Jump to content

Posting Unsubstantiated Rumours on this Website is Strictly Forbidden
  • IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING

    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 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.


REACH FOR THE STARS by George on the Outer


Demonland

Recommended Posts

It was a game of great significance for the Melbourne Football Club. A win would see them keep top spot on the ladder with one round remaining. To achieve top place in the Round for Reach when we are all inspired to “Be Like Jim” and reach for the stars was a great way of honouring one of our heroes. All the better given that it was done by way of an emphatic 41 point win against Adelaide!

It is worth remembering that, but for the umpiring mistake in the previous encounter with the Crows, the Demons might well have had top place for the season already sown up. As in that game, Adelaide sought to bring Melbourne down to its level with scrappy contested stoppage ball, a tactic that worked for a good part of the game with the Demons only leading by nine points at ¼ time. While they extended that to 21 points at half time, they only managed to increase the margin to 23 by the final break.

In fact, during the third term, the margin was brought back to three points after the Crows scored the first three goals. At this time Max Gawn simply decided that enough was enough and began to pile on the pressure. By the end of the game he had amassed an incredible ten clearances, most of which were penetrating kicks into the forward line. This came on top of his 27 hit-outs. It is fair to note that Adelaide were without their first line ruck in O’Brien and could only put up Strahan who was playing his second game. In addition, Melbourne’s second ruck in Luke Jackson was equally damaging and matched Max’s game with 19 hitouts, 16 disposals and two goals.  His athleticism is extraordinary and with this performance has surely sewn up the AFL’s Rising Star award for 2021.

Melbourne blew the game wide open in the final quarter, which was not unexpected, save for those people seriously affected by the negative supporter’s syndrome. It was almost a repeat for Adelaide who last week held Port until 10 minutes into the final quarter then collapsed.  This week the collapse came courtesy of one Bayley Fritsch who kicked Melbournes last five goals to finish with seven for the game and reach a total of 46 for the season. To put that in perspective, he’s on only four less than Geelong’s Tom Hawkins!

The backline was less settled this week, following the late withdrawal of Steven May who was replaced by Joel Smith. Smith did an okay job, but without the marshalling of May and his direction to fellow defenders, things looked a bit frayed around the edges. The defence lost the kick-in surety and distance of May, around which it has built its strategy for exiting the defensive 50m.  

Fortunately, Adelaide lost its main target in the first quarter in Himmelberg, and of course without Tex Walker, the whole job was left to Fogarty who finished with 3 majors.

Next week and into finals, Melbourne can’t afford to give the opposition that level of freedom and May will be a certain inclusion for the next game. Some degree of slack was picked up by Bowey, Rivers and Petty, none of who are yet to hit 21 years. Bowey 18 touches, Rivers 16 (15 kicks) and Petty with 11 of which 8 were intercepts. Christian Salem looked to be more at ease physically, and he racked up 29 touches with 20 of those being his customary accurate kicks. And Jake Lever was always thereabouts with his exquisite intercepts.

The mids did what they had to do, but went through phases when there simply wasn’t enough pressure. James Harmes will surely lose his centre bounce role to Jack Viney next week, as he struggles to keep control of his man when needed, and his kicking and skill level was simply sub-standard in situations where there was zero pressure.  

However, he is unlikely to be dropped as Tom Sparrow had a shocker as well, although putting on seven tackles.  But this can only be expected of a young player.  He will be better for the experience.

Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver were their usual starring selves, and did what was needed when required. Petracca finished with a couple of goals, and if Clarrie could improve his kicking in front of goal, he would have jagged a couple as well, but put them to the wrong side of the big sticks.

On the wings, the game might as well have been played to the old VFL or the AFLW rules, with 1 less winger.  Langdon and Seedsman on one side totaled 63 touches between them, and it could be argued who was the most effective.

Up forward, we have mentioned Fritsch, who has simply blossomed with the presence of Ben Brown. Not having to take the big defender leaves him free, and Brown is a master of running first class forward leading patterns.  No small wonder Fritsch finds himself all alone or one on one with the number 2 or 3 defender. Kysaiah Pickett chipped in for a single along with Charlie Spargo and both were busy and workmanlike.  

