Jump to content

Discussion on recent allegations about the use of illicit drugs in football is forbidden
  • IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING

    Posting unsubstantiated rumours on this website is strictly forbidden.

    Demonland has made the difficult decision to not permit this platform to be used to discuss & debate the off-field issues relating to the Melbourne Football Club including matters currently being litigated between the Club & former Board members, board elections, the issue of illicit drugs in footy, the culture at the club & the personal issues & allegations against some of our players & officials ...

    We do not take these issues & this decision lightly & of course we believe that these serious matters affecting the club we love & are so passionate about are worthy of discussion & debate & I wish we could provide a place where these matters can be discussed in a civil & respectful manner.

    However these discussions unfortunately invariably devolve into areas that may be defamatory, libelous, spread unsubstantiated rumours & can effect the mental health of those involved. Even discussion & debate of known facts or media reports can lead to finger pointing, blame & personal attacks.

    The repercussion is that these discussions can open this website, it’s owners & it’s users to legal action & may result in this website being forced to shutdown.

    Our moderating team are all volunteers & cannot moderate the forum 24/7 & as a consequence problematic content that contravenes our rules & standards may go unnoticed for some time before it can be removed.

    We reserve the right to delete posts that offend against our above policy & indeed, to ban posters who are repeat offenders or who breach our code of conduct.

    WE HAVE BUILT A FANTASTIC ONLINE COMMUNITY AT DEMONLAND OVER THE PAST 23 YEARS & WE WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO BE ABLE TO DISCUSS THE CLUB WE LOVE & ARE SO PASSIONATE ABOUT.

    Thank you for your continued support & understanding. Go Dees.


Filling the hole left by Jake Lever’s injury


PaulRB

Recommended Posts

7 minutes ago, dworship said:

In part, this is why I believe Wagner will be the one to come in.

INVHO he may fill the intercept spoiler rôle but disposal is a concern. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Lots of people advocating for Hibberd to fill Levers role. Personally I don't rate him as a one on one defender in the air. He has greater value to the side running off his opponent to provide rebound/drive and winning the ball in ground level contests. Take that away from our game and we have a lot less attacking drive moving the ball forward. We have no one to replace Hibberd adequately either, Hunt could be that player but right at this moment he isn't based on form.

Frost as a lock down defender has value in One on one contests. The problem is he loses positioning too easily and gets sucked up the ground too often for mine. He also doesn't seem to have awareness, reliable foot skills or footy smarts / game sense. Based on that info it's everything that Lever has got but Frost doesn't. Lever has been able to act as the defensive general, I can't see Frost fulfilling those duties either. Frost could move to Oscars position, but based on his decision making I wouldn't like to see it happen.

That would leave J.Smith, Keilty, Petty and then a big roll of the dice with someone like Weideman. I can't see Weideman playing there without playing that role in the ressies first. Petty is too inexperienced perhaps at this stage and needs more development. Then it's a coin toss of J.Smith and Keilty. 

I really haven't seen much of either Smith or Keilty. Smith was impressive last year before he was injured. He may be able to play Lever's role if he just focuses on keeping things simple, might have to leave the backline general role to Lewis though. Keilty is an interesting one, hasn't banged the door down for selection but has size and relatively dependable with skills and decision making?

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We never had Lever last season and were travelling ok and if it wasn't for our injuries we would have made the Finals no doubt in my mind. However  we can do well and cover Lever firstly with Frosty and maybe with a Joel Smith or Declan kielty. Or does Goodwin have other ideas? Good there be a smoky? We will miss Jake however there might be a making of another on our list.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 hours ago, ProDee said:

You've nailed my views exactly. 

I don't subscribe to the theory that Lever needs to be replaced with a tall.

No disrespect to Frost, Keilty, etc., but I'd be asking the footy astute Hibberd to play the intercept role and bring in Hunt to provide run off half back (assuming he's got his confidence/form back). 

I don't have any faith in the likes of Frost to play the intercept role.  And I don't want him to be a pivotal decision making, which is what's required from Lever's role.

Allowing Hibberd to take up that role doesn't mess too much with our defensive structures and Hibberd plays tall anyway.

Hunt's best footy was always off half back and he got squeezed out of that role with the inclusions of Vince, Lewis and Salem behind the ball.

There may be the odd game where matchups dictate that a Frost comes in, but not too many.

Goody may have an entirely different view to mine, so I'll watch selection with interest.

