Jump to content


Recommended Posts

Posted

There's some elements to this team selection that I really like, some elements I'd do differently - but what I'm really pleased to see is that Goody in picking his first up team hasn't gone safe. He's honouring the guys who have pre-requisite fitness through a hard pre-season and it gives the squad clear evidence that there's a spot in the team for you if you continue to do the right things. 

We have a good team on paper this week, and our depth understanding that they've got good future prospects given a match committee who fully considers all options.

The only way is up.

  • Like 4

Posted
31 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

How quick are Hannan and Smith?

 

Not sure re Hannan, although one hears he's quick.  

The word inside the club from a senior coach is that Smith is as fast as Hunt.

  • Like 3

Posted
12 minutes ago, poita said:

For all our supposed depth, that is a fairly ordinary side for round 1. No way Weideman & Neal-Bullen should be playing - Neal Bullen is a VFL player only, and Weideman is at least 12 months off being a decent player. I don't know Hannan at all but it is asking a lot for a bloke who wasn't even played a JLT game.

I love the logic that says that Hannan, Jetta and Garlett can play off one game at Casey, but Tyson and Kent (who both finished top ten in the B&F last year) can not.

I'm worried by our lack of height in the back line, and our lack of cover for any of our key position players. Pedersen at even 50% at least gives us some flexibility that we don't currently have. Frost is a massive out, as he is a good match up for any of St Kilda's tall forwards. I'm glad Spencer wasn't named, but not sure he was given such a prominent role in the pre season if he wasn't part of our plans going forward.

My logic on this is they both had long injuries that prevented them for running for extended periods. Garlett and Jetta both got through the majority of the preseason before having a short period imparing running and Hannan was a shoulder. But when it comes down to it we are 4 short of the best 22.. it was never going to be our strongest side

  • Like 1
Posted

We've gone with a quick team with a lot of excitement and X factor - Goodwin wants to attack the game hard obviously.

St Kilda's side looks solid but they have are a lot of B-C graders and they look kind of pedestrian to me (Ross, Armitage, Brown, Gilbert, Savage).

On paper we maybe look a bit light on for experience, so our most naturally talented players like Hogan, Gawn, Watts and Petracca need to fire and then we are in with a serious chance.

  • Like 1
Posted
11 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

You think wrong, Wiz, but I guess that's what makes the world go round.

  • Like 1

Posted
11 hours ago, A F said:

 

Unfortunately, ANB has shown absolutely no sign he's capable of playing midfield at the highest level. Really strange call and wouldn't be surprised if he wasn't near it if Kent was fit.

That's a fair comment, but then he hasn't exactly had a whole heap of opportunities to play in the midfield during his time in the senior side.  He's been played primarily as a small forward with small stints in the midfield.  I'd say Hannan is the direct replacement for Kent, while ANB may be a replacement for Tyson.  Hopefully ANB gets a good run at it in the midfield to show what he's capable of, whatever that may be.

  • Like 2
Posted
23 minutes ago, sisso said:

We've gone with a quick team with a lot of excitement and X factor - Goodwin wants to attack the game hard obviously.

Hopefully that doesn't lead to leaking easy goals out the back like we normally do against St Kilda.

Posted

The one area the Saints have dominated us in the past is getting numbers around the contest & then smashing us on the spread. This is the area we lacked gut running & pace. I think we've shown in all our JLT matches that we have rectified this. Our MOST talented extractor did not play once against saints last year. Oliver.. who has developed a tank. If he can win 50/50s more often than not, & get the ball out to our new runners in hunt, stretch, hannan & smith. All of a sudden we look like a quick unit who can reverse the trend & beat saints at their own game. I'm not saying we're going to win, but i am saying we could finally have what it takes to beat the saints. Which we have never realistically been in that position. 

  • Like 7

Posted

The opinion I hold on Hannan is that he is a player that can adapt to the level of competition around him. His athleticism was always on show from his u/19s to seniors and never really played a bad game at those levels and same at VFL. 

 

Heres hoping he can adapt to AFL and contribute in a role in round 1

  • Like 1
Posted
4 minutes ago, Clint Bizkit said:

Hopefully that doesn't lead to leaking easy goals out the back like we normally do against St Kilda.

