Jump to content

Discussion on recent allegations about the use of illicit drugs in football is forbidden
  • 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.


Alan Richardson on 3AW: What is Fueling Dees Fire in 2023


dazzledavey36

Recommended Posts

  • Demonland changed the title to Alan Richardson on 3AW: What is Fueling Dees Fire in 2023

McClure has always left me cold. But that is an excellent interview. Great questions and richo found a nice balance between cliche and honesty.

Asked about game plan, richo said no wholesale changes, but philosophicaly more aggressive. Which gels with observations from track watchers.

  • Like 12
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I’m glad the club recognizes how unrealistic that 2021 finals series / season was and how impossible it is to replicate such a perfect dominance. It was a once in a lifetime performance we will never see again, and we need to stop trying to fall into the trap of wanting a repeat of it. 

lol @ Richo talking about the “websites” talking up JVR 😂
 

Miss You Hello GIF by Ryn Dean

  • Like 2
  • Haha 10
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think Chnadler gets underrated on this site as well, i think Koz will play more midfeild time this year and Chandler will step in as the pressure small forward (along with Spargo and Nibbler).

Im looking forward to seeing some games.

  • Like 11
Link to comment
Share on other sites

10 hours ago, binman said:

McClure has always left me cold. But that is an excellent interview. Great questions and richo found a nice balance between cliche and honesty.

Asked about game plan, richo said no wholesale changes, but philosophicaly more aggressive. Which gels with observations from track watchers.

I'm presuming 'aggressive', attached to 'philisophically', and AR's '...we had it taken away from us...(at times last year)' means in game style - i.e. moving the ball on more quickly, instinctively, to open (riskier?) areas of the field - not physical aggression. No mention the fall-offs were fitness-related - indeed he referred to 'getting the (work vs footy) balance right' in Jan/Feb.

He also settles the Gawn/Grundy question: rotation through the forward line but not as key scorers; rather, creating situations for scoring (e.g. 'engineered' stoppages?)

And JVR: 'keys' picked on 'form' and 'ready to go' and 'structure'. So not a Round 1 lock? Though he then refers to Saints and Tigers (and other) practices, evidently linking them - not just the 'real stuff' - to such decisions.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, Jaded No More said:

I’m glad the club recognizes how unrealistic that 2021 finals series / season was and how impossible it is to replicate such a perfect dominance. It was a once in a lifetime performance we will never see again, and we need to stop trying to fall into the trap of wanting a repeat of it. 

lol @ Richo talking about the “websites” talking up JVR 😂
 

Miss You Hello GIF by Ryn Dean

Its hard to place that 2021 finals series historically. On the scoreboard we dominated, but we all know there were moments where things were on a knife edge, in the 3rd quarter of the GF and in r23.

But at the same time, it seems ALL premiers go through the same trials. Richmond and Hawthorn as well.  There really aren't any dominant seasons + finals campaigns in recent memory, unless we go back to the salary cap cheating days or maybe 2007 Geelong?

Leaving mental traps about trying to repeat the past aside, we can absolutely repeat the year we had in 2021 again. It wasn't a 'perfect' domination, and we have the capability to have a similar season + finals campaign again. Just like Rich & Haw proved during their era's, and Geelong, buoyed by their easy/dominant prelim/GF's last year, will be hungry to replicate and go back to back. Shudder 🤮

Edited by John Demonic
  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Timothy Reddan-A'Blew said:

I'm presuming 'aggressive', attached to 'philisophically', and AR's '...we had it taken away from us...(at times last year)' means in game style - i.e. moving the ball on more quickly, instinctively, to open (riskier?) areas of the field - not physical aggression.

I hope it is also physical aggression because teams like the Swans went hard at us and they won.  In the GF the cats sat the Swans on their [censored] in the opening minutes.  Dees need to do the same.

  • Like 9
Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, Timothy Reddan-A'Blew said:

 No mention the fall-offs were fitness-related - indeed he referred to 'getting the (work vs footy) balance right' in Jan/Feb.

The players were fitter than they had ever been according to club stats. Last year was not a fitness issue

The problem stems from them working really hard in pre-season to perform at home. They basically didn't have a break over the summer and never switched off. They were super keen and worked extremely hard over the summer. But they totally cooked mentally half way through the year.

Hence the allusion to 'work vs footy balance' in Jan / Feb

  • Like 14
  • Thanks 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites


31 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

The players were fitter than they had ever been according to club stats. Last year was not a fitness issue

The problem stems from them working really hard in pre-season to perform at home. They basically didn't have a break over the summer and never switched off. They were super keen and worked extremely hard over the summer. But they totally cooked mentally half way through the year.

