Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.

Demonland

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.

Melbourne - One Trick Pony

Featured Replies

Is Melbourne guilty of the same problem but we don’t want to admit it, particularly as a coaching group….we play one way and one way only and can’t, or won’t adjust when we need to

We are known as a team that overuses the ball, is vulnerable to pressure and is heavily  reliant on defence, particularly intercept marking, which when we come up against well coached and capable teams we eventually fall over - we have some very skilled players but our tactical planning and execution is letting us down

 
14 minutes ago, Blue-and-red said:

Is Melbourne guilty of the same problem but we don’t want to admit it, particularly as a coaching group….we play one way and one way only and can’t, or won’t adjust when we need to

We are known as a team that overuses the ball, is vulnerable to pressure and is heavily  reliant on defence, particularly intercept marking, which when we come up against well coached and capable teams we eventually fall over - we have some very skilled players but our tactical planning and execution is letting us down

We are poorly coached. Just fortunate we had a purple patch last year. Collingwood shown us tonight what happens when you convert your chances and maximize forward 50 entries. In addition, it looked as though our mids weren’t running both ways. Teams can easily run over the top of us.

 

In the words of Norm Smith:

"I ate humble pie, it had a terrible taste" 

All teams are. We have a game plan and Goodwin takes weeks to even think about tweaking.

Teams only ever change when they are losing, we too 6 weeks to make some moves and we got back to some form, tonight tho under any other circumstance we win, they don’t kick that straight again.

But in saying that, defensively if we get cut open there isn’t even plan A v2 let alone a plan B and kicking into f50 is only plan A.


7 hours ago, Blue-and-red said:

Is Melbourne guilty of the same problem but we don’t want to admit it, particularly as a coaching group….we play one way and one way only and can’t, or won’t adjust when we need to

We are known as a team that overuses the ball, is vulnerable to pressure and is heavily  reliant on defence, particularly intercept marking, which when we come up against well coached and capable teams we eventually fall over - we have some very skilled players but our tactical planning and execution is letting us down

Yes, i am afraid Langdon's loose words have already come back to haunt us. (Predictably.) We have been thoroughly exposed. 4 wins from our last 10 matches. This isn't the performance of even a marginal contender. We have some great players, but too many mediocrities and/or players with serious limitations. And the great players have had relatively injury free years. What would Melb be without Oliver and Petracca? Shudder to think.

I would just love to see some variation to the plan occasionally. Obviously our game plan has served us well but when it isn’t working in game why not change it up as we are so predictable. Why do we ALWAYS kick our from full back to the left side of the ground. Why can’t we switch from a zone defence to one on one in game. Why is our default kick into the forward line to a pocket. I hope we have something up our sleeve for finals and it is not just blind faith and stubbornness as we have been worked out or it isn’t working as well as it should. There needs to be change whether it be “method” or personnel.

The “all duck no dinner” quote isn’t looking great, only because it perfectly describes our current form. As Goody said, I reckon if he could take it back he would. Love that he defended Lingers integrity though. Learnings! 

 

Looking forward to a three course feast when we front up against Caaaaarlton next week. GO DEES 

Edited by Wodjathefirst


1 hour ago, Webber said:

The “all duck no dinner” quote isn’t looking great, only because it perfectly describes our current form. As Goody said, I reckon if he could take it back he would. Love that he defended Lingers integrity though. Learnings! 

Yep it was a stupid comment. 
Their one trick has beaten us twice this year. 
 

We are also one trick ponies. We only win when we shut down the game and play defensively. We can’t win shootouts. So we are no different to any other team.  

8 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

We are also one trick ponies. We only win when we shut down the game and play defensively. We can’t win shootouts. So we are no different to any other team.  

Yes we are different, we can never win a close one and struggle to win in Victoria.

Is it worth altering training this week to about 1/3rd of the usual time spent on weekly training drills.

The other two thirds.... plus an extra separate shorter session purely on mid / forward transistion, forward craft in general and pressure elements inside 50 without the ball??

The rest we surely have a good handle on and just needs a brief 1/3rd freshen up.

Small / Medium forwards who don't cut the mustard in these sessions without the ball (bringing forward 50 pressure) may need to be culled in favour of in form Casey alternatives who are bringing it (where available and their form at Casey warrants the call up).

We need to sharpen the hell up here or we can kiss the 2022 cup goodbye.  This will also put everyone on notice that our game is very solid elsewhere with not much tweaking needed so that hopes are kept high in general however... reality is also put on the table.  If everyone works hard enough to improve this aspect of our methods/skills etc then we are still in the hunt.

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...

Featured Content

  • NON-MFC: 2026 Opening Round

    Finally the 2026 AFL Premiership Season is upon us. While Melbourne sits out Opening Round, there is still plenty of footy to enjoy with five non-MFC clashes to kick off the new season. It all begins on Thursday night with a blockbuster at the SCG as Sydney hosts Carlton in what should be a strong early test for both sides. On Friday night, Gold Coast gets its chance to open the season in front of a home crowd when the Suns and Christian Petracca take on Geelong at People First Stadium. Saturday features a double-header, starting in the afternoon with Greater Western Sydney and Clayton Oliver meeting the Hawks at Engie Stadium. That is followed on Saturday night by Brisbane Lions hosting the Western Bulldogs at the Gabba, with the Lions embarking on their campaign to win the Threepeat. Opening Round wraps up on Sunday night at the MCG, where St Kilda takes on Collingwood in the only game in town in the first week of the season. There is no shortage of storylines across the round, so discuss all the action from the non-MFC games of Opening Round.

      • Thanks
      • Like
    • 291 replies
  • PREGAME: St. Kilda

    With just over two weeks until their opening match of the 2026 AFL Premiership season, the Demons are already well on the path to redemption and have the Saints firmly in their sights ahead of their mid-March clash at the MCG. What do you think the team will look like when they run out on to the G?

      • Clap
      • Love
      • Thanks
      • Like
    • 146 replies
  • REPORT: Richmond

    Mars is not usually a place known for lighting strikes but on Friday evening it happened twice in the vicinity of the stadium in Ballarat that carries the name and is a half completed building site with limited capacity for spectators.

      • Love
      • Thanks
      • Like
    • 4 replies
  • POSTGAME: Richmond

    The Dees ran another clinic for the second week in a row as they easily accounted for the Tigers in the lightning interrupted shortened match at Mars Stadium in Ballarat.

      • Clap
      • Thanks
      • Like
    • 118 replies
  • VOTES: Richmond

    Kozzy Pickett was the man of the match last week and has a vote lead over backup ruck Max Heath who didn't play this week and 5 votes over former Saint Jack Steele. Who gets the votes in this weeks shortened match win over the Tigers? Your votes please. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 & 1.

      • Like
    • 15 replies
  • GAMEDAY: Richmond

    It's Game Day and the 2026 AFL Premiership season is almost upon us as the Demons take to the field for their final practice match before the first ball is kicked in anger in 16 days time. What are you expecting to see from the Dees today as they take on the Tigers at Mars Stadium in Ballarat?

      • Clap
      • Haha
      • Thanks
      • Like
    • 337 replies

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.