Jump to content

Discussion on recent allegations about the use of illicit drugs in football is forbidden
  • IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING

    Posting unsubstantiated rumours on this website is strictly forbidden.

    Demonland has made the difficult decision to not permit this platform to be used to discuss & debate the off-field issues relating to the Melbourne Football Club including matters currently being litigated between the Club & former Board members, board elections, the issue of illicit drugs in footy, the culture at the club & the personal issues & allegations against some of our players & officials ...

    We do not take these issues & this decision lightly & of course we believe that these serious matters affecting the club we love & are so passionate about are worthy of discussion & debate & I wish we could provide a place where these matters can be discussed in a civil & respectful manner.

    However these discussions unfortunately invariably devolve into areas that may be defamatory, libelous, spread unsubstantiated rumours & can effect the mental health of those involved. Even discussion & debate of known facts or media reports can lead to finger pointing, blame & personal attacks.

    The repercussion is that these discussions can open this website, it’s owners & it’s users to legal action & may result in this website being forced to shutdown.

    Our moderating team are all volunteers & cannot moderate the forum 24/7 & as a consequence problematic content that contravenes our rules & standards may go unnoticed for some time before it can be removed.

    We reserve the right to delete posts that offend against our above policy & indeed, to ban posters who are repeat offenders or who breach our code of conduct.

    WE HAVE BUILT A FANTASTIC ONLINE COMMUNITY AT DEMONLAND OVER THE PAST 23 YEARS & WE WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO BE ABLE TO DISCUSS THE CLUB WE LOVE & ARE SO PASSIONATE ABOUT.

    Thank you for your continued support & understanding. Go Dees.


Thank God there's no more practice matches.


grazman

Recommended Posts

At least after Rd one we'll be able to make some objective rational assessments based on a game that actually matters rather than have all the 'Marvin the Robot' comments about how bleak the future looks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

At least after Rd one we'll be able to make some objective rational assessments based on a game that actually matters rather than have all the 'Marvin the Robot' comments about how bleak the future looks.

Ha! Marvin the Robert is one of my all time favourite creations.

I'm not particularly upset with our results as it comes of no surprise, our list needs alot of work before we're realistically challenging for a flag

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Another terrible thread only aimed purely at inciting conflict but I'll jump in anyway.

Having just returned from Casey Fields I am feeling desperately bleak about our outlook for this season. Nothing to do with the results, but the manner in which we played today suggests that a great deal of improvement is required in the next 2 weeks. The much hyped "they need time to get used to the new game plan" is a crock, as the game plan hasn't seemed to change much at all. Poor skills, overuse of the football (handball and sideways kicking) and conceding stupid free kicks were the only consistencies in our performance.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's taken me a while to get concerned, but today's showing was pathetic.

The overuse of handball is hideous. We have so few genuine A graders. Our skill level was awful. Our decision making even worse. Any forward would have less hair after today. If ever they nail the gameplan, and I use the word loosely, they'll be world beaters, cos the opposition will have absolutely no friggin idea what's going on.

Could Rivers, Bruce, Whelan, and Morton (poor kid) make so much difference ?

I hope I'm wrong, but I may need to learn how to spell Natanui.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Another terrible thread only aimed purely at inciting conflict but I'll jump in anyway.

Having just returned from Casey Fields I am feeling desperately bleak about our outlook for this season. Nothing to do with the results, but the manner in which we played today suggests that a great deal of improvement is required in the next 2 weeks. The much hyped "they need time to get used to the new game plan" is a crock, as the game plan hasn't seemed to change much at all. Poor skills, overuse of the football (handball and sideways kicking) and conceding stupid free kicks were the only consistencies in our performance.

I agree.

The mentality that players still seem to have of looking sideways all the time and not moving the ball directly forward is seriously worrying. I noted that most of the goals scored (by both sides) were the result of direct, attacking football.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We have so few genuine A graders.

Welcome to 2 years ago, but I suspect that you already knew this.

