Jump to content

CHANGES: Rd 18 vs Port Adelaide

Demonland
Demonland
in Melbourne Demons

Featured Replies

43 minutes ago, DeeZone said:

However his handball is very good get him to find closer targets he is a ball magnet and pretty tough as well. If Clayton doesn’t play Dunstan has to or medi-sub if Clayton plays. No good having a fire axe if you are to scared to break the glass.!!!

What about Gus into the middle and Rivers/Hunt to cover the back flank. Then throw Toby and Lizzie into the middle for a change up, to add pace from the stoppage.
 

TIO stadium games often have players using space to run and bounce. I think pace is important at this ground.

Not saying Dunstan doesn’t come in, only that he turns it over too often.

    • Like 3
     

    i can't understand the logic of switching gus out of the position that he's having the best year of his career in to go back into the middle

    seems like a case of robbing peter to pay paul to me

    • Like 6

    Not sure Dunstan comes in for Oliver on the big ground. We need the run this week.

    Hunt deserves to come into the 22, albeit I’m not sure Bowey out makes us better.

    Laurie played well in the VFL but Spargo would get 30 disposals and a couple of goals every second week at that level. I don’t see Laurie as an AFL player yet until he is strong enough to complete because he’s not quick or an elite long distance runner. Chandler would be an option to replace either Bedford or Spargo. He is more dynamic and has a good engine.

    I think our team will function better with another key forward, whether it be Weideman or Van Rooyen. 

    • Like 2
     
    1 hour ago, Call Me What You Will said:

    Just a thought - Gus into the middle to replace Clarry. Rivers in to back fill half back. Some merit in the “mass changes” mooted in the thread. However, do not think selection carnage is the way to go - one or two would be good to make a statement - and yes JVR or Laurie or both might make the point. 

    I’d like to see Gus move into the middle for this game if Oliver is out, in preference to Dunstan. (We don’t need another in the middle with poor foot skills when we already have Viney, Harmes and Trac for that). It’s the ground Gus was BOG playing a midfield role a few years ago; and as evidenced in the practice games this season, when Gus went into the middle, he and Gawny had a great connection at the centre bounces. We’d lose a key member of our backline, but it also would give Hunt and/or Rivers a chance at redemption. Our forward line is not functioning, despite what some posters might be saying, and therefore needs a shot in the arm ( not the Essendon type though). Laurie has earned a debut and should get a run. We need a second tall imo and that’s a choice between the tried and rarely true Weid and the untried van Rooyen. I’ve always been wishful when it comes to the Weid, but this time I’d like to see the van Roy boy get a debut.

    • Like 1

    I don't think personnel changes will make much difference.  Teams are playing us better, they're moving the ball quicker and it's disrupting our game plan.

    • Like 3

    26 minutes ago, one_demon said:

    I don't think personnel changes will make much difference.  Teams are playing us better, they're moving the ball quicker and it's disrupting our game plan.

    I agree with your point one dee.

    Personally though I'd like to see us play more quick emails and force our kids/attackers to start using them rather than bombing to contested talls.

    This is easier said then done and we will still need talls like brown/weeds etc. But I want to see more pacy smalls like Chandler,  Bedford and kozzy in the same forward line.

    Obviously nibbles fritcsch and Spargo roles need to be considered but of we have more aggressions and pace we might fix a few issues

    • Like 1

    Changes, Dunstan for Clarry. Need someone who is proven in and under, and to give Viney some relief. 

    I believe our offensive problem is that we want to congregate together. The talls, usually two of them tend to work with each other to block, support and form a pack with the smalls at the contest as the ball comes down.

    The strategy, that doesn't seem to work. What I see is, contested footy in our forward line and a lack of space which makes for holding the ball in there and opportunistic goals. It creates congestion and encourages bombs into it. Fast clearances out of our forward-line by the opponents, leave us chasing hard and a defence zone that is a bit thin. The opposition can create connection and confidence with good deliveries.

    I want us to be one on one in our forward line with more players outside the attacking arc. Hoping for more forward area mobility, which includes leads, decoys, separations and big open spaces. 

    Keep Bedford in for the game in Alice. His performance at the first nations stronghold could be strong.

    Edited by kev martin

    • Like 2
     
    3 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

     

    The week off before finals means form can turnaround quickly. Why do the shock jocks make such stupid definitive statements?

    • Like 1
    4 hours ago, djr said:

    Why is this a new thread when there is a thread already opened re CHANGES:

    Why not?

    Wouldn't be Demonland if there wasn't redundant topics off everywhere.

