Jump to content

TEAM SELECTION AND MATCH PREVIEW - ROUND 1


Demonland

Recommended Posts

Very pleased we weren't tempted by Spencer and seem to have learnt our lessons from last year. The ball flys around quickly at Etihad and the pace of the game is too fast for a top-heavy forward line. I'd imagine Watts will pinch hit in the ruck. Hogan has worked on his endurance and will push up the ground to give us as a much-needed target coming out of defence. Wouldn't be surprised to see our small forwards playing fairly high and doubling back toward goal if we manage to break through St. Kilda's defence. Ball use out of the back half and hitting targets inside 50 will be crucial, I don't think there is a better side in the comp at killing you on the spread off a turnover than St. Kilda at Etihad. 

Excited to see Hannan and Smith debut, both look genuinely quick, a necessary attribute at Etihad. My doomsday scenario is St. Kilda's tall forwards getting hold of our young backs early. Riewoldt, Bruce, Membrey and McCartin would worry any backline in the league, let alone one decimated by injury, let's hope the Macdonald bro's and Smith can hold them. 

At full strength, I'd give us the edge, but without Kent, Tyson, Hibberd, Frost, or Vandenberg, and with St. Kilda at full strength (sans Joey) I'd have to give the Saints the (minor) edge. Let's hope I'm wrong.

Excited to get down to Etihad tomorrow, Go Dees. 

Edited by TickleMeTyson
  • Like 8
Link to comment
Share on other sites

14 hours ago, Farmer said:

If you are pumped to see this team you are easily pumped ! It is a very weak team, without Tyson, Kent, Hibberd, Frost, VdB.

Bugg and Harnes are needed in R1 rather than a new kid Hannan. Spencer has played all practice matches yet is dropped. Hannan has played none and is picked. . For some reason coaches have lost direction at the last minute. I predict a thrashing . Will be happy with 60 points loss. I'm not bullshitting, I think it's an awful team

ANB essentially took Buggs spot. I believe ANB provides more forward pressure and is likely to score more.

Hannan took Harmes spot beacsue we desperately lack speed. This lack of speed cost us both games last year and Goodwin isn't keen to replicate this mistake. 

Spencer was never going to get selected for etihad as it would have made the side even slower. 

Most teams are missing 3-4 of their starting side including saints. We are unlikely to have a full side again this year so get used to it. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Big test for the coach first up both with selection and on gameday. Saints have targeted us with turnovers the past 2 years then sliced our defence ( there was even a short tv expose on it). Will be interesting to see how we respond tactically. Worried about Weid's inclusion, he must have some presence in the game otherwise his defender will just zone  off , would have preferred Pedo. Not overly confident but hopeful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

35 minutes ago, TickleMeTyson said:

Very pleased we weren't tempted by Spencer and seem to have learnt our lessons from last year. The ball flys around quickly at Etihad and the pace of the game is too fast for a top-heavy forward line. I'd imagine Watts will pinch hit in the ruck. Hogan has worked on his endurance and will push up the ground to give us as a much-needed target coming out of defence. Wouldn't be surprised to see our small forwards playing fairly high and doubling back toward goal if we manage to break through St. Kilda's defence. Ball use out of the back half and hitting targets inside 50 will be crucial, I don't think there is a better side in the comp at killing you on the spread off a turnover than St. Kilda at Etihad. 

Excited to see Hannan and Smith debut, both look genuinely quick, a necessary attribute at Etihad. My doomsday scenario is St. Kilda's tall forwards getting hold of our young backs early. Riewoldt, Bruce, Membrey and McCartin would worry any backline in the league, let alone one decimated by injury, let's hope the Macdonald bro's and Smith can hold them. 

At full strength, I'd give us the edge, but without Kent, Tyson, Hibberd, Frost, or Vandenberg, and with St. Kilda at full strength (sans Joey) I'd have to give the Saints the (minor) edge. Let's hope I'm wrong.

Excited to get down to Etihad tomorrow, Go Dees. 

Not too sure you can play all 4 of those tall forwards at once. Reiwoldt plays up the ground but at almost 35 yo he is bound to start slowing down. 

Mcartin, membrey and Bruce can't all play in the forward 50 which means that 1 will be on the bench. 

J smith can cover membrey, o mac can cover Mcartin and t mac can cover Bruce. 

 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

16 minutes ago, loges said:

Big test for the coach first up both with selection and on gameday. Saints have targeted us with turnovers the past 2 years then sliced our defence ( there was even a short tv expose on it). Will be interesting to see how we respond tactically. Worried about Weid's inclusion, he must have some presence in the game otherwise his defender will just zone  off , would have preferred Pedo. Not overly confident but hopeful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weideman is 195cm and 95kg. All he needs to do is create a contest and have garlett, ANB, tracca and other mods feed off the loose ball. 

He is big enough imo to do this 

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

24 minutes ago, bandicoot said:

Not too sure you can play all 4 of those tall forwards at once. Reiwoldt plays up the ground but at almost 35 yo he is bound to start slowing down. 

Mcartin, membrey and Bruce can't all play in the forward 50 which means that 1 will be on the bench. 

J smith can cover membrey, o mac can cover Mcartin and t mac can cover Bruce. 

 

I agree bandicoot, I think the defenders will match up ok against their forwards.  

