Dee-Fence wins flags from Fox Footy

 

The tale of the tape.....Melbourne's 2 year turnraround to get its defence right

The ability to stop oppositions scoring once they enter their fwd 50 is an historic low by a long margin..

 

Edited April 27, 20213 yr by jnrmac

Yes,  I've always thought that you can't win a premiership without a strong defence.  You actually don't need a strong forward line to win a flag, but you have to have a strong defence.

Roosy must feel like his job is done now

All of these amazing stats - undefeated with players queuing up to get a game with hot VFL form - I don't know what to do with myself!  Very strange feeling!

3 hours ago, one_demon said:

Yes,  I've always thought that you can't win a premiership without a strong defence.  You actually don't need a strong forward line to win a flag, but you have to have a strong defence.

I've always felt midfields win flags, but I'm beginning to reevaluate this position. I think the modern game has become so systems based that all three areas of the ground are as important to the greater picture as each other. For example, our game style would be far less effective and our defence would be nowhere as measly if it weren't for our forward pressure.

Our defensive work this year has been amazing. May and Lever get most of the plaudits and rightly so but Thommo has been a revelation. 

I watched him for a quarter during the Geelong game. He manned up against Hawkins after May went down and more than held his own. Great positional sense and really strong in the marking contest. Rarely loses a 1 on 1. He held Hawkins to 2 goals that day which is no mean feat. Heard him speak on the Sunday Footy show and he seems like a smart cookie. He and May can handle any KPF duo in the league allowing Lever to take a lesser light and peel off and play his intercept marking role. I was starting to doubt his recruitment but boy has he come good.

4 hours ago, Better days ahead said:

Our defensive work this year has been amazing. May and Lever get most of the plaudits and rightly so but Thommo has been a revelation. 

I watched him for a quarter during the Geelong game. He manned up against Hawkins after May went down and more than held his own. Great positional sense and really strong in the marking contest. Rarely loses a 1 on 1. He held Hawkins to 2 goals that day which is no mean feat. Heard him speak on the Sunday Footy show and he seems like a smart cookie. He and May can handle any KPF duo in the league allowing Lever to take a lesser light and peel off and play his intercept marking role. I was starting to doubt his recruitment but boy has he come good.

I think I read a stat that Thommo has only lost one one-on-one this year.  Is that right? Incredible if true.

Just a quick comment that I think Jayden Hunt is our most improved footballer from last year. 

(Or, maybe second most, after Luke Jackson.)

There was a great clip shown On The Couch about our defensive efforts form our mids and wingers, dropping back to protect space and the outside , then run fwd once we get control of the ball.

Fitness in this side cannot be underrated. Also the willingness of Oliver and Trac and Jordon and Viney to get back to provide outlets for the defenders is huge.. been something that has not always happened. thats the selflessness they talk about.

Tomlinson winning 12 of his 13 one-on-one contests is outstanding.

@La Dee-vina Comediaalso a contender for most improved. Although he's built it off the back half of last season.

11 minutes ago, Demon3 said:

There was a great clip shown On The Couch about our defensive efforts form our mids and wingers, dropping back to protect space and the outside , then run fwd once we get control of the ball.

Fitness in this side cannot be underrated. Also the willingness of Oliver and Trac and Jordon and Viney to get back to provide outlets for the defenders is huge.. been something that has not always happened. thats the selflessness they talk about.

I think this is the most noticeable change in game style from last year. The defensive running of the mids and wingers didn't seem to exist in many games last year. It has made such a difference. 

10 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

I think this is the most noticeable change in game style from last year. The defensive running of the mids and wingers didn't seem to exist in many games last year. It has made such a difference. 

Its interesting that our defensive structiure is so effective without Jetta starring.

Levers interception of the ball in the air or on ground has been suberb. His decision making is always very fast and very astute.

May and Tomlinson simply out muscle their opponents. 

Hibberd back in has been a huge gain as is Salem getting back to providing great drive and always finding his targets.

The excitement factor is watching Hunt turn on the after burners and arrogantly bouncing the ball as he does it.

 

36 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Just a quick comment that I think Jayden Hunt is our most improved footballer from last year. 

(Or, maybe second most, after Luke Jackson.)

Hard to say.

So many.

Tomlinson

ANB

Spargo

Kozzie

Tmac.

Salem

Lever.

 

Tomlinson on the Sunday Footy Show (go to 6:22 in the clip)

1. that he offered to play CHB to Goody - indeed he became a winger at GWS more by accident than design / originally a defender "Skulls got injured"
2. that the approach at Melb. was different to GWS - at GWS more one on one defence at Melb. "system based defence at the Demons whereas at the Giants you've got your opponent you beat your opponent it was very one on one"

I don't know enough about our "systems based defence" but the idea that Tomlinson "goes to Lynch" or May "picks up X" seems at odds with Tomlinson's advice here.

Edited April 28, 20213 yr by dino rover

It’s the whole team defense all over the ground and the want and desire to work hard run back and support  that’s giving us an edge and I’m sure Burgos fitness programs have helped in this area.

36 minutes ago, leave it to deever said:

Hard to say.

So many.

Tomlinson

ANB

Spargo

Kozzie

Tmac.

Salem

Lever.

 

Very hard to say as the top 3 above have made a remarkable difference to the team by performing their role. We even have players in the 2nds who are playing a role by keeping those in the team on their toes. All credit to Goody and Co.

11 hours ago, deelusions from afar said:

All of these amazing stats - undefeated with players queuing up to get a game with hot VFL form - I don't know what to do with myself!  Very strange feeling!

I see all these stats and think...they can't be talking about Melbourne.

It is heartening to know that three of the most astute and experienced opposition coaches, Hardwick, Clarkson and Scott have not been able to find a chink in our defence. We have only conceded an average of 54 points against their sides.

Edited April 28, 20213 yr by John Crow Batty

1 hour ago, dino rover said:

Tomlinson on the Sunday Footy Show (go to 6:22 in the clip)

1. that he offered to play CHB to Goody - indeed he became a winger at GWS more by accident than design / originally a defender "Skulls got injured"
2. that the approach at Melb. was different to GWS - at GWS more one on one defence at Melb. "system based defence at the Demons whereas at the Giants you've got your opponent you beat your opponent it was very one on one"

I don't know enough about our "systems based defence" but the idea that Tomlinson "goes to Lynch" or May "picks up X" seems at odds with Tomlinson's advice here.

Agree although I think it's more about positioning eg They don't want Lever dragged back to the goal square - if that's where his opponent goes then someone else will pick them up.

I feel like it should be fairly easy to exploit this type of approach but many teams like us manage it pretty effectively - I think it's also why it's harder for Jetta and Lockhart to stay in the team as they are more likely to be shown up for height regardless of their relative strength and determination.

Multiple times this week I have found myself thinking of Melbourne's disgustingly good defence and have legitimately gotten butterflies in my stomach in doing so - it's just that awesome.

Feeling very good about being a Dees supporter right now.