THE PEOPLE SPEAK

[Demonland 64,962]

We've tried this a few times in the past and even managed to get a few upset results.

The idea is that you as a Demon supporter write a preview of next Sunday's game v Richmond.

You can do the match ups, the statistical reasons for the outcome you predict or any reason whatsoever ... leave no stone unturned.

It's your call - let the people speak.

[waikikkamukau 62]

Implement the non negotiable fundamentals of football.......tackling, running, kicking to a players advantage, smothering, stopping your opponent from getting the ball and fighting tooth and nail to I get it?

Play one on one footy all over the ground and force the players to be responsible for their direct opponent. The player that comes up worst for the week gets dropped.

I am sick of seeing an opposing player leading to the ball passing an MFC player guarding a position or 30 meters behind.

I'd like to see Magner elevated this week and start on the field.

Davey needs to start on the ground, not as sub.

Dunn on Martin.

McKenzie on Cotchin (if he plays)

[Sydney Pennski 269]

This game is a Richmond home game so I suppose the AFL will deem it necessary for Melbourne to wear that crappy white clash outfit even though there's no real clash of colours, besides which they never make Richmond wear one of those abominations.

My solution therefore is that this week the players should lay down their tools and go on strike in protest against the disgraceful AFL edict that forces us to go to battle in that miserable looking outfit.

One out, all out and strike action will be the order of the day. Players will be ordered not to go for the ball ...

... no wait ...

[stuie 7,374]

This is the extent it deserves:

We suck. RIchmond are not bad.

Richmond by 80 points.

[thaipantsman 180]

Melbourne are a definite chance to beat Tigers. Match up very well though Sylvia massive loss. Need Maxy Gawn to boot 5 and Spencer to toughen up a bit. Frawley will keep Reivolt down to 1 or 2 goals. Prediction. Tigers running away by 5-7 goals. Big improvement coming.

Does anyone know Gawn's Junior history? is he a goal kicker?

[thaipantsman 180]

Implement the non negotiable fundamentals of football.......tackling, running, kicking to a players advantage, smothering, stopping your opponent from getting the ball and fighting tooth and nail to I get it?

Play one on one footy all over the ground and force the players to be responsible for their direct opponent. The player that comes up worst for the week gets dropped.

I am sick of seeing an opposing player leading to the ball passing an MFC player guarding a position or 30 meters behind.

I'd like to see Magner elevated this week and start on the field.

Davey needs to start on the ground, not as sub.

Dunn on Martin.

McKenzie on Cotchin (if he plays)

Excellent call. Would be nice to see both Magner and Viney start in the Guts.

[olisik 4,060]

Implement the non negotiable fundamentals of football.......tackling, running, kicking to a players advantage, smothering, stopping your opponent from getting the ball and fighting tooth and nail to I get it?

Play one on one footy all over the ground and force the players to be responsible for their direct opponent. The player that comes up worst for the week gets dropped.

I am sick of seeing an opposing player leading to the ball passing an MFC player guarding a position or 30 meters behind.

I'd like to see Magner elevated this week and start on the field.

Davey needs to start on the ground, not as sub.

Dunn on Martin.

McKenzie on Cotchin (if he plays)

So our centersquare will be Dunn, Spencer, Mckenzie and Magner?

If so clearances will be 20-0 by quarter time.

[thaipantsman 180]

How bout Magner, Viney, JOnes, Gawn

[Retrospective 104]

maybe it's time for a little pride.

"line in the sand"???

Im more after a commitment on the field that we need to do something....rather than just going the knuckle....but any sign of pride would be a step in the right direction

[DemonWA 3,438]

This article on the AFL's website seems as good a place as any to start a match preview for this week's game ; http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-05-13/dees-a-bees-whisker-from-fitzroy-situation. Reading what the Ox has had to say about the state of the club, I can’t help but get a sense of déjà vu, after all we've been hearing much the same here on Demonland for years now thanks to Anti Schwab / Stynes Board zealots like America De Cali & 186 conspiracy theorists like Why You Little.

But the quote from the article that struck a chord with me the most is the following;

Schwarz said he felt three or four years ago Melbourne were in front of Richmond in terms of rebuilding their side.
"Now the gap is probably six or seven years. How that happens and how it got to that stage, I have no idea how," he said.

I can’t help but agree with the Ox on this one. It was only a couple of years ago when the Richmond V Melbourne game was a highlight of the season for me. The teams were matched evenly around the ground and the Frawley V JR8 battle at one end and up and coming mids like Martin and Trengove would do battle in the middle. Watts played arguably his best game of AFL a couple of years ago as a key forward against Richmond, and game where Ricky Petterd, at that stage a beacon of hope for the demons faithful, set a record for most tackles laid inside the attacking 50.

