Jump to content

Featured Replies

4 minutes ago, Demonland said:

 

Cornes yesterday - ‘Melbourne need to sell Petty while he’s so valuable.’

Cornes Today - ‘Melbourne are keeping Petty. Is he that valuable?’

I don’t take anything he says seriously, because he admits he doesn’t either. It’s just a bit of fun.

 
6 minutes ago, Demonland said:

 

Well, it should. JVR was tremendous for a player in his first AFL season. He wasn't even intimidated by being asked to do some ruck work. He reminded me of a young Dermie, with a bit of swagger and a lot of ability. And Petty is tall, can take a one-grabber, is an accurate kick and understands forwards play from the other side of The fence. Add in Fritta and Kossie, and our defensive forwards - it should frighten the opposition.

33 minutes ago, Demonland said:

 

The last two games these two played as forwards, they both combined for a total of 14 goals.

I think we'll be fine in this department thanks Kane.

Edited by dazzledavey36

 

Agree. Plus Petty, JVR and Fritsch are reliable shots at goal. 

Unfortunately not so for Fritsch in September, be good to know if that foot injury he suffered in R23 led to the reduced effectiveness. Suspect so... 

17 minutes ago, Demons11 said:

Plus Fritsch, Kozzie, Trac and McAdam.  💪💪

As a matter of interest, how many games have van Rooyen, Fritsch, Pickett and Petty (playing as a forward) played together?

 
49 minutes ago, The heart beats true said:

Cornes yesterday - ‘Melbourne need to sell Petty while he’s so valuable.’

Cornes Today - ‘Melbourne are keeping Petty. Is he that valuable?’

I don’t take anything he says seriously, because he admits he doesn’t either. It’s just a bit of fun.

Can Demonland boss develop and implement a strictly voluntary 'Kane Cornes Filter'.

He's demonstrated clear unobjectivity this year and is click driven. I don't mind opinions I disagree with.

Thanks in anticipation.

This blokes incorrigible and I for one would tick the box to activate.

1 hour ago, The heart beats true said:

Cornes yesterday - ‘Melbourne need to sell Petty while he’s so valuable.’

Cornes Today - ‘Melbourne are keeping Petty. Is he that valuable?’

I don’t take anything he says seriously, because he admits he doesn’t either. It’s just a bit of fun.

image.png.e19cd01dc0e8d2798bb537bdebdafb94.png


53 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

The last two games these two played as forwards, they both combined for a total of 14 goals.

I think we'll be fine in this department thanks Kane.

Both are decent kicks at goal too, uncomplicated and reliable.

Not many other clubs have 2 key forwards 23 or under who’d be first choice. If Petty holds up, we are sorted for a few years with Jeffo developing.

As for mids though 👎🏼

2 hours ago, Demonland said:

 

I find this tweet interesting in terms of it being fairly representative of what I see as JVR being underrated by many in the media, and even some DL posters. It's almost as if some have forgotten next season will be just his third at an AFL club and that he has only played one season at AFL level.

One of the maxims of footy is key position players take time to develop. Perhaps JVR gets marked down becuase he is not that tall but his first season at AFL level was, by any historical measure, incredible for a key forward. 

The last two key forwards i can think of that had a similar impact so early were probably Charlie Curnow and Jesse Hogan. I'm no doubt forgetting some players but in my mind i have to go back to Johnathan Brown for a key forward that had the impact of JVR at the same age. 

Brown is actually a pretty good comparison. He was heavier but about the same height and like JVR wasn't a high draft pick. And JVR plays in a similar way - super competitive, wills himself to the contest, and uses his strength in marking contests.

And their numbers when both 20 are pretty similar (by the by in this comparison it's worth noting the key difference is Brown averaged more mark per game. But all key forward would have taken more marks because there were no defensive zones being used and much more pure one on ones. More possessions too, which i think is reasonable knock on JVR's game. That said JVR clearly did more ruck work, which is impressive given he is 10kg lighter than Brown at the same age)

Player Statistics Comparison
 
Jacob Van Rooyen Name Jonathan Brown
Melbourne Demons Team Brisbane Lions
Forward Position Forward
20 Career Games 256
Claremont Origin Geelong Falcons
April 16, 2003 Date of Birth October 29, 1981
20yr 6mth Age Turned 20 in 2001
193cm Height 194cm
91kg Weight 102kg
2021 National Draft Last Drafted In 1999 National Draft
Round 1, Pick #19 Last Draft Position Round 2, Pick #30
Melbourne Demons Last Drafted By Brisbane Lions
2023 Stats for Season 2001
20 Games 25
4.5 Kicks 8.7
4.2 Handballs 5.2
8.7 Disposals 13.9
3.1 Marks 6.3
1.4 Goals 1.5
0.5 Behinds 0.9
2.1 Tackles 1.2
3.7 Hitouts 0.7

Brown went on to become a generational player. I'm not saying JVR will too but i am saying that in all likelihood, with another preseason - only his second full one - he will significantly improve next season.

