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Scratch Match Report

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in Melbourne Demons

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GAME, SET AND SCRATCH MATCH by Paddy Gosch

I always believe in starting off any report by accentuating the positive and in that regard, as at the time of writing, the Demons have not reported any injuries so that’s my major positive from today’s practice game v the Magpies (albeit that we know the club is somewhat lax in reporting these things so my best wishes go out if any of today’s participants are in intensive care at the Alfred). 

Another positive was that Razor Ray performed his umpiring duties admirably which is more than I can say about the two other duds who shall remain nameless because I’m trying to stay positive.

On that note, Melbourne proved that it can win games against good opposition away from home in front of a 70% hostile crowd (and let me remind you that Collingwood finished 2018 a mere bee’s diaphragm away from the premiership), Angus Brayshaw showed he is already approaching his stellar form of last year unperturbed by the injuries he was carrying late last year and a change in head gear. A fully fit Aaron vandenBerg will also be a major plus over last year.

The Max Gawn/Braydon Pruess ruck/forward combo worked a treat and will have opposition defenders struggling as they reach for the footy in stratospheric heights. The 6-6-6 set up will suit the style of the club  as we head into a new year and a new day.

More positives from the dominance of the midfield despite missing a swag of stars. Promise of some good contributions to come from Christian Petracca, Alex Neal-Bullen, James Harmes and Christian Salem - virtually the secondary midfield and the run of a rejuvenated Jayden Hunt and the enthusiasm of young Tom Sparrow - the Demons’ bird in the hand for the future.

Oscar McDonald was great in defence and one asks how good will this line be when Steven May comes in and Jake Lever returns from his knee injury. In the meantime, the club’s mature-age draftee from Collingwood VFL’s Marty Hore looks like a good bet to fill a spot from the get go. Sam Frost was also good. And how about new leadership group member Nev Jetta, who was initially ruled out of the AFLX extravaganza through injury, but recovered dramatically enough to not miss a beat in the game today?

The Demons started slowly when they conceded a couple of goals to Jamie Elliot but after that, they moved into positive mode and it soon became game, set and scratch match.  

Melbourne 4.1.25 5.4.34 8.6.54 11.6.72

Collingwood 2.1.13 3.5.23 4.5.29 7.6.48

Best Gawn Preuss Harmes Salem Brayshaw O McDonald

Goals Preuss 2 Garlett Harmes Kennedy Harris Neal-Bullen T Smith Sparrow Stretch Weideman

26AD1178-9AC0-4EB8-99D5-53317ECBE754.jpeg

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    It’s february.  It’s a scratch match, 

    many of the players were scratchy as was a lot of the play. For both sides. 

    A glowing report that highlights the positives.  There were areas that could be improved, clearly. It is lovely to hear how well individuals played. 

    For those that could not attend, a balanced report that included areas that require improvement and a more critical report on the lower ranked players would I think, give thosereading a better idea of The level we might attain this year.

    having said this I am not at all sure I could have done better. The positive s were there but the poor beginning was also still there. How often do we play catch up! 

    Still and all well done I liked reading it, it agreed for the most part with the positives I saw on the ground. 

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    At this time of year, what attitude should one reasonably have about scratch matches. Be thankful that the blokes you put on the field are healthy and they’re getting a good preparation for the season to come.

    And none of our players did a Mumford. Has he been reported for that?

    Otherwise, the results of these games are otherwise meaningless.

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    9 minutes ago, Whispering_Jack said:

    And none of our players did a Mumford. Has he been reported for that?

    Mumford is already due to miss two games because of a club-imposed suspension for an off-field incident.

    This is an opportunity for the MRP to show there’s no place for thuggery - 3 weeks.

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    11 minutes ago, Whispering_Jack said:

    At this time of year, what attitude should one reasonably have about scratch matches. 

    Otherwise, the results of these games are otherwise meaningless.

    Attitude? I would have thought excitement that, after about 5 months, out team is playing football again! Finally something to watch, and something concrete to base our analysis on. 

    It’s going to be a special year, so excitement is the attitude i’m taking.

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    13 hours ago, 640MD said:

    It’s february.  It’s a scratch match, 

    many of the players were scratchy as was a lot of the play. For both sides. 

    A glowing report that highlights the positives.  There were areas that could be improved, clearly. It is lovely to hear how well individuals played. 

    For those that could not attend, a balanced report that included areas that require improvement and a more critical report on the lower ranked players would I think, give thosereading a better idea of The level we might attain this year.

    having said this I am not at all sure I could have done better. The positive s were there but the poor beginning was also still there. How often do we play catch up! 

    Still and all well done I liked reading it, it agreed for the most part with the positives I saw on the ground. 

    Massive overreaction. 

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    11 hours ago, Elwood 3184 said:

    Mumford is already due to miss two games because of a club-imposed suspension for an off-field incident.

    This is an opportunity for the MRP to show there’s no place for thuggery - 3 weeks.

    I agree a massive opportunity, for them to make good on their rhetoric, but remind me which team Mummy plays for before I suggest an MRP (or whatever Marvel character title they give that farcical review system this year) outcome.  

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    12 hours ago, Elwood 3184 said:

    Mumford is already due to miss two games because of a club-imposed suspension for an off-field incident.

    This is an opportunity for the MRP to show there’s no place for thuggery - 3 weeks.

    Exactly, hang him. What did he do?

    Edit: Saw it now. That was a solid hit. See the other players head recoil backwards, bad. Weeks for that. We play them round 4.

    Edited by Wadda We Sing

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    Pruess looks a monstar in the above photo.....we have our own Mummy now.

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    • Author
    43 minutes ago, Wadda We Sing said:

    Exactly, hang him. What did he do?

    Edit: Saw it now. That was a solid hit. See the other players head recoil backwards, bad. Weeks for that. We play them round 4.

    Usually my MFCSS meter would be screaming that means he'll only get 3 weeks but let him play against Gawn and Preuss. They'll tear him a new one. 

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    28 minutes ago, Demonland said:

    Usually my MFCSS meter would be screaming that means he'll only get 3 weeks but let him play against Gawn and Preuss. They'll tear him a new one. 

    Yeah thats what i was thinking......that way no surprises if we play in finals.

    That would be great as he normally kills us....i so thought he had retired!!

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    12 hours ago, Wadda We Sing said:

    Yeah thats what i was thinking......that way no surprises if we play in finals.

    That would be great as he normally kills us....i so thought he had retired!!

    He had retired, but after football he snorted all his money up his nose 

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    1 hour ago, don't make me angry said:

    He had retired, but after football he snorted all his money up his nose 

    I actually thought he might have got a bit harsher penalty for being caught doing that, but what would i know.

     

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    16 minutes ago, Wadda We Sing said:

    I actually thought he might have got a bit harsher penalty for being caught doing that, but what would i know.

     

    What sort of messages is this giving the young players, it OK to do drugs  

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    3 minutes ago, don't make me angry said:

    What sort of messages is this giving the young players, it OK to do drugs  

    Not to mention the schoolkids................thats probably where he got it tho..

    Edited by Wadda We Sing

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    Mumford really needs someone to return the favour and flatten his nose. Might keep him out of trouble.

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