Bean Dailey Takes Charge: Season 2008

[CowboyFromHell]

I'll give some 3,2,1 votes mate. You're doing a good job with this so you deserve at least that.

vs. Hawthorn
3 - Rivers (big effort down back)
2 - Sylvia
1 - Green

vs. Dogs
3 - Bruce
2 - Morton
1 - McDonald (stood up in the absence of Neitz)

As a side note... we all know we got rolled by the Dogs without our talisman. He was unceremoniously dropped and it hurt the side. Must return if over this "hamstring" injury.

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

Vs Hawks

3 - Sylvia
2 - Rivers
1 - Green

Vs Dogs

3 - McLean
2 - Wheatley
1 - Bruce

 

[DemonJim]

Vs Hawks

3 - Sylvia
2 - Rivers
1 - Green

Vs Dogs

3 - McLean
2 - Wheatley
1 - Bruce

This.

 

[Logger]

Ambitious McNamee Named Demons CEO, Could He Be The Last?
By Carolyn Bileson

Tennis and golf administrator Paul McNamee has been charged with resurrecting the teetering Melbourne Demons in a stunning turn of events at the MCG this morning. McNamee was unveiled just a week after former CEO Steve Harris was deposed in a bloody meeting of the Melbourne Board, and arrives with a huge task in front of him as the ailing club looks to turn around mounting debt, chronic mismanagement and a season that has already slumped from a first round defeat of Hawthorn to a dispiriting 3-goal demolition by the Western Bulldogs.

The timing of McNamee’s appointment, just a week after the brutal boardroom death of Harris, is in stark contrast to the crippling self-doubt which plagued the club as they sought out a new coach, finally settling on Bean Dailey. McNamee fuelled speculation that Bailey may be one of the first to go under his new regime when he revealed that he hadn’t even talked to the senior coach yet before the press conference announcing the new Demons chief.

But the former tennis doubles World Number 1 had some very definite ideas about how to take the club forward. “We need to tackle our debt by getting more people through the gates of this great stadium,” said McNamee, “and the best way to do that is to sign a real marquee player. Melbourne hasn’t had one of those since Barassi, so I think if we could lure Jonathan Brown back down south, and maybe someone like Joel Selwood, two really big names, that would definitely improve our revenue and help us get back on our feet.”

He also singled out the MCC as a major source of income, suggesting that the Club could be more generous when it came to the deal they give to their tenants. “It is the Melbourne Cricket Ground and this is the Melbourne Football Club. I don’t understand why Richmond and Collingwood are treated the same as we are. We need to make sure that this ground is our fortress and part of that is getting a favourable deal.” When asked whether he would address the festering feud between the football club and the cricket club, caused by decades of bickering over membership and finances, McNamee said that the Cricket Club “needed to bring some sort of peace offering to the table.”

Despite his bullish performance, McNamee is now in charge of a club in decline, potentially terminally. Today may have been the revelation of the last man to run the Melbourne Football Club.

 

[Logger]

Preview: Round 3

Friday, April 4
Bulldogs Vs Saints (Telstra Dome): The bulldogs have twice faded late to allow teams a chance but so far they’ve done enough to win both their opening rounds. The Saints were despicable in their first round and delightful in their second. Both teams are hoping to be at the pointy end of the season, neither will want to give an inch to the other. This should be a good contest.

Saturday, April 5
Kangaroos Vs Hawks (Telstra Dome): Hawthorn have bitterly disappointed so far and their NAB Cup form seems a distant memory. The Kangaroos are second last on the ladder, doing nothing to dispel the theory last year’s top 4 finish was anything more than a fluke. More than a little hangs on this match: pride and the chance to kick-start two rapidly unravelling seasons.

Eagles Vs Dockers (Subiaco): The first of this week’s mini-rivalry round match-ups sees the Western Derby take place at Subiaco. The Eagles are sitting pretty after a couple of ugly but efficient wins. The Dockers have proven themselves dangerous at home. Expect free-kicks record to be broken with both sides’ supporters baying for blood.

Lions Vs Swans (‘Gabba): The Swans are somewhat of a surprise ladder leader at this point in the season, especially after their opening round. But their total domination of Port Adelaide has resulted in a truly extraordinary percentage of 330 from their two wins. The Lions have fought manfully but without success so far this season. Could they topple Sydney in this State of Origin clash?

Bombers Vs Blues (MCG): The first “real” game of the season, as supporters of the big three would say. The Bombers were humiliated by Geelong last week, the Blues have been beaten by a combined total of one goal in their two games. This should be a cracking Saturday night game.

