Jump to content

PREGAME: Rd 21 vs North Melbourne

Demonland
in Melbourne Demons

Featured Replies

14 minutes ago, Supreme_Demon said:

Purely on form Michael Hibberd "deserves" to be the sub

I wouldn't be surprised if Tomlinson gets the sub, much more versatile than Hibberd

    • Like 1
     
    7 minutes ago, Supreme_Demon said:

    I wish I was still in my 20's! 🤣

    Anyway, I agree with you. Max Gawn actually played better after getting belted.

    A hot shower and few cold beers after the game and I'm sure he was fine.

    We all wish we were in our 20’s

    • Like 2
    • Haha 3
    14 minutes ago, Supreme_Demon said:

    He got belted a few times against Richmond.

    Clashed heads with Ivan Soldo.

    Fell over a few times. But that's footy.

    Got poked or scratched on the eye in a ruck contest.

    You could even see the scratch on his eye/face when Max Gawn did a post-game interview.

    Obviously, AFL is a contact sport and you gotta be tough. But I still consider that "a bit banged up".

    I wouldn't be feeling the best after the game. Although a win takes away the pain.

    Maxy gets belted. poked and scratched every game he plays. If that's the criteria for resting him he'd only play every second game.

     
    2 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

    We all wish we were in our 20’s

    I can’t remember my 20s.

    • Like 1
    • Haha 4
    41 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

    While I agree, the club might feel that Smith needs to play a full game. With no Casey game this weekend, this is the only option. It wouldn't surprise me at all if Tomlinson is the sub. 

    That would make a lot of sense.

    • Like 1

    34 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

    Glad Joel Smith is getting a full game.

    Deserves it big time.

    He actually needs it for fitness. My guess is he will be the chosen sub for the remainder of the season, and we will persevere with Tomlinson because we need three talls down back. But he’s been sub too long and with yet another Casey bye, this is a good week to give him a full game for some fitness and touch. 
     

    I really like what Smith has brought in the sub role, but the reality is that he’s an unreliable full time defender. Tomlinson is a slow meat and potato defender, but we know what he gives us. Smith is all over the place and I think May and Lever need the predictability of Tomlinson in finals. 
    Smith being sub also allows us to throw Petty back in case of emergency and put Smith forward, should we see a forward get off the leash in a final on Tomlinson. 

    If however we do choose to play Smith as a permanent third tall defender, I would think we need to bring back Hibbo for that last line of defense goal side reliability that we will lack with Smith. 

    • Like 8
    • Thanks 1

    And how about that Jake Melksham!

    What a turnaround in form that many here probably couldn't see (including myself)

    He's a dangerous commodity in that forward pocket/flank and opposition coaches would be damn concerned about his opportunism and silky skills

    Him on one side of the forward line and Fritsch (on his return) on the other side is what I'd like to see in operation

    There's no way Jake makes way for Bayley ... they both play as part of a medium sized forward line (along with Petracca) as well as the talls and smalls chiming in

    Beat that, Collingwood! 

    • Like 8
    • Love 1
    • Clap 1
    1 minute ago, Macca said:

    And how about that Jake Melksham!

    What a turnaround in form that many here probably couldn't see (including myself)

    He's a dangerous commodity in that forward pocket/flank and opposition coaches would be damn concerned about his opportunism and silky skills

    Him on one side of the forward line and Fritsch (on his return) on the other side is what I'd like to see in operation

    There's no way Jake makes way for Bayley ... they both play as part of a medium sized forward line (along with Petracca) as well as the talls and smalls chiming in

    Beat that, Collingwood! 

    Never doubted his skills but his consistency worried me. Last few weeks has put that to bed. Good on him, I think he wants that flag.

    • Like 4
     
    1 hour ago, Supreme_Demon said:

    Purely on form Michael Hibberd "deserves" to be the sub for this game.

    Although, there could be a sneaky chance that Simon Goodwin pulls a surprise and makes Brodie Grundy the sub to give Max Gawn a bit of a rest in the game.

    I guess we shall wait and see what happens? 🤷🏼‍♂️

    Personally I would have preferred Hibbo coming into the side for Tomlinson and leaving Smith as Sub, but as others have said maybe Simith needs the game for fitness. It will also be an opportunity for Smith to show what be can do as a backman. Or Petty & Smith could alternate up front & up back. 

