PATTERNS by Whispering Jack

Halfway through the second quarter at StarTrack Oval last Saturday, the Demons were seemingly cruising through their game against the Giants. Leading by five goals and having kept their opponents down to a solitary goal, they loosened their hold on the game after Jeff Garlett had goaled at the ten minute mark. They allowed GWS too much latitude and it was only their poor finishing that kept them at bay.

Late in the quarter and against the run of play, Ben Newton goaled to give his team a game high lead of 33 points in the shadows of half time. The game's defining moment however, came a minute and a half later when Cam McCarthy was provided with the opportunity to reply before the half time siren, the first of fourteen unanswered goal before Newton chimed in with his second and his team's last in a humiliating stanza of play.

The pattern that was set late in the second term was familiar. Melbourne fans saw it some weeks ago during the NAB Challenge match in Ballarat against the Bulldogs when the team let slip an even larger lead standing by helplessly as that game was almost lost to another avalanche of goals.

In other games, we have seen the team also commit dramatic lapses in play - in the first round at home, they were good enough to come back from these on three occasions but the question now is whether the pattern set at grounds far from home will be repeated and what can the coaches and players do to arrest a disturbing situation in which opposition teams are able to cut the team like butter through a knife.

It won't be easy this Saturday against an in-form Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval because the Crows have established a pattern of their own which is to destroy all that comes before them.

THE GAME

Adelaide v Melbourne v at the Adelaide Oval Saturday 18 April, 2015 at 2.10 pm

HEAD TO HEAD

Overall Adelaide 21 wins Melbourne 12 wins

At Adelaide Oval Adelaide 0 wins Melbourne 1 win

Past five meetings Adelaide 3 wins Melbourne 2 wins

The Coaches Welsh 0 wins Roos 0 wins

MEDIA

TV - Fox Sports 3 at 2:00pm (live)

RADIO - SEN

THE BETTING

Adelaide to win - $1.05 Melbourne to win - $7.25

THE LAST TIME THEY MET

Melbourne 11.4.70 defeated Adelaide 9.13.67 Round 7, 2014 at Adelaide Oval

The Demons hadn't won in Adelaide for more than a decade but the got the early jump on the Crows to lead by 28 points at the main break. Nathan Jones and Jack Grimes courageously led the side home and despite a second half fightback from the home team to cause a major upset.

THE TEAMS

Adelaide Crows

B: Luke Brown, Daniel Talia, Rory Laird

HB: Jake Kelly, Kyle Hartigan, Brodie Smith

C: Ricky Henderson, Scott Thompson, Matthew Jaensch

HF: Cam Ellis-Yolmen, Taylor Walker, Charlie Cameron

F: Eddie Betts, Patrick Dangerfield, Tom Lynch

FOLL: Sam Jacobs, Rory Sloane, Nathan Van Berlo

I/C: Richard Douglas, Josh Jenkins, David Mackay, Matthew Wright

EMG: Matt Crouch, Mitch Grigg, Jarryd Lyons

IN: Jake Kelly, Scott Thompson

OUT: Kyle Cheney (hamstring), Mitch Grigg

NEW: Kelly

Melbourne

B: Colin Garland, Lynden Dunn, Jeremy Howe

HB: Neville Jetta, Tom McDonald, Christian Salem

C: Daniel Cross, Heritier Lumumba, Sam Frost

HF: Dean Kent, Jesse Hogan, Bernie Vince

F: Jeff Garlett, Chris Dawes, Jack Watts

FOLL: Mark Jamar, Dom Tyson, Nathan Jones

I/C: Angus Brayshaw, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Ben Newton, Aaron vandenBerg

EMG: Jack Grimes, Viv Michie, Jake Spencer

IN: Jay Kennedy-Harris

OUT: Jack Viney (leg)

Over the past fortnight, the full force of the Adelaide Football Club has been unleashed upon North Melbourne and Collingwood, two clubs that were far more highly fancied this season than Melbourne. On that basis what are the chances of the Demons producing a second consecutive upset win over the Crows on their own home turf?

Not much, say the pundits who include those who frame the odds and have decided that that the home side has seven times Melbourne's chances of winning.

Much of this is due to the meltdown of the Demon midfield from the middle of the second term of their game against the powerful engine room of the Greater Western Sydney Giants who ran them off their feet at StarTrack Oval last week. Given that one of the few shining lights of that defeated Melbourne on ball brigade will be missing in action at Adelaide Oval, the negativity about their chances is understandable.