Sunday, April 6
Cats Vs Demons (Skilled Stadium): Normally, this could be the sort of game that will get ugly. Certainly Geelong’s premiership has done little to slake their thirst for big wins, and the pre-season 9 goal pumping the Demons received would do little to assuage our fears. But Melbourne has been competitive in both their games and doesn’t look like the basket-case we were warned they could become. Maybe that will change this week?

Tigers Vs Magpies (MCG): You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy than the MCG when these two are playing. The Tiger Army are up and about after two wins in two rounds, the sort of anomaly that gets astrologists talking about the end of the world. The Magpie Army have seen their team win at home and abroad. One of these armies is going to leave the general Jolimont region with a sense of invincibility, the other with the desperate need to smash and burn something. Both will feel the need to drink heavily. Avoid the area completely.

Crows Vs Power (AAMI Stadium): Few cross-town rivalries are as bitter as Port Adelaide and Adelaide, but there will be a new sense of desperation at this particular Showdown. The Crows have looked hapless for all bar 2 quarters of their season so far. Port has struggled to shed the scars of their Grand Final Cat-astrophe in both their losses. Both sides need to show their fans something, anything, on one of the biggest stages of the season.



What we're looking forward to: Five games that could genuinely be called grudge-matches. Five matches that will not just shape ten teams' seasons, but their supporter's hope for 2008. Five games that might, if we're lucky, reach the historical heights of yester-year.

What we're not looking forward to: the end of at least two losing streaks. It's been fun listening to Hawthorn, North, Port and Adelaide fans trying to make excuses, but for at least two of these teams, plus potentially the Lions and Blues, the pain will end this week.

 

[Logger]

Sorry about the break, normal service should be restored now. On to this week's game versus Geelong:

Last week's team:

FB: Garland - Frawley - Bell
HB: Morton - Rivers - Wheatley
C: McLean - Bruce - Jones
HF: Davey - Holland - Yze
FF: Bate - Miller - Robertson
R: White - McDonald - Green
Int: Jamar - Sylvia - Maric - Whelan

As far as injuries go, Miller went down during the game, while during training Matthew Bate did his hamstring attempting what we call a "100m sprint" and Kyle Cheney bruised his ribs in a contested marking drill. The good news is that the man who did the rib bruising is our fearless leader, David Neitz, who is now feeling 100% and raring to go.

As for form, Aaron Davey was pathetic last weekend and not much better the week before. Jamar was good in the ruck but went missing around the ground and Matthew Whelan has had hauls of 8 and 9 possessions and managed only an hour of game time in two games.

At Sandringham, P.J. and John Meesen were both good in the ruck, Warnock, Buckley and Jace Bode did good jobs in defence, Moloney starred in the midfield and interestingly, Stefan Martin kicked 5 goals 3 behinds.

My suggested team would be:

FB: Garland - Frawley - Bell
HB: Morton - Rivers - Wheatley
C: McLean - Bruce - Jones
HF: Sylvia- Holland - Yze
FF: Maric - Neitz - Robertson
R: White - McDonald - Green
Int: Jamar - Dunn - Moloney - Buckley

OUT: Miller (hamstring), Bate (hamstring) , Davey, Whelan (both omit.)
IN: Neitz, Dunn, Moloney and Buckley.

Also vying for an opportunity on the basis of training and Sandy form would be Petterd and Newton for a forward role, Carroll and Warnock in defence and C.Johnson and Bartram could each cover a defence or mid position. P.J. also might replace Jamar if we were willing to swap woefulness in the ruck for woefulness around the ground.


Have at it!

 

[CowboyFromHell]

As long as Neitz is back in the side I'll be happy. Should have been playing even when on one leg but I digress...

Happy with those changes though. Moloney should give us a bit of extra run through the middle and Buckley can be there for the lulz. Bring on the Cats I say!

 

[lanky_wes]

Not sure how much starting positions matter in this but if they do I would swap Green with Jones and Bruce with McLean.

 

[Logger]

Not sure how much starting positions matter in this but if they do I would swap Green with Jones and Bruce with McLean.

Positions generally matter insomuch as which line they're in, but not in terms of who's on a wing as opposed to centre.

 

[MAXIMUM GRUNDAGE]

Neitz, Moloney and Martin in.
Jamar, Miller and Bate out.

 

[Logger]

Neitz, Moloney and Martin in.
Jamar, Miller and Bate out.

It's still Stef's first year and he hasn't done much ruck work, what with Meesen, Spencer, PJ and Jamar all down at Sandy most of the time. I don't know if it's sensible to bring him in just yet, but what does everyone else think?

