Jump to content

THE ROAD TO ROUND 1, 2015


iv'a worn smith

Recommended Posts

Toumpas has evolved, though.

Now, instead of making one mistake, dropping his head and disappearing, he keeps his head up and sprays a few more kicks.

At least he's trying!

see guys: improvement!

The hardest thing is getting the pill in the first place...

As for Round 1 - I am much more comfortable than this time last year when we were getting an even more enormous share of uncontested possies but doing even less with it.

I love that we are winning the contested possession, and I love that we are working hard to get uncontested possies, but until we do something with it - it is nothing but 'good stats.'

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Some have missed targets for five years.

VFL standard.

Hawthorn have never, ever recruited a player who couldn't kick - forget Chip, he's only there to punch the ball.

Two weeks won't help.

Not sure too many vfl would be terribly thrilled to have players who miss targets for 5 years.

I think the phrase "VFL standard" is thrown around too much as an insult me to under performing players when the vfl is is a high standard of footy in its own right.

Maybe just describe them as not afl standard or just Sh!t rather then bringing down the VFL level

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Kinda agree GRRM, might only be a deck chair shuffle but my thoughts from tonight's game are;

Howe in for Garland (not sure what he brings to to the table now)

Vince for Bail (works hard but fails at the basics - take a [censored] chestmark!)

Kent for Toumpas (i like the kid but he needs the composure that comes with age and experience - and he ain't got enough of either, yet Salem oozes it!)

Jones has pace which we lack and Grimes showed more than Judy Garland tonight. Would think that JKH or Brayshaw comes in to sub. Gawn only if Jamar out (frost/dawes/pedo as second ruck), McKenzie useless as sub - offers nothing as a replacement - would rather someone with pace or youthful exuberance to potentially alter the dynamics as a sub.

I think with those changes we will be competitive.

I would definitely drop Bail & M Jones, they were a negative. Don't think either are worth preserving with. I'd rather punt on JKH, Kent or either of Howe and Vince if either are fit. I'm sick of substandard players who can't kick getting a game because they have pace. Bail just runs around never quite getting anywhere and when he does get an opportunity to chase down a player he eases up & they score a goal. I'd rather stick fat with Tuomp he will come good and can kick. It's football afterall not athletics.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not sure too many vfl would be terribly thrilled to have players who miss targets for 5 years.

I think the phrase "VFL standard" is thrown around too much as an insult me to under performing players when the vfl is is a high standard of footy in its own right.

Maybe just describe them as not afl standard or just [censored] rather then bringing down the VFL level

In terms of AFL, VFL is a low level.

You deal with it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


They can all do it.

But many don't beieve they can do it. The don't push through the barrier. That is what Roos was talking about last night.

Less individual and more team play

2 weeks to sort it out. It can be done if taught properly. 14 days....

I reckon you're absolutely right, WYL. There's still so much concern from so many of our players that 'I don't want to be the one to f*** it up'. They are therefore timid in attacking the ball and the goals and the man, second guess stuff that would be instinctive otherwise, and can't play with the purity that you see in teams who have the kind of self belief that creates 'team' focussed play.

It then comes off as poor skills, weak tackling, seeming slow, and having an inability to drive the ball forward. The answer is winning and winning well. One game would be a big change, two in a row would be huge. I just cannot see how it's going to happen, that's all.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

It is interesting, while I agree generally with the Roos philosophy of protecting the younger players, our opponent will have at least two new young guys in Saad and Miller.

Brayshaw is 19, has been among the best in the last 2 Casey games and is probably as physically developed, if not more so, than the 2 GC boys.

Brayshaw has not played a NAB cup game and that clearly will go against him.

However he is a bigger, stronger and probably better player than say Bail, who has not played well.

What would be wrong with quietly bringing him into the team this week?

While some are hoping for Howe and Vince to return without any game time, playing Brayshaw to me would make more sense.

I think we also need Kent and JKH back in the side as well, to make more use of the constant fumbles of the key forwards.

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I reckon you're absolutely right, WYL. There's still so much concern from so many of our players that 'I don't want to be the one to f*** it up'. They are therefore timid in attacking the ball and the goals and the man, second guess stuff that would be instinctive otherwise, and can't play with the purity that you see in teams who have the kind of self belief that creates 'team' focussed play.

It then comes off as poor skills, weak tackling, seeming slow, and having an inability to drive the ball forward. The answer is winning and winning well. One game would be a big change, two in a row would be huge. I just cannot see how it's going to happen, that's all.

Agreed Webber.

If the penny drops within 14 days for the majority of the list we will see a vastly different side.

I think the penny is dropping already for Jack Watts. I saw good things on friday night.

Roos has definately made Watts a priority in the resurgance of the team.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Agreed Webber.

If the penny drops within 14 days for the majority of the list we will see a vastly different side.

I think the penny is dropping already for Jack Watts. I saw good things on friday night.

