Jump to content

Five most improved players

Deespicable
in Melbourne Demons

Featured Replies

15 hours ago, layzie said:

Hard to pick 5, I don't think here have been that many mainly because the benchmark is high already with most players and maybe some haven't quite come on how we want yet.

1. Rivers

2. McVee

3. Chandler

4. JVR

Leaving it at 4. 

Easier to pick the underperformers

Agree with the above

  • Quote
    • Like 1
     

    Rivers has genuine A grade potential...but I think it's mainly through the midfield where he can fully utilise his physical traits. His short kicking in defence still scares the life out of me. 

    McVee the biggest surprise. Poise, speed, class. Is there a world where he plays in the midfield? He's got everything we're missing.

    Chandler an excellent 6-8 weeks before going MIA.

    JVR, as advertised.

    Edited by adonski

  • Quote
    • Like 2

    Imteresting thread in the sense that any number of our good & best players were previously playing to their max or close enough to their max

    For instance, back in 2021 we had 5 All-Australians with Langdon, Viney, Salem being unlucky to not receive that honour along with 9 or 10 others who all had decent year's

    So last season a number of players dropped off a bit and have levelled off.  Injuries have played a part too

    McVee, JVR & Rivers are the standout improvers but what is required is for all our good players to get back to their best

    Hunter & Grundy have added to the team as well so it's hard to quantify improvement with those 2

    I reckon what stands out is no matter how good the list is you have to keep adding talent to improve the team against dropping away

    In other words, the window of opportunity can be extended if talent is added.  Relying on our best players continuing to play at their best (all at the same time) doesn't always or often work

    Edited by Macca

  • Quote
    • Like 2
     
    23 hours ago, chook fowler said:

    Luke Jackson!

    Gotta love all the D'landers reactions 😂

    We better get a good draft pick out of those Freo vultures.

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    • Thanks 1

    57 minutes ago, Macca said:

    Imteresting thread in the sense that any number of our good & best players were previously playing to their max or close enough to their max

    For instance, back in 2021 we had 5 All-Australians with Langdon, Viney, Salem being unlucky to not receive that honour along with 9 or 10 others who all had decent year's

    So last season a number of players dropped off a bit and have levelled off.  Injuries have played a part too

    McVee, JVR & Rivers are the standout improvers but what is required is for all our good players to get back to their best

    Hunter & Grundy have added to the team as well so it's hard to quantify improvement with those 2

    I reckon what stands out is no matter how good the list is you have to keep adding talent to improve the team against dropping away

    In other words, the window of opportunity can be extended if talent is added.  Relying on our best players continuing to play at their best (all at the same time) doesn't always or often work

    Don't forget the worst one, Fritta. I can't fathom how he hasn't been selected in the last couple of seasons.

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    9 minutes ago, ElDiablo14 said:

    Don't forget the worst one, Fritta. I can't fathom how he hasn't been selected in the last couple of seasons.

    The All-Australian is based on the season proper so if the finals (especially the GF) were counted, Fritsch may well have received a guernsey

    As it stands, he was another player who had a very good season ... and to a large degree he has carried on with that good form

    I can't help but think how good he would be (as the 3rd forward) with 2 standout key forwards in the team ... and that could happen with JVR getting better and with the (hopefully) acquisition of a quality KPF in the off season

    Brown & T-Mac are near the end and anyone else (apart from JVR) being less than very good/excellent

    Also Gawn up forward hasn't really worked but we've seen him play some terrific games up forward.  I reckon Max just needs to get on the move ... if he does that, he'll get plenty of the ball (being such a big target)

    And with all the long bombs you'd reckon our front & square crumbers would standout.  That's not happening

    There's lots of room for improvement right now (up forward)

  • Quote
    • Thanks 1
    19 minutes ago, ElDiablo14 said:

    Don't forget the worst one, Fritta. I can't fathom how he hasn't been selected in the last couple of seasons.

    same reason robbo never was

    the media cognoscenti simply doesn't rate 'medium' sized forwards unless they're 'big' names like a toby greene who is an out and out star, but gimme robbo's best seasons over his any day of the week

  • Quote
    • Like 1
     

    Kozzy is universally picked on by Umpires. If he gets two in first qtr or half they tighten up on him no end.

    He endures non free kicks paid like no other player we have ever had. He still goes about his job.

    And by the way how many times this year have we hit the front in games and for one reason only, a mercurial Free Kick is paid and they are back in it... it does make me sick, and it should make all fair umpires sick as well.

  • Quote

    • 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...
    Go to topic listing

    Featured Content

    • PREVIEW: Carlton

      Good evening, Demon fans and welcome back to the Demonland Podcast ... it’s time to discuss this week’s game against the Blues. Will the Demons celebrate Clayton Oliver’s 200th game with a victory? We have a number of callers waiting on line … Leopold Bloom: Carlton and Melbourne are both out of finals contention with six wins and eleven losses, and are undoubtedly the two most underwhelming and disappointing teams of 2025. Both had high expectations at the start of participating and advancing deep into the finals, but instead, they have consistently underperformed and disappointed themselves and their supporters throughout the year. However, I am inclined to give the Demons the benefit of the doubt, as they have made some progress in addressing their issues after a disastrous start. In contrast, the Blues are struggling across the board and do not appear to be making any notable improvements. They are regressing, and a significant loss is looming on Saturday night. Max Gawn in the ruck will be huge and the Demon midfield have a point to prove after lowering their colours in so many close calls.

        • Clap
        • Like
      • 0 replies
      Demonland

    • REPORT: North Melbourne

      I suppose that I should apologise for the title of this piece, but the temptation to go with it was far too great. The memory of how North Melbourne tore Melbourne apart at the seams earlier in the season and the way in which it set the scene for the club’s demise so early in the piece has been weighing heavily upon all of us. This game was a must-win from the club’s perspective, and the team’s response was overwhelming. The 36 point win over Alastair Clarkson’s Kangaroos at the MCG on Sunday was indeed — roovenge of the highest order!

        • Love
        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 4 replies
      Demonland

    • CASEY: Werribee

      The Casey Demons remain in contention for a VFL finals berth following a comprehensive 76-point victory over the Werribee Tigers at Whitten Oval last night. The caveat to the performance is that the once mighty Tigers have been raided of many key players and are now a shadow of the premiership-winning team from last season. The team suffered a blow before the game when veteran Tom McDonald was withdrawn for senior duty to cover for Steven May who is ill.  However, after conceding the first goal of the game, Casey was dominant from ten minutes in until the very end and despite some early errors and inaccuracy, they managed to warm to the task of dismantling the Tigers with precision, particularly after half time when the nominally home side provided them with minimal resistance.

        • Thanks
      • 0 replies
      Demonland

    • PREGAME: Carlton

      The Demons return to the MCG as the the visiting team on Saturday night to take on the Blues who are under siege after 4 straight losses. Who comes in and who goes out?

        • Thanks
      • 222 replies
      Demonland

    • PODCAST: North Melbourne

      The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 14th July @ 8:00pm. Join Binman & I as we dissect the Dees glorious win over the Kangaroos at the MCG.
      Your 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.
      Listen LIVE: https://demonland.com/

        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 29 replies
      Demonland

    • POSTGAME: North Melbourne

      The Demons are finally back at the MCG and finally back on the winners list as they continually chipped away at a spirited Kangaroos side eventually breaking their backs and opening the floodgates to run out winners by 6 goals.

        • Haha
        • Love
        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 253 replies
      Demonland
    View All