He will be stronger - and perhaps even more importantly fitter meaning he will be less prone to fading towards the end of the season as happened this year and will get to more contests which will mean more possessions. 

And he will get bigger too - broader across the shoulders and perhaps heavier. And that growth will continue until he he is 24-25 like it does for all bigs.

He'll have way more impact next season and will continue to do so year on year until his mid twenties. 

Some might say beware the second year blues, but it's not his second year next season, its his third. A big tick for the way the club has handled his development.

My point is that in terms of assessing our forward line the narrative and/or implication seems be that JVR will not offer anymore than he did this season and is not a player to build a forward line around.

That may be prove to be true i guess but significant improvement is much more likely when you consider the trajectory of other gun key forwards. 

And if he does go up a level, a forward line with JVR and Petty as the two key forward matches up pretty well against any other team in the AFL, particularly given the role of the key forward now is almost more about ensuring the opposition don't intercept mark than kick goals. You only need to look at who scored goals during the finals for evidence of that. 

Looking at the 8 finalists, and the crows because they are on the up and the cats just because, the two key forwards for each team are:

Pies: Miochek and Mcstay

Lions:  Daniher and Hipwood

Blues: Curnow and Mckay 

Port: Marshall and Dixon

Giants:  Hogan and Riccardi (?)

Swans: Amartey and Mcdonald 

Saints: King and Owens

Crows: Walker and Fogerty

Cats: Hawkins and Cameron

Of that list i would argue only the Blues, Lions and Saints two keys will likely be better next season than JVR and Petty.

But not miles better, particularly given come the high pressure, forward half, defensive footy being played in finals bigs struggle to get one on one marking opportunities or kick goals.

By way of example of that latter point few would argue that Carlton don't have the two best tall forwards in McKay and Curnow.

Noting that Mckay only played 2 finals, across the Blues' three finals they could only manage a combined 5 goals between them (Curnow 3, Mackay 2).

To be fair De Koning kicked two in the dees game when he was basically replacing Mckay's role. So lets say 7 across three finals for their two key talls. Hardly earth shattering. 

By the by its worth remembering we didn't have JVR or Petty in the semi. Instead we had Tmac (at least i'm pretty sure i saw him) and Smith (!) as our two key talls. And we still should have won! 

Edited by binman

5 minutes ago, binman said:

I find this tweet interesting in terms of it being fairly representative of what I see as JVR being underrated by many in the media, and even some DL posters. It's almost as if some have forgotten next season will be just his third at an AFL club and that he has only played one season at AFL level.

One of the maxims of footy is key position players take time to develop. Perhaps JVR gets marked down becuase he is not that tall but his first season at AFL level was, by any historical measure, incredible for a key forward. 

The last two key forwards i can think of that had a similar impact so early were probably Charlie Curnow and Jesse Hogan. I'm no doubt forgetting some players but in my mind i have to go back to Johnathan Brown for a key forward that had the impact of JVR at the same age. 

Brown is actually a pretty good comparison. He was heavier but about the same height and like JVR wasn't a high draft pick. And JVR plays in a similar way - super competitive, wills himself to the contest, and uses his strength in marking contests.

And their numbers when both 20 are pretty similar (by the by in this comparison it's worth noting the key difference is Brown averaged more mark per game. But all key forward would have taken more marks because there were no defensive zones being used and much more pure one on ones. More possessions too, which i think is reasonable knock on JVR's game. That said JVR clearly did more ruck work, which is impressive given he is 10kg lighter than Brown at the same age)

Player Statistics Comparison
 
Jacob Van Rooyen Name Jonathan Brown
Melbourne Demons Team Brisbane Lions
Forward Position Forward
20 Career Games 256
Claremont Origin Geelong Falcons
April 16, 2003 Date of Birth October 29, 1981
20yr 6mth Age Turned 20 in 2001
193cm Height 194cm
91kg Weight 102kg
2021 National Draft Last Drafted In 1999 National Draft
Round 1, Pick #19 Last Draft Position Round 2, Pick #30
Melbourne Demons Last Drafted By Brisbane Lions
2023 Stats for Season 2001
20 Games 25
4.5 Kicks 8.7
4.2 Handballs 5.2
8.7 Disposals 13.9
3.1 Marks 6.3
1.4 Goals 1.5
0.5 Behinds 0.9
2.1 Tackles 1.2
3.7 Hitouts 0.7

Brown went on to become a generational player. I'm not saying JVR will too but i am saying that in all likelihood, with another preseason - only his second full one - he will significantly improve next season.

