PC2011/12RP 2013 and Beyond: The Grand Old Flag to Fly High Again.

[Grockadoc]

WEST COAST: 19.9.123 DEF. MELBOURNE: 10.12.72

Possessions: Viney, Trengove 29, McKenzie, Jones, Rodan 23.
Goals: Clark 4, Davey 2, Dawes, Howe, Jamar, McKenzie.
Best: Clark, McKenzie, Trengove, Viney, Jamar.


Press Conference:

This is the worst game we have played, as a whole this year. West Coast really kept their foot on our throats and didn't ease up. Our troubles revolved around the middle of the ground. Despite winning the hitouts rather convincingly, we were annihilated in the clearances 41-22. We had 170 less disposals than the Eagles, but managed only 3 less inside 50's. This shows you how dedicated and hardworking their backline was, to be able to repel us time and time again. Our backline was under immense pressure, and Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling kicked 11 goals between them. If I needed any more proof that another solid AFL defender is required. This was it. Jack Viney, Mitch Clark, and Jack Trengove played outstanding games today, but the game was left to too little, and as a result, we were dominated from start to finish. This was a poor game from the boys today. ​

 

[Grockadoc]

ROUND 9 V HAWTHORN:

LINEUP:
B: Tapscott, Frawley, Terlich
HB: Grimes (C), Pedersen, Gillies
C: Taggert, Sylvia, Rodan
HF: Watts, Dawes, Davey
F: Gawn, Clark, Howe
R: Jamar, Trengove, Jones (VC)
INT: Kent, McKenzie, Viney (TOUMPAS)


COACHES THOUGHTS:

Our toughest game for the year. We take on the reigning Runner Up, Hawthorn. The boys were given an absolute flogging on the training track this week after last weeks absolutely terrible performance against the Eagles, and are pumped and primed to tackle one of the leagues benchmarks sides to see how they fare. Jimmy Toumpas has looked a little tired lately, so he will start in the subs vest, and Rory Taggert gets to start on the ground. Coming up against a seriously good side in Hawthorn, we do not expect to win, given the amount of quality players, and tall forward line they possess. With Franklin, Roughead, Gunston and Hale, they have arguably the tallest forward line in the league, and given our noted lack of tall defenders, I think this one could get ugly.​

 

[Grockadoc]

MELBOURNE: 20.4.124 DEF. HAWTHORN: 14.14.98

Possessions: Sylvia 33, McKenzie 25, Rodan 24, Viney 23, Grimes 22.
Goals: Clark 5, Gawn 3, Dawes, Davey 2, Watts, Gillies, Terlich, Howe, Rodan, McKenzie, Trengove, Viney.
Best: Clark, Sylvia, Rodan, Jamar, McKenzie.


Press Conference:

I am absolutely stoked for the boys. The amount of confidence and self belief they would have received from beating the reigning runners up is going to be invaluable for our development. It just goes to show that when we stick to our gameplan and structures and implement them for the full 4 quarters, we can seriously match it with anyone. This is easily the best win we have had as a club for a long time. Our defence was very good today, holding Roughead, Franklin, Hale and Gunston to 8 goals combined, which is a fantastic effort. Colin Sylvia really stepped up today when we needed him to. He was one I focused on this week, as one of the more senior players, and someone around the club that most of the boys look up to. I told him that he really needed to pick up his work ethic, and that someone of his talent should be delivering on a more consistent basis. I'm glad to see he really took on board what I said. Mitch Clark again has been a real scoring threat, against a very highly rated backline. I am absolutely rapt with this win, and for the boys, however, we need to focus on next week. ​

 

[Grockadoc]

ROUND 10 V COLLINGWOOD:
​

LINEUP:​

​

B: Tapscott, Frawley, Terlich​

HB: Grimes (C), Garland, Gillies
C: Taggert, Sylvia, Rodan
HF: Watts, Dawes, Davey
F: Gawn, Clark, Howe
R: Jamar, Trengove, Jones (VC)
INT: Kent, McKenzie, Viney (TOUMPAS)​

IN: Garland
OUT: Pedersen


Coaches Thoughts:

