D4Life

Lions 2 injuries, means you field your best team. We’re playing guys like Hore, Hannan, T Smith, Baker, Petty who just aren’t good enough at the moment. Also why do so Melbourne players fly for the mark both ends and nobody roves the pack!

Very hard to believe we are favourites! Still going to front up and shout for the Dees!!

While our wins and losses column is very bad at 3-9, the tragic figure is percentage 76%. Last year it was 131%, so we are effectively 9 goals per game worse than last year. That is a huge gap. Forget the 8, let’s win more matches than we lose in the last 10 and over that period get back to a 100+ percentage! Get players operated on who need them and finish the season strongly and be ready for the pre season campaign. We will likely finish 13-18, so will get one top five and top 25 pick, and should end up with a good draw in 2020!

There were 4 opportunities for players who took marks inside 50 metres not on the boundary line, who looked to pass off, rather than take the shot, not one was successful. Garletts was the worst from 35-40 almost directly in front. Players are lacking confidence, not willing to take a risk. Almost need to do same as North & Carlton, the seasons done, simplify the plan and just go for it, take the game on, move it quickly into forward and take the shots for goal. Rather than be a deer in the headlights!

Spargo needs to get more possessions, but typically uses the ball very well when he gets it. Is probably low on confidence, like a lot of the team this season! Team looks a lot better this week, agree adding in Jetta & Melksham would be ideal. Should put in a solid effort against the Pies, pity we blew last weeks match.

Lewis has been a terrific player and good value for the Dees last two years. But unfortunately all good things come to an end, he must help with keeping our backline structure, as he is struggling. As previously mentioned once Lever comes back, hard to see a spot for Lewis. Still thanks for two years of helping the team learn what it takes to play finals.

I’m not an ANB fan, but he played well last week. Others didn’t, the point is why drop ANB when he played well. Wagner, Lewis are two who come to mind. Hope Viney is fit! Keilty was poor last week, one great centre clearance, but that was about it. Pleased to see he gets another chance as giving a player one game isn’t enough, hopefully he is better this week. Go Dees!

Agree, felt the forward line and team defence were better, because of his contribution. Would rather see Wagner out, or Lewis than ANB!

Agree, first half was shocking, and interpretation of 50m rule hurt us. At least in the 3rd quarter we had 10-15 minute patch when we almost looked like a decent team. Hopefully we can build on the good pieces of play from the 2nd half and have a few decent quarters against the Suns. If Pruess and Viney are fit they will get a game this week. Wagner out and probably Kielty, even though after a long wait don’t mind if he gets a couple on the trot. Lewis on his last legs. Good to see Hibberd looking a lot better and TMac showing some signs in the 2nd half. Fingers crossed we get on a roll and have a good win against GC, would generate some confidence and with a couple of other players coming back, you never know when it comes to our Dees!

When you select Lewis, Jones, & OMac in backline, they are all slow to very slow, as is Hore. Wagner probably average speed, but terrible decision making and if you put him next to Frost, it is just scary. Hawthorn forward line looks smaller, quicker and we seem to have picked bigger and slower in our backline, add in it looks likely to be wet. Hard to see what the FD are doing

Backline is slow as treacle! Then Hore rotates in for Hunt, even slower! or Wagner comes in next to Frost, fast decision making .........oh noooo! I’ll be at the game, but don’t think I can watch, it’s going to be a massacre! Like a few GoT episodes!

Percentage is always a good indicator of where you stand compared to previous years, as sometimes win loss can be out of kilter by having a number of close wins or losses. % 2018 - 131 vs 2019 - 72%, so we are a 10 goal per game worse team! Last year early in the year we got caught doing the following: - defending (or not defending) to far up the ground. - boundary throw ins in backline not having someone cover the goal side shark & shot play. - not having someone patrol the goal square. - all defenders jumping for the mark or punch, while leaving opposition players to crumb & goal. Seems like we are doing this in the forward line. - mids not running both ways (Jones is worst culprit - shocking example as captain). - ordinary kick out approach (just watch how a well coached team like Hawthorn do it) Melbourne has been poor at this for last 10 years. This is one area totally down to coaching - you have the ball from a set play, if you can’t get this right either poor planning or execution. - blazing away into forward line. - too many players competing against one another for the mark in forward line. - wingers too slow and not chasing. - from what I’ve seen and read on Demonland, we’re repeating all the same mistakes, is it dumb players bereft of confidence (as we did get better from round 16 onwards), lots of injuries (Jetta & TMac why are they playing if not fit) or poor coaching. Some fixes: - prioritise the wings with Fritsch and Stretch (at least he can run, give him five weeks to either make it or not). - Jetta & TMac out till their fit. Don’t bring in May, Lever or KK until fit. - J Wagner out, poor decision maker. C Wagner out. - Lockardt in as a small defender. - Give Keilty a go as a forward until TMac fit. - Garlett back in the crumbing role. - ANB back at least he can run. More speed in team.

Operations & injuries obviously haven’t helped the Demons start. 6 6 6 hasn’t helped as it seems to reward speed on the outside, where we have struggled over the last couple of years, and we haven’t had any success with our draft picks to fill this void, same with trying to find small quick forwards. A few players don’t chase Lewis and Jones being notable culprits. I think as many people noted last year we couldn’t play Vince & Lewis in same team, This definitely applies for Lewis and Jones this year. Jones while having a day out against Sydney, stands out for not chasing. Wagners just aren’t up to it! Agree with thoughts on give Stretch a five game go at it on the wing! Baker doesn’t seem to star in VFL so not sure why he will make it!

