A CHILL WIND IN DEMON HELL by George on the Outer

The perseverance of football fans in Melbourne was tested to the limits again by the AFL when they scheduled a 4:40 game on a Saturday night in the depths of winter. They might complain about the lack of fans attending MFC matches, yet the same number (28K) turned up as against ladder leaders Hawthorn a couple of weeks ago.

Perhaps they should look a little more closer to home as to why numbers are down, or do they have the same diabolical plan as they have perpetrated against Melbourne in store in the coming years for St. Kilda fans?

The game itself wasnt much of a spectacle, and with 27 errors to EACH team at ¾ time, this was a fair indication of the quality of player capabilities of both sides. More importantly, neither side seemed capable of capitalizing on those errors to create a decisive advantage. Imagine such consequences if the opponent was Hawthorn, Sydney or Geelong?

If it were not for a simply appalling opening by Melbourne, the game would have been far more of a contest, as once again, the players failed to concentrate on the simplest of things and show some genuine commitment until it was all too late. Once that happened the heads dropped and with the exception of Nathan Jones, Tom McDonald and Col Garland, going through the motions was the order of play.

A new coach usually foreshadows some sort of revival, and for a time there was evidence of the old Adelaide defensive style being implemented courtesy of Neil Craig. That probably wasnt a bad thing as Melbourne were 42 points down in the first half and heading for another 15 goal shellacking. So if there was something to be gleaned from the game, perhaps this was it.

Fans would have been pleased with the performance of Sylvia in the first half, but only saw a return to the half-hearted efforts in the second. Was Shannon Byrnes on the ground at all? He must not have been, given his contribution. Did Jeremy Howe trouble the doorman with his pass this week? Again nothing seen to have any effect for the team or on the game? Dan Nicholson continued his appalling lack of ability with another fluffed chance running into an open goal, bringing his season total to 1 goal 10 behinds from this precise scenario.

And can we please have Jake Spencer left at Casey? One single kick for the game and more hit-outs delivered directly to opposition mids than his own is not what a ruckman is meant to do. It was only when McEvoy was subbed off at half time, that he was sighted. The team didnt score a goal in the first half while he rucked, while at least Fitzpatrick was able to direct the ball more to advantage in the limited time he was given.

Until we get 18 players on the field who are 100% committed 100% of the time, we will never achieve the style and capabilities of teams like Hawthorn or Geelong. Each and every contest should be critical, but as mentioned previously, Garland, McDonald and Jones are the only ones who demonstrate this. Unfortunately Chris Dawes wasnt able to join this group after being felled behind play in the 3rd quarter, with a St. Kilda player due to front the MRP as a certainty.

You can go into a game carrying a couple of players, but we already have first gamers like Clisby ( fine effort for a first up game ) alongside a bevy of first season rookies. When supposedly experienced players shirk their responsibilities we are left with probably a dozen putting in the required effort. Small wonder the results are what they are ...

If nothing, this game proved that it wasnt Mark Neeld who was the problem. It is simply the cattle on the paddock. The end of season clean out that he promised is going to happen regardless, and probably with similar numbers to last year. Those who think they can top up their superannuation like others have done in the past at the MFC will be sadly misled.

It was a chill wind blowing through the MCG on a wintery Melbourne night, but it will be an even colder wind for those sinners who keep creating a Demon Hell for their long suffering fans in the outer ...

Melbourne 3.0.18 5.4.34 7.5.47 10.9.69

St. Kilda 7.2.44 10.3.63 15.6.96 16.8.104

Goals

Melbourne Howe Watts 2 Blease Byrne Dawes Fitzpatrick Jones Kent

St Kilda Riewoldt 3 Koschitzke Ray 2 Armitage Dempster Dennis-Lane Geary Jones Milera Montagna, Ross, Stanley

Best

Melbourne Garland McDonald Sylvia Terlich Clisby Jones.

St Kilda Montagna Ray Steven Riewoldt Dal Santo Roberton

Injuries

Melbourne Nil

St Kilda McEvoy (concussion)

Changes

Melbourne Nil

St Kilda Sam Fisher replaced by Brodie Murdoch

Reports

Melbourne Jake Spencer for rough conduct against Ben McEvoy (second quarter)

St Kilda Nil

Umpires Dalgleish McInerney Ryan

Crowd 28,751 at MCG.

It wasn't worse.

Still butcher the ball, but we tried for 4 quarters and actually played on and took the game on.

Was good to watch us actually have the ball nearly as much as our opponents.

well done Mitch Clisby, 24 possessions at 87% efficiency in his debut game is a great effort

and well done Jimmy T, after a quiet 1st half he had 14 touches in the second half

another very lackluster game from Trengove who is running out of excuses

Given that McDonald is just about the perfect match-up for Nick Riewoldt, is there any reason why he couldn't play that role for our side?

With a midfield, and a forward line that isn't in hospital, I think there is some hope.

How much hope will depend on the potters we bring in to shape the clay.

