Jump to content

Discussion on recent allegations about the use of illicit drugs in football is forbidden
  • IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING

    Posting unsubstantiated rumours on this website is strictly forbidden.

    Demonland has made the difficult decision to not permit this platform to be used to discuss & debate the off-field issues relating to the Melbourne Football Club including matters currently being litigated between the Club & former Board members, board elections, the issue of illicit drugs in footy, the culture at the club & the personal issues & allegations against some of our players & officials ...

    We do not take these issues & this decision lightly & of course we believe that these serious matters affecting the club we love & are so passionate about are worthy of discussion & debate & I wish we could provide a place where these matters can be discussed in a civil & respectful manner.

    However these discussions unfortunately invariably devolve into areas that may be defamatory, libelous, spread unsubstantiated rumours & can effect the mental health of those involved. Even discussion & debate of known facts or media reports can lead to finger pointing, blame & personal attacks.

    The repercussion is that these discussions can open this website, it’s owners & it’s users to legal action & may result in this website being forced to shutdown.

    Our moderating team are all volunteers & cannot moderate the forum 24/7 & as a consequence problematic content that contravenes our rules & standards may go unnoticed for some time before it can be removed.

    We reserve the right to delete posts that offend against our above policy & indeed, to ban posters who are repeat offenders or who breach our code of conduct.

    WE HAVE BUILT A FANTASTIC ONLINE COMMUNITY AT DEMONLAND OVER THE PAST 23 YEARS & WE WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO BE ABLE TO DISCUSS THE CLUB WE LOVE & ARE SO PASSIONATE ABOUT.

    Thank you for your continued support & understanding. Go Dees.


Tom McDonald (and Oscar) SIGNS.


dazzledavey36

Recommended Posts

He frustrates the bejesus out of me as well, but realistically he's still developing. The mistakes he makes are not unexpected from a player his age (add the amount of pressure he's been under playing in a shizen team). How many KPDs have as much experience as he does at his age?

He'll stay, and end up a regular All Australian.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

What happened with Steele?

Even with Internet I seem to out of the loop up here.

 

It was something like four years 2.75mil. Or 700k a year which he isn't going to get much better if he wants to stay at the pies.

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, FireInTheBelly said:

He frustrates the bejesus out of me as well, but realistically he's still developing. The mistakes he makes are not unexpected from a player his age (add the amount of pressure he's been under playing in a shizen team). How many KPDs have as much experience as he does at his age?

He'll stay, and end up a regular All Australian.

By mistakes are you talking about when he decides he wants to go for a run with the ball? He should never be in that position to begin with, before Salem we've lacked creative players that can use the footy coming of half back. We would continually get bogged down in our defensive 50. I'd like to think with this attacking game plan and personnel changes there would be less need for him to try this. If he spoils the ball or takes an intercept mark there should be someone close at hand to help clean up.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

10 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Start grooming Frost in the backline. While McDonald is a good defender every thing else he does frustrates the hell out of me and yesterday was no different.

Going off your player report (which I enjoyed reading) how was Garland and different? As a 1 on 1 defender he's bloody good, as I mentioned in my above post he shouldn't find himself needing/thinking about going for those runs anymore. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites


1 hour ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

By mistakes are you talking about when he decides he wants to go for a run with the ball? He should never be in that position to begin with, before Salem we've lacked creative players that can use the footy coming of half back. We would continually get bogged down in our defensive 50. I'd like to think with this attacking game plan and personnel changes there would be less need for him to try this. If he spoils the ball or takes an intercept mark there should be someone close at hand to help clean up.

Not entirely disagreeing with your post, as I agree we lack creativity out of our backline and Salem is a pivotal part to working through this especially this year, but to suggest that Tom Mcdonald should not continue on one of his strengths in his game is borderline ridiculous. Whilst sometimes he bites off more than he can chew and his disposal is not of the ilk that Salems is, his ability to break the lines is far superior to most that we have in the side and will no doubt be continually encouraged by coaches to continue on with this. With a more attacking game plan, I believe it makes much more sense that he will be encouraged to take the game on, use his speed and running capacity to break the lines whilst being encouraged to take the best option.
 

