PC2011/12RP From death - Melbourne FC 2013

[haydo]

Melbourne have parted ways with it's coach Mark Neeld only 12 months into a three-year contract. It's a stark reminder of the pressure coaches are under in being judged on one thing and one thing only - winning. Four victories from it's last 24 has spelt out the terms of the Demons' marching orders. Some say they waited too long, while others will think Neeld should have had more time.

The current playing list is mostly uncompetitive. For a club that has had approximately 17 top-20 national draft picks over the last decade, their current position and standing at AFL level in unacceptable. Neeld did try to instil culutal and behavioural changes which seemed to meet with some resistance and prompted the departure of senior players, and in others there were some obvious underperformers. His elevation of two young men in Jack Grimes and Jack Trengove to the captaincy will no doubt be a decision that will haunt his conciouness for a while.

In the past few week alone the club's president Don McLardy and board member Stuart Grimshaw resigned. CEO Cameron Shwab was sacked this season as well. Might changes.

All eyes will now be on the administration and who had a hold over their strategy going forward. But questions still remain about this playing group and their development. Do they have the talent and desire to yield success? They have a defence that is feeble, a midfield that lacks inside ball-winners, and an attack that has mild potential at best.

 

[haydo]

Since the departure of Mark Neeld just a week ago from the Melbourne football club, 4 names have been thrown into the mix to take arguably the toughest job in the AFL at the current time.




Neil Craig - is the recent ex coach to be thrown into the hat for the job. Craig who served as the head coach of the Adelaide football club between 2004-2011 was an assistant coach under Mark Neeld at the Demons in 2012. Craig took the Crows to 4 preliminary finals in his time with the club, but failed to excecute that ultimate prize.

Rodney Eade - Well the record of this man speaks for itself. Eade who started out his coaching career with the Sydney Swans back in 1996 coached the Bloods for 5 years before having a small stint on the sidelines, but then taking the reins at the Western Bulldogs in 2005 coaching 162 games at the Dogs for 88 wins and 72 losses. Eade was cut from the Dogs at the end of the 2011 season before Brendan McCarthy took over. Eade has coached 314 AFL matches spanning 15 seasons.

Paul Roos - Another man who can just let his record speak for itself. Paul Roos the man who took over from Rodney Eade at the Sydney Swans coached the Swans for 202 AFL matches between 2002-2010. More importantly, Roos led the Swans to two Grand Finals in consecutive years, winning the 2005 AFL premiership over West Coast. He is a man who loves club culture and would be a good fit for the Demons who are lacking everything above. However Roos has made it clear that he isn't interested in coaching and is happy in the media, but the Demons would be stupid not to make him an offer.

Mark "Choco" Williams - Is currently an assistant coach down at the Richmond football club as a player development coach, and has worked wonders with Dustin Martin over the 2012 season. Williams who coached the Port Adelaide football club between 1999 and 2010 coached 274 matches for a 151 win strike rate. Williams also took the Power to 2 Grand finals in 2004 and 2007, but only winning the 2004 premiership famously against the Brisbane Lions who came off 3 straight grand final wins, while 2007 was a 129 smashing at the hands of Geelong.

 

[haydo]

Demons find their man​

​

​

​

After a few weeks on the look out for a new senior coach and with some big names in the industry including Rodney Eade, Paul Roos and Mark Williams all putting their hand up for the coaching position, the Demons have finally found their man.
But to the Demons faithful either of those names would of been fantastic for the football club and it's future, however none of those "top 4" have taken the top job.​

​

The Demons new CEO Peter Jackson has held a press conference and named unknown Hayden Sumner as the new Senior coach of the Melbourne football club. Now like me, you are probably wondering who this guy is and where does he come from. Sumner had graduated from Monash University in sports coaching and sports management, also doing work experience with the Bendigo Gold in the TAC cup.
Sumner put himself forward for the Melbourne coaching position, up against the big dogs and Jackson said that the youngster had some wonderful visions of where he wants this football club to go in the future.
"He is a young man who has some brilliant ideas. For a young guy, he is really smart and his business side of things are incredible. Sumner mentioned in his presentation, the plan to help the Demons have their own VFL team by 2014 and will push everyting he has in his power to let that happen. He also has vision from the administration department at some changes he would like the club to take in the next year or two, so that the club can have success it truley believes it can have.