Fast forward a couple of years and the differences in form and confidence could not be greater between the two teams. Hardwick identified weaknesses in his list and has strengthened it to a point where they seem to have no gaping holes. The Demons have sacked one coach and are delaying the inevitable in sending Neeld down a similar path (in my opinion). Despite numerous opportunities to draft top line talent to the club, the Demons midfield is devoid of class and talent. This is exacerbated through the loss of Grimes and Trengove to injury and Sylvia (who generally has his best game for the year against Richmond) through suspension. Meanwhile the Class and Polish of the Richmond midfield is perhaps as good as any team in the competition, with the likes of Cotchin, Delideo, Martin, Foley and the evergreen Tuck.

They say that games are won and lost in the midfield and this will unfortunately be the case again this week.

Richmond by 48 points

[Scipio 5,868]

Richmond by 100. If Gold Coast can do us at the G by 10 goals, Richmond will hammer us. I don't see any reason as to why the players will want to stand up this week as opposed to the last 7.

[Sir Why You Little 34,493]

This article on the AFL's website seems as good a place as any to start a match preview for this week's game ; http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-05-13/dees-a-bees-whisker-from-fitzroy-situation. Reading what the Ox has had to say about the state of the club, I cant help but get a sense of déjà vu, after all we've been hearing much the same here on Demonland for years now thanks to Anti Schwab / Stynes Board zealots like America De Cali & 186 conspiracy theorists like Why You Little.

But the quote from the article that struck a chord with me the most is the following;

Schwarz said he felt three or four years ago Melbourne were in front of Richmond in terms of rebuilding their side.

"Now the gap is probably six or seven years. How that happens and how it got to that stage, I have no idea how," he said.

I cant help but agree with the Ox on this one. It was only a couple of years ago when the Richmond V Melbourne game was a highlight of the season for me. The teams were matched evenly around the ground and the Frawley V JR8 battle at one end and up and coming mids like Martin and Trengove would do battle in the middle. Watts played arguably his best game of AFL a couple of years ago as a key forward against Richmond, and game where Ricky Petterd, at that stage a beacon of hope for the demons faithful, set a record for most tackles laid inside the attacking 50.

Fast forward a couple of years and the differences in form and confidence could not be greater between the two teams. Hardwick identified weaknesses in his list and has strengthened it to a point where they seem to have no gaping holes. The Demons have sacked one coach and are delaying the inevitable in sending Neeld down a similar path (in my opinion). Despite numerous opportunities to draft top line talent to the club, the Demons midfield is devoid of class and talent. This is exacerbated through the loss of Grimes and Trengove to injury and Sylvia (who generally has his best game for the year against Richmond) through suspension. Meanwhile the Class and Polish of the Richmond midfield is perhaps as good as any team in the competition, with the likes of Cotchin, Delideo, Martin, Foley and the evergreen Tuck.

They say that games are won and lost in the midfield and this will unfortunately be the case again this week.

Richmond by 48 points

the Ox is on the money.

Nobody wants to put their body on the line for the MFC jumper right now. Sundays tackle count tells us this.

"We were out muscled by the Gold Coast...."

Ox is on the money.

[on the outer 19]

With injuries to key players, team morale and confidence probably at an all time low, little show of support from the supporters, club admin in total disarray, coach's head on chopping block....it would take a major miracle for the team to be in this contest.

But miracles do happen....

[Scipio 5,868]

With injuries to key players, team morale and confidence probably at an all time low, little show of support from the supporters, club admin in total disarray, coach's head on chopping block....it would take a major miracle for the team to be in this contest.

But miracles do happen....

Not the Melbourne Football Club

[Craig Drinker 179]

While I want to se the 'tackle count' increase dramatically from the game against the Golide a far more important stat (imo) is the 'hard ball get' stat. It means we are getting in first for the ball and not dwelling on an opposition player just so we can get the tackle count up.

'First In' has the chance to break the tackle or get a free.

[hardtack 10,127]

In what should be (not saying it WILL be) a war of attrition (pride is on its last legs), we should see Dunn go onto Martin and Jetta return to go onto Jake King. In the ensuing softening up period, both Martin and King are reported for elbows to the head and groin areas of their respective opponents and so are nullified by the weight of concern over whether they will be available to play in the following week's must win game against Essendon - that's my dream start.

The in-form VC "Judy"Garland will take on "Moaning" Jack Reiwoldt, Frawley on McGuane and because of his height, the only real match-up for Oran Stephenson can be Sellar. For the remaining defenders, Nicholson is the only one with enough pace to stay with Nahas and Terlich will need to contain Knights.

