Jump to content


Recommended Posts

Posted

I can't understand why people think it's good we played Hawthorn in the pre season.

All it achieved was killing any confidence, momentum and goodwill with supporters. Possibly cost some potential membership.

Would've much preferred to play a GWS or a GC or a Brisbane as they're the teams we need to learn to beat and have a chance to beat. Match practice against the reigning premiers, a team we won't get near to in rd 19 seems like a waste of 120 minutes to me.

  • Like 2

Posted

I can't understand why people think it's good we played Hawthorn in the pre season.

All it achieved was killing any confidence, momentum and goodwill with supporters. Possibly cost some potential membership.

Would've much preferred to play a GWS or a GC or a Brisbane as they're the teams we need to learn to beat and have a chance to beat. Match practice against the reigning premiers, a team we won't get near to in rd 19 seems like a waste of 120 minutes to me.

Even against the weaker sides pressure will go up in round 1. Sorting out who can handle it against the best today is certainly better than finding it out in a couple of weeks those who can't. A win today would have created confidence but potential to get ahead of themselves. They have 2 weeks to learn from today, get it out of their heads and move on.

Anyone who decided to not buy a memberships based on a shellacking against the premier team are exactly the same type who will be first to queue up if we beat the saints.

I could not attend today. I am struggling to work out who did not play from the published squad and who the sub was (on and off). If anyone can enlighten please.

  • Like 3

Posted

One day some of the posters on here will wake up to reality and stop making pathetic, repeating, soft, excuses for poor efforts by our players. Until we get at least 9 or 10 players running hard at the ball at any one time, we will remain easy beats. A couple of our young "guns" need a poke in the back with a pointed stick. 5 or 10 minute efforts will never cut it at this level. Membership won't get near 40,000 with efforts like that. Simply not acceptable to those who know a bit about footy at AFL level.

  • Like 2
Posted

I left 5 minutes into final term. I wasn't prepared to watch Gibson tear us (another) new one! A few observations ...

Thought we played selfish today from early on... case in point, Trengove marks at 45 early in first, Blease is wider but closer and well clear, running into pocket. Trengove sees him but elects to go back and take the shot.

I think it went OOB on the full. Now Trenners, Blease needed you to show some faith. A goal to Blease at that point would have lifted him, given him a shot in the arm.

Our short kicking was very ordinary.

Spencer has to stop looking at the opposition ruckman as he contests the centre bounce. I'm surprised the umps aren't pinging him more often. He's a big lump of a lad who needs to get up as high as he can at the jump. I thought Fitzpatrick was more effective at the centre bounce when he took it.

The foreign legion were still among our best on the day. Vince, Cross, Michie and Tyson were good to very good at times.

Georgiou must be elevated. He can play on blokes that are taller than him. Strauss struggles on taller opposition. We need Georgiou while Garland is on the sidelines.

Thought Trenners and Grimes made too many errors of judgement today.

Dunn was our best out of defence but they all reverted to kicking long to the boundary, hoping for a throw in.

Umpiring on holding the ball was ludicrous. I think it should be mandatory for AFL umpires to have played 50 games of senior football, somewhere, before getting a gig. Let them see how impossible it is to get the ball out when four or five blokes are piled on top holding it in.

  • Like 2

Posted

Lara Bingle could have coached them today, the result would have been the same, except she has better legs than Bruce but not so much up top.

Sorry ... Cam Bruce has a better rack than Lara Bingle??

Posted

I would suggest the only positive out of today are these guys didn't play:

Hogan, Dawes, Clark, Garland, Gawn, Kent ... and Viney got a few minutes.


Posted

Lets hope this was a dose of reality for the boys and they put in 110% in round 1 against Saint Kilda.

Posted

Jimmy Toumpas ... was outclassed by better opposition as was most of our side.

As he was this week, last week and much of last year!

Reality Bites hard .

Posted (edited)

Just got back. I stuck around for half of the Casey game as well to let the traffic subside a little.

