Leaderboard

Knew instantly which you were referring to!

Bog ordinary? I think he took the most marks and was the only one that hit every target in the first half, bunch of tackles too. Was as good as he's been just minus the goals. Bog ordinary is a fair stretch.

Very interesting to see what other Demon fans think of this place...I have to say I tend to avoid the first couple of hours after a loss. They're spot on. The match day threads on here are nothing short of embarrassing.

Murdered in the ruck goes without saying. FWitts is 9 feet tall. Witts took 3 marks around the ground. Pedo 9. You're right in that he took no marks up forward, but he wasn't outmarked like Watts and whatever Tom was trying to do. He was quite good old Pedo, check that tape!

Further to Saturday's commentary, I have just noticed this bloke in recent weeks but we might have a decent footy caller on our hands Adam Papalia He just calls the game and does it well. No bullshirt or Bruce / Huddo like dramatics. Good voice & easy to understand Breath of fresh air this fella, hope he gets more of our games (and yes, I know I am Sandra Sully on this)

Missed the second half of it. He talked about junior footballer and lead up to the draft. Was hoping to get selected as a rookie by Richmond 3 weeks out from the draft. Then Brisbane showed interest and he thought he'd go pick 30s to them. Then a week out from draft Melbourne showed real interest and he got drafted pick4 and was wrapped. Said he still needs to improve his fitness and the defensive side of his game. That's what coaches have told him going forward. Was a very outside player until he was about 16 and got OP. Couldn't play footy for a year, stacked on 20kgs, came back and had to learn to play inside because he couldn't move much. Worked out for the best as he loves the contest and stoppages. Was talking down his standing in the footy award rating for The Age, Coaches Association etc and is just happy he's been able to get over a poor preseason where he didn't commit with his conditioning and made some poor choices. Didnt head the second part of the interview but jeez we have landed an absolute ripper in Clarry. Credit to Jason Taylor and his team for taking the risk as it's paying off big time.

Channel 7 just reported that Jesse flew back yesterday. They said MFC is hoping he will play on QB. They didn't give a source so it could be speculation. But tbh I think the club will continue to be low key about it. So, looking fwd to Goodwin's mid week press conference when we might get a clear picture. Edit: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-05-29/demons-star-hogan-set-to-return-to-the-club It confirms the club is hopeful he is available for the QB game but predictably "... Demons are keen to ensure the power forward has the appropriate level of conditioning after an interrupted start to the season that saw him play just four matches..."

Had us down for 6-4 or better particularly after beating the Saints first up If you had of told me we would be without Gawn (and Spencer) and Hogan for most games I would have taken 5-5 Unless we learn to win the close ones we won't play finals

Sorry but in the 1st Q we played so much better than them, had it locked in our forward half for most of the quarter, that is playing well in anyone's book. We didn't put scoreboard pressure on and that hurt us, doesn't mean doom & gloom. It has been said already but several missed shots in the 2nd also hurt us, but they were in great positions after some great forward pressure, so instead of just seeing the miss, try seeing how the shot came to be in the first place. It is easy to stay negative about everything in life, especially when it is comfortable, I am guilty of it often, but you can never enjoy the wins if you don't break the cycle. Like i just said in an earlier post, I had given up on them when we were 30 points down, I believed we deserved a drumming for the way we were playing because GC were kicking goals but we were not. I still believe it wasn't the worst performance of the year.

I couldn't bring myself to watch the first half again, but I watched the second and you notice things you missed the first time around. A few observations: Oscar was worse than I thought. He was spectacularly woeful. Twice he missed simple overhead marks with no competition when the ball just went through his hands. He kicked to Hunt but missed him and the ball went out of bounds. There were countless others, including another missed kick under zero pressure, but I won't bore everyone with blow by blow descriptions. He is so far off the pace of an AFL standard key defender it's not funny. Neal-Bullen was much better than I remembered. He and Oliver waxed a lot. His ability to get his hands on the footy during our comeback was important and just as importantly he hit his targets with quality footskills. I've never rated Neal-Bullen, but I'm starting to change. He's much improved and much more composed than last year. Rocket said in his post match interview that they had 15 players out and expect 6 back next week. I checked the "outs". Other than Ablett there are battlers like Rosa and Grant. Day is OK (just) but may not play again and there's really no-one else of significance. Rory Thompson was probably the most significant, but what midget in Melbourne's forward-line was he going to take ? And Leslie played his role as well or better than he could. The list doesn't include Ablett, but did include Swallow and Hanley, who both played. Turn it up, Rocket ! Player Injury Estimated Return Callum Ah Chee Back TBC Ben Ainsworth Quad Test Sam Day Hip Season Jarrad Grant Knee Test Pearce Hanley Heel Test Jesse Lonergan Shoulder Test Trent McKenzie Hamstring Test Michael Rischitelli Knee Indefinite Matt Rosa Concussion Test David Swallow Knee Test Rory Thompson Hamstring Test

