Jammin' Demon

1. I've never been a Bailey hater, and I still believe we can do well going forward with Bailey as coach. However, I find it incredibly concerning that each area he highlights as a focus doesn't improve. Originally it was providing consistent 4 quarter efforts with pressure as a focus, something that with the exception of the Brisbane game Melbourne has failed to do all year, even against Richmond! Secondly it was improving our starts, it was the focus all week this week and in the week off yet somehow our coaching staff can't get the areas they want improved to happen. I would have been happier had we played a brilliant first ten minutes then get smashed rather than what happened against Adelaide today. I find it worrying that each time we have a focus it never reflects on the field. 2. Melbourne is yet to put in a serious effort, in which we are genuinely 'in the game' start to finish against our 'peer teams' that is teams at similar stages in their development to us who we should expect to beat or be competitive against. Richmond, despite recent form should be a fair way back in their development on us, so the win against them should be expected. Apart from that we have performed well in nothing to lose contests in which we threw everything at teams we would be expected to have no right to get close to. Yet against the teams Melbourne would, and should consider themselves a serious chance, and in games that were vital to our season and development we have put in nothing but insipid performances. North Melbourne, West Coast, Carlton, would all be games we should have at least been in from start to finish, yet against all we have not even been close to looking like winning for the majority of the game putting in only little bursts when the game was almost, or was completely, gone. Surely this is incredibly worrying given these need to be wins if we are to push for finals in the next years. 3. A clearly structured game plan with a forward set up that works has lacked from every game, including our most impressive wins. Watching North, Richmond of late, Carlton, Essendon it is clear what their game plan is and when it is working you can see what the upside is. With Melbourne, our run and players are exciting, but it is worrying how haphazard our standard plan is, even when it works, there has been a lack of clinical, well executed football from the demons this year and that is the way to build a finals team moving forward. I think these are the major worries and while I remain optimistic and think our boys have a serious upside, particularly with Jurrah and Petterd coming back in to bolster our forward line next year these are major worries and I wonder how we rectify them.

Thus far 2010: To round 5 Melbourne and the Dogs had both played Hawthorn, Collingwood, Richmond, Adelaide, Brisbane, for 3 wins 2 losses. Discounting last round where the Dees and dogs played opposition the other hadn't played, to round 5 both had the same amount of wins against identical opposition. As I said, will mean nothing on Friday, but is interesting. (Edit - for formatting)

I Agree with the OP he is wrong about recent success, as far as I'm concerned only Scull or Trenners could be seen as some sort of 'luck' in coming to the club, that said I hope North have the 'good luck' of bottoming out like we did, see 'how lucky' the supporters and players feel then. Doubt they would still be in Vic. This article is obviously Scott trying to stir up the Melbourne camp, and also to preemptively excuse North from improving the same amount Melbourne does over the next couple of years. North trying to stir up some underdog status as always, I thought Scott said the shin boner spirit was dead.

No change for mine, I would love to see Rivers and Bail back, but I can't remove anyone for them to replace. One fantastic thing that might be flying under the radar is how great it is to have almost the same 22 play together for a few weeks. Injuries have been bad for us over the last couple of years, being unable to have the same blokes on the park has hurt us and consistency in the lineup will probably lead to a lot of improvement very quickly. Exciting!

Already mentioned but Libba for sure, I think he eye gouged one of the Febey boys severely once. I think Milburn should get a mention, if only for the Silvani hit, but he doesn't mind giving it as often as possible. Mick Martyn also...... rough bugger Also Juddy claims to be fair but eye gouging or "pressure pointing" in a final never looks good.

Not a huge fan of your idea, but good on you for having a crack. I think we should at the very least return to a draft system where all teams play each other once before repeats. Won't completely remove tanking, but at least means that situations like last year for Melbourne wouldn't happen where Melbourne played Freo in the last 5 rounds having already played to power sides Collingwood and Geelong twice. It would seem to me that the Dees would have had less tank talk occur if we played Geelong, Collingwood, St Kilda, Port Adelaide, North Melbourne, Richmond in the last six rounds. Whilst its a small thing I personally believe if after round 16 all teams have played each other once then a more even view of the season will occur, rather than certain teams having played top or bottom teams twice.

Hi All, Long time Demon fan, very excited about the start to the season, trying to stay realistic and not have my expectations climb too high too soon. Certainly exciting times though. I have been a little confused with the information about Aussie; Bails said in a press conference this week that we would have to get used to a forward line without Aussie and Jurrah. Yet the site states he will be back from injury in one week. Obviously he will have to return via the VFL but all going swimmingly will he really be more than 4-6 weeks away? Obviously he would have to earn his spot but I would be very happy to have him back. Also about the Brisbane game, I will be very happy if we see some continued improvement in the areas of efficiency, ball movement and forward structure as we witnessed this week. I think we can be very happy with the intensity level and the back line when its up and about and hope for this to continue, so all going well I hope we will be in the game from beginning to end with a competitive performance. Davey for captain next year (should Jr Mac retire), outstanding player leader and inspirational at the right times. Happy to be on Demonland! Go the Mighty Dees!