Last week, against Hawthorn, was the best win this club has had in the past several years, and the boys were absolutely joyous after the game. However, things don't get much easier this week, as we tackle 4th placed Collingwood. Last week's game gave our boys the confidence that they could win any match if they put in the effort and that our game plan stacks up against anyone if we implement it consistently for four quarters. The boys will take this confidence into the clash against Collingwood full of hope and belief that they can claim their second win in a row against a seriously good footballing outfit. We are aided by the fact that Brownlow Medallist and Pies danger man Dane Swan is out for the season with a ruptured ACL. We will welcome back Colin Garland at the expense of Cameron Pedersen, leaving our backline in the best possible shape it could be in, and our side as ourbest possible 22.​

 

[Grockadoc]

MELBOURNE: 18.6.114 DEF. COLLINGWOOD: 17.6.108

Possessions: Viney 36, Jones, Rodan 26, Trengove, Kent 23.
Goals: Dawes 5, Clark 3, Gillies, Davey 2, Jamar, Gawn, Watts, Frawley, Sylvia, McKenzie.
Best: Dawes, Jamar, Viney, Rodan, Clark.


Press Conference:

If there was any naysayers about last week's result saying it was a fluke, they only have to have a look at this game to see that we are heading in the right direction. For the second straight week, we have defeated a top 4 side. We held the lead at quarter time, and at half time. Credit to Collingwood, they played that little bit better than we did in the third quarter and held the lead by 13 points. Our boys came out hard in the last quarter, and put immense pressure on Collingwood and scored 4 goals to 1 to win the game by 6 points. In the last 2 weeks we have proven that we can win games of football against ANY side in the AFL if we are on, and the boys have gained massive amounts of self belief and confidence at having defeated 2 such quality sides back to back. The thing I told our players at the start of the season is success breeds success. We might not win that many games, but a winning attitude will see the wins come eventually. They boys really adopted this and have really been positive and hard working so far, and it is good to see the results come sooner, rather than later.​

 

[Grockadoc]

ROUND 11 V CARLTON:

LINEUP:

B: Tapscott, Frawley, Terlich
HB: Grimes (C), Garland, Gillies
C: Blease, Sylvia, Rodan
HF: Watts, Dawes, Davey
F: Gawn, Clark, Howe
R: Jamar, Trengove, Toumpas
INT: Kent, McKenzie, Viney (TAGGERT)

Coaches Thoughts:

We have played well the past fortnight, beating two of the premiership favourites. The boys are really up and about in terms of confidence and belief, but my only concern is how long we can ride this wave of momentum. A young and inexperienced such as ours won't be able to continue this week in and week out, as we battle for consistency in games, let alone week to week. I have a feeling a down week is going to be coming up pretty soon. This week's game, we come up against a Carlton side who has been a little hit and miss this season, but have managed to win their last two games, much like we have. Their midfield has been in ominous form, an it will take a very disciplined game from us to defeat a Mick Malthouse coached side. Vice Captain Nathan Jones is out for 7 weeks with a back strain.​

 

[Grockadoc]

MELBOURNE: 10.10.70 DEF. BY CARLTON: 20.9.129

Possessions: Viney 32, Kent 29, Sylvia 22, Trengove, Grimes 18.
Goals: Clark 3, Sylvia, Toumpas 2, Grimes, Davey, Dawes.
Best: Viney, Sylvia, Clark, Grimes, Kent.


Press Conference:

I'm a little disappointed in today's result, and I know the boys are too. We had some good momentum going into this clash, but our midfield was absolutely destroyed by Carlton's and when things were as one sided as they were, all hopes of us winning went out the window. We couldn't do anything but chase Carlton jumpers, and we tired, and tired quickly, allowing Carlton to do as they pleased. 180 less possessions, 30 less Inside 50's and 25 less clearances meant we really had no chance. Credit to Carlton, they really turned it on today, but I am not really upset over this loss. Disappointed, yes. Upset, no. We had something like this coming, as a young group, we are going to find it hard to have consistency week in, week out, and this is something I expected in the next few weeks. Hopefully now, the boys can focus on next week. Jack Viney and Mitch Clark again are the barometers for us. They, along with Nathan Jones, have really been fantastic.​

 

[Grockadoc]

ROUND 12 V GOLD COAST:

LINEUP:

B: Tapscott, Frawley, Terlich
HB: Grimes (C), Garland, Gillies
C: Blease, Sylvia, Rodan
HF: Watts, Dawes, Davey
F: Dunn, Clark, Howe
R: Gawn, Trengove, Strauss
INT: Kent, McKEnzie, Viney (TAGGERT)

IN: Dunn, Strauss
OUT: Toumpas (INJ.), Jamar (Susp.)


