Round 9 – Port Adelaide Vs Melbourne

Liam Chambers

Melbourne is clearly struggling with the new condensed season. You can speculate that an extra day’s rest can be a big advantage when you’re playing to such a tight schedule. You could also argue that the Dees have traveled less than some other teams in the competition; notably Port Adelaide. It was always a big ask for Melbourne to defeat possibly the best team in the competition but I think Demon fans were at least hoping that we would be more competitive.

Apart from a reasonable attempt in the opening term and a few inspirational minutes at the end of each of the subsequent quarters, the Dees struggled against a side not firing on all cylinders. Port Adelaide were always going to bounce back from last week’s defeat at the hands of St Kilda but Melbourne made it all too easy. Mitch Georgiades caught the Dees’ defence watching the ball not the man and scored the opening goal from the set shot.

Then for a few minutes, Melbourne exerted some good forward pressure but were held back by the Power’s disciplined defence. Some of our players were solid but overall we were deficient in momentum. Jay Lockhart was an exception but the team appeared to lack the energy that made the last three games so exciting. They were winning the ball at times but not seeing other team members who were in good scoring positions. Port’s pressure was also having an affect and making the Dees look indecisive.

We were giving them too much space inside 50 to mark and score. Despite having more free kicks, inside 50s and time in the forward half, we couldn’t convert any opportunities. Clayton Oliver almost scored the first for Melbourne after the siren but unfortunately struck the post.

Even though we went into the second quarter down by three goals, there was still hope, we just needed to adjust our game plan to turn it around. However, it didn’t get any better and almost immediately Charlie Dixon got the ball to Justin Westhoff to mark and score his second. Then Max Gawn pushed Charlie Dixon in the back during a hit out, giving away a free kick. Dixon isn’t missing many from that position at the moment. Melbourne’s quarter got worse with players not getting into positions to take advantage when we won the ball. At one stage, Jake Melksham was left scrambling against three Port Adelaide players with no other Demon in sight.

I was concerned that some of our players might sustain injuries especially after last season’s game when Max was deliberately targeted by Port. This time they didn’t need to target anyone.  Unfortunately, Clayton Oliver was reported for a high elbow. Hopefully he will get off with a warning. There were moments of clarity for Melbourne. Kysaiah Pickett’s excellent kick to find Tom McDonald just to the right of goal was promising. Unfortunately Tom was unable to convert and the Dees remained goalless.

Port continued to apply pressure but Melbourne’s response was sloppy. We were miskicking, turning the ball over too often and giving away fifty metre penalties. Finally, the Dees got their first goal in the dying minutes of the first half. Tracca was able to get boot to ball after a stoppage to snap a six pointer and save some blushes. That glimmer of hope was almost snuffed out a minute later but Steven May just got a finger to the goal ward bound sherrin and luckily ARC agreed. Overall verdict on the Demons’ first half performance. Well below par and lacking determination and vision.

Melbourne needed to start playing smarter in the second half but again they became rattled when the opposition applied some heat. Even in their most convincing performance so far this year, against Hawthorn, they noticeably stumbled when the Hawks briefly fought back in the second term. This is an aspect that the coaching staff were seemingly addressing in recent times but as the match went on, the Dees game was regressing.

While Port Adelaide continued to notch up the goals, Melbourne was unable to capitalise when they won possession. Lack of players in forward positions when it counted was frustrating. When we did have players inside 50, Port defended desperately, denying Melbourne any scoring opportunities. Then Luke Jackson’s set shot chance from thirty metres out sailed across the front of goal. With the margin out to nine goals, the Dees continued to turn the ball over with monotonous regularity.

Then with the final minutes ticking away, Jake Melksham got a second for Melbourne. I’ll give credit where it’s due, Melksham has nerves of steel. If the AFL ever has the equivalent of a penalty shoot out, I want Jake kicking the first ball. That Melksham goal proved inspirational as, with less than thirty seconds to go, the Dees put together their best run of play all evening. First Angus Brayshaw hand balled to Oscar McDonald who passed to Tom Sparrow onto Tracca onto Michael Hibberd onto Nathan Jones and then to Jake Melksham who placed the perfect kick to the lone figure of Sam Weiderman in front of goal. Weiderman didn’t miss. Back to back goals for Melbourne four seconds before the siren.

