http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-06-09/your-clubs-midyear-report-card-part-two?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=RSS+feed%3A+AFL+Latest+News

Here it Ben Guthrie's assessment of the Demons:

What’s worked: Melbourne has vastly improved the attacking element of its game, averaging 101.6 points per game this season compared with 71.5 points per game in 2015.

What hasn’t: The Demons' 'diamond defence' (the club's form of the zone defence) has been a work in progress. Melbourne's inconsistency has also been costly in games.

Who haven’t we seen enough of yet: Angus Brayshaw has had a tough second season in the AFL, with a pre-season knee injury and concussion issues holding his progress back.

Indispensable: Max Gawn. The big ruckman's outstanding form has been a clear highlight for the Demons. Without Gawn, Melbourne's ruck stocks are very thin with Jake Spencer, the injured Mitch King and developing Max King in place as backup.

Coach Score:    Despite talk that Simon Goodwin should take over before the year was out, you could not fault Paul Roos' commitment. Roos will hand over a Melbourne list that is in good shape when he finishes his tenure at the end of the season. 7/10

Big improver: Jack Viney is now an elite midfielder of the competition, ranking No.1 in the AFL for centre clearances through the first half of the season.

Didn’t see that coming: The loss to Essendon in round two is a stain on Melbourne's season. It's actually hard to fathom how the Demons could have lost that game when you compare the teams' form lines since then.

Non-negotiable: The Demons lost three of their last 10 matches after the bye in 2015. Melbourne can't afford to have a similar late season slump this season.

Pass mark for the rest of the year: Keep pushing the teams above them on the ladder for eighth spot. Continue to develop their youngsters, getting games into Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver, James Harmes, Jayden Hunt, Oscar McDonald and Josh Wagner. The Demons should bank on winning at least five of their next 11 games.

 

Can't fault much of that! 

Will be very disappointed if we don't win another 5 (and desperate to end up higher than Carlton).

 

14 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

...

Pass mark for the rest of the year: Keep pushing the teams above them on the ladder for eighth spot. Continue to develop their youngsters, getting games into Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver, James Harmes, Jayden Hunt, Oscar McDonald and Josh Wagner. The Demons should bank on winning at least five of their next 11 games.

 

Jeesus, Stuie will have a meltdown!

2 minutes ago, billy2803 said:

Jeesus, Stuie will have a meltdown!

Haha! As I've said, I love those guys, I'd just like some more senior bodies around them to keep their development steady rather than rushed, especially in the second half of the year when they start hitting the wall harder.

 

41 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Didn’t see that coming: The loss to Essendon in round two is a stain on Melbourne's season. It's actually hard to fathom how the Demons could have lost that game when you compare the teams' form lines since then.

While we didnt want to believe it would happen, i think alot of us saw that coming.... 

17 minutes ago, stuie said:

Haha! As I've said, I love those guys, I'd just like some more senior bodies around them to keep their development steady rather than rushed, especially in the second half of the year when they start hitting the wall harder.

 

The players that Guthrie mentioned in this article are being managed superbly by the coaches.  They have another core group of younger players developing at Casey, where they can learn (and make mistakes), so that when their opportunity in the seniors comes up, they will slot straight in.  The likes of ANB, Newton, even Mitch White.  I'd like to see those blokes get a solid 5 or 6 games toward the end of the season, where they can show that they can play their role too.

I am trying really, really hard not to get excited about this team at the moment, but it's very difficult not to.

2 minutes ago, billy2803 said:

The players that Guthrie mentioned in this article are being managed superbly by the coaches.  They have another core group of younger players developing at Casey, where they can learn (and make mistakes), so that when their opportunity in the seniors comes up, they will slot straight in.  The likes of ANB, Newton, even Mitch White.  I'd like to see those blokes get a solid 5 or 6 games toward the end of the season, where they can show that they can play their role too.

I am trying really, really hard not to get excited about this team at the moment, but it's very difficult not to.

Newton I'm not very excited by, but if ANB and White can put it together then along with Hunt, Wagner and Harmes, I can see our speed and pressure problems becoming a thing of the past in a couple of years.

 

6 minutes ago, stuie said:

Newton I'm not very excited by, but if ANB and White can put it together then along with Hunt, Wagner and Harmes, I can see our speed and pressure problems becoming a thing of the past in a couple of years.

I think Newton has some class, just needs to bring the same ball magnet he takes to the VFL into the AFL and I think he can be a player. He has good skills and is a very capable finisher when required. Unfortunately time is running out for him to step up at senior level. I'd like to see him get a full pre season and an injury free run at it next year. Then we can make the call. ANB has a fair bit more time (assuming he doesnt decide that he wants to take a chance elsewhere, with his VFL form you could hardly blame him)

Just now, ArtificialWisdom said:

I think Newton has some class, just needs to bring the same ball magnet he takes to the VFL into the AFL and I think he can be a player. He has good skills and is a very capable finisher when required. Unfortunately time is running out for him to step up at senior level. I'd like to see him get a full pre season and an injury free run at it next year. Then we can make the call. ANB has a fair bit more time (assuming he doesnt decide that he wants to take a chance elsewhere, with his VFL form you could hardly blame him)

I see Newton as a handy depth utility type going forward. I like him best around goals, but I think Kent, Garlett, ANB, Kennedy and even Bugg and Brayshaw can do that role and offer more versatility. Happy to keep him around, you never have 40 stars on your list, but just can't see him challenging for the 22 too often barring injuries etc. Same with Michie.

1 minute ago, stuie said:

I see Newton as a handy depth utility type going forward. I like him best around goals, but I think Kent, Garlett, ANB, Kennedy and even Bugg and Brayshaw can do that role and offer more versatility. Happy to keep him around, you never have 40 stars on your list, but just can't see him challenging for the 22 too often barring injuries etc. Same with Michie.

Yeah tough group to break into, i like him on the wing too but tenners and stretch are infront of him for now. I think unlike Michie, Newton hasnt quite reached his ceiling, he shows signs of being one of those "turned his career around" type players. But who knows maybe he will always just be depth, handy depth to have!

I think we need a good goal kicking midfielder. We have bernie but not much else who can be a regular midfielder who can kick a goal most-every week. Viney, Tyson and Jones can kick goals when the chance arises but dont tend to do it on a regular basis. I'm hoping once he settles in CP5 will be that type. If he could kick straight Vanders would already be that. Gets in the right spot all the time just keeps missing. 

1 hour ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Non-negotiable: The Demons lost three of their last 10 matches after the bye in 2015. Melbourne can't afford to have a similar late season slump this season.

Have I read this sentence right? If we've lost 3 of the last 10, that means we won 7?

2 hours ago, DemonDave said:

Have I read this sentence right? If we've lost 3 of the last 10, that means we won 7?

Non-negotiable: The Demons lost three of their last 10 matches after the bye in 2015. Melbourne can't afford to have a similar late season slump this season.

 

Yep. not good enough, all 10 please this year!

23 hours ago, ArtificialWisdom said:

While we didnt want to believe it would happen, i think alot of us saw that coming.... 

I'm hoping they win one more at least for our sake!

1 minute ago, Rusty Nails said:

I'm hoping they win one more at least for our sake!

I have never cheered so much for essendon in my whole. I Hope they can cause the greatest upset of all time tonight. But then again thats about as likely as me roasting a flying pig for my pet unicorn while riding a magic carpet