Eye of the Tiger Hypnotises Demons
Round 5, Melbourne Vs Richmond, Eye of the Tiger Hypnotises Demons
Apparently, we weren’t indestructible this week but there was still a lot of good to take away from the game against Richmond. After last week’s disaster we took the game to the Tigers for the first three quarters. The less said about the fourth quarter the better.
We welcomed back Tyson, Weideman, Stretch & Hunt who had a lot to prove as their places weren’t assured and it was an interesting match for all four. Jake Melksham opened the scoring for Melbourne with his first disposal. We piled the pressure on and Richmond were slow to respond taking seven minutes to get a behind from their first inside 50. Higgins follow it up with the Tiger’s first goal a minute later. The Dees worked hard to stem Richmond’s attack but couldn’t prevent a second Richmond goal, this time from Castagna. The quarter ended with Melbourne trailing 11-14.
The Tigers got the first in the second quarter with another goal to Higgins. Then Michael Hibberd went off due to the blood rule and when he returned he was sporting a fetching nose sling in the style of Hannibal Lecter. Despite taking half the quarter to register their first inside 50, the Dees had only conceded two goals to Richmond with Higgins scoring his third of the match. Then finally in the 22nd minute, Melksham scored for the Dees. The Tigers followed up with a goal from Lloyd. The half time score was 18-38.
The third quarter opened with a brilliant effort from Hogan to notch up his first of the day. Gawn as usual was winning in the hitout stakes and the Demons were dominating with a string of inside 50s. This was topped off with a beauty from Jeff Garlett reducing the margin to 8 points. Suddenly it looked like we might upset the mighty Tigers. An enormous kick from Oliver unfortunately only resulted in a behind. Then Richmond powerhouse Jack Riewoldt showed how dangerous he is when he marked and kicked his first of the game. Things were looking good for the Dees though when Melksham got his hat trick but two quick gaols for Prestia and Lloyd just before the end of the third brought the Demon fans back down to earth with the score on the siren at 38-57.
We were heading skywards again at the start of the fourth when James Harmes got his first goal to reduce the margin to 13 points. We could do this. Then the afternoon got worse with Hibberd off for the second time due to the blood rule. The replay of his face hitting the hallowed turf of the MCG had fans squirming. It hardly seemed to register with him though as he trotted off for a second time. Quick goals from Lambert and McIntosh saw the Tigers in ascending form and even inspired play from Weideman and Hogan (scoring his second goal) couldn’t stem the tide. After that it was nearly all Richmond when they slotted home four goals in five minutes. A consolation goal from Melksham, scoring his fourth, did little to raise Demon spirits (really not trying to be funny). A goal to Lambert just before the full time siren didn’t reflect how well Melbourne had played for most of the afternoon.
There was a lot of good to take away from our performance, but I just wish it would all come together for us sooner rather than later. There are still seventeen games left in the season so lets do a Swans revival circa 2017 and win the next fifteen.
MELBOURNE 1.5 2.6 5.8 8.8 (56)
RICHMOND 2.2 5.8 8.9 15.12 (102)
GOALS
Melbourne: Melksham 4, Hogan 2, Garlett, Harmes
Richmond: Higgins 3, Lloyd 2, Castagna 2, McIntosh 2, Riewoldt 2, Lambert 2, Prestia, Cotchin
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Hawk The Slayer
Round 4 Hawthorn Vs Melbourne, Hawk The Slayer, Spandau Ballet
Liam Chambers – our correspondent in Coffs Harbour
Not being a Spandau Ballet fan, I don’t usually quote their lyrics but “Why do I find it hard to write the next line?” seems apt in the circumstances. We lost badly on Sunday. There must be positives to take away from the game but they’re not overly obvious at the moment.
After our performances of the last three weeks, we should have been very competitive against the Hawks but unfortunately it was not to be. The Dees have been criticised in the past for not bringing their best game to each quarter but this time they only played for the first thirty minutes and then sort of went missing in action for the rest of the match.
The Hawks opened the scoring with a Luke Breust kick, then Jessie Hogan missed for a behind. Back to back goals from Dean Kent looked very promising for the Dees but the goal hero of last week Thomas Bugg was off target with his first attempt. It look like it was going to be Hogan’s afternoon with a superb goal on the run from over 40 metres out. Then another from Kent saw him seal his hat trick. After this exciting start, it was a series of behinds before Gunston scored for Hawthorn.
Then if you wanted an ominous omen it was provided by the great Max Gawn. Having taken a brilliant mark he was unable to convert from his kick 20 metres out in front of goal. That kick was of course reminiscent of Gawny’s miss in the final minute of the opening game against Geelong. A goal from Salem five minutes from quarter time showed the Dees were back in control. Then a goal three minutes later from Breust meant Melbourne went in just 35–22 ahead when it could have been a 20 point lead.
The second quarter started badly for the Dees with a third from Breust. Again Bugg kicked a behind that he would have nailed last week. With the Dees yet to kick a goal in the quarter, the Hawks got their second with a soccer kick from Puopolo.