Our list needs a major overhaul - rucks, KPP's and midfield depth, but the worst crime that has been made over the last 5 years was the club doing everything it possibly could last year so we didn't receive a pp pick. If things go as they are now for the rest of the year then we will end up with under 5 wins and if we had of done the intelligent thing then we would have had the first 2 picks. It depresses me how stupid we've been as a club since Gutnick began his reign.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Really ? Maybe I should have highlighted a couple of other areas.

Knock knock.

It's not to say that I'm not worried about some players. But the overall feeling of despair I got from watching the game today was the way that Melbourne players would continually look sideways and look to handpass when the better option more often than not was to go direct.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What you are seeing now is the fallout from the Daniher/Fagan/Royal era

Our player development was pathetic under that regime. And Dean Bailey is left to pick up the pieces.

I can tell you now that Bailey and co. will shine, and we will rise again like the phoenix. But if you expect it to happen overnight, then I suggest you get a clue about football and perhaps study the state of our current list and also the massive player/coaching staff turnover from 2007/2008.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The mentality that players still seem to have of looking sideways all the time and not moving the ball directly forward is seriously worrying. I noted that most of the goals scored (by both sides) were the result of direct, attacking football.

This really got my goat today. If there is such a thing as instinctive football then we need to learn it quick. We don't take the first option and as a result I doubt anyone playing up the ground would have a clue how or where the ball is going to come into our forward line!

I hope it is all a ruse and that in two weeks time the game plan they have been tested on will unfold in all its glory!

Certainly we need our best back and I was glad to I hung around to watch Sandy. Jared Rivers looks primed and Wheels, Wheats and Barts all played their part.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's taken me a while to get concerned, but today's showing was pathetic.

The overuse of handball is hideous. We have so few genuine A graders. Our skill level was awful. Our decision making even worse. Any forward would have less hair after today. If ever they nail the gameplan, and I use the word loosely, they'll be world beaters, cos the opposition will have absolutely no friggin idea what's going on.

Could Rivers, Bruce, Whelan, and Morton (poor kid) make so much difference ?

I hope I'm wrong, but I may need to learn how to spell Natanui.

Hannabal, it's only taken a week, but we are now on the same page. ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hannabal, it's only taken a week, but we are now on the same page. ;)

I doubt we'll ever be on the same page. I wasn't concerned by results with an under 12's side. Yesterday was close to full strength and I got to witness our R & C gameplan first hand.

I doubt I've seen a worse brand of football.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Welcome to 2 years ago, but I suspect that you already knew this.

Our list needs a major overhaul - rucks, KPP's and midfield depth, but the worst crime that has been made over the last 5 years was the club doing everything it possibly could last year so we didn't receive a pp pick. If things go as they are now for the rest of the year then we will end up with under 5 wins and if we had of done the intelligent thing then we would have had the first 2 picks. It depresses me how stupid we've been as a club since Gutnick began his reign.

I would say after his reign. Every aspect at our club has a big question mark starting from admin down

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Is it possible that Bailey is instructing the players to play run and carry during the pre-season to prove to them just how poorly they execute this style, and come Round 1 we'll switch to a whole new, much improved game plan? :rolleyes: <_<

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Is it possible that Bailey is instructing the players to play run and carry during the pre-season to prove to them just how poorly they execute this style, and come Round 1 we'll switch to a whole new, much improved game plan? :rolleyes: <_<

Get used to the phrase "Kick the bl##dy thing". You'll hear it alot this year.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's not to say that I'm not worried about some players. But the overall feeling of despair I got from watching the game today was the way that Melbourne players would continually look sideways and look to handpass when the better option more often than not was to go direct.

There's a simple problem with the tactics as far as I can see- the players have been instructed to run with it and look for a good option to pass off to, fair enough, but what we're seeing with these 'held on to it for too long' and 'sideways handballing' moments is that the rest of the team hasn't properly got into the habit of actually presenting good options, running to the right spot, and being ready to push on once it comes to them.