I'd mostly agree with this, although I've found Hunt slightly suspect one-on-one in the air and he'd certainly be placed in this position playing as third defender. We might be able to get away with it. Not sure if it works all year though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

I believe they have a rule that if you are rendered unconscious it is an automatic sit out for one week.

The 8 day break could come  into play but I doubt it

No Reiwolt proves that's rubbish !

Edited by Micksdemons
Link to comment
Share on other sites

14 minutes ago, A F said:

I'd mostly agree with this, although I've found Hunt slightly suspect one-on-one in the air and he'd certainly be placed in this position playing as third defender. We might be able to get away with it. Not sure if it works all year though.

Yes, it's hard to know what they'll do.

I think it will change through the course of the year as they work out what works best.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites


3 hours ago, binman said:

On the other hand as Drnkn167 points out at 191 cms he's not tall,

Josh Gibson played a similar role at the Hawks for years and he's only 189cm.

They ran good rebound defenders, Josh as the intercept/spoiler and 1 key defender.

Smith could well be the man for the job...

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

He's moved from the forward line to the midfield and done well... Could Fritsch play the role? Did he play back at all at Casey? 

A bit shorter but good overhead. Good disposal and reads the ball well.  Would allow one of our mids or forwards in form to come into the team.  

Otherwise I'd give Pedo a go. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hmm, there are a few problems with some of the suggested replacements. Pedo has been a great servant of the club in his few years, but is pretty much cooked. Frost has the problem of not being good enough. As for Wagner, same problem. I suggest Hibbert as the player to replace Lever, and bring in someone else to take Hibbert's position. Joel Smith, Kielty, Petty or Hunt. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Filth's forwards

HF: DeGoey, Mihocek, Hoskin-Elliott

F: Thomas, Cox, Mayne

The Dees backs

HB: Hibberd, J.Smith, Jetta

B: Lewis, O.McDonald, Vince

J.Smith is only 1 cm shorter than Mihocek.

Smith has to come in Frost has had his chances and Petty and Keilty haven't done enough at VFL level. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 minutes ago, P-man said:

Roos thinks Frost will come in with Hibberd to play the loose intercepting role.

Roos said he hasn't been watching Casey games so he's speculating like everybody else.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

36 minutes ago, WERRIDEE said:

Roos said he hasn't been watching Casey games so he's speculating like everybody else.

In other words, if Frost is in form Roos would bring him in.

Trouble with many of the guys being speculated to fill the role for Lever (Frost, Smith and Keilty) is that none of them are in good enough form to be promoted. The is a massive gulf in quality between the VFL and the AFL, and the fact of the matter is - if you cannot dominate the VFL then you shouldn't get a game in the AFL. It is a shame Pederson most likely won't be available to fill Lever's role this week. I would be looking to promote Billy Stretch and use Bernie Vince as a key defender for a week. We need to be rewarding players who are dominating VFL, and not giving games to players who can't just because they fill a need.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites


4 hours ago, KingDingAling said:

It is a shame Pederson most likely won't be available to fill Lever's role this week.

Pedersen can't fill Lever's role any week.

(And I'm a guy who rates Pedo reasonable highly; enough to think there's no question he's better value ATM than Weid, anyway).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, P-man said:

Roos thinks Frost will come in with Hibberd to play the loose intercepting role.

He's probably right. Frost v Hunt for the rebound position. Both quick, poor kicks and poor decision makers. But at least Frost has the versatility of height. Hunt doesn't.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


I still think it will be Wagner. It seems like the coaching staff have more trust in him then Frost and Smith. Wagner had a pretty solid start to the season but was squeezed out due to midfield depth pushing the likes of Bernie and Lewis back. At 189cm he competes well in the air and I think we'll continue to be valuing ball use across the back line which we have done so well in the last 5-6 games. He kicks really well and his pressure across most of the first games of the season was great (good tackle numbers also). Frost can break the lines but its that first kick out to the corridor or halfback that has been opening games up for us which Wagner has the ability to do.

Oscar to look after Cox, Hibberd to play loose role with Nev and Wagner pressure/rebounding defenders.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 hours ago, P-man said:

Roos thinks Frost will come in with Hibberd to play the loose intercepting role.

This is realistic; it is the blocking that is really important to slow or prevent the Filth progressing through the midline. The intercept / clearing role can be capably performed by Hibberd (without disruption to the set-up in defence) and the few crumbers/halfbackflks and midfielders with fallbacks to Lewis and Vince where steerage is going to be needed. Wagner, to me, is one who is capable and strong enough to provide support clearances in tandem with Frost and Hibberd, in the first instance. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 hours ago, Wunders said:

I can't help but feel that we lost those early games because we had people like Wagner, Frost & Hunt in the team. I think we struck gold by dropping them all and going on this 6 week winning run. I'm not saying they are bad, more that they all have a weakness compared to Lever & the way we play (i.e. Playing them attenuated the way we play now - although maybe it was all T-mac coming back).