    1 hour ago, Demon_spurs said:

    I wouldn't be surprised if Tomlinson gets the sub, much more versatile than Hibberd

    I disagree, Tomlinson can only play back. I know he came to the club as a wingman but mobility is an issue for him. I know Hibbo is also a backman but definitely more mobile and can play both big & small.

    • Like 3

    1 minute ago, YearOfTheDees said:

    Never doubted his skills but his consistency worried me. Last few weeks has put that to bed. Good on him, I think he wants that flag.

    His opportunism includes seeing a spot in the forward line up for grabs ... and he's seized the moment

    It can happen in good teams such as ours ... a stellar defence and a terrific midfield so the coach asks for someone to put up their hand in the forward line

    So up steps Melk (and Petty) ... and Petracca.  And then JVR jumps in with 4 goals as an add-on

    It's all coming together

    • Like 1

    King Smithy gets the nod.

    In the words of Star Wolf: "Let's see what you got".

    28 minutes ago, Neitas bump said:

    Grundy the sub! Make it happen

    A very risky sub

    Edited by Jaded No More

    1 hour ago, Jaded No More said:

    He actually needs it for fitness. My guess is he will be the chosen sub for the remainder of the season, and we will persevere with Tomlinson because we need three talls down back. But he’s been sub too long and with yet another Casey bye, this is a good week to give him a full game for some fitness and touch. 
     

    I really like what Smith has brought in the sub role, but the reality is that he’s an unreliable full time defender. Tomlinson is a slow meat and potato defender, but we know what he gives us. Smith is all over the place and I think May and Lever need the predictability of Tomlinson in finals. 
    Smith being sub also allows us to throw Petty back in case of emergency and put Smith forward, should we see a forward get off the leash in a final on Tomlinson. 

    If however we do choose to play Smith as a permanent third tall defender, I would think we need to bring back Hibbo for that last line of defense goal side reliability that we will lack with Smith. 

    To be fair he’s only played 36 games, and a number of them as the sub. 

    The only tall that works as the sub is the one that is playing this week.


    Glad to see they are taking the game seriously by selecting a strong side. A bit surprised Harmes still being there - I used to think of him as Viney lite but these days seems to pick and chose when he cracks in - and missing 2 very gettable goals did him no favours. Last chance I would think.

    • Like 3
    • Clap 1
    6 hours ago, leave it to deever said:

    Do we have any clearer news about Oliver's return as of yet?

     

    Same time Next Year?

    • Haha 3
    17 minutes ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

    To be fair he’s only played 36 games, and a number of them as the sub. 

    Yep and we are already going in with McVee, Bowey and Rivers. That’s a bit of inexperience right there. 
    For mine it’s risky to play Smith as a full time defender but this is definitely the right week to do it. 

    • Like 2

    I think it's a great move putting Joel in there this week and he's really earned the opportunity. Hard work pays off.

    • Like 5

    12 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

    Yep and we are already going in with McVee, Bowey and Rivers. That’s a bit of inexperience right there. 
    For mine it’s risky to play Smith as a full time defender but this is definitely the right week to do it. 

    McVee yes but Bowey and Rivers are premiership players, Rivers confidence has gone to a new level this year. He (Smith) will also have May, Lever and Salem around him. End of the day we know what we get with Tomlinson, can’t hurt to try Smith over the next month.

    • Like 2

    Smith has earnt a full a game. I worry if the mc plan to play him every game from now on he will most likely get injured (based on his history) and miss finals in the sub role that is best for our team balance. I’m all for him getting a single full game this week for fitness.

    • Like 1
    2 hours ago, dees189227 said:

    I'm looking forward to seeing Smith play a full game. Hopefully he can do what he usually does in 1 quarter do it for 4.

    if you’re curious check his last full game. 4 touches. 

    im not convinced he has the mentality to be a reliable 4 quarter player. but i hope i’m wrong

    • Like 2
     

    the fact we are not playing Hibberd goes to show how amazing Bowey and McVee have been

    • Like 9
    50 minutes ago, layzie said:

    King Smithy gets the nod.

    In the words of Star Wolf: "Let's see what you got".

