Jump to content

PREGAME: Rd 21 vs North Melbourne

Demonland
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: Fremantle

      A month is a long time in AFL football. The proof of this is in the current state of the two teams contesting against each other early this Saturday afternoon at the MCG. It’s hard to fathom that when Melbourne and Fremantle kicked off the 2025 season, the former looked like being a major player in this year’s competition after it came close to beating one of the favourites in the GWS Giants while the latter was smashed by Geelong to the tune of 78 points and looked like rubbish. Fast forward to today and the Demons are low on confidence and appear panic stricken as their winless streak heads towards an even half dozen and pressure mounts on the coach and team leadership.  Meanwhile, the Dockers have recovered their composure and now sit in the top eight. They are definitely on the up and up and look most likely winners this weekend against a team which they have recently dominated and which struggles to find enough passages to the goals to trouble the scorers. And with that, Fremantle will head to the MCG, feeling very good about itself after demolishing Richmond in the Barossa Valley with Josh Treacy coming off a six goal haul and facing up to a Melbourne defence already without Jake Lever and a shaky Steven May needing to pass a fitness test just to make it onto the field of play. 

      • 0 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • NON-MFC: Round 06

      The Easter Round kicks off in style with a Thursday night showdown between Brisbane and Collingwood, as both sides look to solidify their spots inside the Top 4 early in the season. Good Friday brings a double-header, with Carlton out to claim consecutive wins when they face the struggling Kangaroos, while later that night the Eagles host the Bombers in Perth, still chasing their first victory of the year. Saturday features another marquee clash as the resurgent Crows look to rebound from back-to-back losses against a formidable GWS outfit. That evening, all eyes will be on Marvel Stadium where Damien Hardwick returns to face his old side—the Tigers—coaching the Suns at a ground he's never hidden his disdain for. Sunday offers two crucial contests where the prize is keeping touch with the Top 8. First, Sydney and Port Adelaide go head-to-head, followed by a fierce battle between the Bulldogs and the Saints. Then, Easter Monday delivers the traditional clash between two bitter rivals, both desperate for a win to stay in touch with the top end of the ladder. Who are you tipping this week and what are the best results for the Demons?

      • 199 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • REPORT: Essendon

      What were they thinking? I mean by “they” the coaching panel and team selectors who chose the team to play against an opponent who, like Melbourne, had made a poor start to the season and who they appeared perfectly capable of beating in what was possibly the last chance to turn the season around.It’s no secret that the Demons’ forward line is totally dysfunctional, having opened the season barely able to average sixty points per game which means there has been no semblance of any system from the team going forward into attack. Nevertheless, on Saturday night at the Adelaide Oval in one of the Gather Round showcase games, Melbourne, with Max Gawn dominating the hit outs against a depleted Essendon ruck resulting from Nick Bryan’s early exit, finished just ahead in clearances won and found itself inside the 50 metre arc 51 times to 43. The end result was a final score that had the Bombers winning 15.6 (96) to 8.9 (57). On balance, one could expect this to result in a two or three goal win, but in this case, it translated into a six and a half goal defeat because they only managed to convert eight times or 11.68% of their entries. The Bombers more than doubled that. On Thursday night at the same ground, the losing team Adelaide managed to score 100 points from almost the same number of times inside 50.

      • 0 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • PODCAST: Essendon

      The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 14th April @ the all new time of 8:00pm. Join Binman, George & I as we dissect another Demons loss at Kardinia Park to the Cats in the Round 04. 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. 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.

      • 63 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • PREGAME: Fremantle

      The Demons return home to the MCG in search of their first win for the 2025 Premiership season when they take on the Fremantle Dockers on Saturday afternoon. Who comes in and who goes out?

      • 475 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • VOTES: Essendon

      Max Gawn leads the Demonland Player of the Year ahead of Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca, Kade Chandler and Jake Bowey. Your votes please. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 & 1.

      • 24 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland
    View All