Hence the allusion to 'work vs footy balance' in Jan / Feb

 

31 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

The players were fitter than they had ever been according to club stats. Last year was not a fitness issue

The problem stems from them working really hard in pre-season to perform at home. They basically didn't have a break over the summer and never switched off. They were super keen and worked extremely hard over the summer. But they totally cooked mentally half way through the year.

Hence the allusion to 'work vs footy balance' in Jan / Feb

Good analysis in my opinion.I also think injuries counted as well.Lever, May-and his suspension, T.Mac, Gawn,Oliver,  Petracca, Salem ,Hibberd,B.Brown all contributed to the injury issue during the year whilst I think we failed to play Bedford, Chandler more when ANB & Spargo we’re down on form..

  • Like 8
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

7 hours ago, John Demonic said:

Its hard to place that 2021 finals series historically. On the scoreboard we dominated, but we all know there were moments where things were on a knife edge, in the 3rd quarter of the GF and in r23.

But at the same time, it seems ALL premiers go through the same trials. Richmond and Hawthorn as well.  There really aren't any dominant seasons + finals campaigns in recent memory, unless we go back to the salary cap cheating days or maybe 2007 Geelong?

Leaving mental traps about trying to repeat the past aside, we can absolutely repeat the year we had in 2021 again. It wasn't a 'perfect' domination, and we have the capability to have a similar season + finals campaign again. Just like Rich & Haw proved during their era's, and Geelong, buoyed by their easy/dominant prelim/GF's last year, will be hungry to replicate and go back to back. Shudder 🤮

Since the VFL became the AFL in 1990, I’d argue we’ve had the  second most dominant finals series to date behind Essendon of 2000.

Essendon had an aggregate margin of 230 points and never looked in any doubt    at any point of that finals series, while we had an aggregate margin of 190 points with just a slight scare in the middle 2 quarters of the GF before dominating.

Whilst Geelong’s 2007 side had an aggregate margin of 230 like Essendon (2000), they had an almighty scare against Collingwood in that years prelim and fell over the line by 5 points.

My top 5 dominant finals series since 1990:

Essendon (2000)

Melbourne (2021)

Geelong (2007)

Richmond (2019)

Hawthorn (2008)

Edited by Bring-Back-Powell
  • Like 3
  • Thanks 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, jayceebee31 said:

Good analysis in my opinion.I also think injuries counted as well

Yes. Also (posted this elsewhere), the difference in what we'd come from is stark. In 2021 we'd come off 2020 where we only played 17 reduced-time games. In 2022 we were coming off the 2021 season where we'd played 25 games, many at high intensity.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 1/26/2023 at 9:53 AM, Cheap Seats said:

I think Chnadler gets underrated on this site as well, i think Koz will play more midfeild time this year and Chandler will step in as the pressure small forward (along with Spargo and Nibbler).

Im looking forward to seeing some games.

If Chandler isnt picked in the One's 22, I think his head will explode. Tried his heart out last year.

  • Like 2
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Bystander said:

If Chandler isnt picked in the One's 22, I think his head will explode. Tried his heart out last year.

I hope he gets a crack, has a bit of X factor about him.

Will also give Howes and a few others some time to develop.

Nothing wrong with competition for spots but like you said if booked don't get a go theyll likely be elsewhere next year.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Alarm bells started ring inside my head as soon as i started seeing videos of players going at full tilt training 2 weeks after the GF had taken place.

Absolutely no down time after the GF to let their bodies and minds relax and unwind after what they had achieved. Players weren't able to go away overseas or interstate due to boarder restrictions to unwind.

Completely different to this years preparation in terms of down time as players were able to go on a holiday as the world had opened up again.

  • Like 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Love Richo gives just enough to hold your interest, they obviously understand where and why we fell down in the finals last year,  liked the way he hosed down expectations on JVR whilst pumping him up for future. Maybe someone there reads Demonland.!!

  • Like 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 1/26/2023 at 9:53 AM, Cheap Seats said:

I think Chnadler gets underrated on this site as well, i think Koz will play more midfeild time this year and Chandler will step in as the pressure small forward (along with Spargo and Nibbler).

Im looking forward to seeing some games.

Chandler looked promising  in a 2021 pre season game against Richmond at Casey kicking 3 goals as a genuine small forward including a clever goal on the boundary. I know it was only a practice match but you don't accidently play well against a mostly full strength side featuring Dustin Martin.

He just hasn't been afforded the opportunity at AFL level, and the rare chances he's had, he's only played a  20 minute game coming on as a sub over the last couple of years (although he did have that 4 possession "full" game against Carlton in 2021 which wasn't great).

