CRISIS? by the Oracle  

This week sees the Demons face yet another club in crisis, one which has progressively over a number of years transferred its identity from becoming the Brisbane Lions at the turn of the century back into the Brisbane Bears. 

The irony of course is that while Melbourne has already had its share of contests against clubs in strife during the season, the club itself has lurched through the past decade as the epitome of a club in crisis. 

While we have watched the young Demon side show us some positive, exciting glimpses to hold out some promise that it will step out of the mire at some time very soon, it continues to give fans its moments of despair so that a home ground contest against an ailing Bears club that was thrashed a week ago by Collingwood at the Gabba can be looked upon them as problematic - even when they are raging favourites to win.

The game looks winnable from every aspect. Max Gawn is coming along nicely in his rucking role and he continues to give teammates at his feet a good ride at stoppages. The Melbourne midfield is improving in quality and depth. For the first time in living memory the Dees were credited with employing an innovative tactic. 

The only problem is that the "Diamond Pattern" or "Diamond Defence" didn't quite work when employed against the Bulldogs and if it was employed when they played the Bombers and the Saints, then it was an abject failure. Hopefully, it will be a case of back to the drawing board this week when the team faces the Bears because it really can't afford to lose another game to a club in crisis. 

It's not that last week's loss to the Bulldogs was comparable to the losses to Essendon and St Kilda. The Doggies are a competent well drilled outfit that more the ball quickly with precision. They have managed to get themselves out of "crisis mode" in quick time and based upon what we saw last week, they are definite contenders this year. 

Many of us hoped that Melbourne would follow a similar path this year but unless it can shake off the inconsistent tag, it will languish between the middle and lower half of the table. 

Winning against Brisbane at home on Sunday will help but it will remain one small step in the process necessary to avert the next crisis.

THE GAME

Melbourne v Brisbane at MCG Sunday 22 May, 2016 at 1.10pm

HEAD TO HEAD

Overall: Melbourne 22 wins Brisbane 20 wins

At MCG: Melbourne 12 wins Brisbane 3 wins

Last Five Meetings: Melbourne 1 win Brisbane 4 win

The Coaches: Roos 1 win Leppitsch 1 wins

MEDIA

TV - Fox Footy Channel live at 1.00pm

Radio - SEN ABC ABC Grandstand

THE BETTING

Melbourne $1.18 to win Brisbane $4.75 to win

LAST TIME THEY MET Melbourne 8.12.60 defeated Brisbane 4.12.36 at the MCG, Round 16, 2015.

The Lions kicked only one goal for the entire first half while the Demons managed only one in the second half in a putrid skill free exhibition of ineptitude. Jesse Hogan was the shining light with four goals.

TEAMS

MELBOURNE 

B: Billy Stretch, Tom McDonald, Tomas Bugg
HB: Josh Wagner, Colin Garland, Bernie Vince
C: Clayton Oliver, Dom Tyson, Viv Michie
HF: Dean Kent, Jack Watts, Jeff Garlett
F: Christian Petracca, Jesse Hogan, Ben Kennedy
FOLL: Max Gawn, Nathan Jones, Jack Viney
I/C: James Harmes, Jayden Hunt, Alex Neal-Bullen, Oscar McDonald

EMG: Lynden Dunn, Jack Grimes, Ben Newton 

IN: Jack Grimes, Dean Kent, Alex Neal-Bullen, Ben Newton, Oscar McDonald

OUT: Neville Jetta (suspension), Cam Pedersen (illness), Christian Salem (omitted)

BRISBANE LIONS

B: Ryan Harwood, Daniel Merrett, Jackson Paine
HB: Daniel Rich, Daniel McStay, Sam Mayes
C: Ryan Lester, Allen Christensen, Tom Bell
HF: Pearce Hanley, Lewis Taylor, Nick Robertson
F: Trent West, Josh Schache, Ryan Bastinac
FOLL: Stefan Martin, Dayne Zorko, Mitch Robinson
I/C: Billy Evans, Jonathan Freeman, Ben Keays, Rhys Mathieson

EMG: Josh Clayton, Eric Hipwood, Jarrad Jansen

IN: Billy Evans, Jonathan Freeman, Daniel McStay, Rhys Mathieson, Jackson Paine, Nick Robertson, Trent West

OUT: Clay Beams (groin), Dayne Beams (knee), Rohan Bewick (groin), Darcy Gardiner (finger), Josh Green (omitted), Marco Paparone (omitted), Josh Walker (omitted)

NEW: Rhys Mathieson (Geelong U18)

We are $1.20 favourites, Lions are $4.65 .  Lock in a Lions win.

After how "good" the skills have been the last two times we have played them. 

I'm bracing myself for another ripping game...

What are the odds that one or more of their spud forwards will kick bigger scores than Hogan?  We will miss Jetta. If this Diamond Defence doesn't work again it will be an early Christmas for their clutching at straws attack.

Edited May 18, 20169 yr by america de cali

Anyone else petrified about this game?

Just now, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Anyone else petrified about this game?

oh yes... not as worried as i was against the bombers but still not penciling it in

We simply don't match up well against Brisbane, and Jetta is a big loss in terms of taking the type of small/medium forward that has hurt us in the past.

