Leaderboard

Well, thanks to whoever deleted my post-match thread, moved my post-match post to the match thread then locked that thread and started a post-match thread. Here's what I wrote over there:: The good: - Jonesy: I reckon most people would throw this down as a given by now, but when was the last time we had a player of his class that we knew would give us an a-grade, if not marquee level game, week in week out? He may not be a star of the competition, but he is the heart and soul of this team. The guy is a gun. - Newton: Stoked to see his preseason form show against a top 4 level team. I expected to see him have a dip and give us something on the inside, but did not expect his level of class. Is going to be a gun for us. - Van den berg... Bloody hell... This guy can can find a football! On top of that, he was damaging with it! Anyone with dream team is mad not to throw this guy in. - Hoges: First game back and played like he was born for it. Wasn't a superstar on return, but played his role and played it well. Was consistently creating contests the whole night and even if he never improved, which he will, could carve out a respectable career at the level he played at tonight. - Lamumba: huge presence. Wasn't the best I've seen him play, but brought so much to the team just by being there. - McDonald and Frost: Could not ask for better pillars in defence. - Tyson: forgot to mention him because I was gonna throw him in with Jonesy. All class. Not much to say except that this guy is a gun. - Etc: Offence was much better. Generally impressed with the younger lads' endeavour. Showed a more offensive side of the game. Dawes: One. Grab. The bad: - Grimesy: Love the guy, but is so unreliable at the moment. Hope this improves with more time to focus on his own game. - Kicking long to Garlett: let him crumb. The amount of times we kicked long to a contest between Garlett and one or two of Freo's taller defenders was just silly. - Dunny: Nowhere near last year's standard. There's probably more, but I mainly wanted to focus on the positives anyway. A number of other players showed good signs and bad. Overall, we've noticeably improved from last year. All the new recruits added to the team and I think losing Frawley has actually made us better. The most disappointing thing was that we were outclassed. We looked well coached, had a good balance of offense and defence etc, but we were simply outclassed by Freo. Vince would've helped and if Watts is improving his contested game, then he would've been of benefit as well. From what I can read into a single NAB cup game, we have finally turned the corner and are reaching towards mediocrity. We won't make the eight, but we will be in the lower echelon of that mix. Bring on next week.

Was the first solid hit out for the year for both teams. Both sides showed many signs of rust/cobwebs, and will be better for the run. For me there were very few highlights. I thought the Jamar/Tyson combination was fantastic - a combination that we are desperate for. Further on Tyson, he looks ready to take the next step that we hope he can take. I still think an indication of the type of footy club we'll be over the next 5-10 years will be shown by the level that Dom gets to. Potential Top 10 player of the league, we will know if we're on the right track if we can help get him there. Of the noobs, I thought Newton, The Prince and Frost were clear standouts. We know what we'll get week in week out with Jeffy, and while Vanders was good in the half he played, I'll hold off on the premature jubilation as shown by some here. (I remember doing the same thing with Magner after his first NAB game, that didn't end well). I think the biggest highlight for me was that, yes, we made some silly mistakes (so did Freo), but many of our mistakes were made when we were taking a risk/taking the game on. Lowlights? I don't actually have any. First game since late August/early September last year, a number of young players or players that are young to the club. I went in expecting a rusty performance, and that's exactly what I got. We played competitive footy for two quarters, dominant footy for 1 quarter, and were outclassed in one quarter. I'm more than satisfied. The big dance starts in a few weeks, plenty of time to work on some areas before then, and there's no better place to do that than in PRACTICE games.

How depressing Demonland can be! We played a practice match against a top four side on a hot and windy day, interstate and on the ground that they play on every week, all week. We suffered no injuries, they suffered three & one looks very serious & to an important player. Both sides made lots of mistakes & both had one lousy quarter. They had a very strong side, players of note missing , Fyfe & Sandilands, but not too many new faces. We however, were a vastly different side to the one that finished round 22 last year. I don't think the various opponents that Garland & Grimes were on had game changing games, so not sure of the angst. I saw some average disposals from a lot of very good players on both teams. I prefer to look at these three games as an opportunity to have a look at our new recruits, watch the development of some of our 2nd year players and of course salivate over Hogan. He will be a star....no doubt about that. The season proper starts in about a month......then we are entitled to make some more honest criticisms but the denigration of some of our MFC players at this stage of the year beggars belief. Some players will simply be grunt players all their footy careers. All teams have them ...in better teams ...they don't stand out as much ...but you will never get a team off 22 super stars. Hopefully as our better players improve & dominate....we won't need to have so many whipping boys. Footy is back....we still have hope.....we can look forward to weekends again....& this year I for one can already see that it will be more enjoyable....

