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PREGAME: Rd 03 vs Gold Coast

Demonland
in Melbourne Demons

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1 hour ago, jnrmac said:

That's not a recipe for long term success when Max is 33yo

It's easy to say this with hindsight, but I wonder whether we should have played Campbell as well as Gawn against North? The consensus view appears to be that Xerri was the second-best ruckman last year (behind Max), so maybe it would have been a good opportunity to find out how the game would go with two "proper" ruckmen.

    • Like 1
     
    12 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

    It's easy to say this with hindsight, but I wonder whether we should have played Campbell as well as Gawn against North? The consensus view appears to be that Xerri was the second-best ruckman last year (behind Max), so maybe it would have been a good opportunity to find out how the game would go with two "proper" ruckmen.

    poor selection decision not playing Campbell especially when AJ was unavailable

    • Like 2
     

    Could be a simple win for Gold Coast providing they capitalise on our huge issues…

    Midfield- GC to hold width, don’t send too many to the ball, prey on Melbourne on the outside. Half back and half forward to move in waves from behind the ball. Chain out handballs and honour short kicks to space

    Forwards- Go in small and just ensure eyes are lowered and beat Melbourne on the deck. We are the worst team at defending ground balls. May back will only enhance this

    Defenders- Zone off and intercept. Defend high balls and use small defenders to exit without pressure. 

     

     

    • Shocked 1

    29 minutes ago, SPC said:

    Could be a simple win for Gold Coast providing they capitalise on our huge issues…

    Midfield- GC to hold width, don’t send too many to the ball, prey on Melbourne on the outside. Half back and half forward to move in waves from behind the ball. Chain out handballs and honour short kicks to space

    Forwards- Go in small and just ensure eyes are lowered and beat Melbourne on the deck. We are the worst team at defending ground balls. May back will only enhance this

    Defenders- Zone off and intercept. Defend high balls and use small defenders to exit without pressure. 

     

     

    Forecast for rain on Saturday too, this means the ball will be on the deck more, so your small forward prediction might be right

    • Like 1
     

    I think the key reason for our form since mid-2024 is that Max has been in decline.

    In the first 11 games last season, Max polled coaches votes in 8 games and had a median player rating of 20.6. In his last 12 games, this he has polled coaches votes in just 3 games and had a median player rating of 14.5. He has still played fairly well, but he is no longer a top 3 player in the competition. The dip might be due to age or injury last year; or it could be a change in the game, reducing the impact of stoppages and promoting faster ball movement.

    Interestingly, Max’s worst rated game in the last 12 months was against the Sun’s last year, when we flogged them by 54 points!

    • Like 3

    In: May, Johnson, Billings, Melksham, Langford

    Out: Jeffo, Spargo (both injured), Woey, Turner, Howes (all dropped)

    • Like 1

    McDonald or Petty forward 🧐

    Mentha emergency 🧐

    Edited by adonski

    • Like 2

    I think if we are all honest it's a little difficult to get excited about this game. Only two games in and we have unceremoniously lost both home games and are staring down the barrel of another one.

    It's a big call but not a stretch to say if we lose this, then our season is done and dusted. Huge response required and we will  ultimately see what this club is made of and who are the players that are committed to the club. 

    Go Dees. That's the most motivation I can muster. Hope the players can do more.

    Regardless we need as many supporters to this one as possible. It's one thing to get demolished by North Melbourne on our home turf  but to get bested by GCS will be a disaster. I think that's fair. I fear what will happen if we turn up against a contender with the same mindset and skill level we had last Sunday.

    Alas everything is on the line now. And sure it's early days but these are games we have all foolishly it appears, pencilled in as wins. Well I did at least

    Silly me.

    • Like 1

    Spargo listed as injured on the AFL site

    Absolute calamity if we've rushed him back from injury again after last year.

    EDIT: The Melbourne website says he experienced delayed concussion symptoms during the week.

    Edited by Demon Jack

    • Like 1
    1 minute ago, whatwhat say what said:

    so we've gone from a trio of tall forwards in jvr / jefferson / turner to...one?

    Well it’d be two with AJ. But maybe TMac forward? Otherwise we have four tall defenders?

    • Like 3

    Just don’t understand why Melksham goes straight back in with little preparation. This happens far too often with this football club. Spargo last week, Melksham this week. There is a clear favourites list when the selection committee meet.

    • Like 2

    4 minutes ago, adonski said:

    McDonald or Petty forward 🧐

    Mentha emergency 🧐

    Aiden Johnson in for Turner (named at CHF), May in for McDonald (at FB). Melk likely the replacement for Spargo. TMac and Petty don't need to be anywhere near the forward line do they?
    The question is more whether Billings or TMac as the sub. Can't see Langford or Chandler being the sub.  

    3 minutes ago, leave it to deever said:

    It's one thing to get demolished by North Melbourne on our home turf

    We played them on their home turf.

    Worried about Max, early doors but he’s averaged ~5 marks a game, this year its 2.5 so far. I’d like to see Campbell but Max doesn’t want a second ruck apparently, wants to play 85%+ game time on ball. AJ in should help a little. 

    Team gets better this week with May and Melk back. Langford if he can get going should be an improvement on Spargo or Taj. Bigger body even though it’s game 2. 

    • Like 1
    1 minute ago, Demon Jack said:

    Spargo listed as injured on the AFL site

    Absolute calamity if we've rushed him back from injury again after last year.

    Have to agree with this. I’m not one for focusing on this stuff too much but for it to happen twice in a row with Spargo is…not good

    • Like 1
     
    4 minutes ago, whatwhat say what said:

    so we've gone from a trio of tall forwards in jvr / jefferson / turner to...one?

    We want to give Mac Andrew intercept marking practice ... 🤷‍♀️

     

    • Sad 1
    1 minute ago, titan_uranus said:

    Have to agree with this. I’m not one for focusing on this stuff too much but for it to happen twice in a row with Spargo is…not good

    Apparently out with concussion

    • Like 1

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