DEMON BATTLES by George on the Outer

Posted April 25, 20178 yr

While there really should never be any comparisons between what happens in a football match and what soldiers have to endure in battle, the Melbourne team at the end of their ANZAC Day eve match against the Tigers looked very much like they had just been through the wars.

Before the half-time break, the Demons had lost their replacement ruck in Jake Spencer to a shoulder injury, forward Tim Smith to a rib injury and then had Christian Petracca and co-captain Jack Viney sidelined for long periods with what were reported as knee complaints.

Yet despite these setbacks, Melbourne outplayed Richmond in all facets of the game to lead by 20 points at ¾ time. With only two bench rotations but effectively none because Petracca and Viney had to be parked away from the action, it was inevitable that the Demons would eventually run out of steam. They held on until the last few minutes but were exhausted and fell by 13 points.

Many would only look at the scoreline and the final quarter capitulation to criticise the Demons. After all, they had only two (both of them points) of the last 15 scoring shots.

However, when you have to conscript Jack Watts yet again, to ruck for virtually the whole game, this instantly leaves you with one less capable player in the forward line but with Tim Smith also gone, Jesse Hogan playing his first game in three weeks was left as the solitary forward target. And the coach probably would have like to put him in the middle, as he has done before, to get his hands on the ball, but that would have left him with absolutely nothing up front. Small wonder the Demons could only manage 4 goals after ½ time and none in the final term.

Without the opportunity for reasonable interchange rotations, the mids just stopped being able to get to contests or cover the Richmond on-ball team in the latter stages of the match. There were numerous occasions in that critical last quarter when the ball just popped outside to see the likes of Cotchin and Martin alone and with free movement. It hadn’t happened previously. but the Demon legs were just shot.

While the battle was lost there were plenty of small victories. Clayton Oliver was magnificent again with 32 touches, and we need to keep reminding ourselves that he is only 19 and has played less than 20 games. Jayden Hunt set the ground alight multiple times, and is also brave beyond his slightly built frame. Michael Hibberd was a rock in defence, and with a left foot that is like a missile when used. In this, his first game for the Demons he racked up 27 touches and will provide that long term stability down back that has been missing for too long.

The loss puts Melbourne in a difficult position now. The season is in dire risk of slipping away. The injuries to the two ruckmen in Gawn and Spencer are devastating, not only because of the lack of drive that comes from the middle, but the imbalance that it causes across the rest of the side.

The ANZACS faced such horrors, bloodshed and conditions that were indescribable to those that weren’t there. It is for their heroism and sacrifice in battle that we remember them on this day.

We have lost this battle, another that was within the grasp of victory. How the team can regroup to face up again next week, and whether they can make a stand to keep the ultimate objectives in focus remains to be seen.

The new coach is facing conditions that he probably never expected. Can he marshall his troops? Can he find the troops to fill the gaps now appearing in his list? Can he find a way where there may not be one that is obvious?

The Demons are now, without a doubt a competitive unit. That is what we fans have longed for. What is needed in the coming weeks are positive results, when the resources are at their lowest.

Losing battles happens, we cannot lose the war.

Melbourne 3.4.22 7.6.48 11.7.73 11.9.75

Richmond 3.1.19 6.6.42 7.11.53 12.16.88

Goals

Melbourne Hogan 3 Garlett 2, Hibberd, Hunt T McDonald, Petracca, Salem Watts

Richmond Riewoldt 6 Butler Caddy Castagna, Grigg Martin Rioli

Best

Richmond Riewoldt Nankervis Martin Houli Grigg Caddy Cotchin

Melbourne Oliver Hibberd Hunt Watts Jones Frost Petracca

Changes

Melbourne Nil

Richmond Nil