Fat Tony

5 hours ago, Demonland said:

Two weeks ago, when the curtain came down on Melbourne’s game against the Brisbane Lions, the team trudged off the MCG looking tired and despondent at the end of a tough run of games played in quick succession. In the days that followed, the fans wanted answers about their team’s lamentable performance that night and foremost among their concerns was whether the loss was a one off result of fatigue or was it due to other factor(s) of far greater consequence. 

As it turns out, the answer to the major question is still blowing in the wind after the traditional Anzac Day Eve clash between the Demons and the Tigers with the fans forced to wait a little longer for the big reveal. Not surprisingly, the match up between teams in different stages of development was never going to be a definitive guide to those perplexed by the team’s reversal of fortune after such a good week in Adelaide. 

There were however, some encouraging signs of work in progress towards resolving some of the puzzles presented lately to Simon Goodwin and his coaching panel. Admittedly, they only came later in the game.

Circumstance made this event one that most of the 72,840 fans who turned up to the MCG would rather forget. Given the plight of the Richmond Football Club and its ever-expanding injury list and the fact that new Tiger coach Adem Yze was intimately familiar with the way the Demons play, it was inevitable that the game would turn into a slog which is precisely how the first half turned out. 

The crowd was treated to congested play, skill errors in abundance and a low scoring battle of the defences. A single point favoured the Tigers when the major break delivered us all to twenty minutes of respite. 

There was nothing more to say other than that Demon fans were entitled to feel a little despair. They had come to the football after a fortnight reflecting on a truly abysmal effort from its much vaunted midfield engine room and even worse from its forwards. Skipper Max Gawn had again been solid and key defenders Jake Lever and Steven May, their usual dependable selves as they marshalled the backline but overall, the team was faltering. 

Leaving aside the final term against the Lions who slammed on the brakes with the game well and truly won, scoring had seemingly stopped to a trickle. The line of attack was once again looking helpless and impotent. 

Whatever Goodwin said or did at half time, it worked to great effect. Or perhaps, it was simply his regular game style finally forcing the Tiger hand. The team was suddenly imbued with something - call it the Anzac Spirit if you like - but they lifted their intensity and produced an inspirational ten goal to two second half that witnessed the arrival in football terms of a new key forward.

Daniel Turner will definitely be one of the few who will remember this match, along with Jason Taylor who recruited him with a late selection in the midseason draft almost three years ago. The man they call “Disco” announced himself with his three goals on a night when both his side and the opposition managed just three each in the first half. He could hardly be described as an overnight sensation. His progress since he was drafted mainly as a defender has been slow and painful, marred by injuries and a measure of disappointment along the way. And he was almost there when the club prepared him to go forward on the eve of last year’s finals but, alas, others were preferred. Then came another injury setback in the month before the start of this season. Fans will be hoping that he’s not going to be a one hit wonder.

The Melbourne cause was aided by two goals each from Bayley Fritsch, Kysaiah Pickett and another newcomer to the club’s goal kicking ranks in the tactical sub, Bailey Laurie, who also will likely not forget the night. Suddenly, there was some versatility in the forward set up adding to the undoubted talent of Fritta and Kozzie. Now for a repeat of that for the full four quarters against the big guns!

What we witnessed after half time was a bolder Melbourne emerging upon Max Gawn’s Frank 'Checker' Hughes medal-winning performance in wearing down Toby Nankervis and thereby, the rest of the brave Richmond line up who were by now constantly turning the ball over under pressure. Gawn finished with 23 disposals and 10 marks to go with his 26 hit outs and a goal when it really mattered to start the scoring with the match still an arm wrestle six minutes into the second half. 

Jake Lever’s game in defence built up to a crescendo and his 26 disposals, 11 marks and 15 intercept possessions were sublime. There’s also a lot to like about how Trent Rivers is maturing into a player of high quality.

The Demons got out of the night with a percentage booster and now sit on a 5 - 2 record. They hold a much happier disposition than the one they had at half time. The midfield is still nowhere near its best but no injuries were reported either, which augurs well for their next two matches against two of the competition’s best performed clubs.

Perhaps then, supporters will finally discover the answer to the big question troubling them since that problematic game against the Brisbane Lions. 

Bring it on!

