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.


Midfield ?


picket fence

Recommended Posts

Great on paper but not performing but the good news is it should be easy to get it working in the second half of the season but the bad news might be I am not confident that will happen. No idea what the problems are when you have 2 dominant rucks tapping to the likes of Oliver, Tracc and Viney. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Our midfield is a myth.

We have genuine bulls but not the out and out class and are severely lacking in pace - have been for a long time 

Need to get pure speed on the ball - kozzie rivers bowey need to play alongside 1 or 2 bulls only and burst out with the pill. 

It's way to dour in there 

  • Like 4
  • Sad 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

For me it was more about our mids defensive running and lack of post clearance pressure, and the lack of work rate from our forwards to impact across half forward and the middle of the ground.

IMO, it wasn't a personnel problem, but a work rate problem.

Perhaps the 5 day turnaround accompanied by travel played into it, but that first half was almost as bad as we've played all season. Port were great in the first half, but we were horrendous. 

  • Like 6
  • Thanks 1
  • Love 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Been worried since about mid year last year that we are over hyped. Good players, but not a good system. I think coaches need to take the heat on this. I see the same mistakes every week.

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Might be goodish, but getting Sèeermashed

Well Adem, its down to you! Whats going on???

Poor coaching full stop no back up plan to stop the bleeding, no positional changes in set up just keep doing the same thing.

  • Like 3
  • Sad 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, Sideshow Bob said:

Our midfield is a myth.

We have genuine bulls but not the out and out class and are severely lacking in pace - have been for a long time 

Need to get pure speed on the ball - kozzie rivers bowey need to play alongside 1 or 2 bulls only and burst out with the pill. 

It's way to dour in there 

Kossie in not a midfielder full stop, should be played deep in the forward line with licence to roam to the 50 that's it.

  • Like 3
  • Clap 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites


And people stop blaming the umps we lost that game full stop with dumb football, same game plan as 21 forward line entry is dysfunctional we have a kid who is getting 2 best defender instead of 3rd or fourth, we have a midfield that is one paced we will make finals but thats it if we keep going down with the same path.

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

This is why I continue to stress the need for class and composure through that midfield unit. 

Tonight, we just consistently gave away the ball at the coal face by either fumbling, mis-handballing, hand-balling to nobody and coughing the ball up. 

It was atrocious to watch. Petracca and Oliver are the best in the comp when it's on their terms. Tonight, they were both far too innefective when we needed them most which was at the start of the game. I don't care for the last half. We woke up finally. 

We just consistently gave the ball up in tight and we seem to do this when oppi teams bring pressure. No different to when we played Brisbane. Pressure Melbourne at the coal face and they crumble. 

Consistent theme. 

  • Like 3
  • Sad 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

We get first use of the ball in the centre but then try to get the perfect takeaway by handballing to a player who is under pressure and hence the ball gets turned over time and time again. Also we fumble a lot and that lets the opposition get a clearance out the back. We keep this style of play up and we may not even make the 8.

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

JHF alone tonight showed how important composure is. Same with Butters. Unbelievable. 

Petracca and Oliver don't have that level of composure and if people argue that they do, they simply don't bring it consistently. We need to bring in some mids in the next draft that possess high level class and composure through that part of the ground. 

 

  • Like 6
  • Facepalm 1
  • Thinking 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, JimmyGadson said:

JHF alone tonight showed how important composure is. Same with Butters. Unbelievable. 

Petracca and Oliver don't have that level of composure and if people argue that they do, they simply don't bring it consistently. We need to bring in some mids in the next draft that possess high level class and composure through that part of the ground. 

 

Good call. Trac was 45 metres out on the run and skews the footy to the side 20 metres up and across.  Pendlebury would have kicked the goal.  Love Trac but we need to add more class. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Too much is left to too few. Other teams are rotating 7 to 8 players through, we're scraping the bottom of the barrel by the time we're up to our first rotation. I'll excuse Oliver and Petracca some errors when they're carrying the entire team each week. We need to find multiple midfielders in this draft. 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Watching Brayshaw plodder tonight pretending to be a midfield was extraordinary. He was seriously cooked. No More of that please. We made a mistake simply by not bringing in Harmes for Sparrow to play more or a defensive role.

Going off this Port had a plan right from the very start.

Where was ours with Butters? He's rated one of the top 4 mids in the competition over the past 4 weeks and we let him just run around looking like Gary Ablett jnr.

Petracca fumbled at the most crucial of times tonight just when we needed that soft touch to get a clean clearence. Oliver is just sloppy and has zero composure. 

Time for the blow torch to go on Adem Yze now.

