POSTGAME: Rd 07 vs North Melbourne

[DubDee 25,860]

6 minutes ago, Dame Gaga said:

The team should not fly to the venue on the morning of the match. Flights seem to suck the life out of the players!

Completely agree. Flying in on the game for a 1pm kick off is amateur. Much better prep to stay the night 

[Adam The God 30,249]

5 hours ago, rufus said:

Time up for Melksham. Avoided contact which cost us today. We can't accept that if we want to transform into a consistently competitive football club.

He always avoids contact. For me, it was that he turned over scoring opportunities with ball in hand. Usually that's why he keeps his place in the team, but he didn't even do that right today.

He's an interesting case, Melksham. He's the sort that can win you a game of football with a clutch moment or two out of nowhere. I think this is why we persist with him and will continue to do so.

5 hours ago, Nasher said:

Random thoughts: 

Thought Gawn really struggled today. We looked better when LJ was in the ruck.

Structure down back looked broken without Tomlinson, and better when TMac went back to play on Larkey. Definitely need another tall now with Tommo out, just a question of TMac  (Weid in) or Petty. 

This version of North might suck but nobody told Ben Cun*ington that we’re not their punching bag anymore. He had us over a barrel again today.

More Dees fans at Blundstone than North, or at least we were louder. Had a middle aged guy with French visitors sitting behind me who was clearly only a part time Dees watcher. By the end he was calling me The Authority because I kept correcting him every time he said the wrong player. All in good fun though.

Fritsch was the only forward who looked genuinely dangerous today. Outstanding game, looked a class above.

Kozzy looks better in the flesh than on TV. Gun.

Glad they finally won for you mate.

5 hours ago, Jaded said:

Agreed that ANB was putrid today. Awful in the first half on Zeibel and couldn’t hit a target in the second half. 
What gets to me about Melksham is that he doesn’t do the team thing like everyone else. I understand he is a very very good user of the footy, but he’s also selfish and lazy. His half hearted tackles are a slap in the face to Spargo who is 4kg wet and yet throws himself at tackles with no care for his safety. 
There are a lot of players working hard in the VFL and big pressure for spots, and so I don’t understand why Melksham hangs onto his spot when he doesn’t do enough. 

Yep, that snap when he had a team mate on for the handball was textbook selfishness. If you burn a team mate like that, you'd better kick the goal. He kicked it on the full. Shocking stuff.

[jnrmac 20,061]

6 hours ago, Better days ahead said:

Not sure how the coach’s go about reviewing that game. Hopefully that first half was just an aberration and it will be normal service resumed next week against the Swans.

If they didn't review the 2018 prelim they won't be reviewing that first half...

 

[Adam The God 30,249]

4 hours ago, CYB said:

I think this definitely had to factor in. We are all human after all. Was saying to a mate that Tomo needed to compose himself or remove himself away from the team as seeing him in distress ( which is absolutely ok) effected the teams focus. 

David King said the same thing on First Crack. I reckon the players have to be mentally tough enough to maintain focus despite this, but each to their own.

[Tom Dyson 1,633]

Jonesy showed us why he didn't deserve to be dropped, really rated his performance and leadership when we were challenged.

[Pates 9,660]

30 minutes ago, Dame Gaga said:

The team should not fly to the venue on the morning of the match. Flights seem to suck the life out of the players!

Did we seriously do that? I understand why we’d do that last year during COVID complications but no reason to do that this season. If we really did fly up game day that full explains our flatness and the club gambled with 4 points. I don’t care if it’s only a short flight, the actions of going to the airport and hoping on the plane is terrible preparation. 

[Adam The God 30,249]

3 hours ago, Clint Bizkit said:

This is the one time spelling a name wrong is acceptable.

Haha, indeed. *Sparrow. Derps.

[John Demonic 5,795]

Can the DL terms of service be amended to: No Racism, Xenophobia, bigotry or Discussions on how percentage is calculated 

Edited May 2, 2021 by John Demonic

[John Demonic 5,795]

5 hours ago, Smokey said:

Melksham was horrible. From what I saw, the stats he accumulated came mostly after half time when we starting controlling the game better. I'd love to see him dropped. 

It's stipulated in Melks contract that he's only to receive pats on the head, and not taps on the shoulder from Goody

[Left Foot Snap 2,402]

4 minutes ago, John Demonic said:

Can the DL terms of service be amended to: No Racism, Xenophobia, bigotry or Discussions on how percentage is calculated 

Don't be afraid of mathematics......

[Dame Gaga 2,453]

20 minutes ago, Pates said:

Did we seriously do that? I understand why we’d do that last year during COVID complications but no reason to do that this season. If we really did fly up game day that full explains our flatness and the club gambled with 4 points. I don’t care if it’s only a short flight, the actions of going to the airport and hoping on the plane is terrible preparation. 

Someone else mentioned they did and I assume they are right. I think it is because the Tasmanian premier didn't want the footballers to be wandering around, even for training. Fly in, play the game, fly out. All to do with the COVID. He was threatening to cancel the game during the week. He had an election to win.

