ON THE ROAD BACK

[Demonland 72,175]

ON THE ROAD BACK by Scoop Junior

The trip back up the highway after an outing at Skilled Stadium often an enjoyable one. This ground that is regularly the location of some of Melbourne's poorest performances yesetrday witnessed its best under new coach Dean Bailey. The result was the same as every other competitive match the Demons have played in this year, but this time there was some genuine reason for optimism (as well as a genuine reason to stay beyond three quarter time). While the drive home was in no way joyous, at least Melbourne fans could be proud of their team's effort against the odds.

The match began in a fashion not totally unexpected. Melbourne came out hard and fired up after two disgraceful performances while Geelong was inevitably thinking the game would be a walk in the park. Three quick goals unsettled the locals and sprung the Cats into action. Their cause was greatly assisted however by some of the horrendous Demon errors that have been on show far too often in season 2008. Nathan Carroll’s attempted rushed behind was at best a schoolboy error and at worst, well let's not go there, while Nathan Jones’ errant kick across half back gifted Geelong another easy goal. The Cats led by a goal at quarter time, which was a blow to a Melbourne side that had worked hard and played the better football of the first term.

As Geelong started to wrest control in the middle and hit the scoreboard early in the second term, it appeared as though the floodgates were about to open. But unlike previous rounds, the Demons held firm and worked their way back. With the defence holding steady, Cameron Bruce, Brad Miller and Lynden Dunn found the big sticks and the Dees only trailed by 17 points at half time.

By that time, the small contingent of Demon fans on hand had already seen their team’s best performance yet for the season, though that only underlines how poor Rounds 1 and 2 were. We were resigned to the fact that a solid half of footy against the reigning premiers was probably all we were going to see for the day.

However, Melbourne did not intend to follow the script and began the second half like the first, closing to within five points midway through the term thanks partly to two neat goals from Cale Morton. Sensing the boilover of the century, Geelong lifted a cog, rallying late in the term to secure a comfortable four-goal advantage at the last change. In truth, the Demons never really looked like hauling in the Cats but they refused to lie down in the last quarter. A couple of times it seemed as though the home side would run away with a big win but the Dees scrapped it out, kicked a few late goals and kept the margin to a respectable 30 points.

While it is another loss and the Demons now sit 0-3, for the first time this year there were some real positives to take out of a game. In fact, more than just a few. Brock McLean returned to form with an excellent performance. His first half was exceptional, gathering 22 possessions, most of them in the heat of the action, before Cameron Ling shut him down in the second half. He was smarter with his ball use this week, dishing off when under pressure rather than trying to break tackles. His hard work at the stoppages kept the ball rolling and helped ensure a competitive display from the Demons.

Paul Wheatley played a good game rebounding off the wing and half back. His run and long kicking were features of his game but he did make a few errors which led to Geelong goals. Wheatley’s style suits the modern game and he really should be reaching the peak of his career. He needs to produce more of these types of games rather than them being mere flashes in the pan.

Cameron Bruce was another terrific performer, nullifying the dangerous Steve Johnson and running off him to not only link up with team mates but also kick three goals. Bruce is without doubt one of the better one-on-one players in the AFL – he rarely gets beaten in such contests. With the added abilities to read the play and know when to leave his man, Bruce really is ideally sited for a defensive role against mid-sized forwards. I believe his best footy is off a half back flank.

Probably the biggest surprise packet for the day (other than the final margin) was Paul Johnson, whose improvement continues each week. Johnson has always been a big man with good little man skills and apart from Dean Cox you would rarely find a ruckman with such clean hands below his knees and pinpoint foot skills. These were on show down at Geelong, as well as strong overhead marking and competitive ruckwork, aspects of Johnson’s game that have let him down in the past. With his rising confidence, Johnson is getting more and more involved in matches and is starting to make more of a an impact. His form has been a rare highlight for the Demons so far this year.

The other big positive was the impressive performances of first-year players – first gamer Austin Wonaeamirri and first round draft selection Cale Morton. Aussie displayed a great appetite for the contest and his chasing and harassment helped provide improved forward pressure. He is very clean below his knees and is calm and composed with the ball in hand. Most importantly, he makes good decisions and executes well. He doesn’t have the raw pace and sheer excitement of Aaron Davey, but appears to have more grunt and will hopefully prove a handy small forward for the side. Morton is a natural footballer and displays incredible awareness for such a young player. Like Aussie, he is composed when in possession and makes sound decisions. This bloke has the class; he just needs to put on a hell of a lot of weight. He does need to improve his attack on the ball but this should come with added strength and experience.