Coaches Thoughts:

A disappointing match last week against the Blues left the boys feeling a little deflated a and eager to get stuck into the Suns. This week, we travel North to tackle the Suns at Metricon Stadium. Two teams in very similar positions list wise, both with young and developing lists, scattered with a few senior players to help the transition along. The boys are confident of walking away with a win against the Suns, who have won 2 games this year, but have been competitive for the most part. We will go into the game without Mark Jamar, who was found guilty of Rough Conduct and will spend 4 weeks on the sidelines, as well as Jimmy Toumpas who tweaked his hamstring and will miss a couple of games.​

 

[Grockadoc]

GOLD COAST: 15.11.101 DEF. BY MELBOURNE: 18.6.114

Possessions: Rodan 32, Viney 25, Kent 24, Trengove 22, Gawn 20.
Goals: Clark 7, Dawes 3, Blease, Tapscott, Dunn, Strauss, Gawn, Howe, Viney, Rodan.
Best: Clark, Gawn, Rodan, Dawes, Viney.


Press Conference:

A good fightback by the boys, after the Suns kicked 8 goals to 2 in the second quarter to take a 10 point lead into half time. The boys came out fired up in the second half kicking 7 goals to 3 to seal their 6th win of the season. Despite absences from several key players, we managed to get the job done against a determined Gold Coast side, who kept on fighting until the final siren went. Mitch Clark was super impressive with 7 goals, and in the absence of Mark Jamar, Max Gawn played an excellent game. Chris Dawes continues to go about his business chipping in with a couple of goals a game, taking a defender away from Mitck Clark and keeping them accountable, and Jack Viney and Dean Kent just keep plugging along, contributing to the team. A good showing from our lads today. Consistency is still a big thing in games, but that is something that ill come with more game time in our younger players.​

 

[Grockadoc]

MAX GAWN AWARDED NAB RISING STAR NOMINATION FOR ROUND 12:

Promising Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn has been awarded the NAB Rising Star nomination for Round 12 after a terrific game against he Gold Coast Suns at Metricon Stadium. Gawn picked up 20 disposals, 27 hitouts, 11 marks (6 contested) and kicked a goal to wrap up the nomination.​

 

[Grockadoc]

ROUND 13 V PORT ADELAIDE:

LINEUP:

B: Tapscott, Frawley, Terlich
HB: Grimes (C), Garland, Gillies
C: Blease, Sylvia, Rodan
HF: Watts, Dawes, Davey
F: Dunn, Clark, Howe
R: Gawn, Trengove, Strauss
INT: Kent, McKEnzie, Viney (TAGGERT)


Coaches Thoughts:

A solid win last week against the Gold Coast gives our boys some momentum heading into our clash with Port Adelaide at the MCG. We are still missing several key personnel, but we feel that our side is good enough to compete with most teams, and good enough to snag a win this week. The Power are languishing second last on the ladder, whilst we are on the cusp of the 8, and ladder dictates that we should win this game, however, missing a few players, things aren't as straightforward as they look. We still play poorly in patches, but are competitive for a majority of the match. It is just a 10-15 minute patch that lets us down. Against the Power, I am hoping to see a much more consistent performance across the board, and see each and every player step up and perform.​

 

[Grockadoc]

MELBOURNE: 16.7.103 DEF. BY PORT ADELAIDE: 17.10.112

Possessions: Rodan 29, Trengove 26, Kent 25, Frawley 22, Blease 21.
Goals: Dawes 4, Clark 3, Gawn, Dunn, Viney 2, Trengove, Davey, Tapscott.
Best: Frawley, Trengove, Rodan, Clark, Dawes.