In terms of the article, no real quotes or anything of substance, they just picked an important player and made something related to Jesse Hogan. Typical journalism

Edited by Mad_Melbourne
Link to comment
Share on other sites

17 minutes ago, Mad_Melbourne said:

Not entirely disagreeing with your post, as I agree we lack creativity out of our backline and Salem is a pivotal part to working through this especially this year, but to suggest that Tom Mcdonald should not continue on one of his strengths in his game is borderline ridiculous. Whilst sometimes he bites off more than he can chew and his disposal is not of the ilk that Salems is, his ability to break the lines is far superior to most that we have in the side and will no doubt be continually encouraged by coaches to continue on with this. With a more attacking game plan, I believe it makes much more sense that he will be encouraged to take the game on, use his speed and running capacity to break the lines whilst being encouraged to take the best option.
 

In terms of the article, no real quotes or anything of substance, they just picked an important player and made something related to Jesse Hogan. Typical journalism

In Frost's GWS highlights he also went for the occasional run, I don't mind it and i haven't suggested it shouldn't be encouraged if the opportunity presents itself but it shouldn't be our first option unless we get caught out on the oppositions fast break.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 minutes ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

In Frost's GWS highlights he also went for the occasional run, I don't mind it and i haven't suggested it shouldn't be encouraged if the opportunity presents itself but it shouldn't be our first option unless we get caught out on the oppositions fast break.

Yeh I guess what you are saying is that he shouldnt do it, unless he is in a situation where he should do it?

Salem breaks his lines with kicking, T-Mac will break them with running.

We should be playing best option football and alot of the time T-Mac taking a run is the best option at the time, but he then runs himself into trouble, as per.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 hours ago, Wiseblood said:

Or his brother, for that matter.

Of all the people knocking someone's disposal, so far this year you have told me Grimes and Garland are locks for rd 1 team. Isnt this half the problem? If I was Tmac with ball in hand and all I had was Grimes and Garland either side I'd be going for a run too. Ideally your whole side has elite disposal but we know that isn't realistic. The three players out of 22 that a team can cut some slack to with regards to disposal are fb, chb and your ruckman. If your two key defenders are beating their opponents more often than not and your ruckman if giving your mids first use of the footy then they have largely done their job. You keep citing experience as to why those two should get a game and lack of experience as to why others shouldn't. How do you get experience? Admittedly I didn't watch the game due to work commitments but reading a number of posts there was a common theme. It was the same old stuff from Garland and Grimes whilst Oliver, Wagner and Harmes did some good things and showed some promise. Oscar may not have starred but he is only 19 at stands at 196cm and is obviously viewed as a long term prospect. Also in the 2nd half when someone needed to stand up I kept reading names like Viney and VB, not Garland and Grimes and all of their so called experience that you continually reference. 

Grimes 98 games

Garland 135 games

 

Tmac 82 games 

Omac 2 games

Tmac is in the side first and foremost for his ability to stop the oppositions key forward, a job he is bloody good at, anything  other than that is a bonus. If we have elite users of the footy across half back there is less of a need for the big blokes to take a run. Then I think it was the rd 1 thread you thought Grimes would/should play there because of his experience and the loss of Melksham. I would of thought with Tmac/Dunn/Jetta/Salem already there that we could afford to try a young player on the other flank, a player who can kick the bloody thing to our advantage. Wagner is a mature age recruit at 21 turning 22 this year. Wouldn't you rather take the risk in the hope of unearthing another talent than persist with what has already failed us repeatedly in the past?

 

 

Edited by Bombay Airconditioning
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

22 minutes ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

Of all the people knocking someone's disposal, so far this year you have told me Grimes and Garland are locks for rd 1 team. Isnt this half the problem? If I was Tmac with ball in hand and all I had was Grimes and Garland either side I'd be going for a run too. Ideally your whole side has elite disposal but we know that isn't realistic. The three players out of 22 that a team can cut some slack to with regards to disposal are fb, chb and your ruckman. If your two key defenders are beating their opponents more often than not and your ruckman if giving your mids first use of the footy then they have largely done their job. You keep citing experience as to why those two should get a game and lack of experience as to why others shouldn't. How do you get experience? Admittedly I didn't watch the game due to work commitments but reading a number of posts there was a common theme. It was the same old stuff from Garland and Grimes whilst Oliver, Wagner and Harmes did some good things and showed some promise. Oscar may not have starred but he is only 19 at stands at 196cm and is obviously viewed as a long term prospect. Also in the 2nd half when someone needed to stand up I kept reading names like Viney and VB, not Garland and Grimes and all of their so called experience that you continually reference. 

