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Things I am desperate to see:

  1. A win
  2. No injuries

Things I want to see but will forego if I get the above:

  1. Better accuracy
  2. More fluent ball movement
  3. A lesser forward half press with defenders sitting further back
  4. A reduction in our desire to have repeat stoppages in the forward 50
  5. Pickett and Brown to look a million bucks
 

I missed the boat in the pregame thread to respond to @A F, so I'll respond here.

Quote

Well, we went to the pockets against Geelong too, but more often than not, we seemed to go to the 25m hot spot.

I'd love it if someone was actually able to back that up statistically. Is this data something you have access to @WheeloRatings?

Yes, this is something I have access to. I have looked at the locations of the result of kicks inside 50 and categorised them according to distance (0-20m, 20-35m, 35m+) and corridor v pocket. To determine the corridor, I extend the centre square to the 50m arc and then draw a line from that point to the goal posts.

Melbourne has gone to the 'hot spot' (20-35m out in the corridor) about 26% each of the time the last three matches, up from 20% for the season. We are far more likely to go to the hot spot in the third quarter.

The last table below shows that you are more likely to turn the ball over kicking to 20+ metres out in the corridor than  kicking to the pocket, which is something that @binman has spoken about quite a bit.

Location of Kicks Inside 50, Melbourne 2023, by Round

Round Corridor Pocket
0-20m 20-35m 35+ 0-20m 20-35m 35+
1 9.4 22.6 5.7 3.8 28.3 30.2
2 15.9 18.2 15.9 6.8 18.2 25.0
3 6.0 28.0 8.0 4.0 28.0 26.0
4 19.6 25.5 9.8 3.9 23.5 17.6
5 5.0 17.5 30.0 2.5 22.5 22.5
6 8.5 14.9 14.9 6.4 23.4 31.9
7 17.6 9.8 21.6 3.9 21.6 25.5
8 8.3 33.3 18.8 4.2 6.2 29.2
9 21.4 12.5 19.6 3.6 17.9 25.0
10 7.1 19.0 31.0 0.0 14.3 28.6
11 12.5 18.8 22.9 4.2 22.9 18.8
12 5.7 7.5 13.2 7.5 32.1 34.0
13 13.2 26.4 17.0 0.0 17.0 26.4
15 15.2 26.1 13.0 4.3 10.9 30.4
16 9.7 25.8 14.5 3.2 21.0 25.8

Location of Kicks Inside 50, Melbourne 2023, by Quarter

Period Corridor Pocket
0-20m 20-35m 35+ 0-20m 20-35m 35+
1 11.6 15.1 13.4 4.7 24.4 30.8
2 9.3 19.8 16.3 3.5 19.8 31.4
3 12.4 27.8 18.0 2.6 19.1 20.1
4 13.6 18.4 18.4 4.9 19.9 24.8

Location of Kicks Inside 50, 2023, by Team

Team Corridor Pocket
0-20m 20-35m 35+ 0-20m 20-35m 35+
St Kilda 8.0 27.8 19.4 2.0 19.8 23.0
Essendon 10.7 26.5 19.1 4.0 18.5 21.1
Greater Western Sydney 10.6 24.4 21.2 3.9 18.1 21.8
North Melbourne 7.5 24.0 25.1 4.4 18.9 20.1
Gold Coast 11.2 23.9 18.8 4.4 20.0 21.7
Port Adelaide 9.0 23.4 23.7 3.6 17.4 22.8
Sydney 11.7 23.3 23.3 4.6 15.4 21.6
Fremantle 7.0 22.5 22.3 4.1 22.3 21.7
Hawthorn 9.3 22.0 21.7 4.3 21.2 21.5
Collingwood 12.5 21.2 17.7 5.5 16.5 26.6
Western Bulldogs 9.9 20.6 13.8 5.7 23.3 26.8
Adelaide 9.6 20.5 20.7 3.4 18.6 27.2
Melbourne 11.8 20.4 16.7 3.9 20.7 26.5
Geelong 7.4 20.2 19.9 4.0 21.0 27.4
Carlton 9.3 19.9 16.6 5.4 20.5 28.2
Richmond 9.4 19.7 18.6 5.6 22.9 23.8
Brisbane 9.8 18.4 15.2 6.6 23.6 26.4
West Coast 8.0 17.4 19.0 5.2 24.7 25.8

