NO FIRE IN THE BELLY by JVM

[Demonland 73,140]

When the media summed up Melbourne's loss to the Brisbane Lions last week there were some who highlighted many acts by the Demons that demonstrated a lack of pressure applied to the opposition when they had the ball.

Players hanging back and not attacking the ball carrier, failing to chase and run hard, leaving their men alone and allowing them to create space and/or make to leads and take easy marks. All this apart from the simple mistakes and skill errors that conceded easy goals.

These were all instances of players not being prepared to work hard enough or worse still, lacking of any fire in the belly which, given what theyre paid to do and how much theyre paid, is extremely disappointing.

Not only disappointing but strange after the team made a spirited start to the game and even stayed with the Lions for most of the first half but the writing was on the wall even then.

The team is now well past 25 games into coach Mark Neeld's tenure but it remains one of the easiest teams to play against and not the hardest as he promised the fans when the ride began. Not long after that it was said that the team's level of fitness was inferior to that of most of the rest of the competition so preseason training was stepped up by increments, a little in the first year and another 15% in the next. But still that doesn't seem to be the answer except when pitted against Sheedy's pimply faced kids, the team has been unable to step up to the plate after half time.

Last week, they fell into the hole after half time and stood by meekly allowing the Lions (whose own form up to that stage was appalling) to trample all over them This week, the Demons face up to a team that has struck a bit of form and promises to make mincemeat of any team it plays that has that necessary ingredient missing. If theres no fire in the belly among the playing group then Mark Neelds first meeting with his old master, Mick Malthouse, could well be the last.

THE GAME

Carlton v Melbourne at the MCG - Sunday 5 May, 2013 at 3.15pm

HEAD TO HEAD

Overall Carlton 116 wins 2 draws Melbourne 88 wins

At MCG Carlton 48 wins Melbourne 49 wins

Since 2000 Carlton 10 wins Melbourne 8 wins

The Coaches Malthouse 0 wins Neeld 0 wins

MEDIA

TV Channel 7, Fox Footy Channel (live)

Radio - 3AW Triple M

THE BETTING

Carlton to win $1.02 Melbourne to win $13.00

THE LAST TIME THEY MET

Carlton15.17.107 defeated Melbourne 6.13.49 at the MCG, Round 9, 2012

The pattern of the game was not unfamiliar. Melbourne kept up with Carlton for most of the first half and was even in a threatening position midway through the third quarter before capitulating against a seven goal final term onslaught from Carlton. Nathan Jones was best afield for Melbourne and Mitch Clark booted three goals

TEAMS

CARLTON

Backs Chris Yarran Michael Jamison Lachlan Henderson

Half backs Zach Tuohy Dennis Armfield White

Centreline Kane Lucas Mitch Robinson Kade Simpson

Half forwards Chris Judd Andrew Walker Jeff Garlett

Forwards Ed Curnow Shaun Hampson Jarrad Waite

Followers Robert Warnock Marc Murphy Brock McLean

Interchange Eddie Betts Jaryd Cachia David Ellard Heath Scotland

Emergencies Tom Bell Sam Rowe

In Jaryd Cachia David Ellard Jarrad Waite

Out Andrew Carazzo Bryce Gibbs (hamstring) Sam Rowe

MELBOURNE

Backs Lynden Dunn James Frawley Dean Terlich

Half backs Jack Grimes Tom McDonald Colin Garland

Centreline Jack Trengove Jack Viney Matt Jones

Half forwards Jeremy Howe Colin Sylvia Dean Kent

Forwards Rohan Bail Max Gawn Shannon Byrnes

Followers Jake Spencer Jordie McKenzie Nathan Jones

Interchange Michael Evans Daniel Nicholson James Strauss Luke Tapscott

Emergencies Sam Blease Aaron Davey Cameron Pedersen

In Lynden Dunn Dean Kent Daniel Nicholson Jake Spencer James Strauss Jack Viney

Out Sam Blease Aaron Davey Mark Jamar (groin) Cameron Pedersen David Rodan Jack Watts (hamstring)

New Dean Kent (Perth)

There was a time when you could preview a game by matching up the teams player for player and working out which of the two was stronger by deciding how many of one side were ahead of the other. The winner would in all likelihood, be the one that was in front in the majority of positions. It was a reasonably good guide but didn't always work because a team would often have a certain number of dominant players who would have sufficient influence over a game to override the disadvantage of depth of numbers.

I have no such problems with a game like Carlton v Melbourne where the Blues not only have the extra advantage of having the champion or class players in their team but they also have the greater depth. They have the luxury of Murphy, Judd, McLean (at his peak), Scotland, Simpson, Robinson and co and the fact that Carazzo (late omission) and Gibbs out with injury is a mere bagatelle. Melbourne has Nathan Jones so if the opposition manages to cover him then it's all over red rover. At least we won't have a repeat of Jamar tapping the ball constantly to someone like Maloney.

The changes at Melbourne (and there are six of them) wont do the trick. On top of having possible the worst midfield in the competition, the team is without important forward in Mark Jamar and Chris Dawes (along with Jack Watts whose brief stint up forward last week produced two goals) and while the injuries give some younger players an opportunity, the differential in class will be mo more pronounced than in this game. The injury hit forward line is problematic because the Dees have only managed an average of seven goals in their last four bruise free matches against the Blues.

And if that's not enough to convince anybody then let's not forget that Carlton is ranked fourth in AFL for contested possessions this season, while Melbourne is last.

Can't avoid it but this should be a percentage booster for both sides.

Carlton by 41 points.

[S.R.J 418]

Good write up. Im with you about no fire in the belly. The fitness is also a problem

[jackaub 1,402]

I think this may be our break out game If we press all game we will win

Backed them at 15.50 cant believe those odds

Surely we aren't that bad I like the team Spencer will show that he has what it takes and Gawn to kick 5on the poorest defence in the league

Come on Dees have a go win the footy in the middle all day and we wil win