I will be rather surprised (disappointed) if Magner is not promoted off the rookie list, and if he is, he should replace either McKenzie or Bail (maybe Bail?). Blease will maybe get a recall in Sylvia's absence and I hope they somehow find a way to slot the Fitz into the line-up... although, Casey having not played last weekend won't have helped his chances.

If any of Jones to the power of two, Evans or Magner can get first hands on the ball by roving well to the ruck work of Ivan Maric, we should be a reasonable chance down forward... providing the incoming kicks aren't bombed over the head of Dawes as was the case on Sunday. Maybe Tapscott will move back to the centre in place of Bail or menthoids man McKenzie so that the Fitz can come into the forwards to add a bit of height and, hopefully, goal kicking ability.

Depending on whether these guys can show a little pride in themselves and their supporters, this game could either blow out very badly or be decided by just a few goals (4 - 6)... still can't see us prevailing, but can only hope for four contested quarters where we don't see them standing around flat footed while their opponents run into space at will.

Edited May 14, 2013 by hardtack

[Whispering_Jack 27,981]

Keep the contributions coming folks.

I'm so fascinated by this contest, I'm going to contribute this poem which was penned with apologies to Bobby Dylan:-

MIXED UP CONFUSION - THE DEMON FAN'S LAMENT #19.5.2013

Oh, God said to Abraham, "Kill me a son"
Abe says, "Man you must be puttin' me on"
God says, "No", Abe say, "Where do you want this killin' done?"
God say, "Under Light Tower1"
There must be some way out of here
Said the joker to the thief
There's too much confusion
I can't get no relief
And, they’ll stone ya when you’re trying to be so good
They’ll stone ya just a-like they said they would
Oh, Mama, is this really the end
To be stuck inside the MCG
With the Melbourne Dees again?

[DeeZee 6,733]

We need to go with guys like Magner, Jetta, Rodan,blease , Toumpas and fitzpatrick.

Also hope Watts and Jamar are right to go.

[Geddy Lee 582]

Meh.

Tigers by 101.

[old dee 22,854]

In what should be (not saying it WILL be) a war of attrition (pride is on its last legs), we should see Dunn go onto Martin and Jetta return to go onto Jake King. In the ensuing softening up period, both Martin and King are reported for elbows to the head and groin areas of their respective opponents and so are nullified by the weight of concern over whether they will be available to play in the following week's must win game against Essendon - that's my dream start.

The in-form VC "Judy"Garland will take on "Moaning" Jack Reiwoldt, Frawley on McGuane and because of his height, the only real match-up for Oran Stephenson can be Sellar. For the remaining defenders, Nicholson is the only one with enough pace to stay with Nahas and Terlich will need to contain Knights.

I will be rather surprised (disappointed) if Magner is not promoted off the rookie list, and if he is, he should replace either McKenzie or Bail (maybe Bail?). Blease will maybe get a recall in Sylvia's absence and I hope they somehow find a way to slot the Fitz into the line-up... although, Casey having not played last weekend won't have helped his chances.

If any of Jones to the power of two, Evans or Magner can get first hands on the ball by roving well to the ruck work of Ivan Maric, we should be a reasonable chance down forward... providing the incoming kicks aren't bombed over the head of Dawes as was the case on Sunday. Maybe Tapscott will move back to the centre in place of Bail or menthoids man McKenzie so that the Fitz can come into the forwards to add a bit of height and, hopefully, goal kicking ability.

Depending on whether these guys can show a little pride in themselves and their supporters, this game could either blow out very badly or be decided by just a few goals (4 - 6)... still can't see us prevailing, but can only hope for four contested quarters where we don't see them standing around flat footed while their opponents run into space at will.

Well hardtack that takes me back a way.

I am surprised you know about them!

Very good description actually.

[hardtack 10,127]

Well hardtack that takes me back a way.

I am surprised you know about them!

Very good description actually.

I think you might underestimate my age OD... I am into my 6th decade now.

m.e.n..th..oi..ds

The thing though that used to give me and my friends a laugh on the way home from school each day was the ginormous Indian Root Pills signage on the side of a rather tall building somewhere near Hawthorn, that was clearly visible from the train (Lilydale, Belgrave and Alemain lines).

[pantaloons 2,019]

It will no doubt be referenced more than once in the lead-up to Sunday's Richmond-Melbourne clash at the MCG that not so long ago these two teams, after years of rebuilding, were supposedly heading in the right direction. Sadly, while Richmond continues its climb with speed and excitement of watching real-time photosynthesis, Melbourne continues to stoop to new lows, plummeting to one of the worst performances in club history against the Gold Coast on Sunday. Yet, this in itself is not the main story this week. No, the real tale lies in Melbourne supporters losing an old friend this weekend.

