don't forget they only played about 90 min vs about 120 min in a normal game

Yes, the better measure is against the other team; the differential.

It was -4 which is passable but not optimal.

Watching the first quarter of the game and it is good to see our tackling drills are starting to be put into practice. In last weeks games I thought we were poor but we are really applying a lot of pressure and tackling hard and low in this game. I hope a few of our senior 22 are having a good look.

I don't want to be the bearer of bad news but I was out yesterday and saw Tom McDonald walking around with crutches and a moon boot! Has anyone heard anything about this?

Mayday.

Only watched Q1 but I wish Fox etc would learn a thing or two from the Port telecast.

First, the commentator actually described the footy (and did a reasonable job considering on the MFC players) rather than the usual self-promotion and nostalgia talk we usually have to suffer.

But more importantly it was possible to see what was going on rather than learning via endless close-ups how closely shaved each player was. Instead of zooming-in on a player about to take a free, they often zoomed out so we could see what his options were. Admittedly a bit hard to see what was happening in a distant pack, but a small price to pay. You'd think Fox with its multiple cameras could do a bit of both, but no, it's close-ups all the bleeding time.

A good telecast for someone like me who lives interstate and can only get to games rarely.

I agree Sue. I went to the cricket this year for the first time in aaaaages, and realised that I actually enjoy the game when I'm at the ground, and can see the game of chess played between the captain and his bowler, and the batsman. On TV, it's just "guy throws ball, guy hits ball", over and over.

I much prefer to see footy from the third level or above at the G for the same reason. Much better for watching plays develop.

Posted this in the video thread but thought I post the links here too:

Here are the links to all 4 quarters.

Q1 - Full Replay - http://www.melbourne...ort-adelaide-q1

Q2 - Full Replay - http://www.melbourne...ort-adelaide-q2

Q3 - Full Replay - http://www.melbourne...ort-adelaide-q3

Q4 - Full Replay - http://www.melbourne...ort-adelaide-q4

Videos cannot be watched on your phone and can only be accessed on your PC. Not sure about iPads and similar tablet devices.

EDIT: Video can be watched through the Official Demons iPhone App.

amazing..unless im totally blind youd hardly notice wed played over the weekend according to the Aged !! lol

pathetic lot arent they !!

Just watched the full replay on the PTV site, thanks for the poster who put up the links. My observations were, we started off really sharp particularly in the tackling and pressure department but after the first quarter, Port were fairly dominant but let us off the hook constantly with costly skill errors in the back half that we (to our credit) capitalised on.

Our skills were very ordinary which was quite dismaying actually. Lost count of the number of times players fumbled with little pressure, failed to grasp a loose ball with the first touch, or dropped easy marks. Also, there were many instances of the old patentend MFC move of handballing to a team mate that is either a) standing flat-footed right next to you, or b. streaming past with a team-mate breathing down his neck ready to create a pressured disposal. Didn't see too many examples of vision or precise skill execution by our team.

Thought the ruckwork by Spencer wasn't that bad and our clearance work was a lot better than Ports. However, there was a lot of "grab the footy and bomb it forward" style clearance work, not much chain of clean possession from the stoppages like you see A grade sides do.

Liked Sellar's and Jetta's game but struggled to identify a lot of the smaller players in the coverage so couldn't really keep good track of the other contributors. Sylvia and Davey should have played a more dominant role than they did considering their talent and experience. Having said that, Davey's game wasn't terrible and his goals were good. Terlich got a lot of it but his disposal was ordinary.

Think we got out of jail in that game a bit, hopefully with our 1st team back we can account for Port in Round 1 of the season proper.

Edited March 4, 201312 yr by leucopogon

http://www.afl.com.au/ladder/nab-cup-ladder

LOL, last year's grand finallists occupy the bottom 2

Damn ... had we kept our 25 point lead we could have been close to the eight by the end of the game.

First thing I noticed when watching the reply, we looked a lot more organised with our defensive structures, we seemed to set our zones well and rolled them over well. Only one concern it seemed we allowed the short kick and set our zones a little to deep. On the other side we seemed to get through Port's defense quite easy, the polish in transition from defense to attack was still poor but that will come. Pleasing to see the improvement in structures will be interesting to see what it looks like with our best team on the park.

Disposals were about even in the GF.

I'm not for gathering disposals for the sake of it but we do need to control the footy and play the game on our terms.

