Jump to content

  • 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.


CHANGES: Rd 15 vs Brisbane


Demonland

Recommended Posts

37 minutes ago, deelusions from afar said:

I actually have a sneaking suspicion that Weid will play his best game for us if he comes in.

He seems to be a confidence player and to a certain extent he gets a free hit in the ruck as the expectations aren't high on him in the way it is when he's forward.

He impacts a few contests early and then takes a mark and goals when he goes forward and we'll see a different player.🤞

Apt username. 😜

Having said that I hope you are right.

  • Haha 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is the season defining game. We've had a really bad run lately - leaks from the top, senior players punching on, contract delays with Jackson and 3 losses in a row to top 8 sides. The media is keen to push the narrative of the season coming off the rails.

During our 10 game streak, I was quietly hoping we would drop a few games, simply to allow the side to recalibrate and and surge towards the end of the season. I also felt it would be incredibly difficult for us to sustain mentally.

Having said that, the losses have gone beyond what I was expecting, and we desperately need to right the ship.

So this week I can handle a close loss, particularly if we look to be working through our issues forward of centre. However a bad loss would be devastating as we dispatched the Lions easily last season. It will really be undeniable indication of where we're at.

Out: Turner, Gawn

In: Weid, May

Whatever the result, I predict an absolutely massive game from Viney. His on field leadership in the absence of Gawn will be huge.

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, jnrmac said:

Well if he plays fwd that is not likely to happen but if he plays ruck/fwd like he often does for Casey he may be serviceable.

To be honest it wouldn't take that much to be his best game.  People single out his game against Geelong in the 2018 final.  There's not that many other standouts (in fairness to him often the delivery has been terrible and he's stuck in the forward 50).  He's been more lively when played in the ruck at Casey

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The conservative, and likely, changes are May for Turner and Weideman for Gawn. 

The issue with those changes is that it means we go in with B Brown, M Brown and Weideman, who at times are all going to be in the same forward line, which inspires zero confidence.

An option is to drop M Brown, who hasn't done much if anything in the seniors to warrant retaining his spot, and replacing him with a small (e.g. Bedford, Melksham), or perhaps using Petracca more as a forward with, for example, Jordon getting more midfield time, Brayshaw going back to the wing, and Hunt coming back into the backline.

But if we drop M Brown, there will be periods of the game where Weid's rucking and Jackson's on the bench, and we'll be down to B Brown only.

This all goes to show how valuable Gawn is beyond simple ruck craft.

  • Like 9
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, titan_uranus said:

The conservative, and likely, changes are May for Turner and Weideman for Gawn. 

The issue with those changes is that it means we go in with B Brown, M Brown and Weideman, who at times are all going to be in the same forward line, which inspires zero confidence.

An option is to drop M Brown, who hasn't done much if anything in the seniors to warrant retaining his spot, and replacing him with a small (e.g. Bedford, Melksham), or perhaps using Petracca more as a forward with, for example, Jordon getting more midfield time, Brayshaw going back to the wing, and Hunt coming back into the backline.

But if we drop M Brown, there will be periods of the game where Weid's rucking and Jackson's on the bench, and we'll be down to B Brown only.

This all goes to show how valuable Gawn is beyond simple ruck craft.

I would not be surprised to see Melksham get a run. Has experience and great vision and kicking ability. That's if he gets the ball of course. And last but not least the coach likes him. 

  • Like 1
  • Shocked 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites


19 minutes ago, The Swimming Dee said:

Absolutely zero chance Spargo is dropped. He is being played out of position atm but he is a critical player for us and our forward line

I know he was on the wing against Freo.  But apart from that I haven't noticed him played out of position.  Where has he been playing?  Why is he played out of position when we are not missing any small forwards or wingers?

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, wisedog said:

This is the season defining game. We've had a really bad run lately - leaks from the top, senior players punching on, contract delays with Jackson and 3 losses in a row to top 8 sides. The media is keen to push the narrative of the season coming off the rails.

