“We understand it’s round one and it’s not a final or Grand Final, so we enjoy the win for an hour or two, but then we review the game like we always do and we try to keep that neutral emotion throughout the week.

“We understand we’ve got a game next week and it’s nice to beat St Kilda, because we haven’t beaten them for a long time, but it’s just another win.”

Great mindset from Jordan Lewis. He isn't just killing it on the field, this kind of professional attitude is something we've been lacking for a long time. And all he cost us was a packet of chips. Thanks Hawthorn.

19 hours ago, A F said:

C Ol arly is a freak. As soon as he lifted in the second, the entire midfield lifted. Eventually, St Kilda, who had tagged Viney for the first half, were faced by a rampant Jones, Oliver and Lewis. This eventually freed Viney up and he worked himself into the second half pleasingly.

Jones played a real captain's game. One of his best games for the club IMO. Gut running both ways. He was everywhere. Made some errors, but more than made up for them with his impact on the game.

Here's my big call though. As I mentioned in a post the other day, Watts' ruck work in the second quarter turned the game. Max then had the momentum and changed his tapework to keep his taps within a 5 metre radius. This worked a trick. St Kilda players couldn't get separation and then we outnumbered them at the stoppages.

Hannan was really impressive in his first game. Kudos to the MC. What a selection. Everyone played their role and how good was Nev Jetta?

Hope Smith is okay.

An unexpected win, but extremely satisfying. Go you mighty red legs!!

A F that's an excellent summary and particularly the part re Watts in the ruck for approx 5 to 10 min in the 2nd. He kept or neutralised the tap outs and with the ball falling in 'our' preferred radius we were able to get first use and finally started getting some clearances out of the middle. Big Maxy then followed suit and we took control from there.

Mind you i really thought we were gone late in first. Still shaking off the battle scars of many decades past I guess, especially at Shitihad

3 hours ago, pinkshark said:

Anyone who has panned Jetta is an idiot and are those fans who really don't know anything.  As simple as that

He got delisted. At that moment he was no good.

Since then he has become a good player.

7 hours ago, brendan said:

I thought jones was brilliant yesterday, I had a few saints supporters behind me and they kept saying WHO THE BLOODY HELL IS NUMBER 2 HE IS KILLING US, Had a good laugh over it 

None of the Saints supporters behind me knew any of their players either. Pretty sad state of affairs when half of your 15 supporters can't even name their own players.

13 minutes ago, A F said:

None of the Saints supporters behind me knew any of their players either. Pretty sad state of affairs when half of your 15 supporters can't even name their own players.

The Melbourne supporters behind me had no clue who half our players were too and merely screamed out 'kick it long' all day, your anecdote about a few supporters representing an entire club proves nothing, I doubt many Melbourne fans could pick out StKilda players. My mother barracks for the Saints and knows all of her own and Melbournes players too. Not interested in this one eyed superiority complex supporter garbage. Every club has dumbell supporters.

Edited March 26, 20178 yr by DominatrixTyson

4 hours ago, AllMyTeamsAreWank said:

Does anyone know what time the replay goes up on the AFL site?

No match replay unless you subscribe to AFL or a Telstra customer now. Just the highlights on AFL website and this .....

http://audioboom.com/posts/5746454-highlights-melbourne-def-st-kilda.mp3?smartclient=1&stitched=0&el=www.3aw.com.au&pl=2&pv=4&uniquifier=673090

Oscar McDonald had a horrid first quarter of football, but from then he ended up playing pretty solidly, breaking even at worst in more often than not in marking contests. This is clearly due to the ability to limit quick inside 50s and our defenders being able to be in the right spots consistently. 

Salem had 10 minutes in the third quarter where he would have had 8-9 kicks at 100% and his kick to Neal-Bullen was ridiculous. 

 

Our ability to spread the footy and use different channels consistently was why we were so dangerous and the ability we had to hold the football while changing lanes. 

After watching the replay the other thing that I enjoyed so much was how well we bullied and banged in around the football consistently. Possessions were consistently earnt by our mids and they continually made the St kilda players earn the footy

Any time a team can get 10+ goal scorers in a game they should win and I hope it's a sign of things to come. 

Brendan McCcartney needs to make o. Mac his sole project for the next couple of weeks otherwise his dropped marks and fumbles will eventually cost us a game

Loved being there yesterday. Etihad actually isnt that bad of a ground. Except it was absolutely stuffy and hot sitting up on level 3 with the roof closed. 

