Round 16 – Melbourne Vs Fremantle – On The Canvas But The Ref’s Still Counting

Liam Chambers

Melbourne rarely performs well in the rain. So when the heavens opened after the first three minutes of play, it didn’t bode well for the Dees. If there is going to be a pre season boot camp next year, may I make a suggestion. How about two weeks in the top end where it rains practically every day from October to March. If the Demons can train in those conditions, they need never worry about water again.

Initially we needed to win this game to have a fighting chance. However, sometimes fate has a way of intervening and changing the course of events. Thank you Adelaide Crows!

Currently there are five teams fighting for the last three spots if you discount Carlton (97% and in 11th position) then any combination of two teams from the Pies, GWS and the Dogs need to lose their final two games. I’ve also discounted the Saints as they play GWS in their final game and we play the Giants in Round 17.

Our best chance, should we beat both GWS and Essendon, would be Collingwood/Giants losing both of their games. Collingwood face Port Adelaide in Round 18 but Round 17 is against the Suns. With Gold Coast just playing for pride, I’m hoping for an upset. Anyway, it’s all in the lap of the gods now.

Fremantle were able to handle the conditions better in the first term but their accuracy in front of goal let them down. Only leading by six points with two minutes to go, it looked like being a goalless term for both teams. Then Freo’s Michael Walters had a set shot just inside 50 to the left of goal. He succeeded where his team mates failed previously, slotting through the first major score of the night. Jayden Hunt almost did the same for Melbourne a minute later but the ball went wide for a behind.

At the start of the second, the Dees looked more determined but the Dockers also went hard, playing against the breeze. One highlight for Melbourne was the sight of Braydon Pruess chasing down Nathan Wilson, finally catching him by the collar and flinging him to the ground. It was touch and go whether he would be awarded a free kick or penalised for a high tackle. Luckily it was the former. However Pruess decided to try his luck and made an attempt at goal. At almost fifty metres out and at a difficult angle, it was always going to be an optimistic kick for the big man.

While the Dees continued to mis-kick and turn the ball over, Fremantle looked more disciplined and focused. Melbourne were lucky not to concede more goals but our back line defended desperately. Finally with three minutes to go, Jayden Hunt kicked the first goal for the Dees. His set shot from twenty five metres in front of goal narrowly sailed past the inside of the right hand post. Just on the siren Trent Rivers had a chance to score his first goal but was unable to convert.

With the score at 9-15 it was anyone’s game. Worryingly for Melbourne though was the number of uncontested marks; 46 to 10 in Freemantle’s favour.
The Dockers remained disciplined, forcing the Dees to react. Jayden Hunt got another chance to add to the scoreboard but the accurate shot was too low and the ball was marked on the goal line.

Freo’s ruckman Sean Darcy got an opportunistic goal when he grabbed the ball in the square after a throw in, then turned and kicked it straight into the open goal. When Bailey Fritsch targeted Sam Weiderman twenty metres from goal, the talented forward converted to put Melbourne back in contention.

As the Dees looked to make some progress, they hesitated going forward allowing Fremantle a way back up the field. The run caught Melbourne off guard in defence and Michael Walters picked up the loose ball, kicking his second goal. A camera shot of Simon Goodwin in the box shows he knew that play was costly. After the goal, the Dockers raise the intensity, even marking well in the wet conditions.

Max Gawn makes some important marks himself in defence, keeping Melbourne in touch with Freo. The pressure proves too much eventually and Walters was again able pick up the ball and score after some fumbling from the Dees.

Trailing by seventeen points going into the final quarter, it was now or never for Melbourne. The Dees got inside 50 but couldn’t press home their advantage. At times it seems like not all the players were on the same page. Bailey Fritsch took a brilliant mark but was unable to convert. As the seconds tick down, it was looking more and more ominous for Melbourne. Then Adam Cherra sneaks one in from a difficult angle and the Dockers looked to have it all sewn up.

However the fans were given a glimmer of hope when Aaron vandenBerg took a great mark thirty in front of goal and converted. Toby Bedford almost had another but put it behind. Still, for the first time in the match, the momentum was with the Dees. When Fritsch took a handball from Ed Langdon, after some great pressure, the subsequent shot from twenty metres out gave the trailing Demons a shot in the arm. As Christian Petracca shot on goal was touched, it left fans lamenting what could have been the match winner. Behind by only eight points, the Dees were unable to land the killer blow.

