Jump to content

The Mongrel Punt - Season Preview

rumpole
rumpole
in Melbourne Demons

Featured Replies

 
10 minutes ago, Cranky Franky said:

Knows his stuff. Makes most Demonland pundits look silly by comparison.

Knows how to regurgitate all the the negativity of a crappy year, Bravo CF.

  • Quote
    • Like 1
     

    not sure who this harrison perry fella is, but for the most part this is great coverage

    without having access to the final 14 questions posed it's hard to judge where hb meyers positions us in the premiership race in 2025, but for the most part i thought this was a very positive forward-looking article

  • Quote
    • Like 3

    2 hours ago, Cranky Franky said:

    Knows his stuff. Makes most Demonland pundits look silly by comparison.

    Excuse Me What GIF

  • Quote
    • Haha 1

    Pleasingly, the issues that he raises seem mostly to be in the rear-view mirror now.  The [censored] sandwich that was 2024 is history - bring on a fit hungry talented Demon set-up for 2025!

  • Quote
    • Like 11
     

    Everyone I talk to constantly say ‘oh dees on the slide now’ or ‘rebuild time’. I’ve just been playing a straight bat saying we will see.

    Im happy that everyone no longer rates us… hopefully we prove them wrong.

  • Quote
    • Like 14
    • Clap 1
    4 hours ago, DeeZone said:

    Knows how to regurgitate all the the negativity of a crappy year, Bravo CF.

    Yeah I know - it was all a media beat up. We almost finished 4th & have the best culture I've ever seen.

  • Quote
    • Haha 1
    • Clap 1
    • Sad 1

    I have no idea if McAdam is worth holding out hope for. Haven't seen training but seems he is still talented yet uncommitted. Would love to hear opinions.

  • Quote
    5 hours ago, whatwhat say what said:

    not sure who this harrison perry fella is, but for the most part this is great coverage

    without having access to the final 14 questions posed it's hard to judge where hb meyers positions us in the premiership race in 2025, but for the most part i thought this was a very positive forward-looking article

    It's a good read, and I highly recommend the Mongrel Punt's content. They're a refreshing change from the news corp / standard AFL industry journalism, so I'm hesitant to share their paid content here, robbing them of revenue.

    Here are the final 14 (well actually it's 13) questions:

    6 – HAVE THE DEES MADE ENOUGH CHANGES TO A FORWARD LINE THAT HAS NOT WORKED?

    7 – IS CALEB WINDSOR THE PERFECT RUNNING-MATE FOR ED LANGDON?

    8 – HOW HIGHLY DO WE RATE THE YOUNGER DEMON DEFENDERS?

    9 – IS BAYLEY FRITSCH THE MOST UNDERRATED FORWARD IN THE GAME

    10 – CAN KOZZIE PICKETT HAVE A ‘CYRIL’ TYPE OF YEAR

    11 – WHAT DOES A HEALTHY JAKE LEVER DO FOR THE DEES?

    12 – IS SIMON GOODWIN UNDER A HEAP OF PRESSURE IF THE DEES ARE OUTSIDE THE TOP EIGHT AT THE BYE?

    13 – WHO IS CHECKING INTO THE LAST CHANCE HOTEL IN 2025?

    14 – WHO IS THE NEXT BREAKOUT PLAYER AT THE CLUB?

    15 – IF THE DEES WERE ONE MOVIE CHARACTER, WHO WOULD THEY BE?

    16 - was just missed completely by the writer

    17 – ANYTHING TO ADD ON THE DEES, MRS MONGREL?

    To summarise "I’m predicting a wild ride into the final 4 for the Dees. I’ve never been wrong."

    18 – IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT THE CLUB, AS A WHOLE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

    19 – WRAPPING UP

  • Quote
    • Like 11
    • Thanks 4

    It's a good read (but, then, I'll read anything about the Dees). Thanks, @rumpole.

    Though '...we give value. No same old garbage you’re going to hear from ten others, taking turns in mimicking each other. No played out opinions. Thoughtful and comprehensive – that’s what we aspire to provide...' is a bit of a stretch; I didn't see much new or left field. Its substance, and the padding, are entertainingly written, and you've got to be impressed by someone who can write two novels in a handful of months!

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    6 hours ago, Cranky Franky said:

    Yeah I know - it was all a media beat up. We almost finished 4th & have the best culture I've ever seen.

    Cranky, would you give up on the constant constant constant carping?

     

    Basically it is a very good analysis, suggesting that if things turn around with Clarry etc we could do very well - possibly top four. He also says - AND I COMPLETELY AGREE- that we should find and get rid of whoever is leaking about all our troubles. I tried to post about that already but it didnt get past the mods.

