Dempsey

[Smyth94]

He's been absolutely shocking since Rnd 1 - back to Bendigo.

Words cannot describe how angry I was when he took that kick out and proceeded to make himself look like a ten year old who has never played footy before.

[mbosca]

He's been absolutely shocking since Rnd 1 - back to Bendigo.

Words cannot describe how angry I was when he took that kick out and proceeded to make himself look like a ten year old who has never played footy before.

Yep he is a sure bet to be at Bendigo.

1. He doesn't play tight enough as a defender and leaks goals.
2. His decision making is atrocious.
3. He continually runs himself into trouble and the team into trouble.

I actually cringe when he has the ball in his hands deep in defence. Did you see him try to spear a ball up the corridor as well that went through an Eagles player in front of goal?

[BOMBERSG8]

I agree i would replace him w Atkison reasons why Jarrod has the pace, is accountable and he is a much better kick.
However dont think Dempsey will be dropped

[thebigboy]

He' the type of player that Knights covets so it's going to take a lot to drop him.

He's just got to get back to basics and play simple football.

[kelvin_sheedy]

His schoolyard tactic in the second was deplorable.

In saying that we had run out of ideas from the back half and you could see every player was confused and had no idea what to do. We fumbled and run ourselves into trouble. Nowhere to kick to and nothing.

If you look at Knights gameplan of taking the game on then he did. He tried something crazy and it didn't work. Fletch's soccer a second later was a poor decision also.

[Charliebrow 16]

What he needs is time to develop something, anything even remotely resembling a defensive gameplan. Then, he needs to implement it whenever the situation warrants it.

[ningnangnong]

I just think back to that little dance on the defensive 50 in the second quarter. He wasn't going anywhere and holding the ball. Tut tut poor decision making.

[Ludwig van Bertstare]

I think he thinks he's Fred Astaire.

[Skeeta Olly]

What the **** was the snap he did in the defensive 50? Worst thing I've ever seen.

[redandblackbomba]

He's been absolutely shocking since Rnd 1 - back to Bendigo.

Words cannot describe how angry I was when he took that kick out and proceeded to make himself look like a ten year old who has never played footy before.



Are you guys serious? To me Dempsey is being played out of position, he is too loose as a half back flanker. Why not move him to a wing oe even in the middle as we have the slowest midfield in the comp. (Watson, Welsh, Hille and Stanton when he plays)

What you should be talking about is Knights game plan. The game plan does not suit the personnel we have. Lets take last night against the eagles, Subi is a big ground that requires an enormous amount of run and we had Hooker, Hurley, Hille, Ryder, Pears,Fletcher, Gumbleton, a third of our side filled with talls??? We lost Stanton so we replaced him with Hurley, why not drop maybe Gumbleton and bring in another runner????

I was a Knights fan, but he has lost me this year with his poor decision making and failing to make moves when sides get a run on. Worst still we have anther 2 years after 2010 to put up with this shit, this is the ESSENDON football club mediocrity is not an option.

[Valve Bounce]

He's been absolutely shocking since Rnd 1 - back to Bendigo.

Words cannot describe how angry I was when he took that kick out and proceeded to make himself look like a ten year old who has never played footy before.

Blessed are they who run around in circles, for they shall become BIG WHEELS

[Daytripper]

I said when McPhee left that the player who would feel his absence the most was Dempsey. The amount of times last year that McPhee had to play on his own man and cover Dempsey's at the same time whilst he went for a wander was ridiculous. Then supporters had the gall to have a go at McPhee whilst Dempsey got a leave pass. :confused:

Needs to go back to playing accountable football, realise that he's a bit part of the team and that his spot is far from guaranteed.

Would also help if we developed a McPhee replacement urgently. Someone who is completely unselfish and will sacrifice his own game for the sake of others.

[HFF_07]

I said when McPhee left that the player who would feel his absence the most was Dempsey. The amount of times last year that McPhee had to play on his own man and cover Dempsey's at the same time whilst he went for a wander was ridiculous. Then supporters had the gall to have a go at McPhee whilst Dempsey got a leave pass. :confused:

Needs to go back to playing accountable football, realise that he's a bit part of the team and that his spot is far from guaranteed.

