The same old problems are standing in the way of a grand new flag for Melbourne.
Simon Goodwin and his coaches could chuckle at how his Demons butchered the ball against Richmond, but it will be no laughing matter should there be a repeat in the next fortnight against Geelong and Carlton.
Simon Goodwin described Melbourne’s turnovers as “extraordinary”, and their forward play as a work in progress.Credit: Getty Images
Except for a glorious final fortnight in Perth in 2021, the Dees’ woes in attack have been an issue throughout Goodwin’s reign in the red and the blue, and remain so in 2024.
Their defence, led by Steven May and Jake Lever, remains the cornerstone of their game, as they showed by keeping a keen but undermanned Richmond to just five goals on a perfect night for football, and their midfield is the envy of 17 other clubs.
But it’s in the final third where their problems lie. Some of their entries inside 50 in the first half were nothing short of horrendous. The Tigers were just as bad though understandable given they are at six o’clock on the premiership clock. The Dees, however, have much loftier ambitions.
Goodwin described the Dees’ turnovers as “extraordinary”, and their forward play as a work in progress. Perhaps, he was more robust behind closed doors.
Take this sample in the second term when they could muster just one goal from 15 entries inside 50. Worryingly, some of their best players were at fault.
From a free kick in the centre square, Christian Petracca held the ball, allowing Richmond to set up defensively, then dumped it in long and high, asking Max Gawn to mark like Warwick Capper.
Despite having plenty of space to work with, Kysaiah Pickett missed Bayley Fritsch by kicking it too far in front of him and out on the full.
Jacob Windsor, who has shown polish early in his career, had his pass cut off at true centre half-forward, one of the worst spots to turn the ball over in 2024. Later, he laced out Tigers wingman Hugo Ralphsmith at almost the same spot without any defensive layers to prevent a fast break.
Max Gawn of the Demons is challenged by Marlion Pickett of the Tigers.Credit: Getty Images
“Anyone watching the game, some of the turnovers, it was extraordinary to be honest,” Goodwin said. “It made a few people laugh in the box, certainly on the bench. It was very unlike us in terms of where we were turning it over, and how easy we were turning it over.”
The Demons have plotted all summer on improving what coaches call the “connection piece” forward of centre. Progress has been only incremental, but their best forward Bayley Fritsch is encouraged by what he has seen.
“At times, we’ll fall into the trap of the long ball,” Fritsch told this masthead.
“It’s been a work nearly since I’ve been at the club – our forward half connection. I think we’ve shown some patches this year where you can see some real progress. At times, we’ll go back and it’ll be a little boggy, but I think we’re definitely trending the right way.”
Melbourne Demons’ Daniel Turner of the Demons celebrates a goal during their match against the Richmond Tigers.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
That a player like Daniel Turner, who kicked two of his three goals in the third quarter, was their game-breaker speaks volumes about the considerable lengths the Dees are going to find a cure.
Recruited as a defender in the 2021 mid-season rookie draft, Turner would have been well down the list of potential forward-line saviours for many Demons fans. But with their backline well stocked, it made sense for forwards coach Greg Stafford to poach him from defence and try him in front of goal in the VFL.
Blessed with decent pace for a player standing 194 centimetres, Turner has similar attributes to take the role vacated by Joel Smith, who had an impact last year in the finals but whose playing future is under a cloud after doping violations allegations.
“We liked what we saw and had a really good discussion about it this week,” Goodwin said.
“It really was about what are some of the attributes he brings that can help us as a team. He brings an aerial game, he brings air to ground speed, and he had impact tonight.
“Daniel knows he’s got a lot of work to do. He hasn’t played many games as a forward. He’s still got a lot of growth in his game. We’re hoping we’ve found one there.”
Melbourne’s best passages came in the final quarter, blowing the margin out to 43 as the Tigers tired, but stronger opposition will stick around for longer.
Unlike last year’s finals series when they were ravaged by injury, Goodwin has his best pieces still on the chessboard.
They should be bolstered in the coming weeks by high-flying recruit Shane McAdam, who booted three goals returning from injury in the VFL on Wednesday.
Their preferred combination of former backman Harrison Petty, youngster Jacob Van Rooyen and All Australian Bayley Fritsch have four months to build cohesion. At 5-2, they can do this without the pressure of fighting to stay afloat. They still have a way to go before they will be smoking anyone in September.
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