8 minutes ago, YesitwasaWin4theAges said:

Just to add to misery we have Norf supporters rubbing our noses in it.

Basking in joy that our supporters were having a go at the players.

How low have we fallen.

I honestly didn't even know we had those kind of supporters.

The morning after:

Aside from Freo last year, I don't think I've felt this sick feeling after a loss since the infamous COVID game against Port. 

We can talk about gameplans, coaching, style, tactics, anything you fricken want. We can't go anywhere without basic fundamental execution of the football, you need to hit a target 20 metres away more often than not. Not sometimes hit it. You also cannot be sticking 1 in 5 tackles.

I don't need any explanation for why centre clearances aren't important in our gameplan or any rhetoric. The game was slipping away and we were 3 goals down at 3QT. Regardless of the gameplan, you need a clearance! To see the ball come out 4 straight times for majors was just awful. As was the marks conceded inside 50. At our best we averaged about 8 of these a game and maybe 2 or 3 dead in front. In this game we conceded 12 but it felt like at least half dead in front. Yes we had personnel missing but that is still no-where near good enough.

I also can't cop being completely rinsed on score from stoppage and in particular centre clearance. I simply can't. We're not a quick side, we're not one of the more skilful sides, we really need to be breaking even in this area until we develop some kind of innovative ball movement from the back half. Have to give the plaudits to Xerri, I really hope this isn't the changing of the guard moment but he was sensational. Hearing the 'backstory' comments about Max sounds a bit unnecessary and now the media will go in hard on it, but maybe it needed to be said. I don't know.  

I'm not going in on the coach yet, it's still too early for panic buttons but the panic radar is heating up. We have spent the entire off-season trying to implement a new approach and avenue to goal, we come up against an apparent bottom 4 side with a good opportunity to really test this baby out and we go long and wide, deep into 50, the same old jargon. 

As mentioned I won't go into alarm bell mode but they're on the right track for it. Next week's game against GC is a genuine 50-50.

 

 

1 hour ago, dice said:

Why doesn't Langford "want to be there"? He just arrived!

His reaction on draft night last year. Compare that to the reaction from Aidan Johnson. One was pure joy, the other looked like his dog had just died. And then his half hearted mediocre efforts when he came on last week. I wouldn't be investing too much hope in this bloke

Norfball might turn out to be 2025's HokBall.  Yesterday was a great example of not underestimating the competition - they monstered us out of the centre, and just applied a pressure that gave the entire team the yips.  That's concerning - psychologically keeping it cool is a skill as important as clunking marks and drilling kicks.  Shoutout to Chin and Clarry for their efforts, ditto Lever, but seriously raised eyebrows at Fritsch... Not impressed with Trac's efforts, nor Goodwin's presser that just fed a giant chunk of red meat to the media over Max.  Whatever is going on for him, that just made it infinitely worse, I'm sure.  I'm not writing anything off until we get a fully fit team back. 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/afl/article-14528131/amp/Melbourne-Demons-fans-blasted-disgraceful-heckling-ask-did-Carlton-fans-change-teams.html

Apologies if this link has been posted but if this supporter is a demonlander, you should hang your head in shame. 

The amount of entitlement on this thread is disgusting. The team didn't play well, that's true, but north Melbourne played like a side on the rise. They are talented and are not going to be bottom 4 in the coming years. 

You might be upset at the teams performance, but please remember they are human. Supporter means you support the team through thick and thin. 

What is the answer then? Who should come in?

Don't just make big statements if you can't back it up.

14 minutes ago, bobby1554 said:

His reaction on draft night last year. Compare that to the reaction from Aidan Johnson. One was pure joy, the other looked like his dog had just died. And then his half hearted mediocre efforts when he came on last week. I wouldn't be investing too much hope in this bloke

You're talking about this effusive reaction?  

 

We desperately miss Kossie and Windsor (and McVee) today. Our lack of speed was the main issue.

Melksham and May will also make us much better.

Petracca had a stinker. (Only Frisch, Pink and Jefferson had lower Wheelo player ratings.)

Spargo is finished as a player. I know he is a good kick inside 50 but he is way too slow for a small forward at AFL level and cannot compete in the air.

The high half forward role Fritsch is currently playing is taking away our best deep target and giving us nothing up the field. Play him at full forward or drop him.

Petty had a very poor game and lacks pace. TMac had one horrible moment but is a much better bet when May returns. I don't have Petty in our best 23 at the moment.

Obviously Max getting thrashed in the ruck was critical.

Hopefully Goodwin gives up on playing Rivers in the midfield. We have taken away one of our best rebounders and coverage defenders and inserted another midfielder with poor skills and not enough pace. He is not complimentary to Petracca, Oliver and Viney in the midfield.

Petty, TMac, Bowey and Woewodin had critical errors.

Chandler was fantastic. Salem had a very good game. Oliver was involved but is still a liability with ball in hand. Lindsay had another solid game.

