Jump to content


Recommended Posts

Posted

THE LID IS BACK - LET'S KEEP IT ON by George on the Outer

It was only a pre-season practice match despite what some may think, but the result and the way that Melbourne comprehensively demolished a near full strength Carlton side, makes it very hard to dampen expectations among the supporters.

The real contrast for the game was the style of play. The 2017 Demons play the same hard-at-it type of football that won Footscray a Premiership, and Carlton simply do not. The result was a one way game as Melbourne in each and every quarter simply was ferocious at the ball and opposition players.

Carlton was never allowed a free rein, as Melbourne players attacked them en-mass and then when they had finally wrested possession from the Blues, there were Demon players aplenty around as options. The number of times that Melbourne took the ball from one end of the ground to the other without Carlton so much as being in the contest as it moved up the ground was lost. And the 0.17.14 final tally could have been so much more.

Now some may question why the Demons didn’t put the cue in the rack at half-time, because it was all well and truly over by then, and there is always the risk of injury to critical players. But thinking about this after the match the answer became more apparent.  

This is the no mercy approach that we as supporters have been longing for. This is now a relentless, fierce, no half-efforts or take the easy approach team that Paul Roos and now Simon Goodwin have been building. We don’t slack off.  

And Melbourne plays Carlton in Round 2 of the season proper so what better way to send a chilling message to them?

Now I could wax lyrical about many players with a game like this - and with a long bench to run there wasn’t the same fatigue factor that is present in a normal AFL game. 

However, for starters, Christian Petracca showed just how good he is with a four goal haul, including a ripper from the boundary.  But it was his 10 contested possession in a total of 19 and his six marks that made him stand out.  Carlton simply had no answer to him. 

Up forward Jesse Hogan was the Hulk. He is simply brutal and recorded three goals against his name for the game. We also saw Goodwin using him in the middle a number of times, and what a frightening prospect that will be for opposition teams? That and the continuous parade of tough, hard midfielders that Melbourne now has at its disposal.  With Nathan Jones and Jack Viney leading and Jordan Lewis as back up, the opposition never get a rest with Bernie Vince, Clayton Oliver, Angus Brayshaw, Petracca and now Christian Salem to throw into that mix. Then it all starts again.  

Salem was a real highlight as no-one expected him to be playing mid-field. His 21 touches and seven contested possessions showed that he can and has obviously been developed for this new role.  Best of all he has the vision and situational awareness that Lewis and Oliver also possess, such that they know where the ball is going before they get it. And then they deliver precisely and effectively. 

What a change has now occurred. Just a couple of years ago Nathan Jones held everything together on his own in the middle. Now he has an army of brutal assassins around him, and he has the pleasure of sitting off to the side a little more rather than being hammered week in and week out.  As a result we will see much more of him and also preserve his career for longer. 

Oh, and I forgot about Max who had a normal day at the office - 19 hitouts and two goals. Having the luxury of being able to rest in the forward line while Spencer took the ruck role gave the Carlton defenders nightmares.  The same situation will probably not happen in the season proper, as Spence is simply at a level below, but he was probably equal to Kruezer on the day, given his time on the ground, so not a bad back-up. 

West Coast in WA is the next JLT Community Series game, and there are plenty of players pushing for selection. What will the coaches want to do with a decent break before the first game proper? 

We can only wait and see, but for now it's time for a break -  THE LID IS BACK - LET'S KEEP IT ON!

Melbourne 0.5.4.34 0.9.5.59 0.12.10.82 0.17.14.116

Carlton 0.1.2.8 0.3.5.23 0.7.6.48 0.9.8.62

Supergoals

Melbourne Nil

Carlton Nil

Goals
 
Melbourne
 Petracca 4 Hogan 3 Gawn Salem vandenBerg Viney 2 Kennedy-Harris Neal-Bullen 

Carlton Casboult Pickett 2 Cunningham Curnow Lebois Thomas Weitering

Best

Melbourne Petracca Hogan Viney Jones Gawn Salem Vince   

Carlton Simpson, Gibbs Marchbank Kreuzer   

Injuries

Melbourne Nil

Carlton Gorringe (leg)  

Reports 

Melbourne Nil

Carlton Nil

Umpires Schmitt Ryan McInerny Glouftsis

Crowd 7,256 at Casey Fields, Cranbourne

  • Like 8

Posted (edited)

After a decade of a firmly fastened lid it is off in my household.

