Inside the Demons

[MTTY]

Small Backs

Clint Bartram
Joel Macdonald
James Strauss
Luke Tapscott
Josh Tynan
Daniel Nicholson

Tall Backs

Troy Davis
James Frawley
Colin Garland
Tom McDonald
Jared Rivers


Inside Midfielders

Jordan Gysberts
Nathan Jones
Jordie McKenzie
Brent Moloney
Rory Taggert
Jack Trengove
James Magner
Michael Evans (R)
Tom Couch

Outside Midfielders

Rohan Bail
Sam Blease
Cale Morton

Small Forwards

Brad Green
Neville Jetta
Ricky Petterd
Kelvin Lawrence (R)

Tall Forwards

Mitchell Clark
Lucas Cook
Lynden Dunn
Jeremy Howe
Liam Jurrah
Jai Sheahan(R)
Leigh Williams(R)


Utility

Jamie Bennell
Aaron Davey
Jack Grimes
Colin Sylvia
Matthew Bate


Key Utility

Jack Fitzpatrick
Stefan Martin
James Sellar
Jack Watts


Rucks

Max Gawn
Mark Jamar
Jake Spencer


Best 22 Structure wise (in my opinion)

B - Tom McDonald   James Frawley  Colin Garland

HB - James Strauss   Jared Rivers    Jack Grimes

C - Jack Watts     Nathan Jones      Rohan Bail

HF - Jeremy Howe    Stefan Martin   Liam Jurrah

F - Colin Sylvia     Mitchell Clark    Brad Green

R - Mark Jamar   James Magner   Jordie McKenzie

I/C  -  Jack Trengove   Lynden Dunn  Brent Moloney

Sub - Aaron Davey

EMER - Clint Bartram  Ricky Petterd  Sam Blease


Depth/Role Fillers  -  Luke Tapscott  James Sellar  Max Gawn  Matthew Bate


In Depth


Backline - We have a very good amount of talls in our backline, with the benefit being that Garland can take a small and shut him down very effectively. So while our backs may seem top heavy on the talls, it works better with all four of them (McDonald, Frawley, Rivers and Garland) there. I'll admit though we do miss out on a lot of run both out and back in (when teams counter attack us) which is exactly why Jack Grimes must play in defence. Grimes acts as the general or kicker, of which he has done very well in past years as he is very quick on the rebound while also possessing good kicking and 'dodging' skills. James Strauss adds another semi tall marking back to the line, this is really a preference of mine as a fan as i like the way he plays and the dimension he adds compared to say Batram. I have to admit that i think Sam Blease could add speed and confidence to the backline when rebounding but he still needs to learn how to control when and when not to attempt taking on a player, as with the way we structure if he makes one mistake then a score is very likely to occur.

Key Player

Tom McDonald - Probably the fittest of our backs and at that young an age is a star in the making for us, i see him taking over Frawley as the number 1 defender at the Dees very soon. Played a very good game on Nick Riewoldt.



Midfield - Not enough runners & where is the star??????

We have far too many inside harder type players, which isn't a bad thing as we usually compete well in the contested situation, however we are constantly scored against because of teams out running us (running through our structure), this needs to be changed shown by Jack Watts lining up there. Magner, Moloney and Jones all add the 'hard' factor but in saying that Moloney needs to learn how to deal with a tag, while his team mates also need to offer him greater protection and help. At this stage i see our only real outside running types being Bail and Trengove (although i would rather him develop as an inside midfielder) but while they are very well of agility wise, they don't have elite speed and are someway off having that. All in all we need a star (Pendlebury, Judd, Black, Thompson, GAJ, Watson, Pavlich, Selwood etc.) unless we get that soon our stint  at the bottom of the ladder will become far more than just a stint.

Key player

Brent Moloney - When he stars, we shine its as simple as that. We need him to beat the tag continuously if we are to even win a game this season.


