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.


The importance of one player


hemingway

Recommended Posts

We have the example of the importance of one player to both a team and their success rate. 

We accept that to win flags you need a champion team over a team of champions. However, you cannot under estimate the importance of one player. 

Currently, his name is Dusty. 

But when you think back, it has always been so. 

It was often said during the Demons great days, “no Barassi, no Melbourne”. And the facts are that Melbourne was often vulnerable when RDB was not playing. Arguably we missed out winning the flag in 63 when Ron was suspended for hitting Roger Dean just before the finals. Ron provided the leadership, the spark that inspired others. Norm Smith knew this and it was the reason he was always so tough on him and would provoke an angry and aggressive response from Ron on the field. 

There are plenty of examples. 

Hawthorn without Hudson, Geelong without Ablett Snr, South without Skilton,  the Tigers without Hart or Stewart.  The Blues without Jezza. The list goes on and on. 

Is it the Demons without Oliver or  Gawn or Petracca or May?

At times the absence of one key player can make a difference to winning games. 

Whatever the answer, it is the reason we need to remain circumspect about the ultimate success this season. 

We need a full fit list to push for glory. 

In my view, the key player to our fortunes is probably Max. For his leadership and influence on the ground. 

As a current AFL player said to me recently, if you put Max in the Bulldogs team, they would be unstoppable. 

Anyway, let’s keep our fingers crossed in regard to our very best whether it be Gawn, Clarry , Petracca, May etc. 

 

  • Like 8
Link to comment
Share on other sites

In my opinion, based on performances this year and the way we've won our games based on our defence, the MFC's most important player right now is Christian Salem.

  • Like 10
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

My son’s basketball team (second on the ladder) played their arch rivals (top of the ladder) on Tuesday. Having lost both recent clashes narrowly, they found said rival team had turned up without their best player. My son’s team we went on to deliver one of the biggest beltings they’ve ever been part of. 

Obviously u12s basketball isn’t AFL football but I think the principle still stands. For all we bang on about depth, top players are completely irreplaceable. Our 23rd best player can’t cover Petracca. Majak Daw can’t cover Max Gawn. Richmond are much weaker without Dusty. Best players are irreplaceable.

Depth is an illusion. A couple of key injuries to crucial players and we will be right back to mid pack. Any premiership coach will tell you that one of the key ingredients to a premiership is luck. It’s been on our side so far this year. Let’s hope it continues.

  • Like 8
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, Nasher said:

My son’s basketball team (second on the ladder) played their arch rivals (top of the ladder) on Tuesday. Having lost both recent clashes narrowly, they found said rival team had turned up without their best player. My son’s team we went on to deliver one of the biggest beltings they’ve ever been part of. 

Obviously u12s basketball isn’t AFL football but I think the principle still stands. For all we bang on about depth, top players are completely irreplaceable. Our 23rd best player can’t cover Petracca. Majak Daw can’t cover Max Gawn. Richmond are much weaker without Dusty. Best players are irreplaceable.

Depth is an illusion. A couple of key injuries to crucial players and we will be right back to mid pack. Any premiership coach will tell you that one of the key ingredients to a premiership is luck. It’s been on our side so far this year. Let’s hope it continues.

Nasher basketball is the greatest individual Team sport ever, especially at young age groups you can have a dominant player that can get the ball in the back half pass to no one and score or a big kid that stands under the ring and just grabs and shoots.

Footy you need to team mates, it is highly unlikely that you can score unless a number of your team mates touch the ball.  Your better players make you better as long as they buy into the teams structures and rules.  If you lose one, you can cover if you start losing 3-4 of your better players you will struggle.

Richmond lost the best FB in the game and went on to win a flag, Hawthorn lost the best forward on the last 20 years and went on to win a flag.  I'm sure Richmond would have loved to have Rance and Hawthorn Buddy but the team structures covered them.  With out a team mentality you can have a superstar in your side and finish last 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Football is a team game and there are 36 players on the field at any point in time. The Kangaroos had a great record without Carey. The Bombers should have won the flag in 1999 without Hird and Lucas. How many great footballers have never won a flag?

And unlike basketball or even soccer,  you cannot easily just give the ball to the star player. Even in basketball, the NBA is almost always won by teams with at least two stars. Lebron and Jordon both needed other stars to compete.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The fact that even deciding who Melbourne's most important player is, is so difficult is an indication of our depth and hopefully resilience to cope if one of them was absent.

  • Like 7
Link to comment
Share on other sites

19 minutes ago, NeveroddoreveN said:

Langdon is the player i could see us struggling most to replace structurally....there is no player on our list with similar attributes.

Good point, he has turned our previous achilles heel - outside run, into one of our strengths (for at least one half of the ground).

Link to comment
Share on other sites


I think we can't win the flag unless we have:

  • May, Lever and Salem
  • Petracca, Oliver and Langdon
  • At least two of TMac, B.Brown, Fritsch and Weid

Probably none of that is too controversial, except that I left Max out and I want to add Jackson and Viney to the list.

  • Like 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 minutes ago, Pollyanna said:

I think we can't win the flag unless we have:

  • May, Lever and Salem
  • Petracca, Oliver and Langdon
  • At least two of TMac, B.Brown, Fritsch and Weid

Probably none of that is too controversial, except that I left Max out and I want to add Jackson and Viney to the list.

It depends how far out we are. If Petracca gets injured in a prelim we can win it. If he gets injured next round it will be much more difficult.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

36 minutes ago, NeveroddoreveN said:

Langdon is the player i could see us struggling most to replace structurally....there is no player on our list with similar attributes.

