Jump to content

  • IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING

    The Demonland Terms of Service, which you have all recently agreed to, strictly prohibit discussions of ongoing legal matters, whether criminal or civil. Please ensure that all discussions on this forum remain focused solely on on-field & football related topics.


Recommended Posts

Posted
5 hours ago, Stevienic23 said:

Having read this thread and various other threads re VandenBerg over the years I think I have the un-popular opinion of that I don't think he's that good. I understand there needs to be some forgiveness given he's lack of continuity in his football, but he just can't kick. 

I think he can be the beneficiary of shortened quarters where he can be used as an impact player - but he needs to be more than a bloke that can just tackle. He has no problem finding the ball:

vs Geelong – 1 kick, 6 handballs, 3 tackles 62% game time –71% efficiency

vs Richmond – 14 touches, 3 tackles, 70% game time –85% efficiency

vs Gold Coast – 11 touches, 3 tackles, 47% game time –72% efficiency

vs Hawthorn – 13 touches, 4 tackles, 81% game time – 53% disposal efficiency

If he polishes up his kicking - especially at goal, he could be a lot more damaging playing that half-forward pushing deeper role. Bizarrely, I can acknowledge that we are a better side with him in - so maybe I'm just Covid rambling 

It’s not just that he tackles though, it’s that his tackles prize the ball loose so much more than other players (as distinct from a tackle that causes a ball-up). I can’t name another player in our side I could say that about. The next best flankers such as ANB certainly can’t say that, and aren’t going to be so much better with the ball to justify the loss of that attribute.

  • Like 3
Posted (edited)

AVB is an average footballer, but when he tackles, he tackles hard. They stick

I think his opponents would be hurting for a while. 
If we progress to the pointy end of the Season, he could be a very useful member, without getting a kick....

Edited by Sir Why You Little
  • Like 2
Posted

Also can we all just get the [censored] over 2018? 

Sorry, but how many times do I have to hear it? 

Yes it was a good run, but we got absolutely embarrassed in Perth (given we ended up losing to the WCE who won the flag) but can we all stop reverting back to it? 

Everyone needs to wrap up their romanticism with it  

Everyone keeps comparing his 2018 to now. Who cares? 

Traccs 2018 to now is also totally different. 

With AVB he hasn't changed and the game is only getting quicker. I see him going through to the end of the year and then I think he will get overtaken by a younger, quicker player who can do more. His continual injuries (even if this injury is only a few weeks) is also a bit of a worry. 

I think he's a limited player and can't seem him in our future 
 

Posted
18 hours ago, deanox said:

Is Goody happy that you've told everyone he is unhappy? Or should that have been kept quiet as well?

Oh very droll, thought you could understand his attitude to extraneous noise

Just pointing it out, you have the option not to read

  • Love 1
Posted
13 minutes ago, MF-C said:

Also can we all just get the [censored] over 2018? 

Sorry, but how many times do I have to hear it? 

Yes it was a good run, but we got absolutely embarrassed in Perth (given we ended up losing to the WCE who won the flag) but can we all stop reverting back to it? 

Everyone needs to wrap up their romanticism with it  

Everyone keeps comparing his 2018 to now. Who cares? 

Traccs 2018 to now is also totally different. 

With AVB he hasn't changed and the game is only getting quicker. I see him going through to the end of the year and then I think he will get overtaken by a younger, quicker player who can do more. His continual injuries (even if this injury is only a few weeks) is also a bit of a worry. 

I think he's a limited player and can't seem him in our future 
 

damn....damn.....you just reminded me of 2018 after i'd banished it from my memory.....damn

Posted
Just now, Ethan Tremblay said:

Remember a couple of years ago when we made a Prelim? Those were the days. 

Now that I'm over the fixture 'fixes' rant, I reckon we can get there again this year. 

How is that for reverse MFCSS...:cool:

Posted
39 minutes ago, MF-C said:

Also can we all just get the [censored] over 2018? 

Sorry, but how many times do I have to hear it? 

Yes it was a good run, but we got absolutely embarrassed in Perth (given we ended up losing to the WCE who won the flag) but can we all stop reverting back to it? 

Everyone needs to wrap up their romanticism with it  

Everyone keeps comparing his 2018 to now. Who cares? 

Traccs 2018 to now is also totally different. 

With AVB he hasn't changed and the game is only getting quicker. I see him going through to the end of the year and then I think he will get overtaken by a younger, quicker player who can do more. His continual injuries (even if this injury is only a few weeks) is also a bit of a worry. 

I think he's a limited player and can't seem him in our future 
 

Why?

It's a recent season where the majority of our current list played good football for long periods. Just because we lost the prelim doesn't mean there's nothing from 2018 that is of relevance or that can be used for comparison or reflection.

  • Like 2
Posted
8 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Now that I'm over the fixture 'fixes' rant, I reckon we can get there again this year. 