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

22 minutes ago, A F said:

For me it was more about our mids defensive running and lack of post clearance pressure, and the lack of work rate from our forwards to impact across half forward and the middle of the ground.

IMO, it wasn't a personnel problem, but a work rate problem.

 

Absolutely agree.

The Port player with the ball could spot up a player too easily because our mids were too focused on running ahead of the play. How many targets did Port easily hit tonight? Too many, too easily.

Also, the positional play and work rate of our small forwards needs urgent attention. On so many occasions, none of Spargo, Chandler, Kozzie or ANB were to be seen when the ball hit the ground. 

  • Like 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 minutes ago, Maldonboy38 said:

Also, the positional play and work rate of our small forwards needs urgent attention. On so many occasions, none of Spargo, Chandler, Kozzie or ANB were to be seen when the ball hit the ground. 

I reckon it's a fitness thing. They play a very taxing aerobic role with lots of repeat sprints, and when we struggle, the first thing that usually happens is our forward pressure is off.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 minutes ago, JimmyGadson said:

JHF alone tonight showed how important composure is. Same with Butters. Unbelievable. 

Petracca and Oliver don't have that level of composure and if people argue that they do, they simply don't bring it consistently. We need to bring in some mids in the next draft that possess high level class and composure through that part of the ground. 

 

Agree, I have said that before, Oliver does some amazing things but has a lot of clangers amongst his disposals, he just needs to slow down and then make a choice of what to do.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites


10 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Watching Brayshaw plodder tonight pretending to be a midfield was extraordinary. He was seriously cooked. No More of that please. We made a mistake simply by not bringing in Harmes for Sparrow to play more or a defensive role.

Going off this Port had a plan right from the very start.

Where was ours with Butters? He's rated one of the top 4 mids in the competition over the past 4 weeks and we let him just run around looking like Gary Ablett jnr.

Petracca fumbled at the most crucial of times tonight just when we needed that soft touch to get a clean clearence. Oliver is just sloppy and has zero composure. 

Time for the blow torch to go on Adem Yze now.

Trouble is Harmes is a one paced player and not of high skills.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bad night all round from the players to the coaches, kozi should have been full forward tonight was not deep enough so many ball out the back that were mopped up by Powa players. 

We were off with the fairys in the 1st quarter, they jumped us just like Essendon did in Gather round.

Edited by YesitwasaWin4theAges
Link to comment
Share on other sites

45 minutes ago, A F said:

For me it was more about our mids defensive running and lack of post clearance pressure, and the lack of work rate from our forwards to impact across half forward and the middle of the ground.

IMO, it wasn't a personnel problem, but a work rate problem.

Perhaps the 5 day turnaround accompanied by travel played into it, but that first half was almost as bad as we've played all season. Port were great in the first half, but we were horrendous. 

What you saw was a result of coughing up the ball way too many times at the coal face. 

Skill error after skill error. Not only that, direct turnovers from flicky handballs when they're not needed. 

Port handled the footy like it was dry all night and so of course our mids look like they're chasing tail. Our players moved offensively like they always do when we have our hands on the ball. But we just found ways to give it back when we had hands on it at the coal face. 

 

Edited by JimmyGadson
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

29 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Watching Brayshaw plodder tonight pretending to be a midfield was extraordinary. He was seriously cooked. No More of that please. We made a mistake simply by not bringing in Harmes for Sparrow to play more or a defensive role.

Going off this Port had a plan right from the very start.

Where was ours with Butters? He's rated one of the top 4 mids in the competition over the past 4 weeks and we let him just run around looking like Gary Ablett jnr.

Petracca fumbled at the most crucial of times tonight just when we needed that soft touch to get a clean clearence. Oliver is just sloppy and has zero composure. 

Time for the blow torch to go on Adem Yze now.

Yes now Adem.... are u up to it????

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  

    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 200

    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 24

    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

    POSTGAME: Rd 07 vs Richmond

    The Demons put their foot down after half time to notch up a clinical win by 43 points over the Tigers at the MCG on ANZAC Eve keeping touch with the Top 4.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 385

    GAMEDAY: Rd 07 vs Richmond

    It's Game Day and the Demons once again open the round of football with their annual clash against Richmond on ANZAC Eve. The Tigers, coached by former Dees champion and Premiership assistant coach Adem Yze have a plethora of stars missing due to injury but beware the wounded Tiger. The Dees will have to be switched on tonight. A win will keep them in the hunt for the Top 4 whilst a loss could see them fall out of the 8 for the first time since 2020.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 683