  • Quote
    • Like 5

    I will probably join them.

    I do know we lost Smith, Gus, and Spargo from our potential best 22.  And with no replacement from drafting, Mr Oliver did not have a fantastic preseason makes it 4, 

    Take four best 22 out of any side and you only need one more, read tracca,  and it was no surprise we went downhill rapidly, plus Max, plus Fritta, plus.....

    Negative media and poor FD replies to that neg stuff, and we were slip sliding away.

    We should have 3 of those back, and have other replacements on the list.

    All things being equal, we should do better than 2024, and 

  • Quote
    • Like 2

    13 hours ago, Damo said:

    I have no idea if McAdam is worth holding out hope for. Haven't seen training but seems he is still talented yet uncommitted. Would love to hear opinions.

    Finished!

  • Quote
    9 hours ago, Ollie fan said:

    Cranky, would you give up on the constant constant constant carping?

     

     He also says - AND I COMPLETELY AGREE- that we should find and get rid of whoever is leaking about all our troubles. I tried to post about that already but it didnt get past the mods.

    What a great idea - shoot the whistle-blower and ignore the actual problems.

    That should work out well.

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    1 hour ago, Cranky Franky said:

    What a great idea - shoot the whistle-blower and ignore the actual problems.

    That should work out well.

    Whistle blower.

    Cranky, you write some funny [censored], but that takes that the case.

    Whistle blower. 

    You are an alchemist. Merde into pure comedy gold. That's some skill.

    Edited by binman

  • Quote
    • Like 3
    9 hours ago, Ollie fan said:

    Basically it is a very good analysis, suggesting that if things turn around with Clarry etc we could do very well - possibly top four. He also says - AND I COMPLETELY AGREE- that we should find and get rid of whoever is leaking about all our troubles. I tried to post about that already but it didnt get past the mods.

    bit hard to sack player's managers

  • Quote
    • Haha 2

    6 – HAVE THE DEES MADE ENOUGH CHANGES TO A FORWARD LINE THAT HAS NOT WORKED?
     

    Have we changed the way we play? Regardless of who was missing last year and how many games we lost by small margins, the game changes and we must change with it.

  • Quote
    • Like 4

    3 hours ago, binman said:

    Whistle blower.

    Cranky, you write some funny [censored], but that takes that the case.

    Whistle blower. 

    You are an alchemist. Merde into pure comedy gold. That's some skill.

    Ok, maybe leaker would have been preferable to whistle-blower.

    The original comment from Ollie was -

    "we should find and get rid of whoever is leaking about all our troubles"

     

  • Quote
    • Like 2

    Hey blokes - thanks for the share and for respecting the restricted section of the article. Greatly appreciated - other sites are a little more free and easy with that. 

    I try to have a good overview of all teams, but you guys are like the subject matter experts when it comes to your boys. I know you live and breathe it, so when it comes to the Dees, I am always more than willing to defer to those more knowledgeable and respect those opinions.

    That said, sometimes the view of someone removed from the passion can serve a purpose. :)

    Anyway, I am a big subscriber to the theory of things never being as good, or as bad, as they're made out, and hope that 2025 provides Melbourne with the stability the club needs to settle things down and play some good footy.

    All the best - HB

     

    Edited by The Mongrel Punt

  • Quote
    • Like 19
    • Thanks 9
    • Love 4
     

    Mongrel Punt opener is an interesting read, maybe the staff writer does have a novel in him. Ticks off the litany of ‘plaints that bedeviled the club’s recent history. Importantly MP perceptively suggests the best way forward to lose  the negative media scrutiny. Is through a return to the winner’s list quote “…it is amazing how quickly success turns a team of ‘apparently’ disgruntled players into a cohesive unit…”.

    Despite the overrun of the footy mafia rumour mill. On the visual and observational evidence so far. Both Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca are enjoying the pre-season with their team mates. Plenty of smiles about. Their return to the playing field, after ‘the healing’ bodes well, lifting the entire team performance. According to MP “Even just Oliver re-discovering that 2022 form would elevate them (the team) six places (ladder wise).”

    To paraphrase MP the theory that what [censored] happens is neither bad or as good as made out applies. As the new year kicks in and the woes of last season’s Annus horribilis recede exponentially in the rear view mirror. Being a passionate and invested supporter l’m feeling likewise, let the ebullience rise and let the team play some bloody good footy.

  • Quote
    • Like 5

    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: 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. 

        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 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?

        • Thanks
      • 102 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.

        • Sad
        • Clap
        • Like
      • 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.

        • Thanks
      • 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?

        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 423 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.

        • Thanks
      • 24 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland
    View All