How is that for reverse MFCSS...:cool:

Beat Brisbane and we’ll make the Grand Final*.  #Youhearditherefirst.

  • Love 1
  • Haha 2
Posted
1 hour ago, deanox said:

How dare you actually talk about football in this thread. 

Haha yeh I wish I had some inside mail from the club to join in on this 'my mail vs your mail' w*nkfest. I knew I was opening myself up but just an opinion I've had for a little while which I felt like airing. 

I suppose part of my opinion is formed upon the fact that he's in his 6th year on our list and we've shown a lot of faith on very little exposed form. Dan Menzel had more exposed form and you could see why Geelong (at the time) kept him around.

I've acknowledged that his physicality means we're a better side for him in it - but I think he really needs to tidy up his disposal by foot so we can play him in a position that's really going to make us a better side.  

Posted
1 hour ago, Satyriconhome said:

Oh very droll, thought you could understand his attitude to extraneous noise

Just pointing it out, you have the option not to read

Just a little joke Saty ;)

Posted
26 minutes ago, Stevienic23 said:

Haha yeh I wish I had some inside mail from the club to join in on this 'my mail vs your mail' w*nkfest. I knew I was opening myself up but just an opinion I've had for a little while which I felt like airing. 

I suppose part of my opinion is formed upon the fact that he's in his 6th year on our list and we've shown a lot of faith on very little exposed form. Dan Menzel had more exposed form and you could see why Geelong (at the time) kept him around.

I've acknowledged that his physicality means we're a better side for him in it - but I think he really needs to tidy up his disposal by foot so we can play him in a position that's really going to make us a better side.  

I think Vanders is an enigma. In some ways similar to Viney in that his most valuable contribution is intangible and not quantifiable.

Toughness, leadership (by physical example), persistent effort, aggression, perceived pressure. Heart and soul? These things matter to the way that everyone else around them plays. 

Few players have these qualities in abundance. And I think that they only lose their spot when a) someone more skilled knocks on the door and b) the rest of the team has developed / can bring these traits in sufficient quantaties that they are looked upon foldly but not missed. 

So I agree he struggles and will be replaced eventually, but we are a while away from that yet. 

  • Like 2
Posted
4 minutes ago, deanox said:

I think Vanders is an enigma. In some ways similar to Viney in that his most valuable contribution is intangible and not quantifiable.

Toughness, leadership (by physical example), persistent effort, aggression, perceived pressure. Heart and soul? These things matter to the way that everyone else around them plays. 

Few players have these qualities in abundance. And I think that they only lose their spot when a) someone more skilled knocks on the door and b) the rest of the team has developed / can bring these traits in sufficient quantaties that they are looked upon foldly but not missed. 

So I agree he struggles and will be replaced eventually, but we are a while away from that yet. 

Cant argue with any of that

Posted
7 minutes ago, deanox said:

I think Vanders is an enigma. In some ways similar to Viney in that his most valuable contribution is intangible and not quantifiable.

Toughness, leadership (by physical example), persistent effort, aggression, perceived pressure. Heart and soul? These things matter to the way that everyone else around them plays. 

Few players have these qualities in abundance. And I think that they only lose their spot when a) someone more skilled knocks on the door and b) the rest of the team has developed / can bring these traits in sufficient quantaties that they are looked upon foldly but not missed. 

So I agree he struggles and will be replaced eventually, but we are a while away from that yet. 

Agreed. A bit like Byron Pickett in 2006, in that opponents didn’t want to go near him. 
 

He was a real weapon that year

Posted (edited)
1 hour ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Agreed. A bit like Byron Pickett in 2006, in that opponents didn’t want to go near him. 
 

He was a real weapon that year

My son is in an analytical field that understands human motivation and more so effect!!

He said to me that VDB is a great barometer and instigator of what occurs out on the field!

Ahh In spite of any negatives here ...I might get it wrong,,, often.. but my son .. Ah I'll back his appraisal!

I always like AVB in our side!!

Edited by picket fence
Posted
36 minutes ago, picket fence said:

My son is in an analytical field that understands human motivation and more so effect!!

He said to me that VDB is a great barometer and instigator of what occurs out on the field!

Ahh In spite of any negatives here ...I might get it wrong,,, often.. but my son .. Ah I'll back his appraisal!

I always like AVB in our side!!

Sure. A heavy tackle can be equal to multiple “disposals” if that tackle is rendered correctly...

 

Posted
On 7/22/2020 at 8:39 PM, Mickey said:

Stratton got fined for striking

Should've been at least 1 week

Posted

Thank phark this bloke is back in tomorrow night.

It's no coincidence that we play better football when he is in the team,  it's happened on multiple occasions now. 

Not blessed with skill but raises the bar for the whole team with his attack on the opponent.

Love him! 