[Adam The God 30,249]

1 hour ago, In Harmes Way said:

Maybe he meant we were off by 98% and there was only 2% to write home about?

I reckon I've had enough maths on this thread to last me a lifetime mate. And despite having cost reports and bookeeping due tomorrow, I'm still none the wiser after approximately 8 of 13 pages dedicated to SWYL and his band of mathematicians.

Edited May 2, 2021 by A F

[At the break of Gawn 4,460]

I reckon North are due some credit. They played an outstanding first half and when you listen to Goody’s post match, he did say the Kangas had a specific plan against us which they executed well.

Does anyone know if Paul Roos was in the opposition box?

One last thing, what was with Ben Brown not extending the dukes at all for the whole game? Kept on trying to mark on his chest time and time again which allowed McKay to get a fist in.

[Dees2014 2,377]

5 hours ago, CYB said:

I thought he went for the Dees. Certainly seems that way on the Couch

He played initially for the Dees and then the Swans. He refers all things Melbourne to Gary Lyon On the Couch, who makes no secret of his support for the Dees. Healy never expresses emotions about the MFC, but does so regularly for the Swans. Let’s see tomorrow night...

[Fanatique Demon 2,644]

40 minutes ago, John Demonic said:

6 hours ago, Smokey said:

Melksham was horrible. From what I saw, the stats he accumulated came mostly after half time when we starting controlling the game better. I'd love to see him dropped. 

It's stipulated in Melks contract that he's only to receive pats on the head, and not taps on the shoulder from Goody

I am neither pro or anti Melksham, but I am anti prejudice and injustice.

My first impression was that he was quite good today so I watched the game again. It’s really interesting doing that after reading what people think of players’ performances. For those with the knives out for Melksham, I suggest you take a second look and see how many times he delivered the ball beautifully in the forward line, presenting opportunities for Brown, ANB, Gawn, Kozzy. Not every one of them was gobbled up, but that said more about the receivers than Melksham. For example, Max tried to mark on his chest instead of with outstretched hands.

Melksham was directly involved (twice) in one of Kozzy’s goals that went coast to coast.

He missed a tackle or two, kicked out on the full and was caught with the ball. But the same could be said of Kozzy, Jones and Brayshaw.

But as they say, haters gonna hate.

[Pates 9,660]

Just watching the first quarter now, main takeaways are that our intensity was very low. Almost seemed to just do the minimum. 

Melksham for all of his critics was very involved in our good bits of forward play. 

North came in with a plan and executed it well, credit has to be given to them for that. 

Our clearance winners (obviously down one in Viney) were off their game big time. 

Every time the camera was on Tommo he looked like he could break down into tears at any moment. I’ve had a serious knee injury, they suck. But given the journey he’s gone through to make it as an important player in our defence it must be heartbreaking for him. 

Salem, Petracca, Oliver, Fritch, and Rivers the players I’d single out for praise. 

Edited May 2, 2021 by Pates

[Pates 9,660]

Start of the second quarter, the Roos doing a lot of simple things well. Particularly basic passing and going inside 50, they didn’t fall into the trap blazing away and allowing intercept marks. I think a lot of that is also down to Tommo going down affecting our structure. It’ll be interesting to see whether that improves when TMac gets moved back. 

EDIT they’ve also stopped us from having the outlet kick out of defence. 

Edited May 2, 2021 by Pates

[Pates 9,660]

So half time the last 5min was particularly poor in the second quarter, basics and intensity were at absolute zero and the goals we conceded were soft. If I had been watching this live without the knowledge that we won I would’ve been going ballistic. 

Not really anyone to single out for praise for that quarter, maybe Petracca but he had some opportunities to make an impact and actually failed to deliver what was needed. I will say the were some small moments of brilliance such as Kozzie roving the pack and being selfless with his kick to Langdon, and Brown getting his first goal as a demon. 

Starting second half I see Max getting the boys in the huddle, I would love to have been a fly on the wall there to hear what he said. 

[Pates 9,660]

Coming towards the end of the third quarter, this quarter we went from a team that was idling along to into 3rd-4th gear pretty quickly. Our tackling pressure was good and our important players got involved. Brown kicking his first set shot was a good look, Fritta and Kozzie raised the bar in the forward line, and our defensive structure looked a lot better with TMac taking the second tall role. I also thought that Jones was good in this quarter, certainly so far he stays in the team IMO. Very good quarter from Jackson as well.  

[Cards13 9,117]

4 hours ago, Pates said:

Did we seriously do that? I understand why we’d do that last year during COVID complications but no reason to do that this season. If we really did fly up game day that full explains our flatness and the club gambled with 4 points. I don’t care if it’s only a short flight, the actions of going to the airport and hoping on the plane is terrible preparation. 