I'd personally like to see Petty (early season reports said he reads the ball really well and takes some nice intercept marks), Smith (i think he will get the game & i'm excited to see what he can do) or Weid (played down back - because i like weid but don't want him back in the forward line as its functioning atm). Even pedo to the defense would work (i could see pedo as a McGovern marking type - but poorer in quality).

In the end, if we set up well and dominate the middle then the defense won't have to do much (hence it won't matter as much who we bring in).

Go Dees!

 

The way we've been playing over the last 6 weeks relies on setting up our attacks from defence - I think I read somewhere that we scored 100+ points from turnovers against the blues and the crows? That's why guys like Frost and Hunt can't get a game (aside from the obvious fact that turnovers close to your goal are more likely to result in a goal against), their turnovers kicking the ball up the line will rob us of the momentum when moving the ball forward

Pedo is a reliable kick but not necessarily a damaging one. In terms of a floating or intercept defender he's a good option in the sense that he has a good footy brain and decent size, but collingwood has quite a mobile midfield these days so safe kicks out of defense are likely to be shut down. Weid could be an inspired choice, will force him into more contests etc., but big risk to trial someone is a position they've never played in such a crucial game (win this week and we have a genuine claim on top 4 contention)

I don't know enough about the current form of guys down at Casey, but Smith certainly struck me as one with the right attacking mindset in his brief exposure at the top level. As others have commented, his basketball background is a real asset as far as fitting into a team structure goes, and he 'plays tall' as the cliche goes so his size won't be a problem - the Pies most dangerous forwards are all mid-sized too so athleticism is much more important than height is for this game at least 

Wagner showed a bit early in the year, and I don't recall recoiling in horror when he disposed of the ball so that at least has him ahead of Frost, so I think he could be another worth considering. Keilty and Petty to debut on the big stage seems an unnecessary risk *cough* Watts in 2009 *cough* when there are other options who have a genuine claim to the position and exposure at the top level already

Obviously Plan A will be to dominate them out of the middle and not give our defenders too much work to do, but Grundy is in excellent form at the moment so they will be getting their fair share of opportunities from stoppages, not to mention their own ability to move the ball quickly from turnovers

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

33 minutes ago, The Demon 2565 said:

The way we've been playing over the last 6 weeks relies on setting up our attacks from defence - I think I read somewhere that we scored 100+ points from turnovers against the blues and the crows? That's why guys like Frost and Hunt can't get a game (aside from the obvious fact that turnovers close to your goal are more likely to result in a goal against), their turnovers kicking the ball up the line will rob us of the momentum when moving the ball forward

Pedo is a reliable kick but not necessarily a damaging one. In terms of a floating or intercept defender he's a good option in the sense that he has a good footy brain and decent size, but collingwood has quite a mobile midfield these days so safe kicks out of defense are likely to be shut down. Weid could be an inspired choice, will force him into more contests etc., but big risk to trial someone is a position they've never played in such a crucial game (win this week and we have a genuine claim on top 4 contention)

I don't know enough about the current form of guys down at Casey, but Smith certainly struck me as one with the right attacking mindset in his brief exposure at the top level. As others have commented, his basketball background is a real asset as far as fitting into a team structure goes, and he 'plays tall' as the cliche goes so his size won't be a problem - the Pies most dangerous forwards are all mid-sized too so athleticism is much more important than height is for this game at least 

Wagner showed a bit early in the year, and I don't recall recoiling in horror when he disposed of the ball so that at least has him ahead of Frost, so I think he could be another worth considering. Keilty and Petty to debut on the big stage seems an unnecessary risk *cough* Watts in 2009 *cough* when there are other options who have a genuine claim to the position and exposure at the top level already

Obviously Plan A will be to dominate them out of the middle and not give our defenders too much work to do, but Grundy is in excellent form at the moment so they will be getting their fair share of opportunities from stoppages, not to mention their own ability to move the ball quickly from turnovers

Great precis.

I haven't seen enough Casey, or Pedersen in defence, but I think you're right. From what I have seen, in this order, Smith, Wagner, Weid.

Weid could be an inspired choice. He has had game time this year and may not be overawed.