Roos has definately made Watts a priority in the resurgance of the team.

Yup, he can't escape the wrath of Mcartney.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Agreed Webber.

If the penny drops within 14 days for the majority of the list we will see a vastly different side.

I think the penny is dropping already for Jack Watts. I saw good things on friday night.

Roos has definately made Watts a priority in the resurgance of the team.

Watts always had the skill and ability.

We all realise he's not a crash n bash.

Roos will coach him to the next level.

As for the others, 14 days won't cut it....the trade table will.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well hopefully the team that fronts the Suns is less experimental and better suited to whatever the real (full) game plan is.

I.e. no more rubbish football.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Agreed Webber.

If the penny drops within 14 days for the majority of the list we will see a vastly different side.

I think the penny is dropping already for Jack Watts. I saw good things on friday night.

Roos has definately made Watts a priority in the resurgance of the team.

The interesting thing about Watts is that I don't think he's ever doubted his own ability. He's got elite level decision making and skills. What he's now looking to develop, on top of better full game endurance, is trust in his own 'physical' prowess. Penny seems to be dropping. If he gets lots of help, that is, team based footy, he's going to murder some games. Consistently? That's another thing.
  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites


I sometimes wonder what methods the coaching staff are using to break them out of this mental mailiase. Clearly the Neeld method of screaming in their faces that "MISTAKES DO NOT MATTER!!!" was ineffective.

Is it worth showing them clips of Hawthorn in 2005? To show that the infallible were once fallible, and that a 5 win team that made plenty of mistakes but took the game on went on to become premiers three years later.

They can use electroshock therapy for all I care, but this fear of attacking ball movement and making mistakes has got to end somehow.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I sometimes wonder what methods the coaching staff are using to break them out of this mental mailiase. Clearly the Neeld method of screaming in their faces that "MISTAKES DO NOT MATTER!!!" was ineffective.

Is it worth showing them clips of Hawthorn in 2005? To show that the infallible were once fallible, and that a 5 win team that made plenty of mistakes but took the game on went on to become premiers three years later.

They can use electroshock therapy for all I care, but this fear of attacking ball movement and making mistakes has got to end somehow.

How about a cattle prod, to get the ball moving in the right direction.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Doubtless Demonlanders will be talking about the likely changes for Rd 1 from the side against Essendon, but I think we pretty much saw our Rd 1 side on Friday.

Obviously Dawes will be out with suspension and that enforces one change and means there will be plenty of debate as to whether to replace him with a big (most likely our 23rd man Gawn or Pedo) or whether the pace of Gold Coast means that a quicker player is brought into the side - Kent or JKH.

Gold Coast's ruck tandem of Zac Smith and Tom Nichols means that Jamar will go with Smith.

Nichols is quick and mobile for a big guy, so that could mean Roosy could risk using Frosty in that role.

Whilst I know Roosy would prefer to have another power forward, I think the lack of size and pace of GC will mean he needs more speed for Rd 1 and that he asks Frosty and Watts to step as the tall forwards.

A lot of Demonlanders will be calling for the usual axings of Grimes and Garland and Bail and Matt Jones and Toump and even some for Newton, but I can't really see Roosy forsaking his policy of staying loyal to his senior squad until a major loss occurs. He will however consider Vince and Howe if they play a VFL practice match this week (not sure if there is one), but most likely their lack of match fitness would mean they would be the sub.

The only other big issue as I see it is deciding which defender will man up on Ablett, who will spend a lot of time up forward because of no match practice. Given GC is missing Lynch and is so small and will use Gazza as a marking option, I suspect that Garlo will have to go to him which is a big ask I know, although Grimes is another option. Nev Jetta should get Matera and Salem will most likely have Touk Miller or Saad.

So side for Rd 1 will be:

B: Jetta Dunn Garland

HB: Salem Tom Mc Grimes

C: Lumumba N.Jones M.Jones

HF: Bail Frost Vandenberg

F: Garlett Hogan Watts

Ru: Jamar Cross Tyson

Int: Viney, Newton, Toumpas

Sub: Kent (Howe or Vince if they get through practice match well)

Emerg: Gawn, JKH, McKenzie

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Round 1 Team, for mine...

B: Dunn, McDonald, Grimes
HB: Jetta, Frost, Lumumba
C: Salem, Vince, Tyson
HF: Watts, Hogan, Viney
F: Garlett, Gawn, Kent
FOL: Jamar, Jones, Cross

IC: Newton, Pedersen, Howe

SUB: JKH

EM: Vandenberg, Toumpas, Garland

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Round 1 Team, for mine...

