Jump to content

The youngest most inexperienced side

bandicoot
bandicoot
in Melbourne Demons

Featured Replies

You have to take the good and the bad with teams like this. When we are high we play like schoolboy all stars but when we struggle (and I think we only really *struggled* twice this year, against Bombers and Saints), there is a massive dropoff. You have to expect that and be prepared for more games like that. 

The difference between this inexperienced side and the one from 2010, 2011 is that we have a really good contingency of experience: not too much, not too little, and better "ball winners" than we did then. 

I think we still might struggle agains a Hawthorn, West Coast and even Freo, but it's a learning curve and part of the process.

  • Quote
    •  
    15 minutes ago, ChaserJ said:

    It's quite extraordinary, isn't it?

    The last  time we tried to build through the draft (ultimately unsuccessfully) and go down the youth path, and the only point where it vaguely looked like we were on the road back was 2010.

    The peak of that rebuild was arguably the big Rd 17 win against Sydney.  Our age profile from then was:

    Average Attributes
      Melbourne Attribute Sydney  
    186.8cm Height 186.6cm
    84.2kg Weight 87.2kg
    23yr 4mth Age 25yr 10mth
    68.8 Games 104.1
     
     
    Total Players By Games
      Melbourne Games Sydney  
    3 Less than 50 1
    4 50 to 99 1
    5 100 to 149 5
    10 150 or more 15

     Our development program is so far ahead of what he had in place then it's not even funny, and the growth left in this team is scary.

    All things being equal, we're only seeing the earliest signs of what this team could do on a regular basis.

    Exciting stuff.

    And to think, for something that was only 5 & a half years ago, the only players from our 22 that day still on the list are Jones, Watts, Dunn & Garland.

  • Quote
    • 2 weeks later...

    Was just looking at the stats for this from the weekend, and once more I note that we fielded the youngest and least experienced team against the Hawks who fielded the 3rd oldest & 2nd most experienced team of the round.

    The stats actually make for some interesting reading.  Paints a good picture for us, Bulldogs, Adelaide & of course GWS.  And it makes things look pretty grim for the likes of Fremantle, Richmond, St Kilda (given their performance) and it also outs Carlton's efforts into perspective (as well as Bolton has done).

    AGE:

    North Melbourne 27 years 11 months

    Geelong 26 years 4 months

    Hawthorn 26 years 2 months

    West Coast 26 years flat

    Fremantle 25 years 9 months

    Carlton 25 years 7 months

    Sydney 25 years 6 months

    Richmond 25 years 6 months

    Essendon 25 years 2 months

    St Kilda 24 years 11 months

    Collingwood 24 years 8 months

    Port Adelaide 24 years 8 months

    Adelaide 24 years 7 months

    GWS 24 years 5 months

    Gold Coast 24 years 4 monhts

    Western Bulldogs 24 years 4 months

    Brisbane 24 years 4 months

    Melbourne 23 years 7 months

    GAMES EXPERIENCE

    North Melbourne 151.3

    Hawthorn 125.6

    Geelong 120.8

    West Coast 118.4

    Sydney 104.9

    Richmond 104.1

    Fremantle 103.1

    St Kilda 93.2

    Carlton 90.1

    GWS 87.1

    Collingwood 86.3

    Port Adelaide 86.1

    Essendon 84.5

    Adelaide 79 flat

    Gold Coast 79 flat

    Western Bulldogs 71.6

    Brisbane 71.3

    Melbourne 64.2

    North played a 22 that had more then double the games experience that we fielded.  We also fielded a team on average 9 months younger then any other in the comp.

    Encouraging signs of things to come hopefully!

  • Quote
    • Like 6
     

    is it correct that our ave games round 10 was 30 and last week it was 64.  big jump?

    or maybe im wrong

  • Quote

    It also shows the hole in our list and the worry about development, particularly in the backline, without senior players to help bring them through.

    Works both ways.

     

  • Quote

    Thanks for sharing. With Dawes, Trenners and AvB coming into that side it raised our average age by a little bit too.

    The average games played stat is the one that is important. This group of players with an average games played of 90 - 100 matches will be a very different beast.

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    4 minutes ago, stuie said:

    It also shows the hole in our list and the worry about development, particularly in the backline, without senior players to help bring them through.

    Works both ways.

     

    They cannot get a game stuie.

  • Quote
    3 minutes ago, old dee said:

    They cannot get a game stuie.

    I'm saying the lack of them, not the quality of the ones we already have.

     

  • Quote
    • Like 1
     
      Total Games  Ave games
    Round 1 1382 62.82
    Round 2 1615 73.41
    Round 3 1490 67.73
    Round 4 1384 62.91
    Round 5 1653 75.14
    Round 6 1651 75.05
    Round 7 1399 63.59
    Round 8 1410 64.09
    Round 9 1273 57.86
    Round 10 1406 63.91
    Round 11 1412 64.18
  • Quote
    • Like 1
    3 minutes ago, stuie said:

    I'm saying the lack of them, not the quality of the ones we already have.

     

    I understand that, I think they are good enough.

