We all hear the stories and read the news about ‘good guys’ or ‘great characters’ in the AFL. Never have we seen a team collectively show as much generosity, humility and downright selflessness to their opposition as the 2012 Melbourne Demons.
The current Dees’ make Grant Denyer look like the leader of the Hells Angels. They are only a few knot tying badges away from leading the local Boy Scout troop.
First of all they help out the competition’s ‘new boys’, GWS by giving up their best player for little more than a few draft picks and a handshake, as well as generously standing down one of their club’s longest serving players to Victorian Amateur Football, only to be picked up by crafty old Kevin Sheedy and the Giants later on.
Then, when they’re not propping up the new kids on the block, they’re staying behind after games for a chat and a giggle with the opposition after getting pumped on the pitch.
Following a 60 point hiding, mere mortals would have been furious with themselves, kicking the dirt in dismay and steeling themselves for a tough week to bounce back.
Instead, there are those lovely Melbourne players smiling along after their loss to the Hawks, making sure to thank them for the opportunity to play them and pose for photos. It was surely all they could do not to ask Buddy for his autograph.
How can anyone seriously give the Melbourne Football Club any chance of success in 2012 (or beyond) as long as they’re carrying on like the Dandenong High debating team and being beaten week-in, week-out? Call it ‘soft’ or ‘nice’, but if they’re to start challenging teams seriously, they’ll need to find something extra from within; and start to show a bit more heart and determination.
Hell, even the GWS pups are having more of a crack at the moment.
On a serious note, despite their claim to turn around the perception of their ‘bruise-free footy’, 2012 has seen them do nothing of the sort – instead they are regularly giving the opposition a free ride to the four points.
With less disposals to date (2072); and less contested possessions (940) than any other team, it’s no wonder they’re languishing on the bottom of the table. Maybe Neeld needs to remind his players that the aim is to get the ball, not run from it. For, as long as Melbourne keeps losing these major statistical categories, they’ll surely struggle to win games.
In all honesty, I do hope Melbourne pick themselves up and start to play good footy. If not for their fans, for the competition – for as we all well know: if you’re not winning games, nothing else matters.
In this game, you don’t get a medal for effort; nor do you get a participation award with a big gold star from Andrew Demetriou as a way of the AFL to say ‘thanks for playing guys’.
If the Dees are to be competitive, they need to stand up and be a team to be feared, not a team others look forward to playing.
Because at the moment all they’ve proven so far this season, is that nice guys do indeed finish last.
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