Good thread everyone. Almost made it half a page before completely losing the topic

A top 6 side played a bottom 6 side and the bottom 6 side was fairly competing and didn't get blown away: BIG POSITIVE

I don't post often... Freo finished 4th last year... They had a percentage of 130 It is 32 in Perth We finished 17th With a percentage of 68 We haven't won in WA since 2004 (?) Let's not hang ourselves in March

Bail - was scarcely noticed Cross - professional as always Dawes - played his part Dunn - lacked normal ferociousness Frost - athleticism and aggression Garland - worryingly careless occasionally Garlett - encouraging second half Gawn - had little influence Grimes - tight but wasteful Hogan - gradually displayed potential Jamar - had little influence Jones M. - never inspired confidence Jones N. - always inspired confidence Kennedy- Harris - disappointing first game Jetta - useful before injury Kent - some useful involvement Lumumba - loved his carry McDonald - was generally sound Newton - looked at home Tyson - prolific but wasteful McKenzie - struggled for relevance Pedersen - didn't enjoy conditions Salem - a little disappointing Toumpas - had little impact Van den Berg - size and talent

Let me say this for the final time IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU! Now, please go back to apologising for being entirely wrong despite weeks of desperate insistence.

1. We 2. Didn't 3. Get 4. Handed 5. Our 6. Ass 1. We 2. Are 3. Still 4. Sketchy 5. As 6. [censored]

Honestly, how fricken quick is Frost? What an absolute lightning bolt! Great pick up

Note to all supporters. Never get emotionally attached to AFL players..

We are Melbourne supporters. There is now a unit dedicated to Dees supporters at Uni.

And so are my emotions. I am stoked that Dawes, Tyson, Frost, Newton, Garlett and Michie decided to depart their rather poxy clubs to come play for our great team. Good, strong, sensible decisions. And then there are the Scullys, Clarks (his last change of club not the one before that) and Frawleys of this world who are obviously moral-less, bottom dwelling scum suckers Now there is Howe who a) I will cerebrally justify is a one trick hack who we may rort a first rounder for or B) may legitimately explore his options before loyally resigning with the club that plucked him from obscurity Player movements will become more common. The only way to beat it is to win more trades than you lose. In the last couple of seasons I think we have done this handsomely.

The criticism of Tom McDonald is confusing to me He is an elite one on one defender, has great endurance and decent pace. Yes he sometimes turns the ball over, but the reality is he shouldn't be driving us out of the backline. He is best 22 every week.

Can people now finally realise that players don't really improve that much over a pre-season, despite how good they may look at training.

There is no way in the world that, barring injury, Tommy Mac won't play every game.

Was there another McDonald running around last night that I'm not aware of??? EDIT: That is to say that he played really well last night and is critical to our set up. I'm honestly beginning to think I watched a different game based on the McDonald criticism on this site.

BB asked in the other thread who was on Walters and Balintine. Not sure about Balintine and it's correct he was no where to be seen. But in the second quarter Grimes was moved on to Walters and Walters really turned the game during that time. Watch the replay if you can. We know Grimes disposal can be a bit average but he is usually defensively sound. I was concerned last night and I am a big fan of his. If he keeps playing like that I'm not sure BB you can keep telling everyone it's rubbish that he won't b in the 22 come round 1.

Just need to remember what all that hard work getting into the fwd 50 is actually about. We squandered a lot of chances. But we HAD lots of chances and that wasnt a flook or accident. We're developing something. Some interesting signs on the wall though

One of the big positive for me was the way Hogan crashed the pack which created a spill and a goal to Kent. I haven't seen that since the David Neitz era where he would do this every game.. If thats what we have install for us this year i am going to enjoy seeing the like of JKH Kent and Garlet feed off him. Im calling it now but i think Newton will have a Anthony Miles/Dom Tyson like year this year. Just his class and inside work was fantastic. Add him to an already impressive midfield in Jones,Tyson,Viney,Vince and he will go alright.

Said this in the other thread, but may as well put it in the post match: We are a bottom 6 side who didn't get blown away by a top 6 side, and could have even perhaps won. HUGE POSITIVE. What is sad for me, is that I'm not sure Grimes will soon have a place on the team anymore once kids like Salem, and to lesser extent Toumpas (who won't be a gun like those drafted around him, but will be a bloody solid competitor all the same) fully mature and develop.

A 3-goal defeat in the heat against quality opposition, no injuries, and plenty of positive indications from Hoges, HL, Frost, Newton and Vandenberg. Thumbs up from me.

I enjoyed the style of play they were playing. I can't remember when our midfielders were on top of centre clearances and stoppages. The first kick after clearance let us down so often. Newton was brilliant first Q. Tyson was great all night. Hogan was a bit frustrated and went into the midfield to get his hands on the ball. Ball handling in general was a bit rusty, they will work through that in the next month. Van den berg showed his worth. H showed the backline the way to do it. Frost was classy big and fast. Everything is good and has improved on last year.

