Jump to content

Who’s going to fill the back pocket?

Mel Bourne
in Melbourne Demons

Featured Replies

Posted


With the sad departure of Neville Jetta, Hibberd’s fast-approaching 32nd birthday, the letting-go of Jay Lockhart (which I’m personally a bit bummed about, not sure how others feel) and - whether or not you have the faith in him as a player - the injury-susceptibility of Joel Smith, we are forming quite the cavity in the back pocket. 

What’s the next step here? Start preparing Hunt for the role? Seek out a dedicated back-pocket in trade time? If so, who?

 


 

 

  • Quote
    • Like 1
     

    I'd say Lockhart will get another shot - he's looked pretty good in patches.

    Going forward I reckon we'll be fine between Smith, Hunt and even Bowey and Rivers pushing back when need be. Maynard though will be a good pickup if we can make it happen and will slot right in.

  • Quote
    •  

    I too am disappointed to see Lockhart go. Nev was sadly finished. It was so sad to see him miss out on the big one and I dearly hope that keep him as a specialist coach. Such a wonderful guy. Remember that we also have Marty Hore to come back in an Daniel Turner looks good. Gibbo has another year left in him on recent performances. 

  • Quote
    • Like 1

    I felt it was a weakness for us to shut down the small forwards, but after the job Bowey and Hibbard did on Weightman a couple of days ago - and the improvement in Hunt's defensive game, I'm pretty comfortable for the next 12 months at least.

    It seems like quite a few track watches like D Smith too - so once he has a bit of continuity in our gold standard casy development programme he could be ready to replace Hibbard in 12 months.

  • Quote
    • Like 1

    • Author
    2 minutes ago, Luther said:

    I'd say Lockhart will get another shot - he's looked pretty good in patches.

    Going forward I reckon we'll be fine between Smith, Hunt and even Bowey and Rivers pushing back when need be. Maynard though will be a good pickup if we can make it happen and will slot right in.

    Lockhart’s been let go. Or do you mean a shot at another club?

    Edited by Mel Bourne

  • Quote

    Bowser is now first pick there and I think Deakyn Smith will also be given time to develop.

    Also I think Moniz-wakefield who we have access to in the draft through our NGA has the ability to play back?

  • Quote
    • Author
    2 minutes ago, btdemon said:

    I too am disappointed to see Lockhart go. Nev was sadly finished. It was so sad to see him miss out on the big one and I dearly hope that keep him as a specialist coach. Such a wonderful guy. Remember that we also have Marty Hore to come back in an Daniel Turner looks good. Gibbo has another year left in him on recent performances. 

    Yes, was going to edit to include Marty Hore as a possibility. 
     

     

  • Quote
    •  
    2 minutes ago, Mel Bourne said:

    Lockhart’s been let go. Or do you mean a shot at another club?

    Sorry that wasn't clear, yeah I reckon another club will pick him up.

  • Quote

    • Author
    13 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

    Maynard from Collingwood.

    Would be a great get, but contracted till end of 22 (not that contracts seem to mean what they used to). The talk of him coming to the Dees seemed to begin and end with Brad Hardie’s “scoop” back in June. Have there been any further rumblings? 

  • Quote
    • Author
    7 minutes ago, Luther said:

    Sorry that wasn't clear, yeah I reckon another club will pick him up.

    Could be an asset for the Pies in their rebuild I reckon. 

  • Quote
    26 minutes ago, The team we love said:

    Disco Turner seems to have impressed this far. 

    I thought Turner was earmarked as an intercept defender more like Lever than a back pocket. Agree with some others though that Deakyn Smith is another option we have, and in a of the VFL games that actually got played earlier in the year he looked pretty likely.

  • Quote

    If Anyone goes out if that premiership back line , Next in line is Hunt, Tomlinson, J.Smith and Hore.

    Bowey played the role superbly on weightman.

  • Quote

    2 minutes ago, DeeZee said:

    If Anyone goes out if that premiership back line , Next in line is Hunt, Tomlinson, J.Smith and Hore.

