Midfield vs Melbourne

[Hannabal]

Didn't watch the Dees backline take on the Lions then mate...

Good defences are rendered impotent unless there's substantial pressure all over the ground.

That said, I doubt we'd have the 4th best defence currently in the league without quality defenders. We've conceded 52 goals for the year. By comparison North have conceded 73, so it's drawing a long bow to say that North have the better defence.

 

[shintemaster]

It's still only a 3 game streak yeah? I must be missing something...

 

[EricisBananaman]

our backline is far superior to yours,as is our ruck division,

Ive heard some shockers on big footy, but that would have to take the cake. On form and on paper we have a much, much better backline than yours.

And whilst you have more competent rucks than we do, Jamar is playing better than any of your three at the moment so we've got you there as well

 

[GarnerSmash]

Good defences are rendered impotent unless there's substantial pressure all over the ground.

Completely agree, hence our relatively poor defensive record this season. Scott has come on board and implemented a new defensive zone, which the players have been struggling with at times, particularly early this season, hence the heavy scoring, specifically against the Saints. Individually our defenders are really very good, as highlighted by their stellar performances in an otherwise poor 2009 season. They were very rarely beaten one on one and created a great deal of drive from the back half. Unfortunately our midfield and forwards line were not as competitive.

I expect that once our new structure has been truly embraced by all players we shall see the true worth of our defenders.

Ive heard some shockers on big footy, but that would have to take the cake. On form and on paper we have a much, much better backline than yours.

I know it's been a while since winning has happened regularly for your boys, but games ain't won on paper buddy. I suggest you do a bit of research on your opposition before making such terrible and poorly informed claims.

 

[Event Horizon]

Ive heard some shockers on big footy, but that would have to take the cake. On form and on paper we have a much, much better backline than yours.

And whilst you have more competent rucks than we do, Jamar is playing better than any of your three at the moment so we've got you there as well

Well, the point being that your backline has been as crap as they come for a couple of years, and although they've just had 3 good weeks, it doesn't make a summer.

Our backline, while being far from great, has been playing together for some time now, and has proven over the last 12-18 months to be one of the better parts of our game.

The same goes with rucks. Just because Jamar has had 3 or 4 good games, I'd still say that on the day Hamish and Goldy will have him covered and ridden into the ground.

 

[saj_21]

People need to get the quotes right, as looks like im baggin my own teams backline

However in response to the post, who claimed North's backline is far superior to ours, I can understand if you said better and actually formed an agrument, but failing to do either is rediculous.

Last year North conceeded 2015 points against, Melbourne conceeded 2285 points against.

This year, North 500 Melbourne 375. But obviosuly will get better idea as the season progresses.

Jamar is in better form this year than any of your ruckmen, but as a collective group your ruck division is better.

 

[tazaa]

I see where you are going, but we aren't as one dimensional as you think.

We have Anthony, Bastinac, Wells, Harvey, Campbell and potentially Urquart to play the outside running roles

Harding is also an outside player.

Greenwood has an outside game, Adams has shown that he can be an effective forward and Ziebell and Cunnington can both go forward (In fact, that should be happening now).

Ed has also shown a capacity to take a grab and kick a goal.

We just need one or two more outside types to step up, and a big forward that can grab a game by the throat, then we will be well on our way to September.

Its all about balance. Our best mids are the inside players because theyre the ones wholl be winning the footy. The outside players wil be fed so its most likely 2 will be around stoppages. Then again our forwards are letting us down atm so cant wait till Petrie comes back.

 

[Hearts to hearts]

Good defences are rendered impotent unless there's substantial pressure all over the ground.

That said, I doubt we'd have the 4th best defence currently in the league without quality defenders. We've conceded 52 goals for the year. By comparison North have conceded 73, so it's drawing a long bow to say that North have the better defence.

It's a long bow to make anything of bare numbers after five rounds. From memory, the only team we've both played is Hawthorn? We had one truly shocking week against the Saints with Riewoldt on fire, when - it's a blur, but I'm guessing - we conceded a fair whack of our goals against tally in one awful evening.

This week won't tell us much about the defences - neither side has forwards who'd cause much panic at the moment. Back to the mids again.

 

[Brad Roo]

People need to get the quotes right, as looks like im baggin my own teams backline

However in response to the post, who claimed North's backline is far superior to ours, I can understand if you said better and actually formed an agrument, but failing to do either is rediculous.

Last year North conceeded 2015 points against, Melbourne conceeded 2285 points against.

This year, North 500 Melbourne 375. But obviosuly will get better idea as the season progresses.

Jamar is in better form this year than any of your ruckmen, but as a collective group your ruck division is better.

Rubbish stat.

Melbourne have played the 2 sides that haven't registered a win, North haven't.

Melbourne haven't played StKilda.

 

[saj_21]

Rubbish stat.

Melbourne have played the 2 sides that haven't registered a win, North haven't.

Melbourne haven't played StKilda.

You obviously didn't read the rest of the sentence.

 

[Brad Roo]

You obviously didn't read the rest of the sentence.

Why even bring that rubbish stat up in the first place?

 

[saj_21]

Why even bring that rubbish stat up in the first place?

I used the 2009 points against as the main comparison, and 2010 points against out of interest.