New motto, to be drilled into them all day every day -

MOVE WITH PURPOSE

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There's a simple problem with the tactics as far as I can see- the players have been instructed to run with it and look for a good option to pass off to, fair enough, but what we're seeing with these 'held on to it for too long' and 'sideways handballing' moments is that the rest of the team hasn't properly got into the habit of actually presenting good options, running to the right spot, and being ready to push on once it comes to them.

New motto, to be drilled into them all day every day -

MOVE WITH PURPOSE

Unless you are a team of superskilled elusive players, the idea of holding on to the ball until you find a good option comes unstuck when the opposition apply pressure. Apart from Davey, who else has got evasive skills? Furthermore, the presenting players don't know when the ball is going to be delivered. They may well be running to the right spot.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

as a side note, what was with players getting the ball, running at an opponent on one side of their body, then incredibly slowly cutting back to their other side as some foolhearty attempt to bypass their man, resulting in more stagnant progress down the field that inevitably lead to a handball coming to a player standing still.

i think as our handling of the ball, weetra, improves our team will look a bit better. and when THAT MAN rivers is back our defence will look better, but yes this will not be the 150th birthday year we were all dreaming about, but i don't mean that in such a negative way as it is a necessary step in becoming a force again

Link to comment
Share on other sites

and when THAT MAN rivers is back our defence will look better, but yes this will not be the 150th birthday year we were all dreaming about, but i don't mean that in such a negative way as it is a necessary step in becoming a force again

About the only positive to come out of yesterday for me. In what I saw of the Sandy game, Rivers was cutting it to shreds. His strong-marking, strong-spoiling best.

The most dire thing for me was the defensive efforts of the players. We appear to be a team of lazy bastards who are happy to run forward when we have the ball, but refuse to track back when it is inevitably turned over. There is no pressure on the opposition, and so they make it look bloody easy. The players are kidding themselves if they think the application of effort yesterday is up to U14s standard, let alone AFL. Our forward line presently look too old (Neitz), too unfit (Robbo), and too unco (Newton - how many times did he fall over?). Their lack of mo- and a-bility is as much to blame as and of our midfielders. How do you kick to a leading forward when none of the forwards lead?

Before the season starts, two things need to happen;

The midfielders need to get some harden the fudge up pills into them, and chase and tackle. Pressure = turnovers.

The forward line needs to get some arthritis pills into them, and actually move around a bit. It's their responsibility to make leads that demand the football, as much as it is the midfielders' responsibility to deliver it well.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Unless you are a team of superskilled elusive players, the idea of holding on to the ball until you find a good option comes unstuck when the opposition apply pressure. Apart from Davey, who else has got evasive skills? Furthermore, the presenting players don't know when the ball is going to be delivered. They may well be running to the right spot.

How was our pressure going the other way?

Surely with 38 shots, there was some lack of pressure or were they all from incoherent play by us?

Edit: Thanks Diablo.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

How was our pressure going the other way?

Surely with 38 shots, there was some lack of pressure or were they all from incoherent play by us?

I know you love your 2-way footy Jacey so you would have been appalled yesterday. Some truly weak efforts at times, and the usual culprits. Green and Yze amongst them.

Green is an enigma. There are times when he shows real courage, but then just as many others where he vindicates everyone that has ever described him as a front-runner.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Demonland Forums  

  • Match Previews, Reports & Articles  

    DEPTH CHARGE by Whispering Jack

    The jubilation on the coach’s face as he danced a celebratory jig by the playing bench after the final siren sounded to record his team’s four-point victory over the Demons when the teams last met, said it all.    On that rainy Friday night at the Adelaide Oval, Ken Hinkley’s young midfield secured much more than four points on offer. The victory over one of the big dogs of the competition after a succession of wins over some of its lesser lights gave his team respect and validation fo