The AFL website summary says the difference was the efficiency of the Hawks forwards. Any comments from those who attended??? Did not mention inability to get the ball etc.

Dunn, Vince, Cross, Howe and Spencer named as our best players.

The AFL website is full of it. The Hawks were not in any way efficient in the forward line. The score should have been a lot worse. The differences were all further down the ground.

just curious how a few players went today as i couldn't watch the game

Jack Trengove - Played his usual game. Got the ball by workrate rather than speed, repeat efforts, tackles etc.

Jack Watts - Worked his ass off off the ball but was rarely rewarded by teammates. I don't know whether he is breaking too soon or they are too slow to spot him, but they almost never pass to him when he runs into space.

Jack Viney - Had a bit of a go at the end of the Hawks game,then was looking pretty damn good for Casey. His kicking is actually pretty good medium range.

Jimmy Toumpas - Needs to learn his limitations. If he were to keep things simple he'd be a great player with those skills, but he tends to try to do too much, like thread the impossible pass or take on two tacklers.

any info would be greatly appreciated

Overall:

The wind was swirly and made it hard to spot up passes. Oddly enough the Hawks handled it a lot better, who'd have thought? I suspect this also contributed to the poor set shots we saw from both sides. It died down as the game went on, and finally settled across the ground for the Casey match.

I don't think we had a single player beat their opponent today. The Hawks were that dominant. The two aspects that really stood out were their cleanness and their trust in each other. Both were significantly better than ours and it showed.

We very rarely took a loose ball in one grab, and this killed us at bounces and throw-ins. We very often had first hands, but the initial fumble and off0balance grab left the player vulnerable and they were swamped. The Hawks in contrast took the ball cleanly almost every time, and this gave them time to hit the next target.

On the trust issue, we once again were seeing multiple Demons going for the ball and spoiling each other. We frequently saw two players come from opposite directions and crash into each other while their opponents stood back and picked up the free ball. This was also the case with the Grimes/Frawley collision, everyone flew at the ball and nobody stayed down to pick up the crumbs. The other aspect of this was in their overall setup. When the Hawks attacked, we sent everyone back to defend, leaving nothing upfield to pass to when we won the ball (sound familiar). By contrast, the Hawk forwards generally stayed forward of centre. Not only did this give them targets on the break, but it put instant pressure on our back-passes. More often than not when we went th long outlet ball to the rear the player was outnumbered and under pressure instantly. I honestly think that this play needs to be retired, as our opponents are already on to it and have an effective counter in place.

It was also interesting to note how close to the line they go in terms of free kicks. I think if they were to get an Umpire in a bad mood they would be giving them away all over the ground. They lay tackles a moment before their man takes the ball, lots of holding around stoppages that they aren't getting pulled up for, bumps and tackles that you would expect to be pulled up. They seem to have a very good idea of what is going to be called and what isn't, and go as close as they possibly can to being penalised.

Performances of note?

I thought Fitz picked himself up a bit as the game went on and kept presenting on the wing. He wasn't much use in the forward line though, and as has been noted missed an absolute sitter.

Howe was his usual self. He attacked the ball hard, marked on the lead, kicked a couple of goals.

As I said above, Watts really worked hard to present and just wasn't being rewarded by his teammates. He once again failed to apply any tackling pressure, although I did see him lay a pretty good bump at one stage.

Vince took a few very nice marks in defence, which is always good to see.

N. Jones, as always worked his ass off in the middle.

There was much more to like about the reserves, as usual. When I left they were a couple of goals up despite being monstered by a much bigger Box Hill lineup. We saw a great play where Viney took the ball on the wing, spotted up Barry at CHF who hit a nice pass to the advantage of JKH who overhauled his man to take the contested mark and kick a goal. Panozza was having a really good game (pretty sure it was him). I can't be sure as it was on the far wing, but I think I saw Hunt run from HB to HF, burning off all comers and then nailing a pass to the FP. These kids really do look like they have the class we desperately need, and I hope they can bring themselves on this year and make a spot for themselves in the firsts.