We have a vastly superior side to four years ago and I am confident we will win 13+ games in 2017.

Sorry a small delay I just threw  the lid over the back fence.

GO DEES.

Edited by old dee
  • Like 12

Posted

Yes. Probably the most pleasing thing about this week compared to last is that we really didn't slack off. Probably part of the reason was that Carlton didn't have the same intensity.

  • Like 2
Posted
13 minutes ago, old dee said:

After a decade of a firmly fastened lid it is off in my household.

We have a vastly superior side to four years ago and I am confident we will win 13+ games in 2017.

Sorry a small delay I just threw  the lid over the back fence.

GO DEES.

I hope I don't have to throw that lid back over your fence this year OD .... I can say I am finally a bit optimistic and looking forward to a season for the first time in probably 10 years though. That's probably as good as it gets for me. If we get anywhere near your prediction then I reckon you might be right and I certainly won't complain if I need to make a few extra visits to Dan's. I just hope there's nothing ugly under the lid when I fully open it. You never know when a deadly floater might surprise as a Demon die hard :unsure:

  • Like 1
Posted

Only reading reports like this   so I don't really know

But How strong was the Carlton side,   any senior players missing, playing in unfamiliar positions,   any other reason   or are they just Shite !

 

Posted

Thanks for yesterday's gift MFC but after so many years of abject failure I'm not exactly practiced in the art of keeping the lid on and my first test comes tonight when we go out for dinner and two of the people at the table will be Carlton supporters.

How do I go about keeping the lid on? 

Do I mention yesterday's game at all or do I just feign ignorance about it and start a discussion on Donald Trump's latest escapades?

  • Like 5
Posted

Thanks for the match report - Loved this game, this was the game I wanted/expected last time we played Carlton. Some thoughts on players not mentioned. I love VDB's attitude, but today was the 1st time I really thought his skills might stop him being best 22. Hunt is just incredible, his 1%ers are as good as his running. He reminds me of Flash with his burst of speed and defensive efforts. 

The thing that has the lid off for me though are the smothers. I think we had more in a pre season game than we did in a season a few years ago. I know Carlton was a step off, being their first game and all, but this to me demonstrates the intensity required than any other stat.

  • Like 1
Posted (edited)
46 minutes ago, 640MD said:

Only reading reports like this   so I don't really know

But How strong was the Carlton side,   any senior players missing, playing in unfamiliar positions,   any other reason   or are they just Shite !

 

The later,  they have four no 1 picks, and only one of them they can take to the bank in the rebuild.  The only player missing from their best 22 is Cripps (who is injured and you assume would have played if he was fit).  Their ruck stocks are thin with their reserve back up ruck (Goringge) going down  with an achilles (Phillips has stress fractures in his foot) and relying almost solely on Kreuzer to stay on the park.  Not hard to understand why GWS packaged up so many players in the fire sale - and if you believe the rumours - there maybe some discontent with SOS's list management as players like Palmer, Wiley etc are list cloggers.  Long story short is the get out of jail card is that Bolton is experimenting in the preseason, but he has limited cattle and knows this year and next they are going to be on the end of some fearful hidings. 

Edited by grazman
  • Like 1

Posted
40 minutes ago, Rusty Nails said:

I hope I don't have to throw that lid back over your fence this year OD .... I can say I am finally a bit optimistic and looking forward to a season for the first time in probably 10 years though. That's probably as good as it gets for me. If we get anywhere near your prediction then I reckon you might be right and I certainly won't complain if I need to make a few extra visits to Dan's. I just hope there's nothing ugly under the lid when I fully open it. You never know when a deadly floater might surprise as a Demon die hard :unsure:

We won ten last year RN I am thinking cautiously with 13.

 

  • Like 1
Posted
37 minutes ago, Whispering_Jack said:

Thanks for yesterday's gift MFC but after so many years of abject failure I'm not exactly practiced in the art of keeping the lid on and my first test comes tonight when we go out for dinner and two of the people at the table will be Carlton supporters.

How do I go about keeping the lid on? 

Do I mention yesterday's game at all or do I just feign ignorance about it and start a discussion on Donald Trump's latest escapades?