I reckon its inevitable Clint, given the zone defence. 

Goodwin seems set on an attacking game plan which will result in leaking goals. Will we leak less goals than the Saints? We can only hope.

All I know is that we are not going to win with an uneven contribution. We will need a complete team effort across the entire ground.

We have added pace and grunt. That will help us. I suspect that a few Demons are going to upset a few Saints with their attack on the ball and man.

Still a possible goal shootout in store. .

  • Like 6

Posted

Really sick of supporters who bang on about betting on St Kilda to win.   If you're happy to outlay your money on an opposition team good luck to you but I along with many others I assume have no interest in hearing about it. 

  • Like 5
Posted
13 hours ago, rpfc said:

Hang on a sec, wasn't I told by 'the people' on here that Jetta was done?

I resemble that remark

I love what Nev brings in consistency, one-on-one against dangerous small fwds like Betts and Wingard, attack on the contest and reliable sort kicking and I'm happy to see him in the team.

But he was conspicuous in his absence in the JLT, he didn't go to Perth when he was ready to play.  Maybe he's experienced enough not to need AFL trials.

He does have limitations and it will be fascinating to follow his progress this year.  He's not a counter-attacking back and therefore plays closer to the defensive goal in the zone where it's likely that he'll get exposed to height mis-matches.  It happened last year to comical effect.  Hunt, Melksham, Vince, J.Smith, Hibberd have the height to make a marking contest with tall forwards they may find themselves matched with, Jetta doesn't.

I hope he has a great year.

 

Posted
1 hour ago, ProDee said:

Not sure re Hannan, although one hears he's quick.  

The word inside the club from a senior coach is that Smith is as fast as Hunt.

I think that if you watch Hannan's highlights you will find that he combines the leap of Howe with the speed of Hunt. He also knows how to find the goals! Go Dees!

 

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2016-11-26/pick-46-mitch-hannan-highlights

Posted
33 minutes ago, Demons11 said:

Really sick of supporters who bang on about betting on St Kilda to win.   If you're happy to outlay your money on an opposition team good luck to you but I along with many others I assume have no interest in hearing about it. 

 

They are called attention whores.

  • Like 1

Posted
16 minutes ago, CBDees said:

I think that if you watch Hannan's highlights you will find that he combines the leap of Howe with the speed of Hunt. He also knows how to find the goals! Go Dees!

 

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2016-11-26/pick-46-mitch-hannan-highlights

Similarities to a very young Fyfe? Shows much promise. Understand the selection if he's showing that sort of form on the track. Reads play well with burst of speed and nice reach for his height also. Can play small/tall and nice closing speed for the run down tackle. Might add to forward pressure when played up front?

Posted (edited)

The balance of the selected side is very different to most of the teams we fielded during the Roos years. The difference seems to be that Roos would lean towards hard-at-it moderate footballers like Harmes, VBB and Bugg, while Goodwin lwans towards dare and skill. It is not the strongest side and does look a bit thin on defence all over the ground, but it looks set to really take the game on.

Hannan and Weideman are the 2 interesting ones. Hannan is a complete unknown at AFL level. Weideman hasn't had a lot of the footy but flies for it so well in the air. I am not overly confident but can't wait to see them play. 

Edited by Maldonboy38
Rubbish typing
  • Like 2
Posted

Weideman has to play if we're not going with Spencer and it makes sense especially at Etihad.  Otherwise Hogan is the only tall contested target and that's just not viable, particularly when we also want to use him up the ground on acassion.  In the long run Weed will take the 2nd ruck duties too but one step at a time.

Hannan seems to be a replacement for VDB IMO which also makes sense.

  • Like 1

Posted
2 hours ago, ProDee said:

Not sure re Hannan, although one hears he's quick.  

The word inside the club from a senior coach is that Smith is as fast as Hunt.

Wow. OK he could be another weapon inside defence then..

