The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 12th May @ 8:00pm. Join Binman, George & I as we dissect the Demons loss to the Hawks.

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Thoughts on the umpires?

16 minutes ago, Clintosaurus said:

Thoughts on the umpires?

16 minutes ago, Clintosaurus said:

Thoughts on the umpires?

I can feel a rant building like a volcano

9 minutes ago, binman said:

I can feel a rant building like a volcano

I expect it to be angrier than the one at 0-5.

1 minute ago, Clintosaurus said:

I expect it to be angrier than the one at 0-5.

That one was inihearanr and scattered.

This one has been building over years - and came to a head today.

The AFL is ruiining the game with their decision, one I believe is based on an explicit desire to foment controversies that feed the pathetic AFL media machine, to refuse to address the chronic, and wosening, woeful standard of umpiring.

Thought we approached the game well. Brought a good plan, tried to chip around and use the ground, we controlled it and the game was on our terms.

All key stats I wanted to win we did, we simply didn't finish. It is disappointing that in this do or die game we performed admirably but kicked ourselves out of it.

I could ask the obvious question of what can we do to improve our accuracy but I kind of feel like we're banging our head against a wall with this one, we've discussed practice, set shot positions, routines ad nauseam so I'm not going to insult anyone's intelligence. I will make the comment that we prioritised a kid who could clearly kick the footy with our first pick and it doesn't appear to be a coincidence that his 3 shots on goal all went through with flying colours, in a game where no-one could hit the backside of a barn,

Edited Saturday at 07:102 days by layzie

Thoughts on how Windsor has been going off half back? I've been concerned for many weeks with how he has been going down back, and there were several moments today that has led me to conclue he doesn't have the temperment to handle the pressure back there. I think for his sake, and for the betterment of the team, he needs to return to the wing or half forward where he proved to be a real weapon for us in his first year.

Why do we keep dropping off in the 4th quarter, is it a fitness issue or just a drop in pressure or both.

We were with them until the last quarter then just stopped, same thing happened with Casey.

Thanks

chuck ya mortgage on it

We dominated the contest for 3/4 today but once again couldn’t get reward on the scoreboard, hawks get on top for a single qtr and did what we couldn’t.

Goodwin says Oliver had a tagging role today, but all I saw was a player unable to go contest to contest requiring other players to cover for him.

Jeffo thrown into the seniors despite not showing he’s at the level even in the vfl why should we expect different at AFL

Fritsch not pulling his weight again and now not even finishing off in front of goal.

It’s clear standards have been dropping for some time now and our coaches seem unable or unwilling to do anything about it. Until we have someone who can make the tough call nothing is going to change.

Think we need to seriously consider resting Max this week. Campbell had a full game for Casey this week and probably a game we will struggle to win. Have to manage the big man and with winnable games against Swans and Saints after that, seems the logical time for Max to stay in Melbourne next week.

Also, we have some important list decisions to make at year’s end with some of our Casey regulars. Not wanting to gift players a game but should opportunity present itself, we need a look at a few at AFL level like Sestan, Adams possibly and perhaps Culley at some stage. Seen enough of Woewodin and Laurie to be able to make a call either way at seasons end. If Kentfield keeps improving maybe try later in the season. Another chance to AJ and Henderson too so we can see if there is enough there for a new contract. Howes probably the stiffest not to be getting an extended run at the moment and as has good attributes. Could improve quickly with opportunity. Thoughts?

The Kossie non free and that backline free against Fritsch? When Sicily pushed the pack, cost us two goals from incorrect decisions!

Generally positive effort until 3 qtr time.

was surprised Turner not moved forward earlier as Jefferson and JVR hardly touched the ball!

Query - Turner forward or back, personally would have started him forward!

What do we do with JVR? I can’t believe the turnaround in form this season. I don’t like him rucking but he is not contributing in the forward line. He actually looks quite timid and lost at times. Is there any hope he will come good?

I don’t think moving him back and forth between the seniors and VFL will aid any return to form. What does the panel think?

2 hours ago, A Bit Of Biff said:

Why do we keep dropping off in the 4th quarter, is it a fitness issue or just a drop in pressure or both.

We were with them until the last quarter then just stopped, same thing happened with Casey.