During our 10 game streak, I was quietly hoping we would drop a few games, simply to allow the side to recalibrate and and surge towards the end of the season. I also felt it would be incredibly difficult for us to sustain mentally.

Having said that, the losses have gone beyond what I was expecting, and we desperately need to right the ship.

So this week I can handle a close loss, particularly if we look to be working through our issues forward of centre. However a bad loss would be devastating as we dispatched the Lions easily last season. It will really be undeniable indication of where we're at.

Out: Turner, Gawn

In: Weid, May

Whatever the result, I predict an absolutely massive game from Viney. His on field leadership in the absence of Gawn will be huge.

I do wonder if the coaching staff sense the significance of this game and hence have a lighter training run to ensure the boys are full of zip for Thursday night. We need to win the next 3 games to restamp our authority on the season and have some hope of holding onto top 4.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 minutes ago, deelusions from afar said:

I know he was on the wing against Freo.  But apart from that I haven't noticed him played out of position.  Where has he been playing?  Why is he played out of position when we are not missing any small forwards or wingers?

It appears to me (admittedly watching on TV) that he has been playing up the ground more...traditional HFF. That may have been a result of us not getting our territory game right, but he has not been allowed for one reason or another, to play his usual game. To be most effectual I think Spargs needs to play between the goals and forward of the centre square...just my opinion

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'd like to give Hunt another go as a medium tall to replace M brown

Just have him lead hard from deep 50 to the 50 arc to mix up the deep kicks to the square 

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

58 minutes ago, Ugottobekidding said:

In May, Laurie, Rivers, Weid

Out Gawn, Turner Brown, Spargo

Laurie is nowhere near it. I watch more VFL Casey games than most because I put a $100 on Casey at $6.50 at the start of the year.

Laurie gets a fair bit of it but does little with. Three players at least are ahead of him.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 minutes ago, MrFreeze said:

I'd like to give Hunt another go as a medium tall to replace M brown

Just have him lead hard from deep 50 to the 50 arc to mix up the deep kicks to the square 

Agree with many- Gawn, Turner replaced by May, Weid!

But like the little bit of left field thinking with Hunt, he can kick goals, has speed and defensive capabilities to put pressure on opponents backline. 
Leaves us a little small but only other alternative is Van R.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, Steamin Demon said:

Laurie is nowhere near it. I watch more VFL Casey games than most because I put a $100 on Casey at $6.50 at the start of the year.

Laurie gets a fair bit of it but does little with. Three players at least are ahead of him.

Really - I’ve watched quite a bit of Casey this year I don’t think his problem is not doing much with his possessions it’s more about getting more of it, building fitness and getting to more contests 

He is very skilled and has an excellent football brain - he reminds me a lot of Spargo. I’m a little surprised we drafted two players that are so similar and not sure how they both fit in the same team. Spargo has him covered atm with defensive pressure  

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites


Genuinely surprised we are favourites for this game. I predict one of two things are going to happen on Thursday:

1) We get off to a good start and then get overrun again to further confirm we are still way off it and our season is in real danger

2) We play a sustained brand of footy and beat them and it actually looks like we’re back (despite missing Max)

 

  • Like 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 hours ago, Nelo said:

In: May, Weid, Bedford. Out: Gawn, M.Brown, Turner. Need some dash from Bedford. 

A [censored] Men!

  • Like 1
  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Surely Gawn out means we are even more likely to lower eyes and look for a mobile target inside 50 so does that mean this is the game we introduce Van R for Mitch Brown (Weid for Gawn)?


Brown/Brown/Weid feels unbalanced and invites the bomb-and-hope that we don’t want. Van R introduces a different dynamic at ground level.