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 5

    TRAINING: Monday 25th March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers Demon Dynasty & Kev Martin were trackside at Gosch's Paddock today to bring you their observations from training. DEMON DYNASTY'S TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Kade Chandler's left knee heavily strapped. BBB, Spargs & Jake Lever also in rehab group. Jake Bowey solo running separate kicking/sprint/agility drills. Super fine morning / early arvo at Gosch's for the boys to blow out some cobwebs. Choco initially had the light duties / rehab group

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    HIBERNATING by KC from Casey

    When they locked up the rooms for summer at the end of last year’s football season, the rooms gathered cobwebs, the atmosphere became dense and the place developed a sleepy feel. They opened up the rooms to let Casey out to play on Sunday but the team was still hibernating and they missed the bulk of the opening quarter. By the time they worked out it was game on, their opponents from Box Hill had accumulated five goals and, if the game wasn’t over, it might as well have been. For a se

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Casey Articles

    A FORK IN THE HAWK by George on the Outer

    For too long in the past, Demon fans became habitually sick and tired of watching the Hawks hand out thrashings to their side. But Melbourne’s empahtic 55-point win at the MCG on Saturday has truly put a fork in the Hawk and turned that history well and truly on its head. The Demons have now won nine of their last ten encounters with the other result, a draw.     And like a fork, it was the multi-pronged options that Melbourne had all across the ground.  It certainly helped that Hawthorn

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Match Reports 8

    PREGAME: Rd 03 vs Port Adelaide

    The Demons head on the road for the next 2 weeks as they travel to Adelaide to play Port on Saturday and then have a 5 Day break before facing the Crows in the Gather Round. With injuries to May and Lever who comes in and who goes out?

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 278

    PODCAST: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 25th March @ 8:30pm. Join George, Binman & I as we analyse the Demons victory at the MCG against the Hawks in the Round 02. You 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. Listen & Chat

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 46

    VOTES: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    Last week Steven May took the lead in the Demonland Player of the Year Award from Jack Viney. Clayton Oliver & Max Gawn round out the Top 4. Your votes for the win/loss against/to the Hawks. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 50

    POSTGAME: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The Demons cruised to an easy 55 point win over the Hawks at the MCG but but paid a heavy toll on the injury front with Steven May & Jake Lever possibly sidelined for a number of weeks.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 363

    GAMEDAY: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    It's Game Day and after mixed results in the first two weeks of the season the Demons have the opportunity to capitalise on their good form last week when they take on the Hawks at the MCG today.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 437
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!
  • Podcast 

  • Podcast 

  • Podcast Stream 


    Open Stream in
    New Window
        TuneIn    Opens in New Tab
  • Support Demonland  



  • 2021 Premiership  

  • Social Media 

  • Non MFC Games  

    NON-MFC: Round 03

    Discussion of all the other games that don't involve the Demons in Round 03 ... READ MORE

    Demonland | Round 03

  • Match Preview      

    DEPTH CHARGE by Whispering Jack

    The jubilation on the coach’s face as he danced a celebratory jig by the playing bench after the final siren sounded to record his team’s four-point victory over the Demons when the teams last met, said it all ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 27

  • Latest Podcast      

    PODCAST: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The boys dissected the clinical thrashing of Hawks praising the immense performance of Christian Petracca whilst lamenting the injury toll to our defensive unit ... LISTEN

    Demonland | March 26

  • Training  

    Monday, 25th March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers Demon Dynasty & Kev Martin were trackside at Gosch's Paddock today to bring you their observations from training ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 25

  • Casey Report      

    HIBERNATING by KC from Casey

    When they locked up the rooms for summer at the end of last year’s football season, the rooms gathered cobwebs, the atmosphere became dense and the place developed a sleepy feel. They opened up the rooms to let Casey out to play on Sunday but the team was still hibernating and they missed the bulk of the opening quarter ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 25

  • PreGame      

    PREGAME: Rd 03 vs Port Adelaide

    The Demons head out on the road for the next 2 weeks as they travel to Adelaide to play Port on Saturday and then have a 5 Day break before facing the Crows in Gather Round. With injuries to May and Lever who comes in and who goes out? ...READ MORE