Grimes 98 games

Garland 135 games

 

Tmac 82 games 

Omac 2 games

Tmac is in the side first and foremost for his ability to stop the oppositions key forward, a job he is bloody good at, anything  other than that is a bonus. If we have elite users of the footy across half back there is less of a need for the big blokes to take a run. Then I think it was the rd 1 thread you thought Grimes would/should play there because of his experience and the loss of Melksham. I would of thought with Tmac/Dunn/Jetta/Salem already there that we could afford to try a young player on the other flank, a player who can kick the bloody thing to our advantage. Wagner is a mature age recruit at 21 turning 22 this year. Wouldn't you rather take the risk in the hope of unearthing another talent than persist with what has already failed us repeatedly in the past?

 

 

You've lost the plot.  I wasn't making any sort of point at all, it was just an off hand comment in reply to dazzle's post.  Stop taking yourself so seriously.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

You've lost the plot.  I wasn't making any sort of point at all, it was just an off hand comment in reply to dazzle's post.  Stop taking yourself so seriously.

My move to Sydney five years ago coincided with me losing the plot. Hope to be returning to Melbourne next year.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think with blokes like McDonald, you've got to hope that they'll eventually close the gap between those best and worst attributes. He has some really strong qualities to his game that could make him an elite defender. But his kicking, decision making and awareness seem to constantly undo all of his good work.

He needs to keep it simple and he needs to handball or kick to that first option far more often than he does. In fact he just needs to handball more often than he does. One creative handball to a player in space instead of taking so [censored] long to spot up a target with his kick.

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites


Preference: Stay (years of development put into him, devil you know and all that)

Think: he'll stay

Care factor: extremely low (I know he's important, but, as with others, he annoys me)

Edited by ProDee
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, stevethemanjordan said:

I think with blokes like McDonald, you've got to hope that they'll eventually close the gap between those best and worst attributes. He has some really strong qualities to his game that could make him an elite defender. But his kicking, decision making and awareness seem to constantly undo all of his good work.

He needs to keep it simple and he needs to handball or kick to that first option far more often than he does. In fact he just needs to handball more often than he does. One creative handball to a player in space instead of taking so [censored] long to spot up a target with his kick.

 

Gee......This McDonald bloke.......Was he the same bloke people were raving about after his 1st half of the season when he beat some of the great full forwards of the comp.     The same bloke that was pencilled in for the AA side?.....The 24 year old who has played 82 games was in season 2015:

4th in disposals

3rd in kicks

1st for marks taken

5th in contested possessions

4th in uncontested possessions

1st in intercept marks

3rd in the Best and fairest.

 The reason he looks undecided is he had no one to kick to when he went for those runs, there was no spread.

Yep he got towelled up a few times but so did a lot of our players.

Some posters just baffle me.

  • Like 8
Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 minutes ago, angrydee said:

According to champion data he also had more goals kicked on him in the last fifteen rounds last year than any other key defender in the league. 

Is still a very key signing. And I have no doubts he will.

Edit spelling

Largely due to us having one of the weakest and most shallow midfields in the past decade meaning almost every entry is fast and under little to no pressure, the reason he is so highly rated is that he has not only held his own but won key battles under that sort of heat, when we are a top 4 side TMAC is going to be seen as the best defender going around.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's not just what he does with the ball that annoys me but his defending just isn't that good. It's plateaued, which I think is on Jade Rawlings (and Tom).

I really want to see more aerial dominance in his game. 

By that I mean strong marking when the situation is right and strong definitive punching of the ball when it's called for. Too often he runs in to contests with his first extended instead of making a strong leap and punch of the ball. Garland is the same. 

And he flies for marks when the situation calls for a safe punch. Robbie Gray got a goal on the weekend where he tried to mark instead of just clearing the ball with a strong punch. I'm not sure he can punch with his left fist either, which might be injury related. 

I can handle a few stuff ups with the ball in hand if he's owning CHB as he was in the first half of the year last year when he was like a wall. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Let us see - haven't see e weekend game yet - how he goes when he has capable runners around him, NB Salem, and players down the ground who are prepared to run to offer options.  

How much of his indecision / getting caught / poor disposal under pressure is a result of lack of support and options.

Not too fussed by his not signing yet.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, Bossdog said:

Gee......This McDonald bloke.......Was he the same bloke people were raving about after his 1st half of the season when he beat some of the great full forwards of the comp.     The same bloke that was pencilled in for the AA side?.....The 24 year old who has played 82 games was in season 2015:

4th in disposals

3rd in kicks

1st for marks taken

5th in contested possessions

4th in uncontested possessions

1st in intercept marks

3rd in the Best and fairest.

 The reason he looks undecided is he had no one to kick to when he went for those runs, there was no spread.

Yep he got towelled up a few times but so did a lot of our players.

Some posters just baffle me.

