SENIOR MOMENTS by George on the Outer

 

For the second week in a row, the Demons weren’t beaten by the opposition: they gave the game away and now sit at 2-2 for the 2017 season.  Last week it was inaccurate kicking, this week simply a complete lack of football nous.  These are the scenario’s that require leadership and calmness under pressure, but when called upon, Melbourne's senior players were the culprits rather than what could be expected from a young developing side.

 

Bernie Vince in the last three minutes was a serial offender.  Dinky kicks that didn’t manage to hit targets, uncontrolled Hail Mary bombs into the forward line when a cool head was required, standing too far from an opponent and then defending grass out the back when the game required all hands on deck at the ball.  

 

These can be expected from a rookie, not someone of his experience.  The real danger for him is that with the return of Hibbert and Lewis, two dependable characters under pressure, that he will be exited from the senior side.

 

The Melbourne fans have every right to feel aggrieved after a last quarter comeback finally saw them in front.  That they should have never been behind in the first place is a serious question to be asked of the coaching and selection panel.  A half-time lead of 21 points was turned into a 22 point deficit at 3/4 time as the Demons failed to score a major for that period.  That the Dockers had scored 5 of their 6 goals to half-time from Melbourne turnovers, meant something needed to be changed. 

 

Melbourne were simply too cute and overusing the ball, particularly in the middle.  Possessions are hard to get in that space yet we continue to favour a handball over a kick.  Despite 28 touches Dom Tyson was simply ineffective with those possessions.  He fails to scan the field when he has the ball in his hands as he always turns in the one direction.  Does he not think the opposition know that?  With 28 touches, more than three clearances and seven contested possessions is necessary, yet this is all he gave. 

 

Contrast that with Clarrie Oliver who with 26 touches had 10 clearances and 17 contested possessions.  Not bad for a 19 year old. 

 

Jake Spencer performed admirably in the absence of Max Gawn. Taking on the biggest ruckman in the league he held his own and kicked a couple of goals to boot.  We weren’t missing anything in the ruck contests, and if he keeps this up, he may find a more permanent role upon Gawn's return.

 

Jayden Hunt and Christian Petracca tried their hearts out, turning the game back into a contest, and then eventually getting the Demons nose in front.  It was these young players who hadn’t given up and Petracca with a couple of bombs showed others what responsibility really is in these situations.

 

Up forward Jack Watts was a solitary standout target, although Jeff Garlett played his role to perfection crumbing, leading and harassing to finish with three goals of his own.  Sadly, once again Sam Weideman was way, way out of his depth, and ran around in pointless circles for most of the match.  A bandage on his knee appeared at half- time, so combined with only 5 touches for the match, he will surely be confined to Casey or the rehab group next week.

 

While the official reports listed no injuries, Nathan Jones took a heavy head knock and his 18 touches was well below his par.  Jack Viney is likewise well down from his best with 16 touches, and isn’t spending as much time in the middle as could be expected.  There must be a reason which, we the fans are not told about.

 

They say that good teams win games like this, so on that basis Melbourne aren’t good enough.  Our wins have hardly been convincing as well, and we could have easily been 0-4.  Yet we will be middle of the pack at the end of this round, with the task of wanting to be really serious or just giving it away.

 

 It is true that in previous years, a Melbourne side would have not got themselves back into the game from that ¾ time position, so they are doing something right. 

 

Trouble is that they are doing too much wrong, and off-setting all the fine work being done by our young players.  

 

The Demons certainly don’t need any more "senior" moments in coming weeks.