Would also help if we developed a McPhee replacement urgently. Someone who is completely unselfish and will sacrifice his own game for the sake of others.

Hardingham? Crameri? T.Slattery?

T.Slatts is the one I have high hopes for after seeing him last week, he is going to be a star IMO.

Fingers crossed.

[Ben the Gooner]

Would also help if we developed a McPhee replacement urgently. Someone who is completely unselfish and will sacrifice his own game for the sake of others.

Top post. My answer to that is NLM. The midfield can cope without him. I'm not sure the defence can.

[Wahooti Fandango]

What he needs is time to develop something, anything even remotely resembling a defensive gameplan. Then, he needs to implement it whenever the situation warrants it.

He is easily one of our best spoilers.

I just think back to that little dance on the defensive 50 in the second quarter. He wasn't going anywhere and holding the ball. Tut tut poor decision making.

More like poor decision from the umpire. How can the umpire give a holding the ball decision when the player is tackled outside the field of play? :confused:

It is his skills, as kelvin has pointed out, and not his decision making that is the problem.

[adii_7]

play atkinson and dempsey in the same side...

[Ben the Gooner]

play atkinson and dempsey in the same side...

No point tanking this year, GC17 get all the picks.

[FandangoDingo]

What the **** was the snap he did in the defensive 50? Worst thing I've ever seen.

That was a real head-scratcher (putting it mildly).... WTF?!?!??! Did I just see that?!?!?! :eek: Think it was a brain-snap!

I expected Demspey to get more time in the midfield this year, after Lovett's departure.

I think his speed and dare are crucial to Knights' game plan, so can't see him being dropped any time soon. Not that I really want him to be dropped either. We need his speed. Would like to see him used more in the guts though.

Poor disposal was the biggest killer last night.

[adii_7]

No point tanking this year, GC17 get all the picks.

both players take the game on. Dempsey is arguably our most important player at the moment.

atkinson should get a game, he takes it on.. we need players to break the lines, atkinson is one of these players? deserves a game.

[Ludwig van Bertstare]

both players take the game on. Dempsey is arguably our most important player at the moment.

atkinson should get a game, he takes it on.. we need players to break the lines, atkinson is one of these players? deserves a game.

Taking the game on is just another phrase for playing loose and running fast with iffy disposal.

[Pevers-Legend]

Taking the game on is just another phrase for playing loose and running fast with iffy disposal.

As opposed to the obvious free flowing footy we play at present?

I understand where adii is coming from. We look stale and stagnant. We need line breakers.

the reason Colyer looked so good against Carlton was becuase he was doing what we used to do when we were playing well. Taking a risk, trying to split open the game and give our forward a chance.

Our indirect and slow football is what is killing us. That we have only one midfielder who cna win a clearance.

Back on topic - perhaps Dempsey should be played on a wing. Maybe even on a HFF and tld to push to the HBF to create some space up forward.

[TheDon35]

He's been absolutely shocking since Rnd 1 - back to Bendigo.

Was absolutely shocking last night Yes. Clearly in our better 3 or 4 players in at least 2 of the other 3 games.

If he's been shocking since round 1, Winderlich, Dyson, Slattery, Lonergan, Hocking, Hille, Gumbleton, Davey, Reimers, Williams, Welsh, Mcveigh all have have been competing in pig races at the royal easter show since round 1.

[Winner]

Dempsey has been our worst player all year. His dispsoal is far below AFL level. He is unnacountable. He doesn't rebound. Does not deserve to be selected.

Dempsey does one run down the wing a match and people think he's played a good game.

[Wahooti Fandango]

Dempsey has been our worst player all year. His dispsoal is far below AFL level. He is unnacountable. He doesn't rebound. Does not deserve to be selected.

Dempsey does one run down the wing a match and people think he's played a good game.

Have you watched any of our games this year? He rebounds and has spoiled countless entries into our defensive 50. Against Carlton he spent most of the match cleaning up Houli's mess. It is a myth that he has no accountability. I agree that he needs to work on his disposal.