    He can play forward and back. No need to show us what he’s got.Go Joel


    Guest
    This topic is now closed to further replies.
    Go to topic listing

    Featured Content

    • PREVIEW: Gold Coast

      The Gold Coast Suns find themselves outside of the top eight for the first time since Round 1 with pressure is mounting on the entire organisation. Their coach Damien Hardwick expressed his frustration at his team’s condition last week by making a middle-finger gesture on television that earned him a fine for his troubles. He showed his desperation by claiming that Fox should pick up the tab.  There’s little doubt the Suns have shown improvement in 2025, and their position on the ladder is influenced to some extent by having played fewer games than their rivals for a playoff role at the end of the season, courtesy of the disruption caused by Cyclone Alfred in March.  However, they are following the same trajectory that hindered the club in past years whenever they appeared to be nearing their potential. As a consequence, that Hardwick gesture should be considered as more than a mere behavioral lapse. It’s a distress signal that does not bode well for the Queenslanders. While the Suns are eager to remain in contention with the top eight, Melbourne faces its own crisis, which is similarly deep-seated but in a much different way. After recovering from a disappointing start to the season and nearing a return to respectability among its peer clubs, the Demons have experienced a decline in status, driven by the fact that while their form has been reasonable (see their performance against the ladder leader in the Kings Birthday match), their conversion in front of goal is poor enough to rank last in the competition. Furthermore, their opponents find them exceptionally easy to score against. As a result, they have effectively eliminated themselves from the finals race and are again positioned to finish in the bottom half of the ladder.

      • 4 replies
      Demonland

    • NON-MFC: Round 15

      As the Demons head into their Bye Round, it's time to turn our attention to the other matches being played. Which teams are you tipping this week? And which results would be most favourable for the Demons if we can manage to turn our season around? Follow all the non-Melbourne games here and join the conversation as the ladder continues to take shape.

      • 287 replies
      Demonland

    • REPORT: Port Adelaide

      Of course, it’s not the backline, you might argue and you would probably be right. It’s the boot studder (do they still have them?), the midfield, the recruiting staff, the forward line, the kicking coach, the Board, the interchange bench, the supporters, the folk at Casey, the head coach and the club psychologist  It’s all of them and all of us for having expectations that were sufficiently high to have believed three weeks ago that a restoration of the Melbourne team to a position where we might still be in contention for a finals berth when the time for the midseason bye arrived. Now let’s look at what happened over the period of time since Melbourne overwhelmed the Sydney Swans at the MCG in late May when it kicked 8.2 to 5.3 in the final quarter (and that was after scoring 3.8 to two straight goals in the second term). 

      • 3 replies
      Demonland

    • CASEY: Essendon

      Casey’s unbeaten run was extended for at least another fortnight after the Demons overran a persistent Essendon line up by 29 points at ETU Stadium in Port Melbourne last night. After conceding the first goal of the evening, Casey went on a scoring spree from about ten minutes in, with five unanswered majors with its fleet of midsized runners headed by the much improved Paddy Cross who kicked two in quick succession and livewire Ricky Mentha who also kicked an early goal. Leading the charge was recruit of the year, Riley Bonner while Bailey Laurie continued his impressive vein of form. With Tom Campbell missing from the lineup, Will Verrall stepped up to the plate demonstrating his improvement under the veteran ruckman’s tutelage. The Demons were looking comfortable for much of the second quarter and held a 25-point lead until the Bombers struck back with two goals in the shadows of half time. On the other side of the main break their revival continued with first three goals of the half. Harry Sharp, who had been quiet scrambled in the Demons’ first score of the third term to bring the margin back to a single point at the 17 minute mark and the game became an arm-wrestle for the remainder of the quarter and into the final moments of the last.

      • 0 replies
      Demonland

    • PREGAME: Gold Coast

      The Demons have the Bye next week but then are on the road once again when they come up against the Gold Coast Suns on the Gold Coast in what could be a last ditch effort to salvage their season. Who comes in and who comes out?

        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 336 replies
      Demonland

    • PODCAST: Port Adelaide

      The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 16th June @ 8:00pm. Join Binman, George & I as we dissect the Dees disappointing loss to the Power.
      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/

        • Haha
      • 33 replies
      Demonland
    View All