    But I happen to think this one raises some unique points that would be lost in the generic changes thread.

    • Like 1

    3 hours ago, dee-tox said:

    Agree.

    Also, there were a few contests squibbed Thursday night. I'd make an example of one or two guys. Bowey, Bedford among others.

    Too many for my liking! Some of our players were taking backwards and sidewards steps when confronted by Geelong’s mature big bodied players.

    • Sad 1
    4 hours ago, 640MD said:

    Don’t think we want to play away at that stink hole at KP. Not unless we get seriously good umpires.

    they play their ground better than we do

    i hope we were still loading though I doubt it

    We where lucky on Thursday that it was one of the better umpired games (except for the last 10 minutes when the Cats got a few cheap free kicks) I have seen in years. The umpires weren’t influenced by the lopsided Geelong crowd, which was pleasing to see.

    • Like 4
    38 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

     

    This makes me feel better. That bloke knows nothing about the modern game.

    • Like 2
    • Haha 2
    26 minutes ago, Fat Tony said:

    The week off before finals means form can turnaround quickly. Why do the shock jocks make such stupid definitive statements?

    I have some big concerns about Lloyd's brain

    Edited by drysdale demon
    spelling

    • Shocked 1

    Disappointed with Lloyd. Been one of the few media believers all season.Whats he talking about? Premiership teams are never decided in July FFS.He knows that. The media is just a corrupt joke. They were talking about Pies possibly winning the flag last week. They barely got over the line against North.

     

    • Like 1

    Disappointed with Lloyd. Been one of the few media believers all season.Whats he talking about? Premierships arent decided in July FFS.

    • Sad 1

    Disappointed with Lloyd. Been one of the few media believers all season.Whats he talking about? Premiership teams are never decided in July FFS.He knows that. The media is just a corrupt joke. They were talking about Pies possibly winning the flag last week. They barely got over the line against North.

     

    • Shocked 1
    23 minutes ago, Star of the 80s said:

    We where lucky on Thursday that it was one of the better umpired games (except for the last 10 minutes when the Cats got a few cheap free kicks) I have seen in years. The umpires weren’t influenced by the lopsided Geelong crowd, which was pleasing to see.

    There you go

    I thought the umpires were atrocious 

    the missed head high on Oliver plus the kick in danger.  And the May (I think) thrown to the ground no free , their goal 

    still just my opinion 

    • Like 3

    One would have stopped a goal and we might have had one or two our selves

    • Like 1

    Dogga ruck majority

    Gawn KPF majority and to be barking at the mids to lower their eyes

    Laurie in, form at VFL should be rewarded

    Flip a coin as to Pickett, Bedford or Spargo to be out. Prob Bedford as he's most junior. But Spargo and Kossie will need a kick up the clacker very soon

    Assuming he plays, I'd give Kossie time in the middle, get him more involved. He's also creative with i50 delivery

    Edited by Stiff Arm

    • Like 5

    BEN BROWN

    Ben Brown has been targeted inside 50m one-on-one 45 times this season. He has taken one mark from those battles — a junk-time grab on Marcus Adams (Lions) late in the fourth quarter. He has been out-marked eight times. The Demons don’t trust Sam Weideman or Mitch Brown and so it’s a mighty concern for Melbourne as the absence of Tom McDonald — the swingman they attempted to offload in 2020 — aches. On Thursday night the Dees took six marks inside 50m, their equal fewest this season, and the disconnection is also disarming Kozzie Pickett and Charlie Spargo while Bayley Fritsch has been accused of being goal hungry. Contrast Brown’s numbers to Geelong goliath Tom Hawkins, who gobbles 38 per cent of his one-on-ones. The next best in the AFL is Darcy Cameron (Collingwood), who marks 25 per cent of his one-on-ones.

    Early Tackle: Sam Landsberger’s Likes and Dislikes from round 17

    • Like 1
    • Shocked 2
    • Sad 1
    18 hours ago, Star of the 80s said:

    You might be right that Goodwin hasn’t got the balls to make that many changes. But lets look at the facts:

    - We have won 2 of our last 6 games;

    - We played one good quarter of football in the games against Freo (2nd Qtr), Swans (1st Qtr), Coll (1st Qtr) and Geelong ok in first half.