Then the Demon’s misery was compounded with a goal from Henderson putting Hawthorn in the lead. Another goal from Roughead was followed by a disappointing behind from Melbourne’s Jeff Garlett. Even the early exit of the great Cyril Rioli and the heavier rain couldn’t dampen the Hawk’s spirit. The half time score was 47-39.
It was a similar story in the third quarter with O’Meara opening the scoring for Hawthorn with another soccer kick. Then a goal from 15m out for Isaac Smith made the Dees job that much harder. Another behind from Bugg just seemed to signal it was not going to be the Demon’s day especially when Neville Jedda went off due to injury. Goals from O’Brien and Smith put a Dee’s victory further out of reach.
When the triple hero of the first quarter Dean Kent kicked a behind all I could think was “of course”. By now Melbourne had failed to score a goal since the 29th minute. It was a relief when the siren went for the end of the third quarter and the Dees hadn’t conceded any more goals. Three quarter time score was 73-41.
Surely Melbourne could grab a few goals and reduce the margin to a more respectable 10 or 15 points.It was not to be however when Gunston scored his second in the fifth minute. Neal-Bullen did give a brief flutter of hope in the eight minute with a goal to inspire the Demon Army.
They couldn’t follow it up however and Roughead scored again four minutes later.Then three goals in just three minutes from O’Brien, O’Meara and Roughead twisted the knife that bit deeper. O’Brien then scored his second and Breust scored his fourth to round out the quarter. The final score was 115-48. This was definitely a Melbourne game to forget and one they won’t want to repeat.
Here’s hoping I quote another Spandau Ballet line next week “You’ve got the power to know, You’re indestructible” when we flog the Tigers.
HAWTHORN 3.5 7.5 11.7 18.7 (115) MELBOURNE 5.5 5.9 5.11 6.12 (48) GOALS Hawthorn: Breust 4, Roughead 3, O’Brien 3, O’Meara 2, Smith 2, Gunston 2, Puopolo, Henderson Melbourne: Kent 3, Hogan, Salem, Neal-Bullen
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Watching footy in Jakarta
Watching footy in Jakarta, The Age, supporting the Dees and v Tigers on Anzac Eve
Darren Spence – our correspondent in Jakarta
I…….<delete>, How…….<delete>, Why…….<delete>, expletive……<delete>. I have started writing this review about 5 times; it has not been easy! I have been disappointed more often than not over following the Dees for more than 40 years and it is fair to say the weekend performance was up there with the most disconsolate I have felt in a long time – well since 5 games ago – last round last year but I am not going to go there!
I thought/hoped disaster games were passed us now and the way we started the game I was extremely pumped up at quarter time. 20 points up, Kent with 3, Hogan highest possession getter on the ground there was a lot to like about the way the Dees were playing. It wasn’t just me that felt that way, I was watching with a few Hawks supporters and one of them actually left at quarter time believing Melbourne were going to thrash his boys……he obviously has not followed Melbourne’s past form very much!
After quarter time there is very little to write about. 1 goal to 15 says it all.
There is a silver lining however…..I assume most of you have read the article in The Age from their correspondent based in Jakarta about questioning whether to make his imminent new born support the Dees? Well anyway I got hold of him and (when he is back from working overseas) we are going to start watching games together! It will be great to watch games again with a Dees fan, it has been a while! Our first game will be the Saints on May 6 but before that we have the Tigers on Anzac Eve. Watch for the boys to come out firing – they have a lot to prove and what better way to do in a blockbuster game!
Votes this week
LUKEY TAPSCOTT (rnd 4)
Oliver 5
Hogan 4
Petracca 3
Jones 2
Neal Bullen 1
ANB RISING STAR (rnd 4)
Oliver 5
Hogan 4
Petracca 3
Neal Bullen 2
Salem 1
LUKEY TAPSCOTT (overall)
Hogan 15
Petracca 12
Gawn 9
Oliver 9
Jones 6
Garlett 5
Salem 2
Bugg 1
Neal Bullen 1
ANB RISING STAR (overall)
Hogan 18
Petracca 15
Oliver 12
Tyson 5
Salem 4
Neal Bullen 3
Fritsch 2
Bugg 2
Harmes 1
Hulk continues to lead both awards at this stage of the year.
Go Dees
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Gurus End The Hoodoo
Round 3 – Melbourne Vs North Melbourne and the Gurus End The Hoodoo
Liam Chambers – our correspondent in Coffs Harbour
Finally we beat the Roos after 17 attempts. Last year I cried twice into my beer wondering how we succumbed on the field when on paper we should have been the victors. However, I am realising with each passing week that The Demons of 2018 are a completely different team. Max Gawn started making amends last week but he really stepped up on Saturday when he was man of the match.
North Melbourne started furiously and threw everything at the Dees. Cunnington opened the scoring for the Roos followed by Waite & Brown all in the first ten minutes. Then Waite scored again before The Redemption Man Thomas Bugg kicked one for the Dees to calm the nerves. Dean Kent slotted one home two minutes later to make things look a bit more respectable. However, North
Melbourne kept up the pressure with Goldstein kicking their 5th goal. A few behinds then Bugg steps up to score his 2nd. The Dees go in at quarter time trailing 33-20.