Only watched the last 2.5 quarters of the game (where we probably broke even).

Definitely an improvement on previous weeks under Neeld although the Saints 2013 are hardly world-beaters.

Garland was superb from what I saw. Toumpas looking more comfortable with each game (despite a few errors), Davey's kicking good, Rodan good, Sylvia good, Nicholson made an impact as sub.

The amount of butchers in the team is staggeringly high. I like Terlich's endevour but his decision making and execution is horrid. Why on earth does he take the kickouts.

Disposal and silly free kicks in the third quarter were what killed us.

I wasn't bored like I usually am so I guess thats something

Good effort. Just dont have the skill to hit the targets. Need to go after a few experienced mids. I feel a bit better after the game today. Also col garland you were great and so to Clisby. Well worth playing rest of the year. Time to try taggart

That effort and grimes,Clark , frawley, a fit dawes,viney gives me some hope.

from gameday thread

Neeld out - same result. Me thinks the players are just [censored].

Neeld was working on the problem, its just that we all had,,, & most still underestimate, how big our soft culture issue is... Neeld & the club was working on eliminating the biggest problem our club's got.. our ongoing culture.. we had softness before Checker fixed it up, & we lost the firestorm when Barass left & Smithy was axed.... that culture removed Smithy.

If we had of had a coach like Neeld instead of Bailey, we would now be a strong club. unfortunately patience was burntout,,, after the latter years of Daniher, & the Bailey Era.

Neeld is the one who copped it, for the previous administration's poor works. whether or not you don't like his charisma is beside the point, when someone has to come in to clean the septic out.

Good effort. Just dont have the skill to hit the targets. Need to go after a few experienced mids. I feel a bit better after the game today. Also col garland you were great and so to Clisby. Well worth playing rest of the year. Time to try taggart

You do understand that this comment can be applied to most of our games this season right?

I rekon Trenners is playing with OP

The effort and intensity were there for most of the game ..... that's a plus. Also a bit more confidence to take the game on ..... another small plus.

Same old same old with disposal, decision making and lack of composure .....no improvement there!

Add 4 or 5 of our current 'outs' and a few decent recruits, and there is something there for Roos or whoever to work with. Fingers crossed.

You do understand that this comment can be applied to most of our games this season right?

Yeah i no. But we have had [censored] all effort this year. I wasnt totally [censored] after todays loss

Considering how bad Stkilda have been, and how bad they were at times today, it was on par with how bad we've been.

Garland has emerged as a true leader, the next coach will undoubtedly have he and Jones as 1 and 2.

Sylvia was good for 4 quarters.

Spencer and Fitzpatrick are more effective than Jamar, I hope to never see Jamar again.

The rest is negative, so I won't bother.

Games together will help the boys.

It seemed to me that today they played under a mantra of "keep possession". We copied it around and built up possession chains, they didn't always move us forward but ball in hand is important for our development. We need to get used to retaining possession and not kicking to contests til further up field.

A lot of forward 50 entries were not kicked to our advantage.

Tom Mc killed roo.

Another quality mid would have made all the difference.

We are pretty average, but with a bit of confidence aand an improvement in footskills through the midfield , we will show marked improvement. The boys seen to be a tenacious lot bit we're just crap.

Shocking turnovers.

Lack of poise.

Lack of composure.

Jimmy T will be okay.

Why the holy heck is Spencer and Fitzy in and NOT Gawn?
Also while im at it, Watts to play forward all year and bloody bulk him up over the pre season!

I rekon Trenners is playing with OP

since the start of 2012?

Why the holy heck is Spencer and Fitzy in and NOT Gawn?

Also while im at it, Watts to play forward all year and bloody bulk him up over the pre season!

What was wrong with spencer today?

Game over but am I the only one that already see's a massive difference With Neeld compared to Craig?

And I refuse to say we have no talent. There is some glimpse there. A fit Viney and Grimes would have made a difference aswell.

Key Team Stats (Differentials)

Contested: -17

Uncontested: -20

Effective Disposals: -24

Effective Disposal %: Even at 74% a piece

Clangers: +3

Contested Marks -3

Goal Assists: -3

Marks i50: -5

Clearances: -11

Rebound 50: -7

1 Percenters: +6

Tackles: 47 a piece

Stats: Courtesy of Footywire

Key Team Stats (Differentials)

Contested: -17

Uncontested: -20

Effective Disposals: -24

Effective Disposal %: Even at 74% a piece

Clangers: +3

Contested Marks -3

Goal Assists: -3

Marks i50: -5

Clearances: -11

Rebound 50: -7

1 Percenters: +6

Tackles: 47 a piece

Stats: Courtesy of Footywire

These stats good or bad?

I disagree on the effort. I thought it was terrible. Where was the spread? From kick outs, from general play, no-one was running, no-one was supporting.

I thought that was as bad as anything we have dished up this year, just against a worse opposition. And have no doubt, they are a terrible opposition.