B: Dunn, McDonald, Grimes

HB: Jetta, Frost, Lumumba

C: Salem, Vince, Tyson

HF: Watts, Hogan, Viney

F: Garlett, Gawn, Kent

FOL: Jamar, Jones, Cross

IC: Newton, Pedersen, Howe

SUB: JKH

EM: Vandenberg, Toumpas, Garland

Looks good, but I would have vandenBerg in for Viney or Newton.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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  

    GETAWAY by Meggs

    Calling all fit players. Expect every available Melbourne player to board the Virgin cross-continent flight to Perth for this Round 4 clash on Saturday afternoon at Fremantle Oval. It promises to be keenly contested, though Fremantle is the bookies clear favourite.  If we lose, finals could be remoter than Rottnest Island especially following on from the Dees 50-point dismantlement by North Melbourne last Sunday.  There are 8 remaining matches, over the next 7 weeks.  To Meggs’

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    AFLW Melbourne Demons

    DRUBBING by Meggs

    With Casey Fields basking in sunshine, an enthusiastic throng of young Demons fans formed a guard of honour for the evergreen and much admired 75-gamer Paxy Paxman. As the home team ran out to play, Paxy’s banner promised that the Demons would bounce back from last week’s loss to Brisbane and reign supreme.   Disappointingly, the Kangaroos dominated the match to win by 50 points, but our Paxy certainly did her bit.  She was clearly our best player, sweeping well in defence.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    AFLW Melbourne Demons 4

    GARNER STRENGTH by Meggs

    In keeping with our tough draw theme, Week 3 sees Melbourne take on flag favourites, North Melbourne, at Casey Fields this Sunday at 1:05pm.  The weather forecast looks dry, a coolish 14 degrees and will be characteristically gusty.  Remember when Casey Fields was considered our fortress?  The Demons have lost two of their past three matches at the Field of Dreams, so opposition teams commute down the Princes Highway with more optimism these days.  The Dees held the highe

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    AFLW Melbourne Demons 1

    ALLY’S FIELDS by Meggs

    It was a sunny morning at Casey Fields, as Demon supporters young and old formed a guard of honour for fan favourite and 50-gamer Alyssa Bannan.  Banno’s banner stated the speedster was the ‘fastest 50 games’ by an AFLW player ever.   For Dees supporters, today was not our day and unfortunately not for Banno either. A couple of opportunities emerged for our number 6 but alas there was no sizzle.   Brisbane atoned for last week’s record loss to North Melbourne, comprehensively out

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    AFLW Melbourne Demons 1

    GOOD MORNING by Meggs

    If you are driving or training it to Cranbourne on Saturday, don’t forget to set your alarm clock. The Melbourne Demons play the reigning premiers Brisbane Lions at Casey Fields this Saturday, with the bounce of the ball at 11:05am.  Yes, that’s AM.   The AFLW fixture shows deference to the AFL men’s finals games.  So, for the men it’s good afternoon and good evening and for the women it’s good morning.     The Lions were wounded last week by 44 points, their highest ever los

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    AFLW Melbourne Demons 3

    HORE ON FIRE by Meggs

    The 40,000 seat $319 million redeveloped Kardinia Park Stadium was nowhere near capacity last night but the strong, noisy contingent of Melbourne supporters led by the DeeArmy journeyed to Geelong to witness a high-quality battle between two of the best teams in AFLW.   The Cats entered the arena to the blasting sounds of Zombie Nation and made a hot start kicking the first 2 goals. They brought tremendous forward half pressure, and our newly renovated defensive unit looked shaky.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    AFLW Melbourne Demons 11

    REMATCH by Meggs

    The Mighty Demons take on the confident Cats this Saturday night at the recently completed $319 million redeveloped GMHBA Stadium, with the bounce of the ball at 7:15pm. Our last game of 2023 was an agonisingly close 5-point semi-final loss to Geelong, and we look forward to Melbourne turning the tables this week. Practice match form was scratchy for both teams with the Demons losing practice matches to Carlton and Port Adelaide, while the Cats beat Collingwood but then lost to Essendo

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    AFLW Melbourne Demons

    WELCOME 2024 by Meggs

    It’s been hard to miss the seismic global momentum happening in Women’s sport of late. The Matildas have been playing to record sell-out crowds across Australia and ‘Mary Fowler is God’ is chalked onto footpaths everywhere. WNBA basketball rookie sensation Caitlin Clark has almost single-handedly elevated her Indiana Fever team to unprecedented viewership, attendances and playoffs in the USA.   Our female Aussie Paris 2024 Olympians won 13 out of Australia’s all-time record 18 gol

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    AFLW Melbourne Demons 3

    EPILOGUE by Whispering Jack

    I sit huddled in near darkness, the only light coming through flickering embers in a damp fireplace, the room in total silence after the thunderstorm died. I wonder if they bothered to restart the game.  No point really. It was over before it started. The team’s five star generals in defence and midfield ruled out of the fray, a few others missing in action against superior enemy firepower and too few left to fly the flag for the field marshal defiantly leading his outnumbered army int

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Match Reports 6
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!

×
×
  • Create New...