Location of Kicks Inside 50, 2021-2023, by Chain Result

Result Corridor Pocket
0-20m 20-35m 35+ 0-20m 20-35m 35+
Score 51.7 33.9 33.2 44.7 29.3 30.0
Stoppage 11.6 12.5 9.6 24.3 25.2 19.9
Turnover 36.7 53.5 57.2 31.0 45.5 50.1

 

6 hours ago, buck_nekkid said:

WIll be interesting to see our f50 set up.  Petty can swing there.  jack or Trac could also set up there.  Woey to play high half forward and to act as second winger. Think we are a 25% better talent pool than them, especially with their outs.  Need to smash them early and ensure both teams get the script.  Proper kicking - 35 point win,  Shizen kicking - 4 point win.

Can't afford JV off the ball with Oliver out and Trac can't kick goals. Not sure we can cover Petty moving fwd although we certainly need another tall there. 

 
6 minutes ago, WheeloRatings said:

I missed the boat in the pregame thread to respond to @A F, so I'll respond here.

Yes, this is something I have access to. I have looked at the locations of the result of kicks inside 50 and categorised them according to distance (0-20m, 20-35m, 35m+) and corridor v pocket. To determine the corridor, I extend the centre square to the 50m arc and then draw a line from that point to the goal posts.

Melbourne has gone to the 'hot spot' (20-35m out in the corridor) about 26% each of the time the last three matches, up from 20% for the season. We are far more likely to go to the hot spot in the third quarter.

The last table below shows that you are more likely to turn the ball over kicking to 20+ metres out in the corridor than  kicking to the pocket, which is something that @binman has spoken about quite a bit.

Location of Kicks Inside 50, Melbourne 2023, by Round

Round Corridor Pocket
0-20m 20-35m 35+ 0-20m 20-35m 35+
1 9.4 22.6 5.7 3.8 28.3 30.2
2 15.9 18.2 15.9 6.8 18.2 25.0
3 6.0 28.0 8.0 4.0 28.0 26.0
4 19.6 25.5 9.8 3.9 23.5 17.6
5 5.0 17.5 30.0 2.5 22.5 22.5
6 8.5 14.9 14.9 6.4 23.4 31.9
7 17.6 9.8 21.6 3.9 21.6 25.5
8 8.3 33.3 18.8 4.2 6.2 29.2
9 21.4 12.5 19.6 3.6 17.9 25.0
10 7.1 19.0 31.0 0.0 14.3 28.6
11 12.5 18.8 22.9 4.2 22.9 18.8
12 5.7 7.5 13.2 7.5 32.1 34.0
13 13.2 26.4 17.0 0.0 17.0 26.4
15 15.2 26.1 13.0 4.3 10.9 30.4
16 9.7 25.8 14.5 3.2 21.0 25.8

Location of Kicks Inside 50, Melbourne 2023, by Quarter

Period Corridor Pocket
0-20m 20-35m 35+ 0-20m 20-35m 35+
1 11.6 15.1 13.4 4.7 24.4 30.8
2 9.3 19.8 16.3 3.5 19.8 31.4
3 12.4 27.8 18.0 2.6 19.1 20.1
4 13.6 18.4 18.4 4.9 19.9 24.8