He will be stronger - and perhaps even more importantly fitter meaning he will be less prone to fading towards the end of the season as happened this year and will get to more contests which will mean more possessions. 

And he will get bigger too - broader across the shoulders and perhaps heavier. And that growth will continue until he he is 24-25 like it does for all bigs.

He'll have way more impact next season and will continue to do so year on year until his mid twenties. 

Some might say beware the second year blues, but it's not his second year next season, its his third. A big tick for the way the club has handled his development.

My point is that in terms of assessing our forward line the narrative and/or implication seems be that JVR will not offer anymore than he did this season and is not a player to build a forward line around.

That may be prove to be true i guess but significant improvement is much more likely when you consider the trajectory of other gun key forwards. 

And if he does go up a level, a forward line with JVR and Petty as the two key forward matches up pretty well against any other team in the AFL, particularly given the role of the key forward now is almost more about ensuring the opposition don't intercept mark than kick goals. You only need to look at who scored goals during the finals for evidence of that. 

Looking at the 8 finalists, and the crows because they are on the up and the cats just because, the two key forwards for each team are:

Pies: Miochek and Mcstay

Lions:  Daniher and Hipwood

Blues: Curnow and Mckay 

Port: Marshall and Dixon

Giants:  Hogan and Riccardi (?)

Swans: Amartey and Mcdonald 

Saints: King and Owens

Crows: Walker and Fogerty

Cats: Hawkins and Cameron

Of that list i would argue only the Blues, Lions and Saints two keys will likely be better next season than JVR and Petty.

But not miles better, particularly given come the high pressure, forward half, defensive footy being played in finals bigs struggle to get one on one marking opportunities or kick goals.

By way of example of that latter point few would argue that Carlton don't have the two best tall forwards in McKay and Curnow.

Noting that Mckay only played 2 finals, across their three finals they could only manage a combined 5 goals between them (Curnow 3, Mackay 2).

To be fair De Koning kicked two in the dees game when he was basically replacing Mckay's role. So lets say 7 across three finals for their two key talls. Hardly earth shattering. 

By the by its worth remembering we didn't have JVR or Petty in the semi. Instead we had Tmac (at least i'm pretty sure i saw him) and Smith (!) as our two key talls. And we still should have won! 

The JVR Curnow comparison at the same age:

Player Statistics Comparison
 
Jacob Van Rooyen Name Charlie Curnow
Melbourne Demons Team Carlton Blues
Forward Position Forward
20 Career Games 110
Claremont Origin Geelong Falcons
April 16, 2003 Date of Birth February 3, 1997
20yr 6mth Age Turned 20 in 2017
193cm Height 192cm
91kg Weight 92kg
2021 National Draft Last Drafted In 2015 National Draft
Round 1, Pick #19 Last Draft Position Round 1, Pick #12
Melbourne Demons Last Drafted By Carlton Blues
2023 Stats for Season 2017
20 Games 21
4.5 Kicks 9.9
4.2 Handballs 4.3
8.7 Disposals 14.1
3.1 Marks 5.7
1.4 Goals 0.9
0.5 Behinds 0.6
2.1 Tackles 2.9
3.7 Hitouts 0.3
1.2 Inside 50s 2.8
0.3 Goal Assists 0.6
0.9 Frees For 1.2
0.8 Frees Against 1.1
4.3 Contested Possessions 6.5
4.8 Uncontested Possessions 7.8
6.8 Effective Disposals 10.9
78.2% Disposal Efficiency % 77.3%
1.6 Clangers 2.2
0.9 Contested Marks 1.7
1.5 Marks Inside 50 1.2
0.3 Clearances 0.5
0 Rebound 50s 0.6
2.1 One Percenters 1.1
0 Bounces 0.1
74.0 Time On Ground % 82.7
0.1 Centre Clearances 0.1
0.2 Stoppage Clearances 0.4
4.0 Score Involvements 4.7
113.0 Metres Gained 249.1
1.5 Turnovers 3.1
0.5 Intercepts 2.2
1.1 Tackles Inside 50 0.7
50.9 AFL Fantasy Score 71.2
63.1 Supercoach Score 74.2

To all those who think Petty and JVR aren't good enough to be our targets, who would you get rid of to get someone better? We have one of the best midfields and back-lines in the clubs history, and there is nothing that is below average about our forward line either; the crows wouldn't be throwing the South Australian GDP at Petty if he was no good.