The return of Jared Rivers was another positive, his calming presence just makes the back line look so much more settled. Clint Bartram displayed some of the form of 2006 with his hard running and tackling a highlight. And the game style was vastly improved, with Melbourne making better use of handball, running in numbers and generally making better decisions.

In the end though, as Bailey said, his team lost the game and now sits at 0-3. Despite the encouraging signs, there was still plenty to tear the hair out about (at least for the fans if not the coach). Some of the skill execution at times was woeful, with the Demons missing targets 15 metres away and kicking the ball out on the full despite a lack of pressure from the opposition. Against a quality side like Geelong, you get punished for such mistakes.

Russell Robertson's season continues to stall. While delivery to the forward line has been poor, Robbo is becoming too one-dimensional and the fact that players these days need to be able to move around, run and play different roles means that he must be on thin ice on the selection front.

Jeff White worked hard and found plenty of the ball but made too many errors for a senior, experienced player. With Johnson’s form, he needs to step up to retain the number one ruck title.

Colin Garland is young and inexperienced, but like Issac Weetra he is clearly not ready for AFL football. He seems unsure of himself, doesn't know when to go and when to hold back and just doesn’t have any presence out on the ground. He needs to gain some confidence at a lower level.

But without doubt the biggest disappointment of the day for mine was Colin Sylvia. The bloke who was taken at pick three in 2003 has delivered very little in his time at the club. His career is five years in, he had a good pre-season and should be starting to become a more than dependable player for the club but he's anything but that. He simply doesn't work hard enough to get into space or in close around the stoppages, which means his disposal count is always around the 10-15 mark which is simply not good enough for a player of his talents. He only seems to be interested when the threat of a fight breaks out. Someone needs to tell Col to pull his finger out because his career is going nowhere fast. His attitude seems to be a problem and perhaps he needs some time down at Sandy to think about his future. I would challenge him to step up next week against North but if he fails to perform again then he can spend some time in the VFL.

What will be interesting is whether this was a flash in the pan competitive performance or whether the Demons are on the road back to resembling a senior professional football side. There's really no excuse not to put in that sort of effort week in, week out. North Melbourne will be another challenging game next week, but if the team can play with the same attitude and keep improving its style of football, then it can regain its lost respect. If that happens then supporters can at least be proud of their team, look to the future with some sense of optimism and perhaps the club might even be able to emulate its feats of two years ago when it picked itself off the bottom after a poor 0-3 start and took part in the finals.

Geelong 4.4.28 8.11.59 13.14.82 16.16.112

Melbourne 3.4.22 6.6.42 10.8.68 12.10.82

Goals

Geelong Hawkins 5 Johnson Ling Mooney 2 Ablett Blake Chapman Milburn Stokes

Melbourne Bruce 3 Dunn Morton 2 Green Miller Neitz Wheatley White

Best

Geelong Corey Bartel Hawkins Ling Chapman Taylor

Melbourne Bruce McLean Wheatley P Johnson Morton Bartram

Injuries

Geelong Nil

Melbourne Nil

Reports Nil

Umpires Wenn Sully Ryan

Official crowd 23,569 at Skilled Stadium.

[grazman 7,432]

A good analysis Scoop. I thought Davey working his way back into the second half was a positive as well. I just watched the second quarter again, and PJ is having a very good year, except kicking against the wind he continually turned the ball over by foot yesterday. He and Belly must have shared a dodgy curry, because their disposal is usually a lot better, both had pretty off days in terms of delivery.

I was super pleased with Brock's game yesterday, even after the Ling tag he still got enough of the ball and he was blocking and shepherding for team mates and giving it off straight away (I think the more he doesn't play with Trapper the more he won't try to nail the 'perfect' option as opposed to the 'best' option). Jonesy is still young and he learnt a lesson about how to execute a tackle yesterday (and I hope he got a bake for trying to kick a fifty meter goal against the wind without even looking up to see if he had any forward options). I was very pleased for both Cam and Wheaters yesterday, they had super games and they're the sort of blokes you'd just love if you were a coach, because they just do the job they're assigned without any fuss.

The margin could have been worse, but the positive was that for the most part we stuck to the task all day, though as you pointed out - we're not going to win too many games of footy unless we learn not to butcher the ball.

