Jump to content


Recommended Posts

Posted

Jake Niall is petty spot on with his assessment. Hibberd & Hunt give us elite half backs. Lever is an elite intercept mark. Oliver, Tyson, Viney & Jones are all fantastic inside mids. Petracca gives us forward X factor. Hogan & Mcdonald are solid key talls. 

I think the missing piece is really that outside runner, which is why I think we should be going after Gaff at the end of this year.

  • Like 10

Posted

I agree. In my opinion, the journalists, opposition supporters and, indeed, many of our own supporters who are playing down our top 4 prospects are probably heavily influenced by their perceptions of a different MFC, namely the Melbourne of old.

This playing group, this coaching group, is not.

Objectively, we have a super well balanced list in terms of experience and ability, we have a very good coaching group, and I think, injuries permitting, we’ll be in the mix year. Big time.

 

  • Like 4
Posted

"If they weren't called Melbourne, we'd all believe"

It's hard to argue with that.  His assessment is excellent though, and does put into perspective the list we are building.  If we can get over the mental hurdle of making the finals then the sky is the limit for this team.

  • Like 9

Posted
1 minute ago, Ron Burgundy said:

 

This playing group, this coaching group, is not.

 

It's pretty well the same team as that which played Round 23 and let's not forget they didn't exactly cover themselves with glory against the lowly Bears the week or so earlier.

Ask me at the bye how we are doing and hopefully I will agree with you.

Remind me by the way of the season .... I think it was 2008 or thereabouts under Bailey where we were glowingly reviewed as the next best thing. Lost badly to Brisbane in the first round and it was all downhill thereafter.

Hate to echo SWYL but this team has a lot of proving to do before it gains the confidence of its supporter base let alone the general public.

  • Like 1
  • Haha 1
Posted
3 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

It's pretty well the same team as that which played Round 23 and let's not forget they didn't exactly cover themselves with glory against the lowly Bears the week or so earlier.

There are a few things that have changed since then:

Jesse Hogan is back to full fitness and he has put a horror year behind him.  Even if he doesn't play Round 1, Viney is over his foot issues and he's ready to go.  We've added Jake Lever to our backline, which has allowed us to now fully release Tom McDonald to play as a permanent forward.  Our kids have all got another pre-season under their belt and the pain of Round 23 will spur them on.

They are just a few examples, but while they are the same names on paper, I do believe it will be a different side, both mentally and physically, lining up for us in Round 1.

  • Like 12

Posted
5 minutes ago, Salems Lot said:

"if they weren't called Melbourne we would probably believe....." sigh.

It does take time to change perceptions doesn’t it. I still don’t rate Richmond that highly and are confident of rolling them on Anzac Eve and they’ve just won the flag!

  • Like 7
Posted
9 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

It's pretty well the same team as that which played Round 23 and let's not forget they didn't exactly cover themselves with glory against the lowly Bears the week or so earlier.

Ask me at the bye how we are doing and hopefully I will agree with you.

Remind me by the way of the season .... I think it was 2008 or thereabouts under Bailey where we were glowingly reviewed as the next best thing. Lost badly to Brisbane in the first round and it was all downhill thereafter.

Hate to echo SWYL but this team has a lot of proving to do before it gains the confidence of its supporter base let alone the general public.

“Agree to disagree.” 

Wiseblood beat me to my substantive reply.

Round 23 was obviously a disaster, but I now see it as a positive for this group: it was perhaps the loss we needed to have.

 

  • Like 2

Posted

On paper we can at least match it with any team in the AFL.  Only time will tell if we can do that consistently on the park, but I'm very confident that we will.  I read The Age writers predictions out of interest, but I prefer to stick with mine.

  • Like 1
Posted
35 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

It's pretty well the same team as that which played Round 23 and let's not forget they didn't exactly cover themselves with glory against the lowly Bears the week or so earlier.

Ask me at the bye how we are doing and hopefully I will agree with you.

Remind me by the way of the season .... I think it was 2008 or thereabouts under Bailey where we were glowingly reviewed as the next best thing. Lost badly to Brisbane in the first round and it was all downhill thereafter.

Hate to echo SWYL but this team has a lot of proving to do before it gains the confidence of its supporter base let alone the general public.

The same team means little. The same team that lost to Geelong heavily at the end of 2016 were responsible for great leaps last year. The same team will be responsible for great leaps this year.

It's all down to natural development and the evolution of our game style.

To my mind, the bolded part is not a strong argument.

  • Like 2
Posted

The game against Brisbane hurt us more than the Collingwood game in my view.  Lions had nothing to play for, we were 6 goals up early in the last quarter, and limped over the line by 7 points or whatever it was.  That was the game that cost us percentage.

Collingwood were always going to come at us hard, that's just who they are.  They had the chance to end our season, and did just that (with a combination of our own doings too).

I will assess where we are at for 2018 after Round 3.  Two games there that we should win, and another against a false flag favourite.  We start the year 3-0 and I will believe that Top 4 is ours to lose.  Get to 2-1 (losing to Geelong), and I think we will make the bottom part of the Top 8.  Lose one of North or Brisbane, I will be back on the phone to my psych, cancelling my Dan Murphy's account, and will be looking forward to holidays in early September.