Also, I have to ask. Was that Stretch in #50 playing for the scorps?

Edited by RalphiusMaximus
  • Like 2
Posted

I can't understand why people think it's good we played Hawthorn in the pre season.

All it achieved was killing any confidence, momentum and goodwill with supporters. Possibly cost some potential membership.

Would've much preferred to play a GWS or a GC or a Brisbane as they're the teams we need to learn to beat and have a chance to beat. Match practice against the reigning premiers, a team we won't get near to in rd 19 seems like a waste of 120 minutes to me.

That's pretty true, players and supports came into this game with a lot of confidence for 2014, now we are all walking away thinking "here we go again". If we had played one of these teams that you suggested and beat them or play competitive against them everyone would be very positive about round one.

I just hope this was a wake up call and the boys train twice as hard for round one.

Posted

That's pretty true, players and supports came into this game with a lot of confidence for 2014, now we are all walking away thinking "here we go again". If we had played one of these teams that you suggested and beat them or play competitive against them everyone would be very positive about round one.

I just hope this was a wake up call and the boys train twice as hard for round one.

I don;t mind a reality check. We got to see exactly what we are doing wrong and how far we have to improve to play with the big boys. I'd rather know now and assume the coaches were taking notes than not know and be shocked when we get done like that during the season.

Posted

Yes it is a reality check, but im sure the boys will be very disappointed, and want to atone for it by training their butts off,and beating the saints round one.

Posted

I have heard a bit about Howe - did Fitz do anything? Who else was on the forward line?

I knew it wouldn't take long

Hey mono, my comment and "yawn" was directed at Mr White... nothing to do with our performance, but plenty to do with the predictability of many on Demonland.

Posted

Also of interest possibly. While sitting on the grassy knoll, Alex Georgiou came out and sat with a group of friends a few feet away. While he was chatting, a little boy walked up and stood staring intently at him for about 30 seconds, looking very much like a hunting dog on point before walking up and having the following conversation:

Random Kid - "are you a player?"

AG - "yes I am"

RK - "What's your name"

AG - Alex"

RK - "Alex what?"

AG - "Georgiou"

RK - (after a pause for thought) "Can you sign my ball?"

AG - "Sure"

  • Like 8
Posted

Also of interest possibly. While sitting on the grassy knoll, Alex Georgiou came out and sat with a group of friends a few feet away. While he was chatting, a little boy walked up and stood staring intently at him for about 30 seconds, looking very much like a hunting dog on point before walking up and having the following conversation:

Random Kid - "are you a player?"

AG - "yes I am"

RK - "What's your name"

AG - Alex"

RK - "Alex what?"

AG - "Georgiou"

RK - (after a pause for thought) "Can you sign my ball?"

AG - "Sure"

I imagine Jack Watts has that exact same exchange frequently.

Posted (edited)

I can't understand why people think it's good we played Hawthorn in the pre season.

All it achieved was killing any confidence, momentum and goodwill with supporters. Possibly cost some potential membership.

Would've much preferred to play a GWS or a GC or a Brisbane as they're the teams we need to learn to beat and have a chance to beat. Match practice against the reigning premiers, a team we won't get near to in rd 19 seems like a waste of 120 minutes to me.

Someone had to play them. Edited by Clint Bizkit

Posted

I am not sure it is a good idea to be playing the Hawks at this stage. We are trying to build confidence into the playing group, we have two good performances against the 7 and 3 finishers last season. Why play number one now? The Hawks are flying, no injuries, everyone is up and about and they are keen to overawe everyone early to get the psychological advantage on everyone. In short we could get smashed, like they have done to the North and Brisbane and a lot of good MFC vibes shattered. Not sure why we agreed to this match really.