Press Conference:

Although we lost, I am pretty happy with how our boys played today. We put in a consistent 4 quarter effort and kept the game going until the final few minutes where the Power managed to kick a couple of goals to snatch the win. I thought this was one of our most complete games for the year, and as such, I can't be disappointed. I'm not taking anything away from the Power though, they played well, and in the last few minutes, stepped up when the game was there to be won. David Rodan was again handy in the midfield, providing some grunt and class, and Chris Dawes was again handy as a forward. We should get Jimmy Toumpas back in the next week or so, and that should hopefully add to the midfield silk and skill. The only negative I had was our commitment to winning the ball. Port Adelaide smashed us by 35 in the Hard Ball Get category, and just seemed hungrier for the ball. We need to work on this for next week.​

 

[Grockadoc]

ROUND 14 V GEELONG:

LINEUP:

B: Tapscott, Frawley, Terlich
HB: Grimes (C), Garland, Gillies
C: Blease, Sylvia, Rodan
HF: Watts, Dawes, Davey
F: Dunn, Clark, Howe
R: Gawn, Trengove, Strauss
INT: Kent, McKenzie, Viney (TAGGERT)


Coaches thoughts:

Another tough game for us this week, coming up against ANOTHER top 4 placed side, in Geelong, who have been, arguably the best side of the past decade. We have been playing pretty well the past couple of weeks, and obviously would have liked to win against Port, but we played well enough, but Port managed to dig deep when it mattered. This week, we are hopinh to bring that same intensity into the clash with the Cats, buoyed by our knowledge that we have the capability of upsetting heavily fancied teams as has happened against Hawthorn and Collingwood. The Cats are hard to beat though, they are probably the most consistent side in the AFL over 4 quarters, and should they continue that, it is going to be hard for us to score, and even harder to be competitive.​

 

[Grockadoc]

GEELONG: 15.9.99 DEF. BY MELBOOURNE: 19.7.121

Possessions: Viney 33, Blease 28, McKenzie 27, Rodan 26, Kent 25.
Goals: Clark 5, Davey 3, Dunn, Dawes, Rodan 2, Gawn, Watts, McKenzie, Toumpas, Garland.
Best: Clark, Viney, Rodan, McKenzie, Davey.


Press Conference:

A terrific win by the boys today against another quality side. Geelong have handed us some absolute hidings, so it is good to get a in against them, as well as a win against a premiership contender, despite all the money being for the Cats. This is another win that highlights how competitive and how dangerous a footballing side we can be. The win was set up by a 6 goal to 1 second quarter, and after that, it was goal for goal, and we managed to preserve our lead. Jack Viney was brilliant today, as was Mitch Clark. This makes it 3 wins against Top 4 sides and Premiership contenders so far, which is something we would have been absolutely rapt with at the start of the season. ​

 

[Grockadoc]

JACK VINEY AWARDED ROUND 14 NAB RISING STAR NOMINATION:

Melbourne Young Gun, Jack Viney has been rewarded for his excellent performance against Geelong with the NAB Rising Star Nomination for Round 14. Viney collected 33 possessions, 7 marks, laid 8 tackles, 5 Hard Ball Gets, 8 Inside 50's and 5 rebound 50's in a terrific 22 point win for the Demons.​

 

[Grockadoc]

ROUND 15 V ESSENDON:

LINEUP:

B: Tapscott, Frawley, Terlich
HB: Grimes (C), Garland, Gillies
C: Blease, Sylvia, Rodan
HF: Watts, Dawes, Davey
F: Dunn, Clark, Howe
R: Gawn, Trengove, Strauss
INT: Kent, McKenzie, Viney (TAGGERT)


Coaches Thoughts:

Another tough game for us, coming off of the back of a high intensity game against Geelong this week. The Bombers have been in terrific touch in 2013, and currently sit 1st overall on the ladder, meaning this clash is against the Top of the Ladder. We have been very competitive against sides in the top 4 so far this year, and we are hoping for this trend to continue. Our form the past few weeks has been really good, and we are expecting to be competitive against a very solid Bombers outfit who are looking to cement their spot on the top of the ladder. We will again name an unchanged lineup.​

 

[Grockadoc]

MELBOURNE: 17.5.107 DEF. BY ESSENDON: 18.8.16

Possessions: Rodan 33, Kent 28, Blease, Trengove 23, Tapscott 18.
Goals: Dawes, Clark 4, Watts, Howe 2, Viney, Sylvia, Dunn, Davey, Trengove.
Best: Rodan, Dawes, Clark, Kent, Blease.