Location of Kicks Inside 50, 2023, by Team

Team Corridor Pocket
0-20m 20-35m 35+ 0-20m 20-35m 35+
St Kilda 8.0 27.8 19.4 2.0 19.8 23.0
Essendon 10.7 26.5 19.1 4.0 18.5 21.1
Greater Western Sydney 10.6 24.4 21.2 3.9 18.1 21.8
North Melbourne 7.5 24.0 25.1 4.4 18.9 20.1
Gold Coast 11.2 23.9 18.8 4.4 20.0 21.7
Port Adelaide 9.0 23.4 23.7 3.6 17.4 22.8
Sydney 11.7 23.3 23.3 4.6 15.4 21.6
Fremantle 7.0 22.5 22.3 4.1 22.3 21.7
Hawthorn 9.3 22.0 21.7 4.3 21.2 21.5
Collingwood 12.5 21.2 17.7 5.5 16.5 26.6
Western Bulldogs 9.9 20.6 13.8 5.7 23.3 26.8
Adelaide 9.6 20.5 20.7 3.4 18.6 27.2
Melbourne 11.8 20.4 16.7 3.9 20.7 26.5
Geelong 7.4 20.2 19.9 4.0 21.0 27.4
Carlton 9.3 19.9 16.6 5.4 20.5 28.2
Richmond 9.4 19.7 18.6 5.6 22.9 23.8
Brisbane 9.8 18.4 15.2 6.6 23.6 26.4
West Coast 8.0 17.4 19.0 5.2 24.7 25.8

Location of Kicks Inside 50, 2021-2023, by Chain Result

Result Corridor Pocket
0-20m 20-35m 35+ 0-20m 20-35m 35+
Score 51.7 33.9 33.2 44.7 29.3 30.0
Stoppage 11.6 12.5 9.6 24.3 25.2 19.9
Turnover 36.7 53.5 57.2 31.0 45.5 50.1

 

How much more likely though to kick a sausage from the corridor as opposed the pockets.

It's not, imo, about having the ball, its being productive with it.

Grand effort on your stuff . Cheers 

 

We'll win, but it won't cure the MFCSS pandemic in here. You must all be fun at parties.


2 minutes ago, Clintosaurus said:

You must all be fun at parties.

Jokes on you Clint.

I haven’t been invited to a party in years.

7 minutes ago, beelzebub said:

How much more likely though to kick a sausage from the corridor as opposed the pockets.

It's not, imo, about having the ball, its being productive with it.

Grand effort on your stuff . Cheers 

 

Yes, that is true! I'd need to look at chains following a stoppage to see the eventual outcome, but yes, you are more likely to score a goal from a shot in the corridor compared to the pocket:

Result Corridor Pocket
0-20m 20-35m 35+ 0-20m 20-35m 35+
Goal 79.8 58.3 48.2 53.8 42.3 36.6
Behind 14.6 29.3 37.0 31.9 39.5 39.6
No Score 5.6 12.4 14.8 14.3 18.2 23.7
9 minutes ago, WheeloRatings said:

I missed the boat in the pregame thread to respond to @A F, so I'll respond here.

Yes, this is something I have access to. I have looked at the locations of the result of kicks inside 50 and categorised them according to distance (0-20m, 20-35m, 35m+) and corridor v pocket. To determine the corridor, I extend the centre square to the 50m arc and then draw a line from that point to the goal posts.

Melbourne has gone to the 'hot spot' (20-35m out in the corridor) about 26% each of the time the last three matches, up from 20% for the season. We are far more likely to go to the hot spot in the third quarter.

The last table below shows that you are more likely to turn the ball over kicking to 20+ metres out in the corridor than  kicking to the pocket, which is something that @binman has spoken about quite a bit.