Have to admit Mcqueen when I saw Frost lining up at Forward I had a little chuckle to myself, after th eresponse you copped from TDI People who think they have the trust of the inner sanctum or playing group established over a long period of time do not post their info on forums Good get Mcqueen

The difference is if I criticise a player it is because he is one of the "easy targets" or because I am "glass half empty" or I am a "player basher" If you do it it is legitimate because you have have had a few words with Christian Salem now and then about the soccer. I know that you won't get it, never have, never will. I would not give you the credit to be able to hold an objective discussion about footy, you'd probably call me a "lemon sucker". You are incapable of objectivity. You have said it yourself. I am over your bullying and elevated sense of importance.

Do you realise how ridiculous you sound when you post? Basically the premise of nearly everything you post is that you are allowed to express your opinion but others are not. Alas though, you will not see it or understand.

This may just be the most nonconstructive post in the history of Demonland

I tell you what though, it will be good having Vince, Viney, Howe and Watts come back for us also. We will be alright this year I believe.

One thing I have come to realize is that I will gladly take a couple of Watts lazy efforts a game if it means we will have his foot skills in the side. We lost to the Dockers because of poor disposal, nothing more, nothing less. Same thing that probably cost us another 5 or 6 wins last season.

I know he has been injured a lot but IMO Gawn is way over hyped on Demonland.The guy is average at best in real games.

Do you mean" 6 Positives: Toumpas, the new Watts Toumpas, the new Watts Toumpas, the new Watts Toumpas, the new Watts Toumpas, the new Watts Toumpas, the new Watts OR 6 Negatives: Toumpas, the new Watts Toumpas, the new Watts Toumpas, the new Watts Toumpas, the new Watts Toumpas, the new Watts Toumpas, the new Watts

If he pissfarts around in the first six or so rounds with or without excuses and still fobs off re-signing then I am going to make up my mind pretty quickly of his likely intentions.

I don't know about you guys, but a straight swap for Shiel would get me more excited than retaining Howe. (Please don't jump down my throat, I am entitled to my own opinion. Back off if you're about to verbally spit out diarrhea of criticisms with the wrath of a thousand gods that sometimes makes this forum a terrible place to post on even though we all support the same team here) /endrant

I attended this game( Thanks a lot to fellow Demonlander EthanTremblay) and was very much impressed with what I saw. Fremantle oval provided a pleasant setting and the ground looked in great condition. I was mainly focussing on our new recruits performances. What did please me was the attack on the opponent and on the ball. We were relentless. Freo had to earn this win. I was thrilled with the performances of Sam Frost, Harry, Van den Berg and Hogan. Frost and Van den berg were fast, fearless and fantastic. What great pick ups. Hogan could have been awarded a couple of frees as he was being mauled by his immediate opponent. He was also fearless attacking the ball. Mention has been made of Newton and Kent and how well they played. It must have been up the other end for I did not notice them. This does not mean they did not play well however. Garlett didn't win a lot of the ball but was chasing and tackling well. He will be fine. Overall, a big improvement on last season.

well I had a great time tonight up until I started to read some comments ==fair dinkum did any of you keyboard warriors go to the game I did and with me was a solid card carrying still playing good footy MFC member we both were thrilled at the effort . and I tell you why MFC has got better although a few mistakes cost us we are better in many ways like our tackling stuck our closing chasing speed is much improved our in and under is stronger our field kicking is much improved NOR do we second guess were its going --we have confidence in the team AND don't play favorites like a few years ago all new personnel showed plenty happy to talk about the good and bad

Just astonishing watching ABC news after the footy tonight. Karmichael Hunt pleads guilty to cocaine possession on 1, 8, 27 Sept and 3rd Oct 2014 in Qld. He is still reeling from the $2500 fine and no conviction inflicted upon him ( despite his guilty plea) [spare me ] Meanwhile in Victoria, a corrupt policeman (Kieran John Atkins) who falsely accused a motorist of using his vehicle to ram a police car was given a 4-month suspended sentence [will he ever recover?] and fined $7000 for his deceitful actions which likely would have seen the accused motorist jailed had not his fellow policeman refused to endorse his lies. There does not appear to be much appetite in the lofty halls of Justice to make emphatic statements to maintain or restore high standards of probity and conduct in our society. Perhaps these weak-kneed or asinine decisions are a portent of the (not) withering calibre of examination which will be seen to have been applied to some other cheats near and dear to our hearts.

Cool story.

