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.


CHANGES: Rd 06 vs Richmond


Demonland

Recommended Posts

My two cents.

Jones is playing -  so whether we think he should be or not we should get behind a great Melbourne man this weekend. Whether he plays game 301 the following week - I'm not so sure. 

Weideman in for M.Brown. Fritch (if fit) in for Melkshem. May (if fit) in for Petty. Would gamble on playing May if close to full fitness to match up on Lynch but wouldn't play Fritch if not 100% fit as we have forward cover. Ben Brown has to wait another week as we can't completely restructure the forward line and expect to beat Richmond. Play McDonald as a high lead up half forward (not sold on him as a wingman) with Weideman and Jackson playing deeper forward. Can't afford to drop any of the small forwards - there pressure has been immense over the first 5 games. 

Edited by RodGrinter14
  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

43 minutes ago, Hannibal Inc. said:

Jones will obviously play, but if Bedford keeps up that type of form the quicker he's in (at Jones' expense) the better.  He would make us better than Jones presently does.

I’m not convinced of that. Bedford has some good defensive pressure traits and speed but we’re already playing 3 small pressure forwards in ANB, Spargo and Koz.

Jones’ value right now is that he gets to the right place as a high half forward and 3rd wingman. Bedford can’t do that job better than Jones from what I’ve seen, he just isn’t all that smart with positioning or strong in the contest.

It will take a reshuffle of Melk, JJ or Fritsch’s role to fit in another pressure forward and cover the wing minutes. 

A healthy Harmes, Chandler, Bowey or this weeks mystery injury candidate in Laurie probably have better attributes if you were doing a straight swap.  

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

I’m not convinced of that. Bedford has some good defensive pressure traits and speed but we’re already playing 3 small pressure forwards in ANB, Spargo and Koz.

Jones’ value right now is that he gets to the right place as a high half forward and 3rd wingman. Bedford can’t do that job better than Jones from what I’ve seen, he just isn’t all that smart with positioning or strong in the contest.

It will take a reshuffle of Melk, JJ or Fritsch’s role to fit in another pressure forward and cover the wing minutes. 

A healthy Harmes, Chandler, Bowey or this weeks mystery injury candidate in Laurie probably have better attributes if you were doing a straight swap.  

Disagree.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think we need to be very careful about when, and at what rate, we bring in players that have been out for long periods (Weeds and BBB etc) or unproven AFL players (Bedford, Chandler etc).  Unless injury forces our hand, I'd hate us to bring in more than one of those types at a time, especially against a team like Richmond.  The gulf in quality from VFL to AFL is bigger than ever thanks to Covid last year.  A player dominating at VFL level could very well come in and struggle to get a kick at AFL level.

If May and/or Fritta are fully fit and ready to go, bring them in.  But definetely no more than one of Weeds/BBB/Bedford/anyone else who is pushing to come in too.

At whose expense?  I really don't know.  I feel LJ could really, relly benefit from a multi-week run at Casey.  Like, it would be best for his long term development type of benefit.  But in doing so, do we lose too much of what he provides as back-up ruckman?

Tough week to be a selector.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Anyone else thinking that ANB's position could be in jeopardy.  He had a very good game in round 2 vs Saints but has been relatively poor in the other games. 

If this wasn't such a critical game and if we didn't have so many inexperienced players in the 22 I could see he being dropped.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

32 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Anyone else thinking that ANB's position could be in jeopardy.  He had a very good game in round 2 vs Saints but has been relatively poor in the other games. 

If this wasn't such a critical game and if we didn't have so many inexperienced players in the 22 I could see he being dropped.

I thought the first half of the weekend was his first poor half and that he'd been at least good in all other games. Would be shocked if he was dropped.

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

I thought the first half of the weekend was his first poor half and that he'd been at least good in all other games. Would be shocked if he was dropped.

He may not get dropped this week but he needs to really lift his game.  His season averages look ok because of the very good round 2 game vs Saints.  For other games he has been in the bottom 1/3rd of players.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


My best guess would be.  

OUT: Petty, Neal-Bullen, Brown

IN: May, Weideman, Fritsch 

Fritsch is too good to miss if fit, but hard to know who he replaces, it's Neal-Bullen, Melksham or Spargo for me, i'd say Spargo has been the best of the three, and Melksham is Goodys best mate and will get looked after 

Edited by Patches O’houlihan
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, old dee said:

So you going to ditch the 6 best player on the ground for what?

Tom Mcdonald isn't going to be apart of our future mate. Like I said, he has been playing well so credit to him. I don't read too much into stats. He had 22 touches but a lot of them were in the backline. So I'd prefer to have Ben Brown who is a bigger target inside 50m to straighten us up. Weideman also comes in after kicking 7. 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 minutes ago, Patches O’houlihan said:

My best guess would be.  