[Demon Head 273]

The margin could have been worse

I thought the margin could have been better. Brad Green's last shot at goal was touched behind the line and should have been paid a goal, not a point. Two years ago, we lost a game in round three against Adelaide in controversial circumstances with a similalrly controversial goal umpring decision. Maybe that's an omen for the rest of the year?

[Rampaging Demons 1]

Russell Robertson - was one of the most insipid performances!! how frustrating a performance was that?? snapping balls on his left foot, total lack of vision and concept of team play, blazing away when deep in the backline, giving away free kicks, not presenting for the midfield and genuinely struggling to convince me why he should not be at sandringham!!

[JJJ 1,271]

Nice article.

Curious about your comments regarding col. I'm not saying that Sylvia played well yesterday or that he outplayed his opponent, BUT, you have to look at how he was used yesterday. Early on his role in our forward thrusts was good. His aggression at the ball and man was great as he folated from the midfield through to half forward. Later in the game as his energy levels drop off he is used as a leading forward, or at least the coahcing staff intends him to be. The delivery and slower ball movement made it almost impossible for him to be effective. I noticed that players didnt look for the longer leading option, instead taking the shorter option which meant for a half forward numerous unrewarded leads.

For disenchanted MFC supporters he is as soft a target as the MFC is for the media. Get a new hobby.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Nice article.

Later in the game as his energy levels drop off .....

I understand that he has completed a full pre season (bar one training sesssion <_< ). The fact that his energy levels given the rotational policies that most teams adopt on the interchange bench cannot last a full game does make him an extremely limited footballer. If he cant have an impact while he has something in his limited tank, then he is a middle of the road footballer. Not a big return for a 2003 PP. I think there has been good reason for concern over his performance.

I will be interested to see what DB does with him for the rest of the year to maxmise his value to the team.

[JJJ 1,271]

I understand that he has completed a full pre season (bar one training sesssion <_< ). The fact that his energy levels given the rotational policies that most teams adopt on the interchange bench cannot last a full game does make him an extremely limited footballer. If he cant have an impact while he has something in his limited tank, then he is a middle of the road footballer. Not a big return for a 2003 PP. I think there has been good reason for concern over his performance.

I will be interested to see what DB does with him for the rest of the year to maxmise his value to the team.

Im of the understanding that he was so far behind in terms of fitness that he will need multiple 'full preseasons' to make up for it. My expectations for him this year weren't high. He needs to improve most aspects of his game as well as stay fit so he can roll into next season and build. You should forget about his draft position, its no longer relevant to him as a player. He has being ravaged by injuries and we as a club drafted him knowing that.....

[Rampaging Demons 1]

he does some nice things but not enough....

his foot skills are better than most, is strong overhead and has that bit of mongrel that we need...

i think that this is a year of development for colin and that we shall see what he has to offer...

[Geddy Lee 582]

I really don't know about all this talk of talent with Sylvia, he looks the complete package, he always has and got to show it off against his school mates and was subsequently picked up no 3 because of it . . . but I don't know if I've ever seen him do alot at AFL level which indicates the level of talent that posters on here think he has. He's taken some great contested marks and kicked a few great long goals, his delivery is usually pretty good but I think he's no big man and no small man, he doesn't have a natural role at AFL level and may never have one. The fact that he gets a game every week is more about our list then it is about Bails seeing his talent.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Im of the understanding that he was so far behind in terms of fitness that he will need multiple 'full preseasons' to make up for it. My expectations for him this year weren't high. He needs to improve most aspects of his game as well as stay fit so he can roll into next season and build. You should forget about his draft position, its no longer relevant to him as a player. He has being ravaged by injuries and we as a club drafted him knowing that.....

While I will leave it for the fitness experts (or egos) to work out the technicalities I would have thought that if Sylvia has the all clear and done the full pre season expected that aerobically/ cardio wise he would be able to run out a game (certainly at least at Rd 3). Or was he still pinged with OP and the full pre season was OP restricted? Either way he has a limited engine and given today's game will struggle to cut it in the midfield and will be restricted in a HFF mobile role.

I agree that his lack of real solid football time will cost him immeasurably for football experience and possibly confidence. However this all adds to bloke who in his fifth is unlikely to become the player we expected/ hoped from a valuable PP.

When he was drafted the Club knew he had a stress injury. The knowledge amongst AFL medicos on OP has increased significantly and I doubt whether they would punt the same way again today. And before anyone says they did with Grimes, I dont think they have the same injury.