And that's before one considers how the visitors will contend with the likes of Tex Walker and Paddy Dangerfield. They certainly need a major turnaround in form from the likes of Nathan Jones, Dom Tyson and Bernie Vince if they are to get to within 10 goals.

Adelaide by 61 points.

After Round 1 I had the delusionary thought that maybe this year I could look forward to games without fear of a 4 quarter humiliation.

But by round 3...

Go Dees

Will be interesting to see how Melbourne are able to play against the full ground press that Adelaide are using. Despite suring up our disposal from the backline with the addition of Salem and even Howe (although that was done last year) I think our biggest challenge will be working it out of our backline and preventing the repeat entries which produce large scores for Adelaide.

There was an interesting conversation about how Buckley wanted to get the ball out of his defensive 50 long and wide to numbers hoping to force a stoppage against Adelaide, I think this is definitely the best option when rushed to make the decision, but would really like to see Melbourne look to take the ball out the back of contests in defense, use the handball and the swithc of play in order to maintain posession and take advantage of the out number. The biggest problem that we will face with this is the manic pressure that Adelaide have been putting on the ball carrier.

Who will go to Danger in our defensive 50 seeing as Grimes did so capably against him last time, probably Garland but he would definitely be slower.

Hope its an interesting contest.

Saw the headline{road to adelaide]and thought it might be a BBO special thread about hitchikers and pie floaters.

Will be interesting to see how Melbourne are able to play against the full ground press that Adelaide are using. Despite suring up our disposal from the backline with the addition of Salem and even Howe (although that was done last year) I think our biggest challenge will be working it out of our backline and preventing the repeat entries which produce large scores for Adelaide.

There was an interesting conversation about how Buckley wanted to get the ball out of his defensive 50 long and wide to numbers hoping to force a stoppage against Adelaide, I think this is definitely the best option when rushed to make the decision, but would really like to see Melbourne look to take the ball out the back of contests in defense, use the handball and the swithc of play in order to maintain posession and take advantage of the out number. The biggest problem that we will face with this is the manic pressure that Adelaide have been putting on the ball carrier.

Who will go to Danger in our defensive 50 seeing as Grimes did so capably against him last time, probably Garland but he would definitely be slower.

Hope its an interesting contest.

I feel, that it will have to be the "doggies type of maniac run and handball" to get through (e.g. they press up hard, so if we can carry for 20 m then kick we might be able to break the lines allowing garlett and kent to speed towards goal etc).. Slow play and they have time to adjust the press, but if we run and create chaos then surely their structures will fail (only problem is how will our disposal efficiency be effected)?

Will be interesting to see how Melbourne are able to play against the full ground press that Adelaide are using. Despite suring up our disposal from the backline with the addition of Salem and even Howe (although that was done last year) I think our biggest challenge will be working it out of our backline and preventing the repeat entries which produce large scores for Adelaide.

There was an interesting conversation about how Buckley wanted to get the ball out of his defensive 50 long and wide to numbers hoping to force a stoppage against Adelaide, I think this is definitely the best option when rushed to make the decision, but would really like to see Melbourne look to take the ball out the back of contests in defense, use the handball and the swithc of play in order to maintain posession and take advantage of the out number. The biggest problem that we will face with this is the manic pressure that Adelaide have been putting on the ball carrier.

Who will go to Danger in our defensive 50 seeing as Grimes did so capably against him last time, probably Garland but he would definitely be slower.

Hope its an interesting contest.

So do given I'll be there having bought myself plane tickets from Sydney after the Round 1 enthusiasm.. Not sure how much longer I can keep my girlfriend going as a supporter, tales of future promise will only work so much when you're copping abuse from a rapid Crows supporter. Possibly the most short lived fan ever...

A contest is all I want, show some mettle boys!!

After Round 1 I had the delusionary thought that maybe this year I could look forward to games without fear of a 4 quarter humiliation.

But by round 3...

Go Dees

I can't begin to describe (well, I've already described it at length) how annoyed I am that we are here again, facing the real possibility of a triple digit flogging

I can't begin to describe (well, I've already described it at length) how annoyed I am that we are here again, facing the real possibility of a triple digit flogging

Im thinking its our game.

Matter of fact its the same game we needed last year and im looking forward to our mids regaining the shutdown form that was missing against the orange mob.