Location of Kicks Inside 50, Melbourne 2023, by Round

Round Corridor Pocket
0-20m 20-35m 35+ 0-20m 20-35m 35+
1 9.4 22.6 5.7 3.8 28.3 30.2
2 15.9 18.2 15.9 6.8 18.2 25.0
3 6.0 28.0 8.0 4.0 28.0 26.0
4 19.6 25.5 9.8 3.9 23.5 17.6
5 5.0 17.5 30.0 2.5 22.5 22.5
6 8.5 14.9 14.9 6.4 23.4 31.9
7 17.6 9.8 21.6 3.9 21.6 25.5
8 8.3 33.3 18.8 4.2 6.2 29.2
9 21.4 12.5 19.6 3.6 17.9 25.0
10 7.1 19.0 31.0 0.0 14.3 28.6
11 12.5 18.8 22.9 4.2 22.9 18.8
12 5.7 7.5 13.2 7.5 32.1 34.0
13 13.2 26.4 17.0 0.0 17.0 26.4
15 15.2 26.1 13.0 4.3 10.9 30.4
16 9.7 25.8 14.5 3.2 21.0 25.8

Location of Kicks Inside 50, Melbourne 2023, by Quarter

Period Corridor Pocket
0-20m 20-35m 35+ 0-20m 20-35m 35+
1 11.6 15.1 13.4 4.7 24.4 30.8
2 9.3 19.8 16.3 3.5 19.8 31.4
3 12.4 27.8 18.0 2.6 19.1 20.1
4 13.6 18.4 18.4 4.9 19.9 24.8

Location of Kicks Inside 50, 2023, by Team

Team Corridor Pocket
0-20m 20-35m 35+ 0-20m 20-35m 35+
St Kilda 8.0 27.8 19.4 2.0 19.8 23.0
Essendon 10.7 26.5 19.1 4.0 18.5 21.1
Greater Western Sydney 10.6 24.4 21.2 3.9 18.1 21.8
North Melbourne 7.5 24.0 25.1 4.4 18.9 20.1
Gold Coast 11.2 23.9 18.8 4.4 20.0 21.7
Port Adelaide 9.0 23.4 23.7 3.6 17.4 22.8
Sydney 11.7 23.3 23.3 4.6 15.4 21.6
Fremantle 7.0 22.5 22.3 4.1 22.3 21.7
Hawthorn 9.3 22.0 21.7 4.3 21.2 21.5
Collingwood 12.5 21.2 17.7 5.5 16.5 26.6
Western Bulldogs 9.9 20.6 13.8 5.7 23.3 26.8
Adelaide 9.6 20.5 20.7 3.4 18.6 27.2
Melbourne 11.8 20.4 16.7 3.9 20.7 26.5
Geelong 7.4 20.2 19.9 4.0 21.0 27.4
Carlton 9.3 19.9 16.6 5.4 20.5 28.2
Richmond 9.4 19.7 18.6 5.6 22.9 23.8
Brisbane 9.8 18.4 15.2 6.6 23.6 26.4
West Coast 8.0 17.4 19.0 5.2 24.7 25.8

Location of Kicks Inside 50, 2021-2023, by Chain Result

Result Corridor Pocket
0-20m 20-35m 35+ 0-20m 20-35m 35+
Score 51.7 33.9 33.2 44.7 29.3 30.0
Stoppage 11.6 12.5 9.6 24.3 25.2 19.9
Turnover 36.7 53.5 57.2 31.0 45.5 50.1

 

Fascinating data wheello.

Contradicts somewhat the idea that out inaccuracy is caused by our entries ie that we are having heaps of difficult shots becuase we have been kicking to the pockets more

An interesting stat from the last 4 games is the percentage of shots from the pocket but from 35 meters plus. It is those shots that are the most likely to miss the shots.

There has been a slight increase it seems from our season average of such shots in the last 4 games.

I think in part that could be explained by tow interacted elements:

  • we are not moving the ball at speed and so are not creating free players inside 50 
  • our territory and inside 50 dominance means the ball is trapped in our front half a lot, which creates a super congested forward area 9and few free players to spot up) and shots from near the 50 metre arc from intercepts marks from dump clearing kicks from oppo defenders 

When we start moving the  ball quicker i expect there will be less kicks from the pockets and 35 plus metres out.

On the data for the last four rounds, it is important to consider how wet it was in the cats and giants games. 

