When do the insipid performances stop

[Demonsone 1,956]

5 minutes ago, Lord Travis said:

No excuses for the losses. All teams suffer injuries. The Bulldogs managed to win a flag with bad injuries last year. Until the players are able to put in the required effort without an external motivating factor then we will foreve live in the bottom half of the ladder. It astounds me to these professional footballers can't motivate themselves to put in the effort for two hours a week. We've lost to two bottom 4 sides in 3 weeks now. No team who does that deserves to play finals. The players need to grow up, give a damn, and have some self respect. If I reckoned up to work and didn't do my job half the time, not only would I get sacked, but I'd feel like a guilty money stealing loser.

Agree...But theres only a game between 8th & 15th....Competition is very close & if ur off 5% u lose!

 

[Lord Travis 10,492]

Just now, Hogan2014 said:

Agree...But theres only a game between 8th & 15th....Competition is very close & if ur off 5% u lose!

 

US losing to bottom 4 teams has propped up them up the ladder where they shouldn't be. It shouldn't be that close.

Agree, even if you are 5% off then you can be beaten. The players need to rock up and just try. They have shown they are capable. These losses are down to them not giving required effort. Unacceptable.

I hope the coaches can do somethingto change the players mentality or we'll be stuck in this rut forever.

[Adam The God 29,404]

I reckon we'll click this year. I can't set my watch to it, but I have a feeling it'll involve Max Gawn or even Jake Spencer.

Unfortunately, we have to remember that the majority of these players were not apart of the insipid Melbourne that we've lamented of years gone by. They are still developing the habits needed to bring consistency to their game and this takes time. I know sometimes Demonland provides us all a bit of solace that others are struggling through this plight with us, but sometimes it also breeds needless negativity. 

We had a great win against Adelaide, which showed what we can do. When we click we'll go close to that most weeks. That is a terrific benchmark. Imagine adding Gawn and a slightly more experienced Hogan (in the coming years) to that side.

But short answer to the OP is this year.

Edited May 21, 2017 by A F

[Akum 2,660]

40 minutes ago, A F said:

I reckon we'll click this year. I can't set my watch to it, but I have a feeling it'll involve Max Gawn or even Jake Spencer.

...

I reckon when Max comes back & gets fully fit (i.e. maybe not from his first game back), we'll come storming home and win every game, even against the top teams.

Whether that's enough to reach the finals is another matter.

My fantasy is to sneak in at 8th and play Norf in an elimination final and smash them by a record margin. Don't care what happens after that.

[Bobby McKenzie 2,330]

We are called the DEES simply because we either Delight or Devastate. Love our team, BUT when will we turn the corner and be the team we really want to be.

[Adam The God 29,404]

28 minutes ago, Bobby McKenzie said:

We are called the DEES simply because we either Delight or Devastate. Love our team, BUT when will we turn the corner and be the team we really want to be.

I hate the 'Dees' term. I can hear the disparaging words of non-Melbourne supporters whenever I hear it. I occasionally say it, but I most often go with 'come on, Redlegs'.

I suspect that face-lifted git from TFS also ruined the term for me. What a prat that man is.

[Bobby McKenzie 2,330]

13 minutes ago, A F said:

I hate the 'Dees' term. I can hear the disparaging words of non-Melbourne supporters whenever I hear it. I occasionally say it, but I most often go with 'come on, Redlegs'.

I suspect that face-lifted git from TFS also ruined the term for me. What a prat that man is.

 

Red legs is a very old nickname AF. If you don't like 'Dees' then why not say 'Come on Demons" "Come on the Fuscias' might be going back a bit too far though.

[Adam The God 29,404]

1 hour ago, Bobby McKenzie said:

Red legs is a very old nickname AF. If you don't like 'Dees' then why not say 'Come on Demons" "Come on the Fuscias' might be going back a bit too far though.

That's why I love it. At least there's some sort of pride about that. And I'd rather say 'Come on Melbourne' than 'Come on Demons'. I've always found the Demons moniker to be cheesy. 

[DeeZee 7,296]

We didn't come to play in that first quarter and there's simply no excuse for that.

[Demi Dee 578]

I want to see this:

B: Jetta.  Frost.  Smith

HB: Hunt. TMAC Hibbard 

C Vince. Oliver. Lewis

HF VDB Watts Trac

F Garlett Hogan. Pedo

Foll: Gawn Viney Jones

Int: Salem Tyson Stretch ...

not excusing the games we've lost. But, if we're still making the same mistakes with a full squad, I'd be very surprised. 

Im hoping for for a very strong run home and the experience of no ruck will serve our chop out ruck very well running into the finals. I'm not looking at this as an excuse, on the contrary, we are finding a way to be competitive in difficult circumstances. Infuriating? Yes. Out of the race? No. 

