Jump to content

Featured Replies

Posted
Melbourne went down by 4 points in a thrilling finish against Brisbane, but they failed by more than the 4 points.  
 
They also failed to score the 4 points necessary to keep them in the race for the finals, and now find themselves sitting 6 points outside the top 8, but effectively 2 games outside (even though they have a game in hand).
 
The Demons had more than enough opportunities to win.  Six very easy shots on goal failed to bother the goal umpire with a major and ultimately this cost them the game.  Five of those shots were from set shots inside the 50m arc.  Weideman failed 3 times, Harmes and Fritsch once.  Bennell missed an absolute “soda” running into the open goal, and those fails  in essence determined the outcome.
 
Discipline, or rather lack of it, also contributed heavily when in the dying minutes Bayley Fritsch conceded a 50m penalty after the side had fought to move the ball into the forward half threatening to steal the match.  
 
On a slippery wet surface, the game was always going to be a slog.  The Demons should have had a huge advantage in the form of Max Gawn, but failed to take that advantage.  A massive 41 hitouts didn’t give the side first chance at the ball, but the other mids failed to capitalise.  Brisbane time and time again, snapped up the outside ball, usually after a Melbourne mid had touched it.
 
All of Max’s efforts went for nothing as Brisbane recorded 35 clearances to Melbourne’s 22.  
 
And despite coming close in the game, the forwards failed the side badly.  The failure to kick straight, particularly from set shots was bad enough, but in a recurring theme, too many of them simply aren’t getting their hands on the ball.  Only Fritsch and Melksham scored goals as forwards, and 2 of those were from off the ground kicks in the goal square. Weidemann 6 touches, Hannan 4, Fritsch 6, Jackson 8, and Pickett 5 whichever way you look at it, is a forward line that failed.  
 
The backs in contrast held up their end of the bargain.  Remember Brisbane now sit equal top of the ladder, yet they were held to 7 goals for the game, and telling final touches from Lever, Lockhart and McDonald denied them major scores.  Together, they are operating efficiently, although Neville Jetta failed to show his best form, and two head knocks in the game may pave the way for his passage from the side, especially with only a 4 day break.  
 
This was a game that could have been won.
 
Given the chances that the Demons had, it was a game that should have been won.  
 
Now facing Port Adelaide, the other top side in the competition, on the coming Thursday night, there is one final chance for the team to put themselves back in contention.  The path to finals football is getting narrower and with a shortened season, may close off with another fail.
 
It is now up to the players to show a lot more, and ensure that the 2020 season is not just another fail itself.  
 
MELBOURNE 2.2.14 3.3.21 4.6.30 7.7.49
 
BRISBANE LIONS 2.2.14 5.5.35 7.6.48 7.11.53
 
GOALS
 
Melbourne Melksham 3 Fritsch 2 Jones Viney
 
Brisbane Lions Cameron 2 Bailey Hipwood McCarthy Rayner Zorko
 
BEST
 
Melbourne Oliver Gawn Viney Melksham Petracca Lever
 
Brisbane Lions Neale Lyons McCluggage Bailey Zorko Starcevich
 
INJURIES
 
Melbourne Nil
 
Brisbane Lions Daniel Rich (hamstring)
 
REPORTS
 
Melbourne Nil
 
Brisbane Lions Nil
 
UMPIRES
 
VENUE Metricon Stadium
 
ReportRd082020.png
 

Featured Content

  • WHAT’S NEXT? by The Oracle

    What’s next for a beleagured Melbourne Football Club down in form and confidence, facing  intense criticism and disapproval over some underwhelming recent performances and in the midst of a four game losing streak? Why, it’s Adelaide which boasts the best percentage in the AFL and has won six of its last seven games. The Crows are hot and not only that, the game is at the Adelaide Oval; yet another away fixture and the third in a row at a venue outside of Victoria. One of the problems the Demons have these days is that they rarely have the luxury of true home ground advantage, something they have enjoyed just once since mid April. 

    • 0 replies
  • REPORT: Gold Coast

    From the start, Melbourne’s performance against the Gold Coast Suns at Peoples First Stadium was nothing short of a massive botch up and it came down in the first instance to poor preparation. Rather than adequately preparing the team for battle against an opponent potentially on the skids after suffering three consecutive losses, the Demons looking anything but sharp and ready to play in the opening minutes of the game. By way of contrast, the Suns demonstrated a clear sense of purpose and will to win. From the very first bounce of the ball they were back to where they left off earlier in the season in Round Three when the teams met at the MCG. They ran rings around the Demons and finished the game off with a dominant six goal final term. This time, they produced another dominant quarter to start the game, restricting Melbourne to a solitary point to lead by six goals at the first break, by which time, the game was all but over.

      • Clap
      • Thanks
    • 0 replies
  • CASEY: Gold Coast

    Coming off four consecutive victories and with a team filled with 17 AFL listed players, the Casey Demons took to their early morning encounter with the lowly Gold Coast Suns at People First Stadium with the swagger of a team that thought a win was inevitable. They were smashing it for the first twenty minutes of the game after Tom Fullarton booted the first two goals but they then descended into an abyss of frustrating poor form and lackadaisical effort that saw the swagger and the early arrogance disappear by quarter time when their lead was overtaken by a more intense and committed opponent. The Suns continued to apply the pressure in the second quarter and got out to a three goal lead in mid term before the Demons fought back. A late goal to the home side before the half time bell saw them ten points up at the break and another surge in the third quarter saw them comfortably up with a 23 point lead at the final break.

    • 0 replies
  • PREGAME: Rd 17 vs Adelaide

    With their season all over bar the shouting the Demons head back on the road for the third week in a row as they return to Adelaide to take on the Crows. Who comes in and who goes out?

      • Thanks
    • 96 replies
  • POSTGAME: Rd 16 vs Gold Coast

    The Demons did not come to play from the opening bounce and let the Gold Coast kick the first 5 goals of the match. They then outscored the Suns for the next 3 quarters but it was too little too late and their season is now effectively over.

      • Sad
      • Like
    • 231 replies
  • VOTES: Rd 16 vs Gold Coast

    Max Gawn has a massive lead in the Demonland Player of the Year award ahead of Jake Bowey, Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver and Kysaiah Pickett. Your votes please. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 & 1.

      • Thanks
    • 41 replies