    - Our forward has been ineffective... our mid field when put under a lot of pressure just bomb the ball forward and don’t/can’t look for options leading to lots of easy intercept marks

    - We have been too one dimensional playing the same old game plan from last year and the good sides have worked us out

    - Goodwin keeps playing the same “method” and “team” making very few changes during games

    - A number players are playing selfish football and looking after their own interests (I.e. Fritsch not passing the ball to Petracca and Langdon, etc and attempting to kick the goal himself instead of passing the ball himself) - this is why Fritsch needs to be dropped

    - Salem’s form since returning from injury has been sub standard

    - Spargo backing out of a contest when a Geelong player was coming straight at him in a pack that led to a Geelong goal

    - Sparrow jumping out of the way instead of continuing to chase his Geelong opponent that led to another Geelong goal

    - Goodwin talks about rewarding good form of players in the VFL. Now is the time to shake up this team and play guys who are playing well and with confidence at Casey. 

    - Despite low possessions Kossie was one of better players against the Cats and was prepared to throw his weight around and kicked a much needed goal in the last qtr.

    Btw I have picked like for like players in my 7 changes who I think would been more energy to the team and are “team” first players. 

    Enough said!!!

     

    That is a bit of a cheap shot saying Goodwin hasn't got the balls to make the changes you suggest. It would be a sign of a desperate and panic stricken football department to do so.

    • Like 1
    • Thanks 1
    1 hour ago, Lord Nev said:

    Ben Brown has been targeted inside 50m one-on-one 45 times this season. He has taken one mark from those battles — a junk-time grab on Marcus Adams (Lions) late in the fourth quarter. He has been out-marked eight times.

    I believe he is a lead up full-forward. Our set up doesn't suit him. He needs space so he can get separation.

    We usually have a congested forward area (especially when the play is more static), so we can play contested footy and hold the ball in and around the forward 50 arc.

    Would love to see us clear out that area, and play a few more a kick behind when in or entering the forward area.

    Let's play our contested game between the arcs, clog their forward line and empty ours.

    This would give all the forwards more area to work in, including our BBB, who generally has good hands, usually marks at the highest point and has skill to create separation. 

    Edited by kev martin

    • Like 1
     
    11 hours ago, Demon Dynasty said:

    Our run finished after 10 straight wins CYB.  We've only beaten 1 top four team  out of 4 matches since we beat the Saints during that run in Rnd 8.  That 25% hit rate against top eight teams from here would only see us winning 3 out of the next 6.

    If the alarm bells isn"t warming up and starting to ting a ling a little right now inside Goody's & the FD's heads it should be.

    We have a chance to right the ship but some serious changes/work needed on eveything forward of center before the match against Port if we're to make the top four.  As i've said since we lost Macca, you just can't/won't win many matches at this level defending 8 or 9 goals.

    We have 9 days to fix it IMV or we'll probably end up outside the top four and/or at best playing an 'away' Qualifying final in Sydney, Brisbane or the 

    7 hours ago, Call Me What You Will said:

    Just a thought - Gus into the middle to replace Clarry. Rivers in to back fill half back. Some merit in the “mass changes” mooted in the thread. However, do not think selection carnage is the way to go - one or two would be good to make a statement - and yes JVR or Laurie or both might make the point. 


     

    Guaranteed that Hunt will be picked before Rivers 

    Edited by 1964_2

    Can’t really disagree with Lloyd. Besides the Lions game we have been putrid for a while. On todays form, Lions are not a great benchmark.

    Having said that, we can turn it around quickly. I think some personal changes help. I’d bring Hunt back, Laurie and Van Rooyen to come back in. I’d also look at Rivers to return down back.

    Salem to move to mid/forward this week. 
    Bedford out, Bowey out, Oliver out and perhaps Spargo. 

    • Like 1

    Guest
    This topic is now closed to further replies.
    Go to topic listing

    Featured Content

    • PREVIEW: Essendon

      As the focus of the AFL moves exclusively to South Australia for Gather Round, the question is raised as to what are we going to get from the  Melbourne Football Club this weekend? Will it be a repeat of the slop fest of the last three weeks that have seen the team score a measly 174 points and concede 310 or will a return to the City of Churches and the scene where they performed at their best in 2024 act as a wakeup call and bring them out of their early season reverie? 
      Or will the sleepy Dees treat their fans to a reenactment of their lazy effort from the first Gather Round of two years ago when they allowed the Bombers to trample all over them on a soggy and wet Adelaide Oval? The two examples from above tell us how fickle form can be in football. Last year, a committed group of players turned up in Adelaide with a businesslike mindset. They had a plan, went in confidently and hard for the football and kicked winning scores against both home teams in a difficult environment for visitors. And they repeated that sort of effort later in the season when they played Essendon at the MCG. Unfortunately, performances like these went against the grain of what Melbourne has been producing from virtually midway through 2024 and extending right through to the present day. This is a game between two clubs who have faltered over the past couple of years because their disposal efficiency is appalling. Neither of them can hit the side of a barn door but history tells us that every once in a while such teams have their lucky days or come up against an opponent in even worse shape and hence, one of them will come up trumps in this match.