Haha. 

Honestly, a post made with a balanced view of a player on our list is rebuttled with nonsense like this.

Some posters are completely incapable of hearing, identifying and voicing any sort of criticism toward any one of our players. And there seem to be more than I thought on here.

It's astounding.

 

 

 

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  

    DEPTH CHARGE by Whispering Jack

    The jubilation on the coach’s face as he danced a celebratory jig by the playing bench after the final siren sounded to record his team’s four-point victory over the Demons when the teams last met, said it all.    On that rainy Friday night at the Adelaide Oval, Ken Hinkley’s young midfield secured much more than four points on offer. The victory over one of the big dogs of the competition after a succession of wins over some of its lesser lights gave his team respect and validation fo

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 5

    TRAINING: Monday 25th March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers Demon Dynasty & Kev Martin were trackside at Gosch's Paddock today to bring you their observations from training. DEMON DYNASTY'S TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Kade Chandler's left knee heavily strapped. BBB, Spargs & Jake Lever also in rehab group. Jake Bowey solo running separate kicking/sprint/agility drills. Super fine morning / early arvo at Gosch's for the boys to blow out some cobwebs. Choco initially had the light duties / rehab group

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    HIBERNATING by KC from Casey

    When they locked up the rooms for summer at the end of last year’s football season, the rooms gathered cobwebs, the atmosphere became dense and the place developed a sleepy feel. They opened up the rooms to let Casey out to play on Sunday but the team was still hibernating and they missed the bulk of the opening quarter. By the time they worked out it was game on, their opponents from Box Hill had accumulated five goals and, if the game wasn’t over, it might as well have been. For a se

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Casey Articles

    A FORK IN THE HAWK by George on the Outer

    For too long in the past, Demon fans became habitually sick and tired of watching the Hawks hand out thrashings to their side. But Melbourne’s empahtic 55-point win at the MCG on Saturday has truly put a fork in the Hawk and turned that history well and truly on its head. The Demons have now won nine of their last ten encounters with the other result, a draw.     And like a fork, it was the multi-pronged options that Melbourne had all across the ground.  It certainly helped that Hawthorn

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Match Reports 8

    PREGAME: Rd 03 vs Port Adelaide

    The Demons head on the road for the next 2 weeks as they travel to Adelaide to play Port on Saturday and then have a 5 Day break before facing the Crows in the Gather Round. With injuries to May and Lever who comes in and who goes out?

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 278

    PODCAST: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 25th March @ 8:30pm. Join George, Binman & I as we analyse the Demons victory at the MCG against the Hawks in the Round 02. You questions and comments are a huge part of our podcast so please post anything you want to ask or say below and we'll give you a shout out on the show. If you would like to leave us a voicemail please call 03 9016 3666 and don't worry no body answers so you don't have to talk to a human. Listen & Chat

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 46

    VOTES: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    Last week Steven May took the lead in the Demonland Player of the Year Award from Jack Viney. Clayton Oliver & Max Gawn round out the Top 4. Your votes for the win/loss against/to the Hawks. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 50

    POSTGAME: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The Demons cruised to an easy 55 point win over the Hawks at the MCG but but paid a heavy toll on the injury front with Steven May & Jake Lever possibly sidelined for a number of weeks.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 362

    GAMEDAY: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    It's Game Day and after mixed results in the first two weeks of the season the Demons have the opportunity to capitalise on their good form last week when they take on the Hawks at the MCG today.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 437
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!

  • Podcast 

  • Podcast 

  • Podcast Stream 


    Open Stream in
    New Window
        TuneIn    Opens in New Tab
  • Support Demonland  



  • 2021 Premiership  

  • Social Media 

  • Non MFC Games  

    NON-MFC: Round 03

    Discussion of all the other games that don't involve the Demons in Round 03 ... READ MORE

    Demonland | Round 03

  • Match Preview      

    DEPTH CHARGE by Whispering Jack

    The jubilation on the coach’s face as he danced a celebratory jig by the playing bench after the final siren sounded to record his team’s four-point victory over the Demons when the teams last met, said it all ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 27

  • Latest Podcast      

    PODCAST: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The boys dissected the clinical thrashing of Hawks praising the immense performance of Christian Petracca whilst lamenting the injury toll to our defensive unit ... LISTEN

    Demonland | March 26

  • Training  

    Monday, 25th March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers Demon Dynasty & Kev Martin were trackside at Gosch's Paddock today to bring you their observations from training ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 25