    Bowey played the role superbly on weightman.

    Have you noticed Bowey never wastes a disposal will be elite in my opinion

     

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    33 minutes ago, Mel Bourne said:

    Would be a great get, but contracted till end of 22 (not that contracts seem to mean what they used to). The talk of him coming to the Dees seemed to begin and end with Brad Hardie’s “scoop” back in June. Have there been any further rumblings? 

    Pretty sure he and his Manager said he was staying a Pie.

  • Quote

    The pressure for spots in the backline will be immense and you players now know they will have to perform or play at Casey.

  • Quote
    Just now, durango said:

    The pressure for spots in the backline will be immense and you players now know they will have to perform or play at Casey.

    Look at the back 6 of guys that didn't Play

    Hore J Smith Turner

    Hunt Tomlinson D Smith

    Plus Declase can go back and I think Bedford spent time training with Defenders, also add in M Brown and Daw as break glass in case of emergency that can head back.

  • Quote
    • Like 1

    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...
    Go to topic listing

    Featured Content

    • PREVIEW: Carlton

      Good evening, Demon fans and welcome back to the Demonland Podcast ... it’s time to discuss this week’s game against the Blues. Will the Demons celebrate Clayton Oliver’s 200th game with a victory? We have a number of callers waiting on line … Leopold Bloom: Carlton and Melbourne are both out of finals contention with six wins and eleven losses, and are undoubtedly the two most underwhelming and disappointing teams of 2025. Both had high expectations at the start of participating and advancing deep into the finals, but instead, they have consistently underperformed and disappointed themselves and their supporters throughout the year. However, I am inclined to give the Demons the benefit of the doubt, as they have made some progress in addressing their issues after a disastrous start. In contrast, the Blues are struggling across the board and do not appear to be making any notable improvements. They are regressing, and a significant loss is looming on Saturday night. Max Gawn in the ruck will be huge and the Demon midfield have a point to prove after lowering their colours in so many close calls.

        • Clap
        • Like
      • 0 replies
      Demonland

    • REPORT: North Melbourne

      I suppose that I should apologise for the title of this piece, but the temptation to go with it was far too great. The memory of how North Melbourne tore Melbourne apart at the seams earlier in the season and the way in which it set the scene for the club’s demise so early in the piece has been weighing heavily upon all of us. This game was a must-win from the club’s perspective, and the team’s response was overwhelming. The 36 point win over Alastair Clarkson’s Kangaroos at the MCG on Sunday was indeed — roovenge of the highest order!

        • Love
        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 4 replies
      Demonland

    • CASEY: Werribee

      The Casey Demons remain in contention for a VFL finals berth following a comprehensive 76-point victory over the Werribee Tigers at Whitten Oval last night. The caveat to the performance is that the once mighty Tigers have been raided of many key players and are now a shadow of the premiership-winning team from last season. The team suffered a blow before the game when veteran Tom McDonald was withdrawn for senior duty to cover for Steven May who is ill.  However, after conceding the first goal of the game, Casey was dominant from ten minutes in until the very end and despite some early errors and inaccuracy, they managed to warm to the task of dismantling the Tigers with precision, particularly after half time when the nominally home side provided them with minimal resistance.

        • Thanks
      • 0 replies
      Demonland

    • PREGAME: Carlton

      The Demons return to the MCG as the the visiting team on Saturday night to take on the Blues who are under siege after 4 straight losses. Who comes in and who goes out?

        • Thanks
      • 222 replies
      Demonland

    • PODCAST: North Melbourne

      The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 14th July @ 8:00pm. Join Binman & I as we dissect the Dees glorious win over the Kangaroos at the MCG.
      Your 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.
      Listen LIVE: https://demonland.com/

        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 29 replies
      Demonland

    • POSTGAME: North Melbourne

      The Demons are finally back at the MCG and finally back on the winners list as they continually chipped away at a spirited Kangaroos side eventually breaking their backs and opening the floodgates to run out winners by 6 goals.

        • Haha
        • Love
        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 253 replies
      Demonland
    View All