For the last 30 years, and throughout much of the game's history, there has been a familiar refrain to comfort Melbourne supporters in times of trouble - "At least we're not Richmond". Richmond, like the ugly best friend, has dutifully played the role of Paul Pfeiffer to many a club's Kevin Arnold over the past three decades of laughable ineptitude. Of course, when a club spends its time playing home games in the carpark of your own team's ground until 1965, it firmly sets the tone for a relationship of pity and mockery. However, with the Tigers at 4-3 and enjoying a period of relative glory, the days of condescendingly patting Richmond supporters on the head at your office/other place of work when the topic of football comes up will officially be put to rest.

You see, Melbourne currently owns the second-longest finals drought in the AFL, in front of only, you guessed it, Richmond. For every time Melbourne embarrassed itself at the draft or trade table, Richmond would up the ante by calling out the names of Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls or Anthony Banik early on draft night, or by swinging pick 19 (Callan Ward) to the Bulldogs for Jordan McMahon. Yes, Richmond have always been our friends, always happy to take some of the spotlight off our inadequacies with their own blend of farce.

When Melbourne required a step ladder to mount, Richmond always came to the party. There was 1993, when in an otherwise poor year for Melbourne, the Demons slapped Richmond by a combined 214 points in their two meetings. The following year, the Demons were only too happy to kick 27.5 in the final round in Sydney to secure a finals spot at the expense of Richmond. Four years later, with the Tigers needing a Round 22 win to make the finals, Melbourne horse-whipped them en route to a top-4 finish. Even in recent years, Melbourne has trolled the Tigers by 'losing' the services of the likes of Miller, Maric and Petterd to the yellow and black.

Alas, the days of Melbourne lampooning about and expecting our derelict, body-odour suffering carpark-dwellers to out-stink us are coming to a close. Due in part to serious errors from the Tigers at the drafting table which has led to them miraculously not botching every pick conceivable, Richmond has assembled a modest yet mildly promising list, and has a coach the players seem to listen to. Instead of turning around with the comfort of feeling the presence of another more useless than itself, Melbourne now stands alone as the guardians of ineptitude. Richmond, for all the boganic mystique about the place, is attempting to join the cool kids group, while Melbourne sits alone, picking its nose in the corner of the yard.

When the two sides take the field on Sunday, there will be no shiver of excitement as the crepe paper of the banner is destroyed. No hope of a dramatic upset. Many of the players have made perfectly clear they have no interest in doing anything but barf on the Melbourne guernsey, made patently obvious on Sunday when, despite having half the amount of ball as the Suns for much of the contest, also astonishingly had half the amount of tackles. Matchups in this one are largely irrelevant, as all Richmond will do is leave one or two players to sit on Nathan Jones every time he goes remotely near the ball, leaving nobody else to stop the likes of Martin and co from pumping the ball inside 50 all day in a blitz equal parts frenetic and depressing. Meanwhile, Melbourne players will appear confused and disinterested while leaving time for the odd chain of possession ending in the most horrific forward 50 entry ever witnessed.

We lose a friend on Sunday. A friend we thought would always stand beside us and make us appear to look acceptable in comparison. A friend who grew tired of swilling about in the mud and filth for decades on end and decided to move on to better things. No, we aren't Richmond. But today, there are worse things than Richmond.

[Jerry Lundergard 382]

Richmond play a style of footy that if they are on, we will not be able to combat, and we will get destroyed.

When they are up and about, they win possession and run forward in waves through the corridor and create a lot of scoring shots.

Going to be a tough day for our defenders if our mids get slaughtered.

I would like to see Magner elevated for more midfield depth and grunt around the ball.

The only thing we have going for us IMO, is the Tigers have a history of destroying the souls of their supporters in recent years, and I am hoping that Sunday may be one such day for them.

[Whispering_Jack 27,981]

Some good contributions - we need just a few more to fill the article folks.

[old dee 22,854]

I think you might underestimate my age OD... I am into my 6th decade now.

m.e.n..th..oi..ds

The thing though that used to give me and my friends a laugh on the way home from school each day was the ginormous Indian Root Pills signage on the side of a rather tall building somewhere near Hawthorn, that was clearly visible from the train (Lilydale, Belgrave and Alemain lines).

I obviously have hardtack I would have guessed at least fifteen years younger.

Another good one "Indian root pills " I lived in the country and they used to be everywhere on the way down to Melbourne.

My Dad and I used to travel down in the FX.

Way simpler times mate when we were the team.

Unfortunately I doubt I will ever see those days again