 
20 minutes ago, Clintosaurus said:

We'll win, but it won't cure the MFCSS pandemic in here. You must all be fun at parties.

I’m awesome at parties

Dees by 42

10 minutes ago, binman said:

Fascinating data wheello.

Contradicts somewhat the idea that out inaccuracy is caused by our entries ie that we are having heaps of difficult shots becuase we have been kicking to the pockets more

An interesting stat from the last 4 games is the percentage of shots from the pocket but from 35 meters plus. It is those shots that are the most likely to miss the shots.

There has been a slight increase it seems from our season average of such shots in the last 4 games.

I think in part that could be explained by tow interacted elements:

  • we are not moving the ball at speed and so are not creating free players inside 50 
  • our territory and inside 50 dominance means the ball is trapped in our front half a lot, which creates a super congested forward area 9and few free players to spot up) and shots from near the 50 metre arc from intercepts marks from dump clearing kicks from oppo defenders 

When we start moving the  ball quicker i expect there will be less kicks from the pockets and 35 plus metres out.

On the data for the last four rounds, it is important to consider how wet it was in the cats and giants games. 

Rubbish...  it simply predicts two things really..  you may retain the ball more in a pocket...and youre far more likely to score in the corridor. 

Pleased dont offef up the falacy that greater retention = scoring.

This is the greatest furphy of all...

Its about efficiency and accuracy.

You may not have ir as much where youd like it...but youll score higher.

Stangely the game is about the latter not the former. 

The best teams over history are the ones that dont stuff around.


19 minutes ago, Clintosaurus said:

We'll win, but it won't cure the MFCSS pandemic in here. You must all be fun at parties.

I'm interstate, don't own a television so I rely on the GameDay threads to see how the matches go and I swear I'm back in the Neeld era every week.

11 minutes ago, binman said:

Fascinating data wheello.

Contradicts somewhat the idea that out inaccuracy is caused by our entries ie that we are having heaps of difficult shots becuase we have been kicking to the pockets more

An interesting stat from the last 4 games is the percentage of shots from the pocket but from 35 meters plus. It is those shots that are the most likely to miss the shots.

There has been a slight increase it seems from our season average of such shots in the last 4 games.

I think in part that could be explained by tow interacted elements:

  • we are not moving the ball at speed and so are not creating free players inside 50 
  • our territory and inside 50 dominance means the ball is trapped in our front half a lot, which creates a super congested forward area 9and few free players to spot up) and shots from near the 50 metre arc from intercepts marks from dump clearing kicks from oppo defenders 

When we start moving the  ball quicker i expect there will be less kicks from the pockets and 35 plus metres out.

On the data for the last four rounds, it is important to consider how wet it was in the cats and giants games. 

Sorry I should clarify that those figures relate to where we're kicking to when we're going inside 50, but not necessarily resulting in a shot at goal.

Here are the locations of our shots at goal by round.

Shots at goal location, Melbourne 2023, by Round

Round Corridor Pocket
0-20m 20-35m 35+ 0-20m 20-35m 35+
1 16.7 10.0 20.0 10.0 20.0 23.3
2 28.6 4.8 14.3 0.0 9.5 42.9
3 3.0 30.3 18.2 6.1 9.1 33.3
4 12.5 21.9 25.0 6.2 12.5 21.9
5 4.0 8.0 28.0 4.0 12.0 44.0
6 11.5 19.2 15.4 0.0 7.7 46.2
7 13.3 13.3 23.3 6.7 16.7 26.7
8 7.7 15.4 34.6 3.8 15.4 23.1
9 10.3 24.1 27.6 0.0 10.3 27.6
10 13.0 17.4 30.4 8.7 13.0 17.4
11 0.0 11.5 42.3 7.7 15.4 23.1
12 11.1 0.0 22.2 7.4 25.9 33.3
13 3.6 7.1 32.1 7.1 7.1 42.9
15 22.7 27.3 4.5 0.0 22.7 22.7
16 7.7 15.4 26.9 7.7 26.9 15.4
2 minutes ago, beelzebub said:

Rubbish...  it simply predicts two things really..  you may retain the ball more in a pocket...and youre far more likely to score in the corridor. 