It is an incredibly even competition this year. At full strength, I believe we will stand above. Go Dees. 

[ignition. 1,454]

There are always going to be losses. There will be times we'll perform badly and lose just like there will be times we perform badly and win. Conversely there will be times we'll perform well and get out played to lose and of course times we'll perform well and win.

It doesn't matter how you look at there are always errors in every game. Other options could have been taken and things could have been different. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

I don't think yesterday's game was insipid. In fact it was far from it. Like many of the games I've seen in recent years, particularly grand finals, there were swings in momentum. I like many of you have seen insipid and poor performances over the last few years and that wasn't one of them. To be fair the umpiring was atrocious and we're lacking a quality ruckman and forward (Weideman isn't ready). Many of the skills need to be tidied up, particularly kicking long and to space for easier transitions, but at least we're seeing the players crack in. If we would have got the win yesterday Demonland would be singing praises and people would be yet again talking us up as premiership contenders.

P.S on Weideman people need to lay off him. I would hate to see him become the whipping boy. Yes he is not ready for AFL footy and needs a run at Casey. Keep in mind he's a tall in his second year who generally take longer to develop. He's shown some promising signs to date. He just needs to fill out and transition from a skinny boy to a man.

 

[Nasher 33,607]

Next thread: "when does the hyperbole stop?"

Look, I hate losing too, but you have a ridiculously short memory if you think anything we have delivered this year is "insipid". You turn a lot of people off bothering engaging with you when you use ridiculously over the top language. Get a grip.

[drdrake 3,124]

26 minutes ago, Nasher said:

Next thread: "when does the hyperbole stop?"

Look, I hate losing too, but you have a ridiculously short memory if you think anything we have delivered this year is "insipid". You turn a lot of people off bothering engaging with you when you use ridiculously over the top language. Get a grip.

Really, some of the quality of football we have produced has been complete insipid.  Yesterday our 1st and 3rd quarters completely insipid, our inability to get over them in the last 10 minutes was insipid, we need as supporters stop accepting some of the garbage our players produce, you cant keep going from awesome to crap week to week, quarter to quarter, ability isn't our issue it's mental application and that is extremely hard to accept

[Engorged Onion 10,135]

45 minutes ago, Nasher said:

Next thread: "when does the hyperbole stop?"

Look, I hate losing too, but you have a ridiculously short memory if you think anything we have delivered this year is "insipid". You turn a lot of people off bothering engaging with you when you use ridiculously over the top language. Get a grip.

People have short memories Nasher... all the evidence from whatever relevant KPI, sense, mystic vibe you like to use- we ARE doing better than 2016 (and the decade that preceded it). Even premiership teams make errors. Love the passion - but like anyone in the industry (well, any industry actually) don't let your emotions cloud the accuracy of reality. It's as though the supporters who write this hyperbole think the coaches don't know what they're on about... supporters really need to move away from the notion of instant gratification...a season is a process for gawwwwds sake.

Edited May 22, 2017 by Danelska

[Little Goffy 14,017]

16 hours ago, leave it to deever said:

Your so tough

I was feeling pretty dismal after the loss, it was extremely disappointing. But to see people wailing like they've just waxed their nose hair genuinely helps as a reminder to keep some perspective.

It is also interesting to note just how much of the pain is built on a sudden distorted massive ego ride. "Losing to these hack sides" and so on. Few fans have managed to race well ahead of themselves, which is amazing considering our history. Like a teenager really really really falling in love on the rebound!

14 hours ago, Luther said:

Anyone have examples in recent memory of sides who got agonisingly close in plenty of games but just fell short, and then went onto 'click' the next season and win a flag? I need some reassurance.

Well, in 2015 the Dogs lost 4 (including the Elim Final) by under 10 points. Premiership next year.

Hawthorn in their 'reload' period had a few - 4 losses under ten points, and a draw, in 2010. Result - top 4 finishes for next half decade.

2004, Sydney started their season with a 2 point loss, and from round 3 managed three consecutive losses after being in front, by 12, 10 and 13 points. Troubles returned late in the season, with a 15 point fade-out loss to Geelong in round 16, and then they blew a 7 goal 3/4 time lead over North in round 19, to lose by 6 points. Premiership the next year.

In 2006, Geelong copped three different 1-goal losses and a draw, to miss out on finals. They also blew a 3/4 time lead against Richmond (Richmond!?), kicking no goals to the Tiger's five in the final quarter.

But the real comfort for the suffering is Geelong in early 2007. A 4 point loss to Hawthorn in round 4, and then a 16 point loss to the Kangaroos in round 5, which prompted a big club heart-to-heart honest conversation about not getting ahead of themselves and doing the hard work. They promptly came out and annihilated Richmond by 157 the next week, and lost just one more game for the season. The rest is history.