Sumner mentioned that the playing list is uncompetitive over the last few years, and believes that he can change the culture around the place so that stars of the competition would want to come to the Demons to play their careers at. Players at the current time would try and escape playing for the Demons at the moment with the club on the end of some smashings over the last few seasons, but Sumner and Jackson insist that, that rein is now over, and the Demons will no longer be the "easy" beats of the competition.​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

[haydo]

2013 Melbourne playing list​

​

​

2. Nathan Jones
4. Jack Watts
5. Jimmy Toumpas
6. Chris Dawes
8. James Frawley
9. Jack Trengove
10. Shannon Byrnes
11. Mitch Clark
12. Colin Sylvia
13. Jordan McKenzie
14. Lynden Dunn
15. David Rodan
17. Sam Blease
19. James Strauss
20. Colin Garland
21. Cameron Pedersen
21. Lucas Cook
23. Josh Tynan
25. Tom McDonald
26. Dan Nicholson
27. Tom Gillies
28. Joel Macdonald
30. James Sellar
31. Jack Grimes
32. Michael Evans
35. Luke Tapscott
36. Aaron Davey
37. Max Gawn
38. Jeremy Howe
39. Neville Jetta
40. Mark Jamar
41. Tom Davis
42. Jake Spencer
43. Rory Taggert
44. Rohan Bail
47. Thomas Couch
48. Jack Fitzpatrick
49. James Magner


Captain: Nathan Jones
Vice Captain: Aaron Davey
Deputy Vice Captain: Mark Jamar

Leadership Group
Jack Trengove
Jack Grimes
David Rodan
James Frawley​

​

​

​

Nathan Jones will lead the Melbourne footy club in 2013, as new coach Hayden Sumner had a vital say in the decision. Usually with the club captain, the players vote and get to decide which players they want to lead them in the year following, but Sumner said that the appointment of Jack Grimes and Jack Trengove in 2012 as co-captains, was a huge mistake both for the players and club. The young guys, Grimsey and Trengove had too much to deal with as captains of this struggling club and at such a young age, it was telling in their football.
I have decided to reverse that decision this year, even though the players once again chose Grimes and Trengove to once again lead the side. I have chosen that Nate Jones is best suited for the role. He has experience and will relish in the role with some experience heads around him in Aaron Davey and Mark Jamar.

Both Grimes and Trengove have both been selected in the leadership group this year under the new coach. Sumner said "both captains from last year, they obviously have great leadership qualities and thats why we have kept them in the leadership group. But i just want the two young boys to focus on their football this year and get back to being the players we know they can be.

 

[haydo]

Melbourne Demons fixture for 2013


Round 1: vs Gold Coast at MCG
Round 2: vs Adelaide at Aami Stadium
Round 3 vs Collingwood at MCG
Round 4 vs Essendon at Etihad Stadium
Round 5 vs Richmond at MCG
Round 6 vs North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium
Round 7 vs Hawthorn at MCG
Round 8 vs Port Adelaide at Aami Stadium
Round 9 vs Geelong at MCG
Round 10 vs West Coast at Patersons Stadium
Round 11 vs Carlton at MCG
Round 12 vs Sydney at SCG
Round 13 vs Brisbane at MCG
Round 14 vs St.Kilda at Etihad Stadium
Round 15 vs Western Bulldogs at MCG
Round 16 - BYE
Round 17 vs Fremantle at Patersons Stadium
Round 18 vs Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium
Round 19 vs Adelaide at MCG
Round 20 vs Collingwood at MCG
Round 21 vs Essendon at MCG
Round 22 vs Richmond at Etihad Stadium
Round 23 vs North Melbourne at MCG
Round 24 - BYE



New Melbourne coach has expressed his feelings towards the fixture in 2013 and had this to say... "A bit 50/50 on the fixture this year. I mean it's great that we have 12 games at the MCG this year, and those games are against Collingwood, Richmond, Hawthorn, Carlton and Essendon.. the top 5 victorian clubs in the AFL with the biggest memberships so hopefully that will bring the crowds to our home games and we'll see some revenue their.
But i am dissapointed that we have to travel to Aami Stadium twice and Patersons Stadium twice to face both teams in the respective state. Also throw in Metricon Stadium that's a lot of travelling and some sides don't have to deal with that.

 

[haydo]

​

​

​

Match Preview: Melbourne vs Gold Coast

Huge match to kick off the 2013 season for both these sides. Gold Coast who are becoming a very competitive side in the competition. And the Demons who have had a horrid last 24 months, will be looking to again bounce back under new coach Hayden Sumner. Both sides will be confident they can win this match against another struggling side in the competition, and that's why it's going to be a blinder of a contest.

A lot of new faces for both sides this afternoon at the G. Melbourne who were active through the trade period and free agency period will bring in those players. Shannon Byrnes, David Rodan and Chris Dawes are the players i have mentioned which will bring a lot of experience to the Demons side. Melbourne will also play debutant Jimmy Toumpas who was taken with pick 4 in the National Draft. Toumpas is an exciting player who has great endurance to run out games, he'll start off the half back flank or on the wing. Melbourne have also named Jack Watts on the half back flank, something Sumner has trialled over the pre season. ​

​

​

Gold Coast also has a host of fresh players in their side. Thomas Murphy (Hawthorn), Greg Broughton (Fremantle) and Matthew Warnock all will play their first games for the Suns, with Matthew Warnock playing against his old side for the first time.

