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.


Gun target - Key Forward recruit?


tallstuey

Recommended Posts

We continue to strengthen our back line, mature our midfield, add to our outside run and often lead the competition with inside 50's.

But year after year after year our mids look up and see no viable or winning forward option.

Weids "might" develop some consistency one day and while I love Tom, if his body fails him (as is now common), we are left with an enormous forward void. (Not a lot of TALL emerging options from the VFL either)

Many successful teams now have a twin tower approach......Lynch / Reiwoldt.......Darling /Kennedy.

Why oh why do I never see the Dees in the hunt for a gun forward? Am I obtuse? (feel free to feedback with a meaningful explanation that makes good football sense....or criticism if deemed appropriate)

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I doubt there'll be any movement on this front until next year. Apart from Daniher, Bruce and Jenkins, unfortunately just isnt  much available atm. Of the others remaining Mason Wood is an interesting one, could be good but is super inconsistent and doesnt exactly form a formidable duo with McDonald imo. 

If Cameron dosent re-sign at the Giants next year then I'm sure there'll be a bonanza involving every vic club to land him, likewise with Ben King. I think the club is still in the mind of hoping Weideman comes good this year and will also be interesting to see how they see Petty developing next year as either part of the forward or back groups. The club should at least wait another year and see if that 2nd tall spot is still an absolute must fill with better talent when at least there are seemingly better players to look at in 2020.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 minutes ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

Petty showed something in the games he played. I wouldn't mind seeing a TMac/Petty combo with Weid as backup unless he demands selection through performance.

I really like Petty and hope we persevere with him up forwards. He’s also quite mobile for his 197cm and could play the Gunston type role whilst crashing some packs.

Edited by Ethan Tremblay
  • Like 4
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Good discussion point but the problem is the system.  While the likes of Lynch are able to get to the clubs that have had the most recent success that is the option they will choose vs teams who haven't seen success in decades like the Aints, Doggies (1 in 62 years) and ourselves.  And to a lessor extent Norf (96) and Carltank (95).

As Kingy suggested and which i've been calling for for years, FAs should not be allowed to get to a club thats finished top 5/6 or so (previous two seasons) or win a premiership in say the last five.

We can talk all we like about the possibility of getting a genuine gun tall forward.  Cameron is up next season,  aint gonna happen unless the clubs force the AFL to change FA to assist the lessor lights.

If Cameron doesn't re-sign at GWS i g'tee he will end up at a top liner in 2021.  Nothing more certain.

System is flawed until/unless the clubs speak up.

Bottom dwellers unite and take over!

Edited by Rusty Nails
  • Like 2
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think we have the makings of a dangerous forward line without having that 'gun' key forward.

I think Tom Mac and a good summer from the Weid will hold us in good stead in terms of taller targets.  Fritsch and/or Petty can be mobile third tall options, and then you have Melksham who is not only capable of hitting the scoreboard but also using the ball superbly when he has it front of the centre line.  If we can pull off a coup and sign Jamie Elliott as well, then we have the potential for a forward line that is diverse and choc full of scoring power.

I still think we need that crafty small forward type to complement the above.  Elliott is that in some ways, but I think a genuine crumber who isn't flying for marks but is feasting when the ball hits the deck is a gap we need to fill.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites


Petty. Will be interesting to see where they use him. Lewis Taylor from Brisbane might be okay as small crumber but have to beware of some serious brain farts.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

33 minutes ago, Rusty Nails said:

Good discussion point but the problem is the system.  While the likes of Lynch are able to get to the clubs that have had the most recent success that is the option they will choose vs teams who haven't seen success in decades like the Aints, Doggies (1 in 62 years) and ourselves.  And to a lessor extent Norf (96) and Carltank (95).

As Kingy suggested and which i've been calling for for years, FAs should not be allowed to get to a club thats finished top 5/6 or so (previous two seasons) or win a premiership in say the last five.

We can talk all we like about the possibility of getting a genuine gun tall forward.  Cameron is up next season,  aint gonna happen unless the clubs force the AFL to change FA to assist the lessor lights.

If Cameron doesn't re-sign at GWS i g'tee he will end up at a top liner in 2021.  Nothing more certain.

System is flawed until/unless the clubs speak up.

Bottom dwellers unite and take over!

Your suggestion makes sense and it will slow the movement of uncontracted stars from lower teams and also lead to a more even competition, while still allowing player movement.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Josh Jenkins.

The bloke just kicks goals.

If he plays 20 games next year, he kicks 40 goals, pure and simple. Can Weideman, Petty, O Mac or whoever we plonked down forward in the train wreck of 2019 snag 40 in a year?

Adelaide are more than willing to pay a fair bit of his salary.

He has a bad reputation because he’s outspoken in the media, and kicks a lot of goals from the goal square.

But id take him as I have no faith in Weed due to injury and consistency.

Edited by Bring-Back-Powell
  • Like 3
  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

If we can't land a gun, I'm not convinced we should recruit stop gaps. Just build your system around what you have. Richmond and Collingwood have shown the way in this respect.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 minutes ago, A F said:

If we can't land a gun, I'm not convinced we should recruit stop gaps. Just build your system around what you have. Richmond and Collingwood have shown the way in this respect.