  • Quote

    Just now, old dee said:

    I understand that, I think they are good enough.

    Huh? They're good enough but they can't get a game?

     

  • Quote
    1 minute ago, Eittocs12 said:
      Total Games  Ave games
    Round 1 1382 62.82
    Round 2 1615 73.41
    Round 3 1490 67.73
    Round 4 1384 62.91
    Round 5 1653 75.14
    Round 6 1651 75.05
    Round 7 1399 63.59
    Round 8 1410 64.09
    Round 9 1273 57.86
    Round 10 1406 63.91
    Round 11 1412 64.18

    This is why Oscar, Harmes, etc. are given games when they are perhaps not at their best. The coaches want to show faith in these boys and get them playing games together. Playing a Grimes might help us slightly in the short term, but it's all about building a side that can compete for higher stakes long term.

  • Quote
    5 minutes ago, Tough Kent said:

    This is why Oscar, Harmes, etc. are given games when they are perhaps not at their best. The coaches want to show faith in these boys and get them playing games together. Playing a Grimes might help us slightly in the short term, but it's all about building a side that can compete for higher stakes long term.

    They are the future, but they can't learn from each other. They need quality mature players to play alongside them. Development doesn't just automatically happen by playing games.

     

  • Quote
    4 minutes ago, Tough Kent said:

    This is why Oscar, Harmes, etc. are given games when they are perhaps not at their best. The coaches want to show faith in these boys and get them playing games together. Playing a Grimes might help us slightly in the short term, but it's all about building a side that can compete for higher stakes long term.

    I understand your point TK however I don't understand your graph.

    Is it meant to show we have a young side?

    If so good but don't we all know that?

  • Quote
    1 minute ago, stuie said:

    They are the future, but they can't learn from each other. They need quality mature players to play alongside them. Development doesn't just automatically happen by playing games.

     

    It happens with good coaching and by playing with good footballers. We are providing them with both.

  • Quote

    Just now, Tough Kent said:

    It happens with good coaching and by playing with good footballers. We are providing them with both.

    Not in the backline we're not, and that is my worry at the moment.

    Jetta is a legend, but at 26 he is 3 years older than our next oldest regular defender Tom McDonald who is regarded as the backline leader.

     

  • Quote
    2 minutes ago, old dee said:

    I understand your point TK however I don't understand your graph.

    Is it meant to show we have a young side?

    If so good but don't we all know that?

    Not my graph. I think the poster was answering a prior question about us having a side one week that had an average of 30 games played.

  • Quote
    11 minutes ago, Tough Kent said:

    Not my graph. I think the poster was answering a prior question about us having a side one week that had an average of 30 games played.

    Ok

    perhaps I should have engaged my brain before moving my fingers.

    Edited by old dee

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    17 minutes ago, Tough Kent said:

    This is why Oscar, Harmes, etc. are given games when they are perhaps not at their best. The coaches want to show faith in these boys and get them playing games together. Playing a Grimes might help us slightly in the short term, but it's all about building a side that can compete for higher stakes long term.

    I agree with this logic but am also wary that it is the same logic that brought us undone under Bailey.

  • Quote
    • Like 2

     

     

    6 minutes ago, stuie said:

    Not in the backline we're not, and that is my worry at the moment.

    Jetta is a legend, but at 26 he is 3 years older than our next oldest regular defender Tom McDonald who is regarded as the backline leader.

     

     If we had the best of both worlds (a great blend of youth and experience) we'd be a top 8 team. We don't, that's why we aren't able to play consistently against good sides. It will come.

  • Quote
    • Like 1

    Just now, Tough Kent said:

     If we had the best of both worlds (a great blend of youth and experience) we'd be a top 8 team. We don't, that's why we aren't able to play consistently against good sides. It will come.

    How will it come? Trading? Chucking all the kids in and playing them every week is not good development IMO.

    It's a never ending cycle if you just play kids who don't develop properly and then become the leaders to the next round of kids who won't develop properly because their leaders didn't.... Roos has talked a lot about this kind of scenario and it's what culture is all about.

     

  • Quote
    2 minutes ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

    I agree with this logic but am also wary that it is the same logic that brought us undone under Bailey.

    Fair call. I think the development of players under the current coaching set up if far better. I also believe we have senior players around them who can help the team develop. We could do with some more experienced, quality players, but our list is a slow build and will take time.

  • Quote
    1 minute ago, Tough Kent said:

    Fair call. I think the development of players under the current coaching set up if far better. I also believe we have senior players around them who can help the team develop. We could do with some more experienced, quality players, but our list is a slow build and will take time.

    You had me up to the last last sentence TK.

    Then I got a big chill.

    I have heard that a few times before, please tell me it is different this time?

  • Quote
    •  
    1 minute ago, stuie said:

    How will it come? Trading? Chucking all the kids in and playing them every week is not good development IMO.

    It's a never ending cycle if you just play kids who don't develop properly and then become the leaders to the next round of kids who won't develop properly because their leaders didn't.... Roos has talked a lot about this kind of scenario and it's what culture is all about.