A big big day here at the MCG and what a way to kick off 2013 then with a win at home for the Demons. Or for the Suns, what a better way to kick off the season with a win away from home. ​

 

[Matt121]

Won't be surprised if a lost to start

 

[haydo]

Suns win battle against Demons​

​

Charlie Dixon kicked a career best 6 goals to steer the Suns to a round 1 victory against the Demons at the MCG in front of 37,192 fans.
Dixon and new Demon recruit Chris Dawes shone as key forwards for their respective sides with Dawes making a statement in his first match, with a 5 goal haul.

It was the Demons though who got the better of the two sides in the first term, and with newly appointed captain Nathan Jones picking up 14 possessions in the first term, the Demons led by 14 points heading into the first term.
Jared Brenan kicked three goals, two of them which were the result of “soft” free kicks but the ex-Lion had the ball on a string for most of the day and the Demons defense found it hard to obtain him and Dixon in attack.
A big 8 goal term for the Suns in the third quarter which was led superbly by captain Gary Ablett who had 12 possessions and kicked a goal to rally his troops into a 8 point win.

Dixon was a class above the rest with 6 goals from a 21 possession game. While Jarred Harbrow and Gary Ablett found plenty of the ball through the midfield.

Under new coach Hayden Sumner the Demons looked a lot more competitive in the contest, despite it being against the Gold Coast. Nathan Jones did all he could for his side to win the match with 36 possessions and a goal, while youngster Rory Taggert found plenty of the pill with 34 touches, 6 tackles and 11 times he went inside the Demons forward 50.

Colin Sylvia also proved some doubters wrong with a strong performance through the middle with 27 possessions and had 6 clearances which was a team high on the day.
The win for the Suns is the best possible start they could have a win away, and for the Demons it was a solid effort, but in those types of games, they should be always looking for the win.


Melbourne coach Hayden Sumner said he was very pleased with Jimmy Toumpas who played his first game for the club against the Suns. Toumpas who was taken with pick 4 in the National Draft over the pre-season was very good picking up 13 possessions, he laid 5 tackles and kicked a goal in his debut game. Playing off the half back flank, Toumpas is looking to be a valuable player for us in the near future.
Also happy with Jordie McKenzie’s game. Mark Neeld played McKenzie as a tagger last season, but I gave Jordie instructions to go out and get the football and not worry too much about a opponent. He answered with 22 touches, 3 clearances and was one of our best players.

After the loss, Melbourne travel to Adelaide to face the Crows who are fancied as a top 4 side this year.

 

[haydo]

Trengove to miss a month​

​

Some more bad news has come out of the Melbourne camp after their 8 point loss against the Suns on the weekend, and that is the news that Demon youngster and leader Jack Trengove is going to miss over a month of footy. ​

​

Scans have revealed that the on-baller has suffered a dislocated AC joint during a collision on the weekend involving a heavy bump against Suns tough nut David Swallow.​

Coach Sumner had this to say during the week…. “It’s bad news indeed. Early signs show us that Jack has done his AC joint and we’ve been told that he’ll miss up to a month with the injury. It’s a big blow to our midfield, but it just gives another guy, guys like Bail, Taggert and McKenzie more responsibility and more game time to prove themselves.​

​

He had a really good summer this year did Jack, but it's now a set back which is unfortunate because we had really big hopes for this guy and maybe a break out year. We'll get him back soon enough though, as a month in footy is very short now. ​

 

[Fitzey]

Nice work. Keep it up!

 

[haydo]

Match Preview: Adelaide vs Melbourne​

​

​

​

We head to Aami Stadium this weekend where the Adelaide Crows will host the Melbourne football club. Both teams have come off round 1 with a loss, with the Crows having a close 1 point loss to the Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium last weekend, while the Demons fell 8 point shorts against the Suns at the MCG.
Both sides will be looking to kick off their 2013 season with a win, and both teams wouldn't be looking for a 0-2 start.

The Demons had a good week on the track according to coach Hayden Sumner, despite loosing Jack Trengove for over a month with an AC joint, and also loosing youngster Josh Tynan who will miss this weekend with a slight concussion. Neville Jetta who kicked 4 goals for Casey Scorpions in the VFL on the weekend, while Sam Blease who was an emergency last week returns.

Adelaide have gone into the match with no changes to the side that lost to the Dogs and coach Brenton Sanderson says it's important for the side to get a win at home. Melbourne are a developing side and we can't take them lightly. They showed last week that they have improved slightly, so we'll have to be at our best to beat them.