Have no idea what Goodwin said to them at 1/4 time but it was brilliant to watch after that. 

Loved Olivers game and his centre clearance work. 

Lewis is going to be great for us. a good ball user. 

Tommy Mac, still get nervous when he has the ball in his hands but a brilliant spoiler

Nev so impressed with him yesterday

Jeffy, he actually put forward pressure on. Hope he continues to do so. 

Max just killed it after 1/4 time

Hogan just love him

Anyway just rapt and the big thing now is to back up the win against the blues next week. 

1 hour ago, Rusty Nails said:

No match replay unless you subscribe to AFL or a Telstra customer now. Just the highlights on AFL website and this .....

http://audioboom.com/posts/5746454-highlights-melbourne-def-st-kilda.mp3?smartclient=1&stitched=0&el=www.3aw.com.au&pl=2&pv=4&uniquifier=673090

 

 

 

I've paid for their useless app and there's no replay. My brother has access to it, but noy me. God telstra are useless.

Edited March 26, 20178 yr by AllMyTeamsAreWank

23 hours ago, Demonland said:

THE DROUGHT IS OVER by George on the Outer

What does a first game coach do when he finds his team down by four goals at quarter time at a hoodoo ground against a team it hasn't beaten in ten years after losing a backman to a shoulder injury and having an already depleted defence?

Whatever it was that Simon Goodwin did or said at the quarter time break it was a different Melbourne side that came out following that first break. Maybe, it was the superior fitness of the Demons who seemed to have much more run in their legs in the hot, humid conditions inside Etihad Stadium (and why was the roof closed?) or maybe the new coach had learned a wealth of lessons from his mentor in Paul Roos and was now ready and up to the task on his first up assignment?

 

23 hours ago, Demonland said:

"That will give the side a lot of confidence." 

Whatever it was that Goody said it gave the side a lot of confidence!!!!

I expect Lewis is feeling very satisfied with his decision to come to this club.

Ben Matthews deserves a big wrap. We owned the clearances.

 

7 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Not enough love for Billy Stretch. Provided run and was so dam calm with the ball in hand.

A lazy 26 disposals to go with it.

Billy's decision making and for the most part his skills are really promising. His biggest weakness is that turning circle of his. For a guy who's quick, he turns like me (very slowly). It almost got him into trouble a couple of times yesterday.

7 hours ago, grazman said:

I have to disagree Nash.  There was no structural change, but we did change tactics, rather than reacting to the way the Saints were playing we got our hands on the ball, switched constantly back through the corridor (very risky at times, but paid off in spades) and kicked over their thin zone to blokes leading into space.  That's how we put on ten unanswered goals. The commentators were constantly saying how we have now lowered our eyes to pick out our targets.  The biggest tick for me  yesterday was Goodwin, the bloke can coach.  There was no panic, just reinforcing the way we want to play not the way the Saints were forcing us to play in the first quarter.  Not surprisingly it was the experienced players and our leaders that led the charge. 

Also telling for me was Goodwin's presser where he made special mention of how he wants Jack Watts to jump at the ball aerially and he was happy with his performance despite his low numbers. He wants that contest to either mark the ball or bring it to ground for players like Garlett, ANB, Hannan and Kent when he's back in. That is Jack's KPI that he needs to deliver on, be brave in the air (I imagine the second one is to keep his feet in contests).  

I wasn't expecting an arm chair ride from Razor Ray, but fair dinkum how many times do they have to illegally dispose of the ball while being tackled before we were awarded. I didn't notice the drag downs in the marking contest, but the worst display of umpiring yesterday was Gold Coast and Brisbane and Harris Andrew's constant scragging of Tom Lynch that was worse than anything SOS ever did in his day.  How the umpires don't pay free kicks for that stuff is amazing and hopefully it gets looked at during the week.  

Finally I thought Brayshaw and Salem while they went unnoticed were very, very good.  Both were hard at it and provided important outside run.  

He didn't do this enough yesterday. He lost his feet more than usual in fact. I want to see more from his tackling though. Harder and at the hips, rather than the guernsey. 

Half to 3/4 hissed, waiting in Nth Queensland for cyclone Debbie to hit. Must be a good time to watch it again might have to watch it 3 or 4 times over the next 3 or 4 days as long as we have power and conditions don't allow work

Edited March 26, 20178 yr by jako13
Apparently p issed is censored Fark me

Did anyone else notice the Saints ran out with barely 2 minutes til the start of the game? In fact, the game started late by nearly 1 minute because of it. I`ve never seen a team come out thru the banner, do 1 sprint, have a 20 second huddle and then run to their positions. I`m sure it was a ploy to have us rattled, but I wonder if they`ll cop a fine??

