POSTGAME: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

[demon3165 2,569]

2 minutes ago, Binmans PA said:

Where's the thumbs down button?

Statistically he might be considered elite, but his disposal and decision making has gone through the roof.

5-10 times today he would have previously blastered away, but consistently made rhe right decision. 

He's started beautifully this season.

And five to tens times he butchered it, but love his endeavour and run but that's his downside.

[jane02 3,676]

Just got home from a great day at the G. Fantastic atmosphere and lots of Dee supporters around me made the win so enjoyable. 
I thought it was a great team effort. Devastated when Maysie went down right in front of me. Hope he is ok 🙏. He’s a tough nut but he will bounce back. Happy that the boys were not rattled like they have been on previous occasions when an important player went down. They just got on with business.

 

[Adam The God 29,327]

25 minutes ago, demon3165 said:

So a lapse for a quarter and half is OK by you then...

We had a solid lead and they were kicking it back and forth to each other on our half forward line. We were literally just waiting for them to make an error and then slingshot on them. We didn't need to do anything else but defend. It was a very José Mourinho-like performance. 

[The Jackson FIX 2,682]

41 minutes ago, adonski said:

Rivers is off the boil

 

He was quiet early but came into the game. 20-odd disposal at 70% wasn’t too far off his average last year.

i recognise he looked hot in the pre-season rolling through the middle but Oliver back has changed his role somewhat so I wonder if he is being unfairly judged.

[Bimbo 933]

If anyone is feeling a little down, go the Big Footy Hawthorn page reviewing the game.  They are a mite unhappy.

And if that doesnt cheer you up, todays was Hawthorns lowest score against Melbourne since 1960.

[demon3165 2,569]

22 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

Take it easy, they through everything they had at us for those 2 quarters and we easily held them at arms length, we wore them out and toasted them in the last. 

Jesus they are a young side and not littered with stars like the roos and are bog ordinary. 

[old55 22,775]

1 hour ago, Wizard of Koz said:

AI collective Demonland thoughts 1 hr after the game rd3 for all Those with dyslexia adhd or cant be [censored] reading

Melbourne Victorious, But Injuries Loom: A Deep Dive into Demonland Forums

The Melbourne Demons faithful have gathered on Demonland Forums, their virtual MCG, to dissect the recent thrashing of arch-rivals Hawthorn. A dominant win, it seems, can't fully mask the anxieties gnawing at the edges of their jubilation. Here, we delve into the thoughts, uncovering the emotions, opinions, and concerns swirling amongst the passionate Demon supporters.

A bittersweet victory: The resounding win undeniably brings elation. Fans like "Rodney (Balls) Grinter" express pure joy at witnessing Hawthorn's downfall, especially considering the historical dominance the Hawks once held. However, a contingent led by "dl4e" tempers the celebration. They acknowledge the victory but argue a victory against a lackluster opponent like Hawthorn shouldn't overshadow the real concern – injuries.

Injury woes: The shadows of May and Lever's injuries loom large. Speculation runs rampant, with some fearing an ACL tear for Lever. Relief washes over the forum as fans like "Jaded No More" dissect post-game interviews, hoping the injuries aren't as severe as initially feared. This concern highlights the crucial role these defenders play and the potential vulnerability their absence might expose.

Demonstrating Depth: Despite the defensive worries, faith in the team's depth remains strong. Names like Petty, Tom Tomlinson, and Jayden Hunt are tossed around as potential replacements, offering reassurance that the backline can hold firm. This resilience in the face of adversity speaks volumes about the team's overall strength.

Shining Stars: The win wasn't without its individual bright spots. Fritsch's impressive performance earns him praise, while Petracca and Gawn's consistent excellence is acknowledged. JVR, the new recruit, particularly impresses fans with his ability to battle in the ruck and contribute at ground level. These individual contributions paint a picture of a well-rounded team firing on all cylinders.

Taking Aim at the Hawks: Hawthorn's dismal performance, particularly their abysmal first quarter, becomes a target for the Demons' supporters. Sarcastic comments and jokes flow freely, with some fans, like "samcantstandya," even wishing for a prolonged period of struggle for the Hawks. This animosity towards the rivals adds a layer of spice to the overall celebratory mood.