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

Neitz, Dunn, Moloney, Petterd for the same outs as you Loggsy.

 

[MAXIMUM GRUNDAGE]

It's still Stef's first year and he hasn't done much ruck work, what with Meesen, Spencer, PJ and Jamar all down at Sandy most of the time. I don't know if it's sensible to bring him in just yet, but what does everyone else think?

Stef is offering more around the ground than Jamar. White is able to ruck most of the match, with Stef and Dutchy chopping him out.

 

[Logger]

So Neitz and Moloney definitely in, Dunn, Buckley and Petterd fighting it out for two more spots and Jamar to possibly be replaced by Martin.

How does this look for a side?

FB: Garland - Frawley - Bell
HB: Morton - Rivers - Bruce
C: McLean - Moloney - Jones
HF: Sylvia- Holland - Yze
FF: Maric - Neitz - Robertson
R: White - McDonald - Green
Int: Martin - Dunn - Wheatley - Petterd

OUT: Miller (hamstring), Bate (hamstring), Davey, Whelan, Jamar (omit.)
IN: Neitz, Dunn, Moloney, Petterd and Martin.

Buckley misses out because he can play back and mid, whereas Petterd can play back and forward. Might as well give the SME a game early on.

Thoughts?

 

[Logger]

Demons Drown Despite Challenging Cats
By Ben Sharper

Cats: 4.2 8.5 12.7 14.8.92
Demons: 3.3 3.5 7.7 7.12.54

Two goalless quarters didn’t tell the full story for Melbourne, after they challenged Geelong amidst hail-and thunder-storms at Kardinia Park. In front of an initially impressive crowd of 28,592 (which thinned appreciably as the storm cells wreaked havoc) Melbourne challenged the reigning premiers who looked out of sorts for much of the game. The Demons had the better of the Cats for much of the game but the same weather that made them dangerous around stoppages and covered their lesser skills also rendered their forwards impotent.

Entering the game $9.60 outsiders amidst 27° heat and 60% humidity, the Demons came in to the game aware of the clear class difference between the teams but determined to take it up to them all the same. The opening 10 minutes showed both points in stark light as Geelong held the ball in their half of Skilled Stadium but were unable to score freely thanks to the pressure exerted on them by Melbourne. They returned the favour whenever the Demons got their hands on the ball, however, and were consistently first to the ball as they fought their way to a 20 point lead. The Dees lacked polish and structure going forward and seemed unable to make any headway, easily repelled by Geelong’s excellent defence.

A clever tap and gather from Jeff White on the edge of Melbourne’s 50 followed by an impressive snap by Addam Maric was the Demons’ first score off their own boot (after a couple of rushed behinds) as light drizzle began to fall. Drizzle turned to rain and then an absolute deluge as the quarter wore on, and soon Melbourne’s skill errors were matched by Geelong’s. Robbed of their pinpoint passing and slick ball movement, Geelong suddenly found themselves dragged down to the Demons’ level by the conditions, and the Dees took full advantage. Ricky Petterd, playing his first game of the season, shone in the conditions and kicked his team’s second, setting up its third through James McDonald and becoming Melbourne’s gateway to their attacking 50.

A late Gary Ablett Jnr goal did little to halt the momentum as the Demons kicked long and then locked the ball in, dominating the hitouts and clearances and choking Geelong’s ball movement. Going in to the quarter time huddle, they were just 5 points down but had all the run and looked ready to account for their second big scalp in three weeks. Two goals in the opening minute of the second term took all the wind out of their sails, however, and with the rain momentarily halting and a swirling gale, the Demons’ long-kicking strategy became a hindrance rather than a help. With Ben Holland and David Neitz unable to make any impression in the forward line, Melbourne saw their rebounds return with interest. The tireless James Frawley cut off attack after attack but sheer weight of numbers saw Geelong kick four goals to nil. Melbourne remained competitive right up to their 50m arc but once inside, Matthew Scarlett and Darren Milburn reigned supreme, intercepting every kick and running down every loose ball with impunity.

The long break did little for the Demons as Geelong continued with two early goals but the rain returned, and with it brought hail, causing the game to briefly stop after Jared Rivers had his head cut by a particularly large hailstone. The wet conditions once again caused the Demons to flourish and they piled more pressure on to Geelong. With Ben Holland and Adem Yze sent into the backline and Brad Green forward, the Dees kicked four unanswered goals in tem minutes to come storming back into the game in the middle of the storm. Occasional lighting strikes and deafening thunder rocked Skilled Stadium, but the Demons’ scoring run ended as abruptly as it had started. Still dominant around the ground, they seemed unable to convert half-chances into shots on goal and with a minute to go the Cats took the ball end to end, with Tom Hawkins kicking a goal to push the margin back out beyond three kicks. A heartbreaking Jimmy Bartel goal with one second left in the quarter just about sealed the deal for Geelong with a quarter to play.