In the break, the cameras found Alan Richardson on the sidelines and asked him for a three quarter sum up. “We were beaten on the inside, beaten on the outside” Nothing more to say really.

With only the last term to go, Melbourne was now only playing for pride. In the words of Olivia Newton John, they just needed to get “Physical”
I wish I could say the lads redeemed themselves but unfortunately Port spent the first five minutes in their forward 50. The Dees tried their best to defend but first Mitch Georgiades kicked one home, then Travis Boak weaved through Melbourne’s back line to tap in number twelve. Even then, Port pounced on any foray the Dees made towards goal. A late consolation was a Sam Weiderman’s kick from forty five metres out which sailed through perfectly. Jake Melksham’s attempt after the final siren was accurate but not high enough to reduce the margin to under fifty.

We play the Adelaide Crows in Round 10 but after the display against Port Adelaide, the Dees have zero room for complacency. Adelaide may have lost twelve on the trot but they came very close to beating Essendon in Round 8. Our opponent in Round 11 is North Melbourne who won convincingly against Adelaide this weekend. Those two games looked like foregone conclusions a couple of weeks ago but the bookies may now be reassessing those odds.

I don’t know what happened against Port. It was like the last three weeks never happened and we were again the team least likely to fulfill our potential.
There is obviously something wrong somewhere within the Club. Lack of confidence, belief? Unable to handle opposing pressure? Whatever it is, the critics are out in force again and having a field day.

Go the Mighty Dees!!!

Round 8 – Melbourne Vs Brisbane

Liam Chambers

So close you could reach out and grab it! Unfortunately we couldn’t get a tight enough grip and it slipped through our fingers in the end. It’s disappointing but we lost to a side sitting second on the ladder. Certainly we lacked the flow and energy of last’s weeks game; however the last quarter contained some encouraging signs.

Jake Melksham opened Melbourne’s account for the afternoon with a soccer kick from just outside the goal square. He’s shaping up to be a handy goal scorer for the Dees. Bailey Fritsch got the second with another soccer kick. He may still need more practice with his set shots but the grounds kicks are coming along splendidly.

After the even handed first term, the second quarter belonged to the Lions. Apart from Bailey Fritsch’s second goal, the Dees struggled. Then Neville Jetta sustained not one but two head knocks that took him off the field for assessment. However he returned, sporting a head bandage and continued his difficult job of looking after Charlie Cameron.

With the Lions leading 36-21 at the start of the second half, the game was still very much within Melbourne’s reach. Unfortunately Jetta’s attempt at a rushed behind went out on the full and conceded a free kick which Charlie Cameron converted. Matters didn’t improve when Kysaiah Pickett didn’t see a handball chance in front of goal and instead kicked wide for a minor score.

Finally, Bailey Fritsch, after slipping, got the ball to Mitch Hannan who also slipped before hand balling to Jake Melksham who kicked beautifully for his second goal. Suddenly Melbourne had a surge of confidence and Clayton Oliver’s hand ball to Harley Bennell looked like a certain goal. Bennell ran and kicked from fifteen metres out but somehow managed to just miss. It was just one of those afternoons. When Charlie Cameron ran towards goal and kicked his second less than a minute later, the Dees were left ruing their missed opportunities.

With Melbourne behind by eighteen points at the start of the final term, the odds seemed stacked against them. No one told Jack Viney though. The hardest working Demon kept grinding and finally got his reward with a tidy snap kick from fifteen metres out. Former captain Nathan Jones was awarded a fifty metre penalty which he didn’t waste. His ensuing kick from thirty metres sailed through perfectly and suddenly it was the Lions who were on the back foot.

When Jake Melksham kicked his third goal from the fifty metre line, the margin was reduced to two points and Demon fans reduced to nervous wrecks while the clock continued to tick down. We came tantalisingly close when Bailey Fritsch marked the ball just out on the full. For a split second I thought he had it but it was not to be. Bailey didn’t want to let go of the ball though. I think he was hoping it was all just a misunderstanding. Then he was penalised. Oh the injustice.