Pleased dont offef up the falacy that greater retention = scoring.

This is the greatest furphy of all...

Its about efficiency and accuracy.

You may not have ir as much where youd like it...but youll score higher.

Stangely the game is about the latter not the former. 

The best teams over history are the ones that dont stuff around.

What the hell is this?

Are you responding to the right post?

Or have you really misinterpreted and/or misrepresented what i wrote so wildly?

Note: i don't really care which of the above it is, but if the latter save your legs, as i'm not going to go to the effort to explain why you have got it so wrong. 

Will we win today?

YES!

Why? Because we have to. Otherwise I will remove my TV from the wall and throw it out the window.

Bartender, pour me another drink!

SN34 

4 minutes ago, WheeloRatings said:

Sorry I should clarify that those figures relate to where we're kicking to when we're going inside 50, but not necessarily resulting in a shot at goal.

Here are the locations of our shots at goal by round.

Shots at goal location, Melbourne 2023, by Round

Round Corridor Pocket
0-20m 20-35m 35+ 0-20m 20-35m 35+
1 16.7 10.0 20.0 10.0 20.0 23.3
2 28.6 4.8 14.3 0.0 9.5 42.9
3 3.0 30.3 18.2 6.1 9.1 33.3
4 12.5 21.9 25.0 6.2 12.5 21.9
5 4.0 8.0 28.0 4.0 12.0 44.0
6 11.5 19.2 15.4 0.0 7.7 46.2
7 13.3 13.3 23.3 6.7 16.7 26.7
8 7.7 15.4 34.6 3.8 15.4 23.1
9 10.3 24.1 27.6 0.0 10.3 27.6
10 13.0 17.4 30.4 8.7 13.0 17.4
11 0.0 11.5 42.3 7.7 15.4 23.1
12 11.1 0.0 22.2 7.4 25.9 33.3
13 3.6 7.1 32.1 7.1 7.1 42.9
15 22.7 27.3 4.5 0.0 22.7 22.7
16 7.7 15.4 26.9 7.7 26.9 15.4

Ta.

Doesn't change the analysis that there is only slight increase in the percentage of shots from the pockets in the last 4 games over our season average, and that therefore our inaccuracy in the last few weeks can't be explained by us taking a lot more difficult shots. 

In fact, the the cats game we had the second highest percentage of shots from dead in front 20-35 meters of any game his season (only behind the 30.3% of shots from from the corridor 20-35 meters in our mauling of the Swans in round 3)


3 hours ago, binman said:

All top deck usually. Or at least top deck behind each goal.

Each goal we get I will be singing loud and strong

Ticket question - I just tried to purchase 2 member upgrade tickets then and nothing seems available.  I imagine my daughter and I should be able to show our home & away membership at the gate and sit in general admission.  Surely it is not a sell out?  

2 minutes ago, Newport34 said:

Will we win today?

YES!

Why? Because we have to. Otherwise I will remove my TV from the wall and throw it out the window.

Bartender, pour me another drink!

SN34 

Pace yourself newie

I’m going tonight, rarely go to Marvel because it’s a siht hole plain and simple. However the viewing from level 2 is exceptional and a friend got the tickets. People who think we’ll lose simply looking at the last 2 weeks might want to take a peek at our oppositions last 2 matches. The Saints are truly ordinary. We on the other hand are more than handy. Really looking forward to tonight. 
Go Dee’s, unleash hell upon the Saints.

Most important game of the season to date IMO - we really need a win here otherwise too 4 looks extremely unlikely 


28 minutes ago, binman said:

What the hell is this?

Are you responding to the right post?

Or have you really misinterpreted and/or misrepresented what i wrote so wildly?