Thanks

Rant incoming…

I am sick to death of this team losing winnable footy games in this way. It has been too many years. And the club has not fixed the problem. We currently sit last in the league in 2025 for accuracy and goals per inside 50 by a full percentage point for each. We have not been above average in either category since 2021. Goodwin and the coaching staff acknowledge it’s a problem but there’s no improvement!

Maybe kicking technique can’t be improved in the AFL, then we should have moved players on and recruited better ones. What are the coaches doing if they’re not improving skills anyway?

The coaches do selection. Would JVR have benefitted from a game against WC last week instead of a week off after kicking 5 at Casey? Would one of our most accurate forwards this year in Turner been better off in the forward line rather than spending 100% game time in defence?

Maybe practising at Gosch’s and Casey means our forwards aren’t used to kicking with a grandstand behind the goals? Get some time at Junction Oval or any other ground with a grandstand.

The club, as a whole, cannot continue to accept this. The words of Goodwin indicate that he doesn’t accept it, but the actions of his charges tell a different tune.

It stinks of a club that is content with mediocrity and I’m fed up. The supporters and members must ensure that the leadership does its jobs and leads the club with diligence and a drive for success.

We still can't seem to find a forward who can consistently nail set shots under pressure, in a big game when we need to finish our good work and get the rewards for effort we seem to miss time and time again... is there any form of training for kicking set shots under pressure? This cost us today as we should have been 3 goals up at 3qt time.

I'd be interested in our 'fast playing on' stats this week. So far this year we've been one of the fastest teams at playing on, yes? This week we seemed much less so, less rapid, more deliberate, less confident.

Edited Saturday at 10:561 day by Demonised

⭐️The good …WHAT I LOVED THIS WEEK

1. Superb game from Harvey Langford again. Great composure. Nailed his chances for goal. Two excellent contested marks. 👏👏

   (XL20 also good this week)

2. Kozzzy goal in the last. Just go for it. So many others are timid and scared to run. Kozzzys two bounces and run and a goal was a highlight.👏👏

3. THE EFFORT WAS THERE (at least for 3 quarters)…👏

MFC won key stats

+11 clearances
+3 centre clearances
+12 contested footy
+17 tackles

🤮The bad - what was disappointing

1. SO HOW DID WE LOSE BY 6 GOALS. UNBELIEVABLE. It’s cruel to see us dominate and get no scoreboard reward. Our % of goals per inside 50 is the WORST in the league.

2. SUB-PAR FORWARDS. Fritsch. Jeffo. JVR. Spargo. Zero goals. Zero. All were very poor. Jeffo to go to Casey. I would actually like to see us get truly ruthless and drop Fritsch & Spargo.

   @binman Tackles inside forward 50 … a very soft 5 this week 🤮

3. GOAL-KICKING ACCURACY. A key skill. Scoring. Goalkicking was poor. Killed us AGAIN. Missed chance after chance and should have been up by 3-4 goals at 3/4 Time

4. THE LAST QUARTER WAS DISHEARTENING. It was really poor. The fumbles, the missed handballs, the players slipping or falling over.

   FITNESS? Or just a real drop off in energy and effort. Either way, our 4th quarters horrible

The really ugly ☠️

1. SELECTION. Jeffo was out for weeks. Had a very poor game in the VFL two weeks ago and then got promoted - why? Goody why?? What Subbed out and his confidence looks shot. He doesn’t present as a physical forward and lack of second efforts is disappointing. Put him to Casey for a good stretch of games and reassess him.

2. UMPIRES WERE A DISGRACE. That missed trip to Kozzy in the goalsquare. Worst decision ever seen in my lifetime. I had to apologize to a lady in front of her for swearing. I let the umps know my frustration with both barrels. Totally inconsistent. Also Newcomb throws the ball every time he gets tackles. I counted 7 or 8. Not even looks like a handball. Ridiculous!!! Agree with you @Demonland the Umps were horrible.

3. POOR DEVELOPMENT. Blake Howes must have scratched Goodys car. Dropped. Sub. Dropped. Layover player. Dropped. Sub. Layover emergency player. Hardly had a full game for MFC or Casey. How’s he going to develop. Give him a game somewhere. He has talent. I don’t want another Bedford or JJ departure.

16 hours ago, Big Gun said:

Think we need to seriously consider resting Max this week. Campbell had a full game for Casey this week and probably a game we will struggle to win. Have to manage the big man and with winnable games against Swans and Saints after that, seems the logical time for Max to stay in Melbourne next week.