Matt Jones is complete tripe. Jumping on blokes backs when they on the ground. Fumbling. Stumbling the ball out of his own team mates hands. Butchering the footy and [censored] weak at the contest. He has to go. I don't care how weak we are in the outside mids we will just have to play more youngsters and half forwards and rotate them through the wing. Grimes is also playing for his career. If he saves it, it's probably because Garland is just as bad. And Lynden Dunn wasn't given the vice captaincy to keep missing targets and offer little as a defender. Thankfully the new and younger guys showed a bit and we can roll on with them instead of the same old same old from more experience types who have learned nothing.

Round 1 NAB Challenge. First game back. 30+ deg heat. No injuries. Tomorrow is Friday. Chill out.

No injuries = win

Surprised we won that quarter considering we took Toumpas over Wines.

So no one told you Frost was playing forward? Trouble in paradise...

we won the inside 50s 43 - 37

That was good. Missed the first but watched the entirety of Vanders' game which was pretty assured against a FReo team that looked a bit worried with our pressure. The best bit was Vanders looked like playing a high HF role through the wing which suits him if he can't be given a full shot in the guts. I still don't want him playing forward but he did look pretty solid I will admit. As for the team - I don't mind what they were doing out there - they were screwing up a bit but also getting Freo to do the same. Intensity is where it starts, execution is where it ends. Hopefully that is sharpened before GC.

Great to see how we go against an actual side and a good one at that. Following comments off TV so apologies as it makes it hard to rate some players who stuff off the ball like Bail. Pleasingly Tyson won plenty of clearances and looks like he may be even better this season. N.Jones as usual showed great disposal and got plenty of touches. Teams up so well with Dom. Harry O was IMO clearly our best player with his dash and intercept Newton had a super first quarter and only had a couple of errors until he copped a knock to eye and came off late in second. Subbed by Vandenberg. Tom Mc was right about Frosty being an incredible athlete. Don't know why Frost wasn't playing down back in first half, but it proved costly because Dunn and Garland were touched up by Pav and Taverner. As soon as Frosty went back, we looked so much more assured down back - hence the third quarter comeback with the wind. Salem looked handy and was moved on to Mundy in third and won a bit of ball which was great to see. He'll be a genuine first 22 player this year. Hoges worked hard and while not dominant, was dangerous and you can tell he can play. Vandenberg only played half but showed he might be able to play the mid-size forward role that Petracca would have played. Garlett was quiet in first half but picked up as game went on and you can tell he's going to be dangerous. As so often happens pre-season - all our recruits were fantastic. I'm sure young Stretch would have played well too if he had been given a go. We also had plenty of forward forays and I reckon even with our ruckmen getting beaten, we may have won the clearance count thanks to Dom and Jonesy. We also finally have pace out of defence with Harry huge across half back and Jetta good until subbed at half time. Tom Mc was criticised here and yes he does look a bit slow to get rid of it at times, but he still does get rid of it and he should form a very good running defence with Dunn, Frost, Salem, Harry O, Howe and Jetta. Worringly I am a Jack Grimes fan, but a couple of his howlers would worry even him. Col Garland came to the club as a forward, he might actually be one. Please give him a go up forward in Rd 1. Jordie still gets pinged lying on top of the ball. Pedo was quiet and dropped an absolute sitter and may have played himself out of the Rd 1 side. Matt Jones turns it over ... and over. Billy the kid is waiting to take up his wing. Our rucks were thrashed and Jamar's miss from 10m and Gawn's first-half short-kick howlers were not a great look. Freo does have good ruckmen (Griffin, Clarke etc) and the heat made it slippery, so reserve opinion for a while. Jimmy T did one sensational fake, but still lacks pace. Sorry but he may not make it unless he becomes an inside player to use his hips. I love JKH, but he needs to do more and his up-the-ground lead howler where he waited for the ball would not have endeared him to his coach. Some other player was playing as Daniel Cross - don't worry though, he is never going to be suited by hard, fast March grounds like that one. Bail was relatively quiet, but you can't rate his games off the TV. You have to be there to see how much hard running for the team he does to appreciate his value. Michie was useful at times, but needs to do more if he is going to push his way into the side. Should get the next two games though.

Vandenberg is a unit. Felt like a real noob when he came on and I went, "uhh, who's the tall in 37?". Not sure if it was just the TV effect, but he looks big. I tried to buy rpfc's softly softly approach, but he looked like he belonged out there to me.

Too much negativity already - I saw some good shite tonight!!

Not suicidal, which is a great relief. Plenty to be happy about I thought. Our imports plus incremental natural improvement from young players such as Salem really added something.

That siren sounds like WWII surplus.

Man I remember when Mark neeld's Melbourne beat Collingwood in a pre season game. We went on to have such success after that.