    Demonland | March 28

  • Match Report      

    A FORK IN THE HAWK by George on the Outer

    For too long in the past, Demon fans became habitually sick and tired of watching the Hawks hand out thrashings to their side. But Melbourne’s empahtic 55-point win at the MCG on Saturday has truly put a fork in the Hawk and turned that history well and truly on its head ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Post Game      

    POSTGAME: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The Demons cruised to an easy 55 point win over the Hawks at the MCG but but paid a heavy toll on the injury front with Steven May & Jake Lever possibly sidelined for a number of weeks ...READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Votes      

    VOTES: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    Last week Steven May took the lead in the Demonland Player of the Year Award from Jack Viney. Clayton Oliver & Max Gawn round out the Top 4. Your votes for the win/loss against/to the Hawks. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 ...READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Game Day      

    GAMEDAY: Round 02 vs Hawthorn

    It's Game Day and after mixed results in the first two weeks of the season the Demons have the opportunity to capitalise on their good form last week when they take on the Hawks at the MCG today ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Training  

    Friday, 22nd March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatcher Kev Martin and I attended the Captain's Run at Gosch's Paddock on this lovely sunny morning to bring you the following observations from the training session ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 22

  • Training  

    Tuesday, 19th March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers Kev Martin & Walking Civil War attended Tuesday morning's training session at Gosch's Paddock to bring you the following observations ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 19

  • Training  

    Saturday, 16th March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers Kev Martin and Dee Zephyr wandered down to Gosch's Paddock on Saturday morning to bring you their observations from the Captain's Run in the lead up to Sunday's Round One match against the Bulldogs ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 16

  • Farewell  

    Angus Brayshaw Retires

    After 167 games including the drought breaking Premiership Angus Brayshaw has made the heart breaking decision to medically retire from football as a result of a series of serious head knocks over his nearly decade of footy. We wish Gus all the best and he'll always be a hero at Demonland ... READ MORE

    Demonland | February 22

  • Latest Podcast  

    PODCAST: Koltyn Tholstrup Interview

    I interview the Melbourne Football Club’s newest recruit Koltyn Tholstrup to have a chat about his journey from the farm to the Demons, his first few weeks of preseason training, which Dees have impressed him on the track and his aspirations of playing Round 1 ... LISTEN

    Demonland | December 14

  • Latest Podcast  

    PODCAST: Jason Taylor Interview

    I interview the Melbourne Football Club's National Recruitment Manager Jason Taylor to have a chat about our Trade and Draft period, our newest recruits, our recent recruits who have yet to debut as well as those father son prospects on the horizon ... LISTEN

    Demonland | November 27

  • Next Match 

    .

    Round 03

       vs   

    Saturday 30th March 2024
    @ 07:30pm (AO)

  • MFC Forum  

  • Match Previews & Reports  

  • Training Forum  

  • AFLW Forum  

  • 2024 Player Sponsorship

  • Topics

  • Injury List  


      PLAYER INJURY LENGTH
    Jake Lever Knee Test
    Clayton Oliver Hand Test
    Oliver Sestan Concussion Test
    Steven May Ribs 1 Week
    Lachie Hunter Calf 1 Week
    Daniel Turner Hip 2-3 Weeks
    Charlie Spargo Achilles 2-4 Weeks
    Shane McAdam Hamstring 3-5 Weeks
    Jake Bowey Shoulder 7 Weeks
    Jake Melksham ACL 12-14 Weeks
    Joel Smith Suspension TBA

  • Player of the Year  


        PLAYER VOTES
    1 Christian Petracca 27
    2 Steven May 25
    3 Max Gawn 21
    4 Jack Viney 20
    5 Bayley Fritsch 19
    6 Clayton Oliver 18
    7 Christian Salem 12
    8 Blake Howes 11
    9 Jack Billings 10
    9 Alex Neal-Bullen 10

        FULL TABLE
  • Demonland Interviews 



  • Upcoming Events 

×
×
  • Create New...