If only we could have played every quarter like the last one, we’d be knocking on the door of the top eight now. We only have a four day break before Round 9. It’s never easy playing Port Adelaide and this year will be even tougher. If we can sustain our brand for the four quarters I really believe we can cause an upset.

I’ll never be a Coach but the only thing I know that really works is extra practice. I remember training at my Karate club when I was a teenager and seeing the people who got there early and worked hard on the basic moves. They would be the same ones who stayed back and practiced when everyone else was getting dressed and having a smoke (I know, it was the Eighties). I used to think it was funny to waste your time practicing so much. That was until I had to face them when we did some individual sparring. Somehow it wasn’t so funny when I was getting my butt kicked all over the floor. Maybe there was something to this practicing thing after all.

Go the Mighty Dees!

Round 7 – Hawthorn Vs Melbourne

Liam Chambers

Demon fans were relieved after last weeks’ win when the Hawks were grounded by the rampant Dees. Now they have a vaguely familiar feeling. A sense of optimism.

From the initial bounce, the Hawks exerted pressure on Melbourne, with Jack Gunston scoring the first goal within a minute. Up the other end Kysaiah Pickett was displaying some nice dance moves. Unfortunately, his innovations didn’t yield the desired result. The Hawks looked to have the better chances early on but Melbourne managed to keep them in check. Harley Bennell continues to repay the trust of his new side and his confidence is growing with each game.

The Dees are tackling with more intensity and purpose. This was epitomised by Mitch Hannan when he was awarded a free kick on the 50 metre line. His set shots have also been impressive and he notched up the first goal for Melbourne. A minute later Jack Viney, as always fiercely competitive, was also rewarded a free kick for a tackle and converted for the Dees’ second. Christian Petracca has moved up another level this year. His football is inspirational and his visionary kick to Jack Viney allowed the midfielder to get the ball to Bailey Fritsch for number three.

At the start of the second quarter, Hawthorn made a few forays in Demon territory but Melbourne quickly kept finding a way back. An accurate hand ball from Bennell to Hannan gave Melbourne the opening goal of the second term. Max Gawn continued to frustrate the Hawks by marking the ball as it was kicked towards the Dees’ back line. Up the other end Petracca was in the zone. He spotted Sam Weiderman in front of the Hawthorn goal and launched a perfect kick into the forward’s waiting hands. Sam was only too happy to kick the fifth for Melbourne.

When the Dees are on a roll they often take a minute to relax and reflect. Jaeger O’Meara took advantage of the lull to get one back for the Hawks. Great goal though. Melbourne responded brilliantly with a Luke Jackson kick to Harley Bennell, allowing him to run and kick scoring from 30 metres out. The Dees were flowing when Tracca, in a good position to kick goal-ward, instead passed to Kysaiah Pickett who grabbed the ball, turned and snapped for his first and Melbourne’s seventh goal. Hawthorn almost got one back just before the siren when Darren Mitchington’s superb kick was touched on the line. Kudos to Oscar McDonald.

Hawthorn, desperate to avoid a walkover, came out swinging at the start of the second half. Gunston got his second early on before Chad Wingard made it two in a row for the Hawks. With the margin reduced to three goals, the Dees looked a little rattled. Luckily, a few Hawthorn chances went begging and Jake Melksham produced a great kick to Bailey Fritsch who hand balled on to the unmarked Weiderman in front of goal. After that, the wind was taken out of Hawthorn’s sails and subsequent waves of attack were handled much more confidently by Melbourne.

A promising sign for the Dees is their increasing accuracy from set shots. Melksham got his second from a free kick on the 50 metre line thus restoring their half time advantage. Melbourne’s tenth goal was fast and furious. Clayton Oliver took advantage of a free kick to get the ball to Weiderman who hand balled over the top to an unmarked Luke Jackson. First goal for Action Jackson. With their cup overflowing, the Dees got another thirty seconds later. A handball from Tracca to Bennell was beautifully kicked on to Pickett. Pickett’s set shot from 40 metres sailed through the uprights perfectly. Second goal for Kysaiah the Messiah.