Okay, so we aren't exactly at the midway point yet, but with the bye coming up for us next weekend and a fortnight before we play again, I thought it would be a good chance to gauge how everyone feels we've been going so far this season. Here are some questions to answer: Best game so far: Worst game so far: Most improved player: A player who needs to lift: Who is currently leading the Bluey?: Best recruit: Will we make the finals?: For me, it's: Best game so far: The win over Adelaide. The St. Kilda game came a very close second, but everyone thought the Crows would smash us off the park and instead we gave them a dose of their own medicine. In the process we got a glimpse of what this team can be. Worst game so far: I don't think we've played a bad game as such, but the loss to Hawthorn is the one that sticks out for me. We were outplayed that day and, apart from one blistering quarter, we were average for most of the day. Freo game a close second. Most improved player: Jeff Garlett. 25 goals to this point suggests he could kick 50 this year. Totally different player to last year and he has become one of the best small forwards in the game. A player who needs to lift: Dean Kent. At this point of his career you would have expected him to have nailed down a permanent spot, but he has been very poor so far this year and needs to improve in many areas before he gets a gig in the seniors again. Who is currently leading the Bluey?: Clayton Oliver. Easy. Best recruit: Michael Hibberd. Had no idea how he was going to go after 18 months out of the game, but he hasn't put a foot wrong since he came into the side. Great user and just cool under pressure, he makes us a better side. Mitch Hannan has also been terrific, especially over the last fortnight. Will we make the finals?: Yes, we can, but we need to improve our first halves and win a few we aren't expected to. It's an even competition so 12 wins may be enough to get there, but I still think we can do it.

I like what ANB brings, he is very good as an inside mid, which releases Jones and Lewis and he can also kick goals. He isn't the fastest, or cleanest, or most spectacular player, but I think he does his job really well, and certainly has been a solid contributor. I wrote him off last year as a bit of a nothing half forward, but have been very impressed with his inside work this year, which has given him a whole other dimension.

Mmm...I think you might need to watch the game again. Watts kicked 1 goal. Should have had 2. He also had 3 goal assists. He also had a clever tap to Harmes that led to a goal. And he crashed the pack to allow Garlett to run on to another goal. That's at least 6 goals he was a part of. If not more. Solid game.

I like to critique a performance on the actual performance. If it's great it's great, if it's OK it's OK, if it's diabolical it's diabolical. There are threads about development, potential, things a player does well, things a player doesn't do well, etc. I'll give balance to an assessment in these types of threads. In a post-match discussion, which is merely to assess performance, I'll critique accordingly. If a player was woeful, like Oscar, I see no point gilding the lily. Watts was pathetic in the first half and very good in the second. See how it works ? There are enough threads to assess a player's long-term viability, but in a thread dedicated to assessing performance some like to assess performance.

It's such a strange comment from you, Adam. Maybe it's because Pedo has had such a big month that he has set the bar too high, but to have a go at him about his ruck work when we both know he was giving up serious height to Witts on the weekend is harsh in the extreme. What he lacked in height he made up for with his work around the ground, and while he may not have have had the same impact of previous weeks, he was still very handy on the weekend.

Should've kicked it.

The turnover that started our run was all Vince. Just sayin'

They just showed who they think are the best young talent in the comp On The Couch, Hipwood, Curnow, Burton etc... No mention of Clarry. Even Shai Bolton had the handball of the round according to David King. NFI.

I think we are in a similar position to the bulldogs in 2015 they were 5-5 after round 10 that year ended up winning 14 games hopefully we can do the same, it was interesting looking at the ladder at round 10 2015 the pies were 7-3 and ended up only winning another 3 games for the year so still a long way to go, we were in this exact position last year after round 10 5-5 with a percentage 107% but we are a much better side this year

It's a cop out to put those bad losses (Freo, Hawthorn, Richmond, North) down to missing Gawn and Hogan. We lost similar games to Essendon and Carlton last year with Gawn and Hogan playing. And does that mean that every season we have an injury to a key player, we just write it off as bad luck? We've got a talented list, but still haven't got a winning mentality. Until we start stringing wins together, I'll never be satisfied.

Everyone is aware that had one of the few close ones gone our way we would be 4th right? I still think we are doing fine in yet another learning year, coach included

Vince must go to Pendlebury.