Unfortunately, Jake Melksham reverted to type with half paced efforts resulting in only 7 touches for the game, and conceding stupid frees, the likes of which will cost the side dearly in the pressure cooker environment of finals. Tom McDonald should take his spot in the side for the coming game.

Something special is now within reach.  Still there is work to be done next week, to guarantee that home final (wherever that may be) rather than a trip to Adelaide Oval. All the side can do is keep winning, and continue to honour Big Jim and reach upward for the stars.

MELBOURNE 3.3.21 7.4.46 12.7.79 16.8.104

ADELAIDE 1.6.12 3.7.25 8.8.56 9.9.63

GOALS

Melbourne Fritsch 7 Brown Jackson Petracca 2 Melksham Pickett Spargo

Adelaide Fogarty 3 McAdam 2 Lynch McKay Murphy Seedsmam

BEST

Melbourne Fritsch Jackson Salem Petracca Langdon Oliver

Adelaide Seedsman Sloane Keays Fogarty Laird

INJURIES

Melbourne S. May (general soreness) replaced by J. Smith

Adelaide E. Himmelberg (hamstring)

REPORTS

Melbourne Nil

Adelaide Nil

SUBSTITUTES

Melbourne A. vandenBerg (unused)

Adelaide L. Sholl (replaced E. Himmelberg)

UMPIRES: Chris Donlon Leigh Haussen Robert Findlay

Official Crowd 0 at The MCG

Support the Reach Foundation -

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/999089/get-your-be-like-jim-badge

ReportRd222021.png

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Demonland Forums  

  • Match Previews, Reports & Articles  

    BINARY by Whispering Jack

    This week Melbourne takes on Hawthorn hot on the heels of a six-day break after its encouraging response to a disappointing season opener in steamy Sydney. The Hawks were disappointingly wasteful last week, but they also failed to bring sufficient pressure into the contest and, as a consequence, the Bombers scored goals at will. Against the Demons, a repeat would be fatal. The Hawks are still in the rebuilding phase and need everything to go right against Melbourne which is gradually b

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 1

    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. KEV MARTIN'S TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Windy, even the Yarra has waves, warm and humid. They are doing plenty of warm ups, then a game of soccer, now run throughs. I think keeping it simple. May, ANB, Hore, Max. TMac, Billings, Sestan, on modified programs.  BBB, Spargs, Turner, McAdam (own program, talking to Whe

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    DEE-RUBBING by George on the Outer

    For the second week in a row, the Demons had to endure some particularly oppressive match conditions — this time, playing in 30 degree temperatures at the MCG, following the humid sticky Sydney atmosphere of last week.   The warmer conditions didn’t seem to worry the Dee’s since the ball was so much easier to handle, and handle it with surety they did in handing out a 45 point drubbing to the much fancied Western Bulldogs.   After a slow start that saw the Dogs out to

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Match Reports

    PREGAME: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The Demons will return to the MCG next week to face the Hawks before 2 weeks on the road in Adelaide in the lead up to Gather Round. Who comes in and who goes out?

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 161

    PODCAST: Rd 01 vs Western Bulldogs

    The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 18th March @ 8:30pm. Join George, Binman & I as we analyse the Demons victory at the MCG over the Bulldogs in the Round 01. 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 65

    POSTGAME: Rd 01 vs Western Bulldogs

    The Demons finally open their account in the 2024 Premiership Season with a 45 point win over the Western Bulldogs at the Home of Football the MCG.   

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 445

    VOTES: Rd 01 vs Western Bulldogs

    Last week Jack Viney polled the maximum number of votes to lead the Demonland Player of the Year Award. Steven May and rookie Blake Howes are equal second. Your votes for the win over the Bulldogs. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 75

    GAMEDAY: Rd 01 vs Western Bulldogs

    On the back of a disappointing Opening Round loss to the Swans in Sydney the Demons return to the MCG today to take on the the Western Bulldogs in a bid to even the ledger early in the 2024 season.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 467