[adii_7]

dempsey on the wing , atkinson on the flank.. both iffy players but both very important for breaking lines. get our swingman hooker up front, play hurley down back, we might start winning games. steady heads and pace is what we need, hooker doesn't have a steady head, hes iffy. Williams needs to get some more ball, hes going to go stone cold in that forward line with the passing we do

[Winner]

Have you watched any of our games this year? He rebounds and has spoiled countless entries into our defensive 50. Against Carlton he spent most of the match cleaning up Houli's mess. It is a myth that he has no accountability. I agree that he needs to work on his disposal.

I completely disagree, he is always caught 5 meters behind his man on the lead, he doesn't go back and help spoil others either. I'm not sure what he does for our team.

[Ben the Gooner]

Dempsey is arguably our most important player at the moment.

Are you a West Coast fan? Because if not, you're wrong.

[DaSawx]

Please people, stop mentioning Atkinson's name, just going backwards even further.

Put Dempsey on a wing, if he wants to use his pace he can do it further up the ground and if he gets into trouble the ball is further up the ground.

McVeigh needs to play on one HBF, at least he can find targets with hand and foot.

As for the other we need to find one from Hardingham or T.Slattery.

[SirJimi05]

Are you guys serious? To me Dempsey is being played out of position, he is too loose as a half back flanker. Why not move him to a wing oe even in the middle as we have the slowest midfield in the comp. (Watson, Welsh, Hille and Stanton when he plays)


So i guess you missed the part where he played on the wing last night and got absolutely pantsed by Andrew Embley. :rolleyes:

I can't believe that people are actually starting to acknowlegde what i have been saying for weeks.

Watch how many Brownlow votes his direct opponents get this season. So far it is two B.O.G's against in 4 rounds (Byrnes, Embley).

Too loose, can't kick, terrible decision maker, runs himself into trouble, constantly gives terrible hospital passes.

We need to use a guy who can use the football in that running back role.

[SirJimi05]

Have you watched any of our games this year? He rebounds and has spoiled countless entries into our defensive 50. Against Carlton he spent most of the match cleaning up Houli's mess. It is a myth that he has no accountability. I agree that he needs to work on his disposal.

Why do his direct opponents always poll brownlow votes if he is so accountable?

BTW, Houli has been far better than Dempsey since coming into the side and was one of our better players last night.

[Wahooti Fandango]

Why do his direct opponents always poll brownlow votes if he is so accountable?

BTW, Houli has been far better than Dempsey since coming into the side and was one of our better players last night.

Show me the evidence that his opponents always poll Brownlow votes. He was poor last night, but has been better overall than Houli this year.

[SirJimi05]

Show me the evidence that his opponents always poll Brownlow votes. He was poor last night, but has been better overall than Houli this year.

I paid particular attention to this last year. How the hell do you want me to provide evidence of it?

How bout we keep track of it this season?

Round 1 - Byrnes (probable 3 brownlow)
Round 4 - Embley (probable 2-3 Brownlow)

Lets keep track shall we.

[SirJimi05]

Show me the evidence that his opponents always poll Brownlow votes. He was poor last night, but has been better overall than Houli this year.

Houli was one of the best last night and ok last week.

Dempsey has been atrocious on numerous occasions this season.

[Wahooti Fandango]

I paid particular attention to this last year. How the hell do you want me to provide evidence of it?

How bout we keep track of it this season?

Round 1 - Byrnes (probable 3 brownlow)
Round 4 - Embley (probable 2-3 Brownlow)

Lets keep track shall we.

Yes, let's keep track. What happened to rounds 2 and 3?

[Wahooti Fandango]

Houli was one of the best last night and ok last week.

Dempsey has been atrocious on numerous occasions this season.

Houli was okay last night and crap last week. Dempsey was good in the first 3 weeks and poor last night.

[Ben the Gooner]

Yes, let's keep track. What happened to rounds 2 and 3?