With only seconds on the clock, it was all over for Melbourne. We didn’t need Michael Frederick’s kick for another on the siren, it only served to deepen the loss. Fans were left wondering why, if we could play the way we did in the last ten minutes, we couldn’t have been more intense throughout all four terms.

While we won’t necessarily qualify for the finals if we win our last two games, we definitely won’t be in the eight if we lose them. The Giants are just as keen to qualify and will be stinging from their loss to Adelaide. There are no more second chances.

Go the Mighty Dees!!!

Round 15 – Swans Vs Melbourne

Liam Chambers

First post game thought. Did we just press the self destruct button? I’m sure Demon fans would have been disappointed with the result but there was also something vaguely familiar about the situation. The next morning, on the way to work, I had an epiphany. I decided to check it out that night and pulled the report I’d written after Round 21 in 2018.

Sure enough we’d played the Swans in a must win game. We’d had twelve wins and Sydney was considered our best chance of the remaining three matches. We lost and the critics were out in force. With games against West Coast and GWS to play Melbourne was basically written off for another year. As you know though we got the results and made the finals for the first time since 2006. The challenge now is to do the same again. We need to win all three of our remaining fixtures but we won’t do it if we play like we did against Sydney.

The question now is who really wants to play finals. Fremantle has no chance mathematically but that won’t stop them trying to ruin Melbourne’s party. The Giants have the best chance of taking eight spot and will throw everything at us to that end. The Bombers are still an outside chance so it may come down to that final match if we’re still in contention.

I may be a wide eyed optimist but I truly believe we can do it. I missed most of the first half so I re-watched the game on Sunday. It didn’t make pleasant viewing unless you’re a Swans’ fan. After conceding the first goal early, the Dees needed to use the breeze to their advantage. Mitch Brown came close after some clever play and marking. His shot missed, as did Adam Tomlinson’s attempt soon after. Melbourne were kicking long but not to advantage. It all felt a bit aimless.

Playing against the wind, Sydney was storming the Dees’ defence but not getting the results. Eventually we got the ball back up the field and had some good runs. Then Angus Brayshaw kicked the first from inside 50. However, Melbourne was looking hesitant and uncertain whereas the Swans looked more confident and in control. We did get a boost when a well targeted kick from Jake Melksham found Charlie Spargo to the left of goal. His subsequent snap kick hit the target. Melksham was involved again near the end of the term when another targeted kick found Brayshaw thirty metres in front of goal. Unfortunately Gus was unable to convert but we finished the quarter with a slim margin.

Goody would have had a few choice words at the break but our lads didn’t appear to be listening. Melbourne continued to look sluggish with sloppy kicking and ball turnovers; the Swans catching them napping on occasion. Sydney learned quickly from the Dees first quarter performance and used the breeze beautifully to their advantage. With their kicks well targeted they notched up the goals. They were also more aware of the ball’s direction when attempting marks.

We continued to mis-kick and turn the ball over to our disadvantage. This unfortunate aspect of our game was present last week but we were much more competitive and got away with it. Sydney continued to hammer out the best scoring opportunities leaving Melbourne conceding five unanswered goals for the quarter.

With Goody providing even choicer words at the half time break, the Dees needed to adapt quickly if they were to take control of the game. It started well with prodigal son Alex Neal-Bullen redeeming himself with a brilliant set shot kick from outside 50. Though inspirational, Melbourne were unable to capitalise on their opportunities in front of goal. The Swans defended their lead well without any further goals in the term. Unfortunately Bailey Fritsch hit the post with thirty seconds to go. A goal at that point would have been a big morale boost for the Dees.

We needed to pull out all the stops if we were to recover but the Swans struck early to regain their five goal advantage. Then James Harmes gave reason to believe with his superb running goal from forty metres. Fritsch had another chance from thirty metres but it just wasn’t happening on the day. With nothing left to lose, Steven May was sent up the field to rally the troops. His brilliant mark taken twenty five metres in front of goal was rousing. Then that kick, which just squeezed in by the slimmest of margins, had the fans shouting for more.