  • Like 5
Posted

Not a lot of tackles stuck properly last week, not a problem for AvB!

  • 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: Monday 17th February 2025

    Demonland Trackwatchers were on hand at Monday morning's preseason training at Gosch's Paddock to bring you their brief observations of the session. HARVEY WALLBANGER'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Gentle flush session at Gosch's this morning. Absent: May, Pickett (All Stars) McVee, McAdam. Rehabbing: Great to see Kentfield back (much slimmer), walking with Tholstrup, TMac (suspect just a management thing), Viney (still being cautious with that rib cartilage?), Melksham (

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    MATCH SIM: Friday 14th February 2025

    A couple of Demonland Trackwatchers made their way out to Casey Field's for the Melbourne Football Club's Family Series day to bring you their observations on the Match Simulation. HARVEY WALLBANGER'S MATCH SIMULATION OBSERVATIONS Absent: May, Pickett (All Stars), McVee, Windor, Kentfield, Mentha Present but not playing: Petracca, Viney, Spargo, Tholstrup, Melksham Starting Blue 18 (+ just 2 interchange): B: Petty, TMac, Lever, Howes, Bowey Salem M: Gawn, Oliver, La

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    TRAINING: Wednesday 12th February 2025

    Demonland Trackwatchers braved the scorching morning heat to bring you the following observations of Wednesday's preseason training session from Gosch's Paddock. HARVEY WALLBANGER'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Absent: Salem, Windsor (word is a foot rash going around), Viney, Bowey and Kentfield Train ons: Roy George, no Culley today. Firstly the bad news - McVee went down late, which does look like a bad hammy - towards the end of match sim, as he kicked the ball. Had to

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    MATCH SIM: Friday 7th February 2025

    Demonland Trackwatcher Gator ventured down the freeway to bring you his observations from Friday morning's Match Simulation out at Casey Fields. Rehab: Jake Lever and Charlie Spargo running laps.  Lever was running short distances at a fast click as well as having kick to kick with a trainer. He seems unimpeded. Christian Petracca, Kade Chandler, Shane McAdam and Tom Fullarton doing non-contact kicking and handball drills on the adjacent oval.  All moving freely at pace.  I didn’

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports 2

    TRAINING: Wednesday 5th February 2025

    Demonland Trackwatchers were out in force as the Demons returned to Gosch's Paddock for preseason training on Wednesday morning. GHOSTWRITER'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Kozzie a no show. Tommy Sparrow was here last week in civvies and wearing sunnies. He didn’t train. Today he’s training but he’s wearing goggles so he’s likely got an eye injury. There’s a drill where Selwyn literally lies on top of Tracc, a trainer dribbles the ball towards them and Tracc has to g

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    THAT WAS THE YEAR THAT WAS: 2024

    Whichever way you look at it, the Melbourne Football Club’s 2024 season can only be characterized as the year of its fall from grace. Whispering Jack looks back at the season from hell that was. After its 2021 benchmark premiership triumph, the men’s team still managed top four finishes in the next two seasons but straight sets finals losses consigned them to sixth place in both years. The big fall came in 2024 with a collapse into the bottom six and a 14th placing. At Casey, the 2022 VFL p

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Special Features

    MATCH SIM: Friday 31st January 2025

    Veteran Demonland Trackwatcher Picket Fence ventured down to Casey Fields to bring you his observations from Friday's Match Simulation. Greetings Demonlanders, beautiful Day at training and the boys were hard at it, here is my report. NO SHOWS: Luker Kentfield (recovering from pneumonia in WA), also not sure I noticed Melky (Hamstring) or Will Verrall?? MODIFIED DUTIES (No Contact): Sparrow, McVee (foot), Tracc (ribs), Chandler, (AC Joint), Fullarton Noticeable events (I’ll s

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports 2

    TRAINING: Wednesday 29th January 2025

    A number of Demonland Trackwatchers swooped on Gosch's Paddock to bring you their observations from this morning's Preseason Training Session. DEMON JACK'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Beautiful morning at Gosch's Paddock. Very healthy crowd so far.  REHAB: Fullerton, Spargo, Tholstrup, McVee Viney running laps. EDIT: JV looks to be back with the main group. Trac, Sparrow, Chandler and Verrell also training away from the main group. Currently kicking to each other ins

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports 1

    TRAINING: Wednesday 22nd January 2025

    Demonland Trackwatchers were out in force for training at Gosch's Paddock on Wednesday morning for the MFC's School Holidays Open Training Session. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS REHAB: TMac, Chandler, McVee, Tholstrup, Brown, Spargo Brown might have passed his fitness test as he’s back out with the main group.  Sparrow not present. Kozzy not present either.  Mini Rehab group has broken off from the match sim (contact) group: Max, Trac, Lever, Fullarton

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!

×
×
  • Create New...