Rd 2 was on Headland IIRC. Played well, not sure if he'll feature in the votes. Most likely Sandi, Barlow and Ballantyne.

Rd 3, who cares who he was on? No Carlton player will go near votes.

[yaco55]

Rd 2 was on Headland IIRC. Played well, not sure if he'll feature in the votes. Most likely Sandi, Barlow and Ballantyne.

Rd 3, who cares who he was on? No Carlton player will go near votes.

Dempsey

One very good game
one good game
one below average game
one poor game.

[SirJimi05]

Yes, let's keep track. What happened to rounds 2 and 3?

Very doubtful he would have conceded in those games. Played on Headland against Freo and a number of Carlton players due to the heavy defensive rotations we applied.

This is going to be a fun excercise and by the end of it you won't be as ignorant.

[SirJimi05]

Houli was okay last night and crap last week. Dempsey was good in the first 3 weeks and poor last night.

Wow, you don't set any standards at all, do you.

[WinderliciouS]

Poor decision making to say the least. Handballing to players that are already in trouble, taking on opposition players and then running out of bounds or getting tackled, kicks to contests of 2 opposition on 1 team players rather than an open Dyson on the wing, there's a whole list of things.

Dempsey

One very good game
one good game
one below average game
one poor game.

I'd rather we drop him this week than keep him in and continue his above slump.

This weeks changes...
OUT: Dempsey
IN: Lloyd

[Wahooti Fandango]

Very doubtful he would have conceded in those games. Played on Headland against Freo and a number of Carlton players due to the heavy defensive rotations we applied.

This is going to be a fun excercise and by the end of it you won't be as ignorant.

This coming from the guy who thought Prismall played against West Coast.

[adii_7]

This coming from the guy who thought Prismall played against West Coast.

he should of ??

[SirJimi05]

This coming from the guy who thought Prismall played against West Coast.

I did? :confused:

I expect a quote or an apology.

[Wahooti Fandango]

I did? :confused:

I expect a quote or an apology.

Your original post has been removed, but I quoted it in the Primsall Bashing thread.

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg135/Scopes_Monkey/Picture2-4.png?t=1271574211

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=693942&page=4

[SirJimi05]

Your original post has been removed, but I quoted it in the Primsall Bashing thread.

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg135/Scopes_Monkey/Picture2-4.png?t=1271574211

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=693942&page=4


So not only are you ignorant, you are also naive. Pretty obvious who i was talking about. :rolleyes:

Houli was the one who went back with courage from a Dempsey hospital pass.

And if you look at my best players you will note that Houli is there but no Prismall.

I obviously clicked on the wrong link when i responded. Have never posted about Prismall.

So no, i didn't think Prismall played and yes, i do think you are ignorant. Anyone who believes that it is a myth that Dempsey plays unnacountable footy, is ignorant. Even Lloyd has stated that has has no respect for his direct opponents.

[Wahooti Fandango]

So not only are you ignorant, you are also naive. Pretty obvious who i was talking about. :rolleyes:

Houli was the one who went back with courage from a Dempsey hospital pass.

And if you look at my best players you will note that Houli is there but no Prismall.

I obviously clicked on the wrong link when i responded. Have never posted about Prismall.

So no, i didn't think Prismall played and yes, i do think you are ignorant. Anyone who believes that it is a myth that Dempsey plays unnacountable footy, is ignorant. Even Lloyd has stated that has has no respect for his direct opponents.

Fair enough there was a mixup. However, when someone posts in a thread that relates to the bashing of Prismall and they do not specify a player then it seems logical to conclude that the person is referring to Prismall. Maybe it is you who are naive for assuming that posters on BF would know that you were referring to Houli. Also, why was the post removed?

[SirJimi05]

Fair enough there was a mixup. However, when someone posts in a thread that relates to the bashing of Prismall and they do not specify a player then it seems logical to conclude that the person is referring to Prismall. Maybe it is you who are naive for assuming that posters on BF would know that you were referring to Houli. Also, why was the post removed?

Because the Mods have common sense and can put 2 + 2 together?