I can't begin to describe (well, I've already described it at length) how annoyed I am that we are here again, facing the real possibility of a triple digit flogging

If you look at our two games as 8 quarters and put that into 6 good quarters and 2 horrible quarters, it makes it all alot more manageable.

if we can play 3/4 of the year as good football and 1/4 of the year as poor football then the season will have been a vast improvement from last year.

Im thinking its our game.

Matter of fact its the same game we needed last year and im looking forward to our mids regaining the shutdown form that was missing against the orange mob.

we're paying 7.25 in a two horse race for a reason. 44.5 points is the line. Cannot possibly win, and if the dees are anything like they were last week, as I said, 100 points is on the cards

If you look at our two games as 8 quarters and put that into 6 good quarters and 2 horrible quarters, it makes it all alot more manageable.

if we can play 3/4 of the year as good football and 1/4 of the year as poor football then the season will have been a vast improvement from last year.

I disagree though that we played 2 good quarters last week. We played the same garbage footy all day. GWS just didn't turn up until midway through through the second then they absolutely monstered us. They are not even considered a top 8 side.

we're paying 7.25 in a two horse race for a reason. 44.5 points is the line. Cannot possibly win, and if the dees are anything like they were last week, as I said, 100 points is on the cards

Phew,you've just saved me going through the rest of the week with my hopes up and looking forward to the game.

On behalf of my personalities thanks very much.

I can't begin to describe (well, I've already described it at length) how annoyed I am that we are here again, facing the real possibility of a triple digit flogging

Won't happen. We'll have a real crack this week and get within at least 6 goals.

Won't happen. We'll have a real crack this week and get within at least 6 goals.

I hope I am wrong again but last week's horror show is haunting my mind, as is the exposed form of the crows.. throw in the fact it is at AAMI and you have a daunting combination

I disagree though that we played 2 good quarters last week. We played the same garbage footy all day. GWS just didn't turn up until midway through through the second then they absolutely monstered us. They are not even considered a top 8 side.

Yeh, but Gold Coast were considered a top 8 side and we beat them?

With a devloping team we will be up and down, I still think we can be extremely competitive against Adelaide and what is the point of being depressed before the game starts.

If you look at our two games as 8 quarters and put that into 6 good quarters and 2 horrible quarters, it makes it all alot more manageable.

if we can play 3/4 of the year as good football and 1/4 of the year as poor football then the season will have been a vast improvement from last year.

You know you support a bad team when statistics and counting as desperate as that are used to find "improvement".

fmd.

Edited April 15, 201510 yr by praha

I will be happy if we make a game of it. Very worried we will embarrass ourselves.

However in saying that it is hard to imagine our midfield playing that badly two weeks in a row. Jones, Tyson, Vince were as bad as I have seen them last week. These are our 3 best midfielders.

Edited April 15, 201510 yr by Grand New Flag

We will give the crowd a run for their money and are a good show for an upset....

Well I can dream...

I will be happy if we make a game of it. Very worried we will embarrass ourselves.

However in saying that it is hard to imagine our midfield playing that badly two weeks in a row. Jones, Tyson, Vince were as bad as I have seen them last week. These are our 3 best midfielders.

you can name about 14 others that played well below themselves too - I see your point, surely it can't happen again

Saw the headline{road to adelaide]and thought it might be a BBO special thread about hitchikers and pie floaters.

Anyone making the trip with Special Robert?

Phew,you've just saved me going through the rest of the week with my hopes up and looking forward to the game.

On behalf of my personalities thanks very much.

Gold! Do they all have memberships?

we're paying 7.25 in a two horse race for a reason. 44.5 points is the line. Cannot possibly win, and if the dees are anything like they were last week, as I said, 100 points is on the cards

Odds mean jack. What odds were the Saints and Bombers paying last week? Close $11-$12 combined.

Anyone making the trip with Special Robert?

End of Year Cricket Trip to Adelaide this weekend. Have convinced some team mates to go and experience the new stadium and that it will be a contest despite last weeks effort. Plenty of red wine to numb the senses if its not up to my spin. My mates are merciless but none go for the Carey Roots Our Wives

We need to go over there ready to play our own game.

Worrying about the Camry Crows won't do us any good.

Every player must be ready to attack the ball and contest like Footscray did last week.

Very important game. We get smashed again and we are right back into the pit of darkness

Roos has got to coach well.

Tragically it's all to familiar, such that I'm even starting to enjoy the depressing roller coaster that comes with following the Dees...

Lets me regularly post this...

https://youtu.be/dsx2vdn7gpY

and only Ripley ever gets out alive.

Edited April 15, 201510 yr by PaulRB