Edit: although MFC style is normally to announce a debutant well ahead of teams being announced and given we are 30 hours out from game time perhaps this is now unlikely

Edited by The Jackson 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

17 hours ago, MrFreeze said:

I'd like to give Hunt another go as a medium tall to replace M brown

Just have him lead hard from deep 50 to the 50 arc to mix up the deep kicks to the square 

Yep that’s what I’ve settled on too.

Although rather than just Hunt trying to lock down CHF I’d get Fritsch doing his fair share with Hunt trying to get out the back.

We don’t have a reliable tall option to replace Tommy Mc, so the logical conclusion is to go with the best medium option. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Demonland Forums  

  • Match Previews, Reports & Articles  

    GAMEDAY: Rd 08 vs Geelong

    It's Game Day and the two oldest teams in the competition, the Demons and the Cats, come face to face in a true 8 point game. The Cats are unbeaten after 8 rounds whilst the Dees will be keen to take a scalp and stamp their credentials on the 2024 season. May the 4th Be With You Melbourne.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 16

    LEADERS OF THE PACK by The Oracle

    I was asked to write a preview of this week’s Round 8 match between Melbourne and Geelong. The two clubs have a history that goes right back to the time when the game was starting to become an organised sport but it’s the present that makes the task of previewing this contest so interesting. Both clubs recently reached the pinnacle of the competition winning premiership flags in 2021 and 2022 respectively, but before the start of this season, many good judges felt their time had passed - n

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 4

    PODCAST: Kade Chandler Interview

    I'm interviewing Melbourne Football Club's small forward Kade Chandler tomorrow for the Demonland Podcast. I'll be asking him about his road from being overlooked in the draft to his rookie listing to his apprenticeship as a sub to VFL premiership to his breakout 2023 season to mainstay in the Forwadline and much more. If you have any further questions let me know below and I'll see if I can squeeze them in. I will release the podcast at some time tomorrow so stay tuned.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 25

    TRAINING: Monday 29th April 2024

    Demonland Trackwatcher Kev Martin was on hand at Gosch's Paddock for Monday's training session and made the following observations. About 38 to 40  players down at training.  BBB walking laps.  Charlie Spargo still in rehab, doing short run throughs.  Christian Salem has full kit on and doing individual work with a trainer. He is is starting to get into some sprints. I cannot see Andy Moniz-Wakefield out there. Jack Viney and Kade Chandler have broken away from the

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    DISCO INFERNO by Whispering Jack

    Two weeks ago, when the curtain came down on Melbourne’s game against the Brisbane Lions, the team trudged off the MCG looking tired and despondent at the end of a tough run of games played in quick succession. In the days that followed, the fans wanted answers about their team’s lamentable performance that night and foremost among their concerns was whether the loss was a one off result of fatigue or was it due to other factor(s) of far greater consequence.  As it turns out, the answer to

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 16

    TIGERS PUNT CASEY by KC from Casey

    The afternoon atmosphere at the Swinburne Centre was somewhat surreal as the game between Richmond VFL and the Casey Demons unfolded on what was really a normal work day for most Melburnians. The Yarra Park precinct marched to the rhythm of city life, the trains rolled by, pedestrians walked by with their dogs and the traffic on Punt Road and Brunton Avenue swirled past while inside the arena, a football battle ensued. And what a battle it was? The Tigers came in with a record of two wins f

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Casey Articles

    PREGAME: Rd 08 vs Geelong

    After returning to the winners list the Demons have a 10 day break until they face the unbeaten Cats at the MCG on Saturday Night. Who comes in and who goes out for this crucial match?

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 565

    PODCAST: Rd 07 vs Richmond

    The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 29th April @ 8:30pm. Join George, Binman & I as we analyse the Demons victory at the MCG against the Tigers in the Round 07. 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 44

    VOTES: Rd 07 vs Richmond

    Last week Captain Max Gawn overtook reigning champion Christian Petracca in the Demonland Player of the Year Award. Steven May, Jack Viney & Alex Neal-Bullen make up the Top 5. Your votes for the win against the Tigers. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 54
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!

×
×
  • Create New...