The worry for me is Reiwoldt, he doesn't have an obvious matchup from a height and weight perspective.  Brayshaw is the closest.  Watts is another option but I think he needs to play forward.  Hannan an option but it would be a massive baptism of fire. 

Did anyone see the Saints JLT games? Has Reiwoldt slowed down noticeably?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

27 minutes ago, bandicoot said:

Weideman is 195cm and 95kg. All he needs to do is create a contest and have garlett, ANB, tracca and other mods feed off the loose ball. 

He is big enough imo to do this 

Will be happy as long as he does

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, TickleMeTyson said:

Very pleased we weren't tempted by Spencer and seem to have learnt our lessons from last year. The ball flys around quickly at Etihad and the pace of the game is too fast for a top-heavy forward line. I'd imagine Watts will pinch hit in the ruck. Hogan has worked on his endurance and will push up the ground to give us as a much-needed target coming out of defence. Wouldn't be surprised to see our small forwards playing fairly high and doubling back toward goal if we manage to break through St. Kilda's defence. Ball use out of the back half and hitting targets inside 50 will be crucial, I don't think there is a better side in the comp at killing you on the spread off a turnover than St. Kilda at Etihad. 

Excited to see Hannan and Smith debut, both look genuinely quick, a necessary attribute at Etihad. My doomsday scenario is St. Kilda's tall forwards getting hold of our young backs early. Riewoldt, Bruce, Membrey and McCartin would worry any backline in the league, let alone one decimated by injury, let's hope the Macdonald bro's and Smith can hold them. 

At full strength, I'd give us the edge, but without Kent, Tyson, Hibberd, Frost, or Vandenberg, and with St. Kilda at full strength (sans Joey) I'd have to give the Saints the (minor) edge. Let's hope I'm wrong.

Excited to get down to Etihad tomorrow, Go Dees. 

Its all about midfield pressure. It doesnt matter what backman you have playing, if the ball coming into the F50 is delivered clean and without pressure the forward is going to beat the defender 9 times out of 10.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites


19 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

No. Looks as good as ever.

Speculation on the Aints Bigfooty that Weller could be a late out for Acres or Lonie.

Oh good. We made both Acres & Lonie look like superstars last year. :mellow:

Edited by Akum
not fully serious
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

27 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

No. Looks as good as ever.

Speculation on the Aints Bigfooty that Weller could be a late out for Acres or Lonie.

Weller is a loss as we will then be noticeably better at the contested game. They might not be able to get it out to the outside runners... 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, bandicoot said:

Not too sure you can play all 4 of those tall forwards at once. Reiwoldt plays up the ground but at almost 35 yo he is bound to start slowing down. 

Mcartin, membrey and Bruce can't all play in the forward 50 which means that 1 will be on the bench. 

J smith can cover membrey, o mac can cover Mcartin and t mac can cover Bruce. 

 

For sure he is bound to start slowing down, but are you predicting it will be this game. What's more who will even bet that it will be this season, or even this decade! When did Boomer slow down? he was a lot older.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 minutes ago, bandicoot said:

Weller is a loss as we will then be noticeably better at the contested game. They might not be able to get it out to the outside runners... 

Apart from Viney applying one of the best tackles on him, Weller usually plays well against us. If he's out then it's a good thing based on history.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

7 minutes ago, bandicoot said:

Weller is a loss as we will then be noticeably better at the contested game. They might not be able to get it out to the outside runners... 

Weller seems to always kick his 2 or 3 against us as well. I would like Tommy Bugg to be our 'Mav Weller', but he's not playing.

It could be false speculation and he ends up playing but I thought it would be worthwhile sharing.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites


16 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Dempster, Montagna and Acres always [censored] us as well.

Montagna, Stevens, hickey and membrey were best afield last time.

monti is out and I think we have developed as a back unit since last year so membrey will find it harder to score 4. 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Watts on Riewoldt could be a very interesting choice. Has the height and pace and would be deadly on the rebound which would make Riewoldt more accountable and less likely to keep streaming into forward 50 with no defenders within 30 metres

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I like the team.

However, I am somewhat worried about the disposals of 3 of our backline under pressure - Mc brothers and Smith. The game at Etihad and against the Saints is so quick, a turnover results in a goal very quickly.

I'd prefer if Smith had more of a run in the VFL beforehand. Unfortunately, given our injuries, I don't think we have too many options than to give Smith a run. I just hope his disposals are better than they were against the Dogs.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 hours ago, ProDee said:

This is one of those ill-considered Chinese whispers type posts.

I don't think anyone said he wouldn't get games, but some, like me, can see him having real pressure on his spot in 2017 due to a lack of run and offence to his game. 

I don't necessarily disagree, and while it's all about offence from defence these days, you still need players down back who can actually defend, and Jetta is an exceptional defender. 

Between Hunt, Melksham, Hibberd and Vince, we have 4 players down back who are so so defenders and will give up their share of goals. This is where Jetta comes into his own, as he can successfully reduce the influence of guys like Betts, who we know can turn a game. His spot is only going to come into question if we are playing a team who doesn't have strong small forwards in their mix. 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Acres being listed as an emergency is interesting. He's one of the players Saints fans tend to be most bullish about.

I have a good feeling about tomorrow. Instincts served me okay last year, most telling examples being my bad feeling going into the Essendon game and my good feeling going into the Hawks game. Let's see how they serve me this season.

  • Like 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 4

    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...