    TRAINING: Saturday 16th March 2023

    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. KEV MARTIN'S CAPTAIN'S RUN OBSERVATIONS Rehab  is out early. A beautiful Saturday morning, though plenty of dew on the paddock  Verrall doing hard sprints along the boundary.  McAdam individual program and has started, ball work, change of direction drills,

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports
  • 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 02

    Discussion of all the other games that don't involve the Demons in Round 02 ... READ MORE

    Demonland | Round 02

  • Match Preview      

    BINARY by Whispering Jack

    This week Melbourne takes on Hawthorn hot on the heels of a six-day break after its encouraging response to a disappointing season opener in steamy Sydney ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 19

  • 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

  • Latest Podcast      

    PODCAST: Rd 01 vs Western Bulldogs

    The boys analysed the dismantling of the Western Bulldogs praising the masterful performance of Clayton Oliver, the dominance of Max Gawn and the defence and rebound of Steven May ... LISTEN

    Demonland | March 19

  • Match Report      

    DEE-RUBBING by George on the Outer

    For the second week in a row, the Demons had to endure some particularly oppressive match conditions — this time, playing in 30 degree temperatures at the MCG, following the humid sticky Sydney atmosphere of last week ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 17

  • Post Game      

    POSTGAME: Round 01 vs Western Bulldogs

    TThe Demons finally open their account in the 2024 Premiership Season with a 45 point win over the Western Bulldogs at the Home of Football the MCG ...READ MORE

    Demonland | March 17

  • Votes      

    VOTES: Round 01 vs Western Bulldogs

    Last week Jack Viney polled the maximum number of votes to lead the Demonland Player of the Year Award. Steven May and rookie Blake Howes are equal second. Your votes for the win over the Bulldogs. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 ...READ MORE

    Demonland | March 17

  • PreGame      

    PREGAME: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The Demons will return to the MCG next week to face the Hawks before 2 weeks on the road in Adelaide in the lead up to Gather Round. Who comes in and who goes out? ...READ MORE

    Demonland | March 19

  • Game Day      

    GAMEDAY: Round 01 vs Western Bulldogs

    On the back of a disappointing Opening Round loss to the Swans in Sydney the Demons return to the MCG today to take on the the Western Bulldogs in a bid to even the ledger early in the 2024 season ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 17

  • 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

  • Training  

    Monday, 11th March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatcher Kev Martin braved the scorching heat on a public holiday to bring you the following observations from Training ...READ MORE

    Demonland | March 11

  • Preseason Training  

    Saturday, 2nd March 2024

    On the eve of the 2024 Season I ventured down to Gosch's Paddock for one of the final preseason training session before we head up to Sydney to take on the Swans. Here are my observations from the training session ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 02

  • Special Feature  

    SCRUTINY & RESILIENCE by Whispering Jack

    If the week when preseason training melds into scratch matches with other clubs, is the first marker for the beginning of a new season, then this has certainly been a torrid opener for the Melbourne Football Club in its campaign to remain a leading AFL premiership contender in 2024 ... READ MORE

    Demonland | February 24

  • 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 02

       vs   

    Saturday 23rd March 2024
    @ 04:35pm (MCG)

  • MFC Forum  

  • Match Previews & Reports  

  • Training Forum  

  • AFLW Forum  

  • 2024 Player Sponsorship

  • Topics

  • Injury List  


      PLAYER INJURY LENGTH
    Oliver Sestan Concussion 1 Week
    Lachie Hunter Calf 2 Weeks
    Daniel Turner Hip 5-6 Weeks
    Jake Bowey Shoulder 8 Weeks
    Shane McAdam Hamstring TBC
    Jake Melksham ACL TBC
    Charlie Spargo Achilles TBC
    Joel Smith Suspension TBA

  • Player of the Year  


        PLAYER VOTES
    1 Steven May 25
    2 Jack Viney 20
    3 Clayton Oliver 18
    4 Max Gawn 11
    5 Jack Billings 10
    5 Blake Howes 10
    7 Christian Petracca 9
    7 Christian Salem 9
    9 Bayley Fritsch 4
    9 Judd McVee 4

        FULL TABLE
  • Demonland Interviews 



  • Upcoming Events 

×
×
  • Create New...