[Wahooti Fandango]

Because the Mods have common sense and can put 2 + 2 together?

Really, or did you tell them to shift it? Also, there was another poster who thought you were referring to Prismall, but their post has also mysteriously disappeared.

Anyway, you rate Prismall and I rate Dempsey. Just a case of different opinions.

[SirJimi05]

Really, or did you tell them to shift it? Also, there was another poster who thought you were referring to Prismall, but their post has also mysteriously disappeared.

Anyway, you rate Prismall and I rate Dempsey. Just a case of different opinions.

You couldn't be any more wrong but whatever helps you sleep at night, mate.

[Tweezersthegreat]

While Dempsey does have the occasional brain fade he is very important to our side and a very talented footballer.
I would think most people that actually see the games live at the ground would realise he does an huge amount of defensive work, particularly in the air spoiling when he has no right to be in the contest, be it his man or someone else he is covering for.
His disposal and decision making can be accused of lacking sometimes but anybody who's been watching this year couldn't point out one player who hasn't at times, it's been our major downfall.
When we are at our best he is quite often the one who sets up our play, but I think our structure is his, as well as our downfall at the moment. Whatever happened to a big forward leading up to present to the players coming out of the backline? Currently whether on orders from the coach or not we have 3 key forwards sitting on their hands less than 50m from our goal when we have the ball in the back 50m, and subsequently we try to use a chain of handball to move the ball 100m through the most congested part of the ground. I know they say we are trying to imitate Geelong's style of play but has anybody noticed that when any of their players get it in the backhalf they handball 'out' of trouble and then kick long to a presenting forward, invariably down the middle.

And on another note, the Mcphee covering for Dempsey argument sounds very similar to the Danny Jacobs 'I cop it because I'm always covering for Wellman' story. I know which one I'd prefer in both cases.

[twentington]

Yeah a few horrible efforts on the weekend, and while he can spoil, run/carry etc i can't help but feel his best position isn't in defense.

It has been said and I am inclined to agree that a move to the wing might be the answer. His clean pickups and pace could replace lovett and break open the game at times, and he wouldn't be forced to make decisions out of half back that rely on a high disposal efficiency where he obviously struggles at times and we get punished. All he'd have to focus on is putting it to the advantage of our forwards which might be just the tonic for his decision making out of defense.

I know everyone should play their role and we are still developing players but sometimes its gotta be ok to take advantage of a player's strengths and prevent their weakness from being exploited to some degree.

Sure he's played some blinders down there, and every team is looking for and thrives on that run out of defense, but could this be a case of square peg in round hole? Or maybe his dodgy hammys prevent him from extended running too often outside of the defensive 50? Or does he not have the tank to run all day?

It just sticks in my sometimes shady memory over the last 4 weeks that his contested work getting the ball has actually been ok, so no need to ditch him, just maybe take advantage of this in some way.

[Pocket_Pears]

Seems to me that Knights plays a lot of players out of position, and maybe this is where a lot of people's frustrations with players is coming from.
Knights seems to think that Houli, Dempsey and Myers are all half-back flankers, but its obvious to nearly everyone on here that they aren't. Personally I think that Dyson and McVeigh would serve us better as half-back flankers with their above average kicking skills and move Houli/Dempsey onto the wings rotating with Winderlich where their speed can be better used and Myers onto the ball. Our line up would look something like this:

Slattery Pears Fletcher
Dyson Hooker McVeigh
Dempsey Watson Houli
Reimers Gumby Zaharakis
Monfries Hurley Williams
Hille Stanton Myers
Bench: Ryder, NLM, Winderlich, Melksham

[BrunoV]

Dempsey has been horrible there is no debating it.

I could stomach his unaccountable style if he was causing serious damage going the other way but he cannot seem to clenly handle the ball for a passage of play and his disposal is selling his team mates into trouble.

We all see that he and Winderlich, two players that had break out years last year and players I expected to take the next level towards the A grade, have been poor but seem unable to attibute the sides performance to anything other than Knights' gameplan. When Knights picks a side Dempsey and Winderlich would be picked in the first 5-7 players because of the improvement shown last year and the styles of game they play. When their contributions are non-existent our team virtually shuts down.

