Preview Round 1, Melbourne Demons vs GWS Giants, Sat 26th March 2016, 1.40pm, MCG

[_GT_]

Not a whole lot better, but at least I remember seeing him before the last five minutes. He was also one of the few who hit an open target in front of goal instead of blazing away. He also found space in front of goal (only to be ignored by others).

Greene: 12 disp @ 75% (9 effective) 3 marks 3 tackles 1goal 1 behind (both in the last 4 minutes of the game) 5 score involvements 0 inside 50s, 0 rebound 50s 0 clearances
Steele: 11 disp @ 72% (8 effective) 3 marks 2 tackles 1 goal 6 score involvements 3 inside 50s 1 rebound 50 1 clearance.

Weirdly enough, but according to the app I got those stats from, Greene had 6 clangers to Steele's 2, but how that works when you have 9/12 effective possessions is a little beyond me.

Coin toss really - but check my sig as to who I advocate for...

Fair enough too. I hope Cogs can come in for one of these two and compete well with the likes of J Sellwood. Will be interesting to see who makes way....assuming it is one of Steele or Greene.

 

[kulak]

I was at the game yesterday.

I don't really care that we were inaccurate. That happens to all teams from time to time.

I care that when Melbourne lifted early in the last, GWS went into their shells. Just kicked down the line. Lost their nerve. Would expect the likes of Ward and Griffen to stand up under pressure.

Phil Davis was the difference in the first three quarters. Hope to see him dominate four quarters next time.

Treloar obviously a huge loss. One of only two genuinely elite young mids we had along with Shiel. Would like to see more from other early picks like Whitfield.

I like Steele's poise in the contest, he will hopefully develop into a contest winning machine.

Some promising signs, but ultimately disappointing, and at this point it is quite possible to imagine this group of players might never develop a killer instinct. Hope to see better next week.

 

[dlanod]

Weirdly enough, but according to the app I got those stats from, Greene had 6 clangers to Steele's 2, but how that works when you have 9/12 effective possessions is a little beyond me.

Two frees against and probably one or more fumbles under no pressure.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clanger_(Australian_rules_football)

 

[Land of the Giants]

Some promising signs, but ultimately disappointing, and at this point it is quite possible to imagine this group of players might never develop a killer instinct.

You've raised an important point here.

The killer instinct. All successful teams have it. Where was it at three quarter time on Saturday? With the Demons.

Leon needs to hammer that into them very quickly.

 

[_GT_]

There has probably never been a team like ours. Full of young champions used to dominating as juniors. Sometimes it seems as if they struggle to accept they just can't make it happen as individuals. They have all grown up playing a team sport, so they know each has to play their part. Yet are we seeing the effects/scars of this young team's early smashings? I just wonder whether the individual self belief is there, despite the obvious talent.

 

[Ichabod Noodle]

Two frees against and probably one or more fumbles under no pressure.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clanger_(Australian_rules_football)

Aaahhh, well that explains it. I always thought a Clanger was just a shanked kick that went straight to the opposition (or at least, resulted in a turnover). I also would have thought the term predates champion data as well. But the addition of a free kick against and a dropped Mark under no pressure to the definition for statistical purposes, certainly would explain Toby's 6 clangers from just 3 ineffective disposals.

 

[Land of the Giants]

I just wonder whether the individual self belief is there, despite the obvious talent.

It's not a question of self belief - it's question of hunger, mongrel, killer instinct.

 

[kulak]

It can change over time. The Crows of 1991-1996 were typically quitters. The Crows of 1997-1998 were fighters. Although there were some personnel and coaching changes. GWS fans who have followed other teams can probably think of similar transitions.

It must be a bit deflating to walk out without Adams, Boyd, Treloar, McCarthy. Then you have Griffen alongside you who wanted out of Melbourne because it was too stressful, and who doesn't seem to do much under pressure.

Maybe I am unduly worried about it all. It's only round one. Come out and pump the next two opponents and it's all forgotten.

 

[dlanod]

Greene and Whitfield seemed to spend a lot of time forward from what I could see on the TV. Was decidedly more disappointed in Griffen given what he was recruited for.

To follow up on this now that I know AFL Live Pass subscribers get player heat maps - Whitfield played mainly around the forward 50 line. Greene actually was in the centre most of the time (more or less) as was Griffen. More disappointed in those again now.

 

[gee whiz giant]

My thoughts on the game are that we frittered away a commanding 3/4 time lead by being self-centred and taking too many 'glory' snaps when we could have taken a more team-oriented approach to scoring. Chief culprits Johnson and Smith, but they would be, because that's the way both play the game and its worked for them on so many previous occasions.

So that was a problem, but not the chief problem. Chief problem was letting the crowd find its voice in the last quarter. It needed one or two Giants to kill the tempo. Thats what Leon has to work on. How to stop an opposition run-on. Someone had to blanket Viney, but no-one did. This is all easy in hindsight, but it seems every team has 2 or 3 'touchstone' players, and when they get on top, the whole team lifts. Melbourne was Viney, Watts, Hogan. Geelong will be Motlop, Guthrie, Hawkins.

Positives from the game were Davis, Scully and Lobb. I'm hoping that Scully felt no additional motivation from getting dumped from the leadership group, playing his old team, and being booed at each touch, and that he will be that fired up again next week. If he is, then that alone covers the loss of Treloar. Davis is in form and will go to Hawkins next week. Lobb to match up on Taylor. That leaves either Tommo or Stewart to play on the other defender, (Lonergan?). Both Tommo and Stewart were quiet against Melbourne, so only 1 of 3 tall forwards fired. Will ned 2 of 3 firing to beat Geelong.

And Ryan Griffen continues to play a supporting cast role when sometimes a leading man role is required. Hard to reconcile that he was skipper at the Bulldogs, Wardy needs to cajole more out of him.

 

[Ichabod Noodle]

That leaves either Tommo or Stewart to play on the other defender, (Lonergan?). Both Tommo and Stewart were quiet against Melbourne, so only 1 of 3 tall forwards fired.

I think that might mean Patton in for Stewart. Thommo can still be used elsewhere on the ground.

 

[Bryce_Jersey17]

Although a poor result from the club (and Melbournes first goal that I personally don't think should've happened) were not sitting that badly on the ladder. We're only the spot down from Melbourne (as it was the smallest margin) so we're in a good spot for next week. Should be interesting going up against the team that beat the Premiers.

 

[fridgeman]

finished watching the game and will say disappointed but i am sure the players are feeling worse and hope they respond
most of the reasons for the loss have already been stated but definitely poor options in forward 50, underdone players (or poor games from some), a few melbourne players having great games and the bounce of the ball going their way
Ward was his courageous self, Scully showed we will see a big season from him and Davis having a great game as well