Nah go for it. 

Asking them why no bruises at the recovery session this morning.

  • Like 2

Posted
46 minutes ago, Whispering_Jack said:

Do I mention yesterday's game at all or do I just feign ignorance about it and start a discussion on Donald Trump's latest escapades?

Feign ignorance of Donald Trump's latest escapades and confuse them into talking about the football.

  • Like 2
Posted
2 hours ago, old dee said:

After a decade of a firmly fastened lid it is off in my household.

We have a vastly superior side to four years ago and I am confident we will win 13+ games in 2017.

Sorry a small delay I just threw  the lid over the back fence.

GO DEES.

Who are you ???? ???

  • Like 11
Posted (edited)
2 hours ago, old dee said:

We won ten last year RN I am thinking cautiously with 13.

 

I hear you OD. As long as we don't end up 9th with those 13 wins i'll be pretty pleased with that result

P.S. ...but by no means satisfied -_-

Edited by Rusty Nails
Posted
3 hours ago, old dee said:

After a decade of a firmly fastened lid it is off in my household.

We have a vastly superior side to four years ago and I am confident we will win 13+ games in 2017.

Sorry a small delay I just threw  the lid over the back fence.

GO DEES.

May I please report that Demonland's security has been compromised and that all of our personal information is under threat? Someone has clearly hacked Old Dee's account. The troll who has gotten hold of his password is clearly much too optimistic to be him.

Posted
3 hours ago, 640MD said:

Only reading reports like this   so I don't really know

But How strong was the Carlton side,   any senior players missing, playing in unfamiliar positions,   any other reason   or are they just Shite !

 

They were only missing Cripps but were also only playing their first praccie match so not an exactly level playing field. BUT compared to the Dees first hit out last week, they were flat, directionless and showed really poor skill levels.

Posted
5 minutes ago, Colin B. Flaubert said:

May I please report that Demonland's security has been compromised and that all of our personal information is under threat? Someone has clearly hacked Old Dee's account. The troll who has gotten hold of his password is clearly much too optimistic to be him.

Saty? :unsure:

  • Like 1
Posted
1 minute ago, Rusty Nails said:

Saty? :unsure:

If he begins referring to people as 'chap' then I believe we have our perpetrator.


Posted
3 hours ago, 640MD said:

Only reading reports like this   so I don't really know

But How strong was the Carlton side,   any senior players missing, playing in unfamiliar positions,   any other reason   or are they just Shite !

 

Cripps and arguably Armfield, Lamb, Sumner, Byrne, Graham and Phillips.

But, out of that lot only Cripps would make our best 22.

So, in essence, Cripps was the only player of genuine significance.  Many of the above replacements would have been as adequate as those missing.

  • Like 2
Posted
3 hours ago, old dee said:

After a decade of a firmly fastened lid it is off in my household.

We have a vastly superior side to four years ago and I am confident we will win 13+ games in 2017.

Sorry a small delay I just threw  the lid over the back fence.

GO DEES.

For the sake of your health OD, keep the lid on.                                   It's still only preseason and we have endured a lifetime of disappointments. At least wait until the Saints match!

  • Like 1

Posted
28 minutes ago, Colin B. Flaubert said:

May I please report that Demonland's security has been compromised and that all of our personal information is under threat? Someone has clearly hacked Old Dee's account. The troll who has gotten hold of his password is clearly much too optimistic to be him.

I think a good slap might be in order CBF

Posted
10 minutes ago, hemingway said:

For the sake of your health OD, keep the lid on.                                   It's still only preseason and we have endured a lifetime of disappointments. At least wait until the Saints match!

That is in the bag Ernest

  • Like 1
Posted
4 hours ago, old dee said:

After a decade of a firmly fastened lid it is off in my household.

We have a vastly superior side to four years ago and I am confident we will win 13+ games in 2017.

Sorry a small delay I just threw  the lid over the back fence.

GO DEES.

 

8 minutes ago, Demonised said:

Apply liberally.

150648.jpg

Demonised, returning OD's lid would seem to be the neighbourly thing to do yes? It might also assist in returning D'land to some kind of normality!