    TRAINING: Tuesday 23rd April 2024

    Demonland Trackwatcher Kev Martin ventured down to Gosch's Paddock to bring you his observations from this morning's Captain's Run including some hints at the changes for our ANZAC Eve clash against the Tigers. Sunny, though a touch windy, this morning, 23 of them no emergencies.  Forwards out first. Harrison Petty, JvR, Jack Billings, Kade Chandler, Kozzy, Bayley Fritsch, and coach Stafford.  The backs join them, Steven May, Jake Lever, Woey, Judd McVee, Blake Howes, Tom McDonald

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    OOZEE by The Oracle

    There’s a touch of irony in the fact that Adem Yze played his first game for Melbourne in Round 13, 1995 against the club he now coaches. For that game, he wore the number 44 guernsey and got six touches in a game the team won by 11 points.  The man whose first name was often misspelled, soon changed to the number 13 and it turned out lucky for him. He became a highly revered Demon with a record of 271 games during which his presence was acknowledged by the fans with the chant of “Oozee” wh

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Match Previews 3
  • 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 07

    Discussion of all the other games that don't involve the Demons in Round 07 ... READ MORE

    Demonland | Round 07

  • Match Report      

    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 ... READ MORE

    Demonland | April 25

  • Casey Report      

    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 ... READ MORE

    Demonland | April 25

  • Post Game      

    POSTGAME: Rd 07 vs Richmond

    The Demons put their foot down after half time to notch up a clinical win by 43 points over the Tigers at the MCG on ANZAC Eve keeping touch with the Top 4 ...READ MORE

    Demonland | April 24

  • Votes      

    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 ...READ MORE

    Demonland | April 24

  • PreGame      

    PREGAME: Rd 08 vs Geelong

    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? ...READ MORE

    Demonland | April 24

  • Game Day      

    GAMEDAY: Rd 07 vs Richmond

    It's Game Day on ANZAC Eve & the Demons take on the Tigers, coached by former Dees champion & Premiership assistant Adem Yze. The Dees will have to be switched on tonight & a win will keep them in the hunt for the Top 4 whilst a loss could see them fall out of the 8 for the first time since 2020 ... READ MORE

    Demonland | April 24

  • Match Preview      

    OOZEE by The Oracle

    There’s a touch of irony in the fact that Adem Yze played his first game for Melbourne in Round 13, 1995 against the club he now coaches. For that game, he wore the number 44 guernsey and got six touches in a game the team won by 11 points ... READ MORE

    Demonland | April 23

  • Training  

    Tuesday, 23rd April 2024

    Demonland Trackwatcher Kev Martin ventured down to Gosch's Paddock to bring you his observations from this morning's Captain's Run including some hints at the changes for our ANZAC Eve clash against the Tigers ... READ MORE

    Demonland | April 23

  • Training  

    Friday, 19th April 2024

    Veteran Demonland Trackwatcher Kev Martin headed down to Gosch's Paddock today to bring you his observations from training ... READ MORE

    Demonland | April 19

  • Latest Podcast      

    PODCAST: Rd 05 vs Brisbane

    The boys dissected the disappointing loss to Brisbane rueing our poor work at the stoppages, debated the role that fatigue played and lamenting the loss of Christian Salem ... LISTEN

    Demonland | April 16

  • Training  

    Wednesday, 10th April 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers Kev Martin and Demon Dynasty were once again on hand at this morning's Captain's Run at Gosch's Paddock to bring you their observations from training ... READ MORE

    Demonland | April 10

  • Training  

    Sunday, 7th April 2024

    Demonland Trackwatcher Kev Martin ventured down in the rain to Gosch's Paddock for the Demon Family Series April School Holiday Open Training session ... READ MORE

    Demonland | April 07

  • 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 08

       vs   

    Saturday 4th May 2024
    @ 07:30pm (MCG)

  • MFC Forum  

  • Match Previews & Reports  

  • Training Forum  

  • AFLW Forum  

  • 2024 Player Sponsorship

  • Topics

  • Injury List  


      PLAYER INJURY LENGTH
    Jake Bowey Shoulder 3-4 Weeks
    Charlie Spargo Achilles 3-4 Weeks
    Christian Salem Hamstring 3-5 Weeks
    Jake Melksham ACL 7-9 Weeks
    Joel Smith Suspension TBA

  • Player of the Year  


        PLAYER VOTES
    1 Max Gawn 83
    2 Christian Petracca 55
    3 Steven May 48
    4 Jack Viney 28
    5 Alex Neal-Bullen 27
    6 Clayton Oliver 23
    7 Jake Lever 22
    8 Trent Rivers 20
    9 Bayley Fritsch 19
    =10 Ed Langdon 15
    =10 Judd McVee 15

        FULL TABLE
  • Demonland Interviews 



  • Upcoming Events 

×
×
  • Create New...