3 minutes ago, Hell Bent said:

Did anyone else notice the Saints ran out with barely 2 minutes til the start of the game? In fact, the game started late by nearly 1 minute because of it. I`ve never seen a team come out thru the banner, do 1 sprint, have a 20 second huddle and then run to their positions. I`m sure it was a ploy to have us rattled, but I wonder if they`ll cop a fine??

They did some similar rubbish in their home game against us last year. Something about making the game more exciting by warming up in the rooms, hyping up the crowd, and then once they run out, it is basically time for the toss, run to positions and then the game starts. All overhyped crap for mine, and deserved a massive fine for stuffing around with things that don't matter.

11 hours ago, DemonOX said:

Imo OMac really needs to go back to the seconds and work on his game. 

He has the attributes but needs to get his confidence and skill level up. 

I don't know how he keeps his spot in the seniors. 

 

Who would replace him? Garland, J Smith, Frost & Pedersen all injured.

One other thing I noticed about the game yesterday was our willingness to kick on the opposite foot when it was required.  I know it was a focus over summer, but it was great to see our players use it so well.  Mitch Hannan was a prime example - his kick forward on his non preferred early in the game meant that Garlett had the space to run on and kick the goal, rather than trying to go back on to his left and potentially missing that chance.  That was just one example but there were others during the game as well.

It just adds an extra element to our game that, already, is paying some dividends.

3 hours ago, AllMyTeamsAreWank said:

I've paid for their useless app and there's no replay. My brother has access to it, but noy me. God telstra are useless.

@AllMyTeamsAreWank I have problems with the new version of the app sometimes. I load the app but it displays old data. Try refreshing it (hold screen and pull down for Android).

Edited March 26, 20178 yr by Night Crawler

27 minutes ago, Hell Bent said:

Did anyone else notice the Saints ran out with barely 2 minutes til the start of the game? In fact, the game started late by nearly 1 minute because of it. I`ve never seen a team come out thru the banner, do 1 sprint, have a 20 second huddle and then run to their positions. I`m sure it was a ploy to have us rattled, but I wonder if they`ll cop a fine??

Saints coach addressed it in post game interview. They thought they had 10 more minutes as 4:35 is a very unusual start time. He didn't sound too pleased about the mistake. They stuffed up, it stuffed their preparation and will receive a fine. Nothing sinister in it. Worked out well for us in the end.

1 minute ago, Lord Travis said:

Saints coach addressed it in post game interview. They thought they had 10 more minutes as 4:35 is a very unusual start time. He didn't sound too pleased about the mistake. They stuffed up, it stuffed their preparation and will receive a fine. Nothing sinister in it. Worked out well for us in the end.

 

Glad they acknowledged it, but strange time aside (which I agree with him), surely a club knows what time the match starts?? Think the Swans Port match was the same start time too.

Yeah definitely odd to not get the start time right, as odd as it might have been. They get fined and move on.

Just as perplexing was the horrible marketing campaign by Dare to misspell their own name? Very strange...

I watched the reply today and my god our mids were good around the ball in the 2nd and 3rd quarter. Jones had a ripper game, Oliver was outstanding and Lewis was so calm. Multiple times he got the ball in a pack and everyone around him was moving and instead of bombing it or handballing into more traffic he'd take a step back and assess the options before releasing a perfect short kick to move us forward but also maintain possession and force  the opposition away with a mark. Was brilliant.

We need to tear Carlton a new one next week. I won't be satisfied with just winning, I want percentage and to show we mean business!

11 hours ago, don't make me angry said:

I was confused who u were talking about without using names, anyone who thinks nibber will make way are down right stupid, if he plays like that every week he stays in, he won't make way for anyone unless of form

Rubbish. If Kent or even Tyson are fit, they'll come in.

That Weller player is an odd looking dude. I suspect his parents are also his aunt and uncle!!

On 25/03/2017 at 7:10 PM, Demonland said:

THE DROUGHT IS OVER by George on the Outer

What does a first game coach do when he finds his team down by four goals at quarter time at a hoodoo ground against a team it hasn't beaten in ten years after losing a backman to a shoulder injury and having an already depleted defence?

