Melbourne v Essendon @ Etihad Stadium - 20th March, 2015

[Webber 10,115]

The first 15 minutes of the third quarter was a disgrace. That and an appalling Viney error at the end were why we lost by a very narrow margin.

We were clearly on top early, particularly in the first quarter.

The game is measured on the scoreboard, nothing else. We were NOT on top in the first quarter because we CAN'T KICK GOALS!!!! Having three times the possession and doing SWEET F*** ALL with it is NOT being on top.

[Maldonboy38 5,930]

Settle down people. It doesn't look good but it is the NAB cup.

Roos' teams rarely win pre-season games because he gets them to practice things, not win games. It was horrible tonight and some major question marks on some of our younger players but this is not for 4 points.

Some good things out of tonight's game

• we are getting clarity for round 1
• we can celebrate recent drafts and trades
• skills training required.

[Nasher 33,068]

Sorry Nash, except for the first 10 minutes of the first quarter, that's as bad as I've ever seen us considering the circumstances, and I'm 32!

I'm 31, and that is not even close to the worst I've seen. You remember all those times we lost by 100+, right?

[whatwhat say what 19,091]

at least we know where we are at - no better than a vfl team with some elderly veterans and talented kids.

[wattsup 470]

We just became the laughing stock of the AFL, only we could lose that game, how we can beat essendon at full strength yet lose to that side is a disgrace, it's all mental we are weak above the shoulders, If they can come out and win round 1 then all is forgiven but it's gonna take me a while to get over this 1 we are a joke of a football club, Roos and Goodwin must be thinking why the hell did we sign up for this

[Nasher 33,068]

The game is measured on the scoreboard, nothing else. We were NOT on top in the first quarter because we CAN'T KICK GOALS!!!! Having three times the possession and doing SWEET F*** ALL with it is NOT being on top.

The scoreboard agreed that we were on top.

[rjay 23,925]

Sad to say, if we're being logical about ability and form, Jesse Hogan just can't be picked for round 1. His marking and handling are not AFL standard. Nor Jack Viney. Sadder even to say, is I can't any progress for us beyond last year. HL, Garlett and Vandenberg are the only progress on standards. Round 1 is going to be nothing more than damage control.

I think Hogan is a structural selection and did some good things but has a long way to go. Jack has really struggled and would be lucky to get a place in game 1, even 'TDI' has questioned his pre season form.

As for the game, Vandenberg looks like he can play and will only get better.

I don't think the Frost forward/ruck experiment is working to date...maybe a better defender but lets wait and see.

Salem is developing well and is probably where we should expect a 2nd year player to be.

Watts is going ok.

Toumpas is still struggling.

We had a good 3 q's against Freo, 2 good q's against Dogs and 1 against the Ess...

Pretty uninspiring since the Freo game and not a lot of opposition since that one. doesn't look great but lets see what happens game 1.

[Moneider96 1,045]

We lost by a goal, from a bad turnover that I reckon would've happen in a regular season game (Viney would take more time). This is on the back of a win, and an 'honorable' loss to Freo in Freo.

We didn't lose by 109 points like the Saints last night.

Just... relax. If we're 5 games into the season with a percentage of 50 then it's reasonable to start flipping out.

yeh.....nahhhhhhh

[demon3165 1,944]

So sick of this line.

Anyone who still has enough passion to comment here about a preseason match after the last 8 years is definitely a true supporter.

Sorry they are NOT, the I will only buy a membership if they don't win line is crap, anyone can go to a website and say they are a supporter, but are they? I have seen some good times and (to many bad ones) but will still buy my membership every year.

[KingDingAling 3,613]

Essendon are playing a side not quite up to AFL level, I didn't expect we'd beat them.

We aren't quite up to the level. But on the upside, we are building a nice young list.

With Brayshaw, Petracca, Stretch, ANB and McDonald all yet to play, I'm not too worried.

In the past 2 years we've unearthed potential guns in Tyson and Salem, we've also drafted well.
I think we'll be ok in the future, but for the time being we are a sub par football side.
I think Toumpas will be a real player, but he needs to go back to VFL and work on his weaknesses.

[DemonOX 8,541]

Imagine how Demonalnd would have self combusted if it was Grimes or McKenzie who kicked that ball that lost us the lead!

[Dr. Gonzo 22,494]

We lost by a goal, from a bad turnover that I reckon would've happen in a regular season game (Viney would take more time). This is on the back of a win, and an 'honorable' loss to Freo in Freo.

We didn't lose by 109 points like the Saints last night.

Just... relax. If we're 5 games into the season with a percentage of 50 then it's reasonable to start flipping out.

Yeah strong comparison. Saints playing the reigning premiers we played a team of mostly kids and top up players who couldn't even get on a senior list.