This match will be Shannon Byrnes 100th AFL game, playing 98 with the Cats and 2 for the Demons. Byrnes was very good for the Demons in his opening game for the club picking up 24 possessions and kicking a goal playing plenty more time in the midfield. The 27 year old has kicked 96 goals in his 100 games, and be hoping for a win for his 100th.​

​

​

​

​

​

 

[haydo]

Midfield fires as Crows win first of the season​

​

​

​

The Adelaide Crows have hit back on the winners board this weekend with a 64 point thumping of the Demons in Adelaide on Saturday afternoon. A packed Aami Stadium of 43,788 fans enjoyed their side hit back in good form against a hapless Demon side who only managed to kick 10 goals for the afternoon.​

​

​

The Crows enjoyed their midfield back in great form with a number of players finding plenty of the ball and during the off-season Brenton Sanderson said he'd focus much on being the number one clearance side and hard ball football. Adelaide won the clearances 37 to 30 and also 43 to 31 in the hard contested ball. Winning both stats helped a long way for the Crows to win the match which saw big numbers for the midfield. Scott Thompson finished with a mass 35 possesion game. 2nd gamer Brad Crouch is showing why he is indeed going to be a fantastic player in the AFL in the coming years, picking up 34 touches, 8 contested possessions and laying 8 tackles.
Rory Sloane (31 p, 7 clearances and 11 inside 50's), Matthew Wright (30 p, 6 clearances) and Patrick Dangerfield (26 possessions, 2 goals and 6 clearances) all recorded big numbers.

All the hard work from the midfield was also capped off with some brilliance from their big men up forward. Taylor Walker finished with 3 goals but wasn't the main target in the forward 50. Josh Jenkins is becoming better and better at playing his role for the side being that forward/ruck which Kurt Tippett left last year for the role to be filled. Jenkins finished with 3 goals. But all the focus was on ex-Swans player Lewis Johnston who finished with a career high 6 goals against the Demons. Johnston played mainly as that push up forward, taking 5 marks having 22 pssessions and finishing with 6.0 is a great return fromt he young fella.
Crows utility Richard Tambling came on as the sub at the beginning of the 4th quarter and was very good on the wing, picking up 9 possessions in just under 30 minutes of footy.

In a dark day for the Demons there were a few highlights going forward. Jack Grimes played majority of the game on the wing and was very good racking up 33 touches with 7 clearances. Colin Sylvia was again good with 27 possession and seems to be finding some good form after a very poor year in 2012. Nathan Jones continues to be a shining light in the Melbourne side with 25 possessions but unfortunately he didn't have too much help throughout the day. ​

​

The loss sees the Demons loose it's opening 2 games of 2013. A 8 point loss to the Suns and a massive 64 thumping from the Crows in Adelaide. Looking like it's going to be another long year for Demons fans under coach Hayden Sumner. And it doesn't get any easier for the Demons next week with the tradional match against arch rivals Collingwood at the MCG.​

​

​

​

 

[haydo]

Contract News​

​

​

2 Melbourne Demons players have come out and said that they would like to wait until the end of the year before starting negotiations with the club in regarding a new contract. Cameron Pederson and Jeremy Howe have told the club they won't talk contracts until closing of the season. This usually means that the players woud like to either A) see what options are around and try to be traded.... or B) they are just wanting to focus on their footy at the current time. Pederson is yet to still make his debut for the Demons this year being named emergency on 2 occasions while Jeremy Howe has played in both loss's against Gold Coast and Adelaide.​

 

[haydo]

Match Preview: Round 3- Melbourne vs Collingwood​

​

​

​

​

A huge rivarly comes to the MCG this Saturday afternoon where the oldest football club in the AFL Melbourne host the Collingwood Magpies which is the most popular Melbourne-based football side. This game is shaping up to be a brilliant match as the rivarly between these two teams has really been built up over the last 20 years, and no doubt that the players will go up that extra gear for this match, they always do.
Melbourne have come off some pretty average weeks in the first two opening matches of the year, and after their smashing of 64 points against the Crows last weekend, they'd be out to make a better showing for their home crowd against the Pies. The Demons have welcomed James Sellar into the side to play his first game of the season after some good performances in the VFL. Coach Sumner has really rewarded good form in the VFL in recent weeks with Neville Jetta earning a recall last weekend and keeps his position in the side after being the sub last week, while Sellar comes in for some good form. Lynden Dunn is the man to make way for Sellar after some poor peformances in the ones, and needs to go back to the VFL to gain some confidence back in his footy.
Collingwood will go into the match unchanged in which beat the Bulldogs last weekend. Collingwood look to be the more superior side and the Demons are going to need to be at their very very best to have any chance on winning this match, however if the Demons put up a fight i'm sure their supporters will be happy. ​

​

​

​

​

​

 

[haydo]

Q-Stick kicks 6, Pies down rivals Melbourne​

​

​

​

For the second week in a row, the Demons have allowed a big key marking forward get the better of them on the day and notch up 6 goals against the Demons defense. Last week it was Adelaide's Lewis Johnston. But this week Quinten Lynch the ex-Eagle was able to kick a bag which set up a 14 point win for the Pies at the MCG in front of 42,283.
A long with Lynch's 6 goals, Jackson Paine and Travis Cloke combined with 3 goals each to take the tally to 12 between the 3 big men up forward as the Pies finished with 18 for the match.

The Demons defense was under pressure for the majority of the game with Frawley, Garland and Watts all having pretty good games but it was just on the turnover that the defenders lost their way.
Dane Swan was instrumental in the Pies win, collecting 36 possessions to his name and was the main recipient delivering the ball insdie the Pies forward 50. The Demons were able to keep with the Pies for 3 quarters of the match, but a 5 goal to 4 last quarter just saw the Pies get over the line in what people talked as a certain win. But to the Demons credit they were able to fight hard and got applauded by their fans once coming off the ground after the match.