Melbourne 2.5.17 9.7.61 9.10.64 15.14.104

Fremantle 3.2.20 6.4.40 13.8.86 16.10.106

Goals

Melbourne Garlett 3 Harmes Petracca Spencer Watts 2 Kent Neal-Bullen Salem Viney

Fremantle Neale 4 Mundy 3 McCarthy 2 Balic Crozier Fyfe Grey S Hill Kersten Walters

Best 

Melbourne Oliver Petracca Garlett Watts Hunt Spencer

Fremantle Mundy Sandilands Fyfe Weller Neale S Hill

Changes

Melbourne Nil

Fremantle Nil

Injuries 

Melbourne Nil

Fremantle S Hill (corked thigh) Langdon (migraine)

Reports

Melbourne Nil

Fremantle Nil

Umpires Stevic Harris Mitchell 

Official crowd 27829 at the MCG

Fffffffuuuuuucccccckkkjjkmjgfdfhtsfjhdssolphbvddh

Out: Weiderman

Book your September holidays 

Cant beat a rebuilding Freo at the MCG.. forget finals, its not happening.

Just now, Rafiki said:

Out: Weiderman

Yep. Add Melksham and Hannan to that list at the least.

 

Have really wasted what could have been a ripping start to the season. No game looks like an easy win now.

Still too many poor decision makers who, when the pressure is really on, make poor choices or execute their skills poorly.

Typical consistent performance by Melbourne over a [censored] side at home.

Edited April 15, 20178 yr by america de cali

Poor decision to stop Smith and keep the Weeds in. He not only missed a sitter 15m out but he also did the turn over to give Freo there winning goal. 

 

We need to stop gifting games to under performing players. Even Trenners sitting in the goal square would've been more effective.

Can't win when we play football for two quarters and circular handball practice for the other two. 

Well, I hope Hogan, Lewis and Gawn's hamstring are happy.

Last week i was gutted but loved the effort.

This week i'm absolutely filthy by the contempt our coaches and player's showed for an entire quarter. Should not have even been in the position we were in at 3/4 time. 8 goals in a row ffs, with absolutely no changes in tactics or effort on the field.

Not happy

Edited April 15, 20178 yr by Demon Disciple

Yet another opportunity lost

Yet another [censored] up

We don't know the reason Smith was dropped but Weids need time down at Casey.

5 minutes ago, Demon Disciple said:

Last week i was gutted but loved the effort.

This week i'm absolutely filthy by the contempt our coaches and player's showed for an entire quarter.

Not happy

100%

No leadership. Again. 

Senior players gave us nothing today except Watts who was pretty exceptional. 

It's a real shame when with 3 minutes to go, game in the balance, you have Hannan and Salem and Oliver in the square.

meh

It's moments like these that make me grateful I don't know any Freo supporters.

Goodie without the best ruckman in the game at his disposal is running 0-2

Weideman has to be dropped off the back of 2 poor weeks in a row. Needs to spend the rest of the year at Casey unless he's absolutely banging the door down

Bernie Vince needs to have a good look at himself too. Too many rubbish efforts, trying to be too cute and just bombing away without looking.

1 minute ago, Forest Demon said:

Well, I hope Hogan, Lewis and Gawn's hamstring are happy.

Hogan is probably singing the Freo song with his mates back over in Perth.

I posted this in August last year and unfortunately I think I was on the money.

2015. This one has me the most nervous. Oliver a fantastic pick but Weideman has me worried (not just based on his 2 games), more his playing style and the way footy is being played. Has a lack of agility, ability to get involved in the game without marking and poor - average field kicking along with some of the worst defensive efforts I have seen. This was clearly the biggest risk he has taken at the draft so it will be interesting to see how it pans out. Hullett is looking promising from all reports but have barely seen him.

 

TMac very costly today, numerous times made good position to come in and intercept but let the ball out the back or dropped easy marks.

Melksham is horrific and has the composure of a vfl player, just hacks it.

Tyson gave nothing despite his stats.

Harmes can be great and terrible.

 

 

If we cannot win these games in the first half of the season when our draw is favorable, we are certainly going to get torn a new one in the second half of the season

Pederson should come in. Lacked a big target. I know he might not be long term but would have helped anchor the forward line today and freed up watts to a extent. But definite thumbs up to pencil. 

I am concerned about Simon goodwins coaching.