      • 0 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • PREGAME: Essendon

      Facing the very real and daunting prospect of starting the season with five straight losses, the Demons head to South Australia for the annual Gather Round, where they’ll take on the Bombers in search of their first win of the year. Who comes in, and who comes out?

        • Like
      • 279 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • NON-MFC: Round 05

      Gather Round is here, kicking off with a Thursday night blockbuster as Adelaide faces Geelong. The Crows will be out for redemption after a controversial loss last week. Saturday starts with the Magpies taking on the Swans. Collingwood will be eager to cement their spot in the top eight, while Sydney is hot on their heels. In the Barossa Valley, two rising sides go head-to-head in a fascinating battle to prove they're the real deal. Later, Carlton and West Coast face off at Adelaide Oval, both desperate to notch their first win of the season. The action then shifts to Norwood, where the undefeated Lions will aim to keep their streak alive against the Bulldogs. Sunday’s games begin in the Barossa with Richmond up against Fremantle. In Norwood, the Saints will be looking to take a scalp when they come up against the Giants. The round concludes with a fiery rematch of last year's semi-final, as the Hawks seek revenge for their narrow loss to Port Adelaide. Who are you tipping this week and what are the best results for the Demons besides us winning?

      • 20 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • CASEY: Geelong

      There was a time in the second quarter of the game at the Cattery on Friday afternoon when the Casey Demons threatened to take the game apart against the Cats. The Demons had been well on top early but were struggling to convert their ascendancy over the ground until Tom Fullarton’s burst of three goals in the space of eight minutes on the way to a five goal haul and his best game for the club since arriving from Brisbane at the end of 2023. He was leading, marking and otherwise giving his opponents a merry dance as Casey grabbed a three goal lead in the blink of an eye. Fullarton has now kicked ten goals in Casey’s three matches and, with Melbourne’s forward conversion woes, he is definitely in with a chance to get his first game with the club in next week’s Gather Round in Adelaide. Despite the tall forward’s efforts - he finished with 19 disposals and eight marks and had four hit outs as back up to Will Verrall in the second half - it wasn’t enough as Geelong reigned in the lead through persistent attacks and eventually clawed their way to the lead early in the last and held it till they achieved the end aim of victory.

      • 0 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • REPORT: Geelong

      I was disappointed to hear Goody say at his post match presser after the team’s 39 point defeat against Geelong that "we're getting high quality entry, just poor execution" because Melbourne’s problems extend far beyond that after its 0 - 4 start to the 2025 football season. There are clearly problems with poor execution, some of which were evident well before the current season and were in play when the Demons met the Cats in early May last year and beat them in a near top-of-the-table clash that saw both sides sitting comfortably in the top four after round eight. Since that game, the Demons’ performances have been positively Third World with only five wins in 19 games with a no longer majestic midfield and a dysfunctional forward line that has become too easy for opposing coaches to counter. This is an area of their game that is currently being played out as if they were all completely panic-stricken.

      • 0 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • NON-MFC: Round 04

      Round 4 kicks off with a blockbuster on Thursday night as traditional rivals Collingwood and Carlton clash at the MCG, with the Magpies looking to assert themselves as early-season contenders and the Blues seeking their first win of the season. Saturday opens with Gold Coast hosting Adelaide, a key test for the Suns as they aim to back up their big win last week, while the Crows will be looking to keep their perfect record intact. Reigning wooden spooners Richmond have the daunting task of facing reigning premiers Brisbane at the ‘G and the Lions will be eager to reaffirm their premiership credentials after a patchy start. Saturday night sees North Melbourne take on Sydney at Marvel Stadium, with the Swans looking to build on their first win of the season last week against a rebuilding Roos outfit. Sunday’s action begins with GWS hosting West Coast at ENGIE Stadium, a game that could get ugly very early for the visitors. Port Adelaide vs St Kilda at Adelaide Oval looms as a interesting clash, with both clubs form being very hard to read. The round wraps up with Fremantle taking on the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium in what could be a fierce contest between two sides with top-eight ambitions. Who are you tipping this week and what are the best results for the Demons besides us winning?

        • Shocked
        • Like
      • 273 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland
    View All