"The boys really had a red hot crack out their today. We just lapsed in critical times in the last quarter which saw a quick turnover and a score for the Pies which hurt us. But you can't fault the effort and dedication today. The boys will be really upset about the loss and they knew the game was there to be won", Demon coach Sumner said in his press conference.
After coming out earlier in the week a declaring he was holding off contract talks till the end of the season, Jeremy Howe had a wonderful game. Howe finished with the 8 disposals and kicking 4 goals for the home side, while Chris Dawes was again in the goal kickers adding 3 to his tally for the season and now on 10 in 3 games.
The Demons were well served by some of their younger players today, with Sam Blease 26 possessions, Neville Jetta 21 touches, 7 clearances, Rohan Bail 20 possessions 6 inside 50's and Rory Taggert 16 possessios 1.3 for the day were very useful.
But in the end it was the experience of the Pies which won in the end, they were able to take the small chances. Swan collected 35 possesions and 6 clearances, while Alex Fasolo was very good as well with 27 possessions and 8 clearances for the Pies. That win takes the Pies to 2-1 for the year while the Demons are starting from a long way back being their 3rd loss in a row with 0-3 for the year.
​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

[haydo]

Match Preview - Round 4: Essendon vs Melbourne​

​

​

Sunday afternoon footy at Etihad Stadium will see the in-form Bombers taking on the struggling Demons in what is shaping to be a one sided affair in 2013. Essendon have been great to start of the year winning their 3 matches against the Brisbane Lions by 37 points, winning against the Saints by 48 and winning against the Western Bulldogs last weekend by 32 points. They have been jelling as a group and really have rallied under coach James Hird.

The Demons have had a few competitive weeks in their opening 3 matches. Going down to the Gold Coast in Melbourne would of been a match that they expected to win but fell by 8 points to the ever growing Suns side. Melbourne headed to Adelaide in round 2 and were smashed by the Crows by 64 points in a game they'd wanna forget. And last weekend the Demons put up a hell of a fight against arch rivals Collingwood at the MCG loosing by 16 points after sticking with the Pies for 3 quarters.

As i mentioned this match is looking to be a one sided affair, all we are looking for from the Demons is a contest and competitivness. Essendon are a great side, and with the likes of Goddard, Stanton and Watson through the midfield they are going to be very hard to stop.
No change for the Bombers side this weekend, which is understandable with the players playing well, no need to make any changes to a winning formula. While the Demons have made 2 changes to the side that played the Pies last weekend with Neville Jetta who played pretty well has been omitted, while James Sellar injured his ankle with a slight strain at training during the week comes out for Joel Macdonald and forward Max Gawn both into the side for their first games of the season. ​

​

​

​

​

 

[haydo]

Bombers go 4-0 after downing the Demons by 30 points​

​

​

​

Essendon has recorded their 4th win in 4 games to kick start a perfect 2013 season. The Bombers out lasted the Demons at the MCG on Sunday afternoon as the Bombers kicked 20.10.130 to defeat the struggling Demons 16.4.100.
A mediocore crowd turn up to the G on Sunday afternoon to watch one of the top sides in the competition against one of the bottom teams, and 47,135 saw a gallant Demons outfit, but a much better Essendon side.​

​

The Bombers had the lead through the entire match never allowing the Demons to get within 2 goals at times. The Bombers led at every change and just seemed to have that extra gear and found the answers when Melbourne challenged. Take nothing away from the Demons though, they have been competitive in their opening games apart from that 64 point thrashing from the Crows a fortnight ago.

The Bombers were well served through the midfield despite Melbourne winning the ruck contest count with Mark Jamar and Mitch Clark being able to team together against Bellchambers and Ryder. Stanton, Watson and Zaharakis found plenty of ball and Brendon Goddard was a stand out above the rest after revieing best a-field honours with 32 possessions, 3 tackles, 7 clearances and 7 inside 50's for the match.
Jason Winderlich was a suprise showing up in the forward line after playing much of his career either in defense or through the midfield. Winderlich seemed to quick for the Demons backs and finished the match with a career high 6 goals from 11 touches. Young gun Joe Daniher also provided a lot up front with a 5.3 night also collecting 18 possessions for his efforts. The Bombers just seemed like the cleaner side once going inside their forward 50.

Melbourne had their own power forward in Chris Dawes who kicked 5.1 for the match and taking his total to 15 goals in the first 4 games, however the Bombers just seemed to have more options up forward. Colin Sylvia, Colin Garland and Joel Macdonald finished with 2 each for the Demons as they struggled to find any forward option so 2 defenders went forward and scored.
Jack Grimes again was in the best for the Demons with 28 possessions and the wingman is having a oustanding season in a struggling side, while some youngsters showed plenty of promise, Rory Taggert picked up 23 touches and laid 7 tackles, while Jimmy Toumpas is getting better with each game he plays, finished with 23 possessions, 7 of which were contested and had 11 rebounds from defense being that "quarter back" type for the Demons going forward.