  • Like 1
Posted

Not 100% sure of the selections going with two debutants over proven experience, but love the idea of what Goodwin and the selection committee are doing here. They've gone for a quick side that's not too top heavy because St Kilda have torched us time and time again with pace and run. They've picked a team with a slightly different dynamic than we're accustomed to and IMO it's a good thing.

I do hope Kent and Tyson come straight back in after a week or two, but I love that they've gone with run and skill to suit our attacking gameplay. Based on pre=season form I'm expecting big games from Oliver, Brayshaw and Hunt.

Go Dees!

  • Like 2

Posted

Just had a look at the selected side and it's altered from the originally published one. Salem, Watts and Jetta in the starting side and Smith, Oliver and ANB on the bench.

Not unhappy with that side and it's good to see the two new ones on the bench until a bit of the heat goes out of the game.

Back in 2007 we were expected to do well, but I looked at the team and remarked at the time we hadn't changed much, if any at all and we were knocked out early in the finals the previous year, at that time I wasn't confident about 2007. This year we have new faces, we have fresh talent and we have natural improvement in some of the very highly rated youngsters, I think we will do well and expect to win.

We have a couple of auto select players out, but that just makes it more interesting and will put pressure on those that are in to stay and they will have to perform to do so.

Posted
1 minute ago, Dante said:

Just had a look at the selected side and it's altered from the originally published one. Salem, Watts and Jetta in the starting side and Smith, Oliver and ANB on the bench.

Not unhappy with that side and it's good to see the two new ones on the bench until a bit of the heat goes out of the game.

Back in 2007 we were expected to do well, but I looked at the team and remarked at the time we hadn't changed much, if any at all and we were knocked out early in the finals the previous year, at that time I wasn't confident about 2007. This year we have new faces, we have fresh talent and we have natural improvement in some of the very highly rated youngsters, I think we will do well and expect to win.

We have a couple of auto select players out, but that just makes it more interesting and will put pressure on those that are in to stay and they will have to perform to do so.

The bench won't reflect the bench at the beginning of the game.  They never do.

  • Like 3
Posted
2 hours ago, Die Hard Demon said:

The one area the Saints have dominated us in the past is getting numbers around the contest & then smashing us on the spread. This is the area we lacked gut running & pace. I think we've shown in all our JLT matches that we have rectified this. Our MOST talented extractor did not play once against saints last year. Oliver.. who has developed a tank. If he can win 50/50s more often than not, & get the ball out to our new runners in hunt, stretch, hannan & smith. All of a sudden we look like a quick unit who can reverse the trend & beat saints at their own game. I'm not saying we're going to win, but i am saying we could finally have what it takes to beat the saints. Which we have never realistically been in that position. 

If he's an 80% chance to win a 50/50 ball, then in all probability we're between a 50-100% chance to win the game.

take it to the bank.

Posted
2 hours ago, hemingway said:

I reckon its inevitable Clint, given the zone defence. 

Goodwin seems set on an attacking game plan which will result in leaking goals. Will we leak less goals than the Saints? We can only hope.

All I know is that we are not going to win with an uneven contribution. We will need a complete team effort across the entire ground.

We have added pace and grunt. That will help us. I suspect that a few Demons are going to upset a few Saints with their attack on the ball and man.

Still a possible goal shootout in store. .

If that's the case, win or lose, it's going to be a hell of a lot better than watching us play just 4 years ago.

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: #7 Jack Viney

    The tough on baller won his second Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Trophy in a narrow battle with skipper Max Gawn and Alex Neal-Bullen and battled on manfully in the face of a number of injury niggles. Date of Birth: 13 April 1994 Height: 178cm Games MFC 2024: 23 Career Total: 219 Goals MFC 2024: 10 Career Total: 66 Brownlow Medal Votes: 8

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 1

    TRAINING: Wednesday 13th November 2024

    A couple of Demonland Trackwatchers braved the rain and headed down to Gosch's paddock to bring you their observations from the second day of Preseason training for the 1st to 4th Year players. DITCHA'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS I attended some of the training today. Richo spoke to me and said not to believe what is in the media, as we will good this year. Jefferson and Kentfield looked big and strong.  Petty was doing all the training. Adams looked like he was in rehab.  KE

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    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
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!

×
×
  • Create New...