Electrified, the players started piling on the forward pressure. When Ed Langdon was awarded a 50m penalty and took his shot just fifteen metres out from the left of goal, we held our breath. Unfortunately he kicked wide. When Max Gawn marked the ball in the same spot a couple of minutes later, he also kicked wide. I had to check that they hadn’t replayed Langdon’s shot.

The last couple of minutes summed up the worst and best of our brand of play. First we turned the ball over to Ryan Clarke so he had the gift of a shot only twenty metres out from goal. If there was such an award, then that would be a contender for turnover of the year. However, in a last gasp, Mitch Brown took a great mark and snap kicked a goal to make the last quarter an even scoring affair.

I’m sure the players will get to watch a replay of their Round 15 game. I hope they use it to motivate themselves when we play Fremantle.

Go the mighty Dees!

Notes:

(i) where would Jack Viney fit?

(ii) not including Kolodjashni

Round 14 – Melbourne Vs St Kilda

Liam Chambers

Apologies to Paul Keating but like he said after the 1993 election win, Melbourne’s hard won triumph over the Saints was very sweet – The Sweetest Victory Of All.

After a few weeks recuperation, Captain Max Gawn was back for the Alice Springs Sundown Showdown. Also returning for his 293rd game was ex Captain Nathan Jones.

St Kilda immediately set a frenetic pace, threatening Melbourne’s defence, which held up well. While the Saints had some early opportunities, their kicking lacked accuracy. First blood went to the Dees when Christian Petracca was awarded a free kick on the edge of inside 50. It’s always a promising sign for Melbourne when Tracca looks confident early on.

Max King scored St Kilda’s first goal after several early misses from set shots. Melbourne was having no problems in front of goal when the opportunities presented themselves. A Jack Viney kick from the inside 50 line was beautifully marked by Petracca to set up his second. Max Gawn’s marking accuracy has improved greatly over the years as he proved when he took a catch 30 metres out to convert for number three.

With the clock ticking down, Jake Melksham showed much more focus this week when he spotted the unmarked Sam Weiderman waiting inside 50. Melksham landed the ball into the hands of the waiting Weiderman. Sam popped it straight through for the Dees’ fourth of the quarter. With the score 24-9 in Melbourne’s favour, it was a solid start for the Dees.

After only managing one goal in the opening term, St Kilda increased the pressure on the back line up but Melbourne’s defence was equal to the task. Frustratingly for the Saints, their kicking continued to miss the target. Sam Weiderman’s early snap went wide as he was pushed while kicking.

The Dees continued to look in control but their turnovers were still way too frequent. Mitch Brown indicated he would like a more regular spot in the side when he got himself into a good position, marking the ball forty metres to the left of goal. He didn’t make any mistakes when he kicked Melbourne’s fifth from set shots.

The Dees continued to look comfortable even after Ed Phillips got a second for the Saints. However, Melbourne allowed themselves to relax and lose focus towards the end of the quarter. A turnover in the last minute saw the sherrin sailing towards Jack Steele like a brown paper package tied up with strings. As Steele marked it he was heard to remark “thanks for the present lads, it’s one of my favourite things”. Steele didn’t waste the gift and neither did Rowan Marshall when it was his turn. The Dees were napping after the centre bounce clearance, allowing Jack Sinclair a free run down the corridor where he kicked to the waiting Marshall. Rowan was able to mark, turn and tap it in for St Kilda’s second in thirty seconds.

Simon Goodwin probably had a few choice words at half time after we reduced a fourteen point margin to two points in record time. After a disappointing previous quarter, Melbourne started the second half cautiously. Then despite some stellar defence work by Steven May, St Kilda finally broke through with Josh Battle slotting home after a stoppage, regaining the lead for the Saints. Inspired by the goal, they continued to pound Melbourne making it difficult to get the ball out of the Dees’ half. It was all Saints as Melbourne continued to struggle. A combination of good defending and continuing inaccuracy from St Kilda kept the margin low.

Eventually the Dees weathered the storm and started making some inroads towards the Saints goal. Melbourne had a few close calls before Petracca got the sixth with a snap kick from twenty five metres in front of goal. In a continuing game of goal for goal, St Kilda got another after Paddy Ryder took advantage of confusion in the Dees’ defence. He sprinted after a loose ball and ran in number six for the Saints. Then they tried to push their advantage with successive waves of attack on goal but the magical Steven May was everywhere.