OUT: Petty, Neal-Bullen, Brown

IN: May, Weideman, Fritsch 

Fritsch is too good to miss if fit, but hard to know who he replaces, it's Neal-Bullen, Melksham or Spargo for me, i'd say Spargo has been the best of the three, and Melksham is Goodys best mate and will get looked after 

Dude, May was out for 2-4 weeks. Try again

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If we drop ANB and bring in Fritsch, and we also bring in Weideman and Melksham retains his spot (which he surely will), then I think we will really lack that forward pressure that has been so crucial to our success this season.

Against Richmond keeping the ball in our forward 50 is going to be extremely important, as I suspect we will likely break even in the middle, and we know their forwards are deadly and could expose our defenders (especially if May is not ready). 

We need to be careful to get the balance of attack and defence right up forward. It has been the biggest change to our approach this season and probably the biggest factor in our 5-0 start. 

ANB for all his flaws, has found a really important role in our side. He does the defensive stuff really well and covers a lot of ground. His two way running has been exceptional and has allowed guys like Fritsch to play less accountable footy. He has also been getting his fair share of clearances around the ground, which is not something we will get out of any of his replacements. 

I don't envy the selectors. 

  • Like 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

18 minutes ago, Dr.D said:

Tom Mcdonald isn't going to be apart of our future mate. Like I said, he has been playing well so credit to him. I don't read too much into stats. He had 22 touches but a lot of them were in the backline. So I'd prefer to have Ben Brown who is a bigger target inside 50m to straighten us up. Weideman also comes in after kicking 7. 

 

Have been one of his biggests critis but Tom has been a gun this year.

We would be 3 games down without him.

Hes 28 and has at least 3 years left.

Regardless, playing like he is no coach could drop him.

Stats like 10 marks a game I reckon are pretty important. Could have had 2 more goals of players had missed his leads.

  • Like 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

17 minutes ago, Dr.D said:

Tom Mcdonald isn't going to be apart of our future mate. Like I said, he has been playing well so credit to him. I don't read too much into stats. He had 22 touches but a lot of them were in the backline. So I'd prefer to have Ben Brown who is a bigger target inside 50m to straighten us up. Weideman also comes in after kicking 7. 

 

If you bring in both Brown and Weideman one or both of them will have to spend significant time in the CHF up the ground role that Tom is playing. He had 2 touches in the back 50 and 69% of touches in the attacking half.

Replacing Tom when he's at peak fitness and in decent form for 2 guys who have played 1.5 games each and don't offer much at ground level or defensively doesn't make sense.

Bring one of Weid/Brown in this week, bring the next one in when they have a bit more fitness under their belt. 

There's 17 team weeks until finals, now is not the time to try to assemble our best possible line up or worry about who's in the long term plans. Picking the best team for right now has to be the aim and that means keeping the guy who took 10 marks at CHF.

  • Like 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites


1 minute ago, Patches O’houlihan said:

Not based on what Simon Goodwin said, he might not play,  but if he's fit he walks straight back in. 

correct. if he's fit he walks in. But he isn't so he won't. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Anyone else thinking that ANB's position could be in jeopardy.  He had a very good game in round 2 vs Saints but has been relatively poor in the other games. 

If this wasn't such a critical game and if we didn't have so many inexperienced players in the 22 I could see he being dropped.

Id drop him for sure.  We will be even better when Bedford is in the AFL team.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, DeeSpencer said:

If you bring in both Brown and Weideman one or both of them will have to spend significant time in the CHF up the ground role that Tom is playing. He had 2 touches in the back 50 and 69% of touches in the attacking half.

Replacing Tom when he's at peak fitness and in decent form for 2 guys who have played 1.5 games each and don't offer much at ground level or defensively doesn't make sense.

Bring one of Weid/Brown in this week, bring the next one in when they have a bit more fitness under their belt. 

There's 17 team weeks until finals, now is not the time to try to assemble our best possible line up or worry about who's in the long term plans. Picking the best team for right now has to be the aim and that means keeping the guy who took 10 marks at CHF.

I hear what you're saying. I won't go into the stats because I reckon Tom got a lot of ball in the back half, not necessarily the back 50m.  But none the less, Tom has kicked 6 goals in 5 games (and 1 one his goals, he ripped from Jackson are potentially cost us a goal by getting it touched). But alas 6 in 5 games: It's not bad, but it's not great.

 I agree that Ben Brown and TMac can't be in the same forward line. What makes TMac valuable is his kicking for goal. I don't really like him roaming up the field. He is a see ball, mark ball, kick goal sort of player. I want his marks to be inside 50m or nowhere at all. And we've shown this year to be horrific in front of goal which makes accurate goal kickers more valuable. But Ben Brown is basically an accurate TMac but one that plays closer to goal. 

Also, finals is far from guaranteed. We're heading in the right direction but last year showed how we can capitulate. 


 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

17 minutes ago, leave it to deever said:

Have been one of his biggests critis but Tom has been a gun this year.

We would be 3 games down without him.

Hes 28 and has at least 3 years left.

Regardless, playing like he is no coach could drop him.

Stats like 10 marks a game I reckon are pretty important. Could have had 2 more goals of players had missed his leads.

He's kicked essentially 5 goals in 5 games. Lets pump the brakes a bit. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • 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 262

    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...