A CLANGER IN CAIRNS by George on the Outer

Having fought back into finals contention, the Demons had it all before them when facing a lowly Sydney in Cairns.  But in typical Melbourne fashion, they threw away the opportunity to cement their spot in the eight with a clanger of a game. 

Right from the start, there was little to enthuse from the Melbourne players, who appeared to think that they only had to turn up, enjoy the North Queensland sun, and take away the four points.  Compared with the furious ground wide pressure of the previous game, this was a return to “bad” Melbourne. 

Compounding the situation was the poor conversion in front of goals, evident even in the first quarter, and ultimately costing the chance to pinch the game in the final stages. 

With a wind favouring the end to which the Demons kicked, they simply failed to adapt and utilise the conditions. They conceded two goals to the opposition before they troubled the scorer with a major.  Then they watched Sydney take full advantage in the second quarter with five goals straight, while Melbourne failed to score a major — a not unfamiliar story to the supporters of the club. 

The forwards with the exception of Mitch Brown, probably could have remained on holiday in Alice Springs, such was their lack of presence, effectiveness and desire in this game. Sam Weideman produced a miserable two possessions for the game, and failed to provide contest pressure or second efforts.

The addition of Alex Neal-Bullen to the side was another clanger, as no amount of running compensates for football skills when needed. Jack Melksham continues to avoid scrutiny, zero tackles again this game combined with a refusal to contest the ball in the air, only looking for the cheap kick out the back. 

Worse was the situation down back where the addition of Joel Smith ripped apart a solid defensive structure.  His first two “spoils” sent the ball directly to Swans players and resulted in goals. Unable to stay with his opponents for the remaining part of the game, he was finally benched in the final quarter. 

The frustration of Steven May was evident as holes were left with unguarded players taking easy marks.  He was forced to move left, right and further up the ground to cover the clangers of others.  In a desperate move to provide some measure of forward target, he was moved in front of goals and took a telling mark and goal, to provide the Demons some hope in the final quarter. Oscar McDonald had been sent there earlier, and it was a sad indictment that they were able to do the job, when the regular forwards hadn’t. 

The mids were beaten soundly again this week, the third time it has happened in a row. Clearances both in the middle and around the ground were won by the Swans, despite Max Gawn easily winning the ruck contest 37 to 19.  Again, the mids produced a solidary goal between them, and questions must be raised about the contested nature of the group, when they don’t produce. 

To top of the clanger situation was the inept performance in front of goal.  Melbourne had at least 5 set shots from inside 30 metres, two from Ed Langdon and Bayley Fritsch and another from Gawn, all of which not only missed, but barely made it through the behinds.  Should those easy chances have been converted, the game would have been won. 

Melbourne have now conceded their spot in the eight and the two teams above them in GWS and St.Kilda have their next games against Hawthorn and Adelaide.  The Demons face Fremantle who are in a similar ladder position near the bottom, so we should get a good gauge on which side wants to play in finals in coming week. 

A similar type of performance to this game, will not only result in a clanger of a season, but without suitable changes, both at selection table and on the ground, will see the bell toll for more than the players.

MELBOURNE 2.3.15 2.4.16 3.7.25 6.10.46

SYDNEY 2.0.12 7.2.44 7.4.46 10.7.67

GOALS

Melbourne Brayshaw Harmes May Neal-Bullen Spargo

Sydney Parker McInerney 2 Clarke McLean Rowbottom Taylor Wicks

BEST

Melbourne Langdon Tomlinson Gawn Petracca Brayshaw Oliver

Sydney Parker Kennedy Lloyd McInerney, Blakey Taylor Rowbottom

INJURIES

Melbourne Brayshaw (ankle) Jones (thigh) MFC supporters (hopes)

Sydney Mills (calf) replaced in selected side by McLean

REPORTS

Melbourne Nil

Sydney Nil

UMPIRES David Harris Shaun Ryan Andre Gianfagna

VENUE Cazaly’s Stadium