Beyond the Win: While the core discussion revolves around the game, other topics surface throughout the thread. Umpiring decisions are questioned by some, adding a layer of frustration to the mix. A lighthearted debate erupts over the appropriateness of nicknames for young players, with "whatwhat say what" questioning the use of "Wizard" for a player with limited experience. Finally, the ever-present dislike for commentator Gerald Healy finds renewed expression, reminding everyone that even in victory, some grievances remain.

A United Front: Despite the range of opinions and concerns, a sense of unity emerges from the forum. Demons' fans stand together, celebrating the win, acknowledging challenges, and offering support to the team. The collective hope is that the injuries won't derail their momentum and that the team can continue its dominant run. The final sentiment, perhaps best captured by "Rodney (Balls) Grinter," is one of cautious optimism: success should be savored, but challenges lie ahead.

I'm keen for you to explain again why retaining BBB and TMac was a terrible list management decision.

[Graeme Yeats' Mullet 6,707]

6 minutes ago, Binmans PA said:

Freedom of movement. My 75 year old father could outrun him today.

As I said, he looked better down back and took that great pack mark in the first quarter, but otherwise his movement and agility seemed severely hampered to me and others around us at the game.

Yep

He looked.like a bloke desperately in need of a rub down... 💆‍♂️

[Dee Viney Intervention 1,817]

1 hour ago, deegirl said:

Healy’s problem is he’s the Ian Chappell of footy commentary

He was also recruited from Edithvale - Aspendale. Enough said. 

[Winners at last 5,150]

2 hours ago, Sir Why You Little said:

The Hawks kicked one goal with May and Lever off the ground 

At Halftime they would have given themselves a sniff 

Jimmy Stynes played with Broken Ribs….

So did Langers ...

[dees189227 12,031]

What a fantastic effort to restrict the opposition to only 5 goals.

Also again straight kicking certainly helps

[Graeme Yeats' Mullet 6,707]

Goody said Tommo would play tomorrow when questioned on backups for May/Lever

Hopefully they pull him after half the game, unnecessary risk and a Saturday/Thursday turnaround for next 2 weeks

[Queanbeyan Demon 6,705]

2 hours ago, Sir Why You Little said:

The Hawks kicked one goal with May and Lever off the ground 

At Halftime they would have given themselves a sniff 

Jimmy Stynes played with Broken Ribs….

No he didn't - that was a rouse. He had a snapped collar bone, broken arm, one lung and an amputated leg. Poor guy. Still won a Brownlow that year I seem to recall.

[picket fence 16,639]

2 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

A very good team effort against an opponent that played a very old style gameplan.

The Lever interview was perhaps a little worrying in that it sounded like he's resigned to missing a couple of weeks but he's glad it's not more.

We have some gorilla forwards coming up in the next few weeks so Petty may be spending some time down back.

Great to see Fritsch with a bag and two goals by Chandler at key times

Gorilla Forwards??? Like this bloke? 

[titan_uranus 24,562]

Yes, Hawthorn were bad. Really, really bad.

But we just adapted so brilliantly to losing two of our most structurally critical players.

It wasn't just Petty moving back. TMac was good too (and played 100% TOG!), Hore played his role and I cannot get enough of Howes and McVee.

And it goes beyond that. To compensate for the lack of rotations and to ensure we still had the ability to get Petty onto the bench in the fourth, Brown played 96% TOG. 96%! He wasn't amazing today but his leading and presenting at the ball carrier sparked us in the third and remains vitally important.

Trac's game was incredible, but the sign that this was a good day for us was that after him, it isn't all that clear who our next best handful were. He was so far in front of everyone else (give him all 6 Brownlow votes) but we had so many players play well. Bear in mind Oliver was down on the previous two weeks too (side bar - Finn Maginness can GAGF). Langdon and Chandler hit some form, Windsor's running is a beautiful thing to see live, Pickett is a weapon, and JVR improved as the game went on (I like him rucking, I think it helps him get into the game when he's otherwise quiet).

