VelvetSledge
Moderator
- May 24, 2007
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- Liverpool FC, Melbourne Storm
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- #1
MELBOURNE
The damage was done in the first half as the Demons cruised to an easy victory over the Eagles in what turned out to be Adam Simpson's last game in charge.
This win lifted Melbourne to be within striking distance of the top eight after a seriously rough patch in the past couple of months - they're just outside on percentage with a record of 9-7.
Jacob van Rooyen was the most dangerous spearhead on the ground, finishing with 4.4 in what could have been an absolute ballbuster performance.
It was good to see Jake Melksham returning from an ACL injury and booting 2; whilst he couldn't get it together for us, he's certainly found his spot at Melbourne.
Trent Rivers is filling the spot left by Christian Petracca brilliantly, adding a BOG showing to his resume as he ran around entirely unchecked, finishing with 29 touches and 7 clearances.
Unfortunately, the Dees win came at a cost, with captain and ruckman Max Gawn going down with a leg injury. He will miss this week and next week's crucial clash against Fremantle.
I'm sorry, but Koltyn Tholstrup can not be a real name. What on Earth is that?
MELBOURNE 17.10 112
def.
WEST COAST 8.10 58
MELBOURNE BEST: Rivers, Windsor, van Rooyen, Langdon, Pickett, Viney
MELBOURNE GOALS: van Rooyen 4, Fritsch 3, Melksham, Pickett, Tholstrup 2, Gawn, Langdon, Turner, Windsor
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ESSENDON
Hahahahahahahahaha.
We needed a scalp, and whilst they may have been decimated with injury, we got one.
Zach Merrett could well be the best player I've seen for our mighty club since James Hird. He just doesn't ever have a bad game. With Heeney now ineligible for the Brownlow, he might just get a strong look in. Certain to be an All-Australian, very VERY likely to be the All-Australian Captain. Just unbelievable.
Jye Caldwell has come of age, and we're seeing justification for the words that Phil Davis spoke about him. If you could sign any player to a 10-year deal, it would be him.
Dylan Shiel, for all his knocks, came in after a strong surge of form in the twos and was immense. A huge defensive final quarter could have almost been the catalyst for us winning that game.
Draper took the role as the sole ruck with both hands, and was utterly brilliant.
Ben McKay, after a somewhat down period, was back to his intercepting best.
Just so, so good. Eat a bag of dicks, Collingwood.
COLLINGWOOD 12.8 80
def. by
ESSENDON 13.14 92
ESSENDON BEST: Merrett, Caldwell, Draper, Durham, Shiel, McKay
ESSENDON GOALS: Langford, Wright 2, Caddy, Caldwell, Draper, Duursma, Gresham, Guelfi, Jones, Merrett, Stringer
MELBOURNE INS: Harrison Petty
MELBOURNE OUTS: Max Gawn (Injured)
ESSENDON INS: Dyson Heppell
ESSENDON OUTS: Jayden Laverde (Managed)
ROUND 5, 2023
Adelaide Oval - Gather Round
25/4/2023
ESSENDON 15.14 104
def.
MELBOURNE 11.11 77
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ESSENDON GOALS: Draper 3, Phillips, Langford, Hind, Martin 2, Stringer, Snelling, Jones, Perkins
MELBOURNE GOALS: Melksham, Fritsch, Pickett 2, Petracca, Neal-Bullen, Jordon, Chandler, van Rooyen
ESSENDON BEST: Merrett, Phillips, Laverde, Parish, Langford
MELBOURNE BEST: Grundy, Oliver, Viney, Petracca, Langdon
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CHANGES SINCE LAST TIME:
ESSENDON OUTS: Laverde, Parish, Phillips, Snelling, Setterfield, Zerk-Thatcher, Menzie
ESSENDON INS: Wright, Guelfi, Caddy, Duursma, McKay, Gresham, Cox
MELBOURNE OUTS: Grundy, Petracca, Hunter, Tomlinson, Brayshaw, Jordon, Spargo
MELBOURNE INS: Lever, Salem, Windsor, Tholstrup, Woewodin, Turner, Moniz-Wakefield
If we're going to seriously have a crack this year, then we will need to beat this Melbourne side. They're missing a chunk of A-Grade talent, have two less days of rest, and we should really be embracing our current position. This team, when on, is capable of beating anyone. We need another notch in the belt, and the Demons are ripe for the picking.
Confident? Never.
Hopeful? Of course.
Essendon by 21.
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