Early goals by Fritsch & Vince ease the pressure. Gawn is impressive, easily gaining the upper hand in the ruck. A goal by Billy Hartung reminds the Dees not to get too carried away though. A couple of minutes later sees Jessie Hogan score, then a lovely bit of play by Garlett gives Melbourne their 4th of the quarter to lead by 7 points. Successive goals from Bugg and Petracca add to the tally before Simpkin & Brown hit back for the Roos. Half time score is 61-52 in favour of Melbourne.
Early in the third quarter, Dean Kent scores his 2nd. The Dees are again dominant but are unable to add much to the scoreboard before Ben Brown kicks 2 goals in 3 minutes to upset the momentum. Hogan though is not at his best and misses again for a behind. Garlett makes no mistake with his effort and when Kent scores again things are looking up with Melbourne taking a 19 points lead into the final quarter.
You know it will be a special afternoon when Jordan Lewis scores a goal. A few concerns though when Jetta and Gawn go off to receive treatment. Then Waite gets his 3rd for the Roos and a nervous few minutes ensue until Jeff Garlett slots home his 2nd. Bugg fully made amends when he kicked his 4th putting Melbourne in a more comfortable position going into the final 10 minutes. A goal from Jones looked like sealing the deal but a Cunnington reply 2 minutes later still had fans anxious. 2 goals in the final 3 minutes from Clayton Oliver though puts the icing on the cake. Melbourne win by 123 to 86 but ticking off this milestone is another reason to believe The Dees will be playing finals come September.
MELBOURNE 3.2 9.7 12.13 18.15 (123)
NORTH MELBOURNE 5.3 8.4 10.6 13.8 (86)
GOALS
Melbourne: Bugg 4, Kent, Garlett 3, Oliver 2, Hogan, Petracca, Vince, Fritsch, Lewis, Jones
North Melbourne: Brown 4, Waite 3, Cunnington 2, Goldstein, Hartung, Simpkin, Ziebell
BEST
Melbourne: Gawn, Hogan, Petracca, Lewis, Salem, Kent
North Melbourne: Cunnington, Brown, Higgins, McDonald, Dumont
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Big Maxy
Big Maxy dominant performance, Hogan also was magnificent, Petracca Bugg Garlett and Kent looked dangerous all day
When I was 17 I couldn’t wait to get to 18.
Darren Spence – our correspondent in Jakarta
The ability to get into a pub without dodgy ID, being able to drive and all the freedom that comes along with that. I was so jealous of my mates that were already 18. My 18th birthday couldn’t come soon enough. And so it seemed with the Dees on Saturday. The way they started the game they too appeared to be in a hurry to get to 18….18 straight losses to the Roos.
4 goals down before our boys even scored was far from ideal. If I worked for the Melbourne marketing department I would put forward a proposed tag line. Melbourne Football Club…..frustrating die hard fans since 1858. I don’t think it would go down too well with them but it is exactly how I was feeling during the game. Once again we allowed a team to tear us apart for portions of the game. I said we needed to play 4 quarters and to hold both Brown and Waite to win…well we didn’t achieve all of those but we did manage the win – finally breaking the hoodoo and running out victors by 37 points.
The win was set up in the middle by Big Maxy. A dominant performance with 50 hit outs and 18 possessions, ensuring that we got first use of the ball – clearly winning centre clearances and contested possessions. Hogan also was magnificent. He has had a terrific start to the year and Goodwin has added a string to his bow by playing him in spurts through the middle which is making us all that more dangerous and unpredictable. Petracca likewise continued his great start with 25 disposals and Bugg and Kent looked dangerous all day combining for 7 goals and Garlett also kicked 3. Our spread of goal kickers this year has been impressive and with us leading the points for at this stage of the season I am sure it is going to present further headaches for all teams we come up against.
Talking about coming up against, we have a pivotal next 4 weeks – all against sides hoping to vie for a finals spot this year. Sunday it is the Hawks. Another bogey side of late. I am predicting a close one but I certainly will be confident that we will come home with the points.
LUKEY TAPSCOTT VOTES (Rnd 3)
GAWN 5
HOGAN 4
PETRACCA 3
SALEM 2
BUGG 1
ANB RISING STAR (Rnd 3)
HOGAN 5
PETRACCA 4
SALEM 3
BUGG 2
TYSON 1
LUKEY TAPSCOTT LEADERBOARD
HOGAN 11
GAWN 9
PETRACCA 9
GARLETT 5
JONES 4
OLIVER 4
SALEM 2
BUGG 1
ANB RISING STAR
HOGAN 14
PETRACCA 12
OLIVER 7
TYSON 5
SALEM 3
FRITSCH 2
BUGG 2
HARMES 1
NEAL BULLEN 1
For the 2nd week in a row Hogan could count himself unlucky not to be BOG but he currently holds the lead for both awards. In the ANB Rising Star both himself and Trac have started to open up a gap over the rest of the group but it is still early days.
Go Dees
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