  • Casey Report      

    HIBERNATING by KC from Casey

    When they locked up the rooms for summer at the end of last year’s football season, the rooms gathered cobwebs, the atmosphere became dense and the place developed a sleepy feel. They opened up the rooms to let Casey out to play on Sunday but the team was still hibernating and they missed the bulk of the opening quarter ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 25

  • PreGame      

    PREGAME: Rd 03 vs Port Adelaide

    The Demons head out on the road for the next 2 weeks as they travel to Adelaide to play Port on Saturday and then have a 5 Day break before facing the Crows in Gather Round. With injuries to May and Lever who comes in and who goes out? ...READ MORE

    Demonland | March 28

  • Match Report      

    A FORK IN THE HAWK by George on the Outer

    For too long in the past, Demon fans became habitually sick and tired of watching the Hawks hand out thrashings to their side. But Melbourne’s empahtic 55-point win at the MCG on Saturday has truly put a fork in the Hawk and turned that history well and truly on its head ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Post Game      

    POSTGAME: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The Demons cruised to an easy 55 point win over the Hawks at the MCG but but paid a heavy toll on the injury front with Steven May & Jake Lever possibly sidelined for a number of weeks ...READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Votes      

    VOTES: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    Last week Steven May took the lead in the Demonland Player of the Year Award from Jack Viney. Clayton Oliver & Max Gawn round out the Top 4. Your votes for the win/loss against/to the Hawks. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 ...READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Game Day      

    GAMEDAY: Round 02 vs Hawthorn

    It's Game Day and after mixed results in the first two weeks of the season the Demons have the opportunity to capitalise on their good form last week when they take on the Hawks at the MCG today ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Training  

    Friday, 22nd March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatcher Kev Martin and I attended the Captain's Run at Gosch's Paddock on this lovely sunny morning to bring you the following observations from the training session ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 22

  • Training  

    Tuesday, 19th March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers Kev Martin & Walking Civil War attended Tuesday morning's training session at Gosch's Paddock to bring you the following observations ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 19

  • Training  

    Saturday, 16th March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers Kev Martin and Dee Zephyr wandered down to Gosch's Paddock on Saturday morning to bring you their observations from the Captain's Run in the lead up to Sunday's Round One match against the Bulldogs ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 16

  • Farewell  

    Angus Brayshaw Retires

    After 167 games including the drought breaking Premiership Angus Brayshaw has made the heart breaking decision to medically retire from football as a result of a series of serious head knocks over his nearly decade of footy. We wish Gus all the best and he'll always be a hero at Demonland ... READ MORE

    Demonland | February 22

  • Latest Podcast  

    PODCAST: Koltyn Tholstrup Interview

    I interview the Melbourne Football Club’s newest recruit Koltyn Tholstrup to have a chat about his journey from the farm to the Demons, his first few weeks of preseason training, which Dees have impressed him on the track and his aspirations of playing Round 1 ... LISTEN

    Demonland | December 14

  • Latest Podcast  

    PODCAST: Jason Taylor Interview

    I interview the Melbourne Football Club's National Recruitment Manager Jason Taylor to have a chat about our Trade and Draft period, our newest recruits, our recent recruits who have yet to debut as well as those father son prospects on the horizon ... LISTEN

    Demonland | November 27

  • Next Match 

    .

    Round 03

       vs   

    Saturday 30th March 2024
    @ 07:30pm (AO)

  • MFC Forum  

  • Match Previews & Reports  

  • Training Forum  

  • AFLW Forum  

  • 2024 Player Sponsorship

  • Topics

  • Injury List  


      PLAYER INJURY LENGTH
    Jake Lever Knee Test
    Clayton Oliver Hand Test
    Oliver Sestan Concussion Test
    Steven May Ribs 1 Week
    Lachie Hunter Calf 1 Week
    Daniel Turner Hip 2-3 Weeks
    Charlie Spargo Achilles 2-4 Weeks
    Shane McAdam Hamstring 3-5 Weeks
    Jake Bowey Shoulder 7 Weeks
    Jake Melksham ACL 12-14 Weeks
    Joel Smith Suspension TBA

  • Player of the Year  


        PLAYER VOTES
    1 Christian Petracca 27
    2 Steven May 25
    3 Max Gawn 21
    4 Jack Viney 20
    5 Bayley Fritsch 19
    6 Clayton Oliver 18
    7 Christian Salem 12
    8 Blake Howes 11
    9 Jack Billings 10
    9 Alex Neal-Bullen 10

        FULL TABLE
  • Demonland Interviews 



  • Upcoming Events 

×
×
  • Create New...