Going into the last term with the scoreboard showing 30-72 in Melbourne’s favour was an unusual sight for Demon fans. We knew not to get too excited though. We’ve let a forty two point margin slip before. In a sure sign that Tracca has moved up to another level, he marked on the 50 metre line and made no mistake converting for the Dees’ twelfth. A year ago, he would have passed to another player or kicked the ball wide. Now his confidence has skyrocketed. Even though Chad Wingard and Josh Morris got a couple back for the Hawks, it would only be a consolation as Sam Weiderman hit back to claim his hat trick.

Time for a little exhibition play; starting with Christian Salem then Pickett, Ed Langdon, Oscar McDonald and finally of course Petracca, whose superb squaring ball to Fritsch was walked in for number fourteen. Finally, Jack Gunston had the last word when his goal from fifty five metres out book ended the match.

Though we’ve improved significantly, the Hawks were far from their best. Our next game against Brisbane will be the real test. Melbourne will be the underdogs and that will be to our advantage. However, we can’t allow old habits to creep back in when we’re up against an opposition that has top four written all over them.

The lads have to play their natural game and not over think the situation. If they can be in the moment, then their instincts won’t let them down. There are so many positive signs and they need to harness the energy they’ve created over the last two games. I’m going to suggest a mantra: “Be like Tracca”

Go the Mighty Dees!!!

Round 6 – Melbourne Vs Gold Coast Suns

Liam Chambers

Finally Melbourne got off the canvas and started floating and stinging. Still a long way to go but the fight is there and Simon Goodwin is a very relieved Coach.  Both sides looked determined from the start and the Suns exerted the early pressure to score first, courtesy of Brandan Ellis, from 40 metres out.  The Dees recovered and hit back in style.

An outward kick from the edges of Gold Coast’s goal square was grabbed by Christian Salem, who was immediately tackled. Salem though, was on his feet immediately to received a vandenBerg handball, which he cleverly tapped to Jack Viney. Viney twisted and turned 180 degrees before kicking to an unmarked Christian Petracca. Tracca spun and ran before kicking a perfectly placed goal to put Melbourne on the scoreboard. Later, a turn and spin snap kick from 40 metres gave debutant Izac Rankine his first goal. Not a bad start for the young lad.

With three minutes to go, The Suns showed why they’re so dangerous, even without star recruit Matt Rowell; Lachie Weller outwitting Jake Lever in a game of cat & mouse to score from a tight angle and 55 metres out. At the end of the quarter, Melbourne was looking more confident than in recent weeks. Unfortunately, Tom MacDonald suffered an eye injury and would spend the rest of the game on the bench. For once we couldn’t blame Toby Greene.

The second term started with Kysaiah Pickett awarded a free kick on the 50 metre line. Spotting James Harmes, Pickett delivered another accurate kick to set up a scoring shot. Harmes didn’t disappoint. Melbourne’s next goal was a combination of opportunism, luck and skill as Christian Salem plucked the ball from a Suns’ free kick inside 50. Salem ran towards goal and calmly kicked the ball beautifully to put the Dees in the lead. A brilliant and rare goal from the number three. As the camera swept over the ecstatic Demon fans, Coffs Harbour representative Jacqui Parry was seen cheering enthusiastically.

It seemed more Dees were anxious to get on the scoreboard and Michael Hibberd didn’t waste a 50 metre penalty. His kick from the inside 50 line sailed through perfectly. Melbourne had more chances to put further pressure on Gold Coast but unfortunately couldn’t add to the tally. Tracca’s fresh air kick is destined to be replayed many times, much to his embarrassment.

Harley Bennell was determined to make an impression and his kick was acrobatically marked by Sam Weiderman and duly converted.
Despite trailing by eighteen points, the Suns, sensing a possible change in momentum, upped the ante and put two away to reduce the margin to 41-34 at the half way mark.

Melbourne went into the second half determined not to let the Gold Coast’s resurgence unsettle them. Viney was proving to be instrumental to the Dees’ scoring chances when he got the ball to Max Gawn who saw Mitch Hannan waiting. Hannan noticed Jake Melksham in a good position who then marked and subsequently scored from 40 metres out. An encouraging sign was the increasing accuracy of Demons’ kicks from set shots.

