Jump to content


Recommended Posts

Posted
2 hours ago, Jaded said:

 

This will free Fritsch to play wing which I think is where he will excel with another AFL pre season under his belt. 

 I also don’t mind Vanders. I thought he was one of our best yesterday when he was on the wings. Could be another option. 

If we can’t get Gaff I would save our cash and go hard for Kelly next year. 

Agree but the jury on vdb is out for me unless he can consistently dispose of the ball. Unreliable kick and problematic handballs nit at afl standard.

Cant fsult his vigour and ontent but needs to be more effective 

Posted
2 hours ago, Fork 'em said:

"So there" .... Lol.
Couldn't care less about some mates rubbing ya back and telling you it's ok.

We choked again, and the whole football world knows it.
 

We lost a match in Perth against a team that doesn't get  been beaten when Darling and Kennedy play together.  It was ALWAYS going to be a very, very tough gig. Not even the E Coli Wobblers could beat them there.

Posted
2 hours ago, Fork 'em said:

"So there" .... Lol.
Couldn't care less about some mates rubbing ya back and telling you it's ok.

We choked again, and the whole football world knows it.
 

Please go and follow another club

  • Like 4
Posted
2 hours ago, Fork 'em said:

"So there" .... Lol.
Couldn't care less about some mates rubbing ya back and telling you it's ok.

We choked again, and the whole football world knows it.
 

The football world may know it but they will also know our response when they see it. 

If we continue to fold in this scenario then you’ll be proven right but if we learn from this and take the next step then they will have no choice but to applaud us.

  • Like 1

Posted

2 questions Why were our players slipping over so often?

                      Will McGovern(?) be reported on video review for the throat punch on Viney  - the one the umpire saw but missed seeing?

 

  • Like 1
Posted
6 minutes ago, doug williams said:

2 questions Why were our players slipping over so often?

                      Will McGovern(?) be reported on video review for the throat punch on Viney  - the one the umpire saw but missed seeing?

 

I wondered too about the slipping, I initially blamed the bootstudders but I now think it is a symptom of nerves, not unlike the fumbling and missed handballs. When you are nervous you tend to rush things, and slip over more. 

Its Grand Final week I think the MRP went on a sabbatical some time ago. 


Posted
2 hours ago, Fork 'em said:

"So there" .... Lol.
Couldn't care less about some mates rubbing ya back and telling you it's ok.

We choked again, and the whole football world knows it.
 

Come on biff, it’s not that bad.

Posted
30 minutes ago, Precard said:

We aren’t bad. We won the contested ball stat this year. 

Stats can be deceiving

Posted
15 minutes ago, Earl Hood said:

I wondered too about the slipping, I initially blamed the bootstudders but I now think it is a symptom of nerves, not unlike the fumbling and missed handballs. When you are nervous you tend to rush things, and slip over more. 

......

Pies supporters asking the same question 2 weeks ago re their players slipping when Weagles weren't.

I suspect it's the surface (type and length of grass) and I suspect the home team wear boots with more pronounced studs or something similar.

  • Like 2
  • Thanks 1
Posted

It's not like we've got a star-studded team that was supposed to win the flag.  We've got about a dozen top players of which 2 weren't playing.  Premiership teams more often than not have at least 16-18 top grade footballers on their list. 

So we're about 4-6 top players short yet still won 2 finals and played in a preliminary final ... playing 1 final only would have been par when equating the number of top players that we have.

So the list needs to be improved much as it always needs to be improved.  We will all know when we've got a star-studded list (if it happens)  As a pointer,  one only has to look at the teams that won multiple premierships over the last few decades.  That is how good you need to be just to win 1 premiership. 

  • Like 1
  • Love 1
Posted
1 hour ago, doug williams said:

2 questions Why were our players slipping over so often?

                      Will McGovern(?) be reported on video review for the throat punch on Viney  - the one the umpire saw but missed seeing?

 

Yes. We slipped over 30 times at least. At least. To nil.  Why. Why the .... why????

Posted

There are 17 other clubs who get knocked off in the pursuit of the flag ... we are just the last team that it's happened to.  Our loss will be old news soon enough.  It might even be better to lose a prelim than a GF.  That grief stays with you.

You've always got to go back to what your realistic expectations were at the start of the season. Many here were saying that to play 1 final was a pass mark.  We won 2 finals.

Sure, the exit was inglorious but it nearly always is.  A close loss in a prelim might have hurt even more.  I reckon the Tigers exit is a way bigger story as they were supposed to win the flag weren't they? 

As I said in a previous post,  our list is not yet equipped to seriously challenge ... need another 4-6 top players ... do that and the expectations to win big will be realistic.

  • Like 4

Posted

Firstly, I have to confess that I am in the enemy camp, but am a lover of good football and joined to comment on a few things.

1. Having read a few topics on here I am generally impressed with the level of knowledge and discussion here. All clubs, even mine, has some idiots as supporters. Some, such as Collingwood, Essendon, Fremantle, and Port seem to have nothing else, but it is what it is. Here it is good that most can construct a proper sentence with nouns and verbs in an English manner. Unlike the ferals at dockerland who struggle with anything resembling English.