Coach Bean Dailey shook things up in an attempt to stage a miraculous comeback, sending the solid Colin Garland into the forward line to tag Matthew Scarlett, with impressive debutant tall utility Stefan Martin joining him at full forward and fellow draftee Cale Morton onto a wing. The Demons responded well to the changes and were at their most dominant in the opening half of the last quarter, but simply didn’t grasp their opportunities. Adding just four behinds despite running rampant in the now steady rain, Melbourne threw away the game with poor kicking for goal in the last and by the 15 minute mark had lost hope, leaving the Cats to kick two quick goals. Geelong rarely had the ball in the last but made sure that they scored whenever they got their hands on the Sherrin, running out a flattering 38-point winners.

Bartel and Ablett took it in turns to rack up possessions (depending on who wasn’t being tagged by the outstanding James McDonald at the time) by were below their best, both managing six clangers each. Defenders Milburn and Scarlett were the real heroes for Geelong, combining for 16 rebounds between them. Scarlett’s impact was shown by just how much the Cats struggled when he was taken out of the game by Garland in the last.

For the Demons, youngsters Ricky Petterd, James Frawley, Stefan Martin and Nathan Jones were all very impressive, while the tireless Jeff White and James McDonald were peerless at the stoppages.

The Moment: The Demons had controlled much of the third quarter and were just coming within striking distance when Tom Hawkins got on the end of a breathtaking piece of play by Geelong to kick a steadier in the dying moments of the third quarter. From the centre, Jeff White slipped, Gary Ablett got on the end of a rare Mark Blake tap, passed to Stevie J who chipped it to a sprinting Bartel who slammed home a goal with just 1 second left on the clock. Teams don’t recover from that sort of thing.

The Number: 32mm of rain recorded at nearby Avalon Airport in one hour during the game. It was raining cats and dees at Kardinia.

The Wash-Up: Geelong continue their undefeated ways, but this was a much tougher game than either of the last two. The Demons showed fight against much more fancied rivals, as they have so far this season, but once again their inability to capitalise in front of the goals hurt them dearly.

The Stats:

The Votes: Please give your 3,2,1 votes for the Bluey Truscott!

 

[LeverPuller]

3: Frawley
2: Petterd
1: Jones

 

[Captain Jack]

3 Frawley
2 White
1 McDonald

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

3: Frawley
2: Petterd
1: Sylvia

 

[MAXIMUM GRUNDAGE]

3 Frawley
2 McDonald
1 Petterd

 

[Supermercado]

3 - Frawley
2 - Petterd
1 - Bruce

Note the SME's strong performance on bugger all game time. Also tell Neita to LIFT.

 

[Logger]

3 - Frawley
2 - Petterd
1 - Bruce

Note the SME's strong performance on bugger all game time. Also tell Neita to LIFT.

SME close to a revelation: performed very well in the ruck, around the ground and was ok up forward.

Neitz disappointing so far but is working hard at training [/Neeld]

 

[Gentlemen]

Have to pop in and say this is an amazing effort Logger, also, did you change a few of the player ratings in the game? Stefan Martin was one of the lowest ranked players in the game.

 

[Logger]

Have to pop in and say this is an amazing effort Logger, also, did you change a few of the player ratings in the game? Stefan Martin was one of the lowest ranked players in the game.

Yep, did my best to retrospectively correct a few players' rankings. Stef did surprise me though, his stats still aren't that great so he clearly played out of his skin on debut. If he continues like that, he must have a lot of heart and that's not something you can measure!

 

[Logger]

Weekly Round Up 3

Scores:
Dogs Destroy Saints
Bulldogs: 7.5 16.5 19.14 20.15.135
Saints: 3.0 5.0 7.0 13.4.82

Harvey Heroics Not Enough Against Hawks
Kangaroos: 3.1 4.6 7.13 8.14.62
Hawks: 1.5 3.6 7.7 10.12.72

Wet Western Derby Won by Eagles
Eagles: 1.5 5.9 8.11 12.16.88
Dockers: 2.4 6.6 6.8 10.9.69

Sydney Victors in Vicious Clash
Lions: 2.0 5.5 8.10 12.12.84
Swans: 5.5 8.7 11.10 14.14.98