Dead set correct. I was having this discussion after watching Langdon run up and down the wing against Carlton 

I know I’m oversimplifying but we do have some sort of “ like for like” for almost every player - expect Langdon

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

10 minutes ago, Bitter but optimistic said:

Dead set correct. I was having this discussion after watching Langdon run up and down the wing against Carlton 

I know I’m oversimplifying but we do have some sort of “ like for like” for almost every player - expect Langdon

I agree about Langers' importance to us.  But, I would like to see Tommy Mac move to the other wing (where he trained through the Summer), and bring Jackson into the side.  Just think that would help solve our "problem" of too many talls in the forward line, while using Tommy's massive tank to try and replicate Langer's work on the wing.  Thoughts?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 minutes ago, Vagg said:

I agree about Langers' importance to us.  But, I would like to see Tommy Mac move to the other wing (where he trained through the Summer), and bring Jackson into the side.  Just think that would help solve our "problem" of too many talls in the forward line, while using Tommy's massive tank to try and replicate Langer's work on the wing.  Thoughts?

I don't think TMac would be able to replicate Langdon's. One of Langdons assets is his speed out of the contest. Tmac is pretty slow but has better overhead marking ability. I think if we were to use tmac on the wing it would be similar to how we used Tomlinson last year which i wouldnt call a success story

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Gee Vagg it has been a minor miracle that Tmac has played as well as he has as tall forward .he virtually won us the game against the Swans .Why flirt with that sort of form and change things ?

10 minutes ago, Vagg said:

I agree about Langers' importance to us.  But, I would like to see Tommy Mac move to the other wing (where he trained through the Summer), and bring Jackson into the side.  Just think that would help solve our "problem" of too many talls in the forward line, while using Tommy's massive tank to try and replicate Langer's work on the wing.  Thoughts?

 

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

For me it's less about who is the most important player, and more about who is irreplaceable. 

We have nobody on the list who could replace May if he goes down, because Tomlinson is already out and Petty is his replacement. 

Likewise if Langdon is injured we are stuffed, as nobody on our list holds a candle to his name.

On the other hand, Viney who is arguably one of our best midfielders, is someone we can cover with the likes of JJ, Sparrow or even Gus because the rest of our midfield is so strong. On the other hand, replacing Oliver would be almost impossible. 

You'd argue we would be stuffed without Ben Brown pre season. But now we have loads of depth. If McDonald is injured we can cover for him with 2 very solid tall forwards. 

Systems and defence will get you a long way, even if you are missing some players. But there are certain players on every list that cannot be replaced and their absence would make an enormous difference to the fortunes of their team.

It is also about weight of numbers. Losing one defender or one midfielder is very different to having a lot of injuries in one part of the ground.

 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

As mentioned, May and Langdon are key pillars of our structure.

I rate May really, really highly but would almost argue that Langdon has done more to help with our new found confidence than any player. He covers so much ground and his positioning is first class.

The Max at the Bulldogs point is interesting, however I think we have adopted the Hawthorn model of placing less emphasis on centre clearances and the coaches are being a little coy about it

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

28 minutes ago, Jaded said:

replace May if he goes down, because Tomlinson is alread

Tlit wouldnt be ideal but certainly Tmac could maybe not as well but hed go very close. Hate to lose him from up fwd but its good to have options and its not like we dont have other fwds. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites


1 hour ago, kallangurdemon said:

Gee Vagg it has been a minor miracle that Tmac has played as well as he has as tall forward .he virtually won us the game against the Swans .Why flirt with that sort of form and change things ?

 

You're probably right.  But, I guess, they could pretty much have one of the four (TMac, Jackson, Weid & BBB) on the bench at any one time.  That way they each effectively play about 75% game time.  When they come on the ground, they are fresher, and we then have just the 3 talls on the ground at any one time.  (Give or take...)

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

There is no right or wrong answer to the issue raised in the OP, because it will vary from week to week depending on the the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition.  However, right now we are in a position of strength, having a very 'even' team, with high caliber (star) players across all lines (see the 10 or so mentioned earlier in this thread), as well as an exemplary list of role players who have shown that they can be relied upon to do their job almost every week (eg. Spargo, Hunt, ANB, Hibberd, Jordon, Rivers, Brayshaw, Kozzie, Jackson etc.).  If we can maintain this ethos we will continue to be in a very good place, but if a couple of players drop off in this area, the structure / system will break (most of us would agree why Melksham was relegated vs Carlton, notwithstanding that we could always use his exceptional foot skills).

Of the 'stars', it's obvious that all of them would be very important in a final, but then, the transition from Tommo to Petty has been seamless, as was Jordon stepping into Viney's role last weekend.

The one ingredient that is incredibly difficult to replace is leadership, so I'd argue that the most difficult players to replace in a final would be Gawn and May.

Let' hope (pray?) that the footy gods continue to be kind to us, and that this discussion becomes academic.

Edited by Deeoldfart
typo
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wouldn’t underestimate Spargo. 
- adds so much more than “simply Spargo”. 
- forward pressure/tackling/ frees up other more elite players, capacity to snap a goal

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think sometimes teams play better without the Star Player, teams can tend to be too "Ablett centric" teams understand when the star is missing they all have to put in that little bit extra, plus when the star player is a forward, it makes them more predictable and easier to coach against.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • 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 279

    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 363

    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...