 

4 hours ago, Dame Gaga said:

Someone else mentioned they did and I assume they are right. I think it is because the Tasmanian premier didn't want the footballers to be wandering around, even for training. Fly in, play the game, fly out. All to do with the COVID. He was threatening to cancel the game during the week. He had an election to win.

From another thread it was said BOTH teams flew in and out of Tassie together. No excuse for North. 

[Pates 9,660]

Just finished the game then, I haven't bothered to go through the whole thread to see what everyone thought but here's what I think:

- we were very far from our best, particularly in the first half. Our pressure was down, and the care factor seemed to be a bare minimum. The north players were up for it and got the jump on us, particularly at the tail end of the second quarter with that late burst.

- I can only imagine what both Max and Goody said at half time but I doubt it was disparaging. Probably simply pointing out the obvious that what we delivered so far was not the expectation of the playing group, wouldn't have surprised me if someone pointed out that there are plenty of lads who played well for Casey that would be happy to take the spot of anyone not wanting to put in a good effort in the second half. Whatever was said, it worked. I would say we still hung at 80% for the second half but the lift was obvious.

- We are the fittest team in the competition. I can say that with almost no doubt in my mind, even going at 80% we still outran the Roos players. Langdon is a freak at this.

- Fritta has arrived as a genuine danger forward. His radar is working, and now he's getting reward for effort. Fingers and toes crossed he only gets a fine for his high fend off.

- Jackson is more and more becoming a freak, how he isn't in the conversation for Rising Star winner is beyond me. He's playing so far above what I expected of him at this stage, and he just keeps getting better.

- Brown's debut was underwhelming, and I'm not worried or surprised. First off some of the balls kicked to him were awful, secondly I think it's going to take a little time to adjust to full speed AFL again. He did some good pieces of work, a clever goal, and his obligatory free-kick goal (how did that taste North fans?!). He'll get better.

- Some old whipping boys weren't on song today, and interestingly that's where I saw the team struggle. We can't underestimate how important it is that the likes of Nibbler, Spargo, and Baker have positive impacts on the game. It's those sort of guys that provide some of the no flash grunt work that creates goals, it wasn't quite there today. Not saying drop them all, just a comment on how important it is we have no passengers.

- What to do with TMac? Losing Tommo is such a gut punch as our defence has been outstanding with him playing a big part of it this year. Goody has kept saying TMac won't go back, he was completely lost from the game until he went back, is this a sign? Weid has been kicking goals consistently since getting fit, how long before we bring him in? 

- Our two star midfielders need to start taking their chances. This is nitpicking a bit but Oliver and Petracca both had multiple chances streaming from on the edge of 50 that they sprayed, these two are guns but those need to be turned into goals more often than not. While I'm on Oliver, he was outstanding in the second half, stepped up in a big way.

- Final thought, I think the guys may have been a flat after the match with Tommo being injured. Clearly everyone's really gutted for him, all the best to him with his recovery.

[Wells 11 5,401]

Petracca is having a great year. I don’t mean to downplay his importance but he’s also not beyond criticism. His set shot kicking for goal has gone back to where it was a few years ago and needs attention. looks like he can’t decide whether to run straight in his run up or take advantage of the stand rule of the mark and run around and the confusion to me is visible,  He got called to play on at least twice today caught in that indecision. His misses haven’t hurt us yet but i’m hoping someone is talking to him. 

[DEE fence 5,013]

4 hours ago, Fanatique Demon said:

I am neither pro or anti Melksham, but I am anti prejudice and injustice.

My first impression was that he was quite good today so I watched the game again. It’s really interesting doing that after reading what people think of players’ performances. For those with the knives out for Melksham, I suggest you take a second look and see how many times he delivered the ball beautifully in the forward line, presenting opportunities for Brown, ANB, Gawn, Kozzy. Not every one of them was gobbled up, but that said more about the receivers than Melksham. For example, Max tried to mark on his chest instead of with outstretched hands.

Melksham was directly involved (twice) in one of Kozzy’s goals that went coast to coast.

He missed a tackle or two, kicked out on the full and was caught with the ball. But the same could be said of Kozzy, Jones and Brayshaw.

But as they say, haters gonna hate.

100% accurate, I don't think he is best 22 but his game was better than some of his others this year. Everyone's a politician now days, the narrative has to suit the agenda.

[DEE fence 5,013]

Sorry to spam, but I actually thought today was Tmac's best game. He did a dozen things, right place, right decision, huge tank, super mobile defence, when things weren't going all our way. Don't get me wrong I love him marking in the forward 50, and I might finally be getting old, but his decision making and disposal was much better than I ever remembered from when he played defence regularly.

[Pates 9,660]

4 minutes ago, DaisyDeeciple said:

100% accurate, I don't think he is best 22 but his game was better than some of his others this year. Everyone's a politician now days, the narrative has to suit the agenda.

Yep, I've been as harsh as anyone on Melks but he wasn't as bad as what people are saying. Delivered some good balls in that I actually don't think the forwards attacked hard enough or got their hands out. Can't see him being dropped, particularly if Fritta gets suspended.