Can't recall what big games Wagner and Smith played last / this year but it's going to be nerve wracking.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think us MFC supporters (especially our FD) overrate Lever and underrate Frost.  Brian Taylor elevated Stringer to AA-status, and I reckon, did the same with Lever.

 

 

Good opportunity for Frost now.  He needs to ignore the groans of the simpletons when he gets caught HTB, and continue to grow and take risks.

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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  

    DEPTH CHARGE by Whispering Jack

    The jubilation on the coach’s face as he danced a celebratory jig by the playing bench after the final siren sounded to record his team’s four-point victory over the Demons when the teams last met, said it all.    On that rainy Friday night at the Adelaide Oval, Ken Hinkley’s young midfield secured much more than four points on offer. The victory over one of the big dogs of the competition after a succession of wins over some of its lesser lights gave his team respect and validation fo

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 5

    TRAINING: Monday 25th March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers Demon Dynasty & Kev Martin were trackside at Gosch's Paddock today to bring you their observations from training. DEMON DYNASTY'S TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Kade Chandler's left knee heavily strapped. BBB, Spargs & Jake Lever also in rehab group. Jake Bowey solo running separate kicking/sprint/agility drills. Super fine morning / early arvo at Gosch's for the boys to blow out some cobwebs. Choco initially had the light duties / rehab group

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    HIBERNATING by KC from Casey

    When they locked up the rooms for summer at the end of last year’s football season, the rooms gathered cobwebs, the atmosphere became dense and the place developed a sleepy feel. They opened up the rooms to let Casey out to play on Sunday but the team was still hibernating and they missed the bulk of the opening quarter. By the time they worked out it was game on, their opponents from Box Hill had accumulated five goals and, if the game wasn’t over, it might as well have been. For a se

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Casey Articles

    A FORK IN THE HAWK by George on the Outer

    For too long in the past, Demon fans became habitually sick and tired of watching the Hawks hand out thrashings to their side. But Melbourne’s empahtic 55-point win at the MCG on Saturday has truly put a fork in the Hawk and turned that history well and truly on its head. The Demons have now won nine of their last ten encounters with the other result, a draw.     And like a fork, it was the multi-pronged options that Melbourne had all across the ground.  It certainly helped that Hawthorn

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Match Reports 8

    PREGAME: Rd 03 vs Port Adelaide

    The Demons head on the road for the next 2 weeks as they travel to Adelaide to play Port on Saturday and then have a 5 Day break before facing the Crows in the Gather Round. With injuries to May and Lever who comes in and who goes out?

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 262

    PODCAST: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 25th March @ 8:30pm. Join George, Binman & I as we analyse the Demons victory at the MCG against the Hawks in the Round 02. You questions and comments are a huge part of our podcast so please post anything you want to ask or say below and we'll give you a shout out on the show. If you would like to leave us a voicemail please call 03 9016 3666 and don't worry no body answers so you don't have to talk to a human. Listen & Chat

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 46

    VOTES: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    Last week Steven May took the lead in the Demonland Player of the Year Award from Jack Viney. Clayton Oliver & Max Gawn round out the Top 4. Your votes for the win/loss against/to the Hawks. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 50

    POSTGAME: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The Demons cruised to an easy 55 point win over the Hawks at the MCG but but paid a heavy toll on the injury front with Steven May & Jake Lever possibly sidelined for a number of weeks.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 357

    GAMEDAY: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    It's Game Day and after mixed results in the first two weeks of the season the Demons have the opportunity to capitalise on their good form last week when they take on the Hawks at the MCG today.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 437
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!

  • Podcast 

  • Podcast 

  • Podcast Stream 


    Open Stream in
    New Window
        TuneIn    Opens in New Tab
  • Support Demonland  



  • 2021 Premiership  

  • Social Media 

  • Non MFC Games  

    NON-MFC: Round 03

    Discussion of all the other games that don't involve the Demons in Round 03 ... READ MORE

    Demonland | Round 03

  • Match Preview      

    DEPTH CHARGE by Whispering Jack

    The jubilation on the coach’s face as he danced a celebratory jig by the playing bench after the final siren sounded to record his team’s four-point victory over the Demons when the teams last met, said it all ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 27

  • Latest Podcast      

    PODCAST: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The boys dissected the clinical thrashing of Hawks praising the immense performance of Christian Petracca whilst lamenting the injury toll to our defensive unit ... LISTEN

    Demonland | March 26

  • Training  

    Monday, 25th March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers Demon Dynasty & Kev Martin were trackside at Gosch's Paddock today to bring you their observations from training ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 25