Dempsey should not be dropped yet. He has one more chance to get the basics right but if he fails to perform this week or if he performs now and fails in round 5 he is dropped for a two week minimum.

[BomberTime]

Seems to me that Knights plays a lot of players out of position, and maybe this is where a lot of people's frustrations with players is coming from.
Knights seems to think that Houli, Dempsey and Myers are all half-back flankers, but its obvious to nearly everyone on here that they aren't. Personally I think that Dyson and McVeigh would serve us better as half-back flankers with their above average kicking skills and move Houli/Dempsey onto the wings rotating with Winderlich where their speed can be better used and Myers onto the ball. Our line up would look something like this:

Slattery Pears Fletcher
Dyson Hooker McVeigh
Dempsey Watson Houli
Reimers Gumby Zaharakis
Monfries Hurley Williams
Hille Stanton Myers
Bench: Ryder, NLM, Winderlich, Melksham

I really like that team:thumbsu:..hopefully myers keeps getting a stack of the ball in the vfl and knights is smart enough to play in the middle when he returns to the team. Prismall will eventually come back into the team. And that forward line needs to remain the same to allow them to work together and gel as a unit..no more switching hurley and reimers back and forward.

[Hillsy7]

You have actually nailed a good team there Pocket_Pears!!!!

Good balance and players in good positions to suit their skills and (what seems) their preferred and most effective style of play.

Pretty good job, you should drop a resume into the EFC my friend.

[Donakebab]

Bump. Biggest liability in the side. No more for now or I'll explode.

[TeamHurley]

Bump. Biggest liability in the side. No more for now or I'll explode.

Dempsey what makes you think you are good enough to hang 15m off bartel?
Tighten up or get the **** back to bendigo.

[WeAreEssendon]

Yep, needs to go back to Bendigo so we can put another dour, unskilled player in the back half so we have no run and drive.

Maybe he was hanging 15m off because they had loose players everywhere and he was trying to cover more than one base.

Stop listening to Robert Walls!.

[Seb78]

Not accountable enough to be playing in that (half back) position full stop. 2 options for Dempsey, either play him up on a wing or half forward, or play him at Bendigo, cause he is leaking way too many goals to the opposition. Dempsey is by no means a bad player, his only flaw is the defensive component of his game, hence the only way to correct this is to play him at Bendigo down back to work on this, or play him further up the ground to provide that x factor for us when going forward.

[TeamHurley]

Yep, needs to go back to Bendigo so we can put another dour, unskilled player in the back half so we have no run and drive.

Maybe he was hanging 15m off because they had loose players everywhere and he was trying to cover more than one base.

Stop listening to Robert Walls!.

Sorry, didn't realise I am not allowed to critisize people on here.
Great game dempsey.

[Donakebab]

Yep, needs to go back to Bendigo so we can put another dour, unskilled player in the back half so we have no run and drive.

Maybe he was hanging 15m off because they had loose players everywhere and he was trying to cover more than one base.

Stop listening to Robert Walls!.

Robert Walls? Get a clue mate, this is an ongoing problem. Stick him on the wing or the forward flank, or get him out of the side and bring in someone like T.Slatts who will relish the chance.

[stugots]

played a very frustrating game tonight, always been a defender of demps but getting a niggling doubt now, too many poor disposals, bad misjudgments tonight, needs to improve

[Wahooti Fandango]

Poor game.

[Ben the Gooner]

Liability.

[Wahooti Fandango]

Liability.

Tonight he was.

[Towno78]

Yeh he was very bad today, very very loose. He was the only player attacking with run in the 3rd quarter when we lost it though, but this didn't come close to making up for his lack of accountability.

He wasn't alone though, was there anyone in our backline that didn't get pantsed tonight?

[rhysman]

His main problem is that he is just not a defensive minded player. Is very loose, concedes goals and has a propensity to turn it over. Also pulled out of a contest tonight that resulted in a goal. He seems to be one of Knights' pets so doubt he will get dropped.

