AN END TO THE DREAMING by George on the Outer

Carlton put paid to the Demons' chances of playing in the 2016 finals series, or more correctly Melbourne threw away its chances of being there in September.

From the first bounce it was obvious that the “bad” Melbourne had turned up to play a game that was reminiscent of that against Essendon earlier in the year.  Before the supporters could build their hopes, the game was over as Carlton put on four goals in the opening quarter from nine shots, while the Demons could only manage four shots on goal with only two majors resulting.

This was a Carlton side that had lost its previous nine encounters, while the Demons were coming off a three game winning streak, its longest for nearly ten years. 

The mids were comprehensively beaten to everything that Max Gawn sent their way, and when they weren’t first to the ball, the effectiveness of their disposal was appalling.  

Dom Tyson despite 30 touches needs to be sat down and told to kick the ball instead of trying to handball first, when it is raining.  The same happened against Hawthorn first up, then Sydney and again today.  Handballing in close is a dry weather option, and it was evidenced that he only managed two clearances for the whole day!  

Jack Viney battled all day, and produced eight clearances from fewer possession.  The difference between statistics and effectiveness. 

The backs were simply magnificent and without the efforts of the MacDonald brothers and Neville Jetta combined with the sorry skills of most Carlton players, the result would have been much worse.  Tom did a particularly damaging job on Levi Casboult who only had 9 touches for the whole game, while Neville just kept intercepting and spoiling the Carlton forward thrusts.  The 1%ers statistic had Tom with 14, Oscar with 8 and Neville with 5 with no other players on the field doing better. 

Bernie on the other hand was simply atrocious and is not a backman.  He was moved up the ground after the first quarter, but he continues to do silly things and provide turnovers to the opposition advantage.  At least after ¼ time the damage was further up the field. 

Jayden Hunt provided that thrill and enthusiasm that was so much needed in this game, but without any assistance his was a lone hand.  

Up forward the selection committee again erred as it brought in an undeveloped Weidemann in favour of Pedersen.  Today Hogan needed a big body to provide a second option, and it simply wasn’t there.  While the further development of Weidemann is appreciated, one has to wonder whether winning the match was a priority. 

Hogan led the Demons with his 14 marks including 5 contested, but his kicking for goal remains a real point of concern. He wasn’t alone as not even Jack Watts was able to nail a set shot from 30m which normally would be written down before it left his boot.  

And the final quarter of 1 goal 6 behinds, most of which were from set shots or easy open shots was the difference between a win, keeping the hope alive, or being beaten by a side which had lost 9 straight! 

Again the commitment to winning wasn’t evident as the coaches continued to play an extra man in defence, even in the last quarter, when the game had to be won.  We had to score, not defend as we were already 4 goals behind. 

Carlton appreciated the lack of pressure in our forward line, as that spare man was able to mop up successfully time and time again. And with Hogan always double teamed, he had little chance.  Small wonder the kid gets frustrated. 
Viv Michie has almost certainly determined his future despite 20 touches.  His lack of vigour is a hallmark, especially when his direct opponent in Dylan Buckley managed 3 goals. 

Likewise ANB was underwhelming with a mere eight touches and only one to half time. Once again the selection committee has to be questioned about the suitability of these players in a match that HAD to be won.

At Melbourne we had a dream.  It might have been only a slim hope, but it caused more Demons supporters to turn up to watch on a wet wintery day than had been seen in Round 21 for many a year. 

So for all those dreaming supporters, the words of  Fantinefrom the musical Le Miserables seem so poignant:

I had a dream my life would be
So different from this hell I'm living
So different now, from what it seemed
Now life has killed the dream I dreamed

Melbourne 2.2.14 4.8.32 6.10.46 7.16.58

Carlton 4.5.29  7.8.50 10.10.70 11.12.78

Goals

Carlton Buckley 3 Graham 2 Cripps Everitt Jones Phillips Sumner Wright

Melbourne Bugg Gawn Hogan Hunt Neal-Bullen Oliver vandenBerg

Best

Melbourne Viney Hunt N Jones T McDonald  O McDonald Jetta

Carlton Cripps Gibbs Buckley Docherty Simpson

Changes 

Carlton Silvagni (soreness) replaced in the selected side by Graham. Kerridge (illness) replaced in the selected side by Everitt 

Melbourne Nil

Injuries 

Melbourne Watts (right eye), Kent (right leg) 

Carlton Buckley (head), Curnow (left knee)

Reports

Melbourne Nil 

Carlton Nil

Umpires Donlon, Rosebury, Mitchell

Official crowd 40,693 at MCG