Just a reminder. I did predict this carnage and I was pilloried at the time by some. But my point was not the effect of a poor scoreline but the dent to our momentum, player's confidence in themselves and each other, and of course the effect on supporters and memberships. I believe the final non NAB practice matches were negotiable between the clubs. We made a bad choice in my mind. After tackling two finalists we should have been taking on a mid ranking side to build on our preseason momentum. From the posts I have read so far there are zero positives coming out of today just more self doubt!

And Shyte in such a professional game how can one team be so far ahead of almostveveryone else? I know they are good but really!

  • Like 1
Posted

So when does the 2014 season finish again?

Posted (edited)

Lets c how we go rd1 when we haven't played in NT the week before and r not playing the reigning premier.

We will definitely not go into rd1 overconfident.

Remember we do have a coach who KNOWS what he is doing and what needs doing. We r in good hands.

As someone once said "it's not going to happen but it will happen".

Edited by DemonOX
Posted

Just watched Roosy's post match press conference.

I feel better

Please watch before contemplating suicide.

How's "we know where we're at" compared to "I didn't see that coming"?

  • Like 2
Posted

I left 5 minutes into final term. I wasn't prepared to watch Gibson tear us (another) new one! A few observations...

Thought we played selfish today from early on... case in point, Trengove marks at 45 early in first, Blease is wider but closer and well clear, running into pocket. Trengove sees him but elects to go back and take the shot. I think it went OOB on the full. Now Trenners, Blease needed you to show some faith. A goal to Blease at that point would have lifted him, given him a shot in the arm.

Our short kicking was very ordinary.

Spencer has to stop looking at the opposition ruckman as he contests the centre bounce. I'm surprised the umps aren't pinging him more often. He's a big lump of a lad who needs to get up as high as he can at the jump. I thought Fitzpatrick was more effective at the centre bounce when he took it.

The foreign legion were still among our best on the day. Vince, Cross, Michie and Tyson were good to very good at times.

Georgiou must be elevated. He can play on blokes that are taller than him. Strauss struggles on taller opposition. We need Georgiou while Garland is on the sidelines.

Thought Trenners and Grimes made too many errors of judgement today.

Dunn was our best out of defence but they all reverted to kicking long to the boundary, hoping for a throw in.

Umpiring on holding the ball was ludicrous. I think it should be mandatory for AFL umpires to have played 50 games of senior football, somewhere, before getting a gig. Let them see how impossible it is to get the ball out when four or five blokes are piled on top holding it in.

I was down that end. The kick to Blease would've been in to the breeze slowing it down. Not to mention the Hawks expertly guard (ie. cheat) on the mark. And Trengove isn't the fastest getting back off his mark, steadying and drilling the kick (as a floated kick would've been cut off). Not to mention Blease isn't a great player to have sitting under a high ball.

To me it was a case of a limited player in Trengove weighing up the option and taking the one he thought was right in the circumstance. Definitely didn't think it was selfish.

One thing our players will struggle with is doing what is safe under the game plan and doing what is right. Sydney under Roos were great at getting the ball just outside 50 and hitting up short leads to get a reasonable shot on goal. So Trengove marking at 50 would be told to be patient. But that's obviously overruled if you have a quick attacking option. Same with down back. Working the ball methodically is obviously plan A. But at times a linking handball to a runner would be much better. Hawthorn's ability to take an intercept mark and give a handball to move play on was amazing today.

Pretty much after an ok first quarter we lost confidence today. Which is probably why it's best to have Paul Roos coaching who will work hard to build confidence back for round 1. If I was coaching I would've blasted them all by now.