The win for the Bombers head into first position on the ladder enjoying a 4-0 record with Richmond and Collingwood, while the Demons are sitting second last with 0-4 with the Brisbane Lions. And if things don't get any worse, after playing the Pies last weekend, Essendon this weekend, now the Demons have got the Tigers next weekend, all 3 top sides in the compeititon at the moment.​

​

​

​

​

​

 

[haydo]

Big Demon signs on for another 2 years​

​

​

​

Melbourne forward Chris Dawes has put pen to paper, signing a new 2 year deal with the club after a good start at his new club. Dawes was offered just a 1 year contract when he came to Melbourne through trade period last year, but the form he has shown thus far in 2013, the Demons were quick to snap up the 23 year old, locking him in for another 2 seasons.

Chris Dawes believed that he will keep developing over the next couple of years and didn’t want to commit to anything beyond that time frame. “I am stocked to be here for another 2 years. This club is on the rebuild we can all see that, and sure there are going to be tough times ahead, but I am confident in the coaches, the administration staff and the club to quickly turn things around and I want to be apart of that” Dawes said in his press conference.
AFL.com.au believes Dawes had signed getting on estimated $400,000 per year and will take him to 25 to when he comes out of contract again.

Demons coach Hayden Sumner had this to say.. “It’s great for the club to have signed our full forward for the next couple of years. Dawsey has been great for the club since stepping foot on day 1, he has brought plenty of leadership and has taught the young guys a lot coming from a successful club in Collingwood. We see both Dawes and Clark as our benchmark players in this side, so to be able to have the both of them at the club for short term will lead this club into a new direction”

 

[haydo]

Round 5 Match Preview: Richmond vs Melbourne​

​

​

​

Round 5 of the AFL Premiership season has come around pretty quickly, but for the Demons it has already been a long season. In round 5, they come across one of the top teams thus far in 2013 in the Richmond footy club. Melbourne have had a tough few weeks starting against the Pies a fortnight ago and with the Bombers last weekend at Etihad and now finishing with the Tigers at the G on Saturday afternoon.

However the Demons have been competitive in most games they have played this season, they still haven't been able to snatch a win going 0-4 into this match with the Tigers who are 4-0.
Melbourne have made a few changes to the line-up which we have seen in the final teams that was released this afternoon. Coach Sumner has said that he wanted to change things around and wanted to try players in different positions to try and get his balance right.
Some strange decisions, but we have seen a rejuvilate Jack Watts in defense this year and has been pretty good. Watts has been named in the forward pocket for the Demons against the Tigers. Mitch Clark who has been the Demons main centre half forward for the year, has been named in the ruck against Ivan Maric, while Mark Jamar who currently sits the top of the hitouts in the AFL has been named at centre half forward. Strange moves, but we'll see if they pay off, in a must win match for the Demons after a bad start to the year.​

​

​

​

​

 

[haydo]

Another tough loss see's crowds drop off ​

​

​

​

After a few good crowds to start the year off, you can see that the on-field looses have made the crowd drop off a fair bit at Melbourne games. Another tough loss for the Demons, and people are starting to question wether or not a young rookie coach was the right decision. Richmond went on Saturday afternoon and won by 20 points, but you have got to give credit to the Demons, after many "thrashings" last year, they haven't been blown out of the water against the good sides, apart from Adelaide in their 64 point win. Again sides like Collingwood, Essendon and Richmond over the last 3 weeks, Melbourne were beaten by 16 pts against the Pies, 30 pts against the Bombers and 20 pts against the Tigers.

Melbourne were competitive in the first half of the match against the Tigers on the weekend, but dropped of in their intensity, while the Tigers went on to kick 10 goals to 8 in the last half. Richmond dominated possession throughout the match, winning all the important stats at the end, tackles 77-38, hitouts 50-23, 32-24 clearances. Melbourne were completely out played in the end, so they did really well to get within 20 points of the Tigers.
This is the 5th straight loss for the Demons this year, and questions are starting to come from the supporters group and past legends about the recruitment of a rookie coach who is new to the system and questioning wether Hayden Sumner is the right man to lead this football club out of it's rut it's got itself into.