Press Conference:

This was a tale of two halves for us tonight. Our first half was deplorable to say the least. We had 98 possessions to half time. 98. We just couldn't win possession, and as a result, it was an 11 goal to 1 first half. The boys were angry in the change rooms, and Grimesy really got the boys pumped, saying they have been competitive most of the season, and won games against decent opposition. The boys responded well, and managed to kick 10 goals to the Bombers 5 to trim the margin back substantially. The final quarter too, was ours, with us kicking 6 goals to the Bombers 3 to really make this game look far more respectable than it perhaps should have been. That first half was the worst we have played. Hands down. We managed to get pretty much level in most stats, except disposals which the Bombers had 180 more, and Rebound 50's which the Bombers had 23 more. This just goes to show how hard our boys worked to get us back into the game, highlighting our gameplan works on teams no matter who they are, and the depth of talent they possess.​

 

[Grockadoc]

ROUND 16 V ADELAIDE:

LINEUP:

B: Tapscott, Frawley, Terlich
HB: MacDonald , Garland, Gillies
C: Blease, Sylvia (C), Rodan
HF: Watts, Dawes, Davey
F: Gawn, Clark, Howe
R: Jamar, Trengove, Toumpas
INT: Kent, McKenzie, Viney (TAGGERT)

IN: Jamar, MacDonald
OUT: Grimes, Dunn.


Coaches Thoughts:

A disappointingly inconsistent game for us last week, in which we found ourselves well and truly outplayed in the first half. Credit to the boys, who really fired up in the second half, but the way we played in the first half really meant we were really never in the game after that. This week, we are looking to put in a FAR more consistent against the Crows, who have been very good the past 5 weeks, going into this game with a 5 game winning streak. We are hoping to continue the momentum we gained in the second half against Essendon in this clash. Jamar and MacDonald come into the side, as Grimes is out with a rolled ankle suffered at training, and Dunn is omitted.​

 

[Grockadoc]

ADELAIDE: 18.11.119 DEF. MELBOURNE 16.4.100

Possessions: Viney 30, Rodan 24, Tapscott 21, Kent 19, McKenzie 18.
Goals: Dawes 4, Clark 3, Toumpas, Davey, Blease, Frawley, MacDonald, Rodan, Kent, Viney, McKenzie.
Best: Viney, Clark, Rodan, McKenzie, Tapscott.


Press Conference:

A good showing from the boys today, despite the margin. We were competitive for most of the game, with the margin tied at the three quarter time break. The Crows came out in the last quarter and their experience and development really shone through. A few of our boys were blowing a gale, spent physically halfway through the last quarter, so it was only natural that we would get overrun. Some people will say our boys being physically spent means that they aren't fit enough. I see their arguments there, however, I also see it as a positive, meaning our boys are working tremendously hard. was again fantastic, and should almost be a shoe in for our best and fairest at this stage, however, he does have some competition with Mitch Clark putting in his best season of AFL, really delivering on the potential we knew he had.​

 

[Grockadoc]

ROUND 17 V FREMANTLE:

LINEUP:

B: Tapscott, Frawley, Terlich
HB: Grimes (C), Garland, Gillies
C: Blease, Sylvia, Rodan
HF: Watts, Dawes, Davey
F: Dunn, Clark, Howe
R: Gawn, Trengove, Toumpas
INT: Kent, McKenzie, Viney (TAGGERT)

IN: Grimes, Dunn
OUT: Jamar, MacDonald.


Coaches Thoughts:

For the second straight week, we are forced to travel. For the second time this season, we fly over to Perth, and this time, we face the Fremantle Dockers, who have been very good this season, sitting in 5th on the ladder. We were pretty strong against an Adelaide outfit that was far more experienced than our own, and as such, we are hoping to be competitive against the Dockers, who also have a very strong, experienced lineup. We welcome back Jack Grimes, and Lynden Dunn, as Mark Jamar is suspended for 3 games, and MacDonald is omitted. Successive travelling is going to have a negative effect on the boys, so it will be interesting to see how long we can sustain our pressure and structures against a team that pride themselves on pressure and intensity.​

 

[Grockadoc]

FREMANTLE: 18.8.116 DEF. MELBOURNE: 17.6.108

Possessions: Rodan 27, Trengove 24, Kent 22, Sylvia 21, Viney 19.
Goals: Clark 5, Dawes 4, Davey 2, Gawn, Howe, Watts, Dunn, McKenzie, Kent.
Best: Clark, Dawes, Rodan, Gawn, McKenzie.


