnovers by Morton Gimes tapscott McDonald eta l cost us momentum thatw e could recover from

4) Davey is completely cooked

5)Jack Watts belongs on the halfback flank

6)Tom McDonald is a star

Also Mitch Clark, was on fire. Green and Sylvia has the big stage frights, hardly touched it!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

IMO I don't think Neeld's game is Defensive more that our players lacked the ability and fitness to bring defensive pressure to bare on opposition players. This past year has been about fitness and the structures and ability to shutdown oppositions. Once this is achieved the Attacking structures need to be developed to put scoreboard pressure on. That is why having a couple of options up forward next season was important for us to draft. More so IMO then midfielders.

Edited by Felix da Dee
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Did you watch rd 11 v the pies we smashed them in the third quarter by putting preesuer on the ball carrier Tehn we allowed them to roam free and had multiple goals kicked against us

I have watched the whole season once on fox and i will watch again

I am left wuith a few impressions

1) We were better than i thought in some quarters and games

2) We were no where fit enough

3) stupid turnovers by Morton Gimes tapscott McDonald eta l cost us momentum thatw e could recover from

4) Davey is completely cooked

5)Jack Watts belongs on the halfback flank

6)Tom McDonald is a star

Are you a doctor of medicine? Only a medical doctor could write that sloppy.

What do you mean by Davey being cooked?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Are you a doctor of medicine? Only a medical doctor could write that sloppy.

What do you mean by Davey being cooked?

He means we have seen the best of Davey and that his career may well be over.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

At the risk of being accused of semantic interchanging; my taake on Neeldz ideas (as bezt as anyone cantell to date ) is hes after a very attacking style of play. Not defensive as much as defensively accountable.

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  

    LEADERS OF THE PACK by The Oracle

    I was asked to write a preview of this week’s Round 8 match between Melbourne and Geelong. The two clubs have a history that goes right back to the time when the game was starting to become an organised sport but it’s the present that makes the task of previewing this contest so interesting. Both clubs recently reached the pinnacle of the competition winning premiership flags in 2021 and 2022 respectively, but before the start of this season, many good judges felt their time had passed - n

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 3

    PODCAST: Kade Chandler Interview

    I'm interviewing Melbourne Football Club's small forward Kade Chandler tomorrow for the Demonland Podcast. I'll be asking him about his road from being overlooked in the draft to his rookie listing to his apprenticeship as a sub to VFL premiership to his breakout 2023 season to mainstay in the Forwadline and much more. If you have any further questions let me know below and I'll see if I can squeeze them in. I will release the podcast at some time tomorrow so stay tuned.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 18

    TRAINING: Monday 29th April 2024

    Demonland Trackwatcher Kev Martin was on hand at Gosch's Paddock for Monday's training session and made the following observations. About 38 to 40  players down at training.  BBB walking laps.  Charlie Spargo still in rehab, doing short run throughs.  Christian Salem has full kit on and doing individual work with a trainer. He is is starting to get into some sprints. I cannot see Andy Moniz-Wakefield out there. Jack Viney and Kade Chandler have broken away from the

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    DISCO INFERNO by Whispering Jack

    Two weeks ago, when the curtain came down on Melbourne’s game against the Brisbane Lions, the team trudged off the MCG looking tired and despondent at the end of a tough run of games played in quick succession. In the days that followed, the fans wanted answers about their team’s lamentable performance that night and foremost among their concerns was whether the loss was a one off result of fatigue or was it due to other factor(s) of far greater consequence.  As it turns out, the answer to

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 16

    TIGERS PUNT CASEY by KC from Casey

    The afternoon atmosphere at the Swinburne Centre was somewhat surreal as the game between Richmond VFL and the Casey Demons unfolded on what was really a normal work day for most Melburnians. The Yarra Park precinct marched to the rhythm of city life, the trains rolled by, pedestrians walked by with their dogs and the traffic on Punt Road and Brunton Avenue swirled past while inside the arena, a football battle ensued. And what a battle it was? The Tigers came in with a record of two wins f

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Casey Articles

    PREGAME: Rd 08 vs Geelong

    After returning to the winners list the Demons have a 10 day break until they face the unbeaten Cats at the MCG on Saturday Night. Who comes in and who goes out for this crucial match?

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 437

    PODCAST: Rd 07 vs Richmond

    The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 29th April @ 8:30pm. Join George, Binman & I as we analyse the Demons victory at the MCG against the Tigers in the Round 07. 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. Listen & Chat

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 44

    VOTES: Rd 07 vs Richmond

    Last week Captain Max Gawn overtook reigning champion Christian Petracca in the Demonland Player of the Year Award. Steven May, Jack Viney & Alex Neal-Bullen make up the Top 5. Your votes for the win against the Tigers. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 54

    POSTGAME: Rd 07 vs Richmond

    The Demons put their foot down after half time to notch up a clinical win by 43 points over the Tigers at the MCG on ANZAC Eve keeping touch with the Top 4.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 387
  • Tell a friend

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