MELBOURNE 2.3.15 3.5.23 8.7.55 13.7.85

RICHMOND 1.3.9 3.6.24 4.8.32 5.12.42

GOALS 

MELBOURNE Turner 3 Fritsch Laurie Pickett 2 Gawn Petracca van Rooyen Windsor 

RICHMOND Rioli 2 Bolton Lefau Martin

BEST

MELBOURNE Lever Gawn Turner May Langdon Oliver

RICHMOND Lefau Broad Dow Hopper Baker

INJURIES

MELBOURNE Nil

RICHMOND  Jacob Hopper (hamstring)

REPORTS

MELBOURNE Nil

RICHMOND Nil

SUBSTITUTIONS

MELBOURNE Bailey Laurie (replaced Caleb Windsor in the final quarter)

RICHMOND Kamdyn McIntosh (replaced Jacob Hopper in the third quarter)

UMPIRES Fisher, Stevic, Broadbent, Adair

CROWD 72,840 at the MCG 

Can’t believe Rivers did not make the best players. 

19 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Not the worst of ideas. If Windsor could hold a position at half back he could be a real rebounding weapon. On the other hand that's one less player delivering quality ball into the forward line

Windsor has regressed a bit the last two games. (Not suggesting he be dropped.)

And disagree a bit on Hunter. While he doesn’t have the penetration of Windsor, he makes marginally better decisions and is still a reasonable kick. Having a left sided winger is another advantage. 

I think Hunter comes in for Woewodin. Windsor goes back and Hunter on the wing.

Petty will get better at marking and goal kicking and we need to back him in. 

21 minutes ago, godees said:

Exactly. Way too early to judge a young tall. No one else (below Jefferson) has done much either. Looks like a very weak draft early days.

Jefferson’s intensity is pathetic. No defensive focus in his game and zero ground game. He won’t make it. 

1 minute ago, M_9 said:

Great commentary guys. I’d given up on any chance of Fullerton making the grade given the numerous negative assessments leading up to this game.

Licking my lips at the thought of McAdam and Kosi lighting up the ‘G sooner rather than later.

Fullarton isn’t strong enough or quick enough IMO. 

Overall, we lack depth and have very little in reserve.

Hore is not a good enough kick for AFL.

Fullarton played a good game and got a lot of the ball but there is nothing in his game that screams AFL. He is not a strong enough forward to play against AFL defenders and not big enough for the ruck.

Jefferson takes a decent mark when he gets a jump at it, but so incredibly poor in his second efforts that he will never be an AFL player. He is a dumb footballer in terms of positioning and does not work hard enough in defence.

Sestan has some elite traits and is improving with his better endurance. Still 2025 project at best due to his running capacity.

Kynan Brown has AFL level intensity but is too small this year.

McAdam is clearly AFL standard but not fit enough yet.

Tholstrop did little to get excited about.

AMW has some good traits but not sure he has enough to make it.

Ben Brown would face the double drop to the VFL reserves on this performance (if it still existed). He has played like a bag of potatoes.

Casey have been very poor in terms of their defensive structure, letting several goals over the back. 

Hore is a bit dopey.

McAdam looks a very good forward and obviously AFL level talent.

Jefferson is too slow in both body and mind to play AFL.

Seston looks like a good VFL player now with a high level of balance and skill. I am not sure he will ever get the fitness to play AFL but there is a lot to like.

Fullerton has picked up a lot of possessions but does not scream AFL talent.

Brown has done little.

Hunter is still good enough.

Sestan post high from 60m!

All three AFL emergencies (Brown, Tholstrop and Hore) are playing VFL.

Time for the Demons to bring back some brutality to our game. 

14 minutes ago, No. 31 said:

^^ Casey might have some ocean wind come off Western Port Bay nearby but I wouldn't say Caulfield is windy.

Surprisingly Caulfield and Cranbourne both have about the same average wind (14 km/h). Neither is that windy, but the openness really make both options not suitable/ideal for AFL programmes. 

3 minutes ago, monoccular said:

No fault on Woey's part but he was NOT anywhere near an adequate replacement for the injured Salem.

Maybe Turner will play a role on HBF??

Maybe. But i am just basing my guess on Kev’s training report which had Woewodin with the defenders and Turner the forwards. 

8 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Woey the sub I would think!

I think Woey will play high half back and replace Salem. Turner forward and Laurie sub. 

The biggest problem I see with Caulfield (and Casey) as training options is that they are very open and susceptible to wind. This is not ideal for training at the top level given that wind is not a big factor at AFL stadiums. It is hard to run full ground ball movement drills when there is a gale blowing.