[HighettBomber]

I'm a big Dempsey fan, but he was very poor tonight. He can't seem to string more than one good game together. He should have been moved onto a wing or forward halfway through the first quarter.

[lemon chicken]

Majority of the problem tonight stems from the fact he should never have been given the Varcoe match-up.

[EVERLAST]

Tonight's game hardly warrants Dempsey being dropped as he's been very good this year when we've been up and he had many mates tonight who played shockers also.

McVeigh, Fletcher, Gumbleton and Winderlich had games they would rather forget quickly.

Besides, when the opposition is getting the delivery we witnessed tonight, noone would beat Varcoe and co.

Why Atkinson and Howlett were dropped is beyond me.

Finally, the Hawks will rip us apart next week, putting the final nail in the coffin as far as our finals aspirations go.

[anf06]

I am just about the biggest critic of Dempsey's you will find. When Courts has a bad one, self professed, I will voice my distain for him.

Last week, was the worst game I have seen him play, perhaps on par with the West Coast game.

Tonight. IMHO. He was good.

People are screaming and yelling that he was hanging 15 metres off Bartel and the like. We must have been watching different games. Dempsey was very good, attacked well and took the game on, all game. Unlike many. He wasn't playing on Bartel for any more than 20 minutes, rotating through players like Varcoe, and even Stevie J for a few moments. There were many times where Dempsey was caught behind, and there were 2-3 free Geelong players close to goal. Who do you want him to go to?

If you want to talk about players who had poor nights defensively, take a sqizz over at Dyson, Hocking, McVeigh and Pears. They all are jumping up and down saying hello. I can't even count the number of times McVeigh going to ground led to a Stevie J goal. (okay, I can, twice)

I'm not sure how it looked on TV. But at the game, he was put under the pump quite a bit. He only turned the ball over once, and for him, especially on a night where he actually got alot of the ball, I think this criticism is unwarranted.

In fact, I question where it was last week, because he played far better tonight then he did against the Swans.

[yaco55]

Stats do lie.

Dempsey has been very poor in the last 2 weeks - In saying that he was worse last weekend.

[EVERLAST]

Whats the go with Pears? He looks like a player lacking in confidence since returning from his broken arm.

Thank Christ Mooney wasn't playing or we'd have lost by 5 goals more.

[anf06]

Stats do lie.

Dempsey has been very poor in the last 2 weeks - In saying that he was worse last weekend.

Mate, I was at the game and I didn't look at the stats until just then while I was posting. Dempsey played a good game, regardless of what the stats say.

When I say Dempsey has a bad game I get blasted for not looking at the good things he does. When I say he has a good game, apparently he has done all these bad things. At the game, there was not one 'fickle' supporter who were lashing out on Demps. And believe me, I go to the football with the biggest Dempsey bashers, you will never meet.

[lemon chicken]

Whats the go with Pears? He looks like a player lacking in confidence since returning from his broken arm.

Thank Christ Mooney wasn't playing or we'd have lost by 5 goals more.

Rushed back and struggling big time. Why we would move McVeigh off Johnson and put Pears there i would love an answer on.

[anf06]

lemon_chicken, I believe it has something to do with that second arse hole that Johnson tore McVeigh.

[lemon chicken]

lemon_chicken, I believe it has something to do with that second arse hole that Johnson tore McVeigh.

Thought he was well held in the first half.

[bacon buster]

the way the ball came into geelong's forward line tonight, none of our defenders had a chance.

we got bent over in the midfield, simple as that.

when some players had given up, at least dempsey was running and giving an option, and trying to make something happen.

at least when dempsey gets beaten, he makes something else happen. what does slattery offer if he get's pantsed?

[Donakebab]

Slattery got the job on Ablett after Welsh got pants in the first and did a good job. Spike did well on Johnson, it was Fletch and Pears who struggled all night and were the causes of the backline rotations.

Mate, I was at the game and I didn't look at the stats until just then while I was posting. Dempsey played a good game, regardless of what the stats say.