Although the on-field has improved against Mark Neeld last year, they still haven't been able to win crucial games, when they have been in winnable positions.
The Richmond midfield was on top and dominant all afternoon. Trent Cotchin continues his great 2013 form with a 36 possession game and laying 7 tackles to lead the Tigers to it's 5th straight win. Brett Deledio 34 possessions, while sub Shane Edwards had been on the ground a lot earlier then intended with Steven Morris coming off with what was an ankle injury, Edwards took the most of his opportunities picking up 28 touches and kicking a goal. Dustin Martin and ex-Crow Chris Knights were important with 27 touches each.
At the beggining of the year Richmond coach Damian Hardwick came out and said that we aren't going to be Riewoldt concious this year, and said that they had plenty of players to rotate through the forward line this year with McGuane playing forward, Aaron Edwards from North Melbourne joined the club in the off season and a resting ruckman to help Riewoldt out. It showed in this game as Jack Riewoldt had plenty of the football with 25 possessions, but the coleman medalist went goal less so a lot of credit has to go to James Frawley this afternoon. Riewoldt finished with 3 behinds, but it was ruckman Tyron Vickery who did the damage in front of goal. Vickery looked to big and tall for the Demons defense and finished with 7 goals

For the Demons it was their big guys who did the job. But not in front of goal, more in the top possession earners on the ground. Max Gawn the 208cm giant had his best game for the club no doubt with a 24 disposal day and also laid 4 tackles which pleased the coach. Mitch Clark who started the game in the ruck also took the opportunity playing more up the ground and around with ball with 21 possessions, but wasn't able to hit the scoreboard.
Nathan Jones keeps fighting hard but sometimes it looks like he is doing it all by himself out there with another 24 possesion game and 6 clearances.
Chris Dawes after signing a new 2 year deal with the club during the week collected 15 touches and kicked 2.2 while Jeremy Howe finished with 2 goals for the game.​

​

​

Melbourne now take on the Kangaroos next weekend at Etihad Stadium, while the Tigers face off against the Fremantle Dockers at the MCG next Sunday.​

​

​

 

[haydo]

Round 6 Match Preview: North Melbourne vs Melbourne​

​

​

​

Round 6 of the AFL premiership season and after a 0-5 start to the year the Melbourne footy club are not starting to look any better then they were 12 months ago under new coach Hayden Sumner. Sumner has said right from day one that it will take plenty of time for this footy club to find the right people to lead and make it a force on field again.
The Demons come into their round 6 match against the Kanagroos not having won a match for the year, but being compeititve in contests against most clubs in Collingwood, Essendon and Richmond in previous weeks. Melbourne will come into this game giving themselves every chance as the Kangaroos who have started the year off pretty well, are still very inconsistent in their game plan.​

​

Melbourne will go in unchanged this week, not becuase the team is playing well, but the fact that their have been no good performers in the VFL to warrant selection. Jack Trengove is still a few weeks away as he will play in the VFL next weekend and get some match fitness before being brought back into the side. North Melbourne have made the one change that defeated the Bulldogs last weekend with Shaun Atley returning to the side while Cameron Richardson has been omitted.

It feels like we have been saying this each week for the Demons, but this is a must win, they need to get that win so the players can have some confidence that they are going in the right direction.​

​

​

 

[haydo]

Still has it: Brent Harvey winds back the clock with a best on ground performance​

​

​

​

Kangaroos veteran Brent Harvey is still showing the AFL world that the 33 year old still has plenty of footy left in him after a dominant performance against the Demons on the weekend. Harvey and his Kangaroos were too good for the Demons who showed plenty of spirit in front of 33,933 fans at Etihad Stadium. North Melbourne controlled the game from the first bounce and really slammed the door on the Demons with a 7 goal opening term, the Roo's best first quarter for the year, while the Demons were at a stand still only managing the 2.2 in the first term.

Tempers flared in the first quarter, and a bit of frustration came from the Melbourne camp, with their ruckman Mark Jamar being reported from the central umpire for rough conduct. It wasn't until the third quarter that we saw the Demons start playing some really good football. Melbourne came out after half time and completely blitzed the Roo's with an unexpected 8 goal term with Aaron Davey and Max Gawn providing 4 goals between them and brought the margin back to 7 points at quarter time, and everyone was on edge.

But it was a better quarter from the Kangaroos in the last knowing that they had this game in the balance, just seemed to be far more experienced in a tough situation and they prevailed with 4 goal last term to win the match by 14 points.
Brent Harvey was a star in the win, turning back the clock to when the veteran was in his prime, Harvey finished with 33 possessions, laying 7 tackles, kicking a goal and having 6 clearances. He wasn't alone though with Liam Anthony (30 possessions), Jack Ziebell (28 possesions) and Ryan Bastinac with 27 touches for the afternoon. Robbie Tarrant was a vital target up forward, with Drew Petrie being well held by James Frawley, Tarrant finished with 3 goals for the match.

A much better performance on field for the Demons was led by one of their more experienced players. David Rodan led the way for the Bombers with 31 possessions and having a massive 13 inside 50's. Nathan Jones continues his great year with a low-ish possessions of 25 but was still the second leading Demon possesion getter. Luke Tapscott and Jimmy Toumpas found plenty of the ball off the half back flank, but the Demons just didn't have enough on the day.
Aaron Davey found plenty of space in the forward 50, and finished with 3 goals his best return for 2013, while Max Gawn kicked 3.1 for the game from just 6 possessions. Melbourne's leading goal kicker Chris Dawes was well held by Michael Firrito, only having the 12 touches and kicking 1.1 while his partner in crime Mitch Clark had a very quiet afternoon only having 9 possesions, and finishing with 1.2 for the afternoon.​

​

Another loss for the Demons is really starting to hit the players and you can see it out on the field after the match. They had put the performance in but still weren't able to get the result they wanted.

