THE BELL TOLLS by George on the Outer

[Demonland 64,361]

Who were those fat, bald blokes running around at half-time? What were they playing?

The rules seemed to be if you cant kick it directly to one of your team-mates, then the opposition gets the ball.

Well those same fat, bald blokes might just as well been playing in the main game, because the same theme was being followed. The clangers that were happening as both teams turned the ball over, and finally the winner of the game was the one who simply capitalized on the errors of the other.

So it was the Saints who ran out winners, despite the Demons having just about more of every possible statistical measure ... more kicks, handballs, possessions, inside 50s etc.

Now for a team that struggled to even get the ball inside 50 last season, this was a major step up, and to have a mid-field who can get the ball, there should be some sort of positives to draw from the game. But when opportunities are squandered and simply bald, fat bloke type kicking efforts see the ball whisked down the other end for yet another score, the bell will surely toll for some in the coming weeks!

Sadly the early loss of Fitzpatrick, a calf injury to McDonald (and you have to wonder why on earth he was left on Riewoldt for another quarter and a bit when he obviously couldnt run) left the Demons without key forwards and backs.

But then the Demons were already without key forwards and backs before the game had even started, so sadly we will see the same clanger kings getting another game next week, simply because there will be no-one else!

While not a great fan of Jake Spencer, he certainly held his own against a rookie ruckman at the Saints, and managed to nullify the opposition both in the middle of the ground and around it. Surprisingly he had the endurance to remain in the battle wherever that was happening, and this was also a dramatic step-up from last season, when he would have been struggling for air, especially without any real assistance for the game.

Tellingly, St.Kilda blew the game open with 3 goals in the 3rd quarter in the space of 5 minutes and even more tellingly, Jake was off the ground during that time taking a well earned 5 minute break. His replacement might as well have stayed in the forward line for all the value he provided.

Like last season the Demon fans turned out, and by any measure outnumbered the Saints supporters at their home game.

Well poor Peter Jackson wont be getting too many of those lost supporters to sign up when the same sort of trash is dished up by the same old sinners as they did last year. Yet again, a winnable position was thrown away. And against a team that was simply decimated with 7 players missing from their line-up last year.

There was no hope to be gained from the game. This is a team that simply doesnt know how to win any more.

The Bell tolls for some in the side, but even after one game the Bell tolls for the MFC as well. Another soul destroying outcome, and the prospect of meeting a full strength WCE next week ... rather than re-gaining lost members, there might be more joining them!

Melbourne 2.2.14 2.10.22 4.11.35 6.15.51

St Kilda 1.3.9 4.5.29 8.6.54 10.8.68

Goals

Melbourne Byrnes 2 Terlich Toumpas Tyson Vince

St Kilda Riewoldt 3 Stanley 2 Armitage Geary Gwilt Saunders Templeton

Best

Melbourne N Jones Vince Spencer Watts Tyson Dunn

St. Kilda Riewoldt Jones Ray Hickey Dunstan Curran Saunders

Changes

Melbourne Nil

St Kilda Nil

Injuries

Melbourne Fitzpatrick (concussion) McDonald (corked thigh)

St Kilda Jimmy Webster (groin)

Substitutions

Melbourne Jay Kennedy-Harris replaced Jack Fitzpatrick in the second quarter

St Kilda Jack Billings replaced Jimmy Webster at three-quarter time

Reports

Melbourne Nil

St Kilda Nil

Umpires Scott Jeffery Chris Kamolins Heath Ryan

Attendance 31,657 at Etihad Stadium.

[demon4eva 109]

Well said. Time and time again we failed to hit the target and dropped marks.

[Undeeterred 2,816]

God knows why, but I had a bit of time on my hands and rewatched this game today. We absolutely dominated that first quarter, and apart from injuries obviously, why on earth have the wheels fallen off so much? In my book, they showed the intent and urgency required in that quarter, then it just disappeared for the next three quarters and the following week.

If we have McDonald, Dunn, Watts etc taking on the game like they did early in Round 1, we'll be fine... Even Frawley absolutely smashed some guy in a tackle about 20 seconds in. Surely they haven't given up already??