Post Match Discussion - Round 23

[Pates 9,625]

Ok so some quick thoughts on the game from my point of view. I felt like we played 4 quarters today, within those quarters we had drop off but I felt like for the most part we were on top. Finishing of good work is still an issue whether it's goal kicking or forward entry but we were putting ourselves into positions to have shots on goal. Great that our last game of the year we crack 100+ again.

For me today it was the future on show supported by the older guard. TMac, Hogan, Viney, Brayshaw, Salam, and Harmes were all impacting the game in a big way. Jones and Vince (BOG for me) were doing a great job in the centre and Gawn who's in the all important 24-28 age group was awesome in the ruck.

I feel Grimes is done, brain is not on the wavelength as where the team is going. I think a trade could be good for him, that said if he stays so be it. Really sad but oddly fitting Cross went out with concussion, the reception from the crowd gave me chills. We accepted him as one of our own really quickly and lovingly, I hope he sticks around.

I called it early, I felt we were going to win this one! So glad I was right!

Edited September 7, 2015 by Pates

[Pennant St Dee 12,669]

Depends on the Trade Chook. We need leaders.

A win in a dead rubber doesn't change the situation we watched in the previous month.

Can Jonesy lead us up the ladder when he hasn't been there himself?

Where hasn't Jones been, finals, he played in 06 against the Saints and Dockers in finals, he knows what it is like and I am sure he wants to get back.

Keep looking for the problems

Dead rubber it is now when it suits you, we have been out of finals contention for some time so were they not all dead rubbers we lost

[Sir Why You Little 36,638]

Where hasn't Jones been, finals, he played in 06 against the Saints and Dockers in finals, he knows what it is like and I am sure he wants to get back.

Keep looking for the problems

Dead rubber it is now when it suits you, we have been out of finals contention for some time so were they not all dead rubbers we lost

of course i am looking at problems. To erase them.

Once again this site tonight talks about September. I am happy to see a victory but the previous 4 weeks are more true to form

23 Goals to 3 in first Quarters is the data i would be studying over summer

[Timothy Reddan-A'Blew 4,793]

Don't think anyone else has mentioned it: It seemed that each time Daniel C had a hand in the play the scoreboard flashed "Thanks Crossy"? Nice.

[Pennant St Dee 12,669]

of course i am looking at problems. To erase them.

Once again this site tonight talks about September. I am happy to see a victory but the previous 4 weeks are more true to form

23 Goals to 3 in first Quarters is the data i would be studying over summer

Maybe they did and addressed it during the week

Glass half empty

True to form my arse they are largely and inexperienced side and their form shows exactly where they are at. Up and down like the Saints, like the Pies, like the Doggies of 2012-14,

TWO YEARS INTO THE REBUILD WAKE UP AND FACE FACTS IT ISN'T HARD TO UNDERSTAND

[Sir Why You Little 36,638]

Maybe they did and addressed it during the week

Glass half empty

True to form my arse they are largely and inexperienced side and their form shows exactly where they are at. Up and down like the Saints, like the Pies, like the Doggies of 2012-14,

TWO YEARS INTO THE REBUILD WAKE UP AND FACE FACTS IT ISN'T HARD TO UNDERSTAND

Yep we need experienced players who know how to win to teach the kids the right way

[rjay 24,604]

For mine

Prince not best 22

Garland has re-signed

Howe is most likely gone

Dawes not best 22

Aside from Jones, Cross, Vince its the young guys have led the way this year. That makes me sad but gives me hope.

If Tommy Mac can get his disposal right he will be the number 1 backman in the league.

Tommy reminds me of Rance at a similar stage in his career. He has really cleaned up his kicking and decision making and I expect Tommy to do the same.

[deespicable me 1,467]

I blow with the wind. I think a lot of us do.

Today was great. We showed great promise and considering some of the players out of the side it was a terrific effort.

But geez we sucked against Carlton.

It's fantastic to end the year on a win so my yo-yo feelings towards the Melbourne Football Club are optimistic and we can all look forward to the new year with hope. Imagine next years pre-season reports! But I am still wary of the teams split personality.

[Mondê 525]

Loved the game. Like many have already stated Salem is such a calming influence with ball in hand, he's silk. And he's got some mongrel as well. Hogan was Hogan-Esque, he is a seriously mouth watering prospect. Most of all I really noticed the willingness to work as a team, a refreshing change from the last few weeks.

Add Petracca and to this side, as well as a (hopefully) fit and firing Trenners and Dom...Seriously think we can begin our push for the 8 as soon as next season. No veil of negativity here

Edited September 6, 2015 by Mondê

[Je Roos Salem 661]

I think it was a good protest from our members about the last 4 weeks.

But it's still a ton of people who paid for a membership and didn't attend our final home (winnable) game. I get how emotional our fans are but you should be used to disappointment enough (if you are a multiple year member) that you're prepared for a dead rubber in the final round.