If the MFC were aware how much down time Sylvia injury would have had then I am sure they would not have recruited him in the first place. The only consolation is that the 2003 draft is such so ordinary I am doubt they would have been brave enough to scoop up Adcock and gone for Tenace, Dunn or R Clarke

[issarab 0]

Excellent Report you summed up the game well however we are desperate for taller defender and marking Forward Robbo needs time at Sandy Brad Green looked better when forward also I hope Paul Johnson is made 1st Ruck maybe this will give Jeff White a big fright, at least they followed the Game Plan this must be followed up by another desperate performance PS Morton remindes me of flower

[mo64 5,874]

I really don't know about all this talk of talent with Sylvia, he looks the complete package, he always has and got to show it off against his school mates and was subsequently picked up no 3 because of it . . . but I don't know if I've ever seen him do alot at AFL level which indicates the level of talent that posters on here think he has. He's taken some great contested marks and kicked a few great long goals, his delivery is usually pretty good but I think he's no big man and no small man, he doesn't have a natural role at AFL level and may never have one. The fact that he gets a game every week is more about our list then it is about Bails seeing his talent.

On another forum, I read a post on Sylvia by a recruiting officer from another club. His take on Sylvia was that he hasn't got the football nous to be a midfielder, and as a result, he doesn't rack up easy possessions. In turn, he's often second to ball, which means that his tackling stats will be good, but also gets him frustrated, and prone to giving away free kicks. He's a reactive rather than proactive footballer.

On the upside, his marking and kicking are very good, and could be effectively utilised at AFL level. He's a forward that can pinch hit in the midfield.

I tend to agree with this assessment of Sylvia. I don't think that lack of fitness is the reason behind his poor stats. I'd rather see him play the Robbo role in the forward line. At least he'll make a contest, and tackle and chase.

[deanox 9,914]

If the MFC were aware how much down time Sylvia injury would have had then I am sure they would not have recruited him in the first place. The only consolation is that the 2003 draft is such so ordinary I am doubt they would have been brave enough to scoop up Adcock and gone for Tenace, Dunn or R Clarke

RE would we drafted him or not, i think perhaps we would have drafted him, and then told him to have the first 12 months off, only swimming and bike riding, next to no running or kicking. the injury hasn't been handled well (and see moloney for another example), in that neither player has been allowed to completely recover before starting again. it would have been more beneficial to leave him out for two years and then have him start again, than to have him run himself into the ground trying to play when he is not ready...

[Total-Dee 2]

I was not at the game and did not see any of it on TV. I am interested in how he played. Is his pace as explosive as they say?

He looks a pretty solid kid and I hope has as much talent as they say.

[Gorgoroth 12,947]

His first 4 or 5 touches were really good and all hit the target, knows where to place the ball for a player to run onto it, he drifted in and out but was a solid first up hit, chased a lot, put on some tackles, Did not notice real explosive pace but did not look slow either.

HAs a decent build on him, very pickett like.

[Pipefitter 2,159]

While I will leave it for the fitness experts (or egos) to work out the technicalities I would have thought that if Sylvia has the all clear and done the full pre season expected that aerobically/ cardio wise he would be able to run out a game (certainly at least at Rd 3). Or was he still pinged with OP and the full pre season was OP restricted? Either way he has a limited engine and given today's game will struggle to cut it in the midfield and will be restricted in a HFF mobile role.

I agree that his lack of real solid football time will cost him immeasurably for football experience and possibly confidence. However this all adds to bloke who in his fifth is unlikely to become the player we expected/ hoped from a valuable PP.

When he was drafted the Club knew he had a stress injury. The knowledge amongst AFL medicos on OP has increased significantly and I doubt whether they would punt the same way again today. And before anyone says they did with Grimes, I dont think they have the same injury.

If the MFC were aware how much down time Sylvia injury would have had then I am sure they would not have recruited him in the first place. The only consolation is that the 2003 draft is such so ordinary I am doubt they would have been brave enough to scoop up Adcock and gone for Tenace, Dunn or R Clarke

Agree with the poor draft point. Id rather have Col then tenace, dunn or clarke. At least he has some scope for improvement. The others are either continually injured or reserves players at best.

[Yencks 8]

ON THE ROAD BACK by Scoop Junior

What will be interesting is whether this was a flash in the pan competitive performance or whether the Demons are on the road back to resembling a senior professional football side. There's really no excuse not to put in that sort of effort week in, week out. North Melbourne will be another challenging game next week, but if the team can play with the same attitude and keep improving its style of football, then it can regain its lost respect. If that happens then supporters can at least be proud of their team, look to the future with some sense of optimism and perhaps the club might even be able to emulate its feats of two years ago when it picked itself off the bottom after a poor 0-3 start and took part in the finals.