I think we'll win, but it probably won't be pretty and I'm not putting my house on it.

I'd like to see us put in a strong display without Gawn and Viney having big games, because our results seem to depend too greatly on the performance of two players.

I'd love to see Jack Trengove make an appearance this week.

4 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Anyone else petrified about this game?

I'm not, which as the week rolls on, is concerning me more so. Haha. 

I just look at their injury list and think as long as we bring our game, we should win easily, but if any club was to stumble at such a hurdle, it'd be Melbourne.

Edited May 18, 20169 yr by AdamFarr
And before you say that's a veil of negativity, Roosy, you've also said anyone can beat anyone if you don't bring the right attitude.

Grimes, Newton, Kent, Neal-Bullen, O McDonald for Jetta, Salem.

Salem ... gutsy. Sends a message.

 

On 5/18/2016 at 0:08 PM, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Anyone else petrified about this game?

An emphatic no from me!  We will do exactly what we should do to an inferior opposition.  

B: Billy Stretch, Tom McDonald, Tomas Bugg

HB: Josh Wagner, Colin Garland, Bernie Vince

C: Clayton Oliver, Dom Tyson, Viv Michie

HF: Jack Watts, Cameron Pedersen, Jeff Garlett

F: Christian Petracca, Jesse Hogan, Ben Kennedy

Foll: Max Gawn, Nathan Jones, Jack Viney

I/C (from): Dean Kent, Ben Newton, Oscar McDonald, Jayden Hunt, Alex Neal-Bullen, Jack Grimes, James Harmes

In: Grimes, Newton, Kent, Neal-Bullen, O.McDonald

Out: Neville Jetta (suspension), Christian Salem

Salem out with concussion.

Salem omitted, Michie still in? 

What? 

Colin lucky to hold his spot IMO. I suspect bench will be Kent, Newton, Oscar and ANB. Hunt and Harmes play and half or better at Casey.

Edited May 19, 20169 yr by M_9

Salem concussion? Not what's listed, he's just down as "omitted".

On the other hand, he did miss the last quarter or so last week, so could be something in it. Didn't think he was the worst if we're looking at dropping players.

 

 

Garland in and Michie ahead of Salem, awesome

1 minute ago, bing181 said:

Salem concussion? Not what's listed, he's just down as "omitted".

On the other hand, he did miss the last quarter or so last week, so could be something in it. Didn't think he was the worst if we're looking at dropping players.

From MFC website

"Youngster Christian Salem has been omitted and will miss his second match in 2016, after he was sidelined with concussion in round seven."

How the FK does Colin Garland keep his spot..

Unbelievable..

2 minutes ago, M_9 said:

From MFC website

"Youngster Christian Salem has been omitted and will miss his second match in 2016, after he was sidelined with concussion in round seven."

That doesn't imply he is missing with concussion. It's saying he missed round 7 with concussion. 

He's been dropped.

2 minutes ago, M_9 said:

From MFC website

"Youngster Christian Salem has been omitted and will miss his second match in 2016, after he was sidelined with concussion in round seven."

Not sure what you're saying. In round 7 he was concussed. For this, the second match that he's missed, he has been omitted.

Meanwhile at Brisbane..

BRISBANE LIONS
In: R.Mathieson, J.Paine, T.West, D.McStay, N.Robertson, J.Jansen, E.Hipwood, J.Freeman, B.Evans
Out: D.Gardiner (finger), D.Beams (knee), C.Beams (groin), J.Green, M.Paparone, J.Walker
New: Rhys Mathieson (Geelong U18), Jarrad Jansen (East Fremantle/Geelong), Eric Hipwood (Aspley)

9 minutes ago, M_9 said:

From MFC website

"Youngster Christian Salem has been omitted and will miss his second match in 2016, after he was sidelined with concussion in round seven."

Is it round 7 this week? 

It merely mentions a past concussion. Nothing to do with this week. 

Roos has been quoted as saying ANB, OMac and Kent will all play. That might mean Harmes or Hunt slide out of the squad.

I echo the above sentiment re. Garland. Lynden Dunn must be getting pretty frustrated. 

4 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Meanwhile at Brisbane..

BRISBANE LIONS
In: R.Mathieson, J.Paine, T.West, D.McStay, N.Robertson, J.Jansen, E.Hipwood, J.Freeman, B.Evans
Out: D.Gardiner (finger), D.Beams (knee), C.Beams (groin), J.Green, M.Paparone, J.Walker
New: Rhys Mathieson (Geelong U18), Jarrad Jansen (East Fremantle/Geelong), Eric Hipwood (Aspley)

Thought that was the team for a sec.

Geez thats gotta be the worst Brisbane side since they were called the Bears.... Might have to rethink my prediction of an 8 goal win.

 

Yeah, we got this.

I'm not unhappy with Salo's omission.  He's probably disappointed so far this season, and we need to honour the commitment to reward players who perform consistently well at Casey.  Strong message for Salo (and his team-mates as well) but he'll be back, and undoubtedly be a better player for the experience.  This is the new Melbourne, and I'm thrilled that we've reached this position in our evolution.

Edited May 19, 20169 yr by Deeoldfart
punctuation