Don't think that'll be a problem. About 10 players who are behind those two on a bad day! I hope Hogan is ready, but I wouldn't be pressuring him, same with Gawn. No way do we risk him. I reckon he'll play against Sydney and not before. They won't risk him on that awful Etihad ground, nor will they take him to Perth. I reckon Friday night against Swans, and Spencer will fit in until then. If Spencer is somewhat fit, he is definitely worth risking against the Pies. We need our structure back! Spencer in, Tom Mac to the backline, OMac out, Pedo backup/third forward, midfield feasting on the work of an actual ruckman. Happy days! In: Spencer, Salem, Hogan (?) Out: OMac, Bugg, Wagner If no Hogan, then Wager stays, ANB to take over from Bugg and Salem into the middle!

He is as dangerous as Jeffry on the ground and probably the best in the air of all our forwards. He is a special talent

Let's not get ahead of our self with not seeing a more impressive first game. He literally played 15 minutes and had a few touches..

The only team I fear is Melbourne, we can beat anybody and lose to anybody.

Apart from the fact the David King is a goose of the highest order, I think people forget Oliver is a 2nd year player with only a handful of games under his belt. His performances are measured against the best talent in the comp not the best young talent and he's standing up pretty well.

Mrp is a joke. It has less credibility than a John Farnham farewell tour.

Fox sports news has done a report card on the Dees. See link below: http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/midseason-report-card-melbourne-in-midtable-position-despite-loss-of-key-players-through-injury/news-story/2f3b01e4afae837d947d5912e5abb441

Well he's hardly wrong is he? The wailing and nashing of teeth that goes on in every game day thread here is laughable. The number of people who have had it forever with this club but keep posting must be over 40,000 by itself.

Watching the goals, it is clear how important Wattsy is. He is so often the link man and his precise passes are so valuable. He looks a bit down on output, but gee he got involved in scoring.

I preferred their player Jack Leslie, if he was available, or gettable. Probably on a lot less than May so an offer of around 500 a season would be a good deal for us I reckon.

Thought this was going to be a topic on why some players don't wear a mouth guard at all. That is something that really has me scratching my head.

No, Yes and No from me. At the start of the season I was hoping for 7 and 3 or 6 and 4 at worst, given a favourable first half draw. Given our youth and inexperience, I thought we needed to take full advantage of the draw to stake a strong claim for a finals berth. Who could have foreseen the loss of (arguably) our two most important players for a large chunk of the season so far. In the circumstances, 5 and 5 is only barely a 'pass' from me, especially given 'what might have been' if we had beaten the Dockers, Tigers and Hawks. The win over the Crows did put a bit of credit back into the bank however. Playing our best football consistently, we are finals bound for sure, and maybe even top 4. However, we haven't been able to play the 'consistent card' at this point of our development, and I don't think that's about to occur. This, combined with a tougher second half draw, and the fact that it will probably take Max and Jesse a while to fully hit their straps when they finally get back on the park, makes finals a tough ask for this year imo. Of course I'm still dreaming 2017, but I think we might have to wait until 2018 to play in September.

Geez, we have a superstar and he's not going at the rate of knots that a 24 yo may be as a 19yo - FMD peoples need for instantaneous brilliance is remarkable. He's played 23 games... this stuff will come.

I reckon you should watch the first half again. Viewed dispassionately I suspect you'll find it was nowhere as bad as you thought it was live and in the heat of the moment. At quarter time both Lynch & Brereton thought we were playing the better footy. The second quarter was a tale of missed opportunities. Wayward shots at goal and bombed forward entries that gave Jack Leslie a picnic taking marks behind Tom McDonald. Don't underestimate the impact that the wind had on the game until the 10 minute mark of the third quarter when it dropped to a zephyr. Have another look and see if you notice things you missed the first time around.

So true. Whenever I see the ball in Watts' hands between the arcs my immediate thought is "okay, we're on here". He waits, sizes up the options, then generally hits the most dangerous one. How difficult it is doesn't matter.

He did say Watts set shot routine is in the top 3 in the league though. Hard to argue with that!

A groin injury suffered this week against the Suns wouldn't have impacted on his ability to stretch his arms out to take a mark last week against North Melbourne.

I love that ANB is even calling for the 20m handball over the pack. Yeah no worries, here you go.

That's as idiotic as suggesting that Toumpas is a better player than Wines.

Milkshake was borderline BOG alongside Garlett - genuine four quarter performance

We are statistically a 5 goals better team with Gawny and Hoges, I wouldn't be getting to carried away with what we've seen to date. The club aren't going to get involved in bidding wars let's be honest, there is alot of talent on our list best to sure them up with gd contracts. We don't need to throw our cap out of whack with paying overs on players it never works out, were building something don't need to disgruntled group.