Unfortunately Melbourne’s turnovers kept occurring. The defence remained calm though and finally the Dees got the ball out and up the field. Michael Hibberd was able to launch a mighty kick from the middle of the ground which landed ten metres inside 50. As the sherrin bounced along, Sam Weiderman showed exceptional skill in handling the ball on the run before dropping it to kick in his second. Despite the worrying sight of a hobbling Hibberd being helped off the field, the momentum was back with the Dees.

You could be forgiven for thinking Simon Goodwin had Steven May cloned before the game as he again popped up outside the 50 line to mark the ball and kick it on to Petracca. Unfortunately Tracca was unable to convert for his forth of the afternoon and had to be content with a minor score. With only three points dividing the two sides, the last quarter was set up to be a cracker.

The crowd was definitely getting its money’s worth with the nail biting scoreline not budging for the first ten minutes of Q4. Max Gawn was proving his versatility, getting into good positions and marking important balls. Steven May continued to be a marking machine. The Dees got a point eventually when the ball bounced behind but the goals were proving elusive.

Then with six minutes to go, Petracca displayed some Houdini like skills while being wrapped up by two St Kilda players. He somehow managed to get a foot to the sherrin, launching it goal ward where it bounced nicely between the uprights. The Umpire’s decision was appealed but the footage showed it was touched only after it had crossed the goal line. No goal line cameras in Alice Springs but I’ve looked at the footage multiple times and can’t see how it wasn’t a goal. Anyway, the Umpire’s decision stands.

Much as I hate to admit it, Jack Sinclair’s kick, from the mid field to reach Tim Membrey inside 50, was impressive. Membrey converted and the margin was back to four points. The last few minutes felt like hours for the Dees fans. Then when May was beaten to the mark by Rowan Marshall on the 50m line we all silently prayed to the footy Gods for a miss kick. The Gods complied and as the shot sailed wide, the cheers were heard across the land.

Now everyone’s focus was on the clock. The seated spectators were on the edge of their seats. All the rest swung between the edge of despair and jubilation. Fans on both sides held their breath as every loose ball was pounced on desperately, hoping to gain the advantage and score the winning goal.

When the Saint’s Dougal Howard was awarded a free with thirteen seconds to go we all knew every second counted. All except Dougal Howard that is. I’m not sure why he wasted seven seconds deciding who to kick to but by the time Dean Kent marked the shot, he only had three seconds before the final siren sounded.

With “The Grand Old Flag” blaring out in the local Indigenous language, the joy around the ground was palpable. I almost felt sorry for St Kilda but I recovered quickly.

Only five days to go until the Swans game in Cairns. With the heat and humidity along with an early evening game, Melbourne will have to be at their fittest. The Swans are better than their position on the ladder would indicate but if we have a good game plan like Round 14, then we should be competitive.

We really need to work on not giving the ball away so much though. I know it sounds simple and I know some turnovers are inevitable but Melbourne is way too generous in that respect. Also we need to remain focused for the entire game. If we can achieve that, I wouldn’t bet against us.

Go the Mighty Dees!!!

Round 13 – Western Bulldogs Vs Melbourne

Liam Chambers

In a short pre game interview, Simon Goodwin said he expected a challenging game. He wasn’t disappointed. Apparently the Dogs were told before the match that if they failed to make the top eight, then they would be moved to less salubrious accommodation in order to make way for the returning West Coast Eagles, who were top four contenders. If true, it worked as a motivational tool.

Misfortune struck Melbourne even before they ran onto the field, when Nathan Jones was removed from the line up after he experienced some muscle tightness during the warm up. With only five fixtures remaining, his 300th game may not eventuate this season.

The Dees got the best possible start however when a comedy of errors gave Sam Weiderman the chance to scramble the ball up and tap in the first goal. Kysaiah Pickett came tantalisingly close to a second when he pounced on a loose ball inside 50 only to see his shot hit the post. Both teams had their share of mistakes in the first term but the Bulldogs scored their first goal after they turned the ball over, then received it back, giving Toby Mclean a winning shot.

After some end to end play, Mitch Wallis got a second for the Dogs from a well executed set shot. The wind was playing havoc with the sherrin as Pickett discovered when his kick initially look like a certain goal only to veer wide assisted by the breeze. The second quarter started promisingly for Melbourne when a great passage of play involving Mitch Hannan, Jake Melksham and Weiderman saw Sam kick his second.

