Jump to content


Recommended Posts

Posted (edited)

Some useless points I've picked up/thought about over the past few days;

- Out of the three post-game interviews on the MFC website (Roos' presser, Jones and Dawes interview with Burgo), not one of them seemed too concerned about losing.

- It is mentioned that the difference between our best and worst is too great. So far this preseason, our best (arguably the first half against the Dogs) saw us leading by around 7 goals at half time. Our worst has only been bits and pieces in games. While our worst is still shlt, in the three games to date is has been for a far less amount of game time than previous years. Regardless of your thoughts on the opposition, our biggest losing margin has been 18 points (against an expected Top 4 contender this year). Sure, we've played undermanned teams, but we have not had our best 22 out there either.

- It has an eerie similarity to Bailey's last season (2011). Our best footy was pretty good, we spanked some teams. Our worst was woeful, resulting in us getting spanked. The thing about our poor performances in 2011 was that they were for an entire match. If we reduce the amount of poor footy we play in a game to smaller chunks, then we shouldn't get blown out of the water in games.

While I understand the importance of having structured, competitive hit outs during the preseason, I have read absolutely nothing in to this year's results (from any games), to the point where I have barely watch any games at all. The real stuff starts in less than two weeks for me.

(Nb. If we had won all three of our NAB games comprehensively, I'd be claiming we should be flag favourites!).

Edited for ManDee's sake.

Edited by billy2803

Posted

I have had the good fortune to be away for all of the practice matches. I watched the Dogs match on the internet feed and listened to the first quarter of the Dons match.

Last night i watched the Freo match and for those who are in deep dispair about the Dons match they should go back and watch it. We were in that match up to our necks against some quality opposition. Indeed but for a clear wrong call on a goal that hit the post, Russians amazing miss and a few holding the ball decisions (which we will learn from) the result would have been a lot closer.

Our weakness in the match was our ability to deliver to the forwards and their ability to lead into space and hold the ball.

Our issue in the Dogs match was after being dominant in the frist 2 quarters our coaches decided they had a licence to try a few things which didnt work out including changing our midfield set up which allowed the Dogs midfield to get on top.

I cant comment on the Dons match but we shouldn't discount the positive aspects of the first 2 matches based on the 3rd alone. Sure we dont have depth or any real A+ stars yet but there are some good signs emerging. We will continue from time to time have a gap between or worst and the best. Garland will not continue to make poor decisions as he gets back into the game. Hogan will learn where to lead to. Viney will not repeat his mistake. We will start to take the game on a bit more as Lumumba and Frost do to greater effect.

One thing you can guarantee Roos will be having a discussion with the coaches about what they learned from the practice matches and the same discussion with the players both individually and collectively. I expect we will see the gap between best and worst narrow over the year.

  • Like 4

Posted

I have had the good fortune to be away for all of the practice matches. I watched the Dogs match on the internet feed and listened to the first quarter of the Dons match.

Last night i watched the Freo match and for those who are in deep dispair about the Dons match they should go back and watch it. We were in that match up to our necks against some quality opposition. Indeed but for a clear wrong call on a goal that hit the post, Russians amazing miss and a few holding the ball decisions (which we will learn from) the result would have been a lot closer.

Our weakness in the match was our ability to deliver to the forwards and their ability to lead into space and hold the ball.

Our issue in the Dogs match was after being dominant in the frist 2 quarters our coaches decided they had a licence to try a few things which didnt work out including changing our midfield set up which allowed the Dogs midfield to get on top.

I cant comment on the Dons match but we shouldn't discount the positive aspects of the first 2 matches based on the 3rd alone. Sure we dont have depth or any real A+ stars yet but there are some good signs emerging. We will continue from time to time have a gap between or worst and the best. Garland will not continue to make poor decisions as he gets back into the game. Hogan will learn where to lead to. Viney will not repeat his mistake. We will start to take the game on a bit more as Lumumba and Frost do to greater effect.

One thing you can guarantee Roos will be having a discussion with the coaches about what they learned from the practice matches and the same discussion with the players both individually and collectively. I expect we will see the gap between best and worst narrow over the year.

You didn't mention that Barlow and Mundy were subbed off / rested, and that Fyfe didn't play. Be honest, Freo had the game won at half-time. And as a top 4 team in hot conditions, they are more likely to take the foot of the pedal, than a struggling team looking to build confidence.

My concern is that the last year, the gap between our best and worst broadened as the year went on.

Posted

Well I have resisted for four days.

Over the three practise matches I have got pretty much what I expected ( I did think we would win on Friday).

Our list is still a long way from a top 12 side.

Since the end of 2014 season we have added a couple of experienced players and some more kids.

We have lined with not a lot of change to the sides of last year so it is not surprising to me that we have played with only a small amount of improvement.

The regular VFL quality players continue to play that way and will until we replace them with better ones.

I still believe we are capable of winning 6 -7 games and that after more changes at the end of this year 2016 will be the year we make a good rise up the ladder.

We have hung in through 8 years of crap 2015 should be less crappy.


Posted

You didn't mention that Barlow and Mundy were subbed off / rested, and that Fyfe didn't play. Be honest, Freo had the game won at half-time. And as a top 4 team in hot conditions, they are more likely to take the foot of the pedal, than a struggling team looking to build confidence.

My concern is that the last year, the gap between our best and worst broadened as the year went on.

Barlow was subbed at the end of the 3rd and Mundy went off in the 4th. At 3/4 time the scores were 7.5 to 6.6. Freemantle (at full strength) scored only a point in the 3rd.

Certainly Fyfe didnt play. Perhaps they did take the foot off the pedal the way we did against the Dogs but watching the game it didnt appear that way. In any event doesn't diminish what was a good effort by us despite looking spent in the 2nd quarter. The point is we played pretty well in the conditions.

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  

    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

    2024 Player Reviews: #15 Ed Langdon

    The Demon running machine came back with a vengeance after a leaner than usual year in 2023.  Date of Birth: 1 February 1996 Height: 182cm Games MFC 2024: 22 Career Total: 179 Goals MFC 2024: 9 Career Total: 76 Brownlow Medal Votes: 5 Melbourne Football Club: 5th Best & Fairest: 352 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 8
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!

×
×
  • Create New...