  • Like 1
Posted
42 minutes ago, Colin B. Flaubert said:

May I please report that Demonland's security has been compromised and that all of our personal information is under threat? Someone has clearly hacked Old Dee's account. The troll who has gotten hold of his password is clearly much too optimistic to be him.

Yep definately Hacked. OD has never spoken in these tones EVER!! :)

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  

    2024 Player Reviews: #15 Ed Langdon

    The Demon running machine came back with a vengeance after a leaner than usual year in 2023.  Date of Birth: 1 February 1996 Height: 182cm Games MFC 2024: 22 Career Total: 179 Goals MFC 2024: 9 Career Total: 76 Brownlow Medal Votes: 5 Melbourne Football Club: 5th Best & Fairest: 352 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 6

    2024 Player Reviews: #24 Trent Rivers

    The premiership defender had his best year yet as he was given the opportunity to move into the midfield and made a good fist of it. Date of Birth: 30 July 2001 Games MFC 2024: 23 Career Total: 100 Goals MFC 2024: 2 Career Total:  9 Brownlow Medal Votes: 7 Melbourne Football Club: 6th Best & Fairest: 350 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 2

    TRAINING: Monday 11th November 2024

    Veteran Demonland Trackwatchers Kev Martin, Slartibartfast & Demon Wheels were on hand at Gosch's Paddock to kick off the official first training session for the 1st to 4th year players with a few elder statesmen in attendance as well. KEV MARTIN'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Beautiful morning. Joy all round, they look like they want to be there.  21 in the squad. Looks like the leadership group is TMac, Viney Chandler and Petty. They look like they have sli

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports 2

    2024 Player Reviews: #1 Steven May

    The years are rolling by but May continued to be rock solid in a key defensive position despite some injury concerns. He showed great resilience in coming back from a nasty rib injury and is expected to continue in that role for another couple of seasons. Date of Birth: 10 January 1992 Height: 193cm Games MFC 2024: 19 Career Total: 235 Goals MFC 2024: 1 Career Total: 24 Melbourne Football Club: 9th Best & Fairest: 316 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons

    2024 Player Reviews: #4 Judd McVee

    It was another strong season from McVee who spent most of his time mainly at half back but he also looked at home on a few occasions when he was moved into the midfield. There could be more of that in 2025. Date of Birth: 7 August 2003 Height: 185cm Games MFC 2024: 23 Career Total: 48 Goals MFC 2024: 1 Career Total: 1 Brownlow Medal Votes: 1 Melbourne Football Club: 7th Best & Fairest: 347 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 5

    2024 Player Reviews: #31 Bayley Fritsch

    Once again the club’s top goal scorer but he had a few uncharacteristic flat spots during the season and the club will be looking for much better from him in 2025. Date of Birth: 6 December 1996 Height: 188cm Games MFC 2024: 23 Career Total: 149 Goals MFC 2024: 41 Career Total: 252 Brownlow Medal Votes: 4

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 9

    2024 Player Reviews: #18 Jake Melksham

    After sustaining a torn ACL in the final match of the 2023 season Jake added a bit to the attack late in the 2024 season upon his return. He has re-signed on to the Demons for 1 more season in 2025. Date of Birth: 12 August 1991 Height: 186cm Games MFC 2024: 8 Career Total: 229 Goals MFC 2024: 8 Career Total: 188

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 7

    2024 Player Reviews: #3 Christian Salem

    The luckless Salem suffered a hamstring injury against the Lions early in the season and, after missing a number of games, he was never at his best. He was also inconvenienced by minor niggles later in the season. This was a blow for the club that sorely needed him to fill gaps in the midfield at times as well as to do his best work in defence. Date of Birth: 15 July 1995 Height: 184cm Games MFC 2024: 17 Career Total: 176 Goals MFC 2024: 1 Career Total: 26 Brownlow Meda

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 8

    2024 Player Reviews: #39 Koltyn Tholstrop

    The first round draft pick at #13 from twelve months ago the strongly built medium forward has had an impressive introduction to AFL football and is expected to spend more midfield moments as his career progresses. Date of Birth: 25 July 2005 Height: 186cm Games MFC 2024: 10 Career Total: 10 Goals MFC 2024: 5 Career Total: 5 Games CDFC 2024: 7 Goals CDFC 2024: 4

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 9
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!

×
×
  • Create New...