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.