Also, both captain Max Gawn and last season’s co captain Jack Viney were lethal in their execution from the initial centre bounce of the game; no doubt stinging from the overwhelming criticism of their underwhelming start to the 2020 campaign. Harley Bennell was still desperately searching for his first goal in Demon colours. Just when he thought the breakthrough had come, the video ref deemed his kick to have been touched. Not by God as he first hoped but by Gold Coast.

Izac Rankine continued to have an electric effect on the game and his second was a soccer chip from a chaotic scramble 20 metres out from goal.
Bailey Fritsch took the tip and kicked one back from ground level at the order end. The preceding clever tap on from Kysaiah Pickett landing nicely for Fritsch.

Melbourne was ahead by a less than inspiring three points going into the final quarter but luck seemed to be on our side when the Suns hit the post in the opening thirty seconds. Mitch Hannan proved his mettle when his tackle inside 50 won him a free kick which he converted for the Dees’ eight of the game. Sam Weiderman was determined to keep his place in the side with a mark in front of goal from a Hannan kick. Goal number nine for Melbourne and counting.

In a sign of how vitally important a win was for the players, fans but especially the Coach, was Simon Goodwin’s presence on the sideline. Clayton Oliver, also having a revival of his own, then conveniently placed an accurate kick into the waiting hands of Petracca. Tracca’s ensuing accurate kick from 50 metres out showed how much his game has matured this year. A visibly relieved Goody cheered from the sideline.

Well, a Hollywood script requires a Hollywood ending and in almost saccharin sweet style, Jack Viney kicks down the field, willing the ball to get as close to goal as possible. In hot pursuit was catalytic goal converter Kysaiah Pickett. Pickett grabbed the ball from a high bounce and kicked a perfect sideways strike across the goal square into the grateful hands of Harley Bennell. The former Sun was never going to miss the opportunity and the resulting goal after the siren had the entire contingent of Melbourne players piling on to congratulate Bennell; eventually totally obscuring him from view.

A convincing win in the end but Melbourne knows there’s a long way to go and Round 7’s game against the Hawks will be tough. Even though the players are out of the Melbourne press glare, they will still be aware of the relentless criticism directed at them. If they can used that as constructively as they did against Gold Coast then there’s hope for the red and the blue this year.

Go the Mighty Dees!!!

Round 4 – Melbourne Vs Richmond

Liam Chambers

This week Victoria went back into lockdown after a short burst of optimism that coincided with the reopening of the economy. We can draw an analogy with Melbourne’s 2018 season and what’s happened since. The effort of the building the team over preceding years, culminated in the Dees reaching their first final in twelve seasons and heralded an new era of success for the Club. Then the disastrous 2019 campaign and the single win (by a single point) so far in 2020. It seems now the rebuilding process is starting again but someone forgot to provide the game blueprint.

The Tigers pounced early when the ball was turned over in our half and marked by Tom Lynch in front of goal. First blood to Richmond. Things improved when Christian Petracca got the ball on the 50m line and saw Hannan to the left of goal. Hannan duly marked the kick and got the bend right to even the score. Richmond continued to apply pressure but were unable to get the results. Then in one of the best displays of the game, Steven May kicked the ball to Michael Hibberd whose subsequent kick to the centre bounced nicely for James Harmes. Harmes passed to Petracca who kicked wide to Bailey Fritsch (good vision). Finally, Fritsch kicked to Jake Melksham in front of goal. Numero two to the Dees. Great end to end play.

One of the bright lights in defence this year has been Trent Rivers. He got Melbourne out of strife after some messy play in front of goal. Eventually though the Tigers were rewarded for their efforts when first Jack Higgins then Daniel Rioli found the space between the uprights to put Richmond back in front. In the dying second, Bailey Fritsch gave the Demon fans something to cheer about when he marked a beautifully weighted kick from Kysaiah Pickett. His 30m shot after the siren brought the score back to a respectable 19-20.

The Dees were let off early in Q2 when Jake Hart was unable to add to the Tigers tally of goals. Thank you ACR. Richmond were the beneficiaries of the new holding the ball rule when Tracca got pinged for not trying to release the sherrin. Despite his protests, Toby Nankervis took the free and got the Tiger’s fourth. Melbourne were turning the ball over a tad too much and it seemed our midfield were not all they could be. We were struggling to get into Richmond’s half.