When I say Dempsey has a bad game I get blasted for not looking at the good things he does. When I say he has a good game, apparently he has done all these bad things. At the game, there was not one 'fickle' supporter who were lashing out on Demps. And believe me, I go to the football with the biggest Dempsey bashers, you will never meet.

You being at the game doesn't change the fact that he constantly gave his man no attention and too much space.

[anf06]

You being at the game doesn't change the fact that he constantly gave his man no attention and too much space.

Who was his man?

[Eleven 38]

dont think many defences would have a hope when there was no pressure on the geelong midfield and they have the polish of players that the cats do!

[Towno78]

dont think many defences would have a hope when there was no pressure on the geelong midfield and they have the polish of players that the cats do!

the way the ball came into geelong's forward line tonight, none of our defenders had a chance.

we got bent over in the midfield, simple as that.

when some players had given up, at least dempsey was running and giving an option, and trying to make something happen.

at least when dempsey gets beaten, he makes something else happen. what does slattery offer if he get's pantsed?

I don't think it is as simple as a lack of midfield pressure. In the second quarter when we were all over them, Geelong's midfield had no time or space and their disposal reflected that, yet we still leaked goals. We should not have been 3 goals down at half time.

Every one of our defenders was poor tonight. Particularly Pears and Fletcher. Fletcher's worst game I can remember and Pears has been below his best since he came back. I really hope we get Hooker back next week!

[Lance Uppercut]

he wasn't great, but gee he had some mates.

With the delivery their forwards were getting, nobody had much chance. But I'm going to drop the hammer here too. The amount of ****ing times the ball was (admittedly absurdly easily) won out of the middle, to be kicked to a Cat all on his own was just ****ed.

I don't know if it was purely sloppy defence, or awesome delivery, or a bit like the boy with thumbs in the dyke, but all ****ing night it was like deja vu :(

Made all the worse by the arrogant ****ing cocksucking father/son team sitting next to me. Rarely have I been closer to enacting violence on someone just to make myself feel better.

[BrunoV]

The annyoing thing about Dempsey is that he just doesn't make the call to try and shut down his opponent. Personally, my pride wouldn't allow a direct opponent to get a free ride like that. Belt the guy, do anything, don't just stand off him like his has a contagious disease.

We need to bite the bullet with CD and get him up the ground. He has the speed and skill to do some damage on a wing or at half forward.

[Kong]

From Level 3, I had a full view of Dempsey and his defensive efforts.

Bloody non-existent. He was on Byrnes, Varcoe, Bartel and Stokes at various stages, and constantly stood 20metres away for no apparent reason.

This was when the ball was in Geelong's forward line, so the 'zone' wasn't an excuse. He simply refused to chase his men, and his lack of efforts to chase them (most of the time), or even stick a hand up to spoil, was dismal.

I counted around 10-15 times where Dempsey was responsible for an error. I haven't looked at the stats, and no doubt they don't tell the story, as they do not include the times he was standing, relaxed, watching his man run into space in the forward half of the ground.

He takes the game on and provides much needed run, but he cannot defend. If he was allowed to play as a loose man he would be magnificent, as he could run off as well as help out as a third man up (something he does surprisingly well), but he is the most unreliable defender in our side. It's not an inability, either; it's a clear mindset that he possesses.

Filthy with his game last night.

Change his role (loose defender, wing, forward line) or don't play him at all. Simple.

[eld246]

Dempsey has to go, he has been awful all year. His disposal has been terrible and his turnovers and lack of defensive skills kill us every week. Hooker hopefully will be back this week and I like NLM running off half back.

[DaSawx]

Needs to have the freedom of playing wing.

We need Hardingham, T.Slattery and/or Long to step up in the next year or so.

Slattery to Bendigo, McVeigh eventually to GWS or modelling, Atkinson to the EDFL.

We won't win a flag with defenders who can't defend.

[lamaros]

I didn't watch the game at the ground as I'm in Sydney, but from what I saw on TV he wasn't the worst.

He's had worse games that that this year, by far. Geelong played some really good footy at times and Fletch and McVeigh were embarassed more from my view.