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PODCAST: Rd 05 vs Essendon

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in Melbourne Demons

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On 4/16/2023 at 10:08 AM, Deeoldfart said:

Good question ElDiab.  I don’t think we can blame the wet conditions, the consecutive road trips, or the absence of a few players for the way we played in Saturday’s loss.  To my eyes, we were just never ‘switched on’, plain & simple!  How can this be?

I beg to differ with you @Deeoldfart, and suggest that wet conditions have indeed played at least a part in Melbourne's two losses this year, coupled with another reason you have not mentioned.

Brisbane and Essendon beat Melbourne in the wet. Brisbane in the dreary dewy evening "lights out" game at the Gabba, and Essendon in the driving rain at Adelaide Oval during the inaugural Gather Round. Melbourne's skills were poor in these matches in stark contrast to the sublime skills shown int the 3 matches Melbourne has won this year in dry conditions.

Melbourne's opponents have been far better at handling a wet footy this year, so far. It was frustrating to watch how well Brisbane and Essendon were able to take marks, receive handballs, stay on their feet, and kick accurately for goal, whilst Melbourne fumbled, dropped marks, slipped over, missed shots at goal, etc.

In both games, there was an encouraging comeback by Melbourne in the 4th quarter. The will to win by the Demons was evident. But it was all too late.

The crucial 2nd point, IMHO, is that in the wet, Brisbane and Essendon additionally applied extreme on-ball pressure - especially when Melbourne had possession of the ball. They applied manic tackling pressure on almost every opportunity for Melbourne to deliver the ball to a team-mate and stifled the Demons free-flowing run-on dry weather style of play.

This is a bitter pill to swallow as Melbourne is renowned for its fierce contest at the ball whilst in dispute.

If Melbourne can apply its dry weather contested football to wet weather football for 4 full quarters (and not just the last quarter), and learn to find ways to evade the manic tackling used by Brisbane and Essendon in the wet, I think Melbourne will start to win more of these difficult contested games in the wet.

 

 

 

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    Another fantastic poddy guys.  Tuned in yesterday on the 700km haul between Adelaide and Hay, on our way home from the Gather Round. Took 2hrs off the long drive in no time.  Love your work!  Go Dees!

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