Press Conference:

A strong game from the boys against a very good opposition. I really underestimated our boys ability to recover from successive weeks of travel, but I really shouldn't have done. The boys are really driven and motivated, so I should have known they would have fought hard. The we faded late in the last quarter, and got overrun by a couple of goals in the last 4-5 minutes, but I was very impressed with our guys and their ability to handle the pressure from a team who is ranked as one of, if not the best pressuring side in the AFL, and managed to score heavily against them too, as their defence is very highly rated. Clark is again our most important player, structurally, and we look so much more dangerous when he is in the side.​

 

[Grockadoc]

ROUND 18 V BRISBANE:

LINEUP:

B: Tapscott, Frawley, Terlich
HB: Grimes (C), Garland, Gillies
C: Toumpas, Sylvia, Rodan
HF: Watts, Dawes, Davey
F: Dunn, Clark, Howe
R: Gawn, Trengove, Jones (VC)
INT: Kent, McKenzie, Viney (TAGGERT)

OUT: Blease
IN: Jones


Coaches Thoughts:

Another week of interstate travel for us. Last week we flew west, and this time, we fly north to tackle the Lions at the GABBA. We welcome back Vice Captain Nathan Jones from injury and Sam Blease is the unlucky one who has to make way. Last week, I wrote our boys off in our clash against the Dockers, and I was proven wrong. However, this week, I am just going to say that having to travel to the west after travelling to Adelaide, and being involved in a high intensity, physical game against the Dockers IS going to have some form of effect on us as a team. I can only hope the impact is not going to be too severe, as we feel like this is a game we should win.
​

 

[Grockadoc]

BRISBANE: 14.6.90 DEF. BY MELBOURNE: 16.10.106

Possessions: Viney, Sylvia 33, Rodan 32, Trengove 23, Jones 22.
Goals: Clark 4, Dawes 3, Davey, Toumpas 2, Gillies, Viney, McKenzie, Rodan, Jones.
Best: Rodan, Viney, Clark, Gawn, Sylvia.


Press Conference:

An extremely slow start from the boys today. I guess the travel and the physicality of last weeks match really caught up with the boys in the first half. Credit to the Lions though, they played really well. Our boys really lifted in the last quarter though, with a 7 goal to 1 final quarter to snatch the win against a Lion's side who played fantastically. The boys are really looking forward to next week, with the bye coming up. It means the boys can have a bit of a rest and freshen up for the final run home. Jack Viney was sensational today and has been all season, and David Rodan has really been an asset to us as one of the oldest players on the list, he is really showing our younger boys the work ethic required to make it to the AFL, and most of all, he has stayed injury free. He has been tremendous this season.
​

 

[Grockadoc]

ROUND 19 BYE:​

 

[Grockadoc]

ROUND 20 V RICHMOND:

LINEUP:

B: Tapscott, Frawley, Terlich
HB: Grimes (C), Garland, Gillies
C: Toumpas, Sylvia, Rodan
HF: Tynan, Dawes, Davey
F: Dunn, Clark, Howe
R: Gawn, Trengove, Jones (VC)
INT: Kent, McKenzie, Viney (TAGGERT)

OUT: Watts
IN: Tynan


Coaches Thoughts:

The boys are feeling fresh after their bye, coming off of the back of three straight weeks of interstate travel. They are looking forward to their clash with the Tigers at the MCG, after showing some positive signs against some quality opposition. The Tigers have enjoyed a ripping 2013, sitting third on the ladder with 16 wins from 20 games, and have really been one of the benchmark sides of the competition. We have our work cut out for us this week, coming up against red hot opposition, but take knowledge that we have beaten Hawthorn, Geelong and Collingwood, so we know our gameplan and structures match up against the very best of the AFL. Jack Watts is out for the week with a slight hamstring niggle, and Josh Tynan comes in.​