Jump to content

Mongrel Punt’s 2024 Season Preview

Demonland
Demonland
in Melbourne Demons

Featured Replies

 

That time of the year already!

I bought their season review book for the 2021 season, highly recommend it (Im not affiliated with it, just sayin) - might be due for a re-read to get me in the mood for this season, after this preview.

Edited by John Demonic

  • Quote
    • Like 2

    Excellent article. 

    And written with a good in-depth analysis of what is already known, but without the red-and-blue eyes, that we all have.

    Makes some excellent points about the Petty forward option and how it affects others, and in fact, the whole team.

    And also makes a truly relevant point about our wingers, and importantly not using statistics as pure numbers, but points out the relevance of the numbers when compared with Collingwood wingers.

     

  • Quote
    • Like 5
     

    Great article.

    I think that the stats around Max are a little misleading.

    Last year he missed quite a few games and also shared Rick duties a lot of the time.

     

  • Quote
    • Like 4

    He is always a good writer, but I agree, he didn't take into account with Max, the effect of injury and sharing ruck duties in 2023.

     

    But ultimately, he concludes what I think we all know: we CAN do it, the question is whether we WILL.

  • Quote
    • Like 3
    4 hours ago, george_on_the_outer said:

    https://themongrelpunt.com/

    But if you want the full article, you have to join up and subscribe ($6.60 p.m. but you can unsubscribe)

    I read the first few items. Too wordy for me - it's like reading a book on each issue.

    Can some please precis the main ideas?

  • Quote
    • Haha 1
     

    Came down to injuries in the end, just a kick in it, to win the cup everything has to roll your way.

  • Quote
    • Like 10

    Very good article 

    Kane Cornes should read it 

    Edited by Sir Why You Little

  • Quote
    • Like 3
    • Haha 2
    1 hour ago, Sir Why You Little said:

    Very good article 

    Kane Cornes should read it 

    "Good article could have been great but let down by lack of rhetorical questions. What could be the fallout between author and editor? This AFL Champion has the inside word."

  • Quote
    • Haha 2
    • 1 month later...

    And this from the Age’s footy writer Jon Pierik

    Melbourne

    Improve goalkicking accuracy
    The Demons are desperate to atone for successive finals flame outs. Christian Petracca says the Demons have tinkered with their gameplan. One area in need of attention is connection in the forward half, as well as accuracy. The Demons produced the worst shot at goal accuracy (31.4 per cent) during the finals of any finalist since the measure was first recorded in 2002. Petracca’s shot at goal accuracy of just 32.2 per cent was a case in point.

  • Quote
    • Thanks 2
    20 minutes ago, Nascent said:

    Melbourne season preview: Who steps up to support Max, watch on Clarry - https://www.afl.com.au/news/1076441

    Afl season preview for melbourne

    I do find the use of 'well documented' referring to Oliver's issues interesting. They are not at all well documented. There is no clear public insight into what his 'issues' are and there has only been enormous waves of speculation. Ask yourself; do I actually have any real knowledge of Clayton Oliver's personal circumstances?

    It irks me that there's this atmosphere of 'we all know about Clayton, mm-hmm.'

    I mean, at this stage the only thing we really know is that he has been an absolute professional with training standards while away from the group and has come back in excellent condition and full touch, ready to win a Brownlow in 2024. 

    The 'Bailey Laurie watch' part of the article confuses me as he was canned on here in the match sim thread and multiple clear examples were given... could it be the AFL website people might be mistaken about him "impressing in Sunday's match simulation with his strength inside the contest and clean ball use."

  • Quote
    • Like 3

    15 minutes ago, Little Goffy said:

    I do find the use of 'well documented' referring to Oliver's issues interesting. They are not at all well documented. There is no clear public insight into what his 'issues' are and there has only been enormous waves of speculation. Ask yourself; do I actually have any real knowledge of Clayton Oliver's personal circumstances?

    It irks me that there's this atmosphere of 'we all know about Clayton, mm-hmm.'

    I mean, at this stage the only thing we really know is that he has been an absolute professional with training standards while away from the group and has come back in excellent condition and full touch, ready to win a Brownlow in 2024. 

    The 'Bailey Laurie watch' part of the article confuses me as he was canned on here in the match sim thread and multiple clear examples were given... could it be the AFL website people might be mistaken about him "impressing in Sunday's match simulation with his strength inside the contest and clean ball use."

    Re Oliver, I'm glad his personal issues haven't been published as I can only see that as being detrimental to him. The constant reference to it is unfortunate but won't go away until he plays consistently and shows stable behaviour off the field.

    Re Laurie, his game was nowhere near as bad as some made it out to be and he showed signs he has the tools to make it at AFL level. He's running has improved and is making it to more contests and winning more of the footy, as well as transitioning into defensive 50 on the turnover. He's just becoming the new whipping boy because he's a first round pick that has barely played and isn't collecting 30 touches and kicking 2-3 goals a game on the hff. He had a couple howlers and a humorous side step against no one when he thought a player was bearing down on him. Otherwise he used the ball cleanly, particularly by hand in the first half, and kicked well into the forward 50 that a couple players dropped or were defended well by the Tigers defence. Would have liked to see him go back and kick the set shot rather than attempt to spot up Fritsch in the goal square.