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Demonland Forums  

  • Match Previews, Reports & Articles  

    TRAINING: Friday 22nd November 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers were out in force on a scorching morning out at Gosch's Paddock for the final session before the whole squad reunites for the Preseason Training Camp. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS It’s going to be a scorcher today but I’m in the shade at Gosch’s Paddock ready to bring you some observations from the final session before the Preseason Training Camp next week.  Salem, Fritsch & Campbell are already on the track. Still no number on Campbell’s

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports 1

    UP IN LIGHTS by Whispering Jack

    Those who watched the 2024 Marsh AFL National Championships closely this year would not be particularly surprised that Melbourne selected Victoria Country pair Harvey Langford and Xavier Lindsay on the first night of the AFL National Draft. The two left-footed midfielders are as different as chalk and cheese but they had similar impacts in their Coates Talent League teams and in the National Championships in 2024. Their interstate side was edged out at the very end of the tournament for tea

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Special Features

    TRAINING: Wednesday 20th November 2024

    It’s a beautiful cool morning down at Gosch’s Paddock and I’ve arrived early to bring you my observations from today’s session. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Reigning Keith Bluey Truscott champion Jack Viney is the first one out on the track.  Jack’s wearing the red version of the new training guernsey which is the only version available for sale at the Demon Shop. TRAINING: Viney, Clarry, Lever, TMac, Rivers, Petty, McVee, Bowey, JVR, Hore, Tom Campbell (in tr

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    TRAINING: Monday 18th November 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers ventured down to Gosch's Paddock for the final week of training for the 1st to 4th Years until they are joined by the rest of the senior squad for Preseason Training Camp in Mansfield next week. WAYNE RUSSELL'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS No Ollie, Chin, Riv today, but Rick & Spargs turned up and McDonald was there in casual attire. Seston, and Howes did a lot of boundary running, and Tom Campbell continued his work with individual trainer in non-MFC

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    2024 Player Reviews: #11 Max Gawn

    Champion ruckman and brilliant leader, Max Gawn earned his seventh All-Australian team blazer and constantly held the team up on his shoulders in what was truly a difficult season for the Demons. Date of Birth: 30 December 1991 Height: 209cm Games MFC 2024: 21 Career Total: 224 Goals MFC 2024: 11 Career Total: 109 Brownlow Medal Votes: 13 Melbourne Football Club: 2nd Best & Fairest: 405 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 12

    2024 Player Reviews: #36 Kysaiah Pickett

    The Demons’ aggressive small forward who kicks goals and defends the Demons’ ball in the forward arc. When he’s on song, he’s unstoppable but he did blot his copybook with a three week suspension in the final round. Date of Birth: 2 June 2001 Height: 171cm Games MFC 2024: 21 Career Total: 106 Goals MFC 2024: 36 Career Total: 161 Brownlow Medal Votes: 3 Melbourne Football Club: 4th Best & Fairest: 369 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 5

    TRAINING: Friday 15th November 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers took advantage of the beautiful sunshine to head down to Gosch's Paddock and witness the return of Clayton Oliver to club for his first session in the lead up to the 2025 season. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Clarry in the house!! Training: JVR, McVee, Windsor, Tholstrup, Woey, Brown, Petty, Adams, Chandler, Turner, Bowey, Seston, Kentfield, Laurie, Sparrow, Viney, Rivers, Jefferson, Hore, Howes, Verrall, AMW, Clarry Tom Campbell is here

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    2024 Player Reviews: #7 Jack Viney

    The tough on baller won his second Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Trophy in a narrow battle with skipper Max Gawn and Alex Neal-Bullen and battled on manfully in the face of a number of injury niggles. Date of Birth: 13 April 1994 Height: 178cm Games MFC 2024: 23 Career Total: 219 Goals MFC 2024: 10 Career Total: 66 Brownlow Medal Votes: 8

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 3

    TRAINING: Wednesday 13th November 2024

    A couple of Demonland Trackwatchers braved the rain and headed down to Gosch's paddock to bring you their observations from the second day of Preseason training for the 1st to 4th Year players. DITCHA'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS I attended some of the training today. Richo spoke to me and said not to believe what is in the media, as we will good this year. Jefferson and Kentfield looked big and strong.  Petty was doing all the training. Adams looked like he was in rehab.  KE

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!

×
×
  • Create New...