Jack Riewoldt started to rediscover some of his lost mojo when he slotted the fifth for the Tigers. Hibberd was putting on some good plays. Unfortunately Clayton Oliver’s slump continued and he turned the ball over a few times during the match. Pickett had a chance to set up a goal but his kick went nowhere with no Demons inside 50. His attempted mark later would have been a classic had he succeeded. Great expectation of things to come.

Unfortunately, Richmond continued to add to the score sheet with Jason Castagna kicking their sixth. They were a bit lucky with their seventh after the in form Petracca was caught watching the ball instead of the player and allowed Kane Lambert to slip through and kick a goal on the run. We had a chance at the other end when Ed Langdon’s speed and accurate kick was unable to be marked inside 50. Bailey Fritsch had another chance to score in the last minute but missed badly. His record from set shots needs a bit more work.

Melbourne looked determined to make amends at the start of the second half. They needed to do something quickly as they were trailing Richmond 20-45. However, a kick inside 50 to the lone figure of Dustin Martin in front of goal had Hibberd madly scrambling to get back. Dusty never looked in any danger of missing the mark though and his goal was the fifth unanswered one for Richmond. After that we had a couple of lucky escapes. First Jack Riewoldt missed a sitter, then Tom Lynch had a brain freeze and kicked the ball into the post after he marked it three metres out from goal.

Just when it was looking like another goalless quarter for the Dees, Oliver got the ball to Gawn who marked it well and then kicked it on to Jake Melksham who was perfectly placed to score. It seemed our luck was turning, when for once it was Richmond turning over the ball. Fritsch got the mark and kicked to Aaron vandenBerg who cleverly tapped it on to Mitch Hannan to walk it in. As is often the case, Melbourne was caught basking in the glow of back to back goals and Kane Lambert snuck one in for Richmond almost immediately. Cue camera shot of Simon Goodwin mumbling to himself.

Frustratingly, a few times players had a chance to kick it to Pickett near the Tigers goal but declined. Just kick it to him and see what happens. It might just catch Richmond off guard. Again Trent Rivers showed some nice skills with a few good kicks as well as a creative vision. Melksham went off on a tangent near the end of the term when he could have passed the ball up the field. Then he gave away a 50m penalty after being tackled. Melbourne was thankful to be going in the last quarter only 29 points down.

Like Round 4, the Dees had it all to do in the last quarter. They threw themselves into it and eventually Petracca got the ball to Tom MacDonald who marked it thirty five metres out from goal. Though T Mac has been below par since his recovery from a broken leg, he didn’t make any mistakes this time. Still 23 points behind though. Bailey Fritsch had another set shot and was successful to further reduce the margin. It was still possible for the Dees to win but we needed a further three goals. However Tom Lynch spoiled the party with six minutes to go.

After that, the Tigers were reinvigorated and the Demons struggled. Even a third goal for Mitch Hannan was all too little too late. Tom Lynch put the final nail in the coffin with two minutes to go and ten seconds before the siren, Kane Lambert helped lower the casket into the ground, making the final score 51-73.

It’s been a hugely frustrating start to 2020 for the Demons. So many times our game is lacking the flexibility to out play the opposition. We desperately need a consistent goalscorer. We were the highest scoring side in the competition in 2018, now we’re the lowest. Jesse Hogan and Tom MacDonald scored 100 goals between them in 2018. Of course there’s no guarantee that Jesse would have played well last year if he’d stayed but Tom’s form slumped noticeably after Hogan’s departure. It’s like Lennon and McCartney. Once they broke up the Beatles, neither were as prolific again.

One interesting stat I read this week. Fifteen times since 2018, Melbourne have had more inside 50s than the opposition but have gone on to lose the game. The team average in the League is six times. Anyway, maybe relocating to Sydney will help the Dees. Without the relentless focus of the Melbourne media, they may recover some of their success from two years ago.

We play Gold Coast in Round 6. The Suns have lost their star player Matt Rowell to injury but will still be a tough team, having discovered a winning spirit since the restart of the season.

Finally, a shout out to Shaun from Coffs Harbour, a one time Dees’ aspirant. It always good to discover another Demons fan in these here parts.

Go the Mighty Dees!