​

 

[haydo]

MRP findings: Melbourne big man to miss a week​

​

​

Melbourne ruckman Mark Jamar has been suspended by the Match review panel on Tuesday evening and will miss a week after being found guilty for rough conduct against the Kangaroos on the weekend.
Jamar had been reported by the central umpire early in the first quarter against the Roos on the weekend, which saw the two ruckman Todd Goldstein and Jamar going for a throw in in the Demons forward 50, when Jamar hit Goldstein in the face with a swinging right arm. But the umpire in control saw that Jamar didn't have eyes for the ball and deliberately hit Goldstein.

The findings will mean the Demons will be witout their number 1 ruckman for the clash against the Hawks at the MCG on Sunday, and will need to reply on back up ruckman Mitch Clark and Max Gawn to cover against David Hale and Jarryd Roughead. ​

 

[haydo]

Round 7 Match Preview: Melbourne vs Hawthorn​

​

​

​

Melbourne have made 2 changes this week to tackle the Hawks at the MCG on Sunday afternoon. One forced change with Mark Jamar who copped a one week suspension during the week will miss, while young midfielder Rory Taggert has been given a week back in the VFL. Taggert is young and the AFL season is really long and tough on the young guys, so we've been managing the younger guys throughout the start of the year. The boys need to play a group of games in blocks. 3-4 games here, take a break for 2-3 games, and then come back and play 3-4 games.
We've been managing the players like Taggert, Bail, Tynan, Gawn, Toumpas throughout the year and we'll continue to do that.

Jack Trengove returns to the side after his AC joint injury which he suffered against the Gold Coast in round 1. Also coming into the side is Josh Tynan who was in impressive form in the VFL over the last couple of weeks and we though that a young player for a young players this week, and hopefully bringing in a small for a tall, we can have extra run in the legs against the Hawks.​

​

​

 

[haydo]

Hawks go into the top 2 with win over the Demons​

​

​

​

Hawthorn has moved to second on the AFL ladder after their round 7 win over the Melbourne Demons at the MCG on Sunday afternoon. Hawthorn picked up their 6th win of the year and now are just one spot behind the Tigers in first position. 35,734 turned up in the Melbourne home game to see yet another solid performance from the Demons, but they were just out classed by a better performing side on the day. Melbourne are looking closer and closer each week to getting that first win of the year and after kicking the first 5 goals in the match against the Hawks, fans and team thought that maybe today was the day. Melbourne kicked 7 goals in the first term to give the side the best chance it could at winning the match, but a 8 goal second term from the Hawks just out did all the hard work the Demons did in the first quarter and only managed the 3 behinds in the second term.

Hawthorn's midfield just got on top of the clearances, and Melbourne you could see them struggling without their number 1 ruckman in Mark Jamar getting smashed in the hitouts by David Hale and Max Bailey in playing in-experienced Max Gawn in the ruck with Mitch Clark pinch hitting. ​

But like i mentioned the Hawks midfield just oozed a little more class then the Demons, with Brad Sewell finishing the match with 33 possessions and applying plenty of pressure with 4 tackles. Captain Luke Hodge has returned to his best with 31 touches, 8 tackles and snuck forward for a goal of his own. Xavier Ellis and Paul Puopolo provded plenty of the ball coming off the interchange to start the match.

As pointed out, the Demons really struggled in the midfield and clearances without Jamar taking the centre bounces. Colin Sylvia tried hard for the Dees picking up 24 possessions and laying 7 tackles. Sylvia had been questioned at the start of the year about his effort and dedication to be an AFL footballer and so far this year he has been a shining light for the Demons in what has been a dissapointing start to the season. David Rodan is providing to be a handy pick up for the Dees with 26 touches, the best of any Demon and Colin Garland is really starting to find big numbers each week as a defender and is really playing that sweeping role pretty well for the Demons, picking up 19 possessions and laid 8 tackles.​

​

Jack Trengove looked to have really struggled in his first match back from an AC joint, only having the 9 possessions, and Josh Tynan found it hard to adapt to the speed of the game, having 3 possessions and 1 goal before being subbed midway through the third term for Rohan Bail.

The loss now takes the Demons to last on the AFL ladder, and a 0-7 record to start the year off. Certainly not in the ideal position and now fans are starting to really question the coach and the CEO as to wether he is the right man. Things started to look promising during the off season and the results have been a lot better than 100+ thrashings each week which we saw under Neeld. But doesn't matter how much you loose by, a loss is a loss and with 7 straight losses, questions are gonna be asked each week from supporters and the media.

Melbourne are going to have to look at where they are, and get that result that they desperately need, maybe it might come this week as the Demons play the Power who are also 0-7.​

​

​