2. Your list is not as bad as some have said. You have some good young guys who are only going to get better. Your list is in better shape than the Saints who have hovered around about the same draft positions as Melbourne. You are a few elites short of top level but are not far off. Your list age profile is better than that at Hawthorn and Geelong. I would call you as probable top 8 and possible top 4 in 2019 and will put in an early call of good chance top 4 in 2020.

3. You play a brand of football that is more enjoyable to watch than most. Entertaining, high scoring but with a decent defensive side. You'll win more than you lose with this style.

4. A couple of areas I will raise some level of exception to. 

a. Booing. All clubs do it and the new stadium is a sound trap. When Malthouse arrived at the WC one of his biggest problems was to turn around the supporters from being too nice and clapping opposition good play to being more like Victorian supporters. We learnt from you guys how to boo. Booing is also not always what it seems. There were complaints last week of WC booing an injured Collingwood player as he left the ground. Not true. They were booing the replay of the collision where Yeo was taken out below the knees but the free went to the Pies. A free kick to Yeo in 203 of the 204 games at that point of 2018. I lived in Melbourne in the late 80's/early 90's and the crowds at Vic Park and Windy Hill make the current WC crowd look like Chardonnay swilling picnickers.

b. Some have complained of the level of travel you have done. When compared to Stayathomewood that is a valid whinge. But against the most traveled team in the competition? 

5. I think 3 of the 4 prelim teams actually overachieved this year. Most pundits had the Pies as bottom 4, WC as bottom 4 (Robert Walls as spoon) and Melbourne as hanging around the 7-10 mark. So on reflection, a good season to build on. No need to make wholesale changes, but certainly a tweak here and there wouldn't hurt.

  • Like 6
  • Thanks 2
Posted
11 hours ago, Redleg said:

Disagree.

Only line breaker with pace on the list. 

We need more pace not less.

Yes, yes, pace...for five strides, sees a wall in front of him and destroys the disposal

Posted (edited)
3 hours ago, dieter said:

We lost a match in Perth against a team that doesn't get  been beaten when Darling and Kennedy play together.  It was ALWAYS going to be a very, very tough gig. Not even the E Coli Wobblers could beat them there.

It was nothing to do with darloon and JFK. It was our players turning the footy over. We beat this team recently. Our players lost the plot psychologically.

Edited by Stormy Dee
  • Like 1

Posted
1 hour ago, Macca said:

As I said in a previous post,  our list is not yet equipped to seriously challenge ... need another 4-6 top players ... do that and the expectations to win big will be realistic.

Good post I just hope we are closer to 2 to 4 top players away than 4 to 6. Lever and Hogan to come in who are the other 4 gonna be?

Posted (edited)
3 hours ago, Earl Hood said:

I wondered too about the slipping, I initially blamed the bootstudders but I now think it is a symptom of nerves, not unlike the fumbling and missed handballs. When you are nervous you tend to rush things, and slip over more. 

Its Grand Final week I think the MRP went on a sabbatical some time ago. 

The people who maintain the ground at Perth are known to over-water the grass to make opposition players slip over.

Edited by Stormy Dee

Posted
Just now, WERRIDEE said:

Good post I just hope we are closer to 2 to 4 top players away than 4 to 6. Lever and Hogan to come in who are the other 4 gonna be?

Who knows?  It's hard enough trying to add 1 top player to a list but we'll do our best.  Taylor's track record to date has been very good so there's no reason to believe that he won't continue to produce the goods.

It could be that we add 2 top teenagers who show a fair bit in their first 2 years... so it's not necessarily about the next year with regards to building a top-of-the-range list.  Free agents,  trade for talent - we might have a few departures that gives us a good net return such as moving up in the draft order. 

We'll probably turn over 6-8 players with retirements,  delistings & trades so we could assume that we'll have about 6-8 new players. 

And I'd rather have an excess of top players to cover for those years where you have more than your fair share of injuries.  In fact,  you can never have enough good players if you're looking for sustained success. 

  • Like 1
Posted
8 hours ago, jumbo returns said:

Yes, yes, pace...for five strides, sees a wall in front of him and destroys the disposal

I said we need more and if he is not up to it so be it, but we need more. We had no spread Saturday and were killed because we couldn’t move the ball with skill. 

 

  • Like 1
Posted

Not entirely relevant but just consider _  I think the boys played 3x final games the weeks previous ( not inc our win game against depleted WCoast ). At Optus prelim they were 'cooked' ; almost literally as it got to 28 degrees on ground apparently. Add that to just an absolutely down on your luck day. The pill just was not on our side.

  • Like 2
  • Love 1
Posted
8 hours ago, Stormy Dee said:

The people who maintain the ground at Perth are known to over-water the grass to make opposition players slip over.

Ex Linton Ave staff perhaps ? ?

Posted
12 hours ago, dieter said:

We lost a match in Perth against a team that doesn't get  been beaten when Darling and Kennedy play together.  It was ALWAYS going to be a very, very tough gig. Not even the E Coli Wobblers could beat them there.

It's not an excuse to lose by 11 goals and break the record to have the worse first half score in a finals game!

Absolutely embarrassing.

  • Like 2

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...