Demon Dynasty

ANB & Melk were about even on the impact side PF, Melk redeeming himself a tad in the last. We will agree to disagree on Harmes. Not extraordinary by any means but i thought he played a solid role throughout and was integral in the mid field and around the ground helping to even out many of the contested wins in close.

Seems apparent when watching also, doesn't seem to tackle much and be willing to take the tackle either. It's a tough game I realise and not expecting every player to be capable of doing what the skipper, Harmes and Clarry are doing most weeks, but at AFL level you need to be able to do both occasionally when required. If you don't or aren't willing to very often it eventually catches you out and impacts the team as a whole and can result in some small, but in some cases, significant wins for the opponent on the day. Melk & ANB are both on the fringe after Saturday I would think. Melk having a slightly better second half, funnily enough after the knock he received! So does show some grit but needs to start getting his hands a bit dirtier in general play IMO to earn his place. ANB needs to hold more marks and get to where the ball is more often (see Bugg!). Seems to go missing for large chunks of a game too often. Would like to see him given the chance to play a lock down on Mitchell this week though as a challenge to maintain his spot.

Provided the tagger can keep up with him Dee ? But yes a little of that and keeping the tagger fresh both physically and upstairs a little also. Would be pretty taxing and boring having to go almost an entire match in a heavy lock down I would imagine eh.

Possibly Weid in for Melk Red & Blue. And ANB does most of the tagging role so even if there's no Weid or Pedo, Harmes obviously wouldnt need to be in two places for the entire match anyways.

Possibly Watts. Not sure he has the speed, agility or tank (at AFL level just yet, given no games so far) to run with Mitchell for more than a half of footy right now. He would probably be spent about half way through the 3rd, then we are effectively a man down. ANB with cameos from Harmes , Salem & Vince might be a nice fix for Mitchell

On the fringe after last week. I would say thats a great challenge for him to retain his position in the team. Keep mitchel to 25 - 30 possessions with a little assistance from others and he has played an important role this week. One of only a few in the team with the speed/tank to run with Mitchel and what else he does wont really be missed in this role.

Spot on. If Mitchell is allowed a free run the Hawks probably win. If he isn't we probably win. Definitely not Clarry as the tagger though. ANB & Harmes pls

Some very nice passages of play that would have pleased the coaching depts (at both levels) on Sunday, but barely any opposition to assist in judging who might be truly at the level of form required to bust in to AFL level at the expense of a winning team member. If there is any change it is likely to be structural as others have mentioned, with the inclusion of an extra tall. Melksham the only one seriously on the fringe for now. Having said that I still don't think either Pedders or Weids are a credible option against an in form Hawthorn this week as neither is capable of bringing the intensity required for long enough periods during a game. But then again Melk also had similar issues last Saturday. We only lost to them by a kick last year but our kids are one extra pre-season stronger and can hopefully most can now play out the game to the end. If we are bringing in an extra tall for Melk then it might be time to roll in Weid for a stint up forward and resting ruck to give Maxy an occasional chop out and rest. Likely needed after last week and against the bullocking work of big boy.

He was about to be referred straight to the MRP but apparently any umpire holding a life Membership with any club (In this case Norf) is automatically exempt

Cool hands Clarry!

Backline is far from perfect (most always will be) and Lever needs to clean up his disposal / decision making (with the FD helping here, hopefully learning their lesson and not having him kicking in for some time). But it's starting to take shape. You can see it unfolding slowly and once they've played a fair bit of footy together and the trust starts to ingrain itself amongst the players it will be very hard backline to beat and counter (on the rebound). Is already starting to show signs. Some hic ups ahead no doubt but we are on track and it will handle most set ups the opp throws our way with a bit more experience and time together. The coaching dept would be quietly licking their chops at the way this end is starting to come together me thinks!

It was a number of "non-decisions" which should have gone our way inside 30 or so Dub. Not so much decisions that were made. No.26 in particular refused to pay holding against Norf players pulling the ball in, sitting over the ball or being dragged off the ball after going to ground, all without a genuine attempt to get rid of it, in or around our goals. I am speaking of the Punt Rd end only. I could not see what was happening at the City end. You might wish to review the mystery free kick against Fritsch above. No.26 called this miracle "get out of jail" for Norf as well.

Dr we haven't referred to ourselves as "the Demons" for about a decade now. Why would anyone else? We only have the mascots, there is nothing else in our official marketing logos, products or from the club itself on game day etc that refers to us as "the Melbourne Demons" any more. We have taken on a ""We are Melbourne" mantra for years now. I for one hate it. Their market research must have told them that a Demon is too scary for the little ones or something similarly stupid, directed and driven from someone (one or more) inside the club who is/are politically correct nuff nuffs.

The MFC hierarchy need to approach the AFL for a "please explain'' on the above mystifying decision. Imagine this in a final or GF and it's was a potential match winning mark for the win or sealer. If we let the above go we are going to be on the receiving end of more rubbish like this from at least the umpire in question, No.26

Jaded can you pls let us know what you were drinking when you booked the flight!?? Would have to be a rip snorting drop that!

Craft brew shed

what's the bet it got stuck next to that craft brew outlet!

Which end is the radio truck though?

Maynard getting a few numbers there ....effective?

That craft beer must be hitting the spot KC

Sounds like a rout is brewing

Timmy boy!

Brayshaw or CBD?

Coburg was the only suburb it rained overnight?

Melksham right on the fringe but NO changes needed for this week. The game plan against the Hawks requires a tweak to curb their diagonal overlap run off the back of the contest with numbers, always towards the inside corridor or across it if needed. Keep the exisiting winning formula and keep the focus of the whole crew on this next big shut down task, especially the HBs & Mids