[CityDee 738]

Dunne in the ruck - wowee

[Je Roos Salem 661]

I love Salem. I'm not sure how conservative we were on taking so long to play him again but since he's been back I've seriously wished we played him earlier. He plays like a guy who can pave his own way in the side. He's only just turned 20 but you can almost rely on him like a guy 5 years older (I hope I don't jinx him)

When you think of our draft screwups it's so reassuring that we now have a seemingly stable core of Hogan, Viney, Salem and Brayshaw at <21 years old (and others who've shown glimpses but may take a bit longer to come on and get regular gametime)

[bing181 8,943]

Dunne in the ruck - wowee

Pedersen, Frost, Dawes all unavailable ...

We've been trying Tommy Mac in the ruck, but he seems much better suited to his role up back, which he reverted to with some success yesterday. Which leaves ... Dunn.

[ex52k2 238]

To all those who could have gone to ecky thump yesterday and didn't, thanks. You have cost the DEES at least $200000. THANKS.

You missed a great game with many glimpses of the future..Dont complain about players not turning up for first quarters if cant even be bothered turning up at all.

[old dee 23,494]

But it's still a ton of people who paid for a membership and didn't attend our final home (winnable) game. I get how emotional our fans are but you should be used to disappointment enough (if you are a multiple year member) that you're prepared for a dead rubber in the final round.

It was a 1pm game on Father's Day JRS!

I spent the time with my family and had a lovely afternoon.

10 000 others did the same thing.

[CBDees 3,165]

To all those who could have gone to ecky thump yesterday and didn't, thanks. You have cost the DEES at least $200000. THANKS.

You missed a great game with many glimpses of the future..Dont complain about players not turning up for first quarters if cant even be bothered turning up at all.

It is a travesty that the AFL schedules our home game on Father's Day at Docklands just so that it can parade those two other rabble teams (who were also playing a dead rubber) at our home ground! When have Collingwood and Essendon ever played each other at Etihad? (Without looking it up I suspect NEVER!)

[nrc73 77]

As much as the game was a preview into the future, can't help but think we do at least OK without Dawes and Hertier. Would like to see win/loss or outcomes of games this year with/without those 2. Would have been a much different game with Mummy in the ruck for GWS, but was good to see a bit of confidence about the guys today. Harmes is young is often finds himself running into traffic, but even before the GWS game, I could see he was taking the game on.

[Dr. Gonzo 23,709]

Doesn't get enough credit on here.

I shake my head when I see him listed next to Mckenzie and Bail on the frequent 'delist at end of the season' posts. Linked up well with Jones & Vince today and did the simple stuff. Never going to be a superstar, but a couple of 30 possession games next season will take him to the next level.

Because they've come from different clubs rather than the draft I think some people forget Michie and Newton have both played only about 15 games each.

[Demonland 70,280]

ONE DAY IN SEPTEMBER by George on the Outer

The old Mike Brady song had lyrics which spoke of the finals and the atmosphere in September.

Were the Demons playing in September?

Well, yes they were, but ... not in finals.

Rather, it was some meaningless game at the end of the home and away season in a dump of a place called Etihad Stadium in front of a meagre 8,974 people - in itself setting a new record for lowest crowd attendance at the venue.

At least in Melbourne's case, it finally put to bed yet another hoodoo in what has been a lacklustre year. After 22 consecutive losses the Demons finally beat someone at Etihad.

And in bringing up their 7th win for the 2015 season, they gave their long-suffering supporters some glimmer of hope for next year. Yes, it was against a team only two spots above it on the ladder, but one which had recorded eleven wins for the season.

It was a very different GWS side that fronted for the final game compared with the one that played in Canberra just a few months ago with the telling difference being the absence of Shane Mumford who simply brutalised Melbourne at Manuka Oval, and fed the small running Giants' players all day. Without him this time, Max Gawn had complete ascendency in the ruck with 55 hit outs! It was he who was able to provide the opportunity to the likes of Nathan Jones, Bernie Vince and Jack Viney both in the middle and around the ground.

While we should never underestimate the value of the big man in this role, it also showed how fragile Melbourne is in this area. Without a suitable back-up, Lynden Dunn was asked to ruck to give Max a break. It was fortunate that GWS also had no backup for Tom Downie, but the team desperately needs someone else for 2016 to step up to assist in this area.

With Vince, Jones and Viney all back to their best and Jesse Hogan monstering the young GWS backline the result should have been more of a landslide. Angus Brayshaw and James Harmes also showed the aggression and attack at man and ball necessary at AFL level plus the benefits of a weeks rest on their young bodies.

However, there were still too many appalling episodes of play, which the supporters would have been all too familiar with that let the opposition in for easy goals or free kicks that resulted in goals.

This writer has been banging on about them all season, and it is all too obvious to those who regularly attend the games, but there were players not playing today who were NOT missed in any way shape or form. Likewise, there were players on the field still, who do not play at the intensity and desperation and skill levels required at AFL level.

Once again the off-season should see anywhere between eight and twelve players leave the club either by delisting or trade-out. These players have had their opportunities and simply cant make it.

We do not need Hogan, Brayshaw and Viney types giving up, while these others coast along unscathed.