  • Casey Report      

    HIBERNATING by KC from Casey

    When they locked up the rooms for summer at the end of last year’s football season, the rooms gathered cobwebs, the atmosphere became dense and the place developed a sleepy feel. They opened up the rooms to let Casey out to play on Sunday but the team was still hibernating and they missed the bulk of the opening quarter ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 25

  • PreGame      

    PREGAME: Rd 03 vs Port Adelaide

    The Demons head out on the road for the next 2 weeks as they travel to Adelaide to play Port on Saturday and then have a 5 Day break before facing the Crows in Gather Round. With injuries to May and Lever who comes in and who goes out? ...READ MORE

    Demonland | March 28

  • Match Report      

    A FORK IN THE HAWK by George on the Outer

    For too long in the past, Demon fans became habitually sick and tired of watching the Hawks hand out thrashings to their side. But Melbourne’s empahtic 55-point win at the MCG on Saturday has truly put a fork in the Hawk and turned that history well and truly on its head ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Post Game      

    POSTGAME: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The Demons cruised to an easy 55 point win over the Hawks at the MCG but but paid a heavy toll on the injury front with Steven May & Jake Lever possibly sidelined for a number of weeks ...READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Votes      

    VOTES: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    Last week Steven May took the lead in the Demonland Player of the Year Award from Jack Viney. Clayton Oliver & Max Gawn round out the Top 4. Your votes for the win/loss against/to the Hawks. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 ...READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Game Day      

    GAMEDAY: Round 02 vs Hawthorn

    It's Game Day and after mixed results in the first two weeks of the season the Demons have the opportunity to capitalise on their good form last week when they take on the Hawks at the MCG today ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Training  

    Friday, 22nd March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatcher Kev Martin and I attended the Captain's Run at Gosch's Paddock on this lovely sunny morning to bring you the following observations from the training session ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 22

  • Training  

    Tuesday, 19th March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers Kev Martin & Walking Civil War attended Tuesday morning's training session at Gosch's Paddock to bring you the following observations ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 19

  • Training  

    Saturday, 16th March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers Kev Martin and Dee Zephyr wandered down to Gosch's Paddock on Saturday morning to bring you their observations from the Captain's Run in the lead up to Sunday's Round One match against the Bulldogs ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 16

  • Farewell  

    Angus Brayshaw Retires

    After 167 games including the drought breaking Premiership Angus Brayshaw has made the heart breaking decision to medically retire from football as a result of a series of serious head knocks over his nearly decade of footy. We wish Gus all the best and he'll always be a hero at Demonland ... READ MORE

    Demonland | February 22

  • Latest Podcast  

    PODCAST: Koltyn Tholstrup Interview

    I interview the Melbourne Football Club’s newest recruit Koltyn Tholstrup to have a chat about his journey from the farm to the Demons, his first few weeks of preseason training, which Dees have impressed him on the track and his aspirations of playing Round 1 ... LISTEN

    Demonland | December 14

  • Latest Podcast  

    PODCAST: Jason Taylor Interview

    I interview the Melbourne Football Club's National Recruitment Manager Jason Taylor to have a chat about our Trade and Draft period, our newest recruits, our recent recruits who have yet to debut as well as those father son prospects on the horizon ... LISTEN

    Demonland | November 27

  • Next Match 

    .

    Round 03

       vs   

    Saturday 30th March 2024
    @ 07:30pm (AO)

  • MFC Forum  

  • Match Previews & Reports  

  • Training Forum  

  • AFLW Forum  

  • 2024 Player Sponsorship

  • Topics

  • Injury List  


      PLAYER INJURY LENGTH
    Jake Lever Knee Test
    Clayton Oliver Hand Test
    Oliver Sestan Concussion Test
    Steven May Ribs 1 Week
    Lachie Hunter Calf 1 Week
    Daniel Turner Hip 2-3 Weeks
    Charlie Spargo Achilles 2-4 Weeks
    Shane McAdam Hamstring 3-5 Weeks
    Jake Bowey Shoulder 7 Weeks
    Jake Melksham ACL 12-14 Weeks
    Joel Smith Suspension TBA

  • Player of the Year  


        PLAYER VOTES
    1 Christian Petracca 27
    2 Steven May 25
    3 Max Gawn 21
    4 Jack Viney 20
    5 Bayley Fritsch 19
    6 Clayton Oliver 18
    7 Christian Salem 12
    8 Blake Howes 11
    9 Jack Billings 10
    9 Alex Neal-Bullen 10

        FULL TABLE
  • Demonland Interviews 



  • Upcoming Events 

×
×
  • Create New...