Glad to get the win, but someone, I think it was @rjay, asked me last week what Goodwin should have done to change things in the second half when the momentum was clearly going against us. I said I would have put McDonald into the ruck a lot earlier and play Pedo out of the square. Funnily enough, they did this when they should have done it last week, which was half way through the third. Almost immediately, it turned the momentum of the game. Pedo straightened us up, despite being ordinary at ground level, and gave us a target that would take a half decent defender. And McDonald ended up contesting really well in the ruck. This was key to our turnaround. But, gee, we're frustrating to watch. So many of our guys are turnover merchants and poor decision makers. The beauty of our game style is we can pile on the goals like no other and very quickly. Given our emphasis on the contest, when Gawn comes back, we're going to be very hard to stop. Onto the positives though. Jeffy was terrific for most of the game. Was our only consistent tackler in the last quarter too. Oliver had a great second half, as did Jones. Harmes made a poor decision or two, but for the most part, his hard running and goals were important. Back to the negatives. The commentators are raving about Lewis' second half. I thought he was solid in the last term and his first three quarters were terrible. His kicking and decision making has been shocking since his return. Anyway, he was good in the last. Meanwhile, Bugg was has kicked 0.7 in two weeks and must be close to the chop. You can't carry a guy who is playing forward, who can't kick to AFL standard. He's missed so many sitters in the last fortnight. Be interesting to see what we do with him. The plus is he's getting it. Wagner didn't hit a target in the first half, but slowly managed to have a few important marks and link up kicks. I wanted us to take the game on a little more today. Frost barely did. Hunt did a little bit, but not enough. We have to continue to be keen to move the ball quickly, but we also need to use our run where appropriate too and when Frost got tackled early (after a mindbogglingly poor decision), he wasn't confident enough to take the game on again really. Although he didn't have a lot of it, Viney led the tackle count again with a game high 11, which became really important to shutting down their ability to move the ball and get separation from the stoppages. Melksham avoided contact twice in the first quarter, but after that (perhaps the coach had a word?), he started to lay tackles, which is unlike him and ended with 5, plus a solid 32 disposal game. His overlap became really significant in the last. Oliver worked his way into the game a little slowly. A few errors have crept into his game in the last fortnight, but he's managed to get to the bye and will have a week to freshen up for the Collingwood match. I thought he could have kicked it a little more often today and he has to know when the overhead handball is on, because it can look sublime, but it could also be costly if he's not careful with it. If we'd said, once Gawn had gone down, that we'd be 5-5 at the break, after the Freo loss, I probably would have taken it. The biggest positive for us right now is that our percentage is so healthy and should only get better with Gawn's inclusion after the bye. I also give us a chance to come from behind on most occasions now. Whether we win it is another story, but at least we're showing that fight, which is great for a young and developing team.

Imagine living next-door to the MacDonald clan. Mister, can we have our ball back. Mister, can we have our ball back. Mister, can we have . . . .

I highly recommend for those that haven't been to Alice to come up and support - it's awesome. On a very personal note - not that anyone knew... nice win for the old man looking on - exactly one year on. Finally. Jones was immense the negativity that pervades supporters drives me to drink (currently at Montes in Alice again, it's awesome) its not about 2017 and yes finals makes me feel good - but they show grit, time and time and time again. From a coaching perspective they make relevant changes where appropriate- 2018 will be a cracker. oliver is just sublime harmes is stepping up and remember - no defined ruck and no key forward for structure - glad we lowered our eyes in the second half. Melbourne have done effing well for the past 5 rounds without the services of some athletes that really are crucial to structure and planning. Personally I commend the coaching staff with all things considered

Only 5 of the last 12 games are against sides in the 8... could be much harder

I love MFC winning just before a bye. 2 weeks of enjoyment !! I doubt that Cox or Moore will do much damage for the filth. More concerned about Fasolo and Elliott.

We're one win from 4th place due to our percentage. We should be top 4 right now. We would be top 4 if it wasn't for injury. Maybe it hasn't been a bad thing to help players to not get ahead of themselves. The harder they have to graft will hopefully hold them in good stead.

Optimistically, we can get 7, possibly 8 wins in the run home. That's us playing finals. Rounds 13, 14, 17 and 20 look very hard. But we can jag at least one of these And we need to beat Norf, we just need to. Not just because of the points but because I hate that non entity of a club. Watched one of there players stand over Vince when he was doubled up on the ground and scream in his ear. It was just shite and symbolic of how that tin can club has bullied us. That needs to end.