Hopefully for his sake, he gets at least 11 games this year for someone that's been on the list for 5 seasons.

 

 

  • Like 2
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, Bystander said:

If Chandler isnt picked in the One's 22, I think his head will explode. Tried his heart out last year.

Yes he did try his heart out, particularly in Casey's GF win where i thought he was in our three best players. There were times last year when he must have thought "what more do I have to do to get a game ?".

Particularly frustrating when players like Melksham were getting games based on very average form in the 2's. It is important that

young emerging players like Chandler see some light at the end of the tunnel and be rewarded for good form at Casey otherwise

it sends the wrong message and can have a negative effect on the overall morale of the playing group. It would be great to see players like Chandler, Howes, Disco and Van Rooyen make the transition to senior footy this coming season. 

  • Like 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites


Hearing him talk again, I'm so glad we picked up Richo for our coaching/administration team.

I don't have any huge evidence to go by here, but from his experience and general demeanor, I imagine he's a great steadying influence around the club.  I think he'd be both a bit of a counterbalance to Choco's exuberance, but also one with the wisdom and respect to influence Goody when the time and place is right.

His well chosen words Re JVR are a case in point.  Gives him the confidence that the club has faith in his ability to develop his game for the long term at the same time as tempering and toning down expectations of him being a fowardline saviour in the short term to take some of the heat off him.

Edited by Rodney (Balls) Grinter
  • Like 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 1/26/2023 at 4:19 PM, jnrmac said:

The players were fitter than they had ever been according to club stats. Last year was not a fitness issue

The problem stems from them working really hard in pre-season to perform at home. They basically didn't have a break over the summer and never switched off. They were super keen and worked extremely hard over the summer. But they totally cooked mentally half way through the year.

Hence the allusion to 'work vs footy balance' in Jan / Feb

I reckon it's a fatigue build up as well. a lot of the players are still so young and then to suddenly go into a full finals campaign including a grand final, and have to back that up is physically demanding. 

when coaches talk about players really needing 80-100 games imo what they're referring to is the need for 4-5 solid pre seasons to be able to stand up to the week in, week out nature of footy. in hindsight, as wonderful as it is, we probably did need to rest/rotate the players a little bit more. 

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great interview, I think we're playing this well from a PR point of view. 

The common denominator is pressure, it's the secret sauce and we need to make sure we keep consistent levels of forward pressure up. Ball movement does need altering but no. 1 is pressure. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Demonland Forums  

  • Match Previews, Reports & Articles  

    DEPTH CHARGE by Whispering Jack

    The jubilation on the coach’s face as he danced a celebratory jig by the playing bench after the final siren sounded to record his team’s four-point victory over the Demons when the teams last met, said it all.    On that rainy Friday night at the Adelaide Oval, Ken Hinkley’s young midfield secured much more than four points on offer. The victory over one of the big dogs of the competition after a succession of wins over some of its lesser lights gave his team respect and validation fo

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 5

    TRAINING: Monday 25th March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers Demon Dynasty & Kev Martin were trackside at Gosch's Paddock today to bring you their observations from training. DEMON DYNASTY'S TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Kade Chandler's left knee heavily strapped. BBB, Spargs & Jake Lever also in rehab group. Jake Bowey solo running separate kicking/sprint/agility drills. Super fine morning / early arvo at Gosch's for the boys to blow out some cobwebs. Choco initially had the light duties / rehab group

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    HIBERNATING by KC from Casey

    When they locked up the rooms for summer at the end of last year’s football season, the rooms gathered cobwebs, the atmosphere became dense and the place developed a sleepy feel. They opened up the rooms to let Casey out to play on Sunday but the team was still hibernating and they missed the bulk of the opening quarter. By the time they worked out it was game on, their opponents from Box Hill had accumulated five goals and, if the game wasn’t over, it might as well have been. For a se

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Casey Articles

    A FORK IN THE HAWK by George on the Outer

    For too long in the past, Demon fans became habitually sick and tired of watching the Hawks hand out thrashings to their side. But Melbourne’s empahtic 55-point win at the MCG on Saturday has truly put a fork in the Hawk and turned that history well and truly on its head. The Demons have now won nine of their last ten encounters with the other result, a draw.     And like a fork, it was the multi-pronged options that Melbourne had all across the ground.  It certainly helped that Hawthorn

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Match Reports 8

    PREGAME: Rd 03 vs Port Adelaide

    The Demons head on the road for the next 2 weeks as they travel to Adelaide to play Port on Saturday and then have a 5 Day break before facing the Crows in the Gather Round. With injuries to May and Lever who comes in and who goes out?