I would just like to re-visit 2006...Melbourne had lost its first three games. The first two games were very disspointing and in the third game we entered as underdogs and had a great last quarter to only lose the game by a dubious goal umpire touched decision agaisnt aaron davey...now from then, we went on to do very well

however, im not suggesting we can do that well, but after that game in 2006, cameron bruce was quoted in an article, and was saying that "the wheel is turning and things will get better.." and they did

now two years later, at the exact same time in the exact same position, he writes this

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/tabid/7415/D...px?newsid=57494

now im not suggesting we will go onto the finals but maybe this is a sign...i actually thought after the geelong game whether cameron bruce was going to say the wheel was turning or something like that...a fluke i now, but i just thought you'd like to know...maybe this is a sign

btw, im very impressed with the new sight and all of the video footage on melbournefc tv

sorry to bore you

[Gorgoroth 12,947]

I do not think a 2006 comeback is anywhere near, I think towards years end we will get better. I think we will be lucky to have 3 wins by round 11.

[Yencks 8]

I do not think a 2006 comeback is anywhere near, I think towards years end we will get better. I think we will be lucky to have 3 wins by round 11.

i agree with you but i found it weird...it could be a sign...or something to desperately hold onto for hope

[Guest Joeseph Gutnick]

i agree with you but i found it weird...it could be a sign...or something to desperately hold onto for hope

How long have you been watching football for boy? You come across as very immature and limited in your thoughts.

[45HG 1,539]

problem is, we were 0-3 last year as well. to have senior players come out and spruik of possible finals action...

4 years in a row we've been 3-0 one way or other

[Jaded No More 68,909]

Making the finals, while it would be nice, is not the main objective of 2008 I wouldn't have thought.

As long as Dean Bailey is able to drill the players with how he wants them to play, behave and lead their teammates, it will be a very productive year.

I think our performance yesterday showed that we are not as bad as many people thought we were last week. A lot of supporters thought that it will take three or four years before we are contenders again, but that is not the case. Bailey has said all along that the nucleus is there, our under 23 group is good enough to continue to build around which we will do in the coming years.

It is impossible for a new coach to change years of training and thinking in one pre-season, especially when all but two (Neita and Yze, anymore?) of our listed players have never played under any other coach. And even moreso, when the playing style is so far removed from what the players have been previously used to.

Besides, if we can improve our decision making and disposal by just 5% each match we'll go a long way to beating the opposition. The thing that cost us most yesterday was the fact that we handed the ball to Geelong on a platter so many times, and when you are playing such a quality team you absolutely can't afford to do that.

[Redleg 40,902]

Nice article.

Curious about your comments regarding col. For disenchanted MFC supporters he is as soft a target as the MFC is for the media. Get a new hobby.

Why is he a soft target? Because of his poor output. I think most Demon supporters cut players a lot of slack and give them a real chance to prove themselves. Yes this bloke has had injuries, but this year he has done a full preseason. If he is not currently injured then he is running out of excuses. This is his make or break year. I don't expect him to star, but rather be a solid contributor. At the moment he is not. He should not have to pull his finger out, he should pull his whole hand out.

[Whispering_Jack 30,043]

How long have you been watching football for boy? You come across as very immature and limited in your thoughts.

And perhaps you are limited in your ability to spell your own name?

[paddo 0]

I would just like to re-visit 2006...Melbourne had lost its first three games. The first two games were very disspointing and in the third game we entered as underdogs and had a great last quarter to only lose the game by a dubious goal umpire touched decision agaisnt aaron davey...now from then, we went on to do very well

however, im not suggesting we can do that well, but after that game in 2006, cameron bruce was quoted in an article, and was saying that "the wheel is turning and things will get better.." and they did

now two years later, at the exact same time in the exact same position, he writes this

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/tabid/7415/D...px?newsid=57494

now im not suggesting we will go onto the finals but maybe this is a sign...i actually thought after the geelong game whether cameron bruce was going to say the wheel was turning or something like that...a fluke i now, but i just thought you'd like to know...maybe this is a sign

btw, im very impressed with the new sight and all of the video footage on melbournefc tv

sorry to bore you

Interesting point Nugget. I too get the feeling that things are starting to turn. Yes, I know it's one game but I think the players have had their wake up call and now realise what sort of effort they need to bring to the table each week.

I still believe we have a list capable of making the eight - application and self-belief is where the problem lies.