Expected score was 111 to 82, so we left too many points on the table again with poor goal kicking.

13 hours ago, At the break of Gawn said:

They wanted Trac forward, Oliver on the bench may have just been a rotation thing. Honestly if we always need Oliver and Trac in the center then we'll go no where this year.

This, and Max was on the bench as well.  Roo needed to 2nd ruck, and everyone's been calling for Goodwin to 'mix it up' and throw Trac into FF.  So he does.  I'm not sure Trac took it too seriously, having a laugh with his opponent and offering him a sip from his water bottle at one point (?), but it was clearly a move to cover rotations.  Didn't work on this occasion...

9 minutes ago, Hellfire Dub said:

You're talking about this effusive reaction?  

 

No, the moment his name was announced as being drafted by the M(ediocre)FC

After that insipid performance I’ve taken my chill pill, listened to the Young Rascals singing “It’s a beautiful morning” and today looks a lot brighter. Should be a recipe for a few on here.

While we are not a skilful side, the amount of tackles, handballs and kicks we missed yesterday, and extensive brain fades we had was extraordinary. We were not mentally switched on at any stage, then we simply gave up in that last quarter.  It was so bad that I’m thinking there must be something not right in the camp. If so, solve it quickly guys.

If not then next week will tell if our performance yesterday is a true indicator of where we sit, or simply a one-off horrible day that hopefully won’t be repeated. I’m leaning towards the latter, but that’s just me - I may well be wrong.

 

4 minutes ago, Neil Crompton said:

After that insipid performance I’ve taken my chill pill, listened to the Young Rascals singing “It’s a beautiful morning” and today looks a lot brighter. Should be a recipe for a few on here.

While we are not a skilful side, the amount of tackles, handballs and kicks we missed yesterday, and extensive brain fades we had was extraordinary. We were not mentally switched on at any stage, then we simply gave up in that last quarter.  It was so bad that I’m thinking there must be something not right in the camp. If so, solve it quickly guys.

If not then next week will tell if our performance yesterday is a true indicator of where we sit, or simply a one-off horrible day that hopefully won’t be repeated. I’m leaning towards the latter, but that’s just me - I may well be wrong.

 

Im glad for you. I have a stiff neck, aching lower back, throbbing headache all after sleeping 2/10ths of nothing from the elevated cortisol throughout yesterday and its only round 2. 

I need a different past time, this game is not for me anymore.

15 minutes ago, GS_1905 said:

Im glad for you. I have a stiff neck, aching lower back, throbbing headache all after sleeping 2/10ths of nothing from the elevated cortisol throughout yesterday and its only round 2. 

I need a different past time, this game is not for me anymore.

That's funny. Poor you! I actually had a dream on Sat night that we would get belted to the point of humiliation. I thought it was a nightmare, but actually a premonition of reality :(

Jeez the usual conga line of Goody apologists is surprisingly quiet post game.

6 minutes ago, Cranky Franky said:

Jeez the usual conga line of Goody apologists is surprisingly quiet post game.

You know Cranky sometimes Less is More.

41 minutes ago, bobby1554 said:

No, the moment his name was announced as being drafted by the M(ediocre)FC

Just stop. Harvey is a teenager. Leave him alone. Not everyone is great at showing their emotions. These people are human. You are meant to be a fan. I am so disgusted at some of the comments on here. 

Ok positives first, there are a few: 

• Kade Chandler. Might have taken the next step, outstanding effort. Tried harder and show better touch with the footy than all of his team mates. 
• Xavier Lindsay. We've found one there. Gave his all, fights for the footy, chases hard and makes an effort to stick and break tackles
• Clayton Oliver. Found plenty of the footy, looks to be close to peak fitness 
• Jack Henderson. Shows something, worth persisting with

And then the negatives

• Too slow, leg speed and when moving the footy. When we take possession we slow up play more often than not meaning our F50 constantly looks like the Monash outbound on a Friday afternoon
• Our in close work is poor. Centre clearances were a disaster and have been going backwards year on year. Second to the ball, fumbly and they don't support eachother in close. By contrast the Roos took clean possession, ran to support eachother, consistently broke our tackles and actually hit their targets with their handballs 
• Our mistakes are horrendous, Bowey kick to the corridor, Woewodin fumbled bounce when a long kick to Trac nets a goal. Our disposal efficiency was 72% but I'd dare say that's pumped up by dinky kicks that go backwards and sideways. Most of our kicks that went forward went to a contest or missed their target
• The forward line is a mess. Poor Jeffo getting injured early was unfortunate but he'd been barely sighted. That said I have low confidence that Fritsch, JVR and Turner will work. They seem to get in one anothers way and chunk up what could be a 1 on 1 contest by bring their oppoent into it unecessarily  
• The coach. Too many things to be concerned about, number 1 being offering an excuse for Max in the presser. Why say anything. Max had a poor game against a strong opponent, everyone does at some stage. Nuff said 

Edited March 24Mar 24 by Dee*ceiving

5 minutes ago, Flowergirl said:

Just stop. Harvey is a teenager. Leave him alone. Not everyone is great at showing their emotions. These people are human. You are meant to be a fan. I am so disgusted at some of the comments on here. 