I didn't come on here to get in a in deepth discusion on who has a better backline, forward line or player x vs player y.

Was just out of interest on the match ups and after reading a few posts thought i would offer my insights on Melbournes team and match ups.

I still think we will by 15-25 points, but expect a very tight game. I am looking fwd to see how we play away from the G, on the smaller dimensions of Etihad. In which i expect you guys to restrict our move in and through the corridoor. How well you do that will be a big part of whether you win or lose the game. Likewise our defensive pressure through half forward and the middle is crucial, if we let your mids run pressure-less forward of centre we will be in trouble.

 

[Event Horizon]

I am looking fwd to see how we play away from the G, on the smaller dimensions of Etihad. In which i expect you guys to restrict our move in and through the corridoor. How well you do that will be a big part of whether you win or lose the game. Likewise our defensive pressure through half forward and the middle is crucial, if we let your mids run pressure-less forward of centre we will be in trouble.

That is pretty good summary I think. I am confident in our young midfield doing a job in this one, but of course time will tell.

 

[Hunters Host #3]

James MacDonald on Harvey, time for Jmac to revert to his old ways as a tagger, Harvey is a super player and very dangerous.

Are you sure McDonald can do the job on Boomer?

Retire
Robertson
McDonald
Wheelan

After all, you thought it was time for him to retire. Although, a fair summary Saj_21

 

[Radical Roo]

to faithful demon supporters: 3 wins in a role doesn't make a season. Your best match to date is the 1 point loss again collingwood. The Brisbane side you played was very underdone cos Brown was injured and Power wasn't playing. Don't forget Brown at BL was almost like Carey at NM. Power's abscence robs them of an elite mid, top disposal machine, rebouding defender and goal kicking mid.

 

[Brad Roo]

Are you sure McDonald can do the job on Boomer?

I was thinking the same thing. McDonald would struggle to stay with Boomer for 4 quarters.

 

[Hannabal]

to faithful demon supporters: 3 wins in a role doesn't make a season. Your best match to date is the 1 point loss again collingwood. The Brisbane side you played was very underdone cos Brown was injured and Power wasn't playing. Don't forget Brown at BL was almost like Carey at NM. Power's abscence robs them of an elite mid, top disposal machine, rebouding defender and goal kicking mid.

How often do you think AFL sides are at full strength ?

In reality, the Lions were about as strong as most sides ever are from a playing personnel point of view.

Btw, the overwhelming majority of Melb supporters feel that we'll miss the eight, so there's not too many getting ahead of themselves.

 

[Hannabal]

I was thinking the same thing. McDonald would struggle to stay with Boomer for 4 quarters.

McDonald has been too much value for us this year playing an attacking role, so I doubt he'll take Harvey.

Lynden Dunn has had him before, but he's been playing as a lead up target in the forward line.

Clint Bartram has been a revelation this year. He's shocked me frankly. I'd put a line through his name, but he's barely missed a target by foot, which was his achilles heel, and has been shutting down the oppositions small forwards. He may go to Harvey.

 

[Hunters Host #3]

I was thinking the same thing. McDonald would struggle to stay with Boomer for 4 quarters.

Would be more surprised if Dunn didn't get 1st crack at him.

 

[mfc150]

Have a lot of respect for the Roos as a club, always been my second club but..........

I hope your players turn up with the same mindset that most of you guys have

Sounds like you are expecting our backline to be shit and our midfield soft.

And yeah Nathan Jones is terrible, doesn't need to be watched at all, and Davey is overated, let him get possession... he wont hurt you.

 

[Brad Roo]

You probably shouldn't judge ALL of us because of the comments of SOME of us.

You should probably also take in to account that it is going to take more than 3 wins to make up for years of woefulness.

 

[Hunters Host #3]

Have a lot of respect for the Roos as a club, always been my second club but..........

I hope your players turn up with the same mindset that most of you guys have

Sounds like you are expecting our backline to be shit and our midfield soft.

Speaking for myself, you might want to have a look at post #16. In a roundabout way I stated that your midfield pressure has been a feature in your wins this season.

A bit pretentious on your behalf brother.

 

[mfc150]

You probably shouldn't judge ALL of us because of the comments of SOME of us.

You should probably also take in to account that it is going to take more than 3 wins to make up for years of woefulness.

F*k oath it will. We have put up with three years of being largely uncompetitive.

The important thing about those wins is the 22 contributors across the ground, young and old and the type of game that we are playing. Our sides are going to struggle some weeks as will happen with young sides.

And I did qualify that by saying "most" of you guys.

On another note those calling Nathan Jones shit haven't watched him this year. He had a bad 12 months but is a very dangerous player at the moment.

Should be a great test for both clubs and I expect both sides to come out playing some really agressive footy.

 

[Malkin]

Oh yeah.

I bet ya Brad Scott will be tossing and turning in his sleep tonight trying to come up with a plan to stop Stefan Martin and Co.

It'll be interesting to see how your ruckmen go against Mark Jamar. He's been great and I don't think that your guys have been that good. But I'm not trying to start an argument or anything. Maybe this will be the game in which Macintosh lifts for the year.

 

[proka123]

You probably shouldn't judge ALL of us because of the comments of SOME of us.

You should probably also take in to account that it is going to take more than 3 wins to make up for years of woefulness.

How about we make it 4 then?