Yes, it's a long season, but the first 3 games will show which Melbourne we are. 

  • Like 2
Posted
46 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

There are a few things that have changed since then:

Jesse Hogan is back to full fitness and he has put a horror year behind him.  Even if he doesn't play Round 1, Viney is over his foot issues and he's ready to go.  We've added Jake Lever to our backline, which has allowed us to now fully release Tom McDonald to play as a permanent forward.  Our kids have all got another pre-season under their belt and the pain of Round 23 will spur them on.

They are just a few examples, but while they are the same names on paper, I do believe it will be a different side, both mentally and physically, lining up for us in Round 1.

Also a key change WB is the message sent by Goodwin to the whole list when he dumped Watts - he is emphasising and standing behind standards over talent. 

Hopefully this mindset improves our first quarter performances this year, this in particular was a real concern last year.

  • Like 5
Posted (edited)

Oh what difference a strong pre-season doth make...

Sorry if I've heard that before

Most of the players in Round 23 had been back for 4-6 weeks ... about the same as a pre-season

Just saying the jury is quite rightly out on this team and its coach.

Had we made finals last year we would probably have another 5,000 members at this time... we would probably have had a better draw from a FTA exposure viewpoint.

By the way for a club struggling like we are, merely making the 8 is not a great thing in an 18 team competition. Time says we have to hit it lucky some time. Success is needed at a high level over a sustained period.

PS... and of course we had a great game against Carlton in 2016 when the future was on the line.

Edited by Diamond_Jim

Posted
40 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Oh what difference a strong pre-season doth make...

Sorry if I've heard that before

Most of the players in Round 23 had been back for 4-6 weeks ... about the same as a pre-season

Just saying the jury is quite rightly out on this team and its coach.

Had we made finals last year we would probably have another 5,000 members at this time... we would probably have had a better draw from a FTA exposure viewpoint.

By the way for a club struggling like we are, merely making the 8 is not a great thing in an 18 team competition. Time says we have to hit it lucky some time. Success is needed at a high level over a sustained period.

PS... and of course we had a great game against Carlton in 2016 when the future was on the line.

Careful DJ you can’t be too negative around here, even though your just quoting facts

Wiseblood will be upset now....

  • Haha 1
Posted
3 hours ago, Is Dom Is Good said:

Jake Niall is petty spot on with his assessment. Hibberd & Hunt give us elite half backs. Lever is an elite intercept mark. Oliver, Tyson, Viney & Jones are all fantastic inside mids. Petracca gives us forward X factor. Hogan & Mcdonald are solid key talls. 

I think the missing piece is really that outside runner, which is why I think we should be going after Gaff at the end of this year.

ANB could be tweaked - not much needed - to be that outside mid, as could Spargo. They do not have to be absolutely elite, simply competent and capable of ongoing learning in that role. 

  • Like 1
Posted
8 minutes ago, Deemania since 56 said:

ANB could be tweaked - not much needed - to be that outside mid, as could Spargo. They do not have to be absolutely elite, simply competent and capable of ongoing learning in that role. 

ANB doesn't quite have the pace that you'd want in that role, although his running capacity is an asset. Spargo maybe. Hunt?

It's great to see that our greatest weakness last year was the lack of a decent intercept defender, and we have now addressed that in the absolute best possible way.

  • Like 1

Posted
3 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Oh what difference a strong pre-season doth make...

Sorry if I've heard that before

Most of the players in Round 23 had been back for 4-6 weeks ... about the same as a pre-season

Just saying the jury is quite rightly out on this team and its coach.

Had we made finals last year we would probably have another 5,000 members at this time... we would probably have had a better draw from a FTA exposure viewpoint.

By the way for a club struggling like we are, merely making the 8 is not a great thing in an 18 team competition. Time says we have to hit it lucky some time. Success is needed at a high level over a sustained period.

PS... and of course we had a great game against Carlton in 2016 when the future was on the line.

Just with the bolded part, Jim - I agree.  I agree that the jury is out on the team,. especially with our finish to 2017.  It's up to them to make sure we learn from it, build from it and never let it happen again.

The part I was disagreeing with you on was more that we won't see exactly the same 22 come Round 1.  We've got players who are coming back from injury, who are fitter than last year and, hopefully, much mentally stronger than how we finished off the season.  It will make a heck of a difference for us and ensures that we are going in with close to the same team in name only.  So much has happened since then, much of which they will have learned from in a big way.

Posted
2 hours ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Careful DJ you can’t be too negative around here, even though your just quoting facts

Wiseblood will be upset now....

Not at all my old pal.  I'm happy to give reasoned responses to those who give them as well.  I take umbrage to those who offer nothing more than shallow, out of date and thoughtless observations that they repeat ad nauseum.

You work out which category you fall in.  Good luck.

  • Like 1

Posted
13 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

Not at all my old pal.  I'm happy to give reasoned responses to those who give them as well.  I take umbrage to those who offer nothing more than shallow, out of date and thoughtless observations that they repeat ad nauseum.