Yep. And I am disgusted with myself for shelling out $590 to watch this crud of a football team

16 hours ago, Van Demons Land said:

Well, I'm sorry but I just had to copy and paste my pre-game comment below (followed by a typical delusional response)

My comment below first followed by a fellow Demon responder 

Melbourne. unfortunately, have no gear change in them or any kind or secret weapon for that matter. whenever the opening siren sounds to signal the beginning of a last quarter. Kangaroos will go close here as they are not as bad as they used to be, and Melbourne are not as good as they used to be. Prediction this year for Melbourne is 13th place.

Jeez Bro, remind me not to go to the footy with you. It'll be a little close for a half and then we'll smash North. Prediction for this year is Premiers or agonisingly close.

You were saying Bro?

I've followed the Dees for 57 years and love my team BUT COME ON. My comments are based on the brain I possess and a pair of eyes I have.

And this is what my eyes keep seeing:

Bayley Fritsch (Missing in action too many times. Yesterday's man who should be dropped to VFL ASAP).                                                                                                                Clayton Oliver (Tries his heart out but is extremely predictable, easy to coach against and way too one dimensional (either frenetically hand balling or launching ineffective bombs up forward time after time).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Max Gawn - Unable to carry this team on his shoulders anymore. Not good enough to do that.                                                                                                                          Assistant rucks, Roo (average or maybe just OK in the ruck at best) and Aidan Johnson (please give me a break).                                                                                                    Simon Goodwin - Outdated coaching.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Brad Green - Lost in the headlights.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Tom MacDonald - Nice bloke but not a key position player and too slow both mentally and physically for the modern game.                                                                                   New recruits - Lindsay is a keeper, the rest are pretty much the fish that John West rejects.

And for those who think Melbourne suddenly becomes a flag contender when Pickett, May and other regular first teamers come back ... think again!

Many AFL teams have adapted very well to the new AFL landscape and as a result, they are now reaping the rewards.                                                                                  Melbourne is not one of those teams because they have largely stayed the same, while the game's moved on. The North Melbourne result is just the tip of the iceberg.

Maybe I'm being generous thinking they finish 13th this year?

My preseason pick widely criticised by my group is 14th

4 minutes ago, bobby1554 said:

Yep. And I am disgusted with myself for shelling out $590 to watch this crud of a football team

Way to miss the point. 

When will the FC make a statement and drop Fritsch? 

He runs around refusing to get dirty 

1 hour ago, Fat Tony said:

We desperately miss Kossie and Windsor (and McVee) today. Our lack of speed was the main issue.

Melksham and May will also make us much better.

Petracca had a stinker. (Only Frisch, Pink and Jefferson had lower Wheelo player ratings.)

Spargo is finished as a player. I know he is a good kick inside 50 but he is way too slow for a small forward at AFL level and cannot compete in the air.

The high half forward role Fritsch is currently playing is taking away our best deep target and giving us nothing up the field. Play him at full forward or drop him.

Petty had a very poor game and lacks pace. TMac had one horrible moment but is a much better bet when May returns. I don't have Petty in our best 23 at the moment.

Obviously Max getting thrashed in the ruck was critical.

Hopefully Goodwin gives up on playing Rivers in the midfield. We have taken away one of our best rebounders and coverage defenders and inserted another midfielder with poor skills and not enough pace. He is not complimentary to Petracca, Oliver and Viney in the midfield.

Petty, TMac, Bowey and Woewodin had critical errors.

Chandler was fantastic. Salem had a very good game. Oliver was involved but is still a liability with ball in hand. Lindsay had another solid game.

Expected score was 111 to 82, so we left too many points on the table again with poor goal kicking.

Who are our opposition scouts. How did they not see that Xerra is a match for Gawn in strength and nearly in height. It was a no brainer to play Campbell. 
Agree with player analysis except Petty. 
can anyone understand how we set up in the forward line at centre bounces. I don’t think I have ever seen a game where I have thought a young version of myself could have beaten an AFL standard forward. Why? Because our key forwards were flat footed, didn’t lead so all an athletic tall person had to do was take a few steps, jump from behind and punch the ball, that is if the ball wasn’t kicked directly to them instead of our forward anyway

1 hour ago, Neil Crompton said:

After that insipid performance I’ve taken my chill pill, listened to the Young Rascals singing “It’s a beautiful morning” and today looks a lot brighter. Should be a recipe for a few on here.

 

 

Would have thought " How Can I Be Sure" is more apt.

What happened to 'Simon's Sign Off' segment? 

Have they canned that already??

2 hours ago, YesitwasaWin4theAges said:

Just to add to misery we have Norf supporters rubbing our noses in it.

Basking in joy that our supporters were having a go at the players.

How low have we fallen.

North are irrelevant