[Wiseblood 24,636]

We lost by a goal, from a bad turnover that I reckon would've happen in a regular season game (Viney would take more time). This is on the back of a win, and an 'honorable' loss to Freo in Freo.

We didn't lose by 109 points like the Saints last night.

Just... relax. If we're 5 games into the season with a percentage of 50 then it's reasonable to start flipping out.

Stop talking sense rhaz, it's not welcome when it's wrist slashing time...

[ding 5,126]

Settle down people. It doesn't look good but it is the NAB cup.

Roos' teams rarely win pre-season games because he gets them to practice things, not win games. It was horrible tonight and some major question marks on some of our younger players but this is not for 4 points.

Some good things out of tonight's game

• we are getting clarity for round 1
• we can celebrate recent drafts and trades
• skills training required.

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO we have clarity..... Oh that just makes everything so peachy.

What we should have had was a win.

Learn about the game and how success breeds success.

We lost to a team of scrubbers, and there is absolutely NOTHING to be gained from that.

Edited March 20, 2015 by ding

[Sambo06 222]

For crying out loud! Poor Viney has one shocker and everyone's out for blood. I would rather he get it out of the way tonight. The Kid bleeds for our Club, and we have you naysayers baying for his blood! Don't you think he would be hardest on himself. If we know anything about Jack, he will come out Rnd 1 and tear the Suns a new one. YOU MARK MY WORDS.

[3Dee 1,153]

Chapman, Zaharakis, Cooney, Goddard, Daniher, that ain't a VFL side

[Lucifers Hero 37,133]

Imagine how Demonalnd would have self combusted if it was Grimes or McKenzie who kicked that ball that lost us the lead!

Yes, if Jack V wasn't the son of a club fave he would be the latest DL whipping boy! No mercy would be shown him.

Not sure how many lives he has left before the fans turn on him too.

[ding 5,126]

For crying out loud! Poor Viney has one shocker and everyone's out for blood. I would rather he get it out of the way tonight. The Kid bleeds for our Club, and we have you naysayers baying for his blood! Don't you think he would be hardest on himself. If we know anything about Jack, he will come out Rnd 1 and tear the Suns a new one. YOU MARK MY WORDS.

I have bookmarked this post so i can find it easily after our 6 goal loss in the first round.

[SaberFang 7,141]

Can't decide what's worse for team psyche. The Hawthorn thrashing right before round one last year, or losing to a team of drug cheating rejects coached by a narcissist who deserves a life ban from the sport?

[jackaub 1,402]

Settle down people. It doesn't look good but it is the NAB cup.

Roos' teams rarely win pre-season games because he gets them to practice things, not win games. It was horrible tonight and some major question marks on some of our younger players but this is not for 4 points.

Some good things out of tonight's game

• we are getting clarity for round 1
• we can celebrate recent drafts and trades
• skills training required.

Are you taking medication?

[Webber 10,115]

The scoreboard agreed that we were on top.

By two goals for about 3 minutes, and 12 inside 50's to 1. I repeat, we just have a bottom two standard scoring ability.

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

<p>

Settle down people. It doesn't look good but it is the NAB cup.

Roos' teams rarely win pre-season games because he gets them to practice things, not win games. It was horrible tonight and some major question marks on some of our younger players but this is not for 4 points.

Some good things out of tonight's game

• we are getting clarity for round 1
• we can celebrate recent drafts and trades
• skills training required.

I get what you're saying, but the two things you say are "good things out of tonight" (besides skills training) every other team is doing them too. Edited March 20, 2015 by The Song Formerly Known As

[jackaub 1,402]

For crying out loud! Poor Viney has one shocker and everyone's out for blood. I would rather he get it out of the way tonight. The Kid bleeds for our Club, and we have you naysayers baying for his blood! Don't you think he would be hardest on himself. If we know anything about Jack, he will come out Rnd 1 and tear the Suns a new one. YOU MARK MY WORDS.

AHHHHH I wondered where you were Sambo More sugar please.

[JV7 2,339]

Sad to say, if we're being logical about ability and form, Jesse Hogan just can't be picked for round 1. His marking and handling are not AFL standard. Nor Jack Viney. Sadder even to say, is I can't any progress for us beyond last year. HL, Garlett and Vandenberg are the only progress on standards. Round 1 is going to be nothing more than damage control.

Posts on here get worse and worse every week. Hogan is 100% playing round one, who do you propose takes his spot ?

[ding 5,126]

Chapman, Zaharakis, Cooney, Goddard, Daniher, that ain't a VFL side

Why didnt you take the time to name the other, what was it, 11? VFL players who were in the side ?

Sugar coating of the highest order.