So, there you go. Even within a single season, if the close losses make a club look at itself and decide what it wants to be, and what it can be, then yes it can be a catalyst for becoming one of the greatest teams ever.

[Engorged Onion 10,135]

5 minutes ago, drdrake said:

Really, some of the quality of football we have produced has been complete insipid.  Yesterday our 1st and 3rd quarters completely insipid, our inability to get over them in the last 10 minutes was insipid, we need as supporters stop accepting some of the garbage our players produce, you cant keep going from awesome to crap week to week, quarter to quarter, ability isn't our issue it's mental application and that is extremely hard to accept

Ok, so you've stopped accepting the garbage.... and this in no way is asking in a condensing way... but now what do you do with that...the players don't know, the coaches don't know... do you burn your membership? Do you vent on Demonland? Do you still turn up to games?.... I guess this is the difference of complete apathy for 10 years vs hope and dreams...

[YesitwasaWin4theAges 6,582]

1 hour ago, Demi Dee said:

I want to see this:

B: Jetta.  Frost.  Smith

HB: Hunt. TMAC Hibbard 

C Vince. Oliver. Lewis

HF VDB Watts Trac

F Garlett Hogan. Pedo

Foll: Gawn Viney Jones

Int: Salem Tyson Stretch ...

not excusing the games we've lost. But, if we're still making the same mistakes with a full squad, I'd be very surprised. 

Im hoping for for a very strong run home and the experience of no ruck will serve our chop out ruck very well running into the finals. I'm not looking at this as an excuse, on the contrary, we are finding a way to be competitive in difficult circumstances. Infuriating? Yes. Out of the race? No. 

It is an incredibly even competition this year. At full strength, I believe we will stand above. Go Dees. 

I'm frustrated like us all, I would love to see this team out on the paddock but we are going to have to wait till round 11 or 12 for this to be a reality. I liken the Carlton match to all the 3 games we have lost by close margins Frem,Haw,NM. We didn't play particularly well but in the last quarter with a healthy ruckman and powerhouse key forward we were able to pull away that is the difference atm excuse or realistic you decide.

[Sir Why You Little 36,667]

The 3rd Q yesterday i would call insipid, considering what was on the line

1.2 we managed. Where are our Leaders during the 1st and 3rd Q's (when the expectation is at it's highest points?

it's a big problem Goodwin has on his hands as head coach. 

I wish him luck....

[YesitwasaWin4theAges 6,582]

5 minutes ago, Little Goffy said:

I was feeling pretty dismal after the loss, it was extremely disappointing. But to see people wailing like they've just waxed their nose hair genuinely helps as a reminder to keep some perspective.

It is also interesting to note just how much of the pain is built on a sudden distorted massive ego ride. "Losing to these hack sides" and so on. Few fans have managed to race well ahead of themselves, which is amazing considering our history. Like a teenager really really really falling in love on the rebound!

Well, in 2015 the Dogs lost 4 (including the Elim Final) by under 10 points. Premiership next year.

Hawthorn in their 'reload' period had a few - 4 losses under ten points, and a draw, in 2010. Result - top 4 finishes for next half decade.

2004, Sydney started their season with a 2 point loss, and from round 3 managed three consecutive losses after being in front, by 12, 10 and 13 points. Troubles returned late in the season, with a 15 point fade-out loss to Geelong in round 16, and then they blew a 7 goal 3/4 time lead over North in round 19, to lose by 6 points. Premiership the next year.

In 2006, Geelong copped three different 1-goal losses and a draw, to miss out on finals. They also blew a 3/4 time lead against Richmond (Richmond!?), kicking no goals to the Tiger's five in the final quarter.

But the real comfort for the suffering is Geelong in early 2007. A 4 point loss to Hawthorn in round 4, and then a 16 point loss to the Kangaroos in round 5, which prompted a big club heart-to-heart honest conversation about not getting ahead of themselves and doing the hard work. They promptly came out and annihilated Richmond by 157 the next week, and lost just one more game for the season. The rest is history.

So, there you go. Even within a single season, if the close losses make a club look at itself and decide what it wants to be, and what it can be, then yes it can be a catalyst for becoming one of the greatest teams ever.

Great post.

[Little Richard 6,216]

12 minutes ago, Little Goffy said:

I was feeling pretty dismal after the loss, it was extremely disappointing. But to see people wailing like they've just waxed their nose hair genuinely helps as a reminder to keep some perspective.

It is also interesting to note just how much of the pain is built on a sudden distorted massive ego ride. "Losing to these hack sides" and so on. Few fans have managed to race well ahead of themselves, which is amazing considering our history. Like a teenager really really really falling in love on the rebound!

Well, in 2015 the Dogs lost 4 (including the Elim Final) by under 10 points. Premiership next year.