Forwards - I think this line has the most potential for us at the moment. We have a dangerous marking key forward in Clark with sufficient mid-tall forwards around him to finish games off. Martin started the year playing the role in the forward line very well, with the exception of his marking, the big positive being he drew a key opposition defender with him. Jeremy Howe and Liam Jurrah add the x-factor to our forward line through marking and running into the midfield. Sylvia and Green are perhaps the most important in a way as they are the ones who must kick the 30-40 goals a year, they both have the body size and technique to outmuscle most smaller marking backs while also having the speed to out run taller backs. For me Sylvia's time in the midfield is effectively over.

Key Player

Stefan Martin - As i said he draws the second best key backs outside 50, opening up the option of both Clark one on one and the crumbing space for Sylvia and Green.


Sub - Aaron Davey - Best suits him, can not handle the attention from most players now-days whereas if he were to come on and be fresher than any other player on the field he could have quite a good quarter - a quarter and a half.

Key issues -


We Need a STAR!

Outside Midfielders wanted!

The Need For Speed


If we are to become competitive, while keeping the structure we currently have, then all of the above must be ticked off.


Looking Forward

Draft - It really doesn't help that Jack Viney is an inside (and very very hard) player. While he could fill the void of Star player, we again miss out on being able to add some speed into the team. However this can be addressed if we are to obtain the number one draft pick, as Lachie Whitfield (Likely #1) most definitely adds speed to any team. Another player who can add speed is Sam Mayes, who can play as both a marking forward or running midfielder. Mayes has a knack for competing with higher leveled players, with his speed and kicking being in the elite class.


Get Out -

Cale Morton - Every time i see him play, i just can't see why we continue with him. He lacks simple ball handling skills and just does not have the awareness around the ground and ball that an AFL player should.

Neville Jetta - I don't see him as being good enough or even having a role in the team with the amount of potential forwards ahead of him.


Look for -

Shannon Byrnes - Will add the so called speed. Cannot break into Geelongs midfield let alone forwards but from what i have seen he is a very talented player when used in the right role.


Steven Salopek - Another player that adds run and class. Can not break into the Port team, why not offer him game time in a team that could use his attributes?


Lindsey Gilbee - Is very keen to play on elsewhere if he isn't given a contract next year. Bulks up our half back line, with excellent kicking skills.



So there it is my thoughts on the club.

Opinions from others?

[Ziplock]

Steven Salopek - Another player that adds run and class. Can not break into the Port team, why not offer him game time in a team that could use his attributes?

dude... you know you're desperate when you're taking Port Adelaides fringe players...

like, at least when we got cornes it was because he was shafted (lets face it, he was easily in the 22, and really shouldn't have been forced to retire).

[MTTY]

Steven Salopek - Another player that adds run and class. Can not break into the Port team, why not offer him game time in a team that could use his attributes?

dude... you know you're desperate when you're taking Port Adelaides fringe players...

like, at least when we got cornes it was because he was shafted (lets face it, he was easily in the 22, and really shouldn't have been forced to retire).

There's every chance he could do well at a new club like plenty of players have in the past. Doesn't matter if he is a Port fringe player or an Eagles fringe player his style may just not suit the way in which Port Adelaide plays. Salopek is a very high draft pick who does have a lot of skill about him. So who knows a fresh start could work wonders e.g. J.P.Kennedy

[elephants]

Awesome write-up MTTY! I agree with moves on Salopek and Byrnes both are class player that aren't required at their respective clubs.

I rate Dan Nicholson. No spot for him in the 22 or 25 or even as a depth player??

[Purple 77]

Oh man MTTY that is a great write-up! Spot on with the star!

IMO, with our midfielders, all of them (well, at least at the moment) are '3rd' or '4th' midfielders. For example, Brent Moloney is a good player (when he can shake a tag), but he isn't a number one midfielder, he is a "3rd best" midfielder who, if given that label, will be the most successful.