Whatever it was that Simon Goodwin did or said at the quarter time break it was a different Melbourne side that came out following that first break. Maybe, it was the superior fitness of the Demons who seemed to have much more run in their legs in the hot, humid conditions inside Etihad Stadium (and why was the roof closed?) or maybe the new coach had learned a wealth of lessons from his mentor in Paul Roos and was now ready and up to the task on his first up assignment?

Whatever it was, from the time when the second term began, it was the Demons who controlled the game and the Saints were no longer toying with their young opposition side.

It was either a case of the Saints fluffing their interchanges or the Demons being much smarter but their only true ruck was in Hickey was hardly given a break in the first half.  On the other hand, when Max Gawn went off for a rest and some attention to his back, Jack Watts took him on and remarkably more than held his own.  By half time, Hickey was completely shot, and could barely raise a trot when he finally had to take a breather. That the Saints left Bruce, their backup ruck, sitting on the bench for just as equally long periods was baffling.  

Melbourne took advantage of St Kilda's failings and exploited them in the second quarter with the team stepping up a gear. The four goal deficit was wiped out in just eight minutes, and then the Demons piled on 11 goals to one in the second and third quarters to put the game beyond doubt.  

What was particularly heartening for the Demon faithful were the performances of Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca, Jesse Hogan, Jayden Hunt and newbie Mitch Hannan. Opposition supporters can now be heard mouthing the familiar cry of "where did they get him from?" Importantly, all of these players have not just been selected, but have been developed so that when they get a senior spot, they are ready to go from the start. None more so an example in this match than Hannan, who had the crowd gaping in awe as he scooped a loose ball up one-handed, in front of goal and screwed it back through the big sticks like he was shelling peas!  

Oliver was simply a beast. It took a while to warm up but his output of 36 touches, 9 clearances and 14 contested possessions (75% of game time) is one not normally seen in a 19 year old in his second  year player.  Petracca with 23 touches including 11 contested and his ability to hold his feet in tight situations was something for which the Saints had no answer. Hogan has signaled his arrival for 2017 with three goals and four important contested marks. He is that forward target that the Demons have been looking for since the departure of David Neitz.

But when looking at Hogan's performance, it is too easy to focus on him. There was a reason he was left one on one, and that was the work of Watts and Sam Weideman to drag their respective defenders far away. When the ball moved through the middle, the ball carrier was left with the vision of the best contested mark in the side playing alongside a reject from either Collingwood or Essendon. Again the coaching and development that provides this type of situation can easily go unnoticed.

Down back Neville Jetta was the shining star.  How often is he left one on one with an opponent either taller or stronger, and he still manages to nullify or comprehensively beat them? There is no doubt that he should be one of the first picked each week, so reliable is he. And he even chipped in with a goal of his own this week.

And what about a mention for Max? Those 49 hitouts against a man who beat him twice last year was an emphatic way of saying “I am King ... now get out of my way!" Then there was Jordan Lewis with 32 touches, 9 of them contested for whom can only thank the Hawks for sending him our way.  I should also make mention of Nathan Jones and his 35 touches and the list goes on and on.

This was a game against a team which has finals aspirations. It was always a measure of where the Demons stood against the Saints in terms of their prospects for finals as well. That it was such an emphatic win reminds one of Guru Bob's biblical analogy:

As Moses said when he parted the waters of the Red Sea:

"That will give the side a lot of confidence."

With a home game next week against the struggling Blues, the fans should be looking to end another hoodoo with yet another Good-win.  

Melbourne 2.3.15 9.4.58 15.7.97 18.12.120

St Kilda 6.2.38 7.8.50 9.9.63 13.12.90
  
Goals

Melbourne Garlett Hogan 3 Hannan  Petracca 2 Brayshaw Jetta Jones Neal-Bullen Stretch Vince Watts Weideman 

St Kilda Riewoldt 4 Gresham 3 Armitage Billings Bruce Dunstan Lonie Membrey 

Best

Melbourne Oliver Lewis Gawn Jones Vince Hogan Jetta Garlett 

St Kilda Riewoldt Gresham Billings Steven Steele

Changes 

Melbourne Nil

St Kilda Jack Lonie replaced Paddy McCartin (hamstring tightness) in the selected side 

Injuries

Melbourne Max Gawn (back tightness) Joel Smith (left shoulder)

St Kilda Nick Riewoldt (knee)

Reports

Melbourne Nil 

St Kilda Nil 

Umpires Chamberlain Fleer Ryan

Official crowd 36,249 at Etihad Stadium        

George I've sent tied up all weekend and grabbed the chance this morning to read the match reports in the main sites. This is as good if not better than any of them.