No you're right. A better team would have beaten us with that disposal differential and it was a huge issue for us last year. As was inside 50 differential which we also lost against Port

The high tackle count, contested possessions and center clearance stats (19-7 despite getting smashed in the ruck) give a good indication of where Neeld (and Misson for that matter ) is currently focusing his attention and perhaps is an indication we are heading in the right direction in terms of Neeld desire for us to be the hardest team to play against. When you consider our mid field was Couch, Magner and Sylvia you're looking at some pretty strong boys. Great to hear an opposition coach say were more fierce at the ball.

I was interested in Jimmy72's comment about us getting 5-6 goals via long kicks that cleared their defensive line (one of Sellar's goal being a great example - see links on MFC). I wonder if that is a pointer to a game style that is less possession orientated?

I was interested in Jimmy72's comment about us getting 5-6 goals via long kicks that cleared their defensive line (one of Sellar's goal being a great example - see links on MFC). I wonder if that is a pointer to a game style that is less possession orientated?

With the generally average skill levels of our list, this would seem to make sense

Davis has always been a competitor, but his kicking is terrible. He won't be a starter until he can get that under control.

I agree but IMO last year was a hiccup in his 'footy presence', which detracted from his perceived value.

If he can show this season that he has the fierce desire back, I'd be happy for him to develop his technique over another 2 years @ Casey as he's Fast, powerful & hurts others on contact.

I see him, If he can work out his kicking style, as a future damaging senior player. he has an X factor about him.

I hope he takes the opportunity & works hard on his weaknesses.

Pleased to see how Sellar stood up today (10 kicks, 5 handballs, 7 marks and 5 goals 1 point) but disappointed that Fitzpatrick did not feature. I suspect that he (Sellar) may emerge as the third tall instead of Pederson.

emerging big guys need a run of games to find form.

the already established rucks have it easier, firing on already gotten confidence & belief.

Its difficult for a young giraffe to find that line, & cross it.

Once established hopefully there's no looking back.

How did M Jones play? Did he play? I didn't hear any feedback about his game.

No you're right. A better team would have beaten us with that disposal differential and it was a huge issue for us last year. As was inside 50 differential which we also lost against Port

The high tackle count, contested possessions and center clearance stats (19-7 despite getting smashed in the ruck) give a good indication of where Neeld (and Misson for that matter ) is currently focusing his attention and perhaps is an indication we are heading in the right direction in terms of Neeld desire for us to be the hardest team to play against. When you consider our mid field was Couch, Magner and Sylvia you're looking at some pretty strong boys. Great to hear an opposition coach say were more fierce at the ball.

I was interested in Jimmy72's comment about us getting 5-6 goals via long kicks that cleared their defensive line (one of Sellar's goal being a great example - see links on MFC). I wonder if that is a pointer to a game style that is less possession orientated?

Just a shame that Sellar missed his 6th goal from 40 metres out (against the breeze). He had a few goal assists as well, including Davey's last goal. I say give him another chance up forward and let him start training with the forwards!

I don't want to be the bearer of bad news but I was out yesterday and saw Tom McDonald walking around with crutches and a moon boot! Has anyone heard anything about this?

Omg are we cursed or something!? clark, trengove, blease and now Mcdonald.. We can never take a trick with the amount of injurys we get to some of our top line players!

May I just say boys and girls I am super impressed with Dean Kent so far. Especially for where we selected him.

amazing..unless im totally blind youd hardly notice wed played over the weekend according to the Aged !! lol

pathetic lot arent they !!

Did you buy it or rely on online?

Or you may be blind.

Where can I find NAB Cup stats including DE%?

Where can I find NAB Cup stats including DE%?

They are all on the AFL free App

Omg are we cursed or something!? clark, trengove, blease and now Mcdonald.. We can never take a trick with the amount of injurys we get to some of our top line players!

Why are people so quick to believe the negative rumours? No one has posted anything confirming Demon Land 7's supposed sighting (could even have been someone who resembled T Mc), so I suggest you relax a little until it is either confirmed or debunked.

I just noticed in the article on the MFC website re Imogen's lost guernsey, the photo is of her with young Tom McD... was he the last person to see that jumper and is it possible he was kneecapped in a dark alley as a result? Would explain the injury.

Do I dare say that Olli Wines sounded like he was a real gun...

*runs and ducks for cover*

Edited March 4, 201312 yr by The Song Formerly Known As

Do I dare say that Olli Wines sounded like he was a real gun...

*runs and ducks for cover*

I agree... and I for one am looking forward to seeing he and Viney going head to head in round 1.