Another loss and we’re onto 2020! More of the 2nd half from last week. Hit outs from Max landing on Viney, Brayshaw & Clarries chests and a continuation of team defence, we have to run with the Saints. Go Dees!

A whistle! For you & all Dees to blow! So we get some bloody free kicks!

Once we have a reasonable injury list, Lewis won’t make it into the team.

If you don’t chase and go in expecting to win without effort you lose to the Saints by 2 points. After that disgraceful performance last year the Demons tightened team defence, similar to what we did against the Swans in the 2nd half last week. If Melbourne turn up, ready to play team defence, they win! If they don’t it will be a likely loss. We look average with Hore & two Wagners in the team, prefer see Jeffy in and anyone instead of JWag. HOre was better against Swans but still looks slow and disposal iffy! Anyway let’s hope they all play well and the Demons win!

Last year start of the season, same errors: - nobody minding goal square - 2-3-4 players go the punch, while opposition left to crumb unattended (J Wagner has less awareness than Frost!) - loose defenders, rarely manning up - no chasing in middle of ground (Jones is worst offender, looks like he is above chasing his opponent) - bomb into forward line - don’t lead in forward line - don’t tackle in forward line - across the ground, everyone try get the ball, even from one another, while opposition just wait for it to come out - Under 12s It will take an amazing turnaround to win in Sydney. Anyway fingers crossed. Go Dees! One question to any of the guys who watch training. Do the backs all fly for the ball in training and try punch it, while nobody stays on the ground for the crumbs?

Agree: backs one man up just drives me crazy! mids run both ways, in particular Jones just awful example as Captain, I’m above chasing! forwards make some space, agree 100%, don’t all run to same space! coaches: Backline disorganised, would love to hear from someone who attends training, they can’t possibly coach lets all fly together?

Cunnington smashed Bernie Vince in the guts at the ‘G’ in 2017 members wing right in front of umpires, Vince went down nothing. Cunnington is a protected species & no idea why as he is a dirty player. Did anything happen to guy who smashed Max?

Our Collingwood trades have gone badly for last 5 years. Kennedy, Lumumba, Dawes and now Hore. Looked very slow and disposal ordinary at best. Reminds me of a slow Wagner in defence. Not good enough for AFL. Hopefully I’m wrong!

Part of yesterday’s game reminded of our loss to St Kilda last year. We got out run and Port ran in waves, particularly from backline were they outnumbered us around the ball, then would typically break away as a group of three and start running and passing the ball amongst themselves. Several Demons weren’t running and chasing, led by our captains, Jones who seems to think he is above chasing, Viney who looked injured, and Petracca. Hore just looked slow, and the team generally didn’t seem to be running. We recovered after losing to St Kilda last year and am expecting almost the whole team other than Salem & Melksham to improve on yesterday’s performance. Would live to see Jones chase!!

MFC - Very bad day Team ball movement- slow slow slow Kicking out - slow, short, poor Not so good: Viney, Gawn, Oliver, Harmes, Jetta, TMac, Hibberd, Petracca - well below average ok Jones - will not chase (did not mark!), end is near! Frost - replace with May OMac - was no Mac Spargo - brushed aside easily, at least smart ANB - missed two & disappeared Fritsch - a bit spasmodic Weid - not his best (no easy possessions, slow ball movement, into forward line) Showed something: Hunt - had one crack Newbies: Hore - looked very slow, out of position, replace with anyone Wagner - had a crack Sparrow - some good signs The Good Salem - a class act Melksham - forward line spark Normally don’t bother with player summary but found it cathartic! Shocker of a performance, hopefully can only get better, roll on round 2!

Agree DeeSpencer post was good. Give Spargo some time, last year was first season after interrupted pre season, so hopefully this year will be better. I would like to see Clarry kick more, as he is a smart ball user. Dangerfield & Martin both have very average disposal efficiency rating, due to pressure when kicking, and this impacts our mids as well. Disapppointing part is when player is clear and gives it to opposition, ANB, AVB, Hunt and Brayshaw at times are guilty. As DeeSpencer highlighted KK, Fritsch, Spargo, Melksham, all use ball well, most of the backs are good, Weid smart with ball in hand, so we should be improving. Some players like TMac & Hunt probably better near goals, get ball go for goal, nothing to think about. As highest scoring team last year, only need some small improvements to make a big difference. Go Dees can’t wait for Saturday!

While a few weeks on I’m still disappointed that Hogan wanted to and has left, drafting May, KJ, and Preuss has strengthened our obvious areas of weakness. Add Lever coming back and hopefully Viney having an injury free year, and we have a strong platform for success in 2019. A little more zip & skill on the wings, and another good small forward and defender would give us almost a perfectly balanced list. The Hawks kept winning flags after Buddy left, and I’m hoping that our best wins in the last few years were without Hogan in the team, is an indicator we can cover losing him. Looking forward to another successful season in 2019, making top 4 and being in a position to have a real crack at the Flag would be terrific! Go Dees!!!!!!!!