Exactly. Tiges did it in 2017 without two ‘key forwards’, Lynch this year was just the cherry on top. 

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Do we have any faith that with a pre-season with the club under his belt, Jay Lockhart could be groomed for the small forward role?

He’s shown some genuine glimpses of the exact kinda thing we need. This year would have been a whirlwind for him. A chance to steady and train properly with his teammates this summer could do wonders. 

Fingers crossed, anyway. 

  • Like 2
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

25 minutes ago, Redleg said:

Your suggestion makes sense and it will slow the movement of uncontracted stars from lower teams and also lead to a more even competition, while still allowing player movement.

Another good reason Mr Leg.  Can't really see it happening unless the out of favour Vic clubs speak up.  They would also need some support from within the AFL and/or a large player or two before the AFL (post Gil) bothered to take them (us)  and this issue seriously and act.

Meanwhile the guns will continue to gravitate towards the top echelon clubs as the divide between the haves and have nots grows ever larger each season.

  • Sad 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites


38 minutes ago, AaronDaveyChipsAndGravey said:

Exactly. Tiges did it in 2017 without two ‘key forwards’, Lynch this year was just the cherry on top. 

The Tigers had a more lethal defence in 2017 with Rance at the top of his game.  Missing this year but then became even more potent up forward with Lynch in.

Imagine no Lynch during the period Reiwoldt was out. 

Lynch as the equal No.1 twin also means the opp were unable to double team Jack like they did quite often in 2018.  Lynch in while Jack was out also enables the Tigers the luxury of maintaining their structures up forward with smalls still able to feed off the spills etc.

A much harder lock down up forward with the twins, more potent up forward, offsetting the loss of Rance as they were able to score more regularly while still having a very good defence. 

No Lynch while Reiwoldt was out, a loss or two extra and they probably miss top four and all likelihood of another flag.

Edited by Rusty Nails
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

22 minutes ago, Mel Bourne said:

Do we have any faith that with a pre-season with the club under his belt, Jay Lockhart could be groomed for the small forward role?

He’s shown some genuine glimpses of the exact kinda thing we need. This year would have been a whirlwind for him. A chance to steady and train properly with his teammates this summer could do wonders. 

Fingers crossed, anyway. 

I thought Casey watchers were saying he played in defense at Casey, not sure. I thought he was being groomed as the Nev replacement, but his form meant he had to be picked in the seniors. Even without Nev in the snrs he didn't play that role, so no idea now.

He looks the goods doesn't he. I hope they pick a role and train him up over preseason for it and stick with it. Could be anything.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Unfortunately as much as the club has tried, we seem to have some kind of curse when it comes to key forwards.

Hogan is the only gun key forward we've recruited in a couple of decades (Wow, yep, I think we have to go back as far as Schwartz and Neitz!) and we all know how things are going for him now.

But it is not like we haven't tried.

This century we've invested first round picks in - Weideman, Hogan, Cook, Watts, Bate, Dunn, Smith and Molan as prospective key forwards, as well as grabbing Mitch Clarke, Chris Dawes and Ben Holland in trades.

And after all that, I still have a strange kind of faith in the Weideman/McDonald combination. Maybe I just think we are simply too cursed to keep investing more in trying to get a gun?

Because I think we all know, if we did throw the money out for a Boyd-style deal, the player we got would definitely be laid out by gastro the night before the Grand Final.

 

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

23 minutes ago, FireInTheBelly said:

I thought Casey watchers were saying he played in defense at Casey, not sure. I thought he was being groomed as the Nev replacement, but his form meant he had to be picked in the seniors. Even without Nev in the snrs he didn't play that role, so no idea now.

He looks the goods doesn't he. I hope they pick a role and train him up over preseason for it and stick with it. Could be anything.

Yeah, I have nary a clue what the club has in mind for him. But those glimpses I referred to were in his games against the Bombers and Dockers, where he was playing (well) in our inside 50. And his first kick/goal for the Dees against Geelong was a very impressive start! 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

When did the MFC last have a Gun Forward?

Neitz and Lyon were good, but just below Gun Status

Jakovich should have been, but his entire career was hampered by a back injury

Always been a problem. Never had a forward kick 100 goals. It used to irritate me when i was at school 40 years ago. Still does....

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

We have the key forwards. Fritsch and Tmac for starters. We just need a better forward system and a clued up mid field and a couple of pacy small forwards. Oh.....and players that can lock the ball in and maintain pressure.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Without dominant key forwards, we need to have KPF's who are able to bring the ball to ground pretty much all the time to allow our smaller player's (hopefully the likes of Fritsch, Trac, Lockhart, Harmes, (Weightman if drafted) to crumb the pack.

The only problem is that we have almost all players' compete for the ball in the air while not enough stay down, allowing opposition numbers to waltz the ball out of the back-line.

Goody needs to drill this into the forward groups heads to have one compete in the air and the rest ready to mop up any balls that hit the deck.

  • Like 3
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 264

    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...