The Dogs exposed some structural weaknesses in Melbourne’s play after stoppages when Laitham Vandermeer had a free run at goal to score their third. At the other end, Clayton Oliver showed what a versatile player he is when his brilliant bend around kick found Jake Melksham thirty metres out from the front of goal. Melksham’s conversion sailed through the uprights but was deemed touched by the opposition player directly in front of him as he took his shot. Certainly an uncharacteristic lapse of concentration by the forward but also a missed opportunity to add to the score sheet. Jake made amends a few minutes later when scored a wind assisted 50 metre shot to put the Dees back in front.

The goal for goal scenario continued with Tom Liberatore restoring the Dog’s lead via a clever pick up and kick in front of goal. The last few minutes of the half belonged to Melbourne though, as Clayton Oliver delivered a snap kick from a chaotic scrum of players in front of goal. Then Bailey ‘the Fritsch Magnet” collected a mark just above ground level and scored a brilliant goal from the subsequent set shot.

As the old English Soccer Managers used to say in their post match interviews “Well, it was a game of two halves”. Melbourne’s second half certainly typified that adage. The Bulldogs came out swinging and when Marcus Bontempelli found himself on his own forty five metres out from goal, he didn’t hesitate to kick his only six pointer of the afternoon. After that, it was evident that the Dogs change of tactics was catching Melbourne by surprise.

First they went wide down the field culminating in an over the top kick from Bontempelli which was marked by Mitch Wallis, who duly kicked his second goal. Next they went down the middle eventually finding Bailey Smith, who kicked the Dogs’ third unanswered goal. Suddenly, a fairly even handed game was being dangerously skewed against the Dees. Further misfortune favoured the brave when a clever run by Christian Petracca got the ball to Tom Sparrow who put it through for a goal but not before it was touched.

The Dogs got four in a row when a Melbourne misstep gave away a fifty metre penalty allowing Bailey Williams to increase their lead. Things didn’t get any better with the double whammy of a shoulder injury to Tom Sparrow and a fifth goal for the Bulldogs, courtesy of Mitch Wallis. Nothing was going the Dees’ way with the Dogs repelling all forward pressure from Melbourne around the goal square. Jake Melksham had a chance but his set shot sailed wide.

Melbourne was making it all too easy for their opponents even though it also seemed all the luck was with the Dogs. When Tim English marked to the right of goal, his conversion was reviewed but not overturned. Trailing 65-38, Melbourne went in at three quarter time knowing they had a real fight on their hands.

With a deficit of twenty seven points to make up, Melbourne needed to do something spectacular to rein in the rampant Bulldogs. Their opponents didn’t make it easy for the Dees though and fought for every ball. Finally, Tom McDonald hung onto a mark thirty metres out from goal. He scored from the set shot to claw back the margin to twenty points. Melbourne needed to kick a few more like that but every dog has his day. Unfortunately the dog in question was Mitch Wallis who slotted his fourth to deflate the resurgent Dees.

Melbourne still had opportunities with some close shots but couldn’t hit the target. The Footy Gods’ cruelest moment though came when Bailey Fritsch’s shot thirty metres out from goal was denied. What looked like a certain six pointer was whipped away by an ill wind at the last possible moment, leaving poor Bailey to lament what could have been.

Melbourne could be forgiven for thinking nothing they could do now would matter. Even Charlie Spargo’s goal felt a little consolatory after he got himself into a nice scoring position. Ben Cavarra rubbed some more salt into the wounds when took advantage of the confusion in our defence to kick the Dogs’ twelfth. After that the Bulldogs were happy to run down the clock.

For sure Melbourne had their share of bad luck but we were out maneuvered by the Dogs in the second half. Watching the St Kilda game against Brisbane didn’t do a lot to cheer me up either. The Saints lost by two points but were very competitive against the second placed Lions We will need to bring our very best game if we want to come away with a win in Alice Springs.

I have no doubt that we have the talent and creativity to beat St Kilda but whether we have the belief and motivation remains to be seen. When we’re beating a team by fifty points, you can see and feel the confidence bubbling amongst the players. We need to play like we’re winning, no matter what it says on the scoreboard.

Do that against the Saints and we just might surprise ourselves.