    Windsor butchered the ball, McVee had some howlers, Lever and May's kicking were shocking (as was Mays marking), Sparrow was dropping easy marks, Howes was outpositioned multiple times in defense, langdon was barely sighted, anb was ineffective in the centre square... I could go on. But no, Laurie is the whipping boy.

     

  • Quote
    • Like 5
    3 hours ago, Nascent said:

    Windsor butchered the ball, McVee had some howlers, Lever and May's kicking were shocking (as was Mays marking), Sparrow was dropping easy marks, Howes was outpositioned multiple times in defense, langdon was barely sighted, anb was ineffective in the centre square... I could go on. But no, Laurie is the whipping boy.

     

    Nas, do you think he might be a "whipping boy" because all the others you mentioned - except Windsor - have proven themselves at AFL level, whereas Laurie, after 3 full seasons with the club - and a first round pick to boot - simply hasn't?

  • Quote
    41 minutes ago, Neil Crompton said:

    Nas, do you think he might be a "whipping boy" because all the others you mentioned - except Windsor - have proven themselves at AFL level, whereas Laurie, after 3 full seasons with the club - and a first round pick to boot - simply hasn't?

    I think this is the year he needs to start proving himself and he has a real challenge ahead given the number of small/medium forwards on the list.

    I think being a whipping boy currently is unfair given he was drafted into one of the strongest AFL teams. He's doing what he's supposed to be doing, developing in the twos before earning himself a chance. He's now had 3 full pre-seasons, allegedly putting his best foot forward and impressing the club, and should be looking to be in the starting 22 come round 0 or play a good chunk of the season in the seniors. I'm getting behind him and hoping he cements himself in our team because he has clear skills that can make our forward half better.

     

     

  • Quote
    • Like 3
    1 hour ago, Neil Crompton said:

    Nas, do you think he might be a "whipping boy" because all the others you mentioned - except Windsor - have proven themselves at AFL level, whereas Laurie, after 3 full seasons with the club - and a first round pick to boot - simply hasn't?

    And Howes

  • Quote
    On 10/01/2024 at 16:36, Sir Why You Little said:

    Very good article 

    Kane Cornes should read it 

    That's an assumption Cornes can read. 

  • Quote
    • Like 1

    3 hours ago, He de mon said:

    And Howes

    Typical reaction about Howes. Yes he was poor but give him another go please. He may not be a defender so release him to the wing or half forward but don’t  cruel him as without ability and stamp his potential. 

  • Quote

    Howes is much better as a wing or half forward.  I’d prefer him at half forward when he gets a chance. He can kick a lovely goal, mark and do something special.  Mercurial is a word.  

  • Quote
    • Like 1

    Didn’t they play Howes on Bolton? He had no chance but I bet he learnt plenty about what it takes to make it. It’s all upto Blake. McVee looked just as out of place against both Bolton and Dusty last year but he had a fantastic season. 

  • Quote
    • Like 1
     
    1 hour ago, Roost it far said:

    Didn’t they play Howes on Bolton? He had no chance but I bet he learnt plenty about what it takes to make it. It’s all upto Blake. McVee looked just as out of place against both Bolton and Dusty last year but he had a fantastic season. 

    My memory was Juddy gave a good account of himself on  Dusty. 
    Blake may not be. Defender he may be better off on a wing or FFlank where he can run free and express himself. 

    Let’s see how it goes and what transpires. 

  • Quote
    22 hours ago, 58er said:

    Typical reaction about Howes. Yes he was poor but give him another go please. He may not be a defender so release him to the wing or half forward but don’t  cruel him as without ability and stamp his potential. 

    If you look closely at the sentence I was quoting, I was pointing out that Howes, like Windsor, hasn't had an opportunity to prove himself at AFL level.  I was not bagging him.

  • 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: Essendon

      As the focus of the AFL moves exclusively to South Australia for Gather Round, the question is raised as to what are we going to get from the  Melbourne Football Club this weekend? Will it be a repeat of the slop fest of the last three weeks that have seen the team score a measly 174 points and concede 310 or will a return to the City of Churches and the scene where they performed at their best in 2024 act as a wakeup call and bring them out of their early season reverie?  Or will the sleepy Dees treat their fans to a reenactment of their lazy effort from the first Gather Round of two years ago when they allowed the Bombers to trample all over them on a soggy and wet Adelaide Oval? The two examples from above tell us how fickle form can be in football. Last year, a committed group of players turned up in Adelaide with a businesslike mindset. They had a plan, went in confidently and hard for the football and kicked winning scores against both home teams in a difficult environment for visitors. And they repeated that sort of effort later in the season when they played Essendon at the MCG.

      • 0 replies
      Demonland
      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?

        • Like
      • 444 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • 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?

        • Haha
      • 117 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • 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
      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
      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?

        • Like
      • 273 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland
    View All