The second quarter could have been better but the way we professional dismantled them in the second half despite May and Lever being injured was precisely what a good side should have done.

[WalkingCivilWar 39,256]

1 hour ago, deegirl said:

Serious question - can you run around with the nickname Wizard when you’ve played two senior games and kicked 1.7? A tad premature 😁

Just coz you were called The Wizard in Back-of-Bum-[censored] under 9s doesn’t mean you get to keep the name when you make it to the AFL. Otherwise we’d have 18yo Little Masters, Lethals, Dominators etc. all over the place. 😁

[Demonland 70,249]

 

[picket fence 16,639]

2 hours ago, Roost it far said:

For mine it’s got ACL written all over it

if you have an ACL, u aint sprinting on the boundary, with the view of getting back on!

Edited March 23 by picket fence

[DemonWA 3,883]

Salem just makes me smile everytime he gets near it. Under rated for his toughness imo. Gave out some bruising hits today

[Pates 9,625]

There were a few key takeaways from Trac's post-game interview on the ground that stuck out to me. They asked him about his spoil and he had a laugh and a joke saying he's contracted for one D50 defensive effort, but I could still see that doing things like that and the plaudits he got really made him feel like he was walking on cloud nine.

The other takeaway that I thought was great to hear was they're getting back to having fun and enjoying the game again, I get the feeling that after '21 they sort of had a determination that was almost feeding back in as anxiety. There has been almost a fear of failure and I feel like like that has been on show with our two straight sets exits. The last two weeks they look like they're playing with a bit of freedom and enjoyment, yes there's still the determination to win and them working to a system, but it's back to remembering that it is a game. He said he's got the dream job, so why not enjoy it.

I'm not getting ahead of myself as the two wins are from teams that (highly likely) won't be playing finals, but the way we won and the way the players look have me feeling good about our season.

As for our issues with May and Lever, well it sucks. Two players that we absolutely would not want to be without for a long period of time, and there is this sense of irony that they go down JUST as we get back something the resembles a forward line. The bad news, they are top line players that you can't just replace. The good news, we do at least have options. Tommo can come in for at least one of them, we can play Petty as a swing man, and TMac has been showing good form in his old/new role as a defender. Does Fullarton also get a look in if Petty is required down back?

Brown wasn't as good as last week, given his age I can see there being games he's barely spotted, but he was still taking some good marks and importantly takes the number one defender.

Good win, but costly with injuries.

[picket fence 16,639]

1 hour ago, Jaded No More said:

His goal celebration was putrid given his side was getting destroyed. Smells like Ginnivin 2.0. 

Um this might bring a tirade of abuse.... but I thought Ginivan was pretty good today!

[Pates 9,625]

7 minutes ago, picket fence said:

if you have an ACL, u aint sprinting on the boundary, with the view of getting back on!

Agreed, I feel like players and medicos can see clear signs of ACL and they don't have them testing things out. I suspect if it was a Grand Final he would've been strapped up, given a jab, and he'd be back out there. Players don't interview after the game if they think it's something serious.

[Jaded No More 67,626]

Just now, picket fence said:

Um this might bring a tirade of abuse.... but I thought Ginivan was pretty good today!

He’s less of a tool in yellow and brown. It helps that he’s no longer being egged on by a bunch of halfwits in the stands. 
 

Although my train ride home was incredibly unpleasant thanks to a pack of drunk Hawks fans aggressively swearing and chanting profanities against the Melbourne fans on the train. Absolute morons. 

[Pates 9,625]

19 minutes ago, Bimbo said:

If anyone is feeling a little down, go the Big Footy Hawthorn page reviewing the game.  They are a mite unhappy.

And if that doesnt cheer you up, todays was Hawthorns lowest score against Melbourne since 1960.

After all the pain they inflicted on us for close to a decade, it's time to even the score. Imagine if May and Lever hadn't gone down, it could've been way worse for them.

[layzie 32,771]

22 minutes ago, Binmans PA said:

We had a solid lead and they were kicking it back and forth to each other on our half forward line. We were literally just waiting for them to make an error and then slingshot on them. We didn't need to do anything else but defend. It was a very José Mourinho-like performance. 

Catenaccio style.