Note: i don't really care which of the above it is, but if the latter save your legs, as i'm not going to go to the effort to explain why you have got it so wrong. 

You dont like being challenged eh.

Go back and read again. Its not that complicated though you love to make everything exactly that.

Or not.. 

 

So tonight Neal Bullen and kozzie need to lift.

Trac needs to convert those shots into goals. A player if his standard should do better.

Also excited to see what Taj can do

4 hours ago, Jaded No More said:

I got $10 tickets thru the Demon Army which is level 1 wing, for those not wanting to sit on the top level. Also good cause to support our friend @WalkingCivilWar 😉
(It’s for the seat only you still need a ticket or membership to get in)

I’m glad you got those tickets, especially through us. St Kilda is usually generous with the number of tickets they allow us but not so today for whatever reason. 🤷‍♀️ 

 

 

9 minutes ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

I’m glad you got those tickets, especially through us. St Kilda is usually generous with the number of tickets they allow us but not so today for whatever reason. 🤷‍♀️ 

I would have taken up this offer had I known! I brought a reserved seat for $60.

It’s an 8 point game as winner goes a game clear in fourth, so we need to win tonight. Saints have some bad outs so no excuses if we lose.

Looking forward to seeing young Woe and hope he shows a bit of dash and skill.


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  • NON-MFC: Round 05

    Gather Round is here, kicking off with a Thursday night blockbuster as Adelaide faces Geelong. The Crows will be out for redemption after a controversial loss last week. Saturday starts with the Magpies taking on the Swans. Collingwood will be eager to cement their spot in the top eight, while Sydney is hot on their heels. In the Barossa Valley, two rising sides go head-to-head in a fascinating battle to prove they're the real deal. Later, Carlton and West Coast face off at Adelaide Oval, both desperate to notch their first win of the season. The action then shifts to Norwood, where the undefeated Lions will aim to keep their streak alive against the Bulldogs. Sunday’s games begin in the Barossa with Richmond up against Fremantle. In Norwood, the Saints will be looking to take a scalp when they come up against the Giants. The round concludes with a fiery rematch of last year's semi-final, as the Hawks seek revenge for their narrow loss to Port Adelaide. Who are you tipping this week and what are the best results for the Demons besides us winning?

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  • CASEY: Geelong

    There was a time in the second quarter of the game at the Cattery on Friday afternoon when the Casey Demons threatened to take the game apart against the Cats. The Demons had been well on top early but were struggling to convert their ascendancy over the ground until Tom Fullarton’s burst of three goals in the space of eight minutes on the way to a five goal haul and his best game for the club since arriving from Brisbane at the end of 2023. He was leading, marking and otherwise giving his opponents a merry dance as Casey grabbed a three goal lead in the blink of an eye. Fullarton has now kicked ten goals in Casey’s three matches and, with Melbourne’s forward conversion woes, he is definitely in with a chance to get his first game with the club in next week’s Gather Round in Adelaide. Despite the tall forward’s efforts - he finished with 19 disposals and eight marks and had four hit outs as back up to Will Verrall in the second half - it wasn’t enough as Geelong reigned in the lead through persistent attacks and eventually clawed their way to the lead early in the last and held it till they achieved the end aim of victory.

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  • REPORT: Geelong

    I was disappointed to hear Goody say at his post match presser after the team’s 39 point defeat against Geelong that "we're getting high quality entry, just poor execution" because Melbourne’s problems extend far beyond that after its 0 - 4 start to the 2025 football season. There are clearly problems with poor execution, some of which were evident well before the current season and were in play when the Demons met the Cats in early May last year and beat them in a near top-of-the-table clash that saw both sides sitting comfortably in the top four after round eight. Since that game, the Demons’ performances have been positively Third World with only five wins in 19 games with a no longer majestic midfield and a dysfunctional forward line that has become too easy for opposing coaches to counter. This is an area of their game that is currently being played out as if they were all completely panic-stricken.

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