You work out which category you fall in.  Good luck.

You take umbrage??

Haha that takes the cake

”let’s all do it my way or else...”

Tickets on yourself....

Posted
1 minute ago, Sir Why You Little said:

You take umbrage??

Haha that takes the cake

”let’s all do it my way or else...”

Tickets on yourself....

Hard to determine what you mean, Wiseblood. A static thought can be a very useful tool upon which to ponder for the ongoing edification of the intellect, perspective and many other positivisms, including tolerance of others. Glad that you are working on it - and good luck.

Posted
7 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

You take umbrage??

Haha that takes the cake

”let’s all do it my way or else...”

Tickets on yourself....

The concert is sold out.

Posted

Year after year we peak early and run out of steam in the latter part of the season. Last year, the team was physically and mentally destroyed by season end. 

No point starting the race in a sprint when we are running a marathon.

This year, we have an improved list and better depth.  Hopefully, the coaching staff and players know what is needed this season.

In particular, the importance of "peaking" at season end.

The GF is our Olympics. 

 

  • Like 6
Posted
22 minutes ago, hemingway said:

Year after year we peak early and run out of steam in the latter part of the season. Last year, the team was physically and mentally destroyed by season end. 

No point starting the race in a sprint when we are running a marathon.

This year, we have an improved list and better depth.  Hopefully, the coaching staff and players know what is needed this season.

In particular, the importance of "peaking" at season end.

The GF is our Olympics. 

 

Injuries killed us last year Ernest. That was the main problem three less injuries in the last game,  we win and play finals.

  • Like 1

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  

    TRAINING: Friday 22nd November 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers were out in force on a scorching morning out at Gosch's Paddock for the final session before the whole squad reunites for the Preseason Training Camp. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS It’s going to be a scorcher today but I’m in the shade at Gosch’s Paddock ready to bring you some observations from the final session before the Preseason Training Camp next week.  Salem, Fritsch & Campbell are already on the track. Still no number on Campbell’s

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports 3

    UP IN LIGHTS by Whispering Jack

    Those who watched the 2024 Marsh AFL National Championships closely this year would not be particularly surprised that Melbourne selected Victoria Country pair Harvey Langford and Xavier Lindsay on the first night of the AFL National Draft. The two left-footed midfielders are as different as chalk and cheese but they had similar impacts in their Coates Talent League teams and in the National Championships in 2024. Their interstate side was edged out at the very end of the tournament for tea

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Special Features

    TRAINING: Wednesday 20th November 2024

    It’s a beautiful cool morning down at Gosch’s Paddock and I’ve arrived early to bring you my observations from today’s session. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Reigning Keith Bluey Truscott champion Jack Viney is the first one out on the track.  Jack’s wearing the red version of the new training guernsey which is the only version available for sale at the Demon Shop. TRAINING: Viney, Clarry, Lever, TMac, Rivers, Petty, McVee, Bowey, JVR, Hore, Tom Campbell (in tr

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    TRAINING: Monday 18th November 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers ventured down to Gosch's Paddock for the final week of training for the 1st to 4th Years until they are joined by the rest of the senior squad for Preseason Training Camp in Mansfield next week. WAYNE RUSSELL'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS No Ollie, Chin, Riv today, but Rick & Spargs turned up and McDonald was there in casual attire. Seston, and Howes did a lot of boundary running, and Tom Campbell continued his work with individual trainer in non-MFC

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    2024 Player Reviews: #11 Max Gawn

    Champion ruckman and brilliant leader, Max Gawn earned his seventh All-Australian team blazer and constantly held the team up on his shoulders in what was truly a difficult season for the Demons. Date of Birth: 30 December 1991 Height: 209cm Games MFC 2024: 21 Career Total: 224 Goals MFC 2024: 11 Career Total: 109 Brownlow Medal Votes: 13 Melbourne Football Club: 2nd Best & Fairest: 405 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 12

    2024 Player Reviews: #36 Kysaiah Pickett

    The Demons’ aggressive small forward who kicks goals and defends the Demons’ ball in the forward arc. When he’s on song, he’s unstoppable but he did blot his copybook with a three week suspension in the final round. Date of Birth: 2 June 2001 Height: 171cm Games MFC 2024: 21 Career Total: 106 Goals MFC 2024: 36 Career Total: 161 Brownlow Medal Votes: 3 Melbourne Football Club: 4th Best & Fairest: 369 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 5

    TRAINING: Friday 15th November 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers took advantage of the beautiful sunshine to head down to Gosch's Paddock and witness the return of Clayton Oliver to club for his first session in the lead up to the 2025 season. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Clarry in the house!! Training: JVR, McVee, Windsor, Tholstrup, Woey, Brown, Petty, Adams, Chandler, Turner, Bowey, Seston, Kentfield, Laurie, Sparrow, Viney, Rivers, Jefferson, Hore, Howes, Verrall, AMW, Clarry Tom Campbell is here

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    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 3

    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
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!
×
×
  • Create New...