     

    Last thing I'll say on this because I haven't got all day to trade quotes with you Stuie. Our list will improve through trading, free agency and continued good drafting. And continuing to be patient. Your argument is flawed because our kids are developing, aren't they? Is the team not improving?

  • Quote
    2 minutes ago, old dee said:

    You had me up to the last last sentence TK.

    Then I got a big chill.

    I have heard that a few times before, please tell me it is different this time?

    Gosh, I bloody hope so!

  • Quote

    • 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...
    Go to topic listing

    Featured Content

    • FEATURE: 1925

      A hundred years ago today, on 2 May 1925, Melbourne kicked off the new season with a 47 point victory over St Kilda to take top place on the VFL ladder after the opening round of the new season.  Top place was a relatively unknown position for the team then known as the “Fuchsias.” They had finished last in 1923 and rose by only one place in the following year although the final home and away round heralded a promise of things to come when they surprised the eventual premiers Essendon. That victory set the stage for more improvement and it came rapidly. In this series, I will tell the story of how the 1925 season unfolded for the Melbourne Football Club and how it made the VFL finals for the first time in a decade on the way to the ultimate triumph a year later.

      • 0 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • PREVIEW: West Coast

      Saturday’s election night game in Perth between the West Coast Eagles and Melbourne represents 18th vs 15th which makes it a tough decision as to which party to favour. The Eagles have yet to break the ice under their new coach in Andrew McQualter who is the second understudy in a row to confront Demon Coach Simon Goodwin who was also winless until a fortnight ago. On that basis, many punters might be considering to go with the donkey vote but I’ve been assigned with the task of helping readers to come to a considered opinion on this matter of vital importance across the nation. It was almost a year ago that I wrote a preview here of the Demons’ away game against the Eagles (under the name William from Waalitj because it was Indigenous Round).  I issued a warning that it was a danger game, based on my local knowledge that the home team were no longer easybeats and that they possessed a wunderkind generational player in Harley Reid who was capable of producing stellar performances playing among men a decade and more older than he.  At the time, the Eagles already had two wins off the back of a couple of the young man’s masterclasses and they had recently given the Bombers a scare straight after their Anzac Day blockbuster draw against the then reigning premiers.

      • 1 reply
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • NON-MFC: Round 08

      Round 08 of the 2025 AFL Season kicks off on Thursday with a must-win game for the Bombers to stay in touch with the top eight, while the struggling Roos seek a morale-boosting upset. Friday sees the Saints desperate for a win as well if they are to stay in finals contention and their opponents the Dockers will be eager to crack in to the Top 8 with a win on the road. Saturday kicks off with a pivotal clash for both sides asthe Bulldogs look to solidify their top-eight spot, while Port seeks to shake their pretender tag. Then the Crows will be looking to steady their topsy turvy season against a resurgent Blues looking to make it 4 wins on the trot. On Election Night a Blockbuster will see the ladder-leading Pies take on the Cats, who are keen to bounce back after a narrow loss. On Sunday the Sydney Derby promises fireworks as the Giants aim to cement their top-eight status, while the Swans fight to keep their season alive. The Hawks, celebrating their centenary, will be looking to easily account for the Tigers who are desperate to halt their slide. The Round concludes on Sunday Night with a top end of the table QClash with significant ladder implications; both Queensland teams are in scintillating form. Who are you tipping this week and what are the best results for the Demons?

        • Love
        • Like
      • 148 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • PREGAME: West Coast

      The Demons hit the road in Round 8, heading to Perth to face the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium. With momentum building, the Dees will be aiming for a third straight victory to keep their season revival on course. Who comes in and who goes out?

        • Like
      • 563 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • REPORT: Richmond

      The fans who turned up to the MCG for Melbourne’s Anzac Day Eve clash against Richmond would have been disappointed if they turned up to see a great spectacle. As much as this was a night for the 71,635 in attendance to commemorate heroes of the nation’s past wars, it was also a time for the Melbourne Football Club to consolidate upon its first win after a horrific start to the 2025 season. On this basis, despite the fact that it was an uninspiring and dour struggle for most of its 100 minutes, the night will be one for the fans to remember. They certainly got value out of the pre match activity honouring those who fought for their country. The MCG and the lights of the city as backdrop was made for nights such as these and, in my view, we received a more inspirational ceremony of Anzac culture than others both here and elsewhere around the country. 

      • 0 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • CASEY: Richmond

      The match up of teams competing in our great Aussie game at its second highest level is a rarity for a work day Thursday morning but the blustery conditions that met the players at a windswept Casey Fields was something far more commonplace.They turned the opening stanza between the Casey Demons and a somewhat depleted Richmond VFL into a mess of fumbling unforced errors, spilt marks and wasted opportunities for both sides but they did set up a significant win for the home team which is exactly what transpired on this Anzac Day round opener. Casey opened up strong against the breeze with the first goal to Aidan Johnson, the Tigers quickly responded and the game degenerated into a defensive slog and the teams were level when the first siren sounded.

      • 0 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland
    View All