Down back, Tom McDonald did a sterling job on Jeremy Cameron holding him to only 2 majors, while Col Garland seemed to find some of his earlier form and confidence as his wing-man. Oscar M is finding his way and it gave us the opportunity to move Dunn up forward and into the ruck pinch-hitting.

Christian Salem was simply divine with his foot-skills and ability to read the play and the ball when in the air. How much better would we be as a team with just six others able to execute as well as he does?

The other good thing is, while it was only one win in a fairly miserable last month of football, we have seen Roos get games into the youngsters at no real cost. Harmes, O. Mac, Stretch, White, JKH, and ANB all were given games when perhaps they might not have otherwise been entitled to them.

But Roos was prepared to risk playing the youth instead of those sitting in the crowd or playing down the road for Casey. At least this group have shown more upside for the future and this has probably has sealed the fate of a few others.

Finally, after attending football for a seriously long time I am completely confounded as to what this group of GWS supporters could possibly have been thinking? They cant possibly be married what woman would let her man out in public dressed like that. In fact, what woman would let them dress like that ever?

Melbourne 4.1.25 7.6.48 13.10.82 15.13.103

Greater Western Sydney 4.1.25 7.4.46 9.7.61 11.11.77

Goals

Melbourne Hogan Newton 3 Garlett Harmes 2 Dunn Grimes Howe N Jones Kennedy-Harris

Greater Western Sydney Cameron Williams 2 Greene Palmer Smith Stewart Townsend Ward Whitfield

Best

Melbourne N Jones Vince Viney Hogan Cross Garland McDonald Gawn Salem

Greater Western Sydney Ward Greene Smith Shaw Townsend

Changes

Melbourne Nil

Greater Western Sydney Nil

Injuries

Melbourne Cross (concussion)

Greater Western Sydney Nil

Substitutions

Melbourne Alex Neal-Bullen replaced Mitch White in the final term

Greater Western Sydney Jake Barrett replaced Caleb Marchbank at half-time

Reports

Melbourne Nil

Greater Western Sydney Nil

Umpires Foot Fisher Hay Wallace

Official crowd 8,974 at Etihad Stadium

[chook fowler 19,251]

I don't want to single out individual umpires but Wallace should never officiate again at this level. Send him to the north east. Maybe Tangambalanga is far enough away from civilisation

What have got against Tangambalanga to inflict Wallace on them?

[Wadda We Sing 10,685]

Finally, after attending football for a seriously long time I am completely confounded as to what this group of GWS supporters could possibly have been thinking? They cant possibly be married what woman would let her man out in public dressed like that. In fact, what woman would let them dress like that ever?

Yeah.....no i cant answer that either.....someone seriously has to have a look at the afls Sydney marketing dept.......or....The Amish are coming!!!!

[Dr. Gonzo 23,709]

Hogan took three awesome marks today. One in the firstwhich he juggled but missed the goal. One a few minutes before half time running back with the flight, split the pack and ran on into an open goal. And one on 3/4 time which he went back to casually slot through.

Did I mention I love this guy?

[jnrmac 19,895]

To all those who could have gone to ecky thump yesterday and didn't, thanks. You have cost the DEES at least $200000. THANKS.

You missed a great game with many glimpses of the future..Dont complain about players not turning up for first quarters if cant even be bothered turning up at all.

They would be a lot worse off without my 6 memberships that I buy every year.

And WGAF if I choose not to go? What business is it of yours? If the team served up crap like they did for the previous 4 weeks I am surprised anyone went.

And don't start me on the last 8 years. I am surprised we have any members at all. Oh and we have lost 22 in a row at that shithole. There is a good reason to go.

So take your sanctimonious lecture and jam it. Some people have a life and if we are scheduled to play at Shitihad on a Sunday afternoon which is Fathers Day don't expect anyone to turn up. Crawl back into your hole now....

[old dee 23,494]

They would be a lot worse off without my 6 memberships that I buy every year.

And WGAF if I choose not to go? What business is it of yours? If the team served up crap like they did for the previous 4 weeks I am surprised anyone went.

And don't start me on the last 8 years. I am surprised we have any members at all. Oh and we have lost 22 in a row at that shithole. There is a good reason to go.

So take your sanctimonious lecture and jam it. Some people have a life and if we are scheduled to play at Shitihad on a Sunday afternoon which is Fathers Day don't expect anyone to turn up. Crawl back into your hole now....

Well said jnr. Saved me 3 minutes.

[Dr. Gonzo 23,709]

Where are those posters who practically tore up their memberships in a hissy fit over the last month or so and swore to never buy one again and give up on the club? Amazing what a win can do to close off the year.

Loved the input by some of our young brigade today. Bring in an A grade mid and a few more from the draft or free agency and things are looking much better for the future.

7 wins is a good result, sure it could have been better if we beat the teams we should have, such as Carlton, Essendon and St K x 2. Win those and a couple more and we are on the verge of finals next year. Roos is dead right, improve our worst footy, close the gap, become consistent and we are on the way to success. I'm genuinely excited about 2016.

We really need to figure how to win those games we should win next year. Win against Saints (Docklands), Essendon and Carlton and we would've finished on 10 wins which would've exceeded most people's expectations this year.