The main issue that we (still) have is kicking efficiency, but (again), this doesn't apply to Petty or JVR who are both good kicks. 

Petracca kicked 28.34 this season and Gawn kicked 10.14 - including some crucial misses (with a broken foot).  You switch those numbers around and we win the GF.


4 minutes ago, D Rev said:

To all those who think Petty and JVR aren't good enough to be our targets, who would you get rid of to get someone better? We have one of the best midfields and back-lines in the clubs history, and there is nothing that is below average about our forward line either; the crows wouldn't be throwing the South Australian GDP at Petty if he was no good.

The main issue that we (still) have is kicking efficiency, but (again), this doesn't apply to Petty or JVR who are both good kicks. 

Petracca kicked 28.34 this season and Gawn kicked 10.14 - including some crucial misses (with a broken foot).  You switch those numbers around and we win the GF.

The only one who thinks so is Kane Cornes.

We all know it can work.

When do we think Petty will play his first game in 2024? With the type of injury he has I would be surprised if it is before June. 

What team wouldn't want to have two talents such as Petty and JVR as key position players in their forward line?

Both are young, talented, versatile and, surprise, surprise, can kick straight.

If these two were not worth at least 2 goals a game, then we would have won another flag.

 

I know nothing about the medical side of things, but it doesn't seem likely Adelaide were willing to pay a guy that much money next year if he was going to be on the injured list for half of it. Even if it was a long term investment I assume he would be cheaper next year if he had an injury interrupted 2024.

Adelaide list manager just after saying Petty wants to return to SA and will in the future. 


 

How disrespectful from the Crows, you would never hear a dees person say that someone has a strong desire to get to Melbourne unless they had requested a trade. 

1 hour ago, Demonland said:

 

Sounds to me like they're still in his ear trying desperately to convince him. For all our sakes let's hope they're unsuccessful as we've never been a team to hold a player back from a trade once they've actually lodged a request...


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...

Featured Content

  • 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.

    • 0 replies
    Demonland
  • 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.

    • 0 replies
    Demonland
  • PREGAME: Essendon

    Facing the very real and daunting prospect of starting the season with five straight losses, the Demons head to South Australia for the annual Gather Round, where they’ll take on the Bombers in search of their first win of the year. Who comes in, and who comes out?

      • Love
    • 150 replies
    Demonland
  • NON-MFC: Round 04

    Round 4 kicks off with a blockbuster on Thursday night as traditional rivals Collingwood and Carlton clash at the MCG, with the Magpies looking to assert themselves as early-season contenders and the Blues seeking their first win of the season. Saturday opens with Gold Coast hosting Adelaide, a key test for the Suns as they aim to back up their big win last week, while the Crows will be looking to keep their perfect record intact. Reigning wooden spooners Richmond have the daunting task of facing reigning premiers Brisbane at the ‘G and the Lions will be eager to reaffirm their premiership credentials after a patchy start. Saturday night sees North Melbourne take on Sydney at Marvel Stadium, with the Swans looking to build on their first win of the season last week against a rebuilding Roos outfit. Sunday’s action begins with GWS hosting West Coast at ENGIE Stadium, a game that could get ugly very early for the visitors. Port Adelaide vs St Kilda at Adelaide Oval looms as a interesting clash, with both clubs form being very hard to read. The round wraps up with Fremantle taking on the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium in what could be a fierce contest between two sides with top-eight ambitions. Who are you tipping this week and what are the best results for the Demons besides us winning?

    • 272 replies
    Demonland
  • PODCAST: Geelong

    The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 7th 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.

    • 38 replies
    Demonland
  • VOTES: Geelong

    Captain Max Gawn leads the Demonland Player of the Year in his quest to take out his 3rd trophy. He leads Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver who are in equal 2nd place followed by Kade Chandler and Jake Bowey. You votes please. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 & 1.

    • 29 replies
    Demonland