As you've said, we dont really have a good (again, atm) outside midfielder, which can be linked to the huge differentials in the uncontested possession and the general lack of speed. Again, as you've said, WE DONT HAVE A STAR, who can be both the inside and especially outside player. We have plenty of inside players who do the grunt, but none that can do the polish. So, in otherwords, we dont have a silky skillful midfielder.

I strongly believe we have a top-6 backline. Now i no this sounds crazy, but that is just MO. The reason why it is so good and is so developed, because comically that is where the ball is all the time therefore they develop quicker.

Ruck is great, Backline fantastic, forward is good. Midfield is poor. That is the reason why we are a sellar dweller, because the midfield is the most important part of a team. It creates goals by driving the ball forward, and defends goals by stopping the oppositions drive forward. Take the midfield out, then we have no means of scoring and we are stuck defending all the time. So since we haven't got any more than about 12 goals in a game this season, you can say using that logic, that we have a poor midfield.

We have PLENTY of talls, back and forward. So if i could talk to Mark Neeld (that is, if he hasn't already realised, but i think he has), i would be begging him to use all of our top draft picks on star midfielders.

And one more thing......

The seniors aren't good enough, there ive said it. I think Green should move on, whether it be retirement or another club. Although sylvia is under contract, SACK HIM! buy him out! He is useless and has always been but melbourne keep him coz he decides every now and then to throw in a very impressive performance to keep him in the club. The Davey era is gone.

The only seniors worth keeping IMO is Rivers and Russian, everybody else over 26 (which is only Joel Macdonald) should be shown the door

[MTTY]

Cheers Ele and Purple.

For me Nicholson still needs to develop further still. He is a going to be a solid running back but i think he is a far bit down the pecking order. But it really does come down to preference for me its Strauss though i can see your logic on Nicholson.  :)

Totally agree with you on your points there Purple. Precisely why i think we need to approach the draft with both our compo picks from Scully.

[MTTY]

Awesome write-up MTTY! I agree with moves on Salopek and Byrnes both are class player that aren't required at their respective clubs.

I rate Dan Nicholson. No spot for him in the 22 or 25 or even as a depth player??

I apologise Ele, Nicholson is definitely in our best 22 after his performance tonight!

[tbagrocks]

Awesome write-up MTTY! I agree with moves on Salopek and Byrnes both are class player that aren't required at their respective clubs.

I rate Dan Nicholson. No spot for him in the 22 or 25 or even as a depth player??

I apologise Ele, Nicholson is definitely in our best 22 after his performance tonight!

anyone in the 22 tonight has to be in the best 22, wow two upsets, Melbourne and Port on the same night! suddenly the season changes

[MTTY]

Awesome write-up MTTY! I agree with moves on Salopek and Byrnes both are class player that aren't required at their respective clubs.

I rate Dan Nicholson. No spot for him in the 22 or 25 or even as a depth player??

I apologise Ele, Nicholson is definitely in our best 22 after his performance tonight!

anyone in the 22 tonight has to be in the best 22, wow two upsets, Melbourne and Port on the same night! suddenly the season changes

Fair point, though Frawley was missing.

[elephants]

Awesome write-up MTTY! I agree with moves on Salopek and Byrnes both are class player that aren't required at their respective clubs.

I rate Dan Nicholson. No spot for him in the 22 or 25 or even as a depth player??

I apologise Ele, Nicholson is definitely in our best 22 after his performance tonight!

No worries!! He's a pretty impressive young player!!

[j959]

Great write-up MTTY as usual.

You had a star but he had some dodgy knees and decided to make a financial decision for his future, so he bolted town and 'took the money and ran' so to speak ...  :(    ;)

[Ziplock]

<3 scully :P

[Cicjose]

better to get rid of the broken players (Scully and his knees) and find the best possible replacement asap than to persevere with them hoping in time they will be good.

In today's AFL if anyone becomes a passenger (injury, form or otherwise) they should not be considered for long term propsperity and the fact is Melbourne is fighting against Gold Coast and GWS to find a way to survive