Hawthorn in their 'reload' period had a few - 4 losses under ten points, and a draw, in 2010. Result - top 4 finishes for next half decade.

2004, Sydney started their season with a 2 point loss, and from round 3 managed three consecutive losses after being in front, by 12, 10 and 13 points. Troubles returned late in the season, with a 15 point fade-out loss to Geelong in round 16, and then they blew a 7 goal 3/4 time lead over North in round 19, to lose by 6 points. Premiership the next year.

In 2006, Geelong copped three different 1-goal losses and a draw, to miss out on finals. They also blew a 3/4 time lead against Richmond (Richmond!?), kicking no goals to the Tiger's five in the final quarter.

But the real comfort for the suffering is Geelong in early 2007. A 4 point loss to Hawthorn in round 4, and then a 16 point loss to the Kangaroos in round 5, which prompted a big club heart-to-heart honest conversation about not getting ahead of themselves and doing the hard work. They promptly came out and annihilated Richmond by 157 the next week, and lost just one more game for the season. The rest is history.

So, there you go. Even within a single season, if the close losses make a club look at itself and decide what it wants to be, and what it can be, then yes it can be a catalyst for becoming one of the greatest teams ever.

Great stuff Little Goffy, thanks for that. You've restored my optimism which is no mean feat.

[KysaiahMessiah 725]

18 hours ago, ding said:

. Excuse

. Excuse

. Excuse

.Correct but still an excuse

. Irrelevant

 

 

You seem to misunderstand excuse v explained reason. Taking out the No 1 ruckman, and a big bodied key forward, and saying these are merely excuses for losing, as opposed to reasons why, is ludicrous.  Personnel MATTERS.  

I do think we could have won yesterday, but there are multiple reasons why we didnt, and missing key players is certainly one of them. The season is very even and on any given day almost any team can beat another, so personnel available is even more relevant.

[ignition. 1,454]

12 hours ago, A F said:

I hate the 'Dees' term. I can hear the disparaging words of non-Melbourne supporters whenever I hear it. I occasionally say it, but I most often go with 'come on, Redlegs'.

I suspect that face-lifted git from TFS also ruined the term for me. What a prat that man is.

1

If I ever hear that at a game, that person will now be asked "Adam Farr....? (with one raised eyebrow)"

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

1 hour ago, Nasher said:

Next thread: "when does the hyperbole stop?"

Look, I hate losing too, but you have a ridiculously short memory if you think anything we have delivered this year is "insipid". You turn a lot of people off bothering engaging with you when you use ridiculously over the top language. Get a grip.

This.

We have a percentage of over 100 still, our biggest loss was 32 points and we've been in a winning position in every game without a recognised ruckman or key forward.

[Adam The God 29,404]

1 hour ago, Little Goffy said:

Well, in 2015 the Dogs lost 4 (including the Elim Final) by under 10 points. Premiership next year.

Hawthorn in their 'reload' period had a few - 4 losses under ten points, and a draw, in 2010. Result - top 4 finishes for next half decade.

2004, Sydney started their season with a 2 point loss, and from round 3 managed three consecutive losses after being in front, by 12, 10 and 13 points. Troubles returned late in the season, with a 15 point fade-out loss to Geelong in round 16, and then they blew a 7 goal 3/4 time lead over North in round 19, to lose by 6 points. Premiership the next year.

In 2006, Geelong copped three different 1-goal losses and a draw, to miss out on finals. They also blew a 3/4 time lead against Richmond (Richmond!?), kicking no goals to the Tiger's five in the final quarter.

But the real comfort for the suffering is Geelong in early 2007. A 4 point loss to Hawthorn in round 4, and then a 16 point loss to the Kangaroos in round 5, which prompted a big club heart-to-heart honest conversation about not getting ahead of themselves and doing the hard work. They promptly came out and annihilated Richmond by 157 the next week, and lost just one more game for the season. The rest is history.

So, there you go. Even within a single season, if the close losses make a club look at itself and decide what it wants to be, and what it can be, then yes it can be a catalyst for becoming one of the greatest teams ever.

Can we pin this to the top of every forum on Demonland please, Nash?  

[bandicoot 1,395]

19 hours ago, Goffer said:

Enough is enough, we're playing a team who were universally considered  to be behind us and we are getting well beaten on our 'home' patch. When does this end and when will we win a game we're favourites in?

Gawn makes us a 3 goal better side. Spencer a 2 goal better side.

Hogan a 2 goal better side. 

That's the difference. 

Until we get a ruckman we will struggle to win. Can't keep losing hit outs 70/30 and expect to win. 

In addition our full forward is a 19yo developing player that is only in the side because we don't have a ruck and a full forward. 

If injuries are minimal in the second half of the season I expect us to come home with a bang. 

I expect us to win 8 from last 11 games and make finals football.