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 262

    PODCAST: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 25th March @ 8:30pm. Join George, Binman & I as we analyse the Demons victory at the MCG against the Hawks in the Round 02. 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 46

    VOTES: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    Last week Steven May took the lead in the Demonland Player of the Year Award from Jack Viney. Clayton Oliver & Max Gawn round out the Top 4. Your votes for the win/loss against/to the Hawks. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 50

    POSTGAME: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The Demons cruised to an easy 55 point win over the Hawks at the MCG but but paid a heavy toll on the injury front with Steven May & Jake Lever possibly sidelined for a number of weeks.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 357

    GAMEDAY: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    It's Game Day and after mixed results in the first two weeks of the season the Demons have the opportunity to capitalise on their good form last week when they take on the Hawks at the MCG today.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 437
  • 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 03

    Discussion of all the other games that don't involve the Demons in Round 03 ... READ MORE

    Demonland | Round 03

  • Match Preview      

    DEPTH CHARGE by Whispering Jack

    The jubilation on the coach’s face as he danced a celebratory jig by the playing bench after the final siren sounded to record his team’s four-point victory over the Demons when the teams last met, said it all ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 27

  • Latest Podcast      

    PODCAST: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The boys dissected the clinical thrashing of Hawks praising the immense performance of Christian Petracca whilst lamenting the injury toll to our defensive unit ... LISTEN

    Demonland | March 26

  • Training  

    Monday, 25th March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers Demon Dynasty & Kev Martin were trackside at Gosch's Paddock today to bring you their observations from training ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 25

  • Casey Report      

    HIBERNATING by KC from Casey

    When they locked up the rooms for summer at the end of last year’s football season, the rooms gathered cobwebs, the atmosphere became dense and the place developed a sleepy feel. They opened up the rooms to let Casey out to play on Sunday but the team was still hibernating and they missed the bulk of the opening quarter ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 25

  • PreGame      

    PREGAME: Rd 03 vs Port Adelaide

    The Demons head out on the road for the next 2 weeks as they travel to Adelaide to play Port on Saturday and then have a 5 Day break before facing the Crows in Gather Round. With injuries to May and Lever who comes in and who goes out? ...READ MORE

    Demonland | March 28

  • Match Report      

    A FORK IN THE HAWK by George on the Outer

    For too long in the past, Demon fans became habitually sick and tired of watching the Hawks hand out thrashings to their side. But Melbourne’s empahtic 55-point win at the MCG on Saturday has truly put a fork in the Hawk and turned that history well and truly on its head ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Post Game      

    POSTGAME: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The Demons cruised to an easy 55 point win over the Hawks at the MCG but but paid a heavy toll on the injury front with Steven May & Jake Lever possibly sidelined for a number of weeks ...READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Votes      

    VOTES: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    Last week Steven May took the lead in the Demonland Player of the Year Award from Jack Viney. Clayton Oliver & Max Gawn round out the Top 4. Your votes for the win/loss against/to the Hawks. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 ...READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Game Day      

    GAMEDAY: Round 02 vs Hawthorn

    It's Game Day and after mixed results in the first two weeks of the season the Demons have the opportunity to capitalise on their good form last week when they take on the Hawks at the MCG today ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Training  

    Friday, 22nd March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatcher Kev Martin and I attended the Captain's Run at Gosch's Paddock on this lovely sunny morning to bring you the following observations from the training session ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 22

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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 03

       vs   

    Saturday 30th March 2024
    @ 07:30pm (AO)

  • MFC Forum  

  • Match Previews & Reports  

  • Training Forum  

  • AFLW Forum  

  • 2024 Player Sponsorship

  • Topics

  • Injury List  


      PLAYER INJURY LENGTH
    Jake Lever Knee Test
    Clayton Oliver Hand Test
    Oliver Sestan Concussion Test
    Steven May Ribs 1 Week
    Lachie Hunter Calf 1 Week
    Daniel Turner Hip 2-3 Weeks
    Charlie Spargo Achilles 2-4 Weeks
    Shane McAdam Hamstring 3-5 Weeks
    Jake Bowey Shoulder 7 Weeks
    Jake Melksham ACL 12-14 Weeks
    Joel Smith Suspension TBA

  • Player of the Year  


        PLAYER VOTES
    1 Christian Petracca 27
    2 Steven May 25
    3 Max Gawn 21
    4 Jack Viney 20
    5 Bayley Fritsch 19
    6 Clayton Oliver 18
    7 Christian Salem 12
    8 Blake Howes 11
    9 Jack Billings 10
    9 Alex Neal-Bullen 10

        FULL TABLE
  • Demonland Interviews 



  • Upcoming Events 

×
×
  • Create New...