Port away is actually a big test for them. If they win they probably lock in top 2 and put the questions to bed.
Printable View
I wonder if their form decline has coincided with coaches getting more accustomed to the stand rule and the reduction recently in the openness that created?
Mcdonald had an outstanding start with the ball coming in so fast, allowing him to use his athleticism to maximum advantage but now he seems to be getting caught in congestion and needs to push up the ground more.
Teams using a +1 at stoppages and counter acting the Lever advantage has really stifled their movement. Means Oliver getting a lot more attention also and he is pivotal for them.
If they can get back to the quicker ball movement we saw earlier from them they will still be a real threat come September considering their healthy list.
They do look a bit tired.
I'm so conflicted by the Dees, can never get a good read on them.
They are certainly down with 2 poor losses in 3 weeks and lets face it they were a bit lucky vs Essendon.
Run home is Port in Adelaide, Hawks, GC away, Bulldogs, Eagles in Perth, Adelaide and Geelong at GMHBA.
4 very hard matches left, if they split that or better they likely finish top 2. Lose 3 or 4 and they might not even come in the top 4.
Heck lose this week and they are 4th assuming Brisbane beat Saints.
The Dees are really well drilled and disciplined, but my sudden hesitation over them is from the exact flaw that everyone saw coming playing out in the exact way as to dent their chances.
They cede numbers at stoppages to allow their structure to set up behind the ball, which is fine if your forwards can reliably score once the ball gets put into them off turnover, but they can’t. So in effect what they’re doing is taking away their ability to manufacture goals from stoppages in order to generate movement from behind the play, only to waste those possession chains on a forward line that can’t do anything.
Ben Brown is not the answer, McDonald has reverted to the mean and Pickett has been struggling for weeks. I don’t think they have the personnel to turn it around without totally ruining their structure and therefore their main strength.
Good analysis HD.
Melbourne are relying on their backline setup, and forcing turnovers so they can score. So far all their wins have been 5 goals or under, except a 50 point against the Hawks. They are doing just enough to win. No major injuries to date, but if Lever or May go down, there could be some trouble.