I also don't really think the current situation using both Casey and Gosh's Paddock really puts us at a big disadvantage from a performance perspective. We have access to two pristine grounds, pools, spas and gyms. What else do you really need to train an elite athlete? (The other keys being medical, diet and film review but they don't require capital investment.) Casey would be better if we could get some cover and it was closer to the city, but it is it really worth spending so much money to build another Casey Fields closer to the CBD?

As for the argument that we have to cater for four teams now, I would say that the seasons are not all aligned and the AFL team is the only one of those teams that is fully professional (and they train in the morning, while the other teams train in the afternoon).

Personally, I think the biggest reason AFL clubs demand all this money being spent is so that they can show off their facilities to attract free agents/recruits. The government money would be much better spent going back into grass roots football (or other departments like healthcare/education).

Lastly, as for the fans wanting a social club, I think that social clubs are a thing of the past. There are plenty of bars in and around the MCG to celebrate a win and the best place to converse with other MFC supporters is obviously here on Demonland.

I would bring in Kossie, Hunter & Turner for Tholstrup, Salem & Brown.

Windsor to shift to half back in place of Salem and Hunter to come in on the left wing.

Kossie for Tholstrup is straight forward.

Turner could play at either end. If he plays back, Rivers would play in the midfield, and we have a taller defence. (Sparrow and Petracca play more minutes forward.) If Turner play forwards, it is straight forward in place of Brown.

Woewodin the poor old sub again. 

58 minutes ago, daisycutter said:

if toby hadn't turned his body, what do you think would have happened?

there would certainly still have been a collision

it might have been worse for boyd

2 players might have been injured

as it was, boyd had minimal hurt, so does this mean toby made the right decision?

this is a very, very difficult one

and finally, was it accidental or careless

you be the judge

I think he can turn his body but he needs to still watch the ball. 

36 minutes ago, kev martin said:

Just realised I am a year behind @Demonland 

Put 2023, instead of 2024 in the title.

Put 2021 instead!

Salem being able to run just over a week after doing a hamstring is a good sign.

2 hours ago, IRW said:

Surely as part of a previous elite backline  team we can expect more pressure from Petty ,but which of the other three doesn't get a game according to your thinking?

Presumably Brown, who can lead mark and kick straight!!!

 

 

 

Petty typically provides average pressure for a key forward but he’s had a limited preseason so I think he’s down a bit in that regard this season. 

Brown is all offence. He needs 3 goals per game to be a positive. 

I thought Hunter did nothing wrong last year. He was only just second to a loose ball and pulled up and turned to protect himself at the last minute. As soon as Hunter realised he was going to collide with a kamikaze Rozee, he decelerated. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time IMO.

I felt what Butters did was worse because, while he was seemingly going for the ball, he accelerated into the contest knowing Banfield was wide open and that he would likely collect him if he missed the ball.

Both these incidents are tough to find the right balance though. We have a 360 degree contact sport with an odd shaped ball and we love seeing collisions (but not concussions).

They clearly need to change the rules of the Brownlow because it is obviously part a thinking in the mind of the MRO.

22 minutes ago, picket fence said:

And add another Bye this week what a bloody joke of a competitiom!

They play on Anzac Eve, which works better from a MFC perspective.

2 minutes ago, Swooper1987 said:

Feeling a bit for Yze.  Taranto and Ross on top of the litany of other injuries. 

Yze is the enemy now!

9 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Is he thought? He didn’t look any better than Woey at half back. Both looked fairly out of place. So surely that’s not an option again.

And we’ll probably have Hore or maybe AMW in that role against Richmond.

And who knows how he’d go at half forward but if he can’t tackle, mark or handball on his main side what’s he giving?

He doesn’t really bring speed, pressure, elite endurance or great kicking in a flanker role either. Kolt has some work to do on his ball use and ball winning but his pressure and tackling at least were there.

The injury might not be made worse by playing but I get the feeling it’s not been made better. Can’t be good for his confidence either.

I agree that Oliver should not be played at half back. My main issue with Oliver in the midfield is the centre clearances.

27 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

I agree, start from the middle with our best available centre bounce rotation - and use rotations, Kozzy, ANB and Chandler even Kolt if he stays in the team can provide spells for Tracc and Sparrow who give the forward line more size. 

And also start from a run and movement basis up forward, if we get out marked so be it.

I don't agree with Oliver anywhere else but on ball. If he's not healthy and confident in his ability to use his hand sit him for as long as required. He's going to need to mark, tackle, win the ball in congestion anywhere on the field.

 

It depends if playing makes Oliver's injury worse. Oliver is still giving more than Woewodin and Tholstup.