Also, we have some important list decisions to make at year’s end with some of our Casey regulars. Not wanting to gift players a game but should opportunity present itself, we need a look at a few at AFL level like Sestan, Adams possibly and perhaps Culley at some stage. Seen enough of Woewodin and Laurie to be able to make a call either way at seasons end. If Kentfield keeps improving maybe try later in the season. Another chance to AJ and Henderson too so we can see if there is enough there for a new contract. Howes probably the stiffest not to be getting an extended run at the moment and as has good attributes. Could improve quickly with opportunity. Thoughts?

Good points re the fringe players NB Woey and Laurie. Neither seem up to it.

Did you forget Kylan Brown? 10 tackles for Casey yesterday. Where does he play at Casey? Would he be worth a try at half forward where tackling pressure is desperately needed?

Another sadly repeatable game script.

1/ More shots at goal over three quarters but shocking conversion rate especially set shots. Is there anything a coaching panel could possibly offer to improve this? Just so disheartening for fans and supporters to watch these teasers every week. Do the players feel the disappointment that us rusted on fans feel?

2/ Shocking umpiring when we were still in the game Does the club ever complain?

3/ Final quarter fade-outs Is it poor conditioning or maybe mental brittleness Do they all need to see a shrink? The fans do

10 minutes ago, monoccular said:

Good points re the fringe players NB Woey and Laurie. Neither seem up to it.

Did you forget Kylan Brown? 10 tackles for Casey yesterday. Where does he play at Casey? Would he be worth a try at half forward where tackling pressure is desperately needed?

Yep KB also for sure.

I didn’t make the game so was listening on the radio and following on the abc app.

At the end of the first qtr on the afl app, they quoted that although overall our pressure was 180, in our f50 it was only 90 compared to the Hawks 180 in their f50. I thought we were done when I read that, as in recent weeks our f50 pressure has been a key part of our turnaround. Our f50 tackles this week were way down. The Hawks scored 54 points from defensive half.

Why was our f50 pressure so bad? Was it a tactical change by Goody or just a selection issue with Fritta, Jeffo, and a down on confidence JVR just way off it defensively.

10 hours ago, Watson11 said:

I didn’t make the game so was listening on the radio and following on the abc app.

At the end of the first qtr on the afl app, they quoted that although overall our pressure was 180, in our f50 it was only 90 compared to the Hawks 180 in their f50. I thought we were done when I read that, as in recent weeks our f50 pressure has been a key part of our turnaround. Our f50 tackles this week were way down. The Hawks scored 54 points from defensive half.

Why was our f50 pressure so bad? Was it a tactical change by Goody or just a selection issue with Fritta, Jeffo, and a down on confidence JVR just way off it defensively.

I don’t fully understand Whelo Ratings, but Fritta was negative each quarter.

How long can the match committee allow him to be an anchor going forward? Brown couldn’t do less, though of course a very different build.

I know there's been discussion on Demonland about this, but I'd be intrigued to hear the team's thoughts on Selwyn and our fitness regime.

I've had questions as early as 2022, and some during 2023, but after 2024 and now 9 rounds of 2025, to me it now seems undeniable. We need a new fitness boss.

Our last quarter fade outs have cost us at least 3, possibly 4 wins, which would sit us in the 8 right now.

Are we all in agreement on this? Is it time to go, Selwyn, or are there too many young bodies in the mix, which drag down our ability to play 4 quarters? That latter argument is a weak one IMO.

Edited 21 hours ago21 hr by Adam The God

It’s clear to me we have three massive problems to fill in the offseason.

High Performance Coach (Griffiths)

Skills Coach (Williams)

Forward Coach (Chaplin)

Football Operations (Richardson)

All 4 have to go. Hopefully the rumours are true and Bartel is coming to replace Richardson.

If thats the case, the club needs to throw the farm at Tom Hawkins to be the forwards coach.

We need to get a Fitness coach that can get us fit! And I’m not sure what Choco has done post 21 but it’s been two fifths of [censored] all.

A week is a long time in football. Lets Petty, Melk & Viney come back in at the expense of Jeffo, Fristch & Oliver.

I love Clarry, but he looks like he is towing a caravan.

Edited 18 hours ago18 hr by Doug Reemer