Bombers Down Blues During Deluge
Bombers: 1.5 2.8 3.14 7.17.59
Blues: 2.1 4.3 4.6 4.10.34

Demons Drown Despite Challenging Cats
Cats: 4.2 8.5 12.7 14.8.92
Demons 3.3 3.5 7.7 7.12.54

Richo’s Six Second Half Goals See Pies Surrender
Tigers: 4.2 5.6 10.13 13.14.92
Magpies: 1.8 5.11 7.15 11.17.83

Crows Beat Power
Crows: 1.4 2.8 7.14 10.17.77
Power: 2.3 5.6 8.7 10.10.70

Ladder:

Goal Kickers:

1 L.Franklin 14
=2 B.Johnson 13
=2 B.Hall	13
=4 S.Lucas  12
=4 Q.Lynch  12
=4 M.Pavlich 12

Injuries:
Nathan Bock, Matthew Bate and Adam Goodes all did their hamstrings this week. All are facing 3-4 weeks on the sidelines. Ryan Houlihan’s groin niggle has been revealed to be full-blown Osteitis Pubis, putting the Blues veteran’s playing future in doubt.

Demons: M.Bate – Hamstring (3-4 weeks), B.Miller – Hamstring (3-4 weeks), K.Cheney – Soreness (test)
Others: J.Sellar [Ade] - Osteitis Pubis (indefinite), M.Osborne [Haw] – ACL knee (Season), R.Houlihan [Carl] – Osteitis Pubis (indefinite), S.Crawford [Haw] - Osteitis Pubis (indefinite), J.Adcock [Bris] – stress fracture, foot (6-7 weeks), A.Goodes [Syd] – hamstring (3-4 weeks), N.Bock [Adel] – hamstring (3-4 weeks), S.Dempster [StK] – hamstring (3-4 weeks), N.Lonie [Port] - PCL knee (3-4 weeks), D.Glass [WCE] – hamstring (2-3 weeks), J.Koschitzke [StK] – calf (1-2 weeks), M.Maguire [StK] - AC joint (1-2 weeks), D.Myers [Ess] – cork, thigh (test)


Tribunal:
Daniel Bradshaw [Bris] reported for umpire contact. Guilty, $500 fine.
While attempting to shepherd a goal through, Bradshaw collided with the goal umpire heavily.

Jamie Charman [Bris] reported by field umpire for charging Darren Jolly. Guilty, 2 week suspension.
Following a number of niggling incidents between the two, Charman arrived very late to a throw in, appeared to take his eyes off the ball and line up Jolly from the side. Jolly saw Charman approaching and braced, and the two collided. Contact was medium severity, low impact and to the body.

Barry Hall [Syd] reported on video evidence of striking Joel MacDonald. Cleared.
After a controversial free kick and goal to Hall, a number of Sydney players remonstrated. Hall hit MacDonald in the stomach but it was adjudged too light an impact and dismissed.

Brendon Lade [Port] reported for umpire contact. Cleared.
Lade appeared to brush umpire Chamberlain after a ball-up, but it was later established the umpire had tripped over his own feet.

The Wrap:
What was great:

• Rivalries – The Bombers and Blues, the Derbies and Showdowns, the punches and put downs. This was the sort of round to make Mean Gene Okerlund salivate.
• Mudbaths – and not the sort your wife goes off to for a weekend with the gurrls, the sort where men go in to battle on a field made of equal parts water and dirt, fight to the death, and then the only parts you can really distinguish at the end are the whites of their eyes and gleam of their shattered teeth. The Bombers and Blues, Eagles and Dockers, Tigers and Magpies and the Cats and Demons all played in the middle of the sort of stormy weather that would get Livinia Nixon excited on the nightly news.
• Richo-Richo Man – Everybody loves the Richo Man!
• Aliteration.

What was crap:

• Lack of cliff-hangers – Sure, we’ve been spoilt for choice so far this season, with 6 games going down to the wire in two weeks, but apart from the Showdown in Adelaide, where there was a sense of inevitability to it all (with Adelaide kicking 10 of the last 12 goals, all of them before the last 5 minutes of the game) there was little in the way of nail biting going on this week.
• Umpires getting in the way – and players getting fined for it. Two weeks in a row now. It’s bad enough that you insert yourselves in the game when it’s not needed, now you can’t pull out quick enough either!
• The bottom of the ladder – two top four teams from last year, one of which was a grand finalist. Ouch.

 

[Danger in Texas]

Logger I feel like a Werewolf that has died posting in here (only SFAers will get that ) but great effort nonetheless. In fact you have given me inspiration...